The paper deals with selected examples of clock towers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing high masonry heritage buildings made of stone, and explains the approach used in their preservation and restoration. The aim of this paper is to present a specific method of conservation used on stone structures. Three clock towers from Bosnia and Herzegovina were selected as representative examples: Sarajevo Clock Tower from the 16th century is an example of well-preserved building; The Clock Tower in Gradačac, the youngest building of this type in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is in poor structural conditions and in danger of collapsing; The Clock Tower in Banja Luka, the first clock tower in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was demolished in 1993 but the reconstruction project is planned for the current year. This paper addresses the structural properties of masonry clock tower from the Ottoman period, with special attention to preservation, analysis and strengthening. These tasks are still a challenge for masonry practitioners even if significant advances in research have been made in the last decades. The dynamic behavior of the historical buildings is usually analyzed to design repair intervention solutions and retrofitting. The structural behavior is analyzed using FEM modeling to examine how far the structural defects endanger the stability of the tower. The soil properties problem under the tower has been considered. Simplified yet effective procedures have been used as well. Results of the analysis have confirmed insufficient performance of the structure under horizontal action and the need for improvement.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is defined as decision making method for buildings from “cradle to grave”. Considering the fact that the construction industry produces 38% of total waste and 40% of total CO2 emissions and uses 50% of all natural resources, according to EIB 2015, the building industry has to change this way of thinking to the concept “cradle to cradle”. According to European Commission (Directive 2008/98/EC 2008), the first and preferred option is waste prevention and the second option are other types of recovery. The waste should be prevented in the design phase and LCA should help a lot in this stage. The main goal of this paper is to show how the LCA can be used as a tool in design phase to help decision process in building design of one of the building systems and make that part circular and, if possible, without waste. External wall, as one of the systems of a building, is taken as case study in its different materialization to show LCA use in the construction waste elimination in building practice. The external wall is the system of a building which is the most exposed to external factors, as weather conditions and human. Very often, the wall is damaged before other systems of a building. Hence the design and building of external walls that produce less waste, is a huge step in construction waste management. The LCA software is used to compare two chosen case studies. The first one is prefabricated wooden wall for low energy houses. The second one is the wooden wall made for Green Design Centre in Mostar in 2018. The first results show that in the second case study, the wall made for reversible and transformable building, and designed according to circular building principles, has better chances to last longer, and produce less waste during its transformations and aging. The paper shows main principles for designing the low waste wooden walls and also some remarks how to upgrade the software to be more helpful in the design phase of the wall systems.

Nowadays, masonry heritage buildings usually experience changes during exploitation. In areas of emphasized seismic risk, in cases of extensions, alterations to the original dimensions, reconstruction (the removal of bearing elements, replacement of materials, introduction of new fittings), or the subsequent erection of properties close by, with a comparison of the foundation levels change of use, refurbishment, extension, or additional building to an existing building. It is necessary to analyze the seismic aspect of such interventions in seismic prone areas. At first, we’ll focus on the legal and technical regulations. For start we’ll look back at UNESCO’s Program on Masonry Heritage, then domestic and regional legal and technical regulations and with all of that we will define the first step of the process. Next step would be a detailed registration of the current condition of the building, and also determining the characteristics of the embedded materials. The load bearing structures of the building must also be accurately identified, with all relevant measurements and, in particular, a description of the building materials and their condition. This includes all detailed maps, plans, and details of the used materials, and especially detailed record of all the damages on the structure. Even at this early stage of investigative works it may prove necessary to secure certain structural elements, or even the entire building, to prevent it from collapsing. As a rule, this requires not only the removal of the outer cladding or even of parts of a wall to determine the depth of cracks but also, if there is any suggestion of subsidence, excavations around the building or to the depth of the foundations. Calculations, based on the planned and current condition of the building, will show whether the strengthening and rehabilitation are needed for the structure. The elements that need reinforcement or conservation can be identified during the initial visit, and provision can immediately be made to take the necessary steps to relieve the load. It is necessary to do all the steps regarding technical regulations, legal regulations, methods of approach, theoretical consideration, methods of calculation, and in the end to determine the needs of that building. Theoretical consideration regarding the determined condition of structure, from all the above aspects, is the next step to be done. This also includes evaluation of the viability of these interventions, based on experience. The most sensitive issue, without doubt, is determining the condition of the foundations. This should be addressed with the utmost care with the general opinion of the building’s stability in mind.

