Search

Objective Belgium has been hit harder by COVID-19 than other countries in Europe. While clinical risk factors are well studied, socioeconomic risk factors remained underexplored. This study’s objective was to analyse the social and clinical profile of patients hospitalised for COVID-19 during the two waves of 2020, compared with a control population in 2019 in two hospitals located in Brussels’ most deprived area.Design and methods We did a case–control study by using the minimal clinical data set in two Brussels hospitals. All patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in 2020, divided into two waves (n=3220), were compared with all patients hospitalised for viral pneumonia and respiratory diseases in 2019 (control population n=2950). Multinomial regression models were used to estimate the relative risk ratios of the association between the COVID-19 hospitalised populations (waves 1 and 2) and risk factors (social and clinical) stratified by age.Results Patients under 65 years of age and hospitalised for COVID-19 presented significantly higher rates (relative rate ratio (95% CI)), especially for the first wave, of obesity 1.6 (1.2–2.2), African nationalities 1.4 (1.0–1.8), lack of health insurance 1.6 (1.3–2.1), living in high-density population areas 1.6 (1.3–2.1) and low incomes 1.7 (1.4–2.1), compared with the control population For patients over 65 years of age, we did not observe significant excess of COVID-19 hospitalisations for any risk factors, except diabetes during for the second wave but we have a significant excess mortality rate than the control population for both waves (p

Introduction Data linkage systems have proven to be a powerful tool in support of combating and managing the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the interoperability and the reuse of different data sources may pose a number of technical, administrative and data security challenges.Methods and analysis This protocol aims to provide a case study for linking highly sensitive individual-level information. We describe the data linkages between health surveillance records and administrative data sources necessary to investigate social health inequalities and the long-term health impact of COVID-19 in Belgium. Data at the national institute for public health, Statistics Belgium and InterMutualistic Agency are used to develop a representative case-cohort study of 1.2 million randomly selected Belgians and 4.5 million Belgians with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (PCR or antigen test), of which 108 211 are COVID-19 hospitalised patients (PCR or antigen test). Yearly updates are scheduled over a period of 4 years. The data set covers inpandemic and postpandemic health information between July 2020 and January 2026, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, socioeconomic indicators, healthcare use and related costs. Two main research questions will be addressed. First, can we identify socioeconomic and sociodemographic risk factors in COVID-19 testing, infection, hospitalisations and mortality? Second, what is the medium-term and long-term health impact of COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations? More specific objectives are (2a) To compare healthcare expenditure during and after a COVID-19 infection or hospitalisation; (2b) To investigate long-term health complications or premature mortality after a COVID-19 infection or hospitalisation; and (2c) To validate the administrative COVID-19 reimbursement nomenclature. The analysis plan includes the calculation of absolute and relative risks using survival analysis methods.Ethics and dissemination This study involves human participants and was approved by Ghent University hospital ethics committee: reference B.U.N. 1432020000371 and the Belgian Information Security Committee: reference Beraadslaging nr. 22/014 van 11 January 2022, available via https://www.ehealth.fgov.be/ehealthplatform/file/view/AX54CWc4Fbc33iE1rY5a?filename=22-014-n034-HELICON-project.pdf. Dissemination activities include peer-reviewed publications, a webinar series and a project website.The pseudonymised data are derived from administrative and health sources. Acquiring informed consent would require extra information on the subjects. The research team is prohibited from gaining additional knowledge on the study subjects by the Belgian Information Security Committee’s interpretation of the Belgian privacy framework.

Las elecciones de octubre de 2000 constituyeron un hito para la participación política de los inmigrantes en la región de Bruselas capital. Se produjo un considerable aumento del número de políticos belgas de origen extranjero, principalmente marroquíes, que fueron elegidos. En este artículo queremos hablar sobre los patrones de participación política de los inmigrantes en la región de Bruselas capital que, como hemos podido comprobar en las últimas elecciones locales, están cambiando. Trataremos de contextualizar el éxito electoral de los políticos turcos y marroquíes, principalmente de estos últimos, y la escasa participación de los ciudadanos de la Unión Europea en las últimas elecciones. Para ello tendremos que hablar también de la situación política de la región bilingüe de Bruselas, la ley de ciudadanía belga y las regulaciones existentes en materia de participación política de los residentes extranjeros.

