FACT - The First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope: Status and Results

The First G-APD Cherenkov telescope (FACT) is the first telescope using silicon photon detectors (G-APD aka. SiPM). It is built on the mount of the HEGRA CT3 telescope, still located at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, and it is successfully in operation since Oct. 2011. The use of Silicon devices promises a higher photon detection efficiency, more robustness and higher precision than photo-multiplier tubes. The FACT collaboration is investigating with which precision these devices can be operated on the long-term. Currently, the telescope is successfully operated from remote and robotic operation is under development. During the past months of operation, the foreseen monitoring program of the brightest known TeV blazars has been carried out, and first physics results have been obtained including a strong flare of Mrk501. An instantaneous flare alert system is already in a testing phase. This presentation will give an overview of the project and summarize its goals, status and first results

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies: types II, III, and IV

The hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies (HSAN) encompass a number of inherited disorders that are associated with sensory dysfunction (depressed reflexes, altered pain and temperature perception) and varying degrees of autonomic dysfunction (gastroesophageal reflux, postural hypotention, excessive sweating). Subsequent to the numerical classification of four distinct forms of HSAN that was proposed by Dyck and Ohta, additional entities continue to be described, so that identification and classification are ongoing. As a group, the HSAN are rare diseases that affect both sexes. HSAN III is almost exclusive to individuals of Eastern European Jewish extraction, with incidence of 1 per 3600 live births. Several hundred cases with HSAN IV have been reported. The worldwide prevalence of HSAN type II is very low. This review focuses on the description of three of the disorders, HSAN II through IV, that are characterized by autosomal recessive inheritance and onset at birth. These three forms of HSAN have been the most intensively studied, especially familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day syndrome or HSAN III), which is often used as a prototype for comparison to the other HSAN. Each HSAN disorder is likely caused by different genetic errors that affect specific aspects of small fiber neurodevelopment, which result in variable phenotypic expression. As genetic tests are routinely used for diagnostic confirmation of HSAN III only, other means of differentiating between the disorders is necessary. Diagnosis is based on the clinical features, the degree of both sensory and autonomic dysfunction, and biochemical evaluations, with pathologic examinations serving to further confirm differences. Treatments for all these disorders are supportive

AN EXAMINATION OF THE PREDICTIVE ABILITY OF A MULTI-ATTRIBUTE ATTITUDE MODEL WITH USAGE SITUATIONS SPECIFIED

The purpose of this research is to examine the predictive ability of a multi-attribute attitude model under different usage situations. Model predictions of brand choice for three situations are compared to predictions by the model when usage situations are not specified. The product class employed for testing the model is facial tissue. Questionnaires were mailed in three waves to residents of the Greater Lafayette, Indiana area. A total of 565 usable responses was obtained. The data collected in this research quantify the respondent\u27s belief as to the extent which a particular brand holds a certain attribute. The data were examined by means of cross-tabulation and conditional probability tables. A proportionality test was applied to situation-specific data for tests of significant differences from nonsituation-specific data. The model correctly predicted first through third choices and eighth choice more often than fourth through seventh choices. Model predictions were consistent across situations. It was found that the multi-attribute model did not yield significantly better predictions of brand choice when usage situations were specified

The eyelid sign: a clue to bed bug bites.

In pediatric patients, determining the culprit insect in arthropod assaults can be challenging. The patient\u27s history may be vague, the causative insect may not be readily associated with the bites, and the clinical appearance of bites can be variable. Six pediatric patients from the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center dermatology offices with bed bug bites were identified. All had bites involving the face, trunk, and extremities. Five patients demonstrated papules on one upper eyelid associated with erythema and edema. One patient had papules on both upper eyelids. When an arthropod assault is suspected, the eyelid sign, i.e., bites involving the upper eyelid associated with erythema and edema, may point to bed bugs

Congenital granular cell tumors localized to the arm.

We report an instance of congenital granular cell tumors localized to the arm of a female infant. While granular cell tumors are well described during infancy as congenital epulis of the oral cavity, this case is unusual in both its location and histologic characteristics. The lesions, located around the antecubital fossa, were comprised of CD34-positive, S-100-negative granular cells. In addition, there were numerous eccrine glands in the upper dermis. The salient features of the case are discussed and reviewed in the context of the literature pertaining to this unusual entity

Hypericum perforatum L. (BR0000012069613)

Belgium Herbarium image of Meise Botanic Garden

Contact dermatitis to training toilet seat (potty seat dermatitis).

Allergic contact dermatitis from various components of toilet seats has been well described. We report a case of a young boy presenting with an atypical pattern of dermatitis who was found to be allergic to his training toilet seat. This case highlights the importance of recognizing this diagnosis and the role of potty seats as the causative factor

Congenital self-healing reticulohistiocytosis with eye involvement.

Congenital self-healing reticulohistiocytosis (CSHR) represents the benign end of the spectrum of Langerhans cell histiocytoses, with spontaneous resolution of lesions within the first year of life. However, involvement of organ systems other than the skin has been described occasionally and recurrence of disease at sites distant from the skin has been documented. We report a case of CSHR with eye involvement that spontaneously resolved concurrent with resolution of skin lesions. Because multiple organ systems can be involved and recurrences are possible, long-term follow-up of these patients is indicated