Energetic Nitrate-Based Polymer-Bonded Explosives Derived from Sustainable Aza-Michael Reactions.

A novel nontoxic method for processing energetic binder, namely, polyglycidyl nitrate (PGN), using Aza-Michael reactions for deriving high-performance explosive formulations is being reported. The polyol binders used in polymer-bonded explosives (PBX) including PGN are usually cross-linked using isocyanate leading to polyurethane (PU)-based cured solid networks. These reactions require mild reaction conditions and yield good mechanical properties for the PBX but remain challenging due to extraneous reactions of isocyanate resulting in defects in the cured blocks.

Impact of COVID-19 status on patients receiving neuraxial analgesia during labor: A national retrospective-controlled study.

Background: Pregnancy affects a woman's susceptibility to and severity of certain infectious diseases. Central neuraxial block for analgesia during labor is superior to nonneuraxial methods in efficacy, safety, and maternal satisfaction. Although Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can be vertically transmitted from mother to fetus, little is known about the effects of COVID-19 on pregnant women or about anesthesia management and the risk of adverse effects related to neuraxial techniques in women with untreated COVID-19 during gestation.