Vojvodina Research Articles

Geo-demographic Structure of the Czechs in Vojvodina Province (Serbia)

Geo-demographic Structure of the Czechs in Vojvodina Province (Serbia)

Changes in soil carbon stock under the wheat-based cropping systems at Vojvodina province of Serbia

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to assess the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in relation to the carbon (C) input from nine wheat-based cropping systems and untilled grass. The SOC pool ranged from 32.1 to 49.4 Mg ha−1 at 0–20 cm and from 94 to 171 Mg ha−1 at 0–100 cm for the arable soil, while in untilled grassland, it was higher (54 and 185 Mg C ha−1, respectively). SOC stock was observed to be lower at the unfertilized 2-year rotation and higher at the 4-year rotation with manure and mineral fertilization. The study showed a winter wheat yield decrease of 176.8 kg ha−1 for a 1- Mg ha−1 SOC stock change in the 0–20-cm soil depth. The estimated C input for SOC stock maintenance was from 266 to 340 g C m−2 year−1 for winter wheat and rotations, respectively. Additional C input did not increase the SOC pool, suggesting that arable plots had a limited ability to increase SOC. These results provide guidance for the selection of management practices to improve C sequestration.

Priority substances in sediments of the “Carska Bara” special nature reserve, a natural scientific research area on the UNESCO list

Surface sediments were subject to systematic long-term monitoring (2002–2014) in the Republic of Serbia (Province of Vojvodina). Eight heavy metals (Ni, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, As and Hg), mineral oils (total petroleum hydrocarbons), 16 EPA PAHs, selected pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were monitored. As part of this research, this paper presents a sediment contamination spatial and temporal trend study of diverse pollution sources and the ecological risk status of the alluvial sediments of Carska Bara at three representative sampling sites (S1S3), in order to establish the status of contamination and recommend substances of interest for more widespread future monitoring.Multivariate statistical methods including factor analysis of principal component analysis (PCA/FA), Pearson correlation and several synthetic indicators were used to evaluate the extent and origin of contamination (anthropogenic or natural, geogenic sources) and potential ecological risks. Hg, Cd, As, mineral oils and PAHs (dominated by dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene, contributing 85.7% of the total) are derived from several anthropogenic sources, whereas Ni, Cu, Cr and Zn are convincingly of geogenic origin, and exhibit dual origins. Cd and Hg significantly raise the levels of potential ecological risk for all sampling locations, demonstrating the effect of long-term bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Pb is isolated from the other parameters, implying unique sources.This research suggests four heavy metals (Zn, Cr, Cu and As) and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene be added to the list of priority pollutants within the context of the application of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), in accordance with significant national and similar environmental data from countries in the region.

Cataloguing government documents using the MARC 21: A case study of materials from the AP Vojvodina government sessions

The paper provides suggestions for cataloguing session materials (especially minutes of sessions) using the MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data and MARC 21 Format for Authority Data. The suggested solution is shown on the example of materials from the government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina in Serbia (APV) sessions. Two business applications were developed on the basis of this MARC 21 cataloguing of the materials: a web application for searching government materials and a web application for generating various reports for the APV government. The web application supports searching metadata as well as the full text of the material and search criteria may include all of the given words or exact phrase. The examples of the reports supported by the application are: total number of sessions; total number of agenda items and sub-items; session attendance by the government members.

