Conference on Spacecraft Reconnaissance of Asteroid and Comet Interiors : January 8-10, 2015, Tempe, Arizona

The goal of AstroRecon is to identify and evaluate the best technologies for spacecraft robotic reconnaissance of comets, asteroids, and small moons--paving the way for advanced science missions, exploration, sample return, in situ resource utilization, hazard mitigation, and human visitation.Shell GameChanger, ASU NewSpace, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratoryinstitutional support Arizona State University, Lunar and Planetary Institute, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Universities Space Research Association Arizona State University's Students for the Exploration and Development of Space ; sponsors Shell GameChanger, ASU NewSpace, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory ; conveners Erik Asphaug Arizona State University, Tempe, Jekan Thangavelautham Arizona State University, Tempe ; program committee Erik Asphaug (Co-chair Science) Arizona State University, Tempe [and 6 others].PARTIAL CONTENTS: Human Exploration / P. A. Abell and A. S. Rivkin--Comet Radar Explorer / E. Asphaug--Development of Communication Technologies and Architectural Concepts for Interplanetary Small Satellite Communications / A. B. Babuscia and K. C. Cheung--Numerical Simulations of Spacecraft-Regolith Interactions on Asteroids / R.-L. Ballouz, D. C. Richardson, P. Michel, and S. R. Schwartz--Kuiper: A Discover, Class Observatory for Outer Solar System Giant Planets, Satellites, and Small Bodies / J. F. Bell, N. M. Schneider, M. E. Brown, J. T. Clarke, B. T. Greenhagen, R. M.C. Lopes, A. R. Hendrix, and M. H. Wong--Landing on Small Bodies: From the Rosetta Lander to MASCOT and Beyond / J. Biele, S. Ulamec, P.-W. Bousquet, P. Gaudon, K. Geurts, T.-M. Ho, C. Krause, R. Willnecker, and M. Deleuze--High-Resolution Bistatic Radar Imaging in Support of Asteroid and Comet Spacecraft Missions / M. W. Busch, L. A. M. Benner, M. A. Slade, L. Teitelbaum, M. Brozovic, M. C. Nolan, P. A. Taylor, F. Ghigo, and J. Ford--Asteroid Comet and Surface Gravimetric Surveying can Reveal Interior Structural Details / K. A. Carroll

Investigation of intra-tumour heterogeneity to identify texture features to characterise and quantify neoplastic lesions on imaging

The aim of this work was to further our knowledge of using imaging data to discover image derived biomarkers and other information about the imaged tumour. Using scans obtained from multiple centres to discover and validate the models has advanced earlier research and provided a platform for further larger centre prospective studies. This work consists of two major studies which are describe separately: STUDY 1: NSCLC Purpose The aim of this multi-center study was to discover and validate radiomics classifiers as image-derived biomarkers for risk stratification of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and methods Pre-therapy PET scans from 358 Stage I–III NSCLC patients scheduled for radical radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy acquired between October 2008 and December 2013 were included in this seven-institution study. Using a semiautomatic threshold method to segment the primary tumors, radiomics predictive classifiers were derived from a training set of 133 scans using TexLAB v2. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis allowed data dimension reduction and radiomics feature vector (FV) discovery. Multivariable analysis was performed to establish the relationship between FV, stage and overall survival (OS). Performance of the optimal FV was tested in an independent validation set of 204 patients, and a further independent set of 21 (TESTI) patients. Results Of 358 patients, 249 died within the follow-up period [median 22 (range 0–85) months]. From each primary tumor, 665 three-dimensional radiomics features from each of seven gray levels were extracted. The most predictive feature vector discovered (FVX) was independent of known prognostic factors, such as stage and tumor volume, and of interest to multi-center studies, invariant to the type of PET/CT manufacturer. Using the median cut-off, FVX predicted a 14-month survival difference in the validation cohort (N = 204, p = 0.00465; HR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.16–2.24). In the TESTI cohort, a smaller cohort that presented with unusually poor survival of stage I cancers, FVX correctly indicated a lack of survival difference (N = 21, p = 0.501). In contrast to the radiomics classifier, clinically routine PET variables including SUVmax, SUVmean and SUVpeak lacked any prognostic information. Conclusion PET-based radiomics classifiers derived from routine pre-treatment imaging possess intrinsic prognostic information for risk stratification of NSCLC patients to radiotherapy/chemo-radiotherapy. STUDY 2: Ovarian Cancer Purpose The 5-year survival of epithelial ovarian cancer is approximately 35-40%, prompting the need to develop additional methods such as biomarkers for personalised treatment. Patient and Methods 657 texture features were extracted from the CT scans of 364 untreated EOC patients. A 4-texture feature ‘Radiomic Prognostic Vector (RPV)’ was developed using machine learning methods on the training set. Results The RPV was able to identify the 5% of patients with the worst prognosis, significantly improving established prognostic methods and was further validated in two independent, multi-centre cohorts. In addition, the genetic, transcriptomic and proteomic analysis from two independent datasets demonstrated that stromal and DNA damage response pathways are activated in RPV-stratified tumours. Conclusion RPV could be used to guide personalised therapy of EOC. Overall, the two large datasets of different imaging modalities have increased our knowledge of texture analysis, improving the models currently available and provided us with more areas with which to implement these tools in the clinical setting.Open Acces

