title: Visual estimation of the direction of complex moving patterns by domestic chickens (Gallus gallus): A behavioural analytical approach

authors: Bright, John Grady

subjects: Behaviour Analysis

abstract: Humans and nonhuman primates are able to combine ambiguous directions of movement in a scene into a global motion percept and are able to solve the problem of estimating motion direction. There is extensive research on motion perception in humans, mammals and some avian species but little is known about the motion perception capabilities of the domestic chicken. We investigated whether domestic chickens are capable of determining global motion direction and developed methods whereby they were able to reliably indicate their direction estimates. A number of preliminary directional learning training conditions were used in order to teach the birds to selectively respond to moving patterns (sine wave gratings) which were moving in one of three directions (45°, 135° or 90°). Once this learning had occurred and was reliable, we presented ‘plaid’ probe trials which were summed gratings moving at 45° and 135°.  Humans and nonhuman primates perceive this combined plaid pattern to be moving upwards at 90°.  The experiments investigated whether the birds perceived upwards (90°) motion or the two diagonal directions separately when shown the plaid probe stimuli. The data show that the domestic chickens in our study were able to make directional judgements based on motion cues (they could reliably indicate 45° and 135° directions) but did not perceive the combined upward (90°) global motion as humans and nonhuman primates do. This suggests that they process visual motion differently from us.

text: Visual estimation of the direction of complex moving patterns by domestic chickens (Gallus gallus): A behavioural analytical approach Humans and nonhuman primates are able to combine ambiguous directions of movement in a scene into a global motion percept and are able to solve the problem of estimating motion direction. There is extensive research on motion perception in humans, mammals and some avian species but little is known about the motion perception capabilities of the domestic chicken. We investigated whether domestic chickens are capable of determining global motion direction and developed methods whereby they were able to reliably indicate their direction estimates. A number of preliminary directional learning training conditions were used in order to teach the birds to selectively respond to moving patterns (sine wave gratings) which were moving in one of three directions (45°, 135° or 90°). Once this learning had occurred and was reliable, we presented ‘plaid’ probe trials which were summed gratings moving at 45° and 135°.  Humans and nonhuman primates perceive this combined plaid pattern to be moving upwards at 90°.  The experiments investigated whether the birds perceived upwards (90°) motion or the two diagonal directions separately when shown the plaid probe stimuli. The data show that the domestic chickens in our study were able to make directional judgements based on motion cues (they could reliably indicate 45° and 135° directions) but did not perceive the combined upward (90°) global motion as humans and nonhuman primates do. This suggests that they process visual motion differently from us.

year: 2016

title: Alignment of Short Fibres: An Overview

authors: Sunny, Tom

abstract: Fibre orientation is a major factor influencing composite performance; research, largely on synthetic fibre composites, supports that the best mechanical performances are achieved in composites when fibres are aligned in the loading direction. Generally, with short natural plant fibre (SNPF) composites, randomly oriented fibre mats are used as reinforcements due to the innate limits of fibre length and the difficulty of aligning short fibre. However, there are a number of methods that have been developed for aligning short fibre, again largely employed for synthetic fibres. The two main approaches employed to align short fibres relate to whether dry or wet processing is used available in literature; in wet processes, fibres are generally suspended in a liquid medium and alignment of fibre trails the fluid flow direction, whereas in dry processes, dry fibres are aligned in the direction of an induced or applied force such as pneumatic or electric. An overview of different alignment methods with their working principles is presented in this paper. This paper also describes an alignment technique currently under development to improve the alignment obtained for SNPFs.

text: Alignment of Short Fibres: An Overview Fibre orientation is a major factor influencing composite performance; research, largely on synthetic fibre composites, supports that the best mechanical performances are achieved in composites when fibres are aligned in the loading direction. Generally, with short natural plant fibre (SNPF) composites, randomly oriented fibre mats are used as reinforcements due to the innate limits of fibre length and the difficulty of aligning short fibre. However, there are a number of methods that have been developed for aligning short fibre, again largely employed for synthetic fibres. The two main approaches employed to align short fibres relate to whether dry or wet processing is used available in literature; in wet processes, fibres are generally suspended in a liquid medium and alignment of fibre trails the fluid flow direction, whereas in dry processes, dry fibres are aligned in the direction of an induced or applied force such as pneumatic or electric. An overview of different alignment methods with their working principles is presented in this paper. This paper also describes an alignment technique currently under development to improve the alignment obtained for SNPFs.

year: 2017

title: Adaptation of the safewards model to the New Zealand context: A mixed-methods evaluative study

authors: Knauf, Sarah

subjects: inpatient

abstract: Background: Mental health inpatient units can provide a sanctuary for people to recover from mental illness. However, research has shown these units to be sites of conflict, in an environment that service users do not experience as therapeutic. To support a therapeutic environment, the safety and wellbeing of service users and staff need protection through reduced conflict and containment rates. Conflict can be physical or verbal aggression, self-harm, suicide attempt, absconding, substance misuse and medication refusal. Containment involves methods used to control conflict, including administration of sedative medication, coerced intramuscular medication, increased level of observation, restraint and seclusion. The Safewards model, originating in the United Kingdom in 2015, proposes 10 interventions to address conflict and containment. These interventions are centred on: therapeutic relationships; person-centeredness; teamwork; and least restrictive care. This research pursued active transformation through codesign of an adapted Safewards model to fit the socio-cultural context of New Zealand.

