Technology Challenges of SURROUND: A Constellation of Small Satellites Around the Sun for Tracking Solar Radio Bursts

The SURROUND mission proposes the operational monitoring and forecasting of space weather events using a constellation of five small satellites in orbit around the Sun. This unique mission concept would enable the localisation and tracking of solar events with unprecedented accuracy. The small payload combined with high launch requirements makes this an ideal candidate mission for a distributed constellation of small spacecraft and provides an opportunity for technical development in the areas of deep space communication, propulsion, and survivability. The baseline configuration for SURROUND proposes the deployment of spacecraft to Earth-Sun Lagrange points L1, L4, and L5, and two additional spacecraft in Earth leading (\u3c 1AU) and trailing (\u3e 1AU) orbits. However, the development and realisation of such a constellation in deep space presents a number of challenges, particularly when the use of small spacecraft is considered. This paper presents the conceptual design for the proposed SURROUND constellation, principally focusing on the key technical challenges of deploying the spacecraft into their desired locations around the Sun and subsequently communicating the collected data back to Earth. In addition to the key propulsion system and communications architecture trades, additional technological challenges of the mission are also considered, including attitude control, radiation hardening, and electromagnetic compatibility

Molecular diagnosis, prevalence and importance of Zoonotic Vector-Borne pathogens in Cuban shelter dogs- a preliminary study

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens, including Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. in shelter dogs from Cuba. Blood samples were collected from 100 shelter dogs and examined by molecular methods. Overall, 85 (85%; 95% CI: 77.88-92.12) dogs tested positive for at least one vector-borne pathogen using species-specific qPCR assays. Among the positive samples, E. canis was the most prevalent 62% (95% CI: 52.32-71.68), followed by A. platys 40% (95% CI: 30.23-49.77) and Rickettsia felis 27% (95% CI: 18.15-35.85), whereas 36% (95% CI: 26.43-45.57) showed co-infections. All samples were negative for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. The presence of 248 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected from the dogs was not statistically associated with the occurrence of infections. Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent haematological alteration found in PCR-positive dogs; it was statistically associated with the presence of E. canis, as well as co-infections (p < 0.05). The phylogenetic analyses of A. platys and E. canis based on 16S rRNA, groEL and gltA genes showed a low genetic diversity between Cuban strains. The present study demonstrates the high prevalence of vector-borne pathogens with zoonotic potential in shelter dogs from Cuba

Application of electrokinetic soil flushing to four herbicides: a comparison

In this work, four bench-scale plants containing soil spiked with four herbicides (2,4-14 Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), oxyfluorfen, chlorsulfuron and atrazine) undergo treatment consisting of an electrokinetic soil flushing (EKSF). Results clearly demonstrate that efficiency of EKSF depends on the chemical characteristic of the pesticide used. The amount of pesticide collected in the anode well is more significant than that collected in the cathode wells, indicating that the electromigration is much more 19 important than drainage by electro-osmotic flux for this application. After 15 d of 20 treatment, the 2,4-D is the pesticide most efficiently removed (95% of removal), while chlorsulfuron is the pesticide more resilient to the treatment. Additionally, volatilization was found to be a process of the major significance in the application of electrokinetic techniques to soil polluted with herbicides and because of that it should always be taken into account in the future design of full-scale processes

Molecular Diagnosis, Prevalence and Importance of Zoonotic Vector-Borne Pathogens in Cuban Shelter Dogs : A Preliminary Study

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens, including Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. in shelter dogs from Cuba. Blood samples were collected from 100 shelter dogs and examined by molecular methods. Overall, 85 (85%; 95% CI: 77.88-92.12) dogs tested positive for at least one vector-borne pathogen using species-specific qPCR assays. Among the positive samples, E. canis was the most prevalent 62% (95% CI: 52.32-71.68), followed by A. platys 40% (95% CI: 30.23-49.77) and Rickettsia felis 27% (95% CI: 18.15-35.85), whereas 36% (95% CI: 26.43-45.57) showed co-infections. All samples were negative for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. The presence of 248 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected from the dogs was not statistically associated with the occurrence of infections. Thrombocytopenia was the most frequent haematological alteration found in PCR-positive dogs; it was statistically associated with the presence of E. canis, as well as co-infections (p &lt; 0.05). The phylogenetic analyses of A. platys and E. canis based on 16S rRNA, groEL and gltA genes showed a low genetic diversity between Cuban strains. The present study demonstrates the high prevalence of vector-borne pathogens with zoonotic potential in shelter dogs from Cuba

Molecular detection and characterization of Hepatozoon canis in stray dogs from Cuba

Canine hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is a worldwide distributed tick-borne disease of domestic and wild canids that is transmitted by ingestion of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) ticks. The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatozoon infections in 80 stray dogs from Havana Province in Cuba, and to confirm the species identity and phylogenetic relationships of the causative agent. Samples were screened by microscopical examination of thin blood smears for the presence of Hepatozoon spp. gamonts and by genus-specific SYBR green-based real-time PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Direct microscopy examination revealed Hepatozoon gamonts in the peripheral blood of 8 dogs (10.0%; 95% CI: 4.80-18.0%), while 38 animals (47.5%; 95% CI: 36.8-58.4%) were PCR-positive, including all microscopically positive dogs. Hence, the agreement between the two detection methods was 'poor' (κ = 0.20). Hematological parameters did not differ significantly between PCR-positive and PCR-negative dogs (p > 0.05). The DNA sequences of the 18S rRNA gene of the Hepatozoon spp. from Cuban dogs showed a nucleotide identity >99% with those of 18S rRNA sequences of Hepatozoon canis isolates from Czech Republic, Brazil and Spain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that obtained sequences clustered within the Hepatozoon canis clade, different from the Hepatozoon felis or Hepatozoon americanum clades. The present study represents the first molecular characterization of Hepatozoon canis in stray dogs within Cuba

