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Thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of coal bottom ash (collected after lignite combustion in coal-fired power plant TEKO-B, Republic of Serbia) was investigated, using the simultaneous TG-DTG techniques in an inert atmosphere, at various heating rates. By using the XRD technique, it was found that the sample (CBA-TB) contains a large amount of anorthite, muscovite, and silica, as well as periclase and hematite, but in a smaller amount. Using a model-free kinetic approach, the complex nature of the process was successfully resolved. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the sample is characterized by dissociation reactions, which are endothermic with positive activation entropy changes, where spontaneity is achieved at high reaction temperatures. The model-based method showed the existence of a complex reaction scheme that includes two consecutive reaction steps and one single-step reaction, described by a variety of reaction models as nucleation/growth phase boundary-controlled, the second/n-th order chemical, and autocatalytic mechanisms. It was established that an anorthite I1 phase breakdown reaction into the incongruent melting product (CaO·Al2O3·2SiO2) represents the rate-controlling step. Autocatalytic behavior is reflected through chromium-incorporated SiO2 catalyst reaction, which leads to the formation of chromium(II) oxo-species. These catalytic centers are important in ethylene polymerization for converting light olefin gases into hydrocarbons. Adiabatic TD24 prediction simulations of the process were also carried out. Based on safety analysis through validated kinetic parameters, it was concluded that the tested sample exhibits high thermal stability. Applied thermal treatment was successful in promoting positive changes in the physicochemical characteristics of starting material, enabling beneficial end-use of final products and reduction of potential environmental risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines and analyzes the relationship between workplace robots, employee emotional exhaustion, and turnover intentions within the context of Industry 5.0. Empirical research was conducted from January to May 2024. During this period, a total of 582 respondents from four Southeastern European countries (Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina) participated in the research. The proposed relationships between variables were tested by using the partial least squares method for structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM, SmartPLS software). The research results confirmed that the emotional exhaustion of employees had a positive relationship with turnover intentions, while workplace robots' effects were negatively related to employee emotional exhaustion and turnover intentions. Leaders, managers, and human resource professionals may benefit from the findings presented in this paper, especially during the decision-making process on how to reduce the emotional exhaustion of employees by using workplace robots, which, in the end, will result in employee retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the fact that optimizing quantization error fails to minimize the accuracy degradation caused by the quantization of Neural Network (NN) weights, in this paper, we highlight the need for a comprehensive analysis of post-training quantization, covering average bit rate, accuracy degradation and SQNR. One such analysis, for the layer-wise uniform quantization and its application is NN weight compression is presented in this paper. We introduce an additional aspect of Uniform Quantizer (UQ) choice, and we allow the selection of one of two UQs (2-bit or 3-bit UQs) for each layer of NN. However, choosing a particular bit rate allocation to minimize average bit rate and accuracy degradation requires finding a trade-off solution. To solve the issue underpinning our motivation, for a post-training layer-wise uniform quantization framework with two UQs, we propose an algorithm for generating bit rate allocation patterns and corresponding pairs of average bit rate and accuracy degradation. We analyze the output of this algorithm and determine a solution of the elaborated two-objective optimization problem. To confirm the validity of the results we also apply the Pareto dominance method. This work can be considered a solid foundation for further analyses of more complex and deeper NNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few decades, quality has become one of the most important factors of companies' competitiveness, a condition for their survival and development. The subject of this paper is the analysis of the degree of quality culture development in an organization. The analysis was based on empirical research in which 80 employees from the company Šinvoz, Zrenjanin participated during November 2022. The results showed that the organizational culture in this company did not sufficiently implement the characteristics of the quality culture. Employees do not notice enough management involvement and commitment in quality improvement efforts, the organizational culture is centralized and formalized, which is why the employees themselves are not engaged and committed to quality improvement. There is a big disproportion (gap) between what is visible and publicly announced (quality