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The current coronavirus pandemic has increased worldwide consumption of individual protective devices. Single-use surgical masks are one of the most used devices to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Nevertheless, the improper management of such protective equipment threatens our environment with a new form of plastic pollution. With the intention of contributing to a responsible policy of recycling, in the present work, five decontamination methods for used surgical masks that can be easily replicated with common household equipment are described. The decontamination procedures were hot water at 40 °C and 80 °C; autoclave; microwave at 750 W; and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. After each decontamination procedure, the bacterial load reduction of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 was recorded to verify the effectiveness of these methods and, moreover, bacterial filtration efficiency and breathability tests were performed to evaluate mask performances. The best results were obtained with the immersion in 80 °C water and the microwave-assisted sterilization. Both methods achieved a high degree of mask decontamination without altering the filtration efficiency and breathability, in accordance with the quality standard. The proposed decontamination methods represent a useful approach to reduce the environmental impact of this new waste material. Moreover, these procedures can be easily reproduced with common household equipment to increase the recycling efforts.

Physical activity (PA) is a key determinant of health and development, yet few studies have examined PA levels and risk factors for low PA among young children in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to describe the PA and sedentary (SED) behavior levels of preschool-aged children in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and to estimate the associations between potential risk factors in the home built environment and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). In a sample of preschool-aged children (n = 65) in Dhaka, PA and SED behavior were measured for 7 days using ActiGraph GT3X-BT accelerometers. Characteristics of the home built environment, socioeconomic factors, and anthropometry were also measured. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate multivariable-adjusted associations between characteristics of the home environment and MVPA. Preschool-aged children spent a mean (±standard deviation) 421 ± 48 and 82 ± 23 min per day sedentary and in MVPA, respectively. There were no statistically significant associations between factors in the home built environment (indoor area, presence of an open stairwell, and presence of gross motor activity facilitating items) and MVPA. These findings suggest that the studied characteristics of the home built environment may not significantly influence the MVPA observed among preschool-aged children in Dhaka. Future research should focus on other structural and behavioral factors that facilitate PA among young children in dense urban settings.

Objective We aimed to clarify the burden of vertigo in patients’ homes. Methods This was a questionnaire survey among patients with vestibular vertigo. Four main questions were prepared. Q1: Where did you first notice vertigo? Q2: Where have you had the most difficulty with vertigo in your home? Q3: Where do you have difficulty at present? Q4: What household equipment have you used as a countermeasure to prevent further problems with vertigo? Results Sixty patients completed the questionnaire. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) was most common among respondents, followed by Ménière’s disease. Q1: Most patients with BPPV first noticed vertigo in the bedroom; patients with other diseases first noticed vertigo in the living room. Q2: Both groups previously had the most difficulty with vertigo in the same locations as in Q1; these differences were significant between Q1 and Q2. Q3: Both groups had the most difficulty on stairs. Q4: Handrails were the most often used equipment for vertigo in both groups. There was no significant difference between Q3 and Q4. Conclusion Our data revealed that the locations of risks differ among patients with vestibular disorders. Handrails were considered the most important equipment to prevent problems with vertigo.

