This study considers the problem of selecting an anti-tank missile system (ATMS). The mentioned problem is solved by applying a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making model (MCDM) based on two methods: the DIBR (Defining Interrelationships Between Ranked criteria) and the MABAC (Multi-Attributive Border Approximation area Comparison) methods. The methods are modified by applying rough numbers, which present a very suitable area for considering uncertainty following decision-making processes. The DIBR method is a young method with a simple mathematical apparatus which is based on defining the relation between ranked criteria, that is, adjacent criteria, reducing the number of comparisons. This method defines weight coefficients of criteria, based on the opinion of experts. The MABAC method is used to select the best alternative from the set of the offered ones, based on the distance of the criteria function of every observed alternative from the border approximate area. The paper has two main innovations. With the presented decision-making support model, the ATMS selection problem is raised to a higher level, which is based on a proven mathematical apparatus. In terms of methodology, the main innovation is successful application of the rough DIBR method, which has not been treated in this way in the literature so far. Additionally, an analysis of the literature related to the research problem as well as to the methods used is carried out. After the application of the model, the sensitivity analysis of the output results of the presented model to the change of the weight coefficients of criteria is performed, as well as the comparison of the results of the presented model with other methods. Finally, the proposed model is concluded to be stable and multi-criteria decision-making methods can be a reliable tool to help decision makers in the selection process. The presented model has the potential of being applied in other case studies as it has proven to be a good means for considering uncertainty.

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided terahertz (THz) communications have been regarded as a promising candidate for future 6G networks because of its ultra-wide bandwidth and ultra-low power consumption. However, there exists the beam split problem, especially when the base station (BS) or RIS owns the large-scale antennas, which may lead to serious array gain loss. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate the beam split and beamforming design problems in the THz RIS communications. Specifically, we first analyze the beam split effect caused by different RIS sizes, shapes and deployments. On this basis, we apply the fully connected time delayer phase shifter hybrid beamforming (FC-TD-PS-HB) architecture at the BS and deploy distributed RISs to cooperatively mitigate the beam split effect. We aim to maximize the achievable sum rate by jointly optimizing the hybrid analog/digital beamforming, time delays at the BS and reflection coefficients at the RISs. To solve the formulated problem, we first design the analog beamforming and time delays based on different RISs’ physical directions, and then it is transformed into an optimization problem by jointly optimizing the digital beamforming and reflection coefficients. Next, we propose an alternatively iterative optimization algorithm to deal with it. Specifically, for given the reflection coefficients, we propose an iterative algorithm based on the minimum mean square error technique to obtain the digital beamforming. After, we apply Lagrangian dual reformulation (LDR) and multidimensional complex quadratic transform (MCQT) methods to transform the original problem to a quadratically constrained quadratic program, which can be solved by alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) technique to obtain the reflection coefficients. Finally, the digital beamforming and reflection coefficients are obtained via repeating the above processes until convergence. Simulation results verify that the proposed scheme can effectively alleviate the beam split effect and improve the system capacity.

With the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, the smart city paradigm has become a reality. Wireless low-power communication technologies (LPWAN) are widely used for device connection in smart homes, smart lighting, mitering, and so on. This work suggests a new approach to a smart parking solution using the benefits of narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technology. NB-IoT is an LPWAN technology dedicated to sensor communication within 5G mobile networks. This paper proposes the integration of NB-IoT into the core IoT platform, enabling direct sensor data navigation to the IoT radio stations for processing, after which they are forwarded to the user application programming interface (API). Showcasing the results of our research and experiments, this work suggests the ability of NB-IoT technology to support geolocation and navigation services, as well as payment and reservation services for vehicle parking to make the smart parking solutions smarter.

