The Influence of the Addition of Basalt Powder on the Properties of Foamed Geopolymers.

Geopolymers are binder materials that are produced by a chemical reaction between silica or aluminum compounds with an alkaline activating solution. Foamed geopolymer materials are increasingly being cited as a viable alternative to popular organic insulation materials. Since the foaming process of geopolymers is difficult to control, and any achievements in improving the performance of such materials are extremely beneficial, this paper presents the effect of the addition of basalt powder on the properties of foamed geopolymers.

Sustainable aerogels based on biobased poly (itaconic acid) for adsorption of cationic dyes.

This work reports the synthesis of poly (itaconic acid) by thermal polymerization mediated by 2,2'-Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride. Furthermore, physical hydrogels were prepared by using high molecular weight poly (itaconic acid) characterized by low dispersity and laponite RD. The hydrogels presented porous 3D network structures, with a high-water penetration of almost 2000 g/g of swelling ratio, which can allow the adsorption sites of both poly (itaconic acid) and laponite RD to be easily exposed and facilitate the adsorption of dyes.

Upcycling Waste Streams from a Biorefinery Process-A Case Study on Cadmium and Lead Biosorption by Two Types of Biopolymer Post-Extraction Biomass.

This study investigated the possibility of using the spent kind of biomass of CA-3 and MW1 obtained after the pilot-scale production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as a biosorbent for the bioremediation of aqueous solutions containing toxic cadmium and lead ions. The material was characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and amino acid profiling. To check the sorption capacity of spent biomass against Pb and Cd ions, equilibrium studies were performed.

3D Printing of Concrete-Geopolymer Hybrids.

In recent years, 3D concrete printing technology has been developing dynamically. Intensive research is still being carried out on the composition of the materials dedicated to innovative 3D printing solutions. Here, for the first time, concrete-geopolymer hybrids produced with 3D printing technology and dedicated environmentally friendly building construction are presented.

CRACoV-HHS: an interdisciplinary project for multi-specialist hospital and non-hospital care for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection as well hospital staff assessment for infection exposure.

The complex course of the COVID-19 and the distant complications of the SARS-CoV-2 infection still remain an unfaded challenge for modern medicine. The care of patients with the symptomatic course of COVID-19 exceeds the competence of a single specialty, often requiring a multispecialist approach. The CRACoV-HHS (CRAcow in CoVid pandemic - Home, Hospital and Staff) project has been developed by a team of scientists and clinicians with the aim of optimizing medical care at hospital and ambulatory settings and treatment of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Insight into the aqueous Laponite® nanodispersions for self-assembled poly(itaconic acid) nanocomposite hydrogels: The effect of multivalent phosphate dispersants.

Hypothesis: We hypothesize, that physical network between Laponite® nanoparticles and high molecular weight polyelectrolyte formed by mixing of Laponite® nanodispersion (containing multivalent phosphate dispersant) and polyelectrolyte solution is strongly influenced by the type and content of dispersant, which forms electric double layer (EDL) closely to the Laponite® edges. Thus, optimum dispersant concentration is necessary to overcome clay-clay interactions (excellent clay delamination), but should not be exceeded, what would result in the EDL compression and weakening of attractions forming clay-polyelectrolyte network. Thus, deeper investigation of Laponite® nanodispersions is highly demanded since it would enable to better design the self-assembled clay-polyelectrolyte hydrogels.

Organizational issues of home parenteral nutrition during COVID-19 pandemic: Results from multicenter, nationwide study.

Objectives: Patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are prone to severe complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The pandemic requires adaptation of the health care standards, including epidemiologic surveillance, logistics of home supply, and monitoring. Potential lack of medical professionals may worsen the standard of care.

Recovery and Characterization Studies of Post-Production Alloy Waste from the Automotive Industry.

Superalloys provide high corrosion resistance and are widely used as high-performance materials in aerospace, automotive, chemical, and other industries. Herein, the investigation into the characteristics and properties of alloy waste; Inconel 625, Inconel 718, and Titanium Grade 5, from the automotive industry, was introduced as a result of a recovery in various processes. For this reason, the following procedures were carried as follows; the washing process to remove oil from the swarf was evaluated using several commercial agents and for the process of thermal disposal of processing fluids, a temperature of 900 °C was used in a muffle furnace without air access.

Cyclodextrin-modified poly(octamethylene citrate) polymers towards enhanced sorption properties.

Herein, we describe the synthesis of poly(1,8-octamethylene citrate) materials modified in the bulk with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (cPOCCD), biodegradable elastomers with intrinsic sorption properties for drug delivery. The chemical structure, physicochemical properties, in vitro drug loading and release profiles of cPOCCD were investigated. Thus, cPOCCD polyesters absorb the studied drugs more effective and release them for a longer period of time than poly(1,8-octamethylene citrate) materials not containing cyclodextrins.

High-Molecular-Weight Polyampholytes Synthesized via Daylight-Induced, Initiator-Free Radical Polymerization of Renewable Itaconic Acid.

Herein, it is reported for the first time that when mixed with choline chloride, itaconic acid (IA), normally a low-reactive vinyl monomer, undergoes initiator-free radical polymerization under normal daylight. Furthermore, the process results in the formation of abnormally high-molecular-weight poly(itaconic acid) derivatives with M greater than ≈800 000 g mol . Detailed 1D/2D NMR studies indicate that the polymers have two types of ionizable moieties, that is, anionic carboxylic and cationic choline ester groups in an average molar ratio of 12:1.

