At the individual level, we found that most of the participating mothers have adequate breastfeeding knowledge and a positive attitude. However, almost half of them stopped breastfeeding their infants before one year of age. These results are consistent with previous research in which having a high breastfeeding knowledge level did not enhance the rate of continued breastfeeding [25] . Other factors should thus be addressed to help explain why mothers stop breastfeeding, despite being aware of the benefits to them and their infants. Assessing practices followed by participants and other social and environmental factors could help explain what prohibits these mothers from continuing breastfeeding until the child is one year of age.

These results are consistent with previous research in which having a high breastfeeding knowledge level did not enhance the rate of continued breastfeeding.


In this paper, we propose a new algorithm that is a Hybridized Indirect and Direct encoding (HybrID), which combines the benefits of both encodings. Although we present one specific implementation of a HybrID, we apply the term to any combination of indirect and direct encodings. While we are not aware of any prior work that specifically combines direct and indirect encodings, researchers have previously altered representations during evolutionary search, primarily to change the precision of values being evolved by genetic algorithms [6] . Other researchers have employed non-evolutionary optimization techniques to fine-tune the details of evolved solutions [7] . However, such techniques do not leverage the benefits of indirect encodings.

While we are not aware of any prior work that specifically combines direct and indirect encodings, researchers have previously altered representations during evolutionary search, primarily to change the precision of values being evolved by genetic algorithms.

Other researchers have employed non-evolutionary optimization techniques to fine-tune the details of evolved solutions.


The patients were administered the Rorschach according to the CS administration guidelines (Exner, 2001) . Following the Rorschach they were administered the Italian translation of the TAS-20. Before testing, written informed consent was obtained from all patients; none refused to participate. The Rorschach and the TAS-20 were administered before the patients' visit for gastrointestinal treatment at baseline. Ten patients gave invalid Rorschach protocols of fewer than 14 responses, which were considered invalid according to the CS and therefore were eliminated from the sample. This left a sample of 92 patients (53 men and 39 women, 70 with UC and 22 with CD), with a mean age of 36.2 Ϯ 8.9 years and mean education of 11.2 Ϯ 3.0 years. The Rorschach protocols were scored according to the CS by Piero Porcelli.

The patients were administered the Rorschach according to the CS administration guidelines.


Damage and failure behaviour of natural gut strings and others types of tennis racket strings in synthetic products are an important consideration for skilled tennis players who should be extremely aware of their equipment's performance relative to their personal needs and game style. What mechanical performance in string tensions that will best fit the player's requirements? Borg strung his rackets at 80 pounds (367 N) and strings often broke from the high tension. On the contrary, McEnroe chose 48 pounds (220 N) for stringing his rackets. Commonly the recommendations are in a range of about 55 to 65 pounds (250 N to 295 N). The tension is very important as it has a direct effect on power and control. As a general rule, the looser the tension, says in the 50-pound range, the less control the player has. The racket acts more like a trampoline and the ball may fly off the strings and appear to have more speed. Tighter strings, say in the 60-pound range, will give more control over the shot. The pros often string their rackets in the 70-pound range. This gives them a lot of control but the strings break faster. Much engineering research has been conducted to determine optimal string tension for different size rackets made from various types of materials [7] .

Much engineering research has been conducted to determine optimal string tension for different size rackets made from various types of materials.


Evidence for performance manipulation in the REIT sector has significant consequences for investors and managers. First, evidence for manipulation suggests that the REIT regulation is inefficient in mitigating a substantial agency conflict. Diversified ownership requirements in the REIT sector imply that equity-holders are less able to rely on take-overs for the replacement of incompetent or indeed manipulative management. Instead, their primary defense against mismanagement is price-protection (Feng, Ghosh, and Sirmans, 2007) . Therefore, REIT managers who fail to convince investors that they do not manipulate performance may incur higher cost of equity. Conversely, REIT managers can actively commit to being evaluated under the manipulation-proof measure, for instance through incorporating this evaluation in performance-based executive compensation agreements. Such a commitment may support corporate governance and sharpen their competitive advantage.

Instead, their primary defense against mismanagement is price-protection.


Synthesis of zirconia was conducted by caustic fusion methods with NaOH as destruction agent. The process was then followed by HCl and water leaching. Ammonium hydroxide was used to precipitate zirconium hydroxide, Zr(OH)4. The reactions of every step are listed in Equation (4), (5) and (6) .

The reactions of every step are listed in Equation (4), (5) and.


Quercus nigra was the most abundant oak species at our study site, and served as an important food source for P. leucopus and O. nuttalli, as demonstrated in a related feeding study conducted at the same site (O'Malley et al. 2003) . We have no evidence that food was a limiting resource during this investigation because there was a significantly higher mast crop of acorns in 2001 compared to 2000. Also, because there was no difference in tree diversity, density or privet density between removal and nonremoval treatments, it is unlikely that there were differences in vegetative cover or available nest sites in removal versus nonremoval treatments. Likely the abundant acorn mast during 2001, combined with differential use of habitat space, contributed to the coexistence of these 2 species.

Quercus nigra was the most abundant oak species at our study site, and served as an important food source for P. leucopus and O. nuttalli, as demonstrated in a related feeding study conducted at the same site.


The unidimensional consolidation of soils has been described by Terzaghi using partial differential equations [1] . The resolution of these equations can be performed analytically and/or numerically [2] [3] . In this work, we resolved Terzaghi partial differential equations using Fourier method and finite difference respectively for analytical and numerical solutions. At a further step we used numerical modeling to represent graphically the two solutions in order to validate the obtained results.

The unidimensional consolidation of soils has been described by Terzaghi using partial differential equations.

The resolution of these equations can be performed analytically and/or numerically.


We test our proposed method on the UMD common activities dataset [16] . The main reason we choose this dataset for our preliminary experiment is because there are a decent number of action repetitions (10) for each unique combination of actor and action. The dataset is also suitable for visualization of actions and illustration of results.

We test our proposed method on the UMD common activities dataset.


Porosity is usually determined as the distribution of microscopic interfacial micro-voids located in the matrix between plies of fibers and scattered over the volume of composite laminate. It invariably gets introduced in polymer matrix composite materials during the fabrication process [2] . Porosity cannot be totally avoided in this type of material; the presence of such defects beyond a certain limit can be highly detrimental to the mechanical properties of the final product and hence their performance as a structural component. Porosity above a critical level affects static and fatigue strength of composite parts and a greater susceptibility to water penetration and environmental effects. During subsequent loading, porosity acts as nuclei of further damage growth resulting in strength degradation. Lowest possible porosity levels are thus essential for ensuring the performance of fiber-reinforced composite structures [2] .

It invariably gets introduced in polymer matrix composite materials during the fabrication process.

Lowest possible porosity levels are thus essential for ensuring the performance of fiber-reinforced composite structures.


Composite materials are manufactured from two or more materials to take advantage of desirable characteristics of the components. Composites usually consist of a reinforcing agent (fiber) and a compatible resin binder (matrix) to obtain desired properties. Advanced composites can be divided into laminates and sandwiches [1] . The laminates are layers or plies of composite materials bonded together, whereas, the sandwich is a multiple-layer composite structure consisting of a low-density core between thin laminate faces (skins) of composite materials. Currently, the two major techniques to fabricate blades composites are resin infusion and hand lay-up. During the manufacturing process, several types of manufacturing defects might emerge in the composite such as porosity, fiber waviness, ply waviness, debonding between the fibers and the matrix and inclusions. Defects can lead to severe degradation in the composite properties [1] .

Advanced composites can be divided into laminates and sandwiches.

Defects can lead to severe degradation in the composite properties.


Mechanical properties decrease as the porosity content increases; for example, interlaminar shear strength values decrease by about 34% for carbon/epoxy fabric laminates when the void content increases from 0.55% up to 5.60% [3] . One of the most important properties of fiber composite that can be affected by porosity is the composite resistance to delamination, as measured by interlaminar fracture toughness. The presence of delamination may lead to a loss of stiffness or even to complete fracture [1] . The effect of various curing pressure results in different porosity contents influence the mechanical properties of carbon/epoxy laminates [4] . Common methods for creating porosity in composite materials are vacuum pressure, water spray, solvent spray and micro balloon.

Mechanical properties decrease as the porosity content increases; for example, interlaminar shear strength values decrease by about 34% for carbon/epoxy fabric laminates when the void content increases from 0.55% up to 5.60%.

The presence of delamination may lead to a loss of stiffness or even to complete fracture.

The effect of various curing pressure results in different porosity contents influence the mechanical properties of carbon/epoxy laminates.


Political economics offers several explanations for the preferences that guide the provision of public services. In this paper, we examine three of these. The district demand model starts by noting that spending on public goods, here transport infrastructure, provides benefits that primarily are geographically concentrated, while costs are paid by taxpayers at large. This separation between the benefits and costs of projects may create an incentive for political parties to increase spending in electoral districts or municipalities that predominately vote for them. Since each district pays only a small share of the associated costs, but enjoys most of the benefits, new infrastructure may be seen as a prize won by the political majority for their constituency. In addition, and in order to avoid overspending, parties have reason to restrain spending in other districts (Knight, 2004) .

In addition, and in order to avoid overspending, parties have reason to restrain spending in other districts.


