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Deterrence without detonation: The strategic use of nuclear rhetoric in the Ukraine war
No full textThis paper examines the strategic use of nuclear rhetoric by Russia during the war in Ukraine and its impact on conventional warfare dynamics and Western strategic decisionmaking. Rather than relying on the actual use of nuclear weapons, Russian officials have employed veiled threats and ambiguous declarations as tools of psychological deterrence and geopolitical signaling. By analyzing key instances of rhetorical escalation and their timing in relation to Western arms deliveries and military support for Ukraine, the study reveals how nuclear signaling has influenced the pace and scope of external involvement in the conflict. We use qualitative event tracing and focused content analysis, labeling key nuclear statements (2022–2025) and comparing them with major Western decisions on support, the timing of shipments, and official public statements. The findings underscore a shift in deterrence practices, where language and perception operate as instruments of coercion. This evolving form of rhetorical brinkmanship carries broader implications for deterrence theory, nuclear norms and the future of crisis management in a multipolar world
The unexamined life in the age of anxiety: Philosophical counseling\u27s distinct utility for contemporary existential crisis
No full textThis paper argues that Philosophical Counseling (PC) offers a necessary and distinct alternative to conventional psychotherapy for addressing the existential and conceptual challenges of contemporary life. Unlike psychotherapy’s clinical and symptom-focused framework, PC engages directly with non-pathological forms of distress arising from global crises such as the identity challenges posed by artificial intelligence and the ethical despair triggered by climate change. A literature review across philosophical, psychological, and ethical databases delineates the theoretical boundary between clinical pathology and conceptual distress. Techniques such as Socratic logical analysis and the application of philosophical wisdom traditions are identified as uniquely suited to these dilemmas. For issues defined by value conflict, loss of meaning, and conceptual incoherence, PC provides a more fitting methodological framework
The Role of Gynecologists in the Prevention of Breast and Ovarian Cancer in Primary Care in Kosovo: Challenges
No full textPreventive interventions—including surgery, hormone therapy, vaccines, and medications—can reduce cancer risk before invasive disease develops. Primary care doctors play a critical role, but preventive efforts are limited by inadequate training, financial barriers, difficulty identifying high-risk patients, and a lack of approved protocols. Physicians’ recommendations are the strongest predictor of prevention uptake. Methods: This paper evaluates perceptions of Primary Cancer Prevention (PCP) among primary care doctors in Kosovo, focusing on breast and ovarian cancer risk, behaviours, and recommendations, drawing on existing literature and regional health system challenges. Results: Recent studies highlight frontline gynaecologists as key actors in preventing cancer in low-resource settings. Despite high mortality and late diagnoses in Kosovo, opportunistic screening and patient education partially compensate for the limited national infrastructure. Conclusion: Strengthening cancer prevention requires professional education, political support, and standardised protocols to position primary care doctors and gynaecologists as gatekeepers of early identification and risk reduction
Artificial intelligence in MRI: Modeling, optimization, and oncological applications from a physicist’s perspective
No full textThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has transformed modern medical diagnostics through its ability to enhance image reconstruction and improve tumor detection and optimize workflow processes. The physicist views AI as an intersection of modeling techniques and signal processing methods and applied mathematical approaches which produce direct clinical benefits. This review evaluates the current state of MRI applications powered by AI by examining research that covers both clinical radiology workflow-based generative AI and specialized deep learning models designed for brain tumor detection. Generative models trained with hospital data have proven their ability to reduce reporting time while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy. The precision of brain tumor segmentation and classification reaches above 95% through the application of deep learning models which include convolutional neural networks (CNN), Vision Transformers (ViT) and Gated Recurrent Units (GRU). The implementation of AI technology leads to better image quality and reduced contrast agent doses and decreased patient safety risks. The implementation of AI faces ongoing difficulties in achieving generalization and maintaining interpretability while handling data heterogeneity. This review paper evaluates these advancements through physical modeling and system optimization perspectives while demonstrating how physicists connect technological advancements to medical practice implementation. The research demonstrates how AI transforms MRI operations while supporting multidisciplinary partnerships to create reliable and ethical systems with transparent explanations for medical imaging applications
Sociodemographic And Clinical Features of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Coronary Unit of the Cardiology Clinic of Qkuk
No full textCardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 32% of all deaths. In 2019, these diseases caused more than 18,000 deaths globally, resulting in more than 288,000 hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemic heart disease . In addition to the high financial cost to health systems, it is worth highlighting the major impact of heart disease, in terms of morbidity due to the cost of physical and work disability, The aim of this research is to analyze in detail the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients affected by acute coronary syndrome . The study aims to identify the main risk factors, the most common symptoms and their correlation with personal characteristics such as age, gender or social status. Methodology – This is a qualitative research with a descriptive and analytical character , carried out through a structured questionnaire, adapted to identify the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with acute coronary syndrome . The research included about 300 people (patients), aged over 30 years, of both sexes and was carried out during the period AprilMay 2025 at the University Hospital in Pristina, Cardiology Clinic. The results show that clinical and sociodemographic factors significantly influence the management and experience of Acute Coronary Syndrome . Most patients seek medical help promptly after the onset of symptoms, but there are shortcomings in diagnosis and the use of complete therapy, especially in women. A large proportion of patients are not aware of the importance of treatments or preventive measures. Conclusions : In many cases there is a lack of effective coordination between emergency and cardiology services for rapid treatment; access to treatment remains a challenge; many patients do not strictly follow the recommended medical therapy after discharge from the hospital
Reconstruction of the lower lip defect with nasolabial flap