Background: Vitamin D3 complexed to deglycosylated vitamin D binding protein (VitD-dgVDBP) is a water-soluble vitamin D dimeric compound (VitD-dgVDBP). It is not clear how VitD-dgVDBP affects circulating monocytes, macrophages, other immune cell systems, including phagocytosis and apoptosis, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to dgVDBP. Methods: Flow cytometry was used to measure superoxide anion radical (O2*−) levels and macrophage activity in the presence of VitD-dgVDBP or dgVDBP. VitD-dgVDBP was incubated with normal human lymphocytes (nPBMCs), and several clusters of determination (CDs) were estimated. dgVDBP and VitD-dgVDBP apoptosis was estimated on malignant prostatic cells. Results: The macrophage activity was 2.8-fold higher using VitD-dgVDBP (19.8·106 counts) compared to dgVDBP (7.0·106 counts), but O2*− production was 1.8-fold lower in favor of VitD-dgVDBP (355·103 counts) compared to dgVDBP (630·106 counts). The calculated ratio of the radical/macrophage activity was 5-fold lower compared to that of dgVDBP. Only VitD-dgVDBP activated caspase-3 (8%), caspase-9 (13%), and cytochrome-C (11%) on prostatic cancer cells. PE-Cy7-labeled VitD-dgVDBP was found to bind to cytotoxic suppressor cells, monocytes/macrophages, dendritic and natural killer cells (CD8+), and helper cells (CD4+). After 12 h of co-incubation of nPBMCs with VitD-dgVDBP, significant activation and expression were measured for CD16++/CD16 (0.6 ± 0.1% vs. 0.4 ± 0.1%, p < 0.05), CD45k+ (96.0 ± 6.0% vs. 84.7 ± 9.5%, p < 0.05), CD85k+ (24.3 ± 13.2% vs. 3.8 ± 3.2%, p < 0.05), and CD85k+/CD123+ (46.8 ± 8.1% vs. 3.5 ± 3.7%, p < 0.001) compared to the control experiment. No significant difference was found using CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4/CD8, CD4/CD8, CD16+, CD16++, CD14+, or CD123+. A significant decline in CD14+/CD16+ was obtained in the presence of VitD-dgVDBP (0.7 ± 0.2% vs. 3.1 ± 1.7%; p < 0.01). Conclusion: The newly developed water-soluble VitD3 form VitD-dgVDBP affected cytotoxic suppressor cells by activating the low radical-dependent CD16 pathway and seemed to induce apoptosis in malignant prostatic cells.

Nonlinear state estimation (SE), with the goal of estimating complex bus voltages based on all types of measurements available in the power system, is usually solved using the iterative Gauss-Newton (GN) method. The nonlinear SE presents some difficulties when considering inputs from both phasor measurement units and supervisory control and data acquisition system. These include numerical instabilities, convergence time depending on the starting point of the iterative method, and the quadratic computational complexity of a single iteration regarding the number of state variables. This paper introduces an original graph neural network based SE implementation over the augmented factor graph of the nonlinear power system SE, capable of incorporating measurements on both branches and buses, as well as both phasor and legacy measurements. The proposed regression model has linear computational complexity during the inference time once trained, with a possibility of distributed implementation. Since the method is noniterative and non-matrix-based, it is resilient to the problems that the GN solver is prone to. Aside from prediction accuracy on the test set, the proposed model demonstrates robustness when simulating cyber attacks and unobservable scenarios due to communication irregularities. In those cases, prediction errors are sustained locally, with no effect on the rest of the power system's results.

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and an increased risk of postoperative graft failure potentially leading to graft loss. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) emerged as an alternative in high-risk patients. However, data on TAVI in KTR are limited. We performed a retrospective analysis of 40 KTR in which aortic valve replacement was performed at our center between 2005 and 2015. The outcomes and follow-up of TAVI (n = 20; 2010-2015) and SAVR (n = 20; 2005–2015) were analyzed with respect to patient and graft survival. Baseline characteristics in both groups were comparable. Hospital stay after TAVI was significantly shorter compared to SAVR (19 [11.5–21.75] days vs. 33 [21–62] days, p = 0.001). Acute graft failure occurred more frequently after SAVR (45% vs. 89.5%; p = 0.006). Thirty-day mortality was 10% in both groups. However, in-hospital mortality reached 25% in the SAVR group (TAVI 10%), indicating a more complicated course after surgery. Moreover, during a median follow-up time of 1928 days in TAVI patients and 2717 days in patients after SAVR, graft loss occurred only in the surgically treated group (n = 7). While one-year survival after TAVR was 90% compared to 69% after SAVR, long-term follow-up showed comparable results (at 5 years: TAVI 58% vs. 52% SAVR; log-rank-test: p = 0.86). In KTR, TAVI can be performed with good mid- to long-term results. Compared to SAVR, renal outcomes seem to be improved after TAVI, suggesting better graft survival.

