bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of the immunization program in Vojvodina
Authors: Seguljev Zorica , Petrovic Vladimir , Cosic Gorana , Djuric Predrag , Petrovic Mladen , Ilic Svetlana
Published: June 2008

Introduction. With the widespread use of active immunization, significant results have been achieved in the control and prevention of numerous communicable diseases. The Expanded Programme on Immunization of the World Health Organization is intended to strengthen national programs for the reduction in the incidence and mortality rates and global elimination or eradication of communicable diseases. The aim of this paper is to analyze results of the immunization program in Vojvodina. Material and methods. The results of the immunization program were analyzed on the basis of the incidence rates, since the introduction of the mandatory reporting system, till 2006. The analysis included immunization coverage against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis and measles as well as reported cases of missed opportunities in the period from 1997 to 2006. Results. Poliomyelitis has not been reported in Vojvodina since 1963, diphtheria since 1978 and measles in the period from 2001 to 2006. Sporadic cases of pertussis have been reported in unimmunized children of the youngest age, and tetanus in unimmunized elderly population. Vaccination coverage against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis was above 96%. Vaccination coverage against measles was lower (95% vaccination, 87% revaccination). The highest proportion of missed opportunities was caused by not responding to immunization calls (46.6%). Conclusion. These results can be maintained by up-to-date (UTD) immunization and high vaccination coverage without territorial and population differences. Data on the total number of children without up-to-date vaccination cannot be obtained on the basis of administrative coverage follow-up. It is necessary to establish follow-up mechanisms for UTD immunization, which would reveal the number of children at risk from vaccine preventable diseases and characteristics of unimmunized population.
Health of the population of Vojvodina
Authors: Martinov-Cvejin Mirjana , Grujic Vera , Susnjevic Sonja , Kvrgic Svetlana , Arsic Miodrag , Ac-Nikolic Erzebet
Published: June 2008

Population characteristics. The Province of Vojvodina is a region with 16% of population aged 65 and over, average age of 38.1 years, and aging index 0.85%. Vital statistics show low birth rate, increased death rate and as a result - a negative population growth. Morbidity and mortality. The leading causes of death were cardiovascular diseases, malignant diseases and injuries, accounting for more than 2/3 of all deaths. The most common outpatient morbidity of adult population included respiratory diseases, but cardiovascular diseases were of greater public health concern, accounting for more than 1/5 of the total morbidity. The hospital morbidity data showed that malignant diseases, cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal diseases were the most frequent. Health professionals. In 2005, a highly-developed network included 77 health-care institutions with 29.659 employees, out of which 20.960 were health professionals (4.577 doctors, 754 dentists and 423 pharmacists).
The foundation and development of the department of pharmacy of the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad (2000-2007)
Authors: Popovic Jovan
Published: June 2008

The Department of Pharmacy. The first 50 pharmacy students were enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad in the academic year 2000/2001. The Institute of Pharmacy was established on July 10, 2001. The Department of Pharmacy was established on December 18, 2001, with more than 150 faculty members. Since then, 82 students have graduated with honours. Visiting professors from Athens, Skopje, Reading (Great Britain) and Banja Luka, and professors of the Faculty of Science and Mathematics and the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, together with the professors and associates of the Faculty of Medicine, are members of the Faculty of the Department of Pharmacy. Activities of the Department of Pharmacy. The Department offers a 5-year undergraduate program in pharmacy, practical courses in pharmacy, takes part in higher education reform in accordance with the Bologna objectives, organizes visits to European centers of the pharmaceutical industry, and provides mentoring activities in relation to writing a graduation paper. The First Balkan Congress of Pharmacy Students was held March 7-12, 2006 in Novi Sad. The Department of Pharmacy of the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad has achieved the objectives set for it when it was Established.
Health and environment
Authors: Novakovic Budimka , Kristoforovic-Ilic Miroslava , Trajkovic-Pavlovic Ljiljana , Torovic Ljilja , Jevtic Marija , Bijelovic Sanja , Balac Dragana , Bjelanovic Jelena , Popovic Milka
Published: June 2008

Introduction. The Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, is responsible for undergraduate and graduate courses in the field of preventive medicine. The principal task of physicians in the 21st century is to provide health promotion and disease prevention. In the future, evaluation of physician knowledge and competence will be predominantly based on patients' health conditions. Health and Environment. Human health is a result of long-term interaction between human genome and the environment. Good human health requires permanent control of health conditions as well as control of environmental health hazards. Various environmental factors, such as physical, chemical, biological, social and economic, affect the population health. Air, drinking water and food are fundamental to the existence of life of all living beings on Earth, and therefore they have enormous influence on the health of individuals and populations. Conclusion. The significance of the above mentioned requirements, essential for human health, is the reason why the Department of Hygiene conducted an investigation on the quality of air, food and water (water is a foodstuff as well) in Vojvodina.
The frequency of human parvovirus B19 infections in Vojvodina
Authors: Milosevic Vesna , Jerant-Patic Vera , Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic Ivana , Vukmanovic-Papuga Marija , Radovanov-Tadic Jelena , Kovacevic Gordana
Published: June 2008

