bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexible Organic Solar Cells: Progress and Challenges
Authors: Sun Yanna , Liu Tao , Kan Yuanyuan , Gao Ke , Tang Bo , Li Yuliang
Published: March 2021

Compared with inorganic photovoltaic technologies, flexibility is the most prominent feature of organic solar cells (OSCs). Flexible OSCs have been considered as one of the most promising directions in the OSC field, and have drawn tremendous attention in recent years. However, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of flexible OSCs still lag behind those of their rigid counterparts. To further improve the performance of flexible OSCs, it is of great necessity for synergistic efforts to optimize flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs), photoactive materials, electrode buffer layers, and device structure engineering. Herein, the recent progress in flexible OSCs from the perspective of FTEs, including indium tin oxides, carbon nanomaterials, conducting polymers, silver nanowires, and ultrathin metal films and metal meshes, is summarized. In addition, the photoactive materials and electrode buffer layers in flexible OSCs are discussed to reveal the effects of material engineering and interface modification. Finally, a discussion of the future outlook and challenges of flexible OSCs is presented.
Gradient 1D/3D Perovskite Bilayer using 4‐tert‐Butylpyridinium Cation for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kaneko Ryuji , Kanda Hiroyuki , Shibayama Naoyuki , Sugawa Kosuke , Otsuki Joe , Islam Ashraful , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: March 2021

To achieve both high efficiency and long‐term stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), it is effective to use a perovskite layer in which a low‐dimensional perovskite layer is stacked on a 3D perovskite layer. However, the guidelines for the effective structure of these perovskite layers remain unclear. Herein, the gradient structured 1D perovskite layer formed on top of a 3D perovskite layer using 4‐tert‐butylpyridinium iodide (TBPI) as a capping layer is introduced. It is demonstrated that the gradient structured 1D perovskite layer on the 3D perovskite improves the conversion efficiency of PSCs despite the lateral orientation of the (PbI3−)n linear chain of the 1D perovskite, which is responsible for electronic conduction. In addition, it is found that the hydrophobic organic unit of TBPI protects the 3D perovskite layer, which enhances its long‐term stability.
An Iron‐Hydrogen Bond Resistant to Protonation and Oxidation
Authors: Collett Joel D. , Ransohoff Rebecca W. , Krause Jeanette A. , Guan Hairong
Published: March 2021

A new synthetic route to cis‐(CyPNP)Fe(CO)2H (CyPNP=2,5‐bis(dicyclohexylphosphinomethyl)pyrrolyl) has been developed, involving the reaction of (CyPNP)Fe(CO)2Br with NaBH4. The Fe−H bond of this iron hydride is remarkably stable to acids (e. g., HBF4 ⋅ Et2O, HCl, and CH3CO2H) and oxidants (e. g., 1,4‐benzoquinone and galvinoxyl), only leading to the protonation of the β‐pyrrolic carbon and the oxidation of the ligand backbone, respectively. Under 369 nm UV irradiation, cis‐(CyPNP)Fe(CO)2H has been shown to react with ethylene to yield cis‐(CyPNP)Fe(CO)2Et and undergo H/D exchange with C6D6 to form cis‐(CyPNP)Fe(CO)2D and C6D5H. Both processes likely proceed via an initial CO dissociation step to yield (CyPNP)Fe(CO)H as a reactive intermediate.
Exclusion from Home Care Services in Central and Eastern European Countries: A Focus on Hungary and the Russian Federation
Authors: Széman Zsuzsa , Golubeva Elena , Patyán László
Published: March 2021

Due to demographic changes all European countries face significant challenges concerning the provision of home and community care for older people. While challenges in organising care services seem to be generally similar, the resources, values and responsibilities are different across countries. The purpose of this chapter is to investigate current knowledge and patterns concerning exclusion from home care services in Central and Eastern European countries, focusing especially on Hungary as a central EU member state and the Russian Federation, as a non-EU Eastern European country. As existing international research typically focuses on Anglo-Saxon contexts, this chapter draws on the national language literature of these two nations as sources of empirical data for the analysis. Our analysis indicates that there is a long-standing risk of exclusion from home care services in both countries, with a need for reform to existing provisions to address this exclusion. Despite this a differential impact of macro-level policy is evident within the two jurisdictions, with some new innovations within the Russian Federation.
Introduction: Framing Community and Spatial Exclusion
Authors: Tournier Isabelle , Vidovićová Lucie
Published: March 2021

