One of the most often used welding processes for unalloyed structural steels is MAG, which is relatively simple, yet achieving high deposition rates. On the other side, there are standards describing weld quality based on weld geometry. This paper describes influence of heat input on weld geometry for MAG fillet welds of unalloyed steel with thicknesses of 8 mm, in horizontal and overhead position. Independently varied parameters were welding current and speed. Influence is described through models based on linear regression analysis. Comparison is made between models developed for different positions, as well as with those available in literature.
Background: Degenerative aortic stenosis is a prevalent and severe condition necessitating aortic valve replacement (AVR) when the valve area critically narrows to 0.7 cm² or when symptoms are manifested. Traditional AVR via median sternotomy, poses considerable risks for patients with comorbidities or advanced age. Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of mini sternotomy aortic valve replacement (MSAVR), a minimally invasive technique designed to reduce surgical trauma, improve postoperative recovery, and lower healthcare costs. Methods: A reversed L-type upper partial sternotomy (RLUPS) approach was performed in five patients focusing on standardized surgical procedures, and rigorous postoperative care. Key findings indicate that MSAVR markedly reduces postoperative complications, ICU stay, and overall hospital stay compared to traditional sternotomy. Results: The median postoperative length of stay was seven days for MSAVR versus 12 days for traditional sternotomy, with ICU stays of 52 hours and 119 hours, respectively. Our study also highlights the cost-effectiveness of MSAVR, with decreased hospital costs per patient due to reduced ICU resource utilization and shorter hospital stays. These findings suggest that MSAVR is a valuable and advantageous alternative to traditional sternotomy, offering substantial benefits in terms of patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency. Conclusion: Our work underscores the potential of minimally invasive techniques in improving the management of severe degenerative aortic stenosis, marking a significant advancement in the field of cardiac surgery.
This study aims to identify the cybersecurity awareness of university students from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro in the following aspects: a) Malware, b) Password usage, c) Phishing, d) Social engineering, and e) Online scams. A quantitative-qualitative research approach was used. Data for the quantitative section were collected using the Cyber Security Behaviour Instrument questionnaire (Muniandy et al., 2017). In the qualitative section, five semi-structured interviews were conducted with students about their behaviour and protection on the internet. Research has shown that respondents apply some good, but still also some weak or dangerous cybersecurity practices in above mentioned aspects. That confirms that the human element remains a critical vulnerability for individuals, businesses, and societies facing rapidly evolving online threats, and that we urgently need the improvement of personal cyber hygiene. The findings highlight strengths and weaknesses in respondents’ knowledge and behaviours related to cybersecurity, underscoring the need for continuous education and awareness-raising to improve internet security practices.
The first industrial robots appeared in the production processes of the 60s of the last century, and they are implemented to this day in all production processes in the world. The biggest application of industrial robots has been found in three industries in the world: the automotive industry, the electrical/electronic industry and the metal industry. The automotive industry is the first to implement the most industrial robots, and in recent years the electrical/electronics industry has also joined in, as these two industries in the world implement more than 60% of the total industrial robots implemented in the world. The use of industrial robots has been used to perform those tasks that are tiring and hazardous to the health of workers, which include welding, and the performance of these operations is mostly n the automotive industry. To date, the most implemented industrial robots of the first generation, which are robustly surrounded by fences (for the protection of workers), take up a lot of space and are complicated to reprogram. Development of new technologies such as: sensor technology, Internet of Things (IoT), big data, „cloud computing“, virtual and augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), advanced security systems and others is credited with the development of robotic technology. In this paper is shown the trend of implementing industrial robots and their role in the welding process.
