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This work studied the influence of thermomechanical treatment on the mechanical properties, structure, and crystallization of the Zr65.5Ni16Cu>8.5Al10 metallic glass alloy. It established that thermomechanical treatment significantly affects the mechanical properties of the alloy while maintaining its amorphous structure due to the formation of regions of chemical inhomogeneity in the amorphous matrix. In addition, shear deformation affects the initial crystallization of the alloy. As a result, there is a transition from one-stage crystallization to two-stage crystallization with a strain increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Cement–bentonite (CB) slurry cutoff walls are extensively utilized to restrict the horizontal flow of fluids. In this study, cement was replaced by four various contents of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% by natural zeolite to evaluate its effects on the unconfined compressive strength, flexural strength, tensile strength, and the coefficient of permeability of cement–bentonite–zeolite (CBZ) specimens. Since underground cutoff walls are always in danger of sulfate attack, the CBZ specimens were immersed in three different containers with three different pH values of 2, 5, and 8 to study the sulfate resistance of this material. Results have indicated that the strength of specimens decreases with an increase in zeolite content at early ages; however, increasing the amount of zeolite up to 20% improves the mechanical properties and permeability of cutoff wall materials at late ages. The bentonite/cement (B/C) ratio equal to 0.2 shows a relatively better response than B/C ratios equal to 0.14 and 0.3. Curing specimens in the sulfate environment increased the mechanical strength of specimens and decreased the coefficient of permeability at first ages. At the late ages, curing in sulfate solutions manifested disadvantageous effects on specimens; however, specimens containing zeolite indicated higher sulfate resistance than specimens without zeolite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Due to the development of garlic cultivation, quantitative and qualitative evaluations of garlic ecotypes in different regions are important for breeding purposes. In this study, some vegetative and phytochemical traits of eight Iranian garlic ecotypes were assayed in a RCBD with three replications at Darab Agricultural Research Station, Iran during 2017-2018 growing season. The results showed that there is a significant difference among garlic ecotypes in terms of studied traits (P <0.01). In general, Tarom and Tafresh ecotypes showed the highest plant height, number of leaves, length of garlic leaves, leaf width, fresh weight, dry weight and the highest bulb diameter. Highest dry weight of garlic bulb (g) per plant was obtained in Darab (79.0 g), Tarom (75.5 g), and Talesh (75.0 g) ecotypes, with no significant difference among them (P = 0.01). Hamedan and Kerman ecotypes contained higher allicin content, alliin content, TPC, TFC, and TAC than the other ecotypes. Cluster analysis divided ecotypes into three distinct groups. Talesh and Hamedan ecotypes had the lowest similarity (0.34) and Darab and Tafresh ecotypes had the highest similarity (0.97). It can be concluded that Tarom, Tafresh, Hamedan, and Kerman can be recommended for cultivation depending on the quantitative (Tarom and Tafresh) and qualitative (Hamedan and Kerman) goals of cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The schematic diagram depicts the comprehensive approach employed in the electrospinning technique to fabricate nanofibrous mats. These mats are subject to in vitro and in vivo investigations, highlighting their potential in the context of wound dressing applications. [Display omitted] An important part of wound healing is providing effective wound care, coupled with preventing wound infection, which slows or disrupts healing. There are currently many herbal plants that have historical supernatural properties that show remarkable wound healing abilities. These herbal extracts have shown promising results when applied to electrospun nanofibrous mats platforms for wound healing. Accordingly, Malva Sylvestris extract (MS) was electrospun into polyvinyl alcohol/alginate nanofibrous mats (PVA/ALG). Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) demonstrated that the fiber diameter ranged from approximately 100–200 nm in nanofibrous mats, with a uniform appearance without beads. MS extract was detected in nanofibrous mats by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). A major benefit of incorporating MS extract into PVA/ALG nanofibrous mats is that their alterations have resulted in enhanced mechanical characteristics. The nanofibrous mats containing MS extracts showed significantly increased antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Based on the findings from in vivo experiments, the PVA/ALG/ MS 1 (M2) dressing demonstrated a wound closure rate of 93–94 % within 21 days of treatment in rats, indicating its significant potential for use as a wound dressing agent in the treatment of burn injuries. The combination of PVA, ALG, and MS 1 in this nanofibrous mats exhibited beneficial properties, including biocompatibility, suitable mechanical strength, and the ability to promote cellular proliferation and angiogenesis, further validating its effectiveness as a wound healing dressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...