Portable Power Generation for Remote Areas Using Hydrogen Generated via Maleic Acid-Promoted Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane.

A significant drawback to ammonia borane as a hydrogen storage material is the production of ammonia gas during hydrolysis. As a possible solution, maleic acid is shown to be capable of fully promoting hydrolysis of ammonia borane while also preventing ammonia release in excess of single digit parts per million. The reaction is shown to be relatively insensitive towards common water contaminants, with seawater, puddle water, and synthetic urine resulting in hydrogen evolution comparable to that observed when using highly pure deionized water.

Paraphoma Crown Rot of Pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium).

Pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium) is commercially cultivated for the extraction of natural pyrethrin insecticides from the oil glands inside seed. Yield decline has caused significant yield losses in Tasmania during the last decade. A new pathogen of pyrethrum causing crown rot and reduced growth of the plants in yield decline affected fields of northern Tasmania was isolated from necrotic crown tissue and described as Paraphoma vinacea.

Crop Damage from Sclerotinia Crown Rot and Risk Factors in Pyrethrum.

Sclerotinia crown rot, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and S. minor, is a prevalent disease in pyrethrum fields in Australia. Management involves fungicide applications during the rosette stage of plant development from autumn to early spring in fields approaching first harvest.

Minimizing Crop Damage Through Understanding Relationships Between Pyrethrum Phenology and Ray Blight Disease Severity.

The most damaging foliar disease of pyrethrum in Australia is ray blight caused by Stagonosporopsis tanaceti. The probability of growers incurring economic losses caused by this disease has been substantially reduced by the implementation of a prophylactically applied spring fungicide program. This has been traditionally initiated when 50% of the stems have reached between 5 and 10 cm in height.

Prehospital hypotension in blunt trauma: identifying the "crump factor".

Background: Trauma activation for prehospital hypotension in blunt trauma is controversial. Some patients subsequently arrive at the trauma center normotensive, but they can still have life-threatening injuries. Admission base deficit (BD)≤-6 correlates with injury severity, transfusion requirement, and mortality.

Improving Fungicide-Based Management of Ray Blight Disease in Tasmanian Pyrethrum Fields.

Ray blight disease, caused by Phoma ligulicola var. inoxydablis, is a serious threat to the Tasmanian pyrethrum industry. The management of this disease relies upon the strategic application of fungicides in early spring.

Quantifying Loss Caused by Ray Blight Disease in Tasmanian Pyrethrum Fields.

The efficacy of newly implemented fungicide recommendations on reducing the intensity of ray blight disease caused by Phoma ligulicola to achieve site-specific attainable yield potentials in Tasmanian pyrethrum fields was quantified over two seasons in 46 and 51 fields during the 2003 and 2004 growing seasons, respectively. Disease intensity and yield in two plots (10 × 24 m), one following the commercial fungicide protocol recommendations and the second receiving no fungicide, were assessed in each pyrethrum field. The commercial fungicide protocol consisted of one application of azoxystrobin at 150 g a.

The cost of multiple sclerosis in Australia.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) represents a significant economic burden both to the patient and to society. This study aims to provide information about direct and indirect costs of MS in Australia. Detailed questionnaires were completed for 100 patients over a 6-month period (12 months for hospitalization costs).

Characteristics of men who pay for sex: a UK sexual health clinic survey.

Background: Populations surveys in the United Kingdom have documented a doubling in the number of men paying for sex over the decade 1990 to 2000. We report the prevalence of this behaviour in men attending a sexual health clinic, and describe their characteristics.

Methods: Retrospective case note review.

Seedborne Infection of Pyrethrum by Phoma ligulicola.

The incidence of Phoma ligulicola in Tasmanian pyrethrum seed and methods of managing seedborne mycoflora were determined. Fourteen different fungi were regularly isolated from seed, including Alternaria tenuissima, Stemphylium botryosum, and P. ligulicola, which have been documented as pathogens of pyrethrum.

Development of a Fungicide-Based Management Strategy for Foliar Disease Caused by Phoma ligulicola in Tasmanian Pyrethrum Fields.

The efficacy of a range of fungicides were assessed under in vitro conditions in four field trials over three seasons for the management of ray blight of pyrethrum, caused by the fungus Phoma ligulicola in Tasmania. Fungicides belonging to the demethylation inhibitor group, including prochloraz, tebuconazole, difenoconazole, and cyproconazole, produced the most significant reduction in mycelial growth in vitro compared with unamended controls. Significant reductions in germination of conidia resulted from low concentrations of azoxystrobin.

Cervical spinal cord injury and the need for cardiovascular intervention.

Hypothesis: The level of cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) can be used to predict the need for a cardiovascular intervention.

Design: Retrospective review. Data included level of spinal cord injury, Injury Severity Score, lowest heart rate, and systolic blood pressure in the first 24 hours and intensive care unit course.

The value of a screen and treat policy for Chlamydia trachomatis in women attending for termination of pregnancy.

We aimed to assess the efficacy of a screen and treat policy for sexually transmitted infections in women requesting termination of pregnancy, with particular reference to Chlamydia trachomatis. A retrospective review of 100 consecutive cases of Chlamydia-positive women between December 1995 and February 1998, was performed. The referral rate to genitourinary medicine (GUM), the subsequent management, contact tracing and treatment of partners were assessed.

Effect of thrombin on proliferation, contraction and prostaglandin production of rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture.

The effect of thrombin on mesangial cell function was investigated. Thrombin caused a dose-dependent increase in [3H] thymidine incorporation (EC50 = 0.36 +/- 0.

Influence of a stable prostacyclin analogue (iloprost) and cyclooxygenase inhibition on angiotensin-II in the perfused human placenta.

Studies were undertaken on perfused human placentas to examine the effect of a stable prostacyclin analogue (iloprost) on the angiotensin-II (A-II) response in the placental vessels, and to examine how this response is influenced by cyclooxygenase inhibition. Iloprost, in doses of 1, 5, and 10 micrograms significantly reduced the response of 50 micrograms of A-II. The vasoconstriction produced by the autacoid was attenuated by the three doses of iloprost by 43.