OPTIMIZATION OF THE 3P KEYS KERNEL PARAMETERS BY MINIMIZING THE RIPPLE OF THE SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTIC

The ideal interpolation kernel is described by the sinc function, and its spectral characteristic is the box function. Due to the infinite length of the ideal kernel, it is not achievable. Therefore, convolutional interpolation kernels of finite length, which should better approximate the ideal kernel in a specified interval, are formed. The approximation function should have a small numerical complexity, so as to reduce the interpolation execution time. In the scientific literature, great attention is paid to the polynomial kernel of the third order. However, the time and spectral characteristic of the third-order polynomial kernels differs significantly from the shape of the ideal kernel. Therefore, the accuracy of cubic interpolation is lower. By optimizing the kernel parameters, it is possible to better approximate the ideal kernel. This will increase the accuracy of the interpolation. The first part of the paper describes a three-parameter (3P) Keys interpolation kernel, r. After that, the algorithm for optimizing the parameters of the 3P Keys kernel, is shown. First, the kernel is disassembled into components, and then, over each kernel component, Fourier transform is applied. In this way the spectral characteristic of the 3P Keys kernel, H, was determined. Then the spectral characteristic was developed in the Taylor series, HT. With the condition for the elimination of the members of the Taylor series, which greatly affect the ripple of the spectral characteristic, the optimal kernel parameters (αopt, βopt, gopt) were determined. The second part of the paper describes an experiment, in which the interpolation accuracy of the 3P Keys kernel, was tested. Parametric cubic convolution (PCC) interpolation, with the 3P kernel, was performed over the images from the Test database. The Test database is created with standard Test images, which are intensively used in Digital Image Processing. By analyzing the interpolation error, which is represented by the Mean Square Error, MSE, the accuracy of the interpolation was determined. The results (αopt, βopt, gopt, MSEmin) are presented on tables and graphs. Detailed comparative analysis showed higher interpolation accuracy with the proposed 3P Keys interpolation kernel, compared to the interpolation accuracy with, 1P Keys and 2P Keys interpolation kernels. Finally, the numerical values of the optimal kernel parameters, which are determined by the optimization algorithm proposed in this paper, were experimentally verified

CHANGES IN SPEED, AGILITY AND BODY COMPOSITION OF TOP-RANKED FEMALE HANDBALL PLAYERS DURING THE PLAYING SEASON

Handball is a dynamic Olympic sport dominated by acyclic movements (sudden changes in direction, jumps, landings, contacts between the players, etc.) with speed and agility playing an important role in their successful realization. Our aim was to establish which changes occurred in the body composition, speed and agility of top-ranked female handball players during the playing season. The parameters for estimating body composition were: body mass, body mass index (BMI), the percentage of muscle and fat. The ability to achieve speed (in 5, 10 and 30m sprints) and agility (new envelope test without a ball, straight slalom run without a ball and Straight slalom run with a ball, zig-zag with and zig-zag without a ball) was estimated with the portable timing system. The differences between the initial and the final measurements were established with the Student’s t-test. The results obtained show that there were statistically significant changes and weaker results in almost all the tested variables. The only improvements were detected in the maximum speed in 30m sprint and the agility without a ball (new envelope test and slalom run without a ball). It is recommended that the training plan should be carefully devised (the activities of the high intensity load should be applied throughout the season) as well as the plan for proper sports nutrition (body mass should be reduced with simultaneous increase in the muscular mass component)

Assessment of gait in patients with fibromyalgia during motor and cognitive dual task walking: a cross-sectional study