Background: As a surgical nurse in a healthcare team, it is helpful to position the patient, depending on the nature of the procedure, and to prepare independently both the instrumentation and the site of surgery with drapes prior to the surgical procedure. Objective: To examine the experience of surgical nurses in their work with the WHO surgical checklist in Sweden. Methods: Data were collected from one hundred and ninety-six healthcare professionals, including thirty-nine surgical nurses, using a self-administered questionnaire. The Mantel-Haenszel and Pearson χ2 tests were used for ordered and unordered categorical variables. The qualitative data was presented in the form of the positive and negative contribution of the checklist and the text was analyzed according to Graneheim and Lundman. Results: Surgical nurses (61.6%) answered “no” to the question about being educated and trained in using checklists. Almost the same answer was given when it came to adapting the checklist to the department and the fact that the assistant nurse was responsible for ensuring the checklist was used (61.5%). 89.9% of them did not know who was responsible for implementing the checklist before surgery. According to (56.4%), the checklist was used all the time in emergencies, while (12.8%) of them stated that they did not believe that the checklist improved patient safety. Conclusions: Compliance with the WHO’s checklist varies, and the observed compliance is lower than that documented. The surgical nurses gave the same responses as others in the team. Clearer procedures are needed during surgery, specifying how the checklist should be used in practice, and there should be a designated person who is responsible for implementing the checklist.
In this paper, the results of measurements of indoor radon activity concentration in fourteen elementary schools in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, are presented. Measurements were performed with CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors. Radon activity concentration in investigated locations was 6.8-143 Bqm-3. To assess the indoor radon hazards for people, the annual effective dose, excess lifetime cancer risk, and the relative risk of lung cancer were estimated.
Background: Non-surgical periodontal therapy, including mechanical debridement and root planning, is the gold standard in the treatment of periodontal diseases. The most commonly used instruments for non-surgical therapy are sonic/ultrasonic devices and manual instruments such as curettes. Objective: This study evaluates the clinical effectiveness and patient experience of non-surgical periodontal therapy using the Vector® Paro Pro ultrasonic device, emphasizing its impact on periodontal indices and patient comfort. Methods: Fifty patients with gingivitis, periodontitis, or peri-implantitis participated. Baseline data, including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI), Probing Depth (PD), and Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL), were recorded. Patients underwent treatment using the Vector® Paro Pro system. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, two weeks, and one month post-therapy. Statistical analyses utilized repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-tests, with a significance threshold of p<0.05. Patient experience was assessed via a questionnaire. Results: All periodontal indices showed significant improvement post-therapy. The mean PI decreased from 1.18±0.12 to 0.52±0.08 after two weeks and 0.44±0.09 after one month (p<0.001). Significant reductions were observed in PBI (from 1.68±0.10 to 0.46±0.09) and PD (>4 mm pockets: from 5.55±0.19 to 3.65±0.45; p<0.001). CAL improved significantly (from 0.80±0.18 to 0.70±0.16 after one month; p<0.001). Patient-reported outcomes revealed that 98% experienced no pain during therapy. Conclusion: The Vector® Paro Pro ultrasonic device demonstrated significant clinical improvements in periodontal health, particularly in bleeding reduction and deep pocket management. Its hydroxyapatite-enhanced fluid effectively polished root surfaces and reduced post-therapeutic sensitivity. Patients reported minimal discomfort, underscoring the device’s potential as a comfortable, efficient alternative for non-surgical periodontal therapy. Further studies with longer follow-up periods are recommended to confirm these findings.
Background: The scientific researchers have the role of interacting through published articles in scientific journals or presentations at scientific and professional conferences where they can affect the practices that can make achievements to society and country. or worldwide. Objective: The aim of this article was to describe bibliometric indexes and explained its importance for its evaluation and measuring quality assessment of published papers in scientific journals and advantages and disadvantages of current bibliometric portals for creating the list of universities and its academic staff by counts of deposited articles in databases and number of its citations. Methods: The author searched the most influential online databases and analyzed deposited papers by bibliometric indexes, and used a descriptive method to review important facts about bibliometrics experiences in scientific and academic practice. The author used facts deposited on the main international portals for analyzing number of citations of deposited scientific papers on Scopus and Google Scholar platform–h–Index and i10-Index and number of citations as basic data for created top list of most citated scientists in almost of all countries in the world. Results and Discussion: Bibliometric methods are used for quantitative analysis of written materials. Citation is influenced by: article quality, understanding of the article, language in which the article is written, loyalty to a group of researchers, article type, etc. Some indicators used in evaluating scientific work are Impact factor (IF); Citation of the article; Journal citations; Number and order of authors, etc. The index factor of influence depends on the quality of the journal, the language in which it was printed, the area it covers, and the journal distribution system. The portals and its platforms: Webometrics, “AD Scientific Index” and Stanford Bibliometric List are not fully relevant for measuring quality assessment of universities and its academic staff. Conclusion: Current academies and academicians can propose criteria how improve indexing scientific papers with the consultation of scientific bodies and experts at universities in one country, selected regions, or worldwide. These criteria should be necessary for quality assessment of the scientific curriculum of scientists and their published papers in scientific journals.
