The leading argument of this article is that status issues of academic staff in the context of quality assurance should be addressed through the application of comparative law, respecting the guarantee of academic autonomy, principles of academic freedom, academic self-government, pluralism of scientific disciplines and preservation of scientific production of national importance. All of the above is correlated with the creation of an environment in which the criteria for academic advancement will be more demanding than the existing ones, while respecting the overall valorization of academic work. Changes in normative frameworks must be aimed at better quality research and teaching work and stronger competitiveness of the University of Sarajevo in the European environment. Reforms need to be implemented thoughtfully, based on analyzes with identified problems and goals to be achieved, taking into account the BiH social context and the current general legal framework in which the University of Sarajevo exists, as the largest and most important higher education institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The paper investigates the effects of digitalization on teaching and educational processes and the possible negative effects that these processes have. For the Sarajevo Canton and the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina, digitalization in education has already begun and it is important to fully understand the potential threats it poses. Decision-making processes were a human competence where different programs were used only as a tool to aid the process of reaching the best decisions. Today, algorithms are decision-makers where humans perform tasks of justifying algorithm’s decisions and preventing the upheaval caused by the increasing social inequality caused by algorithmicizing. The main argument is that of higher education without understanding of the underlining algorithmicizing of its processes could consequently lead to social inequality and wrong decisions. On the other hand, the lack of awareness of accelerated digitization can lead to lagging behind in digitization processes and loss of competitiveness in an increasingly global university market. This paper explains algorithmic intermediation and remodeling of decision-making values and points out threats and needs in the higher education. It should serve educational institutions and policy makers as a guideline in the adoption of future strategies on digitization processes in higher education as well as provide the base for future discussions focusing on Global Digitization Trends within the Bosnian and Herzegovinian higher education area and its policies, laws, and strategies with a recommendation for the Digitization Action Plan in higher education in Canton Sarajevo.

What is the purpose of universities - education or job training? What should be our priority - competences for the 21st century or finding a job within a year after graduating? The future is unpredictable and today’s actions are not necessarily good, but the worst thing to happen would be doing nothing. The survival and development of university depends on our vision of who are the generations to come, what we will teach them, how we will develop the curricula and how far we will succeed in moving away from linear careers as a Procrustean bed, punishing and forcing us to believe that what we have is the only thing possible if deviations from the prescribed norm happen or if one attempts spurring development. On the other hand, the context in which education takes place is constantly changing, and today’s careers, defined as a collection of all experiences and changes in values and attitudes (not advancement in the workplace) are changing their forms just like Proteus. Therefore, the important question is how to reject the Procrustean bed and accept the concept of a protean career as a guide in the development of higher education? The development of new study programs and the revision of existing ones should be guided by the following postulates: internationalization, interdisciplinarity, equality in access and adaptation to the needs of people who need to build their careers in the next dozen years. Innovative study programs should offer: experiences that will be attractive to students from all over the world, a holistic approach to the learning experience and multiperspective, equality in access to all interested parties at every moment of their lives, and flexibility that will allow the student to have his own pace of learning. Some examples of such programs are dual studies, short cycles, combined studies and recognition of prior learning. The University of Sarajevo is a participant in two ERASMUS+ projects aimed at the development of dual studies and short-cycle programs with the aim of increasing access to education and adapting to the needs of students and employers, which directly support the principles of a protean career.

Abstract Environmental issues and the current global energy crisis serve as further motivators for the promotion of renewable energy sources. However, integrating these sources into existing power grids presents numerous challenges. As the connection capacity approaches its limits, it is imperative to employ innovative engineering methods to integrate distributed generation (DG) into resilient, self-healing smart grids of the future. One such tool is Hosting Capacity (HC) analysis, which is an emerging power system-planning tool used to position investments toward parts of the network that can absorb additional generation and promote efficient use of energy sources, avoiding overloading, inefficiencies, DG misallocations, and network failures. In this study, a technique for calculating the ideal HC in a power system is presented. The goal of this research is to develop a replicable optimization methodology for determining HC in smart distribution systems using a single objective constrained optimization problem solved through the use of genetic algorithm (GA). Detailed power system load and generation modeling and the use of advanced open-source research tool for load flow optimization improve the confidence in the proposed model. This research contributes to collective knowledge of the subject matter and establishes a reliable optimization methodology for determining HC in power systems.

