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Body mass index in the populations of the eastern Adriatic Coast from antiquity to the Modern Period
No full textIndeks tjelesne mase arheoloških populacija dobar je indikator nutritivnog opterećenja organizma te može uputiti na kvalitetu života i zdravlje pojedine populacije i služiti kao usporedba među populacijama. U radu su analizirani koštani ostatci s arheoloških nalazišta s područja istočne obale Jadrana datirani u razdoblja od antike do novog vijeka. Iako je riječ o relativno malom uzorku, rezultati istraživanja pokazali su smanjenje kvalitete života, odnosno tjelesne mase u muškaraca, i to u razdobljima razvijenog i kasnog srednjeg vijeka, a što je u skladu s prethodnim istraživanjima hrvatske populacije. Žene su tijekom svih razdoblja imale sličnu, konstantnu tjelesnu masu, što se osim raspodjelom rada i dostupnosti hrane može objasniti i hormonskim utjecajima te drukčijim metabolizmom masti. Indeks tjelesne mase pokazao se kao dobar indikator za dopunu spoznaja o kvaliteti života i zdravlju arheoloških populacija.Body mass index in archaeological populations is a good indicator of the nutritional load of the organism. It can suggest the quality of life and health of a certain population, or it can be used for comparing populations. Bone remains from archaeological sites on the eastern coast of the Adriatic, dated to the period from antiquity to the Modern Period, were analyzed in the paper. Although it is a relatively small sample, the results of the research showed a decrease in the quality of life, that is, body mass for males, in the periods of the High and Late Middle Ages, which is in line with previous research into Croatian population. During all periods, females had similar, constant body mass, which can be explained not only by the division of labor and availability of food, but also by hormonal influences and different fat metabolism. Body mass index proved to be a good indicator for supplementing knowledge about the quality of life and health of archaeological populations
ChatGPT-3.5 as writing assistance in students’ essays
No full textChatGPT-3.5, an AI language model capable of text generation, translation, summarization, and question-answering, has recently been released for public use. Studies have shown it can generate abstracts, research papers, and dissertations, and create quality essays on different topics. This led to ethical issues in using ChatGPT in academic writing, AI authorship, and evaluating students’ essays. However, it is still unknown how ChatGPT performs in students’ environments as a writing assistant tool and if it enhances students’ essay-writing performance. In the present study, we examined students’ essay-writing performances with or without ChatGPT as an essay-writing assistance tool. The average essay grade was C for both control (traditional essay-writing, n = 9) and experimental (ChatGPT-assisted essay-writing, n = 9) groups. None of the predictors affected essay scores: group, writing duration, study module, and GPA. The text unauthenticity was slightly higher in the experimental group, but the similarity among essays was generally low in the overall sample. In the experimental group, the AI classifier recognized more potential AI-generated texts. Our results demonstrate that the ChatGPT group did not perform better in either of the indicators; the students did not deliver higher quality content, did not write faster, nor had a higher degree of authentic text. We anticipate that these results can relieve some concerns about this tool’s usage in academic writing. ChatGPT-assisted writing could depend on the previous knowledge and skills of the user, which might, in certain instances, lead to confusion in inexperienced users and result in poorer essay writing performance
Determining the Relationship Between Corruption and Money Laundering
