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Bats represent a known reservoir of emerging viruses, yet no molecular data are found about the occurrence of zoonotic viruses in bats in the Balkans. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of paramyxo- and hanta-viruses in bats, examined by PCR in 95 deceased bats, that were collected in Serbia and Montenegro, during the period 2002 to 2009. All samples tested positive for beta-actin mRNA, confirming successful RNA isolation and amplification. However, no sample tested positive for virus specific RNA. Our findings might reflect tissue degradation in carcass samples and do not exclude bats as potential viral reservoir in the surveyed geographic area.

IntroductionDue to increased human activity, the amount of copper in air, soil and water has increased. Copper, at minimum concentrations, is essential for the normal functioning of the organism (cellular respiration, hemoglobin formation, growth and reproduction). At higher concentrations, copper is deposited in the liver, brain tissue, and bone marrow.ObjectivesTo investigate the protective role of the supplement, glutathione (GSH), the S-donor ligand, in conditions of chronic copper intoxication via the parameters of oxidative stress, ie. Alkaline and acidic DNase values in brain tissue in albino rats of Wistar strain.MethodsThe model system for testing the effects of copper exposure and the protective effect of GSH was a study on female albino rats of Wistar strain, stored in the vivarium of the Scientific Research Center for Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia. Endonucleases, alkaline and acidic DNase activities were determined spectrophotometrically from homogenates of brain tissue.ResultsCopper is believed to be a likely cause of oxidative damage to the DNA molecule, as manifested by increased alkaline and acidic DNase activity. The results of this study show that GSH is a potent chelator that binds copper and enables its elimination from the body.ConclusionsIn this experiment, the beneficial role of GSH supplements, which has an antioxidant character, in the prevention and reduction of the adverse effects of chronic copper intoxication was demonstrated. In this way, GSH acts as a powerful protector and antioxidant.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

In the current research, the use of polyphenols in the production of fermented sausages as a natural preservative and their influence on the sensory characteristics of these products were investigated. Polyphenols could have antimicrobial and antioxidant roles in meat products, but also a range of positive biological effects on consumers. The results of the research showed that the addition of polyphenols did not significantly affect the sensory properties (colour, cross-section appearance, consistency, odour and flavour) of the three groups of sausages (control fermented sausage and two sausage variants, one with nitrite and one without nitrite), and that sausages were highly rated during most of the storage period. In addition, all tested sausages were evaluated as acceptable until the end of the entire storage period, i.e., throughout the 280-day period after sausage production.

Aim. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the result of endothelial dysfunction, which is associated with inflammation, increased oxidative stress and hyperglycemia. The aim of our study was to examine the aetiology, importance and intensity of inflammation and oxidative stress in IHD development in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2. Material and methods. We included 60 male patients with IHD of whom 30 with diabetes type 2. Control group comprised of 12 healthy participants. We analyzed the lipid status, quality of glycemic control (daily glycemia profile — MBG and HbA1c), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde-MDA) and inflammation: high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), intercellular and vascular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, VCAM-1). Results. Patients with DM type 2 and IHD were obese with higher levels of HbA1c and MBG compared to other two groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol were significantly higher and HDL was lower in all patients with IHD compared to the control group. CRP levels, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MDA were significantly higher in the groups with IHD compared to the control. MDA and VCAM-1 were higher in patients with IHD and type 2 DM than in patients with IHD. There was a significant positive correlation between hsCRP and LDL cholesterol in patients with IHD, regardless of the presence of DM. Significant positive correlation between VCAM-1 and HbA1c values, and between ICAM-1 and hsCRP were shown only in patients with IHD and DM type 2. Conclusion. Inflammation, increased oxidative stress, lipid and metabolic disorders showed significant correlation and have an important pathogenic role in the development of IHD, particularly in patients with DM type 2. Increased levels of hsCRP, VCAM-1 and products of lipid peroxidation are characteristic markers of endothelial inflammation and indicators of the presence of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with DM type 2.

