X-ray diffraction measurements of Mo melting to 119 GPa and the high pressure phase diagram.

In this paper, we report angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction data of molybdenum melting, measured in a double-sided laser-heated diamond-anvil cell up to a pressure of 119 GPa and temperatures up to 3400 K. The new melting temperatures are in excellent agreement with earlier measurements up to 90 GPa that relied on optical observations of melting and in strong contrast to most theoretical estimates. The X-ray measurements show that the solid melts from the bcc structure throughout the reported pressure range and provide no evidence for a high temperature transition from bcc to a close-packed structure, or to any other crystalline structure. This observation contradicts earlier interpretations of shock data arguing for such a transition. Instead, the values for the Poisson ratios of shock compressed Mo, obtained from the sound speed measurements, and the present X-ray evidence of loss of long-range order suggest that the 210 GPa (approximately 4100 K) transition in the shock experiment is from the bcc structure to a new, highly viscous, structured melt.

Direct observation of amorphous to amorphous apparently first-order phase transition in fused quartz.

We report for the first time the direct observation of an apparently first-order phase transition in amorphous silica from the low density amorphous phase to the high density amorphous phase with a discontinuous volume change of about 20% from the dilatometric measurements using the piston cylinder apparatus at 36 kbar and 680 degrees C. Our Raman spectroscopy measurements on the retrieved samples quenched from high pressure and high temperature experiments do not show any Raman peaks indicating a large modification in the intermediate range order in the structure of amorphous silica.

Cardiomegaly following extensive burns.

One of our patients had been recovering from prolonged illness for about eight months following extensive deep burns of the lower limbs, along with other complications, when he had a sudden attack of acute dyspnea with orthopnea. The cause of this condition was diagnosed as secondary hypodynamic cardiomyopathy. We found no previous report of such a complication following burns in the available literature.

Use of groin and mid-thigh flap in reconstruction of penis with penile and perineal urethra and a dorsal skin-lined socket for a removable prosthesis.

Absent or deformed genitalia give rise to profound psychological complexes. In such cases reconstruction of the phallus can help the patient return to leading a normal life. A reconstructed penis must have a normal appearance, feel, and function, which up to now has not been completely possible. Using the method described herein, the penis was reconstructed from a groin and mid-thigh flap. It has a skin-lined tube placed ventrally for urination and has a dorsal skin-lined socket for insertion of a removable prosthesis for artificial erection. Seven stages are required for reconstruction, including reconstruction of a perineal urethra. Appearance of the reconstructed organ is acceptable. The erection device is simple, stable, and not costly, and normal urination and procreation are possible. Part of this method is also applicable for loss of erection and in reconstruction of a perineal urethra only.