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Autonomous vehicles are expected to take complete control of the driving process, enabling the former drivers to act as passengers only. This could lead to increased sickness as they can be engaged in tasks other than driving. Adopting different sickness mitigation techniques gives us unique types of motion sickness in autonomous vehicles to be studied. In this paper, we report on a study where we explored the possibilities of assessing motion sickness with electrogastrography (EGG), a non-invasive method used to measure the myoelectric activity of the stomach, and its potential usage in autonomous vehicles (AVs). The study was conducted in a high-fidelity driving simulator with a virtual reality (VR) headset. There separate EGG measurements were performed: before, during and after the driving AV simulation video in VR. During the driving, the participants encountered two driving environments: a straight and less dynamic highway road and a highly dynamic and curvy countryside road. The EGG signal was recorded with a proprietary 3-channel recording device and Ag/AgCl cutaneous electrodes. In addition, participants were asked to signalize whenever they felt uncomfortable and nauseated by pressing a special button. After the drive they completed also the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and reported on their overall subjective perception of sickness symptoms. The EGG results showed a significant increase of the dominant frequency (DF) and the percentage of the high power spectrum density (FSD) as well as a significant decrease of the power spectrum density Crest factor (CF) during the AV simulation. The vast majority of participants reported nausea during more dynamic conditions, accompanied by an increase in the amplitude and the RMS value of EGG. Reported nausea occurred simultaneously with the increase in EGG amplitude. Based on the results, we conclude that EGG could be used for assessment of motion sickness in autonomous vehicles. DF, CF and FSD can be used as overall sickness indicators, while the relative increase in amplitude of EGG signal and duration of that increase can be used as short-term sickness indicators where the driving environment may affect the driver.

In the era of technological advances and innovations in transportation technologies, application of driving simulators for the investigation and assessment of the driving process provides a safe and suitable testing environment. Although driving simulators are crucial for further improvements in transportation, it is important to resolve one of their main disadvantages&ndash, simulator sickness. Therefore, suitable methods for the assessment of simulator sickness are required. The main aim of this paper was to present a non-invasive method for assessing simulator sickness by recording gastric myoelectrical activity&ndash, electrogastrography. Open-source hardware for electrogastrography together with recordings obtained in 13 healthy volunteers is presented, and the main aspects of signal processing for artifact cancellation and feature extraction were discussed. Based on the obtained results, it was concluded that slow-wave electrical gastric activity can be recorded during driving simulation by following adequate recommendations and that proposed features could be beneficial in describing non-ordinary electrogastrography signals.

The aim of this paper is to emphasize the necessity of reindustrialization of the Serbian economy. In order to ensure the preservation of the economy in terms of substantially altered external environment, first of all, it is necessary to consolidate the existing state and to ensure the growth of industrial production. This can be achieved by focusing resources primarily on the following industries: petrochemical, agro-industry, automotive industry, textile industry, and building materials industry. However, to ensure long-term sustainability of the Serbian economy, as soon as an acceptable level of growth in industrial production is reached, it will be necessary to enter the next phase - development of the Serbian industry based on knowledge and modern technologies.

Some growth models mark energy consumption as the cause, while others mark it as a consequence of economic growth. Empirical research serve as the grounds to determine these relationships in the conditions of modern energy resource market in the countries characterized by different levels of development and energy intensity. Our goal in this work is to use the hypotheses of various growth models and the findings of different empirical research in defining the role of energy supply in the post-crisis model of development in Serbia. The role of energy will be analyzed in terms of both the responsibility of the policy makers in the field of ensuring the energy security of the country and the investments as one of the economic growth drivers.

