scholarly journals Time for care: exploring time use by carers of older people

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1735-1758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Bowes ◽  
Alison Dawson ◽  
Rosalie Ashworth
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Time Use ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Conceptual Foundation ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Temporal Aspects ◽  
Quantitative Understanding ◽  
Care Requirements ◽  
Changes Over Time

AbstractThe paper focuses on temporal aspects of informal caring for older people. Limitations of large-scale surveys in capturing such data are noted and time-use methodology, despite its own limitations, is proposed as a promising alternative. Adopting a critical perspective on time that includes carers’ own conceptualisations, we report the findings of a qualitative study of carers’ time use. Sixty-two interviews with carers, male/female, co-resident/not co-resident, employed/not employed, and located across Great Britain were conducted. Analysis considered people's own diverse and ambiguous views of their care activities. Carers’ accounts of their time revealed non-linear experiences and a sense of being permanently on call. Interviewees often travelled distances to engage in support activities with or for older people. Changes over time were pervasive, increasing or reducing care requirements. Unanticipated events could precipitate radical changes in time use. Managing time, exercising temporal agency, was particularly apparent in accounts of care, employment, other family responsibilities and choices about friendship. Measurement of carers’ time use which draws on the conceptual foundation of carers’ own perspectives on time may provide more effective quantitative understanding of the temporal aspects of caring. It should not pre-define time, must grasp a variety of tasks, take account of intermittent activity, incorporate the 24–7 experience of many carers and demonstrate how caring time interacts with other time.

Efficient Schedule of Energy-Constrained UAV Using Crowdsourced Buses in Last-Mile Parcel Delivery

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Yan Pan ◽  
Shining Li ◽  
Qianwu Chen ◽  
Nan Zhang ◽  
Tao Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Scheduling Algorithm ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Last Mile ◽  
Delivery Scheduling ◽  
Schedule Approach

Stimulated by the dramatical service demand in the logistics industry, logistics trucks employed in last-mile parcel delivery bring critical public concerns, such as heavy cost burden, traffic congestion and air pollution. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are a promising alternative tool in last-mile delivery, which is however limited by insufficient flight range and load capacity. This paper presents an innovative energy-limited logistics UAV schedule approach using crowdsourced buses. Specifically, when one UAV delivers a parcel, it first lands on a crowdsourced social bus to parcel destination, gets recharged by the wireless recharger deployed on the bus, and then flies from the bus to the parcel destination. This novel approach not only increases the delivery range and load capacity of battery-limited UAVs, but is also much more cost-effective and environment-friendly than traditional methods. New challenges therefore emerge as the buses with spatiotemporal mobility become the bottleneck during delivery. By landing on buses, an Energy-Neutral Flight Principle and a delivery scheduling algorithm are proposed for the UAVs. Using the Energy-Neutral Flight Principle, each UAV can plan a flying path without depleting energy given buses with uncertain velocities. Besides, the delivery scheduling algorithm optimizes the delivery time and number of delivered parcels given warehouse location, logistics UAVs, parcel locations and buses. Comprehensive evaluations using a large-scale bus dataset demonstrate the superiority of the innovative logistics UAV schedule approach.

scholarly journals Prenatal Nutritional Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Preterm Birth

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Karen Patricia Best ◽  
Judith Gomersall ◽  
Maria Makrides
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cochrane Review ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Nutritional Interventions ◽  
Dietary Nutrients ◽  
Preterm Babies ◽  
Nutritional Strategies

