INTRODUCTION: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has a major impact on emotional, social, and professional life. This study aimed to evaluate general life satisfaction, a subjective measure of well-being, in IBS patients, and to determine which factors are associated with higher life satisfaction. METHODS: IBS patients (n = 195, mean age 51.4 ± 16.5 years, 73.8% female) recruited from primary and secondary/tertiary care completed questionnaires regarding gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life, psychological factors, and life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale, 5 items, range 5–35). A finite mixture model analysis was performed to identify latent classes. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify variables associated with life satisfaction. RESULTS: Overall, 71.3% of the patients were satisfied about their life (Satisfaction With Life Scale-score ≥21). Three latent subgroups could be identified with significantly higher life satisfaction in the subgroup with higher mental quality of life, fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms, lower gastrointestinal specific anxiety, and lower gastrointestinal symptom severity, compared with the other 2 groups. Multivariable linear regression showed that higher physical quality of life (B0.168, P < 0.001) and higher mental quality of life (B0.199, P < 0.001) were associated with higher life satisfaction. Using multivariable regression, no significant association was found between gastrointestinal symptom severity and life satisfaction. DISCUSSION: Higher physical and mental quality of life, but not gastrointestinal symptom severity, were independently associated with higher general life satisfaction in IBS. These findings reinforce the clinical need in IBS treatment to focus on the full extent of the disorder and not merely on gastrointestinal symptom improvement. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00775060.

Modular quantum processor architectures are envisioned as a promising solution for the scalability of quantum computing systems beyond the Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) era. Based upon interconnecting tens to hundreds of quantum processors (i.e cores) via quantum coherent and classical links, this approach unravels the pressing limitations of densely qubit-packed monolithic processors, mainly by mitigating the requirements of qubit control and enhancing qubit isolation. Therefore, this new architectural design enables executing large-scale algorithms in a distributed manner. In order to assess the performance and optimize such architectures, it is crucial to analyze the quantum state transfers occurring via inter-core communication networks, referred to as inter-core qubit traffic. This would provide insights to improve the software and hardware stack for multi-core quantum computers. To this aim, we present a characterization of the spatio-temporal inter-core qubit traffic for different large-scale quantum algorithms. The programs are compiled on an all-to-all connected multi-core architecture that applies the teleportation protocol for inter-core state transfer and supports up to around 1000 qubits. We characterize the qubit traffic based on multiple performance metrics to assess the computational process and the communication overhead. Based on the showcased results, we conclude on the parallelization and scalability of presented algorithms, qualitatively evaluate the resource requirements as we scale circuit sizes, and lay the foundations of application-oriented benchmarking of large-scale multi-core architectures.

The research was carried out on a sample of 1000 (500 male and 500 female) students randomly selected from several faculties within the AAB College in Pristina, Kosovo. Respondents were treated in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. For the assessment of physical activity, the international questionnaire (InternationalPhysical Activity Questionnaire IPAQ). To assess the state of nutrition, morphological parameters were applied: body height, body weight and body mass index. Descriptive analysis, non-parametric technique of difference within the group as well as regression analysis were applied to process the results. The obtained results show that the average height of the student population is Mean = 174.74±8.6; body weight, mean= 70.88±12.7; body mass index, Mean = 23.1±3.3. The prevalence of overweight is 26.1%, while obesity is 2.8%. The results obtained are almost the same as the countries in the region. The survey for the assessment of physical activity indicates an insufficient involvement of students in physical activities that corresponds to the prevalence of overweight. When asked how much time you usually spend sitting during a working day, the prevalence of 2-7 hours is 84.6%. Regression analysis shows a correlation between inactivity during the day and body mass index. The data show a trend towards increasing obesity in the student population and this is an extremely powerful reason for: the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports, for the Ministry of Education, for Universities and Colleges, tocreate conditions for the highest possible participation of students in sports and recreational activities.

Self-rated health is associated with health behaviour and socio-demographic and socio-economic conditions on the way that health risks and poor socio-economic status determine poor self-rated health. The aim of the study was to determine self-rated health among students, perceive health behaviour risk and association with socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics of students. Methods: Study is conducted as a cross-sectional study among students of health sciences in autumn semester 2022. Year. Specially designed questionnaire was constructed based on international guidelines. Anonymously filling out an on line formed questionnaire by voluntary singing on university web site. Results: More than three quarter of students perceived their health as a good and no one perceived health as a poor. Most students perceived their health as good (83,2%), mainly students with a technical background and those who are living in good socio-economic conditions (89,0%) (p0,05). The most frequent health risks among students are lack of physical activity (44,5%) and less than six hours for sleep and rest (43,8%). More than a third of students perceived fear, nervousness and tension (34,3%), a lack of time for friendship and family (33,6%) and irregular diet (31,4%). Every seventh student perceived overweight and obesity. Students who are living in poor socio-economic conditions perceived more health risks as well as those who don’t have medical background and who are employed. More students in urban area perceived mental problems than those in rural areas. Conclusion: Students are mainly perceived their health as a good and have health risks which will be reduced through health promotion in university educational programmes.

