Beyond picturing

Beyond Picturing is practice led research aimed at determining whether horizontality can be deemed a medium in its own right, and further, whether it can establish a new set of conventions, enabling a cross-cultural dialogue between peoples of our region, particularly Aboriginal people and Maori and those of European heritage. I chart the course of horizontality across the art of the 20th century, identifying it as a medium for practice. My thesis examines examples in which horizontality as a methodology was a vehicle for meaning, based on the theories of structural linguistics and phenomenology. Furthermore, by acknowledging the axial shift, from the horizontal plane of process to the vertical plane of image, I discover a shared ground for cultural dialogue with painters of the central desert and the Kimberley

Field-scale validation of an automated soil nitrate extraction and measurement system

One of the many gaps that needs to be solved by precision agriculture technologies is the availability of an economic, automated, on-the-go mapping system that can be used to obtain intensive and accurate ‘real-time’ data on the levels of nitrate nitrogen (NO3–N) in the soil. A soil nitrate mapping system (SNMS) has been developed to provide a way to collect such data. This study was done to provide extensive field-scale validation testing of the system’s nitrate extraction and measurement sub-unit (NEMS) in two crop (wheat and carrot) production systems. Field conditions included conventional tillage (CT) versus no tillage (NT), inorganic versus organic fertilizer application, four soil groups and three points in time throughout the season. Detailed data analysis showed that: (i) the level of agreement, as measured by root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of efficiency (CE), between NEMS soil NO3–N and standard laboratory soil NO3–N measurements was excellent; (ii) at the field-scale, there was little practical difference when using either integer or real number data processing; (iii) regression equations can be used to enable field measurements of soil NO3–N using the NEMS to be obtained with laboratory accuracy; (iv) future designs of the SNMS’s control system can continue to use cheaper integer chip technology for processing the nitrate ion-selective electrode (NO3 -–ISE) readings; and (v) future designs of the SNMS would not need a soil moisture sensor, ultimately saving on manufacturing costs of a more simple syste

The Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions Supported by Telerehabilitation For Recently Hospitalized Adult Medical Patients: A Systematic Review

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions delivered via telerehabilitation (via videoconference) for recently hospitalized adult medical patients. Data sources: A search was undertaken across six databases for English language publications from inception to May 2020. Methods: Studies were selected if they included an exercise intervention for recently hospitalized adults, delivered by a physiotherapist via videoconference. Two reviewers independently screened 1,122 articles (21 full text screening) and assessed methodological quality using the Downs and Black Checklist. A narrative synthesis of the included studies was undertaken. Results: Three studies met eligibility criteria involving 201 participants with chronic heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Findings demonstrated limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of exercise delivered via telerehabilitation in improving physical function and patient reported quality of life outcomes in recently hospitalized medical patients. Telerehabilitation in this setting was also associated with high attendance rates and patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Findings provide preliminary support for the benefits of exercise interventions delivered via telerehabilitation for recently hospitalized medical patients. Results do need to be interpreted with caution as further high-quality studies specific to this method of exercise intervention delivery are needed

Effect of personal activity intelligence (PAI) monitoring in the maintenance phase of cardiac rehabilitation: a mixed methods evaluation

Abstract Background Personal activity intelligence (PAI) is a single physical activity metric based upon heart rate responses to physical activity. Maintaining 100 PAI/week is associated with a 25% risk reduction in cardiovascular disease mortality and 50 PAI/week provides 60% of the benefits. The effect of utilising this metric within a cardiac population has not been previously investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of PAI monitoring on the amount and/or intensity of physical activity for people in the maintenance phase of cardiac rehabilitation and to explore participants’ perceptions of this approach. Methods A concurrent mixed methods approach was undertaken. Participants in the maintenance phase of cardiac rehabilitation monitored PAI for six weeks via a wearable physical activity monitoring device (WPAM). In the first three weeks participants were blinded to their PAI score. A quality-of-life questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) was completed, and semi-structured interviews conducted to investigate attitudes to PAI monitoring. Daily PAI data was collected throughout the 6-week period. Results Twenty participants completed the trial. PAI earned/day was increased after participants could view their data (mean difference: 2.1 PAI/day (95% CI 0.3, 4.0), p = 0.027). The median change in percentage of days participants achieved a Total PAI score of 25 (p = 0.023) and 50 (p = 0.015) were also increased. The mean change in total scores for the EQ-5D-5L and EQVAS were improved after 6 weeks (0.6 ± 1.05; 95% CI (0.11–1.09); p = 0.019); (5.8/100; 95% CI (2.4–9.2); p = 0.002 respectively). Thematic framework analysis identified three global themes (perceptions on the WPAM, PAI and factors affecting exercise). Most participants stated motivation to exercise increased after they could view their PAI data. Many of the participants believed they would continue to use PAI long-term. Others were undecided; the latter primarily due to technical issues and/or preferring devices with greater functionality and attractiveness. All participants would recommend PAI. Conclusion This exploratory study showed monitoring PAI via a WPAM increased the amount and/or intensity of physical activity within the cardiac population. Participants found PAI interesting, beneficial, and motivating. If technical issues, aesthetics, and functionality of the WPAM were improved, participants may continue to use the approach long-term. PAI may be a viable strategy to assist people with cardiac disease maintain physical activity adherence

Development of templates to enable countries to apply behavioural science in using global survey data to inform their COVID-19 policies

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vital importance and impact of human behaviour on viral transmission. During 2020, large amounts of global survey data were collected and made freely available to help the response. Many teams responding to the pandemic lack capacity to interpret and apply behavioural data. A collaboration of the World Health Organization’s Behavioural Insights team and UCL’s Centre for Behaviour Change designed and piloted two templates to enable survey data use during the first months of the pandemic. The first template documents key behaviours, thoughts and emotions related to the pandemic, with social interactions and population adherence to behavioural guidelines. The second template enables countries to formulate questions or issues that they would like behavioural data to address. This collaborative process applying behavioural science theory produced structured templates to enable the organisation, interpretation, sharing and application of survey data to inform policy and practice in different country contexts

Timed up and go test: a reliable and valid test in patients with chronic heart failure

Background The timed up and go test (TUGT) is a short-duration functional test frequently used in rehabilitation settings as a measure of balance and mobility. Reliability and validity for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) has yet to be determined. This prospective cohort study aimed to determine test-retest reliability of the TUGT in patients with CHF, relationships between the TUGT and other variables, including functional tests, and predictors of the TUGT. Methods and Results This was a secondary analysis of data collected in a multicenter randomized controlled trial of exercise training in recently hospitalized patients with heart failure (EJECTION-HF). The TUGT was conducted twice at baseline to determine reliability. Assessments were compared with 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), 10-m walk test time, and other clinical variables. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine test-retest reliability and correlations for relationships with other variables. A multiple regression was used to identify predictors of the TUGT. In 278 participants (mean age 62 years), the TUGT demonstrated excellent within-day test-retest reliability (ICC 0.93). A shorter (better) TUGT time was associated with longer 6MWD (r = −0.81; P < .001) and shorter 10-m walk test time (r = 0.80; P < .001). Best predictors of the TUGT were 6MWD and age, which accounted for 66% of the variance. Conclusions The TUGT appears to be a reliable and valid functional measurement in patients with CHF