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Green Douglas-fir was introduced in the Călimănești Forest District at the beginning of the 20th century. Currently, there are 78 stands with green Douglas-fir covering 1451.1 ha, of which the species itself is found on 389.15 ha. Only seven of these stands are pure (share of green Douglas-fir at least 80 per cent), whereas the majority of them (71) are mixed with both softwoods (e.g., Norway spruce, silver fir, Scots pine and European larch) and broadleaves (predominantly European beech, sessile oak, hornbeam, and sycamore maple, but also wild cherry, small-leaved linden, and common ash). The species was used especially in the European beech vegetation layer, at altitudes ranging from 250 m to 1100 m. Consequently, the soils under these stands are extremely variable, from brown to brown podzolic or even podzols. Green Douglas-fir has shown remarkable high resistance to disease and pathogens, as well as no damaging effects of snow or wind. Throughout the area, diameters and heights of the species are higher than those of cohabitants, either softwoods or broadleaves. In the oldest stand (115 years old) green Douglas-fir has reached 83.2 cm in diameter and 40.5 m in height, with a wood production of 1167.1 m³ ·ha-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Histopathological findings of various inclusions were reported in the central nervous system of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients but not in the peripheral nerves. Case report. We present a 66-year-old man with lower limb weakness, with later development of weakness in the upper limbs and loss of sphincter control. Neurological examination showed the affection of both upper and lower motor neurons. He had paresthesia on the left side of his body and socks-distribution numbness. Histopathology of the sural nerve and genetic report showed basophilic periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive intra-axonal inclusions and heterozygous L144F mutation in the exon 5 of the SOD1 gene. Conclusion. It seems that the presence of the basophilic peripheral nerve inclusions may suggest a diagnosis of SOD1-positive ALS.

Background/Aim. Risk factors for malnutrition of patients during hospitalization have not been precisely deter-mined. The aim of the study was to determine these factors in hospitalized gastroenterological patients. Methods. Nutritional status (NS) of 650 gastroenterological patients was assessed at the hospital admission and at discharge by the six parameters: unintentional weight loss, lymphocyte count, serum albumin concentration, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, and mid-upper arm muscle circumference. The influence on NS at discharge was tested for ten factors: gender, age, affected organ, the nature, severity, and complications of the disease, the length of hospitalization, mobility worsening during hospitalization, Karnofsky score, and NS on admission. Primary and secondary risk factors were defined among the factors significantly influencing malnutrition. Results. Seven factors were found to be the independent predictors for malnutrition in hospitalized gastroenterological patients. NS at admission was considered as a primary risk factor (Forward: Wald multivariate logistic regression analysis, p < 0.001 for five applied assessment parameters). The other six factors, obtained in the evaluation according to 1-3 assessment parameters, were considered as secondary risk factors: severe disease activity, malignancy, the existence of complications, male gender, hospitalization > 14 days, and mobility worsening during the hospitalization (Forward: Wald multivariate logistic regression analysis, p from 0.001 to 0.027). Conclusion. There are seven risk factors for malnutrition among gastroenterological patients during hospitalization. Timely nutritional support in these patients can prevent the development of intrahospital malnutrition and its negative influence on the clinical outcome.

Background/Aim. Chronic low back pain syndrome (CLBPS) is the most common cause of functional disability and loss of working ability in developed countries. Some research shows that neuropathic pain (NP) is present in almost 50% of patients with CLPBS. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of NP and its impact on quality of life (QoL) in patients with CLBPS. Methods. Patients were tested using three questionnaires for NP: Pain Detect Questionnaire, Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs, and Douleur Neuropathique 4 questions. Thirty-two patients diagnosed with NP based on current clinical criteria and with positive results for NP on all three NP questionnaires formed an experimental group. A control group consisted of 32 patients with CLBPS who did not fulfill clinical criteria for NP and were negative for NP on all three questionnaires. Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scales (Ham-D and Ham-A, respectively) and Short Form (SF)-36 questionnaire were also applied. Results. According to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), disc herniation was typically detected in the experimental group, while degenerative changes were commonly found in the control group. Patients from the experimental group had significantly greater intensity of pain, pain radiation in the legs, and the pain was usually presented as episodes of sudden attacks with mild pain between them. The most distinctive features of NP were allodynia, electric shock sensation, and hypoesthesia to prick. Patients from the experimental group also had significantly higher depression and anxiety scores, as well as worse QoL compared to the control group, especially in mental domains. Predictors of worse QoL in the patients with CLBPS were a higher level of anxiety and depression. Conclusion. The presence of allodynia, electric shock-like sensations, and hypoesthesia to prick in patients with CLBPS suggest NP. CLBPS patients with NP had worse scores in mental domains of QoL compared to CLPBS patients without NP.

