Millimeters In Size Research Articles

The impact of environmental microplastics as emerging carcinogens: A public health concern

Microplastics, small plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, have become common in the environment and occur in air, water, and food sources. Possible effects on human health, particularly as carcinogens, have become a growing concern. This review aims to investigate the mechanisms by which microplastics may contribute to cancer development and the implications for public health. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, focusing on studies from 2010 to 2024. The data were collected from various sources, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. The key areas examined include biological mechanisms of carcinogenesis, human exposure pathways, and risk assessment models. Microplastics can induce carcinogenesis through multiple pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage pathways. Research both in vivo and in vitro has demonstrated that microplastics can cause DNA damage and disrupt cellular processes, potentially leading to cancer. Human exposure occurs primarily through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact in the absence of data, and epidemiological studies indicate a link between increased levels of microplastic exposure and a greater risk of cancer. Microplastics represent a coming class of environmental carcinogens with significant public health implications. More investigations are needed to completely explain their carcinogenic mechanisms and to develop effective strategies to reduce human exposure. Public health policies must evolve to mitigate the risks connected with microplastic pollution, protecting future generations from its potential health impacts.

Investigating the Influence of Microplastics on Marine Biodiversity and Human Health

The main environmental and public health concerns have been the plastic particles that are smaller than 5 millimeters in size. This study paper will therefore investigate how microplastics originate, their prevalence, and the impacts on marine biodiversity and human health. It categorizes microplastics as either primary or secondary in nature, thus explaining their origin from intentional consumer product usage and from the degradation of larger plastic debris. It is estimated that 51 trillion microplastic particles mar the marine ecosystems and endanger organisms as small as plankton and as large as mammals. This ingestion of microplastics can lead to blockages, deficiencies in nutrients, and toxicological effects in the marine species that the impacts of their bioaccumulation and biomagnifications would increase in the food chain for human health. Evidence says microplastics have been present in seafood and drinking water, and even in human tissues, and the potential for such health problems of inflammation, oxidative stress, or chronic problems long term. This paper underlines the critical level of scientific research to full understanding of the impacts that microplastics will have on the environment and health. It also underlines strong policy interventions focusing on reducing plastic production and consumption, improving waste management, and enhancing public awareness. Through such synthesis and combined efforts across sectors, we could ease this overall threat through microplastic pollution together to protect marine ecosystems as well as public health for generations to come.

The Difference between Traditional Magnetic Stimulation and Microcoil Stimulation: Threshold and the Electric Field Gradient

This paper considers the threshold value of the activating function needed for stimulation in traditional magnetic stimulation and microcoil stimulation. Two analyses of excitation have been studied: spatial frequency analysis and active membrane analysis using the Hodgkin−Huxley model. The activating function depends on the spatial distribution of the electric field gradient in the active membrane analysis and the spatial frequency in the spatial frequency analysis. Both analyses show that a microcoil (tens of microns in size) has a higher threshold than a traditional coil (tens of millimeters in size) when the spatial frequency is large or the spatial extent of the activating function is small. Consequently, the stimulation threshold for a microcoil is much higher than that for a conventional coil.

Unusual “Mini-Rugby Ball” Pattern Solitary Lung Metastasis in Relapsed Ewing's Sarcoma

