An elevated temperature in the environment increases the core body temperature which stimulates thermoregulatory mechanisms. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of elevated temperature on number and shape of leukocytes using descriptive statistics and geometric morphometrics. The study included 32 Wistar rats divided into two groups according to exposed temperature (41°C and 44°C) and more two subgroups in groups associated with death (antemortem and postmortem). Peripheral blood smears were performed before exposure to temperature and after exposure to temperature. The number of leukocytes was determined. Images of peripheral blood smears were taken, on which eight landmarks on the outside of leukocytes were marked in tpsDig program. In the MorphoJ program, we analyzed shape of leukocytes. The results showed significant differences in the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes in subgroup antemortem and in subgroup postmortem exposed to a temperature of 41°C. In group exposed to a temperature of 44°C, a significant difference was found in the number of all leukocytes, except monocytes in the antemortem subgroup, and except basophils and eosinophils in the postmortem subgroup. The results of geometric morphometrics shape analysis showed significant differences in the shape of lymphocytes between subgroups antemortem and postmortem.Exposure to elevated temperature resulted with number and shape changes of leukocytes.

Every attempt to access to the Internet through a Web browser, email sent, VPN connection, VoIP call, instant message or other use of telecommunications systems involves cryptographic techniques. The most commonly applied technique is asymmetric cryptography, which is generally executed in the background without the user even being aware. It establishes a cryptographic code based on the computational complexity of mathematical problems. However, this type of cryptography, which is widely used in today’s telecommunications systems, is under threat as electronics and computing rapidly develop. The development of fifth-generation cellular networks (5G) is gaining momentum, and given its wide field of application, security requires special attention. This is especially true faced with the development of quantum computers. One solution to this security challenge is to use more advanced techniques to establish cryptographic keys that are not susceptible to attack. An essential part of quantum cryptography, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) uses the principles of quantum physics to establish and distribute symmetric cryptographic keys between two geographically distant users. QKD establishes information-theoretically secure cryptographic keys that are resistant to eavesdropping when they are created. In this paper, we survey the security challenges and approaches in 5G networks concerning network protocols, interfaces and management organizations. We begin by examining the fundamentals of QKD and discuss the creation of QKD networks and their applications. We then outline QKD network architecture and its components and standards, following with a summary of QKD and post-quantum key distribution techniques and approaches for its integration into existing security frameworks such as VPNs (IPsec and MACsec). We also discuss the requirements, architecture and methods for implementing the FPGA-based encryptors needed to execute cryptographic algorithms with security keys. We discuss the performance and technologies of post-quantum cryptography, and finally, examine reported 5G demonstrations which have used quantum technologies, highlighting future research directions.

This paper bridges research on countering violent extremism (CVE), where the role of ethnic and religious diaspora in deradicalization has been understudied and undertheorized, with diaspora and migration literature, which emphasizes diaspora actors as having their own agency and claim-making potential within larger transnational processes. Based on a review of both literatures and insights from interviews, we identify challenges and opportunities presented by the Austrian context and how they contribute to the understanding of the role of diaspora communities in deradicalization processes. Austria presents a relevant case study for several reasons. First, its radical milieu has a long history beginning with the emergence of the jihadi Salafi scene in the 90s and manifesting with foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) who joined ISIS between 2012 and 2017. Second, Austria hosts diverse diaspora populations that consist of multiple generations and is a highly politicized environment. This paper helps contextualize policy responses to foreign fighters. We argue that while diaspora belonging is not the main factor leading to radicalization, social networks that emerge from diasporas play a role in such processes. Thus, policies should de-emphasize religious and ethnic identities and empower social actors within diaspora communities to promote resilience against radicalization.

Fine motor skills are a good indicator of a child’s overall development. They underpin almost all everyday activities from self-care skills such as dressing to academic skills such as writing and drawing. In this study we examined the development of fine motor skills of early elementary school children. The sample for this study consisted of 175 children (93 boys, 82 girls, mean age= 120 months; SD = 10.7 months). attending 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. We used Grooved Pegboard test for measuring fine motor skills. We found a medium, statistically significant, correlation between age and motor skills, with stronger correlation at younger age. In relation to child’s grade, there were statistically significant differences in motor skills between children attending 3rd and 4th grade, but no differences between children in 4th and 5th grade. As for the gender, there were no mean differences between boys and girls in the 3rd grade, but there were differences in 4th and 5th grade with girls achieving statistically significantly better scores on Grooved Pegboard test. Fine motor skills should routinely be examined in children and appropriate remediation programs should be set if a child falls behind in motor skills. We concluded a paper with several ways how elementary schools can include fine motor exercises in their curricula.