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The paper analyzes the appearance of the ordinary and the everyday in the essays of Borislav Radović, which is most often manifested through the character of a small man. In the trivial and mundane, the writer finds the sublime and the important, which often receives a mythological framework. The work also deals with the writer's position of artist-walker, flanner, which introduces a predominantly modernist line in Radović's essays. The analysis method and the close reading method seek to give an overview of the rich gallery of little people in the essay book Some Things. The aim of the paper is to give an insight into the ways in which Borislav Radović records little and usually in everyday life, which after the artistic processing receives the outlines of the unusual and mysterious. Through various procedures (enumeration, ironicity, mythologization) and in different forms, the writer provides an opportunity for the reader to reconsider the reasons why a small man often remains out of focus of art. The results of the paper show that Radović's essays offer a different image of the little man, not naturalistic or veristic but not idealistic, which represents an innovative approach to a marginalized topic in recent Serbian essay writing.

Background/Aim. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in general population is constantly increasing. On the other hand, the number of diabetic patients with neuropathic pain is large. The aim of the study was to examine influence of neuropathic pain on quality of life (QoL) in patients with diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) who did not have any other diabetic complication or any other significant comorbidity. Methods. A total of 32 patients with DSPN and definitive neuropathic pain were compared with 32 patients with DSPN without neuropathic pain. The respondents were matched according to age, gender, and duration of illness. The following scales were used: the Pain Detect Questionnaire, Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs, Douleur Neuropathique EN 4 Questions, Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scales, Neuropathy Impairment Score of the Lower Limb (NIS-LL), and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). Results. Patients with neuropathic pain had significantly more severe DSPN measured with NIS-LL (p < 0.01). They were more likely to be engaged in physical work (p < 0.05), and had more symptoms of depression (p < 0.05) than patients without neuropathic pain. Patients with neuropathic pain had significantly lower QoL in both physical and mental domains (p < 0.01). Independent predictors of worse QoL in DSPN were presence of depression (beta=-0.58, p < 0.01) and presence of neuropathic pain (beta = -0.23, p < 0.05) - R2adjusted = 0.48. Conclusion. Independent predictors of QoL in patients with DSPN were presence of depression and neuropathic pain, which signifies importance of their early recognition and early treatment.

Contractual capacity is the starting point for exercising most human rights. It entails the capacity to sign contracts and enter into the legal transactions, and it is a gateway to exercising a range of labour, voting, family, property, succession (etc.) rights envisaged by the law. The full deprivation of contractual capacity leads to the deprivation of most other capacities. Thus, a person is de iure and de facto excluded from societal life. The mechanism for deprivation of contractual capacity exists in both domestic and foreign jurisprudence, as a way of protecting individual rights. The deprivation of contractual capacity in adults is applicable when the competent authority determines one's mental or intellectual impairment. In the past, the prevailing approach to establishing such disability was the medical approach, which is largely the same today, while the social model is seldom applied. The issue of protection of the right to contractual capacity has seldom been comprehensively analyzed, either from the standpoint of social care services or from the standpoint of jurisprudence. Yet, they are both equally relevant in the process of assessing contractual capacity. This paper presents the results of research conducted in social care centers and courts in the territory of the City of Belgrade (Serbia). The research was aimed at establishing whether the status and position of social care service users has improved after introducing the legal mechanism authorizing the courts to assess (within a specific time limit) if there are reasons for continuing the imposed measure of deprivation of contractual capacity, as well as to analyze the major reasons for initiating the legal action for reassessment of contractual capacity.