Medicinal plants play a major role in the development of human cultures. Medicinal plants are a rich source of phytochemical compounds, which have proven therapeutic efficacy throughout the ages. The therapeutic efficacy is attributed to those secondary biologically active compounds. Plants have provided the human being with all his needs of food, drink, and clothing. In addition they are an important source for the treatment of many diseases being the basis of the science of alternative medicine, In recent times, the area cultivated for these medicinal plants has increased, and scientific research has tended to study the effectiveness of these plants in treating many diseases. Most plants have an effective effect as an antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidemia, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive as well as for cardiovascular diseases and strokes. The study aims to provide important data on the extent to which some medicinal plants are used in the treatment of various diseases.

Lifestyles develop throughout the life, but adolescence and early youth are important stages in acquiring healthy lifestyles habits. This is also vulnerable period for substance misuse, worsened diet habits and sedentary lifestyles linked to academic activities and responsible for developing non communicable diseases (NCD). Goal of the article is to analyse lifestyles habits and risk factors for developing NCD among students of health sciences. Study is conducted at the University Apeiron, Faculty of Health Sciences among students from first to fourth years of study. Specially designed questionnaire was prepared and distributed on line, anonymously and voluntary fulfilled by students. Every fifth student is smokers, 5,1% consume alcohol daily, more males (12,1%) than females (2,9%) (p0,05). Majority of males (42,2%) consumed alcohol drinks in one occasion during previous month, statistically more than females (21.2%) (p0,05). More than two third of students eat fruits and vegetables daily and one third have regular meals. Moderate physical active are 42,3% of students, and physical inactive are more females than males (p0,05). Risk factors for NCD have to be prevented with supportive policies in school environment and community. Students of health sciences should be a positive model of changing risk habits for NCD and saving future quality of life.

Uncontrolled acetylene release during production processes, transportation, or storage can lead to explosions and detonations endangering safety of people and material assets. This paper investigates the impact of accidental release of acetylene gas in surrounding areas. The ALOHA software has been used in this paper to modelling of acetylene release. The modelling was performed for an accidental release of 2,000 kg acetylene from direct source for one minute. F or a typical average atmospheric condition in location, this accidental acetylene release would cause a red zone of 197 m (15,000 ppm) and yellow zone of 483 m (2,500 ppm) to downwind from the source. Inadequate storage can lead to accidental situations and negative impact on people and the environment.

Wind Farm Podveležje is located on the plateau Podveležje, about 10 km east of the city of Mostar, in the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. The Wind Farm consists of 15 wind turbines, each with a power of 3.2 MW, making a total capacity of 48 MW. The geological structure of the surrounding area on the Podveležje plateau is very complex due to its intricate tectonic complex, ranging from layered to thinly layered Upper Cretaceous limestone with Turonian-aged radiolites as the bedrock. Cracks are often highly prominent, filled with rock weathering products, terra rosa and clay material. During geological and geotechnical investigations at foundation locations, caverns were identified in certain places. The program of additional works (destructive boreholes and TV logging) was carried out to delineate the cavern locations on WT-3, WT-4, WT-8, WT-12, WT-15, and WT-16 plateaus. The aim of the paper is to describe the cavern rehabilitation at locations of wind turbine foundation including substrate preparation, filling procedures, mixture composition, and performing destructive boreholes to verify rock mass compactness.

In the current study, we assessed the prevalence and molecular features of HER2-low phenotype in the apocrine carcinomas of the breast (ApoCa) and its relationship with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). A cohort of 64 well-characterized therapy-naïve ApoCa was used. The TIL distribution was assessed using the hematoxylin and eosin whole slide/scanned images following the international TILs working group recommendations. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed in a subset of HER2-low ApoCa. All patients were women, with a mean age of 62 years. Forty-three carcinomas were pure apocrine carcinoma (PAC; ER−/AR+), and the remaining 21 were classified as apocrine-like carcinomas (ALCs; ER+/−, AR+/−). HER2/neu was positive (score 3+ by IHC and/or amplified by FISH) in 20/43 (47%) PAC and 4/21 (19%) ALC. The prevalence of HER2-low expression (scores 1+ or 2+ without HER2 amplification) in ApoCa was 39% without significant differences between PAC and ALC (P ═ 0.14); however, the HER2-low phenotype was more prevalent in triple-negative PAC than in ALC (P < 0.001). Levels of TILs were low (≤10%) in 74% of ApoCa (median: 5%, range 0%–50%). TIL levels were significantly higher in ALC than in PAC (P ═ 0.02). HER2 status had no impact on TIL distribution (P ═ 0.45). The genomic profile of HER2-low ApoCa was similar to other subtypes of ApoCa. ApoCa has predominantly low TIL, particularly PAC. The prevalence of the HER2-low phenotype in ApoCa is high, which should have therapeutic and clinical implications given the recently approved therapies with antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) for HER2-low breast cancers.

