The steady decline in the annual number of cases of tuberculosis observed in the United States since the early fifties reversed dramatically after 1984 [l] . For instance, from 1975 through 1984, tuberculosis case rates decreased from 15.9 to 9.4 per 100000 population, an average decline of 5.7% annually [2] . The number of cases rose by 3 percent in 1986, by 5 percent in 1989, and by more than 6 percent in 1990 [3- 61. This upheaval in the incidence of tuberculosis has been attributed to the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic [l] .

For instance, from 1975 through 1984, tuberculosis case rates decreased from 15.9 to 9.4 per 100000 population, an average decline of 5.7% annually.


Overall tuberculosis has been found to occur in 4.2 percent of patients with AIDS in the United States [7] . In Canada, studies have shown a total of 15 cases of tuberculosis among 464 AIDS patients in the period from 1983 to 1988, giving a prevalence of 3.2 percent [8] . In some American inner-city areas, blacks and Hispanics have accounted for between 80 to 100 percent of the cases of AIDS and tuberculosis [9] . Data from Florida [lo] indicate a relative odds ratio of tuberculosis in patients with AIDS of 3.4, 5.5, and 10.5 when Hispanics, blacks, and Haitians, respectively, are compared with non-Hispanic whites. A recent study in New York points out the propensity of HIV infection, without AIDS-related disease, to activate remote dormant tuberculosis infection [ll] .

Overall tuberculosis has been found to occur in 4.2 percent of patients with AIDS in the United States.

In Canada, studies have shown a total of 15 cases of tuberculosis among 464 AIDS patients in the period from 1983 to 1988, giving a prevalence of 3.2 percent.

In some American inner-city areas, blacks and Hispanics have accounted for between 80 to 100 percent of the cases of AIDS and tuberculosis.


These equations for α = 1 appear in the mathematical and physical modeling of timedependent process, and their goal is to determine the rate of change of the current situation in comparison with the former models. In particular, this conversion is basic when an ordinary differential equation is based on model failure. Among these types, there are pantograph differential equations , which have been of interest to many researchers. A pantograph is a machine that rolls up an electric current from upper lines for trams or electric trains. The term pantograph has been retrieved from its similarity to pantograph machines for drawings copying and writing [12] [13] [14] . About the existence of solutions for these equations, we can mention [15, 16] .

The term pantograph has been retrieved from its similarity to pantograph machines for drawings copying and writing.

About the existence of solutions for these equations, we can mention.


Laser-Engineered-Net-Shaping (LENS); Wire-Arc-Additive-Manufacturing (WAAM). Both technologies are direct energy deposition processes, but using different raw material type and power sources. In particular, LENS is a powder-based process, using a laser power source while WAAM is a wire-based technology and process heat is provided by an electric arc [9] .

In particular, LENS is a powder-based process, using a laser power source while WAAM is a wire-based technology and process heat is provided by an electric arc.


Although a number of randomized trials have suggested that LIPUS may improve fracture healing, inferences are limited because of small sample size, risk of bias, frequent reporting of surrogate outcomes (such as radiographic healing) but limited attention to patientimportant outcomes (functional recovery), and inconsistent results [9] . Until a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) is undertaken, the effect of LIPUS on fracture healing will remain uncertain. The purpose of the current pilot study was to explore the feasibility of a definitive trial to establish the role of LIPUS for tibial fracture healing, specifically: to determine recruitment rates in individual centers, adherence to study protocol and data collection procedures, our ability to achieve close to 100% follow-up rates, and the degree to which patients complied with treatment.

Although a number of randomized trials have suggested that LIPUS may improve fracture healing, inferences are limited because of small sample size, risk of bias, frequent reporting of surrogate outcomes (such as radiographic healing) but limited attention to patientimportant outcomes (functional recovery), and inconsistent results.


The K leaf content varied from 30.90 to 33.27 g kg -1 (Table 3) , within the range considered adequate for wheat (Malavolta et al., 1997) . This was the only variable with no significant difference in response to the Si sources and application modes, even when potassium silicate was applied to the leaves. This may be due to the 210 mg dm -3 K supplied to the plants by the regular fertilizer application, which may have resulted in "luxury consumption" by the plants.

The K leaf content varied from 30.90 to 33.27 g kg -1 (Table 3) , within the range considered adequate for wheat.


The effect of containment and staircase on the final product accuracy and surface quality was studied by Kulkarni and Dutta [10] . Vertical normal radius of curvature and normal vector at any point of a CAD model was computed. The normal section at that point was approximated as a circle. This approximation resulted in twelve expressions, when the different possible geometrical conditions and containment requirements were considered. They formulated the adaptive slicing problem as optimization problem and solved using sequential quadratic programming of MATLAB.

The effect of containment and staircase on the final product accuracy and surface quality was studied by Kulkarni and Dutta.


Taraxacum officinale (family Asteraceae), commonly known as dandelion, is a perennial plant widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, which mainly contains flavonoids, triterpenes, coumarins, and phytosterols [1] . T. officinale has been traditionally used as a folk medicine for removing boils, reducing fever, lactating, and relieving sore throat [2] . Pharmacological investigations have revealed that the extracts of this plant possess antioxidant, antifertility, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities [3] [4] [5] [6] . Previous studies showed that the flavonoids contained in T. officinale have been associated with these efficacies [7] [8] [9] .

Taraxacum officinale (family Asteraceae), commonly known as dandelion, is a perennial plant widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, which mainly contains flavonoids, triterpenes, coumarins, and phytosterols.

T. officinale has been traditionally used as a folk medicine for removing boils, reducing fever, lactating, and relieving sore throat.

Pharmacological investigations have revealed that the extracts of this plant possess antioxidant, antifertility, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities.

Previous studies showed that the flavonoids contained in T. officinale have been associated with these efficacies.


Response surface methodology (RSM), an effective statistical technique for optimizing complex processes, has been extensively used to optimize processing parameters due to more efficient and easier arrangement and interpretation of experiments compared to others [17] [18] [19] . The main advantage of RSM is the reduced number of experimental trials needed to evaluate multiple parameters and their interactions [20] . To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies about the use of RSM on UAE optimisation for the extraction of flavonoids from T. officinale (TOFs). In this study, UAE for the flavonoids-enriched extract from T. officinale was investigated and the operational parameters were optimized using RSM. The antioxidant activity of flavonoids was also evaluated with several established in vitro systems. The findings obtained from this work will be useful to further develop and utilize this abundant resource.

Response surface methodology (RSM), an effective statistical technique for optimizing complex processes, has been extensively used to optimize processing parameters due to more efficient and easier arrangement and interpretation of experiments compared to others.

The main advantage of RSM is the reduced number of experimental trials needed to evaluate multiple parameters and their interactions.


According to the Tobler's first law of geography," things closer together are more alike than things farther away" [27] . Based on this idea, a new combination of geographic methods is proposed to solve the problem of the distribution and sales strategies of FMCG among retailers. In this research, a method to estimate the consumer demand in micro-scale like geographic grid cells is introduced, and we take out pointed optimizing purchasing strategies according to the stability of consumer demand in different regions. The research can provide microscopic guidance for the development of a sustainable economy.

According to the Tobler's first law of geography," things closer together are more alike than things farther away".


In the traditional methods, the consumer demand was predicted just through the historical dales data by using the methods like Moving Average (ARIMA) method and Grey neural network approach [18] . The methods were often used to predict the sales performance in a whole city or province, the results were useful for some industries like cars industry and electric industry to conduct the total distribution strategies. As to single retail shop or supermarket, more detailed factors should be take account. These methods ignored the spatial unevenness and patterns inherent in sales data, thus cannot adequately reflect consumer patterns and behaviors, which might lead to the loss of market share and inappropriate marketing strategy for retailers doing business in the Chinese marketplace. So that consumer preferences were needed for retailers to adjust their marketing strategies in a timely manner, which could definitely improve sales. However, the preferences or characteristics of consumers are always difficult to obtain due to privacy concerns. An effective way was to collect preference data through surveys and questionnaires to estimate the consumer demand and decide which kinds of products to purchase [15] . The problem was that the data volume through the questionnaires was always small, thus cannot truly guide the distribution strategies of retailers in a large area. In order to solve this problem and obtain more consumer data, some researchers have used big social media data from Sino Wei-bo, the popular micro-bog platform in China. In their studies, the sign-in data was obtained through the Wei-bo API (Application Program Interface), and spatial clustered was conducted to find the hot sigh-in areas and the consumers in that places. They used the preference information of a small number of consumers through questionnaire survey to estimate the consumer demand of all hot areas. However, the social media data could not reflect the preference discrepancy between different areas. Moreover, the sign-in data was distributed mainly around the commercial centers or companies, and the data lacked the location information of retailers. That means the analysis through social media data cannot reflect the complex relationships between retailers, like competition and promotion relationships, and do not take consider of the number of retailers, so that these researches cannot put out practical optimizing strategies.

In the traditional methods, the consumer demand was predicted just through the historical dales data by using the methods like Moving Average (ARIMA) method and Grey neural network approach.

An effective way was to collect preference data through surveys and questionnaires to estimate the consumer demand and decide which kinds of products to purchase.


In European supermarkets, the FMCG attrition rate can reach 15-20%, which may block the development of a sustainable economy and lead to losses amounting to millions of dollars [10, 11] . To reduce profit loss, some retailers will set a higher price for FMCGs, thereby leading to the decrease of consumer purchasing frequency [12] . As estimating market demand is a critical part of supply chain management, the problem of predicting stock levels can also result in significant problems for the manufacturers that fill orders from retailers [13] . The manufacturer cannot truly obtain the right consumer information to guide their production. The relevant knowledge of consumer preferences and demand assists the conduct of future economic strategies of both the manufacturer and retailer [14] .

