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The Influence of Breast Density and Compression Force on Women’s Perception of Pain During Mammography
No full textCilj: Razumijevanje stupnja nelagode tijekom mamografskih pregleda i optimizacija sile kompresije korištene u različitim projekcijama temelj su radiološkim tehnolozima kako bi individualno pristupili oslikavanju dojki. Cilj ovog istraživanja je unaprjeđenje prakse mamografskog oslikavanja te poboljšanje iskustva žena. Ispitanici i metode: U ovo prospektivno istraživanje uključeno je 99 ispitanica koje su u razdoblju od 22. svibnja do 30. lipnja 2023. bile podvrgnute mamografskom pregledu u Kliničkom bolničkom centru Rijeka. Za statističku analizu korišten je Kolmogorov-Smirnovljev test kojim je ispitana normalnost distribucije numeričkih vrijednosti. U slučaju normalne distribucije korištena je aritmetička sredina te standardna devijacija, dok je u slučaju odstupanja numeričkih vrijednosti od normalne razdiobe korišten medijan i interkvartilni raspon. Razlika u normalno distribuiranim numeričkim varijablama među različitim kategorijama gustoće dojki ispitana je testom ANOVA. Razlika u varijabli boli koja odstupa od normalne razdiobe među dvjema dobnim skupinama, ispitana je Mann-Whitneyevim U-testom. Razlika u zastupljenosti ispitanica prema kvalitativnim obilježjima ispitana je testom χ2. Svi su testovi provedeni na razini statističke značajnosti p < 0,05. Za obradu podataka korišten je program Statistica 14.0.0.15 (TIBCO Software Inc.). Rezultati: Najčešće zastupljena kategorija gustoće tkiva dojke među ispitanicama je kategorija B. Medijan boli na skali od 0 do 10 je 5. Prosječna sila kompresije na desnu dojku u CC projekciji je 98,80 N, dok je za lijevu dojku 97,62 N. Prosječna sila kompresije na lijevu dojku u MLO projekciji iznosila je 118,86 N, a na desnu 114,81 N. Zaključak: Ovo istraživanje pridonosi razumijevanju čimbenika koji utječu na percipiranu razinu nelagode ispitanica prilikom mamografskog oslikavanja te optimizaciju postupka uz poboljšanje dijagnostičke vrijednosti procedure.Aim:Understanding the degree of discomfort during mammographic examinations and optimizing the compression force used in different projections are fundamental for radiologic technologists to individually approaching breast imaging. The aim of this study is to enhance mammographic imaging practices and improve patient experience. Participants and methods: This prospective study included 99 participants who underwent mammographic examination at the Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka from May 22 to June 30, 2023. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for statistical analysis to assess the normality of the distribution of numerical values. For normally distributed data, the mean and standard deviation were used, while the median and interquartile range were used for data that deviating from a normal distribution. The differences in normally distributed numerical variables among different categories of breast density were examined using the ANOVA test. The difference in the pain variable, which deviated from normal distribution between two age groups, was examined using the Mann-Whitney U test. The difference in the representation of participants based on qualitative features was examined using the χ2 test. All tests were conducted at a statistical significance level of
Tularemia – A Rare Cause of Lymphadenopathy in Children: A Case Report
No full textCilj: Cilj rada je prikazati diferencijalno-dijagnostički izazov u evalvaciji limfadenopatije u pedijatrijskoj populaciji i promišljanje o rijetkim uzrocima kao što je Francisella tularensis. Prikaz slučaja: Osmogodišnji dječak prezentirao se krajem rujna šestodnevnim febrilitetom. Živi u Maloj Mlaci i ima mačku. Negirao je kontakt sa zečevima i ugriz krpelja. Petog dana bolesti na stražnjoj strani desnoga bedra pojavila se papula. Rastom papule nastalo je centralno udubljenje i na kraju je zaostao plitki ulkus. Dva tjedna nakon febriliteta utvrđena je desna ingvinalna limfadenopatija te je zbog sumnje na bolest mačjeg ogreba provedena petodnevna terapija azitromicinom. Zbog perzistencije limfadenopatije i pojave limfadenitisa učinjena je serologija kojom je isključena