Cargo systems

DARPA cargo system test facilities at Houston, TX and Tacoma, WA... 

Sukhorukov GB, Mohwald H (2007) Multifunctional cargo systems for biotechnology. Trends Biotechnol 25 93-98... 

Other interesting application of PEMs in dmg delivery is the fabrication of multicapsules [76, 230, 231]. Multicapsules are multicompartmental cargo systems based in the LbL assembling of multiple subunits such as polyelectrolyte layers, liposomes, and nanoparticles. The typical example of these systems consists in the coating of a colloidal template using multiple layers formed by polymers and intact vesicles. Once the supramolecular architecture is obtained, the initial template is removed by dissolution. 

These multicapsules, also called capsosomes, can be used in the design and fabrication of artificial cells or organelles with therapeutic purposes [231]. The combination of liposomes and polymers layers allows one to obtain hybrid cargo systems with the advantages of both type of materials, but that overcome some of the limitation associated to the individual materials (e.g. mechanical stability of the liposomes). Furthermore, an important advantage of these multicapsules is the possibility to introduce several functionalities in the systems, that opens important challenge in the future development of drug delivery platforms. 

Unprotected steel corrodes at a rate which is generally assumed to be 0.1 to 0.2mm per annum. Factors that influence the actual rate of corrosion include the maintenance program applied by the owner - particularly preservation of protective coatings, efficiency of cathodic protection systems in ballast tanks, corrosive properties of the cargo carried and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. Under extreme conditions it has been known for the annual rate of corrosion on unprotected steel exposed on both surfaces to approach 1mm. 

Tanl . Coatings for Hquid cargo tanks ate selected according to the materials that the tanks (qv) ate to contain. Tank coatings protect the cargo from contamination and must be compatible with the material carried. Epoxy systems ate most frequendy selected because they perform well with both aqueous and organic products. A carefully appHed three-coat epoxy system having a dry-film thickness of 225—300 pm can be expected to last for 12 years. 

Of significance is the rapidly developing containerization system used for package cargo. SeaLand Corp. has developed a patented hner device which can be used to convert a cargo container into a bulk carrier. Figure 21-60 7 provides dimensions of typical bulk hopper-truck equipment. 

Ships and their cargoes are subjected to stresses in ah directions during handling, transfer, and the journey. Adequate stowage is crucial. In line with the transportation of chemicals on land systems to address include ... 

Wilson, R. P., Jr. and Attalah, S. 1975. Design Criteria for Elame Control Devices for Cargo Venting Systems. US Coast Guard Report No. CG-D-157-75 (August 1975). Available from the NTIS, Springfield, VA 22161. 

Bjorklund, R. A. and Ryason, R. R. 1980. Detonation-Flame Arrester Devices for Gasoline Cargo Vapor Recovery Systems. JPL Publication 80-18. Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA... 

The cargo tanks of oil tankers present a special case, because of the high cost of steel renewals in unprotected tanks. For a 30 0001 tanker, costs in the region of 500000 for the initial painting of the tanks have been quoted if the life of the paint system is 6-8 years, the total cost over the normal 20-year life of a tanker is expected to be appreciably less than the sum otherwise spent on steel renewals, which may amount to several hundred thousand pounds. 

The advantageous effects of liposomal carrier systems include protection of compounds from metabolism or degradation, as well as enhanced cellular uptake. Liposome-mediated delivery of cytotoxic drugs to cells in culture has resulted in improved potency [58,59]. Prolonged release of encapsulated cargo has also been demonstrated [60,61]. More recently, liposomes with extended circulation half-lives and dose-independent pharmacokinetics (Stealth liposomes) [62] have shown promise in delivery of drugs that are normally very rapidly degraded. 

The trucking industry has convinced some states that a tractor trailer can haul two cargo units on interstate highways. The result is that each truck driver can transport twice as much per man-hour. The interstate highway system itself has sped up trucking service. 

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