The inflation and exchange rate in the five Balkan countries from Maastricht convergence criteria prospect

In the focus of this research of the inflation and exchange rate from the Maastricht convergence criteria prospect are five Balkan countries, former Yugoslav republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Comparative analysis of the price and exchange rate stability in these countries was done by comparing to the EU average and certain Member States from Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESE). The basic goal was to determine the degree of nominal convergence, disregarding the fact that Maastricht convergence criteria are not the conditions for getting the status of the EU Member State, but for joining Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), or Euro zone. The subjects of the research were also the determinants of the price and exchange rate stability in this group of countries, and especially monetary policy strategy. Corresponding recommendations were given at the end to the analyzed countries and European Central Bank (ECB)

Clinical Presentation and Therapy of Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia Resistant to Splenectomy

Background: A satisfactory therapeutic response is achieved with splenectomy in 60–80% of the patients diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). There is an ongoing consensus on the short-term efficacy of splenectomy, however, its long-term efficacy remains controversial. Our aim was to establish the frequency of resistance and relapse after splenectomy, the occurrence of complications, the therapeutic strategies and the drug efficacy in splenectomy-resistant ITP. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 138 adult ITP patients who had been previously diagnosed and treated at the Clinic of Hematology, Clinical Center of Serbia, and who underwent splenectomy between 1987 and 2018. Results: Of the 138 ITP patients, 20.3% (n=28/138) were refractory to splenectomy, 11.6% (n=16/138) relapsed and 8.7% (n=12/138) were primarily resistant. The average post-splenectomy follow-up period was 117 months (range 3-474). The average follow-up period of the patients resistant to splenectomy was 147 months (range 23-474). Of the patients refractory to splenectomy, 67.8% (n=19/28) showed a good therapeutic response: 49% (n=14/28) complete remission and 18.8% (n=5/28) partial remission. The response was usually achieved using the following drugs: romiplostim (100%), eltrombopag (75%), cyclosporine (66.67%), mycophenolate mofetil (50%), danazol (50%) and corticosteroids (40.9%). Hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic complications occurred in 78.6% (n=22/28) and 28.6% (n=8/28) of the patients, respectively. Conclusion: Splenectomy remains a very efficient therapeutic modality for the treatment of ITP patients with a high percentage of splenectomy-resistant patients achieving remission. Thrombopoietin receptor agonists have shown exceptional results so far in the treatment of refractory ITP patients

Entity Ordering Optimization Process Using Virtual Environment

A combined empirical-mathematical method, which uses classification of materials based on their supply and consumption characteristics is required to calculate the quantities of each material and material replenishment schedules. The volume that is required to store certain material is always greater than the actual real volume that material occupies in space. Materials with simple configuration, if sorted properly, require fewer warehouses, transport or stock volume, than the ones that have complex configuration. An optimization model for a replenishment schedule takes into consideration the material volume factor. If an entity ordering in the given storage volume is taken into consideration, the financial resources related to the manufacturing of a product can be reduced. The problem of entity ordering in the drafting phase of inventory management can be solved by using 3D CAD software which provides and supports a generation of optimal entity ordering, using simulated and real objects, handling, storage and carriage equipment, as well as other influential features. In this way, engineers can generate all possible variants of entity ordering. Every variant must be estimated in relation to the financial context and manufacturing context. If more than one variant satisfies the limitations, the one that has the biggest cost saving influence becomes the new operative replenishment schedule. To check the usefulness of the new approach for the replenishment of schedule optimization process that integrates an entity ordering optimization procedure, an example of a simple assembly is presented

PSYCHIATRY AND MOVIES

As one of the most potent and substantial form of mass communication, film exercises a very significant influence upon the perceptions of the audience, especially in relation to mental illness issues, and that perception is very much blurred with populists’ misinterpretation and lack of awareness regarding problems faced by persons suffering from mental disorders. Movies such as “Psycho”, “One Flew Over Cuckoo’s Nest”, “Exorcist”, despite being valuable in an artistic sense, corroborated and encouraged confusion and undermined the clarity and certainty concerning the fine line separating mental health from mental illness. Modern film makers and movie theoreticians try to overcome these limitations which are often generated by exploitation of stereotypes and myths referring to mentally ill people. This paper defines and discusses the most frequent thematic stereotypes seen in movies which are perpetuating stigmatization of mentally ill people. They are: freespirited rebel, maniac on a killing spree, seducer, enlightened member of society, narcissistic parasite, beastly person (stereotype of animal sort). Psychiatry and cinematography are linked inseparably not only because they creatively complement each other, but also as an opportunity of mutual influences blending into didactical categories and professional driving forces, benefiting both the filmmakers’ and the psychiatrists’ professions

Isolated eyeball metastasis of non-seminomatous germ cell testicular tumor

Introduction. Testicular tumors most frequently metastasize to regional lymph nodes. Non-seminomatous tumor metastasis of testicle (NSGCTT) to the eyeball is rare. Case report. We presented a 24-year old man, referred to the ophthalmologist due to acute pain and abrupt loss of sight in the left eye accompanied by its enlargement. Orbital and endocranial computerized tomography (CT) was carried out, indicating the tumor in the left eye. His previous medical history provided the information that the right testicle was painlessly enlarged for 8 months. Ultrasonography showed a completely tumorously altered testis. Abdominal and chest CT failed to reveal any secondary deposits in visceral organs and lymph glands. Tumor markers (AFP - alpha-fetoproteins, beta hCG - human choronic gonadotropin beta) were elevated. Right radical orchiactomy was performed (showed NSGCTT), followed by polychemotherapy with cisplatinum 100 mg/m2, etoposide 120 mg/m2, bleomycin 15 mg/m2 (PEB ´ 4), resulting in normalization of tumor marker values and significant regression of the left eyeball. Next, the left eye enucleation and ocular prosthesis implantation was carried out. Pathohistological evaluation indicated fibrosis and necrosis only. In a 5-year follow-up period, the patient was free of recurrence. Conclusion. Isolated hematogenous metastasis of the NSGCTT to the eye is rare. In our case, the left eye was the only metastatic localization. After chemotherapy and eye enucleation the patient was in a 4- year follow-up period free of the recurrence

