An experimental method to measure initiation events during unstable stress-induced martensitic transformation in a shape memory alloy wire

An experimental configuration is demonstrated that captures features of the initiation of unstable stress-induced transformation in a shape memory alloy (SMA). The apparatus uses circulating fluids through the grips and a heat sink and thermoelectric devices to control the temperature profile of a specimen within a mechanical testing machine. The configuration can be used to restrict the initiation of phase transformation to a small region of interest of the free length, while permitting full-field optical tracking, infrared imaging, use of laser extensometry, and monitoring of load and extension. In this way, some longstanding difficulties in the measurement of thermo-mechanical phenomena in SMA wire have been resolved. The size of initiation stress peaks can be accurately measured for both transformation directions without changing the wire geometry, the temperature of a region of interest can be selected over a wide range, and imaging can be performed for multiple loading cycles and for events that occur from static to near dynamic rates. The motivation for this work is to produce high quality data for use in calibrating numerical models that study thermo-mechanical coupling during unstable transformation behavior.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58145/2/sms7_1_S16.pd

CT-GUIDED TRANSTHORACIC NEEDLE BIOPSY: ADVANTEGES IN HISTOPATHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR TESTS

Aim: The present study aimed to demonstrate that computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) is a safe procedure that gives a more accurate pre-operative tissue diagnosis for peripheral lung nodules than transthoracic needle aspiration, obtaining suitable samples for molecular test in lung adenocarcinomas. Patients and methods: Between December 2016 and March 2018 at Thoracic Surgery Department of the University of Palermo - Policlinico Paolo Giaccone Hospital, TTNB was performed in 42 patients with computed tomography-detected peripheral lung nodules > 10 mm, using 16-18 -Gauge tru-Cut needles. Results: With TTNB, we have estimated an accuracy for tissue diagnosis of 97,6%. At the molecular test, EGFR overexpression and ALK mutation resulted positive for 12/23 patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: TTNB has showed a low rate of complications and it is adoptable as standard diagnostic procedure for peripheral lung nodules

Bowel wall thickening: inquire or not inquire? Our guidelines

Bowel wall thickening is not an uncommon finding among patient undergoing abdomen CT scan. It may be caused by neoplastic, inflammatory, infectious or ischaemic conditions but also be a normal variant. Although specific radiologic patterns may direct to a precise diagnosis, occasionally misidentification may occur. Thus, in the absence of guidelines, further and not always needed diagnostic procedures (colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy or capsule endoscopy) are performed

Double traumatic diaphragmatic injury: A case report

Introduction: Traumatic diaphragmatic injuries are rare complications resulting from a thoracic-abdominal blunt or penetrating trauma. Left-sided diaphragmatic injuries are more commonly reported in literature. Bilateral injuries are extremely rare, occurring in about 3% of the patients and just few cases reported in literature. Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias are definitely a marker of a severe trauma, in fact diaphragmatic injuries are often related to thoracic and abdominal organs injuries. Sometimes the classic clinical signs and symptoms of diaphragmatic injuries may initially not be present so that definitive evaluation is delayed or even missed. Case report: A 62-years old woman was admitted in Emergency Department after a pedestrian accident. A whole-body CT scan showed multiple fractures (ribs, pelvic and vertebral) but no organ injury. The next CT detected a left-sided posterior diaphragmatic hernia involving transverse colon. Thus we performed an explorative laparoscopy and found a double diaphragmatic injury. A primary repair with non-absorbable sutures and a prosthetic titanized patch was performed