In European supermarkets, the FMCG attrition rate can reach 15-20%, which may block the development of a sustainable economy and lead to losses amounting to millions of dollars.

To reduce profit loss, some retailers will set a higher price for FMCGs, thereby leading to the decrease of consumer purchasing frequency.

As estimating market demand is a critical part of supply chain management, the problem of predicting stock levels can also result in significant problems for the manufacturers that fill orders from retailers.

The relevant knowledge of consumer preferences and demand assists the conduct of future economic strategies of both the manufacturer and retailer.


Retail sales data must be considered spatially, and incorporate a geographical perspective as consumer habits are closely related to location. By studying the spatial distribution of retail sales variations in consumer preferences over space can be effectively revealed, thereby helping businesses develop suitable marketing strategies and higher profits. Many fast fashion brands have been adopting geographical strategies to guide their product distribution, companies like Zara, which analyzed the different preferences in quality and style in different countries [29, 30] . These analyses considered the total supply or sales performance of different countries; findings would guide production strategies and identify hot items for a country or province. The service areas of single retail shops, however, are usually several streets or blocks, the consumer demand analysis of whole city cannot truly guide their purchasing strategies. For small retail shops, the purchasing strategies should be adjusted according to nearby consumer demand rather than that of a whole city. Even when each retail shop sales the same hot item, the number of units of a hot item to buy still remain an art not a science. Retailers have to obtain the highest profit, within their cost constraints. Research on means to effectively extract the consumer characteristics at micro-scale, providing microscopic guidance for retailers is relatively lacking.

Many fast fashion brands have been adopting geographical strategies to guide their product distribution, companies like Zara, which analyzed the different preferences in quality and style in different countries.


Given the continuous growth of the Chinese economy, the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry in China is becoming one of the largest markets in the world [4] . To retailers and malls, increasing demand for FMCG may bring higher profits. However, Chinese consumption behaviors have undergone tremendous changes, and the regional characteristics of the FMCGs consumers are becoming increasingly complex [5] . The unreasonable purchasing strategies of FMCG retailers often cause waste and loss in some places, and shortage in other places, thereby bringing out negative impact on the sustainability of economics [6] [7] [8] . That indicates the need for appropriate forecasting of consumer demand, thus the quantity of products that retailers should prepare, and is a main challenge for the sustainable development of FMCG market [9] .

Given the continuous growth of the Chinese economy, the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry in China is becoming one of the largest markets in the world.

However, Chinese consumption behaviors have undergone tremendous changes, and the regional characteristics of the FMCGs consumers are becoming increasingly complex.

The unreasonable purchasing strategies of FMCG retailers often cause waste and loss in some places, and shortage in other places, thereby bringing out negative impact on the sustainability of economics.

That indicates the need for appropriate forecasting of consumer demand, thus the quantity of products that retailers should prepare, and is a main challenge for the sustainable development of FMCG market.


One important issue in the sustainable economic development is to avoid the loss of goods and get more profit [51] . The research can provide a grids-map of the city to retailers, and the grids will reflect the potential consumer demand and the best optimizing strategies, that will be helpful for retail shops to increase their profit and avoid the products waste at the same time. Furthermore, the research can provide information of the sustainable production. So that, the research will be beneficial for the development of sustainable economy.

One important issue in the sustainable economic development is to avoid the loss of goods and get more profit.


Video has a vital role in teaching and learning and teachers benefited from it to motivate students and increase their interest through the senses of sight and hearing. In spite of the fact that there are varieties of physical education teaching styles, yet the traditional way in teaching still exists. Meanwhile, the modern educational trends are calling for the necessity of the development and modernity of the teaching styles. They also call for giving interest to the learner, to become an active and positive participant in the learning process, through implementing and evaluating decision-making processes, so that every student will depend on himself/herself in accepting the responsibility, and becoming positive, as well seeking to obtain the information. Using the Video, each learner depends on himself in learning and establishing the motor skills, as the motor assignments are provided to him through a paper that includes the teaching steps, with different and graded difficulty levels, which he/she has to carry out to achieve the desired goals (Oudat, 2012) .

Using the Video, each learner depends on himself in learning and establishing the motor skills, as the motor assignments are provided to him through a paper that includes the teaching steps, with different and graded difficulty levels, which he/she has to carry out to achieve the desired goals.


In order to compare the structure of sputtered thin films (GeSe 2 ) 100-x (Sb 2 Se 3 ) x , Raman spectra of chalcogenide targets with the nominal composition For a given pressure, different sputtering yields for each atom of a complex target will lead to a change in the initial composition of the target. This change is counterbalance by the fact that the concentration of elements preferably sputtered on the surface will decrease to achieve a so-called equilibrium composition at the surface of the target. It will allow obtaining films of substantially similar composition to that of the starting targets. However, in many cases, some of the lightest and most volatile species, such as chalcogens, are lost in the transfer between the target and the substrate or the probability of reaction with the more condensable species on the substrate surface is less effective. The equilibrium composition can also drift from stoichiometric one if sputtering yields are quite different from each other. These behaviors can lead to a loss of stoichiometry in the deposited film from the target material. The sputtering yield for elements conventionally present in the chalcogenide layers has been reported in the literature with a high yield for chalcogens (selenium and then tellurium, and finally sulfur) [44] . Antimony also possesses a good sputtering yield, however twice less than that of selenium and finally germanium sputtering yield is the less efficient, a third of the selenium one.

The sputtering yield for elements conventionally present in the chalcogenide layers has been reported in the literature with a high yield for chalcogens (selenium and then tellurium, and finally sulfur).


For the purpose of wildlife surveys with UAS, the surface area computation needs to be sufficiently accurate but it also needs to be quick and easily manageable. Individual Footprint Projection (IFP) appears to outperform the method of BBA with Direct Georeferencing, due to its higher accuracy (RMSE of 2.57% for IFP and 3.29% for BBA DG), its quicker processing time and its relatively low complexity, enabling its implementation in most types of commonly existing GIS software. This direct georeferencing technique also presents the advantage of being insensitive to variations in overlap between pictures within a flight line. However it still remains important to maintain this overlap as it is a primary factor during the counting phase [7] . Of course, aligning the images together has many advantages and shows great potential for high temporal and spatial resolution mapping, but the use of this approach for surface area computation appears to be excessively demanding in terms of human and computer work.

However it still remains important to maintain this overlap as it is a primary factor during the counting phase.


There exist certain issues in many of the controllers that require discussion. Firstly, the robustification approaches require some knowledge, in terms of either bound of uncertainties or some characteristics of the same. In either case, lack of exact information on this count may result in either a highly conservative design or poor robustness and performance. Secondly, controllers that are based on state feedback require availability of full state vector. In the case of pitch autopilot, the state vector consists of angle of attack, pitch rate, and the fin deflection. While the pitch rate and fin deflection are measured, the angle of attack is not normally available. This necessitates a separate design for an observer to estimate it [10] [11] [12] . Lastly, due to the nonminimum phase characteristics of the acceleration dynamics, frequently controllers are designed through output redefinition, that is, using angle of attack (or combination of angle of attack and pitch rate) as output instead of the normal acceleration [9, 11, [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] . In such designs, usually the desired acceleration command is translated into an equivalent angle of attack command and the controller is designed to track the latter. Obviously such an approach may result in inferior performance whenever the requirements of desired acceleration are not translated accurately in terms of the desired angle of attack.

This necessitates a separate design for an observer to estimate it.

Lastly, due to the nonminimum phase characteristics of the acceleration dynamics, frequently controllers are designed through output redefinition, that is, using angle of attack (or combination of angle of attack and pitch rate) as output instead of the normal acceleration.


Considering the limited fossil fuel resources and strict limitation of pollutant emissions, the Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine is a promising technology as it combines advantages of both the diesel and spark ignition engines [1] [2] [3] [4] . Firstly, the efficiency of HCCI is comparably high for the diesel engine due to the high compression ratios. Secondly, in HCCI due to the highly diluted charge, high local peak temperatures are avoided, thus reducing the NO x formation [1] [2] [3] [4] . Furthermore, since the charge is well-mixed, soot formation is prevented [1, 2, 4] . However, since high peak pressures and heat releases occur at high loads, the HCCI technology is applied for a limited range of load.

Considering the limited fossil fuel resources and strict limitation of pollutant emissions, the Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine is a promising technology as it combines advantages of both the diesel and spark ignition engines.

Secondly, in HCCI due to the highly diluted charge, high local peak temperatures are avoided, thus reducing the NO x formation.

Furthermore, since the charge is well-mixed, soot formation is prevented.


To overcome this issue, strategies are developed to control HCCI combustion which refers to the Controlled Auto Ignition (CAI) concept [2, 3] . Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) as a dilutant of the fresh fuel-air mixture is one of the strategies used for controlling HCCI combustion [1] [2] [3] . The EGR is either achieved by trapping hot exhaust gas in-cylinder with the Negative Valve Overlap (NVO) concept or burnt gas load during intake, so-called Burnt Gas Re-Breathing (BGRB) [2] . The combustion timing of CAI is controlled by the chemical kinetics and highly depends on the properties of the mixture field [2, [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] . Inhomogeneities in the mixture and temperature field designate the combustion characteristics of CAI [2, 5] . Thus, the prediction of the auto-ignition process requires an accurate description of the chemistry within the whole range of thermodynamic conditions given by thermal and composition inhomogeneities.

