An Alkaline-Acid Glycerol Electrochemical Reformer for Simultaneous Production of Hydrogen and Electricity.

This study shows the results, for the first time, of an glycerol alkaline-acid electrolyzer. Such a configuration allows spontaneous operation, producing energy and hydrogen simultaneously as a result of the utilization of the neutralization and fuel chemical energy. The electroreformer-built with a 20 wt% Pd/C anode and cathode, and a Na+-pretreated Nafion® 117-can simultaneously produce hydrogen and electricity in the low current density region, whereas it operates in electrolysis mode at high current densities. In the spontaneous region, the maximum power densities range from 1.23 mW cm-2 at 30 °C to 11.9 mW cm-2 at 90 °C, with a concomitant H2 flux ranging from 0.0545 STP m-3 m-2 h-1 at 30 °C to 0.201 STP m-3 m-2 h-1 at 90 °C, due to the beneficial effect of the temperature on the performance. Furthermore, over a chronoamperometric test, the electroreformer shows a stable performance over 12 h. As a challenge, proton crossover from the cathode to the anode through the cation exchange Nafion® partially reduces the pH gradient, responsible for the extra electromotive force, thus requiring a less permeable membrane.

The variability of the serve toss in tennis under the influence of artificial crosswind.

This study was made to analyze the variability and stability of the serve toss in tennis, on the x (side-to-side), y (back-to-front) and z (vertical) axes, with 12 experienced players under the influence of crosswind (induced aerodynamic flow) produced by an industrial ventilator. The players were analyzed individually after serving at maximum speed and accuracy to the intersection point of the centre line and service line ("T "point). The results allow us to conclude that the experienced players tend to stabilize the vertical dimension of the service (z axis). Additionally, this study confirms the invariability of the player height ratio: height of impact (1:1.5) in experienced players even when constrained by the "artificial crosswind. "Given the above, the vertical dimension of the tennis serve is assumed as a constant feature, which is guaranteed in the remaining varying dimensions (y and x axes) of the ball toss. Thus, the variability should be seen as part of the solution and not as something to be avoided by players and coaches. Key PointsAnalysis of the tennis serve variability under the effect of artificial crosswindTwelve experienced tennis players performed a set of 20 free serves (without wind constraints), and four other sets of 20 serves under different practice conditions (with different crosswind intensities)The players tend to stabilize in the z axis and vary in the y- (back-to-front) and x-axes (side-to-side) during the ball toss tennis serve in all the practice conditions (with and without crosswind)THE MAINTENANCE OF A PLAYER HEIGHT RATIO: impact height of approximately 1:1.5 in experienced players, even when constrained by "artificial crosswind".

Cognition, functioning and quality of life in schizophrenia treatment: results of a one-year randomized controlled trial of olanzapine and quetiapine.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive deficits are recognized as a critical determinant of functional outcomes in schizophrenia; and second generation antipsychotic drugs have been touted for their potential to enhance cognitive functioning and community tenure. OBJECTIVES: The study examined the relative merits of olanzapine and quetiapine in improving cognitive deficits and enhancing psychosocial functioning in a sample of community dwelling adults previously treated with first generation antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia. METHODS: In a prospective, rater-blinded study, 86 participants were randomized to receive either olanzapine or quetiapine, and assessed at baseline and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Outcome measures included, besides symptoms and side effects rating scales, the subjective scale to investigate cognition in schizophrenia (SSTICS), a computer-assisted cognitive test battery (COGLAB), the sickness impact profile (SIP), the global assessment of functioning (GAF) scale, and the drug attitude inventory (DAI). RESULTS: Both olanzapine and quetiapine were equally effective in improving symptom severity and decreasing the neurological side effects. Quetiapine was significantly better tolerated (p=0.002), improved self-rated cognitive dysfunction (p=0.002) and subjects' performance on selected neurocognitive tasks (p=0.01). Olanzapine use was associated with greater symptom stability, fewer drop outs (p=0.01) and frequent metabolic aberrations (p=0.001). The accrued benefits of drug therapy, however, were not reflected as significant gains in daily functioning and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Quetiapine is noted to have specific cognition enhancing properties in schizophrenia that warrants further exploration. The observed clinical and cognitive benefits associated with quetiapine may likely be attributable to its loose binding to, and fast dissociation from the dopamine receptors. Olanzapine has proved to be a reliable antipsychotic drug with a greater liability to cause metabolic abnormalities.

