Representations of lancet or phlebotome in Serbian medieval art

© 2015 Serbia Medical Society. All rightsreserved. The topic of this study are representations of lancet or phlebotome in frescoes and icons of Serbian medieval art. The very presence of this medical instrument in Serbian medieval art indicates its usage in Serbian medical practices of the time. Phlebotomy is one of the oldest forms of therapy, widely spread in medieval times. It is also mentioned in Serbian medical texts, such as Chilandar Medical Codex No. 517 and Hodoch code, i.e. translations from Latin texts originating from Salerno-Montpellier school. Lancet or phlebotome is identified based on archaeological finds from the Roman period, while finds from the Middle Ages and especially from Byzantium have been scarce. Analyses of preserved frescoes and icons has shown that, in comparison to other medical instruments, lancet is indeed predominant in Serbian medieval art, and that it makes for over 80% of all the representations, while other instruments have been depicted to a far lesser degree. Examination of written records and art points to the conclusion that Serbian medieval medicine, both in theory and in practice, belonged entirely to European traditions of the period

Biocompatible microemulsions for improved dermal delivery of sertaconazole nitrate: Phase behavior study and microstructure influence on drug biopharamaceutical properties

The aim of this study was development of biocompatible topical microemulsions (MEs) for incorporation and improved dermal delivery of sertaconazole nitrate (SN). For this purpose, phase behavior and microstructure of pseudo-ternary glycereth-7-caprylate/caprate (Emanon EV-E, EV)/cosurfactant/Capryol (TM) 90/water systems were investigated. Furhermore, the influence of these properties on the drug skin delivery was also assessed. Expansion of ME single-phase regions with the use of short chain alcohols was a consequence of the more fluid interface when compared to other investigated systems, which was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy-EPR. The chosen bicontinuous to inverted bicontinuous formulations were assessed against the ME based on polysorbate 80 as referent sample. Despite incorporation of SN within the selected formulations induced similar alternations in electrical conductivity, viscosity and pH values, obtained EPR spectra suggested different SN localization: within the oil phase (for most of the EV based formulations), or interacting with the interface (polysorbate 80 based formulation). Due to higher in vitro drug release (12.24%-18.53%), ex vivo SN penetration into porcine ear skin (dermal retention Enhancement Ratio (ERO) ranged from 2.66 to 4.25) and pronounced antifungal activity, the chosen MEs represent promising vehicles for dermal delivery of SN in treatment of cutaneous fungal infections. The biopharmaceutical and skin performance differences obtained with different formulations were possible to be explained on the basis of their physicochemical characteristics.This is the peer-reviewed version of the article: Pajic, N. B., Nikolić, I., Mitsou, E., Papadimitriou, V., Xenakis, A., Randjelović, D., Dobricic, V., Smitran, A., Cekic, N., Calija, B.,& Savić, S. D. (2018). Biocompatible microemulsions for improved dermal delivery of sertaconazole nitrate: Phase behavior study and microstructure influence on drug biopharamaceutical properties. Journal of Molecular LiquidsElsevier Science Bv, Amsterdam., 272, 746-758. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2018.10.002]The published version: [https://cer.ihtm.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/2360

