Effect of Substrate Temperature on the Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of DC Magnetron Sputtered VO2 Thin Films.

This study focuses on the effect of the substrate temperature (TS) on the quality of VO2 thin films prepared by DC magnetron sputtering. TS was varied from 350 to 600 °C and the effects on the surface morphology, microstructure, optical and electrical properties of the films were investigated. The results show that TS below 500 °C favors the growth of V2O5 phase, whereas higher TS (≥500 °C) facilitates the formation of the VO2 phase. Optical characterization of the as-prepared VO2 films displayed a reduced optical transmittance (T˜) across the near-infrared region (NIR), reduced phase transition temperature (Tt), and broadened hysteresis width (ΔH) through the phase transition region. In addition, a decline of the luminous modulation (ΔT˜lum) and solar modulation (ΔT˜sol) efficiencies of the as-prepared films have been determined. Furthermore, compared with the high-quality films reported previously, the electrical conductivity (σ) as a function of temperature (T) reveals reduced conductivity contrast (Δσ) between the insulating and metallic phases of the VO2 films, which was of the order of 2. These outcomes indicated the presence of defects and unrelaxed lattice strain in the films. Further, the comparison of present results with those in the literature from similar works show that the preparation of high-quality films at TS lower than 650 °C presents significant challenges.

Income-related inequality and decomposition of edentulism among aged people in China.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the income-related inequality of edentulism among the aged in China and identify the contributing factors. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from the 4th National Oral Health Epidemiology Survey in China was conducted, and 65-74 years old were selected for the analysis of income-related inequality of edentulism. The concentration curve, Concentration index (CI) and Erreygers-corrected concentration index (EI) were used to represent inequality and its degree qualitatively and quantitatively, respectively. A decomposition method based on probit model was employed to determine the contributors of inequality, including demographic factors, income status, oral health-related knowledge, attitude and practices and self-perceived general health status. RESULTS: In China, aged people with edentulism were concentrated in the poor. The CI was - 0.2337 (95% CIs: - 0.3503, - 0.1170). The EI was - 0.0413 (95% CIs: - 0.0619, - 0.0207). The decomposition results showed that income (75.02%) and oral health-related knowledge, attitude and practices (15.52%) were the main contributors to the inequality. CONCLUSION: This study showed that pro-poor inequality among the elderly with edentulism existed in China. Corresponding policies against the contributors could be considered to promote the health equality of the elders.

The economic benefits of increased sugar-free chewing gum in China: a budget impact analysis.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the potential cost savings in dental care associated with increased sugar-free gum (SFG) use among Chinese teenagers and adults. METHODS: The amount of SFG chewed per year and decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) was collected from a cross-sectional survey to create a dose-response curve assumption. A cost analysis of dental restoration costs was carried out. A budget impact analysis was performed to model the decrease in DMFT and the subsequent cost savings for dental care. Three different scenarios for the increase in the number of SFG were calculated. RESULTS: The average cost savings per person in the Chinese population due to increasing SFG use ranged from 45.95 RMB (6.94 USD) per year to 67.41 RMB (10.19 USD) per year. It was estimated that 21.51-31.55 billion RMB (3.25-4.77 billion USD) could be saved annually if all SFG chewers among Chinese teenagers and adults chewed SFG regularly. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that dental care costs could be significantly reduced if SFG use increased in the Chinese population.

Socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care utilization among preschool children in China.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care service utilization in the past 12 months among Chinese preschool children and to explore the contribution of various factors to this inequality. METHOD: A total of 40 305 children aged 3-5 years from 372 kindergartens who participated in the Fourth National Oral Health Survey in China were included in the final analysis. The method of data weighting in complex sampling was adopted to make the samples more representative. Erreygers-corrected concentration index (EI) was used to measure socioeconomic-related inequality in dental care service utilization. The horizontal inequality index (HI) was employed to analyse horizontal inequality. Decomposition analyses were conducted to explore the contributions of income level, need variables (dmft, caregiver-evaluated oral health status and toothache experience) and nonneed variables (caregiver education level, residential location, age, and sex) to the inequality of health service utilization. RESULT: The utilization of oral health services within the past 12 months among the high-, middle- and low-income groups was 17.4% (95% CI: 15.6-19.3), 13.6% (95% CI: 12.2-15.1) and 9.4% (95% CI: 8.1-11.0) respectively. The concentration curve was below the line of equality, and the EI and HI were 0.072 and 0.078, respectively, indicating that dental care utilization in children aged 3-5 years was concentrated in those who were better off. The contribution of the need variables to socioeconomic-related inequality in dental services was minimal, and most dental care utilization inequality could be explained by household income, caregiver education attainment and urban-rural disparities, accounting for 32.0%, 49.4% and 20.4% respectively. CONCLUSION: This study reveals the existence of pro-rich inequality in dental care utilization among preschool children in China. The decomposition analysis suggests that income, caregiver education background and urban-rural disparities are the main factors contributing to this outcome. Equity-oriented policies and programmes are needed to achieve equitable dental care utilization.

