Short-wave infrared radiation allows for efficient heating of a body (target) with minimal thermal interaction with the gaseous medium through which it passes. The mutual geometric relationship between the infrared heating source and the target impacts the spatial resistances of radiation heat transfer. Therefore, a significant portion of the short-wave infrared radiation emitted by the heat source does not reach the target, thereby reducing its efficiency. To maximize the use of thermal radiation, this study analyzes a profiled nanofluid collector on which a heated target is placed. Nanofluid with Al2O3 nanoparticles flows through internal arrays of round nozzles and a profiled housing, being heated by the inner surface of the collector. The paper establishes a methodology based on the thermal irreversibility of the heat source, collector and nanofluid. The established methodology allows for minimizing thermal entropy in order to optimize the geometric and process parameters of the described system. The results of the conducted analysis are based on the cross-influence of the Reynolds number of the nanofluid, target and collector emissivity, short-wave heating time and nanoparticle volumetric ratio. The results obtained indicate that as the target emissivity, heater temperature and heating time increase, the thermal entropy of the mutual interaction between the heater and the target also increases significantly. Similarly, the thermal entropy of the mutual interaction between the collector and the nanofluid is greatly influenced by factors such as the Reynolds number (from 2000 to 4000), volumetric ratio (3% and 5%) and type of nanoparticles used (Al2O3, TiO2, and CuO). In this way, the specially designed collector allows for the utilization of captured heat, while the established methodology offers the opportunity to optimize the process-geometric parameters of the heating system being analyzed.

Sewage sludge is a by-product of wastewater treatment. Sewage sludge is a desirable material for application in agriculture production as a fertilizer or soil conditioner, as it is characterized by a high content of organic matter and nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. However, sewage sludge tends to concentrate trace metals, organic pollutants and pathogenic organisms due to the initial pollutant load of the treated wastewater and the treatment processes. Although various chemical methods can be used to remove trace metals from sewage sludge, the use of microbes is considered a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach compared to chemical treatments. This review examines the risks of trace metals in the application of sewage sludge and demonstrates the efficiency of their removal using physical, chemical and biological methods.

It is known that throughout history the people of Herzegovina have been good and skilled fighters and competitors, especially in wrestling, boxing, throwing maces, spears and knives, fencing, etc. Those fighting skills and various competitions were traditional activities of Herzegovinians and were nurtured, preserved and passed down from generation to generation. In the Middle Ages, in the area of today's Herzegovina, physical activities were nurtured and practiced, as well as in neighboring areas and countries. During the Turkish occupation (1463-1878) there was a halt in their development, while during the Austro-Hungarian occupation (1878-1918) sports and other physical activities and competitions began to be practiced more intensively. Numerous sports and other physical activities appeared and began to develop, such as: athletics, cycling, equestrian sports, roller-skating, bowling, hunting, fencing, football, climbing, swimming, wrestling, diving, sokolism, tennis, etc. In the Kingdom of SCS/Yugoslavia (1918-1941), this development became more intensive in terms of content and institutions. In addition to the already mentioned, also began the development of other sports, such as: basketball, folk sports, volleyball, skiing, archery, etc. After the end of the Second World War, sport gained full momentum in Herzegovina, especially in the form of institutional organization. The subject of this research is sport and other physical activities in the territory of Herzegovina, with the aim of making an overview of their origin and development up to the most recent times. During writing historical method was used.

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications is an important part of future driver assistance and traffic control systems that will reduce accidents and congestion. The millimeter-wave (mmWave) band shows great promise to enable the high-data-rate links that are required or at least beneficial for such systems. To design such systems, we first need a detailed understanding of the vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) propagation channels. This paper provides a systematic account of a series of measurement campaigns for such channels, conducted by the four research institutions of the authors over the past year. After a description of the similarities and differences of the channel sounders used in the campaigns, a description of the measurements in two European and one American city is given, and the scenarios of convoy, opposite-lane passing, and overtaking, are described. This is then followed by key results, presenting both sample results of power delay profiles and delay Doppler (or angular) spectra, as well as the statistical description such as delay spread and size of stationarity region. We also discuss the availability of spatial diversity in V2I connections and the correlation of the channels between different frequency bands.

