University for Business and Technology

The current study assessed the physicochemical quality of groundwater from wells in a rural region of northeastern Romania, where local communities depend exclusively on this resource for drinking water. Eighty wells were analyzed in situ for total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation, salinity, con-ductivity, redox potential (ORP), and pH. For comparative purposes, similar measurements were conducted on urban water supplies in the cities of Iași and Botoșani, as well as on 14 commercial bottled water brands. The findings revealed critical water quality issues in rural wells, including frequent exceedances of microbiological and chemical thresholds, particularly for nitrates and coliform bacteria. Spatial mapping showed strong variation across parameters, with elevated salinity and low oxygenation most prominent in lowland areas. Bottled water analysis showed a wide range of mineral compositions, influencing their appropriateness for daily consumption. Still waters such as Aqua Carpatica Still and Wonder Still displayed low sodium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations, making them suitable for specific dietary needs. In contrast, highly mineralized waters like Aqua Carpatica Sparkling exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits for TDS and salinity. The study also highlighted the insufficient monitoring by local authorities and the lack of comprehensive labelling on bottled water, both of which hinder informed decision-making by consumers. The results emphasize the urgent need for standardized groundwater surveillance, public health initiatives, and improved transparency in bottled water labelling. These findings provide a foundation for future policy actions targeting safe and equitable access to drinking water in rural communities.

Abstract Background Obesity represents a chronic inflammatory state that may influence the pathogenesis and clinical progress of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Its role on treatment response remains complex and multifactorial.1 This study aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity and its impact on clinical and endoscopic outcomes in IBD patients undergoing biologic therapy. Methods This is a prospective study carried out at a tertiary hospital center in Albania including IBD patients under biologic therapy with adalimumab, intravenous infliximab, and vedolizumab. Demographic laboratory and clinical data [age, gender, body mass index (BMI), disease location, extent, activity and duration] were collected. Endoscopic activity was assessed using the Mayo endoscopic sub score for ulcerative colitis (UC) and the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease (SES-CD). Clinical remission was defined as a total Mayo score ≤2 for UC and a Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) <120 for CD. Mucosal healing (MH) was defined as a Mayo endoscopic sub score of 0–1 for UC and an SES-CD ≤2 for CD. Patients were stratified by BMI into non-obese (18.5–29.9 kg/m²) and obese (≥30 kg/m²) groups. The primary outcomes were steroid-free clinical remission and MH at week 52. All analyses were performed with IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.0. Results A total of 131 IBD patients were included (mean age 45.3 ± 15.5 years), 51.1% male. Mean disease duration was 8.5 ± 7.0 years, and mean age at diagnosis was 37.2 ± 12.8 years. 17% of patients were obese. Obesity was significantly associated with lower steroid free clinical remission at week 52 (20% vs 59%; χ²=4.77, p = 0.029; Fisher’s p = 0.038). MH was less frequent in obese individuals, with significantly higher mucosal activity scores at week 52 (χ² = 4.19, p = 0.041; Fisher’s exact p = 0.043). Among laboratory biomarkers, only CRP levels were found higher in obese patients compared with non-obese patients (16.96 vs.7.42 mg/L), although it didn’t reach statistical significance (p = 0.136). Conclusion Obesity was present in 17% of our IBD cohort and was significantly associated with poorer clinical outcomes, including reduced rates of remission and mucosal healing at week 52. These findings highlight the need for targeted weight management strategies in this subgroup. Encouraging weight loss in obese IBD patients may not only enhance general health but also improve therapeutic response and long-term disease control. Reference: 1. Peraza, J., Abbott, E., Shneyderman, M. et al. The Rising Epidemic of Obesity in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Curr Treat Options Gastro 22, 134–144 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11938-024-00453-5 Conflict of interest: Dr. Sina, Marsela: No conflict of interest Pemaj, Xhensila: No conflict of interest Prifti, Skerdi: No conflict of interest Mullaj, Rubin: No conflict of interest Telaku, Skender: No conflict of interest

The aim of this study is to examine publications on the use of technology in music education between 2016 and 2025 using bibliometric methods. A total of 1,553 studies retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases were analyzed using Bibliometrix 5.2 software. Performance metrics and science mapping methods were used in the analysis. The results show that the field grew at an average rate of 16.36% per year. The increase in the number of publications, especially after 2020, appears to be due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased research on distance music education. The most influential journals were Music Education Research, Journal of Music Technology and Education, and International Journal of Music Education. China, the US, Spain, and the UK are the countries producing the most publications in the field. But just 7.34% of the papers were written by people from other countries. A keyword analysis shows that the research can be divided into two main categories: educational issues and technical problems. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and deep learning aren't large parts of the market yet, but they're becoming increasingly common in research. Technology in music education is a quickly growing topic of research that involves many different areas. To promote the field's growth, it is suggested that there be more international cooperation and that new technologies be used with educational theory and design more often.

