Search

Simple Summary: This study analyzes real-world outcomes for advanced, non-oncogene addicted non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with atezolizumab monotherapy following platinum-based chemotherapy, based on data from two academic institutions in Serbia. Progression-free survival did not significantly differ between patients receiving atezolizumab as a second, third, or later line of therapy, indicating consistent efficacy across treatment lines. Additionally, the number of prior chemotherapy cycles had no significant impact on progression-free survival, suggesting that a higher prior treatment burden did not compromise atezolizumab effectiveness. Importantly, a good ECOG performance status emerged as the strongest predictor of prolonged progression-free survival, highlighting the importance of patients' health status at treatment initiation. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) like atezolizumab have improved outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, especially in the second-line setting after progression on platinum-based chemotherapy. However, access to ICIs remains limited in many developing nations. This study evaluated the efficacy of atezolizumab as a second-line versus later-line treatment for advanced NSCLC patients in Serbia. Methods: This retrospective study involved 147 advanced NSCLC patients treated with atezolizumab following progression on prior platinum-based chemotherapy at two academic centers in Serbia. Data on demographics and clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics were collected. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression identified outcome predictors. Results: The median PFS was 7.13 months, and median OS was 38.6 months. The overall response rate (ORR) was 15%, with a disease control rate (DCR) of 57.9%. No significant PFS differences were observed between patients treated with atezolizumab in the second line versus later lines. Patients with good performance status (ECOG 0–1) had significantly better PFS compared to those with poorer status (12.03 vs. 1.63 months, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Atezolizumab is effective in both second-line and later-line settings for advanced NSCLC, particularly in patients with good performance status. This highlights the importance of patient selection based on performance status, as well as the need for wider access to ICIs in resource-limited regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructing the origin and historical biogeography of the Austropotamobius torrentium is hampered by insufficient phylogeographic coverage of the Balkans and deep contradictions in previous molecular dating. The present work extends the phylogeographic coverage to Serbia, a country crucial for understanding the species southward dispersal. Our analysis revealed that the Southern Balkans lineage occurs in most of the country, the Central and southeastern Europe lineage is restricted to the southwest and northeast of the country, while a single population in the north of the country harbors the Lika and Dalmatia lineage, which was previously thought to be restricted to the northern-central Dinarides. Dataset expansion led to revised phylogenetic relationships, which indicated that the Apuseni lineage is not nested within Northern-central Dinarides lineages but arose after the most basal split within Austropotamobius torrentium. This 'Apuseni first' phylogeny provides a new perspective for molecular dating, according to which the split between Austropotamobius pallipes and A. torrentium took place in the Late Oligocene, while the formation of the phyletic lineages and the dispersal from the Dinarides to Serbia occurred in the late Miocene and is probably associated with the complex and protracted process of disintegration of the Neogene freshwater lakes in southeastern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present data on molluscan fauna within the L3 loess unit (and partially within the S3 paleosol) from the key loess section of Veliki Surduk in Serbia. The section correlates to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 8 and late MIS 9 and, thus, spans the time frame from ~350 to 250 ka. The Veliki Surduk loess–paleosol sequence (LPS) is located on the northwestern margin of the Titel loess plateau and comprises ~30 m of sediments. Our focus is on a 5.4 m thick sedimentary interval, which was sampled at 20 cm increments, each sample covering approximately 2 ky. Nine mollusk species were identified in the loess sequence: Granaria frumentum, Helicopsis striata, Pupilla triplicata, Chondrula tridens, Pupilla muscorum, Succinella oblonga, Punctum pygmaeum, Vallonia costata, and Vitrina pellucida, as well as a few unidentified slug taxa (Limacidae, Agriolimacidae, and Milacidae). The majority of the snail assemblage occurs at the transition between MIS 9 and MIS 8, suggesting a mostly dry climate and an open and steppe-like habitat. The fauna identified in the upper part of the paleosol layer S3, below the L3 unit, indicated aridification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to emphasize, branding as one of the possible ways to take concrete steps towards reaffirming the local values and traditional knowledge of rural populations in Serbia. Based on information gathered in the field, as well as from existing literature sources, the main goal of this study is to promote products from the Visok microregion. Due to very alarming demographic data, this may be the last chance for revitalizing this region. In this study, we highlighted the following products: Pirot kilim (Pirot rug), Pirot/Stara Planina lamb, Pirot Kachkaval cheese, Stara Planina honey, and Stara Planina potato. Besides agriculture, micr oregion Visok also has exceptional tourist potential. The conclusion of this paper emphasizes that the only viable path to revitalization is through planned investment. Such investment would facilitate the development of local infrastructure and help restore the population, thus enabling the creation of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to shed light on animal management influences on the development of pathological changes observed on animal remains from the medieval site of Crkveno Brdo. Animal remains with abnormalities were discovered during archaeological excavations of the medieval settlement at the site of Crkveno Brdo in 2019. The site is situated near Senta in the northern region of modern‐day Serbia. The part of the settlement dated from the 11th to the 15th centuries was excavated. The percentage represented by various mammalian species documents that the most important economic species were cattle and horses, followed by sheep, goats, and pigs. Fishing and hunting were marginal in the settlement subsistence. The analyzed assemblage of bones with lesions consists of 39 specimens with 40 abnormalities. All of the remains exhibiting abnormalities were subjected to macroscopic and stereomicroscope analysis. The specimens with the most prominent changes also underwent x‐ray imaging and histopathological analysis. Almost all lesions were found in domestic animals. The most prevalent lesions in cattle, sheep, goat, and pig were dental and oral pathology, followed by articular abnormalities. In horses, 77% of pathological changes were articular abnormalities, and 11% dental and oral pathology, followed by traumatic lesions and inherited disorders (5.5% each). Congenital morphological variation is represented by a single specimen of horse lumbar vertebra. Pathological alterations were also noted in dogs, as was a severe healed tibiofibular fracture in a frog. Pathological alterations were related to external factors and specifically to patterns of animal management. Dental pathologies in cattle, sheep/goats, and pigs were primary attributed to malnutrition quality; articular abnormalities in horses, similar to aging and environmental factors, most likely work related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study explores the association of immune-related adverse events during atezolizumab therapy with better outcomes for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer who had already received chemotherapy in previous lines of treatment. This study found that patients who experienced an immune-related adverse event while undergoing atezolizumab treatment had longer median progression-free survival compared to those who did not. Specifically, patients that experienced side effects had a median progression-free survival of 13.03 months, compared to just 3.4 months for those without side effects. Additionally, these side effects were more common in patients who were in better overall health when they started the treatment. The findings suggest that immune-related adverse events could be predictive in this patient population. