Silicon photonics (SiPh) is a disruptive technology in the field of integrated photonics and has experienced rapid development over the past two decades. Various high-performance Si and Ge/Si-based components have been developed on this platform that allow for complex photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with small footprint. These PICs have found use in a wide range of applications. Nevertheless, some non-native functions are still desired, despite the versatility of Si, to improve the overall performance of Si PICs and at the same time cut the cost of the eventual Si photonic system-on-chip. Heterogeneous integration is verified as an effective solution to address this issue, e.g. through die-wafer-bonding and flip-chip. In this paper, we discuss another technology, micro-transfer printing, for the integration of non-native material films/opto-electronic components on SiPh-based platforms. This technology allows for efficient use of non-native materials and enables the (co-)integration of a wide range of materials/devices on wafer scale in a massively parallel way. In this paper we review some of the recent developments in the integration of non-native optical functions on Si photonic platforms using micro-transfer printing.
High demands on quantum photonic experiments necessitate full integration of its building blocks. We integrated GaAs nanobeams embedded with InAs quantum dots on SiN as well as SU8 spot size convertors for efficient fiber coupling.
Background: Loneliness is recognized as an important societal challenge, with high policy attention the last years. In Flanders an important policy objective is to counteract loneliness by investing in so-called caring neighbourhoods. Although some research indicates that physical and social neighbourhood characteristics (e.g. public parks, public transportation) affect loneliness, little is known in this respect.
Aim: The goal of this workshop is to gain more insight into the relation between the neighbourhood and loneliness. Further, much loneliness research is limited to specific age groups and does not take into account the different dimensions of loneliness (emotional, social and existential). This distinction is nevertheless crucial because interventions that aim to counteract loneliness must be tailored around the unique needs of the individual and must consider specific dimensions of loneliness.
Participants: The workshop is for everyone interested in how neighbourhood characteristics impact loneliness among people of all ages, and on how to deal with this in research and practice. Both people with and without experience in the subject are welcome.
Design of the workshop:
1.Inspirational presentations (40’)
•Insight into loneliness prevalence. Hannelore Stegen conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of loneliness among community-dwelling older people. We will discuss how different measurement instruments and modes of datacollection lead to different results.
•Presentation of the FWO-SBO project ‘A Lonely Planet?’. In this part, we discuss which neighbourhood characteristics relate to the risk of loneliness. Leen Heylen, Liesbeth De Donder and Jasper De Witte present the first results of the interuniversity research project A Lonely Planet? Addressing LONELIness from a PLAce-based perspective: research on the influence of Neighbourhood and Environment. Goal is to increase our understanding on the role of neighbourhood characteristics in loneliness.
•Third, SAAMO Limburg & West-Vlaanderen (i.e. Community Building Organisation) add a practitioner perspective. Together we dive into possibilities on how to deal with tackling and preventing loneliness in caring neighbourhoods. Which neighbourhood level practices can prevent or alleviate loneliness? They present their experiences with several practical projects.
•After each presentation, space is reserved for questions and reflections of the audience.
2.Interactive work-tables. Through interactive “work-tables” with the participants, we aim to formulate specific recommendations on how to prevent and counteract loneliness from a neighbourhood perspective. (35’)
Table 1: Which neighbourhood characteristics relate to the risk of loneliness among adults?
Table 2: How do neighbourhood characteristics relate to the risk of loneliness among adults?
Table 3: In which manner can loneliness be prevented and alleviated on a neighbourhood level?
3.Closing: plenary ‘sharing’ session (15’)
A participant of each table shares the main take-away-home messages from their table.
End goal: The goal of this workshop is to create awareness among the participants about the impact that neighbourhood characteristics can have on the level of loneliness among people of all ages, as well as on how to deal with it in practice, research and policy. The co-created content of the workshop will be gathered in a report and shared on the website of “A Lonely Planet”.
Silver empowerment is a valuable paradigm to improve care and support systems for older persons. It aims to counteract the dominant image of ageing, which is all too often one of decline, dependency and vulnerability, and rather sees ageing and the ageing population as a challenge that opens up new opportunities. By focusing on the strengths and connections of older persons, silver empowerment strives for an inclusive, age-friendly society that will allow everyone to grow old with dignity and meaning. In this book, leading academics from a variety of disciplines discuss ways to enhance the empowerment of older persons in practice. Covering a wide range of topics such as resilience, loneliness, community-based care, the interplay between formal and informal care, the inclusion of older persons’ perspectives in research and care, and empowering policy, Silver Empowerment is of interest to academics, policy makers and practitioners interested in empowerment and care and support systems for older persons.
Abstract The restrictive measures taken by nursing homes during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 (e.g., quarantine) may have been important stressors for which residents needed resilience to safeguard their well-being. Based on 30 semi-structured interviews with nursing home residents and close relatives, this study explored the lived experiences with respect to the restrictive measures. The data were collected in psychogeriatric, somatic, and mixed wards in The Netherlands and Flanders, Belgium. The restrictive measures were important stressors for residents, indicated by feelings of loneliness, sadness, and powerlessness. To deal with these measures, residents used various resources, which were determined by factors in the individual (e.g., health), interactional (e.g., possibilities for social interactions) and contextual (e.g. nursing home policy) domains. Because the lived experiences with respect to the restrictive measures seemed to relate to the resilience of nursing home residents, it is crucial to reinforce resources in the individual, interactional, and contextual domains.
