With the large amount of attention being given to microplastics in the environment, several researchers have begun to consider the fragmentation of plastics down to lower scales (i.e., the sub-micrometer scale). The term "nanoplastics" is still under debate, and different studies have set the upper size limit at either 1000 nm or 100 nm. The aim of the present work is to propose a definition of nanoplastics, based on our recently published and unpublished research definition of nanoplastics. We define nanoplastics as particles unintentionally produced (i.e. from the degradation and the manufacturing of the plastic objects) and presenting a colloidal behavior, within the size range from 1 to 1000 nm.

IMPORTANCE Lung ultrasonography (LUS) is a bedside technique useful to diagnose neonatal respiratory problems, but, to our knowledge, no data are available about its use for monitoring lung function or eventually guiding surfactant therapy.OBJECTIVE To determine the diagnostic accuracy of a neonatal-adapted LUS score to evaluate oxygenation and predict need for surfactant administration. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSProspective diagnostic accuracy study following STARD (Standards for the Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) guidelines at a tertiary level academic neonatal intensive care unit in 2014. All neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with signs of respiratory distress were eligible, and 130 neonates were enrolled. The LUS score was calculated in the first hours of life under continuous positive airway pressure. The transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (PtcO 2 ) to fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) ratio, alveolar-arterial gradient, oxygenation index, and arterial to alveolar ratio were calculated within 30 minutes from LUS, using transcutaneous blood gas monitoring. Surfactant was administered according to 2013 European guidelines. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Correlation between LUS score and indices of oxygenation and prediction of surfactant administration.RESULTS Among the 130 neonates in this study, the LUS score was significantly correlated with all indices of oxygenation, independent from gestational age (GA)

The effect of vinylene carbonate (VC) as electrolyte additive on the formation mechanisms of passivation films covering both electrodes in lithium-ion batteries was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). LiConormalO2 /graphite coin cells using a LiPnormalF6 /ethylene carbonate:diethyl carbonate:dimethyl carbonate liquid electrolyte with or without VC were charged at 20 and 60°C . The identification of VC-derived products formed at the surface of the electrodes was carried out by a dual experimental/theoretical approach. From a classical XPS core peak analysis completed by a detailed interpretation and simulation of valence spectra supported by ab initio calculations, and through direct synthesis of the VC polymer, we could evidence the formation of the radical poly(VC) at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces. We showed that the radical polymerization is the main reaction mechanism of VC contributing to the formation of the passivation layers at the surface of both electrodes.

The sensitivity of grating-coupled Surface Plasmon Polaritons (SPPs) on metallic surface has been exploited to investigate the correlation between ripples formation under ultrashort laser exposure and SPPs generation conditions. Systematic examination of coupling of single ultrashort laser pulse on gratings with appropriate periods ranging from 440 nm to 800 nm has been performed. Our approach reveals that a surface plasmon is excited only for an appropriate grating period, the nickel sample exhibits fine ripples pattern, evidencing the plasmonic nature of ripples generation. We propose a systematic investigation supported by a comprehensive study on the obtained modulation of such a coupling efficiency by means of a phenomenological Drude-Lorentz model which captures possible optical properties modification under femtosecond irradiation.