The authors present a new theoretical framework articulating macro, mess and micro levels of analysis, which often are disconnected in sociology of migration. This alternative approach rests on the classical sociological concept of career. The concept of migratory career integrates structures of opportunities, individual characteristic and networks to make sense of the migratory experience.

The murder of Joe Van Holsbeeck prompted many categories of young people to be defined: those who do well at school and who militate in favour of good causes; the eternal suspects whom we heap opprobrium on without warning; and the invisible youth revealed by surveillance cameras. Generosity and threat are two characteristics ascribed to young people. This dramatic news item cannot be reduced to the violence of youth. One must question the persistent tendency to bring discredit on certain young people in Brussels, their increasingly precarious existence, and the growing adversity between young people of various social and ethnic origins. In the 1989 work Réussir Bruxelles edited by Charles Picqué, the chapter on youth mentioned the lack of importance attached to the young population. Twenty years later, this observation has not changed. Certain aspects of the situation have, in contrast, worsened. However, the Brussels-Capital Region has a large youth population which constitutes a source of opportunities rather than a handicap, although this viewpoint does not prevail. Young people are too often dealt with in the prism of social problems. Unfortunately, this contribution will not entirely escape this tendency.

The murder of Joe Van Holsbeeck prompted many categories of young people to be defined: those who do well at school and who militate in favour of good causes; the eternal suspects whom we heap opprobrium on without warning; and the invisible youth revealed by surveillance cameras. Generosity and threat are two characteristics ascribed to young people. This dramatic news item cannot be reduced to the violence of youth. One must question the persistent tendency to bring discredit on certain young people in Brussels, their increasingly precarious existence, and the growing adversity between young people of various social and ethnic origins. In the 1989 work Réussir Bruxelles edited by Charles Picqué, the chapter on youth mentioned the lack of importance attached to the young population. Twenty years later, this observation has not changed. Certain aspects of the situation have, in contrast, worsened. However, the Brussels-Capital Region has a large youth population which constitutes a source of opportunities rather than a handicap, although this viewpoint does not prevail. Young people are too often dealt with in the prism of social problems. Unfortunately, this contribution will not entirely escape this tendency.

The murder of Joe Van Holsbeeck prompted many categories of young people to be defined: those who do well at school and who militate in favour of good causes; the eternal suspects whom we heap opprobrium on without warning; and the invisible youth revealed by surveillance cameras. Generosity and threat are two characteristics ascribed to young people. This dramatic news item cannot be reduced to the violence of youth. One must question the persistent tendency to bring discredit on certain young people in Brussels, their increasingly precarious existence, and the growing adversity between young people of various social and ethnic origins. In the 1989 work Réussir Bruxelles edited by Charles Picqué, the chapter on youth mentioned the lack of importance attached to the young population. Twenty years later, this observation has not changed. Certain aspects of the situation have, in contrast, worsened. However, the Brussels-Capital Region has a large youth population which constitutes a source of opportunities rather than a handicap, although this viewpoint does not prevail. Young people are too often dealt with in the prism of social problems. Unfortunately, this contribution will not entirely escape this tendency.

Brussels is a city which is highly segmented on both the social as the cultural level. This diversity is also reflected among the youth. In this article we present the results of a survey undertaken among the last year students of the francophone schools of the city of Brussels. The survey, which focusses on life styles, racism and insecurity, confirms the multifaceted character of the Brussels youth. Important sources of diversity and division are social background, ethnic origin and school choice. Our findings attest that the relations amongst young people are built on identities that are rooted in references to socio-economic class and ethnic origin, while their intensity varies with the type of education. The ethnicisation of the young people’s social relations seems to be very widespread. The survey attests to a paradox: racist insults are quite common, and are not only oriented towards ethnic minorities, but at the same time almost everyone supports the dominant antiracist discourse.

