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Infrared (IR) thermography renders invisible infrared radiation with intuitive coloration in images and videos taken of objects, reactions, and processes. Educators can take advantage of this technology to extend students' sensory perception of chemical reactions or processes that absorb or release heat in rich detail. In theory, IR thermography can be applied essentially universally for such analysis given that any change in thermal energy must result in, or from, the change of potential energy due to the interactions among atoms, molecules, and photons. Through the use of IR thermography, students can visualize otherwise invisible evidence of what is occurring on the molecular level in a variety of chemical process such as evaporative cooling, phase change, dissolution, titration, and enzymatic reactions. While not new, IR cameras are rapidly becoming affordable with models that connect easily with smartphones and tablets. The price decrease has opened the door for large-scale implementation in the chemistry education laboratory. We report here several laboratory activities and best practices that will facilitate the exploration of specific chemistry concepts through the use of infrared thermography, as well as integration of this technique into existing general chemistry laboratory courses.

Partially restrained connections and their interaction with the floor slab have received recent attention due to numerous failures of welded steel moment frames during the 1994 Northridge and 1995 Kobe earthquakes. After the earthquakes, it was apparent that the 'simple' connections, including the slab, served as a 'backup' structural system after the full moment connections failed. These connections significantly influenced the behavior of the lateral load resisting system. This paper reports on the results of a unique, full-scale bidirectional test on a composite connection. The connection behaved very well up to a uniaxial drift of about 2%. After that drift level, composite action began to deteriorate and the connection strength and stiffness declined. The results indicate that two previously unreported failure modes may need to be considered in the design of composite buildings if large cyclic bidirectional forces are present. One is a 'punch through' of the column web due to the force transfer from the 'pinned' side of the connection. The other is the formation of a concrete wedge as a result of the large bearing forces between the slab and steel column flange. As a result of this observation, a suggestion that the full depth of the slab be maintained for a region 150 mm (6 in.) around the joint has been incorporated in the commentary to Part II of the 2002 AISC Seismic Specification. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2004)130:2(320) CE Database subject headings: Connections; Composite columns; Beam columns; Slabs; Seismic design; Cyclic loads.

This paper discusses how the use of virtual reality technology impacts student learning and faculty teaching methods, both individually and collectively. Experiences concerning implementation and interactions between instructors and students are presented. Surveys were conducted to collect students' responses concerning the use of VR in design and graphics classrooms. Students noted that the use of VR offers advantages over other learning methods. Students' spatial skills were significantly improved after a semester of virtual reality-based instruction. Some challenges in implementing virtual reality in classrooms are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to assess the IPP complication rates of patients undergoing placement via perineal incision versus more traditional penoscrotal approach in synchronous dual implantation. We identified 38 patients who underwent dual implantations of an IPP and AUS or urethral sling from 2011 to 2021 at a single tertiary center, 24 via perineal and 14 via penoscrotal incision. All IPP implants were done by a single surgeon. IPP postoperative complications were captured using the Clavien-Dindo classification at three separate time points, < 30 days, 30 days - 6 months, and > 6 months. The perineal group had two complications, IPP explantation due to rectourethral fistula (Grade III, > 6 months), and IPP explantation due to chronic genital pain (Grade III, > 6 months). The penoscrotal group had three complications, post-operative urinary retention requiring catheterization (Grade I, < 30 days), incision site infection (Grade I, < 30 days), and IPP explantation due to infection (Grade III, 30 days to < 6 months). There was no statistically significant difference in rate of patients with IPP complications between the two groups (p = 0.546) or in rate of IPP device malfunction (p = 0.264). These preliminary findings suggest that the single perineal incision is a viable surgical approach in synchronous dual implantation., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Placement of an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) in a transgender patient's neophallus carries unique considerations versus cis-gender IPP placement in mitigating infection, erosion, and overall complication rates. An example of this includes the lack of an anatomical corpus cavernosum and crura for cylinder placement and anchoring. Multiple grafting approaches and materials have been utilized to mitigate possible cylinder instability and improve anchoring. Here we describe our experience and surgical technique in IPP neophallus placement utilizing a single cylinder with distal and proximal cylinder human cadaver pericardium (Tutoplast ® , IOP Ophthalmics, Costa Mesa, CA, USA) grafts. Our goals were to determine postoperative satisfaction and device functionality in patients undergoing transgender neophallus IPP placement using our technique. Both patients report satisfaction and no complications at last follow-up (currently up to 14 and 23 months post-operatively, respectively) with satisfactory erectile function and ability to perform penetrative intercourse. In neophallus IPP placement, the anatomical differences compared to cis-gender IPP operations require unique considerations such as cylinder grafting material selection for proximal cylinder fixation and mitigation of device erosion rates. Optimization of grafting material in neophallus IPP placement in an effort to reduce erosion rates has become increasingly important as frequency of this operation increases. Utilizing human cadaver pericardium graft in distal and proximal cylinder coverage shows beneficial preliminary outcomes in our patients., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tau.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tau-22-837/coif). RW is a consultant for Boston Scientific and Teleflex. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Translational Andrology and Urology. All rights reserved.)