Background Hand inflammatory involvement is a major feature in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), responsible for major disability. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can identify and characterize subclinical inflammation and joint damage on hand with much greater precision than clinical, radiographic and ultrasonography assessment in SSc. Objectives To determine the association of MR bone marrow oedema, synovitis and probability for the occurrence of listed inflammatory changes with clinical features and laboratory tests in SSc patients Methods 112 SSc patients were tested (mean age 54y). Contrast enhanced low field MRI of the wrist and MCP2–5 joints was performed to all the pts. MRI bone marrow oedema and synovitis were assessed and scored by OMERACT RAMRIS scoring system. Age, sex, SSc type, disease duration (date of first non Raynaud symptom), Raynaud phenomenon, articular or periarticular pain, joint swelling and contractures, digital ulceration, HAQ, acroosteolysis (by standard PA radiographs of hand and wrist) pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAP>40mmHg at rest on Doppler echocardiography), pulmonary fibrosis (by CT and pulmonary function tests) and laboratory tests (antibody profile, RF, CRP, Creatine phosphokinase) and disease activity (by Valentini index) were done. Results By multiple logistic regression analysis taking into account all clinical and laboratory variable, we found that MRI bone marrow oedema of the hand was associated and probability for the occurance of MRI bone marrow oedema was higher for the SSc pts with digital ulcers (OR=6.081;95%IP:1.295–28.550; p 1.5 (OR=6.448; 95%IP: 1.714–24.257; p MRI synovitis of the hand was associated and probability for the occurance of MRI synovitis was higher, also, for the SSc pts with digital ulcers (OR=5.128; 95%IP: 1.085–24.243; p 1.5 (OR=9.067; 95%IP: 1.925–42.708; p Conclusions MRI bone marrow oedema and synovitis on the hand in SSc are associate with digital ulcers, impaired functional capacity and active disease. Monitoring and treatment of clinical features and organ involvement are essential in all the pts with SSc, especially those with proven bone marrow oedema and synovitis on MRI of the hand. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background Organ damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurs as the consequence of the disease itself, administered therapy, primarily corticosteroid and cytostatic, as well as the accompanying diseases and complications. Objectives Our aim in this paper was to examine the degree of irreversible organ changes in SLE patients using the SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI) and to establish the correlation of organ damage with disease activity, quality of life, and severity of fatigue, as well as with the immunological parameters – anti-dsDNA antibodies, anti-nucleosome, anti-C1q antibodies, and MCP1 in the serum and urine. Methods The study involved 83 SLE patients (77 women and 6 men), aged 45.8±9.2 years on the average, with average disease duration of 10.6±7.9 years, hospitalized at the Clinic of Rheumatology of the “Niska Banja” Institute, in whom the diagnosis was made based on the revised 1997 ACR criteria. The disease activity was evaluated using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and a physician9s global assessment. The degree of organ damage was evaluated using the SDI. The quality of life was assessed based on The Medical Outcome Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36), and the severity of fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The level of antibodies was determined using the ELISA test, and serum and urine MCP1 with the sandwich enzyme immunosorbent assay method according to the manufacturer9s instructions (R&D Systems, Inc. Minneapolis, USA). Results The mean value of organ damage index in all SLE patients was 1.8±2.0 (median 1, min 0, max 9). Twenty-five (30.1%) patients did not have any organ damage (SDI=0); 21 (25.3%) had SDI=1; SDI=2 or 3 was found in 20 patients (24.1%), and 17 patients (20.5%) had SDI≥4. Neuropsychic and musculoskeletal changes were the most common organ damage manifestations, present in 23 (27.7%) of patients. In 21 patients (25.3%), cardiovascular changes were seen, and ocular lesions in 14 patients (16.9%). Renal and pulmonary changes were found in 13 patients (15.7%), cutaneous changes in 3 patients (3.6%), and gastrointestinal changes in 2 patients (2.4%). In 5 cases (6.0%) malignancies were detected, and diabetes mellitus in 2 patients (2.4%). A statistically significant positive correlation of SDI was established with age (r=0,348, p=0,001), disease duration (r=0,412, p Conclusions Musculoskeletal, neuropsychic, and cardiovascular changes were the ones most commonly seen. Organ damage positively correlated with age and disease duration, a higher disease activity, poorer quality of life, and more severe fatigue. References Roberts AL, Rizzolo D. Systemic lupus erythematosus: an update on treat-to-target. JAAPA. 2015;28(9):22–8. Yee CS, Su L, Toescu V, et al. Birmingham SLE cohort: outcomes of a large inception cohort followed for up to 21 years. Rheumatology (Oxford).2015;54(5):836–43. Cervera R, Doria A, Amoura Z et al. Patterns of systemic lupus erythematosus expression in Europe. Autoimmun Rev. 2014;13(6):621–9. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Meat and meat products are an important part of the human diet in Serbia. They are important because of their desirable taste, high nutritional value, variety of the products, traditional considerations etc. Our study addresses sodium levels in some of the most commonly consumed meat products from the Serbian market (cooked sausages, dry fermented sausages, smoked meat products, canned meats and pates). Sodium content was determined using ICP-MS. The highest sodium level was established in dry fermented sausages, and the lowest content was measured in pate. No significant differences were seen in sodium levels between cooked sausages, smoked meat products and canned meats. The mean sodium level of all analysed meat products was 11.8 g/kg. According to average intake of meat products in Serbia (54.7 g/day) and the measured sodium levels, consuming these meat products could contribute up to 26.9% of sodium daily requirements. This could pose a risk to human health considering the already high sodium intake through adding salt to food and consumption of various processed foods. Generally, the results obtained suggest reducing salt levels in meat products and as well as in diet in general.