To overcome this issue, strategies are developed to control HCCI combustion which refers to the Controlled Auto Ignition (CAI) concept.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) as a dilutant of the fresh fuel-air mixture is one of the strategies used for controlling HCCI combustion.

The EGR is either achieved by trapping hot exhaust gas in-cylinder with the Negative Valve Overlap (NVO) concept or burnt gas load during intake, so-called Burnt Gas Re-Breathing (BGRB).

The combustion timing of CAI is controlled by the chemical kinetics and highly depends on the properties of the mixture field.

Inhomogeneities in the mixture and temperature field designate the combustion characteristics of CAI.


The Mediterranean basin and its mountain regions are highly sensitive to impacts of global warming (Allen, 2003) . Seasonal rainfall distribution along the western Mediterranean has high intra-and inter-annual variability, which have increased together with autumn dryness during the last decades (González-Hidalgo et al., 2001; Rodrigo et al., 1999) . However, these trends and their effects on forest growth seem to have an important local component probably caused by regional conditions, such as the abrupt and complex topography (Barbéro et al., 1998) .

The Mediterranean basin and its mountain regions are highly sensitive to impacts of global warming.

Seasonal rainfall distribution along the western Mediterranean has high intra-and inter-annual variability, which have increased together with autumn dryness during the last decades.

However, these trends and their effects on forest growth seem to have an important local component probably caused by regional conditions, such as the abrupt and complex topography.


An elliptic cohomology theory is an even periodic multiplicative generalized cohomology theory whose associated formal group is the formal completion of an elliptic curve. Elliptic cohomology theories serve as a family of algebraic variants reflecting the geometric nature of elliptic curves, which make themselves intriguing and significant subjects to study. One renowned conclusion on the representing spectra of the theories is Goerss-Hopkins-Miller theorem [17] . It constructs many examples of E ∞ −rings which represent elliptic cohomology theories, including Tate K-theory.

One renowned conclusion on the representing spectra of the theories is Goerss-Hopkins-Miller theorem.


However, this orthogonal G−spectrum of quasi-elliptic cohomology cannot arise from an orthogonal spectrum, i.e. this orthogonal G−spectrum is not the underlying orthogonal G−spectrum of any orthogonal spectrum. Instead, in a coming paper we construct a new global homotopy theory and show there is a global orthogonal spectrum in it that represents orthogonal quasi-elliptic cohomology. Some construction and idea of this new theory has already been presented in Chapter 6 and 7, [13] .

Some construction and idea of this new theory has already been presented in Chapter 6 and 7.


Quasi-elliptic cohomology theory contains all the information of Tate K-theory and reflects the geometric nature of elliptic curves. Moreover, it has many advantages [12] [13] . One large good feature that you can tell is it can be expressed explicitly by equivariant K-theories. Equivariant K-theory is a classical example of equivariant cohomology theories. It has been thoroughly studied and has many good features. Comparing with any elliptic cohomology theory, it is more practicable to construct the representing spectra of quasi-elliptic cohomology theory. Then, how practicable is it? One immediate idea is that if we can construct a right adjoint functor r σ of each fixed point functor X → X σ , then a representing spectra {X n , ψ n } n of the theory QEll * G (−) can be constructed by where {KU G,n , φ n } n denotes a G−spectrum representing K * G (−). However, the fixed point functor does not have right adjoint. Consequently, we introduce the concept of homotopical adjunction. Via homotopical right adjoints of fixed point functors, the representing spectrum that we obtain stays in a new category of orthogonal G−spectra GwS.

Moreover, it has many advantages.

Then, how practicable is it?


The neoliberalization of urban places has involved the reconstitution of the full spectrum of state institutions, from public services to revenue streams. The logic of neoliberal policies weave apparently discrete institutions and state activity into a complex web of interlocking neoliberalizing institutions. Entrepreneurial urban governments actively incorporate market-based, business 2 Critical Sociology 0(0) friendly practices and principles in the remaking of public services and government finance (Harvey, 1989) . Local governments do not neoliberalize local institutions in the abstract, but rather officials deploy specific mechanisms to enact their policy goals. Tax increment financing (TIF) is a key financial instrument funded by locally generated property taxes and readily available to city governments to finance either private or public sector redevelopment projects (Weber, 2003) . TIFs provide municipal governments more flexibility in planning and financing infrastructure in general, and public school construction projects specifically (Briffault, 2010; Weber, 2003) . This new flexibility has empowered local governments to reshape the public education system according to a more neoliberal, marketized vision of so-called choice schools (Akers, 2012; Lipman, 2011; Ravitch, 2011) . The facility needs for exclusionary choice schools to scale up has created new demands on the way scarce municipal revenues are allocated and is crowding out funding for traditional open enrollment public schools.

Entrepreneurial urban governments actively incorporate market-based, business 2 Critical Sociology 0(0) friendly practices and principles in the remaking of public services and government finance.

Tax increment financing (TIF) is a key financial instrument funded by locally generated property taxes and readily available to city governments to finance either private or public sector redevelopment projects.

TIFs provide municipal governments more flexibility in planning and financing infrastructure in general, and public school construction projects specifically.

This new flexibility has empowered local governments to reshape the public education system according to a more neoliberal, marketized vision of so-called choice schools.


Furthermore, there is distributional polarization of TIF revenue allocated between school construction projects in lower income Tier 1 and higher income Tier 4 neighborhoods. When combined these neighborhoods account for 50 percent of all school-aged children but nearly three-fourths of TIF expenditures. Meanwhile working class and middle income Tier 2 and 3 communities representing half of all school-aged children receive limited support, receiving a fourth of all TIF expenditures. This trend indicates that the allocation of TIF revenues contributes to some degree of neighborhood development on the bottom, while concomitantly supporting affluent communities at the top. Meanwhile, working class and middle income communities experience uneven development relative to more affluent areas as TIF investment bypasses these areas. The different types of choice schools are also unequally distributed across neighborhoods based on socio-economic status. The CPS trend is to locate selective enrollment and regional gifted centers in higher socio-economic Tier 4 neighborhoods. Prestigious, selective enrollment schools contribute to the city's place-promotion strategy as a symbolic indicator to current and prospective affluent residents that the city is looking out for their interest even though the public school system as a whole may be suffering. In tandem, choice schools with exclusive admissions processes and partially privatized governance structures tend to be located in lower socio-economic Tier 1 neighborhoods. This pattern has also been identified by other scholars examining charter school proliferation in Chicago (Burdick-Will et al., 2013) . Thus, the real neglect experienced in low income AfricanAmerican and Latino neighborhoods is creating the opportunity for marketized public education to gain a foothold in the city. Furthermore, there are real democratic implications to these trends. Selective enrollment schools, mostly concentrated in affluent neighborhoods, remain under ostensible democratic public control. Meanwhile, TIF dollars generated in low income neighborhoods are increasingly used to finance partially privatized choice schools that have autonomy from CPS curriculum standards and are not accountable to the public, are not responsible to the democratically elected local School Council, and are not part of the Chicago Teacher's Union. Choice schools diminish the public sector presence in African-American neighborhoods, and the democratic control that the public sector offers to disempowered African-American communities.

This pattern has also been identified by other scholars examining charter school proliferation in Chicago.


Growing fragmentation can also undermine the basis for social solidarity undergirding the collective provision of services (Gough, 2002) . The porting controversy underscores the way in which tax increment financing generates new forms of tensions and conflicts in the municipal political order. City residents and their political representatives experience TIF as a guarantee that their property tax revenues are going into a redevelopment fund for their neighborhoods. The porting controversy expresses the neoliberal breakdown of social solidarity as communities in one TIF district seek to protect their property tax revenues from the perceived plundering by communities in a nearby TIF district. More research is needed to flesh out the nature of the political tensions emerging from tax increment financing of city projects. Future research should examine how the process of allocating TIF revenues reconstitutes the decision making process between the mayor's office, the aldermanic offices and the public schools. How are investments in schools determined and who makes these decisions? What role do city politics play in the decision to fund some schools with TIF revenues and not others? How does politics impact where TIF-funded schools are located?

Growing fragmentation can also undermine the basis for social solidarity undergirding the collective provision of services.


Many scholars studying the connection between TIF and public schools have focused on the degree to which property tax revenues channeled into the TIF development fund deprives public schools (as an overlapping taxing jurisdiction) of general operating revenue (Lehnen and Johnson, 2001; Weber, 2003; Weber et al., 2008) . Although this is an important line of inquiry, it captures one dimension of how tax increment financing impacts public schools. However, other dimensions need to be assessed in order to understand the wide-ranging impact that the TIF program deployed by entrepreneurial local governments has on public schools and urban development. In the context of persisting place-based class, racial and ethnic inequality and public education reform creating a more variegated education system, not all school construction projects are the same. In this article, we explore some of the ways in which TIF development revenues are allocated to construct exclusive, partially privatized school construction projects in the city of Chicago, IL. Our study seeks to answer such questions as: what types of schools receive TIF funds for construction projects? Who are the specific communities benefitting from the different types of school funded with TIF revenues? How does this affect existing place-based class, racial and ethnic group inequality and uneven geographic development in the city of Chicago? Since Chicago is on the cutting edge of both its use of TIF and the partial privatization of public education, it is appropriate to use Chicago as a single case study that illuminates the interconnections between entrepreneurial municipal governments, tax increment financing and the neoliberalization of public education.

