Medicina Espacial y Astronomía en Chile: Futuro esplendor / Advancing Space Medicine and Astronomy in Chile for Health on Earth

El cielo de Chile cuenta con las condiciones ideales para la astronomía a nivel mundial, lo que ha conllevado un desarrollo científico importante para el país en esta y otras áreas. En los próximos años varias misiones espaciales sucederán, siendo de importancia para su éxito la salud de los tripulantes. La medicina espacial se preocupa y estudia los cambios en la fisiología humana en el espacio, la que se ve alterada en su totalidad. Es fundamental el entendimiento de la patología en el ambiente espacial para el desarrollo de contramedidas para mitigar los diferentes riesgos, siendo uno de los principales la radiación espacial entre otros. El desarrollo de esta área de la medicina permitirá nuevos avances en la salud en la Tierra.

The sky of Chile has the ideal conditions for astronomy worldwide, which has led to crucial scientific development for the country in this and other areas. In the coming years, several space missions will occur, the crew members' health being essential for their success. Space medicine studies the changes in human physiology in space, which is entirely altered. It is essential to understand the pathology in the space environment to develop countermeasures to mitigate the different risks, one of the main ones being space radiation, among others. The development of this area of medicine will allow new advances in health on Earth.

Mapping Manuel Sandoval Vallarta (1899-1977) Scientific Contribution.

This paper employs network theory, mining data and bibliometric analysis when mapping the scientific contribution of Nobel Prize candidate; Manuel Sandoval Vallarta, the first and most renowned Mexican physicist and important figure in Latin American science. Vallarta died in 1977, and the existing literature is about his life and contributions to science but not about how those are still valuable today. This paper is the first to highlight, with mapping tools, that his contributions are relevant to the international community of cosmic rays (as he was pioneer and leader), quantum mechanics and relativity. These tools delivered three findings: Identify how he built his own field of study, same as universal knowledge. Unveil that the backward and forward Vallarta citations follow a scale-free network distribution. Determine social factors that benefited or affected his scientific activities-such as World War II interrupting Vallarta's successful productivity at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Furthermore, this study confirmed the interdisciplinary nature of the mapping studies of the scientist's contributions using scientometric tools. As a result, several interesting questions arose throughout our research, some of which were answered from the history and philosophy of science. However, others need to be analyzed by experts in the fields of Vallarta. Mapping research sends an invitation to interdisciplinary dialogue/research between experts in different areas of study to better understand the process of knowledge production both, individual and collective.

Irradiation of Phenylalanine at 300 K by MeV Ions.

Phenylalanine (Phe) is an amino acid that has been identified in carbonaceous meteorites; its formation mechanism in space is unknown, and its radioresistance has been the subject of investigation. This work aims at studying, in the laboratory, the Phe radiolysis by cosmic analogues. The Phe destruction rate, at 300 K, is measured for H, He, and N ion beam irradiation in the 0.5 to 2 kinetic MeV range. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to monitor the molecular degradation as a function of fluence. The Phe apparent destruction cross-section, σapd, which includes radiolysis and sputtering processes, is determined to be proportional to the electronic stopping power, Se. The measured parameter D0 = 14.3 ± 2.2 eV/molec in the relationship, and σdap = Se/D0 is interpreted as the mean absorbed dose necessary to dissociate or eject a Phe molecule. The Phe half-life in the interstellar medium is predicted to be about 10 million years, H+ ions the main destructive cosmic ray constituent.

Viagem espacial: Um desafio sob o ponto de vista da oftalmologia / Space travel: A challenge from the point of view of ophthalmology

RESUMO No final do século vinte, com o surgimento de novas tecnologias e de novos programas espaciais, a medicina aeroespacial ganhou destaque no meio científico uma vez que os estudos relacionados às alterações da fisiologia humana no espaço tornaram-se cada vez mais necessário para a manutenção da saúde de cosmonautas. Os olhos são considerados uma das estruturas mais sensíveis do corpo às alterações vasculares, estruturais e bioquímicas provocadas pela microgravidade e radiação cósmica. Nesse sentido, essa revisão narrativa busca identificar e explicar as principais alterações morfológicas e funcionais que ocorrem no sistema visual em decorrência de missões espaciais.

