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The current demilitarization processes employ open burning/open detonation which is not permitted by the environmental protection agency. Therefore, a systematic study has been carried out to convert waste/rejected nitramine propellant (NP) and fuel-rich-based propellant (FRP) into liquid fertilizer by digesting in dilute nitric acid followed by neutralization with potassium hydroxide and phosphoric acid. The obtained liquid fertilizers were fully characterized for nitrate, phosphate and ammonium ions along with potassium. Further, the effect of liquid fertilizers of NP and FRP on cluster bean plants was studied by taking different concentrations from 25 to 150 mL, and their effects on germination pattern, shoot growth, thickness of stem, size and number of leaves, number of pods and length over a full-grown period of plants were investigated. The results reveal that the germination index increases as the content of liquid fertilizer increases and the same trend was observed with respect to root and shoot growth. Also, broadness and the number of leaves showed an encouraging effect as concentration increases. Further, the final product, i.e. the number of pods of cluster bean and length in each pod was found to be more for liquid fertilizer of NP compared to FRP-based liquid fertilizer.

High burning rate composite propellants are achieved by incorporation of fine particles of oxidizer, transition metal oxides, and liquid ballistic modifiers. However, they pose processing problems, inertness to the composition and migration related issues. To overcome such problems, an attempt was made to incorporate ferrocenyl grafted HTPB as a burning rate modifier by partly replacing HTPB from 10 % to 50 % using TDI/ IPDI bicurative system and to study their processability in terms of viscosity, mechanical, thermal, sensitivity, and ballistic properties. The data on viscosity reveal that there is a marginal enhancement in end of mix viscosity as percentage of ferrocenyl grafted HTPB increases. The mechanical data reveal that tensile strength and elastic modulus increases, whereas percentage elongation decreases compared to base composition. The results on thermal properties infer that, as the percentage of ferrocenyl grafted HTPB increases, onset decomposition temperature decreases. The impact and friction sensitivity data also envisage that sensitivity increases in comparison to base composition. The data on ballistic properties revealed that there is ca. 53 % increase in burning rate, while decrease in “n” value from 0.39 to 0.2 was obtained compared to base composition.

The incorporation of nanoaluminum in an 86% solid composite propellant formulation poses processing problems when following conventional methods. Therefore, to accommodate an optimum percentage of nanoaluminum in such formulations, a new bicurative system was introduced. Summarizing in the present study, a bicurative system consisting of toluene diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate was chosen to enable incorporation of 18% nanoaluminum powder (93 nm) in place of 18% micrometer-sized Aluminum powder. The developed compositions were studied in detail for their mechanical, thermal, sensitivity, and ballistic properties. The mechanical properties data, such as tensile strength, E modulus, and percentage elongation, are almost on par with the values obtained with micrometer-sized aluminum powder using a developed bicurative system. The results of thermal properties reveal that, as the percentage of nanoaluminum increases in the composition, the onset decomposition temperature decreases. The impact and fric...

The performance of solid propellants is often tailored by incorporating energetic materials such as novel oxidizers, energetic binders and ballistic modifiers. Metal oxide nanoparticles are known for their persuasivenature to modify burning rate ofammonium perchlorate based composite propellants. In the present work, nano iron oxide and poly (1-(3-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl) acrylate are incorporated in the composite propellant formulation by partly replacing coarse ammonium perchorate (AP) as well as hydroxy terminatined polybutadiene (HTPB), respectively, and different properties were evaluated. The mechanical properties data revealed that on increasing the percentage of polymer in the composition by partly replacing HTPB, there is an increase in tensile strength while decreasing elongation percentage. Thedata of ballistic properties revealed that on incorporation of nano iron oxide in the composition enhances the burning rate while on partial replacement of HTPB with polymer there is a decrease in burning rate from 11.95 mm s−1 to 8.75 mm s−1, respectively was observed.

This article reports ways to functionalize hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) by azide groups to impart energetic properties to the polymer. Two different synthetic approaches were explored to synthesize azide-functionalized hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (azide-HTPB). The functionalized polymer was analyzed for structural confirmation and determination of important physical and thermal properties. Azide-HTPB obtained by azidation of 10% double bonds of HTPB showed viscosity of 11 Pa.s and a glass transition temperature of −66°C.

