Fungicides act as stress factors, altering the microbiological balance in soils. The present study quantified the effect of difenoconazole (DFC) on bacteria and mold communities grown in laboratory conditions, in treated soil microcosms, using the following concentrations: control, half dose (0.037 mg DFC g-1 soil, HD), normal dose (0.075 mg DFC g-1 soil, ND) and double dose (0.150 mg DFC g-1 soil, DD). The microbiological analyses included mesophilic bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle: aerobic and anaerobic nitrogen-fixing, ammonifying, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. The mesophilic bacteria were incubated at 37°C and identified qualitatively on solid growth medium (nutritive gelose), whereas soil fungi were identified both quantitatively and qualitatively on solid growth medium (Potato-Glucose-Agar). The noticeable effects of DFC were mainly focused on soil microbial communities, negatively affecting both the quantity and the quality of soil microorganisms. In high doses, the DFC decreased the microbial communities involved in nitrogen cycle, namely aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and denitrifying bacteria. Noticeable was the response of two genera, namely Mucor sp. and Actinomucor sp., that showed resistance to the toxic effect of DFC, underlying their potential further practical use in the decontamination of polluted soils.

Slovenia as one of the European Union member states has a very high percentage of children included in organized forms of preschool education (percentage amounting to 88,5% for the year 2015/16). In the country, inclusive and special, supportive and rehabilitation programs for diverse groups of preschool and school children with special needs (CSN) are carried out. The Slovenian educational legislation enables CSN to enter one of the two preschool programs. The first one is adapted preschool program with additional professional assistance, taking place in regular kindergarten classes. The second one is adapted preschool program; it takes place in the do-called developmental kindergarten classes and is intended for children with pronounced developmental deficiencies. Both programs enable maximum special-pedagogical and social adaptation to the child’s needs and abilities.\nThe study has proven that the legislation change and reorganization of placement procedures have no major impact. A trend of constant increase of inclusion of CSN (throughout the monitored five year period) into the regular kindergarten classes can be noticed. The study confirmed a slight connection between the number of placed CSN and the number of residents in an individual regional unit as well as between the placed CSN and the number of live-born children in 2015/16. Our study proves that continuous, intensive inclusion processes, enabling an earlier and better detection of CSN, are present in the country for a lengthy period of time. Also CSN with more prominent developmental deficiencies are mainly included in regular kindergarten classes, where they get an optimal support.

Highly stable semiconducting silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (2.99 nm) have been synthesized from reducing chemicals of medicinal plant Prunus cerasifera (Rosacea family). Ag was doped onto ZnO by weight percent (0.2 – 2.0%) method. Synthesized Photocatalyst nanoparticles were analyzed via Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier Transform Infrared analysis (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and band gap was calculated. Silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibited face centered cubic geometry while the size ranged between 72.11 – 100 nm with rough surface morphology. Organic dyes Methyl Orange, Safranin O and Rhodamine B have been sustainably photodegraded with silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles in direct solar irradiance, which yielded remarkable degradation percentages upto 85.52% in 35 minutes with pseudo first order reaction kinetics (R2 =0.98, 0.99 and 0.97). Furthermore, silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles inhibited the activity of agriculturally significant nine pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains i.e. Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, Pseudomonas syringae, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium solani and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Facile, biomimetic synthesis route produced Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles as potential green remediators of polluted water and plant pathogens.

Machining fixture is a precision device meant for locating and constraining the workpiece during machining. Fixture mainly consists of locators, clamps, and support pads. The functions of these elements are to position the workpiece correctly with respect to machine tool, hold the workpiece rigidly in position, and support the workpiece during the machining operation. Dimensional and form accuracy of a work piece are influenced by the fixture layout selected for the machining operation. The position of fixture elements is called as fixture layout. The fixture layout influences the work piece deformation during the machining process. Hence optimization of fixture layout to minimize the work piece deformation is one of the critical aspects in the fixture design process. In this paper, the fixture layout is first optimized by discrete fixture layout optimization method [DFLOM] with a defined five different node systems. The optimal fixture layouts for the five node systems are ranked in the ascending order of the least workpiece deformation values, and finally fixture layout is optimized for the reduced range of distance calculated for each fixturing element using Genetic Algorithm based continuous fixture layout optimization method[CFLOM]. Using reduced range of distance of fixturing elements obtained from CFLOM as input to the integrated fixture layout optimization method, minimizes further the workpiece elastic deformation.

