ABSTRACT
Based on the three known proposed pathways for the uni-molecular decomposition of RDX, we have formulated the rate equations. A kinetic Monte Carlo code has been developed and used to simulate the uni-molecular decomposition of RDX based on these equations. The KMC simulations allow one to explore each of the decomposition pathways individually and also the three competing pathways at a specified temperature and pressure. The pressure dependence is incorporated using Lindemann's formalism. The code is validated by reproducing the species evolution along each pathway. Amongst the three proposed pathways, the most likely path of RDX decomposition and the time evolution of various molecular species at different ambient temperatures and pressures are obtained. An analytical model has been developed to reproduce the decomposition pathways, which matches the simulation results.
ABSTRACT
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of high velocity impact (1-6 km/s) of RDX crystal with a nanometer-sized void, has been carried out to understand the mechanism of increase in temperature at void locations under shock loading. Similar simulations are then carried out on single-crystal copper for better interpretation of the results. A reactive potential that can simulate chemical reactions (ReaxFF) has been used for RDX, whereas an EAM potential has been used for Cu. Increased temperature at the void locations are observed under shock loading. The atomic motion, temperature, average potential energy per atom (PE), and average kinetic energy per atom (KE) in and around the voids are closely monitored in order to understand the reason for temperature increase. We compare our results with existing proposed mechanisms and show that some of the proposed mechanisms are not necessary for increased temperature at a void location. It is shown that the directed particle velocity is efficiently is converted into randomized velocity due to the presence of voids thereby increasing the local temperature transiently. In this initial stage (few picoseconds) of the shock, chemical reactions of energetic materials do not play a part in the temperature rise.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Autophagy is a catabolic process that has a vital role in cancer progression and treatment. Current chemotherapeutic agents, which target autophagy, result in growth inhibition in many cancer types. In this study, we examined the role of autophagy in breast cancer (BCa) patients as well as BCa cell lines. METHODS: Tissue microarray was used to detect the expression of an autophagy marker, LC3B in BCa patients (normal/hyperplasia=8; grade-I=15, grade-II=84, and grade-III=27) and BCa cell lines. To modulate the activation of autophagy, we used novel herbal compound nimocinol acetate (NA) in BCa cell lines and the anticancer activity was measured by phenotypic and molecular analysis. RESULTS: LC3B is highly expressed in tumours as compared with normal tissues. Activation of LC3B in NA-treated BCa (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) cells was evident as compared with other autophagy makers. Further, our results confirmed that NA-transcriptionally regulates LC3B (as confirmed by mRNA levels and reporter assay), which resulted in the formation of acidic autophagy vesicles and autolysosomes in BCa cells. Nimocinol acetate inhibited mTOR-mediated pro-survival signalling that resulted in inhibition of growth in BCa cells without affecting normal breast epithelial cells. Downregulation of LC3B expression by siRNA significantly inhibited the anticancer effects of NA in BCa cells. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our results suggest that LC3B is highly expressed in BCa tissues and increasing the threshold of LC3B activation dictates the pro-apoptotic function, which in turn, suppresses the growth of BCa cells. Nimocinol acetate could be a potential agent for treatment of BCa.