Detección e identificación molecular de patógenos transmitidos por garrapatas en perros de La Habana, Cuba : [Detection and molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens in Havana, Cubandogs]

Introduction: Vector-borne canine diseases are a serious danger to animal and human health. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens (Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. and non-zoonotic (Hepatozoon canis and Babesia spp.) in ownerless dogs from Havana, Cuba. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 100 dogs and the hematological profiles were studied and pathogens were detected by visualization of blood smears and real-time PCR. To determine the prevalence of infection by Hepatozoon canis, 80 dogs were studied by visualization of blood smears andreal time PCR. For the detection of Babesia spp., 60 dogs were studied, using hematological examination, blood smear visualization and PCR. Results: Eighty-five dogs were positive for at least one pathogen, being E. canis the most prevalent, followed by A. platys and Rickettsia felis, and 36 % showed coinfections. All samples were negative for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. These results constitute the first report of R. felis in dogs from Cuba, demonstrate the high prevalence of pathogens transmitted by ticks, with zoonotic potential, and constitute the first study where coinfections are analyzed. 38 % of the dogs were positive for H. canis by PCR and for the first-time molecular characterization of H. canis was carried out in Cuban ownerless dogs and 20 % were positive by PCR for Babesia spp., which constitutes the first molecular evidence of Babesia spp. in ownerless dogs fromCuba. Conclusions, these results are of great importance for the surveillance of vector-borne diseasesin dogs, and demonstrate the need for studies on the prevention of transmission and spread of the diseases they cause

Detección e identificación molecular de patógenos transmitidos por garrapatas en perros de La Habana, Cuba : [Detection and molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens in Havana, Cubandogs]

Introduction: Vector-borne canine diseases are a serious danger to animal and human health. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens (Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. and non-zoonotic (Hepatozoon canis and Babesia spp.) in ownerless dogs from Havana, Cuba. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 100 dogs and the hematological profiles were studied and pathogens were detected by visualization of blood smears and real-time PCR. To determine the prevalence of infection by Hepatozoon canis, 80 dogs were studied by visualization of blood smears andreal time PCR. For the detection of Babesia spp., 60 dogs were studied, using hematological examination, blood smear visualization and PCR. Results: Eighty-five dogs were positive for at least one pathogen, being E. canis the most prevalent, followed by A. platys and Rickettsia felis, and 36 % showed coinfections. All samples were negative for A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. These results constitute the first report of R. felis in dogs from Cuba, demonstrate the high prevalence of pathogens transmitted by ticks, with zoonotic potential, and constitute the first study where coinfections are analyzed. 38 % of the dogs were positive for H. canis by PCR and for the first-time molecular characterization of H. canis was carried out in Cuban ownerless dogs and 20 % were positive by PCR for Babesia spp., which constitutes the first molecular evidence of Babesia spp. in ownerless dogs fromCuba. Conclusions, these results are of great importance for the surveillance of vector-borne diseasesin dogs, and demonstrate the need for studies on the prevention of transmission and spread of the diseases they cause

Specific Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses to the Neoantigen RBD of SARS-CoV-2 in Patients with Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiency and Healthy Donors

Patients with antibody deficiency disorders, such as primary immunodeficiency (PID) or secondary immunodeficiency (SID) to B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (B-CLPD), are two groups vulnerable to developing the severe or chronic form of coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The data on adaptive immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 are well described in healthy donors, but still limited in patients with antibody deficiency of a different cause. Herein, we analyzed spike-specific IFN-γ and anti-spike IgG antibody responses at 3 to 6 months after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 derived from vaccination and/or infection in two cohorts of immunodeficient patients (PID vs. SID) compared to healthy controls (HCs). Pre-vaccine anti-SARS-CoV-2 cellular responses before vaccine administration were measured in 10 PID patients. Baseline cellular responses were detectable in 4 out of 10 PID patients who had COVID-19 prior to vaccination, perceiving an increase in cellular responses after two-dose vaccination (p p = 0.005). Whereas all SID and HC patients mounted a specific humoral immune response, only 80% of PID patients showed positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. The titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was significantly lower in SID compared with HC patients (p = 0.040), without significant differences between PID and HC patients (p = 0.123) and between PID and SID patients (p =0.683). High proportions of PID and SID patients showed adequate specific cellular responses to receptor binding domain (RBD) neoantigen, with a divergence between the two arms of the adaptive immune response in PID and SID patients. We also focused on the correlation of protection of positive SARS-CoV-2 cellular response to omicron exposure: 27 out of 81 (33.3%) HCs referred COVID-19 detected by PCR or antigen test, 24 with a mild course, 1 with moderate symptoms and the remaining 2 with bilateral pneumonia that were treated in an outpatient basis. Our results might support the relevance of these immunological studies to determine the correlation of protection with severe disease and for deciding the need for additional boosters on a personalized basis. Follow-up studies are required to evaluate the duration and variability in the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination or infection