Effect of yttrium content in the La2-xYxMgNi9 battery anode alloys on the structural, hydrogen storage and electrochemical properties.

The present work focuses on the studies of influence of yttrium on the crystal structure, hydrogenation properties and electrochemical behaviors of the PuNi3-type La2-xYxMgNi9 (x = 0.25; 0.50; 0.75; and 1.00) intermetallic alloys used as anodes of the Ni-MH batteries where up to 1/2 part of lanthanum was replaced by yttrium. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that all studied alloys are two-phase and contain PuNi3-type AB3 intermetallics (major phase) and Gd2Co7-type A2B7-3R compounds (secondary phase). Unit cell constants and cell volumes for the crystal structures of the AB3 intermetallics linearly decrease following an increase in Y content. Interestingly, in the LaMgNi4 Laves type structure layer yttrium occupies not only the 6c site, but also partially fills the 3a site in the LaNi5 layer. Neutron diffraction studies confirmed that the saturated La1.5Y0.5MgNi9D12.4 hydride containing approximately 1 at. H/at. Me, crystallizes with a trigonal unit cell (space group R3̄m; a = 5.3681(2) Å, c = 26.437(4) Å) and is formed via an anisotropic expansion of the original intermetallic lattice. The studied hybrid structure is composed of LaNi5D5.2 and LaMgNi4D7.2 slabs with a similar hydrogen content. Interestingly, the H-caused expansion of the AB2 and AB5 layers is slightly uneven (23.2% and 27.7%, respectively). In the whole broad substitution range of yttrium for lanthanum, La2-xYxMgNi9 alloys, independent on the content of Y, form intermetallic hydrides with a high reversible hydrogen storage capacity of ∼1.5 wt% H, while the properties of the obtained hydrides are directly related to the substitution extent Y → La. Indeed, the most rich in yttrium LaYMgNi9 alloy at 20 °C shows a more than 10 times higher equilibrium pressure of hydrogen desorption as compared to the alloy with the smallest Y content, La1.75Y0.25MgNi9. A partial substitution of Y for La increases the electrochemical discharge capacity of La2.25Y0.75MgNi9 alloy to reach ∼450 mA h g-1 at a discharge current density of 10 mA g-1. The addition of Y greatly improves the electrochemical cycling performance, with remaining electrochemical capacity of up to 60% of the initial value, after performing 500 cycles, and is much superior as compared to the Y-free La2MgNi9-type anode. Thus, tailoring yttrium content in the alloys allows improvements of the performance of the studied alloys used as hydrogen storage and battery electrode materials.

Non-linear Memristive Synaptic Dynamics for Efficient Unsupervised Learning in Spiking Neural Networks.

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) are a computational tool in which the information is coded into spikes, as in some parts of the brain, differently from conventional neural networks (NNs) that compute over real-numbers. Therefore, SNNs can implement intelligent information extraction in real-time at the edge of data acquisition and correspond to a complementary solution to conventional NNs working for cloud-computing. Both NN classes face hardware constraints due to limited computing parallelism and separation of logic and memory. Emerging memory devices, like resistive switching memories, phase change memories, or memristive devices in general are strong candidates to remove these hurdles for NN applications. The well-established training procedures of conventional NNs helped in defining the desiderata for memristive device dynamics implementing synaptic units. The generally agreed requirements are a linear evolution of memristive conductance upon stimulation with train of identical pulses and a symmetric conductance change for conductance increase and decrease. Conversely, little work has been done to understand the main properties of memristive devices supporting efficient SNN operation. The reason lies in the lack of a background theory for their training. As a consequence, requirements for NNs have been taken as a reference to develop memristive devices for SNNs. In the present work, we show that, for efficient CMOS/memristive SNNs, the requirements for synaptic memristive dynamics are very different from the needs of a conventional NN. System-level simulations of a SNN trained to classify hand-written digit images through a spike timing dependent plasticity protocol are performed considering various linear and non-linear plausible synaptic memristive dynamics. We consider memristive dynamics bounded by artificial hard conductance values and limited by the natural dynamics evolution toward asymptotic values (soft-boundaries). We quantitatively analyze the impact of resolution and non-linearity properties of the synapses on the network training and classification performance. Finally, we demonstrate that the non-linear synapses with hard boundary values enable higher classification performance and realize the best trade-off between classification accuracy and required training time. With reference to the obtained results, we discuss how memristive devices with non-linear dynamics constitute a technologically convenient solution for the development of on-line SNN training.

