Interim Report for the Human Exploration of the Moon and Mars: Space radiation protection and mitigation strategies for a long term duration lunar base

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Schneider ◽  
Andrew Daga ◽  
Pablo de Leon ◽  
Gary Harris
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Protection ◽  
Space Radiation ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Interim Report ◽  
Human Exploration

scholarly journals Space Radiation Protection Countermeasures in Microgravity and Planetary Exploration

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 829
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Montesinos ◽  
Radina Khalid ◽  
Octav Cristea ◽  
Joel S. Greenberger ◽  
Michael W. Epperly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Radiation Protection ◽  
Immune Modulation ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Radiation Risk ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Space Radiation ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Mission Design ◽  
Mission Duration

Background: Space radiation is one of the principal environmental factors limiting the human tolerance for space travel, and therefore a primary risk in need of mitigation strategies to enable crewed exploration of the solar system. Methods: We summarize the current state of knowledge regarding potential means to reduce the biological effects of space radiation. New countermeasure strategies for exploration-class missions are proposed, based on recent advances in nutrition, pharmacologic, and immune science. Results: Radiation protection can be categorized into (1) exposure-limiting: shielding and mission duration; (2) countermeasures: radioprotectors, radiomodulators, radiomitigators, and immune-modulation, and; (3) treatment and supportive care for the effects of radiation. Vehicle and mission design can augment the overall exposure. Testing in terrestrial laboratories and earth-based exposure facilities, as well as on the International Space Station (ISS), has demonstrated that dietary and pharmacologic countermeasures can be safe and effective. Immune system modulators are less robustly tested but show promise. Therapies for radiation prodromal syndrome may include pharmacologic agents; and autologous marrow for acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Conclusions: Current radiation protection technology is not yet optimized, but nevertheless offers substantial protection to crews based on Lunar or Mars design reference missions. With additional research and human testing, the space radiation risk can be further mitigated to allow for long-duration exploration of the solar system.

scholarly journals Molecular Phenomic Approaches to Deconvolving the Systemic Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome

Phenomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy K. Nicholson
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Level ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Zoonotic Diseases ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Health Consequence ◽  
Metabolic Phenotyping ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Biological Discovery ◽  
New Biomarkers

AbstractSARS COV-2 infection causes acute and frequently severe respiratory disease with associated multi-organ damage and systemic disturbances in many biochemical pathways. Metabolic phenotyping provides deep insights into the complex immunopathological problems that drive the resulting COVID-19 disease and is also a source of novel metrics for assessing patient recovery. A multiplatform metabolic phenotyping approach to studying the pathology and systemic metabolic sequelae of COVID-19 is considered here, together with a framework for assessing post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) that is a major long-term health consequence for many patients. The sudden emergence of the disease presents a biological discovery challenge as we try to understand the pathological mechanisms of the disease and develop effective mitigation strategies. This requires technologies to measure objectively the extent and sub-phenotypes of the disease at the molecular level. Spectroscopic methods can reveal metabolic sub-phenotypes and new biomarkers that can be monitored during the acute disease phase and beyond. This approach is scalable and translatable to other pathologies and provides as an exemplar strategy for the investigation of other emergent zoonotic diseases with complex immunological drivers, multi-system involvements and diverse persistent symptoms.

scholarly journals High coverage COVID-19 mRNA vaccination rapidly controls SARS-CoV-2 transmission in long-term care facilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo M. De Salazar ◽  
Nicholas B. Link ◽  
Karuna Lamarca ◽  
Mauricio Santillana
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
High Coverage ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Early Effect ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs) represent a major share of COVID-19 deaths worldwide. Measuring the vaccine effectiveness among the most vulnerable in these settings is essential to monitor and improve mitigation strategies. Methods We evaluate the early effect of the administration of BNT162b2-mRNA vaccine to individuals older than 64 years residing in LTCFs in Catalonia, Spain. We monitor all the SARS-CoV-2 documented infections and deaths among LTCFs residents once more than 70% of them were fully vaccinated (February–March 2021). We develop a modeling framework based on the relationship between community and LTCFs transmission during the pre-vaccination period (July–December 2020). We compute the total reduction in SARS-CoV-2 documented infections and deaths among residents of LTCFs over time, as well as the reduction in the detected transmission for all the LTCFs. We compare the true observations with the counterfactual predictions. Results We estimate that once more than 70% of the LTCFs population are fully vaccinated, 74% (58–81%, 90% CI) of COVID-19 deaths and 75% (36–86%, 90% CI) of all expected documented infections among LTCFs residents are prevented. Further, detectable transmission among LTCFs residents is reduced up to 90% (76–93%, 90% CI) relative to that expected given transmission in the community. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence that high-coverage vaccination is the most effective intervention to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission and death among LTCFs residents. Widespread vaccination could be a feasible avenue to control the COVID-19 pandemic conditional on key factors such as vaccine escape, roll out and coverage.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Agricultural Drought in Bangladesh Using Effective Drought Index

