Information Technology Infusion Case Study: Integrating Google Earth(Trademark) into the A-Train Data Depot

This poster paper represents the NASA funded project that was to employ the latest three dimensional visualization technology to explore and provide direct data access to heterogeneous A-Train datasets. Google Earth (tm) provides foundation for organizing, visualizing, publishing and synergizing Earth science data

3D Online Visualization and Synergy of NASA A-Train Data Using Google Earth

This poster presentation reviews the use of Google Earth to assist in three dimensional online visualization of NASA Earth science and geospatial data. The NASA A-Train satellite constellation is a succession of seven sun-synchronous orbit satellites: (1) OCO-2 (Orbiting Carbon Observatory) (will launch in Feb. 2013), (2) GCOM-W1 (Global Change Observation Mission), (3) Aqua, (4) CloudSat, (5) CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar & Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations), (6) Glory, (7) Aura. The A-Train makes possible synergy of information from multiple resources, so more information about earth condition is obtained from the combined observations than would be possible from the sum of the observations taken independentl

A-Train Data Search and Visualization to Facilitate Multi-Instrument Cloud Studies

Now that the A-Train suite of datasets have become more mature, new and innovative science utilizing the various products has become more reliable and challenging. To perform multi-satellite research with A-Train data originating from heterogenous missions, scientists must access, subset visualize and analyze user specified datasets in ways unique to the dataset. Then hte datasets need to be co-registered and maybe merged. The A-Train Data Depot (ATDD) has been developed to save each scientist the effort and expense of developing these functions individually

A-Train Data Depot (ATDD)

ATDD is a web based tool which provides collocated data and display products for a number of A-train instruments Cloudsat, Calipso, OMI, AIRS, MODIS, MLS, POLDER-3, and ECWMF model data. Products provided include Clouds, Aerosols, Water Vapor, Temperatures and trace gases. All input data is online and in HDF4, HDF5 format. Display products include curtain images, horizontal strips, line plot overlays, and GE kmz files. Sample products are shown for two type of events. Hurricane event, Norbert, Oct 8, 2008 and a dust storm event over the Arabian Sea, Nov 13-14, 2008

A-Train Data Depot - Bringing Atmospheric Measurements Together

This paper describes the satellite data processing and services that constitute current functionalities of the A-Train Data Depot. We first provide a brief introduction to the original geometrical intricacies of the platforms and instruments of the A-Train constellation, and then proceed with description of our ATrain collocation processing algorithm that provides subsets that facilitate synergistic use of the various instruments. Finally, we present some sample image products from our web-based Giovanni tool which allows users to display, compare and download coregistered A-Train related data

Поиск патогенетической терапии диабетической дистальной симметричной полинейропатии

Диабетическая дистальная симметричная полинейропатия (ДДСП) встречается приблизительно у трети больных с диабетом и ассоциируется с выраженными болевыми синдромами и повышенной смертностью. Диагностика и клиническая оценка ДДСП остается непростой проблемой не только для врачей общей практики, но и для специалистов, принимающих участие в клинических испытаниях. Оптимальный контроль диабета является первоочередной задачей в профилактике развития и ведении пациентов с ДДСП. Однако одного гликемического контроля недостаточно для предотвращения развития и прогрессирования ДДСП, особенно при диабете 2-го типа. Кроме того, у значительной части больных не удается достичь нормогликемии. Значительные успехи достигнуты в контроле симптоматических нейропатических болей, но при этом остается проблема сенсорного дефицита и патогенеза ДДСП. Выбор терапевтических возможностей влияния на естественное течение болезни ограничен. Исследовано несколько патогенетических терапевтических подходов, но результаты клинических испытаний не далиожидаемых результатов, а в некоторых случаях даже оказались разочаровывающими. Несмотря на это, в ряде рандомизированных контролируемых исследований по использованию патогенетического лечения показано обнадеживающее клиническое улучшение относительно нейропатических нарушений в конечных точках, особенно при использовании α-липоевой кислоты и актовегина. Возможность влияния на течение ДДСП требует дальнейшего подтверждения в клинических исследованиях наряду с пониманием механизмов действия многообещающего лечения

