Regions Of Serbia Research Articles

Ispitivanje prisustva u zemljištu, vijabilnosti i infektivnog potencijala azigospora entomopatogene gljive Entomophaga maimaiga

Entomophaga maimaiga is one of the best-known gypsy moth pathogens with increasing importance in the biological control aimed at reducing the population of this defoliator. The territory of the Republic of Serbia is a very favorable gypsy moth habitat, and the problems caused by its larvae during the periods of outbreaks are so great that they can lead to forest defoliation and forest health deterioration. In the Republic of Serbia, E. maimaiga was first recorded in 2011 (as a new species in the microflora of Serbia) during the gypsy moth outbreak (2009-2014), which was the last to date. In 2011, numerous dead caterpillars were found on and around trees in oak and beech stands of the Belgrade and Valjevo regions in Serbia. Subsequent laboratory analyses revealed that they contained azygospores and conidia of this fungus. The assisted introduction of E. maimaiga was carried out in Compartments 28 and 30 of the FMU Avala on Mt. Avala in 2011. It led to an epizootic in the following year and stopped the outbreak of the gypsy moth in the area. Since it has been seven years since the outbreak, we tested the viability and infectivity of E. maimaiga azygospores obtained from the soil samples from Avala Mountain where its assisted introduction was carried out. We used larvae from the laboratory gypsy moth population and applied the bioassay method. The results show that azygospores are present in the given soil samples, they are viable and their infectivity is conserved. It can be concluded that in the case of an outbreak of gypsy moth populations in the future, they will exhibit their entomopathogenic effect

Contemporary basis of rural tourism development in Šumadija district

The regionalization process is one of the possibilities for developing rural area tourism, which would significantly contribute to increasing the competitiveness of a specific region as a tourist destination. For such a process to produce results, it must be accompanied by increasing the competitiveness of rural destinations based on the application of innovations and sustainable tourism development in order to protect the natural environment that is the basis of the tourism product in rural areas. Different forms of tourism can be developed in rural areas such as rural, eco, wine tourism, tourism of special interests, cultural and religious tourism. One of the regions in Serbia that could develop rural areas in this way could also be Sumadija.

Distribution of Trichinella infections in pigs and Trichinellosis in humans in Serbia from 1994 to 2018

Introduction. Trichinellosis is a disease in humans caused by parasites of the genus Trichinella, and these roundworms can occur in a variety of animals (over one hundred mammal species). Members of the genus Trichinella are present in almost all continents and in all climate zones. Intensive studies on the eradication of this disease have been going on for a long period, but despite the finances invested in research projects, trichinellosis is still present in the 21st century and poses a major health issue all over the world. According to current scientific estimations, there are over 27 million Trichinellainfected people in the world. The aim of our study was to determine the distribution and trends for Trichinella infection in pigs and trichinellosis in humans in Serbia between 1994 and 2018. Materials and Methods. Data for the 25-year surveillance period of Trichinella cases registered in pigs and humans in Serbia was gathered from the Veterinary Directorate and from the Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Serbia. The data obtained was analysed with the relative numbers of structure and dynamics, indices and descriptive statistical indicators. Results and Conclusions. During the research period, 14,837 pigs were diagnosed as infected with Trichinella. Out of this number, 87.31% of pigs were identified in the five epizootiological regions, and only 12.69% were diagnosed in the non-epizootiological regions in Serbia. During the period 1994-2018 in Serbia, a total of 6,850 people were treated for Trichinella infection. Out of this number, 4,153 (60.63%) people were from the five epizootiological regions. The trend-line describing the presence of Trichinella in pigs was defined by a fourth degree polynomial function. Meanwhile, the trend-line describing the presence of trichinellosis in humans was defined by a sixth degree polynomial function. Trichinellosis in Serbia is most common during the winter season, from December to March.

