A Data-Driven Design Evaluation Tool for Handheld Device Soft Keyboards

Thumb interaction is a primary technique used to operate small handheld devices such as smartphones. Despite the different techniques involved in operating a handheld device compared to a personal computer, the keyboard layouts for both devices are similar. A handheld device keyboard that considers the physical capabilities of the thumb may improve user experience. We developed and applied a design evaluation tool for different geometries of the QWERTY keyboard using a performance evaluation model. The model utilizes previously collected data on thumb motor performance and posture for different tap locations and thumb movement directions. We calculated a performance index (PITOT, 0 is worst and 2 is best) for 663 designs consisting in different combinations of three variables: the keyboard's radius of curvature (R) (mm), orientation (O) (°), and vertical location on the screen (L). The current standard keyboard performed poorly (PITOT = 0.28) compared to other designs considered. Keyboard location (L) contributed to the greatest variability in performance out of the three design variables, suggesting that designers should modify this variable first. Performance was greatest for designs in the middle keyboard location. In addition, having a slightly upward curve (R = −20 mm) and orientated perpendicular to the thumb's long axis (O = −20°) improved performance to PITOT = 1.97. Poorest performances were associated with placement of the keyboard's spacebar in the bottom right corner of the screen (e.g., the worst was for R = 20 mm, O = 40°, L = Bottom (PITOT = 0.09)). While this evaluation tool can be used in the design process as an ergonomic reference to promote user motor performance, other design variables such as visual access and usability still remain unexplored

Tablet Keyboard Configuration Affects Performance, Discomfort and Task Difficulty for Thumb Typing in a Two-Handed Grip

When holding a tablet computer with two hands, the touch keyboard configuration imposes postural constraints on the user because of the need to simultaneously hold the device and type with the thumbs. Designers have provided users with several possible keyboard configurations (device orientation, keyboard layout and location). However, potential differences in performance, usability and postures among these configurations have not been explored. We hypothesize that (1) the narrower standard keyboard layout in the portrait orientation leads to lower self-reported discomfort and less reach than the landscape orientation; (2) a split keyboard layout results in better overall outcomes compared to the standard layout; and (3) the conventional bottom keyboard location leads to the best outcomes overall compared to other locations. A repeated measures laboratory experiment of 12 tablet owners measured typing speed, discomfort, task difficulty, and thumb/wrist joint postures using an active marker system during typing tasks for different combinations of device orientation (portrait and landscape), keyboard layout (standard and split), and keyboard location (bottom, middle, top). The narrower standard keyboard with the device in the portrait orientation was associated with less discomfort (least squares mean (and S.E.) 2.9±0.6) than the landscape orientation (4.5±0.7). Additionally, the split keyboard decreased the amount of reaching required by the thumb in the landscape orientation as defined by a reduced range of motion and less MCP extension, which may have led to reduced discomfort (2.7±0.6) compared to the standard layout (4.5±0.7). However, typing speed was greater for the standard layout (127±5 char./min.) compared to the split layout (113±4 char./min.) regardless of device orientation and keyboard location. Usage guidelines and designers can incorporate these findings to optimize keyboard design parameters and form factors that promote user performance and usability for thumb interaction

Environmental determinants of perch (Perca fluviatilis) growth in gravel pit lakes and the relative performance of simple versus complex ecological predictors

Growth of fish is an important contributor to individual fitness as well as fish production. Explaining and predicting growth variation across populations is thus important from fundamental and applied perspectives, which requires knowledge about the ecological factors involved in shaping growth. To that end, we estimated environment-dependent von Bertalanffy growth models for 13 gravel pit lake populations of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) from north-western Germany. To identify the main drivers of perch growth, we evaluated the performance of 16 different biotic or abiotic lake variables in explaining growth variation among lakes. In addition, we compared growth predictions from the best-performing model incorporating “complex” variables that require intensive sampling effort, with a model using only “simple”, easily measurable lake variables (e.g. shoreline development factor). The derivation of a simple model aimed at future applications in typically data-poor inland fisheries, predicting expected growth potential from easily measurable lake variables. A model combining metabolic biomass of predators, maximum depth and shoreline development factor performed best in predicting perch growth variation across gravel pits. All three parameters in this model were positively related to perch growth. The best-performing simple model consisted only of the shoreline development factor. Length-at-age predictions from both models were largely identical, highlighting the utility of shoreline development factor in approximating growth potential of perch in gravel pits similar to our study lakes. Our results can be used to inform fisheries management and restoration efforts at existing or newly excavated gravel pit lakes.Bundesamt für Naturschutz http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100010415Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002347Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100010198Peer Reviewe

Meeting the needs of the aging population: the Canadian Network on Aging and Cancer—report on the first Network meeting, 27 April 2016