This section focuses on the community and spatial aspects of social exclusion. For this introduction, we define the community aspect of exclusion as the unintended reduction of participation in local life and spatial aspects of exclusion as the unintended reduction of mobility outside and inside of a person’s home. Fighting against social exclusion of older adults is a priority due to the negative effects of exclusion on older adults’ quality of life as well as on the equity and cohesion of an ageing society as a whole (adapted from Levitas et al. 2007 in Walsh et al. 2017, p. 83). Place, as a socio-spatial phenomenon, can shape older adults’ lives and their experiences of social exclusion. It encompasses dimensions such as social and relational aspects of place, amenities and build environment, place-based policy and experiential belonging. The purpose of this chapter is to briefly introduce some allied concepts related to older people’s relationship with their place and environment, and broadly illustrate the relevance of this relationship to old-age social exclusion. The chapter closes with a short introduction to each contribution within this section.
Towards a Structural Embeddedness of Space in the Framework of the Social Exclusion of Older People
Authors: Drilling Matthias , Grove Hannah , Ioannou Byron , Moulaert Thibauld
Published: March 2021

Combating social exclusion of older adults is a key objective of European social policy. But from the beginning of the debate, social exclusion has mainly been interpreted as arising from economic circumstances. Doubts have been raised as to whether this narrow focus contributes to solving the problems identified. In particular, spatial aspects come to the fore, highlighting the fact that exclusion always happens in a specific place. However, spatial exclusion is often reduced to a territorial concept of ‘where’ the exclusion takes place. – but it is simplistic to state that everything happens in a space. The aim of this chapter is twofold. First, it presents a theoretical model, developed during and through the ROSEnet COST Action. The model integrates dimensions of age, space and exclusion in one perspective – the ASE Triangle. Second, this chapter explores the potential of the ASE Triangle to enhance our understanding of two specific European case studies of older people’s exclusion, in Greater Dublin – Ireland, and Nicosia – Cyprus. By ‘upgrading space’ as a theory-led idea we contribute to and challenge existing (human) gerontological theory of space. Similar to the exploration of a relational vision of space, our model does not only consider “experience” of space exclusion, but offers the possibility to simultaneously encompass it in societal processes.
The Relationship Between Place and Life-Course Transitions in Old-Age Social Exclusion: A Cross-Country Analysis
Authors: Urbaniak Anna , Wanka Anna , Walsh Kieran , Oswald Frank
Published: March 2021

The international literature presents growing evidence of the impact of life transitions in older age on experiences of social exclusion. Older people’s relationship with place potentially plays a mediating role in this interrelation. However, the specific mechanisms through which the older adult place relationship mediates exclusionary outcomes of life-course transitions remain poorly understood in the study of ageing. This chapter investigates how older adults’ relationship with place is interlinked with life-course transitions and old-age social exclusion. To address this interrelation, we present case studies from three different countries, Germany, Ireland and Poland, focusing on individual experiences of retirement and bereavement, and analyse the cases by drawing on the concepts of spatial agency and belonging. We conclude by examining how spatial agency and belonging can protect and empower older people at critical junctures in their lives.
Ageing and Caring in Rural Environments: Cross-National Insights from Central Europe
Authors: Vidovićová Lucie , Alisch Monika , Kümpers Susanne , Perek-Białas Jolanta
Published: March 2021

This chapter explores how exclusion from care provision in rural areas can be understood as place-based social exclusion. The analysis focuses on case studies of Czechia, Poland and Germany and compares their approaches to providing care to older rural dwellers. While recognising the heterogeneity of these nations and their rural areas, a spatial framework is used to illustrate how some specific features of rural areas may influence the provision and availability of care. Two examples are explored: the use of professional homecare services by older people; and informal care and assistance provided by older people in the community. Our research shows that, regardless of the size of the country or its proportion of remote or depopulating areas, discourses on care in rural areas share various common features. A large amount of informal care is provided in both the family-oriented Polish countryside and in Czechia, a country with a midsize rural population and comparatively common use of professional homecare services. In Germany, a growing number of rural communities were found to have established local aid associations to support disadvantaged older people in the past decade; however, this approach is viewed as unsustainable given the specificities of the rural contexts.
Reconceptualising Exclusion from Civic Engagement in Later Life: Towards a New Research Agenda
Authors: Serrat Rodrigo , Scharf Thomas , Villar Feliciano
Published: March 2021

Social exclusion in later life remains a major challenge for ageing societies. Despite widespread acceptance of its multidimensional nature, research and policy debates have tended to focus on exclusion from material resources or social relations, overlooking other recognised dimensions of social exclusion. In this context, exclusion from civic engagement has been the least studied dimension. In this chapter, we argue that future research and policy initiatives should pay attention to four key dimensions of older people’s exclusion from civic engagement. First, we need to embrace the multidimensionality of the concept of civic engagement, which includes a range of qualitatively different activities. Second, it is essential to account for the diversity of the older population, since this shapes who is able to engage civically and in which ways. Third, attention should be paid to the dynamics and experiences of engagement across the life course, in order to understand better civic engagement trajectories. Fourth, we need to consider exclusion from civic engagement as a culturally-embedded process that is largely shaped by the particular socio-political context in which engagement occurs. We provide examples of recent research covering these dimensions of exclusion from civic engagement and conclude by proposing areas of further inquiry.
Cultural Exclusion in Old-Age: A Social Exclusion Perspective on Cultural Practice in Later Life
Authors: Gallistl Vera
Published: March 2021

