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Summary: Introduction: Neglected tropical diseases control programmes run separately. For settings with more than one endemic disease, combined mass drug administration (MDA) has potential practical advantages compared with separate programmes but needs confirmation of safety. We assessed the safety of combined MDA for multiple neglected tropical diseases using ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, albendazole (IDA) and azithromycin (AZI). Methods: We conducted an open-label, cluster-randomized trial involving individuals living in 34 wards (smaller administrative division) in two study sites, Namatanai District and Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea. We randomly assigned wards to the combined treatment arm (which received a single dose of the triple combination IDA and a single dose of AZI at the same visit) or the control arm (which received IDA separately followed by AZI separately one week after). All participants underwent safety assessments one day after drug administration. Methodology for collecting the adverse events (AEs) was a general question (in Namatanai) and individual questions about specific AEs (in Lihir). The primary endpoint was the prevalence of AEs. Safety of combined treatment was taken to be non-inferior to that of IDA if the upper limit of the two-sided CI for the difference in rates was equal or lower than 5%. Findings: The study enrolled 15,656 participants. Of those enrolled, 7,281 (46.3%) received the combined regimen and 8,375 (53.3%) received standard treatment with IDA for lymphatic filariasis between Nov 1, 2018, and Apr 15, 2019. Of the individuals in the control group, 4,228 (50.5%) attended a second visit one week apart to receive AZI for yaws. In Namatanai, the proportion of AEs was similar in the combined group (0.8%) compared to the IDA group (1.3%, difference 0.5% [95CI -2.5% to 1.4%]) or the AZI group (3.6%, d -2.8% [95CI -8.6% to 2.8%]). In Lihir, the proportion of AEs was higher in the combined group (23.0%) compared to the IDA group (12.2%, d 10.8% [95% CI 1.5% to 20.2%]) or the AZI group (11.1%, d 11.9% [95% CI 2.7% to 21.1%]).We observed 21 (0.3%) grade-2 AEs in the combined treatment group, 33 (0.4%) in the IDA separately group, and 18 (0.2%) in the AZI separately group. No participants required treatment for any AE. We observed no deaths, serious AEs, or AEs of special interest. Interpretation: In the largest trial so far involving coadministration of regimens based on IDA and AZI, the combination was safe and feasible in a population of more than 15,000 people. Combined MDA based on these two regimens opens up new potential for the control of neglected tropical diseases in the Western Pacific region. Funding: International Trachoma Initiative, “la Caixa” Foundation, Kern Pharma.

First class transport is fundamental for a healthy society and a thriving economy. By providing a high degree of mobility for ideas, people and goods, it enables innovation to flourish, businesses to serve wide markets and citizens to travel easily for work and for pleasure. This leads to job creation; regional, national and European Union (EU) economic development; better social cohesion and a better quality of life. This is why transport is one of the seven ‘Societal Challenges’ on which Europe's Horizon 2020 research programme is focusing in 2014–2020. Much is being done to improve transport in Europe in specific topics, including in technology, in networks and in financing. Yet Europe is failing to capture the full benefits of these investments. As the European Commission's 2011 Transport White Paper recognises, today's European transport system remains fragmented, inefficient and inadequate. Analysis of the root causes of this poor performance shows that, while technology barriers are significant, policy issues dominate. The authors examine the arguments for a more connected approach and report on progress towards achieving such an approach. This sees European transport as one system and optimises it as such. This contrasts with the present situation of many fragments, individually good but poorly related. This connected approach will lead to better overall transport provision and better results for the resources invested. However, transport involves many stakeholders, who tend to focus on their own specific modes and issues. Truly effective transport will only develop if all stakeholders work together. We consider new initiatives to bring together all relevant actors at EU, national and regional levels to tackle the problems described above. These would, for example: (i) bring a stronger systems-level perspective to research and development efforts; (ii) coordinate investments in demonstrators and pilots; (iii) identify and fast-track changes necessary in regulations and standards; and (iv) mobilise demand, in particular through better coordinated public procurement. Such an approach will build on existing initiatives, at modal, sectoral and administrative levels, and unlock the full value creation potential of existing investment programmes.

The connection between science and mathematics is undeniable but also a complex phenomenon. The present study aimed to examine types of questions in science exam papers in 7 th grade “force and motion” unit and the consistency between questions and objectives in this unit. The study also aimed to determine if there are questions related to mathematics. If yes, which mathematics subjects they are related with. Document analysis was used for data collection. 19 exam papers prepared by different science teachers were collected and examined. Findings revealed that science teachers mainly used multiple choice questions and their questions included mathematical knowledge.

The present work investigates the conjugation of flotation and photo-Fenton techniques on oil removal performance from oilfield produced water. The experiments were conducted in a column flotation and annular lamp reactor for induced air flotation and photodegradation steps, respectively. A nonionic surfactant was used as a flotation agent. The flotation experimental data were analyzed in terms of a first-order kinetic rate model. Two experimental designs were employed to evaluate the oil removal efficiency: fractional experimental design and central composite rotational design (CCRD). Overall oil removal of 99% was reached in the optimum experimental condition after 10 min of flotation followed by 45 min of photo-Fenton. The results of the conjugation of induced air flotation and photo-Fenton processes allowed meeting the wastewater limits established by the legislations for disposal.

Despite the perceived value of DSS in informing environmental and natural resource management, DSS tools often fail to be adopted by intended end users. By drawing together the experience of a global group of EDSS developers, we have identified and assessed key challenges in EDSS development and offer recommendations to resolve them. Challenges related to engaging end users in EDSS development emphasise the need for a participatory process that embraces end users and stakeholders throughout the design and development process. Adoption challenges concerned with individual and organisational capacities to use EDSS and the match between EDSS and organisational goals can be overcome through the use of an internal champion to promote the EDSS at different levels of a target organisation; co-ordinate and build capacity within the organisation, and; ensure that developers maintain focus on developing EDSS which are relatively easy and inexpensive to use and update (and which are perceived as such by the target users). Significant challenges exist in relation to ensuring EDSS longevity and financial sustainability. Such business challenges may be met through planning and design that considers the long-term costs of training, support, and maintenance; revenue generation and licensing by instituting processes which support communication and interactions; and by employing software technology which enables easy model expansion and re use to gain an economy of scale and reduce development costs. A final group of perhaps more problematic challenges relate to how the success of EDSS ought to be evaluated. Whilst success can be framed relatively easily in terms of interactions with end users, difficulties of definition and measurability emerge in relation to the extent to which EDSS achieve intended outcomes. To tackle the challenges described, the authors provide a set of best practice recommendations concerned with promoting design for ease of use, design for usefulness, establishing trust and credibility, promoting EDSS acceptance, and starting simple and small in functionality terms. Following these recommendations should enhance the achievement of successful EDSS adoption, but more importantly, help facilitate the achievement of desirable social and environmental outcomes.

