SUNSTORM 1/X-ray Flux Monitor for CubeSats (XFM-CS) : Instrument characterization and first results

SUNSTORM 1 CubeSat was launched to Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit on August 17 2021. The primary purpose of the mission is an in-orbit demonstration of X-ray Flux Monitor (XFM) instrument. XFM is an innovative solar X-ray spectrometer for measuring and characterizing solar flares, which are known to be linked to a variety of space weather phenomena. XFM represents a next generation of solar X-ray flux monitors. It is based on silicon drift detector technology, which provides several notable performance improvements over its predecessors, which are based on Si PIN detectors. Transversal electric field and lower output capacitance allow operation at much faster pulse processing shaping times, allowing the system to achieve about 10 times higher throughput without saturation while also making it less sensitive to the increase of leakage current due to high temperature and/or radiation damage. Thus, XFM instruments can cover a very wide dynamic range of solar X-ray emission from the most quiescent conditions to the strongest X-class solar flares, while maintaining good spectral resolution (Peer reviewe

Solar Intensity X-Ray and Particle Spectrometer SIXS : Instrument Design and First Results

The Solar Intensity X-ray and particle Spectrometer (SIXS) on the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter ("Bepi") measures the direct solar X-rays, energetic protons, and electrons that bombard, and interact with, the Hermean surface. The interactions result in X-ray fluorescence and scattering, and particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), i.e. "glow" of the surface in X-rays. Simultaneous monitoring of the incident and emitted radiation enables derivation of the abundances of some chemical elements and scattering properties of the outermost surface layer of the planet, and it may reveal other sources of X-ray emission, due to, for example, weak aurora-like phenomena in Mercury's exosphere. Mapping of the Hermean X-ray emission is the main task of the MIXS instrument onboard BepiColombo. SIXS data will also be used for investigations of the solar X-ray corona and solar energetic particles (SEP), both in the cruise phase and the passes of the Earth, Venus and Mercury before the arrival at Mercury's orbit, and the final science phase at Mercury's orbit. These observations provide the first-ever opportunity for in-situ measurements of the propagation of SEPs, their interactions with the interplanetary magnetic field, and space weather phenomena in multiple locations throughout the inner solar system far away from the Earth, and more extensively at Mercury's orbit. In this paper we describe the scientific objectives, design and calibrations, operational principles, and scientific performance of the final SIXS instrument launched to the mission to planet Mercury onboard BepiColombo. We also provide the first analysis results of science observations with SIXS, that were made during the Near-Earth Commissioning Phase and early cruise phase operations in 2018-19, including the background X-ray sky observations and "first light" observations of the Sun with the SIXS X-ray detection system (SIXS-X), and in-situ energetic electron and proton observations with the SIXS Particle detection system (SIXS-P).Peer reviewe

Treatment of mastitis during lactation

Treatment of mastitis should be based on bacteriological diagnosis and take national and international guidelines on prudent use of antimicrobials into account. In acute mastitis, where bacteriological diagnosis is not available, treatment should be initiated based on herd data and personal experience. Rapid bacteriological diagnosis would facilitate the proper selection of the antimicrobial. Treating subclinical mastitis with antimicrobials during lactation is seldom economical, because of high treatment costs and generally poor efficacy. All mastitis treatment should be evidence-based, i.e., the efficacy of each product and treatment length should be demonstrated by scientific studies. Use of on-farm written protocols for mastitis treatment promotes a judicious use of antimicrobials and reduces the use of antimicrobials

Solar Intensity X-Ray and Particle Spectrometer SIXS: Instrument Design and First Results

