Flood extent maps (FEM) and flood hazard maps (FHM) serve as legal instruments for spatial planning, decision-making, strategic flood risk planning, and public awareness, supporting sustainable and safe land use along the river corridor. This study aims to improve existing FEM and create FHM for the Sanica river, prone to frequent flooding. The existing FEM were developed using a 1D HEC-RAS model under steady-flow conditions, applying a single uniform Manning roughness coefficient along the entire river reach. The study presents the first application of an unsteady 2D HEC-RAS model along Sanica river, integrating LiDAR-based topography and updated hydrological data to derive FEM and FEH for common return periods. The final 2D hydraulic model was selected through calibration of seven variants of the Manning roughness coefficient, three lumped and four distributed, with the optimal configuration identified based on three goodness-of-fit measures. The comparison of 1D and 2D FEM shows close agreement in morphologically confined canyon reaches, while significant differences occur in river sections with floodplain inundation and dominant 2D flow. These results indicate that model dimensionality can be selected based on reach-scale morphology, enabling the use of 1D models in canyon sections to reduce computational time, while applying 2D models only where complex flow dynamics are present within the Sanica river study area.

This study investigated the effect of altitude on the microbiological quality of raw sheep milk and Vlašić cheese produced at three locations (Galica, Gostilj, and Paklarevo) on Mount Vlašić, Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 30 samples were analysed for the presence of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, and for the quantification of coagulase-positive staphylococci, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and moulds. None of the samples contained Salmonella spp. or Listeria monocytogenes. In milk samples, significant differences were found among localities for moulds, with regression analysis indicating a significant negative correlation between altitude and mould count (p < 0.001, R² = 0.486). In Vlašić cheese samples, aerobic mesophilic bacteria were abundant at all sites, while regression analysis showed that E. coli (p < 0.001, R² = 0.472) and Enterobacteriaceae (p < 0.001, R² = 0.767) counts varied significantly with altitude. No significant correlations with altitude were observed for other microorganisms. The results suggest that differences among localities and altitude-related trends reflect the influence of variations in cheese-making practices on microbial dynamics in artisanal dairy systems. Improving hygiene control, as well as expanding altitude-based studies across different regions, could enhance both product safety and the preservation of traditional cheesemaking practices.

Objective: To describe patient-reported symptoms of hypothyroidism in a primary care cohort and perform an exploratory assessment of potential gender differences. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 1000 patients with confirmed hypothyroidism treated at the Public Institution Health Care Centre Visoko between January and October 2024. Data were extracted from electronic medical records. Collected variables included age, gender, comorbidities, family history, pregnancy status, and reported symptoms. Descriptive statistics were performed for the entire cohort. Exploratory logistic regression analyses were used to assess potential gender differences in reported symptoms. Results: The cohort comprised 921 (92.1%) female and 79 (7.9%) male patients, with a mean age of 57±14.6 years. The most commonly reported symptoms were hyperhidrosis (97%), fatigue (96.6%), and heart palpitations (83.5%). Male patients showed a higher likelihood of reporting heart palpitations (OR 2.42, p=0.03) and bowel problems (OR 2.03, p=0.01), and a lower likelihood of reporting neck tightness (OR 0.26, p<0.001) and tearfulness (OR 0.045, p<0.001). Conclusion: In this primary care cohort, the reported symptom burden was largely nonspecific and reflects real-world patient-reported complaints rather than classical manifestations of overt hypothyroidism. Exploratory analyses suggested potential gender-related differences; however, the low number of male patients limits firm conclusions. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these observations.

