Whitney Museum of American Art

Marine biofouling refers to the attachment and growth of marine biological organisms on immersed surfaces, such as ships and platforms. Biofouling can severely affect the hydrodynamic and corrosion performance of marine structures and impose serious environmental and safety risks. For this reason, application of efficient and environmentally friendly marine antifouling (AF) paints is essential. In the present work, novel AF marine paints of silicone and polyurethane formulations, based on an immobilized biocide technology, were examined under different exposure conditions and with regard to various mechanical and physical properties to ensure all-around reliability, safety and efficiency. Commercial counterparts were used for benchmarking. The experimental protocol included examination of AF performance via sea immersion experiments, hydrodynamic performance via towing-tank tests and anticorrosion performance on intact specimens via accelerated salt spray and UV tests and long-term immersion in laboratory conditions. The physical and mechanical properties of the paints were measured both as a standalone characterization and as part of post-mortem evaluation. The experimental silicone system exhibited the best AF behavior and the most stable corrosion performance, possibly due to its elastomeric nature. Hydrodynamically, the effect of both formulation types would be minimal on ship scale, due to their small roughness heights.

The authors have witnessed a notable surge in the number of designs and in the guidance material for electric and hybrid aircraft. FAA and EASA have continued to evaluate the safety of Propulsion Battery Systems (PBS), with a focus on thermal runaway containment testing. As a result, a harmonization white paper [7] was issued to provide a certification path for Thermal Runaway (TR) Hazards, followed by an EASA certification memorandum on the acceptable approaches for the certification of Electric/Hybrid Propulsion Systems (EHPS). Recently, an FAA Advisory Circular (draft) was issued for the “powered-lift” aircraft that feature these propulsion battery systems. Despite the advances made by electric/hybrid aircraft manufacturers and the aviation authorities, there is still a missing piece of the puzzle. Mainly, engineering work still needs to be done to properly integrate the EHPS architecture to achieve safety objectives. The burden is still on systems engineering to propose their own methodology in absence of a standard that addresses the integration complexities of the EHPS. In our previous paper, we outlined an approach for the hazard analysis of the battery system, with an emphasis on TR hazards [1]. In this paper, we will build upon this approach by outlining a PSSA methodology that serves to validate the EHPS architecture by addressing the novelties and the integration complexities between the PBS, EHPS, and the aircraft. This approach is designed to evaluate the robustness of the EHPS in achieving the safety objectives, by detailing a customized requirements validation process. With this approach, we can ensure that a correct and complete set of safety requirements will be derived no matter the aircraft configuration. With this “designing for safety” approach, or in this case: “integrating for safety”, we can be assured a clear pathway to certification.

Accurate defect quantification is crucial for ensuring the serviceability of aircraft engine parts. Traditional inspection methods, such as profile projectors and replicating compounds, suffer from inconsistencies, operator dependency, and ergonomic challenges. To address these limitations, the 4D InSpec® handheld 3D scanner was introduced as an advanced solution for defect measurement and analysis. This article evaluates the effectiveness of the 4D InSpec scanner through multiple statistical methods, including Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gage R&R), Isoplot®, Youden plots, and Bland–Altman plots. A new concept of Probability of accurate Measurement (PoaM)© was introduced to capture the accuracy of the defect quantification based on their size. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in measurement variability, with Gage R&R improving from 39.9% (profile projector) to 8.5% (3D scanner), thus meeting the AS13100 Aerospace Quality Standard. Additionally, the 4D InSpec scanner improved detection accuracy, provided automated defect quantification, and eliminated the need for time-consuming replication processes. Beyond performance improvements, the adoption of the 4D InSpec scanner led to a 75% reduction in direct labor time, significant cost savings, and the elimination of ergonomic risks and human error associated with traditional inspection methods, and enhanced defect reporting and data collection. The article closes with implementation requirements and areas for future improvement.

