Background We are facing the outburst of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) defined as a serious, multisystem, disorder, including various neurological manifestations in its presentation. So far, autonomic dysfunction (AD) has not been reported in patients with COVID-19 infection. Aim Assessment of AD in the early phase of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 virus). Patients and methods We analyzed 116 PCR positive COVID-19 patients. After the exclusion of 41 patients with associate diseases (CADG), partitioned to patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and syncope, the remaining patients were included into a severe group (45 patients with confirmed interstitial pneumonia) and mild group (30 patients). Basic cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CART) were performed, followed by beat-to-beat heart rate variability (HRV) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (BPV) analysis, along with baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS). Non-linear analysis of HRV was provided by Poincare Plot. Results were compared to 77 sex and age-matched controls. Results AD (sympathetic, parasympathetic, or both) in our study has been revealed in 51.5% of severe, 78.0% of mild COVID-19 patients, and the difference compared to healthy controls was significant (p = 0.018). Orthostatic hypotension has been established in 33.0% COVID-19 patients compared to 2.6% controls (p = 0.001). Most of the spectral parameters of HRV and BPV confirmed AD, most prominent in the severe COVID-19 group. BRS was significantly lower in all patients (severe, mild, CADG), indicating significant sudden cardiac death risk. Conclusion Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy should be taken into account in COVID-19 patients’ assessment. It can be an explanation for a variety of registered manifestations, enabling a comprehensive diagnostic approach and further treatment.

The spectrum of COVID-19 in adults ranges from asymptomatic infection to mild respiratory tract symptoms to severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiorgan dysfunction. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to the virus at a greater extent than society as a whole and may be considered at an elevated risk of infection. The aim of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCWs all over the territory of North Macedonia. In this interim analysis, we included 2,334 healthcare workers (HCW), who were tested for serum IgM and IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 virus during the period from 28/05/2020 to 20/08/2020. Chemiluminescent (CLIA) analytical system was used for detection of anti SARS CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies. A total of 195 HCWs, out of 2,334, tested positive for either IgM or IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies (IgM/G+). Of these, 167 individuals tested positive for IgM antibodies (IgM+) and 54 tested positive for IgG antibodies (IgG+). Based on these data, the cumulative incidence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in HCWs during the period from 28/05/2020 to 20/08/2020 was estimated at 8.355% (95% CI = 7.279-9.57%). HCWs represent a population at high risk of contracting COVID-19. To decrease the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, absolute adherence to infection preventive measures is needed: proper use of face masks at all times in the workplace, avoiding of overcrowding in different working spaces, and keeping a recommended distance in meetings, clinical handouts and work meals. Early identification and isolation of infected HCWs is highly recommended.

The based loop space of a configuration space of points in a Euclidean space can be viewed as a space of pure braids in a Euclidean space of one dimension higher. We continue our study of such spaces in terms of Kontsevich's CDGA of diagrams and Chen's iterated integrals. We construct a power series connection which yields a Hopf algebra isomorphism between the homology of the space of pure braids and the cobar construction on diagrams. It maps iterated Whitehead products to trivalent trees modulo the IHX relation. As an application, we establish a correspondence between Milnor invariants of Brunnian spherical links and certain Chen integrals. Finally we show that graphing induces injections of a certain submodule of the homotopy of configuration spaces into the homotopy of many spaces of high-dimensional string links. We conjecture that graphing is injective on all rational homotopy classes.

U poznatom djelu De re publica Marko Tulije Ciceron piše kako država jest stvar naroda, a narod skupina mnoštva udružena prihvaćanjem prava i zajedničkom korišću. U idealno zamišljenom demokratskom društvu to je uistinu tako – rasprava, dijalog i razmjene ideja, u okviru kojih cjelokupno društveno uređenje izvire iz naroda, krećući se prema cilju ostvarivanja općeg dobra. U okviru demokratske političke kulture modus operandi kreiranja i izgradnje političkih institucija jesu izbori. Kroz njih konstantno dolazi do izražaja vječna težnja ostvarenja pravednog društva u kojem će istinski biti – res publica, res populi. Korijeni takve političke kulture, u punom smislu riječi, kakvu mi danas poznajemo, razvili su se u fazi republikanskog uređenja rimske države (509. g. pr. Kr. – 27. g. pr. Kr.). Tijekom tih pet stoljeća, provodeći magistratske skupštinske izbore gotovo svake godine, postavljeni su pravni temelji moderne političke organizacije. Uz preuzimanje naprednih, civilizacijski nenadmašenih koncepata, primjetna je povijesna konstanta očuvanja i društvenih devijacija i etički neprihvatljivih postupaka. Osobit problem, koji se javljao kroz povijest, a prisutan je i danas, predstavljaju različite zlouporabe na putu dolaska na vlast, pri čemu pojedinci, vođeni nemoralnim pobudama i partikularnim interesima, nerijetko kroz različite oblike koruptivnog djelovanja ugrožavaju funkcioniranje zajednice. Svakog istraživača zainteresiranog za razumijevanje funkcioniranja demokratske države put znanstvene spoznaje vodi na rimsko ustavnopravno uređenje. Ono je osnova europske demokratske političke kulture – skelet civilizacijski nenadmašenih ideja, ali i nekih devijantnih društvenih pojava. U izdanju Pravnog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu nedavno je objavljena znanstvena monografija Izbori i izborna korupcija u Rimskoj Republici autorice Ivane Jaramaz Reskušić, redovite profesorice na Katedri za rimsko pravo, koja ovom monografijom nastavlja svoju dosljednost u istraživanju javnopravnih aspekata funkcioniranja rimske države, koji su u hrvatskoj, ali i regionalnoj romanističkoj znanosti, uglavnom bili zapostavljeni. Monografija je podijeljena na četiri poglavlja i zaključak, nakon čega slijede latinska vrela s paralelnim prijevodom na hrvatski jezik.