AbstractEwing's sarcoma (ES) is a mesenchymal origin malignant neoplasm that affects children and adolescents. It is the second most common type of bone sarcoma and accounts for approximately 1.5% of all childhood cancers with an annual incidence of 1 to 3 cases per million children under 16 years of age. In this article, we present the case of a 16-year-old adolescent girl. Lung metastasis at the initial diagnosis of ES is relatively uncommon but carries significant prognostic implications. Lung metastases in ES can vary significantly in size, ranging from small nodules (just a few millimeters in size) to the largest reported case being 15 cm. The size of the metastases impacts the choice of therapeutic strategies and the prognosis. Approximately 30% of patients with ES experience a relapse, with the lungs being a common site for metastatic disease. Relapsed lung metastasis on follow-up is a critical concern in the long-term management of ES. We describe a relapsed case of ES in a 16-year-old adolescent girl who presented with a solitary large metastatic right lung mass, with the longest dimension of 16 cm on craniocaudal measurement. The primary site of the tumor was the left distal femur, for which the patient received six cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by en bloc tumor excision and rotationplasty of the left distal femur, after which the patient received seven cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Subsequent 5 years of regular follow-up was asymptomatic. Later, the patient presented with back pain and cough, and was diagnosed with a solitary large right lung mass. Computed tomography (CT) guided biopsy of the right lung mass revealed a metastatic ES, for which she underwent chemoradiotherapy. This case highlights the large size of solitary lung metastases in relapsed ES.

Short-term microplastic effects on marine meiofauna abundance, diversity and community composition.

Due to the copious disposal of plastics, marine ecosystems receive a large part of this waste. Microplastics (MPs) are solid particles smaller than 5 millimeters in size. Among the plastic polymers, polystyrene (PS) is one of the most commonly used and discarded. Due to its density being greater than that of water, it accumulates in marine sediments, potentially affecting benthic communities. This study investigated the ingestion of MP and their effect on the meiofauna community of a sandy beach. Meiofauna are an important trophic link between the basal and higher trophic levels of sedimentary food webs and may therefore be substantially involved in trophic transfer of MP and their associated compounds. We incubated microcosms without addition of MP (controls) and treatments contaminated with PS MP (1-µm) in marine sediments at three nominal concentrations (103, 105, 107particles/mL), for nine days, and sampled for meiofauna with collections every three days. At each sampling time, meiofauna were collected, quantified and identified to higher-taxon level, and ingestion of MP was quantified under an epifluorescence microscope. Except for Tardigrada, all meiofauna taxa (Nematoda, turbellarians, Copepoda, Nauplii, Acari and Gastrotricha) ingested MP. Absorption was strongly dose dependent, being highest at 107 particles/mL, very low at 105 particles/mL and non-demonstrable at 103 particles/mL. Nematodes accumulated MP mainly in the intestine; MP abundance in the intestine increased with increasing incubation time. The total meiofauna density and species richness were significantly lower at the lowest MP concentration, while at the highest concentration these parameters were very similar to the control. In contrast, Shannon-Wiener diversity and evenness were greater in treatments with low MP concentration. However, these results should be interpreted with caution because of the low meiofauna abundances at the lower two MP concentrations. At the highest MP concentration, abundance, taxonomic diversity and community structure of a beach meiofauna community were not significantly affected, suggesting that MP effects on meiofauna are at most subtle. However, lower MP concentrations did cause substantial declines in abundance and diversity, in line with previous studies at the population and community level. While we can only speculate on the underlying mechanism(s) of this counterintuitive response, results suggest that further research is needed to better understand MP effects on marine benthic communities.

Identifikasi Mikroplastik pada Ikan Tongkol Lisong (Auxis Rochei) dan Ikan Tuna Makarel (Euthynnus Affinis) di Pangkalan Pendaratan Ikan (PPI) Oeba, Kupang

Waste management in Kupang City is still very poor. The waste will eventually reach the sea and will be degraded into microplastics. Microplastics, which are less than 5 millimetres in size, are made from plastic waste in marine waters through physical, mechanical, chemical and biological processes. This research was conducted to determine the characteristics (shape and colour) and abundance of microplastics found in digestive tract samples, and meat/muscle samples of lisong tuna (Auxis rochei) and mackerel tuna (Euthynnus affinis) obtained from PPI Oeba, Kupang City. Each organ was extracted using 10% KOH for 48-72 hours and microplastic characteristics were observed visually using a stereo microscope. The research results found microplastics in the digestive tract and meat of A. rochei and E. affinis. The forms found in digestive tract A. rochei include films and fragments, with transparent colours. Meanwhile in meat, fragments, films and fibres were found in red, blue, black, transparent and purple. The forms found in digestive tract E. affinis include fragments, pellets, fibers and films with blue, black, transparent and yellow colours. Meanwhile in meat, fragments and pellets were found with black and yellow colors. The abundance of microplastics detected in digestive tract A. rochei included 1.2 MP/individual, while in meat it was 0.2 MP/gr. In E. affinis it includes 0.8 MP/individual in digestive tract and in meat 0.06 MP/gr.

