INTRODUCTION Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the neglected tropical diseases that affects impoverished communities throughout the world. In Pakistan CL is an endemic disease. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the incidence of CL infection in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan from January 2020 to March 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY A total of 1047 clinically suspected cases of CL from Bolan Medical College Hospital, Quetta, were followed up in the study. The data regarding the epidemiological characterstics, pathological information, and treatment of patients was collected. RESULTS Out of 1047 probable cases of CL, 594 (56.73%) cases were found to be positive for CL. Females had the highest infection rate, with the majority of reported cases being in the 0-9-year age group. Most CL cases were reported in April in the year 2020, with a few cases reported in June. But in the year 2021, the highest number of cases were reported in December. The number of overall cases has gradually increased in the year 2022, most likely because of the reduction in COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The p value for the positive as compared to suspected cases in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 was calculated as 0.8925, 0.8763, and 0.8535 respectively. CONCLUSIONS Further epidemiological studies and health education campaigns are recommended to increase public awareness. It is strongly advised that local, provincial, and national health authorities establish and maintain effective leishmaniasis surveillance systems to promptly identify disease outbreaks and implement timely control measures.

This paper aims to examine the awareness and perceptions of depositors in Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding the features of investment deposits in Islamic finance. It evaluates the contribution of mudarabah-based deposits to the financial inclusion of Muslims and identifies factors influencing clients' decisions to place their funds in Islamic banks. The study employs a quantitative research methodology, utilizing an online survey distributed via LimeSurvey to collect primary data. The survey targeted bank clients in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a non-random convenience sample was obtained by promoting the survey link on a Facebook page aimed at users in the region. Paid advertising was used to enhance visibility, and direct outreach was conducted in cities with Islamic bank branches to ensure a representative sample. The survey included questions on demographic information, awareness of investment deposits, understanding of Islamic finance, and attitudes towards banking risks and returns. The structured nature of the survey allowed for effective data collection and analysis to identify knowledge gaps and depositor attitudes. The findings reveal that a significant portion of respondents lack adequate knowledge about investment deposits, posing a critical barrier to their effective use for mobilizing savings and enhancing financial inclusion. Muslim clients identify interest as a significant hurdle to saving in conventional banks, with similar expectations and risk aversion observed in Islamic banking investment accounts. This research underscores the potential role of investment deposits in advancing financial inclusion by addressing knowledge gaps and examining factors influencing clients' decision-making processes. It highlights the need for increased awareness and education about investment deposits to facilitate their wider adoption among depositors, enhancing the understanding of leveraging Islamic finance principles to promote financial inclusion and meet the unique needs of Islamic savers and investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The modernization of health care as a whole in the era of automation and the increasingly frequent use of ICT is noticeably reflected in the change in the structure of the education system of health workers, the program content of personnel education, the duration of education and training of personnel, mass at all levels of education, and more. All this resulted in significant changes within the entire health and education system. Due to the multitude of technical and technological achievements, the area of ​​application of new technique and technology in the process of education and professional development could not remain outside the influence. By introducing this new factor (technological-technical) into education, it was learned that systematic changes will be needed, i.e., not only changes within the teaching forms and methods but also changes in the function of the manager in the health organization.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Metallic materials in granular packings show different electrical properties from their bulk counterparts.<br />In this paper, we investigate the temporal evolution of the electrical conductivity of granular metals. We<br />use metallic beads arranged in different one-, two- and three-dimensional ensembles through which<br />different constant currents are injected. The conductivity behavior in all three types of systems is<br />qualitatively similar. The results show the rise of conductivity which is more pronounced in the earlier<br />stages of the time evolution. We investigate the influence of the dimensionality, number of the beads,<br />and the values of the injected currents on the conductivity behavior.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">The aim of this paper is to perform a dynamic analysis of a large industrial mixer used for mixing liquids inside a vertical tank. The analysis is performed numerically using software tools SolidWorks and Ansys for finite element method analysis. A comparative analysis of results obtained from both software platforms is presented. Although there are discrepancies in the results due to software differences, the overall results are satisfactory. The largest discrepancy was noticed in the maximum equivalent stress on<br />the tank roof. The structure exhibits elastic behavior under oscillating loading, keeping its integrity. While deficiencies in 3D modeling affect stress distribution, natural frequencies in software coincide with analytical calculations. Following loading, the structure settles as expected, indicating well-established dynamic analysis. Despite challenges in stress<br />localization, the study confirms the validity of the conducted analysis, considering the complexity of the structure.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Pressure vessels that are exposed to high stresses, due to unfavorable working conditions during exploitation, must be properly designed, taking into account all calculation factors, in order to be safe during their expected lifetime. Checking the condition of the vessel, or analyzing the load of the vessel in working and test conditions, is mandatory. In recent times, numerical analysis represents one of the most important methods of analyzing the stress states of all structural elements, including pressure vessels. It enables precise determination of the location of the greatest stresses and deformations. In this paper, a stress analysis of a vertical cylindrical pressure vessel type VS 110 with a spiral for heating and cooling, with a volume of 3750 liters and a working pressure of 3 bars, which is used for the preparation of medicines in the pharmaceutical<br />industry, was performed. The calculation of the vessel was made according to the EN 13445 standard and regulations on pressure vessels. Then a numerical stress analysis was performed in the Autodesk Inventor 2023 software package. The results of the numerical analysis show that the highest stresses occur in the torispherical parts of the vessel end. Furthermore, the cylindrical nozzles on the shell as well as on the torispherical ends act as a reinforcement of the vessel because there is a stress reduction in their vicinity.</p>

