Revisiting "Tin in South-eastern Europe?"

Obnovom arheoloških iskopavanja antičkog kastela Timakum Minus 2019. godine stvorile su se nove mogućnosti za tumačenja njegovih građevina koje su istraživane pre više decenija. Među ostacima građevina oko antičkog kastela Timacum Minus-a posebnu pažnju privlači delimično istražen "objekat sa hipokaustom", naročito u pogledu njegovih konstruktivnih karakteristika. Pored inače čestih antičkih konstrukcija hipokausta i zidnog grejanja, među ostacima ove građevine uočena je i posebna vrsta građevinskih elemenata - keramičke cevi za svodove. Velika količina otkrivenih cevi ukazala je na to da je ova građevina zaista imala svodove izrađene od njih. Iako je pojava cevi za svodove prilikom istraživanja antičkih lokaliteta na tlu jugoistočne Evrope registrovana, ona nije dovoljno dokumentovana, kao što ni sama funkcija cevi često nije prepoznata. Jedan od razloga za to jeste nedovoljna upućenost istraživača u specifične karakteristike cevi za svodove i njihovu funkciju, usled čega se one mešaju sa vodovodnim cevima, tubulusima ili kalemovima vezanim za zidno grejanje - budući da svaki od tih elemenata pripada keramičkim proizvodima koji su namenjeni građevinarstvu. U radu su razmatrane karakteristike cevi za svodove na Timakum Minusu, kao i kontekst u kome su pronađene unutar "objekta sa hipokaustom". Na osnovu nalaza pečata kohorte Aurelije II Daradanorum određeno je da "objekat sa hipokaustom" i konstrukcija svodova od keramičkih cevi potiču iz III veka - u kome je i inače pojava tih svodova širom Rimskog carstva bila česta. Prilikom sistematizacije vrsta keramičkih cevi na Timakum Minusu posebno je izdvojena ona koje je bilo najviše u "objektu sa hipokaustom". U sklopu nje je prepoznat i sasvim specifičan centralni element koji je omogućavao da se dva niza cevi na istom pravcu, ali iz suprotnih smerova, međusobno spoje. Taj element je definisao oblik svoda kojim su bile pokrivene prostorije čiju je rekonstrukciju osnove bilo moguće izvršiti. Arhitektonske analize "objekta sa hipokaustom", kao i karakteristike uočene na samim cevima ukazale su na to da su prostorije bile pokrivene poluobličastim svodom, izgrađenim od lučnih vertikalnih nizova cevi koje su u temenu bile ,,zaključane" centralnim elementom. Rekonstrukcija izgleda cevi i načina njihovog ređanja uklapa se u hronologiju izvođenja objekta i svoda tokom III veka. Daljim statičkim analizama došlo se do još nekoliko saznanja. Pokazalo se da je preko svoda morao biti nanesen određen sloj malterne mase da bi debljina svoda dosegla optimalnu vrednost u opsegu 20-30 cm. Na osnovu proporcija objekta koje su određene u njegovoj osnovi ispitana je visina objekta, gde je grupa slučajeva takođe definisana proporcionalno. Prema našim analizama, zidovi prostorija "objekta sa hipokaustom" u kojima su cevi registrovane mogli su dosezati visinu do 3,08 m, dok je visina prostorija u temenu svoda mogla biti 6,16 m. Ovim istraživanjem pokušali smo da ukažemo na veliki značaj pojedinačnih arhitektonsko-građevinskih elemenata, a među njima i keramičkih cevi za svodove, kojima se često ne pridaje dovoljna pažnja. Nalazi keramičkih cevi za svodove u Timakum Minusu, uz izvršene arhitektonske analize, upotpunjuju sliku otkrivenog "objekta sa hipokaustom" iz više aspekata. Posebno je značajno definisanje njegove visine, koje je veoma teško za antičke građevine profane arhitekture na našem tlu budući da su najčešće sačuvane u prizemnoj ili temeljnoj zoni. Značaj nalaza keramičkih cevi za svodove u Timakum Minusu veliki je stoga što je on omogućio kako konkretno definisanje konteksta njihovog nalaza tako i rekonstrukciju oblika određenih delova građevine pomoću tog elementa, što do sada nije istraživano prilikom analiza antičke arhitekture na tlu jugoistočne Evrope.The important role of the Balkans in the origin and development of metallurgy is well established with respect to copper. In addition, Aleksandar Durman, in his 1997 paper "Tin in South-eastern Europe?", essentially initiated studies into the role of the Balkans in Europe's Bronze Age tin economy. He identified six geologically favourable sites for tin mineralisation and associated fluvial placer deposits in the former Yugoslavian republics, and suggested that these may have added to the tin supply of the region. The viability of two of these sites has been confirmed (Mt Cer and Bukulja, Serbia) but the exploitation potential for the other locations has remained untested. River gravels from these four sites (Motajica and Prosara in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bujanovac in Serbia; Ogražden in North Macedonia) were obtained by stream sluicing and panning. The sites of Prosara and Bujanovac were found to be barren with respect to cassiterite (SnO 2). Streams flowing from Motajica and Ogražden were both found to contain cassiterite, but in amounts several orders of magnitude less than at Mt Cer and Bukulja. Although it is possible that minor tin recovery occurred at Motajica and Ogražden, it is unlikely that they could have contributed meaningfully to regional tin trade. This is supported by the fact that the isotopic signature (d 124 Sn) of cassiterite from Motajica is highly enriched in light isotopes of tin compared to that associated with Late Bronze Age artefacts of the region

A Comparative Study of the ReCell® Device and Autologous Spit-Thickness Meshed Skin Graft in the Treatment of Acute Burn Injuries.

