Abstract Background This study aimed to examine a broad range of medico-legal factors related to the homicides (H) and homicides that followed the suicides (H–S) phenomenon in Southeastern Serbia during the period (2000–2022), providing context for the temporal scope of the data and its relevance to current trends. Results Our investigation from 2000 to 2022 revealed 529 H cases and 86 H–S cases. The H–S rate was 0.26 per 100,000 persons per year, accounting for 16.25% of the total population. We found that H–S perpetrators, typically males, older than H perpetrators, highly educated, urban, and unemployed, had a mentally inconspicuous status. Those who committed H had prior criminal records and were more frequently impaired by alcohol during the critical event compared with H–S perpetrators. The majority of male H victims were older than most female H and H–S victims, both from urban areas, with completed high school and employed, with mentally inconspicuous status, and married. Victims of H were more often under the influence of alcohol at the moment of the critical event. Previous threats against the victim were registered more often in cases of H–S, as well as the use of a handgun rather than a gunshot for committing murder. Typical motive in H was disagreement/dispute against acquaintances/neighbors, compared to intimate partners (IP) abandonment/threat of abandonment, and IP pathological jealousy as a part of intimate partner violence (IPV) in H–S. These distinct profiles provide a fascinating area for further research and underscore the importance of understanding the unique dynamics of H and H–S cases. Conclusions According to our results, H–S is the most common form of IPV, suggesting that professionals should focus on targeted prevention strategies that address the identified patterns to reduce fatal outcomes.

Dog bites represent an increasingly significant medical, public health, and legal issue, particularly in urban areas with a high number of stray dogs. Alongside actual injuries, there is a growing number of false bite reports aimed at obtaining unlawful financial compensation. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of injuries reported as dog bites in southeastern Serbia during 2022, determine the frequency of falsely reported cases, and identify changes in dog bite frequency in 2023 and 2024. Data were collected from the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Niš, including 443 reported cases. Each case was analyzed for cause, type, location of injury, and demographic characteristics of the injured individuals. In 87.58% of cases, the bite was confirmed as authentic, while 4.74% were determined to be falsely reported. Individuals aged 51 to 70 years were most frequently affected, and the lower limbs were the most common injury location. Most injuries were minor and occurred in the afternoon. No statistically significant change in the frequency of false reporting was observed from 2022 to 2024. The calculated slope of -12.50 and p-value of 0.6166 indicate no statistically significant trend in total dog bite reports. This study highlights the need for a systematic approach, including improved stray dog control, enhanced shelter infrastructure, and the development of forensic protocols to distinguish between real and false bite injuries. Such measures could reduce both the legal and financial burden on local communities.

Medicinal plants represent an important source of bioactive compounds whose composition and biological activity are strongly influenced by geographical origin and extraction conditions. In this study, six medicinal plants traditionally used in south-eastern Serbia (Galium verum, Filipendula vulgaris, Lythrum salicaria, Sideritis montana, Teucrium chamaedrys, and Teucrium montanum) were investigated for their phytochemical composition and antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and antimicrobial activities. Aqueous and 40% ethanol extracts were prepared and analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), followed by HPLC-DAD profiling of individual polyphenolic compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power assays, antihyperglycemic activity by α-glucosidase inhibition, and antimicrobial activity by the microdilution method against selected bacterial and fungal strains. L. salicaria exhibited the highest TPC (113.56-119.09 mg GAE/g DW), while F. vulgaris showed the highest TFC (65.74-66.31 mg RE/g DW). HPLC analysis revealed notable levels of ferulic acid in L. salicaria ethanol extract (39.12 mg/g DW), as well as rutin, luteolin, and myricetin in several species. Ethanol extracts generally demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity, with L. salicaria showing the highest DPPH (378.60 µM TE/g) and reducing power (684.06 µM TE/g), while its aqueous extract exhibited the highest ABTS activity (3621.93 µM TE/g). Strong antihyperglycemic activity was observed for F. vulgaris extracts (100% α-glucosidase inhibition). Antimicrobial assays revealed higher sensitivity of Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, with F. vulgaris and L. salicaria extracts showing the strongest effects. These findings highlight the significant influence of plant species and extraction solvent on bioactivity and support the potential of selected Serbian medicinal plants as sources of multifunctional natural bioactive compounds.

