Psychosocial mediators of change in physical activity in the Welsh national exercise referral scheme: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial

Objective: While an increasing number of randomised controlled trials report impacts of exercise referral schemes (ERS) on physical activity, few have investigated the mechanisms through which increases in physical activity are produced. This study examines whether a National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) in Wales is associated with improvements in autonomous motivation, self-efficacy and social support, and whether change in physical activity is mediated by change in these psychosocial processes.<p></p> Methods: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of NERS across 12 LHBs in Wales. Questionnaires measured demographic data and physical activity at baseline. Participants (N = 2160) with depression, anxiety or CHD risk factors were referred by health professionals and randomly assigned to control or intervention. At six months psychological process measures were collected by questionnaire. At 12 months physical activity was assessed by 7 Day PAR telephone interview. Regressions tested intervention effects on psychosocial variables, physical activity before and after adjusting for mediators and socio demographic patterning.<p></p> Results: Significant intervention effects were found for autonomous motivation and social support for exercise at 6 months. No intervention effect was observed for self-efficacy. The data are consistent with a hypothesis of partial mediation of the intervention effect by autonomous motivation. Analysis of moderators showed significant improvements in relative autonomy in all subgroups. The greatest improvements in autonomous motivation were observed among patients who were least active at baseline.<p></p> Discussion: The present study offered key insights into psychosocial processes of change in an exercise referral scheme, with effects on physical activity mediated by autonomous motivation. Findings support the use of self-determination theory as a framework for ERS. Further research is required to explain socio-demographic patterning in responses to ERS, with changes in motivation occurring among all sub-groups of participants, though not always leading to higher adherence or behavioural change. This highlights the importance of socio-ecological approaches to developing and evaluating behaviour change interventions, which consider factors beyond the individual, including conditions in which improved motivation does or does not produce behavioural change

Can omnivores mediate the effects of degradation?

Omnivores feed at multiple trophic levels and have large effects on community structuring and stability. The magnitude and direction of such effects, whether omnivores stabilize or destabilize communities, remains unresolved. Shifts in omnivore diet and trophic position may be of particular importance to community stability in degraded habitats, where resources are sparse. For example, omnivores may reduce the severity and duration of community responses to degradationby dampening the effects of any disturbance-mediated trophic cascade. The relatively simple food webs of freshwater systems are ideal for studying trophic ecology, and in the western U.S., streams are heavily degraded by overgrazing, beaver extirpation, and drought. In many of these systems, the omnivorous speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) has replaced trout as an important vertebrate consumer. I propose to test the hypothesis that omnivore diet shifts stabilize communities and increase resilience to degradation. In an observational study, I will use stable isotope analysis of speckled dace tissue to assess trophic position in stream reaches suffering varying levels of habitat degradation. In an experimental mesocosm array, I will conduct a 2x2x2 manipulation of i) dace presence, ii) shade, and iii) nutrient input, with low shade and high nutrients both representing degraded conditions. I will compare the rate of change of community composition by analyzing invertebrate biodiversity and biomass in mesocosms, testing the prediction that stability will be higher when dace are present, particularly under degraded conditions

Can omnivores mediate the effects of degradation?

Omnivores feed at multiple trophic levels and have large effects on community structuring and stability. The magnitude and direction of such effects, whether omnivores stabilize or destabilize communities, remains unresolved. Shifts in omnivore diet and trophic position may be of particular importance to community stability in degraded habitats, where resources are sparse. For example, omnivores may reduce the severity and duration of community responses to degradationby dampening the effects of any disturbance-mediated trophic cascade. The relatively simple food webs of freshwater systems are ideal for studying trophic ecology, and in the western U.S., streams are heavily degraded by overgrazing, beaver extirpation, and drought. In many of these systems, the omnivorous speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) has replaced trout as an important vertebrate consumer. I propose to test the hypothesis that omnivore diet shifts stabilize communities and increase resilience to degradation. In an observational study, I will use stable isotope analysis of speckled dace tissue to assess trophic position in stream reaches suffering varying levels of habitat degradation. In an experimental mesocosm array, I will conduct a 2x2x2 manipulation of i) dace presence, ii) shade, and iii) nutrient input, with low shade and high nutrients both representing degraded conditions. I will compare the rate of change of community composition by analyzing invertebrate biodiversity and biomass in mesocosms, testing the prediction that stability will be higher when dace are present, particularly under degraded conditions

Life Threatening Complications in Childbirth: a Discursive Analysis of Fathers' Accounts

Referral letters are the standard method of communication between GPs and specialist mental health services. However, previous research suggests these letters often fail to provide the information these services feel they need for effective case management. This study follows on from a previous audit designed to establish what information one Community Mental Health Team required and audit referral letters against this criteria. Referral communications were found to be poor across many information items. After results were disseminated to referring GPs, this study examines whether there has been improvement in referral letter content and whether there are differences between GPs and Other Health Professionals in information provision. Further, this study categorises information items into vital, important and desirable information, and highlights key information deficits. Results suggested no change in referral content since the previous audit, and no difference between referral agencies. Recommendations for encouraging improved referral communications are given

