International Balkan University

Industrial symbiosis (IS) is a collaborative approach where industries share and reallocate resources, such as materials, energy, water, and by-products, create mutual benefits and contribute to a circular economy. This concept is limited due to the complexity of implementation and challenges with understanding the roadmap for their establishment. This study aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice by developing a comprehensive, methodologically grounded roadmap for implementing industrial symbiosis. The research combines a review of existing literature with the analysis of real-world case studies to identify and systematize the essential phases, tools, and success factors involved in the industrial symbiosis implementation process.A detailed roadmap comprised key phases: mapping the current situation, identifying potential synergies, assessing feasibility, selecting the most appropriate opportunities, and implementing initiatives. The paper analyzes the relevant methods, tools and criteria for each phase. Particular attention is paid to key success factors, including resource and technology compatibility, geographical aspects, environmental impact, economic viability, and regulatory compliance. The importance of collaboration between different stakeholders and the role of intermediaries in the industrial symbiosis implementation process are highlighted. Based on the realized industrial symbiosis case studies, a few recommendations are given to support adopting industrial symbiosis strategies. The proposed roadmap emphasizes the importance of detailed resource flow mapping, multi-criteria assessment, and stakeholder collaboration with key success factors laying in evaluating technical, economic, environmental, and regulatory dimensions using appropriate tools.Based on the research findings, the proposed roadmap consolidates fragmented approaches, supports strategic planning and provides practical guidance for companies and practitioners looking to integrate industrial symbiosis into their business. It contributes to a better understanding of the complexity of industrial symbiosis implementation and provides a framework for the wider adoption of these practices in the industry. This research contributes to the operationalization of industrial symbiosis by offering a replicable and adaptable roadmap. Further research should explore digital tools for synergy identification and assess policy mechanisms that can incentivize industrial symbiosis implementation at regional and national levels.

Using a notably large amount of data to investigate physical and chemical phenomena requires new statistical and computational approaches; besides, the cross-validations require well-established theoretical frameworks. This study aims to validate the statistical efficiency of alternative definitions for information-theoretic measures, such as transfer entropy, using the so-called (α ,q) -framework. The primary goal is to find measurements of high-order correlations that preserve information-theoretic properties of information transfer between the components of a dynamical system (such as a protein) due to local operations. Besides, this study aims to decode the information contained in the amino acid sequence, establishing a three-dimensional protein structure by comparing the amino acids’ physical-chemical properties with their ranked role in the protein interaction network topology using new graph-theoretic measures based on the constructed digraph models of (α ,q) information transfer within a heat flow kernel embedding framework. Moreover, this study aims to utilize Deep Graph Convolutional Neural Networks for classifying the role of each amino acid in a protein trained upon short equilibrium structure fluctuations at sub-nanosecond time scales. In particular, this study examines the effect of disulfide bridges on the three-dimensional structure of wild-type and mutated analogs of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor protein.

The transition from coal power plants to renewable energy sources is crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. Coal combustion is a major contributor to global carbon emission. However, this transition is complex and requires careful consideration of various environmental, social, and economic factors to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of the selected renewable energy sources. Solutions include the use of renewable energy sources, natural gas, biomass, green hydrogen, green ammonia, investment in cogeneration systems, and carbon capture. Energy storage systems play a critical role in the integration of renewable energy sources with power plants. This review collected possible solutions and experiences in the transition from coal to renewable energy sources. Critical performance indicators are reviewed for any of these possible solutions in green transformation. As results of this review are prepared pathway scheme and transition algorithm. Pathways are summarized through the quantification parameters and experience information from literature.

In an era defined by increasing cultural diversity, migration, and global interconnectivity, education is confronted with the urgent need to move beyond traditional paradigms and embrace inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive approaches. Navigating Multiculturalism: Strategies for Inclusive Education offers a timely and comprehensive framework for understanding and implementing multicultural education in contemporary educational settings. Grounded in robust theoretical foundations and enriched with practical applications, this monograph bridges the often-existing gap between theory and practice. It conceptualizes multicultural education not merely as a pedagogical approach, but as an ethical and transformative commitment rooted in social justice, equity, and cultural pluralism. Through clear and structured progression, the book guides readers from historical and philosophical underpinnings of the field to concrete dimensions of classroom practice, including curriculum design, instructional strategies, assessment practices, and classroom climate. A key strength of the book lies in its emphasis on culturally responsive pedagogy and reflective teaching practice. Educators are positioned as active agents of change who continuously interrogate their assumptions, adapt their methods, and engage with the diverse cultural realities of their learners. The text further highlights the importance of inclusive resources, innovative lesson planning, and alternative assessment approaches that recognize and value diverse student backgrounds and learning needs. Beyond the classroom, the book extends its analysis to institutional and policy levels, underscoring the necessity of systemic support for sustainable educational transformation. Issues such as continuous professional development, inclusive school leadership, and coherent policy frameworks are examined as essential components of effective multicultural education. Combining scholarly depth with practical guidance, Navigating Multiculturalism: Strategies for Inclusive Education provides a forward-looking vision of education that is both inclusive and transformative. It is an essential reference for educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners committed to fostering learning environments where diversity is not only acknowledged but meaningfully embraced.

Local self-government units play a crucial role as drivers of economic and social development and as providers of essential public ser­vices, particularly in conditions of financial uncertainty and growing local development needs. Given this importance, the main objective of this study is to assess the quality of public financial management of local self-government units in the Republic of North Macedonia by evaluating the structure and al­location of municipal revenues and expenditures. The research applies a com­bined qualitative and quantitative approach using financial and ratio analy­sis for the period 2021–2023, based on publicly available municipal finan­cial data and supplementary interviews with municipal officials. The findings indicate limited financial self-sustainability of municipalities, characterized by a relatively low share of own-source revenues, significant dependence on central government transfers, and a predominance of current operational ex­penditures over capital investments. Differences in financial capacity between urban and rural municipalities are also evident. The study contributes to the literature by providing an empirical assessment of municipal financial man­agement in North Macedonia and offering practical insights for strengthening fiscal autonomy, financial sustainability, and the effectiveness of local public finance management.