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Purpose: the study of the exposure of the prototype of sagging and the phospholipid complex of lecithin for the intermediate exchange and enzymatic activity of the anti -radical protection of the body of quails in the presence of a subtoxic dose of nitrates in the compound feeds.Materials and methods. To carry out a scientific and production experiment, meat caves "Pharaoh" were used. From per diem, 4 groups of experimental birds of 50 goals in each were formed on the principle of groups of groups analogues. Compound feeds used for feeding are quittered, grown for meat, were prosperous in the presence of nitrates. With this in mind, for the purity of the experiment, they additionally introduced sodium nitrate in a dose of 40 g/t feed in their composition for all groups in the role of the source of these xenobiotics. At the same time, the presence of nitrates in the diet in a subtoxic dose was ensured. A sagitol’s sagitot at a dose of 1250 g/t, for the 3rd group-1000 g/t lacitin, for the 4th-1250 g/t of the sagitol test + 1000 g/t Lecin, was added to the feed. The 1st group was controlled - for birds of these groups in compensation, sagitol and lecithin were not added to determine the effectiveness of denitrification studied the basic morphological and biochemical parameters of blood and the activity of enzymes of anti -radical protection of the body of quails (5 heads in the group) aged 42 days.Results. In the course of the studies, it was first established that joint supplements in the diets of produces of produces of sagol at a dose of 1.25 kg/t of feed and lecithin at a dose of 1.0 kg/t food contributed to effective denitrification in the body of the plyona breed. This was manifested in a reliable (p

An algorithm of the stage-by-stage synthesis of combined energy sources based on a high-voltage electrochemical explosion (HVECHE) was developed. The algorithm provides the necessary space-time force and energy impact on processing objects to perform specified technological operations. At the first stage, the synthesis of an energy source based on a high-voltage electric discharge in condensed media was done by means of solving inverse synthesis problems and, as a result, determining the required total energy with its subsequent optimal separation into electrical and chemical components. Experimental studies of the dependence functions of the force impact on the processing object on the energy characteristics of the HVECHE were carried out. Based on those studies, the criteria for the optimal proportion between the electrical and chemical components of the required total energy were determined. An example of a specific use of the developed algorithm for the synthesis of a combined energy source based on the HVECHE was given, which confirms the possibility to use this algorithm for engineering calculations.

Abstract As recent studies onboard various spacecraft have shown, one unresolved technical problem of manned interplanetary flights at the moment is the high radiation background of interplanetary space, which, as in the case of a manned mission to Mars, can be critically dangerous for the crew. Work on this topic is being carried out by all space agencies. One such space experiment is represented by the BTN-Neutron experiment onboard the Russian section of the International Space Station (ISS). The main result of the work was the construction of the BTN-M2 instrument for creating effective radiation protection onboard prospective manned spacecraft, creating an engineering model of the radiation background both inside and outside the ISS, and for registration of γ rays and neutrons during solar flares and cosmic γ-ray bursts.

The paper presents the scientific tasks, description, and comparison of various gamma and neutron spectrometers that can be installed on board a medium-class lunar rover with a mass up to 100 kg. As a specific example, we consider the scientific equipment proposed for the future Russian mission Luna-Grunt, the main purpose of which is the delivery of lunar polar regolith samples to the Earth. Presumably, the payload of this mission allows for inclusion of a small lunar rover with a mass between 30 and 100 kg. For this reason, the paper considers options for a gamma and neutron spectrometer that would allow finding the optimal ratio between scientific requirements and resources available on board such a lunar rover.