Propellants, visco-elastic in nature, show time and temperature dependent behaviour on deformation. Hence, the time–temperature superposition principle may be applied to the visco-elastic properties of propellants. In the present study, dynamic mechanical analyser (DMA) was used to evaluate the dynamic mechanical properties and quantify the storage life of four different propellants based on hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene, aluminium and ammonium perchlorate having different burning rates ranging from 5 mm/s to 25 mm/s. Each sample was given a multi-frequency strain of 0.01 per cent at three discrete frequencies (3.5 Hz, 11 Hz, 35 Hz) in the temperature range - 80 °C to + 80 °C. The storage modulus, loss modulus, tan delta and glass transition temperature (Tg) for each propellant samples have been evaluated and it is observed that all the propellants have shown time (frequency) and temperature dependent behaviour on deformation. A comparison of the log aT versus temperature curves (where aT is horizontal (or time) shift factor) for all four propellants indicate conformance to the Williams–Landel–Ferry (WLF) equation. The master curves of storage modulus (log E versus log ω plots) were generated for each propellant. A plot of E versus time for all propellants was generated up to 3 years, 6 years, and 10 years of time, respectively. The drop in the storage modulus below the acceptable limit with time may be used to predict the shelf life of the propellant. Defence Science Journal, 2012, 62(5), pp.290-294 , DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.62.2480

Rockets are powered by composite solid propellant, which is a heterogeneous system consisting of solid oxidizer and metallic fuel dispersed in a polymeric fuel binder matrix. The slurry casting technique under vacuum/gravity condition is well-established for performing a different class of large sized case bonded rocket motors. During propellant casting, the flow rate of slurry is a very critical parameter as it affects the product quality. The casting rate is governed by sufficient degassing and viscosity buildup due to the progress of cure reaction. In the present study, casting rate and casting time have been numerically evaluated for fixed and varying percentages of valve opening, different viscosity of slurry, and different pressure drop (driving force). The velocity profile of propellant slurry inside feeding pipe and valve has also been evaluated. Furthermore, to get a flawless grain and to predict the slurry casting rate, a microscopic analysis has been carried out to model the flow behaviour of composite propellant slurry, where the momentum conservation law has been applied to express the mathematical model in an analytical form. The resulting differential and algebraic equations have been solved numerically using MATLAB, computing software. The numerical analysis is useful for designing new casting set-up and for giving the idea of maximum casting rate, which is achievable for given casting set-up and rheological properties of propellant slurry.

The objective of the presented study is to report on retrospectively collected data on long-term outcome and toxicity and prospective assessment of quality of life (QoL) and Voice-Handicap Index (VHI) of patients with T1a glottic cancer treated with radiotherapy. Between 1985 and 2011, 549 patients were treated. Endpoints were local control (LC), toxicity, QoL and VHI. After a median follow-up of 93 months, the actuarial rates of LC were 91, and 90 % at 5- and 10-years, respectively. Continuing smoking (p < 0.001) and anaemia (p = 0.02) were significantly correlated with poor LC on univariate analysis and fractionation schedule did not show significant correlation (p = 0.08). On multivariate analysis, only continuing smoking retained significance (p = 0.001). These patients had also significantly increased incidence of second primary tumour and lower overall survival rates. The incidence of grade a parts per thousand yen2 late xerostomia and dysphagia were 10 and 6 %, respectively. Slight and temporary deterioration of QoL-scores was reported. The scores on the EROTC-QOL-H&N35 dysphagia and xerostomia at 24 months were -2 and -3, compared to baseline, respectively. VHI improved significantly from 34 at baseline to 21 at 24 months. Patients who continued smoking had significantly worse VHI. In conclusion, excellent outcome with good QoL and VHI were reported. Patients who continued smoking after radiotherapy had significantly poor LC and worse VHI. The current study emphasizes the importance of smoking cessation and the non-inferiority of hypofractionated schemes in terms of outcome and VHI. At our institution, phase II study is going to evaluate the role of single vocal cord irradiation with high fraction dose.