bartoneloza. Ultrazvučno je u proksimalnom dijelu desne natkoljenice verificiran apsces u supkutanom tkivu. Punkcijom apscesa dobiven je gnojan sadržaj u kojemu je lančanom reakcijom polimeraze dokazan genom F. tularensis. Postavljena je dijagnoza ulceroglandularnog oblika tularemije te je započeta parenteralna terapija gentamicinom tijekom deset dana, a nakon otpusta i peroralna terapija ciprofloksacinom tijekom četiri dana. Zaključak: Tularemija je rijetka bolest, o čemu svjedoči i podatak da su od 2018. do 2022. godine u Hrvatskoj zabilježena samo dva slučaja. Limfadenopatija uzrokovana tularemijom u pedijatrijskoj populaciji predstavlja dijagnostički izazov zbog niske incidencije, pri čemu pozitivna epidemiološka anamneza i postojanje primarnog afekta može pomoći u postavljanju dijagnoze.Aim: This study aims to present the differential diagnostic challenge of evaluating lymphadenopathy in the pediatric population and to consider rare causes such as Francisella tularensis. Case report: An eight-year-old boy presented at the end of September with a six-day fever. The patient resides in Mala Mlaka and owns a cat. However, he could not definitively exclude a scratch or bite. He denied contact with rabbits and tick bites. A papule emerged on the back of his right thigh on the fifth day of illness, developing a central depression and eventually resulting in a shallow ulcer. Right inguinal lymphadenopathy was noted two weeks after the onset of the fever. A five-day course of azithromycin therapy was initiated for suspected cat scratch disease. Persistent lymphadenopathy and lymphadenitis prompted a serological investigation, ruling out bartonellosis. Ultrasound detected a thigh subcutaneous tissue abscess. Pus obtained from the abscess puncture tested positive for the F. tularensis genome by polymerase chain reaction. The diagnosis of ulceroglandular tularemia was confirmed. Treatment consisted of a ten-day course of parenteral gentamicin therapy, followed by four days of oral ciprofloxacin post-discharge. Conclusion: Tularemia is a rare disease, with only two cases recorded in Croatia from 2018 to 2022. Lymphadenopathy caused by tularemia in the pediatric population represents a diagnostic challenge due to its low incidence. A positive epidemiological history and the presence of a primary lesion can aid in diagnosis
Buccal Mucosa Graft in Urethral Stricture Repair – A Case Report
No full textCilj: Prikazati etiologiju i kliničke manifestacije striktura uretre, ali i istaknuti važnost njihova liječenja u što ranijem tijeku bolesti otvorenim kirurškim tehnikama, u ovom slučaju upotrebom bukalne sluznice. Prikaz slučaja: Pacijent u dobi od 64 godine zaprimljen je na Kliniku za urologiju zbog strikture uretre i sumnje na enterovezikalnu fistulu. Tijekom prvog boravka u bolnici učinjena je optička uretrotomija dviju semicirkularnih kratkih striktura bulbarnog dijela uretre hladnim nožićem. Eksploracijom mokraćnog mjehura nije pronađena vezikalna fistula. U pacijenta su se redovito provodile mehaničke dilatacije uretre kako bi se spriječila restenoza. Nakon godinu dana redovitih mehaničkih dilatacija počeli su se javljati simptomi donjeg mokraćnog sustava, a pacijent je bio liječen i antibiotski zbog akutnog prostatitisa. Pacijent je bio podvrgnut drugoj uretrotomiji, ponovno zbog dviju striktura bulbarnog dijela uretre. Bolesnik je ubrzo nakon operacije ponovno razvio simptome donjeg mokraćnog sustava – cistoskopski je utvrđena ponovna striktura te je bolesnik pristao na uretroplastiku upotrebom bukalne sluznice. Tri mjeseca nakon učinjene uretroplastike, uretroskopija je bila uredna, a bolesnik više nije imao simptome donjih mokraćnih puteva. Zaključak: Zlatni standard u liječenju striktura uretre jest uretroplastika, koja se ističe visokom stopom uspješnosti. Unatoč tome, mnogi pacijenti i dalje se podvrgavaju manje uspješnim tehnikama liječenja. Ovaj prikaz slučaja naglašava važnost pravovremene primjene otvorene kirurgije kako bi se izbjegle komplikacije povezane s manje uspješnim metodama liječenja. Rano usmjeravanje pacijenata prema uretroplastici kao optimalnoj opciji liječenja može značajno smanjiti rizik od nepotrebnih komplikacija i trajno riješiti problem striktura uretre.Aim: To present the etiology and clinical