Background Next-generation sequencing (NGS), including whole genome sequencing (WGS) and whole exome sequencing (WES), is increasingly being used for clinic care. While NGS data have the potential to be repurposed to support clinical pharmacogenomics (PGx), current computational approaches have not been widely validated using clinical data. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of the Aldy computational method to extract PGx genotypes from WGS and WES data for 14 and 13 major pharmacogenes, respectively. Methods Germline DNA was isolated from whole blood samples collected for 264 patients seen at our institutional molecular solid tumor board. DNA was used for panel-based genotyping within our institutional Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments- (CLIA-) certified PGx laboratory. DNA was also sent to other CLIA-certified commercial laboratories for clinical WGS or WES. Aldy v3.3 and v4.4 were used to extract PGx genotypes from these NGS data, and results were compared to the panel-based genotyping reference standard that contained 45 star allele-defining variants within CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP4F2, DPYD, G6PD, NUDT15, SLCO1B1, TPMT, and VKORC1. Results Mean WGS read depth was >30x for all variant regions except for G6PD (average read depth was 29 reads), and mean WES read depth was >30x for all variant regions. For 94 patients with WGS, Aldy v3.3 diplotype calls were concordant with those from the genotyping reference standard in 99.5% of cases when excluding diplotypes with additional major star alleles not tested by targeted genotyping, ambiguous phasing, and CYP2D6 hybrid alleles. Aldy v3.3 identified 15 additional clinically actionable star alleles not covered by genotyping within CYP2B6, CYP2C19, DPYD, SLCO1B1, and NUDT15. Within the WGS cohort, Aldy v4.4 diplotype calls were concordant with those from genotyping in 99.7% of cases. When excluding patients with CYP2D6 copy number variation, all Aldy v4.4 diplotype calls except for one CYP3A4 diplotype call were concordant with genotyping for 161 patients in the WES cohort. Conclusion Aldy v3.3 and v4.4 called diplotypes for major pharmacogenes from clinical WES and WGS data with >99% accuracy. These findings support the use of Aldy to repurpose clinical NGS data to inform clinical PGx.

The scanning vibrating electrode technique was employed to monitor the in situ localised electrochemical activity on aluminium alloy 2024-T3 at the free corrosion potential in aggressive NaCl solutions with and without corrosion inhibitors 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) and octylphosphonic acid (OPA). MBI is a very effective inhibitor against pitting corrosion, even in a chloride environment without the reservoir of MBI. In contrast, localised corrosion was observed at several points at the early stage of immersion of AA2024 in NaCl solution containing OPA. Ex situ energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis of the Al_2CuMg particle at the cross-section revealed that MBI does not entirely prevent its dissolution but reduces the dissolution rate and the rate of oxygen reduction by forming an insoluble complex compound Cu–MBI on the partially dealloyed AlCu-based particles, i.e., on the porous copper remnants. The MBI’s action is an efficient option for mitigating the corrosion of Cu-based aluminium alloys.