We studied the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) and pannexin 1 (PANX1) in different cellular populations of the kidneys of diabetic mice and diabetic and non-diabetic patients, to evaluate their role as potential therapeutic targets in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). A combination of a low dose of streptozotocin and a high-fat diet (HFD) was used to induce a type 2 diabetes model (DM2) in mice. Kidney tissues from diabetic (n = 9) and control patients (n = 11) who underwent nephrectomy were collected. Tissues from mice and humans were processed for double immunofluorescence, using antibodies against Cx43, phosphorylated Cx43 (pCx43) or PANX1 and markers for specific cell populations: endothelium (CD31/PECAM1); pericytes/mesangium (PDGFRB); podocytes (nephrin/synaptopodin); proximal tubules and collecting ducts (aquaporin 2). The results showed a significant decrease in the expression of pCx43 in PDGFRB-immunoreactive mesangium in diabetic patients compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). This contrasted with an increase in pCx43 in pericytes of diabetic mice (p = 0.1). However, we found a general decrease in Cx43 protein expression in diabetic mouse kidneys (p < 0.05). We also found a decrease in the expression of PANX1 in endothelial cells of diabetic patients (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in PANX1 expression in cells expressing PDGFRB (p < 0.05). Expression of PANX1 in endothelium (r = -0.50; p < 0.05) and pCx43 in the mesangium (r = -0.65; p < 0.01) correlated negatively with the percentage of sclerotic glomeruli. The expression and activation of Cx43 and the expression of PANX1 are altered in distinct populations of renal cells during long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus, especially cells of the vascular wall. This may indicate their role in the pathophysiological processes of DKD. Therefore, connexin and pannexin channels could be considered as possible therapeutic targets in the prevention and treatment of diabetic kidney disease.

The expansion of industrialization and household use of synthetic compounds has generated significant wastewater containing toxic heavy metals. In developing countries, this wastewater is often discharged untreated due to the high cost of advanced treatment technologies. This study used sodium hydroxide as a low-cost, readily available precipitation agent to remove selected metal ions from mono- and binary-component solutions. Unlike most studies focusing on pH and initial ion concentration, this work investigated operational parameters such as stirring speed (0–800 rpm) and time (0–30 min) while keeping pH and concentration constant. Results showed that higher stirring speeds and longer stirring times enhanced metal ion removal, with Pb(II) efficiency increasing from 86.64% at 100 rpm to 94.33% at 800 rpm. In binary mixtures, similar improvements were observed. These findings highlight that simple, low-cost operational adjustments can significantly improve metal removal efficiency, which is particularly relevant for water treatment in resource-limited settings. The two-way ANOVA without replication showed that the type of metal or mixture had a significant effect on removal efficiency, while stirring speed and time within the investigated ranges did not have a statistically significant effect. These results indicate that differences in removal efficiency are primarily due to the metals’ chemical properties rather than the operational parameters.

China’s export-oriented economic expansion has substantially influenced transport-sector CO2 emissions, raising critical concerns about the environmental impacts of sustained industrial growth and global trade integration. Understanding the interplay between macroeconomic dynamics, trade composition, and industrial structure is essential for aligning economic development with climate mitigation objectives. This study examines transport-related CO2 emissions in China over the period 1990–2023, employing a hybrid methodological framework that combines econometric modeling—including Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS)—with machine-learning techniques using Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) interpreted through SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). The analysis confirms a long-run cointegration relationship between transport emissions and the selected macroeconomic variables. Short-run dynamics indicate a strong sensitivity of emissions to GDP growth, while long-run estimates reveal that higher export-to-GDP ratios and industrial value added contribute to reducing transport emissions, reflecting the efficiency gains from industrial upgrading and cleaner trade practices. By contrast, the expansion of medium- and high-technology exports increases emissions due to the energy- and logistics-intensive nature of high-value goods. The XGBoost model achieves high predictive performance, with an out-of-sample R2 of 0.9975 and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 87.16, confirming the dominant contribution of medium- and high-technology exports to transport-sector emissions. The results underscore the critical role of aligning trade structure, industrial productivity, and low-carbon logistics within China’s policy agenda. Implementing strategies that enhance industrial energy efficiency and develop sustainable transport infrastructure can substantially reduce the environmental impacts associated with export-driven economic expansion.