Luminescence phenomena of carbon dots derived from citric acid and urea - a molecular insight.

In this report, we present the results of our investigations into the elucidation of the chemical structure of moieties responsible for the blue and green luminescence of CDs derived from the microwave-assisted pyrolysis of citric acid in the presence of urea. The molecular fluorophore that forms during the synthesis of green fluorescing CDs is 4-hydroxy-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-1,3,6(2H,5H)-trione (HPPT).

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening in Midwifery Education: A Survey.

Introduction: Universal newborn hearing screening has been adopted by all 50 states in the United States. However, there is currently a lack of knowledge about how health care providers learn about universal newborn hearing screening during their education programs. The purpose of this study was to identify whether midwifery education programs in the United States currently include information regarding universal newborn hearing screening in the standard curricula and, if so, what specific information is covered.

Gastric rupture after bag-mask-ventilation.

A 42 year old woman underwent bronchoscopy with procedural propofol sedation. During the procedure, the patient suffered respiratory arrest, and bag-mask ventilation was initiated. During forced mask ventilation, abdominal distention occurred.

Long-term neurological and neuropsychological outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major cause of death and disability worldwide. The aim of the study was to evaluate predictors for neurological and neuropsychological long-term outcome in patients with severe TBI treated according to an intracranial pressure (ICP-) targeted therapy.

Methods: From 08/2005 to 12/2008, 46 patients with severe TBI and more than 12h of intensive care treatment were included in this study.

Luminescence phenomena of biodegradable photoluminescent poly(diol citrates).

The possible origin of luminescent properties of biodegradable photoluminescent polyesters (BPLPs) has been revealed by isolation and identification of luminescent agent from the hydrolyzate of BPLP. Elemental analysis, ESI-MS, (1)H, (13)C, 2D HSQC and COSY NMR spectra confirmed the chemical structure as 5-oxo-2,3-dihydro-5H-[1,3]thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridine-3,7-dicarboxylic acid (TPA).

Application of hydrogen peroxide encapsulated in silica xerogels to oxidation reactions.

Hydrogen peroxide was encapsulated into a silica xerogel matrix by the sol-gel technique. The composite was tested as an oxidizing agent both under conventional and microwave conditions in a few model reactions: Noyori's method of octanal and 2-octanol oxidation and cycloctene epoxidation in a 1,1,1-trifluoroethanol/Na2WO4 system. The results were compared with yields obtained for reactions with 30% H2O2 and urea-hydrogen peroxide (UHP) as oxidizing agents.

Knowledge of antithrombotic prophylaxis among patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Effective and safe anticoagulative therapy needs close co-operation between doctor and patient, the latter being well-informed. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge of oral anticoagulation in a group of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with acenocoumarol and to determine the relationship between knowledge and INR value.

Method: The study group consisted of patients with AF who were continuously using anticoagulative therapy and who were admitted to hospital (for different reasons).

[Effect of a meal on electrocardiographic features in patients with coronary artery disease].

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between gastric motility and extent of coronary insufficiency in males with and without stabile coronary artery disease (CAD). The study group consisted of 30 males with CAD (mean age 56 +/- 12 years) and 10 healthy males in control group (mean age 52 +/- 14 years). In both groups we performed exercise treadmill test (ETT) in interdigestive period (IP) and postprandially after ingestion of a standard meal (775 kcal) after 30 and 120 min.

[The management of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults--statement of the Polish Working Group and the Maastricht Consensus 2-2000].

Current standards in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection according to the guidelines by European (Maastricht 2-2000 Consensus Report) and Polish Study Group (IX Congress of Polish Gastroenterology Association) were presented in this paper. The comparison analysis was performed as well as the diagnostic methods were described. The indications for Helicobacter pylori infection treatment especially in gastric and duodenal ulcer disease (also complicated by bleeding), gastric precancerous conditions, functional dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy were discussed.

[Exogenous nitric oxide and gallbladder contractility in humans].

The physiological function of the gallbladder (GB) is to deliver concentrated bile to the duodenum after a meal. This requires a complex coordination of the motor, secretory, and absorptive functions of the gallbladder. Control of GB motor functions involves a constant interplay between a large number of stimulatory and inhibitory hormones and neurotransmitters.

[Evaluation of the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of using sustained release verapamil in elderly subjects using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring].

Objective: Calcium antagonists are commonly used drugs in the treatment of hypertension in elderly patients. One of the drugs of this group is verapamil. Especially its slow release formula is convenient for use in elderly patients (drug is given once daily).

[Measurement of hypertension in infants with sphygmomanometer-S].

Hundred sixty four measurements of the arterial blood pressure were performed in 53 newborns aged between 1 and 9 days. sphygmomanometer-S used for this purpose is a microcomputer which measures arterial blood pressure basing on the amplitude of the registered pulse waves. Obtained results of the systolic and mean blood pressure values were comparable with those reported by other authors whereas diastolic blood pressure values were somewhat lower.

The role of prostaglandin E2 in duodenal mucosa of healthy subjects and duodenal ulcer patients.

The distribution of the mucosal PGE2-generating capacity was bioassayed in the duodenum of 17 patients with duodenal ulcer (age range 20-58 years), and in 17 subjects (age range 21-57 years) who did not suffer from this disease. The age of the subjects within both groups was precisely matched in pairs. In contrast to the "young" controls or the "young" patients (under 37) or the "old" patients (over 37) the "old" control group of subjects showed an age-dependent increase in the mucosal PGE2 generation.