bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Medication Dispensing and the use of Health Services in Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Tulbah Alaa S. 
Published: July 2021

Aims: March 2020, WHO revealed that COVID-19 was a pandemic. Coughing, sneezing, close contact with infected individuals speeds up the disease spread. Saudi Arabia's government and the Ministry of Health sought to spread social awareness of the importance of quarantine and restriction, but unprecedented challenges and obstacles emerged. Therefore, in this study, the effect of COVID-19 on the dispensing of medication and the use of health care services evaluated.
Study design: This survey, cross-sectional, was performed in Makkah city individuals.
Place and Duration of Study: This survey was run out in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia for seven days, starting from June 15, 2020, to June 22, 2020.
Methodology: Survey of 112 applicants (33 men, 79 women; age range 16-56+ years) had been performed to explore COVID-19 impact on medication dispensing and the use of health care services regarding sociodemographic data in Makkah city residents, Saudi Arabia.
Results: This study demonstrated that most of the survey respondents coped well with COVID-19 changes. A significant correlation was found between coping with COVID-19 changes and the age of participants (F(df) = 7.846 (4,107), P-value 0.006) and (F(df) = 4.025 (4,107), P-value 0.047), respectively. Of all the participants, 68.75% had been able to dispense a prescription medication during COVID-19 restrictions. Among them, 30.36, 21.43, and 16.96% dispensed a prescription once, twice, and more than three times, respectively. The data showed that 67.86% of the participants successfully purchased medication from a community pharmacy during COVID-19 restrictions. There was no change in medication availability or price, at about 61.61% and 76.79%, respectively. A significant correlation between medication availability-price (F(df) = 4.025(3,105), P-value 0.047) was found. During COVID-19 restrictions, 51.79% of the respondents were able to access health care services such as hospitals that provide health checking, or substance use for disease treatment. Interestingly, 25% of the participants had the same accessibility to health care services.
Conclusion: This research revealed that through the COVID-19 pandemic, the dispensing, availability, and price changes of medication and the use of health care services were running in a good manner. This would show that although there were restrictions due to COVID-19, access to medication or health care services was running smoothly.
Evaluation of dosimetric functions for a new 169Yb HDR Brachytherapy Source
Authors: Safaeipour Elham , Poorbaygi Hosein , Jabbari Iraj , Sheibani Shahab 
Published: July 2021

Abstract169Yb has been recently used as an HDR brachytherapy source for cancer treatment. In this paper, dosimetric parameters of a new design of 169Yb HDR brachytherapy source were determined by Monte Carlo (MC) method and film dosimetry. In this new source, the radioactive core has been encapsulated twice for safety purposes. The calculations of dosimetric parameters carried out using MC simulation in water and air phantom. In order to exclude photon contamination's cutoff energy, δ was set at 10 keV. TG‐43U1 data dosimetric, including Sk, Λ, g(r), F(r, θ) was computed using outputs from the simulation and their statistical uncertainties were calculated. Dose distribution around the new prototype source in PMMA phantom in the framework of AAPM TG‐43 and TG‐55 recommendations was measured by Radiochromic film (RCF) Gafchromic EBT3. Obtained air kerma strength, Sk, and the dose rate constant, Λ, from simulation has a value of 1.03U ± 0.03 and 1.21 cGyh−1U−1 ± 0.03, respectively. The radial dose function was calculated at radial distances between 0.5 and 10 cm with a maximum value of 1.15 ± 0.03 at 5–6 cm distances. The anisotropy functions for radial distances of 0.5–7 cm and angle distances 0° to180° were calculated. The dosimetric data of the new HDR 169Yb source were compared with another reference source of 169Yb‐HDR and were found that has acceptable compatibility. In addition, the anisotropy function of the MC simulation and film dosimetry method at a distance of 1 cm from this source was obtained and a good agreement was found between the anisotropy results.