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Kamruzzaman ◽  
Syewoon Hwang ◽  
Jaepil Cho ◽  
Min-Won Jang ◽  
Hanseok Jeong
Keyword(s):  
Central Region ◽  
Drought Index ◽  
Regional Analysis ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Agricultural Drought ◽  
Monthly Precipitation ◽  
Effective Drought Index ◽  
Spatiotemporal Characteristics ◽  
North Western

This study aims to assess the spatiotemporal characteristics of agricultural droughts in Bangladesh during 1981–2015 using the Effective Drought Index (EDI). Monthly precipitation data for 36 years (1980–2015) obtained from 27 metrological stations, were used in this study. The EDI performance was evaluated for four sub-regions over the country through comparisons with historical drought records identified by regional analysis. Analysis at a regional level showed that EDI could reasonably detect the drought years/events during the study period. The study also presented that the overall drought severity had increased during the past 35 years. The characteristics (severity and duration) of drought were also analyzed in terms of the spatiotemporal evolution of the frequency of drought events. It was found that the western and central regions of the country are comparatively more vulnerable to drought. Moreover, the southwestern region is more prone to extreme drought, whereas the central region is more prone to severe droughts. Besides, the central region was more prone to extra-long-term droughts, while the coastal areas in the southwestern as well as in the central and north-western regions were more prone to long-term droughts. The frequency of droughts in all categories significantly increased during the last quinquennial period (2011 to 2015). The seasonal analysis showed that the north-western areas were prone to extreme droughts during the Kharif (wet) and Rabi (dry) seasons. The central and northern regions were affected by recurring severe droughts in all cropping seasons. Further, the most significant increasing trend of the drought-affected area was observed within the central region, especially during the pre-monsoon (March–May) season. The results of this study can aid policymakers in the development of drought mitigation strategies in the future.

The Tahaddart estuary, NW of Morocco: evidence of marine submersion events during the last 3500 years 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otmane Khalfaoui ◽  
laurent Dezileau ◽  
Jean-Philippe Degeai ◽  
Maria Snoussi
Keyword(s):  
Late Holocene ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Progressive Change ◽  
Marine Facies ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Long Term Studies

<p>The Atlantic coast of Morocco has been confronted with several marine submersion events. Historically, some of them have resulted in significant economic and human damage, including the 1755 AD event (known as the tsunami of Lisbon). This indicates the need to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies, based on long-term studies of these extreme events to deduce their spatial and temporal variability. Using two cores (TAH17-1 and TAH17-3) collected from the Tahaddart estuary (NW of Morocco), this work aims to identify deposits, set up by these high energy events during the mid to late Holocene period. The sedimentological, geochemical and geochronological analyses carried out on these geological archives show two fining-upward sequences, indicating a progressive change from a purely sandy marine facies, between 6500 and 3500 BP, to another finer and more terrigenous one. The fine sedimentation, which has dominated in the estuary during the last 3500 years, has facilitated the recording of several marine submersion events in the form of isolated sandy layers. Chronological data have made it possible to date four deposits. Two (1-E1 and 3-E1) were put in place about 250 years ago, which corresponds, according to historical records, to the 1755 AD Lisbon tsunami. Two other deposits (1-E13 and 1-E14) are dated around 3200 BP and represent unknown submersion events on the Moroccan Atlantic coast.</p>

Radiation protection perspective to recurrent medical imaging: what is known and what more is needed?