manifestations of urethral strictures and emphasize the importance of early treatment using open surgical techniques, specifically with buccal mucosa grafts. Case Report: A 64-year-old patient was admitted to the Urology Clinic with a urethral stricture and suspected enterovesical fistula. Initially, an optical urethrotomy was performed using a cold knife to treat two semicircular short strictures in the bulbar part of the urethra. No vesical fistula was found upon bladder exploration. The patient underwent urethral dilation to prevent restenosis. After a year of regular urethral dilations, the patient began experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms again and was also treated with antibiotics for acute prostatitis. A second urethrotomy was performed due to recurrent strictures in the bulbar region of the urethra. Shortly after this operation, the patient again exhibited lower urinary tract symptoms. Cystoscopy confirmed a recurrent stricture, and the patient opted for urethroplasty using a buccal mucosa graft. Three months post-urethroplasty, urethroscopy showed a normal urethra, and the patient no longer experienced lower urinary tract symptoms. Conclusion: The gold standard in the treatment of urethral strictures is urethroplasty. Despite this, many patients still undergo less successful treatment techniques. This case report emphasizes the importance of timely open surgery to avoid complications associated with less effective treatment methods. Early referral of patients to urethroplasty as the optimal treatment option can significantly reduce the risk of unnecessary complications and provide a permanent solution to the problem of urethral strictures
Theoretical Discourse on the Phenomenon of Traditional Tattoos of Catholic Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina
No full textRad nastao iz doktorske disertacije tematizira teorijski diskurs fenomena tradicijske tetovaže katolkinja iz Bosne i Hercegovine. Obuhvaća područje društvenih znanosti, primarno polje komunikacijskih znanosti te specifično, s obzirom na složenost fenomena, interdisciplinarno polje humanističkih znanosti. Rad se temelji na kvalitativnom istraživanju s ciljem istraživanja teorijskog diskursa tradicijske tetovaže kao etnološkog specifikuma. Metodom komparacije i deskripcije relevantnih komunikacijskih teorija, analizirana je njihova primjenjivost na fenomen tradicijske tetovaže kao i zajednička obilježja ili različitosti. Riječ je o originalnom istraživanju, a cilj istraživanja ostvaren je jer rad predstavlja doprinos napretku znanja o tradicijskoj tetovaži kao sredstvu neverbalne komunikacije. Istraživanje
je pridonijelo povećanju općeg fonda znanstvenih činjenica i informacija o tradicijskoj tetovaži Hrvatica, katolkinja iz Bosne i Hercegovine, a ko-kulturna komunikacijska teorija proširena je na relacijsko ko-kulturno komunikacijsko teoretiziranje.The paper stems from a doctoral dissertation, providing an in-depth exploration of the theoretical discourse surrounding traditional tattoos of Catholic women from Bosnia and Herzegovina, firmly rooted in the social sciences, particularly communication sciences, and the interdisciplinary field of humanities due to the multifaceted nature of the phenomenon. This study is based on qualitative research that thoroughly examines the theoretical discourse of traditional tattoos as an ethnological phenomenon. It rigorously employs comparison and description to scrutinize the applicability
of relevant communication theories to traditional tattoos and to delineate common features or differences. This original research undeniably advances our understanding of traditional tattoos as a non-verbal communication medium, substantially contributing to the scientific understanding of traditional tattoos among Catholic women from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, this research definitively extends co-cultural communication theory to encompass relational co-cultural communication theorizing
Transformation of Research Methodology in Social Sciences Due to the Application of Artificial Intelligence
No full textUmjetna inteligencija ubrzano mijenja sve segmente društvene i individualne svakodnevice uključujući i područje društvenih istraživanja. Poduzeća za istraživanje tržišta i ispitivanje javnog mnijenja, odjeli
