Politics of state sovereignty: the US foreign policy towards Georgia and Serbia

Research conducted in this thesis revolves around the issue of state sovereignty. More precisely, this thesis aims at examining the foreign policy of the United States of America and its impact on sovereignty of Georgia and Serbia. Different attitude towards the recognition of unilateral declarations of independence of South Ossetia and Kosovo, breakaway regions of Georgia and Serbia, by the US officials represents the starting point of this study. Following state-centric approach this thesis presents an assessment of bilateral relations between the USA and case study countries Georgia and Serbia. The purpose of this study is to enable better understanding of different approaches by the US officials towards the issue of respecting state sovereignty.Department of Political ScienceKatedra politologieFakulta sociálních vědFaculty of Social Science

BRIDGING THE SNMP GAP: SIMPLE NETWORK MONITORING THE INTERNET OF THINGS

Things that form Internet of Things can vary in every imaginable aspect. From simplest devices with barely any processing and memory resources, with communication handled by networking devices like switches and routers to powerful servers that provide needed back-end resources in cloud environments, all are needed for real world implementations of Internet of Things. Monitoring of the network and server parts of the infrastructure is a well known area with numerous approaches that enable efficient monitoring. Most prevalent technology used is SNMP that forms the part of the IP stack and is as such universally supported. On the other hand, “things” domain is evolving very fast with a number of competing technologies used for communication and monitoring. When discussing small, constrained devices, the two most promising protocols are CoAP and MQTT. Combined, they cover wide area of communication needs for resource constrained devices, from simple messaging system to one that enables connecting to RESTful world. In this paper we present a possible solution to bridge the gap in monitoring by enabling SNMP access to monitoring data obtained from constrained devices that cannot feasibly support SNMP or are not intended to be used in such a manner

Novi metod fotogrametrijskih merenja studijskih modela u ortodonciji

Introduction/Objective Rapid developments in information technologies lead to the wider use of digital representations of dental study models in orthodontics. Most popular way of digitizing the models is to use a 3D scanner and then perform measurements on 3D models, which requires additional and expensive hardware and software resources. In this paper we present an alternative approach based on the use of photogrammetry in the newly developed OrthoPhoto4D software that calculates and corrects perspective distortion errors. Methods We measured individual tooth width for 24 teeth, 12 two-teeth segments as well as inter-molar and inter-canine distances on 50 models. Measurements are performed in OrthoPhoto4D software that uses four photographs of each model for measurements, uses QR codes for automation, calculates the camera position and corrects perspective distortion-caused errors in measurements. Obtained measurements are compared to ones obtained from models generated by structured light 3D scanner. Results Statistical analysis strongly indicates that there is no significant difference between the two methods. The recorded differences also have no clinical impact as they have mean values of 0.2 mm for individual tooth widths, approximately 0.2 mm for two teeth segments, and under 0.3 mm for both inter-canine and inter-molar distances. All recorded differences fall within the expected measurement error. Conclusion We concluded that the described photogrammetry measurements performed in OrthoPhoto4D can be used in diagnosis and therapy planning.Uvod/Cilj Brzi razvoj informacionih tehnologija doveo je do široke upotrebe digitalnih studijskih modela u ortodonciji. Najpopularniji način digitalizacije modela je korišćenje 3D skenera, a zatim i merenja na 3D modelima, što zahteva dodatne i skupe hardverske i softverske resurse. U ovom radu predstavljamo alternativni pristup zasnovan na korišćenju fotogrametrije u novorazvijenom softveru OrthoPhoto4D, koji izračunava i ispravlja greške nastale kao posledica perspektivne distorzije. Metod Na 50 studijskih modela merena je meziodistalna širina za 24 zuba, širina 12 segmenata dvostrukih zuba, kao i interkanina i intermolarna širina. Merenja su vršena u programu OrthoPhoto4D, koji koristi četiri fotografije svakog merenog modela, QR kodove za automatizaciju, računa udaljenost kamere i koriguje greške merenja izazvane perspektivom. Merenja su poređena sa rezultatima dobijenim na modelima generisanim 3D skenerom. Rezultati Analiza rezultata snažno ukazuje na to da ne postoji statistički značajna razlika između dva metoda. Zabeležene razlike takođe nemaju klinički značaj, jer su srednje vrednosti do 0,2 mm za pojedinačne širine zuba, do približno 0,2 mm za segmente od dva zuba i ispod 0,3 mm za interkaninu i intermolarnu širinu. Sve zabeležene razlike su unutar očekivane greške merenja. Zaključak Opisani metod fotogrametrijskih merenja u programu OrthoPhoto4D se može koristiti u dijagnozi i planiranju ortodontske terapije