Primena can bus mreža na traktorima i radnim mašinama

Numerous computer control units have long been an integral part of the tractors and other agricultural machines, making them more efficient and safer. This important technological innovations, CAN Bus network or “Controler Area Network” that allows computer units and their components within the tractor and the other working machines connected, and to thereby provide a reliable and secure communications, and reduce the amount of electrical conductors that would otherwise used for this purpose. Information collected various sensors inside the tractor and the other working machines, CAN Bus network transmits to the computer unit, while establishing priorities among the data, so I arrived for each of them, based on pre-prescribed procedures and protocols, the corresponding response rate was prepared by computer.Različiti tipovi i modeli računarskih upravljačkih jedinica već duži period su sastavni delovi traktora i ostalih poljoprivrednih ili radnih mašina, čineći ih efikasnijim i bezbednijim. Ova veoma važna tehnološka inovacija, CAN Bus mreža ili „Controler Area Network“ omogućava da se računarske jedinice i njihove komponente unutar traktora i drugih radnih mašina povežu u funkcionalnu kompleksnu celinu. Pri tome je obezbeđena pouzdana i sigurna komunikaciju, a smanjena količina električnih provodnika koji bi se inače zbog povezivanja delova sistema koristili. Informacije koje prikupljaju različiti senzori unutar traktora i drugih radnih mašina, CAN Bus mreža prenosi do računarske jedinice, a pri tome uspostavlja prioritete među pristiglim podacima kako bih za svaki od njih, na osnovu unapred propisanih protokola i procedura, odgovarajućom brzinom bio pripremljen odgovor od strane odgovarajuće računarske jedinice

Identification of unique neoantigen qualities in long-term survivors of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a lethal cancer with fewer than 7% of patients surviving past 5 years. T-cell immunity has been linked to the exceptional outcome of the few long-term survivors1,2, yet the relevant antigens remain unknown. Here we use genetic, immunohistochemical and transcriptional immunoprofiling, computational biophysics, and functional assays to identify T-cell antigens in long-term survivors of pancreatic cancer. Using whole-exome sequencing and in silico neoantigen prediction, we found that tumours with both the highest neoantigen number and the most abundant CD8+ T-cell infiltrates, but neither alone, stratified patients with the longest survival. Investigating the specific neoantigen qualities promoting T-cell activation in long-term survivors, we discovered that these individuals were enriched in neoantigen qualities defined by a fitness model, and neoantigens in the tumour antigen MUC16 (also known as CA125). A neoantigen quality fitness model conferring greater immunogenicity to neoantigens with differential presentation and homology to infectious disease-derived peptides identified long-term survivors in two independent datasets, whereas a neoantigen quantity model ascribing greater immunogenicity to increasing neoantigen number alone did not. We detected intratumoural and lasting circulating T-cell reactivity to both high-quality and MUC16 neoantigens in long-term survivors of pancreatic cancer, including clones with specificity to both high-quality neoantigens and predicted cross-reactive microbial epitopes, consistent with neoantigen molecular mimicry. Notably, we observed selective loss of high-quality and MUC16 neoantigenic clones on metastatic progression, suggesting neoantigen immunoediting. Our results identify neoantigens with unique qualities as T-cell targets in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. More broadly, we identify neoantigen quality as a biomarker for immunogenic tumours that may guide the application of immunotherapies

GENETICS OF GROUP 14 HERBICIDE TOLERANCE IN LENTIL

Extremely weak competition with weeds and limited herbicide options dictate the need to explore new avenues in weed control for lentil. Sulfentrazone and fluthiacet methyl are two herbicides of group 14 which have not previously been used in lentil production. Tolerance to these two products was investigated through a set of field trials in combination with electrolyte leakage assays. The result of field trials showed that sulfentrazone has a more significant effect on the yield. The electrolyte leakage assay results confirm existence of variable levels of herbicide tolerance. A set of 110 diverse lentil genotypes was then used in multi-environment trials to test the association between genetic markers and traits related to damage due to exposure to fluthiacet methyl. Several groups of genes were detected; among the candidate genes were cytochrome P450s, glutathione-S-transferases, some stress-related genes and50 genes involve in plant growth and development. This suggests that a non-target site resistance mechanism in combination with plant regrowth is the main cause for the observed differences in tolerance. A follow-up study on the importance of cytochrome P450s and glutathione-S-transferase demonstrated that cytochrome P450s play an important role in tolerance to both herbicides, while glutathione-S-transferase plays more sporadic role. As a target site of sulfentrazone and fluthiacet methyl, protoporphyrinogen oxidase genes were sequenced across multiple lentil genotypes. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected to cause amino acid substitution in target enzymes. Based on single marker analysis, one SNP was found to play a role in tolerance to fluthiacet methyl. Finally, mutation breeding was used to generate material with a higher level of tolerance to both herbicides. After initial screening, several mutant lines were selected for further validation. In the case of sulfentrazone no lines had higher levels of tolerance, but for fluthiacet methyl, two mutant lines showed promise. The potential for use of sulfentrazone and fluthiacet methyl in lentil production exists, but it requires extensive breeding effort to produce genetic material with herbicide resistance. The knowledge collected in this research creates the blueprint for future work and development of herbicide-resistant lentil varieties

