Structure-Property Correlations in Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells Across Material Systems Via Synchrotron X-Ray Techniques

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs) is rising, surpassing 18%. The low cost, flexibility, and uniquely tunable properties of organic materials set OSCs as a promising integrable and competitive renewable technologies. However, transferring high-performing ink-printed OSCs from the lab-scale to industrial scale remains challenging. For example, the optimal device thicknesses that are not easily achievable via large-scale printing methods like roll-to-roll printing and are rather prone to pin-hole defects. Another issue facing most of the record high-performing systems with non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) is the need for optimization with solvent additives. Processing additives invoke many obstacles when transferring to an industrial scale, such as solvent residuals often leading to undesirable film structures and mechanical properties incompatible with printing methods. Although wide varieties of organic materials have been synthesized and tested for OSCs applications, the pool of candidates of efficient and scalable materials is very low. Understanding and control of OSC device nanostructure, which is responsible for their photo-electrical properties are essential criteria of selection regarding their industrial viability. Multimodal characterization and holistic analysis of device performance and nanostructure of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) OSCs as functions of device fabrication variables, however, are required for judging the scalability of a material or processing condition.This work aims to thoroughly investigate structures of a selected variety of OSCs systems with unique attributes or novel materials. Soft X-ray scattering and spectro-microscopy are excellent characterization tools due to their proven sensitivity to material contrast. Those tools are used with X-ray diffraction and other electron-based techniques for more accurate multimodal analyses of the studied OSC nanostructures. By correlating nanomorphology with device functionalities, conclusions can be drawn pertaining to the viability of material types and fabrication procedures. One of the investigated OSCs systems (polymer:fullerene) maintains relativity high PCE even with an active-layer thickness of 1µm critical for commercial scale-up. We have discovered that sharp donor-acceptor (D-A) interfacial widths significantly reduces charge recombination. This finding might be key to successfully commercializing printed thick OSCs. Another focus of this work is investigating impacts of solvent additives on device performance and morphology in NFA OSCs. Results of studying two polymer:NFA systems show high device performance and morphology sensitivity to the most prevalent solvent additive chloronaphthalene (CN). The findings suggest that additive-free methods and carefully designed NFA molecules will be essential to industrial-scale fabrication of stable NFA OSCs. Interestingly, CN is commonly used to optimize device performance in most of the state-of-the-art NFA systems, namely PM6:Y6 (NFA) OSCs. Our results and previous literature show that PM6:Y6 system is also susceptible to typical concentration of CN as the optimizing solvent additive. In the last study of this dissertation, an alternative of CN, known as phenylnaphthalene (PN), was used to optimize device performance in PM6:Y6 OSCs. A thorough examination of device performance and nanostructure of PM6:Y6 devices as a function of PN concentration shows that: PN is a potential eco-friendly (non-halogen) candidate to replace CN as a processing solvent additive with less concerns regarding sensitivity to the additive concentration. Also, we find that the optoelectrical charge generation processes in PM6:Y6 OSCs can be fine-tuned using the PN solvent additive.The findings of OSC structure-property relationships in this dissertation give insights into some key aspects to be considered during material synthesis and device fabrication for successful printing of efficient OSCs. Finally, combinations of characterizing OSC device performance via holistic methods and probing their morphology via multimodal synchrotron X-ray techniques seem essential to realize the potential of emerging binary NFA OSCs and ternary systems

Factors affecting the extent of utilization of physiotherapy services by physicians in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To investigate physicians’ attitudes, opinions and experiences towards physiotherapy services as well as to identify the potential factors that may affect the extent of utilization of physiotherapy services (based on physicians’ beliefs) in Saudi Arabia (SA). Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Results: A total of 108 respondents met the inclusion criteria. The respondents’ attitude towards physiotherapy was slightly low (53.5%), while their opinions and experiences of physiotherapy indicated some important issues. For example, 50% of them believed that physiotherapists did not create a good awareness about physiotherapy services and 55.5% admitted that they did not have enough information about physiotherapy services. The most potential factor reported by physicians that may affect the extent of utilization of physiotherapy services was the lack of physiotherapist’s skills and knowledge to assess and treat patients (55.3%), followed by the limited knowledge of physicians regarding the types of physiotherapy services (44.5%) and the lack of cooperation between physicians and physiotherapists (40.7%). Conclusion: There were some factors that limited the extent of utilization of physiotherapy services in SA. Physiotherapy academics and clinicians should attempt to change physicians’ negative attitudes, promoting awareness to provide them with a better understanding of physiotherapy services

