A human-based multi-gene signature enables quantitative drug repurposing for metabolic disease

Insulin resistance (IR) contributes to the pathophysiology of diabetes, dementia, viral infection, and cardiovascular disease. Drug repurposing (DR) may identify treatments for IR; however, barriers include uncertainty whether in vitro transcriptomic assays yield quantitative pharmacological data, or how to optimise assay design to best reflect in vivo human disease. We developed a clinical-based human tissue IR signature by combining lifestyle-mediated treatment responses (>500 human adipose and muscle biopsies) with biomarkers of disease status (fasting IR from >1200 biopsies). The assay identified a chemically diverse set of >130 positively acting compounds, highly enriched in true positives, that targeted 73 proteins regulating IR pathways. Our multi-gene RNA assay score reflected the quantitative pharmacological properties of a set of epidermal growth factor receptor-related tyrosine kinase inhibitors, providing insight into drug target specificity; an observation supported by deep learning-based genome-wide predicted pharmacology. Several drugs identified are suitable for evaluation in patients, particularly those with either acute or severe chronic IR.

Numerical evaluation of the exhaust-direction effects on plume flow and helicopter infrared radiation under hover and cruise statuses

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effects of exhaust direction on exhaust plume and helicopter infrared radiation in hover and cruise status. Design/methodology/approach Four exhaust modes are concerned, and the external flow field and fuselage temperature field are calculated by numerical simulation. The infrared radiation intensity distributions of the four models in hovering and cruising states are computed by the ray-tracing method. Findings Under the hover status, the exhaust plume is deflected to flow downward after it exhausts from the nozzle exit, upon the impact of the main-rotor downwash. Besides, the exhaust plume shows a “swirling” movement following the main-rotor rotational direction. The forward-flight flow helps prevent the hot exhaust plume from a collision with the helicopter fuselage generally for the cruise status. In general, the oblique-upward exhaust mode provides moderate infrared radiation intensities in all of the viewing directions, either under the hover or the cruise status. Compared with the hover status, the infrared radiation intensity distribution alters somewhat in cruise. Originality/value Illustrating the influences of exhaust direction on plume flow and helicopter infrared radiation and the differences of helicopter infrared radiation under hover and cruise statuses are identified. Finally, an appropriate exhaust mode is proposed to provide a better IR signature distribution.

Infrared Signatures in The Modern Warship

A key aspect in design of the modern warship from the point of view of energy efficiency is undoubtedly the selection of its propulsion system. A large part of the total Infrared (IR) radiation emitted by the ship will be originated from propulsion, because not all the energy generated will be transformed into effective work. The remaining energy will contribute directly to the IR signature of the warship as a whole, thus increasing its susceptibility and, therefore, its casualty. The aim of this article is to describe the main sources of IR signature on frigates and destroyers, current and future IR signature reduction countermeasures, and present the results of an Infrared Control Measures (IRCM) study in which the vessel's ability to dissuade aerial threats through the use of deception techniques, within a stated energy efficiency scenario, is analysed. In conclusion, electrical variants to warship propulsion systems are more efficient under the same operating conditions, and their associated reduction of waste energy contribute favourably to IR signature control. The activation of IRCM will further reduce the IR susceptibility of a warship.

Smart Textiles for Visible and IR Camouflage Application: State-of-the-Art and Microfabrication Path Forward

Protective textiles used for military applications must fulfill a variety of functional requirements, including durability, resistance to environmental conditions and ballistic threats, all while being comfortable and lightweight. In addition, these textiles must provide camouflage and concealment under various environmental conditions and, thus, a range of wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum. Similar requirements may exist for other applications, for instance hunting. With improvements in infrared sensing technology, the focus of protective textile research and development has shifted solely from providing visible camouflage to providing camouflage in the infrared (IR) region. Smart textiles, which can monitor and react to the textile wearer or environmental stimuli, have been applied to protective textiles to improve camouflage in the IR spectral range. This study presents a review of current smart textile technologies for visible and IR signature control of protective textiles, including coloration techniques, chromic materials, conductive polymers, and phase change materials. We propose novel fabrication technology combinations using various microfabrication techniques (e.g., three-dimensional (3D) printing; microfluidics; machine learning) to improve the visible and IR signature management of protective textiles and discuss possible challenges in terms of compatibility with the different textile performance requirements.

EXPRESS: Probing Heterogeneity in Attenuated Total Reflection Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy (ATR SEIRAS) Response with Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy

The heterogeneity of metal island films electrodeposited on conductive metal oxide modified internal reflection elements is shown to provide a variable ATR-SEIRAS (attenuated total reflection surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy) response. A self-assembled monolayer of a ferrocene-terminated thiol monolayer (FcC11SH) was formed on the gold islands covering a single substrate, which was measured using both a conventional spectrometer and a custom-built horizontal microscope. Cyclic voltammetry and ATR-SEIRAS results reveal that the FcC11SH modified substrate undergoes a reversible electron transfer and an associated re-orientation of both the ferrocene/ferrocenium headgroup and the hydrocarbon backbone. The magnitude of the absorption signal arising from the redox changes in the monolayer, as well as the IR signature arising from the ingress/egress of the perchlorate counterions, is shown to depend significantly on the size of the infrared beam spot when using a conventional FTIR spectrometer. By performing equivalent measurements on a horizontal microscope, the primary cause of the differences in the signal level is found to be the hetereogeneity in the density of gold islands on the conductive metal oxide.

Mixing Characteristics and Enhancement of Sonic Elliptic Jets from a Twin Elliptic Orifice

The knowledge of jet mixing and its enhancement of elliptic jet are important in a propulsion system of aircraft, rocket, and missile’s system design for advancement of combustion via fuel-air mixture increment, lowering the jet noise and reduction of the plume infrared (IR) signature. The jet issuing from a twin elliptic orifice is non-uniform in shape that promotes the faster mixing and it influences by orifice exit conditions, so knowledge of absence of boundary layer and jet mixing characteristics is important. Hence, an experimental work helps to study the jet mixing for a twin elliptic orifice of aspect ratio two at nozzle pressure ratios of one, two, and three. The proximity between the orifices kept as one to 3mm in steps of one. The experimental readings were taken using pitot probe. The results revealed that jet mixing is faster and effective when the proximity between the orifices is closer to each other than the faraway distances at measured nozzle pressure ratios. Difference in orifice jet core exerted a noticeable influence at high proximity levels of nozzle pressure ratio of three and four for elliptic orifice.