The design and operation complexity of contemporary manufacturing systems have increased in the last decade or so [4] . This can be attributed to advanced and customized products, which often lead to complex systems and operations [5] . These systems are complicated in terms of their design, development, and are difficult to realize theoretically. In fact, the technological progress of the contemporary Industry 4.0 paradigm has increased the levels of complexity in terms of product design, innovation, implementation, performance assessment, etc. Therefore, the design, management, and sustainable operation of these advanced manufacturing technologies require experienced engineers and highly skilled operators. Consequently, academic institutions need to focus on the design and development of educational programs which are based on innovative teaching techniques [6] . There is a requirement of unconventional but effective training methods which can endow students and trainees with the desired knowledge and skills.

The design and operation complexity of contemporary manufacturing systems have increased in the last decade or so.

This can be attributed to advanced and customized products, which often lead to complex systems and operations.

Consequently, academic institutions need to focus on the design and development of educational programs which are based on innovative teaching techniques.


Recently, advanced computer and communication technologies have made many services available to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. Conventional information systems, such as the internet, provide the same service to all users. However, users have a specific tendency to utilize information services with different preferences. Moreover, users' preferences diversify and change [53] . Therefore, the focus is evolving from provision of uniform services to offering personalized service according to preference, as shown in Table 1 (d).

Moreover, users' preferences diversify and change.


In order to investigate the possibility of interactions between unconscious processes, we rely on evidence that subliminally presented facial expressions are processed differently in dependence of their valence [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] . In particular, we assume that, in comparison to two subliminal facial expressions of same valence, two subliminal facial expressions of different valence would elicit unconscious mismatch detection and a resulting conflict which are likely localized in frontal brain areas. If the effect exists, it would indicate that our cognitive system tries to integrate the two subliminal facial expressions, and moreover that unconscious processes reach higher processing levels and interact with each other. Although sequential presentation of stimuli is often used in studies about the influence between conscious and unconscious processing, the concurrent presentation of subliminally emotional faces could be regarded as processing one face under the influence of the other face just as invisible stimuli could be modulated by concurrent management of attentional load [25] . This is an exploratory research, therefore, both ERP and fMRI techniques are used to see whether the assumed effect is stable.

In order to investigate the possibility of interactions between unconscious processes, we rely on evidence that subliminally presented facial expressions are processed differently in dependence of their valence.

Although sequential presentation of stimuli is often used in studies about the influence between conscious and unconscious processing, the concurrent presentation of subliminally emotional faces could be regarded as processing one face under the influence of the other face just as invisible stimuli could be modulated by concurrent management of attentional load.


In this study, we investigated whether concurrent unconscious processes interact. Both ERP and fMRI data indicated that subliminally presented faces of different valence are differently processed than faces of the same valence. In the first ERP experiment, DUV elicited a smaller N2 as compared to SUV. In the second fMRI experiment, the left MFG was activated under DUV condition in comparison to SUV condition. We assume that in comparison to two subliminal facial expressions of the same valence, two subliminal facial expressions of different valence are subconsciously perceived as a mismatch and elicit a conflict. Previous studies demonstrated that supraliminally presented bilateral face stimuli lead to interhemispheric cooperation [31, 32] . Therefore the effect in our studies would indicate that at a certain processing level the brain tries to integrate the expression analyses of the two faces, which likely supports the idea of interactions between unconscious processes. In the following, the ERP and fMRI results as well as theoretical implications are discussed.

Previous studies demonstrated that supraliminally presented bilateral face stimuli lead to interhemispheric cooperation.


Many studies have shown that unconscious information processes could affect subsequent processing of different information [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . In the meantime, other studies have demonstrated that consciousness modulates unconscious processes [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] . The question arises whether interactions between unconscious processes can occur.

Many studies have shown that unconscious information processes could affect subsequent processing of different information.

In the meantime, other studies have demonstrated that consciousness modulates unconscious processes.


For many years, aeronautics and aerodynamics research communities have shown interest in vertical and short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft. Their ability to reach unconventional areas make them ideal for certain applications, such as search and rescue missions. However, few configurations have been successful, as it is difficult to understand the aerodynamic interactions during hover, transition (from vertical to forward flight and vice versa), and nearground flight [1] . Rotorcraft have been most successful in this area. Even if helicopters are predominant VTOL aircraft, their complex aerodynamics are yet to be fully understood.

However, few configurations have been successful, as it is difficult to understand the aerodynamic interactions during hover, transition (from vertical to forward flight and vice versa), and nearground flight.


Both numerical and experimental data is used to explore the effectiveness of the proposed vector fusion technique. First the monostatic RCS (MRCS) and the BRCS of full-scale 3-D models was calculated at various aspect angles using FEKO, a commercial EM solver. Then measurements of four scale model targets were made using the scattering range at Michigan State University. The 1-D FFTbased CLEAN algorithm, which is known to be strongly resistant to noise, was used to extract the scattering centers of the targets from both computed and measured data, and the feature vectors of the targets thus obtained were used as inputs to a neural network classifier. We used the MLP (multilayer perceptron) classifier, which is one of the standard classifiers, because the classification accuracy of these classifiers is the same [13] .

We used the MLP (multilayer perceptron) classifier, which is one of the standard classifiers, because the classification accuracy of these classifiers is the same.


The putative protective role of adenosine A 2B receptors in cerebral ischemia was studied in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices under oxygen-glucose deprivation, an experimental condition that mimics, albeit with the limits of in vitro methodology, the most common causes of cerebral ischemia, such as vessel occlusion. In vitro slices give a partial view of the physiology of the brain because of the absence of an intact vascular system and the altered tridimensional microenvironment. These alterations involve not only neurons but also glia, and more generally the physiology of the neurovascular unit formed by astrocytes, pericytes, microglia, neurons, and the extracellular matrix (Holloway and Gavins, 2016) . Nevertheless, the in vitro systems have many benefits such as the opportunity to obtain highly valuable information in terms of the time-course of the electrophysiological events, changes in membrane potential (AD), changes in synaptic transmission and morphological and biochemical changes in neurons and glia. Our results confirm that in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus, the application of a 7 min OGD episode induced the appearance of AD which was followed by irreversible synaptic damage and neurodegeneration of CA1 pyramidal neurons (Pugliese et al., 2003 (Pugliese et al., , 2006 (Pugliese et al., , 2009 Coppi et al., 2007; Traini et al., 2011) . We now demonstrate that these events are accompanied by neurodegeneration of CA1 pyramidal neurons, with reduction of neuronal density and significant increase of apoptotic neurons.

These alterations involve not only neurons but also glia, and more generally the physiology of the neurovascular unit formed by astrocytes, pericytes, microglia, neurons, and the extracellular matrix.

Our results confirm that in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus, the application of a 7 min OGD episode induced the appearance of AD which was followed by irreversible synaptic damage and neurodegeneration of CA1 pyramidal neurons.


The amount of inorganic material in biomass, either structural or extractable, should be measured as part of the total composition. Structural ash is inorganic material that is bound in the physical structure of the biomass, while extractable ash is inorganic material that can be removed by washing or extracting the material. The methods utilized for ashes determination are substantially similar to ASTM (Standard Method for the Determination of Ash in Biomass) and expressed as the percentage of residue remaining after dry oxidation at 550 to 600ºC. All results are reported relative to the 105ºC oven dry weight of the sample (Sluiter et al., 2008a) .

The methods utilized for ashes determination are substantially similar to ASTM (Standard Method for the Determination of Ash in Biomass) and expressed as the percentage of residue remaining after dry oxidation at 550 to 600ºC. All results are reported relative to the 105ºC oven dry weight of the sample.


Inorganic materials in the water-soluble material may come from both the biomass and any soluble material that it is associated with the biomass, such as soil and fertilizers. No attempt is made to distinguish the source of the inorganic material. Ethanol-soluble material includes chlorophyll, waxes, or other minor components. Some biomasses may require both extraction steps, while other biomasses may only require exhaustive ethanol extraction (Sluiter et al., 2008b) .

Some biomasses may require both extraction steps, while other biomasses may only require exhaustive ethanol extraction.


During hydrolysis the polymeric carbohydrates are depolimerized, forming oligomers and their constituent sugars, which are soluble in the hydrolysis liquid, and then are measured by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. In the constitution of hemicelluloses, the mainly fractions are xylose, acetic acid and furfural. For cellulose, are obtained glucose and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), since that can be converted to formic acid (Gouveia et al., 2009) .

For cellulose, are obtained glucose and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), since that can be converted to formic acid.


Patients with low-stage oral squamous cell carcinomas (OC-SCC) are usually treated by surgery alone. Yet a certain percentage of these patients develop local recurrence and/or regional lymph node metastasis, and possibly disease-related mortality. There are few large studies of Stage I/II OCSCC that address this issue. Sessions reported disease-specific mortality rates of 25 and 37 % for Stage I and Stage II cancers, respectively [1] . Disease progression and disease-specific mortality rates of 12 and 3 %, respectively, were reported by Jerjes for Stage I/II patients [2] . Disease progression and overall mortality rates of 14.5 and 23.5 %, respectively, were reported by Huang for Stage I/II patients [3] .

Sessions reported disease-specific mortality rates of 25 and 37 % for Stage I and Stage II cancers, respectively.

Disease progression and disease-specific mortality rates of 12 and 3 %, respectively, were reported by Jerjes for Stage I/II patients.

Disease progression and overall mortality rates of 14.5 and 23.5 %, respectively, were reported by Huang for Stage I/II patients.


