High handgrip strength in men’s artistic gymnastics is crucial, mainly for improving performance and to potentially prevent injuries, as well as for the fact that gymnasts body movements are around immovable apparatuses (pommel horse, rings, parallel bars and high bar) for the extended period of time. Since there are not so many studies that have dealt with this topic and on actual competition, we have aimed to examine the handgrip strength influence on the competition result in elite male artistic gymnasts. The sample of participants were conducted of 37 elite male artistic gymnasts (8–21 years old), from 8 different countries as national team competitors at the International Competition “Laza Krstić and Marica Dželatović” held in Novi Sad, Serbia. Basic anthropometric measurements were included (body height, body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)), along with training experience and handgrip strength measurement (both dominant and nondominant hand). Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z test (p < 0.05) was used for distribution normality, along with regression analysis with Model 1 (participants age, training experience, body height, body weight and BMI), Model 2 (Model 1 + dominant handgrip strength) and Model 3 (Model 1 + nondominant handgrip strength). SPSS v.20 was used for all statistical analysis. Our study have revealed that there is significant influence of all 3 Models on the parallel bars final result (p = 0.33; p = 0.49; p = 0.31, respectively), in terms of all set of variables, whereas body weight Beta scores (28.6%; 30.3%; 32.7%, respectively) moslty explains the results. Both dominant and nondominant handgrip strength are influential factors only on the parallel bars final result. Since both hands are contributing equally, bilateral training is necessary. In order to expand the knowledge on this topic and completely understand the influential factors, future studies are needed on this sample. Regardless of our main findings, our results should be taken with caution.

The main ambition of this paper is to explain and analyze the difficult relations between China and Taiwan and its possible consequences for the regional and international security. The role of the United States is considered as a key actor. It permits to understand the strategies of the different actors due to the strong support given by Washington to Taiwan. The economic relations between the two neighbors are also interesting, to show how the topic is complex and sensitive. Our goal is to propose an analysis mentioning the ambitions of the different sides and their limits due to the realpolitik.

Quality of experience (QoE) is a multidimensional concept that has been in the focus of the research community for quite some time, especially after the rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT). It has been examined in many contexts (web, telecommunications, economy, medicine, etc.), for different media types (text, audio, video, augmented/virtual reality, etc.) and systems in various domains. Given that logistics and transport is a potent ICT-based domain for research activity in the future, in order to ease and improve the investigation of QoE in the contexts of logistics and transport, we aim to sum the recommendations and lessons learned for the investigation of QoE on the basis of our existing research. These suggestions cover how to treat the concept of QoE and relate it to other fields, techniques and environments to examine and treat QoE, as well as future technologies that need to be included. We provide insight into how these challenges can affect examination of QoE in logistics and transport and discuss ways to overcome them.

Given that, in the realization of the mission of a non-profit organization, employees play the most important role, in this research we questioned the employees' job satisfaction and their dedication to the organization. The problem question was aimed at examining the influence of job satisfaction on organizational commitment. Data were collected through a questionnaire from respondents in the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sample consisted of employees of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The statistical software package for data analysis -SPSS -was used to analyze the collected attitudes of 602 employees. The main research hypothesis was: H1. Job satisfaction has a direct impact on the organizational commitment of employees of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The obtained results confirmed the main hypothesis. The research also confirmed that within the framework of the functioning of the aforementioned non-profit organization, it would be important to research other topics in the field of human resource management.

Capacity discharge percussion welding is nonconventional welding process where heat source is an electric arc obtained by discharging of capacitor bank. The arching time is very short, around 10 ms, and depends on a few parameters such as: capacity of capacitor bank, voltage, movement speed of welded pieces during welding. During arching a certain amount of material is melted and after that squeezed out by applied force used in welding process. Quantity of squeezed material depends upon heat input, intensity of the force pressing the wires during welding and many other parameters. Mechanical properties of welded joints depend on welding parameters. In this paper is described the influence of capacity discharge percussion welding parameters on mechanical properties of welded joints.

In this study, a detailed physicochemical characterization of taurine in water is performed based on density and viscosity measurements in the temperature range from T=(293.15 – 313.15) K. Solubility of taurine increases with the temperature increasing. Data obtained from the volumetric and viscosimetric measurements indicate that taurine does not self-aggregate in water. Molecular dynamic simulations provided insight into how taurine molecules behave in water.

The aim of this work was to get a detailed insight into the ion’s interactions along with the structure-making/structure-breaking tendency that has been retrieved through the perusal of calculated parameters from volumetric measurements for aqueous solutions of three newly synthesized ionic liquids: 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chlorite, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chlorate and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium perchlorate. Further, the antimicrobial activity of synthesized and commercial (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) ionic liquids on certain strains of bacteria and fungi was obtained. Antimicrobial tests were performed using the in vitro microdilution method against isolated strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus bacteria, and the fungus Candida guilliermondii. This method is a rapid, quantitative method for the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using small amounts of samples (µl) and test compound. Based on the obtained results, the influence of the homologous series of chloride oxyanions on hydration and antimicrobial properties of imidazole-based ionic liquids will be discussed.

This study presents the results of volumetric and viscometric measurements of caffeine solutions in an equimolar mixture of ethylene glycol – water, known as antifreeze. Measurements were made in the temperature range T = (283.15 – 313.15) K and up to a caffeine molality of 0.12 mol∙kg-1. Experimental results are supported by molecular dynamics (MD) computer simulations. The obtained results indicate that water molecules have a dominant role in the solvation of caffeine. At the same time, ethylene glycol acts as a dehydrating agent and promotes the self-aggregation of caffeine and the investigated mixture.

The increasingly frequent improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) is leading to concerns about the environmental consequences. When they are poured out, the flammable solvents from the electrolytes in LIBs are the threatening soil and plant contamination. If these liquids spill or leak from batteries, they could enter the soil through various pathways and contaminate crops such as cucumber and tomato plants, which have extensive root systems that may facilitate the absorption of ILs. After absorption, some electrolyte components could accumulate inside the plants and have toxic effects, potentially harming plant growth and crop fields. This study investigated how spilling electrolytes with varying combinations of ILs, organic solvents, and lithium salts in different concentrations affects the growth and development of tomatoes and cucumbers. Special attention was paid to examining the influence of electrolyte components on aerial parts and/or fruits of these plants and the levels of metabolites involved in antioxidant protection under stressful conditions, such as malonyldialdehyde (MDA). In this work, certain ILs with bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, NTf2, anion have a phytotoxic effect, which negatively affects cucumber and tomato growth and development.