Subjective quality of life of informal caregivers aged 50–69 in Poland

Providing informal care to adults, especially elderly people, may affect many aspects of caregivers’ life, such as: physical and mental health, financial situation, social contacts, etc. Supporting dependent seniors is associated to a higher level of stress, burden and depression as well as higher mortality. The main purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationship between caregiving for adults and the subjective quality of life among Poles aged 50–69. We took into account not only the fact of providing care to adult people, but also its beginning, continuation and ending between waves. We assumed that subjective quality of life may be expressed by two variables: one describing life satisfaction, and the second one – loneliness. We used the panel subsample from the Generation and Gender Surveys (GGS) carried out in Poland in 2010/2011 and in 2014. We found a negative effect of stopping caregiving between waves on wellbeing of women-carers, which may be related to the loss of a close person. Moreover, providing care for a longer period of time increases loneliness, which confirms that providing support to others may lead to isolation and smaller social networks

Cryptocurrency perception within countries : a comparative analysis

Purpose: The paper explores the differences between countries concerning perception and use of traditional and virtual money. We try to answer the question who uses virtual money for investment and building assets and who uses it just for Internet payments. The background of the analysis are significant changes that have taken place in the virtual money market in recent years in relation to changes in the global financial market. Design/methodology/approach: A pilot study was conducted in Poland, the Russian Federation, and China, which is supposed to be an introduction to the bigger and wider survey. It was conducted within December 2019 and January 2020 with 81 surveyed persons. These were students of financial studies in the chosen countries. The paper questionnaire used in the survey consisted of 26 questions connected to virtual money plus 5 demographic questions. It was provided personally by teachers in class. Findings: The findings indicated that there are differences between countries in perception and the use of traditional and virtual money. These discrepancies can have cultural or historical background. Practical Implications: The practical usefulness of the whole study is that gathered information will permit to examine the economic and financial literacy of the respondents and their preferences for the use of innovative financial instruments. Originality/value: The study is related to the very current issue – virtual money as alternative to the currently functioning fiduciary money. The result of the research as one of the first indicated that a different perception of traditional and virtual money among different countries exist. This statement might be a huge contribution to the analysis of the current and further financial system.peer-reviewe

SYNTHESE ET CARACTERISATION DE NANOCOMPOSITES PLATINE/NANOFIBRES POUR ELECTRODES DE PILES A COMBUSTIBLE A ELECTROLYTE POLYMERE

The objective of this thesis is to develop corrosion resistant catalyst support materials that can potentially replace carbon in Polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Therefore, Nb doped TiO 2 and SnO 2 nanofibres and nanotubes were prepared by electrospinning and characterised by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, N 2 adsorption/desorption analysis and electronic conductivity measurements. The obtained Nb doped TiO 2 and SnO 2 one dimensional structures demonstrated higher conductivity and surface area than non-doped oxides. Pt nanoparticles were prepared using a modified microwave-assisted polyol method and deposited on the electrospun supports. Electrochemical characterisation of the obtained electrocatalysts was performed ex situ using a rotating disc electrode, and compared with a commercial carbon support (Vulcan XC-72R). Pt supported on Nb doped SnO 2 provided higher electrochemical stability in comparison to Pt on carbon. Thus, a cathode of Pt/Nb-SnO 2 prepared by spray-coating was integrated into Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) and characterised in situ in a single polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The MEA exhibited higher durability though lower power density compared to MEA with Pt/C based cathode. Sb doped SnO 2 nanotubes have higher conductivity than Nb doped material and when integrated into a cathode, provided enhanced power density in comparison to Nb-SnO 2 based cathode.Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le contexte général des efforts de recherche pour développer des supports de catalyseur résistant à la corrosion qui peuvent potentiellement remplacer le carbone dans les piles à combustible à électrolyte polymère. Des nanofibres et des nanotubes à base de TiO 2 et SnO 2 dopés par Nb ont été préparés par filage électrostatique et caractérisés par diffraction des rayons X, spectroscopie des photoélectrons de rayons X, spectroscopie Raman, mesures de surface spécifique et de conductivité électronique. Les nanofibres de TiO 2 et SnO 2 dopées par Nb présentent une conductivité et une surface spécifique supérieure à celle des oxydes non dopés. Des nanoparticules de platine ont été préparées en utilisant une méthode polyol modifié par micro-ondes, et déposées sur les supports fibreux. La caractérisation électrochimique des électrocatalyseurs ainsi obtenus a été réalisée ex situ par voltampérométrie en utilisant une électrode à disque tournant. Le catalyseur supporté, Pt sur SnO 2 dopé par Nb a présenté une stabilité électrochimique supérieure à celle d’un catalyseur Pt sur carbone commercial (Vulcan XC-72R). Une cathode Pt/Nb-SnO 2 préparée par pulvérisation a pu être intégrée dans un assemblage membrane-électrode (AME) et caractérisée in situ dans une cellule de pile à combustible à électrolyte polymère. L’AME a présenté une durée de vie plus élevée mais une densité de puissance plus faible qu’un AME contenant Pt/C. Les nanotubes de SnO 2 dopés par Sb ont une conductivité plus élevée que celle des matériaux dopés par Nb et lorsqu'ils sont intégrés dans une cathode, fournissent une densité de puissance accrue par rapport à une cathode à base de Nb-SnO 2

The effect of deformation route in equal channel angular pressing on mechanical properties of aluminum alloy 1050

