Background and purpose This study investigates the influence of pedagogical qualification on the teaching of gymnastics in primary education, focusing on Slovak teachers’ instructional practices, resource utilization, and perceptions of teaching difficulty. Gymnastics is a foundational component of physical education (PE), promoting critical motor skills such as coordination, balance, and strength. Despite its benefits, gymnastics is often perceived as a difficult subject to teach, largely due to gaps in teacher training. Material and methods An online survey was completed by 1 189 actively employed primary school teachers across Slovakia during the 2023/2024 school year. Respondents were grouped by pedagogical background: 52.23% held preschool/elementary education qualifications, while 47.77% had alternative pedagogical training such as PE specialization. Results Results showed that “Gymnastics/Dance” was rated as the second most challenging thematic unit by both groups, with 28.18% of preschool/elementary-qualified teachers and 34.54% of other-qualified teachers selecting it, following “Health/Fitness” (38.49% and 37.18%, respectively). Although differences were not statistically significant (χ ²(3) = 7.56, p = 0.055), they highlight widespread difficulty with gymnastics instruction. Apparatus use was similarly high in both groups, with 66.34% of preschool/elementary-trained and 66.20% of other-qualified teachers reporting use of traditional gymnastics equipment. However, significant differences were observed in broader equipment use (χ²(3) = 12.84, p = 0.005), where 23.35% of preschool/elementary-trained teachers reported using both traditional and non-traditional tools compared to 17.96% of other-qualified teachers. Perceptions of facility adequacy also varied significantly (χ²(3) = 9.86, p = 0.018), with more critical ratings from preschool/ elementary-trained respondents. Conclusions These findings suggest that pedagogical training influences teaching diversity, expectations, and perceived support in gymnastics education. The study highlights the need for more robust, practice-focused training in gymnastics during teacher preparation, as well as improved access to equipment and facilities to support high-quality instruction.

Unambiguous identification of active sites in heterogeneous catalysis remains a major challenge, particularly for materials with ultrathin, chemically mixed surface layers. Here, we demonstrate a generalizable approach that combines time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) with multivariate statistical analysis (principal component analysis [PCA] and multivariate curve resolution [MCR]) to resolve catalytically relevant motifs at the nanoscale. Using Ni electrodes as a model system, PCA distinguished hydroxide-enriched domains from oxide- and metal-rich regions, while MCR decomposed depth profiles and 3D images into hydroxide, oxide, and metallic layers with nanometer resolution. A unique secondary-ion fragment, NiO3H3 - (m/z 108.94), emerged as a marker of hydroxide-rich environments and correlated with hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity across a series of Ni electrodes. Complementary density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that Ni(OH)2 clusters adjacent to metallic Ni offer the most favorable water dissociation energetics, establishing the structural origin of the marker. While illustrated here for Ni-based HER, this workflow provides a broadly applicable framework to isolate and rank near-surface patterns that govern catalytic activity, thereby extending ToF-SIMS from a qualitative probe to a predictive tool for active site identification.

Abstract Due to the improved surge arresters’ technology and their low cost and simple installation, there is an increasing number of Line Surge Arresters (LSA) application to the overhead lines installed with the aim to improve the lightning protection of the lines and reduce the outage rate due to the lightning. In order to protect the overhead line from lightning it is advisable to know how does the lightning waveshape look like: what is the peak lightning current; maximum current steepness; charge transfer and specific energy. The experimental system for the measurement of lightning current circulating in line surge arresters and through the transmission line tower was installed on the 110 kV transmission line tower. It is equipped with the real-time monitoring and acquisition system for measuring the amplitude and shape of the currents through surge arresters and the overhead line tower. The newly designed system is based on the state-of-the-art in terms of measuring sensors, communication, and information technologies. The lightning current measuring system is equipped with the custom developed software, which will enable the system to download the data from the measuring device, to process the data and to transfer the data automatically to the cloud. The measuring system’s components are chosen according to the specific parameters of the lightning current. The knowledge gained from the measured data will help to define more precisely the procedures to be followed in engineering projects and to specify the phases and towers where line surge arresters have to be installed. On another level, the exploitation of several sources of information simultaneously will help to identify the way to take the maximum possible advantage of the data provided by the lightning detection system.

