In this study, we propose an eco-friendly method for synthesizing cerium tungstate nanoparticles using hydrothermal techniques. We used scanning, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction to analyze the morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles. The results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles were uniform and highly crystalline, with a particle size of about 50 nm. The electrocatalytic properties of the nanoparticles were then investigated using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. We further used the synthesized nanoparticles to develop an electrochemical sensor based on a carbon paste electrode that can detect hydroquinone. By optimizing the differential pulse voltammetric method, a wide linearity range of 0.4 to 45 µM and a low detection limit of 0.06 µM were obtained. The developed sensor also expressed excellent repeatability (RSD up to 3.8%) and reproducibility (RSD below 5%). Interferences had an insignificant impact on the determination of analytes, making it possible to use this method for monitoring hydroquinone concentrations in tap water. This study introduces a new approach to the chemistry of materials and the environment and demonstrates that a careful selection of components can lead to new horizons in analytical chemistry.

Education and employment stakeholders worldwide have increasingly acknowledged the need to teach students soft skills to improve their academic performance and long-term prospects. Soft skills are transferable across jobs and industries and related to personal and social competencies. Their development aims to empower and increase personal growth and learning participation and improve job opportunities. Given their central role in shaping students’ educational experiences, teachers must be well-versed in the value of cultivating soft skills and awareness of the necessity to incorporate their study into various curricular frameworks. As a result, this article investigates whether business schools adequately prepare their students for the soft skills demanded by today’s labor market. Business teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina were the subjects of the survey. The findings indicate that teachers recognize the value of teaching students soft skills but that current curricula may be strengthened in this area.

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced individuals’ physical activity levels (PALs) and particularly the PAL of the elderly. However, few studies have examined the correlates of PALs in this population during the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the residence-specific correlates of PALs in elderly people from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 211 persons older than 65 years (101 females), of whom 111 were community-dwelling residents, and 110 were nursing home residents (71.11 ± 3.11 and 72.22 ± 4.01 years of age, respectively; t-test = 0.91, p < 0.05). The variables included health status, residential status sociodemographic factors, anthropometrics (body mass, height, and body mass index), and PAL. PAL was evaluated using a translated version of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and was validated in this study. PASE showed good test–retest reliability (51% of the common variance) and validity (57% of the common variance, with the step count measured using pedometers). Apart from participants’ health status and age, PAL was positively correlated with (i) community-dwelling residence (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.60–2.23), and (ii) a lower BMI (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.71–0.98). The pre-pandemic physical activity was positively correlated with the PAL of the nursing home residents (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.02–1.45). A higher education level was positively correlated with the PAL of community-dwelling residents (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.04–1.66). This study evidenced the residence-specific correlates of PALs, and enabled the identification of specific groups that are at risk of having low PALs during the pandemic. Future studies examining this problem during a non-pandemic period are warranted.

While clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is curable, advanced metastatic (mRCC) remains a clinical challenge. We analyzed clinical, pathohistological, and molecular data (Receptor Interacting Protein 5—RIP5 and Vestigial Like Family Member 4—VGLL4 expression) of 55 mRCC patients treated with first-line treatment with sunitinib. The trend of linear increase in the protein expression of RIP5 was observed with the progression of tumor grade. Overall, 80% of RIP5-positive cells were in the control kidneys and high-grade mRCC. On the contrary, RIP5 displayed low expression in grade 2 mRCC (5.63%). The trend of linear decrease in the expression of VGLL4 was observed with the progression of tumor grade. The highest protein expression of VGLL4 was observed in grade 2 (87.82%) in comparison to grade 3 and 4 and control. High expression of RIP5 mRNA was associated with longer first-line overall survival and longer progression-free survival in mRCC. In addition, a high VGLL4 mRNA expression showed better overall survival in patients with ccRCC. In conclusion, high mRNA expression of RIP5 and VGLL4 are important markers of better survival rates in mRCC patients.