statement) and what is not immediately visible (opinions and attitudes of employees). In the following period, the company should constantly confirm in practice that quality is its key value, in order to reduce this disproportion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Marketing (0354-3471) is the property of SEMA - Srpsko udruzenje za Marketing i Ekonomski fakultet Beograd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Hotel & Tourism Management is the property of Faculty of Hotel Management & Tourism in Vrnjacka Banja and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper examines the impact of digital technologies and tools on business communication in the contemporary business environment through the prism of new communication channels. Every technological breakthrough throughout history has altered the way people communicate, beginning with the discovery of the printing press, telegraph, radio, and television. In the fifth industrial revolution and contemporary environment, business communication becomes increasingly focused on current digital technologies and tools. Traditional communication, which was inherently slow, is being phased out in favor of interactive and quick communication. Communication through modern digital technologies and tools has many benefits, but it also has some drawbacks, including the possibility of misunderstandings and conflict. This paper discusses the digital age’s key communication channels, including smart mobile phones, short messages (sms), multimedia messages (mms), voice mail, Viber, WhatsApp, iMessage, Skype, Google Hangouts, Slack, teleconferences, video conferences, e-mail, intranet, organizational social and professional networks, and various business communication applications. Besides from their essential characteristics and advantages, this paper highlights key limitations that should be considered in order to eliminate or lessen misunderstandings and conflict situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to examine and analyze the perceptions and reactions of women regarding digital services and electronic wine lists in restaurants while making wine ordering decisions. Women make up a significant proportion of population, and that is why is important to comprehend their reactions and impressions of digital services and electronic wine lists in restaurants. The research was conducted with a specially designed questionnaire, involved the participation of 182 women from Croatia and Serbia who used digital services and electronic wine lists in restaurants. Collected answers were processed and analyzed using the Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. and applying Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene’s test and Kruskal-Wallis H-test. Research results indicated differences among various demographic groups of women in terms of their perceptions of the educational and functional benefits of using electronic wine list in restaurants. Results showed that younger women, those who frequently visit restaurants and those with less knowledge of wine perceived greater benefits of using electronic wine list in restaurants. This paper enriches the relatively sparse literature on women’s preferences to digital services and wine purchasing behavior, providing valuable insights for restaurant managers and decision-makers regarding women’s preferences for electronic wine lists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Question: The key research question is what the key positive and negative perceptions of students from the Republic of Serbia regarding workplace robots are. Motivation: Academics, practitioners, and decision-makers are more and more interested in the impact of new technological solutions in the field of robotics on organizations and their functioning. Ongoing technological advancements have accelerated the adoption and use of robots in the workplace. As a result, organizations that plan to introduce robots should consider all effects on employees, both positive and negative. Idea: The main idea is to examine and analyse the perceptions and attitudes of students from the Republic of Serbia regarding robots at the workplace. The results of this study regarding students' perceptions and attitudes towards robots in the workplace are crucial for the future of work and job design. Data: Data were collected via online questionnaire consisting of five profile questions and 13 statements organized in two five-point Likert scales. From January to March 2023, the questionnaire was completed by 164 students from the Republic of Serbia. Tools: The collected answers were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences - SPSS, version 21.