<p style="text-align: justify;">The aim of this paper was to investigate the connection between student motivation and Content and Integrated Language Learning (CLIL) approach at the technically-oriented faculties of the University of Zenica. The past few decades have been marked with ongoing debates on what teaching approaches are most motivating for foreign language learners. It has been agreed upon that student-centered approaches are the most efficient ones. CLIL is one of them. Inherently, CLIL uses foreign language for teaching a particular content, in our case &ndash; the engineering one. For the purpose of the research, a questionnaire was conducted among the CLIL students, subsequent to their conference - CLIL 2017, which is the last stage of the CLIL approach to English language teaching at the aforementioned faculties. We hypothesized that the CLIL approach bolsters student<br />motivation for English language learning more than the ex-cathedra approach. The questionnaire proved the hypothesis true as the results indicated high level of motivation in students. In addition, students expressed great satisfaction with the CLIL in terms of its effect on their foreign language proficiency as well as the knowledge in the content matter<br />related to engineering. Also, students seem to be well aware of the fact that good knowledge of English language and good knowledge of engineering content create a solid basis for employment.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The paper analyzes the behavior of the plastic container during the buckling, ie during the load effect on the containers. The analysis was experimentally performed on several different types of containers. The container material is polypropylene. Experimental determination of pressure force and corresponding deformation was performed in the<br />laboratory at the Faculty of Technical Engineering Bihać. The analysis includes experimental testing on assembled containers and on container side. Places where deformation occurs on the container sides are shown.</p>

The expert reports state that Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite the presence of diverse and valuable natural resources, lacks systematic, coordinated and harmonized pipeline for biomonitoring. Successful solutions to serious problems regarding environmental protection, management and research rely on the efficient use of exhaustive and unfailing information on the nature around us. However, more often than not, transitional and developing countries lack any centralized, nationally funded databases that could be used as dependable source of information in decision making process. University of Sarajevo-Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (INGEB) developed the Regional Biodiversity Database – REBIDA with the aim to collate all known biological data on wild and domesticated natural resources of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This internet-based database represents a comprehensive, searchable and open access platform for science community, academia, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders and general public. Besides its scientific value, REBIDA will serve as an educational tool for discovering the diversity and importance of natural resources, with special emphasis on indigenous and endemic flora, fungia and fauna from the Balkans. It is the only such database in the country, consisting of three functionally connected segments: tissue database, DNA database and digital genetic database on plant, animal and human samples. To complement REBIDA, a mobile application called REBIDA SCANNER was also developed. It will be free to download for IOS and Android platforms and will enable professionals, nature enthusiasts and any other interested parties to contribute to REBIDA through data collection, field sampling and documentation of B&H wild life.

In order to assess the genetic purity of common buckwheat variety ‘Darja’ which is the most commonly produced variety of this crop in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 10 SSR markers have been used. Five samples have been collected from different production regions in B&H (Breza, Nisici Plateau, Ustikolina, Bihac and Bosanska Krupa) and compared to the reference ‘Darja’ sample obtained from an ex situ seed collection from Slovenia. Seven out of ten primer pairs used managed to amplify SSR alleles. Analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed a significant differentiation between the reference and all analyzed ‘Darja’ samples. Furthermore, the factorial correspondence analysis revealed a clear differentiation between the reference and ‘Darja’ samples from the most known production regions of common buckwheat in B&H clustering four out of five analyzed samples very close together. The most divergent one among the analyzed samples was the one from Ustikolina. Genetic purity of varieties of all of cross pollinated species produced in Bosnia and Herzegovina is questionable due to the general use of farm-saved seeds.

The region of Western Balkans has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era and was the route of the spread of farming from the Middle East to Europe during the Neolithic era. In the present study, Y-STR data from European populations have been used to construct median-joining networks. The study was performed using Whit Athey’s Haplogroup Predictor, Y Utility and Network 4 software packages to predict Y haplogroups, construct networks, perform clustering of closely related Y chromosomes and calculate time estimates between individual nodes. The results of the study imply that geographically close populations cluster together at both Balkan and European levels. It was observed that an elevated number of study populations and individual haplogroups increases the possibility that individuals of different ethnic background cluster within the same or neighboring clades of network. Subsequent time estimates, performed based on the mutation frequency between the ancestral node and its descendant nodes, revealed that I2a haplogroup within the Western Balkan region has the most compact clustering (age, estimated at 3109 years), followed by Hg E1b1b which has the second most compact clustering (4896 years). The obtained results are nonetheless in accordance with previously published research investigating the frequency of Y haplogroups based on Y-SNP variant frequencies, indicating that Western Balkan countries are mainly represented by I2a subclade (average for six countries 32.3%), followed by E1b1b and R1a (average for six countries of 21.5% and 17%, respectively).

