Driver Expectations of a Partial Driving Automation System in Relation to Branding and Training.

Objective: The current study examined whether differences in the branding and description or mode of training materials influence drivers' understanding and expectations of a partial driving automation system.

Background: How technology is described might influence consumers' understanding and expectations, even if all information is accurate.

Method: Ninety drivers received training about a real partial driving automation system with a fictitious name.

Fatal hit-and-run crashes: Factors associated with leaving the scene.

Introduction: Hit-and-run crashes are a criminal offense that leave the victim without prompt medical care or the ability to receive financial compensation.

Method: The purpose of the current study was to quantify the factors associated with the probability that a driver leaves the scene of a fatal crash, using multiple imputation to incorporate information from drivers who were never apprehended and thus whose characteristics were unknown.

Results: The results of this study show that in addition to driver, vehicle, and environmental factors having significant impacts on the likelihood of a driver fleeing the scene, economic and demographic factors are important as well.

Evaluation of a revised indication for determining adult cochlear implant candidacy.

Objective: To evaluate the use of monosyllabic word recognition versus sentence recognition to determine candidacy and long-term benefit for cochlear implantation.

Study Design: Prospective multi-center single-subject design.

Methods: A total of 21 adults aged 18 years and older with bilateral moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss and low monosyllabic word scores received unilateral cochlear implantation.

Analysis of semen parameters during 2 weeks of daily ejaculation: a first in humans study.

Background: Timed and frequent intercourse around the time of female ovulation is recommended to improve conception. Although a significant number of articles have examined how the length of abstinence affects these semen analysis, the effects of frequent (daily) ejaculation has not been rigorously studied.

Methods: Twenty normal men were recruited for daily ejaculation over 14 consecutive days, after a 3-5 days abstinence period.

Bone-anchored hearing aid implantation in a patient with Goldenhar syndrome.

Patients with Goldenhar syndrome exhibit a number of characteristic symptoms, including middle and internal ear malformations that may cause profound hearing loss. Bone-anchored hearing aids have been used to treat these patients in the past, although complications may arise due to the nature of the disease. Herein we present the case of a pediatric patient with Goldenhar syndrome whose hearing aid abutment extruded spontaneously because of poor bone quality, despite adequate thickness.

Improved performance of tunable single-mode laser array based on high-order slotted surface grating.

We present an improved design of a wavelength-tunable single-mode laser array based on a high order surface grating with non-uniformly spaced slots. The laser array consists of 12 slotted single-mode lasers. The fabricated device exhibits a quasi-continuous tuning range of more than 36 nm over the temperature range from 10°C - 45°C covering the full C-band.

Microlaparoscopy versus conventional laparoscopy in transperitoneal pyeloplasty.

Background And Purpose: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty has emerged as the gold standard for repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Microlaparoscopic (MLP, <3 mm) instrumentation has improved markedly and can now be used for suturing and complex dissection needed during laparoscopic pyeloplasty. We present our experience with microlaparoscopy compared with conventional laparoscopy for transperitoneal pyeloplasty.

Infectious outcomes of nephrostomy drainage before percutaneous nephrolithotomy compared to concurrent access.

Purpose: We hypothesized that establishing percutaneous nephrostomy drainage and treating with renal urine culture specific antibiotics would lead to a decreased sepsis rate in patients at increased risk for infection. We analyzed the experience of a single surgeon with sepsis after percutaneous nephrolithotomy following prior nephrostomy drainage compared to percutaneous nephrolithotomy with concurrent percutaneous renal collecting system access.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

How to approach a bilobed petrous apex granuloma: a case report.

Cholesterol granulomas are the most common lesions involving the petrous apex. However, they are still an uncommon finding overall, and they often remain undiagnosed until they have become extremely large and symptomatic. Many surgical approaches to the petrous apex exist.

An operative performance rating system for urology residents.

Purpose: An operative performance rating system for urology residents was developed for 6 sentinel urological procedures. We tested the reliability, validity and feasibility of the operative performance rating system for urology residents.

Materials And Methods: The operative performance rating system of each procedure contained a 3-point case difficulty scale, 4 to 6 procedure specific items, 3 general items and an overall performance item.

