U okviru projekta utvrđivanja aroma profila različitih hrvatskih vrsta janjetine čiji je osnovni cilj bio ponuditi jednostavnu i pouzdanu analitičku metodu kojom bi se mogla potvrditi njihova autentičnost povezujući ih sa zemljopisnim područjem uzgoja, izvršena je analiza hlapivih spojeve arome kupreške janjetine uzgojene na Kupreškoj visoravni (BiH) na oko 1200 m n.v. Znatna teritorijalna odvojenost (horizontalna i vertikalna) Kupreške visoravni od hrvatskih područja na kojima je istraživanje organizirano (Lika, Dalmatinska zagora, otoci Pag i Cres) te razlike u njihovim prirodnim obilježjima doprinos su sigurnijem donošenju zaključaka o mogućim biomarkerima janjećeg mesa koji bi se s obzirom na florni sastav mogli povezati s određenim zemljopisnim područjem uzgoja. Analizom hlapivih spojeva toplinski obrađene kupreške janjetine na GC-MS, metodom mikroekstrakcije na čvrstoj fazi (SPME) te određeni metodom plinske kromatografije s masenom spektrofotometrijom (GC-MS), izolirano je ukupno 66 spojeva, od čega 14 aldehida (61,55 % ukupne površine pikova), 10 alkohola (7,78 %),12 ketona (12,11 %), 8 alifatskih ugljikovodika (1,23 %), 7 aromatskih spojeva (9,63 %), 3 heterociklička spoja (0,95 %), 1 furan (1,34 %), 2 kiseline i 3 estera (3,75 %), 4 terpena (0,94 %) te 3 sumporna spoja (0,73 %). U odnosu na dalmatinsku, pašku, ličku i cresku janjetinu, aroma kupreške janjetine sadrži 3 hlapiva spoja (2 ketona i 1 ester) koja nisu utvrđena u navedenim vrstama janjetine. Nadalje, aroma kupreške janjetine sadrži znatno više C-7 aldehida (16,24 %), ketona 2,3-oktadienona i 2-oktanona (9,96 %) te dugolančanih alkana (0,71 %) koji se u literaturi navode kao pašni markeri, ali i znatno manji broj i udio terpena (0,94 %) koji se u literaturi spominju kao mogući pouzdani biomarkeri zemljopisnog područja uzgoja. S obzirom da su terpeni isključivo metaboliti biljaka (biljke dvosupnice ih sadrže znatno više nego jednosupnice) koji se uglavnom izravno iz hrane ugrađuju u životinjska tkiva, terpenski profil janjetine može ukazivati na područje uzgoja janjadi (efekt teritorija). Sudeći prema aroma profilu (markerima paše), a osobito terpenskom profilu kupreške janjetine, kupreški pašnjaci i livade obiluju bogatom biljnom masom u kojoj dominiraju trave, dok su biljke dvosupnice (bogate aromatskim spojevima) manje zastupljene. Za pouzdanije rezultate potrebno je provesti dodatna istraživanja botaničkog i kemijskog sastava flore kupreških pašnjaka i livada, čije će se rezultati povezati s odgovarajućim spojevima arome janjećeg mesa.

This paper presents an enhanced peak cancellation method with simplified in-band distortion compensation for massive multi-input multi-output (mMIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The method compensates an in-band distortion due to peak cancellation by utilizing extra transmit antennas, where a compensation signal is designed and transmitted using extra antenna elements so that in-band distortion is canceled at the receiver end. Consequently, deep peak cancellation is possible without degrading bit error rate performance. The proposed method is further extended to non-linear precoded mMIMO-OFDM systems, where the perturbation vector cancellation signal is superimposed on the compensation signal so that the received signal is demodulated without non-linear processing to remove the perturbation vector. Thus, the proposed method does not require the iterative calculation to compensate for an in-band distortion. Our results show the effectiveness of the proposed method in terms of peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) characteristics, signal to noise and distortion power ratio (SDNR), bit error rate (BER), and throughput in comparison with the state-of-the-art.