Cultural exclusion in older age is conceptually under-developed and empirically under-explored. This results in a lack of knowledge concerning the mechanisms through which cultural exclusion is produced and the policy instruments that support cultural inclusion in later life. This article explores how cultural practice changes in old age and how these changes associate with old-age social exclusion. Cultural participation comprises (a) going-out, (b) home-bound and (c) identity-culture. These domains are explored with survey data (n = 1000) of Austrians aged 60 years and older.

Results suggest shifting cultural practice later in life, from public to private spaces, and three clusters of cultural participants (Omnivore, Univore-Television (TV), Univore-Entertainment), which differ in their cultural practice, social status, and taste preferences. Univores-TV are typically involved in home-bound cultural practices, most likely to be socially excluded, and show the highest appreciation of folk art. Disengagement from public cultural spaces is, hence, more prevalent among socially marginalised groups with folk tastes.

Gerontology needs to problematize older adults’ exclusion from cultural practice as a matter of spatial and taste marginalisation. In order to build more age-inclusive cultures across Europe, policy should address the diversity of older adults’ cultural participation and provide support in bringing marginalised practices to public spaces.
Two Dimensions of Social Exclusion: Economic Deprivation and Dynamics of Loneliness During Later Life in Europe
Authors: Myck Michal , Waldegrave Charles , Dahlberg Lena
Published: March 2021

We contribute to the discussion on social exclusion interrelationships by examining the relationship between material conditions and loneliness, as one potential marker of connections between the social and economic domain. Our analysis focuses on a sample of individuals aged 50+ in the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). In its 5th wave, the survey was extended to include specific items related to economic and social deprivation. We use this extended information on material conditions and examine how it correlates with the level and dynamics of a composite loneliness measure at the time of wave 5 and between wave 5 and 6 of the survey (undertaken in 2013 and 2015, respectively). In order to isolate the effect of material deprivation on loneliness, regression analyses include an extensive set of control variables. The analyses show a strong and significant relationship between material deprivation, and both the level of loneliness and deterioration in the loneliness status.
Beyond Accessibility: Transport Systems as a Societal Structure Supporting Inclusion in Late-Life
Authors: Siren Anu
Published: March 2021

Mobility is associated with well-being, and an age-inclusive transport system is a prerequisite for satisfactory mobility throughout the life course. Yet a transport system – including the physical characteristics of environments, planning processes, design, and policies – involves more than allowing people and goods to move from one location to another. Rather, it is an arena of everyday life, related not only to direct service accessibility but also to wider social inclusion. If the structures surrounding late life transport mobility can match the changing needs of older adults in a changing society, they have the potential for supporting good ageing and social inclusion. Accessibility problems can be targeted through single-domain interventions, such as online shopping, telemedicine and care at home. However, targeting the loss of social inclusion caused by lack of transportation requires a broader understanding of transport as a social structure. This chapter reviews the scholarship on the links between transport mobility, well-being and social inclusion or exclusion. To demonstrate the mismatch between individual aspirations and surrounding structures, it revisits the concept of “structural lag” from the transport perspective. It also gives an overview of knowledge gaps related to transport and social inclusion or exclusion in late life.
Homelessness Trends in Ageing Literature in the Context of Domains of Social Exclusion
Authors: Korkmaz-Yaylagul Nilufer , Bas Ahmet Melik
Published: March 2021

Homelessness in later life is closely related to social exclusion and can cause further disadvantages in later life. This chapter explores the relationship between studies on older adult homelessness and the domains of social exclusion. A structure review process, in the form of a summative content analysis and a social network analysis, of all geriatrics and gerontology journals published in English was conducted. This review led to the identification of 59 articles on homelessness in older age as the research sample for this chapter. The patterns that emerged from summative content analysis and the social network analysis are visualised using GEPHI software. Our findings reveal the multidimensional aspects of old-age exclusion in the homelessness literature, and how homelessness can be a significant determinant of interrelated sets of disadvantages. Exclusion from services, amenities, and mobility and community and neighbourhood, and material and financial resources are the domains represented most in homelessness studies in the ageing literature. However, civic participation and socio-cultural aspects of social exclusion were partly ignored within this body of work.
Introduction: Policy to Reduce Late-Life Social Exclusion – From Aspirations to Action
Authors: Keating Norah , Cheshire-Allen Maria
Published: March 2021

