Effect of different types of stress on adrenal gland parameters and adrenal hormones in the blood serum of male Wistar rats

In the present study, we examined gross changes in the mass of whole adrenal glands and that of the adrenal cortex and medulla in mature male Wistar rats subjected to three different stress types: acute, chronic, and combined, i.e., chronic followed by acute stress. These parameters were correlated with adrenal activity as judged from serum levels of corticosterone and catecholamine, respectively, as well as with serum levels of ACTH and glucose. Under all three conditions, we observed bilaterally asymmetric and stress-type-independent hypertrophy of whole adrenals, as well as adrenal cortices and medullas. Under acute and combined stress, adrenal hypertrophy was followed by increase of adrenal hormones in the blood serum. However, under chronic stress, both cortical and medullar activities as judged from low or unaltered levels of the respective hormones and glucose were compromised and disconnected from the input signal of ACTH. Since all of the studied adrenal activities could be restored by subsequent acute stress, it is concluded that chronic isolation can be viewed as partly maladaptive stress with characteristics resembling stress resistance rather than the stress exhaustion stage of the general adaptation syndrome

Antioxidant enzymes expression in liver of stressed wistar rat

The antioxidant enzymes (AOEs) expression was studied in Wistar rat liver under two types of stress: acute (immobilization) and chronic (isolation). The acute stress induced increase in blood corticosterone (CORT) and glucose (GLU), but decreased AOEs expression, and such conditions may result in oxidative stress. In contrast to acute stress, in chronic stress conditions, when both CORT and GLU were low, the AOEs expression was markedly induced. This increase in MnSOD, CuZnSOD, and catalase exhibited similar trend implying efficient detoxification of O2 .- and H2O2.Physical chemistry 2008 : 9th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 24-28 September 200

Low-dose ionizing irradiation affects ntpdase activity in neuoronal cells of young female rats

In the present study, time-dependent effects of low-dose ionizing irradiation on membrane-bound enzyme activity in neuronal cell endings of young female rat brains were sudied. The ecto-adenosine triphospho diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) hydrolyse the extracellular nucleotide di- and tri- phosphates (ADP and ATP) in the presence of divalent cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+). The influence of whole-body irradiation on membrane enzymes ATP and ADP hydrolysing activity were monitored 1, 24 and 72 h after irradiation. Animals were divided into three groups: non-treated, under physiological conditions (C), immobilized and whole body irradiated with 50 cGy by γ-rays (R) and immobilized non-irradiated (I) animals. It was shown that the levels of ATP and ADP hydrolyses were not affected within 72h after immobilisation. Lowdose irradiation significantly decreased hydrolyses of extracellular ATP as early as 1h after irradiation. ADP hydrolyses within 72 h and ATP hydrolysis after 24 h were not altered.Physical chemistry 2006 : 8th international conference on fundamental and applied aspects of physical chemistry; Belgrade (Serbia); 26-29 September 200

Bilingual classes in Serbian and German in "Stevan Sremac", the First grammar school of Niš Билингвальное обучение на сербском и немецком языках на примере Первой нишской гимназии “Стеван Сремац”