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, total phenolic, total flavonoid, total protein, mineral contents, and phenolic components of Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) J.F. Macbr. samples collected from Iraq and Türkiye. The plant materials utilized in our investigation were extracted using ethanol in a soxhlet apparatus. The antioxidant activity was assessed using FRAP, DPPH, and Rel Assay kits. The agar dilution method was used to measure the antimicrobial activity. The anticholinesterase activity was assessed by measuring the activities of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. The Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was employed to measure the total phenolic content of the sample. Total flavonoids content was conducted by an aluminum chloride assay. The LC-MS/MS instrument was used to analyze the standard chemicals present in the plant. The study concluded that the antioxidant potential of the samples taken from Türkiye was found to be higher. Plant fruit extracts have demonstrated significant antioxidant activity. Furthermore, it was discovered that it exhibited lower anti-AChE and anti-BChE activity compared to the galantamine. The extracts displayed the most potent antibacterial action against E. coli. Regional variations in mineral composition have been reported. Phenolic chemicals have been identified at varying concentrations in various parts of the plant. Consequently, it was concluded that the plant’s fruits exhibit significant levels of antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticholinesterase properties.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to predict daily runoff using three machine learning models: artificial neural networks (ANNs), random forests (RFs), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). Thirty-five years of discharge records and remote-sensing climate data were used to develop and validate the models, demonstrating the potential of satellite data for machine-learning-based runoff prediction, especially in data-poor regions like Nepal. The study identified 1-day lagged discharge (lag_1), average temperature, and maximum temperature as the three most important input variables. The developed ANN model demonstrates high accuracy in streamflow prediction, achieving an R2 of 0.928, a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 435.43 m3/s, a Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of 0.93, and a Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) of 0.944 for the Narayani River Basin. When applied to the Trishuli River, a major tributary of the Narayani, the model demonstrated strong performance, with an R2 of 0.895, an RMSE of 425.92 m3/s, an NSE of 0.89, and a KGE of 0.908. Nonetheless, RF outperformed ANN in capturing low-flow conditions in the Narayani River. Overall, the models provide valuable tools for retrospective streamflow prediction, gap-filling in hydrological records, and supporting effective and sustainable water management.

Background: A decreased level of adiponectin is known as a predictor of adverse left ventricular remodeling and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). We evaluated long-term MACEs following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in relation to adiponectin levels. Methods: This prospective study included a total of 73 consecutive STEMI patients. Adiponectin, CK, CK-MB, cTnI, CRP, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and other routine laboratory parameters were considered, and myocardial revascularization and two-dimensional echocardiography were performed. Subjects were divided into two groups according to their serum adiponectin concentrations. Results: In total, 24 (32.87%) patients suffered from MACEs, 19 (26.02%) with adiponectin value ≤ 1.8 ng/mL (group 1) and 5 (6.84%) with adiponectin value > 1.8 ng/mL (group 2) (p < 0.013). Heart failure (Killip >1) was present in 14 cases (19.17%) in group 1 and in 3 cases (4.1%) in group 2 (p < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to depict the occurrence of MACEs according to the adiponectin threshold identified during hospitalization (1.8 ng/mL). The log-rank test revealed a statistically significant difference in survival between groups (p = 0.013), and the AUC value for adiponectin was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.66–0.89), p = 0.01. Based on univariate logistic regression analysis, adiponectin and BMI were significantly associated with MACEs (p = 0.018, p = 0.034). Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that serum adiponectin predicts MACEs after STEMI (p = 0.011). Conclusions: We found significant associations between adiponectin levels and MACEs in patients who survived STEMI. The established cut-off value of 1.8 ng/mL for adiponectin during hospitalization identified patients at risk for MACEs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of food service workers regarding the use of spices in restaurants. Questionnaires were distributed to 100 food service employees in various restaurants across Prishtina. Participants were asked questions about their perceptions of natural and artificial spices. Furthermore, they were requested to respond to questions related to the need for public education and information regarding the use of spices, along with providing demographic information. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS program (Version 14.0 for Windows). The results showed that 66.7% of respondents used both natural and artificial spices, while 33.3% of respondents used only natural spices. Additionally, 69% of respondents reported that they had attempted to increase the use of natural spices. There were significant differences in perceptions and attitudes toward spices according to the type of restaurant (p&lt;0.05). Respondents perceived a need for education on the safety of artificial spices and the production process of natural spices. The findings suggest that education related to the use of artificial spices, as well as cooking methods that utilize natural spices, is necessary to reduce the use of artificial spices in restaurants.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi efektivitas penambahan bawang putih, serai, dan daun sirsak dalam formulasi pestisida nabati berbahan dasar daun pepaya terhadap penurunan jumlah hama dan kerusakan daun pada tanaman kangkung cabut (Ipomoea reptans Poir). Penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksperimen lapangan dengan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) yang terdiri atas lima taraf perlakuan dan lima ulangan, sehingga terdapat 25 satuan percobaan. Perlakuan terdiri dari P0 (kontrol); P1 (daun pepaya); P2 (daun pepaya + bawang putih), P3 (daun pepaya + serai), dan P4 (daun pepaya + daun sirsak). Pestisida nabati diformulasikan melalui proses penghalusan bahan aktif dalam 300 mL air, diikuti inkubasi selama tiga hari, penyaringan, dan pengenceran hingga 1 liter. Penanaman kangkung cabut dilakukan pada bedengan berukuran 1 × 1 meter dengan perlakuan budidaya standar, meliputi penyiraman, penyiangan, dan pemupukan dasar. Pestisida nabati diaplikasikan dengan metode penyemprotan sebanyak dua kali, yaitu pada minggu ketiga dan keempat setelah tanam, pada sore hari. Parameter yang diamati meliputi persentase penurunan jumlah hama serta kerusakan daun. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis secara deskriptif untuk menggambarkan pengaruh aplikasi pestisida nabati terhadap populasi hama dan tingkat kerusakan tanaman kangkung. Perlakuan paling optimal diperoleh dari kombinasi daun pepaya dan serai (P3), yang mampu menurunkan jumlah hama hingga 87,5% dan dapat menekan kerusakan daun dibandingkan perlakuan lainnya. Masih ditemukan tanda-tanda serangan berupa bercak cokelat dan bekas gigitan pada beberapa perlakuan, yang menunjukkan bahwa efektivitas pestisida nabati turut dipengaruhi oleh stabilitas senyawa aktif yang digunakan. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of adding garlic, lemongrass, and soursop leaves to a plant-based pesticide formulation using papaya leaves as the main ingredient in reducing pest populations and leaf damage in upland water spinach (Ipomoea reptans Poir). The research was conducted through a field experiment using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of five treatments and five replications, resulting in 25 experimental units. The treatments included P0 (control), P1 (papaya leaves), P2 (papaya leaves + garlic), P3 (papaya leaves + lemongrass), and P4 (papaya leaves + soursop leaves). The botanical pesticide was formulated by blending the active ingredients with 300 mL of water, followed by incubation for three days, filtration, and dilution to a final volume of 1 liter. Upland water spinach was cultivated on plots measuring 1 × 1 meters using standard cultivation practices, including watering, weeding, and base fertilization. The pesticide was applied twice by spraying, in the third and fourth weeks after planting, during the late afternoon. Observed parameters included the percentage reduction in pest numbers and leaf damage. The most effective treatment was P3 (papaya leaves + lemongrass), which reduced pest populations by 87.5% and significantly suppressed leaf damage compared to other treatments. However, signs of pest activity such as brown spots and bite marks were still observed in some treatments, indicating that the effectiveness of the botanical pesticide was also influenced by the stability of the active compounds used.

