The Croatian issue and the evolution of the political system in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the stabilization period (1995–2004)

The article is devoted to the evolution of the state-legal position of the Bosnian Croats in the context of the political transformation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, caused by the gradual revision of the Dayton Accords. From the author’s point of view, originally the political system of the postwar BiH was a compromise option between the Vance–Owen and the Owen–Stoltenberg peace plans, which did not fully satisfy any of the main national communities in BiH. The Bosnian Croats, as the smallest constituent people, did not get their own entity, although at the beginning of the ethno-civil confrontation in BiH the Bosnian Croats raised the question of national equality and the federalization of the country. Special attention in the article has been paid to the institution of the international oversight, which has limited the sovereignty of BiH — the Office of the High Representative. The author details the amending of the election law as well as the process of the constitutional reformation, initiated by the High Representative Wolfgang Petritsch, and demonstrates that the centralization policy in BiH is pursued by external, supranational organizations in order to integrate BiH into euro-atlantic structures to the disadvantage of the Bosnian Croat political interests. As a result of the reforms FBiH, formally the Entity of Croats and Muslims, de facto was put under control of Bosnian Muslims.

Impact of Bank Stabilization Structures on Upstream and Downstream Bank Mobilization at Cedar River, Nebraska

HighlightsStabilization structures are only effective at stabilized segments.Erosion increased in two of the six segments in the post-stabilization period.Deposition decreased in all six segments in the post-stabilization period.Jetties are effective at reducing erosion but are also prone to fail.Abstract. The effectiveness of streambank stabilization structures is insufficiently quantified. Although such structures clearly reduce or eliminate streambank erosion at the local scale, little is known about associated effects on unstabilized reaches immediately upstream and downstream. This study measured streambank erosion and deposition in stretches of the Cedar River, 1.5 meander wavelengths upstream and downstream from 24 stabilization structures that included jetties, rock vanes, root wads, and gravel protection. We also measured erosion and deposition on the streambanks directly opposite the stabilized locations. We compared measurements from the pre-stabilization period (1993-2005) with those from the post-stabilization period (2005-2018) using historical imagery in ArcGIS. Upon completion of this analysis, we were able to reject an initial hypothesis that local and adjacent streambank segment erosion rates would be significantly less after stabilization, and that deposition rates would be greater in stabilized locations and adjacent stream segments. Instead, the differences in erosion from pre- to post-stabilization showed little or no statistical significance. Rather, our data indicated that streambank erosion decreased in only four of the six stream segments and was predominantly confined to the stabilized segment. Overall deposition decreased in all six stream segments after bank stabilization. In reaches where wooden jetties were installed, partial or total failure was common, and further increases in erosion and decreases in deposition were more pronounced. We conclude that streambank stabilization on the Cedar River is effective only at the location of installation; there is no measurable effect on adjacent unstabilized reaches. Our results demonstrate the need for improved streambank monitoring practices and better understanding of how streambank stabilization impacts an entire river system. Such advances will enhance stream restoration design and implementation, as well as support future river management efforts. Keywords: Adjacent stream reach, Deposition, Jetty, Erosion, Streambank stabilization.

Effects of Discontinuation of Drugs Used for Augmentation Therapy on Treatment Outcomes in Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Introduction There has been no consensus on whether and how long add-on drugs for augmentation therapy should be continued in the treatment of depression. Methods Double-blind randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of discontinuation of drugs used for augmentation on treatment outcomes in patients with depression were identified. Meta-analyses were performed to compare rates of study withdrawal due to any reason, study-defined relapse, and adverse events between patients who continued augmentation therapy and those who discontinued it. Results Seven studies were included (n=841 for continuing augmentation therapy; n=831 for discontinuing augmentation therapy). The rate of study withdrawal due to any reason was not significantly different between the 2 groups (risk ratio [RR]=0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.69–1.08, p=0.20). Study withdrawal due to relapse was less frequent in the continuation group than in the discontinuation group (RR=0.61, 95% CI=0.40–0.92, p=0.02); however, this statistical significance disappeared when one study using esketamine as augmentation was excluded. Analysis of the data from 5 studies that included a stabilization period before randomization found less frequent relapse in the continuation group than in the discontinuation group (RR=0.47, 95% CI=0.36–0.60, p<0.01). This finding was repeated when the esketamine study was excluded. Discussion No firm conclusions could be drawn in light of the small number of studies included. Currently available evidence suggests that add-on drugs, other than esketamine, used for augmentation therapy for depression may be discontinued. This may not be the case for patients who are maintained with augmentation therapy after remission.

