Resistive switching (RS) devices are emerging electronic components that could have applications in multiple types of integrated circuits, including electronic memories, true random number generators, radiofrequency switches, neuromorphic vision sensors, and artificial neural networks. The main factor hindering the massive employment of RS devices in commercial circuits is related to variability and reliability issues, which are usually evaluated through switching endurance tests. However, we note that most studies that claimed high endurances >106 cycles were based on resistance versus cycle plots that contain very few data points (in many cases even <20), and which are collected in only one device. We recommend not to use such a characterization method because it is highly inaccurate and unreliable (i.e., it cannot reliably demonstrate that the device effectively switches in every cycle and it ignores cycle-to-cycle and device-to-device variability). This has created a blurry vision of the real performance of RS devices and in many cases has exaggerated their potential. This article proposes and describes a method for the correct characterization of switching endurance in RS devices; this method aims to construct endurance plots showing one data point per cycle and resistive state and combine data from multiple devices. Adopting this recommended method should result in more reliable literature in the field of RS technologies, which should accelerate their integration in commercial products.

Response assessment in the treatment of glioblastoma (GB) based on MR-imaging is still challenging, in particular for immunotherapeutic strategies. Several assessment tools have been proposed. In this post-hoc analysis we compared response assessment criteria (MacDonald, RANO, mRANO, Vol.-mRANO, iRANO) in newly diagnosed GB patients treated with tumor lysate-charged autologous dendritic cells (Audencel) and determined the differences in prediction of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). 76 patients with newly diagnosed GB enrolled in a multicenter randomized phase II trial receiving standard of care (SOC, n= 40) or SOC + Audencel vaccine (n= 36) were included. Tumor volumes were calculated by semiautomatic segmentation. To detect differences in PFS among the assessment criteria Kruskal-Wallis-test, for correlation analysis Spearman test was used. There was a significant difference in median PFS based on the different assessments (mRANO 8.55 months [9.10-14.03], Vol.-mRANO 8.61 months [9.72-14.92] compared to MacDonald 4.04 months [5.21-8.75] and RANO 4.16 months [5.28-8.61]. For the vaccination arm only, median PFS by iRANO was 5.95 months [5.70-11.54]). There was no difference in PFS between SOC and SOC + Audencel using the different response criteria. The best correlation between PFS and OS was detected for mRANO (r= 0.65, p< 0.001) and Vol.-mRANO (r= 0.69, p< 0.001). At an 8-month landmark, the impact of progressive disease on median OS was best shown for mRANO (13.70 months [13.13-18.98], and Vol.-mRANO 12.03 months [12.51-17.94]) compared to MacDonald 17.97 months [15.45-20.92], RANO 17.97 months [15.92-20.95] and iRANO 17.34 months [14.99-22.73]. When comparing different response assessments in GB patients treated with dendritic cell-based immunotherapy the best correlation between PFS and OS was observed for mRANO and Vol.-mRANO. Overall, no difference in PFS and OS was seen between the two treatment arms. iRANO was not superior for predicting OS in patients treated with Audencel.

Introduction Although extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is minimally invasive and highly efficient for the management of kidney stones, adverse effects have been described. Available indicators of renal function exhibit insufficient sensitivity in acute renal injury (AKI). We aimed to evaluate the severity of the kidney tissue response to ESWL injury by measuring the urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL), which can indicate AKI in its early phase. Material and methods The prospective, controlled study included 62 patients with nephrolithiasis undergoing single ESWL treatment. uNGAL level was measured before the procedure, and 6 h and 12 h after. Results The median uNGAL level increased by 126.0%, 6 h after ESWL (p <0.001). The growth rate continued and 12 h after was higher by 583.7%, compared to the pre-treatment level (p <0.001). The median value of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) dropped by 15.3% 12 h after the treatment (p <0.001). It increased by 5.0% in the period 7 days to 3 months after (p <0.001) and after 3 months it was lower by 10.1% compared to pre-ESWL values (p <0.001). uNGAL level after 12 h was significantly negatively associated with eGFR, 12 h, 7 days and 3 months after the ESWL. The sensitivity of uNGAL 12 h after ESWL was 60.6%; its specificity was 75.0%, with a positive predictive value of 74.0% and negative predictive value of 61.7%. Conclusions uNGAL appears to be a useful biomarker for the assessment and prediction of AKI. It was noticed that uNGAL had the highest predictive value 12 h after the ESWL treatment.