Food sovereignty is the human right to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and the right of people to define their own food and agriculture systems. Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. In contrast to food security, which focuses on ensuring that enough food is available, food sovereignty emphasizes control over food production and distribution by local communities. Shifting the focus from food security to food sovereignty essentially represents a reconnection between nature, food, and people. The right to seeds is at the basis of each community’s food sovereignty, what is possible to achieve only in the system of farmers’ seeds. Farmer seed systems are a critical contribution to food sovereignty and farmers’ rights. For over 10.000 years, people have freely saved, selected, exchanged, and sold seeds, using and reusing them for sowing and food production. The farmers’ seed system is defined by the long-standing continuous renewal and free distribution of seeds and knowledge among people. Seeds are gifted, shared, or traded in informal and formal markets. These seeds are more resilient to climate change, pests, and pathogens, and they also ensure a more diverse food system and a dynamic global ecosystem. Today, farmers’ rights to seeds, crucial for their survival, are seriously threatened and are in decline worldwide. These seed systems are undermined by inadequate legislation and insufficient support from governments and public research, primarily as the result of a protected seed market based fundamentally on intellectual property rights and trade agreements. Farmers’ seed systems are vital for preservation of plant genetic diversity of all agricultural crops. It is increasingly expected that global climate change, combined with other factors, will significantly alter this agricultural biodiversity. Broad efforts will be needed to help reduce the climate vulnerability of current agricultural production systems and building more resilient and adaptive agroecosystems. The farmers’ seed system and the associated traditional agricultural practices are key factors for adaptation.

Background: The prevalence of obesity and obesity-related clinical conditions, including metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), sarcopenia, and a wide spectrum of pathological manifestations, is rising globally. According to WHO, BMI is the only anthropometric measure currently used to classify obesity, overweight, and underweight. However, emerging research suggests that obesity is a complex pathological state influenced by multiple etiological factors. Given the limitations of BMI, there is a growing need for a more comprehensive assessment of body composition, particularly fat mass quantity and distribution. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provides valuable anthropometric data that can help differentiate obesity phenotypes and guide improved therapeutic approaches. Objective: This study aims to analyze body composition using BIA in a randomly selected sample of adults from primary healthcare settings in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The primary goal is to assess total body weight, fat mass quantity, fat distribution, and obesity types prevalent in this population. Additionally, the study seeks to establish reference values for further diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies to improve public health outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on adults (≥18 years) in Gračanica, Bosnia & Herzegovina (B6H), from January 2021 to January 2025. Inclusion criteria required participants to provide signed informed consent, while exclusion criteria included acute systemic diseases, severe dehydration, and fasting for more than 24 hours. Anthropometric parameters measured included age, height, weight, BMI, body fat mass (BFM), fat-free mass (FFM), percent body fat (PBF), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and bone mineral content (BMC). Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 18), with results presented as medians, interquartile ranges, and percentiles (5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 95th). Results: A total of 4,628 adults participated in the study, of whom 2,824 (61.0%) were female and 1,804 (39.0%) were male. The median age was 45 years (IQR: 29 years). The findings revealed that over one-quarter of the B&H population is obese, with abdominal obesity being the predominant type. This phenotype is associated with the highest risk for metabolic syndrome and MASLD. Conclusion: Our study highlights a high prevalence of obesity among the examined individuals in primary care settings in B&H, with abdominal obesity being the most common type. This phenotype is strongly associated with metabolic complications. BIA-derived parameters of fat distribution and visceral fat mass may serve as valuable tools for improving obesity classification and developing more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the oral health promotion programmes in the Balkan countries, to compare key measures and activities in the implementation of the programme, and to analyse the results achieved after the implementation of the programme. Material and Methods: Data were obtained through an electronic search of publicly available documents published in the field of dental healthcare in the Balkan countries. The search terms were: "national programme", "strategy", "action plan", "project", and "oral health". The search was conducted in English and in the native languages of the Balkan Peninsula countries. A comparative analysis of valid documents and those whose validity period has expired was carried out. Results: This study illuminates the information on preventive programmes for each country and discusses the challenges faced in the Balkans region. While countries in the Balkan Peninsula have made progress in improving the oral health of their inhabitants, the absence of national oral health promotion programmes is striking. Greater involvement of the community in activities to maintain and improve oral health is needed, as is more comprehensive dental care for vulnerable populations. Conclusions: The findings of this study may be employed to enhance oral health in the delineated regions, and to confer benefits upon the population of the region and beyond. The findings from this analysis provide valuable insights for policymakers and public health professionals aiming to strengthen oral health initiatives and ensure more equitable access to dental care across the Balkan Peninsula. This paper (Part II) describes specifics of oral health promotion programmes, dental health care, and key epidemiological indicators in each Balkan country.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has underscored the significant role of cardiovascular risk factors in determining the severity and outcomes of the disease. Pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases have emerged as key contributors to increased susceptibility to severe forms of COVID-19, influencing both short-term and long-term health outcomes. This review examines the complex interplay between these risk factors and the virus’s direct impact on the cardiovascular system. Key findings suggest that conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity not only predispose individuals to more severe disease but also exacerbate complications such as myocardial injury, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Furthermore, the long-term cardiovascular effects of COVID-19, including myocarditis and pericarditis, are of growing concern, particularly in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. The virus’s ability to induce myocardial damage through mechanisms involving ACE2 receptor binding and inflammatory cytokine storms has been well-documented. The pandemic has also highlighted significant cardiovascular complications, including left and right ventricular dysfunction, myocardial injury, and elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, with the right ventricle being particularly affected due to pulmonary damage. Imaging modalities such as echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance have proven valuable for diagnosing myocardial injury and complications, although accessibility may be limited in routine clinical practice. Survivors of severe COVID-19, especially those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, face an elevated risk of major adverse cardiovascular events for up to two years post-infection. Evaluation of post-COVID patients includes ECGs, laboratory tests, echocardiography, and cardiac MRI, which provide critical insights into myocardial injury and complications. Preventive measures, including vaccination, regular monitoring of cardiovascular health, and lifestyle modifications, play a crucial role in reducing the long-term risk of cardiovascular complications. The role of vaccination in mitigating the risk of severe disease and cardiovascular complications is well-established, despite rare cases of vaccine-related myocarditis. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing targeted management strategies, improving patient outcomes in both acute and long-term COVID-19 effects, and addressing the broader challenges posed by COVID-19’s impact on cardiovascular health.