Globalization and lifestyle changes have led to health becoming a major social preoccupation of the population. Spas are no longer just centers for disease treatment, but a means of preventing diseases and protecting human health. An increasing number of young people are trying to improve their health through spa treatments. This is why there is a growing tourist offer of spa centers. Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) has rich natural resources that are conducive to the creation of spas. Therefore, this study looked into spa offers and evaluated the transformation of medical spas into modern spa centers in order to improve competitiveness. Spa transformation survey was conducted on the example of spas in B&H. Six, out of a total of fifteen registered spas in B&H, have been chosen randomly. The spa offer was evaluated by applying the decision-making model and expert decision-making. The obtained results showed that the spas of Ilidža - Gradačac and Ilidža - Sarajevo have "good" transformation; the spas Dvorovi and Mlječanica have "middle" transformation, while the spas of Gata and Sanska Ilidža have "bad" transformation in the process of creating modern spas. Based on the results of this study, spa managers can obtain the necessary information on how to adjust the offer to make those spas more competitive. In addition, the spas will also generate higher revenues. The decision-making model used has shown good results and can be applied to future studies and research.

In this session, we will hear speakers from across Europe presenting their research, followed by discussion on investing in resilient and sustainable infrastructure and how decarbonisation fits with post-pandemic fiscal and monetary frameworks.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in the South-Eastern Europe, characterized by numerous historical influences, massive migration processes and complex population structure. For that reason, the aim of this study is to provide an accurate and precise update of the population genetics data of allele frequencies on 23 Y-STR loci in Bosnia and Herzegovina using larger sample size. For this purpose, 480 adult male individuals from the general population have been genotyped over 23 Y-STR loci contained in the PowerPlex Y23 system. Population genetics parameters have been calculated, namely allele and haplotype frequencies, gene and haplotype diversity, as well as Rst and P values for the assessment of interpopulation differences. The obtained results are in close agreement with previously published data for Bosnian-Herzegovinian population, as well as for local subpopulations. This study offers significantly increased resolution and information content, with 454 unique haplotypes. Population comparison reveals no statistically significant differences between the study population and 12 European populations used for comparison, as visualized through an MDS plot and neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree. This study offers representative data for local Y chromosomes that can be used for forensic applications, paternity and kinship testing, as well as for genealogical studies.

The growing penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) in the electrical power sector has increased the amount of distributed generation (DG) units connected at the distribution system level. In this context, new balancing challenges have arisen, creating the need for a novel use case methodology to enable an active role at the distribution system level such that transmission system operators (TSOs) can coordinate with distribution system operators (DSOs) with regard to connected resources for balancing purposes. In this study, the exploitation of the DSO-connected resources for balancing purposes in a market environment is proposed and evaluated via a novel business use case (BUC) methodology based on the categorization of IEC 62913-1. More specifically, in order to address different balancing market situations, two scenarios are considered with regard to the BUC. The first one represents the data exchange between the TSO, the DSO, and the balancing service provider (BSP). The second one represents an alternative scenario where data are exchanged directly between the TSO and the DSO, where the DSO also takes on the role of the BSP. The proposed BUC was also developed in order to validate the required data modeling and exchange mechanisms between DSOs and TSOs in order to exploit DSO-connected resources for overall system balancing purposes across different time scales.

