The aim of this paper was to examine the literacy skills of deaf and hard of hearing people in electronic form writing and to compare these skills in relation to standard (“paper-pencil”) writing. The sample included 50 deaf and hard of hearing students aged from 12 to 20 years. The students were supposed to have basic literacy to be able to answer questions by writing. The Questionnaire for determining basic electronic literacy, which consisted of 15 simple questions about the student’s everyday life, was used. Variables used: correct response, vocabulary, and spelling mistakes, i.e., substitution, omission, addition, and metathesis. The test was performed at two different time intervals and in two different forms (standard and electronic forms). Data were processed by descriptive analysis and t-test. More favorable results were obtained in favor of standard writing compared to electronic writing on all variables except for vocabulary. Statistically significant differences were found for the variables vocabulary, omission, and substitution. It is important that there is also communication competence, and especially better language competence expressed in electronic form. More complex activities, such as education, studying, or doing business, require language competence for electronic expression.

The main objective of this study is to compare the performance of two areas of banking in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is, Islamic and conventional banking. In order to measure the performance of two banking sectors, profitability, efficiency and liquidity measures are implemented. For the purpose of the study secondary data from both banking sectors is used. The time interval covered in the study spans from 2008 to 2020. Ratio analysis and independent sample t-test is applied in order to check the characteristics of two banking sectors. Currently, studies investigating comparative performance of these two banking sectors in BiH are rare, therefore theoretical contribution will be evident. Practically, it will help bank customers to understand how Islamic banking sector performs relative to the conventional banking sector. Also, bank managers of selected banks will be able to compare performance of their banks relative to the other banks in terms of the ratios used in the study. The limitation of the study is that in Bosnia and Herzegovina there is only one bank that operates according to Islamic banking principles, which will represent Islamic banking sector in this study.

The aim of the paper is to present the results of the VNTR gene polymorphism genetic variants molecular typing for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in human population of Tuzla Canton. Based on the analysis of the distribution of eNOS gene genotypes in the total sample of respondents, the highest frequency was recorded for the (b/b) genotype, which was 73.0%. For the heterozygous (a/b) genotype of the eNOS gene, a frequency of 24.0% was determined, and a frequency of 3.0% was recorded for the (a/a) genotype. The research resulted in a database of local and global significance, namely, the incorporation of these data into the existing regional and European genetic database.

The aim of this paper is to determine the differences between externalized and internalized behavioral problems in the population of young adolescents in the city of Tuzla on eight different scales of syndromes (anxiety/depression, reticence, physical difficulties, aggression, rules violation, social problems, thinking problems, and attention problems). The paper starts from the assumption that there are differences between younger adolescents with internalized and externalized behavioral problems with regard to gender in such a way that externalized problems will be more frequent in male adolescents and internalized behavioral problems in female adolescents. The sample of respondents in this study consists of 587 young adolescents of both genders. The research was conducted in fifteen primary schools in the city of Tuzla. The Achenbach dimensional classification of behavioral disorders was used for assessment (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001). The results show higher scores for internalized behavioral problems. Female adolescents had statistically significantly higher scores on the Anxiety/Depression, Somatic Problems, and Thought Problems subscales.

