Background: Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is ubiquitous among the adult population. The anxiety component of DFA is more strongly expressed in adults, and includes a physiological and psychological component, and is more often analyzed in research. Oral-surgical interventions represent a significant source of stress for the appearance of anxiety in subjects. The research aim was to analyze the presence of anxiety with the use of the revised Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DASR) and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in adult patients during the treatment of extraction of impacted third permanent molars by oral surgery. Material and Methods: The study included adult patients of both sexes, who were previously scheduled for oral-surgical removal of third permanent molars. Anxiety levels were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively as follows: 1st measurement (day of examination)-DASR, and STAI (X1 and X2); 2nd measurement (immediately before the intervention)-STAI (X1 and X2); 3rd measurement (day after the intervention)-STAI (X1 and X2). Results: Preoperatively, the presence of high levels of general anxiety, situational anxiety, and dental anxiety was determined. The levels were decreased before the planned surgery and were significantly reduced in the postoperative period. The STAI scale could be used to assess the presence of situational anxiety in the dental office on an equal footing with other known measuring instruments (e.g. DASR). Conclusions: Adequate therapy should be considered to prevent preoperative anxiety, which would increase the satisfaction of patients and therapists while reducing complications related to this type of intervention.

: Precision agriculture is an innovative farming method that aims to maximize crop yields while minimizing waste. One of the key technologies used in precision agriculture is computer vision, which involves using cameras and sensors to collect data on crop growth and health. This data is then analyzed using machine learning algorithms to provide insights on how to optimize farming practices and improve yields. In this article, we provide an in-depth analysis of the role of computer vision in precision agriculture, with a focus on its applications in crop monitoring, the various types of cameras and sensors utilized in computer vision systems, and the diverse machine-learning algorithms employed to analyze the data collected. Through this analysis, we aim to offer a comprehensive overview of the potential of computer vision to revolutionize the way we grow and harvest crops, and the impact it could have on the future of agriculture.

Despite the success of Neural Combinatorial Optimization methods for end-to-end heuristic learning

High handgrip strength in men’s artistic gymnastics is crucial, mainly for improving performance and to potentially prevent injuries, as well as for the fact that gymnasts body movements are around immovable apparatuses (pommel horse, rings, parallel bars and high bar) for the extended period of time. Since there are not so many studies that have dealt with this topic and on actual competition, we have aimed to examine the handgrip strength influence on the competition result in elite male artistic gymnasts. The sample of participants were conducted of 37 elite male artistic gymnasts (8–21 years old), from 8 different countries as national team competitors at the International Competition “Laza Krstić and Marica Dželatović” held in Novi Sad, Serbia. Basic anthropometric measurements were included (body height, body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)), along with training experience and handgrip strength measurement (both dominant and nondominant hand). Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z test (p < 0.05) was used for distribution normality, along with regression analysis with Model 1 (participants age, training experience, body height, body weight and BMI), Model 2 (Model 1 + dominant handgrip strength) and Model 3 (Model 1 + nondominant handgrip strength). SPSS v.20 was used for all statistical analysis. Our study have revealed that there is significant influence of all 3 Models on the parallel bars final result (p = 0.33; p = 0.49; p = 0.31, respectively), in terms of all set of variables, whereas body weight Beta scores (28.6%; 30.3%; 32.7%, respectively) moslty explains the results. Both dominant and nondominant handgrip strength are influential factors only on the parallel bars final result. Since both hands are contributing equally, bilateral training is necessary. In order to expand the knowledge on this topic and completely understand the influential factors, future studies are needed on this sample. Regardless of our main findings, our results should be taken with caution.

Background: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) represent a group of chemicals which are related to the disturbances in the human hormonal system. Due to the newest research, it was discovered that their actions did not exclusively point to the hormonal system but rather to all organs of the human body. EDCs are metabolized and may excrete the influence on human metabolism. That influence can be related to the activity of different enzymes included in human metabolism. Those effects can be classified as epigenetic effects. Objective: The aim of the study was to make analysis, evaluation, examination and determination of the possible mechanisms through which EDCs may interact with different metabolically-driven diseases. Methods: This paper represents a review article that includes original and review articles that were used being published in the following databases: Medline/PubMed, ScienceDirect, Oxford Academic, and Google Scholar. Results: EDCs interact through nuclear or steroid receptors excreting their influence onto diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Those mechanisms are mediated through metabolic or immunological pathways. It encompasses different types of hormones, such as vistafin or inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: It has been noticed that EDCs may influence the appearance of specifically related diseases in offspring excreting epigenetic effects. Further research must be oriented towards potential consequences and ideal pathways for prevention and treatment options.

