Session 15 - Space environment effects on humans in Space and on Earth

Yury Gurfinkel (The Research Clinical Center of JSC "Russian Railways" Moscow Russia), Tamara Breus (Space research Institute RAS Moscow Russia), Norma B. Crosby (Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy)
Friday 18/11, 10:00-11:00
Friday 18/11, 12:00-13:00
Mercator

During the last thirty years there has been steady progress in our understanding of how the changing space environment influences the state of human health both in space and at Earth. This session provides a forum for contributions related to both long-term behavior of the Sun (space climate) and short-term variations on hours to the rotation period of the Sun (space weather) induced health effects. This interdisciplinary field of research requires a wide exchange of expertise in these various topics. Space missions in low-Earth orbits like the International Space Station (ISS) are known to suffer from space weather effects. Operations outside the space station have to be planned carefully in order to prevent high particle radiation exposures due to changes in the radiation field caused by solar energetic particle (SEP) events . Human habitation in stress situations associated with weightlessness, combined with additional risks such as increased radiation inside the space station (e.g. secondary radiation), weakening of the influence of Earth's magnetic field especially on interplanetary expeditions, etc., must all be considered. Furthermore, during the last two decades several extensive studies have revealed the dependence of cardiovascular pathologies at Earth on space weather events. We invite contributions concerning studies reporting changes in the solar and near-Earth space environment, and how these changes affect the atmosphere and Earth’s climate, as well as their effects on human health. Space weather effects modeling in laboratory conditions and health related experiments in space are welcome.
MAIN TOPICS OF SESSION
1. Space Weather and Space Climate and their role in defining the Local Environment. Physical factors and their effects (e.g. solar and geomagnetic activity, interplanetary disturbances, galactic cosmic rays, climate change).

2. Space Weather and Human health on Earth. Laboratory investigations and natural observations. Combined influence of space and terrestrial weather on biological objects

3. Space Weather and Human health in Space. Human habitation in stress situations associated with weightlessness, combined with additional risks (e.g. increased radiation, weakening of the influence of Earth’s magnetic field, long duration isolation in limited space on stations etc.) Ground- based laboratory studies of very low magnetic fields (“zero fields”) and magnetic storms effects on biological objects.