The paper investigates how a pragmatics-based approach may influence Concurrent Engineering (CE) implementation projects. Pragmatics, a field of semiotics, is used as a perspective for analyzing, as an instrument for constructing manufacturing systems and, in this particular research, as an instrument for CE implementation projects. In particular, as a part of the CE implementation methodology, modeling and the effects of different interpretations (as pragmatics aspects) of the assessment of processes’ simultaneity in a manufacturing organization are studied. The underlying thesis is that different interpretations significantly influence the perception of the organization’s reality, which has an impact on the project’s success. As a representation class, the so-called Simultaneity (Concurrency) Matrix (SCM) was used for simultaneity process assessment. The thesis is validated in two manufacturing companies. The results suggest that further improvements of the CE implementation methodologies, when using the pragmatics-based approach, lead to better quality of decisions and provide some assurance for the success of short-time and low-cost CE implementation projects.

Frequently, Angle Class IIs display a retrognathic mandible rather than a prognathic maxilla [McNamara, Connelly & McBride, 19751]. Since the mandible appears to be the primary cause, it is logical to focus on it when treatment options are discussed. Consequently, all major fixed and removable Class II correction appliances attempt to improve mandibular growth and position. Several types are available on the market: Fixed Functionals like the MARA (Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance), the Herbst appliance and William Clark’s Twin Block are, however, by far, more effective than removable appliances in more difficult cases and in cases with lacking or insufficient patient compliance. [O’Brien, Wright, Conboy et al., 20032] The primary difference between Class II/1 and Class II/2 is the angle of upper incisor inclination: In Class II/1s, the upper anteriors are proclined, creating a large sagittal step with the lingual, gingival part of the upper incisors holding the mandible posteriorly. This often causes enormous pressure on the TMJs and thus damage to the structures of the TMJ. In Class II/2s, the bite is usually very deep, and the upper incisors are retroclined, also producing a force vector that is directed distally, toward the TMJs. The bite in Class II/2s is not seldomly extremely deep, and the vertical height of the lower face is often reduced (brachycephalic growth). A great help for optimal diagnostics and treatment planning in orthodontic patients, esp. in patients with TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) symptoms, has been MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). MFA (Manual Functional Analysis) has recently evolved in the Netherlands and Germany as an important complement to MRI scanning. It covers very well the functional aspects of TMD, because it is a thorough orthopaedic type of musculoskeletal examination. Although dynamic imaging has been developed to diagnose mandibular mobility and disc behaviour, the MFA is also still a valuable adjunct as a diagnostic tool. Combining the very important MRI with MFA, the clinician gains very important knowledge of the condition of the TMJs and if the condyles can be advanced or not. MRI scanning and MFA also are the decisive factors as to the type of manual therapy / physiotherapy that is indicated as complement to mechanical anterior mandibular advancement. The latter is crucial, because without proper manual therapy -, it is much more difficult or even impossible to obtain satisfactory and stable treatment results.

This paper presents simulated (WIPL-D pro) and measured results of a UHF RFID antenna realized with a dipole matched to a CPS (Coplanar Stripline) and inductively coupled with a small rectangular loop. Such a design enables achieving and controlling high values of the inductive reactance that is necessary for obtaining good match of the antenna to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip. The antenna is characterized by a simple and robust design, which results in low-cost realization.

This paper presents the contribution to the creation of the Serbian rural development model which is based on balanced regional rural development (BRRD), and requires a constitution of an adequate policy of BRRD as a multidimensional process: political-institutional, socio-cultural, economic and ecologic, concerned with the idea of an integrated approach to achieving strategic aims in the areas of: 1) Establishing a national network for a BRRD; 2) Improving the value of human capital in rural regions, 3) Ensuring that the agricultural sector be competitive; 4) Developing a non-farm economy; and 5) Protecting natural resources and environment. It is also necessary that some measures should be adopted for the purpose of the implementation of the programmes, the projects and the activities defined in the strategy of the Sustainable regional rural development. Bearing in mind that strengthening of rural development policy is becoming increasingly important and that it represents one of the main development priorities of the EU, this could be a good indicator for Serbia if it wants to become a full member of the European Union. Besides empirical proofs of the benefits of presented recommendations, this paper will also highlight the theoretical concepts that are the foundations for the justification of their acceptance.