Hypothesis 3, that the advantages and support of implementation (Grouping 3) positively influence the integration and accuracy of models (Grouping 1), was supported by the PLS-SEM results, with both direct effect and indirect effect (Table 8) . One possible explanation for the direct effect is that the model-based advantages, future viability, and local government support, get the project participants to recognise the project delivery with increasing work processes using BIM. In addition, accurate 3D models are convenient to project participants to communicate design intent and they can share and integrate information from discipline-specific models using IFC (SF14 and SF30). For example, model-based advantages such as visualisation and coordination allow the team to select the optimal design option by showing how close the design comes to the expected outcomes and allowing them to see the consequence of their decisions (Fischer et al. 2014) . A fully coordinated design model (SF17) enables multiple disciplines to document the construction intent (SF21) and create construction models (SF20) as needed. In terms of the indirect effect, given that both hypotheses 1 and 2 have been justified, it is logical that the advantages and support of implementation can influence the commitment and training from the management whereby the integration and accuracy of models is influenced. In other words, the management of any industry practitioners recognising the advantages and the government support of BIM will likely commit on BIM, allocate resources to train the staff, and require its staff to change their traditional working practices and embrace the BIMbased work processes, such as creating and sharing their own models for the project-wide integration of models. Thus, this participant then fulfils its part of BIM in a collaborative team.

For example, model-based advantages such as visualisation and coordination allow the team to select the optimal design option by showing how close the design comes to the expected outcomes and allowing them to see the consequence of their decisions.


Hypothesis 1, that the commitment and training from the management (Grouping 2) positively influences the integration and accuracy of models (Grouping 1), was supported by the PLS-SEM results. Although all key stakeholders team together, they remain responsible for individual scopes of work and associated deliverables. The collaboration between designers and contractors does not inherently result in the integration between disciplines. If not all key stakeholders commit on their work processes using BIM, discipline-specific models cannot be shared and integrated collaboratively and openly in the project for high accurate documentation of design and construction intent. For instance, it is common today for the design team to produce one model and for contractors to develop their own model based on the information provided to them (Sattineni, Mead 2013) . Thus, the owner' requirement in certain contract documents for and the service providers' commitment and training on proper model creation, sharing, and integration are very critical to enhance BIM implementation in the project. Once different participants' models and relevant data are shared and integrated within the team collaboratively, each participant can use them as bases for analysing and creating their own models and accurate drawings appropriately (Gao, Fischer 2006; Porwal, Hewage 2013; Rezgui et al. 2013) .

For instance, it is common today for the design team to produce one model and for contractors to develop their own model based on the information provided to them.

Once different participants' models and relevant data are shared and integrated within the team collaboratively, each participant can use them as bases for analysing and creating their own models and accurate drawings appropriately.


Glare is the blinding or annoying experience that results from a bright light source in the visual field of view, such as driving toward sunset on a clear day. In general, the effect of glare will increase when the glare source's luminance increases, the background luminance decreases, and the angle between the line of sight and the direction of the light source decreases. Generally, two types of glare are recognized: discomfort glare and disability glare [6] .

Generally, two types of glare are recognized: discomfort glare and disability glare.


In recent years, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps have become widespread in the automobile industry. Compared to the traditional halogen headlamp sources, HID headlamps generate more light. Generally, this light is distributed to peripheral areas. At present, glare is an important issue facing HID headlamps. Compared to traditional halogen headlamps, HID headlamps have a greater proportion of their spectrum in the short wavelength area, which may make them more efficient for peripheral vision but also perhaps more glaring to oncoming drivers during night time driving conditions [1] . Besides the spectrum difference, the fact that there is more light at wider periphery angles, particularly toward the oncoming driver, means such headlamps might dazzle oncoming drivers compared to the traditional halogen headlamps. The use of projector optics to reduce headlamp size may lead to even more glare issues.

Compared to traditional halogen headlamps, HID headlamps have a greater proportion of their spectrum in the short wavelength area, which may make them more efficient for peripheral vision but also perhaps more glaring to oncoming drivers during night time driving conditions.


At the same time, however, the high illumination level of HID headlamps may cause feelings of discomfort to oncoming drivers. Some people claim that the color appearance of HID headlamps, which is white-blue, would be preferred by drivers to the traditional yellowish halogen headlamps. The Road Research Laboratory in the United Kingdom performed a study of drivers' preference for white or yellow headlamps of equal intensity [4] . Drivers overwhelmingly preferred to drive with white headlamps, but by a small amount, they preferred oncoming drivers to have yellow headlamps. These results broadly support the idea that visibility is better with white headlights, but that oncoming yellow headlights are less glaring [5] . This survey happened when halogen lamps began to replace incandescent lamps in forward lighting technology. The incandescent lamps appeared more yellowish than the halogen lamps. At that time there was a large number of glare complaints, but these objections went away as people got used to the new halogen sources. Now at another time of technological development, history seems to be repeating. From the introduction of HID headlamps in the U.S., there have been many complaints about oncoming glare. Are these headlamps really more glaring or have they attracted attention simply because they are new?

The Road Research Laboratory in the United Kingdom performed a study of drivers' preference for white or yellow headlamps of equal intensity.

These results broadly support the idea that visibility is better with white headlights, but that oncoming yellow headlights are less glaring.


The data show that discomfort glare, for the experimental conditions used in this study, is not influenced by the scotopic content of the glare source, which is consistent with the findings of Flannagan [10] . The S/P ratios of the halogen and HID lamps were nearly the same, yet these lamps resulted in the least and most discomfort glare, respectively. According to the curves in Figures 3 and 4 , for example, the illuminance from the halogen lamp needed to be about 25%-50% higher than from the HID lamp to elicit a De Boer rating of 4. The blue-filtered halogen lamp, having the highest S/P ratio of the three sources, had intermediate discomfort glare ratings. Based on these results, it seems unlikely that the scotopic content of a light source will predict its impact on discomfort glare under all viewing conditions.

The data show that discomfort glare, for the experimental conditions used in this study, is not influenced by the scotopic content of the glare source, which is consistent with the findings of Flannagan.


For disability glare there is a direct relation between the magnitude of the veiling luminance and one's contrast detection performance [9] . With increasing glare, there is a reduction in the ability to perceive low contrast objects. This reduction may affect a number of visual tasks required in traffic, such as the detection of critical objects, headway control, reading of signs, and evaluation of critical encounters.

For disability glare there is a direct relation between the magnitude of the veiling luminance and one's contrast detection performance.


Extensive training of interventional procedures in cardiology and cardiac surgery is crucial to achieve optimal learning of the physicians and minimize the risk for the patients. Therefore, numerous approaches have been developed to simulate clinical situations and to provide realistic conditions for a relevant technical training [1] . Whereas various models are available for training of (cardiac) surgeons, only few models have been reported for training of interventional cardiology [2] . Animal models provide a comprehensive setting, however they require a complex infrastructure, are expensive and allow only a limited number of procedure iterations within one animal. Additionally they are usually not accepted in the clinical environment, where the technical equipment for training would be available. Therefore, and also to reduce animal experiments for ethical reasons, in-vitro models are strongly desired. Additionally to already existing in vitro training setups, integration of anatomical structures as the valve apparatus or even the entire heart with an isolated ex-vivo setup could certainly increase the potential for interventional training purposes. However, the setup for experiments with isolated organs is sophisticated and requires an advanced hydraulic circuit and well-trained personnel [3] [4] [5] . Recently, passively beating large animal hearts were reported to visualize internal heart structures [6, 7] . In such a setup the hearts are artificially driven by pumps to achieve physiologic pressure and/or flow conditions. Aim of this work was to establish a training setup to allow cardiologists to practice their skills in a realistic model before attempting the technique in the clinic. This setup should be kept compact to allow a simple use in the heart catheter lab. Therefore, we developed a pneumatic driven mock circuit for a passively beating porcine heart from the slaughterhouse.

Therefore, numerous approaches have been developed to simulate clinical situations and to provide realistic conditions for a relevant technical training.

Whereas various models are available for training of (cardiac) surgeons, only few models have been reported for training of interventional cardiology.

However, the setup for experiments with isolated organs is sophisticated and requires an advanced hydraulic circuit and well-trained personnel.

Recently, passively beating large animal hearts were reported to visualize internal heart structures.


The increasing education level showed a directly proportional level in knowledge on STI (p < 0.05). However, there was no reduction in risky sexual behaviour with increasing level of knowledge (p > 0.05). This finding is consistent with a study done in Sweden which found that higher level of knowledge was associated with increasing risky sexual behaviour [12] . National AIDS program report in 2005 showed that sexaul activity begin early with 10% having their first sexual experience by 14 years [7] . This is supported by our study as 13.6% of the respondents had their first sexual experience before the age of 15 years.

This finding is consistent with a study done in Sweden which found that higher level of knowledge was associated with increasing risky sexual behaviour.

National AIDS program report in 2005 showed that sexaul activity begin early with 10% having their first sexual experience by 14 years.


Everyone manages inventories one way or another, both at home and at work (Wild, 2002) . Households regularly obtain food, clothing and other necessary products, often buying more than required, keeping certain amounts of products stocked. Consumers are also faced with shortages of products in retail outlets, and, more often than not, find themselves in a situation where they have to dispose of a part of their inventories because their shelf life has expired. Considering that their response initiates various business activities in the supply chain, business entities must pay special attention to inventories as well.

Everyone manages inventories one way or another, both at home and at work.