Background: The aim of the study was to assess gait pattern of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) while performing demanding motor and/or cognitive dual tasks while walking. Further, idea was to explore possible correlations of dual task gait pattern alterations to patients’ functional status and presence or absence of clinical symptoms associated with FM. Methods: Twenty-four female FM patients and 24 healthy female subjects performed a basic walking task, a dual motor, a dual mental (cognitive) and a combined, dual motor and cognitive task simultaneously. Quantitative spatial (stride length) and temporal (cycle time, swing time and double support time) gait parameters were measured using GAITRite walkway system and their variability was assessed. Patients underwent clinical examination including assessment of functional status, pain and fatigue level, psychiatric and cognitive manifestations. Results: The motor, cognitive and combined dual tasks affect gait performance in FM patients. Difference in tasks between FM and healthy subjects was found as double support time prolongation. Comparison of tasks showing that cycle time in FM was longer than controls and stride length was shorter in patients for all conditions, while no changes were found in any of the gait parameters variability. Further, mental/cognitive dual tasks had a larger effect than motor tasks. Correlations were also found between depression and functional status of the patients and the gait parameters. Conclusions: Gait is affected in FM patients while dual task walking. No changes in stride-to-stride variability point that patients preserve stability in complex walking situations. Analysis of gait may provide additional information for the FM identification based on presence of clinical features and cognitive status. Correlation of dual task gait alterations with occurrence of clinical symptoms and influence of cognitive changes on gait pattern could additionally define FM subgroups

Stabilizacija α-glukozidaze u organskim rastvaračima imobilizacijom na makroporoznim (poli) glicidil metakrilatima različitih površinskih karakteristika

alpha-Glucosidase from baker's yeast was immobilized on macroporous copolymers of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate, poly(GMA-co-EGDMA), with various surface characteristics and pore sizes ranging from 44 nm to 270 nm. Immobilization was done by glutaraldehyde on the copolymer previously modified with 1,2-diaminoethane. The specific activity of the obtained immobilized enzyme varied from 27 to 81 U/g depending on the employed copolymer. The half lives of the immobilized enzyme in cosolvents were influenced by the surface characteristics of the copolymer, ranging from 60 to 150 min in 35 % methanol and from 10 to 44 min in 45 % dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). The best stabilities were obtained when the enzyme was immobilized onto a copolymer having a pore size of 48 rim in methanol and 270 nm in DMSO.α-Glukozidaza izolovana iz pekarskog kvasca je imobilizovana na makroporoznim glicidil-metakrilatima različitih površinskih karakteristika i veličina pora od 44 do 270 nm. Imobilizacija je izvedena glutaraldehidom na polimeru prethodno modifikovanom sa 1,2-diaminoetanom. Specifična aktivnost dobijenog imobilizovanog enzima je varirala od 27 do 81U/g u zavisnosti od vrste korišćenog polimera. Poluživoti imobilizovanog enzima u korastvaračima su zavisili od površinskih karakteristika polimera i kretali su se u opsegu od 60 do 150 min u 35%(v/v) metanolu i od 10 do 44 min u 45 % (v/v) dimetilsufoksidu. Najveća stabilnost u metanolu je dobijena imobilizacijom enzima na polimeru sa veličinom pora od 48 nm a u dimetilsulfoksidu na polimeru sa veličinom pora od 270 nm

Procena nutritivnog kvaliteta hibrida kukuruza na osnovu hemijske kompozicije zrna