2D Fillers Highly Boost the Discharge Energy Density of Polymer‐Based Nanocomposites with Trilayered Architecture
Authors: Bai Hairui , Zhu Kun , Wang Zhe , Shen Bo , Zhai Jiwei 
Published: July 2021

AbstractA new class of trilayered architecture blends polymer‐based nanocomposites with excellent discharge energy densities (Udis) is presented. The preferable energy storage performance is achieved in sandwich structured nanocomposite (PIP) films. The outer polarization‐layers (P‐layer) of the PIP film are composed of Sr2Nb2O7 nanosheets (SNONSs) as well as boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) dispersed in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/ polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blend polymer matrix (BPM) to provide high dielectric constant, while PVDF/PMMA with BNNSs forms the central insulation‐layer (I‐layer) to offer high dielectric breakdown strength (Eb) of the resulting nanocomposite films. The dielectric performance, Weibull breakdown strength, and energy storage capacity of single and multi‐layer nanocomposites as a function of filler content are systematically examined. The evolution of electric trees is simulated via finite element methods to verify the experimental dielectric breakdown results in single layer nanocomposite films. The PIP film with optimized filler content displays a discharge energy density of 31.42 J cm−3 with a significantly improved charge–discharge efficiency of ≈71% near the Weibull breakdown strength of 655.16 MV m−1, which is the highest among the polymer‐based nanocomposites under the equivalent dielectric breakdown strength at present.
Single‐Component CMOS‐Like Logic using Diketopyrrolopyrrole‐Based Ambipolar Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Authors: Samuel Jibin J. , Garudapalli Ashutosh , Mohapatra Aiswarya Abhisek , Gangadharappa Chandrasekhar , Patil Satish , Aetukuri Naga Phani B. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractComplementary circuits based on organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are attractive for the development of inexpensive and disposable point‐of‐care bioelectronic devices. Ambipolar OECTs, which employ a single channel material, could decrease the fabrication complexity and manufacturing costs of such circuits. An ideal channel material for ambipolar OECTs should be electrochemically stable in aqueous environments, afford facile ion insertion for both cations and anions, and also facilitate high and balanced electron and hole transport. In this study, triethylene glycol functionalized diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)‐based polymer is proposed for the development of ambipolar OECTs. It is shown that DPP‐based OECTs have a high and comparable figure of merit for both n‐ and p‐type operations. Logic NOT, NAND, and NOR operations with corresponding complementary circuits constructed from identical DPP‐based OECT devices are demonstrated. This study is an important step toward the development of sophisticated complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor‐like logic circuits using single‐component OECTs.
Mechanosensation Mediates Long‐Range Spatial Decision‐Making in an Aneural Organism
Authors: Murugan Nirosha J. , Kaltman Daniel H. , Jin Paul H. , Chien Melanie , Martinez Ramses , Nguyen Cuong Q. , Kane Anna , Novak Richard , Ingber Donald E. , Levin Michael 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe unicellular protist Physarum polycephalum is an important emerging model for understanding how aneural organisms process information toward adaptive behavior. Here, it is revealed that Physarum can use mechanosensation to reliably make decisions about distant objects in its environment, preferentially growing in the direction of heavier, substrate‐deforming, but chemically inert masses. This long‐range sensing is abolished by gentle rhythmic mechanical disruption, changing substrate stiffness, or the addition of an inhibitor of mechanosensitive transient receptor potential channels. Additionally, it is demonstrated that Physarum does not respond to the absolute magnitude of strain. Computational modeling reveales that Physarum may perform this calculation by sensing the fraction of its perimeter that is distorted above a threshold substrate strain—a fundamentally novel method of mechanosensation. Using its body as both a distributed sensor array and computational substrate, this aneural organism leverages its unique morphology to make long‐range decisions. Together, these data identify a surprising behavioral preference relying on biomechanical features and quantitatively characterize how the Physarum exploits physics to adaptively regulate its growth and shape.
A Highly Sensitive Graphene Aerogel Pressure Sensor Inspired by Fluffy Spider Leg
Authors: Tian Ye , Han Jingkai , Yang Jiankui , Wu Huaping , Bai Hao 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPressure sensors serve as an important part in electronic skin, flexible and wearable devices, by converting external stimuli into easily identifiable electronic signals, where sensitivity is one of the most critical factors for the performance. Here, a highly sensitive pressure sensor is established based on a graphene aerogel film (GAF) with biomimetic architecture inspired by the fluffy leg of spiders to comprehend the gentle vibration of spider web. The biomimetic GAF with lamellar layers and interlayer dendrites is prepared by bidirectional freezing technique. The special fluff‐like dendritic structure between layers accounts for the GAF sensor with excellent performance under pressure: a high sensitivity of 7.48 kPa–1, a low detection limit of 5 Pa, ultrafast response time as 31 ms, and recovery time of 38 ms with working stability after more than 1000 cycles. This biomimetic GAF pressure sensor paves the path for flexible electronics as demonstrated by monitoring real‐time human pulse and weighing of ultralight objects. Additionally, the approach highlights an efficient route of developing highly sensitive pressure sensors through mimicking various biological architectures.
