bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Statins and the Risk of Diabetes: Evidence From a Large Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Corrao Giovanni , Ibrahim Buthaina , Nicotra Federica , Soranna Davide , Merlino Luca , Catapano Alberico L. , Tragni Elena , Casula Manuela , Grassi Guido , Mancia Giuseppe 
Published: June 2014

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between adherence with statin therapy and the risk of developing diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The cohort comprised 115,709 residents of the Italian Lombardy region who were newly treated with statins during 2003 and 2004. Patients were followed from the index prescription until 2010. During this period, patients who began therapy with an antidiabetic agent or were hospitalized for a main diagnosis of type 2 diabetes were identified (outcome). Adherence was measured by the proportion of days covered (PDC) with statins (exposure). A proportional hazards model was fitted to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for the exposure-outcome association, after adjusting for several covariates. A set of sensitivity analyses was performed to account for sources of systematic uncertainty.

RESULTS
During follow-up, 11,154 cohort members experienced the outcome. Compared with patients with very-low adherence (PDC &lt;25%), those with low (26–50%), intermediate (51–75%), and high (≥75%) adherence to statin therapy had HRs (95% CIs) of 1.12 (1.06–1.18), 1.22 (1.14–1.27), and 1.32 (1.26–1.39), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
In a real-world setting, the risk of new-onset diabetes rises as adherence with statin therapy increases. Benefits of statins in reducing cardiovascular events clearly overwhelm the diabetes risk.
Cancer of Unknown Primary Site Syndrome‐CUP Syndrome - Diagnostic and Therapeutical Dillemas
Authors: Pejčić Ivica , Vrbić Svetislav , Todorović Mirjana , Petković Ivan , Balić Mirjana , Stanković Ana 
Published: June 2014

Summary
Metastatic carcinomas of unknown primary origin (cancer of unknown primary-CUP) represent 3-5% of all cancers. This term includes all patients presented with metastatic disease in whom the primary site could not have been identified. Despite the use of modern and comprehensive diagnostic techniques and procedures, there is no improvement in efficacy (efficiency) of indentifying the primary site of disseminated disease. That is why a diagnostic procedure should be rational and should include the basic diagnostic examination (analyses) with the aim to define biological and clinical characteristics of diagnosed disease, as well as an optimal therapeutic approach. Although the overall prognosis of the majority of these patients is poor, it is possible, nowadays, to distinguish the subgroups of patients with favorable prognosis. Results of new basic research, better understanding of pathogenesis at the molecular level and introduction of new drugs through clinical trials suggest an advance in this disease treatment and outcome.
Monte Carlo Method Based QSAR Modeling of Coumarin Derivates as Potent HIV‐1 Integrase Inhibitors and Molecular Docking Studies of Selected 4‐phenyl Hydroxycoumarins
Authors: Veselinović Jovana , Veselinović Aleksandar , Toropov Andrey , Toropova Alla , Damnjanović Ivana , Nikolić Goran 
Published: June 2014

Summary
In search for new and promising coumarin compounds as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors, chemoinformatic methods like quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) modeling and molecular docking have an important role since they can predict desired activity and propose molecule binding to enzyme.
The aim of this study was building of QSAR models for coumarin derivatives as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors with the application of Monte Carlo method. SMILES notation was used to represent the molecular structure and for defining optimal SMILES-based descriptors. Molecular docking into rigid enzyme active site with flexible molecule was performed.
Computational results indicated that this approach can satisfactorily predict the desired activity with very good statistical significance. For best built model statistical parameters were: a) 3’ Processing activity: R2=0.9980 and Q2=0.9977 for training set and R2=0.9788 for test set and b) Integration activity: R2=0.9999 and Q2=0.9998 for training set and R2= 0.9213 for test set. Built QSAR models were applied to selected 4-phenyl hydroxycoumarins for calculating desired activity and for HIV-1 integrase inhibition estimation. Additionally, molecular docking study was performed to a newly identified pocket in the HIV-1 integrase enzyme structure for determination of selected 4-phenyl hydroxycoumarins binding mode.
