Sputum eosinophils might predict response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Induction of sputum requires expertise and may not always be successful. Aim was to investigate correlation and predictive relationship between peripheral blood eosinophils (bEo) and sputum eosinophils (sEo), and impact of peripheral blood eosinophilia on outcome of COPD exacerbation. 120 current smokers with COPD (GOLD group C) (57.4 ± 0.92 years, M/F ratio 1.4), with no blood (≥7% or >0.43x109/L) nor sputum (≥3%) eosinophilia, were treated with moderate dose of ICS and long-acting bronchodilatator during stable disease, but systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics during exacerbation. According to sputum eosinophilia (≥4%) during exacerbation, patients were divided into eosinophilic (n=45) and non-eosinophilic group (n=75). In stable disease, bEo and sEo were similar in both groups (p>0.05). During exacerbation, bEo and sEo were significantly higher in eosinophilic group (eosinophilic vs. non-eosinophilic: blood: 1.42 ± 0.39 x109/l vs. 0.23 ± 0.02 x109/l, p<0.001; sputum: 8% (4, 19) vs. 1% (0, 3), p<0.0001), but bEo correlated with sEo in both groups (eosinophilic: r=0.52, p<0.001; non-eosinophilic: r=0.25, p<0.05). Relative bEo predicted sputum eosinophilia (area under the curve=0.71, standard error=0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] =0.61-0.81; p<0.001) and enabled identification of the presence or absence of sputum eosinophilia in 82% of the cases at a threshold of ≥4% (specificity=83.56%, sensitivity=93.83%, positive likelihood ratio=3.67). Eosinophilic group during exacerbation showed less frequent hospitalisations and shorter exacerbation (eosinophilic vs. non-eosinophilic: hospitalisations: 26.7% vs. 60.0%, p<0.001; duration of exacerbation (days): 8.1±0.35 vs. 10.13±0.31, p<0.0001). In COPD exacerbation, relative peripheral blood eosinophils ≥4% might identify sputum eosinophilia. Blood eosinophilia indicate better outcome of COPD exacerbation. Further investigations are needed to predict eosinophilic exacerbation in COPD patients, with prior absence of sputum or blood eosinophilia.

The aim of this research was to determine the differences among the top soccer players of the two clubs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, FC Sarajevo and FC Zeljeznicar, both from Sarajevo in the body composition and morphological characteristics. A sample of 51 subjects was divided into two sub-samples. The first sub-sample of the subjects consisted of 25 players FC Sarajevo of the average age 23.60±4.66, who occupied the first position on the table after the semi-season 2018/19, while the other sub-sample consisted of 26 players of FC Zeljeznicar of the average age of 23.58±4.93, who occupied the fourth position on the table after the semiseason 2018/19. Soccer players were tested between the two semi seasons of the championship 2018/19. Body composition and morphological characteristics in the were evaluated by a battery of 11 variables: body height, body weight, body mass index, fat percentage, muscle mass, upper leg skinfold, lower leg skinfold, triceps skinfold, biceps skinfold, skinfold of the back and abdominal skinfold. The standard central and dispersion parameters of all variables were calculated. The significance of the differences between the players of the top two soccer clubs in the variables for assessing body composition and morphological characteristics was determined by a t-test for independent samples. It was found that the soccer players of the two mentioned clubs have statistically significant differences by the two variables that estimate the upper leg skinfold and triceps skinfold, in favor of FC Sarajevo.