Worldwide, around 15 million preterm babies are born annually, and despite intensive research, the specific mechanisms triggering preterm birth (PTB) remain unclear. Cost-effective primary prevention strategies to reduce PTB are required, and nutritional interventions offer a promising alternative. Nutrients contribute to a variety of mechanisms that are potentially important to preterm delivery, such as infection, inflammation, oxidative stress, and muscle contractility. Several observational studies have explored the association between dietary nutrients and/or dietary patterns and PTB, often with contrasting results. Randomized trial evidence on the effects of supplementation with zinc, multiple micronutrients (iron and folic acid), and vitamin D is promising; however, results are inconsistent, and many studies are not adequately powered for outcomes of PTB. Large-scale clinical trials with PTB as the primary outcome are needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn for these nutrients. The strongest evidence to date for a nutritional solution exists for omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), key nutrients in fish. In 2018, a Cochrane Review (including 70 studies) showed that prenatal supplementation with omega-3 LCPUFAs reduced the risk of PTB and early PTB (EPTB) compared with no omega-3 supplementation. However, the largest trial of omega-3 supplementation in pregnancy, the Omega-3 to Reduce the Incidence of Prematurity (ORIP) trial (<i>n</i> = 5,544), showed no reduction in EPTB and a reduction in PTB only in a prespecified analysis of singleton pregnancies. Exploratory analyses from the ORIP trial found that women with low baseline total omega-3 status were at higher risk of EPTB, and that this risk was substantially reduced with omega-3 supplementation. In contrast, women with replete or high baseline total omega-3 status were already at low risk of EPTB and additional omega-3 supplementation increased the risk of EPTB compared to control. These findings suggest that determining an individual woman’s PUFA status may be the most precise way to inform recommendations to reduce her risk of PTB.

A time-use perspective of out-of-home activity participation by older people in Hong Kong

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Sylvia Y. He ◽  
Sandip Chakrabarti ◽  
Yannie H.Y. Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Older People ◽  
Time Use ◽  
Activity Participation

Older people dying with dementia: a nationwide study

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1581-1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koen Meeussen ◽  
Lieve Van den Block ◽  
Michael Echteld ◽  
Nicole Boffin ◽  
Johan Bilsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Early Palliative Care ◽  
People With Dementia

ABSTRACTBackground: Large-scale nationwide data describing the end-of-life characteristics of older people with dementia are lacking. This paper describes the dying process and end-of-life care provided to elderly people with mild or severe dementia in Belgium. It compares with elderly people dying without dementia.Methods: A nationwide retrospective mortality study was conducted, via representative network of general practitioners (GPs) in 2008 in Belgium, with weekly registration of all deaths (aged ≥ 65) using a standardized form. GPs reported on diagnosis and severity of dementia, aspects of end-of-life care and communication, and on the last week of life in terms of symptoms that caused distress as judged by the GP, and the patients’ physical and cognitive abilities.Results: Thirty-one percent of our sample (1,108 deaths) had dementia (43% mildly, 57% severely). Of those, 26% died suddenly, 59% in care home, and 74% received palliative treatment, versus 37%, 19%, and 55% in people without dementia. GP–patient conversations were less frequent among those with (45%) than those without (73%) dementia, and 11% of both groups had a proxy decision-maker. During the last week of life, physical and psychological distress was common in both groups. Of older people with dementia, 83% were incapable of decision-making and 83% were bedridden; both significantly higher percentages than found in the group without dementia (24% and 52%).Conclusions: Several areas of end-of-life care provision could be improved. Early communication and exploration of wishes and appointment of proxy decision-makers are important components of an early palliative care approach which appears to be initiated too infrequently.

Rural Aging during COVID-19: A Case Study of Older Voluntarism

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Amber Colibaba ◽  
Mark W. Skinner ◽  
Elizabeth Russell
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Rural Regions ◽  
Older Volunteers ◽  
Rural Aging

Abstract During large-scale crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the precarity of older people and older volunteers can become exacerbated, especially in under-serviced rural regions and small towns. To understand how the pandemic has affected “older voluntarism”, this article presents a case study of three volunteer-based programs in rural Ontario, Canada. Interviews with 34 volunteers and administrators reveal both challenging and growth-oriented experiences of volunteers and the programs during the first wave of COVID-19. The findings demonstrate the vulnerability and resiliency of older volunteers and the adaptability and uncertainty of programs that rely on older voluntarism, as the community and its older residents navigate pandemic-related changes. The article advances a framework for understanding the pandemic’s impacts on older voluntarism in relation to personal, program, and community dimensions of sustainable rural aging. Further, it explores ways that older volunteers, organizations that depend on them, and communities experiencing population aging can persevere post-pandemic.

