Presently, the main cause of pollution of natural water resources is heavy metal ions. The removal of metal ions such as nickel (Ni2+) and cadmium (Cd2+) has been given considerable attention due to their health and environmental risks. In this regard, for wastewater treatment containing heavy metal ions, graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites with metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) attained significant importance. In this study, graphene oxide stacked with copper oxide nanocomposites (GO/CuO-NCs) were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analytical procedures. The prepared GO/CuO-NCs were applied for the removal of Ni2+ and Cd2+ ions from a binary metal ion system in batch and continuous experiments. The obtained results revealed that GO/CuO-NCs exhibited the highest removal efficiencies of Ni2+ (89.60% ± 2.12%) and Cd2+ (97.10% ± 1.91%) at the optimum values of pH: 8, dose: 0.25 g, contact time: 60 min, and at 50 ppm initial metal ion concentration in a batch study. However, 4 mL/min flow rate, 50 ppm initial concentration, and 2 cm bed height were proved to be the suitable conditions for metal ion adsorption in the column study. The kinetic adsorption data exhibited the best fitting with the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption isotherm provided the best-fitting data in the Langmuir isotherm model. This study suggested that the GO/CuO nanocomposites have proved to be efficient adsorbents for Ni2+ and Cd2+ ions from a binary metal system.

Xanthene derivatives are an important class of heterocyclic compounds with a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities. In our previous investigations, we found the good antiproliferative activity of two xanthene derivatives, with minimal toxicity investigated by in vitro tests. In this study, we tested the interaction of compound 1 (powerful potent antiproliferative compound) with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) under physiological conditions by spectrophotometric titration. The probable prediction of binding and the type of interaction forces involved in the arrangement between xanthene derivatives and CT-DNA were explored also through molecular docking studies. The results indicated that compound 1 interacts with CT-DNA by grove binding. The binding constant was found to be 2.5 ∙ 10 4 M −1 indicating the non-covalent binding of compound 1 to CT-DNA. Docking study results proposed possible binding modes, with binding energies of −9.39 and −8.65 kcal mol −1 for compounds 1 and 2, respectively, which supported previously obtained in vitro results for antiproliferative activity. In addition to experimental investigation, density functional theory (DFT) calculation with B3LYP/6-31G*, B3LYP/6-31G**, and B3LYP/6-31+G* levels of theories was performed on compounds 1 and 2 to obtain optimised geometry, spectroscopic and electronic properties. These studies could help in understanding the mechanisms of toxicity, resistance, side effects of xanthene derivatives, and their binding action mechanism to DNA

With aging, the body’s ability to maintain regular functions declines, increasing susceptibility to age-related diseases. Therapeutic interventions targeting the underlying biological changes of aging hold promise for preventing or delaying multiple age-related diseases. Metformin, a drug commonly used for diabetes treatment, has emerged as a potential gerotherapeutic agent due to its established safety record and preclinical and clinical data on its anti-aging effects. Glycosylation, one of the most common and complex co- and post-translational protein modifications, plays a crucial role in regulating protein function and has been linked to aging and various diseases. Changes in immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycosylation patterns have been observed with age, and these alterations may serve as valuable biomarkers for disease predisposition, diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and overall health assessment. In this study, we analyzed the IgG glycosylation patterns of white men from Europe, aged 29–45 years, under treatment with metformin, testosterone, metformin plus testosterone, and placebo (trial registration number NCT02514629, 2013/07/04), and investigated the longitudinal changes in glycosylation over time. We observed statistically significant differences in the IgG glycome composition between participants on testosterone therapy and placebo, with decreased agalactosylation and increased galactosylation and sialylation. However, metformin therapy did not result in statistically significant changes in glycosylation patterns. These findings contribute to our understanding of the impact of therapeutic interventions on IgG glycosylation and confirm the value of IgG glycosylation as a significant biomarker, capable of assessing biological age using the GlycanAge index and providing insight into overall health compared to chronological age.

