bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HTML Segmentation for Different Types of Web Pages
Authors: Freire de Amorim Evelin Carvalho
Published: April 2015

Search engines manage several types of challenges daily. One of those challenges is locating relevant content in a Web page. However, the concept of relevance in information retrieval depends on the problem to be solved. For instance, the menu of a website does not impact the results of an algorithm to detect duplicate Web pages. An HTML segmentation algorithm partitions a Web page visually in such a way that parts from a same partition are semantically related. This chapter presents two strategies to segment different types of Web pages.
Teacher-Student Relationship in the Facebook Era
Authors: Forkosh-Baruch Alona , Hershkovitz Arnon
Published: April 2015

The popularity of social networking sites has facilitated new modes of teacher-student communication, conveying the potential of changing teacher-students interaction. The goal of this chapter is to examine students' and teachers' perceptions of student-teacher SNS-based relationships in the Facebook era and to supply evidence that supports decision making. The authors present two studies involving secondary school Israeli students and teachers, examining the relations between Facebook-based student-teacher communication and student-teacher relationships. Findings suggest that Facebook communication may be beneficial but highlight conflicting issues. The authors discuss the implications of these studies, offering recommendations that include comprehensive support of teachers in developing new ICT literacies. They recommend further research as a means of providing educational policymakers and stakeholders with evidence to assist with informed decision making, as well as a means to empower teachers by allowing them to make decisions based on their educational beliefs.
The Open Innovation Paradigm
Authors: Ganzerla Luca , Colapinto Cinzia , Rocco Elena
Published: April 2015

The aim of this chapter is to shed light on an emerging educational and business paradigm, stemming from the digital revolution and the opportunities disclosed by Open Innovation. The central idea behind Open Innovation is that, in a world of widely distributed knowledge, companies cannot afford to rely entirely on their own research but should instead buy or license processes or inventions from other actors. After pointing out the potential benefits of digital storytelling and of Web 2.0 and 3.0 for promoting pedagogical and organizational innovation, the authors present an application of the Open Innovation Paradigm in education: the Value Generating Framework. The chapter offers empirical evidence of the benefits through an in-depth analysis of the alliance between the Italian Zoo “Parco Natura Viva” and the Italian foundation “Radio Magica.” This knowledge-intensive, collaborative, value network paradigm is more successful than the previous firm-centric paradigm.
Tribological Characteristics of Copper-Nano Carbon Crystalline Composites
Authors: Rajkumar K. , Aravindan S.
Published: April 2015

In order to exploit the excellent properties, nano-particles can be used as reinforcement in the matrix of a metal. This chapter utilizes reinforcement of nano-particles through the innovative microwave processing technology for the fabrication of copper-crystalline carbon composites. In order to understand the friction and wear properties of microwave-sintered copper-CNT and copper-Nano Graphite (NG) composites, pin-on-disc wear experiments were carried out. High surface area of nano-graphite particles embedded in copper matrix exhibited high adherent carbonaceous tribo-layer at the contact surface. Copper-CNT and copper-nano graphite composites exhibited comparable tribological properties.
The Structure of Ventral Scale Textures in Snakes in Comparison to Texturing of Deterministic Tribological Surfaces
Authors: Abdel-Aal H. A.
Published: April 2015

This chapter introduces the principles of bio-inspired design texturing of surfaces. Texturing is a leading technology applied to modify surface topography. To date, a standardized procedure to generate deterministic textures is non-existent. In nature, there are many examples of deterministic textures that allow species to condition tribological response for efficient function. This work compares industrial surfaces and the structural makeup of ventral scales in snakes. The authors compare the metrological features of the ventral scales to performance indicators of industrial surfaces. It is shown that the metrological features, key to efficient function of a rubbing deterministic surface, are already optimized in reptilian skin. Further, it is shown that this optimization originates from synchronizing surface form, texture, and topology. Results indicate that mimicking reptilian surfaces is potentially capable of generating advanced deterministic surface constructs of efficient tribological function.
Alterity, the Trick that Builds Up a Human Society
Authors: Gheorghincă Smărăndița Tapalagă , Druica Elena
Published: April 2015

This article relates two highly important views on the social characteristics of Humans: Michael Tomasello’s theory regarding the evolutionary difference between nonhuman and human primates and the Human portrait, as seen by Economics. Never before considered together, these two ideas agree and sustain each other. Tomasello´s common psychological infrastructure of shared intention and attention finds reason into the normativity circumscribing economic behavior, where fairness, morality and justice prevail. Correlatively, integrating alterity into one´s utility calculations, observed by Economics, reminds of Tomasello´s self-other equivalence and prosocial motivation as key features of building a human society. Finally, altruism, encompassed effortlessly into Human Behavior, is the fundament of social exchange and evolution.
Economic vs. Non-Economic Determinants of Diversification and Specialisation in Agriculture
Authors: May Daniel E. , Tate Graham J. , Worrall Leslie
Published: April 2015

