A novel puzzle ring replacement technique of a lumen-apposing metal stent with a double-pigtail plastic stent to prevent walled-off necrosis recurrence (with video).

Replacing a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) with a double-pigtail plastic stent (DPS) after treatment for walled-off necrosis contributes to the prevention of recurrence. However, the success rate is not very high. To overcome this issue, we devised a novel stent-replacement technique. In the final treatment procedure, a 7-F DPS was placed in the lumen of the LAMS. Subsequently, the walled-off necrosis shrank, and granulation formed over the pigtail portion, which fixed the DPS. The LAMS alone was removed with grasping forceps, leaving the DPS in the lumen of the LAMS (i.e., a puzzle-ring technique; direct or rotary removal technique). Between August 2021 and August 2023, 18 patients were evaluated for recurrence prevention using this novel technique (median duration of LAMS placement, 37 days). In 17 patients (94.4%), the LAMS was successfully replaced with a 7-F DPS (direct technique 14, rotary technique 3; median removal procedure time, 3 min). No recurrence was observed during the median observation period of 385 days. Before using this technique (April 2012 to August 2022), the technical success rate of replacement of LAMS with 7-F DPS was significantly lower (61.8% [42/68, p = 0.02]). Recurrence of pancreatic fluid collection occurred in 15.3% (4/26) of the patients who could not undergo replacement with a 7-F DPS. The novel puzzle ring technique, which improves the success rate of LAMS for DPS replacement, may be useful in reducing recurrence after walled-off necrosis treatment.

Combining slow-release fertilizer and plastic film mulching reduced the carbon footprint and enhanced maize yield on the Loess Plateau.

Agricultural practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, necessitating cleaner production technologies to reduce environmental pressure and achieve sustainable maize production. Plastic film mulching is commonly used in the Loess Plateau region. Incorporating slow-release fertilizers as a replacement for urea within this practice can reduce nitrogen losses and enhance crop productivity. Combining these techniques represents a novel agricultural approach in semi-arid areas. However, the impact of this integration on soil carbon storage (SOCS), carbon footprint (CF), and economic benefits has received limited research attention. Therefore, we conducted an eight-year study (2015-2022) in the semi-arid northwestern region to quantify the effects of four treatments [urea supplied without plastic film mulching (CK-U), slow-release fertilizer supplied without plastic film mulching (CK-S), urea supplied with plastic film mulching (PM-U), and slow-release fertilizer supplied with plastic film mulching (PM-S)] on soil fertility, economic and environmental benefits. The results revealed that nitrogen fertilizer was the primary contributor to total GHG emissions (≥71.97%). Compared to other treatments, PM-S increased average grain yield by 12.01%-37.89%, water use efficiency by 9.19%-23.33%, nitrogen accumulation by 27.07%-66.19%, and net return by 6.21%-29.57%. Furthermore, PM-S decreased CF by 12.87%-44.31% and CF per net return by 14.25%-41.16%. After eight years, PM-S increased SOCS (0-40 cm) by 2.46%, while PM-U decreased it by 7.09%. These findings highlight the positive effects of PM-S on surface soil fertility, economic gains, and environmental benefits in spring maize production on the Loess Plateau, underscoring its potential for widespread adoption and application.

Rapid detection of colored and colorless macro- and micro-plastics in complex environment via near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning.

To better understand the migration behavior of plastic fragments in the environment, development of rapid non-destructive methods for in-situ identification and characterization of plastic fragments is necessary. However, most of the studies had focused only on colored plastic fragments, ignoring colorless plastic fragments and the effects of different environmental media (backgrounds), thus underestimating their abundance. To address this issue, the present study used near-infrared spectroscopy to compare the identification of colored and colorless plastic fragments based on partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), extreme gradient boost, support vector machine and random forest classifier. The effects of polymer color, type, thickness, and background on the plastic fragments classification were evaluated. PLS-DA presented the best and most stable outcome, with higher robustness and lower misclassification rate. All models frequently misinterpreted colorless plastic fragments and its background when the fragment thickness was less than 0.1mm. A two-stage modeling method, which first distinguishes the plastic types and then identifies colorless plastic fragments that had been misclassified as background, was proposed. The method presented an accuracy higher than 99% in different backgrounds. In summary, this study developed a novel method for rapid and synchronous identification of colored and colorless plastic fragments under complex environmental backgrounds.

