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Recently, energy storage has become a significant topic for renewable energy based power system applications. Batteries are one of the most popular energy storage devices adopted by renewable energy sources, electrical vehicles and grid connected systems. In this context, the bidirectional DC-DC converter (BDC) enables bidirectional power flow by controlling the charging and discharging stage of the battery in battery applications. Accordingly, the battery current is regulated through the duty cycle of the BDC considering the state of charge of the battery and current direction. In this study, a non-isolated BDC, has a buck and boost principle of operation, is designed, analysed and simulated under various case studies. In the designed system, BDC controls the bidirectional power flow between the battery and DC link. Specifically, in the charging stage of battery operating in buck mode, DC-link supplies the power to the battery and BDC regulates the battery current using proportional-integral (PI) controller. On the other hand, in the discharging stage of the battery operating in boost mode, when DC source is disconnected, the battery supplies the power to DC load and DC-link voltage is controlled by the BDC via PI controller. The simulation results are presented to show the operation and control of the BDC under different scenarios.

Background. The development of methodological approaches aimed to overcome non-specific reactions caused by the presence of antibodies to CCD, in order to assign a rational molecular diagnosis is relevant and economically reasonable. Goal. Optimization of the tactics of serological examination of patients with multiple reactions to allergens. Material and Methods. 2197 patients were examined for IgE antibodies to plant and household respiratory allergens, of these 84 patients with multiple reactions were retested on blots similar to those used during the initial examination after the absorption of serum by CCD-blocker. After that 33 patients underwent component-resolved diagnosis for birch and timothy grass allergens. Results. The prognostic value of the absence of IgE antibodies blocking by CCD blocker reached 91.9%, meaning that a constant reaction class after blocking the serum with a probability of 91.9% did not require molecular diagnostics. The predictive value of the complete disappearance of the marker after blocking was 86.2%, so antibodies to recombinant allergens could be detected only in 13.8% patients. Conclusion. The use of CCD-blocker in patients with polysensitization allows eliminating false positive reactions and optimizing the subsequent prescription of adequate molecular diagnostics.

The subject of this paper are urban innovations that emerged from the Belgrade Master Plan, adopted by the Belgrade Assembly in September 2003. Twelve new spatial solutions that were directly related to the overall goals of the plan are presented. These are proposals for grand city projects created in 2001-2003 during the development of the Master Plan, which did not exist in the earlier master plans from 1951, 1972, and 1985, and their revisions. These projects were a response to the difficult economic, social, and urban situation of Belgrade in the aftermath of the breakup of Yugoslavia. They relate to the city region, the Confluence, the Danube orientation of Belgrade, the greenery system, the lasting values of the city, spontaneously constructed settlements, cultural assets, city centres, business and industrial zones and environment, social housing, transport, and modern architecture. Urban planners of different profiles who wrote this article were also engaged in the formulation of the Master Plan and are well acquainted with it. In the analysis, the authors relied on a formal document published in the Official Gazette of the City of Belgrade, and a CD-ROM containing the official maps of the Master Plan. For each project, its definition, the motive for the creation and its urban solution are given. An analysis of urban innovation has given a new understanding of Belgrade's intention to thoroughly improve the city and open up new ways of development, after the tragic 1990s, while safeguarding its identity based on features that differentiate it from other European metropolises and making it as self-contained cities.

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa Elliot) is a deciduous fruit shrub from Rosaceae family that does not have a long cultivating tradition in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine the effect of variety, quantity and combination of fertilizers on characteristics of vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of black chokeberry of Nero cultivar, in agro-ecological conditions of the Una-Sana Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The experimental site fertilized with the combination of mineral and organic nitrate fertilizers gave the best results in morphometric characteristics of fruit, yield and vegetative characteristics of growth. Fruits from the control site had the highest values when it comes to the most of the following characteristics: dry matter content, ash, total acidity, vitamin C and total phenolic content. Statistical analyses showed that factors of quantity and the manner of fertilization influence significantly most of examined parameters in this research (P ≤ 0.05).

Sacral buildings, mosques with wooden minarets and chapel churches, Orthodox and Catholic churches, represent cultural heritage, and are representatives of wood structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are not only interconnected but also connected with residential architecture, making them even more interesting. These structures were for a long time neglected and placed on the margins to be forgotten. Sacral objects with wooden features retained common housing elements on one hand and the diversity is reflected in their specific characteristics. It is undoubtedly that natural influences and the human factor on wooden structures require constant monitoring and maintenance, which in the absence of finance and personnel makes it difficult to conserve and restore the traditional sacral wooden structures. This paper presents the basic data on this type of construction with the most significant details of characteristic examples.