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are pivotal in managing metastatic non-oncogene addicted non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They have unique toxicities known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Previous studies have linked irAEs during atezolizumab-based first-line treatments in advanced NSCLC with improved outcomes. This study explored the association between irAEs and the efficacy of atezolizumab in advanced NSCLC patients who had previously received platinum-based chemotherapy. The study involved 105 advanced NSCLC patients who received atezolizumab monotherapy after progressing on at least one line of platinum-based chemotherapy from a single academic institution in Serbia. Data were obtained from a hospital lung cancer registry. Among the participants, 63.8% were male, with the majority being current (53.3%) or former smokers (37.1%). About half had a good performance status (ECOG PS 0–1) at the start of atezolizumab treatment. irAEs occurred in 23 patients (21.9%). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was significantly longer for patients with irAEs (13.03 months) compared to those without (3.4 months) (HR 0.365 [95% CI, 0.195–0.681], p = 0.002). irAEs and ECOG PS 0–1 were predictors of longer mPFS, with irAEs being more common in patients with good performance status (p = 0.01). irAEs were linked to improved mPFS in NSCLC patients treated with atezolizumab after multiple lines of platinum-based chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In February 1963, a huge landslide (ca. 1,950,000 m3) blocked the Visočica River and, thus, formed Zavoj Lake. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the importance of snowmelt in relation to landslide occurrence and to define the critical climatic conditions that may trigger massive winter landslides. We used monthly precipitation and average monthly maximum temperature data from meteorological and precipitation stations in the Visočica River basin (Dojkinci) and in the immediate proximity of Lake Zavoj (Pirot, Dimitrovgrad and Topli Do) as data inputs to the Snow-Melt Landslide (SML) index. It considers the summed monthly precipitation for previous months that continuously have an average maximum temperature below 0 °C. According to this method, the event at Zavoj Lake stands out among all other precipitation and snowmelt values for the past 72 years. After applying the SML index, all stations showed values of >300 mm for February 1963, which we consider as the threshold value for potential landslides appearance. In addition to meteorological data, we applied the SML index to data from the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) regional climate model outputs for the region from 2022 to 2100. As expected, climate change will have influenced the temperature values, especially during the winter. Conversely, the study area is experiencing drastic changes in land use caused by depopulation, leading to a reduced risk of winter landslides in the Visočica basin. We suggest that future climatic conditions in the area will make it more likely to experience extreme summer precipitation events, which might trigger large landslides. The SML method can be implemented for all landscapes that experience snowy winters, providing information in a timely manner so that local residents can react properly when the probability of landslide occurrence rises. The SML index, grounded in essential meteorological principles, provides a tailor-made, data-driven methodology applicable across varied geographical settings. Its utility extends to mitigating hydro-meteorological hazards on scales ranging from local to national scales, offering diverse and effective early warning solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the impact of copper mining-influenced water and metallurgical wastewater on the surface water in the Bor area, Serbia. Sampling, realized through the four campaigns (2020–2021), confirmed that both types of water, discharged without appropriate treatment in the Bor River, had a signific impact on the concentration of metal ions, pH and electrical conductivity on the watercourse in the Bor area. The highest concentrations of the following metal ions, Cu—271 mg/L, As—25,991 μg/L, Ni—13,856 μg/L, Cd—2627 μg/L, and Pb—2855 μg/L, were registered in the metallurgical wastewater samples. After changes occurred in the copper production process by stopping the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Bor River, the concentrations of monitored elements were drastically decreased. In the period 2022–2024, the concentration values for Cu, As and Pb ions were below the maximum allowable value, and the concentration values of Ni and Cd ions were also decreased. The values for pH and electrical conductivity were in the maximum allowable range. The return of wastewater to the copper production process would lead to both a reduction in the primary water consumption and reduction in the negative impact on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zooplankton community was analysed in two intermittent salt lakes in Serbia – Lake Velika and Lake Mala Rusanda. Samples were collected twice a month during the wet phase between March and May. A total of 15 zooplankton taxa were identified. Crustaceans were more diverse in Lake Mala Rusanda. The communities of both lakes were composed mainly of cosmopolitan, generalist, euryhaline species. Strictly haline species such as Brachionus asplanchnoidis and Arctodiaptomus spinosus were the dominant components of the zooplankton communities in both lakes. Arctodiaptomus spinosus was most abundant in March and April, accounting for up to 50% of all zooplankton specimens found in a sample. The proportion of juvenile stages of A. spinosus was highest in the March and early April samples. The ratio of males to females varied and was likely related to swarming behaviour as part of the species' reproductive strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All.) is a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant species that has not yet been thoroughly researched in terms of the influence of growing conditions on its morphological characteristics, flower yield, and the content and quality of its essential oil (EO). The plant material was harvested in the subsequent two production years at three localities in Southeast Serbia, differing in soil type (Alluvial soil, Rendzina, and Calcomelanosol). Based on two-year average values, the best results were obtained from plants grown on Rendzina, including the yield of fresh flowers (1850.2 g/m2), the highest plant height (49.3 cm), the number of branches (4.1), leaves (11.6), and flower heads (3.6), the flower diameter (1.6 cm), and the essential oil content (1.6%). The major EO constituent obtained from the plants growing on Rendzina and Calcomelanosol was 3-methyl pentyl angelate (20.8% and 15.2%, respectively). In the EO obtained from the plants growing on Alluvial soil, the major EO constituent was isobutyl angelate (13.0%), while the content of 3-methyl pentyl angelate was close to it (12.2%). The outcomes of this study provide guidelines for further research related to the cultivation of a Roman chamomile genotype on various soil types in a hilly region of Southeast Serbia, where most cultivated plants cannot be grown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands provide extensive ecological services for life on Earth, but they are facing rapid global disappearance