bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Flying from the depravities of Europe , to the American Strand ”: Chaucer and the Chaucer Tradition in Early America
Authors: Warren Nancy Bradley
Published: June 2015

This essay considers the largely ignored presence of Chaucer and texts in the Chaucerian tradition in seventeenth- and early-eighteenth-century New England. It focuses on Cotton Mather, Anne Bradstreet, and Nathaniel Ward, writers who had connections to each other. Mather, Bradstreet, and Ward engage with Chaucer and the Chaucerian tradition to forge relationships between past and present, between old and new, as they establish positions of textual, political, and spiritual authority . Chaucer and texts associated with him play key roles in their processes of shaping distinctively colonial religio-political visions and developing modes of New English identity vis-à-vis Old England.
Sir John Mandeville’s God(s)
Authors: Tinkle Theresa
Published: June 2015

The idea of God is historical and responsive to cultural change. “Sir John Mandeville’s God(s)” examines the contradictions that result from such change in the later Middle Ages, a time of social andphilosophical turmoil. Mandeville’s God appears first as a Lord, enmeshed with a feudal class structureand chivalric values; this deity offers salvation exclusively to Christians. Later in the work, God appearsas a Creator and offers salvation to all who love and serve him, including pagans. These contradictoryreligious symbols express complex cultural needs and appeal to a broad lay audience in late medieval England.
The Psychologization of Geological Catastrophe in Mary Shelley’s The Last Man
Authors: Bailes Melissa
Published: June 2015

In the late eighteenth century, the French geologist, Georges Cuvier, employed fossil studies to prove the extinction of certain species, attributing their annihilation to past, sudden changes on the surface of the globe. I argue that Mary Shelley’s third novel, The Last Man (1826), explores various contemporary geological ideas about what caused past species extinctions, ultimately privileging her theory of plague. To support this notion, Shelley adopts Cuvier’s hypothesis of an enervating earth, portraying anti-climatic natural disasters, while also radically shifting geological catastrophism into the psychological “world” of the individual.
“More legs than nature gave thee”: Performing the Cripple in The Fair Maid of the Exchange
Authors: Williams Katherine Schaap
Published: June 2015

This essay argues that the figure of Cripple, central to the unattributed play The Fair Maid of the Exchange (1607), can reshape critical notions of early modern disability. Cripple depends upon distinctive prosthetic devices, his “crutches” and “crooked habite,” which he loans as stage properties for an act of disguise. Though Cripple’s character suggests the stereotype of the crippled beggar who makes a fraudulent appeal for charitable aid, the play foregrounds the vexed relationship between Cripple’s deformed body and his crucial position in the dramatic economy. In a comedy preoccupied with the exchanges of identity that make possible social and financial advancement, disability funds theatrical performance and defines the limits of impersonation.
Ophelia’s Loneliness
Authors: Worsley Amelia
Published: June 2015

One of the earliest printed instances of the word “loneliness” in English literature can be found in Shakespeare’s Hamlet . However, although Hamlet’s solitariness has been seen as one of the play’s central innovations, the new term does not describe the soliloquizing Prince, but instead, a silent Ophelia who reads a book while Hamlet speaks. Because Ophelia’s quiet, readerly loneliness frames Hamlet’s “To be or not to be…” soliloquy, the characters become foils to each other in Act III.i. Where Hamlet makes a confession of his thoughts, Ophelia disavows the stage tradition whereby supposedly solitary characters confess their thoughts to the audience. Shakespeare’s reference to “devotion” in conjunction with “loneliness” during this confessional scene reveals a theological dimension to his experiments with this new concept and the convention of the soliloquy. As the play proceeds, Hamlet undergoes a conversion that makes him more and more like Ophelia in her loneliness. The play culminates in Hamlet’s final refusal to confess himself, which I read as a lonely renunciation of the soliloquy form. Thus, Ophelia plays more of a role in the history of loneliness, and of lone-speaking, than has previously been recognized.
First order normalization in the generalized photo gravitational non-planar restricted three body problems
Authors: Sinha Nirbhay Kumar
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we normalised the second-order part of the Hamiltonian of the problem. The problem is generalised in the sense that fewer massive primary is supposed to be an oblate spheroid. By photogravitational we mean that both primaries are radiating. With the help of Mathematica, H2 is normalised to H2 = a1b1w1 + a2b2w2. The resulting motion is composed of elliptic motion with a short period (2p/w1), completed by an oscillation along the z-axis with a short period (2p/w2).
Differential effects of focused and unfocused recasts on EFL learners’ oral accuracy
Authors: Ansarin Ali Akbar , Chehrazad Mohammad Hassan
Published: June 2015

One of the limitations of the meaning-focused instruction in an EFL context is that a communicative approach isn’t sufficient enough to ensure higher levels of oral accuracy. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of two different focus on form techniques, extensive and intensive recasts, on the EFL learners’ oral accuracy. Three pre-intermediate intact classes were randomly selected as the intensive recast, extensive recast, and the control groups. In the intensive recast group the focus of correction was on the simple past tense errors. In the extensive recast group the recast was provided for all errors. In the control group, there was no corrective feedback.  Learners’ oral accuracy as the number of Error-free T-units per T-units was measured. One-way ANOVAs indicated that the differences among groups were only significant in sessions five and six. Tukey HSD indicated that intensive recast group outperformed both the extensive and the control groups in these sessions and there were no significant differences between the other two groups. These findings suggest that focus on form can be an effective tool for the development of the oral accuracy in the EFL situations. In addition, recasting learners’ oral errors could enhance the oral accuracy.
Language configurations of degree-related denotations in the spoken production of a group of Colombian EFL university students: A corpus-based study
Authors: Escobar Wilder Yesid
Published: June 2015

