Improving NASICON Sinterability through Crystallization under High-Frequency Electrical Fields

The effect of high frequency (HF) electric fields on the crystallization and sintering rates of a lithium aluminum germanium phosphate (LAGP) ion conducting ceramic was investigated. LAGP with the nominal composition Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3 was crystallized and sintered, both conventionally and under effect of electrical field. Electrical field application, of 300V/cm at 1MHz, produced up to a 40% improvement in sintering rate of LAGP that was crystallized and sintered under the HF field. Heat sink effect of the electrodes appears to arrest thermal runaway and subsequent flash behavior. Sintered pellets were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM and EIS to compare conventionally and field sintered processes. The as-sintered structure appears largely unaffected by the field as the sintering curves tend to converge beyond initial stages of sintering. Differences in densities and microstructure after 1 hour of sintering were minor with measured sintering strains of 31% vs. 26% with and without field, respectively . Ionic conductivity of the sintered pellets was evaluated and no deterioration due to the use of HF field was noted, though capacitance of grain boundaries due to secondary phases was significantly increased

EXPERIENCE IN THE USE OF BISOPROLOL IN THE TREATMENT OF OUTPATIENT HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS AFTER STROKE

Aim. To study the dynamics of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), the sympathetic-vagal balance in patients with arterial hypertension (HT) III stage after stroke during therapy based on bisoprolol 5-10 mg/day.Material and methods. Patients (n=12) with HT stage III with stroke history were examined. Age of the patients was 62±7.4 years old. Laboratory tests, BP monitoring, evaluation of the ratio of low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of HR variability and average daily HR determination were performed in all patients at baseline, after 14 and 34 days after therapy initiation. Bisoprolol was administered at dose of 5-10 mg/day.Results. BP decreased to the target level in all patients after 14 days of treatment and persisted through 34 days. Average daily HR and LF/HF ratio decreased, reaching the optimal values after 34 days. Significant dynamics in metabolic parameters and side effects were not found.Conclusion. Target BP levels, a significant decrease in HR and sympathetic activity, increase in parasympathetic activity of the autonomic regulation occurred since 14-th day of therapy based on bisoprolol (5-10 mg/day). The received effects allowed patients to continue rehabilitation therapy, accompanied with physical exertion.</p