Cadaveric Penile Prosthesis Workshop training improves surgical confidence levels of urologists: South Asian Society for Sexual Medicine course survey.

Objectives To analyze the impact of South Asia’s first cadaveric hands-on workshop on urologists’ training in inflatable penile prosthesis surgery. Methods A total of 72 urologists/andrologists participated in the 2019 South Asian Society for Sexual Medicine Pre-congress Penile Prosthesis hands-on workshop. The workshop included 4 h of lectures and 2 h of hands-on cadaveric laboratory experience using three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used on self-rated procedural confidence levels, which proved the normality. A non-parametric McNemar test was used to examine the change in the number of correct answers. Results Of those who attended the cadaver laboratory, just 45 who answered the survey both before and after the workshop were included for analysis. Significant objective improvements were noted in procedural knowledge test scores (44.30 ± 0.027 vs 72.44 ± 0.024, P < 0.05) and median surgical confidence levels (4 vs 3 and 2, P < 0.001) of the urologists after the completion of the workshop. Conclusions Cadaveric hands-on workshop training improves urologists’ procedural knowledge and surgical confidence levels in carrying out three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis surgery. The feasibility of such workshops should be considered in increasing the surgical expertise of general urologists in prosthetic urology.pre-print905 K

Evidence for Asphericity in the Type IIn Supernova 1998S

We present optical spectropolarimetry obtained at the Keck-II 10-m telescope on 1998 March 7 UT along with total flux spectra spanning the first 494 days after discovery (1998 March 2 UT) of the peculiar type IIn supernova (SN) 1998S. The SN is found to exhibit a high degree of linear polarization, implying significant asphericity for its continuum-scattering environment. Prior to removal of the interstellar polarization, the polarization spectrum is characterized by a flat continuum (at p ~ 2%) with distinct changes in polarization associated with both the broad (FWZI >= 20,000 km/s) and narrow (unresolved, FWHM < 300 km/s) line emission seen in the total flux spectrum. When analyzed in terms of a polarized continuum with unpolarized broad-line recombination emission, an intrinsic continuum polarization of p ~ 3% results (the highest yet found for a SN), suggesting a global asphericity of >= 45% from the oblate, electron-scattering dominated models of Hoflich (1991). The smooth, blue continuum evident at early times is shown to be inconsistent with a reddened, single-temperature blackbody, instead having a color temperature that increases with decreasing wavelength. Broad emission-line profiles with distinct blue and red peaks are seen in the total flux spectra at later times, perhaps suggesting a disk-like or ring-like morphology for the dense (n_e ~ 10^7 cm^{-3}) circumstellar medium. Implications of the circumstellar scattering environment for the spectropolarimetry are discussed, as are the effects of uncertain removal of interstellar polarization.Comment: 25 pages + 2 tables + 14 figures, Submitted to The Astrophysical Journa

Multidimensional signals and analytic flexibility: Estimating degrees of freedom in human speech analyses

Recent empirical studies have highlighted the large degree of analytic flexibility in data analysis which can lead to substantially different conclusions based on the same data set. Thus, researchers have expressed their concerns that these researcher degrees of freedom might facilitate bias and can lead to claims that do not stand the test of time. Even greater flexibility is to be expected in fields in which the primary data lend themselves to a variety of possible operationalizations. The multidimensional, temporally extended nature of speech constitutes an ideal testing ground for assessing the variability in analytic approaches, which derives not only from aspects of statistical modeling, but also from decisions regarding the quantification of the measured behavior. In the present study, we gave the same speech production data set to 46 teams of researchers and asked them to answer the same research question, resulting insubstantial variability in reported effect sizes and their interpretation. Using Bayesian meta-analytic tools, we further find little to no evidence that the observed variability can be explained by analysts’ prior beliefs, expertise or the perceived quality of their analyses. In light of this idiosyncratic variability, we recommend that researchers more transparently share details of their analysis, strengthen the link between theoretical construct and quantitative system and calibrate their (un)certainty in their conclusions

Inclusive Approaches for Measuring Demographics of Underrepresented Populations in STEM and Biomedical Research Training Programs

