Li Diffusion in Various Polymorphs of LiTiS2: Insights from Theory

In the present contribution, the stoichiometric and defect properties in 1T, c and 3R polymorphs of lithium titanium disulphide (LixTiS2) are investigated theoretically with periodic quantum chemical methods

Rapid decline in family size in Oman: Untangling the puzzles and paradoxes

Sultanate of Oman has experienced a rapid demographic transition with a sharp decrease in fertility and family size in recent time that is quite stunning and more than expected, yet has remained largely unnoticed. It is puzzling to note that the 'sea-change' in the total fertility rate (TFR) in Oman has occurred in the midst of paradoxes, such as having a pronatalist policy, low rate of contraceptive use (around 30%), no official population control program, universal marriage for both male and female, and little change in high desired family size (about 6). The objective of this paper is to provide a critical review of the fertility decline in Oman, and provide some plausible explanations for causes of fertility decline in recent times. The study is based on data obtained from available national-level surveys, published reports, and the United Nation's world population prospects report. Fertility rate in Oman has declined from about nine births per-woman in 1988 to a control level of 3.3 births per-woman in 2008, and then remains stable approximately three births per-woman. The massive economic and social development, women education and participation in labour force brought a big change in family formation, reproductive behaviour and lifestyles of women, resulting fertility decline in Oman. Delayed age at marriage and spacing birth appeared as the major cause of fertility decline in Oman. To promote wider acceptance and easier implementation, avoiding cultural and religious sensitivity attached with the term 'family planning program', Oman is implementing a unique birth spacing program, which help reduce fertility by increasing birth interval. The tradition of prolonged duration of breastfeeding also contributes to declining fertility. The Omani government should be aware of the current trends in fertility and its consequences, and adopt the culturally appropriate policy for future population management

Risk factors associated with COVID-19 patients in the Northern part of Bangladesh

Background: In several countries, health care delivery is being compromised due to the surge in the number of infected patients during the pandemic.Methods: This was a retrospective COHORT study which was conducted at the department of cardiology at Rangpur medical college hospital, Rangpur, Bangladesh during the period from July 2020 to December 2020. In total, 235 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases were included in the study population. Proper written consent was obtained from the participants before data collection. A pre-designed questionnaire was used in the patent data collection. All data was processed, analyzed and compiled using Microsoft office and statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 22.Results: In this study, in analyzing the risk factors of COVID-19, 10 factors were found to be considerable, which were gender as male, age of ≥65 years, smoking, two or more comorbidities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic respiratory disease (CRD), chronic kidney diseases, cardiac diseases and cancer/immunodeficiency. But finally, gender as male, age of ≥65 years, two or more comorbidities at a time, CRD and cardiac diseases were found as the most potential risk factors for COVID-19 and against those risk factors the p values were found to be 0.023, 0.003, 0.004, 0.005 and 0.032 respectively.Conclusions: In this study, gender was defined as male, age of ≥65 years, two or more comorbidities at a time and CRD and cardiac diseases were found as the most potential risk factors for COVID-19. To get more reliable information, we would like to recommend conducting more studies in several places with larger samples

Pattern of health behavior and its association with self-rated health: evidence from the 2018 behavioral risk factor surveillance system in the United States

Aim: To improve public health services, we need to keep policymakers updated with health-related issues. This study (1) examines the recent pattern of physical activities, smoking, alcohol consumption, and SRH, and (2) investigates the association between the behaviors and SRH status among US citizens. Method: We extracted data from the latest state-based survey of the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which provides a nationally representative sample of 437,436 American adults. We analyzed the data, mainly employing chi-square tests and logistic regression models. Results: Physical inactivity and smoking are more common among participants with lower education and household income. Normal-weight individuals or those with higher education and income level are associated with drinking and optimal SRH. Younger ages smoke and report optimal SRH more often, whereas older adults tend to be more physically inactive. Women and people with chronic diseases tend to be less physically inactive, drink, and report optimal SRH than those in the same categories. Optimal SRH is less common among people who smoke and are physically inactive. Surprisingly, people who have at least one drink monthly report optimal SRH more often than those who do not. Conclusion: We encourage policy formulators to maintain the public space, increase taxes on tobacco products, and make educational campaigns targeting the youth

Maternal and Neonatal Factors Influencing Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight in Oman: A Hospital Based Study

