Crystallization of amorphous Ni60 Nb40−x Cr x alloys

Crystallization behaviour of amorphous Ni₆₀ Nb_40-x Cr _x (x = 0, 5, 10 and 13 at%) alloys was studied by differential Scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurements. It is shown that the addition of chromium reduces the crystallization temperature, stages of crystallization and activation energies associated with the crystallization sages of the Ni₆₀Nb₄₀ glass. Crystallization of the Ni₆₀Nb₄₀ glass occurred in three stages; in the initial stage a metastable M-phase formed in the amorphous matrix as reported earlier [1] . However, contrary to earlier observation [1], M -phase was not very stable and transformed together with some amorphous phase to the equilibrium Ni₃Nb phase in the second stage of crystallization. In the third stage, the remaining amorphous matrix transformed to the equilibrium NiNb phase. On addition of chromium the formation/stability of the M-phase was found to be suppressed and equilibrium NbCr₂ phase precipitated preferentially in the first stage. The second stage, corresponding to the formation of Ni₃Nb phase, remained almost unaltered. The third stage corresponding to the crystallization of NiNb phase disappeared completely at 13 at% Cr. In the fully crystallized samples the proportion of the NiNb phase decreased and that of NbCr₂ phase increased continuously with chromium concentration.     

Propagation of granulocytic Ehrlichia spp. from human and equine sources in HL-60 cells induced to differentiate into functional granulocytes

Ehrlichia spp. from human and equine sources in the northeastern Unites States were detected by PCR, isolated, and propagated in the HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line. Growth of Ehrlichia from both equine and human sources was enhanced by addition of retinoic acid, which causes granulocytic differentiation of the HL-60 cells. DNA sequencing of a portion of the 16S rDNA gene supported the hypothesis that the same pathogen was responsible for both equine and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis.     

Synovial cyst and degeneration of the transverse ligament: an unusual cause of high cervical myelopathy. Case report

A case of cystic degeneration of the transverse ligament located posteriorly to the dens and causing compression to the lower medulla and upper cervical spinal cord is reported. The clinical, pathological, and radiological findings are described and compared to the literature to characterize this syndrome more fully. The advantages of a posterolateral surgical approach are stressed.     

Changes in muscle blood flow distribution during hyperthermia

Blood flow is a critical parameter for obtaining satisfactory temperature distributions during clinical hyperthermia. This study examines the changes in blood flow distribution in normal porcine skeletal muscle before, during and after a period of regional microwave hyperthermia. The baseline blood flow distribution during general anaesthesia and after the insertion of the thermal probes was established independently in order to isolate the changes due to hyperthermia. General anaesthesia alone and thermocouple insertion during anesthesia had no significant effect on the muscle blood flow distribution. Regional microwave heating generated a non-uniform blood flow distribution which was a function of the tissue temperature distribution. Blood flow was greater in those tissues samples in which higher temperatures were recorded and less in those sampled further from the applicators peak SAR (Specific Absorption Rate). The increase in blood flow appears to be primarily a local phenomenon. Although muscle blood flow may be considered to be uniform prior to heating, this does not hold during hyperthermia treatment. Therefore, the non-uniform nature of the blood distribution during heating should be incorporated into any practical bioheat transfer model.     

Late onset peripheral seronegative spondyloarthropathy: report of two additional cases

Two more cases of late onset peripheral seronegative spondyloarthropathy (SpA) are reported. Like the patients reported by Dubost and Sauvezie, they had extensive pitting edema of the lower limbs, constitutional symptoms, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and minimal involvement of the axial skeleton with marked signs of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperstosis.     

The "pedrada" ("coup-de-fouet") syndrome. A possibility to be considered in acute leg pain

The authors report the case of a woman admitted to hospital for minor trauma of the left hip and who presented major ST segment elevation on the second day suggesting an acute anterior wall myocardial infarction at the same time as a cerebrovascular accident. Complementary investigations and follow-up excluded the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with normalisation of the ECG on the 5th day. ECG changes during cerebrovascular accidents may be very variable ranging from extrasystoles to ST elevation mimicking myocardial infarction. They carry a poor prognosis with an increased risk of sudden death necessitating continuous ECG monitoring until the ECG reverts to normal. The cardiac involvement is not ischaemic but due to disease of the insular cortex of the brain which induces myocytolysis (centered around the intra-cardiac nerve endings) due to the sudden liberation of catecholamines. These lesions may be treated by propranolol or phentolamine.     

Cement versus cementless fixation in total knee arthroplasty

A prospectively studied group of 55 uncemented Press Fit Condylar total knee arthroplasties was compared retrospectively with a matched group of 51 cemented Press Fit Condylar total knee arthroplasties at a mean of 10 years after operation. For the cemented group, the pain and function scores improved from 32 and 45 preoperatively to 95 and 77, respectively. For the uncemented group the scores improved from 33 and 50 preoperatively to 93 and 60, respectively. There were 10 revisions in the uncemented group for femoral or tibial aseptic loosening or osteolysis compared with two revisions in the cemented group. Exclusive of problems related to patellar metal backing, survival to revision for aseptic failure or radiographic loosening was 72% in the uncemented group and 94% in the cemented group at 10 years. A significantly higher revision rate was found in the uncemented compared with cemented total knee arthroplasty of the Press Fit Condylar design.     

Modification of mechanical properties of Kevlar fibre by polymer infiltration

While high-performance organic fibres such as poly (para phenylene benzobisthiazole) and Kevlar possess excellent mechanical properties under axial tension, their strength under compression is generally poor. This study focuses on a polymer infiltration approach to modify the mechanical properties of the Kevlar 49 fibre in tension as well as compression, in which various polymeric resins are infiltrated in an opened fibrillar network of Kevlar single filaments. Opening was achieved using concentrated sulfuric acid, which resulted in a strength loss at high acid concentrations. However, compared to the acid-treated fibre, both the tensile strength and strain-to-failure of the fibres were found to increase after infiltration with epoxy resins and bismaleimide polymers. Polymer infiltration also resulted in a significant improvement in the compressive strength of the Kevlar fibre, with the bismaleimide performing better than the epoxy resins. Plasma modification using ammonia was also used to enhance interfibrillar adhesion by incorporating reactive amine groups on the fibril surface