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The theory of self-determination is an evidence-based theory that has been shifted from a conceptual perspective to practical implementation for the past four decades. The theory is grounded within positive psychology and has the basic assumption that every human being has the motivation and potential to be psychologically sound. In order to attain a state of psychological wellness, our basic psychological needs, which are the desire for autonomy, relatedness and competence, must be satisfied. If these needs are attained, people are therefore motivated to function optimally and at their fullest potential. In addition to satisfying basic human psychological needs, a supportive environment is required as well. In the case of this book, the family is presented in each chapter as the hypothetical environment for optimal functioning of the individual. The chapters highlight the role of family structure, family conflict, family involvement, adverse experiences within the family, parenting styles and practices. Self-Determination Theory: A Family Perspective includes reviews and primary research studies from authors in South Africa, Portugal, Belgium and Nigeria.

This book stands out from other books on the topic of influence. Most books on influence or persuasion select authors to focus on subsets of theoretical issues within a fairly narrow research focus. In this book, you will find a set of consumer and social researchers - some among the best in the country who address topics within their areas of expertise. The papers presented here should have a unique appeal because of the diverse range of issues that are examined. The papers are broadly connected within the consumer and social influence domain, but vary considerably in the theoretical matters the chapters address: empirical studies on how indirect social influence can affect different styles of thinking that result in counterintuitive outcomes; new insights into the issue of self-control as a limited resource and how it affects susceptibility to persuasion and compliance; the different types of appeals most effective in facilitating abstinence from unhealthy habits; how the effectiveness of a companys public response to brand failures is contingent on different factors involved in such failures; the persuasiveness of different forms of online versus offline consumer influence strategies; an expanded theoretical approach to social responsiveness integrated into an emerging area of theoretical physics: socio-physical modeling; and finally a controversial chapter that defines, tests and validates a scale that measures a commonly used descriptive vulgarity (negative influence) and then demonstrates its utility in predicting interpersonal and social problems. The empirical and conceptual chapters compiled in this book should be of interest to researchers working in the areas of consumer or social influence looking for new theoretical insights and ideas to investigate, as well as for those seeking stimulating questions or results for classroom learning and discussion. This book provides both.

Every child is born with creative potential. It is our job in early learning programs -- and later school years-to nurture that creativity and support resourceful problem-solving, imaginative thinking, and transference of skills and knowledge to new experiences. This book adds to the growing evidence about how arts participation helps young children develop strong social and emotional skills. This book highlights that the arts are an important contribution to childrens social-emotional development.

According to Department of Energy (DOE) and industry expectations, in the next few years the United States is expected to change from a net importer of natural gas to a net exporter, with those exports destined for different regions of the world, especially Asia. More than 30 companies have received approval from DOE for large-scale exports of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) -- natural gas cooled for transportation -- beginning in 2015 or 2016 via specialized LNG carriers. Congress is considering whether to propose legislative language that would require U.S. LNG be exported via U.S.-built-and-flagged carriers with the goal of supporting U.S. shipbuilders and mariners. This book discusses DOE and industry expectations for the market for U.S. LNG exports and how the proposed requirement could affect jobs in the U.S. maritime industry and the broader U.S. economy.

Each year, tens of thousands of aliens in the United States apply for asylum, which provides refuge to those who have been persecuted or fear persecution on protected grounds. Asylum officers in the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and immigration judges in the Department of Justices (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) adjudicate asylum applications. This book addresses what DHS and DOJ data indicate about trends in asylum claims; the extent to which DHS and DOJ have designed mechanisms to prevent and detect asylum fraud; and the extent to which DHS and DOJ designed and implemented processes to address any asylum fraud that has been identified.