This chapter, as with others in this section, was written prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and to the ways in which it placed older persons’ vulnerability to social exclusion in stark relief. Early in the pandemic we saw swift policy action focussed on older persons. In some countries, people over age 70 were held to stricter rules of self-isolation. In others, nursing homes were locked down. Such policies afford protection on one hand but remove agency on the other. COVID-19 highlighted the values stances that continue to place older people as conditional citizens.
Older-Age Exclusion and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Authors: Conboy Patricia
Published: March 2021

This chapter explores how far the potential of the 2030 Agenda, a global framework for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is being utilised to address multidimensional older age exclusion. The available evidence shows that, without a major shift in the coming decade, the pledge that the 2030 Agenda should be met for “all nations, peoples … and segments of society” will not be achieved in the case of older people, and the risks of failure are highest for older people in low- and middle-income countries. Across dimensions of framing, implementation, monitoring and reporting, recognition of ageing and older people is limited in the SDGs. Where recognition is explicit, it relates to the framing of older people as a vulnerable group rather than as rights holders on an equal footing with people of other ages. The major shift required in this context is the recognition of older people as rights holders, of States as duty bearers and the extension of a rights-based approach to policy design and implementation to counteract multidimensional social exclusion. Failure is not inevitable. Political commitment from key stakeholders, coupled with support from bilateral and multilateral donors, could result in better outcomes from Agenda 2030 on older-age exclusion.
The Role of Pension Policies in Preventing Old-Age Exclusion
Authors: Ogg Jim
Published: March 2021

Access to an adequate pension is fundamental to preventing exclusion. As populations age, modern economies have put into place pension reforms to safeguard financial stability. In Europe, raising the age of eligibility for pensions and increasing the length of time necessary in a working career to access a pension are among the main policy measures that are being adopted. In addition, pensions and life expectancy are increasingly linked mainly in the form of the replacement of defined benefit pensions, where financial risks were shared collectively and produced stable pension benefits, by defined contribution pensions which depend on the capacity of individuals to save and individualise the risk of investments in diverse pension schemes. This chapter presents the main mechanisms of reforms to pension systems and addresses the opportunities and constraints for reducing exclusion in later life. It focuses on policies that aim to safeguard adequate levels of pension income for individuals who are unable to extend their working life; policies that aim to reduce gender pay gaps and, in turn, gender pension gaps; reforms to survivor pensions; and the provision of pension safety nets for individuals who have not built up enough contributions to ensure an adequate income. These policies are examined in the context of new social risks which result from shifting political systems, rapid technological change, and economic uncertainties.
Socio-demographic Risk Factors Related to Material Deprivation Among Older Persons in Europe: A Comparative Analysis Based on SHARE Data
Authors: Sumil-Laanemaa Merle , Sakkeus Luule , Puur Allan , Leppik Lauri
Published: March 2021

Material deprivation is a key aspect of social exclusion, and the domain of economic exclusion, for the older population. In this chapter we utilised cross-sectional data from Wave 5 (2013) of the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) and logistic regression analysis to assess the variation in material deprivation of the population aged 50+ across four geographic clusters of welfare regimes in Europe. We used the SHARE-based Material Deprivation Index (MDI) to assess the associations between material deprivation and socio-demographic factors (age, gender, education, economic activity status, household type, number of children, residential area, chronic diseases and limitations of daily activities, and origin). We observed a pronounced variation in material deprivation among the older population across welfare clusters, with high levels of MDI in the Eastern and Southern clusters. Living alone, having a large number of children, low education, activity limitations, and being of immigrant origin significantly increase the risk of material deprivation in older age in all clusters. The study also identified subgroups of older persons that have an increased risk of material deprivation in some but not all clusters, such as those aged 80+ and rural residents in the Southern and Eastern clusters.
Social Policy for Older People in the Post-Soviet Space: How Do Pension Systems and Social Services Influence Social Exclusion?
Authors: Grigoryeva Irina , Parfenova Oksana , Dmitrieva Alexandra
Published: March 2021

This chapter considers pension protection and social services in the post-Soviet space as forms of social policy that can protect older people from risks of social exclusion. We draw on the example of two countries, Russia and Ukraine, which share a common Soviet background. Until relatively recently, both countries held a similar position with regard to the pension protection and social security of old people. However, recent reforms in the area of pensions and social services have generated various possible ways for the development of both countries. In Ukraine, pension reform took place in 2017, and can be described as “softer” in comparison with the Russian version. Ukrainian reform does not involve raising the retirement age, but rather increases the length of service required to retire. Pension reform in Russia has been taking place before our eyes, in 2018–2019. It assumes a sharp rise in the retirement ages for men and women. In addition to addressing pension reform, the chapter considers in more detail social services for older people in Russia and Ukraine. In broad terms, the chapter seeks to answer the following question: How do modern pension reforms and the structure of social services in the post-Soviet space (for example, Russia and Ukraine) affect the social exclusion of older people?
How Can Urban Design and Architecture Support Spatial Inclusion for Nursing Home Residents?
Authors: Andersen John , Bilfeldt Annette , Mahler Marianne , Sigbrand Lone
Published: March 2021

