New materials and technologies in aero and space research

Space technology plays an integral and indispensable role in our daily lives. Whether we are talking about live broadcasts of World Cup matches, satellite-assisted emergency management efforts, or the nightly weather forecast, one thing is true: our lives would be very different without satellite images or satellite-based communication and navigation systems. Space technology is key to our modern, knowledge-based society. Today space makes a vital contribution when it comes to promoting research and development, education and innovation, economic growth, providing highly qualified jobs, improving our quality of life, protecting the Earth, ensuring our security and defence and furthering international cooperation. Military platforms—such as ships, aircraft, and ground vehicles— rely on advanced materials to make them lighter, stronger, and more resistant to harsh environmental conditions. Currently, the process for developing new materials frequently takes longer than a decade. This lengthy process often means that developers of new military platforms are forced to rely on decades-old, mature materials, because potentially more advanced materials are still being developed and tested and are considered too large a risk to be implemented into platform designs. Al alloys have been the primary material for the structural parts of aircraft because of their well known performance, well established design methods, manufacturing and reliable inspection techniques. Fiber reinforced polymer composites have been increasingly used in aerospace. Fiber Metal Laminate (FML) is a new kind of hybrid composite. Materials used to construct spacecraft and protective gear—including the International Space Station and space suits for astronauts—must be lightweight yet strong enough to guard against cosmic dust that travels at hypervelocity

Effect of environmental and genetic factors on the correlation and stability of grain yield components in wheat

Hristov N., N. Mladenov, A. Kondic-Spika, A.Marijanovic Jernomela, B. Jockovic, and G. Jacimovic (2011): Effect of environmental and genetic factors on the correlation and stability of grain yield components in wheat - Genetika, Vol 43, No. 1, 141 -152. More effective breeding and development of new wheat genotypes depend on an intricate analysis of the complex relationships among many different traits. The objective of this paper was to determine the interrelationship, direct and indirect effects, and stability of different yield components in wheat. Forty divergent genotypes were analyzed in a three-year study (2005-2007). Highly significant correlations were found between grain yield per plant and all the other traits analyzed except spike length, with the only negative correlation being that with plant height. Path analysis revealed highly significant direct effects of grain number per spike, grain mass per spike and 1000 grain weight on grain yield per plant. Analysis of stability parameters showed that the stability of grain yield per plant depended for the most part on the stability of grain number per spike, grain mass per spike and harvest index. Cluster analysis identified genotypes with a high performance for grain yield per plant and good stability parameters, indicating the possibility of developing wheat varieties with a high potential and high stability for a particular trait

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERLEUKIN-6 AND TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA LEVELS IN COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AMONG FIRST-EVER ACUTE ISCHAEMIC STROKE PATIENTS

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) frequently results in the development of cognitive impairment, which quite often persists. The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of cognitive impairment are only partially elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) serum levels with cognitive impairment in AIS patients. Subjects and methods: This hospital-based case-control study was performed during December 2014 May 2018. A total number of 130 randomly selected patients were prospectively recruited from the Department of Neurology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo. The study examined 100 first-ever AIS patients, while 30 comprised the non-stroke control group of patients with discogenic lumbosacral radiculopathy. All participants were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Frontal Assessment Battery, and the Addenbrooke\u27s Cognitive Examination-Revised. Cognitive testing and laboratory analyses were performed within the first three days of admission in all patients while AIS patients were reassessed on the 15th day of hospitalization. Results: Female stroke patients with cognitive impairment had significantly higher baseline levels of IL-6 (p<0.017), and TNF- (p<0.017) than those without cognitive impairment. In the control measurement, a significant difference in IL-6 levels (p=0.037) in male and TNF-=0.042) in female stroke patients with cognitive impairment was observed. Conclusions: These findings indicate that pro-inflammatory cytokines are probably implicated in the pathogenesis of cognitive decline in AIS patients

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INTERLEUKIN-6 AND TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA LEVELS IN COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AMONG FIRST-EVER ACUTE ISCHAEMIC STROKE PATIENTS

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) frequently results in the development of cognitive impairment, which quite often persists. The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of cognitive impairment are only partially elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) serum levels with cognitive impairment in AIS patients. Subjects and methods: This hospital-based case-control study was performed during December 2014 May 2018. A total number of 130 randomly selected patients were prospectively recruited from the Department of Neurology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo. The study examined 100 first-ever AIS patients, while 30 comprised the non-stroke control group of patients with discogenic lumbosacral radiculopathy. All participants were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Frontal Assessment Battery, and the Addenbrooke\u27s Cognitive Examination-Revised. Cognitive testing and laboratory analyses were performed within the first three days of admission in all patients while AIS patients were reassessed on the 15th day of hospitalization. Results: Female stroke patients with cognitive impairment had significantly higher baseline levels of IL-6 (p<0.017), and TNF- (p<0.017) than those without cognitive impairment. In the control measurement, a significant difference in IL-6 levels (p=0.037) in male and TNF-=0.042) in female stroke patients with cognitive impairment was observed. Conclusions: These findings indicate that pro-inflammatory cytokines are probably implicated in the pathogenesis of cognitive decline in AIS patients

