The vector leptoquark representation, Uμ ¼ ð3; 1; 2=3Þ, was recently identified as an exceptional single mediator model to address experimental hints on lepton flavor universality violation in semileptonic B-meson decays, both in neutral (b → sμμ) and charged (b → cτν) current processes. Nonetheless, it is well known that massive vectors crave an ultraviolet (UV) completion. We present the first full-fledged UV complete and calculable gauge model which incorporates this scenario while remaining in agreement with all other indirect flavor and electroweak precision measurements, as well as, direct searches at high-pT . The model is based on a new non-Abelian gauge group spontaneously broken at the TeV scale, and a specific flavor structure suppressing flavour violation in ΔF ¼ 2 processes while inducing sizeable semileptonic transitions

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) take up over 98% of the structure of economies and are consequently the biggest creators of new jobs, innovations, economic activity, and greater social inclusion in the European Union. One of the biggest issues that SMEs face is collection of accounts receivable. Late payments in commercial transactions are made not only by private but also public sector, and that public sector entities, i.e. state institutions, are even larger generators of illiquidity compared to private companies. SMEs in BiH have certain, although insufficient, legal solutions available in combating late payment in commercial transactions. However, the fear of losing business partners overcomes their willingness to exercise their rights as creditors.

Data on the association of CYP2C9 genetic polymorphisms with sulfonylurea (SU)‐induced hypoglycaemia (SH) are inconsistent. Recent studies showed that variants in the P450 oxidoreductase (POR) gene could affect CYP2C9 activity. In this study, we explored the effects of POR*28 and combined CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 genotypes on SH and the efficacy of SU treatment in type 2 diabetes. A total of 1770 patients were included in the analysis of SU efficacy, assessed as the combined outcome of the HbA1c reduction and the prescribed SU daily dose. Sixty‐nine patients with severe SH were compared with 311 control patients. The number of CYP2C9 deficient alleles was associated with nearly three‐fold higher odds of hypoglycaemia (OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.30‐6.09; P = .009) and better response to SU treatment (β, −0.218; SE, 0.074; P = .003) only in patients carrying the POR*1/*1 genotype. Our results indicate that interaction between CYP2C9 and POR genes may be an important determinant of efficacy and severe adverse effects of SU treatment.

Our previous in vitro and in vivo studies on standard tumor cell lines: mammary adenocarcinoma 4T1, melanoma B16F10, and squamous cell carcinoma SCCVII have demonstrated that dipotassium-trioxohydroxytetrafluorotriborate, K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH], affects the growth of cancer cells. Based on indicative results of its anticancer activity, that are comparable to the standard cytostatic 5-fluorouracil, we decided to analyze the antioxidant capacity of K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH]. In our research, we include two other simpler representatives of the boroxine family compounds: trimethoxyboroxine and t rimethylboroxine , which are commercially available. The study objective is to explore the possibility of similar behavior within the same class of boron compounds, that is, to examine the activity of K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH] compared to simpler representatives of the same family of compounds. On the one hand, K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH], theoretically has the ability to exchange electrons in the extinction of reactive radicals, since two boron atoms are sp3-hybridized and use electrons from the inner shell. On the other hand, trimethoxyboroxine, and trimethylboroxine, in theory, should not exchange electrons. However, recent studies indicate the potential for the boron atom to act like carbon and participate in the exchange of protons. The study used the standard laboratory method of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant assay. The selected boroxines were treated with a DPPH radical at a temperature of 35° C in various concentrations, and with a reaction time of one hour. Results of the DPPH test show an extremely weak antioxidant capacity exists for all investigated boroxines. When K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH] was tested at high concentrations, instead of decreased color in the DPPH radicals, there was an increase in absorbance readings, which could mean that this compound acts as a pro-oxidant at higher concentrations. Future research is recommended to examine the length of reaction times needed, and whether a change in the reaction conditions would boost the antioxidant capacity of K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH]. Finally, future research could test the hypothesis that K 2 [B 3 O 3 F 4 OH], in the absence of the expected antioxidant activity, acts as a pro-oxidant.

To present the status and development of economies of the countries, a number of macroeconomic indicators is available and used and the most important aggregate in the system of national accounts is the gross domestic product (GDP). An analysis of GDP serves to present the status and trends of the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). We have used the comparison method, in order to establish the status, as well as trends in the economy of BiH in comparison with the neighbouring countries with similar GDP structures and with economies of some developed countries. We note that the structure of gross value added (GVA) in BiH is not primarily oriented towards profitable activities, nor towards activities giving a synergistic effect on the entire economy. The service sector is not sufficiently developed. GDP per capita in 2015 was almost eight times lower than the one recorded in the EU member countries. The relationship between consumption and investment, in addition to the negative balance of trade, are negative determinants of the BiH economy. The global crisis has produced negative effects on the BiH economy. Such trends were imminent even in the developed countries, the only difference is that the developed countries, by size of their GDP per capita, are far stronger and more developed than the BiH economy. The economy is small in its size and growth rates are not sufficient to provide a visible progress, as is the case with developed countries. BiH needs to put maximum efforts into increasing its value added in areas that are fast and strong in contributing to the growth and development.

