Sonic Boom: Six Decades of Research

Sonic booms generated by aircraft traveling at supersonic speeds have been the subject of extensive aeronautics research for over 60 years. Hundreds of papers have been published that document the experimental and analytical research conducted during this time period. The purpose of this publication is to assess and summarize this work and establish the state-of-the-art for researchers just entering the field, or for those interested in a particular aspect of the subject. This publication consists of ten chapters that cover the experimental and analytical aspects of sonic boom generation, propagation and prediction with summary remarks provided at the end of each chapter. Aircraft maneuvers, sonic boom minimization, simulation techniques and devices as well as human, structural, and other responses to sonic booms are also discussed. The geometry and boom characteristics of various low-boom concepts, both large civil transports and smaller business-jet concepts, are included. The final chapter presents an assessment of civilian supersonic overland flight and highlights the need for continued research and a low-boom demonstrator vehicle. Summary remarks are provided at the end of each chapter. The studies referenced in this publication have been drawn from over 500 references

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel N-phenyl-5-carboxamidyl Isoxazoles as Potential Chemotherapeutic Agents for Colon Cancer

Abstract A new series of isoxazole derivatives, N-phenyl-5-carboxamidyl isoxazoles, was investigated for their anticancer activity with solid tumor selectivity. Six N-phenyl-5-carboxamidylisoxazoles were chemically synthesized and evaluated by the in vitro disk-diffusion assay and IC 50 cytotoxicity determination. The results showed that one of the derivatives, compound 3, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-carboxamidyl isoxazole, was the most active against colon 38 and CT-26 mouse colon tumor cells with an IC 50 of 2.5 µg/mL for both cell lines. Western blot analysis showed that compound 3 significantly down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated STAT3 in both human and mouse colon cancer cells indicating that the mechanism of action for compound 3 may involve the inhibition of JAK3/STAT3 signaling pathways. Flow cytometric analysis with Annexin V staining showed that the death induced by compound 3 is mediated through cell necrosis and not apoptotic pathway. In summary, our results show that compound 3 is a new N-phenyl-5-carboxamidyl isoxazole with potential anticancer activity. Compound 3 inhibits the phosphorylation of STAT3, a novel target for chemotherapeutic drugs, and is worthy of further investigation as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for treating colon cancer

Differential Expressed Genes Identified Between African American and European American Keloid Fibroblasts

Keloids are benign fibroproliferative tumors due to dysregulation of collagen remodeling and abnormal wound healing. Although worldwide, there is a higher incidence of keloid disease (KD) in skin of color, little is known about this predisposition. In this study, we used one tissue micro array slide comprised of six AA and 6 EA punch biopsies of primary untreated keloid tissue from the head and neck area was created, following the NanoString® DSP Technology Access Program protocol. The GeoMx Human Whole Transcriptome Atlas Assay was performed, using morphology marker FAP. Polygonal region of interests selection strategy for Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) positive cells was conducted. Univariate analysis was performed, using linear regression models to identify differentially expressed genes (DEG) at a false discovery rate (FDR) of 0.05. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) software was used to determine DEG pathway enrichment. 1,450 DEG were identified (p-va

Photochemical Silene Syntheses

We report the attempted syntheses of two photochemical dimethylsilene precursors, both of which are derived from polyphenyl silanorbornadiene skeletons. Possible synthetic schemes and our results are reported herein. Photolysis of 1,2-divinyl-1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-1,2-disilane at room temperature in a cyclohexane solution of 1,3-butadiene produces 1,1-dimethyl-2-(vinyldimethylsilylmethyl) silene which is trapped in high yields to afford the E- and Z-1,1-dimethyl-2-(vinyldimethylsilylmethyl)-3-vinyl-1-silacyclobutanes in 42 and 29% yields, respectively, along with minor amounts of 1,1-dimethyl-2-(vinyldimethylsilylmethyl)-1-silacyclohex-3-ene, 9%. Low Pressure Flow Pyrolysis at 450º C of either the E- or Z-isomer provides a relatively mild thermal source of the silene in the gas phase. Two products, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilacyclohex-3-ene and 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-2,5-disilabicyclo[2.2.1]hexane, are formed from an intramolecular rearrangement of the silene. Other reactions of the 3-vinylsilacyclobutanes include geometric isomerization, ring expansion to the silacyclohex-3-ene, and a homodienyl-1,5-hydrogen shift to 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-3,6-disiladeca-1,4,8-triene. Synthetic schemes, successful and unsuccessful, for hydrido silene, acylpolysilene, and fluorine substituted silene precursors are discussed in the final chapter

Early pregnancy vitamin D and patterns of antenatal inflammation in African-American women

