Geological influence on the formation of Samar natural bridge and collapse valley of Ravna River from the NE Kučaj Mountains (Carpatho-Balkanides, eastern Serbia)

The paper deals with the description of Samar natural bridge and collapse valley of Ravna River in eastern Serbia aiming to suggest an interpretation of their origin and development, in relationship with lithological and tectonic conditions, karst processes, and petrological analyses. In this study we present the geological setting, detailed morphology and hypothesis on the genesis of these karst landforms. The relationship between surface karst development and the geology is considerably acknowledged. The major contribution of the paper is to propose a framework for considering how recrystallization of limestone can affect the weathering potential of karst landforms and to introduce a term collapse valley. Finally, this study shows that the weathering potencial of the Samar natural bridge is decreased concerning the diagenetic changes these limestones underwent.

Smart factory implementation and process innovation : a preliminary maturity model for leveraging digitalization in manufacturing moving to smart factories presents specific challenges that can be addressed through a structured approach focused on people, processes, and technologies

The development of novel digital technologies connected to the Internet of Things, along with advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, is enabling a new wave of manufacturing innovation. “Smart factories” will leverage industrial equipment that communicates with users and with other machines, automated processes, and mechanisms to facilitate real-time communication between the factory and the market to support dynamic adaptation and maximize efficiency. Smart factories can yield a range of benefits, such as increased process efficiency, product quality, sustainability, and safety and decreased costs. However, companies face immense challenges in implementing smart factories, given the large-scale, systemic transformation the move requires. We use data gathered from in-depth studies of five factories in two leading automotive manufacturers to analyze these challenges and identify the key steps needed to implement the smart factory concept. Based on our analysis, we offer a preliminary maturity model for smart factory implementation built around three overarching principles: cultivating digital people, introducing agile processes, and configuring modular technologies.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Ovrednotenje kraških geomorfoloških točk na območju gora Kučaj in Beljanica kot izhodišče za ustanovitev geoparka na kraški osnovi

Protection and promotion of geoheritage has been changing and improving in recent decades, in line with the growing research in this field. Some research papers specifically study geomorphological geoheritage and introduce a special term − geomorphosite. Karst geomorphosites present specific objects of geomorphological heritage. On Kučaj and Beljanica mountains there is the largest karst area in Serbia. The purpose of this paper is to select and evaluate the scientific value of karst geomorphosites of Kučaj and Beljanica. More than one hundred karst geomorphosites were analyzed. In order to achieve more adequate coverage and representation, they were grouped into 25 geomorphotypes in three major geomorphological components of the investigated area. The results of this analysis highlighted the most important natural potentials of this area for establishing a karst-based geopark. More than 20 geomorphotypes have a positive recommendation index, which provides a good basis for further geotourism analysis.Zaščita in promocija geodediščine se v zadnjih desetletjih spreminjata in izboljšujeta, skladno s čedalje večjim številom tovrstnih raziskav. Nekateri raziskovalni članki posebej proučujejo geomorfološko geodediščino in uvajajo poseben izraz, geomorfološko točko. Kraške geomorfološke točke predstavljajo specifične cilje geomorfološke dediščine. Na gorah Kučaj in Beljanica je največje kraško območje v Srbiji. Namen prispevka je izbrati in ovrednotiti znanstveno vrednost kraških geomorfoloških točk Kučaja in Beljanice. Analiziranih je bilo več kot sto kraških geomorfoloških točk. Da bi se dosegli ustreznejša pokritost in zastopanost, so bile te točke združene v 25 geomorfoloških tipov treh glavnih geomorfoloških komponent raziskovalnega območja. Izsledki te analize so izpostavili najpomembnejše naravne potenciale tega območja za vzpostavitev geoparka na kraški osnovi. Več kot 20 geomorfoloških tipov ima pozitiven indeks priporočil, kar je dobro izhodišče za nadaljnjo analizo geoturizma

Comparison of stray-light and diffraction-caused crosstalk in free-space optical interconnects

In this paper we investigate for the first time the effect of the crosstalk introduced due to laser beam imaging in a free-space optical interconnect (FSOI) system. Due to the overfill of the transmitter microlens array by the vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) beam, one part of the signal is imaged by the adjacent microlens to another channel, possibly far from the intended one. Even though this causes increase in interchannel and intersymbol interference, to our knowledge this issue has been neglected so far. The numerical simulation has been performed using a combination of exact ray tracing and the beam propagation methods. The results show that some characteristics of stray-light crosstalk are similar to that of diffraction-caused crosstalk, where it is strongly dependent on the fill factor of the microlens, array pitch, and the channel density of the system. Despite the similarities, the stray-light crosstalk does not affect by an increase in the interconnection distance. As simulation models for optical crosstalk are numerically intensive, we propose here a crosstalk behavioural model as a useful tool for optimisation and design of FSOIs. We show that this simple model compares favourably with the numerical simulation models

Applications of Anti/Prooxidant Fullerenes in Nanomedicine along with Fullerenes Influence on the Immune System

Fullerenes are molecules that, due to their unique structure, have very specific chemical properties which offer them very wide array of applications in nanomedicine. The most prominent are protection from radiation-induced injury, neuroprotection, drug and gene delivery, anticancer therapy, adjuvant within different treatments, photosensitizing, sonosensitizing, bone reparation, and biosensing. However, it is of crucial importance to be elucidated how fullerenes immunomodulate human system of defense. In addition, the most current research, merging immunology and nanomedicine, results in development of nanovaccines, which may represent the milestone of future treatment of diseases

Guinea pig fetus does not change its presentation during second half of gestation

Objectives: The aims of this paper are: 1. To investigate spontaneous changes in fetal presentation during the second half of gestation in guinea pig fetus, 2. to observe provoked changes of fetal presentation, by passive positioning fetus into an upside-down position and “sitting” position. Eight fetuses from singleton pregnancies were included. Experimental design: Ultrasound examinations (Toshiba Nemio SSA-550A apparatus) were started on the 26th day of gestation (GD). Each fetus was examined 2-3 times in each 5-day interval until the end of gestation. First the spontaneous orientation of fetus was determined by tracking along the longitudinal and transversal axes of the fetus with the ultrasound probe. Then the fetus was brought into a head-down position relative to gravity for 5 minutes. The examination was repeated with the fetus in the head-up position. Results: In the period from the 26th – 30th GD in 7 of 21 observations spontaneous changes of presentation were observed. From the 31st GD all 133 observations were negative regarding spontaneous changes of presentation and situs. The chi-squared test showed that difference in spontaneous changes of presentation and situs before versus after 30th day of gestation had a statistical significance (χ² = 25.16 p 0.05). Fetuses were brought into a head-down and head-up 154 times. In none of these attempts did a fetus change presentation during the five minutes of observation. Conclusion: Guinea pig fetuses do not spontaneously or at provocation change presentation after 30th GD