C. De Santis

Ion rates in the International Space Station during the December 2006 Solar Particle Event

Solar Particle Events (SPEs) are a major concern during prolonged space missions. During such events, a large amount of light ions, mostly protons and helium nuclei, are accelerated with enough energy to traverse the spacecraft hull and therefore represent a high hazard for the crews health. The ALTEA particle telescope was collecting continuous data inside the USLab module of the International Space Station (ISS) during most of the December 2006 SPEs. The telescope is able to measure protons and helium respectively in the 42–45 MeV and 42–250 MeV/nucleon energy ranges, heavier ions up to relativistic molybdenum, and to discriminate nuclei for Z ≥ 5. First measurements of the charged radiation environment inside the USLab during a SPE are presented. The data averaged over the entire SPE week show an increase of the light ion rate (about a factor 1.5 in the energy range of the detector) when compared to quiet Sun conditions. The increase becomes much higher during the SPE climax (13 December) reaching a factor 10 (when averaged over three ISS orbits showing the highest activity). The extension of these results beyond the detector range is discussed. Conversely, the rates of ions with Z ≥ 5 are shown not to change significantly during the SPE week.

Spectra of primary cosmic-ray positrons and electrons in the PAMELA experiment

The PAMELA experiment is being conducted aboard the Russian satellite Resurs-DK 1, which was launched into a near-Earth circumpolar orbit on June 15, 2006. The instrument, which includes a magnetic spectrometer and an electromagnetic calorimeter (16X0), allows us to measure the fluxes of cosmic-ray electrons and positrons over a wide range of energies from ∼100 MeV to hundreds of GeV. This work presents the measurement data collected from July 2006 through January 2010 on the spectra of primary cosmic-ray electrons and positrons. At low energies, this spectrum is in good agreement with a diffusion model that includes reacceleration and damping. At high energies, the measured spectrum is harder than the one predicted.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (Ect) in Treatment-resistant Depression (Trd): a Naturalistic Study

Introduction Major depression affects 1.5%-19% general population. High use of healthcare services and increase in morbidity and mortality are common consequences. Despite of appropriate pharmacological treatment, 30-40% of patients dont achieve significant improvement. TRD refers to no remission after two adequate trials of antidepressants: these patients qualify for ECT. Objectives Our Mood Disorder Unit treats about 600 patients/year, 4% undergo ECT for TRD. Aim Ongoing, retrospective, observational study on 73 TRD patients treated with ECT 2/week, considering acute and late responsiveness 1 and 12 months later. Methods Sample of 52 (71.22%) patients with Recurrent Major Depression and 21 (28.78%) with Bipolar Disorder, collecting epidemiological and clinical data. Clinical course assessment through weekly Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD); follow-up evaluation after 12 months, with telephone interviews. Results 73 inpatients, 26(35.62%) males, 47(64.38%) females with 4.31±3.43 previous episodes; mean age 59.42±11.60 years. Average duration of reference episode 52.71±39.42 weeks with HRSD initial score 30.16±4.76. Each patient was treated with 6.92±2.90 ECT applications. 64(87.67%) patients responded to treatment (50% reduction of HRSD initial score), 33(45.21%) achieved remission (HRSD≤8); 18(24.66%) patients maintained 12-months remission. Conclusion Our experience strengthens pivotal role of ECT in TRD. Each patient had long-lasting, severe episode under 1 year-long unsuccessful pharmacological therapy. ECT managed to quickly ameliorate their clinical course. We didnt record any adverse event. ECT showed similar relapse rates compared to conventional pharmacological treatment. This procedure requires further studies about long-term outcome.

Time dependence of the helium flux measured by PAMELA

The energy spectra of galactic cosmic rays carry fundamental information regarding their origin and propagation, but, near Earth, ncosmic rays are significantly affected by the solar magnetic field which changes over time. The time dependence of proton and electron spectra nwere measured from July 2006 to December 2009 by PAMELA experiment, that is a ballooon-borne experiment collecting data since 15 June 2006. nThese studies allowed to obtain a more complete description of the cosmic radiation, nproviding fundamental information about the transport and modulation of cosmic rays inside the heliosphere. In this talk the study of the ntime dependence of the cosmic-ray protons and helium nuclei from the unusual 23rd solar minimum through the following period of solar maximum activity is presented.

Measurements of electron and positron fluxes below the geomagnetic cutoff by the PAMELA magnetic spectrometer

We present a measurements of electron and positron fluxes below the geomagnetic cutoff rigidity in wide energy range from 50 MeV to several GeVs by the PAMELA magnetic spectrometer. The instrument ...

Ten years of positron and electron solar modulation measured by the PAMELA experiment

The satellite-borne PAMELA experiment was launched on the 15th June 2006 from the Baikonur cosmodrome. Till January 2016 PAMELA has detected the charged component of cosmic-rays (CRs) over a wide e ...

