Background: Scientific research is usually classified as quantitative or qualitative. However, methodologists are increasingly emphasizing the integration of qualitative and quantitative data as the center of mixed methods (mix methodologies). Mixed research method implies the use of different research methods, ie. quantitative and qualitative methods in one study. Objective: The aim of this review paper is to present the purpose of using a mixed methodology in health research. Methods: The relevant articles were searched from online data sources including PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: This approach to the use of mixed methods creates opportunities for a deeper study of various problems. The purpose of using mixed research methods is to obtain valid answers to research questions, however the researcher may still have different reasons or purposes for which he wants to strengthen the research study and its conclusions by applying mixed methods. The use of mixed scientific methodology is widely used in the field of health outcomes and should not be limited to a closed list of possible methodological options. Conclusion: Recently, there has been an increase in the number of scientific studies in healthcare that use mixed research methods. The advantage of applying this scientific method is that through the triangulation of data obtained by different (quantitative / qualitative) approaches, we get a deeper and more complete picture of the phenomenon in health care that we observe.

INTRODUCTION Additive production refers to the process of prototyping, which allows the production of highly complex medical devices and products. Interpretation of additive manufacturing (AM) material in Computed Tomography (CT) has not been widely investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the CT number values of commercially available fused deposition modelling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA) AM materials. METHODS Total of 15 AM materials, 7 FMD and 8 SLA, were selected and scanned on CT to determine the HU value and appearance on the images. All test object were designed as rectangular blocks and after their production physical description were calculated. AM materials were scanned on CT operating at 80, 100, 120 and 135 kV. RESULTS All materials correspond to a certain human tissue and they have uniformity when printed with 100% infill. CT number ranged from a minimum of -188.0 HU to a maximum of 189.1 HU, for FDM materials, and from -15.8 HU to 167.3 HU, for SLA materials. CONCLUSION Knowing the CT number of an AM materials can allow the design of medical or rehabilitation products with a specific appearance on CT images. Analysed and collected data can find application in the design and manufacture of immobilization devices that can be easily distinguished from other materials or human tissue. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE This study provides information that can be used in the design and fabrication of anthropomorphic diagnostic and therapeutic phantoms. There is significant potential for the use of AM material for sophisticated test objects when used in medical image modality testing. Knowing actual CT numbers of frequently used AM materials allows manufacturing anthropomorphic phantoms to investigate radiation doses in diagnostic radiology and radiotherapy.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is not only an enzyme but also a functional receptor on cell surfaces through which Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). The exact mechanism by which arterial hypertension (particularly regulated) could affect the presentation and outcome of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has not been fully elucidated. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the parameters of patients with verified COVID-19 and existing arterial hypertension at the time of hospital admission and to develop neural network model. Methods: The research had a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical character, and included patients (n=634) who were hospitalized in the General Hospital “Prim. dr. Abdulah Nakas” in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the period from 01 Sep 2020 to 01 May 2021. From the hospital information system, which is used in everyday clinical work, laboratory parameters at admission were verified, along with demographic data, the comorbidities, while the outcome (recovery, death) was recorded thirty days after the admission. Results: Out of the total number, in 314 patients (200 males), arterial hypertension was verified, out of which, 56 (17.83%) patients died. Patients were divided into two groups, according to outcome, i.e., whether they survived COVID-19 infection or not. A significant difference in age (p = 0.00), erythrocyte count (p = 0.03), haemoglobin (p = 0.05), hematocrit (p = 0.03), platelets count (p = 0.00), leukocytes (p = 0.01), neutrophils (p = 0.00), lymphocytes (p = 0.00), monocytes (p = 0.00), basophils (p = 0.00), eosinophils (p = 0.00), C-reactive protein (p = 0.00) and D-dimer (p = 0.01) was noted. When patients who died and had hypertension were compared with those who died and did not have hypertension (n = 15), out of alll the analyzed parameters, the only significant difference was established in the patient’s age (p = 0.00). In case when patients with hypertension who died were compared to patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus who died no significant differences were found between features. Conclusion: Patients with hypertension and COVID-19 who died were older, had higher values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocytes, neutrophils, CRP and D-dimer, and lower values of platelets, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils count at admission. Compared to deaths without hypertension, the only difference that was established was that patients with hypertension were older.