Association between Serum Vitamin B12 Concentration and Obesity Among Adults in The Ksa

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum vitamin B12 levels and weight among the adult population in KSA. Methods: This research will employ a cross-sectional study design to investigate the association between serum vitamin B12 concentration and obesity among adults in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Cross-sectional studies are suitable for examining relationships between variables within a specific population at a single point in time. The target population for this study includes all adult residents of the KSA aged 18 years and older. Results: The study included 869 participants. The most frequent weight among them was 51-65 kg (n= 255, 29.3%), followed by 66 -75 kg (n= 214, 24.6%). The most frequent height among study participants was 161-170 cm (n= 324, 37.3%) followed by 151-160 cm (n= 266, 30.6%). The most frequent body mass index (BMI) value among study participants was Normal 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 (n= 344, 39.6%), followed by overweight 25-29.9 kg/m2 (n= 281, 32.3%).  Vitamin B12 varied among study participants, with most of them having a normal range (n= 319, 36.7%) followed by a low range (n= 117, 13.5%) and the least common high range (n= 23, 2.6%). On the other hand, among 410 participants, 47.2% did not know their vitamin B12 value. Wech may indicate a lack of knowledge about the topic. Figure 4 shows the vitamin B12 levels among study participants. Conclusion: Study results showed that most of the study participants do not know their vitamin B12 level and need to increase awareness, followed by those who have a normal vitamin B12 level. The most common BMI was the normal level. There was a relationship between vitamin B12 levels and obesity.

On Interpolative Hardy-Rogers Type Contractions

By using an interpolative approach, we recognize the Hardy-Rogers fixed point theorem in the class of metric spaces. The obtained result is supported by some examples. We also give the partial metric case, according to our result

Some Fixed-Point Theorems in <i>b</i>-Dislocated Metric Space and Applications

In this article, we prove some fixed-point theorems in b-dislocated metric space. Thereafter, we propose a simple and efficient solution for a non-linear integral equation and non-linear fractional differential equations of Caputo type by using the technique of fixed point

The reality of big data and its importance in decision-making at the Ministry of Education: Case study 2020

The study mainly aimed to investigate the reality of big data and its importance in decision-making at the Ministry of Education. Therefore, a number of questions were raised to explore the challenges facing the officials in analyzing big data, and investigate the level of its benefit in addition to the extent to which the employees are aware of the significant role of big data analysis. The researcher used the descriptive analytical approach to present the theoretical part based on the literature review, and analyzing the data collected from the field study using SPSS. The questionnaire and the checklist were distributed after being implemented on the study sample consisting of the heads of the departments and the employees of the administration of digital transformation in the Ministry of Education, who are (83) managers and employees. The results of the study revealed that the decisions based on the results of big data analysis improved the performance of the Ministry of education and enhanced the level of benefiting from them in decision making. It was also concluded that the employees are aware enough of the importance of big data analysis although they find some difficulties in dealing with the amount of data despite its availability in the Ministry. The study finally recommended that it is important to increase the skills of the individuals, bring specialists and experts of data analysis. It was also recommended to expand the use of big data analysis and make more efforts to keep up with the modern technological advances

On Pata–Suzuki-Type Contractions

In this paper, we aim to obtain fixed-point results by merging the interesting fixed-point theorem of Pata and Suzuki in the framework of complete metric space and to extend these results by involving admissible mapping. After introducing two new contractions, we investigate the existence of a (common) fixed point in these new settings. In addition, we shall consider an integral equation as an application of obtained results

Design, synthesis, molecular docking, and in vitro studies of 2-mercaptoquinazolin-4(3H)-ones as potential anti-breast cancer agents

