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National fiscal policy response to the global energy crisis in Western Balkans countries: the case of Serbia and North Macedonia
No full textFiscal policy is a crucial stabilization policy of governments around the world and has a
major role in suppressing the adverse impacts of unfolding crises. Its applicability is measured
through the process of taxation and collection of public revenues to create funds for financing
public expenditures. Therefore, fiscal policy implies the use of public revenues and expenditures
that should be aligned with the main objectives of macroeconomic policy. Consequently, since the
Western Balkans region, identical to other countries around the world, is in a period of the global
energy crisis, the response of the national fiscal policy is of major importance. The subject of the
paper is the analysis of the national fiscal policy response of Western Balkans countries to the
global energy crisis with a focus on the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of North Macedonia.
Using the available official data, the paper analyzes and compares the distribution impacts of the
global energy crisis in selected Western Balkans countries in terms of public expenditure (percent of GDP). Furthermore, a comparison of the results of the selected Western Balkans countries with
the average of the Western Balkans countries and the average of the EU countries was carried out.
Eventually, the paper analyzes the national fiscal policy response of the selected countries in terms
of wage bills (percent of GDP), social benefits (percent of GDP), and capital expenditures (percent
of GDP) during the global energy crisis with those during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The
applied methodology consists of qualitative research techniques, such as analysis, comparative
analyses, and syntheses. Based on the obtained results, the paper's contribution is reflected in the
determination of the importance of timely fiscal response of national governments and taking
appropriate measures to mitigate the adverse impact effectively in the forthcoming period.Сборник с доклади, представени на международна научна конференция на тема „Икономика на бъдещето“, организирана от Висшето училище по застраховане и финанси (ВУЗФ) и Балканската асоциация на икономическите университети 19-21 април 2023 г
Retain for resilience : Natural water retention measures contribution to hydro-meteorological hazards risk reduction at the river basin level
No full textRunoff generation primarily depends on the intensity of precipitation and its time distribution. When the rainfall intensity exceeds the basin/catchment/drainage area water retention capacity, a series of events follows that lead to surface runoff (Srebrenović, 1986). Due to the capacity of the river basin to retain precipitation the difference between the discontinuity of precipitation and the continuity of runoff is increasing (Jevđević, 1956) and a more uniform surface water runoff regime (quantity and speed) is generated.
Hydro-meteorological risks due to natural hazards such as severe floods, storm surges, landslides and droughts are causing impacts on different sectors of society (Ruangpan et al. 2020). This paper summarizes the overlapping and differences between two ecosystem-based concepts applied in river basin management and disaster risk reduction planning processes and the contribution of natural water retention measures identified for the Danube River Basin in hydrometeorological risk reduction
Student achievement in relation to time spent studying and playing video games: a gender perspective
No full text– The results of previous studies showed that male students have a lower average grade than
female students. Men are also reported to play more video games than women. We were interested in whether male students maintain the same pattern of behavior in relation to playing games during the exam period and how this affects their average grade compared to female students. If male students spend more time playing video games compared to female students, their academic performance may decrease as time spent on academic activities is replaced by video game play. In a survey of 400 university students, the authors focused on the gender characteristics of students and their achievements. Our results showed that female students studied more and played video games less during the exam periods compared to male
and non-binary students, which is the reason for a higher total average grade in contrast to others
Technologies for remediation of polluted environments: between classic processes and the challenges of new approaches
No full textThe Holocene epoch in which we live is also the Anthropocene, which is an informal chronological term that extends into the Pleistocene epoch. Various scientific evidences shows human impact on environmental pollution dates back to the age of Homo neanderthalensis, which in Europe was about 70,000–40,000 years ago (or even 400,000 years before the current epoch-BCE). The negative effects on the environment of the life activities of our distant ancestors are reflected in their active use of fire in everyday life.
Later, the pollution of air, water, soil and food, accelerated and became more complicated, which led to the alarming situation in the present time and especially in the future. In the last few years, researchers have focused on poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and micro- and nano plastics (M- and NPs, respectively), as global pollutants.
Environmental pollution requires technologies and processes for its protection and remediation (REM). Classical REM processes are: physical, chemical, physical-chemical and biological, and these are most often combined. The challenges of new approaches are primarily related to the application of new materials (e.g., 2D substances, such as graphene, nano materials, new catalysts) and advanced biotechnologies (e.g., enzyme engineering), nanobio/technologies, as ideal multidisciplinary approaches.
