Bimetallic Cu-Ni nanoparticles supported on activated carbon for catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol

A series of bimetallic copper-nickel (CuNix, x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1) nanoparticles supported on activated carbon (AC) were prepared by deposition-precipitation method for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde using hydrogen peroxide as oxidising agent. Analyses by means of X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed that Cu and Ni was successfully added on the surface of activated carbon. CuNi1/AC showed the best catalytic activity for the oxidation of benzyl alcohols to the corresponding aldehyde within a short reaction period at 80 °C. The catalytic performance is significantly enhanced by the addition of equal amount of Ni as compared to the monometallic counterpart. This result indicates the synergistic effect between Ni and Cu particles in the catalytic oxidation reaction

Heat Kernel Bounds for the Laplacian on Metric Graphs of Polygonal Tilings

We obtain an upper heat kernel bound for the Laplacian on metric graphs arising as one skeletons of certain polygonal tilings of the plane, which reflects the one dimensional as well as the two dimensional nature of these graphs.Comment: 8 page

Stability estimates for resolvents, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of elliptic operators on variable domains

We consider general second order uniformly elliptic operators subject to homogeneous boundary conditions on open sets $\phi (\Omega)$ parametrized by Lipschitz homeomorphisms $\phi$ defined on a fixed reference domain $\Omega$. Given two open sets $\phi (\Omega)$, $\tilde \phi (\Omega)$ we estimate the variation of resolvents, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions via the Sobolev norm $\|\tilde \phi -\phi \|_{W^{1,p}(\Omega)}$ for finite values of $p$, under natural summability conditions on eigenfunctions and their gradients. We prove that such conditions are satisfied for a wide class of operators and open sets, including open sets with Lipschitz continuous boundaries. We apply these estimates to control the variation of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions via the measure of the symmetric difference of the open sets. We also discuss an application to the stability of solutions to the Poisson problem.Comment: 34 pages. Minor changes in the introduction and the refercenes. Published in: Around the research of Vladimir Maz'ya II, pp23--60, Int. Math. Ser. (N.Y.), vol. 12, Springer, New York 201

What rough beast? Conceptualising the poetry teacher in Ireland through the eyes of the pupil,

Pupils have a significant contribution to make in the construction of knowledge about teaching and learning in schools. Therefore, consultation with pupils should play a significant role in the pursuit of pedagogical advancement. This study explores pupils’ conceptions of effective poetry teachers at Leaving Certificate level in Ireland. Taking a phenomenographic approach, this study draws on interviews conducted with 23 senior cycle pupils. Set against a transcontextual backdrop of pupil apathy and disengagement in the poetry classroom, this study identifies five significant categories of learning for pre-service teachers aiming to optimise student engagement within the poetry classroom. The imperative for action, specifically at pre-service level, is outlined and recommendations in the pursuit of pedagogical advancement in the poetry classroom are proposed

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function. Methods: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien\u2013Dindo classification system. Results: A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9\ub72 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4\u20137) and 7 (6\u20138) days respectively (P < 0\ub7001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6\ub76 versus 8\ub70 per cent; P = 0\ub7499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0\ub790, 95 per cent c.i. 0\ub755 to 1\ub746; P = 0\ub7659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34\ub77 versus 39\ub75 per cent; major 3\ub73 versus 3\ub74 per cent; P = 0\ub7110). Conclusion: Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

© 2020 BJS Society Ltd Published by John Wiley & Sons LtdBackground: Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function. Methods: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien–Dindo classification system. Results: A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9·2 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4–7) and 7 (6–8) days respectively (P < 0·001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6·6 versus 8·0 per cent; P = 0·499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0·90, 95 per cent c.i. 0·55 to 1·46; P = 0·659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34·7 versus 39·5 per cent; major 3·3 versus 3·4 per cent; P = 0·110). Conclusion: Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients