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Polymetabolic syndrome achieved pandemic proportions and dramatically influenced public health systems functioning worldwide. Chronic vascular complications are the major contributors to increased morbidity, disability, and mortality rates in diabetes patients. Nitric oxide (NO) is among the most important vascular bed function regulators. However, NO homeostasis is significantly deranged in pathological conditions. Additionally, different hormones directly or indirectly affect NO production and activity and subsequently act on vascular physiology. In this paper, we summarize the recent literature data related to the effects of insulin, estradiol, insulin-like growth factor-1, ghrelin, angiotensin II and irisin on the NO regulation in physiological and diabetes circumstances.

Harmful cyanobacteria blooms and the escalating impact of cyanotoxins necessitates the effective removal of cyanobacteria from water ecosystems before they release cyanotoxins. In this study, cyanobacteria removal from water samples taken from the eutrophic Aleksandrovac Lake (southern Serbia) was investigated. For that purpose, novel activated carbons derived from waste biomass—date palm leaf stalk (P_AC), black alder cone-like flowers (A_AC), and commercial activated carbon from coconut shell (C_AC) as a reference were used. To define the best adsorption conditions and explain the adsorption mechanism, the influence of contact time, reaction volume, and adsorbent mass, as well as FTIR analysis of the adsorbents before and after cyanobacteria removal, were studied. The removal efficiency of P_AC and A_AC achieved for the applied concentration of 10 mg/mL after 15 min was ~99%, while for C_AC after 24 h was only ~92% for the same concentration. To check the safety of the applied materials for human health and the environment, the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), the health impact (HI) after water purification, and the toxicity (MTT and Comet assay) of the materials were evaluated. Although the P_AC and A_AC achieved much better removal properties in comparison with the C_AC, considering the demonstrated genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of the P_AC and the higher HI value for the C_AC, only the A_AC was further investigated. Results of the kinetics, FTIR analysis, and examination of the A_AC mass influence on removal efficiency indicated dominance of the physisorption mechanism. Initially, the findings highlighted the superior performance of A_AC, with great potential to be globally commercialized as an effective cyanobacteria cell adsorbent.

Local markets have been a special setting throughout human history. Apart from their important social role, they had immeasurable economic importance as primary forms of exchange of goods (trade). Nonetheless, they experienced numerous transformational changes that affected their functioning. Like other countries, Serbia has a long tradition of market activity. However, several novelties have been introduced in recent years. Among many, the process of e-fiscalization is the main issue. Therefore, the focus of our research is based on a qualitative analysis of online media content (news and comments) related to the fiscalization of market activity. The attitudes of different categories of participants (state authorities, vendors, and customers) were analyzed. LIGRE open-access software was used for this purpose. The results of the analysis showed conflicting parties. Legislators emphasize the exclusive positive effects, while vendors point to the negative side of fiscalization. As a third party, customers (service users) have an undefined attitude in relation to fiscalization (pros/cons/neutral). There is an agreement to introduce market activity into legal flows. However, the key prerequisite is the prior resolution of a number of problems (working conditions, business costs, market monopoly, etc.).

The Editors-in-Chief have retracted this article. After publication, concerns were raised regarding image irregularities in the Figures. Specifically, In Figs. 1a and 6a, the p-EGFR lanes 1 and 2 appear highly similar, but the t-EGFR blots are different. In Figs. 2a and 3a, the t-EGFR panels appear highly similar. Fig. 2a and 3a t-EGFR lanes 3 and 4 appear highly similar to Fig. 4a t-EGFR lanes 1 and 2 (flipped horizontally). Fig. 4b p-ERK lanes 1, 2 and 4 appear highly similar to Fig. 6b p-ERK lanes 3, 2 and 4, respectively (flipped horizontally). In Figs. 5b and 7b, the t-EGFR panels appear highly similar. The Editors-in-Chief therefore no longer have confidence in the presented data. Katarina Smiljanic and Esma R. Isenovic do not agree to this retraction. Pierre Marche is deceased. Milan Obradovic, Aleksandra Jovanovic, Jelena Djordjevic, Branislava Dobutovic and Danimir Jevremovic have not responded to any correspondence from the publisher about this retraction.

This chapter examines the conceptual relation between the processes of Europeanization and (de)stigmatization of states in the Western Balkan context. Europeanization and destigmatization are usually considered to be linear and complementary. However, the Serbian case, which is paradigmatic for the Europeanization of the whole Western Balkans, presents a puzzling exception in terms of the links between Europeanization and (de)stigmatization. Since 2015, Serbia has managed to achieve important successes in destigmatization, despite a lack of substantial progress in Europeanization. The main argument of this chapter is that progress on the EU-road (so-called EU-ization) does not necessarily correspond to Europeanization and Westernization and that there were serious gaps between these concepts from 2015 to 2020. This made it possible for Serbia to retain the image of a country which is Europeanizing and Westernizing, without making substantial progress towards the EU. The EU enlargement’s credibility crisis contributed to a situation in which it was possible for Serbia to make progress in destigmatization without substantial Europeanization. However, some amount of EU-ization – or at least its simulation – remained necessary for the successful destigmatization of Serbia in this period. The evolution of the Serbian case has a significant impact on the whole Western Balkans.

Research on chalcopyrite leaching represents a great challenge, given its importance as one of the most abundant copper minerals and its significant role in global copper extraction. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different parameters on chalcopyrite leaching by hydrogen peroxide as a strong oxidizing reagent in sulfuric acid solution. A series of leaching tests were carried out to investigate the effect of the solid/liquid ratio, stirring speed, temperature, oxidant and acid concentrations, and lixiviant dosing method on copper extraction from chalcopyrite concentrate. The catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide occurred in the investigated leaching system, as reflected in the obtained metal extraction values. Copper extraction was increased in the first 60 min of the reaction, after which it essentially ceased. The maximum final copper extraction of 64.5% was attained with 3.0 mol/L H2O2 in 3.0 mol/L H2SO4 at a temperature of 40 °C after 120 min of reaction. Due to the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the examined leaching system, the leaching experiment was performed with the periodic addition of lixiviant at specific time intervals as well. The dissolution process was described by the first-order kinetics equation with an apparent activation energy of ~39 kJ/mol. Finally, XRD and SEM-EDS analyses were used to characterize the leached residue, and the results showed that the formation of elemental sulfur on the chalcopyrite surface affected the dissolution process.