Background: Healthcare professionals, including medical and dental students, are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection.Aim: The aim of this study was to examine and compare the knowledge and attitudes of the students of medicine and dental medicine of Faculty of Medicine, University of Mostar, about hepatitis B. Subjects and Methods: The examinees in this study were students of the first and second grade of medical studies and studies of dental medicine. The sample included 105 (71.4%) students of medicine and 42 (28.6%) students of dental medicine. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Mostar, through the attached questionnaire. Results: Overall, the medical students and dental medicine students showed good knowledge about hepatitis B. Medical students showed much more positive attitudes towards hepatitis B positive patients than dental medicine students. Dental medicine students are more concerned about possible infections and general interactions with infected patients, and would statistically significantly reject to provide healthcare services to hepatitis B positive patients compared to the medical students.Conclusion: It was established that dental medicine students showed a little bit more understanding of the transmission patterns and symptoms of hepatitis B than the medical students. By contrast, medical students showed much more positive attitudes towards patients with hepatitis B than dental medicine students. 

Biofuels are environmentally friendly alternative fuels produced from animal and plant raw materials. They have great significance due to limited availability of crude oil and increased ecological requirements. The development of biofuels is followed by the development of new and more efficient analytical procedures for monitoring the composition and physical-chemical properties. This paper presents the application of chromatographic and spectroscopic methods in the analysis of different types of biofuels. The results of the determination of the hydrocarbon composition and functional groups important for the application of biofuels as blending components are shown. In this paper, it has confirmed the possibility of using NMR spectroscopy, HPLC and IC chromatography in biofuel and biomass analysis.

Although prior research is congested with constructs intended to capture consumers’ dispositions toward globalization and global/local products, their effects appear to replicate with difficulty, and little is known about the underlying theoretical mechanisms. This investigation revisits the relationship between prominent consumer dispositions (consumer ethnocentrism, cosmopolitanism, global/local identity, globalization attitude) and perceived brand globalness as determinants of consumer responses to global brands. Drawing on selective perception and social identity theories, the authors consider several theory-based model specifications that reflect alternative mechanisms through which key consumer dispositions relate to brand globalness and affect important brand-related outcomes. By employing a flexible model that simultaneously accounts for moderating, mediating, conditional, and direct effects, we empirically test these rival model specifications. A meta-analysis of 264 effect sizes obtained from 13 studies with 23 unique data sets and a total sample of 1,410 consumers raises concerns regarding the (potentially overstated) utility of consumer dispositions for explaining consumer responses to global brands. It also reveals a need for further conceptual contemplation of their function in international consumer research and managerial practice.

In this paper, we present an implementation and analysis of the mean shift algorithm. The mean shift is a general non-parametric mode finding/clustering procedure widely used in image processing and analysis and computer vision techniques such as image denoising, image segmentation, motion tracking, etc.

Objectives: Anaerobic bacteria may cause numerous infections in different locations through human body. Those infections can be life-threatening with significant mortality. Wounds represent a suitable habitat for colonization of anaerobic bacteria. Their proliferation contributes to moist and warm environment, hypoxic and necrotic tissue.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted at the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo from 2015-2017. The study involved wound swab samples, sampled from hospitalized patients. The anaerobic bacteria were isolated using standard procedures.Results: During the period from 01.01.2015. to 31.12.2017, 8386 samples were analyzed on anaerobic bacteria and 872 (10.4%) of specimen were positive. In 2015, 332 (15%) specimens were positive, while during 2016 and 2017, 244 (7,8%) and 296 (9.9%) respectively. Bacteroides spp. was the most common isolate during three year period: 2015-227 (55.5%); 2016-139 (48%); 2017-161 (42,5%). It was followed by Peptococcus spp.: 2015-70 (17.1%); 2016-40 (13.9%); 2017-66 (17.4%), Clostridium spp.: 2015 – 32 (7.8%); 2016-21 (7.3%); 2017- 35 (9.2%), Fusobacterium spp.: 2015 – 49 (11.9%); 2016-32 (11.1%); 2017- 45 (11.9%).VITEK 2 Compact has identified to the level of species 48 isolates which were in pure culture.The largest number of anaerobic bacteria were isolated from the samples received from the Abdominal surgery. The overview of antimicrobial sensitivity showed highest sensitivity to metronidazole (99,9%) and carbapenems (99,9%), respectively.Conclusions The most commonly isolated anaerobic bacteria was Bacteroides spp.Highest number of positive isolates was from abdominal surgery since intra-abdominal infections reflect the microflora of the resected organ. Metronidazole remains the antibiotic of choice in the treatment of anaerobic infections.

