APPRAISAL OF FAMILIARITY WITH CONTENT: ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH DIMENSIONS OF EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the dimensions of the emotional experience (valence and arousal), the quality of emotions (happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust), and the appraisal of familiarity with content. Ninety-two participants assessed how familiar the content of the 40 photographs were to them. The photographs were selected from the NAPS database and systematically varied along the dimensions and qualities of the emotional experience. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between the appraisal of familiarity and the dimensions of the emotional experience. The correlation of familiarity appraisal with arousal was negative, unlike findings from earlier studies. Significant positive correlation with happiness and negative correlations with sadness, fear, surprise, anger, and disgust were also found

Thermal relaxation of magnetic clusters in amorphous Hf_{57}Fe_{43} alloy

The magnetization processes in binary magnetic/nonmagnetic amorphous alloy Hf_{57}Fe_{43} are investigated by the detailed measurements of magnetic hysteresis loops, temperature dependence of magnetization, relaxation of magnetization and magnetic ac susceptibility, including a nonlinear term. Blocking of magnetic moments at lower temperatures is accompanied with the slow relaxation of magnetization and magnetic hysteresis loops. All of the observed properties are explained with the superparamagnetic behaviour of the single domain magnetic clusters inside the nonmagnetic host, their blocking by the anisotropy barriers and thermal fluctuation over the barriers accompanied by relaxation of magnetization. From magnetic viscosity analysis based on thermal relaxation over the anisotropy barriers it is found out that magnetic clusters occupy the characteristic volume from 25 up to 200 nm3 . The validity of the superparamagnetic model of Hf_{57}Fe_{43} is based on the concentration of iron in the Hf_{100-x}Fe_{43} system that is just below the threshold for the long range magnetic ordering. This work throws more light on magnetic behaviour of other amorphous alloys, too

Effects of short time exposure of HTB140 melanoma cells to fotemustine and dacarbazine

Different experimental set-ups were designed to study cytotoxic and cytoststic effects on HTB140 melanoma cells after 1 h treatment with fotemustine (FM) or dacarbazine (DTIC). FM induced dose dependent cell inactivation, boosted by its toxicity, particularly for higher doses. DTIC treatment for 1 h was insufficient to provoke almost any effect on melanoma cells. Good correlation between viability and proliferation assays applied was detected for both drugs.Physical chemistry 2006 : 8th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 26-29 September 200

Correlation of the patterns of behavior in focal epileptic seizures and localization of the epileptic lesions