The historical changes in European Black Pine population size across the whole natural distribution in Europe and Asia Minor were analyzed facing the Plio-Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. Thirteen chloroplast SSRs and SNPs markers have been studied under the assumptions of “neutral evolution.” Populations and meta-populations had different histories of migration routes, and they were strongly affected by complex patterns of isolation, fragmentation, speciation, expansion (1.88–4.28 Ma), purification selection (2.09–21.41 Ma) and bottleneck (1.85–21.76 Ma). A significant number of populations (min. 29–41%) were in equilibrium for very long periods. Generally, the bottleneck revealed by chloroplast DNA is weaker than the bottleneck revealed by nuclear DNA. The Ne immediately after the bottleneck reaches between 1820 and 3640 individuals. Generally, the historical effective population sizes shrink significantly for the Tertiary period from 10–15 up to 2.5 Ma in Western Europe (by 82%), followed by Asia Minor (69%) and the Balkan Peninsula (28%), likely resulting from important climatic changes. The rates and frequencies of stepwise westwards migration waves have been not sufficient to prevent isolation between the meta-populations and to suppress “sympatric speciation.” The migration was weak for the Pliocene, but was maximal for the Pleistocene, and finally silent for the present interglacial period, namely the Holocene.

The historical changes in European Black Pine population size across the whole natural distribution in Europe and Asia Minor were analyzed facing the Plio-Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. Thirteen chloroplast SSRs and SNPs markers have been studied under the assumptions of “neutral evolution.” Populations and meta-populations had different histories of migration routes, and they were strongly affected by complex patterns of isolation, fragmentation, speciation, expansion (1.88–4.28 Ma), purification selection (2.09–21.41 Ma) and bottleneck (1.85–21.76 Ma). A significant number of populations (min. 29–41%) were in equilibrium for very long periods. Generally, the bottleneck revealed by chloroplast DNA is weaker than the bottleneck revealed by nuclear DNA. The Ne immediately after the bottleneck reaches between 1820 and 3640 individuals. Generally, the historical effective population sizes shrink significantly for the Tertiary period from 10–15 up to 2.5 Ma in Western Europe (by 82%), followed by Asia Minor (69%) and the Balkan Peninsula (28%), likely resulting from important climatic changes. The rates and frequencies of stepwise westwards migration waves have been not sufficient to prevent isolation between the meta-populations and to suppress “sympatric speciation.” The migration was weak for the Pliocene, but was maximal for the Pleistocene, and finally silent for the present interglacial period, namely the Holocene.

We studied intrinsic resistance switching behaviour in sputter-deposited amorphous silicon suboxide (a-SiOx) films with varying degrees of roughness at the oxide-electrode interface. By combining electrical probing measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), we observe that devices with rougher oxide-electrode interfaces exhibit lower electroforming voltages and more reliable switching behaviour. We show that rougher interfaces are consistent with enhanced columnar microstructure in the oxide layer. Our results suggest that columnar microstructure in the oxide will be a key factor to consider for the optimization of future SiOx-based resistance random access memory.

We studied intrinsic resistance switching behaviour in sputter-deposited amorphous silicon suboxide (a-SiOx) films with varying degrees of roughness at the oxide-electrode interface. By combining electrical probing measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), we observe that devices with rougher oxide-electrode interfaces exhibit lower electroforming voltages and more reliable switching behaviour. We show that rougher interfaces are consistent with enhanced columnar microstructure in the oxide layer. Our results suggest that columnar microstructure in the oxide will be a key factor to consider for the optimization of future SiOx-based resistance random access memory.

This chapter describes two unmanned ground vehicles that can help search and rescue teams in their difficult, but life-saving tasks. These robotic assets have been developed within the framework of the European project ICARUS. The large unmanned ground vehicle is intended to be a mobile base station. It is equipped with a powerful manipulator arm and can be used for debris removal, shoring operations, and remote struc- tural operations (cutting, welding, hammering, etc.) on very rough terrain. The smaller unmanned ground vehicle is also equipped with an array of sensors, enabling it to search for victims inside semi-destroyed buildings. Working together with each other and the human search and rescue workers, these robotic assets form a powerful team, increasing the effectiveness of search and rescue operations, as proven by operational validation tests in collaboration with end users.