The age of the Dinaride Ophiolite Belt: Derived olistostrome melange at the northern slope of Moračka Kapa (Montenegro)

This paper presents the first results of a palynological investigation of the Dinaride Ophiolite Belt - derived olistostrome melange at the northern slope of Moračka Kapa (Montenegro). The analysis of microfloral association provided a reconstruction of the Late Jurassic sedimentation conditions and depositional environment in the Morača Kapa Unit. The samples (8) collected from the different parts of ophiolite matrix yielded palynomorph assemblages (fossil spores, pollen grains and dinoflagellates) of the Upper Jurassic age. The uppermost part of the ophiolite suite on the presented palynomorphs could also indicate the lowermost Lower Cretaceous. These palynological results provide a very interesting framework of these widespread, but poorly stratigraphically understood sediments. The paleoecological results suggest humid and subtropical conditions in the hinterland

Исследование напряженно-деформированного состояния нелинейных участков магистрального газопровода Карталы-Астана

A petrological and organic geochemical study was performed on coal samples from the East field deposit, Bogovina Basin, Serbia. Fourteen coal samples were collected from different parts of the Main and Upper coal seams from fresh, working faces in the underground subbituminous coal mine. The Lower Miocene (?) coal of the East field is a typical humic coal with huminite, liptinite and inertinite concentrations of up to 81.4 vol.%, 16.1 vol.% and 13.5 vol.%, respectively. Densinite is the most abundant maceral with variable amounts of ulminite and gelinite. Sporinite and liptodetrinite are the most common macerals of the liptinite group. Exsudatinite was detected in the lower part of the Lower coal seam. Inertodetrinite is the most abundant maceral of the inertinite group. The mineral matter consists mostly of clay minerals and carbonates. The mean random huminite reflectance (ulminite B) for the Main coal seam is 0.42 +/- 0.04%Rr, and 0.41 +/- 0.04%Rr for the Upper coal seam, which are typical for an immature to early mature stage of the organic matter. The distribution and abundance of n-alkanes and steranes indicates a significant contribution of epicuticular waxes from higher plants. High amount of phyllocladane-type diterpenoids (16 alpha(H)-phyllocladane) suggests that coal forming plants were conifer families Taxodiaceae, Podocarpaceae, Cupressaceae, Araucariaceae, Sciadopityaceae, and Phyllocladaceae, while a higher amount of pimarane and norpimarane suggests Pinaceae. Taxodiaceae, and Cupressaceae. The pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) ratio implies variable anaerobic to oxic conditions during sedimentation. The distribution of the hopanes detected in the Bogovina East field coal indicates an immature to early mature stage of the organic matter, which is in agreement with huminite reflectance. The high coal sulphur contents from the East field are characteristic for slightly alkaline depositional environments generated by bentonite from the basement of the Main coal seam. The petrological observation and biomarker composition provide evidence for the generation of immature hydrocarbons which, most probably, originated from the resins and waxes of higher plants, mostly gymnosperms. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The Polymorphisms of Genes Encoding Catalytic Antioxidant Proteins Modulate the Susceptibility and Progression of Testicular Germ Cell Tumor

The simultaneous analysis of redox biomarkers and polymorphisms encoding for regulatory and catalytic antioxidant proteins was performed in order to evaluate their potential role in the development of testicular germ cell tumor (GCT), as well as the progression of the disease. NRF2 (rs6721961), GSTM3 (rs1332018), SOD2 (rs4880) and GPX3 (rs8177412) polymorphisms were assessed in 88 patients with testicular GCT (52 with seminoma) and 88 age-matched controls. The plasma levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), thiol groups and the plasma activity of glutathione peroxidase were measured. A significant association between variant GPX3*TC+CC genotype and risk of overall testicular GCT, as well as seminoma development, was found. Moreover, carriers of variant SOD2*TT genotype were at almost 3-fold increased risk of seminoma development. Interestingly, combined SOD2*TT/GPX3*TC+CC genotype conferred a 7-fold higher risk for testicular GCT development. Finally, variant GSTM3*AC+CC genotype was associated with a higher risk for the development of advanced diseased. The presence of assessed genetic variants was not associated with significantly higher levels of redox biomarkers in both testicular GCT patients, as well as in those diagnosed with seminoma. In conclusion, the polymorphic expression of certain antioxidant enzymes might affect susceptibility toward testicular GCT development, as well as the progression of the disease