Blood alcohol concentration in fatally injured drivers and the efficacy of alcohol policies of the new law on road traffic safety: A retrospective 10-year study in autonomous province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim of this study was primarily to evaluate inebriated fatally injured drivers (FIDs) according to blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in a 10-year period (2004–2013) in Autonomous Province (AP) of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia, to analyze the efficacy of alcohol polices in the new law on road traffic safety through changes in the number of inebriated FIDs before and after implementation of the law, as well as to identify factors that influence the occurrence of FIDs with BACs above the legal limit.Methods: All data for this retrospective study were obtained from the Centre of Forensic Medicine, Toxicology and Molecular Genetics of Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad. Autopsy records for each case included age, gender, BAC, type of vehicle, and date of accident (year, month, and recalculated day of the week). BAC was determined by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Statistical analysis was carried out by chi-square tests and Student's t test, with P < .05 as a statistical significance, and multiple binary logistic regression.Results: Of the 354 inebriated FIDs (60% of all FIDs), the majority had BACs between of 0.031 and 0.3 mg/ml (28%), followed by those with BAC > 2.01 mg/ml (23%). The average BAC of those driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA) for the whole period was 1.235 ± 1.00 mg/ml and the average number of DUIA/year was 35. Among the total number of FIDs there were significantly more males (93.7%; P < .001) than females (6.3%), though the distribution of intoxicated men and women was not different (P > .05). There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of sober and inebriated FIDs according to age (P < .001) with the predominance of inebriated FIDs between 21 and 30 years. Although gender and age were found to be significant predictors of BAC above legal limit in FIDs, the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve showed that the model had poor discrimination (ROC = 0.673). Of all observed FIDs, 65 cases per year were attributed to the first 5-year period (2004–2009) and 49 to the second 5-year (2010–2013) period, which indicates that there was no statistically significant decrease in the number of FIDs after implementation of the new law.Conclusion: The highest number of intoxicated FIDs during the period in AP Vojvodina were mildly and completely inebriated. In the 4-year post-policy period (2010–2013), the number of FIDs and average BAC levels of inebriated FIDs did not significantly change. The abolition of a permissible BAC should be considered.

Phytotoxic effects of irrigation water depending on the presence of organic and inorganic pollutants.

Irrigation is one of the most important uses of surface waters in the agricultural region of Vojvodina province (Serbia). The aim of the study was to assess the quality of water from Stara Tisa meander, based on the levels of pollution with metals, volatile compounds (VOC), pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and pathogenic bacteria, on sunflower, cabbage, cucumber, maize, barley, buckwheat, sorghum, radish, beans, and white mustard. Microbiological analysis was carried out using the dilution method and phytotoxicity assay according to ISTA filter paper method (germination energy (GE), germination (G), root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight). The sample was slightly contaminated with domestic, industrial, and agricultural xenobiotics and had low levels of nitrogen substances, metals, and organic micropollutants. Pesticides, metolachlor, tebuconazole, propiconazole, imidacloprid, and thiametoxam were detected at levels exceeding the maximum admissible concentrations (MACs), i.e., the sum value for neonicotinoids. The number of saprophytic (2.27×10(6)CFUmL(-1)) and coliform bacteria (5.33×10(2)CFUmL(-1)) was very high. The total number of sulphite reducing clostridia (10cellsmL(-1)) and Escherichia coli (5cellsmL(-1)) was very low. The GE and G of all tested plants, except sunflower, were not influenced by the total chemism of water sample. However, it inhibited root lengths of sunflower, cucumber, maize, and barley and stimulated shoot lengths of all species except maize and white mustard. These results indicate that it can be used for irrigation of cabbage and radish from the chemical point of view, but the microbiological traits should be considered prior to consumption since they are consumed raw. The overall results suggest that water from Stara Tisa should be purified before using for agricultural purposes.

The Crvenka loess-paleosol sequence (Vojvodina, Northern Serbia)- a record of continuous domination of the Late Pleistocene grasslands

In this study we present a comparison of two independent paleo-environmental evidences: novel n-alkane biomarkers and traditional land snails assemblages, associated with widely used proxy records such as the low field magnetic susceptibility, grain size and various isotopic and geochemical indices. These paleo-environmental proxy records provide evidence for the continued predominance of the different grassland vegetation types during the entire Late Pleistocene. The results presented in this study highlight the spatial differences in the environmental conditions during the Late Pleistocene across the European loess belt. Contrary to other European loess provinces characterized by high diversity of the Late Pleistocene environments (ranging from tundra-like to deciduous forest habitats), our investigations indicate a continued dominance of grassland-dominated ecosystems in the southeastern Carpathian Basin. This uninterrupted presence of Late Pleistocene grassland zone in the southeastern part of the Carpathian Basin may have played an important role in the preservation of exceptional biodiversity of the Balkan region, as well as in the migration of anatomically modern humans into Europe

First molecular identification of Dirofilaria spp. (Onchocercidae) in mosquitoes from Serbia.

