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Background: Mandibular condyle fractures in pediatric patients can lead to crippling sequelae such as ankylosis, pain and facial deformity if not managed properly. However, there is no consensus on the best approach for treating these fractures in children. Objective: This study aimed to describe the management of mandibular condyle fractures in growing patients across 14 maxillofacial departments worldwide. Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted on children and adolescents aged 0 to 16 who had at least one mandibular condyle fracture. This study included patients who underwent expectant, closed, or open management and were treated over an 11-year period. Results: 180 patients had at least one mandibular condyle fracture, and 37 had a second condylar fracture. One hundred sixteen patients (65%) were males, and 64 (35%) were females (ratio 1.8:1). An expectant strategy was chosen in 51 (28%) patients, a closed treatment—stand-alone maxillomandibular fixation (MMF)—in 47 (26%), and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was performed in 82 (46%) patients. The management varied significantly between the different departments (p < 0.0001). Significant differences were also identified between the fracture type (non-displaced, displaced or comminuted) and the management of the 180 patients with a single condylar fracture. Out of 50 non-displaced fractures, only 3 (6%) had ORIF, 25 (50%) had expectant management, and 22 (44%) had MMF. Out of 129 displaced fractures, 79 (62%) had ORIF, 25 (19%) had a soft diet, and 25 (19%) had MMF. Conclusions: Expectative management, MMF, and ORIF were all effective in treating pediatric mandibular condyle fractures, with a low incidence of complications and asymmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maxillofacial defects create physical, emotional and mental problems for the patient. The task of surgical-prosthetic rehabilitation is to provide best possible functional and esthetic solution. The aim of this paper was to present a modern approach to auricular defect rehabilitation. A 24-year-old patient with a lack of the right ear lobe due to trauma was admitted for aesthetic rehabilitation. Implant-retained ear prosthesis was indicated. Three implants were placed into mastoid region of the temporal bone, and after the period of osseointegration, an individualized bar was attached to them for the retention of an auricular prosthesis made out of silicone. Prosthetic rehabilitation, in this case, achieved excellent retention and restored the appearance as well as self-confidence of the patient.

Numerous studies conducted worldwide indicate a tendency towards a continuous decline in number of cattle. Appropriate measures should be taken to prevent the reduction of the number of cattle and to increase the concentration of animals per farm. In this regard, the objective of this study was to analyze the total number of cattle after an outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in the Republic of Serbia. Due to the occurrence of this highly dangerous infectious disease in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, emergency and preventive vaccination was performed in infected and vulnerable areas in the Republic of Serbia. To prevent the spread of LSD, competent authorities banned public gatherings of cattle at fairs, exhibitions, livestock markets and purchase places, which resulted in economic losses for certain farmers. This disease is believed to have impacted the total number of cattle slaughtered and the number of deaths, as well as the import and export of live cattle, animal products and by-products of animal origin. The comparison between indices for the number of cattle shows a decline in the total number of cattle in the analyzed period across statistical territorial units. Results on the total number of cattle can be used, among other things, to create new and more complex questions arising from current and future farming problems.

Immersive Virtual Reality course is, in addition to Basics of Virtual Reality, one of the two courses in applied 3D visualisation offered at the Faculty of Digital Production at the Educons University in Sremska Kamenica, Serbia. The purpose of this course is two-fold: to provide students with a profound understanding of the fundamentals of Virtual Reality and to gain practical experience. The students attending this course learnt about the latest technology of Virtual Reality using the virtual reality headset - Oculus Rift. This paper presents the structure of the Immersive Virtual Reality course, which provides the students of technical orientation with a connection to the state of the art visualisation aspect of digital production. The outcome of the course is the final project, done by each individual student, which involves the implementation of a VR system that students are able to use. The results achieved in the course are displayed and analysed in this paper.

Although commensals in digestive tract of a large number of fish species, diplomonads represent very significant opportunistic pathogens. For so far unknown reasons, they can proliferate uncontrollably and thus cause changes in the skin and internal organs in aquarium fish. The problem is confusion over nomenclature of the two most important genera: Spironucleus i Hexamita. Aquarium fish species in which there were diagnosed changes in the skin caused by diplomonads were: Microgeophagus ramirezi, Apistogramma cacatuoides, Apistogramma nijsseni, Symphysodon aequifasciatus, Pterophyllum altum, Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, Pelvicachromis pulcher i Labidochromis caruleus. The fish were treated with 250 mg tablets of metronizadole dissolved in water, or metronizadole in a concentration of 6.6 mg per liter of water. The treatment was successful in only 9 out of 45 treated fish. In the others the symptoms reappeared after certain time. It is necessary to determine the prevalence of the infection in aquarium fish in Serbia, and also examine the success of the treatment with metronizadole applied in food or even other possibilities of the treatment.