Cathodic protection is defined as a method for slowing down or complete elimination of corrosion processes on underground or underwater, insulated or uninsulated metal structures. Protection by cathodic protection system is achieved by polarizing protected object to more negative value, with respect to its equilibrium potential. Design of the cathodic protection system implies determination of the electric potential and current density on the electrode surfaces after installation of the cathodic protection system. Most efficient way for determination of the electric potential and current density in the cathodic protection system is by applying numerical techniques. When modeling cathodic protection systems by numerical techniques, electrochemical reactions that occur on electrode surfaces are taken into account by polarization characteristics. Because of nature of the electrochemical reactions, polarization characteristics are nonlinear and under certain conditions can be time – varying (dynamic nonlinear polarization characteristics). This paper deals with numerical modeling of the cathodic protection system with dynamic nonlinear polarization characteristics. Numerical model presented in this paper is divided in the two parts. First part, which is based on the direct boundary element method, is used for the calculation of the distribution of electric potential and current density on the electrode surfaces in the spatial domain. Second part of the model is based on the finite difference time domain method and is used for the calculation of the electric potential and current density change over time. The use of presented numerical model is demonstrated on two simple geometrically examples.

Background To derive a list of opportunistic infections (OI) through the analysis of the juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients in the Pharmachild registry by an independent Safety Adjudication Committee (SAC). Methods The SAC (3 pediatric rheumatologists and 2 pediatric infectious disease specialists) elaborated and approved by consensus a provisional list of OI for use in JIA. Through a 5 step-procedure, all the severe and serious infections, classified as per MedDRA dictionary and retrieved in the Pharmachild registry, were evaluated by the SAC by answering six questions and adjudicated with the agreement of 3/5 specialists. A final evidence-based list of OI resulted by matching the adjudicated infections with the provisional list of OI. Results A total of 772 infectious events in 572 eligible patients, of which 335 serious/severe/very severe non-OI and 437 OI (any intensity/severity), according to the provisional list, were retrieved. Six hundred eighty-two of 772 (88.3%) were adjudicated as infections, of them 603/682 (88.4%) as common and 119/682 (17.4%) as OI by the SAC. Matching these 119 opportunistic events with the provisional list, 106 were confirmed by the SAC as OI, and among them infections by herpes viruses were the most frequent (68%), followed by tuberculosis (27.4%). The remaining events were divided in the groups of non-OI and possible/patient and/or pathogen-related OI. Conclusions We found a significant number of OI in JIA patients on immunosuppressive therapy. The proposed list of OI, created by consensus and validated in the Pharmachild cohort, could facilitate comparison among future pharmacovigilance studies. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT 01399281; ENCePP seal: awarded on 25 November 2011.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of male body mass index (BMI) on the retrieval of sperm from azoospermic patients who were undergoing testicular sperm extraction (TESE). Material/Methods The study included retrospective data of male patients suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Age, BMI, testicular volumes, the serum concentration of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and prolactin were investigated and collected. Results A total of 75 azoospermic males were evaluated between 2014 and 2019, including 35 patients (46.7%) with positive sperm retrieval. The majority of patients (57.3%) had normal BMI (between 20 kg/m2 and 25 kg/m2) or first degree obesity (from 25 kg/m2 to 30 kg/m2). No statistically significant correlation between BMI and positive sperm retrieval or hormone levels (LH, FSH, SHBG, prolactin) were found. However, lower serum testosterone levels were observed in patients with higher BMI (P=0.035). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that none of the hormones could potentially predict the positive outcome of TESE. Conclusions The hormonal levels or patient’s BMI could not predict positive sperm retrieval outcome, however a negative correlation between serum testosterone and BMI levels was calculated implicating influence on fertility.

The purpose of this paper was to examine the density, viscosity and electrical conductivity at different temperatures, as well as the thermal stability and structural properties of previously reported ionic liquids based on active pharmaceutical ingredients. Lidocaine-based ionic liquids, with ibuprofen and salicylate as counterion, were prepared first. Their structures were confirmed by infrared, mass and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Newtonian behaviour of lidocaine ibuprofenate was confirmed from viscosity measurement results, while it was impossible to determine for lidocaine salicylate. The interactions and structures of the studied ionic liquids were analyzed based on the measured density values, viscosity, electrical conductivity, and calculated values of thermal expansion coefficients and activation energy of viscous flow. From a theoretical aspect, DFT and MD calculations were performed. The obtained descriptors and radial distribution, as well as structural functions, were used to understand the structural organization of the synthesized ionic liquids.

