Rochester Institute of Technology Kosovo

Transition metal complexes with heteroaromatic ligands offer a promising strategy for developing novel anticancer agents. In this study, the ligand 12-hydroxy-7-iminocromeno[4,3- d]pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-6(7H)-one was used to synthesize new cobalt(II), nickel(II), and titanium( III/IV) complexes via conventional and microwave-assisted methods, with the latter providing higher yields and shorter reaction times. The complexes were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H- and ¹³CNMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis, confirming coordination through the azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen atoms. Their in vitro antiproliferative activity was evaluated against the H460, MCF-7, and HCT116 human cancer cell lines, with doxorubicin used as a positive control. Cytotoxicity was expressed as GI₅₀ values. All complexes exhibited moderate to pronounced antiproliferative effects. The nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes showed moderate activity, whereas the titanium( III/IV) complexes were the most potent, displaying significantly higher cytotoxicity than the free ligand, with GI₅₀ values in the low micromolar range. These findings highlight the influence of the metal center on biological activity and identify the titanium complexes as promising candidates for further anticancer studies.

Noise pollution is a persistent stressor in urban settings, which affects all segments of the population. Its neurological impacts are less studied than those of hypertension, heart disease, or mental health, but there is evidence suggesting that neurological health is affected by noise pollution. We searched six databases (PubMed, EBSCO, Semantic Scholar, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus) for studies published post-2000 that report residential noise exposure and its neurological effects. We mapped studies based on geographical location, exposure measurement, and study results. Two researchers independently screened and extracted data, and 117 distinct studies from 100 publications were included. European countries and high-income countries dominate the evidence base, and noise is most commonly modeled as 24-h exposure through L-metrics (e.g., Lden). Included studies showed mostly positive associations between noise exposure and adverse neurological outcomes, such as stroke events and mortality, neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive decline, and poorer cognitive performance in schoolchildren. There was no overall relationship between noise exposure and brain structure. While noting the heterogeneity in our included studies, it is clear that long-term noise exposure has neurological impacts. Further research is needed to understand the impact of all-source noise and how noise exposure affects the brain. Further, infrastructure for monitoring noise and population health in developing countries is needed to remedy the global imbalance in data.

AI has rapidly transformed societies, economies, and governance, but it has also exposed critical challenges in global AI regulation. This chapter examines the contrasting governance models of the European Union, the United States, and China—each reflecting distinct values and strategic interests. These differences have led to fragmented global AI governance, creating compliance burdens, stifling innovation, and risking human rights. To address this, the chapter proposes a hybrid governance model combining national sovereignty with global interoperability. This model is built on three tiers: universal norms, national and regional frameworks, and sector-specific adaptations. It balances data, technological, and normative sovereignty, providing a scalable solution for ethical AI governance. The chapter concludes by assessing the model's feasibility, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to ensure responsible, adaptable, and coherent AI regulation worldwide.

Access to quality primary healthcare (PHC) in Kosovo is progressive with substantial reforms that have been implemented to promote the health of its people since its independence in 2008. However, substantial challenges remain, particularly among managing non-communicable diseases (NCD) like diabetes and hypertension, due to gaps in structural and procedural aspects. The Accessible Quality Healthcare project (2016-2027) aimed at improving the health of the Kosovar population by strengthening the quality of PHC services with a specific focus on NCDs. Three quality of care studies were conducted with the aim of measuring progress in PHC and NCD management. Three facility-based, cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2016, 2018 and 2023 across 12, 20, and 38 selected municipalities in Kosovo, respectively. Data were collected on PHC infrastructure, provider-patient interactions, and patient outcomes using standardized assessments, observational tools, and exit interviews. The overall infrastructure score improved from 56% in 2016 to 68% in 2023. Clinical observation scores comprised five categories. For instance, doctors' knowledge and compliance with clinical history and physical examinations revealed a marked increase overall from 2016 to 2023, hygiene and infection prevention control measures increased steadily in 14 municipalities but remained below 60% in 16 municipalities. Clinical adherence to guidelines for managing diabetes and hypertension improved markedly but remained low overall (from 36% in 2016 to 60% in 2023 with regards to diabetes and 35% in 2016 to 58% in 2023 regarding hypertension). The overall experience of patients exiting facilities was positive and their perception of doctors' behaviour scored more than 60% in all years and in seven of the eight indicators. Negative exceptions included a drop in explanations regarding medicine intake from 96% in 2016 to 56% in 2023 and regarding the doctors' verbal anamnesis, physical examination and explaining the health problems (from 97% in 2016 to 77% in 2023). While marked progress was made in improving Kosovo's healthcare infrastructure and clinical practices, persistent disparities in municipal performance and gaps in doctor-patient communication highlight the need for targeted interventions. Continued investment in healthcare worker training, better adherence to clinical protocols, and improved communication will be essential to sustain progress and align Kosovo's healthcare system with European Union standards.

