When carrying out construction work, identifying the best contractor is a critical component of the project life cycle in the construction industry. The investor must use effective and efficient strategies to create a competitive bidding environment in public projects. The research presented in this paper was conducted to demonstrate the competitive nature of public procurements, where contractors compete to present the best bid and win the contract. To award the contract, the best offer must be selected. Based on different strategies and multi-criteria decision-making approaches this study proposes a method for identifying the most suitable strategy out of eight bidding strategies on four different lots, resulting in the most suitable one for landslide rehabilitation in the Brčko district. The results reveal the optimal approach to follow to minimize time and financial losses in the case of landslide rehabilitation during periods of market instability. Such research findings validate the efficiency of the bidding strategies-based decision-making support. The proposed method allows for compromise on both the completion date and the lowest bid made by the winning contractor.

This paper analyses the presence of sustainable elements in one of the most representative surviving examples of vernacular residential architecture from the Ottoman period, located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The focus is on the significance of vernacular architectural elements, which can serve as an inspiration for contemporary building design in the context of sustainability. Two main aspects need to be considered: respecting the inter-relationship between humans, nature, climate, and local surroundings, and adaptation of design to the time in which it was created. Svrzo’s house complex, as National Monument, is chosen as a case study, and detailed survey was conducted regarding the presence of sustainable design principles i.e., building form, use of local materials, orientation, adaptation to local climate and topography, passive cooling and natural-induced ventilation, water, and vegetation. A traditional architectural treasure – a functional, simple, and aesthetically valuable concept, shows that ambient requirements were met with minimal energy consumption and material waste from construction to consumption, achieving a responsible ethical attitude towards the environment. The analysis also includes an evaluation of energy efficiency aspects, by comparing the actual heat transmission values of the building elements with the allowable heat transmission values, prescribed by regulation. The actual average heat transmission values are higher which indicates that although the positive impacts of using natural local materials are wide, in terms of enhancing thermal properties, these sustainability features alone are not sufficient to prevent heat losses without proper thermal insulation.

We report observations of Rayleigh waves that orbit around Mars up to three times following the S1222a marsquake. Averaging these signals, we find the largest amplitude signals at 30 and 85 s central period, propagating with distinctly different group velocities of 2.9 and 3.8 km/s, respectively. The group velocities constraining the average crustal thickness beneath the great circle path rule out the majority of previous crustal models of Mars that have a >200 kg/m3 density contrast across the equatorial dichotomy between northern lowlands and southern highlands. We find that the thickness of the Martian crust is 42–56 km on average, and thus thicker than the crusts of the Earth and Moon. Considered with the context of thermal evolution models, a thick Martian crust suggests that the crust must contain 50%–70% of the total heat production to explain present‐day local melt zones in the interior of Mars.

Abstract Background The extent to which known and unknown factors explain how much people of the same age differ in disease risk is fundamental to epidemiology. Risk factors can be correlated in relatives, so familial aspects of risk (genetic and non-genetic) must be considered. Development We present a unifying model (VALID) for variance in risk, with risk defined as log(incidence) or logit(cumulative incidence). Consider a normally distributed risk score with incidence increasing exponentially as the risk increases. VALID’s building block is variance in risk, Δ2, where Δ = log(OPERA) is the difference in mean between cases and controls and OPERA is the odds ratio per standard deviation. A risk score correlated r between a pair of relatives generates a familial odds ratio of exp(rΔ2). Familial risk ratios, therefore, can be converted into variance components of risk, extending Fisher’s classic decomposition of familial variation to binary traits. Under VALID, there is a natural upper limit to variance in risk caused by genetic factors, determined by the familial odds ratio for genetically identical twin pairs, but not to variation caused by non-genetic factors. Application For female breast cancer, VALID quantified how much variance in risk is explained—at different ages—by known and unknown major genes and polygenes, non-genomic risk factors correlated in relatives, and known individual-specific factors. Conclusion VALID has shown that, while substantial genetic risk factors have been discovered, much is unknown about genetic and familial aspects of breast cancer risk especially for young women, and little is known about individual-specific variance in risk.

