Προειδοποιήσεις έναρξης των μειώσεων Forbush της έντασης της κοσμικής ακτινοβολίας με δεδομένα μετρητών νετρονίων και δορυφόρων.

Σωμάτια πολύ υψηλών ενεργειών που καταφθάνουν στη Γη από πηγές εκτός της ηλιόσφαιρας αποτελούν την κοσμική ακτινοβολία. Ένα από τα σημαντικότερα επεισόδια του Γεωδιαστημικού Περιβάλλοντος είναι οι μειώσεις Forbush της έντασης της κοσμικής ακτινοβολίας που είναι απότομες μειώσεις της, με διάρκεια από μερικές μέχρι δέκα ημέρες. Συνδέονται με αιφνίδιες μεταβολές συνθηκών του Διαστημικού Καιρού, που στη συνέχεια επηρεάζουν και τις ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες. Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής ήταν η μελέτη των χαρακτηριστικών των μειώσεων Forbush της έντασης της κοσμικής ακτινοβολίας που είτε ήταν συνδεδεμένες με μια αιφνίδια έναρξη μαγνητικής καταιγίδας (Sudden Storm Commencement – SSC), είτε οφείλονταν σε ταχέως κινούμενες ροές ηλιακού ανέμου και των αντίστοιχων ηλιακών και διαπλανητικών παραμέτρων και η διερεύνηση εμφάνισης προειδοποιητικών σημάτων, πριν από την έναρξή τους. Είναι σημαντικό ότι για πρώτη φορά εντοπίστηκαν προειδοποιήσεις και στην περίπτωση των μειώσεων Forbush που δεν συνδέονται με κρουστικά κύματα. Δεδομένα έντασης κοσμικής ακτινοβολίας, από το έτος 1969 ως το έτος 2019, αντλήθηκαν από την βάση FEID που περιλαμβάνει περίπου 7000 επεισόδια, σε συνδυασμό με τα αντίστοιχα δεδομένα των ηλιακών και διαπλανητικών παραμέτρων όπως αυτά έχουν καταγραφεί από τους δορυφόρους. Δύο τεχνικές, η Global Survey Method και η Ring of Stations Method βοήθησαν αφ΄ενός στον προσδιορισμό των υπό μελέτη επεισοδίων και αφετέρου στην μελέτη της ύπαρξης ή όχι προειδοποιητικών σημάτων. Ένα μεγάλο ποσοστό των μειώσεων αυτών εμφανίζουν προειδοποιητικά σήματα, δηλαδή προ-αυξήσεις και/ή προ-μειώσεις της κοσμικής ακτινοβολίας, με το είδος των σημάτων αυτών να εξαρτάται από τις διαπλανητικές συνθήκες και όχι μόνο από την εμφάνιση ή όχι SSC πριν την έναρξη της εκάστοτε μείωσης.High energetic particles that reach Earth from sources outside the heliosphere constitute cosmic rays. One of the most important phenomena of the Geospace Environment is the Forbush decreases of the cosmic ray intensity, which are abrupt and sharp decreases, lasting from a few to ten days. They are associated with sudden changes in Space Weather conditions, which affect human activities. The subject of this doctoral thesis was the study of the characteristics of Forbush decreases of the cosmic ray intensity that were either associated with a sudden start of a magnetic storm (Sudden Storm Commencement – SSC) or were due to fast-moving solar wind flows, and the corresponding solar and interplanetary parameters and the investigation of a possible appearance of precursory signals, before their start. It is important that for the first-time precursors were also detected in the case of Forbush decreases that were not associated with shock waves. Cosmic ray intensity data, from 1969 to 2019, were drawn from the FEID database comprising about 7000 effects, combined with the corresponding data of solar and interplanetary parameters as recorded by satellites. Two techniques, the Global Survey Method and the Ring of Stations Method helped on the one hand to determine the under study Forbush decreases and on the other hand to study the existence or not of precursory signals. A large percentage of these decreases show precursory signals, i.e. pre-increases and/or pre-decreases of cosmic ray intensity, with the type of these signals depending on the interplanetary conditions and not only on the appearance or not of SSC before the start of each decrease

Precursory signals of Forbush decreases with and without shock wave

Many previous studies have shown that before the beginning of a Forbush Decrease (FD) of the cosmic ray intensity, a precursor signal can be observed. All these surveys were focused on FDs that are associated with a sudden storm com- mencement (SSC). In this work we demonstrate that precursors could also be observed in events without a SSC that is determined by an abrupt increase of the interplanetary magnetic field. The type of precursory signals and their diversity among the events are the main purpose of this study. We try to figure out similarities and differences on the signals and the associated events from both categories in the last fifty years, from 1969 to 2019, using the same selection criteria of the under investigation FDs. Simultaneously the orientation of the upcoming solar disturbances in comparison to the way they configure the increase of the interplanetary magnetic field and create these signals are discussed

