bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomedical Journals in Republic of Macedonia: the Current State
Authors: Polenakovic Momir , Danevska Lenche 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Several biomedical journals in the Republic of Macedonia have succeeded in maintaining regular publication over the years, but only a few have a long-standing tradition. In this paper we present the basic characteristics of 18 biomedical journals that have been published without a break in the Republic of Macedonia. Of these, more details are given for 14 journals, a particular emphasis being on the journal Prilozi/Contributions of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Section of Medical Sciences as one of the journals with a long-term publishing tra-dition and one of the journals included in the Medline/PubMed database. A brief or broad description is given for the following journals: Macedonian Medical Review, Acta Morphologica, Physioacta, MJMS - Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, International Medical Journal Medicus, Archives of Public Health, Epilepsy, Macedonian Orthopaedics and Traumatology Journal, BANTAO Journal, Macedonian Dental Review, Macedonian Pharmaceutical Bulletin, Macedonian Veterinary Review, Journal of Special Education and Rehabilitation, Balkan Journal of Medical Genetics, Contributions of the Macedonian Scientific Society of Bitola, Vox Medici, Social Medicine: Professional Journal for Public Health, and Prilozi/Contributions of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Journals from Macedonia should aim to be published regularly, should comply with the Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals, and with the recommendations of reliable organizations working in the field of publishing and research. These are the key prerequisites which Macedonian journals have to accomplish in order to b? included in renowned international bibliographic databases. Thus the results of biomedical science from the Republic of Macedonia will be presented to the international scientific arena.
“Balkan Journal of Medical Genetics” - Facts, Editorial Policies, Practices and Challenges
Authors: Karanfilska Dijana Plaseska , Stefanovska Emilija Sukarova 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The Balkan Journal of Medical Genetics (BJMG) is an international, open access journal that publishes scientific papers covering different aspects of medical genetics. It is published by the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts twice a year in both printed and electronic versions. BJMG is covered by many abstracting and indexing databases, including PubMed Central and Thomson Reuters.
Although there are many journals in the field of medical genetics, only a few come from regions outside Western Europe and North America. Being one of these few journals, BJMG aims to promote genetics and research on this topic in the Balkan countries and beyond. BJMG's ultimate goal is to raise the scientific quality and metrics of the journal and provide a better place for BJMG in the community of scientific journals.
Multinomial Logit Model Of Housing Demand In Poland
Authors: Głuszak Michał 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
When compared to mature housing markets, little has been done to understand the nature of demand on emerging housing markets in Central and Eastern Europe and to develop testable models for post-socialist economies. With the exception of Bazyl 2009 and Głuszak 2010, there is hardly any econometric evidence on factors behind housing tenure choices in Poland. The article focus mainly on: permanent (and current) income, household structure, lifecycle, and differences between local market characteristics. In the research, multinomial logistic regression is used to analyze factors that increase the probability of young households becoming homeowners.
The major objectives of the study are:

1)

estimation of housing demand at household level,

2)

discussion of factors increasing the probability of becoming homeowner,

3)

discussion of advantages and limitations of using classical qualitative response models to estimate housing demand.

The research is based on latest European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EUSILC) 2007-2010 dataset (panel of approx. 4,500 households).
The Role of Endothelial Dysfunction in the Pathogenesis of Vascular Complications of Diabetes Mellitus - A High Priority Area of Investigation
Authors: Străchinariu Rodica Teodora 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Endothelium, the inner layer of the vasculature, represents the interface between blood and organ systems and it is active in the process of contraction and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and in functions like secretion of vasoactive substances. Endothelial dysfunction is an important cause of cardiovascular disease. The function of the endothelium can be assessed by invasive and noninvasive methods. Endothelial cells produce vasoactive substances like endothelium derived relaxing factor, prostacyclin, nitric oxide, and endothelium derived hyperpolarizing factor. Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Hyperglycemia leads to cardiovascular damage through different pathways, including the polyol and hexosamine pathways, generation of advanced glycation end products, and activation of protein kinase C. Together with hyperglycemia induced mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress, all these can promote the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. The oxidative stress induced by hyperglycemia promotes endothelial dysfunction with an important role in micro and macro vascular disease. Insulin-resistance could be independently predictive of cardiovascular disease. Life style modification and pharmacotherapy could possibly ameliorate the effect of insulin resistance
Unilateral extended suboccipital approach for a C1 dumbbell schwanoma
Authors: Gorgan R.M. , Neacşu Angela , Giovani A. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Craniovertebral junction tumors represent a complex pathology carrying a high risk of injuring the vertebral artery and the lower cranial nerves. Dumbbell C1- C2 schannomas are very rare tumors in this location. We present a case of a 66 years old male accepted for left laterocervical localized pain, headache and vertigo, with a large C1 dumbbell schwannoma extending in lateral over the C1 arch and displacing the C3 segment of the vertebral artery superiorly and anteriorly. Complete removal of the tumor was achieved using a far lateral approach. The approach is discussed with focus on the vertebral artery anatomy as the approach should give enough space to gain control of the artery without creating instability. Safe removal of C1 nerve root schwanomas can be achieved even if they compress and displace the vertebral artery by entering a fibrous tissue plane between the tumor and the vertebral artery.
Professional Training Programs of Masters in Adult Education at Universities of Germany
Authors: Hizhynska Tetiana 
Published: May 2015