PhD (Consumer Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus Consumers regularly engage in decision-making to address needs and desires, but this process is complicated by globalisation and urbanisation. Decision-making is often guided by different consumer decision-making styles and the possible immediate and future consequences of decisions. However, consumers’ social environment also influences product choices, such as household equipment (HE), which often involves status-infused products. Socially encouraged purchases can result in uninformed decision-making due to the desire for social acceptance and increased psycho-social well-being. In addition, uninformed decisions regarding higher-risk products such as HE, can result in undesired high levels of stress. Longitudinal high stress levels that are not managed effectively can contribute to lowered physical well-being. This study aimed to use correlational research with a cross-sectional survey to quantitatively describe consumers’ decision-making (namely decision-making styles and consideration of future consequences) regarding medium to high risk purchases (i.e. appliances and furniture, referred to as household equipment). Possible associations of decision-making with the consumers’ physical and psycho-social well-being while working in an urban corporate setting were also determined. A total sample population of 391 respondents from urban settings in South Africa was included. Respondents completed an online questionnaire consisting of various validated scales that formed part of the first step of the study focusing on consumer decision-making. The second step entailed using existing subjective and objective physical wellness data from respondents who also took part in step one. This data from a running wellness study in the participating organisation were obtained with permission from the respondents as well as the organisation. The head offices were relatively evenly represented by the number of respondents. Respondents were mostly females, younger than 50 years of age and represented different ethnic groups. Correlations between consumers’ decision-making styles (DMS) and consideration of future consequences (CFC) of HE purchases indicated that future-oriented respondents’ DMS were mostly perfectionistic and high-quality driven. Immediate-oriented respondents’ DMS were both emotionally and performance driven. Their physical well-being was not ideal, but the majority of respondents flourished in terms of their overall mental well-being. Tendencies of practically significant correlations emerged between consumers’ DMS and CFC with the different variables of physical health and psycho-social well-being. Findings from the structural equation modelling pointed out positive as well as negative associations between decision-making and physical and psycho-social well-being. Results indicated that the decision-making of respondents regarding higher-risk products such as HE might be associated with their physical and psycho-social well-being. These findings may be useful to various role-players in the industry, health care sector and academia. Recommendations are made for the application of employee-assisted programmes for informing urban consumers in terms of informed decision-making, in an attempt to improve physical and psycho-social wellbeing and to build on current theory. Findings can serve as ground work for future multidisciplinary research to gain a more holistic understanding of consumer behaviour and high-risk purchases by integrating different disciplines. The knowledge can also be valuable in a developing country context, such as South Africa, with its unique economic and social challenges. Doctoral

Globalisation contributes to an abundance of marketing, which stimulates unneeded and unplanned purchases. Research indicates that although consumers differ in terms of their purchasing styles and their consideration of immediate and future consequences of purchases, they are also strongly influenced by their social environment. This is even more applicable to consumers who reside in urban environments, since they are to a greater extent exposed to products, social and work pressures. Hence, in order to minimise pressures, consumers often purchase socially motivated products such as idealistic household equipment. Household equipment comprises products that strongly communicate social standing and status in a symbolic manner. Literature in different fields has been examined in order to compile a connection-focused informative literature review, which provides a unique argument of interpretation from these various texts and settings. This review therefore highlights the implications regarding decision-making and a consideration of future consequences of decisions on consumers’ psycho-social well-being. To this end, the links between these fields of study are explored. To conclude, the importance of empirical research in the field is highlighted in order to empower consumers towards improved decision-making which could aid in their psycho-social well-being.

Examples of architectures and household equipment made of clay, wood and stone during the Second Iron Age at the site of Quinta de Crestelos (Sabor River in the Duero valley, Northwest of the Iberian Peninsula) are presented. The archaeological excavations developed in this site between 2011 and 2014 allowed the identification of a model of catchment area unknown until now in the region, devoted to the exploitation of the lands close to the fluvial courses and with clear influences from the West Meseta. Finally, we reflect on the value of these raw materials as possible cultural and/or functional markers., Se presentan algunos ejemplos de arquitecturas y muebles erigidos en tierra, madera y piedra durante la II Edad del Hierro en la Quinta de Crestelos, junto a la confluencia del rio Sabor en el rio Duero (Noroeste de la Península Ibérica). Las excavaciones arqueológicas desarrolladas en este sitio entre los años 2011 y 2014 han permitido identificar un modelo de ocupación del territorio desconocido hasta el momento en la región, volcado a la explotación de las tierras inmediatas a los cursos fluviales y con claras influencias del ámbito meseteño occidental. Se reflexiona finalmente sobre el valor de las materias primas como posibles marcadores culturales y/o funcionales., Este trabajo tiene apoyo financiero del projecto Lab2PT – Laboratório de Paisagens, Património e Território – AUR/04509 y de la FCT a través de fondos nacionales y cuando aplicable, cofinanciación del FEDER en el ámbito de los nuevos acuerdos de colaboración PT2020 e COMPETE2020 – POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007528.

