bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technical inefficiency effects in a stochastic production function for managerial incentives in public water utilities
Authors: Mugisha Silver
Published: February 2014

Performance of state-owned water utilities in developing countries is often weak. This study estimates the impact of managerial incentives upon efficiency using a stochastic frontier production function with revenue water as the output. The empirical analysis utilises unbalanced panelled data consisting of revenue water, connections, operating expenditure, water delivered and staff, from Uganda's 19 National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) sub-utilities for a 9-year period, 2002–2010. The inefficiency effects are modelled as a function of utility-specific variables: service coverage, level of financial incentives, target difficulty, and year of observation. While financial incentives and increased service coverage improve efficiency, targets (such as the reduction of non-revenue water) that are perceived as excessive by employees may reduce it. The findings suggest some policy implications: utility managers in the public water sector need to incorporate monetary incentives and increase service coverage to reduce non-revenue water. However, targets need to be set with great care and with transparency.
Use of PCA-RBF model for prediction of chlorophyll-a in Yuqiao Reservoir in the Haihe River Basin, China
Authors: Xiaobo Liu , Fei Dong , Guojian He , Jingling Liu
Published: February 2014

Chlorophyll-a is a well-accepted index for phytoplankton abundance and population of primary producers in an aquatic environment. The relationships between chlorophyll-a and 18 chemical, physical and biological water quality variables in YuQiao Reservoir (YQR) in the Haihe River Basin in P.R. China were studied by using principal component analysis (PCA) coupled with a radial basis function network (RBF) model to predict chlorophyll-a levels. Principal component analysis was used to simplify the complexity of relations between water quality variables. Score values obtained by PC scores were used as independent variables in the RBF models. In the forecast, only five selected score values obtained by PC analysis were used for the prediction of chlorophyll-a levels. Correlative analysis between the modeled results and observed data indicates that the correlative coefficient is 0.61, and analysis of the forecast error rate shows that the average forecast error is 32.9%, proving the viability of the forecast model.
Microbiological performance of novel household water treatment devices in India
Authors: Bhathena Z. P. , Shrivastava S. , Londhe Poonam , Brown Joe
Published: February 2014

Commercial innovation of household-scale water treatment (HWT) devices is rapid in India, where unsafe drinking water contributes to the high burden of disease and death associated with diarrhoeal diseases. Performance testing data for novel devices are not publicly available and there has been no systematic attempt to independently verify manufacturer effectiveness claims. We purchased three gravity-driven HWT devices available on the Indian market to evaluate their performance in reducing bacteria, viruses, and protozoan surrogates in the laboratory according to World Health Organization testing protocols. Results indicated that technologies were moderately effective in reducing Escherichia coli (1.6–2.9 log10) and MS2 (1.4–2.8 log10), and less effective against Bacillus subtilis spores (0.73–2.2 log10) and 3 μm microspheres (0.33–0.56 log10), as means over the testing period (750–4,000 l). Effectiveness declined sharply over the duration of testing for each device, suggesting that the manufacturer-specified effective lifespans were overestimated for all devices. Moderate variability was observed across challenge conditions intended to represent actual use conditions, but performance was not significantly different between challenge waters or ambient testing temperature. Our results suggest that these novel devices do not meet international minimum performance recommendations and that manufacturer effectiveness claims are misleading. Further technological innovation and regulation in this sector may serve to protect public health.
Comparing electrochemical disinfection with chlorination for inactivation of bacterial spores in drinking water
Authors: Mezule L. , Reimanis M. , Krumplevska V. , Ozolins J. , Juhna T.
Published: February 2014

Drinking water disinfection techniques without the dosage of chemicals are regarded as more advantageous in terms of costs and practical use. Here we investigated the efficacy of electrochemical disinfection for inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores – a model microorganism of highly resistant pathogens. The effect of electrochemical disinfection with TinO2n−1 ceramic electrodes which generate active chlorine from chloride in situ, was compared to the traditional chlorination in which active chlorine was produced from addition of sodium hypochlorite. Research was performed on a batch scale with a synthetic buffered drinking water containing 35.5 mg/l of chloride ions. Spore viability was analysed with both cultivation and cell potential for dividing (direct viable count method). The results showed that at similar residual disinfectant concentrations x contact time (CT value), electrochemical disinfection was over three times more effective in neutralizing both cultivable B. subtilis spores and those with cell potential for dividing than traditional chlorination. As in chlorination, electrochemical disinfection was shown to be water-pH dependent and the lowest CT value of 112 mg/l min−1 (2-log removal) was obtained at pH 6. The lowest efficiency for both techniques was observed at pH 8. In conclusion, electrochemical disinfection is a viable in situ method even at low levels of chlorides in drinking water and appears to be more effective than simple chlorination with the addition of the active chlorine species when highly resistant microbial forms are analysed, however, to apply the technology on a large scale additional studies on potential formation of disinfection by-products must be performed.
Integrated Water Resources Management for meso-scale ungauged river basins in Russia
Authors: Terekhanova T. , Berezina O. , Tränckner J. , Dvinskih S. , Krebs P.
Published: February 2014

