Background: The daily cleaning routine of the silicone maxillofacial prostheses by the patient may cause some alteration in the materials properties. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of different disinfection procedures on some properties of silicon dioxide reinforced Cosmesil M511 HTV maxillofacial silicone. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty (160) specimens were prepared by mixing 5% SiO2 nano particles and 0.5% intrinsic cream color into the silicone polymer according to manufacturer's instructions. Specimens were divided into 4 groups according to the performed test (tear strength, surface hardness, surface roughness and color) with 40 specimens each. Each group was further subdivided according to the disinfection procedure conducted (control, microwave exposure, neutral soap and 4% chlorhexidine gluconate). Measurements for tear strength were done using universal testing machine. Surface hardness test was carried out with a Shore A Durometer. Surface roughness was analyzed with a portable digital Profilometer. Color change was established with a Spectrophotometer. After the initial testing, all specimens were submitted to disinfection procedure 3 times a week for 60 days. Measurements were repeated and data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Fisher's LSD or Games-Howell test. Results: Spectrophotometer results showed non-significant decrease in the light absorbance of all experimental groups after disinfection, indicating a strong integration between the nano filler and the polymeric chains, which was not broken during the disinfection procedure. Highly-significant increase in Shore A hardness was recorded, while the decrease in surface roughness was highly significant in all experimental groups. Tear strength reduced significantly after disinfection in all experimental groups. Conclusion: Disinfection seemed to cause different amount of alteration in all of the tested properties of silicone. High color stability is expected in this type of maxillofacial silicone after disinfection.Although microwave exposure had increased the hardness of the material, it is considered a satisfactory disinfection procedure since it caused the least effect on the tear strength and surface roughness of the material. Therefore, microwave exposure is recommended for the disinfection of maxillofacial silicone prostheses.
Background: Ultrasonography has been used to examine the thickness of the lower uterine segment in women with previous cesarean sections in an attempt to predict the risk of scar dehiscence during subsequent pregnancy. The predictive value of such measurement has not been adequately assessed. Objectives: To correlate lower uterine segment thickness measured by trans abdominal ultrasound in pregnant women with previous cesarean section with that measured during cesarean section by caliper and to find out minimum lower uterine segment thickness indicative of integrity of the scar.Methods: A prospective observational study at Elwyia Maternity Teaching Hospital, from January 2011 to January 2012. A total of 143 women were enrolled in the stu
... Show MoreBackground: Strangles is a highly contagious equine respiratory disease caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. It is a globally significant pathogen and one of the most common infectious agents in horses. In Iraq, no sequencing data on this pathogen are available, and only two molecular studies have been published to date. This study provides preliminary insights into strain diversity and provides a foundation for future large-scale investigations. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics, identify SeM gene alleles, and perform a phylogenetic analysis of S. equi isolates from horses in Baghdad, Iraq. Methods: We analyzed 59 Streptococcus spp. isolates previously obtained from equine clinical sample
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The research aims to examine the relationship between psychological flow, psychological well-being, and self-management among a sample of fine artists in the Makkah region and its governorates. The research also aims to examine the mean group differences in psychological flow, psychological well-being, and self-management due to demographic variables (sex and years of practicing arts). The sample consists of (110) male and female fine artists. The descriptive correlational approach was performed to collect the data by using the psychological flow scale developed by Payne et al (2011), which was translated by the researcher, the Oxford happiness questionnaire developed by Hills and Argyle (2002), it has t
... Show MoreThe bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) is the most popular orthognathic procedure performed by maxillofacial surgeons to treat skeletal class II and class III and to correct mandibular asymmetries. The study aimed to evaluate the lingual splitting patterns and lateral bone cut end (LBCE) in bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) and their relation with the ramal thickness and the presence of impacted third molars using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). This prospective observational study included patients with mandibular prognathism who were treated with BSSO with or without Le Fort I osteotomy. Cone beam computed tomography was used to measure the ramal thickness preoperatively and to evaluate the LBCE, and the lingu
... Show MoreA new Schiff base (HL2) ligand (4‐{2‐[(2‐hydroxy‐benzylidene)‐amino]‐ethyl}‐benzene‐1,2‐diol) has been synthesized by condensing of 4‐(2‐amino‐ethyl)‐benzene‐1,2‐diol and 2‐hydroxy‐benzaldehyde. In turn, its transition metal complexes were prepared, having the following general formulas: Ni(L2)2, Pd(L2)2, and Pt(L2)22Cl. The prepared ligand and its metal complexes Ni(II), Pd(II), and Pt(IV) have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR
2-benzamide benzothiazole complexes of Pd(II) , Pt(IV) and Au(III) ions were prepared by microwave assisted radiation. The ligand and the complexes were isolated and characterized in solid state by using FT-IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, flame atomic absorption, elemental analysis CHNS , magnetic susceptibility measurements , melting points and conductivity measurements. The nature of complexes in liquid state was studied by following the molar ratio method which gave results approximately identical to those obtained from isolated solid state; also, stability constant of the prepared complexes were studied and found that they were stable in molar ratio 1:1.The complexes have a sequar planner geometry except Pt(IV) complex has octahedral .
... Show MoreThis research examines the relationship between dinar deposits and U.S. dollar payments at the Central Bank of Iraq using monthly data for the period 2016–2025. The ARDL model, the GRU neural network, and a hybrid ARDL–GRU model are applied. The results show that dollar payments are stationary at level, while dinar deposits become stationary after first differencing, with a significant positive long-run cointegrating relationship. The linear ARDL model has limited ability to capture sudden shocks, whereas the hybrid ARDL–GRU model achieves superior forecasting performance both in-sample and out-of-sample. The findings confirm the Central Bank of Iraq’s efficiency in managing domestic and foreign liquidity and maintaining market stab
... Show MoreHerein, date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) bunch (DPB) waste was transformed into activated carbon (DPAC) adsorbent by using microwaveinduced ZnCl2 activation for 15 min at a power of 600 W. Several analytical methods were used to explain the physicochemical parameters of DPBAC including XRD, pHpzc, BET, SEM–EDX, and FTIR. Afterwards, the adsorptive performance of DPBAC was thoroughly investigated for the removal of two structurally different organic dyes namely methyl violet (MV) and fuchsin basic (FB). The key adsorption parameters, including the dose of DPBAC (A: 0.02–0.06 g), the solution pH (B: 4–10), and the contact time (C: 2–20 min) were statistically optimized using the Box-Behnken design with response surface methodology (RSM
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