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corporation). The Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, descriptive statistics, student t-test and one-way ANOVA test was used for data analysis. Findings: Research results showed that most respondents believe that robots can do dangerous jobs that humans cannot, that robots can free humans from routine and monotonous jobs, and that humans will have more time for creative tasks. Robots in the workplace, on the other hand, will have some negative consequences. Many respondents agree that working with robots without people would make them feel lonely; robots would not know how to react in some unexpected circumstances; and they are not as flexible and mobile as humans. Contribution: The findings of this study could make a significant contribution to a better understanding of students' attitudes towards robots in the workplace and they may help decision makers, employers, leaders, and managers on how to increase workplace acceptance of robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the experimental investigation of the axial load capacity of CFT (concrete-filled steel tube) columns under actual construction conditions during building reconstruction. A total of four samples were loaded up to failure. The varied parameters were the column length and absence/presence of the concrete infill within the steel tube. Further, the analysis is extended to developing a numerical model in the finite element-based software ABAQUS version 6.9. This numerical model includes material and geometrical nonlinearities and was validated with the experimental results. The contribution of the concrete core to the column capacity and the concrete core confinement effect are discussed. Finally, the column capacity was calculated according to several design codes: the Eurocode 4 with and without considering the confinement effect, American specifications, Australian standards, the American Institute of Steel Construction, and the Architectural Institute of Japan. The Eurocode 4 considering the confinement effect provides the closest results to those obtained in the tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Industry / Industrija is the property of Economics Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper explores the distribution pattern of SAR1g within the adult male head during utilization of hands-free operation of contemporary mobile phones as a source of electromagnetic radiation. The research assesses the optimal positioning of the mobile phone by examining three distinct orientations to determine the minimal SAR1g distribution compared to the conventional talking position when hands-free feature is not utilized. The analysis encompasses GSM bands operating at 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, depending on the alignment between the mobile phone and the head. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hotel & Tourism Management is the property of Faculty of Hotel Management & Tourism in Vrnjacka Banja and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bankarstvo Magazine is the property of Association of Serbian Banks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To behave in a socially responsible manner and to support the concepts of sustainable development, organizations apply various processes and activities for greening their business. In addition to green marketing, supply and distribution chain, production, packaging and recycling, green human resources management (GHRM) also plays a big role. For this purpose, organizations incorporate a green component into all human resources management (HRM) phases, thereby building a green employer brand. This paper examines the extent to which organizations in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina apply GHRM activities and practices, and whether there are differences in the application of these practices depending on the size and business sector. Empirical research carried out in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina has found that green activities and HRM practices are applied to a small extent, with slightly higher results achieved by small and manufacturing organizations. The findings indicate the need for greater engagement of organizations to strengthen the awareness of the importance of GHRM, support their sustainable development and strengthen the brand in domestic and foreign markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to examine and analyze the use of robotic systems in facilities for food and beverage preparation. The research was conducted using a specially designed questionnaire, which was completed by 219 respondents working in food and beverage preparation facilities during 2023. The data analysis applied descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene's test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Research results showed that more than 60% employees in food and beverage preparation facilities consider that robotic systems perform routine and simple tasks (67.12%), allow employees to focus on more complex tasks (66.67%), are faster and more efficient (61.93%), provide significant cost savings (64.68%), and do not fear that a robotic system will replace them (76.71%). The obtained results could serve as a basis for leaders and human resource managers in facilities for food and beverage preparation when considering the implementation of robotic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murrill is a well‐known edible mushroom consumed in nutrition as delicacy. It has been used in traditional medicine because of its beneficial effects on human wellness, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential. The present study determined the phenolic profile of Laetiporus sulphureus ethanolic extract (LSE) by high‐performance liquid chromatographic method. Tolerance of two probiotic bacterial strains Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 229v, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii on LSE was analyzed