The aim of this study was to investigate chemical composition of grain of 20 maize hybrids, from different maturity groups, to define their nutritional quality from the point of main grain constituents: starch, total proteins, soluble proteins, oil, phytate, inorganic phosphorus, and soluble phenolics, as well as mass of 1.000 grains. A set of 20 ZP hybrids, FAO 400-800, were grown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) at Zemun Polje (Serbia), during the summer of 2009. Average content of proteins, oil and starch of analyzed maize hybrids was 10.5%, 4.7% and 80.8%, respectively. Hybrids from FAO maturity group 600 had highest grain mass (in average 419.5 g). Genetic variability in seed phytate content was observed, with values ranging from 2.64 to 3.75, averaged 3.44 g kg-1. Inorganic phosphorus (Pi) concentrations were between 0.120 µ g g-1 (ZP 805) to 0.415 µ g g-1 (ZP 588ex), averaged 0.24 µ g g-1. Content of soluble proteins varied from 54.33 to 78.74 mg g-1. The high positive correlation was observed between total proteins and oil content in hybrids, as well as between starch and phenolics content. Phytate content was positively correlated with proteins, but this correlation was not significant, while the correlation between phytate and mass of 1,000 grains was positive and significant. A negative correlation occurred between phytate and starch.U ovom radu je analizirana hemijska kompozicija zrna 20 hibrida kukuruza različitih FAO grupa zrenja sa ciljem da se definiše njihova nutritivna vrednost na osnovu osnovnih biohemijskih komponenti zrna: skroba, proteina, ulja, fitata neorganskog fosfora, fenola i mase 1000 zrna. Eksperiment je postavljen u u blok dizajnu (RCBD) na eksperimentalnim poljima Instituta za kukuruz u Zemun Polju tokom sezone 2009. Prosečne vrednosti proteina, ulja i skroba analiziranih hibrida kukuruza iznosile su 10.5%, 4.7% and 80.8%, respektivno. Hibridi FAO grupe zrenja 600 imali su najveću masu 1000 zrna (u proseku 419.5 g). Uočena je varijabilnost u sadržaju fitina kod analiziranih hibrida i ona je iznosila od 2.64 do 3.75, sa prosečnom vrednošću od 3.44 g kg-1. Koncentracija neorganskog fosfor (Pi) se kretala od 0.120 µg g-1 (ZP 805) do 0.415 µ g g-1 (ZP 588ex), sa prosekom od 0.24 µ g g-1. Sadržaj solubilnih proteina je varirao od 54.33 do 78.74 mg g-1. Visoko pozitivna korelacija uočena je između sadržaja protein i ulja u zrnu, kao i između skroba i fenola. Fitat je bio u pozitivnoj korelaciji sa proteinima, ali ova korelacija nije bila statistički značajna, dok je korelacija između fitata i mase 1000 zrna pozitivna i signifikantna. Negativna korelacija je uočena između fitata i skroba

The Effects of Sunflower and Maize Crop Residue Extracts as a New Ingredient on the Quality Properties of Pork Liver Pâtés

The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extracts from post-harvest sunflower and maize stalk residues, and their impact on the chemical composition, physicochemical parameters, lipid oxidative stability, microbiological properties, and sensory characteristics of pork liver pâtés over a 90-day storage period. Four formulations were prepared: a control group (CON), a batch with butylated hydroxytoluene as a synthetic antioxidant (BHT), 1% ethanolic extract from sunflower residues (SSRE), and 1% ethanolic extract from maize residues (MSRE). The MSRE had a higher total phenol content and showed better antioxidant activity relative to the SSRE (p < 0.01). The addition of SSRE decreased the lightness and increased the redness in the pork liver pâtés, with these pâtés showing the highest total color difference compared to the control (p < 0.01). The crop extracts increased the n-6 and total PUFA contents in pâtés and improved the PUFA/SFA ratio (p < 0.01). Formulations containing crop residue extracts showed higher TBARs and POV values than the control and BHT group (p < 0.01), indicating a pro-oxidant effect and accelerated lipid oxidation in pâtés during storage. As far as microbiological quality, the presence of crop residue extracts decreased the total viable count, lactic acid bacteria, and psychotropic aerobic bacteria (p < 0.01). The incorporation of crop extracts in the pork pâtés impaired their sensory quality, particularly color, odor, aroma, and flavor, and decreased their overall acceptability. These results indicated that, while the crop residue extracts were not as effective as synthetic antioxidants in preserving the lipid stability of pâtés, they demonstrated potential for enhancing the microbial quality of this type of meat product