In the last 5 years Russia developed Schemes of Integrated Use and Protection of Water Objects (SKIOVO) aiming at remediating and maintaining water resources quality. The main limitation of the schemes is seen in their large spatial scale, which is determined by the available environmental monitoring data. The meso-scale catchments are usually ungauged, which does not allow monitoring and management of water quality on the respective scale and thus they are not included in the schemes. This can have severe consequences, if the catchment is used for drinking water supply (DWS) from surface waters. This is shown in the example of the Nytva river basin, where raw water is extracted from the eutrophic Nytva reservoir for DWS. The solution of the problem is seen in the application of structured water quality mitigation measures, included in the basin management plan. A method to develop such a plan is presented here. The preliminary results of system screening (identification of problems and drivers) and material flow analysis (MFA) have shown that the reservoir is hypertrophic and the probable drivers are emissions from cattle breading, point sources and erosion from arable land. Apart from first measurements, soft factors and the problem of eutrophication identification are discussed, pointing out the need for further studies with regard to eutrophication in the reservoir and the analysis of stakeholders and material flow.
Perspectives on drinking water monitoring for small scale water systems
Authors: Roig Benoit , Baures Estelle , Thomas Olivier
Published: February 2014

Drinking water (DW) is increasingly subject to environmental and human threats that alter the quality of the resource and potentially of the distributed water. These threats can be both biological and chemical in nature, and are often cumulated. The increase of technical frame of water quality monitoring following the evolution of water quality standards guarantee the regulation compliance in general but is not sufficient for the survey of small scale water system efficiency. The existing monitoring is not well suited to insure a good quality of distributed water, especially in the event of a sudden modification of quality. This article aims to propose alternative solutions, from the examination of monitoring practices, in a bid to limit the risk of deterioration of DW quality.
A synthesis of the Uzawa-Lucas model with the Walrasian-General-Equilibrium and Neoclassical-Growth theories
Authors: Zhang Wei-Bin
Published: February 2014

This paper proposes a dynamic economic model of wealth accumulation and human
capital accumulation with endogenous education. It is an extension of the
Uzawa-Lucas model of a heterogeneous household economy with multiple ways of
human capital accumulation. In addition to learning by education in the
Uzawa-Lucas model (Uzawa, 1965; Lucas, 1988), we also consider Arrow?s
?learning by producing? (Arrow, 1962) and Zhang?s ?learning by consuming?
(creative learning, Zhang, 2007) in the human capital accumulation equation.
The economic system consists of one production sector and one education
sector. Households differ in propensity to save, to obtain education, to
consume, and in learning abilities. The model describes a dynamic
interdependence between wealth accumulation, human capital accumulation, and
division of labour with endogenous wealth and income distribution in perfect
competition. We simulate the model to demonstrate the existence of
equilibrium points and the motion of the dynamic system. We also demonstrate
how changes in the propensity to obtain education, the population, the
propensity to save, and the education sector?s total productivity affect
economic development.
Restoring international competitiveness in Croatia: The role of fiscal and monetary policy
Authors: Coric Tomislav , Simovic Hrvoje , Deskar-Skrbic Milan
Published: February 2014

Croatia has joined the European Union as a country with several substantial
structural problems, of which the most important is weak competitiveness.
Although competitiveness can be viewed from the ?institutional? perspective,
which includes World Development Indicators (WDI) and Doing Business reports,
in this paper the authors focus on the more standard view of competitiveness
based on unit labour costs (ULC) and real effective exchange rate (REER). As
a small, open and highly dollarized/euroised economy that has to coordinate
its economic policy with the EU policy framework, Croatia has limited space
for increasing international competitiveness using monetary policy measures
aimed at (nominal) devaluation of the national currency. Therefore economic
policy stakeholders should focus on decreasing unit labour costs and real
effective exchange rate mainly through the process of internal devaluation,
which is based on adequate fiscal policy measures. In this paper the authors
analyse the role of monetary and fiscal policy in the deteriorating real
effective exchange rate and unit labour costs since 2000, and their current
capabilities and restrictions in restoring international competitiveness. The
Structural VAR model (SVAR) is used to estimate the effects of foreign
(banking) capital, credit growth, and current public expenditure on REER and
ULC. The preliminary hypothesis of the paper is that monetary policy should
continue to support bank lending activities and the role of fiscal policy is
to achieve an internal devaluation, which will increase the competitiveness
of the Croatian economy. Restoring international competitiveness is necessary
due to its impact on net exports and consequently the economic recovery of
the national economy, which has faced recession conditions for five years in
a row. Also, restoring competitiveness is one of the most important
preconditions for the success of a small country joining the single European
market.
Knowledge management, innovativeness, and organizational performance: Evidence from Serbia
Authors: Slavkovic Marko , Babic Verica
Published: February 2014

The importance of knowledge management and its contribution to organizational
performance and innovativeness has been the subject of many studies and is
increasingly gaining recognition worldwide. Our study analyses the impact of
knowledge management on perceived organizational performance and
innovativeness in the context of the Serbian economy. The results of the
empirical research on leading Serbian firms demonstrates the direct and
positive effect of knowledge management. The regression results show that
knowledge management generally has a positive effect on organizational
performance. Also, the results show that knowledge management is positively
related to the different dimensions of organizational innovation (process
innovation and administrative innovation). The mediating effects of process
innovation and administrative innovation on the relationship between
knowledge management and organizational performance are only partially
supported.
Liquidity and the business cycle: Empirical evidence from the Greek banking sector
Authors: Vogiazas Sophocles , Alexiou Constantinos
Published: February 2014