U ovom radu analizira se model bilingvalne nastave na srpskom i nemačkom jeziku, koji se primenjuje u Prvoj niškoj gimnaziji „Stevan Sremac”. Na osnovu rezultata prikupljenih nakon terenskog istraživanja, predstavljaju se aktuelni problemi i izazovi sa kojima se škola, nastavnici i učenici1 susreću u radu. Pored teorijskog okvira bilingvalne nastave, doktorska teza obuhvata аnаlizu rezultаtа testirаnjа receptivnih jezičkih veštinа (rаzumevаnje pisanog teksta) nа primerimа DSD testova za nivo znanja A2/B1, kаo i stručnih tekstovа iz srpskog jezika i književnosti, istorije, muzičke i likovne kulture. Testirani su učenici Prve niške gimnаzije koji usvajaju nemački jezik u okviru bilingvalne nastave (eksperimentalna grupa), dok su kontrolnu grupu činili učenici koji prate nastavu nemačkog jezika po tradicionalnom školskom programu, kao i učenici filološkog smera, koji nastavu nemačkog jezika takođe pohađaju po tradicionalnom školskom programu, ali sa povećanim fondom časova. Najbolje rezultate na testiranju postigli su učenici bilingvalnog smera, što je i dokazano empirijski, deskriptivnom i kvalitativno-kvantitativnom analizom. U okviru doktorske teze, proučavaju se i efekti primene bilingvalne nastave nemačkog jezika na personalne karakteristike učenika. Teza obuhvata i povezanost upotrebe interneta, televizije, aplikacija i igara na nemačkom jeziku sa rezultatima iz nemačkog jezika učenika bilingvalnog, filološkog i društveno-jezičkog smera. Rezultati istraživanja su potvrdili povezanost personalnih karakteristika učenika sa njihovim postignutim rezultatima iz nemačkog jezika. Pozitivan efekat dala je primena ovih dodatnih metoda za učenje jezika nezavisno od obrazovnog smera učenika.This paper analyses the model of bilingual teaching in Serbian and German, applied at “Stevan Sremac”, the First Grammar School of Niš. The current issues and challenges faced by the teachers and students of the school during their work are presented on the basis of the results collected after the field research.12 In addition to the theoretical framework of bilingual teaching, the doctoral thesis includes the analysis of the results of assessing receptive language skills (reading comprehension) on the examples of DSD tests for the A2/B1 knowledge level, as well as professional texts in the fields of literature, history, music and art. The testing involved the students of the First Grammar School of Niš who learn German as part of their bilingual classes (experimental group), while the control group consisted of students who attend German language classes according to the traditional curriculum, as well as students of the philology class, who also attend German language classes according to the traditional curriculum, but with a greater number of classes. The best test results were achieved by the bilingual students. This was proven empirically, and by employing a descriptive and qualitative-quantitative analysis. The effects of the implementation of bilingual teaching of the German language on the personal characteristics of students are also studied in the doctoral thesis. In addition, the thesis includes the connection between the use of the Internet, television, applications and games in the German language and the German language test results realized by the students of bilingual, philological and social science and language classes. The results of the research confirmed the connection between the personal abilities of the students and their German language test results. The use of the Internet, watching television, using applications and games in German, as well as learning the language outside of the students’ class, yielded a positive effect

Ethnic identity as the process of subjectification

Ethnic group is a forced social category usually thought of in terms of essence in everyday life and in psychological theory. Essentializing is a powerful representational tool which fuels ethnocentrism, xenophobia and discrimination. In this paper, I will argue that practical and analytical discourse of identity, difference and exclusion, serves as carrier of essentialist views on ethnic group membership. If the group is seen as natural and unchangeable, and if one cannot choose whether or not to belong to a certain ethnic group, then ethnic membership can only be seen as unchangeable, natural and stable, i.e. permanent part of one`s identity. Identity language practice in turn (re)produces simplified essentialist views on ethnicity hindering the possibility of alternative understanding. Consequentially, it leaves no room to human agency in thinking and acting as members of ethnic groups, and obstructs possible ways of social change. Contrary to aforementioned, I propose theorizing ethnic identity as the process of subjectification, the process by which individuals construct themselves into existing relations they themselves do not consciously determine, but to which they subordinate themselves. It is through active participation in psycho-discursive practices that people become and are made ethnic beings, thereby producing ethnicity itself. The taken-for-granted of ethnic identity comes under scrutiny as people become engaged in process of defining who and how they are as collective. Deconstruction of identity language exposes ethnicity as socio-culturally constructed rather than essentially natural, and creates space for different participation in meaning-making processes. Theoretical and practical implications will be discussed

Open Science and Responsible Research Assessment strategies at the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry

The inside stories provide insight into the GraspOS pilot studies, presenting the aims and current status of their activities. Learn about what the pilots are up and how they aim to bring open science and research assessment together.Link to the interview: [https://graspos.eu/inside-stories-from-the-pilot-studies-open-science-and-responsible-research-assessment-strategies-at-the-university-of-belgrade-faculty-of-chemistry

Communication in the Multiverse of a Library

This presentation is devoted to understanding the academic library as the ultimate place where science and literature meet, a multiverse that stores all our scientific and general literary output. The library in itself encompasses everything that exists in intellectual space, imagined and real worlds. It is the place of identity in a world where everything changes faster than we can prepare for the new realities. The system of evaluation of scientific works, in which the number of published works comes first, is based on the motto "publish or perish". It is a prime example of how time is the only resource we have that disappears in the dust of the gallop of a great race. Are the conditions of publication under financial pressure separating scientists from academia and librarians from traditional books, preventing the convergence of science and literature? Is the holistic human experience, with all its technological shortcuts, now accessible to everyone on the Internet, or is it still divided between two separate realms, science and literature? Are there also differences in terms of ethnic structure, geographical area, standard, and material status? Are digital libraries more accessible to users than traditional libraries? The presentation discusses the above questions with emphasis on the role of the concept of open science in communication between librarians and researchers. The new educational area of the librarian profession relates to the ethical principles of open science. A trained librarian of a scientific library does not hold the knowledge in his hands, but shares it with the target group of users - students and researchers. By organizing continuous lectures and library seminars on current issues related to Open Science and reforming the evaluation system, the necessary communication between librarians and researchers is achieved, which is presented in this presentation with specific examples. One of the examples of good practices is the participation of librarians and researchers in the three-year GraspOS project funded by the European Commission at the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry.The Municipality of Aegina, The Greek Physicists Society, The International Commission on Science and Literature DHST/IUHPST, The Science, Technology and Medicine Laboratory of the School of Humanities, Hellenic Open University, The Institute of Historical Research, National Hellenic Research Foundation, The Chair of Science, Technology and Gender Studies, Friedrich-Alexander University, and the Department of Sociology of the University of Athens organize a three-day workshop to study the Communication of Science and Literature in the multiverse