The development of industry, agriculture, transport and urbanization has resulted in excessive emissions of heavy metals into the environment, which due to their bioaccumulative properties express negative effects on the environment and living organisms as a whole. In this work the presence of heavy metals in the soil samples of the urban area of Lukavac and Kalesija municipality and their effect on the health of the population were studied. Soil samples were collected in October 2017 at five locations in the urban area of Lukavac municipality and two urban locations in Kalesija municipality. Concentrations of chromium (Cr) copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in the soil samples were determined. The results indicated that in some locations the concentration of heavy metals exceeded the maximum permissible concentration (MPC). MPC value for chromium was exceeded at four locations in the urban area of Lukavac, whereas MPC value for nickel and cadmium was exceeded at all locations. In Kalesija, MPC value was exceeded for chromium and nickel at one location, while cadmium MPC was exceeded at both locations. The negative impact of heavy metals on the health of the population is the cause of many malignant diseases. Statistical analysis of the number of patients with malignant diseases in the area of the Lukavac and Kalesija revealed significantly higher prevalence of malignant diseases of the lungs, breast, skin and cervix in the Lukavac (p<0,05) in comparisson to Kalesija municipality.

Due to the non-deterministic order of interactions between concurrent threads, testing of concurrent software is a challenge. In order to cope with this challenge, researchers have proposed analysis approaches in which the dynamic-based algorithms (e.g., Happens-before, Lockset) are an irreplaceable part. One of the biggest challenges of such algorithms, and a pre-condition to the analysis, is identification of memory locations that are shared between threads. This task is a significant contributor to the overhead of the analysis algorithms. In embedded systems that use static scheduling, scheduling is the implicit synchronization mechanism. In this paper, we suggest taking an advantage of static scheduling scheme to speed up the process of finding variables shared between threads, and with it, the identification of concurrency bugs. We demonstrate this concept by introducing modification to the Lockset algorithm and its internal structure. We show that considering static scheduling reduces the execution analysis time of the Lockset algorithm.

Embedded systems show a tendency of migrating to multicore processors. However, to fully use the potential of multicore processors, it is necessary to partition software into threads that execute concurrently and communicate using shared memory. In order to ensure the correctness and validity of shared data, threads need to synchronize their accesses. Currently prevailing lock-based synchronization introduces new challenges, as the hard-to-predict effect on the worst-case execution time seems to be most severe for embedded systems. Synchronization without locks (mainly lock-free) potentially offers many advantages over lock-based synchronization. In this paper, we investigate relevant aspects of embedded software systems affected by synchronization, including the testing process. We present conclusions in favor of and against migration to lock-free synchronization, including guidelines to help quantify the risks, and the results of applying testing tools to find concurrency bugs in software with lock-free synchronization. We look at the migration from the architectural point of view.

Originating in the artificial intelligence literature, optimistic planning (OP) is an algorithm that generates near-optimal control inputs for generic nonlinear discrete-time systems whose input set is finite. This technique is therefore relevant for the near-optimal control of nonlinear switched systems, for which the switching signal is the control. However, OP exhibits several limitations, which prevent its application in a standard control context. First, it requires the stage cost to take values in [0, 1], an unnatural prerequisite as it excludes, for instance, quadratic stage costs. Second, it requires the cost function to be discounted. Third, it applies for reward maximization, and not cost minimization. In this paper, we modify OP to overcome these limitations, and we call the new algorithm OPmin. We then make stabilizability and detectability assumptions, under which we derive near-optimality guarantees for OPmin and we show that the obtained bound has major advantages compared to the bound originally given by OP. In addition, we prove that a system whose inputs are generated by OPmin in a receding-horizon fashion exhibits stability properties. As a result, OPmin provides a new tool for the near-optimal, stable control of nonlinear switched discrete-time systems for generic cost functions.

The European standard on transport logistics and services in public passenger transport EN 13816 is based on a relationship between the perception of users and transport carriers throughout the groups of criteria taken as a basis for observation in this paper. The constant development and improvement of services in order to achieve sustainability of passenger transport is an imperative on the one hand and a challenge on the other. This is highly evident in persons with disabilities who are faced with many physical and social barriers related to access to rail transport. In this paper, a new model for the selection of criteria for the quality of passenger service in rail transport, from the perspective of persons with disabilities as the main category of passengers, has been created. The survey has covered 168 criteria classified in several groups and the entire territory of Serbia. In order to select the most important criteria, a new model that implies the integration of Full Consistency Method and a Rough Power Heronian aggregator has been developed. The development of a new aggregator enables more accurate decision-making in the process of group decision-making. The results obtained in this paper show that the most important criteria according to importance are Accessibility, Availability, Security, Time, Customer care, Information, Comfort, Environmental impact. Based on the criteria obtained for the service quality of rail transport for persons with disabilities, railway carriers will be able to change and improve the existing services, content, characteristics, equipment of railway stations and vehicles.

