3828 research outputs found
Sort by
Inner Dinarides revisited: Opening and closure of a Neotethys branch in Western Serbia
No full textThe Dinarides mountain belt of south-east Europe represents a segment of a complex Mesozoic large-scale fold and thrust belt situated between the Southern Alps in the NW and the Hellenides in the SE. The Dinaride fold and thrust belt contain continental units of Adriatic/Apulian affinity, as well as several Neotethyan ophiolite complexes situated in between. One of these ophiolite com-plexes is the well-explored ’Inner Dinaric Ophiolite Belt’ (IDOB). However, the paleogeography and tectonic position has been a matter of discussion for a century. The IDOB relationship towards the rest of the Neotethyan oceans has been attempted to be explained with one-ocean and multiple-ocean models. The preliminary results of our structural investigations suggest a tectonic solution endorsing the multi-ocean model. The deformational history starts with the Anisian rifting and transtensional-type opening of a Neotethys branch (‘’Dinaric Tethys’’) marked by normal faults showing the N-S extension direction. The basin opening is sedimentologically manifested by trans-gressive clastic deposits. The ongoing deepening of this ocean continued with the development of carbonate ramps and platforms, deep sea pelagic environments, oceanic crust production, and accretionary wedging through the Jurassic. Closure of ’Dinaric Tethys’ was initiated at the end of Jurassic/beginning of Cretaceous and is manifested by NW-directed thrust faults (NW-SE directed shortening). The Lower Cretaceous is characterized by a hiatus and a considerably large land area formation due to orogen exhumation. This is supported by evidence of unconformities and the occurrence of manganese and iron nodules, which are a product of the surface degradation of ophiolites. Due to post-orogenic collapse and/or due to the transgressive episode/sea level high-stand in Albian-Cenomanian, a new depositional cycle commenced characterized by shallow water clastics and a subsequent carbonate platform with Rudists limestones. This episode is marked by normal faults showing WNW-ESE-directed extension. The closure of these basins is not yet well understood as it does not show a regressive trend. In the Upper Cretaceous/Paleogene, significant strike-slip movement is recorded. Dextral and sinistral strike slip faults showed NW-SE compression and NE-SW extension. This deformation is linked to restraining bends of the NNW-SSE-striking Zvornik fault system. The following younger deformation, marked by WNW-ESE trending sinistral striking faults, is assumed to be Late Eocene E-W compression noted in previous research. The main stage of compression (microplate collision), occurred in the Late Oligocene and is marked with numerous ENE-WSW trending reverse faults, followed by N-S trending dextral and NE-SW trending sinistral strike-slip faults, as well as the formation of NE-SW oriented folds. Following this, the Di-naric Lake System formed in the (latest Oligocene) early Miocene and is marked with normal faults with NE-SW and N-S-directed extension. The last deformational stage is linked to Pliocene-recent N-S trending contraction, which is marked by the youngest set of joints
INFLUENCE OF CNPS@BEET NANOPARTICLES ON ZEA MAYS L. GERMINATION AND GROWTH
No full textThe use of advanced nano-engineering, specifically organic nanoparticles, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the sustainability, food safety, and yield in global agriculture. We synthesized carbon nanoparticle from Beta vulgaris (CNPs@beet) using a single step hydrothermal green approach. The aim of this work was to examine the effects of CNPs@beet on maize (Zea mays L.) seeds germination, root and shoot length, and dry/fresh (DW/FW) biomass ratios. The seeds were treated with distilled water(control) and with different concentrations (1, 5, 10 and 50 mg/L) of CNPs@beet for 4 days. Subsequently, the seedlings were grown on KNOP/2 hydroponic solution under controlled conditions (16h light/ 8h dark photoperiod) for 7 days. The results show that the examined concentrations of CNPs@beet did not induce significant changes in seed germination percentage compared to the control. On the other hand, a significant difference was found in the dry-to-fresh weight (DW/FW) ratio between the CNPs@beet treated and control root samples. In comparison to the control samples, the CNPs@beet- treated seeds exhibited a 2.5-fold decrease in the DW/FW ratio of the roots. This significant difference highlights the impact of the treatment on the roots. The decrease in DW/FW ratio of roots in the CNPs@beet treated seeds indicates there is an impact on plant physiology, highlighting the potential application of nanoparticles in agriculture. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanism of nanoparticles uptake and interactions in plants
