Formulation development and characterization of cellulose acetate nitrate based propellants for improved insensitive munitions properties

AbstractCellulose acetate nitrate (CAN) was used as an insensitive energetic binder to improve the insensitive munitions (IM) properties of gun propellants to replace the M1 propellant used in 105 mm artillery charges. CAN contains the energetic nitro groups found in nitrocellulose (NC), but also acetyl functionalities, which lowered the polymer's sensitivity to heat and shock, and therefore improved its IM properties relative to NC. The formulation, development and small-scale characterization testing of several CAN-based propellants were done. The formulations, using insensitive energetic solid fillers and high-nitrogen modifiers in place of nitramine were completed. The small scale characterization testing, such as closed bomb testing, small scale sensitivity, thermal stability, and chemical compatibility were done. The mechanical response of the propellants under high-rate uni-axial compression at, hot, cold, and ambient temperatures were also completed. Critical diameter testing, hot fragment conductive ignition (HFCI) tests were done to evaluate the propellants' responses to thermal and shock stimuli. Utilizing the propellant chemical composition, theoretical predictions of erosivity were completed. All the small scale test results were utilized to down-select the promising CAN based formulations for large scale demonstration testing such as the ballistic performance and fragment impact testing in the 105 mm M67 artillery charge configurations. The test results completed in the small and large scale testing are discussed

Exile Vol. XLII No. 1

40th Year Title Page by Sakura Yamamoto \u2797 i Epigraph by Ezra Pound ii Table of Contents iii / Untitled (artwork) by Gretchen Hambly \u2796 iv Breughel Again, Brussels by Adrienne Fair \u2796 1 for play with whitman by alex e blazer \u2797 4 Saeta Sunday by Carl Boon \u2796 5 An Abbreviated Life by Mike Westmoreland 6 Anthem of Governor\u27s Bay by Jamey Hein \u2796 7-10 Time is everywhere, yet nowhere (artwork) by Susanne Ducker \u2796 11 Crosses by Liz Bolyard \u2796 12 Raccoons at the Cats\u27 Food by Jennifer Rudgers \u2796 13-14 Father Federico by Trish Klei \u2797 15 Dream Poem I by Colin Bossen \u2798 16 Virgin Mary in Kentucky by Amy Ard \u2796 17 the jig is up by alex e blazer \u2797 18-20 Visiting Uncle Ernie by Liz Bolyard \u2796 21-22 A Capuchin Monk by Linda Fuller-Smith 23 Sunday, October 15, 1995 by Carl Boon \u2796 24 Old Man and the Marriage Party by Trish Klei \u2797 25 Untitled (artwork) by Gretchen Hambly \u2796 26 Cowboy Up by J. Murdoch Be Matheson \u2796 27-34 Fragments by Colin Bossen \u2798 35 meditation (artwork) by alex e blazer \u2797 36 Palazzo Rezzonico by Linda Fuller-Smith 37 A Poem About The Photographic Imprint I Would Leave If A Nuclear Bomb Hit Nearby As I Took Out The Trash One Night by Trish Klei \u2797 38 The Crazies I\u27ve Called by Julie Johnston \u2796 39-46 Contributors\u27 Notes 47-48 Editorial Board 49 Editorial decisions are shared equally among the Editorial Board. -49 Cover art by alex emmons -4

