University of Borås
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Smart Textiles for Stroke Rehabilitation
No full textExtensive rehabilitation after a stroke is highly important to avoid permanent disabilities. Over 60% of stroke survivors experience limited mobility in upper limb. The aim of this study was to explore how smart textiles with sEMG electrodes and bio-feedback can support upper limb stroke rehabilitation by identifying user needs and evaluate these through interviews and a focus group discussion with rehabilitation professionals. A human centred design approach was including semi structured interviews and a focus group discussion. Furthermore, low-mid fidelity prototypes were made. These were evaluated by the professionals. The most significant findings were that the technology must be simple to understand and use, it should motivate the user to perform rehabilitation, and it should enable rehabilitation including functional movements. The final result was two high fidelity prototypes that aimed to meet the three main needs identified from the semi structured interviews. Further-more, the prototypes aimed to enable home based rehabilitation. One of the proto-types targeted the function of fingers and hand which is an important function to increase the freedom and independence of stroke survivors. The second prototype was a full sleeve including electrodes targeting muscles in both forearm and upper arm to enable a wider range of movements in rehabilitation. The technology includes features to guide and support the user. One example tactile elements in the textile to help with correct position of the electrodes. The technology could enable home based rehabilitation which could decrease the high pressure on the healthcare system and save resources in both time and money. Furthermore, it could engage and motivate the patient to increase the rehabilitation outcome and the overall quality of life for stroke survivors
Development, Production, and Characterization of Acoustic Insulation Components Made from Industrial Hemp Residues
No full textBio-based products are leading the way toward a more sustainable future. They areplaying a key role in combating climate change and global warming, which are primarilydriven by using fossil fuels. This study demonstrates the potential of Finola hempresidues as feedstock for acoustic insulation components to replace synthetic fibers.The use of these residue fibers improves the resource efficiency of the crop andcontributes to a circular economy. To enhance the fiber properties, Finola hemp residueswere combined with cottonized hemp, crossbred sheep wool and polylactic acid (PLA).Nonwovens were produced using needle punching and thermal bonding techniques.Extensive experiments revealed the correlation of fiber and fabric properties with theacoustic insulation properties of the nonwoven structures. The needle punched samplesconsisting of Finola hemp and cottonized hemp fibers showed the highest air flowresistances. Thus, a maximum sound absorption coefficient of 0.99 at 9150 Hz wasreached. The study highlights that the high sound absorption coefficients were achieveddue to the high density of the sample caused by a high proportion of short and finefibers and strong compression through the needle punching process. Moreover, a highnumber of layers was correlated with good sound absorption properties
Waste textile decolorization using supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO₂) technology : Design and optimization
No full textThis report presents a dry and chemical free approach to waste textile decolorization using supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO₂) technology. Dispersed dyed polyester (PET) fabrics was decolorized in a laboratory-scale ScCO₂ system with pristine PET serving as a dye absorbent guided by the principle of ScCO₂ dyeing. The influence of key process parameters such as time, temperature, pressure, and dyed-to-absorber fabric loading on extraction efficiency was analyzed through the equilibrium constant for dye partitioning. Results revealed that PET fabrics treated at 10:90 dyed-to-absorber loading under 120 °C, 25 MPa for 60 min exhibited the highest decolorization efficiency of (79 – 85) % for all dyes, reflected by the lowest color strength (K/S) values of 0.93 – 2.46. The equilibrium constant (Keq) increased with temperature, pressure, and absorber loading, reflecting improved dye partitioning efficiency. In an attempt to predict the thermodynamic behavior waste textile decolorization using ScCO₂, Peng-Robinson Equation of State (PR-EOS) was used to model the behavior and correlated with experimental values. Results showed modest qualitative agreement with experimental data with an AARD of 27–32 %. In general, the experimental finding of the report demonstrates the promising potential of ScCO₂-mediated decolorization of waste textile fabric, offering a dry, energy-efficient strategy supporting textile recycling
The Library of the Third Age : A discourse analysis of how older people are portrayed in public library plans
No full textWe live longer and healthier lives and have fewer children, which means that the demographics are changing significantly with a larger proportion of healthy older adults. This study aims to explore what the discourse around older adults looks like in the Swedish public library plans and what consequences it may have for the target group and activities aimed at it. To answer the research questions a discourse analysis of age-related signs and in what context they occur in the library plans was done. The conclusion is that older adults are most often represented in the word all and in different contexts of disabilities. The discourse of the library plans seems to mainly identify older adults as belonging to what in gerontology is described as the fourth age, while the third age appears to be outside the current discourse. A shift in language in the library plans towards a more positive image of older adults that also recognises healthy older adults could mean that the library achieves better conditions to attract the large and ever-growing target group of older adults
