NEO Threat Mitigation Software Tools within the NEOShield Project and Application to 2015 PDC

Protecting Earth from the threat implied by the Near Earth Objects (NEO) is gaining momentum in recent years. In the last decade a number of mitigation methods have been pushed forward as a possible remedy to that threat, including nuclear blasts, kinetic impactor, gravity tractors and others. Tools are required to evaluate the NEO deflection performances of each of the different methods, coupled with the orbital mechanics associated to the need to transfer to the target orbit and maybe rendezvous with it. The present suite of tools do provide an integral answer to the need of determining if an asteroid is to collide with Earth (NIRAT tool), compute the required object deflection (NEODET tool) and assess the design features of the possible mitigation space missions (RIMISET tool). The tools are presented, their design analyzed as well as the methods and architecture implemented. Results are provided for the hypothetical NEO 2015 PDC proposed for this conference

Integrated End-to-End NEO Threat Mitigation Software Suite

Protecting Earth from the threat implied by the Near Earth Objects (NEO) is gaining momentum in recent years. In the last decade a number of mitigation methods have been pushed forward as a possible remedy to that threat, including nuclear blasts, kinetic impactor, gravity tractors and others. Tools are required to evaluate the NEO deflection performances of each of the different methods, coupled with the orbital mechanics associated to the need to transfer to the target orbit and maybe rendezvous with it. The present suite of tools do provide an integral answer to the need of determining if an asteroid is to collide with Earth (NIRAT tool), compute the required object deflection (NEODET tool) and assess the design features of the possible mitigation space missions (RIMISET tool). The tools are presented, their design analyzed as well as the methods and architecture implemented. Results are provided for two asteroids 2011 AG5 (using the orbit determination solution where this asteroid still was a risk object) and 2007 VK184 and the obtained data discussed in comparison to other results

Deep space orbit determination via Delta-DOR using VLBI antennas

The growing number of deep space exploration missions operating simultaneously in the solar system triggers an increasing demand for large ground antennas capable of tracking distant spacecraft. Several space agencies have their own deep space tracking networks, where each antenna belonging to a ground station complex is meant to be shared among different deep space missions in flight, significantly constraining the tracking schedule. A typical ranging and Doppler radio tracking session requires long tracking passes and a single ground antenna, while angular (Delta-DOR) observations require at least two antennas but usually for much shorter tracking sessions. However, during Delta-DOR observations, the baseline between the two receiving antennas should be kept as large as possible, thus reducing the time windows in which Delta-DOR observations are actually feasible. This leaves little room for adaptation of the tracking schedules of these antennas and calls for the need for possible alternatives for the receiving stations. The antennas belonging to the very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) network worldwide meet the requirements to carry out Delta-DOR tracking sessions. Here, we present an experimental activity carried out tracking ESA’s GAIA spacecraft using a mixed deep space antenna configuration involving an ESA ESTRACK antenna at New Norcia (Australia) and a VLBI antenna at Medicina (Italy). This baseline was used to form Delta-DOR observables with the aim of demonstrating that VLBI antennas offer the capability to track deep space missions, thus increasing the number of possible baselines and observation time windows

Tropospheric and ionospheric media calibrations based on global navigation satellite system observation data

Context: Calibration of radiometric tracking data for effects in the Earth atmosphere is a crucial element in the field of deep-space orbit determination (OD). The troposphere can induce propagation delays in the order of several meters, the ionosphere up to the meter level for X-band signals and up to tens of meters, in extreme cases, for L-band ones. The use of media calibrations based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) measurement data can improve the accuracy of the radiometric observations modelling and, as a consequence, the quality of orbit determination solutions. Aims: ESOC Flight Dynamics employs ranging, Doppler and delta-DOR (Delta-Differential One-Way Ranging) data for the orbit determination of interplanetary spacecraft. Currently, the media calibrations for troposphere and ionosphere are either computed based on empirical models or, under mission specific agreements, provided by external parties such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. In order to become independent from external models and sources, decision fell to establish a new in-house internal service to create these media calibrations based on GNSS measurements recorded at the ESA tracking sites and processed in-house by the ESOC Navigation Support Office with comparable accuracy and quality. Methods: For its concept, the new service was designed to be as much as possible depending on own data and resources and as less as possible depending on external models and data. Dedicated robust and simple algorithms, well suited for operational use, were worked out for that task. This paper describes the approach built up to realize this new in-house internal media calibration service. Results: Test results collected during three months of running the new media calibrations in quasi-operational mode indicate that GNSS-based tropospheric corrections can remove systematic signatures from the Doppler observations and biases from the range ones. For the ionosphere, a direct way of verification was not possible due to non-availability of independent third party data for comparison. Nevertheless, the tests for ionospheric corrections showed also slight improvements in the tracking data modelling, but not to an extent as seen for the tropospheric corrections. Conclusions: The validation results confirmed that the new approach meets the requirements upon accuracy and operational use for the tropospheric part, while some improvement is still ongoing for the ionospheric one. Based on these test results, green light was given to put the new in-house service for media calibrations into full operational mode in April 2017

