Interplay between the structural and magnetic probes in the elucidation of the structure of a novel 2D layered V_4O_4(OH)_2(O_2CC_6H_4CO_2)_4·DMF

The title compound has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions by reacting vanadium(V) oxytriisopropoxide with terephthalic acid in N,N-dimethylformamide. A combination of synchrotron powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermal and chemical analysis elucidated the chemical, structural and microstructural features of new 2D layered inorganic-organic framework. Due to the low-crystallinity of the final material, its crystal structure has been solved from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data using a direct space global optimization technique and subsequent constraint Rietveld refinement. [V_4O_4(OH)_2(O_2CC_6H_4CO_2)_4•DMF] crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P2/m (No. 10)); cell parameters: a = 20.923(4), b = 5.963(4), c = 20.425(1)Å, β = 123.70(6)º, V = 2120.1(9)Å^3, Z = 2. The overall structure can be described as an array of parallel 2D layers running along [-101] direction, consisting of two types of vanadium oxidation states and coordination polyhedra: face-shared trigonal prisms (V^4+) and distorted corner-shared square pyramids (V^5+). Both configurations form independent parallel chains oriented along the 2-fold symmetry crystallographic b-axis mutually interlinked with terephthalate ligands in a monodentate mode perpendicular to it. The morphology of the compound exhibits long nanofibers, with the growth direction along the layered [-101] axis. The magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the magnetic properties of V_4O_4(OH)_2(O_2CC_6H_4CO_2)_4•DMF can be described by a linear antiferromagnetic chain model, with the isotropic exchange interaction of J = −75 K between the nearest V^4+ neighbours of S = 1/2

Difference-based analysis of the impact of observed game parameters on the final score at the FIBA Eurobasket Women 2019

Evaluation in women's basketball is keeping up with developments in evaluation in men’s basketball, and although the number of studies in women's basketball has seen a positive trend in the past decade, it is still at a low level. This paper observed 38 games and sixteen variables of standard efficiency during the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2019. Two regression models were obtained, a set of relative percentage and relative rating variables, which are used in the NBA league, where the dependent variable was the number of points scored. The obtained results show that in the first model, the difference between winning and losing teams was made by three variables: true shooting percentage, turnover percentage of inefficiency and efficiency percentage of defensive rebounds, which explain 97.3%, while for the second model, the distinguishing variables was offensive efficiency, explaining for 96.1% of the observed phenomenon. There is a continuity of the obtained results with the previous championship, played in 2017. Of all the technical elements of basketball, it is still the shots made, assists and defensive rebounds that have the most significant impact on the final score in European women’s basketball. It can be noted that, unlike with the previous championship, inside play is no longer dominant, but there is a balance between inside and outside play, which has already been established as a developing trend in men’s basketball. The emergence of the offensive efficiency variable indicates that it is becoming significant in top-tier competitions as well but is still a challenge for coaches to grasp the causes of this multicomplex issue based on this indicator

INFLUENCE OF GAME-RELATED STATISTICAL ELEMENTS ON FINAL RESULT AT FIBA EUROBASKET WOMEN 2017

The research papers investigating the game-related parameters and phenomena of women's basketball matches are relatively smaller in size and number than the similar ones treating the same issues in men’s basketball - there has been some changes in that respect in recent years though. This paper’s sample of entity consisted of 40 games and thirteen variables of standard efficiency recorded at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017. The research had two basic models of regressions formed, i.e. the absolute and the relative one, each of which had total numbers scored as the dependent variable, and was performed by means of regression and correlation analysis - stepwise regression, as a gradual method of fitting regression models in order to define predictive variables. The obtained regression models and partial correlation indicate that the winning or losing performance was heavily influenced by both field goal efficiency and defensive rebounding, all of which has been corroborated in many other similar pieces of research. Also, the variables as turnovers and personal fouls were extracted as significant in terms of differentiation between the winning and losing team. When we take a closer look and see the observed parameters from the point of view of either First or Final rounds of the competition - since these rounds were played in different formats - it is noticeable that it is becoming more and more evident, of course besides the shot efficiency, the efficiency of free throws and the quality of defense.

Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for the determination of adapalene in pharmaceutical forms for skin application

The development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of adapalene in pharmaceutical forms for skin application were presented in this study. The MS/MS analysis of adapalene was performed by use of three mobile phases, consisted of acetonitrile and a) 0.1 % formic acid, b) 0.1 % trifluoroacetic acid and c) 20 mM ammonium acetate. The strongest signals of parent ion and dominant product ion were obtained in negative mode by use of the mobile phase c). The validation of this method was performed according to the ICH guidelines. Small variations of selected chromatographic parameters (concentration of ammonium acetate, mobile phase composition, column temperature and flow rate) did not affect significantly the qualitative and quantitative system responses, which proved the method's robustness. The method is specific for the determination of adapalene. The linearity was proved in the concentration range of 6.7-700.0 ng mL(-1) (r = 0.9990), with limits of detection and quantification of 2.0 and 6.7 ng mL(-1), respectively. The accuracy was confirmed by calculated recoveries (98.4-101.5 %). The precision was tested at three levels: injection repeatability, analysis repeatability and intermediate precision. The calculated relative standard deviations were less than 1, 2 and 3 %, respectively