El proceso de tecnificación del hogar como consecuencia del masivo acceso al consumo posibilitado por el desarrollo tecnológico y el mejoramiento de las rentas, brinda una mejor calidad de vida, confort y status, además de transformar los usos del tiempo, hábitos y roles al interior del espacio doméstico. Haciendo uso de la base de datos del Centro de Estudios Públicos para los años 2004-2013 en Chile, se realiza un análisis de tendencia y de segmentación mediante árboles de clasificación de los niveles de penetración tecnológica en el espacio doméstico y los factores discriminantes. Los resultados dan cuenta de una rápida y masiva incorporación de dispositivos tecnológicos, no obstante constatarse ciertos rezagos en razón del tipo de dispositivo y perfil del usuario, siendo el vector de mayor segmentación el nivel socioeconómico. Se observan aparatos de acceso universal y perfectamente integrados, tales como el teléfono celular; otros de acelerada irrupción que amenazan hegemonías tecnológicas de antaño, tal es el caso de la televisión por cable o satelital. The process of modernization of the home as a result of mass access to consumption made possible by technological development and improving incomes, providing a better quality of life, comfort and status in addition to transform the use of time, habits and roles within the domestic space. Using the database of the Center for Public Studies for the years 2004-2013 in Chile, trend analysis and segmentation by classification trees levels of technology penetration in the domestic space and discriminating factors is performed. The results show a rapid and massive incorporation of technological devices, however constatarse certain lags because of the type of device and user profile, with greater segmentation table socioeconomic status. Universal devices and seamlessly integrated, such as cell phone access have been satisfied; other accelerated technological breakthrough that threaten hegemonies of old, as in the case of cable or satellite.

Omdat voor het ontwerpen van dagelijkse gebruiksgoederen gegevens nodig zijn over capaciteiten en karakteristieken van toekomstige gebruikers, zijn 79 fysieke, psychomotorische, sensorische en cognitieve variabelen gemeten bij 627 Nederlanders tussen 50 en 94 jaar

This article discusses several timber structures, wooden objects and manufacturing waste recovered from settlements and specialized production sites during the Iron Age and the Roman period in northwest Iberia. These archaeobotanical remains were preserved directly by carbonization, waterlogging and occasionally mineralization, as well as indirectly by impressions on clay. The study of these artifacts and structures allows us to characterize forestry practice, technical process of woodworking (sequence of actions, techniques and gestures), household equipment and architecture SI

Het is geen magnetron, de door het Schalkwijkse bedrijf OMVE en het Wageningse onderzoeksinstituut Food & Biobased Research ontwikkelde Nutri-Pulse. Maar in de nabije toekomst vervangt het apparaat in onze keukens misschien wel die magnetron. Een uitvoering van de Nutri-Pulse is al op de markt. Niet voor consumenten, maar voor grootkeukens.

Het is geen magnetron, de door het Schalkwijkse bedrijf OMVE en het Wageningse onderzoeksinstituut Food & Biobased Research ontwikkelde Nutri-Pulse. Maar in de nabije toekomst vervangt het apparaat in onze keukens misschien wel die magnetron. Een uitvoering van de Nutri-Pulse is al op de markt. Niet voor consumenten, maar voor grootkeukens.

