Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Macroscopic Effect on Haematoma and Swelling in Spinal Cord Injured Rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 effect on counteracting haematoma and swelling caused by spinal cord injury

PENTADECAPEPTIDE BPC 157 RESOLVES TOURNIQUET INDUCED ISCHEMIAREPERFUSION INJURY

This study aimed to investigate tourniquet-induced compartment syndrome of the limb, consequential development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and its counteraction with pentadecapeptide BPC 157 therapy

Pentadekapeptid BPC 157 skraćuje trajanje anestezije rožnice izazvane tetrakainom i oksibuprokainom kod štakora

We focused on the relationship of 0.5% tetracaine- and 0.4% oxybuprocaine-induced corneal anesthesia in rats, and pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (0.4 μg/eye), along with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(gamma)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (0.1 mg/eye) and/or NOS substrate L-arginine (2 mg/eye), applied in the form of eye drops. We assessed corneal sensitivity recovery (Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer), corneal lesion elimination (staining with 10% fluorescein) and decrease in tear volume (Schirmer test). BPC 157 administration had a full counteracting effect. Recovery also occurred in the presence of NOS blockade and NOS substrate application. L-arginine eventually shortened duration of corneal insensitivity and exerted corneal lesion counteraction (and counteraction of tetracaine-induced decrease of tear volume) only in earlier but not in later period. L-NAME application led to longer duration of corneal insensitivity, increase in corneal lesions and decrease in tear volume. When L-NAME and L-arginine were applied together, they antagonized each other’s effect. These distinctions may indicate particular NOS involvement (corneal insensitivity vs. corneal lesion along with tear production), distinctively affected by the administration of NO agents. However, additional BPC 157 co-administration would re-establish counteraction over topical ophthalmic anesthetic-induced effect, be it in its early or late course. We suggest BPC 157 as an antidote to topical ophthalmic anesthetics.U ovom istraživanju ispitivali smo međuodnos anestezije rožnice uzrokovane 0,5% tetrakainom odnosno 0,4% oksibuprokainom i pentadekapeptida BPC 157 (0,4 μg/oko) u kombinaciji s inhibitorom nitrid oksida L-NAME (0,1 mg/oko) i/ili supstratom nitrid oksida L-argininom (2 mg/oko) primijenjenim u obliku kapi za oči. Procjenjivali smo anesteziju rožnice (Cochet-Bonnetov esteziometar), nestajanje lezija rožnice (bojenje 10% fluoresceinom) te volumen nastajanja suza (Schirmerov test). Učinak potpunog poništavanja anestezije rožnice uočen je u skupinama koje su primale BPC 157. Oporavak je također nastupio u skupinama koje su primale i supstrat i blokator nitrid oksida. L-arginin skraćuje vrijeme neosjetljivosti rožnice, a uočeno je i smanjenje lezija rožnice te poništavanje smanjenja lučenja suza, ali samo u ranijem kraćem razdoblju, dok se kasnije taj učinak gubi. L-NAME je uzrokovao produženje vremena neosjetljivosti rožnice kao i povećanje lezija rožnice te dodatno smanjenje stvaranja suza. Kada se L-arginin i L-NAME daju zajedno njihov učinak se poništava. Opažene razlike mogu ukazivati na određeni utjecaj i uključenost nitrid oksida (neosjetljivost rožnice naspram nastajanja lezija rožnice i stvaranja suza), što je pokazano primjenom supstrata/blokatora nitrid oksida. Međutim, u bilo kojoj kombinaciji prije ili kasnije, dodatak BPC 157 doveo bi do poništavanja učinka primijenjenih anestetika

Forecasting consumer interest in information services by using semantic-aware model