Ranking and mapping of forest regions in Serbia based on the forest damage threat degree

Forest ecosystems in Serbia suffer great damages each year due to the negative effects of water, wind and fires, which are caused by climate change. In this sense, the aim of the research is to determine the degree of threat from the effects of water, wind and fires for selected forest regions, as well as to form ranks and groups of forest regions, and their threat indexes. Through cluster analysis method, forest regions are grouped based on two criteria (number of damage and damaged area), in order to calculate their threat index. In this way, three groups of forest regions were identified: considerably, moderately, and slightly threatened. Rasinsko and Tarsko forest region (IUP=6) have the highest threat index in relation to the affected area. Sumadijsko, Juznokucajsko, Gornjeibarsko, Timocko, Toplicko and Nisko, with IUP=3 belong to the group of slightly threatened areas. The results of these studies can be used for achieving better quality of monitoring and control), prevention and response, should any harmful event occur.

The attitudes of table egg consumers in Serbia on the welfare of laying hens

In order to examine the attitude of egg consumers about the poultry welfare and their willingness to spend more money to buy eggs produced in accordance with animal welfare principles, 529 consumers were surveyed in three regions of Serbia (Belgrade, region of Sumadija and Western Serbia and South and Eastern Serbia region). Through the survey questionnaire, consumers have stated how important the welfare of laying hens is to them and if they are willing to spend more money on eggs produced acording to principles of animal welfare. The answers of the surveyed consumers were analyzed by gender, age, education, number of children in the family and the environment in which they live. According to the results of the survey, it can be concluded that in Serbia, poultry welfare is moderately important to 28.17% of egg consumers and very important to 50.77% of consumers, while not at all or little to 21.13%, and that there are differences between individual regions. The willingness to pay more for eggs produced according to welfare principles was expressed by 78.53% of consumers, on average for all three regions. The analysis of data within the category of consumers for which the poultry welfare is very important, revealed that 54.15% are women and 44.02% are men, and that the welfare is more important for consumers with higher education (52.66%) compared to middle school (47.67%), also, for consumers in the 35-55 age group (55.60%) compared to younger and older respondents and those with three or more children in the family (52.94%) compared to families with fewer children. The survey results indicate that consumers in Serbia attribute more importance to the welfare of laying hens, and show their willingness to pay more for eggs produced in compliance with the welfare principles. In the coming period, the education focusing on the increase of consumer awareness of the importance of the welfare of laying hens and the connection with the quality of the product will be necessary.

Rediscovering old finds? Notes on the Bronze Age graves with amber in Western Serbia

e study is the result of rechecking details of funerary practices in the Bronze Age of Western Serbia. Potential presence of amber in grave inventories provided an impetus to examine burial contexts and ways how exotic goods reached the innermost parts of the Balkan Peninsula. Arrival of the first amber artefacts at the territory of Serbia is connected with the Middle Bronze Age, which is later than the earliest finds of the Baltic amber in south Europe and the Mediterranean. e sites with amber artefacts are neither numerous nor with even spatial distribution. e region of Western Serbia stands out from the rest of the broader zone because of its early excavated and early dated amber finds. In all of the cases, the amber finds have funerary context. Focal point of the study is on the rediscovered amber find from the necropolis in Stapari and its context. Based on the data from the documentation and publications, it is not very likely that the necropolis in Stapari can be defined as a flat one. All regional characteristics of synchronous funerary practices must be taken into consideration along with the state of preservation of the site in the 20th century. Consequently, the necropolis can be added to the large group of tumular necropolises, which comprised necropolis in Vranjani, which was analysed as well, due to a problematic amber find. Recent analyses confirmed the Baltic provenance of the amber from the West Morava basin, but contribution to at least partial reconstruction of regional routes which brought the material to this part of the Central Balkans has additional importance. e region settled by the bearers of the Belegiš culture, which was suspected to have served as a starting point for regional trade southwards, provided the first amber find with settlement context.

A model for reduction of transport-related CO2 emissions by optimizing industrial waste treatment facility location

One of the objectives of industrial waste management is to reduce the amount of waste and to ensure its reuse in a way that allows notable improvement of resource efficiency. Location of a waste treatment plant is a strategic issue that require careful logistics system planning. The aim of this article is to create a model for solving the locationallocation problem of waste (i..e. secondary raw materials) treatment facilities, taking into account the territorial distribution, the type, and the quantity of secondary raw materials, the distance between waste-generating industries, as well as the CO 2 emissions from transport of secondary raw materials. The basic principle for defining a mathematical model is minimization of CO emissions from transport-related activities; 2 for this reason, modeling is based on the p median model that has been modified and put within the context of industrial waste management, including CO emissions from 2 transport. The location model is based on common industrial waste streams and CO 2 emissions from vehicles commonly used to transport secondary raw materials from generators to facilities. The verification of the model was performed through a case study that included the region of southeast Serbia. It confirmed usefullness of the proposed model for deciding on optimal locations for new industrial waste treatment plants.