Recognizing that developing the competences needed to appropriately use linguistic resources according to contextual characteristics (pragmatics) is as important as the cultural-imbedded linguistic knowledge itself (semantics) and that both are equally essential to form competent speakers of English in foreign language contexts, we feel this research relies on corpus linguistics to analyze both the scope and the limitations of the sociolinguistic knowledge and the communicative skills of English students at the university level. To such end, a linguistic corpus was assembled, compared to an existing corpus of native speakers, and analyzed in terms of the frequency, overuse, underuse, misuse, ambiguity, success, and failure of the linguistic parameters used in speech acts. The findings herein describe the linguistic configurations employed to modify levels and degrees of descriptions (salient sematic theme exhibited in the EFL learners´ corpus) appealing to the sociolinguistic principles governing meaning making and language use which are constructed under the social conditions of the environments where the language is naturally spoken for sociocultural exchange.
Revistas Colombianas de Ingeniería: ¡Uníos!
Authors: Rojas Galeano Sergio Andrés
Published: June 2015

Nota Editorial 2013-I
Extensión de taxonomía y tratamiento de valores faltantes sobre un repositorio de incidentes de seguridad informática
Authors: Montealegre Carlos Javier Carvajal , Bayona Diego Nicolás , Ortiz Bayona Zulima
Published: June 2015

En este artículo se detalla el proceso de estimación de datos faltantes mediante el teorema de Bayes, sobre un repositorio de incidentes de seguridad informática compuesto por datos de tipo categórico. Así mismo, se hace uso de una taxonomía, ampliada y redefinida para acoplarse a los incidentes encontrados.
Perspectiva de trazabilidad en la cadena de suministros de frutas: un enfoque desde la dinámica de sistemas
Authors: Orjuela Castro Javier Arturo , Herrera Ramírez Milton Mauricio
Published: June 2015

El presente artículo muestra un modelo causal, desarrollado a dos niveles, uno general basado en el comportamiento dinámico de la cadena de suministro de frutas, y otro específico para la implementación de tecnologías de trazabilidad en la cadena. Surge de la necesidad de identificar la dinámica de la implementación de tecnologías de trazabilidad en la cadena de frutas. La hipótesis dinámica establecida fue: “El comportamiento dinámico de planeación e implementación de tecnología genera un efecto en la transformación, calidad, asignación de recursos, inventarios y trazabilidad del sistema (cadena de suministros frutícola)”.

El modelo causal fue obtenido a partir de una detallada y rigurosa revisión de la literatura y de estudios específicos del sector de frutas en Colombia, sobre el tema de la trazabilidad en la cadena de suministro de alimentos a partir de las perspectivas de dinámica de sistemas, integración, optimización y tecnologías de trazabilidad. Existen pocos trabajos en trazabilidad con un enfoque como el abordado en este trabajo. El desarrollo permitió incluir, en los diagramas causales, una serie de factores no tenidos en cuenta en trabajos previos. Los resultados obtenidos a través del análisis causal propuesto, bajo la metodología de dinámica de sistemas, implican la inclusión del efecto de la implementación de tecnología de trazabilidad en la cadena de suministro de frutas y sus relaciones con la capacidad de inversión y la calidad de un producto.
Segmentación y conteo de las líneas de la nariz del feto en imágenes ecográficas de las 11-13+6 semanas de gestación
Authors: Ballesteros Maldonado Angee Paola , López Alza Laura Catalina , Herrera Garcia Rodrigo Javier
Published: June 2015

Este documento presenta un método para la segmentación de la nariz y el posterior conteo de las líneas correspondientes a la piel, el hueso nasal y la punta de la nariz en imágenes de ultrasonido fetales 2D del primer trimestre de gestación, de 11 a 13 semanas y 6 días (11-13+6 semanas). La presencia de las tres líneas del área nasal es una de las características que debe cumplir el feto en la ecografía para garantizar la confiabilidad de la medición del grosor traslucencia nucal. Dicha medición se emplea para identificar la posible existencia de síndromes o anomalías cromosómicas. El método se aplica a la región correspondiente al corte sagital medio de la cabeza donde se han resaltado las regiones con mayor intensidad. La  segmentación es jerarquica: primero, se identifica la región de la nariz a través de máximos regionales y alta excentricidad; posteriormente las líneas ya mencionadas son extraídas con agrupamiento basado en K-medias y morfología matemática. 