Background. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare pathological condition caused by an abnormal transposition of the superior mesenteric artery from the abdominal part of the aorta. It results in compression of the distal part of the duodenum between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. It is clinically manifested by signs of acute intestinal obstruction, including pain in the epigastric region, nausea, and profuse vomiting. In the absence of timely treatment, patients may experience electrolyte disturbance, severe nutritional deficiency, the risk of perforation of the stomach, aspiration pneumonia, bezoar formation, thromboembolism, and the development of other life-threatening complications that can lead to death. Case study. In the presented case study, superior mesenteric artery syndrome developed in a 17-year-old girl after surgical correction of a spinal deformity in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. This was due to postoperative loss of body weight, as well as a rapid change in the patients ratio of growth to body weight. Discussion. Significant clinical improvement was achieved as a result of an integrated approach to the treatment of this complication. However, despite the successful result from conservative therapy, the patient remains at risk of developing chronic duodenal obstruction of varying severity, which may require surgical treatment. Conclusion. With the untimely and incomplete treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome, the risk of developing chronic intestinal obstruction increases. Treatment of this complication begins with conservative therapy. In the absence of the effect of conservative therapy, and in the case of disease progression, the development of life-threatening conditions (such as bleeding and perforation) requires surgical treatment.

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0010952522330012

Magnetars are young, highly magnetized neutron stars that produce extremely rare giant flares of gamma-rays, the most luminous astrophysical phenomena in our Galaxy. The detection of these flares from outside the Local Group of galaxies has been predicted, with just two candidates so far. Here we report on the extremely bright gamma-ray flare GRB 200415A of April 15, 2020, which we localize, using the Interplanetary Network, to a tiny (20 sq. arcmin) area on the celestial sphere, that overlaps the central region of the Sculptor galaxy at 3.5 Mpc from the Milky Way. From the Konus-Wind detections, we find a striking similarity between GRB 200415A and GRB 051103, the even more energetic flare that presumably originated from the M81/M82 group of galaxies at nearly the same distance (3.6 Mpc). Both bursts display a sharp, millisecond-scale, hard-spectrum initial pulse, followed by an approximately 0.2 s long steadily fading and softening tail. Apart from the huge initial pulses of magnetar giant flares, no astrophysical signal with this combination of temporal and spectral properties and implied energy has been reported previously. At the inferred distances, the energy released in both flares is on par with that of the December 27, 2004 superflare from the Galactic magnetar SGR 1806-20, but with a higher peak luminosity. Taken all together, this makes GRB 200415A and its twin GRB 051103 the most significant candidates for extragalactic magnetar giant flares, both a factor of five more luminous than the brightest Galactic magnetar flare observed previously, thus providing an important step towards a better understanding of this fascinating phenomenon., Preprint version of Nature paper

Hardly decomposable aboveground and underground plant residues are a substrate for the Fusarium graminearum, F. moniliforme and other dangerous infections of subsequent crops in the crop rotation. For the period 2014-2020, an infection of grain with F. moniliforme increased in the Kursk region by 2.3 times; in Volgograd region by 3.7 times; in Rostov region by 8.7 times; and in the Stavropol Territory by 5.4 times. After treatment of plant residues of corn with biological preparation-sanator, a rhizoctonia disappeared from the winter wheat agrophytocenosis, and an occurrence of the F. moniliforme decreased by 2.5 times; a frequency of occurrence of pathogenic fungi F. moniliforme and F. avenaceum on the aerial parts of a plant was 20%, and on the plant residues 10% or less. A microbial colonization of the underground residues of sunflower and corn plants by F. moniliforme after harvesting was up to 30% for three years. Intra-soil pulse continuous-discrete robotic system for application of a biological plant protection product has been developed to increase an impact of biological plant protection product on phytopathogen into the plant residue and topsoil. The method provides priority plant protection from harmful biological objects, improving soil health, increasing plant productivity and product quality.

An updated set of goals and objectives for the Mercury Gamma and Neutron Spectrometer (MGNS) are presented based on the most recent findings of the MESSENGER mission. The updated design of MGNS with the new CeBr3 crystal for detection of gamma-ray along with its benefits for the detection of 40K and K/Th ratio are discussed. MGNS will then be capable of measuring the elemental composition of shallow subsurface in order to empirically evaluate the fittest model on the origin of Mercury, as well as the presence of possible water ice deposits on the permanently shadowed polar craters on the planet. We present the results of the first measurements in space performed during the instrument commissioning phase and during the first Earth flyby which occurred in April 2020.