Empirical evidence from the sugar sector of the UK has revealed that farmers in this sector adjusted to the EU reform of the Sugar Regime either by diversifying production or by specialising in a small number of crops. This article hypothesises that these strategic choices were influenced by a number of economic and non-economic drivers. A probit analysis conducted with a sample of ex-sugar beet farmers was used to test this hypothesis. The result showed that only non-economic drivers (i.e., social-psychological variables) were significant in explaining the strategic choices made by the farmers. This suggests that traditional analyses based purely on economic considerations have to be considered with caution.
Mastering the Art of Jugaad and Guanxi
Authors: Berger Ron
Published: April 2015

Purpose: Successfully entering foreign markets is a major issue in the field of international business. Cultural ignorance increases uncertainty that hinders a firm's international performance. Research has shown that the impact of cultural differences is one of the biggest obstacles to entering the Chinese and Indian markets, which are seen as one of the more important and growing markets in the last decade. This paper builds a framework for analyzing and choosing effective business strategies across the divide between very different business systems and cultures. It assists western firms in how to enter these complex markets and increase the probability of success. Design/methodology/approach: the proposed conceptual model hinges on social networking theory. Three different strategies are presented based on the different cultural, political and historical settings of China and India. Findings: the paper builds a framework for India and China structured around three core attributes to building social networks. It shows what international firms need to do in-order to build social networks that allow access to the local markets and decrease business risks. Practical implications: the proposed conceptual models enable marketers to cope even with the most complex markets and improve their probability for success. Originality/value: the literature review demonstrates that researchers have not dealt in-depth with the social constructs of social networks, especially in India. The paper depicts the commonality and differences between the two countries and serves as a basic business model when penetrating these markets.
On Knowledge Management
Authors: Mousakhani Mohammad , Rouzbehani Khadijeh
Published: April 2015

Successful implementation of knowledge management for organization requires a systematic and comprehensive perspective about various organizational factors. Appropriateness of these factors and their integration and coordination is a vital prerequisite to implement knowledge management effectively. The primary purpose of the research is investigating the relationship between three fundamental aspects of intellectual assets – human capital, structural capital and relational capital – with knowledge management practices. The method of the research is descriptive and co relational. The research was conducted in petrochemical Company in Tehran. The total number of personnel was 720 and the sample of 265 members of personnel was selected as statistical sampling. According to the research findings, there are significant relationships between these intellectual assets and knowledge management practices. These findings support the necessity of preparing the prerequisites of effective implementation of knowledge management. Accordingly an organization characterized by more developed intellectual capitals can benefit from knowledge management initiatives.
Composition of Local Normal Coordinates and Polyhedral Geometry in Riemannian Manifold Learning
Authors: Miranda Jr. Gastão F. , Giraldi Gilson , Thomaz Carlos E. , Millàn Daniel
Published: April 2015

The Local Riemannian Manifold Learning (LRML) recovers the manifold topology and geometry behind database samples through normal coordinate neighborhoods computed by the exponential map. Besides, LRML uses barycentric coordinates to go from the parameter space to the Riemannian manifold in order to perform the manifold synthesis. Despite of the advantages of LRML, the obtained parameterization cannot be used as a representational space without ambiguities. Besides, the synthesis process needs a simplicial decomposition of the lower dimensional domain to be efficiently performed, which is not considered in the LRML proposal. In this paper, the authors address these drawbacks of LRML by using a composition procedure to combine the normal coordinate neighborhoods for building a suitable representational space. Moreover, they incorporate a polyhedral geometry framework to the LRML method to give an efficient background for the synthesis process and data analysis. In the computational experiments, the authors verify the efficiency of the LRML combined with the composition and discrete geometry frameworks for dimensionality reduction, synthesis and data exploration.
Learning Objectives
Authors: Khan Tamkin , Hande Shyamala , Bedi Sanjay , Singh Tejinder , Kumar Vinay
Published: April 2015

To deal with the lack of basic health care in India competency based training is the need of the hour (MCI, 1997). Use of learning objectives (LOs) in alignment with assessment ensures competency in the must know areas. In this paper the authors discuss the use of LOs in the enhancement of teaching-learning process. It is organized into seven sections that deal with the advantages, potential disadvantages, and strategies to overcome the problems with LOs as a tool. In particular, the philosophical and technical objections to the use of LOs are dealt with in detail by appropriate examples. They discuss the link between LOs and Bloom’s taxonomy of learning, Miller’s pyramid, and the need to make LOs developmental and congruent with assessment. The methodology for determining appropriate LOs is discussed in detail. Lastly the ABCD, Mager’s and Kern’s methods of writing objectives and limitations of each are discussed. The authors conclude that LOs are an important tool for competency based training and the current inability to come up with “perfect” LOs should not be a barrier to at least reach “good.” Like all other educational tools, LOs have to be improved incrementally based on student feedback recognizing that students are the best teachers of their “teachers.”
Transcripts of a Medical Education in Humanities Module
Authors: Shankar P. Ravi , Singh Kundan Kr. , Dhakal Ajaya , Shakya Arati , Piryani Rano M.
Published: April 2015

