Optical Diagnosis for Thyroid and Parathyroid Tissues—A Review

Abstract

This article presents an overview of optical methodologies to aid the diagnosis and differentiation of thyroid and parathyroid tissues. In particular, we review the several techniques and associated methodologies that allow in vivo and ex vivo optical characterization of thyroid and parathyroid tissues. Emphasis is placed on the research potential of these techniques and whether intrinsic characteristics can provide useful contrast for the diagnosis of human thyroid and parathyroid malignant lesions.     

Calibration of the Pseudo-Reaction-Zone model for detonation wave propagation

An approach for the calibration of an advanced programmed burn (PB) model for detonation performance calculations in high explosive systems is detailed. Programmed burn methods split the detonation performance calculation into two components: timing and energy release. For the timing, the PB model uses a Detonation Shock Dynamics (DSD) surface propagation model, where the normal surface speed is a function of local surface curvature. For the energy release calculation and subsequent hydrodynamic flow evolution, a Pseudo-Reaction-Zone (PRZ) model is used. The PRZ model is similar to a reactive burn model in that it converts reactants into products at a finite rate, but it has a reaction rate dependent on the normal surface speed derived from the DSD calculation. The PRZ reaction rate parameters must be calibrated in such a way that the rate of energy release due to reaction in multi-dimensional geometries is consistent with the timing calculation provided by the DSD model. Our strategy for achieving this is to run the PRZ model in a detonation shock-attached frame in a compliant 2D planar slab geometry in an equivalent way to a reactive burn model, from which we can generate detonation front shapes and detonation phase speed variations with slab thickness. In this case, the D _n field used by the PRZ model is then simply the normal detonation shock speed rather than the DSD surface normal speed. The PRZ rate parameters are then iterated on to match the equivalent surface front shapes and surface phase speed variations with slab thickness derived from the target DSD model. For the purposes of this paper, the target DSD model is fitted to the performance properties of an idealised condensed-phase reactive burn model, which allows us to compare the detonation structure of the calibrated PRZ model to that of the originating idealised-condensed phase model.     

Refinements of the Weyl Pure Geometrical Thick Branes From Information‐Entropic Measure

This work aims to analyse the so‐called configurational entropy in the Weyl pure geometrical thick brane model. The Weyl structure plays a prominent role in the brane thickness of this model. We find a set of parameters associated to the brane width where the configurational entropy exhibits critical points. The information‐theoretical measure sets bounds into parameter of Weyl pure geometrical brane model. In addition, we also argue that a similar approach can be useful to analyze the corrections to Newtonian and Coulombian potentials in Weyl scenarios.     

Anisotropic electron mobility in fluorene-PPV and fluorene-MEH-PPV

Polyfluorene copolymers are attractive semiconductor materials, in particular for applications in the organic electronics field. They are versatile to be chemically modified and allow a tuning of the emission to cover the entire visible spectrum. A better understanding of the fundamental aspects of the nature of electronic structure and charge transport properties contribute to the improvement of optoelectronic properties of polymeric materials. Here, we provide a structure–property relationship for models of fluorene-PPV and fluorene-MEH-PPV copolymers, using molecular quantum mechanics modelling. The anisotropy is discussed revisiting Mulliken's transition moment theory. Accordingly, our results show that electron mobility occurs preferentially intrachain for both copolymers. Moreover, the interchain electron mobility has the most propensity to occur via π-stacking interactions.     

Quantum field theory in curved space-time as thermo field dynamics

The strong analogy between states defined in the context of quantum field theory in curved space-time (QFT-CST) and the ones defined in the thermo field dynamics (TFD) of Takahashi and Umezawa [1] is shown. This analogy is useful in order to introduce the entropy operator in CST in the same way as in TFD. When the extremum condition in the thermodynamical potential is imposed, a family of Bogoliubov transformations that give us a planckian spectrum is found, even in pathological cases such as the minimally coupled scalar field.     

Effect of the chemistry and structure of the native oxide surface film on the corrosion properties of commercial AZ31 and AZ61 alloys

The purpose of this study has been to advance in knowledge of the chemical composition, structure and thickness of the thin native oxide film formed spontaneously in contact with the laboratory atmosphere on the surface of freshly polished commercial AZ31 and AZ61 alloys with a view to furthering the understanding of protection mechanisms. For comparative purposes, and to more fully describe the behaviour of the native oxide film, the external oxide films formed as a result of the manufacturing process (as-received condition) have been characterised. The technique applied in this research to study the thin oxide films (thickness of just a few nanometres) present on the surface of the alloys has basically been XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) in combination with ion sputtering. Corrosion properties of the alloys were studied in 0.6 M NaCl by measuring charge transfer resistance values, which are deduced from EIS (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) measurements after 1 h of exposure. Alloy AZ61 generally showed better corrosion resistance than AZ31, and the freshly polished alloys showed better corrosion resistance than the alloys in as-received condition. This is attributed to a combination of (1) higher thickness of the native oxide film on the AZ61 alloy and (2) greater uniformity of the oxide film in the polished condition. The formation of an additional oxide layer composed by a mixture of spinel (MgAl₂O₄) and MgO seems to diminish the protective properties of the passive layer on the surface of the alloys in as-received condition.