The origin of the oxytocin (OT)/vasopressin (VP) signaling system is thought to date back more than 600million years. OT/VP-like peptides have been identified in numerous invertebrate phyla including molluscs, annelids, nematodes and insects. However, to date we only have a limited understanding of the biological role(s) of this GPCR-mediated signaling system in insects. This chapter presents the current knowledge of OT/VP-like neuropeptide signaling in insects by providing a brief overview of insect OT/VP-like neuropeptides, their genetic and structural commonalities, and their experimentally tested and proposed functions. Despite their widespread occurrence across insect orders these peptides (and their endogenous receptors) appear to be absent in common insect model species, such as flies and bees. We therefore explain the known functionalities of this signaling system in three different insect model systems: beetles, locusts, and ants. Additionally, we review the phylogenetic distribution of the OT/VP signaling system in arthropods as obtained from extensive genome/transcriptome mining. Finally, we discuss the unique challenges in the development of selective OT/VP ligands for human receptors and share our perspective on the possible application of insect- and other non-mammalian-derived OT/VP-like peptide ligands in pharmacology.

Background: We investigated sexual-orientation differences in typologies of self-reported familial and non-familial warmth in childhood (before age 11) and adolescence (ages 11-17); and tested whether warmth explained sexual minority emerging adults’ (ages 18-25) heightened odds of having heavier alcohol use trajectories (AUTs) and heightened risk for past-year alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared to completely heterosexuals. Methods: Using self-reported data from the U.S.-based Growing Up Today Study cohort, latent class analyses identified typologies of familial and non-familial warmth during childhood and adolescence. Multivariable regression models tested our objectives. Results: Six warmth classes emerged, including: High-High (i.e., high familial and high non-familial warmth, respectively); High-Moderate; Moderate-Moderate; Moderate-Occasional; Occasional-Occasional; and Low-Low. Among women, sexual minorities had higher odds than completely heterosexuals of being in the Moderate-Moderate, Moderate-Occasional, and Occasional-Occasional versus the High-High warmth class. There were not significant associations between sexual orientation and warmth classes for men. Lower warmth classes were generally associated with greater past-year AUD, and mediated heightened disparities in AUD for sexual minority women versus completely heterosexual women (4.3% mediated), but not among men. Warmth classes were generally unassociated with AUTs, and did not mediate sexual-orientation differences in AUTs. Conclusions: Lower warmth was associated with greater alcohol-related problems, but not alcohol use itself. Warmth explained a small proportion of AUD disparities for sexual minority women—but not for men.

At university, you are continually engaged with other people’s ideas: You read them in texts, hear them in lectures and seminars, discuss them in class, and incorporate them into your own writing. Not least, you build on other people’s ideas in developing your own ideas. As a consequence, it is very important that you give credit where it is due. If you do not do that, you plagiarize. Plagiarism is using others’ ideas and words without clearly acknowledging these sources.

Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit den substantivischen Determinativkomposita, die in der juristischen Fachsprache verwendet werden. Diese Komposita sind oft sehr lang und die unmittelbaren Konstituenten bestehen nicht selten aus mehreren Wörtern. Es wird untersucht, aus welchen unmittelbaren Konstituenten die Komposita im Grundgesetz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland bestehen und in welchem Verhältnis diese Konstituenten zueinanderstehen. Außerdem werden anhand der Übersetzung des deutschen Grundgesetzes und anhand verschiedener Wörterbücher die möglichen Äquivalente einiger Komposita in der bosnischen Sprache ermittelt. Die Übersetzungsäquivalente sind insofern interessant, als im Bosnischen die Komposition nicht die produktivste Wortbildungsart ist. Der Übersetzer muss zudem genau wissen, in welchem Verhältnis die unmittelbaren Konstituenten des deutschen Kompositums stehen, um das richtige Äquivalent zu ermitteln. Es ist nicht möglich, alle deutschen Komposita in den Wörterbüchern zu finden, was die Suche nach den Äquivalenten in jeder Zielsprache enorm erschwert. Diese Untersuchung soll also unter anderem zeigen, was man als Übersetzer über die substantivischen Determinativkomposita wissen sollte und wie man bei der Übersetzung von substantivischen Determinativkomposita ins Bosnische, aber auch in jede andere Zielsprache verfahren sollte.

Available computational methods for tumor phylogeny inference via single-cell sequencing (SCS) data typically aim to identify the most likely perfect phylogeny tree satisfying the infinite sites assumption (ISA). However, the limitations of SCS technologies including frequent allele dropout and variable sequence coverage may prohibit a perfect phylogeny. In addition, ISA violations are commonly observed in tumor phylogenies due to the loss of heterozygosity, deletions, and convergent evolution. In order to address such limitations, we introduce the optimal subperfect phylogeny problem which asks to integrate SCS data with matching bulk sequencing data by minimizing a linear combination of potential false negatives (due to allele dropout or variance in sequence coverage), false positives (due to read errors) among mutation calls, and the number of mutations that violate ISA (real or because of incorrect copy number estimation). We then describe a combinatorial formulation to solve this problem which ensures that several lineage constraints imposed by the use of variant allele frequencies (VAFs, derived from bulk sequence data) are satisfied. We express our formulation both in the form of an integer linear program (ILP) and—as a first in tumor phylogeny reconstruction—a Boolean constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) and solve them by leveraging state-of-the-art ILP/CSP solvers. The resulting method, which we name PhISCS, is the first to integrate SCS and bulk sequencing data while accounting for ISA violating mutations. In contrast to the alternative methods, typically based on probabilistic approaches, PhISCS provides a guarantee of optimality in reported solutions. Using simulated and real data sets, we demonstrate that PhISCS is more general and accurate than all available approaches.

