Introduction: The introduction of hybrid imaging systems such as Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT) has completely changed the scanning procedure of conventional diagnostic nuclear medicine protocols. Modern bone scintigraphy protocols include SUV quanitification and Whole Body (WB) SPECT/CT scanning modality. The major limitation of these new technologies is relatively long scanning time. New detector systems with modern reconstruction softwares have been developed for fast scanning SPECT protocolos. These new technologies can produce images of reduced acquisition with same quality as full scanning acquisition. As a result new studies suggest that planar WB scintigraphy should be replaced with WB SPECT/CT. Methods: One hundred oncology patients performed SPECT/CT as a part as their clinical follow-up. Three different scanning and three reconstruction protocols have been evaluated. Two nuclear medicine physicians evaluated with Likert scale image sharpness, lesion visibility, and lesion background detectability. The overall image quality was determined as the sum of these three parameters. Results: In terms of scan duration reduction on image quality, Volumetrix Evolution for Bone performed during ultra-fast SPECT acquisition achieved the highest score, which is superior compared to the standard SPECT acquisition protocol. The overall image quality was the best with the Volumetrix MI Evolution for Bone protocol for ultra-fast acquisition Conclusion: The Evolution for Bone protocol for ultra-fast acquisition showed best results compared to other protocols. The adoption of new acquisition SPECT protocol may offer more comfortable exams, resulting in higher patient satisfaction. The implementation of this new protocol can lead to an improvement in SPECT sensitivity, primarily due to the reduction of SPECT motion artifacts.

Introduction: The complaints that occur in the area of the lumbar spine are summarized under the term lumbar pain syndrome. These include lumbar discopathy, lumbago, lumboischialgia, sciatica, and other complaints associated with the lumbar region of the spine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate sociodemographic characteristics, assess the degree of disability patients experience due to lumbar pain syndrome, evaluate how many patients catastrophize their pain, and assess the effectiveness of the dry needling technique along with other physical therapy modalities in people with lumbar pain syndrome. Methods: The study was designed as a prospective study conducted from March 2022 to June 2022. 35 subjects of both sexes, aged 25-83, agreed to participate in the study. The subjects who enrolled were pre-dominantly suffering from chronic lumbar pain syndrome, and there were also a smaller number of subjects with acute lumbar pain syndrome. Results: The majority of respondents suffer from lumbar pain syndrome, which falls into the chronic category in 29 or 82.9% of cases. The mean score after the application of therapy on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scale was 22.0 ± 16.23% and was statistically significantly lower. The average score after the application of the therapy on the visual analog scale (VAS) was 3.06 ± 2.31 and is statistically significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to the period before the therapy. Conclusion: Dry needling in combination with standard physical procedures led to statistically significant improvements. The mean score on the pain catastrophe scale, VAS, and ODI was significantly lower than in the pre-therapy period.

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are the most common work-related disorders and describe a wide range of degenerative and inflammatory states that affect blood vessels, peripheral nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Healthcare as a special sector has almost the highest prevalence of WRMSDs in the world, far ahead of construction, mining, and manufacturing. Studies conducted in the EU and the USA indicate that health-care professionals most often have a problem with the lower back between 50% and 57% of cases, resulting in an average loss of more than 7 working days during 1 year. Methods: This study included 177 health professionals of both genders who are actively involved in the provision of health-care services. The study was conducted in the Public Health Center of Sarajevo Canton, which provides primary and specialist consultative healthcare services. The study was designed as a prospective, longitudinal, interventional, and descriptive-analytical that included all respondents who met the inclusion criteria. The instruments used in the study are the standardized Dutch Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, modified according to our study, the standardized work ability index, and the ergonomic intervention program (EIP). Results: The highest frequency of work-related MKDs in health-care professionals before and after implementation of the EIP was in the neck area (83.1% before, 64.9% after), in the upper back region (71.8% before, 56.5 % after) and in the lower back region (68.4% before, 55.9% after). The average score of the working ability index before the introduction of the EIP was 35.44 ± 8.59, while after the implementation of the EIP it increased statistically significantly and amounted to 38.40 ± 7.30. Conclusion: The EIP influenced the reduction of the MKDs frequency caused by work, and increased the working capacity of health-care professionals.

Mass spectrometry is a crucial technology in numerous applications, but it places stringent requirements on the detector to achieve high resolution across a broad spectrum of ion masses. Low-dimensional nanostructures offer opportunities to tailor properties and achieve performance not reachable in bulk materials. Here, an array of sharp zinc oxide wires was directly grown on a 30 nm thin, free-standing silicon nitride nanomembrane to enhance its field emission (FE). The nanomembrane was subsequently used as a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry detector. When ionized biomolecules impinge on the backside of the surface-modified nanomembrane, the current—emitted from the wires on the membrane’s front side—is amplified by the supplied thermal energy, which allows for the detection of the ions. An extensive simulation framework was developed based on a combination of lateral heat diffusion in the nanomembrane, heat diffusion along the wires, and FE, including Schottky barrier lowering, to investigate the impact of wire length and diameter on the FE. Our theoretical model suggests a significant improvement in the overall FE response of the nanomembrane by growing wires on top. Specifically, long thin wires are ideal to enhance the magnitude of the FE signal and to shorten its duration for the fastest response simultaneously, which could facilitate the future application of detectors in mass spectrometry with properties improved by low-dimensional nanostructures.