Introduction. Human parvovirus B19 is found worldwide. It causes various infections, including fifth disease (erythema infectiosum) in small children, acute arthropathy in adults, transient aplastic crisis and chronic anemia in immmunocompromised patients and even fetal infection, which may result in intrauterine fetal death or fetal hydrops. Many of these manifestations of B19 infection are caused by infection of erythroid precursor cells in bone marrow. Material and Methods. The aim of this paper was to establish the frequency of parvovirus B19 infection in the population of Vojvodina, as well as to indicate the significance of further investigations particularly in highly vulnerable population groups such as small children, pregnant women and immune deficient persons. A total of 244 serum samples of out- and in-patients of different age were analyzed using SERION ELISA classic parvovirus B19 IgG/IgM quantitative and qualitative tests for identification of specific antibodies against human parvovirus B19. Results. Acute infection was found in 35% of examinees, whereas parvoviurs B19 was identified in 32% of examined persons. Our tests results proved that 20% of examined pregnant women in our surroundings have acute HPB19 infection. At the same time, 45% of pregnant women have no specific antibodies, so they are at risk of infection during pregnancy. Acute infection was diagnosed in 41 children (43%): 22 samples (23%) were positive only to IgG antibodies and in 32 samples (34%) neither IgM nor IgG antibodies were identified. Acute infection was more frequently found in preschool children, i.e. in children aged 4 to 6 years (29%). Conclusion. In the absence of complete data on the frequency of particular diseases caused by this virus in our population, tests for human parvovirus B19 are strongly recommended.
Current differential diagnosis of hypereosinophilic syndrome
Authors: Dinic-Uzurov Vera , Lalosevic Vesna , Milosevic Ivana , Urosevic Ivana , Lalosevic Dusan , Popovic Stevan
Published: June 2008

Introduction. Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a group of idiopathic disorders associated with single or multiple organ system dysfunction. HES must be distinguished from reactive eosinophilia in parasitic infections, allergic diseases, and especially from hematological diseases of clonal origin. Reactive eosinophilia due to infectious and parasitic diseases. Tissue helminth infections, especially toxocariasis, cause severe and long-standing hypereosinophilia. Despite specific therapy, eosinophilia may persist for over a year after diagnosis, and decreases slowly. Other helminth infections, such as trichinellosis, strongyloidosis, and rarely taeniasis and cysticercosis may also be diagnosed in patients with eosinophilia. Hematologic and other neoplastic diseases. Numerous neoplastic diseases, like Hodgkin's and other malignant lymphomas, myeloproliferative diseases, systemic mastocytosis etc., may be associated with marked eosinophilia. We had two patients with clinical and histological features resembling chronic eosinophilic leukemia, and many others with T-cell lymphoma, planocellular or adenocarcinoma etc. where eosinophilia persisted. Drug-induced eosinophilia. Drugs associated with eosinophilia include penicillins, tetracyclines, especially minocycline, clarithromycin, tetrazepam, mefloquine, and many others. Toxins associated with L-tryptophan cause eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome and toxic oil syndrome, also belonging in this group. Treatment includes drug discontinuation and administration of corticosteroids. Hypereosinophilia with organ dysfunction. Many severe diseases, such as sarcoidosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, pemphigus vulgaris, eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, inflammatory bowel disease and many others are associated with hypereosinophilia and target organ damage, e.g. involvement of the heart, lungs, skin, or nervous tissue. Conclusion. Eosinophilia can be classified as either familial or acquired. Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a subcategory of idiopathic eosinophilia. If the differential diagnosis of hypereosinophilia fails to resolve the etiology succesfully, the diagnosis of idiopathic HES remains.
Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction due to knee instability
Authors: Milankov Miroslav , Milicic Aleksandar , Savic Dragan , Stankovic Milan , Ninkovic Srdjan , Matijevic Radmila , Radic Srdjan
Published: June 2008

