An integrated platform for design and numerical analysis of shield tunnelling processes on different levels of detail

Building and construction information modelling for decision making during the life cycle of infrastructure projects are vital tools for the analysis of complex, integrated, multi-disciplinary systems. The traditional design process is cumbersome and involves significant manual, time-consuming preparation and analysis as well as significant computational resources. To ensure a seamless workflow during the design and analysis and to minimise the computation time, we propose a novel concept of multi-level numerical simulations, enabling the modelling on different Levels of Detail (LoDs) for each physical component, process information, and analysis type. In this paper, we present SATBIM, an integrated platform for information modelling, structural analysis and visualisation of the mechanised tunnelling process for design support. Based on a multi-level integrated parametric Tunnel Information Model, numerical models for each component on different LoDs are developed, considering proper geometric as well as material representation, interfaces and the representation of the construction process. Our fully automatic modeller for arbitrary tunnel alignments provides a high degree of automation for the generation, the setup and the execution of the simulation model, connecting the multi-level information model with the open-source simulation software KRATOS. The software of SATBIM is organized in a modular way in order to offer high flexibility not only for further extensions, but also for adaptation to future improvements of the simulation software. The SATBIM platform enables practical, yet flexible and user-friendly generation of the tunnel structure for arbitrary alignments on different LoDs, supporting the design process and providing an insight into soil-structure interactions during construction

Real-time assessment of tunnelling-induced damage to structures within the building information modelling framework

During the initial design phases of complex multi-disciplinary systems such as urban tunnelling, the appraisal of different design alternatives can ensure optimal designs in terms of costs, construction time, and safety. To enable the evaluation of a large number of design scenarios and to find an optimal solution that minimises impact of tunnelling on existing structures, the design and assessment process must be efficient, yet provide a holistic view of soil-structure interaction effects. This paper proposes an integrated tunnel design tool for the initial design phases to predict the ground settlements induced by tunnelling and building damage using empirical and analytical solutions as well as simulation-based meta models. Furthermore, visualisation of ground settlements and building damage risk is enabled by integrating empirical and analytical models within our Building Information Modelling (BIM) framework for tunnelling. This approach allows for near real-time assessment of structural damage induced by settlements with consideration of soil-structure interaction and non-linear material behaviour. Furthermore, because this approach is implemented on a BIM platform for tunnelling, first, the design can be optimised directly in the design environment, thus eliminating errors in data exchange between designers and computational analysts. Secondly, the effect of tunnelling on existing structures can be effectively visualised within the BIM by producing risk-maps and visualising the scaled deformation field, which allows for a more intuitive understanding of design actions and for collaborative design. Having a fully parametric design model and real-time predictions therefore enables the assessment and visualisation of tunneling-induced damage for large tunnel sections and multiple structures in an effective and computationally efficient way

Serum soluble transferrin receptor levels are independently associated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in adolescent girls

Introduction: Markers of iron homeostasis are related to insulin resistance (IR) in adults. However, studies in children and adolescents are scarce and show contradictory results. The aim was to evaluate the potential relationship between iron status markers and IR. Additionally, no previous study has explored the mutual effect of biomarkers of iron homeostasis and inflammation (i.e. high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)), and adipokines (i.e. retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4)) on IR in the cohort of adolescent girls. Material and methods: A total of 60 girls age between 16 and 19 years were included in the study. Serum levels of ferritin, transferrin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), hsCRP, and RBP4 were measured by immunonephelometry. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and iron homeostasis indexes were calculated. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the possible independent associations of the examined biomarkers. Principal component analysis was used to examine their mutual effect on HOMA-IR in the studied girls. Results: Ferritin, sTfR, hsCRP and RBP4 were significant predictors for higher HOMA-IR in univariate analysis (p = 0.020, p = 0.009, p = 0.007, p = 0.003, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis after adjustment for waist circumference (WC) showed that serum sTfR levels remained positively associated with higher HOMA-IR (p = 0.044). Factorial analysis revealed that the obesity-inflammation related factor (i.e., WC and hsCRP) and adipokine- acute phase protein related factor (i.e., RBP4 and ferritin) showed significant differences between HOMA-IR < 2.5 and HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5. Conclusions: Serum sTfR levels are independently associated with HOMA-IR, whereas higher serum ferritin levels together with higher RBP4 are related to higher HOMA-IR in adolescent girls

