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This research seeks to examine the development of relations between Serbia and Montenegro after 2006, In the context of insufficient acceptance of a distinct Montenegrin identity by the Serbian state, elite, and public. The authors argue that, unlike elsewhere in the post-Yugoslav space, where interrepublic cooperation had decreased during the country’s breakup, Serbo- Montenegrin relations have mostly deteriorated “only” since Montenegrin independence. The authors attribute such developments to local identity politics, arguing that Montenegrin and pro-Serbian political actors manipulate identarian symbols both to strengthen their own positions and differentiate said positions from their political rivals. Identarian aspects (like state symbols, language and religion) are used not solely to underline one’s ethnic affiliation, but also for ideological distancing from opponents. These populist activities have caused a deep polarization in Montenegrin society for at least two reasons. Firstly, the use of aforementioned state symbols further strengthened the political divisions even at the inter-state level, resulting in the homogenization of the national and electorate corps. Secondly, ethnic affiliation has been influenced by geopolitical elements, namely, Russophile tendencies in the Serbian political actors and pro-Western tendencies among Montenegrin actors. The authors apply the ‘situational nationalism’ approach to show that the outcomes of the still-ongoing nation-building process in Montenegro correlate with both domestic policies (institutional top-down approach) and external factors (cross-border effects, including the geopolitics).

Simple Summary: Hazelnut cultivation is quickly expanding worldwide due to increasing hazelnut demand. Despite its resilience and tolerance to many abiotic and biotic stresses, Corylus avellana expansion is continuously exposing the crop to new adversities, while climate change is causing the resurgence of many native pests and diseases. The mite pest Phytoptus avellanae is responsible for substantial yield reductions in many productive areas. Cultivar and pest management strategies can affect the incidence and the population dynamics of this pest, but to date understanding remains limited. This lack of knowledge inspired the present study. The big bud mite Phytoptus avellanae is a resurgent pest of hazelnut, Corylus avellana, causing substantial yields reductions in many productive areas. Mites colonise and develop within healthy buds which become swollen, with subsequent alteration to the plant's development. To date, there has been limited knowledge on how the cultivar and pest management strategies affect infestations. This study explored these aspects through two ad hoc experiments carried out in central Italy. In the first experiment, the susceptibility of 11 cultivars with different geographic origins was tested in a germplasm hazelnut collection. The second experiment assessed the infestation level in orchards with integrated pest management (IPM) and organic pest management strategies and in a renaturalised environment (a former agricultural area now converted in a natural park). The results showed that the most and the least susceptible cultivars were Tonda Gentile and Nocchione, respectively. No significant differences were found between IPM and organic management, but they were both different to the renaturalised environment. The outcomes of this research can serve as a valuable reference and can be applied to all current or potential hazelnut cultivation areas characterised by the same environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice husk was used to produce silica particles, which were then used to reinforce the polymer matrix. The synthesized SiO2 particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy with EDS. In a PMMA matrix, prepared SiO2 particles in amounts of 1, 3, and 5 wt.% were used as reinforcing agents. The goal of this research was to see if SiO2 particles had any effect on the mechanical properties of polymer composite materials. The morphology of the composites was examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). Vickers microindentation hardness and impact testing were used to determine the mechanical properties of the obtained composites. The indentation creep’s behavior of a polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) composite material with varying amounts of nanoparticles (SiO2) was investigated and analyzed.

Intravesical BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guerin) therapy represents the therapy of choice for intermediaryand high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancers after transurethral resection. However, up to 40% of these patients do not show adequate response to the therapy (BCG failure) and 15% of them experience the progression of the disease to muscle-invasive bladder cancer. In such cases, radical cystectomy is indicated. Studies suggest that early radical cystectomy in patients with BCG failure is followed by better survival compared to delayed radical cystectomy. The prediction of response to BCG therapy could enable early identification of patients on which this therapy would have no effect and who should undergo early radical cystectomy.