in terms of viability and biofilm formation. Effects of extract on colorectal (HCT‐116) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells viability was determined using MTT test in concentration range: 1–500 μg/mL after 24 and 72 h. Redox parameters (superoxide anion radicals, nitrites, and reduced glutathione) were evaluated using NBT, Griess, and GSH assays in the concentration range of 1–500 μg/mL after 24 and 72 h. Antimigratory activity was determined by wound healing method using selected concentrations of 10 and 50 μg/mL after 24 h. Untreated cells were considered as control. As control cell line, we used healthy fibroblasts (MRC‐5). Our results demonstrated abundance of LSE in phenolics, with rosmarinic acid as the main component. LSE induced low tolerance of tested planktonic probiotic strains, with no affection on their ability to form biofilm. No significant cytotoxicity on tested cancer cells was observed, with prooxidative and antimigratory effects noticed. Extract exerted significant antimigratory activity on cancer cells without effect on planktonic and probiotic cultures in biofilm. These results indicate potential application of Laetiporus sulphureus ethanolic extract as natural protector of probiotics with prominent ability to suppress cancer cell motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eggplant is a vegetable that has been used more in recent years thanks to the low calories versus high content of phenolic compounds. This study aimed to determine total phenolic, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin, and saponin content using spectrophotometric assays and antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazol-6sulpho-nate (ABTS), total reducing power (TRP), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assassin peel and pulp of eggplant cultivars Robi, Tudela, Vernal, Aragon, and Rosa Bianca. The average total saponin content (TSC) in peel was 116.34 μg DSGE mg-1 DW (diosgenin equivalents per mg of extract's dry weight), whereas in pulp was slightly lower (107.86 μg DSGE mg-1 DW). A similar trend was observed for total phenolic content (TPC) (24.54 μg GAE mg-1 DW (gallic acid equivalents per mg of extract's dry weight) in peel and 15.88 μg GAE mg-1 DW in pulp); total proanthocyanidin (TP) (2.74 μg CE mg-1 DW (catechin equivalents per mg of extract's dry weight) in peel and 1.24 μg CE mg-1 DW in pulp) and total flavonoid content (TFC) (0,05 μg RE mg-1 DW (rutin equivalents per mg of extract's dry weight) in peel and 0.02 μg RE mg-1 DW in pulp). Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) methods were applied on the antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH, TRP, FRAP, and CUPRAC) and total bioactive compounds content (TSC, TPC, TP and TFC) parameters in order to reveal the relationships between analyzed samples. As a result of these approaches, analyzed samples were grouped into two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: This study identified 10 fir populations that may be hybridogenous. The immediate activities on conservation of these polymorphic fir populations should be supported as hybrids may be ecologically and economically superior to the parent species. This is the first report on morpho-anatomical differentiation of both lower-rank and upper-rank needles in Abies alba, A. x borisii-regis, and A. cephalonica, using 18 native populations from almost the entire assumed hybrid zone in the Balkan Peninsula. The 35 morpho-anatomical characteristics were analyzed biometrically, and 18 with the application of multivariate statistical analysis. Clinal pattern in distribution of morpho-anatomical variation over the broader transition zone between the putative parent species was observed. Furthermore, the results of the biometric analyses justify the validity of this method for differentiating between the eastern A. alba lineage and A. cephalonica, for both needle types. Thus, the results of this study show clear differences between A. alba and A. cephalonica, but unstable characteristics of A. x borisii-regis. This finding supports the hypothesis that A. x borisii-regis is an unstabilized taxon produced by recent hybridization and introgression between A. alba and A. cephalonica. Based on the multivariate statistical analysis, 10 of the studied fir populations may be hybridogenous within a wider geographical area (southwestern and southern Bulgaria, southernmost North Macedonia and almost the entire Greece). The obtained results did not indicate a hybrid status for two fir populations from Peloponnese and one from the Cephalonia Island (pure A. cephalonica populations), which partly agrees with the recent molecular data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Applied Economics is the property of Singidunum University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Five wild edible mushroom species, namely, Macrolepiota mastoidea, Macrolepiota konradii, Macrolepiota procera, Suillus collinitus and Cuphophyllus pratensis, were studied for their trace element contents by inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The potential health risk assessments of children and adults were evaluated by the weekly intake (EWI), target hazard quotients (THQ), hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR). None of the analyzed elements exceeded the THQ value more than 1, but the HI values