Dada la incertidumbre entre las imágenes con respecto a posición fetal, resolución, nivel de ruido y rango dinámico, los resultados obtenidos van desde casos en los que no se encuentra la región de interés, hasta otros en los que son claramente identificables las líneas.
Pasarela para usar transmisores HART desde una red DeviceNet
Authors: Barandica López Asfur , Guevara Escobar Andrés Ernesto
Published: June 2015

Este artículo demuestra la viabilidad de compatibilizar
dos protocolos industriales con características muy diferentes,
mediante la implementación de una interfaz hardware-
software. HART es un protocolo de muy baja velocidad
que usa el paradigma maestro-esclavo, no orientado a
la conexión y con un conjunto de comandos definidos,
mientras que DeviceNet tiene una velocidad al menos 100
veces superior, que funciona con el modelo productor-consumidor,
es orientado a la conexión y no utiliza comandos
sino objetos. El desarrollo se soporta en un sistema embebido
TINI (Tiny InterNet Interface), programable en Java. La
pasarela actúa como esclavo de una red DeviceNet y como
maestro de una red HART. Este novedoso equipo puede ser
empleado para incluir equipos HART en procesos de manufactura
que requieran pocas variables continuas.
5º Concurso de diseño en acero para estudiantes de arquitectura en Colombia-2014, segundo puesto : memoria.
Authors: Mora Casas Diego Alejandro , Rincón Pulido Juan Camilo , González Zabala Steven , Pardo Mora Lucas Andrés
Published: June 2015

El aprendizaje basado en problemas permite a los estudiantes la posibilidad de enfrentarse a problemas reales de diversa índole, generando autonomía en la manera de aproximarse al conocimiento y a la solución del encargo proyectual. El 7º Concurso de Diseño en Acero - alacero 2014, buscaba fomentar el uso de esta aleación como material constructivo económico y eficiente, y para ello se proponía el diseño de un anteproyecto de "Vivienda social de altura media". Este problema fue abordado a partir de los planteamientos expuestos en el Proyecto Educativo del Programa de Arquitectura de la Universidad Católica de Colombia. El desarrollo del proyecto que se presentóa la preselección (5º Concurso de diseño en acero para estudiantes de arquitectura) se asumiódesde el reconocimiento del problema, la construcción de preguntas guía y la implementación del diseño concurrente, con el fin de generar una propuesta que aporte al mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de la población y a la sensibilización de los habitantes sobre las virtudes del acero como material constructivo. El manejo de la estructura metálica se concibe como un elemento de vinculación social, que satisface la demanda de la ciudad de manera sostenible, tecnológicamente avanzada y limpia.
Cuestiones de método creativo : metamorfosis y conciencia material en los procesos creativos en arquitectura.
Authors: Rueda Plata Carlos Iván
Published: June 2015

Al indagar en el arte poética, la fenomenología y los estudios en teoría del hacer tecnológico, este artículo busca acercar los procesos creativos en arquitectura a su esencia imaginativa. Se presentan asuntos de método creativo siguiendo una secuencia discursiva encadenada, cuya hipótesis demostrativa inicia con la idea de que crear arquitectura es hacer lugar: sea construida, mediada electrónicamente o "de papel". Se demuestra que los conceptos de lugar y poesía son análogos, trayendo fuentes del ámbito literario y la fenomenología. Seguidamente, se exploran procesos poéticos de la imaginación (metáfora y metamorfosis), ofreciendo ejemplos arquitectónicos agrupados en tres categorías en las que una conciencia material se hace presente en forma de metamorfosis. El desarrollo del estudio comprendió construir un marco interpretativo comparando autores y textos de diverso origen disciplinar desde una situación interpretativa hermenéutica específica de la arquitectura para luego aplicar el constructo conceptual resultante al análisis de obras arquitectónicas, llegando a conclusiones demostrativas.
Development of a topology-based current-flux characteristic approximation in a Hamiltonian model of a reluctance machine
Authors: Burlikowski Wojciech , Kowalik Zygmunt
Published: June 2015

The paper presents an algorithm for the construction of an approximation of a highly nonlinear current-flux characteristic of a synchronous reluctance machine. Such an approximation is required in a Hamiltonian model of an electric machine and the constructed approximation is suited to be used in such a model. It employs a simplicial approximation based on irregular points sets in the spaces of currents and fluxes. The sets are constructed by the iterative insertion of new points. Initially the sets contain an arbitrarily small number of elements. The insertion is based on an approximation error calculation. Based on the sets containing possibly small number of elements, the proposed procedure leads to smooth and precise approximation. Due to the nonlinearity of the approximated characteristics, ambiguities can occur. A method for the triangulation refinement of the sets of currents and fluxes that eliminates them is also presented. In the paper, a reluctance machine model using the constructed approximation is described and compared with a model using the approximation based on regular sets
Sphincter Saving Techniques in Low Rectal Cancer Surgical Treatment: Results, Perspectives
Authors: Russu C. , Copotoiu C. , Bud V. , Saracut C. , Gherghinescu M. , Molnar Varlam C. , Molnar C.
Published: June 2015

Objective: Sphincter saving techniques in low rectal cancer represents a challenge for the surgeons in their attempt to preserve the sphincter function and also to respect the principles of oncological surgery, in order to improve the quality of the patient’s life. The paper’s aim is to compare different sphincter saving techniques in regards to the early postoperative results.

