Experimental Treatment of Hazardous Ash Waste by Microbial Consortium and sp.: Decrease of the Ni Content and Identification of Adsorption Sites by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

Despite the negative impact on the environment, incineration is one of the most commonly used methods for dealing with waste. Besides emissions, the production of ash, which usually shows several negative properties, such as a higher content of hazardous elements or strongly alkaline pH, is problematic from an environmental viewpoint as well. The subject of our paper was the assessment of biosorption of Ni from ash material by a microbial consortium of sp.

Microbial Features Indicating the Recovery of Soil Ecosystem Strongly Affected by Mining and Ore Processing.

Tailings-derived soils formed from waste materials produced during mineral processing often exhibit extremes of pH, low content of organic matter and limited nutrient availability. The success of site revitalization depends mostly on the ability to maintain natural soil functions. We analyzed technogenic sediments from four selected localities in Slovakia defined as environmental burdens: Slovinky (SLS, SLD), Markušovce (MAS, MAD), Lintich (LIS, LID), Horná Ves (HVS, HVD) in the presented research.

Composite films prepared from agricultural by-products.

In our study we used holocelluloses from sugar beet and bagasse for film preparation. Films from sugar beet holocellulose have better mechanical properties than from bagasse holocellulose. By subsequent carboxymethylation of bagasse holocellulose, films with better properties were produced.

Biological properties of extremely acidic cyanide-laced mining waste.

With respect to acidic, cyanide-laced tailings, the data about in situ toxicity and biological activity in highly polluted environment are often lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the microbial characteristics, composition of oribatid mite species, and level of genotoxic impact on plants in the area of inactive tailings pond (Horná Ves, Kremnica region). Sampling of the tailings, soils and selected plant species was carried out in spring of 2012.

Biological activity of the metal-rich post-flotation tailings at an abandoned mine tailings pond (four decades after experimental afforestation).

In the spring 2012, post-flotation tailings of the inactive impoundment Lintich (Slovakia) were sampled. In the impoundment sediment and also in its surrounding, we detected concentration of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ba exceeding limiting values. We detected low values of the microbial biomass carbon and microbial activity in the impoundment sediment (LiS) and its dam (DAM) along with potential respiration stayed relatively low and therefore also substrate availability index and metabolic quotient (qCO2) were higher in the control sample (REF) than in the LiS and the DAM.

Cationization of heparin for film applications.

Trimethylammonium-2-hydroxypropyl-(TMAHP) spacer was introduced into heparin (H) and the prepared films were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, SEC-MALS, TG/DTG/DTA, AFM and mechanical tester. When quaternized at the ratio of H/NaOH/alkylating agent/H2O=0.1-1/0-2/0.

Carboxymethylated-, hydroxypropylsulfonated- and quaternized xylan derivative films.

Under alkaline/water conditions carboxymethyl, 2-hydroxypropylsulfonate and trimethylammonium-2-hydroxypropyl groups were introduced into xylan in one step with the goal to prepare film specimens. The materials were characterized by NMR, SEC-MALS, TG/DTG/DTA, AFM and mechanical testing. The properties of triple, double and mono-substituted materials were compared.

Quaternized and sulfated xylan derivative films.

Xylan quaternized sulfate films were prepared from beech xylan (X) and compared with fully sulfated xylan films (XS). When quaternized xylan (QX) was prepared in the first step (DS(Q)=0.55), than by sulfation of QX in the second step the fully substituted ampholytic derivative (QXS; DS(Q)=0.

Unexplored possibilities of all-polysaccharide composites.

Composites made solely from polysaccharides are mostly ecological because they can degrade without leaving behind ecologically harmful residues, in contrast to composites which contain synthetic polymers. Herein, the following groups of all-polysaccharide composites (APCs) are discussed: an all-cellulose group that includes cotton composites, cellulose combined with other polysaccharides, as well as those based on chitin/chitosan, heparin, hyaluronan, xylan, glucomannan, pectin, xyloglucan, arabinan, starch, carrageenan, alginate, galactan as one of the components in combination with other polysaccharides. They can be used in medical, paper, food, packing, textile, electronic, mechanical engineering and other applications.

TG/DTG/DTA evaluation of flame retarded cotton fabrics and comparison to cone calorimeter data.

Unbleached cotton fabrics (UCF) with 12.5% polypropylene scrim treated with two phosphate-urea based fire-retardant (FR) formulations were evaluated for FR properties using thermogravimetry/differential thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTG/DTA) method. In addition to testing the two FR-treated unbleached cotton fabrics (CF-FR1 and CF-FR2), bleached cotton fabric (BCF) treated with the two FR formulations (BCF-FR1 and BCF-FR2) was evaluated.

[Initial experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy].