Background:The global prevalence of malignant neoplasms has been steadily increasing for more than a half-century and has now reached pandemic proportions.Millions of people suffer from preventable malignancies.Data are vital for determining what actions are required and which populations should be addressed.This paper presents cases of malignant neoplasms among children and adolescents in Kosovo reported in the population-based registry at the Department of Health Statistics (DHS) at the NIPHK for the year 2024.Methods and Results: For this retrospective analytic study, the main source of information was the DHS's annual reports on malignant diseases at the NIPHK for 2024.In 2024, in the population registry of malignant diseases at the DHS at the NIPHK, 56 new cases of malignant diseases in children (aged 0-14 years) and adolescents (aged 15-19 years) were reported.Of these, half were boys, and half were girls.Those aged 0-4 years were 19% and 33.9%, respectively; those aged 5-9 years and 10-14 years were 12% and 21.4%, respectively; and those aged 15-19 years were 13% and 23.2%, respectively.The incidence of neoplasms in 2024 in Kosovo among children and adolescents was 11.9 cases per 100,000.Of the 56 new cases with neoplasms, almost half (23/41.1%)were malignant neoplasms, stated or presumed to be primary, of lymphoid, hematopoietic, and related tissue (C81-C96); 8/14.3% were malignant neoplasms of eye, brain and other parts of the central nervous system (C69-C72); 6/10.7% were malignant neoplasms of the urinary tract (C64-C67); and 5/8.9%cases were malignant neoplasms of mesothelial and soft tissue (C45-C49) and of female genital organs (C51-C58), while the other groups were one or two cases each. Conclusion:Our study provides strong evidence of the incidence of cancer among children and adolescents in Kosovo, highlighting the need to develop strategies and programs to reduce the burden of cancer in children and adolescents in Kosovo.(International

The role of the state in providing legal and financial support to crime victims is vital, particularly for all individuals or groups affected by various criminal acts. This paper explores the mechanisms through which states offer assistance to victims, including counseling, healthcare, ongoing education on victims rights, and financial compensation for both material and non-material damages. Legislation enacted by states outlines specific criteria and programs aims at aiding crime victims in their rehabilitation and return to their normal life. The compensation system for crime victims varies from one country to another. This paper focuses on the compensation of crime victims in the Republic of Kosovo, a relatively new institute, not only in our country but also in the entire region. It examines the compensation of material and non-material damages as a fundamental right of victims, considering instances where the damages result from criminal offences and the corresponding obligations of the state. Furthermore, it analyzes the effectiveness of state compensation of victims well-being, drawing insights from relevant data on access to compensation by crime victims in Kosovo. This study highlights the importance of the state intervention in compensating crime victim, aiming to mitigate the impact of criminal acts and facilitate the victims recovery and reintegration into society.

We present an overview of wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) liability covering 36 European countries. We reviewed approaches to WVC liability which are currently in effect across Europe and their potential consequences for WVC reporting. To obtain relevant information, we conducted a survey, including a web-based questionnaire. We retrieved answers to questions related to human fatalities from WVC, the existence of WVC databases, roadkill data systems and recommendation for drivers in the event of WVC. In 19 countries, no one is liable when a motorized vehicle collides with a wild animal. In the remaining countries, road managers or road owners may be liable as well as drivers or hunters, either consistently or under certain conditions. Liability can, in some countries, be changed after a legal assessment. Human fatalities due to WVCs have been reported in 27 countries, with approximately 90 deaths annually across European roads. The number of injured people and estimates of socio-economic losses were not possible to obtain at a European level as many countries lack reliable databases. We discuss how existing WVC liability across countries provoke some actors to transfer liability to another actor or avoid reporting these incidents altogether. WVC underreporting in certain national databases is one of the consequences of the existing WVC liability rules in the given countries. This fact reduces the potential to identify hotspots and define appropriate mitigation measures. In conclusion, we propose several procedures for modifying WVC liability that could enhance wildlife protection and road safety.