<p>In order to mitigate climate change and reduce the anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the Kyoto protocol has been adopted in 1997 and the Paris Agreement entered into force in 2016. The Paris Agreement have ratified 190 out of 197 Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Croatia is one of them as well. Each Party has obliged regularly to submit the national inventory report (NIR) providing the information on the national anthropogenic GHG emissions by sources and removals by sinks to the UNFCCC. Reporting under the NIR is divided into six categories / sectors, and one of them is land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector, where an issue of uncertainty estimates on carbon emissions and removals occurs. As soil respiration represents the second-largest terrestrial carbon flux, the national studies on soil respiration can reduce the uncertainty and improve the estimation of country-level carbon fluxes. Due to the omission of national data, the members of the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Department of General Agronomy have started to study soil respiration rates in 2012, and since then many different studies on soil respiration under different agricultural land uses (i.e. annual crops, energy crop and vineyard), management practices (i.e. tillage and fertilization) and climate conditions (i.e. continental and mediterranean) in Croatia have been conducted. The obtained site specific results on field measurements of soil carbon dioxide concentrations by <em>in situ</em> closed static chamber method will be presented in this paper.</p>

Agriculture is a major source of sediment and particulate phosphorus (P) inputs to freshwaters. Distinguishing between P fractions in sediment can aid in understanding its eutrophication risk. Although streams and rivers are important parts of the P cycle in agricultural catchments, streambed sediment and especially fluvial suspended sediment (FSS) and its P fractions are less studied. To address this knowledge gap, seasonal variations in FSS P fractions and their relation to water quality and streambed sediment were examined in three Swedish agricultural headwater catchments over 2 yr. Sequential fractionation was used to characterize P fractions in both streambed sediment and FSS. All catchments had similar annual P losses (0.4-0.8 kg ha-1 ), suspended solids (124-183 mg L-1 ), and FSS total P concentrations (1.15-1.19 mg g-1 ). However, distribution of P fractions and the dominant P fractions in FSS differed among catchments (p < .05), which was most likely dependent on differences in catchment geology, clay content, external P sources, and flow conditions. The most prominent seasonal pattern in all catchments was found for iron-bound P, with high concentrations during low summer flows and low concentrations during winter high flows. Streambed sediment P fractions were in the same concentration ranges as in FSS, and the distribution of the fractions differed between catchments. This study highlights the need to quantify P fractions, not just total P in FSS, to obtain a more complete understanding of the eutrophication risk posed by agricultural sediment losses.

Izhodišče: Katetrska vstavitev aortne zaklopke (TAVI) je v zadnjih letih postala prevladujoča metoda za zdravljenje degenerativne aortne stenoze pri starejših bolnikih. Prispevek prikazuje prve rezultate zdravljenja s TAVI v mednarodnem kardiovaskularnem centru MC Medicor in jih primerja z najpomembnejšimi mednarodnimi raziskavami zadnjih let. Metode: V retrospektivno raziskavo smo vključili zaporedno serijo bolnikov, pri katerih smo opravili TAVI. Podatke smo pridobili iz lastnega registra perkutanih kardioloških posegov. Rezulati: Med 12. decembrom 2016 in 6. junijem 2020 smo TAVI opravili pri 109 bolnikih s povprečno starostjo 81 let in EuroScore II 3.95. Srednji ultrazvočni gradient na aortni zaklopki je znašal 46 mm Hg, izračunana površina ustja pa 0,8 cm2. Pri vseh bolnikih, razen pri enem, smo uporabili perkutani pristop preko femoralne arterije. Balonsko predilatacijo smo izvedli v 36,7 %, novo zaklopko vsadili v 98,2 % in jo balonsko postdilatirali v 15,6 %. Srednji ultrazvočni gradient po TAVI je znašal 9 mm Hg. Zmerna aortna regurgitacija je bila prisotna v 3,7 % (95 % IZ 1,0–9,1 %), huda pa pri nobenem od bolnikov. Nov srčni spodbujevalec je potrebovalo 22,9 % bolnikov (95 % IZ 15,4–32,0 %). En bolnik je imel tranzitorno ishemično kap. Urgentno perikardiocentezo smo opravili v 2,7 % (95 % IZ 0,6–7,8 %), srčno operacijo v 1,8 % (95 % IZ 0,2–6,5 %), žilno operacijo v 0,9 % (95 % IZ 0,0–5,0 %) in hemostazo s prekritimi žilnimi opornicami v 1,8 % (95 % IZ 0,2–6,5 %). Bolnišnična in 30-dnevna umrljivost sta bili 1,8 % (95 % IZ 0,2–6,5 %), enoletna 3,1 % (95 % IZ 0,0–6,5 %), dvoletna 5,6 % (95 % IZ 0,0–11,4 %) in triletna 14,2 % (95 % IZ 0,0–29,6 %). Zaključek: Začetni rezultati TAVI v Medicorju so ugodni in primerljivi z najpomembnejšimi mednarodnimimi raziskavami zadnjih let.

