Application of Infrared Spectroscopy in Honey Analysis

The chemical composition and sensory characteristics vary significantly within different honey types. In order to determine botanical origin of honey, it is necessary to conduct rather complicated and time consuming analytical methods. IR spectroscopy has not yet been experimentally explored for honey analysis in Croatia, so the aim of this study was to determine claimed botanical origin of honey using both, standard and alternative (IR spectroscopy) methods, for the purpose of their comparison, Altogether 144 samples of nine different unifloral honey types (black locust, sweet chestnut, lime, sage, heath, rosemary, lavender, mandarin and strawberry tree) were collected from different Croatian regions directly from the beekeepers. In order to confirm claimed botanical origin of collected honey samples, melissopalinological analysis, moisture and electrical conductivity measurements were conducted. Infrared spectra of honey samples were recorded using the ABB Bomem MB102 Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR spectrometer). Selected IR spectral regions were analyzed by multivariate data analysis, principal components analysis (PCA). Preliminary PCA of IR spectra showed significant clustering of the analyzed samples by botanical origin. The results of this study showed that IR spectroscopy provides reliable results, but also represents rapid and cheap analytical tool in comparison to commonly used standard analytical methods. This research has also provided the first insight in infrared spectra of Croatian honeys

Brood development of different carniolan bee ecotypes (Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann, 1879)

Razvoj legla kod različitih ekotipova sive pčele (Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann, 1879) praćen je u uvjetima panonske i alpske klime. Na pokusnim su pčelinjacima zajednice bile podijeljene u tri skupine. Svaku skupinu činilo je po 12 matica alpskog, subalpskog i panonskog ekotipa. U pokusu je praćena dinamika razvoja legla, ukupan broj zaleženih stanica te snaga zajednica. U pojedinom su se dijelu godine, ispitivani ekotipovi signifikantno razlikovali u površini nepoklopljenog i poklopljenog legla u oba klimata. Kroz cijelu sezonu na ispitivanim lokacijama nisu utvrđene signifikantne razlike između ekotipova obzirom na dinamiku razvoja trutovskog legla. Ukupan je broj zaleženih stanica u istom razdoblju bio veći u panonskom klimatu u odnosu na alpski kod svih ekotipova. Pčele u novoj sredini nisu prepoznale sve resurse hrane, što se najbolje vidjelo nedostatkom peluda u zajednicama u alpskom klimatu tijekom posljednja dva mjerenja. Nedostatak peluda kasnije se odrazio na slabljenje i stradavanje zajednica.Brood development of different carniolan honeybee ecotypes (Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann, 1879) was carried out in condition of pannonian and alpine climate. The colonies on both experimental apiaries were divided in the three groups, each 12 queens, of alpine (Austria), subalpine (Slovenia) and pannonian (Croatia) ecotype. The experiment was designed to monitor development of brood, the total number of laid cells and colony strength. In particular part of the year, experimental ecotypes shown significant differences in area of unsealed and sealed brood in both climate. In the whole season there was not established significant difference between ecotypes regarding to development of drone brood. In pannonian climate, in comparison to alpine climate, the number of laid eggs was higher for all ecotypes. Pannonian ecotype did not recognize all food sources in the new environment, which could be seen in the lack of pollen in the colonies at the alpine climate during last two measuriments. The lack of pollen affected the weakening of the colonies laiter in the season

