Fuzzy approach to business improvement of holding equipment in the conditions of decreased production range

In recent years, manufacturing industry has been characterized by a decreased production range and a demand for a rapid change of production programs. In such conditions holding equipment costs are considerably larger. In this paper, we review and analyze possible ways of business improvement concerning holding equipment in specific production conditions characterized by the decreased production range and lack of financial sources for applying systems of assembled and disassembled equipment. Classification of elements and group of elements of those systems is performed by applying a new fuzzy ABC method presented in this paper. Selected optimization criteria describe the performance measures of elements and group of elements of assembled and disassembled equipment whereas their relative weights are not the same. It is assumed that the values of imprecise optimization criteria and their relative weights are described by discrete fuzzy numbers. The developed procedure is illustrated by an example with real input data

Utjecaj visokog hidrostatskog tlaka na viskozitet otopina β-laktoglobulina

In this research new experimental data for the pressure dependence of the viscosity of β-lactoglobulin solution are presented. The experimental investigation is based on in-situ viscometric measurement technique which provides an observation of the high-pressure-induced changes of β-lactoglobulin solution during the treatment. This method refers to a rolling ball viscometer that is adapted for the use at high pressures and has a variable inclination angle. The estimation of the viscosity has been done in order to detect reversible and irreversible conformational changes of β-lactoglobulin. For investigation protein solutions concentration 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05 and 0.06 g/g were used. The sample solutions are exposed to pressure of 0.1-600 MPa. The results showed that there is no significant effect of 100 MPa pressure on the viscosity of β-lactoglobulin solutions. With increasing pressure, between 100 and 300 MPa, the viscosity of β-lactoglobulin solutions increase. Pressure above 300 MPa causes further increase of the viscosity due to nonreversible and more extensive effects on protein, e.g. unfolding of monomeric proteins and aggregation. The structural changes of the β-lactoglobulin under high pressure affect the hydration of the β-lactoglobulin molecules. At pressure between 100 and 300 MPa there is a significant increase in relative hydration due to structural changes and increase in number of water molecules which are associated with protein molecules. Higher pressure cause protein aggregation due to formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds and irreversible denaturation and aggregation occurs. Because of that, there is no changes in protein hydration, moreover, the hydration of β-lactoglobulin molecules have a small decreases at pressure between 400 and 600 MPa.U radu su prikazani novi eksperimentalni podaci o viskozitetu vodene otopine β-laktoglobulina na visokim tlakovima. Eksperimentalno ispitivanje temeljeno je na primjeni in-situ tehnike mjerenja viskoziteta otopine. Za mjerenja korišten je Rolling ball viskozimetar s različitim kutovima nagiba koji je prilagođen radu na visokim tlakovima. Određivanje viskoziteta otopine vršeno je s ciljem utvrđivanja reverzibilnih i ireverzibilnih promjena strukture molekula β-laktoglobulina. Za eksperimentalna mjerenja korištene su otopine koncentracije 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05 i 0.06 g/g, a izložene su tlakovima od 0.1 do 600 MPa. Rezultati ispitivanja pokazuju da tlakovi do 100 MPa ne utječu bitnije na viskozitet otopine β-laktoglobulina. S povišenjem tlaka, između 100 i 300 MPa, viskozitet otopine značajno raste ukazujući na promjene strukture molekula β-laktoglobulina. Daljnji porast tlaka iznad 300 MPa dovodi do daljnjeg povećanja viskoziteta uslijed nereverzibilnih i izraženijih promjena proteina, denaturacije i agregacije. Strukturne promjene β-laktoglobulina koje su izazvane visokim tlakovima utječu i na hidrataciju molekula β-laktoglobulina. Na tlakovima između 100 i 300 MPa zapaženo je značajno povećanje relativne hidratacije, što može biti posljedica strukturnih promjena s jedne, i povećanja broja molekula vode koje su asocirane s molekulama proteina - s druge strane. Na višim tlakovima javljaju se ireverzibilna denaturacija i agregacija proteina, koja nastaje kao posljedica uspostavljanja intermolekularnih disulfidnih veza. Uslijed toga ne dolazi do povećanja hidratacije molekula β-laktoglobulina, naprotiv na tlakovima između 400 i 600 MPa hidratacija proteina blago se smanjuje