Sulfur isotopic variations in the products of the 1895 CE eruption at Zao volcano (NE Japan): Implications for connecting eruption source and syn-eruptive magmatic-hydrothermal processes

Sulfur isotopic ratio in sulfate and sulfide in subvolcanic hydrothermal systems is a valuable tracer to study the magmatic-hydrothermal processes from the magma source through to volcanic eruptions. Zao volcano is among the most active volcanoes in NE Japan, with historical explosive eruptions occurring during the last thousand years and unrest episodes since 2013. This necessitates a detailed assessment of the potential risk of future volcanic hazards. We investigated the magmatic-hydrothermal processes that occurred during the 1895 CE eruption sequence at Zao volcano by conducting mineralogical and sulfur isotope analyses in the exposed well: (i) six volcanic units (Layers 1–6) of the 1895 CE eruption products (clayish ash deposits with andesitic bombs, lapilli of scoria, and minor altered lithic fragments) deposited on the rim of Okama crater lake; and (ii) clay-altered and silicified rocks from the Nigorikawa alteration zone (NGA) surrounding the Goshikidake cone. Mineralogical data show that the samples mainly consist of alunite, pyrite, and gypsum. Alunite and pyrite occur as fine crystal mixtures associated with mineral assemblages of both advanced argillic alteration (i.e., those of cristobalite and kaolinite) and silicification (i.e., those of cristobalite, tridymite and native sulfur). Gypsum typically appears as isolated euhedral crystals of several millimeters in size. Samples of the 1895 CE eruption products have a narrow range of δ34S values from +3 ‰ to +5 ‰ for gypsum, from +9 ‰ to +13 ‰ for alunite, and approximately −10 ‰ for pyrite. For the NGA samples, the δ34Sgypsum, δ34Snative sulfur, and δ34Spyrite values range from −12 ‰ to −9 ‰, whereas for alunite, these range from +8 ‰ to +18 ‰. This indicates that alunite and pyrite in the 1895 CE eruption products were derived from the advanced argillic alteration and silicification zones that developed under Okama crater, which is exposed as the NGA. Estimated alteration temperatures based on the sulfur isotopic equilibrium between alunite and pyrite pairs are 200 °C–300 °C. By contrast, δ34Sgypsum values in the 1895 CE products are significantly higher than those in the NGA (which are derived from oxidation of pyrite or H2S, or both), ranging between an estimated parental fluid of δ34Sbulk-initial = ca. +1 ‰ and the Quaternary volcanic rocks of the Japan arc. This suggests that gypsum in the 1895 CE eruption products derived from magmatic vapor condensate (anhydrite) formed in the volcanic conduit during the eruption, thus becoming replacement of anhydrite by gypsum after or during the tephra deposition on the Zao summit surface. Our results on sulfur-bearing minerals provide new clues for better understanding (and monitoring) the syn-eruptive processes of volcanic eruptions focused on subvolcanic hydrothermal systems.