Conductive Fibrous Metal‐Cyanoquinone Complexes with Excellent Microwave Absorption and Shielding Effectiveness at Ultrathin Thickness
Authors: Wu Lipeng , Xie Aming , Wu Fan , Shi Jiaoyan , Sun Qinya , Dong Wei 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMetal‐cyanoquinone complex shows great potential in various applications due to its unique molecular structure and physicochemical properties, but has not been reported in electromagnetic protection (absorption and shielding) field. In this work, a series of metal‐cyanoquinone complexes including Cu‐TCNQ, Cu‐DCNQI, and Ag‐DCNQI is first synthesized, and then their electromagnetic protection behaviors are systematically investigated. The results suggest that Cu‐DCNQI shows better electromagnetic wave absorption (EMA) performance compared to Cu‐TCNQ and Ag‐DCNQI, where its maximal absorption reaches −33.2 dB under ultrathin thickness of 0.9 mm with a filler‐loading ratio of 20 wt%. Experimental results and first‐principles calculations indicate that Cu‐DCNQI exhibits good electrical conductivity and narrow bandgap, which are considered to be the main two reasons for its excellent EMA performance. Interestingly, when the filler‐loading ratio of CU‐DCNQI increases to 40 wt%, it shows excellent electromagnetic wave interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE). Under the ultrathin thickness of 0.08 mm, its EMI SE exceeds 10 dB in the X‐band, and the maximum SE reaches 76.8 dB at 8.4 GHz. This research broadens the application scope of metal‐cyanoquinone complexes, and provides a new platform for the design and development of novel ultrathin electromagnetic protection materials.
Perovskite‐Type Oxynitride Nanofibers Performing Photocatalytic Oxygen and Hydrogen Generation
Authors: Hofmann Anja , Weiss Morten , Timm Jana , Marschall Roland 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBa5Nb4O15 nanofibers with tailored nanofiber diameters are prepared via electrospinning, and treated in ammonia gas to synthesize niobate oxynitride nanofibers. Most importantly, the nanofibers retain their fiber morphology during ammonolysis, and the nanofiber diameter of the converted fibers can be adjusted. Only a thorough characterization, including detailed Rietveld refinements, can reveal that the ammonolysis of Ba5Nb4O15 results not only in BaNbO2N, but also generates Ba2NbO3N as additional oxynitride phase. Such BaNbO2N–Ba2NbO3N composite nanofibers with adjusted nanofiber diameters are applied in photocatalytic water oxidation and hydrogen generation. After decoration with CoNbO4 or Pt cocatalyst, the materials show a diameter‐dependent photocatalytic activity, respectively, with an optimum nanofiber diameter. The presented synthesis demonstrates a novel sol–gel‐derived possibility for nanostructuring of oxynitrides, which can pave the way for new synthesis strategies of nanostructured complex oxynitrides.
Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Anti‐Bacterial Ag Doped Titanium Dioxide Nanofilms with Combination of Reactive Oxygen Species and Ag Ions Releasing for Application of Vascular Implants
Authors: Yao Hang , Jiang Lang , Luo Xiao , Zou Dan , Liu Luying , Yang Ping , Chen Jiang , Zhao Ansha , Huang Nan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSilver ions (Ag) as an effective biocidal metal has commercialized various anti‐bacterial materials. However, the high toxicity of Ag ions always induces undesired tissue injuries, impeding development on biomaterials. Recently, reactive oxygen species (ROS) emerges as the most promising agent for anti‐bacterial materials by modulating cell apoptosis. Herein, highly efficient anti‐bacterial Ag‐doped TiO2 nanofilms (TiO2@Agx, x = 1, 2, 3) are reported wherein Ag ions and ROS are produced by controllable photocatalytic reaction upon UV irradiation, which mutually strengthens the anti‐bacterial efficiency to 99.7% (TiO2@Ag2). Importantly, after doping amount screen of Ag ions, the TiO2@Ag2 (Ag: 4.2%) nanofilm exhibits good hemocompatibility, synergistic suppression of smooth muscle cells proliferation with the combination of Ag ions and ROS, while having slight impacts on endothelial cells growth in vitro. Given these features, this nanofilm is applied on vascular stent which requires neointimal inhibition and re‐endothelialization healing for success of implantation. The 4‐weeks’ implantation results reveal effective neointimal inhibition and rapid re‐endothelialization, indicating excellent biocompatibility as vascular stent.