Background: Bleeding and hematuria can be a consequence of both ESWL and URS treatment.Changes in hematological parameters may be indicative of bleeding events.Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the hematological parameters after ESWL and ureterorenoscopy for the treatment of kidney stones. Methods: A prospective study included patients (120) with verified ureterolithiasis <10 mm in the upper half of the proximal third of the ureter. Patients were divided into two groups using the random sample method for the application of active stone removal methods ESWL or URS with contact disintegration.Patients were evaluated with routine hematological, biochemical blood parameters, and non-contrast enhanced computed abdominal tomography (CT) before the procedure.Routine laboratory analyzes were performed using standard methods and included determination of the number of erythrocytes, platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, INR, APTTwhich were measured preintervention, the first postoperative day and six months after the intervention. Results: The preintervention hemoglobin value in patients with urolithiasis treated with URS treatment was 140 g/L (136.2–155.7), and was statistically significantly higher compared to the measurement on the first post-intervention day [137.5 g/L (127, 2–156.7) (p<0,05)], as well as in relation to the measurement after six months [139 g/L (134.2–151.7), (p<0,05).The pre-interventional hematocrit value in patients with urolithiasis treated with URS treatment was 0.42 (0.41–0.47), but it dropped statistically significantly on the measurement on the first post-intervention day to a value of 0.41 (0.38–0, 47) (p=0.003). The hematocrit value after six months was 0.44 (0.41–0.47) and was statistically significantly higher compared to the pre-intervention measurement (p=0.002), as well as compared to the measurement on the first post-intervention day (p< 0.001). The pre-intervention INR value in patients with urolithiasis treated with URS treatment was 0.90 (0.86–1.1), and on the first post-intervention day, it increased statistically significantly to a value of 0.99 (0.89–1.1), (p=0.005).The INR value after six months continued to grow to a value of 1.02 (0.96–1.2), which was statistically significantly higher compared to the INR value measured on the first post-intervention day (p<0.001), as and in relation to the INR value measured before the intervention (p=0.007).Conclusion: The results of this study, in terms of hematological parameters, showed more favorable outcomes in patients treated with ESWL compared to URS lithotripsy. Significantly lower hemoglobin values six months after URS treatment, as well as a decrease in the number of platelets on the first postoperative day, lead to the conclusion that URS lithotripsy, which represents a more aggressive method compared to ESWL, may have less favorable consequences for patients.

Economic supply shocks and fiscal expansion coupled with monetary expansion are suspected causes of the rise in inflation that we observe in most of the developed and developing economies today. In this paper we look at the effect of the government budget deficit(surplus) or fiscal policy stance, and quantitative easing on inflation while controlling for economic shocks using the method of cointegration as we find data series in our model to be integrated of order one and having support of one cointegrating equation between the variables. Our analysis is performed using Federal Reserve monthly data from 1994 to 2022 using Two-Step Engle-Granger (1987) method and Fully Modified OLS by Phillips and Hansen (1990). We compare these models to Auto Regressive Distributed Lag model of Pesaran and Shin (1998) which allows for analysis irrespective of the order of integration to provide for more robustness regarding the estimated relationships in cases of misspecification of stationary properties in our time series. Both cointegrating models lend support to the initial postulated relationship where expansionary fiscal policy has significant positive impact on the price level during the long run but also enhances the effect of the Quantitative Easing on the price level as the interaction term between these variables is significant, indicating that during the periods of expansionary fiscal policy, expansionary monetary policy through Quantitative easing has bigger effect. Our analysis is performed controlling for effect of economic shocks and price of real exchange rate on the price level. Stability of the cointegration model tests reveal presence of structural breaks which when included in the cointegrating equation change the importance of the impact that fiscal stance has on inflation and reveal that inflation is mainly result of the expansion in central bank assets after 2008, which coincides with period of unconventional monetary policy

A current-mode interface (CMI) with mixed single/dual slope integration (MSDSI) for differential capacitive sensors (DCSs) is presented in this article. The proposed design is based on the integration of the reference current flowing through the capacitors of the DCS. The integration of the capacitor of a smaller capacitance is performed with a dual slope. Contrary, the integration on the capacitor of a larger capacitance is performed with only one slope. The normalized differential capacitance (NDC) defined as the difference-to-sum ratio of the DCS capacitances is proportional to the duration of only one time interval which is digitized using the counting method. There is no need for postprocessing in the proposed NDC-to-time-to-digital conversion. It has been prototyped using discrete off-the-shelf components mounted on a printed circuit board, with a single supply voltage of 3.3 V. The measured NDC is in the range $|\text {NDC}| < 0.612$ , with the constant sum of DCS capacitances of 970 pF. Achieved full-scale error is smaller than 0.3%, with a range of conversion speed from 1770 to 2755 NDC-to-time-to-digital conversions per second.

An <italic>RC</italic> -to-digital converter (RCDC) for the measurement of the <italic>RC</italic> time constant of the resistor and capacitor connected in series is presented in this article. A simple RCDC design insensitive to parasitic capacitances is based on the single-slope integration. The output voltage of the integrator is linearly changed from half the value of the reference voltage to its final value. The <italic>RC</italic> time constant is equal to the duration of the single-slope integration and is independent of any other parameter. The proposed RCDC has been prototyped using discrete off-the-shelf components mounted on a printed circuit board, with a single supply voltage of 2.7 V. Measurements have been performed for 36 different combinations of the resistors and capacitors connected in series, where the measured time constant is in the range <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$45.77 \mu \text{s} < $ </tex-math></inline-formula> <italic>RC</italic> < 2.32 ms, for three different reference voltages. The achieved relative error is smaller than 1.96% for the largest reference voltage used.