This work looks into the utilization of blockchain technology within the telecommunications sector, emphasizing enhancements in security, privacy, and efficiency of data management. The “TelecomSecurity” smart contract, demonstrates blockchain’s features of decentralization and immutability, enabling robust user data protection, transparent identity management, and process automation. The paper focuses on protection mechanisms and resource optimization, showcasing detailed metrics of performance and gas consumption compared to traditional environments like Python and Flask. Additionally, it includes an analysis of the study “Blockchain technology empowers telecom network operation” by Dinh C. Nguyen, Pubudu N. Pathirana, and Ming Ding, published in IEEE Communications Magazine 2020, to discuss the blockchain’s potential to enhance operations within telecom networks, especially when integrating 5G technologies. The research establishes parallels between theoretical insights and practical findings, underscoring the blockchain’s relevance and use cases in real-world telecom scenarios. It also discusses potential applications in 5G networks and IoT devices, positioning blockchain as a transformative technology for the digital age, enhancing security, lowering costs, and improving operational efficiency. More specifically, this study explores how blockchain-based decentralized user management and smart contract automation can enhance telecom service agreements, reducing reliance on centralized authorities while improving transparency and operational efficiency.

Software developers often need guides navigating them in the process of choosing the most suitable frameworks and programming languages for their needs. In this study, the impact of the programming languages on the performance of four popular backend frameworks: Spring Boot, ASP.NET Core, Express.js, and Django is examined using tools such as Apache JMeter and Docker under uniform conditions. With metrics like latency, throughput, docker build time, and deployment time the experiments revealed that ASP.NET Core exhibited the lowest latency (1ms for HTTP POST and GET), while Django achieved the shortest deployment time (0.31 seconds). Spring Boot and Express.js occupied the middle ground, balancing flexibility and performance. Besides valuable insights into the efficiency of each framework in real-world applications, this paper also includes a review of similar studies while complementing them by providing additional perspectives through concrete measurements and analyses under realistic conditions. This study contributes to a better understanding of architectural decisions and their relationship to performance while making the way for further research, such as analyzing more complex applications and energy efficiency.

In recent years, we have seen a shift in the way we search, collect and verify knowledge on the Internet. Instead of the traditional way of typing questions into a web browser and selecting the appropriate answer, users are increasingly turning to chatbots to answer their questions. The answers provided by a generative chatbot are not always adequate and therefore it is important to use those chatbots that have a predefined set of knowledge that is used to get answers. In this paper, we present the results of the application of educational chatbots in different subjects studied in different study curriculums and at different universities.

This study investigates the influence of weather conditions and traffic flow dynamics on parcel delivery times. The main goal is to identify the factors contributing to delivery delays, which will help pinpoint key aspects that can improve logistics processes and enhance delivery accuracy. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn’s post hoc analysis examined variations across data groups categorized by weather conditions (e.g., rain, snow, fog, storms) and traffic flow states (e.g., dense, congested, free-flowing, unobstructed). Additionally, a comparative approach was employed to assess the effects of different weather and traffic conditions. The results show that adverse weather conditions, such as rain and snow, combined with high traffic congestion, significantly increase delivery times compared to clear weather and normal or free-flowing traffic conditions. These findings offer valuable insights for future research and the optimization of logistics operations.

The aim of this pioneering study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes regarding prevention, diagnostic methods, treatment, and recovery aspects related to Helicobacter pylori infection within the general population of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Study was conducted using the previously designed questionnaire, adapted for the B&H population. The research enrolled 1,031 participants, of whom 58.49% answered predominantly correctly to questions regarding Helicobacter pylori infectivity. Of all participants, 36.18% underwent screening, with 65.95% testing positive, and of those, 93.90% received treatment, mainly antibiotics (92.64%). Of those treated, 74.46% were re-tested and 30.23% of them had relapsed infection. Furthermore, the study identified lower infection rate in younger participants and, contraversaly, in participants with the history of long-term (lasting for more than a year) alcohol consumption, who were also shown to report symptoms' improvement post-treatment. Overall, B&H population demonstrated good knowledge toward Helicobacter pylori infection, with higher levels of knowledge in women, highly educated, or screened for H. pylori. Notably, participants expressed strong support for national Helicobacter pylori screening and thus underscored the importance of planning it in the public health initiatives in B&H. Also, due to the high relapsed infection rate, further effort needs to be directed toward education of risk groups i.e., older age groups, and community on effective measures for Helicobacter pylori prevention and treatment.

