Smart capacitive moisture sensor calibration in mineral wool and green roof soil substrate

The environmental benefits of green roofs have been widely recognized. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to moisture management in the green roof systems. The moisture in the green roof has an influence on its thermal and hydrological performances. An accurate measurement of water content in green roof substrate is important for irrigation monitoring, optimal irrigation management, and plant growth. Knowing the performance and characteristics of the sensor for the chosen substrate layer in a green roof system is essential. This paper presents laboratory calibration of the capacitive moisture sensor in two types of the green roof substrate layer. The volumetric water content of several mineral wool and soil samples, with the water content from low until saturated, were measured using the gravimetric method and related to frequency obtained by the sensor. The results have shown that the capacitive moisture sensor has a good response to water content variation

Air kerma to HP(3) conversion coefficients for exp osure of the human eye lens to the selected standard X-RAY beam qualities

International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has decreased the annual dose limit for the eye lens from 150 mSv down to 20 mSv for occupational exposures. The operational quantity Hp (3) has been defined for eye lens dosimetry, while cylindrical phantom approximating the shape of a head was suggested for calibration purposes. The aim of the work was to provide a set of conversion coefficients that could contribute to improving the overall quality of eye lens dose assessment. The work investigated the air kerma to Hp(3,iota)conversion coefficients, Hp(3,iota)/Ka (in Sv/Gy), based on Monte Carlo simulations for a standard beam qualities, different angulations and suitable cylindrical phantom. For incident angles iota from 0(o\) to 90(o)., the conversion coefficients Hp(3,iota)/Ka were in the range 0.44-0.88 for N-40, 0.72-1.06 for N-60, 0.91-1.63 for N-80, 1.08-1.52 for N-100, 1.22- 1.62 for N-120 and 0.14-1.56 for N-150 beam quality. The conversion factors Hp(3)/Ka provided in this work are related to standard beam qualities readily available in the calibration laboratories and are suitable for application in numerous workplace situations in medicine and industry.3rd International Conference on Radiation and Applications in Various Fields of Research (RAD), Jun 08-12, 2015, Budva, Montenegr

Air kerma to HP(3) conversion coefficients for exp osure of the human eye lens to the selected standard X-RAY beam qualities

International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has decreased the annual dose limit for the eye lens from 150 mSv down to 20 mSv for occupational exposures. The operational quantity Hp (3) has been defined for eye lens dosimetry, while cylindrical phantom approximating the shape of a head was suggested for calibration purposes. The aim of the work was to provide a set of conversion coefficients that could contribute to improving the overall quality of eye lens dose assessment. The work investigated the air kerma to Hp(3,iota)conversion coefficients, Hp(3,iota)/Ka (in Sv/Gy), based on Monte Carlo simulations for a standard beam qualities, different angulations and suitable cylindrical phantom. For incident angles iota from 0(o\) to 90(o)., the conversion coefficients Hp(3,iota)/Ka were in the range 0.44-0.88 for N-40, 0.72-1.06 for N-60, 0.91-1.63 for N-80, 1.08-1.52 for N-100, 1.22- 1.62 for N-120 and 0.14-1.56 for N-150 beam quality. The conversion factors Hp(3)/Ka provided in this work are related to standard beam qualities readily available in the calibration laboratories and are suitable for application in numerous workplace situations in medicine and industry.3rd International Conference on Radiation and Applications in Various Fields of Research (RAD), Jun 08-12, 2015, Budva, Montenegr

Proračun specifične apsorbovane frakcije u pojedinim organizma čovečjeg tela prilikom primene radiofarmaceutika Xe-133