Brussels is a city which is highly segmented on both the social as the cultural level. This diversity is also reflected among the youth. In this article we present the results of a survey undertaken among the last year students of the francophone schools of the city of Brussels. The survey, which focusses on life styles, racism and insecurity, confirms the multifaceted character of the Brussels youth. Important sources of diversity and division are social background, ethnic origin and school choice. Our findings attest that the relations amongst young people are built on identities that are rooted in references to socio-economic class and ethnic origin, while their intensity varies with the type of education. The ethnicisation of the young people’s social relations seems to be very widespread. The survey attests to a paradox: racist insults are quite common, and are not only oriented towards ethnic minorities, but at the same time almost everyone supports the dominant antiracist discourse.

Brussels is a city which is highly segmented on both the social as the cultural level. This diversity is also reflected among the youth. In this article we present the results of a survey undertaken among the last year students of the francophone schools of the city of Brussels. The survey, which focusses on life styles, racism and insecurity, confirms the multifaceted character of the Brussels youth. Important sources of diversity and division are social background, ethnic origin and school choice. Our findings attest that the relations amongst young people are built on identities that are rooted in references to socio-economic class and ethnic origin, while their intensity varies with the type of education. The ethnicisation of the young people’s social relations seems to be very widespread. The survey attests to a paradox: racist insults are quite common, and are not only oriented towards ethnic minorities, but at the same time almost everyone supports the dominant antiracist discourse.

L’article envisage le changement du paradigme des politiques publiques liées à l’insécurité en milieu urbain. À l’encontre de ceux qui voient l’émergence d’un État pénal se substituant à l’État social, l’article soutient, à partir de l’étude de la situation existant en Belgique, que les nouvelles politiques urbaines reposent sur un changement de paradigme de certaines politiques publiques. La pacification urbaine, paradigme de ce qui qualifie l’action de l’État social-sécuritaire, repose sur des mesures visant simultanément à la sécurisation des personnes et des espaces publics et à la réaffiliation sociale dans les territoires résidentiels précarisés. Les nouvelles politiques urbaines produisent de la régulation sociale tout en inscrivant leur rôle un cadre normatif renouvelé du contrôle social.

La crise économique et sociale et la crise de l'État Providence ont eu comme conséquence l'augmentation de l'intervention du secteur informel, du monde associatif, dans des domaines comme la formation et l'insertion professionnelles, notamment des jeunes. En outre, la réforme de l'État a complexifié l'intervention des pouvoirs publics tout en diminuant l'importance des services publics dans ces domaines. Plutôt que de développer une nouvelle politique, les pouvoirs publics mettent en œuvre une politique de formalisation des pratiques du secteur informel, qui devient un acteur reconnu. Mais par cette transaction, le secteur informel a gagné en moyens d'intervention et a perdu en liberté d'action et de revendication.

The effect of doublet state metalloradical complex in a solar cell inside the common active layer poly(3-hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PC60BM) is explored. In this work, it is demonstrated that the role of the bis-[1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-4,5-dichloroimidazol-2-ylidene]palladium(I) hexafluoridophosphate dopant, [Pd(IPrCl)2][PF6], is crucial because the presence of a stable unpaired electron in the molecule significantly improves the optoelectronic performance of the device. We f the optimal concentration of this molecule in the active layer and demonstrate that the presence of this additive in the active layer helps to significantly improve the morphology of the device. The improvements in optoelectronic and morphological parameters are associated with a remarkable increase in photocurrent generation due to more favorable mechanisms of charge separation at the donor/acceptor (D/A) interfaces of the active layer and reduced recombinations. Moreover, the presence of this additive improves the stability of the unencapsulated solar cell against photochemical degradation produced by sunlight.

Abstract Telecommunications companies are constantly chasing continuous technological advances with their management methods of Operations & Maintenance (O&M) that still struggle to turn their eye toward innovation and simplification of processes. In a future that aims at fully fiber-optic networks, the objective of the research is to propose guidelines and provide data to support the Wholesale Operator for the definition of the acceptable attenuation threshold on the Passive Optical Network Fiber-To-The-Home (PON FTTH) infrastructure to determine the Service Level Agreements (SLA) to be contracted with Retail Operators. Following exceeding the threshold, the Retail Operator has the right to open a Trouble Ticket to request the resolution of the anomaly. Consequently, the definition of the attenuation threshold strongly affects the number of Trouble Tickets to be managed and the related costs the Wholesale Operator bears. This paper analyzes a specific case of the PON FTTH network of the Italian wholesale operator Open Fiber. The studied infrastructure, with a length of 11 km, allows a maximum attenuation of 37 dB without degrading the service. An economic model has been proposed to assess the cost impact of moving the attenuation threshold in the SLA.