According to estimates by the United Nations' International Organization for Migration, in 2020 the global count of international migrants reached 281 million, nearly doubling the estimate from 1990. While a significant portion of emigration can be attributed to wars and conflicts, less developed countries have witnessed a surge in outward migration over the past few decades, extending beyond forced emigration. Among these migrants there is a considerable number of young, skilled, and educated individuals, whose departure has unfortunate effects on their countries of origin, impacting economic progress and demographics. The level of country development significantly influences migration, as migrants often move from less developed to more developed countries in search of better living conditions and more opportunities.This paper aims to identify the primary determinants of global migration movement between years 1990 and 2022, with a focus on evaluating the impact of country development level disparities on these flows. According to our static and dynamic estimation results the level of development is a significant driver of emigration while higher GDP per capita is associated with lower net emigration. These results imply that policies aimed at reducing migration pressures should focus on fostering economic development and increasing GDP per capita in low-income countries.

Abstract Background Phenotypic plasticity and inflammation, 2 well-established hallmarks of cancer, play key roles in local invasion and distant metastasis by enabling the rapid adaptation of tumor cells to dynamic micro-environmental changes. Results Here, we show that in oral squamous carcinoma cell carcinoma (OSCC), the competition between the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) and SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complexes plays a pivotal role in regulating both epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and inflammation. By perturbing these complexes, we demonstrated their opposing downstream effects on the inflammatory pathways and EMP regulation. In particular, downregulation of the BRG1-specific SWI/SNF complex deregulates key inflammatory genes, such as TNF-α and IL6, in opposite ways when compared with the loss of CDK2AP1, a key member of the NuRD complex. We showed that CDK2AP1 genetic ablation triggers a pro-inflammatory secretome encompassing several chemokines and cytokines, thus promoting the recruitment of monocytes into the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, CDK2AP1 deletion stimulates their differentiation into M2-like macrophages, as validated on tumor microarrays from OSCC patient-derived tumor samples. Further analysis of the inverse correlation between CDK2AP1 expression and TME immune infiltration revealed specific downstream effects on the abundance and localization of CD68+ macrophages. Conclusions Our study sheds light on the role of chromatin remodeling complexes in OSCC locoregional invasion and highlights the potential of CDK2AP1 and other members of NuRD and SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency, severity, and risk factors associated with Hickman catheterrelated complications in pediatric patients with acute leukemia at a tertiary pediatric care center in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Patients and methods: This retrospective study was conducted with 88 pediatric patients (54 males, 34 females; mean age: 5.9±4.6 years; range, 0 to 18 years) diagnosed with acute leukemia who had Hickman catheters inserted between January 2019 and July 2024. Data on complication rates, types, and outcomes were collected. Results: A total of 91 Hickman central venous catheters were inserted in 88 children. The cohort included 60 (68%) children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 28 (32%) children with acute myeloid leukemia 14 (AML). The median follow-up was 190 days (95% confidence interval, 160-212), spanning 12,644 catheter days. Complications occurred in 24 (27.3%) patients. Twelve (13.1%) of these were mechanical, seven (7.7%) were infectious, and five (5.5%) were thrombotic; the incidence rates were 0.8, 0.48, and 0.08 per 1,000 catheter days, respectively. Notably, AML patients had a higher complication rate (1.59 per 1,000 catheter days) compared to ALL patients (1.22 per 1,000 catheter days). Conclusion: Hickman catheter-related complications in pediatric leukemia patients are relatively common, with AML patients facing a higher risk. Understanding these complications can help improve patient management and outcomes.

