Fast 3D-lithium-ion diffusion and high electronic conductivity of Li2MnSiO4 surfaces for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries

High theoretical capacity, high thermal stability, the low cost of production, abundance, and environmental friendliness are among the potential attractiveness of Li₂MnSiO₄ as a positive electrode (cathode) material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. However, the experimental results indicated poor electrochemical performance in its bulk phase due to high intrinsic charge transfer resistance and capacity fading during cycling, which limit its large-scale commercial applications. Herein, we explore the surface stability and various lithium-ion diffusion pathways of Li₂MnSiO₄ surfaces using the density functional theory (DFT) framework. Results revealed that the stability of selected surfaces is in the following order: (210) > (001) > (010) > (100). Moreover, the Wulff-constructed equilibrium shape revealed that the Li₂MnSiO₄ (001) surface is the most predominant facet, and thus, preferentially exposed to electrochemical activities. The Hubbard-corrected DFT (DFT + U, with U = 3 eV) results indicated that the bulk insulator with a wide band gap (E_g = 3.42 eV) changed into narrow electronic (E_g = 0.6 eV) when it comes to the Li₂MnSiO₄ (001) surface. Moreover, the nudged elastic band analysis shows that surface diffusion along the (001) channel was found to be unlimited and fast in all three dimensions with more than 12-order-of-magnitude enhancements compared with the bulk system. These findings suggest that the capacity limitation and poor electrochemical performance that arise from limited electronic and ionic conductivity in the bulk system could be remarkably improved on the surfaces of the Li₂MnSiO₄ cathode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

The DFT analysis revealed fast 3D-lithium-ion diffusion pathways and high electronic conductivity in the Li₂MnSiO₄ surface, and thus paving the way for designing and developing efficient and low-cost rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.     

Deep-Learning-Based Segmentation of Fresh or Young Concrete Sections from Images of Construction Sites

The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of deep-learning-based segmentation of the area covered by fresh and young concrete in the images of construction sites. The RGB images of construction sites under various actual situations were used as an input into several types of convolutional neural network (CNN)–based segmentation models, which were trained using training image sets. Various ranges of threshold values were applied for the classification, and their accuracy and recall capacity were quantified. The trained models could segment the concrete area overall although they were not able to judge the difference between concrete of different ages as professionals can. By increasing the threshold values for the softmax classifier, the cases of incorrect prediction as concrete became almost zero, while some areas of concrete became segmented as not concrete.     

A Community-Based Trachoma Survey: Prevalence and Risk Factors in the Tigray Region of Northern Ethiopia

Aim: Trachoma is a public health problem in Ethiopia accounting for 35–50% of cases of blindness. This study aims to determine the prevalence of trachoma in Tigray and to evaluate whether common risk factors are also risk factors in this region. Method: A cross sectional community-based survey was conducted. From six districts, a total of 48 villages were selected by a multistage cluster random sampling technique. A total of 3900 people who were selected randomly from 1200 households were assessed for signs of trachoma. Ophthalmic nurses used a simplified clinical grading system to assess stages of trachoma while environmentalists assessed risk factors for trachoma. Results: Of the 3900 people examined, 13% had trachomatous follicles (TF), 27% intense trachomatous inflammation (TI), 17.7% trachomatous scarring (TS), 3.4% trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and 0.3% had corneal opacity (CO). The presence of a kitchen with chimney had a protective effect on TS (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 0.82; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.65–0.96) and TT (AOR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.53; 0.97). Active trachoma was more prevalent among children (AOR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.96–0.97), illiterates (AOR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.13–1.69) and those who infrequently wash their face (AOR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.18–1.54). Conclusions: Trachoma is hyperendemic in the Tigray region. Mass chemotherapy, the expansion of primary eye care services, and promotion of a regular face washing habit are recommended. We recommend further investigations on the effect of domestic use of biomass energy on trachoma.     

