In this video, we highlight the anatomy involved with microsurgical resection of a giant T11/T12 conus cauda equina schwannoma. Spinal schwannoma remains the third most common intradural spinal tumor. Tumors undergoing gross total resection usually do not recur. To our knowledge, this is the first video case report of giant cauda equina schwannoma resection. A 55-year-old female presented with paraparesis and urinary retention. Lumbar spine MRI revealed a contrast-enhancing intradural extramedullary tumor at the T11/T12 level. Surgery was performed in the prone position with intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring (somatosensory and motor evoked potentials—SSEPs and MEPs). T11/T12 laminectomies were performed. After opening the dura and arachnoid, the tumor was found covered with cauda equina nerve roots. We delineated the inferior pole of the tumor, followed by opening of the capsule and debulking the tumor. Subsequently, the cranial pole was dissected from the corresponding cauda equina nerve roots. Finally, the tumor nerve origin was identified and divided after nerve stimulation confirmed the tumor arose from a sensory nerve root. The tumor was removed; histological analysis revealed a schwannoma (WHO Grade I). Postoperative MRI revealed complete resection. The patient fully recovered her neurological function. This case highlights the importance of careful microsurgical technique and gross total resection of the tumor in the view of favorable postoperative neurological recovery of the patient. Intraoperative use of ultrasound is helpful to delineate preoperatively tumor extension and confirm postoperative tumor resection.

The increasing integration of renewable energy resources into distribution systems promotes microgrids as important and emerging network concept. The coordination control between the photovoltaic (PV) generator and the battery energy storage system (BESS) is required to provide a necessary amount of active power in the system. Method for voltage regulation for a microgrid which consists of a PV generator with the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control and BESS in the stand-alone mode of operation is presented in the paper. MATLAB/Simulink is used to perform all simulation studies. The validity of the proposed methods is clearly verified on the model of a real distribution network, which might be operated as a microgrid. Obtained results demonstrate that the suggested method can be used for effective voltage regulation in microgrid applications, which remains a vibrant field of research.

The input and output variables in fuzzy systems are linguistic variables. The base of the fuzzy rule represents the central part of a fuzzy controller, and the fuzzy rule represents its basic part, and it has the following form: "if R then P", where R and P represent the fuzzy relation, i.e. the proposition. Complex systems described by fuzzy relations generate a large number of inference rules. Grouping the states into clusters on the basis of which we make conclusions about the value of the output variable is performed by an expert based on his or her experience and knowledge. Ideally, the number of clusters should correspond to the number of attributes by which the value of the output variable is classified, which, in reality is not the case. In the absence of experts, we perform grouping on the basis of some of the criteria. One way of grouping descriptive states into clusters is presented in this paper. It presents a construction of the method of grouping descriptive states of fuzzy models, with the aim of drawing conclusions about the value of the output variable described by a given state. The presented method of grouping descriptive states is based on defined characteristic values associated with fuzzy numbers by which the input variables of the model are evaluated. They represent the basis for defining the characteristic value of the descriptive state of the output variable of a fuzzy model. For the presented method, a mathematical logical argumentation of the application is given, as an algorithm for the application of the constructed method. The application of the algorithm is demonstrated in measuring the economic dimension of the sustainability of tourism development, measured by comparative evaluation indicators.

: A large body of literature has shown that internationally-assisted transitions to democracy tend to be more successful. Yet despite the great international attention and resources dedicated to the Western Balkans, international efforts have not been particularly successful. Democratization is at a standstill or regressing, ethnic reconciliation has either failed or has not reached up to expected levels, and the stalled process of European enlargement has all but diminished any chance of substantial change. Despite high levels of public support for European integration, and the alignment of party programs with the accession criteria, the region’s progress is below expectations. This chapter, therefore, takes stock of the European integration literature with a reference to the Western Balkans in order to show how the European Union is involved in the democratization and reconciliation processes of the region.