New Technologies, Cultural Heritage and Education
No full textUpotreba informacionih i komunikacionih tehnologija umnogome je uticala na način poslovanja i rada u različitim oblastima društvenog života. Promene su nastale i u oblasti kulture i prosvete, preciznije u zaštiti i prezentaciji kulturnog nasleđa i metodici nastave, odnosno upotrebi novih didaktičkih sredstava u obrazovanju. Implementacija novih tehnologija u obrazovni proces u okviru nastave koja se bavi temom kulturnog nasleđa učenicima omogućava dostupnost nasleđa na brz i interesantan način i interaktivno ih stimuliše, unapređujući obrazovni proces.The use of information and communication technologies has changed the way people do business and work in many areas of social life. Changes also occurred in the field of culture and education, more precisely in the protection and presentation of cultural heritage and the methodology of teaching, that is, the use of new didactic tools in education. The implementation of the new technologies in the educational process within the teaching of cultural heritage enables students to access heritage in a quick and interesting way and interactively stimulates them, improving thus the educational process
Low soil nitrogen and phosphorus enhances primary and secondary metabolites in grape berries and wine quality of Cabernet Sauvignon
No full textThe concept of terroir encompasses how the environment of a vineyard influences the distinct
characteristics and complexity of wine. In this study, we investigated how micro soil heterogeneity
(micro-soil terroir) affects primary (sugars and organic acids) and secondary (phenolics)
metabolites in the berries of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon, grafted on
P1103 rootstock. Using aerial multispectral imaging, specifically the Normalized Difference Red
Edge Index (NDRE), we identified two distinct areas, one comprising 27% and the other comprising
73% of the total 2.82 ha vineyard. Further soil analyses revealed significant differences in soil
characteristics between these areas, with lower concentrations of total nitrogen (N) and available
phosphorus (P) in the smaller one. The vine plants in the area with lower soil N and P exhibited
lower leaf N, but higher P concentrations. Although total sugar content in grape juice did not differ
significantly between the areas, those from sections with lower soil N and P exhibited higher concentrations
of yeast-assessable nitrogen (YAN), anthocyanins, and volatile organic acids in grape
juice, and higher lactic acid content in wine. Furthermore, wine sensory evaluation using a 5-point
interval scale indicated higher overall quality of wine produced from the lower N and P sections.
Our findings suggest that the enhanced wine quality is linked to increased biosynthesis of organic
acids and anthocyanins, which may be attributed to grape vine adaptations to low soil fertility and
in particular to low P conditions
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FISH FAUNA OF SERBIA
No full textBalkansko poluostrvo predstavlja najznačajniji centar diverziteta
riba u Evropi i jedan od 25 tzv. vrućih tačaka biodiverziteta (engl.
biodiversity hotspots) sveta (Meyers et al., 2000; Freyhof, 2012).
Obuhvata 35.000 km rečnih tokova, od kojih je 80% ili u kategoriji
čistih voda (oko 30%) ili voda dobrog kvaliteta (oko 50%) (Shwarz,
2012). Raznovrsnost faune riba ogleda se kako u velikom broju autohtonih
vrsta (najmanje 193 vrste), tako i u visokom stepenu endemizma
(87 vrsta), a oko trećine (28%) ugroženih vrsta riba Evrope
živi na Balkanskom poluostrvu (Oikonomou et al., 2014; Weiss et
al., 2018; Fricke et al., 2022). Cyprinidae (uključujući porodicu Leuciscidae,
ranije potporodicu Leuciscinae) predstavljaju najbrojniju
porodicu (59% vrsta), a zatim slede Cobitidae (10%), Salmonidae
(10%) i Gobiidae (6%) (Oikonomou et al., 2014). Slično je i sa endemičnim
vrstama – najveći broj vrsta takođe pripada porodicama
Cyprinidae (uključujući i Leuciscidae) (64%), Cobitidae i Salmonidae
(po 9%) i Gobiidae (8%).