indicated that M. mastoidea and S. collinitus may be dangerous to children's health. The values of CR for As and Cd for children in all mushroom species were above 1X10-4 suggesting that there was a potential health risk. The CR values for adults suggest that all mushrooms may pose a threat to human health related to Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hotel & Tourism Management is the property of Faculty of Hotel Management & Tourism in Vrnjacka Banja and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The spillage of oil causes severe and long-lasting impacts on both the environment and human life. It is crucial to carefully reconsider the methods and techniques currently employed to recover spilled oil in order to prevent any possible secondary pollution and save time. Therefore, the techniques used to recover spilled oil should be readily available, highly responsive, cost-effective, environmentally safe, and, last but not least, they should have a high sorption capacity. The use of sorbents obtained from natural materials is considered a suitable approach for dealing with oil spills because of their exceptional physical characteristics that support sustainable environmental protection strategies. This article presents a novel sorbent material, which is a composite siloxane foam filled with bentonite clay, aimed at enhancing the hydrophobic and oleophilic behavior of the material. The thermal treatment of bentonite optimizes its sorption capacity by eliminating water, and increasing the surface area, and, consequently, its interaction with oils. In particular, the maximum sorption capacity is observed in kerosene and naphtha for the bentonite clay thermally treated at 600 °C, showing an uptake at saturation of 496.8% and 520.1%, respectively. Additionally, the reusability of the composite foam is evaluated by squeezing it after reaching its saturation point to determine its sorption capacity and reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ekonomika is the property of Society of Economists 'Ekonomika' and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this paper is to examine and analyze the perceptions of wine consumers regarding the use of digital wine lists in restaurants. The empirical research was conducted using a specially designed questionnaire, which was completed by 406 respondents from 2020 to 2021. The data analysis applied descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene’s test, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The results showed that restaurants with digital wine lists are preferred by consumers who are at the young age group (between the ages of 18 and 35), have no prior knowledge about wine, and visit restaurants frequently (a few times per month). These respondents are willing to recommend digitally oriented restaurants and their services to others. The results and conclusions presented in this research could serve as a foundation for decision-makers and managers in restaurants to consider the introduction of digital wine lists and to improve their restaurant’s attractiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, the testing laboratory needs to verify its ability to properly perform methods. For radiological testing, the sampling does not affect the results directly, but it has to ensure that sample adequately represents the tested material. To verify the procedure, a sampling of red mud and bauxite ore was conducted. All samples were measured in identical geometry by HPGe spectrometer. The counting rates per unit mass in the recorded spectra were compared. For each measurement series, the mean and standard deviations of respected peaks were calculated, as well as average and standard deviation of all series. The obtained results of each individual series were considered satisfactory, i.e. sampling procedure ensures the representativeness of the bulk material, if it is within ± two standard deviations of the average of the mean values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous publications, we pointed out the importance of mannosylation of fibrinogen for the development of cardiovascular complications and fucosylation as a predictor of peritoneal membrane dysfunction in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). After a follow-up period of 30 months from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated the significance of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) therapy, primary disease, biochemical and hematologic analyzes, and previously performed glycan analysis by lectin-based microarray as predictors of mortality in this patient group. After univariate Cox regression analysis, diabetes mellitus (DM) and calcitriol therapy were found to be potential predictors of mortality. Additional multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that only DM was a predictor of mortality. Nevertheless, the use of calcitriol in therapy significantly reduced mortality in this patient group, as shown by the Kaplan–Meier survival curve. The presence of DM as a concomitant disease proved to be a strong predictor of fatal outcome in PD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. This is the first study to indicate the importance and beneficial effect of calcitriol therapy on survival in PD patients with COVID-19 infection. In addition, this study points to the possibility that