The swing-voter theory provides a second explanation. Rather than focusing on the stock of loyal voters, this assumes that two competing (blocks of) parties maximize their national vote by offering different levels of spending to election districts depending on the propensity of the voters in each district to "swing" their vote (Helland & Sørensen, 2009) . Districts that ex ante are believed to be affected in their choice on polling day by projects "given by benevolent decision-makers" are therefore rewarded with new infrastructure. A third candidate explanation is that local interest groups seek to convince parliamentary decision makers to allocate infrastructure funds to their home district. This is relevant if a district's electorate is not very volatile, that is, given that the above-described electoral concerns are not very strong (Cadot et al., 2006) .

Rather than focusing on the stock of loyal voters, this assumes that two competing (blocks of) parties maximize their national vote by offering different levels of spending to election districts depending on the propensity of the voters in each district to "swing" their vote.

This is relevant if a district's electorate is not very volatile, that is, given that the above-described electoral concerns are not very strong.


Knowing the emotional tone of comments circulating about one's company can be useful business intelligence. Blogs (or personal weblogs) around the world can discuss a company's performance one day, and perhaps influence its share price the next. Some tools exist which look at usage of mood terms in blog posts, analyzing large amounts of text to capture national responses to news or sporting events [2] . These tools measure emotion at a very coarse (e.g., national) level, however, often greater specificity is needed: Smaller text segments reflecting particular opinions may need to be extracted and classified for opinion or emotion. Indeed, detecting emotion from short sections of text may facilitate the development of technologies to automatically detect emotion in email clients or in a friend's recent blog posts. Eventually, user interfaces which can automatically detect and adapt to user emotion may be possible.

Some tools exist which look at usage of mood terms in blog posts, analyzing large amounts of text to capture national responses to news or sporting events.


Finally, it is important to consider the human aspects of engineering projects. Where multiple agents are responsible for different but interacting design aspects, it is important that all parties co-operate. However, evidence shows that human nature tends to 'hide' problems in the hope that they can be resolved without needing to admit there ever was a problem [19] . When the problem is not resolved, it then has an amplified effect on the remainder of the design when it can no longer be hidden. Frequently, resolving these problems requires changes to the design which results in the design process moving backwards. While an agile design process will not change the problems arising due to human factors, it can mitigate the effects of these factors when they arise. This paper will address how the design process can be made agile. By using concurrent engineering methodology as a starting point, a framework will be proposed that will enable analysis of how unexpected events affect the concurrent design process. Given this analysis tool, it then becomes possible to test different design scenarios to handle an unexpected event occurring during the design process. This framework will be strictly concerned with the temporal aspects of a design project, and not with any other resource use. However, the underlying principle can be readily adopted to these different resources.

However, evidence shows that human nature tends to 'hide' problems in the hope that they can be resolved without needing to admit there ever was a problem.


Concurrent engineering is the distribution of the design, and potentially manufacture, work between a number of agents [4] . These agents can then either recursively apply concurrent engineering again, or follow the basic linear design process if they are a 'terminal' agent. The agents are selected according to their known expertise [5] . These agents are networked through a virtual enterprise while the project is underway. Through this network, agents communicate as necessary. This concurrent engineering approach provides a means for rapidly creating enterprises with high degrees of competency without the need to support these competencies during projects which do not require the same competency profile. Thus, the virtual enterprise has the benefits of a large, well found enterprise, without having to pay for the maintenance overhead of resources that are not required for other projects.

Concurrent engineering is the distribution of the design, and potentially manufacture, work between a number of agents.

The agents are selected according to their known expertise.


The concept of agility in a manufacturing context has recently emerged [6, 7] . Most authors agree that 'agility' is the ability to rapidly respond to some external and unexpected event. The argument promoting agility is that it enables better survival in turbulent market conditions. However, most agile responses are tailored to changes in product demand, either in the form of production levels or in alternate design. The solutions to these tend to fall in line with traditional manufacture theory (for example, by applying Just-in-Time methods) or design modification (such as mass customisation applied after the initial product launch). Thus, enterprises use the agile methods to enable them to respond to the market, based on a given design.

The concept of agility in a manufacturing context has recently emerged.


The Design Structure Matrix (DSM) provides a means for representing the causal information exchange structure between tasks within a design project [13] . This approach has re-emerged as an active research area, in the first instance due to the ability of the DSM to represent iterations within the design process [14, 15, 16, 17, 18] . Iterations arise where two tasks mutually require information from each other: working on one task will induce a small change in the other task, and vice-versa. The amount of rework per cycle for a set of fully concurrent tasks has been quantified using the Work Transformation Matrix (WTM) [14] . This provides a means for identifying the tasks that are most likely to require a greater number of iteration before arriving at an acceptable solution. The basic WTM approach assumes a static design scenario. Further work has considered the dynamic nature of the product development process, and allowing for small perturbations [17] . Another approach considers the structure of the WTM to identify how to optimally deploy resources to the various tasks to improve the convergence rates of the various task completion levels [18] . Both these extensions primarily concern the resource deployment to the design process. Two alternative perspectives on this analysis is to consider where the resource availability changes and the unexpected (or externally induced) rework imposed on a task or set of tasks.

The Design Structure Matrix (DSM) provides a means for representing the causal information exchange structure between tasks within a design project.

This approach has re-emerged as an active research area, in the first instance due to the ability of the DSM to represent iterations within the design process.

The amount of rework per cycle for a set of fully concurrent tasks has been quantified using the Work Transformation Matrix (WTM).

Further work has considered the dynamic nature of the product development process, and allowing for small perturbations.

Another approach considers the structure of the WTM to identify how to optimally deploy resources to the various tasks to improve the convergence rates of the various task completion levels.


This section discusses results in response to the two research questions of this study: How do sustainability advocates approach and implement GHRM and on how does GHRM relate to Exploring the reasons behind sustainability advocates using of contrasting approaches suggests they might be exposed to a paradoxical duality. A large number of sustainability advocates consider a twopronged/double-barrelled pragmatic communication strategy effective, as it can engage many employees in green behaviours. Considering sustainability advocates' perceived awareness and feelings of pride knowing of behavioural shifts, it would be logical to assume that this awareness of increased moral needs (intrinsic motivation) in workforces is reflected in their employee green behaviour engagement exercises. While appealing to moral values when addressing large audiences reflects a value-based approach, appealing to self-interest (e.g. align CES with what the function wants to achieve) and enlightened self-interest (e.g. stating the number of trees that will be saved) for specific departments and individuals might not. There are growing concerns about the durability of self-interest based (extrinsic) approaches (Deci and Ryan, 2002) . As keeping momentum was such a pressing challenge, the latter self-interest based communication approach might fail to create longterm behaviours and environmental stewardship, which is needed for embedded CES.

There are growing concerns about the durability of self-interest based (extrinsic) approaches.


Qualitative studies that offer further insights into children's experiences of visiting their parent in prison typically reveal that they have mixed feelings about the situation (Chui, 2010; Nesmith and Ruhland, 2008; Brown et al, 2001; Tudball, 2000) . Children value the opportunity to catch-up on news, engage in direct interaction such as physical displays of affection, and demonstrate their continuing support for the imprisoned parent. Visiting also helps to rectify misconceptions about prison conditions and the treatment of inmates, and alleviates children's concerns for their parent's safety and wellbeing.

Qualitative studies that offer further insights into children's experiences of visiting their parent in prison typically reveal that they have mixed feelings about the situation.


Chronic heart failure (CHF) is now recognized as a major and escalating public health problem. The prevalence of CHF is 1-2% and appears to be increasing, in part because of ageing of the population [1] . It has an annual hospitalisation rate of 2% with subsequent 1-year mortality of 30% [2] . CHF has become a major public health burden in the world that is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and cost [3, 4] .

The prevalence of CHF is 1-2% and appears to be increasing, in part because of ageing of the population.

It has an annual hospitalisation rate of 2% with subsequent 1-year mortality of 30%.

CHF has become a major public health burden in the world that is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and cost.


John's therapy took place at his special school in a medium-sized, white-walled empty room with big windows. In keeping with usual non-directive play therapy practice, the same materials were brought to the room and set up in the same way each time, thus providing children with opportunities to familiarize themselves quickly with the setting (Ryan & Wilson, 1995) . The materials were selected for their expressive, imaginative, relaxing and interactive properties (e.g. poster paints, finger paints, play dough, face paints and a mirror, a sand box with sand toys, soldiers, musical instruments, soft toys, baby dolls, baby bottles, puppets, dolls' house, telephones, a ball, animals, and a farm, pretend food, cars and a few books). Two biscuits and a drink were also provided every session. All of these materials were similar to those in other playrooms (Axline, 1947; Wilson et al., 1992) . It is noteworthy here that nothing was altered because of the special needs of children with autism. Materials largely within a 6-year-old child's normal developmental level, along with materials affording regressive and more advanced play, were chosen.

In keeping with usual non-directive play therapy practice, the same materials were brought to the room and set up in the same way each time, thus providing children with opportunities to familiarize themselves quickly with the setting.

All of these materials were similar to those in other playrooms.