Sewage sludge, a biosolid product of wastewater processing, is an often-overlooked source of rich organic waste. Hydrothermal processing has shown promise in converting sewage sludge into valorized materials with potential application in biofuels, asphalt binders, and bioplastics. Here we characterize the physicochemical properties of hydrochar, the carbonaceous solid phase product of hydrothermal processing, and investigate its use as bio-based filler in additive manufacturing. We find that the presence of metallic and metalloid dopants in sewage sludge, which are not typically found in biomass wastes, yields unusual results in organic material processing such as decreased graphitic ordering after thermal activation. We further find that addition of hydrochar generally decreases mechanical performance of additive manufacturing composites, however, some properties such as toughness can be recovered with nature-inspired architecting into gyroid microstructures. These findings demonstrate that more investigation is required to optimally valorize sewage sludge and similarly disordered waste streams. Sabrina Shen, Markus Buehler, and colleagues valorize hydrothermally processed sewage sludge as fillers for 3D printing. They study physicochemical and mechanical properties, finding that hydrochar-filled composites reduce consumption for more sustainable waste management

We initiate the study of simple games from the point of view of combinatorial topology. The starting premise is that the losing coalitions of a simple game can be identified with a simplicial complex. Various topological constructions and results from the theory of simplicial complexes then carry over to the setting of simple games. Examples are cone, join, and the Alexander dual, each of which have interpretations as familiar game-theoretic objects. We also provide some new topological results about simple games, most notably in applications of homology of simplicial complexes to weighted simple games. The exposition is introductory and largely self-contained, intended to inspire further work and point to what appears to be a wealth of potentially fruitful directions of investigation bridging game theory and topology.

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Benign schwannomas are slow-growing, painless tumours originating from Schwann cells, which form the sheaths of peripheral nerves. These tumours are relatively rare, with an incidence of 1-3 cases per 100,000 individuals annually. While they are most commonly found in the head, neck, and spine, schwannomas can also occur in the extremities, particularly in the upper limbs. Tumours in the pelvis and gluteal region are less frequent but are clinically significant due to their potential to compress adjacent structures. We present a case of a 74-year-old male patient who underwent surgery for a large schwannoma in the gluteal region, extending into the pelvis at the level of the piriformis muscle and sciatic foramen. Initially misdiagnosed and treated as sciatica, this case highlights the importance of considering schwannomas in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with neurological symptoms in unusual locations. Sciatic symptoms that do not respond to conservative treatment should be further investigated, and a thorough palpation of tender and painful points should always be performed to aid in the potential diagnosis of a local soft tissue tumour.

Introduction Immunotherapy has made a significant improvement in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It has a role in boosting the immune system, so it can fight cancer cells. Sometimes, this mechanism can lead to an overstimulation or misdirection of immune response, so it can act against the body itself. One of the organs most affected by this reaction is the thyroid gland, and there is no definitive explanation of the causes of this adverse event. Material and methods In this retrospective observational study, we enrolled 103 patients with NSCLC and high PD-L1 expression (>= 50%) who were treated in our Clinic for pulmonology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, using Pembrolizumab as the first-line therapy. Results Data analysis showed that 41 (39.81%) of 103 patients in our study had an adverse event of immunotherapy, and 21 of them had autoimmune thyroiditis (20.39%). Of all the patients, 19 of them were treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) before the onset of Pembrolizumab. During treatment, eight of these patients developed thyroid dysfunction. Patients with COPD were at increased risk of developing autoimmune thyroiditis compared to non-COPD patients (OR 3.9 95% CI 1.135–13.260, p = 0.0227). Conclusion Our study showed that patients dealing with COPD have a 3.9 times greater risk of developing autoimmune thyroiditis as an adverse event during Pembrolizumab treatment compared with patients without COPD.