Water hammer in two-phase systems, induced by direct steam condensation on subcooled water or by separation of subcooled water column, results in the most intensive pipeline pressure surges. Amplitudes of pressure spikes along the course of these dangerous transients strongly depend on the condensation and evaporation rates. The present paper provides a literature overview of thermal-hydraulic models for the prediction of water hammer phenomenon in two-phase systems, together with an original mechanistic approach for the prediction of phase transition rates, based on the shape and size of vapor-liquid interfacial area and the phase transition potential expressed through vapor and liquid phase temperature difference. Available water hammer experimental conditions were numerically simulated with the new modeling approach. Driving parameters of boiling and condensation rates at the steam-water interfaces are evaluated, and a good agreement is shown between numerical results and experimental data of bulk two-phase flow parameters during water hammer transients.

This paper deals with current status and possibilities for feasible improvement of the flexibility of power generation fleet consisting of aged coal-fired power plants and hydro power plants. The analyses are done by use of well-established deterministic metrics - the normalized flexibility indicator for each power unit is evaluated accounting for ramp up and ramp down power rates as well as the unit operating range. The method is applied to the case of the Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS). As expected, hydro power units are highly flexible with normalized flexibility indicator reaching the values as high as 0.78 (on the scale from 0 to 1). The units in power plants fired with lignite are of low flexibility - especially the units with the greatest power where the flexibility indicator is well below 0.2. This issue can represent a serious constraint for operation of these units in conditions of variable demand and future implementation of renewable energy sources with intermittent power generation. In units of lignite fired power plants the operating range (formulated as difference between maximal and minimal net electric power) is a stronger limitation than the value of ramp up / down rate. Therefore, the efforts for flexibility enhancement focus on lowering of minimal or increase of unit maximal power. In literature various technical measures are considered for this purpose. Despite their undoubtably positive impact, some of these measures (for example, implementation of additional boiler or replacement of thick-wall by thin-wall parts) would represent such a drastic surgery for the aged lignite fired power fleet that they cannot be considered as feasible. For that reason, we analyse sophisticated technical measures which contribute to flexibility increase, but do not require too high retrofitting costs. The solutions are based on (i) advanced operational procedures for feedwater redistribution (ii) installation of additional economizers for recovery of flue

Potential for the waste heat utilization in coal-fired thermal power plants that are in operation for a long period is reflected in an increased temperature of the flue gas at the exit of the regenerative air heater. After a long period of operation, the flue gas temperature exceeds the design value and is around 170 °C. In thermal power plants where a flue gas desulphurization plant has been built, the flue gas must be cooled at the absorber inlet to approximately 70 °C due to the efficiency of the desulphurization process, and thus the waste heat is irreversibly lost to the environment. Given the large temperature difference between the flue gas temperature at the boiler outlet and the temperature at the absorber inlet, as well as the large flue gas flow, there is a significant potential for the utilization of this waste heat. This potential can be used to heat the condensate from the steam power plant condensate line, where due to reduced steam extractions from the low-pressure turbine, the unchanged steam unit power is maintained with the lower fresh steam flow rate or the production of electricity increases without additional fuel consumption. The paper presents a technical solution for the utilization of waste heat in a low-pressure economizer at the 350 MWe lignite-fired thermal power plant. The energy balancing of the steam unit with the installed low-pressure economizer was performed and the increase in net unit efficiency was determined by applying the described solution in relation to the design conditions. It is shown that the net efficiency of the steam unit increases by 1.06 percentage points. About 73 GWh of electricity is produced by the flue gas waste heat utilization, which gives an annual reduction in coal consumption of approximately 98,000 tons, as well as an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 72,000 tons.

This research is devoted to the determination of hidden dependencies between the flow of particles that come from the Sun and precipitation-induced floods in the United Kingdom (UK). The analysis covers 20 flood events during the period from October 2001 to December 2019. The parameters of solar activity were used as model input data, while precipitations data in the period 10 days before and during each flood event were used as model output. The time lag of 0–9 days was taken into account in the research. Correlation analysis was conducted to determine the degree of randomness for the time series of input and output parameters. For establishing a potential causative link, machine learning classification predictive modeling was applied. Two approaches, the decision tree, and the random forest were used. We analyzed the accuracy of classification models forecast from 0 to 9 days in advance. It was found that the most important factors for flood forecasting are proton density with a time lag of 9, differential proton flux in the range of 310–580 keV, and ion temperature. Research in this paper has shown that the decision tree model is more accurate and adequate in predicting the appearance of precipitation-induced floods up to 9 days ahead with an accuracy of 91%. The results of this study confirmed that by increasing technical capabilities, using improved machine learning techniques and large data sets, it is possible to improve the understanding of the physical link between the solar wind and tropospheric weather and help improve severe weather forecasting.

The current literature findings on autophagy’s beneficial and detrimental roles in diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetes-related comorbidities were reviewed. The effects of oral hypoglycaemic medicines and autophagy in DM. Autophagy plays an important function in cellular homeostasis by promoting cell survival or initiating cell death in physiological settings was also assessed. Although autophagy protects insulin-target tissues, organelle failure caused by autophagy malfunction influences DM and other metabolic diseases. Endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress enhance autophagy levels, making it easier to regulate stress-induced intracellular changes. Evidence suggests that autophagy-caused cell death can occur when autophagy is overstimulated and constitutively activated, which might prevent or develop DM. Even though the precise role of autophagy in DM complications is uncertain, deregulation of the autophagic machinery is strongly linked to beta cell destruction and the aetiology of DM. Thus, improving autophagy dysfunction is a possible therapeutic objective in treating DM and other metabolic disorders.

Thyroid nodules (TN) are localized morphological changes in the thyroid gland and can be benign or malignant.Objective: The present study investigates the relationships between biochemical markers in serum (s) and their homologs in washout (w) after fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the TN of interest and their correlation with cytology specimen findings.We investigated the relationships between serum biochemical markers nitric oxide (NO), thyroglobulin (TG), and calcitonin (CT), their homologs in washout after FNAB of the TN of interest, and cytology findings of biopsy samples classified according to the Bethesda system for thyroid cytopathology in this study, which included 86 subjects.Results: Washout TG (TGw) level positively correlates with the cytology finding of the biopsy. A higher level of TGw correlates with higher categories of the Bethesda classification and indicates a higher malignant potential. The levels of serum NO (NOs), serum TG (TGs), serum CT (CTs), and washout CT (CTw) do not correlate with the cytology finding of the biopsy, and the higher levels of washout NO (NOw) correspond to the more suspicious ultrasound findings.The findings of our study suggest that TGw and NOw could be used as potential predictors of malignancy in TN.