Finally, over the course of therapy John went through a process of challenging the rules and boundaries of the therapeutic environment. This process appeared very similar to the behaviour of a 2-year-old child when starting to discover his own will, along with learning mutual limitations of wills (Wilson et al., 1992) . Towards the end of therapy, John seemed to have developed emotionally to the point of being more accepting of the boundaries set in the playroom. These gains were also reported by his mother in his home environment. It seems likely that John's non-directive play therapy worked as a catalyst for him in the development of his autonomy and initiative. Therefore, this single case study is important in suggesting that a method of therapy that is non-directive in essence may counteract the lack of autonomy and lack of initiative in children with autism, and enhance their development. It also suggests that, for John, his development of autonomy and initiative, although delayed, did follow a general pattern expectable in younger children without autism.

This process appeared very similar to the behaviour of a 2-year-old child when starting to discover his own will, along with learning mutual limitations of wills.


These reports from John's mother and school fit the information the therapist had obtained herself from her earlier, unstructured observations of John at home, and a few observations at school a year earlier. Her observations were for an hour a week over an 8-week period, and formed part of her initial training as a non-directive play therapist. She followed the Tavistock method of observation, with the observer quietly viewing the child, rather than becoming actively engaged (Miller, Rustin, Rustin, & Shuttleworth, 1989) . Towards the end of this observation period John had begun initiating contact and rudimentary social interactions with her. These social exchanges built up to John bringing the therapist a clean nappy to put on him in one of her final observations. This action of John's was highly surprising to his mother. She was emotionally moved by John's interaction with the therapist and stated that John had previously reserved this task exclusively for her to perform. John's mother added that all of the social exchanges John had initiated with the therapist were well beyond his social capacities in all previous contexts. This observational method raised exploratory questions itself (to be discussed later) and prompted the therapist to decide to engage John in non-directive play therapy sessions. She hypothesized that her observations, in which she did not attempt to change John, teach him or instruct him, but instead sat quietly and watched attentively, had parallels with the practise of non-directive play therapy, with its focus of joint attention on activities led by the child.

She followed the Tavistock method of observation, with the observer quietly viewing the child, rather than becoming actively engaged.


All of these preconditions for rudimentary symbolic play were present in John's play CLINICAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY 9(4) therapy sessions. The first ever instances of John playing symbolically emerged in his play therapy sessions, possibly because he had been provided with the ideal conditions for the development of this largely innate capacity. This symbolizing capacity has similarities to and overlaps with children's capacity to learn language during normal development. And language learning also seems to require most of the essential conditions hypothesized earlier for the development of symbolic play. In this context, during the second half of his play therapy, John became more vocal and more communicative towards the therapist. He appeared to be trying to say words, although they were often difficult for the therapist to comprehend. This aspect of the intervention was not investigated systemically. However, it may be of significance for future research on the overlap between the capacity and prerequisites for symbolic play development and the symbolic development required for language learning. Improvements in basic symbolic play or in rudimentary language learning may contribute to the development of the other function systematically. For children with autism this seems especially relevant, as their language loss frequently is one of their most serious cognitive impairments and affects their level of ability to play (Trevarthan et al., 1998) . The fourth question was whether non-directive play therapy would enable the identification of other emotional needs in a child with autism, as the child himself determines the focus of treatment. In John's therapy sessions his need for nurture was a strong and recurring theme. One way John expressed this theme was through his strong fascination with messy play in general and finger painting in particular. Table 3 shows that messy play activities were consistent choices and that his concentration level during these activities was very high in comparison with other activities. According to his mother, John had not experienced messy play prior to therapy. This raises questions concerning other activities and experiences denied to children with autism, as alluded to earlier, due to their unexpected behaviour and the anxieties these behaviours evoke in the adults caring for them. Adults who generally feel insecure about their ability to contain and predict such children's behaviour may be reluctant to offer messy activities to them.

For children with autism this seems especially relevant, as their language loss frequently is one of their most serious cognitive impairments and affects their level of ability to play.


John's deepening attachment to the therapist is evident in both the objective and subjective analyses presented here. His reported distress when told by his teacher that the therapist would not come as planned was similar to the expected reaction of a child separated from an attachment figure. Other attachment behaviours reported in the therapist's subjective analysis were John's coming to her for comfort when he had hurt his hand, climbing into her lap for soothing and his piggyback rides after the therapy hour had ended (Bowlby, 1988) . The objective measure of physical contact, given in Table 1 , shows a significant increase in the number of times John initiated physical contact with the therapist, and also an increase in the duration of physical contact over the course of therapy. Table 2 also shows a dramatic increase in John's interaction with the therapist, mainly through physical contact and dyadic play. Comparing the first and last eight sessions, there was an eight-fold increase in his interactions with the therapist.

Other attachment behaviours reported in the therapist's subjective analysis were John's coming to her for comfort when he had hurt his hand, climbing into her lap for soothing and his piggyback rides after the therapy hour had ended.


Missing data is a common situation where null value is stored for some samples in the data sets. This problem has complex patterns. It occurs by several practical reasons such as equipment malfunction in data sampling or transmission and noise value being deleted in data preprocessing [16] . Besides, there are some inherently missing caused by nonexisting features. For example, an image sample may not contain all the predefined components. Standard ELM learning requires all samples in the data set to be complete and have the same dimensions. Obviously, it cannot directly handle the issue of missing data. Traditional approaches depend on the preprocessing for missing data before learning. Inevitably, those approaches introduce extra preprocessing overhead. Worse still, they may mistakenly omit some useful information and produce a certain amount of error information [17] . Therefore, learning precision can be seriously affected. In this paper, we propose a sample-based learning framework and develop a sample-based ELM classification algorithm and a sample-based ELM -insensitive regression algorithm. In the proposed learning framework, missing data can be directly learned without any extra preprocessing.

This problem has complex patterns.

It occurs by several practical reasons such as equipment malfunction in data sampling or transmission and noise value being deleted in data preprocessing.

Worse still, they may mistakenly omit some useful information and produce a certain amount of error information.


However, the major problem with the use of polymeric materials for thermal energy storage is the decomposition/degradation of polymers. PEG is prone to oxidation, as its lamellar structure chains fold by the free-radicals and as a result the activation energy of hydrogen abstraction and the molecular weight of the polymer are reduced, while oxygenated products with low molecular weights are formed. Consequently, the performance of PEG as a thermal energy storage system reduces with the decrease of PEG's molecular weight [9, 11] .

Consequently, the performance of PEG as a thermal energy storage system reduces with the decrease of PEG's molecular weight.


In line with a constructivist position of GT, I do not claim to offer an exact picture but rather an interpretative portrayal of the phenomenon studied (Charmaz, 2006) . This portrayal indicates the need of considering and investigating bullying as a collective action, including its stigma processes and co-constructions of meanings, social roles and identities. As Horton (2011, p. 274) puts it, 'rather than categorising large numbers of school students as deviant, aggressive or evil-minded, it may be more useful to consider the social processes in which they are involved when bullying occurs'. The analysis of the long-term bullying cases revealed a complex interactional patterns creating stigma processes in which the bullying was considered the natural thing to do, and was justified by dehumanising and blaming the victim. At the same time, it functioned as a self-serving and socially inclusive ritual for the bullies, in which they co-constructed the 'normal us'. The findings highlight the importance of working with peer cultures, social norms and collective processes to counteract and reduce bullying. Only focusing on 'bullies' and 'victims' will not be enough. Thus, anti-bullying policies and practices have to address the social processes of bullying and the co-construction of moral disengagement among the children. The schools have to help the children fulfil their needs of positive identities, social acceptance and belongingness based on constructive, inclusive and caring social interactions and co-constructions of meanings, and not on bullying and its underlying discourse of homogeneity and disapproval of differentness.

In line with a constructivist position of GT, I do not claim to offer an exact picture but rather an interpretative portrayal of the phenomenon studied.


BMI is a significant moderator of internalization of the thin-ideal. Research indicates that women with high levels of internalization of the thin-ideal and high BMI's, also report significantly greater levels of body dissatisfaction [35] . Previous research suggests that being overweight does not result in body-focuses anxiety and dissatisfaction unless the thin-ideal has been internalized [24] .

Research indicates that women with high levels of internalization of the thin-ideal and high BMI's, also report significantly greater levels of body dissatisfaction.

Previous research suggests that being overweight does not result in body-focuses anxiety and dissatisfaction unless the thin-ideal has been internalized.


The factors examined in this paper are defined as follows. Body-focused anxiety, which is analogous to body dissatisfaction, refers to the extent in which a woman feels at unease about her body and physical appearance [7, 8] . Dieting frequency is the frequency women diet to lose weight to ease the anxiety and dissatisfaction felt about their bodies. Positive expectancies associated with being thin refers to women adopting the belief that the associated benefits of being thin are increased success, happiness and popularity [9, 10] .

Body-focused anxiety, which is analogous to body dissatisfaction, refers to the extent in which a woman feels at unease about her body and physical appearance.

Positive expectancies associated with being thin refers to women adopting the belief that the associated benefits of being thin are increased success, happiness and popularity.


Hypothesis two was partially supported. Whilst BMI, dieting frequency and internalization significantly contributed to body-focused anxiety, desirability and positive expectancies did not. Despite desirability and positive expectancies having moderate to strong bivariate correlations with body-focused anxiety, they did not play a significant unique role in the extent to which women experience body-focused anxiety. The finding that BMI played a significant unique role in body-focused anxiety was consistent with previous research that found that being overweight is a major determinant of body dissatisfaction [24] .