Uzimajući u obzir neprestani rast konkurencije, uvođenje novih tehnologija te nove usluge koje se zasnivaju na njima, davatelji usluga moraju uvesti mehanizme za kvalitetno predviđanje koje postaje temelj pravovremenom uočavanju novih prilika na tržištu, prepoznavanju potencijalnih pogrešaka, planiranju resursa te u konačnici financijskom planiranju. Modeli rasta su jedna od najčešće korištenih metoda predviđanja na području informacijskih usluga. Međutim, korištenje isključivo modela rasta ima određene nedostatke kao što su ograničena preciznost te kašnjenje zbog potrebe za uzorkom povijesnih podataka u svrhu izračuna parametara. U disertaciji je predstavljen nov pristup u predviđanju rasta interesa korisnika informacijskih usluga zasnovan na poznatim modelima rasta te semantičkom rasuđivanju kojim se umanjuju navedeni nedostaci postojećih modela rasta. Novi pristup zasniva se na tri koraka. Prvi korak je definicija profila informacijske usluge sastavljenog od semantičkog opisa, koji omogućava automatiziranu usporedbu usluga i modela rasta koji opisuje interes korisnika za uslugu. Drugi korak je predviđanje interesa korisnika za informacijske usluge zasnovano na usporedbi nove s postojećim uslugama primjenom semantički-svjesnog modela. Treći korak je evaluacija predloženog pristupa za predviđanje interesa korisnika za informacijske usluge na studijskom primjeru YouTube videoisječaka. Rezultat evaluacije napravljene pomoću implementiranog radnog okvira za predviđanje na studijskom uzorku predstavljen je kroz mjere odstupanja predviđenih vrijednosti od stvarnih, te kroz analizu utjecaja pojedinih parametara algoritma za predviđanje interesa na preciznost predviđanja, odnosno na mjere odstupanja.Information and communication services' market is characterised with the constant growth of competition as well as continuous emergence of new technologies and, consequently, new services based on these technologies. To tackle market challenges, service providers must improve their business processes by introducing new mechanisms into existing planning and decision making processes. These mechanisms primarily relate to the timely anticipation of potential market opportunities, as much as potential mistakes, resource planning, and finally financial forecasting. Growth models provide a possibility for forecasting consumer acceptance for services, which makes them one of the possible solutions for these challenges. However, commonly used growth models have certain deficiencies which have to be mitigated by using other methods. These deficiencies are primarily limited precision and delays in forecasting caused by the need for at least a minimum set of historical data in order to calculate model parameters. This dissertation presents a new approach in forecasting of consumer interest for information services based on commonly used growth models and semantic reasoning. This new approach consists of three steps. The first step is the definition of information service semantic profile consisting of a semantic description, which enables automated service matchmaking, and growth model, which describes the consumers' interest in that particular service. The second step is forecasting consumers' interest in information services based on similar services determined by using semantic reasoning. The final step is an evaluation of the proposed approach using YouTube video clips as a case study. Chapter One – Forecasting in information and communication technology industry The first chapter provides an introduction to forecasting in information and communication technology domain. Most common forecasting methods can be divided into two groups: (i) methods based on estimation; and (ii) methods based on quantitative data. These methods are used for predicting certain indicators that describe the service and product lifecycle. One of the most important indicators is consumers' interest for a certain service or product. Observing various patterns in services' lifecycle, five major phases could be identified: (i) development; (ii) introduction; (iii) growth, (iv) maturity; and (v) decline. Growth models are one of the most commonly used forecasting methods in the information service domain, especially when describing the initial phases in the service lifecycle. Some of the most common growth models include: (i) logistic model; (ii) Bass model; (iii) Richards model; (iv) recursive models; and (v) multi-logistic models. This research is based on the Bass model, due to its characteristics which have made it efficient in modelling the initial growth of consumers' interest in this particular domain. Chapter Two – Semantic reasoning One of the main downsides of using growth models is the necessity of sufficient historical data for model parameter calculation. When there is no sufficient data, a different approach must be used for calculating these parameters. This research is based on the idea that similar services have similar growth under similar circumstances. Semantic reasoning is proposed to quantify similarities between services, thus creating the ground for an innovative approach in growth modelling. Semantic reasoning is primarily used for generating semantic profiles for information services, which can then be compared taking into account the real meaning of each attribute, attribute value data types, and relations between resources that describe a certain pair of services. Matchmaking of two semantic profile is performed starting on attribute level, and then gradually aggregating these similarities towards final profile similarity taking into account all attribute similarities and their respective weights. Such semantic matchmaking algorithm results in a numeric description of the similarity between services in the interval [0,1], where 0 (zero) means that the services have absolutely nothing in common, and 1 (one) means that the services are identical. Chapter Three – Consumer interest forecasting model for information services The third chapter presents the generic consumer interest forecasting model for information services. The model consists of five key entities that participate in service provisioning and acceptance forecasting: (i) service provider; (ii) contributors; (iii) consumers; (iv) consumer interest forecasting framework; and (v) data storage system. The service provider is the primary facilitator that enables infrastructure for information service provisioning. Contributors are the producers of resources that are put at consumers' disposal via service providers. Consumers are the persons whose consumption of particular service results in acceptance growth for that service. The forecasting framework performs data collection and semantic profiling of the services, semantic matchmaking of the created profiles, and consumer interest growth forecasting. Data storage system is used for storing semantic profiles and acceptance data for observed services. Chapter Four – Proposed implementation of consumer interest forecasting framework for information services Fourth chapter provides a more detailed insight in the forecasting framework components and their functionalities. The proposed framework consists of four modules. Semantic profiling module performs consolidation of data that describe information services and historical acceptance data used for calculation of growth model parameters. Semantic matchmaking module compares service profiles according to proposed algorithm through separate comparison for each attribute, and final aggregation of the individual attribute similarities into profile similarity. Module for growth modelling based on historical