Abstract
The comparison of macroscopic and microscopic properties of ferroelectric thin films in the systems of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and strontium bismuth tantalate (SBT) with and without seeds is carried out. Microscopic properties were studied by piezo-response force microscopy (PFM). The local piezoelectric properties with and without seeds are compared with their macroscopic electric properties measured by conventional techniques. Previous microstructure analysis of PZT thin films showed that an intermetallic Pt(x)Pb layer between PZT and Pt, formed during the annealing process, was reduced and even eliminated in seeded PZT films. In SBT films, the addition of SBT seeds suppressed the interdiffusion of Pt and film components. Hence, the interfaces of PZT/substrate and SBT/substrate are modified by the presence of seeds, and their electrical properties are improved. In both PZT and SBT films, the remanent polarization values are higher in seeded films than in unseeded ones. Similarly, local piezo-response signal of single grain showed higher longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient d(33) in seeded films than in unseeded ones. The critical voltage in which the ferroelectric domain starts to switch is lower in seeded films than in unseeded ones. The analysis of nanoscale switching in PZT and SBT films by PFM is presented and related to the corresponding macroscopic electric properties.

Abstract
Authors explain the carrying out of pharmacognostic study of "Majagua flowers" drug (Hibiscus elatus Sw., Malvaceae family), according to its origin, distribution, geographic location, etymological and ergasic features (agroteny, phenology, and harvesting) as well as references review on the use by population to a therapeutic purpose, including results of Traditional Herbal Medicine in Camagüey province (rural zones of 4 municipalities). We discuss on results from phenologic study (flowering phase of plant for 9 and a half year of observations). We present also graphics of results and indications of harvesting propoer periods.

Abstract
Performing of pharmacognostic study of "flores de majagua" drug (Hibiscus elatus SW., Malvaceae family), is explained in relation to assesment of efficiency of extractive processes, Flavonoids percentage, menstrum quantity, required to obtain such percentage, and practical limitations of processes were taking in account. Authors propose use of fluid extract in hydroalcoholic menstrum to 50%, obtained by percolation, and as a alternative variant to bimaceration. Maceration is discarded as technological process. Annexes and tables are presented. Which include quality parameters results, determined to dried up drug, and to furnace with air recirculation, to no more than 40 ?C in both tecnological variants (organoleptic, refraction rate (R.R.), pH relative density (R.D.), total solids (T.S.), alcoholic content (A.C.), capilar analysus, and qualitative chemical composition.

Abstract
Performing of pharmacognostic study of "flores de majagua" drug (Hibiscus elatus SW. Malvacea family) is explained in relation to assessment of quality parameters of crude drug (total ashes, unsolvable acid, water soluble, ethanol soluble substances (50 %), qualitative chemical composition, and flavonoids percentage), as well as relative features to feasible alterations of drug. Tables with results of determined quality parameters are presented.

Abstract
The modem industry of electronic devices has driven the development of new synthesis methods for producing materials with the desired properties. Most of these methods rely on reagents and solvents that are toxic for human health and environment. For example, it has been reported that the preparation of thin films by metallorganic deposition methods (MOD) often requires noxious chemicals. SrBi2Ta2O9 (SBT) and SrBi2Nb2O9 (SBN) are ferroelectric compounds with important applications as non volatile ferroelectric random access memories (NVFRAM). The advantage of being lead-free compounds is partially loss if the necessary efforts for making their precursors synthesis as safe as possible are not made. In this work a new method using an ethanol-based solution and starting from the acetates of the desired cations for obtaining SBT and SBN thin films is described. The properties of the obtained films demonstrate the good quality of the so prepared materials: the remnant polarization (Pr) values are around 6 mu C/cm(2) and 10 mu C/cm(2) for stoichiometric SBT and SBN respectively, and the observed leakage currents stay below 3 mu A for applied fields of 240 kV/cm(2). These characteristics indicate the present method to be adequate for producing ferroelectric materials with suitable properties for memories applications.

Abstract
SrBi2Nb2O9 (SBN) is a Bi-layered perovskite compound that, due to it relatively high Curie temperature, has potential application as high ceramic transducer. The preparation of SBN by the conventional solid state route requires high temperatures (above 1000degreesC) which allow significant bismuth losses, leading to non-stoichiometric compositions. This work describes a new method to obtain SBN that overcomes this problem. Compared to sol-gel methods, it has the advantage of using reagents that are less toxic and less expensive than the alkoxides used by these chemical methods. The thermal behavior of SBN precursors prepared by this new method is compared to that observed by the conventional solid state route. This new method offers the possibility of producing SBN at lower temperatures than those needed by the conventional route.