Concept to standardize space vehicle piggyback experiment modules

Study investigates the use of spent launch vehicle stages and modules to support earth orbital operations and functions after successful completion of the primary mission. Emphasis is placed primarily on determination of those uses that afford the greatest utility with minimum possibility of degradation to the primary mission

Effects of acetaminophen on estrogen-responsive alkaline phosphatase in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells

This study examines the effect of acetaminophen (APAP) on the estrogen-responsive gene alkaline phosphatase in Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells. Basal levels of alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly inhibited in cells treated with 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 and 1mM APAP compared to control. Alkaline phosphatase activity induced with 1nM estradiol was significantly inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by 0.0.1, 0.3 and 1mM APAP. APAP did not directly inhibit the activity of alkaline phosphatase at any of the concentrations tested. Increasing estradiol concentrations (0.01, 0.1 and 1nM) did not alter the level of inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity by 0.1, 0.3 or 1mM APAP. This is in agreement with other studies, which have concluded that APAP does not compete with estradiol for binding at the estrogen receptor (Harnagea-Theophilus a et al., 1999; Isenhower et al., 1986; Miller et al., 1999). Protein concentrations were significantly decreased in Ishikawa cells with 0.3 and 1mM APAP alone or in the presence of 0.01, 0.1 to 1nM estradiol. Inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity by high levels (0.3 and 1mM) of APAP may be in part due to toxic effects of APAP as determined by LDH release. Fluorescent microscopy using calcein staining techniques show that Ishikawa cells treated with 1nM E2+0.3mM APAP are visibility misshapen; cells treated with 1nM E2+1mM APAP are no longer attached to the plate indicating toxicity. The final part of this study looked at the interaction between antiestrogen-4-hydroxy tamoxifen (OHT) and APAP on alkaline phosphatase activity in Ishikawa cells. While OHT inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity ∼50 percent in estradiol-induced cells, addition of 0.03-1mM APAP increased inhibition significantly in a concentration dependent manner. Results of this study indicate that APAP decreases estrogen-responsive alkaline phosphatase activity in Ishikawa cells in vitro, and that this inhibition is not attributed to direct inhibition of enzyme activity

Automotive Stirling Engine Development Program

The background and history of the Stirling engine, the technology, materials, components, controls, and systems, and a technical assessment of automotive stirling engines are presented

Evaluation of FIDC system

A fuel vapor injector/igniter system was evaluated for its effect on automobile engine performance, fuel economy, and exhaust emissions. Improved fuel economy and emissions, found during the single cylinder tests were not realized with a multicylinder engine. Multicylinder engine tests were conducted to compare the system with both a stock and modified stock configuration. A comparison of cylinder-to-cylinder equivalence ratio distribution was also obtained from the multicylinder engine tests. The multicylinder engine was installed in a vehicle was tested on a chassis dynamometer to compare the system with stock and modified stock configurations. The fuel vapor injector/igniter system (FIDC) configuration demonstrated approximately five percent improved fuel economy over the stock configuration, but the modified stock configuration demonstrated approximately twelve percent improved fuel economy. The hydrocarbon emissions were approximately two-hundred-thirty percent higher with the FIDC system than with the stock configuration. Both the FIDC system and the modified stock configuration adversely affected driveability. The FIDC system demonstrated a modest fuel savings, but with the penalty of increased emissions, and loss of driveability

Automotive technology status and projections. Volume 1: Executive summary

Fuel economy, exhaust emissions, multifuel capability, advanced materials and cost/manufacturability for both conventional and advanced alternative power systems were assessed. To insure valid comparisons of vehicles with alternative power systems, the concept of an Otto-Engine-Equivalent (OEE) vehicle was utilized. Each engine type was sized to provide equivalent vehicle performance. Sensitivity to different performance criteria was evaluated. Fuel economy projections are made for each engine type considering both the legislated emission standards and possible future emissions requirements

Automotive technology status and projections. Volume 2: Assessment report

Current and advanced conventional engines, advanced alternative engines, advanced power train components, and other energy conserving automobile modifications which could be implemented by the end of this century are examined. Topics covered include gas turbine engines, Stirling engines, advanced automatic transmissions, alternative fuels, and metal and ceramic technology. Critical problems are examined and areas for future research are indicated

Site Selective Antibody-Oligonucleotide Conjugation via Microbial Transglutaminase.

Nucleic Acid Therapeutics (NATs), including siRNAs and AntiSense Oligonucleotides (ASOs), have great potential to drug the undruggable genome. Targeting siRNAs and ASOs to specific cell types of interest has driven dramatic improvement in efficacy and reduction in toxicity. Indeed, conjugation of tris-GalNAc to siRNAs and ASOs has shown clinical efficacy in targeting diseases driven by liver hepatocytes. However, targeting non-hepatic diseases with oligonucleotide therapeutics has remained problematic for several reasons, including targeting specific cell types and endosomal escape. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting of siRNAs and ASOs has the potential to deliver these drugs to a variety of specific cell and tissue types. However, most conjugation strategies rely on random chemical conjugation through lysine or cysteine residues resulting in conjugate heterogeneity and a distribution of Drug:Antibody Ratios (DAR). To produce homogeneous DAR-2 conjugates with two siRNAs per mAb, we developed a novel two-step conjugation procedure involving microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) tagging of the antibody C-terminus with an azide-functionalized linker peptide that can be subsequently conjugated to dibenzylcyclooctyne (DBCO) bearing oligonucleotides through azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Antibody-siRNA (and ASO) conjugates (ARCs) produced using this strategy are soluble, chemically defined targeted oligonucleotide therapeutics that have the potential to greatly increase the number of targetable cell types

Groundwater Study: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, USA Georgetown, Kentucky

An eighteen month study of the Toyota Motor Manufacturing (TMM) plant site and the surrounding area was undertaken. The basic charge for this project was to characterize the groundwater that is potentially impacted by the TMM plant site. This included occurrence, flow direction, and, if possible, velocity. Because the area is karstified (has sinkholes, springs, caves, etc.) surface water and groundwater are intimately connected and, hence, surface water was frequently an important component of this work. Data from TMM construction plans and monitoring work done subsequent to construction were elicited from the various repositories within the TMM infrastructure. Aerial color photographs were acquired from various government agencies. Maps were constructed from the various data sources and data layers were combined to provide a complete picture of the plant site with respect to geology and groundwater. Fracture trace analysis and field reconnaissance was performed. Fifty-one sinkholes were found onsite, 182 in the entire study area. Several springs, both onsite and offsite, were discovered. Dye trace analysis was performed to determine connectivity and help to build a conceptual model of the subsurface flow system. Existing chemical analysis was complemented with chemical analysis done by the University of Kentucky