Has a Systems Esthetic Become the 'Dominant Approach'? An Investigation into the Significance of Systems Thinking in Art Today

This thesis explores the writings of Jack Burnham, examining the veracity of his claim made in 1968 that a systems aesthetic would become the “dominant approach”. It thematically traces the presence and influence of systems art within art production from the 1950s up to the present day, analysing work produced before, during, and after the period of the 1960s and 70s that is traditionally associated with the systems perspective. It is argued here that works made both before and after the time of ‘systems art’ can still be viewed through a systems lens. Thus works of Rauschenberg, Cage, Bulloch, and Eliasson are placed within the systems sphere alongside Graham, Nauman, and Haacke. It also considers the value of a number of contemporary theoretical and critical positions which appear to have grown from, or at least have significant resonance with Burnham’s “Systems Esthetics” – in particular the Relational Aesthetics of Nicolas Bourriaud’s, and the Actor-Network theory of Bruno Latour and John Law. After some consideration of the relational and trans-institutional characteristics of these positions, it is suggested that Actor-Network Theory might stand as the heir to Burnham’s “Systems Esthetics”, and that as a consequence, something resembling a systems aesthetic has in fact become the dominant approach – not only the context of artistic production, but also in the context of society as a whole

Regional variation in rates of IVF treatment across Australia: a population-based study

Background: There is variation in uptake of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) between countries, and Australia has high incidence rates of IVF due to universal public funding. However, it remains unclear whether there is regional variation and, if present, what might cause this. Objectives: We sought to determine whether regional variations in treatment rates existed and what might influence these. Methods: The number of cycles of fresh IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI) for women were obtained for the period 2011 until 2014 in two age groups (25 to 34 years and 35 to 44 years) to calculate incidence rates. Proxy indicators that might influence treatment affordability were: unemployment rates; average weekly total earnings; coverage of private health insurance; and, percentage of women in the highest socioeconomic quintile. Measures of accessibility considered were percentage of the population remote from urban areas and average state population density. Linear regressions were performed using log-transformed ratio of IVF and IUI incidence rates. Results: Variations were found in IVF uptake between states with greater differences in older women. There was no significant association between IVF procedures and population density or geographic isolation. Economic factors were not associated with IVF uptake. Conclusion: These findings suggest that factors such as physician preference, clinical practice guidelines, and cryopreservation protocols of ART units might explain the national variation in uptake of IV

Functional behavior assessment: Procedures, components, and personnel

Challenging behaviors at school inte1fere with a student\u27s ability to effectively learn. In these situations behavioral assessments are frequently conducted and current practice adamantly supports the use of functional behavioral assessments (FBA) in addressing challenging behaviors among students. This study examines the assessment methods and personnel most frequently included in the FBA process in a Midwestern regional education agency through the review of completed assessments in a one year period. The results of this study suggest that record reviews and observations are utilized in the majority of the cases as part of the assessment process, along with an interview and other behavior data not further specified. Research suggests that assessments incorporating data from multiple methods enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of the FBAs and behavior intervention plans (BIPs), yet the majority of the cases reviewed included data from two or fewer different RIOT (Review, Interview, Observe, Test) sources. School psychologists, general education teachers, and special education teachers were involved in the FBA process most frequently and parents were involved in a smaller number of cases. Implications for practice are discussed

Phonological and semantic processing during comprehension in Wernicke’s aphasia: a N400 and Phonological Mapping Negativity study