Rapid population growth and urbanisation has entailed a strong motivation to develop more sustainable construction solutions in line with the 7th basic requirement for construction works sustainable use of natural resources. One of the strategies is to use materials available in abundant quantities as partial replacement for cement, or to create alternative binders for concrete. The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of the current state of the art in the field of alternative binders for concrete, and to point to the opportunities and challenges for their more systematic application in engineering practice. The state of the art review is connected to scientific projects currently undertaken at the Department of Materials, Faculty of Civil Engineering University of Zagreb, Croatia.

Feohromocitom je neuroendokrini tumor, čija je glavna karakteristika sekrecijakateholamina sa posljedičnom hipertenzijom. Vrlo je rijedak u pedijatrijskoj populaciji,uobičajeno se javlja u bolesnika srednje životne dobi. Klinička slika podrazumijevaparoksizmalne napade glavobolje, bljedila, palpitacije i znojenja. Cilj rada je prikazslučaja feohromocitoma kod desetogodišnjeg dječaka, kao rijetkog tumora u pedijatrijskojpopulaciji.

In this paper, the room temperature mechanical properties, as well as the microstructure of HK 30 Nb steel, were tested in the initial as-cast and solution annealed condition. Results show that tensile properties after the solution annealing have a slightly lower value than as-cast samples. Microstructural analysis of samples after solution annealing showed dissolution of primary carbides present in the initial as-cast condition. The morphology and composition of carbides were changed during a solution annealing. Analysis of microstructure was done by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), whereas hardness and tensile tests were performed for characterization of mechanical properties.

In an open letter more than five years ago, a group of scientists called for adopting Registered Reports in all journals of the life sciences. This letter and subsequent efforts have yielded some notable success. At time of writing, 207 journals support the Registered Reports format, with many more currently considering its implementation. However, these numbers are still small in comparison to the many journals that rely exclusively on the traditional way of evaluating scientific quality. We, a group of over 250 scientists, want to emphatically reiterate the importance of accepting studies before the results are in. We call for all empirical journals in the social and life sciences to offer Registered Reports, alongside the traditional publication formats.

INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to assess perceptions and attitudes among dental practitioners in relation to antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance. METHODS Self-administered questionnaire was given to dental practitioners employed in south Croatia, west Herzegovina and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (N=115). RESULTS 81.7% of respondents agreed the usage of antimicrobials is frequently uncritical and unnecessary. 83.5% of dental practitioners reported that have used guidelines in their practice, however, only 9 out of 115 stated valid guidelines. One third of the respondents agreed or were undecided that the usage of antimicrobials in every oral inflammatory process treatment is justified. Furthermore, 13% was undecided and 26% agreed that pregnant women and breastfeeding women should not use any antimicrobials. However, three quarters of respondents considered they had satisfactory knowledge on antimicrobials. DISCUSSION The respondents considered they had satisfactory knowledge on antimicrobials, which was in contrast with the knowledge shown, but also expressed the need for additional education. Therefore, adequate measures include the creation of the local guidelines, their implementation, and updating the practitioners' knowledge on antibiotic use and resistance through continuous educational courses.

Abstract Vancomycin is a tricyclic glycopeptide antibiotic, mostly used in the treatment of severe staphylococcal and enterococcal infections, especially in orthopedic surgery. The purpose of this analysis was to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PPK) model of vancomycine in hospitalized patients with bone fractures and identify important factors which influence its clearance (CL). A total of ninety-nine measurements of vancomycin serum concentrations were used in our population modeling. A two-compartment model was applied to describe the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin using subroutines ADVAN3 and TRANS4. The study population included patients of both sexes, with the mean age of 62.12±14.69 years and body weight of 80.32±12.44kg. Vancomycin was administered as intravenous infusion with average daily dose of 1772.73±521.34mg. Out of twenty different factors evaluated in the study (including demographic, clinical and laboratory data), only daily dose of vancomycin (DD) and co-medication with piperacillin/tazobactam (PT) showed significant effect on clearance of vancomycin. The final model was described by the following equation: CL (l/h) = 0.03 + 0.000468 x DD + 0.675 x PT. Bootstrapping was used for validation of the final model. In conclusion, the main causes of variability in the clearance of vancomycin among adult patients with bone fractures are daily dose of vancomycin and co-medication with piperacillin/tazobactam.

During previous radioanalytical studies at Paul Scherrer Institute ca. 30 L of acidic waste containing spent nuclear fuel was produced, and now they need to be disposed A flow sheet for conditioning of these waste was designed and the extraction chromatography technique is evaluated. Suitable sorbents, such as AMP_PAN, TBP impregnated resin and DGA resin, were selected for the task of Cs-removal, extraction of U and Pu, and extraction of minor actinides and lanthanides, respectively. A pilot device will be built for preliminary tests with simulated solutions, and the facility will be built and evaluated with the real spent fuel solutions.

Continuous progress in the nursing profession has a significant impact on the quality in the process of clinical care, which brings about new challenges and tasks for nurses to invest in new knowledge and skills. The healthcare process requires a systematic team approach in the design of evidence-based tasks, good clinical practice and clinical guidelines, documented standardized phenomena and evaluated measurements and tests. Measurement instruments and statistical tests of treatment effectiveness are used to assess the quality of health care provided. For a successful measurement and analysis of the quality of clinical care, it is necessary to have standardized healthcare documentation that allows treatment and outcomes monitoring. Qualitative and safety indicators are used to assess the quality of clinical health care, which represent a means of measurement, screening or warning. Monitoring Quality and Safety Indicators in Health Care Services is used as a guide to monitoring, evaluating and improving the quality of health care, and supporting services and organizational functions. In the field of health care, we measure the total treatment, outcome of the healthcare process, patient satisfaction, unwanted events,quality of life, etc.