Methods: An observational, retrospective study was performed on 76 patients (N = 76) operated for low rectal cancer in the Surgical Clinic no.1 of the Targu Mures Emergency Clinical County Hospital, between January 2010 and October 2014, to whom the rectal resection was followed by a primary restorative technique for preservation of the sphincter function. The immediate postoperative results after different types of sphincter saving procedures were analyzed and compared.

Results: From the studied patients, in 41 cases (53.94%) an anterior rectal resection with low colorectal anastomosis was done („very low” Dixon procedure), for 29 patients (38.15%) a sphincter saving technique with a peranal anastomosis was performed and in 6 cases (7.89%) an intersphinteric rectal resection with coloanal anastomosis was made.

Conclusions: Sphincter saving techniques, if oncological principles are respected, represents a viable option in the treatment of low rectal cancer and brings hope for improving the quality of the patients’ life.
Influence of Risk Factors and Diabetic Complications on Peripheral Nerve Function in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Rodica Bălașa , Bajko Z. , Maier Smaranda , Voidăzan S. , Moțățăianu Anca
Published: June 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of age, diabetes duration, glycaemic control, existence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN), retinopathy and of macroangiopathy on the peripheral nerve function in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: One hundred forty-nine type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were assessed with peripheral motor and sensory nerve conduction tests and cardiovascular reflex tests, as well as being evaluated for retinopathy, common carotid artery intimal-media-thickness (IMT) and anklebrachial index (ABI).

Results: The duration of diabetes has the strongest effect in the reduction of the amplitude of motor response in the peroneal nerve and of the sensory amplitude in the sural nerve. The strongest correlations were found between glycaemic control and decreasing motor amplitude in the median nerve and sensory amplitude in the sural nerve, respectively. The motor and sensory nerve action potential amplitudes were significantly affected in the group of patients with CAN. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, duration of diabetes and presence of CAN were the most important factors that influenced the motor and sensory nerve function.

Conclusion: The presence of CAN together with diabetes duration and poor glycaemic control were associated with impaired peripheral nerve function, while macroangiopathy does not seem to be associated with the impairment of these electrophysiological parameters.
Predictors of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Pop Crina , Kozma B. , Drasovean Silvia , Dobru Daniela , Boeriu Alina
Published: June 2015

Background and aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most important health problem, with an increasing incidence worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the factors that predict HCC occurrence in a group of patients with liver cirrhosis developed on various etiologies.

Material and Methods: A total of 282 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis seen between January 1, 2013 and July 31, 2014 were enrolled in a prospective study. Data from patient’s history, physical exams, laboratory tests and abdominal ultrasound were collected.

Results: 282 patients were included in the study with a median age of 59.6 and a male/female ratio of 1.38/1; 12.41% (35) were diagnosed with HCC. Alcohol consumption was documented in 19 cases (54.28%), without statistical association (p=0.621), and 7 (20%) were smokers (p=0.403). According to etiological factors of liver cirrhosis: 7 (20%) had background B virus infection, 15 (42.85%) HCV infection and 11 (31.42%) cases incriminated other causes of cirrhosis (alcohol). Chi2 test identified a statistically significant association between the occurrence of HCC and viral etiology of cirrhosis (p = 0.001, r = 18,830). No statistical association was found between Child Pugh scoring of cirrhosis and HCC (p=0.774) and a statistically significant association but inversely proportional was identified between neoplasia and obesity (p=0.008, r= -0.157).

Conclusion: In conclusion the viral etiology of liver cirrhosis is found to be an important risk factor for HCC, and liver cancer was inversely associated with nutritional status.
Effect of Level of Spirulina Supplementation on the Fatty Acid Compositions of Adipose, Muscle, Heart, Kidney and Liver Tissues in Australian Dual-Purpose Lambs
Authors: Kashani Arash , Holman Benjamin William Behrens , Nichols Peter David , Malau-Aduli Aduli Enoch Othniel
Published: June 2015

This study investigated the effect of level of Spirulina supplementation on the fatty acid (FA ) compositions of subcutaneous adipose, longissimus dorsi muscle, kidney, heart, and liver tissues in purebred and crossbred Australian Merino sheep. Forty-eight lambs sired by Black Suffolk, White Suffolk, Dorset and Merino rams were assigned into 4 treatment groups of daily Spirulina supplementation levels per lamb of 0 mL (control), 50 mL (low), 100 mL (medium) and 200 mL (high) referred to as 0, 5, 10 and 20% groups. The lambs were slaughtered after 9 weeks of supplementation and heart, kidney, adipose, liver and muscle tissue samples were collected. The results demonstrated significant variations in growth and body conformation traits and tissue and organ FA composition in response to the Spirulina supplementation. The medium-level Spirulina treatment group increased the ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA ) composition in all tissues and organs significantly. The results suggest the use of medium level (100 mL/head/day) of Spirulina supplementation in order to increase lamb production with more ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA and therefore higher nutritional meat quality.
Focus tolerance influenced by source size in Talbot lithography
Authors: Sato Takashi , Yamada Akiko , Suto Takeshi
Published: June 2015