Seed biopriming is increasingly recognized as a strategy capable of inducing molecular memory that enhances plant performance under heavy-metal stress. Here, we investigated how biopriming Silene sendtneri seeds with Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN establishes a transcriptional state that predisposes seedlings for improved cadmium (Cd) tolerance. RNA-seq profiling revealed that primed seeds exhibited differential gene expression prior to Cd exposure, with strong upregulation of detoxification enzymes, antioxidant machinery, metal transporters, photosynthetic stabilizers, and osmoprotectant biosynthetic genes. Enrichment of gene ontology categories related to metal ion detoxification, redox homeostasis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and cell wall organization indicated that biopriming imprints a preparatory transcriptional signature resembling early stress responses. Upon Cd exposure, primed plants displayed enhanced physiological performance, including preserved integrity, elevated antioxidant activity, particularly peroxidases in roots, higher osmolyte accumulation, stabilized micronutrient levels, and substantially increased Cd uptake and sequestration. These coordinated responses demonstrate that biopriming induces a sustained molecular memory that accelerates and strengthens downstream defense activation. These findings demonstrate that PGPR-based biopriming establishes a stable transcriptomic memory in seeds that enhances cadmium tolerance, metal sequestration, and stress resilience, highlighting its potential for improving hyperaccumulator performance in phytoremediation and stress adaptation strategies.

Abstract Overhead transmission lines that consist of two or more circuits are frequently utilized as a solution in scenarios requiring the transmission of a higher amount of energy per unit of space, when spatial constraints exist, or to achieve cost savings in the construction and maintenance of transmission infrastructure. Despite their numerous advantages, these overhead transmission lines pose significant challenges concerning the intensity of magnetic fields in their vicinity. This paper presents an analysis of the influence zone of multi-circuit overhead transmission lines from the perspective of magnetic fields in the range of extremely low-frequencies. The zone of influence, in this context, is defined as the area surrounding the overhead transmission lines where the magnetic flux density exceeds specified reference values. To determine the magnetic flux density values, a methodology based on the application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) was employed. The paper outlines the implementation of this ANN based approach to estimate the magnetic flux density near multi-circuit overhead transmission lines. Two case studies are presented, examining double-circuit overhead transmission lines that have different configurations and rated voltages. For these cases, the zones of influence were determined with respect to extremely low-frequency magnetic field values. Additionally, a comparison was conducted between the obtained influence zones and the safety zones for overhead transmission lines defined by regulatory authorities.

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic caused over seven million deaths globally as of July 2024. In an attempt to bring the pandemic under control, immunization was implemented as the main preventive strategy. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of hospitalized patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) regarding COVID-19 vaccination, as well as the factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccination rates. Methods: This cross-sectional, survey-based KAP study was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025 in five hospitals across five cities of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Results: There were 571 respondents, 68% of whom were female, with an average age of 39.17 ± 14.74 years; one-third held a university degree. The study sample consisted of patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) (59% vs. 41%). During the pandemic period, 46.6% of respondents were diagnosed with COVID-19, with a higher prevalence among healthcare workers compared to patients (54.2% vs. 41.2%). Among the 55.2% of respondents who were vaccinated, HCWs were more often vaccinated than patients (70.9% vs. 44.2%) and more likely to know that vaccines protect against severe forms of disease and death (80.8% vs. 68.5%). Patients more often believed that vaccination against COVID-19 may lead to sterility in young patients (11.3% vs. 6%) and were more often afraid of vaccination compared to the occurrence of COVID-19 (35.6% vs. 24.8%). Regression analyses showed that independent predictors of COVID-19 vaccination were older age (p < 0.001), higher education level (p = 0.039), knowledge of vaccine production technology, and the belief that vaccinated individuals have milder symptoms of the disease (p = 0.002). Conversely, the belief that the COVID-19 situation was overblown was negatively associated with vaccination (p = 0.004). Conclusions: HCWs had better knowledge, more positive attitudes, and better vaccination practices against COVID-19 in comparison to patients. However, there are still certain dilemmas and hesitations among HCWs toward COVID-19 vaccination.