Zusammenfassung. Die Untersuchungen der letzten Jahre haben in Lattes eine umfangreiche Dokumentation über die Architektur und die Organisation des häuslichen Bereichs im 5. und vor allem im 4. Jh. v. u. Z. geliefert. In dieser Zeit entsteht nämlich die in ihren großen Linien bis ans Ende der frühgeschichtlichen Besiedlung des Ortes beibehaltene Grundform der Stadt; ebenso bilden sich in dieser Zeit Konstruktionstechniken heraus, von denen einige dieser Zeit eigen sind, andere jedoch bis ans Ende der jüngeren Eisenzeit fortbestehen. Dieser Artikel präsentiert eine Synthese unserer Kenntnisse dieser ersten Phase und setzt dabei den Akzent auf die Kontinuitäten, die Modifikationen und die Evolutionen in der Architektur, die Typologie der Häuser und die häuslichen Gepflogenheiten während dieser und im Vergleich zu den späteren Phasen., During the last years research on Lattes, a rich documentation has been recorded about the architecture and organization of private space during the 5th century B. C. and especially the 4th century. During this link of time actually, the urban grid system is being laid and it will last until the end of the Protohistoric occupation of the site. Building techniques also appear, some of which are exclusive of this period but some others will last until the Late Protohistory. This paper sums up our knowledge of this early phase, putting the point on the continuity, change or evolution involved in architecture, dwelling typology and household practices along these phases in comparison with following phases., Résumé. Les recherches menées ces dernières années sur le site de Lattes ont livré une documentation abondante sur l’architecture et l’organisation de l’espace domestique du Ve s. et surtout du IVe s. av. J.-C. C’est en effet durant cette période qu’a eu lieu la mise en place de la trame urbaine de la ville qui, dans ses grandes lignes, perdurera jusqu’à la fin de l’occupation protohistorique du site; de même, c’est à ce moment qu’apparaissent des techniques de construction dont certaines sont exclusives de ces périodes, mais qui pour d’autres resteront en vigueur jusqu’à la Protohistoire récente. Cet article présente une synthèse de nos connaissances sur cette phase ancienne, en insistant sur les permanences, les modifications ou les évolutions dans l’architecture, la typologie des maisons et les pratiques domestiques au cours de ces étapes et par rapport aux étapes postérieures., Belarte Maria del carmen. Habitat et pratiques domestiques des Ve-IVe s. av. J.-C. dans la ville de Lattes. In: Gallia, tome 65, 2008. pp. 91-106.