Modern REM concepts are based on the principles of green chemistry and green engineering, with the aim of "closing the loop" of the circular economy and fulfilling the unsustainable 2030 sustainable development (SD) agenda, which in real time coordinates can only be: smart development
A Brief Bibliometric Analysis of Microplastic and Nanoplastic Particles in Food
No full textMicroplastic and nanoplastic particles have gained significant attention in recent years due
to their potential presence in various environmental matrices, including food. This bibliometric analysis aims to explore the scientific landscape surrounding the study of microplastic and nanoplastic
particles in food, shedding light on key research trends, prominent authors, and notable journals in
this field. To conduct this analysis, a comprehensive search was performed on scholarly databases,
including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, using relevant keywords such as “microplastic”,
“nanoplastic”, “food”, and related terms. The analysis focused on peer-reviewed articles published
between 2020 and 2023. The search found 313 articles on microplastic and nanoplastic particles in
food, indicating a growing interest in this research area. The number of publications showed an
upward trend, with the most productive year being 2020 (38% of papers), followed by 2023 and 2021
(23% each). In 2020, 16% of papers were published. Among the analyzed articles, 48% were original
research papers, 46% were reviews, and the remaining 6% included book chapters, perspectives,
and other publications. The analysis revealed that the most prolific authors in this field include
researchers such as Jansen, M.A.K., Abbasi, S., and Banerjee, A., who have significantly contributed
to the study of microplastics and nanoplastics in food. Additionally, several collaborations between
different research institutions were observed, emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature of this research area. Furthermore, the analysis identified key journals publishing research on microplastics
and nanoplastics in food, including Science of the Total Environment, the Journal of Hazardous Materials,
and Environmental Pollution. The increasing number of publications on microplastic and nanoplastic
particles in food indicates the growing awareness and concern regarding the potential risks associated
with these contaminants. This bibliometric analysis provides insights into the scientific landscape of
microplastic and nanoplastic particles in food. The analysis demonstrates the upward trajectory of
research in this field, identifies influential authors, and highlights the significant role of specific journals. Continued research and collaboration are essential to further our understanding of the impacts
of microplastics and nanoplastics on food safety and human health, facilitating the development of
effective mitigation strategieshttps://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/91/1#Editoria
EU Sustainable Strategies and Circular Economy
No full textExisting economic systems are in transformation and the increase in the realization of economic activities in sectors that work according
to the principles of the circular economy have positive effects on the qual-
ity of life of citizens and the environment. Also, circular economy lead to
significant changes in the concept of economic development. The interde-
pendence of the mentioned indicators needs to be researched and evaluated,
both in the European Union and in individual member countries.
The circular economy model is one of the priorities of the EU
Green Deal, with a high potential for improving sustainability and reaching
net zero by 2050. The main goal of this paper is to present the EU Sus-
tainable Strategies and their connections with the circular economy model.
The paper will also present examples of good practice operating ac-
cording to the circular economy model in the EU and the countries of the
Western Balkans.Urednici: prof. dr Andrea Andrejević Panić, prof. dr Jelena Ješić, prof. dr Simonida Vukadinović i prof. dr Gordana Racić; tehnički urednici: prof. dr Simonida Vukadinović, prof. dr Jelena Ješić, prof. dr Andrea Andrejević Panić i doc. dr Zoran Brlja
Productivity of Serbian wheat genotypes grown in ecological agricultural system
No full textDue to strict rules in ecological plant production, especially in
case of fertilization and plants protection, productivity i. e. yield could be
limited. Choosing the appropriate genotypes, modest requirements to the inputs
and adapted to the conditions of ecological cultivation is a particularly
important point and one of the prerequisites for economical, profitable and
stable production, without big risks and losses. The aim of this paper was to
estimate adaptability of wheat genotypes to ecological growing conditions
according to grain yield. The trial was carried out in Center for Small Grains,
Kragujevac, Serbia. 23 Serbian wheat genotypes were included. There were
applied two fertilization variants (manure and NPK fertilizers) and control
one, too. Mainly, NPK fertilizers caused statistically significant differences in
grain yield. At the same time, manure influenced the increase of grain yield
compared to the control variant. The genotypes that achieved similar yields,
without significant differences in relation to applied fertilizers, were: Morava,
Lepenica, Studenica, KG 100, Lazarica, Pobeda, Evropa 90, Perla, Pesma.