under the influence of human activities and climate change. Therefore, it is of great importance to ensure the wise use of wetlands. Local residents' attitudes toward sustainable tourism in wetlands are essential to the sustainable management and wise use of this resource. This study examined the attitudes of local communities towards sustainable wetland tourism in three wetland areas in Northern Serbia. The survey was implemented to 1078 households randomly selected from seven communes (20 settlements) adjacent to chosen Ramsar sites. Using SPSS 25, the data was subsequently processed, assessed, and explained. In addition to descriptive statistics, a correlation was used to determine the factors that affect locals' attitudes toward the development of sustainable wetland tourism. The study shows that local residents generally hold positive attitudes towards sustainable wetland tourism. Age, length of residency, gender, employment, education and income are observed to be significantly impacting attitudes toward sustainable wetland tourism. Although there is a high level of awareness of the risks to wetlands, there is doubt regarding their understanding of the state of wetlands' protection and the particular issues they face. On the other hand, there is no doubt that locals are ready to protect wetlands for upcoming generations. For sustainable wetland tourism, management, and conservation, it is crucial to connect management organizations, tourism representatives, and people. In this matter, it is important to improve communication and connection between the mentioned stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-tourism has become a key component in the tourism industry and allows travelers to easily access information about destinations and services via the Internet, facilitating their travel planning process. Through e-tourism, travelers can research destinations, plan trips, book accommodations, purchase transportation tickets, and explore tourist attractions through online resources. Also, this area helps tourism businesses to effectively promote their services, communicate with clients and manage reservations. E-tourism represents the integration of information and communication technologies in the tourism sector. This concept encompasses the application of digital technologies such as the Internet, mobile applications, online reservation systems, web platforms and social media to improve aspects of travel and tourism. The legal foundation of educational procedures utilizing artificial intelligence algorithms in e-tourism holds significant importance because of the multitude of potential legal complexities and obstacles that could emerge. The Republic of Serbia, like many other countries, is working on improving its regulations in order to enable the development of e-tourism and at the same time ensure the protection of the interests and safety of travelers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Without being aware of their chemical composition, many cultures have used herbaceous peony roots for medicinal purposes. Modern phytopreparations intended for use in human therapy require specific knowledge about the chemistry of peony roots and their biological activities. In this study, ethanol–water extracts were prepared by maceration and microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extractions (MAE and UAE, respectively) in order to obtain bioactive molecules from the roots of Paeonia tenuifolia L., Paeonia peregrina Mill., and Paeonia officinalis L. wild growing in Serbia. Chemical characterization; polyphenol and flavonoid content; antioxidant, multianti-enzymatic, and antibacterial activities of extracts; and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID) of hot water extracts were performed. The strongest anti-cholinesterase activity was observed in PT extracts. The highest anti-ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical potential was observed in PP extracts, whereas against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals), the best results were achieved with PO extracts. Regarding antibacterial activity, extracts were strongly potent against Bacillus cereus. A molecular docking simulation was conducted to gather insights into the binding affinity and interactions of polyphenols and other Paeonia-specific molecules in the active sites of tested enzymes. In vitro GID of Paeonia teas showed a different recovery and behavior of the individual bioactives, with an increased recovery of methyl gallate and digallate and a decreased recovery of paeoniflorin and its derivatives. PT (Gulenovci) and PP (Pirot) extracts obtained by UAE and M were more efficient in the majority of the bioactivity assays. This study represents an initial step toward the possible application of Paeonia root extracts in pharmacy, medicine, and food technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including twelve heavy metal(loid)s (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg, As, Co, V, Fe, Mn), fluoride (F−), and nitrate (NO3−) was evaluated in groundwater in the copper mining and smelter area of Bor city (south Carpathian, eastern Serbia). Groundwater samples were analyzed to determine the extent of pollution, identify natural and anthropogenic input of PTEs, and estimate potential human health risks due to exposure to these substances. The results revealed that the groundwater in the study area was highly contaminated with PTEs, particularly Cu and Zn. Multivariate analysis supported the natural and anthropogenic origin of PTEs, with Fe, Mn, and F− classified as naturally occurring, NO3− resulting from agricultural activities, while other PTEs were linked to smelter/mining processes. Geospatial mapping discovered several hotspots with potential high non-cancer and cancer risks to humans through ingestion pathway. From the studied PTEs, As is the most health risk contributing toxic element. The source-specific probabilistic risk assessment indicated the most significant contribution to the hazard index and total cancer risk from accidental leakage of metallurgical wastewater and wastewater from open mine pits. Monte Carlo analysis identified the human body weight and the ingestion rate as the most sensitive risk parameters. The study underscores the need for stringent environmental management measures, emphasizing the critical role of source-specific risk assessments in mitigating potential hazards associated with metallurgical wastewater and open mine pits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landmark-based geometric morphometrics (GM) was used to examine, for the first time, spontaneous hybridization between Alnus incana (L.) Moench and Alnus rohlenae Vít, Douda and Mandák, and to assess inter- and intrapopulation variability in leaf shape, leaf size and venation in natural populations in Serbia (Western Balkans). Two geographically distant (30 km) and two close (1.2 km) populations were selected to examine hybridization. The variability in leaf shapes was assessed by canonical variate analysis and linear discriminant analysis performed on the symmetric component of variation. Covariation between the symmetric component of shape variation and the number of pairs of secondary leaf veins was investigated with partial least squares analysis. Static allometry was examined for the first time in the genus Alnus Mill. A higher proportion of A. incana leaves was classified as A. rohlenae in geographically close populations, which is in accordance with the hypothesis about spontaneous hybridization. No single leaf of A. rohlenae was classified as A. incana, indicating that putative hybrids can only be found in grey alder populations. This study demonstrates that GM is a powerful tool for species delimitation and hybrid detection in the genus Alnus and it can be used for preliminary screening in hybrid zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Serbian Journal of Management is the property of Serbian Journal of Management and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The freshwater gastropod fauna of Serbia can be considered understudied compared to the neighbouring countries. This is especially true