In 2015, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Young v. United Parcel Service. In the case, a United Parcel Service (UPS) worker named Peggy Young challenged her employers refusal to grant her a light-duty work assignment while she was pregnant, claiming that UPSs actions violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). In a highly anticipated ruling, the Justices fashioned a new test for determining when an employers refusal to provide accommodations for a pregnant worker constitutes a violation of the PDA, and the Court sent the case back to the lower court for reconsideration in light of these new standards. This book begins with a discussion of the facts in the Young case, followed by an overview of the PDA. The book then provides an analysis of the Young case, its implications, and a potential legislative response. Furthermore, the book focuses on sex discrimination challenges based on: the equal protection guarantees of the Fourteenth and Fifth Amendments; the prohibition against employment discrimination contained in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and the prohibition against sex discrimination in education contained in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

This book provides readers with the latest developments in environmental research. Chapter One is an exertion providing up-to date information on mass concentration levels, sources, different types of particles associated with particulate matter (PM) and their effects on human health, climate and natural environment along with controlling methods. Chapter Two evaluates the impact of the foliar applications of seaweed extract (SWE) obtained from Ulva rigida species on salt stress tolerance in wheat plants (Triticum durum L.). Chapter Three addresses polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) origins, uptake dinamics, biotransformation, bioaccumulation and documented impacts over these marine animals, approaching a ''state of knowledge and setting an integrated basis for future tiered studies to estimate the actual human exposure risk through seafood consumption and giving support for future conservational measures. Chapter Four uses the Delphi method, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy logic theory to establish a system of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) to illustrate the influence of community resident participation on the effectiveness of sustainable green community development. Chapter Five reviews an empirical analysis on the factors influencing energy efficient residential renovations in Taiwan by using the Delphi method, analytical hierarchy process, and utility theory. Chapter Six focuses on dental caries, enamel hypoplasia and dental wear, which were observed in the populations of the Syrian lower Euphrates valley representing six cultures dated from the Early Bronze Age to the modern Islamic period. Chapter Seven discusses perfluoroalkylation of organic compounds by photoredox catalysis with organic dyes.

This book presents original results on the leading edge of cancer research. Chapter One summarizes what is currently known regarding the epigenetic regulation of osteosarcoma pathways and oncogenes, as well as clinical trials of drugs that exert epigenetic regulation. Chapter Two critically discusses the role of ECM-dependent signaling in osteosarcoma progression. Chapter Three illustrates the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure by focusing on photocarcinogenesis. Chapter Four examines the psychology of sunscreen use and outlines the key psychological factors associated with sunscreen use. Chapter Five reviews the cellular and molecular mechanism of Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Transforming Growth Factor-β mediating cervical cancer development. Chapter Six examines the affect of the American cranberry extract on expression of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in human prostate cancer cells in vitro. Chapter Seven discusses the design of synthetic peptides to specifically interfere the papillomavirus binding factor/14-3-3beta binding to restore papillomavirus binding factor apoptotic functions. Chapter Eight examines brain development using correlations between Diffusion Kurtosis and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) in neonates and young children. Chapter Nine highlights the opportunities that are available to prevent the late effects related to stress and fears, emphasizing the importance of teaching patients resiliency and how to cope.

Applications of microscale and nanoscale thermal and fluid transport phenomena are involved in traditional industries and highly specialized fields such as bioengineering, chemical and biochemical engineering, micro-fabricated fluidic systems, microelectronics, aerospace technology, micro heat pipes, chips cooling etc. The research in the relevant subjects has been becoming especially important since the late 20th century. However, microscale and nanoscale thermal and fluid transport phenomena are quite different from those at conventional scale or macroscale. Research on the thermal and fluid transport phenomena at microscale and nanoscale has extensively been conducted to understand the very complex phenomena in the past decades. New instrumentational methods have been applied to measure the basic physical parameters at microscale and are continuously under development. New test data have been obtained through state-of-the art experimental facilities. New prediction methods and mathematical models have also been developed to cover both macroscale and microscale channels and are being continuously under investigation. However, there are quite contradictory results in the available research. Furthermore, new theories and mechanisms are also urgently needed for the fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena at microscale and nanoscale. There are many issues to be clarified from both theoretical and applied aspects. In recent years, interdisciplinary research areas are also rapidly under development. For example, as a new research frontier of nanotechnology, the research of nanofluid two-phase flow and thermal physics is rapidly growing. However, it has also posed new challenges as there are quite contradictory results in the available research. There are still a number of issues needed to be solved in the practical applications.

