Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) allow individuals with limited speech and physical abilities to communicate with the surrounding environment. Such BCIs require calibration sessions which is burdensome for such individuals. We introduce a transfer learning approach for our novel hybrid BCI in which brain electrical activity and cerebral blood velocity are recorded simultaneously using Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound (fTCD) respectively in response to flickering mental rotation (MR) and word generation (WG) tasks. With the aim of reducing the calibration requirements, for each BCI user, we used mutual information to identify the top similar datasets collected from other users. Using these datasets and the dataset of the current user, features derived from power spectrum of EEG and fTCD signals were calculated. Mutual information and support vector machines were used for feature selection and classification. Using the hybrid combination, an average accuracy of 93.04% was achieved for MR versus baseline whereas WG versus baseline yielded average accuracy of 90.94%. As for MR versus WG, an average accuracy of 92.64% was obtained by hybrid combination compared to 88.14% obtained by EEG only. Average bit rates of 11.45, 17.24, and 19.72 bits/min were achieved for MR versus WG, MR versus baseline, and WG versus baseline respectively. The proposed system outperforms the state of the art EEG-fNIRS BCIs in terms of accuracy and/or bit rate.

The use of Distributed Generation (DG) throughout the world increasing. DG siting and sizing is an important engineering consideration, which is inherently influenced by the system load and DG power output uncertainties. This paper presents research results of the uncertainty influence on DG allocation problem. This influence is investigated using a constrained optimization problem for power loss reduction. The optimization is performed using Genetic Algorithm. The power system load and DG power output uncertainties are addressed using a possibilistic (α – cut method). The algorithm is applied to realistic distribution system to demonstrate its practical relevance. Results indicate that DG can reduce losses. and that uncertainties play a major role in final optimisation results. This paper contributes to the existing knowledge by applying, to a realistic test power system, a DG allocation method, which considers the influence of load and generation uncertainties on optimization results.

Introduction: Cancelling elective procedures on the day of surgery presents a constant problem in all higher-level medical facilities, and the research of causes, consequences and possible solutions is the duty of every facility in order to enhance the quality of healthcare services. Aim: The aim of the research was to determine the percentage and reasons for cancelling elective procedures and provide adequate measure to reduce this number in the future and to identify ways to improve the patients’ satisfaction level. Material and Methods: This prospective study included all patients that were scheduled for surgery from March 2016 to November 2018 in the operating rooms at our Department of Surgery, including both performed and cancelled cases. Cases by different surgical departments (general surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, urology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology) were all included. Results: Out of 8201 planned elective procedures from March 2016 to November 2018 at the General Hospital “Abdulah Nakas”, 7825 cases were performed and 376 cases (4.58%) were cancelled on the day of surgery. The most common reasons for cancelling a surgical procedure on the day of surgery were: lack of time to perform surgery (33.51%), surgery cancelled due to medical/anesthetic reasons (31.38%), surgical procedure cancelled by the surgeon on the day of surgery (11.97%). Conclusion: This study has shown that the percentage of elective cases cancelled on the day of surgery at our institution stands at an acceptable 4.58%. The most common reasons for case cancellation on the day of surgery were identified. The majority of reasons for cancellation were avoidable, which means that appropriate steps could contribute to lowering the percentage of cancelled elective cases and an improved quality of healthcare services.

Abstract: To date, many questions about the extent and cause of pharmacokinetic (PK) variability of even the most widely studied and prescribed &bgr;1-adrenergic receptor blockers, such as metoprolol and bisoprolol, remain unanswered. Given that there are still no published population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) analyses of bisoprolol in routinely treated patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the aim of this study was to determine its PK variability in 71 Serbian patients with ACS. PopPK analysis was conducted using a nonlinear mixed-effects model (NONMEM), version 7.3.0 (Icon Development Solutions). In each patient, the same formulation of bisoprolol was administered once or twice daily at a total daily dose of 0.625–7.5 mg. We separately assessed the effects of 31 covariates on the PKs of bisoprolol, and our results indicated that only 2 covariates could have possible influence on the variability of the clearance of bisoprolol: the mean daily dose of the drug and smoking habits of patients. These findings suggest that possible autoinduction of drug metabolism by higher total daily doses and induction of cytochrome P450 isoform 3A4 (CYP3A4) by cigarette smoke in liver could be the potential causes of increased total clearance of bisoprolol in patients with ACS.

