bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Risk of Acute Pancreatitis After Initiation of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors: Testing a Hypothesis of Subgroup Differences in Older U.S. Adults
Authors: Hong Jin-Liern , Buse John B. , Jonsson Funk Michele , Pate Virginia , Stürmer Til 
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVE
To examine whether dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4I) increase acute pancreatitis risk in older patients and whether the association varies by age, sex, and history of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We conducted a cohort study of DPP-4I initiators versus thiazolidinedione (TZD) or sulfonylurea initiators using U.S. Medicare beneficiaries, 2007–2014. Eligible initiators were aged 66 years or older without history of pancreatic disease or alcohol-related diseases. Patients were followed up for hospitalization due to acute pancreatitis and censored at 90 days after treatment changes. Weighted Cox models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for acute pancreatitis. Analyses were performed overall as well as within subgroups defined by age, sex, and CVD history.

RESULTS
We found no increased risk of acute pancreatitis comparing 49,374 DPP-4I initiators to 132,223 sulfonylurea initiators (weighted HR 1.01; 95% CI 0.83–1.24) and comparing 57,301 DPP-4I initiators to 32,612 TZD initiators (weighted HR 1.11; 95% CI 0.76–1.62). Age and sex did not modify the association. Among patients with CVD, acute pancreatitis incidence was elevated in initiators of DPP-4I and sulfonylurea (2.3 and 2.4 per 1,000 person-years, respectively) but not in TZD initiators (1.5). Among patients with CVD, higher risk of acute pancreatitis was observed with DPP-4I compared with TZD (weighted HR 1.84; 95% CI 1.02–3.35) but not compared with sulfonylurea.

CONCLUSIONS
Our study provides evidence that DPP-4I is not associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis in older adults overall. The positive association observed in patients with CVD could be due to chance or bias but merits further investigation.
Relationship Between Diabetes Knowledge, Glycemic Control, and Associated Health Conditions
Authors: Phillips Emily , Rahman Rabia , Mattfeldt-Beman Mildred 
Published: April 2018

Objective.
The purpose of this study was to identify any existing relationship between diabetes knowledge and glycemic control, as well as possible associations with patient health, among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design and Methods.
This qualitative study used a validated multiple-choice test (the Michigan Diabetes Knowledge Test) to assess diabetes knowledge among 17 hospital patients between the ages of 18 and 75 years with type 2 diabetes and a recent (within 3 months) A1C laboratory value. Participants also provided information about their diabetes self-care habits, previous diabetes education, and diabetes-related secondary health conditions.

Results.
The average diabetes knowledge score was 8.4 of 14 (60%), and the average A1C was 9.3%. Thirteen participants had previously received diabetes education, whereas four participants had never received diabetes education. The participants who had not received education scored 15.3% lower on the diabetes knowledge test and had an average A1C 0.89% higher than those who had received previous education. Although this difference was not statistically significant, it is clinically relevant. There was a significant association between diabetes knowledge and presence of retinopathy (P = 0.03).

Conclusion.
Diabetes self-management education and support is a crucial component of diabetes care. There is a considerable need for diabetes education strategies to improve self-management of diabetes and thereby improve outcomes and decrease the costs of diabetes-related care. There is also a need for efforts to ensure regular vision screenings for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
A TEORIA ETNOCONSTITUTIVA DE CURRÍCULO E A PESQUISA CURRICULAR: CONFIGURAÇÕES EPISTEMOLÓGICAS, METODOLÓGICAS E HEURÍSTICO-FORMATIVAS
Authors: Macedo Roberto Sidnei 
Published: April 2018

