Influence of Sweat on Joint and Sensor Reliability of E-Textiles

This article addresses reliability under the sweat of interconnection techniques for the mounting surface mounted device (SMD) components and fully printed humidity sensors onto conductive stretchable textile ribbons. Samples underwent testing for the effect of ageing by artificial sweat on their electrical resistance using both alkaline and acidic artificial sweat. The best results in terms of electrical resistance change were obtained for samples soldered to the conductive fibers interwoven in the ribbon. However, this method can damage the ribbon due to the high temperature during soldering and significantly reduce the mechanical properties and flexibility of the ribbon, which can lead to a limited service life of samples. On the other hand, adhesive bonding is a very interesting alternative, where the above-mentioned properties are preserved, but there is a significant effect of sweat ageing on electrical resistance. The results of fully printed graphene-based humidity sensors show that, for the intended use of these sensors (i.e., detection of changes in moisture on the human body), usage of the samples is possible, and the samples are sufficiently reliable in the case of sweat degradation. In addition, the response of the sensor to humidity is quite high: 98% at a relative humidity of 98%.

Interfacial Engineering Strategy for High-Performance Zn Metal Anodes

Due to their high safety and low cost, rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries (RAZIBs) have been receiving increased attention and are expected to be the next generation of energy storage systems. However, metal Zn anodes exhibit a limited-service life and inferior reversibility owing to the issues of Zn dendrites and side reactions, which severely hinder the further development of RAZIBs. Researchers have attempted to design high-performance Zn anodes by interfacial engineering, including surface modification and the addition of electrolyte additives, to stabilize Zn anodes. The purpose is to achieve uniform Zn nucleation and flat Zn deposition by regulating the deposition behavior of Zn ions, which effectively improves the cycling stability of the Zn anode. This review comprehensively summarizes the reaction mechanisms of interfacial modification for inhibiting the growth of Zn dendrites and the occurrence of side reactions. In addition, the research progress of interfacial engineering strategies for RAZIBs is summarized and classified. Finally, prospects and suggestions are provided for the design of highly reversible Zn anodes.

Two Stops with Přemysl Pitter (1895–1976)

The Czechs have given the world many important personalities, including pedagogues. In addition to the well-known Jan Amos Komensky (1592–1670), we can also name Gustav Adolf Lindner (1828–1887). But for a long time another important pedagogue personality of the 20th century, Přemysl Pitter, remained unknown to the world. In today’s world of intolerance it’s worthwhile to pay attention to the activities of a man who cherished the values by which he lived his life: “Without love, without human compassion with one another, nothing will stand”2. These are the words of the humanist Přemysl Pitter, a Czech Protestant-oriented thinker, educator, writer, publicist, radical pacifist, and social worker. He founded the famous Prague educational institute “MiličHouse” during the Second World War, and despite strict prohibitions, he visited and supplied the Jews during that time. After the war, he applied for confiscated castles around Prague, where he took care of impoverished German, Jewish, Polish, Czech, and other children. After the establishment of the communist regime, he was forced to flee the country. There was no word of him for many years. But why was his birth declared a UNESCO anniversary? Why did he receive one of the highest state awards of the Czech Republic from President Vaclav Havel? This text addresses such questions. The journey through the life of this exceptional man is like a limited service bus route, consisting of only two stops: and these two stops I present here.

Optimal Design of Barangay Rogongon Microgrid System

In this research, specifically an electrical distribution system design of the proposed microgrid in a remote barangay, Brgy. Rogongon, in Iligan City, is presented. Due to limited access and limited-service electrical utility grid, about 10 % of the Philippine household population at a development disadvantage. Through the project, potential sites for hydropower and solar PV installations as well as distribution pathways were identified using Geographic Information (GIS). Household surveys were conducted to obtain the 5 yr projected load demand and the results are presented in thematic maps. The electrical distribution system of the microgrid was designed and simulated using Just Another Electrical Distribution Network Software (JAED.NS). The system simulation showed an acceptable 5.94 % estimated total system loss which implies that the designed electrical distribution system is feasible.