Inventory control is of special importance for retailers, particularly for perishable items concerning their finite lifetimes (Chiu, 1999) . Supplying consumers, they seek to provide an adequate level of product availability in their facilities, achieving the desired financial gain. If demand were fully predictable, this would significantly reduce, and, in some cases, eliminate the need to maintain inventories, not only in retail chains, but also in other links of the supply chain (Chopra & Meindl, 2004) . However, due to unpredictable behaviour of final buyers and inadequately accurate demand forecasts, a certain amount of products must be kept in stock. Seamless operation of enterprises is thus secured, along with meeting consumers' demands.

Inventory control is of special importance for retailers, particularly for perishable items concerning their finite lifetimes.

If demand were fully predictable, this would significantly reduce, and, in some cases, eliminate the need to maintain inventories, not only in retail chains, but also in other links of the supply chain.


The results show that the possible savings from shifting are fairly low, with average savings of 2.0%-3.7% in the annual bill for electric heating. This is obviously far too low and one cannot expect the current price structure to prompt consumers to drive the implementation of DR. This is the situation despite the indoor temperature in the present work being allowed to increase to 24°C as a result of the DR, which is clearly high in terms of what is a reasonable comfort level. The required investment cost needed to execute the shifting could further reduce the possible savings, especially since discount rates applied by consumers are generally high for investments in improvements in energy efficiency [51] . In summary, the value derived from DR must probably be on the supply side, with the utilities offering equipment for DR in a way that it is not perceived as negative by the customer.

The required investment cost needed to execute the shifting could further reduce the possible savings, especially since discount rates applied by consumers are generally high for investments in improvements in energy efficiency.


The modeling carried out in the present work shows that shifting electric space heating can have a considerable effect on the overall load curve, with a maximum decrease in load of 5.5 GW and increases of up to 4.4 GW (see Figure 5 ). This shifting and its duration (i.e., energy) can potentially be used to facilitate variation management of intermittent power generation on the electricity supply side, depending on the characteristics of the variability of the intermittent generation and on the grid voltage level connected. As a comparison, the total rated capacity of Swedish wind power is currently around 4.4 GW, i.e., corresponding approximately to the maximum increase and decrease seen in the model results of this work. However, the reduction and increase in heating load can obviously not be performed independently of each other, i.e., the time-span of the variations from the production source are important. As mentioned above, the modeling gives that load shifting of the heat demand is up to 12 hours. Thus, only variations in generation within that time-scale can be handled through DR of the electric heating load. The characteristics of aggregated wind power variations also includes longer periods of low output (as is the case for the Nordic region), indicating that the possibility to manage wind variations with the electric space heating load may be limited. Given that a smaller fraction of the heating power capacity is used, it would be possible to cascade the use of the heating systems and thereby achieve longer shift times, albeit with a lower amount of energy shifted. Achieving this type of load-shifting pattern would require more than a single price signal as a driver for shifting, for instance, the use of an aggregator that can control the load. Furthermore, the utilization of the electric space heating demand for managing of solar generation variations is limited. This is due to the low seasonal correlation between electric space heating demand and solar electricity generation for Swedish conditions [50] .

This is due to the low seasonal correlation between electric space heating demand and solar electricity generation for Swedish conditions.


Renewable energy resources are emerging as a future energy vector, and the voltage source converters (VSCs) are widely used to integrate such energies into power system [1] [2] [3] [4] . The VSC-HVDC link connected to weak AC system with very low short circuit ratio (SCR < 2) will emerge quite often in the future [5] [6] [7] . However, the conventional vector-current control in -frame exhibits poor dynamic performance when applied to VSC connected to it. This brings a problem that the transmitted power cannot reach the ideal limitation for the unstable of small-signal model [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] .

Renewable energy resources are emerging as a future energy vector, and the voltage source converters (VSCs) are widely used to integrate such energies into power system.

The VSC-HVDC link connected to weak AC system with very low short circuit ratio (SCR < 2) will emerge quite often in the future.

This brings a problem that the transmitted power cannot reach the ideal limitation for the unstable of small-signal model.


The three temperature regimes generally operated for anaerobic digesters are psychrophilic (10-25°C), and more frequently, mesophilic (25-45°C), and thermophilic (45-65°C). Constant temperature during AD must be maintained to avoid temperature fluctuations that adversely impact biogas production. Facilities running at thermophilic temperatures are usually lower in methanogenic diversity, more sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and need more time to adapt to a new temperature [16, 17] . Mesophilic bacteria can withstand ± 3°C temperature fluctuations without greatly sacrificing CH 4 production. The speed and efficiency of an AD process are enhanced by the higher methanogenic bacterial growth rate at thermophilic process temperatures. Compared to a digester operated at mesophilic temperatures, one at thermophilic temperatures can therefore be loaded to a higher extent or operated at a lower Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT). However, ammonia toxicity and the risk of wash-out of microbial populations increases with increasing temperature, potentially leading to greater imbalance and ammonia inhibition [18] .

Facilities running at thermophilic temperatures are usually lower in methanogenic diversity, more sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and need more time to adapt to a new temperature.

However, ammonia toxicity and the risk of wash-out of microbial populations increases with increasing temperature, potentially leading to greater imbalance and ammonia inhibition.


The interpretation of results from animal cognition research can be a problem as there may be a temptation to accredit results to complex cognitive abilities on the part of the animal, by enthusiastic proponents of animal cognition. That is not to say that animals do not possess such higher cognitive skills, but simply that, taking into account the methodologies used, the data gained does not warrant such conclusions and results might be better explained by simpler cognitive processes. This is the principle of Lloyd Morgan's canon, according to which we should not ascribe a behaviour to a more complex cognitive process if a simpler one is sufficient to account for what we observe (Pearce, 1999) .

This is the principle of Lloyd Morgan's canon, according to which we should not ascribe a behaviour to a more complex cognitive process if a simpler one is sufficient to account for what we observe.


Two main changes has been change the way of manufacturing SME operate. These are Globalization and technological innovations. These have made the environment more competitive and it has made SME's exposure various risks of loosing competitiveness and profitability. The essential thing for using these new two types of risk could continue to effectively and efficiently operate at the same time getting the competitive advantage and ensure their profitability (Turgay & Karibov, 2008) .

The essential thing for using these new two types of risk could continue to effectively and efficiently operate at the same time getting the competitive advantage and ensure their profitability.


In AGMD, a stagnant air gap is maintained between the membrane and the condenser channel by using a condenser foil. The stagnant air gap functions as a thermal insulation layer. As a result, the heat loss due to conduction, which is intrinsic to DCMD, is noticeably reduced in AGMD. Moreover, because the distillate and coolant are separated by the condenser foil, in a single-pass AGMD process seawater at ambient temperature can be used as the coolant prior to being externally heated and fed into the evaporator channel. The latent heat of condensation can be recovered to pre-heat the feed, thus reducing the thermal energy consumption of AGMD [10, 18, 19] . It is noteworthy that amongst the aforementioned configurations, only AGMD permits the latent heat recovery without an external heat exchanger. In addition, cooling, which must be used in other configurations, can be excluded in single-pass AGMD, hence further reducing its thermal energy consumption. However, the stagnant air gap also increases the overall resistance to mass transfer; therefore, AGMD is usually operated at a lower water flux compared to other configurations [16, 17, 20] .

The latent heat of condensation can be recovered to pre-heat the feed, thus reducing the thermal energy consumption of AGMD.

However, the stagnant air gap also increases the overall resistance to mass transfer; therefore, AGMD is usually operated at a lower water flux compared to other configurations.


Amongst them, low thermal efficiency is the most considerable. As a thermally driven separation process, MD requires huge amounts of thermal energy to facilitate the phase conversion of liquid water into vapour, and vice versa. As a result, the specific energy consumption of all MD processes reported in the literature to date is several orders of magnitude higher than that of RO [4, 12, 14] .

As a result, the specific energy consumption of all MD processes reported in the literature to date is several orders of magnitude higher than that of RO.


MD can be operated in four basic configurations, including direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD), sweeping gas membrane distillation (SGMD), vacuum membrane distillation (VMD), and air gap membrane distillation (AGMD). DCMD has the lowest thermal efficiency due to significant heat conduction through the membrane. In SGMD and VMD, the introduction of sweeping gas and vacuum, respectively, mitigates the heat loss due to conduction, and hence improves the process thermal efficiency. However, this also increases the process complexity because an external condenser must be employed to obtain fresh water, thus limiting the practical applications of SGMD and VMD for seawater desalination. AGMD has a higher thermal efficiency compared to DCMD but lower process complexity compared to SGMD and VMD. Therefore, AGMD has been the most widely studied configuration for seawater MD desalination at pilot-scale level [15] [16] [17] .

Therefore, AGMD has been the most widely studied configuration for seawater MD desalination at pilot-scale level.


MD can also retain most advantages of a typical membrane process, including modulation, compactness, and process efficiency [6, 7] . Thus, the physical and energy footprints of MD can be lower than those of conventional thermal distillation [8, 9] . In addition, given the absence of a high hydraulic pressure and the discontinuity of the liquid phrase across its membrane, MD is less susceptible to membrane fouling and does not require intensive feed water pre-treatment compared to RO [6, 10] . More importantly, MD systems can be manufactured from non-corrosive and inexpensive plastic materials, leading to significantly reduced capital and maintenance costs. Finally, the feed operating temperature of MD is often in the range of 40 to 80 ºC, which is also the optimal operating temperature with respect to thermal efficiency of most thermal solar collectors [11] . Given these attributes, MD is a promising candidate for small-scale, stand-alone, and solar-driven seawater desalination applications [3, [11] [12] [13] .