Primary small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the bladder: case report and literature review

Background: Neuroendocrine tumours (NET) are extremely rare and aggressive. Although they commonly affect intestine, many organs may be involved such as pancreas, lung or urinary tract. Bladder is rarely involved. Actually, two main forms of bladder NET have been described: small-cell and large-cell. The first one is considered highly agressive since it shows poor oncologic outcomes being mainly diagnosed at advanced stage: the second one is extremely rare and equally aggressive. Case report: A 78-years-old Caucasian male presented to our facility for lower urinary tract symptoms and gross hematuria recently occurred. He was a strong smoker since many years. No familiarity for urothelial cancer was referred nor previous episodes of hematuria until that time. Citology was negative; outpatient ultrasound of the bladder revealed a 3 cm bladder thickening highly suspicious for bladder cancer; patient underwent TC scan that confirmed the bladder lesion. A transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) was performed. After 3 months total body TC showed multiple visceral metastases also involving brain and lymph nodes. Best supportive care was offered but the patient died 6 months later. Results: Pathology revealed a mixed bladder tumor: 30% of the specimen resulted as an high-grade urothelial cancer (G3) and 70% as small-cell neuroendocrine variant.Microscopic muscle involvement was excluded. Conclusions: Neuroendocrine tumors are uncommon entities which origin from cells of neuro-endocrine system and may potentially involve all human tissues. Neuroendocrine smallcell carcinoma of the bladder is a non-urothelial histotype: it is highly aggressive and diagnosed mainly at advanced stages. Whenever considering the high risk of metastatic spread and the poor prognosis, a multimodal approach is highly suggested. TURB alone is uneffective in disease control due to its aggressive nature. Unless metastatic, radical cystectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy represent the gold standard

