Research into electro-conductive textiles based on conductive polymers like polypyrrole has increased in recent years due to their high potential applications in various fields. Conductive polymers behave like insulators in their neutral states, with typical electrical conductivity in the range 10–10 to 10–25 Scm–1. These neutral polymers can be converted into semi-conductive or conductive states with conductivities ranging from 1 Scm–1 to 10–4 Scm–1 through chemical or electro-chemical redox reactions. By applying these polymers to a textile surface, we can obtain novel composites that are strong, flexible, lightweight, and highly electroconductive. These textile composites are suitable for applications such as heating pads, sensors, corrosion-protecting materials, actuators, electrochromic devices, EMI shielding, etc. The methods of application of conductive polymers onto the textile surface, such as in-situ chemical, in-situ electrochemical, in-situ vapor phase, in-situ polymerization in a supercritical fluid, and solution coating processes, are described here briefly. The merits and demerits of these methods are mentioned here. The reaction mechanisms of chemical and electrochemical polymerization proposed by the different researchers are described. Different factors affecting the kinetics of chemical and electrochemical polymerization are accounted for. The influence of textile materials on the kinetics of chemical polymerization is reviewed and reported.
Polymers obtained from renewable sources are gaining popularity over their petroleum based counter parts in recent years due to their capability to address the environmental pollution related concerns emanating from the widespread usage of synthetic polymers. Even though the polymers from renewable sources are attractive in an environmental point of view, some of the property limitations and the high cost of these materials pose limitations for their extensive commercial applications. These aspects opened the door for a large chunk of research activities in development of polyblends and composites containing polymers from renewable sources as one of the components. Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is one of the most discussed and commercialized polymer originated from renewable resources. Even though it has many useful properties, certain disadvantages like high brittleness, low impact resistance etc. limit the wide spread commercialization of PLA. In this review article, the recent research activities which are aimed to fill this gap by various modifications of PLA are discussed with special emphasis on the latest research advancements in the field of biodegradable and non biodegradable systems containing PLA.
This study employs logistic regression to investigate determinants influencing active living among elderly individuals, with “Active Living” (1 = Active, 0 = Inactive) as the dependent variable. Analysing data from 500 participants, findings reveal significant associations between active living and variables such as chronic conditions (OR = 0.29, p < 0.001), mental well-being (OR = 1.57, p < 0.001), social support (OR = 5.75, p < 0.001), access to parks/recreational facilities (OR = 2.59, p < 0.001), income levels (OR = 1.82, p = 0.003), cultural attitudes (OR = 2.72, p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (OR = 2.01, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the complex interplay of factors influencing active living among elderly populations. Recommendations include implementing targeted interventions to manage chronic conditions, enhance mental well-being, strengthen social networks, improve access to recreational spaces, provide economic support for fitness activities, promote positive cultural attitudes towards aging, and empower older adults through self-efficacy programs. Such interventions are crucial for promoting healthier aging and fostering sustained engagement in physical activity among older adults.
This study aims to explore the evolution of the human resources field in Western academia during the 1970s and 1980s, focusing on the trends in research topics across different decades. The analysis utilizes citation co-citation analysis, multivariate statistical analysis, and social network analysis. The research data were drawn from the Web of Science (WoS) database, comprising 1278 documents. By distinguishing between different time periods, the study identifies shifts in the field across two distinct time frames, visualized through multidimensional scaling maps. The results indicate that the 1970s were dominated by seven major research streams, while the 1980s introduced eight research streams, with “human resources” emerging for the first time as a prominent research frontier. The volume of literature, co-citation frequency, and citation counts all increased over time, reflecting the growing vibrancy and expanding scope of research in the field. Although citation co-citation analysis provides objective quantitative insights, issues such as the purpose of citations, the extent to which cited documents influence citing documents, and the varying layers of citation impact may introduce potential errors in the co-citation analysis results.
Art studies and activities for older adults have received significantly less attention as a result of prohibitively expensive materials that are unfit for commercial use, and research utilizing digital technology to investigate artistic activities for older adults is extremely limited. The purpose of this article is to analyze and review recent research in these fields to summarize the current trends. The literature review comprised 108 articles from databases that included Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The papers were subjected to a thorough examination by the VOSviewer program and researchers, who utilized content analysis to classify them into four themes: 1) inclusive design; 2) accessibility; 3) digital art therapy and 4) digital technology environments. Further investigation and development are necessary to propose a novel approach to instructing senior-level art utilizing cutting-edge technologies, which could be enhanced by the findings of this review article.
This research presents a bibliometric review of scientific production on the social and economic factors that influence mortality from tuberculosis between the years 2000 and 2024. The analysis covered 1742 documents from 848 sources, revealing an annual growth of 6% in scientific production with a notable increase starting in 2010, reaching a peak in 2021. This increase reflects growing concern about socioeconomic inequalities affecting tuberculosis mortality, exacerbated in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. The main authors identified in the study include Naghavi, Basu and Hay, whose works have had a significant impact on the field. The most prominent journals in the dissemination of this research are Plos One, International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and The Lancet. The countries with the greatest scientific production include the United States, the United Kingdom, India and South Africa, highlighting a strong international contribution and a global approach to the problem. The semantic development of the research shows a concentration on terms such as “mortality rate”, “risk factors” and “public health”, with a thematic map highlighting driving themes such as “socioeconomic factors” and “developing countries”. The theoretical evolution reflects a growing interest in economic and social aspects to gender contexts and associated diseases. This study provides a comprehensive view of current scientific knowledge, identifying key trends and emerging areas for future research.
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