Hypothesis two was partially supported.

The finding that BMI played a significant unique role in body-focused anxiety was consistent with previous research that found that being overweight is a major determinant of body dissatisfaction.


In the main analysis, direct medical costs were calculated using two approaches. First, country-specific unit costs were applied to all components of resource utilization to estimate the annual direct medical cost per patient, for each country, expressed using local currencies. Second, country-specific total annual direct medical costs were converted to a common currency (2015 £), using the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 2015 purchasing power exchange rates [22] .

Second, country-specific total annual direct medical costs were converted to a common currency (2015 £), using the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 2015 purchasing power exchange rates.


Control of cattle trypanosomosis currently relies on reducing the tsetse population by means of traps and insecticidal dips, together with treatment as required. The most popular treatment is with the diamidine diminazene aceturate (Berenil), the alternative being the DNA-intercalating molecule isometamidium [3] . Suramin is also sometimes used [3] .

The most popular treatment is with the diamidine diminazene aceturate (Berenil), the alternative being the DNA-intercalating molecule isometamidium.

Suramin is also sometimes used.


The TUC strategy was developed aiming at coordinated traffic-responsive signal control in large-scale urban networks, and has demonstrated high efficiency especially under saturated traffic conditions [16] . TUC adopts one common cycle time for all network junctions at any time, which is computed considering the needs of the currently most loaded junctions in the network. In cases of large-scale networks, where regions exist with distinct traffic loads, TUC can be applied to each region separately; in which case, each region may have its own adaptive cycle time. Even in this case, however, there may be links that feature lower and strongly varying demands, which may lead to waste of green time, especially during off-peak periods. Such waste could be mitigated by enabling actuation of the TUC signal plans at the local junction level, thus accounting for the intra-cycle variations of the local traffic conditions. Actuation of the TUC signal plans may be enabled under several configurations, four of which were developed and tested herein: Under TUC-coordinated actuated control configuration case A, actuation is enabled so that all unused green time is relocated to the main TUC stages, i.e. the stages of signal control serving the major traffic movements. Under TUC-coordinated actuated control configuration cases B and C actuation is enabled so as to preserve the TUC-decided offsets; in case B, the main TUC stages run actuated, while in case C, actuation is prohibited for them.

The TUC strategy was developed aiming at coordinated traffic-responsive signal control in large-scale urban networks, and has demonstrated high efficiency especially under saturated traffic conditions.


The TUC (Traffic-responsive Urban Control) strategy studied herein is a traffic-responsive strategy developed in the late 90s, targeting particularly saturated traffic conditions, which are generally lacking adequate and efficient solutions [5] . TUC aims at the homogeneous utilization of the capacity of large-scale urban networks via the provision of coordinated traffic-responsive signal control settings. This objective has been approached by using appropriate methodological tools that allow for efficient application to large-scale networks and give rise to characteristics such as robustness, generality, simplicity and low computational effort [5] .

The TUC (Traffic-responsive Urban Control) strategy studied herein is a traffic-responsive strategy developed in the late 90s, targeting particularly saturated traffic conditions, which are generally lacking adequate and efficient solutions.

This objective has been approached by using appropriate methodological tools that allow for efficient application to large-scale networks and give rise to characteristics such as robustness, generality, simplicity and low computational effort.


The electrical impedance measurement technique is the same for practically all implementations, four-terminal impedance measurement [3] - [6] . As a direct current cannot be forced into the body, an alternate current is injected, using frequencies from 20 kHz to 100 kHz, because tissues are not excitable in this band. The current amplitude is below 4 mA RMS [7] . The electrodes are attached to the chest, and are either bands embracing the subject, or patches as the typical ECG electrodes [2] , [8] - [12] .

The electrical impedance measurement technique is the same for practically all implementations, four-terminal impedance measurement.

The current amplitude is below 4 mA RMS.

The electrodes are attached to the chest, and are either bands embracing the subject, or patches as the typical ECG electrodes.


Therefore, l can be seen as a degree of nonlocality. The paper is organized as follows. In Section 2 we discretize in space the equation (14) by composite quadrature formulas. Spectral spacial discretization methods and their convergence are discussed in Section 3. Section 4 is devoted to the time discretization techniques. In Section 5 we extend the numerical methods implemented for the linear model to the nonlinear model (13) . Section 6 is devoted to numerical tests, and finally, Section 7 concludes the paper.

The paper is organized as follows.

In Section 5 we extend the numerical methods implemented for the linear model to the nonlinear model.


Recently, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) built a series of solar-powered HALE UAVs through a research program. In this program, KARI is aimed at exploring, developing, and demonstrating the underlying technologies needed for the development of an electric-powered HALE UAV. The scale-down version, EAV-2H+, was developed and flight tested during which it ascended up to an altitude of 10 km [10, 11] . Thereafter, KARI developed the full-scale version, EAV-3, which successfully soared above 18 km during its test flight [12] [13] [14] . The flight of the EAV-3 is third in the world record for an electric-powered UAV to ascend at an altitude of over 18 km.

The scale-down version, EAV-2H+, was developed and flight tested during which it ascended up to an altitude of 10 km.

Thereafter, KARI developed the full-scale version, EAV-3, which successfully soared above 18 km during its test flight.


Renormalization group approaches are well suited for calculations with self-avoiding chain swelling in linear polymers [6] . The renormalization group approach was applied to star-branched polymers to account for chain swelling [7] . A closed form expression for the scattering factor was presented after the tedious task of evaluating some 21 integrals that contribute to the various diagrammatic representations of the excluded volume interactions. This paper presented an empirical form for the form factor in specific cases using a small-angle (low-Q) expansion.

Renormalization group approaches are well suited for calculations with self-avoiding chain swelling in linear polymers.

The renormalization group approach was applied to star-branched polymers to account for chain swelling.


All recirculation systems require basic unit operations to remove particulate solid wastes, biological filters to oxidize toxic ammonia and nitrite-nitrogen to nitrate-nitrogen, and aeration or oxygenation of the water to remove carbon dioxide and increase oxygen concentrations (Timmons et al. 2002) . Additional unit processes can be added depending on the scale of production and the unique water-quality parameters required for each species, such as pH control, foam fractionation, ozone, and disinfection systems (Timmons et al. 2002) . Over the past few years, numerous solutions have been proposed and developed to handle each one of these unit operations and processes. At the same time, entire recirculation systems and individual components have become available commercially for almost any scale production facility.

All recirculation systems require basic unit operations to remove particulate solid wastes, biological filters to oxidize toxic ammonia and nitrite-nitrogen to nitrate-nitrogen, and aeration or oxygenation of the water to remove carbon dioxide and increase oxygen concentrations.

Additional unit processes can be added depending on the scale of production and the unique water-quality parameters required for each species, such as pH control, foam fractionation, ozone, and disinfection systems.


Another question emerges: Why would personal distress be lower as a correlate of witnessing multiple killings? One possibility is a hardening or habituation to stressors as a defense mechanism. Contact with violence, even vicarious contact, can have a desensitizing effect on those experiencing exposure (Bandura & Adams, 1977) . Alternatively, individuals with a lack of empathy may not be as likely to avoid situations in which abuse is likely. Th ey may travel in a carefree manner with the violent crowd. Regardless of the causal direction, the dissociation with perspective-taking is clear.

Contact with violence, even vicarious contact, can have a desensitizing effect on those experiencing exposure.


We view these Sex effects as consistent with the commonplace finding that females tend to exhibit higher empathy (Baron-Cohen & Wheelwright, 2004; Daly & Morton, 2006) . Th e univariate analyses for Having Witnessed the Killing of an Animal revealed differences on Perspective Taking (PT) ( p < .01, Eta-squared = .032), and Personal Distress ( p < .05, Eta-squared = .031). Post hoc testing (Tukey) revealed those who had witnessed the killing of an animal more than once (Multiple) had higher PT scores [mean = 3.72]) when compared to Never (mean = 3.48, p < .05), and Once (mean = 3.21, p < .01). On the PD scale, the Multiple group (mean = 2.43) was lower than Never (mean = 2.79, p < .01) and Once (mean 2.91, p < .01). In effect, witnessing multiple killings correlates with better perspective-taking and lower personal distress. Sex did not interact with Having Witnessed the Killing of an Animal for the five psychological measures, so we exclude it from our interpretation; yet, it was clear from the sex distribution that there was a greater proportion of males in the Multiple category (Table 2) . Crosstabs with Chi-square analysis, Chisquare (2) = 17.55, p < .001, confirmed this. From the percentages reported in the table, it would appear that males are more likely than females to have witnessed multiple killings. Th is is a different pattern from that seen for the Never category and the Once category. Th us, males may be the cause for higher PT and lower PD scores here and worth considering more closely in future research. Separate examination by MANOVA of those who had intentionally killed a pet (N = 5), or a wild animal (N = 9) was precluded by the small sample sizes for these two groups. Of interest, however, were crosstabs analyses for (a) those who had killed a pet, as there was no sex difference (M = 3, F = 2), Chi-square (1) = 1.81, p > .1; and (b) those who had killed a wild or stray animal, as there was a sex difference (M = 6, F = 3), Chi-square (1) = 5.05, p < .05. Although these effects are suspect given the small cell sizes, we include them here as points of interest.