In November 2018, EFSA published a major risk assessment on the presence of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in feed and food, proposing updated tolerable weekly intake of 2 pg/kg b.w./week, which is a 7-fold decrease over the previous value. This will inevitably result in lowering maximum levels and action levels in food and feed. This paper reflects on the possible consequences of such changes in respect to analytical capabilities in general, and the effort required to ensure suitable performance of the presently available analytical methods. Considerations related to both instrumental and sample preparation aspects are presented, taking into account specific EU legislation in the area of analytical requirements and quality control of analytical methods for dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls. From the current perspective, it is obvious that any linear decrease of maximum levels and action levels is not feasible and would inevitably require some degree of mitigation of quality control requirements, at least for some food matrices that already have low maximum levels. A sustainable response to tolerable weekly intake decrease will most likely be the combination of gradual decrease of regulatory limits where achievable, inevitable technical progress in analytical instrumentation and adjustment of sample preparation techniques.

The nucleus accumbens is a limbic nucleus, representing part of the striatum body, and together with the caudate nucleus and putamen, it lies on the septum. The aim of this study was to examine morphological sexual dimorphism in spine density and also to undertake an immunohistochemical study of expression for estrogen and progesterone receptors in the medium-sized neurons in the nucleus accumbens. The research was conducted on twenty human brains of persons of both sexes, between the age of 20-75 years. The Golgi method was applied to determine the types and subtypes of neurons, morphologies of soma, dendrites and axons, as well as the relations between the cells and glial elements. The following were quantitatively examined: the maximum diameter of the neurons, the minimal diameter of the neurons, and the total length of the dendrites. The expression of receptors for estrogen and progesterone, their distribution and intensity were defined immunohistochemically. The parameters of the bodies of neurons in the shell and core of the nucleus accumbens were studied in both men and women. No statistically significant differences were found. Examination of the spine density showed statistical significance in terms of a higher density of spines in women. Immunohistochemically, in the female brain estrogen expression is diffusely spread in a large number of neurons; it is extra nuclear, of granular appearance and high intensity. In the male brain, expression of estrogen is visible and distributed over about one half of different types of neurons; it is extra nuclear, of granular appearance, mostly of middle and low staining intensity. Expression of progesterone in the female brain was very discreet and on a very small number of neurons; it was extra nuclear and with a weak staining intensity. Expression of progesterone in the male brain was distributed on a small number of neurons. It had a granular appearance, it was extra nuclear, with a very low staining intensity. Our results show differences in the morphology as well as expression of receptors for estrogen and progesterone on medium-sized neurons with spines in the nucleus accumbens of men and women.