Background: Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder and involves multiple organs, intellectual disability and epilepsy. Mutations in TSC1 and TSC2 genes are responsible for the molecular disease mechanism. Objective: The aim is to determine molecular background of a patient with a suspicion of TSC. Case presentation: In this case report, we describe a seven year old patient with the clinical manifestation of TSC that includes supratentorial changes, subependymal hamartomas and angifibromas in the facial area. Besides the brain and skin changes, no other TSC characteristics were observed. The patient was referred to molecular genetic testing using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Results: Clinical exome sequencing revealed intronic TSC2 c.4849+2T>G variant. The variant was confirmed using Sanger sequencing on the subject. However, the variant was not detected in the parents, which indicated that it arose de-novo. The RegSNP-intron, Mutation Taster and Human Splicing Finder were used as a bioinformatic tools to predict the possible effect on protein. Using bioinformatic tools, it was determined that the variant is possibly damaging to protein. Conclusion: This data suggest that observed splicing intronic variant could be the cause of TSC in this pediatric patient.
The research assessed the level of physical activity (PA) of boys and girls aged 11-14, as well as trends in PA levels. The sample included a total of 433 children aged 11-14, comprising 238 boys and 195 girls. PA was assessed using the FELS questionnaire, which included questions about the frequency of PA in sports, PA during leisure time, PA at home, and overall PA. To determine the trend in PA levels across specific domains and overall, trend analysis was applied, followed by comparisons using the LSD Post Hoc Test. Data were processed using the SPSS statistical package (p < .05). The results showed that boys had significantly higher levels of PA across all periods compared to girls. Significant changes in PA levels among boys were observed in the domain of PA in sports (Sig. = < .001) and overall PA (Sig. = .008). A significant decline in PA in sports among boys was noted between the ages of 11 and 13, as well as between 11 and 14 years, while the decline in overall PA was observed between the ages of 11 and 13. Among girls, a decline in PA in the domain of household chores was identified between the ages of 11 and 14. In the domain of overall PA, significant decreases were observed between the ages of 11 and 13, 11 and 14, 12 and 13, and 12 and 14. It was found that PA among children aged 11-14 significantly decreases around the ages of 12 and 13. Efforts should focus on promoting PA within this population group and identifying appropriate strategies to increase or at least maintain PA levels during this critical period.
The Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is important in supply chain management as it optimizes goods and services delivery to customers, resulting in improved organizational productivity. This study introduces an innovative hybrid methodology integrating the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach with Clarke and Wright’s savings algorithm to tackle the capacitated vehicle routing problem. In addition to the conventional aim of optimizing truck routes, this strategy considers customer satisfaction. The initial step involves clustering all customers through the utilization of Clarke and Wright’s savings algorithm, which efficiently organizes customers into groups based on their geographical closeness. Following this, the hybrid Best-Worst Method (BWM) and Ranking Alternatives For Similarity to Ideal Solution (RAFSI) method are utilized to allocate the best routes and establish customer prioritization. The major objective of this study is to reduce overall transportation expenses while ensuring compliance with vehicle capacity limitations, aiming to improve customer satisfaction. The proposed approach seeks to balance cost-efficiency and customer-centricity in vehicle routing by including customer prioritizing and Clarke and Wright’s savings algorithm. The effectiveness and practical application of the proposed methodology are demonstrated through a case in the food industry. The obtained results using the proposed methodology give a more precise platform for decision-making and highlight its relevance for enhancing supply chain performance and addressing the intricate challenges associated with the capacitated vehicle routing problem. The hybrid technique presented in this study provides a comprehensive framework for effectively tackling the intricate challenges associated with the capacitated vehicle routing problem.
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