ExMove: An open-source toolkit for processing and exploring animal-tracking data in R.

Ongoing technological advances have led to a rapid increase in the number, type and scope of animal-tracking studies. In response, many software tools have been developed to analyse animal movement data. These tools generally focus on movement modelling, but the steps required to clean raw data files from different tracking devices have been largely ignored. Such pre-processing steps are often time-consuming and involve a steep learning curve but are crucial for the creation of high-quality, standardised and shareable data. Moreover, decisions made at this early stage can substantially influence subsequent analyses, and in the current age of reproducibility crisis, the transparency of this process is vital. Here we present an open-access, reproducible toolkit written in the programming language R for processing raw data files into a single cleaned data set for analyses and upload to online tracking databases (found here: https://github.com/ExMove/ExMove). The toolkit comprises well-documented and flexible code to facilitate data processing and user understanding, both of which can increase user confidence and improve the uptake of sharing open and reproducible code. Additionally, we provide an overview website (found here: https://exmove.github.io/) and a Shiny app to help users visualise tracking data and assist with parameter determination during data cleaning. The toolkit is generalisable to different data formats and device types, uses modern 'tidy coding' practices, and relies on a few well-maintained packages. Among these, we perform spatial manipulations using the package sf. Overall, by collating all required steps from data collection to archiving on open access databases into a single, robust pipeline, our toolkit provides a valuable resource for anyone conducting animal movement analyses and represents an important step towards increased standardisation and reproducibility in animal movement ecology.

Replay of incidentally encoded episodic memories in the rat.

Although events are not always known to be important when they occur, people can remember details about such incidentally encoded information using episodic memory. Importantly, when information is explicitly encoded for use in an expected test of retention (as in most assessments in animals), it is possible that it is used to generate a planned action1,2,3; thus, the remembered action can occur without remembering the earlier episode. By contrast, when a test is unexpected, transforming information into an action plan is unlikely because the importance of the information and the nature of the test are not yet known. Thus, accurate performance in an unexpected test after incidental encoding documents episodic memory.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Here, we present evidence that rats replay episodic memories of incidentally encoded information in an unexpected assessment of memory. In one task,9 rats reported the third-last item in an explicitly encoded list of trial-unique odors. In a second task,10 rats foraged in a radial maze in the absence of odors. On a critical test, rats foraged in the radial maze, but scented lids covered the food. Next, memory of the third-last odor was assessed. All participating rats correctly answered the unexpected question. These results suggest that rats encoded multiple pieces of putatively unimportant information, and later they replayed a stream of episodic memories when that information was needed to solve an unexpected problem. We propose that rats replay episodic memories of incidentally encoded information, which documents a critical aspect of human episodic memory in a non-human animal.

Printed Capillary Microfluidic Devices and Their Application in Biosensing.

Microfluidic devices with a free-standing structure were printed directly on polymer films using the functional materials that form interconnected pores. The printed devices can transport fluids by capillary action in the same fashion as paper-based microfluidic devices, and they can handle much smaller sample volumes than typical paper-based devices. Detection of glucose was performed using both colorimetric and electrochemical methods, and the observed limits of detection (LOD) were similar to those obtained with paper-based microfluidic devices under comparable testing conditions. It is demonstrated that printed microfluidic devices can be fabricated using printing processes that are suitable for high-volume and low-cost production and that the integration of microfluidic channels with electrodes is straightforward with printing. Several materials that are printable and form interconnected pores are presented.

Evaluating Precipitation Features and Rainfall Characteristics in a Multi-Scale Modeling Framework.