Introduction/purpose: The study of vehicle suspension is a challenge for researchers in the field of vehicles regarding the impact of the suspension system on vehicle performances such as ride comfort, road holding, and working space. This paper presents the simulation of the Land Rover Defender 110 vehicle in the roll plane (half vehicle) in Simulink/MATLAB. The obtained results were compared with the results obtained in the ADAMS/CAR software package of the Land Rover Defender 110 simulation model previously experimentally validated. The Defender 110 vehicle has a dependent suspension system in both axles and a passive suspension type with four degrees of freedom (4 DOF). Methods: The equations of the system can be solved mathematically with a scheme in Simulink/MATLAB while half-vehicle modeling has been done in ADAMS/CAR. Results: The comparison of the vehicle characteristics obtained by the two simulation methods was done for three different scenarios, and it was noticed that there is a good correlation between them. Conclusion: It was concluded that the Defender 110 vehicle simulation model in Simulink/MATLAB is validated. The validated model can be used to perform suspension system optimization in future work.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common nonmelanoma skin cancer. Although there has been a noticeable increase in incidence over the last decades, the exact incidence is difficult to establish, because data and cancer registries are heterogeneous among countries. Objective: The study aimed to analyze the recent clinical trends of basal cell carcinoma by reviewing a six-year single institution’s experience. Methods: A total number of 582 patients with histologically diagnosed BCC were included in the study. All relevant data were collected from medical records and patients, using short questionnaire. Results: BCC was slightly more common among the male population with female to male ratio of 1:1.24. At the time of diagnosis, male patients were statistically significantly older (70.47±11.9 years) compared to female patients (67.64±12.22 years) (p=0.005). The most common types of BCC were nodular (51.64%) and superficial (25.95%), affecting most commonly the head and neck region (71.2%). Relative risk (RR) for development of BCC is 2.79 times higher in sun-exposed skin areas (p<0.001). Conclusion: Sun exposure remains one of the most important risk factors for the development of BCC, with episodes of sunburns, occupational and recreational risks noted among the majority of patients. Although non-fatal disease, due to morbidity and high frequency, prevention and early diagnosis are important to prevent further increase in the incidence of BCC among the population.

During vibrations, the structure passes through different behavior areas (elastic or inelastic). Different areas of behavior correspond to different approaches to analysis and design. Modeling vibrations as a phenomenon includes its presentation in the form of a mathematical model, with certain parameters specific to the system, which define and control the vibration process itself, namely mass, stiffness and damping. While mass and stiffness can be more accurately described mathematically, damping modeling involves the state and medium in which the system resides. Due to differences in understanding of the state variables that control damping forces, there is still no single accepted model of damping. The wrong selection of damping model in the dynamic analysis of structures can result in the response of the structure being underestimated, which can be the cause of the collapse of the structure. The paper analyzed the response of the bridge structure to pedestrian excitation, applying different numerical damping models and the damping determined experimentally. At the end of the paper, a comparative analysis with conclusions is given.

Two main types of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) exist, as a result of either aberrant plasma cell production of misfolded monoclonal light chains, known as immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL), or production of disintegrated and misfolded transthyretin (TTR) proteins by the liver, also called transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Non-invasive diagnostics (cardiac uptake on diphosphonate scintigraphy, Perugini score 2 or 3) have gained prominence in modern cardiology in correlation with the negative findings of free light chains in serum and the results of negative immunofixation in serum and urine. Additionally, criteria related to echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance are necessary for establishing a diagnosis. A total of 3.063 99mTc-MDP bone scintigrams were analyzed between August 2018 and March 2023, of which Perugini score 1 was validated in 13 patients, Perugini score 2 in 10 patients and Perugini score 3 in 1 patient. From our experience, we could observe that cardiac uptake can be verified in daily clinical practice and that is meaningful for monitoring patients with ATTR-cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Although the sample size is not large, the importance of the study lies in the fact that it involves patients whose findings have been incidentally verified. If patients are selected according to clinical characteristics, the number of positive findings may potentially increase. Our study aimes to raise awareness among physicians of various specialties about the significance of the diagnostic algorithm for infiltrative cardiomyopathies. This is to ensure early diagnosis of this problem and initiation of treatment in the earliest stages when the therapeutic effect is most optimal. Such an approach would yield benefits for both patients and the entire healthcare system. A meticulous diagnostic and therapeutic approach is therefore fundamental for improving clinical outcomes in patients with ATTR-CM, including careful attention to specific TTR genetic variants and long-term follow-up.

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of overall and anterior Bolton's ratio measurements obtained with an intraoral scanner compared to standard caliper measurements on plaster models. Material and Methods: This study included 33 subjects (18 female and 15 male), aged 12 to 18 years. All subjects were taken impression for the purpose of making study plaster models. In addition, all subjects underwent intraoral scanning for the purpose of creating digital models. Tooth width was measured with a caliper on plaster models, while digital models were analyzed using Cerec Ortho SW 2.0.2 software. The overall and anterior Bolton ratios were derived using both methods. Statistical data processing was performed using an independent t-test. Results: The results obtained using these two methods for measuring the anterior and overall Bolton ratio showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the measurements obtained on plaster models and the measurements obtained by intraoral scanning. For the overall Bolton ratio, T-test was 0.828 and is not statistically significant (p<0.05). The value of T-test for the anterior Bolton ratio was 0.001 and it was also not statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: Determination the overall and anterior Bolton ratio using an intraoral scanner is an accurate and acceptable method for clinical work in orthodontics.