data uses the historical acceptance data in order to calculate the growth model parameters and respective deviation measures: (i) simple relative deviation; and (ii) weighted relative deviation. New service growth modelling module calculates growth model parameters based on similar service model parameters. The chapter is concluded by a flowchart representing the process of framework evaluation through a case study based on YouTube video clips. Chapter Five – Data collection and semantic profiling for YouTube video clip streaming service The fifth chapter presents the implementation of the framework segment responsible for fetching data about YouTube video clips and translating them into semantic profiles, thus creating a data sample for the framework evaluation. The first step in sample preparation is retrieving the basic video clip data in accordance with eligible combinations of attribute values for attributes which are considered relevant in the sense of sample representativeness. After having created the initial sample, the next step includes obtaining information about related video clips and video clips published by same contributors, all through the YouTube API. The final sample is formed after retrieving detailed data about the video clips and eliminating those whose data was of insufficient quality for automated processing. Detailed video clip description data and historical acceptance data is then used for generation semantic profiles according to the presented structure. Chapter Six – YouTube video clip semantic profile matchmaking The sixth chapter provides a more detailed insight into the implemented semantic matchmaking algorithm. Video clip attributes are divided into two groups: (i) ones related to the content description; and (ii) ones related to technical characteristics. The algorithm provides different methods of comparison with regards to the attribute value domains: (i) trivial identity check between two values used for attributes with very limited domain; (ii) similarity matrix for attributes with larger but limited domain; (iii) text comparison based on three text similarity measures; (iv) semantic resource comparison based on four measures that define their similarity and relationship; and (v) publish date comparison. Each method is presented through the respective example. The final step of the algorithm is summarising individual attribute similarities into the final service similarity. Chapter Seven – Viewership growth modelling for YouTube video clips based on historical acceptance data Framework segment responsible for growth model parameter calculation based on historical acceptance data uses weighted least squares method for determining the Bass model parameters. Weight determination method can be set as an input parameter to emphasise a certain part of the growth period, most commonly the later stages so the extrapolation of the model can provide better insight into the upcoming period and enable more precise forecasting. This research presents four distinct weight determination methods: (i) identical weights; (ii) arithmetical progression; (iii) geometrical progression; and (iv) logistic function. These methods are benchmarked through examples and respective deviations. Chapter Eight – Viewership growth modelling for YouTube video clips based on similar video clip acceptance growth The final chapter presents the growth forecasting algorithm for YouTube video clip viewership. Inputs for the algorithm are similarities with the remaining video clips in the sample, and their growth model parameters. Evaluation of the proposed algorithm, which also represents the final scientific contribution of the thesis, is performed as a forecasting simulation for a subset of the case study sample, called the evaluation sample. Similarity with all other video clips is calculated for each of the video clips from the evaluation sample, after which the selection of the most similar video clips is done. Using growth model parameters of these most similar video clips, the algorithm calculates growth model parameter which enables growth forecasting for evaluation sample video clips. Forecasting precision is evaluated through observing the influence of three forecasting parameters: (i) method for selection most similar video clips; (ii) weight determination method for least squares method; and (iii) forecasted growth period. Conclusion The thesis proposes a new approach to address the problem of consumer interest forecasting for information services. The proposed approach is based on the hypothesis that similar services have similar acceptance growth within similar circumstances. In accordance with that hypothesis, the research is focused on service matchmaking mechanism and a forecasting algorithm that uses calculated similarities between services and acceptance data for existing services in order to forecast acceptance growth for a new service. Such an approach eliminates the need for an initial acceptance data set in the process of determining growth model parameters. To evaluate the proposed approach on a case study, a framework is implemented and used for generating a case study data sample consisting of 7,683 video clips. The framework enables semantic profiling of the video clips based on their content descriptions, technical characteristics, and historical acceptance data, comparing these profiles based on attribute value matching, calculating growth model parameters from historical acceptance data, and, finally, acceptance growth forecasting based on similar services. The acceptance forecasting algorithm is evaluated on an evaluation sample consisting of 100 video clips through two defined deviation measures. The evaluation is based on observing deviation measures in correlation to three input parameters: (i) similar video clip selection method; (ii) weight determination method for the least squares method; and (iii) forecasted growth period. The most precise forecasting was achieved when taking into consideration only video clips with similarity greater than 0.90, and weights based on logistic function for the period of 90 days. Influence of each parameter is analysed through a total of 144 different combinations of input parameters. The conclusion is that the „absolute method“ with high similarity threshold (0.90) provides greater precision, but bearing in mind that it is applicable only for a very small part of the evaluation sample. Reducing that threshold, or using the „relative method“ for similar video clip selection, broadens the applicability, but at the cost of reduced precision. Weight determination method generally does not influence the forecasting precision, but in combination with certain growth periods can result in greater precision. Future work in means of improvements should include an extension of the data sample, and increase in forecasting precision. Besides adding additional video clips in the data set, further attributes should also be included in the research, especially having in mind constant YouTube API upgrades. Semantic matchmaking algorithm should be addressed from two aspects. First consists of a more detailed analysis of the correlation between specific attributes and acceptance growth in order to adjust the weights for the attributes and their respective groups. The second aspect is optimising the parts of the process that have proven to be time-consuming. One approach for this optimisation is rationalising the usage of the algorithm through video clip clustering. Additionally, other growth models should also be considered for acceptance growth approximation (i.e., Richards model)

