Motor imagery-based brain-computer interfaces (MI-BCI) have been proposed as a means for stroke rehabilitation, which combined with virtual reality allows for introducing game-based interactions into rehabilitation. However, the control of the MI-BCI may be difficult to obtain and users may face poor performance which frustrates them and potentially affects their motivation to use the technology. Decreases in motivation could be reduced by increasing the users' sense of agency over the system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReverse logistics in construction refers to the movement of products and materials from salvaged buildings to a new construction site. While there is a plethora of studies looking at various aspects of the reverse logistics chain, there is no systematic review of literature on this important subject as applied to the construction industry. Therefore, the objective of this study is to integrate the fragmented body of knowledge on reverse logistics in construction, with the aim of promoting the concept among industry stakeholders and the wider construction community.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSustainable waste management requires an integrated planning and design strategy for reliable forecasting of waste generation, collection, recycling, treatment and disposal for the successful development of future residential precincts. The success of the future development and management of waste relies to a high extent on the accuracy of the prediction and on a comprehensive understanding of the overall waste management systems. This study defies the traditional concepts of waste, in which waste was considered as the last phase of production and services, by putting forward the new concept of waste as an intermediate phase of production and services.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Increased numbers of mitochondria in differentiated thyroid cancer and, most strikingly, mutations in human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in older people have led to speculation that mtDNA mutations might contribute to aging or accumulate in postmitotic tissues with age. Mutation analyses of mtDNA in papillary (PTCs) and follicular (FTCs) thyroid carcinomas have been limited to date. The significance and frequency of mtDNA mutations in PTC and FTC are therefore controversial, as is age dependence.
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