O presente artigo apresenta as principais elaborações conceituais da Teoria Etnoconstitutiva de Currículo, vinculando-as às especificidades da pesquisa em currículo. Concebida como uma teoria-ação curricular/formacional, a singularidade desta sistematização teórica está na forma pela qual seus conceitos foram criados e fundamentam a pesquisa curricular. Os conceitos em pauta emergem de estudos, pesquisas e intervenções intercríticas em currículo e formação desenvolvidas e implementadas pelos pesquisadores do Grupo de Pesquisa FORMACCE FACED-UFBA em cenários curriculares e formativos conceitualmente generativos. É nesses cenários que se entretecem etnométodos instituintes de saberesfazeres curriculares, a partir de contextos nos quais a afirmação da diferença torna-se heuristicamente fulcral. É nessa perspectiva que se desenvolve a etnopesquisa curricular, suas inspirações teóricas, opções epistemológicas, metodológicas e político-formativas.
Adaptation of Symmetric Positive Semi-Definite Matrices for the Analysis of Textured Images
Authors: Akl Adib 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
This paper addresses the analysis of textured images using the symmetric positive semi-definite matrix. In particular, a field of symmetric positive semi-definite matrices is used to estimate the structural information represented by the local orientation and the degree of anisotropy in structured and sinusoid-like textured images. In order to ensure faithful local structure estimation, an adaptive algorithm for the regularization of the extent of gradient fields smoothing is proposed. Results obtained on different texture samples show the strength of the proposed method in accurately representing the local variation of orientations in the underlying textured images, which paves the way towards an accurate analysis of the texture structures.
Linking Datasets Using Semantic Textual Similarity
Authors: McCrae John P. , Buitelaar Paul 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Linked data has been widely recognized as an important paradigm for representing data and one of the most important aspects of supporting its use is discovery of links between datasets. For many datasets, there is a significant amount of textual information in the form of labels, descriptions and documentation about the elements of the dataset and the fundament of a precise linking is in the application of semantic textual similarity to link these datasets. However, most linking tools so far rely on only simple string similarity metrics such as Jaccard scores. We present an evaluation of some metrics that have performed well in recent semantic textual similarity evaluations and apply these to linking existing datasets.
The Environmental Responsibility of the World’s Largest Banks
Authors: Ryszawska Bożena , Zabawa Justyna 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Sustainability transition is changing the role and function of banks, specially their products and services also in relation to stakeholders. Banks are one of the main actors supporting the transition to sustainable economy. The purpose of this study is to emphasise the role of world’s largest banks in that process. Banks are slowly responding to the new demand of sustainability and responsibility, and they try to align with it. The paper is based on an overview of the world’s five largest banks that employ corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting standards, together with detailed enumeration of pro-environmental activities included in the reports. The first section of this paper presents the most popular approaches to the problem at hand, as reported in professional literature. Section two presents the characteristics of the CSR actions in banks. The third section discusses the environmental actions of the biggest banks in Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting the most popular standard for reporting non-financial information. And the last part of the paper presents the conclusions resulting from the article. The research was conducted using a variety of sources, such as scientific articles, statistical data, CSR reports of the world’s largest banks, as well reporting principles and standard disclosures. The basic method used in the process of writing was a critical analysis of literature and reports concerning the CSR reporting standards, environmental responsibilities of different kinds of entities, as well as own observations based on special reports of banks. In the article, also the analysis of financial market data, induction method and comparison method have been used. The main conclusions of the analysis of the CSR reports disclosed by the world’s largest banks confirm all three of the theses presented in the article. The findings suggest that the banks under study can be regarded as environmentally responsible entities. Their reports and disclosures are produced according to the internationally recognized standards. There are also critical opinions about the standards for reporting environmental information, but the weaknesses of reporting these aspects do not undermine the benefits of using the GRI guidelines.
The Use of Multi-Criteria Analysis for Identifying Areas Sensitive to Land Degradation and water Retention
Authors: Bednář Marek , Šarapatka Bořivoj 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The article presents a method of selecting critical areas (4th river basin) in terms of landscape degradation, with an emphasis on water retention, from a relatively larger unit (3rd river basin). For this purpose, indicators that point directly or indirectly to soil and landscape degradation or water retention were selected with regard to the scale of processing. The indicators were processed in a multi-criteria context using principal component analysis, which, based on the spatial layout pattern of the indicators, assigns weights of importance. These weights were then subsequently used to calculate the aggregation index, which indirectly indicates the sensitivity of the area to degradation and, in particular, water retention. Two catchment areas of the 3rd order – Čížina and Kyjovka – with different soil, climatic and economic conditions were selected for the study. Among the indicators of water retention in the landscape, our analysis included the share of agricultural land in the total area, the share of arable land, the average size of the field block, soil degradation according to the degradation model, runoff curve number, potential water erosion and surface drainage. The resulting procedure can be used to evaluate smaller areas. For a more detailed solution, a number of other methods and indicators could be used, which are also outlined in the article.
Health Care Spending Structures in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia Over the Years as Compared to Other EU Countries
Authors: Walczak Renata , Piekut Marlena , Kludacz-Alessandri Magdalena , Sloka Biruta , Šimanskiene Ligita , Paas Tiiu 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
After joining the European Union in 2004, the post-communist countries have dramatically changed their structure of expenditure for medical services. The cause of this is legislative and ownership changes in the new economy. The study analyzed the expenditure on medical services in the European Union with a special focus on Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The European Union countries were divided into clusters using different methods, that is, Ward’s, Two Step and Centroid Clustering. In the paper, the structure and changes in health expenses were presented according to the types of expenditures over the years 2004-2015. Countries were assigned to clusters based on three variables: medical products, appliances and equipment, outpatient services and hospital services. Variables were considered as a percentage of household budget. In Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, there is a clear increase in the outpatient services spending compared to the hospital services expenditure.
Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and parasitological studies on pathogenesis of Coenurus cerebralis in sheep
Authors: Rahsan Yilmaz , Nihat Yumusak , Bestami Yilmaz , Adnan Ayan , Nuran Aysul 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Introduction
This study consisted in histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the central nervous system of 15 sheep suspected of infection with Coenurus cerebralis. The sheep displayed compulsive circling and were submitted for necropsy in 2012–2016.