Cosmic-Ray Lithium and Beryllium Isotopes in the PAMELA-Experiment

The PAMELA space experiment was launched on the 15th of June 2006 from the Baikonur cosmodrome. The scientific objectives addressed by the mission are the measurement of the antiprotons and positrons spectra in cosmic rays, the hunt for antinuclei as well as the determination of light nuclei fluxes from hydrogen to oxygen in a wide energy range and with high statistics. The apparatus comprises a time-of-flight system, a magnetic spectrometer (permanent magnet) with an silicon-microstrip tracking system, an imaging calorimeter built from layers of silicon-microstrip detectors interleaved with plates of tungsten, an anti-coincidence system, a shower tail scintillator-counter and a neutron detector. The instrument in its detector-combination is also capable to identify isotopes, using the rigidity information from the magnetic spectrometer together with the time-of-flight measurement or with the multiple dE/dx measurement in the calorimeter. In this paper details about the analysis method and new results of the isotopic ratios of lithium and beryllium with increased statistics will be presented.

Short-term variation in the galactic cosmic ray intensity measured with the PAMELA experiment

New results on the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) short-term intensity variation nassociated with Forbush decrease and co-rotating interaction regions (CIRs) measured by the PAMELA instrument between November 2006 and March 2007 are presented. Most of the past measurements on Forbush decrease events were carried out with neutron monitor detector. This tecnique allows only indirect detection of the overall GCR intensity over an integrated energy range. For the first time, thanks to the unique features of the PAMELA magnetic spectrometer, the Forbush decrease associated with the December 13th coronal mass ejection (CME) was studied in a wide rigidity range (0.4-20 GV) and for different species of GCRs detected directly in space. Using GCR protons, the amplitude and the recovery time of the Forbush decrease were studied for ten rigidity interval with a temporal resolution of one day. For comparison the helium and the electron intensity over time were also studied. The temporal evolution of the helium and proton intensity was found in good agreement while the electrons show, on average, a faster recovery time. This was interpreted as a charge-sign dependence introduced by drift motion experienced by the low rigidity (<5 GV) GCRs during their propagation through the heliosphere. Moreover a clear 13.5 days cyclical variation was observed in the GCR proton intensity after the Forbush decrease. This phenomena could be interpreted as an effect of prominent structures of compressed plasma in the solar wind, i.e. CIRs, or to the latitudinal gradient due to the crossing of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS).

The PAMELA Experiment: A Cosmic Ray Experiment Deep Inside the Heliosphere

It was the 15th of June of 2006 when the PAMELA satellite-borne experiment was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakstan. Then, for nearly ten years, PAMELA has been making high-precision measurements of the charged component of the cosmic radiation opening a new era of precision studies in cosmic rays and challenging our basic vision of the mechanisms of production, acceleration and propagation of cosmic rays in the galaxy and in the heliosphere. The study of the time dependence of the various components of the cosmic radiation from the unusual 23rd solar minimum through the maximum of solar cycle 24 clearly shows solar modulation effects as well as charge sign dependence. PAMELA measurement of the energy spectra during solar energetic particle events fills the existing energy gap between the highest energy particles measured in space and the ground-based domain. Finally, by sampling the particle radiation in different regions of the magnetosphere, PAMELA data provide a detailed study of the Earth~s magnetosphere. In this highlight paper, PAMELA main results as well as recent progress about solar and heliospheric physics with PAMELA will be presented.

Discontinuation of antipsychotic therapy in severe mania: A six months follow-up study

Introduction Independently of the drug choice, antimaniac treatment has to be continued at least until full remission. Most guidelines recommend continuation therapy for 6–12 months but controlled studies are lacking. Objectives A six months follow-up study on a sample of 57 inpatients affected by mania at Mood Disorder Unit. Aims To evaluate a timeframe for the discontinuation of the antipsychotic therapy. Methods Fifty-seven bipolar inpatients affected by a manic episode according to DSM-5 criteria. Patients treated according to our pharmacological protocol with a mood stabilizer (lithium or valproate) and an antipsychotic (haloperidol or risperidone). Course of illness assessed with Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scored at week 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 24. Remission defined as YMRSxa0 Results Twenty men (35.09%) and 37 women (64.91%); mean age 43.18xa0±xa012.71 years. Mean YMRS basal score 38.55xa0±xa08.08. At 4th week, remission rate was 54.39% (31 patients); at 8th week was 80.70% (46 patients). At 8th week, 39/57 patients (68.42%) discontinued the antipsychotic. Relapse rate after 6 months was 26.32% (12 depressed, 3 manic). Multiple regression, t-test and Chi2 analysis were performed: older patients (Pxa0=xa00.01) and with higher number of episodes (Pxa0=xa00.04) tend to relapse earlier. Neither severity of the episode (Pxa0=xa00.3), nor delusional symptoms (Pxa0=xa00.6) nor discontinuation of the antipsychotic (Pxa0=xa00.3) correlate with relapse time. Conclusions Our experience suggests that an early discontinuation of antipsychotics, usually 4–8 weeks after remission, does not worsen the short-term course of illness. This approach could minimize the risk of side effects. Evidence is lacking about the duration of this therapy, long-term studies are still necessary.