Search

Botulinum toxin type A is widely used to treat primary axillary hyperhidrosis and has proven to be an effective and safe approach. Onabotulinumtoxin A was approved by the FDA as a treatment for primary axillary hyperhidrosis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Neu-BoNT/A in subjects diagnosed with primary axillary hyperhidrosis.The Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale, gravimetric measurement of sweat, and Global Assessment Scale were analyzed at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 to determine the effect of treatment. Adverse events, physical examination, and vital signs were monitored.Subjects treated with Neu-BoNT/A showed statistically significant improvement by all 3 methods at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 (P value = 0.00). There were no severe adverse events or significant changes in vital signs, physical examination, or laboratory tests.Neu-BoNT/A can be effectively and safely used for primary axillary hyperhidrosis.This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Stabilizing the cubic phase of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) through doping has been a challenging issue, as conventional aliovalent dopants often decrease Li ion mobility and induce unwanted phase transformations. In this study, a novel multi-component doping strategy is proposed that stabilizes the cubic phase of LLZO while maintaining high Li ion mobility. The practical isovalent ions and their combinations are screened using density-functional theory (DFT) calculations and ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, identifying the most stable multi-component alloy configuration that can stabilize the robust cubic phase of LLZO. Our results demonstrate that the proposed Li7La3(Zr, Hf, Ce, Ru)2O12 composition has a stable cubic phase at low temperatures, which we validated through experimental synthesis. Our proposed doping strategy has the potential to advance the development of high-performance all-solid-state batteries.

Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have been considered promising and effective photovoltaic absorber due to their superior optoelectronic properties and inherent material merits combining perovskites and QDs. However, they exhibit low moisture stability at room humidity (20–30%) owing to many surface defect sites generated by inefficient ligand exchange process. These surface traps must be re-passivated to improve both charge transport ability and moisture stability. To address this issue, PQD-organic semiconductor hybrid solar cells with suitable electrical properties and functional groups might dramatically improve the charge extraction and defect passivation. Conventional organic semiconductors are typically low-dimensional (1D and 2D) and prone to excessive self-aggregation, which limits chemical interaction with PQDs. In this work, we designed a new 3D star-shaped semiconducting material (Star-TrCN) to enhance the compatibility with PQDs. The robust bonding with Star-TrCN and PQDs is demonstrated by theoretical modeling and experimental validation. The Star-TrCN-PQD hybrid films show improved cubic-phase stability of CsPbI3-PQDs via reduced surface trap states and suppressed moisture penetration. As a result, the resultant devices not only achieve remarkable device stability over 1000 h at 20–30% relative humidity, but also boost power conversion efficiency up to 16.0% via forming a cascade energy band structure.

Colorectal perineuriomas are benign mucosal-based mesenchymal tumors composed of perineurial cells and show serrated or hyperplastic crypts in epithelium on histopathological evaluation. Most perineuriomas are usually presented as sessile polyps and often as subepithelial tumors. In this case, colonoscopy revealed a rectal subepithelial tumor (measuring approximately 7 mm) with yellowish- colored normal mucosa. A rectal neuroendocrine tumor was suspected, and cap-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection was performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed bland spindle cells showing immunopositivity for CD34. The patient was finally diagnosed with rectal perineurioma.

A high‐quality electron transport layer (ETL) is a critical component for the realization of high‐efficiency perovskite solar cells. We developed a controllable direct‐contact reaction process to prepare a chlorinated SnO2 (SnO2‐Cl) ETL. It is unique in that (a) 1′2‐dichlorobenzene is used to provide more reactive Cl radicals for more in‐depth passivation; (b) it does not introduce any impurities other than chlorine. It is found that the chlorine modification significantly improves the electron extraction. Consequently, its associated solar cell efficiency is increased from 17.01% to 17.81% comparing to the pristine SnO2 ETL without the modification. The hysteresis index is significantly reduced to 0.017 for the SnO2‐Cl ETL.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which have surprisingly emerged in recent years, are now aiming at commercialization. Rapid, low-temperature, and continuous fabrication processes that can produce high-efficiency PSCs with a reduced fabrication cost and shortened energy payback time are important challenges on the way to commercialization. Herein, we report a reactive ion etching (RIE) method, which is an ultrafast room-temperature technique, to fabricate mesoporous TiO2 (mp-TiO2) as an electron transport layer for high-efficiency PSCs. Replacing the conventional high-temperature annealing process by RIE reduces the total processing time for fabricating 20 PSCs by 40%. Additionally, the RIE-processed mp-TiO2 exhibits enhanced electron extraction, whereupon the optimized RIE-mp-TiO2-based PSC exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.60% without J-V hysteresis, when the devices were optimized with a TiCl4 surface treatment process. Finally, a flexible PSC employing RIE-mp-TiO2 is demonstrated with 17.29% PCE. Considering that the RIE process has been actively used in the semiconductor industry, including for the fabrication of silicon photovoltaic modules, the process developed in this work could be easily applied toward faster, simpler, and cheaper manufacturing of PSC modules.

For commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), it is important to substitute the alternative electrode for Au to decrease the unit cost. From the early stage, Ag exhibits a potential to be a good counter electrode in PSCs; however, there is an abnormal s-shaped J-V curve with the Ag electrode, and it is recovered as time passes. The perception of the aging-induced recovery process and refutation of the raised stability issues are required for commercial application of Ag electrodes. Herein, we compared the aging effect of PSCs with Ag and Au electrodes and found that only devices with Ag electrodes have a dramatical aging-induced recovery process. We observed the change of photoelectronic properties only in the devices with Ag electrodes as time passes, which mainly contributes to recovery of the s-shaped J-V curve. We verified the work function change of an aged Ag electrode and its mechanism by photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. By comparing the light stability under 1 sun intensity illumination, we can assure the practical stability of Ag electrodes in case of being encapsulated. This work suggests the profound understanding of the aging-induced recovery process of PSCs and the possibility of commercial application of Ag electrodes.

Mesoporous TiO2 (mp-TiO2) layers are commonly used as electron transport layers in perovskite solar cells, which help to extract electrons from the perovskite light-absorbing layer and transport them to the electrodes. We investigated the effects of the layer thickness of mp-TiO2 and particle size of TiO2 on photovoltaic properties, in terms of the surface area of the mp-layer and the interfacial areas of the TiO2 nanoparticles in the mp-layer. Various mp-TiO2 layers with thicknesses of 150, 250, and 400 nm and particle sizes of 25 nm and 41 nm were prepared to compare the photovoltaic properties of such layer-containing perovskite solar cells. Time-resolved photoluminescence decay and impedance studies showed that interfacial resistance as well as perovskite-to-TiO2 charge injection are important factors affecting photovoltaic performance. The deterioration of the photovoltaic parameters with increasing TiO2/TiO2 interfacial area also confirms that the interfacial series resistance that arises from these connections should be reduced to enhance the performance of mesoscopic perovskite solar cells.

To expedite the commercialization of Li metal anodes by combining them with Li transition metal oxides to achieve a high operating voltage, a carbonate-based electrolyte should be used, which is unstable at low potentials. Therefore, hybrid engineering to prevent dendritic Li growth and increase the coulombic efficiency in highly reactive electrolytes is essential. Here, three-dimensional monolithic corrugated graphene on nickel foam electrode as a Li metal storage framework in carbonate electrolytes is reported. The electrode is fabricated using a simple acid-catalyzed hydrothermal method. This involves separation of few-layer graphene sheets and formation of corrugated graphene sheets on porous Ni foam. During the initial Li deposition, Li ions are inserted into the vertical edge plane boundaries between graphene sheets. Li metal deposits then nucleate and grow further underneath the graphene sheets. The corrugated graphene sheets unfold and function as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase layer that separates the Li deposits from the reactive electrolyte. Consequently, the dendritic Li growth is effectively prevented, and the coulombic efficiency is significantly improved. Electrochemical tests demonstrate the effectiveness of this material design concept, which provides a new route to the development of a Li metal electrode for use in highly reactive electrolytes.

Porous carbonaceous anode materials have received considerable attention as an alternative anode material, however, there is a critical bottleneck as it suffers from a large irreversible specific capacity loss over several initial cycles owing to undesired surface reactions. In order to suppress undesired surface reactions of porous carbonaceous anode material, here, we suggest a simple and convenient two-step surface modification approach that allows the embedding of an amide functional group on the surface of a porous carbonaceous anode, which effectively improves the surface stability. In this approach, the porous carbonaceous anode material is firstly activated by means of strong acid treatment comprising a combination of H2 SO4 and HNO3 , and it is subjected to further modification by means of an amide coupling reaction. Our additional systematic analyses confirm that the acid functional group effectively transforms into the amide functional group. The resulting amide-functionalized porous carbon exhibits an improved electrochemical performance: the initial discharge specific capacity is greatly reduced to less than 2,620 mA h g-1 and charge specific capacity is well still remained, indicating stabling cycling performance of the cell.

