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An investigation into brachial hanging as an intervention for shoulder health
No full textINTRODUCTION
Shoulder disease is a widely prevalent condition characterised by pain and loss of functional movement, with substantial economic cost due to disability payments and absence from work. Despite its prevalence, it remains an area in need of clinical development. Shoulder disease aetiology is a subject of much debate in the research literature. This study investigates brachial hanging activity as a novel intervention for shoulder disease, with a theoretical basis rooted in an evolutionary medicine framework.
METHODS
The AB single system design was selected as the study methodology. Six participants were enrolled and performed the intervention activity three times per week over an eight-week period. Data collection occurred before, during and after the intervention phase. Outcomes were presented in graphs to support visual analysis.
RESULTS
Study data indicated meaningful change occurred in bilateral shoulder flexion for three participants. Meaningful change was demonstrated in bilateral external rotation for two participants. Participants feedback noted therapeutic stretch benefit to the shoulder complex, as well as various other structures such as the pectoralis muscle group, back muscle group, and spinal vertebrae in a way akin to traction therapy
CONCLUSION
The study was not able to confidently establish a causal relationship between participant changes and the intervention activity, primarily due to methodological limitations and lack of data points. Research findings returned some indication that the coracoid-biceps brachii short head relation may, with an upwardly directed stretch stimulus, be a therapeutic target conducive to shoulder health. Quantitative findings indicated there may be an intervention related effect on shoulder flexion and external rotation. Further research is needed in studies with more data points in both baseline and intervention phases, and with improved experimental controls
A journey on an unknown path : the unexpected experience of online simulation-based teaching to medical imaging students under COVID-19 lockdown
No full textThe Covid-19 pandemic has driven rapid changes to higher education across the globe, in terms of mode of delivery and assessment. Online teaching has previously been considered as an alternative or supplementary pedagogy to face to face teaching, with differing levels of success. Particularly within allied health programmes and the unique challenges they present, such as the need to deliver theoretical content which underpins and supports clinical practice. We utilised various online simulation-based resources, e.g. Mannequins, PACS simulator, Sectional-anatomyTM in our approach. This unanticipated encounter provided upskilling opportunities and allowed us to provide an effective alternative to face to face delivery
Lifeless to lively: The development of stadium architecture
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION:
How can an existing stadium and its urban environment become more interactive through the incorporation of different programmes?
ABSTRACT:
The trend of stadium design is becoming increasingly multi-purpose orientated to maximise the usage of the architecture. Too often, stadiums are left as empty shells that offer nothing to the community or urban environment outside of their singular function. These large structures act as landmarks for a city or country’s sporting heritage, yet they attract minimal interaction regularly. The reality is that stadiums are lifeless architecture.
This is even more apparent in New Zealand, where stadiums feel empty during major events as well. Large capacity venues are used to host relatively small teams, and as a result, the match-day atmosphere is underwhelming. For example, the Wellington Phoenix (football) averaged a home attendance at Wellington Regional Stadium of 8,533 for the 2018/2019 season, which equates to less than one-quarter of the stadium’s total capacity.
Similarly, Eden park can host up to 50,000 people for any event, yet the Auckland Blues (rugby union) recorded a season-low home attendance of 5,000 in 2018.
A brand-new Auckland waterfront stadium has been mooted as a solution to New Zealand’s stadium problem, but there is nothing to suggest this new stadium would not suffer the same fate. Furthermore, it would mean the end for Eden Park and the downgrade of Rarotonga Mount Smart Stadium to a high-performance training facility. Both these stadiums have made key contributions to New Zealand’s sporting heritage by hosting major international events such as the Commonwealth Games, and multiple World Cups across different sports. The issue is not whether New Zealand has the capabilities to host such events, rather it is the fact these stadiums are not as attractive as they once were. This is reinforced by the fact that the excitement of watching a live event is no longer enough to persuade fans to leave their couches. Constant developments of technology mean viewers have everything they need at home with the touch of a button. Consequently, stadiums are faced with the challenge of becoming more interactive to provide unique experiences that fans cannot get elsewhere.
The improvement of the match-day experience is obviously important, but more consideration needs to be given to what happens after the event. From a status point of view, these buildings are the focal points of an urban landscape. Whereas from a practical point of view, these buildings are dysfunctional and underutilized. The requirement nowadays is for stadiums to be more like the former and operate as social hubs that enhance their communities and provide more usable and accessible facilities. This would be easier to achieve when designing a new stadium since aspects like accessibility, adaptability, and utilization can all be integrated into the initial design. The same cannot be said for poorly designed existing stadiums. In this case, is it still possible for an existing stadium to be successfully redeveloped, or do modern requirements surpass the need for these stadiums altogether?
SITE: Rarotonga Mount Smart Stadium
Twice exceptional : shaping supportive environments for neurodiversity
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION:
How can schools be designed to help shape supportive and encouraging learning environments for primary to high school students that are neurologically diverse?
ABSTRACT:
Twice Exceptional (2E) is the term used to describe children who have both exceptional abilities and disparities within the sphere of learning; current educational thinking uses the term “Neurodiverse” to describe these children. The term “neurodiversity” was introduced in 1998 by Australian sociologist Judy Singer, and includes a spectrum of conditions such as ADHD, autism and Dyslexia.
Unfortunately, children affected by neurodiversity often lack adequate support in schools (due to limited resources within their educational environments), and are expected to work in standard classrooms. Although many schools offer special learning programs, very few contain purpose-built classrooms that meet the needs of neurodiverse children who are often hypersensitive to their surroundings. In order to help mitigate the hypersensitive tendencies of these children in school, the project proposes a purpose-built facility designed to provide a supportive learning environment. The project combines architectural and educational theories that focus on the different emotions space may create for an individual. The research methodology utilises three approaches: specialist theories, well-being and architectural qualities. The underpinning literature draws on David Thornburg’s ‘Campfire in Cyberspace’ in terms of his variety of space types, The ‘WELL Building Standard’s’ approach to healthy learning environments, combined with Biophilia, which helps designers integrate nature into the built environment in order to boost well-being.