Cloud and precipitation systems are simulated with a multi-scale modeling framework (MMF) and compared over the Tropics and Subtropics against the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Radar-defined Precipitation Features (RPFs) product. A methodology, in close analogy to the TRMM RPFs, is developed to produce simulated precipitation features (PFs) from the output of the embedded two-dimensional (2D) cloud-resolving models (CRMs) within an MMF. Despite the limitations of 2D CRMs, the simulated population distribution, horizontal and vertical structure of PFs, and the geographical location and local rainfall contribution of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are in good agreement with the TRMM observations. However, some model discrepancies are found and can be identified and quantified within the PF distributions. Using model biases in relative population and rainfall contributions, PFs can be characterized into four size categories: small, medium to large, very large, and extremely large. Four different major mechanisms might account for the model biases in each different category: (1) the two-dimensionality of the CRMs, (2) a positive convection-wind-evaporation feedback loop, (3) an artificial dynamic constraint in a bounded CRM domain with cyclic boundaries, and (4) the limited CRM domain size. The second and fourth mechanisms tend to contribute to the excessive tropical precipitation biases commonly found in most MMFs, whereas the other mechanisms reduce rainfall contributions from small and very large PFs. MMF sensitivity experiments with various CRM domain sizes and grid spacings showed that larger domains (higher resolutions) tend to shift PF populations toward larger (smaller) sizes.

Prediction of Postprostatectomy Biochemical Recurrence Using Quantitative Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography Imaging.

Objectives: To determine the prognostic significance of tissue stiffness measurement using transrectal ultrasound shear wave elastography in predicting biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: Eligible male patients with clinically localized prostate cancer and extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy between November 2013 and August 2017 were retrospectively selected. Information of potential biochemical recurrence predictors, including imaging (ultrasound shear wave elastography and magnetic resonance imaging), clinicopathological characteristics, and preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were obtained. Recurrence-free survival (Kaplan-Meier curve) and a multivariate model were constructed using Cox regression analysis to evaluate the impact of shear wave elastography as a prognostic marker for biochemical recurrence. Results: Patients experienced biochemical recurrence in an average of 26.3 ± 16.3 months during their follow-up. A cutoff of 144.85 kPa for tissue stiffness measurement was estimated for recurrence status at follow-up with a sensitivity of 74.4% and a specificity of 61.7%, respectively (p < 0.05). In univariate analysis, shear wave elastography performed well in all preoperative factors compared to biopsy Gleason Score, PSA and magnetic resonance imaging; in multivariate analysis with postoperative pathological factors, shear wave elastography was statistically significant in predicting postoperative biochemical recurrence, which improved the C-index of predictive nomogram significantly (0.74 vs. 0.70, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The study revealed that quantitative ultrasound shear wave elastography-measured tissue stiffness was a significant imaging marker that enhanced the predictive ability with other clinical and histopathological factors in prognosticating postoperative biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Quantitative transrectal shear wave elastography undergoing salvage extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy following failed radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate pre-surgical quantitative transrectal shear wave elastography (SWE) in the detection and characterisation of radioresistant prostate cancer. METHODS: Twelve men with recurrent prostate cancer following external beam radiotherapy were included in a prospective protocol-driven study. All underwent MR imaging and quantitative shear wave elastographic assessment of recurrent disease prior to salvage laparoscopic radical prostatectomy procedures. Images were used to construct 3D mold printing and histopathological processing of surgical specimen. Statistical analyses including ROC were generated using software programmes. RESULTS: There were 48 cancer foci identified on final histopathology using patient-specific mold-based approach in 12 patients. Mean number of lesion was 3.4 (range 2-4). Quantitative transrectal SWE showed a sensitivity and specificity 0.77 (95% CI 0.627-0.880) and 0.82 (95% CI 0.642-0.942), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy increased with increasing size of the lesions with overall AUC of 0.89. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, quantitative transrectal SWE showed a good diagnostic accuracy in the detection and characterisation of recurrent prostate cancer following failed radiotherapy treatment. These findings may help in targeting biopsies or future focal treatment options.

