Abstract Line surge arresters are mainly used for transmission line lightning performance improvement. Calculation of energy stresses of lines surge arrester is of extreme importance for the selection of the arrester class. Energy stresses of transmission line surge arresters due to multicomponent lightning flashes are analysed in this paper. To obtain lightning data two approaches were used: direct measurements using instrumented towers and lightning location systems. Both lightning monitoring systems are described. Data obtained from lightning monitoring systems are compared and used in simulations. Detailed modelling procedure for a transient analysis of the transmission lines is also described. Multicomponent lightning flash and 110 kV transmission line were modelled using Electromagnetic Transient Program -Restructured Version (EMTP – RV). The arrester current shapes and arrester energy duties are presented in order to clearly show influence of lightning current parameters to arrester energy duty.

Abstract This paper specifies and compares the ancillary services used by transmission system operators in selected countries within ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System Operators-Electricity) for operational needs of their transmission systems. The comparison of the ancillary services’ unit prices is also given. In addition, analyses of various experiences gained by ENTSO-E countries within their electric power systems in relation to initiatives supporting the power generation from renewable energy sources (RES) and the methods of their integration into the electric power system were made. Namely, depending on the total amount of RES, depending on the incentive system for electricity production from RES and the development of an organized electricity market, different balancing responsibility models for electricity producers from RES were established.

Abstract The most commonly farmed fish species in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aquaculture are from the family Salmonidae, including brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis which is reared both for consumption and stocking purposes. A number of farmers complained about the elevated frequency of anatomical deformities in the smolts and fingerlings of brook trout, decreasing their fitness rate and causing significant financial loss. Since it has been shown that occurrence of deformities is correlated with the low genetic diversity and high inbreeding, this study aimed to assess intra- and interpopulation diversity of Salvelinus fontinalis from different freshwater fish farms in Bosnia and Herzegovina by observing variation in mitochondrial and nuclear genome. Total of 109 samples of brook trout from three hatcheries located at the Neretva River were analyzed for the mitochondrial control region and seven nuclear microsatellite loci. Both PCR-RFLP and sequencing revealed only one haplotype of the control region in all investigated trout. Overall, a low number of genotypes was evident across all the observed loci. Values of genetic diversity and polymorphic information content followed the increase in the number of alleles per locus. In general, values of inbreeding coefficient were generally very high, while the genetic diversity and observed heterozygosity had low rates. The results of our study are congruent with the findings of previous studies in which developmental deformities were concomitant with the low genetic diversity and inbreeding depression. It is, therefore, strongly advised to regularly supplement the broodstock with new, unrelated individuals, as it is of vital importance for sustaining a satisfying level of genetic diversity and preventing inbreeding depression. Additionally, maintaining good management practices regarding the fluctuation of water temperature, exposure to pollution, nutrition, etc., will further contribute to the prevention of this detrimental condition.

Objectives Demarcated opacities (DO) on teeth affected by Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) were observed to investigate if parameters of DO existence and the number of teeth affected could be used to predict the progression of disease. Material and methods In 2009, the MIH prevalence was 11.5% (n=51) among 446 subjects in Sarajevo, aged from 6 to 9 years. In subjects with MIH who gave consent for further participation (n=25), the teeth with DO were observed after a 12-month period. Results our sample included 29 permanent incisors and 14 first permanent molars with DO. The number of teeth with light opacities was significantly higher than the number of teeth with dark opacities. Opacities were more numerous on surfaces which were not exposed to masticatory pressure. The size of tooth surface affected by DO occurrence ranged from 1.33% to 56.56%. The number of affected teeth ranged from two to six. A strong positive correlation between MIH progression and dark colored opacities located on the occlusal/incisal surface of teeth was noted. Larger part of tooth surface was affected by hypomineralisation in the case of dark-colored opacities. The DO presence on incisors was more likely to be located on vestibular surfaces and on the first permanent molars on their occlusal surfaces. Conclusions The color of DO occurrence was the best predictor for MIH progression both independently and in combination with the number of affected teeth. Location of DO occurrence was a good independent predictor for MIH progression. It is important to collect information about color and location of DO presence.