The paper is concerned with hexacyclic systems (Fn) and their M¨obius counterparts (Mn). Continuing the studies in MATCH Commun. Math. Comput. Chem. 94 (2025) 477, the characteristic polynomial and the eigenvalues of the Sombor matrix of Fn and Mn, and the respective Sombor energies are determined. Upper and lower bounds for the Sombor energy in terms of the number of hexagons are also obtained.

Background: In recent years, research efforts have focused on understanding virtual environments and the importance of collaboration in such environments. The spread of remote working, exacerbated by the global pandemic and changing workforce dynamics, has meant that organizations are increasingly reliant on dispersed teams. Building trust in virtual teams is paramount to fostering effective collaboration, and achieving common goals. Trust reduces uncertainty, promotes collaboration and facilitates open communication between team members. Building trust in virtual contexts is challenging due to limited face-to-face interactions. In addition, knowledge sharing plays a crucial role in improving team effectiveness by enabling information sharing and problem solving. The lack of physical proximity in virtual environments is a barrier to spontaneous knowledge sharing and highlights the critical need for a culture that encourages knowledge sharing. Methodology: This study highlights the importance of cultivating a supportive virtual environment, ensuring psychological safety and utilizing technical platforms to facilitate information sharing. Quantitative data and survey methods are used to explore the integral impact of trust, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and team effectiveness. Findings and Conclusions: The results of this study contribute to the existing literature on virtual teamwork by highlighting techniques and practices that improve team performance. The finding that trust and information sharing play a central role in virtual teams can help organizations develop effective virtual work policies, design appropriate training programs, and select suitable collaboration platforms. Limitations and Future Research: While the study provides valuable insights, the generalizability of the findings to other contexts is limited by the restriction to a single sample. Replicating the study in different organizational contexts would improve the robustness of the results. Furthermore, the cross-sectional nature of the study limits the possibility of proving causality. Future research efforts could use longitudinal studies to examine the complex relationships between trust, teamwork, collaboration, and knowledge sharing over time.

Background: The etiology of oral ulceration is multicausal with numerous predisposing factors. Studies by various authors cite Helicobacter pylori infection as a possible cause of certain oral ulcerations. Objective: The aim of the study is to prove the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity of patients with oral ulcerations, as well as to examine the relationship between the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity and the development of oral ulcerations. Methods: The study included regular patients at the Department and Clinic of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Sarajevo, suffering from oral ulcerations, as well as healthy patients without oral diseases. The diagnosis of oral ulceration is based on a thorough history, clinical examination, and exclusion of other oral diseases. All patients were taken anamnestic data on the existence of digestive system diseases, and by reviewing medical documentation, a previously diagnosed digestive system disease by a gastroenterologist was recorded. A cytological smear was taken in all 80 cases, in patients with ulcerative lesions a smear was taken from the lesion and in healthy subjects from the mucous membrane of the palate, cheek and tongue. Highly sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity and oral lesions. Results: The results of our study showed that there is no statistically significant difference between the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity of patients with oral ulcerations and subjects with healthy mucosa. Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori is not a risk factor for the development of oral ulcerations and can be found on the oral mucosa as a transient pathogen.