Quantitative analysis using comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) gas chromatography (GC) is still rarely reported. This is largely due to a lack of suitable software. The objective of the present study is to generate quantitative results from a large GC x GC data set, consisting of 32 chromatograms. In this data set, six target components need to be quantified. We compare the results of conventional integration with those obtained using so-called "multiway analysis methods". With regard to accuracy and precision, integration performs slightly better than Parallel Factor (PARAFAC) analysis. In terms of speed and possibilities for automation, multiway methods in general are far superior to traditional integration. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background Characterising the correlates of HIV persistence improves understanding of disease pathogenesis and guides the design of curative strategies. This study investigated factors associated with integrated HIV-1 DNA load during consistently suppressive first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). Method Total, integrated, and 2-long terminal repeats (LTR) circular HIV-1 DNA, residual plasma HIV-1 RNA, T-cell activation markers, and soluble CD14 (sCD14) were measured in peripheral blood of 50 patients that had received 1–14 years of efavirenz-based or nevirapine-based therapy. Results Integrated HIV-1 DNA load (per 106 peripheral blood mononuclear cells) was median 1.9 log10 copies (interquartile range 1.7–2.2) and showed a mean difference of 0.2 log10 copies per 10 years of suppressive ART (95% confidence interval − 0.2, 0.6; p = 0.28). It was positively correlated with total HIV-1 DNA load and frequency of CD8+HLA-DR/DP/DQ+ cells, and was also higher in subjects with higher sCD14 levels, but showed no correlation with levels of 2-LTR circular HIV-1 DNA and residual plasma HIV-1 RNA, or the frequency of CD4+CD38+ and CD8+CD38+ cells. Adjusting for pre-ART viral load, duration of suppressive ART, CD4 cell counts, residual plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, and sCD14 levels, integrated HIV-1 DNA load was mean 0.5 log10 copies higher for each 50% higher frequency of CD8+HLA-DR/DP/DQ+ cells (95% confidence interval 0.2, 0.9; p = 0.01). Conclusions The observed positive association between integrated HIV-1 DNA load and frequency of CD8+DR/DP/DQ+ cells indicates that a close correlation between HIV persistence and immune activation continues during consistently suppressive therapy. The inducers of the distinct activation profile warrant further investigation., Highlights • Data from a homogenously treated population with consistent virological suppression • Integrated HIV-1 DNA load did not vary significantly by duration of therapy • Integrated HIV-1 DNA load was not associated with markers of recent virus replication • Integrated HIV-1 DNA load and CD8+HLA-DR/DP/DQ+ frequency were positively associated • Subjects with top quartile integrated HIV-1 DNA load showed high sCD14 levels Integrated HIV-1 DNA load remains constant in the peripheral blood of individuals receiving long-term suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, the mechanisms preventing decay of the reservoir remain unclear. We studied a cross-sectional population, defined by the duration of suppressive ART. Integrated HIV-1 DNA load did not differ significantly according to the duration of suppressive ART, and showed no association with direct or indirect markers of ongoing virus replication. Rather, there was an independent, positive association between integrated HIV-1 DNA load and the frequency of CD8 cells expressing the activation marker HLA-DR/DP/DQ. These cells appear to have important regulatory and effector function. Our findings add to growing evidence that immune activation sustains the HIV-1 reservoir during long-term suppressive ART.

This paper provides evidence of the role that financial market development and institutional quality play in the integration of European Union (EU) life insurance markets. It analyzes ten EU life insurance markets over a seventeen-year sample period. The meta-technology cost/revenue efficiency ratios, estimated under the meta-frontier DEA framework, are used as a measure of integration and the analysis is conducted by applying Tobit panel regression models. We find that national stock market development and institutional quality enhance cost performance and integration of EU life insurance markets. Results also show that in countries where bancassurance is the main life insurance distribution channel, banking sector development contributes to integration in terms of revenue efficiency. However, we find that better outcomes in national institutional quality decrease the meta-technology revenue efficiency ratio, suggesting that life insurance prices are lower in countries with better institutions. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA. The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Project RTI2018-097620-B-100) and Universidad de Málaga Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. This paper was awarded the 2020 ‘‘Antonio Dionis Soler’’ Research Prize (accésit) by Fundación de Estudios Financieros

Chaos and rigidity are often used to describe problematic psychological states. If they are to be avoided, how does one conceive of a normative alternative? As a midway compromise between chaos and rigidity? This paper proposes that underlying chaos and rigidity are two dimensions of healthy human experience, those of stability (focus, routine, unity) and flexibility (exploration, novelty, diversity). Their union is possible, the optimal state of “flexstability”, a state in which individuals experience flexibility and stability at the same time. Chaos can be now understood as flexibility without stability, and rigidity as stability without flexibility. These concepts may be arranged in a two-by-two “flexstability matrix” that suggests that normative psychological development navigates the extremes of chaos and rigidity and seeks the state of flexibility. The concepts of the matrix are applied to six research areas in psychology: parenting styles, identity formation, the development of mind, flow, emotional regulation and self-determination. Chaos and rigidity are often used to describe problematic psychological states. If they are to be avoided, how does one conceive of a normative alternative? A midway compromise between chaos and rigidity seems unsatisfactory. This paper proposes that underlying chaos and rigidity are two dimensions of healthy human experience, those of stability (focus, routine, unity) and flexibility (exploration, novelty, diversity). Their union is possible, the optimal state of “flexstability”, a state in which individuals experience flexibility and stabilitysimultaneously. Chaos can be now understood as flexibility without stability, and rigidity as stability without flexibility. These concepts may be arranged in a two-by-two “flexstability matrix” that suggests that normative psychological development navigates the extremes of chaos and rigidity and pursues the state of flexstability. The concepts of the matrix are applied to seven research areas in psychology: parenting styles, identity formation, development of mind, flow, creativity, emotional regulation and self-determination.

The utilisation of coal as fuel for the production of energy will grow parallel with the increase of the cost of oil in the next years. This paper aims to investigate the integration between two clean coal technologies: Calcium Looping (CaL) process and Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC) in order to produce a high CO2 concentrated stream. The main goal of this work is to find out the optimum working point of a system using CaL and MCFC technologies, coupled together, to produce decarbonised energy from coal as a primary energy source. The integrated system of CaL with MCFC presented in this paper, is fed with a raw syngas coming from coal gasification [1]. The raw syngas is decarbonised using calcium oxide as solid sorbent in the first reactor of CaL (carbonator), subsequently the clean syngas flowing out of the carbonator is used as anodic fuel for an MCFC. The thermal regeneration of solid sorbents occurs burning methane with air producing a CO2 reach gas, that feeds the cathodic compartment of MCFC. This configuration allows to concentrate the CO2 from cathode side to anode side of the MCFC, using internal electrochemical reactions of the cell, producing electric power at the same time. This work has been structured to tackle the coupling of CaL with MCFC using a combined numerical and experimental approach. Thus the investigation of the possible integration has been carried out starting with a lumped model simulating the whole calcium looping process. The model was used to investigate the behaviour of the CaL system when varying the amount of solid sorbent used in the process. Data coming from the model in terms of gas composition flowing out from CaL reactors were subsequently validated experimentally simulating different operating conditions in a MCFC single cell (81 cm2). Performance of the MCFC was monitored with polarisation curves and power density curves, aiming to integrate experimentally the electric behaviour of the whole system, in order to have a first validation of the two systems working together. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