THE IMPORTANCE OF CASE STUDY IN INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES STRATEGY FORMULATION PROCESS

Rezultati istraživanja složenih pitanja, kao što je strategija, studiranjem slučaja postaju konkretna rješenja, proširuju iskustva i znanja, te podupiru hipoteze dobivene prethodnim istraživanjima. Studiranje slučaja naglašava detaljnu analizu konteksta ograničenog broja događaja ili uvjeta, te njihovih međusobnih odnosa. Znanstvenici koriste metodu studija slučaja pri istraživanju u različitim znanstvenim područjima. U ovom radu prikazana je metoda studija slučaja i važnost njezine primjene u procesu formuliranja strategije u industrijskim poslovnim sustavima.Strategy and other complex issues research results, through case study become concrete solutions, extend experience and knowledge, and add strength to hypothesis already known through previous research. Case studies emphasize detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events or conditions and their relationships. Scientists use the case study research method across a variety of disciplines. In this article we give the overview of the case study scientific method and the importance of its use in the industrial enterprises strategy formulation process

Between tradition and modernization: attitudes toward women's employment and gender roles in Croatia

Despite the fact that state socialism promoted the employment of women and, at least formally, gender equality as means of societal modernization, the prevailing picture of the Southeast European region is one of rather traditional, patriarchic societies. The postcommunist transition was characterized by high social costs and political attempts at retraditionalization, particularly through the increasingly public role of religion. At the same time, the societies were under more universal influence of modernity processes of individualization and permissiveness. Thus, it is difficult to assess in which direction, toward modernity or traditionalism, these societies are heading. In this article we analyze attitudes toward gender roles and women’ s employment in Croatia. Using the South-East European Social Survey Project (SEESSP) data set (2003), we test several hypotheses linking respondents’ attitudes with their socioeconomic characteristics as well as their upbringing. Our analyses have implications for gender policy in transitional economies that are burdened by consistently high unemployment rates, particularly among women, and by frequent, politically motivated, attempts at retraditionalization

Constraint reactions in optimal control of mechanical systems

This paper is dedicated to the establishment of a general procedure of forming the optimal control problem of variable-mass nonholonomic rheonomic mechanical systems, where reactions of constraints are present in differential equations of motion. Dimensions and structure of a configuration space depend on the number of reactions of constraints that are the subject of our interest, i.e. only the reactions whose magnitudes are subjected to limitations are considered. In this paper, the procedure enables the direct application of Pontryagin’s maximum principle for the systems with limited phase state. Attention is particularly focused on discussing various modes of realizing the control by combining the active control forces and subsequent imposition of ideal holonomic mechanical constraints. Brachistochronic motions play an important role in this type of problems, because in them the control of motion can be realized exclusively with ideal constraints. The paper provides three examples of this method application, which are related to the realization of the brachistochronic motion of mechanical systems.Plenarno predavanje po poziv

Linearne oscilacije mehaničkih sistema

Ова књига садржи градиво обухваћено програмом предмета Теорија осцилација на Машинском факултету у Београду и првенствено има уџбенички карактер. Ниво и метод излагања прилагођен је искључиво нивоу знања која студенти претходно могу да стекну из одговарајућих дисциплина на Машинском факултету. Математичко моделирање осцилација механичких система засновано је на основним једначинама аналитичке механике уз коришћење основа матричног рачуна. Овакав приступ омогућио је да теоријско решавање проблема до коначних једначина има алгоритамски карактер, усклађен са софтверским могућностима савремених рачунара. Услед тога, сложеност проблема, која се некада јављала код система са већим бројем степена слободе, постаје потпуно небитна, што је омогућило да се ово излагање растерети од додатног разматрања разних аналитичких и нумеричких метода. С обзиром на уџбеничку намену ове књиге, теоријско излагање је пропраћено бројним примерима и задацима који треба да студентима помогну у лакшем савлађивању градива и упути их на примену у пракси.Autori su dobili Nagradu za najbolju knjigu u 2007. godini na UB MF, koja se dodeljuje na Dan Sv. Save 14./27. januara 2007. godin

THE POTENTIALS OF SOLAR ENERGY IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA : CURRENT SITUATION, POSSIBILITIES AND BARRIERS

Although the potential of solar energy in the Republic of Serbia is up to 30% higher than in the countries of the European Union that lead to the implementation of these technologies, the Republic of Serbia is ranked among the countries with the lowest production in the region with the production of 10 MV solar PV capacities. The aim of the paper was to present the current balanced capacities, related to solar PV energy, in the Republic of Serbia and countries in the region. In order to present better the material and conclude why the results in the Republic of Serbia are not better, in the paper are analyzes the possibilities for installing such capacities as well as the barriers that need to be eliminated