ABSTRACT At the end of the twentieth century, with the emergence of new technologies and new space programs, aerospace medicine gained prominence in the scientific community since studies related to changes in human physiology in space have become increasingly necessary for the maintenance of cosmonaut health. The eyes are considered one of the most sensitive structures in the body to vascular, structural and biochemical changes caused by microgravity and cosmic radiation. In this sense, this narrative review seeks to identify and explain the main morphological and functional changes that occur in the visual system as a result of space missions.

Radiolytic Degradation of Soil Carbon from the Mojave Desert by 60Co Gamma Rays: Implications for the Survival of Martian Organic Compounds Due to Cosmic Radiation.

The martian surface has been continuously exposed to galactic cosmic radiation. Since organic compounds are degraded by ionizing radiation, knowledge of their decay constants is fundamental to predicting their stability on the martian surface. In this study, we report the radiolysis constant for the destruction of soil organic compounds at a starting concentration of ∼2011 µg C/gsoil from the Mojave Desert. The soils were exposed to gamma irradiation with absorbed doses of up to 19 MGy at room temperature, representing ∼250 million years of exposure to galactic cosmic rays. The destruction of total soil organic carbon and the formation of gases were investigated by a sequential on-line analytical array coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Soil inorganic and organic carbon were degraded exponentially with a radiolysis constant 0.3 MGy-1(30%) producing mostly carbon dioxide (93.2%), carbon monoxide (6.2%), and methane (0.6%). Using the dose rate measured by the Radiation Assessment Detector on board the Curiosity rover, we make predictions on the survival of organic compounds in the cold martian subsurface. It is estimated that soil organic compounds with initial concentrations as those found today at the Mojave Desert would have been destroyed to levels <1 ppb at 0.1 m in depth in ∼2000 Myr. Pristine organic compounds are expected to be present at a depth of ∼1.5 m. These results are relevant for the search of organic compounds in past, present, and future missions to Mars. In particular, we predict that the upcoming ExoMars will encounter pristine organic compounds at this depth.

Environmental radiation dosimetry at high southern latitudes with Liulin type instruments.

Because of the geomagnetic field shape, the polar regions are the most exposed to secondary particles and radiation produced by primary cosmic rays in the atmosphere. At present, only few experimental measurements of environmental dose are reported in literature at high southern latitudes. A three year campaign has been carried out in two different locations, Ushuaia (Argentina, 54.80∘ S, 68.30∘ W) and Marambio (Antarctica, 64.24∘ S, 56.63∘ W), using a Liulin type detector, allowing to measure the total environmental radiation flux and dose. The Liulin type instrument, measuring the energy deposition in a silicon detector, is especially suitable to evaluate the dose, separating the low and high LET (Linear Energy Transfer) components. The instrument was installed at the GAW Station in Ushuaia and inside the LAMBI Laboratory at the Marambio Antarctic base. In December 2017 preliminary measurements have been carried out at the French-Italian base Dome C, at 3233 m a.s.l., with a Liulin-AR, a new version of Liulin spectrometer, specifically built for this application by the Space Research and Technology Institute of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. In this paper the environmental dose values obtained in the different southern high latitude locations are compared and discussed.

