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Tracking Ultraviolet Set-up (TUS) on board the Lomonosov satellite measured the UV intensity pulsations in the auroral region. Sixty-four events with pulsations were registered during two measurement periods from 26 December 2016–10 January 2017 and 8–15 November 2017. During both periods, a high-intensity, long-duration, continuous auroral activity (HILDCAA) was detected. Simultaneous measurements in LEO by Lomonosov (DEPRON detector) and Meteor-M2 satellites show the enhanced fluxes of the trapped and precipitated energetic electrons in the region of the Earth’s outer radiation belt during these periods. We found that most of the UV-events correspond to energetic electron (E > 100 keV) precipitation. One can suggest that particles of these and higher energies cause a pulsating emission relatively deep in the atmosphere.

Most of the radiation measurements have been made onboard spacecraft flying along orbits with an inclination of up to 51.6 degrees. Due to the prospect of manned missions at orbits with larger inclinations, it is advisable to conduct preliminary detailed dosimetry measurements at a high-inclination orbit; due to its polar orbit, the Lomonosov satellite provides good opportunities for such study. We chose a method of cosmic radiation dosimetry based on semiconductor detectors. This method is widely used onboard spacecraft, including full-time radiation monitoring onboard the International Space Station (ISS). It should be noted that not only did the charged particles contribute significantly in the dose equivalent, but also did the neutrons. Semiconductor detectors have low sensitivity to neutron radiation and are not sufficient for detecting the expected flux of neutrons. We add a thermal neutron counter to the proposed device in order to provide an opportunity for estimation of neutron flux variations along the satellite trajectory. Thus, the design of the instrument DEPRON (Dosimeter of Electrons, PROtons and Neutrons) was determined. DEPRON is intended for registration of the absorbed doses and linear energy transfer spectra for high-energy electrons, protons and nuclei of space radiation, as well as registration of thermal neutrons. The present paper provides a brief description of the DEPRON instrument. Its calibration results and the first mission results of background radiation measurements are also presented.

The Universat-SOCRAT project is developed in the Moscow State University aiming to forecast space-related risks for aviation, suborbital, and orbital flights and provide new knowledge on the magnetosphere and atmosphere of the Earth. An essential part of the system is a multi-satellite constellation, which would operate in the low-Earth orbit. Among other things, it would monitor the radiation and magnetic-wave environment in the vicinity of the Earth: in space and atmosphere. An Earth observation system, which operates in gamma and visible spectral range, should allow attribute detected changes in the environment to the atmospheric phenomena. We have already designed the instruments to detect increases in the flux of energetic charged particles (solar energetic particles, galactic cosmic rays, and electrons precipitating from radiation belts), geomagnetic disturbances, and electromagnetic transients in the atmosphere. The first stage of the program started on July 5, 2019, with a successful launch of three 3U CubeSats from the Vostochny cosmodrome. These satellites carry instruments for monitoring space radiation and prototype of the device for observing the Earth’s atmosphere in the ultraviolet range. The collected data has confirmed the advantages of multi-satellite observations for the goals of the project. During this year, we plan to launch two more 6U CubeSats with charged particle and gamma-ray detectors, magnetometers, and instrument for detecting of atmospheric electromagnetic transients. We suppose that these satellites will lay the foundation of the space threat monitoring system.

Excessive postoperative scarring halts the effectiveness of glaucoma surgery and still remains a challenging problem. The purpose of this study was to develop a PLA-PEG-based drug delivery system with cyclosporine A or everolimus for wound healing modulation. Methods: PLA-PEG implants saturation with cyclosporine A or everolimus as well as their further in vitro release were analyzed. Anti-proliferative activity and cytotoxicity of the immunosuppressants were studied in vitro using human Tenon’s fibroblasts. Thirty-six rabbits underwent glaucoma filtration surgery with the application of sham implants or samples saturated with cyclosporine A or everolimus. The follow-up period was six months. A morphological study of the surgery area was also performed at seven days, one, and six months post-op. Results: PLA-PEG implants revealed a satisfactory ability to cumulate either cyclosporine A or everolimus. The most continuous period of cyclosporine A and everolimus desorption was 7 and 13 days, respectively. Immunosuppressants demonstrated marked anti-proliferative effect regarding human Tenon’s fibroblasts without signs of cytotoxicity at concentrations provided by the implants. Application of PLA-PEG implants saturated with immunosuppressants improved in vivo glaucoma surgery outcomes. Conclusions: Prolonged delivery of either cyclosporine A or everolimus by means of PLA-PEG implants represents a promising strategy of wound healing modulation in glaucoma filtration surgery.

The paper presents the results of theoretical understanding of the transport accessibility of rural tourism facilities and an empirical study of the opinions of rural tourism consumers. On the basis of a brief review of scientific publications on the development of various types of rural tourism and the impact of transport accessibility of tourist facilities on them the relevance and significance of the research is determined. The factors that influence the choice of tourist products are formulated. Estimated judgments of survey participants are analysed and latent variables and the role of quality of transport infrastructure in the choice of tourist products are established on the basis of a statistical procedure of factor analysis. The data obtained constitute an important input for transport accessibility of rural tourism facilities and infrastructure decision-making in regions with a large share of rural areas.