We view these Sex effects as consistent with the commonplace finding that females tend to exhibit higher empathy.


The presence of antibacterial substances in the higher plants is well established (Srinivasan, 2001) . Plants have provided a source of inspiration for novel drug compounds as plants derived medicines have made significant contribution towards human health. Phytomedicine can be used for the treatment of diseases as is done in case of Unani and Ayurvedic system of medicines or it can be the base for the development of a medicine, a natural blueprint for the development of a drug (Didry et al., 1998) . Successive isolation of botanical compounds from plant material is largely dependent on the type of solvent used in the extraction procedure. The traditional healers use primarily water as the solvent but we found in this study the plant extracts by methanol provided more consistent antimicrobial activity compared to those extracted by water. The results of antibacterial activity of all the 12 plants against the investigated bacterial strains are shown in Table 3 . None of the aqueous extracts produced zones of inhibition in the Kirby-Bauer analysis.

The presence of antibacterial substances in the higher plants is well established.

Phytomedicine can be used for the treatment of diseases as is done in case of Unani and Ayurvedic system of medicines or it can be the base for the development of a medicine, a natural blueprint for the development of a drug.


The investigated plants did not show strong antibacterial activity; however, negative results do not mean absence of bioactive constituents nor is that the plant inactive. Active compound(s) may be present in insufficient quantities in the crude extracts to show activity with the dose levels employed (Taylor et al., 2001) . Lack of activity can thus only be proven by using large doses (Farnsworth, 1993) . Alternatively, if the active principle is present in high enough quantities, there could be other constituents exerting antagonistic effects or negating the positive effects of the bioactive agents (Jager et al., 1996) . With no antibacterial activity, extracts may be active against other bacterial species which were not tested (Shale et al., 1999) . Amongst the plant species investigated, methanol extract of Bauhinia variegata bark showed the most remarkable activity. This plant can be further subjected to isolation of the therapeutic antimicrobials and carry out further pharmacological evaluation.

Active compound(s) may be present in insufficient quantities in the crude extracts to show activity with the dose levels employed.

Lack of activity can thus only be proven by using large doses.

Alternatively, if the active principle is present in high enough quantities, there could be other constituents exerting antagonistic effects or negating the positive effects of the bioactive agents.

With no antibacterial activity, extracts may be active against other bacterial species which were not tested.


Nonunions of the distal part of the humerus occurring after unsuccessful fracture treatment with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) represents a challenging surgical problem [1] . In most cases, this condition is characterized by instability, pain, weakness and reduced range of motion in the elbow joint, which all leads to a high degree of disability of the entire upper extremity [2] . The complex patterns of fracture, low osteogenic potential, damage of soft tissue, if combined with the wrong or inadequate initial fixation, are the main reasons for the development of pseudoarthrosis in this region of the humerus. Other predisposing factors include older age, alcoholism, smoking, obesity, presence of infection, as well as non-operative treatment [3] . The incidence of pseudoarthrosis after treatment of distal humerus fractures is 8-25%, and is most often encountered in the supracondylar region [4] . The complexity of this condition is increased by bone atrophy, scar tissue from previous interventions, small and poorly vascularized bone fragment, limited elbow mobility, and local neurological damage. Bone stock can be seriously compromised by bone absorption, further accelerated with loosening of osteo-fixation material. All this brings numerous obstacles to the successful healing of pseudoarthrosis and achieving good functional results [5] .

Nonunions of the distal part of the humerus occurring after unsuccessful fracture treatment with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) represents a challenging surgical problem.

In most cases, this condition is characterized by instability, pain, weakness and reduced range of motion in the elbow joint, which all leads to a high degree of disability of the entire upper extremity.

Other predisposing factors include older age, alcoholism, smoking, obesity, presence of infection, as well as non-operative treatment.

The incidence of pseudoarthrosis after treatment of distal humerus fractures is 8-25%, and is most often encountered in the supracondylar region.

All this brings numerous obstacles to the successful healing of pseudoarthrosis and achieving good functional results.


We designed a comprehensive study of various formats of the Allais gamble pairs where choices are made based on descriptive information, and added novel behavioral results of choices made from experience acquired with repeated feedback. Our results replicate previous findings, where Allais reversals are found in the traditional descriptive format and reduced when gambles are presented in a descriptive table format (Allais, 1953 (Allais, , 1990 Incekara-Hafalir & Stecher, 2012; Savage, 1954) . However, overall results of experiential choices in the classic Allais gamble pairs indicate no difference in the mean choice proportion between the two gamble pairs-a majority of participants make consistent choices from experience. Furthermore, there are interesting behavioral differences between consistent and reversal participants, such as consistent participants tend to choose the gamble with maximum expected value (B and B′) more often than do reversal participants.

Our results replicate previous findings, where Allais reversals are found in the traditional descriptive format and reduced when gambles are presented in a descriptive table format.


While oscillatory shear-driven flows, e.g. oscillatory Couette flow, have been widely studied using a variety of numerical and analytical techniques, these flows are unidirectional in the linear limit (Park et al. 2004; Hadjiconstantinou 2005a; Sharipov & Kalempa 2007 , 2008 Tang et al. 2008; Yap & Sader 2012) . Small collisional corrections arise at O(θ −1 ), but these do not alter the leading-order (free-molecular) shear flow. For this reason, we only present a detailed exposition of the oscillatory (time-varying) thermal creep problem in § 4.

While oscillatory shear-driven flows, e.g. oscillatory Couette flow, have been widely studied using a variety of numerical and analytical techniques, these flows are unidirectional in the linear limit.


Last but not least, as huge consumptions of fossil energies and accumulative carbon emissions of greenhouse gases have aggravated weather deterioration and environment pollution most recently, more and more attention on how to reduce carbon emissions has been received worldwide. Accordingly, a series of regulation policies are introduced by governments. Kyoto protocol is one of the most famous protocols signed at the third conference of the parties of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Kyoto, Japan, in October, 1997. After Kyoto protocol, other policies, for example, EU-ETS, RGGI, are published subsequently [10] . Predictably, in the future the influence on enterprise operations will be more and more coming from carbon emission polices and gradually will be one of the prerequisites in the production/operations management for the firms. Therefore, for the players in CLSC network, how should they arrange their logistic activities when faced with the carbon emission policies?

After Kyoto protocol, other policies, for example, EU-ETS, RGGI, are published subsequently.


Closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) has received increasing attention coming from theorists and entrepreneurs in recent years. From the viewpoint of overall lifecycle, it compromises the forward activities of manufacturing, distribution, and retailing and backward activities of collection and remanufacturing. Remanufacturing, as the significant part of CLSC, is a complicated process in which the core components of used products are disassembled, repaired, and reused [1] . Compared with production from virgin materials, remanufacturing tends to be energy saving, less material consuming and often has a lower impact on the environment. Related studies have shown that the remanufacturing cost of a core component is typically 40-60% less than those of brand-new production by raw materials [2] . Many famous enterprises, such as Xerox, Robert Bosch Tool, Black and Decker, and Hewlett-Packard, have implemented remanufacturing and CLSC strategies successfully [3, 4] .

Remanufacturing, as the significant part of CLSC, is a complicated process in which the core components of used products are disassembled, repaired, and reused.

Related studies have shown that the remanufacturing cost of a core component is typically 40-60% less than those of brand-new production by raw materials.

Many famous enterprises, such as Xerox, Robert Bosch Tool, Black and Decker, and Hewlett-Packard, have implemented remanufacturing and CLSC strategies successfully.


However, there is a reoccurring challenge in the extant literature on fair ranking: how to model user attention? Eye-tracking studies and click-stream data show that users do not distribute their attention evenly over ranked lists of information [13, 19, 21, 42] . This unequal distribution of attention must be taken into account when designing fair IR systems and evaluating whether a given IR system is fair. The trouble is that the distribution of attention for a given search engine may be unknown, since it varies based on the user interface of the service (e.g., pagination boundaries) and context (e.g., searching for a specific movie trailer versus searching for a new employee).

Eye-tracking studies and click-stream data show that users do not distribute their attention evenly over ranked lists of information.


As energy demand is increasing rapidly, bionergy is seen as one of the primary possibilities for preventing global warming [7] . At present, the immediate factor impeding the emergence of an industry converting biowastes into bioenergy on a large scale is the high cost of processing, rather than the cost or availability of biomass feedstock [8] . Thus, the challenge is to extend the amount of bioenergy that can be produced sustainably by using biowastes, such as municipal, industrial, and construction waste as biomass feedstocks [9] . Thus, it is suggested that the heat generated during composting processes can be reused as a renewable source of energy.

As energy demand is increasing rapidly, bionergy is seen as one of the primary possibilities for preventing global warming.

At present, the immediate factor impeding the emergence of an industry converting biowastes into bioenergy on a large scale is the high cost of processing, rather than the cost or availability of biomass feedstock.

Thus, the challenge is to extend the amount of bioenergy that can be produced sustainably by using biowastes, such as municipal, industrial, and construction waste as biomass feedstocks.


