RESUMO
In this paper, a novel low-temperature 3 D printing technique is introduced and characterized through a parametric printability study to fabricate poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) constructs using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a solvent. The effects of varying concentrations of PLGA in MEK solvent, lactic to glycolic ratio of PLGA, the molecular weight of PLGA, and the scaling of PLGA constructs on the printability are investigated. PLGA concentrations of higher than 80% w/v, lactic to glycolic ratio more than 75%, molecular weight more than 100 kDa, and printing through nozzles smaller than 0.96 mm internal diameter are recommended for 3 D printing of PLGA constructs with high shape fidelity. Ultimately, a vacuum drying solvent removal process is implemented, and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy is used to confirm complete removal of the solvent from PLGA constructs. The results of this study can be used for the development of drug-eluting implants.
Assuntos
Copolímero de Ácido Poliláctico e Ácido Poliglicólico/química , Impressão Tridimensional , Solventes/química , Butanonas/química , Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Peso Molecular , Preparações Farmacêuticas/química , TemperaturaRESUMO
AIM: This study investigated whether multiple health-care robots could have any benefits or cause any problems in an aged care facility. METHOD: Fifty-three residents and 53 staff participated in a non-randomised controlled trial over 12 weeks. Six robots provided entertainment, communication and health-monitoring functions in staff rooms and activity lounges. These settings were compared to control settings without robots. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in resident or staff outcomes, except a significant increase in job satisfaction in the control group only. The intervention group perceived the robots had more agency and experience than the control group did. Perceived agency of the robots decreased over time in both groups. Overall, we received very mixed responses with positive, neutral and negative comments. CONCLUSIONS: The robots had no major benefits or problems. Future research could give robots stronger operational roles, use more specific outcome measures, and perform cost-benefit analyses.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento , Serviços de Saúde para Idosos , Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos , Casas de Saúde , Robótica/instrumentação , Atividades Cotidianas , Fatores Etários , Envelhecimento/psicologia , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Atitude Frente aos Computadores , Comunicação , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Entrevistas como Assunto , Nova Zelândia , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde , Qualidade de Vida , Comportamento Social , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Prior work has linked mindfulness with superior physical and psychological health outcomes. However, studies to date have infrequently tested the unique contributions of individual mindfulness facets, inadequately tested links between facets and healthcare utilization, and have not tested whether depression or anxiety may influence these links. In the current report, 40 young, middle aged and older adults (N = 121) completed measures of dispositional mindfulness, health, healthcare utilization and depression/anxiety. As expected, global trait mindfulness did not predict outcomes while individual mindfulness facets predicted both objective and subjective health as well as healthcare utilization. Across models, observe scores - the tendency to attend to thoughts, sensations and feelings - predicted poorer, and non-reactivity scores better, outcomes even when controlling for demographic and health confounds. Depressed and anxious emotion reduced some but not all mindfulness-health links. Results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms by which greater mindfulness may facilitate better health and health behaviour.