The essential resources for the survival of the living world are air, water and land. By its essence land is the only non-renewable natural resource, with a potentially rapid rate of degradation and a very slow process of formation and regeneration. Water and land are resources, characterized by climate, so climate variability inevitably affects the processes in the land and its use, whose testimonies today we could find through the fossil lands. Processes affecting the lands are intensified in the last few decades around the world, such as erosion, water logging, drought, fire, loss of organic matter and the like, are associated with climate change and are visible on the territory of Republika Srpska. The basic task of humans today is to use the land rationally and to preserve it for new generations. On the basis of available measured data and climate models in the future, the following conclusions came out: land use would not be significantly impaired, nor would crop production be endangered; favorable climatic conditions would continue to prevail for the production of corn, wheat, and potatoes, with increased year-on-year variations by the end of the century; due to earlier sowing, water logging would be pronounced; regular maintenance of existing drainage systems should be fully in function, and new ones to be built in geopardize places; for the new, highly intensive orchard establishments and vegetable production, irrigation system should be designed and built; comprehensive solutions of existing erosion processes and prevention of occurrence of new ones should be envisaged, because in future climatic conditions, dry periods of higher intensity might occur, followed by strong rainstorms could cause permanent soil loss due to dried vegetation prone to erosion; considering that the soils of Republika Srpska are very poor in humus, i.e. organic carbon, it is necessary to apply agrotechnical measures to increase the intake of organic matter. Intentional burning of crop residues must be severely punished. Continuous monitoring of soil fertility on georeferenced locations is indispensable (pH, macroelements (NPK), content of organic matter, water-physical properties of soil) for better data comparison and observation of the direction of impact, whether positive or negative, in order to plan and take timely adaptation measures, ensuring proper and sustainable land use and climate change mitigation.

The COVID-19 pandemic, since SARS-CoV2 was discovered in December 2019, has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. Since then, several countries have witnessed the collapse of the health care system due to the great need to treat patients with COVID-19. At the global level, drastic measures have been taken to combat the spread of the virus. However, these measures have led to disruptions in other aspects of health care, diagnosis and treatment of other diseases and conditions. There is also a stalemate in achieving the ambitious goal set by the World Health Organization to eliminate viral hepatitis as a threat to public health by 2030. Hepatitis B and C are chronic conditions with a significant global burden, and COVID-19 has slowed or stopped many hepatitis elimination programs.

Water represented a very important segment in the design and functioning of Sarajevo over the course of its long past. Water, as a symbol of life, in various forms and shapes, has been an indispensable factor in the creation and development of many urban areas in human history, which is very clearly visible in the Sarajevo example. Based on data from unpublished archival materials, published sources and relevant literature, this text attempts to present certain elements that undoubtedly led to the city's development. The work deals with different thematic areas that chronologically presented the exploitation of the water potential of Sarajevo and its immediate surroundings, as one of the key causes of the city's urban development and its economic and social transformation. In the classic Ottoman era, Sarajevo was, to the greatest extent thanks to the institution of the Waqf, an area with an extremely large number of different forms of construction on the water. Wells, fountains and shadirwans as well as a wide branched network of water supply systems, made it possible to use the bounty of water unhindered. Mills and bridges were in the function of economic activity, which directly affected the prosperity of the city. In addition to these positive examples, the paper also provides information on certain problems caused by the natural effect of water power. During the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods, Sarajevo was faced with floods which, depending on the intensity and whether the Miljacka or one of its tributaries flooded, caused damages of different scopes. Therefore, special attention was paid to the efforts of the city authorities to prevent such scenarios. The paper deals with the construction and maintenance of Sarajevo's water supply network. Its beginnings in the Ottoman period are presented and analyzed, as well as the first, at that time, modern approaches in the construction of a modern water supply system after the Austro-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Austro-Hungarian authorities, aware of the existing water potential of the source of the Mošćanica river not far from Sarajevo, tried to make maximum use of these facilities with the aim of supplying the city with sufficient quantities of drinking water. The Ottoman waterworks were dilapidated and could not meet the needs of the entire population, which was constantly growing, and the city's territory was expanding year by year, so this was also an aggravating circumstance. The paper shows in detail how the construction of the first modern water supply system in Sarajevo proceeded in 1889, as well as how it functioned in the following period. The presented and analyzed cases from the original material clearly illustrate the problems faced by the residents who wanted to connect their housholds to the water supply network as well s how the new water supply system caused various types of damage to their private properties. The last segment that this paper treats refers to the use of water power for the production of electricity. Towards the end of the First World War, the Dudin Hrid power plant was put into operation, which used the water power of the existing water supply brought from the Jahorina mountain. In this way, the city was supplied with water and electricity, which was extremely important. Particular attention was paid to the construction of a hydroelectric plant on the Željeznica River, in Bogatići, not far from Sarajevo. This project, although conceived and planned at the beginning of the twentieth century, was only realized after the Second World War and represented the first built object of the First Five-Year Plan. The results of the research presented here can serve, not only within the framework of the historiographic range, but also for the needs of knowledge that is of various social significance.