How much do we know about the microplastic distribution in the Mediterranean Sea: A comprehensive review.

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most heavily polluted regions. Here we comprehensively review the current state of microplastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. A total of 284 studies published between 2012 and 2023 were analyzed, revealing a continuous increase in research efforts. Our review encompassed microplastic monitoring studies across five environmental matrices: the sea surface, water column, intertidal sediment, bottom sediment, and biota, with a predominant focus observed in biota-related studies with fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms being the primary focus. The study found that species such as Mullus barbatus, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Nephrops norvegicus, and Holothuria tubulosa are frequently studied species. The review also emphasizes the lack of standardized methodologies across studies, which hampers the comparability of results and the synthesis of data. The findings of this study provide a critical evaluation of the current research landscape and identify significant knowledge gaps, particularly in the underrepresented southern Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, calling for more balanced research efforts and methodological consistency in future studies.

Study on the Commercial Metalized Plastic Current Collector PET-Cu and PP-Cu Toward High-Energy Lithium-Ion Battery.

Commercial metalized plastic current collector (MPCC) is receiving widespread attention from the business and academic communities, due to its properties of excellent electrical conductivity and low mass density. However, the application of MPCC on the side of copper is rarely studied. Herein, sandwich-like polyethylene terephthalate-based (PET) and polypropylene-based (PP) copper (Cu) current collectors via magnetron sputtering and electroplating are fabricated. Most importantly, the electrical performance, mechanical safety quality, and revealed the corresponding failure mechanism for the MPCC cells are first systematically evaluated. First, during the 45 °C electrical cycling tests, PET-Cu CC (82.67%) and PP-Cu CC (82.32%) cells both have comparable capacity retention with the traditional Cu CC (Tra-Cu CC) cell (84.55%) after 500 cycles. The slight reduction in the cycling performance is induced by the crack of the Cu layer around the embedded SiO2 particle for PET-Cu CC cell and the detachment of Cu layer for PP-Cu CC cell. Second, during the nail-penetration test, MPCC cells maintain no fire and explosion for more than 5 min, since the heat-shrinkable function of polymeric film can interrupt the continuous Joule heat released by internal short-circuit. This work provides important guidance for the large-scale application of MPCC in the field of lithium-ion batteries.

Mechanisms of Polyethylene Terephthalate Pellet Fragmentation into Nanoplastics and Assimilable Carbons by Wastewater Comamonas.

Comamonadaceae bacteria are enriched on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) microplastics in wastewaters and urban rivers, but the PET-degrading mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated these mechanisms with Comamonas testosteroniKF-1, a wastewater isolate, by combining microscopy, spectroscopy, proteomics, protein modeling, and genetic engineering. Compared to minor dents on PET films, scanning electron microscopy revealed significant fragmentation of PET pellets, resulting in a 3.5-fold increase in the abundance of small nanoparticles (<100 nm) during 30-day cultivation. Infrared spectroscopy captured primarily hydrolytic cleavage in the fragmented pellet particles. Solution analysis further demonstrated double hydrolysis of a PET oligomer, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate, to the bioavailable monomer terephthalate. Supplementation with acetate, a common wastewater co-substrate, promoted cell growth and PET fragmentation. Of the multiple hydrolases encoded in the genome, intracellular proteomics detected only one, which was found in both acetate-only and PET-only conditions. Homology modeling of this hydrolase structure illustrated substrate binding analogous to reported PET hydrolases, despite dissimilar sequences. Mutants lacking this hydrolase gene were incapable of PET oligomer hydrolysis and had a 21% decrease in PET fragmentation; re-insertion of the gene restored both functions. Thus, we have identified constitutive production of a key PET-degrading hydrolase in wastewater Comamonas, which could be exploited for plastic bioconversion.