International audience; Solar thermal energy, especially concentrated solar power (CSP), represents an increasingly attractive renewable energy source. However, one of the key factors that determine the development of this technology is the integration of efficient and cost effective thermal energy storage (TES) systems, so as to overcome CSP's intermittent character and to be more economically competitive. This paper presents a review on thermal energy storage systems installed in CSP plants. Various aspects are discussed including the state-of-the-art on CSP plants all over the world and the trend of development, different technologies of TES systems for high temperature applications (200 °C-1000 °C) with a focus on thermochemical heat storage, and storage concepts for their integration in CSP plants. TES systems are necessary options for more than 70% of new CSP plants. Sensible heat storage technology is the most used in CSP plants in operation, for their reliability, low cost, easy to implement and large experimental feedback available. Latent and thermochemical storage technologies have much higher energy density thus may have a bright foreground. New concepts for TES integration are also proposed, especially coupled technology for higher operating temperature and cascade TES of modularized storage units for intelligent temperature control. The key contributions of this review paper consist of a comprehensive survey of CSP plants, their TES systems, the ways to enhance the heat and/or mass transfers and different new concepts for the integration of TES systems.

In this paper we explore the role of leadership in enabling and accelerating the impact of strategic sustainability initiatives. We do this by first identifying the central integration challenges that strategic sustainability presents through an examination of the five levels of the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD). We describe the importance of relational leadership for strategic sustainability, or the ongoing process of meaning making and reflection within a nested system of the biosphere and society. We consider how this approach to leadership might address the relational tensions that continuously present themselves from this central challenge of integration. The primary contribution of this paper is that we have developed a conceptual model of relational leadership for strategic sustainability, grounded in practice, which describes specific practices and capabilities to support the FSSD in achieving its transformational potential. A secondary and related contribution is that we have examined two innovations advancing strategic sustainable organization management; the Strongly Sustainable Business Model Canvas and the Future-Fit Business Benchmark. We consider how these practices and capabilities embody relational leadership for sustainability, and how they help to support and measure success in the FSSD.

In addition to being one of the most isolated countries in the world, North Korea has been the target of sanctions and trade restrictions in recent years. This paper examines the trade patterns of North Korea with its 19 major trading partners over the period 1989–2016. Moreover, the paper quantifies the trade barriers between North Korea and the rest of the world by estimating border effects in a gravity model framework. The findings indicate that North Korea's trade with developed countries has been declining for almost two decades, while trade with emerging economies has been intensifying. Over the last decade, trade with almost all countries has collapsed with the exception of China. The regression results imply that despite being the second largest trading partner, South Korea faces the highest trade barriers with North Korea, after controlling for distance, contiguity, and economic size. Emerging economies recorded the lowest trade hurdles, while developed countries witnessed a dramatic rise in border effects since the early 2000s. China's trade costs vis-a-vis North Korea are higher than for the rest of the world but remained relatively stable over the past two decades.

International audience; This paper presents two new normal forms for fractions ofdifferential polynomials, as well as algorithms for computingthem. The first normal form allows to write a fraction as thederivative of a fraction plus a non integrable part. The secondnormal form is an extension of the first one, involving iterateddifferentiations. The main difficulty in this paper consists indefining normal forms which are linear operations over the fieldof constants, a property which was missing in our previous works.Our normal forms do not require fractions to be converted intopolynomials, a key feature for further problems such asintegrating differential fractions, and more generally solvingdifferential equations.

In an academic context, EFL/EAP students must become proficient in the skills of reading and research paper writing in order to meet the requirements of the courses in their fields of study. However, many of these students do not like to read, especially in English, and some of them have never written a research essay or paper, in which they cite and integrate information from sources into their own writing, even in their own languages. Group activities encourage students to do such tasks, as they can analyze and discuss the material together and peer teach each other. Unfortunately, some students still do not share in doing the activity, so they do not benefit from it and disappoint their teammates. The Jigsaw method plugs this gap as each member of a group has an integral role to play, on which other members of the group depend to achieve the task. The students are in control and the teacher is a facilitator who helps and provides necessary explanation. Jigsaw provides the learners with a chance to be responsible autonomous learners. Jigsaw is used here for reading and introducing research essay writing, but it can be used with any reading passage in any teaching context.

The paper focuses on the issue of the transformation of Czech education with an emphasis on the steps leading to the integration (and subsequent inclusion) of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools. On the basis of the criterion of the achieved level of communication competency of a pre-school-aged child, we present the child's readiness for compulsory education, outline the specifics of working with selected categories of special needs of children, and, on the basis of research, draw attention to the current readiness of teachers for working with such children and the status of such a child within the class. The aim of the paper is to call attention to the risks which may be associated with the inclusion that is being prepared in Czech education. This article was written as a part of the grant project titled Social aspects of inclusion in basic education in the context of international research (the research is a part of the international project - Inclusive Education no. 4401/11- Institute for Research and Development at Faculty of Education - Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic).

The paper determines the important areas of activities of the Soviet Government and the Communist Party to strengthen interaction between higher education and industry, and reveals the interaction inefficiency reasons conventionally divided into three groups: those related to features of the administrative and planned economy, to the socialist model of economy and to relationships between state authorities and a man. The authors pay particular attention to the third reason, and put an emphasis on the fact that requirements for a man were declarative, they were not associated with employees’ and consumers’ real interests. Particular needs of a specific man were not taken into account; on the contrary, a man was to fully comply with requirements of the society; human needs were leveled, viewed in terms of compliance with certain standards and prescribed behavior models. As the authors of the paper think, to form industrial and educational clusters in modern Russia, it is necessary to take into account the Soviet higher education experience in strengthening interaction between education and industry provided that interaction between higher education and industry “from the bottom upwards” is initiated, innovation subjects take an active part in it and, ultimately, the attitude to man as an active participant in the innovation processes changes.

This paper is part of a programme of research work. A lack of cross-functional integration has been reported in four major international contracting organisations both vertically in the management hierarchy and horizontally along project lifecycles. One of the main aspects previously reported was the low level of management coordination and hence integration of value propositions between business development and bid management functions.This paper examines the matter further. It specifically examines business development (BD) and bid management (BM) in two additional major contractors where the two functions are combined under a single functional department. In the department, the same personnel manage BD and bidding. It poses the research question as to whether this leads to greater levels of coordination and integration. Two dimensions are examined in particular, namely understanding client needs to develop value propositions through BD and developing win-strategies during BM to potentially add value and deliver benefits during execution.The conceptual lens of marketing in construction is used for analysis. There are two main findings. First, the degree of coordination is marginally improved, yet the understanding and effort committed to BD was lower compared to BM. Therefore, the ability to develop win-strategies during BM was compromised by the lower emphasis on BD. Second, it was found that the level of integration between the two functions and with other functions, such as procurement and supply chain management, was low. This compromised the value propositions and delivery of benefits. The outcome is a contractor focus upon survival with sub-optimal strike rates and value propositions.

