Primary Landing Sites Research Articles

Landing site choice for Luna-27 mission in the Moon South Polar Region

In this study, we examine the Russian automatic lunar missions “Luna-25,” “Luna-26,” and the scientific objectives and landing site of the “Luna-27″ spacecraft. The landing of “Luna-27″ is planned directly in the South Polar region, which, due to ballistic and engineering requirements, is confined to a sector extending from 51°E to 1°W in longitude and from 83°S to 79°S in latitude. This area is characterized by complex terrain, and to identify suitable landing territories, a suitability map has been created that takes into account the distribution of slopes, the degree of illumination, and visibility of Earth. A total of five sites measuring 30 × 15 km (landing ellipse) within the considered region meet such scientific and technical requirements as slope distributions of less than 7–10°, sunlight illumination of more than 35 %, and Earth visibility of more than 50 %. All landing sites are ranked by priority from 1 to 5 depending on the content of water equivalent of hydrogen (WEH) in the lunar soil. Site №1, by its characteristics, is considered the best and may be chosen as the primary landing site, while sites №2 and №3 could serve as backups. It is demonstrated that with increased landing precision, with a deviation probability from the given point up to 0.5 km, the number of suitable landing sites satisfying primarily scientific rather than engineering-technical safety criteria, which are also inherently met, significantly increases.

Contextual Characterisation Study of Chandrayaan-3 Primary Landing Site

Abstract Chandrayaan-3 is an upcoming lunar mission of India aimed at soft-landing and carrying out first-ever in situ investigations at a high-latitude location on the Moon. Chandrayaan-3 consists of a propulsion module, a lander and a rover, that carry a set of payloads for conducting in-situ science experiments. In this work, contextual characterization of the primary landing site(PLS) located at 69.367621˚S, 32.348126 ̊E is carried out in terms of identification, geomorphology, composition and thermophysical context using the best-ever high-resolution datasets. Our geomorphological study indicates that the PLS is safe for landing with slope less than 4˚ in about 78% of landing area and an average elevation variation of about 169m. The spectral analysis suggests that the region must have experienced extensive space weathering. Compositional analysis indicate that the landing region has a typical highland type of soil characteristics with Mg(4.3 to 5.2 wt.%), Fe(4.2 to 4.9 wt.%), Ca(10-11 wt.%), and Ti(0.25-0.35wt.%). Thermophysical analyses show ∼30K and ∼175K variability in spatial and diurnal temperatures at the PLS- an indicative of a local terrain of distinctive thermophysical characteristics. With important science instruments onboard, Chandrayaan-3 will provide a unique opportunity towards looking at localised variations leading to an improved understanding of the lunar surface.

Geologic investigation of lobate scarps in the vicinity of Chandrayaan-3 landing site in the southern high latitudes of the moon

The Chandrayaan-3 primary landing site (PLS) is located in the southern high latitude region between 68–70° S and 31–33° E of the Moon. We have found two scarps (scarp #1 and #2) in the surrounding area of PLS. Since lobate scarps are one of the youngest tectonic structures on the Moon and they are seismically active recently, we have conducted a detailed morphological and topographic investigation of the scarps to examine their origin. Subsequently, chronological and seismic investigation of the inferred lobate thrust fault scarps in the PLS region was carried out to assess the safety and the possible hazards to the lander/rover of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Our analysis reveals that out of the two scarps located in the PLS region, scarp #2 is a typical lobate thrust fault scarp, which is generally comparable in vergence direction, maximum relief, and maximum slope on the scarp face to the scarps found elsewhere on the Moon. Scarp #1 could be potentially a non-fault related scarp. The crater size-frequency distribution (CSFD) based best-fit ages derived for the scarp face, and hanging and footwalls of the scarp reveal that the scarp is a younger generation scarp (∼20–30 Ma). We have found evidence of fresh and faded boulder-fall trails on the rims and walls of multiple craters located around the scarp #2. The seismic measurements reveal potential shallow moonquakes induced by the lobate scarp #2 could have generated a moonquake of a cumulative or maximum possible moment magnitude of Mw 6.3. Based on our analysis of the potential ground shaking caused by the shallow moonquake, it appears that the landing site is safe from seismic hazards. Nevertheless, we propose that the Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) onboard the Chandrayaan-3 lander could possibly detect recent Mw 4 shallow moonquakes, provided that they occur currently at a focal depth of <1 km.

