Aim: To identify clinical and inflammatory factors associated with adequate haemoglobin control among patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 100 adults receiving maintenance haemodialysis. Among 80 patients receiving ESA therapy, adequate haemoglobin control was defined as haemoglobin ≥ 100 g/L and inadequate control as haemoglobin < 100 g/L at the cross-sectional assessment; 20 patients not receiving ESA therapy were described separately. Clinical characteristics and laboratory measurements, including C-reactive protein (CRP), were recorded. The erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) was calculated from weekly ESA dose, body weight, and haemoglobin concentration. Results: Eighty patients (80.0%) received ESA therapy, while 20 (20.0%) did not. Among ESA-treated patients, longer haemodialysis vintage was associated with higher odds of adequate haemoglobin control (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.04), whereas higher CRP was associated with lower odds (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.83–0.99). ERI was inversely associated with adequate control (OR = 0.004, 95% CI 0.001–0.066), although this finding is mathematically coupled to the haemoglobin-based outcome. The exploratory model was statistically significant (χ² = 45.4; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Longer haemodialysis vintage and lower CRP were associated with adequate haemoglobin control during ESA therapy. ERI findings require cautious interpretation because haemoglobin is included in the ERI denominator and was also used to define the outcome.

The excessive use of vaccines, antibiotics, and other preventive therapeutic agents in conventional broiler production has resulted in the frequent occurrence of antibiotic residues in edible tissues, posing risks to both animal and human health. These residues contribute to the global problem of antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the need for alternative approaches to poultry disease prevention. This study aimed to evaluate whether a comprehensive preventive programme encompassing biosecurity, hygiene, and an antibiotic-free prophylaxis regimen could eliminate the need for prophylactic antibiotic therapy, thereby enabling the production of broiler meat free of antibiotic residues. This approach was contrasted with the conventional production system, in which less rigorous preventive practices necessitate the prophylactic use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, ultimately resulting in detectable residues within the muscle and liver tissues of conventionally reared chickens. Ross 308 broilers were reared under field conditions. in. The control group was reared using conventional prophylactic protocols, including broad-spectrum antibiotics, vitamins, bio-stimulants, mineral supplements, and acidifiers via drinking water. The experimental group received no antibiotics; and instead were treated with hydro-soluble probiotic preparations containing vitamin C, lactose, fructose, and baker’s yeast, combined with continuous water disinfection throughout the fattening period. Microbiological analyses showed the presence of antibiotic residues in the soft tissues of conventionally reared broilers, while no residues were detected in the experimental group. Production performance indicators—mortality rate, vitality, final body weight, and overall cost—were similar to or superior to those in the antibiotic-free group, confirming that broiler meat production without antibiotics is both feasible and economically viable.

Rats are opportunistic omnivores, consuming both plant- and animal-derived foods, and therefore represent a suitable animal model for investigating the potential adverse effects of heterogeneous diets on hematological and biochemical blood profiles. The study included 18 Wistar rats of both sexes, aged 1–2 months, randomly allocated into three groups of six animals each. For a period of seven weeks, Group H was fed bakery products, Group M received meat and meat products, while the control Group K was fed a conventional pelleted diet. Biochemical parameters were analyzed from peripheral blood samples collected from the experimental animals. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were identified among the groups for CREA, UREA, PHOS, Ca, TP, ALB, GLOB, ALB/GLOB, CHOL, and LIPA. No significant differences were observed for the remaining parameters. The biochemical findings indicate impaired renal function in rats from the meat-fed group, as evidenced by elevated creatinine, urea, phosphorus, and lipase levels. In addition, reduced concentrations of serum proteins, particularly albumin, were observed across all experimental groups, suggesting inadequate protein synthesis resulting from insufficient intake of essential amino acids and micronutrients required for normal liver function.

Safety, profitability, as well as energy and resource efficiency of hydropower plants require, among others, appropriate operation of hydraulic turbines, which involves reliable estimation and monitoring of water flow rate. In this work, computer simulation is used for investigation of water flow through the spiral casing of a hydraulic turbine under real operating conditions. The wall pressure at the pre-defined monitoring points in a radial plane, such as used in the Winter–Kennedy measurement method, is calculated for a range of water flow rates. The choice of the boundary-condition type downstream of the stay vanes and sensitivity to adopted turbulent-flow approach are also investigated. The numerical results agree well with the reference measurements. A relation is established between the computed monitoring pressure difference and the corresponding incoming flow rate. Having measured the static pressure at the given points, it can be used for continuous estimation of the water flow rate in the turbine under actual operating conditions.