Abstract The German experience in professional training of teaching staff in adult education has been analyzed; it has been clarified that modern educational programs of Bachelor and Master specialties are based on the basic educational program offered by Adult Education Sectional Commission of Pedagogical Sciences in Germany (DGfE); value-targeted and organizational and semantic issues of Masters’ in Adult Education professional training in universities of Germany, defined according to andragogue profession’s modern roles and functions have been considered. The purpose of Masters’ in Adult Education professional training and the content of professional competencies have been revealed, the limits of andragogues’ academic education at the graduate level have been outlined. Based on the theoretical analysis of university reference books common features of Master’s programs of academic education in Adult Education / Continuous Education in universities of Germany have been found; the basic principles of the Master’s programs realisation in German universities have been indicated. Special attention is paid to research and justification of organisation and structural elements of Master’s programs in Adult Education / Continuous Education in Otto Friedrich University in Bamberg; the purpose and subject specialty have been revealed; the relation between theory and practical training has been established, the organization and the purpose of practical training abovementioned university have been described, professional prospects of graduates have been outlined.
TNF-α Gene Polymorphisms and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in Romanian Population / Polimorfisme ale genei TNF-α în populația română cu glaucom primar cu unghi deschis
Authors: Simionescu Ruxandra , Cherecheanu Alina Popa , Voinea Liliana , Sfrenț-Cornățeanu Roxana 
Published: May 2015