The updated GLE alert system by ANEMOS

Ground level enhancements (GLEs) of cosmic radiation are the result of solar energetic particles (SEPs) arriving at the Earth, potentially causing major damage to technological systems, but also posing a threat for human health. Intense SEPs, such as the GLE events, can influence the radiation exposure of aircrafts and consequently increase the radiation dose on human crew, but also have an impact on satellites and affect the design of space missions, i.e electronic devices onboard the satellite platforms etc. Therefore, predicting such events is challenging and one of the most important aspects of space weather research. In this work the updated GLE Alert++ System of the Athens Neutron Monitor Station (A.Ne.Mo.S.) implemented by the Athens Cosmic Ray Group of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) is being presented. Moreover, the innovations of the updated system in relation to the previous version of the GLE Alert Plus are introduced. Finally, the most recent and the first of solar cycle 25 GLE event, GLE73, is discussed. This event was registered by several stations of the worldwide ground-based neutron monitor network. An accurate alert was issued successfully by the ESA R-ESC federated product GLE Alert Plus, as well as by the updated GLE Alert++ System of the NKUA/A.Ne.Mo.S. It should be emphasized that GLE Alert++ signal by NKUA/A.Ne.Mo.S. was issued 45 minutes earlier than the one issued by GOES satellites

Uncertainty management in regulatory and health technology assessment decision-making on drugs: guidance of the HTAi-DIA Working Group

ObjectivesUncertainty is a fundamental component of decision making regarding access to and pricing and reimbursement of drugs. The context-specific interpretation and mitigation of uncertainty remain major challenges for decision makers. Following the 2021 HTAi Global Policy Forum, a cross-sectoral, interdisciplinary HTAi-DIA Working Group (WG) was initiated to develop guidance to support stakeholder deliberation on the systematic identification and mitigation of uncertainties in the regulatory-HTA interface. MethodsSix online discussions among WG members (Dec 2021-Sep 2022) who examined the output of a scoping review, two literature-based case studies and a survey; application of the initial guidance to a real-world case study; and two international conference panel discussions. ResultsThe WG identified key concepts, clustered into twelve building blocks that were collectively perceived to define uncertainty: "unavailable," "inaccurate," "conflicting," "not understandable," "random variation," "information," "prediction," "impact," "risk," "relevance," "context," and "judgment." These were converted into a checklist to explain and define whether any issue constitutes a decision-relevant uncertainty. A taxonomy of domains in which uncertainty may exist within the regulatory-HTA interface was developed to facilitate categorization. The real-world case study was used to demonstrate how the guidance may facilitate deliberation between stakeholders and where additional guidance development may be needed. ConclusionsThe systematic approach taken for the identification of uncertainties in this guidance has the potential to facilitate understanding of uncertainty and its management across different stakeholders involved in drug development and evaluation. This can improve consistency and transparency throughout decision processes. To further support uncertainty management, linkage to suitable mitigation strategies is necessary

Measuring the burden of infodemics : summary of the methods and results of the fifth WHO infodemic management conference

Background: An infodemic is excess information, including false or misleading information, that spreads in digital and physical environments during a public health emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by an unprecedented global infodemic that has led to confusion about the benefits of medical and public health interventions, with substantial impact on risk-taking and health-seeking behaviors, eroding trust in health authorities and compromising the effectiveness of public health responses and policies. Standardized measures are needed to quantify the harmful impacts of the infodemic in a systematic and methodologically robust manner, as well as harmonizing highly divergent approaches currently explored for this purpose. This can serve as a foundation for a systematic, evidence-based approach to monitoring, identifying, and mitigating future infodemic harms in emergency preparedness and prevention. Objective: In this paper, we summarize the Fifth World Health Organization (WHO) Infodemic Management Conference structure, proceedings, outcomes, and proposed actions seeking to identify the interdisciplinary approaches and frameworks needed to enable the measurement of the burden of infodemics. Methods: An iterative human-centered design (HCD) approach and concept mapping were used to facilitate focused discussions and allow for the generation of actionable outcomes and recommendations. The discussions included 86 participants representing diverse scientific disciplines and health authorities from 28 countries across all WHO regions, along with observers from civil society and global public health–implementing partners. A thematic map capturing the concepts matching the key contributing factors to the public health burden of infodemics was used throughout the conference to frame and contextualize discussions. Five key areas for immediate action were identified. Results: The 5 key areas for the development of metrics to assess the burden of infodemics and associated interventions included (1) developing standardized definitions and ensuring the adoption thereof; (2) improving the map of concepts influencing the burden of infodemics; (3) conducting a review of evidence, tools, and data sources; (4) setting up a technical working group; and (5) addressing immediate priorities for postpandemic recovery and resilience building. The summary report consolidated group input toward a common vocabulary with standardized terms, concepts, study designs, measures, and tools to estimate the burden of infodemics and the effectiveness of infodemic management interventions. Conclusions: Standardizing measurement is the basis for documenting the burden of infodemics on health systems and population health during emergencies. Investment is needed into the development of practical, affordable, evidence-based, and systematic methods that are legally and ethically balanced for monitoring infodemics; generating diagnostics, infodemic insights, and recommendations; and developing interventions, action-oriented guidance, policies, support options, mechanisms, and tools for infodemic managers and emergency program managers.peer-reviewe