Alkyl polyglucoside vs. ethoxylated surfactant-based microemulsions as vehicles for two poorly water-soluble drugs: physicochemical characterization and in vivo skin performance

Two types of biocompatible surfactants were evaluated for their capability to formulate skin-friendly/non-irritant microemulsions as vehicles for two poorly water-soluble model drugs differing in properties and concentrations: alkyl polyglucosides (decyl glucoside and caprylyl/capryl glucoside) and ethoxylated surfactants (glycereth-7-caprylate/caprate and polysorbate 80). Phase behavior, structural inversion and microemulsion solubilization potential for sertaconazole nitrate and adapalene were found to be highly dependent on the surfactants structure and HLB value. Performed characterization (polarized light microscopy, pH, electrical conductivity, rheological, FTIR and DSC measurements) indicated a formulation containing glycereth-7-caprylate/caprate as suitable for incorporation of both drugs, whereas alkyl polyglucoside-based systems did not exhibit satisfying solubilization capacity for sertaconazole nitrate. Further, monitored parameters were strongly affected by sertaconazole nitrate incorporation, while they remained almost unchanged in adapalene-loaded vehicles. In addition, results of the in vivo skin performance study supported acceptable tolerability for all investigated formulations, suggesting selected microemulsions as promising carriers worth exploring further for effective skin delivery of model drugs

Alluvial Water Source Capacity under the Climate Change and Other Impacts—Case Study of the Pek River in Serbia

River discharge changes, in addition to natural variability, depend on several factors. Three factors are the most important: climate change (CC), changes in human use of water (HU), and land use changes (LU). River discharge has hydraulic connection with its alluvial sources and both are sensitive to climate and other changes. Alluvial water sources (ALWSs) are often used for water supplying purposes. The question is what could we expect in the future? Are they more or less sensible on climate change and other two factors, compare to river discharge changes, or it differ from case to case

Levels of interleukin-6 in tears before and after excimer laser treatment

Background/Aim. Immune response and consequent inflammatory process which originate on ocular surface after a trauma are mediated by cytokines. Photoablation of corneal stroma performed by excimer laser causes surgically induced trauma. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is mostly known as a proinflammatory cytokine. However, it also has regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects. It is supposed that this cytokine is likely to play a significant role in the process of corneal wound healing response after photoablation of stroma carried out by laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) methods. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the levels of IL-6 in tears before and after treatment with LASIK and PRK methods. Methods. The study included 68 shortsighted eyes up to -3.0 diopter sphere, i.e. 198 samples of tears (per three samples taken from each of the eyes), divided into two groups according to the kind of excimer laser intervention performed: the group 1 - eyes treated by LASIK method (n = 31), and the group 2 - eyes treated by the PRK method (n = 37). The samples of tears were taken from each eye at the following time points: before excimer laser treatment (0 h, the control group), 1 h after the treatment (1 h) and 24 h after the treatment (24 h). The patients did not use anti-inflammatory therapy 24 h after the intervention. Tear samples were collected using microsurgical sponge. Level of IL-6 in tear fluid was determined by the flow cytometry method, applying a commercial test kit which allowed cytokine detection from a small sample volume. Results. The values of IL-6 were detectable in 16% of samples before LASIK treatment and in 30% of samples before PRK treatment. One h after the treatment IL-6 was detectable in 29% of samples for the LASIK group and 43% of samples for the PRK group, and 24 h after the treatment it was detectable in 19% of samples for the LASIK group and in 57% of samples for the PRK group. When we analyzed the dynamics of IL-6 production in particular groups, we noticed that both in the LASIK and PRK group the number of samples with increased values of IL-6 after 1 h, and after 24 h, was considerably larger than the number of samples with decreased values of IL-6 after the intervention. Analyzing the dynamics of IL-6 concentration changes in the 1 h samples vs 24 h samples there was a statistically significant increase in the number of samples with IL-6 concentration decline in the LASIK group, while at the same time no considerable changes occurred in the PRK group. Comparing average IL-6 values between the two treatment groups in all tear samples at 0 h, 1 h and 24 h after intervention a significantly higher level in the PRK group 24 h after procedure (p = 0.0031) was detected. Conclusion. IL-6 level in tears increases 1 h and 24 h after LASIK and PRK treatments. This increment is significantly larger 24 h after the treatment with the PRK method than with the LASIK method. Changes of IL-6 production levels in tears after excimer laser treatment indicate that this cytokine takes part in the corneal recovery process after stromal photoablation

Unrealistic optimism and HEXACO traits as predictors of risk perception and compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures during the first wave of pandemic