Pengaruh Limbah Mikroplastik Terhadap Organisme dan Upaya Penanganannya

In the midst of rapid industrial progress and global economic growth, the use of plastic has increased dramatically, causing serious environmental problems due to the accumulation of plastic waste. One of the most worrying aspects of this problem is the presence of microplastics, namely plastic particles less than five millimeters in size. The more accumulation of plastic waste found in the waters will cause damage to the surrounding water and sea environment, plastic waste that is not collected will be exposed to sunlight and exposure to air, the longer it will decompose into small particles called microplastics. In this research, the author researched using the library research method, namely by collecting and studying existing literature from various sources such as: journals, articles, books and others related to this research. Microplastics have spread widely in the environment, from oceans to land, and have had a serious impact on organisms and ecosystems throughout the world. The process by which microplastics are formed, their distribution in the environment, their impact on aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and their potential impact on human health are the main focus research and public attention. To overcome the microplastic problem, a holistic approach is needed that involves collaboration across sectors and scientific disciplines. Handling and mitigation efforts must cover various aspects, starting from regulating the use of single-use plastics, more effective management of plastic waste, developing technology for detecting and eliminating microplastics, to educating the public about the dangers of microplastics and the importance of environmentally friendly behavior. Concrete steps such as banning the use of single-use plastics, promoting recycling, innovation in product design, and cross-border cooperation in managing plastic waste are key in efforts to reduce the negative impact of microplastics. Only by taking these steps together can we create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment for future generations.

Synthesis of sulfide mineral crystals by incongruent methods using the example of Cu-Fe-S and Cu-Fe-Se systems

Research subject. Understanding the structure and thermodynamic properties of sulfide minerals is important for studying the paragenesis of sulfide formation on Earth and in space, as well as for analyzing technological issues in the processing of ores and polysulfide product concentrates. There is a lack of experimental and theoretical information on many representatives of the Cu-Fe-S and Cu-Fe-Se systems. Aim. To synthesize crystals in the Cu-Fe-S and Cu-Fe-Se systems at the lowest possible temperatures for the subsequent study of their physical properties, while solving the main problem of materials science related to interrelations between composition, structure, and properties. Materials and methods. Crystal synthesis was carried out by the solution-melt method in a stationary temperature gradient, in evacuated sealed quartz glass ampoules. Two types of ampoules were used in the experiment, standard and long. The ampoules were filled with a charge and a salt mixture of RbCl-LiCl of eutectic composition, evacuated and sealed, then placed in several quartz or ceramic glasses. The glasses were placed in tubular furnaces such that the ends of the ampoules with the charge were located closer to the center of the furnace, and the opposite ends were closer to the edge to create a temperature gradient. For standard ampoules, the hot end temperature was 520–469℃, and the cold end was 456–415℃. For long ones: 470℃ – hot end and 340℃ – cold. The synthesis duration ranged from three to four months. Results. Depending on the composition of the charge, crystals of chalcocine Cu2S, bornite Cu5FeS4, chalcopyrite CuFeS2, isocubanite CuFe2S3, and iron-containing dicopper sulfide with an iron content of up to 8 at % and various equilibrium associations with their participation and with the participation of pyrite FeS2 and pyrrhotites Fe1–xS were obtained. Copper dendrites were also found in some samples. In addition, crystals of a phase with the approximate composition of CuFeSe2 were obtained. It is shown that due to different combinations of oxidation states of all three elements dissolved in a salt electrolyte, it is possible to obtain phases with almost any stoichiometric ratio. Chalcopyrite and isocubanite are reliably detected using Raman spectroscopy. In this case, some samples are locally characterized by the “absence” of a spectrum, which probably indicates the metallic (semi-metallic) properties of the samples. Conclusion. Using the Cu-Fe-S and Cu-Fe-Se systems as an example, the possibility of obtaining sulfide crystals in a RbCl-LiCl salt melt up to a eutectic temperature of 313℃ is shown. Due to the low synthesis temperature, the synthesis should be carried out over several months, resulting in crystals a fraction of a millimeter in size.