Explanations can help users to better understand why items have been recommended. Additionally, explanations for group recommender systems need to consider further goals than single-user recommender systems. For example, we need to balance group members’ need for privacy with their need for transparency, since a transparent explanation might pose a privacy hazard. In an online experiment with real groups (n=114 participants: 38 groups of size 3), we seek to understand which factors influence people’s privacy concerns when a single explanation is presented to a group in the tourism domain. In particular, we study the direct effects of three factors on privacy concern: a) group members’ personality (using the ‘Big Five’ personality traits), b) specific preference scenarios (i.e., having minority or majority preferences compared to two other group members), c) the type of relationship they have in the group (i.e., loosely coupled heterogeneous, versus tightly coupled homogeneous). We find that for personality two traits, Extroversion, and Agreeableness, each significantly affects the privacy concern. Moreover, having the minority or majority preferences in the group, as well as the type of relationship people have in the group, have a strong and significant influence on participants’ privacy concern. These results suggest that explanations presented to groups need to be adapted to all three factors (personality, type of relationship, and preference scenario) when considering the privacy concern of users.

The paper presents a concept of universal motion controller. The controller merges both position and force control into a single control structure. Therefore, it gives a possibility to use the same control algorithm, both for position tracking tasks as well as for the interaction force control. The universal motion controller can be used not only to make the interaction force track its reference, but also for the limiting of the interaction force, so that safety is ensured. This makes it very useful for human-robot interaction applications.

This study investigates levels of soil pollution and estimates the phytoremediation potential of 7 native plants growing close to the Zenica steel mill. Plant leaves or roots and associated soil samples were collected from this site and characterized in terms of the concentrations of the heavy metals Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and Ni. Heavy metal concentrations in soil and plant samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Bioaccumulation factors for heavy metals were also calculated. All plants studied had a low ability to remove or stabilize heavy metals in soil. This was probably associated with the poor mobility and thus poor availability of heavy metals to the plants growing in the vicinity of this steel mill.

Object tracking is one of the most important and fundamental disciplines of Computer Vision. Many Computer Vision applications require specific object tracking capabilities, including autonomous and smart vehicles, video surveillance, medical treatments, and many others. The OpenCV as one of the most popular libraries for Computer Vision includes several hundred Computer Vision algorithms. Object tracking tasks in the library can be roughly clustered in single and multiple object trackers. The library is widely used for real-time applications, but there are a lot of unanswered questions such as when to use a specific tracker, how to evaluate its performance, and for what kind of objects will the tracker yield the best results? In this paper, we evaluate 7 trackers implemented in OpenCV against the MOT20 dataset. The results are shown based on Multiple Object Tracking Accuracy (MOTA) and Multiple Object Tracking Precision (MOTP) metrics.

This paper investigates the impact of inverter modeling on the dynamics in a less than one cycle time frame (i.e., sub-cycle dynamics). Two types of inverter models (i.e., the detailed and average inverter models) are used to create the solar PV test systems for real-time electromagnetic simulation analysis. It is shown that the detailed inverter model that includes the inverter switching dynamics is more appropriate than the average inverter model for accurate sub-cycle dynamic analysis, especially important for power systems with high penetration of solar PVs. Also, increasing the system heterogeneity may reduce the severity of undesired sub-cycle transient events.

Some decision-making problems, i.e., multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) problems, require taking into account the attitudes of a large number of decision-makers and/or respondents. Therefore, an approach to the transformation of crisp ratings, collected from respondents, in grey interval numbers form based on the median of collected scores, i.e., ratings, is considered in this article. In this way, the simplicity of collecting respondents’ attitudes using crisp values, i.e., by applying some form of Likert scale, is combined with the advantages that can be achieved by using grey interval numbers. In this way, a grey extension of MCDA methods is obtained. The application of the proposed approach was considered in the example of evaluating the websites of tourism organizations by using several MCDA methods. Additionally, an analysis of the application of the proposed approach in the case of a large number of respondents, done in Python, is presented. The advantages of the proposed method, as well as its possible limitations, are summarized.

Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) is a vehicular technology that allows groups of vehicles on the highway to form in closely-coupled automated platoons to increase highway capacity and safety. The underlying mechanism behind CACC is the use of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) wireless communication networks to transmit acceleration commands to adjacent vehicles in the platoon. However, the use of V2V networks leads to increased vulnerabilities against faults and cyberattacks. Here, we address the problem of increasing the robustness of CACC schemes against cyberattacks by using multiple V2V networks and a data fusion algorithm. The idea is to transmit acceleration commands multiple times through different communication channels to create redundancy at the receiver side. We propose a data fusion algorithm to estimate of the true acceleration command, and isolate compromised channels. Finally, we propose a robust $H_{\infty }$ controller that reduces the joint effect of fusion errors and sensor/channel noise in the platooning performance (tracking performance and string stability). Simulation results are presented to illustrate the performance of our approach.