The sustainable forest management concept contains the essence of the sustainable development paradigm - meeting the current needs of society without compromising the needs of future generations. The strategic commitment of the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo is aimed at quality education of forestry experts, conducting innovative research and the most intensive cooperation with the economy. The methodological approach in this paper is based on a critical analysis of the scope of the educational-research process at the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo, and the potentials of sustainable forest management in BiH, to determine to what extent higher education and research on environmental, sociological and economic aspects of forest management can affect positive changes in BiH society. Apart from identifying the benefits of forest ecosystems in the context of contributing to sustainable development, the research on the attitudes of teaching staff related to the contribution of the educational-research process to general goals of sustainable development from the 2030 Agenda was conducted. The results of this paper show that the concept of sustainable forest management, as it is realized in educational-research process at the Faculty of Forestry University of Sarajevo, has significant potential to contribute to sustainable development in BiH. This contribution is reflected in biodiversity conservation, mitigation of climate change, carbon storage, prevention of natural disasters, impact on the stability of water and soil, energy supply from renewable sources, continuous economic growth, socially responsible production and consumption, job security, development of rural and urban areas as well as maintaining and improving the psychophysical health of the population. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that sustainable forest management, grounded on scientific postulates, understanding of diversity of forest ecosystem services and dynamics in society's requirements towards forests, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation, can be an important factor of sustainable development in BiH.

The curriculum of the University of Sarajevo Faculty of Architecture (UNSA AF) has evolved from a predominantly theoretical framework and setting imaginary tasks to recognizing and adequately responding to current topics and real social problems. However, the inert institutional character is noticeable, limiting the academic community's timely response to urgent challenges and societal changes. To eliminate the identified shortcomings and improve the education process, the Faculty of Architecture has undertaken several activities in cooperation with partnering institutions in BiH and the EU, resulting in critical self-evaluation and novel guidelines. Previous examples of collaboration with industry illustrate possible ways to improve the quality of education and raise student competencies. The newly designed ERASMUS + project “APLE” (2022) aims to integrate practice and cooperation with the real sector to transfer (applicable) knowledge into the teaching process. New formats of interaction with the real and public sector “ARCHIPRAXIS” are envisaged as a testing ground for implementing various ideas. This paper aims to present the importance and modalities of incorporating the practical component into the process of student education and the actualization of global topics in the local context. It also wants to point out the inertia and shortcomings in the existing academic procedures at different levels, which should be valorized as extracurricular activities. The experience gained, i.e., "lessons learned," should serve all actors involved in the educational process: academia, and industry, to the broader community to create a better framework for acquiring and applying knowledge.

At the beginning of the 21st century, environmental issues became leaders in all areas of human activity without competition. All other essential topics: health, food, energy, water, and air, are predominantly determined by environmental problems. Climate change is a result of excessive CO2 emissions due to the greenhouse effect, air pollution as a result of emissions of harmful substances by thermal power plants, chemical plants, heating boilers, individual furnaces, means of transport; pollution of drinking water, pollution and devastation of arable land, destruction of forests, pollution of rivers due to inadequate wastewater treatment, etc. are problems that require a radical change in man's attitude towards the environment, which leads to the need to reconsider and change the current way of doing business. The paper analyzes the impact of scientific achievements in electrical engineering on the accelerated industrial growth that has led to today's environmental problems. Industrial development is explored in phases (Industry 1.0, Industry 2.0, Industry 3.0, Industry 4.0) regarding the impact of radical changes in doing business. Since we are now in phase 4, the dominant topics are energy transition, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, recycling, innovation, electric vehicles, networking, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and 5G. Although all the above topics are multidisciplinary, a significant share of electrical engineering is clear. Existing plans and programs in electrical engineering, whether based on the traditional model of education or in the process of innovation, are adapted to new technological trends. As a rule, little or no importance is attached to environmental issues. As one of the answers to the mentioned problem at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Sarajevo, a new course, “Sustainable Development” was included. The paper briefly describes the content of this course.

Gender equality is a crucial issue for the 21st century society, which implies the responsibility of universities to critically review the current situation, identify social circumstances in which education takes place, and creatively design ways in which they can change social reality. Considering the imperatives of gender-inclusive education, this research is focused on the problem of horizontal gender segregation and its reflection on vertical segregation. The examination starts with insight into the general situation in higher education institutions in BiH to pay special attention to the field of social sciences at the University of Sarajevo. Based on the meta-analysis of available secondary data, the analysis primarily determines the 'diversity index' in this area, and identifies the specifics of scientific fields and the differences between them.