The calorimetric value (cal-val) of solid rocket propellants and explosives is determined in the presenceof inert atmosphere using industrial nitrogen gas. However, due to presence of trace amount of oxygen, the cal-val is not always correct. To avoid such inaccuracy in cal-val, a systematic study has been carried out by takingdifferent types of solid propellant samples having burning rate in the range of 5 mm/s − 30 mm/s at different pressures.The data obtained were acquired using industrial nitrogen, ultra high pure nitrogen (UHP-N2), ultra high pureargon (UHP-Ar), air and ultra high pure oxygen (UHP-O2). The data reveal that cal-val is highest in the case ofUHP-O2 due to complete combustion while in the case of air and industrial nitrogen it is found to be substantiallyless. Moreover, the cal-val in the presence of UHP-N2 and UHP-Ar meets the standard value with reproducibility.The results, further, confirm that for authentic cal-val, the most suitable environment is UHP-N2/UHP-Ar. Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(5), pp.467 -472 , DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.2896

Nanomaterials are finding applications in explosives and propellant formulations due to their large surface area and high surface energy. This high surface energy is responsible for the low activation energy and increase in burning rate of the composition. Therefore, a successful attempt has been made to prepare nano-ammonium perchlorate using a nonaqueous method by dissolving ammonium perchlorate (AP) in methanol followed by adding the dissolved AP to the hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), homogenization, and vacuum distillation of the solvent. The nano-AP thus formed was characterized using a NANOPHOX particle size analyzer (Sympatec, Germany), transmission electron microscopy (FEI, Hillsboro, OR), X-ray diffraction (PANalytical B.V., The Netherlands) and scanning electron microscopy (Ikon Analytical Equipment Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India) for particle size, purity, and morphology, respectively. The thermal behavior of nano-AP was also studied using differential thermal analysis–thermo gravimetric an...

The optimal treatment of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) remains unclear. We report our results on the outcome and toxicity of patients with SNUC treated by a combined modality and attempt to define the optimal treatment strategies by reviewing the literature. Between 1996 and 2010, 21 consecutive patients with SNUC were treated by any combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. End points were local control (LC), regional control (RC), disease-free (DFS), cause-specific (CSS) overall survival (OS), and late toxicity. Organ preservation was defined as visual preservation without orbital exenteration. After median follow-up of 54 months, the 5-year actuarial rates of LC, RC, DFS, CSS, and OS were 80, 90, 64, 74, and 74 % respectively. On multivariate analysis, T-stage and multimodality treatment approach correlated significantly with LC. Elective nodal irradiation was given to 42 % of high-risk node-negative patients. None of them developed regional failure. The overall 5-year incidence of grade a parts per thousand yen2 late toxicity was 30 %. Treatment-related blindness was significantly decreased in patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), compared to 2D and 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), with organ preservation rates of 86 and 14 % respectively (p = 0.006). We concluded that combined-modality treatment with three, or at least two, modalities resulted in good LC, but with high overall rate of late toxicity. However, the incidence of late toxicity and permanent visual impairment were decreased over time by the introduction of IMRT. Because of the improvement in therapeutic ratio achieved by using IMRT, this highly conformal radiation technique should be the standard of care in patients with SNUC.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To investigate the impact of treatment modality and radiation technique on oncologic outcomes and toxicity of patients with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Study Design: Retrospective analysis of outcomes and toxicity. Methods: Between 2000 and 2011, 204 consecutive patients with locally advanced OPC were treated with definitive (chemo)radiotherapy using 3-dimensional conformal (3DCRT) or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Endpoints were local control (LC), regional control (RC), disease-free survival (DFS), cause-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS), and toxicity. Results: After a median follow-up of 44 months (range 4–134), the 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of LC, RC, DFS, CSS, and OS were 78%, 92%, 60%, 64%, and 48%, respectively. Grade 3 mucositis and dysphagia (feeding-tube dependency) were reported in 75% and 65%, respectively. The overall incidence of grade ≥2 and grade 3 late toxicities were 44% and 16%, respectively. Dysphagia and xerostomia were the most frequently reported late toxicity. Chemotherapy was significantly predictive for improved outcomes and increased toxicity. IMRT was significantly correlated with reduced toxicity. Conclusions: Compared to radiation alone, chemoradiotherapy significantly improved oncologic outcomes, but with significantly increased toxicity. Compared to 3DCRT, the introduction of IMRT resulted in a significant reduction of acute and late toxicity with slightly better, or at least comparable, outcomes. Despite the improvements achieved by the implementation of chemo-IMRT, different new strategies to further improve outcome and reduce toxicity need to be thoroughly investigated in prospective, preferably, randomized trials.