The 1995 Science Information Management and Data Compression Workshop

This document is the proceedings from the 'Science Information Management and Data Compression Workshop,' which was held on October 26-27, 1995, at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland. The Workshop explored promising computational approaches for handling the collection, ingestion, archival, and retrieval of large quantities of data in future Earth and space science missions. It consisted of fourteen presentations covering a range of information management and data compression approaches that are being or have been integrated into actual or prototypical Earth or space science data information systems, or that hold promise for such an application. The Workshop was organized by James C. Tilton and Robert F. Cromp of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Gene des plazentaren Stoffwechsels und der Zell-Zell-Adhäsion als potentielle Biomarker für intrauterine Wachstumsrestriktion in vivo und deren Regulation durch Hypoxie in plazentaren Zellen in vitro

1.2.1 Objective Idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a dynamic process driven by placental insufficiency and the resulting lack of fetal nutrient and oxygen supply. Pregnancies complicated by IUGR show an increased perinatal risk. In addition, IUGR is often associated with comorbidities that adversely affect adolescents and adults (e.g. metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease). A better understanding of underlying placental mechanisms is the key to prevent intrauterine insufficiency and to develop individual postnatal management strategies for affected patients. In this regard, the identification of placental IUGR biomarkers plays a pivotal role. In this study potential IUGR biomarkers were verified and their regulation in placental cells under hypoxic conditions was tested. 1.2.2 Materials and Methods Potential placental IUGR marker genes were identified in a pilot study by means of gene array analysis. For verification immunohistochemical staining and real-time PCR in placental tissue from a human collective (IUGR vs. appropriate for gestational age (AGA)) and in isolated cells was performed. Hypoxic conditions in IUGR were simulated in vitro by culturing cells in a hypoxic chamber. The expression of target genes was determined in the trophoblast cell lines Jar and BeWo and in primary placental cells (decidual stroma cells, villous and extravillous trophoblasts) which were isolated from healthy term placentas by immuno-magnetic bead-separation. 1.2.3 Results The following genes related to placental metabolism and cell-cell-adhesion were examined: A kinase anchor protein 1 (AKAP1), glycogenin-2 (GYG2), solute carrier family 1, member 1 (SLC1A1), solute carrier family 2, member 6 (SLC2A6), follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) and retinoic acid receptor responder 1 (RARRES1). In detail, the following results were obtained: 1. AKAP1 and FSTL3 expression was measured in gestational age matched IUGR and AGA placentas. In contrast to the gene array results, no significant change in expression between the two groups was found. In IUGR, FSTL3 showed only a tendency to increased values. 2. AKAP1 expression correlated negatively with gestational age in the AGA group, not in the IUGR group. 3. Hypoxia resulted in a reduced expression rate of all target genes in the respective placental cell subclasses. 4. The trophoblast cell lines Jar and BeWo only expressed the genes AKAP1 and FSTL3 sufficiently. The change of expression of these two genes under hypoxic conditions was comparable with the changes seen in primary villous trophoblasts. 5. The expression of GYG2 and SLC1A1 was pronounced in decidual stroma cells, while SLC2A6 and RARRES1 were predominantly found in extravillous trophoblasts. 