Cellular communication and “non-targeted effects”: Modelling approaches

During the last decade, a large number of experimental studies on the so-called “non-targeted effects”, in particular bystander effects, outlined that cellular communication plays a significant role in the pathways leading to radiobiological damage. Although it is known that two main types of cellular communication (i.e. via gap junctions and/or molecular messengers diffusing in the extra-cellular environment, such as cytokines, NO etc.) play a major role, it is of utmost importance to better understand the underlying mechanisms, and how such mechanisms can be modulated by ionizing radiation. Though the “final” goal is of course to elucidate the in vivo scenario, in the meanwhile also in vitro studies can provide useful insights. In the present paper we will discuss key issues on the mechanisms underlying non-targeted effects and cell communication, for which theoretical models and simulation codes can be of great help. In this framework, we will present in detail three literature models, as well as an approach under development at the University of Pavia. More specifically, we will first focus on a version of the “State-Vector Model” including bystander-induced apoptosis of initiated cells, which was successfully fitted to in vitro data on neoplastic transformation supporting the hypothesis of a protective bystander effect mediated by apoptosis. The second analyzed model, focusing on the kinetics of bystander effects in 3D tissues, was successfully fitted to data on bystander damage in an artificial 3D skin system, indicating a signal range of the order of 0.7–1 mm. A third model for bystander effect, taking into account of spatial location, cell killing and repopulation, showed dose–response curves increasing approximately linearly at low dose rates but quickly flattening out for higher dose rates, also predicting an effect augmentation following dose fractionation. Concerning the Pavia approach, which can model the release, diffusion and depletion/degradation of candidate signals (e.g. cytokines) travelling in the extra-cellular environment, the good agreement with ad hoc experimental data obtained in our laboratory validated the adopted approach, which in the future can be applied also to other candidate signals.     

Single-event upset in geostationary transfer orbit during solar-activity maximum period measured by the Tsubasa satellite

This paper reports single-event upset (SEU) occurrence related to the space radiation environment in geostationary transfer orbit during solar-activity maximum period measured by the Tsubasa satellite. Most SEUs are measured in the inner radiation belt, indicating that they are mainly caused by trapped protons. Thus, the spatial distribution and the temporal variation of the SEU count correlate well with those of trapped protons. The peak SEU rate appears around L = 1.4. The transition point from SEUs caused by trapped protons to those caused by galactic cosmic rays is around L = 2.6. During the experiment period, increased SEU count was sometimes detected due to solar and geomagnetic events outside the inner radiation belt.     

我国中继卫星系统在交会对接任务中的应用

我国中继卫星系统在交会对接任务中得到了成功应用,显著提升了测控通信覆盖率,充分体现了中继卫星系统在交会对接任务测控通信中发挥的重要作用.结合中继卫星系统特点,分析交会对接任务对中继卫星系统的任务需求;探讨了中继卫星捕获跟踪用户目标、对用户目标测定轨、着陆场直升机缝隙通信等关键技术;最后总结了中继卫星系统抗雨衰影响、多目标支持能力、应急支持能力等方面的经验做法,并提出了后续改进和完善的建议.     

载人登月轨道月面可达区域分析

全月面到达是21世纪以来载人登月研究的主要目标之一。影响月面可达区域的因素有很多,而阳光入射角约束和转移轨道约束是主要因素。首先分析了不同纬度区域阳光入射角规律,其次建立了一种适于月面可达区域分析的双二体圆锥曲线拼接算法,分析了自由返回轨道和混合轨道月面可达区域,并计算了变轨策略及其速度增量关系,为未来实现载人登月月面着陆区选择提供参考。     

Earth–Moon low energy trajectory optimization in the real system

The problem of the Earth–Moon low energy trajectory optimization in the real system (the model defined by the JPL ephemeris DE405) is considered in this paper. First, this problem is investigated in the model of circular restricted three-body problem, since the fuel consumption is closely related to the Jacobi integral of the transfer trajectory, a method based on Jacobi integral is proposed and eight optimal trajectories are obtained. These optimal trajectories provide initial information (the flight time and the braking velocity impulse) to search the optimal low energy trajectories in the real system through optimization techniques. Considering the merit and drawback of particle swarm optimization and differential evolution algorithm in solving the space trajectory problem, an improved cooperative evolutionary algorithm is put forward. Result shows that the low energy trajectories in the real system are more fuel-efficient than the corresponding ones under the circular restricted three-body problem.     

Local orbital debris flux study in the geostationary ring

A local orbital debris flux analysis is performed in the geostationary (GEO) ring to investigate how frequently near-miss events occur for each longitude slot in the GEO ring. The current resident space object (RSO) environment at GEO is evaluated, and publicly-available two-line element (TLE) data are utilized in tandem with a geostationary torus configuration to simulate near-miss events incurred by the trackable RSO population at GEO. Methodology for determining near-miss events with this formulation is introduced, and the results of the analysis for a one-year time frame are provided to illustrate the need for active GEO remediation.     

GEO卫星广播星历的拟合参数设计

基于第一类无奇点要素的拟合参数和5°倾角旋转法,可以实现GEO发播电文与MEO和IGSO的电文一致性,但是没有完全避免数学奇异性.文章从无奇点要素的选取和主要摄动力的影响分析两方面出发,提出了一套16参数的GEO星历表示法.首先,利用同步要素描述卫星的星下点运动轨迹;其次,摄动参数中顾及了地球引力位田谐项引起的定点漂移.拟合试验表明,2h星历拟合的用户距离误差的均方根优于0.01m.     

实践九号编队飞行轨控中的姿轨耦合与推力损失研究

实践九号A、B双星系统于2012年11月5日成功完成中国首次自主编队异面绕飞试验.对其配置条件及设计要求进行了介绍,对轨控中的姿轨耦合问题与推力损失问题进行了描述和分析,给出工程中处理办法与数值仿真结果.实际在轨典型轨控结果表明,通过轨控前仿真对遥控注入的轨控加速度进行修改,实现了对实际开机时间的合理延拓,保证了轨控的精度.     

磁等离子体推力器工作机理与应用前景研究

研究了发动机能量输入、工质电离、等离子体加速及能量转换过程及机理,同时分析了磁等离子体推力器在空间推进任务中的应用前景.研究表明磁等离子体推力器主要利用电磁力加速和磁喷管的能量转换作用来实现加速,这种方式在大功率条件下,能够获得大推力、高功率和较长工作时间,在大功率轨道航天器和深空任务中有广阔的应用前景.     

嫦娥五号探测器多圈调相地月转移应急轨道设计与分析

针对嫦娥五号任务上升段末期火箭二级发动机可能出现的提前关机故障造成入轨半长轴偏差较大和中途修正速度增量超限问题,提出了多圈调相地月转移轨道应急控制策略.首先,分析了不同入轨半长轴偏差、中途修正时刻与中途修正速度增量消耗之间的关系;其次,针对半长轴偏差较大问题,基于微分改正算法与B平面参数,设计了解析窗口搜索与多圈调相地...