MD can also retain most advantages of a typical membrane process, including modulation, compactness, and process efficiency.

Thus, the physical and energy footprints of MD can be lower than those of conventional thermal distillation.

In addition, given the absence of a high hydraulic pressure and the discontinuity of the liquid phrase across its membrane, MD is less susceptible to membrane fouling and does not require intensive feed water pre-treatment compared to RO.

Finally, the feed operating temperature of MD is often in the range of 40 to 80 ºC, which is also the optimal operating temperature with respect to thermal efficiency of most thermal solar collectors.

Given these attributes, MD is a promising candidate for small-scale, stand-alone, and solar-driven seawater desalination applications.


However, the provision of drinking water to small and remote coastal communities remains a significant challenge. Conventional thermal distillation is less energy efficient and requires a larger physical footprint compared to RO. On the other hand, RO, as a pressure-driven membrane separation process, requires intensive pre-treatment, high-pressure pumps, and duplex stainless steel piping. As a result, RO may not be suitable for small-scale seawater desalination applications, particularly in areas with unreliable or limited power supply. In this context, membrane distillation (MD), given its ability to use solar thermal and low-grade heat directly as the primary source of energy, has been identified as a potential candidate for small-scale and off-grid seawater desalination applications [2] [3] [4] [5] .

In this context, membrane distillation (MD), given its ability to use solar thermal and low-grade heat directly as the primary source of energy, has been identified as a potential candidate for small-scale and off-grid seawater desalination applications.


The systemic examination warrants bone marrow aspiration or biopsy in order to distinguish this condition from gastric involvement of osseous plasma cell myeloma. In the present case, no symptoms or findings suggestive of plasma cell myeloma were documented. In terms of immunohistochemistry, 67-79% of osseous plasma cell myeloma cases demonstrate CD56 positivity [7] . Although the results are ultimately inconclusive due to the limited sample number, CD56 negativity could perhaps be exploited as a tool for differentiating this disease from plasma cell myeloma.

In terms of immunohistochemistry, 67-79% of osseous plasma cell myeloma cases demonstrate CD56 positivity.


Therefore, it is possible to infer that 70% ethanol has acted negatively in homeopathic treatments regarding root galls, since, even with a lower root volume than homeopathic treatments, infestation by galls was equivalent to them and it was also the highest among the control treatments, even higher than the inoculated plants treated with water. So it is possible that ethanol has served as an attractiveness to infestation by nematodes and consequently, there was a higher rate of galls on roots. Different results were observed when ethanol potentized at 30 CH was applied on okra plants, which was verified a significant reduction in the number of root galls and nematode population when treated with Cina 30 CH and Santonin 30 CH, when compared to treatment with ethanol 30 CH and inoculated and non-treated plants, which were statistically equal [12] . The authors emphasize that it must have occurred due to changes in the content of the root tissue of plants treated with Cina and Santonin, which disfavored infection by nematodes in the roots, so that they remained in the soil. Similarly, Cina in high dynamizations (200 and 1000 CH) decreases of up to 74.7% the number of root galls on tomato plants [22] .

Different results were observed when ethanol potentized at 30 CH was applied on okra plants, which was verified a significant reduction in the number of root galls and nematode population when treated with Cina 30 CH and Santonin 30 CH, when compared to treatment with ethanol 30 CH and inoculated and non-treated plants, which were statistically equal.

Similarly, Cina in high dynamizations (200 and 1000 CH) decreases of up to 74.7% the number of root galls on tomato plants.


The results of this study show a biological activity of Cina, keeping the growth in root volume of tomato plants, even in the presence of the nematode. Plants with larger root volume are generally more resistant to diseases, support larger stresses and also have greater area of absorption of nutrients and water. Other works have reported the effect of Cina on growth pants. Cina used in globules, with one spray per day for 10 days, was capable of significantly increasing the root length and also the length and weight of stems of tomato plants [22] . In mulberry plants, Cina stimulated the growth, both in length of shoots and roots, and also in fresh weight [11] .

Cina used in globules, with one spray per day for 10 days, was capable of significantly increasing the root length and also the length and weight of stems of tomato plants.

In mulberry plants, Cina stimulated the growth, both in length of shoots and roots, and also in fresh weight.


The apple pomace can be used for the production of the high protein enriched residue that can serve as animal feed [4] . It was reported that the growth of yeast on apple pomace increases protein and vitamin content. However, the lower level of fermentable sugars limits protein enrichment of the pomace by yeasts; a major portion of the pomace comprises lignocelluloses. The co-culture of Candida utilis and Aspergillus niger increased the protein content of dried and pectin-extracted apple pomace to 20% and 17%, respectively, under SSF conditions [5] . The combination of fermented apple pomace with standard feed in the ratio of 1:1 was found to be acceptable during animal experiment with rat model [6] . The apple pomace based feed had also been evaluated successfully in poultry, when mixed with standard poultry feed in 1:1. There was an increase in body weight of broiler from 6th week to 8th week in all the groups where the mean body weight increased from 270 to 537 g [7] .

The apple pomace can be used for the production of the high protein enriched residue that can serve as animal feed.

The co-culture of Candida utilis and Aspergillus niger increased the protein content of dried and pectin-extracted apple pomace to 20% and 17%, respectively, under SSF conditions.

The combination of fermented apple pomace with standard feed in the ratio of 1:1 was found to be acceptable during animal experiment with rat model.

There was an increase in body weight of broiler from 6th week to 8th week in all the groups where the mean body weight increased from 270 to 537 g.


The agricultural sector is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide and the magnitude of its contribution changes from country to country. It was reported that globally, livestock are responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions [8] . Reducing or mitigating greenhouse gases (GHG) from livestock systems can play a vital role in providing solutions to climate change obligations. The major greenhouse gases generated by cattle production include methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), which has global warming potential of 21 and 310 times that of CO2 respectively, making them very potent GHGs. Many attempts have been made to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions without altering animal performance by dietary manipulation [8] . It was reported that emissions per kilogram of livestock product seem to be lower for monogastric than for ruminant animals, partly because pigs and poultry have better feed-conversion efficiency than ruminants and also they do not emit enteric methane while digesting their feed [9] . Emissions of GHGs from pork are lower than for beef, and produce very small amount of methane in their feed digestion and production is dominated by nitrous oxide [10] .

It was reported that globally, livestock are responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Many attempts have been made to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions without altering animal performance by dietary manipulation.

It was reported that emissions per kilogram of livestock product seem to be lower for monogastric than for ruminant animals, partly because pigs and poultry have better feed-conversion efficiency than ruminants and also they do not emit enteric methane while digesting their feed.

Emissions of GHGs from pork are lower than for beef, and produce very small amount of methane in their feed digestion and production is dominated by nitrous oxide.


Nearby the boundary of the solid, interactions between defects are expected to be different compared to those observed in the bulk material. It has been stated, from qualitative arguments, that on the boundary of a solid the material response should be local (Krayani et al., 2009) . In the first part of this paper, we provide a derivation of this result. Krayani and co-workers have restricted their discussion to existing boundaries. Surfaces generated during cracking are evolving boundaries for which the same effect is expected. Cracks should modify the nonlocal interaction and induce some shielding effect: the interaction between two points located apart from a crack should not exist. This means also that non locality, to some extend, should depend on the state of damage in the material and, for instance, that the internal length entering in nonlocal models should evolve in the course of failure.

It has been stated, from qualitative arguments, that on the boundary of a solid the material response should be local.


This modified non local model should be seen as a first step toward a comprehensive modelling of boundaries and interface effect in nonlocal damage models. A two dimensional implementation is required at least in order to check the capabilities of this new model. For instance, a description of size effect that is consistent with Bazant's universal size effect law for notched and unotched specimens needs to be checked (Krayani et al., 2009) .

For instance, a description of size effect that is consistent with Bazant's universal size effect law for notched and unotched specimens needs to be checked.


The first is that while the schools were a selective sample, the teachers were much less so, representing a range of expertise and experience, and almost all the teachers appear to have improved. Furthermore, these teachers have generated a series of 'living examples of implementation' that have served to make it easier to introduce these ideas to other teachers (Black et al., 2002) . The experience of the participating teachers is already being built upon in their schools and Local Education Authorities (and more broadly-see , but of course it remains to be seen to what extent this work can be scaled up to an LEA or a country.

Furthermore, these teachers have generated a series of 'living examples of implementation' that have served to make it easier to introduce these ideas to other teachers.


Testifying to major vascular damage, levels of circulating MP measured in the patient are in accordance with the important platelet and endothelial activation reported in APS [6, 15] . However, such values are unexpected when detected at distance of STEMI (day 20). Indeed, plateletderived MP were evidenced by capture on fibrinogen, as a peak occurring 8 hours after PTCA and returning to baseline within 48 h [22] . Procoagulant MP revealed by capture onto annexin V, remain slightly detectable 8 days after STEMI [16] . The persisting and combined effects of endothelial and platelet activation evidenced in the patient suggest a pivotal role in the development of unusual extensive intracardiac thrombi, despite important anti-thrombin and anti-platelet treatments.

Testifying to major vascular damage, levels of circulating MP measured in the patient are in accordance with the important platelet and endothelial activation reported in APS.

Indeed, plateletderived MP were evidenced by capture on fibrinogen, as a peak occurring 8 hours after PTCA and returning to baseline within 48 h.