Changes in demand-side consumption structures are expected to be supportive in achieving long-term national energy reduction targets. Energy requirement can be distinguished in direct energy consumption through energy carriers, such as electricity and gas, and in indirect energy consumption used for the production, the distribution and the trade of goods and services. Due to their direct and indirect energy consumption, households in theNetherlandsuse 40-60 percent of the total national energy requirement. For this thesis, research was conducted on the influence of household management on the willingness of family households to accept energy reduction options. The environmental burden of households arises at a functional level—the level at which activities are performed—whereas implementing more than one reduction option was expected to require organisational skills. This made it relevant to investigate both the performance and the organisation of functional household activities. The overall research question ' What is the influence of household management aspects on the acceptance and energy-saving potential of greenhouse gas reduction options?' was investigated by means of three surveys: a case study of Textile Care with energy reduction options to do with laundering; a general survey that included a range of 31 different reduction options for direct and indirect energy; and a follow-up survey a year later, in which respondents were asked which of the 31 options had been considered, tried and successfully implemented.Within the preceding NRP Lifestyle project (1990-1995) of the National Research Programme on Global Air Pollution and Climate Change I, the energy requirements of more than 350 household expenditure categories of products and services were calculated, using a hybrid method that combined process analysis and input-output analysis. For this thesis, the reduction option selection criteria were that the reduction potential per option was at least 0.5 GigaJoule per household per year and the total set of options should be divided over practices as well as investments and daily purchases. The theoretical saving potential of these options—including interaction effects—was 26 percent (of 240 GJ/hh.y). In practice, the domestic energy-saving potential will depend on the theoretical potential, on the acceptance of the options byhouseholdsandon the magnitude of change at the functional level. The household activities and willingness to change were measured at a functional level, and these data were aggregated to investigate the acceptance of several changes.Six specific energy reduction options were investigated in the case study Textile Care, which was held among 104 family households: the use of a smaller washing machine;theuse of a gas-fired dryer; the use of more woollen clothing; the use of cotton and polyester (CO/PE) blends for bedding; washing at lower temperatures; and extra drying space. It was found that the households' unique situations resulted in a different mix of choices. The aggregated willingness variable was significantly and negatively related to 'combining laundering with other tasks'. This variable reflected an organisational aspect. On the basis of interrelated variables between practices and willingness to change, suggestions for energy-friendly laundering behaviour could be formulated. The energy-saving potential of the three most promising options (washing at lower temperatures, wearing clothes longer, line drying) represents 3-4 percent saving of the total (direct and indirect) energy needed for the laundering process.These findings encouraged a further and more refined investigation into the willingness to accept a range of reduction options and regarding the influence of household task organisation. This was done for 31 reduction options by way of a quantitative survey held among 376 households throughout theNetherlands. The reduction options addressed the activity categories House, Clothing, Food, Transport, Social Contacts, Leisure Time and Large Purchases. For two-thirds of the reduction options, the actual behaviour was related to willingness to change. Two types of relations were found: (1) When more willingness to change was related to less energy-friendly behaviour, it concerned popular, impersonal, small, practical and indoor practices: frequently repeated behaviours that required little effort to begin and needed relatively low sacrifices in the use phase; (2) when more willingness to change was related to more energy-friendly behaviour, it concerned personal preferences, which were outward-oriented options and less popular in general.According to the theory ofMoore(1995), a mainstream market (in theory 84 percent; referred to here as the mainstream group ) and an early market (in theory 16 percent; referred to here as the top group ) can be distinguished. Five different aspects of household organisation played a role in the aggregated measures for the energy friendliness of household behaviour (Use) and the Willingness to change to 31 options (Willingness). These were: (1) household members having a job, (2) use of commodities, (3) use of a household help, (4) frequency of confer about household tasks and (5) the number of times that household activities were combined (for Willingness a positive influence in the total sample and top group, but a negative influence in the mainstream group). More Knowledge about reduction options and a higher education had a positive influence on Use. Like the number of combined tasks, the number of children and the extent to which the environment plays a role in household tasks also had opposite influences on Willingness in the mainstream group (positive and negative, respectively) compared with the total sample (negative and positive, respectively). These three determinants are likely to be related to the thresholds of what mainstream households can deal with, and provide information about the different character of the mainstream and top group. No explanation was found for that, although in the mainstream group the number of children and the number of combined activities were positively related, and these variables had a positive and negative influence, respectively, on Willingness to change. The negative influence on Use (mainstream) and Willingness (top group) of frequency of confer—which was positively related to a more equal task division between partners and the respondent having a job—shows that routines in daily activity patterns are required for changes in behaviour to save energy. However, the results also show that these routines should not be perceived as being too complex.Factor analyses demonstrated that it was only possible to change combinations of two to three options. Explanations for the diverse outcome in which repeated options prevail were found in differences between the mainstream and the top group in the evaluation and organisation of household activities, and in the familiarity of small, effortless options: households chose options that they liked or in which they perceived advantages for their specific household situation. For indirect energy reduction options, the top and mainstream group differed in their estimation of what required more effort (top group: natural floor materials; mainstream: replacing cut flowers). For direct energy options, the top group was more in favour of use, image and design aspects than was the mainstream group.A year after the case study Textile Care, a follow-up survey was held among the general surveyhouseholds,and 62 percent returned the questionnaire: 62 per cent of the mainstream group and 64 per cent of the top group. The self-reported change in the follow-up survey was indeed influenced by the willingness to accept changes in the general survey. The difference between self-reported environmentally friendly behaviour (follow-up survey) and actual behaviour (general survey) was related to the 'Importance of household tasks results', and the difference between a self-reported change in behaviour (follow-up survey) and the willingness to accept changes (general survey) was related to 'Religion'. Thus, the perception that households have of the modified energy friendliness of their household behaviour is not entirely correct, even when their environmental awareness is high. The nine options most often applied (by at least 15% percent of the respondents) were repeated behaviours. These will save on average 6.9 percent per household. Among these were the giving of plants and gifts instead of cut flowers, driving less and using bicycles and mopeds more often, heating 1ºC lower and taking holidays closer to home. The most popular investments were water-saving shower heads, natural floor materials, a lighter car and energy efficient appliances (applied by at least 5% of the households).In short, it can be concluded that a relation exists between behaviour, intention and eventual change, but they have different patterns in the population—the relation varies for different reduction options, and for the mainstream and top group—and they have different sets of determinants. Among these are organisational household determinants and ones that point to the thresholds for the mainstream group compared with the top group.Feedback measures and information can certainly help to change self-perception and to increase knowledge. However, in particular in the mainstream group, adding in-depth coaching on changing routines and 'gearing' activity patterns and decreasing the complexity of household organisation or the perception of this complexity can probably result in a more lasting and a larger number of effects. On a practical level, having a choice, the perception of the problem, experiences with other changes and the wish for simple solutions should be considered. In particular for the mainstream group, in which time constraints and the desire for uncomplicated solutions prevail, a structure between households, local authorities and markets could make it easier for them to invest. Knowledge about reduction options would support energy-friendly household behaviour in general and in particular that of the top group. For population segmentation, a division between the top and the mainstream group is relevant as well as social status (education, having a job) and age.This measurement of aspects of household organisation has been a first attempt and can be extended to increase knowledge about the functioning of households. The findings in this study are likely to apply to other important household-related fields as well, such as healthy lifestyles, budgeting and combining work and child care.