Illumination conditions near the Moon's south pole: Implication for a concept design of China's Chang’E−7 lunar polar exploration

Volatiles including water on the Moon has been one of the most interesting scientific objects for decades. In this study, we systematically introduced a concept for China's Chang’E−7 (CE-7) lunar polar exploration mission which consists of five elements, the orbiter, lander, rover, and leaper, and one relay satellite. The orbiter will provide a high-resolution image preparing for landing site selection. We also proposed three phases for in-situ investigation after landing. (1) The rover and leaper will jointly investigate the sunlit area; (2) the leaper will explore cold traps; and (3) the leaper will fly back to the sunlit area and continue an extended exploration mission. An experimental penetrator launched by the lander will penetrate permanently shadowed crater walls for water ice detection. Data will be transmitted to Earth through the relay satellite due to the limited Earth visibility. We also calculated the illumination rate within a 15 × 15 km area that partially covers the Shackleton crater at a high spatial resolution of 20 m/pixel during lunar southern summer. Specifically, we compared two potential landing sites with accumulated illumination at different altitude levels, slopes, and distances to the target. We found that one part of the Shackleton crater rim can be a primary landing site for CE-7's both sunlit areas and cold trap explorations.

Adaptive and plastic variation in growth and maturation of the cutlassfish Trichiurus japonicus in the subtropical Pacific Ocean

We investigate d va ria- t ion in growth and maturation in response to 1) spatial variation in climate and 2) exploitation of the subtropical cutlassfish Trichiurus japonicus , an important fishery species whose population ecology i s virtually unknown . Individuals of this cutlassfish species were sampled monthly at 2 primary landing sites: Kengfang, in northeast (NE) Taiwan, and Tsukuan, in southwest (SW ) Taiwan, during 2013–2015. Habitat temperatures were about 1–4°C lower at the NE site t han at the SW site, and the length at age of adult fish had a n inverse pattern with temperature (NE lengths > SW lengths at age). The probabilistic maturation reaction norms did not differ significantly between the 2 areas, but ages and lengths a t maturation were higher for males from NE than for males from SW. Differences in asymptotic lengths (NE>SW) and growth coefficients (NE<SW), tog eth- er with narrower length distribution at the SW site than at the NE site, indicate potentially different mortality between the areas (NE<SW). These results indicate plastic variation in maturation and potentially adaptive variation in growth for this species that are related to the differences in temperature and mortality between the areas, although reliable proxies for mortality are lacking. The observed life-history variation was consistent with the tem perature–size rule that organisms tend to grow faster, mature earlier, and reach smal ler asymptotic sizes at warmer temperatures and may indicate an adaptive divergence of cutlassfish populati

MP47-11 EXTENDED PELVIC LYMPH NODE DISSECTION FOR INTERMEDIATE-HIGH RISK PROSTATE CANCER: FREQUENCY AND DISTRIBUTION OF NODAL METASTASES.

You have accessJournal of UrologyProstate Cancer: Localized: Surgical Therapy IV1 Apr 2017MP47-11 EXTENDED PELVIC LYMPH NODE DISSECTION FOR INTERMEDIATE-HIGH RISK PROSTATE CANCER: FREQUENCY AND DISTRIBUTION OF NODAL METASTASES. Marco Roscigno, Maria Nicolai, Richard LJ Naspro, Federico Pellucchi, Laura B Cornaghi, Daniela Chinaglia, Antonino Saccà, and Luigi F Da Pozzo Marco RoscignoMarco Roscigno More articles by this author , Maria NicolaiMaria Nicolai More articles by this author , Richard LJ NasproRichard LJ Naspro More articles by this author , Federico PellucchiFederico Pellucchi More articles by this author , Laura B CornaghiLaura B Cornaghi More articles by this author , Daniela ChinagliaDaniela Chinaglia More articles by this author , Antonino SaccàAntonino Saccà More articles by this author , and Luigi F Da PozzoLuigi F Da Pozzo More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.1471AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Standard extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) included the removal of external iliac, obturator and internal iliac chains. However, mapping studies demostrated that extending template up to the ureteric crossing would remove approximately 75% of all primary landing sites, and suggested to add presacral node dissection to ePLND, in order to correctly remove nodal metastases in 97% of patients. The aim of this study is to describe the frequency and distribution of metastases to pelvic nodes, in patients (Pts) with clinically localised, intermediate-high risk prostate cancer (PCa) according to the EAU guidelines, treated with radical prostatectomy and ePLND. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 554 consecutive Pts with clinically localized, intermediate-high risk PCa, treated with open radical prostatectomy and ePLND between 2009 and 2015 at a single institution by multiple experienced surgeons. The ePLND always consisted of the external iliac, obturator, internal iliac, presacral and common iliac nodal site up to the ureteric crossing. Specimens from each anatomic site were sent in separate packets. RESULTS The median number of removed nodes was 22 (range 9-61). Positive nodes (LN+) were found in 119 patients (21.4%). The mean and median number of positive nodes were 2.9 and 1 (range: 1-18), respectively. The median number of removed nodes was 6, 8, 5, 2, and 1 for external iliac, obturator, internal iliac, common iliac, and presacral site, respectively. Out of the 119 Pts, nodal metastases were found in 54 (45.4%), 50 (42%), 56 (47.1%), 12 (10.1%) and 15 (12.6%) in the external iliac, obturator, internal iliac, common iliac, and presacral sites, respectively. However, when analyzing the presence of positive nodes only in a single anatomic area, nodal metastases were present in 19 (16%), 18 (15.1%), 25 (21%), 0, and 3 (2%) in the external iliac, obturator, internal iliac, common iliac, and presacral site, respectively. A limited LND would have correctly staged 92 (77%) Pts and would have removed all LN+ in 37 (31%) Pts. An extended LND would have correctly staged 116 (97%) Pts but removed all LN+ in only 93 (78%) Pts. CONCLUSIONS Internal iliac and presacral nodes harbored metastases in more than 60% of cases, and positive nodes were present only in these areas in 23% of cases. On the contrary, metastases at common iliac nodes were always associated with concomitant involvement of external iliac, obturator and/or internal iliac nodes. An extended LND would have correctly staged 116 (97%) Pts but removed all LN+ in only 93 (78%) Pts. © 2017FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 197Issue 4SApril 2017Page: e632 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2017MetricsAuthor Information Marco Roscigno More articles by this author Maria Nicolai More articles by this author Richard LJ Naspro More articles by this author Federico Pellucchi More articles by this author Laura B Cornaghi More articles by this author Daniela Chinaglia More articles by this author Antonino Saccà More articles by this author Luigi F Da Pozzo More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

