Noise pollution is one of the main environmental problems today.The main source of environmental noise is traffic noise, especially the noise of road vehicles. The continuing expansion of motorized transport in Europe and Republic of Srpska today, and especially the sharp increase in the use of private cars raises concerns about the health risks.The aim of the case study was to determine the noise level at the location „Borik“ in Banja Luka. The measured values indicate that the noise level in this street is alarming. This paper discusses health and well-being related impacts of traffic noise pollution as well as the economic and social benefits associated with its reduction. It summarizes the latest scientific evidence on the impact of road traffic-induced noise on physical and mental health as a reaction to the high level of traffic noise risks. According to the scientific evidence, road traffic is the main source of noise pollution in Europe that cause harmful health such as impaired communication and disturbed sleep, as well as adverse after effects such as fatigue and decreased performance, annoyance, hearing impairment, ischemic heart disease and hypertension. The effects of unhealthy noise level are reflected on living and working conditions, consequently affecting the economy.This paper highlights economic implications and health benefits linked to cross-functionalities in the process of noise reduction in urbanism, architecture and vehicle design and methods for its evaluation. Cost-benefit analysis would be a pivotal decision-making tool for the city road traffic and land-use decisions. Economic valuation is about identifying all preferences and translating them into a money measure, to create a common denominator for comparing the pros and cons. Any decision implicitly include a money value into health effects. A holistic approach is crucial, considering the various health and economic consequences together.

This paper deals with direct effects ofbrand image, satisfaction and value on consumer loyaltytowards branded chocolates. In the empirical research, a model with these four brand dimensions was established to examine different direct effects - how brand image is related to brand satisfaction and its value, and how brand satisfaction is related to brand value. The research was conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina andincluded 432 respondents based on a snowball sample. The results show that the established structural model is factual,enabling the acceptance of set hypotheses. It has also been proven that the brand satisfaction has the greatest impact on brand loyalty.Based on the findings, the paper additionally contains practical recommendations for production to creating a brand of chocolate.

Accelerometry-derived exercise dose (intensity × duration) was assessed throughout a competitive basketball season. Nine elite basketballers wore accelerometers during a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (Yo-Yo-IR1) and during three two-week blocks of training that represented phases of the season defined as easy, medium, and hard based on difficulty of match schedule. Exercise dose was determined using accumulated impulse (accelerometry-derived average net force × duration). Relative exercise intensity was quantified using linear relationships between average net force and oxygen consumption during the Yo-Yo-IR1. Time spent in different intensity zones was computed. Influences of match schedule difficulty and playing position were evaluated. Exercise dose reduced for recovery and pre-match tapering sessions during the medium match schedule. Exercise dose did not vary during the hard match schedule. Exercise dose was not different between playing positions. The majority of activity during training was spent performing sedentary behaviour or very light intensity activity (64.3 ± 6.1%). Front-court players performed a greater proportion of very light intensity activity (mean difference: 6.8 ± 2.8%), whereas back-court players performed more supramaximal intensity activity (mean difference: 4.5 ± 1.0%). No positional differences existed in the proportion of time in all other intensity zones. Objective evaluation of exercise dose might allow coaches to better prescribe and monitor the demands of basketball training.

As a modern way of thinking lean methodology uses tools that are directed towards the continuous improvement of the functioning of the system with continuous perfection. Lean production (LP) means less work in the workplace, less manufacturing space, less investment, less time and fewer tools and supplies. The methodology is designed so that it is planned and managed in stages, necessary for the realization of the objectives defined production system. Lean companies are primarily focused on growth, increase profitability and customer value, but also increase productivity, improve the quality of products and processes, as well as the delivery systems are also important elements for improving business efficiency. This paper will present the methodology of implementation of lean concepts for improving productivity in manufacturing companies.

As a modern way of thinking lean methodology uses tools that are directed towards the continuous improvement of the functioning of the system with continuous perfection. Lean production (LP) means less work in the workplace, less manufacturing space, less investment, less time and fewer tools and supplies. The methodology is designed so that it is planned and managed in stages, necessary for the realization of the objectives defined production system. Lean companies are primarily focused on growth, increase profitability and customer value, but also increase productivity, improve the quality of products and processes, as well as the delivery systems are also important elements for improving business efficiency. This paper will present the methodology of implementation of lean concepts for improving productivity in manufacturing companies.