Extreme July precipitation and its consequences on Crna Trava municipality, Serbia

Even though climate variability, geology, and human activity are main triggers of landslides, based on earlier research, precipitation is considered the most important natural factor responsible for soil erosion in the landslide context. In this study landslide activation has been correlated with precipitation in least developed municipality of Crna Trava located in South-east Serbia. The purpose of this study is analyzing the precipitation in thirteen surrounding settlements: Vranje, Leskovac, Babušnica, Bela Palanka, Pirot, Dimitrovgrad, Kalna, Kriva Feja, Vladičin Han, Vučje, Vlasotince, Grdelica, Brestovac and finding its correlation to landslide occurrences. Precipitation for seven decades (period 1946-2017) has been interpolated by IDW method in the software ArcMap 10.5 and correlated to Crna Trava slope map. Potential locations of landslides were determined and compared to the recent landslides which occurred in July in 2018, in Bankovci village. Potential years for landslide activation were compared to calculated values of the Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI), the Modified Fournier Index (MFI), and Lang Aridity Index (AILang). The case study was done based on fieldwork which happened in a period from 20 to 26 of July 2018 in the village of Bankovci. On the 25 of July landslides were activated because of the extreme weather conditions, which affected wider region in Central and South-east Serbia: 100 liters of rain fell during the three-hour period. Habitants were interviewed about their memories on extreme floods and landslides in Crna Trava municipality, and the years they mentioned are in well agreement with our results of the extreme precipitation events.

A subnational assessment of hotel social media metrics: The case of Serbia

Facebook is the most widely used SNS (Social Networking Sites) platform globally, and it represents an important marketing and communication channel for hotels. The dynamic and constantly changing nature requires continuous adaptation to changes and benchmarking in order to identify best practices. This paper investigates selected characteristics of Facebook pages (social media metrics) of all hotels in Serbia in national regional context. In the case of four explored regions of Serbia, the results indicate regional inconsistencies, with most notable differences within the number of page fans, temporal aspects of posts as well as user engagement. On the other hand, similarities are evident in some post characteristics such as type of post and post length, while a specific pattern can be observed concerning page fans country of origin. This paper contributes to the regional understanding of social media metrics that can help hotels when assessing their promotional activities.

Damage trends in selected forest regions and a future period forecast

The research carried out in Serbia so far revealed an increase in forest damages from natural hazards, as well as increased share in total forest damages with their territorial inequality. This research aims to determine the trend in the number and area of damages, the area of damages per one harmful event, and the prognosis of damages caused by the harmful effects of water, wind and fire in selected forest regions of Serbia. A modelling method was used as a basic scientific method, with an application of trend regression and correlation analysis and other specific methods. The results of the research indicate that there are differences in the trends per harmful factor. An increasing trend is visible with the damages caused by the effects of water and wind but also in the extent of damages caused by all three detrimental factors. A decreasing trend is noticeable only for the damages caused by fire.

Activity of the Economically Active Population of Certain Ethnic Groups in the Northern Region of Serbia (Vojvodina Region)

Activity of the Economically Active Population of Certain Ethnic Groups in the Northern Region of Serbia (Vojvodina Region)