Procoagulant MP revealed by capture onto annexin V, remain slightly detectable 8 days after STEMI.


The rate of biogas production from digestion of organic wastes depends on the relative proportion of the components of the digesting materials and the number of existing bacteria in the slurry (Dellepiane et al. 2003; Zandersons et al. 1999) . Research has proven that co-digestion of biomass with some percentage of livestock manure, i.e. cattle manure can increase methane yield by increasing bacterial diversities and reducing inhibition of methanogenesis (Macias-Corral et al. 2008; Rajasekaran et al. 1989) . For faster bacterial growth and enhancing biogas production, a starting inoculum is usually added to the slurry. Well-digested slurry from domestic animal manure is often used as the starting inoculum (El Shinnawi et al. 1989; Somayaji and Khanna 1994) .

The rate of biogas production from digestion of organic wastes depends on the relative proportion of the components of the digesting materials and the number of existing bacteria in the slurry.

Research has proven that co-digestion of biomass with some percentage of livestock manure, i.e. cattle manure can increase methane yield by increasing bacterial diversities and reducing inhibition of methanogenesis.

Well-digested slurry from domestic animal manure is often used as the starting inoculum.


In general, biogas production was initiated about 24 -48 h (lag time) after the start of the experiments. The production rate continued to increase for 27 days then it gradually decreased. In general, the figures indicate that the lower temperature digesters and the digesters with lower proportion of CM had a larger delay (lag time) in biogas production, a lower potential biogas yield, and slower biogas production rates. The maximum cumulative biogas yields were 0.427 and 0.369 m 3 /kgVS that occurred in the 80/20 treatment at 45ºC and 80/20 treatment at 35ºC, respectively. The obtained biogas yields for all treatments are higher than those reported for many other agricultural wastes (Isci and Demirer 2007; Satyanarayan et al. 2008) . This is likely due to the exposure of DRB to high temperatures during the distillation process.

The obtained biogas yields for all treatments are higher than those reported for many other agricultural wastes.


Anaerobic digestion of agricultural wastes is a relatively slow process. The holding time of the digesting material in a slurry medium for biogas production is referred to as the hydraulic retention time (HRT). The effective HRT is generally decreased with an increasing temperature of the slurry. For an optimum biogas yield, depending on the type of biomass and digestion temperature, a HRT of 30 to 50 days has been suggested (Yadvika et al. 2004; Zennaki et al. 1996; Garba 1996) .

For an optimum biogas yield, depending on the type of biomass and digestion temperature, a HRT of 30 to 50 days has been suggested.


The traditional cluster analysis methods are mainly five kinds, namely partitioning clustering methods, hierarchical clustering methods, density-based clustering methods, grid-based clustering methods and model-based clustering methods. In various clustering methods, K-means clustering method is extensively used [4] [5] [6] . It's a kind of partitioning clustering methods. K-means clustering algorithm is a typical distance-based clustering algorithm, using distance as similarity evaluation. K-means algorithm is simple and fast, with a more intuitive geometric meaning. It has been widely used in pattern recognition, image processing and computer vision. At the same time, the satisfactory results are obtained [7] .

In various clustering methods, K-means clustering method is extensively used.

At the same time, the satisfactory results are obtained.


In this article, presents a method to improve the K-means algorithm. Try to use the grid and the DBSCAN algorithm to improve the efficiency of K-means. First, we have to grasp the distribution of data points through the grid. Then calculate k values by DBSCAN algorithm. Finally, select the k initial cluster centers by the grid method and remove noise points. This makes the clustering results more accurate, algorithm has better stability. To overcome the problem of big data processing, we will parallelize the improved k-means algorithm, and combining it with MapReduce [11] [12] [13] framework.

To overcome the problem of big data processing, we will parallelize the improved k-means algorithm, and combining it with MapReduce framework.


At its upper level, the method is practically parameter-less. The bandit problem solver can set its only parameter optimally, based on the length of the task sequence. If the latter is not known, an initial estimate can be used, and periodically updated [1, 2] . In this case the optimal regret (20) is guaranteed with respect to the actual cumulative reward of the best expert. This modification was already tested, with analogous results. Different values of t 0 can only affect the performance with a logarithmic factor. The use of a logarithm for rewarding the algorithms allows to set t min and t max , respectively, to a very small and a very large value, such that only the knowledge of a very loose bound on execution time is required. Design decisions, including the choice of the time allocators, and model(s) to use, as well as the relative parameters, can be taken with a redundant approach, and their refinement can be left to Exp4. In the presented experiments we used a non-parametric model, which is slower to converge than a parametric one, but can converge to an arbitrary distribution, so it does not require any a priori hypothesis about the runtime distributions of the algorithms. If such hypothesis are available, but unsure, an additional copy of each time allocator, based on the parametric model, can be added, and Exp4 will decide which model to use, with a √ ln 2 impact on its regret. At the lowest level, the choice of the algorithms composing A, as well as the relative parameters, is still left to the user.

If the latter is not known, an initial estimate can be used, and periodically updated.


A step in this direction can be taken using a Dynamic Algorithm Portfolio (DAP) [17, 18, 21, 59] . Instead of first choosing a portfolio and then running it, a DAP iteratively allocates a time slice that is shared among all the available algorithms, and updates the relative algorithm priorities, based on their current state, in order to favor the most promising ones. To this aim, a model is needed to map (problem, algorithm, current algorithm state) triples to the expected time to solve the problem.

A step in this direction can be taken using a Dynamic Algorithm Portfolio (DAP).


Salmonellosis in humans is generally contracted through the consumption of contaminated food of animal origin such as eggs, meat, poultry and milk and green vegetables contaminated by faecal manure. Human cases occur where individuals have contact with infected animals, including pets. These infected animals often do not show signs of disease [6] .

These infected animals often do not show signs of disease.


Angiogenesis is a key issue in wound healing. Of all the angiogenic factors, the most potent one and commonly used is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [1] [2] [3] [4] . This growth factor can be produced by recombinant technology and it has been examined critically in many studies [5] [6] [7] . However, results have been generally disappointing when it is added on its own as it is rapidly broken down or diluted and washed away. Recent strategies have considered developing VEGF bound to biomaterials including hydrogels, electrospun scaffolds or particles [8] [9] [10] [11] .

Of all the angiogenic factors, the most potent one and commonly used is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

This growth factor can be produced by recombinant technology and it has been examined critically in many studies.

Recent strategies have considered developing VEGF bound to biomaterials including hydrogels, electrospun scaffolds or particles.


Hence, the degree of influence the economic environment exerts on the focus of ATSI tourism policy might reflect a concerted effort by policymakers to capture a share of the increasing international demand for the indigenous tourism market, principally by commodifying ATSI tourism. The spread of tourism into formerly ignored areas, which are home to indigenous populations, often results from a combination of factors including an increase in interest in marketing things natural or unspoiled (Butler & Hinch, 1996) . However, indigenous societies are often 'showcased' for economic purposes and culture is viewed as a commodity that can be packaged for the tourist (Robinson, 1999) . The results of this study reveal that the utilisation of ATSI culture as a marketing tool was one of the most frequently identified foci of policies, appearing 16 (94%) times.

The spread of tourism into formerly ignored areas, which are home to indigenous populations, often results from a combination of factors including an increase in interest in marketing things natural or unspoiled.

However, indigenous societies are often 'showcased' for economic purposes and culture is viewed as a commodity that can be packaged for the tourist.


The pre-tests also revealed limitations to the research design. For instance, the policies included in the sample set of the study were analysed only in terms of the written content contained within them and did not include aspects such as the policymakers, formulation, implementation and evaluation of the policies. Where policies were not specifically focused on ATSI tourism, but included sections that referred to the issue, only these sections were analysed in full. This could result in misinterpretation of the policy even though the researcher was familiar with the broad context of each policy. During the analysis of the documents, the primary (first listed) researcher's own awareness of factors outside the social and historical context may have distorted meanings and understandings (Gadamer, 1976) . Subjectivity is an essential part of the interpretive analysis, and the primary researcher's values and interests and Anglo-Celtic background may have influenced interpretation of the text pertaining to ATSI people.

During the analysis of the documents, the primary (first listed) researcher's own awareness of factors outside the social and historical context may have distorted meanings and understandings.


In order to examine the extent and nature of Australian government involvement in ATSI tourism policy an interpretive design was employed, drawing upon the complementary techniques of content analysis and hermeneutic analysis. Content analysis is a technique used for gathering and analysing the content of text, through procedures of categorisation, coding data and quantification (Neuman, 1997) . Hermeneutics is a theory of meaning, emphasising a qualitative examination of text in an attempt to discover and interpret embedded meaning (Myers, 1995) .

Content analysis is a technique used for gathering and analysing the content of text, through procedures of categorisation, coding data and quantification.

Hermeneutics is a theory of meaning, emphasising a qualitative examination of text in an attempt to discover and interpret embedded meaning.


Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health problem with 240 million chronic carriers and 780 000 deaths each year [1] . The burden of the disease is highest in sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia, where more than 8% of the adult population are chronically infected [1, 2] . In these areas, the most common routes of HBV infection are perinatal transmission from mother to child at birth and horizontal transmission from close contacts during early childhood [3, 4] . To control and prevent HBV infection, active immunization with hepatitis B vaccine remains the most effective measure. Indeed, a safe and effective vaccine against hepatitis B, available since 1982, prevents HBV infection when it is given before or shortly after exposure. Regardless of countryspecific prevalence, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended at least three doses of hepatitis B vaccine for all infants, including a first dose within 24 hours of birth [5] . Burkina Faso is an endemic area for HBV infection with an at least 10% prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers [6] [7] [8] . Hepatitis B vaccine was introduced in the national expanded program on childhood immunization in 2006. The HBV vaccine is used as a combined vaccine (pentavalent vaccine: DTC-HepB-Hib1) administrated at months 2, 3 and 4 respectively. However, factors such as genetic make-up, immunosuppression, vaccine storage conditions, obesity, diabetes, and gender have been implicated to affect the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination [9, 10] . To our knowledge, only one study assessed the effectiveness of Hepatitis B vaccine in children in Burkina Faso [11] . This study has focused on children aged from 6 -18 months living in the city of Ouagadougou, an urban setting located in the central part of the country. No data were available in the western part of Burkina Faso and still little in a rural area. To address this gap, we evaluated (i) the prevalence of HBsAg in children aged under 10 years after one decade of universal hepatitis B vaccination in western region of Burkina Faso, and (ii) the immune response among these children.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health problem with 240 million chronic carriers and 780 000 deaths each year.

The burden of the disease is highest in sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia, where more than 8% of the adult population are chronically infected.

In these areas, the most common routes of HBV infection are perinatal transmission from mother to child at birth and horizontal transmission from close contacts during early childhood.

Regardless of countryspecific prevalence, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended at least three doses of hepatitis B vaccine for all infants, including a first dose within 24 hours of birth.

Burkina Faso is an endemic area for HBV infection with an at least 10% prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers.

However, factors such as genetic make-up, immunosuppression, vaccine storage conditions, obesity, diabetes, and gender have been implicated to affect the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination.

To our knowledge, only one study assessed the effectiveness of Hepatitis B vaccine in children in Burkina Faso.


In order to capture occupants' actual behaviour in buildings and identify energy wasteful behaviour based on field data, a longitudinal study was carried out in an office building located in Beijing, China, with field monitoring of occupants' use of window, heating and cooling systems. Using the field data, some behavioural patterns have been developed and introduced in a paper published earlier this year [21] . Following this paper, these patterns have been used to drive dynamic building performance simulation to predict the energy saving potential of behaviour changes, and the results are mainly introduced in the following sections. Additionally, in order to demonstrate the importance of realistic behavioural patterns in accurate prediction of energy saving potential of behaviour changes by simulation, the predicted results were compared with those predicted based on assumed behavioural patterns in existing studies.

Using the field data, some behavioural patterns have been developed and introduced in a paper published earlier this year.


For the achievement of the crucial goal of the modern manufacturing sector in India is to enhance its competitiveness to sustain in the global market. So, due to this reason, it is very essential to identify and analyse the various manufacturing enablers who promote innovation to increase the manufacturing competitiveness in India. In this study ISM methodology has been used to build up the relationship among various enablers and to identify the driving and dependence powers of enablers. The manufacturing competitiveness enablers are iterated in seven levels. The final output of ISM has been used as an input the fuzzy MICMAC analysis to identify the driving and the dependence power of manufacturing competitiveness enablers. From the analysis of this study a structural self-interaction matrix (SSIM) the basis for ISM was formed in which the Continuous Improvement (10) occupied the top most level i.e. first level (I) shown in Fig. 1 . The present study shows that the industry feels this enabler are not mush significant as compared to others enablers and comparatively to eliminate. Long Term Strategic Goals (8) enabler is occupied in the second level (II) the study shows this enabler is more important as compared to top level enabler. Information Sharing (8) and New Product Development (5) has placed in the third level (III), from the analysis these enablers are a little bit more important as compared to level second level (II) enabler. Development Capapbility (2) and Research and Development (9) has placed in the fourth level (IV) and shows that these enablers are equally important and gives equal importance to enhance the competitive advantage in the global market. Competitive Pressure (4) and Technical Oppurtunities (3) are occupied in the fifth level (V), this shows that the industries give more importance to enablers for the promotion of innovation to increase the competitiveness of manufacturing in India. Financial Performance (11) and Supply Chain Coordination (7) are placed in the sixth level (VI), and shows that these enablers are second most important as compared to other enablers, so industries give more attention. Top Management Commitment (1) is placed in the bottom level, i.e. seventh level (VII), so this enabler plays a key enabler to enhance the competitiveness of steel industries. This is an independent enabler and driving other enablers. This enabler form a relationship among financial support, supply chain coordination and manufacturers for competitive advantage (Kannan et al., 2010) . The present study provides significant guidelines for researchers and academicians.

This enabler form a relationship among financial support, supply chain coordination and manufacturers for competitive advantage.


In addition, ABPM discriminates among patients with a dipping or with a non-dipping BP pattern and identifies patients with either a riser or extremely dipper pattern. Loss of the nocturnal dip has been associated with increased sympathetic tone and renal sodium reabsorption [3, 9, 11, 12] . Non-dippers are defined as patients who show a reduction in BP of less than 10% between average day and night BP determinations [3] . This status is associated with a higher prevalence of target organ damage, left ventricular hypertrophy, development of atherosclerotic plaques and intima-media thickness in women, higher urinary protein excretion and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (reviewed in 3). The non-dipping pattern is also associated with diabetes and seen in patients with chronic renal failure [3, [12] [13] [14] . Risers and extremely dipper, (defined as patients who show an increase of more than 10% or more than a 20% decrease between average day and night BP, respectively), also have a higher cardiovascular risk [3, 14] . ABPM is the unique method to identify these distinct BP patterns and control changes in antihypertensive agents, or dose or timing of drugs, in order to improve BP control and reduce cardiovascular risk (CVR) [3, [12] [13] [14] .

Loss of the nocturnal dip has been associated with increased sympathetic tone and renal sodium reabsorption.

Non-dippers are defined as patients who show a reduction in BP of less than 10% between average day and night BP determinations.

The non-dipping pattern is also associated with diabetes and seen in patients with chronic renal failure.

Risers and extremely dipper, (defined as patients who show an increase of more than 10% or more than a 20% decrease between average day and night BP, respectively), also have a higher cardiovascular risk.

ABPM is the unique method to identify these distinct BP patterns and control changes in antihypertensive agents, or dose or timing of drugs, in order to improve BP control and reduce cardiovascular risk (CVR).


The study involved 204 individuals similarly distributed by gender but men had a mean of age 7 years older than women. This difference is in concordance with our data on the total population affected by EH and controlled in our primary care center [18] . Clinical characteristics of the 204 analyzed individuals (including ABPM records) matched with those described in several reports published by the Spanish CARDIOSRISK/MAPAPRES Group but some points should be highlighted. First, in our group of individuals, we found a high percentage of riser patterns (20%), 2-fold higher than that described in the MAPAPRES study (10%) [15] . This marked difference could be due to the number of individuals included in our study (n=204) compared with the number evaluated in the CARDIOSRISK/MAPAPRESSTUDY (n = 38,000). However, these differences may also be explained by the priority given to ABPM measurements to patients with complicated EH or to differences in the mean of ages of the populations in the two studies. It is our opinion that the reason for the difference is revealed in the order form statement evaluation: The most frequent given for ordering an ABPM study was to know treatment efficacy and secondly, to identify a white coat syndrome or to assess whether treatment of high risk EH patients is correctly conducted. Conversely, the identification of a circadian rhythm or labile hypertension was stated in a lower number of ABPM orders suggesting that most ABPM studies were done to assess good practice or to correct a therapeutic regime. Secondly, keeping in mind that good control in ABPM is related to a more restricted normal range of systolic and diastolic BPs (see Table 1 ), in our series, good control was only found in 45 and 50% of patients with a dipper or non-dipper ABPM pattern, respectively. This percentage was even worse among extremely dipper patients (40%) and risers (29%), patterns associated to a higher risk of cardiovascular events. We assessed CVR among our set of EH individuals in order to know how BP was controled among high CVR. As depicted in Fig. (1C) , 22% (n=45) had a non-added or low CVR while most of our EH patients had a moderate, high or very high CVR (78%; n=159). We analyzed also how EH was controled with respect to CVR (Fig. 1D) . A good control of BP was observed among 57-60% of patients with low CVR whereas was higher among patients with a low CVR patients. These data indicated that BP was better controlled in patients with a low CVR and conversely, BP was poorly controlled among patients with a higher cardiovascular risk that demands a stricter and better control. Unfortunately, this is reported in most of studies that address these issues [3, [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] .

This difference is in concordance with our data on the total population affected by EH and controlled in our primary care center.

First, in our group of individuals, we found a high percentage of riser patterns (20%), 2-fold higher than that described in the MAPAPRES study (10%).

Unfortunately, this is reported in most of studies that address these issues.


It has been demonstrated that narrowband optical parametric amplification (NBOPA) is a superb technique for inducing slow and fast light (SFL) in optical fibers [1] . Large group delay tuning, over selectable, wide frequency bands, makes this technique a very promising candidate for many envisaged applications. Record tunable SFL delays of communication digital data signals were achieved in dispersion shifted fibers (DSF) [1] . In particular, experimental demonstrations were performed for 10 Gbit/s and theoretical predictions for 40 Gbit/s digital signals have been given [2, 3] .

It has been demonstrated that narrowband optical parametric amplification (NBOPA) is a superb technique for inducing slow and fast light (SFL) in optical fibers.

Record tunable SFL delays of communication digital data signals were achieved in dispersion shifted fibers (DSF).