Structural reorganization of the rats' submandibular glands acini after the influence of 1% methacrylate.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Polymeric substances, which are used in medicine, can lead to the development of pathological conditions. Therefore, in toxicological evaluation of polymeric materials for medical purposes the primary task is the creation of the appropriate adequate methods of study. The aim: To studytheacinioftherats'submandibularsalivaryglandsin normalcondition andafter exposureof 1% methacrylate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material andmethods:Were studied 50 white rats during the influence of 1% methacrylate on the mucosa of the oral cavity. Histological sections of the rats'submandibularsalivary glands in normalcondition, on day 14 and 30 of experiment were studied using the UMPT - 7 ultramicrotome of Sumy PA "Selmi". RESULTS: Results and conclusions:Themorphometric study hasestablishedthat in control group thevaluesof theouterdiameterof thesubmandibularglands' acini, the diameter of the lumen and the height of the acini epithelial cells was 36,27±2,17 µm,9,47±0,63 µm and 14,18±1,05 µm, respectively. Histological specimens showed that the acini cells had a prominent basophilia of the cytoplasm and the basally located nucleus. Numerous large homogeneous granules were located in the apical pole of the cells. After influence of the 1% methacrylat there is an increase in the activity of secretory cells, which is confirmed by an increase in the height of epitheliocytes by 25.04% and is a compensatory metacrylate reaction. The increase in salivation further leads to complete depletion of the secretory apparatus of the seromucosal cells, which is confirmed by a decrease in the outer and inner diameters with a decrease in the height of the mandibular salivary glands acini cells by 24.40%.

Morphometric description of the exchange segment of microvasculature of rats' salivary glands in normal conditions and chronic ethanol intoxication.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: The state of the segments of the microvasculature, especially exchange one, has a significant effect on the organs' functions. The results of it's research can be objectified by morphometric method. The aim: to determine the dynamics of changes in metric indices of the exchange segment of microvasculature of rats' submandibular glands in normal conditions and in chronic ethanol intoxication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: 45 albino rats were involved into study. Intact group (n=5) animals were administered with NaCl isotonic solution 4 times a day directly into the stomach. Experimental group (n=40) animals were administered with 40° ethanol 4 times a day directly into the stomach. Animals were sacrificed on 5, 9, 12 and 30 days by overdose of thiopental anesthesia. Lobules of submandibular glands were embedded into epon-812 according to standard procedure. RESULTS: Results: On day 5 of the experiment the outer diameter of the capillary wall significantly reduced (4,91±0,02 µm), that is 19,5 % less than the values in controls (р<0,05). On day 9 of the experiment it was 15,2 % lower than the value of control group (р>0,05). On day 30 of the experiment the outer capillary diameter was 8 % lower compared to controls (р<0,05). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The early observation showed vasodilatation, confirmed by the constriction of the outer diameter and lumen diameter, accompanied by the thickening of the vascular wall under the influence of chronic ethanol intoxication. The indices did not come to normal values by the 30-th day of the experiment.

Factores de riesgo medioambientales del cáncer cervicouterino / Environmental risk factors of the cervix uteri cancer