Optimization of fixturing elements in the fixture layout is important in manufacturing industry now a days. So the objective of this paper is to find the optimum position for each clamps and locators. In this work the impulse force is applied during slot milling operation. The integrated fixture layout optimization method (IFLOM) used in this work which takes advantages of Discrete fixture layout optimization method (DFLOM), and Continuous fixture layout optimization method (CFLOM). Simulated Annealing (SA) is the optimization technique used in this work. The Finite Element method is used to calculate the workpiece deformation during machining. The fixture layout gives minimum deformation value is concluded as optimal fixture layout.

Various reactions are described in this work. The derivatives of eugenol are obtained by simple reagents or optically active catalysts

PURPOSE:\nTo compare image quality and radiation doses of low kilovolt (kV) “prospective ECG-triggering” (PT) and standard “retrospective ECG-gating” (RG) coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography.\nMATERIALS AND METHODS:\nA total of 101 consecutive patients (76 males, 25 females; mean age: 55.44±8.28) with low-to-intermediate risk status for coronary artery disease and with a body mass index (BMI) of <30 kg/m² were prospectively included in the study. The images were acquired with a 64- detector (128-slice) CT using tube current modulation technique. PT CT technique (100 kV, heart rate [HR]<70) was applied in 59 patients while RG CT technique (120 kV, HR≥70-90) was applied in 42 patients. The study was approved by the ethics committee. All patients provided informed written consent.\nRESULTS:\nNo significant difference was found between age, sex and BMI of both groups (p>0.05). Mean image quality score was 2.87±0.25 for low kV PT CT technique and 2.73±0.31 for RG CT technique, which was statistically significant (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between groups for signal-noise and contrast-noise ratios (p>0.05). The mean effective dose was 1.43±0.3 mSv for low kV PT CT technique while it was 8.20±2.36 mSv for RG CT technique (p<0.001). Kappa value for interobserver agreement of image quality assessment was minimum κ=0.574 and maximum κ=0.926.\n2\nCONCLUSION:\nIn low kV PT CT technique radiation dose is significantly reduced without loss of image quality. This technique can reliably be used in patients with BMI<30 kg/m² and HR less than 70 bpm.

This study aimed to identify the significant factors for good glycemic control among Tamil adults with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa. A case -control study was conducted among 339 patients with T2DM in medical clinics. Cases (n=113) were patients with T2DM who had fasting blood sugar ≤ 110mg/dl in at least last 3 consecutive occasions during last 6 months and controls (n=226) were patients with T2DM who had fasting blood sugar ≥ 111 mg/dl in at least last 3 consecutive occasions during last 6 months. The validated and pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed by controlling confounding factors. Duration of T2DM (OR 0.30, 95% CI=0.14 - 0.64), rural residence (OR=2.08, 95% CI= 1.04 - 4.15), regular exercise (OR 5.96, 95% CI=3.08 – 11.51), fixed time for consumption of medication (OR 4.22, 95% CI=1.59 – 11.24), regular clinic follow-up (OR 4.61, 95% CI=1.22 – 17.34) and normal body weight (BMI < 23 Kg/m2) (OR 0.15, 95% CI=0.07 – 0.31) were found to be the significant factors for good glycemic control in the multivariate logistic regression model. Patients with T2DM should be advised on regular exercise, body weight and regular follow up to achieve good glycemic control.

Trombe wall is one of the unique features in passive solar house development, which facilitates heat storage. A mathematical model of semitransparent photovoltaic thermal Trombe wall (SPVT-TW) with air ducts (or vents) has been derived in this paper, for a single room of 30 m2 dimension, for winter season of New Delhi, India. The model is derived considering the energy balance equations taking into account the periodic nature of solar radiation and ambient temperature. Further, the effect of several parameters namely, thickness of wall, mass flow rate, packing factor, absorptivity and transmittivity of PV module on room air temperature and thermal stability have been examined. The performance of vented SPVT-TW has been compared with SPVT-TW without vent. The results illustrate that the thickness of the room should be 0.3 m, with a corresponding thermal load leveling of 0.0038, for vented SPVT-TW, from thermal stability point of view. Also, the room air temperature of 45 oC can be reached in case of vented SPVT-TW, which is higher than SPVT-TW without vent.