The Balkan Peninsula is the most important centre of fish diversity
in Europe and one of the 25 designated biodiversity hotspots in the
world (Meyers et al., 2000; Freyhof, 2012). It contains 35,000 km of rivers,
80% of which of are categorised to be either in pristine (ca. 30%)
or good (ca. 50%) hydromorphological condition (Shwarz, 2012).
The diversity of the fish fauna is reflected both in the large number of
native species (at least 193 species) and the high degree of endemism
(87 species), and about one-third (28%) of Europe's threatened fish
species live in the Balkan Peninsula (Oikonomou et al., 2014; Weiss
et al., 2018; Fricke et al., 2022). The family Cyprinidae (including the
family Leuciscidae, formerly the subfamily Leuciscinae) represent the
most numerous family (59% of species), followed by Cobitidae (10%),
Salmonidae (10%) and Gobiidae (6%) (Oikonomou et al., 2014). It is
similar with the endemic species – the largest number of species also
belongs to the families Cyprinidae (including Leuciscidae) (64%),
Cobitidae and Salmonidae (9% each) and Gobiidae (8%)
THESSALIAN SPIRLIN Alburnoides thessalicus Stephanidis, 1950
No full textTelo tesalijske pliske je visoko i bočno spljošteno, a dorzalna strana tela konveksna (Slika 77). Bočna linija, duž koje se pruža dvostruka tamna linija, zakrivljena je prema dole. Leđa su smeđe- zelenkasta i tamnija od ostatka tela (Porcellotti, n.d.b). Glava je trouglasta, a usta subterminalna do skoro terminalna. Njuška je blago do izrazito zaobljena, dužine približno jednake prečniku oka. Peraja: D III + 7–9; A III + 11–14; P 11–14; V 6–7. Ima 9–10 krljušti između bočne linije i osnove leđnog peraja i 3–5 krljušti između bočne linije i osnove trbušnih peraja. Parna peraja duža su kod mužjaka. Broj krljušti u bočnoj liniji je 44–50. Naraste do 9,1 cm standardne dužine tela (SL). Ženke su krupnije od mužjaka (Barbieri et al. 2017).The body is laterally flattened and oval in cross-section (Figure 61).
The colour of the body is greenish-brown, darker on the back and yellowish-
white on the belly. A dark grey line runs down the middle of the body
from the operculum to the base of the caudal peduncle (Porcellotti, n.d.c).
The mouth is terminal and the snout is slightly pointed (Barbieri et al.,
2017). Fins: D III + 8–10; A III + 11–13. There are 8–10 scale rows between
the lateral line and the dorsal fin origin and 3–4 scale rows between the
lateral line and the ventral fin origin. The number of lateral line scales is
44–48. The maximum recorded standard body length (SL) is 8.3 cm (ibid.)
A Pilot PCR screening of Toxoplasma gondii in birds of Armenia
No full textToxoplasma gondii is a common zoonotic protozoan parasite found worldwide in various species of birds and mammals, including humans. Migratory birds play a crucial role in spreading pathogens such as T. gondii to new areas. Armenia is particularly important in this regard, as it lies at the crossroads of three major migratory flyways; however, there has been no previous research on T. gondii infection in wild birds in this region. This study represents the first molecular detection of active T. gondii infection in the blood of wild birds and examines its prevalence in relation to risk factors such as age, sex, migratory status and feeding habits. The research was carried out in the Megri region of Syunik province during the breeding seasons of 2013, 2014 and 2018. The presence of the parasite was assessed in 116 passerines using PCR with specific primers derived from the RE gene, with an average prevalence of 12%. The highest infection rates were found in Upcher's Warbler (Hippolais languida) with 36% (4 out of 11), Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe melanoleuca) with 33% (2 out of 6) and Eastern Orphean Warbler (Curruca crassirostris) with 19% (5 out of 27). Long-distance migrants had a higher prevalence of T. gondii than resident birds (χ2= 7.11, DF = 2, p = 0.029). No significant differences in infection rates were found based on sex or age. The relationship between infection and feeding behavior in the local distribution of toxoplasmosis remains unclear, highlighting the need for further research using new methodologies, different species, broader geographical coverage and larger sample sizes
Unfolding the potential: Highlighting the value of genotoxicity biomarkers in chub Squalius cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) in three Serbian watersheds with different pollution pressures
No full textAlthough freshwater ecosystems provide many ecosystem services, human activities have significantly degraded them. To assess impact on fish, biomonitoring and multibiomarker approach are recommended.
