The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reshaped work dynamics, pushing remote work to the forefront. This study explores the impact of transformational leadership on employee performance in remote working environments. Conducted among 231 respondents from various sectors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the research investigates how leadership styles affect employee performance in a post-pandemic period. The findings highlight that transformational leadership significantly enhances employee performance across all dimensions. Remote working benefits, however, show negligible impact on performance, while remote working disadvantages and job autonomy have medium to large effects. These results underline the importance of effective leadership and autonomy in optimizing employee performance in remote work settings. These insights highlight the need for organizations to adapt their leadership strategies to the evolving digital work environment, ensuring that remote work remains a viable and productive option for the future. Research provides valuable guidance for businesses aiming to navigate the new normal successfully, emphasizing the crucial role of transformational leadership in the digital age.
Background/Objectives: Post-infectious syndromes, including Post-COVID syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and late-stage Lyme disease, are associated with overlapping clinical features and autonomic dysfunction. Despite shared symptoms such as fatigue and orthostatic intolerance, the underlying pathophysiology and specific patterns of autonomic dysfunction may differ. This study aimed to evaluate and compare autonomic nervous system function in these syndromes using multiple diagnostic modalities to identify unique characteristics and improve differentiation between these conditions. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 758 patients, which were divided into four groups: Post-COVID syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome following Post-COVID syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome unrelated to COVID-19, and late-stage Lyme disease. Autonomic nervous system function was assessed using cardiovascular reflex tests, the Head-Up Tilt Test, beat-to-beat analysis, five-minute electrocardiogram recordings, 24 h Holter electrocardiogram monitoring, and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Statistical analyses compared parameters across the groups, focusing on patterns of sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. Results: The patients with Lyme disease showed distinct autonomic patterns, including a higher prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (53.4%) and changes in heart rate variability during the Head-Up Tilt Test suggestive of adrenergic failure. Compared to the other groups, patients with Lyme disease exhibited reduced baroreceptor sensitivity and diminished changes in frequency domain heart rate variability parameters during orthostatic stress. Parasympathetic dysfunction was less prevalent in the Lyme disease group, while the Post-COVID syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome groups showed more pronounced autonomic imbalances. Conclusions: The patients with Post-COVID syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and late-stage Lyme disease exhibited varying degrees and types of autonomic dysfunction. Late-stage Lyme disease is characterized by adrenergic failure and distinct hemodynamic responses, differentiating it from other syndromes. The functional assessment of autonomic nervous system function could aid in understanding and managing these conditions, offering insights for targeted therapeutic interventions.
OBJECTIVE The endonasal transsphenoidal approach (ETA) developed over the years has become the standard of care for sellar and parasellar lesions. However, because it necessitates the removal of the skull base bone, it is often accompanied by CSF leakage. The authors aimed to provide technical nuances and analyze the results of their routine fat grafting technique after ETA. METHODS A consecutive patient cohort (2004-2024) of 168 patients who underwent ETA for sellar and parasellar lesions and the modified fat grafting technique for skull base repair were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Overall, combined ETA and transcranial approach (TCA) was performed in 7 (4.2%) patients, and 4 (2.4%) patients had prior transsphenoidal surgery. The size of the lesion was < 10 mm in 24 (14.3%) patients, 10-30 mm in 93 (55.4%), and > 30 mm in 51 (30.4%). Histopathological diagnoses were as follows: 154 (91.7%) pituitary adenomas, of which 45 (26.8%) were secreting; 8 (4.8%) Rathke's cleft cysts; 2 (1.2%) inflammatory/autoimmune lesions; 2 (1.2%) craniopharyngiomas; 1 (0.6%) renal cell carcinoma metastasis; and 1 (0.6%) chordoma. Gross-total resection was achieved in 127 (75.6%) patients, near-total resection in 22 (13.1%), and subtotal resection/partial resection/biopsy in 19 (11.3%). Overall, 122 (72.6%) procedures had intraoperative CSF leakage. Postoperative CSF leakage was observed in 1 (0.6%) patient treated with a revision operation and regrafting with a slightly larger graft and lumbar drainage. CONCLUSIONS Even slight modifications in contemporary surgical techniques and the addition of an innovative approach may improve the treatment of sellar and parasellar lesions via ETA and reduce the risk of CSF leakage. The authors have developed and described a modified fat grafting technique with gradual crafting and preprocessing of the abdominal fat tissue for skull base repair, and they have demonstrated its effectiveness in significantly reducing the CSF leak rate. This technique enables adequate reconstruction of skull base defects with low donor-site complication rates and obviates the need for external lumbar drainage.