AbstractPrimary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) represents the most common form of a heterogeneous group of glaucomatous optic neuropathies which are a worldwide cause of irreversible blindness. Immune dysregulation and the genetic background are considered important risk factors. The influence on susceptibility to POAG of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was intensively studied, mostly on Asian population. We investigated the possible association of two TNF-α SNPs (-308G/A and -857C/T) with susceptibility to POAG and its clinical characteristics. A case-control association study of aforementioned TNF-α SNPs was performed on 197 POAG patients (divided into two subgroups: high-tension and normal-tension glaucoma - HTG/ NTG) versus 208 ethnically matched controls. This is the first study performed on Romanian population. No significant differences were found in terms of allelic frequencies, genotype distribution of the studied SNPs, or their haplotypes between POAG and healthy control groups. In the subgroup analysis, TT genotype of TNF-α -857T-allele was found to be associated with higher values of central corneal thickness (CCT) in NTG subgroup (p-value 0.032). In order to confirm the association between -857C/T SNP of TNF-α and CCT in NTG subgroup of POAG patients, additional studies on different populations should be performed.
Determination of Apixaban Levels in Human Plasma by a High-Throughput Liquid Chromatographic Tandem Mass Spectrometry Assay / Determinarea rapidă a apixabanului în plasma umană prin cromatografie de lichide de înaltă performanță cuplată cu spectrometrie de masă în tandem
Authors: Țilea Ioan , Popa Daniela Saveta , Xantus Timea Szakács , Primejdie Daniela , Grigorescu Bianca , Țilea Brîndușa , Bocicor Andreea Elena , Varga Andreea 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA high-throughput liquid chromatography method with detection by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the quantification of apixaban in human plasma. The separation was performed on a Gemini-NX column under isocratic conditions using a 33:67 (v/v) mixture of acetonitrile and 1 mM ammonium formate in water at 40 ºC with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The detection of apixaban was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode (m/z 417.2 from m/z 460.2) with electrospray positive ionization. A single-step protein precipitation with methanol was used for plasma sample preparation. The method was validated with respect to selectivity, linearity (r > 0.994), intra-day and inter-day precision (CV < 14.4 %) and accuracy (bias < 9.5 %) over the range of 9.70 - 970.00 ng/mL plasma. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 9.70 ng/mL and the recovery was between 97.4 - 104.5 %. The method is fast, efficient, requires the processing of a small volume of plasma (50 μL), a short run-time (1 min) for chromatographic analysis, and a simple and rapid preparation of samples. It is very well suited for clinical therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies.
A mutual information estimator with exponentially decaying bias
Authors: Zhang Zhiyi , Zheng Lukun 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA nonparametric estimator of mutual information is proposed and is shown to have asymptotic normality and efficiency, and a bias decaying exponentially in sample size. The asymptotic normality and the rapidly decaying bias together offer a viable inferential tool for assessing mutual information between two random elements on finite alphabets where the maximum likelihood estimator of mutual information greatly inflates the probability of type I error. The proposed estimator is illustrated by three examples in which the association between a pair of genes is assessed based on their expression levels. Several results of simulation study are also provided.
New Instruments and Methods for Analysing the Coal-Methane System
Authors: Skoczylas Norbert , Kudasik Mateusz , Wierzbicki Mirosław , Murzyn Tomasz 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
The authors of the present paper designed and constructed a prototype of an instrument which enables fully automated determination of the desorbable methane content and effective diffusion coefficient in underground conditions. Due to microprocessor analysis of the recorded data and the application of the mathematical model of the diffusion process, it is possible to automatically determine the amount of methane whose release from a coal sample occurred before the sample was placed within a measuring instrument. It is also possible to carry out follow-up extrapolation of the recorded data so the time duration needed to determine reliable results can be reduced. The instrument was tested and optimized, and a number of copies sufficient for performing underground tests were constructed. The concept of the instrument represents a totally new approach to the observation of gas release from a coal sample. Instead of short-period measurements, virtually the whole process of methane release from coal is registered and analysed. This is possibly due to the use of a grain fraction lower than one mm which is presently applied for the sake of evaluating the methane- bearing capacity and desorption intensity.
Self – Reported Depression, Anxiety and Evaluation of Own Pain in Clinical Sample of Patients with Different Location of Chronic Pain / Samoocenjena Depresivnost in Anksioznost Ter Evalvacija Lastne Bolečine V Kliničnem Vzorcu Pacientov Z Različno Lokacijo Kronične Bolečine
Authors: Rus Makovec Maja , Vintar Neli , Makovec Samo 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Background. Depression, anxiety and chronic pain are frequent co-occurrent disorders. Patients with these mental disorders experience more intense pain that lasts for a longer time.
Method. Questionnaire with 228 variables was applied to 109 randomly chosen patients that were treated at an outpatient clinic for treatment of chronic pain of the University Clinical Centre Ljubljana from March to June 2013. 87 patients responded to the questionnaire (79.8%). Location of pain considering diagnosis was the criterion in the discriminant analysis (soft tissue disorders; headache; symptoms not elsewhere classified; back pain) and following summative scores as predictors: level of depression and anxiety (The Zung Self-Rating Depression/Anxiety Scale), evaluation of pain and perceptions of being threatened in social relations.
Results. Average age of participants was M = 52.7 years (SD 13.9), with 70.9% female, 29.1% male participants. 63% of respondents achieved clinically important level of depression and 54% clinically important level of anxiety. On univariate level, the highest level of depression and anxiety was found for back pain and the lowest for headache. No significant difference was found in evaluation of pain and perceptions of being threatened in social relations regarding location of pain. Self-evaluation of depression has, in the framework of discriminant analysis, the largest weight for prediction of differentiation between different locations of pain.
Conclusion. Different locations of pain have different connections with mood levels. The results of research on a preliminary level indicate the need to consider mental experience in the treatment of chronic pain
