The European Union has been the dominant trade partner of Western Balkan countries for a long time; however, China’s trade and economic influence in the region is growing yearly, and its engagement ...in the region has intensified after the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative. Serbia is the region’s most important strategic trading partner for the EU and China. This paper addressed the trade presence of the EU and China in Serbia, examined the trade position of the EU and China in Serbia, the intensity of their mutual foreign trade (TII index), and the trade competitiveness of Serbia’s export in selected traded commodities (RCA1 index). The trade position of the EU in Serbia was confirmed as clearly more substantial than that of China, and trade intensity was high. However, China’s trade position grew despite its trade exchange intensity, which was well below potential. However, the low values of Serbia’s competitiveness index are a severe obstacle to the increase of Serbian exports and some persistent obstacles in the framework of export procedures. The growing passive trade balance in relations with China remains also disturbing.
Funerary Practices in Serbiais the first book to offer a concise yet highly informative study of the historical development and current state of funerary practices in Serbia. It explores the ...historical roots of contemporary funerary practices in the country and provides illuminating insight into how death is "managed" in Serbia today.
Lacustrine strata record long-term variations in climatic and tectonic perturbations during orogen evolution. Here we use the sedimentological record of the early to middle Miocene intramontane ...lacustrine Pranjani Basin (Serbia) to study tectonic and climatic variations during the evolution of the Dinaridic orogen. Our study focuses on a Mg-clay-bearing succession that belongs to the second depositional cycle. A detailed sedimentological, mineralogical and geochemical study shows that the investigated Mg-clays bearing succession consists of an alternation of smectite- (± analcime or sepiolite), dolomite-sepiolite and sepiolite layers. We interpret this high-order cyclicity to have been driven by variable water availability, i.e. by the interplay between runoff, groundwater influx and evaporation. Furthermore, we relate these pulses in water variability to wet and dry intervals under semi-arid to arid climatic conditions. Dry intervals produced a negative water balance promoting the deposition of sepiolite - and dolomite - dominated facies. Wet intervals and a positive water balance stimulated higher terrestrial input and thus favored the deposition of smectite-dominated facies. Our new data combined with a review of previous studies reveal longer-term basin-wide lake level and chemistry fluctuations, which we relate to closed and open lake phases. We suggest that these phases can be explained by alternating humid and arid phases superimposed on tectonically induced uplift and subsidence. The arid phases led to lake shrinking and deposition of an evaporite-bearing succession. During the intervening humid phase, the lake expanded. In contrast to the lakes formed in the external part of the Dinarides, the lakes that existed in its internal part contain evaporite-bearing successions, indicating that this arid phase was regionally extensive and possibly orographically controlled.
•Mg-clay bearing succession reveals changing lake level and chemistry over time.•Lake cycles can be linked to wet and dry palaeoclimate cycles.•Deposition took place in saline-alkaline conditions under semi-arid to arid climate.•During Miocene evaporite-bearing successions were spread across the Internal Dinarides.•The distribution of the evaporite-bearing successions in the Dinarides is possibly controlled by orographic rainshadow effect.
The genera Balabania Karacabey-Öztemür, Branislavia Sladić-Trifunović and Klinghardtites Lupu have previously been referred to as three new canaliculate radiolitid taxa. Well-preserved articulated ...shells of these rudist genera collected from eastern Turkey, Serbia and western Romania have now been re-examined and compared with the rudist literature. They have pallial canals in the originally aragonitic inner shell layer of the left valve flanking the cardinal apparatus and a long ligamental ridge, which are the diagnostic characteristics of Colveraia Klinghardt. As a result, two species are recognised here, namely Colveraia acuticostata (Karacabey-Öztemür), encompassing all species of Balabania and Colveraia bacevicensis (Milovanović) for all species referred to Branislavia. Klinghardtites musculosus (Klinghardt) is herein regarded to be synonymous with Colveraia darendeensis Karacabey. The left valve of Colveraia acuticostata is cap like with an eccentric apex inclined gently or strongly towards the dorsal side and overlap with the commissure and has flat or rarely slightly concave radial bands. Colveraia bacevicensis is characterised by deeply concave radial bands, and longitudinal ribs and grooves of the right valve, both of which are crossed by strongly folded growth lines that overlap each other and present distinct undulations on the surface of the valve. Ornamentation of the valve and the structure of the radial bands distinguish them from Colveraia variabilis Klinghardt and C. darendeensis Karacabey. Our re-examination of specimens previously described as Balabania acuticostata Karacabey-Öztemür from eastern Serbia shows that these can be included in C. darendeensis. A biogeographical overview of species of Colveraia in the Mediterranean Tethys is presented.
