Abstract Dietary intake and tissue levels of carotenoids have been associated with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, brain-related diseases and some types of cancer. However, intervention trials with isolated carotenoid supplements have mostly failed to confirm the postulated health benefits. It has thereby been speculated that dosing, matrix and synergistic effects, as well as underlying health and the individual nutritional status plus genetic background do play a role. It appears that our knowledge on carotenoid-mediated health benefits may still be incomplete, as the underlying mechanisms of action are poorly understood in relation to human relevance. Antioxidant mechanisms – direct or via transcription factors such as NRF2 and NF-κB – and activation of nuclear hormone receptor pathways such as of RAR, RXR or also PPARs, via carotenoid metabolites, are the basic principles which we try to connect with carotenoid-transmitted health benefits as exemplified with described common diseases including obesity/diabetes and cancer. Depending on the targeted diseases, single or multiple mechanisms of actions may play a role. In this review and position paper, we try to highlight our present knowledge on carotenoid metabolism and mechanisms translatable into health benefits related to several chronic diseases.

The aim of this research was to examine the impact of aircraft noise on communities near the Belgrade Airport by conducting short-term noise measurements. Apart from the noise abatement procedure published in the Aeronautical Information Publication for Belgrade Airport, there are still neither publicly available reports of the actual efforts made towards the aircraft noise reduction nor the description of the current noise situation. In order to estimate the current noise situation, eighteen aircraft overflight noise measurements were taken in two settlements in specific sound-sensitive community areas around the Belgrade Airport. The results showed that level differences between background noise and aircraft overflights were higher than 10 dB for each measurement and could be considered significant. Furthermore, preliminary compatibility analysis with acoustic zoning was performed. Average daily noise levels were estimated from these short-term measurements and were compared to legal noise limits for different acoustic zones. The results indicate that in some cases noise levels exceed the legal threshold, which should encourage land use planners to include the issue of Belgrade acoustic zoning on the agenda, but also prompt Belgrade Airport to implement continuous noise and flight tracks monitoring.

Bosnia and Herzegovina represents a very suitable experimental space for the analysis of integrative policy in the conditions, war and long-lasting crisis, of a devastated society which, due to the challenges of history, is deeply divided. In such a space, applying the analytical model designed and used by Seymour Lipset and Stein Rokan, the paper deals with the detection of social divisions that underlie party preferences in the 1990 elections for the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Analyzes of pre-election and post-election activities of political entities show the existence of an important link between ethno-confessional characteristics and attitudes on political issues and party preferences, which in accordance with the used theoretical model creates preconditions for talking about social divisions that have turned into party divisions. It can be determined that they are bh. political parties formed, with all their specifics, on the basic lines of Bosnia and Herzegovina social divisions. In the analysis of the relationship between social and political space and the influence of the structure of society on political relations and divisions, it is possible to determine that party divisions and divisions, their segmentation and polarization are conditioned, above all, by the depth and dynamics of fundamental Bosnia and Herzegovina social divisions. The divisions that emerged in the pre-election period of 1990 (we can conditionally define them as divisions communism vs anti-communism) were pushed into the background in the first post-election year and priority was given to the split that S. Lipset and S. Rokan defined as the center-periphery split. (or the territorial-cultural split as, after adaptation, Professor Nenad Zakošek called it). The second part of the paper presents an overview of the most important political parties in the 1990 elections and continues to examine the applicability of S. Lipset and S. Rokan's theory of turning social divisions into party divisions, this time in the first year of ethno-confessional parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Analyzing the basic lines of historical ethnic and confessional divisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina society and in the sphere of political (sub) system through indicators such as: predominant (ethnic, confessional, linguistic, cultural and regional) identifications, the relationship between ethno-confessional and civil, the relationship to the rights and freedoms guaranteed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the Constitution, the attitude towards different solutions to the state question (remaining in the common state of Yugoslavia vs. the independent Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina) tested the hypothesis that historical lines of ethno-confessional splits represent the basic determinant of political goals. It can be seen that the territorial-cultural divide (primarily in the form of center-periphery conflict) is actually a kind of complete split, given that it is a split that involves conflict between stable social groups (residents of the center and periphery but also members of different ethnic and confessional communities). In the Bosnia and Herzegovina case, these are (ethnic and confessional) communities that have different views on the most important issues of the social organization of the common state, which results in open conflict on the political scene in the form of voting for different political options, which can be transformed by ethnopolitical elites. (very easily) into various forms of violence against others and different in the territory that is under their political (and police) control.

