Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding mitotic kinases could influence development and progression of gastric cancer (GC). Case-control study of nine SNPs in mitotic genes was conducted using qPCR. The study included 116 GC patients and 203 controls. In silico analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of polymorphisms on transcription factors binding sites. The AURKA rs1047972 genotypes (CT vs. CC: OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.05–3.65; p = 0.033; CC + TT vs. CT: OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.04–3.60; p = 0.036) and rs911160 (CC vs. GG: OR, 5.56; 95% CI, 1.24–24.81; p = 0.025; GG + CG vs. CC: OR, 5.26; 95% CI, 1.19–23.22; p = 0.028), were associated with increased GC risk, whereas certain rs8173 genotypes (CG vs. CC: OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.36–0.99; p = 0.049; GG vs. CC: OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18–0.79; p = 0.010; CC + CG vs. GG: OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.25–0.98; p = 0.043) were protective. Association with increased GC risk was demonstrated for AURKB rs2241909 (GG + AG vs. AA: OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.01–2.56; p = 0.041) and rs2289590 (AC vs. AA: OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.47–3.98; p = 0.001; CC vs. AA: OR, 6.77; 95% CI, 2.24–20.47; p = 0.001; AA+AC vs. CC: OR, 4.23; 95% CI, 1.44–12.40; p = 0.009). Furthermore, AURKC rs11084490 (GG + CG vs. CC: OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.04–2.81; p = 0.033) was associated with increased GC risk. A combined analysis of five SNPs, associated with an increased GC risk, detected polymorphism profiles where all the combinations contribute to the higher GC risk, with an OR increased 1.51-fold for the rs1047972(CT)/rs11084490(CG + GG) to 2.29-fold for the rs1047972(CT)/rs911160(CC) combinations. In silico analysis for rs911160 and rs2289590 demonstrated that different transcription factors preferentially bind to polymorphic sites, indicating that AURKA and AURKB could be regulated differently depending on the presence of particular allele. Our results revealed that AURKA (rs1047972 and rs911160), AURKB (rs2241909 and rs2289590) and AURKC (rs11084490) are associated with a higher risk of GC susceptibility. Our findings also showed that the combined effect of these SNPs may influence GC risk, thus indicating the significance of assessing multiple polymorphisms, jointly. The study was conducted on a less numerous but ethnically homogeneous Bosnian population, therefore further investigations in larger and multiethnic groups and the assessment of functional impact of the results are needed to strengthen the findings.

Artificial neural networks are notoriously power- and time-consuming when implemented on conventional von Neumann computing systems. Consequently, recent years have seen an emergence of research in machine learning hardware that strives to bring memory and computing closer together. A popular approach is to realise artificial neural networks in hardware by implementing their synaptic weights using memristive devices. However, various device- and system-level non-idealities usually prevent these physical implementations from achieving high inference accuracy. We suggest applying a well-known concept in computer science—committee machines—in the context of memristor-based neural networks. Using simulations and experimental data from three different types of memristive devices, we show that committee machines employing ensemble averaging can successfully increase inference accuracy in physically implemented neural networks that suffer from faulty devices, device-to-device variability, random telegraph noise and line resistance. Importantly, we demonstrate that the accuracy can be improved even without increasing the total number of memristors. Designing reliable and energy-efficient memristor-based artificial neural networks remains a challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate a technology-agnostic approach, committee machines, which increases the inference accuracy of memristive neural networks that suffer from device variability, faulty devices, random telegraph noise and line resistance.

