Integrated Stellar Populations: Confronting Photometry with Spectroscopy

We investigate the ability of spectroscopic techniques to yield realistic star formation histories (SFHs) for the bulges of spiral galaxies based on a comparison with their observed broadband colors. Full spectrum fitting to optical spectra indicates that recent (within ~1 Gyr) star formation activity can contribute significantly to the V-band flux, whilst accounting for only a minor fraction of the stellar mass budget which is made up primarily of old stars. Furthermore, recent implementations of stellar population (SP) models reveal that the inclusion of a more complete treatment of the thermally pulsating asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB) phase to SP models greatly increases the NIR flux for SPs of ages 0.2-2 Gyr. Comparing the optical--NIR colors predicted from population synthesis fitting, using models which do not include all stages of the TP-AGB phase, to the observed colors reveals that observed optical--NIR colors are too red compared to the model predictions. However, when a 1 Gyr SP from models including a full treatment the TP-AGB phase is used, the observed and predicted colors are in good agreement. This has strong implications for the interpretation of stellar populations, dust content, and SFHs derived from colors alone.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

3D Printing of Bone Spurs Before Surgical Removal

Project Background: In the US alone, total knee arthroplasty is the most common performed orthopedic surgery, with over 700,000 cases per year.1 Overall, 21-25% underwent revision due to instability.2 The stability of a TKA depends largely on soft tissue balance for proper alignment in flexion and extension. Soft tissue balancing in TKA depends on posterior femoral condylar osteophytes, which prevent full extension of the knee and increase tension posteriorly. Pre-operative soft tissue visualization is difficult and this leaves an increased chance for implant failure and revision surgery. Having a 3D model of the bone spur before and during the surgery may decrease risk of complication and enhance soft tissue modification for proper knee balancing post TKA. Proposed Methods: We will 3D print a knee via MRI or CT that has been de-identified and provided by our mentor. The orthopedic surgeon will use this print out before or during surgery to address any concerns they have during the surgery in terms of proper balancing of the soft tissue of the knee. After approximately 10 uses within the OR, we will interview the surgeons and patients for their feedback. Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty using the 3D printed knee will be matched with historic records of those who had undergone TKA. Rates of revision, patient satisfaction, and OR time will be compared across groups using chi-square and t-tests where appropriate. Results: We anticipate reduced OR time, increased patient satisfaction and decreased rates of revision. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates an initial use for 3D models as an aid or guide for total knee arthroplasty. Using a 3D model for TKA helps the surgeon visualize osteophytes and reduces the need for revision surgery. A larger study will need to be conducted in order to test the feasibility and practicality of 3D printing for surgery

Improving Surgeon-Patient Communication in Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Discussions: A Narrative Review

Background and Objective: Patient experience is greatly influenced by physician-patient communication. Yet, unmet communication needs continue to be well documented in patients with thyroid cancer. This review discusses factors that may impact this communication and presents communication interventions that are currently being used with thyroid cancer patients. Methods: A narrative review of articles on the physician-patient relationship and communication in thyroid cancer published between 1985 and 2022 was conducted through PubMed and Google. An additional review of the articles referenced in the bibliography of the included articles was performed. Key Content and Findings: This review discusses communication components impacting the patientphysician relationship including physician communication skills and patient communication priorities. Additionally, modern communication interventions such as the use of pamphlets, decision aids, and multimedia platforms are reviewed. Conclusions: Developing a strong physician-patient relationship is a complex process influenced by verbal, paraverbal, and nonverbal communication. Tools such as communication training for physicians, shared decision-making approaches, and multimedia platforms have shown promise in improving communication between physicians and patients. Further study into the barriers of communication, effectiveness of adjunct tools, and patient satisfaction as it relates to communication will continue to improve outcomes

3D Printing of Knee Models to Decrease OR Time and Reduce Revisional Surgery in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)