Many scholars studying the connection between TIF and public schools have focused on the degree to which property tax revenues channeled into the TIF development fund deprives public schools (as an overlapping taxing jurisdiction) of general operating revenue.


The growing dependence of municipalities on TIF also reproduces pre-existing place-based inequalities and uneven geographic development. Just as federal devolution made cities more dependent on local revenue sources to fund services and economic development, tax increment financing parallels federal devolution by financing school construction projects based on smaller, parcelized urban geographic units. TIF districting in Chicago has carved up a third of the city into 163 parcels. Since the creation of TIF revenues depends upon the property tax values of real estate located within the boundaries of the TIF, pre-existing underdevelopment means that lower income African-American, Latino and other immigrant communities will have a smaller property tax base in which to generate development revenues (Dreier et al., 2004) . Therefore recursive logic prevails in that the presence of development attracts more development, while the lack of development goes on to justify continued lack of development. This, in part, could explain why Latino communities are underrepresented and white communities are overrepresented in the allocation of TIF revenues for school construction projects. Development based on local property tax revenues recycled back into the community of origin will both reproduce inequality and allow the development gap between communities to widen. Additionally, the tendency to concentrate school closures in low income neighborhoods that also lack new school construction will exacerbate this property-value divide (Burdick-Will et al., 2013) . This pattern also holds when observing that the distribution of TIF funds for school construction projects is strongly concentrated in the northern half of the city of Chicago and many of the most economically advantaged neighborhoods in Chicago. Meanwhile, the southern half of the city (consisting predominantly of low and modest income African-American and Latino communities) experiencing concentrated poverty, capital disinvestment and debilitating blight will be unable to adequately finance school construction projects for quality schools that anchor residents in the community, primarily due to pre-existing underdevelopment. As the South Side is left behind, its development gap relative to the North Side expands. More research is needed to understand how a neighborhood's capacity to generate TIF revenues impacts school construction financing and porting opportunities.

Since the creation of TIF revenues depends upon the property tax values of real estate located within the boundaries of the TIF, pre-existing underdevelopment means that lower income African-American, Latino and other immigrant communities will have a smaller property tax base in which to generate development revenues.

Additionally, the tendency to concentrate school closures in low income neighborhoods that also lack new school construction will exacerbate this property-value divide.


One of the difficulties of CBIR is the gap between high-level semantics in human mind and low-level image features, due to the rich content but subjective concepts of an image [1] . The mapping between them would be nonlinear such that it is impractical to represent it explicitly. A promising approach to this problem is machine learning, by which the mapping could be learned through a set of examples. In our proposed approach, image retrieval is cast as a statistical learning problem.

One of the difficulties of CBIR is the gap between high-level semantics in human mind and low-level image features, due to the rich content but subjective concepts of an image.


The present trend towards deregulation and competitive business environment has forced modern power systems to operate under stressed operating margins closer to their stability limits. Under such conditions, any credible disturbance could endanger systems security and may lead to system collapse unless preventive or emergency control actions are initiated. Security is an online, operational characteristic which describes the ability of the power system to withstand different contingencies without loss of synchronism. Power systems' operators are required to continuously monitor the security of power systems for a probable set of contingency and be prepared to take appropriate preventive and emergency control measures if need arises. There are several established methods and software tools to evaluate transient security of power system for a probable set of contingency [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] . During normal operation if an operating state is found to be insecure, preventive control is initiated to bring the system back to normal operating state. The preventive control aims at changing the operating condition of the system once it is found to be transiently insecure for a particular disturbance for given operating conditions when the system is still in secure state [6] .

There are several established methods and software tools to evaluate transient security of power system for a probable set of contingency.

The preventive control aims at changing the operating condition of the system once it is found to be transiently insecure for a particular disturbance for given operating conditions when the system is still in secure state.


The Paris COP21 agreement has been greeted as a step forward towards setting stricter carbon reduction goals and urging Parties to set domestic targets and to formulate action plans that contribute to achieving these goals. In common with other countries, developing countries are also expected to submit pledges and strategies (in the form of "Intended Nationally-Determined Contributions" (INDCs)) in which they explain how to achieve Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction goals (as compared to Business As Usual (BAU) scenarios). An aggregate effect can be established based on these INDCs [1] .

An aggregate effect can be established based on these INDCs.


The Georgia case revealed that LEDS and NAMAs were (officially) linked to sustainable development goals [5, 20] . In the EC-LEDS program, this involved a comprehensive set of co-benefits, setting goals to: alleviate hunger, increase food security, improve nutrition, promote sustainable agriculture, ensure access to clean and affordable energy, protect and restore vulnerable ecosystems, sustainable management of forests, make cities resilient, ensure sustainable production and consumption, water sanitation and to ensure access to sustainably-managed water. Moreover, the NAMAs were to contribute to co-benefits, such as afforestation and reforestation and the empowerment of women in rural areas.

The Georgia case revealed that LEDS and NAMAs were (officially) linked to sustainable development goals.


Among all potential nanocomposite precursors, those based on clay and layered silicates have been more widely investigated, probably because of the abundant availability of the clay materials, and because their intercalation chemistry has been know for a long time [10] . Depending on the nature of the components used and the method of preparation, basically three main types of composites may be obtained when a layered clay is associated with a polymer. When the polymer is unable to intercalate between the silicate sheets, a phase-separated composite is obtained, whose properties stay in the same range as traditional microcomposites. Beyond this classical family, two other types of nanocomposites can be recovered. Intercalated structures, in which a single (or more than one) extended polymer chain is intercalated between the silicate layers, resulting is a well ordered multilayer morphology, built up with alternating polymeric and inorganic layers. When the silicate layers are completely and uniformly dispersed in a continuous polymeric matrix, an exfoliated or delaminated structure is obtained.

Among all potential nanocomposite precursors, those based on clay and layered silicates have been more widely investigated, probably because of the abundant availability of the clay materials, and because their intercalation chemistry has been know for a long time.


The author thanks Robin Graham for advice and suggestions. AndreasČap suggested that it would be interesting to study the contact path geometries and made many useful comments; the author thanks him for this and for explaining his point of view. Some version of many of the results of Section 2 appeared in the author's thesis, [15] .

Some version of many of the results of Section 2 appeared in the author's thesis.


We explored three digital indicators for collective attention and awareness corresponding to different communities: general population, professionals and health authorities. Digital sources have been recently used in the context of early detection and surveillance [49, 50] . They have also been used as a source to study public concern in response to an ongoing epidemic threat [49, 51] .

Digital sources have been recently used in the context of early detection and surveillance.

They have also been used as a source to study public concern in response to an ongoing epidemic threat.


One of the consequences of mindfulness practice is that people find that most of the senses, thoughts and emotions have a fleeting fluctuation (Munoz et al., 2016) . The impact of psychological interventions shows that the interpretive styles of individuals are flexible; in fact, cognitive education not only changes interpretations, and it also modifies emotional and cognitive symptoms in anxious individuals. Over the centuries, mindfulness has proven to reduce pain and suffering and improve emotional and cognitive symptoms, and increase welfare and reduce anxiety (Yang et al., 2015; Lakhan SE, Schofield, 2013; Shankar et al., 2016) . Studies show that mindfulness improves life quality and effective coping skills use (Tharaldsen KB, Bru, 2012) .

One of the consequences of mindfulness practice is that people find that most of the senses, thoughts and emotions have a fleeting fluctuation.

Over the centuries, mindfulness has proven to reduce pain and suffering and improve emotional and cognitive symptoms, and increase welfare and reduce anxiety.

Studies show that mindfulness improves life quality and effective coping skills use.


In this way, the knowledge about soil microbes can help identifying potential phytosanitary and yield problems. Probably, soils with high and low productivity present different structure and bacterial composition [9] . Thus, based on the results of 16S rRNA gene amplicons, the present study had the objective of evaluating the structure and composition of bacterial communities at two agricultural fields in Brazil with a history of high and low productivity of soybean.

Probably, soils with high and low productivity present different structure and bacterial composition.


Note: Rubiadin (4.848), Alizarin-1-methyl ether (7.815), 2-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10anthraquinone (22.477), 1-Hydroxy-2-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (23.279), 3-Hydroxy-2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone (24.443), 2-formyl-3-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (28. In the previous study, dichloromethane root extract showed promising antiplasmodial activity [21] . However, dichloromethane is not a suitable extraction solvent for herbal preparation owing to the toxic properties of the solvent. Thus, the extraction of the dried root powder was attempted using ethanol and water in soxhlet and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). Dichloromethane extract was also prepared as control to compare the presence of selected marker compounds. The extracts were then analyzed for the presence of selected biomarkers using Waters HPLC system. The accelerated solvent extraction (20: 80, H2O: EtOH; 100 o C) gave the comparable amount and quality of marker anthraquinones in the root extract as compared to dichloromethane extract ( Table 1 ). The use of ethanol in cold and soxhlet extraction did not successfully extract the desired biomarkers compounds. The ASE can reduce the polarity of water and ethanol because high pressure and temperature will reduce the dielectric constant of water, which lowers its polarity and assists the extraction of more non-polar compounds [27, 28] . The screening of dichloromethane extract for antiplasmodial activity in vitro showed promising activity with IC50 value of 4.04 µg/ml [21] . Crude extracts with IC50 values of less than 50 µg/ml are considered effective as antiplasmodial agents [29] . Thus, the antiplasmodial activity of the extract was further evaluated in a 4-day suppressive test using P. berghei (ANKA strain) infected mice. The dichloromethane extract showed very strong activity with an ED50 value of 1.23 µg/ml.

