The pressure dependence of Si diffusion in γ-Fe was investigated at pressures of 5–15 GPa and temperatures of 1473–1673 K using the Kawai-type multi-anvil apparatus to estimate the rate of mass transportation for the chemical homogenization of the Earth's inner core and those of small terrestrial planets and large satellites. The obtained diffusion coefficients D were fitted to the equation D = D0 exp[−(E* + PV*)/(RT)], where D0 is a constant, E* is the activation energy, P is the pressure, V* is the activation volume, R is the gas constant, and T is the absolute temperature. The least-squares analysis yielded D0 = 10-1.17±0.54 m2/s, E* = 336 ± 16 kJ/mol, and V* = 4.3 ± 0.2 cm3/mol. Moreover, the pressure and temperature dependences of diffusion coefficients of Si in γ-Fe can also be expressed well using homologous temperature scaling, which is expressed as D = D0exp{–g[Tm(P)]/T}, where g is a constant, Tm(P) is the melting temperature at pressure P, and D0 and g are 10-1.0±0.3 m2/s and 22.0 ± 0.7, respectively. The present study indicates that even for 1 billion years, the maximum diffusion length of Si under conditions in planetary and satellite cores is less than ∼1.2 km. Additionally, the estimated strain of plastic deformation in the Earth's inner core, caused by the Harper–Dorn creep, reaches more than 103 at a stress level of 103–104 Pa, although the inner core might be slightly deformed by other mechanisms. The chemical heterogeneity of the inner core can be reduced only via plastic deformation by the Harper–Dorn creep.

Inverted or Schneiderian papilloma is a locally aggressive benign tumor with strong recurring tendency and a high potential to transform into a malignant squamous cell carcinoma. Although the clinical characteristics of inverted papilloma, along with the morphological features, have been adequately described, controversy remains with regards to the risk factors and disease etiology. The complete excision of the tumor by surgery is traditionally considered the mainstay of therapy. This paper updates the state of knowledge and presents our experience from treating 52 patients, diagnosed with inverted papilloma, who underwent surgical treatment in our department. We performed genotyping for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) for all the patients included in our study group.