Family and ethnic social ties in immigrant entrepreneurship – the roles and interplay in developing businesses in the host country
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this study is to understand how family and ethnic social ties, both as distinct and interrelated forms, support immigrant entrepreneurs in developing their businesses in their host country. This is identified through the following research question: How do family and ethnic social ties support immigrant entrepreneurs in developing their businesses in their host country? Design/methodology/approach: This study draws on the study of three immigrant entrepreneurs from Sweden, who run their businesses in different industries. The study used interviews and complementary data sources such as annual reports and press clips. Findings: The results reveal three concepts of immigrant entrepreneur social ties: (1) the control-based social ties of the immigrant entrepreneur, (2) the responsibility-based social ties of the immigrant entrepreneur, and (3) the inclusive and ethnic urgency-based social ties of the immigrant entrepreneur. Originality/value: This paper develops three ideas on immigrant entrepreneurs' use of social ties in Sweden. The paper particularly focuses on the central roles of family ties for entrepreneurship in combination with ethnic social ties
Etiska riktlinjer för ansvarsfull tillämpning av personalisering i marknadsföring
No full textPersonalisering är en försvenskning av engelska personalization som också kallas för personanpassning eller kundanpassning. Många små och medelstora företag står inför flera kritiska förändringar när det gäller användning av personalisering i samband med dataskyddslagen (GDPR), begränsad användning av tredjepartscookies och tillämpning av profileringsanalys för personanpassning. Det kan handla om till exempel integritetsfrågor, informationssäkerhet, datainsamling, och exkluderande och partiskt innehåll. Målet med rapporten är att bidra med utveckling och spridning av riktlinjer för digitala strategier för att hantera potentiella motreaktioner och risker i svenska små och medelstora företag som använder sig av personalisering. Denna rapport presenterar etiska riktlinjer för ansvarsfull användning av datadriven personalisering inom marknadsföring och detaljhandel. Riktlinjerna är framtagna inom ramen för forskningsprojektet Effekter av etik i digital marknadsföring – en studie av personalisering i små och medelstora företag vid Högskolan i Borås och syftar till att stödja styrelser, ledning, marknadschefer och operativa team i att hantera etiska frågor kopplade till personalisering som en organisatorisk praktik. Projektet finansierades av Hakon Swenson Stiftelsen
Woven, In-Air, Textile Actuators by Conjugated Polymers and Solid-State Electrolyte Tape Yarns
No full textSoft actuators are necessary for the development of soft robotics. While advances have been made in creating artificial means of motion with compliant materials, challenges remain. Within the area of electromechanically active polymers, forces are often small and limited to wet electrolyte conditions. Herein, textile logics and processes are employed to demonstrate woven, in-air operating, freestanding, soft textile actuators which can be electrically controlled. In-air actuating trilayer tape yarn consisting of poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrenesulfonate layers and an ionogel are developed. The former acts as polymeric electroactive electrodes and the latter as a solid-state electrolyte, providing ions for the actuation. Weaving is used for creating bending fabrics, possible to post-process like any fabric. By weaving, actuator tape yarns are assembled in parallel to upscale the total output force, or alternated with non-actuating yarns to make passive and active areas. The weaving method also allows for additional yarn functionalities to be incorporated, e.g., to make conductive pathways, enabling multi-actuation areas, and individual electrical control. Additionally, tape yarns are arranged to create textile structures with both actuation and sensing. As a proof-of-concept, the developed fabric actuators enable novel wearable robotic devices for future applications that are inherently soft, lightweight, and multifunctional.Funding Agencies: Stiftelsen Promobilia</p
Reduced Share Capital for Private Limited Companies : A Study of Stakeholders' Attitudes and Influence on the Legislative Amendment
No full textEtt aktiebolag är en av de mest förekommande associationsformerna och kan vara antingen publikt eller privat. Vid etableringen av ett aktiebolag, oberoende av typ, behövs ett visst startkapital, dock storleken på detta kapital varierar beroende på om bolaget är publikt eller privat. Sedan den 1 januari 2020 krävs ett minimikapital på 25 000 kr för att starta ett privat aktiebolag, vilket är en halvering från tidigare krav på 50 000 kr. Denna ändring trädde i kraft efter att förslaget Ds 2019:6 godkänts. Lagförslaget skickades ut till utvalda myndig-heter och organisationer för synpunkter, men även allmänheten kunde lämna kommentarer utan att ha blivit direkt tillfrågade. Totalt mottogs 47 remissvar från olika aktörer. Diskussionen i denna studie pekar på att det råder oenighet om vilken funktion och nivå aktiekapitalet bör ha. Därför syftar studien till att analysera inställningar hos olika intressenter, baserat på de inkomna remissvaren, med avseende på lagändringen som sänkte startkapitalet för privata aktiebolag från 50 000 kr till 25 000 kr. Studien undersöker även om dessa inställningar har påverkat regeringens beslut. För att nå detta syfte har en kvalitativ innehållsanalys genomförts, eftersom denna studie främst fokuserar på att undersöka de inkomna remissvaren beträffande lagförslaget Ds 2019:6. En abduktiv forskningsansats används i denna studie, då en strikt induktiv eller deduktiv metod inte bedömdes som lämplig. Alla 47 remissvar från de olika aktörerna har inkluderats i analysen och utgör studiens empiriska grund. Aktörerna har kategoriserats i 6 intressentgrupper baserat på en anpassad intressentmodell i dessa grupper: statliga myndigheter, högskolor och universitet, fackförbund, branschorganisationer, arbets-givarorganisationer