Introduction Inflammation can arise as a consequence of both extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) treatments. Alterations in inflammatory parameters may serve as indicators of kidney injuries and the ensuing inflammation. This study aims to investigate the effects of ESWL and URS procedures on inflammatory parameters for proximal ureteral stone treatment. Materials and methods A prospective interventional study comprised 120 patients with confirmed stones measuring less than 10 mm in the upper half of the proximal ureter. These patients were randomly assigned to either the ESWL or URS treatment groups. Laboratory analyses encompassed interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukocyte count, fibrinogen levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which were assessed prior to the intervention, on the first postoperative day, and six months later. IL-6 levels in the serum were determined using a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). Results There was no significant difference in IL-6 levels between pre-intervention and the first post-intervention day in patients treated with ESWL (1.8 (1.4-2.59) pg/mL vs. 2.33 (1.22-3.19) pg/mL). However, for patients treated with URS, the pre-intervention IL-6 value was 2.9 (1.9-3.34) pg/mL, and it increased significantly to 7.1 (3.85-28.07) pg/mL on the first post-intervention day (p<0.001). On the first post-intervention day, levels of IL-6, CRP, leukocyte count, and ESR were significantly higher in patients treated with URS compared to ESWL (p<0.001; p<0.001; p=0.03; p=0.03, respectively). Conclusion Our research findings suggest that monitoring IL-6 levels can offer valuable insights into the degree of inflammation and tissue damage during and following observed procedures, particularly among patients undergoing URS, even within the initial days post-procedure.

Abstract Lipofibromatosis (LF) is a rare benign fibrofatty tumor of infancy and childhood with a predilection for distal extremities, poor margination, and a high local recurrence rate. We report a toddler who presented with an LF involving her right labiocrural fold. Imaging showed a soft tissue mass extending through the right labiocrural fold with possible infiltration into the underlying muscles. The mass was excised entirely, preserving adjacent structures. The histopathologic report revealed the mass to be LF. A 3-year follow-up revealed no disease recurrence. No other cases of LF in this localization have been presented in the literature. Despite its rarity, LF should be considered in diagnosing soft tissue neoplasms in children. Accurate diagnosis and proper surgical management with complete resection are essential to reduce the postoperative recurrence risk.

The cryptocurrency market has attracted considerable attention from investors and researchers alike. This paper examines the volatility patterns of two major cryptocurrencies utilizing GARCH modeling: Bitcoin, based on a proof-of-work mechanism, and Cardano, operating on a proof-of-stake mechanism. Our findings reveal differences in the volatility structures of the two cryptocurrencies, with Cardano demonstrating a reduced long-term volatility compared to Bitcoin. This study suggests that transitioning from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake mechanisms might lead to a decrease in market volatility.

Financial performance analysis is of vital importance those involved in a business (e.g., shareholders, creditors, partners, and company managers). An accurate and appropriate performance measurement is critical for decision-makers to achieve efficient results. Integrated performance measurement, by its nature, consists of multiple criteria with different levels of importance. Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods have become increasingly popular for solving complex problems, especially over the last two decades. There are different evaluation methodologies in the literature for selecting the most appropriate one among over 200 MCDA methods. This study comprehensively analyzed 41 companies traded on the Borsa Istanbul Corporate Governance Index for 10 quarters using SWARA, CRITIC, and SD integrated with eight different MCDA method algorithms to determine the position of Turkey's most transparent companies in terms of financial performance. In this study, we propose "stock returns" as a benchmark in comparing and evaluating MCDA methods. Moreover, we calculate the "rank reversal performance of MCDA methods". Finally, we performed a "standard deviation" analysis to identify the objective and characteristic trends for each method. Interestingly, all these innovative comparison procedures suggest that PROMETHEE II (preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations II) and FUCA (Faire Un Choix Adéquat) are the most suitable MCDA methods. In other words, these methods produce a higher correlation with share price; they have fewer rank reversal problems, the distribution of scores they produce is wider, and the amount of information is higher. Thus, it can be said that these advantages make them preferable. The results show that this innovative methodological procedure based on 'knowledge discovery' is verifiable, robust and efficient when choosing the MCDA method.