Future wireless multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems will employ sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency bands working cooperatively. Establishing a MIMO communication link usually relies on estimating channel state information (CSI) which is difficult to acquire at mmWave frequencies due to a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this paper, we propose three novel methods to estimate mmWave MIMO channels using out-of-band information obtained from the sub-6 GHz band. We compare the proposed channel estimation methods with a conventional one utilizing only in-band information. Simulation results show that the proposed methods outperform the conventional mmWave channel estimation method in terms of achievable spectral efficiency, especially at low SNR and high K-factor.

Aktivnosti Centra za istraživanje moderne i savremene historije Tuzla u 2022. godini // Activities of Center for Research of Modern and Contemporary History Tuzla in 2022.

Abstract Background To examine correlation between elevated levels of thyrotropin with the frequency of miscarriages. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on the 380 respondents and it investigated TSH (thyrotropin), thyroid peroxidase antibody(anti-TPO) and free thyroxine (FT4) in pregnant women who had a miscarriage (N = 179) and pregnant women with normal pregnancies (N = 201). Results The incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the miscarriages group was higher than in control group (61.4% vrs 15.79% (p < 0.001). In the miscarriages group with hypothyroidism (first trimester) mean value of TSH was significantly higher 4.31 ± 2.55 mIU/L compared to the control group 1.95 ± 0.86mIU/L (p < 0.001). Logistic multivariate regression revealed that TSH and body mass index (BMI) have a significant influence on the miscarriage; TSH level has a higher odds ratio (OR) 1.47 CI (95% 1.22–1.78) than BMI (OR) 1.14 CI (95% 1.06–1.23)) (p < 0.001). The combination of thyroid autoimmunity and TSH > 2.5mIU/L increase the risk of miscarriage (65.75%) compared to positive anti-TPO antibodies and TSH < 2.5mIU/L(14.15%)(p < 0.001). Conclusions Higher TSH levels correspond with obesity during early pregnancy and may be a sign of maternal thyroid dysfunction. Physiological thyroid function in the first trimester of pregnancy is important for perinatal outcome.

ABSTRACT Background The European Renal Association (ERA) Registry collects data on kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This paper is a summary of the ERA Registry Annual Report 2021, including a comparison across treatment modalities. Methods Data was collected from 54 national and regional registries from 36 countries, of which 35 registries from 18 countries contributed individual patient data and 19 registries from 19 countries contributed aggregated data. Using this data, incidence and prevalence of KRT, kidney transplantation rates, survival probabilities and expected remaining lifetimes were calculated. Result In 2021, 533.2 million people in the general population were covered by the ERA Registry. The incidence of KRT was 145 per million population (pmp). In incident patients, 55% were 65 years or older, 64% were male, and the most common primary renal disease (PRD) was diabetes (22%). The prevalence of KRT was 1040 pmp. In prevalent patients, 47% were 65 years or older, 62% were male, and the most common PRDs were diabetes and glomerulonephritis/sclerosis (both 16%). On 31 December 2021, 56% of patients received haemodialysis, 5% received peritoneal dialysis, and 39% were living with a functioning graft. The kidney transplantation rate in 2021 was 37 pmp, a majority coming from deceased donors (66%). For patients initiating KRT between 2012–2016, 5-year survival probability was 52%. Compared to the general population, life expectancy was 65% and 68% shorter for males and females receiving dialysis, and 40% and 43% shorter for males and females living with a functioning graft.