Монте Карло симулације су изведене за процену дозу приликом третмана са радиофармацеутиком 133Xe. Овај радиофармацеутик се користи у третманима у нуклеарној медицини, као индикација за кардиоваскуларне и плућне болести. Циљ овог рада је био да се процени специфична апсорбована фракција (САФ) када је овај радиофармацеутик инкорпориран у плућима. За ту сврху је развијен воксел фантом (торакса) и упоређен је са ORNL фантомом. Сви прорачуни и симулације врше помоћу MCNP5/Х кода.Monte Carlo simulations were performed to estimate dose for treatment with radiopharmaceutical 133Xe. This radiopharmaceutical is used in treatments in nuclear medicine as an indication for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the specific absorbed fraction (SAF) when this radiopharmaceutical is incorporated in the lungs. For this purpose, a Vauxhall phantom (toraxa) is developed and was compared to the ORNL phantom. All calculations and simulations are done using the MCNP5/X code.Зборник радова : XXIX симпозијум ДЗЗСЦГ : Сребрно језеро, 27-29. септембар 2017. годин

Hygrophorus eburneus, edible mushroom, a promising natural bioactive agent

It is known that many edible mushrooms have important medicinal properties, including effects on different types of cancers. This is the first report regarding the neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antioxidative and anticancer activities of the acetone extract of edible mushroom Hygrophorus eburneus. Neuroprotective potential was evaluated by measuring the capacity of the extract to inhibit acetylcholinesterase. In this assay, the tested extract showed activity against acetylcholinesterase in a dose-dependent manner where the percentage of inhibition ranged from 13.19 to 46.44 %. The antimicrobial potential was determined by the microdilution method against five species of bacteria and eight species of fungi and the results of this method exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity of H. eburneus with MIC values ranging from 6.25 to 25 mg/mL. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring the scavenging capacity of the tested sample on DPPH and superoxide anion radicals, by the reducing power assay and by measuring the amounts of total phenolics in extract. As a result of the study, H. eburneus extract showed a potent antioxidant activity (IC50 were 102.93 μg/mL for DPPH radical scavenging activity and 123.27 μg/mL for superoxide anion radicals scavenging) while absorbances for reducing power assay were from 0.0235 to 0.1161. The total phenolic content in the extract was 9.27 µg PE/mg. Finally, anticancer effects were evaluated by MTT test for cytotoxicity, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining for detection of the type of cell death and wound healing assay for antimigratory effects on human colorectal cancer cell line (HCT-116) and human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). The results for cytotoxicity and apoptosis were measured after 24 and 72 h and for anti-migratory effect after 12 and 24 h. The tested H. eburneus mushroom extract expressed cell selectivity, with notable cytotoxic effects observed on HCT-116 cells, with a strong proapoptotic potential. The migration of HCT-116 cells was significantly inhibited, while MDA-MB-231 cells were less sensitive to the treatment. The results of this study revealed that the tested extract had relatively strong neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. It suggests that this mushroom can be proposed as a novel source of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals

The impact of the building envelope with the green living systems on the built environment

Altering the surface cover of an area causes the change in the environment. By erecting buildings change in the flow of energy and matter through the urban ecosystems occurs creating multiple environmental problems. Built areas exert considerable influence over their local climate, amplifying problems such as heat waves, air pollution, and flooding. Greening the building envelope these problems can be partially mitigated. By combining nature and built areas in their designs, architects and urban planners can respond to these serious human health and welfare issues and restore the environmental quality of dense urban areas. Green living systems are not the only solution for new designs. Retrofitting existing buildings by altering the buildings' surficial properties can reduce buildings' energy consumption in case of older buildings with poor existing insulation. Implementation of green living systems in the building envelope, greening horizontal surfaces with intensive and extensive green roofs or using vegetation in vertical greening systems for façades, is a strategy that provides ecological, economic and social benefits. This review paper presents collected evidence of effects and explores the important role that the green living systems can play in the dense urban areas. Benefits such as heat island amelioration, reduction of buildings energy consumption, air quality and indoor and outdoor comfort conditions improvement, stormwater management and improved water run-off quality, will be mainly considered. © 2018 Serbian Society of Heat Transfer Engineers

Proračun specifične apsorbovane frakcije u pojedinim organizma čovečjeg tela prilikom primene radiofarmaceutika Xe-133

