Snow Chemistry from Xixabangma Peak, Tibet

[From conclusion] Although the cause of the differences in chemistry of the Xixabangma glacier fresh snow events cannot be adequately inferred from the limited number of samples available for this study, the existence of such different chemical signatures is encouraging for future studies in the region

Contributors to the May Issue/Notes

Notes by Thos. L. McKevitt, John A. Berry, Paul F. O\u27Neil, William J. Klima, Jr., Robert Devine, Donald F. Wise, Joseph A. McCabe, and Martin P. Torborg

Contributors to the May Issue/Notes

Notes by Thos. L. McKevitt, John A. Berry, Paul F. O\u27Neil, William J. Klima, Jr., Robert Devine, Donald F. Wise, Joseph A. McCabe, and Martin P. Torborg

An efficient method for scattering problems in open billiards: Theory and applications

We present an efficient method to solve scattering problems in two-dimensional open billiards with two leads and a complicated scattering region. The basic idea is to transform the scattering region to a rectangle, which will lead to complicated dynamics in the interior, but simple boundary conditions. The method can be specialized to closed billiards, and it allows the treatment of interacting particles in the billiard. We apply this method to quantum echoes measured recently in a microwave cavity, and indicate, how it can be used for interacting particles.Comment: 9 pages 6 figures submitted to PR

Hyperbaric oxygen brain injury treatment (HOBIT) trial: a multifactor design with response adaptive randomization and longitudinal modeling

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134231/1/pst1755_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134231/2/pst1755.pd

BMQ

BMQ: Boston Medical Quarterly was published from 1950-1966 by the Boston University School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Memorial Hospitals

Correlation of Formative Assessments as the Means of Predicting Summative Performance in Paramedic Students

Background: Paramedic programs use formative assessments to determine cognitive competency. Understanding the number of failed units as a probability of passing the summative exam will allow programs to set additional benchmarks. The purpose of this study was to determine whether failure in formative exams determines success on a summative exam. Methods: Formative and summative scores from 2011 - 2016 for paramedic students with accounts in Fisdap, an Internet-based administrative database, were retrospectively reviewed for the following criteria: provided consent for research, completed all six formative (unit) examinations, and completed a summative (comprehensive) examination. Analyses were performed with Pearson correlations and linear regression. Results: A total of 1,406 student records were included based on inclusion criteria. Correlation with each formative and the summative examination were all significant, p \u3c0.001: Cardiology 0.597; Airway 0.571; Medical 0.571; Trauma 0.566; Ob/Pediatrics 0.549; Operations 0.495. The cardiology exam was shown to have a moderate correlation on summative performance, whereas the operations exam had the weakest correlation. The number of formative examination failures was a significant predictor of the probability of passing the summative examination, t(1405) - -31.02 p\u3c0.001. Zero failed unit examinations yielded a 100% probability of passing. Three failed formative exams yielded a 60.4% probability. Four failed attempts yielded a 44.8% probability. Failure of all six formative exams yielded a 13.4% probability of passing the Paramedic Readiness Exam Version 3. Conclusion: Not all formative examinations hold the same predictive power on the probability of passing a summative examination. Each had their own correlation value. Students who did not fail formative examinations have a 100% likelihood of passing the summative examination

Clinical trialist perspectives on the ethics of adaptive clinical trials: a mixed-methods analysis

Abstract Background In an adaptive clinical trial (ACT), key trial characteristics may be altered during the course of the trial according to predefined rules in response to information that accumulates within the trial itself. In addition to having distinguishing scientific features, adaptive trials also may involve ethical considerations that differ from more traditional randomized trials. Better understanding of clinical trial experts’ views about the ethical aspects of adaptive designs could assist those planning ACTs. Our aim was to elucidate the opinions of clinical trial experts regarding their beliefs about ethical aspects of ACTs. Methods We used a convergent, mixed-methods design employing a 22-item ACTs beliefs survey with visual analog scales and open-ended questions and mini-focus groups. We developed a coding scheme to conduct thematic searches of textual data, depicted responses to visual analog scales on box-plot diagrams, and integrated findings thematically. Fifty-three clinical trial experts from four constituent groups participated: academic biostatisticians (n = 5); consultant biostatisticians (n = 6); academic clinicians (n = 22); and other stakeholders including patient advocacy, National Institutes of Health, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration representatives (n = 20). Results The respondents recognized potential ethical benefits of ACTs, including a higher probability of receiving an effective intervention for participants, optimizing resource utilization, and accelerating treatment discovery. Ethical challenges voiced include developing procedures so trial participants can make informed decisions about taking part in ACTs and plausible, though unlikely risks of research personnel altering enrollment patterns. Conclusions Clinical trial experts recognize ethical advantages but also pose potential ethical challenges of ACTs. The four constituencies differ in their weighing of ACT ethical considerations based on their professional vantage points. These data suggest further discussion about the ethics of ACTs is needed to facilitate ACT planning, design and conduct, and ultimately better allow planners to weigh ethical implications of competing trial designs.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111302/1/12910_2015_Article_22.pd