Topical or systemic administration of JAK inhibitors has been shown to be a new treatment modality for severe alopecia areata (AA). Some patients show a good response to JAK inhibitors, but frequently relapse after cessation of the treatment. There have been no guidelines about the indications and use of JAK inhibitors in treating AA. The basic pathomechanism of AA and the relevant role of JAK inhibitors should support how to efficiently use JAK inhibitors. We sought to investigate the effect of JAK1/2 inhibitor on an in vitro model of AA and to examine the possible mechanisms. We used interferon gamma-pretreated human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) as an in vitro model of AA. Ruxolitinib was administered to the hDPCs, and cell viability was assessed. The change of expression of the Wnt/&beta, catenin pathway, molecules related to the JAK-STAT pathway, and growth factors in ruxolitinib-treated hDPCs was also examined by reverse transcription PCR and Western blot assay. We examined immune-privilege-related molecules by immunohistochemistry in hair-follicle culture models. Ruxolitinib did not affect the cell viability of the hDPCs. Ruxolitinib activated several molecules in the Wnt/&beta, catenin signaling pathway, including Lef1 and &beta, catenin, and suppressed the transcription of DKK1 in hDPCs, but not its translation. Ruxolitinib reverted IFN-&gamma, induced expression of caspase-1, IL-1&beta, IL-15, and IL-18, and stimulated several growth factors, such as FGF7. Ruxolitinib suppressed the phosphorylation of JAK1, JAK2 and JAK3, and STAT1 and 3 compared to IFN-&gamma, pretreated hDPCs. Ruxolitinib pretreatment showed a protective effect on IFN-&gamma, induced expression of MHC-class II molecules in cultured hair follicles. In conclusion, ruxolitinib modulated and reverted the interferon-induced inflammatory changes by blocking the JAK-STAT pathway in hDPCs under an AA-like environment. Ruxolitinib directly stimulated anagen-re-entry signals in hDPCs by affecting the Wnt/&beta, catenin pathway and promoting growth factors in hDPCs. Ruxolitinib treatment prevented IFN-&gamma, induced collapse of hair-follicle immune privilege.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of wearing various types of shoes on gait ability in stroke survivors and in order to gain information in regards to shoes that could possibly replace ankle orthosis. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eight hemiplegic survivors diagnosed with stroke participated in the study. Gait was analyzed using the GAITRite Electronic Walkway (CIR System Inc., USA) when subjects walked with no showed, walked with non-ankle-covered shoes, and walked with ankle-covered shoes. This study collected gait variables, including velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, single support time, and double support time, respectively. Results: In the comparison of walking with no shoes, non-ankle-covered shoes, and ankle-covered shoes, there were significant differences in gait velocity, step length, stride length, and the less affected side single support time (p

Objective: Despite reliable evidence of abnormal scapular motions increases, there is not yet sufficient evidence of abnormal humeral translations. This study aims to analyze the motion of the humeral head toward the scapula when the shoulder is actively abducted using the C-arm. Design: A case report. Methods: The participant was a healthy man without any limitation and pain during shoulder movement. The participant’s shoulder was abducted; this movement in the frontal plane was measured using a C-arm (anterior-posterior view) and was analyzed with computer-aided design. The starting posture was 15°, and as the participant abducted his shoulder measurements were taken and analyzed at 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, and ending at 165°. A line was drawn perpendicularly to the line connecting the humeral head axis to the glenoid, and another line was drawn perpendiculary to the line connecting the scapular axis to the glenoid. The distance between the two lines measured is defined as the e value. Results: At the starting posture (15°), the central axis of the humeral head was located 1.92 mm inferior to the central axis of the scapula. The humeral head was superiorly translated from the starting posture to 120°, and then, showed an inferior translation to the ending posture (165°). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the humeral head moved upward from the starting posture (15°) up to 120° indicating, superior translation, and it moved downward when the posture was past 120°, indicating inferior translation.

Electron selective layers are important to the efficiency, stability and hysteresis of perovskite solar cells. Photo-annealing is a low-cost, roll-to-roll-compatible process that can be applied to the post-treatment fabrication of sol-gel based metal oxide layers. Here, we fabricate an amorphous titanium oxide electron selective layer at a low temperature in a dry atmosphere using a UV light annealing system and compare it with a thermal annealing process. Active oxygen species are created by using UV light to promote hydrolysis and condense the TiO2 precursor, which removes organic ligands effectively. The photo-annealed TiO2-based perovskite solar cell has a power conversion efficiency of 19.37% without hysteresis.

