ABSTRACT An eighteenth-century transcription of the Qur’anic text, originating from Istanbul but now housed at the Mesudija Library in Bosnia and Herzegovina, underwent a series of analyses prior to conservation. The artefact characterization included preliminary analyses accompanied by microscopy such as determination of the fiber composition, paper typology, and microchemical tests. The acidity status of the paper was established by measuring the pH, and proteins of the sizing material were confirmed by employing thin layer chromatography. Foxing stains were examined by UV fluorescence and optical microscopy. Selected pigments of the illumination, the black ink, and the gilded book cover were examined using X-ray fluorescence. The identity of pigments was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The obtained results indicate that this lavishly illuminated manuscript was created by choosing the finest and least deteriorating materials of its time including carbon-based ink, gold for illumination, lignin-free paper, and protective layers consisting of egg white, alum, and starch. Collectively, these findings provided valuable guidelines for the conservation processes of this manuscript.

This paper reviews our program of research on human-robot interaction, which is grounded in theory and research on human intergroup relations from the field of social psychology. Under the “computers as social actors” paradigm, people treat robots in similar ways as they treat other humans. We argue that robots’ differences from humans lead them to be regarded as members of a potentially competing outgroup. Based on this conceptual parallel, our studies examine four related areas: people’s reactions to multiple (as opposed to single) robots; characteristics of robot groups (such as synchrony) that may influence people’s responses; tests of interventions that have been demonstrated to reduce prejudice in humans; and tests of other theoretical predictions drawn from work on human intergroup behavior. Several of these studies examined cultural differences between the U.S. and Japan. We offer brief descriptions and citations of 10 previously published studies (total N = 1635), as well as 12 unpublished studies (total N = 1692) that produced null or inconsistent results – to make them part of the scientific record and potentially inspire related investigations by others. Finally, we offer some broad conclusions based on this program of research.

Gamma radiation produces DNA instability and impaired phenotype. Previously, we observed negative effects on phenotype, DNA methylation, and gene expression profiles, in offspring of zebrafish exposed to gamma radiation during gametogenesis. We hypothesize that previously observed effects are accompanied with changes in the expression profile of non-coding RNAs, inherited by next generations. Non-coding RNA expression profile was analysed in F1 offspring (5.5 h post-fertilization) by high-throughput sequencing 1 year after parental irradiation (8.7 mGy/h, 5.2 Gy total dose). Using our previous F1-γ genome-wide gene expression data (GSE98539), hundreds of mRNAs were predicted as targets of differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs, involved in pathways such as insulin receptor, NFkB and PTEN signalling, linking to apoptosis and cancer. snRNAs belonging to the five major spliceosomal snRNAs were down-regulated in the F1-γ group, Indicating transcriptional and post-transcriptional alterations. In addition, DEpiRNA clusters were associated to 9 transposable elements (TEs) (LTR, LINE, and TIR) (p = 0.0024), probable as a response to the activation of these TEs. Moreover, the expression of the lincRNAs malat-1, and several others was altered in the offspring F1, in concordance with previously observed phenotypical alterations. In conclusion, our results demonstrate diverse gamma radiation-induced alterations in the ncRNA profiles of F1 offspring observable 1 year after parental irradiation.

Gamma radiation produces DNA instability and impaired phenotype. Previously, we observed negative effects on phenotype, DNA methylation, and gene expression profiles, in offspring of zebrafish exposed to gamma radiation during gametogenesis. We hypothesize that previously observed effects are accompanied with changes in the expression profile of non-coding RNAs, inherited by next generations. Non-coding RNA expression profile was analysed in F 1 offspring (5.5 h post-fertilization) by high-throughput sequencing 1 year after parental irradiation (8.7 mGy/h, 5.2 Gy total dose). Using our previous F 1 -γ genome-wide gene expression data (GSE98539), hundreds of mRNAs were predicted as targets of differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs, involved in pathways such as insulin receptor, NFkB and PTEN signalling, linking to apoptosis and cancer. snRNAs belonging to the five major spliceosomal snRNAs were down-regulated in the F 1 -γ group, Indicating transcriptional and post-transcriptional alterations. In addition, DEpiRNA clusters were associated to 9 transposable elements (TEs) (LTR, LINE, and TIR) (p = 0.0024), probable as a response to the activation of these TEs. Moreover, the expression of the lincRNAs malat-1 , and several others was altered in the offspring F 1 , in concordance with previously observed phenotypical alterations. In conclusion, our results demonstrate diverse gamma radiation-induced alterations in the ncRNA profiles of F 1 offspring observable 1 year after parental irradiation.