An interdigital mixer-redispersion capillary assembly was applied to prevent the liquid-liquid bubbly flow coalescence in microreactors. The redispersion capillary consisted of 1-mm-long 0.25¿mm inner-diameter constrictions, placed every 0.50¿m along the channel length. The system was tested on the phase transfer-catalyzed esterification to produce benzyl benzoate. The application of constrictions to prevent coalescence resulted in a better reproducibility and higher conversion compared to a capillary without constrictions. The bubbly flow generated by the interdigital mixer-redispersion capillary assembly was found to be independent of the redispersion capillary inner diameters (0.50 and 0.75¿mm) while being highly dependent on the flow rates. By controlling the total flow rate and the aqueous-to-organic ratio, the bubbly flow surface-to-volume ratio could be increased up to 230¿700¿m2m–3. Compared to the conventional phase transfer-catalyzed esterification, the continuous operation in the interdigital mixer-redispersion capillary assembly eliminated the use of solvents and bases, removing an energy-intensive step of distillation while increasing process safety.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is the most common inborn error of amino acid metabolism in Caucasians. PKU is caused by mutations in the gene encoding phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) enzyme. Here, we report the spectrum and the frequency of mutations in the PAH gene and discuss genotype-phenotype correlation in 34 unrelated patients with PKU from Serbia and Montenegro. Using both polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and 'broad-range' denaturing-gradient gel electrophoresis/DNA sequencing analysis, 19 disease-causing mutations were identified, corresponding to mutation detection rate of 97%. The most frequent ones were L48S (21%), R408W (18%), P281L (9%), E390G (7%) and R261Q (6%), accounting for 60% of all mutant alleles. The genotype-phenotype correlation was studied in homozygous and functionally hemizygous patients. We found that the most frequent mutation, L48S, was exclusively associated with the classical (severe) PKU phenotype. The mutation E390G gave rise to mild PKU. For the mutation R261Q, patients had been recorded in two phenotype categories. Considering allele frequencies, PKU in Serbia and Montenegro is heterogeneous, reflecting numerous migrations over the Balkan Peninsula.

“Borba” Federal Award for Architecture was awarded for the first time on February 19th 1966, celebrating the day of the publishing the first issue of the newspaper back in 1922 in Zagreb by, then illegal, Communist Party of Yugoslavia. The unusual alliance between a daily magazine and architecture was considered a chance for promoting the achievements in architectural production on federal level, hence making the profession step out of the anonymity. However, since “Borba” became the herald of the Socialist Alliance of Working People of Yugoslavia (SSRNJ) in 1954, the controversies regarding the award arose inevitably, following the three decades long discussion over the qualities and the mere existence of “Yugoslav architecture”.

The present paper is concerned with the determination of the measuring position of a laser-Doppler anemometer (LDA) relative to a wall. The proposed method is based on the finding that the output of a hot-wire anemometer increases when the wire, which is mounted in quiescent air parallel to the wall, is brought closer than 800 μm to the wall. For given hot-wire anemometer parameters, the hot-wire anemometer output voltage depends on the wall material and the wire distance from the wall. After suitable calibration for the wall material of the test section, the anemometer reading in a test rig can be used to find the wire position. Moving the measuring volume of a LDA-system across the wire yields an output voltage variation of the LDA-photomultiplier showing a Gaussian shape. When the maximum output voltage is reached, the centre of the measuring control volume is located at the centre of the wire and, hence, the location of the LDA-measuring position is known. All position measurements for the LDA-system are then taken relative to this point using the scale of the LDA-traversing system. If optical effects of transparent test section walls are eliminated by employing refractive index matched liquids, there are other ways to find the measuring position of a laser-Doppler anemometer relative to a wall. One such method and its application to the study of the turbulent near wall flow in a pipe is described in this paper.

