Objectives To examine the association between cigarette price increase and youth smoking initiation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), and to assess additional factors—including parental smoking, peer influence, pocket money, anti-tobacco media exposure and smoking in school environments—that potentially affect smoking initiation among adolescents. Design A pseudopanel study using WHO Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data from two compatible surveys conducted in 2018 (Republic of Srpska) and 2019 (Federation of B&H). A split-population duration model was employed to estimate the hazard of youth smoking initiation. Setting Primary and secondary schools across two entities in B&H, covering both urban and rural areas. Participants A total of 9702 students aged 13–15 years completed the surveys. Inclusion criteria involved being enrolled in grades 7–9 of primary school or the first year of secondary school. No additional exclusion criteria were applied beyond incomplete or invalid survey responses. Interventions None. Primary outcome measure Self-reported smoking initiation, defined as having tried or experimented with cigarette smoking, even one or two puffs. Results A 10% increase in cigarette prices was associated with a 4.9% reduction in the probability of youth smoking initiation (price elasticity of −0.491, p<0.001). Exposure to antitobacco media messages was linked to a lower likelihood of smoking initiation. Conversely, parental smoking, peer influence, observing smoking within school premises and having greater disposable pocket money all showed significant positive associations with youth smoking initiation. Conclusions Raising cigarette prices constitutes an effective measure to discourage smoking initiation among youth in B&H, operating both directly and indirectly through reductions in parental and peer smoking. Nonetheless, non-price factors play a substantial role, highlighting the complexity of adolescent smoking behaviour and the necessity for a comprehensive, multifaceted tobacco control strategy. Trial registration Not applicable (observational study).

Neuroinvasive arboviruses such as tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), and Toscana virus (TOSV) have (re-)emerged with increasing incidence and geographic range. We analyzed the epidemiology of arboviral infections in Croatia during the 2024 transmission season. A total of 154 patients with neuroinvasive diseases (NID), 1596 horses, 69 dead birds, and 7726 mosquitoes were tested. Viral RNA was detected using RT-qPCR. IgM/IgG-specific antibodies were detected using commercial ELISA or IFA, with confirmation of cross-reactive samples by virus neutralization test. RT-qPCR-positive samples were Sanger sequenced. Arboviral etiology was confirmed in 33/21.42% of patients with NID. WNV was most frequently detected (17/11.03%), followed by TBEV (10/6.49%), USUV (5/3.24%), and TOSV (1/0.64%). WNV infections were reported in regions previously known as endemic, while in one continental county, WNV was recorded for the first time. USUV infections re-emerged after a six-year absence. In addition to human cases, acute WNV infections were recorded in 11/395 (2.78%) of horses and two dead crows. WNV IgG seropositivity was detected in 276/1168 (23.63%) and TBEV IgG seropositivity in 68/428 (15.88%) horses. None of the tested mosquito pools were positive for WNV and USUV RNA. Phylogenetic analysis showed the circulation of WNV lineage 2 and Usutu Europe 2 lineage. Climate conditions in 2024 in Croatia were classified as extremely warm, which could, at least in part, impact the quite intense arboviral season. The spreading of flaviviruses in Croatia highlights the need for continuous surveillance in humans, animals, and vectors (“One Health”).

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a plant grown for its roots, which are used to obtain sugar, feed animals, and for human use. Beetroot skin, a by-product of food processing, is a significant source of bioactive compounds, including dietary fiber and antioxidants. The primary objective of this work was to utilize beetroot skin powder to produce value-added nougat. Analytical methods, like antioxidant activity tests, proximate analysis, and sensory assessments, are used to determine the impact of beetroot skin powder on the final product. The beetroot skin powder extract had a remarkable content of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. The inhibitory effect of the extract was tested on enzymes linked to metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The beetroot skin powder extract inhibited α-glucosidase, α-amylase, lipase, and lipoxygenase enzymes. The characterization of value-added nougat illustrates the multifunctionality of beetroot peel powder within its composition, serving as a significant source of natural compounds with antioxidant, coloring, and flavoring properties. This enhances sensory attributes, including color, aroma, and texture, augmenting product diversity and consumer appeal. This is evidenced by the increase in the total content of betalains (3.77 ± 0.09 mg/g DW.) and polyphenols (69.48 ± 2.88 mg GAE/100 g DW.), which lead to high antioxidant activity (73.89 ± 3.65 mM Trolox/100 g DW.) for the nougat sample with 6% added beetroot powder. Thus, beetroot skin powder replaced chemically synthesized additives with antioxidants and natural pigments, improving life quality and implicitly capitalizing on beetroot processing by-products, supporting circular economy principles at the global level.

