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The study considers the impact of the environmental contamination by the electromagnetic radiation of electron beam generator and high-energy radioactive source on the memory components. Electron beam generator can be used for injecting particle energy into the plasma of the fusion system based on a Marx generator, while radioactive source as a simulator of high-energy ionizing radiation that can be caused by the neutron-induced activation of plasma surrounding structures or released from deuterium-tritium fusion reaction. The effects of gamma radiation of high-energy radioactive source and electric field of the electron beam generator on EPROM and EEPROM semiconductor computer memory, were investigated. An older memory types were deliberately chosen for the reason that their more robust construction will better protect them from the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. The results obtained under well-controlled conditions show a high degree of non-resistance of the semiconductor technology to the expected electromagnetic pollution of the electron beam generator and high-energy radioactive source. This conclusion raises doubts on the possibility of simultaneous application of electron beam generator, consequently fusion system and nanotechnologies with the increasing need for miniaturization of electronic components.

The paper considers the possibility of improving the technical characteristics of gas surge arresters for the co-ordination of insulation at low voltage, medium voltage and high voltage levels. The idea for improving the characteristics of a gas surge arrester is based on the application of the radioactive source 241Am in the area of the surge arrester cathode. Intensive ionization with alpha particles significantly increases the number of free electrons in the space between electrodes, which shortens the time of their transition to initial electrons. This changes the Paschen curve of the gas surge arrester, narrows and flattens its impulse characteristic and reduces the stochasticity of the response of the gas surge arrester. All this results in a significant improvement in the characteristics of the gas surge arrester at all voltage levels. This improvement is particularly noticeable in the case of low voltage surge arresters. The paper is basically theoretical-experimental research. The experiments were performed under well-controlled laboratory conditions. The combined measurement uncertainty of all measurements was acceptable.

Due to the shortcomings of commercial filters and non-linear components for overvoltage protection in the conditions of synergy of neutron and gamma radiation and functional aging, the behavior of the hybrid protection circuit under the same conditions was examined. In order for the experimental procedure to correspond as closely as possible to the real situation, the load of the hybrid circuit was not adjusted by impedance. The standard model of the hybrid protection circuit recommended in accordance with IEC 1.3 is simulated using the software package PSPICE. To that end, it is necessary to create a varistor with appropriate elements. The equivalent inductance parameters were found to be stable in relation to the experimental conditions. It was also established that due to the synergy of neutron and gamma radiation and functional aging, there is a change in the steepness of the varistor characteristic and the tangent of the loss angle in the capacitors. The overall effect of neutron and gamma radiation and functional aging was tested on the hybrid circuit and on individual components. The experiments were performed under well-controlled laboratory conditions, and the combined measurement uncertainty of the experimental procedure did not exceed 5%.

The paper represents the results of testing the effect of neutron and gamma radiation of radioactive 60Co on electrical filters. Neutron and gamma radiation was chosen because of its conductivity. The analysis of the standard structure of the electric filter found that neutron and gamma radiation can affect the value of the capacitance as the most important component of the filter. The presented results are a contribution to the wider research of the radiation resistance of elements for the coordination of insulation at the low-voltage level. The experiments were performed on commercial capacitors that are installed in electric filters. Measurements were made with professional equipment under well-controlled laboratory conditions. The combined measurement uncertainty of the experimental procedure was less than 5%.

The paper discusses the possibility of improving the character of gas surge arresters. Examined were: the magnetic field effect, the effect of the hollow cathode, and the effect of the alpha radiation source 241Am. Numerical and real experiments conducted are presented together with theoretical interpretations of the obtained results. Real experiments were carried out on a model of a gas surge arrester spatially constructed for experiments presented in this paper. The model was designed in such a way that it was possible to change all the relevant parameters of the gas surge arrester model. Experiments were conducted under well-controlled laboratory conditions. The tests were performed with d. c. and impulse voltage. The results obtained by experiments were processed by sophisticated statistical methods. The expressed measurement uncertainty of the experimental procedure showed a high statistical reliability of the obtained results. Based on the results of the research, the model of a gas surge arrester, in which the effect of the hollow cathode and the radioactive source 241Am were combined, unambiguously proved to have the best characteristics.

Analysis of 4G/5G polymorphisms of PAI-1 gene in interaction with other genetic and external risk factors that induce development of venous thromboembolism can be used for risk assessment for development of venous thromboembolism. Research was conducted on 202 examinees of both genders, older than 18, from north-eastern Bosnia. Experimental group included 100 examinees with diagnosed DVT and 101 examinees who until the sampling procedure did not have diagnosed DVT. In DVT group, following genotype frequencies were determined: 27% of examinees had a normal genotype 5G/5G, 68% are heterozygotes and 5% are mutated homozygotes 4G/4G. In the control group, frequencies of 4G/5G polymorphisms of PAI-1 gene were: 42.6% of examinees have 5G/5G genotype, 55.4% are heterozygotes 4G/5G and 2% are 4G/4G genotype. Obtained results support the hypothesis that PAI-1 in interaction with other genetic and external risk factors probably induces the development of venous thromboembolism.