Key Determinants Influencing the Health Literacy of Pregnant Women in the Czech Republic / Ključne Determinante, Ki Vplivajo na Zdravstveno Pismenost Nosečnic na Češkem
Authors: Wilhelmova Radka , Hruba Drahoslava , Vesela Lenka 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Background. Health literacy is a critical determinant of women’s and children’s health and therefore has immense consequences for the health of society as well. Evidence from epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies indicates that unhealthy lifestyles and risky behavioural habits of parents before conception and during pregnancy influence the etiology of various health defects. Decreasing primary risk factors, practicing physical wellness, monitoring physiological markers and preparing for labour, breastfeeding and newborn care should be the main parental responsibilities during the prenatal period.
Methods. Our study focused on specifying the main determinants of health literacy among 360 pregnant Czech women by using an anonymous questionnaire and selected anthropometric data of mothers. The criteria for study participation produced a sample representing 1.41% of Czech women in labour during a given 2012 reference period.
Results. Despite quite adequate knowledge of both risks and supporting factors for pregnancy and foetal development, the lifestyles of a majority of the women surveyed were far from optimum: only 30% reported good dietary and physical activity habits, 24% were active or passive smokers and one third of the women occasionally drank alcohol, more often among those who were university educated.
Conclusion. Our results have confirmed previously published data noting that health literacy and a healthier lifestyle of pregnant women are associated with a higher level of education (except for alcohol drinking) and with contact with a midwife (in some examined parameters) in prenatal courses
Newborn Screening in Slovenia / Presejanje Novorojencev V Sloveniji
Authors: Šmon Andraž , Grošelj Urh , Žerjav Tanšek Mojca , Biček Ajda , Oblak Adrijana , Zupančič Mirjana , Kržišnik Ciril , Repič Lampret Barbka , Murko Simona , Hojker Sergej , Battelino Tadej 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Introduction. Newborn screening in whole Slovenia started in 1979 with screening for phenylketonuria (PKU). Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) was added into the programme in 1981. The aim of this study was to analyse the data of neonatal screening in Slovenia from 1993 to 2012 for PKU, and from 1991 to 2012 for CH.
Methods. Blood samples were collected from the heels of newborns between the third and the fifth day after birth. Fluorometric method was used for screening for PKU, CH screening was done by dissociationenhanced lanthanide fluorescent immunoassay (DELFIA).
Results. From 1993 to 2012, from 385,831 newborns 57 were identified with PKU. 184 newborns out of 427,396 screened from 1991 to 2012, were confirmed for CH. Incidences of PKU and CH in the periods stated are 1:6769 and 1:2323, respectively.
Conclusions. Successful implementation of newborn screening for PKU and CH has helped in preventing serious disabilities of the affected children. Adding screening for new metabolic diseases in the future would be beneficial.
Cytogenetic and Molecular Genetic Characterization of Children with Short Stature / Citogenetska in Molekularno Genetska Opredelitev Nizke Rasti Pri Otrocih
Authors: Hovnik Tinka , Šmigoc Schweiger Darja , Kotnik Primož , Kovač Jernej , Battelino Tadej , Trebušak Podkrajšek Katarina 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Background. The deficiency of SHOX gene (short stature homeobox-containing gene) has been recognized as the most frequent monogenetic cause of short stature. SHOX gene has been associated with short stature in Turner syndrome and Leri Weill dyschondrosteosis as well with non-syndromic idiopathic short stature. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of SHOX deletions and mutations in a cohort of Slovenian children with short stature, and to delineate indications for routine SHOX gene mutation screening.
Methods and results. 40 selected subjects with idiopathic short stature were screened for entire SHOX gene deletion and for mutations in the SHOX gene coding region (exon 2 to 6), together with sequences flanking the exon-intron boundaries. FISH analysis on metaphase and interphase spreads revealed no entire gene deletion. Additionally, no pathogenic point mutations or smaller deletion/duplications were identified in this study group.
Conclusions. SHOX gene deletions and point mutations are not a common cause of idiopathic short stature in a cohort of Slovenian children with short stature. Therefore, the frequency of SHOX mutations must be much lower as expected based on the reported data.
Explaining Cognitive Phenomena with Internal Representations: A Mechanistic Perspective
Authors: Gładziejewski Paweł 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Despite the fact that the notion of internal representation has - at least according to some - a fundamental role to play in the sciences of the mind, not only has its explanatory utility been under attack for a while now, but it also remains unclear what criteria should an explanation of a given cognitive phenomenon meet to count as a (truly, genuinely, nontrivially, etc.) representational explanation in the first place. The aim of this article is to propose a solution to this latter problem. I will assume that representational explanations should be construed as a form of mechanistic explanations and proceed by proposing a general sketch of a functional architecture of a representational cognitive mechanism. According to the view on offer here, representational mechanisms are mechanisms that meet four conditions: the structural resemblance condition, the action-guidance condition, the decouplability condition, and the error-detection condition.
How are Concepts of Infinity Acquired?
Authors: Trzęsicki Kazimierz 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Concepts of infinity have been subjects of dispute since antiquity. The main problems of this paper are: is the mind able to acquire a concept of infinity? and: how are concepts of infinity acquired? The aim of this paper is neither to say what the meanings of the word “infinity” are nor what infinity is and whether it exists. However, those questions will be mentioned, but only in necessary extent.
Calculating particle density, bulk density, and total porosity of soil based on its texture
Authors: BROGOWSKI ZYGMUNT , KWASOWSKI WOJCIECH , MADYNIAK RENATA 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
This paper provides the verification of coefficients for the calculation of particle density, bulk density, and total porosity based on the texture of soils proposed by Brogowski (1990). The verified and supplemented coefficients for the calculation of particle density, bulk density, and total porosity permit obtaining credible results within the range of analytical errors. The proposed calculations of density and total porosity of soils can be used for the general description of soils. They cannot, however, replace exact scientific research on the physical state of soils.