Монте Карло симулације су изведене за процену дозу приликом третмана са радиофармацеутиком 133Xe. Овај радиофармацеутик се користи у третманима у нуклеарној медицини, као индикација за кардиоваскуларне и плућне болести. Циљ овог рада је био да се процени специфична апсорбована фракција (САФ) када је овај радиофармацеутик инкорпориран у плућима. За ту сврху је развијен воксел фантом (торакса) и упоређен је са ORNL фантомом. Сви прорачуни и симулације врше помоћу MCNP5/Х кода.Monte Carlo simulations were performed to estimate dose for treatment with radiopharmaceutical 133Xe. This radiopharmaceutical is used in treatments in nuclear medicine as an indication for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the specific absorbed fraction (SAF) when this radiopharmaceutical is incorporated in the lungs. For this purpose, a Vauxhall phantom (toraxa) is developed and was compared to the ORNL phantom. All calculations and simulations are done using the MCNP5/X code.Зборник радова : XXIX симпозијум ДЗЗСЦГ : Сребрно језеро, 27-29. септембар 2017. годин

Uticaj farmakološki aktivnih jedinjenja iz ekstrakta Ginkgo bilobae na kontraktilnost duodenuma i ileuma kunića

Findings that there are pharmacologically active compounds in the Ginkgo bilobae extract recently provoked numerous investigations of their action on the receptors of the autonomous nervous system. The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of gingko extract on the contractility of the longitudinal smooth muscle layer in the wall of the rabbit duodenum and ileum using the method of Magnus. Results clearly show that gingko extract causes a dose dependent tonus decrease of duodenal and Heal smooth muscles in the rabbit. It also reduces the stimulation of spontaneous activity of smooth muscles caused by acetylcholine, the reduction being greater in ileum compared to duodenum.Biohemijska saznanja o prisustvu farmakološki aktivnih jedinjenja iz ekstrakta Ginkgo bilobae, dala su nov podstrek za izučavanje njihovog dejstva na receptore autonomnog nervnog sistema. Otuda je cilj našeg istraživanja bio da se ispita uticaj ekstrakta ove biljke na kontraktilnost glatkomišićnog sloja u zidu duodenuma i ileuma kunića metodom po Magnus-u. Rezultati Istraživanja ukazuju da ispitivani ekstrakt izaziva dozno-zavisno sniženje tonusa longitudinalne glatke muskulature duodenuma i ileuma, kao i da redukuje acetilholinom izazvanu stimulaciju spontane aktivnosti duodenuma i ileuma

Case-control study of apoE gene polymorphism in young CHD patients and controls in the Serbian population

Apolipoprotein E displays polymorphism with three common alleles, e2, e3, and e4. The aim of this research was to determine apoE gene polymorphism in a group of healthy patients and a group of patients with CHD, and to reveal the relation between anthropometric and biochemical parameters and the apoE genotype. In CHD group significantly higher values of blood pressure, waist circumference, BMI and fat %, triglycerides, insulin (HOMA IR) and CRP were found. A statistically significant higher presence of the e3e4 genotype and e4 allele was detected in the CHD group. Statistically significant differences between waist circumference, BMI, insulin and HOMA IR were found between subjects with e3e3 and e3e4 genotypes

Colloidal-chemistry based synthesis of quantized CuInS2/Se2 nanoparticles

Ternary chalcogenide nanoparticles, CuInS2 and CuInSe2, were synthesized in high- temperature boiling organic non-polar solvent. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that both materials have tetragonal (chalcopyrite) crystal structure. Morphology of the obtained materials was revealed by using transmission electron microscopy. Agglomerated spherical CuInS2 nanoparticles with broad size distribution in the range from 2 to 20 nm were obtained. In the case of CuInSe2, isolated particles with spherical or prismatic shape in the size range from 10 to 25 nm were obtained, as well as agglomerates consisting of much smaller particles with diameter of about 2-5 nm. The particles with the smallest diameters of both materials exhibit quantum size effect