Treatment of Clostridioides difficile infections in University Clinical Hospital Mostar from an economic perspective Clostridioides difficile is the most prominent pathogen directly tied to a healthcare system and proven to be one of the main causes of high economic impacts. It results in a frequent need for hospitalization, including the treatment of sepsis and post-acute care, and requires an extended number of days spent at the hospital. In addition to the costs of the medicine and laboratory analysis, extended hospitalization is the key component of the high healthcare expenses. The rational use of antibiotics, mandatory implementation of general hygiene measures, like washing hands, and disinfecting surfaces can significantly contribute towards hospital's overall expenses. This is particularly important for those in contact with an infected patient or with a patient suspected of having CDI. These basic measures establish security systems in the prevention of CDI. Proper managing and forecasting of the costs on the annual level for each individual healthcare institution is a necessary measure. Developing an accurate estimate of the funds needed for the treatment and prevention of CDI and its best Treatment of Clostridioides difficile infections in University Clinical Hospital Mostar from an economic perspective Clostridioides difficile is the most prominent pathogen directly tied to a healthcare system and proven to be one of the main causes of high economic impacts. It results in a frequent need for hospitalization, including the treatment of sepsis and post-acute care, and requires an extended number of days spent at the hospital. In addition to the costs of the medicine and laboratory analysis, extended hospitalization is the key component of the high healthcare expenses. The rational use of antibiotics, mandatory implementation of general hygiene measures, like washing hands, and disinfecting surfaces can significantly contribute towards hospital's overall expenses. This is particularly important for those in contact with an infected patient or with a patient suspected of having CDI. These basic measures establish security systems in the prevention of CDI. Proper managing and forecasting of the costs on the annual level for each individual healthcare institution is a necessary measure. Developing an accurate estimate of the funds needed for the treatment and prevention of CDI and its best

Abstract Objective In underdeveloped countries, allergic disease prevalence is low but rising in developing countries, while in developed countries, it remains high and stable. This study assessed prevalence and risk factors among schoolchildren in southern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Methods A cross-sectional study (2020) included 1851 children: 937 aged 6–8 years and 914 aged 11–13 years. Data related to asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and associated risk factors were collected using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Results Diagnosed asthma prevalence was 1.8% in children aged 6–8 years and 2.4% in 11–13 years. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 5.5 and 10.4%, respectively, significantly higher in older children (p < 0.001). Atopic dermatitis prevalence was 16.6% in 6–8 years and 11.8% in 11–13 years, higher in younger children (p = 0.003). Asthma and allergic rhinitis were more common in boys, while atopic dermatitis was more frequent in girls. Asthma was negatively associated with egg consumption and daycare attendance, while furry animal contact, synthetic pillows, and maternal allergic rhinitis increased risk. Allergic rhinitis was associated with maternal smoking during pregnancy, parental allergic rhinitis, and bird contact. Atopic dermatitis was positively related to maternal atopic dermatitis, bird contact, air conditioning, and daycare attendance, whereas sponge pillow use, room sharing, and dog contact appeared protective. Conclusion In this region, asthma prevalence was low, allergic rhinitis moderate, and atopic dermatitis high. Broader studies across BiH are needed to monitor trends and guide prevention.

<p><i>This paper aimed to examine whether the level of knowledge of the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants</i><i> </i><i>influences the readiness of accountants to act in accordance with its guidelines, even under pressure that can adversely affect their professional status. The survey was conducted among medium and large companies in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) in 2023, with a sample of 71 respondents. The results have shown a positive connection between the level of knowledge of the Code and the willingness to take ethical action, including situations with potentially negative consequences, such as paying salaries or losing jobs, for respondents. Additionally, professional accountants who are more familiar with the Code are more likely to report the unethical behavior of management, either to relevant institutions or to the public. However, in the FBiH business practice so far, such treatment is a rarity, which indicates a gap between theoretical knowledge and actual behaviour.</i></p>

Digital transformation (DT) has become one of the most significant trends in higher education institutions (HEIs) in both EU and non-EU countries. Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to reinvent higher education is contingent upon several factors, including an institution’s development stage regarding the application and strategic integration of ICTs across its key activities and processes. In the extant literature, multiple frameworks of ICT development (maturity) paths have been developed. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on how well those models predict the DT success, and which of their dimensions are most relevant. In this paper, we use a research instrument, adapted from the HigherDecision research project, to capture the subjective assessments of academics and students at three public higher education institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Using seven dimensions of the DT construct, prescribed by the HigherDecision framework, we examine their contribution to the subjectively evaluated success of each HEI’s DT initiative and identify the most impactful dimension(s). Our results show that the digital infrastructure and academic teaching and learning are perceived as critical drivers of DT in the academic sector. Provided that the University of Mostar, as a mid-sized public university located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, currently represents one of the DT leaders in the Western Balkans (WB) region, we discuss implications for scaling its good practices in smaller HEIs across the region.