A medical humanities (MH) module has been conducted for first year students at KIST Medical College, Lalitpur, Nepal for the last four years. The students are divided into small groups and case scenarios, role-plays, paintings, and activities are used to explore MH. The module for the fourth batch of students was conducted from December 2011 to March 2012. In this article the authors provide a brief overview of the MH module, Sparshanam and the learning objectives of different sessions. They provide transcripts of some of the role plays done during the module. The role plays were conducted in Nepali with the help and guidance of the facilitators and the written transcripts in English language were provided by different student groups.
A Virtual User Community
Authors: Blažič Borka Jerman , Jerman-Blažič Andrej , Arh Tanja
Published: April 2015

The aim of the research work presented in this paper is to explore a virtual-user community's influence on the design of a new, multimedia-based Internet service. The virtual community considered here are the researchers and associated administrative staff who are working on, or managing, collaboration projects or common tasks in distant laboratories all over the world. The acceptance and the attitudes of the community were studied and applied in the design of a new service offered by the Virtual Conference Centre Portal (VCCP) – Global Plaza. In this study, the cultural backgrounds of the user community were considered and the findings are discussed. . The studies were carried out with communities coming from three continents: Africa, South America and Europe. The paper gives a brief presentation of the VCCP's service facilities and an analysis of the results of the performed studies.
Explaining Online Customer Repurchase Intentions from a Relationship-Marketing Perspective
Authors: Lin Mei-Ju , Wang Wei-Tsong
Published: April 2015

Due to the low cost of searching for alternatives online, it is difficult to increase customer repurchase intention in the business-to-customer context. Relationship marketing (RM) is seen as an important way to foster customer trust, and in turn encourage repurchase intentions, which is consistent with the RM tactics-relational mediator-outcome paradigm in the offline context. Several studies have noted that the 4Rs marketing strategy both reflects and implements the concept of RM. This study thus examines whether RM-related constructs based on the 4Rs marketing strategy (i.e., assurance, customer satisfaction, perceived usefulness, corporate image, and perceived value) positively affect online customer repurchase intention; it also adopts trust as a relational mediator to investigate whether trust mediates the effect of the 4Rs marketing strategy on repurchase intention. The results of an online survey indicated that satisfaction, perceived usefulness, corporate image, perceived value, and trust were antecedents of repurchase intention. Additionally, this study statistically confirms that trust is a critical mediator of the indirect effects of RM-related constructs on repurchase intention. The theoretical and practical implications of this work are also discussed.
Factor H–Related Protein 5 Interacts with Pentraxin 3 and the Extracellular Matrix and Modulates Complement Activation
Authors: Csincsi Ádám I. , Kopp Anne , Zöldi Miklós , Bánlaki Zsófia , Uzonyi Barbara , Hebecker Mario , Caesar Joseph J. E. , Pickering Matthew C. , Daigo Kenji , Hamakubo Takao , Lea Susan M. , Goicoechea de Jorge Elena , Józsi Mihály
Published: April 2015

The physiological roles of the factor H (FH)-related proteins are controversial and poorly understood. Based on genetic studies, FH-related protein 5 (CFHR5) is implicated in glomerular diseases, such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, dense deposit disease, and CFHR5 nephropathy. CFHR5 was also identified in glomerular immune deposits at the protein level. For CFHR5, weak complement regulatory activity and competition for C3b binding with the plasma complement inhibitor FH have been reported, but its function remains elusive. In this study, we identify pentraxin 3 (PTX3) as a novel ligand of CFHR5. Binding of native CFHR5 to PTX3 was detected in human plasma and the interaction was characterized using recombinant proteins. The binding of PTX3 to CFHR5 is of ∼2-fold higher affinity compared with that of FH. CFHR5 dose-dependently inhibited FH binding to PTX3 and also to the monomeric, denatured form of the short pentraxin C–reactive protein. Binding of PTX3 to CFHR5 resulted in increased C1q binding. Additionally, CFHR5 bound to extracellular matrix in vitro in a dose-dependent manner and competed with FH for binding. Altogether, CFHR5 reduced FH binding and its cofactor activity on pentraxins and the extracellular matrix, while at the same time allowed for enhanced C1q binding. Furthermore, CFHR5 allowed formation of the alternative pathway C3 convertase and supported complement activation. Thus, CFHR5 may locally enhance complement activation via interference with the complement-inhibiting function of FH, by enhancement of C1q binding, and by activating complement, thereby contributing to glomerular disease.
T Cell Cross-Reactivity between a Highly Immunogenic EBV Epitope and a Self-Peptide Naturally Presented by HLA-B*18:01+ Cells
Authors: Rist Melissa J. , Hibbert Kelly M. , Croft Nathan P. , Smith Corey , Neller Michelle A. , Burrows Jacqueline M. , Miles John J. , Purcell Anthony W. , Rossjohn Jamie , Gras Stephanie , Burrows Scott R.
Published: April 2015