Project Background: Osteophytes are a common problem, affecting 2% of the United States population. For many elderly people, these osteophytes will cause them to seek medical attention. Due to the 2-D nature of MRIs and CT scans, it can be difficult to gain a complete understanding of the complicated soft tissue structures surrounding the joint when performing a Total Knee Arthroplasty(TKA). Without proper removal of osteophytes and correct soft tissue balancing, there is an increased rate of revisional surgery. By utilizing a 3-D model preoperatively and within the OR, surgeons can visualize various aspects of the knee to determine what may be contributing to a soft tissue imbalance. Proposed Methods: We plan to conduct a prospective cohort study at the Rothman Institute. We will use CT images to create 3-D printed models of knees complicated with osteophytes. The surgeon will have the model to reference both preoperatively and during the surgery. We will measure the effectiveness of model by collecting data on the total procedural time, the rate of revisional surgery within the next year, and through feedback from the surgeons. Results: Although we do not currently have any results, we anticipate approval for our project shortly. We hope to have data collected within the next few months supporting our hypothesis that 3-D models will decrease both OR time and revisional surgeries. Conclusions: While the literature shows that these 3-D models may help with OR time, we have been unable to verify this yet. Additionally, revisional surgery can happen months later, so this data may be more difficult to collect in our time frame. After the pilot study has been completed, if we have promising results we hope to expand the project to include other types of surgeries affected by soft tissue balancing

3D Printing of Bone Spurs Before Surgical Removal During Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: In the United States, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most common performed orthopedic surgery, with over 700,000 cases per year. Overall, 21-25% underwent revision due to instability. Incorrect soft tissue balancing during the procedure can lead to improper alignment, flexion, and extension. Visualization of osteophytes in a 3D manner prior to removal is difficult and poses significant risks for improper balancing on TKA. The purpose of the study is to determine whether the utilization of 3D osteophyte models is beneficial to Orthopaedic surgeons in the course of care, specifically with regard to improving outcomes, decreasing complication rates, and decreasing OR time. Methods: A pilot study will be performed pending the approval of the IRB and research proposal by the Rothman Institute. Deidentified 3D models for upcoming procedures will be printed utilizing patient CT scans prior to date of operation. The models will be provided to Orthopaedic Surgeons at the Rothman Institute prior to the procedure. Data from at least 10 cases will be collected post-operatively, in which operating surgeons will be interviewed assess beliefs on utility of models, OR times, and rates of revision. Results: Direct interviews with Orthopaedic surgeons and residents of the Rothman Institute demonstrate early interest and support of the utilization of 3D models in the OR. Lack of IRB prevents the utilization of models in the OR, but we anticipate decrease OR time and increased satisfaction by involved surgeons. Conclusions: Initial feedback from Orthopaedic surgeons suggest a space for the utility of 3D models in the OR. A significant limitation may be accessing CT images of patients and they are often not performed prior to operations. Next steps include IRB approval and finalizing a logistical blueprint for utilization for the models in the OR, specifically whether the models will be use preoperatively or perioperatively

Standardizing Evaluation of Patient-Specific 3D Printed Models in Surgical Planning: Development of a Cross-Disciplinary Survey Tool for Physician and Trainee Feedback

Background: 3D printed models are becoming increasingly popular in healthcare as visual and tactile tools to enhance understanding of anatomy and pathology in medical trainee education, provide procedural simulation training, and guide surgical procedures. Patient-specific 3D models are currently being used preoperatively for trainee medical education in planning surgical approaches and intraoperatively to guide decision-making in several specialties. Our study group utilized a modified Delphi process to create a standardized assessment for trainees using patient-specific 3D models as a tool in medical education during pre-surgical planning. Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify survey questions administered to clinicians in published surgical planning studies regarding the use of patient-specific 3D models. A core study team reviewed these questions, removed duplicates, categorized them, mapped them to overarching themes, and, where applicable, modified individual questions into a form generalizable across surgical specialties. The core study panel included a physician, physician-scientist, social scientist, engineer/medical student, and 3D printing lab manager. A modified Delphi process was then used to solicit feedback on the clarity and relevance of the individual questions from an expert panel consisting of 12 physicians from specialties including anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, urology, otolaryngology, and obstetrics/gynecology. When the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)/American College of Radiology (ACR) 3D Printing Registry Data Dictionary was released, additional survey questions were reviewed. A final cross-disciplinary survey of the utility of 3D printed models in surgical planning medical education was developed. Results: The literature review identified 100 questions previously published in surveys assessing patient-specific 3D models for surgical planning. Following the review, generalization, and mapping of survey questions from these studies, a list of 24 questions was generated for review by the expert study team. Five additional questions were identified in the RSNA/ACR 3D Printing Registry Data Dictionary and included for review. A final questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was developed. Conclusions: As 3D printed models become more common in medical education, the need for standardized assessment is increasingly essential. The standardized questionnaire developed in this study reflects the interests of a variety of stakeholders in patient-specific 3D models across disciplines

