CLIMATE CHANGE, DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND RESILIENCE

Climate change increases the risks of instability in all its forms, and significantly affects the frequency and intensity of natural threats. In the last two decades, 90 percent of the world\u27s major disasters were caused by events such as heat waves, floods, and weather-related droughts. The 2019 Disaster Risk Assessment for the Republic of Croatia for 10 out of 15 simple risks determined that climate change affected their occurrence. Climate change also affects complex risks, especially in urban areas. Therefore, when assessing the impact of climate change on the environment, it is necessary to consider the impact they have on disaster risks. Disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation have a common area of interest, partly overlapping, and activities to strengthen resilience and to prepare a response system require joint efforts and cooperation

Naša iskustva s 25 G transkonjunktivalnom bešavnom vitrektomijom

The discovery of the 25 gauge minimally invasive vitreoretinal surgery (Fujii et al.) has made possible to perform surgical procedures through small openings in conjunctiva and sclera of no more than 0.55 mm. Today, the procedure becomes ever more popular due to a reduced surgical trauma and faster postoperative recovery. The purpose of this report is to present first cases of minimally invasive transconjunctival sutureless 25 gauge vitreoretinal surgery (25 G TSV) in Croatia and to evaluate advantages of this new procedure. A case series of four patients (eyes) with posterior segment disease are presented. The new technique consisted of transconjunctival insertion of a small diameter cannula (0.5 mm) through sclera after conjunctival displacement. An Accurus 800 basic vitrectomy unit with 25 gauge Alcon system was used. Median postoperative Snellen visual acuity was 0.6 and mean postoperative intraocular pressure 14 mm Hg. Mean total vitrectomy time was 15 minutes. The mean postoperative follow up was 3 months. Intraoperatively, two conjunctival hemorrhages were noted at entry sites. Postoperative complications included retinal rupture without detachment in one eye. According to our initial experience, 25 gauge sutureless vitrectomy is a good choice for selected patients. Postoperative time is reduced and surgical trauma minimal with no signs of inflammation after two weeks.S otkrićem 25 G minimalno invazivne vitreoretinalne kirurgije (Fujii i sur.) omogućeno je izvođenje zahvata na stražnjem segmentu oka kroz spojnicu i rezove na bjeloočnici od 0,55 mm. Prednosti ove operacije su manja upalna reakcija, veći komfor za bolesnika te skraćeno vrijeme zahvata. Cilj rada je prikazati prve slučajeve transkonjuktivalne 25 G bešavne vitrektomije (25 G TSV) u Hrvatskoj te vrednovati prednosti ove metode. Daje se prikaz četvoro bolesnika s bolestima stražnjega očnog segmenta koji su podvrgnuti pars plana vitrektomiji sustavom 25 G Accurus 800 (Alcon). Nova tehnika se sastoji od transkonjuktivalnog i skleralnog postavljanja kanila malog promjera (0,5) mm. Srednja poslijeoperacijska vidna oštrina po Snellenu je bila 0,6, poslijeoperacijski očni tlak 14 mm Hg, a srednje vrijeme trajanja vitrektomije 15 min. Poslijeoperacijsko praćenje bilo je 3 mjeseca. Intraoperacijski su zabilježena dva konjuktivalna krvarenja. Poslijeoperacijske komplikacije uključivale su rupturu mrežnice bez odignuća. Zaključuje se kako je 25 G vitreoretinalna operacija dobar izbor za manje složene slučajeve poremećaja staklovine i mrežnice,jer pojednostavljuje tijek operacijskog zahvata uz ubrzan oporavak bolesnika

Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome

The vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMTS) is a clinical entity in which incomplete posterior vitreous detachment is causing traction on the macula. Since in some cases the traction may resolve spontaneously when complete posterior vitreous detachment occurs, vitrectomy is indicated when the duration of traction is longer than 4–6 months and is causing severe visual impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of pars plana vitrectomy in the treatment of macular disorders caused by vitreomacular traction. In our case the outcome of the vitrectomy and the number and severity of the surgical complications did not differ from the complications when vitrectomy was performed in eyes without vitreomacular traction. With the development of new drugs for nonsurgical treatment of vitreomacular traction by enzymatic vitreolysis, in the future vitrectomy could become restricted only to refractory cases

