During the past ten years magnetic force microscopy (MFM) has become probably the most powerful general-purpose method for magnetic imaging. MFM can be applied under various environmental conditions and requires only little sample preparation. Basic research on magnetic materials as well as the mentioned industrial applications create an increasing demand for high-resolution magnetic imaging methods. This contribution will review some new concepts which have been realized in the field of advanced probe preparation, based on electron beam methods in order to improve the spatial resolution beyond 100nm. It is shown that the advanced probes allow high-resolution imaging of magnetic fine structures within thin film permalloy elements exhibiting a complicated cooperative magnetization reversal process. These investigations are of importance for various concepts underlying modern magnetic data storage developments. Furthermore, we present some developments of MFM to suit the needs of the magnetic recording industry.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cardiovascular and endocrine alterations after masturbation-induced orgasm in women.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the cardiovascular, genital, and endocrine changes in women after masturbation-induced orgasm because the neuroendocrine response to sexual arousal in humans is equivocal. METHODS: Healthy women (N = 10) completed an experimental session, in which a documentary film was observed for 20 minutes, followed by a pornographic film for 20 minutes, and another documentary for an additional 20 minutes. Subjects also participated in a control session, in which participants watched a documentary film for 60 minutes. After subjects had watched the pornographic film for 10 minutes in the experimental session, they were asked to masturbate until orgasm. Cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure) and genital (vaginal pulse amplitude) parameters were monitored continuously throughout testing. Furthermore, blood was drawn continuously for analysis of plasma concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), beta-endorphin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol. RESULTS: Orgasm induced elevations in cardiovascular parameters and levels of plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline. Plasma prolactin substantially increased after orgasm, remained elevated over the remainder of the session, and was still raised 60 minutes after sexual arousal. In addition, sexual arousal also produced small increases in plasma LH and testosterone concentrations. In contrast, plasma concentrations of cortisol, FSH, beta-endorphin, progesterone, and estradiol were unaffected by orgasm. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual arousal and orgasm produce a distinct pattern of neuroendocrine alterations in women, primarily inducing a long-lasting elevation in plasma prolactin concentrations. These results concur with those observed in men, suggesting that prolactin is an endocrine marker of sexual arousal and orgasm.

Adult↗