Summary Objectives To compare outcome, toxicity and QoL of two boost modalities for T1-2 oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC). Materials and methods Between 2000 and 2012, 250 consecutive patients with T1-2N0-3 were treated with 46-Gy of IMRT followed by boost using brachytherapy (BTB) or stereotactic body radiotherapy (CKB). Endpoints were local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), toxicity and prospective QoL-assessment. Results The 3-year actuarial incidence of LC were 97% and 94% for the CKB and BTB, respectively (p = 0.33). The figures for DFS were 92% and 86% (p = 0.15) and for OS were 81% and 83% (p = 0.82), respectively. The incidence of tube feeding were 17% and 20%, respectively (p = 0.47). The figures for grade ⩾2 late dysphagia were 11% and 8% (p = 0.34) and for xerostomia were 16% and 12% (p = 0.28), respectively. For both modalities, clinically relevant deteriorations were seen on all scales at end of treatment but the scores returned to almost baseline levels within 6–12 months, with exception of QLQ-H&N35-xerostomia. The difference on that scale was neither statistically significant nor clinically relevant between both modalities. Conclusion Comparable outcome, toxicity and QoL-scores were achieved with both modalities. In the light of the logistical hassle around the implantation, the need of dexterity, and the risk of anaesthesia and peri-operative complications associated with BTB, CKB might be regarded as the optimal option to boost early-stage OPC. However, in radiotherapy departments where no facilities are available for stereotactic radiotherapy, BTB is an elegant option to achieve excellent outcome with low toxicity profile and good QoL.

Fluorocarbon polymers are used to enhance thermal stability and electrostatic protection of composite propellant compositions. A precipitation technique has been developed to coat ammonium perchlorate (AP) using a copolymer of hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride (HFP-VF) with the help of solvent-counter solvent method. The coated AP has been used to prepare propellant compositions in different ratio based on hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), aluminium powder along with uncoated AP and studied for viscosity build-up and visco-elastic behaviour as well as mechanical, ballistic, thermal and sensitivity properties keeping 86% solid loading. The data on viscosity build-up indicate that as the percentage of viton coated AP increases end of mix viscosity and viscosity build-up increase accordingly. The mechanical properties data reveal that tensile strength and percentage elongation are found in increasing order. The burn rate of the composition also increases on higher percentage of HFP-VF coated AP. The thermal stability of composition increases as the percentage of HFP-VF coated AP increases. The data on sensitivity indicate that impact sensitivity decreases on increasing the percentage of HFP-VF coated AP while no change is observed in friction sensitivity value.

Most of the composite propellant compositions contain solid loading up to 86 per cent. The main solid ingredients of composite propellant are ammonium perchlorate (AP) and aluminium powder. Therefore, it is a must to characterise these to improve processibility and quality of composite propellant. Effect of particle size on propellants slurry viscosity and ballistic parameters are well documented, however, the effect of oxidizer particle shape is not reported. In the present study, different methods for size and shape characterisation are discussed and effect of size and shape of AP on composite propellant properties are studied. The data indicate that as size of AP decreases, propellant slurry viscosity increases and burn rate increases. The particles having higher shape factor provides less endof mix (EOM) viscosity of propellant slurry and burn rate. Further, effect of size of ground AP on shape is also investigated. From the data thus obtained, it is inferred that as size of ground AP decreases, shape factor decreases, and particles become more irregular in shape.Defence Science Journal, 2009, 59(3), pp.294-299, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.59.1523

A new series of composite propellant compositions, based on ammonium perchlorate,hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene and having metallic fuel as aluminium powder, have beendeveloped. Pressure cast-cum-cured compositions have also been developed with toluenediisocyanate (TDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and a mixture of both curatives, i.e., TDIand IPDI, respectively, to study their effect on processibility, mechanical and ballistic propertiesof the compositions. The data indicate that the compositions based on bicurative have a potlife of 7 - 8 h, viscosity build up is from 13280 poise to 14080 poise after 4 h, and the smoothprocessibility of the slurry is enhanced. Further, the mechanical properties are in the range12.2 kg/cm2, 40.2 kg/cm2, and 40.2 per cent for tensile strength, E-modulus and elongation,respectively, and burn rate is almost the same, i.e., 16 ±0.5 mm/s.