ABSTRACT Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are increasingly reported worldwide, emphasizing the need for rapid diagnostic tools to limit their spread and prevent outbreaks. Although CTX-M enzymes remain predominant, less common ESBLs such as GES, PER, and VEB are emerging and gaining clinical relevance. We developed simplex and multiplex lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) for the rapid detection of these ESBLs. Monoclonal antibodies were produced and incorporated into dedicated LFIA strips. The assays were evaluated using 116 WGS-characterized gram-negative bacteria (GNB) isolates expressing diverse β-lactamases and grown on various media. For testing, three colonies were suspended in 150 µL of extraction buffer, applied to the strips, and results were visually interpreted after 15 min. Both simplex and multiplex LFIAs achieved 100% sensitivity and specificity for detecting GES-, PER-, and VEB-producing isolates, irrespective of bacterial species, β-lactamase content, or growth conditions. The panel included prevalent variants of PER (n = 5, including PER-2), VEB (n = 9), and GES (n = 9, including ESBLs and carbapenemases). Detection limits for recombinant PER-1, VEB-1, and GES-1 were 5, 50, and 100 pg/mL, respectively, and 105, 106, and 106 CFU/mL for corresponding Acinetobacter baumannii producers grown in tryptic soy broth. Overall, these simplex and multiplex GES-, PER-, and VEB-targeting LFIAs provide a rapid, accurate, and user-friendly approach suitable for routine use in clinical microbiology laboratories. When combined with the NG-Test CTX-M MULTI assay, which detects the five major CTX-M groups, they may further enhance the overall detection of the most common ESBLs, particularly among non-fermenting GNB. IMPORTANCE Although less prevalent globally than CTX-M-type ESBLs, GES-, PER-, and VEB-type β-lactamases represent an important and often underrecognized mechanism of resistance, particularly in non-fermenting gram-negative pathogens. These enzymes are frequently associated with multidrug-resistant organisms and may significantly compromise available therapeutic options. The detection of the genes encoding these enzymes is often based on homemade PCR. Rapid diagnostic tests based on lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) have been successfully used to detect CTX-M-like ESBLs and the five main carbapenemases. Here, we demonstrated that GES, PER, and VEB enzymes can be readily detected by simplex or multiplex LFIAs from Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii colonies. These assays are rapid (≤15 min), highly sensitive (105–106 CFU/mL), requiring no specialized equipment, thus offering a user-friendly alternative to molecular assays in clinical laboratories. These features align well with the World Health Organization ASSURED criteria (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid, Equipment-free, and Deliverable). Although less prevalent globally than CTX-M-type ESBLs, GES-, PER-, and VEB-type β-lactamases represent an important and often underrecognized mechanism of resistance, particularly in non-fermenting gram-negative pathogens. These enzymes are frequently associated with multidrug-resistant organisms and may significantly compromise available therapeutic options. The detection of the genes encoding these enzymes is often based on homemade PCR. Rapid diagnostic tests based on lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) have been successfully used to detect CTX-M-like ESBLs and the five main carbapenemases. Here, we demonstrated that GES, PER, and VEB enzymes can be readily detected by simplex or multiplex LFIAs from Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii colonies. These assays are rapid (≤15 min), highly sensitive (105–106 CFU/mL), requiring no specialized equipment, thus offering a user-friendly alternative to molecular assays in clinical laboratories. These features align well with the World Health Organization ASSURED criteria (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid, Equipment-free, and Deliverable).

This study examined the association between students' classroom use of general ICT applications and computer and information literacy (CIL) across 35 education systems participating in ICILS 2023. Jurisdiction-specific weighted regression models were estimated using all five CIL plausible values and 75 jackknife replicate weights while adjusting for socioeconomic background, sex, and age. Jurisdiction-specific coefficients were synthesized using random-effects meta-analysis. Linear models indicated a modest positive association between classroom ICT use and CIL, but quadratic models consistently provided a better fit. The quadratic coefficient was negative in 34 of the 35 jurisdictions, yielding a pooled estimate of −5.66 (95% CI −6.58 to −4.74). Predicted CIL increased with classroom ICT use to approximately the midpoint of the international scale, after which gains diminished and CIL gradually declined. This nonlinear pattern was remarkably consistent across education systems and did not vary meaningfully by socioeconomic background. These findings suggest that the educational value of classroom ICT use depends not only on how often digital technologies are used, but also on how they are integrated into teaching and learning.

