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In large‐scale watersheds, only the calibration of parameters for the outlet may ignore spatial heterogeneity and fail to meet the simulation accuracy of local areas. Based on the runoff observation data of three hydrological stations (Qingyang, Yangjiaping and Zhangjiashan) in the Jinghe River Watershed, single‐ and multi‐site calibration strategies were designed to investigate the performance and applicability of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in predicting the monthly runoff of nested catchments and evaluate the differences in parameter sensitivity between the upstream and downstream. (i) The two calibration strategies showed little difference in the simulation accuracy of the watershed outlet; the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and determination coefficient (R2) were approximately 0.8 and 0.6, respectively, and the percentage of bias (PBIAS) was mostly <15%. The single‐site one‐by‐one calibration was significantly better than the multi‐site joint calibration at the interior points of the watershed. Among them, Qingyang decreased most obviously in the joint calibration with Zhangjiashan, with both NSE and R2 < 0.5, whereas Yangjiaping was >0.5 in combination with the other two sites. (ii) The sensitive parameters obtained by the two calibration strategies were different, and different parameters were effective for different‐sized catchments because hydrological processes exhibit astounding variability at all scales. The single‐site one‐by‐one calibration was mainly affected by the hydrological processes of the local catchment, whereas the multi‐site joint calibration was largely constrained by the sensitive parameters of the single‐site calibration. (iii) Parameters at different scales and locations were related to the problem of scaling and regionalization. The multi‐site joint calibration did not significantly improve the model performance of the watershed outlet but increased the capacity for synchronous identification of local sensitive parameters when compared to single‐site calibration. These findings are expected to provide experience for parameter calibration in other similar large‐scale watersheds and to lay a good foundation for the accurate identification of other related hydrological behaviours at watershed scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe a step‐by‐step technique for robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) performed using the da Vinci® SP™ surgical system (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Patients and Methods: Four consecutive patients diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were counselled for RARC with PLND and ileal conduit urinary diversion performed using the da Vinci SP surgical system. A 3‐cm midline incision was made 5‐cm above the umbilicus. Dissection was performed to access the abdominal cavity. Insertion of the GelPOINT® advanced access platform (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA) with the SP Cannula was performed through the incision made. A 12‐mm AirSeal® (SurgiQuest Inc., Milfort, CT, USA) port for the assistant was placed on the pre‐marked stoma site, where an ileal conduit urinary diversion was desired. Demographics and perioperative outcomes were collected under Institutional Review Board approval (IRB 13‐780). The surgeries were performed by reproducing the steps of the institutional approach for RARC performed with the multi‐arm robotic platform. Results: The surgeries were successfully completed. There was neither conversion to standard multi‐arm robotic or open approaches nor the need for additional port placement. The mean (range) operative time was 454 (420–496) min. Blood loss averaged 312 mL. No transfusions were required and no intraoperative complications occurred. All patients had negative surgical margins. All patients were discharged on postoperative day 5. Conclusion: From our preliminary experience, RARC with PLND and ileal conduit urinary diversion is feasible and safe using the da Vinci SP surgical system. Further comparative studies with open and multi‐arm robotic approaches are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the step‐by‐step techniques for robot‐assisted ureteric reimplantation performed using the Vinci SP® surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), including different case scenarios with an educational purpose. Materials and Methods: Three consecutive patients diagnosed with distal benign ureteric strictures were counselled for ureteric reimplantation and consented to undergo surgery performed using the da Vinci SP surgical system. Demographics and peri‐operative outcomes were collected after institutional review board approval (IRB 13‐780). Patients provided informed consent having received an explanation for the adoption of the novel platform. The first patient was a woman referred to our institution for a left distal ureteric stricture after total hysterectomy for uterine fibroids with ureteric injury. The second patient was a man with BPH and recurrent UTIs, who was diagnosed with a 1.5‐cm bladder stone and a large bladder diverticulum compressing the left distal ureter. The third patient was a man diagnosed with bilateral uretero‐enteric anastomoses stricture status after radical cystectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder urinary diversion for bladder cancer. Results: The procedures were successfully completed. An extra port through a separate skin incision for the bedside assistant was placed for the first two procedures. In such cases, this additional port was used electively from the start of the procedure and did not represent a change in the treatment plan. Moreover, the port wound was used to accommodate the