The task of every government, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, is to provide services and goods for citizens and to maintain economic order. Therefore, the combination of legislation, the judiciary and administration is inevitable. Moreover, public administrations must transform the way they function by using more information and communication technology in order to remain responsive and efficient. This challenge was further revealed during lockdowns in individual countries, which affected their social and economic development. The solution to that challenge is the implementation of e-government in the public sector. It also increases innovation in governance processes as well as efficiency and effectiveness by offering more participative opportunities to citizens. Hence, a mature level of e-government development also arises. Nevertheless, there are significant differences among the levels of e-government development in the EU-28. The aim of this article is to assess the influence of e-government maturity on government effectiveness and efficiency in the EU-28. In order to obtain empirical results, a two-stage least square regression (2SLS) was applied. The empirical results show that e-government maturity positively and significantly contributes to enhancing government effectiveness and efficiency in the EU-28. In addition, the rule of law plays an important role in each stage regression model. Based on the empirical results, we can conclude that e-government is inevitable and should ensure the proper functioning of public administration during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Recent research in AI ethics has put forth explainability as an essential principle for AI algorithms. However, it is still unclear how this is to be implemented in practice for specific classes of algorithms—such as motion planners. In this paper we unpack the concept of explanation in the context of motion planning, introducing a new taxonomy of kinds and purposes of explanations in this context. We focus not only on explanations of failure (previously addressed in motion planning literature) but also on contrastive explanations—which explain why a trajectory A was returned by a planner, instead of a different trajectory B expected by the user. We develop two explainable motion planners, one based on optimization, the other on sampling, which are capable of answering failure and constrastive questions. We use simulation experiments and a user study to motivate a technical and social research agenda.

Some of the conditions which occur in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with a high incidence resulting in a decline in their quality of life, include malnutrition, renal osteodystrophy, refractory hypertension and chronic systemic inflammation. In developing countries, due to the low level of economic development, low-flux dialysis is the main means of extracorporeal blood purification therapy. But it can hardly remove the middle and large molecule uremic toxins and protein-bound toxins; as a result, the patients suffer from long-term complications and poor quality of life. In this study, we attempted to investigate whether the combination of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) with hemoperfusion (HP) could improve the clearance rate of middle and large molecule uremic toxins so as to improve their uremic complications. A total of 54 patients, who underwent routine hemodialysis, were assessed in this study. Those patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (27 patients) received combined treatment of HD with hemoperfusion (HP) in this regimen: HD 2 times a week with HD+HP once a week two times in a row, then after two weeks, and afterwards once a month as a maintenance treatment. Group 2 (27 patients) was only undergoing maintenance HD 3 times a week. The clinical and laboratory properties of both groups were followed up for 18 months, whereas the primary outcomes included normal clinical data, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH), phosphorus (P04), calcium (Ca), albumin, iron (Fe), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), hemoglobin, Epo doses and types of hypertensive drugs. At the end of the 18-month observation, the serum concentration of albumin, P04, hsCRP, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were lower with Group 1 than with Group 2 (p<0.05). Whereas, higher levels of iPTH were noticed in group 1, but when the laboratory and clinical data are analysed of the group 1 alone a statistically significant lower values after the observational period are noticed especially in the serum values of iPTH (p<0.05), P04 (p<0.001), CRP (p<0.011), SBP and DBP (p<0.05). HD+HP was superior to HD in regularly eliminating middle and large molecule uremic toxins accumulated in the body which is mostly shown through reducing the values of iPTH and hsCRP. These findings suggest a potential role for HD+HP in the treatment of inflammation and renal osteodystrophy as well, because lowering these values of iPTH leads to a normalization of other minerals which is expected and therefore leads to a stabilization of this long-term uremic complications, which can improve the overall general condition of the MHD patient.

