Learning adaptive reaching and pushing skills using contact information

In this paper, we propose a deep reinforcement learning-based framework that enables adaptive and continuous control of a robot to push unseen objects from random positions to the target position. Our approach takes into account contact information in the design of the reward function, resulting in improved success rates, generalization for unseen objects, and task efficiency compared to policies that do not consider contact information. Through reinforcement learning using only one object in simulation, we obtain a learned policy for manipulating a single object, which demonstrates good generalization when applied to the task of pushing unseen objects. Finally, we validate the effectiveness of our approach in real-world scenarios

Prevalence of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors in Papua New Guinea: A systematic review

Introduction: The mortality associated with non-communicable diseases has increased significantly in most countries in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region over the last 20 years, as have the underlying risk factors. This study aimed to collate evidence on the prevalence of four major non-communicable diseases and their risk factors in Papua New Guinea in order to inform appropriate policy for their prevention and management. Methods: We performed a systematic review of Papua New Guinea-based population prevalence studies of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancers, as well as non-communicable disease risk factors published before 2016. Five online databases were searched and screened against eligibility criteria according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results: A total of 57 articles were included in this review, most of which (n = 48) were published prior to 2000. Eleven articles reported on diabetes, six reported on chronic lung disease/asthma, two reported on cardiovascular diseases, and two reported cancer as the primary outcome, while the remaining 36 papers reported non-communicable disease risk factors. Conclusion: This review demonstrated variations in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (0%–19%) and their risk factors (0%–80.6%) attributed to the lifestyle and genetic diversity of the Papua New Guinea population. There is a strong suggestion that the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus) and key non-communicable disease risk factors (hypertension, overweight, and obesity) has increased, but there is a lack of recent data. As such, there is an urgent need for new and up-to-date data in all areas of Papua New Guinea

Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and prediction analysis of nitrogen and phosphorus surface source pollution in Shandong Province under the climate and land use changes

The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of non-point source pollution of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) under the background of climate and land use in Shandong Province. First, using the InVEST NDR module in the model, N and P non-point source pollution in 2010 and 2020 in Shandong Province were simulated; then, based on precipitation data under three different global climate models (MRI-ESM-0, GFDL-ESM4, and Ec-Earth3) and two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP245 and SSP585), land use data under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP245 and SSP585) were used to simulate and predict the non-point source pollution of N and P in Shandong Province in 2030. The results showed the following: (1) On the time scale, the output load and total output of N and P decreased during 2010–2020, while the output load and total output of N and P increased during 2020–2030. (2) On the spatial scale, the spatial distribution of N and P output loads in 2010, 2020, and 2030 is roughly the same, being “low in the northwest and high in the southeast”. (3) Different climate scenarios have a great influence on N and P output load and total output, and the N and P pollution in the SSP585 scenario is more serious. The total output of N and P did not change much in different climate models, while the spatial distribution of the output load of N and P varied significantly, indicating that different climate models had a greater impact on the spatial distribution of the output load of N and P. (4) The overall cold hot spot pattern of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in Shandong Province is stable, basically showing a “band + cluster + scatter” distribution pattern; the hot spot area in the central and southern region of Shandong Province changes little regardless of the model, the northwest is basically a cold spot area, and the nitrogen and phosphorus hot spot area under the SSP245 scenario in Ec-Earth3 model had the least amount of change. According to research results, combined with the actual situation of Shandong Province, it is hoped that it can provide theoretical basis for the prevention and control of non-point source pollution in Shandong Province in the future

Understanding and measuring health literacy among secondary students in Beijing and Melbourne