Nutritional and physical activity behaviours and habits in adolescent population of Belgrade

Background/Aim. Proper nutrition and regular physical activity are essential parts of a adolescent's overall health. The aim of this research was to evaluated eating and physical activity behaviours and habits, nutritional and food knowledge, beliefs and self-efficacy related to diet and health of the adolescents of the city of Belgrade, Serbia. Methods. A dietary questionnaire previously constructed and tested in adolescent population from Italy was self-administrated. We evaluated eating habits, physical activity, meaning of healthy and unhealthy dietary habits and food, self-efficacy, barriers affecting food choices, nutritional and food safety, and body mass index (BMI) of the adolescents. The sample included 707 adolescents, the mean age of 15,8 ± 2 years enrolled in the first grade at several high schools in Belgrade. Results. Only 27% of the adolescents had satisfactory eating habits; 31% have a very active lifestyle; 7% good nutritional knowledge and 6- 12% satisfactory food safety knowledge and hygiene practices. Conclusion. Significant deviations from recommendations for healthy lifestyle was noted in adolescents’ habits, knowledge and practice. It is therefore necessary to develop and organize programs for promotion of healthy behaviours adapted to the adolescents’ needs. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III47015

Collective Memory-Work: Origins, Theoretical Considerations, and Practice

Predmet ovog rada je društveno-naučna metodologija kolektivni rad sećanja i njena relevantnost za psihološka istraživanja. Osnovni cilj je da se ona predstavi kroz razradu njenih istorijskih i teorijskih osnova i pretpostavki, kao i praktičnih smernica za istraživanje. Od početne ideje do novije literature, odabrani aspekti ove metodologije razmatraju se u sklopu određenih teorijskih okvira i debata, uz prateće dileme, zbog čega rad ima polemički karakter. U uvodu se u osnovnim crtama ističe značaj metodologije i samog rada, kao prvog razrađenog pregleda ove teme na regionalnim jezicima. Potom, sledi istorijski osvrt na prvi projekat kolektivnog rada sećanja, njegovo feminističko-marksističko zaleđe, kao i na pojedine teorijske aspekte (subjektifikacija, sećanja, iskustvo i teorija, kolektivna dekonstrukcija, osoba). Iz te diskusije izvučene su i odvojeno predstavljene osnovne pretpostavke kolektivnog rada sećanja. Naredni odeljak sadrži glavne pravce razvoja i primena, razmatranja od značaja za psihološke teme, kao i poređenje sa sličnim metodologijama. Nakon toga sledi praktični deo rada gde se predstavljaju osnovne smernice kroz progresivno navođenje faza istraživanja. Najzad, diskutuju se dileme u pogledu kriterijuma za evaluaciju rada sećanja. U zaključku je još jednom ocrtano mesto i značaj ove metodologije za društveno-naučna i psihološka istraživanja.The subject of this paper is social-scientific methodology collective memory-work and its relevance for psychological inquiry. The aim is to present it through elaboration of its historical and theoretical foundations and assumptions, as well as practical guidance for research. From the original idea until current literature, chosen aspects of this methodology are considered within certain theoretical frameworks and debates, with accompanying dilemmas, which is why the paper has polemic character. Introduction outlines the relevance of this methodology, as well as the relevance of the paper, as the first elaborated review of this subject in regional languages. Next follows the historical look at the pioneering project of collective memory-work, its feminist-Marxist background, as well as consideration of several theoretical aspects (subjectification, memories, experience and theory, collective deconstruction, person). Basic assumptions of the memory-work are derived from previous discussion and presented separately. The next section contains main directions of development and applications of the methodology, considerations relevant for psychological topics, and comparison with similar methodologies. Subsequent is the practical part of the paper, where the basic guidance for research is offered through progressive sequencing of the research phases. Finally, dilemmas regarding evaluation criteria for collective memory-work are discussed. In the conclusion, the place and relevance of this methodology for social-scientific and psychological research are summarized