The orbital debris detector consortium: Suppliers of instruments for in-situ measurements of small-particles in the space environment

Industry and university participants have joined together to form the IMPA:Ct consortium (In-situ Monitors of the Particulate Ambient: Circumterrestrial) which offers a broad range of flight qualified instruments for monitoring the small particle (0.1 micron to 10 cm) environment in space. Instruments are available in 12 months or less at costs ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 million dollars (US) for the total program. Detector technologies represented by these groups are: impact-induced capacitor-discharge (MOS, metal-oxide-silicon), cratering or penetration of electroactive thin film (polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)), impact-plasma detection, acoustic detection, CCD tracking of optical scatter of sunlight, and photodiode detection of optical scatter of laser light. The operational characteristics, general spacecraft interface and resource requirements (mass/power/telemetry), cost and delivery schedules, and points of contact for seven different instruments are presented

Pharmacology and therapeutic implications of current drugs for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global epidemic that poses a major challenge to health-care systems. Improving metabolic control to approach normal glycaemia (where practical) greatly benefits long-term prognoses and justifies early, effective, sustained and safety-conscious intervention. Improvements in the understanding of the complex pathogenesis of T2DM have underpinned the development of glucose-lowering therapies with complementary mechanisms of action, which have expanded treatment options and facilitated individualized management strategies. Over the past decade, several new classes of glucose-lowering agents have been licensed, including glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. These agents can be used individually or in combination with well-established treatments such as biguanides, sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones. Although novel agents have potential advantages including low risk of hypoglycaemia and help with weight control, long-term safety has yet to be established. In this Review, we assess the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety profiles, including cardiovascular safety, of currently available therapies for management of hyperglycaemia in patients with T2DM within the context of disease pathogenesis and natural history. In addition, we briefly describe treatment algorithms for patients with T2DM and lessons from present therapies to inform the development of future therapies

An erosion gauge / L. E. Della Lucca, R. A. Skrivanek, and R. K. Soberman.

"Project 7667.""Photochemistry Laboratory.""Research Note."Includes bibliographical references (page 8)Mode of access: Internet

Oestrogen-free oral contraception with a 4 mg drospirenone-only pill: new data and a review of the literature

Purpose: The contraceptive pill is an effective and safe method of preventing pregnancy. The progestins used for contraception either are components of a combined hormonal contraceptive (tablets, patches or vaginal rings) or are used alone in progestin-only formulations. Progestin-only contraceptives are available as daily oral preparations, subcutaneous or intramuscular injectables (every 1–3 months), subdermal implants (every 3–5 years) and intrauterine systems (every 3–5 years). Long-acting progestins are highly effective in typical use and have a very low risk profile and few contraindications. Material and Methods: A new progestin-only, oestrogen-free contraceptive, drospirenone, in a dosage of 4 mg/day in a 24/4 regimen, has received regulatory approval in the USA and the EU. The molecule has antigonadotropic, antimineralocorticoid, antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic properties. Results: The regimen was chosen to improve the bleeding profile; maintain plasma oestradiol levels at those of the early follicular phase, to avoid hypoestrogenism; and preserve efficacy even with a missed pill, as drospirenone has a half-life of 30–34 h. Conclusions: Clinical studies have shown good efficacy, very low cardiovascular side effects and a favourable bleeding pattern, as well as maintenance of ovulation inhibition after scheduled 24 h delays in pill intake

Investigations of noctilucent cloud particles /

Reprinted from Tellus, Volume 16, Number 1. p. 84-117.Research supported by the Space Physics Laboratory, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Office of Aerospace Research, United States Air Force, L.G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts.Space Physics Laboratory Project 7667.Other authors listed on title page: R.K. Soberman, G. Witt, S.A. Chrest, J.J. Manning, L. Rey, T.G. Ryan, R.A. Skrivanek, N. Wilhelm, E.F. Fullam, N. Lange, S. Modin, I. Linscott.AD-467 097 (from http://www.ntis.gov)."February 1965."Includes bibliographical references.Mode of access: Internet