Globalisation, as an international phenomenon, has contributed to or assisted in the development of major economic, political and social change in the new millennium. For the last half century, the forces of globalisation have been accelerating through the developing and developed worlds. While the importance of globalisation or the economic and social linkages binding the world together has been widely acknowledged, scholars and policy-makers disagree vehemently about whether globalisation is inevitable; whether it is, on balance, positive or negative; who, if anyone, controls the processes; who are the winners and losers in the fundamental transformations being wrought by globalisation; and what policies should be adopted in the face of globalisation. This book focuses on the economic, political and social issues of globalisation.

This book provides research on theories, properties and applications of porous media. Chapter One considers non-standard models of multi-component adsorption with applications to gas adsorption processes in coalbeds. Chapter Two discusses the influence of temperature dependent thermal conductivity on non-darcy flow and heat transfer in a vertical rectangular duct. Chapter Three investigates the effects of different modes of evaporation on the time-dependent wicking behavior of liquids into a porous strip. Chapter Four deals with the study of dispersion of a solute for porous medium in a vertical double-passage channel with first order chemical reaction. Chapter Five investigates the effect of partial slip viscous flow over a stretching sheet with suction/injection in a porous medium. In Chapter Six, the onset of nanofluid convection in a Walters B fluid-saturated horizontal porous layer is studied.

This book provides current research on sources, properties and impacts of contaminated soils. Chapter One reviews the research progress in nanotoxicology related to a systematic approach of evaluating nanomaterials toxicity. Chapter Two discusses the immobilization and mobilization of heavy metals. Chapter Three identifies wheat germplasm resistant to heavy metals, and donors for breeding and promising forms of wheat that are resistance to heavy metals and destined for agricultural production. Chapter Four discusses the effects of mining-generated metal(loid) on soil microbial activities and composition. Chapter Five focuses on heavy metals contamination of soils in the Ural Region of Russia. Chapter Six evaluates the reactivity efficiency of mineral, organic and mineral-organic components on the remediation process of leaf (Pb) at a metallurgically contaminated site. Chapter Seven reviews and establishes that the inoculation of Lens culinaris, Vicia faba and Sulla coronaria with heavy metal resistant PGPB shows potential for phytostabilization. Chapter Eight assesses the stability of metal-soil colloid bonds as an index of the retention and release of Cu, Pb, Cd in soils. Chapter Nine examines microbial degradation mechanisms of toxic and recalcitrant chemicals.

Policymakers at all levels of government are debating a wide range of options for addressing the nation''s faltering economic conditions. One option that is once again receiving attention is accelerated investments in the nation''s public infrastructure - that is, highways, mass transit, airports, water supply and wastewater, and other facilities - in order to create jobs while also promoting long-term economic growth. This book examines policy issues associated with using infrastructure as a mechanism to benefit economic recovery. Discussed are airline fees; factors which influence the extent of transit-oriented development; current law and legislative history of the federal excise tax on motor fuels and the highway trust fund; long-term financing of the highway trust fund; the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program; vehicle safety inspections; and seat belt use among long-haul truck drivers.

Social Security (comprising Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI)) is the largest single program in the federal governments budget. In 2010, annual outlays for the program exceeded annual revenues (excluding interest) credited to the combined trust funds. A gap between those amounts has persisted since then, and in fiscal year 2015 outlays exceeded tax revenues by almost 9 percent. As the baby-boom generation retires over the next 10 years, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects, the gap will widen between amounts credited to the trust funds and payments to beneficiaries. This book considers 36 policy options that are among those commonly proposed by policymakers and analysts as a means of restoring financial security to the Social Security program. Furthermore, this book presents additional information about CBOs long-term projections for Social Security in the form of 15 exhibits that illustrate the programs finances and the distribution of benefits paid to and payroll taxes collected from various groups of people.

