A modeling analysis program for the JPL table mountain Io sodium cloud data

Research in the third and final year of this project is divided into three main areas: (1) completion of data processing and calibration for 34 of the 1981 Region B/C images, selected from the massive JPL sodium cloud data set; (2) identification and examination of the basic features and observed changes in the morphological characteristics of the sodium cloud images; and (3) successful physical interpretation of these basic features and observed changes using the highly developed numerical sodium cloud model at AER. The modeling analysis has led to a number of definite conclusions regarding the local structure of Io's atmosphere, the gas escape mechanism at Io, and the presence of an east-west electric field and a System III longitudinal asymmetry in the plasma torus. Large scale stability, as well as some smaller scale time variability for both the sodium cloud and the structure of the plasma torus over a several year time period are also discussed

A comparison of the stability and performance of depth-integrated ice-dynamics solvers

In the last decade, the number of ice-sheet models has increased substantially, in line with the growth of the glaciological community. These models use solvers based on different approximations of ice dynamics. In particular, several depth-integrated dynamics solvers have emerged as fast solvers capable of resolving the relevant physics of ice sheets at the continental scale. However, the numerical stability of these schemes has not been studied systematically to evaluate their effectiveness in practice. Here we focus on three such solvers, the so-called Hybrid, L1L2-SIA and DIVA solvers, as well as the well-known SIA and SSA solvers as boundary cases. We investigate the numerical stability of these solvers as a function of grid resolution and the state of the ice sheet for an explicit time discretization scheme of the mass conservation step. Under simplified conditions with constant viscosity, the maximum stable time step of the Hybrid solver, like the SIA solver, has a quadratic dependence on grid resolution. In contrast, the DIVA solver has a maximum time step that is independent of resolution as the grid becomes increasingly refined, like the SSA solver. A simple 1D implementation of the L1L2-SIA solver indicates that it should behave similarly, but in practice, the complexity of its implementation appears to restrict its stability. In realistic simulations of the Greenland Ice Sheet with a nonlinear rheology, the DIVA and SSA solvers maintain superior numerical stability, while the SIA, Hybrid and L1L2-SIA solvers show markedly poorer performance. At a grid resolution of Delta x = 4 km, the DIVA solver runs approximately 20 times faster than the Hybrid and L1L2-SIA solvers as a result of a larger stable time step. Our analysis shows that as resolution increases, the ice-dynamics solver can act as a bottleneck to model performance. The DIVA solver emerges as a clear outlier in terms of both model performance and its representation of the ice-flow physics itself

Baseline T cell dysfunction by single cell network profiling in metastatic breast cancer patients.

BackgroundWe previously reported the results of a multicentric prospective randomized trial of chemo-refractory metastatic breast cancer patients testing the efficacy of two doses of TGFβ blockade during radiotherapy. Despite a lack of objective responses to the combination, patients who received a higher dose of TGFβ blocking antibody fresolimumab had a better overall survival when compared to those assigned to lower dose (hazard ratio of 2.73, p = 0.039). They also demonstrated an improved peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) counts and increase in the CD8 central memory pool. We performed additional analysis on residual PBMC using single cell network profiling (SCNP).MethodsThe original trial randomized metastatic breast cancer patients to either 1 or 10 mg/kg of fresolimumab, every 3 weeks for 5 cycles, combined with radiotherapy to a metastatic site at week 1 and 7 (22.5 Gy given in 3 doses of 7.5 Gy). Trial immune monitoring results were previously reported. In 15 patients with available residual blood samples, additional functional studies were performed, and compared with data obtained in parallel from seven healthy female donors (HD): SCNP was applied to analyze T cell receptor (TCR) modulated signaling via CD3 and CD28 crosslinking and measurement of evoked phosphorylation of AKT and ERK in CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets defined by PD-1 expression.ResultsAt baseline, a significantly higher level of expression (p < 0.05) of PD-L1 was identified in patient monocytes compared to HD. TCR modulation revealed dysfunction of circulating T-cells in patient baseline samples as compared to HD, and this was more pronounced in PD-1+ cells. Treatment with radiotherapy and fresolimumab did not resolve this dyfunctional signaling. However, in vitro PD-1 blockade enhanced TCR signaling in patient PD-1+ T cells and not in PD-1- T cells or in PD-1+ T cells from HD.ConclusionsFunctional T cell analysis suggests that baseline T cell functionality is hampered in metastatic breast cancer patients, at least in part mediated by the PD-1 signaling pathway. These preliminary data support the rationale for investigating the possible beneficial effects of adding PD-1 blockade to improve responses to TGFβ blockade and radiotherapy.Trial registrationNCT01401062