Architectural patterns are solutions to common problems in software design. These usually tackle one or more customer requirements (business, functional, or quality requirements). As continuous deployment becomes more important for satisfying customer’s experience in software projects, there is a greater need in supporting continuous integration as its prerequisite. The nature of architectural design patterns is that some are more suitable for continuous integration then others. However, the existing approaches do not prescribe how to tailor architectural design considering integration challenges.To identify patterns suitable for continuous integration, we present a methodology for identification of architectural design patterns that support continuous integration based on continuous assessment. Our methodology, based on Aglie, enables DevOps engineers to assess their integration experience considering design changes, implementation changes, and creation of new version deliverables. The methodology complements common DevOps activities and introduces templates for communicating feedback from DevOps engineers to architects. Architects handle the communicated feedback as requirements and optimise their design accordingly. In this way, the design decisions take shape of solution patterns that, besides other existing requirements, satisfy requirements necessary to facilitate continuous integration.

Highlights • Gap of public on-the-ground cancer data was addressed through questionnaires to professionals in the SEE region.• There is a lack of diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy modalities in the SEE region in comparison to Western Europe.• The Mortality to incidence ratio correlates inversely with the economic development and the availability of radiotherapy equipment.• The cancer incidence in SEE countries was correlate directly with the life expectancy and the availability of diagnostic equipment.• The need for reliable national and regional cancer registries in SEE countries for data collection and analysis has been emphasized.

We investigated DAB1-protein deficiency in the inner-ear development of yotari in comparison to humans and wild-type (wt) mice by immunofluorescence for the expression of connexins (Cxs) and the pannexin Panx1. The spatial and temporal dynamics of Cx26, Cx32, Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, Cx45, and Panx1 were determined in the sixth and eighth weeks of human development and at the corresponding mouse embryonic E13.5 and E15.5, in order to examine gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and hemichannel formation. The quantification of the area percentage covered by positive signal was performed for the epithelium and mesenchyme of the cochlear and semicircular ducts and is expressed as the mean ± SD. The data were analysed by one-way ANOVA. Almost all of the examined Cxs were significantly decreased in the cochlear and semicircular ducts of yotari compared to wt and humans, except for Cx32, which was significantly higher in yotari. Cx40 dominated in human inner-ear development, while yotari and wt had decreased expression. The Panx1 expression in yotari was significantly lower than that in the wt and human inner ear, except at E13.5 in the mesenchyme of the wt and epithelium and mesenchyme of humans. Our results emphasize the relevance of GJIC during the development of vestibular and cochlear functions, where they can serve as potential therapeutic targets in inner-ear impairments.

Background: Sonography plays an important role in characterizing breast masses and in guiding needle core biopsies and wire localizations of suspicious sonographis abnormalities. Objective: The aim of this study was to show the possibilities of high frequency ultrasound devices in the presentation of microcalcifications of the breast, and the use of these possibilities in performing needle biopsy under ultrasound control. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted from May 2017 to December 2020 on 32 women, 29-86 years of age using mammograms and ultrasound to show suspected microcalcifications (radiological findings of BI RADS 4B and 4C), and needle biopsy led by ultrasound that confirmed the diagnosis of breast cancer. Patients with suspected microcalcifications on mammography that had previously had the diagnosis of breast cancer confirmed in the same or contralateral breast were excluded from the study. Histology results from each core biopsy and surgical excision were reviewed. The positive predictive values of sonography and mammography for this population were calculated, and the sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of sonography were determined. For analysis of the agreement of ultrasound findings with mammography the McNemar x2-test for dependent samples was used. Results: The sensitivity of mammography in the detection of microcalcifications in this study was 100%. The sensitivity of the ultrasound apparatus with a high frequency probe in the detection of microcalcifications after mammography examination in this study was 87.55%, while the specificity was 42.85%. Conclusion: Ultrasonic devices with high-frequency probes enable the display of accumulations of microcalcifications previously verified by mammography, and thus enable the performance of needle biopsy of suspected microcalcifications under ultrasonic control. An alternative is the much more complicated and significantly more expensive stereotactic biopsy under the control of mammography.