Introduction. The primary goal of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is to provide stability to the knee and regain full range of motion. Although great improvement has been achieved in surgical techniques and rehabilitation, some patients are not completely satisfied with the results of surgery and a revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is necessary. Material and Methods. Revision arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was carried out in eleven patients with bone-tendon-bone autografts. The surgery was performed in a standard manner and the graft was taken from the opposite knee. Eight men and three women were evaluated. The mean age of patients was 26 (17-34) years. Repeated instability of the knee was caused by injury in five patients, while six patients were unsatisfied with the position of the graft. Results. The follow up was 4,2 years (2-8) respectively. The mean Lysholm and Gillquist score after operation was 88 (65-90). Preoperative and postoperative tibial shift was 9mm (6-15) and 2mm (0-4), respectively. The preoperative pivot shift test was grade 2 and 3 in all patients. Postoperative pivot shift test was negative in seven patients, in three it was grade 1 and grade 2 in one patient. According to the IKDC scale, preoperative results were abnormal in three patients and in eight they were severely abnormal. Postoperative IKDC score was normal in five patients, in four nearly normal, and in one patient the score was still abnormal. Five patients continued to be active in sports activities, four patients decreased the level of sports activity and two stopped all sports activities. Conclusion. Success of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction requires detailed preoperative evaluation of the repeated instability of the knee. The treatment plan is then decided upon. The patients must be preoperatively informed about the real possibilities of revision surgery. Only a mutual collaboration between the patient, physiatrist and a surgeon is a key for successful treatment and return to previous level of sports activities.
Remifentanil and conventional laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation
Authors: Vickovic Sanja , Pjevic Miroslava , Stanisavljevic Snezana
Published: June 2008

Introduction. Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in patients undergoing surgical procedures under balanced general endotracheal anesthesia may provoke a sympathetic response with tachycardia and hypertension. Material and Methods. Various pharmacological agents, such as anesthetics, analgesics, adrenergic blockers, can modify the hemodynamic response. This investigation evaluated the effects of three different doses of remifentanil on the cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and orotracheal intubation. The study included 100 patients of both sexes, aged between 21 and 64 years, undergoing various types of surgical procedures under general anesthesia. Patients received remifentanil just before the initiation of anesthesia, and thiopental was used for induction of anesthesia. Results and Conclusion. The results of this investigation indicate that intravenous bolus dose of remifentanil of 0.5mg/kg, combined with thiopental, reduces the cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, whereas bolus doses of remifentanil, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg, provide cardiovascular stability, as well as safe and efficient induction of anesthesia.
Current diagnostic trends in radiology
Authors: Lucic Zorka , Hadnadjev Dusan , Govorcin Mira , Stojanovic Sanja , Till Viktor , Lucic Milos , Koprivsek Katarina , Idjuski Stevan , Petrovic Kosta , Nikolic Olivera , Kozarski Dejan , Lucic Silvija , Adjic Oto
Published: June 2008

Since the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad R?entgen at the end of the 19th century, diagnostic imaging techniques have been continously improved by technological advances, bringing radiological diagnosis into the very center of modern medicine. Nowadays, it is hard to imagine therapy planning without previous radiological examination. Great advances in the field of computer technology have been accompanied by development of radiological techniques, and today they include not only morphological and anatomical, but also dynamic, functional and molecular imaging. This paper is an overview of new and improved radiological techniques and their implementation.
Ultrasound-guided water enema for reduction of childhood intussusception
Authors: Marinkovic Smiljana , Bukarica Svetlana , Jeckovic Mihajlo , Skoric Svetlana , Antic Jelena , Starcevic Zvezdana
Published: June 2008

Introduction. Intussusception is a common abdominal emergency in infants and children. Ultrasonography and barium enema are very useful in diagnosis and treatment of this condition. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of ultrasound-guided saline enema for intussusception and to determine if some factors may improve the outcome of this technique. Material and methods. Intussusception was diagnosed in 63 patients at the Clinic of Pediatric Surgery in Novi Sad. The study period was divided into two 2-year phases: phase I, from 2001 through 2002, and phase II, from 2003 through 2004. During phase I, besides barium enema and fluoroscopy, we started using ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided hydrostatic saline enema in the diagnosis and reduction of intussusception. In phase II, this method of reduction was routinely used in all cases. Our technique of ultrasonic reduction was similar to the conventional hydrostatic barium reduction, except the reservoir was higher than that of barium, analgosedation ot patients was performed and in case of difficult and prolonged reduction, gentle manual pressure to the abdomen at right lower quadrant was used. Results. In phase I the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting intussusception was 53.8% , and 100% in phase II. The success rate of ultrasound-guided saline enema was 55.5% in phase I, and 83.8% in phase II. Only 6 patients (16.2%) underwent operative manual reduction of intussusception in phase II. There were no cases with bowel gangrene or perforations in both groups. Conclusions. Ultrasonography is a useful screening tool in the diagnosis of intussusception. The main advantage of hydrostatic reduction with ultrasound guidance is avoidance of ionizing radiation. The success rate of this method of reduction may be increased with an integrated team approach to the management and with modifications of the technique.
Chondroma of the skull base and maxilla
Authors: Kiralj Aleksandar , Ilic Miroslav , Markov Borislav , Dedic Srdja , Pejakovic Bojan , Nalic Benjamin
Published: June 2008