Second SNPP Cal/Val Campaign: Environmental Data Retrieval Analysis

Satellite ultraspectral infrared sensors provide key data records essential for weather forecasting and climate change science. The Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Soumi NPP) satellite Environmental Data Records (EDRs) are retrieved from calibrated ultraspectral radiance or Sensor Data Records (SDRs). Understanding the accuracy of retrieved EDRs is critical. The second Suomi NPP Calibration/Validation field campaign was conducted during March 2015 with flights over Greenland. The NASA high-altitude ER-2 aircraft carrying ultraspectral interferometer sounders such as the National Airborne Sounder Testbed-Interferometer (NAST-I) flew under the Suomi NPP satellite that carries the Crosstrack Infrared Sounder (CrIS) and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS). Herein we inter-compare the EDRs produced from different retrieval algorithms employed on these satellite and aircraft campaign data. The available radiosonde measurements together with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analyses are used to assess atmospheric temperature and moisture retrievals from the aircraft and satellite platforms. Preliminary results of this experiment under a winter, Arctic environment are presented

Corneal Refractive Surgery in Patients with History of Optic Neuritis

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of recurrence of optic neuritis after corneal refractive surgery in patients with a history of optic neuritis and to examine the safety and efficacy of the procedure in this population. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of patients with a history of optic neuritis who underwent laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) at a single tertiary center from June 1996 to December 2014. Fifteen eyes of 14 patients were included in this study. Visual acuity before and after the surgery was recorded. Patients were followed-up for over five years postoperatively for the recurrence of optic neuritis. Results The average LogMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) preoperatively was 0.12 ± 0.19 (–0.10 to 0.60) and postoperatively was 0.06 ± 0.10 (–0.10 to 0.30). No eyes lost lines of BCVA. The average LogMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) after surgery was 0.12 ± 0.13 (0.00 to 0.48). Twenty-eight percent of patients reached a UDVA of 20/20 or better after refractive surgery. Optic neuritis recurred in 3/15 (20%) eyes and 3/14 patients (21%). Conclusion While corneal refractive procedures appear safe in patients with a history of optic neuritis, our data suggest that their efficacy may be reduced

Corneal Refractive Surgery in Patients with History of Optic Neuritis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of recurrence of optic neuritis after corneal refractive surgery in patients with a history of optic neuritis and to examine the safety and efficacy of the procedure in this population. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of patients with a history of optic neuritis who underwent laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) at a single tertiary center from June 1996 to December 2014. Fifteen eyes of 14 patients were included in this study. Visual acuity before and after the surgery was recorded. Patients were followed-up for over five years postoperatively for the recurrence of optic neuritis. Results: The average LogMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) preoperatively was 0.12 ± 0.19 (–0.10 to 0.60) and postoperatively was 0.06 ± 0.10 (–0.10 to 0.30). No eyes lost lines of BCVA. The average LogMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) after surgery was 0.12 ± 0.13 (0.00 to 0.48). Twenty-eight percent of patients reached a UDVA of 20/20 or better after refractive surgery. Optic neuritis recurred in 3/15 (20%) eyes and 3/14 patients (21%). Conclusion: While corneal refractive procedures appear safe in patients with a history of optic neuritis, our data suggest that their efficacy may be reduced

Astigmatic correction with implantation of a light adjustable vs monofocal lens: a single site analysis of a randomized controlled trial

AIM To evaluate the light adjustable lens (LAL) vs a standard monofocal lens in achieving target astigmatic refraction and improving postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA). METHODS This randomized controlled clinical trial included 40 patients with pre-existing astigmatism and visually significant cataract. Twenty-eight patients received the LAL and 12 control patients received a monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) after cataract extraction at a single institution. The patients with the LAL underwent adjustment by ultraviolet (UV) light postoperatively plus subsequent lock-in procedures and all patients returned to clinic for follow up of study parameters at 6, 9, and 12mo. Manifest refraction, distance visual acuity, and adverse events were recorded at each visit. RESULTS The mean cylinder before adjustment in eyes with the LAL was -0.89±0.58 D (-2.00 to 0.00 D) and -0.34±0.34 D (-1.25 to 0.00 D) after lock-in (P=1.68x10−8). The mean cylinder in patients with the monofocal lens was -1.00±0.32 D (-1.50 to -0.50 D) at 17-21d postoperatively, which was statistically different from the LAL cylinder post lock-in (P=1.43x10−6). UDVA in the LAL group was 20/20 or better in 79% of patients post lock-in with good stability over 12mo compared with 33% of the control patients with UDVA of 20/20 or better. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that the LAL is more effective in achieving target refractions and improving postoperative UDVA in patients with pre-existing corneal astigmatism than a standard monofocal lens