Material and Methods
Species identification was made on the basis of the PCR analysis and parasitological examination of the cysts.

Results

Coenurus cerebralis cysts were detected only in the cerebral tissue of 13 sheep and in the cerebral and cerebellar tissues of 2 animals. Out of the 33 parasite cysts, most (21.21%) were located in the right and left frontal lobes of the cerebrum. The largest cyst measured 6 × 5 cm and the smallest cyst was 2 × 2 cm in size. The highest and lowest numbers of scolices were 55 and 21, and the number of rostellar hooks ranged between 22 and 30. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of typical parasitic granulomatous inflammatory foci. Immunohistochemical staining showed that most common in the periphery of the parasite cysts were, in descending order by cell number, GFAP, CD163, CD3, and CD79α-positive cells.

Conclusion
The study confirms the role of cellular defence mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Coenurus cerebralis infection in sheep.
Effects of polymyxin B on clinical signs, serum TNF-α, haptoglobin and plasma lactate concentrations in experimental endotoxaemia in sheep
Authors: Hajimohammadi Ali , Badiei Khalil , Kheibari Parviz , Pourjafar Meherdad , Chalmeh Aliasghar 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Introduction
The experiment evaluated the effects of intravenous administration of polymyxin B on experimental endotoxaemia in sheep.

Material and Methods
Twenty clinically healthy fat-tailed sheep were randomly divided into: a group treated with 6,000 U/kg of polymyxin B, a group at 12,000 U/kg, and positive and negative controls. Endotoxaemia was induced by intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli serotype O55:B5 at 0.5 μg/kg. polymyxin was infused intravenously along with 2.5 L of isotonic intravenous fluids at 20 mL/kg/h. The positive control group received LPS and 2.5 L of isotonic fluids, the negatives receiving just 2.5 L of isotonic fluids. Clinical signs were evaluated before and at 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 24, and 48 h after LPS administration. Blood was also sampled at the denoted hours and serum haptoglobin, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and plasma lactate concentrations were assayed.

Results
The serum concentration of TNF-α in the positive control group increased significantly up to 48 h after LPS administration. The concentration of TNF-α was significantly different from those of the polymyxin B and positive control groups from 3 to 48 h; also, the concentrations of haptoglobin at different times in the polymyxin groups were lower than those of the positive control group and were significant at hours 3 to 48 (P < 0.05). Following the LPS administration, haptoglobin and TNF-α concentrations changed without significant difference between the two polymyxin B groups.

