Objective: Romania began its COVID-19 immunization programme with approved vaccinations in three stages, as follows: The first step of vaccination is for health and social professionals, the second stage is for high-risk persons and the third stage is for the remainder of the general public. This study aims at assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 and vaccination against COVID-19 in the Romanian population during the third wave of the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a Bosnian and Herzegovinian study on COVID-19 vaccination during the country’s third wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Our study sample, dominantly female (629; 61.0%), with a bachelor’s degree (734; 71.2%), either single (539; 52.3%) or in a relationship (363; 35.2%), engaged in intellectual labour (910; 88.3%) and living in an urban environment (874; 84.8%) with a mean age of 25.07 ± 8.21 years, 294 (28.5%) people with COVID-19 symptoms and 86 (8.3%) were tested COVID-19 positive, had a mean knowledge score of 16.38 ± 4.0 with correct answer rates on questions ranging from 30.1% to 88.2%. Being single (odds ratio = 3.92, p = 0.029) or in a relationship (odds ratio = 3.79, p = 0.034), having a bachelor’s degree and higher (odds ratio = 1.61, p = 0.006) and being COVID-19 tested (odds ratio = 1.82, p < 0.001) were associated with higher knowledge test scores. Our sample had relatively optimistic attitudes towards final COVID-19 disease containment (712; 69.1%) and vaccination programmes (679; 65.9%). The majority of the sample followed socio-epidemiological measures and did not visit places of mass social gatherings (666; 64.1%) and wore masks (992; 95.7%) while being outside their home. In terms of vaccination rates, 382 (37.0%) of the individuals were presently immunized against COVID-19. Higher knowledge test scores (>15 points) (odds ratio = 1.66, p = 0.002) and positive attitudes of this study (odds ratio = 1.59, p = 0.001, odds ratio = 4.16, p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors for vaccinating against COVID-19. Conclusion: Romanian citizens have had good knowledge, optimistic attitudes and appropriate practices towards COVID-19 vaccination during the third wave of COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Higher knowledge regarding the disease and vaccination against it not only increased attitudes towards the end of the pandemic, but also increased the willingness to be vaccinated and to avoid infection risk factors.

Abstract The use of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods to select the most appropriate one from a range of alternatives considering multiple criteria is a suitable methodology for making informed decisions. When constructing a decision or objective matrix (DOM) for MCDM procedure, either crisp numerical values or fuzzy linguistic terms can be used. A review of relevant literature indicates that decision experts often prefer to give linguistic terms (instead of crisp numerical values) based on their domain knowledge, to establish a fuzzy DOM. However, previous research articles have not adequately studied the selection between fuzzy and crisp DOM in MCDM, especially under the context of assessing the financial performance (FP) of listed firms – a notably complex decision-making problem. As such, the primary motivation of this study is to bridge this research gap through comparative analyses of fuzzy and crisp DOM in MCDM. Along this path, and in order to handle fuzzy DOM, this work also proposes two new fuzzy MCDM methods: fuzzy preference ranking on the basis of ideal-average distance (PROBID) and fuzzy sPROBID (simpler PROBID), extending the applicability of the original crisp PROBID and sPROBID methods. Moreover, for the first time in the literature, this work compares the FP rankings obtained using fuzzy MCDM methods with an objective benchmark we have identified, i.e., the real-life stock return (SR)-based ranking. The case study of ranking the FP of 32 listed firms demonstrates that the fuzzy MCDM methods produce higher correlation results with the SR-based ranking. The results also suggest that the proposed fuzzy sPROBID method with triangular fuzzy DOM performs the best for assessing the FP of firms in terms of Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient with the SR-based ranking. Overall, the contributions of this work are three-fold: first, it proposes two new fuzzy MCDM methods (i.e., fuzzy PROBID and fuzzy sPROBID); second, it advances the application of fuzzy MCDM methods in assessing and ranking the FP of listed firms to make rational investment decisions in the financial market; third, it studies the selection between fuzzy and crisp DOM through comparisons with an objective benchmark.

The requirements for the efficient replacement of fossil fuel, combined with the growing energy crisis, places focus on hydrogen production. Efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts are needed for H2 production, and novel strategies for their discovery must be developed. Here, we utilized Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations to demonstrate that hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) can be boosted via hydrogen spillover to the support when the catalyst surface is largely covered by adsorbed hydrogen under operating conditions. Based on the insights from KMC, we synthesized a series of reduced graphene-oxide-supported catalysts and compared their activities towards HER in alkaline media with that of corresponding pure metals. For Ag, Au, and Zn, the support effect is negative, but for Pt, Pd, Fe, Co, and Ni, the presence of the support enhances HER activity. The HER volcano, constructed using calculated hydrogen binding energies and measured HER activities, shows a positive shift of the strong binding branch. This work demonstrates the possibilities of metal–support interface engineering for producing effective HER catalysts and provides general guidelines for choosing novel catalyst–support combinations for electrocatalytic hydrogen production.