Objective: We analyzed temporal and stride characteristics in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) while performing dual mental and motor tasks, and investigated correlations between gait parameters and cognitive impairments.Method: Dual-task walking was performed by 37 patients (20 DM1 and 17 DM2) and 48 healthy subjects divided into two groups, age- and gender-matched control group for DM1 (HC1) and age- and gender-matched control group for DM2 (HC2). The subjects performed a basic walking task, dual-motor task, dual-mental task, and combined motor and mental task.Results: DM1 and DM2 patients differed significantly in temporal and stride characteristics compared to HC. Main differences in DM1 were slower gait and shorter stride length, while both DM1 and DM2 patients had a higher degree of variation of the swing time during dual-task gait, a parameter that reflects posture and balance. Impact of the cognitive dual task on gait pattern changes was also observed. Visuospatial ability correlated with gait changes in DM1, while executive functions had stronger influence in DM2 (p<0.01). Both patient groups had leg muscle weakness.Conclusion: Gait pattern was impaired in both patient groups concerning temporal and stride characteristics. Dual-task walking paradigm may discover mild initial gait changes and could provide early identification of fall risks and predict possible falls in DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of the analysis is the character of Sarah in the novel of the same name by Petar Sarić, focusing on her strangeness and fatal beauty, inseparable from her beautiful soul. The character of a foreign woman in the patriarchal community of Banjane invokes other fatal foreigners in Serbian literature, and throughout the research seeks to place Sarić's heroine in the wider context of female characters of Serbian prose. The elements of the erotic in her character are in contact with the sacred, and in examining her influence on others as particularly significant, the experience of the numinous emerges. The aim of the paper is to examine how Sarah's character goes beyond the usual features of female characters in patriarchal settings, and at what moments she remains within the given limits. Based on this, research tries to give Sarah's specific characteristics which make her one of the most complex characters in Sarić's prose.

Confirming the basic causes of failures and their elimination, control of certain phenomena, is defining proactive maintenance, as a new method that reduces maintenance costs and prolongs the life of assets. Determination of tribomehanical systems condition has very important role in development of friction theory and practice, wear and lubrication. There are used today different physical and chemical methods and tribology methods for tribomehanical system diagnosis. Experience in technical systems exploitation shoved that the most effective failure prognosis is according to parameters, particles created as result of wear, which are reliable indicators of wear. Analysis of oil samples which contain particles, created as results of wear, enable evaluation of system tribology condition in different phases of system exploitation. The paper presents the physical chemical tests in the analysis of oils that are used for the assessment of his condition. Furthermore the results of experimental research of physical chemical characteristics engines oil was sampled from engines of vehicles, which were in use. The research results are originating from the research of the paper authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objective. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating motor neuron disease. The majority of cases are apparently sporadic ALS (SALS) with variants in susceptibility genes or sometimes in high-risk ALS genes. Two ALS susceptibility genes are SMN1, whose functional loss causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and a nearly identical SMN2 gene, which modulates SMA severity. In this study we examined the association of copy number variations (CNVs) of SMN1 and SMN2 genes and two additional genes, SERF1 and NAIP, residing in the same genomic region (i.e. 5q13.2 segmental duplication), with SALS in patients from Serbia. Methods. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was used to determine CNVs of each gene in a clinically well-characterised group of 153 Serbian SALS patients and 153 controls. Results. Individual association between SMN1, SMN2, SERF1 or NAIP CNVs and SALS susceptibility or survival was not found. Survival curves based on the multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that three SMN1 copies, lower ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised (ALSFRS-R) score at the time of diagnosis, faster decline of the ALSFRS-R score over time, and shorter diagnostic delay result in shorter survival of Serbian SALS patients. Conclusion. Clinical variables might be complemented with the SMN1 copy number to improve prediction of survival in Serbian SALS patients. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 173016]

The most common chemical’s spills in typical transportation accidents are those with petroleum products such as diesel fuel, the consequence of which is an extensive pollution of the soil. In order to plan properly fuel recovery from the soil, it is important to gain information about the soil depth which may be affected by pollutant and to predict the pollutant concentration in different soil layers. This study deals with the impact of basic atmospheric conditions, i.e. air temperature and humidity on the diesel fuel migration through the soil. The diesel fuel was spilled into columns (L = 30 cm; D = 4.6 cm) filled with sandy and clay soil samples, and its concentrations at various depths were measured after 11 days under various air temperature (20 and 40°C) and relative humidity (30–100%) conditions. The effects observed were explained by understanding physical processes, such as fuel evaporation, diffusion and adsorption on soil grains. The increase in temperature results in higher fuel evaporation loss and its faster vertical migration. The relative humidity effect is less pronounced but more complex, and it depends much on the soil type.