Primena fotogrametrije za prostorne analize u ortodontskoj dijagnostici

Introduction Lundstrom segmental analysis is often used analysis in orthodontic diagnosis. It includes measurements of available and needed space in the arch in order to determine whether there is a lack or excess of space for proper teeth alignment. Measurements are traditionally performed on plaster study models, but with recent developments of computer-based systems, there is an increase in use of digital models in measuring process. The aim of this study was to present a photogrammetry based measurement approach that requires no specialized and expensive hardware and compare results with ones obtained on 3D scanned models. Material and method On 50 plaster study models measurements of 24 teeth, widths of 12 segments and Lundstrom segmental analysis were performed. 3D scanned study models were analyzed in the photogrammetry software OrthoPhoto4D on the set of four photographs of the study model in custom made measurement apparatus. The software corrects for finite distance of the camera and corrects errors due to perspective distortion. Results Statistical analysis performed on obtained measurements provided Bland-Altman plots that strongly suggested high degree of correspondence between the two measurements methods. Discrepancies for maxilla for individual segments were under 0.25 mm with standard deviation of up to 0.16 mm, and less than 1 mm and deviation of up to 0.4 mm for complete arch. For mandible the differences were up to 0.27 mm for segments with 0.15 mm deviation and 0.6 mm for complete arch with up to 0.24 mm deviation. Correlation coefficient was over 0.985 in all cases. Conclusions Both analyzed methods can be equally used in clinical practice.Uvod Najčešća prostorna analiza koja se koristi u ortodontskoj dijagnostici je Lundstromova segmentna analiza. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata merenja upoređuje se potreban i raspoloživ prostor u zubnom nizu i dobijaju informacije o višku ili manjku prostora za pravilan smeštaj zuba. Merenja se tradicionalno vrše na gipsanim studijskim modelima, ali je usled razvoja računarskih sistema sve prisutnija upotreba digitalnih reprezentacija modela u procesu merenja. Cilj ovog rada je bio da se predstavi fotogrametrijski pristup merenjima koji ne zahteva specijalizovan i skup hardver i dobijeni rezultati uporede sa merenjima na skeniranim 3D modelima. Metod Na 50 studijskih modela su merene meziodistalne širine 24 zuba, te širine 12 segmenata i izvršena je Lundstromova prostorna analiza. Merenja su vršena na 3D skeniranom modelu studijskim modelima i u fotogrametrijskom programu OrthoPhoto4D na osnovu četiri fotografije modela u namenski projektovanom držaču modela. Program uzima u obzir konačnu udaljenost kamere od modela i vrši korekcije grešaka nastalih usled perspektivne distorzije. Rezultati Provedena statistička analiza na prikupljenim merenjima i priloženi Bland-Altman grafici snažno sugerišu da postoji visok stepen saglasnosti između dva metoda merenja. Odstupanja za maksilu za pojedinačne segmente su iznosila do 0,25 mm sa standardnom devijacijom od 0,16 mm, za celu vilicu manje od 1 mm uz devijaciju od 0,4 mm, za mandibulu odstupanja za segmente iznose ispod 0,27 mm uz devijaciju od 0,15 mm, te za celu vilicu do 0,6 mm uz devijaciju od 0,24 mm. Koeficijenti korelacije su preko 0,985 u svim slučajevima. Zaključak Fotogrametrijski metod se može opravdano koristiti u kliničkoj praksi za dijagnostiku ortodontskih nepravilnosti

Linear measurements of facial morphology using automatic approach

Introduction Clinical extraoral examination prior to orthodontic treatment includes face analysis (front and profile). Development of computer technology has increased efficacy and simplified this process through automating several steps of the analysis. The aim of this paper was to examine the possibility of automatic determining of linear measurements based on the facial image of a patient. Material and Methods Based on the set of 20 patients in NHP (Natural Head Position) position, three sets of measurements were conducted. Trained orthodontist performed positioning of predefined points on the image of the patient two times with one week apart, after which the points were automatically determined using customized computer software. Based on the position of the points, measurements for bizygomatic distance, upper and lower facial height and full facial height were computed. Three sets of measurements were compared and statistically analyzed. Results showed that computer software produced measurements comparable to measurements obtained by a trained orthodontist. Statistical analysis included calculating mean values and standard deviations, as well as paired two-tailed T-test. Differences between measurements ranged from 0.03% to 0.6% suggesting that automatic method can be successfully used. Conclusions The results of this research suggest that it is possible to ease, accelerate and automate work of the orthodontist on the image analysis using suitable software without significant differences in measured values