Comprehension impairments in Wernicke’s aphasia are thought to result from a combination of impaired phonological and semantic processes. However, the relationship between these cognitive processes and language comprehension has only been inferred through offline neuropsychological tasks. This study used ERPs to investigate phonological and semantic processing during online single word comprehension. EEG was recorded in a group of Wernicke’s aphasia n=8 and control participants n=10 while performing a word-picture verification task. The N400 and Phonological Mapping Negativity/ Phonological Mismatch Negativity (PMN) event-related potential components were investigated as an index of semantic and phonological processing, respectively. Individuals with Wernicke’s aphasia displayed reduced and inconsistent N400 and PMN effects in comparison to control participants. Reduced N400 effects in the WA group were simulated in the control group by artificially degrading speech perception. Correlation analyses in the Wernicke’s aphasia group found that PMN but not N400 amplitude was associated with behavioural word-picture verification performance. The results confirm impairments at both phonological and semantic stages of comprehension in Wernicke’s aphasia. However, reduced N400 responses in Wernicke’s aphasia are at least partially attributable to earlier phonological processing impairments. The results provide further support for the traditional model of Wernicke’s aphasia which claims a causative link between phonological processing and language comprehension impairments

Phonological and semantic processing during comprehension in Wernicke's aphasia: An N400 and Phonological Mapping Negativity Study

Comprehension impairments in Wernicke's aphasia are thought to result from a combination of impaired phonological and semantic processes. However, the relationship between these cognitive processes and language comprehension has only been inferred through offline neuropsychological tasks. This study used ERPs to investigate phonological and semantic processing during online single word comprehension. EEG was recorded in a group of Wernicke's aphasia n=8 and control participants n=10 while performing a word-picture verification task. The N400 and Phonological Mapping Negativity/Phonological Mismatch Negativity (PMN) event-related potential components were investigated as an index of semantic and phonological processing, respectively. Individuals with Wernicke's aphasia displayed reduced and inconsistent N400 and PMN effects in comparison to control participants. Reduced N400 effects in the WA group were simulated in the control group by artificially degrading speech perception. Correlation analyses in the Wernicke's aphasia group found that PMN but not N400 amplitude was associated with behavioural word-picture verification performance. The results confirm impairments at both phonological and semantic stages of comprehension in Wernicke's aphasia. However, reduced N400 responses in Wernicke's aphasia are at least partially attributable to earlier phonological processing impairments. The results provide further support for the traditional model of Wernicke's aphasia which claims a causative link between phonological processing and language comprehension impairments

Clinical Variation in Common Surgical Procedures in Australia: Implications for Health Expenditure

Payments for surgical procedures through the Australian Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) have a large effect on health budgets. We sought to evaluate the magnitude of surgical variation in five common surgical procedures: endometrial ablation; tonsillectomy in children; laparoscopic herniorraphy; cholecystectomy; and, knee arthroscopy. Methods: The MBS funds only a proportion of treatment costs affecting the potential affordability of surgery according to socio-economic factors. We hypothesised that lower rates of unemployment, higher average weekly earnings, a higher proportion of the population with private health insurance, and a higher percentage of the population in higher socio-economic brackets would be associated with a higher uptake of the procedures. Since surgery is more likely to be accessible in capital cities or larger regional centres, we also hypothesised that geographical isolation would be associated with lower access to surgical procedures. The relationship between surgical uptake and socio-economic factors was examined using linear regression and double bootstrap was used for statistical inference in an assumption-lean regression setting. Conclusion: We identified clinical variation in four of the five procedures studied. This variation was not associated with affordability or geographical access factors

Unemployment and Midlife Suicide Rates in Australia 2001-2015: Implications During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The world is experiencing a massive economic shock from the COVID-19 pandemic. Resulting unemployment and socioeconomic disruption have the potential to lead to a major upswing in the population rate of suicide in Europe and elsewhere. We assessed the association between midlife suicide rates and unemployment for Australia. For the midlife group we found a rapid decrease in the rate from 1970s to 1980s, but a more apparent increase after 2007. The increased male suicide rate coincided with the 2008 global financial crisis. The relationship between worsening employment outcomes, including suicide, is a great tragedy and deserves urgent further investigation

Os impactos da Lei nº 13.491/2017 na atividade de Polícia Judiciária Militar da Polícia Militar do estado do Paraná

