Hyperspectral and Hypertemporal Longwave Infrared Data Characterization

The Army Research Lab conducted a persistent imaging experiment called the Spectral and Polarimetric Imagery Collection Experiment (SPICE) in 2012 and 2013 which focused on collecting and exploiting long wave infrared hyperspectral and polarimetric imagery. A part of this dataset was made for public release for research and development purposes. This thesis investigated the hyperspectral portion of this released dataset through data characterization and scene characterization of man-made and natural objects. First, the data were contrasted with MODerate resolution atmospheric TRANsmission (MODTRAN) results and found to be comparable. Instrument noise was characterized using an in-scene black panel, and was found to be comparable with the sensor manufacturer\u27s specication. The temporal and spatial variation of certain objects in the scene were characterized. Temporal target detection was conducted on man-made objects in the scene using three target detection algorithms: spectral angle mapper (SAM), spectral matched lter (SMF) and adaptive coherence/cosine estimator (ACE). SMF produced the best results for detecting the targets when the training and testing data originated from different time periods, with a time index percentage result of 52.9%. Unsupervised and supervised classication were conducted using spectral and temporal target signatures. Temporal target signatures produced better visual classication than spectral target signature for unsupervised classication. Supervised classication yielded better results using the spectral target signatures, with a highest weighted accuracy of 99% for 7-class reference image. Four emissivity retrieval algorithms were applied on this dataset. However, the retrieved emissivities from all four methods did not represent true material emissivity and could not be used for analysis. This spectrally and temporally rich dataset enabled to conduct analysis that was not possible with other data collections. Regarding future work, applying noise-reduction techniques before applying temperature-emissivity retrieval algorithms may produce more realistic emissivity values, which could be used for target detection and material identification

Use of long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine as an alternative for treatment in HIV positive patients

A clinical decision report using Mantsios A, Murray M, Karver TS, et al. Efficacy and Freedom: Patient Experiences with the Transition from Daily Oral to Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Therapy to Treat HIV in the Context of Phase 3 Trials. AIDS Behav. 2020;24(12):3473-3481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-02918-x for a young adult patient struggling with adherence

Turbine airfoil film cooling

The experimental data obtained in this program gives insight into the physical phenomena that occur on a film cooled airfoil, and should provide a relevant data base for verification of new design tools. Results indicate that the downstream film cooling process is a complex function of the thermal dilution and turbulence augmentation parameters with trends actually reversing as blowing strength and coolant-to-gas temperature ratio varied. The pressure surface of the airfoil is shown to exhibit a considerably higher degree of sensitivity to changes in the film cooling parameters and, consequently, should prove to be more of a challenge than the suction surface in accurately predicting heat transfer levels with downsteam film cooling

The effects of leading edge and downstream film cooling on turbine vane heat transfer

The progress under contract NAS3-24619 toward the goal of establishing a relevant data base for use in improving the predictive design capabilities for external heat transfer to turbine vanes, including the effect of downstream film cooling with and without leading edge showerhead film cooling. Experimental measurements were made in a two-dimensional cascade previously used to obtain vane surface heat transfer distributions on nonfilm cooled airfoils under contract NAS3-22761 and leading edge showerhead film cooled airfoils under contract NAS3-23695. The principal independent parameters (Mach number, Reynolds number, turbulence, wall-to-gas temperature ratio, coolant-to-gas temperature ratio, and coolant-to-gas pressure ratio) were maintained over ranges consistent with actual engine conditions and the test matrix was structured to provide an assessment of the independent influence of parameters of interest, namely, exit Mach number, exit Reynolds number, coolant-to-gas temperature ratio, and coolant-to-gas pressure ratio. Data provide a data base for downstream film cooled turbine vanes and extends the data bases generated in the two previous studies. The vane external heat transfer obtained indicate that considerable cooling benefits can be achieved by utilizing downstream film cooling. The data obtained and presented illustrate the interaction of the variables and should provide the airfoil designer and computational analyst the information required to improve heat transfer design capabilities for film cooled turbine airfoils