In the previous study, dichloromethane root extract showed promising antiplasmodial activity.

The ASE can reduce the polarity of water and ethanol because high pressure and temperature will reduce the dielectric constant of water, which lowers its polarity and assists the extraction of more non-polar compounds.

The screening of dichloromethane extract for antiplasmodial activity in vitro showed promising activity with IC50 value of 4.04 µg/ml.

Crude extracts with IC50 values of less than 50 µg/ml are considered effective as antiplasmodial agents.


The microgrid is a new effective trend in the power system. It gains much popularity nowadays because it solves many problems in the power system [1] [2] [3] . The microgrid can accommodate diverse renewable energy resources with power electronics interface. In the microgrid, the carbon emission is minimum compared to the central grid. The microgrid is a perfect solution for the isolated or farsited loads. The microgrid has a capability to work in an autonomous mode (microgrid mode) and in a gridconnected mode [4] . The microgrid can be considered as backup generation in case a small portion of the central grid experiences some outages.

It gains much popularity nowadays because it solves many problems in the power system.

The microgrid has a capability to work in an autonomous mode (microgrid mode) and in a gridconnected mode.


The production of more independently selected Bt cry1Ac lines will allow recovery of lines with high transgene expression, as well as phenotypically normal appearance and yield performance (Meiyalaghan et al., 2004) . Field and storage trials are also important and necessary tests in the identification of high-performing transgenic potato lines with good transgene expression, phenotypic appearance, and yield equal to that of the commercial cultivars in the market. Further study on the inheritance of Bt cry1Ac in their progeny is also of value. The Bt cry1Ac gene can be another source of resistance that can be combined with other genes (natural or engineered) for host plant resistance to potato tuberworm in potato.

The production of more independently selected Bt cry1Ac lines will allow recovery of lines with high transgene expression, as well as phenotypically normal appearance and yield performance.


Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) is an IR-based approach for recovering documentation-to-source code traceability links [13] . It utilizes comments and identifier names within the source code to match them with sections of corresponding documents. In contrast, LeanArt does not depend on similarities between names of identifiers in program source code and words in requirements documents.

Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) is an IR-based approach for recovering documentation-to-source code traceability links.


TraceAnalyzer is a tool that detects TLs between test and usage scenarios, models (e.g., use cases or class diagrams), and classes in the source code by collecting and analyzing runtime information about class methods [10] [11] . Like in LeanArt, programmers specify a small number of TLs, and TraceAnalyzer recovers additional links between requirements and program classes. However, TraceAnalyzer requires test and usage scenarios be linked to classes, and it does not support TLs at a finer granularity (e.g., to program variables and other types besides classes).

TraceAnalyzer is a tool that detects TLs between test and usage scenarios, models (e.g., use cases or class diagrams), and classes in the source code by collecting and analyzing runtime information about class methods.


Fermented Milk forms a major component of the traditional diet in many regions in Africa. Most of the milk produced is consumed in the house mostly by children and excess is infrequently sold in open markets to generate an income to the household. Due to limitation of cold storage facilities in many rural areas in African countries, milk is stored at ambient temperatures which usually allow them to become fermented rapidly by the natural flora. The fermentation process occurs spontaneously by back-sloping; i.e. inoculation of the raw material with a small quantity of the previously performed successful fermentation. Therefore, back-slopping results in dominance of the best adapted strains [1] . Modern techniques of milk fermentation, on the other hand, use starter cultures with known characteristics [2] . The advantage of modern techniques over the traditional methods is the production of consistent products that are less likely to spoil and are relatively safe.

Therefore, back-slopping results in dominance of the best adapted strains.

Modern techniques of milk fermentation, on the other hand, use starter cultures with known characteristics.


Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely distributed in nature, they are characterized as group of gram-positive, non-spore forming, cocci or rods, which produce lactic acid as the major end product during the fermentation of carbohydrates. The group consists of several genera, which include Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, and Streptococcus [3] . LABS are widely known to carry out safe metabolic activities in food and are mostly used for food preservation and flavor development [4] . Bio-preservation using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and/or their antimicrobial metabolites are considered to be an alternative strategy for improving food safety [5] . As a result, there is an increased interest in the preservation through LAB because of their safe association with fermented foods. These antimicrobial properties of LAB are derived from competition for nutrients and the production of one or more antimicrobial active metabolites such as organic acids (mainly lactic and acetic acid), hydrogen peroxide and also other compounds, such as bacteriocins and antifungal peptides [5] . Specific attention has been given to bacteriocengenic LAB because it is believed that they provide an extra protection during the abuse of temperature conditions; decrease the risk for transmission of foodborne pathogens through the food chain; reduce chemical preservatives; reduce heat treatment without compromising food safety: better preservation of nutrients and vitamins, as well as sensorial properties of food [6] . In addition to that, they permit the marketing of "novel" food (less acidic, with a lower salt content and with a higher water content) to satisfy the demands of both the consumers and industry [5] .

The group consists of several genera, which include Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, and Streptococcus.

LABS are widely known to carry out safe metabolic activities in food and are mostly used for food preservation and flavor development.

Bio-preservation using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and/or their antimicrobial metabolites are considered to be an alternative strategy for improving food safety.

These antimicrobial properties of LAB are derived from competition for nutrients and the production of one or more antimicrobial active metabolites such as organic acids (mainly lactic and acetic acid), hydrogen peroxide and also other compounds, such as bacteriocins and antifungal peptides.

Specific attention has been given to bacteriocengenic LAB because it is believed that they provide an extra protection during the abuse of temperature conditions; decrease the risk for transmission of foodborne pathogens through the food chain; reduce chemical preservatives; reduce heat treatment without compromising food safety: better preservation of nutrients and vitamins, as well as sensorial properties of food.

In addition to that, they permit the marketing of "novel" food (less acidic, with a lower salt content and with a higher water content) to satisfy the demands of both the consumers and industry.


Today£s high performance liquid propellant rocket engines for transfer into orbit and space exploration are mostly based on well-established cryogenic propellant combinations like liquid oxygen / liquid hydrogen (LOx/LH 2 ), due to their high speci¦c impulse, or classical storable propellants like MMH/NTO (monomethylhydrazine / nitrogen tetroxide) due to the hypergolic nature. The demanding issues in terms of high operational and handling costs of such propellants increased the attention for hydrocarbons in the predevelopment of future launch vehicles [1] . Liquid oxygen / hydrocarbons rocket engines have the advantage in fact of being relatively low cost, low pollution, and high performance.

The demanding issues in terms of high operational and handling costs of such propellants increased the attention for hydrocarbons in the predevelopment of future launch vehicles.


It was also observed that the sediment of solid salt on the surface of the polymer was larger after the incubation in SBF for polyurethanes synthesized at NCO:OH = 3.7:1 than at NCO:OH = 2:1 (in prepolymer step), what may indicate on their higher tendency to calcify. It could be caused by the generally higher hydrophobicity of PUR with molar ratio of NCO:OH = 2:1 in prepolymer [15] . The calcification process could be also connected with the structure of microchains. In case of higher amount of hard segments more binding sites for the formation of calcific nuclei were probably presented. The polyurethanes synthesized at NCO:OH = 3.7:1 and susceptible to salt sediment were also more susceptible to degradation than synthesized at NCO:OH = 2:1 (in prepolymer step). Their surface was scored and cracked with black areas (Figs. 3, 4) .

It could be caused by the generally higher hydrophobicity of PUR with molar ratio of NCO:OH = 2:1 in prepolymer.


In our previous study we demonstrated, that the decrease of molecular mass of all investigated polyurethanes after A Fig. 1 The weight changes of polyether-esterurethane (a) and polyesterurethane (b) samples during incubation in SBF hydrolysis in phosphate buffer took place, which indicated on macrochains scission but only small weight loss of polymer samples was noticed [15] . Introducing of atactic a-PHB into the polymer structure accelerated the degradation of polyurethanes in SBF. It was especially visible in case of polyurethanes with higher content of hard segments. Polyurethane with PTMG and a-PHB in SSs-PUR PTMG?a-PHB/3.7 -appeared as the most susceptible to SBF degradation from the all investigated polymers. It may be supposed that the water penetration into the polymer network followed by the hydrolysis of macrochains was facilitated due to more amorphous morphology of this polyurethane (Tables 3, 4, 5, 6 ). Because of the presence of ether groups in SSs (not susceptible to hydrolysis) this polyurethane degrades mostly via chemical breakage of the urethane bonds joining hard and SSs [20] .

In our previous study we demonstrated, that the decrease of molecular mass of all investigated polyurethanes after A Fig. 1 The weight changes of polyether-esterurethane (a) and polyesterurethane (b) samples during incubation in SBF hydrolysis in phosphate buffer took place, which indicated on macrochains scission but only small weight loss of polymer samples was noticed.

Because of the presence of ether groups in SSs (not susceptible to hydrolysis) this polyurethane degrades mostly via chemical breakage of the urethane bonds joining hard and SSs.


Since ABJM theory is conformal there exists a conformal map which maps ABJM theory on flat spacetime to that on R×S 2 . Under this map the vacua of ABJM theory get mapped to time-dependent 1/2-BPS solutions on R×S 2 [27] . The novel Higgs mechanism was carried out around the vacua of the CSM theory on flat space and resulted in N = 8 SYM. It is worth asking what happens when we carry out the analogous procedure of the novel Higgs mechanism about the corresponding solutions of ABJM theory on R × S 2 .

