ONE-BIT QUANTIZER PARAMETRIZATION FOR ARBITRARY LAPLACIAN SOURCES

In this paper we suggest an exact formula for the total distortion of one-bit quantizer and for the arbitrary Laplacian probability density function (pdf). Suggested formula additionally extends normalized case of zero mean and unit variance, which is the most applied quantization case not only in traditional quantization rather in contemporary solutions that involve quantization. Additionally symmetrical quantizer’s representation levels are calculated from minimal distortion criteria. Note that one-bit quantization is the most sensitive quantization from the standpoint of accuracy degradation and quantization error, thus increasing importance of the suggested parameterization of one-bit quantizer

Dog poisoning with furadan 35-ST (carbamate insecticide)

The first case of poisoning of a dog with Furadan 35-ST in Serbia is described. The active ingredient of Furadan 35-ST is carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7- benzofuranyl methyl carbamate), a carbamate insecticide, acaricide and nematocide. This highly poisonous substance is classified by the World Health Organisation into Class 1 b and in Serbia into Group 1 of The List of Poisons. Pathological assessment revealed hyperaemia and degenerative and necrotic changes in the liver, kidneys and heart. In addition, lysis of the nuclei in the motor neurons, loss of tigroid substance and pericellular oedema in the ventral horns of the spinal cord, and acute pancreatitis were found. In addition to the non-specific changes (hyperaemia, degenerative and necrotic changes in the parenchymal organs), the ones in the ventral horns of the spinal cord and acute pancreatitis may lead to carbamate poisoning being suspected. The diagnosis was established on the grounds of toxicological-chemical conformation of carbofuran by means of GC-MS in addition to the macroscopic, microscopic findings in tissue samples taken from the stomach and the liver, which confirmed the suspicion of the dog having been poisoned with the carbamate insecticide. In the current case the results of the diagnostic procedures provided foundations for the initiation of criminal proceedings

Applications of nonlinear dynamics to information processing

The reported results are direct applications of nonlinear dynamics to information processing or are relevant for the applications. In the second chapter we describe a simple method for estimating the embedding dimension that can be used as a first step in constructing nonlinear models. The method for the reduction of measurement noise in chaotic systems that is presented in the third chapter is attractive in the cases where high accuracy is necessary. Next we propose how to overcome some problems encountered in constructing models of complex nonlinear systems. Finally, the behaviour of one-dimensional cellular automata useful for the detection of velocities of patterns is shown and explained in the last chapter. The method of estimating the embedding dimension is based on the idea that when the observed dynamical system is deterministic and smooth and the embedding dimension is correctly chosen, the relationship between the successive reconstructed state vectors should be described as a continuous mapping. To check if the given embedding dimension is a good one we search for pairs of state vectors whose distance is smaller than some number. For each pair we compute the distance between the successors of the elements of pairs and represent this distance graphically. When the embedding dimension is equal or larger than the minimum correct dimension, all distances are small in comparison to distances for incorrect dimensions. The method for noise reduction is developed assuming that the map of the system is known and the noise is bounded. The closer the initial condition is to the true state of the system, the longer the computed trajectory follows the observed trajectory. To reduce the uncertainty in knowing the given state we recursively search for the state for which the computed trajectory follows the observed trajectory as long as possible. The method is demonstrated on several twodimensional invertible and noninvertible chaotic maps. When the map is known exactly an arbitrary level of noise reduction can be achieved. With the increase of the complexity of a nonlinear system it is harder to construct its model. We propose to discover first how to construct a model of a similar but simple system. Discovered heuristics can be useful in modeling more complex systems. We demonstrate the approach by constructing a deterministic feed-forward neural network that can extract velocities of onedimensional patterns. Analysing simpler models we discovered how to estimate the necessary numbers of neurons; what are the useful ranges of the parameters of the network and what are the potential functional dependencies between the parameters. The class of one-dimensional cellular automata whose state is a function of both the previous state and a time-dependant input is described. As inputs we considered the sequences of binary strings that represent black-and-white objects moving in front of a white background. As outputs we considered the trajectory of the automaton. For some rules the automaton will evolve to the zero state for all velocities of the object except for the velocities in specific narrow range. The phenomenon is persistent even when a strong noise is present in input patterns but unreliable units of the automaton or having a more complex input break it down

Uticaj individualnog hirurškog iskustva na učestalost dehiscencije kolo-rektalne anastomoze posle prednje resekcije rektuma kod obolelih od rektalnog karcinoma