The results of orthodontic therapy largely depend, among other factors, on the preparation of the tooth enamel itself and the choice of material used to bond orthodontic brackets. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) score of thermo-cured glass–ionomers on different pretreated enamel, in comparison with the commonly used composite cement. Three commercially available nano-ionomer or highly viscous glass–ionomer cements (EQUIA Forte® Fil, EQUIA Fil, Ketac Universal) and two types of compo-sites (Heliosit Orthodontic, ConTec Go!) were investigated in this study. The research involved two hundred human premolars. The teeth were cleaned and polished, then randomly divided into five groups according to the enamel preparation method and the type of material. The enamel was treated in three different ways: polyacrylic acid, phosphoric acid, 5% NaOCl + etching with phosphoric acid, and a control group without treatment. Glass–ionomer cement was thermo-cured with heat from a polymerization unit during setting. Statistical analysis was performed using a Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA for independent samples. Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship. Regardless of the material type, the results indicated that the weakest bond between the bracket and tooth enamel was found in samples without enamel pretreatment. The majority of the materials stayed on the brackets in samples without enamel preparation, according to ARI scores. The study’s findings demonstrated that the strength of the adhesion between the bracket and enamel is greatly influenced by enamel etching and glass–ionomer thermo-curing. Clinical investigations would be required to validate the outcomes.

This paper explores the contribution of custom-trained Large Language Models (LLMs) to developing Open Education Resources (OERs) in higher education. Our empirical analysis is based on the case of a custom LLM specialized for teaching business management in higher education. This custom LLM has been conceptualized as a virtual teaching companion, aimed to serve as an OER, and trained using the authors’ licensed educational materials. It has been designed without coding or specialized machine learning tools using the commercially available ChatGPT Plus tool and a third-party Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot delivery service. This new breed of AI tools has the potential for wide implementation, as they can be designed by faculty using only conventional LLM prompting techniques in plain English. This paper focuses on the opportunities for custom-trained LLMs to create Open Educational Resources (OERs) and democratize academic teaching and learning. Our approach to AI chatbot evaluation is based on a mixed-mode approach, combining a qualitative analysis of expert opinions with a subsequent (quantitative) student survey. We have collected and analyzed responses from four subject experts and 204 business students at the Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism Split (Croatia) and Faculty of Economics Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina). We used thematic analysis in the qualitative segment of our research. In the quantitative segment of empirical research, we used statistical methods and the SPSS 25 software package to analyze student responses to the modified BUS-15 questionnaire. Research results show that students positively evaluate the business management learning chatbot and consider it useful and responsive. However, interviewed experts raised concerns about the adequacy of chatbot answers to complex queries. They suggested that the custom-trained LLM lags behind the generic LLMs (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and others). These findings suggest that custom LLMs might be useful tools for developing OERs in higher education. However, their training data, conversational capabilities, technical execution, and response speed must be monitored and improved. Since this research presents a novelty in the extant literature on AI in education, it requires further research on custom GPTs in education, including their use in multiple academic disciplines and contexts.

Abstract Digital technology has become inseparable from all core and supportive processes because of the intensive use of different digital tools. The paper aimed to determine teachers’ views on the impact of digital technology on business processes in higher education institutions - whether they recognize the impact and how they evaluate it. The survey was conducted among the teachers of the public University in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The results show that digital technology has a positive and mostly strong or medium impact on business processes in higher education institutions. The work on international research and educational projects and the teaching process are the most influenced by digital technology. It has a stronger impact on the core processes than on supportive activities. Teachers recognize the influence of digital transformation on all processes at universities, both core and supporting. The influence is stronger with core processes.

Education and employment stakeholders worldwide have increasingly acknowledged the need to teach students soft skills to improve their academic performance and long-term prospects. Soft skills are transferable across jobs and industries and related to personal and social competencies. Their development aims to empower and increase personal growth and learning participation and improve job opportunities. Given their central role in shaping students’ educational experiences, teachers must be well-versed in the value of cultivating soft skills and awareness of the necessity to incorporate their study into various curricular frameworks. As a result, this article investigates whether business schools adequately prepare their students for the soft skills demanded by today’s labor market. Business teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina were the subjects of the survey. The findings indicate that teachers recognize the value of teaching students soft skills but that current curricula may be strengthened in this area.

There is a generally accepted opinion that young people, born in the era of intensive use of ICT and the Internet, are much better at handling new technologies and using Internet resources than older generations. In support of this claim, it is stated that different digital technologies and the Internet have been a natural environment for these generations since birth. This paper aims to check to what extent the above statements apply to University of Mostar (SUM) students. For this purpose, the authors researched SUM students to determine how they self-assess their knowledge and use of Internet resources. On the other hand, it was necessary to use Internet resources to pass exams in certain subjects. In this paper, the authors compared the results obtained by surveying students with actual exam results. The results of the research suggest that the students have relatively good knowledge and coping skills with the tasks they solve within the individual courses of their studies. However, Insufficient mastery of the Internet and its information is indicated by lower ratings of the ability to evaluate found materials and ratings of the ability to use the advanced functions of the Google search engine.