A finite volume adaptation of beam-to-beam contact interactions implemented for geometrically exact Simo-Reissner beams.

This paper presents an adaption of the finite-element based beam-to-beam contact interactions into a finite volume numerical framework. A previous work of the same authors, where a cell-centred based finite volume implementation of geometrically exact nonlinear Simo-Reissner beams was developed, is used as an underlying mathematical model. An implicit contact procedure is developed for both point-to-point and line-to-line beam frictionless contact interactions, and is implemented using the cell-centred finite volume method.

In vitro assessment of skin permeation properties of enzymatically derived oil-based fatty acid esters of vitamin C.

Current topical formulations containing vitamin C face limitations in therapeutic effectiveness due to the skin's selective properties that impede drug deposition. Consequently, the widespread use of toxic and irritating chemical permeation enhancers is common. Hereby, we investigated enzymatically derived fatty acid ascorbyl esters (FAAEs) obtained using natural oils for their skin permeation properties using the Strat-M® skin model in a Franz cell diffusion study.

Drag reduction technology and devices for road vehicles - A comprehensive review.

This paper addresses the critical role of drag reduction technology in the evolution of road vehicle design amidst the ongoing climate crisis. With transportation accounting for a substantial portion of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions, the shift towards alternatively powered vehicles highlights the need for innovative solutions to extend range, reduce fuel consumption, and lower emissions. This review thoroughly outlines the literature on appendable drag reduction devices, encompassing both passive and active techniques, and their applicability across a variety of road vehicles, including light and heavy-duty transport.

Genomic Characterization of Local Croatian Sheep Breeds-Effective Population Size, Inbreeding & Signatures of Selection.

The Istrian (IS) and the Pag sheep (PS) are local Croatian breeds which provide significant income for the regional economy and have a cultural and traditional importance for the inhabitants. The aim of this study was to estimate some important population specific genetic parameters in IS (N = 1293) and PS (N = 2637) based on genome wide SNPs. Estimates of linkage disequilibrium effective population size (N) evidenced more genetic variability in PS (N = 838) compared to IS (N = 197), regardless of historical time (both recent and ancient genetic variability).

Patient-specific modelling of contact characteristics in the ankle joint following triple arthrodesis in valgus, neutral and varus hindfoot positions.

The aim of the current study was to understand the importance of the joint alignment following triple arthrodesis by analysing the contact characteristics in a normal and arthritic ankle joint using a patient-specific numerical model developed using open source software. The alignment of the hindfoot with respect to tibia is calculated from CT scans and the ankle joint model was numerically analysed for neutral, valgus and varus positions in both normal and arthritic conditions. The contact area, the magnitude and distribution of the contact pressure on the articular surface of the talar dome was evaluated using a cell-centred Finite Volume Method implemented in open-source software OpenFOAM.

β Phase Optimization of Solvent Cast PVDF as a Function of the Processing Method and Additive Content.

A semicrystalline polymer with high piezo-, pyro-, and ferroelectric characteristics, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) offers exciting possibilities in various applications. The semicrystalline structure of PVDF is composed of several phases including α, β, θ, γ, and ε phases. β phase polymorphs of PVDF exhibit the highest piezoelectric properties, which can be enhanced through different processing methods.

Potential of Endangered Local Donkey Breeds in Meat and Milk Production.

The problem of the erosion of animal genetic resources is evident in certain local donkey breeds, and their long-term sustainability can be achieved by economically repositioning them. To develop alternative and sustainable commercial programs, the meat and milk production characteristics of Istrian donkey and Littoral Dinaric donkey breeds were investigated. The meat production characteristics were examined in mature males, whose carcasses were dissected, and meat composition was determined using NIT spectrophotometry and gas chromatography.

Cerebral infarction as initial manifestation of meningovascular neurosyphilis in an immunocompetent patient - A case report with long term follow-up.

To present a 29-year-old immunocompetent patient with neurosyphilitic changes characterized by multiple acute ischemic brain strokes along with significant narrowing of several large intracranial arteries. Ceftriaxone treatment for 14 days followed by benzathine benzylpenicillin weekly for additional 3 weeks, showed improvement in meningovascular changes.

A cell-centered finite volume formulation of geometrically exact Simo-Reissner beams with arbitrary initial curvatures.

This article presents a novel total Lagrangian cell-centered finite volume formulation of geometrically exact beams with arbitrary initial curvatures undergoing large displacements and finite rotations. The choice of rotation parameterization, the mathematical formulation of the beam kinematics, conjugate strain measures, and the linearization of the strong form of governing equations are described. The finite volume based discretization of the computational domain and the governing equations for each computational volume are presented.

Remote training as a common tool for the different professionals involved in the acute phase after terror attacks across Europe: Perspectives from an expert panel.

The acute response after a terror attack may have a crucial impact on the physical and psychological wellbeing of the victims. Preparedness of the professionals involved in the acute response is a key element to ensure effective interventions, and can be improved through trainings. Today in Europe there is a recognized lack of inter-professional and international trainings, which are important, among others, to respond to the needs and the rights of victims affected by a terrorist attack in another country than their home country.

Evaluation of the Conservation Status of the Croatian Posavina Horse Breed Based on Pedigree and Microsatellite Data.

The Croatian Posavina horse (CPH) is native Croatian breed under a conservation program and under various programs of economic use (ecosystem services, agrotourism, and meat production). The aim of this study was to analyze the status of the CPH population through an analysis of their pedigree (28,483 records), phenotype (292 licensed stallions, 255 mares), and genetic structure (292 licensed stallions). The average generation interval was 8.

The occurrence of lipophilic toxins in shellfish from the Middle Adriatic Sea.

