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This study assesses the current state and potential of Serbian spas as centers for contemporary health tourism, focusing on the perceptions and preferences of local guests. It examines how traditional spa services such as thermal pools and saunas are highly valued, while modern wellness programs and alternative treatments are less used but show growth potential. The survey assessing health and wellness service perceptions was carried out among Serbian citizens, particularly in Belgrade and the major spa towns of Sokobanja and Vrnjačka Banja, which together account for approximately half of the national spa turnover. Data was collected using both paper questionnaires and an online CAWI system, accumulating a total of 368 responses from June to September 2022. The study identifies significant opportunities for Serbian spas to expand and diversify their offering to meet changing market demands and emphasizes the need for strategic investment in infrastructure, service quality, and marketing. Through a comprehensive analysis, this research aims to inform and guide Serbian spas to adapt to global trends in health tourism and ensure their sustainable development and competitiveness.

The aim of this paper is to examine the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) among Generation X in the years before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought significant changes in digital technology usage and accelerated shifts in work, communication, and societal functioning. Generation X, comprising individuals born between the 1960s and 1980s, grew up during a time when digital technologies and the internet were not as prevalent. Given that they now live and work in a digital era, it is crucial to understand how they adapt to the rapid changes driven by digitalization. For this research, microdata from the survey "The Usage of Information and Communication Technology by Individuals/Households in the Republic of Serbia" were analyzed for the years 2019 and 2023. Results show a slight increase in internet and computer use, particularly among younger members of Generation X. Additionally, there was a significant increase in online shopping and the use of communication services in 2023, which gained popularity during the lockdown. Regarding public administration services, respondents in 2023 primarily accessed services related to the pandemic, such as vaccine information and green certificates. However, a significant number of respondents, 49%, did not use public services in either 2019 or 2023, suggesting potential issues with trust or perceived complexity. The main contribution of this paper is a detailed analysis of this group's behavior before and after the pandemic, focusing on ICT usage and responses to changes triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to understand the concept and fundamental terms related to nation branding as a strategic tool for improving Serbia's international market position, a post-Communist and former Yugoslav country. The author intends to gain insight into Serbia's current brand perception as a developing country that can find an opportunity for rebirth and parting with the legacy implementation of the nation branding concept. The quantitative research methods were applied in this paper, and the questionnaire developed for the research investigated the perception of brand Serbia by leaning on Risitano's framework. Our analysis finds that national treasury, people, tourism and business destination were recognized as the most important points for country and nation positioning.

The paper examines the digital skills of key stakeholders in the Serbian tourism industry (supply side) to identify potential gender gaps in digital proficiency. Employing a cross-sectional survey of 418 participants within the tourism industry, we utilized binomial logistic regression to parse out the effects of gender relative to other socio-demographic variables on digital skills. The descriptive results based on DigComp 2.0 methodology reveal notable gender differences, with women showing higher levels of information and communication skills but lagging men in problem-solving and content manipulation skills. However, the binomial logistic regression analysis indicates that gender does not significantly predict digital skill levels in the Serbian tourism sector. Instead, age and education are significant factors, with older individuals less likely to possess advanced digital skills and higher education levels correlating with greater digital proficiency. These findings underscore the critical role of education (formal and informal) in digital skills building, suggesting that comprehensive and targeted educational initiatives could effectively enhance digital skills and competencies across the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations were determined in samples of 31 species of vegetables (n = 719) and in vegetable products (n = 17), collected during the period January 2018 to September 2021. These originated from 33 countries, including Serbia. The samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Overall, Cd and Pb were found above the limit of detection in 123 (16.7%, n = 736) and 90 (12.2%; n = 736) samples, respectively. According to the former legislation, valid until the end of August 2021, the maximum levels (MLs) of Cd and Pb were exceeded in 1 and 2 samples of vegetables, respectively. Regarding the EU and Serbian legislation which is valid since September 2021 the MLs of Cd and Pb for vegetables were exceeded in 7 samples: Cd in 5 and Pb in 2 samples. In addition, 3 vegetable product samples exceeded the MLs for both cadmium and lead according to both former and current regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many countries, rural areas are undergoing significant socio-demographic and economic changes, and this trend is also present in Serbia. From the economic and demographic point of view, and this is particularly true for southern Serbia, the problem of depopulation, ageing and extinction of the village has arisen. The subject of this paper is rural tourism in Serbia, which is observed in the context of the new channel for marketing agricultural products of rural households and analyzed by SWOT methodology in order to capture all strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and possible threats. Results show that one of the highest priorities is the synthesis of agriculture and tourism in Serbia, which would be the basis for the development of diversification in rural communities. The development and advancement of the rural environment represent a sustainable and stable regional economic development.

This paper examines the relationship between FDI inflow per capita and unemployment rates in 17 transition countries over the period 2000-2014. It aims at testing the premise, usually suggested by policy makers, that higher attraction of FDI in transition countries results in inevitable unemployment reduction. The empirical analysis contributes to the existing literature applying panel cointegration approach in testing and assessing long-run impact of FDI on unemployment, as an alternative to typical panel analysis that examine contemporaneous relations. The evidence from seven performed panel cointegration tests provide the mixed results, while the Fully Modified and Dynamic OLS panel estimations indicate that FDI and unemployment are most likely not cointegrated. The inconclusiveness of the empirical evidences gives the argument in support of the general conclusion that long-run impact of FDI on unemployment in transition countries is either very loose or does not exist.