Aim This cross-sectional study of a group of women with abnormal cytology and high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection compared genotyping HPV DNA and mRNA assays according to two age categories of women (S1: ≤30 and S2: >30 years). Methods The hrHPV DNA positive results of 105 cervical samples of women were pooled and those harbouring HPV-16, 18, 31, 33 and/or 45 DNA were tested for the type specific HPV oncogene E6/E7 overexpression (mRNA). Results Although HPV DNA testing showed a higher proportion of women infected by any of five hrHPVs in S1 group, total agreement of hrHPV DNA and mRNA positive results was higher in S2 group of women (75.8% v. 83.9%). The most prevalent type in both age groups was HPV-16. A 100% agreement of positivity of both tests was noted for HPV-18 and 33 in S1 group, and for HPV-18 in S2 group. Increasing concordance of HPV-16 and 31 DNA and mRNA positive results with the severity of cervical cytology was observed in S1 group of women. Absolute matching (100.0%) of positivity of both diagnostic tests was recorded in S2ASCUS group (for HPV-16, 18 and 33), in S1HSIL (for HPV-16, 18, 31 and 33), in S1LSIL category (for HPV-18 and 33) and in S2HSIL group (for HPV-18). Conclusion The results indicate the possibility of predicting the risk of persistent infection only by HPV DNA typing test, with no need for additional RNA testing in categories of infected women showing a high (absolute) agreement of positivity of both tests.

Aim To determine a degree of change in the bones of workers who spend their full time job in sitting position and to find a correlation between smoking and changes in bone structure. Methods Examinees were 213 female workers who worked full time sedentary work in front of computer. Each worker was subjected to physical examination and ultrasonic osteodensitometry of calcaneus. Results The average age of patients was 45.4 years. Changes in bone density were found in 110 (51.64%) workers. Correlation between smoker and non-smoker groups was positive, but "r" was higher in smokers than in non-smokers. It is worrying that 10 out of 22 persons in the group up to 30 years of age have osteopenia. Conclusion Recommendation for regular annual control of bone density of the working group at risk regardless of age should be followed. Prescribing exercise for the working group at risk should be a significant part of preventive work in clinics of occupational medicine and sports.

Aim To analyse available breastfeeding data in Croatia and to describe the process of gathering, collecting, recording and reporting on them to the official institutions. Methods Infant nutrition data collected at maternity wards and infant nutrition data from primary health care units during the period 2005 to 2016 have been used. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data and to show the trends in breastfeeding. Results More than 85% of newborns were exclusively breastfed in the maternity wards. Data on breastfeeding from primary health care showed growth in exclusive breastfeeding up to 2011, followed by a fall in 2013. From 2012, paediatric teams had the obligation to join information system (CEZIH), but electronic forms did not contain infant nutrition information. Similarly in the E-Newborn project (E-novorođenče) the question on the feeding method in the application was not designated as mandatory. Conclusion The routinely collected data on breastfeeding did not allow us to draw any conclusion regarding breastfeeding trends in Croatia. In order to improve the process of gathering, recording and reporting data on breastfeeding to the proper authorities, it would be necessary to clearly align definitions, employ a uniform methodology, and upgrade the computer applications in primary health-care. Only then may the reports required for compulsory health insurance be obtained via the CEZIH, as well as the public health reports necessary to monitor preventive work in care of children's health, and monitoring public health indicators.

