48 research outputs found
Automatic syllabification in English: A comparison of different algorithms
No full textNRC publication: Ye
Field-scale validation of an automated soil nitrate extraction and measurement system
No full textOne of the many gaps that needs to be solved by precision agriculture technologies is the availability of an economic, automated, on-the-go mapping system that can be used to obtain intensive and accurate ‘real-time’ data on the levels of nitrate nitrogen (NO3–N) in the soil. A soil nitrate mapping system (SNMS) has been developed to provide a way to collect such data. This study was done to provide extensive field-scale validation testing of the system’s nitrate extraction and measurement sub-unit (NEMS) in two crop (wheat and carrot) production systems. Field conditions included conventional tillage (CT) versus no tillage (NT), inorganic versus organic fertilizer application, four soil groups and three points in time throughout the season. Detailed data analysis showed that: (i) the level of agreement, as measured by root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of efficiency (CE), between NEMS soil NO3–N and standard laboratory soil NO3–N measurements was excellent; (ii) at the field-scale, there was little practical difference when using either integer or real number data processing; (iii) regression equations can be used to enable field measurements of soil NO3–N using the NEMS to be obtained with laboratory accuracy; (iv) future designs of the SNMS’s control system can continue to use cheaper integer chip technology for processing the nitrate ion-selective electrode (NO3 -–ISE) readings; and (v) future designs of the SNMS would not need a soil moisture sensor, ultimately saving on manufacturing costs of a more simple syste
Written Mobility Communication in Acute Care Medical Wards: An Observational Study of Physical Therapists' and Nurses' Documentation Practice
No full textObjective: Low inpatient mobility is associated with poor hospital outcomes. Poor communication between clinicians has been identified as a barrier to improving mobility. Understanding how mobility is communicated within the multidisciplinary team may help inform strategies to improve inpatient mobility. The aim of this study was to describe written mobility communication by physical therapists and nurses in acute care medical wards. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted across 4 hospitals in an Australian health service. A survey of physical therapists and nurses identified preferred sources and content of written mobility communication. An audit described and compared written mobility communication in the most strongly preferred documentation sources. Findings were described and compared graphically between discipline and site. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 85 physical therapists and 150 nurses. Twenty-two sources of documentation about mobility were identified. Preferences for sources and content varied between disciplines. Physical therapists nominated several preferred information sources and sought and documented broader mobility content. Nurses often sought nursing documents that focused on current mobility assistance and aids, with limited communication of mobility level or mobility goals. Audits of 104 patient records found that content varied between sources and sites, and content was variably missing or inconsistent between sources. Conclusion: Written mobility communication focused on mobility assistance and aids, rather than mobility levels or mobility goals, with poor completion and inconsistency within documentation. More complete and consistent documentation might improve progressive mobilization of hospital inpatients. Impact: Physical therapists and nurses seek and document different content in a wide range of locations, leading to incomplete and inconsistent written documentation. Understanding and resolving these practice differences offers potential to improve mobility communication and practice.No Full Tex
Références
No full textAbbott, L. S. Dunn et V. Morgan (1999), « Integrated education in Northern Ireland: An analytical literature review », Research Serial no 15, Northern Ireland Departement of Education Report. Adsett, M. et M. Morin (2004), « Contact and regional variation in attitudes towards linguistic duality in Canada », Journal of Canadian Studies, 38(2), 129-151. Akenson, D.H. (1973), Education and Enmity: The Control of Schooling in Northern Ireland, 1920-1950, Newton Abbot, David and ..
Home-based and remote functional exercise testing in cardiac conditions, during the covid-19 pandemic and beyond: a systematic review
No full textBackground
With the change in healthcare to one that adopts a greater reliance on remote delivery, guidance regarding functional exercise testing, either in-person in the home or performed remotely, is urgently needed for people with cardiac conditions
Objectives
To identify functional exercise tests that have been conducted in the home or remotely in patients with cardiac conditions.
Data sources
A search was undertaken across four electronic databases and grey literature for English language publications without time restrictions.
Study eligibility criteria
: Studies of any designs were selected if they reported an exercise test conducted at home or remotely in patients with cardiac conditions.
Study appraisal and synthesis
Studies were independently screened and graded by two reviewers according to the Downs and Black checklist. A narrative synthesis of the included studies was undertaken.
Results
Five studies (six articles) were included, with a total of 438 patients with cardiac conditions. Tests used at home or remotely were the 6-minute walk test (6MWT, five studies) and the timed up and go test (one study). No studies reported the use of step tests in the home or remotely. The 6MWTs were administered via a smartphone application, rope, videoconferencing and accelerometer and proved to be feasible, valid and reliable.
Conclusions
Despite a marked demand for home-based exercise programs, the 6MWT remains the most commonly administered functional exercise test for people with cardiac conditions. Surprisingly few studies have explored alternative tests for this patient population that may be more suitable for home or remote performance.Full Tex
Predictors of Exercise Training and Physical Activity Adherence in People Recently Hospitalized with Heart Failure: A BRIEF REPORT
No full textFor individuals with heart failure (HF), frequent attendance at exercise training programs and meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines are significantly associated with improvements in 6-min walk distance. Despite the evidence, adherence to exercise interventions remains poor. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of these 2 variables in patients recently hospitalized with HF. Methods: In this substudy of the Exercise Joins Education: Combined Therapy to Improve Outcomes in Newly-discharged Heart Failure (EJECTION-HF) trial, all participants were enrolled in a HF disease management program, including weekly review of a home exercise program for 12 wk. Intervention group participants additionally undertook twice weekly supervised exercise training. Primary outcomes were frequent exercise training program attendance (≥12 sessions) and attainment of PA guidelines (150 min/wk of moderate intensity exercise) at 12 wk. Participant and clinical characteristics were analyzed using a logistic regression model to identify significant predictors of each outcome. Results: A total of 278 participants provided PA data and 140 contributed attendance data. New diagnosis of HF was a significant predictor of frequent program attendance (OR = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.7; P =.03). Predictors of meeting PA guidelines at follow-up included new HF diagnosis (OR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-4.8, P =.013), and being physically active at baseline (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6; P =.007). Gender, symptom severity, multimorbidity, and disability were not significantly associated with either outcome in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: To improve adherence, specific strategies may be required for patients with decompensated HF and those physically inactive at time of referral
Impact of exercise training program attendance and physical activity participation on six minute walk distance in patients with heart failure
No full textBackground: Exercise training is recommended for all people with stable heart failure (HF) however adherence is poor. This study sought to describe exercise participation in recently hospitalized HF patients who participated in a 12-week exercise training program. The association between exercise training variables and improvement in 6-min walk distance (6MWD) was also investigated. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of results from the intervention arm of the EJECTION-HF trial (ACTRN12608000263392), (n = 140). Exercise program attendance was defined according to session frequency (= 12 sessions) and attendance duration (= 6 weeks) over the 12 weeks. Physical activity at baseline and follow up were reported according to self-report of 150 min of moderate intensity exercise per week. Primary outcome was change in 6MWD at 12 weeks. Results: Being physically active (OR 3.8, CI 1.3-11.5) and frequent program attendance (OR 2.7, CI 1.2-5.9) were associated with significant improvements in 6MWD. Program duration and baseline physical activity were not significantly associated with the outcome. Conclusions: Attainment of 150 min of moderate intensity exercise per week and at least weekly attendance at the program, were associated with significant improvements in 6MWD at follow up. Efforts should be made to assist patients with HF to achieve these targets
