Premortal data in the process of skeletal remains identification

Background/Aim. The basic task of a forensic examiner during the exhumation of mass graves or in mass accidents is to establish identity of a person. The results obtained through these procedures depend on the level of perceptibility of post mortal changes and they are compared with premortal data obtained from family members of those missing or killed. Experience with exhumations has shown significant differences between the results obtained through exhumation and the premortal data. The aim of the study was to suggest the existance of the difference between premortal data and the results obtained by exhumation regarding the some parameters, as well as to direct premortal data colection to the specific skeletal forms. Methods. We performed comparative analysis of the results of exhumation of skeletal remains in a mass grave and the premortal data concerning the identified persons. The least number of individuals in this mass grave was calculated according to the upper parts of the right femur and it helped in calculating the smallest number of individuals in mass graves to be 48. A total of 27 persons were identified. Sex was determined by metrics and morphology of the pelvis. Personal age in the moment of death was determined by morphology features of groin symphisis and morphology of sternal edge of ribs and other parts of scelets observations. The hight was calculated as average results of length of long bones and Rollet coefficients. Results. There was a complete match in terms of sex and age matched within an interval that could be established based on the skeletal remains. All the other parameters were different, however, which made identification significantly more difficult. Conclusion. The premortal data is an important element of identification process and it should be obtained by the forensic doctor and directed towards more detailed examination of the skeletal system

Gender regimes and the challenges of macroeconomic paradigm in Serbia in the light of the global economic crisis

The paper is focused on the causes and gender effects of the current global economic crisis, its particular effects in the Republic of Serbia and on the possibilities of overcoming the crisis. Using feminist development economics perspective this paper offers criticism of neo-liberalism with respect to the crisis. The strong imbalance in the relationships between work and capital is explained as a result of neoliberal deregulation and separation of the market economy from social and natural reproduction, as well as ignoration of the hierarchical relation established between paid work and care as unpaid work performed mainly by women. With regard to Serbia, when foreign capital is lacking, privatization funds are empty and the structure deficit is significant, the economy has faced decrease in income, rise in unemployment, fall in aggregate demand and women and children suffer the most. A new gender sensitive development strategy should re-address the current unequal power relationship, so that all people can exercise choices that would lead them to a fulfilled life

Basis of bone strength vs. bone fragility: A review of determinants of age-related hip fracture risk

The burden of hip fractures in elderly population has been growing worldwide. A particular focus has been directed towards identifying persons at high risk of fracture. However, bone mineral density (BMD), which is currently used in clinical settings as an indicator of risk of age-related fracture, cannot explain all fracture cases in the elderly. In fact, the risk of hip fractures in the elderly is associated with numerous bone features that degrade bone strength. This review focuses on complexity of bone features that could account for increased bone fragility in advanced age. Besides a decrease in BMD, various macroscopic and microscopic structural parameters, as well as the material of which the bone is composed, are subject to age-related changes. Therefore, in order to have a more thorough assessment of the fracture risk, it is essential to provide integrative approaches that combine BMD measure with other relevant bone features. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 45005

Structure, function and regulation of aquaporin gene expression during drought in plants

Povećanje prosečnih godišnjih temperatura iz godine u godinu za posledicu ostavlja sve izraženije sušne sezone. Suša nepovoljno utiče na rastenje i razviće biljaka, uzrokujući velike ekonomske gubitke na globalnom nivou. Efekti suše ispoljavaju se kako na morfološkom, tako i na fiziološkom, biohemijskom i molekularnom nivou organizacije biljaka. Izlaganje biljaka suši narušava normalan transport vode kroz ćelije što se odražava i na zastupljenost i funkciju kanala za vodu – akvaporina, na membranama. Akvaporini su transmembranski proteini koji formiraju kanale za prolazak vode i drugih molekula kroz ćelijske membrane. Ispoljavaju veoma značajnu ulogu u prilagođavanju protoka vode kroz ćelije shodno fiziološkom stanju. S obzirom na to, poslednjih godina velika pažnja posvećena je ulozi akvaporina pri odgovorima biljaka na dejstvo suše i drugih abiotičkih stresogenih faktora koji utiču na narušavanje vodnog režima biljaka. Istraživanja su usmerena ka praćenju promena u ekspresiji gena za akvaporine, zastupljenosti akvaporina na membranama i uticaju na usvajanje, transport i odavanje vode u atmosferu. U ovom radu predstavljene su analize strukture i regulacije ekspresije gena za akvaporine, kao i naučna istraživanja u proteklih deset godina o promenama u ekspresiji gena za akvaporine kod biljaka izlaganih suši. Poseban akcenat stavljen je na rezultate bioinformatičkih analiza akvaporina kod hortikulturne vrste Impatiens walleriana, i njihovu ekspresiju pri suši i rehidrataciji.The increase in average annual temperatures from year to year results in pronounced dry seasons. Drought adversely affects the plants growth and development, causing large economic losses on a global scale. The effects of drought are manifested both at the plant morphological, as well at the physiological, biochemical and molecular levels. Exposure of plants to drought disrupts the normal water transport through the cells, which is reflected in the presence and function of water channels - aquaporins, on the membranes. Aquaporins are transmembrane proteins that form channels for the water, and other molecules flow through cell membranes. They play a very important role in adjusting the water flow through the cells according to the physiological state. In view of this, in recent years much attention has been paid to the role of aquaporins in plant responses to drought and other abiotic stress factors, which affect the disruption of the water regime of plants. Researches are aimed at monitoring changes in the expression of genes for aquaporins, the presence of aquaporins on membranes and the influence on the absorption, transport and release of water into the atmosphere. This paper presents analyzes of the structure and regulation of aquaporin gene expression, as well as scientific research over the past ten years on changes in aquaporin gene expression in plants exposed to drought. Special emphasis was placed on the results of bioinformatic analyzes of aquaporins in the horticultural species Impatiens walleriana, and their expression during drought and rehydration

