Batch processing options
The application starts up with the screen to select the options available for batch processing.
After adjusting the options, press the ‘Start’ button at the bottom to batch process the files.
Setup
- input folder – the input folder containing the datx files. The input folder and all sub folders are searched for datx files. This can be changed by typing in the box or clicking “Browse…” to select the folder.
- output folder – the output folder for the exported files. This can be changed by typing in the box or clicking “Browse…” to select the folder. The default is a sub folder ‘analysis’ in the input folder. Note: if the folder does not exist it is created
- settings – the settings used for data processing. To adjust the settings, click on the ‘change…’ button to open the Settings screen
Export Selection
Select the export options for batch processing. The exports are grouped into different types:
Spreadsheet exports (single csv for all files)
The analysis of all datx files in the folder are placed into a single csv file. Full details of these exports are provided in this section.
Spreadsheet exports (individual csv files)
The analysis of each datx file in the folder creates a separate csv file. Full details of these exports are provided in this section.
Reports
PDF reports containing visualisations of the data. Full details of these exports are provided in this section.
Legacy exports
Exports which have been replaced in current versions of the tool are provided for backwards compatibility. Full details of these exports are provided in this section.
Batch Processing Progress
After pressing the ‘Start’ button, the progress of the batch processing will be indicated.
Batch Processing Complete
At the end of the batch process, the result is shown, and another batch process can be initiated.
Settings
The following settings can be adjusted for PALbatch:
validation algorithm
Adjustable criteria for the validation algorithm
Wear time protocol:
- 24 hour wear – allows 4 hours of non-wear per day
- 14 hour waking wear day – allow 10 hours of non-wear per day
- 10 hour wear day – allow 14 hours of non-wear per day
classification algorithm
The classification algorithm can be selected and parameters adjusted.
VANE
The standard PAL analysis algorithm. Classifies the data into 3 event types – non-upright, upright and stepping.
Adjustable parameters:
- minimum non-upright period – for free living data in adult populations, the default value of 10 seconds is recommended
- minimum upright period – for free living data in adult populations, the default value of 10 seconds is recommended
CREA
Extends the standard PAL analysis algorithm to provide detection of non-wear and classification of non-upright time into lying (primary and secondary) and sitting. Seated transport and cycling classification are applied. Upright correction for intermediate sitting angles is also applied.
Adjustable parameters:
- minimum non-upright period – for free living data in adult populations, the default value of 10 seconds is recommended
- minimum upright period – for free living data in adult populations, the default value of 10 seconds is recommended
wear correction
With ‘Auto-correct inverted wear’ selected, data files where the device was worn upside down will be automatically corrected.
valid day filter
Options for using the valid day flag as generated by the validation algorithm
- Show all days – the valid day flag is not used
- Highlight valid days – valid and invalid days are marked
- Show only valid days – invalid days are trimmed from the start and end of the data
Version history
8.10.12.57 (22nd Jan 2021)
Added
- Legacy export options
8.10.12.56 (12nd Oct 2020)
Fixed
- Compatibility with pml files with older format
8.10.12.55 (9th Oct 2020)
Added
- Added .pal record file legacy export
- Added upright bouts export
- Added stepping bouts export
Fixed
- Fixes and improvements to the CREA Time In Bed Algorithm
8.10.11.54 (25th Jun 2020)
Added
- Custom duration epochs csv export
- Resume behaviour (and ‘skip then resume’) for interrupted batch processing
Changed
- User interface updates
Fixed
- Fixes and improvements to the CREA Time In Bed Algorithm
8.10.9.46 (17th Oct 2019)
Fixed
- EventsEx csv file export was disabled in previous version
8.10.9.45 (14th Oct 2019)
Added
- User logs for processing parameters used on exports
Fixed
- Stability fixes
- OSX login fixes
- Bug fix for activPAL4 data where high intensity upright activity triggered classification errors (New algorithm version: CREA v1.1)
8.10.9.44 (18th Sep 2019)
Fixed
- Time in bed export: Waking day before / after columns were offset by one day for files starting just before midnight.
8.10.9.43 (5th Sep 2019)
Added
- Daily time in bed export csv
- Online help links to exports
Changed
- Raw data export now simplified, and provides uncompressed and compressed exports
Fixed
- Improved error reporting
- Sign in fixes
- Minor export bug fixes
8.10.7.40 (10th Jul 2019)
Added
- Additional stepping data columns on daily summaries export
Fixed
- Minor bug fixes
8.10.7.39 (5th Jul 2019)
Fixed
- Time in bed algorithm fix – fixed misclassification of start of time in bed with multiple small duration rolling event
- Improved handling of large number of files in folder
- Crash with no files in folder
- Minor bug fixes
8.10.7.38 (20th Jun 2019)
Added
- CREA algorithm full release – enhanced version of standard PAL algorithm with addition of non-wear, upright correction, lying, cycling and seated transport classification
- Events linear day per row heatmap pdf
- Week view spiral visualisation pdf
- 15s “Inclination and vector magnitude” csv export
Fixed
- Stability and bug fixes
8.10.6.33 (16th Dec 2018)
Added
- CREA algorithm (BETA)
- Minimum sedentary / upright time editable in settings
8.10.5.28 (23rd Oct 2018)
Added
- Blank screen on some Windows 7 PCs
8.10.5.23 (30th Aug 2018)
Added
- Events linear pdf export
Fixed
- Stability fixes
8.10.3.20 (27th Apr 2018)
Added
- Event spiral pdf export
- Daily summaries pdf export
Changed
- Basic operation enabled without sign in
8.9.4.17 (25th Jan 2018)
Added
- Initial general release