Investigations of quartz raw materials from the locality of Rekovac muncipality

Quality of raw materials, including quartz sand and quartzite, varies from one deposit to another. Furthermore, the material quality determines in which industrial branches it can be used after certain preparation processes. Potential applications of quartz raw materials are: in the construction and refractory industry, ceramics and glass industry, then in metallurgy, foundry and also in production of water treatment filters. Geological investigations of the central Serbia region, in the Rekovac municipality, resulted in identification of occurrence of quartz sand ("Ursula") and quartzite ("Velika Krusevica"). Preliminary laboratory tests and characterization of the quartz sand size fraction -0.63+0.1 mm confirmed the possibility of applying this size fraction in the construction materials industry, while the quartzite can be used in refractory, glass and metallurgy industries. After determining the geological reserve of quartz sand "Ursula" and quartzite "Velika Krusevica", detailed investigations are required. Quality conditions from the aspect of chemical composition and physical properties of quartz sand and quartzite are mostly clearly defined by a special standard for this purpose. On the other hand, there are also application areas where standards does not exist, but users define their quality conditions. This example is with the application of quartz sand in the production of water glass. Chemical composition as well is not always the determining factor for the application of quartz raw material. For example, for quartz sand used for sandblasting, grain form is essential. From the economic analysis point of view, the prices of quartz raw materials vary depending on their chemical and physical properties. After all, what needs to be pointed out is the fact that these raw materials are very widespread in nature and that their exploitation is quite simple. After the raw material is excavated, it is stored and further sieved, washed, dried and processed according to customer requirements. All of these processes are cheaper than preparing, for example, limestone, and significaly cheaper than preparation of metal ores.

Metallum Messallini – A New Roman Lead Ingot from the Danube Provinces

A Roman lead ingot with the mould mark metallo Messallini provides highly interesting insight into the economic side of power politics pursued by the first Roman emperor Augustus. The proprietor of the mine, Messallinus, can be identified with Marcus Valerius Messalla Messallinus, consul in 3 BC and governor of Illyricum in AD 6. At the beginning of the Illyrian revolt in AD 6 he achieved important victories over the insurgent tribes. The mines were likely a gift from Augustus (who owned mines in that region) to Messallinus for his deeds. The shape of the panel and the inscription on the ingot as well as lead isotope analysis suggest an origin in the ore regions of Serbia and the Kosovo. According to the isotope comparison, the mines were located in the district of today’s Novo Brdo in eastern Kosovo (Figure 1).

Honey bee viruses in Serbian colonies of different strength.

Protection of honey bees is of great economic importance because of their role in pollination. Crucial steps towards this goal are epidemiological surveys of pathogens connected with honey bee losses. In this study deformed wing virus (DWV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV) and sacbrood virus (SBV) were investigated in colonies of different strength located in five regions of Serbia. The relationship between colony strength and virus occurrence/infection intensity were assessed as well as the genetic relationship between virus sequences from Serbia and worldwide. Real-time RT-PCR analyses detected at least one virus in 87.33% of colonies. Single infection was found in 28.67% colonies (21.33%, 4.00%, 2.67% and 0.67% in cases of DWV, ABPV, SBV and CBPV, respectively). In the majority of colonies (58.66%) more than one virus was found. The most prevalent was DWV (74%), followed by ABPV, SBV and CBPV (49.30%, 24.00% and 6.70%, respectively). Except for DWV, the prevalence of the remaining three viruses significantly varied between the regions. No significant differences were found between colony strength and either (i) the prevalence of DWV, ABPV, SBV, CBPV and their combinations, or (ii) DWV infection levels. The sequences of honey bee viruses obtained from bees in Serbia were 93–99% identical with those deposited in GenBank.

Selection of recycling centre locations by using the interval type-2 fuzzy sets and two-objective genetic algorithm.

In the sense of contemporary industrial challenges, it may be said that many issues in the field of recycling may be analysed. In this paper, the model for choosing locations for construction of recycling centres equipped with new technology is proposed. The considered problem may be stated as a two-objective optimization problem, if the optimization criteria are presented as total distance and the overall suitability index sum. The relative importance and values of possible locations' attributes are described by pre-defined linguistic expressions, and modelled by interval triangular type-2 fuzzy numbers. Type-2 fuzzy numbers provide a possibility to incorporate the uncertainty of membership functions into the fuzzy set theory. The procedure for determination of the overall suitability index is proposed. Selection of the most appropriate locations is achieved by a two-objective genetic algorithm, since it is very suitable for the routing issues. The proposed model application is illustrated with the real-life data that come from a few regions in Serbia.

