Circular economy implementation in the development of fire-retardant materials used in construction, industry, and general-purpose products

During a fire, passive fire protection systems are designed to prevent the spread of flames, smoke, and toxic gases. The new fire-retardant (FR) material, used for passive fire protection, is created by combining copolymers (VC–co–VAc) (Slovinyl KV 173) and PVC K70 with expanded graphite and plasticizers/modifiers such as diisononyl phthalate - DINP, diisononyl terephthalate - DINTP, dioctyl adipate - DOA, as well as plasticizers that are synthesized based on tertiary recycling of waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), 1-hexadecene, azodicarbonamide (ADC), tri(p-cresyl phosphate), epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and acrylate emulsion (DH50, Ecrylic, or Flexryl, etc.). The obtained material's morphology was examined using an emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) field. Tensile testing was used to determine the mechanical properties of the obtained samples, as well as Shore A hardness and toughness using the Charpy impact test. All samples obtained were tested according to non-flammability standards. To conform to the new trend of "green economy," the development of novel eco-friendly FRs with improved thermal and mechanical properties will include careful consideration of environmental protection and sustainable development

Retrospective evaluation of the incidental finding of 403 papillary thyroid microcarcinomas in 2466 patients undergoing thyroid surgery for presumed benign thyroid disease

This research was aimed to describe the effectiveness of discovery learning model to increase student’s fluency thinking skills on chemical equilibrium subject matter.  The method of the research was quasi-experimental with  Non Equivalent Control Group Design.  The population of this research was all students in XI science class of MA Negeri 1 Metro whose sit in odd semester of academic year 2013-2014.  The sample were taken by purposive sampling technique then obtained XI IPA2 dan XI IPA3 class as sample of the research.  The effectiveness of discovery learning model was showed by the significant difference of n-Gain between control and experiment class.The result of research showed that the average n-Gain score for experiment class was  0,32 and the average n-Gain score for control class was 0,21.  Proving the hypothesis showed that discovery learning model is effective to increase student’s fluency thinking skills on chemical equilibrium subject matter. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendiskripsikan efektivitas model discovery learning dalam meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir lancar siswa pada materi kesetimbangan kimia.  Metode dalam penelitian ini adalah kuasi eksperimen.  Populasi dalam peneliian ini adalah semua siswa kelas XI IPA MA Negeri 1 Metro semester ganjil Tahun Pelajaran 2013-2014.  Sampel diambil dengan tehnik purposive sampling sehingga diperoleh kelas XI IPA2 dan XI IPA3 sebagai sampel penelitian.  Efektivitas model discovery learning ditunjukan berdasarkan perbedaan nilai n-Gain yang signifikan antara kelas eksperimen dan kelas kontrol. Hasil penelitian menunjukan rata-rata nilai n-Gain untuk kelas eksperimen adalah 0,32 dan rata-rata nilai n-Gain  untuk kelas kontrol adalah 0,21.  Pengujian hipotesis menunjukan bahwa model discovery learning efektif dalam meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir lancar siswa pada materi kesetimbangan kimia. Kata kunci : kesetimbangan kimia, keterampilan berpikir lancar, model discovery learnin

INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL TRAINING ON CARDIORESPIRATORY ENDURANCE IN PREADOLESCENT AGE

Cardiorespiratory or aerobic endurance is the ability of the whole body to sustain physical activity for an extended period of time, involving relatively large groups of muscles. The attitudes on the possible impact of training on cardiorespiratory endurance in preadolescents are contradictory. Our study enrolled 195 boys aged 11 to 12 years. Experimental group (n=92) consisted of the children who had been involved with planned and programmed water polo training for at least two years. Control group (n=103) consisted of schoolchildren who only had had regular physical education in schools. Our investigation protocol included standardized anthropometric measurements and tests, performed respecting the appropriate protocols. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated that there were no significant differences in age and relative values of oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Body height and mass, as well as the skinfold thickness, were significantly higher in experimental group subjects. The values of absolute VO2peak, FVC and FEV1.0 were also significantly higher in the examinees involved with water polo training. These findings stress the importance of a systematic training process even in this early period of growth and development in order for the trainees to acquire important functional advantages. We believe that a properly planned and programmed physical training can significantly contribute to the development of cardiorespiratory endurance even as early as preadolescent age

Supplementary data for the article: Mancic, L.; Djukic-Vukovic, A.; Dinic, I.; Nikolic, M. G.; Rabasovic, M. D.; Krmpot, A. J.; Costa, A. M. L. M.; Marinkovic, B. A.; Mojovic, L.; Milosevic, O. One-Step Synthesis of Amino-Functionalized up-Converting NaYF 4 :Yb,Er Nanoparticles for: In Vitro Cell Imaging. RSC Advances 2018, 8 (48), 27429–27437. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ra04178d

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ra04178d]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2225