Adjunctive rifampicin for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (ARREST): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia is a common cause of severe community-acquired and hospital-acquired infection worldwide. We tested the hypothesis that adjunctive rifampicin would reduce bacteriologically confirmed treatment failure or disease recurrence, or death, by enhancing early S aureus killing, sterilising infected foci and blood faster, and reducing risks of dissemination and metastatic infection. METHODS: In this multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, adults (≥18 years) with S aureus bacteraemia who had received ≤96 h of active antibiotic therapy were recruited from 29 UK hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) via a computer-generated sequential randomisation list to receive 2 weeks of adjunctive rifampicin (600 mg or 900 mg per day according to weight, oral or intravenous) versus identical placebo, together with standard antibiotic therapy. Randomisation was stratified by centre. Patients, investigators, and those caring for the patients were masked to group allocation. The primary outcome was time to bacteriologically confirmed treatment failure or disease recurrence, or death (all-cause), from randomisation to 12 weeks, adjudicated by an independent review committee masked to the treatment. Analysis was intention to treat. This trial was registered, number ISRCTN37666216, and is closed to new participants. FINDINGS: Between Dec 10, 2012, and Oct 25, 2016, 758 eligible participants were randomly assigned: 370 to rifampicin and 388 to placebo. 485 (64%) participants had community-acquired S aureus infections, and 132 (17%) had nosocomial S aureus infections. 47 (6%) had meticillin-resistant infections. 301 (40%) participants had an initial deep infection focus. Standard antibiotics were given for 29 (IQR 18-45) days; 619 (82%) participants received flucloxacillin. By week 12, 62 (17%) of participants who received rifampicin versus 71 (18%) who received placebo experienced treatment failure or disease recurrence, or died (absolute risk difference -1·4%, 95% CI -7·0 to 4·3; hazard ratio 0·96, 0·68-1·35, p=0·81). From randomisation to 12 weeks, no evidence of differences in serious (p=0·17) or grade 3-4 (p=0·36) adverse events were observed; however, 63 (17%) participants in the rifampicin group versus 39 (10%) in the placebo group had antibiotic or trial drug-modifying adverse events (p=0·004), and 24 (6%) versus six (2%) had drug interactions (p=0·0005). INTERPRETATION: Adjunctive rifampicin provided no overall benefit over standard antibiotic therapy in adults with S aureus bacteraemia. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment

Automated Staircase Detection, Alignment & Traversal

Lola is a stair climbing robot developed at the OU Autonomous Robot Lab. Lola [1] is built around the chassis of a Quest Access wheelchair. The control electronics have been replaced and several sensors including a laser scanner [2] and a set of Sharp range sensors [3], have been added. The original wheelchair hardware was capable o

Implementation of modern genetic improvement methods in wildlife, The

Presented at the 9th international wildlife ranching symposium: wildlife - the key to prosperity for rural communities, held on 12-16 September 2016 at Hotel Safari & the Safari Court, Windhoek, Namibia.In recent times the economic value of wildlife has extended beyond merely hunting and eco-tourism. The demand for exotic and alternative meat sources worldwide has resulted in a shift on emphasis placed on the improvement of production and reproduction traits in the wildlife sector. This trend is in line with the current genetic improvement of commercial farm animals. However, the over emphasis placed on single trait selection, like horn length and colour, without considering the genetic correlations that exist between all possible traits, could have detrimental effect on the important traits of fertility and adaptation. Unfortunately these traits are normally difficult to measure, lowly heritable and negatively correlated with production. To overcome these obstacles it is necessary to have proper phenotypic and genomic data to implement modern genetic evaluation methodologies. To avoid mistakes made in the traditional livestock industry, the defining of sustainable and balanced selection goals is of paramount importance. Apart from the benefits of genetic improvement, conservation and diversity can also be maintained and improved, while inbreeding can be monitored and controlled

The Vehicle, Winter 1972

Vol. 14, No. 2 Table of Contents Pale AngelSandi Fairpage 3 A river in IllinoisJames Jonespage 5 The SolutionBob Prendergastpage 6 Dear Mr. McKuenMike Williamspage 15 Mercury Vapor LightBecky McIntoshpage 17 EscapeChris Benignuspage 19 Willie Seeverson Threw a Worm at MeMary Pipekpage 20 SnakesIda Webbpage 21 Art and Photography Credits Max Jonespage 4, 5 Judy Novakpage 6, 10, 11, 21, 26, 27 Mark McKinneypage 14, 18 Steve Buntonpage 16 Jeff Amendapage 30 Cover PhotographyMark McKinneyhttps://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1028/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Winter 1972

Vol. 14, No. 2 Table of Contents Pale AngelSandi Fairpage 3 A river in IllinoisJames Jonespage 5 The SolutionBob Prendergastpage 6 Dear Mr. McKuenMike Williamspage 15 Mercury Vapor LightBecky McIntoshpage 17 EscapeChris Benignuspage 19 Willie Seeverson Threw a Worm at MeMary Pipekpage 20 SnakesIda Webbpage 21 Art and Photography Credits Max Jonespage 4, 5 Judy Novakpage 6, 10, 11, 21, 26, 27 Mark McKinneypage 14, 18 Steve Buntonpage 16 Jeff Amendapage 30 Cover PhotographyMark McKinneyhttps://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1028/thumbnail.jp

Africa Insight

Africa Insight is published quarterly by the Africa Institute of South Africa. and independent study centre concerned with African affairs.This journal focuses on contemporary issues of Afric