Aktivnost anatomski definisanih regiona humanog cerebralnog korteksa, kroz konektivnost, proizvodi funkcionalnu heterogenost reprezentovanu kroz bihejvioralni aspekt. Bazični fiziološki supstrat interkonekcije anatomskih podregiona predmet je stalnih istraživanja. Fokalna epilepsija, kao eksluzivna kortikalna bolest, odličan je model za eksploraciju neurobiološke osnove funkcionalne anatomije. Tačnije, iritativni kortikalni fenomen u jednom regionu (finalni patofiziološki produkt epileptogeneze u epileptogenoj leziji), pored inicijalnog simptoma, dovedi do većeg broja različitih, vremenski uslovljenih, kombinacija kliničkih simptoma i znakova – obrazaca ponašanja tokom epileptičnog napada. Sekvencijalni raspored simptoma i znakova determinisan je propagacijom abnormalne električne aktivnosti kroz korteks i anatomske puteve, od generatora do bliskih i udaljenih moždanih regiona. Preferencijalni put propagacije deo je neurodiveziteta epileptične mreže i dominantno je uniforman na individualnom nivou. Iako su poznate i manje inter-individualne varijacije, veruje se da je broj kombinacija u obrascu ponašanja tokom fokalnog epileptičnog napada, u ljudskoj vrsti, konačan. Primarni cilj doktorske disertacije bio je utvrđivanje korelacije klinički definisanih epileptičnih simptoma i znakova (semiologije) i lokalizacije epileptogene lezije. Učinjena je kliničko-anatomska korelacija na reprezentativnom uzorku bolesnika sa fokalnom epilepsijom, obrađenih na Klinici za neurologiju Kliničkog Centra Srbije, shodno, trendovima moderne epileptologije. Rezultati na analiziranom materijalu demonstriraju kompleksnost epileptične mreže nadgrađene na fiziološkom nivou konektivnosti, ali i izvesne zakonomernosti, koje podupiru postojeći neurobiološki koncept funkcionalne anatomije i utvrđuju klinička uverenja u modernoj epileptologiji. Koherentna i oscilatorna epileptična aktivnost generiše bihejvioralne fenomene, poput potpunog prestanka motorne aktivnosti ili oroalimentarnih automatizmama, znakova koji su najčešći u analiziranoj populaciji. Bihejvioralni arest, rani znak, sugeriše na limitiranu aktivnost u cerebralnom korteksu, uz verovatnu disrupciju kortiko-subkortiko-spinalnih veza. Oroalimentarni automatizmi, fenomen druge polovine epileptičnog napada, mogući su proizvod aktivacionih i inhibitornih stimulusa više kortikalnih regiona sa finalnom rezultantom u arhaičnom ponašanju. Epigastrična i psihička aura najfrekventniji su među subjektivnim doživljajima analiziranih bolesnika; centralna autonomna mreža, viscerotopna prezentacija usko lokalizovanog korteksa i međuigra paleo- i neo-korteksa verovatni su patofiziološki mehanizmi ovih simptoma...Activity of anatomically defined regions of the human cerebral cortex, through connectivity produces functional heterogeneity represented by behavioral aspect. Basic physiological substrate of the interconnection between anatomical subregions is a subject of continuous research. Focal epilepsy, exclusive cortical disease, is an excellent model for the exploration of the neurobiological basis of functional anatomy. Specifically, cortical irritative phenomenon in a region (the final pathophysiological product of epileptogenesis in epileptogenic lesion), in addition to the initial symptoms, leads to a large number of different, time-conditioned, combination of the clinical symptoms and signs - behavior patterns during epileptic seizure. Sequential arrangement of signs and symptoms is determined by the propagation of abnormal electrical activity in the cortex and anatomical pathways from the generator to the close and distant brain regions. Preferential path of the propagation is part of the epileptic network’s neurodiversity that is dominantly uniform at the individual level. Although minor inter-individual variations has been given, it is believed that the number of combinations in the pattern of behavior in focal seizures in the human species is final. The primary goal of the doctoral dissertation was to determine the clinical correlation between defined epileptic symptoms and signs (semiology) and localization of epileptogenic lesions. We performed a clinical-anatomic correlation of a representative sample of patients with focal epilepsy, treated at the Department of Neurology, Clinical Center of Serbia, according to modern trends in epileptology. The results of the material analyzed demonstrate the complexity of the epileptic network upgraded to a physiological level of connectivity, as well as certain regularities, which support existing neurobiological concept of functional anatomy and determine the clinical belief in modern epileptology. Coherent oscillations and epileptic activity generates behavioral phenomena, such as the complete cessation of motor activity or oroalimentary automatisms, most common signs in the analyzed population. Behavioral arrest, an early sign, suggests the limited activity of the cerebral cortex, with the probable disruption in cortico-subcortico-spinal pathways. Oroalimentary automatisms, the phenomenon of the second half of seizures, are possible product of the activation and inhibitory stimuli in wider cortical regions with the final resultant in the archaic behavior. Epigastric and psychic aura are among the most frequent subjective experiences in analyzed patients; central autonomic network, viscerotopic presentation in narrowly localized cortex and interplay of paleo-and neo-cortex are likely pathophysiological mechanisms of these symptoms..

Momentum-Resolved Electronic Structure of the High-TcT_{c} Superconductor Parent Compound BaBiO3_{3}

We investigate the band structure of BaBiO$_{3}$, an insulating parent compound of doped high-$T_{c}$ superconductors, using \emph{in situ} angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy on thin films. The data compare favorably overall with density functional theory calculations within the local density approximation, demonstrating that electron correlations are weak. The bands exhibit Brillouin zone folding consistent with known BiO$_{6}$ breathing distortions. Though the distortions are often thought to coincide with Bi$^{3+}$/Bi$^{5+}$ charge ordering, core level spectra show that bismuth is monovalent. We further demonstrate that the bands closest to the Fermi level are primarily oxygen derived, while the bismuth $6s$ states mostly contribute to dispersive bands at deeper binding energy. The results support a model of Bi-O charge transfer in which hole pairs are localized on combinations of the O $2p$ orbitals.Comment: minor changes to text and other figures; includes link to online Supplemental Material; accepted to Phys. Rev. Let

Electroclinical characteristics of MRI negative focal epilepsy: A video-EEG study