The ransomware threat has loomed over our digital life since 1989. Criminals use this type of cyber attack to lock or encrypt victims' data, often coercing them to pay exorbitant amounts in ransom. The damage ransomware causes ranges from monetary losses paid for ransom at best to endangering human lives. Cryptographic ransomware, where attackers encrypt the victim's data, stands as the predominant ransomware variant. The primary characteristics of these attacks have remained the same since the first ransomware attack. For this reason, we consider this a key factor differentiating ransomware from other cyber attacks, making it vital in tackling the threat of cryptographic ransomware. This paper proposes a cyber kill chain that describes the modern crypto-ransomware attack. The survey focuses on the Encryption phase as described in our proposed cyber kill chain and its detection techniques. We identify three main methods used in detecting encryption-related activities by ransomware, namely API and System calls, I/O monitoring, and file system activities monitoring. Machine learning (ML) is a tool used in all three identified methodologies, and some of the issues within the ML domain related to this survey are also covered as part of their respective methodologies. The survey of selected proposals is conducted through the prism of those three methodologies, showcasing the importance of detecting ransomware during pre-encryption and encryption activities and the windows of opportunity to do so. We also examine commercial crypto-ransomware protection and detection offerings and show the gap between academic research and commercial applications.

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Regardless of the fascinating progress of humanity, biotechnology and medicine, the outbreak of the global pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has shown us that we are just as vulnerable as in previous eras when communicable diseases decimated the world&rsquo;s population. But the discoveries made so far at the molecular level allow us to connect knowledge interdisciplinary and find solutions and therapeutic strategies where there seems to be no link. It was the previous coronavirus infections that served as a homologous model for finding the connection between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and autophagy. Autophagy, a conserved universal process of all eukaryotic cells responsible for cell survival under stressful circumstances, has been shown to play a significant role in viral invasions. It contributes to both direct and indirect antiviral responses such the elimination of viruses, the presentation of their antigens, and the reduction of inflammatory responses. The autophagy machinery of host cells can, however, be suppressed, evaded, or used by viruses to their benefit. Therefore, autophagy has an ambiguous role in coronavirus-related infections, especially in COVID-19.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Health workers, doctors and nurses and other health staff, due to their occupation and daily exposure to stressful situations, are the most exposed to professional burnout and the dangers of numerous mental disorders. The aim of this review was to point out, based on data from recent literature, the importance and level of mental health of doctors and nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health is influenced by various factors, from social changes and circumstances to personal experiences in society. Extended working hours, night work, shift work, responsibility when making decisions, contact with the sick, contact and care for patients in the terminal phase of the disease, care for their families, and also the professional burnout of health workers have increased the morbidity of numerous psychological disorders and psychosomatic diseases in health workers, especially during viral epidemics and pandemics. The World Health Organization advocates the thesis that the feeling of pressure in the current situation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic is normal, and that taking care of mental health is just as important as taking care of physical health.</p>

Background Malaria remains a public health problem in Malawi and has a serious socio-economic impact on the population. In the past two decades, available malaria control measures have been substantially scaled up, such as insecticide-treated bed nets, artemisinin-based combination therapies, and, more recently, the introduction of the malaria vaccine, the RTS,S/AS01. In this paper, we describe the epidemiology of malaria for the last two decades to understand the past transmission and set the scene for the elimination agenda. Methods A collation of parasite prevalence surveys conducted between the years 2000 and 2022 was done. A spatio-temporal geostatistical model was fitted to predict the yearly malaria risk for children aged 2–10 years (PfPR 2–10) at 1×1 km spatial resolutions. Parameter estimation was done using the Monte Carlo maximum likelihood method. District-level prevalence estimates adjusted for population are calculated for the years 2000 to 2022. Results A total of 2,595 sampled unique locations from 2000 to 2022 were identified through the data collation exercise. This represents 70,565 individuals that were sampled in the period. In general, the PfPR2_10 declined over the 22 years. The mean modelled national PfPR2_10 in 2000 was 43.93 % (95% CI:17.9 to 73.8%) and declined to 19.2% (95%CI 7.49 to 37.0%) in 2022. The smoothened estimates of PfPR2_10 indicate that malaria prevalence is very heterogeneous with hotspot areas concentrated on the southern shores of Lake Malawi and the country's central region. Conclusions The last two decades are associated with a decline in malaria prevalence, highly likely associated with the scale-up of control interventions. The country should move towards targeted malaria control approaches informed by surveillance data.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a frequent procedure to reduce weight and morbid obesity. The procedure involves laparoscopic resection of more than 75% of the greater curvature of the stomach, resulting in early satiety and neuro-hormonal changes that collectively promote effective weight loss. We present a rare case of complication of superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (SMVT) and splenic vein after LSG, with consequent bowel ischemia that was treated with open laparotomy and appropriate anticoagulation therapy. A 56-year-old obese woman (BMI of 42.5 kg/m2), smoker for 30 years, presented to the emergency department with symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, 2 weeks after LSG intervention. Her white blood cell count was 15.5 (normal values: 3.8-10.4 × 103 /µL), while C- reactive protein level was 193 (normal values: 0.0-6.0 mg/L) and her D-Dimer level 4.69 (normal values: 0-0.50 mg/L). Abdominal CT with contrast showed a filling defect in the superior mesenteric and splenic vein, free perihepatic and Douglas pouch fluid, as well as small bowel thickening. An open laparotomy was performed and the necrotic segment of bowel of 80 cm was removed. The postoperative period went relatively well, despite the diarrhea that continued for the next 4 months after the intervention. The most common causes leading the development of this complication include: hypercoagulable state, dehydration, increased intra-abdominal pressure during the procedure and other secondary factors. The main symptom is abdominal pain, followed by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. SMVT and SVT should be considered as a possible complication in patients with abdominal pain and increased inflammatory parameters after LSG. Early diagnosis through CT imaging and rapid anticoagulation therapy is considered to reduce further complications such as intestinal infarction and portal hypertension.