Utjecaj visokog hidrostatskog tlaka na viskozitet otopina β-laktoglobulina

In this research new experimental data for the pressure dependence of the viscosity of β-lactoglobulin solution are presented. The experimental investigation is based on in-situ viscometric measurement technique which provides an observation of the high-pressure-induced changes of β-lactoglobulin solution during the treatment. This method refers to a rolling ball viscometer that is adapted for the use at high pressures and has a variable inclination angle. The estimation of the viscosity has been done in order to detect reversible and irreversible conformational changes of β-lactoglobulin. For investigation protein solutions concentration 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05 and 0.06 g/g were used. The sample solutions are exposed to pressure of 0.1-600 MPa. The results showed that there is no significant effect of 100 MPa pressure on the viscosity of β-lactoglobulin solutions. With increasing pressure, between 100 and 300 MPa, the viscosity of β-lactoglobulin solutions increase. Pressure above 300 MPa causes further increase of the viscosity due to nonreversible and more extensive effects on protein, e.g. unfolding of monomeric proteins and aggregation. The structural changes of the β-lactoglobulin under high pressure affect the hydration of the β-lactoglobulin molecules. At pressure between 100 and 300 MPa there is a significant increase in relative hydration due to structural changes and increase in number of water molecules which are associated with protein molecules. Higher pressure cause protein aggregation due to formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds and irreversible denaturation and aggregation occurs. Because of that, there is no changes in protein hydration, moreover, the hydration of β-lactoglobulin molecules have a small decreases at pressure between 400 and 600 MPa.U radu su prikazani novi eksperimentalni podaci o viskozitetu vodene otopine β-laktoglobulina na visokim tlakovima. Eksperimentalno ispitivanje temeljeno je na primjeni in-situ tehnike mjerenja viskoziteta otopine. Za mjerenja korišten je Rolling ball viskozimetar s različitim kutovima nagiba koji je prilagođen radu na visokim tlakovima. Određivanje viskoziteta otopine vršeno je s ciljem utvrđivanja reverzibilnih i ireverzibilnih promjena strukture molekula β-laktoglobulina. Za eksperimentalna mjerenja korištene su otopine koncentracije 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05 i 0.06 g/g, a izložene su tlakovima od 0.1 do 600 MPa. Rezultati ispitivanja pokazuju da tlakovi do 100 MPa ne utječu bitnije na viskozitet otopine β-laktoglobulina. S povišenjem tlaka, između 100 i 300 MPa, viskozitet otopine značajno raste ukazujući na promjene strukture molekula β-laktoglobulina. Daljnji porast tlaka iznad 300 MPa dovodi do daljnjeg povećanja viskoziteta uslijed nereverzibilnih i izraženijih promjena proteina, denaturacije i agregacije. Strukturne promjene β-laktoglobulina koje su izazvane visokim tlakovima utječu i na hidrataciju molekula β-laktoglobulina. Na tlakovima između 100 i 300 MPa zapaženo je značajno povećanje relativne hidratacije, što može biti posljedica strukturnih promjena s jedne, i povećanja broja molekula vode koje su asocirane s molekulama proteina - s druge strane. Na višim tlakovima javljaju se ireverzibilna denaturacija i agregacija proteina, koja nastaje kao posljedica uspostavljanja intermolekularnih disulfidnih veza. Uslijed toga ne dolazi do povećanja hidratacije molekula β-laktoglobulina, naprotiv na tlakovima između 400 i 600 MPa hidratacija proteina blago se smanjuje

Factors influencing the high school graduates’ decision to study abroad: Toward a theoretical model