No full textCorruption and money laundering are phenomena that often co-occur in practice and are so closely linked that it is sometimes difficult to separate one from the other. Corruption, on the one hand, causes money laundering, while at the same time, money laundering strengthens corruption. The research carried out in this paper aimed to clarify the relationship between money laundering and corruption, and their relationship was analyzed using the panel method. Six countries are included in the research sample: Italy, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany, and Sweden, and the research period is from 2011 to 2020. The research results show a positive and statistically significant relationship between corruption and money laundering. The results of the re-search suggest that the increase in activities aimed at preventing money laundering will result in a decrease of corruption. These results indicate that the efforts of various international and national organizations are justified to pro-mote and improve the money laundering prevention system, as the fight against this phenomenon has a positive effect on the reduction of corruption at the same time. It is undoubtedly necessary to continue to promote and improve transparency in the anti-money laundering system since the in-creased transparency of the system implies a reduced possibility of corruption among all stakeholders involved in the anti-money laundering system. According to our knowledge, this area is still under-researched, and this paper con-tributes to clarifying the interrelationship between money laundering and corruption. Indeed, it should be pointed out that there is room for further re-search in which a larger sample could be included, and the analysis could be extended to more countries. Also, due to their harmful and destructive influence on all social structures, the relationship between these phenomena will continue to occupy the attention of scientists and will be the subject of re-search interest in the future
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the portfolio quality of croatian banks - the case of "OTP banka"
No full textCOVID-19 pandemija imala je značajan utjecaj na bankarski sektor u Hrvatskoj, uključujući i OTP banku, jednu od vodećih banaka na tržištu. U ovom radu istražuje se specifični utjecaj pandemije na kvalitetu portfelja hrvatskog bankovnog sustava s primjerom analize portfelja OTP banke, uz naglasak na ključne smjernice i reakcije banke na izazove pandemije. Pandemija je prouzrokovala ekonomske neizvjesnosti, gubitak radnih mjesta i smanjenje prihoda klijenata. To je rezultiralo povećanim rizikom od nenaplativih kredita u portfelju hrvatskih banaka, posebno u sektorima koji su najviše pogođeni, poput turizma i maloprodaje. OTP banka brzo je reagirala na pandemiju i ponudila klijentima opcije moratorija na otplatu kredita kako bi im olakšala financijske terete tijekom krize. Ovo je privremeno smanjilo pritisak na klijente i banku, ali istovremeno odgodilo procjenu stvarnih rizika u portfelju. Hrvatske banke, uključujući i OTP banku, pojačale su rezervacije za moguće buduće gubitke od nenaplativih kredita kako bi se bolje pripremila za izazove. Također su provodile stres testiranja kako bi procijenile kako bi se različiti scenariji mogli odraziti na njihov portfelj. Pandemija je potaknula veću potrebu za digitalnim bankarstvom i online uslugama. OTP banka je uložila napore u daljnju digitalizaciju poslovanja kako bi osigurala kontinuitet i bolju uslugu klijentima tijekom pandemije i nakon nje. Nadalje, OTP banka surađivala je s regulatornim tijelima i pratila smjernice Hrvatske narodne banke kako bi osigurala stabilnost i usklađenost s propisima tijekom krize.The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the Croatian banking sector, including OTP bank, one of the leading banks on the market. This work investigates the specific impact of the pandemic on the portfolio quality of the Croatian banking system with the example of OTP bank's portfolio analysis, emphasising the Bank's key guidelines and reactions to the challenges of the pandemic. The pandemic has caused economic uncertainty, job losses and reduced client incomes. This resulted in an increased risk of non-performing loans in the portfolio of Croatian banks, especially in the most affected sectors, such as tourism and retail. OTP bank reacted quickly to the pandemic and clients were offered loan repayment moratorium options to minimize their financial burdens during the crisis. This temporarily reduced the pressure on clients and the Bank, but at the same time delayed the assessment of the real risks in the portfolio. Croatian banks, including OTP bank, increased provisions for possible future losses from non-performing loans in order to better prepare for challenges. They also conducted stress tests to assess how different scenarios might affect their portfolio. The pandemic has stimulated a greater need for digital banking and online services. OTP bank has made efforts in the further digitization of operations to ensure continuity and better client service during and after the pandemic. Furthermore, OTP bank cooperated with regulatory authorities and followed the guidelines of the Croatian National Bank in order to ensure stability and compliance with regulations during the crisis