Annealed samples of commercial purity aluminium (1050) were processed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECA P) at room temperature for up to eight passes. ECA P was conducted by using three processing routes (schemes). Tensile tests and micro hardness were conducted to evaluate variation of mechanical properties after each pass. Analysis of fractography was carried out due to investigate a fracture of the samples. The results showed that all the schemes had similar micro hardness values – around 50 HV. The tensile test results showed that the highest yield strength was achieved in the second scheme after eight passes – 186 MPa – while elongation maintained at the level of 17.4%. The value of yield strength achieved increased more than six times in proportion to annealed condition

Automated determination of peripheral nerve stimulation parameters to achieve desired effector response – a procedural routine, preliminary studies and proposal of improvements

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of selectively stimulating fascicles and fibers within peripheral nerves has been demonstrated by a number of groups. Although various multi-contact electrodes have been developed for this purpose, the lack of procedures for fast determination of stimulation parameters to produce the desired effector activity hampers the clinical application of these techniques. In this paper, we propose an automated search routine that may facilitate the determination of stimulation parameters. To verify the routine's performance, we also developed an another routine that performs systematic stimulus–response mapping (the mapping routine). METHOD: The mapping routine performs systematic mapping of all possible combinations of the allowed stimulation parameters (i.e. combinations of electrode contacts used to provide the stimulus and sets of stimulus parameters values) and the observed displacements. The proposed automated search routine, similarly to the mapping routine, maps stimulation parameters to muscle responses, but it first investigates stimuli of the low charge and during the mapping process it compares the recorded responses with the desired one. Depending on the result of that comparison, it decides whether the use of a particular combination of electrode contacts should be further investigated or skipped. Both approaches were implemented on a custom-made closed-loop FES platform and preliminary experiments were performed on a rat model. The rat's sciatic nerve was stimulated with a 12-contact cuff electrode and the resulting displacement of the rat's paw was determined using a MEMS accelerometer. RESULTS: The automated search routine was faster than the mapping routine; however, it failed to find correct stimulation parameters in one out of three searches. This could be due to unexpectedly high variability in the responses to a constant stimulus. CONCLUSION: Our initial tests have proven that the proposed method determines the desired stimulation parameters much more quickly than systematic stimulus–response mapping. However, the factors influencing the variability of responses to constant stimuli should be identified, and their influence diminished; the remaining essential variability can then be identified. Thereafter, the criteria influencing the search process should be investigated and refined. Further improvements to the search routine are also proposed

A conceptual exoskeleton shoulder design for the assistance of upper limb movement

© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018. There is an increased interest on wearable technologies for rehabilitation and human augmentation. Systems focusing on the upper limbs are attempting to replicate the musculoskeletal structures found in humans, reproducing existing behaviors and capabilities. The current work is expanding on existing systems with a novel design that ensures the maximum range of motion while at the same time allowing for lockable features ensuring higher manipulation payloads at minimum energy and fatigue costs. An analysis of the biomechanics of the shoulder is being done and a detailed system design for structural as well actuation elements of a parallel mechanism is given. The benefits for the use are discussed of reduced weight, maximum range of motion at minimum energy cost

A portable elbow exoskeleton for three stages of rehabilitation

Patients suffering from stroke need to undergo a standard and intensive rehabilitation therapy. The rehabilitation training consists of three sequential stages: the first stage is controlled joint movement under external actuator, the second stage deals with supporting the movements by providing assistive force, and the last stage provides variety and difficulty to exercises. Most of the exoskeletons developed so far for rehabilitation are restricted to a particular type of activity. Although a few exoskeletons incorporate different modes of rehabilitation, those are software controlled requiring sensory data acquisition and complex control architecture. To bridge this gap, a portable elbow exoskeleton has been developed for delivering three stages of rehabilitation in a single structure without affecting the range of motion and safety features. Use of electric motor and springs have been arranged in the actuation mechanism to minimize the energy consumption. The developed exoskeleton enhances torque to weight ratio compared to existing models, and all the three modes of rehabilitation have been controlled using a single motor

Using Both Hands : Tangibles for Stroke Rehabilitation in the Home

Stroke is one of the most common causes of long-term disability in the world, significantly reducing quality of life through impairing motor functions and cognitive abilities. Whilst rehabilitation exercises can help in the recovery of motor function impairments, stroke survivors rarely exercise enough, leading to far from optimal recovery. In this paper, we investigate how upper limb stroke rehabilitation can be supported using interactive tangible bimanual devices in the home. We customise the rehabilitation activities based on individual rehabilitation requirements and motivation of stroke survivors. Through evaluation with five stroke survivors, we uncovered insight into how tangible stroke rehabilitation systems for the home should be designed. These revealed the special importance of tailorable form factors as well as supporting self-awareness and grip exercises in order to increase the independence of stroke survivors to carry out activities of daily living.Peer reviewe

A hybrid automata framework for an adaptive impedance control of a robot-assisted training system

There is an increasing demand for an effective and adaptive robot-assisted training system for traumatic brain injury patients which can considerably promote their sensorimotor control performance, apart from ensuring the safety of the patients. This study focuses on the impedance control framework to simultaneously track the position trajectory while regulating the apparent impedance of the robot. The framework is based on the hybrid automata model that is used to govern the desired trajectory deployed by the robot-assisted training in assisting rehabilitative motion. A designed experimental setup was developed to evaluate the performance of the proposed hybrid automata scheme. Preliminary simulation results demonstrated the excellent response of the proposed framework with its ability to track the desired trajectory as well as the varying patients’ arm impedance profile. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020