The European Union funded NEOShield project: a global approach to near-Earth object impact threat mitigation

Although discussions are underway within the Action Team 14 of the United Nations COPUOS, there is currently no concerted international plan addressing the impact threat from near-Earth objects (NEOs) and how to organize, prepare and implement mitigation measures. We report on a new international project to address impact hazard mitigation issues, being the subject of a proposal submitted to the European Commission in response to the 2011 FP7 Call “Prevention of impacts from near-Earth objects on our planet”. Our consortium consists of 13 research institutes, universities, and industrial partners from 6 countries and includes leading US and Russian space organizations. The primary aim of the project, NEOShield, is to investigate in detail the three most promising mitigation techniques: the kinetic impactor, blast deflection, and the gravity tractor, and devise feasible demonstration missions. Furthermore, we will investigate options for an international strategy for implementation when an actual impact threat arises. The NEOShield project was formally accepted by the European Commission on 17 November 2011 and funded with a total of 5.8 million Euros for a period of 3.5 years. The kick-off meeting took place at the DLR Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, in January 2012. In this paper we present a brief overview of the planned scope of the project

Mutations in STK11 gene in Czech Peutz-Jeghers patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease characterized by mucocutaneous pigmentation and gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyposis. The germline mutations in the serine/threonine kinase 11 (<it>STK11</it>) gene have been shown to be associated with the disease. Individuals with PJS are at increased risk for development of various neoplasms. The aim of the present study was to characterize the genotype and phenotype of Czech patients with PJS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined genomic DNA of 8 individuals from five Czech families by sequencing analysis of <it>STK11 </it>gene, covering its promotor region, the entire coding region and the splice-site boundaries, and by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay designed for the identification of large exonic deletions or duplications of <it>STK11 </it>gene.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found pathogenic mutations in <it>STK11 </it>gene in two families fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of PJS and in one of three sporadic cases not complying with the criteria. The patient with the frameshift mutation in <it>STK11 </it>gene developed aggressive gastric cancer. No other studied proband has developed a carcinoma so far.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results showed that a germline mutation of <it>STK11 </it>gene can be found not only in probands fulfilling the PJS diagnostic criteria, but also in some sporadic cases not complying with the criteria. Moreover, we observed a new case of aggressive gastric cancer in a young patient with a frameshift mutation of <it>STK11 </it>gene.</p

A global approach to near-Earth object impact threat mitigation

There is currently no concerted international plan addressing the impact threat and how to organize, prepare and implement mitigation measures. We report on a new international project to address impact hazard mitigation issues, being the subject of a proposal to the European Commission in response to the 2011 FP7 Call “Prevention of impacts from near-Earth objects on our planet”. Our consortium consists of 13 research institutes, universities, and industrial partners and includes leading US and Russian space organizations. The primary aim of the project, NEOShield, is to investigate in detail the three most promising mitigation techniques: the kinetic impactor, blast deflection, and the gravity tractor, and devise feasible demonstration missions. Furthermore, we will investigate options for an international strategy for implementation when an actual impact threat arises. The European Commission’s funding contribution for the successful project in this Call will be a maximum of 4 million Euro. Final confirmation of funding is preceded by a phase of negotiation between the Consortium and the European Commission. At the time of writing the proposal assessment exercise has been completed and the NEOShield proposal has far exceeded all thresholds for acceptance into the negotiation phase. We anticipate a project duration of some 3.5 years with a kick-off meeting at the end of 2011. In this paper we present a brief overview of the planned scope of the project

Russia-Belarus space cooperation mechanisms and commercial spin-offs examples

The paper considers a legal framework and implementation mechanisms for Russia-Belarus cooperation in space. The historical outline of the joint space programs of the Union State of Russia and Belarus planning and implementation is provided. The key directions of the bi-lateral regional cooperation include the Earth remote sensing, university satellite programs as well as deployment and use of the satellite-based navigation ground augmenting networks. Other cooperative projects cover space robotic technologies, electronic components and satellite technologies. The project is under implementation for creating an international joint-stock company providing the Earth observation services based on the orbiting spacecraft owned by two countries. The potential for the cooperation extending is also discussed

Elevated intra-articular cobalt and chromium levels in mechanically assisted crevice corrosion in metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Failed total hip arthroplasty (THA) caused by mechanically assisted crevice corrosion (MACC) has serious consequences such as adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR). Serum cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) ion levels have been used to diagnose taper corrosion, but have not been shown to be an accurate measure of the severity of MACC or associated ALTRs. Additionally, elevated serum ions are not specific in patients with multiple artificial joints. METHODS: We examined the relationship between serum and intra-articular (IA) Co and Cr levels in a cohort of 20 patients undergoing revision THA, 16 who had symptomatic MACC. IA Co and Cr levels in MACC patients were compared with demographic, pre-operative, and operative findings. RESULTS: Serum and IA metal levels were found to be relatively low in THA patients undergoing revision surgery for isolated instability, aseptic loosening, or infection (average serum Co 0.03 ppb [parts per billion], IA Co 1.4 ppb, serum Cr 0.32 ppb, IA Cr 3.3 ppb). In patients with MACC, average IA Co (940 ppb) was significantly higher than serum Co (5.1 ppb) (P = .0003) and IA Cr (491 ppb) was significantly higher than serum Cr (1.3 ppb) (P = .0003). IA Co level was associated with shorter time of hip symptoms to revision surgery (P = .0043). CONCLUSION: Serum levels of Co and Cr correlated with joint levels in the entire cohort, but IA levels of MACC patients were 100 times greater than serum levels. IA Co and Cr levels may be useful in confirming MACC in a specific joint and the striking elevation may explain symptoms and ALTR with relatively low serum values

Russia-Belarus space cooperation mechanisms and commercial spin-offs examples

The paper considers a legal framework and implementation mechanisms for Russia-Belarus cooperation in space. The historical outline of the joint space programs of the Union State of Russia and Belarus planning and implementation is provided. The key directions of the bi-lateral regional cooperation include the Earth remote sensing, university satellite programs as well as deployment and use of the satellite-based navigation ground augmenting networks. Other cooperative projects cover space robotic technologies, electronic components and satellite technologies. The project is under implementation for creating an international joint-stock company providing the Earth observation services based on the orbiting spacecraft owned by two countries. The potential for the cooperation extending is also discussed