FINANCIRANJE STAMBENOG ZBRINJAVANJA U HRVATSKOJ : Završni rad

Kao glavni problem istraživanja ovog rada postavilo se utvrđivanje i opisivanje pojedinih modela financiranja stambenog zbrinjavanja kroz teoretski i praktični dio analizirajući situaciju u Hrvatskoj i izabranim članicama EU-a. Iako Hrvatska gradi socijalne stanove putem programa POS te subvencionira stambene kredite uočene su značajne razlike u stambenom zbrinjavanju Hrvatske i analiziranih država Nizozemske, Austrije i Danske. Navedene zemlje imaju najveći udio socijalnog stambenog fonda, dok je kod Hrvatske taj udio izuzetno mali te postoji potreba za razvijanjem socijalnih modela. Ponuda novih stambenih objekata je kontrolirana i spora te ne prati potražnju posebno u razvijenim mjestima Hrvatske poput turističkih središta. U ograničenim uvjetima ponude potrebno je razmotriti modele koji će građanima srednjeg i nižeg dohotka omogućiti najam stanova po ispod tržišnim cijenama kao što je slučaj u izabranim državama EU.The research focus of this thesis is on the identification and description of individual models of housing financing solutions through the theoretical and practical part, analyzing the situation in Croatia and the selected EU members. Although Croatia builds social housing through the POS program and subsidizes housing loans, significant differences were observed in the housing of Croatia and the analyzed countries of the Netherlands, Austria and Denmark. These countries have the largest share of social housing, while in Croatia this share is extremely small and there is a need to develop social models. The supply of new housing is controlled and slow and does not follow the demand, especially in developed places in Croatia, such as tourist centers. In limited supply conditions, it is necessary to consider models that will allow middle- and lower-income citizens to rent apartments at below market prices, as is the case in selected EU countries