O presente artigo tem por escopo analisar os impactos da Lei nº 13.491/2017 para a atividade de Polícia Judiciária Militar (PJM) no âmbito da Polícia Militar do Estado do Paraná (PMPR), especialmente porque, com a nova redação do inciso II, artigo 9º, do Código Penal Militar alterou-se o conceito de crime militar, e por consequência, foi ampliada a competência desta Justiça Especializada. A temática desperta reflexões, sobretudo, em razão das possíveis repercussões jurídicas à persecução criminal castrense e consequente aumento da demanda atinente às atribuições investigatórias. Neste intento, a partir do método de abordagem dedutivo, pesquisa da literatura jurídica e doutrinária, bem como, da análise de dados estatísticos obtidos junto à Corregedoria-Geral da PMPR, passou-se a estudar o tema, sob a perspectiva de que, com o novo panorama criminal, as Organizações Castrenses, por seus mecanismos de prevenção e repressão ao crime, afiguram com maior protagonismo neste cenário. À vista disso, os resultados obtidos apontaram o real acréscimo de inquéritos policiais militares instaurados após a promulgação da referida legislação, o que indica, por conseguinte, a necessidade de aprimoramento, atualização e qualificação das autoridades detentoras de legitimidade investigatória, afim de garantir uma persecução penal militar mais célere, efetiva, alinhada aos princípios constitucionais e à manutenção da hierarquia e disciplina, inerentes à vida castrense

Change in level of physical activity during pregnancy in obese women: findings from the UPBEAT pilot trial

Background: Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes. Physical activity (PA) might improve glucose metabolism and reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes. The purpose of this study was to explore patterns of PA and factors associated with change in PA in obese pregnant women. Methods: PA was assessed objectively by accelerometer at 16 – 18 weeks’ (T0), 27 – 28 weeks’ (T1) and 35 – 36 weeks’ gestation (T2) in 183 obese pregnant women recruited to a pilot randomised trial of a combined diet and PA intervention (the UPBEAT study). Results: Valid PA data were available for 140 (77%), 76 (42%) and 54 (30%) women at T0, T1 and T2 respectively. Moderate and vigorous physical activity as a proportion of accelerometer wear time declined with gestation from a median of 4.8% at T0 to 3% at T2 (p < 0.05). Total activity as a proportion of accelerometer wear time did not change. Being more active in early pregnancy was associated with a higher level of PA later in pregnancy. The intervention had no effect on PA. Conclusions: PA in early pregnancy was the factor most strongly associated with PA at later gestations. Women should be encouraged to participate in PA before becoming pregnant and to maintain their activity levels during pregnancy. There is a need for effective interventions, tailored to the needs of individuals and delivered early in pregnancy to support obese women to be sufficiently active during pregnancy. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN89971375 (Registered 28/11/2008)

Exploring illustration styles for materials used in visual resources for people with aphasia

Images are often used in cueing therapy and other kinds of rehabilitation activities for people with an acquired brain injury. This paper presents a small-scale pilot study, which explores the appropriateness of different styles of illustration applied to visual resources used in combination with assistive technologies for people with aphasia. The study is part of a larger multidisciplinary project exploring how assistive technologies can be used to facilitate maximal engagement with rehabilitation and to facilitate communication and reengagement with hobbies and leisure activities. The study explored participants’ preferences and impressions of the materials with a view to informing design choices made for resources developed for the larger project. Three participants with aphasia participated in a focus group in which they were shown examples of materials developed as resources for cueing therapy and lifestyle activities. Four sets of illustrations varying in visual complexity – from icons with no context to illustrations with developed backgrounds – were shown at two sizes (A3 and A4). Participants shared their impressions of ease of use and their preferences for different levels of visual complexity in the illustrations, as well as changes in format and layout (combinations of six, nine and 12 images per board). Based on previous research and existing guidelines for good practice, we had anticipated that participants would find the contextualised examples more meaningful. However, our findings highlighted that participants preferred simple, icon-style illustrations rather than those with contextual detail. Participants’ comments suggested that familiarity with this style of illustration – based on their everyday engagement with mobile interfaces – was a likely explanation for this