This study explored how perceived social support and individual time perspectives contribute to subjective well-being in older adults, while also accounting for demographic factors such as age, gender, education, marital status, living conditions, and self-rated health. The sample included 225 older individuals (aged 65 to 88) from southeastern Serbia. Participants completed standardized questionnaires assessing life satisfaction, positive and negative affect, individual time perspectives, and perceived social support. Regression analyses were conducted to evaluate predictors of life satisfaction and positive affect, controlling for demographic factors. On their own demographic factors were not significant predictors of subjective well being outcomes. Including time perspectives significantly improved the models: Future time perspective predicted higher life satisfaction and more positive affect. A Past Positive time perspective was also associated with higher positive affect, while a Hedonistic Present time perspective was negatively associated. When perceived social support was added, it further enhanced the models, with support from family and partners emerging as significant predictors of both life satisfaction and positive affect. These findings underscore the importance of adaptive time orientations and supportive close relationships in improving well-being of older adults.

Research Question: What are the implications of the carbon footprint generated by foreign tourist transport in Serbia for sustainable tourism planning? Motivation: Low-carbon tourism is an important way for the tourism industry to achieve the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals and the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Previous research amply deals with the carbon footprint, but most research is focused on countries where tourism is developed. There are not many papers on the topic of carbon footprint in Serbia, so we considered this kind of research could be an important contribution. Idea: The idea is to analyze and quantify the carbon footprint caused by the transportation of foreign tourists in Serbia. The research is based on available data regarding the distribution and characteristics of foreign tourist arrivals in Serbia, with an analysis of regional differences between Belgrade, southeastern, northern, and west-central Serbia. Data: Using official tourism statistics, data on distances travelled, and recognized emission factors, this research quantifies the CO₂ emissions derived from air, road, and rail transport (1,213,835 tons of CO2 in total in 2023). The methodology includes spatial analysis of tourist arrivals that are spread across four different Serbian regions: Belgrade, Northern (Vojvodina) represented by Novi Sad, Central-Western represented by Zlatibor, and South-Eastern Serbia represented by Niš. The methodology considers short-haul destinations and long-haul destinations too. Tools: The descriptive statistics are use to present data, and also OpenStreetMap contributors and the GIS use to display the data on the map. Findings: In general, it is shown that air travel is the main contributor to emissions from intercontinental markets, particularly the USA and China. These destinations contribute significantly to most emissions: regional road travel also produces significant emissions for the tourists moving to different destinations after they enter the country. This shows that Belgrade is the centre for foreign tourists and hosts most emissions, while growing environmental pressure occurs in inland tourism centers such as Zlatibor and Niš. Importantly, this is in line with the promotion of low-carbon alternatives like rail to put tourists under lower pressure of emissions in their destination regions by optimizing tourist flows and enabling increasingly longer stays of tourists. Contribution: Hence, this research will give directions on the effective application of national tourism with environmental policy, also requesting integrated strategies linking the growth of tourism with Serbia’s sustainability commitments and global climate goals. It sets a basis for further studies and planning adjustment toward a more sustainable, low-carbon tourism sector.

This study investigates temporal and spatial variation in torrential flood hazards and sediment dynamics in two ungauged watersheds in southeastern Serbia from 1991 to 2023. By integrating classical hydrological models with modern geospatial and photogrammetric techniques, watershed responses to environmental and anthropogenic changes are quantified. Torrential flood potential was estimated and peak discharges were calculated using both the rational and SCS-Unit hydrograph methods, while sediment transport was assessed through Gavrilović’s erosion potential model and a modified Poljakov model. A key innovation is the use of UAV-based and close-range photogrammetry for 3D grain-size analysis, marking the first such application in Serbia. The mean torrential flood potential decreased by 4.4% in the Petrova Watershed and 4.2% in the Rasnička Watershed. Specific peak discharges for a 100-year return period declined from 1.62 to 1.07 m3·s−1·km−2 in Petrova and from 1.60 to 1.34 m3·s−1·km−2 in Rasnička. Sediment transport during a 1% probability flood was reduced from 4.97 to 2.53 m3·s−1 in Petrova and from 13.87 to 9.48 m3·s−1 in Rasnička. Grain-size analyses revealed immobile coarse bedload in the Petrova and active sediment transport in the Rasnička River, where D50 and D90 decreased between 2023 and 2024. The findings highlight the effectiveness of a synergistic methodological approach for analyzing complex watershed processes in data-scarce regions. The study provides a replicable model for flood hazard assessment and erosion control planning in similar mountainous environments undergoing socio-environmental transitions.