Here, we reported on planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) which are free of the indium tin oxide (ITO) and electron transport layer (ETL) directly prepared on Nb-doped TiO2-x (NTO) electrodes. By rapid thermal annealing of NTO film at a temperature of 600 °C under vacuum ambient, we obtained conductive anatase NTO electrodes that act as transparent electrodes and ETL simultaneously in ITO and ETL-free PSCs. The sputtered NTO electrode showed decreasing resistivity with decreasing temperature, indicating metallic conductivity. A planar NTO∖(FAPbI3)1-x(MAPbBr3)x∖Spiro-MeOTAD∖Au cell showed a power conversion efficiency of 12.50% and open-circuit voltage of 1.08 V in spite of the absence of ETL. The ITO and ETL-free PSC with an NTO electrode exhibited a higher open-circuit voltage of 1.08 V than did an ETL-free PSC with ITO electrode because of effective hole blocking by the NTO electrodes. Our results suggest that sputtered NTO film is a promising multi-functional electrode acting as ETL and transparent electrode simultaneously for achieving simply fabricated and cost-effective PSCs.

All-solid-state batteries (ASB) have received great attention as a next generation power source due to its safe characteristics with non-flammable solid electrolyte. Whole battery reactions are occurred in solid-state Li+ migration in ASB, therefore the well-contacted interfacial area is critical for battery performance. Especially for ASB with high energy density, casting process is suitable to form a large sized sheet of electrode and electrolyte. When electrode and electrolyte sheets are fabricated by conventional cold pressing, sulfide solid electrolyte is favorable to form a contact area effectively due to its elastic powder character compared to oxide. However, sulfide solid electrolyte is chemically unstable with humidity in air. It easily generates H2S gas that is toxic and hazardous. Residual Li2S and bridge sulfur in structure are known as main cause of H2S generation. The ionic conductivity is also decreased by the decomposition of solid electrolyte by undesirable H2S generation. In this study, zeolite were used as additive for H2S scavenger. 5 wt% of zeolite additive was mixed with argyrodite-type Li6PS5Cl, then exposured in moisture air (Rh 50%). The amount of H2S gas generation was greatly reduced by introducing zeolite additive. Decease of ionic conductivity after air exposure is also suppressed by zeloite additive. It also affect to cell performance such as specific capacity and cycle performance. On the basis of these results, adding H2S scavenger is proposed as a visible method for enhancement of air-stability of sulfide solid electrolyte. The detailed results will be discussed at the meeting.

In this study, we estimated solar radiation by multiple regression analysis using sunshine duration and precipitation data, which are highly correlated to solar radiation. We found the regression equation using data obtained from GROM (Gangwon Regional Office of Metrology, station 105, 1980-2007) located in Gangneung, South Korea and validated the equation by applying data obtained from new GROM (newly relocated, station 104, 2009-2014) and data obtained from GWNU (Gangneung-Wonju National University, 2013-2014) located between stations 104 and 105. By using sunshine duration data alone, the estimation using data from station 104 resulted in a correlation coefficient of 0.96 and a standard error of , which was similar to the previous results; the estimation using data from GWNU yielded better results with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and a standard error of . By using sunshine duration and precipitation data, the estimation (using data from station 104) yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.96 and a standard error of , resulting in a lower standard error compared to what was obtained using sunshine duration data alone. The maximum solar radiation bias increased from -26.6% (March 2013) to -31.0% (February 2011) when both sunshine duration and precipitation data were incorporated into the estimation rather than when sunshine duration data alone was incorporated. This was attributed to the concentrated precipitation found during May and July-September, which resulted in negative coefficients of the estimating equation in other months. Therefore, the monthly average solar radiation should be estimated carefully when employing the monthly average precipitation for those places where precipitation is concentrated during summer, such as the Korean peninsula.

Keloid is a representative chronic fibroproliferative condition that occurs after tissue injury. Emerging evidence showed that activation of NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is involved in the pro-inflammatory response in injured tissues. However, the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in keloid progression remains unclear. Notch signaling, which activates NLRP3 inflammasome, is known to contribute to scar formation in keloid, but the cause of enhanced Notch signaling in keloid is not clear. We sought to investigate whether autophagy regulates Notch1 signaling in keloid fibroblasts and determine whether Notch1 signaling might regulate NLRP3 inflammasomes and myofibroblast differentiation. An in vitro model of keloid was established by culturing primary keloid fibroblasts from patients. Expression levels of Notch1, NLRP3 inflammasome proteins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and myofibroblast markers in keloid fibroblasts were examined and compared with those in normal fibroblasts. Autophagy known to mediate Notch1 degradation was also monitored in fibroblasts. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Notch1 was used to transfect keloid fibroblasts to further examine the role of Notch signaling in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Expression levels of Notch1 and NLRP3 inflammasome in keloid fibroblasts increased compared to those in normal fibroblasts. Such increases were accompanied by increased LC3 levels and reduced autophagic flux. Notch1 silencing in keloid fibroblasts by siRNA transfection significantly suppressed increased levels of overall NLRP3 inflammasome complex proteins, NF-kB, and &alpha, smooth muscle actin. Autophagy induction by rapamycin treatment in keloid fibroblasts effectively suppressed expression levels of Notch1 and NLRP3 inflammasome proteins. Decreased autophagy activity in keloid can result in Notch1-mediated myofibroblast activation and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling activation which is critical for chronic inflammation. Collectively, these results identify Notch1 as a novel activator of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling leading to chronic tissue damage and myofibroblast differentiation in keloid progression.