POTENTIAL EXPANSION OF TROPICAL VIRUSES IN SERBIA AND EUROPE

The current, hot topic is the risk of introducing new vector-borne diseases and harmful ectoparasites into Europe, or of the geographic extension of the existing ones. There are many doubts that global warming affects the transfer of a number of vectorborne diseases. Special emphasis was placed on spreading the Lyme disease, tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile fever and leishmaniasis, the recurrence of malaria and dengue fever. Climate models predict a 2-5ºC temperature increase and a significant increase in rainfall in Europe in the following years. However, non-environmental variables such as socio-economic situation and agriculture should be considered. The main problem can be expected when new viruses emerge. As they change, their mutations can enter into the population and thus have “the greater potential” for the spread of the epidemic. The control network of the health system in our country and in Europe is very dense, and the outbreak of the virus can be always registered, giving the authorities enough time to take measures. Although modeling studies indicate that climate change could increase the risk of transmission of vector-transmitted diseases in Serbia and Europe, historical analyses indicate that, at least for malaria, socio-economic conditions in combination with effective surveillance and early treatment are likely to prevent further spread, which is the main task of the Public Health Institutes. Tropical medicine experts said that the so-called supervirus causes mutations of the virus, and represents the greatest danger for human population. The circumstances that allow such a development already exist, an additional climate change is not necessary. The challenge for future research is the mechanism of tropical viruses and their persistence in endemic foci in temperate climate area in Europe

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Enzyme-Inhibitory Potential of Wheat Harvest Residue

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L., Poaceae), the most common cereal in the human diet in Europe and the United States, generates an enormous amount of underutilized agricultural byproducts. ...PSE Meeting 2023, 12-15 October 2023, Antalya, TürkiyeSaopštenje sa međunarodnog skupa štampano u izvodu (M34

Phytochemical Composition and In Vitro Bioactivity of Maize Harvest Residue

Maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae) is one of the most commonly grown cereals after wheat and rice. ...PSE Meeting 2023, 12-15 October 2023, Antalya, TürkiyeSaopštenje sa međunarodnog skupa štampano u izvodu (M34

MEASLES OUTBREAK IN THE NIŠAVA AND TOPLICA DISTRICTS

Measles are a highly contagious viral disease. Until the discovery of a vaccine, it was one of the most common diseases of children younger than 5 years. The aim of this paper was to present the measles outbreak in the territory of the Nišava and Toplica Districts in 2015. To detect outbreaks, the recommendations of the Commission for Infectious Diseases of the European Union (EU) from 2012 were used. Analysis of blood serum was carried out in the reference laboratory of the Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera Torlak. From January to 31st of August 2015, 240 patients with measles were registered, of which 103 (42.9%) men and 137 (57.1%) women. The first sick person was detected on the 11th of January (six-year-old unvaccinated child from Niš). The largest number of patients was registered in April (71) and May (61). Of the total number of patients, 210 (87.5%) were younger than 40 years. The largest number of patients was registered in the age of 1-4 years (n=55), 30-34 (n=20) and 35-39 (n=16). Only two (0.8%) persons were vaccinated with two doses, 7 (2.9%) had received one dose of vaccine, 127 (52.9%) were unvaccinated and in 104 (43.3%) patients vaccination status was not known. The diseases was laboratory confirmed in 120 (50%) patients, 55 (22.9%) were suspected cases in which the epidemiological link was established, in 40 clinically diagnosed cases serum was not taken. Twenty-five sera were negative. Complications were found in 57 (33.1%) patients, of which 21 (36.8%) had diarrhea, 8 (14.05) had pneumonia, and in 7 (12.3%) cases malnutrition was registered. Before the introduction of vaccination in 1971, measles were the disease among the youngest population. After the introduction of vaccination, the structure of patients was altered - the number of patients younger than 5 years decreased, and the number of those older than 15 increased. In the present epidemic, the majority of cases were unvaccinated, and in the vaccinated population more than ten years after the vaccination had elapsed. Due to the limited duration of immunity, vaccination coverage less than 95% of the vulnerable population, irregular supply of vaccine as well as the increasing activity of the anti-vaccine lobby, new cases of measles can be expected in the future