Direct STR amplification in forensic science
No full textDobivanje potpunog DNK profila osobe iz tragova obično uključuje procese ekstrakcije DNK, njene kvantifikacije te amplificiranje STR lokusa. Međutim, iako u drugom koraku, ekstrakcije DNK dolazi i do njene purifikacije i uklanjanja inhibitora koji ometaju PCR reakciju, u tom procesu može doći do gubitka DNK. Ponekad se može izgubiti i do 87% DNK što smanjuje potencijal za generiranje profila za uzorke u kojima je početna količina DNK jako mala. Kako bi se smanjila mogućnost gubitka DNK za PCR reakciju provedena su istraživanja koja istražuju postupke u kojima se potpuno isključuje zaseban korak ekstrakcije DNK iz tragova. Naime, model direktnog PCR-a uključuje izravnu amplifikaciju STR lokusa iz uzoraka. Do sada ta je metoda ispitana na uzorcima forenzične važnosti kao što su krv, dlake, nokti, vlakna tkanina te otisci prstiju. Na temelju tih eksperimentalnih radova navedene su prednosti i mane ove metode i aspekti metode koje je potrebno dodatno usavršiti.Obtaining a complete DNA profile of an individual from traces typically involves processes such as DNA extraction, quantification and amplification of STR loci. However, even if in the second step, DNA extraction is followed by purification and the removal of inhibitors that can interfere with the PCR reaction, this process can lead to DNA loss. In some cases, up to 87% of the DNA can be lost, reducing the potential for generating profiles for samples with very low initial DNA quantities. To reduce the risk of DNA loss in the PCR reaction, research has been conducted to explore methods that completely eliminate the separate DNA extraction step from traces. Specifically, the direct PCR model involves the direct amplification of STR loci from samples. So far, this method has been tested on forensically relevant samples such as blood, hair, nails, fabric fibers, and fingerprints. Based on these experimental works, the advantages and disadvantages of this method are outlined, along with aspects that require further refinement
Forensics and underwater port security
No full textPodvodna sigurnost u lukama sve je važnija tema pomorske sigurnosti. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je analizirati različite aspekte vezane uz podvodnu sigurnost, uključujući vrste prijetnji, zakonsku regulativu, tehničku zaštitu, forenzičku analizu i prevenciju. Ovo istraživanje ocjenjuje različite vrste prijetnji koje se javljaju nacionalnoj sigurnosti i mjere koje se provode kako bi se spriječilo da se takvi incidenti dogode.
Tijekom istraživanja korišteni su različiti izvori informacija, uključujući znanstvenu literaturu, zakonske regulative i stručna mišljenja. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na to da je podvodna sigurnost u lukama od iznimne važnosti i kritičan je aspekt nacionalne sigurnosti. Zakonski propisi i mjere tehničke zaštite koji su na snazi pokazali su se učinkovitima u sprječavanju incidenata, no još ima prostora za napredak. Također rezultati ukazuju na to da učinkovita podvodna sigurnost zahtijeva kombinaciju zakonskih propisa, tehničke zaštite i dobro obučenog osoblja.
Rezultati sugeriraju da postoji potreba za većom sviješću i razumijevanjem podvodne sigurnosti u lukama te da je potrebno poboljšati postojeće sustave i procese. U slučaju incidenta, ključno je imati dobro uspostavljen proces za provođenje temeljite forenzičke analize kako bi se utvrdio uzrok i opseg štete. Takve se informacije zatim mogu koristiti za poboljšanje sigurnosnih mjera i sprječavanje sličnih incidenata u budućnosti. Ovo istraživanje ukazuje na važnost provođenja redovitih procjena postojećih sustava tehničke zaštite i prilagođavanja po potrebi. To uključuje potrebu za redovitim moderniziranjem podvodne sigurnosne infrastrukture i implementacijom novih tehnologija, kao i za redovitom obukom osoblja.
