title: Massive ontology interface

authors: Stannett, Matt

subjects: web interface

abstract: This paper describes the Massive Ontology Interface (MOI), a web portal which facilitates interaction with a large ontology (over 200,000 concepts and 1.6M assertions) that is built automatically using OpenCyc as a backbone. The aim of the interface is to simplify interaction with the massive amounts of information and guide the user towards understanding the ontology’s data. Using either a text or graph-based representation, users can discuss and edit the ontology. Social elements utilizing gamification techniques are included to encourage users to create and collaborate on stored knowledge as part of a web community.
An evaluation by 30 users comparing MOI with OpenCyc’s original interface showed significant improvements in user understanding of the ontology, although full testing of the interface’s social elements lies in the future.

text: Massive ontology interface This paper describes the Massive Ontology Interface (MOI), a web portal which facilitates interaction with a large ontology (over 200,000 concepts and 1.6M assertions) that is built automatically using OpenCyc as a backbone. The aim of the interface is to simplify interaction with the massive amounts of information and guide the user towards understanding the ontology’s data. Using either a text or graph-based representation, users can discuss and edit the ontology. Social elements utilizing gamification techniques are included to encourage users to create and collaborate on stored knowledge as part of a web community.
An evaluation by 30 users comparing MOI with OpenCyc’s original interface showed significant improvements in user understanding of the ontology, although full testing of the interface’s social elements lies in the future.

year: 2013

title: Investigating relatedness and nodality in stimulus equivalence

authors: Chand, Gabriel Chris

subjects: Stimulus Equivalence

abstract: Stimulus equivalence describes how a group of stimuli can be trained to be ‘equal’, part of one group (equivalence class) where all stimuli are substitutable by each other. Relatedness deals with how stimuli in an equivalence class may not be equal, but rather have differing magnitudes of relations depending on how many stimuli are between two related stimuli. The stimuli in that are between two related stimuli in an equivalence class are called nodes. The issue of nodality in relatedness has been of interest to behavioural researchers. In this study, an experiment was conducted to test the strength of the relations between stimuli in trained equivalence class, which was a replication of several previous studies, with methodological improvements. The strength of stimulus-stimulus relations was tested by first using the simultaneous training method to establish two 6-member, 4-node equivalence classes, after which within-class preference testing was used. Of the 12 participants who took part in the experiment, seven participants were not able to successfully form the two 6-member equivalence classes, with the remaining five participants successfully able to form the two 6- member equivalence classes – demonstrated through achieving criterion (90%) response accuracy during the simultaneous protocol testing phase. The participants who completed the preference testing demonstrated response control by nodality, as they regularly preferred comparison stimuli that were nodally proximal to the sample; and in the case of one participant, responding was entirely consistent with the effects of nodality. That is, they always preferred the comparison stimuli that were nodally proximal to the sample stimuli. Furthermore, on the occasions when the participants did select the nodally distal comparison stimuli, they took longer to make the selection than when they selected the nodally proximal stimuli. On preference testing probes that did not differ in nodal distance (comparison stimuli were an equal nodal distance from the sample stimuli), participants showed no preference for either of the comparison stimuli by selecting both the comparison stimuli approximately an equal number of times. These findings are consistent with earlier studies which involved using various training methods to establish equivalence classes, then testing for nodality effects on stimulus-stimulus relations within the established equivalence classes. Therefore, with the methodological improvements applied in the study, nodality was demonstrated, suggesting that stimuli in an equivalence class are related differentially.

text: Investigating relatedness and nodality in stimulus equivalence Stimulus equivalence describes how a group of stimuli can be trained to be ‘equal’, part of one group (equivalence class) where all stimuli are substitutable by each other. Relatedness deals with how stimuli in an equivalence class may not be equal, but rather have differing magnitudes of relations depending on how many stimuli are between two related stimuli. The stimuli in that are between two related stimuli in an equivalence class are called nodes. The issue of nodality in relatedness has been of interest to behavioural researchers. In this study, an experiment was conducted to test the strength of the relations between stimuli in trained equivalence class, which was a replication of several previous studies, with methodological improvements. The strength of stimulus-stimulus relations was tested by first using the simultaneous training method to establish two 6-member, 4-node equivalence classes, after which within-class preference testing was used. Of the 12 participants who took part in the experiment, seven participants were not able to successfully form the two 6-member equivalence classes, with the remaining five participants successfully able to form the two 6- member equivalence classes – demonstrated through achieving criterion (90%) response accuracy during the simultaneous protocol testing phase. The participants who completed the preference testing demonstrated response control by nodality, as they regularly preferred comparison stimuli that were nodally proximal to the sample; and in the case of one participant, responding was entirely consistent with the effects of nodality. That is, they always preferred the comparison stimuli that were nodally proximal to the sample stimuli. Furthermore, on the occasions when the participants did select the nodally distal comparison stimuli, they took longer to make the selection than when they selected the nodally proximal stimuli. On preference testing probes that did not differ in nodal distance (comparison stimuli were an equal nodal distance from the sample stimuli), participants showed no preference for either of the comparison stimuli by selecting both the comparison stimuli approximately an equal number of times. These findings are consistent with earlier studies which involved using various training methods to establish equivalence classes, then testing for nodality effects on stimulus-stimulus relations within the established equivalence classes. Therefore, with the methodological improvements applied in the study, nodality was demonstrated, suggesting that stimuli in an equivalence class are related differentially.