Microplastics in marine sponges (Porifera) along a highly urbanized estuarine gradient in Santos, Brazil.

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitously found in environmental matrices, particularly affecting aquatic systems. While several marine species have been widely used to assess MP contamination, sponges (Porifera) are less used. The MPs contamination was assessed in the sun sponge (Hymeniacidon heliophila) along a gradient at the Santos Estuarine System (Brazil). A 14-fold difference between concentrations (particles g-1) was verified between the most (1.40 ± 0.81) and least (0.10 ± 0.12) contaminated sites, confirming the local contamination gradient. The MPs found were primarily polypropylene, small (1.2-1000 µm), fibrous, and colored. Considering total concentrations, sizes and shapes these spatial patterns were similar those previously detected in molluscs obtained in the same sites. On the other hand, they differed in polymeric composition and color categories. Such findings give important initial insights into the potential role of marine sponges as putative sentinels of MPs contamination.

Marine plastic pollution: A systematic review of management strategies through a macroscope approach.

Alternatives to address the ocean plastic crisis have been a hot topic in scientific literature, although a systemic approach to assess their effectiveness and identify bottlenecks is still lacking. To contribute to discussions on this topic, this study aims to conduct a literature review on current scientific information regarding management strategies for marine plastic pollution. The PRISMA method was used to select the most relevant articles from the Scopus® database, resulting in a sample of 176 articles after applying exclusion criteria for full-text evaluation. Unlike other literature review studies, Odum's Macroscope is used here to develop a model that provides a systemic view of the plastic crisis on a large scale, encompassing various compartments and their interactions. Specifically, eight compartments are identified: industry, consumers, waste collection & management, freshwater systems, fisheries, aquaculture and shipping, marine ecosystems, marine plastic collection and recycling, and life cycle. Each piece of literature reviewed is categorized into one of these compartments and discussed accordingly. The highlights of the results indicate that: (i) waste collection & management and freshwater systems, which are primary pathways for plastic litter reaching the ocean, have been relatively under-investigated compared to other compartments. (ii) Most studies originate from developed countries, raising doubts about the effectiveness of management proposals in underdeveloped countries. (ii) Existing strategies for collecting and recycling marine litter are unlikely to be implemented at a large scale due to operational obstacles, thus offering insufficient mitigation for the plastic crisis. (iv) The development of new biomaterials has proven mostly ineffective and harmful. (v) Alternatives management for microplastic pollution are still in their infancy, resulting in scarce information across all compartments. (vi) No studies focus on the origin of the plastic issue, which lies in the petrochemical industry. From a general perspective, the literature indicates that there is no one-size-fits-all management strategy to the plastic crisis, and the available options are often scattered and disconnected, making a systemic approach essential for studying such a transboundary issue. While efforts exist, stakeholders must act to effectively address the problem, or at least make meaningful progress. The marine plastic crisis operates systemically, analogous to the climate crisis, both stemming from human dependence on fossil fuels. Similar to achieving carbon neutrality, designing a globally sustainable economy should prioritize achieving plastic neutrality as a core component.

Thermal and emission analysis of waste plastic and microalgae biodiesel as a potential power source for diesel engines: A sustainable approach.

