Mark Mazower (ed.), Networks of Power in Modern Greece: Essays in Honour of John Campbell

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A concise review on microwave-assisted polycondensation reactions and curing of polycondensation polymers with focus on the effect of process conditions

During the past 15 years, increasing application of microwave heating to polycondensation reactions has been witnessed. Experiments have been carried out at laboratory scale using widely different experimental procedures. The use of microwaves has often led to significant benefits compared to conventional heating experiments in terms of multi-fold decrease in reaction times and energy consumption and production of polymers with increased molecular weight and improved mechanical properties. In other cases, microwaves do not appear to produce any significant benefits compared to conventional heating. At present, guidelines to experimentalist as to the process conditions and experimental design that should be applied are missing and experimentation seems to be based on an empirical trial-and-error approach. In view of the very different experimental protocols that have been applied and the contradictory trends that are frequently reported, we aim in this review to shed light on the role of important process parameters, such as the presence and type of solvent, the dielectric properties of the mixture and the individual phases, the use of heterogeneous catalysts, pressure, stirring, reflux conditions, temperature measurement method and microwave absorbing fillers, which all seem to determine the occurrence and magnitude of the benefits enabled by microwaves during polycondensation reactions

Recycling of spent solid CO2 adsorbents via catalytic pyrolysis for the recovery of mesoporous silica and valuable heteroaromatic chemicals

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Laparoscopic motor learning and workspace exploration

Background: Laparoscopic surgery requires operators to learn novel complex movement patterns. However, our understanding of how best to train surgeons’ motor skills is inadequate and research is needed to determine optimal laparoscopic training regimes. This difficulty is confounded by variables inherent in surgical practice – e.g. the increasing prevalence of morbidly obese patients presents additional challenges related to restriction of movement due to abdominal wall resistance and reduced intra-abdominal space. The aim of this study was to assess learning of a surgery related task in constrained and unconstrained conditions using a novel system linking a commercially available robotic arm with specialised software creating the novel kinematic assessment tool (Omni-KAT). Methods: We created an experimental tool that records motor performance by linking a commercially available robotic arm with specialised software that presents visual stimuli and objectively measures movement outcome (kinematics). Participants were given the task of generating aiming movements along a horizontal plane to move a visual cursor on a vertical screen. One group received training that constrained movements to the correct plane whilst the other group was unconstrained and could explore the entire ‘action space’. Results: The tool successfully generated the requisite force fields and precisely recorded the aiming movements. Consistent with predictions from structural learning theory, the unconstrained group produced better performance after training as indexed by movement duration (p < .05). Conclusion: The data showed improved performance for participants who explored the entire action space, highlighting the importance of learning the full dynamics of laparoscopic instruments. These findings, alongside the development of the Omni-KAT, open up exciting prospects for better understanding of the learning processes behind surgical training and investigating ways in which learning can be optimised

Attrition-enhanced deracemization of NaClO3 : comparison between ultrasonic and abrasive grinding

Ultrasound-enhanced grinding is a more practical alternative to glass bead-enhanced grinding for performing attrition-enhanced deracemization at large scale or in continuous flow. In this work, both ultrasound-enhanced grinding (41.2 kHz) and glass bead-enhanced grinding were applied to induce Viedma deracemization of sodium chlorate (NaClO3) crystals in isothermal conditions. The results demonstrate that high intensity, low frequency ultrasound can achieve efficient grinding of enantiomorphous NaClO3 crystals, producing small crystal size and narrow size distribution, both being highly desirable final product properties. Monitoring the width of the crystal size distribution reveals its crucial role and offers further insight into the underlying phenomena in the deracemization process. Compared to glass bead-enhanced grinding, ultrasound-enhanced grinding resulted in faster crystal size reduction and rapid initial deracemization. However, a further increase in the enantiomeric excess was hindered after prolonged times of ultrasonication. This ensues probably due to the absence of crystal size-induced solubility gradients, owing to the existence of close to monodispersed sized crystals after the initial stage in the ultrasound-enhanced grinding process. We show that this can be overcome by combining (a) ultrasound with glass beads or (b) ultrasound with seeding, both of which led to enantiopurity

