BACKGROUND CONTEXT Spondylodiscitis management presents significant clinical challenges, particularly in critically ill patients, where the risks and benefits of surgical intervention must be carefully balanced. The optimal timing of surgery in this context remains a subject of debate. PURPOSE This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early surgery versus delayed surgery or conservative management in critically ill patients with de novo pyogenic spondylodiscitis. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This is an international, multicenter retrospective cohort study involving 24 centers, primarily in Europe. PATIENT SAMPLE The study included 192 critically ill patients (65.63% male) with a median age of 69 years, all severely affected by pyogenic spondylodiscitis characterized by an initial CRP level >200 mg/l or the presence of two out of four Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome criteria upon admission. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and relapse rates of spondylodiscitis. METHODS Patients were divided into three groups: early surgery (within three days of admission), delayed surgery (after three days of admission), and conservative therapy. Propensity score matching and multivariate regression analyses were performed to adjust for baseline differences and assess the impact of treatment modalities on mortality and other clinical outcomes. RESULTS Delayed surgery was associated with significantly lower 30-day mortality (4.05%) compared to early surgery (27.85%) and conservative therapy (27.78%) (p<0.001). Delayed surgery also resulted in shorter hospital stays (42.76 days) compared to conservative therapy (55.53 days) and early surgery (26.33 days) (p<0.001), and shorter ICU stays (4.52 days) compared to conservative therapy (16.48 days) and early surgery (7.92 days) (p<0.001). The optimal window for surgery, minimizing mortality, was identified as ten to fourteen days post-admission (p=0.02). Risk factors for increased mortality included age (p<0.05), multiple organ failure (p<0.05), and vertebral body destruction (p<0.05), whereas delayed surgery (p<0.05) and the presence of an epidural abscess were associated with reduced mortality (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Delayed surgery, optimally between 10 to 14 days post-admission, was associated with lower mortality in critically ill spondylodiscitis patients. These findings highlight the potential benefits of considering surgical timing to improve patient outcomes.

This paper aims to determine whether there is a difference in anthropometric, morphological characteristics, and motor abilities, between boys and girls at the age of 13-15 years. The study included 95 subjects of which 49 were boys (51.6%) and 46 girls (48.4%), with mean age girls 14.14 and boys 14.40 years. The sample comprised students who belong to the urban area of the City of Tešanjka. The sample of variables in this study consisted of 15 tests of motor abilities and 10 morphological characteristics (body height, body mass, body mass index, etc.). This paper aims to determine whether there are differences in anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities between boys and girls aged 13-15 years. The results obtained in this study were compared with those of previous research, and the conclusions reached through a summary analysis were explained. Boys were taller and heavier at the age of 14. The results show that boys achieved statistically better results in most tests compared to girls of the same age. Keywords: anthropometric characteristics, motor abilities, gender differences, age of fourteen

The river channel cut into an alluvial substrate constantly adapts to changes in water flow and sediment transport. This paper presents a new approach to determine the magnitude of channel deformation based on the definition of dimensionless spatial parameters of channel deformation. The new approach’s applicability is evaluated by experimental studies on the Željeznica River in the Sarajevo Field in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. The morphological changes of the channel over a period of ten years were analyzed using dimensionless parameters of the channel geometry. A numerical analysis of changes in the channel of the Željeznica River was carried out using a mathematical model and a selected equation for sediment transport. Sensitivity analysis of the model parameters for channel deformation and statistical reliability analysis of the numerical model showed a good agreement between the modeled and observed values of channel deformation parameters during the analyzed period.

Simple Summary This study investigates lung cancer detection by combining metabolomics and advanced machine learning to identify small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with high accuracy. We analyzed 461 serum samples from publicly available data to create a stacking-based ensemble model that can distinguish between SCLC, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and healthy controls. The model has 85.03% accuracy in multi-class classification and 88.19% accuracy in binary classification (SCLC vs. NSCLC). This innovation relies on sophisticated feature selection techniques to identify significant metabolites, particularly positive ions. SHAP analysis identifies key predictors such as benzoic acid, DL-lactate, and L-arginine, shedding new light on cancer metabolism. This non-invasive approach presents a promising alternative to traditional diagnostic methods, with the potential to transform early lung cancer detection. By combining metabolomics and machine learning, the study paves the way for faster, more accurate, and patient-friendly cancer diagnostics, potentially improving treatment outcomes and survival rates.