The future of diesel engines is greatly influenced by ongoing research on alternative fuels. Renewable fuels have been researched and adopted by several nations to encourage the production and use of biodiesel. This study examines the energy conversion of waste plastic biodiesel and Spirulina microalgae biodiesel at a 20% blending ratio to analyze the behavior of a one-cylinder, 4-stroke diesel engine running at 1500 rpm with a compression ratio of 17.5. The authors evaluated, analyzed, and compared the engine's combustion, performance, and emission at an incremental engine load of 25% from 25 to 100%. The findings demonstrated that the biodiesel fuel samples generated somewhat poorer efficiency but reduced emissions from the engine. At 100% load, the percentage differences between the diesel and blended fuel samples ranged from 2.4 to 7.3% for BTE, 2.9 to 16.5% for BSFC, and 1.0 to 4.62% for BSEC; however, the PM, SO2, and CO2 emissions were reduced by 1.6-28.8% except for NOx emissions, which are increased by up to 9.4%. Pure diesel exhibits the best performance characteristics; however, pure biodiesel exhibits the best emission characteristics. The 20% blended fuels showed promising results, as they exhibited comparable or slightly improved BTE values compared to their respective pure biodiesel fuels. The findings indicate that Spirulina microalgae biodiesel and waste plastic biodiesel have the potential to be utilized as substitute fuels for diesel engines; however, for the greatest performance and lowest emissions, their blending ratios and engine operating conditions must be optimized.

The unique chemical and microbiological signatures of an array of bottled drinking water.

The bottled drinking water market has seen significant growth and diversification, yet the selection criteria lack scientific basis, as all must adhere to stringent health standards. Prior studies predominantly focused on chemical quality, with limited assessments of microbial quality using methods prone to underestimation. Moreover, insufficient research explores the impact of packaging materials and temperatures optimal for mesophilic growth on microbial quality. To understand the unique characteristics and justify the distinction among different types of bottled waters, a comprehensive analysis encompassing both chemical and microbiological aspects is imperative. Addressing these gaps, our study examines 19 diverse bottled water brands comprising purified, mineral, artesian, and sparkling water types from Saudi Arabia and abroad. Our findings reveal distinct chemical compositions among bottled waters, with notable variations across types. Flow cytometry analysis reveals significant differences in bacterial content among water types, with natural mineral waters having the highest concentrations and treated purified waters the lowest. Bacterial content in plastic-bottled mineral water suggests it may be higher than in glass-bottled water. Flow cytometry fingerprints highlight separate microbial communities for purified and mineral waters. Additionally, temperatures favorable for mesophilic growth reveal varying microbial responses among different types of bottled waters. Some variation is also observed in mineral water bottled in plastic versus glass, suggesting potential differences that warrant further investigation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identifies unique microbial taxa among different mineral waters. Overall, our study underscores that all bottled waters meet health regulations. Furthermore, the combined chemical and microbial profiles may serve as authenticity indicators for distinct bottled water types. This study can serve as a basis for future research on the environmental impact of bottled water transportation, suggesting that locally produced water may offer a more sustainable option.

Enhancement of liquid/gas production during co-pyrolysis of vacuum residue and plastics due to synergistic interactions.

Vacuum residue (VR) was copyrolysed with polyethylene (PE) or polystyrene (PS) in a batch reactor to investigate the corresponding synergistic pyrolytic interactions. The synergistic interactions between VR and plastic pyrolysates enhanced liquid and gas production while reducing coke formation, as compared with VR-only and plastic-only pyrolysis. The pyrolysis of 9:1 w/w VR: PE3M (PE with Mw = 3 MDa) and 9:1 w/w VR/PS350K (PS with Mw ≈ 350 kDa) mixtures produced oil in yields of 28.6 and 38.4 wt%, respectively, which exceeded those expected in the absence of synergistic interactions 1.12- and 1.29-fold, respectively. The corresponding coke yields were ~ 0.9 times lower than those expected in the absence of synergistic interactions. Moreover, copyrolysis synergistically increased the yields of oil-phase paraffins and olefins while decreasing that of aromatic compounds and was therefore concluded to enable effective VR utilisation and plastic recycling by enhancing liquid and gas production.