Early excision and autografting are standard care for deeper burns. However, donor sites are a source of significant morbidity. To address this, the ReCell® Autologous Cell Harvesting Device (ReCell) was designed for use at the point-of-care to prepare a noncultured, autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS) capable of epidermal regeneration using minimal donor skin. A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the clinical performance of ReCell vs meshed split-thickness skin grafts (STSG, Control) for the treatment of deep partial-thickness burns. Effectiveness measures were assessed to 1 year for both ASCS and Control treatment sites and donor sites, including the incidence of healing, scarring, and pain. At 4 weeks, 98% of the ASCS-treated sites were healed compared with 100% of the Controls. Pain and assessments of scarring at the treatment sites were reported to be similar between groups. Significant differences were observed between ReCell and Control donor sites. The mean ReCell donor area was approximately 40 times smaller than that of the Control (P < .0001), and after 1 week, significantly more ReCell donor sites were healed than Controls (P = .04). Over the first 16 weeks, patients reported significantly less pain at the ReCell donor sites compared with Controls (P ≤ .05 at each time point). Long-term patients reported higher satisfaction with ReCell donor site outcomes compared with the Controls. This study provides evidence that the treatment of deep partial-thickness burns with ASCS results in comparable healing, with significantly reduced donor site size and pain and improved appearance relative to STSG

The Florida Melanoma Trial I: A Prospective Multicenter Phase I/II Trial of Postoperative Hypofractionated Adjuvant Radiotherapy with Concurrent Interferon-Alfa-2b in the Treatment of Advanced Stage III Melanoma with Long-Term Toxicity Follow-Up

Radiotherapy (RT) and interferon-alfa-2b (IFN α-2b) have individually been used for adjuvant therapy stage III melanoma with high-risk pathologic features. We hypothesized that concurrent adjuvant RT and IFN α-2b may decrease the risk of regional recurrence following surgery with acceptable toxicity. A prospective multicenter phase I/II study was conducted to evaluate hypofractionated RT with concurrent IFN. Induction IFN α-2b, 20 MU/m2/d, was administered IV ×5 consecutive days every week for 4 weeks. Next, RT 30 Gy in 5 fractions was given with concurrent IFN α-2b, 10 MU/m2 SQ 3 times per week on days alternating with RT. Subsequent maintenance therapy consisted of adjuvant IFN α-2b, 10 MU/m2 SQ 3 times per week to a total of 1 year. To fully evaluate patterns of failure, long-term follow-up was conducted for up to 10 years. A total of 29 consenting patients were enrolled between August 1997 and March 2000. The maximum (worst) grade of acute nonhematologic toxicity during concurrent RT/IFN α-2b (and up to 2 weeks post RT) was grade 3 skin toxicity noted in 2 patients (9%). Late effects were limited. Probability of regional control was 78% (95% CI: 55%–90%) at 12 months. The median follow-up (range) was 80 (51–106) months among ten survivors (43%). The median overall survival was 34.5 months while the median failure-free survival was 19.9 months. Postoperative concurrent hypofractionated RT with IFN α-2b for advanced stage III melanoma appears to be associated with acceptable toxicity and may provide reasonable in-field control in patients at high risk of regional failure

Nursing considerations to complement the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines

Objectives: To provide a series of recommendations based on the best available evidence to guide clinicians providing nursing care to patients with severe sepsis. Design: Modified Delphi method involving international experts and key individuals in subgroup work and electronic-based discussion among the entire group to achieve consensus. Methods: We used the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines as a framework to inform the structure and content of these guidelines. We used the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to rate the quality of evidence from high (A) to very low (D) and to determine the strength of recommendations, with grade 1 indicating clear benefit in the septic population and grade 2 indicating less confidence in the benefits in the septic population. In areas without complete agreement between all authors, a process of electronic discussion of all evidence was undertaken until consensus was reached. This process was conducted independently of any funding. Results: Sixty-three recommendations relating to the nursing care of severe sepsis patients are made. Prevention recommendations relate to education, accountability, surveillance of nosocomial infections, hand hygiene, and prevention of respiratory, central line-related, surgical site, and urinary tract infections, whereas infection management recommendations related to both control of the infection source and transmission-based precautions. Recommendations related to initial resuscitation include improved recognition of the deteriorating patient, diagnosis of severe sepsis, seeking further assistance, and initiating early resuscitation measures. Important elements of hemodynamic support relate to improving both tissue oxygenation and macrocirculation. Recommendations related to supportive nursing care incorporate aspects of nutrition, mouth and eye care, and pressure ulcer prevention and management. Pediatric recommendations relate to the use of antibiotics, steroids, vasopressors and inotropes, fluid resuscitation, sedation and analgesia, and the role of therapeutic end points. Conclusion: Consensus was reached regarding many aspects of nursing care of the severe sepsis patient. Despite this, there is an urgent need for further evidence to better inform this area of critical care

A study of some selected elements of egoism and altruism among high school seniors

Abstract not availabl

Maternal Death From Postpartum Necrotizing Fasciitis Arising in an Episiotomy: A Case Report

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare condition. We report a fatal case arising from an episiotomy in a previously healthy woman