Poster Viewing
Friday November 18, 10:00 - 11:00, Poster Area

Talks
Friday November 18, 12:00 - 13:00, Mercator

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Talks : Time schedule

Friday November 18, 12:00 - 13:00, Mercator

12:00	A Physical Mechanism for Biological Effects of Weak Magnetic Fields	Binhi, V et al.	Invited Oral
	Vladimir Binhi
	A.M. Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
	Weak magnetic fields in magnetobiology are characterized by magnitudes of the order of the geomagnetic field and frequencies less than a hundred Hertz. Magnetobiology is a science that studies the effects of weak magnetic fields on organisms. Magnetic navigation of animals, epidemiological and interdisciplinary laboratory studies, the studies of the correlation of the sun-induced geomagnetic disturbances and the state of health — all these form the empirical base of magnetobiology. However, its physical nature is still unknown. The history and the status of theoretical magnetobiology is outlined briefly. The mechanisms of magnetoreception are not yet clear [Breus et al., Physics-Uspekhi, 59(5):xxx, 2016]. This fact constitutes a well-known problem of the non-thermal biological effects of weak magnetic fields [Binhi et al., Biophysics, 51(3):497, 2006]. This fundamental problem is divided into several particular questions: 1) paradoxically small magnitude of the magnetic field that causes a biological reaction; 2) the uncertainty of the primary target of magnetic fields in the body tissues; 3) a marked nonlinearity of the effects, and 4) their specifically reduced reproducibility in different laboratories. Discussed are the theoretical approaches to solving the problem. It is shown that mechanisms, the most plausible from the point of view of physics, take into account: the presence of magnetic nanoparticles in organisms; magnetically sensitive biradical reactions; rotational quantum states of macromolecules, and the liquid states of water of yet unknown origin. There is, however, a common basis for all these molecular mechanisms. It is the dynamics of a magnetic moment in the magnetic field. It is shown that such a dynamics is the only fruitful approach to explaining magnetoreception. A universal physical mechanism of magnetoreception is presented that solves a significant part of the problem of non-thermal effects that is associated with the initial reception [Binhi and Prato, xxxx, 2016]. This theory does not contain assumptions; it is based on the postulate of the existence of non-thermal effects and on the laws of physics. The properties of the mathematical model of the primary magnetoreception are considered. Discussed are the prospects of solving the problem of non-thermal effects and of explaining the body’s sensitivity to natural variations of the geomagnetic field on the background of the overwhelming man-made magnetic noise.
12:20	The Equilibrium Paradigm-15 Years Later.	Stoupel, E et al.	Invited Oral
	Stoupel Eliyahu
	Division of Cardiology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqwa, Sackler Faculty of Medicine,Tel Aviv University,Israel
	"The equilibrium paradigm-15 years later." Division of Cardiology, Rabin Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. In year 2002 a paper entitled "The Equilibrium Paradigm in Clinical Cosmobiology" studied the potential links between the changing Space Weather (Geomagnetic Activity (GMA) AND Cosmic Ray /Neutron Activity (CRA) and human health. (Stoupel E., J. Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 13 (3):255-261, 2002) . Since the publication , further steps have been taken in our investigations and the aim of this presentation to our three main results focusing on the role of CRA-Neutron Activity in many pathologies: 1. Interrelationship. In a number of studies it was shown that GMA and CRA are inverse correlated , r=- 0.66, p<0.0001; GMA is correlated with Solar activity (SA) r=0.55, p<0.0001. 2. GMA was intensively studied by many researcher's world-wide and also by our groups. It was shown that on days of high-stormy (IV level) risk factors for Cardiovascular Diseases like arterial blood pressure, some Immunoglobulin- Anti- Phospholipid Syndrome , blood coagulation parameters and Intermediate Coronary Syndrome levels and clinical cases are rising. 3 . In the last 10-15 years studies were published on the role of CRA in many cardiovascular pathologies specifically on days with high CRA-Neutron Activity. Quiet GMA, accompanied by higher CRA took place in the last decades more than 40% of all days, furthermore high-stormy (IV level) GMA (in the Middle Latitude) only 1.6-4.5% of days in years 1974-2012.Total deaths distribution in one country in the Middle Latitudes (n-1.050.304) were correlated with CRA and inverse related to Solar Activity (SA). Four subtypes of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)- STEMI, NSTEMI, Q WAVE, Non Q Wave AMI were correlated with CRA. Predictors of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) Ventricular Extrasystole's (VPC's), Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) and Fibrillation (VF) were also correlated with CRA. Patients with implanted Defibrillators (ICD) observed more discharges of the devices at days of lower GMA/higher CRA. On days of high CRA –Neutron activity the culprit artery of AMI was more often the Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD)- the most dangerous lesion in comparison with lesions of other two Coronary vessels. Also AMI severe complications like cardiogenic shock were found related to higher CRA. In the last decades the Coronary Disease (IHD)/Stroke (CVA) deaths ratio was r=-0.7, p=0.0001- rising CVA victims. CVA monthly victims number also correlate with CRA activity in a long (25y.) and big (132.020 deaths) study. On days with Electrical Heart Storms ( 3 and more episodes of VT,VF daily