Accuracy Assessment of Deep Learning Based Classification of LiDAR and UAV Points Clouds for DTM Creation and Flood Risk Mapping

Digital elevation model (DEM) has been frequently used for the reduction and management of flood risk. Various classification methods have been developed to extract DEM from point clouds. However, the accuracy and computational efficiency need to be improved. The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to determine the suitability of a new method to produce DEM from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, using a raw point cloud classification and ground point filtering based on deep learning and neural networks (NN); (2) to test the convenience of rebalancing datasets for point cloud classification; (3) to evaluate the effect of the land cover class on the algorithm performance and the elevation accuracy; and (4) to assess the usability of the LiDAR and UAV structure from motion (SfM) DEM in flood risk mapping. In this paper, a new method of raw point cloud classification and ground point filtering based on deep learning using NN is proposed and tested on LiDAR and UAV data. The NN was trained on approximately 6 million points from which local and global geometric features and intensity data were extracted. Pixel-by-pixel accuracy assessment and visual inspection confirmed that filtering point clouds based on deep learning using NN is an appropriate technique for ground classification and producing DEM, as for the test and validation areas, both ground and non-ground classes achieved high recall (>0.70) and high precision values (>0.85), which showed that the two classes were well handled by the model. The type of method used for balancing the original dataset did not have a significant influence in the algorithm accuracy, and it was suggested not to use any of them unless the distribution of the generated and real data set will remain the same. Furthermore, the comparisons between true data and LiDAR and a UAV structure from motion (UAV SfM) point clouds were analyzed, as well as the derived DEM. The root mean square error (RMSE) and the mean average error (MAE) of the DEM were 0.25 m and 0.05 m, respectively, for LiDAR data, and 0.59 m and –0.28 m, respectively, for UAV data. For all land cover classes, the UAV DEM overestimated the elevation, whereas the LIDAR DEM underestimated it. The accuracy was not significantly different in the LiDAR DEM for the different vegetation classes, while for the UAV DEM, the RMSE increased with the height of the vegetation class. The comparison of the inundation areas derived from true LiDAR and UAV data for different water levels showed that in all cases, the largest differences were obtained for the lowest water level tested, while they performed best for very high water levels. Overall, the approach presented in this work produced DEM from LiDAR and UAV data with the required accuracy for flood mapping according to European Flood Directive standards. Although LiDAR is the recommended technology for point cloud acquisition, a suitable alternative is also UAV SfM in hilly areas

Image-Based Rapid Estimation of Frost Damage in Canola (Brassica napus L.)

Traditional methods of estimating frost damage to crops are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Remote sensing imagery and vegetation indices can be used for condition assessment, however, the utility of using vegetative indices in assessing frost damage specifically is not known. The objective of this study was to estimate the freezing injury using a vegetative index developed from hyperspectral imagery. Three replicates of six 6-leaf stage canola plants were subjected to a temperature of −10 °C for 6hr. The resulting frozen plants were imaged at 6 different thawing times using an imaging spectrophotometer (400-1000 nm). Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and triangular vegetation index (TVI) were calculated. Contrary to expectations, NDVI values from frozen plants increased in the initial thawing treatments (1, 2 and 4hr) and then decreased at 8hr. Whereas, TVI values decreased gradually with increased duration of thawing. Furthermore, when compared to NDVI, TVI clearly differentiated frozen from control plants and within the freezing treatments. The differential modes of response of the indices to post-freezing reflectance changes is the possible reason. These results suggest that with recent advancements in low altitude remote sensing in the areas of spectral, spatial and temporal resolution, early estimation of frost damage is possible

