Identification of the coupling functions between the process and the degradation dynamics by means of the variational Bayesian inference: an application to the solid-oxide fuel cells.

Understanding the way in which the degradation of a system's component is coupled to the system's dynamics is highly relevant for the monitoring and control of modern engineering systems. This paper focuses on the identification of coupling functions that describe the relationship between the system's dynamics and the degradation rate in solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks. Based on the degradation dynamics estimated from data acquired online, we can design timely mitigation actions as well as optimal maintenance interventions.

Vanishing bile duct syndrome associated with azithromycin in a 62-year-old man.

Vanishing bile duct syndrome is a severe cholestatic disease associated with toxic effects of medications. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a hypersensitivity disorder that may also be caused by medications. We present a case of a 62-year-old male patient who developed vanishing bile duct syndrome a month after Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Genetic comparison of a Croatian isolate and CEPH European founders.

Human isolates have been postulated as a good resource for the identification of QTL due to reduced genetic diversity and a more homogeneous environment. Isolates may also have increased linkage disequilibrium (LD) due to small effective population size and, either loss or increase in frequency of alleles that are rare in the general population from which they originate. Here we investigate the difference in allele and genotype frequencies, LD and homozygous tracts between an isolate-several villages from the island of Vis in Croatia-and an outbred population of European origin: the Hapmap CEPH founders.

The uncertainty in burn prediction as a result of variable skin parameters: an experimental evaluation of burn-protective outfits.

The reliable prediction of burns, resulting from exposure to elevated levels of heat, received early interest in physiology and later on in various branches of applied research and engineering. In this paper we address the problem of estimating the extent of skin burns in the context of a quantitative assessment of protective garments from the statistical point of view. We rely on the experimental platform built around the thermal mannequin equipped with an array of thermal sensors.

Genome-wide association study of anthropometric traits in Korcula Island, Croatia.

Aim: To identify genetic variants underlying six anthropometric traits: body height, body weight, body mass index, brachial circumference, waist circumference, and hip circumference, using a genome-wide association study.

Methods: The study was carried out in the isolated population of the island of Korcula, Croatia, with 898 adult examinees who participated in the larger DNA-based genetic epidemiological study in 2007. Anthropometric measurements followed standard internationally accepted procedures.