Monte Carlo method proved to be an efficient approach to build up a robust model for estimating HIV-1 integrase inhibition of coumarin compounds. Based on QSAR and molecular docking studies, 4-phenyl hydroxycoumarins can be considered as promising model compounds for developing new HIV-1 integrase inhibitors.
Analysis of Fascicular Structure and Connective Tissue Sheaths in Sural Nerve during Aging
Authors: Kundalić Braca , Ugrenović Slađana , Jovanović Ivan , Stefanović Natalija , Petrović Vladimir , Kundalić Jasen , Pavlović Miljana , Antić Vladimir 
Published: June 2014

Summary
The aim of our study was to analyze the changes of connective tissue sheaths of epi-, peri- and endoneurium of sural nerve during aging.
The study was conducted on sural nerve samples of 10 cases aged 9-80 years. The specimens were embedded in paraffin using standard procedures, after which 5-μm-thick cross-sections of nerve trunks were made and stained using Masson’s trichrome staining. After morphological analysis of fascicular structure and connective sheaths of the nerve, morphometric analysis was conducted using the software for digital image analysis “ImageJ”. Each investigated case was analyzed for total neural, epineurial and fascicular cross-section area, mean values of perineurial index, volume density of myelinated axons and of endoneurial content. To test the difference in mean values for statistical significance we used the Student’s T-test for small independent sample.
The number of fascicles was 5-13, while the majority of the nerves had less than 10 fascicles. Fascicular structure, which included the number of fascicles and epifascicular/fascicular area ratio, did not show significant changes during aging. Perineurial thickness /fascicle size ratio statistically significantly increased in the older investigated group (p<0.05). Myelinated fibres were of smaller diameter, with more irregular form and markedly less frequent in older cases. Quantitative analysis showed statistically significant decrease in volume density of myelinated fibres in the older group.
As results of applied investigation methods we found thickening of perineurial sheath of sural nerve during aging, as well as endoneurial fibrosis. Future investigations of age-related changes should focus on analysis of the components of extracellular matrix within perineurium and endoneurium.
Medical Studies in English: Shared Learning
Authors: Antić Zorica , Milosavljević Nataša 
Published: June 2014

Summary
In recent years, medical studies in English have been organized at the Niš Faculty of Medicine. Thus, modern teaching approaches are required. It has been shown that there are many similarities between the two fields - English and medicine. As a result, it is believed that the methods and strategies used in teaching medical English language could be helpful when it comes to medical subjects.
The paper presents the principles and techniques of teaching English for medical purposes and examines the possibility of applying these principles to teaching medical subjects in English.
The Synthesis of Stable Platinum Nanoparticles in the Microreactor
Authors: Luty-Błocho M. , Wojnicki M. , Grzonka J. , Kurzydłowski K.J. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
In this work, the synthesis of the spherical clusters containing 3-4 nm platinum nanoparticles enclosed in a polymer capsule is described. The process of nanoparticles formation was intensified by using a microreactor. The application of microreactor enabled us to shorten the time of redox reaction and nucleation stage up to 6 seconds at 105°C in comparison with the process carried out in a batch reactor at 40°C. Using Vitamin C as a bio-reducer of platinum(IV) complexes and biocompatible polymers, the products non-toxic and environmentally friendly, stable for at least 9 months, were obtained. Presented procedure for nanoparticles synthesis seems to be an alternative method for platinum recovery from solutions containing platinum(IV) chloride complexions.