During the 5-year war in former Yugoslavia 294 patients were surgically treated for head injuries at the Neurosurgical Department of the Emergency Center, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade. In addition to other problems related to direct trauma of brain tissue, some specific problems related to other tissue defects and their importance in further complications which changed the final outcome have been noted. This study analyzed methods and materials used for dura, bone, and skin reconstruction in a search for better management of this problem. We conclude that for dural reconstruction in these patients the best materials are autologous (autotransplantation of periosteum, galea aponeurotica, or fascia lata) since this results in fewer complications and better results. Local skin flaps were used for small skin defects, but more extensive skin defects required larger flaps with free skin grafting of secondary defects. Both dura and skin reconstruction should be performed as soon as possible to prevent infection and other complications, but delayed surgery is recommended for bone defects. Only bone defects with diameter over 3–4 cm were treated surgically (alloplastic material, Palacos, being used) after 6–12 months in cases with no signs of infection. This strategy yielded the best results.

The results and analysis of the vibrational to translational relaxation times τV–T and V–T collisional energy transfer data (《 Δ E》) for SF6 absorbing molecules in the presence of Ar as the buffer-gas, are given. Time-resolved photoacoustic technique and time-resolved absorption method are used and the results obtained with these two different methods applied to the same apparatus are compared. The behavior of SF6–Ar mixtures, given as τV–T results, are presented as well as the energy loss data ( 《 Δ E》 vs 〈E〉) obtained independently with both approaches. The comparison of 《 Δ E》 quantities is given in the light of discrepancies that are found in the literature, when either technique is used, under similar experimental conditions.

The IR pulsed photoacoustic method was used to investigate rotational relaxation processes in MPA. We have examined the bulk rotational relaxation times and the bulk rotational relaxation cross sections , related to R-R and R-T relaxation mechanisms. The saturation intensities for gas molecules have been measured in the gas mixtures with (buffer) molecules, at constant gas pressure (0.47 mbar) and variable gas pressure (1-140 mbar), using the 10P(16) laser line in the fluences range 0.1-0.7 J . It has been found that for proper investigation of the rotational relaxation processes, the buffer gas pressure range must be divided into two parts: the low pressure range (0-20 mbar) and the high pressure range (20-140 mbar), according to the behaviour of the saturation intensities versus buffer gas pressure. Consequently, two different sets of values for rotational relaxation parameters are obtained. The found step-function behaviour for shows that the rotational hole-filling effect during MPA only dominates at low buffer gas pressure ( mbar). At higher buffer gas pressures (between 20-140 mbar) collisional deactivation takes place. We also derive the enhanced absorption cross sections for absorbing gas molecules from the measured saturation intensities data (at zero buffer gas pressure) confirming the expectation that the enhanced absorbing cross sections are not only a function of laser fluence and buffer gas pressure, but are very strongly dependent on laser beam parameters, too.

The effect of the sample thickness on the measurement of optical absorption coefficients in opaque liquids has been examined in this work both experimentally and theoretically, using the method of photoacoustic spectroscopy and taking into account the decrease of the pulse amplitude ratio with increasing propagation distance. Measurements were performed in water within a narrow wavelength range for various sample thicknesses . The results are in good agreement with data obtained by other methods for samples of up to approximately 4 mm thickness. Furthermore, the conditions for the application of this scheme are outlined.

The effects of collisions with nonabsorbing partner molecules (CH4) were investigated in absorption processes in SF6 irradiated by a pulsed CO2 laser. An experimental apparatus was developed for simultaneous absorption measurements both by transmission and photoacoustic spectroscopy. Enhanced absorption cross sections of SF6 in collisions with nonabsorbing CH4 molecules were measured, together with the average number of absorbed photons per molecule. The differential absorption cross sections were also determined for the fluence range of 0.1–0.7 J/cm2, and the CH4 pressure range of 1–140 mbar. The results obtained were analyzed based on the predictions of the generalized two-level model proposed for multiple photon processes. An estimate of the role that rotational-rotational and vibrational-translational relaxation processes play, in inducing the effect of enhanced absorption in SF6CH4 mixtures irradiated by pulsed CO2 laser radiation, is given.

