Cerium oxide based nanometric powders: synthesis and characterization

Nanometric powders of solid solutions of cerium oxide were obtained by a modified glycine nitrate procedure. Solid solutions of the host compound CeO2 with one or more dopants in the lattice were synthesized. Rare earth cations (Re=Yb, Gd and Sm) were added to ceria in total concentration of x= 0.2 that was kept constant. The criterion in doping was to keep the value of lattice parameter of ceria unchanged. The lattice parameters were calculated by using the model that takes into account the existence of oxygen vacancies in the structure

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of broilers fed on earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) meal

The aim of the research was to evaluate the carcass characteristics and meat quality from chickens fed on diets in which fish meal was substituted with raw earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) or earthworm meal. In the trial which lasted 42-days, 100 one-day-old Hybro broilers were divided into the control and three experimental groups. The control group was fed on standard broiler feed, the first (E-I) and the second experimental groups (E-II) were fed a diet in which 50% or 100% of fish meal was substituted with earthworm meal, respectively, whilst the third group (E-III) consumed feed without fish meal, but was given raw chopped earthworms ad libitum from day 1 to day 42. The replacement of fish meal with fresh earthworms resulted in significantly lower carcass weights in the E-III group in comparison with the control group (p lt 0.05). The differences in drumstick, thigh and breast meat share relative to the carcass mass were not significant (p>0.05). The lowest fat content in thigh and breast meat was in the group in which fish meal was replaced with earthworm meal. The lightness (L*) of thigh and breast meat was highest in the broilers fed fresh earthworms ad libitum. No significant differences in pH value were detected between the experimental groups (p>0.05). The most consumer acceptable were drumstick samples from E-II group and the least acceptable samples from the control group. Earthworm meal may be considered an adequate substitute for fish meal in broiler chickens' diet since it does not impair the production performance, carcass yield and meat quality

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of broilers fed on earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) meal

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗThe aim of the research was to evaluate the carcass characteristics and meat quality from chickens fed on diets in which fish meal was substituted with raw earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) or earthworm meal. In the trial which lasted 42-days, 100 one-day-old Hybro broilers were divided into the control and three experimental groups. The control group was fed on standard broiler feed, the first (E-I) and the second experimental groups (E-II) were fed a diet in which 50% or 100% of fish meal was substituted with earthworm meal, respectively, whilst the third group (E-III) consumed feed without fish meal, but was given raw chopped earthworms ad libitum from day 1 to day 42. The replacement of fish meal with fresh earthworms resulted in significantly lower carcass weights in the E-III group in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). The differences in drumstick, thigh and breast meat share relative to the carcass mass were not significant (p>0.05). The lowest fat content in thigh and breast meat was in the group in which fish meal was replaced with earthworm meal. The lightness (L*) of thigh and breast meat was highest in the broilers fed fresh earthworms ad libitum. No significant differences in pH value were detected between the experimental groups (p>0.05). The most consumer acceptable were drumstick samples from E-II group and the least acceptable samples from the control group. Earthworm meal may be considered an adequate substitute for fish meal in broiler chickens’ diet since it does not impair the production performance, carcass yield and meat quality

Analysis of fatalities of hospitalized patients of the clinic for mental disorders Dr Laza Lazarevic in 2011 and 2012

Increased mortality rate for patients with mental disorders and their shorter lifespan compared to the general public is stated by numerous authors. Services on the Clinic for mental disorders 'Dr Laza Lazarević' were reorganized, by introducing intensive care units - level two, i.e. contemporary intensive care of patients was introduced, only without life support. Primary objective of the research was to determine if the introduction of intensive care to the Clinic led to a statistically significant change in the number of fatal outcomes of hospitalized patients. The research was designed as a cross-sectional study and it included 62 patients that have died while being hospitalized at the Clinic for mental disorders 'Dr Laza Lazarević' in Belgrade, in 2011 and 2012. Data were collected by retrospective insight in the histories of illnesses and treatment protocols of the Clinic and institutes for pathology and forensic medicine of the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade. Obtained data were statistically analysed with Student's T-test and ANOVA test, with a significance level of 0.05. Statistically significant difference was determined in fatalities in 2011 compared to 2012 with p = 0.007, and there were significantly less fatalities in 2012. Statistically significant difference in frequency of fatal outcomes when comparing 2011 to 2012 was determined only when comparing the ward of previous intensive care on one side with the newly established psychiatric intensive care units - level two on the other. High level of significance was determined with p = 0.005. New organizational concept introduced in 2012 has led to more efficient twenty-four-hour care and monitoring of hospitalized patients, suppression of accompanying somatic illnesses which altogether led to a significant reduction of fatal outcomes

Analysis of fatalities of hospitalized patients of the clinic for mental disorders Dr Laza Lazarevic in 2011 and 2012