Effectiveness of a comprehensive mental skills curriculum in enhancing surgical performance: Results of a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: We hypothesized that the implementation of a novel mental skills curriculum (MSC) during laparoscopic simulator training would improve mental skills and performance, and decrease stress. METHODS: Sixty volunteer novices were randomized into intervention and control groups. All participants received FLS training while the intervention group also participated in the MSC. Skill transfer and retention were assessed on a live porcine model after training and 2 months later, respectively. Performance was assessed using the Test of Performance Strategies-2 (TOPS-2) for mental skills, FLS metrics for laparoscopic performance, and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6) and heart rate (HR) for stress. RESULTS: Fifty-five participants (92%) completed training and the transfer test, and 46 (77%) the retention test. There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. Compared to controls the intervention group significantly improved their mental skill use, demonstrated higher laparoscopic skill improvement during retention, and reported less stress during the transfer test. CONCLUSIONS: The MSC implemented in this study effectively enhanced participants' mental skill use, reduced cognitive stress in the operating room with a small impact on laparoscopic performance

Visuo-spatial ability in colonoscopy simulator training

Visuo-spatial ability is associated with a quality of performance in a variety of surgical and medical skills. However, visuo-spatial ability is typically assessed using Visualization tests only, which led to an incomplete understanding of the involvement of visuo-spatial ability in these skills. To remedy this situation, the current study investigated the role of a broad range of visuo-spatial factors in colonoscopy simulator training. Fifteen medical trainees (no clinical experience in colonoscopy) participated in two psycho-metric test sessions to assess four visuo-spatial ability factors. Next, participants trained flexible endoscope manipulation, and navigation to the cecum on the GI Mentor II simulator, for four sessions within 1 week. Visualization, and to a lesser degree Spatial relations were the only visuo-spatial ability factors to correlate with colonoscopy simulator performance. Visualization additionally covaried with learning rate for time on task on both simulator tasks. High Visualization ability indicated faster exercise completion. Similar to other endoscopic procedures, performance in colonoscopy is positively associated with Visualization, a visuo-spatial ability factor characterized by the ability to mentally manipulate complex visuo-spatial stimuli. The complexity of the visuo-spatial mental transformations required to successfully perform colonoscopy is likely responsible for the challenging nature of this technique, and should inform training- and assessment design. Long term training studies, as well as studies investigating the nature of visuo-spatial complexity in this domain are needed to better understand the role of visuo-spatial ability in colonoscopy, and other endoscopic techniques

Subtle Microwave-Induced Overheating Effects in an Industrial Demethylation Reaction and Their Direct Use in the Development of an Innovative Microwave Reactor

A systematic study of the conventional and microwave (MW) kinetics of an industrially relevant demethylation reaction is presented. In using industrially relevant reaction conditions the dominant influence of the solvent on the MW energy dissipation is avoided. Below the boiling point, the effect of MWs on the activation energy Ea and k0 is found nonexistent. Interestingly, under reflux conditions, the microwave-heated (MWH) reaction displays very pronounced zero-order kinetics, displaying a much higher reaction rate than observed for the conventionally thermal-heated (CTH) reaction. This is related to a different gas product (methyl bromide, MeBr) removal mechanism, changing from classic nucleation into gaseous bubbles to a facilitated removal through escaping gases/vapors. Additionally, the use of MWs compensates better for the strong heat losses in this reaction, associated with the boiling of HBr/water and the loss of MeBr, than under CTH. Through modeling, MWH was shown to occur inhomogeneously around gas/liquid interfaces, resulting in localized overheating in the very near vicinity of the bubbles, overall increasing the average heating rate in the bubble vicinity vis-à-vis the bulk of the liquid. Based on these observations and findings, a novel continuous reactor concept is proposed in which the escaping MeBr and the generated HBr/water vapors are the main driving forces for circulation. This reactor concept is generic in that it offers a viable and low cost option for the use of very strong acids and the managed removal/quenching of gaseous byproducts