United States-Soviet Space Race

U radu je prikazana kronologija američko-sovjetske Svemirske utrke tijekom Hladnoga rata. Uz osvrt na uzrok i kontekst Hladnoga rata, rad navodi i najzaslužnije mislioce i teoretičare astronautike te značaj izuma rakete za svemirsko putovanje. Kronologija prati najvažnije pothvate i dostignuća Amerikanaca i Sovjeta tijekom utrke te kako je do njih došlo. Navedeni su najznačajniji svemirski programi, kao i njihovi ciljevi te rezultati. Proučen je ishod i svršetak cijele Utrke, a spomenut je i njezin utjecaj i doprinos na istraživanje Svemira od konca prošloga stoljeća do današnjice

Volimo se, a bombe padaju / Dvojni portreti / Erektirani refleksiometar

Tijekom treće godine prijediplomskog studija glavni motiv u likovnom izražavanju bila mi je ljudska figura. Pristupao sam joj na različite načine te sam na svakom od kolegija isticao neke druge elemente i atribute vezane uz moj vlastiti odnos s figuracijom. U slikarstvu sam se cijelu treću godinu borio sa uspostavljanjem i rušenjem veze između apstraktne i bespredmetne umjetnosti sa uštogljenom figuracijom. Na grafici sam pokušavao različitim tehnikama dubokog tiska produbiti moje prijašnje crtačke osobine, koristeći se primarno linijom kao glavnim izražajnim sredstvom u radovima, kojom sam htio objediniti mnoštvo tekstura, ploha i formi u jedan cjeloviti vizualni identitet. Na kiparstvu sam se u završnom radu također bavio figurom, u punoj veličini, koju sam nekonvencionalnim materijalima doveo do stupnja izražajnosti koja je bila dublja i originalnija od tipičnog kanona kojeg sam izgradio na prve dvije godine školovanja na akademiji. Sva tri kolegija bila su područje u kojima sam pokušao načiniti nešto novo i originalno koristeći se motivom koji obrađujem cijeli život – figurom. Tokom treće godine na Akademiji pokušavao sam dodatno produbljivati svoje izražajne sposobnosti, stalno bježeći iz zone sigurnosti, u potrazi za novim temama i motivima koje ću obraditi na sva tri kolegija. Kako je vrijeme prolazilo, sve sam manje imao snage, volje i generalne spoznaje oko toga što zapravo želim i mogu postići. Strahovita širina i glomaznost slobode izražavanja koja mi je bila dana na trećoj godini, obrušila se na mene poput nekog visokog vala, a ja nisam imao sposobnost plivanja. Ono što se je formiralo mojim radom na trećoj godini jest, ako ništa drugo, čista i istinita preslika mene samoga, kako karakterno tako i 3 disciplinski. U mojim radovima nema laganja. Vidljive su sve mane mog odnosa prema radu kao manjak motivacije i osjećaj ispraznosti. Samim tim mislim da je treća godina rezultirala radovima koji su u svojoj srži ništa više niti manje od mene samog – otvoreno djelo bez dubljih motiva i značenja sa naznačenim elementima vlastitog manirizama i likovnih osobina