Intentionally retained pressure-regulating balloon in artificial urinary sphincter revision.

Introduction: The traditional surgical approach for revision of a malfunctioning artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) includes removal and replacement of all device components, identical to that employed in the setting of an infected or eroded AUS.

Aims:   To describe outcomes of our technique in which we intentionally leave behind the original pressure-regulating balloon (PRB) at time of AUS revision in a clinically non-infected setting.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our combined institutional series of 35 patients who underwent 36 AUS revisions in which the original pressure-regulating balloon was left undisturbed.

Cost analysis of metallic ureteral stents with 12 months of follow-up.

Background And Purpose: The metallic ureteral stent was first developed for patients with ureteral obstruction related to malignant disease, but it can be used in all patients needing chronic indwelling ureteral stents, including those with benign disease. The traditional method of polymer stent management often necessitates multiple exchanges per year depending on patient and logistical factors. This has significant direct financial cost and likely a negative effect on patients' overall health.

Supracervical robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse.

Background: Supracervical robotic-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (SRALS) is a new surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse that secures the cervical remnant to the sacral promontory. We present our initial experience with SRALS in the same setting as supracervical robotic-assisted hysterectomy (SRAH).

Methods: Women with vaginal vault prolapse and significant apical defects as defined by a Baden-Walker score of greater than or equal to 3 who had not undergone hysterectomy were offered SRALS in combination with SRAH.

Metal ureteral stent for benign and malignant ureteral obstruction.

Purpose: Metal ureteral stents are a relatively new version of a device with a long history of relieving ureteral obstruction. Metal stents are effective for relieving ureteral obstruction but success regarding patient tolerability has been variable. We present our single institution experience with long-term metal ureteral stent placement.

A case of coronal urethral duplication with no other abnormalities.

Urethral duplication is a very rare congenital anomaly. Urethral duplication is seen most commonly in the sagittal plane. We report a rare case of complete urethral duplication in the coronal plane with no other associated anomalies.

Comparison of rowing on a concept 2 stationary and dynamic ergometer.

Biomechanical and physiological responses to rowing 1000 m at a power output equivalent to a 2000 m race were compared in 34 collegiate rowers (17 women, 17 men) rowing on a stationary and dynamic Concept 2 ergometer. Stroke ratio, peak handle force, rate of force development, impulse, and respiratory exchange ratio decreased by 15.7, 14.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrouteropexy for pelvic organ prolapse in classical bladder exstrophy.

Classical bladder exstrophy is a rare congenital anomaly with male predominance. When occurring in women, the accompanying anatomical and functional abnormalities, including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), may cause significant problems in both pediatric and adult patients. The robotic surgical approach to POP has not been described for bladder exstrophy as it has been in otherwise normal women.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic skills development: formal versus informal training.

Introduction: The learning curve for robotic surgery is not completely defined, and ideal training components have not yet been identified. We attempted to determine whether skill development would be accelerated with formal, organized instruction in robotic surgical techniques versus informal practice alone.

Materials And Methods: Forty-three medical students naive to robotic surgery were randomized into two groups and tested on three tasks using the robotic platform.

Complications of hydroxyapatite bone cement reconstruction of retrosigmoid craniotomy: two cases.

Hydroxyapatite bone cement is a versatile material used to reconstruct many types of bony surgical defects, and its applications have been widely reported in the literature. Still, complications of its use do occur. We describe 2 cases of hydroxyapatite resorption and subsequent seroma formation in patients who had undergone retrosigmoid craniotomy.

A study of middle cranial fossa anatomy and anatomic variations.

We conducted a study to establish standardized measurements of the common anatomic landmarks used during surgery via the middle cranial fossa approach. Results were based on high-resolution computed tomography (CT) images of 98 temporal bones in 54 consecutively presenting patients. Measurements were obtained with the assistance of the standard PACS (picture archiving and communication system) software.

Efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in refractory ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease: a single-center experience.

Background: The published experience regarding the use of tacrolimus in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) refractory to more commonly used medical therapy has been fairly limited. Our objective was to describe our experience with its use in a cohort of patients which, to our knowledge, represents the largest North American cohort described to date.

Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center chart analysis.