This article is deal with the problems of the professional education of disable people in Russia. The paper presents the results of the study conducted in St. Petersburg. Despite the positive changes for the social integration of handicapped people, the system of professional education does not fully respond to the need of people with disabilities. The public opinion on the issues of inclusive education is also discussed in the paper.

Wholeness development of mankind has been from the memorial time a prophetic mission, and, it has been inherited by agents for social change institutions, a school being one of them. It is clearly recorded that the Prophet Mohammad peace of Allah be upon Him was a dynamic model intervening in all aspects of the individual life, giving appropriate guidance and consultations to entire mankind, and addressing immoral practices, the role that a school curriculum today has taken to mold the young people in an acceptable manner. The question of how to address immoral practices in society is considered in this paper from the view point of integrating the ‘objectives of Islamic law’/values in school curriculum. These divine values include respect human dignity and their means of procreation, protection of people's life, their intellects and properties, wealth and their religion. The goal is to build a strong moral foundation that may empower young people to abhor and resist immoral practices now and in the future in life and impact their decisions. It is argued in this paper that by strengthening integration of moral values in all subjects taught in the national curriculum to provide a foundation in values as alternatives for students to consider, while still at school and later in life as adults and leaders for them to resist immoral practices in society when encounter. In this way, moral values can be strategically built through integrating the practical image of Islam and maintain social justice by observing ‘Maqasid Al-shariah’ that aim at developing mankind as a whole; physically, emotionally, intellectually, religiously and morally.

The Rotterdam Opslag en Afvang Demonstratieproject (Rotterdam Storage and Capture Demonstration project), or ROAD, aims to build and operate a 250 MWe equivalent CCS chain using post-combustion capture technology and off-shore storage in a depleted gas field under the North Sea. The capture plant would be retrofitted to a new 1 070 MWe coal-fired unit (Maasvakte Power Plant 3) in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It was originally intended to reach a final investment decision at the end of 2010, but the project has faced a series delay associated with permitting, complex commercial negotiations and, most seriously, funding. At the moment (September 2014), the European Commission and the Government of the Netherlands are engaged in a renewed push to solve the funding problems and allow construction to finally start. The project has financial support from the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) and the Government of the Netherlands and is now the only one of the six projects originally supported that still has any realistic prospect of being realized in the short term. This paper presents an update of the overall project development as at the time of GHGT-12 and the accomplished milestones and issues met in the permitting process. In addition, it will focus on the technical and economic aspects of integrating the capture plant with the power plant. Furthermore, it will provide an outlook on future CCS/CCU developments in Rotterdam, describing the steps under development to create a full CO2 hub in the port including options for ship transport and bio-CCS. The paper concludes with the management of the project delays and the implications for the project economics.

The principal objective of this paper is to unravel and assess current integration factors of SMEs to global value chains from the internationalization perspective and through an information exchange between suppliers and buyers. The paper analyses a situation of one-way integration mode and information flow and outlines an existing gap in SMEs management approach. In order to succeed on international markets, it is needed to build up a network of awareness and information exchange between major actors such as SMEs, public and business support institutions, academia and other players. The article relates the key attributes of factors directly connected to SMEs and integration as well as concentrates on how SME could benefit from a closer regional economic integration through information exchange.

Reducing domestic energy use in cities has become a key focus in achieving sustainability goals. Recent and on-going efforts to address excessive residential energy use have taken various forms and have been initiated by a range of different actors. This paper presents evidence from the analysis of a database of 249 recent sustainable energy initiatives that have been implemented at various scales in and across urban areas in Europe. The paper examines common trends and characteristics in the type of initiatives that are promoted, including the problem definition, general approach, and implementation method. A second focus of enquiry centers on the governance mechanisms that underpin these initiatives. Here, attention turns to the main actors responsible for driving initiatives, the frequency and various forms of implementing partnerships, and the funding source through which the selected initiatives are financed. Two major themes emerged from reviewing the data, namely stratification and integration. Stratification or integration was evident across five key areas including problem framing, general approach, engagement mechanisms, governance, and evaluation frameworks. A corresponding typology of initiatives is presented under four categories: Enhancing; Directional; Experimental; and Responsive. Applying the typology to the dataset shows that enhancing initiatives aimed at optimizing technology or individual behavior are most prevalent (56%). Experimental initiatives that deliberate with new ways of living (16%) or responsive initiatives that consider contextual-needs (14%) are less prevalent and are more likely to occur at a smaller scale. Overall, we argue that integration across key areas can increase the success of initiatives that aim to achieve long-term sustainable transformation in household energy use. Reducing domestic energy use in cities has become a key focus in achieving sustainability goals. Recent and on-going efforts to address excessive residential energy use have taken various forms and have been initiated by a range of different actors. This paper presents evidence from the analysis of a database of 249 recent sustainable energy initiatives that have been implemented at various scales in and across urban areas in Europe. The paper examines common trends and characteristics in the type of initiatives that are promoted, including the problem definition, general approach, and implementation method. A second focus of enquiry centers on the governance mechanisms that underpin these initiatives. Here, attention turns to the main actors responsible for driving initiatives, the frequency and various forms of implementing partnerships, and the funding source through which the selected initiatives are financed. Two major themes emerged from reviewing the data, namely stratification and integration. Stratification or integration was evident across five key areas including problem framing, general approach, engagement mechanisms, governance, and evaluation frameworks. A corresponding typology of initiatives is presented under four categories: Enhancing; Directional; Experimental; and Responsive. Applying the typology to the dataset shows that enhancing initiatives aimed at optimizing technology or individual behavior are most prevalent (56%). Experimental initiatives that deliberate with new ways of living (16%) or responsive initiatives that consider contextual-needs (14%) are less prevalent and are more likely to occur at a smaller scale. Overall, we argue that integration across key areas can increase the success of initiatives that aim to achieve long-term sustainable transformation in household energy use.