Institutions of higher education address the challenges of globalization by increasing their internationalization. This paper addresses the issue of consumers’ decision-making in higher education, based on a literature review. The aim of this paper is to formulate a theoretical model, identifying and systematizing the high school graduates’ decision to study abroad. The proposed model consists of 114 factors, divided into six groups. The model allows the assessment of each factor and its influence on the student’s decision, as well as the assessment of the factors’ interactions. The model can be used by the stakeholders of the higher education system, as to define the policies and strategies of individual institutions

The Global Distribution of Chinese Investments: Importance for the Economy of Serbia

Before the onset of the global economic crisis (2007), SEE countries generally focused their activities on attracting investment from developed and affluent European countries. The financial crisis has significantly affected the inflow of foreign investment, so that some Southeast European countries have become very attractive destinations for Chinese companies and their investments. This is precisely the period when Chinese companies received a clear signal from their home country to take advantage of the financial crisis that hit European countries, to diversify their investments and increase their market share. Due to lack of investment, Serbia opened its market and received fresh Chinese capital. The aim of this paper is to present the global distribution of Chinese investments, with particular reference to the importance they have for the Serbian economy. In order to get a clearer picture of the current situation, the secondary data for the period 2013-2019 years are used in the analysis, both regionally and globally. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that Serbia is currently the largest recipient of Chinese investments in the region, and in the upcoming period, the trend of Chinese investments growth is expected to be continued, which will further contribute to the development of the Serbian economy

Entrepreneurial Factors Influencing Recovery from Covid-19: A Country-Level Analysis

This study examines the impact of entrepreneurship ecosystem factors on the recovery of entrepreneurship from the COVID-19 pandemic and offers valuable insights to drive growth. By analyzing the Serbian dataset from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor National Expert Survey in 2022, the study employs linear regression analysis to investigate the relationship between Entrepreneurial Framework Conditions and post-pandemic recovery. Data were collected through interviews with 40 experts representing the government, academia, and industry. The National Entrepreneurship Context Index score for Serbia\u27s entrepreneurial environment quality in 2022 is 4.6 which positions Serbia in the middle of the continuum of included country scores. The results of the analysis have shown that Market openness (β = .474; p < .01) and Achieving the UN Sustainable Economic Development Goals (β = .460; p < .01) have a direct positive impact on the recovery of entrepreneurs from the consequences of COVID-19. The limitations of the study are related to the demographics of the sample, self-reported data, geographic scope, focusing only on the Republic of Serbia, cross-sectional design that does not capture the dynamic and evolving nature of the recovery process. Given these limitations, future work could incorporate a more diverse sample to enhance the generalizability of the findings.This research provides important insights and policy recommendations to leverage entrepreneurial practices for economic recovery following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PEDIATRIC APPENDICITIS MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES

The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus had a significant impact on providing health services the world over and is reflected in pediatric surgery also. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the prevalence of forms of appendicitis among children during and prior to the pandemic, and to compare the demographic characteristics. A retrospective study which covered a period from September 1, 2018 until September 1, 2021 and all the patients who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis was carried out. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analysed. The study included a total of 267 patients. Prior to the pandemic a total of 160 children underwent surgical treatment, 61.9% boys and 38.1% girls, while during the pandemic a total of 107 underwent surgical treatment, mostly boys 68,2%, and to a lesser extent, girls 31.8%. The average age of the patients was 11.0±3.9 years. Even though there is a difference in the number of children who underwent surgical treatment for perforated appendicitis prior to and during the Covid-19 pandemic, 54:44 or 33.8:41.1%, the difference is not statistically significant. During the pandemic, two patients who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus received surgical treatment for a perforated appendicitis. The Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on the healthcare system worldwide. In most centers for pediatric surgery, there was an increased incidence of perforated appendicitis without significant deviations in the demographic characteristics, which correlates with the results of this stud

Expression Analysis of SOX14 during Retinoic Acid Induced Neural Differentiation of Embryonal Carcinoma Cells and Assessment of the Effect of Its Ectopic Expression on SOXB Members in HeLa Cells

