Interaction between clients and physiotherapists in group exercise classes in geriatric rehabilitation

The aim of this paper is to explore how older people construct their interaction in group exercise classes in geriatric rehabilitation and what is their contribution to the interaction. Discourse analysis was employed and data, consisting of seven videotaped group-based exercise sessions, were collected from 52 older people (aged 66–93 years) and nine rehabilitation professionals in seven rehabilitation centres. Four discourse categories were found. In “taciturn exercising”, older people remained verbally silent but physically active. In “submissive disagreeing”, older people opposed the professionals’ agenda by displaying reluctant consent to proposals. In “resilient endeavouring”, older adults persisted on their course of action, regardless of the disapproval of the professionals. In “lay helping”, older people initiated spontaneous encouragement, but also gave verbal and physical assistance to their peers. Older people's meaningful contribution to interaction, whilst it may challenge the institutional flow of activities, can constitute an integral part of the re-ablement process of rehabilitation

Dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of sputtered PZT thin films on Si substrates: influence of film thickness and orientation

Lead titanate zirconate Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ (PZT) thin films were deposited on platinized silicon substrates by r.f. magnetron sputtering and crystallized with preferred (110) or (111) orientation by conventional annealing treatment. The film structure evolution was observed as a function of the film thickness. Whatever the film thickness in the range 0.07 - 3 mm, the preferred orientation of the film is maintained. The film microstructure and, in particular, grain sizes varied with the film thickness; more precisely, grain sizes increases, both for (111) and (110) films with the film thickness. The electrical properties such as dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric ones were systematically evaluated functions of the film thickness and their orientation. The relative dielectric constant increases with the film thickness; a saturation value of 920 is attained for film thicknesses higher than 0.6 µm independently of the film orientation. The ferroelectric properties seems to be independent of the film orientation; the coercive field decrease with increasing the film thickness to attain a minimum value of 30 kV/cm for films thicker than 1 mm. The remanent polarization increases with the film thickness and reaches the maximum value of 20 mC/cm². An increase in the piezoelectric constant e₃₁ with increasing the film thickness was observed for two types of films. For films thicker than 0.6 mm, the e₃₁ coefficient remains constant: e₃₁eff.rem. = -4.5 C/m² (which corresponds to d₃₁eff.rem. = -38 pm/V). Identical behavior is observed for the d₃₃eff. coefficient but no saturation effect with the film thickness is observed. The ferroelectric domain walls motion and the interfacial effects could explain partly the observed behavior

Peculiarities and asymmetry of polarization reversal in Pt/PZT-film/Pt:Ti/SiO₂/Si-substrate structures in pyroelectric response investigations

By RF magnetron sputtering method the Pt/PZT-film/Pt:Ti-sublayer/SiO₂/Si-substrate structures were prepared and pyroelectric response amplitude and phase behaviour under external voltage application was investigated by photopyroelectric modulation method. The results of investigation of pyroelectric response – external voltage loops of polarization reversal, pyroelectric response – voltage poling curves and pyroelectric response – time repolarization curves and also dynamic current-voltage characteristics of Pt/PZT/Pt:Ti/SiO₂/Si-substrate structures are presented. From variation of pyroelectric response in the current and voltage modes the capacity-voltage loops of polarization reversal and poling curves were derived. From asymmetric pyroelectric response – time repolarization curves the voltage behaviour of characteristic times of zero response and saturation was analyzed. Observed transformations of current-voltage characteristics display the considerable voltage and time dependent variation of charge transfer conditions. The performed investigation has shown the strong correlation between the poling pyroelectric and so ferroelectric and electrical asymmetries. Presented data on the polar and time asymmetry of the conditions of polarization reversal are discussed in the terms of influence of dynamics of space charge asymmetry on pinning conditions under the different polarity of applied voltage in the course of polarization reversal

Partial polarization switching in ferroelectrics-semiconductors with charged defects

We propose the phenomenological description of ferroelectric disordering caused by charged defects in ferroelectric-semiconductors. The good agreement between the obtained experimental results for PZT films and theoretical calculations has been shown. We suppose that proportional to the averaged charge density of defects improper conductivity is sufficiently high to provide the screening of charge density random fluctuations drs in the absence of external field. When external electric field is applied, inner field fluctuations and induction fluctuations dD appear in the inhomogeneously polarized system “charged fluctuation + screening cloud”. We show that the macroscopic state of ferroelectric-semiconductor with random charged defects and sufficiently high improper conductivity can be described by three coupled equations for three order parameters. Averaged over sample volume induction determines the ferroelectric ordering in the system, its square fluctuation determines disordering caused by electric field fluctuations appeared around charged fluctuations drs, and reflects the correlations between the free carriers screening cloud and charged defects drs. For the first time, we derive the following system of three coupled equations: Also the obtained system of coupled equations qualitatively describes the peculiarities of polarization switching (footprint and minor hysteresis loops) in such ferroelectric materials with charged defects as PZT films with growth imperfections, PLZT ceramics and SBN single crystals doped with cerium

Social, environmental and psychological factors associated with objective physical activity levels in the over 65s

Objective: To assess physical activity levels objectively using accelerometers in community dwelling over 65 s and to examine associations with health, social, environmental and psychological factors. Design: Cross sectional survey. Setting: 17 general practices in Scotland, United Kingdom. Participants: Random sampling of over 65 s registered with the practices in four strata young-old (65–80 years), old-old (over 80 years), more affluent and less affluent groups. Main Outcome Measures: Accelerometry counts of activity per day. Associations between activity and Theory of Planned Behaviour variables, the physical environment, health, wellbeing and demographic variables were examined with multiple regression analysis and multilevel modelling. Results: 547 older people (mean (SD) age 79(8) years, 54% female) were analysed representing 94% of those surveyed. Accelerometry counts were highest in the affluent younger group, followed by the deprived younger group, with lowest levels in the deprived over 80 s group. Multiple regression analysis showed that lower age, higher perceived behavioural control, the physical function subscale of SF-36, and having someone nearby to turn to were all independently associated with higher physical activity levels (R2 = 0.32). In addition, hours of sunshine were independently significantly associated with greater physical activity in a multilevel model. Conclusions: Other than age and hours of sunlight, the variables identified are modifiable, and provide a strong basis for the future development of novel multidimensional interventions aimed at increasing activity participation in later life.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Does owning a pet protect older people against loneliness?

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Pet ownership is thought to make a positive contribution to health, health behaviours and the general well-being of older people. More specifically pet ownership is often proposed as a solution to the problem of loneliness in later life and specific 'pet based' interventions have been developed to combat loneliness. However the evidence to support this relationship is slim and it is assumed that pet ownership is a protection against loneliness rather than a response to loneliness. The aim of this paper is to examine the association between pet ownership and loneliness by exploring if pet ownership is a response to, or protection against, loneliness using Waves 0-5 from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)