Conclusion
Polymyxin B (6,000 U/kg) restrained blood lactate concentrations. Furthermore, it significantly improved the clinical signs in endotoxaemic animals, including rectal temperature and heart and respiratory rates. Polymyxin B may be an antiendotoxic in fat-tailed sheep.
Effects of natural antioxidants on the stability of omega-3 fatty acids in dog food
Authors: Glodde Florentina , Günal Mevlüt , Kinsel Mary E. , AbuGhazaleh Amer 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Introduction
The efficiency of five natural antioxidants (curcumin, cranberry, pomegranate, grape seed extract (GSE), and açai berry) in reducing lipid oxidation in dog food was compared to that of the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA).

Material and Methods
In two different experiments content parameters were measured after 12 days of storage at 55°C. In experiment one, the natural antioxidants were added at 0.2% and BHA at 0.02% of the food (DM basis), and samples were analysed for thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). In experiment two, the effects of GSE and curcumin at two admixture proportions (0.1% and 0.2% of food DM) on omega-3 fatty acid (FA) content were evaluated.

Results
TBARS values were lower than the control (P < 0.01) for curcumin, cranberry, pomegranate, and GSE but not for the açai berry (P > 0.05). By day 12, although there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the two curcumin treatments, they preserved higher concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (P < 0.05) than the BHA and control treatments. The addition of GSE or BHA to dog food held (P < 0.05) the concentrations of EPA higher than the control. The concentrations of EPA and DHA for the 0.2% GSE treatment were greater (P < 0.05) than the 0.1% GSE treatment. Grape seed extract at 0.2% lost less (P < 0.05) EPA concentration than BHA.

Conclusion
The present results showed that, except for açai berry, the tested natural antioxidants could be used as a substitute for BHA in dog food.
Authors: Srimaheni Ni Wayan Oka , Widanaputra A.A. G.P. 
Published: April 2018

This study aim to examine and to get empirical evidence, the influence of paticipative budgeting on budgetary slack with career uncertainty as the moderating variable. This research was conducted at the OPD of Klungkung regency in the form of “dinas” and “badan”, with 61 respondents including heads of “dinas/badan”, heads of finance and heads of planning in each OPD. The analysis technique used Moderation Regression Analysis (MRA). The result indicate that the variable of career uncertainty is not able to moderate the influence of budgetary participation on budget slack. This may happen because when an employee creates a budget slack, she/he does not think about whether or not to participate in the realization of the budget.
Keywords : career uncertainty, paticipative budgeting, budgetary slack.
Edremit Körfezi (Kuzey Ege Denizi, Türkiye)’nden avlanan Trachurus trachurus (L., 1758)’un bazı üreme özellikleri
Authors: ULUNEHİR AYDIN Gülçin , ERDOĞAN Zeliha 
Published: April 2018

Bu çalışmada, Kuzey Ege Denizi, Edremit Körfezi’nden Ekim 2008-Ekim
2009 tarihleri arasında, Trachurus
trachurus (Linneaus, 1758) cinsiyet oranı, gonadosomatik indeksi,
yumurtlama mevsimi, ilk eşeysel olgunluk boyu ve fekonditesi incelenmiştir.
Toplam 829 adet T. trachurus
bireyi aylık olarak örneklenmiştir. T.
trachurus’un 1-4 yaş grupları arasındaki bireylerin %55.73’ünü dişiler,
%44.23’ünü erkek bireyler oluşturmuştur.
Trachurus trachurus (L., 1758)’un üreme döneminin Nisan- Ağustos ayları
arasında olduğu belirlenmiştir. İlk üreme boyu dişi bireyler için 13 cm olarak
saptanmıştır. Türün mutlak yumurta verimliliği-toplam boy, mutlak yumurta
verimliliği-toplam ağırlık sırasıyla F = 1.672xTL3.311, F =
491.91TW+1306.6 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışma Trachurus trachurus’un
Türkiye sularında bazı üreme özelliklerine ilişkin ilk verileri
içermektedir.
KOORDINASI KELEMBAGAAN DALAM MENINGKATKAN EFEKTIVITAS BADAN PENANGGULANGAN BENCANA DAERAH
Authors: Ariyanto Deasy 
Published: April 2018

