Digitalization and Sustainability - Opportunities and Challenges for Insurance Industry

Digital revolution and demands for sustainability are the most important determinants of the economic development in the last years. Insurance as a risk protection mechanism can support the achievement of many Global Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations in direct or indirect manner. Decision engines and artificial intelligence support to decision-making allow insurers to propose tailored customer-centric services based on micro-segments and personalized risk profiles. Providing a more adequate set of products insurance creates a financial safety net for women, families and businesses and contributes to poverty alleviation and supports economic growth, innovations and employment. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to present the possibilities of application of information technology in insurance and challenges for its implementation

OFDM LOW COMPLEXITY CHANNEL ESTIMATION USING TIME-FREQUENCY ADJUSTABLE WINDOW FUNCTIONS

In this paper, we introduce a low complexity algorithm for estimation of the channel transfer function in the OFDM communication system that is using a scattered pilot symbol grid. Although, the use of the scattered pilot grid enables implementation of the flexible, and adaptive radio interface, it suffers from a high estimation error at the edges of the symbol sequence. Due to the sampling in time, and frequency, the signal is circularly expanded in both domains, and this has to be taken into account when the signal is processed. The proposed algorithm is shaping the pilot symbol estimates in time, and frequency domain, such that the aliasing in both domains are reduced or eliminated. We achieve a significant reduction of the estimation error, with a linear increase in computational complexity

Izvori proteina i njihov značaj u ishrani šarana (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is one of the most widely cultured fish species in the world. It is predominantly cultivated in the Balkans in the semiintensive system that is based on the utilization of natural food from the fish pond and supplemental feed (cereals, pelleted and extruded feed). Currently, an intensified type of semi-intensive production is starting to be more present in Serbia, where cereals, as the most common supplemental feed, are replaced by concentrated feed that fill in the lack of proteins from carps' natural food in periods of its decreased production. The nutritional requirements for growth, reproduction and normal physiological functions of fish are similar to other animals, but generally fish need more proteins in their diet. Due to this, the efficiency in the use and utilization of proteins is more significant for fish than for other animals. The selection of supplemental feed in semi-intensive system of fish culture depends on the natural potential of the fish pond, culturing period, fish category, price and quality of feed.Šaran (Cyprinus carpio) kao jedna od najrasprostranjenijih gajenih vrsta riba u svetu, na prostorima Balkana dominantno se gaji u poluintenzivnom sistemu. Intenziviranjem poluintenzivnog sistema i saznanjima o prednosti koncentrovanim hranama, žitarice se polako potiskuju peletiranim i ekstrudiranim smešama. Takođe, u cilju globalnog povećanja proizvodnje, javljaju se potrebe za unošenje raznolikih komponenti u smeše za ishranu riba i njihove maksimalne iskoristivosti. Akvakultura je visoko zavisna od proizvodnje ribljeg brašna i ribljeg ulja zbog velike primene u industriji hrane za ribe. Ograničavajući faktori primene ribljeg brašna su: ograničenost resursa, porast potreba i porast cene. To je navelo na potrebu da se riblje brašno zameni alternativnim izvorima proteina kao što su: proizvodi od soje koji su najsličniji proteinima animalnog porekla, otpaci terestičnih životinja kao jeftiniji izvori kvalitetnih proteina, kril koji ima veliki potencijal u proizvodnji hrane, kao i jednoćelijski organizmi sa velikom brzinom rasta

FAST DOA ESTIMATION OF THE SIGNAL RECEIVED BY TEXTILE WEARABLE ANTENNA ARRAY BASED ON ANN MODEL

MLP_DoA module, being an integral part of the smart TWAA DoA subsystem, intended for fast DoA estimation is proposed. Multilayer perceptron network is used to create the MLP_DoA module that provides a radio gateway location in azimuthal plane at its output when a spatial correlation matrix, found by receiving the radio gateway signal using two-element textile wearable antenna array, is on its input. MLP_DoA network training with monitoring the generalization capabilities on the validation set of samples is applied. The accuracy of the proposed modeling approach is compared to the classical approach in MLP_DoA module training previously developed by the authors. Comparison of the presented ANN model with the root MUSIC algorithm in terms of accuracy and program execution time is also done

NUMERICAL COMPACT MODELING APPROACH OF DISPERSIVE MAGNETOELECTRIC MEDIA BASED ON SCATTERING PARAMETERS

Z-TLM based compact modeling approach for dispersive media exhibiting magnetoelectric coupling is presented in this paper. Scattering parameters based representation of considered medium is created in a form of compact model by extracting effective electromagnetic parameters using a retrieval method, and implementing them into a non-uniform TLM grid. Proposed approach is illustrated here on the example of dispersive isotropic chiral medium modeling

