Procena spontane motoričke aktivnosti novorođenčeta i odojčeta

Introduction: Conventional methods of neurological assessment of newborns and infants include neurological examination, neurokinesiological examination, quantitative assessment using scales and tests, and the use of supplementary diagnostic neuroimaging procedures. All the above methods are of great importance for the common clinical practice. They enable rapid detection of central (and peripheral) nervous system damage, but also have common defect which is the inability to adequately predict neurological deficits. In this study Prechtl’s method of the qualitative assessments of spontaneous motor activity was used. In former studies this method had demonstrated high level of reliability in very early prediction of neurological abnormalities in new-borns and infants. Aim: To evaluate the quality of the spontaneous motor activity during neonatal period, to evaluate the quality of spontaneous motor activity during infancy, to determine neurological outcome and motor functional status during the period of 24 months of corrected calendar age, to determine predictive value of the spontaneous motor activity for neurological and functional outcome at 24 moths corrected calendar age. Research methods: The study was conducted as prospective clinical study which included children born in the maternity ward in Clinical Center Nis in 2012, ≤ 37 weeks gestational age. Whole research included 80 respondents. The observation of spontaneous motor activity was conducted according to the basic principles of the Prechtl Method. The evaluation of spontaneous activity was conducted by the educated person with valid license for evaluation of spontaneous motor activities. The evaluation was based on video analysis. Spontaneous motor activity was observed in three time periods: within 5 days of birth, period of 44.- 46. gestation weeks, and period of 50. – 54. gestation weeks postmenstrual age. Definitive neurological outcome was evaluated on the basis of a detailed neurological examination at 24 months (corrected calendar age). Neurological outcome is classified as: normal result, minimal neurological dysfunction and cerebral palsy. Results: All respondents with normal patterns of spontaneous movements in the neonatal and infant period had a normal neurological functional outcome at 24 months. Respondents with pathological patterns of spontaneous movements (cramped synchronized movements or absence of “fidgety” movements) in the neonatal and infant period in the final outcome had minimal neurological dysfunction or cerebral palsy. Conclusion: Thanks to the Prechtl Method it is possible to recognize specific neurological symptoms in preterm infants which are excellent indicators of later neurological development. Early detection of symptoms of minimal neurological deficit and cerebral palsy is of crucial importance because it enables timely inclusion of children in neurodevelopmental treatment, which contributes to the improvement of functional motor status at later age, taking into account biological phenomenon “brain plasticity”

A Novel Integrated Fuzzy-Rough MCDM Model for Evaluation of Companies for Transport of Dangerous Goods

The organization and execution of the transport of dangerous goods is conditioned by a series of legal, technical, technological, safety, and engineering requirements, which must be met. In this way, a complex system is created which has a large number of participants and in which optimization should be performed at each stage from all the above aspects. The main goal of this paper is to create a novel Fuzzy-Rough MCDM (Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making) for the evaluation of companies engaged in the transport of dangerous goods. A group decision-making model was created to evaluate 11 transport companies based on nine legal, technical, technological criteria. The improved fuzzy stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (IMF SWARA) method was used to calculate the criterion weights, while transport companies were ranked based on Rough Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the COmpromise Solution (R-MARCOS). The integration of these methods into a single model that combines two theories of uncertainty, fuzzy and rough, was performed for the first time in this study, which represents a significant contribution. The results show that the most significant criteria are as follows: dangerous goods are classified and permitted under ADR (Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road), the prescribed documents are in the transport unit, and the equipment is in the transport unit. When it comes to the evaluation results of companies, it can be noticed that A1 and A4 show the best performance, while A8 and A9 are in the last position. In order to test the stability of the model developed, sensitivity analysis, comparative analysis, and the influence of the dynamic formation of the initial matrix were created

A Novel Integrated Fuzzy-Rough MCDM Model for Evaluation of Companies for Transport of Dangerous Goods

The organization and execution of the transport of dangerous goods is conditioned by a series of legal, technical, technological, safety, and engineering requirements, which must be met. In this way, a complex system is created which has a large number of participants and in which optimization should be performed at each stage from all the above aspects. The main goal of this paper is to create a novel Fuzzy-Rough MCDM (Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making) for the evaluation of companies engaged in the transport of dangerous goods. A group decision-making model was created to evaluate 11 transport companies based on nine legal, technical, technological criteria. The improved fuzzy stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (IMF SWARA) method was used to calculate the criterion weights, while transport companies were ranked based on Rough Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the COmpromise Solution (R-MARCOS). The integration of these methods into a single model that combines two theories of uncertainty, fuzzy and rough, was performed for the first time in this study, which represents a significant contribution. The results show that the most significant criteria are as follows: dangerous goods are classified and permitted under ADR (Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road), the prescribed documents are in the transport unit, and the equipment is in the transport unit. When it comes to the evaluation results of companies, it can be noticed that A1 and A4 show the best performance, while A8 and A9 are in the last position. In order to test the stability of the model developed, sensitivity analysis, comparative analysis, and the influence of the dynamic formation of the initial matrix were created

Importance of on-time decision making in energy sector based on perspectives case study new stavalj project

Expression "Development conditions and perspectives" became important for numerous analyses in various industrial and social areas. Several strategic documents and studies in last two decades analysed projects with topics on perspectives of future development in Serbia. Various tools are used for development of such documents, based on recent scientific and numerical solutions, thus providing reliable assessment for strategic decision making. Almost all analyses tried to implement the theories and practical experiences through the prism of "sustainable development", which included establishment of most important sitstainability parameters. Analysis and ranking presented in this paper considered the potential of the Stavalj coal deposit, near city of Sjenica in Serbia, and feasibility of construction project of new mine and thermal power plant. Basis for analysis was a hybrid assessment model which takes into account principles of sustainable development. The model incorporates quantified SWOT analysis, which applies to active underground mines in Serbia. Special attention was given to the parameters describing potential for development

