A popular design framework for networked control systems (NCSs) is the emulation-based approach combined with hybrid dynamical systems analysis techniques. In the rich literature regarding this framework, various bounds on the maximal allowable transmission interval (MATI) are provided to guarantee stability properties of the NCS using Lyapunov-based arguments for hybrid systems. In this work, we provide a generalization of these Lyapunov-based proofs, showing how the existing results for the MATI can be improved by only considering a different, more general hybrid Lyapunov function, while not altering the conditions in the analysis itself.

Estimation of physical variables of nonlinear systems with two-time scales is a hard task to address. Whilst nonlinear systems exhibiting a singularly perturbed structure are common in engineering applications, current observer design results apply only to a specific class of plants and observers. We consider a broader class of plants and observers to generalise existing results on observer design for slow states of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems. Under reasonable assumptions, it is shown that the estimation error can be made semi-globally practically asymptotically stable in the singular perturbation parameter. This subsequently leads to appropriate conditions for the observer design for slow variables that guarantee satisfactory estimation error performance in the full system.

A secure nonlinear networked control system (NCS) design using semi-homomorphic encryption, namely, Paillier encryption is studied. Under certain assumptions, control signal computation using encrypted signal directly is allowed by semi-homomorphic encryption. Thus, the security of the NCSs is further enhanced by concealing information on the controller side. However, additional technical difficulties in the design and analysis of NCSs are induced compared to standard NCSs. In this paper, the stabilization of a nonlinear discrete time NCS is considered. More specifically, sufficient conditions on the encryption parameters that guarantee stability of the NCS are provided, and a trade-off between the encryption parameters and the ultimate bound of the state is shown.

We investigate the stabilization of perturbed nonlinear systems using output-based periodic event-triggered controllers. Thus, the communication between the plant and the controller is triggered by a mechanism, which evaluates an output- and input-dependent rule at given sampling instants. We address the problem by emulation. Hence, we assume the knowledge of a continuous-time output feedback controller, which robustly stabilizes the system in the absence of network. We then implement the controller over the network and model the overall system as a hybrid system. We design the event-triggered mechanism to ensure an input-to-state stability property. An explicit bound on the maximum allowable sampling period at which the triggering rule is evaluated is provided. The analysis relies on the construction of a novel hybrid Lyapunov function. The results are applied to a class of Lipschitz nonlinear systems, for which we formulate the required conditions as linear matrix inequalities. The effectiveness of the scheme is illustrated via simulations of a nonlinear example.

Discounted costs are considered in many fields, like reinforcement learning, for which various algorithms can be used to obtain optimal inputs for finite horizons. The related literature mostly concentrates on optimality and largely ignores stability. In this context, we study stability of general nonlinear discrete- time systems controlled by an optimal sequence of inputs that minimizes a finite-horizon discounted cost computed in a receding horizon fashion. Assumptions are made related to the stabilizability of the system and its detectability with respect to the stage cost. Then, a Lyapunov function for the closed-loop system with the receding horizon controller is constructed and a uniform semiglobal stability property is ensured, where the adjustable parameters are both the discount factor and the horizon length. Uniform global exponential stability is guaranteed by strengthening the initial assumptions, in which case explicit bounds on the discount factor and the horizon length are provided. We compare the obtained bounds in the particular cases where there is no discount or the horizon is infinite, respectively, with related results in the literature and we show our bounds improve existing ones on the examples considered.

Introduction: Chronic HCV infection is chronic inflamatory liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus. Anti HCV prevalence among intravenous drug users (IVDU) is very high and it accounts 40% -90% (60%-90%) with the risk of 80% of developing the chronic infection. Aim: The aims of this study were: a) to compare clinical characteristics of chronic HCV infection among IVDU and non-users population and to detect their impact to treatment outcome; b) to investigate the treatment efficacy comparing sustained viral response (SVR) in these two populations in Tuzla Canton. Patients and methods: The study was retrospective-prospective and included 45 IVDU of both sexes from Tuzla Canton which were treated from chronic HCV infection with Pegilated interferon 2a/2b + ribavirin in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Clinic for Internal Disease of University Clinical Centre in Tuzla. The control group were presented by non-users who completed therapy in both Clinics. For statistical analyses it was used statistical package SPSS 20,0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) with tests of descriptive statistics with measures of central tendency and dispersion. Quantitative variables were tested by t-test or by Mann-Whitney test. Qualitative variables were tested by hi-square test or by Fisher’s test. The standard analyse of level’s risk was used too. The analyse of predictive value of EVR for achieving the ETR and SVR was done by cross-tabulation. The impact of known factors for achieving the SVR was evaluated by logistic regression analyses. All tests were done with statistical level of significance of 95% (p=0,05). Results: Men were more dominant in the test group (93,3% / 61,7%), also younger age (p<0,001) and lower BMI (p=0,019). The test group had significant higher basal values of Le, Hb, Plt and ALT and tendency to lower stages of fibrosis (p=0,08). The difference in genotype frequencies was statistically significant (p=0,001) with clearly dominance of G3 and G4 among IVDU. Treatment was not complited by two patients in both groups (4,4% /3,3%). EVR was significantly higher in test group (p=0,001) so did the ETR (p=0,002) and SVR (p<0,001). Predictive factors for SVR were: age (negative predictive factor), male sex, absence of reduction of pegilated interferon and ribavirin, Metavir stage of fibrosis and presence of EVR. Conclusion: Population of IVDU were adherent to treatment protocol and with excellent treatment response they justified the hope of health care workers for success treatment of this population.

