Vocational Training Council
VTC Institutional Repository (Vocational Training Council)Not a member yet
3146 research outputs found
Sort by
PPDA-mediated synthesis of uniform calliandra-like MnCo2O4.5 anodes with micro/nanostructures for advanced lithium-ion batteries
No full textIn this study, uniform Calliandra-like MnCo2O4.5 anode materials with micro/nanostructures were prepared by hydrothermal treatment with presence of positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) polymers. Physicochemical property studies suggested that the as-prepared MnCo2O4.5 of 2-5 μm in diameter was mainly composed of numerous nanoneedles, which were further comprised of many inter-connected nanoparticles. Also, PDDA polymers not only played the key role as morphology controlling agent but also led to the final formation of unusual MnCo2O4.5 crystal phase. The unique properties of Calliandra-like MnCo2O4.5 including multi-scale dimensions, mesoporous structure and multivalent states guaranteed the superior electrochemical performance in repeated chargedischarge cycles. When evaluated as electrochemical lithium storage materials, high reversible capacity (1406 mAh g-1) and excellent cycling stability (capacity retention: ~100%) were successfully demonstrated with a current density of 500 mA g-1 over 100 cycles. Even when evaluated at relatively high current densities of 1000, 2000 and 3000 mA g-1, the average reversible capacities were also achieved at about 1441, 1213 and 966 mAh g-1, respectively. Overall, the remarkable electrochemical behaviours made Calliandra-like MnCo2O4.5 promising for next generation lithium-ion battery application
Contributions of religious beliefs on the development of university students’ spiritual well-being
Get PDFThis qualitative study aims to explore the impact of religious beliefs in terms of religiosity, including (1) religious background, (2) religious practices and (3) participation in religious activities, on the development of spiritual well-being of Chinese students. Thereafter, this research further discussed how and what religiosity has contributed to the development of the university students’ spiritual well-being. 27 individual in-depth interviews with university students were conducted. Findings contribute to the exploration of how the spiritual well-being of students could be influenced by their religious beliefs. Their religious doctrines, activities and practices may likewise be integrated in their daily lives. Moreover, religious doctrines, participation in religious activities and prayers or meditation positively contribute to the development of the university students’ spiritual well-being in specific domains (i.e., personal, communal, environmental and transcendental). Happiness, love, harmony, and devotion are affirmed as possible reasons and effects from their religious beliefs in the specific domains
Investigation of association of chemical profiles with the tracheobronchial relaxant activity of Chinese medicinal herb Beimu derived from various Fritillaria species.
No full textEthnopharmacological relevance Fritillariae Bulbus (Beimu in Chinese) is derived from the bulbus of many Fritillaria species (family Liliaceae), which has been used as an antitussive herb in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2000 years. Due to the complexity of plant origins and significant variations in chemical profiles, the characterization of the profile of the major bioactive constituents and its association with pharmacological activity are important for the quality control of Beimu herbs from different origins. Aim of the study This study aims to investigate the distribution of major bioactive isosteroidal alkaloids in Beimu herbs of different origins and its correlation with the tracheobronchial relaxant activity. Methods Quantification of 7 main bioactive 5α-cevanine isosteroidal alkaloids, including ebeiedine, ebeiedinone, hupehenine, isoverticine, verticine, verticinone and imperialine, in 23 Fritillaria species was performed using gas chromatography. The relaxant effect of different extracts of 4 commonly used Beimu herbs, namely Zhe-Beimu (F. thunbergii Miq.), Chuan-Beimu (F. cirrhosa D. Don), Hubei-Beimu (F. hupehensis Hsiao et K. C. Hsia) and Yi-Beimu (F. pallidiflora Schrenk), was evaluated using rat isolated tracheal and bronchial preparations pre-contracted with carbachol, the well established in vitro antitussive model. Results Amongst 23 Fritillaria species detected, significant variations of the types and quantities of 7 major isosteroidal alkaloids were determined, which served as an important indicator for the classification of different Beimu herbs with distinct geographic distributions. Based on the type and quantity of these alkaloids, different origins of Beimu could be clearly clustered into several subgroups by principal component analysis. Furthermore, both crude alkaloid and water extracts of all 4 Beimu herbs showed a dose-dependent tracheobronchial relaxation with different potencies. The total content of alkaloids (weight adjusted based on the activity of individual alkaloids) in Beimu extracts significantly correlated with their tracheobronchial relaxation effects (r2 \u3e 0.9, p \u3c 0.001). Conclusions The results demonstrated that the differences in chemical profile of major bioactive isosteroidal alkaloids and pharmacological activity of Beimu could be incorporated into a simple and unified method for quality control and potential prediction of activity of Beimu herbs from different origins