Vitamin D is essential for the health of both mother and fetus during pregnancy. In the nonpregnant state, vitamin D demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects, but little is known about this relationship during pregnancy. African-American women are at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency and for altered inflammatory responses during pregnancy. Therefore, we investigated the association of early pregnancy vitamin D nutrition, as assessed by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), with second-trimester inflammatory biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β and TNF-α) in 178 pregnant African-American women. Mean serum 25-OHD was 13.4. ±. 8.4. ng/ml, and most women (n= 147, 82.6%) had inadequate or deficient levels of 25-OHD (\u3c20. ng/ml). Both serum 25-OHD and some inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) demonstrated significant seasonal variation. In univariate models, log transformed 25-OHD was significantly and inversely associated with log transformed IL-1β (p= 0.002) and log transformed IL-6 (p= 0.032). After adjusting for covariates, including seasonality, only the inverse association with IL-1β remained statistically significant (p= 0.027). Early pregnancy vitamin D nutrition is associated with some inflammatory biomarkers in mid-pregnancy. Additional studies are needed to determine if low vitamin D nutrition is associated with birth outcomes via an inflammatory-mediated pathway

Effect of Irradiation and Gold Nanoparticle on Expression Dynamics of Cell Surface Markers in MDA-MB 231 Breast Cancer Cells

Cell surface molecules expressed on cancer cells can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. In breast cancer, CD44 and CD24 were identified as cell surface markers characterizing cancer cell stemness that may correlate with prognosis. Breast cancer cells with high CD44 and low CD24 expression have been shown to exhibit proliferative, invasive and metastatic properties that may relate to drug sensitivity and metastatic risk in patients. In addition to stemness, immune evasion is another hallmark of cancer with CD47 “don\u27t eat me” and CD274 “don\u27t find me” molecules playing important roles in antitumor immunity. Although each of these molecules are of interest as therapeutic targets, current therapeutic paradigms involve multimodal approach with radiation therapy often having a central role. Hence, the effect of irradiation, and related radiosensitizers, on the expression of cancer cells surface markers to be targeted with an adjuvant therapeutic mode must be considered when designing such therapies. The goal of this study was to determine the dynamics of CD44, CD24, CD47 and CD274 expression in radio-sensitized and irradiated MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells. We have recently reported that gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) sensitized breast cancer cells to irradiation at kV and MV energies. Here, we hypothesize that AuNP may also modulate the irradiation altered expression of cell surface markers. We explored this by using 10 MV energies and 6 Gy radiation dose. MDA-MB-231 cells were incubated for 3 hours with 14nm AuNPs, irradiated and allowed to grow for 24h and 72h after which percenteges of positive cells were determined by flow cytometry. Results are expressed as a percent of control, non-irradiated cells that was set at 100%. At 24h non-irradiated cells pre-incubated with AuNP exhibited a decrease in the percentage of CD24+ and CD44+ cells, while no significant change in the percentage of CD47+ and CD274+ cells was observed. Irradiation with 6Gy at 10 MV induced a decrease in CD24+ and an increase in CD44+ cells and AuNP potentiated this effect. However, 72h post-irradiation, percentages of CD24+ and CD44+ cells significantly increased, compared to non-irradiated controls and this effect was of lesser magnitude in AuNP pretreated cells. Percentage of CD47+ and CD274+ cells also significantly increased 24h post-irradiation, but with less magnitude in AuNP treated cells. At 72h in AuNP treated irradiated cells no change was observed in the percentage of CD274+ cells, while the percentage of CD47+ cells significantly increased in comparison to the irradiated cells not exposed to AuNPs. Preliminary data shown here indicate that expression of molecules important for cancer progression, metastasis and immune evasion undergo changes in response to irradiation, and that these changes are affected by AuNPs. Further studies will shed more light on the mechanisms behind these observed effects

Plasma levels of F-actin and F:G-actin ratio as potential new biomarkers in patients with septic shock.

OBJECTIVE: To compare plasma levels of F-actin, G-actin and thymosin beta 4 (TB4) in humans with septic shock, noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and healthy controls. RESULTS: F-actin was significantly elevated in septic shock as compared with noninfectious SIRS and healthy controls. G-actin levels were greatest in the noninfectious SIRS group but significantly elevated in septic shock as compared with healthy controls. TB4 was not detectable in the septic shock or noninfectious SIRS group above the assay\u27s lowest detection range (78 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: F-actin is significantly elevated in patients with septic shock as compared with noninfectious SIRS. F-actin and the F:G-actin ratio are potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of septic shock

Testing of a Program to Automatically Analyze Students’ Concept Maps

Concept maps are graphical representations of how various concepts relate to one another. Assessment of concept maps developed by students in the pharmacy curriculum helps to evaluate student understanding of course material. However, providing feedback on concept maps can be time-consuming and often requires the grader to be a content expert. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a software program to provide students with feedback on their concept map performance. Student maps for four different disease states were compared against expert concept maps. The analysis of the program compared favorably to a manual assessment of student maps for the maps’ complexity and content but did not correlate for their organization. The value of using a software program to quickly and efficiently analyze concept maps is discussed