Numerous archaeological sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina represent a historical heritage and testify to the rich cultural, social, and political life of medieval Bosnia. Bobovac, the capital of the Bosnian Kingdom after King Tvrtko I's coronation in 1377, featured a royal complex with a palace, church, and fortification. Recent molecular-genetic research on skeletal remains from Bobovac aims to uncover medieval ancestors' customs and genetic origins. Fifteen well-preserved teeth samples from Bobovac were processed. STR amplification employed PowerPlex® Fusion and Investigator® 24plex QS Kits, with Y-STR profiles generated using the PowerPlex® Y23 System. Fourteen partial autosomal STR profiles were obtained, enabling sex determination and kinship analysis. STR amplification success varied due to ancient DNA degradation, with larger loci showing lower amplification rates. Kinship analysis confirmed appropriate marker selection, demonstrating high reliability for determining close relationships. Integrating aDNA analysis with archaeological research enhances our understanding of historical populations, connecting archaeology and forensic genetics to contribute to the broader narrative of human history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing in infants is essential for brain development, acquisition of verbal language skills, and development of social interactions. Therefore, it is important to diagnose hearing loss soon after birth so that interventions can be provided as early as possible. Most newborns in the United States are screened for hearing deficits and commercially available next‐generation sequencing hearing loss panels often can identify the causative gene, which may also identify congenital defects in other organs. One of the most prevalent autosomal dominant congenital hearing loss syndromes is branchio‐oto‐renal syndrome (BOR), which also presents with defects in craniofacial structures and the kidney. Currently, mutations in three genes, SIX1, SIX5, and EYA1, are known to be causative in about half of the BOR patients that have been tested. To uncover new candidate genes that could be added to congenital hearing loss genetic screens, we have combined the power of Drosophila mutants and protein biochemical assays with the embryological advantages of Xenopus, a key aquatic animal model with a high level of genomic similarity to human, to identify potential Six1 transcriptional targets and interacting proteins that play a role during otic development. We review our transcriptomic, yeast 2‐hybrid, and proteomic approaches that have revealed a large number of new candidates. We also discuss how we have begun to identify how Six1 and co‐factors interact to direct developmental events necessary for normal otic development. Research Highlights: Branchio‐oto‐renal patients have hearing loss and kidney defects.Mutations in SIX1, SIX5, and EYA1 are causative in about half of cases.To uncover putative new candidate genes, we used Xenopus and identified novel transcriptional targets and interacting proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To analyse potential clinical implications of the distance between large retroperitoneal vessels and lower segment of the lumbar spine in the supine and prone position. Methods Prospective, non-randomised study included 40 patients of different age and gender. For all patients magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine was performed in supine and prone position. The level of aortal bifurcation, common iliac vein confluence, the distance from the anterior and posterior aspect of the annulus to the posterior wall of the large retroperitoneal vessels were analysed. Results The study included 40 patients, 22 (55%) males and 18 (45%) females. The level of aortal bifurcation was higher in prone compared to supine position (χ2 = 29.88571; p˂0.05). In supine and prone positions, the common iliac veins confluence was most commonly at the level of the lower third of the L4 vertebra (p˃0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the distance from the left common iliac artery to the anterior contour of L4/L5 intervertebral disc (p˂0.05). Conclusion Knowledge of the anatomic relationship between iliac vessels and structures of the lower segment of the lumbar spine is very important in the prevention of a potentially severe complication, such as artificial common iliac vessels rupture. Our study showed that the risk of lesions of the common left iliac artery was lesser in the prone position.

Aim To investigate association of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss in Bosnian women. Methods A total of 60 women with two or more consecutive miscarriages before 20 weeks of gestation with the same partners and without history of known causes or recurrent pregnancy loss were included. A control group included 80 healthy women who had one or more successful pregnancies without history of any complication which could be associated with miscarriages. Genotyping of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, MTHFR C677T and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms were performed by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragments length polymorphism method (PCR/RFLP). Results Both factor V Leiden and MTHFR C677T polymorphisms were significantly associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in Bosnian women while prothrombin G20210A and PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphisms did not show strongly significant association. Conclusion The presence of thrombophilic polymorphisms may predispose women to recurrent pregnancy loss. Future investigation should be addressed in order to find when carriers of those mutations, polymorphisms should be treated with anticoagulant therapy.

One of the genes considered as a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) is the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene. Many studies have been published regarding the relation between the ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and CAD. However, studies have provided controversial results. To explore this further in the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we compared the ACE I/D genotypes and alleles distribution between two groups: 100 CAD patients and 100 healthy control subjects. The higher distribution of DD genotype (47.0%) and D allele (65.5%) were found in CAD patients compared to controls (DD 34.0%; D allele 51.0%). Genotype odds ratio, (DD + ID) on the II, was 2.471 (1.252 – 4.876; 95% CI; p < 0.05). This leads to the conclusion that the DD genotype of the ACE I/D polymorphism affects the risk for development of coronary artery disease in Bosnian population.