"In everyday engineering calculations, walls in masonry structures are typically analyzed as isolated from the rest of the structure. The corresponding gravitational load is determined, and the horizontal load is applied to the wall, assuming that floors are rigid within their plane and transfer horizontal loads according to the stiffness of the walls at the building's base. The wall's bearing capacity is verified on a model isolated from the structure, considering the effects of bending moments, normal forces, and shear forces. Spatial models that include other structural elements along with the walls are rarely created. This study focuses on slender walls, where height exceeds length, which are common in our architectural tradition. Reinforced concrete ring beams are regularly constructed at the top of such walls, transitioning into lintels or beams supporting the ceiling. The study aims to investigate whether these elements, along with the ceiling as a whole, influence wall behavior during earthquakes. Experiments and post-earthquake damage reports suggest that walls behave differently depending on the level of normal force stress. Wall behavior varies based on its position in the structure, load intensity, connections, and material and geometric characteristics. Less-loaded walls, typically on upper floors, tend to fail through full-wall rotation, with or without edge crushing. Sliding occurs with lower normal forces and high shear stresses, while diagonal fractures emerge at certain stress levels. This study develops a numerical model to explore the interaction between short walls and ceilings, especially in rocking and toe crushing, aiming to answer whether walls should be considered isolated or part of spatial frame systems."

The integration of renewable energy sources (RES) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) into electrical power distribution systems (EPDS) is growing rapidly, but presents challenges like increased energy losses, voltage deterioration, and rising costs. This paper proposes a multi-objective optimization framework for optimal BESS allocation in EPDS to reduce costs and improve voltage profiles. Using a genetic algorithm, Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III (NSGA-III), it balances objectives while considering system and battery constraints. Python’s Pandapower and DEAP (Distributed Evolutionary Algorithms in Python) libraries are used for power flow analysis and optimization. The model is validated on a medium-voltage radial network with high renewable energy sources (RES) penetration, showing significant showing significant gains in network performance and highlight the potential for battery energy storage systems (BESS) to become standard components in modern power systems.

Air pollution, largely caused by activities in the construction sites, poses serious health and environmental risks to workers and people living nearby. This study focuses on predicting the concentrations of six major pollutants, i.e. PM2.5, PM10, NO2, CO, SO2, and O3. We train a Long Short-Term Memory network (LSTM) on each pollutant to forecast its levels twelve hours in advance. A window generator is used to map data into sequences, enabling the model to capture temporal patterns effectively. Extensive data pre-processing ensures accuracy, including handling missing values and transforming categorical variables. Specifically, the analysis of the pollutants is composed by the following steps: i) preparing the data, ii) building and training the model, iii) evaluating the model performance in terms of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). We prove that LSTM performs outstandingly over other models, i.e. Random Forest and Artificial Neural Network. The obtained RMSE values ensure credibility and reliability of LSTM in air quality predictions. This predictive framework offers a practical approach for construction sites to manage air pollution and mitigate health and environmental impacts proactively.

Software developers often need guides navigating them in the process of choosing the most suitable frameworks and programming languages for their needs. In this study, the impact of the programming languages on the performance of four popular backend frameworks: Spring Boot, ASP.NET Core, Express.js, and Django is examined using tools such as Apache JMeter and Docker under uniform conditions. With metrics like latency, throughput, docker build time, and deployment time the experiments revealed that ASP.NET Core exhibited the lowest latency (1ms for HTTP POST and GET), while Django achieved the shortest deployment time (0.31 seconds). Spring Boot and Express.js occupied the middle ground, balancing flexibility and performance. Besides valuable insights into the efficiency of each framework in real-world applications, this paper also includes a review of similar studies while complementing them by providing additional perspectives through concrete measurements and analyses under realistic conditions. This study contributes to a better understanding of architectural decisions and their relationship to performance while making the way for further research, such as analyzing more complex applications and energy efficiency.

In recent years, we have seen a shift in the way we search, collect and verify knowledge on the Internet. Instead of the traditional way of typing questions into a web browser and selecting the appropriate answer, users are increasingly turning to chatbots to answer their questions. The answers provided by a generative chatbot are not always adequate and therefore it is important to use those chatbots that have a predefined set of knowledge that is used to get answers. In this paper, we present the results of the application of educational chatbots in different subjects studied in different study curriculums and at different universities.