UDK: 630*232:582.475(497.6) It is well known that mechanical damage to trees, caused by felling and removal of timber from the forest, has multiple negative effects on the quality of the stock and the health of the forests as well as the volume increment. In Bosnia and Herzegovina there were no significant analises of volume increment loss due to bark damage of the trees. In this paper, a direct relationship between the significant damage to the bark of the stem and the size of the volume increment of individual trees was determined. Original data recorded during the Second National Forest Inventory in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2006-2009), within the accesible high economical forests was used. These forests cover a total area of 1.329.500 ha. Data on measured trees was taken from every fourth sample plot (one from cluster). 18.546 trees were selected, on which the 10-year increment of brest diameter (DBH) was measured and significant mechanical damage was recorded (LOJO et al., 2008). Of the total number of selected trees, 2.635 or 14.21% were mechanically damaged. The results of the study showed that the volume increment of trees, with significant bark damage of all tree species and thickness, was lower from 4,9% to 19,4% in average, compared to undamaged trees. Based on registered damage the bark of the stem, during second NFI BiH and determined the average losses increment on individual trees, it was estimated how much these losses are on an annual basis in, productive high forests in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The volume increment of mechanically damaged trees is statistically significantly lower compare to the increment of undamaged trees, resulting in a total loss of about 200.000 m3 / year / 1.329.500 ha.

UDK: 630*232:582.475(497.6) Provenance experiments with forest trees provide valuable information about the growth and adaptability of population, often transferred from remote geographical regions and various climate conditions. This study researches the growth of nine provenances of silver fir from the area of its natural distribution in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The experiment was established in the year 1991 in the form of a random block system with 5 repetitions. For planting, we used five-year-old seedlings (2/3), and planting spacing was 2x2 m. Each Silver fir provenance was included with 320 plants. Measurement results in the 28th year of age show the existence of variations between silver fir provenances in characteristics; mean height, mean diameter and average tree volume. Silver fir provenance from Bosanski Petrovac showed the best results. The mean height of this Silver fir provenance at the age of 28 was 9.1 m, while the mean diameter was 11.9 cm. Provenances that show the lowest growth (8.1 m) were from Pale, Olovo-Klis and Konjic. Silver fir provenance from Konjic has the lowest mean diameter (10.7 cm). In all provenances, we have had a culmination of height increment in age between 20 and 25 years. Variation between tested silver fir provenances for examined characteristic “mean height” was larger (four groups of population) compared to examined characteristic “mean diameter” (two groups of population). Volume of mean tree (0.062m3) and assortment (111.33 m3/ha) in Bosanski Petrovac provenance was larger than spreadsheet values for the first yield class for Central Europe conditions. The trial shows that silver fir in Bosnia and Herzegovina is variable on the local level due to specific micro-habitual conditions in which it grows.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Tibúrcio-Machado CS, Michelon C, Zanatta FB, Gomes MS, Marin JA, Bier CA. The global prevalence of apical periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Endod J. 2021;54(5):712-735. SOURCE OF FUNDING Information not available. TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Introduction: Having in mind the importance of providing continuous pediatric dental services during the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that children have similar viral loads to adults, the potential to spread the virus to others, and with variable clinical presentation of COVID-19 infection, this study aimed to analyze the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on pediatric dentistry service provision, risks, and preventive measures before and during dental treatment. Method: Structured and closed epidemiological cross-sectional survey involved seven Southeastern European countries. The questionnaire was developed using the modified Delphi method, pretested, and tested in North Italy during April 2020. The sample consisted of licensed dental professionals reached via national dental chambers and social media using the best strategies according to the national setting. Results: A total of 3227 dentists participated in the survey, and we included 643 specialists in this study—among them, 164 were pediatric dentists. Most pediatric dentists worked in the public sector (61.0%) and provided emergency (64.6%) and routine dental treatment (18.3%) during the outbreak. One-third of pediatric dentists were COVID-19 tested, statistically significantly more than other specialties, and 3.0% tested COVID-19 positive. In addition, significantly more pediatric dentists (13.4%) reported the presence of at least one symptom related to COVID-19 compared to other specialists (6.1%). None of the pediatric dentists reported PPE shortage. However, 26.2% of all specialists stated that they lacked clear step by step professional guidance in a national language. Similarly, in both groups, around 10% of specialists attended education on coronavirus. Conclusions: Considering that most pediatric dentists provided dental treatment during lockdown in their countries in public health centers and that they will continue to work during pandemic, our results suggest that pediatric dentists might be at higher risk of COVID-19 infection. Further research should focus on finding better ways to promote and adapt preventive, protective measures and PPE in the pediatric dental setting to be behaviorally acceptable. Moreover, additional efforts should be invested in dental education regarding COVID-19 in the mother tongue.

