Background Diesel exhaust is carcinogenic and exposure to diesel particles cause health effects. We investigated the toxicity of diesel exhaust particles designed to have varying physicochemical properties in order to attribute health effects to specific particle characteristics. Particles from three fuel types were compared at 13% engine intake O 2 concentration: MK1 ultra low sulfur diesel (DEP13) and the two renewable diesel fuels hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO13) and rapeseed methyl ester (RME13). Additionally, diesel particles from MK1 ultra low sulfur diesel were generated at 9.7% (DEP9.7) and 17% (DEP17) intake O 2 concentration. We evaluated physicochemical properties and histopathological, inflammatory and genotoxic responses on day 1, 28, and 90 after single intratracheal instillation in mice compared to reference diesel particles and carbon black. Results Moderate variations were seen in physical properties for the five particles: primary particle diameter: 15–22 nm, specific surface area: 152–222 m 2 /g, and count median mobility diameter: 55–103 nm. Larger differences were found in chemical composition: organic carbon/total carbon ratio (0.12–0.60), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content (1–27 μg/mg) and acid-extractable metal content (0.9–16 μg/mg). Intratracheal exposure to all five particles induced similar toxicological responses, with different potency. Lung particle retention was observed in DEP13 and HVO13 exposed mice on day 28 post-exposure, with less retention for the other fuel types. RME exposure induced limited response whereas the remaining particles induced dose-dependent inflammation and acute phase response on day 1. DEP13 induced acute phase response on day 28 and inflammation on day 90. DNA strand break levels were not increased as compared to vehicle, but were increased in lung and liver compared to blank filter extraction control. Neutrophil influx on day 1 correlated best with estimated deposited surface area, but also with elemental carbon, organic carbon and PAHs. DNA strand break levels in lung on day 28 and in liver on day 90 correlated with acellular particle-induced ROS. Conclusions We studied diesel exhaust particles designed to differ in physicochemical properties. Our study highlights specific surface area, elemental carbon content, PAHs and ROS-generating potential as physicochemical predictors of diesel particle toxicity.

AIM To investigate the possible association between TNFα (-308 G/A) and IL-1β (-511 C/T) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and GSTT and GSTM deletion polymorphisms and risk of apical periodontitis (AP) development, and determine the association of different genotypes with the presence of herpesviral infection in AP. METHODOLOGY The study included 120 periapical lesions and 200 control samples. Gene polymorphism analysis was performed using either polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR/ restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Relative gene expression of TNF-α and IL-1β was analysed using reverse transcriptase - real-time PCR. The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was assessed by nested PCR. Chi square and Fisher exact tests, and logistic regression analyses were done for polymorphisms, while Mann Whitney U-test was performed for the expression analysis. The expected frequency of variants was analysed by the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test. RESULTS TNF-α (-308 G/A) SNP increased AP susceptibility for heterozygous (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.72, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.06-2.80, P = 0.027) and homozygous (OR = 8.55, 95% CI = 1.77-41.36, P < 0.001) carriers of the variant A allele. On the other hand, IL-1β (-511 C/T) polymorphism exerted a protective effect both in heterozygotes (OR = 0.540, 95% CI = 0.332-0.880, P = 0.013) and homozygotes (OR = 0.114, 95% CI = 0.026-0.501, P < 0.001). In addition, GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes separately, as well as concomitantly were associated with an increased risk for AP development (P < 0.001). The null GSTT1 genotype increased approximately twice the risk of Epstein-Barr infection (EBV) in AP (OR= 2.17, 95% CI=1-4.71, P=0.048), while TNF-α SNP decreased it, both in heterozygotes (OR=0.20, 95% CI= 0.08-0.48, P<0.001) and AA homozygotes (OR=0.07, 95% CI=0.01-0.37, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS GSTM and GSTT deletion polymorphisms, as well as TNFα (-308 G/A) SNP, are associated with increased risk, whereas IL-1β (-511 C/T) polymorphism decreases the risk of AP development. GSTT and TNFα polymorphisms also appear to modulate the risk of EBV infection in Serbian patients with apical periodontitis.