To increase the degree of cobalt (Co) extraction, the process of the cathode material leaching was performed in a sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solution containing sulfur dioxide (SO2) as a reducing agent. To provide a high resolution of the obtained results, frequent monitoring of Co concentrations in leached solution was conducted using an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer with several specific modifications related to the connection of the reaction vessel with the instrumental cuvette. The maximum degree of Co leaching (99.4%) was achieved with H2SO4 concentration of 3 mol/L, solid phase concentration of 33 g/L, temperature of 85 °C, SO2 volume flow of 2 L/min, and leaching time of 60 min. The results of the performed kinetic analyses indicated that the Avrami equation best describes the investigated leaching process, which later was supported by the results of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses. Also, the activation energy of 28 ± 3 kJ/mol is in favor of the fact that the process of Co leaching was controlled by the factors, such as diffusion and chemical reaction. The results of this study indicated that SO2 can be used as an effective reducing agent in the investigated process.

The study focuses on the present state and the assessments of geotourism development of the two most representative tufa deposits in the Djerdap National Park—the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Serbia. The findings were designated through implementing the freshly upgraded methodology—M-GAM-1-2 based on an early modified geosites assessment model (M-GAM). To overcome the limitations of the previous model, the authors implemented additional enhancements and involved members of the local community (residents and authorities) in the study to comprehensively evaluate the observed sites. The outcomes revealed that the attitudes of all stakeholders should be taken into consideration in order to develop geotourism properly, additionally attract visitors, and preserve tufa deposits for future generations of locals and visitors. Moreover, geotourism at the observed sites can be one of the vital activities of the population, as well as a type of compensation for various limitations in the development, which are imposed by the regimes of natural and cultural heritage protection within the recently established UNESCO Global Geopark.

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) are a direct consequence of modern living and contribute to the development of multisystem diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus (DM). CMD has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. A sodium pump (Na + /K + -ATPase) is found in most eukaryotic cells’ membrane and controls many essential cellular functions directly or indirectly. This ion transporter and its isoforms are important in the pathogenesis of some pathological processes, including CMD. The structure and function of Na + /K + -ATPase, its expression and distribution in tissues, and its interactions with known ligands such as cardiotonic steroids and other suspected endogenous regulators are discussed in this review. In addition, we reviewed recent literature data related to the involvement of Na + /K + -ATPase activity dysfunction in CMD, focusing on the Na + /K + -ATPase as a potential therapeutic target in CMD.

The heavy metals content (HMs) was investigated in 14 different medicinal plants collected from the three regions in Central Serbia, Zlatar, Sokobanja, and Kopaonik. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Hg and Pb were determined: Cd (<0.03–2.72 mg/kg); Cr (<0.08–12.1 mg/kg); Ni (<0.08–12.2 mg/kg); Pb (0.6–49.0 mg/kg); the Hg concentration was below the detection limit of 0.06 mg/kg in all samples. The daily intake of HMs due to ingestion of 200 mL of herbal infusion was in all cases below the recommended limit prescribed by the World Health Organization. The estimated daily intake values were below the values for the oral reference dose regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USA EPA). The target hazard quotient and hazard index for Cd, Cr Ni, and Pb were below 1. Nevertheless, due to the tendency of heavy metals to accumulate in the organism, attention should be paid to the daily intake of herbal infusion during long-term usage. Specifically, it is recommended to consume not more than one cup (200 mL) of infusion per day made from thyme (Mt. Zlatar) and blueberry (Mt. Kopaonik), and not more than two cups per day for other herbs.

Metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance are characterized by glucose and lipid metabolism alterations and represent a global health problem. Many studies have established the crucial role of micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in controlling metabolic processes in various tissues. miRNAs are single-stranded, highly conserved non-coding RNAs containing 20-24 oligonucleotides that are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. miRNAs mainly interact through base pairing with 3' untranslated regions of target gene mRNAs to promote inhibition of their translation. miRNAs regulate the expression of as many as 30% of the human genes and have a role in crucial physiological processes such as human growth and development, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism. The number of miRNA molecules with a confirmed role in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases is quickly expanding due to the availability of high-throughput methodologies for their identification. In this review, we present recent findings regarding the role of miRNAs as endocrine signaling molecules involved in the regulation of insulin production and fat metabolism. We discuss the potential of extracellular miRNAs present in biological fluids miRNAs as biomarkers for the prediction of diabetes and MetS. We also give an updated overview of therapeutic interventions based on antisense oligonucleotides and the CRISPR/Cas9 editing platform for manipulating levels of miRNAs involved in metabolic disorders. © 2023 Bentham Science Publishers.

The analysis of pressure changes in water and steam flow along the entire once-through steam boiler tube system at the 650 MWe lignite fired Unit was carried out after the long operational period of almost 30 years without a chemical cleaning of the pipe system. A significant increase of the hydraulic resistance was recorded in comparison to the design values in the evaporator tubes, both in the water heating zone and in the evaporation zone with the two-phase mixture flow. The cause of this adverse effect is the formation of a wavy surface of the magnetite layer deposited on the inner wall of tubes. The significantly increased absolute roughness on the inner wall of tubes was determined on the basis of measured pressure drops at sections of the tube system and numerical calculation performed with a thermal-hydraulic model of single-phase and two-phase water and steam tube flows. The model is based on the steam-water two-fluid model with mass, momentum and energy balance equations and mechanistic correlations for the steam-water interface transfer processes. The model is suitable for the single and two-phase flow parameters prediction in the span from subcritical to supercritical and near critical pressure conditions. Conducted calculations provide detailed insight in the fluid pressure, velocity and temperature change in the boiler tube system. After the long operational period the pressure drop in evaporating tubes almost doubles in comparison to the design values. The presented results are a support to boiler's design, operational procedures and maintenance.

This paper will validate two basic concepts of numerical models for prediction of pressure change along the transport pipeline in the case of long distance and high capacity lignite ash pneumatic conveying. Application of various friction factor correlations and variation of given parameter, led to the total of fourteen different numerical models and program codes in FORTRAN. The input data for numerical models are based on comprehensive experimental research of high ca- pacity and long distance Kolubara lignite fly ash pneumatic conveying system within 620 MWe thermal power plant unit under operating conditions. Numerical simulation results are validated against experimental data and subjected to sta- tistical analysis methods. The functional dependence obtained by the least squares method was evaluated using mean squared deviation and correlation ra- tio. The predicted pressure changes show the best agreement, with the measured decrease of pressure amplitudes along the transport pipelines, for the model based on the momentum balance of air-ash mixture flow and friction factor cor- relation given by Dogin and Lebedev for the parameter A = 1.4∙10–6. This model achieved the best correlation ratio of 93.99% for Pipeline 1 and 91.33% for Pipeline 2, as well as the best mean squared deviation of 9.58% for Pipeline 1 and 13.66% for Pipeline 2. Also, the fanning friction factor values are fully con- sistent with previously examined cases available in the literature. Numerical sim- ulation model can be used for prediction of the ash pneumatic conveying capacity and pressure drop for the specified transport pipeline.