In this article we investigate topography and electrical properties of potassium blue bronze thin films by the means of atomic force microscopy. Thin films were prepared by pulsed laser depositions on two types of substrates (Al2O3 and SrTiO3) at different substrate temperatures and partial oxygen pressures. On the basis of topography measurements, granular nature of the films was revealed. Surface roughness, as well as the size and the orientation of grains was determined. Films deposited on SrTiO3 substrates are quite homogeneous and the grains display ordering in preferential directions. Films on Al2O3 contain randomly oriented grains. Roughness of the films increases with the increase of the deposition temperature. Electrical measurements provided qualitative information regarding the electrical properties of the films.

Abstract Introduction. Sports are frequently investigated in relation to alcohol consumption habits in adolescence, but few studies have reported various competitive- and recreational-sport factors as correlates of harmful alcohol consumption in youth. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify possible associations that may exist between sports factors and harmful drinking in adolescents, emphasizing the specific influence of participation in competitive and recreational sports. Material and Methods. The participants were 650 adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina (16-17 years of age, 313 females) who were tested for sociodemographic factors, competitive-sport factors, recreational-sport factors, physical activity levels (PALs), and outcome-alcohol drinking (obtained by Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – AUDIT). For the purpose of statistical analyses, the obtained AUDIT score was dichotomized (non-harmful vs. harmful drinking). Results. Harmful drinking was more common in males than in females (χ2 = 47.01, p < 0.001), and those adolescents who reported better competitive success in sports (χ2 = 41.81, p < 0.001). The PAL was greater in those males who did not report harmful drinking (t-test = 2.45, p < 0.05), with no significant difference in females or in the total sample. Logistic regressions were performed with sex as a confounding factor and revealed that competitive success in sports was significantly correlated with harmful drinking (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.02-1.66, p < 0.05). Conclusions. This study highlighted the specific association between competitive sports success and harmful drinking in adolescents, indicating the need for a more detailed analysis of the background of the established association. Further analyses on the potential association between PAL and substance misuse in youth are warranted.

Pesticides used in agriculture can contaminate foods like fruits and vegetables, posing health risks to consumers and highlighting the need for effective residue monitoring. This study explores aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) comprising phosphonium or ammonium ionic liquids (ILs) combined with ammonium sulfate as an alternative pre-treatment method for extracting and concentrating the pesticides clomazone, pyraclostrobin, and deltamethrin from strawberry samples. Liquid–liquid equilibrium measurements for each ATPS were conducted, followed by extraction experiments to determine the most efficient systems for pesticide extraction. Results showed that all three pesticides migrated effectively to the IL-rich phase across the tested ATPSs. For the most promising system, tetrabutylphosphonium salicylate ([TBP][Sal]) with ammonium sulfate, extraction efficiencies for each pesticide exceeded 98% under optimized conditions for parameters such as pH, temperature, and ATPS composition. Application of this ATPS to strawberries resulted in significant pesticide preconcentration, reaching mg/L levels suitable for detection by liquid chromatography. The method’s sustainability was supported by green chemistry metrics, with AGREEprep and AGREE scores of 0.68 and 0.55, respectively, underscoring its alignment with eco-friendly practices.

This research is aimed at the importance of the value of a healthy lifestyle, especially among the younger population (students), and as an indicator of the level of health, the optimal level of sugar in the blood and the normality of the Body Mass Index represent an established prerequisite for longer-term life and cell health. The researchers used the Mann- Whitney U test for differences between a total of 73 female students of the University of Tuzla (N-35 Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, N-38 Law). The research showed that the students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports who have a significantly higher number of physical activities in their daily activities have lower body mass index values and that showed a statistically significant difference between the students of these two faculties at the significance level of 99% (p<0.01 ) , also in the blood sugar level between these two groups of students, a statistically significant difference was shown at the level of 99% (p<0.01), and in this area of research, the female students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports have lower values (MEAN = 4.989 mmol/l) from students of the Faculty of Law (5.545 mmol/l). It is important to note that in both groups in both researched areas the results are in the normal criterion ranges, and based on the values of arithmetic averages, it can be seen that female students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports have lower values of blood glucose and body mass index, which would could lead to a connection with the specifics of the study programs, for example the scope of daily movement activities. Keywords: BMI, insulin, health

Post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a society in which ethno-nationalist rhetoric and war memories permeate public discourse. This paper investigates the use of metaphors in media texts written in English and the Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian language on the topic of ‘two schools under one roof’. Writing about this peculiar construct within the country’s educational system tackles socio-political factors and their effects on the provision of primary and second-ary education. We describe how metaphors as cognitive devices are used to portray educational developments in this post-conflict country and the effects of their use on recipients. The paper points out cases of deliberate metaphor use, which influences recipients’ perspectives on the topic at hand. Keywords: conceptual metaphor; deliberate metaphor; segregation; MIPVU.

Abstract The paper focuses on analyzing key factors influencing the effectiveness of internal audit in the public sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Through multiple regression analysis (Ordinary Least Squares-OLS), the impact of five independent variables (competence of internal auditors, size of internal audit department, relationship between internal and external auditors, management support for internal audit, and independence of internal auditors), two control variables (organization’s sector and total number of employees in the organization), on the dependent variable (effectiveness of internal audit) was measured. Research results indicate that a significant portion (.2 = 45.00%, Adj .2 = 40.90%) of the variability in the effectiveness of internal audit can be explained by the variability of the five independent variables in the model. The largest positive impact on the effectiveness of internal audit is attributed to the size of the internal audit department and the independence of internal auditors. Conversely, management support for internal audit had the least impact, which contradicts our predictions and the results of previous research. The limited impact of management support on the effectiveness of internal audit in the public sector of BiH may stem from a lack of understanding regarding the role and importance of internal audit, as well as from perceiving it as merely a formal legal requirement without substantial value.

The aim of this research was to determine the physical activity of primary school students in the area of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. The research was conducted on a sample of N=2589 elementary school students from I to IX grades. The obtained data show that out of the total number of respondents, there are more students who do not play sports (54.4%) than students who play sports (45.6%). Only among fourth grade there are more students who play sports (57.8%) than students who don't play sports (42.2%). In all other classes, there are more students who don't play sports. Keywords: physical activity, primary school, students, sports

We found a significant increase in the latewood density of European beech, and a decrease in the latewood and mean wood density of silver fir and Norway spruce in European mountain forests over the period 1901–2016. In the past century, drought did not directly influence the wood density trend of the three studied species. However, for both fir and spruce, drought indirectly affected the mean wood density via changes in the latewood to earlywood ratio, i.e., in the case of extreme drought, trees with high values of latewood to earlywood ratio experienced a slight attenuation in the declining trend of their mean wood density. Century-long wood density measurements can provide novel information on tree response to climate change and the carbon sequestration potential of forest ecosystems. Still, the knowledge about long-term changes in wood density of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H.Karst.) in European mountain forests needs to be further explored. We assessed long-term changes in tree-ring mean wood density, earlywood density, and latewood density in trees of the three species between 1901 and 2016. We investigated the influence of endogenous factors (i.e., tree-ring width, current tree diameter, and latewood to earlywood ratio) and drought events on wood density. In total, 150 tree cores were sampled from mountain forests in Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Germany. The mean, early, and latewood density of these samples were measured with the LIGNOSTATION™ system. To address our research aims, we applied a linear mixed-effect modelling approach using the data from 101 correctly cross-dated cores that spanned the entire period of analysis. In the absence of drought, the latewood density of European beech increased by 7.1%, the late and mean wood density of silver fir decreased by 16.8% and 11.0%, respectively, and the late and mean wood density of Norway spruce decreased by 16.1% and 7.2%, respectively, between 1901–2016. In the past century, drought influenced the trends of wood density through an effect mediated by changes in the latewood to earlywood ratio. Specifically, in cases of extreme drought, silver fir and Norway spruce trees with a latewood to earlywood ratio value 50% higher than the median experience a slight attenuation in the declining trend of their mean wood density, making the negative impact of drought marginally less severe. Our findings have significant implications for the accuracy of carbon stock assessments, national greenhouse gas inventories, and the utilization of wood from the three species. Given the fact that changes in wood density follow species-specific patterns and the expectation of more frequent drought events in Europe, in the future, it is essential to build further tree-ring density time series for other species and sites to improve our understanding of how climate change alters wood density and carbon sequestration of forest ecosystems.

Numerical and pseudo data for pion electroproduction from four reaction channels, p(γ*, π0)p, p(γ*, π+)n, n(γ*, π−)p, and n(γ*, π0)n, from threshold up to W = 1.575 GeV are used to perform a single energy partial wave analysis. As a constraint, higher partial waves are taken from the MAID07 model and lower partial waves are fitted. It is demonstrated that truncated partial wave analysis in a full isospin can be obtained with this procedure. The results for photon virtuality Q2 = 0.5 GeV2 are presented. Electromagnetic Eℓ±, Mℓ±, and longitudinal Lℓ± multipoles are presented and discussed. In the first step, numerical data are generated, and the optimal number of lower partial waves required for a good data fit is determined. In the second step, the same procedure is applied using generated pseudo data.