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Techno-economic analysis and cost-effectiveness of photovoltaic systems for restaurants in Macedonia
Get PDFAdvances in photovoltaic technology have improved efficiency and reduced costs, helping mitigate energy price volatility and fossil fuel dependence. These systems play a critical role in environmental protection by minimizing carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel-based power plants of similar capacity. This paper presents a techno-economic analysis for the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system on an average restaurant in Macedonia. The objective is to determine the feasibility of a photovoltaic system for an average restaurant that procures electricity from the open market, with the goal of reducing the energy dependence of restaurants and encouraging investments in PV systems by these commercial entities. Such investments can significantly contribute to increasing domestic electricity production from renewable energy sources while reducing CO₂ emissions. The analysis is based on the electricity consumption of an average restaurant and electricity production from a PV system with a capacity of 40 kWp. By comparing the hourly electricity production from the photovoltaic system, obtained throughPV*SOL premium, with the hourly electricity consumption of the restaurant, derived from the standard load curve for restaurants, a techno-economic analysis was conducted in accordance with the forecasted electricity prices taken from the HUDX electricity exchange. Additionally, annual CO₂ emission reductions were calculated using PV*SOL premium, considering the system's lifetime and factoring in the 1% annual efficiency degradation of PV modules based on manufacturer specifications.Investments in PV systems for restaurants not only enhance energy efficiency and economic feasibility but also contribute significantly to sustainable development and reduced environmental impact
An overview of medication adherence: measurement methods and interventions
Get PDFMedication adherence is essential for achieving therapeutic outcomes. However, many patients do not follow their prescribed medication regimens. About 50% of patients do not adhere to their pharmacotherapy, making medication adherence a widespread issue. Accurately measuring adherence is essential for effective care planning and intervention. This paper reviews various methods for measuring medication adherence, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Many factors can affect medication adherence. This review focuses on practical ways to measure adherence and strategies to enhance it, underscoring its importance in achieving better healthcare results. Healthcare providers must prioritize medication adherence, as it directly impacts the effectiveness of treatment and overall public health outcomes.
Key words: medication adherence, methods, interventions, factor
Method performance verification and measurement uncertainty evaluation for determination of total active matter content in shampoos
Get PDFThe aim of our study was to perform in-use method verification of the standard ISO 6842:1989(E) method for determination of total active matter (TAM) content in shampoos. The method was verified for accuracy and precision (method precision, repeatability, and intermediate precision). To assure quality, measurement uncertainty was also estimated, through evaluation of the possible sources of uncertainty, using the Nordtest approach.
The obtained results for the accuracy, repeatability (method precision) and intermediate precision confirmed that the standard method could be successfully applied when compared to data for repeatability and intermediate precision provided in ISO 6842:1989(E) method. Measurement uncertainty was estimated for each measurement. The verified method was successfully applied for routine determination of total active matter content in shampoos
Deep Learning-Based System for Detection and Classification of Household Entry Points Using YOLOv11
No full textObject state detection in home environments presents a crucial challenge for smart home systems and robotics applications. This paper presents deep learning approach for detecting households' entry points - doors and windows. It uses the You Only Look Once (YOLO) v11 object detection model. Custom dataset comprising images of doors and windows in various lighting conditions and angles was constructed for this purpose. Using the Roboflow platform, images were annotated with bounding boxes and preprocessed for standardization, with data augmentation applied to increase sample diversity. The resulting dataset was then divided into training, validation, and testing sets for model development and evaluation. The trained model was deployed through Roboflow's API, enabling seamless integration with Python through the dedicated library, which allowed for efficient real-time inference in our application. Experimental results indicate that the proposed approach offers a reliable solution for automated households entry point detection, with potential applications in smart home systems, security monitoring, and robotic navigation. The implementation demonstrates robust performance across varying lighting conditions and viewing angles, making it suitable for real-world applications. This research contributes to the growing field of automated home monitoring systems by providing a practical solution for entryway state detection using contemporary deep learning techniques
Design and Characterization of Thermosensitive Niosomes as Platforms for Daunorubicin Delivery
No full textBackground/Objectives: The study describes the elaboration and evaluation of thermosensitive niosomes intended for the systemic application of daunorubicin hydrochloride. The attained stimulus sensitivity would determine the release of the chemotherapeutic predominantly at the target site, which ensures a higher drug concentration and leads to reduced systemic toxicity. The latter is highly beneficial, as the anthracycline antibiotic is known for its dose-dependent cardiotoxic effects. Methods: Conventional and copolymer-modified niosomes were prepared via thin-film hydration and the transmembrane ammonium gradient method, allowing us to assess the impacts of copolymer type-DHP-PiPOX (1,3-dihexadecyl-propane-2-ol-poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)) or DHP-PETEGA (1,3-dihexadecyl-propane-2-ol-poly(ethoxytriethylene glycol acrylate)) and their concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2.5 mol%), as well as the method of preparation, on the main physicochemical properties of the vesicles. Niosomes were characterized in terms of their size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, morphology, and drug release properties. Thermosensitivity was evaluated by fluorescence studies, and the antiproliferative activity of optimized formulations was assessed against the acute myelocyte leukemia-derived HL-60 cell line. Results: Daunorubicin-loaded niosomes modified with DHP-PiPOX and DHP-PETEGA at 2.5 mol% exhibited suitable physicochemical properties for systemic application, with sizes below 200 nm (155 and 158 nm respectively), low PDI values of 0.25 and 0.29, spherical morphology, and high daunorubicin entrapment efficiency (68.6 and 66.5% respectively). The vesicles showed temperature-dependent drug release properties and superior antiproliferative activity compared to the free daunorubicin (IC50 values of 6.91 and 8.54 vs. 12.14). Conclusions: The obtained results indicate that the developed thermosensitive nanovesicles may serve as a suitable drug delivery system for the systemic application of daunorubicin hydrochloride
Contamination of dental implants as a factor in the success/failure of the implantation process
Get PDFTitanium is widely regarded as the most biocompatible noble metal, demonstrating excellent affinity with bone tissue and supporting the process of osseointegration, which is critical for the success of dental implant procedures. Most dental implant manufacturers report a 99% success rate and claim their implants are composed of 99% titanium. However, the remaining 1% of the material composition often remains unspecified, raising questions about its potential impact on clinical outcomes.