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional, cuyo universo de trabajo estuvo constituido por todas las pacientes con el diagnóstico de cáncer cérvicouterino que acudieron a consulta de patología de cuello del Hospital Provincial Ginecobstétrico Ana Betancourt de Mora de la Ciudad de Camagüey en el período comprendido del 1ro de febrero de 2005 al 31 de marzo de 2006, con el fin de determinar los factores de riesgo medio ambientales que se asociaban. De un total de 142 pacientes, se obtuvo una muestra de 100 casos con el diagnóstico de cáncer cérvico uterino y más de 18 años de edad, a quienes se les aplicó una encuesta según criterio de expertos y los resultados se analizaron por medios automáticos. Entre los resultados obtenidos se observó que casi la mitad de los casos presentaron factores de riesgo medio ambientales asociados, entre los que se destacaron las ITS, con casi la mitad de las pacientes, seguido por el tabaquismo y la cervicitis con aproximadamente la quinta parte de las enfermas para ambos. En las ITS referidas como antecedentes, predominaron la candidosis vaginal y los condilomas acuminados, con alrededor de la quinta y la séptima parte de las enfermas respectivamente. Las ITS de mayor incidencia, diagnosticadas al momento del diagnóstico del CCU, fueron también la candidosis vaginal y los condilomas acuminados, con aproximadamente la tercera y algo más de la cuarta parte de las pacientes respectivamente.

A descriptive observational study was carried out whose universe of work was constituted by all the patients with cervix uteri cancer as diagnosis that came to the Neck Pathology consultation at Ana Betancourt de Mora Gynecobstetric Provincial Hospital of Camagüey City from February 1st 2005 to March 31st 2006, with the purpose of determining the environmental risk factors that were associated. Of a total of 142 patients, a sample of 100 cases was obtained with the diagnosis of cervix uteri cancer and more than 18 years of age to whom were applied a survey according to experts' criterion and the results were analyzed by automatic means. Among the obtained results it was observed that almost the half of the cases presented associated environmental risk factors, among those STI stood out, with almost the half of the patients, followed by the tabacism and cervicitis with approximately the fifth part of the sick persons for both. In the STI referred as antecedents, the vaginal candidosis and the condylomata acuminatum prevailed, around the fifth and the seventh part of the sick persons respectively. Sexually transmitted infections of higher incidence, diagnosed to the moment of the cervix uteri cancer diagnostic, was also the vaginal candidosis and the condylomata acuminatum, with approximately the third and more than the fourth part of the patients respectively.

Factores de riesgo medioambientales del cáncer cervicouterino / Environmental risk factors of the cervix uteri cancer

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional, cuyo universo de trabajo estuvo constituido por todas las pacientes con el diagnóstico de cáncer cérvicouterino que acudieron a consulta de patología de cuello del Hospital Provincial Ginecobstétrico Ana Betancourt de Mora de la Ciudad de Camagüey en el período comprendido del 1ro de febrero de 2005 al 31 de marzo de 2006, con el fin de determinar los factores de riesgo medio ambientales que se asociaban. De un total de 142 pacientes, se obtuvo una muestra de 100 casos con el diagnóstico de cáncer cérvico uterino y más de 18 años de edad, a quienes se les aplicó una encuesta según criterio de expertos y los resultados se analizaron por medios automáticos. Entre los resultados obtenidos se observó que casi la mitad de los casos presentaron factores de riesgo medio ambientales asociados, entre los que se destacaron las ITS, con casi la mitad de las pacientes, seguido por el tabaquismo y la cervicitis con aproximadamente la quinta parte de las enfermas para ambos. En las ITS referidas como antecedentes, predominaron la candidosis vaginal y los condilomas acuminados, con alrededor de la quinta y la séptima parte de las enfermas respectivamente. Las ITS de mayor incidencia, diagnosticadas al momento del diagnóstico del CCU, fueron también la candidosis vaginal y los condilomas acuminados, con aproximadamente la tercera y algo más de la cuarta parte de las pacientes respectivamente(AU)

A descriptive observational study was carried out whose universe of work was constituted by all the patients with cervix uteri cancer as diagnosis that came to the Neck Pathology consultation at Ana Betancourt de Mora Gynecobstetric Provincial Hospital of Camagüey City from February 1st 2005 to March 31st 2006, with the purpose of determining the environmental risk factors that were associated. Of a total of 142 patients, a sample of 100 cases was obtained with the diagnosis of cervix uteri cancer and more than 18 years of age to whom were applied a survey according to experts' criterion and the results were analyzed by automatic means. Among the obtained results it was observed that almost the half of the cases presented associated environmental risk factors, among those STI stood out, with almost the half of the patients, followed by the tabacism and cervicitis with approximately the fifth part of the sick persons for both. In the STI referred as antecedents, the vaginal candidosis and the condylomata acuminatum prevailed, around the fifth and the seventh part of the sick persons respectively. Sexually transmitted infections of higher incidence, diagnosed to the moment of the cervix uteri cancer diagnostic, was also the vaginal candidosis and the condylomata acuminatum, with approximately the third and more than the fourth part of the patients respectively(AU)