for the species that frequently occur in smaller and transient habitats such as Aplexa hypnorum (Linnaeus, 1758), Physa fontinalis (Linnaeus, 1758), Anisus (Disculifer) vorticulus (Troschel, 1834), Hippeutis complanatus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Segmentina nitida (O.F. Müller, 1774). Our survey of various smaller habitats in the Pannonian part of Serbia took place in 2021 and 2022 and included 11 sites. One or more of the above-mentioned snail species were found at nine of these sites. Of particular interest are the findings of A. hypnorum, the species whose last and only confirmed finding dated back to the beginning of the 20th century. In total, we present three new localities of A. hypnorum and S. nitida. The number of known localities of A. vorticulus and H. complanatus has doubled (now seven and eight localities respectively). Physa fontinalis, a native species once quite common in the Pannonian areas, is with a declining frequency. During our survey, an abundant population of P. fontinalis was found at a new site. The results presented suggest that a comprehensive survey focusing on smaller and neglected habitats is necessary to fill the gaps in our knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of the freshwater gastropod fauna in Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mortality of oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC) in Serbia increased in the last decade. Recent studies on the Serbian population focused mainly on the epidemiological aspect of OSCC. This study aimed to investigate the demographic and imaging features of OSCC in the Serbian population at the time of diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed computed tomography (CT) images of 276 patients with OSCC diagnosed between 2017 and 2022. Age, gender, tumor site, tumor volume (CT-TV, in cm3), depth of invasion (CT-DOI, in mm), and bone invasion (CT-BI, in %) were evaluated. TNM status and tumor stage were also analyzed. All parameters were analyzed with appropriate statistical tests. Results: The mean age was 62.32 ± 11.39 and 63.25 ± 11.71 for males and females, respectively. Male to female ratio was 1.63:1. The tongue (36.2%), mouth floor (21.0%), and alveolar ridge (19.9%) were the most frequent sites of OSCC. There was a significant gender-related difference in OSCC distribution between oral cavity subsites (Z=-4.225; p < 0.001). Mean values of CT-TV in males (13.8 ± 21.5) and females (5.4 ± 6.8) were significantly different (t = 4.620; p < 0.001). CT-DOI also differed significantly (t = 4.621; p < 0.001) between males (14.4 ± 7.4) and females (10.7 ± 4.4). CT-BI was detected in 30.1%, the most common in the alveolar ridge OSCC. T2 tumor status (31.4%) and stage IVA (28.3%) were the most dominant at the time of diagnosis. Metastatic lymph nodes were detected in 41.1%. Conclusion: Our findings revealed significant gender-related differences in OSCC imaging features. The predominance of moderate and advanced tumor stages indicates a long time interval to the OSCC diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ethnobotanical research in Southeast Europe—one of the most important European hotspots for biocultural diversity—is significant for the acquisition of Traditional Ecological Knowledge related to plants as well as for encouraging the development of local environments. The current ethnobotanical research was conducted in the region of Mt Stara Planina (south-eastern Serbia), which is characterised by rich phytodiversity with a large number of endemic and relict plant species. The aim of the study was to document the diversity of uses of medicinal plants and of traditional knowledge on their therapeutic uses. Methods: Ethnobotanical data was collected through both open and semi-structured interviews with locals. Fifty-one inhabitants were interviewed (26 men and 25 women), aged 30–91, and data was analysed by means of use reports, citation frequency, use values (UV), and the informant consensus factor (ICF). Results: The study identified 136 vascular medicinal plant taxa and one lichen species belonging to 53 families and 116 genera. Lamiaceae (19), Rosaceae (18), and Asteraceae (17) had the highest species diversity. The plant parts most commonly used to make a variety of herbal preparations were the aerial parts (54 citations), leaves (35 citations), fruits (20 citations), flowers (18 citations), and roots (16 citations), while the most common forms of preparation were teas (60.78%), consumption of fresh tubers, leaves, roots, and fructus (6.86%), compresses (5.88%), juices (5.39%), decoctions (3.92%), 'travarica' brandy (3.92%), and syrups (2.45%). Of the recorded species, 102 were administered orally, 17 topically, and 18 both orally and topically. The plants with a maximum use value (UV = 1) were Allium sativum, Allium ursinum, Gentiana asclepiadea, Gentiana cruciata, Gentiana lutea, Hypericum perforatum, Thymus serpyllum and Urtica dioica. The highest ICF value (ICF = 0.95) was recorded in the categories of Skin and Blood, Blood Forming Organs, and Immune Mechanism. Conclusions: This study shows that medicinal plants in the research area are an extremely important natural resource for the local population as they are an important component of their health culture and provide a better standard of living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevention of domestic violence, timely and effective protection and support for victims, and multi-sector cooperation have become an important strategic direction of the Republic of Serbia since the adoption of the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence. The authors put forward a hypothesis according to which the change in strategic direction and the emphasis on prevention contribute to: increasing the trust of citizens in the competent state bodies; better protection of victims; and reducing the number of the most serious cases of domestic violence – those that result in death. Using the statistical method, content analysis, and comparative and formal-legal analysis, the paper analyses the data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Court related to domestic violence for the period between 2019 and 2021. The authors determine that: violence against women in partner relationships is the dominant type of domestic violence; that psychological violence is the most prevalent, occurring in 68% of the cases, followed by physical violence in 41% of the cases, and economic and sexual violence; that more than 1/3 of the possible perpetrators are repeat offenders, i.e. persons on whom emergency measures were previously imposed; that the victims do not participate in the adoption of individual protection plans; and that the death of the victim occurs despite the imposed emergency measures and the response of the competent state authorities. For these reasons, the authors emphasise the importance of protection on multiple tracks, and propose a series of measures and actions that should be taken by the competent state authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-three morphometric characteristics of spiny-cheek crayfish Faxonus limosus from Danube, Serbia, were analyzed to describe the general body shape. Forty-eight specimens were caught in May 2022 and January 2023 and measured for morphometric variation. Also, the values of two crayfish condition indices, Fulton's condition factor (FCF) and crayfish constant (CC), were determined. Most of the analyzed characteristics were moderately variable (CV 10-30%). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the morphological measurements. All the variables make similar contributions to the variance of the first principal component. The highest contributions are from variables CEF and ARL. ARW, CPH, ABH, CPW, and ROW significantly contributed to the second principal component variance. The population of spiny-cheek crayfish at the investigated site has a relatively stable age structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ekonomika is the property of Society of Economists 'Ekonomika' and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The combination of accelerated digitalization and the recent COVID-19 crisis has increased the number of remote workers worldwide to unimaginable proportions. Among the large number of remote workers that execute their projects from home, there is a significant number of permanently self-employed remote workers, usually referred to as freelancers. Despite the importance of this kind of business activity for modern project management society, perceived drivers of freelancing are still unknown. The goal of this paper was to shed some light on the general subjective well-being of freelancing activity and investigate differences concerning gender, age, and education. The study was performed in late 2020 and included 471 freelancers from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and Montenegro that participated in an online questionnaire evaluating their subjective well-being while participating in the “gig” economy. Factor analysis was used as a primary statistical method and two major groups were identified: (1) Impact of working from home on a freelancer’s personal life and health and (2) Fulfillment of expectations in the economic and professional sense. Gender was found not to be significant for overall work satisfaction. However, older freelancers proved to be more satisfied with the fulfillment of economic and professional expectations, which correlate with years of professional experience. Another conclusion is that more educated freelancers are generally less satisfied with both groups of drivers-fulfillment of personal life and professional expectations. Understanding how the combination of occupations, technological infrastructure, and demographic characteristics in the region has affected the well-being of freelancers may help policymakers and organization owners, as well as future entrepreneurs, better prepare for this model of work in the future. It also increases the possibility of exploring individual dimensions of wellbeing useful for targeting interventions at the level of each country separately. In line with this, the present study contributes to the existing body of knowledge and the impact of hybrid models of work on the subjective well-being of workers in the “gig” economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the compiled malacological record of the two most important loess–palaeosol sequences (LPS) in Serbia was used to reconstruct the Malacothermometer July Paleotemperature (MTJP) of the last nine glacials. The sieved loess samples yielded shells of 11 terrestrial gastropod species that were used to estimate the MTJP. Veliki Surduk (covering the last three glacial cycles) and Stari Slankamen (covering the last fourth to ninth glacial cycle) LPSs previously lacked the malacological investigations. After the sieving, a total of 66,871 shells were found, from which 48,459 shells were used for the estimation of the MTJP. Through the studied period, the reconstructed MTJP was ranging from 14.4 °C to 21.5 °C. The lowest temperature was recorded during the formation of the loess unit L5, equivalent to the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 12. The second-coldest summers were occurring during the MIS 16 glacial. Although the warmest glacial was L8 (MIS 20) according to MTJP, these July temperatures might be overestimated due to only two samples from the poorly preserved L8 unit. The malacological material derived from the loess units at Veliki Surduk and Stari Slankamen LPSs showed great potential for July temperature reconstruction, as the comparison with other regional records showed similar climate changes. Further work is necessary to validate the age scale of the oldest samples, and a higher resolution sampling could lead to more detailed July temperature fluctuations, as was shown for the youngest glacial in this study. Likewise, estimating the July temperature using different proxies (e.g., pollen) from the same LPSs could be used to confirm the observed climate trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to assess the breeding value of male individuals and calculate heritability values for body weight and body length at 12 months of age in the rainbow trout population in the Republic of Serbia. The study utilized data on the physical development of trout obtained through the Center for Fisheries and Applied Hydrobiology "Mali Dunav", Experimental Estate "Radmilovac" of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade (CEFAH) Breeding Program for rainbow trout in the Republic of Serbia. The fish were raised in individual tanks under tightly controlled conditions at the CEFAH, until they reached 5 months of age. At this point, the fish were marked (with PIT tags Norway) and transferred to commercial fish farms, where monitoring of their production results continued. To estimate the breeding value for body weight and body length of rainbow trout at 12 months of age, we analyzed data collected between 2016 and 2020, which included a total of 2014 individuals. The breeding values were estimated using a sire model. The mixed model incorporated fixed effects (spawning year and sex) and a random effect for the individual sire. The heritability estimate at 12 months of age was 0.44 for body weight, and 0.45 for body length. The breeding values were estimated for 107 sires, with body weight values ranging from −37.83 to +37.83 g and body length values ranging from −14.00 to +14.00 mm. The substantial variation observed within the studied rainbow trout population suggests the potential for further genetic improvement. The high heritability values confirm that further selection can be based on the phenotype. The inclusion of high-quality and validated males in breeding programs will contribute to the enhancement of production characteristics within the existing rainbow trout population in Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biologica Nyssana is the property of University of Nis, Department of Biology & Ecology, Faculty of Sciences & Mathematics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study is to describe the emergence of court and bourgeois salons in the nineteenth-century Principality of Serbia, in the context of the socio-historical circumstances and geopolitical background. A selection of examples of salon gatherings organized in Belgrade from the 1830s to the 1870s show the emergence of a new cultural identity through the coexistence and merging of different cultural models: Western European, Ottoman and Serbian. Starting with the first salons, organized in the 1830s in the home of Tomanija and Jevrem Obrenović, salon gatherings will be viewed through the prism of selected court and bourgeois salons. Special attention is paid to salons in which only women took part. In the period of the construction of the modern Serbian state, these salon gatherings contributed to the emancipation of women and their step from the private to the public sphere of society. In order to more comprehensively understand the role and significance of salon, the multi-layered salon practices are observed, with a focus on (1) analysis of the symbolism of interior decoration and clothing and of the social status of salon guests; (2) a reconstruction of the atmosphere through details of refreshments (food and drink), specific decorations of individual salons and dances performed; (3) analysis of the artistic and intellectual content: music, literature, poetry and science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.) Murrill is a well‐known edible mushroom consumed in nutrition as delicacy. It has been used in traditional medicine because of its beneficial effects on human wellness, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential. The present study determined the phenolic profile of Laetiporus sulphureus ethanolic extract (LSE) by high‐performance liquid chromatographic method. Tolerance of two probiotic bacterial strains Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 229v, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii on LSE was analyzed in terms of viability and biofilm formation. Effects of extract on colorectal (HCT‐116) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells viability was determined using MTT test in