Finite Element Modelling of the Residual Stresses Induced in Thermally Deposited Coatings
Authors: Zimmerman J. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
A numerical model based on the finite element method has been constructed with the aim to examine the residual stress state induced during thermal deposition of coatings on various substrates. The first stage of the modelling was designed to solve the problem of the high-velocity impact of a single spherical particle on a substrate using the “dynamics-explicit” module of the FEM ADINA software. In the second stage, the deposition process was simulated as a progressive growth of the coating until it achieved the desired thickness, and then the entire system was cooled to the ambient temperature. This problem was assumed to be thermo-mechanical and was also solved with the use of the FEM ADINA software. The samples assumed in the computations were cylindrical in shape and were built of a titanium coating, with three different thicknesses, deposited on an Al2O3 ceramic substrate by the detonation method. The numerical model was verified experimentally by measuring the deflection of the samples after their cooling. The computed values appeared to be in good agreement with those obtained experimentally.
Elimination of Negative Effect of Fe in Secondary Alloys AlSi6Cu4 (En Ac 45 000, A 319) by Nickel
Authors: Bolibruchová D. , Macko J. , Brůna M. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Submitted article deals with influence of iron based phases segregation by nickel, which is in literature known as iron based phases corrector. Iron is one of the most common impurities that can be found in Al-Si alloys. It is impossible to remove iron from melt by standard operations, but it is possible to eliminate iron negative effects by addition of other elements, that enables segregation of iron in form of intermetallics with less harmful effect. For melt treatment was selected an exact alloy with requested iron content - master alloy AlNi20. Influence of nickel was evaluated quantitatively by chemical analysis (solubility), thermal analysis and microstructure evaluation. Experimental results analysis shows a new view on solubility of iron based phases during melt preparation and treatment with higher iron content and also nickel effect as iron corrector of iron based phases. It can be concluded that nickel did not influenced iron based phases (β-phases), it does not change their type into more favorable form. As an initial impulse for starting this work was insufficient theoretical knowledge of usage secondary alloys Al-Si-Cu with higher iron content and its appropriate elimination in process of castings production for automotive industry. Increased iron content in alloys causes segregation of iron phases in various shapes and types during solidification, which subsequently affects quality, soundness and lifetime of castings. Because of increased demands for casting quality, final mechanical properties and effort to reduce costs, it is necessary to look for compromises in casting production from secondary alloys with occurrence of various impurities.
Computer-Assisted Integration of Knowledge in the Context of Identification of the Causes of Defects in Castings
Authors: Kluska-Nawarecka S. , Wilk-Kołodziejczyk D. , Dajda J. , Macura M. , Regulski K. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The paper outlines the rules of creating diagnostic tasks scenarios in determining the causes of defects in castings. The paper presents as well the rules of operation of the computer system for data integration based on Extract-Trasform-Load technology, and a description of prototype implementation of this system, also examples of the tests that was carried out.
Distribution of Reinforcing Particles in the Pressure Die Cast AlSi11/20% Sic Composite
Authors: Pasieka A. , Konopka Z. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
A method of pressure die casting of composites with AlSi11 alloy matrix reinforced with 20 vol. % of SiC particles and the analysis of the distribution of particles within the matrix are presented. The composite castings were produced at various values of the piston velocity in the second stage of injection, at diverse intensification pressure values, and various injection gate width values. The distribution of particles over the entire cross-section of the tensile specimen is shown. The index of distribution was determined on the basis of particle count in elementary measuring fields. The regression equation describing the change of the considered index was found as a function of the pressure die casting parameters. The conclusion presents an analysis of the obtained results and their interpretation.
A Study of the Impact of Power Supply Parameters on Metal Flow Velocity in the Channel of a Device for Washing out Precious Metals from of the Automotive Catalytic Converters
Authors: Fornalczyk A. , Golak S. , Przyłucki R. , Willner J. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The lifetime of a catalytic converters is limited. Today’s environmental regulations require that used converters should be properly recycled as a valuable source of precious metals, Al2O3 and steel scrap. The precious metals used in the devices perform catalytic functions. They are suspended in a ceramic or metal carrier. This paper deals with the recovery of precious metals from automotive converters using a metal-collector method. In order to speed up the washout of the precious metals from the capillary structure of the converter, the movement of the liquid metal-collector was forced by the electromagnetic field. The research was aimed at improving the effective velocity of the liquid metal flow through the carrier by means of a device with a double windings. Various ways of power supply were considered. The calculation experiment was performed as a weakly coupled analysis of the electromagnetic field and flow field.