The dysregulation of proteinase activity is a hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA), a disease characterized by progressive degradation of articular cartilage by catabolic proteinases such as a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I motifs-5 (ADAMTS-5). The ability to detect such activity sensitively would aid disease diagnosis and the evaluation of targeted therapies. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) peptide substrates can detect and monitor disease-related proteinase activity. To date, FRET probes for detecting ADAMTS-5 activity are nonselective and relatively insensitive. We describe the development of rapidly cleaved and highly selective ADAMTS-5 FRET peptide substrates through in silico docking and combinatorial chemistry. The lead substrates 3 and 26 showed higher overall cleavage rates (∼3-4-fold) and catalytic efficiencies (∼1.5-2-fold) compared to the best current ADAMTS-5 substrate ortho-aminobenzoyl(Abz)-TESE↓SRGAIY-N-3-[2,4-dinitrophenyl]-l-2,3-diaminopropionyl(Dpa)-KK-NH2. They exhibited high selectivity for ADAMTS-5 over ADAMTS-4 (∼13-16-fold), MMP-2 (∼8-10-fold), and MMP-9 (∼548-2561-fold) and detected low nanomolar concentrations of ADAMTS-5.

This paper deals with investigations of mechanisms governing explosive boiling of water films on hot copper substrate with plain surface. The investigations are based on results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in which film thickness (7.5 nm, 17 nm and 25.5 nm) and substrate temperature (800 K, 700 K and 600 K) are set as parameters. Analyses of heating transients, which lead to explosive boiling event, are done comparing the following quantities for considered MD configurations: time instant of explosive boiling onset, dynamics of vapour generation, increase of water film thickness due to thermal expansion and vapour generation, evolution of water temperature as well as heat transfer from the copper substrate to the water film. These analyses have shown that explosive boiling onset is related neither to the value of substrate temperature nor to the film thickness in a straightforward way. The investigations of temperature and per atom energy in the water region near the heating substrate surface have revealed that beside thermal also mechanical mechanisms can play significant role in triggering of explosive boiling. The mechanical mechanisms, related to pressure wave propagation in liquid film, comprise occurrence of tensile stresses which induce / intensify generation of vapour phase in the near wall region. The obtained results show that thermal effects are dominant in cases with high substrate temperature and thick liquid films as in these configurations the water temperature reaches spinodal value and explosive boiling is triggered before expansion wave reaches the near wall region. In cases when water in the near wall region is strongly overheated (but well below spinodal temperature), tensile stresses induced by expansive wave propagation cause intensive vapour generation and contribute dominantly to occurrence of explosive boiling. Finally, in cases with lower substrate temperature and thin liquid films, an interplay of thermal and mechanical mechanis

Titan(IV)-oksid je jedan od najčešće korišćenih fotokatalizatora, dok za polipirol (PPy) postoje potvrde da je pogodan za ovu primenu. Cilj ovog rada bio je dobijanje kompozita TiO2/PPy sa boljom fotokatalitičkom aktivnosti u odnosu na TiO2. Kako bi se optimizovao sadržaj PPy u kompozitu, sintetisani su uzorci TiO2/x%PPy (x = 0, 0,5, 1, 1,5, 3, 5 mas.%), koji su okarakterisani TG/DTA, XRD, FTIR, FESEM i UV-Vis metodama, dok su njihova fotokatalitička svojstva ispitana kroz razgradnju tekstilne boje RO16. Nanokristalni TiO2 je dobijen u obliku anatasa veličine kristalita oko 2 nm, dok su izračunati parametri jedinične ćelije potvrdili da je kristalna struktura anatasa ostala nepromenjena nakon dodatka PPy. Gotovo svi uzorci (izuzev TiO2/3%PPy) su fotokatalitički aktivniji od TiO2, dok je TiO2/1%PPy pokazao najizraženiju fotokatalitičku aktivnost razgradivši 9 % boje nakon 75 min., Titanium(IV) oxide is one of the most used photocatalysts while polypyrrole (PPy) is a promising material for photocatalytic application. The aim of this work was to obtain TiO2/PPy composites exhibiting higher photocatalytic activity than TiO2. In order to determine the optimal PPy content in a composite, TiO2/x%PPy (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 5 wt.%) samples were synthesized and characterized by TG/DTA, XRD, FTIR, FESEM and UV-Vis methods, while the photocatalytic behavior was examined towards the degradation of the textile dye RO16. Nanocrystalline TiO2 was obtained in anatase form with crystallite size around 26 nm and preserved anatase crystal structure despite the addition of PPy according to the calculated unit cell parameters. Almost all samples (except TiO2/3%PPy) showed better photocatalytic activity than TiO2 while the best photocatalytic activity was demonstrated by TiO2/1%PPy which degraded 98 % of the dye after 75 min.

The Cdkn2a locus is one of the most studied tumor suppressor loci in the context of several cancer types. However, in the last years, its expression has also been linked to terminal differentiation and the activation of the senescence program in different cellular subtypes. Knock-out (KO) of the entire locus enhances the capability of stem cells to proliferate in some tissues and respond to severe physiological and non-physiological damages in different organs, including the heart. Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is characterized by severe contractures and muscle loss at the level of skeletal muscles of the elbows, ankles and neck, and by dilated cardiomyopathy. We have recently demonstrated, using the LMNA Delta 8-11 murine model of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD), that dystrophic muscle stem cells prematurely express non-lineage-specific genes early on during postnatal growth, leading to rapid exhaustion of the muscle stem cell pool. Knock-out of the Cdkn2a locus in EDMD dystrophic mice partially restores muscle stem cell properties. In the present study, we describe the cardiac phenotype of the LMNA Delta 8-11 mouse model and functionally characterize the effects of KO of the Cdkn2a locus on heart functions and life expectancy.