In Europe, mixed mountain forests, primarily comprised of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), cover about 10 × 106 ha at elevations between ∼600 and 1600 m a.s.l. These forests provide invaluable ecosystem services. However, the growth of these forests and the competition among their main species are expected to be strongly affected by climate warming. In this study, we analyzed the growth development of spruce, fir, and beech in moist mixed mountain forests in Europe over the last 300 years. Based on tree-ring analyses on long-term observational plots, we found for all three species (i) a nondecelerating, linear diameter growth trend spanning more than 300 years; (ii) increased growth levels and trends, the latter being particularly pronounced for fir and beech; and (iii) an elevation-dependent change of fir and beech growth. Whereas in the past, the growth was highest at lower elevations, today’s growth is superior at higher elevations. This spatiotemporal pattern indicates significant changes in the growth and interspecific competition at the expense of spruce in mixed mountain forests. We discuss possible causes, consequences, and silvicultural implications of these distinct growth changes in mixed mountain forests.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the second most prevalent gram-negative rod that causes nosocomial infections in hospitalized or otherwise immunocompromised patients. It can develop multiple drug resistance that results in limited treatment options and increased use of carbapenems. Various mechanisms are related to the development of carbapenem resistance in K. pneumoniae. The aim of this study was to perform phenotypic and molecular characterization of clinical isolates of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae from two outbreaks recorded in 2017 and 2018 in Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Identification of K. pneumoniae isolates was carried out on the basis of morphological, cultural, and biochemical characteristics. Interpretation of antimicrobial resistance was performed according to EUCAST breakpoints. There were four different resistotypes of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae in this study and all were confirmed positive for blaOXA-48 carbapenemase. Rep-PCR fingerprinting of these strains showed the presence of the two different genetic patterns with no similarity between them. The monitoring, surveillance, and molecular typing are essential to control the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains in nosocomial settings, and to reduce the frequency of outbreak occurrence.

In this paper, a new fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making model for traffic risk assessment was developed. A part of a main road network of 7.4 km with a total of 38 Sections was analyzed with the aim of determining the degree of risk on them. For that purpose, a fuzzy Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the COmpromise Solution (fuzzy MARCOS) method was developed. In addition, a new fuzzy linguistic scale quantified into triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs) was developed. The fuzzy PIvot Pairwise RElative Criteria Importance Assessment—fuzzy PIPRECIA method—was used to determine the criteria weights on the basis of which the road network sections were evaluated. The results clearly show that there is a dominant section with the highest risk for all road participants, which requires corrective actions. In order to validate the results, a comprehensive validity test was created consisting of variations in the significance of model input parameters, testing the influence of dynamic factors—of reverse rank, and applying the fuzzy Simple Additive Weighing (fuzzy SAW) method and the fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (fuzzy TOPSIS). The validation test show the stability of the results obtained and the justification for the development of the proposed model.

The early detection of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus remains uncertain. The aim of the study was to explore the correlation of circulating biomarkers for inflammation Interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as well as N-terminal pro-

OBJECTIVES Malignant (necrotizing) otitis externa (MOE) is an aggressive form of skin inflammation of the external ear with a tendency to spread infection to the temporal bone. The study aimed to evaluate a causal relationship between treatment responses and clinical features in patients with MOE. MATERIALS and METHODS In a retrospective, descriptive section study, the database was analyzed between January 2008 and December 2018 in our department, all patients with diagnosed MOE were identified. RESULTS A total of 30 patients were evaluated, of which 27 men and 3 women. The youngest patient was 52 years old while he was eldest 88 years, (mean-71 years old). As the most common comorbidity, diabetes mellitus was found in 23 (76%) subjects. Median duration of symptoms was about 3 months. The most common isolated pathogen was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (47%). Patients with facial nerve palsy and erosion of temporal bone find on computerized tomography affect prolonged stationary treatment (Mean, SD 29.2±8.5 and 26,7±11.6 days), while 80% of patients with facial nerve palsy had recurrence of disease (p=0.005) with mean duration of clinical remission of 60±17.3 days. Overall length of treatment is also increased in the presence of comorbidities as well as in patients with cranial nerve involvement. CONCLUSION Patients with cranial nerve involvement, erosion of temporal bone and presence of comorbidities affect prolonged treatment and adverse prognosis. Early diagnosis and initiation of aggressive therapy are essential for stopping the further spread of the disease and prevention of serious complications.