Using a simulation, we investigate the effects of the light source size and derive an effective method for suppression of the subfringes that appear in ArF Talbot lithography, which has been proposed for submicron pattern transfer applications. The appearance of the subfringes, which were caused by interference, was related to the size of the light source. If an appropriate light source size is chosen, then, a large process window can be obtained. Guidelines for source size selection are given.
A new species of Entobdella Blainville in Lamarck, 1818 (Monogenea: Capsalidae: Entobdellinae) from the Greenland halibut, Reinhardtius hippoglossoides
Authors: Kearn Graham , Karlsbakk Egil , Evans-Gowing Richard , Gerasev Pavel
Published: June 2015

A previously undescribed species of Entobdella is reported from the skin of the Greenland halibut, Reinhardtius hippoglossoides (Pleuronectiformes, Pleuronectidae). Entobdella whittingtoni sp. nov. differs from other species of Entobdella, including skin parasites of the related pleuronectids Hippoglossus hippoglossus (Atlantic halibut) and H. stenolepis (Pacific halibut), in lacking papillae on the ventral surface of the haptor. Other characteristics of E. whittingtoni are as follows: the absence of vitelline follicles lateral to the pharynx thereby exposing gut caeca in this region of whole mounts; the presence of a circular feature of unknown function, resembling a rosette in sections, attached to the wall of the internal male accessory reservoir; the lack of eyes. Papillae are also absent from the ventral surface of the haptor of the gill-parasitic entobdelline Branchobdella pugetensis, a gill parasite of the pleuronectid Atheresthes stomias. This raises the question as to whether this gill parasite has evolved from a skin-parasitic ancestor similar to E. whittingtoni. An answer to this question requires a more detailed study of the male reproductive apparatus of B. pugetensis and the use of molecular techniques to explore the relationship between B. pugetensis and E. whittingtoni
Molecular epidemiology, risk factors and hematochemical alterations induced by Theileria annulata in bovines of Punjab (India)
Authors: Tuli Ashuma , Singla Lachhman Das , Sharma Amrita , Bal Mandeep Singh , Filia Gursimran , Kaur Paramjit
Published: June 2015

Bovine tropical theileriosis, caused by Theileria annulata, is one of the economically important fatal tick borne haemoprotozoan diseases of dairy animals. The aim of present investigation was to map the distribution of T. annulata in bovines of Punjab state of India in relation to various risk factors including age, sex of animals, location and management of farms. In a cross sectional study, a total of 1278 blood samples were randomly collected from twenty districts falling in five major agro-climatic zones of Punjab. All the samples were screened by blood smear examination followed by polymerase chain reaction targeting SSU rRNA gene for Theileria spp. PCR positive samples (n = 386) for Theileria spp. were then analyzed for T. annulata by amplification of Tams1 gene. Overall prevalence of T. annulata was found to be 29.26% in Punjab, with highest in western Zone (40.49%, 95% CI = 35.57-45.41) and lowest in submountain zone (18.90%, 95% CI = 13.73-24.06). The propensity of incidence of T. annulata was found to be highest in cross bred cattle (32.40%, 95% CI = 29.87-34.94), followed by indigenous cattle (19.64%, 95% CI = 10.67-28.61) and buffaloes (19.2%, 95% CI = 14.99-23.41). Between the two sexes, incidence of T. annulata was higher in female animals. Calves less than 6 months of age were found to be more prone to theileriosis.
Redescription and genetic characterization of Philometra lagocephali Moravec et Justine 2008 (Nematoda: Philometridae) from Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch and Schneider) (Tetraodontiformes: Tetradontidae) in the South China Sea
Authors: Wang Shu-Xia , Li Liang , Zhang Lu-Ping
Published: June 2015

Philometra lagocephali Moravec et Justine, 2008 was redescribed using light and scanning electron microscopy based on the new material collected from the lunartail puffer Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch et Schneider) (Tetraodontiformes: Tetradontidae) in the South China Sea. Our specimens are identical with the original description in the body size of gravid female, the width of cephalic and caudal end, the number and arrangement of cephalic papillae, the relative length of the oesophagus to body length, the size of ventriculus, the morphology of oesophageal bulb and posterior end, and the body size of larvae. In addition, specimens of P. lagocephali were also characterized using molecular methods by sequencing and analysing the small ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c coxidase subunit 1 (cox1) target regions. Phylogenetic analyses of genus Philometra base on 18S rDNA sequences was made using Mega 5.2. The results confirmed P. lagocephali is a valid species. It’s the first molecular study of this species. These new morphological and molecular data contributed to a more precise and rapid diagnosis of this hitherto poorly known philometrid nematode.
Prevalence and genotype of Giardia duodenalis in dairy cattle from Northern and Northeastern part of Thailand
Authors: Inpankaew Tawin , Jiyipong Tawisa , Thadtapong Nalumon , Kengradomkij Chanya , Pinyopanuwat Nongnuch , Chimnoi Wissanuwat , Jittapalapong Sathaporn
Published: June 2015

The aims of this study were to determine prevalence and genotype of Giardia duodenalis in feces of dairy cattle from the northern part and the northeastern part of Thailand. A total of 900 fecal samples were collected directly from rectum and examined by using zinc sulphate centrifugal flotation technique and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis in dairy cows was 5.0 % (45/900) by zinc sulphate centrifugal flotation and 6.0 % (54/900) by PCR. Genotypes of G. duodenalis found in this study were Assemblage AI and E. The results indicated that dairy cattle may act as a potential risk of Giardia transmission among animals and humans (especially Assemblage AI).
Comparison of pathogens infection level in Ips typographus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) beetles sampled in pheromone traps and at place of overwintering
Authors: Lukášová Karolina , Holuša Jaroslav
Published: June 2015