Fifth-Generation (5G) networks have a potential to accelerate power system transition to a flexible, softwarized, data-driven, and intelligent grid. With their evolving support for Machine Learning (ML)/Artificial Intelligence (AI) functions, 5G networks are expected to enable novel data-centric Smart Grid (SG) services. In this paper, we explore how data-driven SG services could be integrated with ML/AI-enabled 5G networks in a symbiotic relationship. We focus on the State Estimation (SE) function as a key element of the energy management system and focus on two main questions. Firstly, in a tutorial fashion, we present an overview on how distributed SE can be integrated with the elements of the 5G core network and radio access network architecture. Secondly, we present and compare two powerful distributed SE methods based on: i) graphical models and belief propagation, and ii) graph neural networks. We discuss their performance and capability to support a near real-time distributed SE via 5G network, taking into account communication delays.

Background and Objectives: Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are among the most prescribed psychotropic drugs and significant number of patients use these drugs for longer periods than recommended. The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with prescribing of BZDs at the primary healthcare level. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of family physicians’ prescriptions from the databases of family medicine teams of the Republic of Srpska was performed. The number of BZDs users, as well as the total number of prescriptions, were determined. Thereafter, it was determined which specific BZD had been prescribed, in which dose, for how long, as well as the specific social and demographic characteristics of patients to whom the drugs were prescribed. Results: The results showed that 38.47% of patients used the BZDs for a period longer than six months. The most frequent BZDs prescribed were the intermediate-acting BZDs, primarily bromazepam (58.69%). Two thirds of patients were women. The average age of the patients was 60, 60.46% of patients were single, and 69.68% lived in urban areas. The longer uses of BZDs were recorded in women, the elderly, single people and those who lived in urban areas, while higher doses of BZDs were prescribed to men, as well as younger and married people. The highest positive correlation was found between the dose and length of use of BZD. Conclusions: A significant percentage of patients used BZDs for a time period longer than recommended. Caution is necessary when prescribing BZDs to women, the elderly, patients that live in urban areas and patients who are single. When prescribing BZDs, family physicians should be aware of their potential interactions and addictive potentials.

Purpose. Athletic sprint runs are cyclical movements of maximum intensity. Speed, reaction time, agility and explosiveness are of special importance in sprinters. The main goal of the research is to determine the influence of Body height (BH) and Body weight (BW) with the best achieved results of  in sprint disciplines (60m,100m,200m). Material and methods. In study included 40 competitors, top male sprinters (BH=180,45±6,88cm; BW=78,83±7,69kg). Their achieved best results in sprint disciplines were analyzed (60m, 100m, 200m). Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between body height and body weight and the results of sprint disciplines. Also a univariate model of regression analysis was applied and the relevant coefficients were calculated. The level of acceptance of statistical significance was set to p<0.05. Results. The simple regression analysis did not show a statistically significant influence of body height and body weight on the result of sprint running. Low correlations (BH vs. 100m = -0.306), (BW vs. 100m = -0.226) and (BH vs. 200m = -0.221) and insignificant correlations with an inverse relationship between results and anthropometric measures are mainly evident. Conclusion. Body height and body weight did not have a statistically significant effect on the results of the 60m sprint, while their influence is evident in the 100m, and especially in the 200m (but without statistical significance). This influence on the result of running 100 and 200m is a consequence of the exceptional motor-functional abilities of the sprinter to show greater force in the last phase of the rebound. Otherwise in the sprint, the rear rebound phase is much more important than the front rebound phase. A long step with the body weight (muscle) of the sprinter produces a higher rebound force, which with a big frequency of steps and good tecnique guarantees a good result.

