Challenges of Information and Communication Technologies Usage in E-Business Systems

In today\u27s identification and data collection methods on traffic entities, large number of traffic and logistic systems uses one of the automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technologies. The mentioned group contains information and communication technologies such as radio‐frequency identification (RFID), real‐time location systems (RTLS), near field communication (NFC), global positioning system (GPS), and beacon and advanced tagging technologies such as barcode and quick response code (QR code) which can be implemented with function of mobile traffic entities identification in traffic environment. In this chapter, possibilities and characteristics of mentioned technologies will be described from the aspect of their usage in traffic system through implementation of e‐business. Data collection and exchange concept will be based on cloud computing and Internet of Things concepts. Through various case study examples in traffic environment, more efficient use of AIDC technologies in traffic system will be shown

Conceptual Model of Providing Traffic Navigation Services to Visually Impaired Persons

In order to include people of reduced mobility in the traffic system it is necessary to provide accessibility and information of the users to all the facilities surrounding them. By analysing the currently available information and communication technologies a new conceptual model of providing navigation services to the visually impaired persons has been proposed. This model is based on Cloud Computing platform, and this research describes the method of navigating the users based on accurate and updated data. The users’ requirements have been analysed according to the needs of the movement of visually impaired persons along the traffic network. The information and communication solutions with the function of informing these groups of users have to provide accurate and updated data, which is made possible by the proposed model. This research was conducted on the most frequent routes in the city of Zagreb. With the review of model efficiency user’s sense of security is increased in the amount of 87%

Possibilities of Applying ICT to Improve Safe Movement of Blind and Visually Impaired Persons

Today’s level of the development of information and communication technologies enables the implementation of assistive technologies that can contribute to improved mobility of the persons with impaired vision (users that move along the traffic network). The user in this research has the role of a pedestrian moving along the traffic network, using information and communication technology (ICT) solutions and services for the purpose of information about the surrounding and navigation. In order to achieve greater information and safe movement of the user in the environment, one has to identify and define the relevant parameters necessary to define the user’s requirements, as the basic precondition for the design of new information and communication services. The analysis of the most used application solutions for mobile terminal devices showed the failure in providing precise information to the user, designing of functionality, structure of information and education of the users about the new solutions and services. The downsides of the current applications have served as the basis in defining the recommendations for the development of future applications, with the aim of increasing the user safety. Proper structure of information allows the user a faster and easier search of relevant information and information methods while moving along the traffic network elements. Therefore, the recommendations in designing future solutions and services based on possible technologies of short coverage area (RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, WiFi, RTLS) have been defined. These technologies allow communication connectivity of the users, other traffic entities and the entire traffic surrounding into a unique whole by using the principle of Internet of Things (IoT)

Proposal of a Conceptual Architecture System for Informing the User in the IoT Environment

Design and development of systems for delivering real-time information to people with disabilities and elderly persons need to be based on defined user requirements. For this purpose, the user requirements have been defined in this paper according to the everyday needs of people who use traffic networks and move in closed spaces. The logical presentation of the functionality of the informing system operation and its subsystems includes all the information (data) important for designing a user information delivery system. The paper presents a conceptual architecture system for delivering user informing services related to the environment based on the Internet of Things concept. The aim of the user informing service is an increase in the level of mobility of persons with disabilities and the senior age groups of users. In order to check the operation of the proposed architecture, the informing system operation was monitored on Arduino Uno and Raspberry Pi platforms in laboratory conditions. A simulation confirmed the interdependence of individual data from different subsystems in order to provide real-time information to the system user. The proposed conceptual architecture can contribute to a more efficient approach to the modeling of assistive technologies (with the aim of informing the users) based on dew/fog/cloud technologies in the Internet of Things  environment.</p

An Overview of Distributed Denial of Service Traffic Detection Approaches

The availability of information and communication (IC) resources is a growing problem caused by the increase in the number of users, IC services, and the capacity constraints. IC resources need to be available to legitimate users at the required time. The availability is of crucial importance in IC environments such as smart city, autonomous vehicle, or critical infrastructure management systems. In the mentioned and similar environments the unavailability of resources can also have negative consequences on people\u27s safety. The distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks and traffic that such attacks generate, represent a growing problem in the last decade. Their goal is to disable access to the resources for legitimate users. This paper analyses the trends of such traffic which indicates the importance of its detection methods research. The paper also provides an overview of the currently used approaches used in detection system and model development. Based on the analysis of the previous research, the disadvantages of the used approaches have been identified which opens the space and gives the direction for future research. Besides the mentioned this paper highlights a DDoS traffic generated through Internet of things (IoT) devices as an evolving threat that needs to be taken into consideration in the future studies.</p

Beacon technology for real-time informing the traffic network users about the environment

Informing the users about their environment is of extreme importance for their full and independent functioning in the traffic system. Today’s development of technology provides the user the access to information about their environment by using the smartphone device at any moment if there is a defined applicative solution. For this, it is necessary to define the user’s environment according to the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) concept, which understands adequate technology of gathering, processing and distribution of information. This paper presents the proposal of the solution for informing the traffic network users about the environment for the defined group of users based on the beacon technology. The mentioned solution is based on the results of two separate studies about the needs of users who move along a part of the traffic network. The aim of the proposed solution is to provide the user with precise and real-time information and to raise the level of safety during movement