Underground housing architecture represents an energy efficient type of structures. This specific type of housing construction is recommended for the standard surface buildings because of its more energy efficient properties and its quality. All the typological forms of underground housing architecture up to date were mostly individual, experimental endeavors. Construction had no regulations for efficient monitoring of construction of these structures. For Serbian theory and practice international experience reviewed in the article is crucial for further development and harmonization with procedures during designing and construction of underground housing structures. When the international experience is viewed in the light of qualitative initial reasons for the change of an entire set of documents related to planning and construction areas, one can expect promotion of a more widely present underground housing architecture, with one of the primary goals of the present times, which is planning and construction of individual buildings, but also of entire settlements, where this housing typology can be implemented with an aim of creation of future energy efficient settlements in the Republic of Serbia.

Johansen Fisher panel test confirmed the impact of FDI on reducing unemployment in the long term except in Serbia and Albania where not achieved a reduction in unemployment of all the economies of the Western Balkans. Panel regression analysis was used to work primarily on the panel least squares and unit root tests was aimed to explain the impact of certain variables on FDI in Serbia and the Western Balkans. Through research we found that only the GDP per capita and the share of trade in GDP have a dominant impact on FDI flows, while the GDP growth rate and inflation rate have very little impact on the larger influx. Monetary variables such as inflation or the exchange rate had a negligible impact on the inflow of FDI in the Western Balkans.

At the time of changing economic circumstances, adaptation and conversion of historic structures is an increasingly popular approach. Some historical buildings are very suitable for the revitalization into the modern hotels. The paper analyzes the relationship of the hotel, the city and its architectural heritage, as well as some of the factors that led to the eruption of alternative models of hotels, shown through a series of successful solutions. Many challenges of hotel design in historic buildings are listed and corresponding solutions are offered. Some methodological directions are indicated, and certain guidelines and principles for further activities in this field are formulated. In conclusion their applicability in practice is discussed, and certain disadvantages and limitations are listed.

Nine briefly examined examples of built heritage in this paper reveal various cases of collision of conservation principles with demands of barrier-free architecture. The importance of this issue has been raised in the light of increasing world-wide efforts to preserve cultural heritage buildings for future generations by revitalization and strong efforts, in particularly in the EU, to reach higher standards in inclusion of all social groups.

The awareness of positive influences of outdoor environment on patients' healing process has long been present in hospital architecture. Despite the fact that economic factors had the greatest impact on hospital design during the past century, which caused a neglect of possible restorative benefits of hospital surroundings, recently developed and integrated healthcare systems are more focused on patients' needs regarding the effects of treatments and services on their satisfaction. With the aim to reduce costs of medical therapies without sacrificing their quality, this new approach resulted in a substantial shift in planning and designing of both indoor and outdoor hospital spaces. This paper presents an analysis of various aspects that need to be taken into account while planning of hospital outdoor spaces. It proposes a list of design considerations that may contribute to achieving a healing environment with positive effects on patients' well-being and outcomes of their medical treatments, while simultaneously raising the overall hospital's efficiency. Having in mind specific organizational structure and functional flows that an institution of this type comprises, these considerations are determined, preconditioned and set up to meet strictly defined norms, regulations and criteria. The purpose of this research is to examine which elements and features and to what extent may assist in generating a supportive, inviting, secure and non-threatening atmosphere of the outdoor hospital surroundings that discharges negative reminiscences, experiences or assumptions on how unpleasant the stay in a hospital may be.

Perception of an architectural form is not a unilateral act which has been often and unduly identified with mechanicistic captures of a camera. In understanding architectural composition and the way it influences our perception and memory, the knowledge regarding the field of psychology of perception and the analysis of principles of its use in architecture proved to be highly important. Instinctive understanding of perceptual processes and of laws according which our visual apparatus and memory are influenced by the architectural form and space is something that cannot be avoided. These are the operating principles of the so called "ordinary" observer; and this is an important insight for architecture as a visual discipline, which has been often neglected. As a significant addition to intuition and experience, the creative work of architects is supported by the insights on perceptual and cognitive processes which have been revealed by the psychology of perception.

The interactive relationship between psychology and architecture is still being neglected when the possibilities potentially obtainable by perceiving and memorizing architectural forms and space are considered . The contemporary architects, or a part of them are well aware of these possibilities while designing their buildings, and it is of great interest to ascertain how professionals and ordinary people perceived and memorized buildings and sites through history. The paper presents certain psychological methods that could be very helpful in this research. One of those methods have The Gestalt principle is the initial method of one such method, because the memorizing process strongly relies on the concept of 'crystallization' of a perceived event with the passage of time. Some examples, well known through building history have been analyzed and compared in order to demonstrate how the interaction between psychology and architectural forms and spaces.

Abstract Background We aimed to evaluate thyroid functions and volumes and detect abnormalities in 80 neonates with Down syndrome. Methods Data about free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin and urinary iodine levels, and ultrasonographic thyroid volume were collected. Results Abnormal thyroid function tests were detected in 53.8% of the patients (n = 50) and these were hyperthyrotropinemia, hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency and iodine overload in 32, 2, 12 and 4 patients, respectively. Thyroid volumes were assessed in 36 patients and a total of 17 abnormalities were detected (7 hypoplasia, 3 agenesis and 7 goiter). In patients with hyperthyrotropinemia mean thyroid volume was significantly greater and mean TSH was significantly higher when compared to the patients without hyperthyrotropinemia. Conclusion Neonatal screening by thyroid function tests in Down syndrome should be performed to prevent further intellectual deterioration and improve overall development. In the neonatal period, the risk of hyperthyrotropinemia should be kept in mind.