The Angle-of-Arrival (AoA)-based approach is an appealing solution for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) positioning, and has received significant interest recently. In this article, we propose a novel framework for UAV three-dimensional (3-D) positioning, the core of which is to measure the two-dimensional (2-D) Angle-of-Departure (2D-AoD) and 2D-AoA via a bistatic multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar. Unlike the existing positioning architectures, the MIMO radar is equipped with polarized array antennas. An estimator based on the parallel factor (PARAFAC) decomposition is developed. It first obtains the direction matrices via performing the PARAFAC decomposition of the array data. Thereafter, the rotational invariance characteristic is utilized to form a normalized polarization response vector, from which the 2D-AoD, 2D-AoA, and polarization status of the UAVs are achieved via incorporating the vector cross-product method and the least squares (LSs) technique. Finally, the 3-D positions of the UAVs are easily calculated via the location relationship between the 2D-AoD, 2D-AoA, and the coordinates of transmitting/receiving (Tx/Rx) array. The proposed framework is computationally friendly, and is capable of positioning anonymous UAV. Moreover, it is insensitive to the geometry of the Tx/Rx array, indicating that the proposed framework supports configurable Tx/Rx antennas. Simulation results are provided to verify our theoretical advantages.

In Europe, wood is a crucial construction material that has experienced a surge in use for building applications in recent years. To enhance its dimensional stability and durability, thermal modification is a widely accepted commercial technology. Thermal modification is a popular technique that alters the properties of wood, improving its resistance to decay and increasing its dimensional stability. The process involves heating wood to high temperatures under controlled conditions, leading to chemical reactions that result in various physical and mechanical changes. This paper will discuss the effects of thermal modification on the physical properties of wood, such as density, moisture content, and color, as well as its impact on the mechanical properties, including strength, stiffness, and hardness. Additionally, the review will examine the factors that influence the degree of modification, such as temperature, duration, and wood species. Finally, the paper will conclude with an overview of the current state of research in this field and identify potential avenues for future investigation.

This study aimed to investigate the water absorption capacity of thermally modi fi ed and non-modi fi ed spruce and blue-stained spruce wood. The wettability of wood depends on various factors, including its type, density, porosity, and surface treatment. Wood can swell and become distorted when exposed to water or humidity, impacting its structural integrity. Hence, it is crucial to consider the water and water vapour uptake in the wood when choosing materials for applications that are likely to be exposed to moisture. Various moisture absorption tests were conducted to assess water absorption capacity, including short-term and long-term water absorption and water vapour absorption. The results showed a signi fi cant difference in the long-term exposure to water, which was related to the density of the wood. The study examined the in fl uence of thermal treatment on the physical properties of wood and observed signi fi cant variations in mass change due to coating, indicating differences in adhesion among different wood types. Vacuum-treated blue-stained Norway spruce demonstrated higher adhesion (5% – 15%) compared to air-treated samples. Furthermore, cohesion tests revealed lower cohesion force in blue-stained Norway spruce (approximately 20% – 30%) compared to Norway spruce. The study also used indus-try-standard tests to investigate the adhesion and cohesion of nano-coatings on wood surfaces. The results provided valuable information on the properties of coatings applied to wood, which is vital in protecting and decorating wood while also providing preventive protection against wood pests, weathering, and mechanical in fl uences. Wood modi fi cation in vacuum involves subjecting the wood to a low-pressure environment to remove air and moisture, allowing for deeper and more uniform penetration of treatment chemicals. In contrast, wood modi fi cation in air relies on the natural circulation of air to facilitate the absorption of chemical treatments, without the need for a vacuum chamber.

Current trends in educational sciences can best be evaluated by assessing the master and doctoral theses defended at the universities. The goal of the present paper was to do a qualitative content analysis of the titles of master theses defended at the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Total of 393 master theses defended in the period from 2012 to 2021 were the subject of this analysis. Of these, 287 were defended at the department for teacher education and 106 at the department for preschool education. As expected, most of the studies dealt with early elementary school students and preschool children. Many studies contained the term “development” in its title, and it was referring to all domains from speech to socio- emotional and motor development. Several studies examined parental and teachers’ attitudes towards various topics. In relation to the subject, most studies dealt with science education, followed by physical education and language. A number of studies had special education as the main topic, covering issues of teacher competencies, creativity, support to students with developmental disabilities, to the quality of life. Students have studied various relevant topics. In the future, we expect to see an increase in studies covering digital competencies of teachers and evaluation of online education.

The aim of this research is to analyze the spatial distribution of the population ageing in Bosnia and Herzegovina and identify areas of the country that are particularly vulnerable to negative demographic trends. To achieve the goal of the study, data on the ageing coefficient and ageing index for the period 2013-2020 were used. The geospatial analysis of these indicators was performed using global (Global Moran's I and Getis-Ord General G) and local (Anselin Local Moran's I and Getis-Ord G*) indexes of spatial autocorrelation. The research results confirmed the clustering of both indicators. Ageing coefficient values are clustered in municipalities in western, northwestern, Eastern, and central Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ageing index values are clustered in municipalities in central, western, northwestern, and northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. This study provides insight into the research methods of spatial demographic trends and phenomena, and its findings can serve as a basis for future demographic research and development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.