Photovoltaic technologies based on perovskite absorber materials have led this optoelectronic field into a brand-new horizon. However, the present antisolvents used in the one-step spin-coating method always encounter problems with the very narrow process window. Herein, anisole is introduced into the one-step spin-coating method, and the technology is developed to fabricate perovskite thin films with ultrawide processing window with a dimethylformamide (DMF):dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) ratio varying from 6:4 to 9:1 in the precursor solution, anisole dripping time ranging from 5 to 25 s, and an antisolvent volume varying from 0.1 to 0.9 mL. Perovskite thin films as large as 100 cm2 are successfully fabricated using this method. Maximum photoelectric conversion efficiencies of 19.76% for small-area (0.14 cm2 ) and 17.39% for large-area (1.08 cm2 ) perovskite solar cell devices are obtained. It is also found that there are intermolecular hydrogen-bonding forces between anisole and DMF/DMSO that play critical roles in the wide process window. These results provide a deeper understanding of the crystallizing procedure of perovskite during the one-step spin-coating process.

In this paper, we propose a family of lightweight block ciphers CHAM that has remarkable efficiency on resource-constrained devices. The family consists of three ciphers, CHAM-64/128, CHAM-128/128, and CHAM-128/256 which are of the generalized 4-branch Feistel structure based on ARX (Addition, Rotation, XOR) operations.

A down convertor Lu3Al5O12:Ce3+ (LuAG) phosphor was used as a visible light amplifier for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). LuAG particles emitting green light with a wavelength of 470 to 650 nm, which is capable of stimulating Ru-dye molecules, enhanced the light-harvesting properties of a DSSC. The average short-circuit current density (Jsc) of the DSSC containing LuAG down conversion layers was approximately 9.6% higher than that of the mesoporous (mp) TiO2-based DSSC. Therefore, the average power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the DSSC with LuAG was 7.5% under AM 1.5 conditions, which was 8.7% higher than that for the mp-TiO2 based DSSC. The superior photovoltaic properties of the DSSC containing LuAG down conversion layers under UV light illumination revealed the effective wavelength down-converting properties of the LuAG down conversion layers.

Department of Dental Hygiene, Gimcheon University, Department of Dental Laboratory Technology, Gimcheon University*Department of Dental Laboratory Technology, Suseong College**, Department of Dental Laboratory Technology, Daegu Health Colleg e***Department of Medical Computer Science, Daegu Health College****, Department of Dental Hygiene, Daegu Health College*****Department of Ophthalmic Optics, Daegu Health College***** *

Silver nanowire-based flexible transparent electrodes have critical problem, in spite of their excellent electrical and optical properties, that the electrical conductance and transparency degrade within several days in air because of oxidation of silver. To prevent the degradation of the silver nanowire, we encapsulated Ag-NWs with thin TiO2 barrier. Bar-coated silver nanowires on flexible polymer substrate were laminated at 120 °C, followed by atomic layer deposition of TiO2 nanoshell. With 20 nm of TiO2 nanoshells on silver nanowires, the transparent electrode keeps its electrical and optical properties over 2 months. Moreover, the TiO2-encapsulated silver nanowire-based transparent electrodes exhibit excellent bending durability.

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of soil-cement walls (SCWs) to control leachate from a leaking landfill site. Tracer tests revealed that the SCW was effective to control groundwater seepage. Approximately two-months of curing period appeared to be sufficient to ensure thorough containment of landfill leachate, although a three-week period was not enough. The water quality of the monitoring wells after construction of the SCWs met the groundwater quality standard of the korean Waste Management Act, except for bacteria and coliform groups. Also an analysis of a spring water around the landfill showed that the concentrations of ammonia, inorganic nitrogen and soluble manganese which had been common contaminants in the spring water decreased dramatically after constructing the walls. Therefore, the results suggested that a SCW can be an attractive method to control leachate from a leaking landfill site.