Names and terminology from Oriental-Islamic spirituality and culture are an important layer of the lexicon of the Bosnian language to which users mostly build a special relationship. That is why orthographic standardization of such words is a very challenging and responsible task. The expectations are always different. In the case of the names and terminology discussed in this article, Muslim theologians, intellectuals, imams, etc. have the greatest influence and the most significant role. They must first of all understand that the vocabulary in question has ceased to be Arabic by the act of borrowing and has become Bosnian, falling that way under the normative ‘jurisdiction’ of the Bosnian language. Only by incorporating all such words into the appropriate Bosnian spelling categories we show that they are fully accepted and domesticated in the Bosnian language. Likewise, as we wander around choosing different ways of writing them (especially those that are foreign to the Bosnian language and spelling), we are actually showing that these words are still a ‘problem’ for us, even after centuries of their presence in the Bosnian language. In doing so, one should know that every battle against natural laws, including linguistic ones, is lost in advance.

Objective. Adequate upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening is essential during swallowing to enable clearance of material into the digestive system, and videofluoroscopy (VF) is the most commonly deployed instrumental examination for assessment of UES opening. High-resolution cervical auscultation (HRCA) has been shown to be an effective, portable and cost-efficient screening tool for dysphagia with strong capabilities in non-invasively and accurately approximating manual measurements of VF images. In this study, we aimed to examine whether the HRCA signals are correlated to the manually measured anterior–posterior (AP) distension of maximal UES opening from VF recordings, under the hypothesis that they would be strongly associated. Approach. We developed a standardized method to spatially measure the AP distension of maximal UES opening in 203 swallows VF recording from 27 patients referred for VF due to suspected dysphagia. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the manually measured AP distension of maximal UES opening from lateral plane VF images and features extracted from two sets of HRCA signal segments: whole swallow segments and segments excluding all events other than the duration of UES is opening. Main results. HRCA signal features were significantly associated with the normalized AP distension of the maximal UES opening in the longer whole swallowing segments and the association became much stronger when analysis was performed solely during the duration of UES opening. Significance. This preliminary feasibility study demonstrated the potential value of HRCA signals features in approximating the objective measurements of maximal UES AP distension and paves the way of developing HRCA to non-invasively and accurately predict human spatial measurement of VF kinematic events.

The study analyzes religious and cultural violence, focusing on the Genocide against Yazidis within the broader Kurdish socio-political framework. The ISIL genocidal intent against Yazidis includes forced relocation and practice attitudes that apply to elitism and sexual violence. It is part of the destruction of the group in terms of destruction of the spirit, will live and life itself (members) of the group. However, it should be noted that such views do not mean the legal argument for recognizing cultural genocide but an attempt to clarify the meaning of physical and biological destruction. Violence committed «in the name of religion» belongs to the dark side of religion. Violence (mostly) does not arise from the moral teachings of religions but from a perverted understanding of religion. The killing of members of a religious group is a form of physical genocide, and the threat of murder to ban religion was a way to commit cultural, that is, religious genocide. Sexual violence is different from all other weapons. The global community needs to be united to protect women and children during the war. Religion is used as an excuse for violence when the struggle is to defend the essential identity, when it is inconceivable to lose the struggle and when the struggle cannot be won. Religious support for violence causes the terrorist policy to become uncompromising. Paradoxically, just as terrorism produces fear of violence, so does the fear of terrorism produce violence

