Minorías religiosas y política estatal en la Yugoslavia comunista: hacia metodologías alternativas de investigación

En este artículo, se presenta por primera vez una investigación académica sobre las minorías religiosas en la antigua Yugoslavia basada en los archivos de la policía secreta. Al contrario que en otros países de Europa del Este, el acceso a los archivos de la policía secreta en la antigua Yugoslavia sigue siendo muy limitado. Basándome investigación etnográfca y de archivo realizada en Serbia, argumento que las minorías religiosas constituyen un gran objeto de estudio para analizar las relaciones entre el estado y los grupos religiosos durante el período comunista. Este es especialmente el caso de los nazarenos pacifstas y los adventistas del séptimo día, debido a su trabajo misionero y sus redes internacionales y transnacionales. Este artículo propone el uso de archivos privados para contrarrestar el limitado acceso a archivos estatalesThis paper presents the first attempt to review the possibility of using secret police archives as a source for scholarly research on religious minorities in the former Yugoslavia. Unlike in other Eastern European countries, access to the secret police archives in former Yugoslavia is still very limited. Based on archival and ethnographic research conducted in Serbia, I argue that religious minorities represent a valuable resource for analysing relations between the state and religious groups during the communist period. This is especially true with regards to the pacifist Nazarenes and Seventh Day Adventists, because of their international and transnational networks and missionary work. This paper will address the possibilities of using private archives as a possible way in overcoming limited access to some of the state archival source

Heritage awareness and sustainability of built environment in architectural and urban design education : between best practices and real conditions

This paper presents the initial findings of the project on the Enhancing of Heritage Awareness and Sustainability of Built Environment in Architectural and Urban Design Higher Education (HERSUS), coordinated by University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture as a leading higher education institution, with partner institutions of Universita Iuav di Venezia, University of Cyprus – Department of Architecture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – School of Architecture and University of Sevilla – UNESCO Chair on Built Urban Heritage CREhAR in the digital era. The paper will present the review of the best practices on educating sustainability and heritage, specifically regarding mapping representation of (1) various scales in education, building practice and policy context in each country, and (2) scales across the consortium countries, aiming at identifying strengths connected to methods, materials and teaching experiences. The purpose of this initial phase is to support the participating Architectural Schools in establishing high-quality standards in the terms of sustainability of the built heritage, through cross-cultural communication and solving problems in an international environment. The paper will present the best practices on educating sustainability of heritage in different schools within European context, hence map (1) the relation of selected teaching courses, built projects and policies in regards to different scales – Landscape planning, Urban planning and design, and Architecture, Construction and Interior design, and (2) provide valuable insight for the context of Serbia regarding teaching and policy recommendations. Having in mind that majority of Serbian Network of Urban Morphology members are participating in this project, as well as the project leader, the special emphasis will be on the morphological perspective. The paper will highlight parallels of conditions and educational practices from different countries with the morphological tradition, observable through the existence of UM regional networks

Karakterizacija endopeptidaza srednjeg creva larvi Morimus funereus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Application of specific chromogenic substrates, use of class-specific inhibitors, and zymogram analysis enabled us to identify several peptidase classes in extracts of the midgut of Morimus funereus larvae. Zymogram analysis with gelatin as a peptidase substrate and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride as an inhibitor showed that serine peptidases were the most abundant endopeptidases in the midgut of M. funereus larvae. By zymogram analysis with gelatin as a peptidase substrate and 1,10-phenanthroline as an inhibitor, metallopeptidases were also detected. Analyses of serine peptidases with specific chromogenic substrates revealed dominance of elastase-like peptidases in extracts of the midgut of M. funereus larvae, with less pronounced chymotrypsin- and trypsin-like activities.Primenom specifičnih hromogenih supstrata, klasno-specifičnih inhibitora i zimogramske analize identifikovano je nekoliko klasa peptidaza u sirovom ekstraktu srednjeg creva larvi koleoptere Morimus funereus. Zimogramskom analizom sa želatinom kao supstratom i fenilmetilsulfonil-fluoridom kao inhibitorom utvrđeno je da su serin-peptidaze najzastupljenije peptidaze u ekstraktu srednjeg creva larvi M. funereus. Zimogramskom analizom sa želatinom kao supstratom i 1,10-fenantrolinom kaoinhibitorom takođe su detektovane metalopeptidaze. Analizom serin-peptidaza, upotrebom specifičnih hromogenih supstrata, dokazano je da su dominantni elastazi-slični enzimi u sirovom ekstraktu srednjeg creva larvi M. funereus, dok su himotripsinima- i tripsinima-slični enzimi manje zastupljeni

The influence of brake pads thermal conductivity on passanger car brake system efficiency

