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Background Nowadays, the diagnosis for sensitive skin relies on subjective assessment or on the combination of subjective and objective evaluation. No quantitative evaluation is available. It could be expected that confocal microscopy imaging could be of interest to better define the condition. Methods Total 166 healthy female subjects were recruited in this study. Firstly, all subjects completed the sensitive questionnaire. Then, the cutaneous structures were measured by the reflectance confocal microscopy ( RCM) on the face and fossa cubitalia. The lactic acid sting test was conducted finally. According to the results of self-perception sensitive skin questionnaire and lactic acid stinging test to evaluate facial skin sensitivity the both positive subjects were regarded as sensitive skin group and both negative group as healthy control group. Result The results of RCM indicating that the proportion of 'disarranged honeycomb pattern' and 'spongiform edema' in the sensitive group and healthy control group were statistically different ( P < 0.05), respectively; The following report 'damaged dermal papilla rings' was not a distinctive pattern, with no significant statistical difference ( P > 0.05). The epidermal thickness was 38.88 ± 6.81 μm, healthy control group was 40.31 ± 9.37 μm in, respectively, sensitive skin group and healthy control group, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups ( P > 0.05). The honeycomb structure depth of sensitive group was 20.57 ± 4.86 μm. It was for 23.27 ± 6.38 μm, healthy control group the difference being statistically different between the two groups ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Based on the RCM results, 'epidermal honeycomb structure' and 'spongiform edema' may be used as new skin signs of RCM evaluation of sensitive skin effectively. Indeed, sensitive skin honeycomb structure depth was thinner compared with healthy control group. Such a specific pattern has good clinical and monitoring value for the further exploration. RCM could provide new data and patterns for the evaluation of sensitive skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a highly sensitive and relatively simple technique to observe magnetization motion in single Ni nanoparticles, based on charge sensing by electron tunneling at millidegrees Kelvin temperature. Sequential electron tunneling via the nanoparticle drives nonequilibrium magnetization dynamics, which induces an effective charge noise that we measure in real time. In the free spin diffusion regime, where the electrons and magnetization are in detailed balance, we observe that magnetic damping time exhibits a peak with the magnetic field, with a record long damping time of ≃ 10 ms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to study the prevalence of betel nut chewing and the association between the environmental factors and KAP (knowledge, attitude, and practice) of betel nut chewing and cessation.12,000 of five military training bases were invited to join the study. A questionnaire was used to collect the 1) environmental factors: parents' situation, siblings' situation, colleagues or classmates situation, working history, family factors. 2) demographic data: age, smoking and alcohol, marital status and religious. Multiple linear regressions and multiple logistic regressions were used to assess the association of interests.10,111 questionnaires were completed. The responds rate was 84.3%. The prevalence of betel quid chewing was 9.37%. After controlling the confounders, working history, smoking, alcohol, education, family, behavior of (father, siblings, friends, and colleagues or classmates, neighbor), attitude of (mother, siblings, friends, colleagues or classmates, and refuse), consumption of betel quid, knowledge, and attitude were significantly correlated with betel quid chewing. In addition, education, attitude (including refuse), and illness were significantly correlated with betel quid chewing cessation.The peer's behavior and attitude were the most important factors to affect the study subjects' knowledge, attitude and behavior of betel chewing. However, self reported of illness and attitude were the important factors to affect the betel quid chewing cessation. We thus suggested to focus on the group health education program in the military, especially concentrating in the health effects on the betel quid chewing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]