The motivation behind this research was to analyse the consequences of aircraft operations’ delays on cumulative noise levels produced upon the neighbouring communities and to estimate the relative change in the number of people annoyed by aircraft noise. Many studies showed that residents’ reactions to abrupt changes in noise exposure were more intense compared to the anticipated ones. Aircraft delays may cause such abrupt changes in noise exposure by increasing the traffic in some periods compared to the scheduled traffic. The methodology applied includes noise contour development for two different scenarios for intervals where aircraft delays occur. Only delays connected with the Total Airport Management (TAM) were analysed, since such delays can be influenced by airports. The first scenario considered the influence of aircraft operations on population noise exposure without TAM delays, whereas the second one included all delayed flights (actual traffic). The proposed method was tested through case studies of three southeast European airports. The results showed that the highest potential of decrease in the number of people annoyed by the noise was recorded at Niš Airport (59%), followed by Zadar Airport (49%) and Sarajevo Airport (25%). Similar results were obtained in the context of highly annoyed people.

In this article, we touch on the preambles of constitutions, their importance, and manner of interpretation with a purposeful analysis of these issues as the main objective of this paper. We look at constitutional law in its entirety, as well as preambular issues, to evaluate the segments of the legal act that represent its non-normative part. To significantly contribute to the understanding of the very goal of the constitution and similar acts is the most important issue of this topic. By analysing different methods of interpreting the constitution and its preamble, we provide a comprehensive account of errors in interpreting the constitution that penetrate every segment of our lives.

Cuba has been a significant player in international and regional politics for a long while, particularly compared to its size. However, reliable data on the standard of living of its society is scarce. The literature review reflects how the Cuban state manipulated certain data forwarded to international organisations. Our objective was to implement field research and gain pri mary data on Cubans’ quality of life and income structure that could help to identify the extent of income inequality among the different demographic clusters in the country. We used individual questionnaires, as well as de -scriptive, frequency and inferential statistics. The results show varying in come inequalities among the different demographic clusters and a “perverse effect” in income distribution, leading to the formation of a “parasite” stra tum in Cuban society.

Background The uneven lipid-lowering statin effects and statin intolerance raise interest regarding the involvement of coadministration of statins and dietary supplements. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of octacosanol supplementation on markers of redox status in cardiovascular patients on chronic atorvastatin therapy. Methods A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-centre study was conducted. Redox status homeostasis parameters [i.e., advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), total protein sulfhydryl (SHgroups), and paraoxonase 1 (PO N 1) activity] were assessed in 81 patients. According to favorable changes in lipid profile, patients were classified into two groups: responders (n = 35) and non-responders (n = 46), and followed for 13 weeks. A principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to explore the effect of octacosanol supplementation and the relationship between investigated parameters as predictors of responders' and non-responders' status. Results Significant decrease in Oxy-score value was found at the endpoint compared to baseline in responders' group (21.0 (13.4-25.5) versus 15.1 (12.4-18.0); P < 0.01). PCA analysis extracted 4 significant factors in the both groups, whereas extracted factors containing "octacosanol status" variable explained 14.7% and 11.5% of the variance in responders' and non-responders' subgroups, respectively. Conclusions Octacosanol supplementation leads to an improvement of lipid profile and markers of redox status in responders' group. New studies are needed to validate our results in order to find the best approach for personalized supplementation as a useful adjunct to standard statin therapy.

Abstract Drawing on ethnographic interview analysis of Aboriginal participants in Australia, this study seeks to expand the critical discussions in Applied Linguistics by understanding the concept of translanguaging in relation to its “mundanity” (or ordinariness). Our data shows that rather than perceiving translanguaging as extraordinary, for Aboriginal speakers it is more likely to be considered normal, unremarkable, mundane, and as a long-existing phenomenon. The concept of the mundanity of translanguaging is thereby expanded through three main discussions in this article: 1) negotiating identity and resisting racism, where the Aboriginal speakers choose to translanguage using their full linguistic repertoires, but with appropriate communicative adjustments made for their interlocutor; 2) a display of respect towards their land, heritage and language; and 3) as an inherent and mundane everyday practice where they constantly negotiate between heritage languages, English, Kriol, and Aboriginal English varieties. The significance of this study lies in the normalisation of translanguaging as a mundane disinvention strategy, as this urges us to perceive linguistic separateness as a colonial ideological construct that is used to exhibit control over diverse peoples and to maintain uniformity and stability of nation-states.