Dirofilariosis is a common and widespread veterinary health issue in several European countries with notable zoonotic potential. The causative agents are Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens nematoda species which are transmitted by different mosquito vectors. Similar to other mosquito-borne infections, the knowledge about mosquito species involved in disease transmission is crucial for the complex understanding of local transmission cycles. Since there is no available data on mosquito species, potentially involved in disease transmission from Serbia, 6369 female mosquito individuals were retrospectively tested for Dirofilaria nematodes, collected from 13 localities in Vojvodina province, Serbia, in 2013. Altogether, 8.33% of tested pools showed positivity, composed of five mosquito species, mainly, Culex pipiens and Aedes vexans. D. immitis and D. repens were both detected from multiple localities, during the whole period of mosquito breeding season, which provides the first data on local transmission characteristics regarding mosquitoes from the Balkans.

Gleaning: old name, new practice

ABSTRACTThe practice of gleaning is linked to the centuries-old custom embedded in the customary laws of many people, according to which the master of the land holds the right to allow the poor to follow harvesters in the field and to gather and glean the fallen spears of grain. In this article, the new meaning of the practice of gleaning is analyzed by using an example of one Serbian village in Vojvodina province, Gaj, which is still predominately agricultural. In a strict sense, the name of the old practice is kept, but the essence of the practice itself and its symbolism have changed radically. In previous times, the term “gleaning” referred to the reciprocal social, economic and political relationship between the poor and the landowner. Today, in the context of the village of Gaj, it is mostly used as a euphemism for field theft. The article analyzes this gradual shift in diachronic and social-anthropological perspectives, aiming to depict and explain crucial changes in informal and formal institutions that have contributed to this current understanding of gleaning.

Integrative approach revealed contrasting pattern of spatial structuring within urban and rural biotypes of Culex pipiens

AbstractPopulation structure of pests is an important issue when designing management strategies to optimize control measures. In this study, we investigated a spatial pattern of genetic and phenotypic variation within seven urban and within six rural populations of Culex pipiens from Vojvodina Province (Serbia) incorporating landscape genetic methods (using allozyme data) and wing size and shape (using geometric morphometric approach). Comparing rural samples, no strong genetic groupings of individuals were detected. Nevertheless, traditional approaches where individuals are pre‐assigned to populations, including F statistics and amova (analysis of molecular variance), revealed low, but significant genetic differentiation among samples. Similarly, phenotypic data (wing size and shape) indicated some level of heterogeneity among rural samples. Contrary to genetic homogeneity found within rural biotype, the individual‐based structuring characterized urban biotype. Geneland revealed the presence of two genetic clusters within urban group which is in concordance with FST and amova results. These results showed that sample from Novi Sad (NS) is a distinct genetic unit, which has been likely resulted in intensive insecticide use over several decades. Furthermore, phenotypic differentiation supported the existence of spatial structuring. Therefore, complementary use of molecular markers and phenotypic traits may be a powerful tool for revealing hidden spatial diversity within Cx. pipiens.

RESULTS OF HUNTING THE RINGED PHEASANTS IN HUNTING GROUNDS OF AP VOJVODINA (SERBIA) IN 2014 and 2015

The paper presents the results of two-year harvest of ringed pheasants in hunting grounds of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. The results obtained in the fi rst year of research indicate that 19.67% (236) from total number of ringed and previously released pheasants (1200) were caught. The results for the entire observed period revealed that 1,499 pheasants were bagged, 399 of which were ringed. These results show that the share of ringed pheasants in the total number of harvested pheasants was 26.62%, while the share of harvested ringed pheasants of the total number of entered ringed pheasant was 15.72%, meaning that one of six released pheasants were bagged. Data related to pheasant chicks that were released in the hunting ground immediately before each hunt showed that the percentage of harvested ringed pheasants during the hunting season was 76.44%, which indicates high percentage of harvesting ringed pheasant (observed for twoyear period).