This work looks into the utilization of blockchain technology within the telecommunications sector, emphasizing enhancements in security, privacy, and efficiency of data management. The “TelecomSecurity” smart contract, demonstrates blockchain’s features of decentralization and immutability, enabling robust user data protection, transparent identity management, and process automation. The paper focuses on protection mechanisms and resource optimization, showcasing detailed metrics of performance and gas consumption compared to traditional environments like Python and Flask. Additionally, it includes an analysis of the study “Blockchain technology empowers telecom network operation” by Dinh C. Nguyen, Pubudu N. Pathirana, and Ming Ding, published in IEEE Communications Magazine 2020, to discuss the blockchain’s potential to enhance operations within telecom networks, especially when integrating 5G technologies. The research establishes parallels between theoretical insights and practical findings, underscoring the blockchain’s relevance and use cases in real-world telecom scenarios. It also discusses potential applications in 5G networks and IoT devices, positioning blockchain as a transformative technology for the digital age, enhancing security, lowering costs, and improving operational efficiency. More specifically, this study explores how blockchain-based decentralized user management and smart contract automation can enhance telecom service agreements, reducing reliance on centralized authorities while improving transparency and operational efficiency.

This study investigates the influence of weather conditions and traffic flow dynamics on parcel delivery times. The main goal is to identify the factors contributing to delivery delays, which will help pinpoint key aspects that can improve logistics processes and enhance delivery accuracy. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn’s post hoc analysis examined variations across data groups categorized by weather conditions (e.g., rain, snow, fog, storms) and traffic flow states (e.g., dense, congested, free-flowing, unobstructed). Additionally, a comparative approach was employed to assess the effects of different weather and traffic conditions. The results show that adverse weather conditions, such as rain and snow, combined with high traffic congestion, significantly increase delivery times compared to clear weather and normal or free-flowing traffic conditions. These findings offer valuable insights for future research and the optimization of logistics operations.

Abstract Background Phenotypic plasticity and inflammation, 2 well-established hallmarks of cancer, play key roles in local invasion and distant metastasis by enabling the rapid adaptation of tumor cells to dynamic micro-environmental changes. Results Here, we show that in oral squamous carcinoma cell carcinoma (OSCC), the competition between the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) and SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complexes plays a pivotal role in regulating both epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) and inflammation. By perturbing these complexes, we demonstrated their opposing downstream effects on the inflammatory pathways and EMP regulation. In particular, downregulation of the BRG1-specific SWI/SNF complex deregulates key inflammatory genes, such as TNF-α and IL6, in opposite ways when compared with the loss of CDK2AP1, a key member of the NuRD complex. We showed that CDK2AP1 genetic ablation triggers a pro-inflammatory secretome encompassing several chemokines and cytokines, thus promoting the recruitment of monocytes into the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, CDK2AP1 deletion stimulates their differentiation into M2-like macrophages, as validated on tumor microarrays from OSCC patient-derived tumor samples. Further analysis of the inverse correlation between CDK2AP1 expression and TME immune infiltration revealed specific downstream effects on the abundance and localization of CD68+ macrophages. Conclusions Our study sheds light on the role of chromatin remodeling complexes in OSCC locoregional invasion and highlights the potential of CDK2AP1 and other members of NuRD and SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

According to estimates by the United Nations' International Organization for Migration, in 2020 the global count of international migrants reached 281 million, nearly doubling the estimate from 1990. While a significant portion of emigration can be attributed to wars and conflicts, less developed countries have witnessed a surge in outward migration over the past few decades, extending beyond forced emigration. Among these migrants there is a considerable number of young, skilled, and educated individuals, whose departure has unfortunate effects on their countries of origin, impacting economic progress and demographics. The level of country development significantly influences migration, as migrants often move from less developed to more developed countries in search of better living conditions and more opportunities.This paper aims to identify the primary determinants of global migration movement between years 1990 and 2022, with a focus on evaluating the impact of country development level disparities on these flows. According to our static and dynamic estimation results the level of development is a significant driver of emigration while higher GDP per capita is associated with lower net emigration. These results imply that policies aimed at reducing migration pressures should focus on fostering economic development and increasing GDP per capita in low-income countries.

