Aim: In the constantly evolving field of orthodontics, it is necessary to develop cost-effective materials to cater to weaker socioeconomic sections of society. This study used the low-cost superelastic NiTi archwires, which were customized as an alternative to Copper NiTi archwires, and compared them regarding alignment efficiency and pain perception after initial alignment. Methods: Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to two groups in terms of initial archwires: group 1: 0. 014-inch preformed Copper NiTi archwire and group 2: 0. 014-inch customized superelastic NiTi archwire. Changes in the alignment of the six anterior teeth were measured for 4 months at T0, T1, T2, T3, and T4 using the modified Little’s irregularity index. Patients were asked to complete the Pain Questionnaire with the VAS scale. Friedman’s test and Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test were used to compare the two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup comparison of the modified Little’s irregularity index. P<0. 05 was considered as significant. Results: Groups 1 and 2 exhibited no significant differences (P>0. 05) when alignment efficiency was compared at different time intervals. Patients reported less pain perception and were more comfortable with customized superelastic NiTi archwires compared to Copper NiTi archwires (P<0. 01). Conclusion: Customized superelastic NiTi archwires demonstrated alignment efficiency similar to Copper NiTi archwires but significantly reduced pain perception. Therefore, they could be a viable alternative for minimizing pain in the initial alignment phase of fixed orthodontic treatment.

Introduction: Nitinol (NiTi) is the most interesting smart material used in orthopedic surgery and production of artificial muscles. Considering its medical applications, Nitinol biocompatibility is, therefore, quite important. This issue is discussed in this paper.Methods: Nitinol alloy experimentally produced by melting and casting under vacuum, plus imported commercial AO samples were implanted in limb tissue of a number of male rats. Twenty one days after the implantation, fibroblast and fibrosis formation in the tissues around the alloy were studied.Results: The amount of the alloy that was corroded under the experimental invitro conditions was acceptable. The biocompatibility of the experimentally made alloy implanted in limb tissue was nearly similar to that of the imported alloy.Conclusion: According to the results obtained, utilization of Nitinol in medicine is scientifically justifiable. Possibilities of its wide industrial and medical applications favorably support the mass production of the alloy in the country, and its biocompatible parallels that of the imported material.

Copper barrier a new method, with barrier and mortality efficacies, has been evaluated against C. lencoranea on orange, mahali variety in comparison to other registered molluscicides (Metaldehyde and Carbaryl baits) and weeding control + plaguing treatment. The complete randomized block design was set up, with four replications and each replicate consist of three orange trees in each parts. This study conducted in east and west parts of Mazandaran province during 2004. Treatments were initiated in middle of October with Max. Snails activity. Mortality of C. lencoranea has been obtained through Henderson-Tilton method with sampling interval of one day before and 2, 4, 7, 14 and 21 days after the treatments. Mortality recorded by counting alive snails on 4 shoots infested by snails according selection and marking. Analysis of variance done on mean of mortality recorded in each sampling interval and with help of SAS method grouping as well as sustainable effected of those treatments were compared. The results of snail mortalities in all treatments in citrus orchards were found significant at level of 5% (p<0.05). Effects of different treatments found maximum in 7th day of the sampling and mortality rate increased with extent of interval period. Combined analysis done on data of both places and laboratory indicated that, copper barrier caused higher mortality effect on snail with longer persistence in comparison of other treatments investigated and placed in group a. Mean of snail control in Sari region (54.32%) was observed higher than Tonekabon (50.01%) region. In total, we can suggest that, copper barrier can consider in control of C. lencoranea in tall varieties of citrus in Mazandaran province and other infested citrus region by this snail pest too.

During recent years, many investigations have been carried out to determine how to select different materials for the making of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and bio-MEMS. The NiTi shape memory alloy thin film has been much regarded as a promising candidate for MEMS due to its unique shape memory effect and high energy output. In this research, NiTi thin film was fabricated using a sputtering technique from separate elemental Ni and Ti targets. The characterizations of the deposited films were investigated using different analysis techniques, such as Field Emission SEM, DSC, XRD, electrical resistivity measurement and nanoindentation.

In this study, hydroxyapatite powders as a bioceramic were coated on NiTi shape memory alloy by electrophoretic method. Suspension solution used as a mixture of n -butanol and tri ethanol amine (TEA). Deposition was carried out at different applied voltages of 20, 30 and 40 volts in different times from 1 to 5 minutes and constant voltage on the cathode. After deposition, the samples were dried at room temperature for 24 hours. Then weight and thickness of coating were measured. Ultimately the samples were sintered at 800oC in argon atmosphere for 2 hours. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM were used for phase identification and morphological examining of coating consecutively. Composition of coating was analysied by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). The results showed that a uniform, continuous and crack-free coating can be achieved at 30 volt and at shorter time after sintering. Moreover an increase in the deposition period, caused an increase in the weight and thickness of the deposition. The technique presented in this research can be a replacement technique for bioactive coatings in comparison with other techniques such as sol-gel and plasma spray coating.