Abstract This study presents findings on the indicators of educational displacement as an early risk factor for radicalization in school settings in the U.S. We collected and analyzed data from 301 students living in 43 U.S. states to inform the creation of Reimagine Resilience, an innovative violence prevention training program for educators and educational staff developed at Teachers College, Columbia University, and to measure early indications of educational displacement as a risk factor for radicalization. The study shows that poor teacher-student relations and multiple experiences of biased speech and behavior are significant early predictors of the students’ educational displacement. Educational displacement, in this study, is measured as a lack of social belonging in schools.

Abstract Reimagine Resilience (2023), designed and established at Teachers College, Columbia University, is an innovative program that builds awareness and understanding among educators and educational personnel in the U.S. on the precursors and causes of educational displacement in students, supporting educators in promoting belonging, connectedness, and resilience to prevent educational displacement, extremism, and radicalization among students in their schools and classrooms. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the Reimagine Resilience Program in producing attitudinal shifts in participating education personnel as they cultivate an awareness of their own biased speech and conduct. Further, this study spotlights the Program’s efficacy in identifying ways to actively prevent educational displacement as educators gain new knowledge of protective and risk factors for radicalization and targeted violence. This study underscores the importance of innovation in pedagogy, practice, assessment, and professional training for educators and educational staff to effectively engage educators in extremism and violence prevention.

Analyzing students’ academic performance is important for evaluating enrollment criteria which establish the standards required for pupils who finished secondary school to gain admission to a higher education institution. The aims of this research were to develop a machine learning prediction Decision Tree classifica-tion model and analyze the performance of engineering students based on their performances during second-ary school education. The performance of students was analyzed and measured as a binomial response whether students successfully finished the first and the second study years. The developed model examined general success, number of awards obtained at competitions, special awards, average grades in mathematics, physics, and one of the official state languages during secondary school as predictor variables. The number of courses transferred from the first into the second study year and students’ GPA obtained during the first study year were added as predictor variables in the analysis and development of a prediction model for the students’ performance during the second study year and their enrollment in the third study year. Developed machine learning prediction model showed that for the performance of enrolled students in the first study year general success of students during secondary school is the most important predictor variable, followed by mathematics and physics grades. However, for the performance of the students enrolled in the second study year the most important predictor variable was number of the courses transferred from the first into the second study year, followed by students’ GPA obtained during the first study year and general success. Machine learning Decision Tree classification modeling was shown to be an adequate tool for the prediction of the performance of engineering students during the first and second study years.

Pomegranate has shown a favorable effect on gingivitis/periodontitis, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to test the effect of pomegranate peel extract (PoPEx) on gingiva-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (GMSCs) under physiological and inflammatory conditions. GMSC lines from healthy (H) and periodontitis (P) gingiva (n = 3 of each) were established. The lines were treated with two non-toxic concentrations of PoPEX (low—10; high—40 µg/mL), with or without additional lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Twenty-four genes in GMSCs involved in different functions were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PoPEx (mostly at higher concentrations) inhibited the basal expression of IL-6, MCP-1, GRO-α, RANTES, IP-10, HIF-1α, SDF-1, and HGF but increased the expression of IL-8, TLR3, TGF-β, TGF-β/LAP ratio, IDO-1, and IGFB4 genes in H-GMSCs. PoPEx increased IL-6, RANTES, MMP3, and BMP2 but inhibited TLR2 and GRO-α gene expression in P-GMSCs. LPS upregulated genes for proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, tissue regeneration/repair (MMP3, IGFBP4, HGF), and immunomodulation (IP-10, RANTES, IDO-1, TLR3, COX-2), more strongly in P-GMSCs. PoPEx also potentiated most genes’ expression in LPS-stimulated P-GMSCs, including upregulation of osteoblastic genes (RUNX2, BMP2, COL1A1, and OPG), simultaneously inhibiting cell proliferation. In conclusion, the modulatory effects of PoPEx on gene expression in GMSCs are complex and dependent on applied concentrations, GMSC type, and LPS stimulation. Generally, the effect is more pronounced in inflammation-simulating conditions.

This paper presents an effective approach to enable performance improvement in human-robot collaboration scenarios. The problem is tackled from the perspective of speed and separation monitoring principle, which stems from the recently instituted safety standard. The proposed approach attempts to seek for performance gains, measured by the speed-up of the production cycle, without compromising the safety constraints consistent with the standard. The approach is based on the notion of braking surface - an abstraction of the swept volume described by the manipulator during braking motion. We address two types of braking behavior: general and path-consistent. In both cases, the braking surface can be evaluated in a receding horizon manner. The robot velocity is continuously scaled such that, in case of a controlled stop, the corresponding volume spanned by the robot (braking surface) does not interfere with the surrounding obstacles. The approach is entirely kinematic and does not require the knowledge of the robot's dynamic model. Simulation study indicates that the pro-posed approach offers performance improvements compared to other state of the art methods. Moreover, the experiments demonstrate the real-time applicability of the method with the real robot in human-shared environment.