Zaključci ovog istraživanja sugeriraju da postoji potreba za daljnjim istraživanjem i razvojem u području podvodne sigurnosti u lukama, s fokusom na razvoj i implementaciju najboljih praksi i standardnih operativnih postupaka. To uključuje potrebu za djelotvornijim i učinkovitijim sustavima tehničke zaštite, uspostavu jasnih zakonskih okvira i propisa te poboljšanje forenzičke analize i procesa ublažavanja incidenata. Zaključno, ovo istraživanje naglašava važnost višestranog pristupa podvodnoj sigurnosti u lukama kao segmentu nacionalne sigurnosti, uključujući provedbu zakonskih propisa, tehničku zaštitu i odgovarajuću obuku osoblja.Underwater security in ports is an increasingly important topic of maritime security. The aim of this research was to analyze various aspects related to underwater safety, including types of threats, legal regulation, technical protection, forensic analysis and prevention. This research evaluates the different types of threats that occur to national security and the measures that are implemented to prevent such incidents from occurring.
In order to conduct this research, various sources of information were used, including academic literature, legal regulations and expert opinions. Results indicate that underwater security in ports is extremely important and a critical aspect of national security. Legal regulations and technical protection measures that are in force have proven to be effective in preventing incidents, but there is still room for improvement. Also that effective underwater safety requires a combination of legal regulations, technical protection and well-trained personnel.
The findings suggest that there is a need for greater awareness and understanding of underwater security in ports, and that existing systems and processes need to be improved. In the event of an incident, it is critical to have a well-established process for conducting a thorough forensic analysis to determine the cause and extent of the damage. This information can then be used to improve security measures and prevent similar incidents in the future. Also the importance of conducting regular assessments of existing technical protection systems and adjustments as needed. This includes the need for periodic updates of the underwater safety infrastructure and the implementation of new technologies, as well as for regular training of personnel.
The conclusions of this study suggest that there is a need for further research and development in the field of underwater security in ports, with a focus on the development and implementation of best practices and standard operating procedures. This includes the need for more effective and efficient technical protection systems, the establishment of clear legal frameworks and regulations, and the improvement of forensic analysis and incident mitigation processes. In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of a multi-pronged approach to underwater security in ports as a segment of national security, including law enforcement, technical protection and adequate training of personnel
Financial manipulation in the context of delisting companies from a capital market
No full textCilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrđivanje povezanosti između financijskih manipulacija u
izvještajima društava i prestanka uvrštenja dioničkih društava s uređenog tržišta. Pružen je uvid u
karakteristike i oblike manipulacija financijskim izvještajima, kao i stanje na hrvatskom tržištu
kapitala u pogledu donesenih odluka o prestanku uvrštenja dioničkih društava. Kako bi se utvrdila
povezanost manipulacija u financijskim izvještajima i izvrštenja društava s tržišta kapitala,
korištene su statističke metode poput korelacijske analize i regresijske analize. Uporabom
navedenih metoda su dobiveni rezultati iz kojih se može zaključiti kako nema povezanosti između
izvrštenja društva s uređenog tržišta i manipulacija u financijskim izvještajima.The aim of this research was to determine the connection between financial manipulations
in the reports of companies and the delisting of joint stock companies from the regulated market.
An insight into the characteristics and forms of manipulation of financial statements was provided,
as well as the situation on the Croatian capital market with regard to the decisions made on the
delisting of joint stock companies. In order to determine the connection between manipulations in
financial statements and delisting of companies from the capital market, correlation analysis and
regression analysis were used. From the results obtained using aforementioned methods, it can be
concluded that there is no connection between the delisting of the company from the regulated
market and manipulations in financial statements
Comparative analysis of the Degree of Concentration in the Insurance Markets of Selected Countries
No full textCILJ: Prikupiti podatke i utvrditi stupanj industrijske koncentracije na tržištu osiguranja Hrvatske,
Slovenije i Mađarske u razdoblju od 2017. do 2021. godine. uz pomoć koncentracijskih omjera
CR4 i CR8, Hirschman-Herfindahlovog pokazatelja i Pokazatelja entropije.
METODE: Pomoću tržišnih udjela društava za osiguranje promatranih zemalja izračunanih na
temelju njihove ukupno ostvarene zaračunate bruto premije, primijenit će se relevantni pokazatelji
stupnja koncentracije kao što je koncentracijski omjer četiri vodeća društva na tržištu (CR4),
koncentracijski omjer osam vodećih društava na tržištu (CR8), Herfindahl-Hirschmanov indeks
(HHI) i indeks entropije (E).