Η ερμηνεία στη βιόλα: Συγκριτική μελέτη ηχογραφήσεων του κοντσέρτου για βιόλα και ορχήστρα του William Walton

Στόχος της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η ενασχόλησή της με ζητήματα ερμηνείας στο όργανο της βιόλας, έχοντας ως βάση τις ηχογραφήσεις του Κοντσέρτου για βιόλα και ορχήστρα του William Walton. Μέσα από τις ηχογραφήσεις έξι αναγνωρισμένων ερμηνευτών του 20ου αιώνα επιχειρείται η επισήμανση των στοιχείων αυτών που καθορίζουν μία ερμηνεία.The aim of this study is to analyse interpretation issues related to viola instrument, according to Concerto for viola and orchestra by William Walton. It is attempted to focus on the facts that define an interpretation relying on the recordings of six distinctive violists in 20th century

Precursory signal of the forbush decreases of the cosmic ray intensity by using neutron monitors and satellites data

High energetic particles that reach Earth from sources outside the heliosphere constitute cosmic rays. One of the most important phenomena of the Geospace Environment is the Forbush decreases of the cosmic ray intensity, which are abrupt and sharp decreases, lasting from a few to ten days. They are associated with sudden changes in Space Weather conditions, which affect human activities. The subject of this doctoral thesis was the study of the characteristics of Forbush decreases of the cosmic ray intensity that were either associated with a sudden start of a magnetic storm (Sudden Storm Commencement – SSC) or were due to fast-moving solar wind flows, and the corresponding solar and interplanetary parameters and the investigation of a possible appearance of precursory signals, before their start. It is important that for the first-time precursors were also detected in the case of Forbush decreases that were not associated with shock waves. Cosmic ray intensity data, from 1969 to 2019, were drawn from the FEID database comprising about 7000 effects, combined with the corresponding data of solar and interplanetary parameters as recorded by satellites. Two techniques, the Global Survey Method and the Ring of Stations Method helped on the one hand to determine the under study Forbush decreases and on the other hand to study the existence or not of precursory signals. A large percentage of these decreases show precursory signals, i.e. pre-increases and/or pre-decreases of cosmic ray intensity, with the type of these signals depending on the interplanetary conditions and not only on the appearance or not of SSC before the start of each decrease.Σωμάτια πολύ υψηλών ενεργειών που καταφθάνουν στη Γη από πηγές εκτός της ηλιόσφαιρας αποτελούν την κοσμική ακτινοβολία. Ένα από τα σημαντικότερα επεισόδια του Γεωδιαστημικού Περιβάλλοντος είναι οι μειώσεις Forbush της έντασης της κοσμικής ακτινοβολίας που είναι απότομες μειώσεις της, με διάρκεια από μερικές μέχρι δέκα ημέρες. Συνδέονται με αιφνίδιες μεταβολές συνθηκών του Διαστημικού Καιρού, που στη συνέχεια επηρεάζουν και τις ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες. Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής ήταν η μελέτη των χαρακτηριστικών των μειώσεων Forbush της έντασης της κοσμικής ακτινοβολίας που είτε ήταν συνδεδεμένες με μια αιφνίδια έναρξη μαγνητικής καταιγίδας (Sudden Storm Commencement – SSC), είτε οφείλονταν σε ταχέως κινούμενες ροές ηλιακού ανέμου και των αντίστοιχων ηλιακών και διαπλανητικών παραμέτρων και η διερεύνηση εμφάνισης προειδοποιητικών σημάτων, πριν από την έναρξή τους. Είναι σημαντικό ότι για πρώτη φορά εντοπίστηκαν προειδοποιήσεις και στην περίπτωση των μειώσεων Forbush που δεν συνδέονται με κρουστικά κύματα. Δεδομένα έντασης κοσμικής ακτινοβολίας, από το έτος 1969 ως το έτος 2019, αντλήθηκαν από την βάση FEID που περιλαμβάνει περίπου 7000 επεισόδια, σε συνδυασμό με τα αντίστοιχα δεδομένα των ηλιακών και διαπλανητικών παραμέτρων όπως αυτά έχουν καταγραφεί από τους δορυφόρους. Δύο τεχνικές, η Global Survey Method και η Ring of Stations Method βοήθησαν αφ΄ενός στον προσδιορισμό των υπό μελέτη επεισοδίων και αφετέρου στην μελέτη της ύπαρξης ή όχι προειδοποιητικών σημάτων. Ένα μεγάλο ποσοστό των μειώσεων αυτών εμφανίζουν προειδοποιητικά σήματα, δηλαδή προ-αυξήσεις και/ή προ-μειώσεις της κοσμικής ακτινοβολίας, με το είδος των σημάτων αυτών να εξαρτάται από τις διαπλανητικές συνθήκες και όχι μόνο από την εμφάνιση ή όχι SSC πριν την έναρξη της εκάστοτε μείωσης