Background/Aim. In the current literature, data on impact of intrahospital changes in patients’ nutritional status on the treatment outcome are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between nutritional status deterioration and the treatment outcome among hospitalized gastroenterological patients. Methods. In 650 adult gastroenterological patients nutritional status on admission and at discharge was evaluated using the 6 nutritional status assessment parameters: body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-upper arm muscle circumference, serum albumin concentration, lymphocyte count and unintentional weight loss. The influence on treatment outcome was tested for the nutritional status on admission, nutritional status at discharge and intrahospital nutritional status deterioration. Results. The incidence of favorable outcome in the non-undernourished and undernourished patients on admission was in the range 93.4-97.3% and 81.2- 91.2%, respectively. The incidence of favorable outcome in the non-undernourished and undernourished patients at discharge was in the range 94-97.4% and 80.8-88.1%, respectively. Favorable outcomes were obtained in 95.6-98.9% of the patients without nutritional status deterioration and in 87.1-90.3% of the patients with nutritional status deterioration. Intrahospital nutritional status deterioration significantly influenced the outcome, no matter what assessment parameter had been used (p < 0.001 for all the applied parameters). Furthermore, only the deterioration of nutritional status was found to be an independent predictor of treatment outcome (multivariate analysis Forwald Wald, p £ 0.001; relative risk (RR) = 0.104-0.350; confidence intervals (CI) = 0.037-0.186/0.297-0.657). Conclusion. Deterioration of nutritional status is an independent predictor of adverse outcome.

Upon the vehicle conversion, the converter should ensure before putting the vehicle into service, that the modifications, carried out on the baseline vehicle, do not inhibit the ability of the converted vehicle to properly and surely perform its function. Any change to the vehicle weight distribution and center of gravity, which does not meet the manufacturer guidelines, may lead to excessive body roll and possible rollover. The aim of this work is to estimate degradation of the vehicle dynamic characteristics by recording on-road vehicle parameters on both baseline and converted vehicle. The experiments were carried out for the vehicles performing a double lane change maneuver at different speeds. The obtained results show excessive roll angle, lateral acceleration and suspension deformation, which suggests a higher tendency of the vehicle to instability and loss of control.

The process of transition is a complex phenomenon that involves changes in the spheres of economy, politics, social relations and culture. This paper examines certain aspects of the transition process, focusing on the emergence and development of the concept of human resource management (HRM). The shift in socio-economic paradigm in post-socialist countries led to drastic changes with regard to corporate business models and the position of workers. The adoption of modern business models has become an imperative for all companies intending to stay competitive and operate successfully on the open market, with special attention being paid to HRM. By analyzing the examples of China and Serbia, we reached some conclusions regarding different paths the development of HRM may take, both as a business activity and as an academic discipline.

Background/Aim. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by degeneration of alpha motor neurons in the spinal cord and the medulla oblongata, causing progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. The aim of this study was to determine association between the SMN2 gene copy number and disease phenotype in Serbian patients with SMA with homozygous deletion of exon 7 of the SMN1 gene. Methods. The patients were identified using regional Serbian hospital databases. Investigated clinical characteristics of the disease were: patients’ gender, age at disease onset, achieved and current developmental milestones, disease duration, current age, and the presence of the spinal deformities and joint contractures. The number of SMN1 and SMN2 gene copies was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results. Among 43 identified patients, 37 (86.0%) showed homozygous deletion of SMN1 exon 7. One (2.7%) of 37 patients had SMA type I with 3 SMN2 copies, 11 (29.7%) patients had SMA type II with 3.1 ± 0.7 copies, 17 (45.9%) patients had SMA type III with 3.7 ± 0.9 copies, while 8 (21.6%) patients had SMA type IV with 4.2 ± 0.9 copies. There was a progressive increase in the SMN2 gene copy number from type II towards type IV (p < 0.05). A higher SMN2 gene copy number was associated with better current motor performance (p < 0.05). Conclusion. In the Serbian patients with SMA, a higher SMN2 gene copy number correlated with less severe disease phenotype. A possible effect of other phenotype modifiers should not be neglected.

A new ultra‐selective lowpass finite impulse response (FIR) filter function is proposed. First, a new difference equation with all coefficients equals one, and the general structure of the corresponding linear‐phase lowpass digital filter is given. Then, the high economical realisation with only four adders and without multipliers, for any filter order is presented. The concrete example of the proposed filter, compared to the already existing filters, demonstrates a higher selectivity, lower passband and circuit of lower complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has already increased fire risk in Mediterranean forests. Adaptation options related to forest fires and climate change include measures related to fuel management, fire fighting and infrastructure, as well as public awareness. The importance of each of these measures was evaluated in six Mediterranean countries in a study initiated within the COST Action FP0703 “Expected Climate Change and Options for European Silviculture”. A questionnaire survey was used to document the views of foresters and forest scientists. Country differences were observed and adaptation measures related to fire fighting efficiency and public awareness were valued as more important than fuel management. Results were discussed in the light of a critical review of adaptive fire management measures with special reference to European Mediterranean countries.