Prestressed membrane structures

Graduation thesis presents the entire issue of prestressed membrane structures. At the beginning a historical overview of prestressed membrane structures predecessors is given and then the behavior of prestressed double curved membranes is described. Dependence of the external load, prestress and curvature is discussed. It also presents three basic forms of prestressed membranes which are the basis of all other forms. The components and materials of prestressed membrane structures are discussed, with emphasis on the membranes. Manufacturing and mechanical and nonmechanical properties of different membranes are described. It also presents the methods for determining the mechanical characteristics of composite membranes. Uniaxial tensile testing of different composite membranes of manufacturers Verseidag and Ferrari was carried out (9 different membranes, three specimens in the warp and three in the weft direction for each) where stiffness, irreversible deformation and tensile strength are determined. Furthermore, three major phases in the design of prestressed membrane structures are discussed - formfinding, statical analysis and cutting pattern; methods and working of Easy software were presented simultaneously. At the end of the first part of the thesis connection edge and corner details, the process of membrane prefabrication, installation and tensioning are presented. In the second part three projects of prestressed membrane structures are designed with software Easy which was lent to me by Technet. For each example the three major phases of design are made, determination of membrane mechanical properties from biaxial test diagrams are shown, structure components are dimensioned, possible details, erection and tensioning process are proposed\u

Interesi učenika osnovne škole za izbornu nastavu tehničke kulture i školske aktivnosti u Hrvatskoj

Allowing pupils to choose the content of their learning is an important step towards individualized development. Despite the need proclaimed by society for the development of competences in STEM area, educational cycles in this field are the least represented in the Croatian general education curriculum. This research was conducted in order to gain insight into pupils’ interests in the contents of technical culture and for school activities. The research was conducted on a stratified sample of primary school pupils in Croatia (N = 2155) aged 11 to 15 years. The analysis of the research results showed that the activities from ICT, robotics, programming and woodworking are the most attractive. When it comes to school activities, pupils most prefer sports activities, computer activities, experiments in science subjects and then technical activities. This result suggests that the school curricula needs to be redesigned so that pupils can develop according to their interests.Učenikova mogućnost izbora sadržaja učenja tijekom općeg obveznog obrazovanja važan je korak ka individualiziranom razvoju. Unatoč proklamiranim potrebama društva za razvojem kompetencija u tzv. STEM području, u hrvatskom su obrazovnom sustavu aktivnosti iz ovog područja najmanje zastupljene u kurikulumu općeg obrazovanja. Stoga je provedeno istraživanje interesa učenika za izbornu nastavu tehničke kulture te za aktivnosti koje bi odabrali kad bi mogli birati što će u školi učiti i raditi. Istraživanje je provedeno na stratificiranom uzorku učenika osnovnih škola u Hrvatskoj (N = 2155) u dobi od 11. do 15. godine života. Analizom rezultata istraživanja ustanovljeno je da su aktivnosti iz IKT-a, robotike, programiranja i modelarstva najatraktivnija područja za izbornu nastave tehničke kulture. Kad je riječ o aktivnostima u školi, učenici bi najradije odabrali sportske aktivnosti, a potom slijede informatičke, prirodoznanstvene i tehničke aktivnosti. Ovakav nalaz ukazuje na nužnu preobrazbu školskog kurikuluma koji će učenicima omogućiti razvoj u skladu s njihovim interesima