Najvažniji zahtjev vladavine prava je da ljudi na pozicijama vlasti treba da vrše svoju vlast unutar ograničavajućeg okvira dobro ustanovljenih javnih normi, umjesto na proizvoljan, ad hoc ili čisto diskrecioni način. Vladavina prava se utjelovljuje stabilnim ustavom koji se sastoji od formalnih pravila putem kojih se ograničavaju upravljačka ovlašćenja na osnovu zakonu. Pored sudova, za vladavinu prava je važno i obezbjeđenje poštovanja zakona i podsticanje izvršenja sudskih odluka od strane vladinih službenika. Upravo zbog toga, zakonodavstva u razvijenim demokratijama propisuju krivično djelo „Neizvršenje sudske odluke“ prema kojim se kažnjivim ponašanjem smatraju radnje odgovornog službenika koji odbije da izvrši pravnosnažnu presudu. Nezavisnost pravosuđa je kičma vladavine prava, dok nezavisnost sudija štiti nezavisnost pravosuđa u cjelini. Nepristrasnosti u odlučivanju sudije znači da je neophodno da sudije djeluju bez bilo kakvih ograničenja, nedoličnog uticaja, pritiska, prijetnje ili miješanja, neposrednog ili posrednog, od strane bilo kog autoriteta, uključujući autoritete unutar pravosuđa. Međutim, finansijska nezavisnost pravosuđa je još uvijek ograničena i uslovljena postupkom odobravanja budžetskih sredstava dodijeljenih pravosuđu od strane ministarstava finansija, što pravosudne organe čini zavisnim od vladajućih politika i omogućava korupciju u pravosuđu ili uticaj politike na rad pravosuđa. Reforma pravosudnog sistema moguća je samo ukoliko građani osjećaju njene benefite i pokazuju zadovoljstvo postignutim rezultatima. Sudeći prema percepciji građana, korupcija je najdominatnija u sistemu zdravstva i među političkim partijama, zbog čega Agencija za borbu protiv korupcije BiH treba pojačati svoje napore budući da je sprječavanje korupcije na visokom nivou direktno pod njenom nadležnošću. Upravo zbog toga, u namjeri da se predstavi negiranje vladavine prava u Bosni i Hercegovini, koristiće se studije slučaja koji predstavljaju sekundarnu viktimizaciju žrtava i ukazati na indikatore postojanja vladavine prava, a to su: poštovanje zakona, nezavisnost pravosuđa i odsustvo korupcije.

OCT is a well-established antiseptic molecule routinely used in a large field of clinical applications. Since the spread of antimicrobial resistance has restricted the use of antibiotics worldwide, topically applied antiseptics like OCT, with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and high safety profile, gain increasing importance for effective infection prevention and therapy. ABSTRACT The antimicrobial killing mechanism of octenidine (OCT), a well-known antiseptic is poorly understood. We recently reported its interaction with Gram-negative bacteria by insertion of OCT into the outer and cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli, resulting in a chaotic lipid rearrangement and rapid disruption of the cell envelope. Its action primarily disturbs the packing order of the hydrophobic moiety of a lipid, which consequently might result in a cascade of multiple effects at a cellular level. Here, we investigated OCT’s impact on two different Gram-positive bacteria, Enterococcus hirae and Bacillus subtilis, and their respective model membranes. In accordance with our previous results, OCT induced membrane disorder in all investigated model systems. Electron and fluorescence microscopy clearly demonstrated changes in cellular structure and membrane integrity. These changes were accompanied by neutralization of the surface charge in both E. hirae and B. subtilis and membrane disturbances associated with permeabilization. Similar permeabilization and disordering of the lipid bilayer was also observed in model membranes. Furthermore, experiments performed on strongly versus partly anionic membranes showed that the lipid disordering effect induced by OCT is a result of maximized hydrophobic over electrostatic forces without distinct neutralization of the surface charge or discrimination between the lipid head groups. Indeed, mutants lacking specific lipid head groups were also susceptible to OCT to a similar extent as the wild type. The observed unspecific mode of action of OCT underlines its broad antimicrobial profile and renders the development of bacterial resistance to this molecule less likely. IMPORTANCE OCT is a well-established antiseptic molecule routinely used in a large field of clinical applications. Since the spread of antimicrobial resistance has restricted the use of antibiotics worldwide, topically applied antiseptics like OCT, with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and high safety profile, gain increasing importance for effective infection prevention and therapy. To eliminate a wide spectrum of disease-causing microorganisms, a compound’s antiseptic activity should be unspecific or multitarget. Our results demonstrate an unspecific mechanism of action for OCT, which remained largely unknown for years. OCT disturbs the barrier function of a bacterial cell, a function that is absolutely fundamental for survival. Because OCT does not distinguish between lipids, the building blocks of bacterial membranes, its mode of action might be attributed to all bacteria, including (multi)drug-resistant isolates. Our results underpin OCT’s potent antiseptic activity for successful patient outcome.