Uvod: Dehiscencija kolo-rektalne anastomoze (DKRA) je najteža komplikacija u hirurgiji karcinoma rektuma (KR) i direktno utiče na rane postoperativne ishode, prognozu i stopu preživljavanja. Cilj: ispitati povezanost godišnjeg volumena procedure hirurga i ranih postoperativnih ishoda i analizirati odnos uticajnih faktora rizika za nastanak DKRA u kontekstu iskustva hirurga. Materijal i metode: Retrospektivna,klinička studija jednog centra sa kohortom od 546 bolesnika oba pola sa KR. Kod svih je učinjena klasična (otvorena) prednja resekcija rektuma sa kreiranjem kolo-rektalne anastomoze (KRA) šavnom ili stepler tehnikom, u 10-godišnjem periodu. Bolesnici su podeljeni u tri grupe, shodno godišnjem volumenu procedura 18. ordinirajućih hirurga u kolorektalnoj hirurgiji. Analizirano je sedam ranih postoperativnih ishoda, kao i druga 22 faktora rizika (nezavisne, zavisne i „zbunjujuće“ varijable) od značaja za ishode operativnog lečenja i objašnjenje razlika između grupa hirurških volumena i njihovog uticaja na rane ishode lečenja. Sve operacije su izvedene u Klinici za opštu i abdominalnu hirurgiju KC Banja Luka (RS). Rezultati: Većina hirurga (77,7%) pripadala je grupi sa niskim i srednjim volumenom procedura. DKRA je nastala kod 53 (9,7%) bolesnika sa statistički značajnom razlikom između grupa hirurških volumena. Intrahospitalna smrtnost iznosila je 4,8% (26/546), bez statistički značajne razlike između grupa. Dužina hospitalizacije (> 8 dana, 65,4%) bila je u signifikantnoj korelaciji sa učestalošću DKRA. Grupa hirurga sa visokim volumenom imala je signifikantno bolje rezultate u četiri ranih ishoda. Zaključak: Signifikantni faktori rizika za nastanak DKRA su: T3 N1-2 M0 stadijum KR, nivo anastomoze do 12sm od analnog ruba, Charlson-ov indeks komorbiditeta ≥3, znatan fekalni sadržaj u kolonu (82,5%), preoperativna radioterapija, intraoperativni gubitak krvi >200ml., intraoperativna fekalna kontaminacija (30,8%), protektivna stoma (62,5%) i niski godišnji volumen procedura hirurga. Ovi faktori rizika obeležavaju posebnu „high-risk“grupu bolesnika sa KR, predisponiranu za nastanak DKRA. Visoki godišnji volumen hirurga je najvažniji prediktor uspešnih ranih ishoda u lečenju bolesnikasa KR.Introduction: Dehiscence of the colorectal anastomosis (AD) is the most severe complication of rectum cancer surgery which directly influences early postoperative outcome, prognosis and survival rate. Aim. To examine the connection between the annualvolume of the surgeon and early postoperative outcomes, as well as to analyze risk factors for the development of AD in the context of the surgeon individual experience. Method: Retrospective study performed in a single center, with a cohort of 546 patients of both sexeswith rectal cancer (RC), over a 10-year period.In all patients a classical (open) anterior resection of the rectum with a colorectal anastomosis (CRA), created viasuture or stapler,was performed. Patients were divided into three groups, according to the annual volume of their attending surgeon. Seven early postoperative outcomes were analyzed, as well as 22 other risk factors (independent, dependent, and “confusing” variables) of significance for surgical outcome. The risk factors were analyzed to explain the difference between the groups of surgeons and their influence on the outcomes. All surgeries were performed in the Clinic for general and abdominal surgery, Banja Luka (Republic of Srpska). Results: The majority of surgeons (77.7%) belonged to the low and medium annual volume groups. AD developed in 53 (9.7%) patients, with significant difference between the annual volume groups. The in-hospital death rate was4.8% (26/546), without significant difference between the groups. The length of stay in the hospital (> 8 days in 65.4%) was in significant correlation with the incidence of AD. The high annual volume surgeon group was associated with significantly better results in four of the outcomes. Conclusion: Risk factors for the development of AD were: T3N1-2M0 stadium of RC, anastomosis level up to 12 cm from the anal edge, Charlson comorbidity index of ≥3, significant fecal load of colon (82.5%), preoperative radiotherapy, intraoperative blood loss of more than 200 ml, intraoperative fecal contamination (30.8%), protective stoma (62.5%) and low annual volume of surgeons. These factors mark the particular high risk group of patients with RC predisposed to develop AD. The high annual volume surgeon was the most important predictor of success of the RC surgery

