This paper presents an analytical analysis of the Doppler spectrum in von Mises-Fisher (vMF) scattering channels. A closed-form expression for the Doppler spectrum is derived and used to investigate the impact of vMF scattering parameters, i.e., the mean direction and the degree of concentration of scatterers. The spectrum is observed to exhibit exponential behavior for the mobile antenna motion parallel to the mean direction of scatterers, while conforming to a Gaussian-like shape for the perpendicular motion. The validity of the obtained results is verified by comparison against the results of Monte Carlo simulations, where an exact match is observed.

This letter presents simple analytical expressions for the spatial and temporal correlation functions in channels with von Mises-Fisher (vMF) scattering. In contrast to previous results, the expressions presented here are exact and based only on elementary functions, clearly revealing the impact of the underlying parameters. The derived results are validated by a comparison against numerical integration result, where an exact match is observed. To demonstrate their utility, the presented results are used to analyze spatial correlation across different antenna array geometries and to investigate temporal correlation of a fluctuating radar signal from a moving target.

The Sustainable Development Goals are far off track. The convergence of global threats such as climate change, conflict and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic-among others-call for better data and research evidence that can account for the complex interactions between these threats. In the time of polycrisis, global and national-level data and research evidence must address complexity. Viewed through the lens of 'systemic risk', there is a need for data and research evidence that is sufficiently representative of the multiple interdependencies of global threats. Instead, current global published literature seems to be dominated by correlational, descriptive studies that are unable to account for complex interactions. The literature is geographically limited and rarely from countries facing severe polycrisis threats. As a result, country guidance fails to treat these threats interdependently. Applied systems thinking can offer more diverse research methods that are able to generate complex evidence. This is achievable through more participatory processes that will assist stakeholders in defining system boundaries and behaviours. Additionally, applied systems thinking can draw on known methods for hypothesising, modelling, visualising and testing complex system properties over time. Application is much needed for generating evidence at the global level and within national-level policy processes and structures.

Aim: During the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many countries reported a significant decrease in the prevalence of influenza virus cases. The study aimed to characterize the flu seasons from 2018 to 2023 in Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), and to assess the possible impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the influenza A and B virus circulation.  Methods: The CDC Human Influenza Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panels were used for the detection of influenza virus A and B, and subtyping of influenza virus A (H1pdm09 virus and H3). The data for this regis-try-based retrospective study were collected at the Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, Unit for Clinical Microbiology (the laboratory that acts as a referral for the detection and characterization of influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 in Federation B&H). Results: In the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020, an equal percentage of positive cases was recorded (148/410; 36%, and 182/504; 36%, respectively). The absence of the influenza virus was observed in 2020/2021. During 2021/2022, influenza virus was detected among 19/104 (18%) patients and slightly increased in 2022/2023 (45/269; 17%). The switch of the influenza B virus lineage was observed. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 virus had an impact on the prevalence of influenza virus infection among the population of the Sarajevo Canton, B&H. Since the interactions between these two viruses are not entirely clear, awareness of a possible threat to public health is crucial.

<p><strong>Aim </strong>To determine the normative range of ultrasound dimensions for the liver, spleen and kidneys in healthy children according to gender, age, body measurements, body surface area (BSA), and the influence of ethnicity on organ size.<br /><strong>Methods </strong>The prospective study included children, ranging from full-term neonates to children aged 15, with normal ultrasonographic (US) findings of the liver, spleen and kidney and no clinical evidence of a disease. Gender, age, as well as body measurements and BSA, were determined for each child along with US measurements, and normative ranges were established.&nbsp;<br /><strong>Results </strong>US images of the liver and spleen from 372 children and 366 US images of kidneys of 366 children were included. US measurements of the liver, spleen and kidney correlated well with gender, age, body weight and height, and often differed to a greater or lesser extent from the normal range of measurements (5th to 95th percentile) reported in other studies.<br /><strong>Conclusion </strong>Our results differed slightly from other reports conducted in Europe, but larger differences compared to measurements performed on children on other continents were found. Thus, our study confirmed that ethnically appropriate and modern tables of normal ultra-sound dimensions for the liver, spleen and kidneys should be used, and that the national nomogram is justified.</p>

<p><strong>Aim </strong>To evaluate the clinical impact of corticosteroids (CS) overuse in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Excessive use of CS could delay more efficacious treatment and may indicate poor quality of care.<br /><strong>Method </strong>This is a two-phase study that used Steroid Assessment Tool (SAT) to measure corticosteroid exposure in IBD patients. In the first phase data from 211 consecutive ambulatory patients with IBD (91 with ulcerative colitis, 115 with Crohn's disease, and five with unclassified inflammatory bowel disease) were analyzed by SAT. In the second phase, one year after data entry, clinical outcome of patients with cortico-steroids overuse was analysed.<br /><strong>Results </strong>Of the 211 IBD patients, 132 (62%) were not on corticosteroids, 45 (22%) were cortico-steroid-dependent and 34 (16%) used corticosteroids appropriately, according to the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization guidelines. In the group of patients with ulcerative colitis, 57 (63%) were not on cortico-steroids, 18 (20%) were corticosteroid-dependent, and 16 (16%) used cortico-steroids appropriate-ly; in the group of patients with Crohn's disease 70 (61%), 27 (23%) and 18 (16%), respectively. Overall, 24 (out of 45; 53%) patients with IBD could avoid the overuse of cortico-steroids if they had a timely change of the treatment, surgery or entered a clinical trial.<br /><strong>Conclusion </strong>An excessive corticosteroid use can be recognized on time using the SAT. We have proven that excessive corticosteroid use could be avoided in almost half of cases and thus the overuse of CS may indicate poor quality of care in those patients.</p>