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are notoriously power- and time-consuming when implemented on conventional von Neumann computing systems. Recent years have seen an emergence of research in hardware that strives to break the bottleneck of von Neumann architecture and optimise the data flow; namely to bring memory and computing closer together. One of the most often suggested solutions is the physical implementation of ANNs in which their synaptic weights are realised with analogue resistive devices, such as resistive random-access memory (RRAM). However, various device- and system-level non-idealities usually prevent these physical implementations from achieving high inference accuracy. We suggest applying a well-known concept in computer science -- committee machine (CM) -- in the context of RRAM-based neural networks. Using simulations and experimental data from three different types of RRAM devices, we show that CMs employing ensemble averaging can successfully increase inference accuracy in physically implemented neural networks that suffer from faulty devices, programming non-linearities, random telegraph noise, cycle-to-cycle variability and line resistance. Importantly, we show that the accuracy can be improved even without increasing the number of devices.

The anticancer studies of a Schiff base; (E)-2((2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino-3-mercaptopropanoic acid (H2L) (obtained from 2hydroxybenzaldehyde and L-cysteine) and its transition metal complexes have been reported. The evaluation of the growth inhibitory action was studied for the compounds against human colon carcinoma (HCT-116), human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HEPG-2), normal melanocytes (HFB-4) and human breast carcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines. The obtained results revealed that the Schiff base and its chelates are active against human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (HEPG-2) cell lines. The powder X-ray diffraction analysis for the compounds was carried out through Phillips X’Pert High score software. The density functional theory computation for ligand and Co(II), Ni (II) and Cu(II) metal complexes were made to understand the mode of bonding by GAUSSIAN 03 rev. A.01 programme. The quantitative structure-activity relationship investigation was performed by using HyperChem Professional 8.0.3 software to understand the biological potency of the ligands. Moreover, a docking analysis using iGEMDOCKv2.1 software was carried out against the kinase enzyme PDB ID:1fvv.

Abstract Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is a consequence of immaturity at birth and it is still associated with relatively high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with the occurrence of fatal outcome in newborns with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.The research was designed as a case-control study nested in a retrospective cohort, and it enrolled newborns treated during 2015 at Pediatric Clinic of Clinical Center in Kragujevac. Diagnosis of NRDS and decision about the treatment were left at the discretion of attending pediatricians. The cases were patients with fatal outcome, while controls were randomly selected from the pool of survivors and matched with each case by gender in a ratio of 4:1. The study included 371 newborns, of whom 201 (54.2%) were male and 170 (45.8%) female. Lethal outcome occurred in 36 newborns (9,7%). Significant association was found between death and APGAR score (ORadjusted: 0.516, 95% CI: 0.322-0.827), weight on delivery (ORadjusted: 0.996, 95% CI: 0.993-0.999), duration of hospitalization (ORadjusted: 0.901, 95% CI: 0.835-0.972) and mechanical ventilation (ORadjusted: 165.256, 95% CI: 7.616-3585.714). Higher gestational age, higher birth weight, higher APGAR score and longer duration of hospitalization were singled out as protective factors, while use of mechanical ventilation increased the risk of death. Major limitations of the study were retrospective nature and relatively small number of identified cases. Postponing delivery and delivery in institution with neonatal intensive care unit are crucial for survival of newborns with NRDS.

We show how to couple phase-oscillators on a graph so that collective dynamics "searches" for the coloring of that graph as it relaxes toward the dynamical equilibrium. This translates a combinatorial optimization problem (graph coloring) into a functional optimization problem (finding and evaluating the global minimum of dynamical non-equilibrium potential, done by the natural system's evolution). Using a sample of graphs, we show that our method can serve as a viable alternative to the traditional combinatorial algorithms. Moreover, we show that, with the same computational cost, our method efficiently solves the harder problem of improper coloring of weighed graphs.

Trata-se de artigo que exp�e a evolu��o paradigm�tica do controle de constitucionalidade das leis de natureza or�ament�ria no entendimento do Supremo Tribunal Federal e em que medida os instrumentos te�ricos da An�lise Econ�mica do Direito (AED) podem servir para avaliar a adequa��o constitucional da legisla��o confrontada. Ap�s a virada de jurisprud�ncia do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) no julgamento da MC em ADI 4.048/DF, v�rios tribunais brasileiros passaram a admitir que as leis or�ament�rias fossem objeto de exame de constitucionalidade. Surge campo fecundo de atua��o para os �rg�os de interven��o jurisdicional e o desafio imp�e abordagem multidisciplinar para a avalia��o e eventual corre��o do Or�amento P�blico.