T cell cross-reactivity underpins the molecular mimicry hypothesis in which microbial peptides sharing structural features with host peptides stimulate T cells that cross-react with self-peptides, thereby initiating and/or perpetuating autoimmune disease. EBV represents a potentially important factor in the pathogenesis of several T cell–mediated autoimmune disorders, with molecular mimicry a likely mechanism. In this study, we describe a human self-peptide (DELEIKAY) that is a homolog of a highly immunogenic EBV T cell epitope (SELEIKRY) presented by HLA-B*18:01. This self-peptide was shown to bind stably to HLA-B*18:01, and peptide elution/mass spectrometric studies showed it is naturally presented by this HLA molecule on the surface of human cells. A significant proportion of CD8+ T cells raised from some healthy individuals against this EBV epitope cross-reacted with the self-peptide. A diverse array of TCRs was expressed by the cross-reactive T cells, with variable functional avidity for the self-peptide, including some T cells that appeared to avoid autoreactivity by a narrow margin, with only 10-fold more of the self-peptide required for equivalent activation as compared with the EBV peptide. Structural studies revealed that the self-peptide–HLA-B*18:01 complex is a structural mimic of the EBV peptide–HLA-B*18:01 complex, and that the strong antiviral T cell response is primarily dependent on the alanine/arginine mismatch at position 7. To our knowledge, this is the first report confirming the natural presentation of a self-peptide cross-recognized in the context of self-HLA by EBV-reactive CD8+ T cells. These results illustrate how aberrant immune responses and immunopathological diseases could be generated by EBV infection.
Light-emitting diode exposure enhances sperm motility in men with and without asthenospermia: preliminary results
Authors: Salama Nader , El-Sawy Mohamed
Published: April 2015

Objective: To evaluate the effect of lightemitting diode (LED) on sperm motility in men with and without asthenospermia. Material and Methods: Semen samples from 27 men were assessed and washed. An aliquot was taken from each sample as a control. The remaining amount was exposed to red LED for 2, 5 and 10 minutes. Sperm motility from the test and control tubes were re-checked at the end of each time interval. In 11 of these 27 samples, the same protocol was repeated without sperm washing. Evaluation of sperm creatine kinase (CK) activity, hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test and aniline blue staining (ANBS) were undertaken after phototherapy in additional 15 samples. Results: Progressive sperm motility increased significantly after LED treatment at the different time intervals whether in washed (p = 0.000) or non-washed (p = 0.003) samples. The amount of the increase in motility in washed aliquots was significantly more (p = 0.000) than in naive semen. Sperm CK activity increased, but was not significant whilst there were no changes regarding HOS and ANBS. Conclusion: Red LED is a promising safe tool to boost sperm motility in vitro. This may have a great implication on maximizing the possibilities and outcomes of intrauterine insemination trials.
Change of practice patterns in urology with the introduction of the Da Vinci surgical system: the Greek NHS experience in debt crisis era
Authors: Deligiannis Dimitros , Anastasiou Ioannis , Mygdalis Vasileios , Fragkiadis Evangelos , Stravodimos Konstantinos
Published: April 2015

Objective: To determine the attitudinal change for urologic surgery in Greece since the introduction of the da Vinci Surgical System (DVS). We describe contemporary trends at public hospital level, the initial Greek experience, while at the same time Greece is in economic crisis and funding is under austerity measures. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed annualized case log data on urologic procedures, between 2008 (installation of the DVS) and 2013, from “Laiko’’ Hospital in Athens. We evaluated, using summary statistics, trends and institutional status regarding robot-assisted surgery (RAS). We also analyzed the relationship between the introduction of RAS and change in total volume of procedures performed. Results: 1578 of the urological procedures performed at “Laiko’’ Hospital were pooled, 1342 (85%) being open and 236 RAS (15%). We observed a 6-fold increase in the number of RAS performed, from 7% of the total procedural volume (14/212) in 2008 to 30% (96/331) in 2013. For radical prostatectomy, in 2008 2% were robot-assisted and 98% open while in 2013, 46% and 54% respectively. Pyeloplasty was performed more often using the robot-assisted method since 2010. RAS-dedicated surgeons increased both RAS and the total number of procedures they performed. From 86 in 2008 to 145 in 2013, with 57% of them being RAS in 2013 as compared to 13 % in 2008. Conclusions: Robot-assisted surgery has integrated into the armamentarium for urologic surgery in Greece at public hospital level. Surgical robot acquisition is also associated with increased volume of procedures, especially prostatectomy, despite the ongoing debate over cost-effectiveness, during economic crisis and International Monetary Fund (IFN) era.
Urolithiasis is associated with low serum testosterone levels in men
Authors: Otunctemur Alper , Ozbek Emin , Cakir Suleyman Sami , Dursun Murat , Polat Emre Can , Ozcan Levent , Besiroglu Huseyin
Published: April 2015

Objective: To evaluate the relationship among urolithiasis, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and serum testosterone (T) level in men. Material and Methods: 513 men older than 18 years were enrolled in this study: 313 of the subjects had a history of stones (group 1) and 200 had no history of stones (controls, group 2). Early morning T levels were recorded and anthropometric measurements were invastigated to evaluate MetS. Analyses were completed using chi-square tests. Result: Serum T level was lower in stone forming patients than coltrol subjects and 161 (%51.4) men in group 1 and 92 (%46) men in group 2 were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. T level was found lower limit (< 285 ng/dl) in the MetS and urolithiasis group (p 0.002, OR 2.71). Conclusions: We found low testosterone levels in the patients with stone disease and prevalance of the MetS in men with urolithiasis was higher than in men without stone disease. Our findings show that levels of testosterone had no effect on stone formation, but the factors that cause stone formation can have an effect on the level of testosterone.
Ischemia of the glans penis following circumcision: case report and revision of the literature
Authors: Pepe Pietro , Pietropaolo Francesco , Candiano Giuseppe , Pennisi Michele
Published: April 2015

