Structural study and ionic conductivity of Bi4V2−xSix/2Px/2O11−δ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) compounds

The solid solution of general formula Bi4V2−xSix/2Px/2O11−δ (0.0 ≤x≤ 0.5) has been synthesized and characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, ATD, Raman spectroscopy and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The present study showed that compounds with x ​≤ ​0.3 are isostructural with the monoclinic α polymorph, while the compound with x ​= ​0.4 is crystallize with the β polymorph. In the temperature range from 25 to 700 ​°C, the electrical conductivity of the substituted samples has been measured as a function of composition. In the low temperature range, the conductivity of the doped compounds is higher than that of the parent compound Bi4V2O11. The highest conductivity was obtained for x ​= ​0.1

The Transformation of Healthcare Buildings: The Challenges of the University of Pavia for Urban Regeneration

The theme of urban regeneration is currently one of the main actions of transformation policies. It presents an opportunity for cities’ design, in particular historical centers, through joint actions aimed at creating synergies and connections between social, political, economic, and environmental aspects. It also becomes an opportunity to enhance the huge and complex Cultural Heritage, full of architectural values, memory, and history. At the same time, it appears increasingly inadequate and obsolete compared to the new needs of a changing society, of regulatory aspects, and of a general compatible approach to intervention to the more general policies of sustainable development, as required by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A total of two case studies of the reuse and enhancement of hospital buildings of the University of Pavia are presented, which has a large building heritage spread throughout the city. In recent years, owing to the opportunities offered by funding, it has started transformation policies on some abandoned buildings through projects based on an interdisciplinary approach and a participatory design strategy. The article testifies to a potential method of intervention that can be exported to other contexts, after a previous test of the compatibility on the existing and on the urban context

Effect of simultaneous Cu and Nb doping Bi4V2O11 on structural and electrical properties of Bi4V2−xCux/2Nbx/2O11−3x/4

BiMeVOx compounds Bi4V2-xCux/2Nbx/2O11-3x/4 doubly substituted solid solution, with identical compositions of Cu2+ and Nb5+ ions, show an area of existence from x ​= ​0 to 0.5. X-ray diffraction measurements and thermal analysis have shown that, depending on the composition, the three main Bi4V2O11 polymorphs α, β and (γ/γ′) are observed at room temperature. The evolution of the electrical conductivity with the rate of substitution has been investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the temperature range 120–720 ​°C. The highest values of conductivity are observed for samples with x ​= ​0.2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows an important grain growth and the presence of micro-cracks in the ceramics with x ​= ​0.5 composition

Association between decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate and risk of cardiac conduction defects in patients with Type 2 Diabetes

AimWe aimed to assess the association between decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or abnormal albuminuria and the risk of certain cardiac conduction defects in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsWe examined a hospital-based sample of 923 patients with T2DM discharged from our Division of Endocrinology over the years 2007–2014. Standard electrocardiograms (ECGs) were performed in all patients. eGFR was estimated by using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation, whilst albuminuria was measured by an immuno-nephelometric method on morning spot urine samples.ResultsA total of 253 (27.4%) patients had some type of cardiac conduction defects on standard ECGs (defined as at least one heart block among first-degree atrioventricular block, second-degree block, third-degree block, left bundle branch block, right bundle branch block, left anterior hemi-block or left posterior hemi-block). Prevalence of patients with eGFRCKD-EPI < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, eGFRCKD-EPI 59–30 mL/min/1.73 m2 or abnormal albuminuria (i.e. urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g) were 7.0%, 29.4% and 41.3%, respectively. After adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes-related variables and potential confounders, there was a significant, graded association between decreasing eGFR values and risk of any cardiac conduction defects [adjusted-odds ratios of 2.05 (95% CI: 1.2–3.5), 2.85 (95% CI: 1.6–5.1) and 3.62 (95% CI: 1.6–8.1) for eGFRCKD-EPI 89–60, eGFRCKD-EPI 59–30 and eGFRCKD-EPI < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively]. Conversely, abnormal albuminuria was not independently associated with an increased risk of any conduction defects (adjusted-odds ratio: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.7–1.6).ConclusionDecreasing eGFR is independently associated with an increased risk of cardiac conduction defects in hospitalized patients with T2DM