Micro robot as the feature of robotic in healthcare approach from design to application: the State of art and challenges

Micro robots, miniature robotic devices typically ranging from micrometers to a few millimeters in size, hold immense potential in various fields, particularly healthcare. Their diminutive stature enables access to intricate anatomical regions previously unreachable, facilitating targeted drug delivery, localized treatment, and precise monitoring. These robots offer numerous advantages, including enhanced maneuverability, reduced invasiveness, and minimized tissue damage. By navigating through complex biological environments, micro robots can deliver therapies with unprecedented precision, improving treatment efficacy and patient outcomes. Additionally, their small size allows for minimally invasive procedures, reducing recovery times and enhancing patient comfort. Overall, micro robots represent a groundbreaking technological advancement with the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and significantly benefit human well-being.Their small size enables access to intricate anatomical regions for targeted drug delivery, localized treatment, and precise monitoring. Despite challenges like size constraints and navigation complexities, innovative solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration are driving their advancement in improving healthcare outcomes.

A comprehensive characterization of indoor ambient microplastics in households during the COVID-19 pandemic

AbstractAirborne microplastics (MPs) can be easily inhaled by humans, impacting their health as they spend more than 80% of their time indoors, especially during the pandemic. Only a few research studies have examined indoor MPs in the micrometer size range using active sampling, and studies have mainly concentrated on MPs that are millimeters in size. This study investigated the composition of indoor airborne MPs by active sampling in seven houses in the city center of northwestern Turkey (Eskişehir) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The visual identification showed the presence of different colored MPs, white, red, orange, green, and yellow, with different shapes (fibers, fragments, films, lines, foam, and pellets). The size of the identified MPs was between 2.5 and 327.36 μm. The polymeric composition analysis showed the presence of 123 MPs in all the samples with 22 different polymeric compositions. Residents in these houses are exposed to airborne MPs, with inhalation estimates ranging from 12.03 to 18.51 MPs/m3. However, it was also estimated that humans inhale 156–240 MPs daily in these houses. The dominant MPs were polyamide 6, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, ethylene propylene, polystyrene, and high-density polyethylene. Scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive x-ray elemental analysis revealed the presence of common structural elements, additives, or vectors that are added or adsorbed to MPs like carbon, oxygen, fluorine, magnesium, silicon, chlorine, nitrogen, and aluminum. These indoor environments are prone to MP pollution. Still, the MP level varies due to different characteristics of indoor environments, like activities and the number of occupants/people in the space, etc. The smaller MPs in all the samples highlight the necessity for standardized techniques of MP collection.

Airborne Short-Baseline Millimeter Wave InSAR System Analysis and Experimental Results

For the challenges of high-precision mapping in complex terrain, a novel airborne Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) system is designed. This system, named ASMIS (Airborne Short-Baseline Millimeter-Wave InSAR System), adopts the coplanar antenna and a pod-type structure. This design makes the system lightweight and highly integrated. It can be compatible with small general aviation flight platforms. The baseline is millimeters in size, which greatly simplifies the unwrapping process. The coplanar antennas have two advantages: they maximize the baseline utilization and minimize the Doppler decorrelation and the motion error inconsistency. Acquisition campaigns of the system have been carried out in Boao, Bayannur, and Chengde, China. In the Chengde experimental area, we designed an antiparallel flight experiment to account for the topographic relief. High-precision Digital Orthophoto Maps (DOMs) and Digital Surface Models (DSMs) at a scale of 1:5000 were obtained. The coordinate Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the checkpoints within the obtained DSM is less than 0.82 m in altitude and 3 m horizontally. The RMSE of the Sparse Ground Control Points (GCPs) within the obtained DSM is less than 0.3 m in altitude. Experimental results from different areas, including plains, mountains, and coastlines, demonstrate the system’s performance.