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Children Aged 6–17 Years in North Eastern Ethiopia

BackgroundAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the public neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impulsivity and restlessness or hyperactivity. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and its associated factors among children aged 6 to 17 years in Shewa Robit town, Northeastern Ethiopia, 2020.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 365 children aged 6–17 years from Feb 1-March 30, 2020, at Shewa Robit town. Systematic random sampling was employed to select study participants. Data were collected by interview using structured and pretested questionnaires. Finally, data was entered using Epi-data 4.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify associated factors of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Odds ratios with 95% CI were calculated, and variables having a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultThe prevalence of ADHD among children aged 6 to 17 years was 13%. Financial crises [AOR 4.76(95% CI 1.51–15.05)], children a previous history of the mental problem [AOR 8.45(95% CI 1.24–57.43)], C/S delivery [AOR 6.38(95% CI 1.26–32.26)] and substance use in life [AOR 2.43(95% CI 1.09–5.43)] were significantly associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.ConclusionThe prevalence of ADHD in children 6 to 17 years old was high (13%). Financial crises, children''s history of mental disorders, C/S delivery, and lifetime substance use were significantly associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, particular attention should be given to mothers and children with significant factors.     

Thirst for Information and Needs Reflections of Type 2 Diabetes Patients Receiving Insulin Treatment in North-East Ethiopia: A Qualitative Exploration

Objectives:Ongoing, proactive, planned, and patient-centered diabetes education is the cornerstone of care for all persons with diabetes. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the information needs of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients receiving insulin treatment in North-East Ethiopia. Methods:The study was conducted from July 2019 to January 2020 using a qualitative enquiry (phenomenological approach) with purposive sampling. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were used to collect data until reaching theoretical saturation. The participants were type 2 diabetes patients receiving insulin treatment. They were identified from the diabetes patients’ registration book at the diabetes clinic and interviewed at their appointment time, and were selected to include wide variations in terms of socio-demographic characteristics. Twenty-four participants (11 men and 13 women), with a median age of 57 years, were interviewed. The data were organized using QDA Miner Lite version 2.0.7 and analyzed thematically using narrative strategies.Results:Most participants had not heard of diabetes before their diagnosis. They had limited knowledge of diabetes, but ascribed different connotations for it in the local language (Amharic). The needs reflections of patients were categorized into diabetes education and participants’ recommendations. Diabetes education was totally absent at hospitals, and patients received education primarily from the Ethiopian Diabetes Association and broadcast and digital media. Thus, the major concern of patients was the availability of diabetes education programs at health institutions.Conclusions:Patients’ main concern was the absence of routine diabetes education, which necessitates urgent action to implement diabetes education programs, especially at health institutions.     

Fungal vertebral osteomyelitis due to Scedosporium apiospermum after near-drowning

Near-drowning predisposes one to infection by the fungus Scedosporium apiospermum, and brain abscess is the most common consequence. Vertebral osteomyelitis due to this organism is exceedingly rare. The authors report on a 43-year-old man who developed fungal spondylodiscitis several weeks after a near-drowning event. The rare nature of this infection led to a delay in diagnosis. A combination of surgical debridement, instrumentation, and antifungal therapy resulted in an excellent outcome at 1 year of follow-up.     

Racial/ethnic disparities in the patterns of co-occurring mental health problems in adolescents in substance abuse treatment

This study examines disparities in co-occurring mental health and substance use problems by race/ethnicity to inform the development of culturally appropriate treatment approaches. Using pooled clinical data collected with the Global Assessment of Individual Needs, we identified racial/ethnic and other factors associated with co-occurring internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and the combination thereof in adolescents in federally funded treatment facilities. Results show that after controlling for demographic and socioenvironmental factors, African Americans, Hispanics, and mixed-race adolescents were more likely than Whites to have co-occurring internalizing problems. African Americans and Native Americans were less likely than Whites to have externalizing problems and to have combined internalizing and externalizing problems. Presence of co-occurring problems was also associated with victimization, homelessness, and family substance abuse. These results indicate that co-occurring mental health problems vary by race/ethnicity, and therefore, refined approaches are needed for culturally appropriate care of patients.