In this work, we develop a framework that jointly decides on the optimal location of wireless extenders11Wireless extenders are wireless devices used to extend the coverage area of a main access point; they are also called mesh points, since the main access point refers to a mesh gateway in a WMN. and the channel configuration of wireless extenders and access points (APs) in a Wireless Mesh Network (WMN). Artificial Intelligence (AI) is adopted to support network autonomy and to capture insights on system and environment evolution. We propose a Self-X (self-optimizing and self-learning) framework that encapsulates both environment and intelligent agent to reach optimal operation through sensing, perception, reasoning and learning, in a truly autonomous fashion. The agent derives adequate knowledge from previous actions, improving the quality of future decisions. Extensive simulations are run to validate its fast convergence, improved throughput and resilience to dynamic interference conditions.

Vehicular communications provide effective means to improve road safety and traffic efficiency, as well as high definition onboard infotainment services, capable of scaling well from current connected cars to future autonomous driving. Dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) and Long Term Evolution vehicle-to-everything (LTE-V2X) are recognized as being the two most promising technologies to support such communications. For more than a decade, DSRC has been actively promoted by ETSI, IEEE, and other standards organizations. More recently, LTEV2X is being proposed as an alternative technology based on cellular standards by 3GPP. This article analyzes the ready-to-deploy DSRC and the promising LTE-V2X, compares them according to a set of significant technical and non-technical aspects, and outlines the limitations of both technologies.

Introduction: An increase in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis concentration could help alleviate some pathological changes directly related to uremia. Aim: To investigate the concentration of nitric oxide in saliva of patients with terminal stage of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis and to investigate the effect of hemodialysis on concentration of nitric oxide in saliva of the patients with terminal stage of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. Material and Methods: The study had a prospective character and included 60 respondents of both sexes, at age between 20 and 60 years. The control group included 30 healthy volunteers of both sexes (15 men and 15 women) of the same age, who were based on subjective and objective health status without any manifestations of pathophysiological changes. The group of patients with terminal stage of chronic renal failure on hemodialysis involved 30 patients of both sexes (15 men and 15 women). Inclusion criteria: hemodialysis duration more than 6 months and age between 20 and 60 years. Results: The amount of non-stimulated saliva collected during 15 minutes in patients with chronic renal failure was lower by 31.3% compared to the control group of healthy subjects (p<0.0001). Concentration of NO in saliva in patients with chronic renal failure was higher by 121% than in the control group (p<0.001). Concentration of NO in saliva in patients with chronic renal failure after hemodialysis was 121% lower than in the same subjects prior to hemodialysis (p<0.001). A statistically significant negative correlation (r=-0.381, p<0.05) was found between the hemodialysis duration in months and the level of NO in saliva of the patients with chronic renal failure prior to hemodialysis. There was no statistically significant correlation (r=-0.167, NS) between the hemodialysis duration in months and NO levels in saliva of the patients with chronic renal failure after hemodialysis treatment. Conclusion: Concentration of NO in saliva of the patients on hemodialysis was statistically significantly higher in relation to NO concentration in the saliva of healthy subjects and after hemodialysis was statistically significantly lower in relation to NO values prior to hemodialysis. Monitoring of changes in NO concentration dynamics in saliva of hemodialysis patients will probably be helpful in monitoring hemodialysis efficacy.