To address the issue of groundwater vulnerability management and analysis, an algorithm was developed based on which the necessary research was conducted in the broader area surrounding the water source Novoselija used for water supply of the population in the city of Banja Luka (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina). Within the GIS, as one of the spatial data techniques, the GOD method for vulnerability assessment was used. Data visualization within the GIS program package, combined with the aforementioned GOD method, enabled a clearer understanding of the spatial distribution of groundwater vulnerability in this area, which made it possible to delineate different zones: from negligible to extreme vulnerability. The high degree of the parameter has been determined in the zone of the actual water source and is associated with terrace and gravels sediments. In the alluvial sediment zone, located south of the water source, vulnerability has been assessed as extreme. In this area, there is certainly a potential risk of groundwater vulnerability to all pollutants, with a very rapid impact in most contamination scenarios. From the east and the west side, the aquifer in question is confined by flysch deposits of Cretaceous age, which are hydrogeologically characterized as conditionally “waterless” parts of the terrain, and within them, the vulnerability has been classified as negligible. The results of this research are also important for later delineation of the sanitary protection zone of the aquifer in question.

The paper examines the impact of budgetary accounting organization on the perception of corruption in the public sector, focusing on three key independent variables: the financial reporting framework, the accounting basis, and the level of independence of state auditing. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which measures the perceived level of corruption in the public sector, is used as an indicator of the dependent variable. The study includes data from 89 countries. For statistical analysis, categorical independent variables were encoded using the one-hot encoding method. Statistical tests were applied to assess the correlation between the independent variables and the CPI. The results show variations in correlation depending on the combination of financial reporting factors, the regulatory framework, and the quality of state auditing. The obtained results of multiple linear regression indicate that the model has a statistically significant impact on the CPI (p = 0.0217) and explains 21% of its variability. Keywords: public sector accounting, budgetary accounting organization, perception of corruption, public financial management reform.

Introduction The implementation of nationwide viral hepatitis C elimination programs is challenging in Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). It is reasonable to start by targeting specific populations, such as people living with HIV (PLWH), who are at higher risk of acquiring HCV or developing HCV-related complications. Methods Euroguidelines in Central and Eastern Europe Network Group consists of experts in the field of infectious diseases from 26 countries in the region. Between April 26th and June 23rd 2023, the group performed an on-line survey consisting of 32 questions. The questionnaire assessed the status of HCV micro-elimination in 2022. Results Twelve HIV centers from 11 countries responded: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine. All centers screen for HCV antibody all PLWH at entry into care. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was <5% in 5 centers (Albania, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia and Hungary), 30.2% in Estonia and 29% in Ukraine, Greece and Moldova had high seroprevalence as well, 15.3% and 15.6% respectively. The prevalence of HCV viremia in antibody-positive PLWH was very high in Greece (85%), while in most other treatment centers it ranged from 4.2% to 38.2%. There is also a screening policy of annual HCV-testing of HCV-antibody negative persons in all centers by either testing all PLWH or those considered at risk. Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) were not available in one country (Albania). Among PLWH who entered care in 2022, nine out of 12 ECEE centers reported cases of HCV/HIV coinfection, with five centers indicating that at least 50% of these individuals were HCV-viremic. Conclusions HCV screening in PLWH followed by access to DAA treatments were available in all but one center. Microelimination of HCV in PLWH in the majority of surveyed HIV treatment centers in CEEC has not been achieved and efforts to reach this goal need to be strengthened.

We consider the problem of exact maximum likelihood estimation of potentially high‐order () autoregressive models. We propose an extremely fast coordinate‐wise algorithm for fitting autoregressive models. This fast algorithm exploits several properties of the negative log‐likelihood when parameterised in terms of partial autocorrelations. We consider extensions to learning a single autoregressive model from multiple time series and to the more general case of regressions with autoregressive residuals. An implementation of the coordinate‐wise descent algorithm is shown to be the orders of magnitude faster than competing algorithms and appears to be the fastest known algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation of autoregressive models.