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While the electron transport barrier remains in its final form before an edge-localized mode crash, edge turbulence manifests as fluctuations in electron temperature. Because edge turbulence is closely related to the evolution and collapse of pedestal, the microscopic spatial structure and dynamics of electron temperature fluctuations during the electron temperature pedestal evolution phase are studied using broadband electron cyclotron emission measurements. The cross phase between the electron temperature and potential fluctuations is evaluated using a velocimetry technique to identify the nature of turbulence. A comprehensive comparison of the properties of various instabilities confirms that the micro-tearing mode is a leading candidate associated with the electron temperature pedestal evolution and collapse. The quadratic transfer function reveals that the energy within the pedestal is nonlinearly transferred to the interior of the electron temperature pedestal before the pedestal collapse, resulting in radial change in the mode structure and dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonlinear frequency shift of a low-frequency, coherent dust ion-acoustic wave in the presence of higher-frequency dust ion-acoustic turbulence is investigated in the framework of weak turbulence theory. It is found that the frequency shift of the dust ion-acoustic wave in an unmagnetized dusty plasma is always positive irrespective of the propagation direction of the coherent wave, as in the case of the customary ion-acoustic wave in the absence of dust particles. It is also found that the magnitude of the frequency shift decreases with increasing dust density. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The presence of extrathyroidal extension (ETE) in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients is an important predictor of their prognosis. Therefore, the tumor stage of DTC is divided into extensive ETE and gross ETE only affecting the strap muscle (Gross strap muscles invasion; gSMI). However, insufficient evidence exists regarding the association of gSMI with the prognosis, especially in relation to tumor size., Methods: Related literature was searched in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and KoreaMed. All processes were performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, and the process was conducted by two independent reviewers. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effect model considering the diversity of studies. RoBANS version 2.0, an evaluation tool for non-randomized studies, was used to evaluate the quality of the selected research. Clinical data from observational studies that analyzed the relationship between the degree of ETE and prognosis were collected, and a meta-analysis was performed., Results: Eighteen observational studies were included in this study. A subgroup analysis was performed for each outcome. The recurrence rate (odds ratio [OR]: 2.498), disease-specific mortality (risk ratio [RR]: 2.984), overall mortality (RR: 1.361) and lymph node (LN) metastasis (OR: 5.355) were significantly higher in patients with gSMI than in those with no ETE. However, in an analysis limited to tumors 4 cm or smaller, no significant difference in prognostic outcomes was seen, except for LN metastasis., Conclusion: gSMI has a negative impact on the prognosis; however, this correlation diminishes when the tumor size is small. Thus, a more cautious approach is warranted during the treatment process.