By analyzing angular and energy distributions of the photoelectrons emitted in strong-laser-field-induced ionization of molecules, one can obtain information about the molecular structure and the ground-state symmetry. High-energy part of the photoelectron spectra in the above-threshold ionization (ATI) is characterized by a plateau region in which the ionization probability is practically energy independent. The photoelectron yield drops off exponentially for electron energies higher than some critical energy, i.e. the mentioned plateau is followed by an abrupt cutoff. We investigate the influence of the molecular ground state symmetry on this plateau region and show that, analyzing the corresponding high-order ATI spectra, one can obtain information about the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) of the considered molecules. We present results for different homonuclear diatomic molecules: N2, O2, Ar2 and C2 having, respectively, the σ g , π g , σ u and π u symmetries of the HOMO. Particular attention is devoted to the C2 molecule since high-order ATI spectra for this molecule have not been analyzed yet. We consider ATI by a linearly polarized laser field for which the mentioned plateau can be well-developed, depending on the orientation of the molecular axis with respect to the laser-field polarization axis. The HOMO-symmetry-dependent (dis)appearance of the plateau is particularly pronounced for the parallel and perpendicular orientations. Our findings are valid for a wide range of the laser-field intensities and wavelengths, which is important for realization of the suggested experiments. Using the improved molecular strong-field approximation, the theory which is particularly suitable for the analysis of high-energy ATI spectra, for the case of the C2 molecule and different molecular and laser parameters, we investigate various features of the plateau, such as its length and the interference minima and their positions.

This study interprets results of multiparametric measurements obtained on a pipeline experiencing dynamic stray currents caused by DC train traction. Measurements included three 24 h recordings of pipe-to-soil and rail-to-soil potentials, pipe-to-rail voltages and drainage currents in cases without mitigation measures, with polarized drainage and with forced drainage. Time domain analysis included construction of frequency diagrams and linear correlation between pipe-to-soil potentials and pipe-to-rail voltages. Wavelet space analysis pinpoints time intervals with harmful stray current periods within them and resolves between the dominant potential shifts due to the nearby passing trains and distant trains in the transport network.

Emergency department (ED) nurses need to identify patients with potential acute coronary syndrome (ACS) rapidly because treatment delay could impact patient outcomes. Aims of this secondary analysis were to identify key patient factors that could be available at initial ED nurse triage that predict ACS. Consecutive patients with chest pain who called 9-1-1, received a 12-lead electrocardiogram in the prehospital setting, and were transported via emergency medical service were included in the study. A total of 750 patients were recruited. The sample had an average age of 59 years old, was 57% male, and 40% Black. One hundred and fifteen patients were diagnosed with ACS. Older age, non-Caucasian race, and faster respiratory rate were independent predictors of ACS. There was an interaction between heart rate by Type II diabetes receiving insulin in the context of ACS. Type II diabetics requiring insulin for better glycemic control manifested a faster heart rate. By identifying patient factors at ED nurse triage that could be predictive of ACS, accuracy rates of triage may improve, thus impacting patient outcomes.

ABSTRACT In order to determine the degree of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollution, a biomonitoring study was conducted using honey as a bioindicator. Bees are good bioindicators of environmental pollution, either via the presence of toxic molecules in their bodies or via the presence of residues in their products. In this study we investigated 10 honey samples collected from polluted and unpolluted areas in Herzegovina region for their contamination with 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Extraction was done in ultrasonic bath and was followed by chromatographic analysis by HPLC with UV/Vis detector. Results showed no presence of PAHs in six honey samples, while in four of them we detected low PAH concentrations with maximum values never higher than 7 µgkg−1 of fresh weight for the honey. Benzo⦋a⦌pyrene, which is the most potentially carcinogenic PAH, was detected in one sample. Indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene was found in all samples where PAHs were detected in the range < LOD to 2.56 µgkg−1 FW. Concentrations of all PAHs detected in investigated honey samples were low and safe to consume. The results of this study show that honey can be used as a bioindicator to assess environmental pollution.

During the last few years, we have witnessed more frequent floods affecting the northeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the valley of the Spreca River. Flooded soil has undergone various changes, in terms of numerous deficiencies and heavy metal contamination, where such soil represents a great danger both for people and animals. Therefore, in this paper the physicochemical analysis of soil and degree of pollution is determined. The aim of soil sampling and analysis is to determine its status after water withdrawal, in terms of nutrient supply, and to determine possible chemical pollution. Based on the results obtained, agricultural producers will receive recommendations regarding restoration of production on these areas, the choice of cultivated culture, corrective measures or remediation of these areas. As part of the analysis, hygroscopic moisture, acid-base soil status, oxidoreduction potential, organic matter content, carbonate content and heavy metals content were determined. Based on the performed analyzes, the soil was shown to be of neutral character (determined in 1M KCl), and weakly alkaline (determined in distilled H2O) with predominantly reducing condition prevailing in the soil. The conducted analyzes have shown that the soil is very poor in humus, and that the heavy metals content is within the limit values determined by the Rulebook on Determination of Allowed Quantities of Harmful and Dangerous Substances in Soil and Method of Testing there of (“Official Gazette of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, number 52/09). Therefore, from the aspect of the pollution degree, the soil from this plot belongs to the first class when it comes to iron, manganese, cadmium and lead, to the second class when it comes to zinc, and the third class when it comes to copper.