Prevalencija gastrointestinalnih helminata kod teladi u zapadnoj Srbiji

This study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in calves in western Serbia. Throughout 2011 faecal samples were collected from 600 calves aged up to 180 days, samples were examined with the flotation method and a modified McMaster technique. The parasitizing helminth species were identified and the level of infection compared between different age groups. As many as 64.17% animals were found to be infected. The following parasite species were diagnosed: Moniezia spp. (3.17%), Toxocara vitulorum (35.00%), Strongyloides papillosus (34.50%), gastrointestinal strongyles (4.50%) and Trichuris discolor (2.17%). The majority of calves were infected with two, fewer with three or one helminth species, and the smollest number of calves harboured four parasite species. The prevalence of established helminth infections varied depending on the calves' age.Studija je sprovedena sa ciljem da se utvrdi prevalencija gastrointestinalnih helminata kod teladi u zapadnom delu Srbije. Tokom 2011. godine prikupljeni su uzorci fecesa ukupno 600 teladi starosti do 180 dana. Uzorci su pregledani metodom flotacije i modifikovanom metodom po McMasteru. Determinisane su vrste helminata i određena je prevalencija infekcije kod teladi različite starosti. Rezultati ispitivanja pokazali su da je infekcija helmintima bila prisutna kod 64,17% pregledanih životinja. Ustanovljene su sledeće vrste helminata: Moniezia spp. (3,17%), Toxocara vitulorum (35,00%), Strongyloides papillosus (34,50%), želudačnocrevne strongilide (4,50%) i Trichuris discolor (2,17%). Većina teladi istovremeno je bila inficirana dvema vrstama, zatim sa tri i jednom vrstom helminta, dok je kod samo nekoliko životinja bilo ustanovljeno prisustvo četiri vrste ili grupe helminata. Prevalencija infekcija helmintima razlikovala se kod teladi različite starosti

Heritabilnost negovateljskog ponašanja sive medonosne pčele (Apis mellifera Carnica)

Grooming behavior is considered an important defensive mechanism of honey bees against Varroa mites. The aim of this study was to reveal whether grooming behavior is a useful criterion in breeding of Varroa-tolerant bees. To obtain a reliable evaluation the environmental influences were excluded. The degree of grooming potential was estimated by the percentage of damaged mites in the total number of fallen mites. The heritability of grooming behavior throughout the three consecutive generations of queens was assessed by mother-daughter regression method. Among unselected queens, expressed grooming behavior was recorded only in colonies with F1 queens (36.27%), but not in colonies with P queens and F2 queens (33.69%, 31.66%, respectively). Significant differences in grooming behavior were found between colonies of P and F1 queens (p lt 0.001), and between colonies of P and F2 queens (p lt 0.05). However, all of the three generations of selected queens showed expressed grooming behavior (37.99%, 39.42% and 38.58% in Ps, F1s and F2s, respectively) without significant (p>0.05) difference among them. Nevertheless, the relatively low heritability of grooming behavior in the three generations of queens examined (h2yx=0.49±0.02; h2zx=0.18±0.01; h2zy=0.16±0.01) indicate that breeding colonies for grooming behavior only cannot be advised to beekeepers whose aim is to breed bees highly tolerant to Varroa mites.Negovateljsko ponašanje se smatra značajnim mehanizmom odbrane pčela od Varroa krpelja. Cilj ovog rada je bilo ispitivanje negovateljskog ponašanja, procena njegove heritabilnosti i mogućnosti povećanja ekspresije te osobine putem selekcije. Radi dobijanja pouzdanih rezultata korišćenja je metodologija kojom se uticaj spoljašnjih faktora isključuje. Ispoljenost negovateljskog ponašanja procenjivana je na osnovu procenta oštećenih u ukupnom broju otpalih krpelja. Heritabilnost negovateljskog ponašanja praćena na kroz generacije matica i procenjivana metodom regresije majka-ćerka. Među neselekcionisanim maticama, negovateljsko ponašanje bilo je izraženo samo kod matica F1 generacije (36,27%), ali ne i kod P (33,69%) i F2 generacije (31,66%). Statistički značajne razlike u negovateljskom ponašanju zabeležene su između društava P i F1 matica (p lt 0,001) i između društava P i F2 matica (p lt 0,05). Međutim, selekcionisane matice sve tri generacije (Ps, F1s, F2s) su imale izraženo negovateljsko ponašanje (37,99%, 39,42% i 38,58%) bez statistički značajnih (p>0,05) razlika među njima. Ipak, nizak koeficijent heritabilnosti praćene osobine (h2yx=0,49±0,02; h2zx=0,18±0,01; h2zy=0,16±0,01) ukazuje da se pčelarima ne može preporučiti selekcija pčela samo na negovateljsko ponašanje ako je njihov cilj uzgoj pčelinjih zajednica povećane otpornosti na Varroa krpelje