Tujuan penelitian yang ingin diperoleh yaitu untuk mengetahui koordinasi kelembagaan dalam meningkatkan efektivitas Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD); Faktor-faktor yang dapat meningkatkan efektivitas BPBD; dan hambatan-hambatan dan upaya untuk mengatasi hambatan dalam koordinasi kelembagaan guna meningkatkan BPBD. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode pendekatan kualitatif. Sumber data terdiri dari data primer dan data sekunder. Alat pengumpulan data melalui observasi, wawancara dan studi dokumentasi. Teknis analisis data dalam penelitian ini menggunakan teknik triangulasi sebagai teknik untuk mengecek keabsahan data. Koordinasi kelembagaan dalam penanggulangan bencana yang dilakukan oleh BPBD dengan dinas/instansi lainnya (Dinas Kesehatan, Dinas Sosial dan Dinas Pekerjaan Umum Penataan Ruang dan Pertanahan), sudah dilaksanakan dengan cukup baik. Begitu pula hasil observasi menunjukkan bahwa sebagian indikator dari koordinasi telah dilaksanakan dengan baik, namun sebagian lagi masih kurang bahkan ada yang belum dilaksanakan seperti pembinaan, konsultasi dan pengarahan melalui pertemuan resmi dan rutin. Faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi koordinasi dalam meningkatkan efektivitas BPBD adalah: perbedaan cara, sikap kerja, tupoksi, komitmen, prosedur, pembiayaan, persediaan prasarana dan sarana penunjang, serta kemampuan/skill. Hambatan yang ditemui dalam koordinasi untuk meningkatkan efektivitas BPBD adalah kurangnya komunikasi dan intensitas pertemuan, masih adanya sikap egosektoral dan kemampuan pelaksana dalam manajemen penanggulangan bencana.
A CIDADANIA DE ZÉ FRANCISCO E A HISTÓRIA ‘FEITA DE BAIXO’: OS MOVIMENTOS SOCIAIS DE LUTA PELA TERRA. PARTE I: DA DITADURA MILITAR A REDEMOCRATIZAÇÃO
Authors: Henfrey Colin 
Published: April 2018

<p class="BodyA">Este artigo deriva de matéria antropológica e oral coletada através de 40 anos, principalmente na Chapada Diamantina baiana. Dá um panorama da luta pela terra nas décadas de 1970 e 1980, desde a Bahia até o Acre. Porém sua ênfase principal é nas raízes desta luta, na dinâmica da própria história camponesa, nos níveis locais e regionais. Examina a incorporação desta dinâmica e as suas afiliações políticas em torno da questão da reforma agrária nos princípios da Nova República, quando, na prática o MST já substituía o INCRA como o motor principal da tentativa de democratizar a estrutura agrária no país. Este artigo fornece um contexto histórico para a questão dos assentamentos e da agricultura familiar na política agrária contemporânea, dominada pelo agronegócio. A realidade atual será avaliada na segunda parte deste artigo, que retomará a história das mesmas comunidades da Chapada aqui estudadas, dos anos 90 até o presente. A forma narrativa deste trabalho se explica no próprio texto. </p>
A REFORMA TRABALHISTA SOB A REGÊNCIA DO PROJETO DOING BUSINESS DO BANCO MUNDIAL: A INVESTIDA ULTRALIBERAL DO GOVERNO TEMER
Authors: Santos Maria Roseniura De Oliveira 
Published: April 2018

<p>O sistema capitalista global tem ampliado os aparatos de dominação da vida social a partir das leis econômicas num processo que promove uma mercantilização sem precedentes da força de trabalho. Os processos de integração econômica global têm sido determinados pelo capital financeiro mediante governança do Banco Mundial que tem exercido a gestão indutora de reformas em diversos países. O Banco Mundial, através do projeto Doing Business, tem tido incisão marcante sobre o mercado e o contrato de trabalho. Através do monitoramento e classificação parametrizadas das economias, epor ranking específico para regulação do mercado de trabalho composto pela regulação da admissão, jornada de trabalho, procedimentos e custos rescisórios. O estudo aponta evidências da influência do Doing Business na reforma realizada ela Lei 13.467/2017 aprovada pelo governo Temer.</p>