Cáncer cérvico uterino y verrugas ano-genitales: su relación / Cervix cancer and anus-genital warts: its relation

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de cohorte para determinar la relación entre el cáncer cérvico uterino y las verrugas ano-genitales. Se tomó como universo de estudio a todas las pacientes con el diagnóstico de cáncer cérvico uterino que acudieron a consulta de patología de cuello del Hospital Materno Provincial Ana Betancourt de Mora, de Camagüey desde el 1ro de febrero de 2005 hasta el 31 de marzo de 2006. Se creó una consulta especializada para la selección de los pacientes. De un total de 142 pacientes se obtuvo una muestra de 100 con el diagnóstico de cáncer cérvico uterino con más de 18 años de edad, se les aplicó una encuesta según criterio de expertos y los resultados se analizaron por medios automáticos. Alrededor de la octava parte de las pacientes refirieron antecedentes de haber padecido de verrugas ano-genitales, la tercera parte las presentaban clínicamente y aproximadamente la décima parte de sus parejas sexuales refirieron este antecedente. El tiempo de evolución de las lesiones de 12 meses y más fue el más referido en relación con el diagnóstico de cáncer cérvico uterino. En la colposcopía predominó la vascularización atípica En la citología orgánica, las dos terceras partes de las pacientes presentaron positividad al PVH y predominó el diagnóstico de NIC I y NIC II. El resultado histológico de carcinoma epidermoide microinfiltrante al igual que la etapa clínica 1 fueron los más diagnosticados(AU)

A cohort descriptive study to determine the relation between cervix cancer and the anus-genital warts was performed. It was taken as universe of study to all patients with diagnosis of cervix cancer who were attended in the cervix pathology consultation at Ana Betancourt de Mora Provincial Maternal Hospital, of Camagüey from February 1st, 2005 to March 31st, 2006. An specialized consultation for the selection of patients was created. Out of 142 patients a sample of 100 was obtained, diagnosed with cervix cancer with more than 18 years-old, a survey according to expert criterion was applied and results were analyzed by automatic means. About the eighth part of the patients referred antecedents of been afflicted with anus-genital warts, the third part presented clinically and approximately the tenth part of their sexual couples referred this antecedent. The evolution time of the lesions in 12 months and more was the most referred in relation to the diagnosis of cervix cancer. In colposcopy dominated the atypical vascularization. In the organic cytology, the two third parts of the patients presented positive PVH and dominated the diagnosis of NIC I and NIC II. The histological result of microinfiltrating squamous cell carcinoma as well as the clinical stage 1 were the most diagnosed(AU)

Cáncer cérvico uterino y verrugas ano-genitales: Su relación / Cervix cancer and anus-genital warts: Its relation

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de cohorte para determinar la relación entre el cáncer cérvico uterino y las verrugas ano-genitales. Se tomó como universo de estudio a todas las pacientes con el diagnóstico de cáncer cérvico uterino que acudieron a consulta de patología de cuello del Hospital Materno Provincial «Ana Betancourt de Mora¼, de Camagüey desde el 1ro de febrero de 2005 hasta el 31 de marzo de 2006. Se creó una consulta especializada para la selección de los pacientes. De un total de 142 pacientes se obtuvo una muestra de 100 con el diagnóstico de cáncer cérvico uterino con más de 18 años de edad, se les aplicó una encuesta según criterio de expertos y los resultados se analizaron por medios automáticos. Alrededor de la octava parte de las pacientes refirieron antecedentes de haber padecido de verrugas ano-genitales, la tercera parte las presentaban clínicamente y aproximadamente la décima parte de sus parejas sexuales refirieron este antecedente. El tiempo de evolución de las lesiones de 12 meses y más fue el más referido en relación con el diagnóstico de cáncer cérvico uterino. En la colposcopía predominó la vascularización atípica En la citología orgánica, las dos terceras partes de las pacientes presentaron positividad al PVH y predominó el diagnóstico de NIC I y NIC II. El resultado histológico de carcinoma epidermoide microinfiltrante al igual que la etapa clínica 1 fueron los más diagnosticados.