Quantitative parameters in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for the detection and characterization of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: to assess the diagnostic accuracy of quantitative parameters of DCE-MRI in multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) in comparison to the histopathology (including Gleason grade) of prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 150 men with suspected prostate cancer (abnormal digital rectum examination and or elevated prostate-specific antigen) received pre-biopsy 3T mpMRI and were recruited into peer-reviewed, protocol-based prospective study. The DCE-MRI quantitative parameters (Ktrans (influx transfer constant) and kep (efflux rate constant)) of the cancerous and normal areas were recorded using four different kinetic models employing Olea Sphere (Olea Medical, La Ciotat, France). The correlation between these parameters and the histopathology of the lesions (biopsy and in a sub-cohort 41 radical prostatectomy specimen) was assessed. RESULTS: The quantitative parameters showed a significant difference between non-cancerous (benign) and cancerous lesions (Gleason score≥3+3) in the prostate gland. The cut-off values for prostate cancer differentiation were: Ktrans (0.205 min-1) and kep (0.665 min-1) in the extended Tofts model (ET) and Ktrans (0.205 min-1 and kep (0.63 min-1) in the Lawrence and Lee delay (LD) models respectively. The mean Ktrans value also showed a difference between low-grade cancer (Gleason score=3+3) and high-grade cancer (Gleason score ≥ 3+4). With the addition of DCE-MRI quantitative parameters, the sensitivity of the PIRAD scoring system was increased from 56.6% to 92.1% (Ktrans _ET), 93.1% (kep _ET), 91.0%, (Ktrans _LD) and 89.4% (kep _LD). CONCLUSION: Quantitative DCE-MRI parameters improved the diagnostic performance of conventional MRI in distinguishing normal and prostate cancers, including characterization of grade of cancers. The ET and LD models in post-image processing analysis provided better cut-off values for prostate cancer differentiation than the other quantitative DCE-MRI parameters.

Performance Characteristics of Transrectal Shear Wave Elastography Imaging in the Evaluation of Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: We tested the diagnostic accuracy of shear wave elastography to detect and phenotypically characterize prostate cancer compared with whole mount radical prostatectomy histopathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, protocol driven, diagnostic accuracy study 212 consecutive men undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer were recruited. Quantitative stiffness data on the prostate gland were obtained in each patient using an endocavitary transrectal transducer before laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Those data were compared with a detailed histopathological examination of the radical prostatectomy specimen using 3-dimensional printing mold based technology to ensure an improved image histology orientation. ROC curves were assessed between the groups. RESULTS: Quantitative stiffness data estimated in kPa were significantly higher in malignant compared with benign areas. At a cutoff of 82.6 kPa the sensitivity and specificity of shear wave elastography were 96.8% and 67.8%, respectively (p <0.01). Significant differences were observed for different cancer grades with the Young moduli, including 91.6, 102.3 and 131.8 kPa for low grade (Gleason score 6), intermediate grade (Gleason score 7) and high grade (Gleason score 8 or greater) prostate cancer, respectively (p <0.05). Shear wave elastography also detected capsular breaches with significant prediction of prostate cancer pathological staging. Potential limitations include selection bias and study being single center site. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative shear wave elastography via the transrectal approach accurately detected cancer foci and revealed significant differences between cancerous and benign tissue. Moreover, this technique can be used to reliably phenotype prostate cancer aggressiveness.

Change in Nephrometry Scoring in Small Renal Masses (<4 cm) on Active Surveillance: Preliminary Observations From Tayside Active Surveillance Cohort (TASC) Study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Prediction of growth, in particular knowing the possibility of aggressive cancer in small renal masses on active surveillance, remains poorly understood. The study was designed to determine whether serial nephrometry score measurements could predict possibility of aggressive malignancy (grade of cancer) in patients with small renal masses opting for active surveillance initially. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred sixteen patients between January 2000 and December 2016 undergoing partial nephrectomy were recruited. Out of these, 97 were analyzed using different nephrometry scoring systems. Measurement of nephrometry scores (Radius of tumors, Exo/Endophytic; Nearness of tumors to the collecting system or sinus; Anterior/posterior; Location in relation to polar lines, Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for Anatomical, Centrality Index) was performed by two researchers. Among the patients opting for partial nephrectomy, 40 were on active surveillance for at least 12 months (mean 32; 12-60 months) before partial nephrectomy. Computed tomography scan images of these patients were retrieved and analyzed including comparison to histopathology. RESULTS: Nephrometry scores measured on serial computed tomography scan images showed a significant correlation between change in score and grade of cancer on multivariate analysis (P value .001). Addition of multivariate analysis to nomogram based on change in size alone did not improve predictive value of area under the curve significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Change in nephrometry scoring measurements correlates with grade of cancer in small renal masses but falls short of significantly predicting presence of malignancy or grade of cancer on nomogram in patients opting for active surveillance for small renal masses. At present, this approach may be inadequate for decision-making.

