This paper describes influences of heat input on leg size of pulsed GMAW fillet welds of unalloyed steel with thicknesses of 4 mm, in horizontal and overhead position. Varied parameters were welding current and speed, while voltage and current profile were predefined by welding equipment manufacturer. Influence is described through models based on linear regression analysis. Comparison is made between developed models, as well as with those available in literature.

Background: Patients infected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), display various symptoms and severity of the clinical picture. Thus, the therapy and pathophysiology of this disease are a dilemma for health professionals and scientists. Objective: This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic protocols (the use of anticoagulants) in the treatment of COVID-19 patients of various severity of the clinical picture by monitoring coagulation markers (PT, INR, aPTT and D-dimer), as well as the impact of the type and number of comorbidities patients had on these markers. Methods: A total of 200 patients with a mild (n=76), moderate (n=70) or severe (n=54) clinical picture was included. Coagulation markers [PT (prothrombin time), INR (international normalized ratio), aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time), D-dimer] were examined on three occasions: twice during hospitalization and once after hospital discharge. Anticoagulants used intrahospital were fraxiparine, rivaroxaban or unfractionated heparin. Posthospital, patients were taking either rivaroxaban or did not use any anticoagulants. For statistical analysis, SPSS 26.0 and Microsoft Excel 2019 were used, with a level of significance of α=0.05. Nonparametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank and Bonferroni) were applied and effect size (ES) was calculated. Results: Three anticoagulants used intrahospital caused a significant decrease in PT, INR and D-dimer and a significant increase in aPTT, especially in patients with a severe clinical picture, but the ES was the biggest with fraxiparine, then rivaroxaban, and lastly unfractionated heparin. Posthospital, rivaroxaban caused a significant decrease in PT, INR and D-dimer and a significant increase in aPTT, especially in patients with a severe clinical picture. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity in all patients, as well as in patients with a severe clinical picture. There was a statistically significant impact of the number of comorbidities patients had on D-dimer, and none on PT, INR and aPTT, but the highest number of comorbidities was in patients with a severe clinical picture. Conclusion: The use of anticoagulants, especially fraxiparine intrahospital and rivaroxaban posthospital, is justified in most COVID-19 cases as there is a significant correlation between this disease’s pathophysiology and the coagulation process. There is also a positive correlation between the severity of the clinical picture and the number of comorbidities patients have.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute inflammatory illness of the pancreas representing a true question in diagnostic process. Laboratory markers of the hepatobiliary tract such as liver transaminases with pancreatic enzymes give a true hint of a hidden diagnosis together with urea, creatinine and creatine kinase (CK). Objective: This clinical study aims to show whether there is any correlation between alpha-amylase and CK or their ratio examining hospitalized patients with AP diagnosis. Methods: From total number of 99 patients with a clinical picture of AP, 71 patients in this retrospective analysis (including both genders) were included according to the presence of two biochemical markers in collected laboratory analysis at admission and 72 hours later on a laboratory check-up: CK and alpha-amylase. Results: The median CK value of AP cases was 92 (41.75 – 207.25) in the acute period and 73 (37 – 159) after 72h staying in the hospital without statistical significant (p=0.521; p<0.05). However, there was a statistically significant correlation between the parameters of CK at admission and creatine kinase after 72h staying in the hospital. The median value of CK/Amylase ratio in the acute period was 0.168 (0.069 – 0.532) and 0.386 (0.12 – 1.12) after 72 hours of staying in the hospital. There was a statistically significant difference between values of CK/amylase ratio in these two groups (p=0.000; p<0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, a connection between CK and alpha-amylase needs to be elucidated in further studies and its existence must be researched both in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, and it is two-way and very complex. This study helped us obtain significant information about the perspective of AP in the potential relation to other non-standard laboratory markers for some diseases