Highlights • From 42 sampling areas (municipalities) distributed throughout the country 6 193 tick samples were collected from the ixoidae family.• I.ricinus was the most common tick species found, however with decreasing contribution to overall tick population compared to earlier studies.• Dermacentor marginatus as second most common species found had doubled its presence compared to earlier studies.• Changes is tick species distribution were discussed in light of increase of average annual temperature and rainfall, changes of land management and land use.

In the present work, the influence of solution viscosity on growth kinetics and purification efficiency in layer melt crystallization was investigated. Melt crystallization experiments were conducted for three different types of aqueous sucrose solution as they are ideal solutions and a relatively wide viscosity range can be investigated with a moderate change of freezing points. The aqueous 10 wt%, 23 wt%, and 30 wt% sucrose solutions have a dynamic viscosity value of 2.01 mPas, 4.74 mPas, and 7.21 mPas at their respective freezing points of − 0.63 ◦ C, − 1.78 ◦ C, and − 2.64 ◦ C. The solution temperature distribution was predicted by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations run in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.6 software. Experimental results showed that a higher solution viscosity caused a higher crystal layer impurity and lower crystal yields in static layer melt crystallization. The cooling process of different solutions predicted by a CFD heat transfer study showed that the supersaturation region is wider for less concentrated solutions as cooling proceeds more rapidly. Hence, the temperature gra-dients obtained follow the boundary layer theory, i.e., the thinner the boundary layer, the faster the heat transfer.

The limited sensitivity of existing analysis techniques at the nanometer scale makes it challenging to systematically examine the complex interactions in redox-based resistive random access memory (ReRAM) devices. To test models of oxygen movement in ReRAM devices beyond what has previously been possible, we present a new nanoscale analysis method. Harnessing the power of secondary ion mass spectrometry, the most sensitive surface analysis technique, for the first time, we observe the movement of 16 O across electrically biased SiO x ReRAM stacks. We can therefore measure bulk concentration changes in a continuous profile with unprecedented sensitivity. This reveals the nanoscale details of the reversible field-driven exchange of oxygen across the ReRAM stack. Both the reservoir-like behavior of a Mo electrode and the injection of oxygen into the surface of SiO x from the ambient are observed within one profile. The injection of oxygen is controllable through changing the porosity of the SiO x layer. Modeling of the electric fields in the ReRAM stacks is carried out which, for the first time, uses real measurements of both the interface roughness and electrode porosity. This supports our findings helping to explain how and where oxygen from ambient moisture enters devices during operation.

Pomological characteristics and consumer acceptability of four scab-resistant apple cultivars (‘Topaz’, ‘Florina’, ‘Goldstar’ and ‘Golden Orange’) and standard commercial cultivar ‘Golden Delicious’ were investigated. Consumer acceptability consisted of rating fruit samples on Likert scales measuring appearance, flavour, size, sweetness, acidity, crispiness, juiciness, skin texture and general impression. Consumers better evaluated the cultivar ‘Topaz’ sensory characteristics of flavour, juiciness, taste and general impression than other evaluated scab-resistant apple cultivars and the cultivar ‘Golden Delicious’. ‘Golden Delicious’ got good grades for appearance, size and sweetness. ‘Topaz’ also had the best pomological characteristic related to measured fruit firmness, contents of soluble solids and organic acids. It can be concluded that only the cultivar ‘Topaz’ among the scab-resistant apple cultivars achieved a good consumer assessment.