In this paper, a DH model of industrial robot, with anthropomorphic configuration and five degrees of freedom - Mitsubishi RV2AJ, is developed. The model is verified on the example robot Mitsubishi RV2AJ. In paper detailed represented the complete mathematical model of the robot and the parameters of the programming. On the basis of this model, simulation of robot motion from point to point is performed, as well as the continuous movement of the pre-defined path. Also, programming of industrial robots identical to simulation programs is made, and comparative analysis of real and simulated experiment is shown. In the final section, a detailed analysis of robot motion is described.

The aim of this paper is to present a method for neural network input parameters selection and preprocessing. The purpose of this network is to forecast foreign exchange rates using artificial intelligence. Two data sets are formed for two different economic systems. Each system is represented by six categories with 70 economic parameters which are used in the analysis. Reduction of these parameters within each category was performed by using the principal component analysis method. Component interdependencies are established and relations between them are formed. Newly formed relations were used to create input vectors of a neural network. The multilayer feed forward neural network is formed and trained using batch training. Finally, simulation results are presented and it is concluded that input data preparation method is an effective way for preprocessing neural network data. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br.TR 35005, br. III 43007 i br. III 44006]

Background/Aim. Diabetic polyneuropathy is defined as the presence of clinical or subclinical symptoms and/or signs of peripheral nerve damage in patients with diabetes mellitus in the absence of the other causes of peripheral neuropathy. The aim of this study was to assess healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy and its correlation with clinical and neurophysiological findings. Methods. This study comprised 60 patients with distal, symmetric, sensorimotor diabetic polyneuropathy and type 2 diabetes mellitus. For evaluation of clinical findings the following scales were used: Medical Research Council strenth score (MRC sum score), Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability scale (arm disability and leg disability scales), INCAT sensory sum score, Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scales. Nerve conduction study (NCS) was performed on the motor part of the median and peroneal nerves, the sensory part of the median nerve and sural nerve. All the patients completed the Serbian version of the SF-36 questionnaire as a measure of HRQoL. Results. Our results showed mild to moderate QoL impairment in the patients with diabetic polyneuropathy with no difference in physical and mental composite scores (p > 0.05). The age of the patients, mean MRC sum score, arm disability scale score, leg disability scale score and mean INCAT sensory sum score correlated with scores in the SF-36 questionnaire (p < 0.01). The patients with higher scores of anxiety and depression had significantly worse health perception for all QoL domains, for both composite scores and for the total SF-36 score (p < 0.01). Both motor and sensory NCS parameters of the median nerve showed significant correlations with QoL scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Our results showed mild to moderate QoL impairment in the patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. HRQoL significantly correlated with the age of the patients, muscle strength, disability, sensory complaints, depressiveness and anxiety of the patients. Electrophysiological examination of median nerve significantly correlated with QoL in the patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175087 and 175083]