United States-Soviet Space Race

U radu je prikazana kronologija američko-sovjetske Svemirske utrke tijekom Hladnoga rata. Uz osvrt na uzrok i kontekst Hladnoga rata, rad navodi i najzaslužnije mislioce i teoretičare astronautike te značaj izuma rakete za svemirsko putovanje. Kronologija prati najvažnije pothvate i dostignuća Amerikanaca i Sovjeta tijekom utrke te kako je do njih došlo. Navedeni su najznačajniji svemirski programi, kao i njihovi ciljevi te rezultati. Proučen je ishod i svršetak cijele Utrke, a spomenut je i njezin utjecaj i doprinos na istraživanje Svemira od konca prošloga stoljeća do današnjice

The olympic Movement in the Historical and Political Upheaval of the 20th century

Tema je ovoga diplomskoga rada nastanak suvremenoga Olimpijskoga pokreta te osnovna obilježja Olimpijskih igara od 1920. do 1992. godine. Cilj je ovim radom prikazati kako je nastao suvremeni Olimpijski pokret, ukratko navesti osnovne podatke i pojedine športske uspjehe na Igrama u navedenom povijesnom razdoblju, prikazati kada su i kako na njih utjecali međunarodni odnosi i politika te objasniti hrvatski put i sudjelovanje u suvremenom Olimpijskom pokretu. Rad će prvo prikazati nastanak suvremenoga Olimpijskoga pokreta, iz čega crpi utjecaj i nadahnuće te kako su ustanovljene suvremene Olimpijske igre. Bit će objašnjeno osnovno olimpijsko nazivlje te glavna obilježja Olimpijskih igara. Zatim će kronološki biti prikazani sažetci svih Olimpijskih igara održanih od 1920. do 1988. godine. Za svake će Igre biti objašnjen postupak izbora grada domaćina, osnovna organizacijska obilježja, trajanje, broj olimpijskih športova i disciplina te države s najviše osvojenih odličja. Uz to, navodit će se neka od značajnijih i zanimljivijih športskih dostignuća, pojedini tehnološki iskoraci, posebnosti ili drugi događaji koji su ih obilježili. Poseban će naglasak biti na primjere kada su međunarodni odnosi i politika značajno utjecali na održavanje, tijek, organizaciju i ishod pojedinih Olimpijskih igara te posljedice koje su takva uplitanja donijela. U zadnjem će poglavlju biti sažet hrvatski put u Olimpijsku obitelj.The topic of this Masters’ thesis is the establishment of the modern Olympic movement and the primary characteristics of the Olympic games held between 1920. to 1992. The aim of this paper is to explain the formation of the modern Olympic movement, specify the basic attributes and certain sporting achievements in the Games of the mentioned period, analyse the influence international relations and politics had on them, and showcase the journey and participation of Croatia in the Olympic movement. Firstly, the paper will analyse the formation of the modern Olympic movement, it's influences and inspirations and the establishment of the modern Olympic games. We will explain the primary features and nomenclature of the Olympic games. Secondly, the summaries of the Olympic games held between 1920. and 1992. will be shown in the chronological order. Each Games will be explored through their host city selection, primary organizational characteristics, length, number of Olympic sports and disciplines and countries with the most medals. Additionally, some of their most memorable and interesting sporting achievements will be presented along with technological innovations, specifics or other peculiar events which made them special. Particular emphasis will be on examples when the international relations and politics had a strong influence on the hosting, course, organization and the outcome of certain Games. Finally, the last chapter will focus on the Croatian voyage into the Olympic family

Condition assessment of ceoncrete structures in the marine environment

U ovome radu obrađena je tema ocjene stanja betonskih građevina s posebnim naglaskom na one koje se nalaze u morskom okolišu. Objašnjeni su postupci provedbe vizualnog predleda, ali i ostalih metoda ispitivanja koja se koriste za ocjenu stanja betonskih građevina.This paper deals with the topic of assessing the condition of concrete structures with special emphasis on those located in the marine environment. The procedures of visual inspection are explained, as well as other test methods used to assess the condition of concrete structures