Length of vegetation period as parameter of common oak (Quercus robur L.) phenological variability

Paper presents results for length of vegetation period as factor in common oak’s (Quercus robur L.) phenological variability. Trees in two common oaks populations on two locations in area of Belgrade were researched. Average length of vegetation period on site Ada Ciganlija is 166 days, while in location Bojčinska šuma is 179 days. Regarding that populations are in similar environmental and habitual conditions, differences in results should be treated as consequence of common oaks intra-specific variability and genetic structure of population. Significant differences in three consecutive years of observation are confirmed.U radu su predstavljeni rezultati analize dužine trajanja vegetacije kao faktora fenološke varijabilnosti lužnjaka (Quercus robur L.). Istraživanja su obavljena na stablima u dve populacije lužnjaka na dva lokaliteta na području Beograda. Prosečno dužina trajanja vegetacije na lokalitetu Ada Ciganlija iznosi 166 dana a na lokalitetu Bojčinska šuma 179 dana. Obzirom da se populacije nalaze u sličnim sredinskim i stanišnim uslovima, dobijene razlike se mogu smatrati posledicom unutarvrsne varijabilnosti lužnjaka i genetičke strukture populacije. Potvrđene su značajne razlike između tri uzastopne godine osmatranja.Projekat ministarstva br. 4300

Oxidative stress and cardiometabolic biomarkers in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Oxidative stress is assumed to be the underlying feature of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To our knowledge, the mutual involvement of redox status homeostasis parameters [i.e., advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative-stress index (OSI)] and cardiometabolic biomarkers in subjects with NAFLD has not been examined yet. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate this potential relationship. A total of 122 subjects with NAFLD were compared with 56 participants without NAFLD. The diagnosis of NAFLD was confirmed by abdominal ultrasound. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured. OSI, Castelli’s Risk Index I (CRI-I) and Castelli’s Risk Index II (CRI-II) were calculated. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used to test the predictions of oxidative stress and cardiometabolic markers, respectively for NAFLD. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to explore its mutual effect on NAFLD status. Significant positive associations of CRI-I, CRI-II, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and AOPP with NAFLD were found. PCA analysis extracted 3 significant factors: Oxidative stress-cardiometabolic related factor (i.e., triglycerides, AOPP, HDL-c and HbA1c)-explained 36% of variance; Pro-oxidants related factor (i.e., TOS and PAB)-explained 17% of variance; and Antioxidants related factor (i.e., TAS)- explained 15% of variance of the tested parameters. Moreover, binary logistic regression analysis revealed significant predictive ability of Oxidative stress-cardiometabolic related factor (p < 0.001) and Pro-oxidants related factor (p < 0.05) for NAFLD status. In addition to oxidative stress (i.e., determined by higher AOPP levels), dyslipidemia (i.e., determined by higher lipid indexes: CRI-I and CRI-II) and inflammation (determined by higher hsCRP) are independently related to NAFLD status. The mutual involvement of pro-oxidants (i.e., TOS and PAB), or the joint involvement of pro-oxidants (i.e., AOPP) and cardiometabolic parameters (i.e., HbA1c, triglycerides and HDL-c) can differentiate subjects with NAFLD from those individuals without this metabolic disorder. New studies are needed to validate our results in order to find the best therapeutic approach for NAFLD

