Shape writing is a technology for text input that involves "drawing" the desired word with your finger or a stylus in one continuous motion on the virtual keyboard. Swype, initially introduced to smart phones, is a shape writing application that is advertised as being faster than traditional methods of keying on a virtual keyboard. This technology is relatively new to the market, and to date there is little available research on the performance of Swype on smart phones, and none on the even newer tablet devices, such as a Samsung Galaxy Tab. The present study investigated the performance (words per minute/average errors per word) and preference associated with the use of Swype for text input compared to keying on the virtual keyboard. The effect of keyboard sizes within landscape and portrait orientations was also examined. In the current implementation, the keying method did not have the benefit of a prediction algorithm, therefore prediction was turned off for Swype condition as well. No significant difference was found in typing speed between the two input methods, however, an effect of keyboard viewing orientation on typing speed was found. For average errors per word, the only significant effect was an interaction between input method and keyboard viewing orientation. Additionally, Swype was rated significantly better than keying on four out of five preference measures. Findings show that despite Swype not operating at its fullest ability, it performs just as well as keying and provides a better experience for users.

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Introduction In a recent study we coincidentally showed that mobilisation of the liver was a major cause of liver surgery-induced damage. The magnitude of and mechanisms by which this damage occurs are unknown. Aim (A) To determine the relative contribution of mobilisation during liver surgery to liver damage and (B) To examine whether there is an association between mobilisation-induced liver damage and liver inflammation. Method Consecutive patients undergoing liver surgery requiring full mobilisation of the right hemi-liver were included. Plasma samples and liver biopsies were obtained immediately after induction, prior to and directly after liver mobilisation, and after liver transection. Liver Fatty Acid Binding Protein (L-FABP) and alanine aminotranferase (ALAT) were analysed as markers of hepatocyte injury. Specimens were stained by immunohistochemistry for myeloperoxidase (MPO), human neutrophil peptide (HNP), and caspase-3-mediated cleavage generated neo-epitope of CK18 (M30). Gene expression of interleukin (IL) 1b, 6 and 8, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) were analysed by q-RT-PCR. Results Nineteen patients were included (11M/8F, median age 64 years [30e79]) who underwent major liver surgery. L-FABP levels increased significantly during liver mobilisation (from 91.7 ng/ml [11.4e2212.5 ng/ml] to 1014.4 ng/ml [141.4e8986.1 ng/ml], p<0.001) and did not increase significantly thereafter (1315.2 ng/ml [67.0e20 099.2 ng/ml], p¼0.75). L-FABP levels after $60 min mobilisation time were significantly higher when compared to $60 min mobilisation (1679.7 ng/ml vs 645.9 ng/ml, p¼0.04). ALAT levels increased significantly from 26 IU/l [13e147] before to 130 IU/l [74e813] after liver mobilisation and to 275 IU/l [13e1352] after transection (all p<0.05). Liver mobilisation increased the numbers of positive cells in staining for MPO (p¼0.0007), HNP (p¼0.03), and M30 (p¼0.01), whereas transaction led to no further increase thereafter. Liver mobilisation increased the gene expression of IL1b (p¼0.01), IL-6 (p¼0.08), IL-8 (p¼0.02) and ICAM (p¼0.007). Expression increases ranged from 2.8-fold in ICAM to 130-fold in IL-6. After transection, mRNA levels increased even further in IL-6 (p¼0.004), IL-8 (p¼0.0004) and ICAM (p¼0.02), but not IL1b (p¼0.32). Conclusion Mobilisation of the liver during surgery induces profound hepatocellular damage and inflammation, which is associated with activation and/or infiltration of immune cells. Given the short half-life of L-FABP (14 min), hepatocyte damage predominantly occurred during mobilisation of the liver and not during transaction. These data produce insight into the mechanisms of mobilisation-induced liver damage, and provide indications for designing interventions aiming at prevention of surgery-induced liver damage in the future.

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