BMGTools : a community tool to handle model grid and bathymetry

A software called BathyMeshGridTools is proposed to facilitate the construction of gridded bathymetry data for hydrodynamic ocean models from global to coastal scales. These tools consist of a graphical interface written in Java and a computational core written in FORTRAN, which are freely distributed under LGPL and GPL licenses (http://www.ifremer.fr/bmgtools). The process of gridded bathymetry creation relies on three successive tasks : (1) creation of structured grid using graphic user interface for positioning, resizing and creating a hierarchy of nested model grids on map ; (2) data interpolation using a grid-to-grid interpolation algorithm for interpolation of Digital Terrain Model and kriging algorithm for bathymetric sounding data interpolation ; (3) visual inspection and manual editing of the interpolated bathymetry field. These three steps can be used in the same process of construction of bathymetry gridded data and can also be used independently (e.g. one can use only the visualization tool for checking and modifying manually a bathymetry field previously created with an other tool)

An innovative combined immunization platform for personalized cancer immunotherapy.

e14225 Background: Activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors relies mainly on the presence of an immune response directed against neoantigens resulting from tumor specific mutations. The induction and/or amplification of such an immune response is expected to increase the activity of these therapies. We describe here a novel immunization platform developed for the purpose of personalized cancer immunotherapy. This platform integrates a DNA vector coding for neoantigens, a live modified vaccinia of strain Ankara (MVA) used as a physiologic adjuvant and anti-CTLA-4 as a locally acting early immune checkpoint blocker. Methods: Immune potency was assessed in C57BL6 mice injected subcutaneously three times five days apart with an ovalbumine (OVA) expressing DNA vector (100 µg), either alone or in combination with increasing doses of MVA (up to 2.5x107 plaque forming units, pfu) and increasing doses of anti-CTLA-4 (up to 100 µg). OVA specific immune responses were measured by ELISpot. Anti-tumor efficacy was then investigated with a similar administration scheme in a therapeutic B16F10 mice melanoma model with a DNA vector coding for the B16F10-M30 tumor neoantigen. Results: At an optimal dose of 2.5x106 pfu, MVA significantly improved OVA specific immune response up to 10 times higher as compared to vector alone. Addition of CTLA-4 blockade further increased the magnitude of response, up to 30 times higher than with vector alone. Both MVA and CTLA-4 demonstrated a bell-shaped dose dependent effect. In tumor-bearing animals, 80% experienced durable tumor-free survival when treated with the combination therapy as compared to less than 20% in untreated animals or animals treated with each component independently. Treatment appeared feasible and well-tolerated. Conclusions: Neoantigen coding DNA vector, MVA and CTLA-4 immune checkpoint blockade, when co-administered in immunocompetent C57BL6 mice, acted synergistically to induce a cellular immune response. The same approach translated into a strong anti-tumoral response in an aggressive melanoma model. This combined immunization platform appears as a potential novel way to enhance clinical benefit from current immune checkpoint inhibitors. </jats:p

A simple model of the effect of solar array orientation on SMART-1 floating potential

Results from SMART-1 plasma measurements indicate that the spacecraft is, in general, floating 10 to 30 V negative with respect to the ambient plasma and that the floating potential varies with the orientation of the solar array with respect to the direction of the thrust. It is shown in this paper that a wake created behind the solar panel by the plasma generated in the plume by charge exchange and expanding toward the spacecraft may explain such a potential variation