Background. In the planning of anesthesia and postoperative therapy for surgical correction of congenital spinal deformity, the volume, the spine that is operated, and the patients age are all factors to consider. In pediatric practice, the use of opioid analgesics for pain relief in the postoperative period after extensive and traumatic surgical interventions is generally accepted. There is very little information on the effectiveness and safety of prolonged epidural analgesia in young children in spinal surgery. Aim. The aim of this study was to give a comparative assessment of the use of prolonged epidural blockade and constant drip of fentanyl as the main components of postoperative analgesia during surgical correction of congenital spine deformity caused by violation of the vertebra formation in children. Materials and methods. The features of the postoperative period in 43 cases of correction of congenital spine curvature performed in the Turner Scientific Research Institute for Childrens Orthopedics from 2016 to 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Patient age ranged from 2 to 11 years. The patients were divided into two groups: group P included 22 patients whose main component of postoperative anesthesia was prolonged epidural analgesia, and group F included 21 patients whose main component of postoperative anesthesia was fentanyl. Anamnestic data analysis and clinical, laboratory, instrumental, and statistical analyses were used as methods of assessment. Results. The data showed that the number of patients with undesirable respiratory disorders recorded in the first day in the form of bradypnea and desaturation was higher in group F than in group P. The number of patients who experienced nausea and vomiting and those who received antiemetics on the first day after surgery were comparable in both groups. However, the number of patients with fixed nausea, vomiting, and receiving antiemetics became significantly higher in group F in the next 2 days. In addition, at all stages of the assessment, there was an increase in the recorded episodes of peristalsis inhibition in patients from group F. The number of patients, who required additional anesthesia within 3 days of observation was comparable in both groups. Conclusion. Prolonged epidural analgesia and constant drip of fentanyl are equally effective for providing pain relief in the postoperative period, but prolonged epidural analgesia provides a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of the gastrointestinal tract dysfunction.

The Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons instrument (DAN) onboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) uses 3He proportional counters to detect neutrons escaping the martian surface. This neutron leakage flux can be used to estimate the amount of hydrogen in the shallow martian regolith. During sols 753 through 1292 of the MSL mission, the rover traversed from Pahrump Hills to the Naukluft Plateau and acquired slightly less than 2000 h of neutron count rate data covering ~3 km of traverse and 125 waypoints along that traverse. Here we present an analysis of these data, including new procedures to leverage the oversampling of the instrument within its own spatial footprint, water equivalent hydrogen (WEH) estimates, and DAN passive geochemical index (DPGI) values. The average water equivalent hydrogen estimate for this region of the traverse is 1.6 wt% with a standard deviation of 1.1 wt%. These results show that Curiosity transitioned into a relatively lower WEH-content region as it left the plains of Gale crater and began ascending the hills at the base of Mt. Sharp. We also show that the WEH populations of the geologic units investigated during this time (Murray and Stimson Formations) are statistically different both from each other and the previously studied Aeolis Palus sediments (Smooth Hummocky, Bedded Fractured, Eolian, Rugged, and Striated Light-toned). Additionally, DAN passive WEH estimates agree with measurements from other MSL instruments in this region and are consistent with decreasing phyllosilicate abundance with increasing elevation.

A system for controlling the process of the high-voltage high-frequency electric discharge synthesis of nanocarbon on metal surfaces in a carbon gas medium has been developed. The criteria that determine the production mode of the synthesis of nanocarbon are defined. The synthesis control is performed according to the minimax optimality criterion. It allows the current value in the range of the production mode of the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials with an onion-like structure to be maintained. The control of the movement of the metal surface sample with respect to the electrode in the course of synthesis ensures the uniformity of coating the surface with a layer of a synthesized nanocarbon material.