Ultrathin, Flexible, and Transparent Oxide Thin‐Film Transistors by Delamination and Transfer Methods for Deformable Displays
Authors: Ko Jong Beom , Lee Seung Hee , Lee Tae‐Ik , Lee Sangmin , Kim Jingyu , Kim Hyeok , Kim Taek‐Soo , Park Sang‐Hee Ko 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe attachment of display devices to various objects has attracted much attention due to their ability to present visual information to people in different environments. Such devices should be ultrathin to ensure complete coverage when attached to various objects, making them a critical technology for the development of rollable and stretchable displays. In this study, the fabrication of high‐performance ultrathin oxide thin‐film transistors (TFTs) on a 5 µm‐thick polyethylene terephthalate substrate is demonstrated by the method of delamination and transfer. Molybdenum oxide functions as an exfoliation layer, and the ultrathin devices exhibit full coverage on various objects with complex surface profiles such as contact lens, fabric, and human skin. It is notable that the TFT device exhibits a high optical transparency of greater than 81% and a reasonable electrical performance with a high mobility of 37 cm2 V−1 s−1. Since the oxide TFTs are fabricated without temperature limitations, the devices show reliable electrical performances under gate and illumination stresses. The flexible devices also exhibit excellent transfer characteristics in the bending state, regardless of the bending radius and direction, as well as a high mechanical durability of over 10 000 bending cycles with the bending radius of 3 mm.
Aggregation‐Induced Emission Nanoprobes Working in the NIR‐II Region: From Material Design to Fluorescence Imaging and Phototherapy
Authors: Xu Zhourui , Jiang Yihang , Fan Miaozhuang , Tang Shuo , Liu Maixian , Law Wing‐Cheung , Yang Chengbin , Ying Ming , Ma Mingze , Dong Biqin , Yong Ken‐Tye , Xu Gaixia 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn recent years, with increasing demands for in vivo fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy, light in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II; 1000–1700 nm) has attracted tremendous interest because it offers numerous merits, including deep penetration, minimal phototoxicity, diminished tissue autofluorescence, and reduced tissue absorption and scattering. Among the diverse types of nanoparticles, organic nanoprobes with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics have emerged as a better option owing to their ultra‐brightness, excellent photostability, low cytotoxicity, and tailorable optical properties. Recent efforts in the AIE realm have revealed advancements in molecular design for long wavelength absorption and multiphoton excitation, which efficiently modulate the working optical region to the NIR‐II region. In this review, the current status of AIE nanoprobes in the NIR‐II window is summarized. Starting with molecular design strategies, recent efforts in fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy are then discussed. Finally, perspectives and challenges in this newly emerging field are given. This review hopes to encourage more innovative ideas in material design and biomedical applications for promoting AIE nanoprobes for future clinical translation.
Responsive Bio‐Composites from Magnesium Carbonate Filled Polycaprolactone and Curcumin‐Functionalized Cellulose Fibers
Authors: Quilez‐Molina Ana Isabel , Pasquale Lea , Debellis Doriana , Tedeschi Giacomo , Athanassiou Athanassia , Bayer Ilker S. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDevelopment of responsive bio‐based and biodegradable materials is particularly important in food preservation and monitoring technologies. Although replacing conventional plastic products with sustainable alternatives is still a challenge, promising advances have been reported. In this work, the fabrication of responsive bio‐composite films from polycaprolactone (PCL) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), known as food additive E504 with melt impregnation into cellulose, is reported. Cellulose fibers are stained/coated with ethanoic curcumin solutions, primarily to protect them against oxidative degradation. The films demonstrate a strong antioxidant effect against fatty and aqueous food simulants with improved oxygen gas barrier properties. Interestingly, the natural chelation of curcumin with magnesium within the composites improves the bioavailability and antioxidant potency of curcumin. Moreover, the composites show reversible color change response detectable by the naked eye in basic solutions or vapors. This response is tested by placing the composite film inside a sealed plastic container containing shrimp at room temperature, but not in direct contact. Due to spoilage, a noticeable color change in the bio‐composites is recorded. These simple, cost‐effective, non‐toxic, and paper‐like flexible bio‐composites can be fabricated on large scale and be used in diverse applications ranging from sustainable packaging to medical applications and freshness indicators.
