Executive functions (EF) have been significantly correlated with many important participant characteristics, including education, behavior, and overall health. Assessing EF in children is particularly important, as doing so can help clinicians develop programs for EF remediation. However, there is a limited understanding of comprehensive performance-based EF assessment tools for children. Our goal in the present paper was to conduct a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) of the Yellow-Red test, a performance-based EF measure, in a Bosnian sample of early elementary school students. Specifically, our participants were 180 children aged 8-11 years (M age = 9.6 years, SD = 1), including 83 girls and 97 boys. The CFA showed that the data fit well with both a unidimensional model (global EF) and a two-dimensional EF model, comprised of (i) working memory and (ii) inhibition plus cognitive flexibility. A comparison of these two models showed that the two-factor model was a statistically better fit to this sample's performance than the unidimensional model. These results suggest that EF in this age group can be viewed as both a single construct and a multi-factor construct (with at least two-factors). The Yellow-Red Test, with its engaging and cross-cultural research base, is a useful instrument for detecting EF dysfunction, and it can provide valuable insights for informing tailored interventions.

Mental health is deteriorating quickly and significantly globally post-COVID. Though there were already over 1 billion people living with mental disorders pre-pandemic, in the first year of COVID-19 alone, the prevalence of anxiety and depression soared by 25% worldwide. In light of the chronic shortages of mental health provider and resources, along with disruptions of available health services caused by the pandemic and COVID-related restrictions, technology is widely believed to hold the key to addressing rising mental health crises. However, hurdles such as fragmented and often suboptimal patient protection measures substantially undermine technology's potential to address the global mental health crises effectively, reliably, and at scale. To shed light on these issues, this paper aims to discuss the post-pandemic challenges and opportunities the global community could leverage to improve society's mental health en masse.

In this study, we compared the effectiveness of AR-based homework, traditional homework, and mixed-approach homework in learning about circular motion. To that end, we conducted a pretest-posttest quasi-experiment involving 135 first-year students enrolled in an introductory physics course at the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Croatia. The students in the experimental group completed augmented reality (AR)-based homework assignments. In these assignments, their learning about circular motion was supported by a meticulously designed worksheet that included four AR-supported activities. In the mixed-approach group, students were given a homework assignment that included three AR-supported activities and one quantitative textbook problem, whereas the traditional group’s homework consisted of four quantitative textbook problems covering the same content. Findings from our study suggest that the post-treatment scores for all groups were significantly higher than the pretreatment scores, with the largest pre-post gains observed in the mixed-approach group. We conclude that combining carefully selected quantitative problems with key AR activities is the most promising approach.

Background and Objectives: Burden of cervical cancer in Central and Eastern Europe is higher than in other parts of Europe. We analyzed cervical cancer epidemiology in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska) from January 2016 to December 2020, exploring the role of available sociodemographic factors and healthcare service parameters on incidence and mortality rates, using an ecological approach based on aggregated data. Materials and Methods: Incidence and mortality rates are standardized using the method of direct standardization with the World-ASR-W. Administrative units are grouped by tertiles of incidence and mortality to explore sociodemographic factors and healthcare parameters across these groups. Results: Average age-standardized incidence rates of cervical cancer per 100,000 females were 19.28 in Serbia, 12.48 in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 22.44 in the Republic of Srpska. Mortality rates per 100,000 females were 6.67, 5.22, and 4.56 in Serbia, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Republic of Srpska, respectively. Several parameters of sociodemographics and health service usage differed significantly across units grouped by tertiles based on incidence level, i.e., female population ≥ 15 years old (p = 0.028), population density (p = 0.046), percent of gynecologists in the primary healthcare (p = 0.041), number of gynecologists per 10,000 females ≥ 15 years (p = 0.007), and the area-to-gynecologist ratio (p = 0.010). A moderate negative correlation was found between incidence and population density (rho = −0.465, p = 0.017), and a moderate positive correlation between incidence and area-to-gynecologist ratio (rho = 0.534, p = 0.005). Conclusions: Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer among women in developing countries. Implementing tailored activities, such as educational programs, preventive services, and investments in healthcare infrastructure, particularly at the administrative units’ level, can help in reducing health disparities and improving health outcomes.

Hydropower is the world's most exploited renewable energy source. It provides a substantial, flexible, and reliable source of renewable energy, complementing other renewables like solar and wind power. Besides conventional hydropower potentials and technologies, the development of technologies for the exploitation of hidden hydropower potentials is an ongoing process. This paper presents the current state of hidden hydropower technologies and links them with possible applications in different hydropower potentials. Technologies and potential applications are structured within three main groups (pressurized systems, hydro storage, unpressurized systems), with their mutual interconnections analysed and displayed throughout the paper. The opportunity for the application of hidden hydropower technologies in different roles within the energy system is recognized through the concepts of off- and on-grid roles, the prosumer concept, and on-site measurement powering. This paper shows that hidden hydropower technologies could emerge as significant contributors to a smoother energy transition, especially with the prosumer and off-grid concepts.