The small intestine is a challenging organ for clinical and radiological evaluation. The introduction of radiological imaging techniques, which do not significantly disturb patients’ comfort and safety, attempts to obtain an adequate diagnosis and valuable information. The aim is to determine the capabilities and potential of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) enterography to establish the diagnosis and to evaluate the severity and activity of intestinal inflammation. Conventional ultrasound is a suitable orientation method in the initial evaluation of patients with Crohn’s disease. At the same time, contrast-enhanced MR enterography provides an excellent assessment of disease activity, as well as the complications that accompany it. Contrast-enhanced MR enterography, combined with DWI, allows for excellent evaluation of disease activity and problems or difficulties following it. The examination can be repeated, controlled and can monitor patients with this disease.

ABSTRACT 1. The aim of the present study was to test the ability of an in-feed modified clinoptilolite zeolite-based mycotoxin binding substance (Minazel® Plus, Patent Co, Misicevo, Serbia; MP) to prevent gastrointestinal absorption of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) and its effects on health status and performance parameters of broilers. 2. A total of 375, 1 d old male broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were used for a total trial period of 42 d (from hatch to 42 d of age). Animals were randomly allocated to five treatment groups (T1-T5), in 25 pens (15 male broilers per pen, five pens per treatment). T1 was the control maize-based diet without the addition of mycotoxins, or the test product. T2 and T3 groups received contaminated maize in the diet containing 0.02 mg AFB1/kg feed and 0.1 mg OTA/kg feed, whereas T4 and T5 groups received 0.05 mg AFB1/kg feed and 0.5 mg OTA/kg feed. The MP was added to T3 (1 g/kg feed), and T5 (2 g/kg feed) groups. 3. Results showed that exposure to AFB1 and OTA at low or moderate levels, as used in this study, did not markedly affect growth performance, blood profile or organ weights. Improvements in feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in birds receiving MP, whereby FCR of T3 group was improved in comparison with T2 group, although there was no significant difference between T5 and T4 groups. However, average body weight gain (ABWG) was improved in the T5 group compared to T4, but not in the T3 versus T2 group comparison. 4. For serum biochemical parameters, glutamate-dehydrogenase (GLDH) was significantly improved in T5 birds in comparison with T4. The addition of MP significantly decreased residue levels of AFB1 in liver and OTA in the spleen of the treated groups. 5. The improvements in productive performance and reduction of mycotoxin residue levels in tissues demonstrated a beneficial effect of MP in cases of concurrent AFB1 and OTA ingestion by broilers.

Background Providing oncology services during a pandemic can contribute to mental health challenges among healthcare workers. The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in healthcare and administrative staff in 5 oncology institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in 2020 during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire. Material/Methods A cross-sectional observational study enrolled 175 healthcare and administrative workers from 5 oncology institutions in BiH during December 2020. Data were collected using a questionnaire that captured general information about the participants and a DASS-21 questionnaire. Results Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (P=0.003, P=0.011, and P=0.022, respectively) among participants with comorbidities connected with increased risk of severe illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared with participants without comorbidities. There was also a statistically significant difference in the levels of stress among participants from different cities (P=0.031). Supplement intake and educational level were significantly related (P=0.012). High levels of stress and anxiety were accompanied by high levels of depression among participants (P<0.01). Conclusions The findings from the present study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on depression, anxiety, and stress levels in oncology staff in BiH. Monitoring these levels and providing interventions and support to oncology staff are increasingly important for their wellbeing and retention at a time of global crisis in healthcare.