Clinical Super-Resolution Computed Tomography of Bone Microstructure: Application in Musculoskeletal and Dental Imaging

PurposeClinical cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) devices are limited to imaging features of half a millimeter in size and cannot quantify the tissue microstructure. We demonstrate a robust deep-learning method for enhancing clinical CT images, only requiring a limited set of easy-to-acquire training data.MethodsKnee tissue from five cadavers and six total knee replacement patients, and 14 teeth from eight patients were scanned using laboratory CT as training data for the developed super-resolution (SR) technique. The method was benchmarked against ex vivo test set, 52 osteochondral samples are imaged with clinical and laboratory CT. A quality assurance phantom was imaged with clinical CT to quantify the technical image quality. To visually assess the clinical image quality, musculoskeletal and maxillofacial CBCT studies were enhanced with SR and contrasted to interpolated images. A dental radiologist and surgeon reviewed the maxillofacial images.ResultsThe SR models predicted the bone morphological parameters on the ex vivo test set more accurately than conventional image processing. The phantom analysis confirmed higher spatial resolution on the SR images than interpolation, but image grayscales were modified. Musculoskeletal and maxillofacial CBCT images showed more details on SR than interpolation; however, artifacts were observed near the crown of the teeth. The readers assessed mediocre overall scores for both SR and interpolation. The source code and pretrained networks are publicly available.ConclusionModel training with laboratory modalities could push the resolution limit beyond state-of-the-art clinical musculoskeletal and dental CBCT. A larger maxillofacial training dataset is recommended for dental applications.

Investigation of the separation of conductive and insulating objects on a laboratory made electrostatic separator

Electrostatic separators are widely used to separate conductive and insulating objects up to some millimetres in size. Modelling of such equipment has been presented in several studies; laboratory and numerical models have been analysed. However, there are such situations, where larger samples of the order of centimetres have to be separated, as milling them into smaller size particles is not allowed or feasible. It was found that electrostatic separation can be used even in such cases but in a different arrangement than in the “traditional” constructions.This paper is a continuation of a previous study, in which the separation of a constructed laboratory separator was examined. The model was built in a circular plate arrangement with high voltage needle electrodes above the edge of cylinder’s mantle, where the discharges are generated. The slope of the circular plate is steadily decreasing, so the samples on the edge of the plate produce an increasing angle of inclination along the circumference. Charged samples stick to the plate, uncharged ones fall off. Some key parameters as rotation speed, electrode distance, voltage level and position of ionizer electrodes were varied.

Whether Detection of Gene Mutations Could Identify Low- or High-Risk Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma? Data from 393 Cases Using the Next-Generation Sequencing.

The objective of this study is to explore the utilization of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology in evaluating the likelihood of identifying individuals with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC ≤10 mm) who are at high or low risk. NGS was used to analyze 393 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of PTC tumors, all of which were smaller than 15 mm. The study found that bilateralism, multifocality, intrathyroidal spread, and extrathyroidal extension were present in 84 (21.4%), 153 (38.9%), 16 (4.1%), and 54 (13.7%) cases, respectively. Metastasis of cervical lymph nodes was identified in 226 (57.5%) cases and 96 (24.4%) cases with CLNM >5. Out of the total number of cases studied, 8 cases (2.3%) showed signs of tumor recurrence, all of which were localized and regional. Genetic alterations were detected in 342 cases (87.0%), with 336 cases revealing single mutations and 6 cases manifesting compound mutations. 332 cases (84.5%) had BRAFV600E mutation, 2 cases had KRASQ61K mutation, 2 cases had NRASQ61R mutation, 8 cases had RET/PTC1 rearrangement, 3 cases had RET/PTC3 rearrangement, and 1 case had TERT promoter mutation. Additionally, six individuals harbored concurrent mutations in two genes. These mutations were of various types and combinations: BRAFV600E and NRASQ61R (n = 2), BRAFV600E and RET/PTC3 (n = 2), BRAFV600E and RET/PTC1 (n = 1), and BRAFV600E and TERT promoter (n = 1). The subsequent analysis did not uncover a significant distinction in the incidence of gene mutation or fusion between the cN0 and cN1 patient cohorts. The presence of BRAFV600E mutation and CLNM incidence rates were found to be positively correlated with larger tumor size in PTMC. Our data showed that gene mutations did not appear to have much to do with high-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). However, when we looked at tumor size, we found that if the tumor was at least 5 millimeters in size, there was a higher chance of it being at high risk for PTM (P < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 2.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57-4.14). Identification of BRAFV600E mutation was not demonstrated to be significantly correlated with advanced clinicopathological characteristics, although it was strongly associated with a bigger tumor diameter (OR = 4.92, 95% CI: 2.40-10.07, P < 0.001). In clinical practice, BRAFV600E mutation does not consistently serve as an effective biomarker to distinguish high-risk PTMC or predict tumor progression. The size of the tumor has a significant correlation with its aggressive characteristics. PTMC with a diameter of ≤5 mm should be distinguished and targeted as a unique subset for specialized treatment.