Federal strategic plans call for increased diversity within the biomedical workforce. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defined underrepresented populations in biomedical science (NOT-OD-20-031), though operationalization remains a challenge for training programs. Implementing inclusive demographic measures may help to identify key demographic groups facing barriers to participation and retention in STEM programs and the biomedical workforce. Approaches for measuring demographic variables were sourced from scientific literature and research stakeholders. Gender, race/ethnicity, disability, and disadvantaged background were prioritized for comparison given their focus by NIH, with opportunities for stakeholders to identify additional demographic variables important in their work. Gender minorities, sex minorities, and sexual minorities were largely absent from programs’ demographic practices and warrant greater inclusion. Oregon Health Authority’s Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Disability (REALD) offers a vetted tool for expanding granularity of racial/ethnic data, which can be merged with NIH categories for reporting. Disability can be measured as functional limitations through REALD. Disadvantaged background included several variables that were underreported when verified, including first-generation college student status and rural eligibility. Summaries for operationalizing demographic variables in biomedical research training efforts are described. Inclusive demographics permit the identification of individuals who are being excluded, marginalized, or improperly aggregated, increasing our capacity to address inequities in biomedical research training. As trainees do not enter training programs with equal access, accommodations, or preparation, inclusive demographic measures can help inform a nuanced set of program outcomes, facilitating research on intersectionality, and ultimately supporting the retention of underrepresented students in biomedical research. Please provide feedback: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNnF9Jm2e-7YA8v57vbECv0H5RwZrYgXjlvkdlaAs0izXymg/viewform?usp=sf_lin

Inclusive approaches for measuring demographics of underrepresented populations in STEM and biomedical research training programs

Increasing diversity within the biomedical workforce has been prioritized by federal strategic plans. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) expanded definitions of underrepresented populations in biomedical science (NOT-OD-20-031), though training programs remain challenged in approaches for accurately measuring and evaluating diversity. This study examined ways to measure demographic variables used in scientific literature and by research stakeholders. Gender, race/ethnicity, disability, and disadvantaged background were prioritized for comparison given their focus by NIH, with opportunities for stakeholders to identify additional demographic variables important in their work. Gender, sex, and sexual minorities were largely absent from programs’ demographic practices and warrant greater inclusion, consistent with recommendations from a NIH-commissioned report calling for routine collection of gender, sex, and sexual orientation information using standardized language. Oregon Health Authority’s Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Disability (REALD) offers a validated tool for improving resolution of racial/ethnic data and allows measurement of functional limitation in disability. The REALD tool can be merged with NIH categories for reporting. NIH re-defined ‘disadvantaged background’ yet first-generation college student status and rural eligibility were significantly underreported by trainees when verified. Inclusive demographics permit identification of individuals who are being excluded, marginalized, or improperly aggregated, increasing capacity to address inequities in biomedical research training. As trainees do not enter training programs with equal access, accommodations, or preparation, inclusive demographic measures can inform a nuanced set of program outcomes, facilitating research on intersectionality and supporting the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students in biomedical research

Simulation Training in Penile Implant Surgery: Assessment of Surgical Confidence and Knowledge With Cadaveric Laboratory Training

Introduction: Constraints on surgical resident training (work-hour mandates, shorter training programs, etc.) and availability of expert surgical educators may limit the acquisition of prosthetic surgical skills. As a result, training courses are being conducted to augment the prosthetic surgery learning experience. Aim: To evaluate the impact of a hands-on cadaver-based teaching program on resident procedural knowledge and procedural confidence with placement of a penile prosthesis. Main Outcome Measure: Changes in procedural knowledge and self-confidence following a focused training program on penile prosthetics. Methods: As part of the 2017 Society of Urologic Prosthetic Surgeons and the Sexual Medicine Society of North America Annual Meeting, 31 urology residents participated in a simulation lab in prosthetic urology. The lab included didactic lectures and a hands-on cadaveric laboratory. Participants completed surveys before and after the course. Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests for matched pairs were used to compare respondents’ pre- and postcourse knowledge (% questions answered correctly) and confidence ratings. Prior implant experience was assessed. Results: 31 residents participated in this study. The majority of the participants were 4th- (41.9%) and 5th-year residents (38.7%). Participants showed a significant improvement in procedural knowledge test scores (68.8±13.4 vs 74.2 ± 13.0, P < .05) and self-reported increased median surgical confidence levels (4 vs 3, P value < .001) after completion of the cadaveric course. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that residents with prosthetic surgery experience of <10 cases benefited the most. In addition, improvement in surgical confidence levels observed was greater than the improvement in surgical knowledge. The overall cost of the simulation training course was approximately $1,483 per resident. Conclusion: Simulation training in prosthetic surgery seems to improve surgical confidence and knowledge. Further research is needed to better understand the benefits and limitations of simulation training.Lentz AC, Rodríguez D, Davis LG. Simulation training in penile implant surgery: Assessment of surgical confidence and knowledge with cadaveric laboratory training. Sex Med 2018;6:332–338. Key Words: Penile Implant, Simulation, Resident Education, Erectile Dysfunctio