Successful Midfoot Reconstruction in Müller-Weiss Disease Using a Reverse Fibular Flap: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Müller-Weiss disease (MWD) is a poorly understood orthopedic condition first described in 1927 that causes chronic pain across the midfoot and hindfoot. The etiology is uncertain but includes navicular dysplasia, osteochondritis, and trauma. The initial management is conservative, aiming to reduce the patient's symptoms, and includes analgesia, footwear, and activity modification. Surgical interventions such as joint fusion are considered when conservative measures fail, but there is little recorded for treatment beyond this. This case outlines the difficult management of a 52-year-old female patient with a long history of MWD. She had no history of previous trauma or neurological problems. A talonavicular fusion failed to unite, resulting in significant necrosis of the lateral navicular and navicular-cuneiform arthritis. We describe the novel use of a reverse vascularized pedicled fibular flap and extended midfoot fusion to manage the navicular bone defect. At six-year follow-up, the patient remains virtually pain-free and has returned to work with radiographs confirming good incorporation of the bone graft. We understand this to be the first documented use of a reverse vascularized fibular bone graft for recalcitrant MWD. Given the excellent clinical outcome in this case, surgeons should consider this combined ortho-plastics approach in the management of complex non-union with a bone defect in the midfoot.

Transforming Lives: A Qualitative Study Seeking Insights Into Reconstructive Surgery for Leprosy Patients in Western Maharashtra.

Introduction Leprosy remains a significant health issue, especially in areas where diagnosis and treatment face numerous barriers, leading to preventable deformities and disabilities. This study aims to explore the obstacles to reconstructive surgery for leprosy patients, from both patient and healthcare provider perspectives. By conducting a qualitative analysis, the study seeks to assess the impact of reconstructive surgery on patients' quality of life, encompassing their physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being. Methods This qualitative study was conducted from April to May 2024. One focus group discussion (FGD) for 12 participants, along with two in-depth interviews, was conducted for the patients at a leprosy rehabilitation center in western Maharashtra who have completed leprosy treatment and have undergone reconstructive surgeries for their disability. One in-depth interview was conducted with the key informant (a healthcare provider who is a surgeon who performs reconstructive surgeries for leprosy patients). Participants were selected through purposive sampling until information saturation was achieved. Interviews were conducted in local languages and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key barriers and themes. Results A qualitative analysis of feedback from leprosy patients who underwent reconstructive surgery (RCS) highlights the importance of family support and the transformative impact of surgery on functionality and psychological well-being. Stigmatization and fear often delayed treatment-seeking behavior, but government incentives alleviated economic burdens, and participants expressed readiness to recommend RCS to others. Surgeons emphasize the variety of surgeries performed, eligibility criteria, recovery period, and success rate of 85-90%, noting the importance of financial accessibility and a multidisciplinary approach. Suggestions for improvement include infrastructure enhancement, adequate funding, and active case detection by the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP). Conclusion The findings highlight the complex interplay of factors contributing to delays in reconstructive surgery for leprosy patients in India. Addressing these barriers requires multifaceted interventions, including increasing public awareness, improving healthcare infrastructure, and enhancing support systems for patients. Policy development should focus on these areas to reduce disparities and improve the outcomes of reconstructive surgery in resource-limited settings.

Scalp reconstruction with locoregional and free flaps - a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Scalp defect reconstruction requires interdisciplinary cooperation to restore soft tissue and osseous defects. While wound closure and form restoration, often a short-term treatment goal, ensures patient survival, the long-term preservation of the head and neck's integrity and aesthetics is crucial for maintaining quality of life. This study aims to compare, quantify, and establish a safe and reproducible approach to various reconstruction options and the postoperative complication profile for individual scalp defect areas. Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent scalp reconstruction at our institution between March 2017 and April 2022. The inclusion criterion was the presence of a soft tissue defect at the cranium level. Results: We included 31 patients in the study (17 males, 14 females), with an average age of 61 years (range 17-92 years). Eight patients had received radiotherapy in the affected region. The mean defect size was 72.5±116 cm2 (range 20-441 cm2), and an average of 3±2 surgeries had been performed before the plastic surgical treatment was initiated. Eleven patients had only a soft tissue defect, while 20 patients had an associated bone defect. Fifteen of these patients received a cranioplasty. The rotation flap was the most frequently used (n=23), with or without split-thickness skin grafting, followed by the free latissimus dorsi muscle flap with split-thickness skin grafting (n=5), and the free lateral arm flap (n=2). Revision surgeries were necessary in 38.7% of cases due to wound healing disorders (n=9), bleeding (n=2), and cerebrospinal fluid leaks (n=1). Eventually, all wounds were successfully closed. Conclusion: Complex scalp defects can be closed using local flaps, thereby restoring aesthetics and tissue integrity. Free flaps remain a reliable solution for extensive defects. Moreover, in cases requiring cranioplasty, careful preoperative planning and an uncontaminated wound are essential for successful treatment.

