Value Perspective of Project Stakeholders

When starting a construction project, one assumes, mostly through experience, what is the value the project will bring to investors, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders. However, the value of the project greatly depends on the perspective of the observer and which stakeholder is considering it. So, how is value perceived on the construction project? The purpose of this research is to obtain construction project value parameters utilizing the Delphi technique

Intermetallics – advanced cathode materials in the electrolytic production of hydrogen

The intermetallics, Ti–Pt, Nb-Pd (80%Nb), Pd-Ta, Nb-Pd (65% Nb), Zr-Pt, Hf2Fe and PtMo3, of transition metals have been investigated as cathode materials for the electrolytic hydrogen evolution in an attempt to increase the electrolytic process efficiency. These materials were compared with conventional cathode, Ni. An significant upgrade of the electrolytic efficiency using intermetallics was achived. The effects of those cathode materials on the process efficiency were discussed in the context of transition metal features that issue from their d-electronic configuration.Physical chemistry 2004 : 7th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 21-23 September 200

PEG-ylated parenteral Nanoemulsions as prospective Carriers for enhanced Brain Delivery with Diazepam as a Model Drug - Physicochemical Characterisation

Parenteral nanoemulsions are regarded as biocompatible drug delivery systems for lypophilic drugs. When it comes to delivering actives to the brain as a target site, prolonged circulation time is desirable. The objective of this study was to conduct physicochemical characterization of PEGylated nanoemulsions as prospective carriers for enhanced brain delivery, using diazepam as a model active substance for brain targeting. Nanoemulsions were prepared by high pressure homogenization method and characterized regarding droplet size, zeta potential, pH, conductivity, viscosity and in vitro release profile. PEG2000-DSPE and PEG5000-DPPE were used for PEGylation. All the formulations were autoclaved and stored at room temperature. After 2 months there were no significant changes in physicochemical parameters in autoclaved formulations which rendered them as good potential templates to incorporate drugs for brain targeted delivery

Periotron as a Modern Sialometric Method in Xerostomia Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring