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">Unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity are well-known risk factors for chronic illnesses, and many countries in transition have struggled to make significant progress in addressing diet-related non-communicable diseases. Education about diet and nutrition is important for public health, and healthcare professionals are essential in promoting healthy eating. Yet, many healthcare providers feel they lack competence in offering such guidance due to inadequate nutrition education and training during medical studies. This research aimed to assess the nutritional knowledge among pharmacy and medical students in south-eastern Serbia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among undergraduate pharmacy and medicine students in the fall of 2022. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire composed of 16 questions with multiple-choice answers about the role of specific nutrients, and only one correct answer. Nutrition knowledge was assessed based on the percentage of accurate answers and classified as excellent (65-100%), moderate (45-64.9%), or poor (less than 45%). A total of 379 undergraduate pharmacy (n=151) and medicine (n=228) students completed the survey. The largest number of participants had poor nutritional knowledge, with an average score of 44.86%. The knowledge significantly varied by study group (p=0.039) and year of study (p˂0.001). Only 1.85% of students reported having quite good nutritional knowledge. These findings indicate multiple deficiencies in the nutrition knowledge of medicine and pharmacy students. Students' nutritional knowledge needs to be improved. Developing specific programs for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among students is recommended. Medical students should receive a more thorough knowledge through curriculum-based instruction in nutrition. Medical students should get more thorough curriculum-based instruction in nutrition.</span></p>

Introduction: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to traumatic events occurring before the age of 18 that can negatively impact physical and mental health, often disrupting development. Numerous studies have shown associations between ACEs and the onset or severity of psychotic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of ACEs among patients with psychotic disorders and to examine an association between ACEs and the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of psychosis. Material and Methods: The study was conducted at the Center for Mental Health and the Psychiatric Clinic of the University Clinical Center Nis, from March to July 2025. The sample included adult patients of both sexes diagnosed with psychotic spectrum disorders based on ICD-10 criteria. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q), along with sociodemographic and clinical data from medical records, was used. Results: The sample included 60 patients, with a mean age of 36.7 years. The average ACE-Q score was 2.57 ± 1.98, with one-third of patients reporting high exposure (≥4 ACEs) to childhood adversity. Patients with high ACEs exposure (≥4 ACEs) differed significantly from those with low to moderate or no exposure (<4 ACEs) in terms of economic status, family history of psychiatric disorders, substance use, and treatment adherence. Conclusion: Despite the small sample size, our results point to a potential link between childhood adversity and certain sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in patients with psychotic disorders. Integrating systematic assessments of trauma history into routine clinical practice may support the development of more effective treatment strategies.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) requires effective and accessible management strategies to reduce complications and improve patient outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a standardised diabetes service delivered by trained community pharmacists on glycaemic control, cardiovascular risk parameters and self-care behaviours among patients with DM. This retrospective cohort study included adults with type 1 or type 2 DM (HbA1c ≥7%) who visited community pharmacies in Southeastern Serbia. Patients were offered a structured, four-month service with individualised counselling, monitoring and support from trained pharmacists. Based on willingness to participate, patients were assigned to the intervention (received all four sessions) or control group (received usual pharmacy care). Data on HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure and self-care (assessed by Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire) were collected at baseline and after four months. Among 390 consenting patients, 213 met the eligibility criteria (intervention: n=105; control: n=108). In the intervention group, HbA1c significantly decreased from 8.61±1.26% to 7.68±0.92% (p<0.001), with 20% of patients achieving target levels (<7%). LDL cholesterol also decreased significantly (from 2.31±0.70 to 1.46±0.66 mmol/L, p<0.001), while no significant changes were observed in HDL, triglycerides, or blood pressure. Self-care behaviour improved across all five subscales, especially medication-taking, where non-adherence decreased from 43.8% to 22.9%. Greater improvements were noted among patients with type 2 DM and those with a family history of diabetes. The pharmacist-led service significantly improved glycaemic control, LDL cholesterol, and self-care behaviour. These findings highlight pharmacists' potential to enhance diabetes management and support public health efforts.

