Quadrant-CCD star tracker

We discuss the characteristics of a Quadrant-CCD developed by Tektronix for pointing and tracking applications. The device is discussed in the context of its application to the Johns Hopkins University adaptive optics program, where it is being used for the correction of stellar image motion resulting from atmospheric turbulence. The transfer function of the device is discussed and results are presented which demonstrate the Quadrant-CCDs capability to provide offset signals to control a rapid guiding mirror in the Johns Hopkins instrument

Quadrant-CCD star tracker

We discuss the characteristics of a Quadrant-CCD developed by Tektronix for pointing and tracking applications. The device is discussed in the context of its application to the Johns Hopkins University adaptive optics program, where it is being used for the correction of stellar image motion resulting from atmospheric turbulence. The transfer function of the device is discussed and results are presented which demonstrate the Quadrant-CCDs capability to provide offset signals to control a rapid guiding mirror in the Johns Hopkins instrument

Importance of lysosomal cysteine proteases in lung disease

The human lysosomal cysteine proteases are a family of 11 proteases whose members include cathepsins B, C, H, L, and S. The biology of these proteases was largely ignored for decades because of their lysosomal location and the belief that their function was limited to the terminal degradation of proteins. In the past 10 years, this view has changed as these proteases have been found to have specific functions within cells. This review highlights some of these functions, specifically their roles in matrix remodeling and in regulating the immune response, and their relationship to lung diseases

INNODIA Master Protocol for the evaluation of investigational medicinal products in children, adolescents and adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes

Background The INNODIA consortium has established a pan-European infrastructure using validated centres to prospectively evaluate clinical data from individuals with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes combined with centralised collection of clinical samples to determine rates of decline in beta-cell function and identify novel biomarkers, which could be used for future stratification of phase 2 clinical trials. Methods In this context, we have developed a Master Protocol, based on the “backbone” of the INNODIA natural history study, which we believe could improve the delivery of phase 2 studies exploring the use of single or combinations of Investigational Medicinal Products (IMPs), designed to prevent or reverse declines in beta-cell function in individuals with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Although many IMPs have demonstrated potential efficacy in phase 2 studies, few subsequent phase 3 studies have confirmed these benefits. Currently, phase 2 drug development for this indication is limited by poor evaluation of drug dosage and lack of mechanistic data to understand variable responses to the IMPs. Identification of biomarkers which might permit more robust stratification of participants at baseline has been slow. Discussion The Master Protocol provides (1) standardised assessment of efficacy and safety, (2) comparable collection of mechanistic data, (3) the opportunity to include adaptive designs and the use of shared control groups in the evaluation of combination therapies, and (4) benefits of greater understanding of endpoint variation to ensure more robust sample size calculations and future baseline stratification using existing and novel biomarkers