Knowledge of variations in Rhizoctonia Solani causing rice sheath blight disease in different geographic regionsis still scarce and may be a useful tool for examining the nature and spread of population, disease epidemiology and host-pathogen interaction within rice patho-system. Molecular markers provide a basis for identifying patterns, dispersal and colonization in spatial and temporal distribution of pathogenic population and in development of species concepts by providing information about the limits of genetically isolated group in relation to patterns of morphological variation and behavior of any pathogen. Twenty-five isolates of Rhizoctonia Solani causing sheath blight in rice were collected from Kerala, New Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh of India and subjected for determination of virulence diversity. There was great diversity in the population of R. Solani which deferred greatly according to color and texture of colony, number and size of sclerotia, time taken for sclerotia formation and also the place and manner of sclerotia formation in the colony. At molecular level, also there was great diversity in the R. Solani population. A total of 80 PCR bands were detected among 25 isolates of R. Solani. The number of alleles per locus, varied from 1to7. Highest [1] PCR products were obtained with primers-OPW-13 and OPA-04 whereas lowest PCR products [2] were obtained with primer UBC-310 and OPB-08. There was only one monomorphic band, which was present in related primer UBC-373.The similarity coefficients among the R. Solani population ranged between 0.53 to 0.94. One isolate of R. Solani from Uttar Pradesh (RS-16) and another isolate from Punjab (RS-1) were most distantly related. The R. Solani isolates (RS-11&RS-12) and (RS-20& RS-21) all belonging to Uttar Pradesh were genetically most closely to each other.

Purpose: To report, from a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, on the feasibility, outcome, toxicity, and voice-handicap index (VHI) of patients with T1a glottic cancer treated by a novel intensity modulated radiation therapy technique developed at our institution to treat only the involved vocal cord: single vocal cord irradiation (SVCI). Methods and Materials: Thirty patients with T1a glottic cancer were treated by means of SVCI. Dose prescription was set to 16 x 3.63Gy (total dose 58.08 Gy). The clinical target volume was the entire vocal cord. Setup verification was done by means of an online correction protocol using cone beamcomputed tomography. Data for voice quality assessment were collected prospectively at baseline, end of treatment, and 4, 6, and 12 weeks and 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment using VHI questionnaires. Results: After a median follow-up of 30 months (range, 7-50 months), the 2-year local control and overall survival rates were 100% and 90% because no single local recurrence was reported and 3 patients died because of comorbidity. All patients have completed the intended treatment schedule; no treatment interruptions and no grade 3 acute toxicity were reported. Grade 2 acute dermatitis or dysphagia was reported in only 5 patients (17%). No serious late toxicity was reported; only 1 patient developed temporary grade 2 laryngeal edema, and responded to a short-course of corticosteroid. The VHI improved significantly, from 33.5 at baseline to 9.5 and 10 at 6 weeks and 18 months, respectively (P < .001). The control group, treated to the whole larynx, had comparable local control rates (92.2% vs 100%, P = .24) but more acute toxicity (66% vs 17%, P < .0001) and higher VHI scores (23.8 and 16.7 at 6 weeks and 18 months, respectively, P < .0001). Conclusion: Single vocal cord irradiation is feasible and resulted in maximal local control rate at 2 years. The deterioration in VHI scores was slight and temporary and subsequently improved to normal levels. Long-term follow-up is needed to consolidate these promising results. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ammonium perchlorate has been pulverised by an impact mill (air classifier mill) to study the influence of different operating parameters, viz., effect of mill speed, classifier speed, feed rate, and damper opening (suction rate) on the particle size. Further based on the different grinding parameters, an empirical equation has been developed and used for the prediction of particle size. The experimental results indicate that the values are very close to the predicted ones. In addition, particle size distribution has also been studied by applying different model equations and it has been found that Rosin-Rammler model is the most suitable model for this operation.

Potassium, rubidium, and cesium salts of 5,7-diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (CL-14) have been prepared by reacting sodium salt of 5,7-diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan with alkali metal nitrate in an aqueous medium. The structure of the compounds was unequivocally confirmed by spectra data, elemental analyses, and estimation of metal content. Further, the compounds have been evaluated for explosive and thermal properties and found more suitable as compared to alkali metal salts of 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (DNBF).

Chromium, Iron and Copper salts of 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan have been prepared by reacting sodium salt of 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan with chromium nitrate nonahydrate, ferric nitrate nonahydrate and cupric nitrate trihydrate, respectively. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, spectral data (IR and NMR) and metal content. Some properties including thermal and explosive behaviour of these compounds have been investigated and reported. Further, these molecules have also been investigated in composite propellants as burn-rate modifiers. The preliminary data suggest that iron salt of 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan is better than ferric oxide, generally used as a burn-rate modifier for hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) based composite propellants.