Currently, there is significant effort worldwide in the research and development of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm{{SF}}_{6}$</tex-math></inline-formula>-free high-voltage circuit breakers, both in academia and industry. One of the most important switching capabilities is thermal current interruption, a process that, in modern self-blast breakers, strongly depends on the coupled effects of nozzle geometry, nozzle ablation, backheating, pressure build-up and gas outflow, as well as contact and puffer cylinder motion actuated through the drive. Previously published investigations on the thermal interruption performance of novel switching gases have used such designs, however, due to the many coupled processes, it is not possible to control the interruption conditions in order to make a full and comparative evaluation of different <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm{{SF}}_{6}$</tex-math></inline-formula> alternative gas mixtures. The aim of the present contribution is to present an experimental circuit breaker tailored for use in basic experiments that allow for an unbiased comparison of properties of alternative gas mixtures relevant for current interruption. The breaker is based on a novel puffer design with an overpressure relief valve that allows the contact stroke and blow pressure to be predicted, controlled and adjusted over a wide parameter range at current zero. This contribution lists the requirements for such an experimental circuit breaker and focuses on its design realization. Experimental validation is given that this device can be used in benchmarking the interruption characteristics of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm{{SF}}_{6}$</tex-math></inline-formula> alternatives. Systematic comparison of the thermal interruption performance of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathrm{{SF}}_{6}$</tex-math></inline-formula> alternatives and investigations of the processes around current zero will be reported in other publications.

Background and Objectives: This study primarily aims to evaluate the preoperative staging effectiveness of PET-CT in early-stage cervical cancer, particularly, its ability to detect primary tumors and micrometastases. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, cervical cancer patients who had undergone preoperative 18F FDG PET-CT scans and were treated at the Department of Gynecology, Institute of Oncology, Vojvodina, in Sremska Kamenica, during the period from 2016 to 2020 were analyzed. Results: The study included 62 patients (mean age, 49.3 ± 9.6 years). Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant histological type (95.2%), with G2 differentiation (82.3%) and FIGO stage Ib1 (80.6%) being the most common. Assessed by 18F FDG PET-CT, the mean tumor size was 26.4 ± 10.8 mm, which is slightly lower than the 26.9 mm measured during clinical examination (p = 0.784), with a significant (r = 0.678, p < 0.001) correlation between these methods. 18F FDG PET-CT demonstrated an overall accuracy of 88.7% for identifying primary tumors, with a sensitivity of 86.8%, specificity of 100.0%, PPV of 100.0%, and NPV of 56.2%. An intraoperative examination showed identical overall accuracy but higher sensitivity (98.1%) and lower specificity (33.3%). For 18F FDG PET-CT, the level of agreement with the histopathological examination was good (Kappa 0.656), while for the intraoperative examination, it was moderate (Kappa 0.409). Regarding the lymph node assessment, 18F FDG PET-CT’s accuracy was 82.2%, with a sensitivity of 53.8% and a specificity of 89.8%. The intraoperative examination showed lower accuracy (66.1%) but higher sensitivity (76.9%). The 18F FDG PET-CT Kappa value indicated moderate agreement (0.449), while the intraoperative examination showed poor agreement (0.282). Conclusions: In conclusion, significant effectiveness is shown by 18F FDG PET-CT for preoperative staging of early-stage cervical cancer, offering superior accuracy in detecting primary tumors and micrometastases, particularly in predicting lymph node metastases, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy and informing treatment decisions.

In this paper, the author aims to address and problematize the adequacy of the criminal enforcement system in terms of the social adaptation and reintegration of convicted persons after serving a prison sentence, as well as to critically examine the potential problems and risks faced by this population. The humanization of the criminal enforcement system requires respect for the personal integrity and dignity of each individual, along with the implementation of appropriate programs and treatments aimed at behavior change and raising awareness about the harmful effects of criminal activity to achieve specific objectives. In this context, the legislator has prescribed a catalog of rights and established certain rules of conduct, particularly for specific categories, such as minors, individuals with mental disorders, persons with disabilities, and drug users. Special attention is given to juveniles due to their age, criminal-legal status, and the potential risk of recidivism (criminal reoffending), with a particular focus on sentencing and the execution of juvenile imprisonment. Accordingly, the paper centers on the social adaptation and reintegration of former offenders, with a particular focus on the real problems and challenges they face after serving their sentences and being released from correctional institutions.

Abstract Duplication of the vermiform appendix is a rare anomaly observed in patients undergoing appendectomy. A 27-month-old male toddler presented with a 9-day history of abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, progressing to an acute abdomen with signs of severe peritonitis. Intraoperative findings revealed a periappendicular infiltrate from a perforated vermiform appendix of the tenia coli type. A second, inflamed appendix was incidentally discovered in its typical location during the procedure. Vermiform appendix duplication presents a clinical challenge due to its rarity and potential for complications. According to the Cave–Wallbridge classification, this case represents Type B2, or the tenia coli variant, characterized by a perforated appendix originating at the tenia coli convergence and a smaller, secondary appendix in a retrocecal position. This case emphasizes the importance of thorough distal and proximal exploration during initial appendectomy when this anomaly is suspected, particularly in cases of Type B2.