High‐Efficiency Spatial‐Wave Frequency Multiplication Using Strongly Nonlinear Metasurface
Authors: Wang Hai Peng , Li Yun Bo , Wang Shi Yu , Shen Jia Lin , Li He , Jin Shi , Cui Tie Jun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn the past decades, metasurfaces have opened up a promising venue for manipulating lights and electromagnetic (EM) waves. In the field of nonlinearity, second‐harmonic generation (SHG) is a research focus due to its diverse applications. There have been many researches for realizing SHG in optical regime using nonlinear characteristics of optical materials, but its efficiency is low. In microwave frequencies, SHGs are basically studied in the guided‐wave systems. Here, high‐efficiency SHGs of spatial waves are presented in the microwave frequency using nonlinear metasurface loaded with active chips at the subwavelength scale. The nonlinear meta‐atom is composed of receiving antenna, transmitting antenna, and active circuit of frequency multiplier, which can realize strongly nonlinear response and link the EM signals from the receiving to transmitting antennas. Correspondingly, to achieve the function of spatial‐wave frequency multiplication, the working frequency of the transmitting antenna in the meta‐atom should be twice as that of the receiving antenna, and hence the active chip is well matched to obtain the signal transforming with high efficiency. Good performance of the spatial‐wave frequency multiplication is demonstrated in the proof‐of‐concept experiments with the best transform efficiency of 85.11% under normal incidence, validating the proposed method.
Universal Strategy for Improving Perovskite Photodiode Performance: Interfacial Built‐In Electric Field Manipulated by Unintentional Doping
Authors: Wu Dan , Li Wenhui , Liu Haochen , Xiao Xiangtian , Shi Kanming , Tang Haodong , Shan Chengwei , Wang Kai , Sun Xiao Wei , Kyaw Aung Ko Ko 
Published: July 2021

AbstractOrganic–inorganic halide perovskites have demonstrated significant light detection potential, with a performance comparable to that of commercially available photodetectors. In this study, a general design guideline, which is applicable to both inverted and regular structures, is proposed for high‐performance perovskite photodiodes through an interfacial built‐in electric field (E) for efficient carrier separation and transport. The interfacial E generated at the interface between the active and charge transport layers far from the incident light is critical for effective charge carrier collection. The interfacial E can be modulated by unintentional doping of the perovskite, whose doping type and density can be easily controlled by the post‐annealing time and temperature. Employing the proposed design guideline, the inverted and regular perovskite photodiodes exhibit the external quantum efficiency of 83.51% and 76.5% and responsivities of 0.37 and 0.34 A W−1, respectively. In the self‐powered mode, the dark currents reach 7.95 × 10−11 and 1.47 × 10−8 A cm−2, providing high detectivities of 7.34 × 1013 and 4.96 × 1012 Jones, for inverted and regular structures, respectively, and a long‐term stability of at least 1600 h. This optimization strategy is compatible with existing materials and device structures and hence leads to substantial potential applications in perovskite‐based optoelectronic devices.
Anesthetic Propofol Promotes Tumor Metastasis in Lungs via GABAAR‐Dependent TRIM21 Modulation of Src Expression
Authors: Liu Qidong , Sheng Zhihao , Cheng Chun , Zheng Hui , Lanuti Michael , Liu Rong , Wang Ping , Shen Yuan , Xie Zhongcong 
Published: July 2021

AbstractGeneration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), a key step in tumor metastasis, occurs during surgical tumor resection, often performed under general anesthesia. Propofol is the commonly used anesthetic, but its effects on CTCs and tumor metastasis remain largely unknown. Propofol effects are investigated in an experimental metastasis model by injecting tumor cells and, subsequently, low‐ or standard‐dose propofol to nude mice through tail vein. Propofol‐ or vehicle‐treated tumor cells are also injected to the mice. An in vitro tumor cell–vascular endothelial cell adhesion assay, immunofluorescence, and other methods are employed to assess how propofol affects tumor cell adhesion and extension. Propofol induces more lung tumor metastasis in mice than control. Mechanistically, propofol enhances tumor cell adhesion and extension through GABAAR to downregulate TRIM21 expression, leading to upregulation of Src, a protein associated with cell adhesion. These results demonstrate that propofol may promote tumor metastasis through GABAAR–TRIM21–Src mechanism.