za istraživanje tržišta i obradu podataka u velikim poduzećima, kao i znanstvenici u istraživačkim i visokoobrazovnim institucijama, ubrzano se prilagođavaju okruženju u kojem se sve češće koristi umjetna inteligencija. Središnje istraživačko pitanje našeg rada nastojalo je utvrditi na koje je načine umjetna inteligencija promijenila istraživačku metodologiju u području društvenih znanosti. S ciljem odgovora na postavljeno pitanje, proveli smo dvije fokus-grupe s pojedincima iz područja istraživanja tržišta, istraživačima iz društvenih znanosti zaposlenima na fakultetima i znanstvenim institutima, te istraživačima koji se bave analizom velikih količina podataka. Rezultati istraživanja upućuju na to da je
umjetna inteligencija djelomično promijenila poslovne prakse u agencijama za istraživanje tržišta i, u nešto manjoj mjeri, područje istraživanja u akademskom sektoru. Svi se sudionici slažu da će umjetna inteligencija uvelike definirati područje metodologije istraživanja u društvenim znanostima u nadolazećim godinama te aktivno prate i testiraju mogućnosti umjetne inteligencije u svojim područjima rada.Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing all segments of social life and the everyday life of individuals, including the field of social research. Market research and polling companies, market research and data processing departments in large companies, as well as scientists in research and higher education institutions are rapidly adapting to an environment where artificial intelligence
is increasingly used. The key research question of our work relates to the ways in which artificial intelligence has changed and is changing research methodology in the field of social sciences. In order to answer the question, we conducted two focus groups with individuals from the field of market research, social science researchers employed at faculties and institutes, and researchers
dealing with the analysis of large amounts of data. The research results indicate that artificial intelligence has partly changed business practices in market research agencies and, to a lesser extent, the field of research in the academic sector. All participants agreed that artificial intelligence will largely define the field of research methodology in the social sciences in the coming years, and
they actively monitor and test the possibilities of artificial intelligence in their fields of work
Web buckling analysis of steel-concrete composite beams considering flange restraints
No full textUtvrđen je mehanički model za proučavanje izbočenja hrpta spregnutih nosača čelik-beton pod utjecajem pridržanja pojasnicom. Primjenom Rayleigh-Ritzove varijacijske metode i elastične teorije izbočenja predložen je teorijski model izračuna izbočenja za spregnute nosače čelik-beton s hrptovima pridržanima pojasnicama. Analizom parametara ispitana su odstupanja koeficijenta izbočenja hrpta s koeficijentom rotacijskog pridržanja spregnutih nosača čelik-beton pri različitim omjerima širine i gradijentima naprezanja. Točnost izračuna predloženog teorijskog modela provjerena je usporedbom rezultata izračuna pri različitim parametrima s rezultatima tradicionalnog modela. Naposljetku, s obzirom na različite raspodjele moždanika, teorijski model predložen u ovome istraživanju potvrđen je metodom konačnih elemenata. Dobiveni su sljedeći rezultati: odstupanje između teorijskog modela i tradicionalnog modela bilo je manje od 3 %, nakon što se razmak moždanika povećao sa 100 na 1000 mm, kritično naprezanje izbočenja izračunano metodom konačnih elemenata smanjilo se sa 121,90 na 113,29 MPa, uz odstupanje manje od 6 % od teorijskog modela u ovome radu i teorijski model i izračun metodom konačnih elemenata pokazuju to da kada se koeficijent elastičnog pridržanja bio veći od 20, područje koeficijenta izbočenja nije se smanjivalo.A mechanical model was established to study the buckling of the web of steel-concrete composite beams under flange restraint. Based on the Rayleigh-Ritz variational methodology and elastic buckling theory, a theoretical buckling calculation model for steel-concrete composite beams with webs restrained by flanges was proposed. Through a parameter analysis, the variation in the web buckling