Examining Changes to Food and Beverage Availability and Marketing in a Low-Income Community after the Opening of a High-End Supermarket

Objective: In 2016, a Whole Foods Market© opened in the Englewood community of Chicago, IL – a predominately low-income African American community. This study aimed to examine changes to food and beverage availability and marketing in Englewood’s existing food stores after the opening of this supermarket. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: Two low-income African American communities in Chicago, IL. Participants: Fieldworkers audited all small grocery and limited-service stores (e.g., convenience stores, liquor stores, dollar/discount stores) located within one-square mile of the new supermarket and a one-square mile area of a demographically comparable community that also lacked a supermarket. Stores were audited before (2016) and after (2017 and 2018) the supermarket opened. Results: Of the 78 stores audited at baseline, 71.8% were limited-service stores and 85.9% accepted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Overall, the availability of healthy food and beverage options in nearby small stores was low at baseline and both follow-up periods. Difference-in-Difference regression models revealed a significant increase in 1) the percentage of stores in the intervention community (i.e., Englewood) offering regular cheese and promoting salty snacks at check-out from 2016 – 2017 and 2) the percentage of stores in the comparison community with interior store promotions for other sweetened beverages from 2016 – 2018. Conclusions: Minimal changes in food and beverage availability and marketing occurred one and two years after the opening of a new supermarket. However, the wide range of staple food items offered by the supermarket expanded healthy food retail in Chicago’s Englewood community.

Wearable and Implantable Soft Bioelectronics: Device Designs and Material Strategies

High-performance wearable and implantable devices capable of recording physiological signals and delivering appropriate therapeutics in real time are playing a pivotal role in revolutionizing personalized healthcare. However, the mechanical and biochemical mismatches between rigid, inorganic devices and soft, organic human tissues cause significant trouble, including skin irritation, tissue damage, compromised signal-to-noise ratios, and limited service time. As a result, profuse research efforts have been devoted to overcoming these issues by using flexible and stretchable device designs and soft materials. Here, we summarize recent representative research and technological advances for soft bioelectronics, including conformable and stretchable device designs, various types of soft electronic materials, and surface coating and treatment methods. We also highlight applications of these strategies to emerging soft wearable and implantable devices. We conclude with some current limitations and offer future prospects of this booming field.

Geographies of Ageing: A Visuospatial Approach to Demographic Change in Australia

The global phenomenon of population ageing is both complex and multi-layered. We know at a global level that different countries are progressing towards becoming aged societies at different rates. We know that within national borders some regions, mainly rural, are affected by ageing more than others. We also know the health and social care systems struggle to respond effectively to ageing because it is complex and, often, runs counter to the structural design of healthcare systems with their emphasis on clinical and organ-specific problems. Ageing challenges these conventional approaches and is compounded by the prevalence of wide-spread ageism at the societal and systemic levels. Therefore, if we are to adapt to population ageing and care for older people effectively, we need to better understand them and their situational contexts. This includes where they live and how their social, biological and clinical trajectories are progressing. Synthesising this kind of multi-layered information also presents challenges because many health and social care systems operate in silos, with limited information exchanges and limited service coordination. One strategy is the concept of a visuospatial data-informed approach. Here we present a conceptual basis for this approach drawn from our work in the Australian health and ageing contexts.

Rеkоnfigurаciја distributivnе mrеžе primеnоm mеtоdе pоmеrајućеg rеgistrа оtvоrеnih prеkidаčа

Reconfiguration of the distribution network is a process of changing the status of individual switch equipment in order to achieve better operating conditions of the distribution network. Performance improvement may relate to a shorter or longer period of time. One of the most common goals in the problem of changing the configuration of the distribution network is to reduce the losses of active power. In this paper, the problem of reconfiguration of the distribution network will be solved by applying the method of moving register of open switches. The main idea of the method is to gradually close normally open branches, whereby it is necessary to open one normally closed branch from the formed loop in order to maintain the radial structure of the network. Due to the wear of the switchgear and its limited-service life, it is not desirable to change the network configuration for each time. This paper will consider achieving the most economical distribution network configuration on a monthly basis.

How and Why Does Franchise Ownership Affect Human Resource Practices? Evidence from the US Hotel Industry

This study investigates the relationship between ownership form and human resource (HR) practices in a franchise system. Using data from a unique establishment-level survey of a US-based limited service hotel chain, the author examines how HR practices vary between franchisee- and company-owned hotels, and among franchisees with diverse ownership structures. Consistent with agency theory predictions of franchisee profit motives and free-riding behavior, franchisee-owned hotels are associated with lower investments in HR practices compared to company-owned hotels. The results of this study suggest that ownership structures influence HR investments.