SOX14 is a member of the SOXB2 subgroup of transcription factors implicated in neural development. Although the first SOX14 gene in vertebrates was cloned and characterized more than a decade ago and its expression profile during development was revealed in various animal model systems, the role of this gene during neural development is largely unknown. In the present study we analyzed the expression of SOX14 in human NT2/D1 and mouse P19 pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cells. We demonstrated that it is expressed in both cell lines and upregulated during retinoic acid induced neural differentiation. We showed that SOX14 was expressed in both neuronal and non-neuronal differentiated derivatives, as revealed by immunocytochemistry. Since it was previously proposed that increased SOXB2 proteins level interfere with the activity of SOXB1 counteracting partners, we compared expression patterns of SOXB members during retinoic acid induction of embryonal carcinoma cells. We revealed that upregulation of SOX14 expression is accompanied by alterations in the expression patterns of SOXB1 members. In order to analyze the potential cross-talk between them, we generated SOX14 expression construct. The ectopic expression of SOX14 was demonstrated at the mRNA level in NT2/D1, P19 and HeLa cells, while an increased level of SOX14 protein was detected in HeLa cells only. By transient transfection experiments in HeLa cells we showed for the first time that ectopic expression of SOX14 repressed SOX1 expression, whereas no significant effect on SOX2, SOX3 and SOX21 was observed. Data presented here provide an insight into SOX14 expression during in vitro neural differentiation of embryonal carcinoma cells and demonstrate the effect of its ectopic expression on protein levels of SOXB members in HeLa cells. Obtained results contribute to better understanding the role of one of the most conserved SOX proteins

Water quality assessment of Vrutci reserovir tributaries based on diatom indices

Silikatne alge su važna grupa akvatičnih organizama osetljivih na promene u svojoj životnoj sredini. Međutim, njihova praktična upotreba kao bioindikatora je relativno nova u Srbiji. U ovom istraživanju sakupljeni su epilitski uzorci iz 14 pritoka akumulacije Vrutci u toku septembra i oktobra 2014. godine. Identifikovano je ukupno 84 taksona silikatnih algi. Najveće populacije u okviru epilitske zajednice silikatnih algi u većini pritoka grade Cocconeis placentula var. lineata i Achnanthidium minutissimum var. minutissimum. Rezultati izračunavanja dijatomnih indeksa, uz pomoć softverskog paketa OMNIDIA, ukazuju da je ekološki status vode većine ispitivanih pritoka odličan do dobar. Samo rezultati dijatomnih indeksa za pritoke Simića potok, Konjski potok, Bioštanska Banja i neimenovanu pritoku 13 pokazuju prisustvo umerene antropogene eutrofikacije.Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia, June, 10 – 12. 2015

The quality and use value of the false flax (Camelina sativa [L.] Crantz)

Alternative plant cultures with favorable agronomic characteristics are a great source of refined edible oil and renewable industrial oil products. False flax stands out as a species with modest growing requirements, short vegetation and diverse use. Accordingly, the breeding program of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad created two cultivars of false flax, NS Zlatka and NS Slatka, which were the research material of this study. The use and production value of these false flax cultivars were determined by examining important seed quality characteristics: oil content, oil yield, protein content and protein yield. The highest oil content was obtained in NS Slatka (45.90%) in 2016, while the highest protein content was 30.30%. The highest oil yield (801 kg/ha in 2017) and the highest protein yield (424 kg/ha in 2017) were detected in NS Zlatka. The data obtained from the field and laboratory were analyzed by analysis of variance, Duncan test and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Statistically significant differences were identified between the cultivars, and strong environmental influence was affirmed. By examining the correlations of the analyzed features, statistically significant correlations were found. The most common fatty acids included linolenic acid (33.80%), linoleic acid (18.81%), oleic acid (15.99%), eicosenoic acid (14.22%) and erucic acid (2.90%). The results obtained are applicable in further breeding program of false flax. They are of special importance in increasing the use value of false flax owing to the oil and meal high quality and potential for even more diverse use