Background/Aim. Epileptogenic lesions carry intrinsic epileptogenicity or epileptogenic potential in their close vicinity. One third of patients with focal epilepsy have no epileptogenic lesions magnetic resonance imaging [MRI(-)]. The aim of this study was to determine the epileptogenic zone investigating electrical and clinical properties of MRI-patients. Methods. In 180 patients with focal epilepsy we analyzed 1,712 seizures for interictal and ictal electroencephalography (EEG) and seizure semiology. If multiple seizures occurred we took the best seen on video as an example, with secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) if it occurred. Brain MRI was focused to investigate the zone of ictal EEG onset. Electroclinical properties of the MRI-patients were compared to lesion positive patients [MRI(+)]. Results. A single epileptogenic lesion was identified in 68.89% [hippocampal sclerosis (HS) in 58, focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in 28 and other pathologies in 38 patients]. MRI(-) patients had significantly less interictal epileptiform abnormalities, and presented more often (p lt 0.001) with secondary GTCS as the only seizure. Eye opening, hypermotor seizure, bilateral asymmetric clonic seizure, vocalization, and contralateral body turning occurred more frequently in the MRI-group compared to the MRI+ one. MRI-patients share some semiological features with FCD as opposed to HS patients. Conclusion. MRIepilepsy patients frequently present with electroclinical features seen in frontal lobe epilepsy or in epilepsy associated with FCD

The Effect of a Compulsory Curriculum on Ethical Attitudes of Medical Students

The purpose of the present study was to assess the influence of a compulsory curriculum on first-year medical students. The ethical attitude study was performed at the School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia. The samples consisted of 171 medical students (68 males and 103 females) interviewed at the beginning of the first year of studies. Some of them, namely 143 (56 males and 87 females) were interviewed again at the end of the same academic year. Data were analysed by applying factor analysis under principal component model and varimax criterion as the rotation model. The results clearly show that the current compulsory curriculum without formal ethical education has a limited influence on first-year medical students. That points to the obvious necessity to implement the medical ethics in the course of medical education

Application of Lignite Combustion Waste Slag Generated in Heating Plants as a Partial Replacement for Cement. Part II: Physical–Mechanical and Physical–Chemical Characterization of Mortar and Concrete

The presented study is a continuation of the research with the aim of finding a useful value of hazardous waste slag generated by the combustion of lignite in heating plants and its application in the construction industry. The different amounts of cement (10%, 15%, 20% and 25%) were replaced with waste slag and silica fumes in mortars and concrete production. Detailed physical–mechanical characterization was performed on the mortar and concrete samples according to standard procedures. Test results indicated that the replacement of cement with slag and silica fumes reduces the physical and mechanical properties of mortar and concrete, but cement composites retained the required structural properties. If 15–20% is considered an acceptable level of compressive strength decrease, then it can be concluded that waste slag can be implemented in practice and be used as a construction material, with cement replacement in the maximal amount of 20% (17.8% of slag and 2.2% of silica fumes). On hardened mortar samples with maximal possible cement replacement (20%), physical–chemical characterizations were performed and included X-ray and infrared spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, and thermal analysis. Results showed the absence of new phases and the presence of only those which were characteristic for starting samples, predominantly portlandite, quartz, calcite and calcium silicate-oxid

Positive effects of naringenin on near-surface membrane fluidity in human erythrocytes

Purpose: Deformability/rheologic behavior of erythrocytes are related to near-surface membrane fluidity. Specific agents can increase erythrocyte membrane fluidity in order to adjust hemodynamics in cardiovascular diseases. Grapefruit flavanone naringenin has been proposed for potential use in an alternative therapy of cardiovascular conditions. In respect to this, we assessed here effects of two nutritionally relevant concentrations of naringenin (0.1 and 1 μg/ml) on near-surface membrane fluidity in human erythrocytes. Methods: We used electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and fatty acid spin probes (5-DS and 7-DS), the spectra of which are dependent on membrane fluidity. Results: The results showed a significant (p = 0.029) increase of membrane fluidity near the hydrophilic surface in erythrocytes treated with higher concentration of naringenin. In the deeper layer, just below the erythrocyte membrane phospholipid heads, both lower and higher concentration of naringenin significantly increased membrane fluidity (p = 0.036 and p = 0.028, respectively). Conclusions: These data document the positive and dose dependent effect of naringenin on near-surface membrane fluidity in human erythrocytes, recommending its use in the cardiovascular conditions characterized by disturbed hemodynamics

Mechanical-chemical synthesis Ba0.77Sr0.23TiO3

Barium-Strontium-Titanate Ba0.77Sr0.23TiO3 was prepared from starting materials BaCO3, SrCO3 and TiO2 through solid-state reactions. Mixtures of these oxides are mechanically activated in a high-energy planetary ball mill at different time intervals from 0 to 120 minutes. In order to obtain information on phase composition, crystal structure was determent by X-ray diffraction. It was observed that after 80 minutes in process synthesis Ba0.77Sr0.23TiO3 started Thermal analyzes were performed in order to determine the characteristic temperatures of the processes that occur in the solid phase. Particle size distribution, together with electron microscopy scanning has given us very useful information about the morphology of the powder