The importance of pathogens in the population dynamics of Ips typographus remains a subject of ongoing debate. The main objective of our experiment was to compare the pathogen infection levels of individuals overwintering in bark with the levels of individuals from the same population captured with pheromone traps and thereby to determine primary answers as to whether it can be confirmed that pathogenic organisms affect the flight ability of bark beetles or their ability to leave their places of overwintering. A total of 402 I. typographus individuals were analyzed at a study location under limited management. Three pathogens were confirmed to be present: the gregarine Gregarina typographi, the virus ItEPV, and the microsporidium Nosema typographi. Infection levels of Gregarina typographi and ItEPV were the same in beetles collected at places of overwintering and in those beetles collected in pheromone traps within the immediate vicinity. As these pathogens infect the host’s intestine, the tendency to leave the places of overwintering is apparently not diminished. A similar analysis and comparison of pathogens located in the fat body might bring different results, as our study only detected N. typographi in a single dissected adult spruce bark beetle.
The first report of Trichinella pseudospiralis presence in domestic swine and T. britovi in wild boar in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Santrac Violeta , Nedic Drago N. , Maric Jelena , Nikolic Sonja , Stevanovic Oliver , Vasilev Sasa , Cvetkovic Jelena , Sofronic-Milosavljevic Ljiljana
Published: June 2015

The Balkans is endemic for nematodes of the genus Trichinella in both domestic and wild animals. The high prevalence of these zoonotic pathogens in animals linked with the food habits to consume raw meat and meat derived products resulted in a very high prevalence of trichinellosis in humans living in this European region. In spite of numerous epidemiological investigations carried out in this region, very few information is available on the Trichinella species circulating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trichinella spp. larvae were isolated from a domestic pig reared in a backyard and from a hunted wild boar whose meat had been the source of trichinellosis in one case. Both Trichinella pseudospiralis and T. spiralis have been identified in the domestic pig, whereas, T. britovi was detected in the wild boar. While, T. spiralis is the Trichinella species most frequently detected in domestic pigs, T. pseudospiralis has been previously documented in domestic pigs only three times in Russia, Slovakia and Croatia. The detection of T. britovi in the wild boar confirms that this nematode is the most frequent species circulating among wildlife of Europe.
Evaluation of reactivity to Echinococcus spp. among rural inhabitants in Poland
Authors: Cisak Ewa , Sroka Jacek , Wójcik-Fatla Angelina , Zając Violetta , Dutkiewicz Jacek
Published: June 2015

A group of 172 rural inhabitants from eastern Poland (68 males and 104 females, mean age 49.0 ± 12.0 years) was examined for the presence of antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis. A population of 38 healthy urban dwellers from the city of Lublin (17 males and 21 females, mean age 36.2 ± 9.6 years) were examined as a control group. Sera of 22 rural inhabitants (12.8%) reacted positively to Echinococcus granulosus hydatid fluid antigen in the screening test. A cross-reactivity was observed with two serum samples that tested positive in ELISA for E. granulosus. Three serum samples were tested positive for E. multilocularis using the Em2plus ELISA assay and also positive for Western blot. None of the members of control group showed the presence of a seropositive reaction to Echinococcus spp. The reactivity to Echinococcus spp. among rural inhabitants decreased with age and this correlation was statistically significant (R = -0.197151, p = 0.009535). The percentage of positive findings was the highest (50.0%) in the youngest age group (14-20). No significant correlations were found between responses to interview questions (possession of domestic and farm animals, contact with wild animals, eating unwashed berries, drinking unboiled water) and the presence of seropositive reactions to Echinococcus spp. The presented results seem to indicate that echinococcosis is still a current problem in Poland that should not be neglected and, moreover, indicates the need for improvement in the routine laboratory diagnostics of Echinococcus spp. by standardizing the ELISA and Western blot tests.
Wild boars meat as a potential source of human trichinellosis in Poland: current data
Authors: Moskwa Bożena , Cybulska Aleksandra , Kornacka Aleksandra , Cabaj Władysław , Bień Justyna
Published: June 2015

Trichinellosis is an epidemiological problem with a global distribution. In Poland a substantial increase of the wild boar population has been observed since 2010, together with an increased incidence of trichinellosis after ingestion of raw or undercooked wild boar products containing Trichinella spp. larvae. However, the actual number of human cases remains particularly difficult to determine. The aim of the present study was to determine the current prevalence and spread of these parasites within wild boars. The diaphragm pillars and tongue from 833 wild boars were collected from 2010 to 2014, as well as one wild boar meat sausage known to be a source of infection. The samples were tested for Trichinella spp. using pepsin digestion. Recovered larvae were identified at species level by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (multiplex PCR). The overall prevalence in all examined samples was found to be 2.0% (17/833). Recovered larvae were identified as T. spiralis and T. britovi (9/18 and 5/18, respectively). T. spiralis larvae were isolated from the sausage. Mixed infection was confirmed only once. Three isolates were not identified. The results of our study confirm that the wild boar plays a key role in the maintenance of Trichinella nematodes through the sylvatic cycle.
Fatal Paratanaisia bragai (Digenea: Eucotylidae) infection in scarlet macaws (Ara macao) in Costa Rica
Authors: Alfaro-Alarcón Alejandro , Morales Juan Alberto , Veneziano Vincenzo , Santoro Mario
Published: June 2015