REZULTATI: Na tržištima osiguranja promatranih zemalja zabilježen je porast stupnja
koncentracije u razdoblju obuhvaćenom analizom. Najviši stupanj koncentracije bilježi Slovenija
čije je tržište osiguranja umjereno koncentrirano i pripada tržišnoj strukturi čvrstog oligopola.
Hrvatsko i mađarsko tržište osiguranja je nisko koncentrirano.
ZAKLJUČAK: Provedene transakcije spajanja i pripajanja kojima su društva za osiguranje željela
ojačati svoju tržišnu poziciju utjecale su na dinamiku stupnja koncentracije te se zabilježeni porast
koncentracije u pojedinim godinama može prije svega objasniti provedenim aktivnostima spajanja
i pripajanja. Unatoč porastu koncentracije, hrvatsko i mađarsko tržište osiguranja, za razliku od
slovenskog, je nisko koncentrirano i njihovi tržišni udjeli su ravnomjernije raspoređeni.OBJECTIVE: To collect data and determine the degree of industrial concentration in the
insurance market of Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary in the period from 2017 to 2021 using the
concentration ratios CR4 and CR8, the Hirschman-Herfindahl index and the entropy index.
METHODS: Using the market shares of the insurance companies of the observed countries
calculated on the basis of their total gross written premium, relevant indicators of the degree of
concentration will be applied, such as the concentration ratio of the four leading companies on the
market (CR4), the concentration ratio of the eight leading companies on the market (CR8), the
Herfindahl-Hirschman index (HHI) and the entropy index (E).
RESULTS: In the insurance markets of the observed countries, an increase in the degree of
concentration was recorded in the period covered by the analysis. The highest degree of
concentration is recorded in Slovenia, whose insurance market is moderately concentrated and
belongs to the market structure of a firm oligopoly. The Croatian and Hungarian insurance market
is characterized with low degree of concentration.
CONCLUSION: Mergers and acquisitions carried out by insurance companies in order to
strengthen their market position influenced the dynamics of the level of concentration, and the
recorded increase in concentration in certain years can be primarily explained by the merger and
acquisition activities carried out. Despite the increase in concentration, the Croatian and Hungarian
insurance markets, unlike the Slovenian one, are low concentrated and their market shares are
more evenly distributed
Implementation of Digital Twin concept using Microsoft Azure platform
No full textU ovom diplomskom radu smo obradili tematiku vezanu uz digitalne dvojnike te njihovu implementaciju korištenjem Microsoft Azure platforme. Rad je organiziran u dva dijela, prvi dio je fokusiran na teoriju, odnosno tehnologije i koncepte koje smo primijenili u drugom, odnosno praktičnom dijelu. U praktičnom dijelu istraživanja, proveli smo proces implementacije digitalnog dvojnika na primjeru tvornice za proizvodnju matičnih ploča. Ova procedura je izvedena korištenjem postojećih rješenja u Azure platformi, uz dodatna softverska rješenja i implementaciju koncepata relevantnih za umjetnu inteligenciju, odnosno strojno učenje. Rezultat ovog procesa je sustav koji predstavlja dokaz inovativnog tehnološkog koncepta, unutar kojeg smo identificirali karakteristike i potencijalni komercijalni rezultat primjene digitalnog dvojnika uz korištenje postojećih rješenja unutar Microsoft Azure platforme. Microsoft Azure platforma pruža brojne usluge i servise primjenjiva za digitalne dvojnike, koji nude različit spektar mogućnosti i značajke. Međutim, središnji servis Azure Digital Twins ima ograničenja vezana uz kapacitet konzumacije podataka, što može predstavljati izazov prilikom primjene na kompleksnom stvarnom sustavu s velikim brojem IoT uređaja. Unatoč navedenom, Azure platforma se može iskoristiti za implementaciju digitalnih dvojnika, ali je potrebno zamijeniti određene servise s drugim softverskim rješenjima koji pružaju bolje performanse. U konačnici mogućnost implementacije digitalnih dvojnika pomoću infrastrukture u oblaku ovisi isključivo o krajnjem sustavu na temelju kojeg želimo izgraditi digitalni dvojnika.In this master's thesis, we have addressed the topic of digital twins and their implementation using the Microsoft Azure platform. The thesis is organized into two