We present the first experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy, which was in Slovakia introduced to the surgical practice on March 3, 1996. We analyse first seven patients who underwent completed laparoscopic adrenalectomy (five leftsided, two right-sided). Four patients had cortex adenoma (clinically 2 incidentalomas and 2 Cishing syndroma), three patients had cortex hyperplasia (clinically Conn syndroma).

[Evaluation of planimetric parameters in various mechanical heart valve prostheses].

Authors make an analysis of 9 currently used mechanical valves and the mounting area of the valve is defined as 100%. They compare the following parameters: 1-area of the fixed part of the prostheses, 2-area of the moving part of the valve in open position, 3-effective orifice of the valve. As 4-the parameter is the evaluation of number of central opening.

[A mechanical heart valve prosthesis with a spherical shape and open center].

A mechanical valve prosthesis is described with central blood flow. The generations I and II of the mechanical valve obstruct the blood flow and cause turbulence with undesirable consequences. The opening in the centre of Simkovic-Bolf valve preserves the laminar blood flow, reduces the trauma of blood and myocardium stress.

[A new type of construction of artificial heart valves].

All mechanical valve prosthesis have a moving part that during systole totally or partially obstructs the opening area of the valve. As the result the flow of blood to the left ventricle or to the aorta is restricted. The authors present mechanical valve proSthesis with central opening during diastole and have its function similar to the human valve.

[The first selective coronarographies in the former Czecho-Slovakia].

The study observes the history and the beginning of selective coronarographies performed in the territory of the Slovak Republic. The first aortocoronary bypass in Slovakia was performed in Bratislava. It was realized by the team of the Surgical Clinic of Academician Dérer in november 1969, namely on the basis of coronarographic examinations which were performed by Smrecanský, Cagán and Krajcovic.

[Late postoperative complications after primary treatment of aortic coarctation].

During the period between 1963 and 1988, 343 patients were operated due to aortic coarctation. 14 patients (4%) were necessarily reoperated for late postoperative complications. In 3 cases (0.

[Surgical treatment of supravalvular aortic stenosis].

Over the last 22 years, two children were operated on for supraventricular aortic stenosis at the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Bratislava. Both cases presented a localized form of supravalvular aortic stenosis. Simple elipsoid flaps were used without extended aortoplasty.

[Endarterectomy of the coronary arteries].

The authors analyze 50 patients with endarterectomy of the coronary arteries during the periods of 1972-1974 and 1988-1990. The results of endarterectomy of the right and left coronary artery provide evidence of its justification in indicated cases whereby contrary to some departments the results of endarterectomy of the left coronary artery are comparable with endarterectomy of the right coronary artery.

[Indications for cardiac surgery on the basis of noninvasive examination methods with major emphasis on echocardiography].

Over the years 1983-1988 cardiosurgical procedures with extracorporeal circulation without catheterization of the heart were indicated in 191 patients, representing 19.8% of all the patients operated on at extracorporeal circulation (n--962). Indications for surgery were made on the basis of the clinical state of the patient and of the results of noninvasive methods, with main emphasis on echocardiographic findings.

[In vitro comparison of properties of aortic allotransplants and the Björk-Shiley valve].

The authors performed an in vitro test and compared some hydrodynamic parameters of Björk Shiley valves and aortic allotransplants. Both types of valves are comparable from the aspects of most parameters. The Björk Shiley valve gives some better values with the exception of sufficiency.

[Surgery of congenital heart defects in adulthood].

During the period between 1983-1989 the authors operated 165 patients with the diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta, 197 cases of patent ductus arteriosus and 360 atrial septal defects. In all diagnostic groups they operated a large number of patients above 10 years of age whereby the oldest patient with a septal defect was 57 years old, patients with coarctation of the aorta or a patent ductus arteriosus 35 years old. The authors discuss the reasons why the patients were indicated for operation so late.

[The hypereosinophilic syndrome in a child with endomyocardial fibrosis treated surgically].

The authors describe the case-history of a 12-year-old patient with hypereosinophil syndrome, endomyocardial fibrosis of the left ventricle and dominating mitral valve insufficiency. By correction of the insufficiency, using a Carpentier ring, the authors achieved substantial improvement of the haemodynamics. One year after operation the patient is cardially compensated.

[Endarterectomy of the coronary arteries].

The authors present an account, based on their clinical material, of 15 endarterectomies of the coronary arteries, which from the chronological aspect are divided into two groups. The first six were performed in 1972-1974 without the use of cardioplegia, total cardias arrest, only with ventricular fibrillation, with a 50% rate of success. The series of the remaining nine patients was operated during the period between October 1987 and the end of 1988 under far more favourable conditions, using cold cardioplegia, hypothermia and total cardias arrest.