Over the past 25 years, the relationship between the United States and Poland has been close and cooperative. The United States strongly supported Polands accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1999 and backed its entry into the European Union (EU) in 2004. In recent years, Poland has made significant contributions to U.S.- and NATO-led military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Poland and the United States continue working together on issues such as democracy promotion, counterterrorism, and improving NATO capabilities. Given its role as a close U.S. ally and partner, developments in Poland and its relations with the United States are of continuing interest to the U.S. Congress. This book provides an overview and assessment of some of the main dimensions of these topics.

In 2008, in an effort to provide helpful information to consumers and improve provider quality, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed and implemented the Five-Star Quality Rating System (Five-Star System). The Five-Star System assigns each nursing home an overall rating and three component ratingshealth inspections, staffing, and quality measuresbased on the extent to which the nursing home meets CMSs quality standards and other measures. The rating scale ranges from one to five stars, with more stars indicating higher quality. This book examines how CMS developed and implemented the Five-Star System and what key methodological decisions were made during development; the circumstances under which CMS considers modifying the Five-Star System; and the extent to which CMS has established plans to help ensure it achieves its goals for the Five-Star System.

In nearly all States, adoption records are sealed and withheld from public inspection after an adoption is finalised. This book discusses state laws that provide for access to both nonidentifying and identifying information from an adoption record by adoptive parents and adult adopted persons, while still protecting the interests of all parties. Furthermore, the book discusses postadoption contact agreements, which are are arrangements that allow contact between a childs adoptive family and members of the childs birth family or other persons with whom the child has an established relationship, such as a foster parent, after the childs adoption has been finalized. These arrangements, sometimes referred to as cooperative adoption or open adoption agreements, can range from informal, mutual understandings between the birth and adoptive families to written, formal contracts.

Bananas arise as one of the most popular fruits consumed all around the world. Banana belongs to the genus Musa from the family Musaceae. It is original from tropical regions and presents a strong ability to protect itself from the oxidative stress caused by extreme climatic conditions such as intense sunshine and high temperature. For this protection, bananas increase the production of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity, which protect the fruit from the oxidative damage. This book provides current research on the cultivation, consumption and crop diseases of bananas. Chapter One addresses the biochemical characterisation of Musa spp. genotypes, with emphasis on bioactive secondary metabolites of interest to human nutrition. Chapter Two focuses on the composition of bananas, including macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive compounds, as well as the effect of postharvest treatments and storage conditions in the quality of bananas. Chapter Three reviews sustainable management of banana waste through renewable energy and bio-fertiliser generation. Chapter Four reviews some of the recently reported valuable uses of banana pseudstem sap (BPS), for growth of sustainable agricultural process, food technology and value-added medicinal products, and in textiles for improving certain functional attributes. The final chapter examines banana as an important food allergen source.

This book focuses on the latest developments in the field of engineering. The first chapter presents trajectory planning for robots with rigid bodies. Chapter Two explores image tracking of a humanoid robot based on visual serving. Chapter Three describes a project in the area of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL), in particular for the continuous care of the elderly. Chapter Four reviews how widely combat robots will be used in the future. Chapter Five tackles the problem of diagnosing complex systems composed of units capable of executing tests on each other (so-called, mutual testing). Chapter Six demonstrates how data from learning processes can be extracted, semantically prepared, and transformed into mining executable formats to enable prediction of individual learning patterns and outcomes through further semantic analysis of the discovered models. Chapter Seven explores ways to make TSHD more dredging efficiency. Chapter Eight discusses personalised thermal comfort.