We report on four fatal cases of renal infection due to Paratanaisia bragai in scarlet macaws (Ara macao) from two rescue centres in Costa Rica. At necropsy, birds had severe dehydration and cachexia. Two birds had hydropericardium, oedematous lungs, and liver lipidic degeneration. All birds had enlarged kidneys with brown pale discoloration and diffuse white spots on the cortical and sliced surfaces. Ureters were filled with many specimens of P. bragai. Histopathologically, the urinary system revealed multifocal interstitial lymphocytic-plasmacytic nephritis, multifocal mineralization of renal tubules, and interstitial fibrosis associated with flukes. Death of all scarlet macaws was related to severe nephritis leading to chronic renal failure due to P. bragai infection. It is plausible that P. bragai infection of scarlet macaws was accidental due to ingestion of the gastropod intermediate host inside the cages during the rainy season when humidity is higher and gastropods are more active. This represents the second report of parasitism by Eucotylidae digeneans in birds of Psittaciformes and the first in scarlet macaws.
First Molecular Characterization of Aspiculuris tetraptera (Nematoda: Heteroxynematidae) from Mus musculus (Rodentia: Muridae) in India
Authors: Goswami Urvashi , Chaudhary Anshu , Verma Chandni , Singh Hridaya Shanker
Published: June 2015

Mus musculus (Rodentia: Muridae) were infected by a nematode belonging to the order Oxyurida. According to external morphological characters it was found to be Aspiculuris tetraptera Schulz, 1924. Present communication deals with molecular characterization of A. tetraptera infecting intestine of Mus musculus in Meerut (U.P.), India. A partial sequence of 18S ribosomal and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Cox 1) mitochondrial DNA analyses were performed. Sequence corresponding to 18S rRNA and mt Cox 1 gene was identical to sequences reported for A. tetraptera on GenBank. These results confirm the taxonomic validation of A. tetraptera parasitizing Mus musculus. This is the first report of molecular study of A. tetraptera in India.
Diagnosis and therapy of Capillaria plica infection: report and literature review
Authors: Studzińska Maria B. , Obara-Gałek Justyna , Demkowska-Kutrzepa Marta , Tomczuk Krzysztof
Published: June 2015

Worldwide, data on Capillaria (Pearsonema) plica infections of the urinary tract in domestic carnivores are limited. Nevertheless, cystitis with hematuria, dysuria or pollakiuria may suggest a C. plica infection. A three-year old dog from Poland showing pollakiuria and hematuria was presented. At urine analysis, C. plica eggs were found in the urine sediment. The dog was unsuccessfully treated with a daily oral dose of fenbendazole 50 mg/kg BW for 5 days, while a single subcutaneous administration of ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg BW once effectively eliminated C. plica infection.
A joint generalization of Van Vleck's and Kannappan's equations on groups
Authors: Fadli Brahim , Zeglami Driss , Kabbaj Samir
Published: June 2015

Let
Determinants of women’s willingness to continue fitness training
in spite of health risks
Authors: Guszkowska Monika , Mosur-Kałuża Sonia
Published: June 2015

Study aim: the aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between willingness to continue training in spite of health risks and the following variables: age, body parameters and selected elements of body image as well as duration, amount and intensity of training sessions.

Material and methods: the study’s participants were 140 women aged 18 to 35 years who had been training at a fitness club for between 1 and 15 years. The following tools were used: Figure Rating Scale, a modified Body Satisfaction Scale, and a questionnaire to investigate actual and ideal body parameters, motivation to begin training and training parameters.

Results: women who were willing to discontinue fitness training due to potential health risks exercised less often and engaged in shorter training sessions with less intensity. They were also more dissatisfied with their motor fitness. Higher readiness to continue training can be expected from women with more training experience, who are motivated by a need to improve their appearance, who are more satisfied with their motor fitness and who have a lower ideal BMI.

Conclusions: the results of the study suggest that women who complete greater amounts of exercise and are more motivated to train for aesthetic reasons rather than for reasons related to fitness are more prone to obligatory exercise.
A new European record of Diadesmis fukushimae and its transference to Humidophila genus (Bacillariophyta)
Authors: Kövér Csilla , Korponai János , Harangi Sándor , Buczkó Krisztina
Published: June 2015

Diadesmis fukushimae, a rare oligotraphenic diatom, was found in some high mountain lakes of Romania. Its occurrence in the Parâng and Retezat Mountains is the second European record of the species. To date D. fukushimae has been known only from the type locality (Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA) and from a spring (Grotta Guernica, Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park (south-eastern Alps, Italy). Investigation by scanning electron microscopy showed that this species should be transferred to the recently established genus Humidophila. A new combination is proposed, Humidophila fukushimae. The morphological details of the European population are also presented.
Halophilic diatom taxa are sensitive indicators of even short term changes in lowland lotic systems
Authors: Kókai Zsuzsanna , Bácsi István , Török Péter , Buczkó Krisztina , T-Krasznai Enikő , Balogh Csaba , Tóthmérész Béla , Béres Viktória
Published: June 2015