The time of Sartan glaciation in the Baikal–Yenisei Siberia, is comparable with that of MIS 2 and the deglaciation phase MIS 1. Loess loams, aeolian–colluvial sands and sandy loams represent subaerial sediments. There are four subhorizons (sr1, sr2, sr3 and sr4) in the Sartan horizon (sr). Sedimentary and soil-forming processes at different stratigraphic levels are considered. Differing soil formation types of cold periods are distinguished. Soils of the interstadial type with the A-C profile are represented only in the Early Sartan section of this paper. The soils of the pleniglacial type are discussed throughout the section. Their initial profile is O-C, TJ-C and W-C. Plant detritus remnants or poor thin humus horizons are preserved in places from the upper horizons. We propose for the first time for the interphasial soil formation type of cold stages to be distinguished. This is represented in the sections by the preserved BCm, BCg, Cm and Cg horizons of 15–20 cm thick. The upper horizons are absent in most sections. According to the surviving fragments, these were organogenous (O, TJ and T) and organomineral (AO and W) horizons. The sedimentation and soil formation features are considered from the perspective reconstruction of the Sartan natural and climatic conditions. Buried Sartan soils often contain cultural layers. Soil formation shows a well-defined periodicity of natural condition stabilization, which allowed ancient populations to adapt actively to various situations. Archaeologists’ interest in fossil soils is based on the ability of soils to “record” information about the natural and climatic conditions of human habitation.

Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a genetically complex eye disease associated with multiple genes. A recent systematic review has raised concerns about the causal role of variants in the LOXHD1 and AGBL1 genes in the development of FECD. Conflicting data have been reported on the expression of the LOXHD1 and AGBL1 genes in the corneal endothelium. Furthermore, only partial segregation of the variants was observed in familial cases. An analysis of published datasets was conducted to examine the expression of LOXHD1 and AGBL1 genes in normal and FECD-affected corneal endothelia and progenitor cells. Neither LOXHD1 nor AGBL1 genes were expressed in normal or FECD corneal endothelia or progenitor cells. In-house cohorts were screened for carriers of previously reported LOXHD1 and AGBL1 variants. Carriers and their first-degree relatives were invited for an ophthalmological examination to reassess the causal relationship of these variants with FECD phenotype. Three carriers of LOXHD1 variants (one carrier of rs200242497 and two carriers of rs192376005) and two carriers of AGBL1 variants (rs181958589 and rs185919705) were recruited. None of the carriers or first-degree relatives over 50 years exhibited phenotypic signs of FECD via ophthalmic examination. The causal role of the AGBL1 and LOXHD1 variants found in the carriers was not confirmed. Taken together, our findings do not support a causal role for AGBL1 and LOXHD1 in the development of FECD.

Here we present results of density functional theory (DFT) study of delithiated structures of layered LiNiO2 (LNO, Li12Ni12O24 model) cathode material and its doped analogue LiNi 0.833 Co 0.083 Al 0.083O2 (N 10 C 1 A 1 , Li 12 Ni 10 CoAlO 24 model). The paper is aimed at independent elucidation of doping and dispersion interaction effects on the structural stability of cathode materials studied. For this purpose, the LNO and N 10 C 1 A 1 configurational spaces consisting of 87 and 4512 crystallographically independent configurations (obtained starting from 2×2×1 supercell of R-3m structure of LNO) are optimized within a number of DFT models. Based on a comparison of the calculated dependencies for the lattice parameters with the results of in situ neutron diffraction experiments, the most pronounced effect of cathode material stabilization is due to the dispersion interaction. In turn, the doping effect is found to affect cathode structure behavior at the latest stages of delithiation only.

The emergence of high repetition-rate X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) powered by superconducting accelerator technology enables the measurement of significantly more experimental data per day than was previously possible. The European XFEL is expected to provide 27,000 pulses per second, over two orders of magnitude more than any other XFEL. The increased pulse rate is a key enabling factor for single-particle X-ray diffractive imaging, which relies on averaging the weak diffraction signal from single biological particles. Taking full advantage of this new capability requires that all experimental steps, from sample preparation and delivery to the acquisition of diffraction patterns, are compatible with the increased pulse repetition rate. Here, we show that single-particle imaging can be performed using X-ray pulses at megahertz repetition rates. The results obtained pave the way towards exploiting high repetition-rate X-ray free-electron lasers for single-particle imaging at their full repetition rate. Diffractive imaging of single-particle nanoscale systems has so far been hindered by low hit probabilities and repetition rates. Here, single-particle imaging of nanospheres and viruses at megahertz repetition rates is demonstrated at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL) for the first time.

The technology of three-dimensional Bayesian tomographic reconstruction of homogeneous objects with high-density inclusions is developed. The approach is based on preliminary correction of projections by extracting the data corresponding to X-rays passing through a high-density region, and replacing it with synthesized data obtained by two-dimensional interpolation. An original method for selecting interpolation points is proposed and a mathematical algorithm is described that ensures the implementation of two-dimensional interpolation correction of projections.