Performance of neural networks greatly depends on quality, size and balance of training dataset. In a real environment datasets are rarely balanced and training deep models over such data is one of the main challenges of deep learning. In order to reduce this problem, methods and techniques are borrowed from the traditional machine learning. Conversely, generative adversarial networks (GAN) were created and developed, a relatively new type of generative models that are based on game theory and consist of two neural networks, a generator and a discriminator. The generator’s task is to create a sample from the input noise that is based on training data distribution and the discriminator should detect those samples as fake. This process goes through a finite number of iterations until the generator successfully fools the discriminator. When this occurs, sample becomes a part of new (augmented) dataset. Even though the original GAN creates unlabeled samples, variants that soon appeared removed that limitation. Generating artificial data through these networks appears to be a meaningful solution to the imbalance problem since it turned out that artificial samples created by GAN are difficult to differentiate from the real ones. In this manner, new samples of minority class could be created and dataset imbalance ratio lowered.

Recently, much attention has been paid to the reuse of bauxite residues from alumina production, also known as red mud, in the cement industry. Red mud bears the potential to improve concrete properties due to its favourable chemical composition and particle size. In this work, the synergy between locally available red mud and common supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash, slag, calcined clay and limestone in cement mixes is investigated. All materials used were sourced from the immediate vicinity of the cement plant. The study of synergy involved the evaluation of the individual chemical reactivity of each material using the R3 test by isothermal calorimetry as well as their joint contribution to the heat of hydration and the composition of the reaction products of the paste and the compressive strength of the mortar. The results show how, by understanding the synergy between the materials, a higher level of cement substitutions can be achieved without compromising the mechanical properties of the mortar.

Architectural patterns are solutions to common problems in software design. These usually tackle one or more customer requirements (business, functional, or quality requirements). As continuous deployment becomes more important for satisfying customer’s experience in software projects, there is a greater need in supporting continuous integration as its prerequisite. The nature of architectural design patterns is that some are more suitable for continuous integration then others. However, the existing approaches do not prescribe how to tailor architectural design considering integration challenges.To identify patterns suitable for continuous integration, we present a methodology for identification of architectural design patterns that support continuous integration based on continuous assessment. Our methodology, based on Aglie, enables DevOps engineers to assess their integration experience considering design changes, implementation changes, and creation of new version deliverables. The methodology complements common DevOps activities and introduces templates for communicating feedback from DevOps engineers to architects. Architects handle the communicated feedback as requirements and optimise their design accordingly. In this way, the design decisions take shape of solution patterns that, besides other existing requirements, satisfy requirements necessary to facilitate continuous integration.

Background Most trials comparing endovascular treatment (EVT) alone versus intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase (IVT) + EVT in directly admitted patients with a stroke are non-inferiority trials. However, the margin based on the level of uncertainty regarding non-inferiority of the experimental treatment that clinicians are willing to accept to incorporate EVT alone into clinical practice remains unknown. Objective To characterize what experienced stroke clinicians would consider an acceptable level of uncertainty for hypothetical decisions on whether to administer IVT or not before EVT in patients admitted directly to EVT-capable centers. Methods A web-based, structured survey was distributed to a cross-section of 600 academic neurologists/neurointerventionalists. For this purpose, a response framework for a hypothetical trial comparing IVT+EVT (standard of care) with EVT alone (experimental arm) was designed. In this trial, a similar proportion of patients in each arm achieved functional independence at 90 days. Invited physicians were asked at what level of certainty they would feel comfortable skipping IVT in clinical practice, considering these hypothetical trial results. Results There were 180 respondents (response rate: 30%) and 165 with complete answers. The median chosen acceptable uncertainty suggesting reasonable comparability between both treatments was an absolute difference in the rate of day 90 functional independence of 3% (mode 5%, IQR 1–5%), with higher chosen margins observed in interventionalists (aOR 2.20, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.67). Conclusion Physicians would generally feel comfortable skipping IVT before EVT at different certainty thresholds. Most physicians would treat with EVT alone if randomized trial data suggested that the number of patients achieving functional independence at 90 days was similar between the two groups, and one could be sufficiently sure that no more than 3 out of 100 patients would not achieve functional independence at 90 days due to skipping IVT.