Prepubertal intratesticular keratocyst. Case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Testicular epidermoid cysts (TEC), also known as keratocysts, are rare lesions accounting for 1% of all testicular masses4,9,11. Most of them are incidentally discovered and radically treated5,8,9. Clinically they present as firm palpable mass highly undistinguishable from other testicular cancers. Scrotal sonography (US), contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) or magnetic resonance (MR) describe the lesion1,2,8 but diagnosis depends on histology. Although no cases of metastases have been reported to date in literature7 ,the real understanding of biological behaviour and clinical management is unresolved2,3. We report the case of a young patient affected by testicular keratocyst who underwent to surgical enucleation. By describing this case we also reviewed literature about histologic features of pre-pubertal form and the feasibility and safety of this procedure. CASE REPORT: A 16 y.o. caucasian male presented for a firm mass recently discovered on self examination. Anamnesis was uneventfull for genital infections or trauma: no familiarity for testicular cancer was reported. The right testis presented with a palpable painless mass in the middle portion of the testis, entirely covered by normal parenchima. Inguinal and supraclavicular lymph nodes were negative and serum markers (AFP, bHCG, PLAP and LDH) too. Scrotal sonography (US) reported a well circumscribed 2 centimetres mass within the right testis with intervening septa and coexisting solid areas: intralesional calcifications were not described. Intralesional vascularity was ruled out on ecodoppler. MR was negative for secundarisms; furthermore the exam did not reveal any intralesional contrast enhancement, totally suggesting a bening lesion. Testicular biopsy was offered. RESULTS: Frozen section was suggestive for mature keratocyst and surgical enucleation was offered. The lesion presented macroscopically as a 20 x 22 x 25 millimetres mass highly indishinguable from any malignant neoplasms. And totally covered by normal testicular parenchima. On microscopic evaluation the lesion was composed by horny material well delimited by a cystic wall (Fig.1) of squamous epithelium. No association with Intratubular Germ Cell Neoplasms (IGCN) was found nor cellular atypia or mitotic activity. Definely it was classed as pre-pubertal mature intratesticular epidermoid cyst. DISCUSSION: TEC are benign tumors which arise from ectoderm, endoderm or mesoderm tissues4,9,11. They account for around 1-2% of all testicular masses4,9,11 and tipically present in mid-adulthood. Caucasian males are more involved. The etiology is still debated2,3 (Cakiroglu B.; Cook). Two main form of TEC have been described in literature: pre-and post-pubertal. Pre-pubertal TEC have been historically considered as benign lesions since no association with germ cell neoplasm in situ (GCNIS) have been reported nor cases of metastasic spread. Histology often rules out unfavorable prognostic features such coexisting lesions or association with germ cell neoplasms. Due to this reason, they have been names “simple testicular epidermoid cyst”. Clinically, they are as highly indistinguishable to all testicular cancers and often presenting as a firm, painless palpable mass within the testis: the right testis seems to be more involved than left (Kenan). Serum markers are always negative too7 (Kenan). US may guide diagnosis since these lesion show typical radiographic features: a well marginated intratesticular masses with a lamellar ‘onion skin’ or ‘bull-eye’ pattern and avascular centre1,2,8 might always suggest testicular keratocyst (Cakiroglu; Muoka; Anheuser). CEUS also provides with more informations ruling out intralesional vascularity. MR imaging better describes the tumor, rules out secundarism or local infiltration and evaluates the absence of contrast enhancement which further suggest a benign nature. Although these features can guide clinical orientation, diagnosis only depends on histology: differentiation from coexisting enthities such as pure teratomas, germ cell tumors (GCT) or granulomatous disease is mandatory also in pre-pubertal forms. Uncommon features such as cellular atypia, mitotic activity, necrosis, hemorrhage and epythelial hyperplasia need to be missing also in these forms5,6,11 (Umar; Dockerty; Ewen). Partial orchiectomy or testis-sparing excision with frozen section is becoming day by day the standard treatment2 (Carikoglu et al); however, as the final pathology report describes a teratomatous lesion or malignant features, further radical orchiectomy is required. In our case the patient underwent contrast enhanced MR at 6 and 12 month which ruled out any visceral or lymph nodes metastases. Ultrasound of the testis excluded local recurrence. CONCLUSION: Testicular keratocysts are rare lesions commonly presenting in young male and clinically indistinguishable from other testicular lesion. Pre- and post-pubertal form represent the two main variants. Biologic behaviour and clinical management is still unresolved. Pre-pubertal variants are not related to IGCNIS or unfavorable histologic features; no cases of spreading have been reported to date and they are considered benign tumors. Serum markers, CEUS and MR may be helpful in making diagnosis and surgical planning. Only histology confirms the nature of the lesion ruling out coexisting histotypes. The importance of accurate diagnosis is crucial for preventing unncessary orchiectomy: testicular sparing surgery should be offered

How radical prostatectomy procedures have changed over the last 10\ua0years in Italy: a comparative analysis based on more than 1500 patients participating in the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA and the Pros-IT CNR study