Diagnostics in ITER are mandatory to characterize the parameters of plasma and study its interactions with plasma-facing components. Diagnostics components in the vicinity of the plasma are supported by metallic structures called port plugs. At the tokamak mid-plane, these components are installed in port plugs through intermediate structures called drawers. Apart from hosting the diagnostics, the port plugs act as shielding against neutrons and gammas, in order to limit the nuclear loads in crucial components (such as diagnostics and superconducting coils) as well as the dose levels in the controlled zones of the tokamak. The radiation shielding function of the port plugs is ensured through an optimized mixture of heavy metallic materials and water, forming shielding blocks surrounding the diagnostics and called Diagnostic Shield Modules (DSMs). These DSMs constitute the rear part of the drawers (the front part being composed of the Diagnostic First Wall). This paper presents the main results of a study performed in Europe on the integration of a particular diagnostics port plug, the Equatorial Port Plug 1 (EPP1). The paper first provides the results of the EPP1 diagnostics integration analysis. In a second step it focuses on the design of the EPP1 DSMs and summarizes the major results of a thorough set of analyses aiming at studying the DSMs behaviour under different loads, suggesting recommendations to improve their current design. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper presents a model that explains why and when buyers and suppliers may differ in the ways they perceive certain relationship attributes. Understanding when buyers and suppliers will share perceptions, and when not, can help future researchers in deciding how to measure these attributes. The paper analyses survey data from 86 dyadic buyer-supplier relationships, involving 388 respondents. Our results indicate that buyers and suppliers form different perceptions of attributes that are closely related to the identity of their firms, such as supplier performance, or, of attributes about which they have different information, such as technology uncertainty. Moreover, we found that also the associations between attributes differ significantly between buyers and suppliers. Our results suggest that, for some attributes, key informants from the supplier side will deliver the most reliable information whereas, for other attributes, the buying side will deliver the most reliable data. Further, not only do buyers' and suppliers' perceptions of particular attributes differ, the way these attributes are associated with each other also seems to differ, which may have important implications for theory development in the field of supply chain management. For future research we recommend to use objective data where possible. If this is not possible use the perceptions of the best informed party or the party whose identity is least related to the construct to measure. Further, we recommend using additional research methods that result in similarity of perceptions. Finally, we suggest using ex-post statistical remedies.(C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This paper examines the relationship between the number and energy consumption of devices in the course video construction system, the relations between the functions and power consumption of the devices, the mode of pioneering traditional construction, and the energy consumption of recording and broadcasting systems. It also presents a scheme for constructing course video resource systems by defining the functional requirements on the basis of the purpose that the systems are intended to serve. Moreover, this paper proposes identifying energy-saving measures in the functional setting of constructed systems. An integrated energy-saving course video resource construction system has been developed (a Chinese patent, No. ZL 2011 2 0015694.8, has been obtained), and data are used to illustrate the energy-saving results of the integrated energy-saving video resource construction system in comparison with existing systems. On this basis, further energy-saving measures are recommended to the integrated system. Such measures include the energy-saving techniques of activating the monitor from the standby mode upon touching the handle, monitoring traffic in the hard disk recorder, and using an energy-saving management chip to improve the working efficiency of the switch power supply.

Data source resulted from preprocessing affects directly the quality of data mining. The methods are not the same according to particular application fields and industries. This paper describes the data preprocessing of credit card in customer segmentation, association analysis and risk detection in detail. Firstly, some tables are selected from credit card database which concerned with analysis topic. Then the paper handles with problems in selected initial data such as noisy data, missing values through data preprocessing which mainly include data cleaning, integration, transformation and reduction, and obtains training sample data needed.

Effective integration of regional logistics information resources can provide collaborative services in information flow, business flow and logistics for regional logistics enterprises, which also can reduce operating costs and improve market responsiveness. First, this paper analyzes the realistic significance on the integration of regional logistics information. Second, this paper brings forward three feasible patterns on the integration of regional logistics information resources, These three models have their own strengths and the scope of application and implementation, which model is selected will depend on the specific business and the regional distribution of enterprises. Last, this paper discusses the related countermeasures on the integration of regional logistics information resources, because the integration of regional logistics information is a systems engineering, when the integration is advancing, the countermeasures should pay close attention to the current needs and long-term development of regional enterprises.

ISSN : 0166-3615; International audience; Nowadays, semantic integration constitutes an important approach to deal with heterogeneity within large and dynamic enterprises. Currently, the existing solutions are mainly based on the use of some standards and also middlewares in order to overcome the integration problem. These solutions generally fail as they do not scale to large number of applications and also fail as they do not provide more flexibility and agility. Here, solutions based on semantic web services are promising and they are being actively researched. The paper outlines the potential role that these technologies can offer in solving some key challenges such as semantic mediation and interoperation. In particular, the paper proposes a flexible approach called ODSOI (Ontology-Driven Service-Oriented Integration) that combines both service-oriented architectures and ontologies and that aims to deal correctly with some application integration issues.

Train timetabling, platforming, and network maintenance scheduling are three highly interdependent problems that are crucial in the planning of railway operations, and each is normally addressed separately. In this paper, we simultaneously optimize these problems for a high-speed railway network that is comprised of multiple railway lines and stations. We model the railway network on a mesoscopic level and formulate a 0–1 binary integer programming model that minimizes the total train weighted running cost and any deviation from ideal maintenance task start times. A heuristic procedure, which dynamically updates the available time windows for each of the trains, is used to control the number of train paths in the mathematical model. The mathematical model is repeatedly solved, and at each iteration we gradually modify the set of train paths available. Four different strategies to modify train time windows are used in the train path modification step and their selection depends on the solution to the mathematical model. Computational results for three networks of different sizes conclusively demonstrate that there is not only benefit in integrating these problems, with improvements of as much as 30%, but also that the proposed solution approach is highly effective. Compared to the commercial solver CPLEX, the proposed approach is able to more quickly find better quality solutions within a given time limit.

The objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between performance in new product development (hereinafter NPD) and functional integration under different conditions of project uncertainty. Functional integration is conceived as a two-dimensional concept, encompassing a behavioural — collaboration — and a structural — interaction — dimension. This study is based on 92 questionnaires looking at NPD activities in more than 40 British and Dutch companies from various industrial sectors. The results suggest that the nature of the relationship between integration and performance is contingent upon the project stage and the degree of novelty in the new product. Integration in the initial stages of the project assumes a prominent role in the quality of the end product, whereas in later stages it is more associated with time to market than with costs and end product quality. Results further show that the dimension collaboration of integration may be more relevant under circumstances of high new product innovativeness than when minor variations are introduced in a new product. The paper ends with a discussion of the use of universal approaches to NPD management.