Businesses often use mobile text messages (SMS) as a cost effective and universal way of communicating concise information to their customers. Today, these messages are usually sent via SMS brokers, which forward them further to the next stakeholder, typically the various mobile operators, and then the messages eventually reach the intended recipients. Infoflex Connect AB delivers an SMS gateway application to the brokers with the main responsibility of reliable message delivery within set quality thresholds. However, the protocols used for SMS communication are not designed for reliability and thus messages may be lost. In this position paper we deduce requirements for a new protocol for routing messages through the SMS gateway application running at a set of broker nodes, in order to increase the reliability. The requirements cover important topics for the required communication protocol such as event ordering, message handling and system membership. The specification of such requirements sets the foundation for the forthcoming design and implementation of such a protocol and its evaluation.

The mammalian Hippo signaling pathway, through its effectors YAP and TAZ, coerces epithelial progenitor cell expansion for appropriate tissue development or regeneration upon damage. Its ability to drive rapid tissue growth explains why many oncogenic events frequently exploit this pathway to promote cancer phenotypes. Indeed, several tumor types including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) show genetic aberrations in the Hippo (or YAP/TAZ) regulators. Here, we uncover that while YAP is dispensable for homeostatic epidermal regeneration, it is required for BCC development. Our clonal analyses further demonstrate that the few emerging Yap‐null dysplasia have lower fitness and thus are diminished as they progress to invasive BCC. Mechanistically, YAP depletion in BCC tumors leads to effective impairment of the JNK‐JUN signaling, a well‐established tumor‐driving cascade. Importantly, in this context, YAP does not influence canonical Wnt or Hedgehog signaling. Overall, we reveal Hippo signaling as an independent promoter of BCC pathogenesis and thereby a viable target for drug‐resistant BCC.

Background: Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) can be evaluated for myocardial viability by examining reverse redistribution of Thallium-201 (201TI) through cardiac scintigraphy. There is limited knowledge about association of a reverse redistribution with favorable cardiac outcomes. In this study, we hypothesized that higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), lower myocardial necrosis, fewer ischemic events, and less angina will be associated with reverse redistribution of 201TI imaging. Methods: Adult patients with stable CAD included in this study underwent exercise-redistribution Thallium single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and were followed for one year. LVEF and regional wall motion abnormalities were evaluated with echocardiography, exercise duration by bicycle testing, and myocardial ischemia and viability by Thallium SPECT. Results: We studied 159 patients (87 men, 72 women, median age 60 years, range: 38-84) with well-developed collaterals. Those with reverse redistribution on SPECT (n = 61, 38.3%) had significantly better exercise tolerance (⩾85%; P < .001). Subjects with reverse redistribution had better LVEF (P < .001), wall motion parameters (P < .001), a lower degree of myocardial necrosis (P < .05), less angina during follow-up (P = .02), and fewer ischemic events whether treated with OMT or PCI (P < .001). Conclusions: Reverse redistribution of 201Tl on scintigraphic images is a predictor of myocardial viability. Evidence from our study suggests that optimally treated chronic CAD patients with reverse redistribution may have lower likelihood of future adverse cardiovascular events and better prognosis.

Hepatozoon silvestris is an emerging apicomplexan parasite discovered in European wild cats from Bosnia and Herzegovina and blood samples of a domestic cat from Southern Italy in 2017. It has also been identified in Ixodes ricinus collected from a domestic cat in Wales, UK, in 2018. The clinical relevance, pathogenesis and epidemiology of this novel Hepatozoon species are not yet understood. Thus, the objective of this paper was to report and describe the first fatal case of an H. silvestris infection in a domestic cat. The cat, which originated from Switzerland, died shortly after presenting clinical signs of lethargy, weakness and anorexia. At necropsy, no specific lesions were observed. Histopathology of the heart revealed a severe lympho-plasmacytic and histiocytic myocarditis. Mature and developing protozoal meronts morphologically compatible with Hepatozoon species were observed associated with the myocardial inflammation. No other lesions were present in any other organ evaluated, and the cat tested negative for retroviral and other immunosuppressive infectious agents. Polymerase chain reaction from the myocardium resulted in a specific amplicon of the Hepatozoon 18S rRNA gene. Sequencing and BLAST analysis revealed 100% sequence identity with H. silvestris. The severity of the infection with fatal outcome in an otherwise healthy animal suggests a high virulence of H. silvestris for domestic cats. The presence of this emerging parasite in a domestic cat in Switzerland with no travel history provides further evidence for a geographical distribution throughout Europe.