The India’s cave mural of Ajanta was shelter for bats ever since it was abandoned in 5th century C .E by Buddhist monks. The bat’s excrement has posed serious conservation issues for both the art works on earthen support and the basaltic stone surface. Although the caves are now free from bat’s, yet their heavy discharge in the past in the cave interiors is showing telling impact in the form of loss of precious paintings and architectural surfaces owing to its physico-chemical characteristics. Further, in the Indian tropical climate the regular cycle of drying and wetting of excrement has intensified damage to historical surfaces. To study composition and behavior of bat’s excreta, it was subjected to intensive analytical examination using SEMEDX, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy etc. for the samples extracted from painted plaster and stone surfaces. Based on the scientific input, a new approach for the removal of bat’s excreta with the use of Phytogel and Cyclododecane(CDO) were tried for decorative surfaces. The techniques have yielded a ray of hope to resolve the unsolved problem of removal of bats excreta from decorative surface, a major conservation issue for this site and \nsimilar other sites in India and elsewhere. This paper deals about the results of our cleaning operations of bat’s excreta from historical surfaces of Ajanta caves based on analytical examination.

This paper is an attempt to characterise the 18th CE Palm leaf manuscript of India`s southern and eastern part based on its structural elements. Investigative studies were carried using polarised light microscope and stereomicroscope for the samples drawn from Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha. From the data, it is observed that the palm leaf species of Borassus and Corypha mostly drawn from southern and eastern states of India were extensively exploited for manuscript writing in whole of India. The microscopic observation also showed the weak zones present in the palm leaf manuscripts for suitable conservation measures.

ABSTRACT\nFor several years, gummosis and citrus’ descending death have been attributed to Phytophthora spp species, so bringing them under control is being difficult because of pathogens unawareness. Therefore, the causal agent as well as its symptoms (provoking the death of Persian lime plantings in the state of Morelos, Mexico) were morphological and phylogenetic identified. From 46 orchards of Persian lime, several samples of damaged tissue were collected from their main trunk, and from both their primary and secondary branches. To conduct morphological analyses, codes for gender were implemented, samples sown in V8-agar culture and put under white light at ± 24 °C (75.2°F) for about 2 days. Young colonies begun with a white-colored but, as they grew up, the color changed into a darker one. We carried out molecular characterization in 15 strains which were purified and their DNA extracted using the AP method, but for PCR to be conducted, ITS5/ITS4 primers were utilized. The National Center for Biological Information (NCBI) server was able to establish DNA sequence and the homology; the fifteen sequences were deposited in its gene bank. Having some morphological and molecular characteristics as well as pathogenicity tests, the identification of Lasiodiplodia citricola, L. pseudoteobromae and L. theobromae species was possible. From all isolates, 11 were not aligned to any species which suggest a possibility of having one or two new species of Lasiodiplodia. To our knowledge, the three species of phytopathogen fungus that have been isolated and identified, are now new for Persian lime studies in Mexico.

The anadromous Tenualosa ilish is the most economically important fish in the world and consequently in Iran. The national fish of Iranian contributes about 12% of the total fish production and about 1% of GDP. About 4,500,000 people are directly involved with the catching for livelihood; around four to five million people are indirectly involved with the trade. The present study aimed to estimate 96 hLC50s of silver and selenium on LC50 of nanoparticle of silver and selenium in different life stages of the fish T. ilish in the environment experimental. The LC50 for silver in four stages of fish T. ilish were larvae (0.23 ppm), fry (0.45 ppm), juvenile (0.90 ppm) and fingerling (1.45 ppm), respectively. There was significance difference between LC50 levels in four stages of fish species (P < 0.05) and the LC50 for selenium in four stages of fish T. ilish were larvae (0.89 ppm), fry (0.95 ppm), juvenile (1.12 ppm) and fingerling (1.65 ppm), respectively. There was significance difference between LC50 levels in four stages of fish species (P < 0.05). Variability in acute toxicity even in a single species and single toxicant depending on the size, age and condition of the test species along with experimental factors. Finally, in order of the toxicity of heavy metal in different stage of fish were larvae > fry > juvenile > fingerling, respectively. In conclusion, the toxicity tended to elevate with decreasing fish size.

