The AMY2B gene encodes pancreatic amylase, a critical enzyme for starch digestion. While previous studies have examined AMY2B copy number variation (CNV) in domestic and some wild animals, less is known about wild carnivores inhabiting regions with limited anthropogenic starch exposure. We analyzed blood samples for serum amylase activity and copy number variation in AMY2B gene from 8 wolves (Canis lupus), 11 brown bears (Ursus arctos), and 3 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Bosnia and Herzegovina. AMY2B gene copy number was assessed using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), and serum amylase activity and glucose levels were quantified. Although the number of fox samples was limited, foxes and wolves consistently harbored two copies of AMY2B, while brown bears exhibited higher CNV (3.67–8.40, mean 5.88). Serum amylase activity was highest in foxes, moderate in wolves, and variable but lower in bears. Despite differences in AMY2B copy number and serum amylase activity, circulating glucose concentrations did not differ significantly among species. Our findings suggest that variation in AMY2B copy number among wild carnivores may be associated with species-specific evolutionary histories and dietary adaptations, providing insight into genomic mechanisms underlying carbohydrate utilization in natural populations.

The purpose of this paper is to develop machine learning (ML) models for prediction of surface roughness and cutting forces of 42CrMo4 steel in hard turning process. A full factorial experimental design with four input parameters: cutting speed, depth of cut, feed and insert radius was used to develop ML models for predicting the performance of turning process. The backward linear regression, random forest (RF) and XGBoost were used. Also, for the linear regression model and for the best RF and XGBoost model five-fold cross validation was done to confirm that the models provide reliable generalization estimates rather than performance dependent on a single data split. The XGBoost model demonstrates the most compact clustering of residuals with fewer large errors, indicating better overall stability and predictive consistency compared to the linear regression and RF models. The application of different ML methods with monitoring of standardized residuals on unseen data confirms the reliability of the developed models in real application conditions. This study provides a structured and comparative modeling framework across multiple output variables, where backward linear regression, RF and XGBoost models were developed. Several architectural and hyperparameter variations of the RF and XGBoost models were evaluated to ensure optimal configuration for each output. Also, variable influence was examined through permutation feature importance for ensemble models and statistical significance testing for linear regression, enabling interpretation and discussion of the influence of input variables on selected outputs.

This paper studies learning-based MPC for constrained stabilization of discrete-time linear systems with unknown system parameters and additive bounded disturbances. We develop a tractable homothetic-tube MPC scheme in which a high-probability parameter confidence set is generated from non-asymptotic regularized least-squares estimation, rather than assumed a priori. The resulting uncertainty set is embedded into robust tube propagation and constraint tightening, yielding a convex formulation with linear and second-order-cone constraints. We prove high-probability recursive feasibility, robust constraint satisfaction, and input-to-state stability, together with explicit non-asymptotic state bounds. A numerical example illustrates the effectiveness and theoretical guarantees.

Svako ko je radio pod mentorskom rukom prof. Ugljena, od projektantskog tima A4 na čelu s dugogodišnjim saradnikom, uvaženim arhitektom Brankom Tadićem, pa do kolone generacija studenata koji su prošli kroz čuvena institutska vrata pod brojem 345, upoznao je šta znači zahtjevnost arhitektonske profesije. Kad se spoje jedinstvena autorska vizija, visoki projektantski kriteriji i nemogući rokovi, onda noću svijetle institutski uredi... Strpljivo i s velikom dozom respekta prate tako snažnu stvaralačku ličnost koja mnoštvo svojih djela kreira u duhu Gesamkunstwerka – totalnog dizajna. Do krajnosti je profesor posvećen detaljima, bez obzira na to da li kreira svijećnjak, zdjelu ili ručku na vratima. Ništa ne prepušta slučaju i sve mora biti potčinjeno jedinstvenoj umjetničkoj naraciji. Svestrani interes i iskonsku mladalačku radoznalost iskazuje još u studentskim danima, čemu svjedoče zadnje stranice antologijske knjige Arhitektura Bosne i put u savremeno. Prof. Neidhardt izdvaja raznolike projekte talentiranog učenika Zlatka Ugljena: od uređenja prodavnice, dizajna stolice, skice bosanske seljanke u narodnoj nošnji do makete savremenog enterijera inspiriranog tradicionalnim elementima. 