concentration range: 1–500 μg/mL after 24 and 72 h. Redox parameters (superoxide anion radicals, nitrites, and reduced glutathione) were evaluated using NBT, Griess, and GSH assays in the concentration range of 1–500 μg/mL after 24 and 72 h. Antimigratory activity was determined by wound healing method using selected concentrations of 10 and 50 μg/mL after 24 h. Untreated cells were considered as control. As control cell line, we used healthy fibroblasts (MRC‐5). Our results demonstrated abundance of LSE in phenolics, with rosmarinic acid as the main component. LSE induced low tolerance of tested planktonic probiotic strains, with no affection on their ability to form biofilm. No significant cytotoxicity on tested cancer cells was observed, with prooxidative and antimigratory effects noticed. Extract exerted significant antimigratory activity on cancer cells without effect on planktonic and probiotic cultures in biofilm. These results indicate potential application of Laetiporus sulphureus ethanolic extract as natural protector of probiotics with prominent ability to suppress cancer cell motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Medunarodni Problemi is the property of Institute of International Politics & Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Chemical Industry / Hemijska Industrija is the property of Association of Chemical Engineers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Lakes and reservoirs are the main water resources for household, irrigation, and industrial use. Hence, it is necessary to control water pollution and have reliable information on water quality, which refers to its suitability for a particular purpose. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of water for drinking and irrigation purposes from ten artificial lakes on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. The physicochemical parameters were determined using standard analytical methods, whereas the optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma, ICP-OES, was used to determine the concentrations of 23 macro-, micro-, and trace elements in water. Health risk indices of drinking water and its suitability for irrigation purposes were evaluated. The results of physicochemical parameters, except for total organic matter, indicated that most samples were within the recommended values. Among analyzed elements, the concentration of Mg was elevated in the water of the lakes Srebrno and Prvonek. The results of health risk assessment clearly showed that there was no acute health risk (HQA < 1), whereas long-term risk (HQL) in the studied lakes was observed with respect to As (lakes Grlište and Srebrno), Mn (lakes Srebrno and Prvonek), Ni (Lake Vrutci), and Sr (Lake Grlište). The irrigation criteria indicated that the water from the examined lakes had satisfactory quality for this purpose, except for residual sodium carbonates (RSC). This criterion indicated low quality or unsuitability of the water in 7 lakes. The main outcomes provided valuable information on the suitability of water from the artificial lakes for intended uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typical patterns of the Late Pleistocene loess–paleosol units are preserved in the Novo Orahovo brickyard, Northern Serbia. Presented preliminary luminescence chronology supports the chronostratigraphic interpretations of global isotopic marine climate reconstructions. Magnetic susceptibility and sedimentological evidence exhibit general similarities with the marine oxygen-isotope stratigraphy. These records provide new insights into the dust accumulation regimes over the eastern side of the Bačka loess plateau and offer new paleoenvironmental information for the region. They represent an important step forward towards the establishment of a catena from the thin loess-like sediments of the Banat foothills in the east towards the thicker and seemingly more complete loess sections of the southeastern and central Carpathian Basin. Grain-size data from the loess record of Nova Orahovo explain the regional differentiation in dust deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents and analyzes the state-of-the-art machine learning techniques that can be applied as a decision-support system in the estimation of resource consumption in the construction of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete road bridges. The formed database on the consumption of concrete in the construction of bridges, along with their project characteristics, was the basis for the formation of the assessment model. The models were built using information from 181 reinforced concrete bridges in the eastern and southern branches of Corridor X in Serbia, with a value of more than 100 million euros. The application of artificial neural network models (ANNs), models based on regression trees (RTs), models based on support vector machines (SVM), and Gaussian processes regression (GPR) were analyzed. The accuracy of each model is determined by multi-criterion evaluation against four accuracy criteria root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), Pearson's linear correlation coefficient (R), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). According to all established criteria, the model based on GPR demonstrated the greatest accuracy in calculating the concrete consumption of bridges. According to the study, using automatic relevance determination (ARD) covariance functions results in the most accurate and optimal models and also makes it possible to see how important each input variable is to the model's accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of Scolytinae of Serbia was made based on the data that has been published so far and the unpublished data collected in the period from 1991 to 2023. In it, 96 species are listed in total. The Scolytinae fauna has not been sufficiently studied in Serbia. It is presumed that there are about 20 more species present in Serbian fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents ecological properties of plant species, occurring in the forest of the sessile oak and hornbeam community (Querco petraeae-Carpinetum betuli Rudski 1949. s.l.) in the area of Kosmaj in Serbia. The sessile oak and hornbeam forests in Serbia are conditioned by orographic and edaphic factors, i.e., they occur as extrazonal vegetation and cover significantly smaller areas than in the Illyrian province. In the area of Kosmaj, these forests occur at lower altitudes (300 - 400 m), with eastern to northeastern aspects, and the slope of 15-23°. Differentiation of flora was done according to membership in certain ecological plant groups, according to most significant ecological factors: soil humidity, soil acidity, quantity of nitrogen in the soil, light and temperature. According to the indicator values of plant species, the community of sessile oak and hornbeam is mesophilic in terms of humidity (F - 2.88), neutrophilic-basophilic (R - 3,32) in terms of acidity, mesotrophic in terms of soil nitrogen supply (N - 2,82), semisciophilic regarding light (L - 2,85), and mesothermal in terms of heat (T - 3,39). Indicator values of plants are suitable to indirectly assess environmental conditions and can help to estimate the conditions, for which no measurements are available. Therefore, they can be used as useful indicators in monitoring environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radon distribution in central Serbia and radiation safety of spring water traditionally used for drinking and other household purposes in the rural areas are estimated for the first time. A detailed terrain structure was prepared within the municipalities of Kruševac, Trstenik, Blace and Kuršumlija. Radon concentration in spring water at 36 locations was measured by alpha spectrometry using the RAD 7 – RAD H2O system. The ambient equivalent dose of gamma radiation, water temperature, and pH were measured at site, and later are determined limits of radiation safety like the annual effective radiation doses of radon ingestion as the radon concentrations in stomach. The data were analysed using spatial distribution, cluster analysis, and multilinear regression analysis. The radon