Morus alba L., or white mulberry, is a small deciduous shrub from the Moraceae family, with well-known medicinal properties and beneficial effects on human health. Recent studies have confirmed the bioactive potential of this plant, including its antimicrobial effects, primarily against bacteria and viruses. In contrast, data regarding its antifungal activity are scarce. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the antifungal and antibiofilm capacity of white mulberry ethanolic and methanolic extracts derived from leaves and fruits against Candida albicans, through the measuring of fungal growth inhibition in the agar diffusion method; determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by the broth microdilution method; defining the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC); evaluation of the antibiofilm capacity of the extracts through the tissue culture plate method; and calculation of the biofilm-inhibition percentage. The fruit methanolic extract achieved the largest inhibition zones (31.00±1.00 mm), followed by the fruit ethanolic extract (30.00±1.00 mm). MIC values for all tested samples were defined at 125 µg/ml, while MFC values were determined at 250 µg/ml. In this study, C. albicans was evaluated as a strong biofilm former, and white mulberry extracts showed the potential to change the biofilm-forming capacity in subinhibitory concentrations. Fruit methanolic extract decreased this capacity in a wide range of concentrations, with biofilm inhibition up to 92.61%. Results indicate that white mulberry represents a strong candidate for further investigation in phytotherapy.

Studies have rarely examined the effects of changes in legal anti-doping knowledge (LADK) on doping tendencies in athletes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured educational intervention focused on LADK and to analyze how LADK changes affect elite athletes’ doping tendency. The participants were athletes (n = 310; 156 females; 24.1 ± 4.2 years of age), all actively competing at the senior national or international level in either individual (N = 119) or team sports (N = 191), tested on sociodemographic-, sport-, doping-factors (including doping tendency—DT), and LADK. Participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (E: N = 140) and a control group (C: N = 170). The E group participated in a structured educational program on LADK. A pre- and posttest design was used to evaluate changes in LADK (dependent variable). Logistic regression was calculated to evaluate the association between LADK and binarized DT (negative vs. neutral/positive DT). Factorial ANOVA for repeated measurements revealed significant improvement in LADK in the E group, with significant ANOVA effects for time (F test = 35.8, p < 0.05) and time × group interaction (F test = 12.27, p < 0.05). The logistic regression did not reveal significant correlations between LADK and DT. Further studies exploring younger athletes, as well as long-term, multidimensional interventions, are warranted.

The Australian Open, together with Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the US Open, is one of the four biggest tournaments known as Grand Slams. As the first major tournament of the year, it is a very important and prestigious event. Since it is held immediately after the preparation period, players are expected to show a high level of physical, technical-tactical and psychological preparedness. It is played on a hard surface, which additionally increases the physical demands placed on tennis players. The aim of this research is to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference in the “winner” points achieved between winning and losing tennis players at the 2024 Australian Open. The study analyzed situational efficiency parameters between winners and losers. The sample of variables consisted of 246 players in 123 matches played at the 2024 Australian Open. All matches that were completed were included in the research; four matches ended with the retirement of one of the players and were therefore not included in order to obtain valid data in the final statistical analysis. The results were obtained based on the analysis of points won during the match, using seven (7) different tennis strokes. Discriminant analysis of the obtained data showed that there are statistically significant differences between winning and losing tennis players in certain tennis strokes. The results showed that the greatest difference was in the “overhead” stroke, in favor of the winners.Keywords:tennis, tennis strokes, situational efficiency parameters, Australian Open, discriminant analysis.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Kidney replacement therapy (KRT) practices in Europe are heterogeneous, with apparent differences between Western and Central/Eastern Europe. However, time trends in KRT incidence and prevalence in Central and Eastern Europe are not previously reported. Therefore, we aimed to describe trends in incidence and prevalence of KRT in Central and Eastern Europe from 2010 to 2021. METHODS Data on incident and prevalent KRT patients from 19 Central and Eastern European countries between the years 2010 and 2021 were derived from the European Renal Association (ERA) Registry. Time trends were calculated using JoinPoint regression. RESULTS Overall, KRT incidence increased with 1.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): +0.7 to + 2.6%) per year from 106.3 per million population (pmp) in 2010 to 119.6 pmp in 2019. However, trends differed within the region. While in Bosnia and Herzegovina KRT incidence significantly decreased from 2010 to 2019, it remained stable in nine and increased in eight countries. The overall KRT prevalence increased with 5.1% (95% CI: +4.5 to + 5.7%) per year from 426.2 pmp in 2010 to 651.2 pmp in 2019. KRT prevalence increased in all countries, except for Belarus where it remained stable, and was mainly attributable to increases in the prevalence of kidney transplantation. The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a major impact on KRT incidence and prevalence in the region, as most trends remained until 2021. CONCLUSIONS Although we found an overall increase in KRT incidence and prevalence in the region, large country variations remain, much larger than observed in Western Europe. The results of this study can help to define country-specific priorities for the optimization of KRT care in Central and Eastern Europe.