Compost has been widely used as soil conditioners and soil fertilizers. This practice is recommended, as soil fertility needs more than ever to be sustained. Food demand is increasing rapidly in non-OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, and it is in those countries particularly where organic waste needs to be diverted from landfill sites to composting practices, so compost can enhance soil fertility [4] . In OECD countries, where composting of organic waste is already established, its use as a landfill cover to abate greenhouse gas emissions has shown to be promising [5] . The addition of compost can minimize land degradation and soil erosion. Additionally, composting can contribute to achieve sufficient hygienisation of organic wastes and control soilborn and airborn pathogens by promotion of beneficial micro-organisms and suppression of harmful micro-organisms [6] .

Food demand is increasing rapidly in non-OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, and it is in those countries particularly where organic waste needs to be diverted from landfill sites to composting practices, so compost can enhance soil fertility.

In OECD countries, where composting of organic waste is already established, its use as a landfill cover to abate greenhouse gas emissions has shown to be promising.

Additionally, composting can contribute to achieve sufficient hygienisation of organic wastes and control soilborn and airborn pathogens by promotion of beneficial micro-organisms and suppression of harmful micro-organisms.


In conclusion, these findings bolster the link between vitamin D deficiency and metabolic health and supports the notion that vitamin D deficiency and poor metabolic health are relevant to both black and white individuals. So far, vitamin D supplementation has not yet been shown to substantially improve metabolic health parameters such as insulin sensitivity and inflammation in human trials, despite experimental data showing direct causal links between vitamin D deficiency and poor metabolic health. However, as the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the general population continues to rise, this area of research remains relevant, particularly in populations such as black individuals who have a higher overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and are at increased risk of poor metabolic health [25] . Further randomized controlled trials in clearly deficient individuals with chronic disease conditions are warranted.

However, as the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the general population continues to rise, this area of research remains relevant, particularly in populations such as black individuals who have a higher overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and are at increased risk of poor metabolic health.


Since for gas flows confined in micro-or nano-devices the Knudsen number may lie in the transition regime or beyond, it is important to resort to models capable of describing, at least qualitatively, rarefaction effects when designing or analysing such systems. Other examples include the transport of particles or droplets by a gaseous stream, or of bubbles by a liquid, when the size of these solid or fluid objects lies in the micrometre or nanometre range. Although the Navier-Stokes-Fourier equations of classical hydrodynamics can be extended into the transition regime for Knudsen numbers beyond 0.01 by including slip and jump effects in the boundary conditions, not all rarefaction effects occurring in the bulk can be captured by this approximation (Mohammadzadeh et al. 2015; Torrilhon 2016) . Another aspect relevant to modelling micro-or nano-flows is that, for such small scales, the flow Reynolds number is typically smaller than one, so that neglecting inertia is an admissible assumption.

Although the Navier-Stokes-Fourier equations of classical hydrodynamics can be extended into the transition regime for Knudsen numbers beyond 0.01 by including slip and jump effects in the boundary conditions, not all rarefaction effects occurring in the bulk can be captured by this approximation.


The model "university -innovation centres" aims to overcome the gap between education and the implementation of the knowledge gained in creating innovation. Within the framework of this model, two blocks are key: a block of joint research centres "university -industry" and a block of the creation of innovation centres and startup. For the creation of the first block, it is advisable to take advantage of the US experience as a basis. Along with strategic business alliances over the past 30 years, the "universityindustry" partnerships have been actively developing in the USA. Financing in such cases is carried out on a contractual basis, and the owner of the research results is a financial company. The "university -industry" model has become so widespread that many institutions have created special centres (over 1000 throughout the USA) that serve such projects (Nikolayenko, Sakun, 2015) . In our opinion, the stimulation of such cooperation contributes to accelerating the emergence of different types of innovation centres by combining the innovative potential of education and commercial progress, and the commercialization of innovations.

The "university -industry" model has become so widespread that many institutions have created special centres (over 1000 throughout the USA) that serve such projects.


In general, mycoplasmas are facultative anaerobes, except for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is a strict aerobe [21, 32] . The presence of the anaerobic form of these microorganisms is usually explained by the availability of oxygen and by the colonization of microhabitats protected from air. In fact, mycoplasmas are able to invade the deep tissues as a result of mucosal surface disruption, local trauma, surgery, tissue necrosis and impaired clearance of a sterile site. Their ability to grow in anaerobic environments may lead to localized infections [33, 34] . To this regard, in a number of cases mycoplasmas are considered causative agents for localized infections, and the difficulty in their isolation likely renders these associations underestimated [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] .

In general, mycoplasmas are facultative anaerobes, except for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is a strict aerobe.

Their ability to grow in anaerobic environments may lead to localized infections.

To this regard, in a number of cases mycoplasmas are considered causative agents for localized infections, and the difficulty in their isolation likely renders these associations underestimated.


Data regarding the constitutive proteome in pathogens under relevant conditions can definitely provide valuable information on their metabolic regulation and pathogenesis. In this study, we performed the proteome analysis of a strain of Mycoplasma fermentans MFI, isolated in our laboratory from samples obtained from an HIV-seropositive patient [40] . This strain of Mycoplasma fermentans has a nucleotide sequence very similar to another strain isolated in our lab (MFII) and to the prototypes Mycoplasma fermentans PG18 and M64 [3, 41, 42] . We chose to study the strain MFI because its DnaK showed broad anticancer properties both in vivo and in vitro [40] . To this regard we demonstrated that this mycoplasma promoted lymphomagenesis in an in vivo mouse model and its bacterial chaperone protein, DnaK, reduced the activity of PARP1 and p53, involved in DNA damage control/repair and cell-cycle/apoptosis, respectively [40] . Protein expression profiles of this microorganism cultured in aerobic and anaerobic conditions were determined using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and proteins were further identified using MALDI-TOF/MS-MS.

In this study, we performed the proteome analysis of a strain of Mycoplasma fermentans MFI, isolated in our laboratory from samples obtained from an HIV-seropositive patient.

This strain of Mycoplasma fermentans has a nucleotide sequence very similar to another strain isolated in our lab (MFII) and to the prototypes Mycoplasma fermentans PG18 and M64.

We chose to study the strain MFI because its DnaK showed broad anticancer properties both in vivo and in vitro.

To this regard we demonstrated that this mycoplasma promoted lymphomagenesis in an in vivo mouse model and its bacterial chaperone protein, DnaK, reduced the activity of PARP1 and p53, involved in DNA damage control/repair and cell-cycle/apoptosis, respectively.


Our findings show a high protein ratio of anaerobic versus aerobic when the liposoluble fraction was compared to the hydrosoluble (Fig. 3 ). Most of the lipoproteins of mycoplasmas are believed to be exposed to the extracellular surface and have been characterized to have roles in adherence, transport of nutrients and enzymatic activity. In addition, mycoplasma lipoproteins can be related to virulence and antigenicity [13, 14] . While many of the predicted lipoproteins of mycoplasmas remain hypothetical, our results suggest that the higher ratio of lipoproteins in the anaerobic mycoplasma might be associated to a more pathogenic phenotype. An example is the observed higher ratio of the p37 lipoprotein in the anaerobic fraction (Table 3) .

In addition, mycoplasma lipoproteins can be related to virulence and antigenicity.


Finally, our argument suggests some patterns in the long-term history of international politics. Historically, there has been a long movement since absolutism in Europe to modern mass democracy. These shifts in selection institutions, first through constitutional monarchy with legislatures selected by a small set of the citizens and later through expansion of suffrage and the dominance of elected leaders over monarchs, have changed the issues at contest in world politics. Territory was the issue in contest in the era of absolute monarchs because monarchs relied on a small winning coalition drawn from the aristocracy. As monarchs became subject to constitutional limitations and then replaced by elected prime ministers or presidents, territory receded as an issue for systems with such leaders. The other broad type of political system to emerge as monarchy receded was the one-party autocracy; these leaders still sought territory, and the leaders of such systems triggered the two World Wars. We speculate that the spread of systems with large winning coalitions was key to the decline of territory as an issue of dispute and the rise of the norm of territorial integrity noted by others (Zacher 2001) . The move to larger winning coalitions had another less appreciated effect; the norm of non-intervention -the idea that state leaders should not seek to overthrow one another -receded. We plan to address these patterns in detail in future research.

We speculate that the spread of systems with large winning coalitions was key to the decline of territory as an issue of dispute and the rise of the norm of territorial integrity noted by others.


Using linear electromagnetic field theory, simple expressions for eddy current loss in laminated rectangular cores have been derived. These expressions can be readily adapted for cores made of left-handed materials [20] [21] [22] . In view of Eqs. (8.1), (8.2) and (13.1), if the insulation thickness T 1 is zero (i.e., in the absence of any insulation), there will be only ycomponent of eddy current density. The presence of insulation layers interrupts the eddy current path. As a result, the y-component of eddy current density is modified and an x-component of eddy current density appears.

These expressions can be readily adapted for cores made of left-handed materials.


Eddy currents are induced in conductors subjected to transient electromagnetic fields [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] . Eddy currents are also produced due to periodically time-varying excitations [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] . Alternating magnetic flux in transformer cores induces eddy currents resulting in eddy current loss. Time-invariant magnetic flux is established in the poles of a synchronous machine operating under steady state conditions. The pole-shoes, however, are subjected to pulsating magnetic field due to slotted armature surface. To reduce eddy current loss, transformer cores and pole-shoes of synchronous machines are invariably laminated.

Eddy currents are induced in conductors subjected to transient electromagnetic fields.

