Micro factory retailing: an alternative, more sustainable automotive business model

In 2000 a new alternative automotive business model was launched, Micro Factory Retailing (MFR), which, although still marginal, has nevertheless already inspired a number of automotive businesses. MFR is based on networks of small dispersed, combined assembly, retail and aftercare or lifetime management (e.g., maintenance and repair, parts supply, upgrade, vehicle management and takeback) facilities that could operate car use under a product-service system (PSS), whereby ownership is retained by the company and users pay for their use. Approximately 20 years on from when the first germs of this innovative idea were sown is a good time to revisit the concept and its subsequent fortunes. This paper traces through the early history of ideas and developments for MFR; to its current situation and practice. Sustainability is a major aspect of MFR. I present this work on the car and innovations from my experiences and growth in understanding

Alternative business models and entrepreneurship: the case of electric vehicles

Electrification of the car is an inevitable trajectory; only battery electric vehicles (EVs) give the option – provided a zero carbon generating mix is developed – of ultimately zero carbon and zero emissions transport. Yet this means disruptive change to the existing automotive and energy business models covering all sections of the value chain, which provides entry points for new, entrepreneurial operators from outside the sector bringing with them new business models. We are entering a transition period, where some of these alternative business models are already seen to work and those of Autolib and Tesla are highlighted here. New electric vehicle (EV) business models need to extend beyond the boundaries of the business itself and should also include a consideration of context and environment, or ‘regime’ (Geels, 2002), particularly in the role of government. It should be emphasized that EV business models are dynamic, still emerging and are currently enjoying artificial market conditions due to widespread incentives. Private and public sector players are still exploring what their respective roles should be in future EV business models

On the origin and fate of immunologically competent cells

In the Introduction, the apparent relation between the development of "immunity" and the lymphoid system is illustrated in a short historical review ending the in the formulation of the concept of the immunologically competent cell "as a cell, which is fully qualified to undertake an immune response" (Medawar, 1958) ... Zie: Summar

Diminutives

Despite renewed interest in morphological issues in recent times, the diminutive has largely been ignored, due, in part, to the lack of a comprehensive introduction to the topic. The present thesis aims to remedy this situation. The diminutive is studied by considering different aspects separately; thus there are chapters dealing with meaning (Chapter 3), form (Chapter 4), the use of sounds (Chapter 5), history (Chapter 7) and the way in which diminutives could be integrated into a grammar (Chapter 6). At every stage the arguments are linked to current theories and models in linguistics. The discussion is based on data from over fifty languages (see Appendix A). Although most of this material has been collected from written sources in various languages, so much data specifically on diminutives has never before been available in one place and in one language. Such a large and varied data-base has made it possible to use a more universal approach as patterns and trends emerge which could not have been recognised in a more limited study on a single language or a small group of closely related languages. These universal trends are dealt with specifically in Chapter 8. Moreover, a number of new facts about diminutives in individual languages have emerged from this study. In this respect the findings concerning modern Standard English are perhaps of particular interest. A number of maps accompany the text. One of these, introducing Appendix A, attempts for the first time to present the synthetic diminutive as it manifests itself in the languages of Western and Central Europe

Urban, sub-urban or rural:Where is the best place for electric vehicles?

This paper critiques the assumption that an urban setting is the most appropriate for electric vehicles. In so doing, it questions the implementation of transitions theory and socio-technical experiments in the quest to establish electric vehicles as an alternative to the existing automobility regime. For vehicle owners and infrastructure providers alike, as with society generally, the benefits of electric vehicles are maximised when usage is most intense; a difficult situation to achieve in urban areas aside from light commercial delivery and service applications. Using case study information from electric vehicle trials under the ENEVATE research programme into users of such vehicles in North West Europe, it is concluded that more policy and research attention should be given to sub-urban and rural electric vehicle applications as promising niches from which wider socio-technical change may develop

Temporary, but Essential Requirement of CD8+ T Cells Early in the Pathogenesis of Diabetes in BB Rats as Revealed by Thymectomy and CD8 Depletion

Autoimmunity-prone BB rats demonstrate a T lymphocytopenia and abnormal T cell subset distribution. To test whether the life span of all T cells or only of certain subsets is reduced in BB rats, we thymectomised 8-week-old BB and PVG rats and subsequently assessed size and composition of the T cell population over a 6-week-period. In both strains, thymectomy (Tx) was followed by a decrease in peripheral T cell numbers, which was proportionally larger in BB rats. The decline of the Thy-1+ recent thymic migrant (RTM) T cell phenotype was similar in both strains. BB rats showed a rapid preferential loss of CD8+ and CD45RC+ T cells, whereas the relative loss of RT6+ T cells was proportional to that of all T cells and not significantly different from that in PVG rats. Tx at 8-week did not prevent diabetes. Tx of 4-week-old BB rats revealed essentially the same changes in peripheral T cell subset distribution as in 8-week-old animals. However, Tx at week 4 did prevent diabetes. Since this raised the possibility of a temporary requirement of CD8+ T cells for the development of diabetes, we performed CD8 depletions during different pre-diabetic intervals. We found that CD8 depletion from 4 to 8 and 4 to 14 weeks, but not from 8 to 14 weeks of age prevented diabetes. We conclude that the protective effect of early adult Tx is, at least in part, due to the rapid loss of CD8+ T cells, and that these cells are only required between 4 and 8 weeks of age for diabetes to develop in BB rats

How to strategically position European SMEs as part of an electric vehicle technology value chain

European policy aims for a clean transport sector for improving the competitiveness of the automotive industry. By supporting small and medium enterprise (SME) development, European Union (EU) can achieve both economic growth and emission reduction targets. It is expected that there will be changes in the established relationships within the automotive supply chain in moving from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs), and SMEs that are more capable of developing those technologies might have a role in the possible EV based automotive value chain re-shaping. The "European Network on Electric Vehicles and Transferring Expertise" (ENEVATE) partnership conducted a series of interviews with SMEs throughout North-West Europe to investigate support areas that SMEs need to have to play a role in this possible EV based automotive value chain re-shaping. It was found that SMEs needed more support for protecting technology, establishing relationships and funding investments