We reported the comparative studies of the optimization of solution-processable tungsten trioxide (WO3) as a hole transporting layer (HTL) in inverted organic photovoltaics (OPVs) using spin coating, slot-die coating, and spray coating technologies for scaling-up applications. To facilitate the technology’s transition into commercial manufacturing, it is necessary to explore the role of scalable technologies for low-cost and efficient device fabrication. We investigated the role of diluting WO3 with isopropanol as an HTL in inverted OPVs to solve the issue of poor wettability of the hydrophobic surface of the PBDB-T: ITIC bulk heterojunction layer. The optimal dilution ratios of WO3 with isopropanol were 1:4, 1:4 and 1:8 with spin coating, slot-die coating and spray coating techniques, respectively. We evaluated the device performance by conducting a current density–voltage (J-V) analysis, incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) measurements, and ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) absorbance spectra for various WO3 concentrations. The J-V characteristics revealed that slot-die coating resulted in the highest performance, followed by the spray coating technology. We further investigated the impact of the annealing temperature on device performance for both slot-die- and spray-coated diluted WO3. The highest device performance was achieved at an annealing temperature of 120 °C for both coating technologies. This research offers valuable insights into the scalable fabrication of inverted OPV devices, paving the way for cost-effective and efficient large-scale production.

Abstract Background The inappropriate use of antibiotics significantly contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance. There is limited information about the use of antibiotics among parents from rural areas in Peru. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards antibiotics among parents of children 40 years. Parents who had self-medicated his/her child with antibiotics (n = 120, 52%) were more likely to have purchased antibiotics without prescription (aPR 2.70, 95% CI 1.74–4.19) and to have received antibiotics after the recommendation of a pharmacist (aPR 1.79, 95% CI 1.13–2.82). Conclusions Knowledge about antibiotics among parents from rural settings in Peru is limited and highlights the need for educational interventions. Public health policies to limit the acquisition of antibiotics without prescription should be implemented.

In this work, we present the fabrication and characterization of bulk-heterojunction solar cells on monolayer graphene (MLG) with nickel-grids (Ni-grid) as semitransparent conductive electrode. The electrodes showed a maximum transmittance of 90% (calculated in 300–800 nm range) and a sheet resistance down to 35 Ω/□. On these new anodes, we fabricated TCO free BHJ-SCs using PTB7 blended with PC70BM fullerene derivative as active layer. The best device exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.2% in direct configuration and 3.6% in inverted configuration. The reference solar cell, realized on the ITO glass substrate, achieved a PCE of 6.1% and 6.7% in direct and inverted configuration respectively; for comparison we also tested OSCs only with simple Ni-grid as semitransparent and conductive electrode, obtaining a low PCE of 0.7%. The proposed approach to realize graphene-based electrodes could be a possible route to reduce the overall impact of the sheet resistance of this type of electrodes allowing their use in several optoelectronic devices.

An optimization work on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on both artificial and natural dyes was carried out by a fine synthesis work embedding gold nanoparticles in a TiO2 semiconductor and perfecting the TiO2 particle sizes of the scattering layer. Noble metal nanostructures are known for the surface plasmon resonance peculiarity that reveals unique properties and has been implemented in several fields such as sensing, photocatalysis, optical antennas and PV devices. By embedding gold nanoparticles in the mesoporous TiO2 layer and adding a scattering layer, we were able to boost the power conversion efficiency (PCE) to 10.8%, using an organic ruthenium complex. The same implementation was carried out using a natural dye, betalains, extracted from Sicilian prickly pear. In this case, the conversion efficiency doubled from 1 to 2% (measured at 1 SUN illumination, 100 mW/cm2 under solar simulation irradiation). Moreover, we obtained (measured at 0.1 SUN, 10 mW/cm2 under blue light LED irradiation) a record efficiency of 15% with the betalain-based dye, paving the way for indoor applications in organic natural devices. Finally, an attempt to scale up the system is shown, and a betalain-based- dye-sensitized solar module (DSSM), with an active area of 43.2 cm2 and a PCE of 1.02%, was fabricated for the first time.