Stigmatization of states is one of the most powerful and permanent forms of stratification in the international society. Aware that stigma disables them to enjoy equal position and treatment in the international relations as other states, stigmatized states tend to do away with this burden as quickly as possible. An important stage for destigmatization is the foreign policy towards former enemies. The main research question of this dissertation is why the states in parallel apply different and even contradictory strategies of destigmatization in their relations with former enemies. The dissertation claims that the state applies different destigmatization strategies in parallel in case it finds itself in a situation of “destigmatization dilemma”. Destigmatization dilemma is the situation in which the state fears that compromising strategies leading towards fast destigmatization at the same time reduce its security in relations with former enemies. It stems from the parallel pursuit of the fastest possible destigmatization – directing the state to use compromising strategies, and the pursuit of preserving security – directing the state to use negation strategies. The theoretical model offered in the dissertation presents a pioneer explanation of the choice of destigmatization strategies in foreign policy. Empirical verification of the model is conducted through a case study of the foreign policy of the Republic of Serbia in the period 2001 – 2018. Serbia is one of the paradigmatic cases of a state which strives towards destigmatization, applying in parallel even contradictory strategies in its relations with former enemies. The dissertation applies an interpretivist process tracing of Serbia’s foreign policy towards former enemies in the given period, with the use of discourse analysis. The empirical contribution of the dissertation is reflected in the original classification and thorough description of the foreign policy of Serbia in the 21st century., Stigmatizacija država je jedan od najmoćnijih i najtrajnijih oblika stratifikacije u međunarodnom društvu. Svesne da ih stigma onemogućava da u međunarodnim odnosima uživaju jednak položaj i tretman kao ostale države, stigmatizovane države nastoje da se tog tereta što brže oslobode. Važna pozornica za destigmatizaciju jeste spoljna politika prema nekadašnjim neprijateljima. Glavno istraživačko pitanje ove disertacije je zašto države paralelno primenjuju različite, čak i kontradiktorne strategije destigmatizacije u odnosima prema bivšim neprijateljima. U radu se tvrdi da država primenjuje paralelno različite strategije destigmatizacije ukoliko se nađe u situaciji „destigmatizacijske dileme“. Destigmatizacijska dilema je situacija u kojoj država oseća bojazan da kompromisne strategije koje vode bržoj destigmatizaciji ujedno umanjuju njenu bezbednost u odnosima sa bivšim neprijateljima. Ona proističe iz paralelnosti težnje ka što bržoj destigmatizaciji, koja državu usmerava ka upotrebi kompromisnih strategija, i težnje ka očuvanju bezbednosti, koja državu usmerava ka upotrebi negacijskih strategija. Teorijski model ponuđen u disertaciji predstavlja pionirsko objašnjenje odabira strategija destigmatizacije u spoljnoj politici. Empirijska provera modela vrši se kroz studiju slučaja spoljne politike Republike Srbije od 2001. do 2018. godine. Srbija je jedan od paradigmatskih primera države koja teži destigmatizaciji, a koja u odnosu prema bivšim neprijateljima primenjuje paraleleno različite, pa i kontraditkorne strategije. U radu se vrši interepretativističko praćenje procesa spoljnopolitičkog delovanja Srbije prema bivšim neprijateljima u ovom periodu, uz upotrebu analize diskursa. Empirijski doprinos disertacije se ogleda u originalnoj klasifikaciji i temeljnoj deskripciji spoljne politike Srbije u 21. veku.

Stigmatization of states is one of the most powerful and permanent forms of stratification in the international society. Aware that stigma disables them to enjoy equal position and treatment in the international relations as other states, stigmatized states tend to do away with this burden as quickly as possible. An important stage for destigmatization is the foreign policy towards former enemies. The main research question of this dissertation is why the states in parallel apply different and even contradictory strategies of destigmatization in their relations with former enemies. The dissertation claims that the state applies different destigmatization strategies in parallel in case it finds itself in a situation of “destigmatization dilemma”. Destigmatization dilemma is the situation in which the state fears that compromising strategies leading towards fast destigmatization at the same time reduce its security in relations with former enemies. It stems from the parallel pursuit of the fastest possible destigmatization – directing the state to use compromising strategies, and the pursuit of preserving security – directing the state to use negation strategies. The theoretical model offered in the dissertation presents a pioneer explanation of the choice of destigmatization strategies in foreign policy. Empirical verification of the model is conducted through a case study of the foreign policy of the Republic of Serbia in the period 2001 – 2018. Serbia is one of the paradigmatic cases of a state which strives towards destigmatization, applying in parallel even contradictory strategies in its relations with former enemies. The dissertation applies an interpretivist process tracing of Serbia’s foreign policy towards former enemies in the given period, with the use of discourse analysis. The empirical contribution of the dissertation is reflected in the original classification and thorough description of the foreign policy of Serbia in the 21st century., Stigmatizacija država je jedan od najmoćnijih i najtrajnijih oblika stratifikacije u međunarodnom društvu. Svesne da ih stigma onemogućava da u međunarodnim odnosima uživaju jednak položaj i tretman kao ostale države, stigmatizovane države nastoje da se tog tereta što brže oslobode. Važna pozornica za destigmatizaciju jeste spoljna politika prema nekadašnjim neprijateljima. Glavno istraživačko pitanje ove disertacije je zašto države paralelno primenjuju različite, čak i kontradiktorne strategije destigmatizacije u odnosima prema bivšim neprijateljima. U radu se tvrdi da država primenjuje paralelno različite strategije destigmatizacije ukoliko se nađe u situaciji „destigmatizacijske dileme“. Destigmatizacijska dilema je situacija u kojoj država oseća bojazan da kompromisne strategije koje vode bržoj destigmatizaciji ujedno umanjuju njenu bezbednost u odnosima sa bivšim neprijateljima. Ona proističe iz paralelnosti težnje ka što bržoj destigmatizaciji, koja državu usmerava ka upotrebi kompromisnih strategija, i težnje ka očuvanju bezbednosti, koja državu usmerava ka upotrebi negacijskih strategija. Teorijski model ponuđen u disertaciji predstavlja pionirsko objašnjenje odabira strategija destigmatizacije u spoljnoj politici. Empirijska provera modela vrši se kroz studiju slučaja spoljne politike Republike Srbije od 2001. do 2018. godine. Srbija je jedan od paradigmatskih primera države koja teži destigmatizaciji, a koja u odnosu prema bivšim neprijateljima primenjuje paraleleno različite, pa i kontraditkorne strategije. U radu se vrši interepretativističko praćenje procesa spoljnopolitičkog delovanja Srbije prema bivšim neprijateljima u ovom periodu, uz upotrebu analize diskursa. Empirijski doprinos disertacije se ogleda u originalnoj klasifikaciji i temeljnoj deskripciji spoljne politike Srbije u 21. veku.

