Core-shell Co/CoO integrated on 3D nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide aerogel as an enhanced electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction

Here, we demonstrate that Cobalt/cobalt oxide core-shell nanoparticles integrated on nitrogen-doped (N-doped) three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide aerogel-based architecture (Co/CoO-NGA) were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method followed by annealing treatment. The unique endurable porous structure could provide sufficient mass transfer channels and ample active sites on Co/CoO-NGA to facilitate the catalytic reaction. The synthesized Co/CoO-NGA was explored as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction, showing comparable oxygen reduction performance with excellent methanol resistance and better durability compared with Pt/C

Core-shell Co/CoO integrated on 3D nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide aerogel as an enhanced electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction

Here, we demonstrate that Cobalt/cobalt oxide core-shell nanoparticles integrated on nitrogen-doped (N-doped) three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide aerogel-based architecture (Co/CoO-NGA) were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method followed by annealing treatment. The unique endurable porous structure could provide sufficient mass transfer channels and ample active sites on Co/CoO-NGA to facilitate the catalytic reaction. The synthesized Co/CoO-NGA was explored as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction, showing comparable oxygen reduction performance with excellent methanol resistance and better durability compared with Pt/C

Study on Health-Related Quality of Life in Bone Cancer Patients

Background and Objectives : Like any other cancers treatment, bone cancer patients undergo pain and suffering that may compromise their functional status, ability to adjust and subsequently quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the impact of bone cancer on quality of life among bone cancer patients. Materials : This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak. Bone cancer patients were interviewed using a pretested 30-item questionnaire adopted from EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer). Data was analysed using SPSS software. Results : A total of 50 respondents was recruited during the two months data collection. Majority of the patients are aged 40 years and below, 54% were females, 28% were Malays, 60% were married. Majority of the respondents were studying or working, 54% had education up to secondary level and higher. The mean QoL score for global health status was 53.8 ± 14.6. The highest score on the functional scale was for Physical functioning (71.0 ± 20.5), followed by Cognitive functioning (70.3 ± 27.2). Under Symptom scales, the highest score was Financial difficulties (64.6 ± 28.0), followed by Appetite loss (51.3 ± 25.3), Insomnia (50.6 ± 23.5), and others with Dyspnoea having the lowest mean score (5.66 ± 9.88). Conclusion : Overall bone cancer patients perceived their quality of life to be lower. Sustained problems such as emotional functioning, social functioning, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss and financial difficulties were observed. Appropriate interventional programmes should be designed to help these patients to improve their overall quality of life

Parametric instability of conical shells by the generalized differential quadrature method

International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering446819-837IJNM

Vibration of antisymmetric angle-ply laminated cylindrical panels with different boundary conditions

Quarterly Journal of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics52155-71QJMM

PdNi hollow nanoparticles for improved electrocatalytic oxygen reduction in alkaline environments

Palladium-Nickel (Pd-Ni) hollow nanoparticles were synthesized via a modified galvanic replacement method using Ni nanoparticles as sacrificial templates in an aqueous medium. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy show that the as-synthesized nanoparticles are alloyed nanostructures and have hollow interiors with an average particle size of 30 nm and shell thickness of 5 nm. Compared with the commercially available Pt/C or Pd/C catalysts, the synthesized PdNi/C has superior electrocatalytic performance towards the oxygen reduction reaction, which makes it a promising electrocatalyst for alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells and alkali-based air-batteries. The electrocatalyst is finally examined in an H2/O2 alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cell; the results show that such electrocatalysts could work in a real fuel cell application as a more efficient catalyst than state-of-the-art commercially available Pt/C