Correlative Study of Ultrasound Scan, Fine-needle Aspiration Cytology and Histopathology of Thyroid Swellings

Abstract Introduction: Thyroid swellings are common clinical entities with a reported prevalence of about 10% of the adult population. As ultrasound technology is advancing, so is the detection of thyroid lesions, even if they are as small as a few millimetres in size. While fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is the standard procedure for thyroid nodule diagnosis; it involves risks and unnecessary costs. However, histopathological examination (HPE) is the gold standard for the classification of thyroid swellings. While individual characteristics of USS which increase the suspiciousness of malignancy, have been studied repeatedly but are inconclusive, we therefore need a comprehensive system of stratifying thyroid nodules and characterising them with confidence so that we can reduce the number of needless painful aspiration and biopsy procedures. Aim: This study aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound scans and FNAC in thyroid swellings by comparing them with HPE results. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care centre over a period of 2 years. During this period, a total of 200 patients presented with palpable thyroid nodules in the surgery outpatient department out of which 160 patients were included in our study. All the patients underwent a triple assessment (clinical examination, sonogram and FNAC) and were later posted for surgery, the specimen obtained was sent for HPE. Data were collected and the results were analysed and compared. Results: One hundred and sixty cases with thyroid swellings were studied. Out of the 160 cases, 136 were female and 24 were male with female-to-male ratio of 5.6:1. Based on various ultrasound characteristics of thyroid nodules, each thyroid nodule was classified into ACR-TIRADS categories and then FNAC was done. On HPE diagnosis of 160 cases, 98 (61.3%) patients were benign and 62 (38.8%) patients were malignant. The results of histopathology were correlated with ultrasound features and statistical analysis was done calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for each feature. The sensitivity and specificity for irregular margin were 38.7% and 93.9%, for taller-than-wide were 21% and 100%, for punctate echogenic foci/microcalcification were 8.1% and 100%, for hypoechogenicity were 91.9% and 64.3% and for solid consistency were 69.4% and 76.5%. The risk of malignancy for TIRADS categories 2, 3, 4 and 5 in our study was 2.5%, 21%, 64% and 94%, respectively. In comparison with FNAC diagnosis and HPE, FNAC is 98.0% sensitive and 54.8% specificity in detecting benign lesions while 4.84% sensitivity and 97.96% specificity in detecting malignant lesions. Conclusion: ACR-TIRADS is a good predictor of malignancy. Individual characteristics such as solid composition, hypoechogenicity, irregular borders, taller-than-wide shape and microcalcifications were highly predictive of malignancy. FNAC is of greater help in the pre-operative diagnosis and should be treated as a first-line diagnostic test for thyroid swellings to guide the management though it is not a substitute for HPE.