Structural and biochemical studies of insects' odorant binding proteins

Mosquitoes, the main vectors of multiple parasites and viruses, are one of the mostdangerous animals on the planet, causing over a million deaths annually. The largenumber of deaths attributed to them makes the need to control insect vectors imperative.The most common and effective way of limiting mosquitoes is the use of insectrepellents.Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) participate in the initial step of the olfactorytransduction pathway making them valuable targets for the discovery and design of newinsect repellent chemical compounds and mixtures.The determination of the tertiary structure of OBPs as well as their complexes withligands provides detailed information both on the overall structure and on the individualprotein-protein and protein-ligand interactions, information that may lead to finding ofmore effective, safer, and friendly to the environment chemicals as mosquito controlagents.In the context of this thesis, the proteins of the mosquito Anopheles gambieAgamOBP1, AgamOBP4 and AgamOBP5, as well as the AealOBP1 protein of themosquito Aedes albopictus were studied. Regarding the proteins AgamOBP1,AgamOBP4, a total of six new ligands were discovered by the RCE approach (ReverseChemical Ecology). The crystal structures of AgamOBP5 and AealOBP1 were alsodetermined. Two binding sites in AgamOBP5 that bind monoterpenes (carvacrol,thymol) were identified, thus making AgamOBP5 the first monoterpene specific targetamong OBPs. At the same time, the determination of the three-dimensional structureof AealOBP1 provides a novel molecular target for application of OBP-based RCEapproaches.The research results of this thesis contribute to the understanding of the molecular basisof odorants recognition by OBPS. Significantly, it expands the number of availablemolecular targets and repellent compounds, paving the way for the discovery of newones. Therefore, contributes to the strengthening of our chemical arsenal for the controlof mosquito-borne diseasesΤα κουνούπια, οι κύριοι φορείς πολλαπλών παρασίτων και ιών, αποτελούν ένααπό τα πιο επικίνδυνα ζώα στον πλανήτη προκαλώντας πάνω από ένα εκατομμύριοθανάτους ετησίως. Ο μεγάλος αριθμός θανάτων που οφείλονται σε αυτά καθιστάεπιτακτική την ανάγκη ελέγχου των εντόμων διαβιβαστών. Ο πιο κοινός καιαποτελεσματικός τρόπος περιορισμού τους είναι η χρήση εντομοαπωθητικών.Οι οσφρητικές πρωτεΐνες δέσμευσης οσμογόνων μορίων (OBPs) συμμετέχουνστο εναρκτήριο στάδιο του οσφρητικού μεταγωγικού μονοπατιού, γεγονός που τιςκαθιστά ιδανικούς μοριακούς στόχους για την ανακάλυψη και το σχεδιασμό νέωνεντομοαπωθητικών χημικών ενώσεων και μιγμάτων τους.Ο προσδιορισμός της τριτοταγούς δομής των OBPs αλλά και των συμπλόκωντους με προσδέτες, παρέχει λεπτομερείς πληροφορίες τόσο για τη συνολική δομή όσοκαι για τις επιμέρους αλληλεπιδράσεις πρωτεΐνης - πρωτεΐνης και πρωτεΐνης –προσδετών, στοιχεία που δύνανται να οδηγήσουν στην εύρεση αποτελεσματικότερων,ασφαλέστερων και φιλικών προς το περιβάλλον χημικών μέσων ελέγχου τωνκουνουπιών.Στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας Διδακτορικής διατριβής μελετήθηκαν οι πρωτεΐνεςτου ανωφελή κώνωπα AgamOBP1, AgamOBP4 και AgamOBP5, καθώς και ηπρωτεΐνη AealOBP1 του κουνουπιού Aedes albopictus. Όσον αφορά τις πρωτεΐνεςAgamOBP1, AgamOBP4 ανακαλύφθηκαν έξι νέοι προσδέτες με την προσέγγιση τηςΑντίστροφης Χημικής Οικολογίας (ΑΧΟ). Προσδιορίστηκαν επίσης οι τρισδιάστατεςδομές των AgamOBP5 και AealOBP1. Ταυτοποιήθηκαν δύο κέντρα σύνδεσης στηνAgamOBP5 που προσδένονται μονοτερπένια (καρβακρόλη, θυμόλη), αναδεικνύοντάςτην ως τον πρώτο μοριακό στόχο μεταξύ των OBPs με εξειδίκευση για μονοτερπένια.Ενώ παράλληλα ο προσδιορισμός της τρισδιάστατης δομής της AealOBP1 καθιστάδυνατή την ανάδειξή ενός επιπλέον μοριακού στόχου για την εφαρμογή της προσέγγισηΑΧΟ με βάση τις OBP.Τα ερευνητικά αποτελέσματα αυτής της διατριβής συμβάλλουν στηνκατανόηση της μοριακής βάσης της αναγνώρισης οσμών από τις OBPs. Είναισημαντικό ότι διευρύνει τον αριθμό των διαθέσιμων μοριακών στόχων και απωθητικώνενώσεων, ανοίγοντας το δρόμο για την ανακάλυψη νέων. Ως εκ τούτου, συμβάλλειστην ενίσχυση του χημικού μας οπλοστασίου για τον έλεγχο των ασθενειών πουμεταδίδονται από τα κουνούπι