Introduction. Chondromas are uncommon benign tumors of cartilaginous origin. Although chonodroma of the jaw is extremely rare, the commonly involved are the anterior portion of the maxilla, condyle and coronoid process. A chondroma is a painless, slow growing tumor causing destruction and exfoliation of teeth. On a radiograph, the tumor appears as a cyst-like radiolucent lesion, while some are sclerotic. The borders are usually ill-defined. Irregular calcifications may be seen with radiolucencies and then it is an osteochondroma. Material and Methods. We present a patient with a resected and histologically proven chondroma of the skull base and maxilla. A 65-year-old female was admitted to our clinic with swelling and breathing difficulties. MRI showed a large soft tissue mass of the skull base and maxilla. Clinicopathological and radiological features were examined by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Discussion and Conclusion. Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is a rare, benign cartilaginous tumor that often occurs in the metaphyses of proximal tibia, proximal and distal femur and small bones of the foot. The differential diagnosis is wide and includes simple or aneyrismal bone cyst, giant cell tumor, nonossifying fibroma, fibrous dysplasia, enchondroma, chondroblastoma, eosinophilic granuloma and fibrous cortical defect. Our case demonstrates an uncommon occurrence in the maxillary sinus: CMF with nasal, pterygoid and orbital infiltration. In the diagnosis of an intracranial chondrocytic tumor, it is important to distinguish it from enchondroma and chondrosarcoma. MR provides a detailed assessment of soft tissue masses of the craniofacial region, while CT offers superior analysis of bone structure involvement. The present case underlines the importance of MR examination in the diagnosis of soft tissue masses in the craniofacial region.
Vision related quality of life: A cataract study
Authors: Latinovic Slobodanka , Canadanovic Vladimir , Babic Nikola , Ljesevic Ljiljana , Grkovic Desanka , Zikic Zoran , Babovic Sinisa , Davidovic Sofija , Barisic Sava , Karadzic Jelena , Malesevic Marijana
Published: June 2008

Introduction. Since 1996, advanced methods and new instruments for the assessment of vision quality of life (VisQoL) index (37 and 15) have been developed and applied at the University Eye Clinic in Novi Sad. Many researches assume that postoperative results should not be evaluated only by postoperative visual acuity, but also by subjective perception of visual function and the patients ability to perform everyday activities, i.e. by quality of life. Therefore, our clinical results were based on both parameters of visual function, as the most objective attributes for assessing outcomes of certain types of cataract surgery. Material and Methods. Based on the results of the Cataract Study in Vojvodina in 2004, 5.7% of patients waiting for cataract surgery were already blind, 16.5% had low vision with cataract on both eyes, and 57% of patients had monocular blindness. Results and Discussion. With improvement of visual acuity to 0.5 or higher, after cataract surgery in 96.5% of patients, the cumulative VisQoL 15-index changed from 59.3 to 95.5. Intraocular lens implantation contributed most to the significant improvement in the vision related quality of life. Our study showed that pseudophakic patients had better quality of life than aphakic patients, who had the same visual acuity and refractive correction. Difficulties in performing everyday activities, such as shopping, using the telephone and reading, were found in 12.7% of aphakic, but only in 3% of pseudophakic patients. Conclusion. Advanced phacoemulsification techniques enable operated cataract patients immediate vision recovery, better quality of life, and personal satisfaction with visual function in everyday activities.
The effect of combustion chamber geometry layout on combustion and emission
Authors: Jovanovic Zoran , Petrovic Stojan , Tomic Miroljub
Published: June 2008

In this paper some results concerning the combined effect of the tumble flow and combustion chamber geometry layout variations on flame front shape and its propagation through homogenous mixture of isooctane and air are presented. Spatial distributions of NO in different combustion chamber geometries are presented as well. The basic combustion chamber geometry layout considered consists of the flat head with two vertical valves and a cylindrical bowl subjected to variations of depth and squish area. All results presented were obtained by dint of multidimensional modeling of reactive flows in arbitrary geometry with moving objects and boundaries with modified KIVA3 and KIVA3V source codes. Two additional computer codes were applied to generate boundary conditions for KIVA3V calculations with moving valves. The AVL TYCON code was used for the calculation of valve lift profiles, and AVL BOOST code was used for the calculation of relevant data set in the valve regions. Different combustion chamber geometry layouts generate different levels of squish, and the combustion effects in essence depend on the interaction of that flow with tumble. It was found that for particular combustion chamber shapes with different diameter/depth aspect ratios entirely different flame front shapes and propagation velocities were encountered primarily due to variations of fluid flow patterns in the vicinity of top dead center.
Studies on variable swirl intake system for DI diesel engine using computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Jebamani Rathnaraj , Kumar Narendra
Published: June 2008