drainage. The bilateral ureteric reimplantation, however, was completed according to a pure single‐site approach (no extra ports were placed out of the GelSeal cap). The mean operating times were 165, 150 and 180 min, respectively. Blood loss was 50 mL in all cases. No intra‐operative complications occurred. Patients were discharged on postoperative days 1, 1 and 2, respectively, with normal serum creatinine levels. Neither transfusions nor major complications occurred. Conclusion: Robot‐assisted reconstructive surgery for benign distal ureteric strictures is feasible and safe using the da Vinci SP surgical system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the large family of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), Hf‐based MOFs are foreseen as promising materials for practical applications due to their exceptional characteristics such as rich structure versatility and outstanding stability. This review discusses catalytic applications of Hf‐MOFs since their development in 2012, and are summarized according to the location of the active site: at the hafnium node, at the linker or as a single‐site chemical entity located at the hafnium node after post‐synthetic functionalization. Special emphasis is made to synthetic preparation methods and catalytic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (IHR) offers the potential for excellent cosmetic outcomes and maximization of the inherent advantages of minimally invasive surgery. LESS IHR is associated with a steep learning curve, which is attributable to both the IHR technique itself and the single-site technique. The technical obstacles in the single-site technique may be mitigated by employing certain maneuvers and strategies that minimize clashing between instruments and improve freedom of movement. The current literature consistently points out the inherent challenges in LESS IHR, with its longer operative time compared to that of conventional laparoscopic IHR. LESS IHR performed by capable operators has comparable complication rates, duration of hospital stay, and incidence of recurrence as conventional laparoscopic IHR. LESS IHR is both feasible and safe. Given its excellent cosmetic outcome, it is likely to be sought by younger patients who are concerned with scar formation. The use of robotics may bypass the technical challenges in LESS, but cost considerations in their usage will likely persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in the field of minimally invasive surgery have grown since the original advent of conventional multiport laparoscopic surgery. The recent development of single incision laparoscopic surgery remains a relatively novel technique, and has had mixed reviews as to whether it has been associated with lower pain scores, shorter hospital stays, and higher satisfaction levels among patients undergoing procedures through cosmetically-appeasing single incisions. However, due to technical difficulties that arise from the clustering of laparoscopic instruments through a confined working space, such as loss of instrument triangulation, poor surgical exposure, and instrument clashing, uptake by surgeons without a specific interest and expertise in cutting-edge minimally invasive approaches has been limited. The parallel use of robotic surgery with single-port platforms, however, appears to counteract technical issues associated with single incision laparoscopic surgery through significant ergonomic improvements, including enhanced instrument triangulation, organ retraction, and camera localization within the surgical field. By combining the use of the robot with the single incision platform, the recognized challenges of single incision laparoscopic surgery are simplified, while maintaining potential advantages of the single-incision minimally invasive approach. This review provides a comprehensive report of the evolving application single-port robotic surgery in the field of general surgery today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource economists are often asked to value a proposed change at one, and only one, recreational site; the model we develop and estimate is applicable for those cases. The application is valuing the elimination of fish consumption advisories on a large bay on Lake Michigan. The model is minimal but complete: complete in that the choice set is not restricted, minimal in that only two conditional indirect utility functions are estimated. It is utility-theoretic and one does not have to collect characteristic data on all of the other fishing sites in the region. Data include the number of trips each individual currently takes to Green Bay, answers to “would you prefer to fish Green Bay under conditions A or B?” and how often each angler says they would fish Green Bay under different sets of conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placement of a bicaval dual-lumen ( BCDL) catheter demands sophisticated visualization in patients to assure proper positioning in order to administer single-site venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ( VV ECMO). Large animal models are needed and thus appropriate procedures to assure anatomic and functional cannula placement would assist in experimental design and procedures. This report describes the use of agitated blood and saline transthoracic contrast echocardiography to confirm appropriate placement and function of the BCDL catheter in a swine model of VV ECMO. Five consecutive common crossbred piglets had confirmation using this technique with assurances of cannulation while not significantly altering experimental time and procedures. Researchers studying VV ECMO in large animal models may want to consider this method of confirmation of BCDL catheter placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]