Signal chain for the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS)

The AVIRIS instrument has a separate dedicated analog signal processing chain for each of its four spectrometers. The signal chains amplify low-level focal-plane line array signals (5 to 10 mV full-scale span) in the presence of larger multiplexing signals (approx 150 mV) providing the data handling system a ten-bit digital word (for each spectrometer) each 1.3 microns. This signal chain provides automatic correction for the line array dark signal nonuniformity (which can approach the full-scale signal span)

Inflation and the cosmic microwave background

I give a status report and outlook concerning the use of the cosmic microwave background anisotropies to constrain the inflationary cosmology, and stress its crucial role as an underlying paradigm for the estimation of cosmological parameters.Comment: 8 pages LaTeX file, with two figures incorporated using epsf. To appear, proceedings of `The non-sleeping universe', Porto (Astrophysics and Space Science

Proceedings of the Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference: Executive Summary

Aerospace environments are reviewed in reference to spacecraft charging. Modelling, a theoretical scheme which can be used to describe the structure of the sheath around the spacecraft and to calculate the charging currents within, is discussed. Materials characterization is considered for experimental determination of the behavior of typical spacecraft materials when exposed to simulated geomagnetic substorm conditions. Materials development is also examined for controlling and minimizing spacecraft charging or at least for distributing the charge in an equipotential manner, using electrical conductive surfaces for materials exposed to space environment

Assessment of Relationships Between External Load Metrics and Game Performance in Women’s Lacrosse

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(6): 488-497, 2022. The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between external load metrics with game performance for Division I collegiate female lacrosse. Data were collected using microtechnology during 26 games with 13 athletes (attackers n = 5, midfielders n = 8). External load variables included: total distance (TD), distance rate (DR), high-intensity (HI) distance, speed, HI sprints, accelerations, decelerations, metabolic equivalent distance (MED), and sprints. For attackers, goals, points, shots, and shots on goal (SOG) had low, positive associations with TD (r = 0.32 to 0.42) and MED (r = 0.39 to 0.45). For midfielders, goals, shots, and draw controls had low, positive relationships with TD (r = 0.34 to 0.41), DR (r = 0.33 to 0.45), and decelerations (r = 0.30 to 0.35). Points and SOG had low associations with TD (r = 0.35), DR (r = 0.33), accelerations (r = 0.31), and decelerations (r = 0.32 to 0.35). Turnovers demonstrated low, positive relationships with HI distance (r = 0.31) and HI sprints (r = 0.41). Though the correlations were low, they still revealed insights into workload metrics and offensive game statistics in the sport of lacrosse. Training for attackers should focus on agility and a training base for TD. Training for midfielders should focus on HI endurance and sprinting

Book Reviews

Book reviews of: A Brutal Reckoning: Andrew Jackson, the Creek Indians, and the Epic War for the American South By Peter Cozzens (Knopf, 2023. Acknowledgements, maps, notes, index. Pp. 464. $35.00 hardback. ISBN: 9780525659457.) Resident Strangers: Immigrant Laborers in New South Alabama. By Jennifer E. Brooks. (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2022. Acknowledgements, illustrations, map, notes, bibliography, index. Pp. xii, 239.$45 cloth, $19.95 ebook. ISBN: 0807176658) Bloody Flag of Anarchy: Unionism in South Carolina during the Nullification Crisis. By Brian C. Neumann. (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2022. Acknowledgements, maps, notes, index. Pp. ix, 216.$45 hardcover. ISBN: 0807176900. A Day I Ain’t Never Seen Before: Remembering the Civil Rights Movement in Marks, Mississippi. By Joe Bateman and Cheryl Lynn Greenberg. (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2023. Pp. xi, 310. ISBN: 0820363035) The Last Fire-Eater: Roger A. Pryor and the Search for a Southern Identity. By William A. Link. (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2023. Acknowledgements, illustrations, notes, index. Pp. 1, 123. ISBN: 0807178935.