Background DIALOG+ is a patient-centred, solution-focused intervention, which aims to make routine patient-clinician meetings therapeutically effective. Existing evidence suggests that it is effective for patients with psychotic disorders in high-income countries. We tested the effectiveness of DIALOG + for patients with depressive and anxiety disorders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a middle-income country. Methods We conducted a parallel-group, cluster randomised controlled trial of DIALOG+ in an outpatient clinic in Sarajevo. Patients inclusion criteria were: 18 years and older, a diagnosis of depressive or anxiety disorders, and low quality of life. Clinicians and their patients were randomly allocated to either the DIALOG + intervention or routine care in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome, quality of life, and secondary outcomes, psychiatric symptoms and objective social outcomes, were measured at 6- and 12-months by blinded assessors. Results Fifteen clinicians and 72 patients were randomised. Loss to follow-up was 12% at 6-months and 19% at 12-months. Quality of life did not significantly differ between intervention and control group after six months, but patients receiving DIALOG + had significantly better quality of life after 12 months, with a medium effect size (Cohen's d = 0.632, p = 0.007). General symptoms as well as specifically anxiety and depression symptoms were significantly lower after six and 12 months, and the objective social situation showed a statistical trend after 12 months, all in favour of the intervention group. No adverse events were reported. Limitations Delivery of the intervention was variable and COVID-19 affected 12-month follow-up assessments in both groups. Conclusion The findings suggest DIALOG + could be an effective treatment option for improving quality of life and reducing psychiatric symptoms in patients with depressive and anxiety disorders in a low-resource setting.

Comprehension of speech in noise is a challenge for hearing-impaired (HI) individuals. Electroencephalography (EEG) provides a tool to investigate the effect of different levels of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the speech. Most studies with EEG have focused on spectral power in well-defined frequency bands such as alpha band. In this study, we investigate how local functional connectivity, i.e. functional connectivity within a localized region of the brain, is affected by two levels of SNR. Twenty-two HI participants performed a continuous speech in noise task at two different SNRs (+3 dB and +8 dB). The local connectivity within eight regions of interest was computed by using a multivariate phase synchrony measure on EEG data. The results showed that phase synchrony increased in the parietal and frontal area as a response to increasing SNR. We contend that local connectivity measures can be used to discriminate between speech-evoked EEG responses at different SNRs.

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most commonly performed electrophysiology procedures. Despite significant advances in our understanding of AF mechanisms in the last years, ablation outcomes remain suboptimal for many patients, particularly those with persistent or long-standing AF. A possible reason is that ablation techniques mainly focus on anatomic, rather than patient-specific functional targets for ablation. The identification of such ablation targets remains challenging. The purpose of this study is to investigate a novel approach based on directed networks, which allow the automatic detection of important arrhythmia mechanisms, that can be convenient for guiding the ablation strategy. The networks are generated by processing unipolar electrograms (EGMs) collected by the catheters positioned at the different regions of the atria. Network vertices represent the locations of the recordings and edges are determined using cross-covariance time-delay estimation method. The algorithm identifies rotational activity, spreading from vertex to vertex creating a cycle. This work is a simulation study and it uses a highly detailed computational 3D model of human atria in which sustained rotor activation of the atria was achieved. Virtual electrodes were placed on the endocardial surface, and EGMs were calculated at each of these electrodes. The propagation of the electric wave fronts in the atrial myocardium during AF is very complex, so in order to properly capture wave propagation patterns, we split EGMs into multiple short time frames. Then, a specific network for each of these time frames was generated, and the cycles repeating in consecutive networks point us to the stable rotor's location. The respective atrial voltage map served as reference. By detecting a cycle between the same 3 nodes in 19 out of 58 networks, where 10 of these networks were in consecutive time frames, a stable rotor was successfully located.