samt ideella föreningar. Analysen av remissvaren visar att aktörerna ofta har liknande åsikter. Slutligen dras slutsatsen att det är svårt att generalisera den övergripande inställningen till lagförändringen och att intressenterna inte haft en betydande påver-kan på det slutliga beslutet om lagändringen. A limited companies are one of the most widely used corporate structures and can be either public or private. When establishing a limited company, a certain amount of share capital is required, but the size of this capital varies depending on whether the company is public or private. Since January 1, 2020, a minimum capital of 25,000 SEK is required to start a private limited company, which is a reduction from the previous requirement of 50,000 SEK. This change came into effect after the proposal Ds 2019:6 was approved. The proposed legislation was distributed to specific authorities and organizations for consultation responses, but the public was also allowed to submit comments without being directly solicited. In total, 47 responses were collected from different stakeholders. The discussion in this study highlights that there is a lack of consensus concerning the role and appropriate level of share capital. Therefore, the study aims to analyze the attitudes of various stakeholders, based on the received consultation responses, regarding the legislative amendment that reduced the share capital for private limited companies from 50,000 SEK to 25,000 SEK. The study also investigates whether these attitudes have influenced the government's decision. To achieve this purpose, a qualitative content analysis was conducted, as the study mainly focuses on analyzing the received consultation responses concerning the proposal Ds 2019:6. The study adopts an abductive research approach, as a strictly inductive or deductive method was not deemed appropriate. All 47 consultation responses from the various actors have been included in the analysis and constitute the empirical basis of the study. The actors have been categorized into various stakeholder groups according to a revised stakeholder model in the following groups: government agencies, colleges and universities, trade unions, industry organizations, employer organizations, and non-profit associations. The analysis of the consultation responses shows that the actors often have similar opinions. In conclusion, it is determined that generalizing the overall attitude towards the legislative change is challenging and that the stakeholders did not significantly impact the final decision on the legislative amendment.
Making reading promotion their mission : Academic librarians’ professional jurisdiction and competencies in their work with reading promotion programs
No full textThis masters’ thesis sheds light upon librarians’ work concerning reading promotion programs as a professional task in the context of academic libraries. The study aims both to develop knowledge about librarians’ professional jurisdiction in relation to reading promotion, and to generate knowledge about the competencies they associate with this work. The research questions address how academic librarians define reading promotion within their professional role; the purposes academic librarians ascribe to their work with reading promotion programmes; the ways in which their professional jurisdiction is developed and challenged through reading promotion; and the competencies they consider important in this work. The empirical data consists of eight semi-structured interviews with librarians from different universities and colleges. The study found that the participants universally understood 'reading promotion' as various activities aimed primarily at university students, and brought forward both recreational and instrumental perspectives on reading. The participants identified several purposes for conducting reading promotion in academic libraries. Purposes such as:development of students’ academic reading skills, fostering of community, promotion of democracy, and development of future professionals. The study also found that academic librarians develop and challenge their professional jurisdiction by incorporating reading promotion as a new professional task. This development has led to both internal conflicts within the organisation and external conflicts in relation to other professions. Lastly, the study found that competencies developed through prior experience with reading promotion is considered an advantage in organizing reading promotion programs
The details described and the details omitted : The role of cataloguing in managing a special collection and making it accessible
No full textThe thesis explores resource descriptions in the Herbert Blomstedt Collection (HBC) – a special collection at Gothenburg University Library. Many resources in the HBC are represented in two parallel metadata representations; a physical catalogue card made by Herbert Blomstedt and a digital catalogue record made by the librarians at Gothenburg University Library. The aim of the study is to examine how different aspects of the resources – bibliographic, material and contextual information – are made visible or omitted. This is achieved by applying the IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM) and Resource Description and Access (RDA) properties. The results show that while the library’s digital catalogues emphasise standardisation and interoperability, they sometimes exclude detailed, item-specific data that are central to understanding the collection’s provenance and cultural value. In contrast, Blomstedt’s catalogue cards are rich in contextual information and offer a more exploratory resource description, but at the cost of standardisation and searchability. The study argues that representing item-specific aspects of special collections is challenging within current metadata frameworks. RDA-properties make space for this type of information but require time-consuming and careful application. The thesis contributes to an understanding of the role of cataloguing in cultural heritage management and the accessibility of special collections in academic libraries