Likvefakcija mekog mrkog uglja kosovskog basena

The behavior of Kosovo Basin (Yugoslavia) soft brown coal was studied during a direct liquefaction process by catalytic hydrogenation. A stream of hydrogen was passed through a tetralin dispersion of the pulverized coal in the presence of commercial extruded hydrogenating-desulphurizing cobalt-moly­bdenum/alumina catalyst. The experiments were carried out in the temperature range between 365 and 440°C at 13.5 and 15.0 MPa, the reactants being kept at selected stationary working conditions for 1-8 hrs. The yields of liquid products soluble in n-heptane (light oils), asphaltenes (n-heptane insoluble liquid products) and the solid coal residue served as a basis for the estimation of coal reactivity and for the calculation of total coal conversion. The liquid product yields varied substantially depending on the reaction temperature and the residence time. The total conversion under most of the applied reaction conditions was found to be around 80%, the highest (~86%) being observed with the longest, 8 h residence time. Various types of grains of modified coal and newly formed types of coal grains, as well as mineral matter were identified by micropetrographic analysis, indicating the release of gases in the initial stages of hydrogenation and the formation of semi-coke and coke by the polymerization of liquid products in the later reaction stages.Ispitivano je ponašanje mekog mrkog uglja Kosovskog basena (Jugoslavija) pri direktnoj likvefakciji. Katalitička hidrogenizacija izvođena je u protočnom šaržnom reaktoru propuštanjem vodonika kroz suspenziju tetralina i usitnjenog uglja, u prisustvu komercijalnog presulfidiziranog CO-MO/AI2O3 katalizatora. Eksperimenti su izvođeni na temperaturi 365 i 440°C, pritisku 13,5 i 15,0 MPa, u trajanju 1-8 sati. Reaktivnost uglja je procenjivana i ukupna totalna konverzija izračunavana je na osnovu prinosa tečnih proizvoda rastvornih u n-heptanu (laka ulja), asfaltena (proizvodi nerastvorni u n-heptanu) i čvrstog ostatka. Konverzija uglja pri navedenim uslovima iznosila je oko 80 %, a najveća je bila (~86 %) pri najdužem reakcionom vremenu. Mikropetrografskom analizom identifikovane su različite vrste zrna modifikovanog uglja kao i novo stvoreni tipovi zrna uglja kao i mineralnog materijala. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da se gasovi oslobađaju u početnim fazama hidrogenizacije, a da polimerizacijom tečnih proizvoda polu-koks i koks postaju u kasnijim fazama hidrogenizacije