Introduction: Intensive unit microflora mainly consists of organism capable of surviving in moist media, such as gram-negative bacteria, skin-colonizing microorganisms, those with the ability to adhere to medical devices, and microorganisms resistant to conventional antibiotics. Therefore, cleansing and disinfection of intensive care units is of great importance in the prevention and control of hospital infections.Material and Methods: The use of the device was demonstrated in the isolation room of the intensive care unit after a patient colonized with hospital bacterial strains was discharged. The first sampling was carried out immediately after the patient was discharged, the second after the standard medical cleansing of the equipment and space, and the third after the disinfection with the “SterisafePro”. The analysis of the smears was performed at the OU Clinical Microbiology. Quantitative method analyses was performed according to standard operative procedure (SOP). The results of the analysis are calculated according to the formula and expressed in the values of CFU / cm2.Results: After the patient was discharged and the area cleaned mechanically, the Acinetobacter baumanii was isolated in three samples, coagulase negative staphylococci in one, while two smears remained sterile. Acinetobacter baumanii and coagulase negative staphylococci were isolated in three samples. After using the disinfecting device, all swabs were sterile.Conclusion: Disinfection of the hospital with the “Sterisafe”Pro” device has proved to be very successful. The advantages of using the “Sterisafe”Pro” device are that is uses no chemicals, has a low labor and usage costs, is harmless to the patients and staff, and is very easy to use. 

ABSTRACT Background: Towards preparation for a possible influenza pandemic, investigation of the molecular characteristics of the circulating avian H5N1 influenza virus strains is of crucial importance. These H5N1 viruses continue to spread, to infect animals and humans and to evolve and diversify providing so an ever-looming pandemic threat.Aim: To identify genetic structure and molecular biological characteristics of BiH's isolates of H5N1 HPAI as well as to assess the level of pathogenicity, phylogenetic origin and host- specificity of the isolates.Material and Methods: SPF embryonated chicken eggs were used for virus isolation. Viral RNA extracted using QIAamp viral RNA kit and manufacturer’s protocol (QIAGEN®) was used for PCR amplification. cDNA synthesis and PCR amplification of the coding region, using gene specific primer sets (primer sequences available on request), were carried out for all eight viral RNA segments separately. The Prism Big Dye Terminator v1.1 cycle sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems) was used and products were analyzed on an automatic ABI PRISM 3130 genetic analyzer (Applied Biosystems). Nucleotide sequences were analyzed using Bioedit software (v. 7.0.9.0) with an engine based on the ClustalW 1.4 algorithm. MEGA software (v. 4,0), using the neighbor joining tree inference analysis with the Tamura-Nei γ-model, was used to estimate phylogenies and calculate bootstrap values from the nucleotide sequences.Results: Full-length nucleotide sequences of the A/Cygnus olor/BIH/1/2006 (H5N1) strain were deposited in EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Database under accession nos. FN186008 to FN186014 and FM20943. The pathogenicity and host specificity of this strain, as polygenic traits, are determined in silico by the structure of its proteins, especially surface glycoproteins, HA and NA. Multibasic amino acid stretch PQGERRRKKR/GLF, marker of strains highly pathogenic to poultry, was present at the HA cleavage site of BiH strain. The RBS was typical for avian influenza viruses and contained Gln and Gly at positions 238 and 240 (H5 numbering) that is,226 and 228 according to H3 numbering with seven potential glycosylated sites but with increased binding to alpha2-6 sialoglycans thanks to substitutions, as follows, 110N, 171N, 171N, 172A, 205R and 251P. NA structure assigned this strain to the Z genotype, characterized also by the deletion of the five amino acid residues of the NS1 protein (positions 80-84). Amino acid residues, typical for the avian influenza viruses, were revealed in 40 out of 43 positions of M1, M2, NP, PA, PB2 and HA, determining the host range specificity. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene revealed that BiH isolates belonged to genetic clade 2.2., and presence of aspartic acid at the position of 403 of HA locate BiH isolates in 2.2.2. sub-clade.Conclusions: The BiH’s isolates were determined as HPAI virus with genes sequences closely related to A/Cygnus olor/Astrakhan/Ast05-2-10/2005 (H5N1). Three residues (M2 - 28V and 78K, NP - 33I), typical of human influenza viruses, were found, indicating a certain degree of intercurrent evolutionary adaptive changes in BiH isolates. Sequence comparison of HA and NA segments with relevant sequences in GenBank revealed that the BiH isolates and the ones from the southern Russia (Astrakhan region) group together phylogenetically, forming a monophyleticcluster in both genes indicating that these isolates have evolved from the same origin. Sequence derived phenotype markers of NA protein (E99, V129, D131, R136, H255 and Y256) as well as of M2 protein (26L, 27V, 30A, S31 and G34) showed that the isolates have an oseltamivir and amantadine sensitive genotype. 