1.2.4 Conclusion The fact that we were not able to verify the gene array data in our collective indicates that this method is of limited use for the analysis of inhomogenous tissue with certain functional compartments as the placenta. Only the genes AKAP1 and FSTL3 were sufficiently detected in placental samples that were stripped of decidual basal plate (no extravillous trophoblasts and decidual stroma cells). In conclusion, the selective analysis of placental subclasses via immuno-magnetic bead-separation proved a valuable tool to clarify placental processes, which would not have been possible via analysis of whole organ homogenates. Potential compartment-specific functions of GYG2, SLC1A1, SLC2A6 and RARRES1 remain to be characterised in future studies.1.1.1 Hintergrund und Ziele Idiopathische intrauterine Wachstumsrestriktion (IUGR) wird durch eine plazentare Insuffizienz und den dadurch bedingten fetalen Substratmangel (Sauerstoff/Nährstoffe) hervorgerufen. Feten, die von einer IUGR betroffen sind, zeigen ein erhöhtes perinatales Risiko. Darüber hinaus kommt es häufig zu gesundheitlichen Spätfolgen (z.B. metabolisches Syndrom, Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankung) im Jugend- und Erwachsenenalter. Über die Analyse plazentarer Abläufe erhofft man sich, präventiv in das intrauterine Geschehen eingreifen zu können bzw. die postpartale Behandlung dieser Patienten individuell zu optimieren. Die Identifikation plazentarer Biomarker für IUGR hat dabei eine wichtige Bedeutung. Die hier vorgestellte Arbeit dient der Verifikation solcher potentieller IUGR-Biomarker und der Klärung ihrer Regulation in Plazentazellen unter Sauerstoffmangel. 1.1.2 Material und Methoden In einer Vorläuferstudie wurden potentielle IUGR-Markergene mittels einer plazentaren Gene-array-Analyse identifiziert. Zur Verifikation dieser Gene kamen neben immunhistochemischen Analysen vor allem Expressionsanalysen mittels Realtime-PCR im humanen Kollektiv (IUGR vs. appropriate for gestational age (AGA)) und in isolierten Zellen zum Einsatz. Der plazentare Sauerstoffmangel bei IUGR wurde in vitro mittels Hypoxiekammer simuliert. Die Expression der Zielgene wurde in den Trophoblasten-Zelllinien Jar und BeWo sowie in plazentaren Primärzellen (dezidualen Stromazellen, villösen und extravillösen Trophoblasten) aus gesunden Dritt-Trimester-Plazenten nach immunomagnetischer Bead-Separation gemessen. 1.1.3 Ergebnisse und Beobachtungen Folgende Gene des plazentaren Stoffwechsels und der Zell-Zell-Adhäsion wurden untersucht: A kinase anchor protein 1 (AKAP1), Glykogenin-2 (GYG2), Solute carrier family 1, member 1 (SLC1A1), Solute carrier family 2, member 6 (SLC2A6), Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) und Retinoic acid receptor responder 1 (RARRES1). Im Einzelnen wurden folgende Ergebnisse erzielt: 1. Die Expression der Gene AKAP1 und FSTL3 wurde in gematchten humanen IUGR- und AGA-Plazentaproben bestimmt. Hierbei zeigten sich im Gegensatz zu den Gene-array-Voruntersuchungen keine signifikanten Gruppenunterschiede. FSTL3 zeigte in IUGR-Plazenten nur eine Tendenz zu höherer Expression. 2. Die AKAP1-Expression zeigte in der AGA-Gruppe, nicht aber in der IUGR-Gruppe, eine signifikante, negative Korrelation mit dem Gestationsalter. 3. Hypoxie reduzierte die Expression aller untersuchten Zielgene in den jeweiligen plazentaren Zellsubklassen. 4. In den Trophoblasten-Zelllinien Jar und BeWo wurden nur die plazentaren Zielgene AKAP1 und FSTL3 suffizient exprimiert und unter Hypoxie vergleichbar zu primären villösen Trophoblasten reguliert. 5. Die Expression von GYG2 und SLC1A1 fand sich vor allem in dezidualen Stromazellen. Eine Expression von SLC2A6 und RARRES1 zeigte sich betont in extravillösen Trophoblasten. 1.1.4 Praktische Schlussfolgerungen Die Tatsache, dass wir die Gene-array-Ergebnisse im Kollektiv nicht verifizieren konnten, deutet auf eine Limitation der Gene-array-Analytik bei inhomogenen, kompartimentierten Organen wie der Plazenta hin. Nur die Gene AKAP1 und FSTL3 konnten in plazentaren Proben ohne deziduale Basalplatte (Fehlen von extravillösen Trophoblasten und dezidualen Stromazellen) suffizient nachgewiesen werden. Schlussfolgernd hat sich die gezielte Analyse plazentarer Zellsubklassen als wertvolle Methode zur Klärung funktioneller plazentarer Prozesse erwiesen, welche im Gesamtorgan nur schlecht untersucht werden können. Die Klärung der kompartiment-spezifischen Funktion der Gene GYG2, SLC1A1, SLC2A6 sowie RARRES1 bleibt dabei Folgeuntersuchungen vorbehalten