adverse thrombogenic events observed in PD patients during the pandemic may be caused by aberrant fibrinogen glycosylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the specific absorption rate and the temperature elevation of the brain within an adult's man head exposed to electromagnetic radiation. The source of electromagnetic radiation is a contemporary mobile phone operating at 900 MHz. Simulations were performed on an anatomically accurate AustinMan 2.6 voxel-based human model with a resolution of 1 x 1 x 1 mm³. The thermal analysis focuses on temperature distribution on the brain surface in fixed time steps during one hour of continuous mobile phone use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Marketing (0354-3471) is the property of SEMA - Srpsko udruzenje za Marketing i Ekonomski fakultet Beograd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This work presents the natural radioactivity distribution of 21 surface soil samples taken in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia. The analysis for radioactivity was performed using a gas low-level proportional counter for gross alpha and gross beta activity, while the specific activities of radionuclides were determined using HPGe detectors. The gross alpha activity of 20 samples was below the minimum detectable concentration (MDC), while in 1 sample it was 243 Bq kg−1; the gross beta activity ranged from the MDC (11 samples) to 566 Bq kg−1. The gamma spectrometry measurements showed naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 238U in all investigated samples, with average values (Bq kg−1) of 33.9, 36.7, 513.8, and 34.7, respectively. Natural radionuclide 235U was detected in 18 samples with activity concentrations in the range of 1.3–4.1 Bq kg−1, while in the other 3 samples, the values were below the MDC. The artificial 137Cs radionuclide was detected in 90 percent of the samples, with a maximum value of 21 Bq kg−1, while the other artificial radionuclides were not detected. Based on the obtained concentrations of natural radionuclides, hazard indexes were estimated, and radiological health risk was assessed. The results present the absorbed gamma dose rate in the air, annual effective dose, radium equivalent activity, external hazard index, and lifetime cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research is to investigate the effect of SrO and La2O3 addition on the crystallization characteristics and sintering behavior of polyphosphate glasses. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hot stage microscopy (HSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods were used to investigate the crystallization and sintering behaviors of glasses. The addition of SrO and La2O3 (1 or 5%), at the expense of phosphate mole fraction in polyphosphate bioactive glass, raises the characteristic temperature of glasses, and resistance to crystallization. Furthermore, the temperature of maximal shrinkage increases with the addition of SrO and La2O3. Surface crystallization is the dominant mechanism of crystallization in all samples. All glasses show complex crystallization leading to the formation of several crystalline phases. Sintered phosphate glass–ceramic containing bioactive β-CaP2O6, α-Ca3(PO4)2, and β-Ca3(PO4)2 phases were successfully prepared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the expression of the serotonin receptors 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT3A at four different stages of fetal lung development from 12 to 40 weeks of gestation, divided into four groups: the pseudoglandular stage (12–16th week of development; n = 8), the canalicular stage (16th–26th week of development; n = 7), the saccular stage (26th-36th week of development; n = 5), and the alveolar stage (36th–40th week of development; n = 5). The strongest expression of all three receptor types was found in the epithelium of the proximal airways during the pseudoglandular, canalicular, and saccular stages and in a vascular wall. 5-HT1A was also strongly expressed in the smooth muscle cells of the proximal airway. Vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelium occasionally showed a strong expression of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A. In the alveolar stage, the expression of 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT3A was detected in both type I (p1) and type II (p2) pneumocytes, with a stronger expression in p2. A significant decrease in percent the 5-HT2A area and in the integrated density was observed at the alveolar stage. On the other hand, a significant decrease in the percentage area but an increase in the integrated density was observed for 5-HT3A toward the alveolar stage, suggesting that a smaller number of cells expressed 5-HT3A but that they (p1 and p2) significantly increased their 5-HT3A expression at the alveolar stage. The results presented provided us with new data on the development and function of the serotonin system in the human fetal lung and gave us insight into their possible involvement in the pathogenesis of lung pathology, particularly that characteristic of the neonatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Marketing (0354-3471) is the property of SEMA - Srpsko udruzenje za Marketing i Ekonomski fakultet Beograd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of SKEI - International Interdisciplinary Journal / Medunarodni Interdisciplinarni Casopis is the property of University Vitez, Bosnia & Herzegovina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of SKEI - International Interdisciplinary Journal / Medunarodni Interdisciplinarni Casopis is the property of University Vitez, Bosnia & Herzegovina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Radon flux measurements provide information about how much radon rises from the ground toward the atmosphere, thus, they could serve as good predictors of indoor radon concentrations. Although there are many different mapping methods with many different input data, radon flux data are generally missing and are not included for the delineation of radon priority areas (RPA). The aim of this literature review is to investigate to what extent radon flux was used, or could be used, for the delineation of RPAs. Numerous factors influencing radon flux were identified, but quantifying their contribution to radon flux measurement still remains a challenge. Different methods and measuring devices were used for the determination of radon flux, thus it is necessary to identify possible inconsistencies in order to harmonise different radon flux measurements. Due to the complexity of radon flux measurements, only two countries were identified to have performed national surveys on outdoor radon, which were of much smaller scale compared to those on indoor radon. A positive correlation between radon flux and radon quantities, such as radon in soil gas and indoor radon, indicates that radon flux could be used as an input parameter for the estimation of RPA. By reviewing radon flux models, it was concluded that up-to-date modelled radon flux maps have reached excellent spatial resolution and will be further improved, hence, they could serve as an input for the estimation and delineation of RPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gaussian Q-function has considerable applications in numerous areas of science and engineering. However, the fact that a closed-form expression for this function does not exist encourages finding approximations or bounds of the Q-function. In this paper, we determine analytically two novel interval upper bound Q-function approximations and show that they could be used efficiently not only for the symbol error probability (SEP) estimation of transmission over Nakagami-m fading channels, but also for the average symbol error probability (ASEP) evaluation for two modulation formats. Specifically, we determine analytically the composition of the upper bound Q-function approximations specified at disjoint intervals of the input argument values so as to provide the highest accuracy within the intervals, by utilizing the selected one of two upper bound Q-function approximations. We show that a further increase of the accuracy, achieved in the case with two upper-bound approximations composing the interval approximation, can be obtained by forming a composite interval approximation of the Q-function that assumes another extra interval and by specifying the third form for the upper-bound Q-function approximation. The proposed analytical approach can be considered universal and widely applicable. The results presented in the paper indicate that the proposed Q-function approximations outperform in terms of accuracy other well-known approximations carefully chosen for comparison purposes. This approximation can be used in numerous theoretical communication problems based on the Q-function calculation. In this paper, we apply it to estimate the average bit error rate (ABER), when the transmission in a Nakagami-m fading channel is observed for the assumed binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) and differentially encoded quadrature phase-shift keying (DE-QPSK) modulation formats, as well as to design scalar quantization with equiprobable cells for variables from a Gaussian source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increased network downsizing and cost minimization in deployment of neural network (NN) models, the utilization of edge computing takes a significant place in modern artificial intelligence today. To bridge the memory constraints of less-capable edge systems, a plethora of quantizer models and quantization techniques are proposed for NN compression with the goal of enabling the fitting of the quantized NN (QNN) on the edge device and guaranteeing a high extent of accuracy preservation. NN compression by means of post-training quantization has attracted a lot of research attention, where the efficiency of uniform quantizers (UQs) has been promoted and heavily exploited. In this paper, we propose two novel non-uniform quantizers (NUQs) that prudently utilize one of the two properties of the simplest UQ. Although having the same quantization rule for specifying the support region, both NUQs have a different starting setting in terms of cell width, compared to a standard UQ. The first quantizer, named the simplest power-of-two quantizer (SPTQ), defines the width of cells that are multiplied by the power of two. As it is the case in the simplest UQ design, the representation levels of SPTQ are midpoints of the quantization cells. The second quantizer, named the modified SPTQ (MSPTQ), is a more competitive quantizer model, representing an enhanced version of SPTQ in which the quantizer decision thresholds are centered between