Insects are of great interest as novel sources of alternative proteins and biologically active compounds, primarily anticancer agents. Protein-rich insect larval hemolymph is a prospective candidate for pharmaceutical and food industry-related research. In this study, selected biochemical properties and cell toxicity of larval hemolymph from two mealworm species, Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio, were analyzed. Total proteins and carbohydrates, antioxidant capacity, and the level of lipid peroxidation were determined. Human cancer (U-87) and normometabolic (MRC-5) cells were treated with different concentrations of larval hemolymph proteins, and the effects on cell viability were assayed 24, 48, and 72 h after treatments. Z. morio hemolymph was shown to be richer in total proteins, showing a higher antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation level than T. molitor hemolymph, which was richer in total carbohydrates. Cytotoxicity assays showed that T. molitor and Z. morio hemolymphs differently affect the viability of U-87 and MRC-5 cells in cell type-, dose-, and time-dependent manners. Hemolymph from both species was more cytotoxic to U-87 cells than to MRC-5 cells, which was particularly prominent after 48 h. Additionally, a more potent cytotoxic effect of Z. morio hemolymph was observed on both cell lines, likely due to its higher antioxidant capacity, compared to T. molitor hemolymph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the influence of solvents and reinforcement processing methods on the mechanical properties of nanocomposite poly-(methyl methacrylate) PMMA-Ti3C2Tx MXene was investigated. A weight fraction of reinforcement was 1% and two types of solvents were used for sample preparation: dimethylformamide (DMF) and acetone (Ac). Deionized water and DMF were used to delaminate the MXene. An additional peak at 1675 cm-1 was observed on the FTIR spectra of the obtained samples, which indicates that some amount of DMF remained in the material after drying. The results of microindentation show that samples where MXene was delaminated in deionized water and PMMA dissolved in acetone had a 74.46% higher reduced modulus of elasticity, which is supported by SEM images where better dispersion of MXenes is observed.

Viral and bacterial agents causing bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) were examined over a five-year period (2015-2019). Thirty-eight farms of beef and dairy cattle from Central Serbia which showed symptoms of BRDC were observed. A total of 118 nasal swab specimens collected from diseased bullocks (n=55), cows (n=18) and calves (n=45) were chosen for the isolation of bacteria and identification by aerobic cultivation. The most commonly isolated bacterial pathogen was Pasteurella multocida (72.88% positive samples). Disk-diffusion method (antibiogram) showed that Amoxiclav and Enrofloxacin were the most efficient antibiotics against Pasteurella multocida isolates (66.67% and 54.17%, respectively). From all examined samples, using the Real Time RT-PCR and PCR methods, we determined the genome sequences of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV-34.78% of tested samples (8/23), bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV, in 34.37% (11/32) and Mycoplasma spp. in 33.33% (8/24). The genome of BoHV-1 virus was not detected in any of the 19 samples tested by Real Time PCR method.

The yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L., Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is an edible insect, distributed worldwide and a convenient candidate for industrial-scale production. Mealworms could be commercially used for the substitution of conventional protein sources. In our previous study, it was found that T. molitor larvae predominantly contained crude protein (55.83%) and crude fat (25.19%), as well as low content of nitrogen-free extract (based on dry weight). Mealworm specimens were maintained in an incubator under controlled conditions in plastic containers. Insects were sieved and put into the container with boiling water and cooked for 180 seconds. Moisture content was determined as weight loss after drying of larvae. Amino acids were determined on an Agilent Technologies 1260 series HPLC system. Fatty acid composition was determined on a Thermo Scientific TRACE 1300 gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector using TR-FAME column. The results showed that the content of unsaturated fatty acid is very high, i.e. oleic acid (C18:1) formed the major lipid component in 40.83%, which was followed by linoleic acid (C18:2, omega-6 fatty acid) with 29.80% and linolenic acid (C18:3) with 1.08%. The essential amino acids are highly represented in the samples (in % dry matter). This primarily refers to isoleucine (4.12), tyrosine (3.86), phenylalanine (3.06), leucine (2.96), lysine (2.67) and methionine (1.76). The differences in essential fatty and amino acid content between our results and discussed literature data, could be the consequence of different substrates used for rearing of insects. After everything stated above, the biological value of T. molitor larvae proves that it could be suitable as animal feed.