year: 2020

title: Obesity Management in Rural New Zealand General Practice from Healthcare Professional and Client Perspectives

authors: Norman, Kimberley

subjects: Obesity

abstract: Obesity is a health issue which currently affects over 34% of New Zealand (NZ) adults. Obesity, if left unchecked, leads to further physical and psychosocial health complications and an overall poor quality of life. People living in rural communities, high deprivation areas, as well as Indigenous Māori and Pacific Island populations in NZ, experience significant obesity health inequities and have a high-risk of developing obesity. General practice clinicians are positioned to be ‘best suited’ to deliver effective obesity healthcare in their practice, however, despite weight management intervention options being available through general practice, the obesity rates have continued to rise in the last 30 years. This suggests that there are potentially barriers to achieving a healthy weight in this context.
The aim of this research thesis is to understand the experiences with, and barriers to, effective obesity management in general practice from clinician and client perspectives to identify areas of improvement in the future.
This research thesis examines obesity healthcare in NZ general practice using a sequential explanatory mixed method research design in three parts. Firstly, a literature review study was conducted as a baseline point to identify the efficacy of any weight management interventions that are available in general practice. Secondly, a quantitative exploratory survey was conducted with Waikato region general practitioners (GP’s). Lastly, interviews with rural clinicians (GPs, nurses, and Indigenous Māori health professionals) and clients (patients engaging with rural general practice) were then conducted to understand the more in-depth perspectives of any barriers experienced with delivering, or engaging with, obesity management in general practice.
The experiences of both clinicians and clients were found to be complex and nuanced, with each participant having a unique experience with obesity management. Concepts such as effective yet inaccessible weight management interventions, interventions not suitable for sociocultural health needs, conflicting nutritional guidelines, lack of rural general practice systemic support, the unique and time consuming nature of obesity ‘treatment’, complications with the role of a clinician in obesity management, stigma or power imbalances in the general practice context, social determinants of health, the obesogenic environment, privatised weight management programmes and the individualised nature of sociocultural norms were found to be significant to effective obesity management.
This research thesis identified that the positioning of general practitioners as ‘best suited’ for delivering effective obesity healthcare in their practice was questionable. Potentially, the clinician role is better suited as a supportive one to an obesity health specialist who can meet the more holistic needs of a client when it comes to weight management. The current health model generates difficulties for clinicians to deliver comprehensive healthcare for such a complex and individualised health issue. Future research should look to develop weight management options that are suitable for rural and indigenous health needs to improve quality of life for clients and reduce health inequities. In addition, wider critical reflection on the current obesity healthcare model and the feasibility of a more specialist service outside general practice is warranted.

text: Obesity Management in Rural New Zealand General Practice from Healthcare Professional and Client Perspectives Obesity is a health issue which currently affects over 34% of New Zealand (NZ) adults. Obesity, if left unchecked, leads to further physical and psychosocial health complications and an overall poor quality of life. People living in rural communities, high deprivation areas, as well as Indigenous Māori and Pacific Island populations in NZ, experience significant obesity health inequities and have a high-risk of developing obesity. General practice clinicians are positioned to be ‘best suited’ to deliver effective obesity healthcare in their practice, however, despite weight management intervention options being available through general practice, the obesity rates have continued to rise in the last 30 years. This suggests that there are potentially barriers to achieving a healthy weight in this context.
The aim of this research thesis is to understand the experiences with, and barriers to, effective obesity management in general practice from clinician and client perspectives to identify areas of improvement in the future.
This research thesis examines obesity healthcare in NZ general practice using a sequential explanatory mixed method research design in three parts. Firstly, a literature review study was conducted as a baseline point to identify the efficacy of any weight management interventions that are available in general practice. Secondly, a quantitative exploratory survey was conducted with Waikato region general practitioners (GP’s). Lastly, interviews with rural clinicians (GPs, nurses, and Indigenous Māori health professionals) and clients (patients engaging with rural general practice) were then conducted to understand the more in-depth perspectives of any barriers experienced with delivering, or engaging with, obesity management in general practice.
The experiences of both clinicians and clients were found to be complex and nuanced, with each participant having a unique experience with obesity management. Concepts such as effective yet inaccessible weight management interventions, interventions not suitable for sociocultural health needs, conflicting nutritional guidelines, lack of rural general practice systemic support, the unique and time consuming nature of obesity ‘treatment’, complications with the role of a clinician in obesity management, stigma or power imbalances in the general practice context, social determinants of health, the obesogenic environment, privatised weight management programmes and the individualised nature of sociocultural norms were found to be significant to effective obesity management.
This research thesis identified that the positioning of general practitioners as ‘best suited’ for delivering effective obesity healthcare in their practice was questionable. Potentially, the clinician role is better suited as a supportive one to an obesity health specialist who can meet the more holistic needs of a client when it comes to weight management. The current health model generates difficulties for clinicians to deliver comprehensive healthcare for such a complex and individualised health issue. Future research should look to develop weight management options that are suitable for rural and indigenous health needs to improve quality of life for clients and reduce health inequities. In addition, wider critical reflection on the current obesity healthcare model and the feasibility of a more specialist service outside general practice is warranted.

year: 2024