Exploiting Untapped Information Resources in Earth Science

No abstract availabl

Expert Opinion on Current Trends in the Use of Insulin in the Management of People with Type 2 Diabetes from the South-Eastern European Region and Israel

Despite the availability of various antihyperglycaemic therapies and comprehensive guidelines, glycaemic control in diabetes management has not improved significantly during the last decade in the real-world clinical setting. Treatment inertia arising from a complex interplay among patient-, clinician- and healthcare-system-related factors is the prime reason for this suboptimal glycaemic control. Also, the key factor leading to inadequate glycaemic levels remains limited communication between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and people with type 2 diabetes (PwT2D). Early insulin administration has several advantages including reduced glucotoxicity, high efficacy and preserved β-cell mass/function, leading to lowering the risk of diabetes complications. The current publication is based on consensus of experts from the South-Eastern European region and Israel who reviewed the existing evidence and guidelines for the treatment of PwT2D. Herein, the experts emphasised the timely use of insulin, preferably second-generation basal insulin (BI) analogues and intensification using basal-plus therapy, as the most-potent glucose-lowering treatment choice in the real-world clinical setting. Despite an increase in the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), the experts urged timely insulin initiation for inadequate glycaemic control in PwT2D. Furthermore, the combination of BI and GLP-1 RA addressing both fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial excursions as a free- or fixed-ratio combination was identified to reduce treatment complexity and burden. To minimise discontinuation and improve adherence, the experts reiterated quality, regular interactions and discussions between HCPs and PwT2D/carers for their involvement in the diabetes management decision-making process. Clinicians and HCPs should consider the opinions of the experts in accordance with the most recent recommendations for diabetes management

Female sex is a risk factor for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: the EURODIAB prospective diabetes complications study

Aims/hypothesis: While the risk factors for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) are now well recognised, the risk factors for painful DPN remain unknown. We performed analysis of the EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study data to elucidate the incidence and risk factors of painful DPN. Methods: The EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study recruited 3250 participants with type 1 diabetes who were followed up for 7.3±0.6 (mean ± SD) years. To evaluate DPN, a standardised protocol was used, including clinical assessment, quantitative sensory testing and autonomic function tests. Painful DPN (defined as painful neuropathic symptoms in the legs in participants with confirmed DPN) was assessed at baseline and follow-up. Results: At baseline, 234 (25.2%) out of 927 participants with DPN had painful DPN. At follow-up, incident DPN developed in 276 (23.5%) of 1172 participants. Of these, 41 (14.9%) had incident painful DPN. Most of the participants who developed incident painful DPN were female (73% vs 48% painless DPN p=0.003) and this remained significant after adjustment for duration of diabetes and HbA1c (OR 2.69 [95% CI 1.41, 6.23], p=0.004). The proportion of participants with macro- or microalbuminuria was lower in those with painful DPN compared with painless DPN (15% vs 34%, p=0.02), and this association remained after adjusting for HbA1c, diabetes duration and sex (p=0.03). Conclusions/interpretation: In this first prospective study to investigate the risk factors for painful DPN, we definitively demonstrate that female sex is a risk factor for painful DPN. Additionally, there is less evidence of diabetic nephropathy in incident painful, compared with painless, DPN. Thus, painful DPN is not driven by cardiometabolic factors traditionally associated with microvascular disease. Sex differences may therefore play an important role in the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain in diabetes. Future studies need to look at psychosocial, genetic and other factors in the development of painful DPN. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Microvascular Complications of Diabetes Mellitus: Focus on Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU)

Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic foot ulcer are the most frequent, but also the most disabling complications of diabetes mellitus, with a sinister impact on patients’ quality of life. Microvascular changes related to the deleterious effect of chronic hyperglycemia play an important role in the pathophysiology of both clinical entities by multiple molecular pathways. Vision-threating diabetic retinopathy may be treated by laser photocoagulation, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents and vitreoretinal surgery. Diabetic foot lesions are best treated by revascularization if needed, off-loading, infection control and therapeutic adjuncts (e.g. special dressings). Treatment should ideally be offered by a multidisciplinary expert team. Prevention and early detection, along with adequate control of glucose, lipids and arterial hypertension are of paramount importance to avoid and mitigate these fearful complications