Human mitochondrial genes MT-ATP6 and MT-ATP8 encode the subunits 6 and 8, respectively, of ATP synthase, a vital protein Complex V intricately involved in oxidative phosphorylation and ATP metabolism. This enzyme produces ATP from ADP in the mitochondrial matrix utilizing energy provided by the proton electrochemical gradient. Pathogenic mutations within these genes have been linked to various syndromes such as NARP syndrome, Leigh syndrome, mitochondrial myopathy with reversible cytochrome C oxidase deficiency, and progressive spastic paraparesis, among others. In our investigation, we sequenced 24 complete human mitochondrial genomes of healthy adult individuals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, each representing unique maternal lineage. Employing the Illumina MiSeq NGS platform and the Nextera XT DNA library preparation protocol, we obtained raw NGS reads. Subsequent analysis utilizing SAMtools enabled the identification of genetic variants within the MT-ATP6 and MT-ATP8 genes. We identified a total of 11 SNPs, including three in MT-ATP8 and eight in MT-ATP6, with none of them being associated with any mitochondrial diseases or conditions. Our results align well with previously reported genome variation data for European populations and set the groundwork for future mtDNA analysis for clinical purposes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Background and Objectives We recently developed a model (PROCEED) that predicts the occurrence of persistent perfusion deficit (PPD) at 24 hours in patients with incomplete angiographic reperfusion after thrombectomy. This study aims to externally validate the PROCEED model using prospectively acquired multicenter data. Methods Individual patient data for external validation were obtained from the Endovascular Therapy for Ischemic Stroke with Perfusion-Imaging Selection, Tenecteplase versus Alteplase Before Endovascular Therapy for Ischemic Stroke part 1 and 2 trials, and a prospective cohort of the Medical University of Graz. The model's primary outcome was the occurrence of PPD, defined as a focal, wedge-shaped perfusion delay on 24-hour follow-up perfusion imaging that corresponds to the capillary phase deficit on last angiographic series in patients with <Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 3 reperfusion after thrombectomy. The model's performance was evaluated with discrimination, calibration accuracy, and clinical decision curves. Results We included 371 patients (38% with PPD). The externally validated model had good discrimination (C-statistic 0.81, 95% CI 0.77–0.86) and adequate calibration (intercept 0.25, 95% CI 0.21–0.29 and slope 0.98, 95% CI 0.90–1.12). Across a wide range of probability thresholds (i.e., depending on the physicians’ preferences on how the model should be used), the model shows net benefit on clinical decision curves, informing physicians on the likelihood of PPD. If a physician's attitude toward false-positive and false-negative ratings is equal, the model would reduce 13 in 100 unnecessary interventions by correctly predicting complete delayed reperfusion, without missing a patient with PPD. Discussion The externally validated model had adequate predictive accuracy and discrimination. Depending on the acceptable threshold probability, the model accurately predicts persistent incomplete reperfusion and may advise physicians whether additional reperfusion attempts should be performed.

Abstract Purpose Ultrasound is a highly effective imaging tool for assessing abnormalities within the breast. However, especially the identification of malignant tumors of the breast mimicking fibroadenomas (MTMF) by means of breast ultrasound can be challenging. This study aimed to identify reliable imaging characteristics of MTMF. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was approved by the local ethics review board. After screening 623 patients, 421 cases with histologically verified fibroadenomas and MTMF between 2011 and 2021 were included. Sonographic features were compared to histopathological results and an algorithm-based quantitative ranking of predictors contributing most to the correct classification of malignant tumors was conducted. Results A total of 363 benign, 18 intermediate, and 40 malignant lesions were analyzed. Algorithm-based quantitative ranking showed that the most predictive features indicating malignancy were a hyperechoic rim (gain ratio merit 0.135 ± 0.004), an irregular border (0.057 ± 0.002), perilesional stiffening (0.054 ± 0.002), pectoral contact (0.051 ± 0.003), an irregular shape (0.029 ± 0.001), and irregular vasculature (0.027 ± 0.002). Conclusion Ultrasound findings for fibroadenomas vary, making identification of MTMF challenging. Features such as indistinct margins and increased perilesional echogenicity are predictors for malignancy and should be considered during sonographic evaluation of fibroadenomas and MTMF.

Modern social movement imposes need for researching cultural policy, especially from their aspect of their creation and implementation at the local community level. Research conducted so far on development of local government and local policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina were primarily directed on economic and legally – the political aspect of local government. Goal of this research is advantage and possibility analysis, limiting the local growth of cultural politics on the level of territorial organisation of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina. What problems does the government face during creation of cultural policy? How are local and cultural identities formed? Do local governments have strategies for cultural development? In what measure is culture recognised as a developing chance especially in the time when Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes alternative tourist destination? How are cultural projects financed and in what measure do citizens show interest to participate in the growth of culture and local culture politics? By a strategic approach this research is contributing towards the definement of modern model culture policy, it is contributed to a total community growth of local communities.