Changes in demand-side consumption structures are expected to be supportive in achieving long-term national energy reduction targets. Energy requirement can be distinguished in direct energy consumption through energy carriers, such as electricity and gas, and in indirect energy consumption used for the production, the distribution and the trade of goods and services. Due to their direct and indirect energy consumption, households in theNetherlandsuse 40-60 percent of the total national energy requirement. For this thesis, research was conducted on the influence of household management on the willingness of family households to accept energy reduction options. The environmental burden of households arises at a functional level—the level at which activities are performed—whereas implementing more than one reduction option was expected to require organisational skills. This made it relevant to investigate both the performance and the organisation of functional household activities. The overall research question ' What is the influence of household management aspects on the acceptance and energy-saving potential of greenhouse gas reduction options?' was investigated by means of three surveys: a case study of Textile Care with energy reduction options to do with laundering; a general survey that included a range of 31 different reduction options for direct and indirect energy; and a follow-up survey a year later, in which respondents were asked which of the 31 options had been considered, tried and successfully implemented.Within the preceding NRP Lifestyle project (1990-1995) of the National Research Programme on Global Air Pollution and Climate Change I, the energy requirements of more than 350 household expenditure categories of products and services were calculated, using a hybrid method that combined process analysis and input-output analysis. For this thesis, the reduction option selection criteria were that the reduction potential per option was at least 0.5 GigaJoule per household per year and the total set of options should be divided over practices as well as investments and daily purchases. The theoretical saving potential of these options—including interaction effects—was 26 percent (of 240 GJ/hh.y). In practice, the domestic energy-saving potential will depend on the theoretical potential, on the acceptance of the options byhouseholdsandon the magnitude of change at the functional level. The household activities and willingness to change were measured at a functional level, and these data were aggregated to investigate the acceptance of several changes.Six specific energy reduction options were investigated in the case study Textile Care, which was held among 104 family households: the use of a smaller washing machine;theuse of a gas-fired dryer; the use of more woollen clothing; the use of cotton and polyester (CO/PE) blends for bedding; washing at lower temperatures; and extra drying space. It was found that the households' unique situations resulted in a different mix of choices. The aggregated willingness variable was significantly and negatively related to 'combining laundering with other tasks'. This variable reflected an organisational aspect. On the basis of interrelated variables between practices and willingness to change, suggestions for energy-friendly laundering behaviour could be formulated. The energy-saving potential of the three most promising options (washing at lower temperatures, wearing clothes longer, line drying) represents 3-4 percent saving of the total (direct and indirect) energy needed for the laundering process.These findings encouraged a further and more refined investigation into the willingness to accept a range of reduction options and regarding the influence of household task organisation. This was done for 31 reduction options by way of a quantitative survey held among 376 households throughout theNetherlands. The reduction options addressed the activity categories House, Clothing, Food, Transport, Social Contacts, Leisure Time and Large Purchases. For two-thirds of the reduction options, the actual behaviour was related to willingness to change. Two types of relations were found: (1) When more willingness to change was related to less energy-friendly behaviour, it concerned popular, impersonal, small, practical and indoor practices: frequently repeated behaviours that required little effort to begin and needed relatively low sacrifices in the use phase; (2) when more willingness to change was related to more energy-friendly behaviour, it concerned personal preferences, which were outward-oriented options and less popular in general.According to the theory ofMoore(1995), a mainstream market (in theory 84 percent; referred to here as the mainstream group ) and an early market (in theory 16 percent; referred to here as the top group ) can be distinguished. Five different aspects of household organisation played a role in the aggregated measures for the energy friendliness of household behaviour (Use) and the Willingness to change to 31 options (Willingness). These were: (1) household members having a job, (2) use of commodities, (3) use of a household help, (4) frequency of confer about household tasks and (5) the number of times that household activities were combined (for Willingness a positive influence in the