treated by ICD discharges) the CRA- Neutron activity was significantly higher. At days of Stormy GMA CRA-Neutron activity was 8090-8095 imp/min.; at Active GMA-8049—8501; at Unsettled GMA 8691- 8731; AT Quiet GMA days -9154-9168. On days of "Zero" GMA – 9492.8 imp/min. The way Neutrons are acting – the presumed link to the body H + anions and transformation to Protons attacking our cells and tissues. A recent paper presumed the possibility that Neutrons arround the globe can be transported to human bodies not only separate, but with air pollution fine particles The intensity of genetic activity by changing Space Weather was also discussed. It was also shown that such congenital anomalies like Congenital Heart diseases and Down Syndrome are related to CRA activity at the month of conception. Concluding it can be confirmed that, like during extreme GMA, high levels of CRA-Neutron activity were found to be correlated to a rise of many parts of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The situation is supported by dominant Quiet GMA during the last decades, accompanied by high CRA-Neutron activity.
12:40	Radiation dosimetry in space by means of compact passive luminescent detectors	Van hoey, O et al.	Oral
	Olivier Van Hoey, Filip Vanhavere, Werner Schoonjans, Alessio Parisi, DOSIS 3D team
	The Belgian Nuclear Research Center SCK-CEN, Mol, Belgium
	Radiation dose rates in space are typically more than two orders of magnitude higher than on earth. Therefore, it is very important to monitor astronaut doses. Also doses for biological experiments in space must be quantified in order to determine the possible relationship between observed biological effects and the radiation dose. As the radiation field in space is strongly non-uniform and time dependent, this requires the use of compact passive radiation detectors. In order to cover the whole range of radiation types and energies present in space, one has to combine different types of passive detectors such as optically stimulated luminescence detectors (OSLDs), thermoluminescent detectors (TLDs) and track etch detectors (TEDs). For many years the Belgian Nuclear Research Center SCK•CEN has been sending passive luminescent detectors for different experiments in Low Earth Orbit. We usually send both TLDs (LiF:Mg,Ti and LiF:Mg,Cu,P) and OSLDs (Luxel). In the framework of the international DOSIS and DOSIS 3D projects we have been sending our detectors to the ISS typically every 6 months since 2009 for mapping of the dose rates in the Columbus module. Further, we have also regularly been sending our detectors together with biological experiments on the inside and outside of the ISS and inside the FOTON-M4 spacecraft. In this contribution we will present our methodology and give an overview of the measurement results that were obtained.
12:50	An automated method for the detection and classification of major solar disturbances in dynamic radio spectra	Salmane, H et al.	Oral
	Houssam Salmane[1],Rodolphe Weber[1,2],Karim Abed-Meraim[1],Karl-Ludwig Klein[3],Xavier Bonnin[3]
	[1]Laboratoire PRISME, Université d'Orléans; [2]Station de radioastronomie de Nançay; [3]LESIA-UMR 8109, Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, Universités Paris 6 et 7
	Modern technologies, specifically airborne technology and radio communications, are affected by various types of solar radio emissions or by phenomena, such as solar energetic particles and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that can be traced indirectly by radio emissions. The impact of these phenomena on space-borne technology ranges from loss of signals induced in on-board computers to the loss of spacecraft control. These solar radio bursts are routinely detected by radio spectrograph instruments around the world and analyzed manually. We propose in this work to develop a new method to automatically detect and classify radio bursts using the solar radio spectral data provided by the various spectrographs of Nançay radio astronomy observatory in the band 10MHz -1GHz. The proposed algorithm proceeds in two steps: - First, we detect solar radio bursts in dynamic spectra. - Second, we classify the detected events into one of four classes referred to as: type III (bursts emitted by electron beams traveling to the interplanetary space), type II (bursts emitted by shock waves), type IV (bursts emitted by trapped non thermal electron populations in CMEs) or others (a class which includes with a certain confidence level, all other events). In order to improve the detection quality, we start by eliminating unwanted signals (Radio-Frequency Interference RFI, Calibration…) followed by a magnitude-gradient image filter applied to remove Gaussian and uniform noises from the dynamical spectra to be interpreted. The detection method is based on a sequential procedure with adaptive constant-false-alarm rate (CFAR like) aimed to detect in a hierarchical scheme (from the most significant to the least significant event) the spectra of major solar bursts. Finally, based on Histogram of Oriented Gradient signatures (HOG), a support vector machine (SVM) classifier is applied to recognize the type of solar radio bursts emitted (type II, III, IV or other). To validate the method, a cross validation technique is applied firstly to optimize the parameters of the proposed model and to improve the performance of the radio burst detection system. Secondly, a semi-automatic software package is developed to create a data set of all possible events (type II, III , IV or other) that could be recognized. Results were compared to this created data set. This work is developed within the framework of ORME project (Observations Radioastronomiques pour la Météorologie de l'Espace), funded by the French Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (ASTRID programme, DGA) under contract ANR-14-ASTR-0027.