Ultra-low Pt loading catalyst on (Nb–Ti)2AlC support as advanced material for low-temperature fuel cell application

The oxygen reduction reaction was investigated at 10 monolayers (MLs) of Pt electrodeposited on (Nb–Ti)2AlC substrate. Following the discussion of detailed kinetics and electrodeposition optimisation in the authors’ previous paper, the focus of this research was on stability testing. Previously performed optimisation results showed the best activity shown by 10 monolayers of Pt. Catalyst characterisation was performed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. SEM, EDS and XPS analysis showed that the surface was covered with a homogeneous layer of Pt. TEM analysis of a cross-section confirmed the presence of Pt layer of thickness ∼3.5 nm, corresponding to the 10 MLs of Pt. Although the mass activity for the ORR at 0.8 V vs. RHE of 37.4 A g−1 was comparable with the best one for the Pt/C benchmark, US Department of Energy Protocols revealed excellent catalyst stability – the loss of electrochemically active surface area (EASA) was found to be only 9.3%

Solid state and solution structures of Cd(II) complexes with two N-heteroaromatic Schiff bases containing ester groups

Two novel cadmium(II) complexes with condensation derivatives of 2-acetylpyridine or 2,6-diacetylpyridine with ethyl hydrazinoacetate hydrochloride were synthesized. X-ray crystal structures of the complexes revealed a bidentate coordination of the 2-acetylpyridine derivative, while the symmetric 2,6-diacetylpyridine derivative was coordinated tridentately. It was found that the oxygen atoms were not coordinated to the cadmium ions, despite the fact that they are the position to form six membered chelate rings. NMR spectroscopy investigations showed that the coordination properties of the ligands do not change in solution. Both complexes possess cytotoxic potential, as determined by the toxicity test to Artemia (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Magnetoelectrics and Multiferroics: Theory, Synthesis, Characterisation, Preliminary Results and Perspectives for All-Optical Manipulations

Solid state compounds exhibiting multiple and coupled macroscopic orders, named multiferroics, represent a challenge for both theoretical and experimental modern condensed-matter physics. Spins and the electric polarisation in conventional magnetic and ferroelectric materials can be manipulated on their fundamental timescales, by means of femtosecond laser pulses. In view of the resounding success and popularity of the all-optical approach, it is only natural to wonder about the application of this scheme to study the intrinsic coupling between spins and charges in multiferroics. Deeply fundamental questions arise: can ultrashort laser pulses deterministically activate, enhance or suppress the magnetoelectric coupling on the femtosecond timescale? Can these processes be triggered in a fully coherent fashion, thus being unrestrained by any thermal load? Which mechanism of spin-charge coupling is most favourable to overcome these overarching and daunting challenges? This problem is interdisciplinary in nature, requiring contributions from materials science and condensed matter physics from both theoretical and experimental perspectives. High-quality materials suitable for optical investigations have to be identified, synthetized and characterised. General and valid models offer then a guide to the plethora of possible light-induced processes, resulting in the desired ultrafast multiferroic manipulations. Finally, healthy experimental schemes, able to unambiguously track the ultrafast dynamics of either the ferroelectric or the magnetic order parameter have to be developed and implemented. Our motivation to write this review is to lay a broad and multidisciplinary foundation, which may be employed as a starting point for non-equilibrium approaches to the manipulation of the multiferroicity on the femtosecond timescale. This was also one of the main goals of the COST Action MAGNETOFON, whose network constitutes the core of the authors of this review. The present work thus represents a part of the scientific legacy of MAGNETOFON itself.ISSN:0022-3727ISSN:1361-646