total sample and top group, but a negative influence in the mainstream group). More Knowledge about reduction options and a higher education had a positive influence on Use. Like the number of combined tasks, the number of children and the extent to which the environment plays a role in household tasks also had opposite influences on Willingness in the mainstream group (positive and negative, respectively) compared with the total sample (negative and positive, respectively). These three determinants are likely to be related to the thresholds of what mainstream households can deal with, and provide information about the different character of the mainstream and top group. No explanation was found for that, although in the mainstream group the number of children and the number of combined activities were positively related, and these variables had a positive and negative influence, respectively, on Willingness to change. The negative influence on Use (mainstream) and Willingness (top group) of frequency of confer—which was positively related to a more equal task division between partners and the respondent having a job—shows that routines in daily activity patterns are required for changes in behaviour to save energy. However, the results also show that these routines should not be perceived as being too complex.Factor analyses demonstrated that it was only possible to change combinations of two to three options. Explanations for the diverse outcome in which repeated options prevail were found in differences between the mainstream and the top group in the evaluation and organisation of household activities, and in the familiarity of small, effortless options: households chose options that they liked or in which they perceived advantages for their specific household situation. For indirect energy reduction options, the top and mainstream group differed in their estimation of what required more effort (top group: natural floor materials; mainstream: replacing cut flowers). For direct energy options, the top group was more in favour of use, image and design aspects than was the mainstream group.A year after the case study Textile Care, a follow-up survey was held among the general surveyhouseholds,and 62 percent returned the questionnaire: 62 per cent of the mainstream group and 64 per cent of the top group. The self-reported change in the follow-up survey was indeed influenced by the willingness to accept changes in the general survey. The difference between self-reported environmentally friendly behaviour (follow-up survey) and actual behaviour (general survey) was related to the 'Importance of household tasks results', and the difference between a self-reported change in behaviour (follow-up survey) and the willingness to accept changes (general survey) was related to 'Religion'. Thus, the perception that households have of the modified energy friendliness of their household behaviour is not entirely correct, even when their environmental awareness is high. The nine options most often applied (by at least 15% percent of the respondents) were repeated behaviours. These will save on average 6.9 percent per household. Among these were the giving of plants and gifts instead of cut flowers, driving less and using bicycles and mopeds more often, heating 1ºC lower and taking holidays closer to home. The most popular investments were water-saving shower heads, natural floor materials, a lighter car and energy efficient appliances (applied by at least 5% of the households).In short, it can be concluded that a relation exists between behaviour, intention and eventual change, but they have different patterns in the population—the relation varies for different reduction options, and for the mainstream and top group—and they have different sets of determinants. Among these are organisational household determinants and ones that point to the thresholds for the mainstream group compared with the top group.Feedback measures and information can certainly help to change self-perception and to increase knowledge. However, in particular in the mainstream group, adding in-depth coaching on changing routines and 'gearing' activity patterns and decreasing the complexity of household organisation or the perception of this complexity can probably result in a more lasting and a larger number of effects. On a practical level, having a choice, the perception of the problem, experiences with other changes and the wish for simple solutions should be considered. In particular for the mainstream group, in which time constraints and the desire for uncomplicated solutions prevail, a structure between households, local authorities and markets could make it easier for them to invest. Knowledge about reduction options would support energy-friendly household behaviour in general and in particular that of the top group. For population segmentation, a division between the top and the mainstream group is relevant as well as social status (education, having a job) and age.This measurement of aspects of household organisation has been a first attempt and can be extended to increase knowledge about the functioning of households. The findings in this study are likely to apply to other important household-related fields as well, such as healthy lifestyles, budgeting and combining work and child care.