Aim: Despite extensive research in dental implantology, implant failure still occurs, frequently due to peri- implantitis — an inflammatory process that can lead to implant loss.
Methods: This study aimed to investigate the surface composition of dental implants from various manufacturers using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to assess the potential role of surface contaminants in the osseointegration process.
Results and conclusions: Our findings indicate that, in addition to titanium, several chemical elements were present on the implant surfaces, including silicon, chlorine, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, and sodium. These elements may originate from manufacturing, handling, or packaging processes, and their presence may influence the biological response to the implant, either positively or negatively. Depending on their concentration and interaction with host tissues, such elements could enhance osseointegration or contribute to inflammatory reactions and implant failure.This study underscores the importance of surface purity and composition in dental implants and highlights the need for further investigation into the clinical relevance of surface contaminants.
Keywords: dental implant, chemical elements, contamination, osseointegration, peri-implantiti
How Reliable Is Ultrasound for Detection and Follow Up on Breast Cancer Liver Metastases?
Get PDFAbstract
BACKGROUND: To find out whether and to what extent the two diagnostic methods are necessary – both the
computed tomography and the ultrasound for diagnosis and staging at the same time on breast cancer liver
metastases.
AIM: In order to protect patients from unnecessary CT ionizing radiation, we compared the level of agreement of
two methods: ultrasound and computed tomography.
METHODS: We analyzed 41 patients with diagnosed breast cancer and synchronous liver metastases.
RESULTS: There is a poor level of agreement between the ultrasound and computed tomography in the arterial
and portal phase in terms of showing hepatic metastases in primary breast cancers. The individual kappa values
calculated for each category individually, show that the two methods agree best in detecting ring changes (0.573)
and do not agree at all in detecting hyper lesions.
CONCLUSION: Only ultrasound is sufficient in the diagnosis and monitoring of annular hepatic metastases,
because it best agrees with computed tomography in the arterial and venous phase, while computed tomography
is the only method of choice for hyperechoic metastases. When it comes to hypoechoic metastases the computed
tomography remains the gold standard for diagnosis in our institutio
Фестивал на современа музика вокално-инструментален оддел, настап на проф. д-р Невенка Дуковска со студенти по виолина
Get PDFНа концертот на класична музика, на вокално-инструменталниот оддел, настапи проф. д-р Невенка Дуковска заедно со студенти по виолина од Класата на Проф. м-р Михаило Куфојанакис од музичката академија при УГД - Штип. Истиот се одржа во Уметничката галерија „Безистен“ во Штип на 29.05.2025, со почеток од 19 часот. Концертот беше организиран од академијата и универзитетот
За малите, навидум незначајни, а толку големи нешта во животот
Get PDFО дугмету и срећи“ Јасмине Петровић је кратка и топла прича која говори и фокусира се на детаље живота који нам доносе радост и срећу. Ова књига, иако намењена деци, садржи универзалну поруку која може допрети до читалаца свих узраста. Прича се врти око обичног дугмета које кроз разне авантуре симболизује ситнице које често занемарујемо, али имају моћ да нам живот учине срећнијим
Endodontic treatment in geriatric patients - expectations, challenges, obstacles, results
Get PDFObjective: With increasing life expectancy, the demand for preserving natural dentition in older adults has risen. Endodontic treatment in geriatric patients presents unique challenges due to age –related changes in dental and systemic health. The objective of these case reports is to highlight the unique clinical challenges and considerations countered in the geriatric population.
Case Reports: Case 1: A 71- year – old, medically compromised male patient presented with exacerbated chronic periapical lesion and a fractured file in the root canal of a mandibular canine. The broken file was successfully retrieved using a dental operating microscope and ultrasound, allowing proper instrumentation, disinfection and sealing of the canals. Case2: A70-year-old female patient with calcified canals in her maxillary molar was managed using advanced endodontic techniques, including magnification, ultrasound, instrumentation and chelating agents, achieving predictable outcomes despite the calcifications. Case3: A 76-year-old female required retreatment of a maxillary premolar with a previous metal post and significant calcification in the middle radicular third. The crown and post were removed, and the calcified canals were successfully negotiated, allowing healing of the persisting periapical lesion.
Conclusions: Advanced endodontic treatment with correct instrumentation, magnification, irrigation and biocompatibility of materials used in endodontics play significant role in overcoming obstacles such as calcified canals, reduced healing capacity related to coexisting systemic conditions.
Keywords: Endodontic treatment, Geriatric patients, Calcified canals, Magnification, Instrumentatio