Age as a Prognostic Factor in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Background. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the tumors with the shortest survival in human medicine. Aim. The aim was to determine the importance of age in survival of patients with ATC. Material and Methods. We analyzed the data on 150 patients diagnosed with ATC in the period from 1995 to 2006. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to determine overall survival. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results. The youngest patient was 35 years old and the oldest was 89 years old. According to univariate regression analysis, age was significantly associated with longer survival in patients with ATC. In multivariate regression analysis, patients age, presence of longstanding goiter, whether surgical treatment is carried out or not, type of surgery, tumor multicentricity, presence of distant metastases, histologically proven preexistent papillary carcinoma, radioiodine therapy, and postoperative radiotherapy were included. According to multivariate analysis, besides surgery (P=0.000, OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.29–0.63), only patients age (P=0.023, OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.49–0.95) was independent prognostic factor of favorable survival in patients with ATC. Conclusion. Age is a factor that was independently associated with survival time in ATC. Anaplastic thyroid cancer has the best prognosis in patients younger than 50 years

Supplementary data for the article: Mancic, L.; Djukic-Vukovic, A.; Dinic, I.; Nikolic, M. G.; Rabasovic, M. D.; Krmpot, A. J.; Costa, A. M. L. M.; Marinkovic, B. A.; Mojovic, L.; Milosevic, O. One-Step Synthesis of Amino-Functionalized up-Converting NaYF 4 :Yb,Er Nanoparticles for: In Vitro Cell Imaging. RSC Advances 2018, 8 (48), 27429–27437. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ra04178d

Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ra04178d]Related to published version: [http://cherry.chem.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2225

A Multiwell Platform for Studying Stiffness-Dependent Cell Biology

Adherent cells are typically cultured on rigid substrates that are orders of magnitude stiffer than their tissue of origin. Here, we describe a method to rapidly fabricate 96 and 384 well platforms for routine screening of cells in tissue-relevant stiffness contexts. Briefly, polyacrylamide (PA) hydrogels are cast in glass-bottom plates, functionalized with collagen, and sterilized for cell culture. The Young's modulus of each substrate can be specified from 0.3 to 55 kPa, with collagen surface density held constant over the stiffness range. Using automated fluorescence microscopy, we captured the morphological variations of 7 cell types cultured across a physiological range of stiffness within a 384 well plate. We performed assays of cell number, proliferation, and apoptosis in 96 wells and resolved distinct profiles of cell growth as a function of stiffness among primary and immortalized cell lines. We found that the stiffness-dependent growth of normal human lung fibroblasts is largely invariant with collagen density, and that differences in their accumulation are amplified by increasing serum concentration. Further, we performed a screen of 18 bioactive small molecules and identified compounds with enhanced or reduced effects on soft versus rigid substrates, including blebbistatin, which abolished the suppression of lung fibroblast growth at 1 kPa. The ability to deploy PA gels in multiwell plates for high throughput analysis of cells in tissue-relevant environments opens new opportunities for the discovery of cellular responses that operate in specific stiffness regimes

Production efficiency, fish health and fillet quality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed restricted feeding during the winter period

During a 97-day winter period, six duplicated groups of 81 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were fed to satiation 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or every day (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 and D7(control)) throughout the working week with the purpose of investigating production efficiency, health and quality parameters. The body weights showed a linear increase corresponding with the number of feeding days until day 5. The significantly highest TGC was observed for D5 and D6 (2.1-2.2) and lowest for D2 and D3 (0.7-0.8). The FCR was significantly lower for D2 and D3 (1.6-1.8) compared with D4, D5, D6 and D7 (1.0-1.2). The frequency of the feeding produced two significantly different fillet weight groups, analogous to increasing feeding days per week up to day 4. Registration of production efficiency and health parameters took place at the sampling, while quality measurements followed 6 days after. Weekdays of feeding had no significant impact on fillet fat content, post-rigor pH or slaughter yield. Furthermore, somatic-indexes expressed no significant influence for the feeding regime treatment, which applies also for the melanin in abdominal wall and gut health parameters. In summary, this study suggests a restricted feeding regime as an effective tool in obtaining a healthy Atlantic salmon of good quality and desirable growth during the winter season.The Norwegian Center of ExpertiseM-A

Production efficiency, fish health and fillet quality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed restricted feeding during the winter period

During a 97-day winter period, six duplicated groups of 81 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were fed to satiation 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or every day (D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 and D7(control)) throughout the working week with the purpose of investigating production efficiency, health and quality parameters. The body weights showed a linear increase corresponding with the number of feeding days until day 5. The significantly highest TGC was observed for D5 and D6 (2.1-2.2) and lowest for D2 and D3 (0.7-0.8). The FCR was significantly lower for D2 and D3 (1.6-1.8) compared with D4, D5, D6 and D7 (1.0-1.2). The frequency of the feeding produced two significantly different fillet weight groups, analogous to increasing feeding days per week up to day 4. Registration of production efficiency and health parameters took place at the sampling, while quality measurements followed 6 days after. Weekdays of feeding had no significant impact on fillet fat content, post-rigor pH or slaughter yield. Furthermore, somatic-indexes expressed no significant influence for the feeding regime treatment, which applies also for the melanin in abdominal wall and gut health parameters. In summary, this study suggests a restricted feeding regime as an effective tool in obtaining a healthy Atlantic salmon of good quality and desirable growth during the winter season