Anticipating uncertainties and navigating change: a case study of design students directing strategic planning of a simulated corporation
No full textKeynote speech: The Source of Hong Kong Technical Education from Public Repositories
No full textAt the turn of the 20th century, after Dr. Sun Yat Sin had received western medical education in Hong Kong, the development of western technology in Hong Kong was advanced in a rapid rate. Electricity had been applied to lighting, lift and tram; wireless communication though not yet common had been applied to shipping and weather communication; Kowloon telephone had been connected successfully; Structural steel and steam engine were common in ocean going steamer, buildings and railways; Cars using petroleum were on the newly formed asphalt roads. New machineries and materials were used in infra-structures such as reclamation, reservoir, road and building as well on docks making ocean going steamers. To complete these works, Hong Kong needed not only engineers but every class of technicians and workers. Technical education was no doubt the means to this end. The speaker had spent his time in various publicly assessed repositories digging out relevant materials in order to find out the source of Hong Kong technical education. He will share his findings using the forgotten private-owned Li Shing Scientific and Industrial College and the Government Hong Kong Technical Institute
Autodriver Autonomous Vehicles Control Strategy
No full textTechnically, a given geometric curve can be traced and recovered by its curvature center loci. We assume that a road is given mathematically and we are able to determine its curvature center. To follow a road, we make a vehicle to turn about the road curvature center at the right radius of curvature. We design an autonomous vehicle control that follows a given path by adjusting the vehicle rotation center to be on the road curvature center. The dynamics of the vehicle cause not to follow the road and the right path of motion. It means that its rotation center will move off from the road curvature center. We therefore develop and introduce an autodriver algorithm control to compensate the possible errors between the desired location on the road and the actual location of the vehicle
Exporting Shenzhen\u27s design culture
Get PDFThe arrival of the V&A in Shenzhen is another significant step in the city\u27s progression from \u27factory of the world\u27 to design incubato
Future-facing retail
Get PDFThe data gathered using facial recognition is invaluable to traditional retailers with bricks and mortar stores; it is finally levelling the playing field between the data-gathering-led online retail locations. And as traditional retailers search for a formula that can help them survive in a digital future, a new online/offline hybridity is emergin
Chemical precipitation method for the synthesis of Nb2O5 modified bulk nickel catalysts with high specific surface area
No full textWe demonstrate a method for the synthesis of NixNb1-xO catalysts with sponge-like and fold-like nanostructures. By varying the Nb:Ni ratio, a series of NixNb1-xO nanoparticles with different atomic compositions (x = 0.03, 0.08, 0.15, and 0.20) have been prepared by chemical precipitation. These NixNb1-xO catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The study revealed the sponge-like and fold-like appearance of Ni0.97Nb0.03O and Ni0.92Nb0.08O on the NiO surface, and the larger surface area of these NixNb1-xO catalysts, compared with the bulk NiO. Maximum surface area of 173 m2/g can be obtained for Ni0.92Nb0.08O catalysts. In addition, the catalytic hydroconversion of lignin-derived compounds using the synthesized Ni0.92Nb0.08O catalysts have been investigated
The school of design that shaped the world we live in
Get PDF2019 marks the centenary of the 20th century\u27s most influential design school, the Bauhaus. Hong Kong\u27s only surviving Bauhaus building, the Central Market, faces an uncertain future, but elsewhere around the world the beauty and genius of this Modernist movement is receiving renewed interest and surviving Bauhaus structures are being given the protection they deserve