Rapid increases in the proton and electron fluxes in the magnetosphere

Time histories of intensities and spectra for low energy electrons and protons in magnetospher

Different DNA extraction methods can cause different AFLP profiles in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) is widely used for DNA fingerprinting and it has been broadly applied in population genetics. Since it is based on restriction digestion and PCR-based amplification it can be influenced by different chemical compounds commonly found in the isolated DNA. DNA extraction procedures may alter the AFLP banding profiles through DNA quality. Hence the DNA extraction method is crucial to produce reproducible AFLP-banding profiles.In this work two sets of AFLP analyses were performed on 62 Pinot noir, 6 Pinot blanc and 4 Pinot gris (Vitis vinifera L.) clones, and profiles obtained after three different DNA extraction methods were compared. AFLP profiles were different for the same genotypes due to the DNA extraction method used.

Shielding Strategies for Human Space Exploration

A group of twenty-nine scientists and engineers convened a 'Workshop on Shielding Strategies for Human Space Exploration' at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The provision of shielding for a Mars mission or a Lunar base from the hazards of space radiations is a critical technology since astronaut radiation safety depends on it and shielding safety factors to control risk uncertainty appear to be great. The purpose of the workshop was to define requirements for the development and evaluation of high performance shield materials and designs and to develop ideas regarding approaches to radiation shielding. The workshop was organized to review the recent experience on shielding strategies gained in studies of the 'Space Exploration Initiative (SEI),' to review the current knowledge base for making shield assessment, to examine a basis for new shielding strategies, and to recommend a strategy for developing the required technologies for a return to the moon or for Mars exploration. The uniqueness of the current workshop arises from the expected long duration of the missions without the protective cover of the geomagnetic field in which the usually small and even neglected effects of the galactic cosmic rays (GCR) can no longer be ignored. It is the peculiarity of these radiations for which the inter-action physics and biological action are yet to be fully understood

Explorer 45 (S 3-A) observations of the magnetosphere and magnetopause during the 4-5 August 1972, magnetic storm period

The Explorer 45 satellite performed extensive field and particle measurements in the heart of the magnetosphere during the double magnetic storm period of August 4-5, 1972. Both ground level magnetic records and the magnetic field deformations measured along the orbit by the satellite indicated the existence of only a moderate ring current. This was confirmed by the measurements of the total proton energy density less than those observed during the December 1971 and June 1972 magnetic storms. The plasmapause in the noon quadrant was eroded continuously from the onset of the first storm at the beginning of August 4 to an altitude below L = 2.07 at about 18 hours on August 5. During the orbit containing the second sudden commencement a large amount of low frequency electric and magnetic field noise was encountered throughout the entire orbit. A noteworthy observation during this orbit was the contraction of the magnetopause to distances inside the satellite at L = 5.2

Toward a descriptive model of solar particles in the heliosphere

During a workshop on the interplanetary charged particle environment held in 1987, a descriptive model of solar particles in the heliosphere was assembled. This model includes the fluence, composition, energy spectra, and spatial and temporal variations of solar particles both within and beyong 1 AU. The ability to predict solar particle fluences was also discussed. Suggestions for specific studies designed to improve the basic model were also made

Significant initial results from the environmental measurements experiment on ATS-6

The Applications Technology Satellite (ATS-6), launched into synchronous orbit on 30 May 1974, carried a set of six particle detectors and a triaxial fluxgate magnetometer. The particle detectors were able to determine the ion and electron distribution functions from 1 to greater than 10 to the 8th power eV. It was found that the magnetic field is weaker and more tilted than predicted by models which neglect internal plasma and that there is a seasonal dependence to the magnitude and tilt. ATS-6 magnetic field measurements showed the effects of field-aligned currents associated with substorms, and large fluxes of field-aligned particles were observed with the particle detectors. Encounters with the plasmasphere revealed the existence of warm plasma with temperatures up to 30 eV. A variety of correlated waves in both the particles and fields were observed: pulsation continuous oscillations, seen predominantly in the plasmasphere bulge; ultralow frequency (ULF) standing waves; ring current proton ULF waves; and low frequency waves that modulate the energetic electrons. In additon, large scale waves on the energetic-ion-trapping boundary were observed, and the intensity of energetic electrons was modulated in association with the passage of sector boundaries of the interplanetary magnetic field