coefficient with the rotational restraint coefficient of steel-concrete composite beams under different web aspect ratios and stress gradients was studied. The calculation accuracy of the proposed theoretical model was verified by comparing the calculation results under different parameters with those of a traditional model. Finally, considering the different distributions of the shear studs, the theoretical model proposed in this study was verified using the finite element method. The following results were obtained: the deviation between the theoretical model and the traditional model was less than 3 %, when the spacing of shear studs increased from 100 to 1000 mm, the critical buckling stress calculated by finite element method decreased from 121.90 to 113.29 MPa, with a deviation of less than 6 % from the theoretical model in this paper, both the theoretical model and the finite element calculation show that when the elastic restraint coefficient was greater than 20, the buckling coefficient region was constant
Performance evaluation of thermal bridge mitigation strategies against the mould growth
No full textOvaj rad istražuje rizik rasta i razvoja plijesni/gljivica na dva različita pristupa smanjenja utjecaja toplinskih mostova. Promatrani su balkoni obavijeni toplinskom izolacijom i balkoni sa sustavom prekida toplinskog mosta u ZEB (engl. Zero Emission Building) zgradama. Promatrani su linearna toplinska vodljivost (ψ-vrijednost), temperatura unutarnje površine i rizik pojave plijesni/gljivica na pet različitih slučajeva balkonskih ploča. Svaki slučaj ima tri varijacije, od kojih su dvije obavijene toplinskom izolacijom, a treća varijacija umjesto toplinske izolacije koristi sustav za prekid toplinskog mosta. Rezultati varijacija s prekidom toplinskog mosta nadmašuju ostale varijacije, što je u suprotnosti s uobičajenim pristupom u kojem se koristi obloga od toplinske izolacije. Rad također naglašava neadekvatnost norme EN ISO 13788 zbog sveobuhvatnih HAM (engl. Heat, Air and Moisture) modela.This study investigates mould/fungi growth risk on two different approaches of thermal bridge mitigation. Thermally insulated balconies and thermally broken balconies in Zero Emission Building (ZEB) are reviewed. Linear thermal transmittance (ψ - value), interior surface temperature and mould/fungi growth risk for five balcony designs is performed. Each design has three variations, two of which have thermal insulation wrap, and a thermal break replacing insulation. Results show thermal breaks outperform all variations. This contradicts the common practice of using thermal insulation wrap. The study also emphasizes EN ISO 13788 inadequacy as comprehensive HAM models are available
BRAVO - a Workflow for Improving Rating Reliability in Behavioural Research
No full textReliability assessments are a quality control protocol commonly employed in fields of research that deal with video-recorded behavioural data. During these assessments, the same sample of videos is coded (at least) twice by the same researcher (intrarater reliability), or - more often - by two different researchers independently (interrater reliability). Next, levels of agreement are quantified to assess how reliable the behavioural classification is. In this manuscript, we concentrate on interrater reliability, though our points hold generally true for both cases. Despite the importance of interrater reliability assessments to ensure research quality, to the best of our knowledge there is no guideline to date specifying how they should be conducted to avoid potentially detrimental effects of ‘coders’ degrees of freedom’ (CDF) and ‘questionable coder practices’ (QCP). For instance, there is no consensus regarding how large the sample of behaviours evaluated should be, the sample composition, the inclusion of negative controls or what statistical measures should be used to compare the raters’ classifications. To begin to fill this methodological gap, we provide a list of best practices to conduct reliability tests, which we term the BRAVO (Balanced Reliability Assessment of Video Observations) workflow. We complement these recommendations with a series of simulations highlighting the properties of BRAVO and its use-cases. BRAVO represents the first step in creating a methodological gold-standard that researchers can use to perform valid reliability assessments. Given the widespread use of behavioural data across fields, we hope that the BRAVO workflow will be implemented by researchers from a variety of disciplines such as psychology, ethology, behavioural economics, and anthropology to increase quality control and scientific transparency