Simple Summary: The metabolic profile implies simultaneous determination of carbohydrate, fat, protein, and mineral metabolism parameters as well as endocrinological parameters in the blood of cows. Blood is exposed to a variety of preanalytical factors during sampling, transport to the laboratory, and laboratory preparation for analysis, which may cause hemolysis of the sample. As hemolysis affects the values of the metabolic profile, the analyzed blood parameters may falsely increase or decrease, and the metabolic status of the cows may be misinterpreted. Preventing hemolysis is important because severe hemolysis requires discarding the sample and resampling, which is very resource-intensive. In this paper, three levels of hemolysis were determined for each blood parameter tested: (a) a hemolysis level that does not affect the values of the parameters and allows the results to be issued without restriction; (b) a hemolysis level that affects the values of the parameters but remains within the acceptable biological variability and permits the results to be issued along with a note in the form of a correction formula; and (c) a hemolysis level at which the obtained values of the parameters or the entire sample must be discarded. The results are presented graphically using interferograms, which can be easily implemented in every laboratory after validation. Hemolysis is a common cause of errors in laboratory tests as it affects blood parameters and leads to a positive or negative bias. This study aims to examine the relationship between the level of hemolysis (expressed as cell-free hemoglobin concentration, g/L) and the variability of metabolic and endocrine parameters and to determine the threshold level of hemolysis that causes an analytically and clinically significant bias for the twenty most frequently examined blood parameters in cows. Paired blood samples of 10 mL each were obtained from 30 cows. One was subjected to mechanical trauma and plasma was extracted directly from the other. Hemolyzed and non-hemolyzed samples from the same animal were mixed to obtain final samples with cell-free hemoglobin concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g/L. Metabolic and endocrine parameters were measured in the samples and their deviation and the linear equation between the level of hemolysis and the deviation were determined. The following threshold values of hemolysis were determined, which correspond to the acceptable analytical (lower value) and clinical (upper value) levels of parameter variability: BHB 0.96 and 4.81; NEFA 0.39 and 3.31; GLU 0.38 and 3.90; ALB 1.12 and 6.11; TPROT 1.40 and 6.80; UREA 6.62 and 20.1; TBIL 0.75 and 5.65; AST 0.11 and 2.18; GGT 1.71 and 8.90, LDH 0.01 and 0.11, ALP 0.97 and 2.95; TGC 1.56 and 15.5; CHOL 1.29 and 8.56; Ca 5.68 and 25.7; P 0.57 and 8.43; Mg 1.10 and 8.47; INS 1.15 and 3.89; T3 8.19 and 15.6; T4 8.97 and 18.5; and CORT 2.78 and 11.22 g/L cell-free hemoglobin. Three decision levels are available for each metabolic and endocrine parameter: if hemolysis is below the lower (analytical) threshold value, results can be reported without restriction; if hemolysis is between the lower and upper thresholds, the results can be issued with guidance in the form of corrective linear equations; and if hemolysis is above the upper (clinical) threshold, the results and sample must be discarded. This method contributes to an optimal approach to hemolysis interference with metabolic profile parameters in blood samples from cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results on a concircularly semi-symmetric metric connection on a Riemannian manifold are presented. Six linearly independent curvature tensors with respect to this non-symmetric linear connection are studied, and the tensors coincident with the Weyl projective curvature tensor and the concircular curvature tensor of the Levi-Civita connection are determined. Transformations of connections when the Riemannian curvature tensor, Weyl projective curvature tensor and the concircular curvature tensor of the Levi-Civita connection are invariant are also observed. Moreover, new conditions for the Einstein manifold are derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of insects as “novel” and natural feed materials seems to be an attractive alternative protein source for poultry, pigs and fish since more than 80% of their chemical composition (dry weight basis) is crude protein and crude fat content. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine some chemical composition parameters of powdered mealworm larvae, as a potential animal feed as well as human novel food. It was found that the crude protein (55.83%) and crude fat (25.19%) content was predominant, as well as that the content of nitrogen-free extract was low. Coincided with the high protein content, the levels of the most important amino acids were found to be considerable, especially lysine (3.18%) and threonine (1.34%). Crude fibre content was 7.15%, while ash was 4.84%. The samples were found to be rich in most nutritive elements, especially phosphorus (1.06%) and potassium (1.12%) in terms of macroelements, and zinc (138.2 mg/kg) in terms of microelements. Based on our research and other experimental results, it can be concluded that meals from the insects originating from the order Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae (mealworms) may be successfully used as feed material in diets of livestock animals, especially poultry.

Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine and compare levels of blood serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium in the peripartal period and during mid lactation in Holstein dairy cattle. Materials and Methods. Blood samples were collected from 12 cows in late pregnancy, 12 early lactation cows, and 12 mid lactation cows. Results and Conclusions. Serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus in blood of dairy cows in early and mid lactation were significantly lower compared to the values in the blood serum of dairy cows in late pregnancy, probably indicating the increased use of these macro elements by the mammary gland at the early stages of lactation. When the cows were in the lactation period, blood serum magnesium levels were significantly lower compared to the values of dairy cows during late pregnancy, probably indicating the increased use of magnesium by the dairy cows during lactation. The results show that the homeostasis of the macro elements examined in the blood of transition and mid lactation dairy cows was maintained, suggesting their adequate supply from alimentary sources.

Hybrid composite panels of Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC) consisting of wood and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were reinforced with alumina particles and made by “hot pressing” method. Alumina-based particles were made by sol-gel technique. The particles were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD). The resulting alumina particles were modified with (3mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTMS), in order to obtain better mechanical properties of the composite relative to the composite with unmodified alumina particles. The aim of this work was to study the influence of composite structure and the moisture absorption on bending and the impact properties of the hybrid composite. The bending and impact tests revealed that modulus of elasticity and absorbed energy of deformation increased with modification of alumina and slightly decrease after moisture absorption. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR34011]

The subject of this research is the existence and nature of the relationship, and the difference, between convicted persons who are misusing psychoactive supstances and convicted persons who are not misusing psychoactive substances, in terms of their socio-demographic and criminal-penologycal characteristics. The reason that this research has been done is due to the hypothetical assumption that persons who are serving jail time are, in a number of cases, misusing psychoactive substances in the period before serving their sentence, continue to misuse, or were committing criminal misdemeanours in terms of production and putting into circulation narcotics, in much larger numbers than persons who are not misusing psychoactive susptances, and by rule are recidivists. Conducting a poll, the authors have gathered information about the misuse of psychoactive substances among convicts who are serving sentences in Novi Pazar County Jail, and using the statistic method the authors have edited, analized, and interpreted the information obtained by the poll, in the goal of confirming or dismissing the research hypothesis.

The effects of fixed non-genetic factors (farm, season of birth, year of birth, total number of lactations) and a continuous non-genetic factor (age at first conception) on the expression and variability of longevity traits such as age at culling, length of productive life, days in milk and cow efficiency index were investigated in 2548 Simmental cows in three farming areas. Based on the model used for the analysis of the effects of non-genetic factors, including the environment and cow age at first conception, on the expression and variability of longevity traits, the overall means for age at culling, length of productive life, days in milk and cow efficiency index were 2445.21±17.49 days, 1562.55±17.71 days, 1094.17±12.28 days and 58.68±0.32%, respectively. The effect of farming area, year of birth and lactation group on longevity traits was very significant (P0.05). Based on the model used, the coefficients of determination (R2 ) were very significant (P