This study primarily implements a building-level Binary Dasymetric Mapping (BDM) framework to analyse population change between 2011 and 2022 in Barje Čiflik, a rural settlement in southeastern Serbia experiencing long-term depopulation. It extends the analysis with spatial and classical statistical methods. High-resolution ancillary data—including manually digitised building footprints, the number of storeys, and building function, all field-verified with abandoned dwellings identified during survey work—were integrated with census counts to allocate population using volume-based weighting. Population estimates were assigned to each residential building to derive indicators of absolute and relative change, as well as density variation. The analysis combines spatial statistics (Global Moran’s I and Getis–Ord Gi*) with classical statistical techniques (Ordinary Least Squares regression, Spearman’s rank correlation, and LOWESS smoothing) to detect clustering, structural correlates, and spatial patterns of demographic change. Results show that depopulation is spatially clustered, particularly in peripheral areas of the village, and that larger and multi-storey dwellings are more prone to decline. While density change was modest and statistically dispersed, the study highlights nuanced household-level transformations that remain obscured in aggregated data. The findings demonstrate that integrating BDM with statistical analysis provides a replicable and cost-effective tool for fine-scale demographic research in rural environments with limited data availability, thereby supporting methodological development and spatial planning.

Background and objectives: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder with autosomal dominant forms most often linked to MAPT, GRN, and C9orf72. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pathogenic variants in these genes in a hospital-based cohort of FTD patients assessed at a tertiary referral center in southeastern Serbia. Methods: We studied 58 consecutive patients with FTD spectrum syndromes evaluated at a tertiary referral center. All underwent standardized neurological, neuropsychological, and imaging assessments, and family history was recorded. Genetic testing included validated assays for C9orf72 repeat expansions and next-generation sequencing of MAPT and GRN. Results: Women comprised 53.45% of the cohort. The mean age was 67.88 years, with mean onset at 61.70 years. Behavioral variant FTD predominated (75.87%), while language forms were less frequent. Positive family history was present in 16 patients (27.59%). Pathogenic variants were identified in three individuals (5.17%): two unrelated carriers of the intronic MAPT mutation c.1920+16C>T and one patient with a C9orf72 expansion. No GRN variants were detected. Mutation frequency was 18.75% in familial cases, while none were found among sporadic patients (p = 0.018). Four of nine relatives were asymptomatic MAPT mutation carriers. Conclusions: This first genetic study of FTD in southeastern Serbia revealed a lower mutation frequency than in Northern and Western Europe, but similar to cohorts from Southeastern Europe. The detection of MAPT c.1920+16C>T in two unrelated families extends the geographic range of this splice-site variant and underscores the importance of systematic genetic testing and larger collaborative studies in the Balkans.

The research provides evidence on traditional knowledge about the medicinal purposes of juniper – Juniperus communis in the Pirot District (southeastern Serbia). A total of 631 informants were surveyed on the knowledge and medicinal use of plants in the four municipalities of the Pirot District: Pirot, Babušnica, Bela Palanka, and Dimitrovgrad. Seven respondents provided a total of eight reports on the ethnobotanical use of juniper berries. Based on surveys among the rural population in Pirot District, the berries of J. communis were usually used internally, for the treatment of allergies (2 reports), against high blood pressure (1 report), for digestion (1 report), against thyroid diseases (1 report), for improvement of immunity (1 report), against kidney and bladder diseases (1 report), and for urination (1 report). The alcoholic extract was the most commonly used preparation, while decoction was less frequently utilized. The uses of J. communis in the treatment of allergy in the form of decoction, as well as for the treatment of high blood pressure, and thyroid diseases in the form of alcoholic extract were not reported in previously conducted ethnobotanical investigations in neighboring areas in Serbia and the Balkan Peninsula, so these uses can be considered the novelties of the present study. The potential scientific implications of the results in this paper are to inform the further clinical or pharmacological studies for drug discovery.