The aim of this paper is to present the total number of some ruminants in recent years (from 2007 to 2014) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Macedonia. The analysis of the total number of cattle, goats and sheep was based on the information available on the FAOSTAT statistical database website. To perform statistical analysis, we used the base indices which show the percentage change between the annual and average numbers of ruminants in the analyzed period. The comparison of the average numbers of cattle, goats and sheep in this period revealed that these ruminants were the most numerous in Serbia. The least significant difference test indicated that the differences between Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the total number of goats in 2007-2014 were statistically non-significant (p > 0.001).

Different urban block morphologies can greatly influence the air quality inside the buildings of the block. The model presented in this paper determines the correlation between block morphology and air quality, and outputs the indoor air quality via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. In this study, stagnant air was assumed to have a velocity lower than 0.15 m/s and considered to be low-quality air in the context of human health. The geometry of the urban blocks was simplified based on real-life buildings. Doors and windows were not 3D-modeled, and all the vertical surfaces of the buildings were considered as potential locations for them. Eight of the highest-frequency wind directions out of sixteen main directions per block were used. Wind directions and velocities were determined based on the weather data for one location chosen for testing. The simulation used the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with the k-ε turbulence model. The results were then interpreted through the specific algorithm using 3D graphic software. The surface of the building envelope was divided into smaller meshes. For each mesh, the average velocity was calculated and meshes were marked for values below the stagnant air threshold. The eight results, one from each wind direction, were synthesized into one final result. The model was tested on eight different urban block morphologies based on real-life blocks, i.e., blocks in Novi Sad, Serbia. The pressure on the building surfaces determined via CFD analyses is presented alongside results from the method described in this paper. The results show that urban block morphologies with clustered buildings inside the urban block, which are typical for the most newly built structures in Novi Sad, have areas on the facades where windows cannot provide elemental natural ventilation throughout the year. To interpret the results obtained in this research, graphs and 3D color-coding models were used. The best results show a 1-tower urban block morphology with only 0.7% of all vertical faces of the model registering a wind velocity lower than the set minimum. The worst results were measured for a traditional urban block typical in old city centers. A total of 54.5% of all the vertical surfaces show no problems with air stagnation in close proximity to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the unique functional properties of shape memory alloys (SMAs) and current scientific interest in Cu-containing biomaterials, a continuously cast Cu-Al-Ni alloy in the form of rods has been investigated as a potential candidate for biomedical application. Additionally, the fact that Cu- complexes have an antitumour effect served as a cornerstone to develop more efficient drugs based on trace element complexes. In line with that, our study aimed to analyse the basic properties of the Cu-Al-Ni alloy, along with its anticancer properties. The detailed chemical analysis of the Cu-Al-Ni alloy was performed using XRF and SEM/EDX analyses. Furthermore, a microstructural and structure investigation was carried out, combined with hardness measurements using the static Vickers method. Observations have shown that the Cu-Al-Ni microstructure is homogeneous, with the presence of typical martensitic laths. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of two phases, β′ (monoclinic) and γ′ (orthorhombic). The viability of osteosarcoma cells in contact with the Cu-Al-Ni alloy was evaluated using epifluorescence microscopy, while their morphology and attachment pattern were observed and analysed using a high-resolution SEM microscope. Biocompatibility testing showed that the Cu-Al-Ni alloy exerted a considerable antineoplastic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Creativity Game / Igra Ustvarjalnosti is the property of University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Architecture 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.)