concentration varied from 1.9 ± 0.9 Bq/L to 71.0 ± 7.2 Bq/L, with average value at 17.1 Bq/L. Average values of the annual effective dose of radon ingestion are: for infants – 90.5 μSv/y, children – 33.3 μSv/y and adults – 43.7 μSv/y, which are below the recommended value of 100 μSv/y. The presented results can give a more exact mapping of radon radioactivity in Serbia, supplement the regional database on radon concentration, and help physicians pay attention to possible diseases caused by radiation in the questionable areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at combined chemical and chemometric analysis of seasonal variation in trace element (TE) contents (B, Si, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn) in Satureja kitaibelii Wierzb. ex Heuff. (savory) and its growing soil, with emphasis on potential aspects of health promotion. The lowest contents of the studied elements in the soil, except for silicon, were recorded in the vegetative stage. In the plant, the boron content is the highest: 10.5-14.9mg kg-1 and the chromium content is the lowest: 0.17-1.2mg kg-1. The highest values of soilto-plant transfer factor (TF) were recorded for five elements (except Si and Cr) in the vegetative stage. Savory can be considered an accumulator of boron. The statistical and chemometric analysis confirmed a variation in TE content of studied soil and plant samples. This study revealed that savory from Serbia to be a potential source of valuable TEs. A significant percentage of daily intake of B, Cr, and Ni, can be provided with three cups of tea per day of plants collected in the vegetative and flowering stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. There is no available published data about the use of long-acting injectable paliperidone palmitate (PP) in schizophrenia patients in the Republic of Serbia. The aim of this study was to assess hospitalization rates before and after the switch to once-monthly long-acting injectable PP in schizophrenia patients, as well as their compliance with this drug. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in which hospitalization rates were evaluated 12 months before and 12 months after the switch to once-monthly long-acting injectable PP in 113 schizophrenia patients. The age of the enrolled patients was between 18 and 66 years. Results. The average age of the enrolled patients was 38.36 ± 11.62 years. Among them, 77 (68.1%) were male, and 36 (31.9%) were female. Out of the total number of 113 patients treated with once-monthly injectable PP, 78 (69.03%) were on monotherapy, while 35 (30.97%) had one additional oral antipsychotic (risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, or clozapine). Out of the total number of 113 patients, 68 (60.18%) were not hospitalized in the 12-month period before the switch to once-monthly long-acting injectable PP, while 45 (39.82%) were hospitalized in the same period. Given that 8 patients out of the total number of 113 were excluded from therapy due to an adverse event or their own decision in the period after the switch to PP, the analysis of the hospitalization rate after the switch to PP was performed for the remaining 105 patients, of which 9 (8.57%) were hospitalized in the period after the switch to PP, and 96 (91.43%) were not. Conclusion. Our results show high compliance in the treatment with once-monthly injectable PP and a positive impact of treatment with this drug on low hospitalization rate in a 12-month period in patients with schizophrenia. Considering the availability of this drug in the Republic of Serbia, these results encourage the use of once-monthly injectable PP as an important therapeutic option in schizophrenia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to establish a link between genetic diversity and the geographic origin of Pectobacterium strains belonging to three species—P. carotovorum, P. versatile, and P. odoriferum—isolated from cabbage in Serbia by comparing their sequences with those of strains sourced from different hosts and countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. Phylogeographic relatedness was reconstructed using the Templeton, Crandall, and Sing's (TCS) haplotype network based on concatenated sequences of the housekeeping genes dnaX, icdA, mdh, and proA, while pairwise genetic distances were computed by applying the p-distance model. The obtained TCS haplotype networks indicated the existence of high intra-species genetic diversity among strains of all three species, as reflected in the 0.2–2.3%, 0.2–2.5%, and 0.1–1.7% genetic distance ranges obtained for P. carotovorum, P. versatile, and P. odoriferum, respectively. Five new haplotypes (denoted as HPc1–HPc5) were detected among cabbage strains of P. carotovorum, while one new haplotype was identified for both P. versatile (HPv1) and P. odoriferum (HPo1). None of the TCS haplotype networks provided evidence of significant correlation between geographic origin and the determined haplotypes, i.e., the infection origin. However, as haplotype network results are affected by the availability of sequencing data in public databases for the used genes and the number of analyzed strains, these findings may also be influenced by small sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia peregrina Mill. is a perennial herbaceous plant species, known for the medicinal value of all of its plant parts, although the chemical composition of the petals is unknown. This study aimed to determine the chemical fingerprint of the petals and also establish the optimal extraction parameters, extraction medium, and extraction method for petals collected from different localities in Serbia. The optimization was performed in order to acquire extracts that are rich in the contents of total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), and also exhibit strong antioxidant activity. In addition, the influence of the extracts on several human skin pathogens was evaluated, as well as their ability to aid wound closure and act as anti-inflammatory agents. Both the extraction medium and the applied technique significantly influenced the skin-beneficial biological activities, while methanol proved to be a more favorable extraction medium. In conclusion, the extraction conditions that yielded the extract with the richest phenolic content with satisfactory biological potential varied between the assays, while the most promising locality in Serbia for the collection of P. peregrina petals was Pančevo (South Banat). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oeuvre of the Serbian educator, writer, pedagogue, translator and ethnographer Milan Đ. Milićević completes the existing picture of music pedagogy in Serbia in the second half of the 19th century. Although Milićević did not directly deal with music pedagogical issues, he was deeply convinced that learning music has a central role in the moral development of the individual and community if it is grounded in mastering church chants and folk songs in the teaching process. This would correspond to the concept of folk music pedagogy, which is in conformity with the general guidelines in Serbian music education in the 19th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyse the attitudes of students of sports towards the use of gender-sensitive language in the Serbian language. As the correlation between language and gender has been a hot topic in Serbia in the last two years, this paper presents an overview of some of the studies related to language, gender and sports. The theoretical section of this paper covers some main terms such as gender-sensitive language and the connection among language, gender and sport. The aim of the study conducted for the purposes of this paper was to determine whether male and female students of sports have positive or negative attitudes toward the use of gendersensitive language in contemporary society and in their everyday speech. The study was conducted by using an anonymous survey with open-ended and closed questions, and it included 281 participants. The study results show that students of sports are still not aware of the increasingly widespread use of gender-sensitive language, and