Ischemic complications of the glans penis are rare and commonly result from trauma, inadvertent administration of vasoconstrictive solutions, diabetes mellitus, circumcision and vasculitis; we refer about a young man with severe ischemia of the glans penis following circumcision. The patient had undergone circumcision 5 days before in a surgery department under local anesthesia (1% mepivacaine hydrochloride). The patient noticed a brownish color and edema of the glans penis at 24 h after he opened the wound dressing, but arrived to our hospital only 5 days after circumcision because these findings had progressed. Physical examination revealed the black color or necrotic appearance of the glans penis, and edema on the dorsal penile skin. The patient underwent antibiotic, antiplatatelet, corticosteroid and iperbaric therapy achieving a complete restitutio ad integrum.
Socio-cultural context and feelings of hatred and revenge in war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder 15 years after war in Kosovo
Authors: Halimi Ramadan , Dragoti Emond , Halimi Hidajete , Sylejmani-Hulaj Nazife , Jashari-Ramadani Sevdie
Published: April 2015

We aimed to assess, in socio-cultural context, the level of hatred and revenge in war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sampling frame consisted of 215 Kosova War veterans, randomly selected. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of PTSD and Manchester Short Assessment of Life was used to assess social satisfactions. The participants were asked to declare the strength of feelings of hatred and revenge in the four preceding weeks by using four items scale: not at all, a little bit/sometimes, a lot and extremely. Willingness for action of veterans was assessed using three item scale: yes, no or maybe. A probability level of 0.05 was adopted to be considered as statistically significant for differences among groups. DSM-IV-TR criteria for PTSD (very similar to DSM-V) were met by 52.6% of veterans; the data have confirmed existence of thoughts and fantasies of revenge against opposing forces by 42.8% veterans; at the same level 42.8% manifested feelings of hatred. Fantasies of taking revenge a lot was recorded by 19.5% and extremely by 1.4% of veterans, while hateful thoughts at level a lot were likely expressed by 22.3% and extreme by 2.8% of veterans. It is important to note that 84.7% were confident to act based on their beliefs. Social-economic and cultural factors have played major role in the understanding of psychological problems of traumatized individuals with a direct impact on their ability to function socially. This study has confirmed the urgent need for the establishment of psychological rehabilitation programs as well as programs for the social and economic rehabilitation of War Veterans.
The effects of phosphatidylserine and omega-3 fatty acid-containing supplement on late life depression
Authors: Komori Teruhisa
Published: April 2015

Late life depression is often associated with a poor response to antidepressants; therefore an alternative strategy for therapy is required. Although several studies have reported that phosphatidylserine (PS) may be effective for late life depression and that omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA have also proven beneficial for many higher mental functions, including depression, no concrete conclusion has been reached. This study was performed to clarify the effect of PS and omega-3 fatty acid-containing supplement for late life depression by not only clinical evaluation but also salivary cortisol levels. Eighteen elderly subjects with major depression were selected for the study. In all, insufficient improvement had been obtained by antidepressant therapy for at least 6 months. The exclusion criteria from prior brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) included the presence of structural MRI findings compatible with stroke or other gross brain lesions or malformations, but not white matter hypersensitivities. They took a supplement containing PS 100 mg, DHA 119 mg and EPA 70 mg three times a day for 12 weeks. The effects of the supplement were assessed using the 17-item Hamilton depression scale (HAM-D17) and the basal levels and circadian rhythm of salivary cortisol. The study adopted them as indices because: salivary cortisol levels are high in patients with depression, their circadian rhythm related to salivary cortisol is often irregular, and these symptoms are alleviated as depression improves. The mean HAM-D17 in all subjects taking the supplement was significantly improved after 12 weeks of taking the supplement. These subjects were divided into 10 non-responders and 8 responders. The basal levels and circadian rhythm of salivary cortisol were normalized in the responders while not in non-responders. PS and omega-3 fatty acids, or other elements of the supplement, may be effective for late life depression, associated with the correction of basal levels and circadian rhythm of salivary cortisol.
Occurrence of intestinal parasites amongst persons on highly active antiretroviral drug therapy in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: Inyang-Etoh Paul C. , Udonkang Mfoniso I. , Adeboboye Ade O.
Published: April 2015