STANJE PČELARSTVA U REPUBLICI HRVATSKOJ

In this paper analysis of beekeeping conditions, number and distribution of beekeepers and honeybee colonies, annual colony losses as well as honey production, export, import and consumption are given. Beekeeping in Croatia has a long tradition. In comparison to pasture potential and necessity for pollination of cultivated and wild plants, present beekeeping is inadequately developed and distributed in different regions. According to data of the Croatian Livestock Center (2008) there are 313 978 honeybee colonies registered in the 2007 in Croatia on professional and sideline apiaries. The majority of honeybee colonies is placed in Pannonian region with 238 300 (76%), second in representation is in Mediterranean region with 59 763 (19%) and less represented is in Mountain region with 15 915 (5%) honeybee colonies. Yearly honey production is approximately 5 000 t and 2 000 t of national honey consumption (0.4 kg per capita) gives possibility for honey export. Croatia exported 1 051 in 2003, but 274 t of honey in 2007, which indicates on significant export decreasing trend. Normal 10 % of winter colony losses till 2007 increased in 2007/2008 on 55 615 (41.71 %) in Pannonian region, 13 892 (37.46 %) in Mediterranean and 5 359 (32.71 %) in Mountain region. There is a need to make beekeeping much more flexible to fit into an integrated agricultural system, as well as more oriented to the consumers’ demands, to be able to increase competitiveness.U ovom je radu prikazana analiza stanja pčelarstva u Republici Hrvatskoj, broj i raspodjela pčelara i pčelinjih zajednica, godišnji gubitci pčelinjih zajednica, kao i analiza proizvodnje i potrošnje meda, te uvoza i izvoza meda. Pčelarstvo u Hrvatskoj ima dugu tradiciju. U odnosu na pašne potencijale i potrebu za oprašivanjem kultiviranog i samoniklog bilja, sadašnje je pčelarstvo nedekvatno razvijeno i raspodjeljeno u različitim regijama. Prema podatcima Hrvtaskog stočarskog centra (2008.), u Hrvatskoj je 2007. godine registrirano 313.978 pčelinjih zajednica [2]. Većina pčelinjih zajednica, odnosno 238.300 (76 %) smješteno je u panonskoj regiji. Druga po zastupljenosti je mediteranska regija sa 59.763 pčelinjih zajednica (19 %), a najmanji broj zajednica, odnosno 15.915 (5 %) nalazi se u gorskoj regiji. U Hrvatskoj se godišnje proizvede približno 5.000 tona meda [8], a potroši tek 2.000 t. Potrošnja meda u Hrvatskoj je vrlo niska, samo 0,4 kg po stanovniku godišnje. Takav omjer proizvodnje i potrošnje meda pruža mogućnost za izvoz. Hrvatska je u 2003. godini izvezla 1.051 t meda, a u 2007. godini 274 t, što ukazuje na značajan opadajući trend izvoza meda. Normalnih 10 % zimskih gubitaka pčelinjih zajednica u Hrvatskoj do 2007. godine, poraslo je u razdoblju 2007./2008. na 55.615 (41,71 %) u panonskoj regiji, 13.892 (37,46 %) u mediteranskoj i 5.359 (32,71 %) u gorskoj regiji. Pčelarstvo bi u Hrvatskoj trebalo biti fleksibilnije kako bi se uklopilo u integrirani poljiprivredni sektor, te usmjerenije zadovoljavanju potreba potrošača sa ciljem postizanja bolje konkurentnosti

Snakebites in Mostar Region, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the snakebites in patients hospitalized at the Mostar Clinical Hospital, admitted between 1983 and 2006. A total of 341 patients were recorded, with moderate men predominance (52.8%). Majority of patients were bitten for the first time (99.1%). In 98.8% of patients snakebite occurred to the bare skin, most commonly during June to September period (64.2%). Snakebites were the commonest in agricultural workers (48.1%). Until 2003 all admitted patients were treated according to Russel’s scheme (3-anti). As of 2003 new treatment scheme was applied, resulting in the reduction of antidote and supportive treatment use, causing a reduction in the number of clinically apparent allergic reactions. Serum sickness was recorded in only 2 patients, while lethal outcome was recorded in one (0.3%). Overall results indicate that lethality of snakebite is low, and that patients were often administered treatment without medical indication. High number of tourists as well as the presence of the peace keeping troops and other visiting personnel in this region make the snakebites and awareness on snakes not only a local issue, but also more general concern

Multifloral honey from Gacka region

Gacka region and northern slopes of Velebit are typical mountain meadow honey areas. Bees pasture is relatively stable, almost evenly distributed throughout the season. The aim of the research is to determine the characteristics of honey in the Gacka region based on mellisopalinological and physicochemical analyses. In order to collect honey samples from Gacka region, honey competition was organized in 2008, 2009 and 2010. A total of 69 samples of honey were collected. Water content in the studied honey samples ranged from 14.60 to 18.20% with a mean value of 16.32%. Floral honey samples from 2009 and 2010 had a higher pH values (4.97, 4.83) compared to the samples from 2008 when the value was 4.68. In the investigated samples of floral and meadow honey the share of reducing sugars ranged from 55.31% in 2008 year to 77.02% in 2010. Honey types were separated on the basis of physicochemical parameters using Canonical discriminant analysis