Integrated approaches for plastic waste management.

Plastic pollution is the challenging problem of the world due to usage of plastic in daily life. Plastic is essential for packaging food and other goods and utensils to avoid the risk of microbial attack. Due to its hydrophobic nature, it is used for wrapping as laminates or packaging liquid substances in pouches and sachets. The tensile strength of the plastic is more therefore it is used for manufacturing carrying bags that can bear heavy loads. Plastic is available in various forms as per the requirements in our daily life. Annually millions to trillions of polyethene carry bags are being manufactured and utilized throughout the world. The plastic requires millions of years for natural degradation. The physical and chemical processes are able to degrade plastic material at the meager level by 200 to 500 years in natural conditions. Many industries focus on recycling of plastic. Biodegradation is a comparatively slow and cheaper process that involves microbes. To dispose of plastic completely there is a need of an integrated process in which all the possible methods of disposal are involved and used sustainably so that minimum depletion occurs to the livestock and the environment. In the current review, we could try to emphasize the intricate nature of plastic polymers, pollution caused by it and possible mitigation strategies for plastic waste management.

Plastic debris detection along coastal waters using Sentinel-2 satellite data and machine learning techniques.

Few studies have effectively shown how to use satellites that gather optical data to monitor plastic debris in the marine environment. For the first time, floating macro-plastics distinguishable from seaweed are identified in optical data from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellites. Case studies from three Brazilian areas, selected for suspected macro-plastics in Sentinel-2 data, utilized a unique Floating Debris Index (FDI) for the Sentinel-2 Multi-Spectral Instrument (MSI) to detect surface material patches. Sub-pixel-scale detection revealed macro-plastics mixed with seaweed and sea foam. Using a Machine Learning-based Naive Bayes algorithm, we classified materials and identified macro-plastics, achieving an 87.25 % accuracy in identifying suspected plastics. Temporal analysis tracked plastic debris movement and accumulation. This methodology is scalable and transferable, with potential applications for monitoring marine plastic pollution in other coastal regions globally.

Recognizing microplastic deposits on sandy beaches by altimetric positioning, µ-Raman spectroscopy and multivariate statistical models.

Understanding the extent and implications of microplastic (MP) pollution along the São Paulo State coastline in southeastern Brazil is crucial, considering the significant environmental burden imposed by industrial and port activities in this region. This research aims to understand the complex dynamics of MP deposition on sandy beaches, which poses severe environmental risks to coastal ecosystems, marine organisms, and humans. Using a comprehensive five-step methodology-geodetic surveys, sediment collection, µ-RAMAN spectrometry for polymer identification, and multivariate statistical models-we analyzed the distribution of MPs across six coastal compartments (C1 to C6). The results (128 samples from 34 profiles) revealed relatively high MP concentrations in C3 and C2, which were likely influenced by local human activities. Various shape types of MPs, such as pellets, fragments, and fibers, present distinct distribution patterns based on their physical properties and emission sources. Fragments and foam were the most prevalent, accounting for 42 % and 35 %, respectively, of the 1026 MP items identified in total. Statistical analyses revealed significant correlations between MP types and beach morphometric features, with higher elevations correlating with increased MP concentrations, particularly for pellets and foam. Beaches with intermediate slopes (0.05 < tanß <0.12) and openings to the southern quadrant tended to accumulate more MPs. This research underscores the importance of tailored management strategies that consider the unique characteristics of each coastal region to mitigate the impacts of MP pollution. The findings contribute to the development of targeted monitoring and environmental remediation strategies, which are crucial for protecting marine life and maintaining the integrity of coastal environments.

