Modeling the Spectral Effects of Water and Soil as Surface Contaminants in a High Resolution Optical Image Simulation

The primary interest of this research is to introduce selected environmental effects into RIT’s Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) Model. DIRSIG is capable of producing high resolution images (meter scale) using Computer Aided Design models (CAD) of buildings, vehicles, trees, etc. across the full optical spectrum (0.35-25μm). Currently, these objects are modeled in a pristine manner and there is no option to simulate them after exposure to environmental effects. Ideally, we would like to subject a given material to these environmental effects and then accurately model the modified reflected or emitted spectrum. As a first step, we have chosen to model moisture and dust on surfaces by implementing a model of the effects of a thin layer of water and soil coverage, respectively, on the spectral reflectance and emittance of different materials. Using new techniques for field instruments in a laboratory setting, we have established the relationship between the surface contaminant and its effect on the target in question. These results will be incorporated into the DIRSIG modeling tool for wider use

Spectral Signature Databases and their Application/Misapplication to Modeling and Exploitation of Multispectral/hyperspectral Data

Spectral signature databases abound in the field of remote sensing. Scientists use these databases to assist in their analysis everyday. Many decisions are made about hyperspectral data and the observations made with this data based on the assumption that these databases contain “ground truth” representations of the signatures for materials sensed. For the most part, this is true if the team collecting the signatures that populate these databases follow sound practices when collecting this data. The data does, however, represent a very specific picture of the “truth”. Signatures found in databases represent a specific collection configuration or geometry. The source of illumination, whether it is artificial or natural, is in a very specific location as is the sensor used to collect radiance for the derivation of the reflectance signatures. A signature found in the database is useful for only a very specific scenario, one that matches the geometry used during ground truth collection. There are other very significant factors regarding illumination field and scattering properties of the material and reference standards that influence the computed reflectance signature. This work will illustrate some of the dramatic variation that can exist in the reflectance signatures derived for the same material using different techniques. Difference upward of 30% may exist for the same material. These observations are presented so that scientists who look to these databases in the future will consider very carefully the metadata that is presented with the signatures that they use to make sure they are applicable to the phenomenology and collection scenario that they have under study. These observations should also point out that signatures presented without detailed metadata could be very hazardous to use if the outcome of the analysis being performed relies upon the absolute reflectance spectra being known

UV Curable Coatings for Improved Gas Barrier Properties of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

A new high-barrier coating based on methyl (alpha-hydroxymethyl)acrylate (MHMA) for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was developed along with the process for preform dipping and cure prior to blow molding into bottles. The UV curable coating gives excellent gas barrier improvement when coated onto PET biaxially oriented thin films. Blown bottle side walls from coated PET preforms also show 2-3 times improvement over uncoated side walls. The effect of photoinitiator concentration, initiator types, and temperature on photopolymerization kinetics of MHMA was investigated. Once the photoinitiator, lrgacure 819 (R), concentration became larger than 1 mol%, a decrease in rate of propagation was observed. The conversion also decreased with higher initiator concentration. lrgacure 819 (R) reduced the auto-acceleration peak and reached maximum rates of polymerization much faster than Irgacure 651 (R). It also gave a slightly higher conversion. Overall conversion for combinations of these photoinitiators was high, above 80%. Real-time FTIR (RT-FTIR) studies of copolymerization of MHMA and methyl methacrylate (MMA) showed that conversion was fairly high up to 25 mol% MMA. However, once MMA feed ratio exceeded 10 mol%, a decrease in barrier performance was observed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Megacollect 2004: Hyperspectral Collection Experiment of Terrestrial Targets and Backgrounds of the RIT Megascene and Surrounding Area (Rochester, NY)

This paper describes a collaborative collection campaign to spectrally image and measure a well characterized scene for hyperspectral algorithm development and validation/verification of scene simulation models (DIRSIG). The RIT Megascene, located in the northeast corner of Monroe County near Rochester, New York, has been modeled and characterized under the DIRSIG environment and has been simulated for various hyperspectral and multispectral systems (e.g., HYDICE, LANDSAT, etc.). Until recently, most of the electro-optical imagery of this area has been limited to very high altitude airborne or orbital platforms with low spatial resolutions. Megacollect 2004 addresses this shortcoming by bringing together, in June of 2004, a suite of airborne sensors to image this area in the VNIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR regions. These include the COMPASS (hyperspectral VNIR,SWIR), SEBASS (hyperspectral LWIR), WASP (broadband VIS, SWIR, MWIR, LWIR) and MISI (hyperspectral VNIR, broadband SWIR, MWIR, LWIR). In conjunction with the airborne collections, an extensive ground truth measurement campaign was conducted to characterize atmospheric parameters, select targets, and backgrounds in the field. Laboratory measurements were also made on samples to confirm the field measurements. These spectral measurements spanned the visible and thermal region from 0.4 to 20 microns. These measurements will help identify imaging factors that affect algorithm robustness and areas of improvement in the physical modeling of scene/sensor phenomena. Reflectance panels have also been deployed as control targets to both quantify sensor characteristics and atmospheric effects. A subset of these targets have also been deployed as an independent test suite for target detection algorithms. Details of the planning, coordination, protocols, and execution of the campaign will be discussed with particular emphasis on the ground measurements. The system used to collect the metadata of ground truth measurements and disseminate this data will be described. Lastly, lessons learned in the field will be underscored to highlight additional measurements and changes in protocol to improve future collections of this area