This study investigated three sites in the Republic of Serbia exposed to different types and levels of pollution using the European chub (Squalius cephalus). The first site, the Kruščica reservoir, is a drinking water source. The second site on the Ibar River is exposed to treated municipal wastewater. The third site on the Pek River is polluted with untreated municipal and mining waste. The municipal wastewater burden was determined by the numbers of E. coli in water. In fish, the concentrations of metals and metalloids, oxidative stress parameters, genotoxic response and histopathological alterations were monitored. All responses were linked using the Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR).
The highest values of oxidative stress parameters and metal pollution index (MPI) were observed in the gills at the Ibar River and in the liver at the Pek River. The comet assay on erythrocytes revealed significant differences among all three sites, indicating the lowest level of DNA damage at Kruščica and the highest at Pek. Micronucleus test showed significant differences only between the least polluted Kruščica and the most polluted Pek. Gills’ histopathological analysis revealed significantly higher values in fish from the Pek River compared to the other two sites.
The study emphasises the reliability of IBR to rank sites based on pollution load. Genotoxicity biomarkers play a crucial role in bridging biomarkers at different levels of biological organisation
Closing the Loop: Maximizing the Potential of Spent Adsorbents in the Circular Economy
No full textAdsorption processes are promising solutions for the removal of a wide variety of contaminants from water. For instance, adsorbents based on iron and/or manganese binary oxides may be applied to remove arsenic from drinking water. However, along with the many advantages of adsorption (including simplicity, flexibility, and scalability), one major disadvantage is the generation of large amounts of waste: at some point, the adsorbent is fully saturated and must be sent to a landfill, where it may be classified as hazardous waste, depending upon its leaching characteristics. To reduce the environmental impact of saturated adsorbents, effective adsorbents must be developed with reuse in mind, closing a material loop in line with the principles of circular economies. This work therefore explores the use of spent iron/manganese composites, previously utilized for arsenic removal, as materials for preparing piezoelectric flexible films. Polymer films for energy harvesting applications were prepared by incorporating spent adsorbents into the P(VDF-TrFE) matrix by the hot pressing method under optimized conditions. Infrared spectroscopy analysis has shown the formation of mainly electroactive �����-PVDF phase in the flexible films. The electrical module was made by applying conductive electrodes, wiring, and integrating the flexible film into a protective layer. Various energy harvesting tests such as impulse hammer impact and human hand pressure were performed to define whether these elements could be used to power small portable devices or would rather find their application in wearable electronics. Therefore, this reuse of spent adsorbents seems highly promising to greatly increase the sustainability of drinking water treatment technologies
Ecological niches of commercial truffle species (Tuber spp.) in Europe
No full textTruffles (Tuber spp) are the ectomycorrhizal fungi that produce highly valuable fruitbodies and are the only obligatory fungal symbionts that can be produced in man-made plantations. Few European species can be grown using special agroforestry practices, yielding not only valuable fruitbodies, but also fostering the development of functional forest ecosystems.
Here we delineate ecological demands of three commercial truffle species (Tuber melanosporum Vitt., T. aestivum Vitt. and T. magnatum Pico) in Europe as connected to different climatological, pedological, and vegetational habitat characteristics. A thorough literature and database search has been done to locate the natural sites of three truffle species in Europe. The E-OBS climate dataset was used to explore climatic limits, while data on soils and vegetation were collected from literature and own research to delineate ecological limitations for every species. The final comparison of the available data was processed with QGIS. We also present a new tool for studying the biodiversity and ecology of fungi (including truffles) and their habitats – Edaphobase, a database on soil biodiversity (Seckenberg Natural Museum (Goerlitz, Germany) that was recently upgraded to be able to host data on fungal species and connect them to other soil communities and common environmental traits. Edaphobase tools will enable the monitoring of soil biodiversity not only in changing natural habitats but also in truffle plantations. We explore possibilities for establishing plantations in susceptible areas in Europe as the rare exemplars of sustainable remediation of forest soils that are also providing significant income, taking into account expected climate change