Ingestion of marine debris in juvenile sea turtles in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Marine plastics and other debris constitute a major threat to many marine species. Over 12 million tons of plastics are estimated to reach the oceans annually, causing adverse effects on hundreds of marine species. The Arabian Gulf is a small, sub-tropical and semi-enclosed gulf with extreme environmental conditions with high potential to accumulate marine debris. Sea turtles are especially vulnerable to plastic ingestion although data on marine plastics in juvenile sea turtles from this region is limited. Juvenile sea turtles are also vulnerable to cold stunning triggered by different environmental factors. We collected stranded sea turtles from different sites along the Abu Dhabi shoreline to characterize timing of strandings in relation to environmental factors. We also evaluated the marine debris ingested by sea turtles. Live individuals collected were kept in controlled conditions to allow them to recover. During this period, marine debris in feces were sorted and enumerated. In addition, individuals that were dead during collection were necropsied and the plastics in their gastrointestinal tracts were characterized. Industrial plastic pellets, sheet-like user plastics, and thread-like user plastics were recorded. All the live turtles (n = 55) passed plastics with their feces, and 85 % of the necropsied turtles (n = 47) had plastics in their gastrointestinal tracks. Plastic fragments constituted the largest proportion of marine debris recorded from turtles, followed by industrial pellets. We suggest that juvenile sea turtles that float for extended periods under mats of Sargassum eat vesicles or air bladders that resemble industrial pellets in their shape and size. Timing and location of strandings was associated with dominating Shamal winds in the Arabian Gulf. Condition of individuals that are cold-stunned could be further exacerbated by plastic ingestion. Long-term assessment of plastics in coastal zones is needed to better understand plastic pollution in the Arabian Gulf and to mitigate impacts on marine species.

Arctic marine litter: Composition and sources investigated by citizen scientist "super-users".

Combating the challenge of marine litter requires an understanding of its distribution and accumulation for mitigative measures, and its sources for targeted preventative measures. The latter is generally not well assessed through most beach litter registration protocols available to citizen scientists. Deep Dives were specifically developed to provide management with additional relevant data on the sources of and behaviours leading to littering in the Arctic. In this project, the Deep Dive protocol was used as an add-on to the Norwegian national volunteer beach cleanup registration protocol. Litter was cleaned and registered from 9 locations in the Svalbard archipelago 2022-2023 in collaboration with two groups of citizen scientists: members of the Arctic Research Group and students from Svalbard Folkehøgskole. These were given specialised training as "super-users" to apply this more complex beach litter registration protocol. The experience of the volunteers was generally positive and the data quality good, although some need for additions to the training was highlighted to reliably categorise some challenging items. In the future, citizen scientists could contribute significantly to the collection of management-relevant data on marine litter in the Arctic provided adequate training, resources, and a user-friendly data registration portal.

Do plastic clean-up technologies work? What research does (and doesn't) tell us.

Plastic pollution harms all levels of ecosystems and organisms; therefore, global plastic pollution must be addressed at all plastic life-cycle stages. One solution involves the clean-up and remediation of plastic pollution using technologies. To further our understanding of these technologies, we collated 102 clean-up technologies invented to prevent or collect plastic in aquatic environments and analyzed the non-peer-reviewed and peer-reviewed literature for effectiveness and ecological impact data. Across all available literature, effectiveness data were under-reported, lacked standardization, and were rarely tested by a neutral third party. This makes it difficult to make informed decisions when choosing which clean-up technology to deploy and evaluate the environmental impact of these technologies. Regulation and standardized reporting guidelines for clean-up technologies are an important next step for decision-makers interested in plastic pollution clean-up. As global interest in addressing plastic pollution grows, this research paves the path for the effective use of plastic clean-up technologies.