Supportive methods for assessing effective porosity and regulating karst aquifers

Regulation of a karst aquifer implies engineering interventions designed to control its flow and manage its water reserves. One of the most important prerequisites for the feasibility and suc­cess of regulation projects is proper assessment of aquifer ef­fective porosity (storativity) and accumulated groundwater reserves. This paper is focused on several specific methods whichcan contribute to a reliable assessment of the size and volume of effective storage in karst: cave diving survey, camera logging of cavities, stochastic analysis of discharge regime and 3D modelling of karst interior. The application of these meth­ods on selected test sites in Montenegro, Algeria and Serbia are described. These methods were applied as part of the researchprogramme conducted in the catchment of Mlava Spring, the largest spring in the Carpathian karst of Serbia. The results ob­tained by the stochastic analyses of the spring’s discharge re­gime, as well as siphon diving of the spring and 3D modelling for reconstruction of conduits networks in karst interior are particularly important

Hydrogeological and hydrodynamic characteristics of groundwater sources for the public water supply of Bečej (Northern Serbia)

The existing groundwater source for the public water supply of Bečej City in Serbia is tapping groundwater from three water-bearing horizons over 15 wells with a summary capacity over 100 l/s. It is one of the characteristics of sources that several water-bearing layers are most frequently tapped simultaneously by wells. Two layers are tapped simultaneously by 12 wells; all three layers are tapped by ten wells, while one water-bearing layer is tapped by only three wells. The groundwater table at the source was recorded for a period of 30 years. In the conducted hydrodynamic analysis of the groundwater regime, it was concluded that in the mentioned period, a relatively low fall of the water table occurred, far lower than the previously predicted values. The results of a simulation of the exploitation regime of both the town and surrounding sources are presented in this paper for a period of more than two and a half years and the results of the identification of the basic hydrogeological parameters of the tapped water-bearing layers are presented in this paper. In addition, a balance for each element in the water-bearing layers exploited as sources of tapped water for the town are presented

A phenomenological analysis of sintering kinetics from the viewpoint of activated volume

The sintering kinetics of real systems has been viewed as a process of transport of activated volume. Activated volume is a parameter that can be used to describe mass transport during the sintering process. It defines the movement of point defects and dislocations during the sintering process. A phenomenological equation has been defined using this parameter, which can be applied to analyze kinetics of the sintering process. It has been applied to analyze the sintering process of several disperse systems. Values obtained for parameters of the equation have also been analyzed

Crosstalk between dietary patterns, obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising worldwide, paralleling the epidemic of obesity. The liver is a key organ for the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Various types of fats and carbohydrates in isocaloric diets differently influence fat accumulation in the liver parenchyma. Therefore, nutrition can manage hepatic and cardiometabolic complications of NAFLD. Even moderately reduced caloric intake, which leads to a weight loss of 5%-10% of initial body weight, is effective in improving liver steatosis and surrogate markers of liver disease status. Among dietary patterns, the Mediterranean diet mostly prevents the onset of NAFLD. Furthermore, this diet is also the most recommended for the treatment of NAFLD patients. However, clinical trials based on the dietary interventions in NAFLD patients are sparse. Since there are only a few studies examining dietary interventions in clinically advanced stages of NAFLD, such as active and fibrotic steatohepatitis, the optimal diet for patients in these stages of the disease must still be determined. In this narrative review, we aimed to critically summarize the associations between different dietary patterns, obesity and prevention/risk for NAFLD, to describe specific dietary interventions’ impacts on liver steatosis in adults with NAFLD and to provide an updated overview of dietary recommendations that clinicians potentially need to apply in their daily practice

JAK2V617F mutation in a patient with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and prefibrotic primary myelofibrosis