The objects of “Neolithic plastic art” from Belica, made from baked clay, stone and bone, have been arriving at the Regional Museum in Jagodina since 1991. These are accidental finds which never caught the attention of experts, even though one of them, a figurine from black rock which arrived at the museum in 1992, has been a part of a permanent exhibition. Almost two decades after its arrival at the museum, the archaeologist Dr Milorad Stojić would place it among the most substantial finds of Neolithic figural plastic, identifying it as the Proto-Starčevo culture, dated to 6000 years BC and named it the “Great Mother”, linking her to the Neolithic cult of fertility (Stojić 2011, 344) Asignificantly greater number of objects from Belica since 2001, first as accidental finds by Života Milanović, an associate of the Regional Museum in Jagodina, arrived to Dr Milorad Stojić who undertook a one-day protective intervention at the site of Pojate-Pojilo in Belica village, the exact area from which previously collected finds originated. Ashort excavation, which was “less than two full hours of work” (according to the Report of the excavation), was carried out in January 2002. On that occasion a pit, which was only 10 cm deep and located on the surface of the village dirt road, was investigated (fig. 1). The excavation, together with the appropriate technical documentation, has not yet been published. The discovered pit was located in the middle of the dirt road which was used by agricultural machinery and which had, on several occasions prior to the exploration in 2002, been repaired by heavy construction machinery. In the years following 2003, two more groups of finds of art objects from the Early Neolithic were discovered in Belica and Lozovik (Stojić 2008, 73). In the Livade site in Belica, which is 500 m from the site of Pojate-Pojilo, four objects made of stone were found. In Lozovik, in the Repuška site, three figurines made of deer bone were discovered. In both sites the finds of the aforementioned objects were followed, according to the author, by finds of Proto- Starčevo ceramics. More detailed descriptions of the locations, conditions of discovery and subsequent finds do not exist. In August 2003, within the usual activities of the project Permanent Archaeological Workshop - Central Pomoravlje in Neolithisation of South East Europe, under the supervision of S. Perić, in the Pojate-Pojilo site in Belica, some sondage excavation was performed. One of the reasons this precise location was chosen for exploration was that stone plastic finds are attributed to it, for which there are no suitable analogies within the Middle or Late Neolithic Starčevo culture. Two sondages of 5 x 5 m (fig. 2) were explored. The results of the exploration were modest, which was in accordance with expectations based on several visits made to all three Neolithic sites in Belica village. One smaller Late Neolithic settlement from the Proto-Starčevo period existed on this location. In conclusion, it should be mentioned that none of the finds from this exploration could be connected to the accidental finds of stone plastic from the village road even though, during the time of the exploration, daily surface prospecting of this and the two neighbouring Neolithic sites was carried out. A detailed inspection of the profile, which is cut by the village road where it is believed that there was a Neolithic pit of about 1m in depth, was also performed. The village road, as we originally found it, worn out and uneven, with around twenty centimetre deep tracks made by tractor wheels and with no clods of turf on it, didn’t leave the impression that an only 10 cm deep bottom of a pit could be preserved (fig. 3). The objects discovered in the pit explored in 2002 include: 60 stone, 9 ceramic and 11 bone and deer horn objects. Within this number are also included the objects found in 2001 in the immediate vicinity of the pit (Stojić 2011, 341-342). The most numerous are anthropomorphic figurines, and besides them there are several examples of sacrificial altars, conical objects (pintadera), axe figurines and one rectangular plate. Ceramic figurines from Belica, which in their form resemble the Palaeolithic Venus figurines, were made from insufficiently refined soil, which is a practice completely opposite to the one noticed on the figurines from the other Neolithic sites of the Central Balkans. The soil from which they were made resembles that used for making rough ceramics or for building houses (daub). Therefore, our doubt that we are dealing here with figurines which resulted from the mechanical treatment of already baked soil, and not with objects which got their final form in raw clay prior to baking, is not surprising. The same is true with bone objects in which subsequent work is visible on a piece of bone which remained in the ground for a number of centuries. By courtesy of Dr Milorad Stojić, an archaeologist to whom Života Milanović, the sole discoverer of these objects, was bringing finds from Belica, and who was digging the pit with the group of art objects finds, the authors of this paper had an opportunity to thoroughly microscopically examine several stone and bone objects from Belica (the Pojate-Pojilo and Livade sites) and from Lozovik (the Repuška site). Specifically, we are talking about five stone and four bone objects (fig. 4). The examination of traces of the treatment on the surface of these objects clearly showed that we are dealing with objects which had been mechanically treated by grinding tools spinning at a large number of rotations per minute. The results of this kind of treatment are fine, narrow, uninterrupted parallel grooves (fig. 5-10). After manual treatment with a grindstone of natural sandstone or by using only sand, only short grooves, which are significantly wider and not perfectly parallel, remain (fig. 11). With bone objects the situation is slightly different. Bones from the archaeological stratum were used, on which a subsequent treatment was performed which removed the darker coloured patina. Microscopic evidence of the working of the bone also shows the use of a grinding tool spinning at a large number of rotations (fig. 9-10). The case of the “Serpentine figurine” is particularly interesting. On a simply crafted awl, which can be dated to the Neolithic period and beyond, a spirally carved embellishment was added (fig. 13). The difference in colour between the spiral detail and the rest of the awl indicates a large time interval between the making of the awl and the addition of the decoration. A fortunate circumstance in the story about the “Neolithic art objects” from Belica is that they have not been accepted in Serbian archaeology. If we exclude the works of M. Stojić, the finds from Belica, glorified for their beauty, symbolism and originality, have not yet found their place in archaeological literature. There are no texts which even mention them as analogies for some other cult or art creations from the Neolithic. For this reason, this critical approach also happened at the right moment. If Serbian archaeology had not made any comments about the finds from Belica, for which there is some doubt as to whether they actually are of Neolithic origin, perhaps the damage caused by it would have been deeper and more noticeable. The question as to whether we could then talk about the Serbian “Neolithic deception from Belica” is one whose answer the authors of this paper did not want to wait for with their arms folded. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 177020: Arheologija Srbije: kulturni identitet, integracioni faktori, tehnološki procesi i uloga centralnog Balkana u razvoju evropske praistorije]

This paper presents the results of the analysis of the documentation from the excavations at the site of Lepenski Vir during two investigation campaigns in 1966. The focus is on the analysis of the vertical stratigraphy and stratigraphic interrelations between the elements of the Mesolithic culture of Lepenski Vir, i.e. the layers associated with the Lepenski Vir I and II phases and the Neolithic settlement, in other words, the elements of the Lepenski Vir III phase.

