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In this study, the electro‐sorption capacity and selectivity of activated carbon (AC) electrodes, produced from the leaf base of Phoenix dactylifera (palm tree) waste, are modified by enabling the reversible intercalation/conversion of sodium ions through the presence of nanoscale α‐MnO2 particles acting as redox mediators. The α‐MnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) are hydrothermally grown on the AC powder to obtain a functional composite material (α‐MnO2/f‐AC). The morphological, textural, and physicochemical surface properties of the pristine and modified AC materials are thoroughly examined and correlated with the electrochemical performance of the resulting electrodes that are implemented in an asymmetric capacitive deionization (CDI) cell configuration (i. e. capacitive vs Faradaic electrodes). The pristine biowaste‐derived AC presents a high specific surface area of 1224 m2 g−1, and high electrical capacitance of 259 F g−1 at 10 mV s−1. The α‐MnO2 surface modification approach of the pristine material retains its large accessible surface area, and additionally enables a 50% increase in its specific capacitance value. The incorporation of the α‐MnO2/f‐AC material in the anode and the pristine source in the cathode produces superior electrosorption capacity, as high as 17.8mgg−1 in batch‐mode CDI tests with 600mg L−1 NaCl feed. The enhanced electrical performance and pseudocapacitive behavior of the CDI cell can be explained by the α‐MnO2 nanoparticles playing a critical role in enabling a synergistic redox‐based charge‐discharge pathway under conditions compatible with the voltage operation requirements of the CDI process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), a global pandemic, has disproportionately inflicted deaths and affected the US economy. With the recent emergency use authorization of COVID‐19 vaccines, ongoing non‐pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) could be lifted in the future. Our objective was to quantify the impact of the timing of the lifting of NPIs on COVID‐19 infections and deaths. Study Design: We developed a dynamic transmission model with Susceptible‐Exposed‐Infectious‐Recovered (SEIR) compartments to simulate the evolution of COVID‐19 over time in the United States from March 2020 to December 2021. We accounted for heterogeneity by including seven age groups and four contact mixing domains (school, work, household, and other locations) relevant to SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission. We extracted model parameters from published studies, available databases, and via calibration. We also calibrated the effect of NPIs (e.g., restriction on businesses, mask mandates, limited indoor gathering) on contact rates within each mixing domain. The model was calibrated to reproduce COVID‐19 deaths, reported infections and hospitalizations from March–December. We introduced the COVID‐19 vaccine from January 2021, assuming an uptake rate of 15 million individuals per month and a prioritization schedule as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We assumed a vaccine efficacy of 70–90% (base case: 90%) for protection against developing COVID‐19 symptoms, and we assumed 25% (relative to vaccine efficacy) of the protection against COVID‐19 infection. We projected the total numbers of COVID‐19 infections (diagnosed and undiagnosed), hospitalizations, and deaths in 2021 if NPIs are lifted in August, September, October, November, and not lifted in 2021. Population Studied: US Population. Principal Findings: Maintaining all NPIs in the US throughout 2021 is predicted to result in 36,300 deaths (22,700 deaths in age 70+), 11.19 million total COVID‐19 infections (6.20 million diagnosed; and 2.11 million moderate/severe), 84,000 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. TABLE shows the difference in outcomes if NPIs are lifted (compared with maintaining NPIs throughout 2021) in August, September, October, and November. All scenarios of the lifting of NPIs would result in additional deaths, infections, and hospitalizations. Sensitivity analysis showed that with the vaccine efficacy of 70%, the difference in outcomes would increase further. OutcomeJan‐Dec 2021Excess Outcomes with NPIs Lifting in:Maintain NPIs in 2021Aug‐2021Sep‐2021Oct‐2021Nov‐2021Deaths: total36,340+262,956+125,536+28,708+3360age 0–1971+1299+774+221+30age 20–6913,572+89,067+44,546+10,711+1371age 70+22,697+172,591+80,215+17,776+1959Infections: total11.19 M+165.88 M+110.10 M+35.14 M+5.29 Mundiagnosed4.99 M+84.63 M+58.08 M+19.31 M+2.96 Mdiagnosed6.20 M+81.24 M+51.98 M+15.82 M+2.33 MInfections: moderate/severe2.11 M+21.31 M+13.48 M+4.09 M+0.60 MInfections: asymptomatic/mild9.07 M+144.56 M+96.58 M+31,051,361+4,691,031Hospitalizations224,247+2,179,487+1,394,693+455,218+69,833ICU admissions83,967+738,179+427,519+121,676+16,888 Conclusions: Even though COVID‐19 vaccines