Sweet corn ( Zea mays L. var. saccharata [Sturtev.] L.H. Bailey) is a thermophilic crop that is sensitive to cold stress and thus may be cultivated by raising seedlings. The aim of this work was to determine the impact of transplanting and direct sowing on the yield and earliness of the sweet corn crop. The treatment protocol used had a combination of two different cultivation technologies (transplanting and direct sowing) and two different sowing periods (8 and 15 May during both growing seasons). The results show that the different cultivation technologies both had significant effects on the productive properties and earliness of sweet corn. The transplanting variants had about 34% more plants per hectare compared with the direct sowing yield. The ear length and mass were higher in crops grown using transplanting (22.2 cm and 278.0 g, respectively) than in crops grown using direct sowing (21.2 cm and 270.3 g, respectively). During the research period, a significantly higher ear yield was noted in the transplanted variants (11.7 t ha -1 ) compared with those of direct sowing (7.6 t ha -1 ). The transplanting variants had earlier harvests by 18 and 16 d in the first and second sowing periods, respectively, compared with those of direct sowing.

The ginger family (Zingiberaceae) includes plants that are known worldwide to have a distinctive smell and taste, which are often used as spices in the kitchen, but also in various industries (pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetic) due to their proven biological activity. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the chemical composition and antioxidant activity (AA) of essential oils (EOs) of four characteristic ginger species: Elettaria cardamomum L. Maton (cardamom), Curcuma Longa L. (turmeric), Zingiber Officinale Roscoe (ginger), and Alpinia Officinarum Hance (galangal). Furthermore, the total phenolic content (TPC) and AA of crude extracts obtained after using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and different extraction solvents (80% ethanol, 80% methanol and water) were evaluated. A total of 87 different chemical components were determined by GC-MS/MS in the EOs obtained after hydrodistillation, 14 of which were identified in varying amounts in all EOs. The major compounds found in cardamom, turmeric, ginger, and galangal were α-terpinyl acetate (40.70%), β-turmerone (25.77%), α-zingiberene (22.69%) and 1,8-cineol (42.71%), respectively. In general, 80% ethanol was found to be the most effective extracting solvent for the bioactivities of the investigated species from the Zingiberaceae family. Among the crude extracts, ethanolic extract of galangal showed the highest TPC value (63.01 ± 1.06 mg GA g−1 DW), while the lowest TPC content was found in cardamom water extract (1.04 ± 0.29 mg GA g−1 DW). The AA evaluated by two different assays (ferric-reducing antioxidant power-FRAP and the scavenging activity of the cationic ABTS radical) proved that galangal rhizome is the plant with the highest antioxidant potential. In addition, no statistical difference was found between the AA of turmeric and ginger extracts, while cardamom rhizome was again inferior. In contrast to the crude extracts, the EOs resulted in significantly lower ABTS and FRAP values, with turmeric EO showing the highest AA.