Abstract The impact of logistics performance in the era of sustainable mobility on the overall economic development of a country is inevitable. It can even be said to represent an extremely important component in identifying economic conditions and provides the possibility of defining adequate strategies. In this article, the evaluation of the member countries of the European Union was carried out on the basis of the logistics performance index (LPI) according to the latest report of the World Bank (WB). A unique and original Multiple-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach has been created, and it involves the application of four methods: Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation, Method based on the Removal Effects of Criteria, and Entropy and Fuzzy ROV (Range of Value). The weighting coefficients of six factors were obtained with the first three methods in crisp form, so they were converted into Triangular Fuzzy Number. The Fuzzy ROV method has been created for the first time in the literature and represents a great contribution from the methodological aspect. The results of the developed model and the applied steps show that there are certain differences in the rankings compared to the World Bank report, with a note that the best-ranked countries have maintained their positions. In addition, verification tests of the originally obtained results were created, with an emphasis on the importance of evaluation parameter values and their impact on the LPI ranking.

Understanding the concepts related to real function is essential in learning mathematics. To determine how students understand these concepts, it is necessary to have an appropriate measurement tool. In this paper, we have created a web application using 32 items from conceptual understanding of real functions (CURF) item bank. We conducted a psychometric analysis using Rasch model on 207 first-year students. The analysis showed that CURF is a dependable and valid instrument for measuring students’ CURF. The test is uni-dimensional; all items are consistent with the construct and have excellent item fit statistics. The results indicate that the items are independent of each other and unbiased towards the gender and high school background of the students.

Simple Summary Innovations in the value chain of traditional meat products, leading to higher quality or healthier products, can support the niche market for local pig breeds and contribute to their more sustainable conservation. In this context, the present study investigated whether the quality traits of smoked dry-cured ham derived from the local Turopolje pig could be improved by including acorns in the animal’s diet or by innovations in processing methods, such as smoke reduction. The results show that feeding acorns to pigs increased the processing yield but had a limited effect on the quality of the dry-cured ham, as only a few differences in the physicochemical, textural or colour parameters and volatile profile were observed. However, some sensory attributes, such as odour typicality, were affected by the acorn diet. Conversely, this innovation in processing led to a significant reduction in smoke-derived volatile compounds and an improved texture to the lightly smoked hams, as shown by both instrumental and sensory analysis. Abstract The Turopolje pig (TP) is a local Croatian pig breed that almost became extinct in the second half of the 20th century. Today, the TP is still endangered, and a new conservation strategy based on products with higher added value is needed to preserve the breed. There is little information on the quality of TP meat products such as smoked and dry-cured ham, including the impact of natural feeds or processing innovations such as smoke reduction. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of the animal’s diet (either conventionally fed or acorn-supplemented) and the processing method (standard or lightly smoked) on the quality traits of dry-cured TP ham. Twenty hams, evenly distributed among the treatments, were processed for 15 months and then analysed for physicochemical and textural traits, volatiles and sensory profile. The hams from acorn-supplemented pigs lost less weight during processing (p ≤ 0.05). Otherwise, the diet had no significant effect on most examined ham traits. The exceptions were protein content and the texture parameter hardness, which decreased (p ≤ 0.05), and the degree of proteolysis and colour parameters, which increased (p ≤ 0.05) as a result of acorn supplementation. However, these effects were generally small and varied between the inner (m. biceps femoris) and outer (m. semimembranosus) muscles. Furthermore, acorn supplementation was associated with less typical ham odour and lower sensory scores for sweetness and colour uniformity (p ≤ 0.05). The smoke reduction had no effect on the physicochemical and colour properties but resulted in a significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in the volatile phenolic compounds and an improved texture to the hams. This was reflected both in reduced (p ≤ 0.05) hardness, identified in the instrumental analysis, and in an increased (p ≤ 0.05) softness, solubility and moistness, identified in the sensory evaluation. To summarize, the quality of the TP ham under the conditions studied was only slightly affected by acorn supplementation, whereas reduced smoking had a more significant effect, which was mainly reflected in an improved texture.

During the COVID pandemic, research has shown an increase in candidemia cases following severe COVID infection and the identification of risk factors associated with candidemia. However, there is a lack of studies that specifically explore clinical outcomes and mortality rates related to candidemia after COVID infection.