Genetic Polymorphisms of 15 STR Loci within Turkish Student Population Living in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Allele frequencies of 15 STRs included in the PowerPlex 16 System (D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51, Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, VWA, D8S1179, TPOX and FGA) were calculated from the referent sample of 100 unrelated individuals of both sexes from Turkish student population living in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Buccal swab, as a source of DNA, was collected from the volunteers from whom the informed consent form was obtained. DNA extraction was performed using QIAamp DNA Micro kit by Qiagen. DNA template ranging from 0.5 to 2 ng was used to amplify 15 STR loci by PCR multiplex amplification which was performed by using the PowerPlex 16 kit (Promega Corp., Madison, WI, USA) according to the manufacturer’s protocol. The amplifications were carried out in a PE Gene Amp PCR System thermal cycler (Applied Biosystems) and capillary electrophoresis was car- ried out in an ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems) in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommen- dations. The frequency of each locus was calculated from the numbers of each observed genotype. Deviation from Hardy- -Weinberg equilibrium and observed heterozygosity were calculated. Data were analyzed by using Microsoft Excel work- book template – Powerstats V12 and the power of discrimination (PD), power of exclusion (PE), as well as other popula- tion genetic indices for the 15 STR loci were calculated. Obtained results contribute to existing Turkish DNA database, as well as insight of differences and similarities in comparison to population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, 13 autosomal STR loci frequencies (D3S1358, TH01, D21S1 1, D18S51, Penta E, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSFIPO, Penta D, VWA, D8S1 179, TPOX, and FGA) were studied in 15 different worldwide populations (Turkish, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Montenegrin, Macedonian, Albanian, Kosovan, Greek, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Lithua- nian, Iraqi, Belarusian). For the proof of corresponding data, two different Turkish population STR data obtained from previously published articles were compared with our data and this showed that our data correspond to these 2 previ- ously published data. Further, STR allele frequency data for 13 loci for each population were obtained from previous sci- entific articles and the allele frequencies and genetic diversity among the 15 sample populations were compared. In addi- tion, even though the populations are from different nationalities, the STR data are similar among the geographically close populations. The phylogenetic tree established among worldwide populations and genetic distance values show a great affinity among the 15 populations. Our data is useful for anthropological and further comparative genetic studies of populations

»Brilliant Blue G« and »Membrane Blue Dual« assisted Vitrectomy for Macular Hole

The aim of this study is to evaluate vital dyes »Brilliant Blue G« (BBG) and »Membrane Blue Dual« (MBD) for intraoperative staining of the inner limiting membrane (ILM) during vitrectomy for macular hole (MH). Retrospective, comparative case series on 18 eyes with macular holes who underwent »23 and 25 gauge« pars plana vitrectomy. Main outcome measurements were staining intensity and characteristics, visual acuity, visual field, OCT measurements and complications over a period of 6 months. With the help of BBG and MBD succesfully was removed complete ILM in 14 eyes. Postoperative visual acuity was improved in 12 patients, unchanged in 2 patients and worse in 4 patients. Central retinal thickness showed significant postoperative reduction with closure of macular hole. OCT values range were from –10 to –250 mm. No visual field defects and no adverse effects were found. BBG and MBD sucesfully identificate internal limiting membrane during vitrectomy for MH. Good anatomical and functional results are achieved with the use of both vital dyes

REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA U GLOBALNOM SVIJETU NAFTE