INTRODUCTION Titanium fastener technology is increasingly adopted for use in minimally invasive valve surgery and open procedures to facilitate faster operative times and reproducible fastening of sutures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and short-term safety of automated titanium fastener technology for securing sutures in heart valve repair and/or heart valve replacement procedures. METHODS The CRIMP study is a multicenter, prospective study that enrolled patients undergoing heart valve repair or replacement via open or minimally invasive approaches at three centers (n = 120). The primary endpoints were device success and prosthesis implantation time. RESULTS Mean age was 62.5 (SD 11.1) years, 33.3% of patients was female and the cohort was characterized as low surgical risk (EuroSCORE II 1.6%; SD 2.3%). Predominant valve disease was mitral regurgitation. Median procedure time was 178 (IQR 145-210) min. Median aortic cross-clamp time was 82 (IQR 59-107) min. The majority of procedures was minimally invasive (76.7%). In aortic valve procedures, median prosthesis implantation time (first stitch until last COR-KNOT placement) was 25 (IQR 18-46) min and in mitral valve procedures median implantation time was 50 (IQR 48-52) min. Device success was 100%, since no automated titanium fastener failed to grip or crimp appropriately. Median number of COR-KNOTS used was 14 (IQR 12-16) per valve. In-hospital mortality was 0.8%. All observed adverse events were considered unrelated to the device and there was no valve prosthesis dehiscence at 30-days of follow-up. CONCLUSION The use of automated titanium fastener technology for suture fixation in heart valve surgery was technically feasible and showed short-term safety in all patients, with no obvious device-related adverse events observed. Graphical abstract available for this article.  Clinical trial registration number: DRKS00038956.

This cross-sectional two-step study aimed to investigate the prevalence of eating disorder (ED) symptoms and associated mental health difficulties among elite athletes and an age-and sex matched comparison group. National team athletes were recruited through national sport federations, while participants in the comparison group were recruited via social media. A total of 408 participants (athletes n = 256; comparison group n = 152) (72.1% female), completed an anonymous online survey comprising validated psychometric measures of ED symptoms, exercise addiction, depression and psychological flexibility. Participants who screened positive for ED symptoms and providing contact details were invited to undergo a clinical assessment using the ED Examination Interview (EDE 17.0D). Overall, 25.0% (n = 102) reported ED symptoms, with a higher prevalence in the comparison group than among athletes (37.5% vs. 17.6%, p < 0.001). Interviews were completed by 78.0% (n = 18) of athletes and 47.0% (n = 16) of comparison group participants who screened positive for ED symptoms, confirming an ED diagnosis in all but one athlete. Furthermore, 18.6% (n = 76) reported clinically relevant symptoms of depression, and 22.8% (n = 93) of exercise addiction. Associations were observed between ED symptoms and symptoms of exercise addiction, depression, and psychological inflexibility in the total sample, among athletes and in the comparison group. ED symptoms were common among athletes and the comparison group and were associated with depressive symptoms, problematic exercise behaviour, and psychological inflexibility. To safeguard athlete health and optimise performance, national sports organisations should implement systematic preventive strategies, promote early identification, establish clear referral pathways, and ensure access to coordinated multidisciplinary care.

The electromagnetic coupling phase at the complex resonance pole is a fundamental property of nucleon excitations. However, its extraction from pion photoproduction data remains model-dependent, particularly for the Δ(1232) resonance, where modern multichannel analyses report helicity amplitude phases ranging from +3° to −18°. In this Letter, we present a largely model-independent geometric S-matrix formalism that provides a physical constraint for this ambiguity. By imposing Watson’s final-state interaction theorem, a direct consequence of S-matrix unitarity and time-reversal symmetry, on the real energy axis and performing an analytic continuation, we isolate the kinematic threshold barriers of the photoproduction (k·q) and elastic (q3) amplitudes. For the dominant M1+ multipole transition of the Δ(1232), our method yields a kinematically constrained prediction of ϕEM=−8.5°−1.0°+0.6° for the electromagnetic residue phase. This geometric constraint explains the numerical results of coupled-channel phenomenological fits, validating the extractions by the SAID and Bonn–Gatchina groups, and establishes a theoretical benchmark for evaluating resonance properties.

A proper diet that provides balanced nutrients according to species, breed, age, sex, and purpose is essential for achieving optimal animal growth, development, and physiological function. In relation to this statement, the aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the effects of different dietary regimens on the morphometric characteristics of the small intestine of late puerperal rats, with a emphasis on the duodenum and jejunum. The research included measurements of the height and width of intestinal villi, and the depth of crypts, in order to determine specific morphological changes associated with the influence of the diet. The experiment involved 18 adult rats divided into three groups: the first group received standard commercial rat feed (control group), the second group was fed bakery products, and the third group was given a diet consisting exclusively of meat. Over a 49-day period, body weight, organ weights, and intestinal segment lengths were measured. Histological analyses of duodenum and jejunum samples were performed, alongside detailed morphometric assessment of the intestinal mucosa. Significant alterations in intestinal villi were observed. In the duodenum, the greatest villus height and width, as well as crypt depth, were observed in rats that had meat-based diet. Similarly, in the jejunum, rats from the same group exhibited the greatest villus height and crypt depth, while the mean measure of the villus width was almost identical to mean measure in rats that were fed with commercial food. These findings suggest that diet composition profoundly influences intestinal architecture and function. Overall, the study emphasizes the critical role of balanced nutrition in maintaining gastrointestinal health, systemic homeostasis, and optimal development, not only in laboratory animals but also in a broader veterinary and biomedical context.