Cadmium (Cd2+) is toxic metal and environmental pollutant. Accumulation of cadmium in the kidney results initially in proximal tubule dysfunction. Although Cd2+ toxicity is well documented, all mechanisms that are involved in the early stages of nephrotoxicity, especially considering low micromolar concentrations of Cd2+ ions are still unknown. The Aim of this study was to investigate the effects acute exposure to different peritubular micromolar concentrations of cadmium (0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0 μmol/L) on the peritubular cell membrane potential in proximal tubular cells of frog kidney. The experiments were performed on isolated, doubly perfused kidneys of Rana esculenta of both sexes. Aortic and portal vein were cannulated in order to perfusate luminal and peritubular cell membraine. In controled conditions, Ringer solution was simultaneously used to perfusate both cell membraines. Cadmium chloride (different concentrations: 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0 μmol/L) were added to the peritubular perfusate separately, by switching the peritubular perfusate from the control Ringer solution to Ringer solution with addition of cadmium ions. Peritubular cell membrane potentials (PD) were measured with conventional 3 mol/L KCl microelectrodes. The peritubular application of different micromolar Cd2+ concentrations led to a rapid, sustained, reversible hyperpolarization of the peritubular cell membrane: 0.25 µmol/L, by −3.3±0.4 mV (n=8, p<0.001); 0.50 µmol/L, by −3.0±0.5 mV (n=11, p<0.001); 1.0 µmol/L, by −2.9±0.6 mV (n=8, p<0.01); 2.0 µmol/L, by −4.2±0.4 mV (n=13, p<0.01); 3.0 µmol/L, by −3.4±0.3 mV (n=14, p<0.001); 5.0 µmol/L, by −3.0±0.4 mV (n=10, p<0.001). After switching the perfusion from Ringer solution with addition of cadmium ions to control Ringer, the peritubular membraine potential returned to the average values that were maintained before the peritubular Cd2+ application (p>0.05). Comparing the effect of different Cd2+ concentrations, there was no difference in the hyperpolarization of the peritubular cell membrane (p>0.05).Each cell served as its own control. Different low micromolar concentrations of Cd2+ provoked rapid and sustained hyperpolarization of peritubular membrane potential that did not show concentration-dependent response.

Terms such as “charge” and “oxidation state” appear frequently in the literature. The problem is that they are often viewed to be synonymous. However, they are fundamentally different concepts using distinct notations. The aim of the present discussion is to attract the attention of researchers from various fields of science in order to prevent further use of misleading interpretations.

Using the Kolmogorov–Arnold–Mozer (KAM) theory, we investigate the stability of May’s host–parasitoid model’s solutions with proportional stocking upon the parasitoid population. We show the existence of the extinction, boundary, and interior equilibrium points. When the host population’s intrinsic growth rate and the releasement coefficient are less than one, both populations are extinct. There are an infinite number of boundary equilibrium points, which are nonhyperbolic and stable. Under certain conditions, there appear 1:1 nonisolated resonance fixed points for which we thoroughly described dynamics. Regarding the interior equilibrium point, we use the KAM theory to prove its stability. We give a biological meaning of obtained results. Using the software package Mathematica, we produce numerical simulations to support our findings.