It is known that a helical port is more effective than a tangential port to attain the required swirl ratio with minimum sacrifice in the volumetric efficiency. The swirl port is designed for lesser swirl ratio to reduce emissions at higher speeds. But this condition increases the air fuel mixing time and particulate smoke emissions at lower speeds. Optimum swirl ratio is necessary according to the engine operating condition for optimum combustion and emission reduction. Hence the engine needs variable swirl to enhance the combustion in the cylinder according to its operating conditions, for example at partial load or low speed condition it requires stronger swirl, while the air quantity is more important than the swirl under very high speed or full load and maximum torque conditions. The swirl and charging quantity can easily trade off and can be controlled by the opening of the valve. Hence in this study the steady flow rig experiment is used to evaluate the swirl of a helical intake port design for different operating conditions. The variable swirl plate set up of the W06DTIE2 engine is used to experimentally study the swirl variation for different openings of the valve. The sliding of the swirl plate results in the variation of the area of inlet port entry. Therefore in this study a swirl optimized combustion system varying according to the operating conditions by a variable swirl plate mechanism is studied experimentally and compared with the computational fluid dynamics predictions. In this study the fluent computational fluid dynamics code has been used to evaluate the flow in the port-cylinder system of a DI diesel engine in a steady flow rig. The computational grid is generated directly from 3-D CAD data and in cylinder flow simulations, with inflow boundary conditions from experimental measurements, are made using the fluent computational fluid dynamics code. The results are in very good agreement with experimental results.
Investigating the impact of in-vehicle transients on diesel soot emissions
Authors: Filipi Zoran , Hagena Jonathan , Fathy Hosam
Published: June 2008

This paper describes development of a test cell setup for concurrent running of a real engine and a simulation of the vehicle system, and its use for investigating highly-dynamic engine-in-vehicle operation and its effect on diesel engine emissions. Running an engine in the test cell under conditions experienced in the vehicle enables acquiring detailed insight into dynamic interactions between power train sub-systems, and the impact of it on fuel consumption and transient emissions. This type of data may otherwise be difficult and extremely costly to obtain from a vehicle prototype test. In particular, engine system response during critical transients and the effect of transient excursions on emissions are investigated using advanced, fast-response test instrumentation and emissions analyzers. Main enablers of the work include the highly dynamic AC electric dynamometer with the accompanying computerized control system and the computationally efficient simulation of the driveline/vehicle system. The latter is developed through systematic energy-based proper modeling that tailors the virtual model to capture critical powertrain transients while running in real time. Coupling the real engine with the virtual driveline/vehicle offers a chance to easily modify vehicle parameters, and even study different power train configurations. In particular, the paper describes the engine-in-the-loop study of a V-8, 6l engine coupled to a virtual 4?4 off road vehicle. This engine is considered as a high-performance option for this truck and the real prototype of the complete vehicle does not exist yet. The results shed light on critical transients in a conventional powertrain and their effect on NOx and soot emissions. Measurements demonstrate very large spikes of particulate concentration at the initiation of vehicle acceleration events. Characterization of transients and their effect on particulate emission provides a basis for devising engine-level or vehicle level strategies, and direct guidance for developing drive-by-wire systems and/or hybrid supervisory control.
Spatial flow velocity distribution around an inlet port/valve annulus
Authors: Pajkovic Vladimir , Petrovic Stojan
Published: June 2008

An experimental investigation of the airflow through inlet port of a standard production direct injection diesel engine is presented. The investigation comprises mass flow rate and pressure drop measurements at fixed valve lifts, and spatial distributions of mean and r.m.s. velocity components around the port/valve annulus measured under steady flow conditions by special designed miniature hot-wire anemometer X probe. The results show that the velocity field is distributed non-uniformly across the valve gap and around valve periphery. Nonuniformity is more expressed at higher valve lifts. Flow instability in a jet leaving the port (jet flapping) is also evident since the skewness and kurtosis of the velocity probability distribution function depart from the Gaussian form. The presented experimental method, based on the application of miniature multiple hot-wire probes, makes possible investigation of flow performances of an inlet port and poppet valve assembly of a production engine head without any modification for ensuring an optical access within the port/cylinder.
Investigation into the effect of different fuels on ignition delay of M-type diesel combustion process
Authors: Bibic Dzevad , Filipovic Ivan , Hribernik Ales , Pikula Boran
Published: June 2008

An ignition delay is a very complex process which depends on a great number of parameters. In practice, definition of the ignition delay is based on the use of correlation expressions. However, the correlation expressions have very often limited application field. This paper presents a new correlation which has been developed during the research project on the direct injection M-type diesel engine using both the diesel and biodiesel fuel, as well as different values of a static injection timing. A dynamic start of injection, as well as the ignition delay, is defined in two ways. The first approach is based on measurement of a needle lift, while the second is based on measurement of a fuel pressure before the injector. The latter approach requires calculation of pressure signals delay through the fuel injection system and the variation of a static advance injection angle changing. The start of a combustion and the end of the ignition delay is defined on the basis of measurements of an in-cylinder pressure and its point of separation from a skip-fire pressure trace. The developed correlation gives better prediction of the ignition delay definition for the M-type direct injection diesel engine in the case of diesel and biodiesel fuel use when compared with the classic expression by the other authors available in the literature.
New engine method for biodiesel cetane number testing
Authors: Pesic Radivoje , Davinic Aleksandar , Veinovic Stevan
Published: June 2008