The paper analysed bees by-catch collected in 259 bark beetle slit traps, from eleven localities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sampling was carried out in spruce and fir forests in 2020 and 2021. As a by-catch from bark beetle slit traps 84 bee individuals from four families and 13 genera were collected. In the bark beetle slit traps sample, out of 29 bee taxa, 22 species were identified at the species level and eight specimens were left at the genus/subgenus level. The most dominant genera were Megachile with 34 specimens and Osmia represented by 20 specimens in the total sample. The research identified 14 bee species new to the fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bee species collected in the bark beetle slit-traps were dominated by nesters in cavities, above the ground-nesting bees.

Introdução: A pesquisa científica tem por objetivo gerar novos conhecimentos, de forma a contribuir com os diversos segmentos da sociedade e proporcionar melhor qualidade de vida para a população, utilizando de métodos e técnicas específicas para esta finalidade. Para que a disseminação destes conhecimentos ocorra de forma ética e eficaz, o pesquisador deve estar atento a alguns aspectos importantes, como a redação científica, a qual inclui as referências bibliográficas e a normatização dos trabalhos científicos. Objetivo: Descrever as principais características dos estilos de formatação de trabalhos científicos: ABNT, APA, Chicago, MLA e Vancouver. Material e Método: Foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica no banco de dados Scientific Electronic Library (SCIELO), Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde Brasil (BVS) e Google Acadêmico. Revisão de Literatura: As normatizações são importantes, pois contribuem com a padronização e estruturação dos insumos do desenvolvimento tecnológico e científico, de forma eficaz e com qualidade. Considerações Finais: Espera-se que o conteúdo compilado oriente o leitor/pesquisador quanto a aplicabilidade das normas técnicas de normalização dos estilos de padronização de trabalhos científicos comumente recomendados por periódicos nacionais e internacionais com o intuito de ter um alcance e disseminar o conhecimento produzido.

The absence of transparency and explainability hinders the clinical adoption of Machine learning (ML) algorithms. Although various methods of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) have been suggested, there is a lack of literature that delves into their practicality and assesses them based on criteria that could foster trust in clinical environments. To address this gap this study evaluates two popular XAI methods used for explaining predictive models in the healthcare context in terms of whether they (i) generate domain-appropriate representation, i.e. coherent with respect to the application task, (ii) impact clinical workflow and (iii) are consistent. To that end, explanations generated at the cohort and patient levels were analysed. The paper reports the first benchmarking of the XAI methods applied to risk prediction models obtained by evaluating the concordance between generated explanations and the trigger of a future clinical deterioration episode recorded by the data collection system. We carried out an analysis using two Electronic Medical Records (EMR) datasets sourced from Australian major hospitals. The findings underscore the limitations of state-of-the-art XAI methods in the clinical context and their potential benefits. We discuss these limitations and contribute to the theoretical development of trustworthy XAI solutions where clinical decision support guides the choice of intervention by suggesting the pattern or drivers for clinical deterioration in the future.