The Hampshire Tragedy : a true story

Justice over a thiefhttps://egrove.olemiss.edu/kgbsides_uk/1370/thumbnail.jp

Cuticular hydrocarbon analysis in forensic entomology: a review

Blowflies are the first inhabitants of decomposing remains and are therefore of forensic relevance for post mortem interval estimations. Forensic entomology is becoming widely accepted as a branch of forensic science and is being utilised more within forensic casework. This wider use has driven an increase in research being carried out within the field, in particular, in less “classical” techniques such as DNA and chemical analysis in the form of cuticular hydrocarbon analysis. This short review will examine the research currently being studied in the area of cuticular hydrocarbon analysis of forensically important Diptera for species identification and ageing

Investigating requirements for true inclusivity in playgrounds

Context: Playgrounds form versatile physical training environments for children as well as providing valuable opportunities for social interaction and learning. Recent evidence suggests that playground use can also benefit older adults, improving functional fitness in areas such as balance and co-ordination as well as providing social interaction. However, playgrounds are not designed for adult use. In order to facilitate use and capitalize on the potential benefits, an understanding of what is required by older adults is needed. Aims: This project aims to investigate how playgrounds can be made more inclusive, to support greater use and thus be of greater benefit to all potential users. It further seeks to formulate basic ergonomic guidelines to assist play providers and equipment manufacturers in creating truly inclusive playgrounds. As guidelines to aid inclusivity for children and adult carers with impairments have already published, this project will focus on inclusivity for older adults. Method: A flexible, qualitative approach was used. Because there is scant published literature regarding playgrounds for older adults, a questionnaire was used to survey members of the International Play Association seeking existing knowledge and professional opinion on the issue. Opinion was also sought from other stake holders including those responsible for playground provision. Initially, unstructured interviews with older adults were used to identify issues of importance. These were then used as an evolving framework for six discussion groups. An analysis of data gathered to this point led to the development of a series of questions on which to base semi-structured interviews. The combined data from discussion groups and interviews, together with existing anthropometric data was then used to generate a set of guidelines for creating inclusive playground provision for older adults. Results: Semi-structured interview data showed that 72% of the older adult sample would be willing to use at least one item of playground equipment. Through discussion groups and interviews a number of important themes were identified regarding both equipment and social issues and from these a set of basic ergonomic guidelines was created. Key factors were knowing equipment was designed for adult sizes and weights, and being in a supervised and controlled environment. An audit of existing playgrounds within a one kilometre radius of a central residential point showed that current provision lacked inclusivity. Conclusion: Though further investigation is required using techniques such as user trials and observation, there are a number of changes that could be made to playground provision in order to include older adults, and these changes would be likely to enhance playgrounds for all users. The costs associated with improved provision have the potential to be counterbalanced by benefits in terms of improved health and fitness

The Relationship Between Speech Recognition in Noise and Reading Abilities

The primary goal of the current study was to determine the relationship between speech recognition in noise ability and reading ability. A secondary goal of the study was to determine whether the binaural advantage (listening to speech-in-noise with two ears versus one) and the binocular advantage (reading with two eyes versus one) were related. Thirty-nine native English-speaking young adults with normal pure-tone thresholds from 250-4000 Hz participated in the study. The Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) was used to evaluate speech recognition in noise ability. The Test of Silent Contextual Reading Fluency (TOSCRF-2) was used to evaluate reading ability. No significant relationships were found between speech-in-noise thresholds and reading scores. Additionally, no significant relationships were found between the binaural advantage and the binocular advantage

Examining the relationship between climate and seasonal stream thermal regimes in a high desert ecosystem

Climate change is negatively affecting ecosystems around the world, and in the coming years, scientists predict that these changes will only intensify and accelerate. In the western mountains of North America, climate change projections predict elevated temperatures, reduced snowpack, and earlier snowmelt. Elevated air temperatures have the propensity to affect water temperatures in sensitive freshwater ecosystems. Temperature increases may cause streams to reach the upper thermal limit for many aquatic organisms, such as aquatic invertebrates and fish, and result in death or dispersal for these organisms. This makes the availability of cold-water refugia in streams that much more important for these organisms. Changes in water temperature also influence water quality and have the potential to shape communities of aquatic organisms. Our objective is to examine the relationship between climate and seasonal thermal regimes in a high desert stream located in western Colorado. Climate and water temperature data has simultaneously been collected along Kimball Creek from 2011 to 2017 in riffle habitats and beaver ponds. We predict that air and water temperatures will be positively correlated and that beaver ponds, located within the stream, will have cooler water temperatures and potentially serve as refugia for thermally sensitive species

Checking in without Burning out: Designing Sustainable Assessment Plans for an Undergraduate Peer-to-Peer Research Mentor Program

Learn how librarians developed a programmatic assessment schedule for their undergraduate, peer-to-peer research consultant service with an emphasis on practicality and sustainability. This poster and its supplementary materials present the finished plan, which addresses 13 programmatic learning outcomes over the course of six semesters, offering one model for how to approach a large-scale assessment project systematically and intentionally without burning out library staff