Purpose: Therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer (PCa) have been evolving dramatically worldwide. The current article reports on the evolution of surgical management strategies for PCa in Italy. Methods: The data from two independent Italian multicenter projects, the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA (started in 2007, holding data of 890 patients) and the Pros-IT-CNR project (started in 2014, with data of 692 patients), were compared. Differences in patients\u2019 characteristics were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify characteristics associated with robot-assisted (RA) procedure, nerve sparing (NS) approach, and lymph node dissection (LND). Results: The two cohorts did not differ in terms of age and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels at biopsy. Patients enrolled in the Pros-IT-CNR project more frequently were submitted to RA (58.8% vs 27.6%, p < 0.001) and NS prostatectomy (58.4% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.04), but received LND less frequently (47.7% vs. 76.7%, p < 0.001), as compared to the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA patients. At multivariate logistic models, Lower Gleason Scores (GS) and PSA levels were significantly associated with RA prostatectomy in both cohorts. As for the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA data, clinical T-stage was a predictor for NS (OR = 0.07 for T3, T4) and LND (OR = 2.41 for T2) procedures. As for Pros-IT CNR data, GS 65 (4 + 3) and positive cancer cores 65 50% were decisive factors both for NS (OR 0.29 and 0.30) and LND (OR 7.53 and 2.31) strategies. Conclusions: PCa management has changed over the last decade in Italian centers: RA and NS procedures without LND have become the methods of choice to treat newly medium\u2013high risk diagnosed PCa

How radical prostatectomy procedures have changed over the last 10\ua0years in Italy: a comparative analysis based on more than 1500 patients participating in the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA and the Pros-IT CNR study

Purpose: Therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer (PCa) have been evolving dramatically worldwide. The current article reports on the evolution of surgical management strategies for PCa in Italy. Methods: The data from two independent Italian multicenter projects, the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA (started in 2007, holding data of 890 patients) and the Pros-IT-CNR project (started in 2014, with data of 692 patients), were compared. Differences in patients\u2019 characteristics were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify characteristics associated with robot-assisted (RA) procedure, nerve sparing (NS) approach, and lymph node dissection (LND). Results: The two cohorts did not differ in terms of age and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels at biopsy. Patients enrolled in the Pros-IT-CNR project more frequently were submitted to RA (58.8% vs 27.6%, p < 0.001) and NS prostatectomy (58.4% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.04), but received LND less frequently (47.7% vs. 76.7%, p < 0.001), as compared to the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA patients. At multivariate logistic models, Lower Gleason Scores (GS) and PSA levels were significantly associated with RA prostatectomy in both cohorts. As for the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA data, clinical T-stage was a predictor for NS (OR = 0.07 for T3, T4) and LND (OR = 2.41 for T2) procedures. As for Pros-IT CNR data, GS 65 (4 + 3) and positive cancer cores 65 50% were decisive factors both for NS (OR 0.29 and 0.30) and LND (OR 7.53 and 2.31) strategies. Conclusions: PCa management has changed over the last decade in Italian centers: RA and NS procedures without LND have become the methods of choice to treat newly medium\u2013high risk diagnosed PCa

How radical prostatectomy procedures have changed over the last 10 years in Italy: a comparative analysis based on more than 1500 patients participating in the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA and the Pros-IT CNR study

Purpose: Therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer (PCa) have been evolving dramatically worldwide. The current article reports on the evolution of surgical management strategies for PCa in Italy. Methods: The data from two independent Italian multicenter projects, the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA (started in 2007, holding data of 890 patients) and the Pros-IT-CNR project (started in 2014, with data of 692 patients), were compared. Differences in patients’ characteristics were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify characteristics associated with robot-assisted (RA) procedure, nerve sparing (NS) approach, and lymph node dissection (LND). Results: The two cohorts did not differ in terms of age and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels at biopsy. Patients enrolled in the Pros-IT-CNR project more frequently were submitted to RA (58.8% vs 27.6%, p < 0.001) and NS prostatectomy (58.4% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.04), but received LND less frequently (47.7% vs. 76.7%, p < 0.001), as compared to the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA patients. At multivariate logistic models, Lower Gleason Scores (GS) and PSA levels were significantly associated with RA prostatectomy in both cohorts. As for the MIRROR-SIU/LUNA data, clinical T-stage was a predictor for NS (OR = 0.07 for T3, T4) and LND (OR = 2.41 for T2) procedures. As for Pros-IT CNR data, GS ≥ (4 + 3) and positive cancer cores ≥ 50% were decisive factors both for NS (OR 0.29 and 0.30) and LND (OR 7.53 and 2.31) strategies. Conclusions: PCa management has changed over the last decade in Italian centers: RA and NS procedures without LND have become the methods of choice to treat newly medium–high risk diagnosed PCa