The aim of this pioneering study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes regarding prevention, diagnostic methods, treatment, and recovery aspects related to Helicobacter pylori infection within the general population of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Study was conducted using the previously designed questionnaire, adapted for the B&H population. The research enrolled 1,031 participants, of whom 58.49% answered predominantly correctly to questions regarding Helicobacter pylori infectivity. Of all participants, 36.18% underwent screening, with 65.95% testing positive, and of those, 93.90% received treatment, mainly antibiotics (92.64%). Of those treated, 74.46% were re-tested and 30.23% of them had relapsed infection. Furthermore, the study identified lower infection rate in younger participants and, contraversaly, in participants with the history of long-term (lasting for more than a year) alcohol consumption, who were also shown to report symptoms' improvement post-treatment. Overall, B&H population demonstrated good knowledge toward Helicobacter pylori infection, with higher levels of knowledge in women, highly educated, or screened for H. pylori. Notably, participants expressed strong support for national Helicobacter pylori screening and thus underscored the importance of planning it in the public health initiatives in B&H. Also, due to the high relapsed infection rate, further effort needs to be directed toward education of risk groups i.e., older age groups, and community on effective measures for Helicobacter pylori prevention and treatment.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study investigates the mediating role of innovation types in the relationship between green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO) and different aspects of business performance within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from 250 SMEs. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. The results show that GEO is related to different dimensions of SMEs’ performance, with innovation types as partial mediators. This study represents a more holistic understanding of the GEO–performance link through potential mediators contributing to resource orchestration theory in the context of green entrepreneurship. SMEs should consider integrating GEO with diverse innovation efforts to enhance their performance.

Sewage sludge, a biosolid product of wastewater processing, is an often-overlooked source of rich organic waste. Hydrothermal processing has shown promise in converting sewage sludge into valorized materials with potential application in biofuels, asphalt binders, and bioplastics. Here we characterize the physicochemical properties of hydrochar, the carbonaceous solid phase product of hydrothermal processing, and investigate its use as bio-based filler in additive manufacturing. We find that the presence of metallic and metalloid dopants in sewage sludge, which are not typically found in biomass wastes, yields unusual results in organic material processing such as decreased graphitic ordering after thermal activation. We further find that addition of hydrochar generally decreases mechanical performance of additive manufacturing composites, however, some properties such as toughness can be recovered with nature-inspired architecting into gyroid microstructures. These findings demonstrate that more investigation is required to optimally valorize sewage sludge and similarly disordered waste streams. Sabrina Shen, Markus Buehler, and colleagues valorize hydrothermally processed sewage sludge as fillers for 3D printing. They study physicochemical and mechanical properties, finding that hydrochar-filled composites reduce consumption for more sustainable waste management

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency, severity, and risk factors associated with Hickman catheterrelated complications in pediatric patients with acute leukemia at a tertiary pediatric care center in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Patients and methods: This retrospective study was conducted with 88 pediatric patients (54 males, 34 females; mean age: 5.9±4.6 years; range, 0 to 18 years) diagnosed with acute leukemia who had Hickman catheters inserted between January 2019 and July 2024. Data on complication rates, types, and outcomes were collected. Results: A total of 91 Hickman central venous catheters were inserted in 88 children. The cohort included 60 (68%) children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 28 (32%) children with acute myeloid leukemia 14 (AML). The median follow-up was 190 days (95% confidence interval, 160-212), spanning 12,644 catheter days. Complications occurred in 24 (27.3%) patients. Twelve (13.1%) of these were mechanical, seven (7.7%) were infectious, and five (5.5%) were thrombotic; the incidence rates were 0.8, 0.48, and 0.08 per 1,000 catheter days, respectively. Notably, AML patients had a higher complication rate (1.59 per 1,000 catheter days) compared to ALL patients (1.22 per 1,000 catheter days). Conclusion: Hickman catheter-related complications in pediatric leukemia patients are relatively common, with AML patients facing a higher risk. Understanding these complications can help improve patient management and outcomes.

We initiate the study of simple games from the point of view of combinatorial topology. The starting premise is that the losing coalitions of a simple game can be identified with a simplicial complex. Various topological constructions and results from the theory of simplicial complexes then carry over to the setting of simple games. Examples are cone, join, and the Alexander dual, each of which have interpretations as familiar game-theoretic objects. We also provide some new topological results about simple games, most notably in applications of homology of simplicial complexes to weighted simple games. The exposition is introductory and largely self-contained, intended to inspire further work and point to what appears to be a wealth of potentially fruitful directions of investigation bridging game theory and topology.