•The rudist bivalve genera Balabania Karacabey-Öztemür, 1980, Branislavia Sladić-Trifunović, 1981 and Klinghardtites Lupu, 1971 have been revised and their synonymy with Colveraia Klinghardt, 1921 proposed due to the presence of the pallial canals in the aragonitic inner shell layer of the left valve and a long ligamental ridge.•Two Colveraia species are recognized: C. acuticostata (Karacabey-Öztemür, 1980) for all Balabania specimens and C. bacevicensis (Milovanović) for all Branislavia specimens.•Klinghardtites Lupu, 1971 herein regarded as synonymous with Colveraia darendeensis Karacabey, 1974.•The re-examination of the specimens previously described as Balabania acuticostata Karacabey-Öztemür, 1980 from the Eastern Serbia are also included to C. darendeensis.•We review the palaeogeographical distribution of the species of Colveraia in the Mediterranean Tethys.
Introduction In Serbia, smoking prevalence and exposure to tobacco use are high without signs of significant decline for years. Despite its high burden, tobacco use in Serbia is still not recognized ...in a sufficient manner as a problem in the society. In order to provide country specific evidence aimed at changing social norms of the general population as well as decision makers and to provide their support for effective tobacco control policy, study on social and economic consequences of tobacco use was conducted. Material and Methods For calculating smoking-attributable life and working years lost data were obtained through Study on economic and social impact of tobacco use in Serbia, supported by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and implemented by the Institute of Public Health of Serbia. Study was implemented in 2018. using the method proposed by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and Economic Costs (SAMMEC) which includes 15 diseases related to smoking. Health survey conducted in Serbia in 2013 was source of data on prevalence of current and past smoking status, while life expectancy and mortality data for 2016 were obtained from the Serbian National Statistical Office. Results In total, 202532 years of life and 32319 working years were lost due to smoking in Serbia. On average, smokers die 16 years earlier than non-smokers with average number of life years lost 15.2 for males and 16.9 for females. Working years lost by those who died between the age of 35-64 was 7.3 for males and 3.7 for females. Conclusions Results provide additional evidence base for high burden of tobacco in Serbia and call for urgent implementation of all FCTC tobacco control measures. Smoking-attributable life and working years lost should be communicated from public health and economic perspective and should be tackled not only by health but also other sectors.
Background/Aim. Analyses of the cephalometric value of profile radiographs are very important for orthodontic diagnosis and planning of therapy. These values differ morphologically depending on ...ethnic and racial affiliation. The aim of this study was to confirm variations of cephalometric norms and the extent of their value and, according to them, confirm the harmony concept of craniofacial morphology among the young Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija. Methods. This retrospective study comprised 183 profile radiograms of patients from Kosovo and Metohija, Serbia, aged 8?33, from which Class I was ascertained among 82 patients (53 female and 29 male). Five cephalometric angles were measured and analyzed. Pearson?s correlation coefficient was used to define the strength of correlation between the five variables. Bivariable linear regression was used to form harmonious combinations of individual values in the insight of craniofacial harmonious form. Multiple regression and standard error were used to form a harmonious schema. Results. Linear regression equations were used to define cephalometric floating norms. They helped us form a harmonious box and harmonious schema of craniofacial norms of the participants. The ex-tent of harmonious value for orthognathic profile of our examinees varies for sella nasion subspinale (SNA) angle from 78? to 81?, for sella nasion supramentale (SNB) angle from 75.1? to 78.1?, for maxillary line ? nasion sella line (NL-NSL) angle from 11.5? to 5.5?, for nasion sella basion (NSBa) angle from 134.7? to 125.8?, and for mandibulary line ? nasion sella line (ML-NSL) angle from 40.5? to 30.6?. Conclusion. Cephalometric floating norms that describe the individual craniofacial pattern among the young Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija, determined and defined by five cephalometric variables, and presented in the form of a harmonious box and harmonious schema and can accurately determine the craniofacial pattern.