This study investigates the role that demographic factors (country of origin, age, gender, and education) play in green purchase intentions (GPIs) among consumers in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It is based on primary, quantitative, cross-sectional data collected using the questionnaire. The final sample included 680 consumers from the three countries. Hypotheses are tested using the independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results of the study show that age, gender, and education are not significant differentiators in GPI, while partial support was found regarding the role of country of origin. The study points out the relevance of GPIs and indicates the theoretical and practical implications. It enriches the scarce literature on green consumer behavior in the Middle East region and presents future research suggestions for its further development.                                                         

This paper analyzes the global and European green bond markets from different perspectives. The paper uses data on green bond issues on the global and European green bond market, in the period from 2013 to 2023. Research results show that the issuance of green and other sustainability-related revenue use bonds has increased in recent years. Europe remains the largest issuance region, accounting for more than half of global issuance. Green bond issuance globally and in Europe has experienced a tumultuous couple of years after reaching record highs of USD 575 billion and USD 326 billion in 2021, respectively. In 2023, Europe's green bond issuance recovered 11% year on year to USD 341 billion. It slightly outperformed the global markets, which recorded 10% growth to reach USD 581 billion. In line with 2022, the corporate sector fueled 2023 green volume, contributing 57% of issuance. Corporate issuers in Europe are mostly dominated by the energy, utilities, automotive, transport, and building sectors, all of which have hystorically been dependent on fossil fuels. Analysis of the capital markets in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) indicates that the green bond market exists, and it started in 2023 when the first issue of green bonds was announced by a commercial bank on the local capital market (Banja Luka Stock Exchange). The key barriers to the development of the green bond market are the lack of appropriate institutional arrangements for green bond management, the issue of minimum size, and the high transaction costs associated with issuing green bonds.

<p style="text-align: justify;">An overview of previous research provides a fundamental understanding of the current state of the process of cutting styrofoam on a CNC cutter, identifying gaps and the need for further research. Identification of important parameters, such as wire cutting speed, density of the styrofoam and current intensity, provide the basis for planning the experiment. The research methodology is described in detail, including the selection of<br />factors, levels, and design of experiment (Box-Behnken design). The analysis of the data obtained by the experiment is focused on the output sizes 𝑦𝑦1 (external measure) and 𝑦𝑦2 (internal measure), with an emphasis on statistical analysis using Minitab and Microsoft Excel software. Through a comprehensive review, the paper aims to contribute to the understanding and optimization of the process of cutting styrofoam on a CNC cutter,<br />providing insights into the influence of parameters on the quality of cutting.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The research focuses on the efficiency of sound barriers in protecting against traffic-induced noise, with a specific focus on the example of barrier construction along the "A" highway in Sarajevo. The study aims to analyze the results of measuring daily and nightly noise levels at five different locations along the route, using standard methods and tools for noise measurement. The methodology involved constructing walls made of steel supporting columns and transparent panels of varying heights, and conducting control measurements of daily and nightly noise levels. The research results indicate that sound barriers are effective in reducing noise in the vicinity of roadways, especially during the daytime. However, nighttime noise values were slightly higher than the maximum allowable values, indicating the need for additional measures to control noise during nighttime hours. The importance of proper planning, construction, and maintenance of sound barriers is emphasized to ensure a better living environment for urban residents and reduce irritation caused by traffic noise.</span></p>