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is the biggest health problem of the cattle industry globally due to the high prevalence and economic consequences which arise due to numerous reasons. Huge economic losses are most often attributed to high morbidity and mortality, reduction of Average Daily Gain (ADG) and food utilization, weight loss, lower quality of carcasses and comprehensive measures of prophylaxis and therapy. BRDC commonly observed throughout the feedlot phase due to the stress factors. Predisposing factors divided didactic on environmental (inclement weather conditions, inadequate humidity and dust), host factors (age, sex, race, genetics, immune status) and stressful management practices (transportation, nutritional stress, metabolic disease, high density of animals, handling, castration, dehorning). In complex etiopathogenesis, in addition to the aforementioned predisposing factors, numerous viral and bacterial agents are involved. Gross lung lesions are most commonly observed in cattle slaughter or autopsies (visible to the naked eye) occur as a result of pneumonia. It is the result of an infection by the bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3V), bovine herpes virus type 1 (BoHV1) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) alone or in combination with one another, as well the common bacterial pathogens Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Micrococcus spp. Numerous studies have pointed to the detrimental effects on performance and carcass characteristics.

Ketosis is a common disease in high producing dairy cows during the early lactation period. Subclinical ketosis (SCK) and periparturient diseases considerably account for economic and welfare losses in dairy cows. Subclinical ketosis poses an increased risk of production-related diseases such as clinical ketosis, displaced abomasum, retained placenta, lameness, mastitis and metritis. Production efficiency decreases (lower milk production, poor fertility, and increased culling rates), which results in economic losses. Increased concentrations of circulating ketone bodies, predominantly β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), without the presence of clinical signs of ketosis are considered as SCK. It is characterized by increased levels of ketone bodies in the blood, urine and milk. The gold standard test for ketosis is blood BHB. This ketone body is more stable in blood than acetone or acetoacetate. The most commonly used cut-points for subclinical ketosis are 1.2 mmol/L or 1.4 mmol/L for BHB in the blood. Clinical ketosis generally involves much higher levels of BHB, about 3.0 mmol/L or more. Usually, detection of SCK is carried out by testing ketone body concentrations in blood, urine and milk. A variety of laboratory and cowside tests are available for monitoring ketosis in dairy herds.Butno cowside test has perfect sensitivity and specificity compared to blood BHB as the gold standard test. The aim of this review is to overview diagnostic tests for SCK in dairy cows, including laboratory and cowside tests.

Peripartal metabolic stress is characterized by increased lipid mobilization, when non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) are increased, as well as by increased ketogenesis, when the concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is increased. NEFA are metabolized in all tissues but the main organ is the liver. Possible processes are: a) complete oxidation of NEFA, b) partial oxidation and synthesis of ketone bodies (BHB), c) development of triglycerides from NEFA that can be transported or stay in the liver when fatty liver is apparent. Moreover, increased lipolysis and ketogenesis can cause oxidative stress because concentrations of MDA and/or TBARS are positively correlated with NEFA and BHB concentrations. The increase in NEFA during the peripartal period affects the cellular immunologic response by changing intracellular signals, gene expressing control, activation of transcriptional factors, apoptosis induction and by modifying mediators of lipid production. Increased proportion of cows with high NEFA and BHB concentrations in the herd can cause reduced milk yield at the end of a standard 305-day lactation. NEFA concentrations can be related to postpartal ovarian activity, especially given that blood NEFA concentrations represent NEFA concentrations in the ovarian follicular fluid. Cows on farms with lower scores of animal welfare and nutrition have higher concentrations of cortisol, NEFA, BHB, bilirubin, glucose and urea. NEFA and BHB concentrations in early lactation can be used for estimating metabolic adaptation in the first 8 weeks after calving. For the estimation of metabolic adaptation, increased lipolysis has a greater significance than decreased anabolic parameters.