Prevalence of the giant liver fluke (fascioloides magna, bassi, 1875) in red deer (cervus elaphus) in the region of floodplain forests of northern Serbia

This is the first study offering insights into the prevalence of giant liver fluke in the population of red deer in the territory of Serbia. Giang liver fluke (Fascioloides magna, Bassi, 1875) is the most important liver parasite among wild ruminants in Europe, especially in the region of floodplain forests along the upper watercourse of Danube river. The main objective of this research was establishing the prevalence of giant liver fluke in the region of floodplain forests of northern Serbia. In the observed regions (hunting grounds), the population prevalence rates ranged from 0 to 80% with an average prevalence in positive herds being 70.6%. The total population of red deer, from the observed hunting grounds, exposed to the giant liver fluke includes 47.9% of red deer population in Serbia, which is 0.7% of the total hunting area of Serbia. Giant liver fluke is present in north-western regions of Serbia in a narrow area of floodplain forests along the watercourse of Danube and Sava rivers next to the border with Croatia. The red deers populating the wetland basin of “Gornje Podunavlje” migrate freely through the tri-border area of Hungary, Croatia and Serbia making a consistent epizootical unit. Moreover, the game migrates freely between Croatia and Serbia in the area of Posavina forests along the river Sava. All data obtained in this research are essential for further activities aimed at preventing the spread of this parasite within red deer population and thus decreasing consequent damages and losses.

Role of plant-specialized Hyalesthes obsoletus associated with Convolvulus arvensis and Crepis foetida in the transmission of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’-inflicted bois noir disease of grapevine in Serbia

Bois noir (BN), a grapevine yellows disease induced by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, is spreading and diversifying in several wine-producing regions of Europe, causing increased yield losses and economic concerns. The planthopper Hyalesthes obsoletus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) is a major vector of the pathogen that causes BN disease in grapevine. Recent studies suggest that epidemiology of BN is affected by the interaction of specific host races of H. obsoletus with weedy host plants that serve as reservoirs for the pathogen. Since BN is common in grape-growing regions of Serbia, a survey was conducted during 2015–2016 to evaluate the host-plant association and vector role of H. obsoletus in central and eastern regions. We tested populations of H. obsoletus associated with Convolvulus arvensis (field bindweed) a known host for the vector and pathogen and Crepis foetida (stinking hawk’s-beard) a newly identified host in southeastern Europe. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of H. obsoletus collected from C. arvensis and C. foetida using the mtDNA COI marker determined that the two populations had a genetic divergence of 1.4%. Transmission trials confirmed the vector role of C. arvensis-associated H. obsoletus and identified C. foetida-associated populations as a new and efficient host-specialized vector of BN. Each of the two host-specialized vector populations transmitted ‘Ca. P. solani’ to its original host (C. arvensis or C. foetida) and to grapevine cv. Chardonnay. Multilocus genotyping of the transmitted phytoplasma isolates based on tuf/stamp/vmp1 ‘Ca. P. solani’-specific loci indicated pathogen segregation according to the host-plant association of the vector. All isolates transmitted by C. foetida-associated H. obsoletus were of the STOL genotype (tuf-b/STOL/V2-TA), while the C. arvensis-associated population transmitted several genotypes: tuf-b/Rqg50/V4, tuf-b/Rqg50/V14, tuf-b/Rqg31/V14 and tuf-b/Vv24/V14. This study provides evidence of a new independent BN epidemiological cycle of tuf-b ‘Ca. P. solani’ strain in the Balkan region, sourced by C. foetida and transmitted by its associated H. obsoletus population.

Assessment of spatial and temporal variations in trace element concentrations using honeybees (Apis mellifera) as bioindicators

