Concepts of perceptual significance for composition and reproduction of explorable surround sound fields

Recent work in audio and visual perception suggests that, over and above sensory acuities, exploration of an environment is a most powerful perceptual strategy. For some uses, the plausibility of artificial sound environments might be dramatically improved if exploratory perception is accommodated. The composition and reproduction of spatially explorable sound fields involves a different set of problems from the conventional surround sound paradigm, developed to display music and sound effects to an essentially passive audience. This paper is based upon contemporary models of perception and presents proposals for additional spatial characteristics beyond classical concepts of three-dimensional positioning of virtual objects

Evaluating the articulation of programme theory in practice as observed in Quality Improvement initiatives

Background: The Action-Effect Method(AEM) was co-developed by NIHR CLAHRC Northwest London (CLAHRC NWL) researchers and QI practitioners, building on Driver Diagrams(DD). This study aimed to determine AEM effectiveness in terms of technical aspects (how diagrams produced in practice compared with theoretical ideals) and social aspects (how engagement with the method related to social benefits). Methods Diagrams were scored on criteria developed on theoretical ideals of programme theory. 65 programme theory diagrams were reviewed (21 published Driver Diagrams (External DDs), 22 CLAHRC NWL Driver Diagrams (Internal DDs), and 21 CLAHRC NWL Action-Effect Diagrams(AEDs)). Social functions were studied through ethnographic observation of frontline QI teams in AEM sessions facilitated by QI experts. Qualitative analysis used inductive and deductive coding. Results ANOVA indicated the AEM significantly improved the quality of programme theory diagrams over Internal and External DDs on an average of 5 criteria from an 8-point assessment. Articulated aims were more likely to be patient-focused and high-level in AEDs than DDs. The cause/effect relationships from intervention to overall aim also tended to be clearer and were more likely than DDs to contain appropriate measure concepts. Using the AEM also served several social functions such as facilitating dialogue among multidisciplinary teams, and encouraging teams to act scientifically and pragmatically about planning and measuring QI interventions. Implications: The Action-Effect Method developed by CLAHRC NWL resulted in improvements over Driver Diagrams in articulating programme theory, which has wide-ranging benefits to quality improvement, including encouraging broad multi-disciplinary buy-in to clear aims and pre-planning a rigorous evaluation strategy

Promoting Resources Through Physical Library Displays

Physical Library resource displays offer an effective, low-cost means of publicising relevant resources to user groups and enhancing library spaces. This paper discusses the experience of using displays in academic libraries to prominently highlight a wider range of resources, which might not otherwise be used by students and the potential this offers to improve the level of work they produce. The formation of teams to create, plan, maintain and document resource displays at Leeds Beckett University Library has provided an opportunity for members of staff across the Library to work together using knowledge and creativity to enhance the overall student experience. Displays have provided opportunities for the Library to create closer links within the university and work with external organisations. Gathering detailed usage statistics and providing opportunities for users to interact with displays and offer feedback, has contributed to a better understanding of the study areas and themes which students respond to. Future directions are explored to further develop the Library display as a tool for connecting with users, including closer linking of physical displays with online resources and personalising display experiences to specific student groups and reading lists

Determine the swath grazing and forage quality potential of Westford forage barley and Manta and German foxtail millet for beef cattle in southwest Saskatchewan

Non-Peer ReviewedThe drought and poor moisture conditions experienced throughout Saskatchewan has revealed the potential that certain foxtail millets can play as an important short-season hay or grazing resource. The study’s objectives were to 1) determine the swath grazing performance of cow/calf pairs on Westford barley (WB) (Hordeum vulgare), and on two foxtail millets (Setaria italica), German (G) and Manta (M); 2) determine the forage quality composition of the WB and millets at different stages of maturities and during field curing. In 2002, the WB and the two millets were each seeded into a 2.2 acre field and each cereal treatment was replicated twice (n = 6). Seeding rate for the WB and millets were 80 and 12 lbs per acre, respectively. In 2003, all cereals were once again seeded into the same fields. In 2002, the WB was swathed at the soft dough stage and the G and M were at the boot and heading stage of maturity, respectively. Eight cow/calf pairs were used to graze each of the G and M pastures, but the WB forage material spoiled before cattle could graze. Poor moisture conditions experienced in the summer of 2003 produced little WB and millet growth, thus no grazing data was collected. 2002 results found higher % ADF and NDF and lower % CP and OMD for the millets compared to the WB. Animal performance (i.e., ADG, TLP etc.) did not differ (P>0.10) between the two millets. Calves gained between 1.8 to 1.9 lbs per day while on the millet pastures; however cows on average lost weight. Forage quality (i.e., OMD and CP) of the two millet swaths did not change 32 days post harvest even though the swaths were rained on. Although the millets show excellent forage and grazing potential in 2002 the poor performance of the millets in 2003 reveals the need for longer grazing and forage research to be conducted to truly evaluate their overall potential for southwest Saskatchewan