The Solar Intensity X-ray and particle Spectrometer (SIXS) on the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter ("Bepi") measures the direct solar X-rays, energetic protons, and electrons that bombard, and interact with, the Hermean surface. The interactions result in X-ray fluorescence and scattering, and particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), i.e. "glow" of the surface in X-rays. Simultaneous monitoring of the incident and emitted radiation enables derivation of the abundances of some chemical elements and scattering properties of the outermost surface layer of the planet, and it may reveal other sources of X-ray emission, due to, for example, weak aurora-like phenomena in Mercury's exosphere. Mapping of the Hermean X-ray emission is the main task of the MIXS instrument onboard BepiColombo. SIXS data will also be used for investigations of the solar X-ray corona and solar energetic particles (SEP), both in the cruise phase and the passes of the Earth, Venus and Mercury before the arrival at Mercury's orbit, and the final science phase at Mercury's orbit. These observations provide the first-ever opportunity for in-situ measurements of the propagation of SEPs, their interactions with the interplanetary magnetic field, and space weather phenomena in multiple locations throughout the inner solar system far away from the Earth, and more extensively at Mercury's orbit. In this paper we describe the scientific objectives, design and calibrations, operational principles, and scientific performance of the final SIXS instrument launched to the mission to planet Mercury onboard BepiColombo. We also provide the first analysis results of science observations with SIXS, that were made during the Near-Earth Commissioning Phase and early cruise phase operations in 2018-19, including the background X-ray sky observations and "first light" observations of the Sun with the SIXS X-ray detection system (SIXS-X), and in-situ energetic electron and proton observations with the SIXS Particle detection system (SIXS-P)

Cloning and characterization of scavidin, a fusion protein for the targeted delivery of biotinylated molecules

We have constructed a novel fusion protein "Scavidin" consisting of the macrophage scavenger receptor class A and avidin. The Scavidin fusion protein is transported to plasma membranes where the avidin portion of the fusion protein binds biotin with high affinity and forms the basis for the targeted delivery of biotinylated molecules. Subcellular fractionation analysis, immuno-staining, and electron microscopy demonstrated endosomal localization of the fusion protein. According to pulse-labeling and cross-linking studies Scavidin is found as monomers (55 kDa), dimers, and multimers, of which the 220-kDa form was the most abundant. The biotin binding capacity and active endocytosis of the biotinylated ligands were demonstrated in rat malignant glioma. Local Scavidin gene transfer to target tissues could have general utility as a universal tool to deliver biotinylated molecules at systemic low concentrations for therapeutic and imaging purposes, whereby high local concentration is achieved

Gene transfer into the carotid artery using an adventitial collar: comparison of the effectiveness of the plasmid-liposome complexes, retroviruses, pseudotyped retroviruses, and adenoviruse

We studied the efficiency of plasmid/liposome complexes, Moloney murine leukemia virus-derived (MMLV) retroviruses, pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus protein-G (VSV-G)-containing retroviruses, and adenoviruses in delivering genes into the rabbit carotid artery using a silastic collar applied to the adventitia. This method was used for gene transfer because (a) it provides a gene delivery reservoir; (b) no intraluminal manipulations are performed; (c) installation of the collar induces arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and enhances retroviral gene transfer efficiency where target cell proliferation is required. The transfer of the beta-galactosidase (lacZ) marker gene to the adventitia and media occurred with all gene transfer systems. Adenoviruses also transferred the beta-galactosidase gene to some endothelial cells. After 5 days, adenoviral vectors produced the highest gene transfer efficiency with up to 10%+/-6% of cells showing beta-galactosidase activity. Pseudotyped VSV-G retroviruses were also effective in achieving gene transfer in 0.05%+/-0.03% of cells in the adventitia and media. Plasmid/liposome complexes and MMLV retroviruses infected 0.05%+/-0.03% and <0.01%+/-0.01% of cells, respectively. It is concluded that replication-deficient adenoviruses, VSV-G pseudotyped retroviruses, and plasmid/liposome complexes can be used for gene transfer to the arterial wall using the collar method. Because the endothelium remains anatomically present throughout the experiments, the model may be useful for the gene transfer studies involving diffusible or secreted gene products that primarily act on the endothelium. Effects on medial SMC and even endothelium can be achieved from the adventitial side, suggesting an alternative route for the delivery of therapeutically useful genes into the arterial wall