O arquétipo da vida e da morte: Um estudo da Psicologia Simbólica / The archetype of life and death: A study of Symbolic Psychology / El arquetipo de la vida y de la muerte: Un Estudio de la Psicología Simbólica

O autor elabora a posição dualista de Freud e dialética de Jung e Sabina Spilrein diante do Arquétipo da Vida e da Morte por intermédio da conceituação de cinco posições arquetípicas da consciência (Eu-Outro): posição indiferenciada, insular, polarizada, dialética e contemplativa, cada uma, em duas atitudes, passiva e ativa. Para isto, o autor expande conceitos fundamentais da Psicologia Analítica e da Psicanálise, principalmente os conceitos de arquétipo e de defesa, num corpo teórico, que denomina Psicologia Simbólica. A seguir, o autor associa sumariamente as cinco etapas da vida (infância, adolescência, vida adulta, maturidade e velhice) a estas posições da consciência, junto com os seus quatro Arquétipos Regentes correspondentes: Arquétipo Matriarcal e posição insular. Arquétipo Patriarcal e posição polarizada. Arquétipo da Alteridade (Anima e Animus) e posição dialética. Arquétipo da Totalidade e posição contemplativa. Especial ênfase é dada ao Arquétipo do Coniunctio, descrito de forma típica nas fases do processo por intermédio de quatro formas de expressão: Coniunctio Insular, Coniunctio Parental, Coniunctio Conjugal e Coniunctio Cósmico. Em conclusão, o autor descreve a função estruturante do Arquétipo da Vida e da Morte, e seu papel na elaboração simbólica, sobretudo na passagem de uma fase para a outra, dando especial ênfase ao estado terminal à discussão da eutanásia médica e da autoeutanásia. ■

The author elaborates on Freud's dualistic position and Jung's and Sabina Spilrein's dialectical position concerning the Archetype of Life and Death through five archetypal positions of the I-Other relationship, namely, the undifferentiated insular, polarized, dialectical and contemplative positions, each in the active and passive attitude. In order to accomplish this elaboration, the author expands some fundamental concepts of Analytical Psychology, such as the Archetype, and of Psychoanalysis, such as defense mechanism. Then, the author describes five phases of life (childhood, adolescence, adulthood, maturity and old age) and associates them with the archetypal I-Other positions and their correspondence to the four Regent Archetypes; Matriarchal, Patriarchal, Alterity (Anima and Animus) and Totality Archetypes. Special emphasis is given to the Coniunctio Archetype, which is described in the phases of life through four types: Insular Coniunctio, Parental Coniunctio, Coupling Coniunctio and Cosmic Coniunctio. In this description, the author emphasizes the elaboration of the Archetype of Life and Death, mainly in the archetypal transition from one phase to the next. In conclusion, the author considers the necessity of medical euthanasia and self-euthanasia as one of the main conquests of human rights to encounter death with dignity within the Cosmic Coniunctio. ■

El autor elabora la posición dualista de Freud y dialéctica de Jung y Sabina Spilrein ante el Arquetipo de la Vida y de la Muerte por medio de la conceptualización de cinco posiciones arquetípicas de la conciencia (Yo-Otro): Posición indiferenciada, insular, polarizada, dialéctica y contemplativa, cada una, en dos actitudes, pasiva y activa. Para que esto se realice, el autor expande conceptos fundamentales de la Psicología Analítica y del Psicoanálisis, principalmente los conceptos de arquetipo y de defensa, en un cuerpo teórico, que denomina Psicología Simbólica. A continuación, el autor asocia sumariamente las cinco etapas de la vida (infancia, adolescencia, vida adulta, madurez y vejez) a estas posiciones de la conciencia, junto con sus cuatro Arquetipos Regentes correspondientes: Arquetipo Matriarcal y posición insular. Arquetipo patriarcal y posición polarizada. Arquetipo de la Alteridad (Anima y Animus) y posición dialéctica. Arquetipo de la Totalidad y posición contemplativa. Se hace especial énfasis en el Arquetipo del Coniunctio, descrito de forma típica en las fases del proceso por medio de cuatro formas de expresión: Coniuntio Insular, Coniunctio Parental, Coniunctio Conjugal y Coniunctio Cósmico. En conclusión, el autor describe la función estructurante del Arquetipo de la Vida y de la Muerte, y su papel en la elaboración simbólica, sobre todo en el paso de una fase a otra, dando especial énfasis al estado terminal a la discusión de la eutanasia médica y de la auto- la eutanasia. ■

Environmental radiation dosimetry at Argentine Antarctic Marambio Base (64° 13' S, 56° 43' W): preliminary results.