Background : Both objective and subjective transvaginal sonography (TVS) methods are used to assess the degree of myometrial invasion (MI). Subjective TVS assessment of MI ( < 50% or > 50%) may be as good or better than any objective measurement technique. The aim of this study is to examine the ultrasound characteristics of endometrial cancer (EC) in two groups of patients; with myometrial invasion less and greater than 50%. Methods : This is a prospective cohort study included 60 female patients with pathohistologically (PHD) proven endometrial cancer. Patients were divided into two groups, after surgery and PHD assessment of MI degree, into those with less and more than 50% MI. The degree of MI was performed by subjective assessment ( < 50% and > 50%). Results : The frequency of anteroposterior (AP) diameter of EC greater than 2 cm was statistically significantly higher in the group of subjects with MI > 50% ( p < 0.00001). The volume of EC in the group of patients with MI > 50% is statistically significantly higher, with a difference of 10.48 milliliters compared to the group of subjects with MI < 50% ( p < 0.00014). The difference in the average distance of the EC from the serosa is 0.11 cm between the two examined groups and is statistically significant ( p = 0.0394). The kappa concordance coefficient for the subjective TVS method versus the PHD finding was statistically significant ( p < 0.001), and was kappa = 0.72. Analysis of the diagnostic accuracy showed that the subjective TVS method compared to the gold standard in the diagnosis of MI > 50% has a good diagnostic value: accuracy = 0.87; sensitivity = 0.77; specificity = 0.94; positive predictive value = 0.91; negative predictive value = 0.84; positive likelihood ratio = 13.08; negative likelihood ratio = 0.25. According to the subjective method of TVS, the degree of MI was overestimated in 5.9% of respondents, underestimated in 23.1%. Conclusions : The three dimensions, as well as the volume of endometrial cancer, obtained by TVS, are significantly higher in subjects with > 50% myometrial invasion; there is also a significantly higher frequency of EC diameter greater than 2 cm in the group of subjects with > 50% myometrial invasion.

Digital credentials represent crucial elements of digital identity on the Internet. Credentials should have specific properties that allow them to achieve privacy-preserving capabilities. One of these properties is selective disclosure, which allows users to disclose only the claims or attributes they must. This paper presents a novel approach to selective disclosure BLS-MT-ZKP that combines existing cryptographic primitives: Boneh-Lynn-Shacham (BLS) signatures, Merkle hash trees (MT) and zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) method called Bulletproofs. Combining these methods, we achieve selective disclosure of claims while conforming to selective disclosure requirements. New requirements are defined based on the definition of selective disclosure and privacy spectrum. Besides selective disclosure, specific use cases for equating digital credentials with paper credentials are achieved. The proposed approach was compared to the existing solutions, and its security, threat, performance and limitation analysis was done. For validation, a proof-of-concept was implemented, and the execution time was measured to demonstrate the practicality and efficiency of the approach.

Background and aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among patients on haemodialysis (HD) therapy and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the risks for negative outcomes are significantly higher in HCV-infected patients than in those without HCV infection, including progression to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related mortality. Micro-elimination of hepatitis C in renal patients is crucial. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of directly acting antivirals in chronic kidney disease patients and the effect of treatment on kidney functions. Methods: The course of treatment with antiviral therapy in patients on chronic hemodialysis program was analyzed. Pre-treatment evaluation of HCV infection included HCV RNA, genotype, and liver fibrosis assed by transient fibroelastography (FibroScan). The stage 5 CKD was defined as an eGFR of <15 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; those on haemodialysis were considered to have stage 5 CKD or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Demographic data and concomitant medication were retrieved from patients’ records. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response at post-treatment week 12 (SVR12). We collected data on on-treatment adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and laboratory abnormalities. Results: From 2008 until now, a total of 25 patients were treated for chronic HCV infection on a chronic hemodialysis program with three therapeutic antiviral modalities. Treatment with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alfa 2a with or without ribavirin (RBV) was performed in 16 patients. This treatment showed the least effectiveness and great intolerability. Seven patients were treated with a 3D regimen - Paritaprevir/Ritonavir/ Ombitasvir and Dasabuvir with or without Ribavirin. Among the 7 treated patients, 6 were male and 1 female, all were infected with genotype 1 (5 GT1b, 2 GT1a). The patient had compensated liver cirrhosis, and six patients did not have liver cirrhosis, none were transplanted. All seven patients completed 12 weeks of treatment and achieved SVR12. One patient had significant decreases in hemoglobin, white blood cell, and platelet counts during the treatment period. The most common adverse events were nausea, diarrhea. Adverse events were generally mild and no patient discontinued due to an AE. Two patients were treated with the pangenotypic drug glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, the shortest therapeutic regimen of 8 weeks, with excellent efficacy and safety. This was the most comfortable therapy regimen. Due to implementation of HCV infection control procedures within dialysis units and elimination of HCV from the bloodstream, the frequency of HCV infection is gradually decreasing in many dialysis centers. Conclusions: Treatment with OBV/PTV/r + DSV ± RBV and pangenotypic glecaprevir/ pibrentasvir was well tolerated and resulted in high SVR12 rates (100%) in hemodialysis patients. DAA treatment provided significant improvement in patients with HHC, compared to PEG-IFN/RBV in patients with ESRD.