Color preferences of borderline patients and of normal controls.

20 female patients who met the DSM-III-R criteria for the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder and 23 normal female controls were asked to rank-order eight Lüscher color cards, at first with no specific use for the colors mentioned, then as a color for their own dress or jacket, then for their living room, and then as a color they would like their friend to wear. Very few statistically significant differences (p < .01, 2-tailed) between the groups were found. Borderline patients ranked more favourably than controls the use of black color for their living room (Pearson r = .51) and were less likely to favour grey color for this purpose (r = -.45). When no specific use for colors was mentioned, the borderline patients ranked red more favourably than the control group (r = .47). Within the normal control group, statistically significant differences between the ranks of the same color were noted depending on the particular use of the particular color.

Introducing problem-based learning into a traditional undergraduate medical curriculum.

Problem-based learning (PBL) has been introduced into the undergraduate curricula in most Canadian medical schools. In the University of Western Ontario model, we set aside 20% of time to PBL in the first two years of the programme and the rest for didactic methods. The objective of this article is to discuss 6 years of our experience with the model and the process and problems of introducing PBL into a traditional curriculum. The importance, and methods for developing good cases which are multidisciplinary and 'three-dimensional' (biological, behavioural/ psychosocial and population issues) are emphasized. The challenges have been to: integrate the underlying teaching/learning values of two different methods, develop a valid and reliable examination/evaluation procedure, and keep the faculty interested and continually improving their skills. Students have welcomed the break from lectures and the challenge to explore in-depth areas of special interest. The most positive outcomes of this curricular change have been an increased interest in medical education reform in general, and enhanced recognition of teaching in relation to appointments and promotions.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a preventive program.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is a very serious side effect of antipsychotic medications. The paper describes a preventative program which was instituted in an inpatient unit of a provincial psychiatric hospital. There have been no mortalities from Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) during this program. A suspicion of NMS by clinical evaluation and laboratory tests resulted in prompt management. The recommended management plan is described.

Suicide among immigrant psychiatric patients in Canada.

Ninety-four Canadian-born psychiatric patients who committed suicide were compared with 23 foreign-born patients committing suicide in Canada. East Europeans were over-represented, and significant differences were found in the age distribution, stress, level of education, social isolation, and methods of suicide. Most foreign-born patients had come to Canada for family or economic reasons but were unemployed, with poor social integration. Employment, housing, education, social integration and a support network seem to be important in preventing these deaths. Cultural evaluation of the patient and early intervention is recommended.

Incipient neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

Recognising confusion as an antecedent to NMS may help abort the full-blown syndrome. Two such cases are reported, along with a third.

Some factors relating to satisfactory post-discharge community maintenance of chronic psychotic patients.

The length of time a group of 70 psychiatric patients could be maintained in the community following discharge from a provincial hospital was found to be significantly related to post-discharge compliance with medication and to the level of discharge planning (well planned versus unplanned, or patient prematurely self-discharged against medical advice). Various demographic and clinical variables were unrelated to the length of post-discharge survival in the community.

The impact of the amended Ontario Mental Health Act (Bill 7) on patients discharging themselves from hospital against medical advice (AMA): a preliminary study.

Bill 7, the most recent amendment to the Ontario Mental Health Act was introduced in December 1986. It has resulted in some major changes to the practice of psychiatry, especially in provincial hospitals. We compared patients who had discharged themselves against medical advice (AMA) during the six months before the Bill was enacted, with those who discharged themselves AMA in the 12 months following. Significantly more patients discharged themselves AMA in the post- than the pre-Bill period. The majority of these were potentially treatable, acutely ill individuals with schizophrenia or affective disorder. We argue that Bill 7 has largely failed in its objective to improve the overall "quality of care" to psychiatric patients, at least in the short term.

Consent to treat: clinical and legal implications.

Procedural requirements under the provisions of the Mental Health Act can delay the implementation of treatment for an involuntary psychiatric patient refusing treatment. The authors present such a case where treatment could not be given for nearly two months during which the patient's condition sharply deteriorated. With treatment, the patient improved within two weeks and was allowed to go home. Considerable time and money was spent in the Regional Review Board hearings. The implications of the case are discussed and it is recommended that steps be taken to prevent the interference of a bureaucratic legal system in the day to day practice of psychiatry.