Background: According to the WHO (2019), more than 1.5 billion people worldwide are infected with soil-transmitted parasites. Previous research in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) was mainly conducted in the area of the Sarajevo Canton. Therefore, the aim of the research was to explore contamination of soil and vegetation with developmental forms of parasites in the other cantons of FB&H. Methods: Between Apr and Oct 2018, a total of 1,618 soil and vegetation samples were taken from 386 different locations in the 9 cantons of the FB&H. Results: Positive samples were observed, 65/66 (98.48%) municipalities/cities and on 239/386 (61.92%) locations. Out of 1,618 samples taken in total (1,263 soil samples and 355 vegetation samples), 357 (22.06%) were positive, out of which 337 (26.68%) and 20 (5.63%) were soil and plant samples, respectively. In total, the following adult and developmental forms were identified: Taeniidae eggs (7.30%), Toxocara spp. eggs (62.08%), Ancylostomatidae eggs (25.00%), Trichuris spp. eggs (9.55%), Capillaria spp. eggs (3.37%), Toxascaris leonina eggs (1.40%), Nematodes larvae (19.38%), Giardia duodenalis cysts (5.06%), Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts (1.4%), oocysts and cysts of different species of Protozoa (3.93%). Conclusion: The identified developmental forms of parasites pose a permanent threat to human health. It is necessary to carry out measures to reduce the contamination of soil and vegetation in coordination with systematic solutions (legislation), paralelly with contribution of animal owners, veterinarians, physicians, ecologists, parents and all the others involved in this issue.

The study investigated the influence of maturity, biomass type, and depositional settings on the distribution and relative abundance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for lacustrine sediments collected from depths up to 1000 m of Prebreza and Čučale stratigraphic units (the northwest part of the Toplica Basin). A recently proposed benzo[ghi]perylene/(perylene + benzo[ghi]perylene) parameter, along with commonly used Phenanthrene Alkylation Index and benzo[e]pyrene/(perylene + benzo[e]pyrene) indices, pointed out differences in maturity levels between stratigraphic units by displaying a positive linear relationship with vitrinite reflectance. However, in several immature Prebreza sediments, a substantial presence of algae and/or anoxic, mesosaline/hypersaline conditions were suitable for forming β-substituted methylphenanthrenes and 6-ring benzo[ghi]perylene. Generally, high molecular weight unsubstituted PAHs (HMWPAHs), particularly perylene, predominated Prebreza sediments. Anoxic conditions appeared to be decisive for accumulating and preserving the perylene carbon skeleton in studied stratigraphic units. Besides, more intense volcanism in the Čučale unit favored combustion processes, which prompted the accumulation of low molecular weight unsubstituted PAHs (LMWPAHs), especially phenanthrene. A general prevalence of retene over cadalene in Prebreza sediments, in which alginite and liptodetrinite predominated, implied algae as retene precursor. Selective degradation of retene or hindered demethylation of 9-methylphenanthrene under anoxic and more saline environmental settings had occurred notably in the Prebreza unit, which led to the formation of 1-methylphenanthrene and/or pimanthrene (1,7-dimethylphenanthrene). Čučale sediments with substantial amounts of vitrinite macerals or saturated diterpenoids had a predominant simonellite derived from conifers. Non-degraded and well-preserved Pinaceae conifers predominated in Prebreza sediments deposited under semi-arid climatic conditions, whereas mixed degraded/non-degraded conifers characterized Čučale sediments deposited in a wide range of climatic conditions, from semi-arid to semi-humid.