Likvefakcija mekog mrkog uglja kosovskog basena

The behavior of Kosovo Basin (Yugoslavia) soft brown coal was studied during a direct liquefaction process by catalytic hydrogenation. A stream of hydrogen was passed through a tetralin dispersion of the pulverized coal in the presence of commercial extruded hydrogenating-desulphurizing cobalt-moly­bdenum/alumina catalyst. The experiments were carried out in the temperature range between 365 and 440°C at 13.5 and 15.0 MPa, the reactants being kept at selected stationary working conditions for 1-8 hrs. The yields of liquid products soluble in n-heptane (light oils), asphaltenes (n-heptane insoluble liquid products) and the solid coal residue served as a basis for the estimation of coal reactivity and for the calculation of total coal conversion. The liquid product yields varied substantially depending on the reaction temperature and the residence time. The total conversion under most of the applied reaction conditions was found to be around 80%, the highest (~86%) being observed with the longest, 8 h residence time. Various types of grains of modified coal and newly formed types of coal grains, as well as mineral matter were identified by micropetrographic analysis, indicating the release of gases in the initial stages of hydrogenation and the formation of semi-coke and coke by the polymerization of liquid products in the later reaction stages.Ispitivano je ponašanje mekog mrkog uglja Kosovskog basena (Jugoslavija) pri direktnoj likvefakciji. Katalitička hidrogenizacija izvođena je u protočnom šaržnom reaktoru propuštanjem vodonika kroz suspenziju tetralina i usitnjenog uglja, u prisustvu komercijalnog presulfidiziranog CO-MO/AI2O3 katalizatora. Eksperimenti su izvođeni na temperaturi 365 i 440°C, pritisku 13,5 i 15,0 MPa, u trajanju 1-8 sati. Reaktivnost uglja je procenjivana i ukupna totalna konverzija izračunavana je na osnovu prinosa tečnih proizvoda rastvornih u n-heptanu (laka ulja), asfaltena (proizvodi nerastvorni u n-heptanu) i čvrstog ostatka. Konverzija uglja pri navedenim uslovima iznosila je oko 80 %, a najveća je bila (~86 %) pri najdužem reakcionom vremenu. Mikropetrografskom analizom identifikovane su različite vrste zrna modifikovanog uglja kao i novo stvoreni tipovi zrna uglja kao i mineralnog materijala. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da se gasovi oslobađaju u početnim fazama hidrogenizacije, a da polimerizacijom tečnih proizvoda polu-koks i koks postaju u kasnijim fazama hidrogenizacije

Percutaneous Computed Tomography-Guided Oxygen-Ozone (O₂O₃) Injection Therapy in Patients with Lower Back Pain—An Interventional Two-Year Follow-Up Study of 321 Patients

Objectives: To assess the effect of oxygen-ozone therapy guided by percutaneous Computed Tomography (CT) compared to corticosteroids in individuals experiencing lower back pain (LBP) not attributed to underlying bone-related issues. Methods: A total of 321 patients (192 males and 129 females, mean age: 51.5 ± 15.1 years) with LBP were assigned to three treatment groups: group A) oxygen-ozone only, group B) corticosteroids only, group C) oxygen-ozone and corticosteroids. Treatment was administered via CT-guided injections to the intervertebral disc (i.e., intradiscal location). Clinical improvement of pain and functionality was assessed via self-reported pain scales and magnetic resonance (MR) and CT imaging. Results: At all follow-up times, the mean score of the numeric rating scale and the total global pain scale (GPS) of study groups receiving oxygen-ozone (groups A and C) were statistically significantly lower than the study group receiving corticosteroids only (group B), with p &lt; 0.001. There was a statistically significant difference between groups A and C at 30 days for the numeric rating scale. Conclusions: The percutaneous application of oxygen-ozone in patients with LBP due to degeneration of the lumbosacral spine showed long-lasting significant pain reduction of up to two years post-treatment when compared to corticosteroids alone. Combination therapy of oxygen-ozone and corticosteroids can be useful as corticosteroids showed statistically significant improvement in LBP earlier than the oxygen-ozone-only treatment.</p

Possibilities of attracting and retaining workers in the forestry sector

Šumama u Hrvatskoj gospodari se po načelu održivog razvoja, koji pretpostavlja upravljanje šumom na način da se održava njihova prirodna struktura, biološka raznolikost, produktivnost, vitalnost i potencijal. Za takav oblik gospodarenja, prijeko je potrebno imati i održivu radnu snagu. Posao šumskog proizvodnog radnika naglašeno je radno intenzivan. Upravo je zbog toga rad u šumarstvu svrstan u jedno od najopasnijih zanimanja, s visokom učestalošću ozljeda i čestim obolijevanjem od profesionalnih bolesti. Uslijed toga u društvu se primjećuje sve veći manjak interesa za poslovima radnika sjekača, traktorista i kopčaša. Svrha provedenog istraživanja bila je kroz anketiranje šumskih radnika i stručno-tehničkog osoblja na području Uprave šuma podružnice Split, šumarija Drniš i Šibenik, dobiti uvid u stajališta zaposlenika Hrvatskih šuma d.o.o. o razlozima nedostatka radne snage, o mogućim načinima privlačenja nove i zadržavanja postojeće radne snage te steći uvid u socioekonomski položaj radnika, stavove o prednostima i nedostacima ovog posla te stanje zaštite na radu i razine organizacije. Uspješna šumska proizvodnja rezultat je, između ostalog, šumskih radnika adekvatno osposobljenih za rad, zadovoljnih svojim radnim mjestom i adekvatnom zaštitom na radu. Nekvalitetna i nezadovoljna radna snaga s druge strane, može rezultirati nestručno i loše obavljenim radovima, ali i negativnim utjecajem na šumski ekosustav i okoliš. Nalazi provedenog istraživanja svakako upućuju na potrebu dodatnog sveobuhvatnog istraživanja problematike nedostatka radne snage u šumarstvu RH. Rezultati istraživanja pritom mogu poslužiti kao smjernice za unapređenje šumskoga rada, učinkovitije gospodarenje šumama te bolje upravljanje ljudskim resursima u šumarstv