Sport, particularly in the realm of professional competition, is a domain of human endeavor that is increasingly dependent on the use of analytical statistical information. Consequently, mathematics and statistics are becoming increasingly crucial elements in sports. Although experts recognize the importance of analytics in women’s basketball, the literature addressing this subject remains limited. The objective of this study is to employ quantitative methodologies to discover prevailing patterns in global women’s basketball representation. The entities examined in this article were the games contested during the 2021 Olympic Games, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2023 continental championships. Two regression models were created for the research, using thirteen standard variables observed in the game. The evaluation of the regression model was conducted using the stepwise regression method, incorporating dimensionality reduction based on the outcomes of factor analysis. Among the 14 models that were observed, 13 of them exhibited strong and moderate linkages, while only 1 displayed weak connections and lacked statistical significance. The primary factors that account for the disparity between winning and losing teams in games are primarily associated with shooting accuracy toward the basket. When examining individual championships, the percentage surpassed 50% in all cases except for AfroBasket. However, when considering the overall results, the significance of shooting rose to 86%. The variable representing offensive rebound efficiency had a significant influence on the outcome, being present in all individual competitions, whereas defensive rebound efficiency was only considered in the overall results.

Quantum entanglement is so fundamentally different from a network packet that several quantum network stacks have been proposed; one of which has even been experimentally demonstrated. Several simulators have also been developed to make up for limited hardware availability, and which facilitate the design and evaluation of quantum network protocols. However, the lack of shared tooling and community-agreed node architectures has resulted in protocol implementations that are tightly coupled to their simulators. Besides limiting their reusability between different simulators, it also makes building upon prior results and simulations difficult. To address this problem, we have developed QuIP: a P4-based Quantum Internet Protocol prototyping framework for quantum network protocol design. QuIP is a framework for designing and implementing quantum network protocols in a platform-agnostic fashion. It achieves this by providing the means to flexibly, but rigorously, define device architectures against which quantum network protocols can be implemented in the network programming language $\text{P}4_{16}$ . QuIP also comes with the necessary tooling to enable their execution in existing quantum network simulators. We demonstrate its use by showcasing V1Quantum, a completely new device architecture, implementing a link- and network-layer protocol, and simulating it in the existing simulator NetSquid.

Chickpea and lentils are one of the most important legumes not only as sources of food and nutrients but also for enrichment of soil as a nitrogen fixating crop. An early onset of higher temperatures and drought are affecting chickpea and lentil growth and flowering leading to reduction of yield. In search for a tolerant varieties presented study performed a large-scale screening of two legume varieties (chickpea and lentils) investigating phenotypical response to early onset of drought under heat stress. Under heat stress and two different irrigation conditions, 19 chickpea and 18 lentil accessions were examined. The evaluation focused on their growth, biomass production, and flowering rate in comparison to commercially available varieties. Six chickpea accessions showed tolerance to water stress while only two lentil accessions differed from the rest of tested accessions. Generally, lentils genotypes were less stressed by decreased water availability compared to chickpea. Large scale screening of legume accessions could be a valuable tool to identify new varieties that could show phenotypical traits more adaptable to climate related environmental stresses. To improve the reproductive efficiency in chickpeas and lentils under adverse conditions associated to climate change an extensive breeding effort should be focused on investigation of more tolerant genotypes and cultivation in crop systems.

In this paper, I investigate the attempts of the European Union to promote and entrench the rule of law standards in the Western Balkans countries. I examine the failures of legal reforms in key policy areas, such as the regulations of judicial independence, the legislative branch of government, vetting and suppression of corruption, that prevent progress in achieving the rule of law standards. I demonstrate how a narrow focus on the judiciary and its performance has harmed the standards. I propose a more specific focus on socio–economic reforms that, at first glance, appear less relevant to the rule of law. These are: higher education reforms, digitalization, decarbonization, and better targeting of anti-corruption measures. More focus on these areas allows a refocusing from a narrow conception of rule of law to other good governance reforms.

This study aims to investigate the differential impacts of recurrent and non-recurrent government expenditures on the gross domestic product (GDP) of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1996 to 2022. Aggregating data from various government levels, it employs ordinary least squares (OLS) regression techniques to analyze the relationship between these types of expenditures and economic growth. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between recurrent expenditure and GDP, indicating that spending on health, education, and security contributes to economic growth. Conversely, non-recurrent expenditure, encompassing capital and development investments, does not show a statistically significant impact on GDP in the short term. This suggests that while recurrent spending is crucial for immediate economic performance, non-recurrent investments require strategic planning and efficiency to realize their growth potential. The study underscores the importance of efficient expenditure allocation in transitioning economies like Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting the need for a balanced fiscal strategy that supports both immediate economic stability and long-term development.