Abstract In the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), instructional leadership is measured by the self-reports of principals on three items only. When this measure is investigated together with teacher satisfaction with current work environment, no significant associations were found in the Nordic countries participating in the TALIS 2013 round. This paper argues that a potential reason for this might be the severely underrepresented construct of instructional leadership. As an alternative approach, teacher data from the same study are used to establish two important dimensions of instructional leadership at the school level: 1) managing the instructional program and 2) developing the school learning climate. Applying multilevel structural equation modelling (MSEM), we establish two shared cluster constructs at the school level and observe significant modest relationships between these constructs and teacher job satisfaction with current work environment. The paper brings to our attention the different approaches for interpreting, exploring, and making sense of instructional leadership in international large-scale studies, such as TALIS, from the joint perspective of teachers.

The main objective of this research was to propose a light and practical design solution for electric bike front drive with bottom bracket electric motor. The initial design needs to be redesigned so it can enable simultaneous use of the electric drive and pedal drive, with integration of the front gear shifter. After gathering the basic information linked to the problem and inspecting the initial design solution, the assets and flaws have been identified. The CAD models of the considered possible solutions were developed into FEM models which were used for structural analysis in CAD/CAE software system CATIA. On the basis of the FEM analysis and additional criteria, the optimal solution was chosen, and structural optimization, based on FEM model, was performed. A prototype was manufactured and a mounting process in a place of the initial design was performed. Afterwards, electric bike with mounted prototype was tested under real conditions.

Purpose Myasthenia gravis (MG) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are two different diseases. The coexistence of both of them is extremely rare and represents a diagnostic challenge which requires thoughtful interpretation of clinical characteristics. Case report We present the case of a 46-year-old Bosnian male who developed ALS five months after MG. Diagnosis of MG was based on elevated titers of anti-AchR antibodies, positive edrophonium test, and decremental responses on a repetitive nerve stimulation test while the diagnosis of ALS was based on clinical and neurophysiological findings: upper motor neuron signs in the lumbar region, lower motor neuron signs in the bulbar and cervical regions, generalized fasciculations and muscle atrophy and progressive asymetric muscle weakness together with active and chronic denervation in the cervical and lumbosacral region determined by electromyoneurography. Conclusions The coexistence of MG and ALS is rare and request an adequate interpretation of clinical symptoms. The relationship between these two diseases in as interesting phenomen to present.

In order to ensure a quality welded joint, and thus safe operation and high reliability of the welded part or structure achieved by friction stir welding, it is necessary to select the optimal welding parameters. The parameters of friction stir welding significantly affect the structure of the welded joint, and thus the mechanical properties of the welded joint. Investigation of the influence of friction stir welding parameters was performed on 6-mm thick plates of aluminum alloy AA2024 T351. The quality of the welded joint is predominantly influenced by the tool rotation speed n and the welding speed v. In this research, constant tool rotation speed was adopted n = 750 rpm, and the welding speed was varied (v = 73, 116 and 150 mm/min). By the visual method and radiographic examination, imperfections of the face and roots of the welded specimens were not found. This paper presents the performed experimental tests of the macro and microstructure of welded joints, followed by tests of micro hardness and fracture behavior of Friction Stir Welded AA2024-T351 joints. It can be concluded that the welding speed of v = 116 mm/min is favorable with regard to the fracture behavior of the analysed FSW-joint.

SUMMARY The aim of the study was to determine attitudes towards and habits in oral health of adolescents in Herzegovina, as well as to evaluate the possible differences in habits among individuals of different adolescent categories. The study included 120 participants (35 male and 85 female) divided into three adolescent categories, as follows: early (11-14 years of age), middle (15-18 years) and late (19-21 years) adolescence, from the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, who presented for dental examination. All participants completed the socio-demographic questionnaire and standardized Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI). The answers provided by study adolescents in the HU-DBI showed statistically significant differences among particular age groups, i.e. between early and middle adolescence in items 7 (p=0.046) and 15 (p=0.007); between middle and late adolescence in items 8 (p=0.021), 11 (p=0.04) and 12 (p=0.027); and between middle and late adolescence in item 11 (p=0.032). Respondents in middle adolescence had poorer oral hygiene attitudes than those in early and late adolescence. In order to improve the oral hygiene habits of adolescents in Herzegovina, it is necessary to put emphasis on continuous education about oral hygiene habits during their secondary education.