Although results of animal research show that interactions between stress and sex hormones are implicated in the development of affective disorders in women, translation of these findings to patients has been scarce. As a basic step toward advancing this field of research, we analyzed findings of studies which reported circulating cortisol levels in healthy women in the follicular vs. luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. We deemed this analysis critical not only to advance our understanding of basic physiology, but also as an important contrast to the findings of future studies evaluating stress and sex hormones in women with affective disorders. We hypothesized that cortisol levels would be lower in the follicular phase based on the proposition that changes in levels of potent GABAergic neurosteroids, including allopregnanolone, during the menstrual cycle dynamically change in the opposite direction relative to cortisol levels. Implementing strict inclusion criteria, we compiled results of high-quality studies involving 778 study participants to derive a standardized mean difference between circulating cortisol levels in the follicular vs. luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. In line with our hypothesis, our meta-analysis found that women in the follicular phase had higher cortisol levels than women in the luteal phase, with an overall Hedges' g of 0.13 (p < 0.01) for the random effects model. No significant between-study difference was detected, with the level of heterogeneity in the small range. Furthermore, there was no evidence of publication bias. As cortisol regulation is a delicate process, we review some of the basic mechanisms by which progesterone, its potent metabolites, and estradiol regulate cortisol output and circulation to contribute to the net effect of higher cortisol in the follicular phase.

Objective: To explain the global between-countries variance in number of deaths per million citizens (nDpm) and case fatality rate (CFR) due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Design: Systematic analysis. Data sources: Worldometer, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, United Nations Main outcome measures: The explanators of nDpm and CFR were mathematically hypothesised and tested on publicly-available data from 88 countries with linear regression models on May 1st 2020. The derived explanators - age-adjusted infection fatality rate (IFRadj) and case detection rate (CDR) - were estimated for each country based on a SARS-CoV-2 model of China. The accuracy and agreement of the models with observed data was assessed with R2 and Bland-Altman plots, respectively. Sensitivity analyses involved removal of outliers and testing the models at five retrospective and two prospective time points. Results: Globally, IFRadj estimates varied between countries, ranging from below 0.2% in the youngest nations, to above 1.3% in Portugal, Greece, Italy, and Japan. The median estimated global CDR of SARS-CoV-2 infections on April 16th 2020 was 12.9%, suggesting that most of the countries have a much higher number of cases than reported. At least 93% and up to 99% of the variance in nDpm was explained by reported prevalence expressed as cases per million citizens (nCpm), IFRadj, and CDR. IFRadj and CDR accounted for up to 97% of the variance in CFR, but this model was less reliable than the nDpm model, being sensitive to outliers (R2 as low as 67.5%). Conclusions: The current differences in SARS-CoV-2 mortality between countries are driven mainly by reported prevalence of infections, age distribution, and CDR. The nDpm might be a more stable estimate than CFR in comparing mortality burden between countries.

PROBLEM The aim of this study was to quantify and compare the distribution of regulatory CD25+ FOXP3+ and activated CD4+ CD25+ T cells in decidua basalis and parietalis of severe and mild pre-eclampsia (PE) to normal healthy pregnancies. METHOD OF STUDY Decidual tissue (decidua basalis and parietalis) of 13 women with mild PE, 15 women with severe PE and 19 women with healthy term pregnancies were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence. RESULTS The total number of CD25+ FOXP3+ cells/mm2 in decidua basalis was decreased in the severe and mild PE versus normal pregnancy group. The total number of CD4+ CD25+ cells/mm2 in decidua basalis was decreased in the severe PE versus normal pregnancy group. The number of CD25+ FOXP3+ and CD4+ CD25+ cells in decidua parietalis was decreased in both PE groups. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that immunological changes of PE reflect on decidua basalis and parietalis and emphasize the importance of characterizing T cells in both decidual departments.

U radu autor prikazuje rezultate istražibanja provedenog na uzorku654 učenika iz 7 osnovnih škola grada Tuzle, uzrasta od 13 do 14 godina. Unutar provedenoh istražianja željelo se putem originalnog Testa muzičke kreativnosti – MASKA (muzučka skala kreativnosti), konstruisanog samo za ovu priliku, ispitati i tražiti odgovore da li učenici primijete koliko ih nastava muzičke kulture motiviše za kreativan rad. Pregled rezultata dobijenih multiplom regresijom, ukazuju da na osnovu samo četiri parametra muzičke kreativnosti moguće pojasniti kvalitet nastave muzičke kulture u osnovnoj školi. Dobijeni nalazi pokazuju da je statistički značajna razlika, s obzirom na muzičku kreativnost učenika, samo u odnosu na pol djece, u korist učenika osnovne škole ženskog pola. Ocjena iz muzičke kulture najznačajniji je prediktor motivacije učenika za uživanje u muzici. Značajan je i nalaz koji nas upućuje da dječaci slabije ispoljavaju emocije u odnosu na djevojčice.