The aim of this study was to select the best marketing communication channel for a medium-sized agricultural company in the area of the city of Bijeljina by applying multi-criteria decision-making methods. Eight criteria were used for the research, and five communication channels were selected. The research on the importance of individual criteria was influenced by the commercial management of the company in question with their common attitude, i.e. assessment. The Entropy - MABAC method of multi-criteria decision-making was used for the methodology. The results show that the criterion of diversity of new information is the most significant. The best-rated communication channel is the company’s good image. The second-best rated alternative is the use of the internet, specifically social media. The results provide a good basis for further research in this area with the aim of determining the factors that influence the choice of future promotion methods and obtaining useful information.

Numerous archaeological sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina represent a historical heritage and testify to the rich cultural, social, and political life of medieval Bosnia. Bobovac, the capital of the Bosnian Kingdom after King Tvrtko I's coronation in 1377, featured a royal complex with a palace, church, and fortification. Recent molecular-genetic research on skeletal remains from Bobovac aims to uncover medieval ancestors' customs and genetic origins. Fifteen well-preserved teeth samples from Bobovac were processed. STR amplification employed PowerPlex® Fusion and Investigator® 24plex QS Kits, with Y-STR profiles generated using the PowerPlex® Y23 System. Fourteen partial autosomal STR profiles were obtained, enabling sex determination and kinship analysis. STR amplification success varied due to ancient DNA degradation, with larger loci showing lower amplification rates. Kinship analysis confirmed appropriate marker selection, demonstrating high reliability for determining close relationships. Integrating aDNA analysis with archaeological research enhances our understanding of historical populations, connecting archaeology and forensic genetics to contribute to the broader narrative of human history.

COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared in 2020 by the World Health Organization. New mutations have been identified, leading to various variants of this virus, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron, which are classified as variants of concern (VOCs) and have raised considerable concerns for global public health. Such constant spread and changes in the genome of the virus require continuous monitoring. This research focuses on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 through a detailed presentation of the viral genome, protein structure and interpretation, with the presentation of phylogenetic characteristics and patterns. We obtained the sequence data from the European region focusing on the S, E, and RdRp proteins from the publicly available NCBI database. We next used the MEGA11 package to generate the multiple sequence alignments and create phylogenetic trees. The SWISS-MODEL server was connected to the Protein Data Bank to obtained tertiary structure images of all the proteins presented in the paper. Stability studies of obtained mutations were performed via MUpro online tool. The results indicate a substantial impact of the Omicron variant relative to others, particularly concerning the alterations and mutations observed in the spike (S) protein, which is crucial in the infection process.

ABSTRACT Background In 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused disruptions in kidney replacement therapy (KRT) services worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 on the incidence of KRT, kidney transplantation activity, mortality and prevalence of KRT across Europe. Methods Patients receiving KRT were included from 17 countries providing data to the European Renal Association Registry. The epidemiology of KRT in 2020 was compared with average data from the period 2017–2019. Changes occurring during the first and second waves of the pandemic were also explored. Results The incidence of KRT was 6.2% lower in 2020 compared with 2017–2019, with the lowest point (−22.7%) during the first wave in April. The decrease varied across countries, was smaller in males (−5.2%) than in females (−8.2%) and was moderate for peritoneal dialysis (−3.7%) and haemodialysis (−5.4%) but substantial for pre-emptive kidney transplantation (−23.6%). The kidney transplantation rate decreased by 22.5%, reaching a nadir of −80.1% during the first wave, and was greatest for living donor kidney transplants (−30.5%). While in most countries the kidney transplantation rate decreased, in the Nordic/Baltic countries and Greece there was no clear decrease. In dialysis patients, mortality increased by 11.4% and was highest in those 65–74 years of age (16.1%), in those with diabetes as the primary renal disease (15.1%) and in those on haemodialysis (12.4%). In transplant recipients, the mortality was 25.8% higher, but there were no subgroups that stood out. In contrast to the rising prevalence of KRT observed over the past decades across Europe, the prevalence at the end of 2020 (N = 317 787) resembled that of 2019 (N = 317 077). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the incidence of KRT, kidney transplant activity, mortality of KRT and prevalence of KRT in Europe with variations across countries.

We introduce Mathador-LM, a new benchmark for evaluating the mathematical reasoning on large language models (LLMs), combining ruleset interpretation, planning, and problem-solving. This benchmark is inspired by the Mathador game, where the objective is to reach a target number using basic arithmetic operations on a given set of base numbers, following a simple set of rules. We show that, across leading LLMs, we obtain stable average performance while generating benchmark instances dynamically, following a target difficulty level. Thus, our benchmark alleviates concerns about test-set leakage into training data, an issue that often undermines popular benchmarks. Additionally, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation of both open and closed-source state-of-the-art LLMs on Mathador-LM. Our findings reveal that contemporary models struggle with Mathador-LM, scoring significantly lower than average 3rd graders. This stands in stark contrast to their strong performance on popular mathematical reasoning benchmarks. The implementation of Mathador-LM benchmark is available at https://github.com/IST-DASLab/Mathador-LM.