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises 10 % to 20 % of breast cancer, however, it is more dangerous than other types of breast cancer, because it lacks druggable targets, such as the estrogen receptors (ER) and the progesterone receptor (PR), and has under expressed receptor tyrosine kinase, ErbB2. Present targeted therapies are not very effective and other choices include invasive procedures like surgery or less invasive ones like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This study investigated the potential anticancer activity of some novel quinazolinone derivatives that were designed on the structural framework of two approved anticancer drugs, Ispinesib (KSP inhibitor) and Idelalisib (PI3Kδ inhibitor), to find out solutions for TNBC. All the designed derivatives (3a-l) were subjected to extra precision molecular docking and were synthesized and spectrally characterized. In vitro enzyme inhibition assay of compounds (3a, 3b, 3e, 3 g and 3 h) revealed their nanomolar inhibitory potential against the anticancer targets, KSP and PI3Kδ. Using MTT assay, the cytotoxic potential of compounds 3a, 3b and 3e were found highest against MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 14.51 µM, 16.27 µM, and 9.97 µM, respectively. Remarkably, these compounds were recorded safe against the oral epithelial normal cells with an IC50 values of 293.60 µM, 261.43 µM, and 222 µM, respectively. The anticancer potential of these compounds against MDA-MB-231 cells was revealed to be associated with their apoptotic activity. This was established by examination with the inverted microscope that revealed the appearance of various apoptotic features like cell shrinkage, apoptotic bodies, and membrane blebbing. Using flow cytometry, the Annexin V/PI-stained cancer cells showed an increase in early and late apoptotic cells. In addition, DNA fragmentation was revealed to occur after treatment with the tested compounds by gel electrophoresis. The relative gene expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes revealed an overexpression of the P53 and BAX genes and a downregulation of the BCL-2 gene by real-time PCR. So, this work proved that compounds 3a, 3b, and 3e could be developed as anticancer candidates, via their P53-dependent apoptotic activity

Firearm injuries in rural Saudi Arabia: incidence, patterns, management, and cost

Abstract Background A retrospective study from 2013 to 2017 was conducted to evaluate the incidence of small firearms and air gun injuries, social demographics of victims, severity of injuries, patterns, length of stay, and cost of hospitalization in highly populated central rural Al Kharj region of Saudi Arabia. Results In total, the study included 102 cases. The incidence of firearms and air gun injuries in Al Kharj region was 3.13/100,000. Most of the victims were young-aged males (98 cases; 96.1%). The males were absolute majority with the rate of males to females 23.5:1. There were no fatal injuries in this study and no suicides. Majority of the cases were accidents or usage of firearms as toys. The most common site of entry was the lower limb (44 cases; 43.1%), the abdomen (20 cases; 19.6%), and the upper limbs (16 cases, 15.7%). Handguns were the cause of injuries in 66 cases (64.7%) and air guns in 36 cases (35.3%) respectively. The median Injury Severity Score was 15. The total length of stay due to injuries over the study period was 514 days and was estimated for the local economy downfall of 285,000 Sadi Riyals as a cost of hospitalization. Twenty-six (25.4%) patients had to be readmitted to the hospital due to various complications. Thirty-seven (36.3%) patients had long-term disability. The mean length of stay in the hospital was 5 days (range = 1–9 days). The length of stay was positively correlated with Injury Severity Score, and significant increase was identified when the patients had ISS more than 20 (p < 0.04). Conclusion The results from this study support the current tight gun law regulations in Saudi Arabia, which aims to reduce the number of firearm-related morbidity and mortality in the society. There is a necessity for better education in Saudi Arabian communities in relation to firearms and their use in order to reduce the number of firearm accidents and related injuries

Anti-Arthritic and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Spondias mangifera Extract Fractions: An In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Approach

The fruits of Spondias mangifera (S. mangifera) have traditionally been used for the management of rheumatism in the northeast region of India. The present study explores the probable anti-arthritis and anti-inflammatory potential of S. mangifera fruit extract’s ethanolic fraction (EtoH-F). To support this study, we first approached the parameters in silico by means of the active constituents of the plant (beta amyrin, beta sitosterol, oleonolic acid and co-crystallised ligands, i.e., SPD-304) via molecular docking on COX-1, COX-2 and TNF-α. Thereafter, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity properties were also determined, and finally experimental activity was performed in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro activities of the plant extract fractions were evaluated by means of parameters like 1,1-Diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), free radical-reducing potential, albumin denaturation, and protease inhibitory activity. The in vivo activity was evaluated using parameters like COX, TNF-α and IL-6 inhibition assay and arthritis score in Freund Adjuvant (CFA) models at a dose of 400 mg/kg b.w. per day of different fractions (hexane, chloroform, alcoholic). The molecular docking assay was performed on COX-1, COX-2 and TNF-α. The results of in vitro studies showed concentration-dependent reduction in albumin denaturation, protease inhibitors and scavenging activity at 500 µg/mL. Administration of the S. mangifera alcoholic fraction at the abovementioned dose resulted in a significant reduction (p &lt; 0.01) in arthritis score, paw diameters, TNF-α, IL-6 as compared to diseased animals. The docking results showed that residues show a critical binding affinity with TNF-α and act as the TNF-α antagonist. The alcoholic fraction of S. mangifera extract possesses beneficial effects on rheumatoid arthritis as well as anti-inflammatory potential, and can further can be used as a possible agent for novel target-based therapies for the management of arthritis