Outcomes of synchronous and metachronous bilateral small renal masses (< 4 cm): a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To report longitudinal outcomes of a population-based cohort of patients diagnosed with bilateral small renal masses from a period of over 11 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients diagnosed with bilateral small renal masses (synchronous or metachronous) of a defined geographical area were recorded in a large database (TUCAN database) between January 2005 and December 2016. Patients had a unique identifier number and followed during this period using an agreed upon protocol. Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of bilateral small renal masses on active surveillance were analysed and compared to propensity score-matched sporadic unilateral small renal masses. Data were analysed for renal mass growth rate, rate of intervention and development of metastatic disease and patient survival. RESULTS: A total of 1060 patients were diagnosed with renal cancer, of which bilateral small renal masses accounted for 70 (6.6%) cases. Synchronous SRMs were observed in 63 patients, whereas metachronous lesions were found in seven patients during the study period. Metachronous lesion mean time to appearance was 62 ± 41 months (range 9-149 months). While most cases were sporadic, four were found to be hereditary. Growth rate of bilateral small renal masses did not differ from that of unilateral sporadic small renal masses. Similarly, there were no differences between the groups for rate of interventions and survival. CONCLUSIONS: Progression, rate of metastases and survival for patients diagnosed with bilateral small renal masses are similar to those diagnosed with unilateral disease.

Microscale characterization of prostate biopsies tissues using optical coherence elastography and second harmonic generation imaging.

Photonics, especially optical coherence elastography (OCE) and second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging are novel high-resolution imaging modalities for characterization of biological tissues. Following our preliminary experience, we hypothesized that OCE and SHG imaging would delineate the microstructure of prostate tissue and aid in distinguishing cancer from the normal benign prostatic tissue. Furthermore, these approaches may assist in characterization of the grade of cancer, as well. In this study, we confirmed a high diagnostic accuracy of OCE and SHG imaging in the detection and characterization of prostate cancer for a large set of biopsy tissues obtained from men suspected to have prostate cancer using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). The two techniques and methods described here are complementary, one depicts the stiffness of tissues and the other illustrates the orientation of collagen structure around the cancerous lesions. The results showed that stiffness of cancer tissue was ~57.63% higher than that of benign tissue (Young's modulus of 698.43±125.29 kPa for cancerous tissue vs 443.07±88.95 kPa for benign tissue with OCE. Using histology as a reference standard and 600 kPa as a cut-off threshold, the data analysis showed sensitivity and specificity of 89.6 and 99.8%, respectively. Corresponding positive and negative predictive values were 99.5 and 94.6%, respectively. There was a significant difference noticed in terms of Young's modulus for different Gleason scores estimated by OCE (P-value<0.05). For SHG, distinct patterns of collagen distribution were seen for different Gleason grade disease with computed quantification employing a ratio of anisotropic to isotropic (A:I ratio) and this correlated with disease aggressiveness.

A multidimensional framework for studying social predation strategies.

Social predation-the act of hunting and feeding with others-is one of the most successful life-history traits in the animal kingdom. Although many predators hunt and feed together, a diversity of mechanisms exist by which individuals forage socially. However, a comprehensive framework capturing this diversity is lacking, preventing us from better understanding cooperative forms of predation, and how such behaviours have evolved and been maintained over time. We outline a framework of social predation that describes five key behavioural dimensions: sociality, communication, specialization, resource sharing, and dependence. By reviewing examples of social predation, we demonstrate the strength of a multidimensional approach, highlighting key commonalities and differences among species, and informative cross-dimensional correlations. These patterns highlight different potential evolutionary pathways and end-points across a multidimensional social predation spectrum.

Influence of Bulk Microphysics Schemes upon Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Version 3.6.1 Nor'easter Simulations.