Analysis of pelvic floor electrical physiological parameters in nulliparous women with stress urinary incontinence.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the changes in pelvic floor electrical physiological parameters in nulliparous women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A retrospective survey was conducted on 922 women aged 20-40 years who received health examinations at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between July 2017 and December 2019. The women were split into two groups: those who had SUI (n=87) and those that did not (n=835). Questionnaires and pelvic floor electrical physiological indexes were collected. RESULTS: The mean age of the group of women with SUI was 29.77 years, while the mean age of the group of women with no SUI was 24.49 years. The body mass indexes (BMI) of the women with SUI were significantly higher than those of the women with no SUI. Importantly, the normal rates of type I and II fibers in the women with SUI were obviously lower than those in the women with no SUI. Moreover, the vaginal dynamic pressure in the women with SUI was significantly lower than in the women with no SUI. The study also found that the incidence of SUI in nulliparous women was higher in those aged 30-40 and that both low-weight and obese women had an increased risk of SUI. Type I and type II muscle fibers were more abnormal in the women with SUI than in those with no SUI. In multivariate logistic regression, the ages, BMIs, and type I fiber indexes of nulliparous women were related to SUI. CONCLUSIONS: Nulliparous women have a higher rate of SUI. Compared to women with no SUI, the possible potential risk factors are age (>30 years), higher BMI, and abnormal type I muscle fiber of the pelvic floor.

Measuring and decomposing socioeconomic-related inequality in the use of oral health services among Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to measure socioeconomic-related inequality and horizontal inequity in the use of oral health services and decompose this inequality among adults of different age groups in China. METHODS: In total, 10 973 adults (3669 aged 35-44 years, 3767 aged 55-64 years and 3537 aged 65-74 years) who participated in the 4th National Oral Health Survey (2015-2016) in China were included. Concentration curves and the Erreygers-corrected concentration index (EI) were employed to measure socioeconomic-related inequality in the use of oral health services. Then, inequity in this utilization was measured by the horizontal inequity index (HI). Furthermore, decomposition analyses were conducted for the three groups to explain the contributions of income level, need factors (ie self-assessed oral health and evaluated oral health status), other factors (ie sex, residential location, educational attainment level and type of basic insurance) and a residual term to overall inequality in oral health service utilization. RESULTS: The significant positive EI and HI values indicated that pro-rich inequality and inequity in oral health service utilization exist among Chinese adults. Income and type of basic medical insurance contributed the most to socioeconomic-related inequality in the use of oral health services among adults aged 55-64 and 65-74 years. However, the main driving factors of socioeconomic inequality among adults aged 35-44 years in dental care use included income, educational achievement, type of basic medical insurance and residential location. The need variables accounted for a very small proportion of overall socioeconomic-related inequality in oral health service use in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oral healthcare service utilization was disproportionately concentrated among better-off Chinese adults. The primary determinants of inequality in dental care use in different age groups provide information for policymakers to create more targeted policies to achieve equity in the oral healthcare system in China.

Erratum: Zhang, C. et al., The Effect of Substrate Biasing during DC Magnetron Sputtering on the Quality of VO2 Thin Films and Their Insulator-Metal Transition Behavior. Materials 2019, 12, 2160.

The authors would like to correct a typographical error in their paper [...].