EPAS1 REGULATION AND FUNCTION IN THE HUMAN TROPHOBLAST

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

New Aspects of Cancer Stem Cell Biology

The cancer stem cell (CSC) paradigm represents one of the most prominent breakthroughs of the last decades in tumor biology. CSCs are that subpopulation within a tumor that can survive conventional therapies and as a consequence are able to fuel tumor recurrence. Nevertheless, the biological characteristics of CSCs and even their existence, remain the main topic among tumor biologists debates. The difficulty in achieving a better definition of CSC biology may actually be explained by the plasticity of such a cell subpopulation. Indeed, the emerging view is that CSCs represent a dynamic “state” of tumor cells that can acquire stemness-related properties under specific circumstances, rather than referring to a well-defined group of cells. Regardless of their origin, it is clear that designing novel antitumor treatments based on the eradication of CSCs will only be possible upon unraveling the biological mechanisms that underlie their pathogenic role in tumor progression and therapy resistance. The Special Issue on “New aspects of cancer stem cell biology: implications for innovative therapies” aims at highlighting recent insights into CSC features that can make them an attractive target for novel therapeutic strategies

Summary of Research 1994

The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.This report contains 359 summaries of research projects which were carried out under funding of the Naval Postgraduate School Research Program. A list of recent publications is also included which consists of conference presentations and publications, books, contributions to books, published journal papers, and technical reports. The research was conducted in the areas of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Meteorology, National Security Affairs, Oceanography, Operations Research, Physics, and Systems Management. This also includes research by the Command, Control and Communications (C3) Academic Group, Electronic Warfare Academic Group, Space Systems Academic Group, and the Undersea Warfare Academic Group

REINAS: Real-Time Environmental Information Network and Analysis System: Phase IV.1-EXPERIMENTATION

The Real-Time Environmental Information Network and Analysis System (REINAS) is a continuing engineering research and development program with the goal of designing, developing and testing an operational prototype system for data acquisition, data management, and visualization. This system is to support the real-time utilization of advanced instrumentation in environmental science. Advances in continuous time measurements and improved spatial resolution allow the monitoring and understanding environmental phenomena in much greater detail than has previously been possible. The system is also designed to support the retrospective use of integrated environmental data sets. The project is a multi-year effort of the Baskin Center for Computer Engineering and Information Sciences of the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), in cooperation with environmental scientists from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). The REINAS system has ..