U radu smo predstavili reakcijuzaposlenosti, plata, cijena, industrijske proizvodnje,domace valute i plata u Bosni i Hercegovini na sokod jedne standardne devijacije koji su izazvaledirektne strane investicije. Koristili smo modelvektorske autoregresije sa znakovnim restrikcijamasprovedenim kroz Uligovu penalizirajucu funkciju.Rezultati pokazuju da posmatrani agregati imajuocekivanu reakciju. Investicije, s obzirom na njihovuprirodu, imaju makroekonomski logicne ucinke.Potrosnja se namece kao ocigledan kanal preko kogase ostvaruje pozitivna reakcija zaposlenosti, odnosnoplata, koje mogu uslovno da se dovedu u vezu sproduktivnoscu rada.

Social robotics has been productive in recent years, generating a variety of product concepts in conjunction with IoTs and smart house technologies. There are even social robots that made it to the market, a viable alternative to disembodied smart speakers. This itself is a good development considering that social robots remained a laboratory fixture in the past decade. Despite the positive outlook of social robotics, questions regarding its long-term adoption and commercial prospects still linger. The main challenge for social robotics is to find avenues in expanding current use-case applications to maximize the communication and interaction potential of the social robot, which is currently limited by copying smart speaker's functionalities. This workshop will gather roboticists, designers, engineers and stakeholders to discuss how to address these challenges to the broader consumer development of social robots by finding meaningful ways to use the rich modalities unique to social robots in creative content creation. Content in the form of apps has been the driving force in the success of smartphones. Similarly, in the gaming world, content dictates the adoption of a gaming platform. In this workshop, we will focus on creative content generation and its extension to the social robot arena, with the hope of replicating its success in other technology domains through the development of social robot apps not just for enhanced functionality but for more engaging and entertaining interactive applications.

Robots that tell children stories are becoming common. Given that the practice of parent-child storytelling is part of family culture, it is critical to investigate parental acceptance of storytelling robots. Drawing on technology acceptance models, the theory of planned behavior, and Bowen family systems theory, we conducted a mixed-methods study involving an online survey of 115 respondents and 18 in-person interviews. We aimed to propose a model of parental acceptance of storytelling robots contextualized in potential use case scenarios. Preliminary findings indicate an overall positive attitude towards children's storytelling robots and identify factors that can affect parental acceptance of these robots. This study may inform the design of storytelling robots tailored to the needs of parents and their children in the home.

The link between energy consumption and CO2 emissions has received a significant research attention in the last few decades in the case of Turkey. The authors in general agree on the positive link between these two macroeconomic terms. However, the link between electricity generation and CO2 emissions did not receive much attention what was the motivation to conduct this study. Thus, this paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the link between these two variables while controlling for the role of the population growth. The time-series data are collected at annual basis in the period between 1974 and 2016. Our results reveal a bidirectional causal link between electricity generation and population growth. These findings imply that population growth stimulates the electricity generation. In addition, electricity generation tends to stimulate the population growth. This is since some of the countries in the World have big problems with electricity supply. It influences negatively the manufacturing sector, educational sector as well as many other sectors. Moreover, a bidirectional link between population growth and CO2 emissions are recorded. More population is expected to demand more working place, and firms especially those in industry sector are known as significant energy gluttons. The empirical evidence of this paper can serve as an important insight for decision makers. At first, it suggests the necessity to think of the possibilities to develop renewable energy in Turkey. This is since Turkey has a great potential in the fields of renewable energy. In this light, Turkey may solve the problem of the great reliance on the imported energy. Moreover, the business climate should be more favorable for investors tending to support the projects in the fields of renewable energy. Apart from these, it is of great importance to make a necessary effort to increase the energy efficiency which will reduce the current energy consumption and CO2 emission consequently. At last, it would be necessary to educate both, the private and public sector, on the benefits of renewable energy.