Since the introduction of the term low copy number DNA, also referred as low template DNA, touch DNA or trace DNA analysis, it has quickly become focal point of forensic DNA testing as well as other DNA based studies. Low template DNA (ltDNA) samples can be described as the samples which involve single source samples with template DNA in concentrations below 100 picograms (pg). Due to sensitivity of ltDNA samples to contamination, it is of great importance to optimize performance of the multiplex STR systems and existing protocols to increase chance of successful analysis. The main objective of this study was analysis of 20 challenging samples (skeletal remains, cigarette buts, chewing gum, poorly collected buccal swabs etc.) mostly low template DNA samples, preliminarily profiled by PowerPlex® 16 multiplex STR systems and additionally processed with new generation multiplex STR kit PowerPlex® Fusion. Sample isolation was done using a standard phenol-chloroform method for bone samples and DNeasy® Blood and Tissue Kit for other forensic samples. PowerPlex® 16 (PP16), multiplex STR system and PowerPlex® Fusion (PP Fusion) were used for co-amplification of 15 and 24 autosomal STR loci respectively. Results of this preliminary study suggest that PP Fusion primer set is better optimized for the analysis of ltDNA samples, and it is more robust regarding presence of the potential PCR inhibitors.

Population differentiation based on genetic diversity was subject of many previous scientific studies. Consequently, various methods were suggested. The most widely used method was fixation index FST, as a part of FIS, FIT and FST parameters which were proposed by Wright (1943, 1951, 1965). The main objective is to hierarchically estimate genetic variation in populations. Nei (1973, 1987) suggested GST as more appropriate methods, with θ (Cockerham 1969, 1973; Weir et Cockerham 1984), and ΦST (Excoffier et al. 1992) introduced later on as more adequate methods for molecular markers. Wright’s FST has range between 0 and 1 where 0 indicates absence of differentiation, while 1 shows absolute divergence with no shared alleles. This method helps to quantify and compare level of genetic differentiation among populations. Since, in practice, when multialleles loci are applied, Fst value of 1 is almost never observed for fixation indices (Wright 1978; Hedrick 1999; Jost 2008). This fact reduces application of fixation indices when highly polymorphic markers (e.g microsatellites) are used (Hedrick 1999). However, certain literature suggests that Nei's GST and Wier and Cockerham's θ are flawed in the sense that 1 does not represent maximal differentiation. Arguing about practical applicability of standard genetic differentiation methods, Jost (2008) suggested allelic diversity (∆) to be base for measuring the genetic differentiation Dest as indicator of divergence (D). Jost considers that this approach corrects sampling bias, does not suffer the flaws of F-statistics and, being related to diversity, is more adequate. Nilsryman and Olofleimar (2009) concluded in their study that Dest suffers the same problems as other measures, and that GST is still more appropriate method.

One of the genes considered as a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) is the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene. Many studies have been published regarding the relation between the ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and CAD. However, studies have provided controversial results. To explore this further in the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we compared the ACE I/D genotypes and alleles distribution between two groups: 100 CAD patients and 100 healthy control subjects. The higher distribution of DD genotype (47.0%) and D allele (65.5%) were found in CAD patients compared to controls (DD 34.0%; D allele 51.0%). Genotype odds ratio, (DD + ID) on the II, was 2.471 (1.252 – 4.876; 95% CI; p < 0.05). This leads to the conclusion that the DD genotype of the ACE I/D polymorphism affects the risk for development of coronary artery disease in Bosnian population.

Tartrazine (E 102) is widely used yellow food colorant. It is used in nonalcoholic and sports drinks, spicy chips, jams, jelly and chewing gum and also found in many non-food products like soaps, cosmetics, shampoo, vitamins and some drugs. Tartrazine belongs to the most important and diverse group of synthetic dyes – azo dyes. Their use often creates controversies in the public since some of them are toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and cause different disorders or allergic reactions. In this study we aimed to evaluate genotoxic potential of tartrazine in human lymphocytes culture and its cytotoxic potential in human lymphocytes and melanoma GR-M cell line. For testing of its genotoxic and cytotoxic potential in human lymphocyte culture, we used chromosome aberration analysis and cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay. For the analysis of its cytotoxic potential in human melanoma cell culture, we applied trypan blue exclusion assay.