In the region of the Rujan Mountain (southeastern Serbia), the population is mainly engaged in agriculture. Knowledge about the traditional use of plants as green fertilizer for cultivated crops and for the control of insects and rodents in agriculture is of extraordinary importance. With the extinction of the older population, this knowledge is lost if it is not passed on to younger generations or is not taken note of. The survey was conducted among the population (130 respondents) from 25 villages in two municipalities of the Rujan Mt. (Bujanovac and Preševo), which represent a multicultural border area inhabited by Serbs and Albanians. The questionnaire was open-ended. It contained general information about the respondents, and a specific questions related to the use of wild plants. The aim of this research is to collect data on the traditional use of wild plants in agriculture as green manure and in controlling insects and rodents. This paper deals with three traditional uses of wild plants in agriculture: 1) as green fertilizer for cultivated crops (50 reports), 2) as a substitute for chemical insecticides (53 reports), and 3) as a substitute for chemical rodenticides (56 reports). Regarding the use of wild plants as fertilizer of cultivated crops, respondents made 50 reports on the use of the aerial part of only one plant species, “kopriva“ in Serbian, nettle – Urtica dioica. This use was recorded among both ethnic groups of the population. The Serbs gave 36 reports on the use of nettle, while the Albanians gave 14 reports. The use of wild plants to control harmful insects was recorded only among Serbs (41 respondents), while the Albanians did not mention this type of use. A total of 53 reports on the use of the aerial parts of 3 plant species as a substitute for chemical insecticides were recorded: dittany, “rusten“ – Dictamnus albus (29 reports), cypress spurge, “mlečajka“ – Euphorbia cyparissias (23 reports), and basil, “bosiljak“ – Ocimum basilicum (1 report). The question in the survey about the use of wild plants to control harmful rodents was only answered by Serbs (56 reports, 40 respondents). For this use, the respondents stated that they use the aerial part of the plant “smrdljivka“ – common thornapple, Datura stramonium (26 reports), and the fruit of the plant called “ab’d“ between the local population – dwarf elderberry, Sambucus ebulus (30 reports). In comparisson with previously published ethnobotanical papers in Serbia and the Balkans, on Rujan Mt it was highlighted the use of aerial parts of the species Dictamnus albus and Euphorbia cyparissias as a substitute for chemical insecticides and the species Datura stramonium and Sambucus ebulus as a substitute for chemical rodenticides, as novelties of this study, which can be confirmed by further chemical-pharmacological testing. Thе data in this paper can be used in agricultural technology for the production of various products based on substances of natural origin and preventing the use of chemical agents in agriculture.

Matricaria chamomilla L., commonly known by the name chamomile, as one of the most valued medicinal plants in traditional European herbal medicine was used as inspiration for this study. The aim was to investigate the ethnobotanical relevance and contemporary use of chamomile in the district of Niš in southeastern Serbia. Through field research conducted in both rural and urban communities, data were collected via online surveys with the residents of the mentioned district, focusing on traditional knowledge, methods of preparation, and medicinal usage. The results show that M. chamomilla is predominantly used as a mild sedative (15%), for digestive ailments (25%), respiratory conditions (50%), and for dermatolofical problems (30%). The most frequently used preparation is a water-based infusion, followed by topical applications of extracts.The plant is primarily collected from wild populations or it might be cultivated in home gardens, indicating both economic and cultural value. Knowledge is mainly passed down through oral tradition, especially among older female members of the local community. This research highlights the enduring role of M. chamomilla in local health practices and the need to preserve ethnobotanical heritage despite rapid modernization. The study contributes to the broader understanding of plant-based knowledge systems in the Balkans and supports further exploration into the pharmacological potential of chamomile derived from this region.