Two new initiatory molecules, e.g. rubidium and cesium salts of 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (DNBF) have been prepared by reacting sodium salt of 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (DNBF) with rubidium nitrate and cesium nitrate, respectively, at 60 °C in aqueous medium. The characterisation of compounds by IR, 1 H -NMR, elemental analysis and metal content is described along with some of the evaluated thermal and explosive properties. The results indicate that cesium salt of DNBF (Cs-DNBF) appears promising initiatory and may suitably replace potassium salt of DNBF (K-DNBF), being used currently in initiatory compositions.

7-(1H -1,2,4-triazol-3-amino)-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan(TADNB)and 7-(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-amino)-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan(TeADNBF) have been prepared by condensing 7-chloro-4,6-dinitro benzofuroxan with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and 5-amino-1,2, 3,4-tetrazole respectively. The compounds have been characterized by spectral data and elemental analysis. Furthermore, some of the explosive properties of these compounds have also been investigated and reported herein.

Three new derivatives of 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan: 7-(4-nitrophenylamino)-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan, 7-(3,5-dinitrophenylamino)-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan and 7-(2,4,6-trinitrophenylamino)-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan, have been synthesised by condensing 4-nitroaniline, 3,5-dinitroaniline and 2,4,6-trinitroaniline with 7-chloro-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan, respectively. The characterisation of the compounds by IR, 1H-NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis is described along with some of the evaluated preliminary explosive properties. The compounds were found to exhibit acceptable hazards properties. Furthermore, the thermal stability measurements indicated acceptable stability.

RDX/HMX based Plastic Bonded Explosives (PBXs) with epoxy resin as a binder have been formulated and studied in detail for their explosive, mechanical and thermal properties. The effect of pressure on the moulding powder has also been optimized to achieve maximum loading density and compression strength. Further, these PBXs have been analysed for homogeneity and coating of binder over RDX/HMX crystals. The data suggest that epoxy resin based PBXs have higher loading density, higher mechanical strength and higher velocity of detonation (VOD) as compared to polyurethane based PBXs.

A chemoselective reductive method has been achieved for the preparation of 4-picrylamino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (PADNT), a new insensitive energetic material which has been characterised by spectral data and elemental analysis. Some explosive properties of the compound have also been determined and the results indicate that PANDT is quite safe to impact and friction.

Objectives To evaluate the outcomes of patients with early stage glottic cancer (GC) treated with radiotherapy (RT). Design, setting and participants The current study report on a retrospective analysis of oncologic outcome of 1050 patients with T1-2N0 glottic cancer treated with radiotherapy. Prospective assessment of quality of life (QoL) and voice handicap index (VHI) was performed in all patients treated from 2006 onwards (n = 233). Main outcome measures Local control (LC), regional control (RC), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), quality of life and voice handicap index. Results After a median follow-up of 90 months (range 3–309), the actuarial rates of local control, regional control, disease-free survival and overall survival were 85%, 99%, 84% and 81% at 5 years and 82%, 98%, 80% and 61% at 10 years, respectively. On multivariate analysis, T2 tumours, smoking after radiotherapy and conventional radiation scheme correlated significantly with poor local control. Patients who continued smoking after radiotherapy had also significantly lower overall survival rates (OR 4.3, P

The aesthetic result after brachytherapy, especially hypopigmentation, remains a significant problem. Given that brachytherapy may be carcinogenic, it is difficult to recommend this treatment in young patients. For these reasons, there is a need for alternatives to radiation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of adjuvant photodynamic therapy (PDT) using aminolevulinic acid after keloid excision and to compare it to keloid excision followed by brachytherapy. To assess outcome, the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) was used. Thirty-four patients treated for 45 keloids were evaluated. Twenty-two patients (27 lesions) received brachytherapy and 12 (18 lesions) received PDT. The observers scored a mean POSAS of 19.1 (range 13.0–34.0) for brachytherapy and 24.6 (range 11.0–37.0) for PDT (p = 0.005). The independent observers scored a mean POSAS of 14.6 (range 10.0–20.0) for brachytherapy and 18.6 (range 9.0–42.0) for PDT (p = 0.018). The patients reported a significantly better mean POSAS score after brachytherapy (22.8, range 7.0–53.0) than following PDT (34.2, range 11.0–63.0). The patients’ POSAS score showed no significant difference for the item “general impression” for both treatment groups; the observers scored significantly higher for PDT treatment. The independent observers revealed a higher score for general impression after PDT although not reaching significance. Patients and observers appear to be more satisfied with the results after brachytherapy than PDT. However, patients still have a positive general impression after PDT. Adjunctive aminolevulinic acid–PDT for the treatment of keloids could be used as an alternative for brachytherapy. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.