Quality of groundwater is considered to be of vital importance for all human beings and animals due to its extensive use for drinking purpose. In this connection, 60 water samples collected from rural areas of district DG Khan and Muzaffargarh, Pakistan were evaluated for physicochemical parameters (color, taste, odor, turbidity, pH and TDS), essential metals (Na+, K+, Ca+2, Mg+2), heavy metals (Mn, As, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr) and microbiological organisms (total coliform and faecal coliform) which revealed that 47, 30, 27, 31, 57, 12, 8, 23 and 18% water samples were having high concentration of Ca, Na, K, Fe, As, Cu, TDS, total coliform and faecal coliform respectively. Calculation of sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) showed that 22% water samples were not suitable for irrigation purpose. Other than this, health risk assessment due to high content of heavy metals was carried out by calculating CDI and HRI for both adults and children separately. Calculated mean CDI and HRI were found in the order of As>Mn>Cr>Ni>Cu>Zn>Fe and As>Mn>Ni>Cu>Cr>Zn>Fe respectively and overall arsenic HRI>1 in 73 and 50% water samples for children and adults respectively. Pollution index (Pi) for Fe and As was significant among all heavy metals analyzed.

The present study considers a continuous review inventory system for inventory model involving lost sales reduction through capital investment cost function and the reduction of lead time accompanies a decrease of ordering cost. Two forms of capital investment cost function viz. logarithmic and power are employed to reduce the lost sales rate. We also consider two relationships between ordering cost and lead time viz. linear and logarithmic. We develop four inventory models by taking different combination of capital investment cost function and ordering cost lead time relationship. The objective is to minimize the total related cost by simultaneously optimizing the order quantity, safety factor, fraction of the shortages during the stock-out period that will be lost and length of lead time. The lead time demand is assumed to follow mixture of normal distribution. Computer programs using the software MATLAB are developed to obtain the optimal solution and provide six numerical examples to illustrate the models.

Saffron plant with high value of economic rank has an important role in the non-petroleum Iran´s foreign exports. Consequently, identifying of suitable areas for expansion of saffron cultivation could be an important task in Moghan County, northwest of Iran. In addition, understanding the role of existing environmental factors in growth of saffron needs a comprehensive study and variety of spatial data as well as the associated attributes. With the help of GIS it is possible to supply such information and also to set up different kind of spatial analysis based on renowned models. In this work based on the saffron ecological and environmental requirements, one of the well-known Multi-criteria judgment analyses (AHP model) was introduced in ARCGIS software setting. Modeling processes such as statistical and mathematical analysis of the data was sequentially pioneered and the suitable areas for saffron cultivation have been investigated. The results showed that the AHP model is a sufficiently appropriate approach for the evaluating of suitable lands for saffron growth and development throughout Moghan County geographic extent.

DC-DC converters are widely used in modern power systems including renewable energy integration, High Voltage DC Transmission system (HVDC), battery chargers, laptops and other home appliances. Suitable controller design for step up Boost DC-DC converter is important to increase its performance in various applications like renewable energy integration and control circuitries. Linear controller are proved to be inefficient under varying operating conditions. Sliding Mode Controller (SMC) is a nonlinear controller offering advantages of robustness, fast dynamic response and ease of implementation.\nIn this research work, SMC for Boost converter is proposed and analyzed using MATLAB® SIMULINK® as simulation platform. State space modelling technique is used for Boost converter. Proposed SMC comprises of two loops; voltage and current, controlled by Proportional Integral (PI) and Hysteresis respectively. Simulation of Boost converter with proposed controller shows good response in terms of less overshoot and settling time for initial transient, supply, load and reference variations.