Clustered Environments and Randomized Genes: A Fundamental Distinction between Conventional and Genetic Epidemiology

In a cross-sectional study Davey Smith and colleagues show why observational studies can produce misleading claims regarding potential causal factors for disease, and illustrate the use of mendelian randomization to study environmentally modifiable risk factors

Diversity in Alzheimer\u27s Disease Drug Trials: The Importance of Eligibility Criteria

INTRODUCTION: To generalize safety and efficacy findings, it is essential that diverse populations are well represented in Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) drug trials. In this review, we aimed to investigate participant diversity in disease-modifying AD trials over time, and the frequencies of participant eligibility criteria. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov, identifying 2247 records. RESULTS: In the 101 included AD trials, participants were predominantly White (median percentage: 94.7%, interquartile range: 81.0-96.7%); and this percentage showed no significant increase or decrease over time (2001-2019). Eligibility criteria such as exclusion of persons with psychiatric illness (78.2%), cardiovascular disease (71.3%) and cerebrovascular disease (68.3%), obligated caregiver attendance (80.2%), and specific Mini-Mental State Examination scores (90.1%; no significant increase/decrease over time) may have led to a disproportionate exclusion of ethnoracially diverse individuals. DISCUSSION: Ethnoracially diverse participants continue to be underrepresented in AD clinical trials. Several recommendations are provided to broaden eligibility criteria

Natural Law and Vengeance:Jurisprudence on the Streets of Gotham

Batman is allied with modern natural law in the way he relies upon reason to bring about his vision of ‘true justice’, operating as a force external to law. This vision of justice is a protective one, with Batman existing as a guardian—a force for resistance against the corruption of the state and the failures of the legal system. But alongside his rational means, Batman also employs violence as he moves beyond the boundaries of the civilised state into the dark and violent world outside law’s protection. He thus sacrifices his own safety to ensure the safety of others—he is a Dark Knight, a sentinel, fighting the nasty and brutish underworld of criminality in his effort to bring rational order to the world and protect the people of Gotham from criminal harm. This fight for justice is fuelled by a deeply private trauma: the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents: a private desire for vengeance that Batman transcends. In navigating Batman’s jurisprudential dimensions, we are ultimately reminded that private desires and motivations are enfolded within the public structures of justice

Interleukin-18 as a drug repositioning opportunity for inflammatory bowel disease: A Mendelian randomization study

Abstract: Support from human genetics increases the probability of success in drug development. However, few examples exist of successful genomically-driven drug repositioning. Given that a Mendelian form of severe enterocolitis is due to up-regulation of the interleukin-18 (IL18) signaling pathway, and pharmacologic inhibition of IL18 has been shown to reverse this enterocolitis, we undertook a Mendelian randomization study to test the causal effect of elevated IL18 levels on inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility (IBD) in 12,882 cases and 21,770 controls. Mendelian randomization is an established method to assess the role of biomarkers in disease etiology in a manner that minimizes confounding and prevents reverse causation. Using three SNPs that explained almost 7% of the variance in IL18 level, we found that each genetically predicted standard deviation increase in IL18 was associated with an increase in IBD susceptibility (odds ratio = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.11–1.34, P-value = 6 × 10−5). This association was further validated in 25,042 IBD cases and 34,915 controls (odds ratio = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05–1.20). Recently, an anti-IL18 monoclonal antibody, which decreased free IL18 levels, was found to be safe, yet ineffective in a phase II trial for type 2 diabetes. Taken together, these genomic findings implicated IBD as an alternative indication for anti-IL18 therapy, which should be tested in randomized controlled trials

Interleukin-18 as a drug repositioning opportunity for inflammatory bowel disease: A Mendelian randomization study

Abstract: Support from human genetics increases the probability of success in drug development. However, few examples exist of successful genomically-driven drug repositioning. Given that a Mendelian form of severe enterocolitis is due to up-regulation of the interleukin-18 (IL18) signaling pathway, and pharmacologic inhibition of IL18 has been shown to reverse this enterocolitis, we undertook a Mendelian randomization study to test the causal effect of elevated IL18 levels on inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility (IBD) in 12,882 cases and 21,770 controls. Mendelian randomization is an established method to assess the role of biomarkers in disease etiology in a manner that minimizes confounding and prevents reverse causation. Using three SNPs that explained almost 7% of the variance in IL18 level, we found that each genetically predicted standard deviation increase in IL18 was associated with an increase in IBD susceptibility (odds ratio = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.11–1.34, P-value = 6 × 10−5). This association was further validated in 25,042 IBD cases and 34,915 controls (odds ratio = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05–1.20). Recently, an anti-IL18 monoclonal antibody, which decreased free IL18 levels, was found to be safe, yet ineffective in a phase II trial for type 2 diabetes. Taken together, these genomic findings implicated IBD as an alternative indication for anti-IL18 therapy, which should be tested in randomized controlled trials