A cohort descriptive study to determine the relation between cervix cancer and the anus-genital warts was performed. It was taken as universe of study to all patients with diagnosis of cervix cancer who were attended in the cervix pathology consultation at «Ana Betancourt de Mora¼ Provincial Maternal Hospital, of Camagüey from February 1st, 2005 to March 31st, 2006. An specialized consultation for the selection of patients was created. Out of 142 patients a sample of 100 was obtained, diagnosed with cervix cancer with more than 18 years-old, a survey according to expert criterion was applied and results were analyzed by automatic means. About the eighth part of the patients referred antecedents of been afflicted with anus-genital warts, the third part presented clinically and approximately the tenth part of their sexual couples referred this antecedent. The evolution time of the lesions in 12 months and more was the most referred in relation to the diagnosis of cervix cancer? In colposcopy dominated the atypical vascularization. In the organic cytology, the two third parts of the patients presented positive PVH and dominated the diagnosis of NIC I and NIC II. The histological result of microinfiltrating squamous cell carcinoma as well as the clinical stage 1 was the most diagnosed.

Comparison of the antimicrobial tolerance of oxytetracycline-resistant heterotrophic bacteria isolated from hospital sewage and freshwater fishfarm water in Belgium.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between antimicrobial tolerance and taxonomic diversity among the culturable oxytetracycline-resistant (Ot(r)) heterotrophic bacterial population in two Belgian aquatic sites receiving wastewater either from human medicine or from aquaculture. The study of Ot(r) heterotrophs and mesophilic Aeromonas spp. allowed comparison of tolerance data at the intergenus as well as at the intragenus level. In total, 354 independently obtained Ot(r) isolates were subjected to antimicrobial tolerance testing and identified by GLC analysis of their cellular fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), by API 20E profiling and/or by Fluorescent Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (FAFLP) DNA fingerprinting. In general, Ot(r) hospital heterotrophs displayed a higher frequency (84%) of ampicillin (Amp) tolerance compared to the Ot(r) heterotrophs from the freshwater fishfarm site (22%). FAME results indicated that this effect was linked to the predominance of intrinsically ampicillin-resistant Ot(r) Aeromonas strains over representatives of Acinetobacter and Escherichia coli within the hospital strain set. Among the Ot(r) mesophilic Aeromonas strain set, the global tolerance profiles of the two sites only differed in a higher number of kanamycin (Kan) -tolerant strains (43%) for hospital aeromonads in comparison with the fishfarm aeromonads (8%). To some extent, this finding was correlated with the specific presence of Aeromonas caviae DNA hybridisation group (HG) 4. Collectively, these results suggest that the profiles for Amp and Kan tolerance observed in both sites arose from taxonomic differences in the culturable Ot(r) bacterial population at the generic or subgeneric level. In addition, our identification data also revealed that Enterobacter sp., Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and A. veronii biovar sobria HG8 may be considered potential indicator organisms to assess microbial tolerance in various compartments of the aquatic environment.

Characterization of oxytetracycline-resistant heterotrophic bacteria originating from hospital and freshwater fishfarm environments in England and Ireland.