In the aftermath of the global financial turmoil the negative market
sentiment and the challenging macroeconomic environment in Greece have
severely affected the banking sector, which faces funding and liquidity
challenges, deteriorating asset quality, and weakening profitability. This
paper aims to investigate how banks? liquidity interacted with solvency and
the business cycle during the period 2004-2010. To this end a panel of 17
Greek banks is utilized which, in conjunction with cointegrating techniques
and one-way static and dynamic panel models, explores the presence and the
strength of the relationship between banks? liquidity and the business cycle,
while allowing for the role of banks? solvency. Addressing the liquidity risk
of the Greek banking sector and the liquidity-solvency nexus remains largely
an uncharted area. The results generated provide clear-cut evidence on the
linkages between banks? market liquidity and the business cycle, as reflected
in the real GDP and the effective exchange rate. Yet the results display a
transmission channel that runs from banks? solvency to liquidity and from
country risk to bank risk.
Can there be a ‘scientific worldview’?: A critical note
Authors: Koznjak Boris
Published: February 2014

In this brief note, a concept of the ?scientific worldview? is examined. In
particular, contrary to some of the most often misconceptions regarding the
concept, it will be argued (1) that there cannot be a ?scientific worldview?
in the traditional sense of a Weltanschauung if science is taken in its
strictest sense, (2) that the remaining ontological and epistemic skeleton
cannot be a single unified picture of the world (Weltbild), and (3) that the
supposed ?truth? of these remaining pictures cannot be unambiguously
grounded either in the methodology of science, although the methodology
itself can be explanatory and predictively adequate and successful, or in
the technological success that is associated with science.
Historical transformation and epistemological discontinuity
Authors: Mocnik Rastko
Published: February 2014

Starting from recent formulas of EU bureaucracy for subordinating scientific
and educational apparatuses to the needs of the capital and to the requests
of its political representatives, the article analyses the interconnection
between the historical transformation of the ideological state apparatuses
(universities, higher education institutions, research institutes etc.) and
the epistemological discontinuity provoked by the triumph of technosciences.
The hypothesis to be tested is the following: While the crisis of West
European-North American capitalism requires an ever tighter submission of
ideological state apparatuses, and especially of scientific and academic
apparatuses to the needs of the capital, theoretical practices in the
humanities and social sciences have come to the point where they entered into
an open conflict with the domination of the capital and have, as a
consequence, started to subvert their own institutional supports in the
ideological apparatuses of the capitalist state. For this purpose, the
article reconsiders social sciences as a compromise formation and,
eventually, reassesses the historical materialism as a non-Cartesian modern
science.
Performatising the knower: On semiotic analysis of subject and knowledge
Authors: Artukovic Kristina
Published: February 2014

This paper considers epistemological implications of the concept of
performative, starting from the elaborate conception provided by Judith
Butler?s theories. The primary postulate of this work is that various
interpretations of the performative, with their semiotic shifting from the
notions of truth-evaluability and the descriptive nature of meaning, form a
line of aban?doning traditional epistemological distinction between subject
and object. Through other semiotic concepts which will be presented and
analysed, this line reveals the key epistemological issues in the light of
semiology, while Judith Butler?s concept of performativity is viewed as a
possible outcome of this course of semiology of knowledge, resulting in final
transcending of the category of subject.
Explanations, mechanisms, and developmental models: Why the nativist account of early perceptual learning is not a proper mechanistic model
Authors: Radenovic Ljiljana
Published: February 2014

In the last several decades a number of studies on perceptual learning in
early infancy have suggested that even infants seem to be sensitive to the
way objects move and interact in the world. In order to explain the early
emergence of infants? sensitivity to causal patterns in the world some
psychologists have proposed that core knowledge of objects and causal
relations is innate (Leslie & Keeble 1987, Carey & Spelke, 1994; Keil, 1995;
Spelke et al., 1994). The goal of this paper is to examine the nativist
developmental model by investigating the criteria that a mechanistic model
needs to fulfill if it is to be explanatory. Craver (2006) put forth a number
of such criteria and developed a few very useful distinctions between
explanation sketches and proper mechanistic explanations. By applying these
criteria to the nativist developmental model I aim to show, firstly, that
nativists only partially characterize the phenomenon at stake without giving
us the details of when and under which conditions perception and attention in
early infancy take place. Secondly, nativist start off with a description of
the phenomena to be explained (even if it is only a partial description) but
import into it a particular theory of perception that requires further
empirical evidence and further defense on its own. Furthermore, I argue that
innate knowledge is a good candidate for a filler term (a term that is used
to name the still unknown processes and parts of the mechanism) and is likely
to become redundant. Recent extensive research on early intermodal perception
indicates that the mechanism enabling the perception of regularities and
causal patterns in early infancy is grounded in our neurophysiology. However,
this mechanism is fairly basic and does not involve highly sophisticated
cognitive structures or innate core knowledge. I conclude with a remark that
a closer examination of the mechanisms involved in early perceptual learning
indicates that the nativism/empiricism debate (as usually construed in
developmental literature) is wrong headed and should be closed.
The rebirth of the morphogenetic field as an explanatory tool in biology
Authors: Perovic Slobodan
Published: February 2014