Posters

Friday November 18, 10:00 - 11:00, Poster Area

1	Long-term observation of cardiovascular system parameters under variation of geomagnetic condition	Sasonko, M et al.	e-Poster
	Sasonko M.L., Gurfinkel Yu. I., Ozheredov V.A., Breus T.C.
	Space Research Institute of Russian Academy of Science (RAS)
	The aim of the study was to investigate several important cardiovascular system parameters during a long-term period in different geomagnetic conditions. From November 2013 to April 2015 the total of 10 volunteers (from 18 to 78 years old) was under regular observation. Measurements that included determining of blood pressure, heart rate, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and parameters of endothelial function (EF) using the device «Tonocard» (AMDT, Russia) were performed(n = 265). The medical data were compared with geophysical data of geomagnetic conditions (http://forecast.izmiran.ru/). Statistical data analysis was performed using special adapted algorithm of differential evolution. This method allows finding out correlations between parameters in conditions of weak factors with very high p-level. The most significant parameters of cardiovascular system were PWV and factor of ratio of EF on brachial artery and wrist arteries (BWF). Linear correlation between K-index of geomagnetic activity and BWF is 0.53 (p = 0.0002), K-index and PWV is -0.44 (p = 0.0003). The first correlation appears mostly in winter, and the second only in appropriate Earth weather conditions. Activation of adoptive mechanisms of cardiovascular system leads to change in processes of exchange nitric oxide in arterial wall and decreasing arterial tonus.
2	Geomagnetic storm in laboratory conditions	Gurfinkel, Y et al.	e-Poster
	Yury Gurfinkel[1,2], Oleg Atkov[2], Andrey Vasin[2], Maria Sasonko[2], Ruslan Sarimov[2,3]
	[1]Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI); [2]Research Clinical Center JSC "Russian Railways"; [3]Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
	There are statistical and physiological studies, which confirm the influence of geomagnetic activity on the blood and cardiovascular system. However in scientific community there is a skepticism caused, apparently, by lack of clear pathway of the weak magnetic fields influence on human and animal organism. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of prerecorded magnetic storm on the cardiovascular system and blood microcirculation of healthy volunteers in laboratory conditions. Materials and methods. Volunteers. Nine healthy railway drivers (23.9 ± 5.5 yr.) were enrolled in the blind study after previous examination of their health. Each person has been exposed twice: under magnetic storm condition and, for comparison, in quit magnetic conditions. We did not provide for participants the information about the type of exposure during experiments to avoid possible influence of this information on the results of study. All volunteers gave the informed consent to take part in the experiment approved by the Committee on Biomedical Ethics of the Research Clinical Center of JSC “Russian Railways”. The experimental setup for magnetic field exposure named “Faradey” allows providing different types of magnetic fields exposure for a couple of days. The bed for subjects located in the center of a cubiform construction (2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5m) so that to provide maximum homogenous magnetic field during exposure. Before experiments beginning the geomagnetic storm (GS) has been recorded (k-index=7) by 3-axis fluxgate magnetic field sensor (FL3-100, Stefan Mayer Instruments). The current meteorological conditions were recorded by the Meteoscan PRO 929 meteorological station throughout the experiments. Physiological study. Heart rhythm and heart rate (HR) were recorded using the monitoring system “Astrocard” (Russia). Nail fold capillaries were visualized using a digital capillaroscope Kapillaroskan-1 (AET, Russia) equipped with high speed CCD-camera. Results and conclusion. The study revealed a significant slowdown in the capillary blood velocity during exposure of the magnetic storm compared with quiet condition. A significant reducing of the heart rate during the exposure of the magnetic storm also has been found. Meteorological conditions did not differ significantly in both experiments. Thus, the exposure of prerecorded magnetic storm has had an important impact on the cardiovascular system of healthy volunteers.
3	Influence of space weather on heart rate and heart rate variability	Breus, T et al.	e-Poster
	Germaine Cornelissen[1], Tamara Breus[2], Yoshihiko Watanabe[3], Elena V Syutkina[4], Anatoly Masalov[5], Kuniaki Otsuka[3]
	[1]Halberg Chronobiology Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; [2]Space Research Institute Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; [3]Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan; [4]Scientific Center of Children’s Health, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia; [5]Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
	Heart rate and heart rate variability undergo cycles with different periods, including the respiratory modulation, the basic rest-activity about 90-min cycle, the large-amplitude circadian rhythm, and a host of periodicities congruent to variations found in the space weather environment, with periods of about 5 months (as those characterizing solar flares), of about 1.3 years (also found in the solar wind), and of about 11 years (following the solar activity cycle). These periodicities have been documented both in longitudinal records and in cohort studies. Consistent with the congruence between heart rate (and heart rate variability) and variations in helio-geomagnetics is the direct influence of the space weather environment on the human heart. Evidence stems from: First time- and frequency-domain indices of heart rate variability are consistently decreased in association with magnetic storms. In space, the decrease averages 30%, which is larger than the reduction seen after a heart attack. Second, the relative prominence of the about 5-month cycle in human heart rate increases when the solar flare index is high and decreases when it is low. In neonates, the about 7-day period in heart rate and blood pressure correlates with