Background: The negative symptoms of schizophrenia are less known aspects of the illness although they often mark its course and outcome. Negative symptoms refer to loss of function, and they are associated with poor outcomes. It is considered that they are more prominent with the longer duration of illness. Objective: To determine the negative symptoms in the patients with schizophrenia with regard to the duration of illness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 60 consecutive outpatients with schizophrenia. Two groups were formed regarding the duration of illness (⩽2 years, and >3 years). The negative symptoms were established with the Brief Negative Symptom Assessment – BNSA. Results: Average score of negative symptoms in the group with the shorter duration of illness was 8.37±2.94, and in the group with longer duration was 10.73±2.86. Independent Samples Test was significant p=0.003, t-2.367, and therefore the difference between scores on BNSA within groups was significant. Moderate size effect was found (p = 0.69). Conclusion: Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are more prominent with the longer duration of illness.

Highlights • Gap of public on-the-ground cancer data was addressed through questionnaires to professionals in the SEE region.• There is a lack of diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy modalities in the SEE region in comparison to Western Europe.• The Mortality to incidence ratio correlates inversely with the economic development and the availability of radiotherapy equipment.• The cancer incidence in SEE countries was correlate directly with the life expectancy and the availability of diagnostic equipment.• The need for reliable national and regional cancer registries in SEE countries for data collection and analysis has been emphasized.

We investigated DAB1-protein deficiency in the inner-ear development of yotari in comparison to humans and wild-type (wt) mice by immunofluorescence for the expression of connexins (Cxs) and the pannexin Panx1. The spatial and temporal dynamics of Cx26, Cx32, Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, Cx45, and Panx1 were determined in the sixth and eighth weeks of human development and at the corresponding mouse embryonic E13.5 and E15.5, in order to examine gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and hemichannel formation. The quantification of the area percentage covered by positive signal was performed for the epithelium and mesenchyme of the cochlear and semicircular ducts and is expressed as the mean ± SD. The data were analysed by one-way ANOVA. Almost all of the examined Cxs were significantly decreased in the cochlear and semicircular ducts of yotari compared to wt and humans, except for Cx32, which was significantly higher in yotari. Cx40 dominated in human inner-ear development, while yotari and wt had decreased expression. The Panx1 expression in yotari was significantly lower than that in the wt and human inner ear, except at E13.5 in the mesenchyme of the wt and epithelium and mesenchyme of humans. Our results emphasize the relevance of GJIC during the development of vestibular and cochlear functions, where they can serve as potential therapeutic targets in inner-ear impairments.

This study aimed to analyze treatment guidelines of 12 SEE countries to identify non-pharmacological interventions recommended for schizophrenia, explore the evidence base supporting recommendations, and assess the implementation of recommended interventions. Desk and content analysis were employed to analyze the guidelines. Experts were surveyed across the 12 countries to assess availability of non-pharmacological treatments in leading mental health institutions, staff training, and inclusion in the official service price list. Most SEE countries have published treatment guidelines for schizophrenia focused on pharmacotherapy. Nine countries—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—included non-pharmacological interventions. The remaining three countries—Kosovo (UN Resolution), Romania, and Slovenia—have not published such treatment guidelines, however they are on offer in leading institutions. The median number of recommended interventions was seven (range 5–11). Family therapy and psychoeducation were recommended in most treatment guidelines. The majority of recommended interventions have a negative or mixed randomized controlled trial evidence base. A small proportion of leading mental health institutions includes these interventions in their official service price list. The interventions recommended in the treatment guidelines seem to be rarely implemented within mental health services in the SEE countries.