Praktijkadvies rond de aanpak van anafylaxie bij (Covid-19-)vaccinatie bij kwetsbare ouderen (incl. e-learning)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. DUYVER ◽  
T. VAN DE VELDE ◽  
D. RAZOOQI ◽  
K. VERSLUYS ◽  
M. PETROVIC ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Line Treatment ◽  
First Line ◽  
Practical Advice ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Treatment Education ◽  
First Line Treatment

Practical advice on the anaphylaxis policy for (COVID-19) vaccination in frail, older patients In view of the imminent start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, a practical advice based on the available literature on anaphylaxis in older people was drawn up for use in frail, older patients. The present practical advice provides guidance with regard to the diagnosis of anaphylaxis, the first-line treatment, education and necessary material with the purpose of making nursing homes and vaccination centres well prepared for the large-scale COVID-19 vaccination.

scholarly journals DIELECTRIC ELASTOMER ACTUATOR: NEXT GENERATION FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR INNOVATIVE ROBOTICS

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Robotic Arms ◽  
Soft Actuator ◽  
Computational Dynamics ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators ◽  
Human Muscles

Conventional actuators based on metal and ceramics face challenges in utilizing them for service and welfare robots, which should work cooperatively with human workers. Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are a promising alternative to the conventional hard actuators, because they can realize motions which more resemble those of human muscles. Our research aimed at developing a DEA for applications in handling robotic arms and gripper hands for service/welfare robots. To this end, the elements of soft actuator ought to be fabricated and integrated into a large-scale array. Design of the actuator need to be optimized using computational dynamics and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The application of DEA in robotics is expected to create a drive for the practical realization of reliable and functional DEAs. It could also promote commercialization and tap into the vast potential service/welfare robotic market

Construction of an Indicator System for Integrated Assessment of Environmental Quality of the Dianchi Basin

2011 ◽  
Vol 356-360 ◽  
pp. 903-907
Author(s):  
Ai Jun Li ◽  
Yan Ying Guo ◽  
Feng He ◽  
Rui Jia Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Integrated Assessment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Indicator System ◽  
Regional Environment ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Regional Environmental Quality

There are few indicator systems available for monitoring and assessing the environmental quality of large-scale regions. We constructed an indicator system for integrated assessment of the environmental quality of the Dianchi Basin. First, the definition of regional environmental quality is determined by both the supply of materials and energy in the region and the extent to which the region is polluted. Second, the indicator categories used for assessment mainly comprise vegetation biomass and the concentrations of various pollutants. Third, owing to spatial heterogeneity of a region, evaluation of the regional environment first requires division into sub-regions, each of which should be relatively homogeneous with regard to physical conditions (e.g. marine and terrestrial) and appearance (e.g. vegetation cover). Finally, the mathematical models for assessing regional environmental quality can be built according to the relationships between the various indicators, the sub-regions and regional environmental quality. The indicator system built using this approach can reflect environmental changes over time and identifies reasons for environmental variation.

NiMoOx as a Highly Protective layer against Photocorrosion for Solar Seawater Splitting

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaotian Guo ◽  
Xianhu Liu ◽  
Lei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Surface Reaction ◽  
Protective Layer ◽  
Reaction Dynamics ◽  
Solar Energy Conversion ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Energy Conversion And Storage ◽  
And Storage

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) seawater splitting is a promising alternative for solar energy conversion and storage. However, the sluggish surface reaction dynamics and photocorrosion/corrosion generally limit the semiconductors for potential large-scale application....

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