Information and communication technology development has brought significant changes to the taxation system, including the emergence of increasingly complex cybercrimes. This study aims to analyze the evolution of cybercrimes in the digital taxation system and the strategies and challenges in dealing with them. The method used is qualitative normative with a literature study approach. The study results indicate that cybercrimes in taxation include identity fraud, fake tax refund schemes, and international tax evasion, with significant financial impacts. Law Number 1 of 2024 concerning the Second Amendment to the UU ITE provides a more substantial legal basis but still requires harmonization with existing tax regulations. The handling strategy involves applying digital forensics, artificial intelligence, and international cooperation. The main challenge lies in the complexity of cybercrime, which continues to grow, and the need for more comprehensive regulations. This study concludes that a holistic approach is needed to strengthen rules, increase technological capabilities, and educate taxpayers to overcome taxation cybercrimes in the digital era.
The success and failure of any organization largely depend on talented and competent employees. Through human resource management (HRM) practices and policies, organizations strive to ensure committed employees. One of the fundamental practices they use is undoubtedly material and immaterial compensation. Adequate management of such compensation may contribute to greater employee engagement in achieving the set goals, realizing the mission, and fulfilling the vision of the organization. In such ways employees confirm their affiliation with the organization, which classifies them as committed employees. The paper assumes that the adequate application of material and immaterial compensation in organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) may improve employee organizational commitment. This ultimately has a positive impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of organizations. The research was conducted in 128 BiH organizations with more than 50 employees across four sectors. The hypotheses were tested applying the Principal Components Analysis (PCA) through the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) values and Bartlett's test of sphericity and the regression analysis. The results show a statistically significant positive impact of material and immaterial compensation on employee organizational commitment. Creating more agile policies and practices of human resource management, especially those related to material and immaterial compensation, can significantly improve employee commitment as well as the entire organizational effectiveness.
Accurate health assessment of wild, semi-captive, or domesticated animals is essential for their well-being. Despite this necessity, limited studies have been conducted on deer species, and there is a paucity of information on the hemato-biochemical parameters of different deer species globally. Present study aimed to fill this gap by determining the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of fallow deer (Dama dama) maintained in semi-captivity within zoo environments for the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Present research involved six healthy male fallow deer, aged 2 to 5 years. The deer were immobilized using xylazine hydrochloride and ketamine hydrochloride, and blood samples were collected from the external jugular vein. The hematological parameters measured included RBC, PCV, HGB, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, RETIC, WBC, WBC differential, PLT, MPV, PDW, and PCT. Biochemical parameters included glucose, urea, creatinine, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and enzymes (AST, ALT, ALKP, and GGT) activities. The results showed the higher glucose and urea concentrations and the same values for creatinine, triglycerides, and enzyme activities when compared to some previous reports. These findings highlighted the importance of considering handling methods and environmental conditions when interpreting biochemical parameters, contributing to improved health assessments and management practices for deer in captivity. Keywords: Biochemical and hematological parameters, Captive wildlife, Domesticated animals, Fallow deer.