Malondialdehid kao nezavisan prediktor indeksa telesne mase kod adolescentkinja

Background: Given the fact that the studies that examined oxidative stress in relation to obesity that included late adolescents are scarce and show inconclusive results we aimed to investigate a wide spectrum of nitro-oxidative stress biomarkers i.e., malondialdehyde (MDA), xanthine oxidase (XO), xanthine oxidoreductase (XOD), xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and nitric oxide products (NOx), as well as an antioxidative enzyme, i.e., catalase (CAT) in relation with obesity in the cohort of adolescent girls ages between 16 and 19 years old. Methods: A total of 59 teenage girls were included in this cross-sectional study. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine possible associations between bio- chemical and nitro-oxidative stress markers and body mass index (BMI). Results: There were not significant differences between oxidative stress markers between normal weight and overweight/obese girls (i.e., AOPP, XOD, XO, XDH) and CAT, except for MDA (p<0.001) and NOx (p=0.010) concentrations which were significantly higher in overweight/obese adolescent girls. Positive associations were evident between BMI and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (OR=2.495), BMI and uric acid (OR=1.024) and BMI and MDA (OR=1.062). Multivariable binary regression analysis demonstrated sig- nificant independent associations of BMI and hsCRP (OR=2.150) and BMI and MDA (OR=1.105). Even 76.3% of the variation in BMI could be explained with this Model. Conclusions: Inflammation (as measured with hsCRP) and oxidative stress (as determined with MDA) independently correlated with BMI in teenage girls.Uvod: Imajući u vidu činjenicu da je malo studija koje su ispitivale povezanost oksidativnog stresa i gojaznosti kod adolescenata i da iste pokazuju oprečne rezultate, cilj istraživanja je bio da se ispita povezanost širokog spektra biomarkera nitro-oksidativnog stresa tj. malondialdehida (MDA), ksantin oksidaze (XO), ksantin oksidoreduktaze (XOD), ksantin dehidrogenaze (XDH), produkata uznapredovale oksidacije proteina (AOPP) i produkata azot-monoksida (NOx), kao i enzima antioksidativne zaštite, tj. katalaze (CAT) i gojaznosti u kohorti adolescentkinja starosne dobi izme|u 16 i 19 godina. Metode: Ukupno 59 tinejdžerki je uključeno u ovu studiju preseka. Binarna logistička regresija je primenjena u cilju ispitivanja potencijalne povezanosti između biohemijskih markera i markera nitro-oksidativnog stresa i indeksa telesne mase (ITM). Rezultati: Nije uočena razlika u biomarkerima oksidativnog stresa između normalno uhranjenih i predgojaznih/gojaznih adolescentkinja (odnosno AOPP, XOD, XO, XDH) i CAT, osim u vrednostima MDA (p<0,001) i NOx (p=0,010) koje su bile značajno veće kod predgojaznih/gojaznih adolescentkinja. Pozitivna korelacija je utvrđena izme|u ITM-a i visokosenzitivnog C-reaktivnog proteina (hsCRP) (OR=2,495), ITM-a i mokraćne kiseline (OR=1,024) i ITM-a i MDA (OR=1,062). Multivarijanta binarna regresija je pokazala nezavisnu povezanost ITM-a i hsCRP (OR=2,150), kao i ITM-a i MDA (OR=1,105). Čak 76,3% varijabiliteta ITM-a može biti objašnjeno ovim modelom. Zaključak: Inflamacija (merena hsCRP-om) i oksidativni stres (meren malondialdehidom) nezavisno koreliraju sa ITM kod adolescentkinja

Promising Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Genotypes from Natural Population in Serbia