The first survey of the phycotoxin profile in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the coastal waters of Bosnia and Herzegovina (The Bay of Neum, Middle Adriatic Sea) in correlation to the Makarska City Bay (Croatia, Middle Adriatic Sea) was conducted in 2017. Throughout the monitoring period, occasions of gymnodimine (GYM) and azaspiracid (AZA2) shellfish toxicity were recorded in concentrations that do not endanger human health. The occurrence of yessotoxins (YTXs), the most common toxins found in the Adriatic Sea, was correlated to the presence of the Gonyaulax species, a potential source of YTX.

A patient-specific numerical model of the ankle joint for the analysis of contact pressure distribution.

A patient-specific numerical model of the ankle joint has been developed using open-source software with realistic material properties that mimics the physiological movement of the foot during the stance phase of the gait cycle. The patient-specific ankle geometry has been segmented as a castellated surface using 3DSlicer from the computed tomography image scans of a subject with no congenital or acquired pathology; subsequently, the bones are smoothed, and cartilage is included as a uniform thickness extruded layer. A high-resolution Cartesian mesh has been generated using cfMesh.

Conservation of a domestic metapopulation structured into related and partly admixed strains.

Preservation of genetic diversity is one of the most pressing challenges in the planetary boundaries concept. Within this context, we focused on genetic diversity in a native, unselected and highly admixed domesticated metapopulation. A set of 1,828 individuals from 60 different cattle breeds was analysed using a medium density SNP chip.

A novel surrogate lung material for impact studies: Development and testing procedures.

This work focuses on the development of a surrogate lung material (SLM) that reproduces the dynamic response of a human lung under various loading conditions and also allows for the analysis of the extent and distribution of damage. The SLM consists of polyurethane foam used to mimic the spongy lung tissue and fluid-filled gelatine microcapsules used to simulate the damage of alveoli. The bursting pressure of the microcapsules was investigated by conducting low and high rate compression tests on single microcapsules.

Interfacial separation of a mature biofilm from a glass surface - A combined experimental and cohesive zone modelling approach.

A good understanding of the mechanical stability of biofilms is essential for biofouling management, particularly when mechanical forces are used. Previous biofilm studies lack a damage-based theoretical model to describe the biofilm separation from a surface. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the interfacial separation of a mature biofilm from a rigid glass substrate using a combined experimental and numerical modelling approach.

Mechanical properties of a mature biofilm from a wastewater system: from microscale to macroscale level.

A fundamental understanding of biofilm mechanical stability is critical in order to describe detachment and develop biofouling control strategies. It is thus important to characterise the elastic deformation and flow behaviour of the biofilm under different modes of applied force. In this study, the mechanical properties of a mature wastewater biofilm were investigated with methods including macroscale compression and microscale indentation using atomic force microscopy (AFM).

The genetic diversity and structure of 18 sheep breeds exposed to isolation and selection.

The phylogenetic layout of the genotyped (30 microsatellite) 18 sheep breeds in this study demands and provides the opportunity to evaluate both neutral and adaptive components of genetic diversity in a naturally and artificially selected and subdivided sheep population. Seven Pramenka strains from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia characterized by a very low intensity of artificial selection, preserved the highest neutral genetic variability. Eight central and north-western European breeds under considerable artificial isolation and selection preserved the lowest genetic variability.

Prevalence of periodontal diseases in North Herzegovina.

Aim: To investigate effects of smoking on periodontal tissue and the occurrence of periodontal disease in the population of North Herzegovina.

Methods: The study included 800 persons of 20-49 years of age (400 smokers and 400 non-smokers), inhabitants of Prozor-Rama Municipality, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Periodontal condition assessment was made by the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs index (CPITN) at representative teeth: 16, 17, 21, 26, 27, 36, 37, 31, 46, and 47.

Development of mapped stress-field boundary conditions based on a Hill-type muscle model.

Forces generated in the muscles and tendons actuate the movement of the skeleton. Accurate estimation and application of these musculotendon forces in a continuum model is not a trivial matter. Frequently, musculotendon attachments are approximated as point forces; however, accurate estimation of local mechanics requires a more realistic application of musculotendon forces.

Development of a hip joint model for finite volume simulations.

This paper establishes a procedure for numerical analysis of a hip joint using the finite volume method. Patient-specific hip joint geometry is segmented directly from computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging datasets and the resulting bone surfaces are processed into a form suitable for volume meshing. A high resolution continuum tetrahedral mesh has been generated, where a sandwich model approach is adopted; the bones are represented as a stiffer cortical shells surrounding more flexible cancellous cores.

Auditory evoked potentials and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in evaluation of brainstem lesions in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the roles of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) in the evaluation of brainstem involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Patients And Methods: Altogether 32 patients with the diagnosis of MS participated in the study. The following data was collected from all patients: age, gender, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, brainstem functional system score (BSFS) (part of the EDSS evaluating brainstem symptomatology), and involvement of the brainstem on the brain MRI.

In vitro oxidative stress induced by conventional and self-ligating brackets.

Objective: To determine the in vitro oxidative stress induced by conventional and self-ligating brackets made of different materials.

Materials And Methods: The concentration of oxidative stress marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in DNA of murine fibroblast cells L929 after in vitro exposure to three types of conventional and four types of self-ligating brackets was assessed. To determine viability and changes in the number of cells before and after exposure, trypan blue dye was used.

Analysis of genetic and cultural conservation value of three indigenous Croatian cattle breeds in a local and global context.

It is widely accepted that autochthonous cattle breeds can be important genetic resources for unforeseeable environmental conditions in the future. Apart from that, they often represent local culture and tradition and thus assist in the awareness of ethnic identity of a country. In Croatia, there are only three indigenous cattle breeds, Croatian Buša, Slavonian Syrmian Podolian and Istrian Cattle.