The occurrence and spread of halophilic diatom taxa in freshwater lotic ecosystems are influenced both by natural processes and anthropogenic pollution. Diatom assemblages were regularly monitored in lowland lotic systems in Hungary (Central Europe) during the unusually dry year of 2012. Highly pronounced changes in diatom composition were observed from spring to autumn. Halophilic taxa (especially Nitzschia sensu lato species) appeared in the dry autumn. In addition, the total relative abundances of halophilic species also increased up to autumn. Abundance of Nitzschia cf. lorenziana and Nitzschia tryblionella showed a positive correlation with chloride and phosphate concentration, while that of other taxa like Tryblionella apiculata or Tryblionella calida showed a positive correlation with the concentration of nitrate. Our findings clearly demonstrated that these halophilic and mesohalophilic diatom taxa were sensitive indicators of even short-term changes in lowland lotic ecosystems, such as the increasing salt concentration from spring to autumn caused by the lack of rainfall and/or environmental loads.
Upper reference limits for cerebrospinal fluid total protein and albumin quotient based on a large cohort of control patients: implications for increased clinical specificity
Authors: Hegen Harald , Auer Michael , Zeileis Achim , Deisenhammer Florian
Published: June 2015

Determination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) total protein (TP) as well as of CSF/serum albumin quotient (Qalb) is part of the routine CSF work-up. However, currently used upper reference limits (URL) are not well validated leading to over-reporting of blood-CSF barrier dysfunction in approximately 15% of patients without neurological disease. The objective of this study was to determine age-related URL for CSF TP and Qalb in a cohort of control patients.

A total of 332 paired CSF and serum samples of patients without objective clinical and paraclinical findings of a neurological disease were analyzed for CSF TP and Qalb. CSF TP was measured by spectrophotometry and albumin in CSF and serum by nephelometry.

CSF TP concentration and Qalb significantly correlated with age. In subjects at the age of 18–70 years, median CSF TP ranged from 320 to 460 mg/L and URL defined as the 95th percentile were 530–690 mg/L. Median Qalb ranged from 4.1 to 6.1 and URL from 8.7 up to 11.0. For URL of Qalb we calculated the following formula: age/25+8.

Age-dependent URL for CSF TP and Qalb are presented here in a large cohort of control patients. They are higher than those currently recommended and this probably explains why isolated blood-CSF barrier dysfunction has been apparently over-reported. These new URL might be considered in a future revision of CSF guidelines.
Conditions For The Development Of Polish Agriculture In The Context Of Globalization And European Integration
Authors: Dworak Edyta , Grzelak Maria Magdalena
Published: June 2015

Developments in the global food economy and the increasing extent of globalization and trade liberalization pose new challenges for Polish agriculture. To meet these challenges it is essential for the agricultural and food industries to improve their competitiveness. This paper examines whether the funds allocated to Poland in the new budget perspective 2014-2020, and changes in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as well as the increase in demand for food in developing countries will have a positive impact on the Polish agriculture and increase its competitiveness. The following issues will be examined:

The financial framework of the EU budget, with particular emphasis on EU funds for agriculture and rural areas;

The consequences of changes in the CAP;

Analysis of the Rural Development Programme in Poland in the years 2014-2020;

Analysis of the increase in demand for food in developing countries with large populations,

The influence of transnational corporations on the control and formation of prices in the food sector.
Poland’s Innovativeness Against The Background Of EU Countries (Recent Research Results)
Authors: Mikołajczyk Bożena
Published: June 2015

Innovativeness in Europe has been a formulated goal of the EU since the Lisbon Strategy. One of the goals of the new Europe 2020 Strategy is smart growth, i.e. growth based on knowledge and innovation. This requires improving the quality of education and research results, the transfer of knowledge and innovations between countries, and broader commercialization of research results. Hence, the measurement of innovation evolves in order to reflect the factors that determine the level of innovativeness of economies. The purpose of this paper is to present the level of Poland’s innovativeness against the background of the EU countries, using the SII (Summary Innovation Index).
Tax Competition Or Tax Coordination? What Is Better For The European Union?
Authors: Działo Joanna
Published: June 2015

Tax competition is defined as the use of tax policy that will allow to maintain or increase the attractiveness of a particular territory for business location. Tax competition is used especially by the relatively under-developed countries, as foreign capital inflow gives them the possibility to implement modern technology, new management methods, or to increase exports. One of the effects of tax competition is the formation of tax havens, i.e. countries or territories offering preferential tax rates in order to gain capital from abroad. A comparative analysis of the income tax rates in the EU countries and certain tax havens shows that despite the progressive reduction of the rates of these taxes in the EU, the phenomenon of tax competition is still very strong, and the position of tax havens as countries with relatively low or very low taxes seems to be unthreatened. The question arises whether tax competition is a real problem for the EU Member States and if there exist arguments for tax harmonization, or at least tax coordination within the EU countries. The discussion in this paper suggests that the arguments for tax coordination in the EU are not yet strong enough. However, both tax competition and tax coordination have their supporters and opponents.