Background: Colonization is the presence of bacteria in the intestines, skin, nose, throat or anywhere in the human body without any signs of infection but with increased risk for spreading bacteria to other patients and the emergence of new infections. Screening of colonized patients is used as part of the prevention and control of multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections caused by agents such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Material and methods: Data from 169 screened respondents hospitalized at the University Clinical Center Tuzla, between October 1, 2018, and May 1, 2019, were analyzed. Swabs were taken from nostrils, throat, axilla and groin area for all patients, and also from the anorectal area for 157 of them. Identification of MDR bacteria was done by phenotypical methods, according to the recommendations of EUCAST Clinical Breakpoint Table v.8.0, 2018. Results: Out of 169 patients, negative screening test results were found in 93 examinees (55.02%), and positive in 76 (44.97%). The largest number of patients undergoing screening was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (Surgical Block), 73/169 (43.19%). The average screening time was 2.2 days or 53 hours. In 18/76 (23.68%) of patients with positive screening, prior to screening regular microbiological testing was done, and in the remaining 58/76 (76.3%) screening was performed first. Analyzing respondents with positive screening, 27 (35.53%) had negative findings during regular microbiological testing of different biological samples and for 49 (64.47%) different/same strains of MDR bacteria were isolated.Conclusion: Knowing the phenotypic profile of bacteria colonizing patients in intensive care units is a very useful tool in preventing their spread intra- and inter-hospitals.

Introduction: Inflammatory fibroblast tumor is rare tumor that most often occurs in younger people, usually 30 years old or younger, but most commonly in children age 6-10 years. It usually affects gastrointestinal tract and the lungs but it can also occur in several places at the same time. Clinical manifestations vary depending of the affected system of the body so it is very difficult to determine diagnosis without surgical extirpation and patohistological analysis. Complete surgical resection is curative in most patients and recidivism is rare. Liver abscesses more common occur in females with risk factors and medical history of diabetes, previous liver disease and less likely in patients with granulomatous diseases. Liver abscesses mortality in developing countries is 2-12%, increasing due to open surgical drainage.Case report: We present a 35 years-old patient who was treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases University Hospital Mostar and University Hospital Sarajevo, Clinic for Infectious Diseases in August and September 2018 and Clinical Hospital Merkur, Zagreb Surgery Clinic in December 2018. Data was used from medical documentation. Young, immunocompetent patient who was addmited to a hospital following high fever, chills and poor general condition was diagnosed with multiple focal necrotic lesions, differential-diagnostically most likely liver and spleen abscesses with high suspicion of liver malignancy. Liver biopsy was performed and patohistological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of multiple liver abscesses in the IV and VI liver segment, and inflamatory fibroblast tumor in the IV liver segment. Eight weeks of conservative treatment resulted in a complete regression of liver abscesses and inflamatory fibroblast tumor was surgically extirpated at the Clinic Hospital Merkur, Surgery Clinic in the Zagreb in December 2018.Conclusion: An approach to a patient with a multiple liver abscesses and liver tumor requires sub-specialists experience and urgent multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment approach to prevent further complications and deadly outcome.