Applications of ISES for instrument science

It is often the case that some instruments being used for geophysical measurements cannot measure some parameters that are important for processing the data obtained using the instrument. However, the parameters of interest may be measured by other instruments and these data made available to the operators of the first instrument. Processing the data immediately after it is acquired is useful in directing the operation of the same or different instrument or in providing a quick look data set to users on the ground. The four applications which are considered are: the decision to acquire data due to some important occurrence detected by Eos instruments; the decision not to acquire data at a scheduled time and/or location; the decision to acquire additional data to improve data quality; and combining data from several sources to enhance data quality. General examples are presented, which may or may not apply directly to Eos instruments on the various platforms

Solar Ultraviolet B Radiation Compared with Prostate Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates in United States

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States correlate inversely with solar ultraviolet (UV) B radiation levels computed from a mathematical model using forecasted ozone levels, cloud levels, and elevation. Another objective was to explore whether the annual prostate cancer rates correlated more strongly with the cumulative UVB exposure for the year or for exposure during certain seasons. METHODS The age-adjusted incidence and mortality cancer rates for black and white men in the continental United States were correlated with the mean UV index values averaged for the year and for each season. RESULTS We found an inverse correlation between the UVB levels and prostate cancer incidence (R= −0.42, P \u3c 0.01) and mortality rates (R= −0.53, P \u3c 0.001) for white men and for incidence (R= −0.40, P \u3c 0.05) for black men, but the strength of the correlation depended on the season of UVB irradiance. No statistically significant results for black male mortality were found. The annual prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates for white men correlated most strongly with UVB exposure levels in the fall and winter, and incidence rates for black men correlated with UVB exposure levels in the summer. CONCLUSIONS Increased solar UVB radiation might reduce the risk of prostate cancer, but the efficacy depends on the season of UVB irradiance

Lidar instruments proposed for Eos

Lidar, an acronym for light detection and ranging, represents a class of instruments that utilize lasers to send probe beams into the atmosphere or onto the surface of the Earth and detect the backscattered return in order to measure properties of the atmosphere or surface. The associated technology has matured to the point where two lidar facilities, Geodynamics Laser Ranging System (GLRS), and Laser Atmospheric Wind Sensor (LAWS) were accepted for Phase 2 studies for Eos. A third lidar facility Laser Atmospheric Sounder and Altimeter (LASA), with the lidar experiment EAGLE (Eos Atmospheric Global Lidar Experiment) was proposed for Eos. The generic lidar system has a number of components. They include controlling electronics, laser transmitters, collimating optics, a receiving telescope, spectral filters, detectors, signal chain electronics, and a data system. Lidar systems that measure atmospheric constituents or meteorological parameters record the signal versus time as the beam propagates through the atmosphere. The backscatter arises from molecular (Rayleigh) and aerosol (Mie) scattering, while attenuation arises from molecular and aerosol scattering and absorption. Lidar systems that measure distance to the Earth's surface or retroreflectors in a ranging mode record signals with high temporal resolution over a short time period. The overall characteristics and measurements objectives of the three lidar systems proposed for Eos are given

Exploring the Role of Vitamin D. Comments on Fleury et al. Sun Exposure and Its Effects on Human Health: mechanisms through Which Sun Exposure Could Reduce the Risk of Developing Obesity and Cardiometabolic Dysfunction

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Targeted 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration measurements and vitamin D\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e supplementation can have important patient and public health benefits

© 2020, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited. Over the past two decades, many studies reported the benefits of higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations for nonskeletal effects. Researchers found significant benefits in reducing risk of acute respiratory tract infections, many types of cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, premature death, and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. In addition, 25(OH)D concentrations are low for various reasons in several categories of people, including the obese, those with dark skin living at higher latitudes, the elderly, and those who do not eat much eggs, fish, meat, or vitamin D fortified milk. Measuring 25(OH)D concentrations is one way to both increase the awareness of vitamin D’s importance in maintaining good health and to encourage vitamin D supplementation or increased solar ultraviolet-B exposure to sustain well-being throughout life by reducing disease incidence. Although 20 ng/ml seems adequate to reduce risk of skeletal problems and acute respiratory tract infections, concentrations above 30 ng/ml have been associated with reduced risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Thus, judicious testing of 25(OH)D concentrations could reduce disease incidence and make treatment expenditures more cost-effective

Why vitamin D clinical trials should be based on 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations

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Physicians\u27 ability to predict hospital length of stay for patients admitted to the hospital from the emergency department.

Accurate predictions of patient length of stay (LOS) in the hospital can effectively manage hospital resources and increase efficiency of patient care. A study was done to assess emergency medicine physicians\u27 ability of predicting the LOS of patients who enter the hospital through the ER. Results indicate that EM physicians are relatively accurate with their pediatric patients than any other age groups. In addition, as actual hospital LOS increases, the prediction accuracy decreases. Possible reasons may be due increasing medical complications associated with increasing age and this may lead to overall longer stays. Other variables such as the admitted service of the patient are not statistically significant in predicting LOS in this study. Future studies should be done in order to determine other variables that may affect LOS predictions