Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, a first passage, and a second passage, wherein the anode is disposed in the first passage and the cathode in the second passage including producing a non-explosive gaseous feed consisting of (i) at least one oxidizable component having a greater tendency to undergo oxidation relative to the anode, and (ii) a remainder which is the predominant component in the gaseous feed consisting essentially of water vapor; and introducing the non-explosive gaseous feed to the first passage to form a first gaseous feed stream flowing through the first passage when the anode realizes a temperature effective to facilitate deteriorative oxidation of the anode in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The non-explosive gaseous feed is provided to mitigate or prevent anode oxidation and the formation of potentially explosive gaseous mixtures.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present comprises an air inlet 2, a series of fuel cells 6, a new fuel inlet 14, a fuel distributor 16, a recirculation plenum 19, and an exhaust 12. Fresh fuel from the fuel distributor 16 enters the fuel cell stack in a middle-third section of the fuel cell stack, and the fresh fuel is divided into an exhaust fuel 12 flow and a recirculation fuel flow 18. The exhaust fuel flow passes along a first portion of the series of fuel cells to the exhaust, and the recirculation fuel flow passes along a second portion of the series of fuel cells to the recirculation plenum and mixes with new fuel from the new fuel inlet in the fuel distributor. The recirculation plenum is located at an opposite end of the fuel cell stack from the exhaust, and the fuel-cell stack is of a seal-less design.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel assembly is made, wherein rows (14, 25) of fuel cells (17, 19, 21, 27, 29, 31), each having an outer interconnection (20) and an outer electrode (32), are disposed next to each other with corrugated, electrically conducting expanded metal mesh member (22) between each row of cells, the corrugated mesh (22) having top crown portions and bottom portions, where the top crown portion (40) have a top bonded open cell nickel foam (51) which contacts outer interconnections (20) of the fuel cells, said mesh and nickel foam electrically connecting each row of fuel cells, and where there are no more metal felt connections between any fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, a first passage, and a second passage, wherein the anode is disposed in the first passage and the cathode is disposed in the second passage, comprising: producing a non-explosive gaseous feed consisting of (i) at least one oxidizable component having a greater tendency to undergo oxidation relative to the anode, and (ii) a remainder, wherein the remainder is the predominant component in the gaseous feed and consists essentially of water vapor, and introducing the non-explosive gaseous feed to the first passage to form a first gaseous feed stream flowing through the first passage when the anode realizes a temperature effective to facilitate deteriorative oxidation of the anode in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The non-explosive gaseous feed is provided to mitigate or prevent anode oxidation and to mitigate or prevent the formation of potentially explosive gaseous mixtures.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel assembly is made, wherein rows (14, 25) of fuel cells (17, 19, 21, 27, 29, 31), each having an outer interconnection (20) and an outer electrode (32), are disposed next to each other with corrugated, electrically conducting expanded metal mesh member (22) between each row of cells, the corrugated mesh (22) having top crown portions and bottom portions, where the top crown portion (40) have a top bonded open cell nickel foam (51) which contacts outer interconnections (20) of the fuel cells, said mesh and nickel foam electrically connecting each row of fuel cells, and where there are no more metal felt connections between any fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of determining the genotype at a duplicated region of a genome. The methods involve (a) amplifying the DNA, preferably using four amplification primers The exemplary methods produce a first amplicon corresponding to a first distinct region or gene by utilizing a first primer and a second primer which are selected to produce the first amplicon in the presence of the first distinct region or gene, but not in absence of the first distinct region or gene. A second amplicon corresponding to a second distinct region or gene is also produced by utilizing a third primer and a fourth primer which are selected to produce the second amplicon in the presence of the second distinct region or gene, but not in the absence of the second distinct region or gene. A third and/or fourth amplicon corresponding to a hybrid gene or genes is/are also produced if a hybrid gene is present.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, a first passage, and a second passage, wherein the anode is disposed in the first passage and the cathode is disposed in the second passage, comprising: producing a non-explosive gaseous feed consisting of (i) at least one oxidizable component having a greater tendency to undergo oxidation relative to the anode, and (ii) a remainder, wherein the remainder is the predominant component in the gaseous feed and consists essentially of water vapor, and introducing the non-explosive gaseous feed to the first passage to form a first gaseous feed stream flowing through the first passage when the anode realizes a temperature effective to facilitate deteriorative oxidation of the anode in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The non-explosive gaseous feed is provided to mitigate or prevent anode oxidation and to mitigate or prevent the formation of potentially explosive gaseous mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of a COX-2 inhibitior and an NK-1 receptor antagonist for the treatment or prevention of inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: A self-contained diaper changing kit that can include a diaper that is formed with interior and exterior surfaces of anterior and posterior portions, and which incorporates a generally unitary container that is configured to attach to the exterior surface of the diaper. The container is formed with a plurality such as three or more unsealable and also possibly resealable receptacles. One or any of the receptacles can be further adapted with at least one scission element that is configured in any number of arrangements to unseal the corresponding receptacle. In one variation of many possible configurations, the container can include at least three unsealable and possibly resealable receptacles wherein one receptacle can contain a substantially liquid substance such as a lotion or medicament, another receptacle can be received with a substantially powdered substance, and another receptacle can capture and store a sheet material such as a pre-dampened towel or wiping material.