Crude oil had a significant influence on the development of both global and Croatian economies. The dynamic growth of production, refining and consumption of crude oil, especially in the 1970s and 1980s was followed by and influenced the significantly higher growth rates of the gross domestic product than those occurred during the last years. Major oil companies were the leaders of the economic development on the global level, while at the local level such leaders are smaller national companies, such as INA Plc. and JANAF Plc. in Croatia. Oil economy developed in turbulent conditions of crude oil market with constant oscillations of crude oil prices, through adjustments to the challenges of implementing new energy policies and measures with regard to climate changes, political crises, and others. Over the last years, a stagnation in crude oil production and consumption has been observed on the global level (4,2 -4,3 billion tons), with a decline being recorded in the developed countries, while higher growth rates have been noticed in China, India and the emerging Asian economies. The beginnings of crude oil (exploration and production) in Croatia dated back to the first half of the 19th century and the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century (refineries) respectively. The bloom of the Croatian oil economy during the 1970s and 1980s was marked by the crude oil production hitting a record high of 3,1 mil. tons (in 1981) in comparison with the present 613 thousand tons (in 2015) and refining of an all-time high amounting to 9,2 mil. tons (in 1979) as compared to the present 3,5 mil. tons. Croatia contributes with 0,145 pro mille in the global oil production and with 0,862 pro mille in the global oil consumption. Further development and globalisation of oil sector may occur through intensifying the activities on crude oil exploration and production both in Croatia and abroad, but also along with the refineries modernization and increase of share on both domestic and foreign markets. Crude oil transport followed the development of crude oil refining on the domestic market, and especially on the foreign markets of the countries of South-Eastern and Central Europe, with the highest transport of 9,7 mil. tons being achieved in 1990, as compared to 6,2 mil. tons in 2015, with the growth trend being observed owing to increase in transport for foreign refineries and their diversification of crude oil imports from the Omišalj direction. The diversification strategy directed towards storage of crude oil and petroleum products further supports the growth of oil companies and Croatian economy as well. The Croatian oil economy will still remain under the influence of volatile oil market characterised by: price volatility, global trend of reducing the petroleum products consumption, stricter regulations and quality standards, policies and measures for enhancing the security of supply, growing costs and investments together with pressures of reducing prices, growth trend of imports and competitiveness of petroleum products, diversification of supply sources and routes and other. Therefore, continuous adjustments are necessary, as well as prompt responses to challenges and development of new strategies for diversification and growth.Nafta je imala značajni utjecaj na razvoj svjetskog pa tako i hrvatskog gospodarstva. Dinamičan rast proizvodnje, prerade i potrošnje nafte, posebno 1970. tih i 1980. tih godina bio je praćen i utjecao je na znatno veće stope rasta bruto domaćeg proizvoda nego su one posljednjih godina. Velike nafte kompanije bile su nositelji gospodarskog razvoja na svjetskoj razini, a na lokalnoj razini to su manje nacionalne kompanije, kao što su INA d.d. i JANAF d.d. u Hrvatskoj. Naftno gospodarstvo razvijalo se u turbuletnim uvjetima naftnog tržišta uz stalne oscilacije cijena nafte, prilagođavajući se izazovima provedbe novih energetskih politika i mjera u vezi klimatskih promjena, političkim krizama, i dr. Posljednjih godina proizvodnja i potrošnja nafte stagniraju na svjetskoj razini (4,2 -4,3 milijarde tona), pri čemu se u razvijenim državama bilježi pad, a veće stope rasta u Kini, Indiji i rastućim ekonomijama Azije. Počeci nafte (istraživanje i proizvodnja) u Hrvatskoj bili su u prvoj polovici 19. stoljeća, odnosno krajem 19. i početkom 20. stoljeća (rafinerije). Procvat naftnog gospodarstva Hrvatske u 1970. tim i 1980. tim godinama obilježili su rekordna proizvodnja nafte od 3,1 mil. tona (1981.) prema današnjih 613 tisuća tona (2015.) i rekordna prerada od 9,2 mil. tona (1979.) prema današnjih 3,5 mil. tona. Hrvatska sudjeluje s 0,145 promila u svjetskoj proizvodnji nafte i s 0,862 promila u svjetskoj potrošnji nafte. Daljnji razvoj i globalizacija naftnog sektora može se desiti intenziviranjem istraživanja i proizvodnje nafte kako u Hrvatskoj tako i u inozemstvu, ali i uz modernizaciju rafinerija i povećanje udjela na domaćem i inozemnim tržištima. Transport nafte pratio je razvoj prerade nafte na domaćem tržištu, ali posebno na inozemnim tržištima država jugoistočne i srednje Europe, pa je tako najveći transport od 9,7 mil. tona ostvaren u 1990. prema 6,2 mil. tona u 2015. s trendom rasta zbog povećanja transporta za inozemne rafinerije i njihove diverzifikacije uvoza nafte iz pravca Omišlja. Strategija diverzifikacije prema skladištenju nafte i naftnih derivata podržava i dalje rast kako naftnih kompanija tako i hrvatske ekonomije. Naftno gospodarstvo Hrvatske biti će i dalje pod utjecajem promjenjivog naftnog tržišta kojeg obilježava: promjenjivost cijena, globalni trend smanjenja potrošnje derivata, stroža regulativa i standardi kvalitete, politika i mjere za povećanjem sigurnosti opskrbe, rast troškova i investicija uz pritiske smanjenja cijena, trend rasta uvoza i konkurentnosti derivata, diverzifikacija izvora i pravaca opskrbe, i dr. Zbog toga su nužne kontinuirane prilagodbe, brzi odgovori na izazove i razvoj novih strategija diverzifikacije i rasta