parts, with the first part focusing on the theory, including the technologies and concepts that were applied in the second part, which is the practical section. In the practical part of the research, we carried out the process of implementing a digital twin using a case study of a motherboard manufacturing factory. This procedure was performed using existing solutions within the Azure platform, along with additional software solutions and the implementation of concepts relevant to artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning. The result of this process is a system that serves as proof of an innovative technological concept, where we identified the characteristics and potential commercial outcomes of applying a digital twin using existing solutions within the Microsoft Azure platform. Microsoft Azure platform offers numerous services and features applicable to digital twins, providing a wide range of possibilities. However, the central service, Azure Digital Twins, has limitations related to data consumption capacity, which can pose challenges when applied to a complex real-world system with numerous IoT devices. Despite these limitations, the Azure platform can be utilized for implementing digital twins, but it requires substituting certain services with other software solutions that offer better performance. Ultimately, the feasibility of implementing digital twins using cloud infrastructure depends solely on the specific underlying system on which we intend to build the digital twin
Terrorism - a threat to national security in the modern age
No full textTerorizam je jedna od najvećih opasnosti u suvremenom svijetu. U kontekstu nacionalne sigurnosti terorizam predstavlja prijetnju koju je potrebno promatrati u konvencionalnom i u hibridnom obliku djelovanja. Zatim je kroz analize rizika potrebno koncipirati sustav prevencije i suzbijanja terorizma, saniranja i oporavka štete nastale terorističkim djelovanjem u funkciji očuvanja kontinuiteta poslovanja i zaštite kritične nacionalne infrastrukture. Zbog toga će istraživanje u ovom radu biti usmjereno prema analiziranju terorizma u današnjem kontekstu, njegovu financiranju i praćenje ekonomskih posljedica terorističkih aktivnosti na prostoru EU-a. Terorizam je jedna od najvećih opasnosti u suvremenom svijetu. U kontekstu nacionalne sigurnosti terorizam predstavlja prijetnju koju je potrebno promatrati u konvencionalnom i u hibridnom obliku djelovanja. Zatim je kroz analize rizika potrebno koncipirati sustav prevencije i suzbijanja terorizma, saniranja i oporavka štete nastale terorističkim djelovanjem u funkciji očuvanja kontinuiteta poslovanja i zaštite kritične nacionalne infrastrukture. Zbog toga će istraživanje u ovom radu biti usmjereno prema analiziranju terorizma u današnjem kontekstu, njegovu financiranju i praćenje ekonomskih posljedica terorističkih aktivnosti na prostoru EU-a. Terorizam je jedna od najvećih ugroza u suvremenom svijetu.Terrorism is one of the biggest threats in the modern world. In the context of national security, terrorism represents a threat that needs to be seen in both conventional and hybrid forms of action. Then, on the basis of the risk analysis, it is necessary to design a system for the prevention and suppression of terrorism, as well as for the remediation and recovery of damage caused by terrorist activity in order to preserve business continuity and protect critical national infrastructure. Therefore, the research in this paper will be directed towards analyzing the context of terrorism today, as well as its financing and monitoring the economic consequences of terrorist activities in the EU. Terrorism is one of the biggest threats in the modern world. In the context of national security, terrorism represents a threat that needs to be seen in both conventional and hybrid forms of action. Then, on the basis of the risk analysis, it is necessary to design a system for the prevention and suppression of terrorism, as well as for the remediation and recovery of damage caused by terrorist activity in order to preserve business continuity and protect critical national infrastructure. Therefore, the research in this paper will be directed towards analyzing the context of terrorism today, as well as its financing and monitoring the economic consequences of terrorist activities in the EU