No abstract

A practical and reliable method for correction of EPI distortions caused by susceptibility-induced field inhomogeneity is proposed. Our method integrates two existing algorithms, PLACE and SPHERE. We further improve the correction by embedding an upsampling scheme into the algorithms. The upsampling ratio is optimized using simulations. The number of field maps to be averaged in order to reduce noise is also investigated. The proposed method was applied to images from a phantom and from diffusion tensor imaging of the brain from four normal subjects. The normalized mutual information (NMI) between reference anatomical T1-weighted images and T2-weighted images before and after correction was calculated and compared. The improved NMI was averaged slicewise across the four subjects to demonstrate the algorithm robustness. Color-coded fractional anisotropy maps and white matter fiber tracking results were also compared visually.

No abstract

Sustainable finance has been one of the modern topics in recent years. The main reason is the growing need for active steps and measures to preserve nature and avoid the risks of climate change and its consequences. A basic concept in sustainable finance is the adoption and follow-up of ESG principles. The latter refers to environmental “E”, social “S” principles and good corporate governance “G” policies. Financial institutions are considered as the conductor of policies in the field of ESG principles. The European Union is following an action plan to implement these principles and policies in the financial sphere. This report examines the integration of ESG principles into the activities of insurance companies and capital pension funds. Potential problems are identified and possible solutions are presented.

Unfavourable demographic trends are exerting more pressure on public pension systems in all European countries, and the need for alternative sources of pension provision is increasing. Personal pension products can be considered as a possible solution to the problem of providing adequate pensions. The pan-European personal pension product (PEPP) is the first standardised pension product subject to a uniform EU regime. Now that the regulatory framework for PEPP has been established at the EU level, it is up to the Member States to create an appropriate legal environment in order to promote the successful development of PEPP. This article examines the role of voluntary pension funds and the readiness to implement PEPP in the selected countries. We focus on the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, where the role of private pension funds is growing. We examine how PEPP can fit into the national pension systems and make some proposals regarding regulatory measures to be taken in order to ensure that PEPP is not at a competitive disadvantage against national pension products. We find that PEPP may fill the pension gap in countries where public pensions are the main source of retirement income and the role of occupational pension schemes is insignificant.