Automated preprocessing of building models for structural analysis

Tijek rada prilikom korištenja BIM-a i dalje zahtijeva dugotrajnu ručnu predobradu (preliminarnu analizu) modela za proračun konstrukcija, kao što je dodjeljivanje novih podataka poput svojstava građevnog materijala ili opterećenja, što sprječava slanje brzih povratnih informacija i podložno je pogreškama. Glavni cilj ovog istraživanja jest automatizacija predobrade analitičkih modela građevina radi ubrzanja i poboljšanja proračuna konstrukcija. Istraživanje se temelji na pregledu literature i analizi slučaja, uz formalizaciju metoda preliminarne analize, njihovu verifikaciju kroz dva pilot modela građevina i evaluaciju u panel-raspravi stručnjaka u praksi. Izrađene procedure mogu se automatski dodijeliti opterećenja, oslonce i spojeve za podne konstrukcijske elemente i smanjiti vrijeme pripreme modela, pogreške i troškove projektiranja u svakodnevnoj praksi proračuna konstrukcija. Međutim, potrebna je šira primjena postojeće prakse kako bi se povećala korisnost i primjenjivost predloženih metoda.BIM workflows still involve time-consuming manual model preprocessing for structural analysis such as assigning new data like structural material properties or loads, which prevents prompt feedback and is error prone. The main objective of this research is to automate the preprocessing of analytical building models so as to accelerate and improve structural analysis. The research is based on literature review and a real use case analysis, followed by formalization of preprocessing methods, their verification via two pilot building models, and evaluation by practitioners through panel discussion. The developed procedures can automatically assign loads, supports and joints floor-wise and reduce the model preparation time, errors and design costs in daily structural analysis practice; however, further adoption and consideration of existing practices is needed to increase the usefulness and usability of the proposed methods

STANJE PČELARSTVA U REPUBLICI HRVATSKOJ

In this paper analysis of beekeeping conditions, number and distribution of beekeepers and honeybee colonies, annual colony losses as well as honey production, export, import and consumption are given. Beekeeping in Croatia has a long tradition. In comparison to pasture potential and necessity for pollination of cultivated and wild plants, present beekeeping is inadequately developed and distributed in different regions. According to data of the Croatian Livestock Center (2008) there are 313 978 honeybee colonies registered in the 2007 in Croatia on professional and sideline apiaries. The majority of honeybee colonies is placed in Pannonian region with 238 300 (76%), second in representation is in Mediterranean region with 59 763 (19%) and less represented is in Mountain region with 15 915 (5%) honeybee colonies. Yearly honey production is approximately 5 000 t and 2 000 t of national honey consumption (0.4 kg per capita) gives possibility for honey export. Croatia exported 1 051 in 2003, but 274 t of honey in 2007, which indicates on significant export decreasing trend. Normal 10 % of winter colony losses till 2007 increased in 2007/2008 on 55 615 (41.71 %) in Pannonian region, 13 892 (37.46 %) in Mediterranean and 5 359 (32.71 %) in Mountain region. There is a need to make beekeeping much more flexible to fit into an integrated agricultural system, as well as more oriented to the consumers’ demands, to be able to increase competitiveness.U ovom je radu prikazana analiza stanja pčelarstva u Republici Hrvatskoj, broj i raspodjela pčelara i pčelinjih zajednica, godišnji gubitci pčelinjih zajednica, kao i analiza proizvodnje i potrošnje meda, te uvoza i izvoza meda. Pčelarstvo u Hrvatskoj ima dugu tradiciju. U odnosu na pašne potencijale i potrebu za oprašivanjem kultiviranog i samoniklog bilja, sadašnje je pčelarstvo nedekvatno razvijeno i raspodjeljeno u različitim regijama. Prema podatcima Hrvtaskog stočarskog centra (2008.), u Hrvatskoj je 2007. godine registrirano 313.978 pčelinjih zajednica [2]. Većina pčelinjih zajednica, odnosno 238.300 (76 %) smješteno je u panonskoj regiji. Druga po zastupljenosti je mediteranska regija sa 59.763 pčelinjih zajednica (19 %), a najmanji broj zajednica, odnosno 15.915 (5 %) nalazi se u gorskoj regiji. U Hrvatskoj se godišnje proizvede približno 5.000 tona meda [8], a potroši tek 2.000 t. Potrošnja meda u Hrvatskoj je vrlo niska, samo 0,4 kg po stanovniku godišnje. Takav omjer proizvodnje i potrošnje meda pruža mogućnost za izvoz. Hrvatska je u 2003. godini izvezla 1.051 t meda, a u 2007. godini 274 t, što ukazuje na značajan opadajući trend izvoza meda. Normalnih 10 % zimskih gubitaka pčelinjih zajednica u Hrvatskoj do 2007. godine, poraslo je u razdoblju 2007./2008. na 55.615 (41,71 %) u panonskoj regiji, 13.892 (37,46 %) u mediteranskoj i 5.359 (32,71 %) u gorskoj regiji. Pčelarstvo bi u Hrvatskoj trebalo biti fleksibilnije kako bi se uklopilo u integrirani poljiprivredni sektor, te usmjerenije zadovoljavanju potreba potrošača sa ciljem postizanja bolje konkurentnosti