the circaseptan period of the local index of geomagnetic activity recorded during matching spans. In adults, the about 7-day amplitude of heart rate is modulated by an about 11-year variation. The results imply the interaction among cycles of different frequencies. Third, the reduced heart rate variability observed in association with magnetic storms is thought to underlie the 5% increase in mortality from myocardial infarction during years of maximal solar activity as compared to years of minimal activity found in Minnesota during the 29-year span from 1968 to 1996. A 7.6% increase in the incidence of heart attacks in Moscow was also found in association with magnetic storms by superposed epochs, consistent during each of the 3 years (1979-1981) during which over 6.3 million cases requiring the call of an ambulance were recorded, including 85,819 cases of myocardial infarction. These results illustrate their clinical relevance, notably at a time when plans are being made for long voyages in space where magnetic storms are felt more strongly.
4	Factors of space weather and Biosphere: the dynamics in 23 - 26 cycles of solar activity	Blagonravov, M et al.	e-Poster
	Maria Ragulskaya[1], Sergey Chibisov[2], Mikhail Blagonravov[2]
	[1]Pushkov Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation; [2]Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
	Different factors of solar activity may influence the biosphere in different ways. The relation can strongly change at different time scopes. Particularly, the impact of separated flashes is, probably, very important at short time intervals; and at the large time intervals one could expect a bigger impact of global fields and their century evolution. Experimental bio-medical data as well as historical and paleo-data bases are taken into consideration. Particularly inorganic polyphosphates, the so-called "fossil molecules", attract particular attention as the most ancient molecules aroused in inanimate nature and accompanying biological objects at all the stages of evolution. Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain Y-517, containing polyphosphates, from the Ukrainian Collection of Microorganisms was studied by daily measurements in the years 2000-2014. The IZMIRAN daily data base of physiological parameters dynamics for 2000-2014 years was analyzed simultaneously (25 people). Physical characteristic of each phase of the solar activity strongly differs from other phases. The magnetic storms are most interesting for us. During the period of monitoring 519 magnetic storms were observed with gradual commencement (GC) and 135 storms with sudden commencement (SC). At the phase of maximum 23 cycle, 1998-2002, 172 storms GC and 85 storms SC were observed. At the phase of minimum, 2008-2009, the quantity of storms was essentially less (32 GC и 2 SC). One can expect, that the adaptation reaction of a human organism, (which presents a response to the gradient of external influence), will appear at the fact of presence of a storm in the first case, and at the fact of its unexpected absence in the second case. But the other physical parameters changes also change strongly. The current 24 cycle of the solar activity is unusual because of long minimum 2005-2009, and simultaneously due to the dynamic parameters of the space weather. The analytic prognosis enables us to suppose soon coming of a long period of low solar activity, similarly to the Maunder minimum 400 years ago. Conclusion: Biological objects of different levels have changed the basic type of adaptive reactions to environmental factors since 2004. This experimentally recorded phenomenon is probably due to the prolonged decrease in the solar activity to the years 2050-2060. Modern medicine uses the technologies to treat patients, developed in the last 150 years. It was an era of increased solar activity. From 2004 to 2006, in the human population there appeared a new generation. Psycho-physiological and social characteristics, adaptive responses, epidemiological stability, sensitivity to medicines for these children and their offspring are not well investigated. During the cycle of low solar activity the major biotropic factor of space weather will be galactic cosmic rays (according to long-term monitoring in 2000 -2015).
5	Possible relation of the cardiac arrhythmias occurrence to the solar magnetic field polarity reversal during the solar cycle 23	Mavromichalaki, H et al.	p-Poster
	A. Theodoropoulou[1], H. Mavromichalaki[1], P. Preka-Papadema[1], E. Paouris[1], Th. Apostolou[2]
	[1]Faculty of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; [2]2nd Cardiological Department, St. Panteleimon General Hospital of Nicaea, Piraeus, Greece
	In this work, the relation between the solar activity and the cosmic ray variations with the cardiac arrhythmias occurrence over the time period 1997-2009 covering the solar cycle 23 is studied. The used medical data set includes 4741 patients with cardiac arrhythmias and especially 2548 patients with atrial fibrillation, obtained from the book with patients’ records of the 2nd Cardiological Clinic of the General Hospital of Nicaea, Piraeus, in Greece. The smoothing method on a 365-day basis and the Pearson r-coefficient were used in order to compare these records with the number of sunspots, flares, solar proton events, coronal mass ejections and cosmic ray intensity. Applying a moving correlation function to ±1500 days, we prove that a change of the correlation sign between the medical data and each one of the above parameters occurs during a time interval of about 2-3 years. This interval corresponds to the time span of the polarity reversal of the solar magnetic field of this solar cycle, which always takes place around the solar cycle maximum. After then a correlation analysis was carried out corresponding to the ascending (1997-2001) and the descending (2002-2009) phases of the solar cycle 23. It is noticeable that the polarity reversal of the solar magnetic field coincides with the period where the sign of the correlation, between the incidence of arrhythmias and the occurrence number of the solar eruptive events and the cosmic ray intensity, changes sign. The results are comparable with those obtained from the previous solar cycle 22 based on medical data of another country.