Causality of Interest Rate Policy and Agricultural Production in an Atmosphere of Economic Deregulation in Nigeria
Authors: Oyakhilomen Oyinbo 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This study was carried out to examine the causal relationship between interest rate policy and agricultural production in a deregulated economic setting in Nigeria using time series data covering 1987 to 2011. The data utilized include data on interest rate and agricultural production which were obtained from various publications of central bank of Nigeria. Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test, Vector autoregression (VAR) lag order selection test and granger causality test were employed in the data analysis and the result indicated that market driven interest rate was not significant in influencing agricultural production over the period of deregulation and this was attributed to the substantial volatility and high market driven interest rate leading to limited accessibility to credit facilities by small scale farmers. It is recommended that the central bank of Nigeria should strongly exercise some measure of interest rate control that favours investment friendly interest rate policy that is supportive of credit mobilization for sustainable agricultural production and also the realization of the goal of Agricultural Transformation Action Plan (ATAP) in Nigeria
Factors influencing the Disbursements of Loans from selected Commercial Banks to Small-scale and Medium-scale Agro-based Enterprises in Imo State, Nigeria
Authors: Chidiebere-Mark Nneka Maris , Oguoma Nicolas , Onyeneke Robert Ugochukwu , Henri-Ukoha Ada 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This study evaluated the performance of small and medium-scale agro-based enterprises financed by selected commercial banks in Imo State, Nigeria. It identified the dominant agro-based enterprises in the study area; estimated the adequacy of funds disbursed to them by selected commercial banks; determined factors that influenced the disbursements and the relative risk in financing them. A combination of purposive and random sampling techniques was adopted in selecting the respondents (commercial banks and small scale and medium scale agro-based enterprises) for the study. Questionnaire and interview schedule were the main tools for data collection and data collected were analyzed using descriptive and econometric tools. The result showed that the mean amount disbursed to small-scale agro-based enterprises was N533, 833.33 ($3558.89) while a mean of N1, 813,021 ($12086.81) was disbursed to the medium scale enterprises. The multiple regression coefficient for interest rate (X3), experience (X4) and repayment rate(X6) were positive and significant at 1% while category of enterprise (X5) was negative and significant at 5% implying that these variables are important factors influencing the amount of loan disbursed to small-scale agro-based enterprises in Imo State while interests rate (X3) and repayment rate (X6) were positive and significant at 1% ; coefficient for age (X2), experience (X4) and category of enterprise (X5) were negative and significant at 5%, implying that these variables are important factors influencing the amount of loan disbursed to medium scale agro-based enterprises in the study area. The risk in financing medium-scale agrobased enterprises was higher than that for the small-scale agro-based enterprises. The main constraints faced by agro-based SMEs in obtaining loans were mainly insufficient collateral (100%), and high interest rate (87.45%). It is therefore recommended that commercial banks should make more credit accessible to agro-based SMEs and at better conditions and cheaper lending rate to encourage their increased production and expansion
Viticulture in the Context of Historical Landscape Structure in the Small Carpathian Region – Model Area of Rača
Authors: Krivosudský Rastislav 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The development of viticulture and wine producing has brought forward some unique elements of cultural land and introduced culture itself into the landscape. This culture has affected lives of many generations and determined the development of the society and the living environment. The form, the shape and the type of use of the respective elements of landscape structure has changed according to the change in technology, cultivation processes, orientation of production and the value system of the society. However, the recent viticultural rural land (together with residual areas of historical structure elements) in the vicinity of the capital city of Slovakia -- Bratislava has been under growing pressure caused by suburbanisation. This pressure directly threatens the existence of this kind of landscape and causes irreversible changes to landscape character. Landscape ecologists and architects have to face the issue of how to identify the valuable characteristics of the land and how to protects and keep them for the future generations. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the role of viticulture in the formation, existence and change of the elements of historical structures of agricultural landscape (HSAL). In addition, this paper presents the layout of various types of these elements, the methodical approach to their mapping and their present status. The results show that out of 141 localities where the HSALs were present in 1951, they could have been located only in 25 localities in 2011. These localities are mainly situated in private properties. However, many of the mapped HSALs are no longer used and in the state of deterioration. The lack of their management gradually causes their demise.