Trovanje životinja - veterinarsko medicinski i krivično pravni aspekti

Apart from approved or planned poisoning with agricultural purpose, an increase in the number of cases of intentional animal poisoning (primarily referring to cats and dogs) has been detected in Serbia, and it is suspected that their number is significantly larger than the one shown by the official statistics data. Under the conditions prescribed by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Serbia, such activities may represent the crime of killing and torture of animals, but also the crime of causing a general danger. It would be impossible to conduct the procedure of discovering and proving these criminal offences and the responsibility of their perpetrators without findings and opinion of forensic veterinary-medicine experts. They play an important role when it comes to site inspection, crime scene processing, collecting the samples from the crime scene, processing of samples and autopsy and exhumation of a potentially poisoned animal body. Just like other evidence in criminal procedure, findings and opinion of experts of veterinary medicine are estimated in accordance with the principle of free assessment of evidence. However, due to the specificity of such cases of killing and torture of animals, their impact on court's decision on the existence of criminal offence and perpetrator's liability is crucial. In this paper, the authors discuss the scope of animal poisoning in Serbia, particularly in Belgrade, analyze possible criminal - legal consequences of these illegal activities and point out to a significant role that experts of veterinary medical profession have in discovering and proving such cases and the liability of their perpetrators.Pored odobrenih ili planiranih trovanja u poljoprivredne svrhe, u Srbiji je zabeležen porast slučajeva namernog, nezakonitog trovanja životinja (prvenstveno pasa i mačaka), a opravdano se sumnja da je taj broj znatno veći od onog koji pokazuju statistički podaci. Pod određenim uslovima propisanim Krivičnim zakonikom Republike Srbije takve radnje mogu da predstavljaju krivično delo ubijanja i zlostavljanja životinja, ali i krivično delo izazivanja opšte opasnosti. Postupak otkrivanja i dokazivanja ovih krivičnih dela i odgovornosti njihovih učinilaca ne bi bilo moguće sprovesti bez nalaza i mišljenja stručnjaka forenzičke veterinarske medicine. Oni imaju važnu ulogu u sprovođenju uviđaja, odnosno obrade mesta događaja, prikupljanja uzoraka sa mesta događaja, njihove obrade i analize, obdukcije i ekshumacije leša potencijalno otrovane životinje. Kao i ostali dokazi u krivičnom postupku, nalaz i mišljenje veštaka veterinarsko-medicinske struke se procenjuju u skladu sa načelom slobodne ocene dokaza. Međutim, zbog specifičnosti takvih slučajeva ubijanja i zlostavljanja životinja, u praksi je njihov uticaj na odluku suda o postojanju krivičnog dela i odgovornosti učinioca presudan. U radu autori razmatraju rasprostranjenost trovanja životinja u Srbiji, posebno u Beogradu, analiziraju moguće krivično-pravne posledice tih nezakonitih radnji i ukazuju na značajnu ulogu stručnjaka veterinarsko medicinske struke u otkrivanju i dokazivanju takvih slučajeva i odgovornosti njihovih učinilaca

Trovanje psa furadanom 35-ST (karbamatni insekticid)