Current human Single Amino acid Variants (SAVs) databases provide a link between a SAVs and their effect on the carrier individual phenotype, often dividing them into Deleterious/Neutral variants. This is a very coarse-grained description of the genotype-to-phenotype relationship because it relies on un-realistic assumptions such as the perfect Mendelian behavior of each SAV and considers only dichotomic phenotypes. Moreover, the link between the effect of a SAV on a protein (its molecular phenotype) and the individual phenotype is often very complex, because multiple level of biological abstraction connect the protein and individual level phenotypes. Here we present HPMPdb, a manually curated database containing human SAVs associated with the detailed description of the molecular phenotype they cause on the affected proteins. With particular regards to machine learning (ML), this database can be used to let researchers go beyond the existing Deleterious/Neutral prediction paradigm, allowing them to build molecular phenotype predictors instead. Our class labels describe in a succinct way the effects that each SAV has on 15 protein molecular phenotypes, such as protein-protein interaction, small molecules binding, function, post-translational modifications (PTMs), sub-cellular localization, mimetic PTM, folding and protein expression. Moreover, we provide researchers with all necessary means to re-producibly train and test their models on our database. The webserver and the data described in this paper are available at hpmp.esat.kuleuven.be. ispartof: CURRENT RESEARCH IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY vol:4 pages:167-174 ispartof: location:Netherlands status: published

Immigrants in rural areas and immigrant employment in the agricultural sector have been studied from a variety of perspectives. However, we currently lack a bird's-eye view of these two phenomena covering all EU member states through time. This paper tackles that gap, first by describing the main features of immigrant settlement and economic integration in rural areas in the EU. Second, it offers an EU-wide overview of immigrants' integration in the agricultural sector. Then, it investigates empirically the degree to which the different characteristics of agricultural production in two member states – Italy and Spain – are associated with a migrant presence in the area. The study finds that, in the context of a shrinking agricultural labour force, the share of migrant workers in that sector in several regions is increasing over time. Migrants living in rural areas are more likely to be unemployed and face economic hardship than locals. Migrants employed in agriculture are, also, more likely to work in elementary occupations and temporary jobs. Finally, the case studies on Italy and Spain demonstrate that the relative size of the migrant population is related to the typology of agricultural land use and to the labour intensity and seasonality of cultivation.

We study approximation of multivariate functions defined over Rd. We assume that all rth order partial derivatives of the functions considered are continuous and uniformly bounded. Approximation algorithms U(f) only use the values of f or its partial derivatives up to order r. We want to recover the function f with small error measured in a weighted Lq norm with a weight function ρ. We study the worst case (information) complexity which is equal to the minimal number of function and derivative evaluations needed to obtain error ε. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of the weight ρ and the parameters q and r for the weighted approximation problem to have finite complexity. We also provide conditions guaranteeing that the complexity is of the same order as the complexity of the classical approximation problem over a finite domain. Since the complexity of the weighted integration problem is equivalent to the complexity of the weighted approximation problem with q=1, the results of this paper also hold for weighted integration. This paper is a continuation of [7], where weighted approximation over R was studied.

The responsive nature of environmental assessment (EA) subjects it to the political conversations that drive future planning and development, one of the most relevant being the increased attention given to a sustainable transition. This political attention has catalyzed an interest amongst practitioners to urge traditional EA practice towards one with an increased regard for sustainability objectives, understood, in this case, to be guided and driven by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a theoretical framework of a practitioner's ‘spaces for practice’ and interviews with environmental consultants in Denmark and the Republic of Ireland, this paper unfolds the motivation that consultants have for integrating SDGs in their practice. This includes both outlining the overarching opportunities that enable the adoption of new practices and the perceived capacities that demotivate integration attempts. The results are then compared and correlated across both countries, showing an emerging motivation from consultants for integrating SDGs and shifting EA practice towards aligning with the strategic goals, but also identifying challenges hindering the implementation of this motivation in practice. These range from being intrinsic conditions of the individual practitioner to extrinsic conditions of the relations between practitioners and stakeholder groups. The study suggests directing attention towards theory on how practitioners construct practice to better address the divide between SDG integration in theory and in practice.

This paper explores integration and contagion among US metropolitan housing markets. The analysis applies Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) house price repeat sales indexes from 384 metropolitan areas to estimate a multi-factor model of U.S. housing market integration. It then identifies statistical jumps in metropolitan house price returns as well as MSA contemporaneous and lagged jump correlations. Finally, the paper evaluates contagion in housing markets via parametric assessment of MSA house price spatial dynamics. A R-squared measure reveals an upward trend in MSA housing market integration over the 2000s to approximately .83 in 2010. Among California MSAs, the trend was especially pronounced, as average integration increased from about .55 in 1997 to close to .95 in 2008! The 2000s bubble period similarly was characterized by elevated incidence of statistical jumps in housing returns. Again, jump incidence and MSA jump correlations were especially high in California. Analysis of contagion among California markets indicates that house price returns in San Francisco often led those of surrounding communities; in contrast, southern California MSA house price returns appeared to move largely in lock step. The high levels of housing market integration evidenced in the analysis suggest limited investor opportunity to diversify away MSA-specific housing risk. Further, results suggest that macro and policy shocks propagate through a large number of MSA housing markets. Research findings are relevant to all market participants, including institutional investors in MBS as well as those who regulate housing, the housing GSEs, mortgage lenders, and related financial institutions.

Aiming at supporting decision makers in transport policy choices, transport models used for decades the trip-based approach for travel demand forecasts. This approach, despite suited to peak hours modelling where systematic trips are predominant, suffers the limits of not being related to the sequence of activities usually undertaken in real day-life. Differently, in the Activity Based Models (ABM) the travel demand is explicitly modelled as the result of individuals’ involvement in different activities in different times and locations. The use of such models is recommended when complex trip chains connected to the multiple daily activities that characterise today's life have to be taken into account, even if the integration with other sub-models (particularly with the assignment) within the whole transport modelling procedure has to be carefully considered. For this reason, this paper focuses on the integration between ABM and transport assignment by investigating the multimodal demand-supply interaction. Specifically, the consistency between ABM and assignment models is studied proposing a methodology that can be applied to large real size networks. It is based on a multimodal static equilibrium assignment, which is easy-to-use and less time consuming with respect to a Dynamic Traffic Assignment (DTA), allowing a better estimation of the modal splits between alternative transport modes. Such a model also considers (road) congestion and (transit) crowding phenomena, as well as the multimodal network performances are estimated by taking into account the interaction between different modes sharing the same network facilities. The goodness of the proposed approach is investigated through the convergence analysis of both the entire integration procedure and its individual components (ABM and assignment) for a better transport simulation in urban areas. The application to an urban multimodal network of real-size dimensions (Rome) is presented to show the promising results of this research.

The impact of corporate strategy decisions on capital structure has attracted substantial scholarly and managerial attention from decades, although leading to mixed and inconclusive results until now. While previous studies have focused on the effect brought about by a single strategy at a time, this study tries to reconcile the overall picture of the impact of strategic decisions on capital structure. Based on the Strategy Hierarchy Theory, we estimated the effect brought about by the three strategies determined at the corporate level: internationalization, diversification and integration. The results provide empirical evidence that the above-mentioned strategies impact firms’ capital structure both simultaneously and independently. Integration and internationalization are negatively related with debt ratio while diversification is positively related with debt ratio. The findings of our paper contribute to enrich the strategy/capital-structure literature, and provide academics and managers a clearer understanding of the effect brought about by the corporate strategy on capital structure.