The aging of the Canadian population represents the major risk factor for a projected increase in cancer incidence in the coming decades. However, the evidence base to guide management of older adults with cancer remains extremely limited. It is thus imperative that we develop a national research agenda and establish a national collaborative network to devise joint studies that will help to accelerate the development of high-quality research, education, and clinical care and thus better address the needs of older Canadians with cancer. To begin this process, the inaugural meeting of the Canadian Network on Aging and Cancer was held in Toronto, 27 April 2016. The meeting was attended by 51 invited researchers and clinicians from across Canada, as well as by international leaders in geriatric oncology from the United States and France.The objectives of the meeting were toreview the present landscape of education, clinical care, and research in the area of cancer and aging in Canada.identify issues of high research priority in Canada within the field of cancer and aging.identify current barriers to geriatric oncology research in Canada and develop potential solutions.develop a Canadian collaborative multidisciplinary research network between investigators to improve health outcomes for older adults with cancer.learn from successful international efforts to stimulate the geriatric oncology research agenda in Canada.In the present report, we describe the education, clinical care, and research priorities that were identified at the meeting

Phenomenological model for the remanent magnetization of dilute quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnets

We present a phenomenological model for the remanent magnetization at low temperatures in the quasi-one-dimensional dilute antiferromagnets CH_{3}NH_{3}Mn_{1-x}Cd_{x} Cl_{3}\cdot 2H_{2}O and (CH_{3})_{2}NH_{2}Mn_{1-x}Cd_{x}Cl_{3}\cdot 2H_{2}O. The model assumes the existence of uncompensated magnetic moments induced in the odd-sized segments generated along the Mn(^{2+}) chains upon dilution. These moments are further assumed to correlate ferromagnetically after removal of a cooling field. Using a (mean-field) linear-chain approximation and reasonable set of model parameters, we are able to reproduce the approximate linear temperature dependence observed for the remanent magnetization in the real compounds.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures; final version to appear in Physical Review

Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with a fibrin scaffold containing growth factors and autologous progenitor cells derived from humeral cBMA improves clinical outcomes in high risk patients

PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcomes after biologically augmented rotator cuff repair (RCR) with a fibrin scaffold derived from autologous whole blood and supplemented with concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA) harvested at the proximal humerus. METHODS: Patients who underwent arthroscopic RCR with biologic augmentation using a fibrin clot scaffold (“Mega- Clot”) containing progenitor cells and growth factors from proximal humerus BMA and autologous whole blood between April 2015 and January 2018 were prospectively followed. Only high-risk patients in primary and revision cases that possessed relevant comorbidities or physically demanding occupation were included. Minimum follow-up for inclusion was 1 year. The visual analog score for pain (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation (SANE), and Constant-Murley scores were collected preoperatively and at final follow-up. In vitro analyses of the cBMA and fibrin clot using nucleated cell count, colony forming units, and live/dead assays were used to quantify the substrates. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (56.9 ± 7.7 years) were included. The mean follow-up was 26.9 ± 17.7 months (n = 13). There were significant improvements in all outcome scores from the preoperative to the postoperative state: VAS (5.6 ± 2.5 to 3.1 ± 3.2; P < .001), ASES (42.0 ± 17.1 to 65.5 ± 30.6; P < .001), SST (3.2 ± 2.8 to 6.5 ± 4.7; P = .002), SANE (11.5 ± 15.6 to 50.3 ± 36.5; P < .001), and Constant-Murley (38.9 ± 17.5 to 58.1 ± 26.3; P < .001). Six patients (46%) had retears on postoperative MRI, despite all having improvements in pain and function except one. All failures were chronic rotator cuff tears, and all were revision cases except one (1.6 ± 0.5 previous RCRs). The representative sample of harvested cBMA showed an average of 28.5 ± 9.1 × 10(6) nucleated cells per mL. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs that are biologically augmented with a fibrin scaffold containing growth factors and autologous progenitor cells derived from autologous whole blood and humeral cBMA can improve clinical outcomes in primary, as well as revision cases in high-risk patients. However, the incidence of retears remains a concern in this population, demanding further improvements in biologic augmentation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, therapeutic case series

Defining Global Neuroendocrine Gene Expression Patterns Associated with Reproductive Seasonality in Fish

Many vertebrates, including the goldfish, exhibit seasonal reproductive rhythms, which are a result of interactions between external environmental stimuli and internal endocrine systems in the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. While it is long believed that differential expression of neuroendocrine genes contributes to establishing seasonal reproductive rhythms, no systems-level investigation has yet been conducted. gamma2 receptor, calmodulin, and aromatase b by independent samplings of goldfish brains from six seasonal time points and real-time PCR assays.Using both theoretical and experimental strategies, we report for the first time global gene expression patterns throughout a breeding season which may account for dynamic neuroendocrine regulation of seasonal reproductive development

Enhanced Semiconductor Nanocrystal Conductance via Solution Grown Contacts

We report a 100,000-fold increase in the conductance of individual CdSe nanorods when they are electrically contacted via direct solution phase growth of Au tips on the nanorod ends. Ensemble UV-Vis and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate this enhancement does not result from alloying of the nanorod. Rather, low temperature tunneling and high temperature (250-400 K) thermionic emission across the junction at the Au contact reveal a 75percent lower interface barrier to conduction compared to a control sample. We correlate this barrier lowering with the electronic structure at the Au-CdSe interface. Our results emphasize the importance of nanocrystal surface structure for robust device performance and the advantage of this contact method