The mountain of Konjuh is characterized by a landscape of high aesthetic value with significant diversity in biological, geomorphological, and hydrological aspects. This, combined with its cultural-historical heritage, religious and traditional values, provides the foundation for educational, ecotourism, and sports-recreational tourism activities, as well as for visitor enjoyment and the development of economic activities. Located in the northeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Konjuh, along with Ozren, Javor, and Javornik, forms part of the chain of peripheral (higher) mountains, which, together with Trebavac and Majevica, represent the transition from the Dinaric mountain system to the vast Pannonian plain. The average elevation of the mountain is 1,000 meters. The Tuzla Canton government has passed a law declaring a portion of Konjuh Mountain, covering an area of 8,016 hectares, as a Cultural Heritage site of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of this study was to systematically inventory medicinal plant species at seven sites on Konjuh Mountain in three municipalities (Kladanj, Živinice, and Banovići) at different altitudes (from 560 to 1,100 meters), classify medicinal plant species based on taxonomic and ecological attributes, and create phytocenological field records. During the research, 109 medicinal plant species were identified, including endangered and endemic species. The taxonomic structure of the families of medicinal plants on Konjuh Mountain revealed the presence of 43 families, with the most represented being representatives of the Lamiaceae family at 13.76%, Asteraceae at 11.92%, Fabaceae at 7.33%, and Plantaginaceae at 5.50%. A phytogeographical analysis of the medicinal plant flora identified 11 areal types and groups. An analysis of the biological spectrum of flora in all habitats indicates the presence of six primary life form types, with hemicryptophytes (H) being dominant, accounting for 59 species.

We posit that the distinct patterns observed in fermion masses and mixings are due to a minimally broken U(2)_{q+e} flavor symmetry acting on left-handed quarks and right-handed charged leptons, giving rise to an accidental U(2)^{5} symmetry at the renormalizable level without imposing selection rules on the Weinberg operator. We show that the symmetry can be consistently gauged by explicit examples and comment on realizations in SU(5) unification. Via a model-independent analysis of a standard model viewed as an effective field theory, we find that selection rules due to U(2)_{q+e} enhance the importance of charged lepton flavor violation as a probe, where significant experimental progress is expected in the near future.

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the main health issues that has an impact on cognitive function, physical ability, immune function, and reproductive performance. Therefore, this study focused on the determination of iron content in leafy plants cultivated in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the average daily intake of iron via consumption of these plants. The plant samples were prepared by wet digestion with nitric acid (HNO3), and iron content was determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mean concentration of Fe ranged from 41.97 mg/kg for Brassica oleracea var. acephala to 338.73 mg/kg for Spinacia oleracea. Daily intakes for different leafy plants were also calculated. The leafy plants were arranged by daily iron intake in the following decreasing order Spinacia oleracea > Beta vulgaris > Atriplex hortensis > Urtica dioica > Brassica oleracea var. acephala. Results from this study indicate that leafy plants can be a significant source of iron. The findings conclusively suggest that our local leafy plants are good source of iron through diet.