We have conducted ground tests to study the applicability of the Tagged Neutrons Method/Associated Particle Imaging methodology (TNM/API) for the making precise gamma ray spectroscopic measurements onboard lander missions to the Solar system planets. Our analysis was focused on the requirement to distinguish between the spacecraft background and the subsurface signal so as to correctly evaluate the elemental composition of planetary soils. The measurements were performed in a configuration where the gamma spectrometer was surrounded by significant amounts of material that imitated a spacecraft structure. It was found that the TNM/API can substantially suppress the spacecraft background and identify the true intensities of the gamma lines attributed to major soil elements such as O, Na, Mg, Al, Si and Fe and evaluate their concentrations with an accuracy of 2–10%.

The dual spacecraft mission BepiColombo is the first joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to explore the planet Mercury. BepiColombo was launched from Kourou (French Guiana) on October 20th, 2018, in its packed configuration including two spacecraft, a transfer module, and a sunshield. BepiColombo cruise trajectory is a long journey into the inner heliosphere, and it includes one flyby of the Earth (in April 2020), two of Venus (in October 2020 and August 2021), and six of Mercury (starting from 2021), before orbit insertion in December 2025. A big part of the mission instruments will be fully operational during the mission cruise phase, allowing unprecedented investigation of the different environments that will encounter during the 7-years long cruise. The present paper reviews all the planetary flybys and some interesting cruise configurations. Additional scientific research that will emerge in the coming years is also discussed, including the instruments that can contribute. Open Access funding provided by Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica within the CRUI-CARE Agreement. Peerreview

Currently, in such large Metropolitan areas as Moscow, there is a rapid development of the economy, techno parks are opened, housing is built, etc.to replace the abandoned industrial zones come modern areas with housing, offices and innovative production. All this requires the development of modern transport links, new roads and convenient interchanges, the availability of comfortable urban transport. The implementation of the new state program for the development of Moscow's transport system, adopted in 2011, prevented the onset of transport collapse. Outdated cloverleaf interchanges are changed to modern ones with directional overpasses that increase the speed of traffic flow. Instead of rings cross highways "opening" the city are created, doubles of the busiest roads are constructed; between the neighboring areas, new ligaments are created. Special attention is paid to the development of public transport. Department of transport and development of road transport infrastructure of Moscow and its subordinate institution the state institution "Center for traffic management". At the moment, the Department of transport and road infrastructure development of the city Moscow is engaged in the development of new and revision of existing projects for the development of road transport infrastructure in Moscow, carries out comprehensive control of citywide transport, the work of the subway, the functioning of taxi services and car sharing, control of Parking within the city of Moscow, private and public carriers, etc. in Addition to control and development, its most important function is transport management.

Introduction. Currently, inhaled third-generation anesthetic agents, such as sevoflurane and desflurane, are commonly used in pediatric practice. Their properties and efficiencies are studied in detail. Information about the effectiveness and safety of these drugs as emergency anesthesia in children is very limited; there are no comparative studies. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of desflurane and sevoflurane to maintain anesthesia during the surgical correction of vertebral and spinal cord injury in children. Material and methods. This study included seventy-four 12–18-year-old patients (mean age, 14 years) who underwent immediate surgical correction of unstable fractures of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine at the Turner Scientific Research Institute for Children’s Orthopedics between 2015 and 2017. The patients were categorized into two groups: group D, in which anesthesia was maintained with desflurane (35 patients), and group C, in which anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane (39 patients). The following parameters were studied: systolic, diastolic, and average blood pressure (BP); heart rate (HR); respiratory recovery time; time to extubation; time to instruction completion; and presence of complications intraoperatively and within 24 h after surgery, including pronounced intraoperative hypotension, bradypnea, and desaturation (SpO2 < 95%) in the postextubation period, agitation, nausea, vomiting, and measured blood loss. Results. A comparative evaluation of the investigated parameters revealed that the systolic, diastolic, and average BP and HR in both groups did not exceed the limits of acceptable values. The results of the intraoperative monitoring of capillary blood parameters in all patients were within the reference range and did not differ significantly between groups. An analysis of the indicators reflecting the rate of awakening revealed that all stages of the termination of anesthesia were performed more quickly in group D. There was a comparable number of postoperative nausea and vomiting episodes in both groups. Group C displayed a high incidence of postoperative agitation. There were no related adverse respiratory effects in group D, whereas three patients reported such effects in group C. Conclusions. The use of desflurane and sevoflurane provides a favorable hemodynamic profile intraoperatively and is not accompanied with the development of clinically significant side effects. Desflurane reduces the probability of certain adverse effects in the immediate postoperative period, provides a faster awakening, and has the possibility of reliable assessment of neurological status after surgery.