Polimorfnost mikrosatelitskih lokusa kod gajene pšenice (Triticum aestivum L.) - i srodnih vrsta

This study analysed polymorphism of 15 microsatellite loci in the col­lection comprising of 40 genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 32 genotypes belonging to other species within Triticum genus and 3 genotypes from Aegilops genus. The results showed significant differences in the variability of the tested loci in bread wheat and related species. In the collection of bread wheat genotypes, 119 alleles were detected with the average number of 7.9 alleles per locus. In wild and cultivated related species 157 alleles were identified, with the average of 10.5 alleles per locus. All analysed parameters of microsatellite loci variability (PIC value, gene diversity, heterozygosity, etc.) indicated higher level of polymorphism in wild relatives than in the cultivated bread wheat. Analyses of individ­ual genomes indicated that in the bread wheat genetic diversity of the B and D genomes was significantly reduced in relation to the A genome, while the differences in polymorphism between genomes in the wild relatives were significantly lower. The results showed that wild related species can be used as sources for new variability in wheat breeding.U radu je ispitana polimorfnost 15 mikrosatelitskih lokusa u kolekciji koju čine 40 genotipova gajene pšenice (Triticum aestivum L.), 32 genotipa koji pripadaju drugim vrstama roda Triticum i tri genotipa iz roda Aegilops. Rezultati su pokazali da postoji značajna razlika u varijabilnosti ispitivanih lokusa kod gajene pšenice i njenih srodnika. U kolekciji genotipova gajene pšenice detektovano je ukupno 119 alela, sa prosekom od 7,9 alela po lokusu. Kod divljih i gajenih srodnika identifikovano je ukupno 157 alela, sa prosekom od 10,5 alela po lokusu. Svi izračunati pokazatelji varijabilnosti mikrosatelitskih lokusa (PIC vrednost, divergentnost gena, heterozigotnost, itd.) ukazuju na veću polimorfnost divljih srodnika u odnosu na gajenu pšenicu. Analiza pojedinačnih genoma takođe je pokazala da je kod gajene pšenice divergentnost B i D genoma značajno umanjena u odnosu na A genom, dok su kod divljih srodnika razlike u polimorfnosti pojedinačnih genoma značajno manje. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju na to da se divlji srodnici mogu koristiti kao izvori nove varijabilnosti u oplemenjivanju pšenice

Genotipska varijabilnost sadržaja ulja kod pšenice

Wheat germ oil is a highly rich unrefined oil that is one of the richest sources of Vitamin E, A and D. It also has a high content of proteins and Lecithin. It is a good source of fatty acids that are very vital for the healthy growth of the body. The objective of this paper was to determine the variability of grain oil content in twenty phenotypically divergent wheat varieties from different selection cycles. Analysis was conducted on the bran portion of the wheat grain. The bran fraction of wheat incorporates the germ, which is rich in oil. It was obtained using the laboratory mill MLU 202. Oil content was determined using the classical method developed by Ruskovski. Significant differences were found among the genotypes, with the oil content ranging from 2.62% (Skopljanka) to 5.21% (Dragana). Cluster analysis was used to sort the genotypes according to the degree of similarity. The large variability among the genotypes revealed by the study indicates the possibility for a further improvement of the tested trait.Nerafinisano ulje dobijeno iz pšeničnih klica, predstavlja jedan od najbogatijih izvora vitamina E, A i D. Pored toga, odlikuje se i visokim sadržajem proteina i lecitina. Veoma je dobar izvor masnih kiselina koje povoljno utiču na pravilan razvoj organizma. Cilj ovog rada je bio da se utvrdi varijabilnost sadržaja ulja u zrnu različitih sorti pšenice. Analiza je obuhvatila dvadeset fenotipski divergentnih genotipova iz različitih ciklusa selekcije. Kao uzorak za analizu korišćen je omotač pšeničnog zrna (mekinjasti deo) dobijen u postupku mlevenja na laboratorijskom mlinu MLU 202. U mekinjastoj frakciji, pored omotača nalazi se i pšenična klica koja je bogata uljem. Za utvrđivanje sadržaja ulja primenjena je klasična metoda po Ruškovskom. Utvrđene su značajne razlike između genotipova pri čemu se sadržaj ulja kretao od 2.62% (Skopljanka) do 5.21% (Dragana). Primenom klaster analize izvršeno je grupisanje prema stepenu sličnosti. Velika varijabilnost između genotipova ukazuje na dalju mogućnost unapređenja analiziranog svojstva

Effect of growing season on quality parameters of old and new wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties

The objective of this study was to analyse genotypic variations of some important wheat quality parameters (protein content – PC, sedimentation value – SD, wet gluten content – WG and dry gluten content – DG) during two growing seasons (2010 and 2011). The trial was conducted at the experimental field of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, with 25 wheat varieties registered and cultivated in Serbia for the last 60 years. PC, SD and WG were determined by Kjeldahl method, Zeleny sedimentation test and manual method, respectively. Strong year and genotype effects were found for all the quality traits of the studied varieties, while the effect of their interaction was not significant. The protein content of the wheat varieties ranged between 11.2% - 17.8%, with wet and dry gluten contents of 21.2 – 47.9% and 7 – 16%, respectively. Sedimentation value varied from 14 (cv. San Pastore) to 58 ml (cv. Pesma). Total protein content was positively correlated with the wet and dry gluten contents. Also, the correlation analyses have shown that older wheat varieties had higher protein content, as well as wet and dry gluten contents, but lower sedimentation values then modern cultivars. However, it should be noted that significant genotypic variations were found for all the analysed traits and varieties with good quality parameters could be identified among old and new cultivars

Genotipic and environmental effect on protein and oil protein in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Cilj ovog rada bio je da se ispitaju efekti genotipa, godine, doze đubrenja azotom (N) i njihovih interakcija na sadržaj proteina i ulja kod 24 sorte ozime pšenice (Triticum aestivum, L.). Postavljen je dvogodišnji poljski ogled na lokalitetu Rimski šančevi, sa dve doze prihrane N (45 i 110 kgha-1N). Ulje je ekstrahovano iz mekinja dobijenih laboratorijskim mlinom MLU 202. Klasična metoda Rushkovski korišćena je za određivanje sadržaja ulja, dok je sadržaj proteina određen metodom ICC 105/2. Utvrđena je značajna varijabilnost među genotipovima za oba analizirana svojstva. Sadržaj proteina kretao se od 10,9% (NS 40S) do 17,1% (Banatka), sa prosekom od 13,3% i koeficijentom varijacije (CV) od 3,1%. U toku dve godine ispitivanja na nižoj dozi N, sadržaj ulja se kretao od 2,6% (Skopljanka) do 5,2% (Dragana), dok je na višoj dozi N, varirao od 2,5% (Pobeda) do 5,4% (Simonida). U celom ekperimentu ostvaren je prosečan sadržaj ulja od 3,96%, sa CV od 9,2%.The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of genotype, year, nitrogen (N) fertilizer doses, and their interactions on the protein and oil content in 24 cultivars of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A two-year field trial was set up on the Rimski šanĉevi site, with two N doses (45 and 110 kgha-1N). The oil was extracted from bran obtained by using the MLU 202 laboratory mill. The classic method of Rushkovsky was used to determine the oil content and ICC 105/2 method to determine the protein content. Significant variability was found among the cultivars for both analysed traits. Protein content ranged from 10.9% (NS 40S) to 17.1% (Banatka), with the average of 13.3% and coefficient of variation (CV) of 3.1%. During the two trial years, at the lower N rate oil content varied from 2.6% (Skopljanka) to 5.2% (Dragana), and at the higher N rate from 2.5% (Pobeda) to 5.4% (Simonida). The average oil content was 3.96%, with CV of 9.2%

Genotype by environment interactions in wheat quality breeding programs in southeast Europe

The objective of this study was to determine genotype x environment interactions (GEI) obtained in wheat production in southeast Europe for protein content, sedimentation value, and loaf volume. Twenty wheat genotypes divided in two groups with different combinations of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) were analyzed in 15 environments (E). In a combined analysis of variance, effects of genotype, environment, and their interaction (GEI) were highly significant for almost all the analyzed traits. All the three traits were influenced more by location than by year, with protein content and sedimentation value being more responsive to changes in environmental conditions than loaf volume. The genotypes with high protein content had the regression coefficient value (b) close to 1, indicating that they did not react to extreme environmental conditions as was the case with genotypes with high sedimentation and loaf volume values. There were no significant differences in average values for the analyzed traits and adaptability parameters between the two groups of genotypes. It means that, concerning wheat quality improvement, genotypes with different HMW-GSs on the Glu-1D locus could be recommended for growing in southeast Europe. It is necessary to take into account the differences in adaptability of protein content to either positive or negative environmental changes that were observed between the groups

Nanotehnologije u vojnoj primeni – pregled novijih istraživanja u Vojnotehničkom institutu

Armije moćnih svetskih sila već primenjuju dostignuća nanonauke i pružaju podršku istraživanjima u oblasti nanotehnologije. Ovaj rad predsravlja pregled skorašnjih istraživanja u oblasti primene nanomaterijala u odbrambenim tehnologijama, sprovedenih u Vojnotehničkom institutu u Beogradu u Srbiji. Prikazana istraživanja su pokrila najvažnije rezultate dobijene u sledećim oblastima: NHB zaštita, nanomodifikovani polimerni premazi i maskirne boje, kompozitne strukture za vojne letelice, kompoziti za balističku zaštitu i energetski materijali. Istraživanja su dala obećavajuće rezultate u svim navedenim poljima i ohrabruju primenu nanomaterijala u budućnosti