Objective: This thesis with publication describes the adaptation of the Safewards model to the New Zealand context. Cultural adaptation was critical due to significant health outcome disparities between Māori and non-Māori populations and the disproportionate representation of Māori within mental health services. The research sought to discover what a New Zealand model required, what the perspectives of inpatient tangata whai ora and staff were of the developed model and what changes it made to rates of conflict, containment and the ward atmosphere. Participants: Tangata whai ora and staff from the study setting were recruited to participate in focus groups before and after the implementation of the New Zealand Safewards model. Phase one focus groups included 15 staff and three tangata whai ora. Phase three focus groups included 13 staff and four tangata whai ora.

Methods: This is a mixed-methods evaluative study structured into three distinct phases, using methods of participatory action research. The adapted Safewards model was implemented for 12 months, with a staggered introduction of 11 interventions. Qualitative data were derived from the thematic analysis of focus groups. Quantitative data were from the Patient-Staff Conflict Checklist, Essen Climate Evaluation Schema, Fidelity Checklist and Te Whatu Ora Waikato service data.

Findings: A New Zealand Safewards model must: reflect a Te Ao Māori worldview; align with current practices; adapt Safewards interventions; and gain acceptance. Change management is one process that can reduce barriers to change. The adapted Safewards model reduced conflict, increased patient cohesion and improved the sense of safety perceived from staff and tangata whai ora in the study setting. The outcomes of this study hold the potential to contribute to the formulation and implementation of a New Zealand Safewards model, while also bearing relevance for the international adaptation of Safewards to culturally diverse countries and healthcare systems.

text: Adaptation of the safewards model to the New Zealand context: A mixed-methods evaluative study Background: Mental health inpatient units can provide a sanctuary for people to recover from mental illness. However, research has shown these units to be sites of conflict, in an environment that service users do not experience as therapeutic. To support a therapeutic environment, the safety and wellbeing of service users and staff need protection through reduced conflict and containment rates. Conflict can be physical or verbal aggression, self-harm, suicide attempt, absconding, substance misuse and medication refusal. Containment involves methods used to control conflict, including administration of sedative medication, coerced intramuscular medication, increased level of observation, restraint and seclusion. The Safewards model, originating in the United Kingdom in 2015, proposes 10 interventions to address conflict and containment. These interventions are centred on: therapeutic relationships; person-centeredness; teamwork; and least restrictive care. This research pursued active transformation through codesign of an adapted Safewards model to fit the socio-cultural context of New Zealand.

Objective: This thesis with publication describes the adaptation of the Safewards model to the New Zealand context. Cultural adaptation was critical due to significant health outcome disparities between Māori and non-Māori populations and the disproportionate representation of Māori within mental health services. The research sought to discover what a New Zealand model required, what the perspectives of inpatient tangata whai ora and staff were of the developed model and what changes it made to rates of conflict, containment and the ward atmosphere. Participants: Tangata whai ora and staff from the study setting were recruited to participate in focus groups before and after the implementation of the New Zealand Safewards model. Phase one focus groups included 15 staff and three tangata whai ora. Phase three focus groups included 13 staff and four tangata whai ora.

Methods: This is a mixed-methods evaluative study structured into three distinct phases, using methods of participatory action research. The adapted Safewards model was implemented for 12 months, with a staggered introduction of 11 interventions. Qualitative data were derived from the thematic analysis of focus groups. Quantitative data were from the Patient-Staff Conflict Checklist, Essen Climate Evaluation Schema, Fidelity Checklist and Te Whatu Ora Waikato service data.

Findings: A New Zealand Safewards model must: reflect a Te Ao Māori worldview; align with current practices; adapt Safewards interventions; and gain acceptance. Change management is one process that can reduce barriers to change. The adapted Safewards model reduced conflict, increased patient cohesion and improved the sense of safety perceived from staff and tangata whai ora in the study setting. The outcomes of this study hold the potential to contribute to the formulation and implementation of a New Zealand Safewards model, while also bearing relevance for the international adaptation of Safewards to culturally diverse countries and healthcare systems.

year: 2024