Indentation device for in situ Raman spectroscopic and optical studies.

Instrumented indentation is a widely used technique to study the mechanical behavior of materials at small length scales. Mechanical tests of bulk materials, microscopic, and spectroscopic studies may be conducted to complement indentation and enable the determination of the kinetics and physics involved in the mechanical deformation of materials at the crystallographic and molecular level, e.g., strain build-up in crystal lattices, phase transformations, and changes in crystallinity or orientation. However, many of these phenomena occurring during indentation can only be observed in their entirety and analyzed in depth under in situ conditions. This paper describes the design, calibration, and operation of an indentation device that is coupled with a Raman microscope to conduct in situ spectroscopic and optical analysis of mechanically deformed regions of Raman-active, transparent bulk material, thin films or fibers under contact loading. The capabilities of the presented device are demonstrated by in situ studies of the indentation-induced phase transformations of Si thin films and modifications of molecular conformations in high density polyethylene films.

Development of A High Throughput Method Incorporating Traditional Analytical Devices.

A high-throughput (high throughput is the ability to process large numbers of samples) and companion informatics system has been developed and implemented. High throughput is defined as the ability to autonomously evaluate large numbers of samples, while an informatics system provides the software control of the physical devices, in addition to the organization and storage of the generated electronic data. This high throughput system includes both an ultra-violet and visible light spectrometer (UV-Vis) and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) integrated with a multi sample positioning table. This method is designed to quantify changes in polymeric materials occurring from controlled temperature, humidity and high flux UV exposures. The integration of the software control of these analytical instruments within a single computer system is presented. Challenges in enhancing the system to include additional analytical devices are discussed.

The effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin secretion in adult premenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of chronic administration of GnRH agonists (GnRH-a) on pituitary TSH and PRL secretion in adult women. DESIGN: Prospective case-controlled study. SETTING: Academic division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. PATIENTS: Ten ovulatory women and 10 women treated with monthly depot injections of leuprolide acetate (3.75 mg) were studied. INTERVENTIONS: All subjects underwent pituitary stimulation with human thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), 500 micrograms IV. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Basal and post-TRH-stimulated serum levels of TSH and PRL at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes were compared among the two groups. Also, basal of T4, triiodothyronine, and triiodothyronine resin uptake studies were obtained and compared among the GnRH-a-treated and control groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference between baseline or TRH-stimulated serum TSH and PRL could be detected between control and GnRH-a-treated groups of women. Furthermore, these groups were similar with respect to routine thyroid function assays. CONCLUSION: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist does not significantly affect baseline or TRH-stimulated TSH and PRL levels nor basal serum T4 and triiodothyronine levels or triiodothyronine resin uptake in adult women.

Bilateral silicone induced synovitis of the wrist.

Silicone induced synovitis is a rare, but well reported complication of implant surgery for rheumatoid disease and osteoarthritis (OA). Although familiar to the orthopedists and particularly the hand surgeons, this clinical entity deserves greater attention by rheumatologists, in view of the increasing frequency of small joint replacement. Our report documents the occurrence of bilateral silicone induced synovitis of the wrist following insertion of silicone-dacron trapezial prosthesis for carpometacarpal OA of the thumb.

Left atrial myxoma presenting as a systemic vasculitis.

Left atrial myxoma has often stimulated systemic vasculitis or a connective tissue disease, but the diagnosis is usually suggested by cardiac symptoms or signs. The present case report is both unusual and instructive in that the patient presented with a painless left foot drop followed by digital vasculitis. Laboratory findings included depressed total hemolytic complement and elevated anti-double-stranded DNA. Despite frequent and careful observation, a heart murmur was not appreciated. Because of the unusual features and the patient's frequent military travels, the diagnosis of left atrial myxoma was not established for 8 months. This case history stresses the importance of considering the possibility of atrial myxoma in patients with heart murmurs whose symptoms, physical findings, and laboratory studies could be compatible with a systemic vasculitis.

Mini-laparotomy for bilateral tubal ligation in lithotomy position.

Two hundred consecutive cases of mini-laparotomy for nonpuerperal bilateral tubal ligation done by a single gynecologist with the patient in lithotomy position are presented here. Technical aspects of the procedure, some innovative and some old, are presented in an effort to demonstrate a simple, low-risk alternative to laparoscopic sterilization.