Understanding the level of economic freedom is an important indicator for investors and policymakers. The index of economic freedom, which the Heritage Foundation releases annually, is the most significant of the methods used to measure this indicator in practice, as this index evaluates the degree of market openness over the degree of fiscal and regulatory restraint. The research presented in this paper was conducted in order to establish the level of economic freedom in the Balkan countries. For this purpose, a multi-criteria ranking of Balkan countries based on economic freedom criteria was used. The weight of the criteria was determined using the Entropy method, and the countries were ranked using the CRADIS (Compromise Ranking of Alternatives from Distance to ideal Solution) method. These methods employed a double normalisation approach, and according to the results of this application, Bulgaria has the best indicators of economic freedom, while Montenegro has the worst, with sensitivity analysis and validation of the results confirming these findings. The approach of using double normalisation contributes to decision-making stability since the results of different methods are uniform when compared to the use of the classical approach in the case of multi-criteria analysis methods.

This research is focused to identifying the most suitable plum variety for establishing a new orchard, aiming to achieve optimal outcomes. To accomplish this goal, multi-criteria decision-making model has been developed striving to support decision-making process. The gained results are based on experience of experts engaged in assessment of certain plum varieties. The analysis of collected expert ratings has involved mutual use of 3 methods, where the FUll COnsistency Method (FUCOM) and CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) methods were applied to determine the weights of selected criteria. The results of applying these methods demonstrated that the Maretability criterion is of highest importance. Besides, the fuzzy MARCOS method (Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution) has been applied to rank the plum varieties according to expert ratings. Derived results revealed that the ?Cacanska rodna? and ?Stanley? varieties were ranked as the most favorable, while the ?Prezident? variety was assessed as the most unfavorable. Further, gained research outcomes were corroborated by the sensitivity analysis and results validation. This research contributes to improvement of fruit growing in BiH by previous adequate selection of available plum varieties towards the establishing of new orchards and yielding optimal outcomes.

The hotel industry is undergoing significant change as a result of technological advancements and shifting guest preferences. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in this transformation, allowing hotels to provide personalized, efficient, and sustainable experiences that meet the needs of modern travelers. This paper provides an overview of the role and application of AI in the hotel industry, highlighting its benefits and challenges as well as presenting case studies that show how hotels are currently utilizing AI technology. According to the review of literature, AI technology can be used to optimize hotel operations, improve the guest experience, and boost sustainability efforts. However, the use of AI technology in the hotel industry raises concerns about data privacy and security, job displacement, and the need for human supervision to ensure ethical and responsible deployment. Finally, the paper discusses the future directions of AI in the hotel industry, highlighting the emergence of voice technology and augmented reality as potential areas for future innovation. This paper adds to the growing body of literature on the use of AI in the hotel industry and provides useful insights for hotel managers, technology providers, and researchers.

The constant developments in the area of accounting information systems unlock a wide area for contributing to the existing theory in the field of accounting information systems. Particularly in the case of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the benefits that the use of AIS brings with it, are not yet well recognized. The purpose of this research is to analyze the overall situation in the FBiH regarding the use of AIS in companies and its impact on strategic decisionmaking. Data is collected through surveys that were distributed to the companies in FBIH. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Research findings indicate that the industry sector and satisfaction with AIS are found to be statistically significant predictors of the probability of decision-making based on AIS and that accounting information is indispensable in the process of strategic decision-making, especially when it comes to the company's growth, investments, and borrowing.

According to applied TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making method (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), in paper was selected adequate sales distribution channel in one enterprise active within the agro-food sector at the territory of Semberija (BiH). Decision makers, in this case represented by employed management in enterprise, have been evaluated five sales distribution channels in enterprise in line to previously defined criteria, i.e. products' characteristics, company's financial situation, consumer habits, production costs, geographic concentration, and products' assortment. The main goal of research was to create a model for optimal selection of sales channels, while derived results have been showed that the model "producer - seller (retailer) - consumer" is the most adequate towards the predefined selection criteria. In addition to the justified role of used method in selection of offered alternatives, article also represents a base that will serve in further research, whose focus would be on modernizing of existing and searching for new distribution channels in agricultural enterprises.