Current density mapping and optical flow visualisation of a polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyser

A polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyser (PEMWE) employing a segmented current collector made from a printed circuit board (PCB) with optical access to the channel has been demonstrated for the first time. The cell allows the local current density, flow regime and bubble formation dynamics to be studied in real time. Transition is observed from a flow of discrete bubbles at the start of the channel to long bullet shaped bubbles towards the end of the channel associated with a significant increase in local current density

Increasing frailty is associated with higher prevalence and reduced recognition of delirium in older hospitalised inpatients: results of a multi-centre study

Purpose Delirium is a neuropsychiatric disorder delineated by an acute change in cognition, attention, and consciousness. It is common, particularly in older adults, but poorly recognised. Frailty is the accumulation of deficits conferring an increased risk of adverse outcomes. We set out to determine how severity of frailty, as measured using the CFS, affected delirium rates, and recognition in hospitalised older people in the United Kingdom. Methods Adults over 65 years were included in an observational multi-centre audit across UK hospitals, two prospective rounds, and one retrospective note review. Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), delirium status, and 30-day outcomes were recorded. Results The overall prevalence of delirium was 16.3% (483). Patients with delirium were more frail than patients without delirium (median CFS 6 vs 4). The risk of delirium was greater with increasing frailty [OR 2.9 (1.8–4.6) in CFS 4 vs 1–3; OR 12.4 (6.2–24.5) in CFS 8 vs 1–3]. Higher CFS was associated with reduced recognition of delirium (OR of 0.7 (0.3–1.9) in CFS 4 compared to 0.2 (0.1–0.7) in CFS 8). These risks were both independent of age and dementia. Conclusion We have demonstrated an incremental increase in risk of delirium with increasing frailty. This has important clinical implications, suggesting that frailty may provide a more nuanced measure of vulnerability to delirium and poor outcomes. However, the most frail patients are least likely to have their delirium diagnosed and there is a significant lack of research into the underlying pathophysiology of both of these common geriatric syndromes

Galantamine inhibits β-amyloid aggregation and cytotoxicity

The ability of galantamine (Reminyl) to inhibit the aggregation and toxicity of the beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) was investigated. Galantamine showed concentration-dependent inhibition of aggregation of both Abeta 1-40 and Abeta 1-42, as determined by an ELISA method. Electron microscope studies of Abeta 1-40 incubated in the presence of galantamine revealed fibrils that were disordered and clumped in appearance. MTT and lactate dehydrogenase assays, employing SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, showed that galantamine reduced the cytotoxicity induced by Abeta 1-40. Galantamine also dramatically reduced Abeta 1-40-induced cellular apoptosis in these cells. There is some evidence that galantamine may not be acting purely as a symptomatic treatment. Disease-modifying effects of the drug could be due to an additional effect on Abeta aggregation and/or toxicity

Effect of compression on the water management of polymer electrolyte fuel cells An in operando neutron radiography study

In-depth understanding of the effect of compression on the water management in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is indispensable for optimisation of performance and durability. Here, in-operando neutron radiography is utilised to evaluate the liquid water distribution and transport within a PEFC under different levels of compression. A quantitative analysis is presented with the influence of compression on the water droplet number and median droplet surface area across the entire electrode area. Water management and performance of PEFCs is strongly affected by the compression: the cell compressed at 1.0 MPa demonstrates ∼3.2% and ∼7.8% increase in the maximum power density over 1.8 MPa and 2.3 MPa, respectively. Correlation of performance to neutron radiography reveals that the performance deviation in the mass transport region is likely due to flooding issues. This could be ascribed to the loss of the porosity and increased tortuosity factor of the gas diffusion layer under the land at higher compression pressure. The size and number of droplets formed as a function of cell compression was examined: with higher compression pressure, water droplet number and median droplet surface area rapidly increase, showing the ineffective water removal, which leads to fuel starvation and the consequent performance decay