Interactive Polymedia Pixel and Protocol for Collaborative creative content generation on urban digital media displays

This research is an investigation into a creative and technical 'pixel' element that may facilitate Urban Digital Media, a field that inhabits the intersection between architecture, information and culture in the arena of technology and building. It asks how contemporary requirements of public space in our everyday life, such as adaptability, new modes of communication and transformative environments that offer flexibility for future needs and uses, can be addressed by a new form of public display, assembled through the use of an advanced pixel, described as an interactive Polymedia Pixel with situated media device protocol. The weakness of many current media facades for building-scale interactive installation environments lies in the dearth of quality creative content and unresponsiveness in terms of potential human factors, richness of locative situation and contextual interaction (Sauer, 2004). Media facades have evolved from simple 2D visual displays to 3D voxel arrays for depicting static and moving images with a spatial depth dimension (Haeusler, 2009). As a subsequent step in this development, the research investigates a display that reacts to the need for empathetic and responsive urban digital media; integrates multiple modalities; smart energy-saving; and collaborative community engagement. The Polymedia Pixel, which is presented in its research and development in this paper, contributes to the evolution of building-scale interactive installation environments. The paper firstly discusses the attributes of the Polymedia Pixel in order to address the above mentioned weaknesses of public displays. In responding to these necessities, the prototype of the developed Polymedia Pixel with its technology is outlined. The Polymedia Pixel reserach aims to addres

Promotion of physical activity for adolescents with cystic fibrosis: A qualitative study of UK multi-disciplinary cystic fibrosis teams

This is the author accepted manuscript. the final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordBackground The Cystic Fibrosis Trust recently published a standards of care document which stated that patients should be given a physical activity (PA) programme based on their motivations, fitness, and willingness to be active. However, there remains much debate regarding the roles and responsibilities for PA promotion, as well as “optimal” recommendations and advice. This study aimed to qualitatively explore cystic fibrosis (CF) multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) advice, recommendations and practices relating to PA promotion for adolescents with CF. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen members of CF MDTs (11 physiotherapists, two dieticians and two paediatricians). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Major themes identified were: 1) structure of MDTs, 2) recommendations relating to intensities, durations and types of PA, and 3) use of exercise testing. Participants reported variation between MDTs in terms of who is responsible for promoting and supporting PA, the nature of advice given to patients, and the use of exercise testing. Participants consistently lacked confidence in their own or others’ knowledge to provide standardised recommendations to patients and highlighted that PA promotion and support was often overlooked during busy periods. Conclusions Despite its importance, PA support and promotion is not always prioritised. MDTs lack confidence in their ability to promote PA. Standardised advice and training relating to optimal intensities, durations and types of PA would provide a baseline from which to individualise advice to each patient and could increase confidence in PA promotion among MDTs.Cystic Fibrosis Trus

Using photo-elicitation to explore perceptions of physical activity among young people with cystic fibrosis

This is the final version. Available on open access from BMC via the DOI in this recordAvailability of data and materials: All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.Background: Physical activity is recommended in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to explore motives, barriers and enablers to physical activity among this population. Methods: Twelve participants (12-18 years) were recruited via convenience sampling. Photo27 elicitation alongside semi-structured interviews were used to explore participants’ views and experiences of physical activity. Results: Our findings revealed motives for physical activity including health, enjoyment and autonomy. Those with families who valued physical activity tended to have positive attitudes towards physical activity, and valued and integrated it into their lives. Moreover, they were likely to be intrinsically motivated to be active. Several factors enable and act as barriers to physical activity. Whilst CF influenced physical activity, the majority of enablers and barriers raised where congruent with the general populations. Conclusion: This study provides support that healthcare providers should encourage both young people with CF and their families to be active, and subsequently informs the development of clinical interventions to support physical activity among young people with CF and their families.Cystic Fibrosis Trus

Digital habits of pulmonary rehabilitation service-users following the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: We previously demonstrated low levels of digital literacy amongst pulmonary rehabilitation service-users prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to identify whether the pandemic accelerated digital literacy in this population, resulting in greater acceptance of remote web-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme models. Methods: We surveyed digital access and behaviours and pulmonary rehabilitation delivery preferences of service-users referred to pulmonary rehabilitation in 2021 (cohort 2021) and propensity score-matched them to a cohort who completed the survey in 2020 (cohort 2020). Results: There were indicators that digital access and confidence were better amongst the Cohort 2021 but no difference was seen in the proportion of patients choosing remote web-based pulmonary rehabilitation as an acceptable method of receiving pulmonary rehabilitation. Conclusion: In an unselected cohort of service-users, remote web-based pulmonary rehabilitation was considered acceptable in only a minority of patients which has implications on healthcare commissioning and delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation

(±)-Cyclo­hexane-1,2-diyl bis­(4-nitro­benzoate)

The crystal structure of the title compound, C20H18N2O8, has been investigated to establish the relative stereochemistry between the ester groups. The cyclo­hexane ring adopts a chair conformation, in which the two ester groups occupy the adjacent equatorial positions in a trans relationship with each other. The mol­ecules assemble in the crystal as chains along the c axis via C—H⋯π inter­actions between the cyclo­hexane ring and a pair of nitro­phenyl rings of the neighbouring mol­ecule. Also observed are π–π stacking inter­actions between the nitro­phenyl rings of neighbouring chains, with a perpendicular distance between these rings of 3.409 Å and a slippage of 0.969 Å

Enhancing intrinsic motivation for physical activity among adolescents with cystic fibrosis: a qualitative study of the views of healthcare professionals