Utilization of dental services and associated factors among preschool children in China.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to evaluate dental utilization among 3-,4-, and 5-year-old children in China and to use Andersen's behavioural model to explore influencing factors, thereby providing a reference for future policy making. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study. Data of 40,305 children aged 3-5 years were extracted from the Fourth National Oral Health Survey, which was performed from August 2015 to December 2016. Patient data were collected using a questionnaire, which was answered by the child's parents, and clinical data were collected during a clinical examination. Stratification and survey weighting were incorporated into the complex survey design. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations and hierarchical logistic regression results were then analysed to find the factors associated with oral health service utilization. RESULTS: The oral health service utilization prevalence during the prior 12 months were 9.5% (95%CI: 8.1-11.1%) among 3-year-old children, 12.1% (95%CI: 10.8-13.5%) among 4-year-old children, and 17.5% (95%CI: 15.6-19.4%) among 5-year-old children. "No dental diseases" (71.3%) and "dental disease was not severe" (12.4%) were the principal reasons why children had not attended a dental visit in the past 12 months. The children whose parents had a bachelor's degree or higher (OR: 2.29, 95%CI: 1.97-2.67, p < 0.001), a better oral health attitude ranging from 5 to 8(OR: 1.64, 95%CI: 1.43-1.89, p < 0.001), annual per capital income more than 25,000 CNY (OR: 1.40, 95%CI: 1.18-1.65, p < 0.001),think their child have worse or bad oral health (OR: 3.54, 95%CI: 2.84-4.40, p < 0.001), and children who often have toothaches (OR: 9.72, 95%CI: 7.81-12.09, p < 0.001) were more likely to go to the dentist in the past year. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental service utilization was relatively low among preschool children. It is necessary to strengthen oral health education for parents and children, thereby improving oral health knowledge as well as attitude, and promoting dental utilization.

Factors associated with oral health service utilization among adults and older adults in China, 2015-2016.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the factors associated with utilization of oral health services among Chinese adults and older adults according to the Andersen Behavior Model. METHODS: Data from the 4th National Oral Health Survey (2015-2016) in China were used. A total of 7206 people (3669 adults aged 35-44 years and 3537 older adults aged 65-74 years) were included in our analysis. Oral health service utilization in the past 12 months was the outcome variable. Explanatory variables were selected according to the Andersen Behavior Model. Descriptive statistics and bivariate associations (chi-square tests) were analysed, followed by hierarchical Poisson regression models, which were conducted to determine the factors associated with oral health service utilization. RESULTS: In total, 21.4% (95% CI: 19.4%-23.7%) of adults (35-44 years old) and 20.7% (95% CI: 18.6%-22.9%) of older adults (65-74 years old) utilized oral health services in the past 12 months. Nearly 80% of adults (78.7%, 95% CI: 74.0%-82.7%) and more than 90% of older adults (93.7%, 95% CI: 91.0%-95.6%) visited a dentist for treatment. Adults aged 35-44 years old who were female (IRR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00-1.33, P = .047), had good oral health knowledge and attitudes (IRR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.06-1.59, P = .011), perceived their oral health status as fair (IRR:1.51, 95% CI:1.24-1.85, P < .001) or poor/very poor (IRR:2.52, 95% CI:2.01-3.18, P < .001) and had a decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index >0 (IRR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.11-2.09, P = .009) were more likely to report dental visits in the past 12 months. Older adults who utilized oral health services tended to be female (IRR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.09-1.59, P = .004); to be covered by Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) (IRR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.18-2.05, P = .002), Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) (IRR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.32-2.16, P < .001) or government medical insurance (GMI) (IRR: 1.03, 95% CI:1.01-2.16, P = .044); to have a high education level (IRR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.08-1.74, P = .010); to have an income level in the 2nd tertile (IRR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.13-1.84, P = .003) or 3rd tertile (IRR:1.52, 95% CI:1.18-1.95, P = .001); and to perceive their oral health status as poor or very poor (IRR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.21-1.95, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Sex and self-perceived oral health status were associated with oral health utilization among Chinese population. Additionally, for older adults, education level, household income and insurance coverage were determinants of dental service use. These findings can aid in creating more targeted policies to increase the use of dental services by Chinese adults.

The Effect of Substrate Biasing during DC Magnetron Sputtering on the Quality of VO2 Thin Films and Their Insulator-Metal Transition Behavior.

In this work, VO2 thin films were deposited on Si wafers (onto (100) surface) by DC magnetron sputtering under different cathode bias voltages. The effects of substrate biasing on the structural and optical properties were investigated. The results show that the metal-insulator transition (MIT) temperature of VO2 thin films can be increased up to 14 K by applying a cathode bias voltage, compared to deposition conditions without any bias. The decrease in the transition efficiency and increase in the transition temperature are attributed to the enlarged grain size, increased defects, and the residual stress in the VO2 thin films induced by biasing. The optical transmittance measurements for different thickness films indicate an attenuation coefficient of 3.1 × 107 m-1 at 2000 nm or an extinction coefficient of 4.9 in the metal phase. The optical transmittance vs wavelength characteristics point to an indirect bandgap of 0.6 ± 0.5 eV and significant scattering in the bulk and/or at the interface.