This study evaluated the impact of five, single- or double- moment bulk microphysics schemes (BMPSs) on Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) simulations of seven, intense winter time cyclones impacting the Mid-Atlantic United States. Five-day long WRF simulations were initialized roughly 24 hours prior to the onset of coastal cyclogenesis off the North Carolina coastline. In all, 35 model simulations (5 BMPSs and seven cases) were run and their associated microphysics-related storm properties (hydrometer mixing ratios, precipitation, and radar reflectivity) were evaluated against model analysis and available gridded radar and ground-based precipitation products. Inter-BMPS comparisons of column-integrated mixing ratios and mixing ratio profiles reveal little variability in non-frozen hydrometeor species due to their shared programming heritage, yet their assumptions concerning snow and graupel intercepts, ice supersaturation, snow and graupel density maps, and terminal velocities lead to considerable variability in both simulated frozen hydrometeor species and radar reflectivity. WRF-simulated precipitation fields exhibit minor spatio-temporal variability amongst BMPSs, yet their spatial extent is largely conserved. Compared to ground-based precipitation data, WRF-simulations demonstrate low-to-moderate (0.217-0.414) threat scores and a rainfall distribution shifted toward higher values. Finally, an analysis of WRF and gridded radar reflectivity data via contoured frequency with altitude (CFAD) diagrams reveals notable variability amongst BMPSs, where better performing schemes favored lower graupel mixing ratios and better underlying aggregation assumptions.

Combined T2 and diffusion-weighted MR imaging with template prostate biopsies in men suspected with prostate cancer but negative transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies.

PURPOSE: Transperineal template prostate (TPB) biopsy has been shown to improve prostate cancer detection in men with rising PSA and previous negative TRUS biopsies. Diagnostic performance of this approach especially MR imaging and using reliable reference standard remains scantly reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 patients, who were previously TRUS biopsy negative, were recruited in this study. All the participants had at least 28-core TPB under general anesthetic within 8 weeks of previous negative TRUS biopsies. In 15 men undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, prostate specimens were sectioned using custom-made molds and analyzed by experienced pathologist as a feasibility study. RESULTS: In total, 120 of 200 patients (60 %) had positive TPB biopsy results. All of these men had at least one negative biopsy from transrectal route. T2 diffusion-weighted MR imaging showed no lesion in almost one-third of these men (61/200; 30.5 %). Out of these, 33 (33/61; 54 %) showed malignancy on TPB including high-grade tumors (>Gleason 7). Out of 15 patients underwent surgery with a total of 52 lesions (mean 3.5) on radical prostatectomy histology analyses, TPB detected 36 (70 %) lesions only. Some of these lesions were Gleason 7 and more mostly located in the posterior basal area of prostate. CONCLUSIONS: Transperineal template biopsy technique is associated with significantly high prostate cancer detection rate in men with previous negative TRUS biopsies, however compared to radical prostatectomy histology map, a significant number of lesions can still be missed in the posterior and basal area of prostate.

Second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of cancer heterogeneity in ultrasound guided biopsies of prostate in men suspected with prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a multifocal disease with characteristic heterogeneity and foci that can range from low grade indolent to aggressive disease. The latter is characterised by the well-established histopathological Gleason grading system used in the current clinical care. Nevertheless, a large discrepancy exists on initial biopsy and after the final radical prostatectomy. Moreover, there is no reliable imaging modality to study these foci, in particular at the level of the cells and surrounding matrix. Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling is significant in cancer progression with collagen as the dominant structural component providing mechanical strength and flexibility of tissue. In this study, the collagen assembly in prostate tissue was investigated with second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy: malignant foci demonstrated a reticular pattern, with a typical collagen pattern for each Gleason score. The orientation of collagen for each biopsy was computed by applying a ratio of the anisotropic and isotropic collagen fibres. This value was found to be distinct for each Gleason score. The findings suggest that this approach can not only be used to detect prostate cancer, but also can act as a potential biomarker for cancer aggressiveness.