BACKGROUND: A minority of patients with stroke qualify for intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) within 4.5-hour window. The safety and efficacy of IVT beyond this period have not been well studied. METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov for relevant randomized clinical trials. Randomized clinical trials comparing IVT versus standard medical care in patients with ischemic stroke beyond 4.5 hours of symptom onset or last known well without mechanical thrombectomy (MT) were included. Primary outcomes were excellent (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–1) and good (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2) functional outcomes at 90 days, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and death at 90 days. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by Q test and quantified by I² values. RESULTS: Eight randomized clinical trials (1742 patients; mean age, 69.8±9 years, 63.5% men) were included. Compared with standard medical care, IVT achieved higher rates of excellent (OR, 1.43 [95% CI, 1.17–1.75]; Q=2.30; P=0.94; I2=0%) and good functional outcomes (OR, 1.36 [95% CI, 1.12–1.66]; Q=2.07; P=0.96; I2=0%) at 90 days but also increased sICH rates (OR, 4.25 [95% CI, 1.67–10.84], Q=0.48; P=0.99; I2=0%). Mortality at 90 days did not significantly differ between treatment groups (OR, 1.28 [95% CI, 0.87–1.89]; Q=4.63; P=0.59; I2=0%). Subanalyses yielded numerically higher odds of excellent functional outcomes when patients were selected with perfusion imaging (3 studies, OR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.08–1.94]) compared with diffusion-weighted imaging–fluid-attenuated inversion recovery mismatch (3 studies, OR, 1.34 [95% CI, 0.94–1.91]) and when treated with tenecteplase (3 studies, OR, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.06–2.04]) compared with alteplase (5 studies, OR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.08–1.78]). CONCLUSIONS: IVT for ischemic stroke beyond 4.5 hours, without MT, led to increased odds of excellent and good functional outcomes compared with standard medical care, despite higher odds of sICH, and a nonsignificant numerical increase in mortality.
Visual Abstract Hearing impairment (HI) disrupts social interaction by hindering the ability to follow conversations in noisy environments. While hearing aids (HAs) with noise reduction (NR) partially address this, the “cocktail-party problem” persists, where individuals struggle to attend to specific voices amidst background noise. This study investigated how NR and an advanced signal processing method for compensating for nonlinearities in Electroencephalography (EEG) signals can improve neural speech processing in HI listeners. Participants wore HAs with NR, either activated or deactivated, while focusing on target speech amidst competing masker speech and background noise. Analysis focused on temporal response functions to assess neural tracking of relevant target and masker speech. Results revealed enhanced neural responses (N1 and P2) to target speech, particularly in frontal and central scalp regions, when NR was activated. Additionally, a novel method compensated for nonlinearities in EEG data, leading to improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and potentially revealing more precise neural tracking of relevant speech. This effect was most prominent in the left-frontal scalp region. Importantly, NR activation significantly improved the effectiveness of this method, leading to stronger responses and reduced variance in EEG data and potentially revealing more precise neural tracking of relevant speech. This study provides valuable insights into the neural mechanisms underlying NR benefits and introduces a promising EEG analysis approach sensitive to NR effects, paving the way for potential improvements in HAs.
Abstract White enamel discolorations are frequent and can impact patients' quality of life. Enamel hypoplasia is a condition that affects the quality of enamel, resulting in a change in its translucency and color. Minimally invasive procedures of the slightly altered enamel are an effective treatment for improving the esthetic appearance of tooth discoloration. They contribute to a greater longevity of teeth and prevent them from relapsing into the repetitive restorative cycle. Two case reports aimed to show a sequential technique of minimally invasive procedures for treating enamel hypoplasia in anterior teeth. The sequential technique consisted of three steps: anterior teeth were firstly bleached in office with 40% hydrogen peroxide (Opalescence™ Boost™, Ultradent Products Inc, South Jordan, UT, USA), then hypoplastic spots on the buccal incisal thirds of the maxillary central incisors were treated with two sessions of microabrasion using phosphoric acid (Ultra-Etch, Ultradent Produtos Inc, USA) and pumice stone and finally resin infiltrant (Icon, DMG, Germany) was applied on the buccal incisal thirds of teeth in one session. The proposed strategy was based on masking the lesion by infiltrating the porous subsurface enamel with a hydrophobic resin that has a refraction index closer to that of sound enamel, after permeating the non-porous surface enamel through hydrochloric acid erosion. The masking of hypoplastic spots was done with this sequence of treatments and reestablishing color harmony. However, the clinical success can vary depending on the depth of white spots, patient's oral hygiene habit and compliance with post-treatment care instructions.