The equations for the higher-order moments and probability density function of turbulent velocity fluctuations are considered. These are derived utilizing the basic hydrodynamic equations of fluid flow. Using truncated cumulant expansions as approximations for the probability density distributions of the corresponding turbulence quantities, an alternative set of equations for the moments is formulated that contains only velocity correlations. From these equations, interrelations between the higher-order moments are deduced. Several theoretically derived relationships between correlations of different orders are experimentally verified using data available in the literature and also data measured by the authors. In the paper, an attempt is made to reconstruct the entire probability density distributions from derived interrelations between the higher-order moments.

The capillary microreactor, with four stable operating flow patterns and a throughput range from g/h to kg/h, presents an attractive alternative to chip-based and microstructured reactors for lab and pilot scale applications. In this paper the extraction of 2-butanol from toluene under different flow patterns in a water/toluene flow in long capillary microreactors is presented. The influence of the capillary length (0.2-2.2 m), flow rate (0.1-12 ml/min) and aqueous-to-organic volumetric flow ratio (0.25-9) on the slug, bubbly, parallel and annular flow hydrodynamics was investigated. Weber number dependant flow maps were composed for capillary lengths of 0.4 and 2 m, which are used to interpret the flow pattern formation in terms of surface tension and inertia forces. By decreasing the capillary length from 2 to 0.4 m, the transition of annular to parallel flow was observed. The capillary length had little influence on the slug and bubbly flows. The flow patterns were evaluated in terms of stability, surface-to-volume ratio, achieved throughput and extraction efficiency. Slug and bubbly flow operation yielded 100 % thermodynamic extraction efficiency, while by increasing the aqueous-to-organic volumetric ratio to 9 allowed for 99 % 2-butanol extraction. The parallel and annular flow operational windows were limited by the capillary length, thus yielding maximal 2-butanol extraction of 30 and 47 %, for the parallel and annular flow, respectively.

A pulsed laser photoacoustic technique is described. It is optimized for the simultaneous investigations of multiphoton absorption processes as well as rotational relaxation and vibration relaxation studies. The experimental procedure is presented, concerning the calibration of the photoacoustic detector/cell set-up, applying the transmission spectroscopy technique. The obtained relationships, which can be alternatively used for the sensitivity curve S(p, gamma , T) of the apparatus, are analysed. A previously proposed model is confirmed.

The novel experimental approach is applied to investigate the cross sections for rotational relaxation σ rot.-rel. in the SF 6 -Ar mixtures irradiated by pulsed CO 2 laser line. The applied method is the pulsed photoacoustic technique, and it is based on proposal for σ rot.-rel. determination by transmission spectroscopy technique. The collisional effects have been investigated for the 0.1-0.8 J/cm 2 laser fluence range. Also, the collisional effects on rotational and translational temperature (T R ) for SF 6 -Ar mixtures have been calculated