573 Background: A subset of Hormone Receptor positive (HR+), HER2 negative (HER2-) breast cancers (BCs) classified by the MammaPrint (MP) assay as High-2 (MP-H2) show clinical behavior similar to triple-negative (TN) BC. The aim of this analysis was to assess molecular similarities between the HR+/HER2-/MP-H2 (HR+/MP-H2), HR+/HER2-/MP-High-1 (HR+/MP-H1), and TN/MP-H2 (TN/MP-H2) BCs. Methods: Gene expression data used for this analysis [GEO GSE194040] was derived from pre-treatment samples of the I-SPY2 trial, which is an ongoing multicentric randomized Phase II neoadjuvant platform trial for high-risk stage II or III BC. Six hundred eighty-four pretreatment samples were included in this analysis: 274 corresponded to HR+/MP-H1, 105 to HR+/MP-H2, and 305 to TN/MP-H2, accounting for 7 experimental plus a control arm. We used principal component and distance analyses, differentially expressed genes (analysis performed for pairwise comparisons of the 3 subtypes, a linear model, log fold-change and moderated-t p-values relative to a minimum fold-change threshold of fc = 1.5), gene set enrichment analysis using KEGG and GO, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, as well as 32 previously defined qualifying biomarkers to study similarities in biology between the subgroups. Results: On principal component and distance analyses, results reveal close similarity between HR+/MP-H2 and TN/MP-H2 indicating shared transcriptomic features. Gene expression analysis revealed that HR+/MP-H2 tumors resemble TN/MP-H2 more than HR+/MP-H1 cancers. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that HR+/MP-H2 and TN/MP-H2 cancers presented only two differentially expressed genes, compared to HR+/MP-H1 and HR+/MP-H2, which presented 577 differentially expressed genes. Upon pathway analysis, HR+/MP-H1 cancers presented the most significant upregulation in the glucocorticoid receptor signaling, DHCR24, and HOTAIR pathways, compared to HR+/MP-H2 cancers. Furthermore, HR+/MP-H2 and TN/MP-H2 shared enrichment of DNA repair and cell cycle pathways. In addition, various biomarkers were analyzed, and among the most representative shared biomarkers for HR+/MP-H2 and TN/MP-H2 were immune features, higher proliferation, and a lower expression of ESR1 co-expressed genes as compared to HR+/MP-H1 cancers. The rates of pathologic complete response were 41% for TN/MP-H2, 31% for HR+/MP-H2, and 11% HR+/MP-H1 cancers among all included patients. Conclusions: A subset of HR+ cancers defined by MP-H2 status closely resemble TN in molecular and clinical features. The similarity of pCR rates for MP-2 observed within either HR+/HER2- and TN is supported by our findings of similarity of active biology between HR+/MP-2 and TN/MP-2. These findings have implications for understanding the biology of HR+/MP-H2 BCs and optimizing treatment strategies.

Brown, M.T.; Dix, N.; Osborne, T.; Castle, A.; Woodward, W.; Hartnett, A.; Dunnigan, S.; Tanner, S., and McGinley, E., 2023. The impacts of a restoration dredging project and storm events on water quality in a northeast Florida barrier island estuary. Journal of Coastal Research, 39(4), 722–739. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Previous studies in estuarine systems have demonstrated that both dredging projects and storm events can have profound impacts on water quality, particularly increases in nutrients, sediment loading, and shifts in phytoplankton community biomass. This study provided the opportunity to assess the potential relative impacts of a 9-month-long barrier island restoration dredging operation, in comparison to storm events that shortly followed, on water quality in a well-flushed, subtropical NE Florida estuary. Twice-a-month monitoring of turbidity, total suspended solids, chlorophyll-a, and major nutrients (ammonium, nitrate+nitrite, and orthophosphate) was carried out at six sites near the dredging operation area from November 2016 through October 2018. This timeframe sampled the dredging project from January to September 2017 associated with the reopening of the Summer Haven River on the barrier island side of the Matanzas River estuary. In addition, two major storm events, Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and a 5-day nor'easter in October 2017, took place during the water quality monitoring. Although the dredging project did result in notable impacts on total suspended solids and ammonium concentrations, the results highlight how natural storm events can have more significant and lasting impacts on water quality in a well-flushed estuary, particularly with regard to decreases in salinity, input and remineralization of dissolved organic carbon, and increases in dissolved nutrients.