COLOUR VARIATIONS IN THE EUROPEAN TREE FROG, HYLA ARBOREA (LINNAEUS, 1758), FROM TWO SMALL ADJACENT PONDS IN THE VOJVODINA PROVINCE, SERBIA

In this paper the colour variations in the European tree frog, Hyla arborea (Linnaeus, 1758), from two small adjacent ponds in the Vojvodina province, Serbia are presented.

Challenges of increasing competetiveness of Serbian agro-industry in the process of mitigation of emergency situation

Protection of agro-industry in emergency situations is of vital importance for economic and social development of a country. This paper is therefore created with a view of assessing the degree of resilience of economic entities within agro-industrial sector in the Autonomous Province (AP) of Vojvodina and partially in the Republic of Serbia in emergency situations, so that measures to increase their competitiveness could be undertaken. The methods adequate for social sciences were used: positive law method, logical induction and deduction, multidisciplinary approach, as well as statistical method. The research established that the economic entities mainly have their own fre rescue and procedure plans, but not emergency action plans. Special fnancial assets have not been allocated for that purpose either. Businessmen are not acquainted with the existence of ISO 22301:2012 standard, which may be exceptionally useful in solving this problem. The degree of resilience of economic entities in the AP of Vojvodina in emergency situations is 64.2%. It is necessary in the forthcoming period to improve the implementation of regulations, particularly in the feld of emergency action plans, but also the possibilities to implement ISO 22301:2012 standard.

SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND PSYCHIATRIC CHARACTERISTICS AMONG HOMICIDE OFFENDERS IN SERBIA - THE PROVINCE OF VOJVODINA (1996-2005).

Recent studies have shown a growing correlation between violence and mental illness, but there is a higher risk of violent crimes only in certain cases of mental disorders. This study presents sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of homicide offenders in Serbia, in the Province of Vojvodina in a 10-year period (1996-2005). Material and Methods~ The obtained data are based on performed forensic and psychiatric expert investigatfons of 154 homicide offenders in preceding period, considering sociodemographic data, personal history and current psychiatric status. Data were analyzed using the statistical John's Macintosh programe. The male offenders were in the great majority (92%) as well as a low level of education (87%). A positive history of criminal acts was found in 24% of the subjects. Minority of subjects (21%) consumed alcohol on a daily basis. At the time of committing the crimes, 57% of homicide offenders were under the influence of alcohol, and just 2% of other psychoactive substances. Among the offenders who had previously received psychiatric treatment (31.2%), the most frequent diagnosis was alcohol addiction (25%) and anxiety disorders (22.9%). During the psychiatric examination 70.8% of the subjects were diagnosed with mental disorder: personality disorders (41%), alcohol addiction (84%), neurotic disorders (65%), schizophrenic psychosis (5.2%), affective disorders (3.2%), paranoid psychosis (2.6%), organic disorders (19%), psychoactive drug addiction (13%) and mental retardation (0.6%). Emotionally unstable personality disorder was dominant among personality disorders (55.6%). Diminished mental competency was established in 77.9% of subjects at the time of the homicide, being rather sever in most of them. All those diagnosed to have a psychotic disorder were mentally incompetent. Emotionally unstable disorders were the most common among the offenders who underwent forensic evaluation. A relatively low presence of psychotic disorders imposes the need for de-stigmatization particularly of the patients suffering from major mental illnesses.

Saradnja sa Univerzitetima u funkciji razvoja inovacija - analiza podataka iz AP Vojvodine

The subject of this research is the current state of cooperation between entrepreneurial and scientific sector in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia, estimated by owner/entrepreneur or manager of enterprises. The aim of the research is to determine relations and level of cooperation between business organizations (entrepreneurs) and universities (science). This is especially interesting since these relations between the entrepreneurial and scientific sectors have the great importance for the development of innovation in contemporary economies. The level of cooperation between the two above-mentioned sectors determines the innovative capacity of whole economy and possibilities of technology transfer. The level of cooperation with universities was explored in the sample of 200 small business organizations from the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Statistical methods used in the research are descriptive statistics and the Spearman's rho correlation. The results indicate a positive estimation of entrepreneurs regarding the cooperation with universities in the observed sample.

