Improved efficacy of probiotics can be achieved by using different strategies, including the optimization of production parameters. The impact of fermentation parameters on bacterial physiology is a frequently investigated topic, but what happens during the formulation, i.e., the step where the lyoprotectants are added prior to freeze-drying, is less studied. In addition to this, the focus of proc

Background: Persistent non-plateauing adverse event rates in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain a challenge. A bioadaptor is a novel implant that addresses this issue by restoring the haemodynamic modulation of the artery, allowing cyclic pulsatility, vasomotion, and adaptative remodelling, by unlocking and providing dynamic support to the artery. We aimed to as

Background: Cognitive decline, a common process of brain ageing, has been associated with telomere length (TL). Delving into the identification of reliable biomarkers of brain ageing is essential to prevent accelerated cognitive impairment. Methods: We selected 317 non-smoking 'Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea-Plus' (PREDIMED-Plus) participants (mean age, 65.8 ± 5.0 years) with metabolic syndrome

Predictions of total dissolved solids (TDS) in water bodies including rivers and lakes are challenging but essential for the effective management of water resources in agricultural and drinking water sectors. This study developed a hybrid model combining Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) and Kernel Extreme Learning Machine (KELM) called GWO-KELM to model TDS in water bodies. Time series data for TDS an

South Korean cultivators share features with counterparts in both the global south and north. This combination of traits has produced a diversity of sources that underpin a food sovereignty movement. A case study of t’ojong, or native, seed activism illustrates how local systems of meaning and particular constellations of interests make food sovereignty appealing to a broad coalition of farmers, c

This comparative analysis aims to capture the complex roles and positionings of the International Baccalaureate (IB) in conjunction with local education systems in Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea. Our analysis focused on how the IB’s institutional legitimacy is presented in the three societies. We conducted a documentary analysis of texts on the introduction and implementation of IB programm

Purpose: An ageing population presents a challenge for municipal eldercare in Sweden due to difficulties recruiting staff and there being a strained economy. A strategy involving welfare technology is presented as one such solution. An important group to carry out this strategy involves those who work with welfare technology in municipal eldercare. In this paper we describe their perception of wel

Introduction: This article contributes to the discussion on digital transformation and welfare technology in municipal eldercare. The aim of welfare technology solutions is to exceed the current welfare system and to meet the challenges of an ageing population through technological innovations and applications that help people to better cope with health issues and strengthen their participation, a

Background: Swedish municipalities are facing demographic challenges due to the growing number of older people and the resulting increased need for health care services. Welfare technologies are being launched as possible solutions for meeting some of these challenges. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the perception, experimentation, evaluation, and procurement of welfare technology

Welfare technologies have been proposed in Scandinavian countries as way to ensure accessible and efficient care to those who need it. Significant investments have been made to develop and deploy these technologies. This study used a multiple case study design to explore how welfare technologies are implemented in Swedish eldercare practices. The multiple case study generated detailed knowledge an

Introduction: Social robots are accompanied by high expectations of what they can bring to society and in the healthcare sector. So far, promising assumptions have been presented about how and where social robots are most relevant. We know that the industry has used robots for a long time, but what about social uptake outside industry, specifically, in the healthcare sector? This study discusses w

Introduction: Swedish municipalities face a number of daunting challenges; an aging population, the public’s increased demands and expectations on municipality services, and a strained economy to mention some. Welfare technology, a Scandinavian concept launched to promote digitalization, is seen as one solution to meet these challenges. Objective: Despite these promises, few welfare technology app

Care robots are often portrayed as an exciting new technology for improving care practices. Whether these robots will be accepted and integrated into care work or not, is likely to be affected by the assumptions, expectations and understandings held by potential end users, such as frontline staff and the people that are cared for. This paper describes how the conceptual framework of technological

This extended abstract is a report on older people’s perception of interactive robots in health- and elderly care. A series of focus groups was conducted. In total 31 older people participated. The majority of the participants viewed interactive robots in health- and elderly care as an asset but they also voiced concerns regarding reliability, practical handling, costs and fear of mechanical care.

In today’s competitive marketplace, robotics and HRI is an exciting new paradigm for changing how work is done in organisations. Its potential success depends on how HRI fit to humans and other technologies in an organisation. The paper argues that the Human-Technology-Organisation framework may be used as an analytic tool to widen the understanding of prerequisites for successful development, imp

Aim: Technology affects almost all aspects of modern eldercare. Ensuring ethical decision-making is essential as eldercare becomes more digital; each decision affects a patient’s life, self-esteem, health and wellness. Methods: We conducted a survey and interviews with eldercare professionals to better understand the behavioural ethics and decision making involved in the digital transition of elde

This paper presents a methodology to fully characterize the dynamic range of a linear X-ray detector, usually employed to perform radiography and tomography. The proposed procedure analyzes each pixel of the detector and presents the results both in terms of general performance of the detector and as a spatial distribution of different parameters for each pixel. This method has been applied to thr