Quantifying Molecular Disorder in Tri-Isopropyl Silane (TIPS) Pentacene Using Variable Coherence Transmission Electron Microscopy

Structural disorder in molecular crystals is a fundamental limitation for achieving high charge carrier mobilities. Quantifying and uncovering the mechanistic origins of disorder are, however, extremely challenging. Here we use variable coherence transmission electron microscopy to analyze disorder in tri-isopropyl silane pentacene films, utilizing diffuse scattering that is present both as linear streaks and as a slowly varying, isotropic background. The former is due to thermal vibration of the pentacene molecules along their long axis, while the latter is due to static defects kinetically frozen during film deposition. The thermal vibrational amplitude is ∼0.4 Å, while the static displacement parameter in our simplified analysis is much larger (1.0 Å), because it represents the cumulative scattering of all defect configurations that are frozen in the film. Thin film fabrication therefore has an important effect on crystallinity; our technique can be readily used to compare samples prepared under different conditions.

Uncontrolled blood pressure among hypertensive adults with rheumatoid arthritis in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Despite the availability and advancement of diagnostic and treatments with demonstrated benefits in minimizing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, hypertension control rates remain suboptimal. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the prevalence of uncontrolled BP in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and understand all potential risk factors for uncontrolled BP.We conducted a cross-sectional study on RA patients in 2 rheumatology clinics in 2 public hospitals in Riyadh. Patients' information such as demographics, comorbidities, drug use, and other clinical data were captured through a review of medical records and supplemented by patient interviews. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized for the analysis to identify the significant factors of uncontrolled BP (systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg).In total, 834 subjects with RA and concomitant BP were involved in this cross-sectional study. The prevalence of uncontrolled BP was found to be 31.65% among all the study population. Multivariate analysis showed that males, subjects above 60 years of age, and smokers had a distinctly higher occurrence of uncontrolled BP. Among the patients with comorbid conditions, those with obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, anemia, cancer, and reflex or gastroesophageal reflux disease also showed a significantly higher risk of uncontrolled BP (P < .05).The rate of uncontrolled BP was found to be alarmingly high in the study population. Age, gender, smoking, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and osteoporosis are independently linked with lack of BP control.

Towards an electronic national injury surveillance system in Saudi Arabia

Given the need for a uniform, comprehensive, electronic nationwide surveillance system for injuries in Saudi Arabia, a system was designed with the objectives of establishing an epidemiologic profile of injuries in the country; evaluating injury indicators on an ongoing basis; identifying high-risk groups requiring specific interventions; monitoring and evaluating interventions for effectiveness; and producing reports to assist in planning and resource allocation. A special form for this purpose was designed, modified from validated forms used elsewhere for injury surveillance. This initiative of the Ministry of Health is also expected to help validate data collected by other sectors, such as the Ministry of Interior. This paper reviews the milestones of building the system and aims to prompt a debate within the scientific community, especially within the Eastern Mediterranean Region, about the best way to design injury surveillance systems for the Region in order to fine-tune the proposed system before its full-scale implementation.