Aim: The aim of this article is to determine the possible correlation between the smoking habit and the incidence of basocellular skin cancer (BCC). Patients and methods: The prospective study, which lasted from June 2012 to June 2018, included subjects diagnosed with basocellular skin cancer (BCC). Respondents were divided into 3 groups. The first, group A (21 respondents), are respondents who smoke 20-35 cigarettes a day. The second, group B (19 respondents), consists of respondents who smoke 35-50 cigarettes a day. The third, group C (91 respondents), consist of non-smokers. Observed parameters are sex, age, current and previous smoking habits, including duration (total smoking year) and intensity (average number of cigarettes smoked per day), age at the start of smoking, and prolonged exposure to the sun. Results: No statistically significant relationship was found between smoking and BCC frequency. It was shown that with BCC of the skin was more affected those who did not smoke. There is no clear relationship between the duration of smoking and/or the amount of smoking and the development of BCC, and it follows that this relationship is not likely to be causative. A suggestive, but not significant, evidence of relationship between smoking and skin cancer is found at this time. Conclusion: Since it is a conglomerate of possible etiological factors, further research is needed to definitively clarify the effect of tobacco consumption on the development of BCC by monitoring a larger number of respondents over a longer period of time in large prospective studies. In any case, a possible association with skin cancer is a reason to avoid smoking.

Abstract This research is aimed at determining the impact of supplementing extensively reared lambs with a limited amount of flax seed enriched-concentrate on the fatty acid profile of the lamb meat (omental fat depot). A total of 96 60-day old Pramenka breed lambs (23.85±3.98 kg live body weight; 60±10 days of age; 42 males and 54 females) raised on pasture with their dams were randomly divided in three experimental groups: control (CON) or extensive rearing group, which did not receive any supplementary feed; concentrate (CC) group, receiving 300 g of a conventional commercial concentrate feed per animal daily, and concentrate-flax seed (CC-FS) group, receiving 300 g/day of the concentrate supplemented with 5% of flax seed. After 60 days of experimental period, 10 lambs were selected (5 males and 5 females) from each group and slaughtered. Omental fat samples were taken and analyzed to determine their fatty acid profile. Significant (P>0.05) differences in the fatty acid profile between CON and CC groups were small. However, enrichment of the concentrate with 5% flax seed increased the percentages of PUFA and n-3 PUFA when compared to both CON and CC groups and thus slightly improved the nutritional characteristics of the omental fat. The effect of sex on the fatty acid profile was only observed for C20:4 n-6 and C20:5 n-3 (P < 0.05).

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Introduction: The effect of statins on risk of heart failure (HF) hospitalization and lethal outcome remains dubious. Aim: To investigate whether statin therapy improves clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for ischemic heart failure (HF), to compare the efficacy of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins and to investigate which statin subtype provides better survival and other outcome benefits. Material and Methods: Total amount of 155 patients in the study were admitted to the Clinic for Cardiology, Rheumatology and Vascular diseases in Clinical Center University of Sarajevo in the period from January 2014- December 2017. Inclusion criteria was HF caused by ischemic coronary artery disease upon admission. For each patient the following data were obtained: gender, age, comorbidities and medications on discharge. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class for heart failure was determined by physician evaluation and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) was determined by echocardiography. The patients were followed for a period of two years. Outcome points were: rehospitalization, in-hospital death, mortality after 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. All-cause mortality included cardiovascular events or worsening heart failure. Results: Overall, 58.9% of HF patients received statin therapy, with 33.9% patients receiving atorvastatin and 25.0% rosuvastatin therapy. The most frequent rehospitalization was in patients without statin therapy (66.7%), followed by patients on rosuvastatin (64.1%), and atorvastatin (13.2%), with statistically significant difference p = 0.001 between the groups. Mortality after 6 months, 1 year and 2 years was the most frequent in patients without statin therapy with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). Progression of HF accounted for 31.7% of mortality in patients without statin therapy, 12.8% in patients on rosuvastatin therapy and 3.8% in patients on atorvastatin therapy (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Lipophilic statin therapy is associated with substantially better long-term outcomes in patients with HF.

Title of Days of AMNuBiH 2018” and “SWEP 2018” is “Ethical Dilemmas in Science Editing and Publishing”. Why? If one wants to create a scientific work, must have on his mind that creating a scientific work requires creativity and openness, honesty, trust, and obeying the ethical principles for writing a scientific paper. While working on a an biomedical research involving human subjects medical workers should have on mind that it is the duty of the physician to remain the protector of the life and health of that person on whom biomedical research is being carried out. The World Medical Association (WMA) has developed the Declaration of Helsinki as a statement of ethical principles to provide guidance to physicians and other participants in medical research involving human subjects.

Dr. Karl (Karel) Bayer (Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, January 23, 1850 - Sarajevo, April 12, 1914), was physician, specialist in Neuropsychiatry (Figure 1). He graduated elementary school and gymnasium in the town of Hradec Kralove (1-6). He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague in 1876.