Suitability of Ultra-Short-Term Heart Rate Variability in Military Trainees

We aimed to (a) evaluate the agreement between ultra-short-term and criterion resting heart rate variability (HRV) measures in military trainees, and (b) compare associations between HRV recording lengths and body composition. HRV recordings were performed for 10 min in 27 military male students. Mean RR interval, the root-mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), RMSSD:RR interval ratio, standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN), and SDNN:RR interval ratio were determined from the last 5 min of the 10-min recording and considered the criterion. Parameters were also recorded in successive 1-min epochs from the 5-min stabilization period. No differences were observed between criterion values and any of the 1-min epochs (p > 0.05). Effect sizes ranged from −0.36–0.35. Intra-class correlations ranged from 0.83–0.99. Limits of agreement ranged from 38.3–78.4 ms for RR interval, 18.8–30.0 ms for RMSSD, 1.9–3.1 for RMSSD:RR, 24.1–31.4 ms for SDNN, and 2.5–3.0 for SDNN:RR. Body fat% was associated (p < 0.05) with all HRV parameters at varying time segments. A 1-min HRV recording preceded by a 1-min stabilization period seems to be a suitable alternative to criterion measures. Ultra-short procedures may facilitate routine HRV tracking in tactical populations for status-monitoring purposes.

A toddler SHIME® model to study microbiota of young children

ABSTRACT The ‘first 1000 days of life’ determine the gut microbiota composition and can have long-term health consequences. In this study, the simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME®) model, which represents the main functional sections of the digestive tract, was chosen to study the microbiota of young children. The aim of this study was to reproduce the digestive process of toddlers and their specific colonic environment. The ascending, transverse and descending colons of SHIME® model were inoculated with feces from three donors aged between 1 and 2 years-old, in three separate runs. For each run, samples from colon vessels were collected at days 14, 21 and 28 after microbiota stabilization period. Short chain fatty acid concentrations determined by HPLC showed that microbiota obtained in SHIME® model shared characteristics between adults and infants. In addition, microbial diversity and bacterial populations determined by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing were specific to each colon vessel. In conclusion, the SHIME® model developed in this study seemed well adapted to evaluate prebiotic and probiotic impact on the specific microbiota of toddlers, or medicine and endocrine disruptor metabolism. Moreover, this study is the first to highlight some biofilm development in in vitro gastrointestinal modelling systems.

Dynamic Incremental Model (MDI) to forecast the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic stabilization period

Since the beginning of the year 2020, the world has been experiencing a COVID-19 pandemic, which challenges the public sector to make quick and efficient decisions, as the result is counted in lives. Thus, it is necessary to search for predictive models that support the decision and assist in the understanding of the behavior of the transmissions. In this context, the work aims to present a dynamic model for the daily increase in the number of deaths in order to determine a safety range capable of predicting a stabilization period for these deaths. For this, the model uses exponential and potential curves as limits for analyzing the behavior of the increment curve. The model proved to be efficient when compared to the actual data obtained so far.