Background: The most commonly used diagnostic tests for evaluation of the dental fear and anxiety (DFA) presence in children were psychometric scales, where interpretation in determining and using of their cut-off scores sometimes was not completely exact. Also, several studies have been conducted where the results were conflicting in terms of who better assessed the DFA presence - the children, their parents, or dentists. Objective: To determine the normative values in the child and parental versions of the Modified version of the CFSS-DS scale (CFSS-DS-mod scale) and to compare the ways in which children, their parents, and the dentist assessed the DFA presence in the dental office. Methods: Survey sample consisted of 200 children aged from 9 to 12 years, whose DFA presence was determined by the CFSS-DS-mod scale. Child parents answered to their version of this scale, and the dentist observed the child behavior in the dental office during the treatment using Venham Anxiety and Behaviour Rating Scales. Results: Parental version of the CFSS-DS-mod scale found to be reliable (Cronbach alpha = 0.955) and valid (67.87% of variance explained) instrument for assessment of the DFA presence in children. Two cut-off scores were determined in a child (37 and 43), as well as in a parental version of CFSS-DS-mod scale (36 and 44), respectively. Dentists assessed the DFA presence in child patients most accurately. Conclusion: The normative values of psychometric instruments should be considered prior to their use. The borderline area of DFA presence should also be taken into account in the future studies. Children could underestimate DFA existence by themselves while interviewing.

The goal of this research is development, design and manufacturing of CNC milling machine prototype using standard aluminium profiles. Machine is a three axis’s machine and it is developed primarily for education in the field of wood machining. It can be used also for machining of light metal parts. Main initial goal of the machine development was the low cost for its manufacturing. To achieve this goal, rapid prototyping technology was used to manufacture most of the machine parts. In addition, a lot of standard parts are used. The detail methodology for machine development, design and manufacturing are shown in this paper. Design process includes development of CAD models, calculation of all necessary critical parts, selections of materials and development of machine subassemblies and assemblies.

The focus of research presented in this paper is quantification of the relationship between the traffic safety and roadside advertising structures along a selected road in urban environment. In order to determine correlation, statistical analysis of traffic safety indicators was performed. Then identificcation of characteristics of advertising structures and analysis was done by using multi-criteria evaluation in order to determine their impact on driver distraction. Determination of driver distraction was performed by testing the drivers in real traffic conditions, using specialized measuring equipment. The indicators derived from the research were then analyzed using the methods of regression analysis, and safety.

Simple Summary In order to prevent lamb distress during weaning and avoid the occurrence of oxidative stress leading to diminished production performance, health status, or product quality, feeds rich in polyphenols (anthocyanins) are increasingly used in ruminant feeding. In the present study, lambs were allocated into three groups, with 10 lambs per group. The feed mixture for the control group (C) contained yellow corn. Lambs in experimental group I were fed feed mixtures containing yellow corn replaced by red corn at 50% (RC50). In experimental group II, red corn fully replaced (100%) yellow corn (RC100) in the lambs’ feed. The results of the present study indicate a positive effect of red corn rich in anthocyanins on the metabolic profile without any changes in the productive traits of lambs. Abstract In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of different proportions of red corn rich in anthocyanins on the diet of fattening lambs considering their productive traits, blood metabolic profile, and antioxidative status. The research was carried out with 30 Merinolandschaf lambs, 90 days old and weaned. The feed mixture for lambs (n = 10) of the control group contained yellow corn, while in the feed mixture of experimental group I (n = 10), yellow corn was replaced with red corn at 50% (RC50), and in experimental group II (n = 10), yellow corn was 100% replaced with red corn (RC100). An automatic three-part differential haematology analyser was used to determine haematological parameters in whole blood, and biochemical parameters were determined in blood serum using a biochemical analyser. A diet containing red corn did not affect productive traits or the majority of the examined parameters. However, higher blood haemoglobin content, increased aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase activity, and decreased glucose and non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were found in the serum of RC100 lambs. These results indicate a positive effect of red corn rich in anthocyanins on the metabolic profile without any changes in the productive traits of lambs.