This study explored the relationships between geological substrate and the structural and compositional attributes of mixed beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.), fir ( Abies alba Mill.), and spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) forests on Mt. Konjuh in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Research was conducted on 81 experimental plots established across three dominant substrates: limestone, peridotite, and chert. Stand structure, diversity, and spatial organization were assessed using the Shannon diversity index, Pretzsch’s species profile index, Gini coefficient, and the Clark–Evans and Füldner indices. The analyses revealed consistent differences among substrates, suggesting that geological conditions influence forest structure and diversity. Higher diversity and vertical heterogeneity were generally associated with limestone, while stands on peridotite and chert exhibited simpler but more balanced structures. All forest types displayed a reverse J-shaped diameter distribution, indicating uneven-aged composition and ongoing natural regeneration. Spatial patterns showed a tendency toward clustering of beech and spruce and higher species mingling on limestone. Overall, mixed beech–fir–spruce forests on Mt. Konjuh appear to be stable ecosystems whose structure and diversity are shaped by an interplay of geological, edaphic, and ecological factors. The results highlight the relevance of site-specific and adaptive silvicultural approaches that account for local variability in substrate and stand conditions.

Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karsten) is one of the most economically important conifer species in Europe. Efficient utilisation and processing of its wood require detailed knowledge of its technical properties, as well as the most common wood defects that substantially affect both properties and utilisation. Given the crucial role of wood defects in the roundwood classification system, the primary objective of this study was to identify defects in Norway spruce and to analyse the influence of forest assortment characteristics (diameter and position along the stem) and tree attributes (diameter at breast height and position within the stand) on the size of wood defects. The research was conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, within a forest compartment of an uneven-aged, mixed beech and silver fir stand with spruce. Trees were felled and processed into assortments using a chainsaw, predominantly applying the cut-to-length method. After measuring the assortment dimensions, the occurrence of defects was assessed, and their sizes were determined. The analysis showed that, following knots, the most common wood defect was rot, followed by pith eccentricity, compression wood, scars, mechanical damage, and resin pockets. Statistically significant differences were found in the size of knots, ellipticity, and taper among different diameter classes of assortments (p<0.05), as well as assortment positions along the stem (p=0.0000). Also, a statistically significant difference was observed in the size of the knots and ellipticity in relation to both diameter at the breast height and tree position within the stand (p<0.05). Overall, the findings align with previous studies, confirming the higher quality of the lower stem section, as reflected in smaller defect sizes critical for roundwood quality classification, such as knots, rot, ellipticity, and taper.

The within-school gap in teaching has long been a primary focus of policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working to ensure equitable student outcomes. However, limited empirical research has examined the factors that can address this gap. This study examined the role of instructional school leadership in explaining variation in within-school creative pedagogies, controlling for various school-level contextual and teacher-related variables. The data come from 17 countries that participated in the 2022 PISA program. The analysis followed three steps. First, variables related to school and teachers were included in the regression. Then, instructional leadership was included in the analysis to examine its association with within-school variation in teachers’ use of creative pedagogies. The regression coefficients from each country were then combined in a meta-analysis to estimate the country-level effects. Across 17 countries, instructional leadership was generally associated with lower within-school variation in teaching quality, though this relationship was statistically significant in only three countries. These results point to a modest but potentially meaningful role for instructional leadership in reducing the gap among teachers in their creativity-oriented teaching practices and, in turn, promoting greater equity in student learning.