BackgroundHepatozoon silvestris is an emerging apicomplexan parasite discovered in European wild cats from Bosnia and Herzegovina and blood samples of a domestic cat from Southern Italy in 2017. It has also been identified in Ixodes ricinus collected from a domestic cat in Wales, UK, in 2018. The clinical relevance, pathogenesis and epidemiology of this novel Hepatozoon species are not yet understood. Thus, the objective of this paper was to report and describe the first fatal case of an H. silvestris infection in a domestic cat.ResultsThe cat, which originated from Switzerland, died shortly after presenting clinical signs of lethargy, weakness and anorexia. At necropsy, no specific lesions were observed. Histopathology of the heart revealed a severe lympho-plasmacytic and histiocytic myocarditis. Mature and developing protozoal meronts morphologically compatible with Hepatozoon species were observed associated with the myocardial inflammation. No other lesions were present in any other organ evaluated, and the cat tested negative for retroviral and other immunosuppressive infectious agents. Polymerase chain reaction from the myocardium resulted in a specific amplicon of the Hepatozoon 18S rRNA gene. Sequencing and BLAST analysis revealed 100% sequence identity with H. silvestris.ConclusionsThe severity of the infection with fatal outcome in an otherwise healthy animal suggests a high virulence of H. silvestris for domestic cats. The presence of this emerging parasite in a domestic cat in Switzerland with no travel history provides further evidence for a geographical distribution throughout Europe.

We have evaluated the kinetics of the catalytic oxidation of NO to NO2 using a Pt/alumina catalyst, under conditions relevant to industrial nitric acid production: NO and steam contents up to 5% and 20%, respectively, with temperatures from 250 to 350 °C, and pressures up to 4.7 bar. The objective is to replace the current homogeneous oxidation process, which requires cooling of the process gas and a long residence time, with a more intensive heterogeneous oxidation process, allowing the heat of reaction (114 kJ/mol) to be recovered. This may give a 10% improvement in overall heat recovery and, additionally, lead to reduced capital expenditure (CAPEX) and footprint of new build plants. With world production of nitric acid of 60 million tonnes per annum, the transformation from the homogeneous oxidation of NO to a heterogeneous oxidation can lead to significant environmental benefits and cost reduction.

Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati sociodemografske prediktore socijalnih mreža na koje se mogu osloniti diplomanti prilikom traženja prvog zaposlenja – procjenama njihove velicine, snage socijalnih veza i statusa aktera u mreži. Velicina mreže definirana je kao ukupan broj ljudi s kojima je pojedinac povezan, a snaga veze kao bliskost drustvenog odnosa između pojedinca i druge osobe u mreži. Bliski prijatelji i rođaci su primjer snažnih veza, dok rijetko kontaktirani poznanici predstavljaju slabe veze koje su socijalno, emocionalno i cesto fizicki udaljene. Status aktera operacionalizira se kao obrazovni, radni i ekonomski status onih koji cine mrežu pojedinca. Istraživanje je provedeno na prigodnom uzorku od 730 diplomanata javnih fakulteta u Bosni i Hercegovini. Podaci su prikupljeni online anketom i temelje se na samoprocjenama. Utvrđeno je da socioekonomski status pojedinca predviđa njegovu procjenu vlastite socijalne mreže: prosjecna materijalna primanja pozitivan su samostalni prediktor velicine mreže, a prosjecna materijalna primanja i zaposlenost oca pozitivan prediktor statusa aktera na koje se mogu osloniti diplomanti prilikom traženja prvog zaposlenja. Istraživane socioekonomske karakteristike diplomanata objasnjavaju između 2,8% i 3,45 varijance individualnih razlika u doživljaju socijalnog kapitala. Ispitivane socioekonomske znacajke diplomanata nisu bile povezane s doživljajem snage veza koje cine socijalnu mrežu.

This article presents a review of the investigation of the possibility of increasing the efficiency of existing line test solutions for troubleshooting testing for IPTV over xDSL, by the results of experimental research on real system under commercial exploitation. At the beginning of this article the main weaknesses of the existing troubleshooting testing are described. In the continuation of the article the physical layer parameters of xDSL transceiver are listed. In the reset this article provides a few specific examples of xDSL lines with their physical layer parameters of xDSL transceivers followed by analysis how they can be used for the purposes of more efficient measurement of parameters of copper pairs.