Background/Aim. Nontraumatic brachial plexopathies may be caused by primary or secondary tumors, radiation or inflammation. The aim of this study was to present the significance of MRI in revealing the cause of nontraumatic brachial plexopathy. Methods. A two-year retrospective study included 22 patients with nontraumatic brachial plexopathy. In all the patients typical clinical findings were confirmed by upper limb neurophysiological studies. In all of them MRI of brachial plexus was performed by 1.5 T scanner in T1 and T1 FS sequence with and without contrast, as well as in T2 and T2 FS sequences. Results. Seven (32%) patients had brachial plexopathy with signs of inflammatory process, 5 (23%) patients had secondary tumors, in 4 (18%) patients multifocal motor neuropathy was established and in the same number (18%) of the patients postradiation fibrosis was found. Two patients (9%) had primary neurogenic tumors. Conclusion. According to the results of this study MRI is a method which may determine localization and cause of brachial plexopathy. MRI can detect focal nerve lesions when other methods fail to find them. Thus, MRI has a direct impact on further diagnostic and therapeutical procedures.

Re-excavation of a Neolithic site at Slatina - Turska česma in Drenovac near Paraćin started in 2004. Trench XV, with an area of 36 sq. m., was explored between 2004 and 2006. The cultural layer in this trench ended at the depth of approx. 6m, where a pit was noted and defined as a dwelling structure. The back-fill of the pit and the layer immediately above were covered with alluvium, so that the archaeological finds below the alluvium can be considered a closed unit. The results of the preliminary analyses of the stratigraphy and small finds below the alluvium have revealed that the pit had been abandoned before the flooding and that, for a longer period, there was no dwelling structure in that place. The main features of the small finds from the pit itself indicate the earlier Neolithic origin, i.e. the earlier period of the Starčevo culture group.

Background/Aim. There are no recommendations for the optimal nutritional status assessment parameters (NSAPs) in the current literature. The aim of this study was to define the optimal NSAPs for nutritional status assessing in gastroenterological patients on hospital admission. Methods. Nutritional status of 612 gastroenterological patients was evaluated at the admission using 6 NSAPs: unintentional weight loss (WL), body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MAMC), serum albumin concentration (ALB), and lymphocyte counts (LYM). According to their nutritive status, the patients were classified as well nourished (normally nourished and obese), moderately undernourished and severely undernourished. Based on the similarities and differences in the assessment results, obtained according to each of 6 parameters, the optimal nutritional assessment parameters were defined, separately for the well-nourished / undernourished patients and for moderately / severely undernourished patients. Results. The incidence of malnutrition was in the range 5.9-29.7%. The results based on MAMC, ALB, and LYM were similar (25.2- 29.7%; p > 0.05), while the results based on WL, BMI, and TSF differed significantly (5.9-19.9%; p = 0.001-0.015). The assessment based on BMI was the most severe criterion, while the assessment according to MAMC was the mildest criterion in selection of malnourished patients. The assessment according to MAMC was the mildest criterion for the selection of severe malnourished patients (severely malnouorished patients accounted for 70.l%), while BMI and LYM were the most severe criteria (severely malnouorished patients accounted for 22.2% and 27.3%, respectively). The results based on BMI and LYM were similar (Wilcoxon test; p > 0.05). Conclusion. Combining BMI with MAMC is sufficient for the assessment of the nutritional status of gastroenterological patients on admission, as well as for differentiation between severely malnourished and moderately malnourished patients. .

