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proliferatum while combined acetone extracts from Combretum erythrophyllum and Quercus acutissima exhibited 96%, 67% and 56% inhibition against F. verticilloides, F. proliferatum and F. solani, respectively. With the exception of Quercus acutissima ethyl acetate, none of the extracts significantly inhibited seed germination when compared to untreated seeds. This study showed that plant extracts could control Fusarium diseases without any adverse effects on maize seed germination or plant growth.This study analyzed the performance evaluation of alkali-activated composites (AAC) with an alkali-sulfate activator and determined the expected effects of applying AACs to actual sites. Results revealed that when the binder weight was increased by 100 kg/m3 at 7 days of age, the homogel strength of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and AAC increased by 0.9 and 5.0 MPa, respectively. According to the analysis of the matrix microstructures at 7 days of age, calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H, Ca1.5SiO3.5·H2O) and ettringite (Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12·26H2O) were formed in AAC, which are similar hydration products as found in OPC. Furthermore, the acid resistance analysis showed that the mass change of AAC in HCl and H2SO4 solutions ranged from 36.1% to 88.0%, lower than that of OPC, indicating AAC's superior acid resistance. Moreover, the OPC and AAC binder weight ranges satisfying the target geltime (20-50 s) were estimated as 180.1-471.1 kg/m3 and 261.2-469.9 kg/m3, respectively, and the global warming potential (GWP) according to binder weight range was 102.3-257.3 kg CO2 eq/m3 and 72.9-126.0 kg CO2 eq/m3. Therefore, by applying AAC to actual sites, GWP is expected to be 29.5 (28.8%)-131.3 (51.0%) kg CO2 eq/m3 less than that of OPC.The present study aimed to determine the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), thyme oil (THO), or their combination on the nutrient digestibility coefficients, reproductive parameters, and some blood metabolites of male Californian rabbits. One hundred rabbits, 29-weeks of age (initial body weight 3.48 ± 0.08 kg) were randomly distributed into four groups, 25 rabbits each. Treatment groups were fed a control diet, a control diet supplemented with ZnO-NPs (100 mg/kg), THO (500 mg/kg), or combination of ZnO-NPs (100 mg/kg) and THO (500 mg/kg). The feeding trial lasted for 35 days. Results showed improvements in dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and crude fiber in ZnO-NPs, THO, and their combination treated groups compared to those of control. Furthermore, semen volume, sperm motility, vitality, and morphology were significantly improved (p less then 0.01) in ZnO-NPs and THO groups rather than the control. Both ZnO-NPs and THO, as either individual or combined treatments significantly improved the serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST), urea, and creatinine compared to the control. Moreover, serum concentrations of testosterone were significantly increased in rabbits supplemented with ZnO-NPs, THO, or their combination compared to those of control (p less then 0.05). In conclusion, ZnO-NPs, THO, or their combination improved the digestibility of nutrients, liver/ kidney functions, semen characteristics, and testosterone concentration in male rabbits.Natural fibers have many advantages over synthetic fibers due to their lightness, low cost, biodegradability, and abundance in nature. The demand for natural fiber hybrid composites in various applications has increased recently, because of its promising mechanical properties. In this research work, the mechanical and wettability properties of reinforced natural fiber epoxy resin hybrid composites were investigated. The main aim of this research work is the fabrication of hybrid composites and exploit its importance over individual fiber composites. The composites were fabricated based on the rule of hybridization mixture (0.4 wf) of two fibers using sets of either hemp and flax or banana and pineapple, each set with 40 wt%, as well as four single fiber composites, 40 wt% each, as reinforcement and epoxy resin as matrix material. A total of two sets (hemp/flax and banana/pineapple) of hybrid composites were fabricated by using a hand layup technique. PF-04620110 cell line One set as 40H/0F, 25H/15F, 20H/20F, 15H/25F, 0H/40F, and the second one as 40B/0P, 25B/15P, 20B/20P, 15B/25P, 0B/40P weight fraction ratios. The fabricated composites were allowed for testing to examine its mechanical, wettability, and moisture properties. It has been observed that, in both cases, hybrid composites showed improved mechanical properties when compared to the individual fiber composites. The wettability test was carried out by using the contact angle measurement technique. All composites in both cases, hybrid or single showed contact angle less than 90°, which is associated with the composite hydrophilic surface properties. The moisture analysis stated that all the composites responded for moisture absorption up to 96 h and then remained constant in both cases. Hybrid composites absorbed less moisture than individual fiber composites.Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plates are widely used in buildings or factories for natural lighting. Commonly PMMA plates are installed as a discrete array. However, PMMA plates are very susceptible to fire. Therefore, experimental study on flammability and fire hazard of vertical PMMA plate array with different overlap length (D) was conducted in this work. The average flame height (Hf) increases first and then decreases with an increase in the overlap length, and reaches the maximum when D = 40 mm. The discrete flame spread speed (Vf) also rises first and then drops with the increase of D, which is mainly due to the heat transfer from the PMMA flame to the next plate. A model for predicting the flame spread rate of discrete PMMA array is established. The predicted results are consistent with experimental ones, with a predicted error smaller than 15%. The average temperature of flame zone rises first and then drops as D increases, reaching the maximum when D = 40 mm. This leads to the same changing trend of radiative heat flux. Results obtained in this work provide a reference for fire hazard evaluation and fire safety design of PMMA plates employed in buildings or industrial sites.