Plant parasitic nematodes cause a great damage to all agricultural crops; they infect all parts of plant and cause reduction in yield. Synthetic (pesticides) nematicides have been used lately to combat the menace of nematodes on farmlands. Pesticide residues have been detected in fruits and vegetables due to persistence of nematicides in the environment. The disadvantages of pesticide use have brought about interest in alternative methods of managing plant parasitic nematodes. In this regard decayed and fresh stem bark of Anacardium occidentale were extracted, isolated and characterized. The crude extract and isolates were tested for nematicidal activity. Significant (p=0.05) differences were observed in the activity of the extracts. The isolated compounds from fresh extract (ANCO/FRS/CMP) and decayed extract (ANCO/DCD/CMP) of stem bark of A. occidentale extract exhibited higher juvenile mortality and reduced egg hatch whereby the activity of the isolated compound from decayed bark extract was significantly higher. The crude extract (ANCO/FRS/CRD and ANCO/DCD/CRD) had weaker nematicidal activity. Spectroscopic results revealed that microbial action on the buried stem bark produced a different compound which exhibited the nematicidal effect

The typical Neogene, sandstone hydrocarbon system, from Croatian part of the Pannonian Basin System (Europe) is described. Geological settings influenced the production history as well as injection and separation field’s equipment. Applied technological solution provided the long hydrocarbon production with high recovery, despite reservoir heterogeneity and large portion of pelitic detritus.

Flow from the pipe outlets under high head of water, emerges in the form of straight, concentrated shooting jet. Hydraulic structures called stilling basin have to be provided for reducing the energy of high-velocity flow to prevent erosion of the natural bed downstream and banks of river or cannel, so that the flow beyond the basin does not endanger the stability of bed and banks of the downstream channel. Experimental investigation leading to the development of new stilling basin model design for non circular pipe outlet using triangular splitter block along with USBR VI impact wall and sloping end sill reported in this paper. On the basis of present study, newly stilling basin design has been compared with USBR VI stilling basin. The main aim of this research paper is to present an experimental study for the purpose of improving the performance of USBR VI stilling basin for a non circular pipe outlet by developing new physical models in the laboratory. The new models were tested in a rectangular shaped pipe outlet of size 10.8 cm x 6.3 cm, for Froude numbers, namely Fr = 1.85,2.85&3.85 in comparison to USBR VI stilling basin model recommended for the pipe outlets. The new models have been developed by putting the triangular splitter block, while keeping the other configuration of stilling basin geometry same as suggested by USBR VI stilling basin. The scour pattern was measured for each test run. The performance of the basin was compared by performance index (PI). After twelve test runs, it is found that, for a given Froude number range, by inserting the triangular splitter block with same impact wall along with end sill, the performance of stilling basin is improved and also the length of the newly developed basin is reduced to 29% as compared to USBR VI stilling basin for a given flow conditions

High voltage energy transmissions to minimize the energy losses are made. The connection of high voltage networks, control and supply are made of the most important places where substations. Using this equipment in the field that allows you to move along with the increasing of voltage and high currents, some problems arise. This problem is especially of the currents and the temperature distribution of the materials through the distribution of the material leads to energy losses and hence unavailable about the lack of proper efficient. They also continue to threaten the security of the system. Substations expansion connectors are planned to be developed within the scope of this study aims to reduce energy losses and vulnerabilities as much as possible. In this study, criteria for determining the optimal expansion connector dimensions in accordance with the relevant regulations have been developed and tested for energy sustainability and production ease. As a result, the required connector dimensions and manufacturing conditions have been improved to make the current and temperature distribution uniform.

The characterization of growth pattern in organism is essential for body growth studies and pest management. A simple empirical mathematical technique is demonstrated here to understand the reproductive maturity age, mortality and whether the body growth is determinate or indeterminate, by incorporating a time dependent growth function G(t). This growth function for male and female grasshoppers Ceracris nigricornis laeta (Bol.) in Eastern Himalayan region (at Darjeeling, West Bengal, India) is estimated from time data of their body weight and length and consequently the nature of the growth is predicted. The theoretical approach introduced here is not only successfully tested on the grasshopper but also on male Moorish Tortoise (Testudo graeca graeca) and Rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) using the existing experimental data. Therefore this technique not only enriches the growth biology but also contributes in ecology and pest management.

Even if it is less polluting than other farm sectors, grape growing management have to adopt measures for mitigate GHG emissions and to preserve the quality of grapevine by-products. In viticulture, by land and crop management GHG emissions can be reduced through adjusting methods of tillage, fertilizing, harvesting, irrigation, vineyard maintenance, electricity, natural gas, and the transport until the wine marketing, etc. Besides CO2, in vineyards are produced nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), released from fertilizers and waste/wastewater management. As main GHG in vineyards, N2O can have the same harmfully action like large quantities of CO2. Carbon can be found in grape leaves, shoots, and even fruit pulp, roots, canes, trunk or soil organic matter. C-sequestration in soil by using less tillage and tractor passing is one of the efficient methods to reduce GHG in vineyards, with the inconvenient that many years are need for detectable changes. In last decades, among other methods, cover crops have been used as one of the most efficient way to reduce GHG emissions and increase fertility in vineyards. Even we analyze many references there are still limited information on practical methods in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in viticulture. The aim of the paper is to review the main GHG emissions produced in vineyards and approached methods for their reduction, in order to maintain the quality of grapes and other by-products.

