This article aims to improve spectrum efficiency (SE) for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-relayed cellular uplinks, through distinguishing both line-of-sight (LoS) and non-LoS (NLoS) links. Meanwhile, aiming to accommodate the air-to-ground (A2G) cooperative nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA)-based cellular users (CUs) with a high energy efficiency (EE), a joint resource allocation (RA) problem is further considered for the UAV and the CUs. To solve the problem, first, an access-priority-based receiver determination (RD) method is derived. According to the RD result, the heuristic user association (UA) strategies are given. Then, based on the UA result, transmission powers of the CUs and the UAV are initialized based on their quality-of-service (QoS) demands. Furthermore, the subchannels are assigned to the associated CUs and the UAV with the reweighted message-passing algorithm. Finally, the transmission power of the CUs and the UAV is jointly fine-tuned with the proposed access control schemes. Compared with the traditional orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) scheme and the traditional ground-to-ground (G2G) NOMA scheme, simulation results confirm that the UAV-aided NOMA with the proposed joint RA scheme yields better performances in terms of the SE, the EE, and the access ratio of the CUs.

Thickness and seismic velocities of sedimentary sequences strongly affect their response during earthquakes, which can prolong and amplify groundmotions. We characterize shallow structure of Atlantic Coastal Plain (ACP) sediments using a passive-seismic approach based on high-frequency P-to-S receiver functions. We map the site-specific fundamental frequency for 64 USArray Transportable Array stations and confirm that the method yields results similar to those from traditional spectral ratio techniques, with fundamental frequencies between 0.1 and 1 Hz. In addition, using sediment S-wave reverberations and P-to-S phase arrival times measured directly from the receiver functions, we invert for average Sand P-wave velocity profiles of the ACP sedimentary strata. We find that VS increases with depth following a power-law relationship (VS ∝ z p ) whereas the increase of VP with depth is more difficult to constrain using converted wave methods; therefore, we choose to use the Brocher (2005) relationship to obtain VP through a VP= VS relationship. Finally, we use the variation of measured S-reverberation amplitudes with depth to validate these velocity profiles. These results have implications for seismic shaking across the ACP, which covers large portions of the eastern United States.

Introduction: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is usually effectively treated with transurethral resection (TUR), most often followed by intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) or intravesical chemotherapy. Although the precise mechanism of BCG immunotherapy is still unclear, a local immune response is presumed. However, a number of severe side effects and complications are related to intravesical immunotherapy. AIM: Aim of this report is to present rare case of the renal granulomatous disease in a patient previously treated with intravesical instillation of BCG immunotherapy, following TURBT. In addition, we performed review of previously reported cases of renal granulomas following intravesical BCG immunotherapy. Case report: A 79-year-old man was presented to Urology Clinic due to clinically verified tumor of the urinary bladder. After transurethral resection of bladder tumor, histopathological analysis revealed the diagnosis of papillary urothelial high-grade pT1 carcinoma. Intravesical BCG immunotherapy was initiated, according to protocol currently used in our institution. Upon completion of therapy with BCG, we re-examined the patient and, using ultrasound, found a change in the right kidney, resembling moth bites not seen on CT scan before TURBT. Additionally, CT-guided core-needle biopsy of the affected kidney was performed, and the specimen was sent for histopathological analysis, which revealed chronic necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Antituberculotic therapy was initiated for 6 months. Upon completion of antituberculotic therapy, control CT-scan was performed at follow-up, indicating regression of changes on the right kidney. Conclusion: This case report emphasizes the importance of consistent implementation of follow-up protocol and the identification of lesions during the asymptomatic period and enables the proper treatment of the disease. To reduce the incidence of adverse effects of BCG treatment for bladder tumors, an individualized approach is needed.