Design and Presentation of an Approach to Improve the Tehran Metro Comprehensive Traffic System and Retrieve Timetables in the Disturbance Conditions Using a Robust Optimization Method
Get PDFThe Tehran Metro is usually subject to undesirable disruptions that can cause minor, major and sometimes unavoidable deviations from the original timetables. Based on the principles of disruption management, the Tehran Metro network solutions eliminate distortions such as train delays, dispatch cancellations, and passenger congestion through an intelligence-comprehensive traffic system. Considering the size and scope of Tehran metro lines, a computational solution according to the dimensions of problem solving approaches is required to achieve optimal decision making. One model presented in this research is an event-activity network to improve the comprehensive metro traffic management software. The research results show that the establishment of optimization models in the comprehensive metro system increases the success rate of operational results and the probability of traffic controller's decisions in the justified set of problem solutions. Thus, robust optimization methods can meaningfully improve the overall productivity index of subway lines and expand the capacity level of the subway network. In the present research, an attempt was made to estimate the ratio of the active trains on the line sections and the maximum possible number of trains. Especially during peak hours and taking into account the innovative structures. The capacity of trains in Tehran Metro's comprehensive system for creating the timetable is increased. In case of disruptions, it returns to normal conditions. Therefore, in the face of complications caused by multiple passenger dispatches, a neighborhood search algorithm was used to analyze passenger demand and to improve system
Parish Priest. Independent Controller and/or Processor of Personal Data (Arts. 24 and 28 of GDPR)
No full textSlužba župnika, koliko god je jedna od najstarijih crkvenih službi, uvijek iznova se nalazi pred novim izazovima prostora i vremena u kojem se vrši. U tom smislu ovaj rad u svom središtu promišljanja stavlja službu i osobu župnika koji se u redovitosti svog pastoralnog djelovanja nužno susreće s odredbama Opće uredbe o zaštiti podataka (GDPR-a). Analizom odabranih članaka GDPR-a, autori službu župnika promatraju kroz prizmu samostalnog voditelja i/ili izvršitelja obrade podataka, navodeći konkret ne slučajeve kada župnik obavlja službu voditelja obrade podataka, kada izvršitelja obrade podataka, a kada se te službe neminovno preklapaju, odnosno susreću u istoj osobi. Konačno, autori problematiziraju i određene pravne praznine koje bi u buduć nosti valjalo popuniti (jasno definirati), te sve stavljaju u kontekst odnosa Crkve i države, u Hrvatskoj i komparativno.In this article authors examine the role of the parish priest in regard of the applica tion of GDPR regulations within the framework of sacramental life of the Catholic faithful in the Republic of Croatia. There are numerous open and undiscussed issues which are to be addressed and communicated with parish priests in order to facilitate their administrative duties in accordance with the contemporary needs and demands. Treaties signed between the Catholic Church and the Republic of Croatia are, in the opinion of authors, applicable to the work of parish priests and their free exercise of duties with respect to sacraments and their administration. Those treaties had already been in effect when Croatia joined the European Union and, in a specific way, have become a part of the European law applicable to Croatia. Nevertheless, there are still some open questions to be discussed in order to clarify the extent to which GDPR is applicable to various situations in Church life, where both priests and bishops have a significant role