BEACON TECHNOLOGY FOR REAL-TIME INFORMING THE TRAFFIC NETWORK USERS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT

Informing the users about their environment is of extreme importance for their full and independent functioning in the traffic system. Today’s development of technology provides the user the access to information about their environment by using the smartphone device at any moment if there is a defined applicative solution. For this, it is necessary to define the user’s environment according to the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) concept, which understands adequate technology of gathering, processing and distribution of information. This paper presents the proposal of the solution for informing the traffic network users about the environment for the defined group of users based on the beacon technology. The mentioned solution is based on the results of two separate studies about the needs of users who move along a part of the traffic network. The aim of the proposed solution is to provide the user with precise and real-time information and to raise the level of safety during movement. Document type: Articl

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy for eight SARS-CoV-2 serological assays

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serological tests have been suggested as an additional diagnostic tool in highly suspected cases with a negative molecular test and determination of seroprevalence in population. We compared the diagnostic performance of eight commercial serological assays for IgA, IgM, and IgG antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Materials and methods: The comparison study was performed on a total of 76 serum samples: 30 SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)- negative and 46 SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive patients with asymptomatic to severe disease and symptoms duration from 3-30 days. The study included: three rapid lateral flow immunochromatographic assays (LFIC), two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and three chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIA). Results: Agreement between IgM assays were minimal to moderate (kappa 0.26 to 0.63) and for IgG moderate to excellent (kappa 0.72 to 0.92). Sensitivities improved with > 10 days of symptoms and were: 30% to 89% for IgM; 89% to 100% for IgG; 96% for IgA; 100% for IgA/IgM combination; 96% for total antibodies. Overall specificities were: 90% to 100% for IgM; 85% to 100% for IgG; 90% for IgA; 70% for IgA/IgM combination; 100% for total antibodies. Diagnostic accuracy for IgG ELISA and CIA assays were excellent (AUC ≥ 0.90), without significant difference. IgA showed significantly better diagnostic accuracy than IgM (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There is high variability between IgM assays independently of the assay format, while IgG assays showed moderate to perfect agreement. The appropriate time for testing is crucial for the proper immunity investigation

Counteraction of perforated cecum lesions in rats: effects of pentadecapeptide BPC 157, L-NAME and L-arginine

AIM: To study the counteraction of perforated cecum lesion using BPC 157 and nitric oxide (NO) system agents. ----- METHODS: Alongside with the agents' application (after 1 min, medication (/kg, 10 mL/2 min bath/rat) includes: BPC 157 (10 μg), L-NAME (5 mg), L-arginine (100mg) alone or combined, and saline baths (controls)) on the rat perforate cecum injury, we continuously assessed the gross reappearance of the vessels (USB microcamera) quickly propagating toward the defect at the cecum surface, defect contraction, bleeding attenuation, MDA- and NO-levels in cecum tissue at 15 min, and severity of cecum lesions and adhesions at 1 and 7 d. ----- RESULTS: Post-injury, during/after a saline bath, the number of vessels was significantly reduced, the defect was slightly narrowed, bleeding was significant and MDA-levels increased and NO-levels decreased. BPC 157 bath: the vessel presentation was markedly increased, the defect was noticeably narrowed, the bleeding time was shortened and MDA- and NO-levels remained normal. L-NAME: reduced vessel presentation but not more than the control, did not change defect and shortened bleeding. L-arginine: exhibited less vessel reduction, did not change the defect and prolonged bleeding. In combination, mutual counteraction occurred (L-NAME + L-arginine) or the presentation was similar to that of BPC 157 rats (BPC 157 + L-NAME; BPC 157 + L-arginine; BPC 157 + L-NAME + L-arginine), except the defect did not change. Thereby at day 1 and 7, saline, L-NAME, L-arginine and L-NAME + L-arginine failed (defect was still open and large adhesions present). ----- CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect was achieved with BPC 157 alone or in combination with L-NAME and L-arginine as it was able to consolidate the stimulating and inhibiting effects of the NO-system towards more effective healing recruiting vessels

Analiza trenda pojavnosti raka pluća u Zagrebu od 2005. do 2014. godine

Rak pluća je vodeći uzrok smrtnosti od raka u muškaraca u svijetu, Europi i Hrvatskoj te je na trećem mjestu uzroka smrtnosti kod žena. Istovremeno je i jedno od najčešćih sijela raka te kao takav predstavlja vodeći javnozdravstveni problem. Cilj rada je analizirati i Opisati trend incidencije raka pluća u Gradu Zagrebu u razdoblju 2005. do 2014. godine. temeljem podataka Registra za rak Hrvatskog zavoda za javno zdravstvo za Grad Zagreb. Analizirani podaci prikazani su kao dobno i spolno specifične stope incidencije, deskriptivnom epidemiologijom. U analiziranom vremenskom razdoblju imali smo ukupno 5309 slučajeva novooboljenja, gdje je od te ukupne brojke bilo 3697 muškaraca i 1712 žena. Gledajući zasebno, najviše muškaraca je oboljelo 2009.godine, njih 439, dok je kod žena to bilo 2014.godine, 214 žena. Iz tih rezultata možemo zaključiti da ni Hrvatska nije izuzetak u odnosu na ostatak svijeta, gdje je rak pluća najveći ubojica kod muškaraca, i maligna bolest od koje muškarci najčešće obolijevaju, dok je kod žena na trećem mjestu najčešćih oboljenja