Aims: Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive multisystem disease caused by a mutation of the CFTR gene. To date, more than 1900 mutations of this gene are known. Studies have shown that the most common mutation is delF508. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the prevalence of individual mutations in the general population has not been thoroughly studied, so this study aimed to determine the prevalence of the mutation concerning the countries of the region and the rest of the world. Study Design: Retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Thirty-nine subjects with suspected Cystic fibrosis were referred to the Center for Genetics of the Medical Faculty in Sarajevo between 2018-2020. Methodology: 29 common CFTR gene mutations were analysed with the ELUCIGENE CF29 v2 kit (Elucigene Diagnostics, UK) using four multiplex PCR. Results: The most common mutation in our study was the F508 deletion, present in 14 subjects (73.68%). R347P and G542X mutations were confirmed in two subjects in the heterozygous state in combination with delF508 (M) 5.26% of each of these mutations. 621+1G>T was found in a homozygous state in one subject, while in another, it was in a heterozygous state in combination with delF508(M) mutation, 10.52%. Mutation 2184 delA was found in one subject in the homozygous state with a total frequency of 5.26%. Conclusion: Subjects with cystic fibrosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina are most often carriers of the delF508 mutation. Considering the existence of many mutations and that it is difficult to test them all, targeting the most common mutations in a clinical environment might help in approving therapy, and increasing patients’ quality of life.

The study indicates wartime programmed violence's implications within the liberal interpretation of contemporary legislative and human rights debates. It discusses related war theories and practices, problematizing instrumentalization of instilling new global ethics, arguing that humanitarian interventions often became "usable" in the new millennium's geopolitics; wars fatally affect the innocent. It points out that the origins of democracy are structurally violent and that the threat of terrorism, in addition to revealing new forms of "democratic violence," is having a transformative effect on the very character of democracy. How the concept of just cause agrees with armed humanitarian intervention, and whether we have the right to impose democracy by force? Whether the theory of just war in its positivist-legalist paradigm that combines universalist principles with utilitarian harm-weighing versus profit can offer a comprehensive method of morally contemplating current wars. The distinction between liberal cosmopolitan arguments and social democratic ones is apparent. The arbitrariness and the imposition of individual states' views create issues, leading to fragility (human security, socioeconomics, economic development, health). The compulsory international focus and responsibility should incorporate critical medical (children) - "the right to health" and humanitarian goods. Implementing rules to control war's destructiveness is less effective in intercultural conflicts. The doctrine of "just war" application is questionable, and no new victim should suffer even when the goal of the intervention is entirely legitimate and "humane." It cannot be just that it will exempt intervention forces from applying international humanitarian law, nor does the legitimacy of the intervention exempt them from respect for international humanitarian law. The international law concept has evolved from an instrument of promoting peace to an agent of the violent argument of force realization. Ethics is often imposed as politics; human rights ethics transformed into war ethics, leading to human rights violations and civilian casualties. War justice and the moral paradigm within globalization's contemporary forms are questioned. A broader discussion of the assumptions of the universality of Western values that have driven international law for centuries is required.