Abstract Background The ventricular stroke work (SW) refers to the work done by the left ventricle to eject the volume of blood during one cardiac cycle. The cath-lab relationship between SW and end-diastolic volume (EDV) is the preload-recruitable SW (PRSW). Recently a non-invasive single-beat PRSW (SBPRSW) has been proposed. However, the single beat formula needs mathematical skillness, and extra software. Aim of this study was to compare the non-invasive SBPRSW with the simpler non-invasive SW/EDVratio in the stress-echo lab. Methods We studied 692 patients, age 62 ± 12 years, ejection fraction 50 ± 17%, with negative stress echo (SE)(exercise, n = 130, dobutamine, n = 124, dipyridamole, n = 438) and follow-up data. The PRSW was estimated at rest and at peak stress by the SBPRSW technique and compared with the SW/EDV. All patients were followed-up. Event rates were estimated with Kaplan–Meier curves. Results SBPRSW and SW/EDV were linearly correlated at rest (r = 0.842, p < .001) and at peak stress (r = 0.860, p < .001). During a median follow-up of 20 months (first quartile 8, third quartile 40 months), 132 major events were registered: at receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis rest SBPRSW vs. SW/EDV (AUC 0.691 vs. 0.722) and peak stress (AUC 0.744 vs. 0.800) demonstrated both a significant prognostic power (all p < .001) with non-inferior survival prediction of the simpler SW/EDV ratio at Kaplan–Meier curves (Chi-square rest = 38, peak = 56) vs. SBPRSW (Chi-square rest = 14, peak = 42). Conclusions The data obtained with the non-invasive SBPRSW and by the simpler SW/EDV are highly comparable. PRSW with either SB or SW/EDV approach is effective in predicting follow-up events.

Given the growing number of older people, society as a whole should ideally provide a higher quality of life (QoL) for its ageing citizens through the concept of personalised ageing. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are subject to constant and rapid development, and can contribute to the goal of an improved QoL for older adults. In order to utilise future ICT solutions as a part of an age-friendly smart environment that helps achieve personalised ageing with an increased QoL, one must first determine whether the existing ICT solutions are satisfying the needs of older people. In order to accomplish that, this study contributes in three ways. First, it proposes a framework for the QoL of older adults, in order to provide a systematic review of the state-of-the-art literature and patents in this field. The second contribution is the finding that selected ICT solutions covered by articles and patents are intended for older adults and are validated by them. The third contribution of the study are the six recommendations that are derived from the review of the literature and the patents which would help move the agenda concerning the QoL of older people and personalised ageing with the use of ICT solutions forward.

Many traditional remedies represent potential candidates for integration with modern medical practice, but credible data on their activities are often scarce. For the first time, the anti-virulence potential and the safety for human use of the ethanol extracts of two medicinal plants, Persicaria maculosa (PEM) and Bistorta officinalis (BIO), have been addressed. Ethanol extracts of both plants exhibited anti-virulence activity against the medically important opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At the subinhibitory concentration of 50 µg/mL, the extracts demonstrated a maximal inhibitory effect (approx. 50%) against biofilm formation, the highest reduction of pyocyanin production (47% for PEM and 59% for BIO) and completely halted the swarming motility of P. aeruginosa. Both extracts demonstrated better anti-quorum sensing and antibiofilm activities, and a better ability to interfere with LasR receptor, than the tested dominant extracts’ constituents. The bioactive concentrations of the extracts were not toxic in the zebrafish model system. This study represents an initial step towards the integration of P. maculosa and B. officinalis for use in the treatment of Pseudomonas infections.

Simple summary Halophytic plants are a promising animal feed source. However, the extreme NaCl2 salt content constraints their use. Excess diet salt adversely affects growth performance and animal’s reproduction worldwide. This review focuses on the impact of high salt intake on growth performance and reproduction ability in animals. Abstract Salinity is a reliable issue of crop productivity loss in the world and in certain tropical and subtropical zones. However, tremendous progress in the genetic improvement of plants for salinity tolerance has been made over several decades. In light of this, halophytic plants can be used as animal feeds and have promising features because they are a good feed resource. However, the main constraint of saline pasture systems is the extreme concentration of NaCl salt in drinking water and forage plants for grazing animals. Ecological reports revealed that excess diet salt causes mortality and morbidity worldwide. Animal fed halophytic forages may have adverse effects on growth performance and reproductive function in males and females due to inducing reductions in hormone regulation, such as testosterone, FSH, LH, and leptin. It was indicated that high salt intake promotes circulating inflammatory factors in the placenta and is associated with adversative effects on pregnancy. This review focuses on the scientific evidence related to the effect of high salt intake on growth performance, spermatogenesis, sperm function, and testicular morphology changes in male animals. In addition, the review will also focus on its effect on some female reproductive features (e.g., ovarian follicle developments, placental indices, and granulosa cell function).