Research in plant morphoanatomy in the province of Vojvodina in the 20th century

In order to understand the diversity of flora and vegetation in a region, the knowledge of the biology of particular plant species is very important. Under the influence of numerios complex biotic and abiotic factors, biological plasticity of the species is reflected in the morphological level through a series of macro and micro adaptations. The subject of the initial research was the analysis of the external plant form, which was implemented in the fields of plant systematics and taxonomy. In the mid-20th century, with the development of the microtechnical equipment, morphoanatomy become a separate scientific area. Numerous researchers contributed to its development. The contribution of some of them is the subject of this paper. This paper gives a general overview of scientific results in different areas of plant morphoanatomy, resulting from researches carred out in the province of Vojvodina during the 20th century, as well as a list of bibliographic units published in scientific journals.

Agritourism impact toward locals’ attitudes - an evidence from Vojvodina Province (Serbia)

The paper deals with local residents’ attitudes in Vojvodina Province (Northern Serbia) about effect of tourism in their surroundings, using Tourism Impact Attitude Scale (TIAS). So far, analysis of the tourism impact on the attitudes of the locals in rural areas of Vojvodina, as well as other parts of Serbia and surrounding countries is insufficiently researched. In this regard, factor analysis was applied for the analysis about interconnections of the sets of items. Eventually, the analyzed items of the TIAS were grouped into four factors, which explain 47.47% of the variance. All factors have a theoretic and scientific background and have shown insignificant deviations from the prevailing scientific results. In addition, in order to explore the tourism impact on the locals’ attitudes, t-test, ANOVA and descriptive statistical analysis have been applied. In total of four research sub-hypotheses, two has been proved (H1a, H1c), one has been partially proved (H1b) and one has been refuted (H1d). The study conclusion emphasizes the finding that the higher the general opinion and attitude of an individuals and the community on tourist development in their local surroundings are, the higher is the care about their local community. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 47007]

Baseline sociodemographic characteristics of participants and dropout in Web-based weight reduction program in Serbia

Baseline sociodemographic characteristics of participants and dropout in Web-based weight reduction program in Serbia

Gender equality: Perspectives of rural women entrepreneurship in Vojvodina

The aim of this paper is to analyze the situation of women in rural areas of the Republic of Serbia and Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Surveys and studies by various authors and donors were carried out on several occasions from 2007 to 2013 and, unfortunately, gave basically the same results: the status of women in rural areas of Serbia is in very poor condition. Farms are mostly located on the territory of Vojvodina, so the emphasis is placed on women in these areas. The position of women in society is the same as the position of women in the countryside. Women who become entrepreneurs are rare. This partly depends on the level of education and on the possession of fonds for the realization of entrepreneurial ideas. Women living in rural areas lack awareness and the will to start an independent business. Although Serbia has signed various international conventions that commit to gender equality strategies adopted on the level of Serbia and Vojvodina, there has been insufficient implementation of these strategies in practice. This certainly affects the reluctance of women to engage in entrepreneurial attempt, and the number of women entrepreneurs is decreasing. To improve this situation it is necessary to resort to various forms of education for women, depending on preferences, age, level of education etc. Methods used in this research are characteristic of social science: desk research, analysis of the surveys that were previously done on a representative sample of entrepreneurs and managers, historical and comparative analysis and qualitative research.

Energy indicators for public buildings in autonomous province of Vojvodina with focus on healthcare, educational and administrative buildings

This paper aims to show the current state of energy consumption and accompanying energy indicators in the public building sector in The Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. The public building energy consumption data (healthcare, administration and schools) was collected by surveys supported by on-site measurements, calculations and interviews with people responsible for energy monitoring. Statistical processing of the collected data on the real extent and manner of energy usage in public buildings in Vojvodina was used. This paper presents energy indicators which are on average three times higher than allowed by Serbian Ordinance and what is currently present in neighboring European Countries. It is of the utmost importance to use this data and its implications as a catalyst for the implementation of energy management in the public building sector and an increase in energy efficiency.