The aims of this study were to analyze the utilization of antibiotics before (2018, 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) and the practice of prescribing antibiotics in outpatient settings ...for COVID-19 patients during the 2020-2022 period. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification/Defined Daily Dose methodology was used for the analysis of outpatient antibiotic utilization in the Republic of Srpska. The data was expressed in DDD/1000 inhabitants/day. The rate of antibiotics prescribed to COVID-19 outpatients was analyzed using medical record data from 16,565 patients registered with B34.2, U07.1, and U07.2 World Health Organization International Classification of Diseases 10th revision codes. During 2020, outpatient antibiotic utilization increased by 53.80% compared to 2019. At least one antibiotic was prescribed for 91.04%, 83.05%, and 73.52% of COVID-19 outpatients during 2020, 2021, and the first half of 2022, respectively. On a monthly basis, at least one antibiotic was prescribed for more than 55% of COVID-19 outpatients. The three most commonly prescribed antibiotics were azithromycin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and doxycycline. The trend of repurposing antibiotics for COVID-19 and other diseases treatment might be a double-edged sword. The long-term effect of this practice might be an increase in antimicrobial resistance and a loss of antibiotic effectiveness.
Here we examine the incidence and frequency of wildlife-vehicle collisions (daily and yearly dynamics) in Karlovac county. In the period from 2005 to 2008, 743 wildlife- vehicle collisions were ...recorded. 83,58 % of road killed wild animals were roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 6,46 % wild boar (Sus scrofa) while the recorded proportion of other species was low. The highest risk of collision was in April and May, although the risk was high in other seasons as well, especially during autumn. Majority of daily collisions occured in the morning (5 a.m.-8 a.m.) and in the evening (6 p.m.-10 p.m.). The results of this research will be used as basis for implementation of mitigation strategy.
Applications of anisotropic composite materials range from construction composites to electric circuit boards. Anisotropic conductivity is one of the many important measurands for anisotropic ...composites for identifying misalignment. However, there are only a few nondestructive, noncontact techniques available. Here, we explore waveguide ellipsometry, a new electromagnetic characterization technique, and its application to conductive anisotropic composites. We demonstrate waveguide ellipsometry and discuss the design and implementation of a novel rotation test head on a robotic arm. To validate our technique, we designed and fabricated test wafers with ideal anisotropic composites consisting of gold stripes on materials with varying sheet resistances. The measurements were compared to full-wave simulations with simulated material properties extracted with the help of composite theory and simple circuit analysis. We found a good match between the simulated and measured complex scattering (S-) parameters for all test wafers fabricated with molybdenum disilicide (MoSi 2 ) and gold stripes. Finally, we map the measured S-parameters to simulated S-parameters with help from composite theory and circuit modeling. Broader impacts of microwave ellipsometry include in-line measurement and conductivity imaging of large-scale and 3-D parts for nondestructive evaluation.
Understanding the electrical properties of materials is a necessary part of any microwave circuit design. In this article, we explore the possibility of employing multiple-offset-reflect devices for ...on-wafer materials characterization at frequencies up to 110 GHz. The objective of this new technique is to provide a one-port characterization technique that does not require a first-tier calibration. To verify our results, we performed companion analyses with multiline thru-reflect-line, extracting the permittivity of fused silica and SU-8, which is a common photocurable polymer. For fused silica, we obtained a relative permittivity of 3.80 ± 0.02 from 5 to 110 GHz. For SU-8, we obtained a relative permittivity of 3.25 ± 0.02 at 28 GHz, which agreed with the literature values.
We have evaluated the responsivity of seven different thermal detectors compared to an electrically calibrated photoacoustic reference detector at 119 µm (2.5 THz) and 394 µm (0.76 THz) laser ...wavelengths. Among the thermal detectors is an electrically calibrated thermopile having a vertically aligned carbon nanotube array as the absorber. We document the uncertainty contributions attributable to the photoacoustic reference detector along with a definition of a calibration factor based on the measurement protocol. The expanded relative uncertainty (k = 2) and a calibration factor of each detector are tabulated.