I discuss two uses of the concept of the morphogenetic field, a tool of the
19th century biology motivated by particular ontological views of the time,
which has been re-emerging and increasingly relevant in explaining
microbiological phenomena. I also consider the relation of these uses to the
Central Dogma of modern biology as well as Modern Synthesis of Darwinism and
genetics. An induced morphogenetic field is determined by a physical (e.g.,
gravitational) field, or it acquires a physical (e.g., visco-elastic) field?s
characteristics. Such a morphogenetic field presents only a weak challenge to
the Central Dogma of Modern Synthesis by indirectly, albeit severely,
constraining variability at the molecular level. I discuss explanations that
introduce structural inheritance in ciliate protozoa, as well as the
experimental evidence on which these arguments are based. The global cellular
morphogenetic field is a unit of such inheritance. I discuss relevant cases
of structural inheritance in ciliates that bring about internal cellular as
well as functional changes and point out that DNA is absent in the cortex and
that RNA controls neither intermediary nor the global level of the field. I
go on to argue that utilizing knowledge of known physical fields may advance
explanations and understanding of the morphogenetic field in ciliates as the
unit of both development and inheritance.
Technik, Gelassenheit und πόλεμος
Authors: Keck Wolfgang , Jovanov Rastko
Published: February 2014

In diesem Aufsatz wird das Verh?ltnis zwischen den Begriffen Gelassenheit und
???????, von Heidegger als ?Auseinandersetzung? ?bersetzt und aufgefasst,
untersucht. Der Betrachtung liegt dabei die Frage zu Grunde, ob der sp?te
Heidegger sich mit den Begriffen Gestell und Gelassenheit ?berhaupt noch im
Sinne grundlegender Gestalten der menschlichen Lebensweise auseinandersetzt,
so wie er es in den 30er Jahren tat und behauptete. Weitergehend wird die
Beziehung des Begriffs der Gleichf?rmigkeit, verstanden als eine Folge der
technischen Herrschaft ?ber die Erde, zu C. Schmitts Begriff der
Neutralisierung als eine der Konsequenzen der zunehmenden Technisierung
hergestellt und diskutiert.
The collateral damage of opening floodgates: Problems with Kevin R. Johnson’s arguments for U.S. immigration reform
Authors: Corlett Angelo , Unger Kimberly
Published: February 2014

This article is a critical discussion of Kevin R. Johnson?s discussion of
current U.S. immigration policy and of his own proposal regarding open
immigration as his views are set forth in his book, Opening the Floodgates,
as well as some of his other works on the topic.
Was there more space in the late Early Devonian for marine biodiversity to peak than in the early Late Ordovician?: A brief note
Authors: Ruban Dmitry
Published: February 2014

After the so-called ?Cambrian explosion?, marine biodiversity peaked either
in the early Late Ordovician (as shown by the ?classical? curves based on the
extensive palaeontological data compilation) or in the late Early Devonian
(as shown by the ?innovative? curve based on the sampling standardization).
The brief review of the modern plate tectonic, palaeoclimatic, and eustatic
reconstructions demonstrates that shelves, which likely provided the main
space for biotic radiation, shrank, concentrated in the tropics, and were
better connected in the late Early Devonian than in the early Late
Ordovician. The results of the present analysis permit to hypothesize that
there was more (or the same) space for marine organisms to reach their
maximum in their number in the early Late Ordovician relatively to the late
Early Devonian. This is the only particular hypothesis, and the other
extrinsic and intrinsic factors should be considered in further discussions.
Middle miocene badenian transgression: New evidences from the Vrdnik coal basin (Fruska Gora Mt., Northern Serbia)
Authors: Rundic Ljupko , Knezevic Slobodan , Rakijas Milovan
Published: February 2014

The latest field investigation of the Vrdnik Coal Basin as well as new data
from numerous boreholes enabled the finding of an unconformity between the
undivided continental-lacustrine Lower Miocene and the marine Middle Miocene
Badenian. The different terrestrial-lacustrine sediments indicate a very
mobile and dynamic environment (according to known drilling data, the total
thickness of these deposits reaches up to 300 m). All these rocks belong to
the Vrdnik series (Vrdnik Formation). The evolution of the Vrdnik series is
distinguished by several stages (e.g. pre-lacustrine, lacustrine, peat-swamp,
etc.). Each of these phases was proved by their sedimentologic and structural
characteristics. On the other hand, among the fossils, only the swamp flora
remains (Sequoia, Laurus, Taxodium, Glyptostrobus, etc.) and poor and
fragmented ostracode valves (Candona sp.) were documented. Presently, the
exact stratigraphic position of the Vrdnik series is unknown. Discordantly
over the mentioned rocks, real marine sediments of the Paratethys Sea occur.
To date, it was a completely unknown subsurface distribution of these
sediments. Among a few types of rocks that have a small distribution, the
so-called the Leitha limestones (Middle Miocene, Badenian) have great
significance (up to 98% of CaCO3). The total thickness of the limestones
reaches up to 70 meters (borehole B-11). The findings of key foraminifer
species (Orbulina - Globigerinoides Zone) indicate an early Badenian
(Moravian) transgressive event (ca. 15 Ma). Lithologically, it is represented
by gray, sandy marls and sandy clays, coarse-grained sands and
microconglomerates in the base of the mentioned limestones (boreholes B-11,
B-15, B-19, and B-21) with a total thickness of up to 15 meters.
Pseudoclypeina? crnogorica Radoicic, 1972: Stratigraphic revision and taxonomic note on a little known dasycladalean alga from Montenegro
Authors: Radoicic Rajka , Carras Nicolaos , Conrad Marc
Published: February 2014