Introduction: The depression is a common mental disorder, especially after a stroke, which further aggravates the recovery. Aim: To analyze depression within 48 hours and fifteen days after ischemic stroke in relation to gender and location (brain hemisphere and brain circulation). Methods: We analyzed 40 patients (65.3±10.3 years), half of them were women. Mean age of women was 66.35±7.31 years and men 64.2±12.68 years (p= 0.5). Ischemic stroke was verified by computed tomography. Levels of depression were measured with self-estimated Zung’s scale. On the tests, score of 50 and higher verified depression. Criteria made by Domasio were used to determine location of the IS. Results: Mean value on depression scale in acute phase of ischemic stroke was 46.85 ± 8.6 and in subacute phase 43.4 ± 8 (p =0.06). In 19 (47.5%) patients (55% of women, 40% of men; p=0.3) depression was found during the first and in 10 (25%) patients (35% of women, 15 % of men; p=0.06) during the second evaluation (p<0.019). Mean value on depression in acute phase of illness in women was 49.1 ± 7.38, as well as in men 44.6 ± 9.22 (p=0.088) and in subacute phase in women 45.25 ± 8.04, as well as in men 41.5 ± 7.75 (p=0.16). Concerning location of ischemic stroke, there were no significant differences in levels of depression. Conclusion: Number of patients with post-stroke depression is significantly lower in subacute phase of ischemic stroke. Although the number of depressive women and their depression scores are higher, gender differences are not statistically significant. There is no correlation between post-stroke depression and location of lesion in acute and subacute phase of illness.

When companies sell goods/services, they may request cash prior to or at the delivery or they may offer deferred payment. The decision on credit policy is a trade-off between the benefits gained from increased sales and the costs of approving credit. Based on the appropriate analysis of reports, controlling should help the management to bring such business decisions aimed towards customers and to take all the necessary measures for obeying the appropriate legal regulations. This way, controlling may influence better liquidity of a company, which includes faster cash turnover, payment to its suppliers, lower outstanding accounts, and better profitability. Apart from the general importance of controlling credit sales and collection of receivables, the article examines the position and the role of controlling in the companies operating in wood processing as the fastest growing industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Introduction: Cancelling elective procedures on the day of surgery presents a constant problem in all higher-level medical facilities, and the research of causes, consequences and possible solutions is the duty of every facility in order to enhance the quality of healthcare services. Methods: This prospective study included all patients that were scheduled for surgery from March 2016 to November 2018 in the operating rooms at our Department of Surgery, including both performed and cancelled cases. Cases by different surgical departments (general surgery, gynecology, orthopedics, urology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology) were all included. Results: Out of 8201 planned elective procedures from March 2016 to November 2018 at the General Hospital “Abdulah Nakas”, 7825 cases were performed and 376 cases (4.58%) were cancelled on the day of surgery. The most common reasons for cancelling a surgical procedure on the day of surgery were: lack of time to perform surgery, (33.51%), surgery cancelled due to medical/anesthetic reasons, (31.38%), surgical procedure cancelled by the surgeon on the day of surgery, (11.97%). Conclusion: This study has shown that the percentage of elective cases cancelled on the day of surgery at our institution stands at an acceptable 4.58%. The most common reasons for case cancellation on the day of surgery were identified. The majority of reasons for cancellation were avoidable, which means that appropriate steps could contribute to lowering the percentage of cancelled elective cases and an improved quality of healthcare services.

Summary Introduction The aim of the study was to establish the association between oral health and malnutrition in people over the age of 65. Material and Methods Cross-sectional study included 146 respondents residing in gerontology center, and 300 respondents who lived in their own homes or with their families. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritive Scale and standardized questionnaire. Dental status was evaluated by clinical examination using inspection method. The presence and absence of teeth was evaluated in each dental arch (third molars were not taken into consideration). Also, the presence of prosthetic restorations (total and partial dentures) was noticed without analyzing their adequacy and functionality. Self-assessment of health with categorical components assessed the overall health status. The research was conducted in 2018. Results Most of respondents who had malnutrition or were at risk of malnutrition had worse dental status; they were completely or partially edentulous. There was high statistically significant difference in dental status of the upper (χ2=47,797; p < 0,001) and lower jaw (χ2 = 66,680; p < 0,001). The number of lost teeth had an impact on self-assessment of general health (χ2 = 47,270; p < 0,001). Conclusion Oral health status in elderly people had significant influence on nutritional status.

Introduction Physical activity may affect health via DNA methylation. The epigenetic influences of sedentary behaviors such as television viewing are unknown. We performed a genomewide study of DNA methylation in peripheral blood in relation to physical activity and television viewing time. Methods DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450K BeadChip array in blood samples collected at baseline (N = 5513) and follow-up (N = 1249) from participants in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. At baseline, times per week of leisure-time physical activity were self-reported. At follow-up, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess MET-hours per week of total and leisure-time physical activity and hours per day of television viewing time. Linear mixed models were used to assess associations between physical activity and television viewing measures and DNA methylation at individual CpG sites, adjusted for potential confounders and batch effects. Results At follow-up, total physical activity was associated with DNA methylation at cg10266336 (P = 6.0 × 10−9), annotated to the SAA2 gene. Weaker evidence of associations (P < 1.0 × 10−5) were observed for an additional 14 CpG sites with total physical activity, for 7 CpG sites with leisure-time physical activity, and for 9 CpG sites with television viewing time. Changes in leisure-time physical activity between baseline and follow-up were associated with methylation changes (P < 0.05) at four of the seven CpG sites with weaker evidence of cross-sectional associations with leisure-time physical activity. Conclusion Physical activity and television viewing may be associated with blood DNA methylation, a potential pathway to chronic disease development. Further research using accelerometer data and larger sample sizes is warranted.