Low temperature steam reforming of methane : A combined isotopic and microkinetic study

The authors would like to acknowledge Professors Joris W. Thybaut and Guy B. Marin, Laboratory for Chemical Technology of Ghent University, for providing the Micro-Kinetic Engine (MKE) code based on which the model presented in the current work has been developed.Peer reviewedPostprin

Elucidation of metal and support effects during ethanol steam reforming over Ni and Rh based catalysts supported on (CeO2)-ZrO2-La2O3

We thank Dr Alan McCue from the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, for assisting in carrying out the TPO measurements. CRediT authorship contribution statement Marinela D. Zhurka: Investigation, Writing - original draft. Angeliki A. Lemonidou: Resources, Writing - review & editing. Panagiotis N. Kechagiopoulos: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing - review & editing, Supervision.Peer reviewedPostprin

Investigation of support effects during ethanol steam reforming over a Ni/Sepiolite catalyst

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Kinetic analysis of the steam reforming of ethanol over Ni/SiO2 for the elucidation of metal dominated reaction pathways

Peer reviewedPostprin

Catalytic Biomass Gasification in Supercritical Water and Product Gas Upgrading

The gasification of biomass with supercritical water, also known as SCWG, is a sustainable method of hydrogen production. The process produces a mixture of hydrogen, carbon oxides, and hydrocarbons. Upgrading this mixture through steam or dry reforming of hydrocarbons to create synthesis gas and then extra hydrogen is a viable way to increase hydrogen production from biomass. This literature review discusses combining these two processes and recent experimental work on catalytic SCWG of biomass and its model compounds and steam/dry reforming of produced hydrocarbons. It focuses on catalysts used in these processes and their key criteria, such as activity, selectivity towards hydrogen and methane, and ability to inhibit carbon formation and deposition. A new criterion is proposed to evaluate catalyst performance in biomass SCWG and the need for further upgrading via reforming, based on the ratio of hydrogen bound in hydrocarbons to total hydrogen produced during SCWG. The review concludes that most catalysts used in biomass SCWG trap a large proportion of hydrogen in hydrocarbons, necessitating further processing of the product stream

Skills and practices of European orthopedic nurses in empowering patient education

Purpose: This study provides an overview of the self-defined skills and practices of European orthopedic nurses in empowering patient education. Nurses themselves have highlighted the necessity to enhance their own skills, but possibilities for further education have been limited. Methods: The data (n = 317 nurses) from a structured survey were collected during the years 2009–2012 in seven European countries with an EPNURSE—questionnaire (Empowering Patient Education from the point of view of Nurses). Results: Nurses considered patient education as an important part of their work and evaluated their own skills as good. However, their patient education practices were based more on practices on their ward and their own experience than on further education or evidence-based knowledge. On the other hand, lack of time for patient education and experienced overload were the major barriers experienced by nurses. Implications for Practice: Further education of orthopedic nurses in empowering evidence-based patient education is highly needed. Nurse leaders need to acknowledge the strong need for supporting nurses within clinical practice, improve their evidence-based knowledge and support practices that prioritize patient education within the hospital environment. Further international collaboration in nursing research and health-care organizations is desirable to reach these patient educational goals in clinical nursing practice.</p

A Review of Interventions to Reduce Mechanical Restraint and Seclusion among Adult Psychiatric Inpatients

Objective: This review examines nature and effectiveness of interventions to reduce the use of mechanical restraint and seclusion among adult psychiatric inpatients. Method: Electronic searches were conducted to locate post-1960 empirical studies of restraint and seclusion reduction in English. A total of 36 studies were identified, mostly from the USA. Analysis was conducted using a structured data extraction tool. Results: The majority of studies reported reduced levels or mechanical restraint and/or seclusion, but the standard of evidence was poor. There were no randomised trials. Most were retrospective studies of official records before and after the intervention was introduced, with varying follow-up periods. The interventions were diverse, but tended to include one or more of the following: new restraint and/or seclusion policies, staffing changes, staff training, review procedures and crisis management initiatives. The research was unable to address which of these elements was most effective. There was also evidence that some improved outcomes were achieved by substituting restraint or seclusion for each other or for alternatives forms of containment (medication in particular). Nurses’ attitudes, skills and approach to patient care were absent from the literature. Conclusions: Interventions probably can reduce the use of restraint and seclusion, but better designed research is required to demonstrate their effectiveness conclusively. More attention should also be paid to understanding how interventions work, particularly from the perspective of nursing staff. This is essential to the successful implementation of restraint and seclusion interventions across different psychiatric settings and treatment populations