The paper aims to identify how companies can enhance their omni-channel activities through improved data management and integration. Multiple case studies of ten leading UK companies are conducted by using multiple sources of data, including interviews, archival documents and expert focus groups. The case companies are manufacturers and retailers in the clothing, food, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors. A thorough list of challenges in the implementation of omni-channel systems is generated and a number of propositions on enablers and barriers to omni-channel data integration are recommended. Our findings emphasise the importance of automating and standardising data capturing and sharing methods, and centralising data storage among companies and channels, which lead to improved efficiencies. They also indicate that omni-channel systems should be responsive to the choices of customers, and integration of the information systems of logistics service providers and their buyers is crucial in making omni-channels more efficient and consumer-responsive.

Renewable energy implementation in residential-scale grid-connected systems is already popular, and the growth of such systems is increasing every year. Grid-connected solar systems are relatively simple to install and operate; in addition, such power plants are relatively inexpensive compared to other renewable sources and grid-connection options. However, most residential grid-connected system owners believe that they will become independent from a distribution system operator (DSO) once a renewable energy source (RES) becomes available. As a rule, after installation, without DSOs, grid-connected systems are typically shut down due to a faulty grid, despite RES availability; therefore, such RES grid-connected system owners at later phases aim to become at least partially independent of DSOs. After such a change, the importance of developing a grid-tied inverter connection to an off-grid system will increase. While developing such a system connection the main issue analyzed in this paper is to control the excess power without affecting the accumulated energy levels in a system. As a result, a solution for such a system structure is presented with its main advantage to control excess power without affecting the accumulated energy level.

Pit thermal energy storage (PTES) is one of the most promising and affordable thermal storage, which is considered essential for large-scale applications of renewable energies. However, as PTES volume increases to satisfy the seasonal storage objectives, PTES design and application are challenged. These difficulties trigged an interest in PTES investigations. This paper aims to identify the success factors and research gaps of PTES by an up-to-date evaluation of 160 recent publications. Existing technical elements that affect PTES thermal properties inclusive geometry design, inlet/outlet design, cover design, and materials, are outlined in depth. Numerical studies are categorized in terms of their mathematical theory and research purposes for a systematic discussion. The current application status of PTES systems worldwide is summarized from four aspects: storage material, geological design, operation strategy, and storage duration. For projects in operation, special attention is given to gathering and comparing operational data on solar fraction, storage efficiency, storage cycle, and PTES tem-perature. This review outlines the progress and potential directions for PTES design and numerical studies by identifying the research gaps that require further effort.

Coherence is pivotal to integrate governance and, presumably, to improve sustainability because of more coordination efficiency. The coherence of governance refers to the clarity and the compatibility of public policies and property rights. The institutional resource regimes framework put forward that integration also depends on the scope of uses regulated (extent). Coherence has been under-investigated in comparison to extent. Notably, there is no common avenue of appraising it. In this paper, we propose a typology of coherence and assess it through an operationalisation in the Swiss water supply sector. It offers methodological tools and theoretical developments contributing to the comparative analysis of these policy studies central aspects. The typology stands on the IRR definition of integration, and we introduce the relation of coherence to extent, which emphasises the impact of polycentricity and transaction costs. To put into practice the typology and assess the different types of coherence, we gathered data from 96 water utility managers in French-speaking Switzerland. Results indicate that extent-related coherence is troublesome while the discrete coherence of each public policy and property right reveal satisfying. Despite an increasing focus on horizontal issues (siloisation, intersectoral), we observe more coherence issues related to vertical aspects of the governance.

Experimental data have demonstrated that a strong relationship exists between the state parameter and the peak strength and dilatancy characteristics of sands. This paper proposes a way of reproducing this behaviour using a modified Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, which retains its simplicity while improving substantially its modelling capabilities. The formulated constitutive model is calibrated for Nevada sand following a well-defined procedure and used in the prediction of four centrifuge tests investigating the behaviour of axially loaded footings. It is shown that the proposed model reproduces well both the element tests and the more complex footing problems, demonstrating its usefulness for engineering practice. Moreover, a simplified version which does not require the definition of the Critical State Line is proposed for situations when this aspect of soil behaviour cannot be determined with confidence. It is shown that such simplification results in only slightly less accurate predictions than the full version of the model, while simulating aspects of soil response that cannot be reproduced using constant values for strength and dilatancy parameters.

This paper examines how heterogeneous technologies impact the coordination of knowledge work in complex socio-technical settings. It is based on an in-depth field study of critical care practices characterized by intensive knowledge work and technological heterogeneity. We observe that heterogeneous technologies create workflow gaps within which health professionals adapt technology use to contingencies and local needs, prioritize interventions, and identify problems before they become detrimental to patient care. These adaptations provide opportunities for health professionals to continuously align work across heterogeneous technologies and to accomplish broader professional and ideological goals. Our analysis shows that health professionals use three coordination practices when working across heterogeneous technologies: controlling and enhancing information, reconstructing workflows, and circumventing requirements. We theorize how these practices address coordination needs associated with heterogeneous technologies and discuss implications for knowledge work. We provide a more complete understanding of coordination practices in complex, socio-technical settings which contributes to both knowledge work and coordination literatures.

Waste management is a very scattered and complex system made up by different plants and facilities that treat/recover/valorize/dispose different types of waste, e.g. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) or Special Waste, based on the policies adopted in each country and the available technologies. While the management of MSW is the result of public planning, the management of special waste is typically dispersed and depends, for a large extent, on the initiatives of waste producers and private waste management companies. As a result, plants for MSW recovery are relatively large plants equipped with energy recovery facilities, whereas special waste is often incinerated in medium-small plants that feature energy recovery only in very limited cases. Therefore, an initial investigation on the potential integration of Waste to Energy (WtE) facilities with Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) should be focused on MSW and plants devoted to its treatment. Only in existing European WtE plants, there is a potential capture of 60-70 millions of tonnes of CO2 per year, and current large- scale projects prove the technical viability of carbon capture technologies in WtE environments. The paper summarizes the outcome of a study addressing all the opportunities and challenges related to the application of CCUS to the WtE sector. This study is executed by Wood, with the support of LEAP, and commissioned by IEAGHG. The main objective of the work is to carry out an initial overview of this CCS/CCU opportunity before proceeding to more detailed evaluations. The study is based on both literature information available in the public domain and results of surveys with WtE plants owners. Before evaluating a possible Carbon Capture application to the WtE sector, the study reviews the current status and diffusion of the WtE business and the plants distribution worldwide, focusing on ten representative countries: South Africa, USA, India, Japan, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, UK, Norway, Australia. The selection considers several parameters: the urbanization level, the branching of the electricity/heat network, the presence of large scale WtE plants, the potential for CCS/CCU applied to WtE plants and the availability of potential destinations for the captured CO2. The main challenges in this kind of plants, focusing particularly on reliability, are also identified. The link between WtE and CO2 emissions is then investigated: firstly, the trends and the tools adopted by WtE plants in reducing CO2 emissions are analyzed; secondly, a lifecycle assessment approach is described and applied to the local contexts of the ten selected countries. The objective is to estimate the CO2 savings achievable through energy/materials recovery in a WtE plant, potentially leading to negative lifecycle emissions. The study then focuses on the possible integration of Carbon Capture within WtE facilities, collecting the information relevant to ongoing projects/initiatives aiming at this integration and identifying its potential challenges and opportunities in the design and the operation of the plants, based on the available literature. The most interesting aspects identified by this analysis are the energy integration and how the introduction of CO2 capture alters the energy balance of the WtE plant. There are also risks (related for example to financing, public acceptance, need for technology development) and opportunities (e.g. negative CO2 emissions, effective energy integration) that may arise from a WtE-CCUS integration. Considering that the presence of a regulatory framework on WtE and CCS can be an important driver for this kind of applications, a literature research is also carried out to provide an overview of the regulations applicable to the WtE and CCS sectors in the ten selected countries. Based on the various aspects analyzed throughout the course of the study, a tool is developed to estimate the potential of the CCUS/WtE integration, focusing on the local context of the ten selected counties. This presentation will include the methodology developed in this study, which aims to be a guide for future CCS projects in WtE plants.

