Nanomechanics: response of a strained semiconductor structure.

The nanomechanical properties of thin silicon films will become increasingly critical in semiconductor devices, particularly in the context of substrates that consist of a silicon film on an insulating layer (known as silicon-on-insulator, or SOI, substrates). Here we use very small germanium crystals as a new type of nanomechanical stressor to demonstrate a surprising mechanical behaviour of the thin layer of silicon in SOI substrates, and to show that there is a large local reduction in the viscosity of the oxide on which the silicon layer rests. These findings have implications for the use of SOI substrates in nanoelectronic devices.

[Use of a urinary balloon catheter in abortions after the 20th week of gestation and in premature labor]. / Izpolzuvane na uretralen balon katetur pri aborti sled 20-ata gestatsionna sedmitsa i pri prezhdevreminni razhdaniia.

PIP: The authors report on their experience with application of urethral balloon-catheter with a volume of 75-100 ml for pregnancy interruption due to obstetric indications after the 20th week of gestation. The study was carried out on 22 women and failure was recorded in only 1 case. All the pregnant women had a low pelvic score--from 0-4--but 11 had live fetuses. Oxytocin infusion (during placement of the balloon or during the course of delivery) was used in 19 women. The dilatation, obtained by the balloon-catheter, was from 4-6 cm and took about 4 hours on the average; duration of delivery was 10 hours on the average. No complications were recorded. The authors feel that the application of a urethral balloon-catheter replaces successfully the original obstetric-balloon catheter of Slavcev-Minceva after the 20th week of gestation, and its use in obstetric practice is recommended. (author's modified)^ieng