Design of a surface alloy catalyst for steam reforming

Detailed studies of elementary chemical processes on well-characterized single crystal surfaces have contributed substantially to the understanding of heterogeneous catalysis. Insight into the structure of surface alloys combined with an understanding of the relation between the surface composition and reactivity is shown to lead directly to new ideas for catalyst design. The feasibility of such an approach is illustrated by the synthesis, characterization, and tests of a high-surface area gold-nickel catalyst for steam reforming.     

Identification of pinnatoxins and discovery of their fatty acid ester metabolites in mussels ( Mytilus edulis ) from eastern Canada

Pinnatoxins are a group of fast-acting cyclic imine toxins previously identified in shellfish from Asia, the southern Pacific, and northern Europe. In this work pinnatoxins were detected in mussels from locations across the eastern coast of Canada. Pinnatoxin G (6) was the major structural variant present, sometimes at levels >80 μg/kg, whereas much lower levels of pinnatoxin A (1) were detected in some samples. Increased concentrations were observed following base hydrolysis of extracts, leading to the discovery by LC-MS of a range of fatty acid esters of 6. Information on the structures of these acylated derivatives was provided through a series of mass spectrometric experiments, supported by partial synthesis, and it is proposed that the compounds are 28-O-acyl esters of 6. Although acyl esters of a range of other phycotoxins are known to form as metabolites in shellfish, this is the first report of their existence for this particular toxin class. The occurrence of pinnatoxins in North American shellfish further highlights the international distribution of these toxins.     

Estimating the mass of asteroid 253 mathilde from tracking data during the NEAR flyby

The terminal navigation of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft during its close flyby of asteroid 253 Mathilde involved coordinated efforts to determine the heliocentric orbits of the spacecraft and Mathilde and then to determine the relative trajectory of the spacecraft with respect to Mathilde. The gravitational perturbation of Mathilde on the passing spacecraft was apparent in the spacecraft tracking data. As a result of the accurate targeting achieved, these data could be used to determine Mathilde's mass as 1.033 (+/- 0.044) x 10(20) grams. Coupled with a volume estimate provided by the NEAR imaging team, this mass suggests a low bulk density for Mathilde of 1.3 grams per cubic centimeter.     

Haemolytic anaemia in cattle in NSW associated with Theileria infections

Several outbreaks of anaemia, jaundice, abortion and mortality in cattle in New South Wales were attributed to the intracellular parasite, Theileria buffeli . Disease occurred predominantly in periparturient animals that had been moved from inland to coastal areas. Diagnosis was made via exclusion of other causes of haemolytic anaemia and observation of the parasite in blood smears. Treatments included both registered and non-registered products. There is a possibility of a new strain of Theileria sp. in Australia and the possible vectors encountered in NSW are discussed.