Explosions of Ball Lightning inside Enclosed Spaces

According to observations, the energy density contained inside ball lightning can reach 1010 J/m3, and its charge can range from 10−3 to 10−1 C. Witnesses often report seeing moving sparks about one millimeter in size inside the ball lightning shell. When the ball lightning shell ruptures, charge carriers fly out of it in the form of a sheaf of sparks. For many years, the press has published reports of the destruction of houses inside of which a ball lightning explosion had occurred. These events remained unexplained for a long time. This article, for the first time in the world, provides a physical explanation of these events. This article is based on the ball lightning model developed by the authors. According to this model, ball lightning consists of an ensemble of positively charged elements (dynamic electric capacitors) located inside a spherical shell of polarized water molecules. The dynamic capacitor is a system of cyclically moving electrons and ions. The expansion of this capacitor is restrained by the compression force of the ball lightning shell in the non-uniform electric field of the ball lightning core. The model allows us to find a physical explanation for most of the observed properties of ball lightning. Using the example of a simplified model of ball lightning (when the contribution of the kinetic energy of the dynamic capacitors was not taken into account), an analysis of the forces acting inside ball lightning was carried out. It was shown that when the shell of ball lightning is destroyed, the charges emitted from the core remain on the walls of the room or on loose objects for some time. The Coulomb force of the repulsion of charges turns out to be large enough to squeeze out the walls of a building or throw a heavy object or person out of the house.

Mechanical and Thermal Effects of Using Fine Recycled PET Aggregates in Common Screeds

The increasing consumption of plastics has necessitated the need to find a sustainable solution to reuse PET within common building materials. Recycled PET reinforcement would reduce plastic waste that is difficult to dispose of and CO2 emissions, representing a sustainable solution for generating lighter building materials. The goal of this work was to define a new cementitious mixture design and to study the mechanical and thermal behavior of three typologies of screeds with fine recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) aggregates. A weight percentage of PET of 1%, 2%, and 3% was used. The test results for sustainable screeds (S-Screeds) with waste PET were compared with a reference screed without the addition of plastic. In the fresh state, the workability and the air content were measured, while in the hardened state, the density, thermal conductivity, and compressive and flexural strength were investigated. These properties showed improvement for some tested S-Screeds after the introduction of fine (a few millimeters in size) and irregularly shaped waste plastic aggregates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the presence of a release surface between the cementitious mixtures and the plastic material, even if the mechanical interaction between the matrix and PET still existed.

Dissolvable microneedle particles for enhanced topical drug delivery

The stratum corneum presents a significant obstacle to drug delivery within the skin. To address this challenge, researchers have developed a new class of spherical particles known as microneedle particles. These particles are a few millimeters in size and are made of biocompatible materials with micron-sized bumps. The primary purpose of these bumps is to create micropores in the stratum corneum, facilitating the delivery of active compounds to the deeper layers of the skin. In vitro studies on porcine skin have demonstrated that gentle topical application of 30S microneedle particles can significantly enhance the permeability of gentian violet. This enhancement results in a remarkable increase in drug delivery, ranging from one to two orders of magnitude. Moreover, this approach is well-tolerated, low-cost, and simple to perform. Notably, it has been found to enhance drug delivery to the skin, thereby expanding the range of compounds that can be effectively delivered topically.

Formation of giant planets around intermediate-mass stars

ABSTRACT To understand giant planet formation, we need to focus on host stars close to $M_{\star }{=}1.7\, \rm M_\odot$, where the occurrence rate of these planets is the highest. In this initial study, we carry out pebble-driven core accretion planet formation modelling to investigate the trends and optimal conditions for the formation of giant planets around host stars in the range of $1\!-\!2.4\ \rm {\rm M}_{\odot }$. We find that giant planets are more likely to form in systems with a larger initial disc radius; higher disc gas accretion rate; pebbles of ∼millimeter in size; and birth location of the embryo at a moderate radial distance of ∼10 au. We also conduct a population synthesis study of our model and find that the frequency of giant planets and super-Earths decreases with increasing stellar mass. This contrasts the observational peak at $1.7\, \rm M_\odot$, stressing the need for strong assumptions on stellar mass dependencies in this range. Investigating the combined effect of stellar mass dependent disc masses, sizes, and lifetimes in the context of planet population synthesis studies is a promising avenue to alleviate this discrepancy. The hot-Jupiter occurrence rate in our models is $\sim 0.7\!-\!0.8~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ around $1\, \rm M_\odot$ – similar to RV observations around Sun-like stars, but drastically decreases for higher mass stars.