A novel Pd-Cu-Zr hydrogen separation membrane with a high tolerance to sulphur poisoning.

The effects of the addition of small amount of Zr (less than 2 at%) to the fcc phase of the Pd-Cu hydrogen separation alloy were investigated. Hydrogen flux variations in Pd-Cu and Pd-Cu-Zr alloys in the presence of 1000 ppm H2S + H2 feed gas showed a marked effect of Zr addition in improving the resistance to sulphur poisoning.

Titmouse calling and foraging are affected by head and body orientation of cat predator models and possible experience with real cats.

Although anti-predator behavior systems have been studied in diverse taxa, less is known about how prey species detect and assess the immediate threat posed by a predator based on its behavior. In this study, we evaluated a potential cue that some species may utilize when assessing predation threat-the predator's body and head orientation. We tested the effect of this orientation cue on signaling and predation-risk-sensitive foraging of a prey species, tufted titmice (Baeolophus bicolor). Earlier work revealed sensitivity of titmice and related species to the presence of predator stimuli. Here, we manipulated cat models to face either toward or away from a food source preferred by titmice and then measured titmouse calling and seed-taking behavior. Titmice showed greater feeder avoidance when the cat predator models faced the feeder, compared to when the models faced away from the feeder or when titmice were exposed to control stimuli. Titmouse calling was also sensitive to predator head/body orientation, depending upon whether titmice were from sites where real cats had been observed or not. This study experimentally demonstrated that both calling and foraging of prey species can be affected by the head and body orientation of an important terrestrial predator. Prey species may therefore signal in strategic ways to conspecifics not just about predator presence, but also urgency of threat related to the more subtle cue of the head and body orientation of the predator. These findings hold potential implications for understanding animal cognition and learning processes.

Performance of a metal hydride store on the "Ross Barlow" hydrogen powered canal boat.

This project involved the conversion of a British Waterways maintenance craft to a canal boat, powered by a combination of a solid-state hydrogen store, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell, lead-acid battery pack and a high-efficiency, permanent magnet (NdFeB) electric motor. These replaced the conventional diesel engine thus eliminating water, noise, local and general atmospheric pollution. The "Protium" project applies modern technologies to a traditional mode of transportation. The TiMn2-based metal hydride store exhibited excellent performance as an effective means of storing 4 kg of hydrogen with a suitable desorption flow rate and temperature adequate for the operation of a 1 kW PEM fuel cell in a water-based environment.

Initial clinical experience with IV tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke: a multicenter survey. The t-PA Stroke Survey Group.

We assessed initial clinical experience with IV tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) treatment of acute ischemic stroke in a standardized retrospective survey of hospitals with experienced acute stroke treatment systems. The incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was 6% (11 of 189 patients; 95% CI 3 to 11%), similar to that in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) t-PA Stroke Study. Deviations from the NINDS protocol guidelines were identified in 30% of patients (56 of 189). The incidence of symptomatic ICH was 11% among patients with protocol deviations as compared with 4% in patients who were treated according to the NINDS protocol guidelines, suggesting that strict adherence to protocol guidelines is prudent.

A bacterial sensitivity test to determine the effectiveness of minocycline HCI (Minocin), erythromycin (Erythrocin) and ampicillin (Ampicin) on the predominant microorganisms present in a diseased periodontium.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the three antimicrobials--Minocycline HCI, Erythromycin and Ampicillin based on the percentage reduction of bacteria present in subgingival microflora and in vitro assessment of antibiotic susceptibility of cultured strains of predominant microorganisms present in a diseased periodontium. Twelve volunteers 18 to 65 years of age, with moderate to severe periodontal disease, were randomly divided into Group A and Group B of 6 members each. Oral lavage procedure was performed to Group A and Group B received systemic administration of antibiotic for five days. Patients 1 & 2, 3 & 4 and 5 & 6 received minocycline HCI, Erythromycin and Ampicillin respectively. Microbiologic samples in the subgingival crevicular area in selected tooth exhibiting clinical periodontal breakdown were obtained from all the subjects prior to and after the oral lavage procedure and systemic drug administration. Streptococcus viridans is the most predominant aerobic microorganism obtained from 83% of samples. However no anaerobic microorganism has been isolated. Bacterial sensitivity testing showed 60% of samples with positive growth of microorganisms (S. viridans) were also equally sensitive to Minocycline HCI, Erythromycin and Ampicillin. Oral lavage proved to be ineffective in reducing the number of bacteria. However, systemic drug administration revealed that there was a reduction in bacterial count after taking such antibiotics for five days which is more favorable to Minocycline HCI.

Determination of the spread of HIV from the AIDS incidence history.

The relation between the incidence of HIV in the general population, the number of AIDS cases, and the incubation period for the disease is examined. The number of AIDS cases can be expressed in terms of a convolution integral over the incubation period distribution and the temporal history of HIV incidence. In order to determine the level of HIV incidence it is necessary to invert the convolution. In this manner, it is possible to determine the spread of HIV up to the present time from knowledge of the AIDS incidence history and the incubation period. We describe the inversion of the convolution in terms of a Laplace transform technique that is applicable for any given incubation period distribution. Substantial simplifications in the technique are found in the case of an Erlang distribution for the probability density. The spread of HIV infections in the United States is charted through 1988 using AIDS incidence data that are corrected for both the revised AIDS case definition and reporting time delays. The results are consistent with current estimates of the HIV incidence in the United States and show no evidence of saturation in the rate of new infections. Indeed, the rate of new infections still appears to be climbing as of that date. While the technique is unable to predict the future course of the epidemic, it may provide a useful benchmark for comparison with mathematical models of the epidemic. The techniques are conceptually applicable to diseases other than AIDS.

Changes in craniofacial size and shape with two modes of orthodontic treatment.

Traditional cephalometric assessments not only provide cursory descriptions of craniofacial form but cannot withstand critical scientific appraisal. A more rigorous technique termed finite element analysis was used in this study. The study was based on lateral cephalographs from age-sex matched patient samples taken before and after the completion of orthodontic treatment. The results showed varying patterns of craniofacial change resulting from orthodontic treatment, compared with a control sample without treatment. These contrasts were shown to vary depending on the datum (nodal) point arrays used to define the component finite elements. The study therefore emphasized that the craniofacial changes resulting from orthodontic treatment are far more complex than envisaged from traditional cephalometric appraisals. These data also indicated the urgent need to investigate further the datum points used to define cephalometric form.