Serbia is a rich in Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) populations that grow naturally in a variety of locations. At Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, an intensive breeding program on this fruit species started in 2006. The paper reviews morphometric characteristics of 16 Cornelian cherry genotypes collected on the territory of the Vojvodina Province and Mačva region in 2008 and 2009, which were found to be superior in terms of fruit size and quality. On average for the two years, the genotype PPC1 had the highest fruit length (27.79 mm), fruit width (18.97 mm), fruit weight (6.61 g), mesocarp weight (5.86 g) and the flesh to stone ratio (88.46%). The genotype Žuti had the longest fruit. The effect of year of growing was statistically significant for all studied traits, except for fruit width and fruit shape index. Fruit weight, economically the most important characteristic, ranged in the interval from 2.25 to 6.61 g, with a large number of genotypes having the fruit weight over 3 g. All of the tested genotypes had satisfactory flesh to stone ratio, from 79.00% (CPC9) to 88.46% (PPC1). The highest variability was detected for mesocarp weight (36.48%) and fruit weight (33.19%) in 2009, while flesh to stone ratio was the most stable characteristic in both test years (CV = 3.84 and 4.09% in 2008 and 2009, respectively). The genotype SKC had highest contents of soluble matter (32.37%), total sugars (25.38%) and reducing sugars (23.67%). Fruits of the genotype KC2 had highest contents of vitamin C (39.22 mg/100 g fruit) and total acids (3.60%). Selection Apatinski rani had the highest content of anthocyanins (109.36 mg/100 g fruit). Depending on the genotype, protein content ranged from 1.43 to 2.71%, and tannin content from 0.65% to 1.31%

Lipid composition and DPPH activities of the seed oil of five TurkiLipid composition and DPPH activities of the seed oil of five Turkish hazelnut genotypes (Corylus colurna L.)sh hazelnut genotypes (Corylus colurna L.)

Five genotypes of Turkish hazelnuts (Corylus colurna L.) were analyzed for chemical composition, including total oil content, fatty acid and sterol composition. The oil yields from these kernels varied from 36.5% to 60.8% and the main fatty acids were oleic acid (79.34–83.0%) and linoleic acid (7.52–10.81%). The polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio was low, ranging from 0.87 to 1.25. Total phytosterol content ranged from 4.52 to 6.50 mg g-1 of oil. Among the eleven sterols identified and quantified, β-sitosterol was the major one with a mean percentage of 65.09% while fucosterol and campesterol were the second and the third components of the group with mean values of 10.91% and 4.36%, respectively. The radical scavenging activity was evaluated using 2.2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay

Population and individual variability of the leafing phenophase of pedunculate oak in three successive years

The leafing phenophase of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) was analyzed at two locations in Belgrade (Ada Ciganlija - 'AC', Bojčinska šuma - 'BS'). The observations were made on 29 trees per site for three consecutive years (2004, 2005, 2006). In the 'BS' site the phenophase of leafing starts and ends earlier than in the 'AC' site. The largest number of trees in the 'AC' site are classified in the late phenological group and in the 'BS' site they belong to the 'average' group. Population variability of the analyzed parameters of the phenophase of leafing was confirmed by the results of a Mann - Witney U - test for each year of observation, except for the end of the second year of observation and start of leafing in the first year of observation. According to the results of an F - test significant differences between sites were confirmed for all analyzed parameters except for the duration of leafing (2005) and the start of leafing (2006). Differences among the years of observation in the 'AC' site were significant only in the end and in the 'BS' site for they were significant for all three growth stages of scrolling. Despite the different environmental conditions in the three years of monitoring the stability of the phenology of analyzed populations was maintained (the percentage of trees that were always over the years of observation in the same phenological group relative to the start of leafing 'AC' - 41.3%, 'BS' - 55.2%), which is primarily the result of the genetic structure of populations and intraspecies variability.Fenofaza listanja lužnjaka (Quercus robur L.) je analizirana u dve populacije na području Beograda (Ada Ciganlija - 'AC', Bojčinska šuma - 'BŠ'). Osmatranja su vršena na 29 stabala po populaciji tokom tri uzastopne godine (2004, 2005, 2006). U populaciji 'BŠ' fenofaza listanja počinje i završava ranije u odnosu na populaciju 'AC'. Najveći broj stabala u populaciji 'AC' pripada 'kasnoj' fenološkoj grupi, a u populaciji 'BŠ' grupi 'prosek'. Populaciona varijabilnost analiziranih parametara fenofaze listanja je potvrđena rezultatima Mann-Witney U - testa za svaku godinu osmatranja (2004, 2005, 2006), osim za kraj u drugoj i početak listanja u prvoj godini osmatranja. Prema rezultatima F - testa između populacija su potvrđene značajne razlike za sve analizirane parametre osim za trajanje (2005) i početak listanja (2006). Između godina osmatranja u populaciji 'AC' razlike su bile značajne samo za kraj, a u populaciji 'BŠ' za početak i kraj listanja. I pored različitih ekoloških uslova u tri godine osmatranja stabilnost fenologije analiziranih populacija (procenat stabala koja su tokom godina osmatranja bila uvek u istoj fenološkoj grupi u odnosu na početak listanja: 'AC' 41.3%, 'BŠ' 55.2%) se održala, što je pre svega rezultat genetičke strukture populacija i unutar vrsne varijabilnosti.Projekat ministarstva br. 4300