Eddy currents are also produced due to periodically time-varying excitations.


Currently, all guidelines indicate that at-risk patients should undergo screening for LTBI and should undergo prophylactic treatment approaches, if necessary, prior to commencing treatment with TNF-α inhibitors (5,6). However, the diverse epidemiological characteristics of TB infection in different geographical regions preclude a consensus regarding these guidelines. In addition, the occurrence of anti-TNF-associated TB infections cannot be completely prevented despite the LTBI screenings and prophylactic TB treatments recommended by national organizations [13, 14] .

In addition, the occurrence of anti-TNF-associated TB infections cannot be completely prevented despite the LTBI screenings and prophylactic TB treatments recommended by national organizations.


The estimates reported in a study published by the Peterson Institute for International Economics suggest that the TPP will increase annual real incomes in Canada by $37 billion and annual exports by $58 billion over baseline projections by 2030 when the agreement is nearly fully implemented (Petri and Plummer 2016) . The study does warn that even though most workers who lose jobs do find alternative employment, workers in specific industries or with skill shortages may experience serious transition costs. For instance, by eliminating tariffs on Japanese vehicles and making it simpler for manufacturers to use offshore parts, the local auto parts makers would be prone to losing domestic demand. It may possibly lead to a higher Canadian import penetration by vehicles built in Japan because of their added price competitiveness subsequent to the removal of the 6.1 percent tariff, in addition to the consequence of weaker rules of origin for both vehicles and parts (Carey and Holmes, 2017) . Moreover, the inclusion of parts from low-cost countries both within and outside the TPP may prove to be detrimental for Canadian production of auto parts. The effect of any FTA is to divert trade away from non-members toward members, with tangible losses for China, India, Thailand, and South Korea in the case of TPP-11. In fact, it is for that reason that both China and South Korea have expressed interest in being parties to a trans-Pacific trade deal, marked by their presence in the trade talks held in Chile in March 2017.

The estimates reported in a study published by the Peterson Institute for International Economics suggest that the TPP will increase annual real incomes in Canada by $37 billion and annual exports by $58 billion over baseline projections by 2030 when the agreement is nearly fully implemented.

It may possibly lead to a higher Canadian import penetration by vehicles built in Japan because of their added price competitiveness subsequent to the removal of the 6.1 percent tariff, in addition to the consequence of weaker rules of origin for both vehicles and parts.


While the hydrogel composite has attracted a lot of attention due to its superior properties, most review articles report on conventional fabrication techniques such as molding or casting [5, 7] . Compared with wellunderstood and evaluated conventional manufacturing processes, hydrogel composite 3D printing systems remain a relatively new area of research and much more can be studied with regards to their physicochemical properties such as viscosity, dispersion, reinforcement, and its size and shape [16, 17] . In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of 3D printing systems for hydrogel composites with improved mechanical performance and biofunctionality [1, 16, 17] . Herein, we first provide a brief introduction of hydrogel composite 3D printing techniques and their application in the field of tissue engineering. We shall categorize 3D printing into (a) laser based-3D printing, (b) nozzle based-3D printing, and (c) inkjet printer based-3D printing systems, and discuss their working principles and recent trends. In particular, we will discuss four different hydrogel composite systems: i) polymer-or hydrogel-hydrogel composite, ii) particle-reinforced hydrogel composite iii) fiber-reinforced hydrogel composite, and iv) anisotropic filler-reinforced hydrogel composite, and highlight tailored physical properties and their functionality. Additionally, several emerging potential applications of hydrogel composites in the field of tissue engineering and their accompanying challenges are discussed in parallel.

While the hydrogel composite has attracted a lot of attention due to its superior properties, most review articles report on conventional fabrication techniques such as molding or casting.

Compared with wellunderstood and evaluated conventional manufacturing processes, hydrogel composite 3D printing systems remain a relatively new area of research and much more can be studied with regards to their physicochemical properties such as viscosity, dispersion, reinforcement, and its size and shape.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of 3D printing systems for hydrogel composites with improved mechanical performance and biofunctionality.


High-resolution images were used to detect any glassy phases presented in grain boundaries since thermal stability is crucial for high temperature application. Various grain boundaries, such as Si 3 N 4 /12H, 15R/15R, 12H/12H and 15R/Al 2 O 3 , were imaged but no intergranular glassy phases were detected (Figures 7 a, b, c and d) . However, statistically, one cannot exclude the existence of intergranular glassy phases in this polytypoid. For example, mechanical tests on these FGM samples implied that some glassy phases in the triple junction are present to cause strength degradation at high temperature [21] .

For example, mechanical tests on these FGM samples implied that some glassy phases in the triple junction are present to cause strength degradation at high temperature.


For the areas in the Si 3 N 4 -polytypoid area, the 12H polytypoid was identified (c= 32.91 Å). So the polytypoid did not change in the Si 3 N 4 -polytypoid gradient area. However, in the Al 2 O 3 -polytypoid gradient area, the polytypoid changed to 15R, c= 41.81 Å ( Figure   6 ). This agrees with the trend of the phase diagram in Figure 1 where the polytypoid was transformed close to the materials to be joined, the closest polytypoid to Al 2 O 3 is 15R and the one to Si 3 N 4 is 12H. Thus the lattice mismatch is accommodated by having this polytypoid transformation closest to the materials being joined. Moreover, this trend in the polytypoid transformation from 12H to 15R as the ratio of cation to anion decreases, is exactly as predicted from the phase diagram (Figure 1 ). Thus the present approach can be applied to a wide range of ceramic systems including the superconductors [20] .

Thus the present approach can be applied to a wide range of ceramic systems including the superconductors.


The joining of materials is an important process commercially and technologically. Due to the existence of physical and economic limitations for the manufacture of large parts, joining is essential. Further, for fabrication of complex shapes, it is much easier to make regular geometric shapes and then join them. Finally, having different materials at different regions of the same component is desirable for several applications [1] . Joining to form these components is often the only way for fabrication.

Finally, having different materials at different regions of the same component is desirable for several applications.


Linear tracking control systems based on direct drive linear machines are vastly used in the manufacturing industry, such as parts assembly, printed circuit boarding (PCB) drilling and chip processing, etc. In addition, there are many tasks that require a cooperation of many linear machines to work harmonically. For example, in a multi-station PCB drilling machine, each linear machine acts as one working unit. The board being processed requires the linear machines to track the command position precisely and coordinates with each other to finish the whole drilling work. Therefore, each linear machine often demands the state information from other machines, so as to work cooperatively and synchronously. The overall motion control performance can be improved such as faster operation time, more efficiency and the annihilation of accumulated errors, etc., compared to a traditional sequenced working manner [1] . Furthermore, if multiple linear machines can be organized as a coordinated and distributed motion tracking network and each machine has the position controller, sensor and driver of its own, the ultimate global tracking control goal can be emerged by local communications among the independent linear machine nodes with local controllers, without the necessity of any global supervision or decision [2] .

The overall motion control performance can be improved such as faster operation time, more efficiency and the annihilation of accumulated errors, etc., compared to a traditional sequenced working manner.

Furthermore, if multiple linear machines can be organized as a coordinated and distributed motion tracking network and each machine has the position controller, sensor and driver of its own, the ultimate global tracking control goal can be emerged by local communications among the independent linear machine nodes with local controllers, without the necessity of any global supervision or decision.


Obviously, the structure of the lipid matrix in the membranes of spermatozoa is destroyed by peroxidation of sperm lipids, and is connected with the fast loss of intracellular ATP. This in turn results in axonemal damage, decreased sperm viability and increased midpiece morphological defects, and even can completely inhibits spermatogenesis in severe cases (Sikka, 1996; Sanocka and Kurpisz, 2004; Varnet et al., 2004) . In the present study, it was observed that defferental sperm concentration of mice that received different doses of C. aurantium extract was significantly higher and the sperm motility was significantly lower when compared with the control group. It seems that C. aurantium extract has directly affected the spermatogenic cells. The study has also shown that the number of spermatogony cells and primary spermatocytes increased significantly in the experimental groups in comparison to the control group.

This in turn results in axonemal damage, decreased sperm viability and increased midpiece morphological defects, and even can completely inhibits spermatogenesis in severe cases.


It has been reported that the smell of C. aurantium is useful in lessening of stress and is also especially functional for cases of moderate depression (Mantel, 2002) . Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are molecules that are highly disruptive to cellular function, in general, and have free radicals. ROS are produced in the testis as a usual physiological event; the modifications of the synthesis of ROS motivate the oxidation and DNA damage of cells (Sikka, 1996) . The sperm plasma membrane has polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are sensitive to peroxidative damage. The lipid peroxidation demolishes the formation of the lipid in the membranes of spermatozoa, hence, reduces the sperm's motility and results in defects to membrane integrity (de Lamirande et al., 1997; Sanocka and Kurpisz, 2004; Henkel, 2005) .

It has been reported that the smell of C. aurantium is useful in lessening of stress and is also especially functional for cases of moderate depression.

ROS are produced in the testis as a usual physiological event; the modifications of the synthesis of ROS motivate the oxidation and DNA damage of cells.

The lipid peroxidation demolishes the formation of the lipid in the membranes of spermatozoa, hence, reduces the sperm's motility and results in defects to membrane integrity.