The concentration of copper (Cu) was determined in 110 samples of fruit (n = 31) and vegetable products (n = 79), collected during the period from January 2015 to December 2019. Fruit and vegetable products originate from 17 countries, including Serbia. Samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Measurable levels of Cu were found in all analysed samples. Overall, Cu levels ranged from 0.065 to 14.050 mg kg-1, with an average of 1.314 mg kg-1. Only 3 (2.73%) of fruit and vegetable products exceeded the maximum levels set by Serbian Regulation which was valid until the end of 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality parameters including sensory and physical characteristics and proximate and mineral composition in M. psoas major, M. semimembranosus, M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum and M. triceps brachii of Swallow-Belly Mangulica pigs were determined. Type of muscles had no significant effect (P>0.05) on water-holding capacity, protein, total fat, K, P and Ca content. The M. psoas major was the highest in pH24h, water-holding capacity, CIEa* and CIEb* values, moisture, K, P aQuality parameters including sensory and physical characteristics and proximate and mineral composition in M. psoas major, M. semimembranosus, M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum and M. triceps brachii of Swallow-Belly Mangulica pigs were determined. Type of muscles had no significant effect (P>0.05) on water-holding capacity, protein, total fat, K, P and Ca content. The M. psoas major was the highest in pH24h, water-holding capacity, CIEa* and CIEb* values, moisture, K, P and Cu content, and the lowest in visual marbling score and total fat content. The M. semimembranosus was the highest in Mg and Ca content, and the lowest in CIEL* value (darkest muscle) and K content. The lightest colour (CIEL* value), the highest content of protein, total fat and total ash, and the lowest visual colour score, pH24h, CIEa* and CIEb* values, content of moisture, Na, Ca, Zn, Fe and Cu were found in M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum. The highest visual colour and marbling score, the highest content of Na, Zn and Fe, and the lowest water-holding capacity, content of protein, total ash, P and Mg were found in M. triceps brachii.

Food borne pathogens and spoilage bacteria are influencing the safety and quality of food and animal feed and can result in serious adverse effects to human and animal health as well as to the food quality. Consequently, microbiological quality control in the food industry has become the priority of the food producers and it aims towards minimizing the risks related to food pathogens and spoilage bacteria. One of the most important pathogens in the food industry is Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis has a significant public health and economic impact because of its high hospitalization and mortality rate. Most people infected with Listeria are hospitalized and mortality is approximately 30 %. Therefore it is necessary to undertake efficient control measures, especially concerning the necessity of a rapid and accurate detection of this pathogen in the food industry as well as in retail food samples. Recently used conventional methods are often time consuming and require intensive work. However, obtained results can often be false considering the presence of viable but not cultivable microorganisms. Advances in biotechnology and bioinformatics have resulted in the development of novel testing technologies that enable tracking, more reliable and faster detection of food pathogens. Furthermore, molecular-biology methods, although still not applied routinely in everyday practice, are the promising alternative which can replace current reference methods in this area.

Technical analysis (TA) is a form of analyzing market encompassing supply and demand of securities according to the study of their prices and trading volume. Using the appropriate methods, TA aims to identify price movements in the stock market, futures or currencies. In short, TA analysis is the process by which "future price movements are formulated according to the price history". TA originates from the work of Charles Dow and his conclusions about the global behavior of the market, as well as from Elliot Wave Theory. Dow did not regard its theory as a tool for stock market movement prediction, nor as a guide for investors, but as a kind of barometer of general market movements. The term TA methods encompasses all the methods used in tracking prices aiming to clearly predict future events. Many different methods, mainly statistical, are used in technical analysis, the most popular ones being: establishing and following trends using moving average, recognizing price momentum, calculating indicators and oscillators, as well as cycle analysis (structure indicators). It is also necessary to point out that TA is not a science in the true meaning of the term, and that methods it uses frequently deviate from the conventional manner of their use. The main advantage of these methods is their relative ease of use, aiming to give as clear picture as possible of price movements, while at the same time avoiding the use of complicated and complex mathematical methods. The reason for this is simple and is reflected in the dynamics of financial markets, where changes occur during short periods of time and where prompt decision-making is of vital importance.

Caraway (Carum carvi L.) essential oil (CEO: 0.01, 0.05, 0.10 µl/g) was used in dry‐fermented sausages manufactured with 15% and 25% of fat and three levels of sodium nitrite (0, 75, 150 mg/kg). Dry‐fermented sausages were vacuum packed and stored (225 days) and their physico–chemical, microbial, and sensory attributes were assessed (a total of 288 dry‐fermented sausages were produced). The inclusion of CEO had a significant effect on pH, texture and color, odor, and flavor. Moreover, the partial and total replacement of sodium nitrite with CEO (0.01 µl/g) provided acceptable TBARS values (<0.3 mg MDA/kg) in low‐fat (15%) of sausages throughout the storage. The usage of CEO at 0.10 µl/g affected formation of atypical flavor. Generally, our findings confirmed that the CEO has promising potential for development of dry‐fermented sausages with reduced level of sodium nitrite, primarily regarding their oxidative stability. Practical applications: The usage of natural antioxidants is one of the key strategies in the novel meat industry. Concerning strong antioxidant potential, CEO could be used as an emerging antioxidant and potential substitute for sodium nitrite in meat processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]