© 2018 Dr Shuaijun GuoBackground Health literacy is a personal asset that involves decision-making for healthcare, disease prevention and health promotion in everyday life, contributing to people’s health outcomes such as health behaviours and health status. Although there are a range of definitions, health literacy is commonly defined as an individual’s ability to find, understand and use health information to promote and maintain good health. From a public health perspective, improving health literacy at an early age is crucial to adolescent health at present and in future. Compared to adult health literacy, adolescent health literacy is under-researched. This is mostly due to a lack of appropriate instruments. Without reliable and valid instruments, it is not possible to quantitatively examine the relationship between health literacy and adolescent health. In addition, due to a lack of theory-driven empirical research, current evidence on adolescent health literacy is limited, especially in terms of our understanding of the mediating role of health literacy. As health literacy is a broad concept, it is necessary for researchers to consider it within a specific culture and context. This PhD research focuses on adolescent health literacy in secondary school settings in China and Australia. Schools were chosen because they are optimal venues for improving adolescent health literacy through a range of health curricula and programs. Given that China has yet to adopt the skills-based health literacy assessment that is widely used in Western countries, this PhD research mainly targets Chinese secondary students. In addition, due to a lack of research on generic health literacy in Australian adolescents and an opportunistic reason for the PhD candidate, a pilot study was conducted in one Australian secondary school to reflect upon the findings of health literacy measurement in Australian school contexts. Aims: This PhD research aims to measure health literacy in Chinese and Australian secondary students from a health promotion perspective, and to examine the pathways from health literacy influencing factors through to health outcomes. Method: This PhD research includes a three-phase plan in China and a pilot study in Australia: (1) Research Phase 1: A systematic review of health literacy instruments used for adolescents was conducted to identify at least one appropriate instrument; (2) Research Phase 2: A validation study was performed to examine whether the selected health literacy instrument was suitable for use in Chinese secondary students; (3) Research Phase 3: An empirical study of model testing was carried out to examine Manganello’s health literacy framework which postulated pathways from health literacy influencing factors through to health outcomes in Chinese secondary students.; and (4) Finally, a pilot study was conducted in one Australian secondary school to reflect upon the findings of health literacy measurement in Australian school settings. Results: A total of 15 instruments were included in the systematic review. Adolescent health literacy was mainly measured by the functional domain (i.e. basic skills in reading and writing). Multiple methods existed to measure adolescent health literacy. The review found that most of the 15 included instruments had unknown measurement properties, due to either the poor methodological quality of the studies or a lack of reporting or assessment. Based on the limited evidence from the review, the HLAT-8 was selected to measure adolescent health literacy in this PhD research due to its strong validity, three-domain measurement and quick administration. The HLAT-8 was translated from English to Chinese (c-HLAT-8) for administration to Chinese secondary students. A total of 650 students in Years 7 to 9 were recruited from four secondary schools in Beijing. The c-HLAT-8 had satisfactory reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=0.79; ICC=0.72) and strong validity (translation validity index≥0.95; χ2/df=3.388, p<0.001; CFI=0.975, TLI=0.945, NFI=0.965, RMSEA=0.061; the c-HLAT-8 had a strong correlation with the HLS-Asia-Q, but a weak correlation with the NVS). The c-HLAT-8 was deemed a valid skills-based instrument for use in Chinese school settings. After the validation, Manganello’s health literacy framework was adapted and used for model testing because it explained a full pathway from health literacy influencing factors through to health outcomes. The hypothesised pathway model was tested using data from 650 Chinese secondary students. The proposed pathway model was supported by the data collected, demonstrating the mediating role of health literacy in the relationship between influencing factors and health-related outcomes. A total of 120 students in Years 7 to 9 were recruited from one secondary school in Melbourne. Consistent with the findings from Beijing students, the NVS result showed a higher proportion of Melbourne students with low health literacy than the HLS-EU-Q result (32.2% for the NVS; 23.7% for the HLS-EU-Q). The pilot study provided new insights (i.e. a shared perspective of health literacy evaluation between the pilot school and the researcher; the feasibility of online data collection; and the possibility of obtaining passive, opt-out consent from parents) into future school-based health literacy research in Australia. Conclusions: This thesis has generated new knowledge about health literacy measurement and model testing for adolescents in school settings. Specifically, the systematic review demonstrates that there are large differences in the way health literacy is measured in adolescents. Methodological quality frameworks and a consistent set of evaluation principles are recommended to guide health literacy measurement in future. The China-based health literacy research demonstrates a need for a new skills-based instrument for future use and calls for a systems approach (e.g. the ‘Health Promoting Schools’ framework) to improving adolescent health literacy at school. Particularly, increasing personal self-efficacy, social support and creating supportive environments are important for promoting health literacy in secondary school settings in China. In Australia, there is a need for further validation of health literacy instruments for adolescents. Changes in school health education policies are required in each culture to better improve adolescent health literacy in school settings

A Health Equity Implementation Approach to Child Health Literacy Interventions

Health and behavioural inequalities exist in all populations, including children. As a social determinant of health, health literacy is a crucial driver of equitable health outcomes in children. With the increasing calls for more actions on addressing low health literacy and inequalities, health literacy interventions to improve children’s healthy behaviours have emerged as a key strategy to reduce health inequities. However, health literacy interventions face implementation challenges impacting upon potential outcomes, and disparities in the implementation of health literacy interventions also occur. Variation exists in child health literacy intervention target groups, timing, content and formats, and there is a lack of implementation specificity, resulting in a lack of clarity about which intervention strategies are the most effective in improving health literacy, related health behaviours, and associated health outcomes. While actions to facilitate child health intervention implementation exist, to minimise further perpetuation of child health inequities, this perspective calls for a health equity implementation approach to child health literacy interventions

Promoting Child Health Equity through Health Literacy

Every child has the right to a fulfilling and thriving life [...