The first case of poisoning of a dog with Furadan 35-ST in Serbia is described. The active ingredient of Furadan 35-ST is carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7- benzofuranyl methyl carbamate), a carbamate insecticide, acaricide and nematocide. This highly poisonous substance is classified by the World Health Organisation into Class 1 b and in Serbia into Group 1 of The List of Poisons. Pathological assessment revealed hyperaemia and degenerative and necrotic changes in the liver, kidneys and heart. In addition, lysis of the nuclei in the motor neurons, loss of tigroid substance and pericellular oedema in the ventral horns of the spinal cord, and acute pancreatitis were found. In addition to the non-specific changes (hyperaemia, degenerative and necrotic changes in the parenchymal organs), the ones in the ventral horns of the spinal cord and acute pancreatitis may lead to carbamate poisoning being suspected. The diagnosis was established on the grounds of toxicological-chemical conformation of carbofuran by means of GC-MS in addition to the macroscopic, microscopic findings in tissue samples taken from the stomach and the liver, which confirmed the suspicion of the dog having been poisoned with the carbamate insecticide. In the current case the results of the diagnostic procedures provided foundations for the initiation of criminal proceedings.U radu je opisan prvi slučaj akutnog trovanja psa u Srbiji Furadanom 35-ST. Aktivna supstanca ovog preparata je karbofuran (2,3- dihidro-2,2-dimetil-7-benzofuranil methilcarbamat) karbamatni insekticid, akaricid i nematicid. Svetska zdravstvena organizacija ga je klasifikovala u klasu 1b, kao visoko toksičan otrov. U Srbiji je prema Listi otrova svrstan u I grupu otrova, pod rednim brojem 485, sa važenjem registracije do 2014. godine. Patomorfološki su ustanovljene hiperemija i degenerativno-nekrotične promene u jetri, bubrezima i srcu. U ventralnim rogovima kičmene moždine ustanovljeno je liziranje jedara motornih neurona, gubitak tigroidne supstance i pericelularni edem, kao i akutni pankreatitis. Uz nespecifične promene (hiperemija, degenerativne i nekrotične promene u parenhimatoznim organima), nalaz promena u ventralnim rogovima kičmene moždine i akutni pankreatitis mogu da pobude sumnju na trovanje karbamatima. Postavljena dijagnoza trovanja psa karbamatnim insekticidom bazirana je na makroskopskom, mikroskopskom nalazu, kao i toksikološko-hemijskoj potvrdi prisustva karbofurana primenom metode gasno-masene spektrometrije u uzetim uzorcima tkiva želuca i jetre, čime je potvrđena sumnja da je sporni pas otrovan. U ovom slučaju sprovedene dijagnostičke procedure bile su osnov za pokretanje krivične odgovornosti

Procena efikasnosti fotodinamske terapije u terapiji periimplantitisa posle tri meseca - randomizirana kontrolisana klinička studija

Introduction Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory lesion of peri-implant tissues. Eradication of the causative bacteria and decontamination of the implant surface is essential in achieving predictable and stabile clinical results. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is non-invasive adjuvant therapeutic method to surgery in the treatment of bacterial infection. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate early clinical and microbiological outcomes of periimplantitis after surgical therapy with adjuvant PDT. Methods Fifty-two diagnosed peri-implantitis sites were divided into two groups. PDT was used for decontamination of implant surface in the study group; in the control group, chlorhexidine gel (CHX) followed by saline irrigation was applied. Several clinical parameters were recorded before the treatment (baseline values) and three months after surgical treatment. Samples for microbiological identification were collected before therapy, during the surgical therapy (before and after decontamination of implant surface), and three months thereafter, and analyzed with identification systems using biochemical analysis. Results The use of PDT resulted in significant decrease of bleeding on probing in comparison to CHX (p lt 0.001). It showed significant decontamination of implant surfaces with complete elimination of anaerobic bacteria immediately after surgical procedure and three months later. Conclusion The results indicate that PDT can be used as an adjuvant therapy to surgery for decontamination of implant surface and surrounding peri-implant tissues within the treatment of peri-implantitis.Uvod Periimplantitis je inflamatorni proces koji zahvata meka tkiva i potpornu kost oko oseointegrisanog implantata. Eliminacija patogenih mikroorganizama i dekontaminacija implantne površine predstavlju najbitniji korak u postizanju stabilnih kliničkih rezultata. Fotodinamska terapija (FDT) predstavlja dodatni neinvazivni metod u terapiji bakterijskih infekcija. Cilj rada Cilj rada bila je procena kliničkih i mikrobioloških parametara nakon hirurške terapije periimplantitisa uz dodatnu primenu FDT. Metode rada Sva dijagnostikovana mesta periimplantitisa (n = 52) bila su podeljena u dve grupe: u studijskoj grupi, za dekontaminaciju implantne površine tokom hirurške procedure korišćena je FDT; u kontrolnoj grupi, za dekontaminaciju implantne površine korišćen je hlorheksidin u gelu (CHX). Klinički parametri praćeni su pre terapijske procedure i tri meseca posle terapije. Uzorci za mikrobiološku analizu uzimani su pre i tri meseca posle terapije, kao i tokom hirurške procedure, pre i posle dekontaminacije implantne površine. Za identifikaciju izolovanih anaeroba korišćen je sistem koji radi po principu biohemijske analize izolovanih mikrobioloških sojeva. Rezultati studije su pokazali da primenom FDT dolazi do znatne redukcije krvarenja na provokaciju u poređenju sa primenom CHX (p lt 0,001). Primena FDT, kao pomoćnog terapijskog sredstva, omogućava potpunu eliminaciju anaerobnih bakterija sa implantne površine. Zaključak Rezultati pokazuju da FDT može da se koristi kao pomoćno terapijsko sredstvo za dekontaminaciju implantne površine i periimplantnog tkiva u okviru terapije periimplantitisa