Objective To explore the views of healthcare professionals from cystic fibrosis (CF) multidisciplinary teams (MDT) on physical activity for adolescents with CF, the specific strategies used for physical activity promotion and associated challenges.Design In this exploratory study, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 healthcare professionals from CF MDTs to explore their views surrounding physical activity promotion for adolescents with CF.Participants Eleven physiotherapists (nine female), two consultants (both male) and two dieticians (both female) provided written informed consent and participated in the study.Setting CF clinics in the UK.Results While healthcare professionals highlighted the importance of physical activity in the management of CF, they noted that very few patients were motivated solely by (CF or general) health reasons. Healthcare professionals discussed the need for physical activity to be an enjoyable and routine part of their life, undertaken with significant others, outside the clinic whenever possible. Adopted approaches for physical activity promotion focused on providing individualised recommendations that suit the patients’ individual needs and goals and enhance intrinsic motivation for physical activity.Conclusion Our research offers valuable information for those seeking to develop interventions to promote physical activity among adolescents with CF. Specifically, intervention developers should focus on developing individualised interventions that focus on enhancing intrinsic motivation and support the integration of physical activity into everyday life

The effectiveness of integrating educational robotic activities into higher education Computer Science curricula: a case study in a developing country

In this paper, we present a case study to investigate the effects of educational robotics on a formal undergraduate Computer Science education in a developing country. The key contributions of this paper include a longitudinal study design, spanning the whole duration of one taught course, and its focus on continually assessing the effectiveness and the impact of robotic-based exercises. The study assessed the students' motivation, engagement and level of understanding in learning general computer programming. The survey results indicate that there are benefits which can be gained from such activities and educational robotics is a promising tool in developing engaging study curricula. We hope that our experience from this study together with the free materials and data available for download will be beneficial to other practitioners working with educational robotics in different parts of the world

Using photo-elicitation to explore perceptions of physical activity among young people with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is recommended in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to explore motives, barriers and enablers to physical activity among this population. METHODS: Twelve participants (12-18 years) were recruited via convenience sampling. Photo-elicitation alongside semi-structured interviews were used to explore participants' views and experiences of physical activity. RESULTS: Our findings revealed motives for physical activity including health, enjoyment and autonomy. Those with families who valued physical activity tended to have positive attitudes towards physical activity, and valued and integrated it into their lives. Moreover, they were likely to be intrinsically motivated to be active. Several factors enable and act as barriers to physical activity. Whilst CF influenced physical activity, the majority of enablers and barriers raised where congruent with the general populations. CONCLUSION: This study provides support that healthcare providers should encourage both young people with CF and their families to be active, and subsequently informs the development of clinical interventions to support physical activity among young people with CF and their families

Pulmonary rehabilitation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and COPD: a propensity matched real-world study

BACKGROUND: The adherence to and clinical efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), particularly in comparison to people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), remains uncertain. The objectives of this real-world study were to compare the responses of patients with IPF with a matched group of patients with COPD undergoing the same supervised, outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program, and to determine whether pulmonary rehabilitation is associated with survival in IPF. RESEARCH QUESTION: Do people with IPF improve to the same extent with pulmonary rehabilitation as a matched group of individuals with COPD, and are non-completion of and/or non-response to pulmonary rehabilitation associated with one-year all-cause mortality in IPF? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Using propensity score matching, 163 patients with IPF were matched 1:1 with a control group of 163 patients with COPD referred to pulmonary rehabilitation. We compared between-group pulmonary rehabilitation completion rates and response. Survival status in the IPF cohort was recorded over one-year following pulmonary rehabilitation discharge. Cox proportional-hazards regression explored the association between pulmonary rehabilitation status and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Similar pulmonary rehabilitation completion rates (IPF: 69%; COPD: 63%; p=0.24) and improvements in exercise response were observed in both groups with no significant mean (95% confidence interval (CI)) between-group differences in incremental shuttle walk (ISW) change (2 (-18 to 22) meters). Pulmonary rehabilitation non-completion (hazard ratio (HR) (95%CI) 5.62 (2.24 to 14.08)) and non-response (HR (95%CI) 3.91 (1.54 to 9.93)) were independently associated with increased one-year all-cause mortality in IPF. INTERPRETATION: Compared with a matched group of patients with COPD, this real-word study demonstrates that patients with IPF have similar completion rates and magnitude of response to pulmonary rehabilitation. In IPF, non-completion of and non-response to pulmonary rehabilitation were associated with increased all-cause mortality. These data reinforce the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with IPF

Promotion of physical activity for adolescents with cystic fibrosis: a qualitative study of UK multi disciplinary cystic fibrosis teams

Background: The Cystic Fibrosis Trust recently published a standards of care document which stated that patients should be given a physical activity (PA) programme based on their motivations, fitness, and willingness to be active. However, there remains much debate regarding the roles and responsibilities for PA promotion, as well as “optimal” recommendations and advice. This study aimed to qualitatively explore cystic fibrosis (CF) multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) advice, recommendations and practices relating to PA promotion for adolescents with CF. / Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen members of CF MDTs (11 physiotherapists, two dieticians and two paediatricians). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. / Results: Major themes identified were: (1) structure of MDTs, (2) recommendations relating to intensities, durations and types of PA, and (3) use of exercise testing. Participants reported variation between MDTs in terms of who is responsible for promoting and supporting PA, the nature of advice given to patients, and the use of exercise testing. Participants consistently lacked confidence in their own or others’ knowledge to provide standardised recommendations to patients and highlighted that PA promotion and support was often overlooked during busy periods. / Conclusions: Despite its importance, PA support and promotion is not always prioritised. MDTs lack confidence in their ability to promote PA. Standardised advice and training relating to optimal intensities, durations and types of PA would provide a baseline from which to individualise advice to each patient and could increase confidence in PA promotion among MDTs