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Over the last couple of decades, the advancement in Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) devices is highly demanded for integrating the economically miniaturized sensors with fabricating technology. A sensor is a system that detects and responds to multiple physical inputs and converting them into analogue or digital forms. The sensor transforms these variations into a form which can be utilized as a marker to monitor the device variable. MEMS exhibits excellent feasibility in miniaturization sensors due to its small dimension, low power consumption, superior performance, and, batch-fabrication. This article presents the recent developments in standard actuation and sensing mechanisms that can serve MEMS-based devices, which is expected to revolutionize almost many product categories in the current era. The featured principles of actuating, sensing mechanisms and real-life applications have also been discussed. Proper understanding of the actuating and sensing mechanisms for the MEMS-based devices can play a vital role in effective selection for novel and complex application design.

Purpose: The exact frequency of the trigeminocardiac (TGC) reflex in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery is still controversial. The purpose of the present report was to estimate the frequency of and identify the risk factors for TGC reflex among patients undergoing operative management of TMJ ankyloses., Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients who had undergone gap arthroplasty for TMJ ankyloses at Al-Azhar University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, from 2001 to 2015. The predictor variables were patient demographic data (age and sex), ankylosis type, and surgery type. The outcome variable was the occurrence of the TGC reflex (yes vs no). The data analysis included descriptive statistics and χ 2 tests to compare the categorical variables. Binary regression logistic model analysis was performed to identify the associated predictor variable. P values were considered statistically significant at ≤ .05., Results: The sample included 55 subjects. The mean ± standard deviation age of the patients was 21.3 ± 9.855 years, and 43.6% were males. The frequency of TGC reflex was 12.7%. The factors associated with an increased risk of TGC reflex were type IV bony ankylosis (P = .012) and the need for repeat surgery (P = .016.). A multivariable binary regression model analysis demonstrated that the recurrence of surgery was the most significant predictor factor affecting the frequency of the TGC reflex. The computed variance ranged from 13 to 25%. However, other variables, including age, gender, side, and ankylosis type, were not associated with reflex onset (odds ratio, 0.028; 95% confidence interval, 0.001 to 0.911; P = .044)., Conclusions: Recurrent ankylosis surgery carries a high risk of TGC reflex. Preoperative risk factor identification and close monitoring are crucial to prevent the occurrence of this reflex in susceptible patients. Future research projects should include more variables in the study., (Copyright © 2018 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Well-aligned and single-crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod arrays were grown on silicon (Si) substrate using a wet chemical route for the photodegradation of organic dyes. Structural analysis using X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction confirmed the formation of ZnO nanorods grown preferentially oriented in the (001) direction and with a single phase nature with a wurtzite structure. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy micrographs showed that the length and diameter of the well-aligned rods were about ~350-400 nm and ~80-90 nm, respectively. Raman scattering spectra of ZnO nanorod arrays revealed the characteristic E2 (high) mode that is related to the vibration of oxygen atoms in the wurtzite ZnO. The photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) using ZnO nanorod arrays was performed under ultraviolet light irradiation. The results of photodegradation showed that ZnO nanorod arrays were capable of degrading ~80% of MB within 60 minutes of irradiation, whereas ~92% of degradation was achieved in 120 minutes. Complete degradation of MB was observed after 270 minutes of irradiation time. Owing to enhanced photocatalytic degradation efficiency and low-temperature growth method, prepared ZnO nanorod arrays may open up the possibility for the successful utilization of ZnO nanorod arrays as a future photocatalyst for environmental remediation.