Substitution of fossil fuels with fuels that come from part renewable sources has been a subject of many studies and researches in the past decade. Considering the higher cost and limits of production resources, a special attention is focused on raising the energy efficiency of biofuel usage, mainly through optimization of the combustion process. Consequently, in biofuel applications, there is a need for determination of auto-ignition quality expressed by cetane number as a dominant characteristic that influences combustion parameters. The fact that the method for cetane number determination is comparative in nature has led us to try to develop substitute engine method for cetane number determination, by the use of the available laboratory equipment and serial, mono-cylinder engine with direct injection, DMB LDA 450. Description of the method, results of optimization of engine?s working parameters for conduction of the test and method?s Accuracy estimation are given in the paper. The paper also presents the results of domestic biodiesel fuels cetane number testing with the application of described engine method, developed at the Laboratory for internal combustion engines and fuels and lubricants of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering from Kragujevac, Serbia.
Combustion and emission characteristics of diesel engine fuelled with rice bran oil methyl ester and its diesel blends
Authors: Gattamaneni Rao , Subramani Saravanan , Santhanam Sampath , Kuderu Rajagopal
Published: June 2008

There has been a worldwide interest in searching for alternatives to petroleum-derived fuels due to their depletion as well as due to the concern for the environment. Vegetable oils have capability to solve this problem because they are renewable and lead to reduction in environmental pollution. The direct use of vegetable oils as a diesel engine fuel is possible but not preferable because of their extremely higher viscosity, strong tendency to polymerize and bad cold start properties. On the other hand, Biodiesels, which are derived from vegetable oils, have been recently recognized as a potential alternative to diesel oil. This study deals with the analysis of rice bran oil methyl ester (RBME) as a diesel fuel. RBME is derived through the transesterification process, in which the rice bran oil reacts with methanol in the presence of KOH. The properties of RBME thus obtained are comparable with ASTM biodiesel standards. Tests are conducted on a 4.4 kW, single-cylinder, naturally aspirated, direct-injection air-cooled stationary diesel engine to evaluate the feasibility of RBME and its diesel blends as alternate fuels. The ignition delay and peak heat release for RBME and its diesel blends are found to be lower than that of diesel and the ignition delay decreases with increase in RBME in the blend. Maximum heat release is found to occur earlier for RBME and its diesel blends than diesel. As the amount of RBME in the blend increases the HC, CO, and soot concentrations in the exhaust decreased when compared to mineral diesel. The NOx emissions of the RBME and its diesel blends are noted to be slightly higher than that of diesel.
Comparison of performance of biodiesels of mahua oil and gingili oil in dual fuel engine
Authors: Nadar Kapilan , Reddy Pratap , Anjuri Rao
Published: June 2008

In this work, an experimental work was carried out to compare the performance of biodiesels made from non edible mahua oil and edible gingili oil in dual fuel engine. A single cylinder diesel engine was modified to work in dual fuel mode and liquefied petroleum gas was used as primary fuel. Biodiesel was prepared by transesterification process and mahua oil methyl ester (MOME) and gingili oil methyl ester (GOME) were used as pilot fuels. The viscosity of MOME is slightly higher than GOME. The dual fuel engine runs smoothly with MOME and GOME. The test results show that the performance of the MOME is close to GOME, at the pilot fuel quantity of 0.45 kg/h and at the advanced injection timing of 30 deg bTDC. Also it is observed that the smoke, carbon monoxide and unburnt hydro carbon emissions of GOME lower than the MOME. But the GOME results in slightly higher NOx emissions. From the experimental results it is concluded that the biodiesel made from mahua oil can be used as a substitute for diesel in dual fuel engine.
Influence of distillation on performance, emission, and combustion of a DI diesel engine, using tyre pyrolysis oil diesel blends
Authors: Murugan Sivalingam , Ramaswamy Chandrasekaran , Nagarajan Govindan
Published: June 2008

Conversion of waste to energy is one of the recent trends in minimizing not only the waste disposal but also could be used as an alternate fuel for internal combustion engines. Fuels like wood pyrolysis oil, rubber pyrolysis oil are also derived through waste to energy conversion method. Early investigations report that tyre pyrolysis oil derived from vacuum pyrolysis method seemed to possess properties similar to diesel fuel. In the present work, the crude tyre pyrolisis oil was desulphurised and distilled to improve the properties and studied the use of it. Experimental studies were conducted on a single cylinder four-stroke air cooled engine fuelled with two different blends, 30% tyre pyrolysis oil and 70% diesel fuel (TPO 30) and 30% distilled tyre pyrolysis oil and 70% diesel fuel (DTPO 30). The results of the performance, emission and combustion characteristics of the engine indicated that NOx is reduced by about 8% compared to tire pyrolysis oil and by about 10% compared to diesel fuel. Hydrocarbon emission is reduced by about 2% compared to TPO 30 operation. Smoke increased for DTPO 30 compared to TPO 30 and diesel fuel.
Learning Dispositions and the Role of Mutual Engagement: Factors for Consideration in Educational Settings
Authors: Duncan Judith , Jones Carolyn , Carr Margaret
Published: June 2008