Abstract: A container (10) includes a base (12), a pair of opposed endwalls (14) and a pair of opposed sidewalls (16), each sidewall having at least one reinforcing pillar (20) to form at least one pair of opposed reinforcing pillars with bracing means (26) extending between the opposed reinforcing pillars for bracing the sidewalls from bulging outwardly under load.

Abstract: The present invention relates to benzimidazolinylpiperidine derivatives useful as ligands for CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) receptors, their use in therapy, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and methods of treatment using them.

Abstract: A housing (2) for mounting a gas generatot (7) in a pyrotechnic pretensioner, the housing comprising a hollow container for supporting the gas generator, the container having an opening through which the gas generator (7) may be inserted and having a tapered end section (20) arranged to be adjacent and to co-operate with a gas outlet end of the gas generator to provide a seal around the gas outlet, and the hpusing having a cover (8) for closing the container opening, the cover having a tapered wedge member (22) extending into the container in use at the opposite end to the tapered end section (20) to urge the gas generator (7) towards the tapered end section (20) of the container, in a close fit manner. The wedge(22) is preferably integral with the housing cover (8). This housing makes fitting of the gas generator easier and improves the seal between it and the pretensioner thus improving performance.

Abstract: A pressurized fuel cell system (10), operates within a common pressure vessel (12) where the system contains fuel cells (22), a turbine (26) and a generator (98) where preferably, associated oxidant inlet valve (52), fuel inlet valve (56) and fuel cell exhaust valve (42) are outside the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a catheter with a distal anchor. Suture threads extend from the anchor to the control mechanism. A first body contains a reel with a radial port through which the suture threads extend to be received in a termination structure on a second, partially concentric and axially coextensive body of the control mechanism. Rotation of the second body wraps and unwraps the sutures about the reel thereby to remove or introduce slack into the suture threads after the anchor device forms. Removing slack in the suture threads prevents complete straightening of the anchor device and therefore inadvertent removal of the catheter from the patient.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for treating pain and nociception in a patient by administering a combination of a morpholine or thiomorpholine tachykinin antagonist and an opioid analgesic.

Abstract: A drainage catheter includes a tubular member with an anchor at a distal end and suture threads extending from the anchor to the proximal ends of the tubular member. A locking mechanism attaches to the proximal end of the tubular member and includes a body with an extension of the lumen. A displaceable body in the locking mechanism body attaches to the proximal end of the sutures to control the amount of slack or tension in the suture threads. An extension of that displaceable body lies externally of the locking mechanism body to enable the operation of the displaceable body without handling the suture threads.

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus has a 3-point seatbelt, with a buckle head, and a crash sensor. A pretensioner is connected at the buckle head of the seatbelt for pulling in a length of seatbelt webbing in response to the crash sensor detecting a crash. The pretensioner has a force reservoir and a piston located within and for movement along a pretensioner cylinder under the force of gas from a gas generator. The piston is connected by a cable to the buckle head of the seatbelt. A cable bracket has an inner and outer guide, and wherein the pretensioner cylinder is attached to the inner guide and the buckle mounting is connected to the outer guide.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic pretensioner for a vehicle safety belt comprises a piston slidably movable within a cylinder and attached to one end of a cable. The piston is driven along the cylinder by a gas generator to pull the cable and tension the safety belt. A locking device allows free movement of the piston in a tensioning direction and engages the cylinder to prevents movement of the piston in a loosening direction. The internal surface of the cylinder has a tooth profile engaged by the locking device. The piston has two resilient sealing members which cooperate with the tooth profile to seal the spaces between the teeth. The two sealing members are spaced apart by an odd integral number of half pitches of the teeth.

Abstract: A class of substituted 7,8-ring fused 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazine derivatives as shown in Formula I, possessing an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, phenyl or heteroaryl substituent at the 3-position and a substituted alkoxy moiety at the 6-position, are selective ligands for GABA.sub.A receptors, in particular having high affinity for the .alpha.2 and/or .alpha.3 subunit thereof, and are accordingly of benefit in the treatment and/or prevention of pain.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a catheter with a distal anchor. Suture threads extend from the anchor to the control mechanism. A first body contains a reel with a radial port through which the suture threads extend to be received in a termination structure on a second, partially concentric and axially coextensive body of the control mechanism. Rotation of the second body wraps and unwraps the sutures about the reel thereby to remove or introduce slack into the suture threads after the anchor device forms. Removing slack in the suture threads prevents complete straightening of the anchor device and therefore inadvertent removal of the catheter from the patient.