Introduction: A promising strategy that can lead to longer brain cell survival after an acute stroke is therapeutic hypothermia. It represents a controlled decrease in body temperature for therapeutic reasons. It is increasingly represented as a therapeutic option and is one of the most challenging treatments that improves neurological recovery and treatment outcome in patients with acute stroke. Aim: To examine the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on liver enzymes in patients with diagnosis of stroke. Methods: A total of 101 patients diagnosed with acute stroke were treated. The first group (n=40) were treated with conventional treatment and therapeutic hypothermia, while the second group (n=61) only with conventional treatment. Cooling of the body to a target body temperature of 34°C to 35°C was performed for up to 24 hours. Outcome (survival or death) of treatment was monitored, degree of disability was determined by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and assessment of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values were taken at admission, after 24 hours, and were monitored upon discharge. Results: There was a significant difference in AST values at admission relative to disease outcome (p = 0.002), as well as for ALT (p = 0.008). In patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia, mean AST values decreased after 24 hours (32.50 to 31.00 IU/mL) as well as ALT values (27.50 to 26.50 IU/mL), without statistical significance. In the group of subjects who survived with sequela, AST values correlated with GCS (rho = -0.489; p = 0.002) and NIHSS (rho = 0.492; p = 0.003), ALT values correlated with GCS (rho = -0.356; p = 0.03) but not with NIHSS. Conclusion: AST and ALT values at admission correlate with the severity of the clinical picture. Therapeutic hypothermia is hepatoprotective and lowers AST and ALT values.

Abstract. Experimental demonstration of a quantum random number generator based on one single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector, a T  /    (  T  −  t  )   pulse-shaped laser, and an field-programmable gate array (FPGA) acquisition module is presented. An integrated laser driver drives an external laser diode at 670 nm wavelength, whereas the SPAD with a photon detection probability of 18.5% is integrated together with an active quenching-resetting circuit. The SPAD detector generates counts for the interarrival time (IAT) measurement system implemented in an FPGA, where the change of the IATs between consecutive pulses is used to derive a random bit stream. It is shown how the application of a pulse-shaped laser driver can increase the performance of the system as compared to the continuous-wave operation of the laser diode to achieve the maximum generation rate of 5 Mbps while using a single SPAD. The generated numbers pass all randomness tests of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Dieharder, and ENT test (pseudorandom number sequence test) suits.

We present a detailed computational study of the UV/Vis spectra of four relevant flavonoids in aqueous solution, namely luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin. The absorption spectra are simulated by exploiting a fully polarizable quantum mechanical (QM)/molecular mechanics (MM) model, based on the fluctuating charge (FQ) force field. Such a model is coupled with configurational sampling obtained by performing classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The calculated QM/FQ spectra are compared with the experiments. We show that an accurate reproduction of the UV/Vis spectra of the selected flavonoids can be obtained by appropriately taking into account the role of configurational sampling, polarization, and hydrogen bonding interactions.

Gender inequalities are reflected in differential vulnerability, and exposure to the hazards posed by climate change and addressing them is key to increase the adaptive capacities of societies. We provide trajectories of the Gender Inequality Index (GII) alongside the Shared-Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), a scenario framework widely used in climate science. Here we find that rapid improvements in gender inequality are possible under a sustainable development scenario already in the near-term. The share of girls growing up in countries with the highest gender inequality could be reduced to about 24% in 2030 compared to about 70% today. Largely overcoming gender inequality as assessed in the GII would be within reach by mid-century. Under less optimistic scenarios, gender inequality may persist throughout the 21st century. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating gender in scenarios assessing future climate impacts and underscore the relevance of addressing gender inequalities in policies aiming to foster climate resilient development. Gender inequality increases vulnerability to climate change impacts and reduces societies’ adaptive capacity. Here the authors show how gender inequality may evolve in the future in five scenarios of socioeconomic development and highlight the importance of incorporating gender inequality in climate change research and policy.