Physiological adaptations for inhabiting transitional environments with strongly variable abiotic conditions can sometimes be displayed as behavioural shifts. A striking example might be found in bivalve species that inhabit estuaries characterised by fluctuations in environment. The opening and closing of their valves, so called gaping activity, represents behaviour that is required for two key physiological functions: food intake and respiration. Linking valve-gaping behaviour to environmental drivers can greatly improve our understanding and modelling of bivalve bioenergetics. Nowadays large data sets on gaping activity can be collected with automated sensors, but interpretation is difficult due to the large amount of environmental drivers and the intra-individual variability. This study aims to understand whether an unsupervised machine learning method (k-means clustering) can be used to identify patterns in gaping activity. Two commercially important congener mussels, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Mytilus edulis inhabiting two transitional coastal areas, the Venice Lagoon and the Wadden Sea, were fitted with sensors to monitor valve-gaping, while a comprehensive set of environmental parameters was also monitored. Data were analysed by applying three times a k-mean algorithm to the gaping time series. In the 1st analyses, the algorithm was applied to the overall gaping time series, including daily variations. We identified at both sites three clusters that were characterised by different average daily gaping aperture. The algorithm was subsequently reapplied to relate daily means of gaping to environmental conditions, being temperatures, oxygen saturation and chlorophyll levels. This 2nd analyses revealed that mean gaping aperture was mainly linked to food availability. A 3rd follow-up analysis aimed at exploring daily patterns. This third analysis again revealed consistent patterns amongst the two sites, where two clusters emerged that showed different degre

Now that we know that Earth-like planets are ubiquitous in the universe, as well as that most of them are much older than the Earth, it is justified to ask to what extent evolutionary outcomes on other such planets are similar, or indeed commensurable, to the outcomes we perceive around us. In order to assess the degree of specialty or mediocrity of our trajectory of biospheric evolution, we need to take into account recent advances in theoretical astrobiology, in particular (i) establishing the history of habitable planets' formation in the Galaxy, and (ii) understanding the crucial importance of "Gaian" feedback loops and temporal windows for the interaction of early life with its physical environment. Hereby we consider an alternative macroevolutionary pathway that may result in tight functional integration of all sub-planetary ecosystems, eventually giving rise to a true superorganism at the biospheric level. The blueprint for a possible outcome of this scenario has been masterfully provided by the great Polish novelist Stanis{\l}aw Lem in his 1961 novel Solaris. In fact, Solaris offers such a persuasive and powerful case for an "extremely strong" Gaia hypothesis that it is, arguably, high time to investigate it in a discursive astrobiological and philosophical context. In addition to novel predictions in the domain of potentially detectable biosignatures, some additional cognitive and heuristic benefits of studying such extreme cases of functional integration are briefly discussed., Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure; accepted in "Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres"

This study aims to indicate the importance of revising current health recommendations concerning the duration of exposure and individual sensitivity of the skin to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. For this purpose, a 16-year data series (2005–2020) of erythemal radiant exposure (Her) and UV index (UVI) for Serbia was analyzed. The UV-related risk was estimated for lighter skin (skin phototypes I-IV) under prolonged exposure on days when maximum UVI was below the recommended protection threshold (UVIlow days, for UVI < 3). Risk assessment was performed for seasonal exposure using satellite-derived data (OMUVBd product) previously validated by ground-based measurements in Novi Sad. The assessment of harmful effects included an analysis of the relation between the daily maximum UVI and the corresponding daily Her, the occurrence of UVIlow days, the exceedance of minimal erythema dose (MED), and the minimum duration of exposure to induce erythema (tMED) for all lighter skin phototypes. It was found that the share of UVIlow days in the total number of days in Serbia increases with the latitude, with the highest percentage in winter (up to 69.454%) and the lowest in summer (up to 3.468%). The results show that the daily Her frequently exceeded the harmful threshold for lighter skin phototypes I-IV (on average by 91.521, 84.923, 70.556, and 56.515%, respectively) on UVIlow days. It was found that prolonged exposure on days with a maximum of UVI = 2 poses a significant risk of erythema for all lighter skin phototypes, even for a duration of 3 h in the middle of the day, as well as medium risk for UVI = 1, and an absence of risk for UVI = 0. The results suggest that health recommendations should be revised, especially in the midlatitudes, where the share of UVIlow days is large, and in areas where the population is predominantly lighter-skinned.

Indigo carmine is a commonly used industrial blue dye. To determine its concentration in a commercially available food dye composed of a mixture of indigo carmine and D-glucose, this paper characterizes it through (ATR, KBr) FTIR micro-Raman as well as UV/Vis and clock: Briggs–Rauscher (BR) oscillatory reaction methods. The indigo carmine was detected in the bulk food dye only by applying micro-Raman spectroscopy, indicating a low percentage of the indigo carmine present. This research provides an improvement in the deviations from the experimental Raman spectrum as calculated by the B97D/cc-pVTZ level of theory one, resulting in a better geometrical optimization of the indigo carmine molecule compared to data within the literature. The analytical curves used to determine indigo carmine concentrations (and quantities) in an aqueous solution of food dye were applied by means of UV/Vis and BR methods. BR yielded significantly better analytical parameters: 100 times lower LOD and LOQ compared to commonly used UV/Vis. The remarkable sensitivity of the BR reaction towards indigo carmine suggests that not only does indigo carmine react in an oscillatory reaction but also its decomposition products, meaning that the multiple oxidation reactions have an important role in the BR’s indigo carmine mechanism. The novelty of this research is the investigation of indigo carmine using a clock BR reaction, opening new possibilities to determine indigo carmine in other complex samples (pharmaceutical, food, etc.).

D-dimer assay is used to stratify patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) for the risk of recurrence. However, this approach was never evaluated since direct oral anticoagulants are available. With this multicenter, prospective cohort study, we aimed to assess the value of an algorithm incorporating serial D-dimer testing and administration of reduced-dose apixaban (2.5 mg twice daily) only to patients with a positive test. A total of 732 outpatients aged 18 to 74 years, anticoagulated for ≥12 months after a first unprovoked VTE, were included. Patients underwent D-dimer testing with commercial assays and preestablished cutoffs. If the baseline D-dimer during anticoagulation was negative, anticoagulation was stopped and testing repeated after 15, 30, and 60 days. Patients with serially negative results (286 [39.1%]) were left without anticoagulation. At the first positive result, the remaining 446 patients (60.9%) were given apixaban for 18 months. All patients underwent follow-up planned for 18 months. The study was interrupted after a planned interim analysis for the high rate of primary outcomes (7.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5-11.2), including symptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) recurrence, death for VTE, and major bleeding occurring in patients off anticoagulation vs that in those receiving apixaban (1.1%; 95% CI, 0.4-2.6; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 8.2; 95% CI, 3.2-25.3). In conclusion, in patients anticoagulated for ≥1 year after a first unprovoked VTE, the decision to further extend anticoagulation should not be based on D-dimer testing. The results confirmed the high efficacy and safety of reduced-dose apixaban against recurrences. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03678506.