Uticaj resorptivne membrane humanog porekla na regeneraciju koštanog tkiva - patohistološka studija

Background/Aim. Filling a bone defect with bone substitution materials is a therapy of choice, but the infiltration of connective tissue from the mucoperiostal flap may compromise a healing of bone substitutions with bony wall defects. Application of membrane as a barrier is indicated as a solution to this problem. The aim of this study was to show a pathohistological view of bone regeneration and the significance of human resorbable demineralized membrane (HRDM), 200 μ thick in bone regeneration regarding mandibular defects in an experiment on dogs. Methods. The experiment was performed on six dogs. Bone defects were created in all six dogs on the right side of the mandible after the elevation of the mucoperiostal flap. One defect was filled with human deproteinised bone (HDB), and in between HDB and soft tissue RHDM of 200 μ thick was placed. In the second defect, used as a control one, only HDB without RHDM was placed. Two dogs were sacrificed two months after the surgery, another two dogs four months after the surgery and the last two dogs six months after the surgery. After that, samples of bone tissue were taken for histopathological analysis. Results. In all the six dogs with defects treated with HDB and RHDM the level of bone regeneration was much higher in comparison with the control defects without RHDM. Conclusion. Membrane, as a cover of bony defect, is useful and benefits bone regeneration. Bony defects covered with RHDM show better bony healing despite the fact that bone regeneration was not fully complete for as long as six months after the RHDM implantation.Uvod/Cilj. Popunjavanje koštanih defekata zamenicima kosti je terapija izbora, ali prorastanje vezivnog tkiva iz mukoperiostalnog režnja može kompromitovati sam proces zarastanja zamenika kosti sa zidovima koštanih defekata. U cilju rešavanja ovog problema indikovana je primena membrane kao barijere. Cilj ove studije bio je da se prikaže patohistološki izgled koštane regeneracije i značaj resorptivne demineralizovane membrane humanog porekla (RHDM), debljine 200 mikrona, u regeneraciji kosti kod mandibularnih defekata u eksperimentu rađenom na psima. Metode. Eksperiment je vršen na šest pasa kojima je sa desne strane donje vilice, po podizanju mukoperiostalnog režnja, pravljen koštani defekt. U jedan defekt stavljana je humana deproteinizovana kost (HDK), a između nje i mekotkivnog dela stavljana je RHDM debljine 200 mikrona. U drugi defekt, koji je služio kao kontrola, stavljena je samo HDK, bez RHDM. Dva psa žrtvovana su dva meseca nakon hirurške intervencije, dva posle četiri meseca, a preostala dva šest meseci nakon hirurške intervencije. Nakon žrtvovanja uzimani su isečci za patohistološku analizu. Rezultati. Kod svih šest pasa kod kojih je u koštani defekt ugrađena HDK i RHDM stepen koštane regeneracije bio je daleko veći u odnosu na kontrolne defekte bez RHDM. Zaključak. Membrana, kao pokrivač koštanog defekta, podesna je i poboljšava koštanu regeneraciju. Koštani defekti prekriveni RHDM pokazali su značajno bolje koštano zarastanje, mada koštana regeneracija nije bila potpuna ni šest meseci nakon njene ugradnje