Opportunistic and intestinal parasite infections are common health problem among HIV/AIDS patients. Early detection and treatment of these parasites are important to improve the quality of life of this category of patients. The occurrence of intestinal parasites among 400 patients on highly active anti-retroviral drug therapy (HAART) aged 11-60 years was investigated. Standard parasitological techniques like direct microscopy, formol ether concentration and modified Ziehl- Neelsen staining techniques were used to analyze the stool samples. Intestinal parasite infections were positive in 116 (29%) of the subjects on HAART while control subjects had 12 (12%) and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Subjects in the age group 21-30 years had the highest infection rate 54 (35.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in infection according to age (P>0.05). Females 76 (32.5%) had a higher prevalence rate than males 40 (24.1%). But there was no statistically significant difference in infection according to gender (P<0.05). Patients with CD4 count of less than 200 cells/mm3 were observed to be more infected than those with CD4 count of more than 200 cells/mm3. There was a strong positive correlation (r=0.94) between CD4 count and the occurrence of intestinal parasite infection. Protozoan parasites 84 (21.0%) accounted for a higher prevalence rate than helminthic parasites 32 (8.0%). These findings has revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasite infection among patients on HAART thus the routine screening of stool samples from these category of patients for intestinal parasites is advocated for effective management of the disease.
The effects of the avilamycin, Protexin® and basil essential oil supplements on ileal bacteria of broiler chickens
Authors: Riyazi Seyyed Reza , Ebrahimnezhad Yahya , Hosseini Sayed Abdoullah , Meimandipour Amir , Ghorbani Abolfazl
Published: April 2015

The effects of probiotic (Protexin®, Protexin Veterinary, Somerset, UK), medicinal plant (basil essential oil) and an antibiotic growth promoter (avilamycin) as broiler feed additives on ileal bacteria of broilers were studied. A total of 600 Arian broilers were divided into 6 treatments, with 4 replicates of 25 birds. Treatments were a plant essential oil in 3 level (200, 400 and 600 ppm), the probiotic (150 ppm), an antibiotic (150 ppm) and a control group with no additives. Birds in different treatments received the same diets during the experimental period. The results showed that probiotic treatment significantly decreased total bacteria counts (P<0.05). Any of the supplements did not affect colony-forming units of lactobacilli (P>0.05). The lowest and highest lactic acid bacteria in ileum were obtained by the control group and in birds receiving 400 ppm basil essential oil, respectively. Moreover, addition of 600 ppm of basil essential oil into diet decreased the number of E.coli colonies as compared to other treatments (P<0.05). Our results suggest that basil essential oil and Protexin could be of value to replace the antibiotics that have been banned as growth promoter in animal feeds.
A survey on relationships between thyroid hormone levels and clinical findings in dairy calf diarrhea
Authors: Hajimohammadi Ali , Roshan-Ghasrodashti Abbas , Forouzesh Seyed Milad , Saeb Mehdi
Published: April 2015

Calf diarrhea is an important disease that occurs in association with the interaction of various infectious agents and calf susceptibility. The economic losses is associated with death loss and treatment costs, reduction of live weight gain, and reduction of productive life span, which may be considerable. Thyroid hormones previously thought mainly in thermoregulation and energy metabolism. Recently, several studies have challenged on their roles in the metabolic response of animals to certain conditions such as nutritional, environmental, or disease state. The aim of the present study was to survey relationships between thyroid hormones in calves with diarrhea in the different clinical features. Holstein calves (50) within 1 day to 2 months old with signs of diarrhea and healthy calves (40) with similar age and sex were selected. Standard clinical examinations and also dehydration degree assessment were carried out on each calf and recorded accordingly. Calves with clinical signs of diarrhea were divided in different groups based on the severity of the clinical findings, fever and degree of dehydration. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein from all calves into vacutainer tubes for serum collection.T4, fT4, T3 and fT3 concentrations were measured by validated methods. A significant increase in T4, T3 and fT3 in diarrheic calves was observed (P<0.05). Thyroid hormones in calves with severe clinical signs decreased significantly (P<0.001) compared to calves with moderate or mild systemic clinical signs. Thyroid hormones between febrile diarrheic calves compared to afebrile diarrheic calves had no significant changes. Diarrheic calves with severe dehydration compared to diarrheic calves with mild and moderate dehydration had significant decreases in their thyroid hormones (P<0.001).
Geological Survey of Canada radiocarbon dates XXI
Authors: Lowdon J A , Blake W
Published: April 2015

This list includes 105 radiocarbon age determinations on 104 geological samples made by the Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory. They are on samples from various are as follows: Labrador Shelf (2); Newfoundland (12); Nova Scotia (2); New Brunswick (1): Quebec (3);
Ontario(1); Manitoba(1); Alberta (2); British Columbia (15); Yukon Territory (35); Northwest Territories, Mainland (10); Northwest Territories, Arctic Archipelago (21). Details of background and standard for the 2 L and 5 L counters during the period from November 4, 1980 to October 31, 1981 are
summarized in Tables 1 and 2; Table 3 gives the number of counts used to determine the average background and standard counting rates; and Table 4 lists the number of different background and standard gas preparations used for counting.
Geological Survey of Canada radiocarbon dates XXIV
Authors: Blake W
Published: April 2015