Aim: Research into quality of life has become very important recently, since quality of life is increasingly used to characterise diseases and estimate the efficiency of therapeutics. The aim of this study was to determine significant factors that are associated with the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia accommodated in social welfare institutions. Material and methods: The study was conducted at the Institution for the Accommodation of Adults “Male Pcelice,” Kragujevac, Serbia. It was designed as a cross-sectional study. The quality of life was measured by using five distinct scales. The data on factors that might be associated with the quality of life were obtained from case records and the patients’ questionnaires. The association of every single factor was evaluated by using comparative analysis and the method of multiple linear regression. Results: Multiple linear regression shows that EuroQoL Five-dimensions – Five-Level scale score was associated with gender (B = −0.059 ± 0.021; p = 0.006) and daily dose (B = −0.051 ± 0.015; p = 0.001); Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire score was associated with the patient’s level of education (B = 2.873 ± 1.054; р = 0.007); the number of prescribed antipsychotics was associated with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale score (B = 3.150 ± 1.111; р = 0.007); the physical domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF was associated with the year of disease onset (B = −0.142 ± 0.055; р = 0.011) and the daily dose (B = −2.335 ± 0.787; р = 0.004); the psychological domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF was associated with gender (B = −2.686 ± 1.216; р = 0.029); the social relationship domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF was associated with the level of education (B = 3.109 ± 1.289; р = 0.017) and the number of prescribed antipsychotics (B = −3.297 ± 1.516; р = 0.031); the environment domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF was associated with the number of prescribed antipsychotics (B = −1.420 ± 0.653; р = 0,031). Conclusion: The quality of life of patients with schizophrenia was higher in males with a university degree, when the duration of the disease was shorter, negative symptoms were less pronounced, and with fewer side effects. Efforts to improve the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia accommodated in social welfare institutions should be made that could contribute to the prevention of adverse outcomes.

The Dinaric endemic plant species Moltkia petraea (Tratt.) Griseb. is often called a "living fossil" of ancient Tertiary flora, with great importance for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s biodiversity. Considering its narrow and limited distribution range, insufficient data on the molecular background of this species is given so far. Due to the presence of various secondary metabolites that interfere with the DNA, isolation of nucleic acids from plant cells is known to be challenging. Even in closely related species it is necessary to optimize DNA isolation protocol in order to obtain high quality PCR amplifiable DNA. We collected 91 samples from five populations in Herzegovina. Doyle and Doyle (1987) CTAB protocol was modified by adding vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to the cell lysis buffer to improve DNA yield and quality. trnL(UAA) intron and nrDNA (ITS1, ITS2) molecular markers were applied to demonstrate amplifiability of isolated DNA and elucidate the intra- and interpopulation genetic diversity. Our results suggest a successful PCR amplification for 81% of the analyzed samples. PCR-RFLP analysis of trnL(UAA) revealed that all individuals in five populations have the same haplotype based on the obtained enzymatic profile for three enzymes (TaqI, HinfI, HindII). Alignment and comparison of ITS sequences didn’t reveal any hypervariable portion that could be informative in elucidating the genetic diversity of M. petraea populations. Further studies with additional application of microsatellite loci, RAPD and AFLP methods are necessary in an attempt to get insights into the genetic diversity of M. petraea.

This study compares the results obtained using two multiplex systems, PowerPlex® 16 System and PowerPlex® Fusion System, to evaluate the probability of a specific kinship relationship between the offspring of three pairs of identical twins, such as full kinship (siblings), first-degree relatives (first cousins) and half-siblings. Genomic DNA was isolated and amplified from buccal swab and selected short tandem repeat (STR) markers were detected. Electropherograms were generated and analyzed for all persons, using two multiplex systems. Paternity testing for every nine offspring of six examined couples was performed and in all cases the probability that the alleged father is the true father, was over 99.9999%. Kinship analyses were performed setting up two different hypotheses and calculating the likelihood ratio (LR) and kinship probability. Determining the degree of kinship between persons who were full siblings, likelihood ratio showed the highest values contrary to other two types of kinship. Kinship analyses between first cousins showed a higher probability that the examined persons are half-siblings, rather than they are first cousins. In most cases, the introduction of additional seven loci included in PowerPlex® Fusion System increased the values of average likelihood ratios. It is recommendable to use over 20 STR loci in complex kinship analyses.