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To investigate whether quantification of the background EEG during a visual evoked potential (VEP) study is of value for the diagnosis of migraine we studied 8 unmedicated migraineurs between attacks, and 10 age-matched controls. Three paradigms were used: the first two concerned pattern-reversal VEPs with different analysis times (500 and 1500 ms), and in the third paradigm the pattern did not reverse. Power spectra were calculated for individual responses, and the delta, theta, alpha and beta areas of the averaged spectra were noted as indicators of background reactivity. Alpha and beta powers were consistently but not significantly higher in the migraine group. The difference was too small to be of value as a diagnostic test. Alpha power was (not significantly) lower in the presence of photic stimulation than in its absence. As this was the case in both groups photic stimulation does not explain the higher alpha powers in the migraine group. We conclude that EEG background activity during the VEP does not distinguish reliably between migraineurs and controls.

With the growing effects of climate change, it has become of great importance to reduce emissions from the building stock. Climate friendly retrofitting of dwellings has emerged as an important role since then. Based on a case study in the Netherlands and scientific research on the associated processes, it is concluded that the state of the current retrofitting process is not productive enough to meet European climate goals. To satisfy the increasing need for retrofitting, the Axiomatic Design Method is used to track down the key findings to improve the output of the retrofitting process from a holistic perspective. The aim of the research is to contribute to increase the current output of 50.000 residential retrofits per year by 300% for the Dutch construction industry. The results give opportunities for improvements that should be made within the process, product, and regulations in the industry. The elimination of manual labour in roof renovation is the finding that has the greatest impact on process productivity. In addition, the changeover of the process has an impact, whereby scaffolding, fall protection and weather no longer have an influence or are no longer required. It can be stated that efficiency could be significantly increased with low manual labour roof retrofitting.