This list presents 139 radiocarbon age determinations made by the Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory. They are on 12R geological samples from various areas as follows: Labrador Shelf ( 1); Nova Scotia (25); New Brunswick ( 11); Québec (3); Ontario (3); Manitoba
(3); Saskatchewan (3); Alberta (10); British Columbia (20); Yukon Territory (25); Northwest Territories, mainland (2); Northwest Territories, Arctic Archipelago (31); Alaska (1). Tables 1 and 2 summarize details of background and standard for the 2 L and 5 L counters during the period from November
2, 19R3 to October R, 1QR4; Table 3 gives the number of counts used to determine the average background and standard counting rates; and Table 4 lists the number of different background and standard gas preparations used for counting.
Late Quaternary marine geology of Lake Melville, Labrador
Authors: Vilks G , Deonarine B , Winters G
Published: April 2015

On the basis of high resolution Huntec Deep Tow seismic profiles, and Foraminifera and lithology in piston cores, the Late Wisconsinan to Holocene sedimentary environment is described against the background of contemporary sedimentary and oceanographic processes
in Lake Melville. At present, Lake Melville is an estuary in the physiographic setting of a fiord. The bottom water is brackish as a result of a relatively shallow sill that prevents the counterflow of saline bottom wa­ters from Labrador Sea. The evidence for the presence of glacial ice and
subsequent retreat of the ice margin is deduced from the seismic profiles. Thin and discontinuous til1-like deposits are overlain by intermittently stratified deposits interpreted as undermelt diamicton or sediment slumps and massive turbidites associated with processes along an active glacial
margin. These deposits grade to closely stratified sequences, which are conformable on the ridges, but may be ponded in the basins. The stratified de­posits have been sampled with piston cores and are interpreted as proglacial or early postglacial on the basis of foraminifera. The acoustically
transparent surface sediments represent the postglacial pelagic sedimentation. Along steep basin margins these fine sediments have undergone considerab­le post-depositional reworking due to slope failures that led to sediment slumping. Fourteen organic carbon and shell dates from piston cores give a
minimum age of 8000 BP for the beginning of the proglacial environment in central Lake Melville. With a 1ml/1000 years sedi­mentation rate, the extrapolated age is approximately 10000 BP, which is aider than the proposed deglaciation isochrons on the basis of terrestrial evidence in southeastern
Labrador.
Applications du RSO de RADARSAT en milieu aride; le cas de la Jordanie
Authors: Saint-Jean R , Singhroy V
Published: April 2015

The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) acquired an image from the Azraq area in Eastern Jordan in Dec. 1993 to test the potential of the sensor in managing natural resources in arid environments. The resulting image was
processed to simulate the speckle and the resolution of RADARSAT-1 STANDARD and FINE modes.
 Comparisons between the high resolution airborne SAR image and the simulations are used to examine the potential of RADARSAT-1 SAR for land use and vegetation, land form, rock units
and drainage. Results shows that the FINE mode simulation has a good spatial resolution but has poor contrast due to speckle masking. The STANDARD mode simulation, although having a lower resolution, shows detailed surface features and has a good dynamic range.
Plant Hardiness Zones of parts of the Prairie provinces
Authors: McKenney D W , Pedlar J H , Lawrence K , Papadopol P , Campbell K , Hutchinson M F , Kramers R E , Rose I , Morisset N
Published: April 2015

This plant hardiness zones map shows the different zones in Canada where various types of trees, shrubs and flowers will most likely survive. The map is based on a formula using seven important variables that influence plant survival: 1. Monthly mean of the daily
minimum temperatures of the coldest month 2. Mean frost-free period (above 0°C) in days 3. Amount of rainfall from June to November 4. Monthly mean of the daily maximum temperatures of the warmest month 5. A winter harshness index related to rainfall in January 6. Mean maximum snow depth 7.
Maximum wind gust in 30 year period The original map was developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in the early 1960s based on average values from 1930 to 1960. This new map uses 1981 to 2010 averages. To view an interactive version of this map and for more information on plant hardiness zones
in Canada, please go to the following Web site: www.planthardiness.gc.ca
Plant Hardiness Zones of the Atlantic provinces
Authors: McKenney D W , Pedlar J H , Lawrence K , Papadopol P , Campbell K , Hutchinson M F , Kramers R E , Rose I , Morisset N
Published: April 2015

This plant hardiness zones map shows the different zones in Canada where various types of trees, shrubs and flowers will most likely survive. The map is based on a formula using seven important variables that influence plant survival: 1. Monthly mean of the daily
minimum temperatures of the coldest month 2. Mean frost-free period (above 0°C) in days 3. Amount of rainfall from June to November 4. Monthly mean of the daily maximum temperatures of the warmest month 5. A winter harshness index related to rainfall in January 6. Mean maximum snow depth 7.
Maximum wind gust in 30 year period The original map was developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in the early 1960s based on average values from 1930 to 1960. This new map uses 1981 to 2010 averages. To view an interactive version of this map and for more information on plant hardiness zones
in Canada, please go to the following Web site: www.planthardiness.gc.ca
Extreme Minimum Temperature Zones of British Columbia
Authors: McKenney D W , Pedlar J H , Lawrence K , Papadopol P , Campbell K , Hutchinson M F , Kramers R E , Rose I , Morisset N
Published: April 2015