Aim: To investigate out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) trend, provided advanced life support (ALS) measures, automated external defibrillator (AEDs) utilization and by-standers involvement in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during OHCA incidents. Methods: This cross-sectional study encompassed data pertaining to all OHCA incidents attended to by the Emergency Medical Service of Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, covering the period from January 2018 to December 2022. Results: Among a total of 1131 OHCA events, 236 (20.8 %) patients achieved return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC); there were 175 (74.1%) males and 61 (25.9%) females. The OHCA incidence was 54/100.000 inhabitants per year. After a 30-day period post-ROSC, 146 (61.9%) patients fully recovered, while 90 (38.1%) did not survive during this timeframe. Younger age (p&lt;0.05), initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) (p&lt;0.05) and faster emergency medical team (EMT) response time (p&lt;0.05) were significantly associated with obtaining ROSC. Only 38 (3.3%) OHCA events were assisted by bystanders, who were mostly medical professionals, 25 (65.7%), followed by close family members, 13 (34.3%). There was no report of AED usage. Conclusion: This follow-up study showed less ROSC achievement, similar bystanders&rsquo; involvement, similar factors associated with achieving ROSC (age, EMT response time) and a decline in OHCA events (especially in year 2021 and 2022) comparing to our previous study (2015-2019). There was an extremely low rate of bystander engagement and no AEDs usage. Governments and health organizations must swiftly improve public awareness, promote better practice (basic life support), and actively encourage bystander participation.

AIM To assess the relationship between the attitudes of general practitioners/family medicine doctors (GP/FD) and of their patients toward industry-sponsored clinical research. METHODS A cross-sectional survey included volunteer GPs/FDs who then enrolled and interviewed their patients. Data were analyzed in hierarchical models (patients nested in GPs/FDs, nested in countries/regions). RESULTS A total of 201 GPs/FDs from nine European countries responded to the invitation and enrolled 995 of their patients. We observed mild associations between some of the GPs/FDs' attitudes (general opinion on sponsored clinical studies, appreciation of the general values of such studies, views about the importance of participant protection/privacy) and some of the patients' attitudes (appreciation of the general values and of risks associated with sponsored clinical studies, importance assigned to potential personal benefits from participation). We observed no association between GPs/FDs' attitudes and patients' willingness to participate in such studies. However, willingness to participate increased with higher patients' appreciation of the general values of sponsored studies, decreased with higher patients' appreciation of associated risks, and showed a quadratic trend across the levels of importance assigned by patients to potential personal benefits (willingness was higher when the assigned importance was very low or very high). More importance to GP/FD's advice in this respect was assigned by patients who assigned more importance to potential personal benefits, who were better educated, and who resided in rural/suburban dwellings. CONCLUSIONS In the present convenience sample, lay-person attitudes about and willingness to participate in industry-sponsored clinical studies were associated with the attitudes of their GPs/FDs.

Background and Objectives Myelin and iron play essential roles in remyelination processes of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. χ-separation, a novel biophysical model applied to multiecho T2*-data and T2-data, estimates the contribution of myelin and iron to the obtained susceptibility signal. We used this method to investigate myelin and iron levels in lesion and nonlesion brain areas in patients with MS and healthy individuals. Methods This prospective MS cohort study included patients with MS fulfilling the McDonald Criteria 2017 and healthy individuals, aged 18 years or older, with no other neurologic comorbidities. Participants underwent MRI at baseline and after 2 years, including multiecho GRE-(T2*) and FAST-(T2) sequences. Using χ-separation, we generated myelin-sensitive and iron-sensitive susceptibility maps. White matter lesions (WMLs), cortical lesions (CLs), surrounding normal-appearing white matter (NAWM), and normal-appearing gray matter were segmented on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and magnetization-prepared 2 rapid gradient echo images, respectively. Cross-sectional group comparisons used Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, longitudinal analyses applied Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Associations with clinical outcomes (disease phenotype, age, sex, disease duration, disability measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS], neurofilament light chain levels, and T2-lesion number and volume) were assessed using linear regression models. Results Of 168 patients with MS (median [interquartile range (IQR)] age 47.0 [21.7] years; 101 women; 6,898 WMLs, 775 CLs) and 103 healthy individuals (age 33.0 [10.5] years, 57 women), 108 and 62 were followed for a median of 2 years, respectively (IQR 0.1; 5,030 WMLs, 485 CLs). At baseline, WMLs had lower myelin (median 0.025 [IQR 0.015] parts per million [ppm]) and iron (0.017 [0.015] ppm) than the corresponding NAWM (myelin 0.030 [0.012]; iron 0.019 [0.011] ppm; both p < 0.001). After 2 years, both myelin (0.027 [0.014] ppm) and iron had increased (0.018 [0.015] ppm; both p < 0.001). Younger age (p < 0.001, b = −5.111 × 10−5), lower disability (p = 0.04, b = −2.352 × 10−5), and relapsing-remitting phenotype (RRMS, 0.003 [0.01] vs primary progressive 0.002 [IQR 0.01], p < 0.001; vs secondary progressive 0.0004 [IQR 0.01], p < 0.001) at baseline were associated with remyelination. Increment of myelin correlated with clinical improvement measured by EDSS (p = 0.015, b = −6.686 × 10−4). Discussion χ-separation, a novel mathematical model applied to multiecho T2*-images and T2-images shows that young RRMS patients with low disability exhibit higher remyelination capacity, which correlated with clinical disability over a 2-year follow-up.