Social exclusion refers to a process by which “individuals or groups...are denied the opportunity of participation, whether they actually desire to participate or not” (MacLeod et al. 2017; Barry 2002,p.16). In relation to old-age social exclusion, Tournier and Vidovicova (2019) have defined spatial and community exclusion as “the unintended reduction of mobility outside the personal home (spatial component) and of participation in local life (community component)”. Against this background, nursing home residents may be regarded as experiencing a heightened risk of spatial and community social exclusion because their need to be spatially included has not been prioritised in traditional nursing home architecture and urban planning. More recently, alternative concepts of integrating nursing home residents within the local communities have received increasing attention within policy and practice initiatives. The overall aim of this chapter is to present knowledge about innovative approaches to prevent social exclusion of nursing home residents from urban space and local life. Three cases are chosen from Denmark and one from The Netherlands. The four cases share the aim of reducing old-age social exclusion of nursing home residents. Based on the four cases, we discuss the different ways in which urban design and architecture can contribute to combatting social exclusion.
Social Exclusion in Older-Age and the European Pillar of Social Rights
Authors: Kucharczyk Maciej
Published: March 2021

The European Pillar of Social Rights is about delivering new and more effective rights for Europeans. It builds upon 20 key principles, structured around three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; and social protection and inclusion. Directly relevant to older people, the Pillar has the potential to address the multidimensionality of exclusion in later life from a rights-based perspective – for example, by enhancing the rights to quality and affordable health and long-term care, to adequate pensions to live in dignity, to age-friendly working conditions and an inclusive labour market, or to access goods and services. Despite these valuable elements, there remains significant uncertainly around how the Pillar will achieve this and what kind of implemental actions might emerge across member states. This chapter analyses the potential of the European Pillar to address social exclusion of older people in Europe, the challenges that might impede its efforts, and the measures necessary to overcome such challenges.
Advancing Research and Policy on Social Exclusion of Older People: Towards a Coherent and Critical Discourse
Authors: Scharf Thomas , Walsh Kieran , Van Regenmortel Sofie , Wanka Anna
Published: March 2021

This concluding chapter outlines key contributions of the book, indicating how the individual chapters have pushed beyond the current state-of-the-art scientific knowledge on social exclusion of older people. Drawing together some of the major cross-cutting themes emerging from the different parts of the book, the chapter highlights interconnections between the contributing chapters and deepens our understanding of the conceptual framing of social exclusion of older people. We use this frame as a basis for developing a new research agenda that relates not only to future empirical and conceptual research, but also to policy development in the field of social exclusion in later life.
Exclusion from Social Relations Among Older People in Rural Britain and Belgium: A Cross-National Exploration Taking a Life-Course and Multilevel Perspective
Authors: Van Regenmortel Sofie , Winter Bethan , Thelin Angelika , Burholt Vanessa , De Donder Liesbeth
Published: March 2021

This chapter reports on a cross-national exploration on manifestations and drivers of exclusion from social relations, in rural Britain and Belgium. Each study was composed of a quantitative and qualitative phase. The quantitative phases operationalised exclusion from social relations using existing datasets within each country while both qualitative phases comprised life history interviews with older people. The results demonstrate that although social relations are vital for several reasons (e.g. health and care, practical support in times of poverty, safety), older participants in both countries regularly face exclusion from social relations (e.g. feelings of loneliness, isolation, “bad” social relations). The results show a strong interrelationship between exclusion from social relations and other domains of exclusion (e.g. economic and material exclusion). In terms of drivers of exclusion from social relations, the life stories revealed micro risk factors (e.g. marital status and gender), exo (e.g. being remote and rural living) and macro drivers of exclusion from social relations (e.g. inadequate social security and population change). The conclusion discusses the main limitations of this cross-national exploration and offers some tangible policy and further research recommendations.
Transition to a Sustainable and Healthy Agri-Food System
Authors: Huntjens Patrick
Published: March 2021

This chapter highlights various challenges and developments related to our current global food production and consumption systems, followed by a number of research and innovation activities that actively support a transition to a sustainable, healthy, and just agri-food system. The first section identifies several important trends that may either limit, support, or influence such a transition (Sect. 6.1). Following this, I will provide an overview of several research and innovation activities that our research group is currently involved in, such as the Dutch national research programme (NWA) ‘Transition to a Sustainable Food System’ (Sect. 6.2), nature-inclusive and regenerative agriculture (Sect. 6.3), closing the gaps between citizens, farmers, and nature (Sect. 6.4), measuring sustainability and health aspects of our food supply chains (Sect. 6.5), and the South Holland Food Family, an open innovation and food transition network (Sect. 6.6). This last section also provides an example of TSEI-framework application to analyze institutional change during initiation, development, and implementation of the South Holland Food Family innovation network (Sect. 6.6).
Conclusion
Authors: Huntjens Patrick
Published: March 2021