Abstract Background Gene expression microarrays and real-time PCR are common methods used to measure mRNA levels. Each method has a fundamentally different approach of normalization between samples. Relative quantification of gene expression using real-time PCR is often done using the 2^(-ΔΔCt) method, in which the normalization is performed using one or more endogenous control genes. The choice of endogenous control gene is often arbitrary or bound by tradition. We here present an analysis of the differences in expression results obtained with microarray and real-time PCR, dependent on different choices of endogenous control genes. Results In complex tissue, microarray data and real-time PCR data show the best correlation when endogenous control genes are omitted and the normalization is done relative to total RNA mass, as measured before reverse transcription. Conclusion We have found that for real-time PCR in heterogeneous tissue samples, it may be a better choice to normalize real-time PCR Ct values to the carefully measured mass of total RNA than to use endogenous control genes. We base this conclusion on the fact that total RNA mass normalization of real-time PCR data shows better correlation to microarray data. Because microarray data use a different normalization approach based on a larger part of the transcriptome, we conclude that omitting endogenous control genes will give measurements more in accordance with actual concentrations.

People with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may be especially vulnerable to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic due to their unique characteristics. This qualitative case study used interviews with instructional staff and parents to understand the experiences of both families and practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this can inform the use of virtual instruction for students with ASD. Through the lens of Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory (1979) we examined how the different layers of our world shifted due to the pandemic, and what influence this had on our students with a diagnosis of ASD. Findings revealed several themes of among the interview transcripts, five main themes were observed: COVID-19, conflict of no control versus freedom, setting, technology use and preparation, and perspective.

In this multiple case study we examined six middle schools with above predicted student achievement outcomes on Common Core State Standards (CCSS) assessments in mathematics and English language arts. We drew upon the Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) framework to characterize the nature of teachers' practices with particular attention to how they approach instruction for students with disabilities (SWD). Through analysis of focus group interviews and observational field notes we 1) identified shared characteristics of UDI practices across all schools and 2) noted two schools with exemplary attention to three UDI principles: community of learners; flexibility in use; and tolerance for error. The exemplars provide evidence of how educators have shifted from a dichotomous understanding of abled/disabled to all-enabled through the use of UDI practices. This research offers implications for policy and practice by providing empirically-grounded findings regarding the nature of teachers' instruction for SWD in odds-beating schools.

Objectives: Individuals who want to get information about body donation sometimes apply to physicians instead of Anatomy Departments in Turkey. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of physicians who are frequently consulted by body donors. Methods: In this descriptive study, questionnaire form which consisted of three parts and 20 questions was prepared. In the first part, demographic informations; in the second part; the physicians' answers to frequently asked body donation questions and physician responsibilities in the process; in the third part, the physicians' request for information was questioned. The survey was conducted online. Results: Of the 238 physicians from 33 different provinces (aged between 25-68 years, 58.8% female, 41.2% male), 62.6% were specialist, 37.4% were non-specialized. 12.6% of them stated that at least one person applied to them for body donation. While only 52.5% of the physicians chose the Anatomy Departments to direct the donor, 35.3% chose the Organ Donation Units. 80.3% did not know that the body of an individual who did not fill out the donation form could be donated by their relatives and 29.4% did not know that body donation does not prevent organ donation. 90.8% of the physicians stated that they needed to be informed about the laws and procedures related to cadaver donation. Conclusion: The study reveals that physicians do not have enough information about body donation and they demand to be informed about it. The findings should be carefully evaluated as a factor that may adversely affect the decision of the body donor who cannot be properly guided by the physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) can be a reliable solution since they have modular structure and high quality output waveform for permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) based wind energy conversion system (WECS). Capacitor voltage balancing in nearest level modulation (NLM) is required to keep the capacitor voltage of each submodule of MMC constant. In this paper, an efficient capacitor voltage balancing scheme under NLM is proposed for PMSG based WECS with MMC topology. Through proposed control scheme, arm voltages are separately controlled and voltage ripple of around 1.5% is obtained. This result provides high quality output waveform at the point of common coupling (PCC). Furthermore, DC-link voltage control is achieved via hysteresis current control based proportional-integral controller. The ripple of DC-link voltage is obtained quite well as nearly 0.25%. In addition, load voltage control is accomplished using dq reference frame-based voltage control scheme for voltage and frequency stabilization at the PCC by regulating the voltage at its reference value. Simulation studies show that all proposed control schemes give satisfactory results for MMC based WECS under variable dynamic operation modes. Finally, experimental verification is performed using laboratory prototype to show the applicability of the proposed capacitor voltage balancing scheme.