Videotaping of surgical procedures and outcomes following extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Video-recording of emerging minimally invasive surgical procedures is likely to become an integral component of patient record-keeping in the future for prostate cancer treatment. No prior work has shown the impact of videotaping of laparoscopic prostatectomy on patient outcomes. Our aim was to determine correlation between independent peer review of videotaping quality scores of extraperitoneal laparoscopic prostatectomy (ELRP) with complications, re-admissions, functional, and early oncological outcomes. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a single-institution prospective cohort study comparing videotaping quality scores with the outcomes of ELRP in men with localized prostate cancer. Videotaping of surgical procedures were scored by two experienced laparoscopic surgeons using a validated scoring method. Validated record-linkage methodology and self-reported questionnaires were used to assess surgical complications, re-admissions, functional, and oncological outcomes based on a common identifier called as community health index (CHI) number. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the different covariates with statistical significance considered at P < 0.05. Multivariate analyses assessed oncological outcomes (positive surgical margins/biochemical recurrence), post-operative complications, and re-admission into hospital following initial hospital discharge with quality of surgical procedure. RESULTS: 200 men were recruited into the study. 51 (25.5%) participants had post-operative complications. Record-linkage methodology identified 18 (9%) participants had re-admissions within 90 days of the procedure. 13 (6.5%) of these men required percutaneous drainage with hospital stay following re-admissions ranged between 3 and 12 days. 10 (5.0%) participants had intra/peri-operative complications. 23 (11.5%) men reported to primary care physicians for various indications. Higher quality surgical technique videotaped scores (assessed by independent peer review) had a significant correlation with early continence recovery at 3 months post-procedure, (P = 0.013), but lost statistical significance with overall continence at 1 year. No statistical correlation was observed between videotaped scores and oncological outcomes (positive surgical margins/biochemical recurrence), post-operative complications, and readmission into hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of surgical procedure assessed by independent third party videotaping score predicted early resumption of continence following extraperitoenal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, however, it did not predict complications, oncological or functional outcome as assessed using patient reported outcomes at 12 months. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:1016-1023. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Early oncological and functional outcomes following radical treatment of high-risk prostate cancer in men older than 70 years: A prospective longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Assess early oncological and functional outcomes following radical treatment of men with high-risk prostate cancer and aged more than 70 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 335 men with high-risk prostate cancer (prostate-specific antigen ≥20ng/ml or biopsy Gleason score 8 to 10 or≥cT2c) received radical treatment between 2007 and 2014. Men were identified from comprehensive clinical databases hosted at a tertiary cancer center in the UK. The data included basic demographics, and follow-up on functional and oncological outcomes using validated patient-reported outcome questionnaires. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used. RESULTS: In all, 117 patients received radical radiotherapy (RT) alone, 167 patients received neoadjuvant hormone therapy and RT, and 54 patients underwent radical prostatectomy with extended lymph node dissection. Mean age was 72.8, standard deviation (SD) = 2.1, mean follow-up of 40.9 months, SD = 25.5 months. Patients who underwent laparoscopic prostatectomy = 24 (44.4%) had positive surgical margins, and mean lymph nodes dissected were 18.7, SD = 6.7. Further, 5 men experienced postoperative complications in the form of pseudoaneurism of internal iliac branch, leg ischemia, high CO2 retention, and 2 men experienced sepsis. Incidence of biochemical recurrence was significantly lower at 16.7% in the surgery group, compared with RT 51.3% and RT and hormone therapy 30.5%, and Kaplan-Meier analysis P<0.001 over 3 years of follow-up CONCLUSION: Radical surgery with extended lymph nodes dissection appears to have good short-term oncological and functional outcomes compared with RT with or without hormones in high-risk men older than 70 years of age. Based on these findings, treatment decisions and surgical therapy should be considered on individual basis in older men with high-risk disease.

High-resolution NU-WRF simulations of a deep convective-precipitation system during MC3E: Further improvements and comparisons between Goddard microphysics schemes and observations.