Electricity Generation from Dairy Farm Wastes in a Dual-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell using Aluminium Electrodes

Microbial fuel cells play a key role in generating wealth out of waste as they serve the binary purpose of electricity production along with waste treatment. A variety of organic substances can be used as substrates in microbial fuel cells. In this work, three substrates naturally obtained as dairy farm waste, viz. cattle manure, yogurt waste, and cow urine along with their various combinations were tested for power generation in a microbial fuel cell. All three substrates are a promising source of electrogenic bacteria. The potential use of aluminium as electrode material for electricity generation in microbial fuel cell was also investigated. The output circuit voltage was recorded at regular time intervals over a period of around 15-25 days. Maximum output voltage of 1.170 V was recorded for cattle manure as substrate on graphite electrode with a stabilization period of 16 days. The combination of cattle manure and yogurt waste on aluminium electrode gave peak output voltage of 1.122 V with a stabilization period of 10 days. The addition of cow urine did not show any significant increase in the output.

Phytochemical Profile and Investigation of the Spasmolytic Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Seeds

Aims: Perform the phytochemical analysis and investigate the spasmolytic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from S. cumini seeds (EHS-SC). Study Design: Qualitative phytochemical analysis and test of the EHS-SC on isolated smooth muscles (aorta, trachea, jejunum and uterus) of rat, to value effect relaxant and/or inhibitor. Place and Duration of Study: Pharmacognosy Laboratory II (Pharmacy course) and Pharmacology Research and Post-Graduate Laboratory (Department of Physiological Sciences) of the Federal University of Maranhão, between January 2017 and July 2018. Methodology: EHS-SC was submitted to phytochemical analysis and changes in color, fluorescence and absence or presence of precipitate were observed. The smooth muscle segments were suspended (tension of 1 g) in glass vats containing specific saline solution, at an appropriate temperature and after stabilization period, was stimulated by a suitable contractile agent to observe the effect of EHS-SC in the phasic and/or tonic component. Results: EHS-SC showed the majority presence of phenols, steroids, alkaloids and flavonoids (flavones, xanthones, flavonols) and was more potent in inhibiting phasic contractions induced by 10-6 M carbachol (CCh) in isolated rat jejunum (Emax: 83.5 ± 6.7%; n = 3). In addition, the EHS-SC (81.0; 243.0 and 729 µg/mL) antagonized the CCh effect (n = 4), increasing the EC50 (6.5 ± 1.3 x 10-7 M) of the CCh to 8.5 ± 1.1; 18.5 ± 3.4 and 40.5 ± 7.4 x 10-7 M and reducing the Emax (100%) of the CCh to 82.9 ± 10.5; 67.6 ± 6.0 and 10.1 ± 8.3%. Conclusion: Spasmolytic activity may be combined with antimicrobial and antidiarrheal activity according to literature data, where they show that the seeds have the same secondary metabolites, signaling the therapeutic potential for the treatment of colic and/or diarrhea.

The Effects of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Blockade on Oxidative Status in Heart During Conditioning Maneuvers

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) belongs to iono-tropic glutamate receptor family. The most prominent roles of the NMDAR are related to the physiological and pathophysiological processes of the central nervous system (CNS). The link between NMDAR and cardiovascular pathology came into focus due to detrimental effects of homocysteine on the cardiovascular system. Regarding the fact that NMDAR affects Ca2+ homeostasis in cells, one of the main mechanisms which mediate adverse effects of glutamate dyshomeostasis and abnormal NMDAR activity is oxidative stress. Both in ischemia and during reperfusion, there are imbalance in Ca2+ and production of reactive species, which remains one of the basic mechanisms underlining the overall cardiomyocyte death due to myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of blockade of NMDAR in heart using MK-801, in preconditioning and postconditioning fashion and to compare the values of oxidative stress biomarkers. We used Langendorff technique of isolated heart. In the control group, all isolated rat hearts were subjected to global ischemia after stabilization period (perfusion of the whole heart with Krebs-Henseleit solution was stopped) for 20 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion. In the preconditioning group, after stabilization period, hearts were perfused with MK-801 for 5 minutes, before global ischemia of 20 minutes which was followed by 30 minutes reperfusion. In the postconditioning group, hearts were perfused with MK-801 during the first 3 minutes of reperfusion. Results of this study showed antioxidative effects of NMDAR inhibition in pre- and postconditioning of the isolated rat heart.