This study has analyzed the traffic-related change in atmospheric pollutants levels (PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO2, SO2, and O3) caused by the COVID-19 restrictive measures, based on traffic ground-based stations data in urban areas in Serbia. The possible influence of several meteorological factors (temperature, wind, pressure, and humidity), and mobility on the pollutants’ levels were also considered. The obtained results showed a positive correlation of daily NO2 concentrations with mobility and its significant reduction during restrictive measures at all selected monitoring stations. The reduction of NO2 was higher than in other countries (71.1–111.5% for measured, and 49.3–92.6% for ‘deweathered’ data), indicating a high traffic impact on NO2 levels in Serbia. The PM, CO, and SO2 showed a weak correlation with mobility during the period with restrictive measures, which, besides traffic, indicates the significant influence of other sources of their concentration. The O3 concentrations were increased at all measuring stations and are negatively correlated to mobility. Comparison of pollutant concentrations during restriction with the equivalent period in preceding years showed reductions in NO2 and SO2 concentrations. However, compared to previous years, the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and CO increased in the period with restrictive measures, indicating lower sensitivity to population mobility and higher dependence on other emission sources. The findings suggest the justification for the use of traffic reduction strategies to improve air quality.

In this paper, a method previously developed for reconstructing daily erythemal ultraviolet (UVery) doses in Novi Sad (Serbia) was improved and used for estimating daily UVery over the period 1971–2018. The proposed new method uses reanalysed total ozone column (TOC) data and snow cover as an input and is based on the empirical relationship between relative sunshine duration and relative UVery doses. Introducing reanalysed TOC data and snow cover data significantly improved the quality and accuracy of the reconstructed UVery time series, particularly in the winter season. The reconstructed time series revealed the statistically significant increase in summer and winter UVery in the 1980s and the first half of the 1990s (+8.78% and + 13.14% per decade, respectively), which was linked to the statistically significant decline in TOC (−4.13 and −7.36% per decade, respectively). The study focuses on days with high erythemal UV dose (highUVery), which is defined based on the 90th percentile of the daily UVery for each month. Moreover, the influence of low TOC, low cloud cover conditions, and high surface albedo on highUVery was analysed on a seasonal basis. The results of this study show that highUVery days increased from the 1980s, particularly strongly in the period of TOC depletion. A fraction of highUVery days in the last two decades was large (12.29%), which is higher than in the previous periods (6.97 and 8.68% in the period before and during TOC depletion, respectively). The occurrence of highUVery days was influenced mostly by low cloud cover (89.71% of days), and low TOC (82.23% of days). In the winter season, high surface albedo influenced the appearance of 19.18% of highUVery days. However, overall the interaction of low cloud cover and low TOC in all seasons most often led to the appearance of highUVery days.

A concise one-dimensional thermal-hydraulic two-fluid model is presented for the numerical prediction of sulphur dioxide absorption from the flue gas onto drops of the waterlimestone slurry in the vertical spray tower absorber. The model is based on mass, momentum and energy balance equations for each phase separately, i.e. downward falling droplets of water-limestone slurry and upward flowing flue gas. The sulphur dioxide content in the flue gas is predicted by a balance equation of the sulphur dioxide mass fraction in the flue gas. Interface transfer processes between the flue gas and the droplets are determined by closure laws. The obtained steady-state balance equations are transformed in a form suitable for a direct application of the numerical integration method for the system of ordinary differential equations. The developed thermal-hydraulic model is validated by comparing numerical results with available measured data at the large utility absorber. The presented results clearly show the dynamics of flue gas and droplets thermal-hydraulic processes and their influence on the absorption process. The influence of liquid-to-gas ratio and droplet diameter on sulphur dioxide removal efficiency has been investigated.

The analysis of pressure changes in water and steam flow along the entire once-through steam boiler tube system at the 650 MWe lignite fired Unit was carried out after the long operational period of almost 30 years without a chemical cleaning of the pipe system. A significant increase of the hydraulic resistance was recorded in comparison to the design values in the evaporator tubes, both in the water heating zone and in the evaporation zone with the two-phase mixture flow. The cause of this adverse effect is the formation of a wavy surface of the magnetite layer deposited on the inner wall of tubes. The significantly increased hydraulic roughness on the inner wall of tubes was determined on the basis of measured pressure drops at sections of the tube system and numerical calculation performed with a thermal-hydraulic model of single-phase and two-phase water and steam tube flows. The model is based on the steam-water two-fluid model with mass, momentum and energy balance equations and mechanistic correlations for the steam-water interface transfer processes. The model is suitable for the single and two-phase flow parameters prediction in the span from subcritical to supercritical and near critical pressure conditions. Conducted calculations provide detailed insight in the fluid pressure, velocity and temperature change in the boiler tube system. After the long operational period the pressure drop in evaporating tubes almost doubles in comparison to the design values. The presented results are a support to boiler’s design, operational procedures and maintenance.

Recent years have seen both a revival of space programs, mostly propelled by private industry’s increasing interest, but also the emergence of strong resistance to human space activities on several levels. This is partly a manifestation of a wider counter-Enlightenment Zeitgeist, as detectable in other sectors of public life in the West, and partly a reaction against the widespread engagement of the private sector. While it still does not dominate the discourse on space issues, space skepticism is surprisingly wide-ranging and decentralized phenomenon, gathering together such heterogeneous strands of thought from pro-Enlightenment liberals to rabid “deep ecology” activists to philosophical pessimists to antiglobalists of all colors. There has been precious little in way of actively opposing this cultural trend so far, however. While space engineers and entrepreneurs conduct their “business as usual”, there are plethora of risks hidden in this cultural climate, esp. if one adopts much repeated (and rarely adequately understood) maxim that “politics is downstream of culture”. The present article will review major strands of thought within this “big tent” cultural movement, offer plausible counter-arguments to space skeptics, and outline important cultural and public-outreach work which needs to be done to balance the scales.