Vizija was the more yielding in manure than in NPK variant. Those varieties
are interested for practical cultivation in ecological agriculture and could be
significant material in wheat breeding in order to obtain new varieties adapted
to the ecological system of cultivation and sustainable agriculture.Urednici prof. dr Andrea Andrejević Panić, prof. dr Jelena Ješić, prof. dr Simonida Vukadinović i prof. dr Gordana Racić, tehnički urednici prof. dr Simonida Vukadinović, prof. dr Jelena Ješić, prof. dr Andrea Andrejević Panić i doc. dr Zoran Brlja
Environmental threats to beekeeping in the Western Balkan countries - beekeepers’ perceptions
No full textThe subject of the paper refers to the research on beekeepers’ perceptions of environmental threats
to beekeeping in the Western Balkan region. The following environmental threats were supposed to
be the most pronounced: cutting of melliferous perennial plants and clearing of forests,
urbanisation and environmental pollution, use of pesticides in agricultural production, pests and
agents of bees’ diseases, climate changes. The aim of the research was to find out how beekeepers
perceived these threats, to determine the presence of the threats and to define their intensity as well
as their mutual relationship. For the purpose of this research, the authors created a structured
questionnaire which was filled in by randomly selected beekeepers living in the Western Balkans.
The research results show that most beekeepers in the studied area evaluated the assumed threats as
strong to very strong, while the greatest percentage of beekeepers believes that climate change
represents the greatest threat to beekeeping in the region. All assumed environmental threats show
the same tendency, while they have the most serious effect on large apiaries with more than 150 bee
colonies, located in lowland areas up to 200 meters above sea level with intensive farming. Findings
of this research are important in order to adapt the current beekeeping practice in the region to
more sustainable solutions, through improvement of the existing beekeeping legislation and
advisory services
Visualisation of female characters in adaptations of Shakespeare's tragedies
No full textThis paper delves into the portrayal of women in film adaptations of Shakespeare's most prominent tragedies. The analysis encompasses adaptations like King Lear by Trevor Nunn, Kenneth Branagh, Franco Zeffirelli and Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet, Welles and Parker’s Othello and Franco Zeffirelli (1968) and Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet/Romeo+Juliet. The study scrutinizes cinematic techniques, camera work, editing, and music to assess the depiction of female characters and their comparison to their male counterparts. Traditionally, Shakespearean plays and their cinematic adaptations have been dominated by male characters, emphasizing their valor and heroic death. In contrast, the portrayal of feminine deaths has posed challenges. Women often die off-stage or are briefly shown, while adhering to norms of silence and obedience, requiring them to "mend their speech." However, some contemporary directors, notably Zeffirelli, have brought women to the forefront, highlighting them through close-ups and focused attention. In summary, this analysis reveals an evolution in the portrayal of women in cinematic adaptations of Shakespeare's works. From early representations where women were passive and obedient, akin to ghosts, in adaptations by Welles and Olivier, modern adaptations by directors like Zeffirelli depict women as more opinionated, strong-willed, and focused individuals. These adaptations provide a platform for the expression of feminist ideals, underscoring the evolving role of women in cinematic interpretations of Shakespearean tragedies
Nova paradigma upravljanja rizicima investiranja javnog sektora u post-kriznom periodu: Studija slučaja Republika Srbija
No full textDobro uređen javni sektor u privrednoj strukturi svake zemlje značajno doprinosi kvalitetu privrednog ambijenta i efikasnošću i efektivnošću svoga poslovanja utiče na dinamizam i održivost ekonomskog razvoja. Otuda, javna preduzeća, koja predstavljaju instrument države za postizanje ekonomskih i socijalnih ciljeva, funkcionišu po jedinstvenim principima poslovanja (angažuju raspoložive resurse, bave se proizvodnom i uslužnom delatnošću), odnosno posluju po principu profitabilnosti. Poslednja decenija zabeležila je ponovni rast interesovanja o investicijama u javnom sektoru. Ova pažnja iznedrila je napore za pronalaženje potrebnih budžetskih sredstva, a tamo gde gde se ovo pokazalo neizvodljivim primenjen je inovativni pristup saradnje sa privatnim sektorom, posebno u oblastima finansiranja i sprovođenja javnih investicija u infrastrukturne projekte