are being deployed through emergency use approvals in the US, the time at which NPIs are lifted will still have a substantial influence on COVID‐19 mortality during 2021. Implications for Policy or Practice: Social distancing and restrictions on businesses are needed, potentially throughout 2021, to mitigate COVID‐19 hospitalizations and deaths in the United States before immunity through vaccination programs can become effective. Primary Funding Source: Janssen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-dose oral minoxidil (0.25 mg daily) has been successfully used in combination with spironolactone in the treatment of female pattern hair loss (FPHL).1 Oral minoxidil (5 mg daily) has been shown to be efficacious in male pattern hair loss (MPHL).2,3 The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose sublingual minoxidil (0.45 mg daily) in MPHL and FPHL. Higher rates of adverse effects have been reported with low-dose oral minoxidil than we observed in this study.2,3 In conclusion, sublingual minoxidil at a dose of 0.45 mg daily was effective and had an acceptable safety profile in treating male and female androgenetic alopecia. References 1 Sinclair RD. Female pattern hair loss: a pilot study investigating combination therapy with low-dose oral minoxidil and spironolactone. [Extracted from the article]

We propose a new design of the atom bottom-up technique that uses an optical trapping tool to form the atom trapping layer within a thin film grating. By using a PANDA ring resonator, where atoms can be trapped, pumped and controlled by light, where finally, the trapped atoms/molecules can be selected, filtered, and embedded within the required thin film grating layers, which later can form the nanobattery. In application, P-type or N-type atom can be prepared, trapped and embedded within the desired thin film layers, where finally, the nanobattery can be manipulated. The theoretical background of light pulse in a PANDA ring resonator is also reviewed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1097-1100, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26691 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prospective randomized study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of physical therapy in addition to splint therapy on treatment outcome in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) with respect to objective and subjective parameters. Twenty-six patients suffering from an arthrogenic TMD and exhibiting a painfully restricted jaw opening were randomized in two groups. Thirteen patients were treated solely with Michigan splint (group I), 13 patients received supplementary physical therapy (group II). Before treatment a clinical examination and electronic recording of jaw movements were performed and subjective pain level was evaluated by visual analogue scales. After 3 months of therapy maintenance of improvement was evaluated. Within treatment groups comparison of data before and after treatment was analysed using Wilcoxon test. Groups were compared by Mann–Withney- U test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Compared with the baseline, in both groups mandibular movement capacity increased significantly after treatment, whereas subjective pain decreased significantly ( P < 0.05). Active jaw opening increased from 28.6 ± 5.8 to 35.9 ± 4.8 mm in group I and from 30.1 ± 5.4 to 40.8 ± 4.1 mm in group II. After therapy the difference of active jaw opening between groups was significant ( P < 0.05). Physical therapy also gave a supplementary improvement of protrusive mandibular movement capacity during electronic registration and subjective pain level. For none of these parameters this difference between groups was significant. Physical therapy seems to have a positive effect on treatment outcome of patients with TMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L-type calcium channels are composed of a pore, α1c (Cav1.2), and accessory β- and α2δ-subunits. The β-subunit core structure was recently resolved at high resolution, providing important information on many functional aspects of channel modulation. In this study we reveal differential novel effects of five β2-subunits isoforms expressed in human heart (β2a-e) on the single L-type calcium channel current. These splice variants differ only by amino-terminal length and amino acid composition. Single-channel modulation by β2-subunit isoforms was investigated in HEK293 cells expressing the recombinant L-type ion conducting pore. All β2-subunits increased open probability, availability, and peak current with a highly consistent rank order (β2a≈β2b>β2e≈β2c> β2d). We show graded modulation of some transition rates within and between deep-closed and inactivated states. The extent of modulation correlates strongly with the length of amino-terminal domains. Two mutant β2-subunits that imitate the natural span related to length confirm this conclusion. The data show that the length of amino termini is a relevant physiological mechanism for channel closure and inactivation, and that natural alternative splicing exploits this principle for modulation of the gating properties of calcium channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mahoney EK, Ismail FSM, Kilpatrick N, Swain M. Mechanical properties across hypomineralized/hypoplastic enamel of first permanent molar teeth. Eur J Oral Sci 2004; 112: 497–502.