Background/Aim. Risk factors for the intrahospital nutritional status worsening (NSW) have not been precisely defined in the literature. The objective was defining thoese factors among gastroenterological patients and defining the risk patients requiring a preventive nutritional therapy. Methods. In 650 gastroenterological patients, NSW was evaluated on the basis of reducing of the six parameters: body weight, body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), midupper arm muscle circumference (MAMC), serum albumin level (ALB), and lymphocyte count (LYM). The influence on NSW was tested for 13 factors concerning characteristics of the patient, disease, and diagnostic procedures. Among the factors influencing significantly the NSW, primary and secondary risk factors were selected. After scoring of risk factors had been performed, the risk-score for NSW (RSNSW) was defined. The critical value of RSNSW which required preventive nutritional therapy was also calculated. Results. The incidence of NSW was in the range 29.2%−57.9%. The presence of general complications and severe disease activity were considered as primary risk factors, whereas malignant disease, age above 71, hepato-billiary tract involvement, hospitalization longer than 14 days, and mobility worsening were considered as secondary risk factors. The best predictive value for the NSW was proved for the RSNSW ≥ 6. Because of that, preventive nutritional therapy should be indicated in patients presenting with both primary risk factors or in patients presenting with one primary factor combined with three secondary risk factors at least. Conclusion. There are 7 risk factors for NSW in gastroenterological patients, but they are not of the same importance - two primary and five secondary risk factors can be differentiated. Preventive nutritional therapy is indicated only in patients having both primary risk factors or in those presenting with one primary risk factor combined with three secondary risk factors at least.

This paper deals with the issue of a common grave or so-called ossuary with entrance hall - found in the deepest layer at Vinča. The paper is based on the research conducted by M. Vasić in 1931 and 1934. The published information and interpretations of the grave have been corrected and supplemented with analysis of unpublished field documentation and study collection.

A new class of lowpass linear-phase FIR filter function given in an explicit compact form is introduced. First, the general form of a new class of nth-order difference equations with all real coefficients equals one is proposed, and after that the simple frequency sampling structure for any odd and even orders of the filter is designed. Finally, several simulation experiments have been performed in order to compare this filter with other known filters for the same values of free real integer parameters. It should be highlighted that the new filters compare favourably even with the already existing filters, because they have an insert attenuation of 158 dB, 15.1681% lower cutoff frequency of the passband of the filter, and 18.5313% lower cutoff frequency of the stopband of the filter, for an insert loss of 100 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Interventional diagnostic procedures are established for several diseases in medicine. Despite the KDOQI guideline recommendation for histological diagnosis of kidney disease to enable risk stratification, its optimal time point has not been evaluated. We have therefore analyzed whether histological diagnosis of glomerulonephritis (GN) at an early stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with different outcome compared to diagnosis at a more advanced stage. Methods A cohort of 424 consecutive patients with histological diagnosis of GN were included in a retrospective data analysis. Kidney function was assessed by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation at the time point of kidney biopsy and after consecutive immunosuppressive therapy. Censored events were death, initiation of dialysis or kidney transplantation, or progression of disease, defined as deterioration of CKD stage ≥1 from kidney biopsy to last available kidney function measurement. Results Occurrence of death, dialysis/transplantation or progression of disease were associated with GFR and CKD stage at the time of kidney biopsy (p p Conclusion Kidney function at the time point of histological GN diagnosis is associated with clinical outcome, likely due to early initiation of specific drug treatment. This suggests that selection of therapy yields greatest benefit before renal function is impaired in GN.

Abstract: Background: Distal hereditary motor neuropathy type V (dHMN-V) and Silver syndrome are rare phenotypically overlapping diseases which can be caused by mutations in the Berardinelli-Seip Congenital Lipodystrophy 2 (BSCL2) gene or Seipin. Aim: To report the first Serbian family with a BSCL2 mutation showing variable expression within the family. Patients and methods: A 55-year-old woman presented with weakness of both hands at the age of 45. At age 47, she noticed distal muscle weakness and atrophy in her legs. Physical examination revealed atrophy and weakness of small hand muscles and mild atrophy and weakness of the lower limbs. There was generalized hyperreflexia with the exception of ankle reflexes which were diminished. Her 25year-old son had only stiffness of both legs at the age of 22. Physical examination revealed only generalized hyporeflexia. The third affected member in this family was her 55year-old cousin who showed a more prominent involvement of leg muscles with mild asymmetrical weakness of hand muscles and no pyramidal tract features. Results: In all three patients sensory nerve conduction velocities (NCV) were normal in all extremities. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes were markedly reduced in all patients. Concentric needle EMG showed evidence of chronic denervation in distal muscles. DNA sequencing of BSCL2 was performed and a heterozygous N88S missense mutation in BSCL2 gene was detected in all three patients. Conclusion: This report is further confirmation of phenotypic heterogenity due to the N88S mutation of BSCL2 gene in the same family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]