Patterns and Factors of Natural Hazard Induced Out-migration from Meghna Estuarine Islands of Bangladesh
Authors: Siddiqui Rezwan 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Migration behaviour of the Inhabitants of Meghna Estuarine region has been affected by several social, economic and natural causes. This migration has been thought as a part of social behaviour in this region. It has been predicted in several international researches that, human migration is going to be the worst possible effect triggered by the changing climatic scenario (IPCC, 2007). Natural hazards are also very much responsible for human migration. Purpose of this research is to find out the pattern and factors of natural hazards induced outmigration in Meghna Estuarine Islands of Bangladesh. In this empirical research, primary data has been collected through threestage socioeconomic survey. From this research it has been seen that, natural hazards like river bank erosion, saline tide, flood, cyclone, storms cause extreme havoc to the life and livelihood of the inhabitants of Meghna Estuary islands. Many of these situations force inhabitants to migrate temporarily or permanently. Indirectly these hazards also affects migration behaviours by affecting natural resources and income sources of inhabitants of this region. Natural hazards have two types of effect on migration behaviour; one is forcing rapid migration by riverbank erosion, cyclone etc. and the other is making situations for slow migration decision by disturbing the regular economic, social and environmental system. Two types of outmigrations are prominent in these islands; permanent household migration and partial migration – and these migration behaviours have been influenced by natural hazards of these study areas.
Morphological Evaluation of Variously Intercalated Pre-baked Clay
Authors: Ullah Hameed , Imtiaz Ahmad 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The use of porous materials is enjoying tremendous popularity and attention of the advance scientific communities due to their excellent adsorptive and catalytic activities. Clays are one of the most important candidates in the porous community which shows the above mentioned activities after modifing with a different intercalating agent. The paper is focused on the infiuence of some inorganic intercalating agents (NaOH) on the morphology of the variously intercalated clay samples. The alkali metal was used as the inorganic intercalating agent. The effect of intercalation temperature, intercalation agent concentration and intercalation time on the pre-baked clay morphology were also part of the study. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study was performed to evaluate the morphological changes of the resultant intercalates. Different morphological properties were improved significantly in the case of the inorganically modified clay samples. Thus, such intercalations are suggested to be effective if the clays under study are to be used for different industrial process at elevated conditions.
Application of Response Surface Methodology for Optimization of Permeabilization Process of Baker’s Yeast
Authors: Trawczyńska Ilona , Wójcik Marek 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Permeabilization was used for the purpose of transforming the cells of microorganisms into biocatalysts with an enhanced enzyme activity. Baker’s yeast cells were permeabilized with various organic solvents. A high degree of catalase activity was observed upon permeabilization with acetone, chloroform, isopropyl alcohol and ethyl acetate. Response surface methodology was used to model the effect of concentration of isopropyl alcohol, temperature and treatment time on the permeabilization of baker’s yeast cells to maximize the decomposition of H2O2. The optimum operating conditions for permeabilization were observed at 53.7% concentration of isopropyl alcohol, treatment time of 40 min and temperature of 15.6oC. A maximum value of catalase activity was found to be 6.188 U/g wet wt. and was ca. 60 times higher than the catalytic activity of yeast not treated by the permeabilization process.