The UV monitoring in Novi Sad has been in operation by broadband Yankee UVB-1 biometer at the campus of the University of Novi Sad (45.33° N, 19.85° E, 84 m above sea level) since 2003. Data of UV index are taken every 30 s, averaged over 10 min intervals, and automatically saved in the database. The time series were reconstructed using an improved reconstruction technique that is based on parametric numerical model NEOPLANTA calculations of erythemal radiation and the empirical relationship between the erythemal doses and sunshine duration. In this study, we presented the maximum daily UV index values over the period 2003-2018 and the variability of reconstructed high erythemal UV doses (hUVery) over the period 1971-2018. Additionally, the influence of low total ozone column (TOC), low cloud cover conditions, and high surface albedo on hUVery was analyzed on a seasonal basis. Analyzing the measurements we concluded that maximum daily values are almost the same in the period of sixteen years, in the summer months maximum values are about 9. Based on the 90th percentile of each month we assessed a set of 1691 days with hUVery (10.65 %). The fraction of hUVery days in the last two decades was considerably larger (12.29%) than in the period before (6.97%) and during (8.68%) TOC depletion. We observed a statistically significant increase in the annual number of days with hUVery of +6.26 days/decade (p<0.01). The increase was statistically significant in all seasons, except winter, while it was the most pronounced in summer (+2.44 days/decade, p<0.01). However, the increase was not uniform over the entire observation period. Over the period of TOC depletion (1971-1980), the number of days with hUVery decreased, followed by a steep significant increase over the period of TOC depletion (1981-1996) of +16.75 days per decade (p<0.05). After 1996 hUVery increased slowly (+3.19 days/decade), but the trend was not statistically significant. Considering the influence of each UV

Solving problems with hazardous waste materials is of crucial importance today. In the presented study, the application of waste vitreous enamel as a cement replacement up to 30% in mortar and concrete production was investigated. The chemical and physical-chemical characterization of the starting material was performed, as well as a leaching test and physical-mechanical characterization of mortar and concrete mixes. Obtained results showed that, due to its chemical composition, the vitreous enamel used must be classified as hazardous waste. At the same time, it possesses pozzolanic properties and satisfies minimal criteria for use as a cement replacement. Testing mortars and concrete mixes indicate that waste vitreous enamel can be applied as a construction material for cement replacement in the maximal amount of 20%. The leaching test was performed in accordance with international standard EN 12457-2 on hardened mortar with a maximal cement replacement of 20%. The results showed that there was no significant release of toxic elements, i.e., that the practical application of hazardous waste vitreous enamel in the construction industry may be fully in line with environmental standards.

A further argument for human space settlement is formulated on the basis of the risk of information catastrophe, as recently outlined by Melvin Vopson. Both the increase in the overall material basis of the human civilization and the lowering of operational temperature will act to mitigate this type of risk. Human space settlement and the creation of the Solar System technosphere is certain to advance both these important trends.

Extinction is nowhere and everywhere at the same time, as it becomes a part of our doomcore era. Extinction is real, even if it needs to make itself happen. Some cognitive infrastructures don’t have the capacity to price extinction in their models, while others empty its meaning by making it yet another political concept. Extinction has its own “temporal in-between, the smallest memory buffers and signal delays.” Similarly to the eternal drift between capitalism and its models, it has the capacity for both self-affirmation and self-transformation. Extinction is virtual and not actual, i.e. something that has to remain in the state of an open secret. Its potentiality is a thing of disputation, a paraconsistent fact oscillating between truth and falsity. Extinction is an elusive concept. It has the kind of generality and all-encompassiveness that doesn’t really help us understand (or confront) it. For some, extinction has already happened, as time has ended in the heat death of the universe…, https://www.librarystack.org/models-of-extinction/?ref=unknown

Alterations in the DMD gene, which codes for the protein dystrophin, cause forms of dystrophinopathies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an X-linked disease. Cardiomyopathy linked to DMD mutations is becoming the leading cause of death in patients with dystrophinopathy. Since phenotypic pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood, the improvement and development of new disease models, considering their relative advantages and disadvantages, is essential. The application of genetic engineering approaches on induced pluripotent stem cells, such as gene-editing technology, enables the development of physiologically relevant human cell models for in vitro dystrophinopathy studies. The combination of induced pluripotent stem cells-derived cardiovascular cell types and 3D bioprinting technologies hold great promise for the study of dystrophin-linked cardiomyopathy. This combined approach enables the assessment of responses to physical or chemical stimuli, and the influence of pharmaceutical approaches. The critical objective of in vitro microphysiological systems is to more accurately reproduce the microenvironment observed in vivo. Ground-breaking methodology involving the connection of multiple microphysiological systems comprised of different tissues would represent a move toward precision body-on-chip disease modelling could lead to a critical expansion in what is known about inter-organ responses to disease and novel therapies that have the potential to replace animal models. In this review, we will focus on the generation, development, and application of current cellular, animal, and potential for bio-printed models, in the study of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying dystrophin-linked cardiomyopathy in the direction of personalized medicine.

Forest fires that occurred in Portugal on June 18, 2017, caused several tens of human casualties. The cause of their emergence, as well as many others that occurred in western Europe at the same time remained unknown. Taking into account consequences, including loss of human lives and endangerment of ecosystem sustainability, discovering of the forest fires causes is the very significant question. The heliocentric hypothesis has indirectly been tested, according to which charged particles are a possible cause of forest fires. We must point out that it was not possible to verify whether in this specific case the particles by reaching the ground and burning the plant mass create the initial phase of the formation of the flame. Therefore, we have tried to determine whether during the critical period, i. e. from June 15-19 there is a certain statistical connection between certain parameters of the solar wind and meteorological elements. Based on the hourly values of the charged particles flow, a correlation analysis was performed with hourly values of individual meteorological elements including time lag at Monte Real station. The application of the Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System models has shown that there is a high degree of connection between the flow of protons and the analyzed meteorological elements in Portugal. However, further verification of this hypothesis requires further laboratory testing.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) play a fundamental role in regulating endothelial function and vascular tone in the physiological conditions of a vascular system. However, oxidative stress has detrimental effects on human health, and numerous studies confirmed that high ROS/RNS production contributes to the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases. The antioxidant defense has an essential role in the homeostatic functioning of the vascular endothelial system. Endogenous antioxidative defense includes various molecules and enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase.

Soil erosion is a global environmental and economic problem that is significantly related to land-use changes. Over the last decades, several mountain areas in Serbia were exposed to strong human pressure caused by winter tourism development. The largest ski center in Serbia is situated on Kopaonik Mountain within the boundaries of Kopaonik National Park, where the conflict between economic and conservation goals is rapidly growing. In this study, we calculated the sedimentation and surface runoff in three sub-basins in the area of Kopaonik ski resort for two years (1984 and 2018) using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and analyzed the changes that occurred during the observed period. The results show an increase in surface runoff and sediment yield in sub-basins 1 and 3 and a decrease in sub-basin 2. The analysis of land cover change shows an expansion of evergreen forests, appearance of barren soil and urban areas, reduction of mixed forests and pastures, and the appearance of deciduous forests. These findings indicate that in the area studied, the dominant processes are the development of tourism and natural revegetation of abandoned agricultural land. Application of remote sensing techniques and SWAT contributes to identifying and monitoring land degradation problems and improving conservation and management practices.