LEPTIN: FROM APPETITE SUPPRESSION TO AUTOIMMUNITY

The hormone leptin is released by adipocytes accordingly to current energy stores to suppress appetite. Apart from this, leptin acts as a proinflammatory cytokine and strongly stimulates  inflammation. Immune-modulating properties are partly achieved by affecting T-cell maturation, polarization, and viability. Leptin rises inflammatory cells count, increases proinflammatory cytokine secretion, and impairs regulatory T-lymphocytes differentiation. Leptin secretion and signalization disturbances have recently started to be observed in the context of autoimmunity.  In this review, we discuss signaling pathways affected by the satiety hormone, its effect on T-lymphocyte maturation, differentiation and polarization, and relation to other immune-modulating agents. In the end, we highlight the rising evidence connecting hyperleptinemia state which is almost always related to obesity, with autoimmune disorders and take a brief overview of possible mechanisms behind leptin’s potency to induce self-reactivity

The position of juveniles in international criminal law

Apstrakt: U radu se razmatraju mogući načini regulisanja položaja maloletnih lica u međunarodnom krivičnom pravu onda kada se javljaju kao učinioci, žrtve ili svedoci međunarodnih krivičnih dela, imajući u vidu, sa jedne strane, sve specifičnosti međunarodnog krivičnog prava i međunarodnih krivičnih dela i, sa druge strane, sve specifičnosti maloletstva. Ove specifičnosti ne ostavljaju mogućnost da se krivičnopravni status maloletnih lica iz nacionalnih zakonodavstava prosto "preslika" u međunarodno krivično pravo, već je potrebno njegovo posebno definisanje. Prikazana je etiološko-fenomenološka dimenzija učešća maloletnih lica u oružanim sukobima i vršenja međunarodnih krivičnih dela, što se potkrepljuje relevantnim statističkim podacima, iz čega i proizlazi potreba za detaljnim regulisanjem krivičnopravnog statusa maloletnih lica u međunarodnom krivičnom pravu. Kritički se analiziraju razlozi za i protiv uspostavljanja krivične odgovornosti maloletnih lica u međunarodnim krivičnom pravu, kao i razlozi isključenja nadležnosti međunarodnih krivičnih sudova nad ovom kategorijom lica, a zatim se predlaže mogući način definisanja elemenata potrebnih za uspostavljanje krivične odgovornosti maloletnih lica pred međunarodnim krivičnim sudovima. Predstavljeni su procesni aspekti utvrđivanja krivične odgovornosti maloletnih lica u međunarodnom krivičnom pravu, uz analizu mogućih proceduralnih okvira, sistema krivičnih sankcija i drugih mera za maloletnike i načina njihovog izvršenja, a imajući u vidu relevantne međunarodne standarde maloletničkog pravosuđa. Prikazan je i kritički analiziran trenutni način regulisanja položaja maloletnih žrtava i svedoka u međunarodnom krivičnom pravu, izneti su konkretni predlozi za njegovo unapređenje, uz pozivanje na relevantne međunarodne standarde maloletničkog pravosuđa.Abstract: The paper discusses possible ways of regulation of the position of juveniles in International Criminal Law when they appear as perpetrators, victims or witnesses of international crimes, bearing in mind, on the one hand, all the specifics of International Criminal Law and international crimes and, on the other hand, all the specifics of juvenile age. These specifics do not leave the possibility to simply "copy" the criminal law status of juveniles from national legislations to International Criminal Law, but its particular definition is needed. The etiological-phenomenological dimension of the participation of juveniles in armed conflicts and of the commission of international crimes is presented, which is supported by relevant statistical data, from which arises the need for detailed regulation of the criminal law status of juveniles in International Criminal Law. The reasons for and against the establishment of criminal responsibility of juveniles in International Criminal Law are critically analyzed, as well as the reasons for excluding the jurisdiction of international criminal courts over this category of persons, and then a possible way of defining elements necessary for establishing criminal responsibility of juveniles before international criminal courts is proposed. The procedural aspects of determining the criminal responsibility of juveniles in International Criminal Law are presented, with an analysis of possible procedural frameworks, systems of criminal sanctions and other measures for juveniles and the manner of their execution, having in mind the relevant international standards of juvenile justice. The current way of regulation of the position of juvenile victims and witnesses in International Criminal Law is presented and critically analyzed, concrete proposals for its improvement are presented, with reference to the relevant international standards of juvenile justice

The effects of colloidal SiO2 and inhibitor on the solid deposit formation in geothermal water of low hardness

Low solubility of SiO2 and its occurrence in geothermal waters in the form of ionic, colloidal and suspended state are the main cause of the solid deposit occurrence. Certain chemical types of silica, under the influence of Fe2+, Al3+, F−, OH- ions and other micro-constituents, and due to significantly decreased solubility of SiO2, stimulate nucleation, particle growth and solid deposit formation. The aim of this paper is to inhibit the process of nucleation and solid deposit formation by adding originally designed inhibitor in the form of an emulsion, when the total concentration of the present and added colloidal SiO2 is beyond the solubility limit (120 mg/dm3). By turbidimetric, SEM, EDS and XRD analysis, the processes of solid deposit formation were investigated in Vranjska Banja (Serbia) spa geothermal water source (water hardness of 4ºdH), and theoretical and practical conclusions were made

Quadcopter altitude estimation using low-cost barometric, infrared, ultrasonic and LIDAR sensors

