INTRODUCTION Cerebral ischemic small-vessel disease (SVD), causing lacunar infarcts and white matter hyperintensities on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is a progressive disease associated with an increased risk of stroke, dementia and death. Increased arterial stiffness has been associated with ischemic stroke and cerebral SVD independently of common vascular risk factors. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to analyze arterial stiffness in our patients with symptomatic SVD. METHODS In a cross-sectional study design we included 30 patients with clinical and MRI evidence of cerebral SVD and 30 age-, gender- and risk factor-matched control subjects with no neurological diseases. Patients were evaluated at the Ultrasound Laboratory at the Neurology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade, during a three-month period (from September 1st to December 1st 2012). Baseline demographic and vascular risk factors were recorded. All patients underwent standard carotid ultrasound scans with measuring of intima-media thickness (IMT) and analysis of atheromatous plaques. Internal carotid artery stiffness was evaluated with the use of e-tracking option as beta stiffness index (BSI) value. RESULTS There were no differences between study groups in regard to degree of carotid stenosis and type of carotid plaques (p > 0.05). Patients in SVD group had significantly higher mean IMT (p = 0.0093) and mean BSI (p < 0.0001) than subjects in the control group. No significant correlation was detected between IMT and BSI in SVD group (r = 0.168; p = 0.376). Brain lesions severity correlated with BSI (r = 0.733; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Arterial stiffness is increased in symptomatic patients with SVD, independently of vascular risk factors and IMT.

The paper shows an example of performed optimization of sizes in terms of welding costs in a characteristic loaded welded joint. Hence, in the first stage, the variables and constant parameters are defined, and mathematical shape of the optimization function is determined. The following stage of the procedure defines and places the most important constraint functions that limit the design of structures, that the technologist and the designer should take into account. Subsequently, a mathematical optimization model of the problem is derived, that is efficiently solved by a proposed method of geometric programming. Further, a mathematically based thorough optimization algorithm is developed of the proposed method, with a main set of equations defining the problem that are valid under certain conditions. Thus, the primary task of optimization is reduced to the dual task through a corresponding function, which is easier to solve than the primary task of the optimized objective function. The main reason for this is a derived set of linear equations. Apparently, a correlation is used between the optimal primary vector that minimizes the objective function and the dual vector that maximizes the dual function. The method is illustrated on a computational practical example with a different number of constraint functions. It is shown that for the case of a lower level of complexity, a solution is reached through an appropriate maximization of the dual function by mathematical analysis and differential calculus.

Fruit and vegetables are an important sector of agricultural production in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as they ensure population food suffi ciency as well as income for rural farms. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the market supply chain of fruit and vegetables is short, which means that the products are sold near the production site or at local markets. Longer market chains are largely not represented because the producers remain passive and have no contractual relationship with wholesalers and retailers.

Knowledge-based economy has become a major trend in international society in the 21st century. However, today’s strategies place a greater emphasis on sustainability than in the past, while continuing to emphasize the importance of education and its connection with labour market. There has been a re-orientation, where resource, eco-efficiency and innovation have become major elements for achieving national objectives and a relevant level of competitiveness. This article deals with 30 indices, which define the competitiveness of a specific economy, and involve knowledge parameters. They are classified into four main categories and one special category. They are then analysed regarding the participation of Serbia and their availability. The main focus of this paper is to give detailed analyses of energy indices, as a special category of knowledge indexes. It has been shown that Serbia, in many cases, was not included in the study analysis or that there was insufficient information about Serbia’s position. This article shows that only a part of the presented indices includes Serbia. It is concluded that a new, revised model is needed that will include more exact indicators.