Understanding public perceptions of energy sources is essential for successful policy formulation. Our study explores the Serbian public's attitudes toward different types of energy, taking into ...account NIMBY (“Not In My Back Yard") sentiments, nationalist orientation, and pro-Russian attitudes. A correlational cross-sectional design utilized an online survey disseminated via social media platforms. The study examined public preferences for various energy types and their correlations with nationalist and pro-Russian tendencies. Poststratification weighting was applied to address sample representativeness. Our research revealed the public's preference for renewable energy, particularly solar and wind. Surprisingly, nationalist views did not significantly align with fossil fuel preferences, differentiating Serbia from Western European trends. Geopolitical considerations, such as Serbia's relationship with Russia, did not strongly influence public opinion. These findings underscore the importance of considering public preferences in shaping Serbia's energy policy, emphasizing the need for investment in renewables. Based on the results we offer concrete policy recommendations. This study offers a methodological approach adaptable to other countries undergoing similar energy transition.
•The Serbian public strongly prefers renewable energy, particularly solar and wind.•The only renewable invoking NIMBY in Serbia are small hydropower plants.•The Serbian public does not want new fossil energy capacities in ‘their backyard’.•The preference for renewables is independent of nationalist orientation in Serbia.•Support for Russia does not translate to a preference for oil and gas.
This study documents the ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal importance of plants in the Suva planina mountain region (south-eastern Serbia). It is reflected in their high diversity and their wide ...range of uses in the treatment of the local population. The aim of this study was a comparative analysis of data collected in the Suva planina region with relevant data from the Western Balkans, which included identifying the ‘most popular’ plants, as well as those species which are used specifically for treatment solely in the research area.
Ethnobotanical research was carried out between 2012 and 2014 and data was collected through both open and semi-structured interviews with locals. A total of 66 people were interviewed (37 women and 29 men), aged between 49 and 90 (with a mean age of 71).
This study identified 128 plants and 2 fungi which are used in ethnomedicine, 5 plant species used in ethnoveterinary medicine, and 16 plants used for ‘other’ purposes. Lamiaceae (20), Asteraceae (17), Rosaceae (16), Brassicaceae (5), Alliaceae (4) and Apiaceae (4) have the greatest diversity of species. Results showed that Achillea mellefolium, Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi, Gentiana lutea, Hypericum perforatum, Juglans regia, Matricaria chamomilla, Mentha piperita, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Salvia officinalis, Sempervivum tectorum, Tilia cordata and Thymus sepyllum are the ‘most popular’ medicinal plants (UV=1). Those plants with the most phytotherapeutic uses are Gentiana cruciata (14), H. perforatum (11) and A. sativum (10), while the most common conditions treated with medicinal plants are respiratory (79), urogenital (53), gastrointestinal (51), skin (43) and those relating to the circulatory system (35). A comparative analysis of the data collected in the research area and that from other parts of the Western Balkans showed that there are great similarities within Serbia between Suva planina and the Zlatibor region (37.2%) and Kopaonik Mt. (32.3%), while further afield it is most similar to Bosnia and Herzegovina (40.9%) and Bulgaria (40.6%). Moreover, it was established that 14 plant species and 2 fungi are used only in the Suva planina region, which points to the specificity of the diversity and the sound knowledge of medicinal plants in this region.
Our results confirm that medicinal plants are an invaluable resource of the research area and need to be protected as they contribute to an improvement in living standards and the survival of people threatened by unfavourable demographic trends. However, due to over-exploitation, some plants have become exceptionally rare and are under threat, leading to the need for their rational use and protection so as to ensure they are still around for future generations.
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