Extending the tactical horizon networking aircraft to enable persistent surveillance and target development for SOF

The NPS Tactical Horizon Extension Project objective is to define and demonstrate a concept by which task force-level commanders and below can obtain a persistent, over-the-horizon surveillance capability for the purpose of target development and other missions without tasking national or theater-level assets. Our goal is to increase the ISR capacity of units who normally would not rate the priority to task a Predator, Global Hawk, or U-2. There are two guiding tenets in developing this concept. First, the equipment and its control should be organic to the SOF unit or task force. Second, utilizing this capability should not require the soldier to carry any additional equipment into the field. Initial research led us to the idea of using networked unmanned aerial systems (UAS's) to generate an over-the-horizon surveillance capability for SOF. We demonstrated the concept by forming a network comprised of a forward ground team, an inexpensive, test-bed UAS equipped with an off-the-shelf video camera, a manned aircraft, and a tactical operations center (TOC). We attained connectivity through an ITT Mesh structure at 2.4 GHz, amplified to 1W. Researchers were from the Defense Analysis, Mechanical and Astronautical Engineering, and Information Sciences Departments. We conducted successful experiments through the USSOCOM-NPS Cooperative Field Experimentation Program.http://archive.org/details/extendingtactica109452582Outstanding ThesisApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Transition Metal Substitution Effects on Metal-to-Polyoxometalate Charge Transfer

A series of heterobimetallic transition metal substituted polyoxometalates (TMSPs) have been synthesized based on the CoII-centered ligand [CoIIW11O39]10-. The eight complex series, [CoII(MxOHy)W11O39](12-x-y)- (MxOHy = VIVO, CrIII(OH2), MnII(OH2), FeIII(OH2), CoII(OH2), NiII(OH2), CuII(OH2), ZnII(OH2)), of which six are reported for the first time, was synthesized starting from [CoIIIW11O39]9- and studied using spectroscopic, electrochemical, and computational techniques to evaluate the influence of substituted transition metals on the photodynamics of the metal-to-polyoxometalate charge transfer (MPCT) transition. The bimetallic complexes all show higher visible light absorption than the plenary [CoIIW12O40]6- and demonstrate the same MPCT transition as the plenary complex, but have shorter excited state lifetimes (sub-300 ps in aqueous media). The decreased lifetimes are rationalized on the basis of nonradiative relaxation due to coordinating aqua ligands, increased interaction with cations due to increased negative charge, and the energy gap law, with the strongest single factor appearing to be the charge on the anion. The most promising results are from the Cr- and Fe-substituted systems, which retain excited state lifetimes at least 50% of that of [CoIIW12O40]6- while more than tripling the absorbance at 400 nm

Designer diatom episomes delivered by bacterial conjugation.

Eukaryotic microalgae hold great promise for the bioproduction of fuels and higher value chemicals. However, compared with model genetic organisms such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, characterization of the complex biology and biochemistry of algae and strain improvement has been hampered by the inefficient genetic tools. To date, many algal species are transformable only via particle bombardment, and the introduced DNA is integrated randomly into the nuclear genome. Here we describe the first nuclear episomal vector for diatoms and a plasmid delivery method via conjugation from Escherichia coli to the diatoms Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana. We identify a yeast-derived sequence that enables stable episome replication in these diatoms even in the absence of antibiotic selection and show that episomes are maintained as closed circles at copy number equivalent to native chromosomes. This highly efficient genetic system facilitates high-throughput functional characterization of algal genes and accelerates molecular phytoplankton research

Double-labelled HIV-1 particles for study of virus–cell interaction

AbstractHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) delivers its genome to a host cell through fusion of the viral envelope with a cellular membrane. While the viral and cellular proteins involved in entry have been analyzed in detail, the dynamics of virus–cell fusion are largely unknown. Single virus tracing (SVT) provides the unique opportunity to visualize viral particles in real time allowing direct observation of the dynamics of this stochastic process. For this purpose, we developed a double-coloured HIV derivative carrying a green fluorescent label attached to the viral matrix protein combined with a red label fused to the viral Vpr protein designed to distinguish between complete virions and subviral particles lacking MA after membrane fusion. We present here a detailed characterization of this novel tool together with exemplary live cell imaging studies, demonstrating its suitability for real-time analyses of HIV–cell interaction

Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency presenting with failure to thrive, hypercalcemia, and nephrocalcinosis

BACKGROUND: Disaccharide Intolerance Type I (Mendelian Interance in Man database: *222900) is a rare inborn error of metabolism resulting from mutation in sucrase-isomaltase (Enzyme Catalyzed 3.2.1.48). Usually, infants with SI deficiency come to attention because of chronic diarrhea and nutritional evidence of malabsorption. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe an atypical presentation of this disorder in a 10-month-old infant. In addition to chronic diarrhea, the child displayed severe and chronic hypercalcemia, the evaluation of which was negative. An apparently coincidental right orbital hemangioma was detected. Following identification of the SI deficiency, an appropriately sucrose-restricted, but normal calcium diet regimen was instituted which led to cessation of diarrhea, substantial weight gain, and resolution of hypercalcemia. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that, similar to congenital lactase deficiency (Mendelian Interance in Man database: *223000, Alactasia, Hereditary Disaccharide Intolerance Type II), hypercalcemia may complicate neonatal Sucrase-Isomaltase deficiency. Hypercalcemia in the presence of chronic diarrhea should suggest disaccharide intolerance in young infants