Increased mortality rate for patients with mental disorders and their shorter lifespan compared to the general public is stated by numerous authors. Services on the Clinic for mental disorders 'Dr Laza Lazarević' were reorganized, by introducing intensive care units - level two, i.e. contemporary intensive care of patients was introduced, only without life support. Primary objective of the research was to determine if the introduction of intensive care to the Clinic led to a statistically significant change in the number of fatal outcomes of hospitalized patients. The research was designed as a cross-sectional study and it included 62 patients that have died while being hospitalized at the Clinic for mental disorders 'Dr Laza Lazarević' in Belgrade, in 2011 and 2012. Data were collected by retrospective insight in the histories of illnesses and treatment protocols of the Clinic and institutes for pathology and forensic medicine of the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade. Obtained data were statistically analysed with Student's T-test and ANOVA test, with a significance level of 0.05. Statistically significant difference was determined in fatalities in 2011 compared to 2012 with p = 0.007, and there were significantly less fatalities in 2012. Statistically significant difference in frequency of fatal outcomes when comparing 2011 to 2012 was determined only when comparing the ward of previous intensive care on one side with the newly established psychiatric intensive care units - level two on the other. High level of significance was determined with p = 0.005. New organizational concept introduced in 2012 has led to more efficient twenty-four-hour care and monitoring of hospitalized patients, suppression of accompanying somatic illnesses which altogether led to a significant reduction of fatal outcomes

Effect of UV/ozone treatment on the nanoscale surface properties of gold implanted polyethylene

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) ozone treatment on the surface properties of gold implanted high density polyethylene (HDPE) was investigated at a nanoscale using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). HDPE samples were modified by the implantation of gold ions at a dose of 5 x 10(15) ions/cm(2), using energies of 50, 100, 150, and 200 keV, and subsequently treated with UV/ozone. AFM surface topography images revealed that after UV/ozone treatment, the surface roughness of all Au/HDPE samples increased, while Power Spectral Density function increased only for samples implanted using higher energies, with a maximum for 150 keV. The chemical surface composition was homogenous in all cases, which was evidenced by appearance of single peaks in the histograms obtained from the phase AFM images. For UV/ozone treated samples, the shift of the peaks positions in the histograms to the higher values of the phase lag with respect to untreated ones indicated the decrease of surface hardness. Besides, a significant change of fractal dimension of surface grains is observed after UV/ozone treatment

Geometric approach to the revitalization process of the medieval Serbian monasteries

Among the standard approaches concerning cultural heritage preservation, the architectural point of view deserves particular attention. The special place in medieval Serbian history of architecture belongs to the world famous numerous significant monuments (churches and monasteries) exist as witnesses of the national testimony, currently in the state of ruins, archaeological sites, or damaged ones. A lot of them have adequate needs for revitalisation, where the start point is engineering documentation. The focus of the research is on the role of specific geometric and engineering graphics tasks when these areas are concerning. Monastery church devoted to Introduction of Holy Theotokos in village Slavkovica (near town Ljig), with three old sarcophaguses, dated back to 15th century, is presented and analysed from several aspects: measuring, architectural style characteristics - geometric design, 3D modelling (classical-CAD and terrestrial photogrammetric) with visualization and presentation. The attention was paid on preservation of authentic architectural style and medieval building techniques, which allow imperfections in realization. The opinion of experienced scientists and specialists involved in all the phases of monument's revitalisation has been followed as a guideline to the final result a proposed geometric design of the revitalised church in Slavkovica

Soil and sand contamination with canine intestinal parasite eggs as a risk factor for human health in public parks in Niš (Serbia)

Regarding geographical distribution and clinical relevance, the most common canine geohelminths are Toxocara canis, ancylostomatids, and Trichuris vulpis. Canine intestinal parasites from the soil and sand present an important potential serious human health hazard, especially for the children preschool and school – age. This paper aimed to establish the degree of contamination of soil and sand with zoonotic parasites from the canine feces and the degree of risk they could pose for human health in public places and playgrounds in the city of Niš. Our parasitological study involved 200 soil samples and 50 sand samples from the public parks in the city of Niš in southeastern Serbia (43°19′15″N, 21°53′45″ E). From several locations, about 100 g of soil and sand was collected based on the bioclimatic indices. Parasitological diagnosis was performed using conventional qualitative and quantitative coprological methods, abiding by the recommendations about the diagnosis of parasitic diseases. In 38 – 46 % of soil samples and 40 % of sand samples seven species of endoparasites were diagnosed. In the samples of soil, a medium and high degree of contamination with the ascarid T. canis (14 – 22 %) was detected, as well as a low and medium degree of contamination with ancylostomatids (4 – 12 %), and in the samples of sand, a variable degree of contamination with the helminths T. canis (26 %) and A. alata (16 %) was found. A statistically significant difference was found in the contamination with A. alata eggs between the samples of sand and samples of soil. The studied public surfaces represent the reservoir of zoonotic parasites, which is a public health problem requiring a synergistic action of several factors to be successfully resolved, i.e. the implementation of prevention, surveillance, and control measures