Cu-Al-Nishape memory alloys (SMAs) are widely known for their better properties in comparison to other SMAs (lower production costs, increased ductility, enhanced machinability, reduced liquidus temperature, and decreased hysteresis), but there is still controversy in terms of the biological properties of these materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate biofunctional performances of Cu-Al-Ni alloy produced by continuous casting. The micro-chemical analysis was investigated by SEM/EDX. Immersion tests performed for seven days were used to estimate the quantity of Cu, Al, and Ni ions released in neutral pH and slightly acidic artificial saliva. To assess the biocompatibility of the Cu-Al-Ni alloy samples, MTT assay on fibroblasts and dental pulp cells was performed in indirect and direct contact with samples after 1,3, and 7 days.The study revealed that continuous casting enables the primary fabrication of Cu-Al-Ni rods with a shape memory effect. Samples immersed in artificial saliva with 6.5 pH value showed no significant amounts of released ions, despite the high concentration of copper in the alloy. However, in the acidic environment, the suppression of Cu was 0.14 µg/cm2, Al 1.9 µg/cm2, and Ni 0.73 µg/cm2, and as expected, it was confirmed that Cu-Al-Ni alloy is not corrosion resistant in an acidic environment. In conclusion, this study showed that biocompatibility concerns are related only to materials with a high Cu content in acidic environments. Oppositely, small doses of Cu ions promote cell proliferation, which might be useful in further attempts to enrich different biomedical materials with copper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automatic generation of building boundaries in contemporary research and engineering projects and practices is dominantly characterized by interior functional constraints. As a basis for the automated generation of various building boundaries, the solution presented in this paper is a novel approach that ignores the internal (functional) and focuses only on the external (non-functional) impacts. The primary orientation on external impacts may be, at any instance, extended by suitable complementary traditional methodology. The applied research methodology and presented method rely on a developed extendible rule-based system that simplifies floor plan creation by the recursive application of a formulated spatial grid generation algorithm. Based on starting parameter values (mainly the lot and building area spaces) the algorithm tends to create a set of grids that satisfy initial constraints by marking the individual grid cells as a part of the building or empty. The presented conceptual framework model served as a foundation for creating a prototype software application that supports the experimental generation of grid arrays that are transformed into readable images of residential building boundaries. For the initial validation of the developed methodology, method, and algorithm, the concrete parametric resolution is set to 1 m. The comparative analysis has shown that the presented approach overcomes some of the limitations of previous related research that generate building boundaries in simple rectangular form or with limited variability. The proposed method, in its current stage, outperforms discussed existing methods concerning complex shape boundary building plan generation. Besides that, there is a broad space for further enhancement directions concerning the interoperability with other, independently developed, frameworks, and software tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organisms face numerous environmental stressors, which can affect developmental precision, including symmetry of various physical characteristics. Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) has therefore been suggested as a simple and efficient tool for assessing sub-lethal stress levels. We analyzed FA in two sympatric lizard species (Iberolacerta horvathi and Podarcis muralis) to determine potential effects of interspecific competition and urbanization, as proxies of stress, taking into account sexual dimorphism and environmental conditions. We sampled 16 syntopic and allotopic populations and used geometric morphometrics of head morphology. We detected significant but mixed effects on the head asymmetry from the environment and the syntopic occurrence that differed between species. P. muralis lizards had more asymmetric heads at higher altitudes, while I. horvathi lizards did at mid altitudes, which may be explained by P. muralis experiencing environmental stress of colder conditions at higher altitudes. The mid-altitude effect on asymmetries in I. horvathi might be explained by a lower availability of stony walls and higher abundance of P. muralis , thus higher competition. The asymmetry of supraciliary granules was affected by the presence of other species. However, lizards from allotopic populations attained larger asymmetries compared to lizards from syntopic populations, which was the opposite from what was expected. There was no effect of urbanization in P. muralis , which could be due to relatively low pollution and habitat degradation in study locations. Overall, we highlighted the possibility of using lizards and FA for bioindication of environmental stressors and especially improved the knowledge gap in the research of biotic stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canalization and developmental stability (DS) are important organismal properties involved in determining the level of phenotypic variation. Ontogenetic patterns of phenotypic variance components can shed light on the mechanistic basis of developmental buffering (DB). Here, we analyze how individual FA and among-individual variation in head shape change in ontogenetic series of three lizard species raised in laboratory. The degree of asymmetry increased slightly with size, suggesting that developmental mechanisms hypothesized to correct for deviations either do not exist, or that their efficiency is truncated with increasing size. Alternatively, they may need the disturbance as a trigger. The relationship between asymmetry and age was complex, with asymmetry being stable across the age range in two species but increased with age in the third. Lack of congruence in ontogenetic patterns of asymmetry might be due to intrinsic differences in buffering mechanisms or a result of species-specific