In terms of ichthyology, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is one of the most interesting parts of Southeast Europe, due to its rich biodiversity and high level of endemism. Despite its relevance, the entire territory has been poorly explored. Here, we provide an updated inventory of the current state of knowledge on fishes, including lampreys, from the freshwaters of BiH by hydrographic basin, with recent distributional data and updated taxonomic status reviewed and compared with previous lists. The checklist was compiled based on the existing scientific and grey literature, technical reports, scientific congresses, academic dissertations, and unpublished/personal observations. In total, 123 species including diadromous and euryhaline fishes have been documented in BiH freshwaters to date. Of these, 110 are primarily freshwater. In comparison to the last published monography (Sofradžija 2009), we present a 9% increase in species number (11 species), resulting mainly from taxonomic re-evaluations of existing taxa on the basis of new information and the adoption of a new changes in the taxonomic status of several species. Among the valid primarily freshwater species, 87 are native and 23 are non-native. A total of 38 endemic species have restricted distribution, and are threatened by numerous anthropogenic pressures. Four species are considered endemic only to BiH: Cobitis herzegoviniensis Buj & Šanda, 2014; Phoxinellus pseudalepidotus Bogutskaya & Zupančič, 2003; Telestes dabar Bogutskaya, Zupančič, Bogut & Naseka, 2012; and T. metohiensis (Steindachner, 1901). In total, 75 genera and 34 families are represented: Leuciscidae is represented by 37 species, the Salmonidae by 13, followed by the Cyprinidae, Cobitidae and Percidae, each with eight species. The native species richness follows a pattern similar to that observed in other southern European countries. A national list of endangered species has not yet been proposed to BiH and management strategies for their protection or conservation are also not implemented. Hopefully, this updated checklist will serve as a basis for future research aimed at understanding the origin and status of conservation of the BiH fishes diversity, and supporting effective management and conservation programmes.

Background/Objectives: COVID-19 severity is influenced by a complex interplay between host, viral, and environmental factors. Emerging evidence suggests that Neanderthal-derived genetic variants may influence the progression and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aimed to evaluate the association between selected Neanderthal-derived variants and COVID-19 severity in the population of the Republic of Srpska, considering relevant clinical, sociodemographic, and lifestyle factors. Methods: This multicentric cross-sectional study included 402 participants, classified as healthy or SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals. A total of 378 COVID-19-positive participants were further stratified according to disease severity and hospitalization status. All individuals were genotyped for the Neanderthal-derived OAS3 rs1156361 (C/T) and LZTFL1 rs35044562 (A/G) variants. Detailed sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle data were also collected. Results: A higher frequency of the LZTFL1 rs35044562 AG genotype was observed among hospitalized patients compared with non-hospitalized individuals (36.8% vs. 20.9%; p = 0.005), while the AA genotype was more prevalent among non-hospitalized patients (77.3% vs. 63.2%, p = 0.015). Multivariable logistic analysis showed that carriers of the LZTFL1 AG genotype had a higher chance of hospitalization compared to AA carriers (adjusted OR = 1.372, 95% CI = 0.763-6.383, and p = 0.021). Hospitalized patients more frequently carried the combined CT (OAS3) and AG (LZTFL1) genotypes, supporting a potential synergistic effect. Several sociodemographic factors, including age, sex, education, employment, and urban residence, were also associated with COVID-19 severity, while no significant associations were observed in allele-based analyses. Conclusions:LZTFL1 gene polymorphisms may influence COVID-19 severity, with heterozygote-specific and combined risk effects observed. These preliminary findings are exploratory and require validation in larger cohorts, but may guide future studies and targeted interventions in high-risk groups.

The Open and Reproducible Musculoskeletal Imaging Research (ORMIR) community is a scientific community dedicated to promoting openness and reproducibility in musculoskeletal imaging, image processing, and computational modelling. In this perspective paper, we outline the motivations for conducting transparent research and provide practical guidelines to implement it. We start with defining open and reproducible research and describing the benefits and challenges of working transparently. Next, we redefine the outputs of a computational research study as—ideally—a combination of data, code, and a publication, recommend a folder and file structure that reflects these three study outcomes, and describe how to maintain and update such a structure during the study and at study publication. Finally, we emphasize that working in an open and reproducible manner is a learning process and the best way to acquire the necessary competencies is simply to start. Lay summary: The ORMIR community promotes openness and reproducibility in musculoskeletal imaging research. In this perspective paper, we explain why transparency matters and recommend how to conduct a computational study in an open and reproducible manner focusing on its three outputs: data, code, and publication. Finally, we highlight that the best way to learn these practices is simply to start.