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X-ray diffraction signals from the time-evolving molecular charge density induced by selective core excitation of chemically inequivalent carbon atoms are calculated. A narrowband X-ray pulse selectively excites the carbon K-edge of the -CH3 or -CH2F groups in fluoroethane (CH3-CH2F). Each excitation creates a distinct core coherence which depends on the character of the electronic transition. Direct propagation of the reduced single-electron density matrix, using real-time time-dependent density functional theory, provides the time-evolving charge density following interactions with external fields. The interplay between partially filled valence molecular orbitals upon core excitation induces characteristic femtosecond charge migration which depends on the core-valence coherence, and is monitored by the sum-frequency generation diffraction signal. This article is part of the theme issue Measurement of ultrafast electronic and structural dynamics with X-rays.

Background: With growing interest in hair health, researchers are exploring aspects beyond the surface qualities of hair, such as its porous inner structure. While previous studies have focused on the effects of treatments such as perming and hair dying on hair porosity, less emphasis has been paid to the effects of harmful environmental factors such as ultraviolet (UV) rays and particulate matter on the porous nature of hair. Aims: The aim of this study was to bridge this gap by investigating how UV rays and particulate matter affect hair porosity in different ways. Our study could help elucidate how these external factors influence hair health and shed light on previously unknown aspects of hair porosity. Methods: Hair tresses were bleached, cut into 1 cm‐long sections, and stained with methylene blue. The sections were then irradiated with UV light or exposed to particulate matter. Results: Bleached hair absorbed more methylene blue than normal hair. UV radiation‐induced hair porosity occurred at 3 h after irradiation and increased with time. Particulate matter alone did not affect the porosity of the damaged hair; however, in combination with UV irradiation, it substantially increased hair porosity. Conclusion: Environmental challenges such as a depleted ozone layer and increasing pollution may increase hair porosity, which can be prevented by maintaining healthy hair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is associated with skin sensitivity and mainly activated by capsaicin and heat. Interestingly, troxerutin can inhibit TRPV1 activation. However, its efficacy in reducing skin sensitivity remains undetermined. Aims: We evaluated the efficacy of troxerutin in alleviating skin sensitivity using clinical tests and in vitro experiments. Methods: For the in vitro experiment, HaCaT keratinocytes were pretreated with different concentrations of troxerutin, followed by incubation with 50 μM capsaicin for 1, 24, or 48 h. The gene and protein expressions of four inflammatory cytokines involved in skin irritation were determined. Among 35 Korean women with sensitive skin recruited for the clinical trial, 13 were involved in assessing the immediate soothing effects of 0.1% and 0.0095% troxerutin following capsaicin irritation, whereas 22 participated in evaluating the preventive soothing effect of 10% and 1% troxerutin over 4 weeks against capsaicin‐ and heat‐induced irritation. We evaluated the soothing rate using skin redness, visual analog scale, and high temperature sensitive index as evaluation indices. Results: Troxerutin inhibited the mRNA and protein expressions of cytokines in capsaicin‐treated keratinocytes. In the clinical study, 0.1% and 0.0095% troxerutin promptly alleviated capsaicin‐induced skin redness, whereas 10% troxerutin notably decreased both the visual analog scale and high temperature sensitive index for capsaicin‐ and heat‐related irritation. However, 1% troxerutin was only effective in reducing the visual analog scale in response to capsaicin irritation. Conclusions: Troxerutin can inhibit TRPV1 activation in clinical and in vitro tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For personalized skin care, noninvasive quantitative methods to evaluate facial skin characteristics are important. Janus‐III is one of the most widely used imaging analysis devices in the skin care industry in Korea. Janus‐III generates values for a range of skin characteristics. Due to the convenience of obtaining results for a variety of skin characteristics in a single measurement, the use of Janus‐III in cosmetic stores and research institutes has been recently increasing. However, the consistency of skin measurements of Janus‐III has not been elucidated yet. Materials and Methods: In this study, we repeated skin measurements three times for 70 different subjects and compared each numerical value in order to assess the consistency of the Janus‐III. For this purpose, we compared between‐sample distances and within‐sample distances. Results: We found important patterns for future analyses in terms of consistency. First, the average values of skin measurement categories were more reliable than individual part values of facial segments. Second, center part values such as forehead and nose were more reliable than side part values such as left and right part segments. Conclusion: If researchers who use Janus‐III for studies of facial characteristics analyze average and center part values first, they can obtain relatively reliable patterns of facial skin characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]