Adherence to Triple Single-Pill Combination of Perindopril/Indapamide/Amlodipine: Findings from Real-World Analysis in Italy

Introduction: Single-pill combination therapy for hypertension is recognized to improve adherence to treatment. However, less is known about the benefits of triple single-pill combinations. This retrospective observational analysis aimed to assess changes in adherence when treatment was switched from perindopril (PER)/indapamide (IND) + amlodipine (AML) to PER/IND/AML single-pill combination, in Italian clinical practice. Methods: This analysis used data extracted from administrative databases of Italian healthcare entities. Adult patients receiving PER/IND/AML were selected, and the prescription date was considered as the index date. Among them, those who had a prescription for PER/IND + AML during the 12 months before the index date and a prescription of PER/IND/AML during 6 months of follow-up were included. Adherence was calculated as the proportion of days covered (PDC: PDC < 40%, non-adherent; PDC = 40-79%, partially adherent; PDC ≥ 80%, adherent). Results: Among the identified patients, 158 were exposed users and were included in the analysis. When patients were compared before and after switch to triple single-pill combination, the proportion of adherent patients was significantly higher with PER/IND/AML single-pill combination (75.3%) than with PER/IND + AML combination (44.3%) (P < 0.05). Conversely, the proportion of non-adherent patients was lower with the PER/IND/AML single-pill combination (14.6%) vs PER/IND + AML (17.7%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This real-world analysis showed that switching to a triple single-pill combination could offer an opportunity to improve adherence to antihypertensive treatment in real-life clinical practice

May Measurement Month 2017 in Russia: hypertension treatment and control-Europe

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative by the International Society of Hypertension aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programs worldwide. The most recent publication compared data from three surveys performed in Russian population aged 25-64 showed that the prevalence of hypertension increased by approximately 20% from 2003 to 2013. This study presents screening data collected in 2017 though the MMM17 initiative in Russia. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 was carried out in May 2017 in 19 Russian cities. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of hypertension, and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. The recruitment of MMM17 participants in Russia occurred in shopping malls, colleges and universities, supermarkets, business centres, parks, and squares. Russian young cardiologists as an official section of Russian Society of Cardiology was actively involved. A total of 5660 individuals were screened. After multiple imputation, 2709 (47.9%) had hypertension. Of individuals not receiving antihypertensive medication, 753 (20.3%) were hypertensive. Of individuals receiving antihypertensive medication, 1094 (55.9%) had uncontrolled BP. Comparing with the worldwide results of MMM17 screening, Russian participants had a higher proportion of hypertension, comparable antihypertensive prescription rate, and worse hypertension control. Thus, the MMM17 project appears to be an important step in evaluating hypertension burden in Russia and emphasizes the further need to improve hypertension awareness, treatment, and control

Spaceflight Radiation Health program at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

The Johnson Space Center leads the research and development activities that address the health effects of space radiation exposure to astronaut crews. Increased knowledge of the composition of the environment and of the biological effects of space radiation is required to assess health risks to astronaut crews. The activities at the Johnson Space Center range from quantification of astronaut exposures to fundamental research into the biological effects resulting from exposure to high energy particle radiation. The Spaceflight Radiation Health Program seeks to balance the requirements for operational flexibility with the requirement to minimize crew radiation exposures. The components of the space radiation environment are characterized. Current and future radiation monitoring instrumentation is described. Radiation health risk activities are described for current Shuttle operations and for research development program activities to shape future analysis of health risk