In this book, I argue that the societal fault lines of our times are deeply intertwined and that they confront us with challenges affecting the security, fairness, and sustainability of our societies. Overcoming these existential challenges will require a fundamental shift from our current anthropocentric and economic growth-oriented approach to a more ecocentric and regenerative approach. The outline of a Natural Social Contract presented in this book serves as a counter-proposal to existing social contracts. A Natural Social Contract implies an existential change in the way humankind lives in and interacts with its social and natural environment, and emphasizes long-term sustainability and the general welfare of both humankind and planet Earth. Achieving this crucial balance calls for an end to unlimited economic growth, overconsumption, and overindividualization for the benefit of ourselves, our planet, and future generations. To this end, sustainability, health, and justice in all social-ecological systems will require systemic innovation and prioritizing a collective effort. The Transformative Social-Ecological Innovation (TSEI) framework presented in this book serves that cause. It helps to diagnose and advance innovation and spur change across sectors, disciplines, and at different levels of governance. Altogether, TSEI identifies intervention points and formulates jointly developed and shared solutions to inform policy- and lawmakers, administrators, concerned citizens, and professionals dedicated towards a more sustainable, healthy, and just society.
Conceptual framework of sustainable development
Authors: Lemke Claudia
Published: March 2021

In this chapter, a conceptual framework of sustainable development is elaborated by an extensive literature research. Along with this, the first four research gaps are uncovered. Jabareen (2009) defines a “conceptual framework as a network [...] of interlinked concepts that together provide a comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon or phenomena”.
Methodology
Authors: Lemke Claudia
Published: March 2021

Because sustainable development only becomes defined when measured (see Chapter 3; e.g. Bell & Morse, 2008), sustainable development index construction is an unsupervised modelling task without a supervising output variable (G. James, Witten, Hastie & Tibshirani, 2013). Consequently, sustainable development measurement is diverse in methods and methodologies (see Section 3.2, Section 3.3, and Section 4.2) and hallmarked by subjectivity and arbitrariness (e.g. Böhringer & Jochem, 2007), such that sustainable development indicators are rather confusing and non-consensual (Pope et al., 2017; Ramos & Moreno Pires, 2013). To counteract this finding and to achieve objectivity in assessment (see Table 10.1007/978-3-658-33246-4_3; Sala et al., 2015), the previous theoretical research is coupled with a profound methodological research.
Dynamical generalization of Yetter’s model based on a crossed module of discrete groups
Authors: Bochniak Arkadiusz , Hadasz Leszek , Ruba Błażej
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We construct a lattice model based on a crossed module of possibly non-abelian finite groups. It generalizes known topological quantum field theories, but in contrast to these models admits local physical excitations. Its degrees of freedom are defined on links and plaquettes, while gauge transformations are based on vertices and links of the underlying lattice. We specify the Hilbert space, define basic observables (including the Hamiltonian) and initiate a discussion on the model’s phase diagram. The constructed model reduces in appropriate limits to topological theories with symmetries described by groups and crossed modules, lattice Yang-Mills theory and 2-form electrodynamics. We conclude by reviewing classifying spaces of crossed modules, with an emphasis on the direct relation between their geometry and properties of gauge theories under consideration.
The presence of contrast agent increases organ radiation dose in contrast-enhanced CT
Authors: Mazloumi Mahta , Van Gompel Gert , Kersemans Veerle , de Mey Johan , Buls Nico
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Routine dosimetry calculations do not account for the presence of iodine in organs and tissues during CT acquisition. This study aims to investigate the impact of contrast agent (CA) on radiation dose.

Methods

First, relation between absorbed radiation dose and iodine concentrations was investigated using a cylindrical water phantom with iodine-saline dilution insertions. Subsequently, a retrospective study on abdominal dual-energy CT (DECT) patient data was performed to assess the increase of the local absorbed radiation dose compared to a non-contrast scan. Absorbed doses were estimated with Monte Carlo simulations using the individual CT voxel data of phantom and patients. Further, organ segmentations were performed to obtain the dose in liver, liver parenchyma, left kidney, right kidney, aorta, and spleen.