The Goddard microphysics was recently improved by adding a fourth ice class (frozen drops/hail). This new 4ICE scheme was developed and tested in the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE) model for an intense continental squall line and a moderate, less organized continental case. Simulated peak radar reflectivity profiles were improved in intensity and shape for both cases, as were the overall reflectivity probability distributions versus observations. In this study, the new Goddard 4ICE scheme is implemented into the regional-scale NASA Unified-Weather Research and Forecasting (NU-WRF) model, modified and evaluated for the same intense squall line, which occurred during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E). NU-WRF simulated radar reflectivities, total rainfall, propagation, and convective system structures using the 4ICE scheme modified herein agree as well as or significantly better with observations than the original 4ICE and two previous 3ICE (graupel or hail) versions of the Goddard microphysics. With the modified 4ICE, the bin microphysics-based rain evaporation correction improves propagation and in conjunction with eliminating the unrealistic dry collection of ice/snow by hail can replicate the erect, narrow, and intense convective cores. Revisions to the ice supersaturation, ice number concentration formula, and snow size mapping, including a new snow breakup effect, allow the modified 4ICE to produce a stronger, better organized system, more snow, and mimic the strong aggregation signature in the radar distributions. NU-WRF original 4ICE simulated radar reflectivity distributions are consistent with and generally superior to those using the GCE due to the less restrictive domain and lateral boundaries.

"On the Land-Ocean Contrast of Tropical Convection and Microphysics Statistics Derived from TRMM Satellite Signals and Global Storm-Resolving Models".

A 14-year climatology of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) collocated multi-sensor signal statistics reveal a distinct land-ocean contrast as well as geographical variability of precipitation type, intensity, and microphysics. Microphysics information inferred from the TRMM precipitation radar and Microwave Imager (TMI) show a large land-ocean contrast for the deep category, suggesting continental convective vigor. Over land, TRMM shows higher echo-top heights and larger maximum echoes, suggesting taller storms and more intense precipitation, as well as larger microwave scattering, suggesting the presence of more/larger frozen convective hydrometeors. This strong land-ocean contrast in deep convection is invariant over seasonal and multi-year time-scales. Consequently, relatively short-term simulations from two global storm-resolving models can be evaluated in terms of their land-ocean statistics using the TRMM Triple-sensor Three-step Evaluation via a satellite simulator. The models evaluated are the NASA Multi-scale Modeling Framework (MMF) and the Non-hydrostatic Icosahedral Cloud Atmospheric Model (NICAM). While both simulations can represent convective land-ocean contrasts in warm precipitation to some extent, near-surface conditions over land are relatively moisture in NICAM than MMF, which appears to be the key driver in the divergent warm precipitation results between the two models. Both the MMF and NICAM produced similar frequencies of large CAPE between land and ocean. The dry MMF boundary layer enhanced microwave scattering signals over land, but only NICAM had an enhanced deep convection frequency over land. Neither model could reproduce a realistic land-ocean contrast in in deep convective precipitation microphysics. A realistic contrast between land and ocean remains an issue in global storm-resolving modeling.

Combined accurate platelet enumeration and reticulated platelet determination by flow cytometry.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing the cause of thrombocytopenia often requires a bone marrow aspiration or biopsy, an invasive procedure. Reticulated platelets (RP) are immature RNA containing platelets, accurate RP enumeration has yet to be achieved, partially due to the lack of a robust reference method. GOAL: To refine previous work and gating strategies distinguishing RP from mature platelets while incorporating accurate platelet enumeration into the analysis. After reviewing previously published studies on Thiazole Orange (TO) staining of RP, we systematically evaluated CD41/CD61 in combination with a commercial source of TO (BDBiosciences). Previous RP methods have not taken advantage of platelet enumeration therefore our goal was to incorporate the ICSH platelet enumeration protocol into our method. METHODS: TO concentration, incubation, and fixation method were determined to be 10% of stock concentration, 30 min, and 1% formaldehyde respectively. Gating strategy to determine RP fraction used an unstained control tube to set the limit of TO staining. RESULTS: Normal range (n = 51) was 9.9 ± 3.1%. Analysis of 40 patients with immune-thrombocytopenia-purpura (ITP) showed a RP range from 4.3% to 81.2%. Platelet enumeration was consistent with our previous studies in this area. CONCLUSIONS: Combining CD41/CD61 platelet enumeration with TO RP percentage is possible. Accurate RP percentage requires an effective gating strategy, as background fluorescence cursor placement is important. This method for enumeration of RP percentage combined with accurate platelet enumeration, particularly in the low range, should prove useful in differentiating production from consumption issues in thrombocytopenia and monitoring response to therapy.