High Pressure High Temperature Polymerization of Ammonia Borane in Porous Silica Matrix

Ammonia borane (AB) is of great interest for chemical hydrogen storage as it has one of the highest releasable hydrogen content of 19.6 wt.% [1,2]. Hydrogen is released in several steps upon heating at relatively low temperature along with the polymerization of ammonia borane to form polyaminoborane, polyiminoborane and, at still increasing temperature, boron nitride [3]. Here we present our high pressure high temperature study on ammonia borane confinement in siliceous zeolite theta-1 (TON) and silicalite-1F (MFI) porous templates. Our recent high pressure high temperature (HPHT) synchrotron x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic experiments revealed that the compression of AB/TON or AB/MFI composite materials promotes the insertion of ammonia borane into the pores of a template. Its further high temperature treatment results in a release of a significant amount of hydrogen and in the formation of polyaminoborane and polyiminoborane polymers, both in the bulk ammonia borane outside the zeolite, as well as confined in the channels of the porous template. In consequence, strong expansion of the zeolite pores accompanied with significant increase of the unit cell volume and series of phase transitions have been observed [4]. Financial support from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-19-CE08-0016) is gratefully acknowledged

The role of fluids in high-pressure polymorphism of drugs: Different behaviour of β-chlorpropamide in different inert gas and liquid media

Compression of β-chlorpropamide gives different phases depending on the choice of non-dissolving pressure-transmitting fluid (paraffin, neon and helium).</p

Second asymptomatic carotid surgery trial (ACST-2): a randomised comparison of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy

Background: Among asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent stroke or transient cerebral ischaemia, either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can restore patency and reduce long-term stroke risks. However, from recent national registry data, each option causes about 1% procedural risk of disabling stroke or death. Comparison of their long-term protective effects requires large-scale randomised evidence. Methods: ACST-2 is an international multicentre randomised trial of CAS versus CEA among asymptomatic patients with severe stenosis thought to require intervention, interpreted with all other relevant trials. Patients were eligible if they had severe unilateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis and both doctor and patient agreed that a carotid procedure should be undertaken, but they were substantially uncertain which one to choose. Patients were randomly allocated to CAS or CEA and followed up at 1 month and then annually, for a mean 5 years. Procedural events were those within 30 days of the intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses are provided. Analyses including procedural hazards use tabular methods. Analyses and meta-analyses of non-procedural strokes use Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN21144362. Findings: Between Jan 15, 2008, and Dec 31, 2020, 3625 patients in 130 centres were randomly allocated, 1811 to CAS and 1814 to CEA, with good compliance, good medical therapy and a mean 5 years of follow-up. Overall, 1% had disabling stroke or death procedurally (15 allocated to CAS and 18 to CEA) and 2% had non-disabling procedural stroke (48 allocated to CAS and 29 to CEA). Kaplan-Meier estimates of 5-year non-procedural stroke were 2·5% in each group for fatal or disabling stroke, and 5·3% with CAS versus 4·5% with CEA for any stroke (rate ratio [RR] 1·16, 95% CI 0·86–1·57; p=0·33). Combining RRs for any non-procedural stroke in all CAS versus CEA trials, the RR was similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (overall RR 1·11, 95% CI 0·91–1·32; p=0·21). Interpretation: Serious complications are similarly uncommon after competent CAS and CEA, and the long-term effects of these two carotid artery procedures on fatal or disabling stroke are comparable. Funding: UK Medical Research Council and Health Technology Assessment Programme

Wine marketing: a survey investigation in the Cyprus wine industry

Paper investigating the marketing of wine in Cyprus

Reasoned action and food choice in a transitional economy

This study examines predictive factors of consumer behaviour in food, employing a study of 485 Romanian respondents using the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Drawing on a structural equation models approach, causal paths for six products were estimated. Habit emerged as the most significant predictor of behavioral intention. The results of this empirical study support the notion that attitudes and habits influence behavioral intentions toward food consumption. A modification of the TRA, within the context of income constraints, is proposed in the form of willingness to consume. Competing structural models are discussed, and the implications of the study for both marketers and consumers are highlighted

Wine branding:developing a framework for the Cyprus wine industry

This conference covered the branding of the wine industry in Cyrpus

Ambient temperature and layout impact on self-heating characterization in FinFET devices

Self-Heating effects are going to be of increasing significance in future nodes. Understanding self-heating measurement results and its accuracy is of vital importance. In this paper we show for the first time through measurement that the ambient temperature can affect self-heating measurement by up to 70%. Through a series of measurements at different temperatures and dissipated power, we show that the Si fin has a more dominant effect in heat transport and its varying thermal conductivity should be taken into account