Rugged ATS Turbines for Alternate Fuels

A major national effort is directed to developing advanced turbine systems designed for major improvements in efficiency and emissions performance using natural gas fuels. These turbine designs are also to be adaptable for future operation with alternate coal and biomass derived fuels. For several potential alternate fuel applications, available hot gas cleanup technologies will not likely be adequate to protect the turbine flowpath from deposition and corrosion. Past tests have indicated that cooling turbine airfoil surfaces could ruggedized a high temperature turbine flowpath to alleviate deposition and corrosion. Using this specification. ATS turbine that was evaluated. The initial analyses also showed that two-phase cooling offers the most attractive method of those explored to protect a coal-fueled ATS turbine from deposition and corrosion. This paper describes ruggedization approaches, particularly to counter the extreme deposition and corrosion effects of the high inlet temperatures of ATS turbines using alternate fuels

Lead optimisation of dehydroemetine for repositioned use in malaria

Drug repositioning offers an effective alternative to de novo drug design to tackle the urgent need for novel anti-malarial treatments. The anti-amoebic compound, emetine dihydrochloride, has been identified as a potent in-vitro inhibitor of the multi-drug resistant strain K1 of Plasmodium falciparum (IC50: 47 nM ± 2.1 nM). Dehydroemetine, a synthetic analogue of emetine dihydrochloride has been reported to have less cardiotoxic effects than emetine. The structures of two diastereomers of dehydroemetine were modelled on the published emetine binding site on cryo-EM structure 3J7A (Pf 80S ribosome in complex with emetine) and it was found that (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine mimicked the bound pose of emetine more closely than (-)-S,S-dehydroisoemetine. (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine (IC50 71.03 ± 6.1 nM) was also found to be highly potent against the multi-drug resistant K1 strain of P. falciparum in comparison with (-)-S,S-dehydroisoemetine (IC50 2.07 ± 0.26 μM), which loses its potency due to the change of configuration at C-1′. In addition to its effect on the asexual erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum, the compounds exhibited gametocidal properties with no cross-resistance against any of the multi-drug resistant strains tested. Drug interaction studies showed (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine to have synergistic antimalarial activity with atovaquone and proguanil. Emetine dihydrochloride, and (-)-R,S-dehydroemetine failed to show any inhibition of the hERG potassium channel and displayed activity on the mitochondrial membrane potential indicating a possible multi-modal mechanism of action. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2020 Panwar et al.

Hypertonia, Microcephaly And Hyperkalaemia In A Neonate: Coexistence Of Neurodevelopmental Disorder And Adrenal Insufficiency

  In neonates with more than one clinical abnormality, we always look for a unifying diagnosis that explains the entire clinical presentation. In rare instances, two conditions can co-exist. Here we report a neonate born out of consanguineousmarriage presenting at 48 hours of life with microcephaly, encephalopathy, hypertonia. He had excessive weight loss,persistent hyperkalaemia, shock and 17- hydroxyprogesterone was elevated. Steroids were started for adrenal insufficiency. Magnetic  resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed T2 hyperintensity of cerebral white matter and cerebral atrophy. Clinical exome sequencing (CES) revealed a pathogenic homozygous missense variation of CYP21A2 gene responsible for congenital adrenal hyperplasia and also a homozygous missense variant of unknown significance (VUS) of VARS gene implicated in Neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, seizures, and cortical atrophy (NDMSCA). Baby was neurologically abnormal at discharge. In the setting of consanguinity, there is a possibility of two genetic conditions. Clinical exome sequencing is useful in demystifying the diagnosis in complex clinical presentation

The effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on systolic and diastolic function in rat ventricular myocytes

The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is associated with myocardial dysfunction observed in sepsis and septic shock. There are two fundamental components to this dysfunction. (1) systolic dysfunction; and (2) diastolic dysfunction. The aim of these experiments was to determine if any aspect of whole-heart dysfunction could be explained by alterations to global intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i), contractility, and [Ca(2+)]i handling, by TNF-α, at the level of the individual rat myocyte. We took an integrative approach to simultaneously measure [Ca(2+)]i, contractility and sarcolemmal Ca fluxes using the Ca indicator fluo-3, video edge detection, and the perforated patch technique, respectively. All experiments were performed at 37°C. The effects of 50 ng/mL TNF-α were immediate and sustained. The amplitude of systolic [Ca(2+)]i was reduced by 31% and systolic shortening by 19%. Diastolic [Ca(2+)]i, myocyte length and relaxation rate were not affected, nor were the activity of the [Ca(2+)]i removal mechanisms. The reduction in systolic [Ca(2+)]i was associated with a 14% reduction in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) content and a 11% decrease in peak L-type Ca current (IC a-L). Ca influx was decreased by 7% associated with a more rapid IC a-L inactivation. These data show that at the level of the myocyte, TNF-α reduces SR Ca which underlies a reduction in systolic [Ca(2+)]i and thence shortening. Although these findings correlate well with aspects of systolic myocardial dysfunction seen in sepsis, in this model, acutely, TNF-α does not appear to provide a cellular mechanism for sepsis-related diastolic myocardial dysfunction

Rugged ATS turbines for alternate fuels

A major national effort is directed to developing advanced turbine systems designed for major improvements in efficiency and emissions performance using natural gas fuels. These turbine designs are also to be adaptable for future operation with alternate coal and biomass derived fuels. For several potential alternate fuel applications, available hot gas cleanup technologies will not likely be adequate to protect the turbine flowpath from deposition and corrosion. Past tests have indicated that cooling turbine airfoil surfaces could ruggedized a high temperature turbine flowpath to alleviate deposition and corrosion. Using this specification. ATS turbine that was evaluated. The initial analyses also showed that two-phase cooling offers the most attractive method of those explored to protect a coal-fueled ATS turbine from deposition and corrosion. This paper describes ruggedization approaches, particularly to counter the extreme deposition and corrosion effects of the high inlet temperatures of ATS turbines using alternate fuels

Evaluation of 4-Aminoquinoline Hydrazone Analogues as Potential Leads for Drug-Resistant Malaria

The emergence of resistance to first-line antimalarial drugs calls for the development of new therapies for drug-resistant malaria. The efficacy of quinoline-based antimalarial drugs has prompted the development of novel quinolines. A panel of 4-aminoquinoline hydrazone analogues were tested on the multidrug-resistant K1 strain of Plasmodium falciparum: IC50 values after a 48 h cycle ranged from 0.60 to 49 µM, while the 72 h cycle ranged from 0.026 to 0.219 μM. Time-course assays were carried out to define the activity of the lead compounds, which inhibited over 50% growth in 24 h and 90% growth in 72 h. Cytotoxicity assays with HepG2 cells showed IC50 values of 0.87–11.1 μM, whereas in MDBK cells, IC50 values ranged from 1.66 to 11.7 μM. High selectivity indices were observed for the lead compounds screened at 72 h on P. falciparum. Analyses of stage specificity revealed that the ring stages of the parasite life cycle were most affected. Based on antimalarial efficacy and in vitro safety profiles, lead compound 4-(2-benzylidenehydrazinyl)-6-methoxy-2-methylquinoline 2 was progressed to drug combination studies for the detection of synergism, with a combinatory index of 0.599 at IC90 for the combination with artemether, indicating a synergistic antimalarial activity. Compound 2 was screened on different strains of P. falciparum (3D7, Dd2), which maintained similar activity to K1, suggesting no cross-resistance between multidrug resistance and sensitive parasite strains. In vivo analysis with 2 showed the suppression of parasitaemia with P. yoelii NL (non-lethal)-treated mice (20 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg)