An efficient and energetic fight against crime, especially against specific forms of organized crime, which, by its nature, implies the acquisition of property benefits obtained through criminal offenses, at the same time implies and obligates the timely and efficient initiation and conduct of financial investigation. This investigation is an effective means of forfeiture of the proceeds of crime and is usually conducted in the phase of conducting a classic investigation when certain conditions are met, from which it follows that its initiation, implementation and conduct is not conditioned by raising and confirming of an indictment. The competent prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina independently and autonomously decides on the initiation and conduct of financial investigation, so that it is not necessary to obtain any prior consent, approval or order from the competent court. The management and supervisory role during the conduct of financial investigation belongs to the competent prosecutor, who orders its conduct by issuing an order. In the implementation or enforcement sense, authorized police officers have a key and dominant role in timely, efficient and legal conduct of financial investigation, which includes the discovery of proceeds of crime, and the collection of necessary evidence for the efficient conduct and conclusion of criminal proceedings. The Criminal Procedure Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not specifically regulate financial investigations. This investigation is prescribed by special laws (lex specialis) at the level of the Entities of the Federation of BiH and the Republika Srpska, as well as Brčko District of BiH. However, at the state level, although the law does not directly define the initiation and conduct of financial investigation, it derives from the general concept of the investigation, so that it is applied when it comes to criminal offenses that involve the proceeds of crime.

Abstract This article explores antigender mobilisation – a global phenomenon that challenges and undermines gender equality – with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Using a political process model of social movements, it examines antigender activities and tactics within broader social, institutional, and political contexts. Drawing on qualitative interviews and focus groups with activists, journalists, and other professionals with lived experience, the study highlights how narratives centred on tradition and family values intersect with wartime legacies, ethnic divisions, prevailing conservativism, political conditions, and international influences. In the Republika Srpska entity, such campaigns have been supported by the state and systematically coordinated, posing serious threats to women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. Elsewhere in BiH, antigender rhetoric persists but remains more fragmented. The findings demonstrate how local dynamics intersect with transnational trends, revealing the mechanisms by which antigender mobilisation undermines gender equality in a postconflict setting.

Medical image registration is crucial for various clinical and research applications including disease diagnosis or treatment planning which require alignment of images from different modalities, time points, or subjects. Traditional registration techniques often struggle with challenges such as contrast differences, spatial distortions, and modality-specific variations. To address these limitations, we propose a method that integrates learnable edge kernels with learning-based rigid and non-rigid registration techniques. Unlike conventional layers that learn all features without specific bias, our approach begins with a predefined edge detection kernel, which is then perturbed with random noise. These kernels are learned during training to extract optimal edge features tailored to the task. This adaptive edge detection enhances the registration process by capturing diverse structural features critical in medical imaging. To provide clearer insight into the contribution of each component in our design, we introduce four variant models for rigid registration and four variant models for non-rigid registration. We evaluated our approach using a dataset provided by the Medical University across three setups: rigid registration without skull removal, with skull removal, and non-rigid registration. Additionally, we assessed performance on two publicly available datasets. Across all experiments, our method consistently outperformed state-of-the-art techniques, demonstrating its potential to improve multi-modal image alignment and anatomical structure analysis.

Background: Vascular calcification is a frequent consequence of ageing and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to compare two rapid scoring systems for quantifying calcification of the distal abdominal aorta and iliac arteries and to investigate correlations with increasing age. Methods: Patients aged ≥65 years who sustained pelvic trauma between 2003 and 2023 and underwent computed tomography (CT) were included in this retrospective study. Patients were categorised into three age groups (65–74, 75–84, ≥85). The abdominal aorta calcification score (AACS) and the common, external, and total iliac artery calcification scores (CIACS, EIACS, TIACS) were assessed on cross-sectional images and classified into three severity grades (mild, moderate, severe). Results: A total of 224 patients (mean age 78.8 ± 8.5 years; 62% female) were included. Significant differences between age groups were identified for hypertension (p < 0.001), osteoporosis (p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.015), chronic heart failure (p = 0.004), chronic kidney disease (p < 0.001), neurocognitive disorders (p < 0.001), and anticoagulant therapy (p = 0.002). Calcification severity increased with age across all vascular territories (EIACS p = 0.006; others p < 0.001). In multivariable linear regression, age remained the strongest adjusted predictor of calcification across all vascular regions (β = 0.323–0.376, all p < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between aortic and iliac calcifications (all p < 0.001), strongest between AACS and CIACS (ρ = 0.78, CI 0.719–0.835) and TIACS (ρ = 0.745, CI 0.676–0.807). Corresponding categorical associations were most pronounced between AACS and CIACS. Conclusions: The evaluated calcification scores were strongly correlated and demonstrated clear age-dependent trends. Given their simplicity and applicability to routine CT imaging, these methods may provide practical tools for assessing vascular ageing.

The lifetime risk of stroke for adults of 25 years of age or older is approximately 25%, while stroke constitutes the second most common cause of mortality and the second most common cause of disability worldwide. In addition to the clinically manifest acute ischaemic stroke, the presence of cerebral infarction in patients without apparent clinical symptoms and signs attributed to ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack was first described by Fisher in a series of autopsies. Over the years, the term ‘silent brain infarction’ has been replaced by the term ‘covert cerebrovascular disease’ (CCD). Despite the well-established evidence surrounding the associated sequelae of CCD, the current diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms in this particular group of patients are not well defined. With this case series, we showcase potential aetiologies and the value of individualised work-up and treatment strategies.

Urinary tract infections, as one of the most common infectious diseases, contribute substantially to the global healthcare burden, particularly due to the rising prevalence of resistant bacterial strains such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. Background/Objectives: The aim was to investigate the prevalence of urinary tract infection pathogens among hospitalized patients at Saint Apostol Luka Hospital in Doboj during the period 2021–2023. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Saint Apostol Luka Hospital, Doboj, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Data from the Department of Microbiology were analyzed for the period 2021–2023, including patients with positive urine cultures (≥103 CFU/mL) of a single uropathogen. Bacterial identification and susceptibility testing were performed according to EUCAST standards, and statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS v24. Results: Escherichia coli was the most frequent isolate (29.2%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (24.2%) and Enterococcus spp. (19.8%). A significant rise in K. pneumoniae prevalence and resistance to multiple antibiotics—including β-lactams, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, and colistin—was observed during the study period. Conclusions: This study revealed that E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were the leading uropathogens, with notable differences in distribution by sex, age, and hospital department. A marked rise in multidrug resistance, particularly among K. pneumoniae, was observed across the study period. These findings underscore the urgent need for continuous surveillance and stronger antimicrobial stewardship to curb resistance trends.

Understanding transport and mixing in stratified saline systems is critical for predicting the behavior of brines in natural aquifers, industrial reservoirs, and engineered disposal sites. These multi-ion solutions often exhibit complex instabilities driven by differential diffusion and compositional gradients. The onset and morphology of such convective mixing remain poorly predicted. We investigated double-diffusive (DD) and diffusion-layer convection (DLC) in superimposed aqueous solutions of the salts typical of saline aquifers, sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium sulphate (Na 2 SO 4 ). The study combines thermodynamic modeling, optical interferometry experiments, and nonlinear numerical simulations to explore convective instabilities in a ternary system. Our findings reveal a rich variety of convective scenarios depending on salt configuration and concentration ratios. When the faster-diffusing NaCl was placed above Na 2 SO 4 , diffusion-layer convection occurred with a delayed and asymmetric onset of instability, an experimentally demonstrated feature not reported previously. In contrast, when the positions were reversed, the system developed double-diffusive fingers that grew slowly due to the small density ratio. These fingers exhibited an unusual morphology, consisting of extremely fine, vertically textured structures that gradually merged away from the interface. This formed a large area of diffuse mixing and suppression of coherent convective structures. In all cases, classical stability criteria failed to fully predict the onset and nature of convection. Instead, we identified the initial position of the system on the stability map, as determined by the full diffusion matrix, as a critical factor.

Recent excavations at Pompeii’s Regio IX have uncovered an intact ancient construction site, offering insights into Roman building techniques at the time of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Microstructural and chemical analysis of materials collected from previously constructed walls, walls under construction, and adjacent dry, raw material piles show unequivocally how quicklime was pre-mixed with dry pozzolan before adding water in the creation of Roman concrete. This construction method, also known as hot mixing, results in an exothermic reaction within the mortar and the formation of lime clasts, key contributors to the self-healing and post-pozzolanic reactivity of hydraulic mortars. The analysis of reaction rims around volcanic aggregates demonstrate aggregate/matrix interfacial remodeling, where calcium ions originating from the dissolution of lime clasts diffuse and remineralize, producing amorphous phases and various polymorphs of calcium carbonate (including calcite and aragonite). Furthermore, the parallel discovery of masonry materials and tools permits elucidation of the entire construction workflow, including the steps required to process binding mortars and larger aggregates (caementa). These findings advance our understanding of ancient Roman construction and long-term material evolution, providing a scientific basis for developing more durable and sustainable concretes and restoration materials inspired by ancient practices. Here the authors combine microstructural and chemical analysis of building materials collected from an active construction site in Pompeii prior to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Through these analyses, they identify the key raw materials and processes used in the production of Roman concrete.

Abstract Introduction This study examines the prevalence of bullying among primary school students in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), analyses gender differences, and assesses its association with traumatic and psychosomatic symptoms. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among students in grades seven to nine. Participants were categorised based on bullying involvement as victims, bullies, bully/victims, or uninvolved. Validated self-report questionnaires were used to measure bullying exposure and assess psychosomatic and trauma-related symptoms. Results In total, 13.3% of the students identified as victims, 3.1% as bullies, and 4.4% as both. Victims and bully/victims reported significantly higher rates of psychosomatic symptoms (e.g., pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal complaints) and trauma-related symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, dissociation) than uninvolved students. Bully/victims showed the highest overall burden, suggesting compounded vulnerability. Conclusions These findings highlight the urgent need for trauma-informed, context-sensitive prevention strategies. Training school staff to recognise emotional and somatic distress, integrating basic screening tools into school and primary health services, and enhancing intersectoral collaboration are critical steps in ensuring early identification and adequate support for affected students.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now a critical issue in South Africa, enhanced by considerable inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics. There is currently variable dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription. Where this occurs, it is principally for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Consequently, there is a need to comprehensively evaluate antibiotic dispensing patterns and factors influencing this to reduce AMR. Methods: A previously piloted questionnaire was administered to patients exiting three different categories of community pharmacies in a rural province. The questionnaire included data on the prevalence of antibiotics dispensed, whether without a prescription, and the rationale for this. Results: A total of 465 patients leaving community pharmacies with a medicine were interviewed. 54.4% of interviewed patients were dispensed at least one antibiotic, with 78.7% dispensed these without a prescription from either independent or franchise pharmacies. Metronidazole (36.1%) and azithromycin (32.7%) were the most dispensed antibiotics. STIs were the most common infectious disease for which an antibiotic was dispensed (60.1%), with 99.6% dispensed without a prescription. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) were the most common infection where antibiotics were dispensed with a prescription (60.0%), with little dispensing without a prescription (7.1%). The most frequently cited reasons for obtaining antibiotics without a prescription were prior use (56.8%), long waiting times at PHC clinics (15.6%), and financial constraints (6.0%). Conclusions: There is an urgent need to review community pharmacists’ scope of practice, including allowing them to prescribe antibiotics for infectious diseases such as UTIs, similar to other countries. Concomitantly, utilise trained community pharmacists to engage with prescribers to improve future antibiotic use, especially for URTIs.

Abstract This study examines the incorporation of soft skills, digital competencies, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools in higher education to improve student employability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with broader relevance for the South East Europe region, where similar transition economies face parallel challenges in aligning education with the demands of digitally transformed labor markets. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative survey data from University of Sarajevo students with qualitative insights from industry professionals. Research indicates that the concurrent enhancement of soft skills (such as communication and critical thinking) and digital competencies, in conjunction with the utilization of AI tools, markedly enhances students’ preparedness for the contemporary labor market. The study emphasizes the essential role of autonomy in converting AI tool utilization into academic achievement and provides practical recommendations for educators, policymakers, and employers to address the skills gap in the digital economy.