This plant hardiness zones map follows an approach used by the United States Department of Agriculture (www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/). The map shows the average of the annual extreme minimum temperature for the period 1981 to 2010. It is important to note that
weather conditions in any individual year may be different from the average conditions shown on this map. The zones correspond to the temperature ranges shown in the map legend.
Extreme Minimum Temperature Zones of Central and Southern British Columbia
Authors: McKenney D W , Pedlar J H , Lawrence K , Papadopol P , Campbell K , Hutchinson M F , Kramers R E , Rose I , Morisset N
Published: April 2015

This plant hardiness zones map follows an approach used by the United States Department of Agriculture (www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/). The map shows the average of the annual extreme minimum temperature for the period 1981 to 2010. It is important to note that
weather conditions in any individual year may be different from the average conditions shown on this map. The zones correspond to the temperature ranges shown in the map legend.
Extreme Minimum Temperature Zones of parts of the Prairie provinces
Authors: McKenney D W , Pedlar J H , Lawrence K , Papadopol P , Campbell K , Hutchinson M F , Kramers R E , Rose I , Morisset N
Published: April 2015

This plant hardiness zones map follows an approach used by the United States Department of Agriculture (www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/). The map shows the average of the annual extreme minimum temperature for the period 1981 to 2010. It is important to note that
weather conditions in any individual year may be different from the average conditions shown on this map. The zones correspond to the temperature ranges shown in the map legend.
Extreme Minimum Temperature Zones of the Atlantic provinces
Authors: McKenney D W , Pedlar J H , Lawrence K , Papadopol P , Campbell K , Hutchinson M F , Kramers R E , Rose I , Morisset N
Published: April 2015

This plant hardiness zones map follows an approach used by the United States Department of Agriculture (www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/). The map shows the average of the annual extreme minimum temperature for the period 1981 to 2010. It is important to note that
weather conditions in any individual year may be different from the average conditions shown on this map. The zones correspond to the temperature ranges shown in the map legend.
Quotients of A2 * T2
Authors: Izumi Masaki , Morrison Scott , Penneys David
Published: April 2015

We study unitary quotients of the free product unitary pivotal category A2 * T2. We show that such quotients are parametrized by an integer n ≥ 1 and an 2n–th root of unity ω. We show that for n = 1, 2, 3, there is exactly one quotient and ω = 1. For 4 ≤ n ≤ 10, we show that there are no such quotients. Our methods also apply to quotients of T2 * T2, where we have a similar result.

The essence of our method is a consistency check on jellyfish relations. While we only treat the specific cases of A2 × T2 and T2 . T2, we anticipate that our technique can be extended to a general method for proving the nonexistence of planar algebras with a specified principal graph.

During the preparation of this manuscript, we learnt of Liu's independent result on composites of A3 and A4 subfactor planar algebras (arxiv:1308.5691). In 1994, BischHaagerup showed that the principal graph of a composite of A3 and A4 must fit into a certain family, and Liu has classified all such subfactor planar algebras. We explain the connection between the quotient categories and the corresponding composite subfactor planar algebras. As a corollary of Liu's result, there are no such quotient categories for n ≥ 4.

This is an abridged version of arxiv:1308.5723.
Finiteness results for Abelian tree models
Authors: Draisma Jan , Eggermont Rob H.
Published: April 2015

Equivariant tree models are statistical models used in the reconstruction of phylogenetic trees from genetic data. Here
equivariant
§ refers to a symmetry group imposed on the root distribution and on the transition matrices in the model. We prove that if that symmetry group is Abelian, then the Zariski closures of these models are defined by polynomial equations of bounded degree, independent of the tree. Moreover, we show that there exists a polynomial-time membership test for that Zariski closure. This generalises earlier results on tensors of bounded rank, which correspond to the case where the group is trivial and the tree is a star, and implies a qualitative variant of a quantitative conjecture by Sturmfels and Sullivant in the case where the group and the alphabet coincide. Our proofs exploit the symmetries of an infinite-dimensional projective limit of Abelian star models.
Optimal bounds for the colored Tverberg problem
Authors: Blagojević Pavle V.M. , Matschke Benjamin , Ziegler Günter M.
Published: April 2015

We prove a “Tverberg type” multiple intersection theorem. It strengthens the prime case of the original Tverberg theorem from 1966, as well as the topological Tverberg theorem of Bárány et al. (1980), by adding color constraints. It also provides an improved bound for the (topological) colored Tverberg problem of B´ar´any & Larman (1992) that is tight in the prime case and asymptotically optimal in the general case. The proof is based on relative equivariant obstruction theory.
Strong density for higher order Sobolev spaces into compact manifolds
Authors: Bousquet Pierre , Ponce Augusto C. , Van Schaftingen Jean
Published: April 2015

Given a compact manifold

N^n

, an integer

k \in \mathbb{N}_*

and an exponent

1 \le p < \infty

, we prove that the class

C^\infty(\overline{Q}^m; N^n)

of smooth maps on the cube with values into

N^n

is dense with respect to the strong topology in the Sobolev space

W^{k, p}(Q^m; N^n)

when the homotopy group

\pi_{\lfloor kp \rfloor}(N^n)

of order

\lfloor kp \rfloor

is trivial. We also prove density of maps that are smooth except for a set of dimension

m - \lfloor kp \rfloor - 1

, without any restriction on the homotopy group of

N^n

.