AIM To compare the histological structure of biopsies from the anterior and posterior regions of the human palate in order to gain insights into potential differences of soft tissue harvesting sites. METHODS This comparative study involved 20 participants, from each of whom four samples from the palatal mucosa were collected. The biopsies were histologically processed and subsequently analysed. The thickness of the epithelium, lamina propria, and the length of the rete pegs were measured using a microscope. In addition, parameters such as collagen fibres, elastic fibres, elastic connective tissue, loose connective tissue and the background were measured. RESULTS The mean epithelial thickness was 0.42 mm anteriorly and 0.37 mm posteriorly. The mean thickness of the lamina propria was 0.81 mm anteriorly and 0.85 mm posteriorly. Within the region of interest, collagen fibres were significantly less abundant anteriorly than posteriorly (p = 0.016). The loose connective tissue showed a significantly higher occurrence in the anterior compared with the posterior sampling site (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION This trial indicates no differences in terms of the thickness of the lamina propria. There was a higher concentration of collagen fibres and a lower concentration of loose connective tissue in the posterior region of the palate.
Introduction The ability of airline pilots to maintain a good level of sleep goes a long way in ensuring operational effectiveness with regard to safety as well as personal health. The study assesses the risk factors for sleep quality of airline pilots in Serbia with the objective of determining those factors, both occupational and lifestyle that are paramount in assisting with sleep health. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 66 Serbian commercial pilots, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess their sleep quality. Demographic, occupational, lifestyle, biological and psychological variables were obtained through validated questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of poor sleep quality (PSQI ≥5). Results Overall sleep quality was poor in 65.2% of the participants. Significant factors associated with poor sleep quality included years of experience (OR = 1.17, p = 0.007) and levels of stress (OR = 2.87, p = 0.004). Particular lifestyle variables, including factors such as coffee intake, had initial relationships with sleep quality but were not significant in the multivariate models. With regard to age, a significant univariate association was also revealed but was dropped in the final model because of collinearity with years of experience. Conclusion Serbian commercial pilots have a relatively high risk of inadequate sleep associated with years of experience and levels of stress. There is a need to implement organization-wide changes such as stress management schemes in order to improve sleep quality among pilots, and foster prioritizing well-being.
This chapter presents Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), the proposal that, below a certain acceleration scale $a_0$, dynamics departs from the Newtonian expectation. In that context, the determining factor for the emergence of apparent missing matter in galactic systems is predicted to be the acceleration, and not the mass or size of the system. MOND enables, for example, the prediction of rotation curves from only the baryonic distribution of galaxies. The simple rule is that the acceleration observed in the low-acceleration regime is the square root of the Newtonian expectation times $a_0$. Immediately, the flatness of rotation curves follows, as well as the proportionality of the fourth power of the asymptotic circular speed to only the baryonic mass of the galaxy. While the asymptotic circular speed is predicted not to depend on the baryonic surface density of galaxies of fixed baryonic mass, the inner shape of rotation curves is predicted to strongly depend on it. More generally, MOND implies an algebraic relation between the acceleration expected from Newtonian gravity and the total observed acceleration, at any radius in a galaxy. This is known, observationally, as the Radial Acceleration Relation. For galaxy clusters, it is commonly accepted that MOND fails, needing a stronger gravitational force (or more baryonic mass than observed) to account for the thermodynamic state of galaxy clusters, their lensing and kinematics. MOND, however, is not a complete theory, but a phenomenological non-relativistic paradigm in the limit of low accelerations, in need of embedding in a more fundamental theory. While various non-relativistic field theories of MOND exist, the search for a relativistic theory that recovers general relativity for high accelerations and MOND for low accelerations in the quasi-static limit, as well as a cosmology compatible with observations, is still on-going.
The aim of this study was to determine the antidotal potential of the chlorinated oxime K870 compared to obidoxime, as a monotherapy and in combination with atropine, in paraoxon (POX)-poisoned rats. The treatment doses of oximes were chosen as 20% of their LD50 values. The protective ratio (PR) of oxime K870 with atropine was significantly higher than that of obidoxime with atropine (68.8 and 125.0, respectively). In the biochemical part of the experiment POX subcutaneously (s.c.) (0.75% LD50) was administered and followed by oxime K870 or obidoxime i.m. 1 min later. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was determined spectrophotometrically in cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, diaphragm, and erythrocytes. Carboxylesterase activity was determined in plasma and liver. Both oximes successfully reactivated AChE in brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem), diaphragm and erythrocytes, but the oxime K870 performed better than obidoxime. Both oximes reactivated carboxylesterase, obidoxime better in plasma and oxime K870 better in liver. In conclusion, the oxime K870, when co-administered with atropine, is a more effective antidote than the obidoxime-atropine combination in POX-poisoned rats.
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