Raman microspectroscopy was applied to analyze the changes in structural conformation and chemical composition of the mass of human skin pilomatrixoma (PMX). The normal skin dermis, collagen type I, and hydroxyapatite (HA) were used as control. The excised specimens from two patients diagnosed as a typical PMX were detected, in which one specimen was a soft mass, but the other was a hard mass with somewhat calcified deposits via histopathological examination. The Raman spectrum of normal skin dermis was found to be similar to the Raman spectrum of collagen type I, confirming that the collagen type I was a predominant component in normal skin dermis. The differences of Raman peak intensity between normal skin dermis and soft or hard PMX mass were obvious at 1,622-1,558, 1,400-1,230, 1,128, 1,000-850, 749, and 509 cm(-1). In particular, the peak at 1,665 cm(-1) assigned to amide I band shifted to 1,655 cm(-1) and the peak at 1,246 cm(-1) corresponding to amide III band was reduced in its intensity in hard PMX mass. The significant changes in collagen content and its structural conformation, the higher content of tryptophan, and disulfide formation in PMX masses were markedly evidenced. In addition, the shoulder and weak peak at 960 cm(-1) assigned to the stretching vibration of PO(4) (3-) of HA also appeared respectively in the Raman spectra of soft and hard PMX masses, suggesting the occurrence of calcification of HA in the PMX tissue, particularly in the hard PMX mass. The result indicates that the micro-Raman spectroscopy may provide a highly sensitive and specific method for identifying normal skin dermis and how it differs in chemical composition from different PMX tissues.

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The launch of the big data era puts forward challenges for information preservation technology, both in storage capacity and security. Herein, a brand new optical storage medium, transparent glass ceramic (TGC) embedded with photostimulated LiGa 5 O 8 : Mn 2+ nanocrystals, capable of achieving bit-by-bit optical data write-in and read-out in a photon trapping/detrapping mode, is developed. The highly ordered nanostructure enables light-matter interaction with high encoding/decoding resolution and low bit error rate. Importantly, going beyond traditional 2D optical storage, the high transparency of the studied bulk medium makes 3D volumetric optical data storage (ODS) possible, which brings about the merits of expanded storage capacity and improved information security. Demonstration application confirmed the erasable-rewritable 3D storage of binary data and display items in TGC with intensity/ wavelength multiplexing. The present work highlights a great leap in photostimulated material for ODS application and hopefully stimulates the development of new multi-dimensional ODS media.

High-density vertically aligned ZnO nanotube arrays were fabricated on FTO substrates by a simple and facile chemical etching process from electrodeposited ZnO nanorods. The nanotube formation was rationalized in terms of selective dissolution of the (001) polar face. The morphology of the nanotubes can be readily controlled by electrodeposition parameters for the nanorod precursor. By employing the 5.1 microm-length nanotubes as the photoanode for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), a full-sun conversion efficiency of 1.18% was achieved. Furthermore, we show that the DSSC unit can serve as a robust power source to drive a humidity sensor, with a potential for self-powered devices.

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Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman vibrational microspectroscopies used for biomedical diagnosis of human tissues are reviewed from basic principle to biological applications. The advantages and disadvantages of both vibrational microspectroscopies are compared to highlight their efficiency and adaptability for noninvasively investigating the chemical compositions of ultrastructual human tissues at different disease states. Biochemical fingerprints applied to the biological samples by using FT-IR and Raman microspectroscopies are illustrated. The spectral biodiagnoses of several diseased human tissues such as ophthalmic disorders (risk factors-induced cataractous lens capsules and lens, lens and corneal calcifications, opacification and contamination of intraocular lens, vitreous asteroid bodies), alcohol-disordered human gastric mucosa, skin disorders (cancer and calcification), brain tumors (pituitary adenomas and astrocytomas), genetic hair roots disorder (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism), benign prostatic hyperplasia, and interstitial cystitis investigated by both vibrational microspectroscopies in our laboratory are introduced.