Histološke metode u proceni efekata hrane na morfologiju creva i jetre riba

This manuscript describes the importance of using histological methods to assess the effects of feed on the liver and intestine of fish. Due to the constantly increasing world production of fish and other aquatic organisms, it is necessary to replace fishmeal and fish oil in diets with less expensive raw materials of plant origin. Due to the increased fiber content, increased presence of carbohydrates, antinutritional factors, and inappropriate content of amino acids and new compounds can have negative effects on the digestive system of fish and therefore on fitness, health and production characteristics of cultivated fish. The liver and intestines are the most important organs for the digestion and absorption of nutrients from feed. Therefore, monitoring histological structure of fish liver and intestine is the method of choice in assessing the effects of nutrient mixtures that use raw materials of plant origin. For both of these vital organs the normal histological structure and the most important results obtained by research are discussed. This paper presents a critical review of the histological methods used in research on feed effects. Results related to the negative effects of raw soy-based feed on the occurrence of enteritis in carnivorous fish species are discussed. The results point out that use of modern approach in fish pathology such as improved histochemical, stereological, scoring, and other analytical methods could be a beneficial approach in an accurate assessment of new feed effects on fish.U radu je prikazan značaj upotrebe histoloških metoda u proceni efekata hrane na jetru i crevo riba. Usled konstantno rastuće svetske proizvodnje riba i drugih vodenih organizama pokazalo se neophodnim da se riblje brašno i riblje ulje u hranljivim smešama sve više zamenjuju manje skupim sirovinama biljnog porekla. Zbog povećanog sadržaja vlakana, povećanog prisustva ugljenih hidrata i antinutricionih faktora, te neodgovarajućeg sadržaja amino kiselina u ovim sirovinama delovanje novih smeša može negativno da utiče na digestivni sistem riba a time i na kondiciju, zdravstveno stanje i proizvodne karakteristike gajenih riba. Budući da su jetra i creva najvažniji organi u procesu varenja i apsorpcije hranljivih materija iz hrane, praćenje histološke građe jetre i creva riba je metoda izbora pri proceni efekata hranljivih smeša u kojima se koriste sirovine biljnog porekla. Za oba pomenuta vitalna organa je prikazana normalna histološka građa i najvažniji rezultati dobijeni u istraživanjima autora i iz literaturnih izvora. U radu je dat kritički osvrt na histološke metode koje se koriste u ovoj vrsti istraživanja i na najvažnije dobijene rezultate. Posebna pažnja je posvećena negativnom delovanju sirovina na bazi soje koje uzrokuju pojavu enteritisa kod karnivornih vrsta riba. Ukazuje se i na mogućnosti unapređenja metodologije procene efekata hrane korišćenjem savremenih pristupa u patohistološkim istraživanjima kao što su unapređene histohemijske, stereološke i druge metode

PREDICTION OF THE EM SIGNAL DELAY IN THE IONOSPHERE USING NEURAL MODEL

Neural model capable to accurately and efficiently predict a propagation delay of electromagnetic signal in the ionosphere is proposed in this paper. The model performs this prediction for a given geographic location in Europe between 40° (N) and 70° (N) latitude and 10° (W) and 30° (E) longitude, according to the following parameters: particular day in a year, time during the day and frequency of a signal carrier. Architecture of the model consists of four multilayer perceptron (MLP) networks with the task to estimate, for the known values of the previously mentioned input parameters of the model, the approximate value of free ions concentration in the atmosphere along the signal propagation path above the geographic location of the receiver. Based on the estimated ions concentration and taking into account the considered frequency of the signal carrier, the model calculates the time delay of signal propagation in the ionosphere. The developed neural model is applicable on the whole territory of Republic of Serbia, for all four weather seasons in the period of low solar activity. The results of using the proposed model for the prediction of time delay of the GPS (Global Positioning System) signal in the area of city of Niš are provided in the paper

Uticaj načina gajenja na mortalitet fazančića

The paper presents the results of the analysis on the loss of young pheasants in the process of pheasants rearing. The analysis of the results regarding the production of pheasants was conducted at two pheasant farms 'Rit' and 'Vinik' in the period from 2002 - 2004. The mortality of young pheasants up to the ninth day of age, at pheasant farm 'Rit', varied from 0,26%-0.70%. In a vented hall the mortality was in the interval of 1.30%-2.55%, and in volières (large cages) used for turning the pheasants into a wild game birds, it ranged from 1.70%-1.78%. Total mortality in pheasants up to 40 days of age varied between 3.60%-4.47%. In the batteries at the pheasant farm 'Vinik', the mortality of young pheasants ranged from 2.21%-3.62%. In vented boxes the highest mortality from 3.11%-6.73% was recorded, whilst in volières for turning the pheasants into a wild game birds, the lowest mortality ranging between 2.34% and 3.04% was recorded. Total mortality from hatching until 40 days of age varied from 8.33%-13.39%. A great number of exogenous factors influence production results of young pheasants rearing in pheasants farms. Mortality in battery station and vented boxes can be ascribed to a technical shortages of the buildings themselves, where adequate conditions regarding temperature, space, ventilation, hygiene, moisture in the rooms for rearing, kind of diets and the way of their distribution, etc., are not well provided.Izvršena je analiza uticaja načina gajenja na mortalitet fazančića, do 40 dana starosti, u dve fazanerije, u periodu od tri godine. Proizvodnja i odgoj, u tehničkom i tehnološkom smislu, po pojedinim fazama, dosta se razlikuju, na ove dve fazanerije, a samim tim su i razlike u gubicima (uginućima) veće ili manje. No, u celini gledano, rezultati su dosta dobri, a to potvrđuje i njihovo poređenje sa brojnim literaturnim podacima. Očekuje se da će se i uginuća fazančića smanjiti sa poboljšanjem mikroklimatskih uslova u objektima, boljom preventivom i manjom pojavom bolesti, boljem regulisanju optimalnog broja u određenom prostoru, boljom i adekvatnijom ishranom, kao i nekim drugim faktorima

Self-assembly of carbon based nanoparticles films by Langmuir-Blodgett method

Carbon nanoparticles are a class of materials with extraordinary properties. In the past three decades, four major types of carbon nanoparticles were synthesized and investigated: fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene and carbon quantum dots. One of the main properties of such materials is their hydrophobic nature. At the same time, Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) method the for deposition of thin films of hydrophobic materials provides the possibility to design thin films of different carbon-based nanoparticles with special architectures and features enabling their usage in various fields, particularly in electronics and biomedicine. In this review, the state of art of LB thin films of four types of carbon-based nanoparticles and their application in electronics and biomedicine are presented. The breakthrough in this field was finally achieved by application of carbon quantum dots soluble in solvents optimized for LB deposition