Uvod Sekundarni maligniteti, naročito solidni tumori, česti su kod bolesnika s hroničnom limfocitnom leukemijom (HLL), ali retko se sreće udruženost mijeloproliferativnih neoplazmi i HLL. Prikaz bolesnika Prikazujemo muškarca starog 67 godina sa B ćelijskom HLL kod koga se nakon devet godina razvila primarna mijelofibroza (PMF). Bolesnik je lečen alkilišućim agensima i analozima purina, što može biti predisponirajući faktor za razvoj mijeloproliferativnog oboljenja. JAK2V617F mutacija nije otkrivena prilikom postavljanja dijagnoze HLL, ali je utvrđena posle devet godina, kada se razvila PMF, što ukazuje na to da su B ćelijska HLL i PMF neoplazme koje potiču od različitih ćelijskih klonova. Zaključak Patogenetski mehanizmi udruženosti mijeloproliferativne i limfoproliferativne neoplazme kod bolesnika nisu razjašnjeni. Potrebna su dalja istraživanja radi utvrđivanja da li ove maligne bolesti potiču od dva različita ćelijska klona ili nastaju od iste pluripotentne matične ćelije hematopoeze.Introduction Secondary malignancies, particularly solid tumors, are common in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but association of myeloproliferative neoplasms and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the same patient is very rare. Case Outline We report of a 67-year-old man with B-cell chronic lymphoid leukemia (B-CLL) who developed primary myelofibrosis (PMF) nine years after initial diagnosis. Patient received alkylation agents and purine analogue, which can be a predisposing factor for the development of myeloproliferative neoplasms. JAK2V617F mutation was not present initially at the time of CLL diagnosis, but was found after nine years when PMF occurred, which indicates that B-CLL and PMF represent two separate clonal origin neoplasms. Conclusion Pathogenic mechanisms for the development of myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative neoplasms in the same patient are unknown. Further research is needed to determine whether these malignancies originate from two different cell clones or arise from the same pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell

Higher degree of dysfunctional attitudes and beliefs and higher scores of frustration intolerance in women with unsuccessful weight loss

Background/Aim. Obesity is a chronic and relapsing condition, and since recently, it has been considered a global epidemic. Current guidelines for tripartite treatment of obesity emphasize a program of lifestyle modifications such as medical nutrition therapy, aerobic exercise, and behavioral intervention. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether specific psychological factors (general attitudes and beliefs and frustration tolerance) could be predictors of successful weight loss, i.e., factors that can be further addressed as part of the integrated therapy approach. Methods. A total of 84 consecutive overweight and obese female participants who were apparently healthy and homogeneous in age, level of education, and marital or employment status were prescribed the same medical nutrition therapy protocol as a single six-month therapeutic intervention. Prior to starting the therapy, the General Attitude and Belief Scale (GABS) and the Frustration Discomfort Scale (FDS) were administered. The participants were divided into two groups: successful (group A) and unsuccessful (group B). Group A, or the successful group [with the mean body mass index (BMI) ± standard deviation (SD) of 24.1 ± 5.81 kg/m2], consisted of 40 participants who have reached the corresponding loss, i.e., they lost ≥ 10% of the starting body weight (BW). Group B, or the unsuccessful group (with the mean BMI ± SD of 28.51 ± 2.74 kg/m2), consisted of 44 participants who have not reached the corresponding loss, i.e., they lost < 10% of the starting BW. Results. Participants in group B had significantly higher scores (p < 0.05) on the GABS subscales for the Need for Approval, Need for Comfort, and Other Downing. A statistically significant difference between groups (p < 0.05) was shown for FDS subscales of Emotional Intolerance, Entitlement, and Achievement Frustration. Conclusion. Results of our study showed that participants who were unsuccessful in medical nutrition therapy had a higher degree of dysfunctional attitudes and beliefs and higher scores of frustration intolerance when compared to successful participants. The recommendation, based on our results, would be to include psychotherapeutic techniques in the integrative obesity treatment, aimed at cognitive changes and increasing frustration tolerance

Procjena kvalitete edukacije medicinskih sestara u pripremi trudnice za porod

Uvod: Priprema trudnica za porod i roditeljsku funkciju postiže se organizacijom interdisciplinarnih stručnih tečajeva koji su dostupni svim trudnicama u sustavu zdravstvene zaštite Republike Hrvatske. Cilj: Analizirati prolaze li sve trudnice tečaj (neovisno o tome jesu li prošle trudnički tečaj) i koliko je tečaj bitan za smanjenje broja komplikacija u tijeku i nakon poroda. Metode i ispitanici: Istraživanje je provedeno u vremenskom razdoblju od kolovoza do studenog 2014. godine na Klinici za ginekologiju i porodništvo, Kliničke bolnice “Sveti Duh”. U istraživanje je uključeno 150 babinjača koje su se liječile na odjelu drugi dan nakon poroda. Rezultati: Trudnički tečaj pohađalo je samo pola ispitanih babinjača, veliki postotak trudnica pripremu za porod nalazi na internetu. Problema sa skrbi za novorođenče ima preko pola ispitanica, a uz to i educiranost medicinske sestre, koja je član tima za provođenje trudničkog tečaja, više od 50% ispitanih babinjača ocjenjuje kao nedostatnu. Zaključak: Iz prikupljenih podataka može se zaključiti da se u prenatalnu zaštitu moraju više uključiti medinske sestre primarne zdravstvene zaštite uz preporuku obaveznog tečaja za sve trudnice, ali je i vrlo važno povečanje stupnja edukacije zdravstvenih djelatnika koji provode edukaciju u pripremi trudnica za porod kako bi trudnice bile zadovoljne i spremne za sve postupke koji ih očekuju u porodu i nakon njega