Abstract This study examines the relationship between heritage conservation and urban development as essential elements of sustainability, focusing on the urban built heritage of Çarshia e Madhe in Gjakova and the Old Town center of Ohrid. The analysis highlights their historical significance, unique architecture, and potential for contemporary development. Three key elements identity, coherence, and diversity are emphasized to assess the role of built heritage in urban revitalization and sustainable development. The findings indicate that integrated architectural design and urban planning can foster stakeholder collaboration, aligning various sector activities for sustainable development. In conclusion, this approach can help institutions in reconciling diverse interests, reinforcing the role of urban heritage as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development.

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has significantly impacted businesses in Kosovo, leading to the adoption of electronic services and the transformation of customer engagement strategies. This study investigates the factors influencing electronic service adoption, focusing on individual-level aspects (such as time constraints, costs, ease of use, and personal income) and demographic characteristics (including gender, age, education, and income). A quantitative methodology was employed, gathering data from 180 participants through surveys, which were subsequently analyzed via correlation and regression techniques. There is a strong positive correlation between income levels and electronic service usage. Compared with older individuals, younger individuals are more inclined to adopt digital services. Gender significantly influences adoption rates, with women demonstrating higher usage rates. Businesses should prioritize the targeting of younger, higher-income demographics to expand digital offerings, whereas policymakers need to address disparities in digital access and literacy to foster inclusive growth. The findings reveal a strong positive correlation between income levels and the use of electronic services, indicating that individuals with higher earnings are more likely to adopt these technologies. Additionally, a significant negative relationship between age and digital service usage suggests that younger individuals are more inclined to embrace electronic solutions. These findings have important implications for businesses and policymakers in Kosovo. Companies aiming to expand their digital offerings should consider targeting younger, higher-income demographics, as they are more likely to adopt and utilize electronic services. However, this also highlights potential disparities in access to digital technologies, which may exacerbate existing socioeconomic inequalities. To address this, policymakers and businesses should collaborate to develop strategies that promote digital literacy and accessibility across all age groups and income levels. By addressing these disparities and promoting inclusive digital adoption, Kosovo can harness the full potential of electronic services to drive economic growth and enhance the quality of life for its citizens.