In phase of vehicle braking system designing, besides of mechanical characteristics, it is also necessary to take under consideration the system's thermal fatures. This is because it is not enough just to achieve proper braking power, for the brake system to be effective but equally important thing is the dissipation of heat to the environment. Heat developed in the friction surfaces dissipate into the environment over the disk in one hand and through the brake linings and caliper, in the other. The striving is to make that greatest amount of heat to dissipate not threw the brake pads butthrew disc. The experimental researching of heat transfer process taking place at vehicle brakes was made in the R&D Center of Zastava automobili car factory in order to increase the efficiency of brake system. The standard laboratory and road test procedures were used, according to factory quality regulations. The modern equipment such as thermo camera, thermo couples, torque transducers, signal amplifiers, optical speed measuring system and laptop computer were used. In this paper will be shown the part of the experimental researching, whichrefers to the thermal conductivity ofbrake pad friction linings

Assessment of Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in the Early Phase of Infection With SARS-CoV-2 Virus

BackgroundWe are facing the outburst of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) defined as a serious, multisystem, disorder, including various neurological manifestations in its presentation. So far, autonomic dysfunction (AD) has not been reported in patients with COVID-19 infection.AimAssessment of AD in the early phase of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 virus).Patients and methodsWe analyzed 116 PCR positive COVID-19 patients. After the exclusion of 41 patients with associate diseases (CADG), partitioned to patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and syncope, the remaining patients were included into a severe group (45 patients with confirmed interstitial pneumonia) and mild group (30 patients). Basic cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CART) were performed, followed by beat-to-beat heart rate variability (HRV) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (BPV) analysis, along with baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS). Non-linear analysis of HRV was provided by Poincare Plot. Results were compared to 77 sex and age-matched controls.ResultsAD (sympathetic, parasympathetic, or both) in our study has been revealed in 51.5% of severe, 78.0% of mild COVID-19 patients, and the difference compared to healthy controls was significant (p = 0.018). Orthostatic hypotension has been established in 33.0% COVID-19 patients compared to 2.6% controls (p = 0.001). Most of the spectral parameters of HRV and BPV confirmed AD, most prominent in the severe COVID-19 group. BRS was significantly lower in all patients (severe, mild, CADG), indicating significant sudden cardiac death risk.ConclusionCardiovascular autonomic neuropathy should be taken into account in COVID-19 patients’ assessment. It can be an explanation for a variety of registered manifestations, enabling a comprehensive diagnostic approach and further treatment

Uklanjanje fenola i fenolnih derivata iz vode imobilizovanom polifenol-oksidazom iz krompira

Phenols containing halogens, which tend to deactivate the aromatic nuclei, constitute a significant category of highly toxic and difficult-to-degrade pollutants, which arise from a wide variety of industries. The main purpose of this study was to obtain an inexpensive immobilized enzyme for the removal of phenols. Partially purified potato polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was immobilized onto different commercial and laboratory produced carriers. Three of the obtained biocatalysts, with the highest PPO activities, namely Eupergit C250L-PPO; Celite-PPO and CelluloseM-PPO, were tested in a batch reactor for the removal of phenol, 4-chlorophenol and 4-bromophenol. In the case of 2.5 mM substrates with Eupergit C250L-PPO, an around 45 % removal of 4-bromophenol was achieved, while the removals 4-chlorophenol and phenol were 35 and 20 %, respectively. The reusability of Eupergit C250L-PPO for the removal of 4-chlorophenol was tested. After eight repeated tests, the efficiency of 4-chlorophenol removal by Eupergit C250L-PPO immobilisate had decreased to 55 %.Halogenovani fenoli imaju dezaktivirano aromatično jezgro i čine značajnu kategoriju veoma toksičnih i teško razgradivih zagađivača u raznim industrijskim granama. Glavni cilj ovog rada je bio dobijanje jeftinog imobilizovanog enzima za uklanjanje fenola. Delimično prečišćena polifenol-oksidaza (PFO) iz krompira je imobilizovana na različitim komercijalnim i laboratorijski sintetizovanim nosačima. Od dobijenih biokatalizatora, tri sa najvećim aktivnostima PPO, nazvani Eupergit C250L-PFO; Celit-PFO i CelulozaM-PFO, testirani su u reaktoru za uklanjanje fenola, 4-hlorfenola i 4-bromfenola. U slučaju 2,5 mM supstrata sa Eupergit C250L-PFO, postignuto je oko 45 % razgradnje 4-bromfenola, dok su 4-hlorfenol i fenol razgrađeni 35, odnosno 20 %. Testirana je i sposobnost višestruke upotrebe Eupergit C250L-PFO imobilizata za uklanjanje 4-hlorfenola. Nakon osam ponovljenih ciklusa efikasnost Eupergit C250L-PFO imobilizata za uklanjanje 4-hlorfenola je pala na 55%