No full textSquamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip of the mouth is not a rare pathology. The defects of the lower lip that remain after their surgical treatment can be of different sizes, depending on the stage of squamous cell carcinoma and the time of presentation of the patient to the surgeon. Complete defects, complete removals of the lower lip of the mouth as a result of squamous cell carcinoma, represent a great reconstructive challenge for the plastic surgeon. In these cases, the nasolabial flap represents a good solution for the complete reconstruction of the lower lip. Case presentation: We will present a case with squamous cell carcinoma that involved the lower lip of the mouth, and after radical surgical intervention, a complete defect of the lip was created. In these conditions, it is decided to perform a full reconstruction of the lip with two nasolabial flaps, with inferior peduncles and based on the perforators of the facial a. After raising the nasolabial flaps, the right flap is turned with the skin towards the mouth, while the left flap with the skin facing outwards, a sandwich flap is created. Finally, the vermilion of the reconstructed lip, or the upper edges of both flaps, is created (covered) with a full skin graft (FSG). Conclusion: The reconstruction of the complete defects of the lower lip of the mouth with nasolabial flap represents a satisfactory solution and is accepted by the patient, not only in the reconstructive aspect but also in the aesthetic aspect
The effectiveness of treatments for neck pain: A systematic review
No full textNeck pain is among the most common musculoskeletal disorders and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Numerous interventions are available, but evidence regarding their effectiveness remains inconsistent. This review aims to synthesize evidence from 19 clinical studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical guidelines, to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy and multimodal management of neck pain.A structured search of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and guideline repositories was conductedExercise-based approaches demonstrated moderate-quality evidence for reducing pain and disability. Manual therapy was most effective as an adjunct. Pharmacological treatments such as NSAIDs provided short-term relief, while injections and surgery did not demonstrate superiority over conservative care. Risk of bias varied across studies. Multimodal physiotherapy care has the strongest evidence for managing chronic neck pain. Conservative approaches should be prioritized, while pharmacological and surgical options appear less effective long-term. High-quality RCTs and cost-effectiveness studies are needed to refine clinical guidelines
Strategic Priorities for Real Estate Investment in Prishtina: An Integrated DEMATEL and Quantum Spherical Fuzzy TOPSIS Approach
No full textThis study investigates strategic priorities for real estate investment (REI) in Prishtina, Kosovo. Its primary purpose is to identify and evaluate the key strategic factors influencing REI success in this developing market. The research employs an integrated methodological approach: the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique is first utilized to measure causal relationships and strategic weights among identified criteria, establishing their interconnections and relative importance. Subsequently, the GoldenCut Quantum Spherical Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (QSF-TOPSIS) is applied to analyze and rank alternative REI strategies under conditions of significant uncertainty and ambiguity, leveraging the advanced modeling capabilities of quantum-spherical fuzzy sets. Expected results include a clear delineation of causal factors impacting Prishtina\u27s REI market, a prioritized ranking of strategic investment options, and a robust framework for decision-making. The study\u27s originality lies in the novel integration of DEMATEL with the cutting-edge Golden-Cut Quantum Spherical Fuzzy TOPSIS, specifically adapted to address the unique complexities and high uncertainty inherent in transitional real estate markets like Prishtina
The Importance of Green Hotels in the Hospitality Industry; Best Practices
No full textDue to increasing environmental concerns, shifting consumer preferences, and government restrictions, the hospitality industry recently witnessed a paradigm shift towards sustainability. All these have resulted in green hotels, which are hotels that implement environmentally friendly practices such as waste management, energy conservation, and sustainable supply chain management. They have an interest in minimizing the effects these hotels impose on the environment through new technology and green management practices that also provide high quality services to the customers. Apart from the benefit of sustainability in the hotel industry to the environment, sustainability is of significant value with regard to enhancing customers\u27 loyalty, a company\u27s brand, and costs. The hospitality industry has started embracing greener policies due to growing customer pressure for environmentally friendly hotels, which have grown in recent years due to raising the public\u27s awareness level towards environmental matters. The aim of this research is to study the most effective green hotel practices in the Balkans and Europe and establish the level to which they minimize their environmental footprints, increase operational efficiency, and attain customer satisfaction. This paper looks into how hotels can cut down on energy consumption and carbon footprint by considerable margins through studying energy-saving technologies such as solar energy, smart thermostats, and LED light bulbs. Two practices of conservation of water that are in sync with the concept of water smart hotels are low-flow fixtures and rain water harvesting. Waste management practices, including recycling practices and prohibiting the use of single-use plastics, support sustainability in the hotel industry. This paper also assesses the contribution of green certifications like Earth Check, Green Key, and LEED to promoting and supporting sustainable hotel operations. To analyse the long-term economic and environmental benefits of using sustainable practices, the study compares green hotels with conventional hotels. The results counter concerns like high initial cost and variable regulations, and highlight the financial and image gains of sustainable hospitality practices. In order to achieve a greener future for the hospitality industry, the study concludes with recommendations to legislators and industry stakeholders on how to promote the use of environmentally friendly hotel practices worldwide
Online Second-Hand Shopping Motivations According to Consumer Age Groups: An Empirical Evaluation
No full textIn recent years, growing awareness of sustainability, the increasing importance of financial savings, and the accessibility of digital platforms have accelerated consumer participation in online secondhand shopping. This study explores whether the motivations behind purchasing secondhand products differ among age groups. Data were gathered through an online survey conducted in Türkiye using the \u27Online Secondhand Shopping Motivations Scale\u27 (Padmavathy et al., 2019). The reliability of the scale was confirmed through Cronbach’s Alpha, while one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD tests were employed for analysis. Results indicate significant motivational differences across age categories, underscoring the relevance of generationally tailored secondhand marketing strategies and offering practical insights for promoting sustainable consumption