Our world is facing an environmental crisis that is driving scientists to research green and smart solutions in terms of the use of renewable energy sources and low polluting technologies. In this framework, photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the most worthy of interest. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are innovative PV devices known for their encouraging features of low cost and easy fabrication, good response to diffuse light and colour tunability. All these features make DSSCs technology suitable for being applied to the so-called agrovoltaic field, taking into account their dual role of filtering light and supporting energy needs. In this project, we used 40 DSSC Z-series connected modules with the aim of combining the devices’ high conversion efficiency, transparency and robustness in order to test them in a greenhouse. A maximum conversion efficiency of 3.9% on a 221 cm2 active area was achieved with a transparency in the module’s aperture (312.9 cm2) area of 35%. Moreover, different modules were stressed at two different temperature conditions, 60 °C and 85 °C, and under light soaking at the maximum power point, showing a strong and robust stability for 1000 h. We assembled the fabricated modules to form ten panels to filter the light from the roof of the greenhouse. We carried out panel measurements in outdoor and greenhouse environments in both sunny and cloudy conditions to find clear trends in efficiency behaviour. A maximum panel efficiency in outdoor conditions of 3.83% was obtained in clear and sunny sky conditions.

A comprehensive CAD/CAM dentistry curriculum that includes broad aspects of single tooth restoration has been implemented at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry (COD) since 2010. The purpose of the program is to promote an educational environment that utilizes current technology to enhance the quality and efficiency of single-tooth dental treatment offered to patients, while also preparing graduating students to apply recent and future clinical advances. This article describes the history, organization, rationale, and objectives of the tooth-supported restorative aspects of our comprehensive pre-clinical and clinical CAD/CAM curriculum and presents the educational and clinical outcomes of this program.

Organic materials have been found to be promising candidates for low-temperature thermoelectric applications. In particular, poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) has been attracting great interest due to its desirable intrinsic properties, such as excellent solution processability, chemical and thermal stability, and high field-effect mobility. However, its poor electrical conductivity has limited its application as a thermoelectric material. It is therefore important to improve the electrical conductivity of P3HT layers. In this work, we studied how molecular weight (MW) influences the thermoelectric properties of P3HT films. The films were doped with lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide salt (LiTFSI) and 4-tert butylpyridine (TBP). Various P3HT layers with different MWs ranging from 21 to 94 kDa were investigated. UV−Vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis were performed to investigate the morphology and structure features of thin films with different MWs. The electrical conductivity initially increased when the MW increased and then decreased at the highest MW, whereas the Seebeck coefficient had a trend of reducing as the MW grew. The maximum thermoelectric power factor (1.87 μW/mK2) was obtained for MW of 77 kDa at 333 K. At this temperature, the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of this MW were 65.5 S/m and 169 μV/K, respectively.

Thermoelectric (TE) materials have drawn a lot of attention as a promising technology to harvest waste heat and convert it into electrical energy. However, the toxicity and expense of inorganic TE materials along with high-temperature fabrication processes have limited their application. Additionally, the reduction of raw material resources, such as metals and petroleum is another limiting factor. Hence, developing low-cost, stable, and easily-created TE materials from renewable resources is attracting more and more interest for a wide range of applications including the internet of things and self-powered sensors. Herein, an efficacious processing strategy to fabricate printable TE materials has been developed with Ethyl cellulose (EC), a non-conducting polymer, as the polymer matrix and with Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) as fillers. EC, one of the cellulose’s derivatives, has been widely used as a binder in the printing pastes. The conductive pastes with different filler contents have been fabricated. The weight ratio of GNPs and EC were ranged from 0.2 to 0.7. These conductive pastes have been deposited by blade coating on glass substrates. The electrical conductivity of the composites has increased polynomially as the filler content increased, whereas the Seebeck coefficient did not change significantly with the increased electrical conductivity. The highest electrical conductivity at room temperature (355.4 S m ^−1 ) was obtained for the ratio of 0.7. This ratio also had the maximum power factor value. Moreover, a 3D structure form (cylindrical pellet) from the highest conductive paste was also fabricated. The proposed technique demonstrates an industrially feasible approach to fabricate different geometries and structures for organic TE modules. So, this approach could provide a good reference for the production of high efficiency, low-temperature, lightweight, low-cost, TE materials.

