Influence of Ag on the Properties of CaYbMnO₃ Sintered Ceramics.

In this study, CaYbMnO₃ + x wt.% Ag (with x = 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10) thermoelectric materials were prepared via the classical ceramic method. In spite of the very high sintering temperature (1300 °C), no significant Ag losses were observed following this process.

Long-Term High-Temperature Stability of Directionally Grown [Bi₂Ba₂O₄][CoO₂] Rods.

[Bi₂Ba₂O₄][CoO₂] thermoelectric ceramics have been successfully grown from the melt using the laser floating zone method, followed by a thermal treatment at 700 °C under air between 0 and 1532 h. The microstructural, thermoelectric, and mechanical properties were evaluated as a function of the thermal treatment length. Microstructure has shown that as-grown samples are composed of thermoelectric grains, together with a relatively high amount of secondary phases.

Treatment of epidermoid tumors with gamma knife radiosurgery: Case series.

Background: Epidermoid tumors (ETs) are benign lesions that are treated mainly by means of surgical resection, with overall good results. External beam radiotherapy is an alternative treatment for those recurrent tumors, in which a second surgery might not be the best choice for the patient. A little information exists about the effectiveness of gamma knife radiosurgery for the treatment of newly diagnosed and recurrent ETs.

Superior approach for radiofrequency ablation of atrio-ventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in a patient with anomalous inferior vena cava and azygos continuation.

We present a 45-year-old woman with supraventricular tachycardia. During placement of diagnostic catheters, an interruption of the inferior vena cava was suspected. An MRI confirmed the interruption of the inferior vena cava above the level of the renal veins with azygos vein continuation up to the superior vena cava.

Burnout, perceived stress, and depression among cardiology residents in Argentina.

Objective: Because medical residency is a stressful time for training physicians, placing residents at increased risk for psychological distress, the authors studied the prevalence of burnout, perceived stress, and depression in cardiology residents in Argentina and examined the association between sociodemographic characteristics and these syndromes.

Methods: The authors conducted a cross-sectional observational study of 106 cardiology residents in Argentina and a comparison group of 104 age- and gender-matched nonmedical professionals. The main outcome measures included the prevalence of burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory, distress with the Perceived Stress Scale, and depression with the Beck Depression Inventory.

Concealed antegrade penetration of the atrio-ventricular node.

We present a patient with paroxysmal, non-sustained atrial tachycardia (AT) on routine surveillance 24-hour Holter post pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Several asymptomatic ventricular pauses are noted to follow each burst of AT. We postulate that these pauses are due to the resultant concealed penetration of the atrio-ventricular node (AVN) in combination with sino-atrial node overdrive suppression.

Early decompressive craniectomy for neurotrauma: an institutional experience.

Background: Neurotrauma centers have developed management protocols on the basis of evidence obtained from literature analysis and institutional experience. This article reviews our institutional experience in the management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at Simòn Bolivar Hospital, the district trauma center for Bogotá's north zone.

Methods: This is a case control study comparing a group of patients (n: 16) operated for severe TBI between January 2002 and July 2004 according to an institutional management protocol characterized by an early decompressive craniectomy (DC) approach versus a historical control group (n: 20) managed before the implementation of such protocol.