Congestion control algorithms are usually developed in isolation without thoroughly investigating their co-existence and interactions with other protocols and/or congestion control algorithms. As a result, flows using different algorithms and/or having different Round-Trip Times may overpower each other, resulting in unfair resource distribution, with a subset of the flows usually claiming most of the capacity.To solve the aforementioned problem, we make use of programmable switches and the network programming language P4 to enforce fairness from within the network itself, instead of from the congestion control algorithms ran at the end-points. Our solution P4air continuously monitors the properties of all flows that pass through a switch and groups them based on the behavior of the congestion control algorithms used. Furthermore, for each group, it applies appropriate measures to suppress the aggressive flows and boost smaller flows. Our experiments, using modern programmable hardware (Barefoot Tofino switch), demonstrate significant performance gains for P4air in terms of fairness compared to state-of-the-art solutions.

As fish has been known for its high protein content and other health benefits, aquaculture production has started to flourish in Serbia. Common carp is the predominant species being farmed, compris...

Background Metanephric adenoma (MA) is a rare benign renal neoplasm. On occasion, MA can be difficult to differentiate from renal malignancies such as papillary renal cell carcinoma in adults and Wilms̕ tumor in children. Despite recent advancements in tumor genomics, there is limited data available regarding the genetic alterations characteristic of MA. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of metanephric adenoma cases exhibiting cytogenetic aberration t (9;15)(p24;q24), and to investigate the association between t (9,15) and BRAF mutation in metanephric adenoma. Methods This study was conducted on 28 archival formalin fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens from patients with pathologically confirmed MA. Tissue blocks were selected for BRAF sequencing and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis for chromosomal rearrangement between KANK1 on chromosome 9 (9p24.3) and NTRK3 on chromosome 15 (15q25.3), which was previously characterized and described in two MA cases. Results BRAF V600E mutation was identified in 62% of our cases, 9 (38%) cases were BRAF WT , and 4 cases were uninformative. Of the 20 tumors with FISH results, two (10%) were positive for KANK1-NTRK3 fusion. Both cases were BRAF WT suggesting mutual exclusivity of BRAF V600E and KANK1-NTRK3 fusion, the first such observation in the literature. Conclusions Our data shows that BRAF mutation in MA may not be as frequent as suggested in the literature and KANK-NTRK3 fusions may account for a subset of BRAF WT cases in younger patients. FISH analysis for KANK1-NTRK3 fusion or conventional cytogenetic analysis may be warranted to establish the diagnosis of MA in morphologically and immunohistochemically ambiguous MA cases lacking BRAF mutations.

Introduction: The primary source of strength and support is the child’s family. A special role in caring for a child with developmental disabilities is played by his mother. The objective of this research is to find out the assessment of the quality of life (QOL) of disabled children mothers as well as to research the relation of sociodemographic variables of the respondents, as specified in this study and estimate the quality of their life and health.Methods: The cross-sectional study was performed by the use of the descriptive-analytical method. In a targeted association of families which have children and persons with difficulties was conducted this research on a sample of 100 registered mothers. The research instrument was the standardized questionnaire for QOL, the World Health Organization QOL-BREF and the users’ records of the mothers in the association.Results: The average age of the respondents was M = 48. 01 ± 11. 68. About 62% of the respondents are married, 54% have a high school diploma, 67% are not employed, 68% of the respondents did not declare to have health problems, and among those who declared to have health problems, the most common disease was diabetes mellitus. The average number of household members was M = 3. 44 members. The number of the household members was significantly and positively related to the domain of social interaction (rs = 0. 219; p < 0. 05), the domain of the environment (rs = 0. 220; p < 0. 05) and to the general QOL (rs = 0. 227; p < 0. 05). The age of the respondents was significantly and positivelyrelated only to the environmental domain (rs = 0. 205; p < 0. 05). The respondents who drive a car showed a significantly higher level of QOL in the field of mental health (p = 0. 042) and the environment (p = 0. 005). Concerning mothers with higher incomes rate, their QOL was better in the following domains: Physical health (p = 0. 030), mental health (p = 0. 002), environment (p = 0. 000001), and general QOL (p = 0. 0002).Conclusion: The respondents with a larger number of household members, those who have the support of family members, who were without health problems, and who independently use own car for transportation, consider their QOL as being better. Therefore, a promotional – preventive program for improving the life quality of mothers of children and persons with disabilities should include accessible life in the community and the ability to recognize the unique needs of the entire family of children and persons with disabilities.