Crowdsensing is emerging as a powerful paradigm capable of leveraging the collective, though imprecise, monitoring capabilities of common people carrying smartphones or other personal devices, which can effectively become real-time mobile sensors, collecting information about the physical places they live in. This unprecedented amount of information, considered collectively, offers new valuable opportunities to understand more thoroughly the environment in which we live and, more importantly, gives the chance to use this deeper knowledge to act and improve, in a virtuous loop, the environment itself. However, managing this process is a hard technical challenge, spanning several socio-technical issues: here, we focus on the related quality, reliability, and scalability trade-offs by proposing an architecture for crowdsensing platforms that dynamically self-configure and self-adapt depending on application-specific quality requirements. In the context of this general architecture, the paper will specifically focus on the Quasit distributed stream processing middleware, and show how Quasit can be used to process and analyze crowdsensing-generated data flows with differentiated quality requirements in a highly scalable and reliable way.

The diffusion length (L) of photogenerated carriers in the nanoporous electrode is a key parameter that summarizes the collection efficiency behavior in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). At present, there are few techniques able to spatially resolve L over the active area of the device. Most of them require contact patterning and, hence, are intrinsically destructive. Here, we present the first electron diffusion length mapping system for DSCs based on steady state incident photon to collected electron (IPCE) conversion efficiency ( η I P C E ) analysis. The measurement is conducted by acquiring complete transmittance ( T DSC ) and η I P C E spectra from the photo electrode (PE) and counter electrode (CE) for each spatial point in a raster scan manner. L ( x , y ) is obtained by a least square fitting of the IPCE ratio spectrum ( I P C E R = η I P C E -CE η I P C E -PE ). An advanced feature is the ability to acquire η I P C E spectra using low-intensity probe illumination under weakly-absorbed background light (625 nm) with the device biased close to open circuit voltage. These homogeneous conditions permit the linearization of the free electron continuity equation and, hence, to obtain the collection efficiency expressions ( η COL-PE and η COL-CE ). The influence of the parameter’s uncertainty has been quantified by a sensitivity study of L. The result has been validated by quantitatively comparing the average value of L map with the value estimated from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

One of the main topics of organic photovoltaics manufacturing is the need for simple, low cost, and large area compatible techniques. Solution-based processes are the best candidates to achieve this aim. Among these, airbrush spray coating has successfully applied to deposit both active and PEDOT layers of bulk-heterojunction solar cells. However, this technique is not yet sufficiently studied for interfacial layers (electron and hole transporting layers or optical spacers). In this paper, we show that amorphous titanium dioxide () films, obtained with an airbrush from a solution of titanium (IV) isopropoxide diluted in isopropanol, are successfully deposited on glass and PET substrates. Good surface covering results from the coalescence of droplets after optimizing the spray coating system. Simple inverted polymer solar cells are fabricated using as electron transporting layer obtaining encouraging electrical performances (% on glass/FTO and 0.7% on PET/ITO substrates).

Phthalocyanines based-dyes represent attractive alternatives to the expensive and polluting pyridyl based Ru complexes because of their photochemical and thermal stability, they do show in fact intense absorption in the UV/blue (Soret band) and the red/near IR (Q band) spectral regions and appear very promising as sensitizer dyes for DSSC. In this contribution we review the state of the art and the recent progress in the application of these materials as dyes for DSSC and present three new dyes which are bridged derivatives of Iron phthalocyanine. Synthesis, optical properties, electrochemical characterization and device performances are discussed with regard to the different substitution degree of the macrocycle.