Periotron (Oraflow, Plainview, SAD), mjerač mikrokoličine vlažnosti, elektronički je instrument napravljen za mjerenje gingivne tekućine, eksudata parodontnoga džepa, lučenja sline i debljine filma sline. U mjerenju se rabe različiti papirni mediji za sakupljanje uzorka. Ti se mediji (Periopaper strips, PeroCol strips, Sialopaper strips) stave na željeno mjesto u ustima i ostave tijekom određenog vremena, nakon čega se odloži između elektroda Periotrona. Poseban oblog elektroda omogućuje im da djeluju kao 2 ploče kondenzatora, čime mjeri submikrolitarske količine oralnih fluida i prikazuje numerički podatak na zaslonu od tekućega kristala. Unošenjem podataka dobivenih prethodnom kalibracijom instrumenta u program Periotron Professional software for Windows izradimo baždarnu krivulju iz koje interpolacijom izračunamo realni volumen tekućine.Napravili smo jednostruko slijepu placebo-kontroliranu studiju u svrhu procjene mogućega postojanja dugoročnog učinka polikarpin-hidroklorida (PHK) na lučenje sline u bolesnika s kserostomijom. Dvanaest bolesnika s kserostomijom uključeno je u ispitivanje. Držali smo se strogih uključnih kriterija u svezi s mogućim nuspojavama i kontraindikacijama. Šest bolesnika je podučeno da uzimaju peroralno 5 mg PHK (po 5 kapi otopine, Pilokarpin 2% Pliva, Zagreb, Hrvatska) 3 puta na dan tijekom 7 dana. Drugih 6 bolesnika (placebo skupina) uzimalo je po 5 kapi dekspantenol (D-panthenol, Ljekarne Zagreb, Hrvatska) 3 puta na dan tijekom 7 dana. Lučenje malih slinovnica mjereno je na donjoj usni i na nepcu s pomoću Periotrona, a ukupna slina je sakupljana u baždarene epruvete. Mjerenja su se ponavljala svaki tjedan. Svaki je ispitanik ipunio Oral Health Impact profile (OHIP) upitnik prije i nakon 7 tjedana uzimanja ordiniranog sredstva u svrhu procjene utjecaja oralnog zdravlja na život bolesnika. Nakon 7 tjedana bolesnicima iz placebo skupine ordiniran ja PHK, ali nije bilo vidljive potrebe za ordiniranjem placeba onima koji su prije uzimali PHK budući da u toj skupini nije bilo poboljšanja salivacije. U bolesnika placebo skupine niti nakon uzimanja PHK nije bilo poboljšanja salivacije. Nalazi OHIP-a nisu pokazali statistički znatnu razliku nakon 7 tjedana liječenja. Jedan bolesnik iz placebo skupine (dok je još uzimao placebo), kao i 1 ispitanik iz PHK skupine, odustali su iz ispitivanja zbog navodnih nuspojava. Peroralna upotreba PHK ne uzrokuje dugoročno poboljšanje salivacije nego vjerojatno samo trenutačno i kratkotrajno poboljšanje. Sudeći prema rezultatima Periotrona i nalazu ukupne sline, naši podatci dokazuju kako PHK ne može dugotrajnom upotrebom “izliječiti” kserostomiju, to jest da nema produljenog ili kumulativnog učinka u stimulaciji salivacije.The Periotron micro-moisture meter (Oraflow, Plainview, USA) is an electronic instrument that has been designed for gingival vrevicular fluid (GCF), periodontal pocket fluid (PPF), salivary flow and saliva thickness measurments, by using a variety of paper collection strips. Collection strips (Periopaper strips, PerioCol strips, Sialopaper strips) are applied to the oral tissues of interest for a certain period of time, after which the are inserted between Periotron electrodes. The special insulation coating on the electrodes enables them to work as two plates of a capacitor, being able to measure submicroliter quantities of oral fluids. Periotron displays the numerical output on LCD. By inputting data obtained during prior calibration process into Periotron professional software for Windows, we design a standard curve, from which we interpolate actual fluid volume. We have designed a single blind placebo controlled study to evaluate possible presence of long-term effect of pilocarpine-hydrocloride (PHC) on salivary flow rate in patients with xerostomia. 12 patients suffering from xerostomia underwent this trial. We used strict inclusion criteria regarding the possible side effects. Six patients were instructed to self-administer 5 mh of PHC (5 drops of solution, Pilokarpin 2%, pliva Zagreb, Croatia), three times a day, for 7 days. Another 6 patients (placebo group) were instructed to take 5 dexapanthenol drops (D panthenol, Ljekarne Zagreb, Zagreb, croatia), 3 times a day for 7 weeks. The flow rate of minor salivary glands was measured on the lower lip and palate by means of Periotron and whole saliva was collected in calibrated test tubes. mesurements were repeated once a week. Each patient filled in an extensive Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP) at te baseline and after completion of PHC treatment to monitor oral health influence on patients lives. After 7 weeks of treatment the placebo group was swiched to PHC, but there no apparent need for switching pilocarpine group to placebo, because we found no improvement in salivary flow rate after 7 weeks of treatment. in the group previously taking placebo, there was also no improvement in salivary flow rate after taking PHC. OHIP findings were calculated and showed no statistically significnt improvement after 7 weeks of PHC administration. One patient from the pilocarpine group and one from palcebo group ( while taking placebo) reported side effects and discontinuited the trial. oral administration of PHC does not seem to produce log-term salivary flow rate increase, but rther immediate and shortr lasting improvement. Judging by Periotron and whole saliva scores, our results showed that PHC is not able to “cure” xerostomia after prolonged administration, i.e. there is no residual effect in salivary gland simulation once the drug is discontinued and eliminated

Mineral Characterization of Soil Type Ranker Formed on Serpentines Occurring in Southern Belgrade Environs Bubanj Potok

The paper addresses the issue of health risk associated with the presence of chrysotile in the soil type ranker formed on massive serpentines occurring in the area of Bubanj Potok, a settlement located in the southern Belgrade environs, Serbia. Characterization of the ranker soil was conducted by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy and transmission Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy figures showed regular shaped smectite (montmorillonite) particles, aggregates of chlorite, and elongated sheets of serpentines minerals antigorite. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of detrital mineral quartz polymorph as well as minor amounts of other mineral species. Micro-Raman spectroscopy identified the presence of dominant minerals, such as montmorillonite, kaolinite, muscovite, gypsum, calcite, albite, amphiboles (hornblende/kaersutite) and orthoclase. Important polymorph silica modifications of quartz, olivine (forsterite), pyroxene (enstatite/ferrosilite, diopside/hedenbergite), and serpentine (antigorite/lizardite/chrysotile) were identified