The outcome of this project is as an architectural proposition, aimed at facilitating the education of students affected by neurodiversity, enabling them to engage with their learning, using specifically designed environments to develop their cognitive function
Countering family harm and improving child well-being : 2017- 2019 Research report on a New Zealand programme delivered by classroom teachers
No full textEXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The analysis of questionnaire data from the Jade Speaks Up pilot programme over the period of 2017 to 2019, involved 3277 children aged from eight to thirteen years and 104 teachers from eighteen schools. Three schools have run the programme over two years and one over three years. Ninety-five percent of the children completed at least one of the three questionnaires (pre-test, post-test and follow-up) evaluating the programme. In 2018, children from Years five and six were specifically included in the programme which increased the proportion of 8-10-year-olds in 2018 and 2019. The cohort included substantial numbers of children from four major cultural groups (Asian/African, Māori, Pasifika and Pākehā/European). The schools, spread across New Zealand, included intermediate, primary, full primary, integrated and a high school with an intermediate section. The average decile rating of the schools was 3.26
Looking through the eyes of others : an investigation into methodologies of 360 film making
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION:
Do the pre-existing methodologies in film and theatre lend themselves for the development of narrative content in first-person point of view Spherical Video?
ABSTRACT:
This Thesis represents my findings from practical and theoretical research on spherical video in the first person point of view within the context of developing methodologies of constructing narrative.
In doing so I explore various established cinematic and theatrical practices in consideration of the relationships between narrative and medium. Theoretical data from this process is being applied in the form of practical exploration utilizing a self-constructed spherical recording device. In the conclusion of my research, and supplemental to my thesis, I present a final piece of original narrative that was written, directed and edited by myself in which I am using narrative techniques in response to my theoretical and practical findings. By doing so, I hope that the body of my research will speak to the emerging methodology of narrative technique in spherical video
IEA Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Program (TCP) End of Term Report 2015-2020 and Strategic Plan 2020-2025
No full textIEA Hydrogen TCP – Strategic Framework 2015-2020
EVOLVING CONTEXT: Over the past five years the landscape for hydrogen has changed ; momentum has accelerated dramatically in the last two years
EVOLVING CONTEXT: Industry and markets - early markets for multiple applications show promise
Key task findings/results, lessons learned & success stories
OUTREACH PRODUCTS & ACTIVITIES
IEA Hydrogen Member Update Table on website contains: recent in-country developments/update on policy; highlights; other news
Key Hydrogen TCP Metrics
Hydrogen TCP Impact on IEA
Strategic Framework for 2020-2025: overarching objectives
Strategic framework: vision, mission, strategy & themes and portfolios
Strategic framework: priorities for RD&D, analysis & awareness/acceptance
2020-2025 Work Programme current & proposed/potential approach
IEA Hydrogen roadmap forward
IEA Hydrogen Report – funded by Japan; released mid-June 2019 for G20
REWP CERT Questionnaire
CERT procedure for a Technology Collaboration Programme request for extensio
What civil engineering graduates actually do
No full text2013 survey and interviews
2013 - activities
2013 - fields
Roles
2018 survey
Expanded roles
Roles
2017 survey - employers
Interviewee details
Roles and competencies
Suggested improvement
Towards the flourishing of Chinese Protestantism : an architectural enquiry, Shanghai
No full textRESEARCH QUESTION:
How can a new church architecture be formed combining Protestant and social service functions to enable a Protestant community to prosper in China?
ABSTRACT:
Shanghai is a metropolitan city in China with a growing number of young people. While these young people enjoy the high standard of living offered by the city, they are are under intense pressure from their work, family and study. Many turn to God and convert to Protestantism in a search for spiritual strength and to relieve this pressure. This has increased a need for Protestant church architecture in Shanghai. However, the government and building developers are not willing to invest money in the construction of such churches due to its single functional use. This leads to a small number of churches being built in Shanghai hindering the development of Chinese Protestantism.
The Protestant church complex in this project explores multiple possible functions of the building and encourages government and building developers to see the value of Protestant church architecture. Moreover, instead of being limited to a single function, diversified church architecture helps Protestantism become more firmly rooted in Chinese society and aid an understanding of the universality of the Protestant faith. Good Protestant church architecture appeals to more worshippers.
My research focuses on literature about Protestant faith, the relationship between Protestant communities and Protestant church architecture in China and its social use. An analysis of precedents in architecture is included to help me understand existing forms of Protestant church architecture and how to combine them with religious and secular needs.
The outcome of this project is to create a new architectural form for the Protestant church: a Protestant church complex providing both religious and social functions. The aim is to offer both a meaningful spiritual experience to Chinese Protestants and a platform for the public to learn about the Protestant faith. A future vision of the project is to promote this new architectural form to other Chinese cities and engender a flourishing of Chinese Protestantism
International Energy Agency (IEA) strategic initiatives and activities for hydrogen
No full textHydrogen overview
Light vehicle activity
Buses
Trucks
Forklifts, trains and ferries
Other
IEA Technology Collaboration Programmes
IEA H2TCP -- objectives
IEA H2TCP strategy
IEA H2TCP strategic activities
Task 40 - energy storage and conversion based on hydrogen 2019-2021
Task 38 Subtask - Analysis of Demonstration Projects
Task engagement
Links and reference