Pseudoclypeina? crnogorica was first described in 1972 from the Lower,
Cretaceous limestone of the Njegos Mt. area, Montenegro, Dinaric Carbonate
Platform. It differs from other species of the genus Pseudoclypeina by its
calcification pattern, the shape and relative length of the first and second
order laterals, and by the presence in the type-material (a thin section
containing the holotype) of sections standing for the sterile portion of the
thallus. This is why in this paper, the generic name is left in open
nomenclature. On this occasion the species, whose presence is also reported
from southern Iran, is re-described and better illustrated, based on material
originating from other outcrops in Montenegro. The stratigraphic position is
reviewed as well. Pseudoclypeina? crnogorica occurs in shallow water inner
platform facies of early Neocomian age, along with Selliporella neocomiensis.
Polymetallic Cu-Bi-(Pb-Zn-Co-Ag) mineralization of the Perin Potok locality near Bor, Serbia
Authors: Pacevski Aleksandar , Saric Kristina , Cvetkovic Vladica
Published: February 2014

Complex polymetallic Cu-Bi-(Pb-Zn-Co-Ag) mineralization of the Perin Potok
locality occurs as disseminations and fine nests in
quartz-ankerite-(sericite) veins. The veins are located in metamorphic rocks
of the outer contact zone of the Variscan Gornjane Granitoid. The
mineralization consists of (in decreasing abundance): chalcopyrite, aikinite,
bismuth, galena, Ag,Bi-bearing tetrahedrite, sphalerite, cobaltite and an
unnamed Bi2Te mineral. All these phases form distinctive exsolutions and
intergrowths and they simultaneously precipitated from a very complex
hydrothermal fluid. Silver shows elevated contents in tetrahedrite (3.3-4.4
wt. % Ag), galena (0.9-1.1 wt. % Ag) and in the unnamed Bi2Te mineral (0.9
wt. % Ag). Such high Ag concentrations can imply that Ag minerals could be
also present. Minor amounts of rutile showing fine intergrowths with sericite
also occur in this paragenesis. This is W-bearing rutile that shows zoning
caused by up to 2.2 wt. % W. The studied mineralization is probably
genetically related to the Variscan Gornjane Granitoid, although the
possibility of derivation from the metamorphic basement should be also taken
into account.
Application of factor analysis in identification of dominant hydrogeochemical processes of some nitrogenous groundwater of Serbia
Authors: Stojkovic Jana , Papic Petar , Cuk Marina , Todorovic Maja
Published: February 2014

Multivariate statistical analyses are used for reducing large datasets to a
smaller number of variables, which explain main hydrogeochemical processes
that control water geochemistry. Factor analysis (FA) allows discovering
intercorrelations inside the data matrix and grouping of similar variables,
i.e. chemical parameters. In this way new variables are extracted, which are
called factors, and each factor is explained by some hydrogeochemical
process. Applying FA to a dataset that consists of 15 chemical parameters
measured on 40 groundwater samples from Serbia, four factors were extracted,
which explain 73.9% of total variance in the analyzed dataset. Interpretation
of obtained factors indicated several hydrogeochemical processes: the impact
of sea water intrusions and volatiles in previous geological periods, solutes
diffusion from the marine clay, cation exchange and dissolution of carbonate
and silicate minerals.
Distribution of magnesium in groundwater of Serbia
Authors: Milosavljevic Jovana , Andrijasevic Jakov , Todorovic Maja
Published: February 2014

Magnesium is chemical element commonly found in the environment and the main
constituent of many types of minerals and rocks. This element is also
essential to man. Owing to its abundance in nature, magnesium is present in
all water resources and generally occur as the dominant cation, with calcium,
in those that feature low TDS levels, whose origin is associated with large
formations of sedimentary rocks (limestones, dolomites), and to a lesser
extent with the degradation of silicate minerals that contain Mg. Magnesium
concentrations in groundwater of Serbia vary over a wide range and their
distribution is not uniform, but certain laws of nature do apply. The
variation in the concentrations of this ion depends on the considered
hydrogeological province, while within a single province it is a consequence
of Serbia?s highly complex geology. The best examples are the
Carpatho-Balkanides, with predominant karstified rock formations, and the
Vardar Zone where ophiolites prevail but the makeup is much more complex than
that of the Carpatho-Balkanides.
Tumor necrosis factor alpha and alpha-1 antitrypsin gene variants in Serbian pediatric arterial ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Djordjevic Valentina , Divac-Rankov Aleksandra , Stankovic Marija , Brankovic-Sreckovic Vesna , Radojkovic Dragica
Published: February 2014