Banks in the Republic of Srpska are one of the most important drivers of the economy and household savings. The activity of the financial market of the Republic of Srpska is low and banks are still the main source of funding. The question of the objective ranking of banks based on business results is an important element in the business decisions made by companies and the population. A bank’s position and quality would depend on the criteria to be included in the analysis. The professional literature recommends that banks’ liquidity, profitability, efficiency and solvency should be monitored. In most cases, whether to rank banks based on liquidity or adequacy or on another indicator is doubtful. The best picture of the state of the banks is obtained when all indicators are involved in such ranking. The aim of this study is to define and rank the banks headquartered in the Republic of Srpska by following a total of four indicators. In this paper, the calculation of banks’ liquidity, efficiency, profitability and solvency based upon the publicly presented audit reports for the years 2013 and 2014 is given. Then, the statistical model that absorbs information and generates the final ranking of banks in the RS is defined. The subject of the study is the banks that operate and are headquartered in the RS. The hypothesis is to determine their rankings based on their business performance.

Low energy Ag ions were implanted into silicon and annealed at different temperatures in order to generate plasmonic active silicon hybrids. It was found that as the ion fluence of irradiation was increased, a monotonic decrease in the absorption spectra in the ultraviolet region occurs, due to amorphization and macrostructuring of the Si surface. At the same time, the optical spectra are characterized by a strong band after implantation presenting the contribution of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag nanoparticles. After heat treatment at 500 and 600?C, the SPR peak shifts to lower wavelengths, as compared to as implanted samples, whereas the plasmon position shifts to higher wavelengths for annealing at 700?C. This observation can be explained by either an out-diffusion of Ag or by stress relaxation and recrystallization of silicon.

Contrast-induced encephalopathy (CIE) is a rare complication of contrast media use during angiographic procedures. With the growing use of endovascular interventions, this complication is likely to become more common. We present a case of a 46-year-old woman with hypertension, hypothyroidism, and chronic renal failure. She developed CIE following cerebral angiography for diagnosis of intracranial aneurysm. We had a high index of suspicion for CIE, excluded the most common differential such as stroke, and immediately started hemodialysis with a short course of corticosteroids. The disease runs a benign course, and neurological symptoms resolved completely after five days. We emphasize the need for increased awareness of CIE to make a valid diagnosis and to start supportive therapy as soon as possible.

To evaluate the concentration and profile of fatty acids (FAs) among macrosomic neonates delivered by healthy pregnant women and pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

This paper presents the first comprehensive tutorial on a promising research field located at the frontier of two well-established domains: Neurosciences and wireless communications, motivated by the ongoing efforts to define how the sixth generation of mobile networks (6G) will be. In particular, this tutorial first provides a novel integrative approach that bridges the gap between these two, seemingly disparate fields. Then, we present the state-of-the-art and key challenges of these two topics. In particular, we propose a novel systematization that divides the contributions into two groups, one focused on what neurosciences will offer to 6G in terms of new applications and systems architecture (Neurosciences for Wireless), and the other focused on how wireless communication theory and 6G systems can provide new ways to study the brain (Wireless for Neurosciences). For the first group, we concretely explain how current scientific understanding of the brain would enable new application for 6G within the context of a new type of service that we dub braintype communications and that has more stringent requirements than human- and machine-type communication. In this regard, we expose the key requirements of brain-type communication services and we discuss how future wireless networks can be equipped to deal with such services. Meanwhile, for the second group, we thoroughly explore modern communication system paradigms, including Internet of Bio-nano Things and chaosbased communications, in addition to highlighting how complex systems tools can help bridging 6G and neuroscience applications. Brain-controlled vehicles are then presented as our case study. All in all, this tutorial is expected to provide a largely missing articulation between these two emerging fields while delineating concrete ways to move forward in such an interdisciplinary endeavor.