The preliminary results obtained in the first environmental radiation dosimetry campaign performed in the Antarctic region are presented. This experiment is carried out in the framework of CORA (COsmic Rays in Antarctica) Project, a collaboration between Argentine and Italian institutions. After a feasibility study performed in the Antarctic summer 2013, a new campaign has been carried out, started in March 2015, to measure various components of cosmic ray induced secondary atmospheric radiation at the Argentine Marambio Base (Antarctica; 196 m a.s.l., 64°13' S, 56°43' W). Due to a very few dosimetric data available in literature at high southern latitudes, accurate measurements are performed by using a set of different active and passive detectors. Special attention is dedicated to measure the neutron ambient dose equivalent in different energy ranges, by using an active detector, the Atomtex Rem Counter, for neutron energy between 0.025 eV-14 MeV and a set of passive bubble dosimeters, sensitive to thermal neutrons and neutrons in the energy range 100 keV-20 MeV. The results obtained in the first six months of measurements for X and γ radiation and for low and intermediate energy neutrons (En ≤ 20 MeV) are presented in this paper and show that at high latitude, also at sea level and at distance from the South Magnetic Pole, the ambient dose equivalent is significant, in particular for the high contribution of neutron component. This involves that at higher altitude (i.e. Antarctic Plateau, over 3000 m a.s.l.) the yearly ambient dose equivalent could be higher than the limit of 1 mSv recommended for general public by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).

The γ-ray afterglows of tidal disruption events.

A star wandering too close to a supermassive black hole (SMBH) will be tidally disrupted. Previous studies of such 'tidal disruption event' (TDE) mostly focus on the stellar debris that are bound to the system, because they give rise to luminous flares. On the other hand, half of the stellar debris in principle are unbound and can stream to a great distance, but so far there is no clear evidence that this 'unbound debris stream' (UDS) exists. Motivated by the fact that the circum-nuclear region around SMBHs is usually filled with dense molecular clouds (MCs), here we investigate the observational signatures resulting from the collision between an UDS and an MC, which is likely to happen hundreds of years after a TDE. We focus on γ-ray emission (0.1-105 GeV), which comes from the encounter of shock-accelerated cosmic rays with background protons and, more importantly, is not subject to extinction. We show that because of the high proton density inside an MC, the peak γ-ray luminosity, about 1039 erg s-1, is at least 100 times greater than that in the case without an MC (only with a smooth interstellar medium). The luminosity decays on a time-scale of decades, depending on the distance of the MC, and about a dozen of these 'TDE afterglows' could be detected within a distance of about 16 Mpc by the future Cherenkov Telescope Array. Without careful discrimination, these sources potentially could contaminate the searches for starburst galaxies, galactic nuclei containing millisecond pulsars or dark matter annihilation signals.

Identification of candidate genes for lung cancer somatic mutation test kits.

Over the past three decades, mortality from lung cancer has sharply and continuously increased in China, ascending to the first cause of death among all types of cancer. The ability to identify the actual sequence of gene mutations may help doctors determine which mutations lead to precancerous lesions and which produce invasive carcinomas, especially using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. In this study, we analyzed the latest lung cancer data in the COSMIC database, in order to find genomic "hotspots" that are frequently mutated in human lung cancer genomes. The results revealed that the most frequently mutated lung cancer genes are EGFR, KRAS and TP53. In recent years, EGFR and KRAS lung cancer test kits have been utilized for detecting lung cancer patients, but they presented many disadvantages, as they proved to be of low sensitivity, labor-intensive and time-consuming. In this study, we constructed a more complete catalogue of lung cancer mutation events including 145 mutated genes. With the genes of this list it may be feasible to develop a NGS kit for lung cancer mutation detection.