Under this map the vacua of ABJM theory get mapped to time-dependent 1/2-BPS solutions on R×S 2.


The topic of mobile content authoring tools is no longer only a research topic but has already reached the commercial area. Currently the most popular device in this context is the Apple iPad that finds a high acceptance in schools nowadays (Henderson & Yeow, 2012) . The advantage to the classical textbook is the availability of interactive content and applications for education. As an alternative to prefabricated content, Apple provides iBook Author as an authoring tool for creating own interactive (proprietary) textbooks. This empowers everyone to create (educational) content, e.g., content created by a teacher for his/her own students or even the students for themselves.

Currently the most popular device in this context is the Apple iPad that finds a high acceptance in schools nowadays.


Field trips have been and still are a very popular alternative and addition at the same time to in-classroom learning (DeWitt & Storksdieck, 2008) . Such out-of-school settings usually focus on informal learning environments like museums, zoos or other outdoor settings like cultural or historic heritage places. These places often do not serve for visitors only, but also provide classes, tours and other activities targeting schools. The added value for the students is the real experience of an exhibit, a historic place or technical equipment that is not available in the classroom and therefore cannot be learned by the students (Kisiel, 2005) .

Field trips have been and still are a very popular alternative and addition at the same time to in-classroom learning.

The added value for the students is the real experience of an exhibit, a historic place or technical equipment that is not available in the classroom and therefore cannot be learned by the students.


While previous studies have focused on user and method related reasons for discontinuation or non-use, little focus has been placed on the influence of others [14] . In our research, health providers and other educational sources were rarely mentioned as the source of information on contraception. Instead, peers and other community members acted as the main sources, and their perceptions also heavily influenced the decision to use or not. However, as the quotes show, these sources often propagated myths (infertility, birth defects) and exaggerated rare side effects (uncontrollable bleeding, enormous weight gain/loss). These findings are in line with other studies, for example, the influence of others' perceptionspropagated through hearsay -was also found in a study among youth in Kisumu [9] . Meanwhile, other studies report a similar over exaggeration of side effects as a result of myths and misconceptions held by a community [21, 22] .

While previous studies have focused on user and method related reasons for discontinuation or non-use, little focus has been placed on the influence of others.

These findings are in line with other studies, for example, the influence of others' perceptionspropagated through hearsay -was also found in a study among youth in Kisumu.

Meanwhile, other studies report a similar over exaggeration of side effects as a result of myths and misconceptions held by a community.


Energy capability is one important parameter in power LDMOSFETs besides specific onresistance and breakdown voltage [1] . In some circuits where capacitive or inductive loads are present, power transistors can be shorted briefly with simultaneous occurrences of high current and voltage. Therefore, considerable power is produced and the success in handling it will prevent overheating, thereby increasing reliability. Si-on-semi insulating (SI) SiC substrates (Si/SiC) are helpful in these cases, as the underlying SI SiC offers good electrical isolation and high thermal conduction.

Energy capability is one important parameter in power LDMOSFETs besides specific onresistance and breakdown voltage.


Synthetic aperture radar is a radar imaging technology, which is capable of producing high resolution images of an observed area under all-time and all-weather [1] . In some applications, such as military and aircraft landing systems, a forward-looking imaging radar is highly desirable. However, traditional monostatic SAR is not applicable in forward direction due to azimuth ambiguities and poor Doppler resolution. To improve the Doppler resolution and avoid azimuth ambiguities simultaneously, BiSAR in principle provides the possibility of the forward-looking image by choosing proper geometry [2] [3] [4] .

Synthetic aperture radar is a radar imaging technology, which is capable of producing high resolution images of an observed area under all-time and all-weather.

To improve the Doppler resolution and avoid azimuth ambiguities simultaneously, BiSAR in principle provides the possibility of the forward-looking image by choosing proper geometry.


The aim of the present study was to improve the mechanical properties of lightweight aggregates made from clay with a special focus on the glass phase. The glass phase forms a continuous three dimensional network after firing and consequently plays a major role with respect to mechanical strength. Generally, the properties of glass are influenced by its thermal history in different ways [14] . Pre-tensioning through fast cooling from the upper limit of the glass transition temperature (T g ) or above is a common technique to toughen flat glass. This method introduces permanent compressive stresses into the surface of the sample, hence protecting the glass from failure. On the other hand glasses are also susceptible to thermal shock (cooling below T g ) leading to micro crack formation in the materials caused by temporary stresses arising from local temperature and volume differences and inherently worsen the mechanical properties [14] .

Generally, the properties of glass are influenced by its thermal history in different ways.

On the other hand glasses are also susceptible to thermal shock (cooling below T g ) leading to micro crack formation in the materials caused by temporary stresses arising from local temperature and volume differences and inherently worsen the mechanical properties.


On the other hand, quantification of the reaction wave structure in detonating liquid and solid explosives is limited. The extreme high-pressure environment (∼30-50 GPa), high wave speeds (6-8 km s −1 ) and the lack of optical transparency of solid explosives make experimental diagnostic data collection and imaging difficult. Moreover, unlike in gases, the high pressure of the product materials in detonating condensed-phase explosives means there is no concept of a rigid confining wall. Particularly for lightly confined explosives, the wall compressibility (low impedance) and lateral expansion of the flow at the charge edge would act as a poor reflector of any transverse waves generated by an unstable detonation front. In addition, for light confinement, so-called failure waves can be generated at the confiner boundary. These interact with each other in a similar fashion to triple point interactions in gas phase detonations, forming patterns similar to those observed on soot foil records, but their structure is different from the triple shock wave structure seen in gaseous detonations (Fickett & Davis 1979) .

These interact with each other in a similar fashion to triple point interactions in gas phase detonations, forming patterns similar to those observed on soot foil records, but their structure is different from the triple shock wave structure seen in gaseous detonations.


A detonation is a form of propagating wavefront that can occur in gaseous, liquid or solid explosives. It has a structure consisting of a lead shock which is sustained by chemical reaction in a following reaction zone. In gases, detonation fronts tend to propagate in a highly unsteady manner, the most common illustration of which is the formation of spectacular fish-scale patterns on the walls of rectangular shock tubes lined with soot-covered aluminium foil (Fickett & Davis 1979) . Detonation speeds in gases occur in the range of 1000-2000 m s −1 , with peak shock pressures of the order of 10-100 kPa. On the other hand, in solid explosives, detonation speeds occur in the range 6000-8000 m s −1 , with peak pressures of the order of tens of gigapascals (Fickett & Davis 1979) .

In gases, detonation fronts tend to propagate in a highly unsteady manner, the most common illustration of which is the formation of spectacular fish-scale patterns on the walls of rectangular shock tubes lined with soot-covered aluminium foil.

On the other hand, in solid explosives, detonation speeds occur in the range 6000-8000 m s −1 , with peak pressures of the order of tens of gigapascals.


Malaria infection is severe because anaemia develops alongside, other haematological changes like thrombocytopenia and increased erythrocytic adenosine deaminase activities (Mannel and Grau, 1997; Erel et al., 1997) . Oxidative stress appears to be one of the major factors responsible for anaemic conditions in malaria patients (Das and Nanda, 1999; Kremsner et al., 2000) . Most infections, including malaria, instigate the release of reactive oxygen species by the immune system of the body. Besides the host's immune system response, malaria parasite also stimulates certain cells to produce reactive oxygen species resulting in haemoglobin degradation (Das and Nanda, 1999; Loria et al., 1999; Kremsner et al., 2000) .

Malaria infection is severe because anaemia develops alongside, other haematological changes like thrombocytopenia and increased erythrocytic adenosine deaminase activities.

Oxidative stress appears to be one of the major factors responsible for anaemic conditions in malaria patients.

Besides the host's immune system response, malaria parasite also stimulates certain cells to produce reactive oxygen species resulting in haemoglobin degradation.


Total phenolic content was obtained from the regression equation of the calibration curve of Gallic acid (Absorbance = 0.0011(Concentration)) and expressed as GAE. Ergastic active phytochemical constitution and antioxidant activity: There have been increasing advances in our understanding of the roles that flavonoids play in developmental processes of plants. The multiple cellular roles of flavonoids can reflect their chemical diversity, or might suggest that cellular targets shared between many of these disparate processes exist in cells (Taylor and Grotewold, 2005) .

The multiple cellular roles of flavonoids can reflect their chemical diversity, or might suggest that cellular targets shared between many of these disparate processes exist in cells.


To assess whether the probiotic LGG could prevent colonization of S. pneumoniae in vitro, we tested its effect on the adherence of four pneumococcal isolates using an in vitro adherence assay. A fifth isolate, PMP41 (a serotype 3 strain), was excluded from the study due to low adherence. This was not unexpected given that serotype 3 is heavily encapsulated, which can result in low adherence [20] . Results demonstrated that LGG inhibits pneumococcal adherence in vitro. Inhibition was most effective when LGG was added at a dose approximately 60-fold higher than pneumococci before pneumococcal adherence has been established.

This was not unexpected given that serotype 3 is heavily encapsulated, which can result in low adherence.