Perturbed Angular Correlation Investigation of the Electric Field Gradient At Ta-181 Probe in the Hf2ni7 Compound

The perturbed angular correlation method was employed to study the temperature dependence of electric field gradients at the Ta-181 probe in the polycrystalline Hf2Ni7 compound. The temperature evolution of the sample content was measured using high-temperature X-ray diffraction. To check the magnetic order of the sample, magnetization measurements and additional perturbed angular correlation measurements with externally applied magnetic field were performed. All obtained spectra showed no evidence of magnetic order of the Hf2Ni7 phase. Within the experimental resolution of the apparatus, the measured electric field gradients at Ta-181 probe for the two inequivalent Hf-181/Ta-181 sites in the Hf2Ni7 compound appeared as one in the range of 78-944 K. A single quadrupole interaction implies that the electric field gradients at the two Hf sites must be quite similar. At 293 K, the measured quadrupole interaction parameters are v(Q) = 433(1) MHz and eta = 0.300(4). An increase of the quadrupole frequency and a gradual rising of the asymmetry parameter were observed with increasing temperature. The high-temperature X-ray diffraction indicated a build up of HfO2 above 693 K

Interrelation between body weights of sire, dam and their lambs at early stage of growth

Records of female lambs and their parents of the Mis sheep breed have used. All animals are approximately have weaned at 90 days of age. Descriptive statistics, paired sample test, paired differences, measures of association, correlations and regression of body weights between female lambs and their parents have done. A complementary least body weights at 30 days and weaning between dams and lambs but utmost weight at 30 days, the lambs were higher while at weaning, the dams had higher weight. It can observe that the averages on body weights the rams were the highest, followed by lambs and the lowest the dams’ body weights. The coefficient of determination of R2 varies from low to high, indicating that the lamb's body weight has more influenced by other factors that we have not considered.There were significant correlations between lamb body weight at birth and sire/dam body weight at birth. The results showed highly significant correlations of lamb's body weight at 30 days with dams but with sires, positive and very low. There had positive but no significant correlation between lamb body weight at weaning and sire body weight at weaning. Lamb body weight at weaning and dam body weight at weaning are highly correlated

Alkyl polyglucoside vs. ethoxylated surfactant-based microemulsions as vehicles for two poorly water-soluble drugs: physicochemical characterization and in vivo skin performance

Two types of biocompatible surfactants were evaluated for their capability to formulate skin-friendly/non-irritant microemulsions as vehicles for two poorly water-soluble model drugs differing in properties and concentrations: alkyl polyglucosides (decyl glucoside and caprylyl/capryl glucoside) and ethoxylated surfactants (glycereth-7-caprylate/caprate and polysorbate 80). Phase behavior, structural inversion and microemulsion solubilization potential for sertaconazole nitrate and adapalene were found to be highly dependent on the surfactants structure and HLB value. Performed characterization (polarized light microscopy, pH, electrical conductivity, rheological, FTIR and DSC measurements) indicated a formulation containing glycereth-7-caprylate/caprate as suitable for incorporation of both drugs, whereas alkyl polyglucoside-based systems did not exhibit satisfying solubilization capacity for sertaconazole nitrate. Further, monitored parameters were strongly affected by sertaconazole nitrate incorporation, while they remained almost unchanged in adapalene-loaded vehicles. In addition, results of the in vivo skin performance study supported acceptable tolerability for all investigated formulations, suggesting selected microemulsions as promising carriers worth exploring further for effective skin delivery of model drugs

Study of Formulation Factors Influencing Phenytoin Release Rate from Alginate–Chitosan Microparticles using an Experimental Design Approach

Alginate-based microparticles have been widely investigated for applications like enzyme immobilization, immunoisolation in cell transplantation and drug release systems. [...

In Vitro Release Behavior of Naproxen in Alginate–Chitosan Microparticles as Oral Drug Delivery Systems

Due to its topical irritant effect on gastric mucosa naproxen is an ideal candidate for encapsulation in pH sensitive drug delivery systems such as alginate– chitosan microparticles. [...