Assessing the winter hardiness of perennial cereal rye relative to winter cereals traditionally grown in western Canada

Non-Peer ReviewedPerennial cereal (PC) rye (Secale cereale x S. montanum) is reported to be a three to four year perennial forage crop. At AAFC-Swift Current, SK, PC rye was compared to three winter triticale varieties (Pika, Prego, and Bobcat), CDC Clair winter wheat and Prima fall rye for winter hardiness. Small plots were seeded at six dates (July 18, Aug. 3, Aug. 16, Aug. 30, Sept. 7, and Sept. 17) in 2001, with a defoliation treatment occurring during the first week of October. When compared to the winter cereals for winter survival under field conditions, PC rye was tied for second for a mid-July seeding date, and tied for first for early and mid-Aug. seeding dates. PC rye survival was not different (P>0.05) between varieties for late Aug. and Sept. seeding dates. Results found the optimum time to plant PC rye to ensure maximum winter hardiness was mid-to-late Aug. PC rye was sensitive to late-fall defoliation with the greatest survival reduction occurring for the mid-July seeding date

Criteria for evaluating programme theory diagrams in quality improvement initiatives: a structured method for appraisal

Background: Despite criticisms that many Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives fail due to incomplete programme theory, there is no defined way to evaluate how programme theory has been articulated. The objective of this research was to develop, and assess the usability and reliability of, scoring criteria to evaluate programme theory diagrams. Methods: Criteria development was informed by published literature and QI experts. Inter-rater reliability was tested between two evaluators. 63 programme theory diagrams (42 driver diagrams and 21 action effect diagrams) were reviewed to establish whether the criteria could support comparative analysis of different approaches to constructing diagrams. Results: Components of the scoring criteria include: assessment of overall aim, logical overview, clarity of components, cause/effect relationships, evidence, and measurement. Independent reviewers had 78% inter-rater reliability. Scoring enabled direct comparison of different approaches to developing programme theory; Action-Effect diagrams were found to have had a statistically significant but moderate improvement in programme theory quality over Driver Diagrams; no significant differences were observed based on the setting in which Driver Diagrams were developed. Conclusions: The scoring criteria summarise the necessary components of programme theory that are thought to contribute to successful QI projects. The viability of the scoring criteria for practical application was demonstrated. Future uses include assessment of individual programme theory diagrams, and comparison of different approaches (e.g. methodological, teaching or other QI support) to produce programme theory. The criteria can be used as a tool to guide the production of better programme theory diagrams, and also highlights where additional support for QI teams could be needed

Self-control tames the coupling of reactive radicals

Highly reactive or unstable chemical reagents are challenging to prepare, store, and safely handle, so chemists frequently generate them in situ from convenient precursors. In an ideal case, the rate of release of the reagent would be matched to the rate of its “capture” in the desired chemical reaction, thereby preventing the reagent from accumulating and minimizing any opportunity for decomposition. However, this synchronization is rarely achieved or even attempted: The rate of release is usually dictated by the conditions of the reaction (1), rather than being regulated by capture of the reagent. In this issue, Tellis et al. (2) on page 433 and Zuo et al. (3) on page 437 independently report the use of iridium photocatalysis (4, 5) to supply highly reactive radical coupling partners (R⋅) to a nickel-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond-forming process (see the figure). Intriguingly, the two points of contact between the iridium and nickel cycles enforce autoregulated release of the radical, ensuring its efficient capture by nickel rather than its decomposition via other pathways

Cross-Cultural Understanding of Health Assessments for People with Intellectual Disability: An Australian resource in the Philippines

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has resulted in the involvement of high income countries in international development assistance to people with disabilities in low and middle income countries.  Healthcare tools designed in high income countries and delivered in low and middle income countries may not be appropriate to the context of the lives of people with disabilities.  We undertook a short qualitative study of participants’ views of an Australian-designed comprehensive health assessment tool, with participation from a WHO-Collaborating non-government organisation in regional Philippines. We also examined the participants’ perceptions of the barriers to healthcare for Filipinos with intellectual disabilities.  Responses to the comprehensive health assessment tool were positive although participants agreed that both linguistic and cultural translation would enhance wider use of the tool. The barriers identified included poverty, family isolation, stigma and communication issues as preventing appropriate healthcare delivery to Filipinos with intellectual disability. Consideration must be given to the complexities of transference of healthcare resources to a low and middle income country context, as well as the systemic and cultural barriers to appropriate healthcare provision to people with disabilities