DNA barcoding of fisheries catch to reveal composition and distribution of cutlassfishes along the Taiwan coast

Multiple cutlassfishes share similar morphological characteristics and habitats and together contribute to substantial fisheries catch in the northwestern Pacific coast. Because information on the composition and distribution for these cutlassfishes is currently lacking, they are being managed as one species. To fill this knowledge gap, we initiated a survey of species composition and distribution for cutlassfishes at several primary landing sites along Taiwan coast (longitudes: 120–122°E, latitudes: 22.5–25°N) during 2013–2014. We conducted sampling on multiple fisheries (total N=1305): pair trawlers (at the NE and SW coasts), stick-held dip nets (northern coast), fyke nets (NW coast), and set nets (E coast). Using the DNA barcoding methods (with mitochondrial DNA genes 16S rDNA and Cytochorome C oxidase I (COI)), we confirmed presence of four cutlassfish species in the fisheries catch: Trichiurus japonicus, T. nanhaiensis, T. lepturus, and Tentoriceps cristatus. The T. japonicus is a dominant species that constitutes 40–100% of catch abundance of cutlassfish throughout Taiwan coasts, while the other three species are generally in lower abundance than T. japonicus and display relatively confined distributions. Our findings provided advanced knowledge on composition for cutlassfishes and highlighted a need to account for differences in abundance, distribution and life histories among various cutlassfish species for management of the multispecies fisheries in the NW Pacific.

Possibility of microscopic liquid water formation at landing sites on Mars and their observational potential

Microscopic liquid brines, especially calcium-perchlorate could emerge by deliquescence on Mars during night time hours. Using climate model computations and orbital humidity observations, the ideal periods and their annual plus daily characteristics at various past, current and future landing sites were compared. Such results provide context for future analysis and targeting the related observations by the next missions for Mars. Based on the analysis, at most (but not all) past missions’ landing sites, microscopic brine could emerge during night time for different durations. Analysing the conditions at ExoMars rover’s primary landing site at Oxia Planum, the best annual period was found to be between Ls 115–225, and in LocalTime 2–5, after midnight. In an ideal case, 4 h of continuous liquid phase can emerge there. Local conditions might cause values to differ from those estimated by the model. Thermal inertia could especially make such differences (low TI values favour fast cooling and H2O cold trapping at loose surfaces) and the concentration of calcium-perchlorate salt in the regolith also influences the process (it might occur preferentially at long-term exposed surfaces without recent loose dust coverage). These factors should be taken into account while targeting future liquid water observations on Mars.

The impact of a new regional air ambulance service on a large general hospital

Background: Helicopter air ambulance crews are influenced in their selection of the destination hospital for their patients by several factors including: distance from the scene; facilities, on site specialties, and...