Results

In the phantom study, a linear relation was observed between the radiation dose normalized by computed tomography dose index (CTDI) and CA concentrations Iconc(mg/ml) for three tube voltages;$$ \frac{D_{80 kVp}}{CTDI_{vol}} $$D80kVpCTDIvol= 0.14 × Iconc+ 1.02,$$ \frac{D_{120 kVp}}{CTDI_{vol}} $$D120kVpCTDIvol= 0.16 × Iconc+ 1.21,$$ \frac{D_{140 kVp}}{CTDI_{vol}} $$D140kVpCTDIvol= 0.16 × Iconc+ 1.24, and for DECT acquisition;$$ \frac{D_{DECT}}{CTDI_{vol}} $$DDECTCTDIvol= 0.15 × Iconc+ 1.09. Similarly, a linear relation was observed between the dose increase and the organ iodine contents (R2= 0.86 andpvalue< 0.01) in the patient study. The relative doses increased in the liver (21 ± 5%), liver parenchyma (20 ± 5%), right kidney (37 ± 7%), left kidney (39 ± 7%), aorta (34 ± 6%) and spleen (26 ± 4%). In addition, the local dose distributions changed based on patient’s anatomy and physiology.

Conclusions

Compared to a non-contrast scan, the organ doses increase by 30% in contrast-enhanced abdominal CT. This study suggests considering CA in dosimetry calculations, epidemiological studies, and organ dose estimations while developing new CT protocols.

Key Points

• The presence of contrast media increases radiation absorption in CT, and this increase is related to the iodine content in the organs.

• The increased radiation absorption due to contrast media can lead to an average 30% increase in absorbed organ dose.

•Iodine should be considered in CT radiation safety studies.
Assessment of ventricular flow dynamics by 4D-flow MRI in patients following surgical repair of d-transposition of the great arteries
Authors: Callaghan Fraser M. , Burkhardt Barbara , Valsangiacomo Buechel Emanuela R. , Kellenberger Christian J. , Geiger Julia
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To use 4D-flow MRI to describe systemic and non-systemic ventricular flow organisation and energy loss in patients with repaired d-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) and normal subjects.

Methods

Pathline tracking of ventricular volumes was performed using 4D-flow MRI data from a 1.5-T GE Discovery MR450 scanner. D-TGA patients following arterial switch (n = 17, mean age 14 ± 5 years) and atrial switch (n = 15, 35 ± 6 years) procedures were examined and compared with subjects with normal cardiac anatomy and ventricular function (n = 12, 12 ± 3 years). Pathlines were classified by their passage through the ventricles as direct flow, retained inflow, delayed ejection flow, and residual volume and visually and quantitatively assessed. Additionally, viscous energy losses (ELv) were calculated.

Results

In normal subjects, the ventricular flow paths were well ordered following similar trajectories through the ventricles with very little mixing of flow components. The flow paths in all atrial and some arterial switch patients were more irregular with high mixing. Direct flow and delayed ejection flow were decreased in atrial switch patients’ systemic ventricles with a corresponding increase in residual volume compared with normal subjects (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001 respectively) and arterial switch patients (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001 respectively). In non-systemic ventricles, arterial switch patients had increased direct flow and decreased delayed ejection fractions compared to normal (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001 respectively) and atrial switch patients (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively). Regions of high levels of mixing of ventricular flow components showed elevated ELv.

Conclusions

4D-flow MRI pathline tracking reveals disordered ventricular flow patterns and associated ELv in d-TGA patients.

Key Points

• 4D-flow MRI can be used to assess intraventricular flow dynamics in d-TGA patients.

• d-TGA arterial switch patients mostly show intraventricular flow dynamics representative of normal subjects, while atrial switch patients show increased flow disorder and different proportions of intraventricular flow volumes.

• Flow disruption and disorder increase viscous energy losses.
Application of clinical prediction modeling in pediatric neurosurgery: a case study
Authors: Mijderwijk Hendrik-Jan , Beez Thomas , Hänggi Daniel , Nieboer Daan
Published: March 2021

There has been an increasing interest in articles reporting on clinical prediction models in pediatric neurosurgery. Clinical prediction models are mathematical equations that combine patient-related risk factors for the estimation of an individual’s risk of an outcome. If used sensibly, these evidence-based tools may help pediatric neurosurgeons in medical decision-making processes. Furthermore, they may help to communicate anticipated future events of diseases to children and their parents and facilitate shared decision-making accordingly. A basic understanding of this methodology is incumbent when developing or applying a prediction model. This paper addresses this methodology tailored to pediatric neurosurgery. For illustration, we use original pediatric data from our institution to illustrate this methodology with a case study. The developed model is however not externally validated, and clinical impact has not been assessed; therefore, the model cannot be recommended for clinical use in its current form.
MRI correlates of cognitive improvement after home-based EEG neurofeedback training in patients with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study
Authors: Pinter Daniela , Kober Silvia Erika , Fruhwirth Viktoria , Berger Lisa , Damulina Anna , Khalil Michael , Neuper Christa , Wood Guilherme , Enzinger Christian
Published: March 2021

Objective

Neurofeedback training may improve cognitive function in patients with neurological disorders. However, the underlying cerebral mechanisms of such improvements are poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to investigate MRI correlates of cognitive improvement after EEG-based neurofeedback training in patients with MS (pwMS).