growth patterns. Head shape was shown to be equally canalized across both size and age range in all species, probably as a result of a balance between the buffering mechanisms and mechanisms generating variance. The patterns of symmetric and asymmetric head shape variation were highly correlated across species meaning that DS and canalization may rely on similar mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals living in urban areas experience additional stress compared to those inhabiting more natural habitats. This could influence their physical state and ability to cope with parasites. Here, effects of environmental disturbances on body condition and prevalence and load of blood parasites in the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) were investigated by comparing these indices between five urban and five rural populations. The physical condition index was lower in urban areas, and females were the most affected sex. This suggests significant fitness costs, as survival and reproductive output are often tightly linked to body condition. Prevalence of blood parasites was more variable in urban (2.5-100%) compared to rural (50.0-75.6%) populations, with no statistically significant differences between the two habitats. Prevalence of blood parasites increased with body size. Parasite load was significantly higher in urban lizards, suggesting strong effects of urbanisation on host-parasite interaction. An increased concentration of blood parasites should affect fitness since various aspects of physiology are compromised in parasitised animals. Larger animals were more frequently and more severely infected, most likely due to their being longer and more frequently exposed to parasites. No differences between sexes in both prevalence and intensity were found, suggesting equal susceptibility or exposure to parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the state of the environment in Kopaonik, a mountain in Serbia, the activity concentrations of 4 K, 226 Ra, 232 Th and 137 Cs in five different types of environmental samples are determined by gamma ray spectrometry, and radiological hazard due to terrestrial radionuclides is calculated. The mean activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in the soil are higher than the global average. However, with an exception of two sampling locations, the external radiation hazard index is below one, implying an insignificant radiation hazard. Apart from 40 K, content of the natural radionuclides is predominantly below minimum detectable activities in grass and cow milk, but not in mosses. Although 137 Cs is present in the soil, grass, mosses and herbal plants, its specific activity in cow milk is below minimum detectable activity. Amongst the investigated herbal plants, Vaccinium myrtillus L. shows accumulating properties, as a high content of 137 Cs is detected therein. Therefore, moderation is advised in consuming Vaccinium myrtillus L. tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in human activities that leads to wildlife decline and species extinction poses an urgent need for simple indicators of environmental stress in animal populations. Several studies have suggested that fluctuating asymmetry (FA) can be an easy, direct measure of developmental instability because it is associated to environmental stress and, as such, it can be a useful indicator of population disturbance. We examined three different morphological traits in urban and rural populations of the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) to test whether anthropogenic disturbance causes an increase in FA. Compared to rural populations, urban ones showed higher levels of FA in all analyzed traits, thus providing evidence that FA can respond to anthropogenic disturbance. However, we also found significant differences in FA among traits, where femoral pores and subdigital lamellae, traits with a functional relevance, were more stable developmentally compared to supracilliar granules which have no evident function. Unsigned FA [abs(right-left)] exhibited significant, but weak, positive correlations among traits, indicating that developmental noise does not have a uniform effect across characters and thus questioning the view of developmental stability as an organism-wide property. The degree of signed FA (right-left) was more similar between structurally associated traits, possibly as an outcome of morphological integration. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that FA can be a reliable indicator of disturbance provided that it is analyzed on multiple traits simultaneously and examined at the population level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin lesions frequently present in adult lizards may be due to a variety of causes, both physical and infectious, including excessively high humidity and environmental temperature, malnutrition, concurrent disease etc. On the other hand, skin lesions in lizards could be simple evidence of various behavioural patterns and biotic interactions. However, studies on frequencies of dermal lesions and their anatomical and environmental correlates in lacertid lizards are rare. Here, we use Podarcis muralis to analyse the relations between occurrence of ectodermal lesions and three possible indicators of environmental stress (body condition index - BCI, infestation by ticks and tail condition) by evaluating differences among local populations at uni- and multivariate level. Our results showed that BCI, together with body size and sexual size dimorphism, varied between populations but had no direct influence on the presence of lesions. Males had higher frequencies of lesions and ticks but lower frequencies of broken tails than females. All three parameters varied between sites likely due to differences in predation/parasite exposures and agonistic interactions with conspecifics between sexes and populations. Results of multivariate analyses suggested that the occurrence of lesions is decoupled from the other morphological stress indicators. Detected associations indicated that relations between presence of lesions and other analysed variables are rather complex. Directions for further research on ectodermal lesions in lacertid lizards are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of InfoM is the property of Belgrade University, Faculty of Organizational Science 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.)