In particular, experimental demonstrations were performed for 10 Gbit/s and theoretical predictions for 40 Gbit/s digital signals have been given.


Green construction aims to eliminate or reduce negative environmental effects on the construction phase. It is also known as sustainable construction. Construction is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. With the development of society, new requirements such as saving labor resources, selecting machinery, and building information platform are put forward and green construction emerges [16] .

With the development of society, new requirements such as saving labor resources, selecting machinery, and building information platform are put forward and green construction emerges.


Moreover, because of the dynamic bandwidth allocation and adaptive bit rate functionalities, the OFDM system has a prominent flexibility [5] . During the last decade, network traffic has increased drastically [6] . To satisfy the demand for new large bandwidth applications, many different methods have been proposed to improve the capacity and efficiency based on the optical transmission of signals. OFDM is also used in optical communication, and it has the superior robustness to fiber chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion (PMD) [7] , [8] .

Moreover, because of the dynamic bandwidth allocation and adaptive bit rate functionalities, the OFDM system has a prominent flexibility.

During the last decade, network traffic has increased drastically.

OFDM is also used in optical communication, and it has the superior robustness to fiber chromatic dispersion and polarization mode dispersion (PMD).


An OFDM system includes a inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block at the transmitter and a fast Fourier transform (FFT) block at the receiver. These blocks are usually implemented in the electrical domain enabled by high-speed digital-signal-processing (DSP) devices, but these devices are challenging both commercially and technically. In this regard, all-optical techniques are becoming of interest and are being investigated to reduce the challenges of the electrical domain. These techniques are based on the optically generated and processed OFDM signals using passive optical devices [9] , [10] . Transmission of all-optical OFDM is implemented first by generating the multiple optical subcarriers, then separating by optical devices, and finally modulating each subcarrier independently [11] , [12] . Therefore, an optical carrier generation is the basic building block to implement the OFDM transmission fully in the optical domain.

These techniques are based on the optically generated and processed OFDM signals using passive optical devices.

Transmission of all-optical OFDM is implemented first by generating the multiple optical subcarriers, then separating by optical devices, and finally modulating each subcarrier independently.


In this study, a Panda ring resonator connected to an add/drop system is used to generate non-uniform carrier signals. The uniform shape of these signals can be obtained using the gain flattening filter (GFF) system [22] , [23] . The uniform carrier signals are then applied to implement the optical OFDM suitable for the IEEE802.11a standard communication systems. The experimental results show that MRR systems support both the single-and multicarrier optical soliton pulses that are used in an OFDM transmitter/receiver system. Here, the optical soliton in a nonlinear fiber MRR system is analyzed, in order to generate a high frequency band of pulses as single and multi-carriers. The multi-carriers are separated by a splitter and then modulated. The spectra of the modulated optical subcarriers obtained are overlapped, resulting in one optical OFDM channel band. The generated OFDM signal is multiplexed with a single carrier soliton and transmitted through the single mode fiber (SMF). After being beaten to the photodiode, an IEEE802.11a signal is propagated wirelessly in the transmitter antenna base station and received by the second antenna. The bit error rate (BER) and overall system performance are discussed.

The uniform shape of these signals can be obtained using the gain flattening filter (GFF) system.


When people make decisions under risk (e.g., accepting or rejecting a gamble), their proclivity for risk depends critically on whether the outcome of the gamble is perceived as a gain or a loss [1] . If the outcome is perceived as a gain, most people will require an additional incentive (the risk premium) relative to a risk-neutral decision maker in order to accept the gamble, indicating that people are risk-averse for perceived gains. In contrast, most people are risk-seeking for perceived losses. The notion of "perception" is important here, because an objective gain may be perceived as a loss if it is less than expected (e.g., when one receives a surprisingly small raise), and likewise an objective loss may be perceived as a gain if it is greater than expected (e.g., a surprisingly inexpensive ticket). The expectation thus acts as a reference point for subjective valuation.

When people make decisions under risk (e.g., accepting or rejecting a gamble), their proclivity for risk depends critically on whether the outcome of the gamble is perceived as a gain or a loss.


Our model of reference point formation is a significant generalization of the expectations-based reference point model [2, 3] . The core idea remains the same-reference points reflect expectationsbut allows different expectations to form in different contexts. The notion that reference points are context-dependent has been widely acknowledged in psychology, but without a systematic formal treatment like the one proposed here [10, 34, 11, 8, 14] .

Our model of reference point formation is a significant generalization of the expectations-based reference point model.

The notion that reference points are context-dependent has been widely acknowledged in psychology, but without a systematic formal treatment like the one proposed here.


In inflammatory reactions, NO is generated from arginine, mainly by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) while PGE is generated from arachidonic acid mostly by cyclooxygenase (COX-2). Recent studies have demonstrated that eukaryotic transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) is involved in the regulation of COX-2 and iNOS expression [15] . Accordingly, many substances developed to date to prevent inflammatory damage either by suppressing the activation of iNOS or COX-2 directly, or by inhibiting NFκB signalling, which regulates them in the transcriptional stage [16] .

Recent studies have demonstrated that eukaryotic transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) is involved in the regulation of COX-2 and iNOS expression.

Accordingly, many substances developed to date to prevent inflammatory damage either by suppressing the activation of iNOS or COX-2 directly, or by inhibiting NFκB signalling, which regulates them in the transcriptional stage.


In the last decade a new connection between physics and mathematics became attractive, especially after [1] . It is related to the application of localization techniques to the calculation of supersymmetric partition functions on compact manifolds. This method is useful from the physical perspective because it allows to capture quantum informations of the flat space theory from the knowledge of the exact partition function on the curved space.

In the last decade a new connection between physics and mathematics became attractive, especially after.


There is a clear correlation between the energy reconstructed from the radio amplitude measured by Tunka-Rex and the energy reconstructed from the air-Cherenkov light measured by Tunka-133 ( figure 7 ). This indicates that the energy reconstruction works reliably with the presented method. When combining both seasons, the average deviation between the TunkaRex and Tunka-133 energy values is (17 ± 2) %, which is only slightly larger than the 15 % energy resolution reported by Tunka-133 [19] . Also for the position of the shower maximum there is a clear correlation between the radio and air-Cherenkov reconstructions (figure 8). Due to the stricter quality cuts the event statistics is lower than for the energy correlation. Still, the correlation is significant. This again indicates that also the reconstruction of X max works reliably for the selected, highquality radio events. Because of the lower statistics, the X max reconstruction precision of Tunka-Rex cannot be estimated very accurately. The standard deviation of the X max difference between both detectors is (47 ± 5) g/cm 2 , which reflects the combination of the unknown Tunka-Rex uncertainty and the Tunka-133 uncertainty of 28 g/cm 2 [19] . This corresponds to a radio-only precision of better than 40 g/cm 2 , when assuming that the resolutions of Tunka-133 and Tunka-Rex add in squares to the total deviation.

When combining both seasons, the average deviation between the TunkaRex and Tunka-133 energy values is (17 ± 2) %, which is only slightly larger than the 15 % energy resolution reported by Tunka-133.

Still, the correlation is significant.

The standard deviation of the X max difference between both detectors is (47 ± 5) g/cm 2 , which reflects the combination of the unknown Tunka-Rex uncertainty and the Tunka-133 uncertainty of 28 g/cm 2.


The Tunka-Rex energy precision seems to be at least as good as the published Tunka-133 resolution of 15 %. The total scale uncertainty of Tunka-Rex is dominated by the uncertainty of the amplitude calibration, and in total is in the order of 20 %. This is comparable to the scale uncertainty of particle detector arrays, like KASCADE-Grande [45] . Since the calibration uncertainty dominates the total scale uncertainty of Tunka-Rex, any improvement in the calibration accuracy will directly propagate to the energy-scale accuracy. Consequently, further efforts on the calibration will be necessary to increase the accuracy to the same level as the currently leading fluorescence and air-Cherenkov techniques. At the Pierre Auger Observatory, the scale accuracy of fluorescence measurements is 14 % [35] . This now is in reasonable reach for future radio measurements, which unlike fluorescence measurements are available around-the-clock. Hence, radio measurements can be used to determine the absolute energy scale of air-shower measurements.

This is comparable to the scale uncertainty of particle detector arrays, like KASCADE-Grande.

At the Pierre Auger Observatory, the scale accuracy of fluorescence measurements is 14 %.


Since the Heegaard genus is always at least as large as the rank, White's result gives a corresponding upper bound on injectivity radius in terms of Heegaard genus. A preprint by Rubinstein provides an improved estimate for the upper bound given by Heegaard genus [12] . His techniques employ minimal surfaces in an intriguing way. These ideas have inspired the result presented here. In this note, we show that the radius of any isometrically embedded ball in M provides a lower bound for its Heegaard genus. The precise form of our result depends on whether or not we assume an unpublished result (which we will refer to as PRH) of Pitts and Rubinstein. We give two results, the sharper one of which assumes PRH. In the course of the proof we construct certain sweepouts of manifolds of negative curvature using simplicial surfaces whose area is bounded in terms of the Heegaard genus.

A preprint by Rubinstein provides an improved estimate for the upper bound given by Heegaard genus.