In this paper, the hydrodynamics and the pressure drop of liquid-liquid slug flow in round microcapillaries are presented. Two liquid-liquid flow systems are considered, viz. water-toluene and ethylene glycol/water-toluene. The slug lengths of the alternating continuous and dispersed phases were measured as a function of the slug velocity (0.03-0.5. m/s), the organic-to-aqueous flow ratio (0.1-4.0), and the microcapillary internal diameter (248 and 498 µm). The pressure drop is modeled as the sum of two contributions: the frictional and the interface pressure drop. Two models are presented, viz. the stagnant film model and the moving film model. Both models account for the presence of a thin liquid film between the dispersed phase slug and the capillary wall. It is found that the film velocity is of negligible influence on the pressure drop. Therefore, the stagnant film model is adequate to accurately predict the liquid-liquid slug flow pressure drop. The influence of inertia and the consequent change of the slug cap curvature are accounted for by modifying Bretherton's curvature parameter in the interface pressure drop equation. The stagnant film model is in good agreement with experimental data with a mean relative error of less than 7%. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Ein Interdigital-Mikromischer/Redispergierkapillare-Aufbau soll die in anderen Mikroreaktoren ubliche Tropfenkoaleszenz fur Flussig/Flussig-Stromungen verhindern oder minimieren. Die Redispergierkapillare beinhaltet 1 mm lange Einschnurungen mit 0,25 mm innerem Durchmesser, die jeweils in Abstanden von 0,5 m entlang der Kanallange positioniert werden. Die Leistungsfahigkeit dieses Systems wurde anhand der phasentransferkatalysierten Veresterung zu Benzylbenzoat getestet. Mithilfe der Einschnurungen konnte die Koaleszenz verhindert werden, was zu einer besseren Reproduzierbarkeit der Versuchsergebnisse fuhrte. Durch die Einstellung der Gesamtflussrate und des Verhaltnisses von wassriger zu organischer Phase wurden Oberflachen/Volumen-Verhaltnisse von bis zu 230 700 m2m–3 erreicht. Im Vergleich zur konventionellen phasentransferkatalysierten Veresterung konnten durch den Konti-Betrieb im Interdigital-Mikromischer/Redispergierkapillare-Aufbau das Losungsmittel, der Basenzusatz sowie ein energieintensiver Destillationsschritt eliminiert werden, wahrend die Prozesssicherheit erhoht wurde. An interdigital mixer – redispersion capillary assembly was applied to prevent the liquid-liquid bubbly flow coalescence in microreactors. The redispersion capillary consisted of 1 mm long and 0.25 mm inner-diameter constrictions placed every 0.50 m along the channel length. The system was tested on the phase transfer catalyzed esterification to produce benzyl benzoate. The application of constrictions to prevent coalescence resulted in a better reproducibility compared to a capillary without the constrictions. By controlling the total flow rate and the aqueous-to-organic ratio the bubbly flow surface-volume ratio could be increased up to 230 700 m2m–3. Compared to the conventional phase transfer catalyzed esterification, the continuous operation in the interdigital-redispersion capillary assembly eliminated the use of solvents and bases, removing an energy intensive step of distillation, while increasing process safety.

The pyrolysis kinetics of oil shales from Yugoslavia, Northern Korea and the USSR, were investigated under non-isothermal conditions using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (d.s.c.). Additional kinetic investigations were performed on samples obtained by chemically and thermally treating each oil shale. The results obtained were incorporated into the multi-step kinetic model (MSM) which was adjusted according to the specific properties of particular oil shale samples, and tested by comparison of the experimental and simulated TGA, DTG and d.s.c. curves. The modelling procedure developed for Aleksinac oil shale was found to be useful in modelling the pyrolysis of other oil shales of the same kerogen type.