This ecotaxonomic study compared the antibiotic tolerance among culturable oxytetracyline-resistant (Ot(r)) heterotrophic strains isolated from two aquatic environments representing human activities in health care and aquaculture, namely hospital effluents and freshwater fishfarms. Using a standardized methodology, samples taken in England and Ireland were analyzed to determine the antibiotic tolerance profiles of two groups of culturable Ot(r) bacterial isolates at the intergeneric and intrageneric level comprising heterotrophs (189 strains) and mesophilic Aeromonas spp. (153 strains), respectively. Antibiogram data of heterotrophic isolates revealed that Irish hospital strains comprised higher frequencies of multi-tolerance than those originating from fishfarm environments whereas a reverse correlation was found among the English heterotrophs. Polyphasic identification of the isolates using fatty acid analysis and API 20E profiling showed that this difference arose from the unique taxonomic diversity within each heterotrophic strain set. Acinetobacter (27%) and Brevundimonas (22%) were predominant among the Irish Ot(r) fishfarm isolates, whereas isolates originating from the English aquaculture site almost entirely consisted of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (86%) exhibiting high frequencies of tolerance to ampicillin and streptomycin. Within both the English and the Irish Ot(r) Aeromonas strain sets, on the other hand, the hospital strain sets displayed higher numbers of multi-tolerant isolates than to fishfarm isolates although country-specific differences were observed for individual antimicrobial agents. The typical occurrence of kanamycin-tolerant aeromonads in the Irish hospital site could to some extent be linked to the typical presence of A. hydrophila DNA hybridization group (HG) 3 strains as determined by fatty acid analysis and fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (FAFLP) fingerprinting. Essentially, these data indicate that tolerance profiles in a specific environment of one country do not necessarily reflect the corresponding tolerance profiles of the same type of environment in another country, and this mainly as a result of the unique taxonomic composition of each site. Ot(r) representatives of Acinetobacter, S. maltophilia, and A. veronii biovar sobria HG8 were common to most if not all of the four sites under study, indicating that these three taxa may serve as potential indicator organisms for monitoring antibiotic tolerance among indigenous bacterial populations in various aquatic environments.

The use of fatty acid methyl ester analysis (FAME) for the identification of heterotrophic bacteria present on three mural paintings showing severe damage by microorganisms.

Mural paintings in Carmona (Spain), Herberstein (Austria) and Greene (Germany), showing visible deterioration by microorganisms, were sampled to investigate the biodiversity of the heterotrophic bacteria present. Four hundred twenty-eight bacterial strains were isolated from which 385 were characterized by fatty acid methyl ester analysis (FAME). The isolates were grouped into 41 clusters on the basis of their FAME profiles, 20 isolates remained ungrouped. The majority (94%) of the isolates comprised the gram-positive bacteria and the main clusters were identified as Bacillus sp., Paenibacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., Arthrobacter sp. and Staphylococcus sp. Other clusters contain nocardioform actinomycetes and gram-negative bacteria, respectively. A cluster of the latter contained extreme halotolerant bacteria isolated in Herberstein. The FAME profiles of this cluster showed a high similarity with Halomonas.

[The effect of the application sorption of a fibrous activated charcoal material with highly dispersed iron on the course of a wound process]. / Vplyv aplikatsiinoï sorbtsiï aktyvovanoho vuhletsevoho voloknystoho materialu z vysokodyspersnym zalizom na perebih ranovoho protsesu.

Results of the experiments carried out show that the use of the activated carbon fibrous material "Dnipro" for medical purposes (ABBM "Dnipro" MP) and the suspension of high-dispersity iron combined in treatment of infected and suppurating wounds is associated with a more pronounced therapeutical effect than application to the wound surfaces of the standard ABBM "Dnipro" MP. The compositional method using ABBM "Dnipro" MP and high-dispersity iron obtainable by thermochemical techniques has a marked antimicrobial action and stimulates the course of the wound process.

[The antibacterial activity of preparations with highly dispersed iron]. / Antybakterial'na aktyvnist' preparativ z vysokodyspersnym zalizom.

High-dispersed magnetized iron preparations of various coercive force and its preparations with Ag, Au, Pt obtained by thermochemical method have been studied for their effect on plants and bacteria pathogenic for animals. It is established that magnetized iron intensifies antibacterial effect of certain metals. Of the studied preparations only high-dispersed Fe-Ag had distinctly expressed bactericidal effect. Other preparations had weak antibacterial effect or had not it at all. All the preparations have strong adsorption capacity.