Using Three-Dimensional Printed Models for Trainee Orbital Fracture Education

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional printing is an underutilized technology in ophthalmology training; its use must be explored in complex educational scenarios. This study described a novel approach to trainee education of orbital fracture repair utilizing three-dimensional (3D) printed models as a teaching tool. METHODS: Ophthalmology residents and oculoplastic fellows from multiple training institutions underwent an educational session on orbital fractures, learning through four different models. Participants analyzed orbital fractures through computerized tomography (CT) imaging alone and then utilizing CT imaging with the aid of a 3D printed model. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing their understanding of the fracture pattern and surgical approach. After the training, participants were surveyed on the impact of the educational session. Components of the training were rated by participants on a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (p \u3c .05) was found in participant confidence conceptualizing the anatomic boundaries of the fracture and planning the orbital fracture approach for repair of three out of four models on pre-test post-test analysis. On exit questionnaire, 84.3% of participants thought the models were a useful tool for surgical planning, 94.8% of participants thought the models were a useful tool for conceptualizing the anatomic boundaries of the fracture, 94.8% of participants thought the models were a useful tool for orbital fracture training, and 89.5% of participants thought the exercise was helpful. CONCLUSION: This study supports the value of 3D printed models of orbital fractures as an effective tool for ophthalmology trainee education to improve understanding and visualization of complex anatomical space and pathology. Given the limited opportunities trainees may have for hands-on orbital fracture practice, 3D printed models provide an accessible way to enhance training

Identifying High Metallicity M Giants at Intragroup Distances with SDSS

Tidal stripping and three-body interactions with the central supermassive black hole may eject stars from the Milky Way. These stars would comprise a set of `intragroup' stars that trace the past history of interactions in our galactic neighborhood. Using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey DR7, we identify candidate solar metallicity red giant intragroup stars using color cuts that are designed to exclude nearby M and L dwarfs. We present 677 intragroup candidates that are selected between 300 kpc and 2 Mpc, and are either the reddest intragroup candidates (M7-M10) or are L dwarfs at larger distances than previously detected.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 1 table (for full version, see http://astro.phy.vanderbilt.edu/~palladl2), Accepted for publication in A

The clustering of galaxies in the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey : measuring DA and H at z = 0.57 from the baryon acoustic peak in the Data Release 9 spectroscopic Galaxy sample

We present measurements of the angular diameter distance to and Hubble parameter at z = 0.57 from the measurement of the baryon acoustic peak in the correlation of galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey. Our analysis is based on a sample from Data Release 9 of 264 283 galaxies over 3275 square degrees in the redshift range 0.43 < z < 0.70. We use two different methods to provide robust measurement of the acoustic peak position across and along the line of sight in order to measure the cosmological distance scale. We find DA(0.57) = 1408 ± 45 Mpc and H(0.57) = 92.9 ± 7.8 km s−1 Mpc−1 for our fiducial value of the sound horizon. These results from the anisotropic fitting are fully consistent with the analysis of the spherically averaged acoustic peak position presented in Anderson et al. Our distance measurements are a close match to the predictions of the standard cosmological model featuring a cosmological constant and zero spatial curvature.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe