The European Parliament and development cooperation: democratic participation in the ‘low politics’ of EU external relations

The European Parliament enjoys an array of powers in development cooperation, ranging from legislative and budgetary powers to scrutiny and democratic oversight. However, its role has largely been overlooked and generally been absent from the key debates in the EU foreign policy literature. Partly this stems from the ‘low politics’ nature of development cooperation, when set against the ‘high politics’ of EU external relations as typified by CFSP/CSDP and trade. This article combines a legal analysis of the EP’s post-Lisbon powers in EU development cooperation with an examination of the Multiannual Financial Framework, the European Consensus on Development and interinstitutional interactions to assess how the EP has succeeded in gaining a more significant role in this policy field. The article argues that the ‘low politics’ of EU development cooperation is highly susceptible to the EP’s institutional assertion and empowerment in overall EU external relations

Thermal shock resistance of ceramic fibre composites characterized by non-destructive methods

Alumina based ceramic fibres and alumina based ceramic were used to produce composite material. Behaviour of composite ceramics after thermal shock treatments was investigated. Thermal shock of the samples was evaluated using water quench test. Surface deterioration level of samples was monitored by image analysis before and after a number of quenching cycles. Ultrasonic measurements were done on samples after quench tests. Dynamic Young modulus of elasticity and strength degradation were calculated using measured values of ultrasonic velocities. Strengths deterioration was calculated using the non-destructive measurements and correlated to degradation of surface area and number of quenches. The addition of small amount of ceramic fibres improves the strengths and diminishes the loss of mechanical properties of samples during thermal shock experiments

Morphological and functional characteristics of satellite glial cells in the peripheral nervous system

Satellite glial cells are specialized cells that form a functional perineuronal sheath around sensory ganglion neurons. There are a large number of studies that reveal the morphological and functional characteristics of these cells. Satellite glial cells have been studied both in intact ganglions and in tissue cultures, using light and transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemical and other methods. Satellite glial cells have polygonal form; they are mononuclear and have developed synthetic organelles, numerous receptors, adhesion molecules and ion channels, which enable them to interact with adjacent neurons, as well as transmit signals in the ganglions of the peripheral nervous system. Based on the literature data, satellite glial cells thanks to their characteristics can receive signals from other cells and react to changes in their surroundings. Previous studies have investigated the potential role of satellite glial cells in the formation of the blood-nervous tissue barrier of the peripheral nervous system, as well as in the neuropathic pain genesis. Some recent discoveries support the fact that satellite glial cells can participate in controlling of local viral infections and protecting pseudounipolar neurons from mentioned infections

Ispitivanje stabilnosti oralnih suspenzija omeprazola za pedijatrijsku primenu magistralno izrađenih iz omeprazol kapsula

In this paper, a study exploring the stability of omeprazole in pediatric suspensions is presented. In order to determine the most suitable suspension, three different formulations were prepared and stored under refrigerated conditions and at room temperature for 30 days. Contents of omeprazole and preservatives were determined by liquid chromatographic method. Obtained results demonstrate that the vehicle consisting of: xanthan gum 0.3%, sodium bicarbonate 8%, Compound hydroxybenzoate solution APF 1% and purified water to 100% could have a significant potential in the development of a suitable omeprazole oral liquid for pediatric use. Namely, the content of omeprazole in the suspension prepared with this vehicle remained within acceptable range during the 30-day period, when stored refrigerated (2-8°C).U ovom radu predstavljeno je ispitivanje stabilnosti omeprazola u suspenzijama za pedijatrijsku primenu, koje su izrađene iz komercijalno dostupnih kapsula omeprazola u uslovima apoteke. U cilju utvrđivanja najpogodnijeg vehikuluma za magistralnu izradu suspenzija omeprazola, pripremljene su tri formulacije, koje su potom 30 dana čuvane u frižideru i na sobnoj temperaturi. Sadržaj omeprazola i konzervansa u suspenzijama je određivan primenom tečne hromatografije. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da vehikulum koji se sastoji iz ksantan gume 0,3%, natrijum-bikarbonata 8%, rastvora parabena 1% (Compound hydroxybenzoate solution APF) i prečišćene vode do 100% ima značajan potencijal za razvoj pogodnog tečnog oblika omeprazola za peroralnu primenu u pedijatrijskoj populaciji. Naime, sadržaj omeprazola u suspenziji pripremljenoj primenom ovog vehikuluma je ostao u okviru prihvatljivih granica tokom perioda od 30 dana, kada je suspenzija čuvana u frižideru (2-8°C)

Insight into the Aroma Profile and Sensory Characteristics of ‘Prokupac’ Red Wine Aromatised with Medicinal Herbs

Autochthones grape variety of ‘Prokupac’ (Vitis vinifera L.) is being increasingly cultivated in the Republic of Serbia and is one of the predominant varieties in the vineyards of southern Serbia. ‘Prokupac’ grapes are used to produce red wine with specific and distinctive varietal aromatic characteristics. Medicinal herbs can be effectively combined in alcoholic beverages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of medicinal herbs on the aroma profile and sensory characteristics of ‘Prokupac’ red wine. The analysis of the aromatic composition was conducted on ‘Prokupac’ wine (control) and ‘Prokupac’ wine aromatised with selected medicinal herbs: anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl.), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.). The analysis of volatile aromatic compounds in the wines, performed by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method, identified 48 compounds that were classified in the following groups: alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, ethyl esters and terpenes. Sensory analysis of wines was performed including visual, olfactory, gustatory and gustatory-olfactory perceptions. Terpenes were not identified in the ‘Prokupac’ control wine, while the highest content of all identified aromatic compounds was found in wines aromatised with anise, wormwood and cinnamon. The results indicated that selected medicinal herbs affected the composition and content of volatile aromatic compounds, as well as the sensory characteristics of analyzed wines. The unique aroma profile and pleasant taste of the wine aromatised with cinnamon contributed to its differentiation from other wines, and classification as very good wine

Mechanical Properties of Biomass-derived Silica Nanoparticles Reinforced PMMA Composite Material

Rice husk was used to produce silica particles, which were then used to reinforce the polymer matrix. The synthesized SiO2 particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy with EDS. In a PMMA matrix, prepared SiO2 particles in amounts of 1, 3, and 5 wt.% were used as reinforcing agents. The goal of this research was to see if SiO2 particles had any effect on the mechanical properties of polymer composite materials. The morphology of the composites was examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Vickers microindentation hardness and impact testing were used to determine the mechanical properties of the obtained composites. The indentation creep’s behavior of a polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) composite material with varying amounts of nanoparticles (SiO2) was investigated and analyzed

Non-destructive characterisation and classification of ceramic artefacts using pEDXRF and statistical pattern recognition

Background: Portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (pEDXRF) spectrometry analysis was applied for the characterisation of archaeological ceramic findings from three Neolithic sites in Serbia. Two dimension reduction techniques, principal component analysis (PCA) and scattering matrices-based dimension reduction were used to examine the possible classification of those findings, and to extract the most discriminant features. Results: A decision-making procedure is proposed, whose goal is to classify unknown ceramic findings based on their elemental compositions derived by pEDXRF spectrometry. As a major part of decision-making procedure, the possibilities of two dimension reduction methods were tested. Scattering matrices-based dimension reduction was found to be the more efficient method for the purpose. Linear classifiers designed based on the desired output allowed for 7 of 8 unknown samples from the test set to be correctly classified. Conclusions: Based on the results, the conclusion is that despite the constraints typical of the applied analytical technique, the elemental composition can be considered as viable information in provenience studies. With a fully-developed procedure, ceramic artefacts can be classified based on their elemental composition and well-known provenance

Validation of an analytical procedure for simultaneous determination of hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, and their impurities

The main objective of the work discussed in this paper was evaluation of a chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), lisinopril (L), and their impurities in pharmaceuticals. Chlorothiazide (CTZ) and disulfonamide (DSA), as potential impurities in hydrochlorothiazide, and diketopiperazine (DKP), as an impurity of lisinopril, were analyzed. The chromatographic behaviour of these substances on different columns was studied using mobile phases of different polarity. The optimum separations were achieved by gradient elution on a 4.6 mm x 20 mm, 3.5 mu m particle size, C-18 column. The mobile phase was a gradient prepared by mixing 7:93 (v/v) acetonitrile-25 mm potassium dihydrogen phosphate, pH 5, and 50:50 (v/v) acetonitrile-25 mm potassium dihydrogen phosphate pH 5 in different ratios. The flow rate was 1.0 mL min(-1). UV detection was performed at 215 nm. Methylparaben was used as internal standard. The method was validated for selectivity, linearity, precision,. and accuracy. The limits of detection, LOD, and quantification, LOQ, were determined experimentally. Because of its speed and accuracy the method can be used for quality-control analysis