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The viability of reinforcing the Al 6061 matrix using AlCrFeNi and AlCrFeNiTi high entropy alloy (HEA) particles is investigated. Body‐centered cubic, A2, and TiC phases are observed in both alloys after 12 h of milling. In situ TiC formation happens during mechanical alloying in AlCrFeNiTi HEA powders. Selected area diffraction patterns are employed in transmission electron investigations to authenticate the presence of distinct phases, affirming their existence within the studied material. Fabricated composites exhibit evenly spaced grains with homogeneous particle dispersion. In comparison to its equivalent, a composite reinforced with AlCrFeNiTi‐C particles exhibits greater grain refinement. Benefiting from dispersion strengthening and grain refinement, both metal matrix composites (MMCs) showcase enhanced attributes. In the case of Al6061/AlCrFeNiTi‐C MMC, a remarkable 25% boost in ultimate tensile strength is achieved, accompanied by a substantial 141.6% improvement in hardness. The findings demonstrate the contribution of HEA particles in improving the characteristics of Al alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the untapped potential of scrap granite particles as reinforcement to enhance the performance of monolithic Al alloy. Through a two-stage stir casting process, the aluminium alloy matrix (AA6061/AA7075) is reinforced with waste granite particles (GP) (5 wt.% and 2 wt.%) and silicon carbide (SiC) (2 wt.%). The microstructural, mechanical and tribological properties of aluminium-based single and hybrid reinforced composites are investigated using ASTM standards. Microstructural characterisation, including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirms the presence of grain refinement and microstructural strain in the composites. The tensile, hardness, impact energy and wear resistance properties of M2 (AA6061, 2 wt.% GP) and Z1 (AA7075, 2 wt.% SiC) composites surpassed those of M1 (AA6061, 5 wt.% GP) and Z2 (AA7075, 2 wt.% SiC, 2 wt.% GP) composites, underscoring their enhanced performance. M2 composite demonstrates a significant 14.97% increase in hardness and a precise 0.82% increase in tensile strength compared to M1. Similarly, the Z1 composite showcases a remarkable 50.1% improvement in hardness and 22.2% enhancement in tensile strength compared to their respective counterpart (Z2). SEM-based fractography analysis of tensile and impact test specimens revealed the presence of dimples, cleavage facets, river lines, intergranular cracks and disbonding, offering valuable insights into the failure mode. Furthermore, the worn surfaces exhibited wear mechanisms involving abrasion and adhesion-delamination. The utilisation of granite particles as reinforcement in these composites resulted in significantly improved properties, positioning them as a promising alternative for future sustainable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A paradigm shift in the traditional sequential design approaches is critically essential to create application-specific hierarchical and multifunctional materials with superior long-term performance for next-generation energy technologies involving extreme environments. In the current work, we aim to leverage the flexibility and geometric/compositional complexity offered by additive manufacturing to demonstrate this new approach by codesigning a compositionally graded Ni-based alloy for molten salts\sCO2 heat exchangers to enable mitigation of environmental degradation of surfaces exposed to molten halide salts, while simultaneously suppressing the consequent deterioration in mechanical stability. Thermokinetic modeling describing the underlying physics of thermally- and environmentally induced spatiotemporal compositional and microstructural evolution will be employed to predict the parameter space of material deposition processes and precisely identify the required composition gradient. Preliminary corrosion and mechanical testing of the dual material demonstrated the potential of the material to replace existing solid solution strengthened materials for this application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the gamma ray sensitivity of two sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties viz., SVPR1 and TMV7 irradiated with five different doses from 250 Gy to 450 Gy at 50 Gy intervals. Germination percentage, root and shoot length, pollen fertility (%) decreased gradually and observed a dose dependent relationship with an increase in dosage of gamma rays. Survival percentage recorded irregular decreasing trend with upsurge in survival rate at certain doses. SVPR1 showed a pronounced maximum reduction in germination percentage (37.5%) than TMV7 (40.05) at 450 Gy, whereas survival percentage of TMV7 (20.02%) and SVPR1 (19.5%) was drastically reduced at 250 Gy itself. At a higher dose of 450 Gy, root (3.08) and shoot (3.03) length of seedlings of SVPR1 were greatly inhibited. Pollen fertility percentage showed a linear reduction irrespective of the genotypes, and maximum reduction was rear at 450 Gy in SVPR1 (62.76%) was recorded. LD50 values that showed 50% reduction in biological parameters differed between TMV7 and SVPR1. Based on all the biological parameters studied, the mutagen sensitivity of SVPR1 is higher than TMV7. The overall considerations on M1 generation effects showed that SVPR1 were highly sensitive to gamma rays.

BackgroundCarboplatin (C) and paclitaxel (P) are standard treatments for carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP). Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, exhibits activity in diverse cancer types. We did a phase II trial combining everolimus with CP for CUP. We also evaluated whether a gene expression profiling (GEP) test that predicts tissue of origin (TOO) could identify responsive patients.Patients and methodsA tumor biopsy was required for central confirmation of CUP and GEP. Patients with metastatic, untreated CUP received everolimus (30 mg weekly) with P (200 mg/m(2)) and C (area under the curve 6) every 3 weeks. The primary end point was response rate (RR), with 22% needed for success. The GEP test categorized patients into two groups: those having a TOO where CP is versus is not considered standard therapy.ResultsOf 45 assessable patients, the RR was 36% (95% confidence interval 22% to 51%), which met criteria for success. Grade ≥3 toxicities were predominantly hematologic (80%). Adequate tissue for GEP was available in 38 patients and predicted 10 different TOOs. Patients with a TOO where platinum/taxane is a standard (n = 19) tended to have higher RR (53% versus 26%) and significantly longer PFS (6.4 versus 3.5 months) and OS (17.8 versus 8.3 months, P = 0.005), compared with patients (n = 19) with a TOO where platinum/taxane is not standard.ConclusionsEverolimus combined with CP demonstrated promising antitumor activity and an acceptable side-effect profile. A tumor biomarker identifying TOO may be useful to select CUP patients for specific antitumor regimens.ClinicaltrialsgovNCT00936702.

© 2015 Taddio et al.; licensee BioMed Central.Background: Adapting educational tools to meet user needs is a critical aspect of translating research evidence into best clinical practices. The objectives of this study were to evaluate usability and effectiv