The volume and availability of business and finance data may continue to increase in the near future. However, the utility of such data is by no means straightforward due to a lack of integration between data-driven techniques and usual decision-making processes. This paper aims to integrate data with multiobjective decision-making in cash management by means of machine learning. To this end, we first consider cash flow forecasting as a data-driven procedure to be used as a key input to multiobjective cash management problem in which both cost and risk are goals to minimize. Next, we compute the forecasting premium, namely, how much value can be achieved in exchange of predictive accuracy. Finally, we provide cash managers with a general methodology to improve decision-making in cash management through the use of data and machine learning techniques. This methodology is based on a novel closed-loop procedure in which the estimated forecasting premium (if any) is used as a critical feedback information to find better forecasting models and, ultimately, better cost-risk results in cash management.

Accepted manuscript version. Published version available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2018.03.005. Accepted manuscript version, licensed CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Many rural communities experience new growth through in-migration. In Herøy, Northern Norway, this is a result of increased labour migration in the fishing industry and a comprehensive effort by the municipality to encourage migrant workers to settle there. This paper addresses the ambiguities of creating stability through mobility. Through a case study from Herøy, we explore the complex relations between migrants' mobile economic practices and social integration processes by analysing how migrants engage with Herøy's landscape in multiple manners. This landscape entails networks of people and relations, materialities, dreams and hopes. Studying engagement, in addition to contestations and intersecting trajectories, we analyse how the landscape of those on the move is interrelated with that of those “being moved through”. We argue that creating stability in rural communities by encouraging migrant settlement requires going beyond economic integration – emphasising the more versatile and vulnerable processes of relating to unfamiliar places and worlds. It also requires an understanding of stability that embraces uncertainty and opens up towards various forms of belonging.

Energy storage plays a crucial role in ensuring reliable power supply in a renewable microgrid. The supply and demand variability is found in different time scales (i.e., instantaneous, diurnal, and seasonal). The nominal discharge duration of multiple storage options can be matched effectively for variability in all relevant time scales. An optimum mix of storage options is important to design a cost-effective system. This paper proposes a generic sizing methodology using pinch analysis and design space for hybrid energy storage in a PV-based isolated power system. Pinch analysis utilises a time series simulation of the system where generation should always exceed the load. The methodology defines the design space as feasible combinations of short, medium, and long-term storage size and PV array rating for the given loads. These design space curves are approximated by quadratic equations and the correlations are used as constraints to determine the optimal mix of supply and storage that minimise the life cycle cost. Four different practical cases in Indian context —a remote village, telecom tower, welding shop, and a standby system for a lift load – are analysed to illustrate the sizing method. As an example, the optimal size for a PV based microgrid supplying a remote telecom tower with an average load of 72 kWh/day is 40 kWp of PV, 5 m3 of hydrogen storage and 58 kWh of battery. The proposed methodology extends the design space approach to obtain an optimal minimum cost solution.

The electric vehicle (EV) flexibility, indicates to what extent the charging load can be coordinated (i.e., to flatten the load curve or to utilize renewable energy resources). However, such flexibility is neither well analyzed nor effectively quantified in literature. In this paper we fill this gap and offer an extensive analysis of the flexibility characteristics of 390k EV charging sessions and propose measures to quantize their flexibility exploitation. Our contributions include: (1) characterization of the EV charging behavior by clustering the arrival and departure time combinations that leads to the identification of type of EV charging behavior, (2) in-depth analysis of the characteristics of the charging sessions in each behavioral cluster and investigation of the influence of weekdays and seasonal changes on those characteristics including arrival, sojourn and idle times, and (3) proposing measures and an algorithm to quantitatively analyze how much flexibility (in terms of duration and amount) is used at various times of a day, for two representative scenarios. Understanding the characteristics of that flexibility (e.g., amount, time and duration of availability) and when it is used (in terms of both duration and amount) helps to develop more realistic price and incentive schemes in DR algorithms to efficiently exploit the offered flexibility or to estimate when to stimulate additional flexibility. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Though the organization of functional brain networks is modular at its core, modularity does not capture the full range of dynamic interactions between individual brain areas nor at the level of subnetworks. In this paper we present a hierarchical model that represents both flexible and modular aspects of intrinsic brain organization across time by constructing spatiotemporally flexible subnetworks. We also demonstrate that segregation and integration are complementary and simultaneous events. The method is based on combining the instantaneous phase synchrony analysis (IPSA) framework with community detection to identify a small, yet representative set of subnetwork components at the finest level of spatial granularity. At the next level, subnetwork components are combined into spatiotemporally flexibly subnetworks where temporal lag in the recruitment of areas within subnetworks is captured. Since individual brain areas are permitted to be part of multiple interleaved subnetworks, both modularity as well as more flexible tendencies of connectivity are accommodated for in the model. Importantly, we show that assignment of subnetworks to the same community (integration) corresponds to positive phase coherence within and between subnetworks, while assignment to different communities (segregation) corresponds to negative phase coherence or orthogonality. Together with disintegration, i.e. the breakdown of internal coupling within subnetwork components, orthogonality facilitates reorganization between subnetworks. In addition, we show that the duration of periods of integration is a function of the coupling strength within subnetworks and subnetwork components which indicates an underlying metastable dynamical regime. Based on the main tendencies for either integration or segregation, subnetworks are further clustered into larger meta-networks that are shown to correspond to combinations of core resting-state networks. We also demonstrate that subnetworks and meta-networks are coarse graining strategies that captures the quasi-cyclic recurrence of global patterns of integration and segregation in the brain. Finally, the method allows us to estimate in broad terms the spectrum of flexible and/or modular tendencies for individual brain areas.