The results of an analysis of the total suspended particles (TSP), total solvent organic extracts (TSOE), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in aerosol samples collected from the atmosphere of Herceg Novi from 17th June to 15th September in 1998 and 1999 are presented. The TSP and TSOE concentrations were determined by the standard gravimetric method, whereas the PAHs from the organic part of the aerosol were analysed by the GC-MS method. The difference found in the TSP and TSOE contents between the two consecutive years (before and after the bombing of Yugoslavia) was attributed to changes in the intensity and origin of emissions from dominant sources, specific to the summer period of this region. The content and nature of the PAHs identified in the samples of 1998 and 1999 were also different, indicating the significance of traffic as the source of PAHs, which was of significantly lower intensity in 1999 (immediately after the war) due to the lower influx of tourists. Factor analysis showed that the PAH distribution at the measuring site in 1999 was largely determined by meteorological parameters, mainly by the average daily temperature and wind direction. In 1998, the dominant impact on the PAH distribution was attributed to traffic, both local and from a wider region, without an explicit impact of meteorological parameters. U radu su prikazani rezultati analize ukupno suspendovanih čestica, ukupno ekstraktabilne organske supstance i policikličnih aromatičnih ugljovodonika (PAU) u uzorcima prikupljenim iz atmosfere Herceg Novog u periodu od 17. juna do 15. septembra 1998. i 1999. godine. Koncentracije suspendovanih čestica i ekstraktibilne organske supstance određene su standardnom gravimetrijskom metodom, dok su PAU iz organskog dela aerosola analizirani gasno-masenom spektrometrijon. Postojeća razlika između sadržaja suspendovanih čestica i ekstraktibilne organske supstance u analiziranom periodu dve uzastopne godine (pre i neposredno posle bombardovawa) pripisana je promenama intenziteta i porekla emisija iz dominantnih izvora, specifič nih za letnji period ovog regiona. Sadržaj i priroda identifikovanih PAU u uzorcima iz 1998. i 1999. godine su takođe različiti, što je ukazalo na značaj saobrać aja kao izvora PAU, koji je 1999. godine (neposredno posle rata), usled manjeg priliva turista, bio znatno slabijeg intenziteta. Rezultati faktorske analize pokazali su da je distribucija PAU na mernom mestu u 1999. godini bila odredjena primarno meteoparametrima, pre svega srednjom dnevnom temperaturom i pravcem vetra, dok je u letnjoj sezoni 1998. godine, dominantan uticaj na raspodelu PAU imao saobraćaj, kako lokalni, tako i iz šireg regiona, bez eksplicitnog uticaja meteorološ kih parametara.

The paper describes JessGUI, a graphical user interface developed on top of the Jess expert system shell. Jess, although powerful as rule engine, lacks graphical environment that would facilitate its usage and made it more accepted between knowledge-based systems' developers. The central idea behind JessGUI project was to make building, revising, updating, and testing Jess-based expert systems easier, more flexible, and more user-friendly. There are many other expert system building tools providing a rich and comfortable integrated development environment to expert system builders. However, they are all either commercial or proprietary products. Jess and JessGUI are open-source freeware, and yet they are well-suited for building even complex expert system applications, both stand-alone and Web-based ones. Another important feature of JessGUI is its capability of saving knowledge bases in XML format (in addition to the original Jess format), thus making them potentially easy to interoperate with other knowledge bases on the Internet.

Some previous investigations indicated that economic crisis (inflation in Serbia 1993/94) have great influence on increasing suicide rates in Serbia. After that suicide decreased, despite the war and bombing in 1999, specially among the elderly people. A total of 453 suicides were registered on the territory of south-eastern Serbia during 1995-2001 years. Of them 295 (65.1%) were aged over 60 years. Generally linear trends of suicide among both genders from 1995 to 2001 decreased, but the slope of decreasing was grater among males than among females. The highest rates among the both genders were registered in the years with the maximum number of suicides, but the linear trends of rates have statistically important correlation with time (r0.5). Average annual suicide rate among males was 42.5, and among women it was 18.7. The highest average annual suicide rate among men was observed in the age group 75 years and over (93.3), and the lowest in the age group 65-69 (20.6). Among males, in the all age group linear trends of suicide rates decreased, with the highest slope among 75 years and over and the lowest among 65-69 years. The highest suicide rate among females was registered in age group 75 years and over (25.6), the lowest in the age group 65-69 (13.5). The linear trends are similar as among males: downward trend was observed among all aged groups, with the highest slope among women 75 years and over. The most common way of suicide among men was hanging up (63%), poisoning and by firearms. There were no statistical differences between way of suicide and age groups. The most frequent way of suicide among females was hanging up (55%), poisoning (25%) and drowning (12%). There were statistically significant differences in drowning between age groups, 70-74 and 75 and over (p0.05), and between poisoning and age groups 60-64 years and 75 years and over. Poisoning and drowning are statistically more frequent among women than among men.