that they are not interested in learning about the theoretical aspects of this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moral capital is of great importance for both the economic and non-economic well-being of a society. However, moral capital is likely to erode during transitions, especially economic ones. The aim of the work is to determine the mechanisms through which the economic and political transition contributes to the erosion of moral capital, but also which measures can affect the rebuilding of moral capital. Analyzing individual cases, especially in Serbia, we draw general conclusions about the impact of economic and political transition on the decline of moral capital in transition countries. In this paper, we argue that the processes put in motion during economic and political transitions that lead to loss of moral capital are likely to result in a new equilibrium state. This state is characterized by the migration of the bearers of moral capital both to the margins of society and out of society and is highly unlikely to be reversed without a focused intervention by the state and society. We further argue that economic theory could both offer a justification for such an intervention and inform on the most effective way to conduct it. This is because the loss of moral capital can be seen as an instance of market failure in transition, one in which parts of the transitional elite are imposing a negative externality on the rest of society. Internalizing this externality -by making the culprits responsible could make the transition more successful; it would benefit justice and prosperity not only in the current economic transition but also in the future restructuring of the national economy and society. We argue that measures to restore moral capital ought to combine monetary transfers, improvement of institutional framework, and immaterial incentives with the aim of initiating processes that could benefit the whole society. Legally required monetary transfers should repair direct damage caused by corrupt actions, but should not benefit any particular individual, while immaterial incentives should be initiated both by the state and the wider society. We found out that activities of transition elites contribute to negative externalities, such as deterioration of moral capital, which results in less social and economic well-being. Additionally, we propose measures which can contribute to the internalization of these externalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species Eutypa lata is one of the most critical phytopathogenic fungi that presents a threat to vineyards by causing significant economic damage. This grapevine disease is hazardous because there is no adequate chemical protection, so after its progression, there is a decrease in yield and dieback of parts or whole infected shoots. There are also no grapevine cultivars resistant to this disease. For these reasons, in this paper, testing of the susceptibility of a pair of grapevine cultivars to this disease was carried out. The testing was performed under semicontrolled conditions and included six of the most economically essential grapevine cultivars in Serbia (Riesling italico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cardinal, Rkaziteli, Pinot noir, and Prokupac). Testing was performed using 14 isolates of E. lata isolated in Serbia and two control isolates obtained from the INRA. For specific detection of isolates of Eutypa spp. included in the experiment, a specific pair of primers, Lata 1/ Lata 2.2, was applied, and an amplicon of the expected size of approximately 385 bp was established in all isolates. In the conditions of the set experiment, of all of the domestic and foreign-tested grapevine cultivars, the local cultivar Prokupac showed greater resistance to the isolates. In contrast, the cultivars Riesling italico, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cardinal, Pinot noir showed sensitivity to the isolates of E. lata, but not to the same extent as the cultivar Rkaziteli, which proved to be susceptible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homogeneity of the flue gas-flow through the chamber of an electrostatic precipitator is one of the basic influencing parameter on dedusting efficiency. This paper presents results of a multiobjective optimization study of the flue gas controlling devices of electrostatic precipitator of 324 MWe lignite fired Unit A4 of TPP "Nikola Tesla" in Serbia. The aim was to achieve better flow homogeneity in the cross-section of the precipitator compared to the original design. Additional constraints were to maintain the minimum as possible overall weight of the proposed design as well as pressure drop through the precipitator. Numerical simulations based on CFD were used to investigate dependence of the velocity distribution in the ducts and precipitator's chamber with respect to the geometrical parameters of tested concepts of turning blades. A series of 22 detailed full-scale numerical models of the precipitator with different concepts of turning vanes designs were developed. Assessment of the flow field uniformity for each tested design was performed based on the analysis of several homogeneity parameters calculated for selected vertical cross-sections of the precipitator. After the reconstruction according to optimized design, results of measurements confirmed significant improvements of the velocity distribution in the vertical cross-sections of the precipitator, increase of dedusting efficiency and reduction of PM emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a 12-week circuit training program in improving local muscular endurance in normal-weighted primary school students. Methods: The study involved a parallel-group randomized trial with 606 primary school boys assigned to an experimental or a control group. The participants underwent a 12-week circuit training program that involved multi-joint, total-body workouts using body weight, resistance bands, and medicine ball exercises. The study measured the participants' local muscular endurance during sit-ups, dynamic trunk extensions on a Roman bench (DTE), and push-ups. Results: After adjusting for the baseline, the treatment–grade interaction was significant for sit-ups (F = 7.74, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.04), DTE (F = 6.49, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.03), and push-ups (F = 9.22, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.05), where the experimental treatment was more beneficial than the control. The treatment effect seemed to vary depending on the individual's baseline local muscle endurance capacity. As the baseline local muscular endurance values increased, the treatment and grade effects became less beneficial. Conclusion: A 12-week circuit training program involving body weight, resistance bands, and medicine ball exercises suits school-based programs and can improve local muscular endurance in normal-weighted primary school boys. The experimental treatment was more effective than the control, and the individual baseline muscular endurance should be considered when designing training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ekonomika is the property of Society of Economists 'Ekonomika' and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In current practice, the remediation of landslides has shown that the biggest problem is the increase in the number of works, and therefore the price of the works. This is due to several factors, including characteristic of the soil, such as the collapse (collapse) of the surrounding ground around the main slide during landslide remediation. Unless these soil erosion effects are taken into account, recovery costs will overrun, which can jeopardize the planned budget. This paper presents a multi-criteria optimization of landslide remediation using the PROMETHEE method and determines the optional number of walls for the additional soil erosion. In a case study on examples of real landslides in the Republic of Serbia, the application of the method is presented and appropriate conclusions are drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]