Bis(1,4,7-trithia­cyclo­nona­ne)nickel(II) bis­(tetra­fluorido­borate) nitro­methane disolvate

The homoleptic thio­ether title complex, [Ni(C6H12S3)2](BF4)2·2CH3NO2, shows the expeced hexa­kis­(thio­ether) octa­hedral environment around the NiII atom. It crystallized as two crystallographically independent complex cations, [Ni(9S3)2]2+ (9S3 = 1,4,7-trithia­cyclo­nona­ne), within the unit cell where each NiII lies on an inversion center. In addition to the complex cations, there are two crystallographically independent BF4 − anions present to balance the charge, and each shows disorder along a pseudo-C 3 axis with ratios of 0.53 (2):0.47 (2) and 0.55 (2):0.45 (2). Two nitro­methane solvent mol­ecules per complex cation are also present in the unit cell

Coal surface structure and thermodynamics. Final report

Coals surfaces were studied using static surface adsorption measurements, low angle x-ray scattering (LAXS), inverse gas chromatography (IGC) and a new {sup 13}C NMR relaxation technique. A comparison of surface areas determined by hydrocarbon gas adsorption and LAXS led to the twin conclusions that the hydrocarbons had to diffuse through the solid to reach isolated pores and that the coal pores do not form interconnected networks, but are largely isolated. This conclusion was confirmed when IGC data for small hydrocarbons showed no discontinuities in their size dependence as usually observed with porous solids. IGC is capable of providing adsorption thermodynamics of gases on coal surfaces. The interactions of non-polar molecules and coal surfaces are directly proportioned to the gas molecular polarizability. For bases, the adsorption enthalpy is equal to the polarizability interaction plus the heat of hydrogen bond formation with phenol. Amphoteric molecules have more complex interactions. Mineral matter can have highly specific effects on surface interactions, but with most of the molecules studied is not an important factor

Corepressor/coactivator paradox: potential constitutive coactivation by corepressor splice variants

The functional consequences of the interaction of transcriptional coregulators with the human thyroid hormone receptor (TR) in mammalian cells are complex. We have used the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which lack endogenous nuclear receptors (NRs) and NR coregulators, as a model to decipher mechanisms regulating transcriptional activation by TR. In effect, this system allows the reconstitution of TR mediated transcription complexes by the expression of specific combinations of mammalian proteins in yeast. In this yeast system, human adenovirus 5 early region 1A (E1A), a natural N-CoR splice variant (N-CoR(I)) or an artificial N-CoR truncation (N-CoR(C)) coactivate unliganded TRs and these effects are inhibited by thyroid hormone (TH). E1A contains a short peptide sequence that resembles known corepressor-NR interaction motifs (CoRNR box motif, CBM), and this motif is required for TR binding and coactivation. N-CoR(I) and N-CoR(C) contain three CBMs, but only the C-terminal CBM1 is critical for coactivation. These observations in a yeast model system suggest that E1A and N-CoR(I) are naturally occurring TR coactivators that bind in the typical corepressor mode. These findings also raise the possibility that alternative splicing events which form corepressor proteins containing only C-terminal CBM motifs could represent a novel mechanism in mammalian cells for regulating constitutive transcriptional activation by TRs

Acceptance and commitment therapy delivered via a mobile phone messaging robot to decrease postoperative opioid use in patients with orthopedic trauma: Randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a pragmatic approach to help individuals decrease avoidable pain. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effects of ACT delivered via an automated mobile messaging robot on postoperative opioid use and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with orthopedic trauma who underwent operative intervention for their injuries. METHODS: Adult patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center who underwent operative fixation of a traumatic upper or lower extremity fracture and who used mobile phone text messaging were eligible for the study. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group, who received twice-daily mobile phone messages communicating an ACT-based intervention for the first 2 weeks after surgery, or the control group, who received no messages. Baseline PROs were completed. Two weeks after the operative intervention, follow-up was performed in the form of an opioid medication pill count and postoperative administration of PROs. The mean number of opioid tablets used by patients was calculated and compared between groups. The mean PRO scores were also compared between the groups. RESULTS: A total of 82 subjects were enrolled in the study. Of the 82 participants, 76 (38 ACT and 38 controls) completed the study. No differences between groups in demographic factors were identified. The intervention group used an average of 26.1 (SD 21.4) opioid tablets, whereas the control group used 41.1 (SD 22.0) tablets, resulting in 36.5% ([41.1-26.1]/41.1) less tablets used by subjects receiving the mobile phone-based ACT intervention (P=.004). The intervention group subjects reported a lower postoperative Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Information System Pain Intensity score (mean 45.9, SD 7.2) than control group subjects (mean 49.7, SD 8.8; P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the delivery of an ACT-based intervention via an automated mobile messaging robot in the acute postoperative period decreased opioid use in selected patients with orthopedic trauma. Participants receiving the ACT-based intervention also reported lower pain intensity after 2 weeks, although this may not represent a clinically important difference. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03991546; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03991546