An Extended Study of the Precursory Signs of Forbush Decreases: New Findings over the Years 2008 – 2016

In spite of the fact that the current Solar Cycle 24 is close to its end now, it is a less active Solar Cycle, during its time period (2008 – 2016) and a lot of Forbush decreases of cosmic ray intensity with rigidity 10 GV and amplitude greater than 2% were recorded by the ground-based neutron monitors. Among these events, the ones associated with sudden geomagnetic storm commencements (SSCs) and presenting a first harmonic of cosmic ray anisotropy greater than 0.8% were examined. Cosmic ray data recorded at the neutron monitor stations were obtained from the European high resolution neutron monitor database, while the Forbush decreases, accompanied by their characteristics were accessed from the updated Database of the Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation (IZMIRAN). Solar, interplanetary and geomagnetic characteristic parameters of each event separately have been studied in detail and analyzed. It was shown through the usage of the “ring of neutron monitor stations” method that, in some cases, precursory signals before the main phase of the event appeared. After an extended study of the Forbush decreases precursors during the examined period, the appearance of pre-decreases and/or pre-increases of the cosmic ray intensity before the beginning of the events, acting as precursory signals, were identified in almost half of the cases studied. In combination with other parameters, their common features are discussed, with the purpose of monitoring and possibly forecasting the space-weather conditions. © 2019, Springer Nature B.V

Unusual Cosmic Ray Variations During the Forbush Decreases of June 2015

Although the current Solar Cycle 24 is characterized by low solar activity, an intense geomagnetic storm (G4) was recorded in June 2015. It was a complex phenomenon that began on 22 June 2015 as the result of intense solar activity, accompanied by several flares and coronal mass ejections that interacted with the Earth’s magnetic field. A Forbush decrease was also recorded at the neutron monitors of the worldwide network, with an amplitude of 8.4%, and in its recovery phase, a second Forbush decrease followed, with an amplitude of 4.0% for cosmic rays of 10 GV obtained with the global survey method. The Dst index reached a minimum value of −204 nT that was detected on 23 June 2015 at 05:00 – 06:00 UT, while the Kp index reached the value eight. For our analysis, we used hourly cosmic-ray intensity data recorded by polar, mid-, and high-latitude neutron monitor stations obtained from the High Resolution Neutron Monitor Database. The cosmic-ray anisotropy variation at the ecliptic plane was also estimated and was found to be highly complex. We study and discuss the unusual and complex cosmic-ray and geomagnetic response to these solar events. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature