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Aim To compare the degree of fibre shedding by six brands of endodontic paper point when used for the paper point technique ( PPT) of working length confirmation. Methodology An in vitro model simulating the clinical use of paper points in PPT was used to assess the degree of fibre shedding of six brands of size 20, .02 taper paper point. Whilst observing the artificial terminal foramen with polarized light microscopy, the number of fibres shed directly (point inserted 1 mm beyond the terminal foramen) and indirectly (point inserted to length then a gutta-percha point inserted) was assessed. The degree of direct fibre shedding as a function of brand was analysed with Fisher's exact test and multiple pairwise comparisons. Indirect fibre shedding was analysed with Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results All brands shed fibres both directly and indirectly, with a significant influence of brand on the proportion of fibres shed directly ( P < 0.0306) and on the mean number of fibres shed indirectly ( P < 0.0001). Post hoc analysis demonstrated a similar hierarchy of point integrity for both tests with Classic (UnoDent, Witham, UK) shedding significantly more than other brands and SS White (Gloucester, UK) and Antæos® ( VDW, Munich, Germany) shedding the least. Conclusion All brands of paper point may shed cellulose fibres both directly and indirectly with a significant influence of brand on the degree of fibre shedding. Further work should be undertaken to develop biocompatible absorbent dental points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors have developed a microcavity single-photon source based on a single quantum dot within a planar cavity in which wet oxidation of a high-aluminium content layer provides lateral confinement of both the photonic mode and the injection current. Lateral confinement of the optical mode in optically pumped structures produces a strong enhancement of the radiative decay rate. Using microcavity structures with doped contact layers, they demonstrate a single-photon emitting diode where current may be injected into a single dot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on a patent for a telecoil connected to a detachable Direct Audio Input (DAI) connector in a hearing aid is presented.

The article evaluates a patent for a behind the ear (BTE) hearing aid featuring an antenna partition plane.

The article reviews a U.S. patent for a hearing aid wireless network owned by Rene Rye Larsen, an assignor to medical device company GN ReSound A/S.

Proteins and peptides are fundamental components of living systems where they play crucial roles at both functional and structural level. The versatile biological properties of these molecules make them interesting building blocks for the construction of bio-active and biocompatible materials. A variety of molecular tools can be used to fashion the peptides necessary for the assembly of these materials. In this tutorial review we shall describe five of the main techniques, namely solid phase peptide synthesis, native chemical ligation, Staudinger ligation, NCA polymerisation, and genetic engineering, that have been used to great effect for the construction of a host of peptide-based materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews a U.S. patent for an energy saving silent mode for hearing implant systems owned by Martin Stoffaneller and Martin J. Kerber, assignors to medical device company MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH.

The article reviews a U.S. patent owned by Herbert Bächler and Raoul Glatt, assignors to hearing and wireless system company Phonak AG, for a method for adapting sound in a hearing aid device by frequency modification.