This article describes an emerging theoretical framework for examining relationships between learning dispositions and learning architecture. Three domains of learning dispositions — resilience, reciprocity and imagination — are discussed in relation to the structures and processes of early childhood education settings and new entrant classrooms. This framework was developed during the analysis of the data collected for the Dispositions in Social Context project, funded by the Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund and headed by Anne B. Smith and Margaret Carr. This article includes examples from this research project, which explored the relationship between learning architecture and the dispositions of children within these education contexts.
Partnership in Integrated Early Childhood Services: An Analysis of Policy Framings in Education and Human Services
Authors: Nichols Sue , Jurvansuu Sari
Published: June 2008

There is currently movement internationally towards the integration of services for young children and their families, incorporating childcare, education, health and family support. Shifting service provision towards partnership between services, and between these services and families, has been the subject of policy formation at various levels. As part of a study into the first year of operation of integrated children's centres in South Australia, a policy analysis was undertaken surveying policies in two domains: education on the one hand and human services (incorporating health) on the other. This analysis found different policy framings of partnership operating in the two domains. Additionally, the policy landscape is layered with old and new constructions of the relationship between families and services. The authors argue that the terms within which policies frame partnership, families and services should be the subject of debate and also dialogue involving those practitioners whose role it is to make integration work on the ground.
Interpreting Children's Constructions of Their Ethnicity
Authors: Grace Donna J.
Published: June 2008

Drawing upon post-structural and post-colonial theories, this study is an investigation into the ways in which five classes of first-grade children (six and seven year olds) in Florida and Hawaii talked about their ethnicities in a video pen pal project. The qualitative methods utilized in this research were participant observation, interviews, and videotaping. The resulting analysis notes that the children in the five different schools talked about their ethnicities differently (ethnicity only, hyphenated ethnic-national identity, or national identity only). Four themes emerge from the analysis related to multicultural education, real-life racism, national identity, and shifting subjectivities. Emphasized in the analysis and interpretation is the importance of situating children's talk about ethnicity within local contexts, acknowledging the multiple and fluid nature of individual subjectivities, and recognizing their location within ideological discourses.
Early Childhood Voices: Who is Really Talking?
Authors: Batycky Jennifer
Published: June 2008

The early childhood classroom is a space filled with contradictions. While a primary classroom is full of possibility, there exists a quiet narrative that we take for granted which serves to silence the voices of both children and teachers. This narrative is powerful in the space it occupies and within these contexts it manifests itself in a variety of ways. The goal of this article is to highlight some of the ways in which we are silenced and perhaps offer the courage to reframe our daily lives in the early childhood context. The article is inspired from a critical theory perspective, taking into consideration the issues related to power and oppression. The author believes these themes are real and very alive in our classrooms and it serves us as teachers to look critically at our circumstances so that we may begin to reclaim our voices. To deny that themes of oppression exist in our spaces is to further deny our voices, as teachers, and of those of our youngest learners. This article examines the following themes of classroom spaces and curriculum. The author observes that these themes play themselves out in her own classroom and other early childhood settings, which she believes serve to silence the voices of those who live in these spaces.
A Critical Enquiry into the Implementation of the Montessori Teaching Method as a First Step towards Inclusive Practice in Early Childhood Settings Specifically in Developing Countries
Authors: Vettiveloo Roshini
Published: June 2008

The analysis was carried out as part of a master's thesis and it aimed to analyse the extent to which the Montessori educational philosophy and teaching method incorporated inclusive educational qualities. The Montessori Method was first developed for children who were disadvantaged and considered ‘idiots’, in the slums of Italy's San Lorenzo. With the usage of her didactic materials, Maria Montessori proved that the children in question were indeed educable given the correct type of instruction. The focus of this article is on the inclusive qualities embedded within the Montessori philosophy and teaching method, which can be reason enough for it to be adopted by developing countries that have limited budgets/funding for the purpose of special education. This method could prove to be an easy alternative for the immediate implementation of early childhood inclusive education for countries such as Malaysia which do not yet possess specific legislation governing special education.
Teaching Literacy in English Language in Singaporean Preschools: Exploring Teachers' Beliefs about What Works Best
Authors: Lim Christina , Torr Jane
Published: June 2008

Singaporean preschool teachers are responsible for preparing their young students for a formal education that is predominantly conducted in English. What these teachers believe about how young children learn English literacy skills is important to study, especially when much of the research is situated in very different contexts. Talking to teachers about their roles is a way of examining interpretations of ‘effective’ teaching and learning in terms of actual literacy pedagogy. Three broad categories were discernible in this exploratory study of interviews with eight teachers, clustering around their concepts of the child as learner, their construction of themselves as active facilitators of children's learning, and the impact of parental pressures on their decision making.
Abdominal Wall Defects: Autopsy Findings of Distinct Groups Suggest Different Pathogenetic Mechanisms
Authors: Giménez-scherer Juan Antonio , Davies Belinda R. , Reséndiz-Morán Mario A. , Durán-Padilla Marco A.
Published: June 2008