In this paper, we investigate the energy-efficient resource allocation problem in an uplink non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) millimeter wave system, where the fully-connected-based sparse radio frequency chain antenna structure is applied at the base station (BS). To relieve the pilot overhead for channel estimation, we propose a codebook-based analog beam design scheme, which only requires to obtain the equivalent channel gain. On this basis, users belonging to the same analog beam are served via NOMA. Meanwhile, an advanced NOMA decoding scheme is proposed by exploiting the global information available at the BS. Under predefined minimum rate and maximum transmit power constraints for each user, we formulate a max-min user energy efficiency (EE) optimization problem by jointly optimizing the detection matrix at the BS and transmit power at the users. We first transform the original fractional objective function into a subtractive one. Then, we propose a two-loop iterative algorithm to solve the reformulated problem. Specifically, the inner loop updates the detection matrix and transmit power iteratively, while the outer loop adopts the bi-section method. Meanwhile, to decrease the complexity of the inner loop, we propose a zero-forcing (ZF)-based iterative algorithm, where the detection matrix is designed via the ZF technique. Finally, simulation results show that the proposed schemes obtain a better performance in terms of spectral efficiency and EE than the conventional schemes.

Climate change is definitely one of the greatest challenges of human development in the 21st century. Climate change is expected to increase the risk of communicable diseases in Europe. This impact will depend not only on local climatic conditions, but on other factors, such as current infrastructure, public health services, biodiversity specificity, etc. The population in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia has been severely affected by the floods caused by cyclone Tamara in 2014. The basic mode of transmission of the disease caused by the West Nile virus is the bite of the infected mosquito. The West Nile virus is not transmitted among humans through contact, nor can it be transmitted from infected birds to humans without mosquito bite. The aim of the study was to analyze and present the trend of this disease in the period 2014-2018 and to show the connection between the spatial occurrence of cases and location of the flooded area in 2014 in the Republic of Srpska. Using the descriptive method, the demographic data of the patients were analysed, the most common clinical form of the disease and the incidence of the disease in the period 2014-2018 was analysed. The cases were mapped and we analysed the connection of the case and location that was flooded. The incidence ranged from 0.79 in 2014 to 0.43 in 2018. Patients were of all age groups and both sexes, most commonly cases from rural areas (78%). The most common clinical form of the disease is shown, which were symptoms of the central nervous system infection. Out of the total number of patients, 94% were from flooded areas. All reported cases have been diagnosed at the Institute of Microbiology at the University Clinical Center of Republika Srpska and were reported as probable cases in accordance with the international case definition of communicable diseases. However, it is crucial to implement internationally endorsed procedures as a clinical alghoritm for the confirmation of the case in accordance with the laboratory criteria for the case definition. The occurrence, frequency and spatial distribution of cases indicates a possible connection with the floods in 2014.

OBJECTIVES Although dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is gold standard for osteoporosis diagnosis, several reports have shown discordant T-score values measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and DXA especially in obese subjects, but it is still not clear whether BMD measurement by two modalities is affected by overall obesity or central obesity in postmenopausal females. Therefore, the aims of this study were to compare BMD and T-scores by DXA and QCT and to evaluate whether these two osteoporosis assessment modalities yield different T-score values in postmenopausal females with obesity and central obesity. METHODS This cross-sectional study enrolled 44 postmenopausal females, referred for osteoporosis screening. Anthropometric indices (BMI-body mass index, WC-waist circumference and ICO-index of central obesity) were measured and females underwent assessment of bone mineral density by DXA and QCT. RESULTS Lumbar spine (LS) T-score values were significantly lower by DXA compared to qCT in females with BMI >25 kg/m2, (-1.9±1.5 vs. -2.3±1.2; p=0.039), in females with WC>88 cm(-1.9±1.5 vs. -2.4±1.2; p=0.008) and in females with ICO>0.5(-1.96±1.4 vs. -2.5±1.2; p=0.004). However, in normal weight females and in those without central obesity, LS T-scores by DXA were not different than qCT. DXA at lumbar spine and proximal femur revealed osteoporosis in 47.7% and 11.4% respectively, while QCT detected osteoporosis in 61.4% of females (p<0.001). Measures of central obesity; ICO and WC were not associated with QCT bone mineral density (BMD) (r=0.14 and r=0.21, respectively), but were positively associated both with DXALS BMD (r=0.29 and r=0.31; p<0.05) and DXA proximal femur BMD (r=0.41 and r=0.44; p<0.01). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that obesity is associated with lower T-scores by DXA compared to QCT. Caution is needed when assessing osteoporosis status in obese postmenopausal females. However, further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm the findings.

Jeffrey Modell Foundation centers’ network activities in Central and Eastern Europe (JMF CEE) have contributed to the development of care for patients with primary immunodeficiencies. On the data continuously collected from individual centers in participating countries since 2011, we demonstrate a steady improvement in a number of aspects concerning complex care for patients with primary immunodeficiencies. The presented data show an improvement of awareness about these rare diseases across the whole Central and Eastern European region, an increase in newly diagnosed patients as well as genetically confirmed cases, earlier establishment of diagnosis, and improved access to clinical treatment. We also present an active patient involvement that is reflected in the expansion of patient organization centers and their activities. The cooperation within the JMF CEE network has also contributed to greater international exposure of participating centers and further to the gradual development of research activities in the rapidly evolving field of primary immunodeficiencies. The improvement of all important aspects of the complex field of primary immunodeficiencies within the JMF CEE network documents the strength and advantages of the joint and coordinated networking.

Purpose – This paper will explore the importance of material cultural heritage as a factor of an area’s tourism development. Zenica-Doboj Canton is located in the central part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Canton's development of its tourist offer could be based on its material cultural and historical heritage and tourism in that area could take place throughout the year if other offers of services and products enabled it. This paper has a theoretical and an empirical value since both quantitative and qualitative methods will be used. Methodology – In addition to this, desk research of the existing literature will be carried out and the secondary data will be used to analyze the current state of tourism. Furthermore, authors will conduct an empirical research using qualitative methods of analysis. The empirical research is based on a structured questionnaire. More precisely, the local population of the Zenica-Doboj Canton will be questioned by using a sampling method in order to determine their role and importance in the product of cultural tourism. Based on the conducted survey through the SWOT analysis, the advantages and disadvantages of cultural tourism will be determined. Findings – The positive conclusion of the survey is that residents see cultural tourism as the most representative form of tourism in the Zenica-Doboj Canton whose development could significantly improve the economic situation of this particular area. A model for a product development will be presented in this paper on the basis of the obtained results. Contribution – It is concluded that the population's interest opens up the possibility of adapting the offer to tourists. Therefore, it is necessary to include the local population in the product formation because they are part of the product.

The objectives of this research were to identify the quantities and global warming, acidification and eutrophication potentials associated with household food waste in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In parallel, this study investigated perceptions related to food waste and using the quality function deployment for environment model, correlated reasons for discarding food waste and beliefs associated with food waste. Based on this study, it is estimated that around 2.8 kg of food waste is disposed of by the average household every week. Global warming, acidification and eutrophication potentials associated with household food waste are, on average, 3.49 kg CO2e/week, 2.42 g SO2e/week and 8.70 g PO4e/week, respectively. Also, Bosnian households discard over 80 different pieces of food packaging waste weekly, where plastic packaging is the most dominant packing type. The highest ranked reason for discarding food is linked to plate leftovers. In general, Bosnian citizens feel guilty when they waste food.