Population and individual variability of the leafing phenophase of pedunculate oak in three successive years

The leafing phenophase of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) was analyzed at two locations in Belgrade (Ada Ciganlija - 'AC', Bojčinska šuma - 'BS'). The observations were made on 29 trees per site for three consecutive years (2004, 2005, 2006). In the 'BS' site the phenophase of leafing starts and ends earlier than in the 'AC' site. The largest number of trees in the 'AC' site are classified in the late phenological group and in the 'BS' site they belong to the 'average' group. Population variability of the analyzed parameters of the phenophase of leafing was confirmed by the results of a Mann - Witney U - test for each year of observation, except for the end of the second year of observation and start of leafing in the first year of observation. According to the results of an F - test significant differences between sites were confirmed for all analyzed parameters except for the duration of leafing (2005) and the start of leafing (2006). Differences among the years of observation in the 'AC' site were significant only in the end and in the 'BS' site for they were significant for all three growth stages of scrolling. Despite the different environmental conditions in the three years of monitoring the stability of the phenology of analyzed populations was maintained (the percentage of trees that were always over the years of observation in the same phenological group relative to the start of leafing 'AC' - 41.3%, 'BS' - 55.2%), which is primarily the result of the genetic structure of populations and intraspecies variability.Fenofaza listanja lužnjaka (Quercus robur L.) je analizirana u dve populacije na području Beograda (Ada Ciganlija - 'AC', Bojčinska šuma - 'BŠ'). Osmatranja su vršena na 29 stabala po populaciji tokom tri uzastopne godine (2004, 2005, 2006). U populaciji 'BŠ' fenofaza listanja počinje i završava ranije u odnosu na populaciju 'AC'. Najveći broj stabala u populaciji 'AC' pripada 'kasnoj' fenološkoj grupi, a u populaciji 'BŠ' grupi 'prosek'. Populaciona varijabilnost analiziranih parametara fenofaze listanja je potvrđena rezultatima Mann-Witney U - testa za svaku godinu osmatranja (2004, 2005, 2006), osim za kraj u drugoj i početak listanja u prvoj godini osmatranja. Prema rezultatima F - testa između populacija su potvrđene značajne razlike za sve analizirane parametre osim za trajanje (2005) i početak listanja (2006). Između godina osmatranja u populaciji 'AC' razlike su bile značajne samo za kraj, a u populaciji 'BŠ' za početak i kraj listanja. I pored različitih ekoloških uslova u tri godine osmatranja stabilnost fenologije analiziranih populacija (procenat stabala koja su tokom godina osmatranja bila uvek u istoj fenološkoj grupi u odnosu na početak listanja: 'AC' 41.3%, 'BŠ' 55.2%) se održala, što je pre svega rezultat genetičke strukture populacija i unutar vrsne varijabilnosti.Projekat ministarstva br. 4300