Cult places establishing motivated by an order/vow which a person receives in a dream or vision is an international motif, well known in Serbian folkloristic and literary tradition, too. This way of establishing cult places, accompanied by appropriate ritual practices, lives on even today in the territories of southern and southeastern Serbia. An individual who can establish contact with the otherworldly through dreams and visions often merits a special status in the community – some elements of their biography narratives are interpreted in such a way that they form sacralized biographies. The main motifs of such biographies have been singled out in this paper and their functioning in the collective is examined. Some sacralized biographies of the kind are well known today throughout Serbia, and they are also accepted by the official religion representatives, while others function only within the scope of a narrower community. It is shown that the process of sacralization depends on the time distance from the events under discussion, on the role of the community and individuals, but also on the mechanisms which are formed outside the framework of the local oral tradition, through the narratives of popular and media culture.

In the Kraishte area, straddling the borders of Bulgaria, Serbia and North Macedonia, two major Alpine tectonic units are exposed – Vlasina-Morava and Struma. They exhibit quite differing geological evolution until the late Early Cretaceous compressional phase during which the Vlasina-Morava (Supragetic) was thrust onto the Struma (Getic) unit. The Vlasina-Morava Unit consists of Ediacaran-early Cambrian volcano-sedimentary sequence intruded by Cadomian age granites and covered by early Paleozoic marine sediments. The Struma Unit is built of tectonically imbricated Ediacaran–early Cambrian calc-alkaline magmatic rocks and ophiolites covered by Permian to Early Cretaceous sedimentary sequences. Part of the Ograzhden complex, consisting of high-grade ortho- and para-sequences of Ediacaran to Silurian age, is also considered as belonging to Struma autochthon. Post late Early Cretaceous orogenic extension was related to formation of low-angle normal faults associated with partial cooling and denudation in the area and volcanic-free sedimentation. The following Late Cretaceous to Paleogene compressional phase did not affect significantly the Kraishte area. Since the middle Eocene the area was affected by important crustal scale extension related to the formation of detachment faults and sedimentary basins characterised by continental to marine deposits and accompanied by magmatic activity. The following extensional phases, in the late Oligocene–earliest Miocene and middle Miocene–Quaternary time, were also related to faulting and formation of sets of sedimentary basins. These two phases were separated by a late early to middle Miocene strike-slip to transpressional phase characterised by formation of some minor thrust faults associated with major strike-slip fault zones.

Cloud technology has a significant impact on the accounting function, financial reporting, and the application of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This research aims to examine the correlation between the implementation of cloud technology, enhanced IFRS adoption, and the efficiency of the accounting function. Using a descriptive method and correlation coefficient, the study analyzes the relationships and degree of connection between these phenomena. The research involved 32 employees from financial operations in companies and accounting agencies in southeastern Serbia, primarily in the regions of Leskovac and Niš. The paper defines two hypotheses, presents the research findings, and draws conclusions based on them. The results indicate a modest relationship between the implementation of cloud technology and the increased efficiency of the accounting function, as evidenced by faster execution of accounting tasks, reduced overall costs, and the easier adoption of new systems. Additionally, the implementation of cloud technology has a slight positive impact on the improvement of IFRS application, through the use of specialized knowledge, the provision of reliable information, and the reduction of inconsistencies in IFRS application.

Forest fruit trees are important natural resources. Тhey participate in the forest plant communities, in which they usually have an edifying role. Forest fruit trees produce highquality fruits with high nutritional value, which can be used for food, and most of them are often used for industrial processing. The trees and shrubs from the family Rosaceae, which belongs the genus Crataegus are commonly known as hawthorns. The study on the traditional knowledge and use of of the forest fruit trees was conducted in the form of a population survey. The questionnaire included 633 respondents from 144 villages in the four municipalities of the Pirot District: Pirot, Babušnica, Bela Palanka, and Dimitrovgrad. According to the questionnaire, hawthorn was mentioned by 159 respondents, or 25.12% of the total number of respondents. Тhe use of the folowing plant species as wild forest fruit trees was recorded: C. laevigata (Poiret) DC. (syn. C. oxyacantha L.) (24 reports), C. monogyna Jacq. (98 reports), and C. pentagyna Waldst. &amp; Kit. ex Willd. (37 reports). C. laevigata (folk name „crveni glog“), has been mentioned as forest fruit tree in the study area by 24 respondents, of which 12 were men, and 12 were women, and 20 were Serbs, while 4 were Bulgarians. C. monogyna (folk name „beli glog“, „glog“, „glođinja“), has been mentioned as forest fruit tree by 98 respondents, of which 58 were men, and 40 were women, and 80 were Serbs, 15 were Bulgarians, and 3 were Roma. C. pentagyna (folk name „crni glog“), has been mentioned as forest fruit tree by 37 respondents, of which 18 were men, and 19 were women, and 32 were Serbs, while 5 were Bulgarians. The seasons in which hawthorn fruits are collected are late summer and early autumn. Together with other forest fruits trees in the Pirot District, the fruits of the three mentioned hawthorn species are cooked for compotes (153 reports). The smaller number of informants have been prepared liqueurs (2 reports), as well as homemade alcoholic drink colled “rakija” (3 reports) from fruits of common hartworn. During the survey, only one respondent stated that common hawthorn seeds were used as a coffee substitute. The respondents were not mentioned the use of unprocessed (fresh) fruits. The consumption of raw, unprocessed hawthorn fruits should be avoided, due to the content of some thermolabile substances that can affect the heart. The preparation process in cooking the fruits of plant species C. laevigata, C. monogyna, and C. pentagyna for compotes can be considered as novelties of our study, because this mode of consumption was not mentioned in ethnobotanical studies in the neighboring regions on the Balkan Peninsula. The mentioned plant species from genus Crataegus are on the list of protected species in Serbia, so it is necessary to rationally collect their fruits and market them.

The archaeological materials from the Velika Humska Čuka site on the northern fringe of the Niš Basin in southeastern Serbia were analyzed to reveal the provenance of ceramics and other artifacts. This study focused on the elemental analysis of 61 samples, including local clay pits, potsherds, and whole vessels. Samples were chosen based on stylistic and typological characteristics to distinguish local and "foreign" pottery. Elemental analysis was conducted using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry, complemented by principal component analysis (PCA) for data interpretation. Results indicated that the majority of pottery samples, over 80%, were produced using local clay from deposits near the site. However, approximately 20% of the analyzed vessels were made using clay from deposits near the Bubanj site, 8 km south of Velika Humska Čuka. A vessel on a hollow high foot combining stylistic elements of the Bubanj-Hum I group and Early Eneolithic Pannonian groups was made of clay not sourced from any identified local deposits, suggesting its non-local origin. While the predominance of local materials suggests self-sufficient production, the use of non-local clays and stylistic influences highlights long-distance connections and exchanges. The study emphasizes the importance of Velika Humska Čuka in understanding the development of ceramic traditions and the cultural dynamics of the Early Eneolithic in the Central Balkans.

This study estimate the temporal trends of recent suspended sediment in Juzna Morava river. The variations of suspended sediment transport were analyzed at different time scales (inter-annual, monthly and seasonal, among different periods), based on 47-year hydrological data from the outlet hydrological station. The results indicate of a decline in suspended sediment concentration and sediment load in the long-time series, which can be divided into three periods: high SSC or Qs (1961-1976), medium SSC or Qs (1977-1988) and low SSC or Qs (1989-2007). The average annual SSC and Qs of these three periods are SSC=0.7284 g/l, SSC=0.3580 g/l, SSC=0.1865 g/l, and Qs=4260x103 t, Qs=2277 x103 t, Qs=789 x103 t, respectively. The decrease in SSC and Qs is at the significance level of ?=0.001. The frequency distribution of the daily SSC show that cumulatively 92% of daily SSC during the low stage was u distributed in classes up to 0.5 g/l, versus 82% during the medium and 67% during the high period. The frequency of daily SSC in the class of 1-5 g/l decreases over time, from 14% in high period to 6% in low period. In the period 1989-2007 have not been reported SSC greater than 5 g/l. Different patterns of suspended sediment concentration SSC-Q hysteretic loops have been observed for each period. Two types of hysteretic loops were found at Juzna Morava River: figure-eight typical of periods 1961-1976 and 1978-1988 and counter-clockwise in period 1989-2007. Human impact is the main factor in reducing suspended sediments. An important change in agriculture land in the basin recorded a significant impact on sediment transport.