All solid-state lithium-sulfur battery using a glass-type P2S5-Li2S electrolyte: Benefits on anode kinetics

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are promising candidates for next generation electrical energy storage d evices due to their high specific energy. Despite intense research, there are still a number of technical challenges in developing a high performance Li-S battery. To elucidate the issues, an all solid-state Li-S battery was fabricated using Li3PSz solid electrolyte. Most of the theoretical capacity of sulfur, 1600 mAhg-1 was attained in the initial discharge-charge cycles with a high coulombic efficiency approaching 99%. To verify the benefit of the solid state electrolyte, galvanostatic stripping-deposition tests were also carried out on a symmetrical Li/Li cell and compared with those of a liquid electrolyte (1M-lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) in a mixture of 1,3-dioxolane (DOL)-diethoxyethane (DEE)). The kinetics and thermodynamics of the solid-state cell are discussed from the viewpoint of the charge transfer processes. This study demonstrates both the merits and drawbacks of using the solid sulfide electrolyte in a Li-S battery and facilitates the further improvement of this important high energy storage device

Media 1: Development of a high power supercontinuum source in the 1.7 μm wavelength region for highly penetrative ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography

Originally published in Biomedical Optics Express on 01 March 2014 (boe-5-3-932

Factors Affecting COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: An International Survey among Low-and Middle-Income Countries

Vaccination is fast becoming a key intervention against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted cross-sectional online surveys to investigate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance across nine Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs; N = 10,183), assuming vaccine effectiveness at 90% and 95%. The prevalence of vaccine acceptance increased from 76.4% (90% effectiveness) to 88.8% (95% effectiveness). Considering a 90% effective vaccine, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and five African countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Uganda, Malawi, and Mali) had lower acceptance odds compared to Brazil. Individuals who perceived taking the vaccine as important to protect themselves had the highest acceptance odds (aOR 2.49) at 95% effectiveness.Vaccine acceptance was also positively associated with COVID-19 knowledge, worry/fear regarding COVID-19, higher income, younger age, and testing negative for COVID-19. However, chronic disease and female gender reduced the odds for vaccine acceptance. The main reasons underpinning vaccine refusal were fear of side effects (41.2%) and lack of confidence in vaccine effectiveness (15.1%). Further research is needed to identify country-specific reasons for vaccine hesitancy in order to develop mitigation strategies that would ensure high and equitable vaccination coverage across LMICs

Adults' Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine for Children in Selected Lower- and Middle-Income Countries

Since emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children aged between 12 and 15 years old was recently obtained in the United States and Europe, we aimed to assess the willingness to vaccinate children with a COVID-19 vaccine in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we launched an online cross-sectional survey in several LMICs. Questions relating to socio-demographic information, knowledge of COVID-19, level of fear/worry of being infected with COVID-19, and willingness to vaccinate children with the COVID-19 vaccine at 50%, 75% and 95% effectiveness levels, were asked. Of the 6571 participants (mean age = 39 ± 14 years), 64.0%, 72.6%, and 92.9% were willing to vaccinate children at 50%, 75%, and 95% effectiveness levels, respectively. Respondents who were undergraduates, who were more worried/fearful about COVID-19, had higher knowledge scores regarding COVID-19, and a higher belief that COVID-19 vaccination is important to protect others, were more willing to accept COVID-19 vaccination of children. COVID-19 vaccination of children will limit the spread of the virus, especially in schools; it may decrease the need for school closures which has a negative effect on child development. Findings from this study are useful for health promotion strategies during COVID-19 vaccination implementation among children in LMICs

Neurological Adverse Effects Attributable to β-Lactam Antibiotics: A Literature Review

International audienc