Genetic research has identified a large number of genetic variants, both rare and common, underlying neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and major psychiatric disorders. Currently, these findings are being translated into clinical practice. However, there is a lack of knowledge and guidelines for psychiatric genetic testing (PsychGT) and genetic counseling (PsychGC). The European Union-funded COST action EnGagE (CA17130) network was started to investigate the current implementation status of PsychGT and PsychGC across 35 participating European countries. Here, we present the results of a pan-European online survey in which we gathered the opinions, knowledge, and practices of a self-selected sample of professionals involved/interested in the field. We received answers from 181 respondents. The three main occupational categories were genetic counselor (21.0%), clinical geneticist (24.9%), and researcher (25.4%). Of all 181 respondents, 106 provide GC for any psychiatric disorder or NDD, corresponding to 58.6% of the whole group ranging from 43.2% in Central Eastern Europe to 66.1% in Western Europe. Overall, 65.2% of the respondents reported that genetic testing is offered to individuals with NDD, and 26.5% indicated the same for individuals with major psychiatric disorders. Only 22.1% of the respondents indicated that they have guidelines for PsychGT. Pharmacogenetic testing actionable for psychiatric disorders was offered by 15%. Interestingly, when genetic tests are fully covered by national health insurance, more genetic testing is provided for individuals with NDD but not those with major psychiatric disorders. Our qualitative analyses of responses highlight the lack of guidelines and knowledge on utilizing and using genetic tests and education and training as the major obstacles to implementation. Indeed, the existence of psychiatric genetic training courses was confirmed by only 11.6% of respondents. The question on the relevance of up-to-date education and training in psychiatric genetics on everyday related practice was highly relevant. We provide evidence that PsychGC and PsychGT are already in use across European countries, but there is a lack of guidelines and education. Harmonization of practice and development of guidelines for genetic counseling, testing, and training professionals would improve equality and access to quality care for individuals with psychiatric disorders within Europe.

Background A dysregulated postprandial metabolic response is a risk factor for chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The plasma protein N-glycome is implicated in both lipid metabolism and T2DM risk. Hence, we first investigate the relationship between the N-glycome and postprandial metabolism and then explore the mediatory role of the plasma N-glycome in the relationship between postprandial lipaemia and T2DM. Methods We included 995 individuals from the ZOE-PREDICT 1 study with plasma N-glycans measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography at fasting and triglyceride, insulin, and glucose levels measured at fasting and following a mixed-meal challenge. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the associations between plasma protein N-glycosylation and metabolic response (fasting, postprandial ( C _max), or change from fasting). A mediation analysis was used to further explore the relationship of the N-glycome in the prediabetes (HbA1c = 39–47 mmol/mol (5.7–6.5%))–postprandial lipaemia association. Results We identified 36 out of 55 glycans significantly associated with postprandial triglycerides ( C _max β ranging from -0.28 for low-branched glycans to 0.30 for GP26) after adjusting for covariates and multiple testing ( p _adjusted < 0.05). N-glycome composition explained 12.6% of the variance in postprandial triglycerides not already explained by traditional risk factors. Twenty-seven glycans were also associated with postprandial glucose and 12 with postprandial insulin. Additionally, 3 of the postprandial triglyceride–associated glycans (GP9, GP11, and GP32) also correlate with prediabetes and partially mediate the relationship between prediabetes and postprandial triglycerides. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive overview of the interconnections between plasma protein N-glycosylation and postprandial responses, demonstrating the incremental predictive benefit of N-glycans. We also suggest a considerable proportion of the effect of prediabetes on postprandial triglycerides is mediated by some plasma N-glycans.

The cyclic voltammogram recorded in the potential range between 0 V and 800 mV with scan rate of 100 mV s −1 was used to determine the measure of antioxidants content (antioxidant capacity) present in Sambucus nigra L. extract. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was 4.06 mg GAE g −1 fw (mg of gallic acid equivalents per gram of fresh weight of the extract). The corrosion inhibition efficiency of Sambucus nigra L. extract on aluminium, copper, and bronze in 3 % NaCl solution was studied by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Polarization data showed that extract acted as a mixed-type inhibitor, that the corrosion inhibition process was spontaneous physical adsorption (Δ G ≈ –16 kJ mol –1 ) of the extract molecules on metals surfaces and followed Freundlich isotherm. Impedance spectroscopy studies revealed that increasing the concentration of extract reduced the double-layer capacitance and increased the charge transfer resistance. The highest inhibition efficiencies (Cu: ~ 57 %, CuSn14: ~74 % and Al: ~58 %) were achieved for an extract concentration of 1.0 g L –1 .