Karst aquifer average catchment area assessment through monthly water balance equation with limited meteorological data set: Application to Grza spring in Eastern Serbia

In the absence of detailed exploration of karstic catchments, the calculation of available reserves and elements of the water balance equation frequently reflect the topographic size of the catchment area, and not the actual, active (underground) size. The two differ largely where karst is concerned. The paper deals with the problem of average catchment area size estimation in the situation when meteorological data are limited to precipitation and temperature, but discharge records are available for long period. Proposed methodology was applied to, calibrated, and validated on 15 karst springs in Serbia. Results obtained with the model differ up to 20% from hydrogeological exploration results. One of investigated springs is Grza karst spring, which belongs to the karstic formation of Kučaj and Beljanica (the Carpatho-Balkanide Arch of Eastern Serbia). In this paper, we used the Grza Spring to show model application and necessary improvements to progress from graphoanalytical to analytical model. The average catchment area is linked to the model parameter that reduces potential to real evapotranspiration on monthly bases. The model potential lies in the possibility to determine not only catchment area, but real evapotranspiration and dynamic volume of the porous - karst groundwater storage as well

Investigation of cultivated lavender (Lavandula officinalis L.) extraction and its extracts

In this study essential oil content was determined in lavender flowers and leaves by hydrodistillation. Physical and chemical characteristics of the isolated oils were determined. By using CO2 in supercritical state the extraction of lavender flowers was performed with a selected solvent flow under isothermal and isobaric conditions. By the usage of gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography with flame ionisation detector (GC/FID) the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the obtained essential oil and supercritical extracts (SFE) was carried out. Also, the analysis of individual SFE extracts obtained during different extraction times was performed. It turned out that the main components of the analysed samples were linalool, linalool acetate, lavandulol, caryophyllene oxide, lavandulyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol and others. Two proposed models were used for modelling the extraction system lavender flower - supercritical CO2 on the basis of experimental results obtained by examining the extraction kinetics of this system. The applied models fitted well with the experimental results

Procjena kvalitete edukacije medicinskih sestara u pripremi trudnice za porod Assessment of the Quality Education of Nurses in Preparing Pregnant Women for Childbirth

Uvod: Priprema trudnica za porod postiže se organizacijom interdisciplinarnih stručnih tečajeva pripreme trudnica za porod i roditeljsku funkciju koji su dostupni svim trudnicama u sustavu zdravstvene zaštite Republike Hrvatske. Cilj: Analizirati prolaze li sve trudnice tečaj, neovisno o tome jesu li prošle trudnički tečaj, i koliko je tečaj bitan za smanjenje broja komplikacija u tijeku i nakon poroda. Metode i ispitanici: Istraživanje je provedeno u razdoblju od kolovoza do studenog 2014. godine na Klinici za ginekologiju i porodništvo Kliničke bolnice “Sveti Duh”. U istraživanje je uključeno 150 babinjača koje su se liječile na odjelu drugi dan nakon poroda. Rezultati: Trudnički je tečaj pohađalo samo pola ispitanih babinjača, veliki postotak trudnica pripremu za porod prolazi uz internet. Problema sa skrbi za novorođenče ima preko pola ispitanica, uz to, i educiranost medicinske sestre koja je član tima za provođenje trudničkog tečaja, više od 50% ispitanih babinjača ocjenjuje kao nedostatnu. Zaključak: Iz prikupljenih podataka može se zaključiti da se u prenatalnu zaštitu moraju više uključiti medinske sestre primarne zdravstvene zaštite s preporukom obveznog tečaja za sve trudnice, ali je vrlo važno i povečanje stupnja edukacije zdravstvenih djelatnika koji sudjeluju u pripremi trudnica za porod, kako bi trudnice bile zadovoljne i spremne za sve postupke koji ih očekuju u porodu i nakon njega