The aims of this study were to examine possible differences and factors that contribute to risk perception and compliance with preventive measures at the beginning (T1) and the end (T2) of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 423 participants (M = 30.29, SD = 14.45; 69% female). Compliance, risk perception and trust in information were significantly higher in T1 than T2. For risk perception, significant predictors in both T1 and T2 were age, Emotionality (HEXACO-PI-R) and Unrealistic Optimism (NLE, Negative Life Events). Trust in information was a significant predictor in T1, while Unrealistic Optimism (Positive Life Events) was a signifi-cant predictor in T2. For compliance, significant predictors in T1 were gender and trust in information while in T2 were Emo-tionality, Extraversion, Conscientiousness (HEXACO-PI-R), NLE and trust in information, for both T1 and T2. In general, findings suggest a much more pronounced role of personality traits in adherence to protective measures at the end than at the beginning of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia. Also, the results indicate the role of unrealistic opti-mism regarding negative life events in lower compliance with protective measures

MODELING THE INFLUENCE OF BASKETBALL GAME PARAMETERS ON THE FINAL RESULT IN TOKYO 2020

ABSTRACT This study aims to ascertain the significance of the basketball game parameters which discriminated between winning and losing teams in matches played. The study sample comprises matches played at the men’s basketball tournament at the XXXII Olympic Games in Tokyo. Four regression models were formed. Due to the size of the sample, the number of explaining variables was reduced using factor analysis, followed by stepwise regression to ascertain the statistical significance of the obtained models summarily, which were then broken down into individual parameters. This study indicates: (1) one of the four set regression models was summarily highly statistically significant; (2) out of the remaining models, two were eliminated due to the presence of multicollinearity, and one model did not exhibit high statistical significance; (3) the final score was most influenced by the variables of two- and three-point shot percentages, number of three-point shots, turnovers, defensive rebounds, and true shooting percentage. The results of the study corroborated the results of other studies which were carried out in recent years, that the game of basketball is trending towards three-point shots and lay-ups, reduction of turnovers when passing, and defensive rebounds have been confirmed to be greatly significant

Usporedba različitih metoda izvanbolničkog održavanja dišnoga puta u bolesnika sa srčanim zastojem u slavonskoj regiji

Endotracheal intubation is the gold standard in inpatient treatment of cardiac arrest patients; however, there are conflicting research results in out-of-hospital conditions. This prospective study included 92 patients with confirmed cardiac arrest occurring outside a hospital facility, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and whom the emergency ambulance team reached within 20 minutes from the event. Medical data on each patient (age, gender, cause of arrest, estimated time of arrest, time to arrival of the ambulance team, resuscitation commenced prior to arrival of the ambulance team, initial electrocardiographic rhythm, method of airway management, and success of resuscitation) were recorded. The airway maintenance techniques applied in the patients were endotracheal intubation and I-gel laryngeal mask (LMA). The rate of spontaneous circulation recovery resulting from different techniques of airway management and the incidence of spontaneous circulation recovery between the defibrillation rhythm and non-defibrillable rhythm groups were recorded for each patient. Forty-seven patients received endotracheal tube and the rest of 45 patients I-gel LMA treatment. The ratio of achieving spontaneous circulation with intubation versus I-gel LMA was 13 (28%) to 11 (24%) (p=0.725). The best return of spontaneous circulation results was recorded in patients suffering from ventricular fibrillation; however, there was no statistically significant difference between the intubation and I-gel LMA treatments (8 (47%) vs. 7 (41%); p=0.916). No statistically significant difference was observed between the outcomes of patients resuscitated by endotracheal intubation and I-gel LMA methods either.Endotrahealna intubacija je „zlatni standard“ u liječenju bolesnika sa srčanim zastojem u bolnici, ali rezultati istraživanja u izvanbolničkim uvjetima su proturječni. U ovo istraživanje bila su uključena 92 bolesnika sa srčanim zastojem doživljenim u izvanbolničkim uvjetima, koji su ispunjavali kriterije uključenja u studiju te kod kojih je hitna medicinska pomoć stigla unutar 20 minuta od srčanog zastoja. Bilježeni su sljedeći podatci: spol, dob, uzrok srčanog zastoja, vrijeme srčanog zastoja, vrijeme do dolaska ekipe hitne pomoći, započinjanje reanimacije prije dolaska ekipe hitne pomoći, početni elektrokardiografski ritam, metoda osiguravanja dišnog puta te uspješnost postupka reanimacije. Od tehnika održavanja dišnog puta rabila se I-gel laringealna maska te endotrahealni tubus. Bilježeni su rezultati povrata spontane cirkulacije kod pojedine metode održavanja dišnog puta te razlike između skupina s obzirom na ritmove koji se defibriliraju i one koji se ne defibriliraju. Bila su 47 bolesnika s endotrahealnim tubusom, dok je 45 bolesnika imalo laringealnu masku. Omjer povrata spontane cirkulacije između skupine s intubacijom i skupine s laringealnom maskom bio je 13 (28%) prema 11 (24%) (p=0,725). Najbolji rezultati oživljavanja zabilježeni su u skupini bolesnika s ventrikulskom fibrilacijom, ali bez statistički značajne razlike između skupine s endotrahealnom intubacijom i skupine s laringealnom maskom (8 (47%) prema 7 (41%); p=0,916). Nije pronađena statistički značajna razlika u uspješnosti oživljavanja između skupine bolesnika s endotrahealnom intubacijom i skupine s laringealnom maskom