The etiology of arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in children is complex, and
different from that in adults. Although rare, stroke in children is an
important cause of mortality and morbidity. There is increasing evidence
that genetic factors, including inflammation mediators, have a role in
occurrence and outcome of stroke. We have chosen to assess the role of
polymorphism -308G/A in the promoter of tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF?) gene
and S and Z mutations in alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) gene in the etiology of
stroke in children. TNF? polymorphism affects plasma levels of this
proinflamatory cytokine, and this could contribute to stroke pathology. It
has been shown that increased AAT concentration may present a risk for AIS
in children. Since S and Z mutations in AAT gene reduce its levels in plasma
they could have a protective role in pediatric stroke. In this study twenty
six children with AIS and 100 unrelated individuals from Serbian general
population were investigated by PCR/RFLP for these gene variations. No
statistically significant difference was observed between patients and
general population in distribution of genotypes for -308G/A TNF?
polymorphism, so its contributory role in the etiology of stroke was not
evident in our group of patients. None of the tested AAT gene mutations were
found in patients, which is in concordance with the proposed protective role
of deficient AAT variants. AIS is a multifactorial disease, with many genes
having a modest role in its pathophysiology, so further analyses of their
combined effect are needed to elucidate genetic risk factors in the etiology
and outcome of stroke in pediatric patients.
Application of stress susceptibility index for drought tolerance screening of tomato populations
Authors: Zdravkovic Jasmina , Jovanovic Zorica , Djordjevic Mladen , Girek Zdenka , Zdravkovic Milan , Stikic Radmila
Published: February 2014

Investigation comprised 41 tomato genotypes originating from the population
of domestic and domesticated genotypes collected in Serbia and belonging to
the tomato collection of the Institute of Vegetable Crop Science, Smederevska
Palanka. The aim of collection screening was to choose the genotypes tolerant
to drought during plant intensive growth stage, whereby the process of
selection would set out to obtain the recombinant genotypes for this abiotic
factor. The screening criteria were established for genotype divergence in
plant height and shoot-root ratio under conditions of optimal irrigation
regime and drought. Divergence was estimated using cluster analysis with
Euclidean distance as a measure of distance, with a complete gene attachment
to grouping. Drought tolerance is expressed by the stress susceptibility
index (SSI). Various results were obtained based on the screening of
genotypes grown under optimal and dry conditions. As a measure of stress
susceptibility, based on SSI, genotypes having different drought tolerance
level were determined. On the grounds of the analyses carried out, 10
genotypes were segregated (G102, G104, G107, G109, G110, G119, G125, G126,
G128 and G141) to represent a basis to obtain the recombinant genotypes and
to initiate the selection for drought resistance.
Molecular characterization of Prunus mahaleb L. rootstock canditates by ISSR markers
Authors: Ozyurt Ibrahim , Akca Yasar , Ercisli Sezai
Published: February 2014

Prunus mahaleb is widely used as rootstocks particularly on calcareous and
dry soils for both sweet and sour cherry cultivars in Turkey. Genetic
diversity and relationships among members of Prunus mahaleb including 29
preselected rootstock candidate accessions from Tokat region in Turkey were
investigated by using 15 ISSR markers. The study revealed high genetic
diversity among accessions, detecting 138 fragments, of which 103 (75%) were
polymorphic. The number of polymorphic bands per primer was between 3-13,
with average of 6.86. The primers 890 and 891 gave the highest polymorphism
ratio (100%). The UPGMA dendrogram and the principal coordinate analysis
revealed a clear differentiation among accessions. Reference rootstock,
SL-64 clustered separately. The study demonstrates that ISSRs provide
promising marker tools in revealing genetic diversity and relationships in
Prunus mahaleb rootstock candidate accessions and can contribute to
efficient identification, conservation, and utilization of germplasm for
rootstock improvement through conventional as well as molecular breeding
approaches.
Distribution of sex chromosomes (XY) in lymphocyte metaphase spreads of dairy bulls
Authors: Kotikalapudi Rosaiah , Patel Rajesh , Medidi Hemanth , Sugali Nagaraju
Published: February 2014

Position of autosome and sex chromosomes in metaphase spreads is grate
concerned of Cytogeneticians worldwide to understand cell biology. A few
isolated studies have been conducted for the distribution of chromosomes in
metaphase spread. Our studies reveal that most sex chromosomes (XY) remain on
periphery and semi-periphery, 84.16% for X and 86.97% for Y respectively, in
round metaphase spreads. The application of sex chromosome position in
metaphase spreads is to easily find out sex chromosomes under microscope even
without banding patterns. An another application is to identify or confirm
sex chromosomes in unknown species on which cytogenetic studies have not been
performed.
The possibilities of applying marker assisted selection in breeding boron tolerant wheat
Authors: Brdar-Jokanovic Milka , Trkulja Dragana , Nikolic-Djoric Emilija , Kondic-Spika Ankica , Kobiljski Borislav
Published: February 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities of applying
molecular markers-microsatellites in breeding boron tolerant wheat. The study
comprised the investigation of allelic variability of sixty bread wheat
accessions in two microsatellite loci (Xgwm46-7B and Xgwm577-7B) for which
was assumed that are placed near the 7B chromosome locus involved in the
expression of boron tolerance in wheat. Phenotypic variability concerning
boron tolerance was assessed via root length reduction of wheat seedlings
grown in the presence of high external boron, applied as boric acid solution
(concentrations 50, 100 and 150 mg/l, boron treatments B50, B100 and B150).
The indication of marker-trait associations was determined by comparing the
allelic variability in the two microsatellite loci with the phenotypic
variability in boron tolerance. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used
for the comparisons. The indication of marker-trait association was found for
both Xgwm46-7B and Xgwm577-7B; on B150 and B50 treatments, respectively.
Allelic forms identified in Xgwm577-7B locus may be related to tolerance,
medium tolerance and sensitivity to high boron. This was not the case for
Xgwm46-7B, where the identified alleles were related only to boron tolerance
and sensitivity. Therefore, Xgwm577-7B may be preferred over Xgwm46-7B when
studying boron tolerance in wheat. However, a considerable portion of boron
tolerant accessions carried different alleles in the investigated loci,
implying boron tolerance as a quantitative trait with more than one
chromosomal region involved in its expression. Therefore, the allelic
variability of more than the analyzed two loci should be investigated.
Chromosome status of marsh marigold, Caltha palustris L. (Ranunculaceae) from Serbia
Authors: Blagojevic Jelena , Jovanovic Vladimir , Adnadjevic Tanja , Budinski Ivana , Vujosevic Mladen
Published: February 2014

Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris is distributed in the moist, temperate and
cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This species exhibits considerable
amount of intraspecific chromosomal diversity involving hybridization,
polyploidy, aneuploidy and B chromosomes. Karyotype analyses of three
mountain populations from Serbia were done for the first time. All samples
were tetraploid (based number x=8) with 2n=32. In population from mountain
Tara presence of one B chromosomes was detected. Tetraploid karyotype
consists of 17 median-centromeric (m), 8 submedian-centromeric (sm), 7
subterminal-centromeric (st) chromosomes and one terminal-centromeric (t) B
chromosome (2n= 17m+8sm+7st+1B). Studied populations in Serbia belong to the
most common cytotype for this species in Europe.
Identification of QTLs associated with low chloride accumulation in oriental tobacco
Authors: Hatami Maleki , Karimzadeh Ghasem , Darvishzadeh Reza , Naghavi Mohammad , Sarrafi Ahmad
Published: February 2014

The construction of linkage maps and identification of genomic regions
controlling traits have great significance for plant breeders. Among
different chemical traits in oriental tobacco, chloride content in leaves
when it is less than 1.5% improves burning quality. In this study, genetic
analysis of quantitative trait loci affecting the chloride accumulation of
oriental tobacco leaf was performed using an F2 population of a cross between
two oriental tobacco genotypes, ?Basma Seres 31? and ?SPT 406?, comprising
100 individuals. A normal distribution was observed for the chloride
accumulation in the F2 population. Linkage map with 23 informative
microsatellite and 29 inter simple sequence repeat markers was constructed,
which covered 570.8 cM of the tobacco genome. Single marker analysis,
interval mapping and composite interval mapping were used to detect the
putative QTLs controlling chloride accumulation. There was not any
significant relation between ISSR markers and chloride accumulation. SSR
marker PT30346 was found to be significantly associated with chloride
accumulation through single marker analysis. Two QTLs including ChlIM and
ChlCIM with R2 values of 0.4 and 0.07 were identified using IM and CIM,
respectively.
Analysis of pomological traits in new promising sweet cherry genotypes
Authors: Fotiric-Aksic Milica , Nikolic Tihomir
Published: February 2014

Sweet cherry breeding programs are interested in developing new cultivars
that are very early or very late in ripening, high yielding, with excellent
fruit size and quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate new, promising,
sweet cherry genotypes (G-1 and G-2) for ripening time, fruit morphology and
fruit chemical content, and compare it with the standard sweet cherry
cultivars (Bigarreau Jaboulay, B. H. Burlat, Seneca, Hedelfiger
Riesenkirsche, Germersdorfer Grosse Kirsche, Emperor Francis and Bing).
Experiment was done during four consecutive years (2006-2009) in Grocka, near
Belgrade. The earliest fruit ripening was recorded in G-2 (22nd April) while
the latest in `Bing` (2nd June). Fruit weight varied from 5.83 g (G-2) up to
8.93 g (G-1). Soluble solid content and total sugar content were the lowest
in genotype G-2 (10.48%; 8.45%, respectively) but the highest in Emperor
Francis (18.28%; 15.98%, respectively). No matter the fact that some standard
cultivars showed better results for some traits, genotypes G-1 and G-2 are
considered very promising. So, genotype G-1 could be intended for table
consumption since it ripens 2-3 days after cv. B. H. Burlat, but have much
higher fruit weight. Also, genotype G-2, the earliest in this trial, showed
satisfactory fruit weight for this ripening time, which makes it very
interesting for fresh market production.
The creation of folk music program on Radio Belgrade before World War Two: Editorial policies and performing ensembles
Authors: Dumnic Marija
Published: February 2014