The contrast in the adsorption mechanisms can only be explained by the structure at the surface of the films. The PM surface was found to be dominated by an a-Si:H surface on which are embedded columnar NPs of nc-Si:H, the size of which were about 8 nm in height and 130 nm in diameter (Figure 3 ). The NC surface was, on the other hand, dominated by NPs. The structure at the NC surface was therefore much more homogenous than the PM surface. The IR spectral response of adsorbed proteins on this type of surface was the average response of molecules in interaction with the a-Si:H surface and the proteins in interaction with the NPs. Therefore, we can suggest that the secondary structure modification was mostly driven by the silicon hydride network, which explains the overall similarity in the conformation of the adsorbed proteins on the two surfaces. A number of studies in the literature report that BSA proteins lose a significant part of their α-helix structure when adsorbed on hydrogen-terminated surfaces [51, 52] . In the case of hydrogenated silicon substrates, the non-polar SiH x at the surface interact with the protein molecules via hydrophobic forces that trigger their unfolding, and thus the loss of the α-helix structure [53] . This unfolding allows the protein molecule to increase its contact zone with the surface, thereby maximizing the protein-surface interactions [54] . On the other hand, the contrast in the 2D AFM profile of the PM sample after protein adsorption can be explained by its heterogeneous structure, with a low protein coverage region over the a-Si:H area, and sporadic highly covered areas around the nc-Si:H NPs. For the NC sample, the similarity of the profile across the whole area was due to the high density of the NPs that interacted with the protein molecules that were adsorbed around the nanocrystals. This NP-protein interaction could be explained by the formation of a so-called corona (crown) around the NPs, which is a term used to explain the association of proteins with NPs in biological fluid [55] . Particles may bind different amounts and types of protein depending on the particle size, shape, and surface characteristics [56] .

A number of studies in the literature report that BSA proteins lose a significant part of their α-helix structure when adsorbed on hydrogen-terminated surfaces.

In the case of hydrogenated silicon substrates, the non-polar SiH x at the surface interact with the protein molecules via hydrophobic forces that trigger their unfolding, and thus the loss of the α-helix structure.

This unfolding allows the protein molecule to increase its contact zone with the surface, thereby maximizing the protein-surface interactions.

This NP-protein interaction could be explained by the formation of a so-called corona (crown) around the NPs, which is a term used to explain the association of proteins with NPs in biological fluid.

Particles may bind different amounts and types of protein depending on the particle size, shape, and surface characteristics.


Humans become infected with LASV by exposure to the excreta of its reservoir Mastomys natalensis, also known as the ''multimammate rat'' [9, 10] . As in the first reported cases, secondary human-to-human transmission of LASV also occurs through direct contact with infected blood or bodily secretions. Deaths among nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers occasionally occur when adherence to barrier nursing and contact precautions are not maintained [11] .

Humans become infected with LASV by exposure to the excreta of its reservoir Mastomys natalensis, also known as the ''multimammate rat''.

Deaths among nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers occasionally occur when adherence to barrier nursing and contact precautions are not maintained.


Modern broiler strains are selected for fast growth and high feed efficiency, and therefore, more oxygen is required to meet their high metabolic rate. A high incidence of subclinical heart disease was demonstrated in fast-growing broilers, as well as right ventricle hypertrophy (Baghbanzadeh & Decuypere, 2008) . Therefore, as a consequence of the underdevelopment of the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems of these birds , birds suffer ascites, with mortality occurring between 5 and 6 weeks of age, although the etiology dates back to the embryonic period (Coleman & Coleman, 1991) . The adaptation to the environment depends on a mechanism called epigenetic adaptation. Chickens may be habituated to tolerate thermal stress during the pre-natal period by the epigenetic adaptation mechanism (Nichelmann et al., 2002) .

A high incidence of subclinical heart disease was demonstrated in fast-growing broilers, as well as right ventricle hypertrophy.

Therefore, as a consequence of the underdevelopment of the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems of these birds , birds suffer ascites, with mortality occurring between 5 and 6 weeks of age, although the etiology dates back to the embryonic period.

Chickens may be habituated to tolerate thermal stress during the pre-natal period by the epigenetic adaptation mechanism.


Since the development of the first incubation machine, commercial hatcheries of the early 20 th century underwent many changes that improved their efficiency and reliability. More recently, single-stage incubation was introduced. In single-stage incubators,all eggs within the incubator are set at the same developmental phase (same embryonic age). In this type of incubation system, labor costs are reduced, and the equipment can be cleaned and disinfected at the end of each hatching cycle in order to minimize microbial contamination risks (Hulet, 2007) . Furthermore, single-stage incubators can precisely meet temperature, relative humidity, and CO 2 concentration requirements of the embryo during the different phases of embryonic development (Bennett, 2010) . These conditions will create the ideal environment for embryonic development (Everaert et al., 2007) .

In this type of incubation system, labor costs are reduced, and the equipment can be cleaned and disinfected at the end of each hatching cycle in order to minimize microbial contamination risks.

Furthermore, single-stage incubators can precisely meet temperature, relative humidity, and CO 2 concentration requirements of the embryo during the different phases of embryonic development.

These conditions will create the ideal environment for embryonic development.


Enzymes are proteins whose function is to catalyze chemical reactions in living systems (Karigar & Rao, 2011) . They act on specific substrates, transforming them into products necessary for biological cycles, and participate in many edaphic processes such as organic and organo-mineral complexes (Joinville et al., 2004) . Depending on the components of the soil solid phase, this interaction is caused by mechanisms that include microencapsulation, transversal bonds, copolymer formation, adsorption, capture, ion exchange and covalent bonds (Dick & Tabatabai, 1992 (Okur et al., 2009) .

Enzymes are proteins whose function is to catalyze chemical reactions in living systems.

They act on specific substrates, transforming them into products necessary for biological cycles, and participate in many edaphic processes such as organic and organo-mineral complexes.

Depending on the components of the soil solid phase, this interaction is caused by mechanisms that include microencapsulation, transversal bonds, copolymer formation, adsorption, capture, ion exchange and covalent bonds.


We believe that the lack of clarity on the topic can explain the discordant results on the effects of physical activity programs on promotion of ADL in the elderly. In fact, there is currently no agreement about whether specific physical activity programs can improve ADL in the elderly [12] [13] . In our study, we attempted to clarify these questions, considering the following key physical abilities; aerobic endurance, gait speed, balance, strength of lower and upper limbs, flexibility of lower back and hamstring muscle, as well as various psychological variables (self-rated health, pain perception and perception of physical functioning) to identify the variables significantly linked to BADL and IADL.

In fact, there is currently no agreement about whether specific physical activity programs can improve ADL in the elderly.


In the UK, the Arable Decision Support (ArableDS) initiative was intended to provide a range of computer-based decision support tools for farmers and advisers. It is the result of a series of research and development projects starting in the mid 1990s, and now aims to include a wider community of users and developers (Parsons, et al., 2004) . Weed Manager is a DSS module designed as part of the ArableDS suite running on Microsoft Windows™. Weed Manager provides farmers, agronomists and distributors with a robust tool to plan and develop weed management strategies. In order to ensure that Weed Manager met the needs of the industry, it was developed with the involvement of users (farmers, agronomists and distributors) at all stages of the project, from the initial design to testing the decision making processes.

It is the result of a series of research and development projects starting in the mid 1990s, and now aims to include a wider community of users and developers.


We estimate the tuning of the model as follows. Among all points in which the experimental inputs are reproduced, we pick those satisfying the experimental constraint from the EWPT. These points represent a fraction of the total, and this fraction is what we denote as the tuning of the model. This definition measures the size of the region in parameter space (according to the measure defined by Eq. (4.5)) which is left after the various experimental constraints are imposed. In this way we automatically take into account that unnatural conspiracies among parameters, which are needed to satisfy the experimental constraints, occur rarely [31] .

In this way we automatically take into account that unnatural conspiracies among parameters, which are needed to satisfy the experimental constraints, occur rarely.


The change in mobility patterns with age is accompanied by self-regulatory behaviour. Results showed that self-regulation when driving was just one of several life adaptations to ageing. Participants in both the high-and medium-mileage groups believed that generations born in the forties and later were well aware of the process of getting older and adapted their way of living accordingly. This covered selling the house and summer cottage, and moving to a smaller apartment strategically located near the city centre, public transport and health care centre. Self-regulatory behaviour related to driving was reported by all participants and was considered to be a positive experience. Reported self-regulation, e.g., avoiding driving at night or in poor weather conditions, is consistent with previous literature [11, 13, 20, 21] . Self-regulation in the low-and medium-mileage groups included planning journeys more thoroughly, avoiding large and unknown cities and avoiding being a hindrance. This indicates that these two groups have progressed further in the continuous process of self-regulation. They are closer to the decision to discontinue driving permanently than the participants in the high-mileage group.

Reported self-regulation, e.g., avoiding driving at night or in poor weather conditions, is consistent with previous literature.


Gender could explain many differences in the mobility pattern of the older drivers. In the low-mileage group, there were only female participants, whereas only male participants were present in the high-mileage group. Women not only drove shorter distances, but their driving histories were different from that of the male participants: male participants received their driving license an average eight years earlier than the female participants. Additionally, the subjective evaluation of driving a lot or just a little did not mean the same distance for men and women when putting them into different mileage groups. These findings indicate a difference in attitude towards driving and towards themselves as drivers that is both socially and culturally set at an early age, and that is maintained at an older age. Today, there is still a small gender difference with 52.5% of men and 47.5% of women having a driving licence in 2012 compared to 60% and 40% respectively in 1980 [19] .

Today, there is still a small gender difference with 52.5% of men and 47.5% of women having a driving licence in 2012 compared to 60% and 40% respectively in 1980.