Cilj ovog istraživanja je procena različitih low-cost senzora za merenje visine leta bespilotne letelice sa više rotora na malim visinama. Primenjene su metode filtriranja podataka i druge metode u cilju optimizacije performansi i tačnosti merenja senzora. Izvšrena su merenja visine leta, a podaci su uskladišteni za kasniju analizu u odnosu na stvarnu visinu leta. Izračunati su stepeni korelacije i srednja kvadratna greška u merenju senzora sa ciljem procene rada senzora. Na osnovu rezultata istraživanja moguće je odrediti izbor adekvatnog senzora za ovu specifičnu primenu. Ovo istraživanje je pokazalo da je u uslovima ovog eksperimenta najbolje rezultate imao lidar senzor Garmin LIDAR-Lite V3HP i senzor Bosch Sensortech BME280 sa mogućnošću istovremenog merenja vlažnosti vazduha, atmosferskog pritiska i temperature.The goal of this research is to assess the different low-cost sensors for flight altitude measuring of a multirotor UAV at low altitude flight. For optimizing the sensor performances and accuracy, data filtering and other methods were applied. The flight altitude data were collected and stored for later analysis with reference to the true altitude. The correlation coefficient and the mean squared error were calculated in order to assess the sensors' performance. On the basis of the results of the study, it was possible to determine the choice of the adequate sensor for this specific use. The study showed that the best characteristics for this experiment conditions had the Garmin LIDAR-Lite V3HP sensor and the Bosch Sensortech BME280 that combined air humidity, atmospheric pressure, and air temperature sensor

Quadcopter altitude estimation using low-cost barometric, infrared, ultrasonic and LIDAR sensors

Cilj ovog istraživanja je procena različitih low-cost senzora za merenje visine leta bespilotne letelice sa više rotora na malim visinama. Primenjene su metode filtriranja podataka i druge metode u cilju optimizacije performansi i tačnosti merenja senzora. Izvšrena su merenja visine leta, a podaci su uskladišteni za kasniju analizu u odnosu na stvarnu visinu leta. Izračunati su stepeni korelacije i srednja kvadratna greška u merenju senzora sa ciljem procene rada senzora. Na osnovu rezultata istraživanja moguće je odrediti izbor adekvatnog senzora za ovu specifičnu primenu. Ovo istraživanje je pokazalo da je u uslovima ovog eksperimenta najbolje rezultate imao lidar senzor Garmin LIDAR-Lite V3HP i senzor Bosch Sensortech BME280 sa mogućnošću istovremenog merenja vlažnosti vazduha, atmosferskog pritiska i temperature.The goal of this research is to assess the different low-cost sensors for flight altitude measuring of a multirotor UAV at low altitude flight. For optimizing the sensor performances and accuracy, data filtering and other methods were applied. The flight altitude data were collected and stored for later analysis with reference to the true altitude. The correlation coefficient and the mean squared error were calculated in order to assess the sensors' performance. On the basis of the results of the study, it was possible to determine the choice of the adequate sensor for this specific use. The study showed that the best characteristics for this experiment conditions had the Garmin LIDAR-Lite V3HP sensor and the Bosch Sensortech BME280 that combined air humidity, atmospheric pressure, and air temperature sensor

Intergranular area microalloyed aluminium-silicate ceramics fractal analysis

Porous aluminium-silicate ceramics, modified by alloying with magnesium and microalloying with alluminium belongs to a group of advanced multifunctional ceramics materials. This multiphase solid-solid system has predominantly amorphous microstructure and micro morphology. Intergranular and interphase areas are very complex, because they represent areas, where numbered processes and interactions take place, making new boundaries and regions with fractal nature. Fractal analysis of intergranular microstructure has included determination of ceramic grain fractal dimension by using Richardson method. Considering the fractal nature of intergranular contacts, it is possible to establish correlation between material electrical properties and fractal analysis, as a tool for future correlation with microstructure characterization. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. ON 172057 i br. III 45012

Synthesis of BaFe12O19-BaTiO3 multiferroics by mechanical activation

A mixture of polycrystalline powders of Fe (70 % wt.) and BaTiO3 (30 % wt.) was ball-milled in a planetary mill under air atmosphere, for different time intervals: 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 min. During the mechanical activation, the powder was exposed to oxygen from the air, resulting in formation of iron oxides: FeO and then Fe2O3 and Fe3O4. XRD and SEM analyses of the activated powders revealed that the weight fraction of the iron oxides in the mixture and microcrystal size depend on the activation time. For the powders activated for different time intervals, average crystallite size (Dhkl), dislocation density (ρn) and average microcrystal size of BaTiO3 and Fe were determined. In order to investigate the influence of thermally induced structural changes on magnetic properties, the change of magnetic properties of the pressed activated powders during multiple heating in a magnetic field of 10KA/m was measured. Maximum magnetization of the samples was reached after heating at 620 K. Pressed powder samples were sintered at temperatures of 1100 oC and 1200 °C for 2h giving the different phase diagrams. The samples sintered at 1100 oC include BaTiO3, BaFe12O19 and BaFeO2,67 as the dominant components. The samples sintered at 1200 °C containing only two components, BaTiO3 and BaFe12O19, exhibited pronounced ferromagnetic and ferroelectric propertie

Removal of cationic dye from water by activated pine cones

Adsorption of a cationic phenothyazine dye methylene blueonto activated carbon prepared from pine cones was investigated with the variation in parameters of contact time, dye concentration and pH. The kinetic data were found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic modelclosely. The equilibrium data were best represented by the Langmuir isotherm with maximum adsorption capacity of 233.1 mg g-1. Adsorption was favored by using a higher solution pH. Textural analysis by nitrogen adsorption was used to determine specific surface area and pore structure of the obtained carbon. Boehm titrations revealed that carboxylic groups are present in the highest degree on the carbon surface. The results indicate that the presented method for activation of pine cones could yield activated carbon with significant porosity, developed surface reactivity and considerable adsorption affinity toward cationic dye methylene blue

Savremene tehnologije u obuci komandnog kadra za izvođenje odbrambenih operacija

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