the nearest representation levels, similar to the UQ design. These properties make the novel NUQs relatively simple. Unlike UQ, the quantization cells of MSPTQ are not of equal widths and the representation levels are not midpoints of the quantization cells. In this paper, we describe the design procedure of SPTQ and MSPTQ and we perform their optimization for the assumed Laplacian source. Afterwards, we perform post-training quantization by implementing SPTQ and MSPTQ, study the viability of QNN accuracy and show the implementation benefits over the case where UQ of an equal number of quantization cells is utilized in QNN for the same classification task. We believe that both NUQs are particularly substantial for memory-constrained environments, where simple and acceptably accurate solutions are of crucial importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Research question: The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to examine the effects of acquisitions on organizational culture in terms of the degree of change in certain organizational culture dimensions, and second, to examine effects of organizational culture differences on the acquired company's performance. Motivation: Although many studies have examined the relationships among acquisitions, organizational culture and performance, especially the relationship between organizational culture differences and company performance in developed economies (Chatterjee et al., 1992; Weber & Camerer, 2003; Krishnan et al., 1997), little attention has been paid to the research into these relationships in the emerging economies. Understanding the cultural issues in the context of acquisition in the emerging economy will contribute to the literature and enable comparison of research results with results obtained in developed economies. Idea: The core idea of this paper was to empirically evaluate the relationship among acquisitions, organizational culture and performance on the example of an acquired company in the Republic of Serbia, as the emerging economy. The paper focuses on exploring the employees' perceptions of organizational culture change in the period after the acquisition, as well as managers' perceptions of the acquired company's performance. Data: The survey was conducted in the company operating in the Republic of Serbia which was the subject of cross-border acquisition. The sample consists of 344 respondents (managers and employees) from the acquired company. Tools: Descriptive statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U-test and regression analysis were applied in the study. Findings: The results of the research demonstrate that innovation as a dimension of organizational culture has changed to a greatest extent. Further, the results show that there are no statistically significant differences in the ways of how managers and employees perceive changes in organizational culture. Additionally, the results of the research show that organizational cultural differences have a positive influence on performance of the acquired company. Contribution: This paper contributes to a better understanding of the significance of organizational culture changes in an acquired company in the emerging economy and formulates practical suggestions for the managers in future acquisitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well-known that mushrooms of the genus Lactarius constitute a natural food resource providing health benefits as a nutritient. This genus contains 4 mushrooms identified as L. deliciosus, L. volemus, L. sanguifluus, L. semisanguifluus and L. piperatus which were collected in Serbia. The aim of this study aimed was to identify and characterize the content of phenolic compounds and examine the antioxidant potential of 5 wild edible mushrooms. L. sanguifluus contained the highest content of total phenol compounds (75.25 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per g dry extract weight (GAE/g DE) and exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity through the ability to remove radicals as evidenced by ABTS assay (8.99 mg of trolox equivalents (TE) per g dry extract weight (mg TE/g DE); total reducing power (TRP) assay mg ascorbic acid equivalents per mg of dry extract weight (0.42 mg AAE/g DE) and CUPRAC (14.23 mg TE /g DE). L. deliciosus methanolic extract produced greatest scavenging of the DPPH radical (46%). The methanol mushroom extracts were screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity against a panel of pathogenic bacterial strains using the microdilution method. Of all the extracts tested, L. sanguifluus extract showed the best antibacterial properties. The cytokinesis block micronucleus assay results for the examined mushrooms demonstrated that extracts at a concentration of 3 μg/ml decreased the number of micronuclei (MN) in the range of 19–49% which is significant bearing in mind that radioprotectant amifostine reduced the frequency of MN by only 16.3%. Data thus demonstrate that the 5 wild edible mushrooms of genus Lactarius contain constituents that are beneficial not only as nutrients but also have the potential as antioxidants, antibacterial and antigenotoxic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Marketing (0354-3471) is the property of SEMA - Srpsko udruzenje za Marketing i Ekonomski fakultet Beograd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)