Human development can be enhanced through public policies that focus on the most important and sensitive periods of childhood. In particular, early childhood is characterized as being one of the periods in which there is a requirement for increased investment in the implementation of rapid actions with coordinated practice together with sectors such as health and education, valuing the contexts that affect children, such as the family, community and school (Macana & Comim, 2015) . The influences coming from the macro context, such as the culture in which the child and family are inserted, the government organization and the political and social actions, can affect childhood development and, therefore, should be the focus in the elaboration of public policies directed toward early childhood (Linhares, 2015) . Through this study, it is hoped to contribute to ensuring children receive a healthy, happy, dignified and protected childhood, both from the adults accompanying their development and from the government sectors.

In particular, early childhood is characterized as being one of the periods in which there is a requirement for increased investment in the implementation of rapid actions with coordinated practice together with sectors such as health and education, valuing the contexts that affect children, such as the family, community and school.

The influences coming from the macro context, such as the culture in which the child and family are inserted, the government organization and the political and social actions, can affect childhood development and, therefore, should be the focus in the elaboration of public policies directed toward early childhood.


Similarly, in the present study the ACT Program contributed to the mothers of different socioeconomic levels, improving their attitudes, behavior and ways of disciplining their children in different situations experienced, according to maternal perception. By promoting education of the parents and positive parenting practices through strengthening their knowledge and skills, the program improves the positive parenting practices and, thus, increases the guarantee that the child will develop and be raised in a violencefree environment (Landers et al., 2013; Linhares, 2015) . Therefore, it is important to invest actions to support and guide parents in the task of raising their children, helping to reduce the level of parental stress and promoting coping strategies for the adverse situations experienced with the child (Minetto, Crepaldi, Bigras, & Moreira, 2012) .

By promoting education of the parents and positive parenting practices through strengthening their knowledge and skills, the program improves the positive parenting practices and, thus, increases the guarantee that the child will develop and be raised in a violencefree environment.

Therefore, it is important to invest actions to support and guide parents in the task of raising their children, helping to reduce the level of parental stress and promoting coping strategies for the adverse situations experienced with the child.


According to the results of the present study, collected from the perception of the mothers regarding the behavior of the children, it should be noted that after the ACT Program intervention the mothers learned to see the behavior of the children positively and to feel less negative regarding their inappropriate behavior. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, decreed by the United Nations (UN), recognizes the importance of knowledge about childhood development and reiterates the duty of countries to disseminate the basic principles of this theme throughout all sectors of society (Silva, Vieira, de Moura, & Ribas, 2005) . Thus, it is essential for public policies directed toward parents to be implemented in order to disseminate basic knowledge of childhood development, thus minimizing possible negative effects on the parenting practices and, consequently, on the development of the child and interaction between parents and children. After the participation of mothers in the ACT Program, according to the perception of the other informant caregiver, the children of the C-Public group presented improvements with respect to conduct problems and the children of the B-Public group improvements with regard to relationship problems with peers.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, decreed by the United Nations (UN), recognizes the importance of knowledge about childhood development and reiterates the duty of countries to disseminate the basic principles of this theme throughout all sectors of society.


With regard to the child behavior, after the intervention with the ACT Program there was an improvement of the indicators of behavioral difficulties and capacities of the children, based on the mothers' and other caregivers' perceptions. According to the literature, the importance of the participation of multiple informants regarding child behavior problems is consensual (Kraemer et al., 2003) . The possibility of obtaining the perception of more than one informant provides the study with greater accuracy, as it diminishes the chances of bias related to the perception and comprehension of the child behavior.

According to the literature, the importance of the participation of multiple informants regarding child behavior problems is consensual.


The results of the present study, as well as the results of previous studies, demonstrate the positive impact of the ACT Program on the mothers' parenting practices and on the child behavior, contributing to the prevention of child behavior problems or the maintenance of appropriate behavior. The ACT Program is a parental intervention with strategies based on scientific evidence for the prevention of violence, founded on the principles that in the early years of childhood children learn the basic foundations for life. In addition, the ACT Program presents specific aspects in the prevention of violence, including the impact of violence and various methods to protect children from violence in the family, community and media, thus avoiding emotional, cognitive and behavioral consequences (Knox et al., 2011) . The ACT Program has as strong characteristic of reaching parents of different socioeconomic levels, since the language used in the concepts and knowledge was translated from the scientific field of Psychology to an accessible language and format.

In addition, the ACT Program presents specific aspects in the prevention of violence, including the impact of violence and various methods to protect children from violence in the family, community and media, thus avoiding emotional, cognitive and behavioral consequences.


Results indicate no significant effect of haptics on performance. The data suggest a trend of participants completing the task faster with haptic feedback, but the significant variability among subjects may be masking its effect on performance. The results, although inconclusive, are in line with previous studies suggesting that haptic feedback improves performance (mean time to task completion) [15, 17] . Lack of significance in our performance analysis may be due to the inspectors' inexperience with a video borescope or the simplicity of our chosen task, as explained below.

The results, although inconclusive, are in line with previous studies suggesting that haptic feedback improves performance (mean time to task completion).


The goal of the XENON1T experiment requires an ultra-low background (order of a few 10 −4 (kg · day · keV) −1 for the total ER background) in the central detector region. Hence we performed a careful screening and selection campaign for all the detector construction materials, especially those in close proximity to the xenon target, and we developed powerful purification techniques to remove the intrinsic contaminants from the xenon. The external gammas and neutrons from the muons and laboratory environment are reduced to negligible levels by operating the experiment deep underground at LNGS and by placing the detector inside a shield made of at least 4 m of water, contained in a stainless steel tank. The water tank is instrumented with light sensors to be operated as a Cherenkov muon veto [23] .

The water tank is instrumented with light sensors to be operated as a Cherenkov muon veto.


However, the advent of renewable energy has shifted the focus towards intermittent sources, such as solar and wind power [1] . Since solar and wind power are highly dependent on weather conditions, they cannot be operated according to electricity demand. Conversely, the increasing availability of smart and connected devices enables a better control of electricity demand [2, 3, 4] .

However, the advent of renewable energy has shifted the focus towards intermittent sources, such as solar and wind power.

Conversely, the increasing availability of smart and connected devices enables a better control of electricity demand.


This paradigm shift has given rise to the concept of demand response (DR) as a means of controlling demand [5] . Demand response has been defined by the U. S. Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as "a tariff or a program established to motivate changes in electric use by end-use customers in response to changes in the price of electricity over time, or to give incentive payments designed to induce lower electricity use at times of high market prices or when grid reliability is jeopardized " [6] . Within the field of DR, the term load shifting refers to moving the electricity consumption of devices to a different point in time such that the monetary expenditures for electricity generation are minimized [7] . In this respect, electricity consumption is merely postponed or shifted to an earlier point in time, while the overall electricity demand remains the same.

This paradigm shift has given rise to the concept of demand response (DR) as a means of controlling demand.

Demand response has been defined by the U. S. Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as "a tariff or a program established to motivate changes in electric use by end-use customers in response to changes in the price of electricity over time, or to give incentive payments designed to induce lower electricity use at times of high market prices or when grid reliability is jeopardized ".

Within the field of DR, the term load shifting refers to moving the electricity consumption of devices to a different point in time such that the monetary expenditures for electricity generation are minimized.


We start with a descriptive analysis on the relationship between male and female age and coital frequency, separately for achievers and avoiders. In this first phase we consider only the first observed cycle for every couple (Figures 1 and 2 ). As expected, achievers show an average number of acts of intercourse (in the whole cycle) that is remarkably higher (almost double) than the number registered for the group of avoiders. Furthermore, even for achievers we can observe a strong decrease in sexual activity with age. In other terms, our preliminary results seem to support the hypothesis that the general decline of coital frequency by age occurs almost independently of the desire to have a child. To go into further depth, a Generalised Linear Model for longitudinal data is applied. More specifically we use a Poisson model with log-linear link. The main aim is to estimate the distinct effect of male age and female age on sexual activity, net of the duration of marriage. We typically have various cycles for each couple and we account for the correlation within the couple by using the Generalised estimating equation approach (Diggle et al. 1994) .

We typically have various cycles for each couple and we account for the correlation within the couple by using the Generalised estimating equation approach.


Our results suggest the need for more in-depth research on the non-biological factors that may reduce sexual activity with age and may act mainly on the female component of the couple. For example, it will be interesting in further analyses to specifically take into account the impact of the number of children. Parity increases during the life course and it is expected to be influential on female sexuality (James 1981; Brewis and Meyer 2004) .

Parity increases during the life course and it is expected to be influential on female sexuality.


In order to explain our concepts in a down-to-earth manner, we start by explaining the concept of a (plain) rackoid (Definition 2.8), not involving smoothness. Augmented rackoids are taken care of in Section 2.4 -the main construction mechanism for rackoids in our article. Then we pass to Lie rackoids in Section 3. The main idea is to give the set of bisections of a smooth precategory an infinite-dimensional (Fréchet-) manifold structure, inspired by work of Schmeding-Wockel [17] . A Lie rackoid is then a smooth selfdistributive structure on this manifold of bisections (Definition 3.5). The rest of the article discusses the above mentioned structure results and classes of examples.

The main idea is to give the set of bisections of a smooth precategory an infinite-dimensional (Fréchet-) manifold structure, inspired by work of Schmeding-Wockel.