| 1. |
- Cockell, Charles S., et al.
(författare)
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Subsurface scientific exploration of extraterrestrial environments (MINAR 5) : analogue science, technology and education in the Boulby Mine, UK
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Astrobiology. - : Cambridges Institutes Press. - 1473-5504 .- 1475-3006. ; 18:2, s. 157-182
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The deep subsurface of other planetary bodies is of special interest for robotic and human exploration. The subsurface provides access to planetary interior processes, thus yielding insights into planetary formation and evolution. On Mars, the subsurface might harbour the most habitable conditions. In the context of human exploration, the subsurface can provide refugia for habitation from extreme surface conditions. We describe the fifth Mine Analogue Research (MINAR 5) programme at 1 km depth in the Boulby Mine, UK in collaboration with Spaceward Bound NASA and the Kalam Centre, India, to test instruments and methods for the robotic and human exploration of deep environments on the Moon and Mars. The geological context in Permian evaporites provides an analogue to evaporitic materials on other planetary bodies such as Mars. A wide range of sample acquisition instruments (NASA drills, Small Planetary Impulse Tool (SPLIT) robotic hammer, universal sampling bags), analytical instruments (Raman spectroscopy, Close-Up Imager, Minion DNA sequencing technology, methane stable isotope analysis, biomolecule and metabolic life detection instruments) and environmental monitoring equipment (passive air particle sampler, particle detectors and environmental monitoring equipment) was deployed in an integrated campaign. Investigations included studying the geochemical signatures of chloride and sulphate evaporitic minerals, testing methods for life detection and planetary protection around human-tended operations, and investigations on the radiation environment of the deep subsurface. The MINAR analogue activity occurs in an active mine, showing how the development of space exploration technology can be used to contribute to addressing immediate Earth-based challenges. During the campaign, in collaboration with European Space Agency (ESA), MINAR was used for astronaut familiarization with future exploration tools and techniques. The campaign was used to develop primary and secondary school and primary to secondary transition curriculum materials on-site during the campaign which was focused on a classroom extra vehicular activity simulation.
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| 2. |
- Antzutkin, Oleg, et al.
(författare)
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Binding of Aluminium(III)-Citrate Complexes, [Al3(H-1Cit)3(OH)]-4 and [Al3(H-1Cit)3(OH)4]-7, to Alzheimer's A-beta(1-40) Peptides : In situ Atomic Force, Electron Microscopy and Solid State 13C and 27Al NMR Studies
- 2005
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Ingår i: Sixth Keele Meeting on Aluminium. - : Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e Mar, Universidade de Aveiro. ; , s. 16-
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- It is believed that Alzheimer's disease (AD) amyloid-β-peptide (Aβ) deposits contribute directly to the disease's progressive neurodegeneration. Aggregation cascade for Aβ peptides, its relevance to neurotoxicity in the course of AD, various factors modulating Aβ aggregation kinetics and experimental methods useful for these studies were recently discussed [1]. Al(III), Zn(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions are often colocalized at the center of the core of Alzheimer's amyloid plaques [2] and are suggested to promote aggregation of physiological concentrations of Aβ [3]. It has also been suggested that Al can block calcium permeable putative Aβ-peptide channels in bilayer membranes [4]. Therefore studies of complexation of metal ions with Aβ-oligomers and fibrils are important in the search for the causes of and potential treatments for AD.We studied effects of highly soluble and biologically relevant aluminium(III)-citrate compounds, [Al3(H-1Cit)3(OH)]-4 and [Al3(H-1Cit)3(OH)4]-7, on the fibrillogenesis of Aβ(1-40). All resonances in 156.37 MHz 27Al and 90.52 MHz 13C MAS NMR spectra of powder Al(III)-citrate complexes were assigned. 27Al MAS NMR of dialysed samples of Aβ(1-40) co-incubated with the Al(III)-citrate complexes at different concentrations in TRIS buffer solutions, pH 7.4, shows that Al(III)-citrates bind to Aβ(1-40) as [Al3(H-1Cit)3(OH)]-4 and either accelerate ([Al3(H-1Cit)3(OH)]-4 complex) or retard ([Al3(H-1Cit)3(OH)4]-7 compound) aggregation of Aβ(1-40) as revealed by AFM. [1] ON Antzutkin, Magn. Reson. Chem. 42 (2004) 231; [2] MA Lovell et al., J. Neurol. Sci. 158 (1998) 47; Ch Exley et al., Al and Alzheimer's disease, Ch Exley (Ed)1998) 47; Ch Exley , Ch Exley (Ed) Elsevier Science, 2001, 421; [3] PW Mantyh et al., J. Neurochem. 61 (1993) 1171; [4] N Arispe et al, PNAS 90 (1993) 567.
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| 3. |
- Jones, Geraint H., et al.
(författare)
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The Comet Interceptor Mission
- 2024
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Ingår i: Space Science Reviews. - : Springer Nature. - 0038-6308 .- 1572-9672. ; 220:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Here we describe the novel, multi-point Comet Interceptor mission. It is dedicated to the exploration of a little-processed long-period comet, possibly entering the inner Solar System for the first time, or to encounter an interstellar object originating at another star. The objectives of the mission are to address the following questions: What are the surface composition, shape, morphology, and structure of the target object? What is the composition of the gas and dust in the coma, its connection to the nucleus, and the nature of its interaction with the solar wind? The mission was proposed to the European Space Agency in 2018, and formally adopted by the agency in June 2022, for launch in 2029 together with the Ariel mission. Comet Interceptor will take advantage of the opportunity presented by ESA’s F-Class call for fast, flexible, low-cost missions to which it was proposed. The call required a launch to a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L2 point. The mission can take advantage of this placement to wait for the discovery of a suitable comet reachable with its minimum Δ V capability of 600 ms − 1 . Comet Interceptor will be unique in encountering and studying, at a nominal closest approach distance of 1000 km, a comet that represents a near-pristine sample of material from the formation of the Solar System. It will also add a capability that no previous cometary mission has had, which is to deploy two sub-probes – B1, provided by the Japanese space agency, JAXA, and B2 – that will follow different trajectories through the coma. While the main probe passes at a nominal 1000 km distance, probes B1 and B2 will follow different chords through the coma at distances of 850 km and 400 km, respectively. The result will be unique, simultaneous, spatially resolved information of the 3-dimensional properties of the target comet and its interaction with the space environment. We present the mission’s science background leading to these objectives, as well as an overview of the scientific instruments, mission design, and schedule.
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