Die Ausbreitung neuer Medien ist eng an das lokale und régionale Umfeld des Einzelnen gebun-den, denn sehr viel mehr als in einem globalen Zusammenhang wird die Nutzung neuer Informations-und Kommunikationstechnologien auf der privaten Ebene innerhalb bestehender ràumlicher Kontexte liegen. Aus diesem Grund steht in der vorliegenden Analyse der lokale Nutzer von I&K-Technologien im Vordergrund. Ausgehend von einem handlungstheoretisch begründeten Modell wird empirisch untersucht, welche Erwartungen und Einstellungen unterschiedliche soziale Grup-pen den neuen Technologien entgegenbringen und wie sie selbst die Nutzung dieser Technologien bereits in den Alltag integrieren. Der dargestellte Ausschnitt aus einer wesentlich breiter ange-legten Analyse geht von einer grundlegenden Differenzierung der untersuchten lokale n Gesell-schaft anhand der Variablen „ Alter" und „Bildung" aus. Dabei zeigt sich, dafi die Ausstattung der Haushalte und die Nutzung neuer I&K-Technologien in der Tat hohe Unterschiede nach den gewàhlten Variablen aufweisen, dafi jedoch die Unterschiede auf der Ebene der Erwartungen und Einstellungen geringer ausfallen. Anhand der vorliegenden Ergebnisse kônnen drei Grundmuster von Einstellungen und Erwartungen herausgearbeitet werden, die mit verschiedenen sozio-ôkonomischen Gruppen und spezifischen Handlungsweisen korrelieren., The adoption of new media is closely related to the individual 's local and regional environment where much of the significance of new information and communication technologies for the everyday use arises. For this reason the study starts by the hypothesis that acceptance and use of I&C technology in everyday life is determined less by the opportunity to participate in the ‘global village ’ than by their perceived, or at least expected, benefit in the individual ’s own environment. Using an action theoretic model as the basis the authors rise the question which expectations and attitudes lead the members of different social groups to use or not to use I&C technologies in their everyday life. ‘Age ’ and ‘education ’ are used here as core variables for social differentiation. The results that are part of a much broader survey show that the equipment with and the use of I&C technologies do vary clearly according to age and educational level. The difference, however, is less significant on the level of expectations and attitudes. Three basic patterns of expectations and attitudes which correspond to different socio-economic groups and their specific way of action are found by the study., L 'adoption de nouveaux médias par l 'individu est liée directement à son milieu local et régional. Celui-ci représente -au moins dans le domaine privé -un contexte qui restera plus important que le contexte global quant à l 'utilisation de nouvelles technologies d 'information et de communication. C'est pourquoi la présente analyse s’occupe surtout de l'utilisateur local des NTIC. Partant d’un modèle qui est inséré dans la théorie d’action, la recherche empirique veut démontrer quelles sont les attentes et les attitudes de différents groupes sociaux face aux nouvelles technologies et comment celles-ci sont déjà intégrées dans la vie quotidienne par ces groupes. Faisant partie d ’une large enquête la présente étude analyse l'utilisation des NTIC en examinant les différences qui existent à travers les variables «âge » et «éducation ». Les résultats confirment des différences nettes en ce qui concerne l’équipement des ménages et l ’utilisation dans le domaine privé, mais en même temps il est évident que sur le niveau des attentes et des attitudes les différences sont moins nettes. Les résultats de l’analyse permettent de faire une distinction entre trois types fondamentaux des attentes et des attitudes qui correspondent à des groupes socio-économiques différents et à des manières d agir spécifiques., Lenz Barbara, Preiss Lise. From general attitude to individual expectation - local societies facing NICTs. In: NETCOM : Réseaux, communication et territoires / Networks and Communication Studies, vol. 13 n°3-4,1999. Telecommunications in Progress - Geography, Economy and Social Impacts. Research in Germany. pp. 317-333.

Omdat voor het ontwerpen van dagelijkse gebruiksgoederen gegevens nodig zijn over capaciteiten en karakteristieken van toekomstige gebruikers, zijn 79 fysieke, psychomotorische, sensorische en cognitieve variabelen gemeten bij 627 Nederlanders tussen 50 en 94 jaar

Evaluation of user panel research as a method of testing the ease of use of consumer products