Methods

Fourteen pwMS underwent ten neurofeedback training sessions within 3–4 weeks at home using a tele-rehabilitation system. Half of the pwMS (N = 7, responders) learned to self-regulate sensorimotor rhythm (SMR, 12–15 Hz) by visual feedback and improved cognitively after training, whereas the remainder (non-responders, n = 7) did not. Diffusion-tensor imaging and resting-state fMRI of the brain was performed before and after training. We analyzed fractional anisotropy (FA) and functional connectivity (FC) of the default-mode, sensorimotor (SMN) and salience network (SAL).

Results

At baseline, responders and non-responders were comparable regarding sex, age, education, disease duration, physical and cognitive impairment, and MRI parameters. After training, compared to non-responders, responders showed increased FA and FC within the SAL and SMN. Cognitive improvement correlated with increased FC in SAL and a correlation trend with increased FA was observed.

Conclusions

This exploratory study suggests that successful neurofeedback training may not only lead to cognitive improvement, but also to increases in brain microstructure and functional connectivity.
Enhancing COVID-19 tracking apps with human activity recognition using a deep convolutional neural network and HAR-images
Authors: D’Angelo Gianni , Palmieri Francesco
Published: March 2021

With the emergence of COVID-19, mobile health applications have increasingly become crucial in contact tracing, information dissemination, and pandemic control in general. Apps warn users if they have been close to an infected person for sufficient time, and therefore potentially at risk. The distance measurement accuracy heavily affects the probability estimation of being infected. Most of these applications make use of the electromagnetic field produced by Bluetooth Low Energy technology to estimate the distance. Nevertheless, radio interference derived from numerous factors, such as crowding, obstacles, and user activity can lead to wrong distance estimation, and, in turn, to wrong decisions. Besides, most of the social distance-keeping criteria recognized worldwide plan to keep a different distance based on the activity of the person and on the surrounding environment. In this study, in order to enhance the performance of the COVID-19 tracking apps, a human activity classifier based on Convolutional Deep Neural Network is provided. In particular, the raw data coming from the accelerometer sensor of a smartphone are arranged to form an image including several channels (HAR-Image), which is used as fingerprints of the in-progress activity that can be used as an additional input by tracking applications. Experimental results, obtained by analyzing real data, have shown that the HAR-Images are effective features for human activity recognition. Indeed, the results on the k-fold cross-validation and obtained by using a real dataset achieved an accuracy very close to 100%.
Simulative investigation of ring creep on a planetary bearing of a wind turbine gearbox
Authors: Gnauert Jonas , Schlüter Felix , Jacobs Georg , Bosse Dennis , Witter Stefan
Published: March 2021

Wind turbines (WT) must be further optimized concerning availability and reliability. One of the major reasons of WT downtime is the failure of gearbox bearings. Some of these failures occur, due to the ring creep phenomenon, which is mostly detected in the planetary bearings. The ring creep phenomenon describes a relative movement of the outer ring to the planetary gear. In order to improve the understanding of ring creep, the finite element method (FEM) is used to simulate ring creep in planetary gears. First, a sensitivity analysis is carried out on a small bearing size (NU205), to characterize relevant influence parameters for ring creep—considered parameters are teeth module, coefficient of friction, interference fit and normal tooth forces. Secondly, a full-scale planetary bearing (SL185030) of a 1MW WT is simulated and verified with experimental data.
Rivermead assessment of somatosensory performance: Italian normative data
Authors: Russo Cristina , Spandri Viviana , Gallucci Marcello , Halligan Peter , Bolognini Nadia , Vallar Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

The Rivermead assessment of somatosensory performance (RASP) provides a quantitative assessment of somatosensory processing, suitable for brain-damaged patients suffering from stroke. It consists of seven subcomponents: Subtest 1 (sharp/dull discrimination), Subtest 2 (surface pressure touch), Subtest 3 (surface localization), Subtest 4 (sensory extinction), Subtest 5 (2-point discrimination), Subtest 6 (temperature discrimination), and Subtest 7 (proprioception). Overall, the RASP assesses 5 bilateral body regions: face (cheek), hand (palm and back), and foot (sole and back). This study aimed at providing normative data and cut-off scores for RASP subtests, for each body region, in a large Italian population sample. We present results from 300 healthy Italian individuals aged 19 to 98 years. Data represent a comprehensive set of norms that cover each subtest and each body region tested. Performance in Subtests 1, 5, and 6 decreased, for some body regions, with increasing age. Based on these results, norms were stratified for age (seven groups), with the pathological/non-pathological cut-off coinciding with the 5th percentile. Conversely, other results were not influenced by age; in such cases, a single error, in each body region, has to be considered indicative of pathological performance. This independent investigation of all subcomponents of the somatosensory system, for each body region, further confirms RASP’s potential in clinical practice, for neurological assessment, as well as in research settings.