The results of neutron-activation measurements performed using the model of planetary soil and detectors based on high-purity germanium (HPGe) and cerium bromide (CeBr3) are reported. Gamma lines lying in the energy range from 200 keV to 8 MeV are used as indicators to compare these two types of detectors in experiments with the model irradiated by 14-MeV neutrons from a pulse neutron generator. The results will aid the design of scientific instruments for the active neutron and gamma spectroscopy of planet surfaces in future Russian and international lander missions (Luna-Glob, Luna-Resurs, and ExoMars-2020).

The results obtained by experimentally studying gamma rays emitted by samples prepared as analogs of planetary matter and irradiated with thermal neutrons are presented. The intensities of spectral lines of gamma rays emitted by such samples differing in chemical composition are compared. These results will be used in processing data on gamma-ray spectra of the Moon and Mercury from measurements performed onboard spacecrafts with the aim of studying the composition of the surface of these celestial bodies.

This paper presents the methods of soil parameter estimation from neutron probing data that are used when processing the data from the DAN experiment on the Martian surface. We discuss the data preprocessing steps that enable us to compare experimental data to a Monte-Carlo numerical model, algorithms used to estimate equivalent water and chlorine content for standard soil composition and to dynamically analyse the soil parameters in non-standard cases. We also provide the water and chlorine content estimates and compare them with the SAM experiment data.

The Mars Science Laboratory Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) experiment measures the martian neutron leakage flux in order to estimate the amount of water equivalent hydrogen present in the shallow regolith. When DAN is operating in passive mode, it is sensitive to neutrons produced through the interactions of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) with the regolith and atmosphere and neutrons produced by the rover’s Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG). During the mission, DAN passive mode data were collected over the full diurnal cycle at the locations known as Rocknest (sols 60–100) and John Klein (sols 166–272). A weak, but unexpected, diurnal variation was observed in the neutron count rates reported at these locations. We investigate different hypotheses that could be causing these observed variations. These hypotheses are variations in subsurface temperature, atmospheric pressure, the exchange of water vapor between the atmosphere and regolith, and instrumental effects on the neutron count rates. Our investigation suggests the most likely factors contributing to the observed diurnal variations in DAN passive data are instrumental effects and time-variable preferential shielding of alpha particles, with other environmental effects only having small contributions.

The results of testing a number of space-based detectors that contain PMTs or high-voltage electrodes for the noise from the microphonics that occurs in the signal path due to external mechanical action have been presented. A method for the vibration isolation of instruments aboard a spacecraft has been proposed to reduce their responsivity to vibrations.

The Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity rover) Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) experiment detects neutrons for the purpose of searching for hydrogen in the shallow subsurface of Mars. DAN has two modes of operation, active and passive. In passive mode, the instrument detects neutrons produced by Galactic Cosmic Ray interactions in the atmosphere and regolith and by the rover's Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator. DAN passive data from Yellowknife Bay to Amargosa Valley (sols 201 through 753) are presented and analyzed here. Water equivalent hydrogen (WEH) estimates from this portion of Curiosity's traverse range from 0.0 wt. % up to 15.3 wt. %. Typical uncertainties on these WEH estimates are ∼0.5 wt. % but in some cases can be as high as ∼4.0 wt. % depending on the specific circumstances of a given measurement. Here we also present a new way of reporting results from the passive mode of the experiment, the DAN passive geochemical index (DPGI). This index is sensitive to some key geochemical variations, but it does not require assumptions about the abundances of high thermal neutron absorption cross section elements, which are needed to estimate WEH. DPGI variations in this section of the traverse indicate that the shallow regolith composition is changing on both the local (∼meters) and regional (∼100 s of meters) scales. This variability is thought to be representative of the diverse composition of source regions for sediments within the crater floor. Kolmogorov-Smirnov Tests on the populations of WEH estimates and DPGI values demonstrate there are statistically significant differences between nearly all of the geologic units investigated along the rover's traverse. We also present updated previous DAN passive results from Bradbury Landing to John Klein that make use of revised DAN active mode results for calibration, however, no qualitative changes in the interpretations made in Tate et al. (2015b) are incurred.

Introduction. The modern approach to the treatment of unstable fractures of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine in children is surgical stabilization at the early stages after trauma by using metal structures that quickly restore vertical functionality to the patient and shorten the period of inpatient treatment. However, the issues related to restorative treatment have not been sufficiently addressed. Aim. To develop an algorithm for restorative treatment of children at the inpatient stage after surgical treatment of unstable uncomplicated fractures of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine. Material and methods. Based on the results of treatment of 73 patients aged 9 to 17 years with unstable uncomplicated vertebral fractures, an algorithm of stage-by-stage rehabilitation by means of therapeutic gymnastics depending on the severity of the injury, method of surgical stabilization of the spine, physical condition of the child, and time passed after the operation was developed. Results and discussion. The use of differentiated groups of respiratory gymnastics and isometric and dynamic exercises for muscle groups restored vertical functionality to patients in 1–3 days after surgery, restored spine and motor functions, and shortened the duration of inpatient treatment to a range of 10–14 days. Conclusion. The developed algorithm for physical rehabilitation of children after surgical treatment of unstable injuries of the thoracic and lumbar spine by using metal structures at the inpatient stage contributed to the selection of the most rational and effective program of restorative treatment.

The results of the tests of the HPGe gamma spectrometer performed with a planetary soil model and different types of pulse neutron generators are presented. All measurements have been performed at the experimental nuclear planetary science facility (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research) for the physical calibration of active gamma and neutron spectrometers. The aim of the study is to model a space experiment on determining the elemental composition of Martian planetary matter by neutron-induced gamma spectroscopy. The advantages and disadvantages of a gas-filled neutron generator in comparison with a vacuum-tube neutron generator are examined.

The results of the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN) instrument ground tests in the passive mode of operation are presented in comparison with the numerical calculations. These test series were conducted to support the current surface measurements of DAN onboard the MSL Curiosity rover. The instrument sensitivity to detect thin subsurface layers of water ice buried at different depths in the analog of Martian soil has been evaluated during these tests. The experiments have been done with a radioisotope Pu-Be neutron source (analog of the MMRTG neutron source onboard the Curiosity rover) and the Martian soil model assembled from silicon-rich window glass pane. Water ice layers were simulated with polyethylene sheets. All experiments have been performed at the test facility built at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna, Russia).

This paper outlines the main research objectives and gives a description of the ADRON active gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer, which is designed specifically for the Russian lunar landing missions Luna-Glob and Luna-Resurs and for the ExoMars Martian landing platform. The measurement technique is described. The first ground-based calibration results are presented, making it possible to assess the sensitivity of the ADRON instruments in determining the average water content of the underlying surface in the range from 1% (dry ground) to 100% (water ice) to a depth of 0.5 m.

