Introduction: Salivary melatonin is a critical antioxidant that contributes to oral health by mitigating oxidative stress. Psychological stress linked to thumb sucking may disrupt oral homeostasis, leading to conditions such as dental caries and fungal infections. Aim: This study explores the relationships between thumb sucking, salivary melatonin levels, dental caries, and the presence of Candida albicans (CA) in children. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted with 60 children aged 4-5 years at the University of Baghdad’s College of Dentistry. Participants were divided into thumb-sucking (n=30) and non-thumb-sucking (n=30) groups. Salivary melatonin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), dental caries were assessed via the dmfs index, and CA counts were quantified on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Statistical analyses were performed, including t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation assessments. Results: Thumb-sucking children exhibited significantly lower salivary melatonin levels (28.620±2.278 pg/mL) compared to controls (34.525±2.142 pg/mL; p=0.044). The thumb-sucking group also had higher dmfs scores (15.033±1.449 vs. 8.667±0.899; p=0.000) and greater CA counts (18.900±1.048 vs. 13.583±0.549; p=0.000). Negative correlations were observed between salivary melatonin levels and the severity of dental caries, while positive correlations linked CA with dental caries. Conclusions: Thumb sucking adversely affects pediatric oral health by reducing salivary melatonin, increasing dental caries risk, and promoting fungal overgrowth. Early intervention to curb thumb-sucking behaviors may mitigate these risks and improve oral health outcomes.
The aim of the research is to clarify the measurement of the impact regarding financial value of human resources on investors' decisions by considering that the human element is one of the assets of the company. Therefore, a set of criteria must be available to determine the applicability of these standards in the human resource because it has an effective role in the success for the company. Is to measure the value of human resources in a financial format according to the first two methods depends on the value and the second depends on the cost.
In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire was designed to survey the views of a number of employees of the General Company for Leather Industries in order to arriv
... Show MoreIn this paper, numerical and experimental studies on the elastic behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) with stiffeners in the GFRP section's web (to prevent local buckling) are presented. The GFRP profiles were connected to the concrete deck slab by shear connectors. Two full-scale simply supported composite beams (with and without stiffeners) were tested under impact load (three-point load) to assess its structural response. The results proved that the maximum impact force, maximum deflection, damping time, and damping ratio of the composite beam were affected by the GFRP stiffeners. The experimental results indicated that the damping ratio and deflection were diminished compare
... Show MoreSlurry infiltrated fibrous concrete (SIFCON) is a modern type of fibre reinforced concrete (FRC). It has unique properties; SIFCON is superior in compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, impact resistance, energy absorption and ductility. Because of this superiority in these characteristics, SIFCON was qualified for applications of special structures, which require resisting sudden dynamic loads such as explosions and earthquakes. The main aim of this investigation is to determine the effect of fibre type on the apparent density of SIFCON and on performance under impact load. In this investigation, hook-end steel fibre and polyolefin fibre were used. Purely once and
Recently, environmental noise has arisen from various sources, such as those from exhaust mufflers of combustion engines found in cars, trucks, or power generators, which produce significant noise during their operation. Controlling the radiated noise from these mufflers is a major factor in improving acoustic comfort and minimizing the impact on the surrounding communities. Numerous research has been presented for this reason by modification of the internal structure of the exhaust muffler. The main objective of this work is to reduce the noise level emitted from exhaust mufflers. This can be achieved by adjusting structure parameters to attenuate the surrounding environment's radiated noise. Analysis of pressure-wave propagation h
... Show MoreThis research studied the relationship of patterns of investigator personality with the big five dimensions (Extraversion, stability, interoperability, openness, and personal benevolent), in facing the job stress with its resources(characteristics of the role, quality of work, organizational structure, work environment, organizational policies, social relations, and organizational processes) which the investigators exposed to it at the General Inspectors Offices.
The researcher derived the idea of research from the importance of the work of these offices in a confrontation of various cases of financial and administrative corruption in Iraq at the present time, since itis one of the most important in
... Show MoreIn today’s competitive environment, organizational efficiency and sustained growth are crucial for survival. The performance of an organization is intricately connected to strategic planning, prompting firms to gather and leverage competitive information for a competitive advantage. Senior managers, recognizing this, initiate actions accordingly. This study aims to investigate the relationship between foresight, vision, strategic partnerships, motivation, system thinking, and organizational performance. Data, gathered through a self-administered questionnaire from various textile units, were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings indicate that sub-constructs of strategic intelligence positively impact organizatio
... Show MoreEvaluation was carried out on the existing furrow irrigation system located in an open agricultural field within Hor Rajabh Township, south of Baghdad, Iraq (latitude: 33°09’ N, longitude: 44°24’ E). Two plots were chosen for comparison: treatment plot T1, which used subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) with a furrow irrigation system. While the treatment plot T2 was done by using a furrow irrigation procedure without SWRT. A comparison between the two treatment plots was carried out to study the efficiency of the applied water on crop yield. In terms of agricultural productivity and water use efficiency, plot T1 outperformed plot T2, according to the study’s final fin
This study presents an investigation about the effect of fire flame on the punching shear strength of hybrid fiber reinforced concrete flat plates. The main considered parameters are the fiber type (steel or glass) and the burning steady-state temperatures (500 and 600°C). A total of 9 half-scale flat plate specimens of dimensions 1500mm×1500mm×100mm and 1.5% fiber volume fraction were cast and divided into 3 groups. Each group consisted of 3 specimens that were identical to those in the other groups. The specimens of the second and the third groups were subjected to fire flame influence for 1 hour and steady-state temperature of 500 and 600°C respectively. Regarding the cooling process, water sprinkling was applied directly aft
... Show MoreThis research aims to examine the ability of impact of the cash flow statement indicators in the change in the market value of the industrial firms listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange. The research population consisted of (13) firms during the period (2015-2020). Data were collected from the annual financial statements of the firms. The research relies on the Pooled effects model to analyze the cross-section data (Panel Data), and the multiple regression method to test the hypotheses. The research finds a positive significant impact of (the ratios of cash flows from operating activities to sales, the return on assets from operating cash flows, and cash flows from operating activities to total current liabilities) in the change
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