Supporting the expansion of best practices in Biomedical Engineering (BME) can facilitate pathway toward the providing universal health coverage and more equitable and accessible healthcare technologies, especially in low- and middle-income (LMI) settings. These best practices can act as drivers of change and may involve scientific-technological issues, human intervention during technology development, educational aspects, social performance management for improved interactions along the medical technology life cycle, methods for managing resources and approaches for the establishment of regulatory frameworks. The aim of our study was to identify weaknesses and strengths of the scientific, technological, socio-political, regulatory and educational landscape in BME in LMI resource settings. We thus analysed the current state-of-the-art through six dimensions considered fundamental for advancing quality and equity in healthcare: 1) relevant and 2) emergent technologies, 3) new paradigms in medical technology development, 4) innovative BME education, 5) regulation and standardization for novel approaches, and 6) policy making. In order to evaluate and compare their relevance, maturity and implementation challenges, they were assessed through a questionnaire to which 100 professionals from 35 countries with recognized experience in the field of BME and its application to LMI settings responded. The results are presented and discussed, highlighting the main challenges and pinpointing relevant areas where intervention, including local lobbying and international promotion of best practices is necessary. We were also able to identify areas where minimal effort is required to make big changes in global health.

Given the ongoing "arms race" in cybersecurity, the shortage of skilled professionals in this field is one of the strongest in computer science. The currently unmet staffing demand in cybersecurity is estimated at over 3 million jobs worldwide. Furthermore, the qualifications of the existing workforce are largely believed to be insufficient. We attempt to gain deeper insights into the nature of the current skill gap in cybersecurity. To this end, we correlate data from job ads and academic curricula using two kinds of skill characterizations: manual definitions from established skill frameworks as well as "skill topics" automatically derived by text mining tools. Our analysis shows a strong agreement between these two analysis techniques and reveals a substantial undersupply in several crucial skill categories, e.g., software and application security, security management, requirements engineering, compliance and certification. Based on the results of our analysis, we provide recommendations for future curricula development in cybersecurity so as to decrease the identified skill gaps.

Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, China, has resulted in over six million deaths worldwide. Millions of people who survived this SARS-CoV-2 infection show a number of post-COVID complications. Although, the comorbid conditions and post-COVID complexities are to some extent well reviewed and known, the impact of COVID-19 on pre-existing congenital anomalies and genetic diseases are only documented in isolated case reports and case series, so far. In the present review, we analyzed the PubMed indexed literature published between December 2019 and January 2022 to understand this relationship from various points of view, such as susceptibility, severity and heritability. Based on our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review on COVID-19 and its associations with various congenital anomalies and genetic diseases. According to reported studies, some congenital disorders present high-risk for developing severe COVID-19 since these disorders already include some comorbidities related to the structure and function of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, leading to severe pneumonia. Other congenital disorders rather cause psychological burdens to patients and are not considered high-risk for the development of severe COVID-19 infection.

The prevalence of English as a global language has been mirrored in various domains of life. The latest testimony to its pervasive influence on other languages is finely portrayed through the case of coronavirus that blindsided the world recently. The disease has led to certain English words being used so often that they have become an integral part of everyday vocabulary in many languages and thus in the Bosnian language. The present quantitative research paper considers the frequency of usage and knowledge of the original form and meaning of English words related to the current pandemic used as Anglicisms in the Bosnian language. Respondents of different demographic backgrounds have reported infrequent use of these Anglicisms during and before the pandemic. Moreover, it has been reported that their knowledge of the English written form of these Anglicisms is more significant than their knowledge of their Bosnian translations/synonyms. The results indicated that Covid-19-related Anglicisms are characteristic of speakers of all ages, genders, and English-proficiency backgrounds.

c-kit is a classical proto-oncogene that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that responds to stem cell factor (SCF). C-KIT signaling is a critical regulator of cell proliferation, survival, and migration and is implicated in several physiological processes, including pigmentation, hematopoiesis, and gut movement. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulated c-KIT function, caused by either overexpression or mutations in c-kit, promotes tumor development and progression in various human cancers. In this review, we discuss the most important structural and biological features of c-KIT, as well as insights into the activation of intracellular signaling pathways following SCF binding to this RTK. We then illustrate how different c-kit alterations are associated with specific human cancers and describe recent studies that highlight the contribution of c-KIT to cancer stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and progression to metastatic disease in different experimental models. The impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in treating c-KIT-positive tumors and limitations due to their propensity to develop drug resistance are summarized. Finally, we appraise the potential of novel therapeutic approaches targeting c-KIT more selectively while minimizing toxicity to normal tissue.