This paper presents a dual-layered AI framework for real-time landslide risk assessment developed under the GeoNetSee project within the Interreg Danube Region Programme. The first layer employs a fuzzy logic model, inspired by the Slovenian MASPREM system, which integrates Landslide Susceptibility Maps (LSS) with high-resolution precipitation forecasts from the Open-Meteo API to generate a Predicted Landslide Hazard (PLSH) score on a 0–5 scale, updated every 6–12 hours. The second layer focuses on real-time ground displacement detection by fusing low-cost dual-frequency GNSS receivers with MEMS accelerometers and applying machine learning regression algorithms, including Support Vector Regression (SVR), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Convolutional Neural Network – Long Short-Term Memory (CNN-LSTM). Validation at the Curine Njive pilot site in Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrated that SVR achieved a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) as low as 0.0018 m across four GNSS nodes, while the CNN-LSTM achieved the highest overall predictive accuracy across all evaluated nodes with a MAPE of only 3.99% for Node 41. The fuzzy model successfully identified critical hazard levels during intense rainfall events. Results confirm the viability of integrating low-cost sensor networks with AI-driven analytics for transboundary geohazard early warning systems.

Abstract Background: The total number of platelets (PLT), plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) are utilized as markers of platelet activation in assessing thrombotic vascular events. Given the critical importance of maintaining adequate vascular access, i.e., arteriovenous (AV) fistula, for the survival of hemodialysis (HD) patients, the question arises: Is it possible to detect changes in platelet parameters that indicate a connection to occurrences of thrombotic complications with AV fistula? Materials and methods: The study involved 100 patients diagnosed with end-stace renal disease, admitted to the Clinic of Hemodialysis at the University Clinical Center Sarajevo (UCCS). All patients underwent standard bicarbonate HD three times a week, utilizing a native AV fistula for access. The study group was divided into two subgroups: patients without confirmed AV fistula thmmbosis (AVF-nonT; n = 66) and patients with confirmed AV fistula thrombosis (AVF-T; n = 34). Anamnestic data and platelet parameter values were collected during the surveyed period. Results: The average value of the PLT was significantly lower (p = 0.001), while the average value of the MPV was significantly higher (p = 0.0001) in patients of the AVF-T group in relation to the patients in the AVF-nonT group. In differentiating patients of the AVF-T group and patients of the AVF-nonT group, PLT in peripheral blood had a moderately good diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.704; p = 0.001), and MPV had an excellent diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.991; p < 0.001). Conclusion: PLT and MPV can be used as effective biomarkers ofAV fistula thrombosis in patients undergoing chronic HD treatment.

The accelerating use of algorithmic systems in public administration exposes a standardization gap between technical AI assurance and institutional accountability. This article develops a tiered accountability and reporting standards framework for decisions made under public authority. A qualitative design science method combines comparative institutional analysis, structured absence analysis, and standards architecture design. The empirical basis comprises international standards, the United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)–Treasury access episode as an institutional control precursor, Australia’s Robodebt scheme as an automated-decision failure, and public sector governance arrangements in Estonia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and the United States. A replicable coding protocol traces documented accountability gaps to five auditable primitives: provenance tracking, decision logging, role attribution, contestability, and post-deployment audit. The primitives are organized into minimum, heightened, and systemic/constitutional tiers according to material influence, rights and essential service effects, civil service integrity, institutional independence, and substitutive capacity. The article also specifies a Public Sector Algorithmic Accountability Statement (PAAS), crosswalks its ten disclosure fields to GRI 1, GRI 2, and GRI 3, and demonstrates its operation through a fully worked hypothetical benefits eligibility application. A tier assignment decision aid, an assurance cycle, and a cost–feasibility model support implementation, including in small institutions. The framework’s novelty lies not in claiming new lifecycle controls, but in consolidating those controls around the public decision configuration, escalating them according to public authority consequences, and joining internal evidence to comparable public reporting. The proposal shifts standardization from AI system certification alone toward auditable institutional answerability, governance sustainability, and constitutional integrity.

In this article, we unpack what we believe to be a discriminatory and discrediting label afforded to growing populations of Australians — Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD). This term is used to describe everyone who is not Aboriginal or Torres Islander or Anglo-Saxon/Anglo-Celtic. Through qualitative, semi-structured, in-depth ethnographic interviews and thematic analysis, including some abductive analysis, we aimed to investigate how those labelled CaLD experienced this term, including their feelings about being constructed as CaLD, and how they believed they were impacted by this label. Using both labelling theory ( Durkheim, 1938 ) and linguistic racism theory ( Tankosić & Dovchin, 2023 ), we argue that while the term CaLD was originally intended as ‘inclusionary othering,’ the category perpetuates monolithic othering on the basis of language and culture, masking a broad range of ethnic identities common to Australia and upholding systemic practices of subjugation such as linguistic racism as mechanisms for continued ideological, political, and social dominance. Individuals to whom this label is applied continually walk the tightrope between the access and affordances it may offer and its capacity to both highlight and erase difference. The study’s implications indicate there needs to be greater consultation with the communities involved about terms used to label and set them apart.