With the increase in anthropogenic activities metal pollution is also increased and needs to be closely monitored. In this study honeybees were used as bioindicators to monitor metal pollution. Metal pollution in honeybees represents pollution present in air, water and soil. Concentrations of As, Cs, Hg, Mo, Sb, Se, U and V were measured. The aim of this study was to assess spatial and temporal variations of metal concentrations in honeybees. Samples of honeybees were taken at five different regions in Serbia (Belgrade - BG, Pančevo - PA, Pavliš - PV, Mesić - MS, and Kostolac - TPP) during 2014. Spatial variations were observed for Sb, which had higher concentrations in BG compared to all other regions, and for U, with higher concentrations in the TPP region. High concentrations of Sb in BG were attributed to intense traffic, while higher U concentrations in the TPP region are due to the vicinity of coal fired power plants. In order to assess temporal variations at two locations (PA and PV) samples were taken during July and September of 2014 and June, July, August and September of 2015. During 2014 observing months of sampling higher concentrations in July were detected for Sb and U in BG, which is attributed to lifecycle of plants and honeybees. During the same year higher concentrations in September were observed for As, Sb in PA and Hg in PV. This is due to high precipitation during the peak of bee activity in spring/summer of 2014. No differences between months of sampling were detected during 2015. Between 2014 and 2015 statistically significant differences were observed for Hg, Mo and V; all elements had higher concentrations in 2014. This is in accordance with the trend of reduction of metal concentrations in the bodies of honeybees throughout the years in this region.

HUMIC ACIDS OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF RENDZINA SOILS IN DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF SERBIA

<p>This study examined the impact of climate, altitude and landforms on humic acids (HA) optical properties (E4/E6, ∆logK, RF indexes) in Serbian Rendzina soils. HA humification degree of calcareous and decarbonated Rendzinas under natural vegetation (forest and grassland, separately) decreased with altitude increasing. This particular rule was not manifested in arable Rendzinas. HA humification degree in Rendzinas on flat positions (hilltop and footslope) is significantly higher than in Rendzinas on slope sides. Humification degree of HA is the highest in Rendzinas in eastern Serbia (in the vicinity of Negotin), followed by central Serbia (Sumadija) and Srem, southeast and finally, southeast and southwest Serbia. With respect to the climate change foreseen for the end of this century, i.e. increase of precipitation and temperature variance among the regions in Serbia, also an increase in variance of quality of humic acids in Rendzinas on different altitudes and regions can be expected.</p>

Introduction

After our special “Hope and Fear” last issue that highlighted thematically connected essays from Carroll College's interdisciplinary conference, this issue of Soundings features a collection of writings that are connected only through their shared commitment to interdisciplinary interpretation and scholarship.We begin with Anne Speckhard and Ardian Shajkovci's work on a growing issue that will face many countries (especially those with substantial Muslim populations) in the aftermath of the ongoing decline of ISIS: how to most successfully deradicalize and reintegrate former ISIS volunteers back into their home societies. Focusing on efforts in Kosovo and the Sandiak region of Serbia, the authors interrogate the possibilities and limitations of these strategies for intervention, and potentially, rehabilitation and how they might be adaptable in other locations.Second, in light of much stricter immigration policies proposed and implemented by the Trump Administration, Melanie Howard takes a close look at three ways of interpreting the “Sermon on the Mount.” Howard suggests innovatively that Jesus's teachings on responding nonviolently to one's enemies might be interpreted as words of peace, satire, or even terror. Her argument raises useful considerations on how Christian immigrant communities in particular might imagine responding to the new landscape in which they find themselves.Our third essay explores the concept of a “Scientology captivity narrative” through a careful study of Jenna Miscavige Hill's memoir Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and my Harrowing Escape. Drawing on critical race theory and critical prison studies, author Hannah Anneliese Bailey sees significant intersections between Hill's account and the genre of slave and captivity narratives, but also concludes that its success in the marketplace reveals the ways it reinforces uniquely American notions of white liberal personhood and racialized criminality.Next, Luke William Hunt offers an opinion piece on the apparent increasing illiberality in a society founded on liberal constitutional principles and the need to recognize distinctions between moral, legal, and political norms. Using the popularity of J. D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy as a jumping off point and the “new normal” of the Trump presidency as a general background, Hunt considers how to square the socially and culturally normative views of publically and (often) self-defined “rednecks” with the legal and philosophical norms of the American political tradition.Finally, Benjamin Davis provides an insightful review of Benjamin Schewel's new overview of conceptions of religion's history and future, Seven Ways of Looking at Religion: The Major Narratives. We hope these wide-ranging explorations of religion, philosophy, and politics prove useful as we collectively consider this uncertain time.