Composite propellant suspensions consist of highly filled polymeric system wherein solid particles of different sizes and shapes are dispersed in a polymeric matrix. The rheological behaviour of a propellant suspension is characterised by viscoplasticity and shear rate and time dependant viscosity. The behaviour of composite propellant suspension has been studied under amplitude sweep test where tests were performed by continuously varying strain amplitude (strain in %, γ) by keeping the frequency and temperature constant and results are plotted in terms of log γ (strain amplitude) vs logGʹ and logGʺ (Storage modulus and loss modulus, respectively). It is clear from amplitude sweep test that dynamic moduli and complex viscosity show marked increase at critical strain amplitude after a plateau region, infering a shear thickening behaviour.

Different compositions have been prepared by incorporating nano sized chromium oxide from 0.25 % to 1 % in HTPB/AP/Al based composite propellant formulation having 86% of solid loading and studied its effect on viscosity build-up, thermal, mechanical and ballistic properties. The findings reveal that on increasing the percentage of nano Cr2O3 in the composition, there is an increase in end of mix viscosity, elastic modulus and tensile strength while elongation decreases accordingly. The data on thermal properties envisage the reduction in thermal decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate as well as formulations based on HTPB/AP/Al. The data on ballistic properties reveal that there is an enhancement in burning rate from 6.11 mm/s to 7.88 mm/s at 6.86 MPa, however, marginal increase in pressure exponent (‘n’ values) from 0.35 to 0.53 with 1 wt % of nano Cr2O3 was observed in comparison to reference composition without chromium oxide.

Background To investigate the impact of up-front neck dissection on the outcome of patients with node-positive hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) treated with (chemo)radiation. Methods Of 135 consecutive patients with node-positive HPC, 32 patients underwent up-front neck dissection followed by (chemo)radiation (group 1), and 103 patients received definitive (chemo)radiation (group 2). Results The 3-year regional, local and distant control for groups 1 and 2 were 92% versus 87% (p = .37), 84% versus 72% (p = .15), and 80% versus 62% (p = .08), respectively. High T classification was the only significant predictor for poor overall survival on multivariate analysis (OR = 3.0, p = .02). Acute and late toxicities and the prospectively assessed quality of life were comparable in both groups. Conclusion Upfront neck dissection followed by (chemo)radiation did not negatively impact on oncologic outcomes, toxicity, or quality of life and therefore is to be regarded as a safe and effective treatment option for small HPC with bulky nodal disease, especially in busy radiation departments with unacceptably long waiting time for definitive (chemo)radiation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis: The main goal of the current study was to comprehensively address the impact of chemoradiation and radiation techniques on toxicity, quality of life (QoL), and functional outcome. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of toxicity and functional outcome and prospective QoL assessment. Methods: From 1996 to 2010, 176 consecutive patients with hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) were treated with (chemo)radiotherapy. End points were acute and late toxicity, QoL assessment, and functional outcome using laryngoesophageal dysfunction-free survival (LED-FS) defined by the Laryngeal Preservation Consensus Panel. Results: Chemoradiation significantly increased grade 3 acute toxicity compared to radiotherapy alone (71% vs. 55%, P = .02). The 3-year grade ≥2 late toxicity was 32%. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) significantly reduced late toxicity compared to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) (24% vs. 44%, P = .007). Slight deterioration in QoL scores was observed on almost all scales, and was more pronounced in patients treated with chemoradiation, albeit not statistically significant except for xerostomia. Chemoradiation, compared to radiotherapy alone, improved LED-FS at 3 years (51% vs. 24% for the entire group and 83% vs. 63% for the 78 living patients at last follow-up, respectively [P = .05]). Conclusions: Compared to radiotherapy alone, chemoradiation significantly improved functional outcome, increased acute toxicity, but without significant increase in late radiation-induced side effects. Statistically significant deterioration in QoL scores was reported only for xerostomia. IMRT, compared to 3DCRT, reduced the incidence and severity of acute and late toxicity, thereby broadening the therapeutic window, and may allow dose escalation for further improvement of outcomes of laryngeal preservation protocols.