2021 ◽  
pp. 20210477
Author(s):  
Jenia Vassileva ◽  
Ola Holmberg
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Protection ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Individual Radiosensitivity ◽  
Dose Saving ◽  
End Stage ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Standardised Patient

This review summarises the current knowledge about recurrent radiological imaging and associated cumulative doses to patients. The recent conservative estimates are for around 0.9 million patients globally who cumulate radiation doses above 100 mSv, where evidence exists for cancer risk elevation. Around one in five is estimated to be under the age of 50. Recurrent imaging is used for managing various health conditions and chronic diseases such as malignancies, trauma, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, Crohn’s disease, urolithiasis, cystic pulmonary disease. More studies are needed from different parts of the world to understand the magnitude and appropriateness. The analysis identified areas of future work to improve radiation protection of individuals who are submitted to frequent imaging. These include access to dose saving imaging technologies; improved imaging strategies and appropriateness process; specific optimisation tailored to the clinical condition and patient habitus; wider utilisation of the automatic exposure monitoring systems with an integrated option for individual exposure tracking in standardised patient-specific risk metrics; improved training and communication. The integration of the clinical and exposure history data will support improved knowledge about radiation risks from low doses and individual radiosensitivity. The radiation protection framework will need to respond to the challenge of recurrent imaging and high individual doses. The radiation protection perspective complements the clinical perspective, and the risk to benefit analysis must account holistically for all incidental and long-term benefits and risks for patients, their clinical history and specific needs. This is a step toward the patient-centric health care.

Contrasting Perspectives Regarding Climate Risks and Adaptation Strategies in the New York Metropolitan Area after Superstorm Sandy

2014 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
pp. 1450005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Miller ◽  
Griffin Kidd ◽  
Franco Montalto ◽  
Patrick Gurian ◽  
Cortney Worrall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
New York ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Superstorm Sandy ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
York Metropolitan Area

The purpose of this study was to examine stakeholder perceptions of climate change and local adaptation strategies in the New York City area. A side-by-side comparison of expert and resident opinions provided a clear picture of the region's climate change attitude in the year following Superstorm Sandy. Semi-structured interviews with regional environmental experts provided material for a structured survey, which was then distributed to 100 experts and 250 residents in coastal NY and northern NJ counties. In the survey both stakeholder groups were asked to choose the top three climate threats to the NYC region and rate adaptation and mitigation strategies on a 1–5 Likert scale regarding their ability to protect the region and their cost-effectiveness. Results show that experts and residents agree that sea level rise, coastal flooding and storm surge, and an increased frequency and intensity of extreme events pose the greatest threats to NYC over the next 25 years. While both groups showed a preference for long-term planning over immediate action, experts and residents could not agree on which specific strategies would best serve the region. The aftermath of Superstorm Sandy had a strong impact on both the expert and resident opinions and efforts to monitor stakeholder opinions continue.

Low-Dose Anti-Thyroid Medication in Graves Disease: Assessment of the Efficacy Based on a Long-Term Follow-Up (Interim Report)

2011 ◽  
pp. P1-684-P1-684
Author(s):  
Hamid Reza Bazrafshan ◽  
Friedrich Fitz ◽  
Martin Steinmair ◽  
Clemens Reichl ◽  
Mohsen Beheshti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Disease Assessment ◽  
Graves Disease ◽  
Interim Report ◽  
Thyroid Medication ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

scholarly journals An Early Periprosthetic Fracture of a Cementless Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: Risk Factors and Mitigation Strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Zong Xian ◽  
Andrew Tan Hwee Chye
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Periprosthetic Fracture ◽  
Perioperative Complications ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Revision Total Knee Replacement ◽  
Total Knee

Introduction: The cementless Oxford partial knee arthroplasty is associated with low perioperative complications and good long-term survival rates. However, perioperative fractures remain a serious morbidity for patients. Case Report: This case report describes an early post-operative tibial periprosthetic fracture through the keel slot, which we believe may be contributed by the deep implant keel design and the presence of a narrow metaphysis in the Asian knee. The patient subsequently underwent a revision total knee replacement and fixation of the periprosthetic fracture. Conclusion: This paper discusses the ways to identify patients at high risk of developing periprosthetic fractures and to minimize such occurrences, including adopting a modified tibial preparation, doing precise saw cuts, and considering a cemented tibial implant. Keywords: Cementless, Oxford, unicompartmental, periprosthetic, keel.

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