Historical cartography has an important place among historical sources. Many researchers can have the opportunity to use many cartographic sources during their research. An important source in historical cartography is maps created during the reign of the Ottoman Empire on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the existence of cartographic representations of Bosnia and Herzegovina which are the results of the work of cartographers of the world should also be emphasized. Large-scale representations found in the form of cadastral plans of various scales are of particular importance in research. However, small-scale cartographic representations also offer great help to researchers. The first large-scale representations of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina were made during the reign of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. This short period of rule on the soil of Bosnia and Herzegovina resulted in the surveying and representing of the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina on cadastral plans at the scale 1:6250, 1:3125, 1:1562.5 and 1:781.25. On the basis of these large-scale representations, many small-scale representations of different topics, purposes and scales were created. Small-scale representations were made in different scales, which also dictated the detail of the representation. The maps, i.e. small-scale graphic representations, were produced at the scales of 1:12500, 1:25000, 1:75000, and 1:150000. With the end of the First World War, a new period of cartography of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina was born. During this time, topographical maps were made at the scales of 1:25,000, 1:50,000, and smaller scales. Of course, the authors of the maps monitored the situation on the ground and tried to ensure that all the details that could be shown were shown on them in terms of content and according to the possibility of the display. After the end of the Second World War, a completely new period was started in the production of graphic representations of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A special place is occupied by large-scale representations views - cadastral plans that were prepared at the scales of 1:5000, 1:2500, 1:2000, 1:1000 and 1:500. On the basis of cadastral plans, small-scale graphic representations of Bosnia and Herzegovina - maps were created. The map scales were 1:2500, 1:50000 and smaller. Maps with different purposes and themes were created. Topographic maps have a special significance. The completeness of the presentation is an important determinant of all the previously mentioned presentations. The completeness of the cartographic display is reflected in the display of all significant objects, depending on the scale of the display. The area of Bosnia and Herzegovina has many sights. Most of these sights have been measured and shown on large-scale geodetic bases - cadastral plans as well as small-scale geodetic bases - maps. Graphic representations of Bosnia and Herzegovina were created by many cartographers. Taking this as important data, Bosnia and Herzegovina or its individual parts are shown on maps of different scales related to different authors. This is precisely what results in graphic representations on which different signs, display methods, letters, and languages are represented. Cartographic representations in Bosnia and Herzegovina were created in different time periods. The depictions of Bosnia and Herzegovina go back several centuries. Cartographic representations show details that are interesting to many researchers. At the time of the creation of cartographic representations, it was not even imagined how important the representations would be for research in today's time. Historical cartography through cartographic representations offers a lot of information about many objects on the soil of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The depictions of the Travnik's old towns Toričan and Vrbenac, are especially important for the research. In the paper, the depictions of the aforementioned remnants of Travnik's old towns were investigated. They were shown on many cartographic sources of different purposes and different scales, which were made by different authors in different time periods. The paper analyzes the depiction of old cities in historical cartographic sources from the 17th to the 20th centuries.

Abstract As an endemic species, Dalmatian barbelgudgeon was introduced into Šatorsko Lake, but it was insufficiently explored at this locality. The aim of this study was to determine seasonal variations of physicochemical parameters of the water in relation to morphometric and hematological parameters of Dalmatian barbelgudgeon from Šatorsko Lake. Physicochemical analysis of the water recorded lower values of temperature, O2 concentration, O2 saturation, electrolytic conductivity and suspended matter in autumn, while other analyzed parameters indicated lower values in spring. The analysis of morphometric parameters (weight, standard length, total length and Fulton’s condition factor) determined higher values of all the parameters during spring, while a significant difference was noted only for Fulton’s condition factor. A statistically significant difference was observed for all erythrocyte lineage parameters (RBC-red blood cells, HB-hemoglobin concentration, HCT-hematocrit, MCV-mean corpuscular volume, MCH-mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCHC-mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations). In white blood cells, a statistically significant difference was recorded for lymphocytes, non-segmented neutrophils and monocytes, while the proportion of segmented neutrophils and basophils was slightly increased in spring. Furthermore, the recorded values of pseudo-eosinophils were equal in spring and autumn. The results of these studies indicate a significant influence of exogenous and endogenous factors on the variability of morphometric and hematological parameters of Dalmatian barbelgudgeon from Šatorsko Lake.