Significance Invasive alien species pose major threats to biodiversity and ecosystems. However, identifying drivers of invasion success has been challenging, in part because species can achieve invasiveness in different ways, each corresponding to different aspects of demographics and distribution. Employing a multidimensional perspective of invasiveness to Europe’s alien flora, we find species generally fall along an axis from overall poor invaders to super invaders that become abundant, widespread, and invade diverse habitats. Some species that deviate from this pattern are recently introduced and still spreading, but others represent atypical forms of invasiveness. In addition to identifying species traits and ecological circumstances associated with super invaders (e.g., intercontinental introductions), we explore drivers in atypical invasions, providing increased clarity into invasion processes. Understanding drivers of success for alien species can inform on potential future invasions. Recent conceptual advances highlight that species may achieve invasiveness via performance along at least three distinct dimensions: 1) local abundance, 2) geographic range size, and 3) habitat breadth in naturalized distributions. Associations among these dimensions and the factors that determine success in each have yet to be assessed at large geographic scales. Here, we combine data from over one million vegetation plots covering the extent of Europe and its habitat diversity with databases on species’ distributions, traits, and historical origins to provide a comprehensive assessment of invasiveness dimensions for the European alien seed plant flora. Invasiveness dimensions are linked in alien distributions, leading to a continuum from overall poor invaders to super invaders—abundant, widespread aliens that invade diverse habitats. This pattern echoes relationships among analogous dimensions measured for native European species. Success along invasiveness dimensions was associated with details of alien species’ introduction histories: earlier introduction dates were positively associated with all three dimensions, and consistent with theory-based expectations, species originating from other continents, particularly acquisitive growth strategists, were among the most successful invaders in Europe. Despite general correlations among invasiveness dimensions, we identified habitats and traits associated with atypical patterns of success in only one or two dimensions—for example, the role of disturbed habitats in facilitating widespread specialists. We conclude that considering invasiveness within a multidimensional framework can provide insights into invasion processes while also informing general understanding of the dynamics of species distributions.

BACKGROUND The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) vary between regions but have risen globally in recent decades. A lack of data from developing nations limits the understanding of IBD epidemiology. AIM To perform a follow-up review of IBD epidemiology in the Tuzla Canton of Bosnia-Herzegovina during a 10-year period (2009-2019). METHODS We prospectively evaluated the hospital records of both IBD inpatients and outpatients residing in Tuzla Canton for the specified period of time between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2019. Since all our patients had undergone proximal and distal endoscopic evaluations at the hospital endoscopy unit, we used the hospital’s database as a primary data source, alongside an additional cross-relational search of the database. Both adult and pediatric patients were included in the study. Patients were grouped by IBD type, phenotype, age, and gender. Incidence rates were calculated with age standardization using the European standard population. Trends in incidence and prevalence were evaluated as a 3-year moving average and average annual percentage change rates. RESULTS During the 10-year follow-up period, 651 patients diagnosed with IBD were monitored (of whom 334, or 51.3%, were males, and 317, or 48.7%, were females). Of all the patients, 346 (53.1%) had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), 292 (44.9%) with Crohn’s disease (CD), and 13 (2%) with indeterminate colitis (IC). We observed 440 newly diagnosed patients with IBD: 240 (54.5%) with UC, 190 (43.2%) with CD, and 10 (2.3%) with IC. The mean annual crude incidence rates were found to be 9.01/100000 population for IBD [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.17-9.85], with 4.91/100000 (95%CI: 4.29-5.54) for UC and 3.89/100000 (95%CI: 3.34-4.44) for CD. Calculated IBD prevalence in 2019 was 146.64/100000 (95%CI: 128.09-165.19), with 77.94/100000 (95%CI: 68.08-87.70) for UC and 65.77/100000 (95%CI: 54.45-74.1) for CD. The average annual IBD percentage change was 0.79% (95%CI: 0.60-0.88), with -2.82% (95%CI: -2.67 to -2.97) for UC and 6.92% (95%CI: 6.64-7.20) for CD. During the study period, 24,509 distal endoscopic procedures were performed. The incidence of IBD was 3.16/100 examinations (95%CI: 2.86-3.45) or 1.72/100 examinations (95%CI: 1.5-1.94) for UC and 1.36/100 examinations (95%CI: 1.17-1.56) for CD. CONCLUSION Trends in the incidence and prevalence of IBD in Tuzla Canton are similar to Eastern European averages, although there are significant epidemiological differences within geographically close and demographically similar areas.