An experimental laboratory setup combining various gamma spectrometers and neutron generators that is intended for operating at the experimental nuclear-planetology facility deployed at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna, Russia) in order to perform physical calibrations of active gamma and neutron spectrometers is described.

Results of measurements of neutron-flux spectral density in the vicinity of the International Space Station (ISS) based on BTN-Neutron space experimental data acquired in 2007–2014 have been presented in this paper. It has been shown that, during the flight of the ISS over different regions of the Earth’s surface, neutron flux in the energy range of 0.4 eV–15 MeV varies from 0.1 n/sm2/s in equatorial regions to 50 n/sm2/s in the South Atlantic anomaly region. The measurements were used to estimate the contribution of the neutron component to the overall exposure dose rate. The total contribution of fast neutrons is about 0.1–0.4 μ Zv/h above the equator area and more than 50 μ Zv/h above the South Atlantic anomaly region. A data analysis of BTN-Neutron data also showed that the time profile of neutron flux has long-periodic variations. It was found that, under the influence of Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), modulation during 24th solar cycle neutron flux changed almost twofold (above high latitude regions). Maximum values of neutron flux were observed in January 2010 and minimum values were observed in January 2014.

We present a method of conversion of the lunar neutron counting rate measured by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) instrument collimated neutron detectors, to water equivalent hydrogen (WEH) in the top ∼1 m layer of lunar regolith. Polar maps of the Moon's inferred hydrogen abundance are presented and discussed.

A brief description is presented of the γ-ray spectrometer part of the Mercurian gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer (MGNS), the scientific instrument for planetary research on mapping of γ-ray and neutron emission from the Mercury surface onboard BepiColombo spacecraft of the European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft. As the crystal for the γ-ray spectrometer, an innovative CeBr3 scintillator was chosen on the basis of the ground tests and analysis of the results reported in this paper.

In this paper we present the results of ground tests performed with a flight model and with industry prototypes of passive and active gamma ray spectrometers with the objective of understanding their capability to distinguish the elemental composition of planetary bodies in the solar system. The gamma instrumentation, which was developed for future space missions was used in the measurements at a special ground test facility where a simulant of planetary material was fabricated with a martian-like composition. In this study, a special attention was paid to the gamma lines from activation reaction products generated by a pulsed neutron generator. The instrumentation was able to detect and identify gamma lines attributed to O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca and Fe.

The Dynamic Albedo of Neutron (DAN) instrument on board the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover acquired a series of measurements as part of an observational campaign of the Kimberley area in Gale crater. These observations were planned to assess the variability of bulk hydrogen and neutron-absorbing elements, characterized as chlorine-equivalent concentration, in the geologic members of the Kimberley formation and in surface materials exposed throughout the area. During the traverse of the Kimberley area, Curiosity drove primarily over the “Smooth Hummocky” unit, a unit composed primarily of sand and loose rocks, with occasional stops at bedrock of the Kimberley formation. During the Kimberley campaign, DAN detected ranges of water equivalent hydrogen (WEH) and chlorine-equivalent concentrations of 1.5–2.5 wt % and 0.6–2 wt %, respectively. Results show that as the traverse progressed, DAN observed an overall decrease in both WEH and chlorine-equivalent concentration measured over the sand and loose rocks of the Smooth Hummocky unit. DAN measurements of WEH and chlorine-equivalent concentrations in the well-exposed sedimentary bedrock of the Kimberley formation show fluctuations with stratigraphic position. The Kimberley campaign also provided an opportunity to compare measurements from DAN with those from the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) and the Alpha-Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) instruments. DAN measurements obtained near the Windjana drill location show a WEH concentration of ~1.5 wt %, consistent with the concentration of low-temperature absorbed water measured by SAM for the Windjana drill sample. A comparison between DAN chlorine-equivalent concentrations measured throughout the Kimberley area and APXS observations of corresponding local surface targets and drill fines shows general agreement between the two instruments.