Lipid multilayer gratings are promising optical biosensor elements that are capable of transducing analyte binding events into changes in an optical signal. Unlike solid state transducers, reagents related to molecular recognition and signal amplification can be incorporated into the lipid grating ink volume prior to fabrication. Here we describe a strategy for functionalizing lipid multilayer gratings with a DNA aptamer for the protein thrombin that allows label-free analyte detection. A double cholesterol-tagged, double-stranded DNA linker was used to attach the aptamer to the lipid gratings. This approach was found to be sufficient for binding fluorescently labeled thrombin to lipid multilayers with micrometer-scale thickness. In order to achieve label-free detection with the sub-100 nm-thick lipid multilayer grating lines, the binding affinity was improved by varying the lipid composition. A colorimetric image analysis of the light diffracted from the gratings using a color camera was then used to identify the grating nanostructures that lead to an optimal signal. Lipid composition and multilayer thickness were found to be critical parameters for the signal transduction from the aptamer functionalized lipid multilayer gratings.

Introduction. Art reception and experiencing is a complex process, containing creative components. The experience of a work of art involves reproduction, in the viewer's consciousness, of the experiences and excitement that the artist himself or herself have undergone in the process of creating the same works of art. When viewing visual images, our perception is directed towards the identification of objects, and when viewing visual images as works of art, we also tend to experience them - we subjectively react to elements, such as stylistic and structural characteristics. The aim of the research is to examine the effectiveness of the experimental program named the Impact of Verbal, Auditory and Visual Incentives, designed to foster students' visual perception and visual reception during art education. Methods. The experimental method with parallel groups was used. The research included the sample consisting of 98 students, out of which 45 belonged to experimental group while 53 were control students from Trebinje region. Test LV1, examining visual creativity, as well as visual perception and visual reception (art appreciation), was used. Results. The results indicated that the experimental program influenced the development of the visual perceptive (F = 3.76; p = 0.05) and visual receptive (F = 8.01; p = 0.00) abilities among students during art education because the experimental group students achieved significantly better results than the control group students. The experimental program was aligned with the curriculum and designed to influence the development of students' visual-perceptual and visual-receptive abilities. Conclusion. The obtained results indicate that it is possible to influence the development of students' visual-perceptual and visual-receptive abilities by using a specially designed program, aimed at stimulating verbal, auditory and visual aspects of visual expression.

Introduction: Changes in the skin can occur as part of a diabetic, metabolic disorder or diabetic complications. Studies have shown that diabetes has an extremely strong negative impact on quality of life, especially diabetes with complications. Aim: Examine the impact of skin changes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on quality of life. Methods: A prospective study analysed the quality of life in 200 respondents with type 2 diabetes mellitus which had diabetes-related skin changes. Subjects were divided into four groups according to the type of skin changes associated with diabetes mellitus. Group 1 consisted of patients which had skin changes with a greater or lesser association with diabetes mellitus, group 2 patients with infections, group 3 patients with cutaneous manifestations of diabetic complications and group 4 patients with allergic reactions to antidiabetic therapy. Quality of life assessment was performed using the Skindex-29 questionnaire, and the Nijsten categorization was used to assess the impact of skin changes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on quality of life. Results: There were (51.95%) respondents in group 1, group 2 (24.02%), group 3 (22.22%) and group 4 (1.8%) respondents. In the scale of emotions in 84 respondents (43.0%) the impact on quality of life was serious, in the scale of symptoms in 96 (48%) was moderate, and in the scale of social and physical functioning 106 (55%) also had a moderate impact on quality of life, as well as in the total score of 94 respondents (47%). There was a statistically significant difference in the scale of social and physical functioning in the presence of skin changes in group 1 (x2 = 7.95; df = 3, p = 0.045) and group 3 (x2 = 12.48, df = 3; p = 0.006), and in the total score of Skindex-29 when it comes to changes in the skin of group 3 (x2 = 7.26, df = 3, p = 0.05). Conclusion: the quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus which have skin changes is significantly reduced.