Digital credentials represent a cornerstone of digital identity on the Internet. To achieve privacy, certain functionalities in credentials should be implemented. One is selective disclosure, which allows users to disclose only the claims or attributes they want. This paper presents a novel approach to selective disclosure that combines Merkle hash trees and Boneh-Lynn-Shacham (BLS) signatures. Combining these approaches, we achieve selective disclosure of claims in a single credential and creation of a verifiable presentation containing selectively disclosed claims from multiple credentials signed by different parties. Besides selective disclosure, we enable issuing credentials signed by multiple issuers using this approach.

This research investigated energy-efficient (EE) retrofit strategies for a historically and culturally significant residential building complex, located in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The objective was to evaluate existing building performance and propose delicate, EE retrofit strategies while preserving the original design character. The overarching objective was to demonstrate a framework through which historically and culturally significant buildings can be investigated for EE retrofitting. Using original construction drawings and current photographs, a 3D BIM model of a typical residential building was developed for analysis and energy simulations. Next, using Revit and Insight 360 simulations, the building's response to environmental conditions was evaluated. Thermal behavior and moisture resistance performance of typical facade systems were evaluated using WINDOW, THERM, and WUFI simulations. Lastly, a full-building energy model was developed in IES-VE software to simulate full-building performance. Results showed that while the conceptualization of this neighborhood paid careful attention to social and environmental factors and had implemented some of the most advanced passive and active technologies of that time, a typical residential building generally underperformed in all evaluated criteria. The proposed retrofit strategies, focusing on improving the building enclosure and implementation of EE mechanical systems, achieved 53% energy-use reduction and elimination of fossil-fuel energy sources.

Review Highlights • A novel methodology for selecting distribution centers, incorporating the LMAW and RAWEC methods, is established.• The combination of specific steps in the MCDM method is proposed to enhance and streamline the decision-making process.

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma is extremely rare in the soft tissues of the neck, especially in the sternocleidomastoid muscle. It usually manifests clinically as a rapidly growing mass that shows great potential for local spread. The aim of this paper is to present a rare case of еxtraosseous Ewing's sarcoma in the sternocleidomastoid muscle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma at this location. The patient was admitted to our clinic because of a neck tumefaction. The computerized tomography finding showed a tumor mass, most of which was in the V region of the neck, measuring 40 × 27 × 35 mm. Pathohistological and immunohistochemical findings showed that it was Ewing's sarcoma. Unfortunately, the patient passed away nine months after the initial diagnosis. Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma is a rare, fast-growing malignant tumor manifesting histomorphological similarities to bone Ewing's sarcoma. Most reports state that extraosseous Ewing sarcoma has a worse prognosis than skeletal. Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors of the neck.

With a focus on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) women, this article will discuss the underlying gender inequalities and stereotypes these women experience in Australian tertiary institutions through reflections of translingual discrimination. Translingual discrimination refers to the ideologies and practices that produce unequal linguistic power relationships between CaLD communities and dominant communities of the host society, focusing on the central role that language plays in the enduring relevance of discrimination disparity. Because of CaLD women's translingual identities, these groups experience such aspects of translingual discrimination as accentism, naming practices, linguistic subordination, deskilling, and stereotyping, which eventually affect their well‐being and economic security. CaLD women need a linguistically and culturally “safe space” where they will be supported and appreciated based on their capabilities and skills and not subjected to objectification, femininity evaluations, and derogatory actions. Opportunities for women should persist because, unfortunately, in men‐dominated fields, these opportunities are still necessary to support and include women.

The wide range of supported services in modern telecommunication networks has increased the demand for highly secure means of communication. Common security frameworks based on the computational security model are expected to become insecure due to significant advances in quantum computing. Quantum key distribution (QKD), a new secret key agreement primitive, enables long-anticipated practical information-theoretical security (ITS). Over the past two decades, academic and industrial communities have devoted their time and resources to developing QKD-based networks that can distribute and serve ITS keys to remote parties. However, because the availability of QKD network testbeds to the larger research community is limited and the deployment of such systems is costly and difficult, progress in this area is noticeably slow. To address this problem and spur future development and education, we provide a valuable, unique tool for simulating a QKD network. The tool is essential to testing novel network management methodologies applied to large-scale QKD networks. The simulator model contained in the tool was validated by simulating a network with six nodes and three pairs of users. The results indicate that the designed functional elements operate correctly.