Introduction Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) is a biochemical marker significant for early prediction of acute kidney injury in adults. However, it has not been examined sufficiently among the infant population, particularly newborns in terms of reference values. The aim of our study was to determine the concentration of uNGAL in healthy term newborns and to determine if there was a difference in uNGAL concentration according to gender, postnatal age and birth weight. Materials and methods Our study involved 81 healthy term newborns birth (≥ 37 weeks, Apgar score ≥ 8 in the first minute after birth, CRP < 5 mg/L). Urine NGAL was measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) within 72 hours after birth, on Architect plus ci8200 analyser (Abbott, Chicago, USA). Data were analysed using Statistica software. Results The median concentration of uNGAL in the whole study group of healthy term newborns was 27.1 ng/mL (16.5-56.0 ng/mL) (newborn girls, 27.1 ng/mL (15.8-47.9 ng/mL); newborn boys, 27.9 ng/mL (16.5-61.0 ng/mL), P = 0.941). Median uNGAL concentration according to postnatal age expressed in days was 28.2 ng/mL (11.7-57.2 ng/mL) 1st day, 28.9 ng/mL (16.5-64.2 ng/mL) 2nd day and 23.9 ng/mL (20.2-46.6) 3rd day, P = 0.863. Regarding birth weight for newborns < 3500 g, median concentration was 25.0 ng/mL (16.5-45.4 ng/mL) and for weight ≥ 3500 g 30.6 ng/mL (16.5-64.2 ng/mL), P = 0.455. Conclusions There were no significant difference in uNGAL concentration in relation to gender, postnatal age and birth weight.

On the question: how to react in a particular situation, the management of the company must have a quick answer. In the time of fast and huge changes in production, the management must know what resources are available in the company and what kind of environment it faces. To respond promptly to the requirements of the environment, the company must define a clear strategy for its business. To define a strategy, management must know the state of the company. From these reasons, in this research it was conducted SWOT analysis of specific company, and after that the elements of the SWOT matrix were ranked using fuzzy PIPRECIA method. This ranking shows on which element company should pay the most attention.

Closed-loop validation of autonomous vehicles is an open problem, significantly influencing development and adoption of this technology. The main contribution of this paper is a novel approach to reproducible, scenario-based validation that decouples the problem into several sub-problems, while avoiding to brake the crucial couplings. First, a realistic scenario is generated from the real urban traffic. Second, human participants, drive in a virtual scenario (in a driving simulator), based on the real traffic. Third, human and automated driving trajectories are reproduced and compared in the real vehicle on an empty track without traffic. Thus, benefits of automation with respect to safety, efficiency and comfort can be clearly benchmarked in a reproducible manner. Presented approach is used to benchmark performance of SBOMP planner in one scenario and validate SuperHuman driving performance.

The study aim was to determine the effectiveness of vibration training on changes in strength in individuals of both sexes. Vibration training is a modern form of training that is becoming more and more widespread and frequent, and involves the application of vibrational stimulations of a certain form to cause functional and structural changes. It is used during strength training, where it can act in isolation on individual muscle regions or as whole body vibrational training. These observations provide an opportunity to apply a new method in training to improve the training itself and thus the performance of the athletes. The impact of this training on motor skills, and even strength, as one of the most studied areas, has not been extensively researched. This paper analyzes 14 studies on the effects of vibrational training on the change in power, and the papers are systematically analyzed. A review of research conducted in the field of this training shows that the effects of such training methods show in both professional and recreational athletes. In most of the studies analyzed, training has shown significant changes in power as well as in other motor skills.