Central and lateral abdominal wall defects are probably distinct and likely arise from different pathogenetic mechanisms. An autopsy study was done using data from a total of 45 central and lateral abdominal wall defect cases to evaluate if they are indeed separate entities and to suggest possible mechanisms involved in their formation. Central defects were found to be statistically different from lateral defects; malformations that co-existed with central defects were mainly bilateral and internal and also involved “inferior” organs in relation to fetal-embryonal blood flow. Patients with lateral defects were more often female, and their coexistent defects were usually unilateral and external, with only 1 defect occurring in an “inferior” organ. These results indicate mechanisms of a vascular perfusion deficit for the majority of the central defects and of external disruption for the lateral defects.
Description of three new European cryptic species of Gyrodactylus Nordmann, 1832 supported by nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenetic characterization
Authors: Kuusela Jussi , Ziętara Marek , Lumme Jaakko
Published: June 2008

Three previously undescribed species of wageneri group of Gyrodactylus Nordmann, 1832 (subgenus Limnonephrotus, Gyrodactylidae, Monogenoidea) related to G. lavareti Malmberg, 1957 are described here. G. pomeraniae sp. nov. was found on roach (Rutilus rutilus) in Poland and Belgium, G. ouluensis sp. nov. on roach in Finland and G. salvelini sp. nov. on Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in the Lake Inari, Finland. A molecular redescription of G. lavareti on Coregonus lavaretus is also presented, and G. bliccensis on Alburnus alburnus from river Morava, Czech Republic is included in the phylogenetic analysis. In addition, a hybrid clone of maternal G. pomeraniae sp. nov. and paternal G. lavareti found on farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is characterized. The molecular species description was based on the complete CO1 gene of the mitochondrial DNA, and on phylogenetic comparison of the internal transcribed spacer segment (ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The species hosted by cyprinids were basal in the phylogeny rooted by numerous relatives of wageneri-species group.
Redescription of Decorataria decorata (Spirurida, Acuariidae) based on nematodes from Podiceps cristatus and P. grisegena (Aves, Podicipediformes) from Bulgaria
Authors: Mutafchiev Yasen , Georgiev Boyko
Published: June 2008

Decorataria decorata (Cram, 1927) is redescribed on the basis of light-microscopy and SEM observations on specimens collected from the stomach of Podiceps cristatus and P. grisegena from Bulgaria. The SEM study revealed the presence of a porebearing field on each pseudolabium and a pair of spines (one dorsal and one ventral) situated between bases of the cordons. The deirids are spine-like and minute. The light-microscopy examination showed the presence of ornamentation situated under the dorsal surface of caudal alae. The occurrence of D. decorata in Bulgaria is a new geographical record.
Cyclophyllidean cysticercoids from Echinogammarus tibaldii (Amphipoda, Gammaridae) from Lake Piediluco, Italy
Authors: Nikolov Pavel , Georgiev Boyko , Dezfuli Bahram
Published: June 2008

In August 2007, 856 specimens of Echinogammarus tibaldii Pinkster et Stock, 1970 from the Lake Piediluco (Central Italy) were collected from 3 different sites and examined for larval helminths. Fourteen amphipods (1.63%) were infected with larvae of Lateriporus teres (Dilepididae) and one amphipod (0.12%) was infected with Microsomacanthus microsoma (Hymenolepididae). Adults of both species are known from waterfowl and gulls. The present results constitute new host records for both cestode species and the first finding of L. teres in Italy.
Female morphology of Philometra parasiluri (Nematoda, Philometridae), an ocular parasite of the Amur catfish Silurus asotus in Japan
Authors: Moravec František , Scholz Tomáš , Kuchta Roman , Grygier Mark
Published: June 2008

The female morphology of the nematode Philometra parasiluri Yamaguti, 1935 (Philometridae) is described based on a sub-gravid specimen found in the oculo-orbit of the Amur catfish Silurus asotus Linnaeus of Lake Biwa, Honshu, Japan collected in April 2007. Light and scanning electron microscopical examination made it possible to study in detail the morphology of this so far little-known species. In contrast to the original species description, no cuticular bosses are found on the body surface; in addition to the previously reported eight large cephalic papillae of the external circle, the cephalic end also bears six (2 lateral and 4 submedian) small papillae of the internal circle and a pair of inconspicuous amphids; no oesophageal teeth are present and the anterior oesophageal lobes are slightly elevated; two large, lateral, papilla-like caudal projections are present. To date P. parasiluri has been found only in Japan and the present finding represents the third documented record of this species. Philometra parasiluri probably has a pronounced annual maturation cycle with the period of the production of larvae in the late spring and summer.