The excellent redox properties of methylene blue (MB), a cationic dye, and its low formal potential (E • = 0.08-−0.25 V in solution with pH 2-8) is good enough a reason for its exploitation, as a mediator, in biosensors. Therefore the synthesis of a hybrid matrix exploiting the excellent properties of ZnO along with the redox species may lead to development of an interference-free biosensor. Few biosensors have been developed, where biomolecules are immobilized along with the mediators, on the surface of the matrix [13] [14] [15] . However, due to the low molecular weight and good solubility in water the mediators have a tendency to leach out and thereby destabilizing the bio-electrode [16] . This could be overcome by a composite matrix having the mediator embedded in it. In the present study, we have developed a nanocomposite biomatrix of ZnO with methylene blue (ZnO-MB) and successfully demonstrated the interference-free and effective glucose sensing. The low value of Michaelis Menten Constant (K app m ) and a fairly interferenceless system has indicated the importance of the prepared matrix in the field of amperometric biosensors.

Few biosensors have been developed, where biomolecules are immobilized along with the mediators, on the surface of the matrix.

However, due to the low molecular weight and good solubility in water the mediators have a tendency to leach out and thereby destabilizing the bio-electrode.


Micronutrients quantities required by plants are very small, and the thresholds for sufficient, deficient, and toxic levels are also very close. Several review studies have summarized and suggested the micronutrients range based on extraction methods [4, 12] . Major sources of soil micronutrients are inorganic forms from parent material and organic forms within humus, though deficiency or toxicity can mostly be attributed to the parent material [13, 14] . Furthermore, factors which play important roles in regulating micronutrients include soil pH, oxidation state, organic matter, mycorrhizae, organic compounds, and stability of chelates [15, 16] .

Several review studies have summarized and suggested the micronutrients range based on extraction methods.

Major sources of soil micronutrients are inorganic forms from parent material and organic forms within humus, though deficiency or toxicity can mostly be attributed to the parent material.

Furthermore, factors which play important roles in regulating micronutrients include soil pH, oxidation state, organic matter, mycorrhizae, organic compounds, and stability of chelates.


Soil pH indicated negative correlation with Zn and Cu (Table 3 ). This implied that strong acidity in the higher altitude and alkaline conditions in the lower altitudes in the study area reduced the availability of the Zn and Cu (Figure 2 ). Saline soils tend to enhance formation of insoluble oxides and hydroxides of Cu and Zn, which limits their availability [4] . Furthermore, our observation indicated that Cu was much lower than 60 mgkg −1 . Any concentration of Cu above 60 mgkg −1 is considered to be toxic and that there was limited horizontal transmission of the Cu from the neighbouring farms unlike previous observation [30] .

Saline soils tend to enhance formation of insoluble oxides and hydroxides of Cu and Zn, which limits their availability.

Any concentration of Cu above 60 mgkg −1 is considered to be toxic and that there was limited horizontal transmission of the Cu from the neighbouring farms unlike previous observation.


At the same elevation (Figure 2 ), some soil micronutrients have shown differences in their concentration levels. This can probably be explained by differences in landforms especially in the mountainous areas which associated with localized management. It has been noted in another study that landforms and land use had impact on soil chemical properties [57] . Similarly, differences in soil micronutrients variability were observed in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania due to differences in landforms [18] .

It has been noted in another study that landforms and land use had impact on soil chemical properties.

Similarly, differences in soil micronutrients variability were observed in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania due to differences in landforms.


This study aims to evaluate the integrated empirical orthogonal function and temporal unmixing to detect the changing vegetation area and apply the approach in Jiangsu Province, a rapidly urbanized province in southern China [28] . The theories of empirical orthogonal function and temporal unmixing and the application results in Jiangsu are presented first. Next, contrasting Landsat data are used to validate the accuracy and consistent spatial distribution of decreasing vegetation with MODIS EVI by empirical orthogonal function and temporal unmixing method. At last, this analysis also identifies strengths and uncertainties of the combined empirical orthogonal function and temporal unmixing method.

This study aims to evaluate the integrated empirical orthogonal function and temporal unmixing to detect the changing vegetation area and apply the approach in Jiangsu Province, a rapidly urbanized province in southern China.


In addition to a female specific difference in compliance, we also observed a change in surfactant pools, both total and the surfactant subfractions, in female animals with the LP diet at neonatal day 1. Together these observations indicate a clear sexual dimorphism within the pulmonary response to FGR. Although the objective of the current study was not to understand the underlying pathways leading to these sex differences, previous studies in a variety of organs implicate a variety of mechanism including epigenetics, hormonal regulation and the timing of organ development [4] . For example, in a series of studies by Adamson and King it was observed that alveolar type II cell differentiation and surfactant synthesis occurred earlier in female rats as compared to males and that this process was affected by sex hormones [34] [35] [36] . In our study these effects may have led to the different surfactant pool sizes at postnatal day 1 under the condition of growth restriction.

Although the objective of the current study was not to understand the underlying pathways leading to these sex differences, previous studies in a variety of organs implicate a variety of mechanism including epigenetics, hormonal regulation and the timing of organ development.

For example, in a series of studies by Adamson and King it was observed that alveolar type II cell differentiation and surfactant synthesis occurred earlier in female rats as compared to males and that this process was affected by sex hormones.


Different studies have been developed relating to the CE due to its relevance to the search for solutions to improve resource efficiency, materials intensity and other sustainability issues throughout the value chain [19] . To date, the debate about the specificity of resources has focused more on resources and capabilities for environmental proactivity or eco-innovation. Given the high difficulty posed by the CE, few authors have explored this line of research, probably due to the multifaceted aspects involved in the CE. Nevertheless, the measurement of the CE and the theoretical frameworks to define related resources are still under investigation due to the fact that CE implementation in businesses is still at an incipient stage.

Different studies have been developed relating to the CE due to its relevance to the search for solutions to improve resource efficiency, materials intensity and other sustainability issues throughout the value chain.


Felt musical emotions are expected to be determined not only by the musical structure but also by personal and situational factors (Scherer & Zentner, 2001) . We think that it is important to explore to which extent and how experienced emotions are related to the internal structure of the music, in order to establish the relative contribution of intra-and extramusical factors in the elicitation of musical emotions. This has implications for understanding how music can shape human behavior and has relevance for therapeutic purposes (Koelsch, 2010) .

Felt musical emotions are expected to be determined not only by the musical structure but also by personal and situational factors.

This has implications for understanding how music can shape human behavior and has relevance for therapeutic purposes.


Mid-infrared laser emission at 1900 nm has potential applications in the fields of medical surgery, chemical sensing, and atmospheric light detection and ranging (LIDAR) measurement. Thulium ions (Tm 3þ ) provide an effective way to develop fiber lasers operating at 1900 nm via the 3 F 4 ! 3 H 6 transition and a number of Tm 3þ -doped silica and fluoride fiber lasers (TDFLs) have been reported [1] - [3] . Features such as wavelength tunability, multi-wavelength operation, and reconfigurability (e.g., alternate switching between single and multi-wavelength output) offer increased flexibility and enhanced functionality in the various applications.

Thulium ions (Tm 3þ ) provide an effective way to develop fiber lasers operating at 1900 nm via the 3 F 4 ! 3 H 6 transition and a number of Tm 3þ -doped silica and fluoride fiber lasers (TDFLs) have been reported.


As a trail, the technology of mud to cement (MTC) emerged in the early 1990s [17, 18] . The integrated solidification and cementation of the cement-interlayer interface were achieved using multi-functional drilling fluid. However, the technology of MTC had been questioned by many scholars as early as in 1994 because MTC solidified body has a serious embrittlement problem [19] [20] [21] . So the MTC technology is only proposed in the cementing operation of surface casing and intermediate casing because MTC solidified body doesn't have the same properties as the traditional cement [21] .

As a trail, the technology of mud to cement (MTC) emerged in the early 1990s.

However, the technology of MTC had been questioned by many scholars as early as in 1994 because MTC solidified body has a serious embrittlement problem.

So the MTC technology is only proposed in the cementing operation of surface casing and intermediate casing because MTC solidified body doesn't have the same properties as the traditional cement.


Energy bars are a dietary supplement often consumed by athletes and other physically active people to maintain their calorific needs (Norajit et al., 2011) . People concerned in getting healthier foods and keeping the good body fitness have changed their eating habit which has promoted a growth in the cereal bars market of 20% per year (Lin et al., 2010) . Jerivá (Syagrus romanzoffiana Cham. Glassm) is a palm widely distributed throughout the Brazilian territory, used for landscaping and has the characteristic of producing large amounts of fruits. Scientific studies aiming to disclosure and disseminate knowledge about this native species can provide its sustainable maintenance Studies about the use of jerivá fruit are scarce and no information is available on its chemical, physical and nutritional characteristics. The objective of this study was to characterize the jerivá flour and evaluate its potential use in the development of snack bars.

Energy bars are a dietary supplement often consumed by athletes and other physically active people to maintain their calorific needs.

People concerned in getting healthier foods and keeping the good body fitness have changed their eating habit which has promoted a growth in the cereal bars market of 20% per year.

Jerivá (Syagrus romanzoffiana Cham.


The supplemented bars showed significant amounts of phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese and iron in relation to the control (Table 4) , and the mineral content increased with the level of supplementation. Copper, manganese and iron levels significantly increased when the bars were supplemented with 10%, 15% or 20% of jerivá flour. Micronutrients are compounds necessary for proper physiological condition of the body which can be orally administered in enteral or parenteral diet, and are required to maintain a proper balance of nutrients (Davidi et al., 2011; Sriram & Lonchyna, 2009) . Because minerals cannot be synthesized, they should be supplied from food, and considering the mineral deficiencies worldwide, the bars developed with jerivá flour can be considered as viable alternatives for mineral intake.