Background: Preterm births (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) - the two distinct adverse pregnancy outcomes - are the major determinants of perinatal survival and development. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of LBW and PTB and identify the maternal and neonatal risk factors influencing them. Methods: Data for the study come from a cross-sectional retrospective study conducted at the maternity ward of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Oman during the period between November 2011 and February 2012. Data on 534 singleton live births that occurred during the study period were extracted from hospital record. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression model were used for data analysis. Results: The incidence of PTB and LBW were observed to be 9.7% and 13.7% respectively. Half (51.8%) of the LBW babies were PTB and 48.2% of the LBW babies were of term births. Differences and similarities were noted for the risk profile for PTB and LBW. Risk factors specific to PTB were maternal age, previous pregnancy loss, and infant’s length, while birth interval, maternal weight and BMI during pregnancy, and gestational age were the risk factors unique to LBW. ANC visit, infant’s gender, Apgar score, and head circumference of infants were the common significant risk factors influencing both LBW and PTB. Conclusions: The incidence of PTB and LBW are moderately high in Oman. They are associated with different risk factors. A greater understanding and modification of identified risk factors would help reduce the incidence of PTB and LBW in Oman

Self-rated health status, functional difficulties in health domains and non-communicable diseases in Oman: Evidence from the World Health Survey in Oman

This paper examined the pattern of self-rated Health (SRH) status, functional difficulties in health domains and non-communicable diseases among the Omani adult people. The paper also evaluated the association of SRH with the health functional difficulties and the chronic diseases. The data for the study obtained from the 2008 Oman World Health survey, involving a nationally representative sample of 3,770 Omani adult respondents of age 18 and above. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, such as frequency distribution, bivariate analysis with chi-square test, factor analysis, multiple linear regression and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. The study revealed a very high rate of perceived good health status among Omani adults, as 78% of the adults rated their health as good or very good, while only 4% rated their health as bad or very bad and 18% as moderate. Female, elderly adult, people with low level of education, poor and widowed/divorced/separated were more likely to rate their health as bad or very bad. Poor SRH significantly associated with higher prevalence of all chronic diseases as well as higher functional difficulties of health domains. SRH can be used as a health screening tool in the national health care system, and health providers should incorporate it in their clinical practice. Appropriate intervention and policy measure should be taken to improve the health of the sub-groups of people with poor SRH, difficulties, and chronic diseases that have been identified in this study

Frequent mental distress among adults in the United States and its association with socio-demographic characteristics, unhealthy lifestyle, and chronic physical health status

Frequent mental distress (FMD) is a measure of poor mental health days for at least 14 days out of 30 days. It is one of the important dimensions of the health-related quality of life. The underlying causes of FMD are diverse. However, the issue has not been explored extensively due to the lack of reliable data on mental health. The aim of this study was to examine the level and trends of FMD among the adults of the United States (US) and identify the socio-demographic, lifestyles, and chronic health outcomes related correlates of FMD. The data for the study was obtained from the publicly available 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in the US, covering a large sample of 418,268 adult respondents from all the 50 states and participating territories. Respondents from each state and territory were identified by selecting the telephone number from the telephone directory following a systematic sampling design. To examine the trends in the prevalence of FMD, data from the 2010-2018 BRFSS were also utilized. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including multiple logistic regression models were employed to analyze the data. Results indicated that about 12% of the adults in the US experienced FMD, and the prevalence of FMD is increasing overtime. Females, students, adults aged below 35 years, multiracial, less educated, single, low income, and underweight individuals were found to have a higher risk of FMD. FMD was found to be significantly associated with unhealthy lifestyles and chronic health conditions. This study findings highlight the importance of interventions for mental health promotion and mental illness prevention, substance use prevention, screening and treatment services of FMD, and increased provision of resources to address social and economic determinants of FMD

Enhanced conductivity at the interface of Li2O:B2O3 nanocomposites: Atomistic models

A theoretical investigation at density-functional level of Li ion conduction at the interfaces in Li2O:B2O3 nanocomposites is presented. The structural disorder at the Li2O(111):B2O3(001) interface leads to reduced defect formation energies for Li vacancies and Frenkel defects compared to Li2O surfaces. The average activation energy for Li+ diffusion in the interface region is in the range of the values for Li2O. It is therefore concluded that the enhanced Li conductivity of Li2O:B2O3 nanocomposites is mainly due to the increased defect concentration. © 2007 The American Physical Society