Use of Radiation Therapy for Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM)-Mutation Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) is a rare kidney cancer with limited treatment options and poor outcomes when metastatic. We present a case of a 42-year-old male with metastatic pRCC harboring a somatic ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) mutation who was treated at our institution. After progression of disease (POD) on ipilimumab/nivolumab, followed by POD on cabozantinib, the patient was treated with radiation therapy to metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy to 60 Gy in 15 fractions as well as retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy to 36 Gy in 9 fractions, which was curtailed due to intolerance. This was followed by sequential systemic therapy with a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor and pembrolizumab, which was also discontinued due to adverse effects. Despite not receiving any treatment for 10 months, his disease remains stable. We believe that the prolonged progression-free survival of this patient with ATM-mutation metastatic pRCC is likely due to the enhanced sensitivity of the tumor to radiation therapy due to ATM loss

Tethered Balloon-Based Experiment of Surface Water Height Using Satellite Signals of Opportunity

Signals of Opportunity (SoOp) is an area of radio science that leverages existing ambient signals from spacecraft, aircraft, and ground-based radio systems to perform radio science without spending time or resources constructing new transmission infrastructure. It has been conceptualized that SmallSats or CubeSats can perform similar SoOp missions by augmenting pre-existing spacecraft missions - specifically radio/radar missions. During the summer of 2019, student-interns at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) under the Innovation to Flight (i2F) program tested the first airborne SoOp demo via a tethered aerostat - a valuable step towards getting a SoOp demo in orbit. The airborne SoOp demo received direct and bounced signals from multiple geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) satellites by using two on-board wide-band grid antennas. One antenna was pointed at the sky at appropriate azimuth and elevation angles to receive a direct GEO signal. The other antenna was pointed at an identical azimuth angle with a mirrored elevation angle so as to receive the same GEO signal reflected from a body of water below. Both antennas were secured on adjustable mounts to allow for pointing changes and permit data collection from multiple satellites. This initial test proves the scientific and technological feasibility of doing further airborne SoOp tests, potentially on aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), high altitude balloons (HAB), and SmallSats or CubeSats

Future sea ice conditions and weather forecasts in the Arctic: Implications for Arctic shipping

International audienceThe ability to forecast sea ice (both extent and thickness) and weather conditions are the major factors when it comes to safe marine transportation in the Arctic Ocean. This paper presents findings focusing on sea ice and weather prediction in the Arctic Ocean for navigation purposes, in particular along the Northeast Passage. Based on comparison with the observed sea ice concentrations for validation, the best performing Earth system models from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) program (CMIP5—Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5) were selected to provide ranges of potential future sea ice conditions. Our results showed that, despite a general tendency toward less sea ice cover in summer, internal variability will still be large and shipping along the Northeast Passage might still be hampered by sea ice blocking narrow passages. This will make sea ice forecasts on shorter time and space scales and Arctic weather prediction even more important

Utilizing High Altitude Balloons as a Low-Cost CubeSat Test Platform

While building and launching a CubeSat is lower in cost compared to a standard satellite, verifying the flight-readiness of CubeSat hardware and software prior to launch remains a costly and time-consuming process. During the summer of 2019, student-interns under the Innovation to Flight (i2F) program at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) utilized high altitude balloons (HAB) as a means of performing preverification tests on an in-house built 6U CubeSat bus and mock internal payload. The team also tested a Qualcomm Snapdragon flight computer onboard the a HAB, as the computer's first high-altitude tech demonstration. The entire flight vehicle was designed to simulate a generic JPL 6U CubeSat to be flown on the Zephyrus X HAB flight demonstration. The Zephyrus X flight demonstration took place on August 2nd and flew to a near-space environment of ~36 km (~120,000 ft) experiencing almost identical thermal and environmental conditions that it would experience on orbit as well as being far enough away from the team to test long-range comms. The entire launch cost (excluding the cost of the CubeSat) was under $1,000, showing that one could successfully test many components and conditions in one flight test for pre-verification testing, saving thousands of dollars and many hours

Utilizing High Altitude Balloons as a Low-Cost CubeSat Test Platform

While building and launching a CubeSat is lower in cost compared to a standard satellite, verifying the flight-readiness of CubeSat hardware and software prior to launch remains a costly and time-consuming process. During the summer of 2019, student-interns under the Innovation to Flight (i2F) program at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) utilized high altitude balloons (HAB) as a means of performing preverification tests on an in-house built 6U CubeSat bus and mock internal payload. The team also tested a Qualcomm Snapdragon flight computer onboard the a HAB, as the computer's first high-altitude tech demonstration. The entire flight vehicle was designed to simulate a generic JPL 6U CubeSat to be flown on the Zephyrus X HAB flight demonstration. The Zephyrus X flight demonstration took place on August 2nd and flew to a near-space environment of ~36 km (~120,000 ft) experiencing almost identical thermal and environmental conditions that it would experience on orbit as well as being far enough away from the team to test long-range comms. The entire launch cost (excluding the cost of the CubeSat) was under $1,000, showing that one could successfully test many components and conditions in one flight test for pre-verification testing, saving thousands of dollars and many hours

Discovery of 6‑(4-{[5-Cyclopropyl-3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)­isoxazol-4-yl]methoxy}­piperidin-1-yl)-1-methyl‑1<i>H</i>‑indole-3-carboxylic Acid: A Novel FXR Agonist for the Treatment of Dyslipidemia

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the “metabolic” subfamily of nuclear receptors. Several FXR agonists have been reported in the literature to have profound effects on plasma lipids in animal models. To discover novel and effective therapies for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis, we have developed a series of potent FXR agonists that robustly lower plasma LDL and vLDL in LDLr–/– mice. To this end the novel piperidinylisoxazole system LY2562175 was discovered. This molecule is a potent and selective FXR agonist in vitro and has robust lipid modulating properties, lowering LDL and triglycerides while raising HDL in preclinical species. The preclinical ADME properties of LY2562175 were consistent with enabling once daily dosing in humans, and it was ultimately advanced to the clinic for evaluation in humans. The synthesis and biological profile of this molecule is discussed