An integrative review exploring decision-making factors influencing mental health nurses in the use of restraint

Introduction: While mechanical and manual restraint as an institutional method of control within mental health settings may be perceived to seem necessary at times, there is emergent literature highlighting the potential counter-therapeutic impact of this practice for patients as well as staff. Nurses are the professional group who are most likely to use mechanical and manual restraint methods within mental health settings. In-depth insights to understand what factors influence nurses’ decision-making related to restraint use are therefore warranted. Aim: To explore what influences mental health nurses’ decision-making in the use of restraint. Method: An integrative review using Cooper’s framework was undertaken. Results: Eight emerging themes were identified: ‘safety for all’, ‘restraint as a necessary intervention’, ‘restraint as a last resort’, ‘role conflict’, ‘maintaining control’, ‘staff composition’, ‘knowledge and perception of patient behaviours’, and ‘psychological impact’. These themes highlight how mental health nurses’ decision-making is influenced by ethical and safety responsibilities, as well as, interpersonal and staff-related factors. Conclusion: Research to further understand the experience and actualization of ‘last resort’ in the use of restraint and to provide strategies to prevent restraint use in mental health settings are needed

Moral Distress Amongst American Physician Trainees Regarding Futile Treatments at the End of Life: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Ethical challenges are common in end of life care; the uncertainty of prognosis and the ethically permissible boundaries of treatment create confusion and conflict about the balance between benefits and burdens experienced by patients. OBJECTIVE: We asked physician trainees in internal medicine how they reacted and responded to ethical challenges arising in the context of perceived futile treatments at the end of life and how these challenges contribute to moral distress. DESIGN: Semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two internal medicine residents and fellows across three American academic medical centers. APPROACH: This study uses systematic qualitative methods of data gathering, analysis and interpretation. KEY RESULTS: Physician trainees experienced significant moral distress when they felt obligated to provide treatments at or near the end of life that they believed to be futile. Some trainees developed detached and dehumanizing attitudes towards patients as a coping mechanism, which may contribute to a loss of empathy. Successful coping strategies included formal and informal conversations with colleagues and superiors about the emotional and ethical challenges of providing care at the end of life. CONCLUSIONS: Moral distress amongst physician trainees may occur when they feel obligated to provide treatments at the end of life that they believe to be futile or harmful.This study was funded by the Health Resources and Service Administration T32 HP10025-20 Training Grant, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Society of General Internal Medicine Founders Grant, and the Ho-Chiang Palliative Care Research Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11606-015-3505-

Autothermal reforming of palm empty fruit bunch bio-oil: thermodynamic modelling

This work focuses on thermodynamic analysis of the autothermal reforming of palm empty fruit bunch (PEFB) bio-oil for the production of hydrogen and syngas. PEFB bio-oil composition was simulated using bio-oil surrogates generated from a mixture of acetic acid, phenol, levoglucosan, palmitic acid and furfural. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the hydrogen and syngas yields were not sensitive to actual bio-oil composition, but were determined by a good match of molar elemental composition between real bio-oil and surrogate mixture. The maximum hydrogen yield obtained under constant reaction enthalpy and pressure was about 12 wt% at S/C = 1 and increased to about 18 wt% at S/C = 4; both yields occurring at equivalence ratio Φ of 0.31. The possibility of generating syngas with varying H2 and CO content using autothermal reforming was analysed and application of this process to fuel cells and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is discussed. Using a novel simple modelling methodology, reaction mechanisms were proposed which were able to account for equilibrium product distribution. It was evident that different combinations of reactions could be used to obtain the same equilibrium product concentrations. One proposed reaction mechanism, referred to as the ‘partial oxidation based mechanism’ involved the partial oxidation reaction of the bio-oil to produce hydrogen, with the extent of steam reforming and water gas shift reactions varying depending on the amount of oxygen used. Another proposed mechanism, referred to as the ‘complete oxidation based mechanism’ was represented by thermal decomposition of about 30% of bio-oil and hydrogen production obtained by decomposition, steam reforming, water gas shift and carbon gasification reactions. The importance of these mechanisms in assisting in the eventual choice of catalyst to be used in a real ATR of PEFB bio-oil process was discussed