Boron is an important micronutrient that enhances the reproductive growth of crops such as groundnut. Light also plays an important role for pegging of groundnut. There has been little information on the application of boron and light in groundnut in Bangladesh. A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of boron and light on the reproductive development of two groundnut cultivars. Treatments considered as two groundnut cultivars, viz., ‘Dhaka-1 (C1)’ and ‘BARI Chinabadam-8 (C2)’, three levels of boron (B), viz., 0-kg B ha-1 (B0), 1-kg B ha-1 (B1) and 2-kg B ha-1 (B2), and two levels of light, viz., normal daylight (≈12-h light) and normal daylight + 6-h extended red light at night (≈18-h light). Result revealed that the reproductive development, yield and shelling percentage of groundnut were markedly increased with the application of B. Due to the imposition of light all of the reproductive units increased but decreased the number of pods and pod yield. The highest reproductive unit and yield were observed from ‘BARI Chinabadam-8’. Therefore, reproductive development could be improved by application of boron in improved cultivars (BARI Chinabadam-8) but not for under extended light.

Abstract: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of non-syndromic hypodontia and oligodontia and to identify the types of associated dental anomalies in the permanent dentition of children and adolescents in the N-W Romania. The study was conducted between 2008 and 2015 on a group of 566 children aged between 12-18 years. Dental agenesis was diagnosed using clinical and radiological criteria. The numbers and types of teeth missing were noted. Third molars were excluded. Hypodontia had a prevalence of 2.00% in girls and 3.76% in boys (p=0,007), and oligodontia of 0.33% in girls and 0.38% in boys (p=0,367). Unique abnormalities were registered at 1.00% in girls and 1.50% in boys (p=0.026), those with two associations at 0.67% in girls and 1.50% in boys (p=0.015), and those with triple association at 0.67% in girls and 1.13% in boys (0.037%). Hypodontia/oligodontia has been identified in association with other dental abnormalities such as inclusion, microdontia, and enamel hypomineralization. The most frequent was the association of hypodontia with enamel hypomineralization.

Strategic planning is an effective tool for long-term planning and utilized by organizations and industries to achieve competitive advantage. Addressing difficulties that the European banking sector has been struggling since the global financial crisis (GFC), this paper raises serious questions about the sustainability of the sector and offers competitive strategy formulations for what European policy makers might consider to focus on. Empirical findings are accomplished by applying a three phase analysis: (i) SWOT to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, (ii) an integrated model of DEMATEL-ANP (DANP) to determine weights of the SWOT factors, and (iii) fuzzy TOPSIS technique to rank and choose the best strategy. Empirical findings from the SWOT analysis suggest a total of twelve factors, which are then used to formulate four strategies. The DANP illustrates that opportunities dimension has the highest impact and strengths has the lowest among others. The fuzzy TOPSIS results demonstrate that “the European Banking Union (EBU) is expected to remove divergence in the Euro area banking sector” is the most important strategy, whilst “the non risk based leverage ratio (LR) requirement by Basel III” has the weakest importance among the strategy preferences.

We present an overview of privacy preserving data mining, one of the most popular directions in the data mining research community. In the first part of the chapter, we presented approaches that have been proposed for the protection of either the sensitive data itself in the course of data mining or the sensitive data mining results, in the context of traditional (relational) datasets. Following that, in the second part of the chapter, we focused our attention on one of the most recent as well as prominent directions in privacy preserving data mining: the mining of user mobility data. Although still in its infancy, privacy preserving data mining of mobility data has attracted a lot of research attention and already counts a number of methodologies both with respect to sensitive data protection and to sensitive knowledge hiding. Finally, in the end of the chapter, we provided some roadmap along the field of privacy preserving mobility data mining as well as the area of privacy preserving data mining at large.