Paclitaxel as an anticancer agent: isolation, activity, synthesis and stability

Paclitaxel is isolated from the Pacific yew. It can be obtained from the European yew, but only after chemical modification of the isolated compound by a semi-synthesis procedure. The procedure for total synthesis of paclitaxel is very complicated, involving multiple steps, and the yields of paclitaxel are meagre. This substance is also a metabolite of certain kinds of fungus. The microbiological pathway for producing paclitaxel compared with isolation from plant material involves shorter procuction times but a small yield. Cyclodextrins are usually used for improving the solubility of paclitaxel in aqueous media, with polymeric and other substances added. Paclitaxel has anticancer activity and use for preparing the formulations intravenously administrated to patients with tumors. The paclitaxel concentration in these formulations is determined using validated HPLC methods

Development of Grid e-Infrastructure in South-Eastern Europe

Over the period of 6 years and three phases, the SEE-GRID programme has established a strong regional human network in the area of distributed scientific computing and has set up a powerful regional Grid infrastructure. It attracted a number of user communities and applications from diverse fields from countries throughout the South-Eastern Europe. From the infrastructure point view, the first project phase has established a pilot Grid infrastructure with more than 20 resource centers in 11 countries. During the subsequent two phases of the project, the infrastructure has grown to currently 55 resource centers with more than 6600 CPUs and 750 TBs of disk storage, distributed in 16 participating countries. Inclusion of new resource centers to the existing infrastructure, as well as a support to new user communities, has demanded setup of regionally distributed core services, development of new monitoring and operational tools, and close collaboration of all partner institution in managing such a complex infrastructure. In this paper we give an overview of the development and current status of SEE-GRID regional infrastructure and describe its transition to the NGI-based Grid model in EGI, with the strong SEE regional collaboration.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figures, 4 table

Politics of state sovereignty: the US foreign policy towards Georgia and Serbia

Research conducted in this thesis revolves around the issue of state sovereignty. More precisely, this thesis aims at examining the foreign policy of the United States of America and its impact on sovereignty of Georgia and Serbia. Different attitude towards the recognition of unilateral declarations of independence of South Ossetia and Kosovo, breakaway regions of Georgia and Serbia, by the US officials represents the starting point of this study. Following state-centric approach this thesis presents an assessment of bilateral relations between the USA and case study countries Georgia and Serbia. The purpose of this study is to enable better understanding of different approaches by the US officials towards the issue of respecting state sovereignty

Estimate of clinical outcomes from the patient perspective is important for clinical decision making

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A novel method of photogrammetry measurements of study models in orthodontics

Introduction/Objective. Rapid developments in information technologies lead to the wider use of digital representations of dental study models in orthodontics. Most popular way of digitizing the models is to use a 3D scanner and then perform measurements on 3D models, which requires additional and expensive hardware and software resources. In this paper we present an alternative approach based on the use of photogrammetry in the newly developed OrthoPhoto4D software that calculates and corrects perspective distortion errors. Methods. We measured individual tooth width for 24 teeth, 12 two-teeth segments as well as inter-molar and inter-canine distances on 50 models. Measurements are performed in OrthoPhoto4D software that uses four photographs of each model for measurements, uses QR codes for automation, calculates the camera position and corrects perspective distortion-caused errors in measurements. Obtained measurements are compared to ones obtained from models generated by structured light 3D scanner. Results. Statistical analysis strongly indicates that there is no significant difference between the two methods. The recorded differences also have no clinical impact as they have mean values of 0.2 mm for individual tooth widths, approximately 0.2 mm for two teeth segments, and under 0.3 mm for both intercanine and inter-molar distances. All recorded differences fall within the expected measurement error. Conclusion. We concluded that the described photogrammetry measurements performed in OrthoPhoto4D can be used in diagnosis and therapy planning