© Eur J Oral Sci, 2004The aims of the present study were to investigate the mechanical properties of first permanent molars affected with enamel hypomineralization or hypoplasia, and to describe the appearance of these lesions under scanning electron microscopy. Eight first permanent molar test teeth and two unaffected premolars (controls) were enclosed in resin, then sectioned axially and polished. The hardness and modulus of elasticity was determined from a single array of indentations made parallel to the amelo–dentinal junction using an Ultra-Micro-Indentation system. The teeth were then examined using the scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties of the test teeth in the unaffected cervical region (hardness and modulus range, 2.03–4.99 GPa and 50.39–96.87 GPa, respectively) were similar to those of the control enamel (hardness and modulus range, 2.71–4.15 GPa and 62.06–95.77 GPa, respectively). Between the unaffected cervical enamel and the hypomineralized region there was a transitional area of 500–600 µm where the mechanical properties in the experimental teeth decreased linearly. The mechanical properties of the hypomineralized region of each experimental tooth were significantly lower than those of the control or cervical regions (hardness and modulus range, 0.07–1.74 GPa and 3.26–40.96 GPa, respectively). The scanning electron microscopy views revealed disorganized enamel with poorly demarcated prism boundaries in the affected regions. In conclusion, the hardness and modulus of elasticity of hypomineralized enamel in first permanent molars is significantly less than in unaffected areas of the same tooth. The reason for this is unclear but may be related to the lack of organization of the enamel crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural and optical properties of InGaSb/GaP(001) type‐II quantum dots (QDs) grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) are studied. Growth strategies as growth interruption (GRI) after deposition of InGaSb and Sb‐flush prior to QD growth are used to tune the structural and optical properties of InGaSb QDs. The Sb‐flush affects the surface diffusion leading to more homogeneous QDs and to a reduction of defects. A ripening process during GRI occurs, where QD size is increased and QD‐luminescence remarkably improved. InGaSb QDs are embedded in GaP n + p‐diodes, employing an additional AlP barrier, and characterized electrically. A localization energy of 1.15 eV for holes in QDs is measured by using deep‐level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). The use of Sb in QD growth is found to decrease the associated QD capture cross‐section by one order of magnitude with respect to the one of In0.5Ga0.5As/GaP QDs. This leads to a hole storage time of almost 1 h at room temperature, which represents to date the record value for MOVPE‐grown QDs, making MOVPE of InGaSb/GaP related QDs a promising technology for QD‐based nano‐memories. InGaSb/GaP(001) quantum dots (QDs) grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) are investigated. The QD growth parameters are linked with their structural, optical, and electrical properties, leading to an increase of the hole storage time to almost 1 h by a factor of 14 compared to the previous record value. This value represents to date the record for MOVPE‐grown QDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case of a boy with eczematous rashes on the skin in London, England. Assessment on the side effects of Emla cream; Increase on the risks of contact dermatitis; Factors affecting the quality of life.

Vohwinkel syndrome (VS) is a rare autosomal dominant condition, also known as mutilating palmoplantar keratoderma accompanied by sensorineural deafness. The LOR and GJB2 genes are reported to be responsible for VS. The GJB2 gene encodes connexin 26, a component of intercellular gap junctions expressed in various tissues. We report the case of a 31-year-old Chinese woman with classic VS characterized by sensorineural deafness and mutilating palmoplantar keratoderma. Further genetic studies demonstrated a nucleotide change (c.175G>A) in the GJB2 gene, leading to an amino acid alteration (G59S). This identical missense mutation (G59S) has also been reported in a patient with Bart-Pumphrey syndrome. Together with our findings and previous studies, we conclude that the identical mutation (G59S) in the GJB2 gene contributes to various manifestations., (© 2018 Japanese Dermatological Association.)