Cardiopulmonary exercise monitoring is a valuable method not only for the evaluation of medical health, but also for the assessment of patients with cardiac or pulmonary dysfunction. Spiroergometry provides additional criteria for the assessment of cardiopulmonary efficiency compared to simple ergometry. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is the most critical variable during spiroergometry. Most submaximal exercise measures provide the heart rate (HR) response to predetermined workloads in equations or nomograms used to predict VO2max. According to previous studies, the heart rate is divided into five fields. In this paper, we are doing a new redistribution of heart rates-to-workloads into seven fields, corresponding to the ergo bar. In other words, an answer is given based on the initial anthropological values of the subjects, when and in which field there will be a mismatch between the lung capacity of the subjects and the power required for that field.

The aim of the research was to determine the effects of specially programmed physical and health education with the application of content from sports games (basketball, volleyball, and handball) in the duration of one semester to qualitative changes in situational motor skills in students in the fifth grade of elementary school. The study included 106 pupils of the V class, aged 10 to 11 years, clinically and mentally healthy, and with no pronounced morphological and locomotor impairments. The sample of respondents was divided into two subgroups, an experimental group (53 pupils), who carried out physical education classes according to the modified plan and program of sports games (basketball, volleyball, and handball) for a semester and a control group (53 pupils) who attended regular classes from physical education according to the current curriculum. In order to determine qualitative changes in situational motor abilities, descriptive statistics, T-test, and factor analysis were used. The results of the factor analysis show that there were statistically significant qualitative changes, and based on the results of t-tests it can be concluded that they are statistically significant at levels less than 1% for the SMKVLS variable, and at levels less than 5% for the variables SMRBLZ and SMRVLS. In the final measurement, there was a change in value and thus a difference in the variables of the SMKBLK after the program of work.

This paper aims to introduce readers to the changes and transformations of gender political equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina and their impact on the legal and institutional framework. A brief survey of major changes and transformation will demonstrate to what extent the position of women’s political participation and representation has improved in the past two decades? That is why the goal of this paper is to examine and analyze the participation and election of women to the executive and legislative bodies at the state, entity and cantonal level in the last two parliamentary and presidential elections held in 2014 and 2018 respectively. Then, the comparative analysis of the elections will clearly show statistical gaps between male and female electoral lists nominees and obtained mandates among male and female nominees and mandates across parliamentary, state and entities levels. Thus, the research will analyze gender quotas based on electoral law and obtained mandates among female candidates. Such analysis will demonstrate to what extent female candidates have moved from mere participation in the elections to the level of political representation by obtaining mandates across different governance levels. For testing the main research objectives on the degree of women’s political participation and representation, the researchers used the data from the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina (www. izbori.ba). Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to present the data regarding women’s political participation and representation in General Elections 2014 and 2018.

The aim of this research was to evaluate bee pollen load samples collected in Tuzla Canton regarding physicochemical composition and antioxidant properties, with relation to collecting area and time of collection. Bee pollen load samples were collected in two periods: March/April and May/June at 13 locations, dried and analysed for protein, free fat, ash, moisture, total polyphenol and total flavonoid content, and antioxidant properties. The results showed that bee pollen collected in March/April had lower content of proteins, but higher content of total polyphenols and higher antioxidant activity, while total flavonoid content was not influenced by collection period. The location had significant influence on bee pollen properties.