Aim To evaluate the frequency of refractive errors in premature children in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening to find mutual connection of the prematurity level, disease activity and refractive errors. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in the Eye Clinic of the University Clinical Centre Sarajevo, between December 2013 and January 2017. A total of 126 patients of gestational age ≤ 34 weeks and birth weight ≤ 2000 g underwent ROP screening program. The patients were divided into three groups: patients without ROP (n=15), patients with spontaneous regression (n=106) and those with active form of ROP (n=5). Results There were 68 (54.0%) patients with refractive errors: 45 (35.7%) had hyperopia, 17 (13.5%) myopia and six (4.8%) astigmatism. There were three (60.0%) patients with an active form of ROP who had refractive errors: two (40.0%) had myopia and one (20.0%) hyperopia. The group without active ROP had hyperopia as most frequent refractive error, with 10 (66.7%) patients. The average birth weight of the patients without refractive errors was 1403.9±43.4 g compared to 1390.3±104.2 g of the patients with refractive errors (p=0.498). The average gestational age was 29.7±0.3 weeks in patients without and 29.0 ± 0.3 weeks in patients with refractive errors (p=0.126). Conclusion The birth weight and the gestational age were significantly lower in patients with the active form of ROP. Lower gestational age and birth weight of premature children increase the chance for the development of refractive errors such as hyperopia in all premature children and myopia in patients with active form of ROP.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate knowledge and behavioural risks related to sexually transmitted infection (STIs) among high school students. METHODS The cross sectional study was conducted among students aged 15-18 years old from two high schools in the Sarajevo Canton in the period from October 2017 to March 2018. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used. The survey investigated their socio-demographic characteristics, sexual habits and level of knowledge about STIs. The data were analysed using SPSS version 25 and MS Excel 2016. RESULTS In total 278 high school students participated in the study, with a mean age of 17.79±1.026 years, of which 89 (32%) were male, and 189 (68%) were female. There was no significant difference in age in relation to sex distribution (P=0.074). Regarding the number of participants, 234 (84.2%) were from the dental school, while 44 (15.8%) were from a gimnazija (grammar high school). There was no significant difference in gender-based distribution by school (P=0.080). Students from the grammar high school had significantly better knowledge about the impact of STI on the foetus (P=0.025) and infected individuals (P=0.001), also about the impact of STI on sterility (P=0.005). CONCLUSION Our study confirmed the need for implementation of sexual education programs in the final grades of elementary school or in first grades of high school, aimed at improving knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and improving sexual and reproductive health.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this research was to establish the incidence of smoking habits and the level of nicotine dependence in education workers in the Central Bosnia Canton (CBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS The research was conducted in the 2017/2018 school year. It covered education workers in all elementary (N=53) and high schools (N=23), in the area of the CBC. A total of 857 subjects were included. For the purpose of this research a special questionnaire was designed that included information on smoking, how long people had smoked, age and gender, smoking habits, and a modified Fagerstrom test for assessment of nicotine dependence. RESULTS In relation to smoking status, the subjects were divided into two categories: 646 (75.38%) non-smokers and 211 (24.62%) of those who declared themselves to be active smokers. All subjects were considered in relation to four age groups. The average age of the subjects was 42.14 years, and the average age of the subjects who were smokers was 43.61 years. Of the total number of smokers (n=211), the number of those who believed that the consumption of cigarettes by staff members encourages pupils to smoke was 76 (36.01%). The largest number of subjects (746, 87%) believed that during their time in school or the school yard, pupils are in a situation where they are able to see educational workers smoking. The degree of nicotine dependence in education workers in the CBC was mostly mild (53.55%, N=113) and then moderate (44.54%, N=94) and severe (1.89%, N=4). CONCLUSION There is a significant number of smokers (24.62%) amongst education workers in schools in the CBC. The level of nicotine dependence in education workers is most often mild (53.55%) then moderate (44.54%) and severe (1.89%).