Purpose: To review the potential relationship between vitamin B12 and colorectal cancer, with particular emphasis on its involvement in one-carbon metabolism and epigenetic regulation.Methods: This narrative review summarises current evidence on the biological mechanisms and epidemiological associations linking vitamin B12 status with colorectal cancer risk.Results: Available evidence indicates a biologically plausible but epidemiologically inconsistent relationship between vitamin B12 and colorectal cancer. Studies assessing dietary intake frequently report an inverse association, particularly for rectal cancer, whereas analyses of circulating vitamin B12 concentrations yield heterogeneous, and often conflicting findings.Conclusion: Vitamin B12 does not act as an isolated protective factor but as part of a complex metabolic and nutritional system. Although its potential protective role in colorectal carcinogenesis is biologically based, it remains insufficiently confirmed, emphasising the need for further integrated research.

Acidic wastewater generated during sulfuric acid leaching of reduced tionite within the EUROTITAN process was treated using three low-cost adsorbents: fly ash, bentonite, and red mud slag. Tionite is a solid residue originating from the sulfate route of TiO2 production, whereas the investigated wastewater is a secondary acidic stream produced during hydrometallurgical treatment of reduced tionite. The initial wastewater was characterized by low pH and elevated concentrations of Fe, Al, Ti, B, Cu, Mn, Pb, Cr, and Li. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out by varying contact time from 4 to 24 h and adsorbent dosage from 5 to 15 g/L. The results showed distinct selectivity depending on adsorbent type and solution chemistry. Bentonite exhibited the most stable performance, achieving nearly complete removal of Pb, Cu, B, and Li, while Fe and Al were only partially removed and Ti removal remained limited. Fly ash showed high affinity toward Pb and Cu, but its performance was strongly affected by dosage and contact time. Red mud slag demonstrated excellent Pb removal, high Cu removal, and time- and dosage-dependent Ti removal, although partial dissolution of Fe- and Al-bearing phases occurred under strongly acidic conditions. Overall, the results confirm that industrial by-products and natural clay materials can contribute to partial purification of acidic metallurgical wastewater, while additional neutralization or polishing steps are required for complete treatment.

We study conditions under which stability of the origin of stochastic differential equations is robust to small perturbations. We express robustness in two ways, firstly in the sense that stochastic stability is maintained under small parametric perturbations not exceeding a state-dependent bound vanishing at the origin but positive elsewhere, and secondly via stochastic input-to-state stability (ISS) which allows non-zero perturbations everywhere. We prove the former property assuming the existence of a Lyapunov function certifying stochastic stability of the nominal system. Under the same assumption, stochastic ISS holds under a suitable state-dependent perturbation scaling. Stochastic exponential stability is maintained under proportionally bounded perturbations and implies exponential ISS even without perturbation scaling. Finally, we propose a novel approach to stochastic integrator backstepping in pure-feedback form that uses the tools from our robustness analysis.

Inertial motion sensing plays an important role in real-time human–machine interaction applications, including interactive systems, virtual environments, and motion-controlled interfaces, where low latency and accurate motion tracking are important. This paper presents the design and implementation of an embedded inertial sensing system that acquires, processes, and transmits motion data from consumer-grade inertial measurement units (IMUs) under real-time constraints. Rather than introducing a new sensor fusion algorithm, the contribution lies in a systems-oriented methodology comprising a predictive clock-advancement mechanism that prevents cumulative timing drift, an automated matrix-based calibration procedure for hardware-agnostic deployment, and a benchmarking framework for end-to-end real-time system evaluation. Implemented on a resource-constrained embedded platform, the framework integrates sensor acquisition, lightweight filtering, sensor fusion, and real-time orientation estimation within a single processing pipeline. Motion data are transmitted using the CemuHook UDP (User Datagram Protocol) motion protocol (DSU) to demonstrate interoperability with existing motion-control software while maintaining low end-to-end latency and stable throughput. Experimental results show stable sampling frequency, low communication latency, accurate orientation estimation, and low computational overhead. The presented system provides an embedded inertial sensing framework that can be adapted to a range of real-time motion-sensing applications beyond the communication protocol used for demonstration.

One of the most often used welding processes for unalloyed structural steels is MAG, which is relatively simple, yet achieving high deposition rates. On the other side, there are standards describing weld quality based on weld geometry. This paper describes influence of heat input on weld geometry for MAG fillet welds of unalloyed steel with thicknesses of 8 mm, in horizontal and overhead position. Independently varied parameters were welding current and speed. Influence is described through models based on linear regression analysis. Comparison is made between models developed for different positions, as well as with those available in literature.

This thesis addresses the challenge of supporting novice programmers in the GenAI era without undermining fundamental skill acquisition. Using digital activity logs, self-reported characteristics, and GenAI usage patterns from an introductory programming course, it develops models that capture student learning behaviors. These models are then used to create personalized AI-based intervention strategies that guide students toward independent problem-solving.