We describe bistatic scattering measurements on eight reference targets constructed from Al 2 O 3 grit of various sizes embedded in an absorptive epoxy matrix. These samples' surface topographies ...were measured using focus-variation microscopy, and their autocorrelation lengths and root-mean-square (RMS) roughness levels were extracted. Bistatic scattering measurements were then performed in the principal plane over the 325-500 GHz range and at 650 GHz, using either a vector network analyzer or a narrow band source and detector, respectively, in both sand ppolarizations, and at incidence angles of 25°, 45°, and 65°. The samples' RMS roughness levels cover the range of 36-280 μm, corresponding to 0.040 <; σ/λ <; 0.60. Their autocorrelation lengths cover the range of 0.086 <; L/λ <; 1.14, generally shorter than the samples in most previous studies. The measurements of bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) include regimes of both diffuse scattering and specular reflectance. The measurements were compared to two ab initio rough-surface scattering theories: the modified integral equation method (IEM-B) and the Generalized Harvey-Shack (GHS) model. There are no adjustable free parameters in these comparisons, but other important shortcomings exist and are described for both theories. Although there are several individual cases where either the IEM or the GHS theory (or both) provide an excellent match to measurement, their overall agreement with measurement across the entire dataset is poor. In addition, the diffuse BRDF in each bistatic scan has been fitted to a Lambertian (constant) dependence on scattering angle, and a purely empirical model has been developed for the dependence of the Lambertian scattering on frequency, roughness, polarization, and incidence angle. Across the entire dataset, this empirical model provides the best match to measurement, and can be used for reliable phenomenology studies of submillimeter imaging or wireless telecommunication.
This thesis discusses two measurement techniques designed to characterize carbon fiber composites. The focus of this body of work is to provide an overview of on-wafer (100 kHz to 110 GHz) and ...near-field probing (18 GHz to 26.5 GHz) electromagnetic measurement techniques applied to characterizing composites. The on-wafer technique required the design, fabrication, measurement, and analysis of a set of coplanar waveguide (CPW) devices. The probing technique required a design of experiment to correlate measured reflection coefficient and sheet resistance of anisotropic materials with a conductivity tensor. The on-wafer technique explored the possibility of employing multiple-offset-reflect devices for materials characterization at frequencies up to 110 GHz. The objective of this new technique is to provide a one-port characterization technique that does not require a first-tier calibration. To verify the results, companion analyses is performed with multiline thru-reflect-line and single line, extracting the permittivity of fused silica and SU-8, (a common photo-curable polymer). Unfortunately, this technique was not suitable for the carbon fiber composites, therefore we switch focus to a probing technique, called waveguide ellipsometry. The second half of this work explores the possibility of a new electro\-magnetic interrogation technique, waveguide ellipsometry, and its application to conductive aniso\-tropic composites. The methodology for waveguide ellipsometry is shown, including the design and implementation of a rotating test-head on a robotic arm. To validate the technique, validation wafers are designed and fabricated with ideal anisotropic composites of gold stripes on materials of varying sheet resistances. The validation wafers facilitated mapping measured scattering (S-) parameters to sheet resistance. Finally the mapping function between measured S-parameters and sheet resistance is applied to several samples of carbon fiber composites.
A total of 383 European hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) were sampled from three separate hunting grounds within the Medimurje region from 2004 to 2006 including, cakovec, Hodosan and Mala ...Subotica. Based on the eye lens mass the age structure of hares was determined. Reproductive effort per capita varied from 0.62 to 1.54 leverets per hare with female reproductive effort varying from 0.62 to 3.40 leverets per female. On average 46.7% of the hunting bag consisted of yearlings. The sex ratio varied between years from 0.39 to 0.69 females:males. Weight varied significantly between juveniles and adults regardless of sex (p<0.05) and ranged from 3.64 to 4.17 kg. Spring densities varied from 15-23 hares/km2 between hunting grounds. Analysis of data from the management plans of Medimurje region over the last 38 years showed that game bag record decreased approximately 9-fold and the relative hare abundance declined by 56% from 1967 to 2005. According to management plans the area productive for hunting hares declined by 62% in that period and this is probably one of the main reasons for the current trend of population decline in Medimurje.
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