Micronutrients are compounds necessary for proper physiological condition of the body which can be orally administered in enteral or parenteral diet, and are required to maintain a proper balance of nutrients.


The scores given by the panelists to the cereal bar formulations, for sensorial preference are shown in Table 5 . No significant differences were observed among the formulations for any of the attributes evaluated. CCD10% CCD15% and CCD20% supplemented bars received the highest averages for appearance, whereas the formulations CCD5%, CCD10% showed higher scores for the attributes flavor and texture. Therefore, the partial substitution of corn starch biscuit by jerivá flour improved the sensory acceptability of the food bars. The scores obtained for the supplemented bars were higher than those reported for other nutritious bars (Bower & Whitten, 2000; Silva et al., 2014; Rosell, 2007) . Not observed significant differences between the averages using Tukey's student range test (p ≤ 0.05).

The scores obtained for the supplemented bars were higher than those reported for other nutritious bars.


In the present study meropenem was as well tolerated as imipenem/cilastatin although patients with a history of CNS disease were specifically excluded to reduce the chance of CNS side effects occurring during treatment with imipenem/cilastatin. Although approximately one third of the patients experienced adverse events, none of those deemed serious were considered to have been related to the study drug, and only one patient treated with imipenem/cilastatin was withdrawn because of an adverse event. The overall mortality seen in this study reflected the poor clinical condition of the patients and corresponded to the APACHE II score (Knaus et al., 1985) .

The overall mortality seen in this study reflected the poor clinical condition of the patients and corresponded to the APACHE II score.


The treatment is less effective in patients with more severe disease and often only provides temporary relief lasting a few months [9, 10] . Autologous biologic therapies are also promising, with early data showing that platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection for knee OA may be of benefit for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis [11] . Two recent trials of HA versus PRP injections for knee OA demonstrated the superiority of PRP [12, 13] . However, PRP is less effective for patients with more severe OA [11] .

The treatment is less effective in patients with more severe disease and often only provides temporary relief lasting a few months.

Autologous biologic therapies are also promising, with early data showing that platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection for knee OA may be of benefit for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis.

Two recent trials of HA versus PRP injections for knee OA demonstrated the superiority of PRP.

However, PRP is less effective for patients with more severe OA.


One of the main difficulties that all these attempts share, is at the level of the decision fusion, which is generally built into the actual code of the decision module. In this work, we aim to make explicit the knowledge and strategies about data fusion in the form of behavior, to be selectively activated according to the actual acquisition status, results, and available biometric traits. As we are considering an indoor application environment where all computing facilities are inside, and where there is quite a small number of enrolled users at a time, we are not concerned with the issues of confidentiality, integrity, and availability that can arise in more general situations [11] . The setting of the decision thresholds in biometric algorithms usually pursues the balance between the false acceptance rate (FAR) and the false rejection rate (FRR). At the level of the system deployment, the balance between FAR and FRR can differ with respect to the various areas which the access control refers to, and it finally depends on the security requirements (usually stated in the Service Level Agreement at the design level). Hence, the system deployment can benefit from the customization of a kind of general template methodology according to the given security constraints [12, 13] .

As we are considering an indoor application environment where all computing facilities are inside, and where there is quite a small number of enrolled users at a time, we are not concerned with the issues of confidentiality, integrity, and availability that can arise in more general situations.

Hence, the system deployment can benefit from the customization of a kind of general template methodology according to the given security constraints.


Multi-modal biometric systems are more reliable than uni-modal systems due to the presence of multiple and independent pieces of evidence [7] . They address the problem of non-universality, since multiple traits ensure sufficient population coverage and provide anti-spoofing measures by making it difficult for an intruder to simultaneously spoof different biometric traits of a legitimate user. A system can operate either in selection or checking mode. The former is an identification process: a person's traits are acquired to establish the identity of the individual; it is a one-to-many search process in which the biometric characteristics set against all the database entries that represent enrolled users, in order to find those biometric references with a specific degree of similarity. The latter is about verification: a person's traits are acquired in order to verify the claimed identity (e.g., a user name) of the unknown individual; it is a one-to-one comparison in which the submitted biometric characteristics set against a specified stored biometric reference and returns both the comparison score and the decision.

Multi-modal biometric systems are more reliable than uni-modal systems due to the presence of multiple and independent pieces of evidence.


As seen in Table 2 , HDL in the MF0.15 group was highest, while the LDL level was the lowest. Triglycerides are another form of fat in the bloodstream. High level of triglycerides indicated high risk of cardiac disease. A high triglycerides level with high LDL level or lower HDL level increases the speed of atheroschlerosis, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke (Ma, 2006) . In this experiment, triglycerides of the MF.015 group decreased by 54.88% from the hypercholesterol level, the highest decrement compared to the other treatment level, while the control group triglycerides level increased by 5.46%.

A high triglycerides level with high LDL level or lower HDL level increases the speed of atheroschlerosis, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.


Drugs lowering cholesterol are clofibrate, gemfibrozil, nicotinic acid (niacin), resin, statin, bile acid sequestrants and fibrates. MFDS was similar to statin as it lowers the LDL and triglyceride and has mild effect in increasing HDL (Yee et al., 2004; Zhang et al., 2008) . Statins blocks the production of cholesterol in the liver itself (Ma, 2006) . However, there are side effects of these drugs, such as muscle aches, abnormal liver function, allergic reaction (skin rashes), heartburn, dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation and decreased sexual desire) (Ma, 2006) . In this experiment, side effects of MFDS both in physical form and in molecular form in short and long term was not observed yet.

MFDS was similar to statin as it lowers the LDL and triglyceride and has mild effect in increasing HDL.

Statins blocks the production of cholesterol in the liver itself.

However, there are side effects of these drugs, such as muscle aches, abnormal liver function, allergic reaction (skin rashes), heartburn, dizziness, abdominal pain, constipation and decreased sexual desire).


Based on in vitro observations and their ability to target numerous pathways, SO have the potential to be broadly applied to chronic and infectious diseases where host inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to pathogenesis. The methyl ester of a potent SO, 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9 (11)-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO-Me) and related triterpenoids are currently in clinical trials for pulmonary arterial hypertension (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02036970, NCT02657356), Alport Syndrome (NCT03019185) and chronic kidney disease (NCT01053936), and various forms of cancer [30, 31] . Other derivatives, including CDDO-ethyl amide (CDDO-EA) have been formulated for improved bioavailability and to better cross the BBB [32, 33] . While the pathogenesis of malaria is complex, it is characterized by marked inflammation, oxidative stress and their impact on microvascular function [34] .

The methyl ester of a potent SO, 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9 (11)-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO-Me) and related triterpenoids are currently in clinical trials for pulmonary arterial hypertension (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02036970, NCT02657356), Alport Syndrome (NCT03019185) and chronic kidney disease (NCT01053936), and various forms of cancer.

Other derivatives, including CDDO-ethyl amide (CDDO-EA) have been formulated for improved bioavailability and to better cross the BBB.

While the pathogenesis of malaria is complex, it is characterized by marked inflammation, oxidative stress and their impact on microvascular function.


Another possible explanation for the high prevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women in Nnewi, Nigeria is that the infections could have resulted from vertical transmission. The vertical transmission rate from this study was 51.6%. The vertical route is a major mode of transmission of the virus [6, 7, 25] . In a study done in Benin City, Nigeria, it was shown that the vertical transmission rate was 42.9% for HBsAg, which was a very high rate of transmission, similar to the rate from this study [25] . Multiple sexual partners, previous history of sexually transmitted infections, previous histories of blood transfusion and previous surgeries/dental manipulations were not statistically significantly associated with HBV infection from this study. This is in keeping with the study in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria [26] .

The vertical route is a major mode of transmission of the virus.

In a study done in Benin City, Nigeria, it was shown that the vertical transmission rate was 42.9% for HBsAg, which was a very high rate of transmission, similar to the rate from this study.

This is in keeping with the study in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.


TPM does not provide a quick or easy solution. It usually requires changes in employees' attitudes and values, which take time to imbibe. Therefore, it demands thinking for the long term and careful planning. Quick and company-wide performance gains should not be expected during the initial phase [8] . However at this early stage, top management must demonstrate their total commitment to TPM by allocating the necessary resources to create and sustain the cultural changes necessary to provide relevant training to employees in order to achieve autonomous maintenance.

Quick and company-wide performance gains should not be expected during the initial phase.


TPM is a major departure from the "you operate, I maintain" philosophy [10] . It is the implementation of productive maintenance by all associated personnel (whether machine operators or members of the management team), based on the involvement of all in the continual improvement of performance. TPM endeavours to eliminate the root causes of problems, through team-based decisions and their implementation. Achieving low-cost improvements and zero-deficit product quality are striven for, while designing for minimum LCC maintenance and using the JIT procedure. All employees through small-group activities, which include aiming for zero breakdowns and zero defects, should implement it. The three components of the concept are: (i) optimised equipment-effectiveness, (ii) autonomous-operator maintenance and (iii) company-led small-group activities, throughout the entire organisation. This is a "high-employee involvement" approach. It leads to improved creative group-efforts, greater individual effort, personal responsibility, and lively innovative problemsolving meetings. TPM concepts involve commitments to long-range planning, especially on the part of senior management. Typically, TPM is initiated as a "topdown" exercise, but only implemented successfully via "bottom-up" participation. However, consensus building may take about three years, from the planning phase, for sustainability to be achieved in a large organisation.

TPM is a major departure from the "you operate, I maintain" philosophy.