Risk factors for severe dental anxiety among medical students

Background/Aim. Severe dental anxiety (SDA) is the most severe form of dental anxiety, thus the aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with SDA in students of health-related disciplines. Methods. In this case-control study the cases were students with severe dental anxiety. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia. The participants were undergraduate students attending lectures during spring semester 2010/2011 (n = 1,812). A random sample of 800 students was assessed for the association between various risk factors and the severe dental anxiety. The main outcome measures were the data on demographics, dental anxiety, habits concerning oral hygiene, nutrition, general anxiety and (co)morbidity which were collected from the study participants by semi-structured question questionnaire. Results. Less frequent visits to the dentist (OR adjusted = 7.02 [2.65; 18.60]) and visiting the dentist only when there is a dental problem (OR adjusted = 8.08 [1.28; 50.93]) were associated with severe dental anxiety. The same was true for improper oral hygiene (OR adjusted = 4.25 [1.16; 15.60]). Factors as changing toothbrush more frequently (OR adjusted = 0.33 [0.14; 0.76]) and having chronic disease (OR adjusted = 0.01 [0.00; 0.09]) were inversely associated with severe dental anxiety. The level of education of students was not associated with severe dental anxiety. Conclusion. Inappropriate oral hygiene, less frequent changes of a toothbrush and less frequent visits to the dentist are important risk factors for severe dental anxiety

A high fat diet induces sex-specific differences in hepatic lipid metabolism and nitrite/nitrate in rats

This work is supported by the grants No.173033 and III41028 from the Ministry of Science, Republic of Serbia.Men and women differ substantially in regard to the severity of insulin resistance (IR) but the underlying mechanism(s) of how this occurs is poorly characterized. We investigated whether a high fat (HF) diet resulted in sex-specific differences in nitrite/nitrate production and lipid metabolism and whether these variances may contribute to altered obesity-induced IR. Male and female Wistar rats were fed a standard laboratory diet or a HF diet for 10 weeks. The level of plasma nitrite/nitrate, as well as free fatty acid (FFA), in both plasma and liver lysates were assessed. The levels of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS), p65 subunit of NFκB, total and phosphorylated forms of Akt, mTOR and PDK-1 in lysates, and the levels of glucose transporter 2 (Glut-2) and fatty acid translocase/cluster of differentiation 36 (FAT/CD36) in plasma membrane fractions of liver were assessed. HF-fed male rats exhibited a significant increase in plasma nitrite/nitrate, and hepatic FFA and FAT/CD36 levels compared with controls. They also displayed a relative decrease in iNOS and Glut-2 levels in the liver. Phosphorylation of Akt (at Ser473 and Thr308), mTOR and PDK-1 was also reduced. HF-fed female rats exhibited increased levels of NFκB-p65 in liver compared with controls, while levels of Glut-2, FAT/CD36 and Akt phosphorylation at Thr308 and PDK-1 were decreased. Our results reveal that altered lipid and glucose metabolism in obesity, lead to altered iNOS expression and nitrite/nitrate production. It is likely that this mechanism contributes to sex-specific differences in the development of IR.PostprintPeer reviewe

Acute Low Back Pain with Radiculopathy: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with acute low back pain (LBP) with radiculopathy. Background Data: Acute LBP with radiculopathy is associated with pain and disability and the important pathogenic role of inflammation. LLLT has shown significant antiinflammatory effects in many studies. Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 546 patients. Group A (182 patients) was treated with nimesulide 200 mg=day and additionally with active LLLT; group B (182 patients) was treated only with nimesulide; and group C (182 patients) was treated with nimesulide and placebo LLLT. LLLT was applied behind the involved spine segment using a stationary skin-contact method. Patients were treated 5 times weekly, for a total of 15 treatments, with the following parameters: wavelength 904 nm; frequency 5000 Hz; 100-mW average diode power; power density of 20 mW=cm 2 and dose of 3 J=cm 2 ; treatment time 150 sec at whole doses of 12 J=cm 2 . The outcomes were pain intensity measured with a visual analog scale (VAS); lumbar movement, with a modified Schober test; pain disability, with Oswestry disability score; and quality of life, with a 12-item short-form health survey questionnaire (SF-12). Subjects were evaluated before and after treatment. Statistical analyses were done with SPSS 11.5. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in all outcomes measured ( p < 0.001), but were larger in group A than in B ( p < 0.0005) and C ( p < 0.0005). The results in group C were better than in group B ( p < 0.0005). Conclusions: The results of this study show better improvement in acute LBP treated with LLLT used as additional therapy

17ß-Estradiol protects against the effects of a high fat diet on cardiac glucose, lipid and nitric oxide metabolism in rats

This work is supported by the grant No.173033 (to E.R.I.) from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia.The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo effects of estradiol (E2) on myocardial metabolism and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression/activity in obese rats. Male Wistar rats were fed with a normal or a high fat (HF) diet (42% fat) for 10 weeks. Half of the HF fed rats were treated with a single dose of E2 while the other half were placebo-treated. 24h after treatment animals were sacrificed. E2 reduced cardiac free fatty acid (FFA) (p<0.05), L-arginine (p<0.01), iNOS mRNA (p<0.01), and protein (p<0.05) levels and translocation of the FFA transporter (CD36) (p<0.01) to the plasma membrane (PM) in HF fed rats. In contrast, Akt phosphorylation at Thr308 (p<0.05) and translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 (p<0.05) to the PM increased after E2 tretment in HF rats. Our results indicate that E2 acts via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to partially protect myocardial metabolism by attenuating the detrimental effects of increased iNOS expression/activity in HF fed rats.PostprintPeer reviewe