Chemoprevention of lung cancer—from biology to clinical reality

Lung cancer is the commonest cause of cancer death in developed countries and throughout the world. Cigarette smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer and ex-smokers today comprise ∼50% of all new lung cancer cases. Chemoprevention builds on the concepts of field of cancerization and multistep carcinogenesis and can be defined as the use of natural or chemical compounds to prevent, inhibit or reverse the process of carcinogenesis. So far, chemoprevention studies in lung cancer have failed to reduce lung cancer mortality. New developments in biotechnology have made it possible to define more accurately high-risk populations, make earlier diagnosis possible, and allow more specific targeted therapies to be developed. Both the development and validation of biomarkers, for the selection of high-risk study populations and for response evaluation in chemoprevention studies, are important for the faster turnover of studies evaluating new agents. This article reviews the current status and describes the perspectives for new approaches in the chemoprevention of lung cance

Supporting people living with dementia and faecal incontinence.

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Bridget Russell, et al, 'Supporting people living with dementia and faecal incontinence', British Journal of Community Nursing, Vol. 22 (3): 110-114, March 2017, doi: http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/pdf/10.12968/bjcn.2017.22.3.110. © 2017 MA Healthcare Ltd.There are approximately 17 500 care homes in the UK which are home to about 487 000 older people, the majority are women aged 80 years or older (Care Quality Commission, 2010). As many as 80% of care home residents may have dementia, though this is not always documented, (Gordon et al, 2014). In England the majority of care homes do not have on site nursing provision and rely on community nurse specialists for support when residents require nursing advice and care. The support of people living in care homes is a well-documented problem (Taunton et al, 2005; Heckenberg, 2008; Saga, 2014) and how well they are managed is often seen as a marker of the quality of care (Care Quality Commission, 2010). Faecal incontinence can be a source of distress, discomfort, lead to complications such as skin breakdown and infection and affect an individual’s sense of dignity and self-worth. It can also be a challenging aspect of care for those who work in care homes.Non peer reviewe

Management of Fecal Incontinence in Older People With Dementia Resident in Care Homes: A Realist Synthesis-The FINCH Study.

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the Editorial to Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, Vol. 198 (9):750-751. Under embargo. Embargo end date: 21 July 2018. The published version is available online at doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2017.06.001. Crown Copyright © 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.Peer reviewe

A Randomized Phase II Trial of Pioglitazone for Lung Cancer Chemoprevention in High Risk Current and Former Smokers

Lung cancer chemoprevention, especially in high-risk former smokers, has great potential to reduce lung cancer incidence and mortality. Thiazolidinediones prevent lung cancer in preclinical studies, and diabetics receiving thiazolidinediones have lower lung cancer rates which led to our double-blind, randomized, phase II placebo-controlled trial of oral pioglitazone in high risk current or former smokers with sputum cytologic atypia or known endobronchial dysplasia. Bronchoscopy was performed at study entry and after completing of six months of treatment. Biopsies were histologically scored, and primary endpoint analysis tested worst biopsy scores (Max) between groups; Dysplasia index (DI) and average score (Avg) changes were secondary endpoints. Biopsies also received an inflammation score. The trial accrued 92 subjects (47 pioglitazone, 45 placebo), and 76 completed both bronchoscopies (39 pioglitazone, 37 placebo). Baseline dysplasia was significantly worse for current smokers, and 64% of subjects had mild or greater dysplasia at study entry. Subjects receiving pioglitazone did not exhibit improvement in bronchial dysplasia. Former smokers treated with pioglitazone exhibited a slight improvement in Max, while current smokers exhibited slight worsening. While statistically significant changes in Avg and DI were not observed in the treatment group, former smokers exhibited a slight decrease in both Avg and DI. Negligible Avg and DI changes occurred in current smokers. A trend towards decreased Ki-67 labeling index occurred in former smokers with baseline dysplasia receiving pioglitazone. While pioglitazone did not improve endobronchial histology in this high-risk cohort, specific lesions showed histologic improvement and further study is needed to better characterize responsive dysplasia