In this study, Li1+xAlxTi2-x(PO4)3 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) was prepared by acetic acid-assisted sol-gel method. The structural properties of NASICON phosphates material with chemical formula LiTi2(PO4)3 were observed using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. NASICON is a family of crystalline phosphate with a general network system consisting of PO4 tetrahedra, thus bands were assigned by vibrations contributed by basic phosphates, in the wavenumber region between 1300 cm-1 and 600 cm-1. Experimental spectra indicated that all Li1+xAlxTi2-x(PO4)3 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5), heat treated at 600°C and 700°C for 3 hours in air, samples showed the presence of phosphate peaks with shift in frequency as Al3+ is substituted into the structure, and with increasing temperatures. Some bands broadened and overlapped causing it hard to analyze the arising bands. It however determined the existence of NASICON structure in all of the samples under study.
For decades, Malaysia has been heavily dependent on unskilled and temporarily contracted migrant workers to fulfil labour gaps in the country. While Malaysia's economy continues to rely on migrant workers, the COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated their precarious working and living conditions. In-depth interviews with Nepali migrant workers and community leaders in Malaysia and Nepal in 2021 revealed the incidence of labour rights violations, compounded by the lack of access to justice and effective remedies. Besides, workers are allegedly no longer benefiting from the competitive wages, subsequently limiting the value of their remittance to Nepal. We argue that these incidents serve as the drivers of the changing views of mobility, eventually influencing the emigration environment in which the social construction of migration exists in Nepal. This study examines the migratory realities in the Nepal-Malaysia migration corridor during the pandemic, subsequently contributing to current debate on the aspiration-ability model as a class of research.
As cancer has become the second most common cause of death in the world today, how to allow advanced cancer patients to die with dignity has gotten gradually more and more taken paid attention. The study aims to explore the current status and challenges of palliative care for advanced cancer patients in the Chinese Mainland. This study used a semi-structured interview approach by interviewing 14 respondents. The respondents involved patients, family members and relevant practitioners in two regions in China in discovering and summarizing the current status of palliative care implementation for advanced cancer patients in the Chinese Mainland. The study found three challenges of palliative care in the Chinese Mainland: the development of theory and practice being out of sync, the dilemma of operation and promotion, and multiple challenges between different characters. The government should devote multi-dimensional developments and put advanced cancer patients in a central position to respond to patients' needs. The study suggests that the government should promote specialization, enlarge publicity, improve policy, and advocate death education and living wills to respond to the challenges.
Biocompatible metals have been revolutionizing the biomedical field, predominantly in human implant applications, where these metals widely used as a substitute to or as function restoration of degenerated tissues or organs. Powder metallurgy techniques, in specific the metal injection moulding (MIM) process, have been employed for the fabrication of controlled porous structures used for dental and orthopaedic surgical implants. The porous metal implant allows bony tissue ingrowth on the implant surface, thereby enhancing fixation and recovery. This paper elaborates a systematic classification of various biocompatible metals from the aspect of MIM process as used in medical industries. In this study, three biocompatible metals are reviewed-stainless steels, cobalt alloys, and titanium alloys. The applications of MIM technology in biomedicine focusing primarily on the MIM process setting parameters discussed thoroughly. This paper should be of value to investigators who are interested in state of the art of metal powder metallurgy, particularly the MIM technology for biocompatible metal implant design and development.
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a rare genetic disorder with aberrantly high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) requiring multiple combined aggressive lipidlowering therapy to reduce the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Alirocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor (PCSK9i) has been approved for treatment of FH, which requires further lowering of LDL-C in addition to diet modification and maximally tolerated statin therapy. We report the response of short-term alirocumab treatment on a young patient with clinically and genetically confirmed FH, who suffered from acute coronary syndrome, and in particular, discussed the hypothesised legacy effect of PCSK9i. The patient was initially treated with a combination of high-intensity statin and ezetimibe for 12 weeks. Subsequently, alirocumab was added to the patient's lipid-lowering regime and he managed to attain guideline recommended LDL-C target within 10 weeks. However, alirocumab was stopped at week 54 due to financial constraint. Interestingly, despite cessation of PCSK9i therapy for a period of 30 weeks, the patient's LDL-C level rose slightly not returning to his baseline level.