This paper deals with the establishing of the organizing models, on one side,
and with folk music and its aesthetic characteristics in the interwar period,
on the other. This problem significantly contributed to the present meaning
of the term ?folk music? (?narodna muzika?). The program of Radio Belgrade
(founded in 1929) contained a number of folk music shows, often with live
music. In order to develop folk music program, numerous vocal and
instrumental soloists were hired, and different bands accompanied them.
During that time, two official radio ensembles emerged - the Folk Radio
Orchestra and the Tambura Radio Orchestra - displacing from the program the
ensembles that were not concurrent to their technical and repertoire level.
The decisive power in designing the program concept and content, but also in
setting standards for the aesthetic values, was at the hands of music
editorship of Radio Belgrade. The radio category of folk music was especially
influenced by Petar Krstic (folk music editor in the period from 1930 to
1936) and his successor Mihajlo Vukdragovic (1937-1940), who formally defined
all of the aforementioned characteristics, but in rather different ways. A
general ambivalence in the treatment of the ensembles that performed at the
radio reflects the implementation of their policies. In comparison to the
official orchestras, the tavern singers and players received poor reviews in
the editors? reports, despite their strong presence on the program. On the
other side, the official orchestras were divided according to the regional
folklore instrumentarium, but also according to the quality of playing. The
Folk Radio Orchestra probably had double leadership, so it was possible to
observe different approaches to the music folklore, which eventually resulted
in a unique tendency towards cherishing folk music. This paper represents an
attempt to show how the media term ?folk music? was constructed and where it
currently stands in comparison to the usual study objects of ethnomusicology
and popular music studies. My argument is that the discourse of authenticity
was fundamental for the creation of official folk music.
“It does not matter that she is a female, she will be a gusle player”: The ideology of an instrument
Authors: Djordjevic-Belic Smiljana
Published: February 2014

Within the theoretical and methodological framework based on the concept of
the ideology of tradition, I analyze a wide and complex repertoire of
attitudes toward female gusle players. Aside from the techniques of
representation demonstrated in scientific discourses, I examine the status of
female gusle players by assessing the material obtained during several years
of field researches (the ?male? perspective), and I also refer to the public
(media) discourse, acknowledging the characteristics of media and popular
culture. The ?researcher?s voice? is also interpreted as part of a discourse
on the ideology of tradition.
"Exoticism” in the opera Gilgamesh by Rudolf Brucci in Ralph Locke’s “All the music in the full context” paradigm
Authors: Sovtic Nemanja
Published: February 2014

In this text, Rudolf Brucci?s opera Gilgamesh is viewed in the light of Ralph
Locke?s ?All the Music in the Full Context? Paradigm which promotes the
approach that one should search for the exotic elements in musical works
first in the discursive components (title, program, accompanying notes),
visual representations (costume, scenery) and a ?horizon of expectations? of
a particular culture, and only then to observe exoticism as the aspect of a
musical style. In the light of this Paradigm, ?exoticism? of the opera
Gilgamesh is detected at the level of the music material and compositional
procedures, but not in the dramaturgical profiling of characters, narrative
adaptation of the Sumerian epic, costumes and scenery. The plot, costumes and
the scenery of the opera do not construct the Orient with either positive or
negative projections attributed to it by the Western European Orientalist
discourse, but portray Gilgamesh and Enkidu as ancient mythic protagonists on
the margin of the (not-always) exoticist once/now binarism. The musical
language of the opera, which abounds in the usage of oriental musical scales
and citations, indicates that oriental/exotic was one of the author?s ?target
levels? when conceiving and composing Gilgamesh. Brucci, however, did not
build the ?ethnological model? in his opera, but gave oriental scales and
?exotic? musical citations their meaning within the Western musical
tradition, which is why his approach can be compared with the ?veiled
exoticism? of the French composers of the late nineteenth and the early
twentieth centuries. In the light of the self/other binarism, reaching for
the exotic in Gilgamesh can be presented as an auto-exotic creative behavior
of Brucci as a composer who perceives his ?minority identity? in a relation
to an imaginary referential system of the Center. However, I am more inclined
to see Brucci?s identificational intention in his advocacy of the Yugoslav
NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) project, and his dealing with the ?exotic? as part
of his strategy to support cultural achievements of the Third World which
predominantly participated in that project.
Die „Leipziger schule”. Zur geschichte der kirchenmusik Im 20. jahrhundert
Authors: Loos Helmut
Published: February 2014

Auf die Initiative Karls Straubes ging die Gr?ndung des Instituts f?r
Kirchenmusik am Leipziger Konservatorium im Jahre 1921 zur?ck. Zusammen mit
seinem Meistersch?ler G?nther Ramin gestaltete er ?ber lange Jahre hinweg
die Kirchenmusik in St. Thomas. Nach dem Ende des Ersten Weltkriegs gewann
die Bach-Bewegung f?r den Protestantismus eine zentrale Bedeutung, zumal
sich Leipzig als richtungsweisendes Zentrum profilierte und mit der ??ra
Straube-Ramin? eine ?Leipziger Schule? ausbildete. Obwohl Straube und Ramin
nicht selbst komponierten, war insbesondere ihr Wirken am Konservatorium der
Musik zu Leipzig wesentlich f?r die Bildung der ?Leipziger Schule? als
Erneuerungsbewegung evangelischer Kirchenmusik. In dem Artikel wird das
Schicksal dieser Bestrebungen und ihrer Protagonisten w?hrend der
katastrophalen ?konomischen Umst?nde und des anwachsenden
Nationalisozialismus analysiert.