Spanish Civil War

U ovom radu predstavit ću Španjolski građanski rat, koji je jedan od najvažnijih ratova dvadesetog stoljeća jer je bio prvi rat u kojem su se sukobile ideologije fašizma i komunizma, najavljujući buduću ideološku borbu u Drugom Svjetskom rat. Na temelju znanstvene literature prikazat ću građanski rat. Najvažnija znanstvena literatura koju sam koristio su knjige: Povijest svijeta od 1920-ih do 2000., autora Paula Johnsona, A short history of the Spanish Civil War, autora Juliána Casanova, Do pakla i natrag Europa 1914.-1949, autora Iana Kershawa, The Spanish Civil War, autora Stanleyja G. Payna i knjige The Spanish Civil War: A Very Short Introduction, autorice Helen Graham

Spanish Civil War

U ovom radu predstavit ću Španjolski građanski rat, koji je jedan od najvažnijih ratova dvadesetog stoljeća jer je bio prvi rat u kojem su se sukobile ideologije fašizma i komunizma, najavljujući buduću ideološku borbu u Drugom Svjetskom rat. Na temelju znanstvene literature prikazat ću građanski rat. Najvažnija znanstvena literatura koju sam koristio su knjige: Povijest svijeta od 1920-ih do 2000., autora Paula Johnsona, A short history of the Spanish Civil War, autora Juliána Casanova, Do pakla i natrag Europa 1914.-1949, autora Iana Kershawa, The Spanish Civil War, autora Stanleyja G. Payna i knjige The Spanish Civil War: A Very Short Introduction, autorice Helen Graham

Stand structure pattern of Narrow-leaved ash ( Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl) in Croatia

Trenutno stanje nizinskih poplavnih šuma srednje Posavine posljedica je događaja u prošlosti. Klimatske promjene, u kombinaciji s antropogenim utjecajem, značajno su izmijenile hidrološke prilike na širem slivnom području, ali i na samim rijekama. Odumiranje poljskog jasena na pojedinim lokalitetima u Hrvatskoj posljednjih nekoliko godina stvara velike ekološke i gospodarske probleme. Osim abiotskih čimbenika značajnu ulogu u tom procesu imaju i neki biotski čimbenici. Hymenoscyphus fraxineus primarni je uzročnik odumiranja stanica kore i drva izbojaka, grana, debla i korijena. Kao posljedica zaraze gljivom u prvim fazama razvoja bolesti dolazi do odumiranja izbojaka i grana, zatim dijelova krošnje te cijeloga stabla. Način zaštite zaraženih stabala još nije utvrđen, no mogućnost očuvanja i zaštite treba tražiti u otpornijim genotipovima jasena. Poremećena struktura sastojina vidljiva u broju stabala većem od normale, a posljedica je to neprovođenja valjanih i pravodobnih šumskouzgojnih radova njege. Distribucije broja stabala po debljinskim razredima izrazito su varijabilne. Klimatske promjene uzrokovale su značajne promjene vidljive u radijalnom prirastu poljskog jasena te se mogu smatrati glavnim uzrokom fiziološkog slabljenja, odumiranja i sušenja. Gospodarski zahvati trebali bi se usmjeriti na intenzivnije prorede sastojina kako bi se najvitalnijim stablima omogućila dovoljna količina vode i smanjila unutarvrsna kompeticija