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy and public health, disrupting various aspects of daily life. Apart from its direct effects on physical health, it has also significantly affected the overall quality of life and mental health. This study employed a path analysis to explore the complex association among multiple factors associated with quality of life, anxiety, and depression in the general population of the Republic of Srpska during the pandemic’s second year. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a nationally representative sample (n = 1382) of the general population (adults aged 20+) during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. Assessment tools included the DASS-21 scale for depression, anxiety, and stress, along with the Brief COPE scale, Quality of Life Scale (QOLS), and Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3). Sociodemographic factors and comorbidities were also assessed. Structural equation modeling was used to identify the direct and indirect links of various characteristics to quality of life, anxiety, and depression. Results: This study revealed a considerable prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms (27.5% and 20.9%, respectively), with quality of life playing a significant mediating role. The constructed path model accounted for 33.1% of moderate to severe depression and 79.5% of anxiety. Negative coping was directly linked to anxiety and indirectly to depression via anxiety, while the absence of positive coping had both direct and indirect paths (through quality of life) on depression. Among variables that directly affected depression, anxiety had the highest effect. However, the bidirectional paths between anxiety and depression were also suggested by the model. Conclusions: Pandemic response strategies should be modified to effectively reduce the adverse effects on public mental health. Further research is necessary to assess the long-term effects of the pandemic on mental health and to analyze the contributing factors of anxiety and depression in the post-COVID period.

Aims: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is characterized by symptoms and signs of volume overload and tissue perfusion insufficiency and accompanied by neurohormonal activation. Copeptin is a part of pre-pro-vasopressin and synthesized in equal molar amounts with vasopressin. We aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of copeptin in indicating the diagnostic value of CHF Methods: This retrospective study included a total of 80 patients including 40 with heart failure and 40 healthy individuals. The groups were compared in terms of demographic features, laboratory findings including copeptin levels. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of gender (p>0.05). Age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking were statistically significantly higher in the heart failure group compared to the control group (p<0.05). In both groups, serum copeptin levels were higher in men than in women. Copeptin levels in the heart failure group were statistically significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.05). In the heart failure group, there was a negative correlation between serum copeptin levels and age, gender, hypertension, smoking, HDL cholesterol, hematocrit, creatinine levels. Conclusion: Copeptin is a good indicator of the course of the disease in patients with heart failure.

Using the descriptive-analytical method and grammatical analysis, this paper explores the phenomenon of lexical and grammatical polysemy in the 90 th Qur'anic surah al-Balad. Contemporary works from Cognitive Linguistics and the tafsir tradition form the basis of the research. Some key lexical units in this surah are characterised by polysemy, as observed by commentators of the Qur'an. The commitment to a specific semantic structure during interpretation can lead to semantic changes in the text’s higher structures. The paper’s aim is to present the cognitive implications of the use of such expressions, and to discover why Qur'an translators opted for specific interpretive matrices in the Bosnian language.

Abstract Research into sustainable construction is increasingly focusing on the use of renewable materials in construction. These materials represent a promising alternative to conventional building materials as they are derived from renewable sources and are usually more environmentally friendly in terms of production, transport and end-of-life treatment. The Department of Ecological Building Technologies at the Vienna University of Technology has been investigating the hygrothermal behaviour and applicability of renewable materials for many years. Not only traditional building materials such as straw, wood, sheep’s wool and hemp have been investigated, but also innovative materials such as mushroom fabric. The research covered various aspects such as moisture protection, fire protection, thermal insulation, durability and resistance to external influences. The overall aim was to deepen the understanding of ecological building materials, overcome barriers to their use, and develop damage-tolerant constructions from them. The robust properties of wheat straw, sheep’s wool, hemp, cellulose and other materials underline their potential as efficient and environmentally friendly building materials. The data and insights gained will not only help to prove the effectiveness of these materials in the construction industry, but also to address concerns and uncertainties about their functionality.

In a decision-making scenario, one group member may need, independently from the other members, to choose an item, e.g., a restaurant, that will be experienced by the group. In a prior research on restaurant recommendation, we have identified two primary tasks of such an organizer of a lunch/dinner event, who is in charge of selecting a proper restaurant for the group: anticipating the other group members’ preferences, to properly enter these preferences in the recommender system, and reconciling incompatible preferences, if they arise in the elicitation phase. To support the first task, we augmented a group recommender system with a machine learning model that predicts group members’ food preferences, about dishes that can be consumed in the restaurant, based on other available information about the members (demographics and preferred cuisine). However, in a user study, we found that supporting functionality to be not effective in improving the quality of the choices made by the organizer. In this paper, we investigate the causes of this poor performance. We analyze the possibility that the poor performance may relate to: the deployed ML models used for food preference prediction, the amount of data about food preferences used for training the ML model, and the complexity of the preference anticipation task. The results of our experiments suggest that neither the ML model nor the scarcity of the preference data is responsible for the observed poor value of the implemented preference recalling function. While a user study seems to confirm the impossibility of accurately predicting food preferences from the considered user’s characteristics (demographics and preferred cuisine).