Support of the Third Solar Wind conference

The program of invited talks at the Third Solar Wind Conference is provided, with a table of contents of the proceedings

Electrical conductivity of chondritic meteorites

The electrical conductivity of samples of the Murchison and Allende carbonaceous chondrites is 4 to 6 orders of magnitude greater than rock forming minerals such as olivine for temperatures up to 700 C. The remarkably high electrical conductivity of these meteorites is attributed to carbon at the grain boundaries. Much of this carbon is produced by pyrolyzation of hydrocarbons at temperatures in excess of 150 C. As the temperature increases, light hydrocarbons are driven off and a carbon-rich residue or char migrates to the grain boundaries enhancing electrical conductivity. Assuming that carbon was present at the grain boundaries in the material which comprised the meteorite parent bodies, the electrical heating of such bodies was calculated as a function of body size and solar distance during a hypothetical T-Tauri phase of the sun. Input conductivity data for the meteorite parent body were the present carbonaceous chondrite values for temperatures up to 840 C and the electrical conductivity values for olivine above 840 C

Note on Hydromagnetic Propagation and Geomagnetic Field Stability

In the adjoining letter, Dessler [1961] argues that the interface between the solar wind and the geomagnetic field is stable and cannot, therefore, generate hydromagnetic waves. According to our interpretation, his argument may be paraphrased as follows: He observes that, for many sudden commencement geomagnetic storms, surface magnetograms show no marked change in the level of disturbances from the period before the sudden commencement until well into the initial phase of the storm. He applies the attenuation factors calculated by Francis and Karplus [1960] to the measurements of the 1 cps component of the magnetic disturbances obtained at the surface. From this calculation, he concludes that, during the initial phase of these geomagnetic storms, the amplitudes of hydromagnetic disturbances above the ionosphere are less than 1. Assuming that the sudden commencement indicates the presence of a solar wind, he further concludes that hydromagnetie disturbances are not generated in the region between the geomagnetic field and the solar wind and that this interface is, therefore, inherently stable. He subsequently accounts for the hydromagnetie disturbances which are frequently observed at the earth as having been produced by fluctuations in the energy density of the impinging solar wind

Evidence Concerning Instabilities of the Distant Geomagnetic Field: Pioneer I

The search-coil magnetometer carried on Pioneer I has yielded evidence of complex geomagnetic behavior at great distances from the earth. This paper is intended to report only some preliminary observations; in particular, what appears to be directional instability in the field. A comprehensive statistical analysis, to be reported later, is still in progress

Report of the Terrestrial Bodies Science Working Group. Volume 5: Mars

Present knowledge of the global properties and surface characteraretics of Mars and the composition and dynamics of its atmosphere are reviewed. The objectives of proposed missions, the exploration strategy, and supporting research and technology required are delineated

Donor Surfactant Protein A2 Polymorphism and Lung Transplant Survival.

Purpose Gene polymorphisms of surfactant proteins, key players in lung innate immunity, have been associated with various lung diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between variations within the SP-A gene of the donor lung allograft and recipient post-transplant outcome. Methods Lung-Tx pts (n=192) were prospectively followed by PFTs, bronchoscopies with BAL and biopsies. Donor lungs were assayed for SP-A1 (6An) and SP-A2 (1An) gene polymorphism by using the pyrosequencing method. Unadjusted and adjusted stratified Cox survival models are reported. Results SP-A1 and SP-A2 genotype frequency and lung transplant recipient and donor characteristics as well as the cause of death are noted. Recipients were grouped per donor SP-A2 variants. Individuals that received lungs from donors with the SP-A2 1A0 (n=102) versus 1A1 variant (n=68) or SPA2 genotype 1A01A0 (n=54) versus 1A0A1 (n=38) had greater survival at one year (logrank p<0.025). No significant association was noted for SP-A1 variants. Stratified adjusted survival models for one year survival and diagnosis showed a reduced survival for 1A1 variant and the 1A01A1 genotype. Furthermore, when survival was conditional on one year survival no significance was observed, indicating that the survival difference were due to the first year's outcome associated with the 1A1 variant. Conclusion Donor lung SP-A gene polymorphisms are associated with post-transplant clinical outcome. Lungs from donors with the SP-A2 variant 1A1 had a reduced survival at one year. The observed donor genetic differences, via innate immunity relate to the post-transplant clinical outcome.PURPOSE: Gene polymorphisms of surfactant proteins, key players in lung innate immunity, have been associated with various lung diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between variations within the SP-A gene of the donor lung allograft and recipient post-transplant outcome. METHODS: Lung-Tx pts (n=192) were prospectively followed by PFTs, bronchoscopies with BAL and biopsies. Donor lungs were assayed for SP-A1 (6An) and SP-A2 (1An) gene polymorphism by using the pyrosequencing method. Unadjusted and adjusted stratified Cox survival models are reported. RESULTS: SP-A1 and SP-A2 genotype frequency and lung transplant recipient and donor characteristics as well as the cause of death are noted. Recipients were grouped per donor SP-A2 variants. Individuals that received lungs from donors with the SP-A2 1A0 (n=102) versus 1A1 variant (n=68) or SPA2 genotype 1A01A0 (n=54) versus 1A0A1 (n=38) had greater survival at one year (logrank p<0.025). No significant association was noted for SP-A1 variants. Stratified adjusted survival models for one year survival and diagnosis showed a reduced survival for 1A1 variant and the 1A01A1 genotype. Furthermore, when survival was conditional on one year survival no significance was observed, indicating that the survival difference were due to the first year's outcome associated with the 1A1 variant. CONCLUSION: Donor lung SP-A gene polymorphisms are associated with post-transplant clinical outcome. Lungs from donors with the SP-A2 variant 1A1 had a reduced survival at one year. The observed donor genetic differences, via innate immunity relate to the post-transplant clinical outcome

Reports of planetary geology program, 1977-1978

A compilation of abstracts of reports which summarizes work conducted by Planetary Geology Principal Investigators and their associates is presented. Full reports of these abstracts were presented to the annual meeting of Planetary Geology Principal Investigators and their associates at the Universtiy of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, May 31, June 1 and 2, 1978

Platelet activation in the postoperative period after lung transplantation

Objective During lung transplantation, cells in the pulmonary parenchyma are subjected to ischemia, hypothermic storage, and reperfusion injury. Platelets, whose granular contents include adhesion receptors, chemokines, and coactivating substances that activate inflammatory and coagulant cascades, likely play a critical role in the lung allograft response to ischemia and reperfusion. The platelet response to the pulmonary allograft, however, has never been studied. Here we report significant platelet activation immediately after lung transplantation. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study comparing markers of platelet activation in patients undergoing lung transplantation and patients undergoing nontransplant thoracotomy. Plasma levels of soluble P-selectin, soluble CD40 ligand, and platelet–leukocyte conjugates were measured before surgery, after skin closure, and at 6 postoperative hours. Results Both soluble P-selectin and soluble CD40 ligand levels increased significantly after lung transplantation but not after thoracotomy. Additionally, platelet–monocyte conjugate fluorescence was significantly higher after lung transplantation than after thoracotomy alone. Conclusion These findings suggest that platelet activation is significantly increased after lung transplantation beyond that expected from the postoperative state. The increase in circulating platelet–monocyte conjugates suggests an important interaction between platelets and inflammatory cells. Further research should examine whether platelet activation affects early graft function after lung transplantation

Bronchial & Alveolar Lipidomic Profile as a Marker of the Immunological and Functional Status of the Lung Allograft.

See attached file