Synthesis and Properties of the Gallium-Containing Ruddlesden-Popper Oxides with High-Entropy B-Site Arrangement.

For the first time, the possibility of obtaining B-site disordered, Ruddlesden-Popper type, high-entropy oxides has been proven, using as an example the LnSr(Co,Fe,Ga,Mn,Ni)O4 series (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, or Gd). The materials were synthesized using the Pechini method, followed by sintering at a temperature of 1200 °C. The XRD analysis indicated the single-phase, I4/mmm structure of the Pr-, Nd-, and Sm-based materials, with a minor content of secondary phase precipitates in La- and Gd-based materials. The SEM + EDX analysis confirms the homogeneity of the studied samples. Based on the oxygen non-stoichiometry measurements, the general formula of LnSr(Co,Fe,Ga,Mn,Ni)O4+δ, is established, with the content of oxygen interstitials being surprisingly similar across the series. The temperature dependence of the total conductivity is similar for all materials, with the highest conductivity value of 4.28 S/cm being reported for the Sm-based composition. The thermal expansion coefficient is, again, almost identical across the series, with the values varying between 14.6 and 15.2 × 10-6 K-1. The temperature stability of the selected materials is verified using the in situ high-temperature XRD. The results indicate a smaller impact of the lanthanide cation type on the properties than has typically been reported for conventional Ruddlesden-Popper type oxides, which may result from the high-entropy arrangement of the B-site cations.

Effects of Jaques-Dalcroze eurhythmics program on postural stability in elderly women.

Decreased postural stability is observed in older adults. There is an increased risk of falls, which may lead to serious complications and death. Elderly people can maintain and even improve their postural stability through properly selected exercises. This study investigated the effect of exercise using the Emil Jaques-Dalcroze's Eurhythmics (JDE) method on the postural stability of women over 65 years of age. The study model was based on a randomized controlled trial-parallel group design. Fifty-nine women (69.85 ± 3.29) were divided into two groups: intervention (IG, n = 26) and control (CG, n = 33). The IG subjects participated in a JDE exercise programme for 12 weeks, twice a week for 45 min each. Postural stability was determined using a test on the AMTI AccuSway Plus posturography platform, recording centre of pressure (COP) point displacement. A biofeedback model was used. Accuracy, speed and reaction time of movements were assessed. Two measurement sessions were conducted in both groups: 1 week before starting the exercise programme and immediately afterwards. After 12 weeks of exercise, subjects from IG scored significantly better in the test of accuracy (p < 0.05) and speed (p < 0.05) of movements. Additionally, for parameters determining accuracy of movements, an interaction between allocation to a group and a measurement session was shown (group × time). A 12-week exercise program using the JDE method improves the postural stability of women over 65 years of age by improving the parameters of speed and accuracy of torso movements.

Body adaptation to Dance: A Gerontological Perspective.

A number of studies have investigated the effectiveness of dance in older adults in the context of healthy aging. Analysing results across studies is important to understand whether dance in older adults is an effective adjunctive intervention for the healthy aging. To summarize the current research results about the effectiveness of dance in older adults in the context of healthy aging, and to identify key areas for future research. The search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using the following search string and Boolean logic ('AND', 'OR') locating studies published between database inception and September 2018: Dance OR contemporary dance OR ballroom dance OR Latin dance OR standard dance OR hip-hop dance OR tango AND Cardiovascular OR circulation AND Emotion OR well-being OR blood pressure OR disease OR thrombosis OR vascular OR glucose OR blood OR cardiac OR mental OR heart rate. Two reviewers independently extracted studies data. Eight suitable publications were included. The results showed that dance promote improvements in cognitive parameters when compared to other types of exercise or no-exercise. Significant effects were found on some physiological parameters, even after a short intervention period. Dance proved to be able to assist older adults in the context of healthy aging. The improvements in the cognitive, physiological and motor control parameters are very relevant for this population, due to the impact in a better quality of life.

Sounds That People with Visual Impairment Want to Experience.

This article presents the expectations of visually impaired people with regard to the content of a set of sound exercises planned for implementation, which will mainly enable these people to become familiar with the sounds associated with specific life situations. Consultations were carried out with 20 people with visual impairment, which allowed for the recognition of the needs of these people regarding the sounds with which they wish to become acquainted. The 35 initially proposed sounds were assessed using a five-grade scale. These sounds included those that would be heard in a number of situations in which a person with a visual impairment could potentially be found, both at home and, for example, while in the street or at an office. During the consultations, people with visual impairment usually rated the sounds proposed for inclusion in the set of sound exercises as highly relevant or relevant. In most cases, the assessment was analogous regardless of whether the person had a visual impairment since birth or developed it relatively recently. There were also more than 100 sounds that were proposed for inclusion in the set. The results of the consultation demonstrate how important the information contained in sound is for people with visual impairment.

The Impact of 12-Week Jaques-Dalcroze Eurhythmics Programme on the Dynamic Agility in Single-Dual-Task Conditions in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Progressive degenerative changes in the body of elderly people lead to a decrease in physical and mental fitness. Seniors have a problem with performing tasks that involve both physical and mental health at the same time. The risk of falls increases, the consequences of which in old age may be particularly dangerous. It was decided to investigate the impact of performing exercises involving both physical and mental spheres on the dynamic agility in older women. METHODS: 73 women (69.9 ± 3.2) were divided into two groups: intervention (IG, n = 34) and control (CG, n = 39). Individuals with IG participated in the Jaques-Dalcroze Eurhythmics exercise programme for 12 weeks, twice a week for 45 minutes each. Dynamic agility was determined by the Timed Up and Go test, which was conducted both in single-task (TUG_ST) and dual-task (TUG_DT) conditions, where the participant was simultaneously counting down from 60 every 3. The percentage difference between the results of both tests (dual-task cost, DTC) was also determined. Both groups had two measurement sessions: one week before the start of the exercise programme and one week after the end of exercise programme. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of exercise, IG participants obtained significantly better results in TUG_DT (p < 0.001) and DTC (p = 0.003) tests. During this time, CG participants had significantly worse results in TUG_DT (p < 0.001) and DTC (p < 0.001) tests. In the TUG_ST test, neither IG nor CG achieved a significant change in the result. In each test, a significant interaction between the group assignment and the measurement session was observed: TUG_ST: F = 11.523, η 2 P = 0.139, p = 0.001; TUG_DT: F = 60.227, η 2 P = 0.458, p < 0.001; DTC: F = 32.382, η 2 P = 0.313, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: JDE exercises with a frequency of twice a week, for about 12 weeks, have a significant impact on the improvement of the dynamic agility control in women over 65 years of age.