Recently, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has reported that the unintended loss of solar generation occurred in Southern California over a large geographic area. One of the major reasons for this generation loss is the tripping of solar generators due to the overvoltage in a less than one cycle time frame (i.e., sub-cycle overvoltage) experienced by solar PV inverters when the grid suffers voltage drop following the transmission-level disturbances. Moreover, the sub-cycle dynamics become more complicated when solar PV inverters enter the momentary cessation operation mode in response to abnormal grid conditions. In this paper, solar PV systems with detailed inverter models that consider inverter switching dynamics and momentary cessation function are constructed for RTDS-based real-time electromagnetic simulations to explore the impact of momentary cessation on sub-cycle dynamics. It is found that undesired sub-cycle transient events not only occur when momentary cessation starts to cease energy injection but also happen when momentary cessation restart to inject energy into the system during the restoration process. Furthermore, the undesired sub-cycle transient events become more significant when increasing the number of solar PV inverters or under weak grid operating conditions. On the other hand, the severity of sub-cycle transient events can be reduced by increasing the diversity in the recovery time of solar PV inverters during the restoration process after momentary cessation.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and consequent acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are substantial contributors to morbidity and mortality across Europe. Much of these diseases burden is modifiable, in particular by lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). Current guidelines are based on the sound premise that with respect to low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), "lower is better for longer", and the recent data have strongly emphasized the need of also "the earlier the better". In addition to statins, which have been available for several decades, the availability of ezetimibe and inhibitors of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) are additional very effective approach to LLT, especially for those at very high and extremely high cardiovascular risk. LLT is initiated as a response to an individual's calculated risk of future ASCVD and is intensified over time in order to meet treatment goals. However, in real-life clinical practice goals are not met in a substantial proportion of patients. This Position Paper complements existing guidelines on the management of lipids in patients following ACS. Bearing in mind the very high risk of further events in ACS, we propose practical solutions focusing on immediate combination therapy in strict clinical scenarios, to improve access and adherence to LLT in these patients. We also define an 'Extremely High Risk' group of individuals following ACS, completing the attempt made in the recent European guidelines, and suggest mechanisms to urgently address lipid-medicated cardiovascular risk in these patients.

Noise pollution is an emerging global problem therefore, it is imperative to determine noise level especially in the urban environment and its implications on human health. The objectives of this study were i) to assess the urban noise pollution and traffic density of Chiniot and Jhang and ii) to determine non-auditory health effects of noise pollution on the residents of both cities. Noise pollution was examined from 181 locations (103 from Jhang and 78 from Chiniot) and categorized into hospitals, educational, religious and recreational, residential, industrial areas, and traffic intersections. Noise levels measurements were taken using integrated sound level meter. The urban noise data showed 82% of the sites in Jhang and 95% in Chiniot exceeded the noise limits set by NEQS-Pak and WHO. Moreover, higher intensity of noise pollution (≥ 100 dB) was recorded in Chiniot (17 sites) than in Jhang (1 site). Regression analysis showed relatively strong relationship of traffic density with noise at Chiniot (R2 = 0.48) compared to Jhang (R2 = 0.31). However, spatial variability of noise with traffic density was observed at both cities. Survey study revealed that all the respondents in Jhang and Chiniot suffered from many noise related health problems such as annoyance (53 and 51%), depression (45 and 47%), dizziness (61 and 65%), headache (67 and 64%), hypertension (71 and 56%), hearing loss (53 and 56%), physiological stress (65 and 65%), sleeplessness (81 and 84%), and tinnitus (70 and 62%) due to noise, respectively. It is concluded that noise pollution is higher in Chiniot due to high traffic density resulted from higher population density and cottage industry. It is recommended that vehicles maintenance, family and urban planning could be effective measures to reduce urban noise pollution.

In this article, we study the problem of minimizing the sum of potentially nondifferentiable convex cost functions with partially overlapping dependences in an asynchronous manner, where communication in the network is not coordinated. We study the behavior of an asynchronous algorithm based on dual decomposition and block coordinate subgradient methods under assumptions weaker than those used in the literature. At the same time, we allow different agents to use local stepsizes with no global coordination. Sufficient conditions are provided for almost sure convergence to the solution of the optimization problem. Under additional assumptions, we establish a sublinear convergence rate that, in turn, can be strengthened to the linear convergence rate if the problem is strongly convex and has Lipschitz gradients. We also extend available results in the literature by allowing multiple and potentially overlapping blocks to be updated at the same time with nonuniform and potentially time-varying probabilities assigned to different blocks. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.