Laparoscopic Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection in a Patient with Stage 1 Testicular Carcinoma

Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical techniques are being increasingly applied to the treatment of urological diseases. We report a case of a laparoscopically performed modified bilateral retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for clinical stage 1 testicular cancer. The laparoscopic surgical approach to the retroperitoneal nodes is a technically feasible procedure that can remove lymph node tissue from all primary landing sites for testicular cancer metastases with potentially decreased morbidity.

Is adjuvant chemotherapy necessary for patients with stage B1 testicular cancer?

Controversy exists concerning the role of adjunctive chemotherapy in patients with regional nodal involvement. A randomized study reported a 48% relapse rate for patients with positive nodes (stage B1 or stage B2), all of whom were salvaged by full-dose platinum-based chemotherapy. In a series of patients with positive nodes who received two cycles of adjunctive chemotherapy postoperatively, the relapse rate was only 2%. In order to evaluate the effect of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection on relapse rates in patients with stage B1 testicular cancer, a retrospective review of a series of 39 patients was performed. Criteria for inclusion included pathologic stage B1 (less than six positive nodes, located in the primary landing site, with no node greater than 2 cm in diameter and no extracapsular lymph node extension). Patients who fulfilled the criteria along with normalization of tumor markers were followed-up expectantly after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Thirty-nine patients were followed from 1 to 10 years with the median duration of follow-up of 3.5 years. Ten of the 39 patients had modified retroperitoneal lymph node dissections with preservation of antegrade ejaculation. The other 29 had full retroperitoneal lymph node dissections. Three relapses were seen, one patient with retrocrural and pulmonary metastases and two patients with pulmonary metastases only for a relapse rate of 8% (three of 39). Patients with stage B2 disease received adjunctive chemotherapy with two or three cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy. We conclude that retroperitoneal lymph node dissection alone is adequate treatment for the majority of patients with pathologic stage B1 testicular cancer. In that subset of patients, adjunctive chemotherapy should be reserved for relapse.

FDG PET/CT in Prostate Cancer: A Valuable Method to Detect the Primary and Metastatic Tumor Sites and to Monitor Cancer Response to Hormonal Therapy

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the paper, published in Nephrology-Urology Monthly (1). Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common solid malignancy of elderly males. Therefore, it should be suspected as the primary malignant lesion in elderly men with spread metastases of unidentified origin, especially when the bones are involved. The primary landing site of PCa metastases are the internal iliac lymph nodes (LNs) (2). After the pelvic LNs, the lymphatic spread of the tumor cells continues upwards, involving the paracaval and paraaortic LNs, and then the supradiafragmatic LNs. Diffuse lymphatic spread, involving the cervical, supraclavicullar and the axillary LNs, as described in this case, is very rare, and occurs when the disease is too advanced and the tumor - too aggressive. The primary diagnosis of PCa is based on three simple diagnostic tools: the digital rectal examination (DRE), the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and the transrectal ultrasound. If any of these is abnormal, a prostate biopsy is indicated to confirm the clinical suspicion of PCa. In this case, however, the DRE and PSA test had been used as secondary diagnostic tools, although they could raise the suspicion of PCa much earlier. The extremely high PSA reported (4020 ng/mL) is clearly indicative of metastatic PCa. FDG PET/CT is a new imaging modality used to detect cancer and monitor the response to therapy. With regard to PCa detection, FDG PET/CT has limited value: firstly, because there is a very low tracer avidity, as only a few (around 1%) PCa lesions are FDG avid, and secondly, because the majority of cases, demonstrating focal FDG uptake in the prostate, are benign (3). Besides, the evaluation of the regional pelvic LN metastases is severely limited because of the high bladder tracer activity. On the other side, however, there is evidence in the literature that FDG PET/CT sensitivity and positive predictive value to detect PCa raises with Gleason score 7 or greater, reaching up to 80% and 87%, respectively (4). The reported case also confirms these findings. High FDG avidity had been demonstrated in LNs, bones, and the prostate. This is most probably due to the aggressive tumor biology (Gleason score of 9/5+4/). FDG PET/CT is inferior to bone scintigraphy in detecting osseous metastases, but it plays an important role in identifying soft-tissue metastases, like LN and liver metastases. Differential diagnosis of generalized LN metastases includes various types of tumors, with lymphomas staying on the first place. Although rare, lymphomas of the prostate, are also described, and should be taken into consideration (5). PCa cells initially respond favorably to androgen deprivation therapy, but sooner or later they become androgen-independent. In this case, FDG PET/CT proved to be an excellent tool to detect both the primary cancer and the metastatic tumor sites, and to monitor the response to hormonal treatment. It would be interesting to follow the case further on, and to assess the usefulness of FDG PET/CT to monitor treatment, not only during the initial, androgen-dependent, but also during the hormone-refractory stage of the disease.