Dynamic Analysis of a Deeply Buried Tunnel Influenced by a Newly-built Adjacent Cavity with a Special Emphasis on the Minimum Seismically Safe Tunnel Distance

Contemporary life streams, more often than ever, impose the necessity for construction of new underground structures in the vicinity of existing tunnels, with an aim to accommodate transportation systems and utility networks. A previously uninvestigated case, in which a newly-constructed tunnel opening is closely positioned behind an existing tunnel, referred to as the tunnel–cavity configuration, has been considered in this study. An exact analytical solution is derived considering a pair of parallel circular cylindrical structures of infinite length, with the horizontal alignment, embedded in a boundless homogeneous, isotropic, elastic medium and excited by time-harmonic plane SV-waves under the plane-strain conditions. The Helmholtz decomposition theorem, the wave functions expansion method, the translational addition theorem for bi-cylindrical coordinates, and the pertinent boundary conditions are jointly employed in order to develop a closed-form solution of the corresponding boundary value problem. The primary goal of the present study is to examine the increase in dynamic stresses at an existing tunnel structure due to the presence of a closely driven unlined cavity, as well as in a localized region around the tunnel (at the position of the cavity in close proximity), under incident SV-waves. A new quantity called dynamic stress alteration factor is introduced and the aspect of the minimum seismically safe distance between the two structures is particularly considered

OVERCOMING FEAR AVOIDANCE BEHAVIORS AND KINESIOPHOBIA IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a very complex medical, social and economic problem. Long duration and variability of symptoms can be frustrating for patients and lead to various psychological and behavioral changes, which can be expressed as an over-powering fear of movement and lead to avoidance behavior. The aim of this study was to highlight  the importance of individually designed exercises (IDE) and cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) in the treatment of patients with CLBP who have signs of fear-avoidance behavior and kinesiophobia. One hundred and thirty patients were included in a prospective randomized study. Group 1 (G1; n = 35) had a combined IDE and CBT program. Group 2 (G2; n = 35) had IDE, without CBT. Group 3 (G3; n = 30) had standard group exercises for CLBP. Group 4 (G4; n = 30) was a control, patients did not have IDE or CBT. Waddel's Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), were used for monitoring and evaluation. Patients completed them at the beginning, at the end of the therapy, and also after 3 months. After therapy and three months later, a statistically significant reduction in symptoms in G1 and G2 was recorded, with better results in G1: FABQph = 4.77±3.83/5.51±4.02; FABQw = 2.31±3.69/2.94±4.19; TSK = 5.63±4.56/5.69 ± 4.55. (p <0.001). The combination of IDE and CBT is an effective therapy for CLBP patients with fear avoidance behaviour and kinesiophobia

USE OF BOTULINUM TOXIN TYPE A IN THE TREATMENT OF SPASTICITY IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral palsy has an incidence of about 1-2 per 1000 live births, and in spite of the progress of neonatal medicine, it seems that the incidence will not subside in the near future. The most important characteristic of cerebral palsy is movement abnormality: spasticity, chorea, athetosis, ataxia, dystonia, as well as their different combinations. About 70% of children who suffer from cerebral palsy also suffer from some form of spasticity. Spasticity is a type of muscle hypertonicity characterized by rapid increase in resistance to passive stretching of muscles. The interest for botulinum toxin application in the treatment of spasticity has dramatically increased in the last 10 years. Botulinum toxin is the most powerful neurotoxin that is found in nature. It is produced by anaerobic bacteria – clostridium botulinum. It is produced in eight serotypes of which type A is the most commonly used. Botulinum toxin blocks neuromuscular transmission and causes irreversible weakness of the treated muscle. It has been used since 1993 in the treatment of cerebral palsy in children. The toxin effect is permanent and it results in irreversible denervation. Functional recovery is possible after 2-4 months, due to sprouting of nerve endings and the formation of new synaptic contacts. Treatment with botulinum toxin is safe. Adverse effects are rare, temporary and completely reversible. Application of botulinum toxin prevents or reduces contractures and deformities, and thus delays or avoids surgical treatment. Yet, physical therapy, which prolongs and improves the effects of botulinum toxin, remains an essential and most important form of therapy in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy

Impact of a failure zone above the underground roadway on rockbolting structure loading

Research in this article presents development of model of strata interaction with roof support installed in bauxite. The main task of this research is modelling of rock degradation over the surface of underground roadway and its impact on the loading of rockbolts. Results of such analysis can be used for planning appropriate measures for the prevention of rock degradation or installation of additional support. The numerical model is based on the finite element method, using Phase2 software

Impact of a failure zone above the underground roadway on rockbolting structure loading

Research in this article presents development of model of strata interaction with roof support installed in bauxite. The main task of this research is modelling of rock degradation over the surface of underground roadway and its impact on the loading of rockbolts. Results of such analysis can be used for planning appropriate measures for the prevention of rock degradation or installation of additional support. The numerical model is based on the finite element method, using Phase2 software

Concepts of 3D terrain modeling and geomorphometric analysis in mining

This paper describes the concepts of 3D terrain models and their application in mining. The methods of terrain (relief) by spots elevation and contour lines are commonly applied on geodetic plans and topographic maps. Appearance of the technologies has changed the way of modeling and analysis of geospatial data, i.e., applying the concept of digital terrain models (DTM). This approach emphasizes the importance of geomorphometric analyses and monitoring changes on the field in time. Application of 3D geodata models in digital format (raster or vector) becomes increasingly used in mining. Therefore, it is important to describe the concepts and features of 3D geodata models and potential applications and monitoring changes in the field in time and space