Digital Archive of the Banat Vernaculars and Culture: Fieldwork and Perspectives

In this paper we will outline the key characteristics of the Digital Archive of the Balkan Institute of the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, abb. DABI. The DABI is created on the basis of data being collected in the fieldwork over the course of more than a decade. The emphasis of our paper is placed upon the recordings made during the fieldwork in the Serbian Banat among different ethnic, linguistic and confessional communities. We will point at possibilities and perspectives regarding the DABI development and its utilisation for scientific, educational and museum purposes.Zbornik radova s Međunarodnog naučnog skupa, održanog u Vršcu (Srbija), 17–19. novembar 2011

Effect of dehydration and rehydration on physiological response and the expression of aquaporin genes and abscisic acid metabolism in Impatiens walleriana

Suša se ubraja u abiotičke stresogene faktore i kao takva predstavlja jedan od najzastupljenijih i najvećih problema današnjice. Suša ispoljava negativan uticaj na rastenje i razviće brojnih biljnih vrsta, pa tako direktno ili indirektno utiče na njihovu brojnost i rasprostranjenost, ostavljajući negativne posledice na biodiverzitet celokupne flore i faune. Istraživanja u okviru ove doktorske disertacije vršena su sa ciljem ispitivanja uticaja dehidratacije uzrokovane sušom i rehidratacije na rastenje, fiziološke, biohemijske i molekularne parametre kod vrste Impatiens walleriana, kao i uticaja elicitacije metil jasmonatom (MeJA) u cilju ublažavanja ili otklanjanja negativnih efekata dehidratacije. I. walleriana (Balsaminaceae) je jedna od tri vrste roda Impatiens (pored I. hawkeri i I. balsamina) koje se komercijlno proizvode u Srbiji dugi niz godina. S obzirom na ornamentalne karakteristike biljaka i dug period cvetanja, I. walleriana je jedna od najpopularnijih hortikulturnih vrsta širom sveta. Biljke imaju visoke zahteve za prisustvom vode u podlozi, čiji nedostatak uzrokuje brz pad turgora u ćelijama i dehidrataciju tkiva, što je glavni problem u komercijalnoj proizvodnji i tržišnom plasmanu biljaka. Prvi deo eksperimenta obuhvatao je sledeće tretmane: kontrolne grupe biljaka gajene pri optimalnoj vlažnosti supstrata od 35-37% tokom eksperimentalnog perioda; grupe biljaka izložene stresu isušivanjem supstrata do 15 i 5%; oporavljene grupe biljaka tj. rehidratisane biljke, zalivane četiri dana do postizanja optimalne vlažnosti supstrata. Dehidratacija je redukovala masu svežih izdanaka, ukupnu površinu listova kao i masu suvih izdanaka. Zabeležena je povećana ekspresija ABA (apscisinska kiselina) biosintetskih gena 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 4 (IwNCED4) i abscisic aldehyde oxidase 2 (IwAAO2) i kataboličkog gena ABA 8′-hydroxylase 3 (IwABA8ox3), što je praćeno povećanom koncentracijom ABA u listovima I. walleriana pri dehidrataciji. Redukovanje vodnog potencijala izdanaka pri dehidrataciji nije bilo praćeno povećanom akumulacijom aminokiseline prolina. Detektovano je povećanje koncentracije ukupnih hlorofila, karotenoida, ukupnih polifenola, flavonola, kao i malondialdehida (MDA), vodonik peroksida (H2O2) i DPPH aktivnosti u biljkama tokom dehidratacije. Povećana aktivnost antioksidativnih enzima superoksid-dismutaze (SOD), peroksidaze (POX) i katalaze (CAT) pri dehidrataciji je takođe zabeležena. Rehidratacija biljaka je bila značajna u ublažavanju negativnih uticaja dehidratacije na parametre rastenja, vodni potencijal izdanaka, koncentraciju endogenog prolina i ekspresiju gena. Takođe, analizirane su molekularne strukture akvaporina (AQP) i ekspresija gena za AQP u listovima I. walleriana pri dehidrataciji i rehidrataciji. Akvaporini predstavljaju veliku grupu transmembranskih proteina odgovornih za transport vode, što je ključno za opstanak biljaka u stresnim uslovima. Uprkos značajnoj ulozi AQP, do danas nisu poznate informacije o ovoj proteinskoj grupi kod I. walleriana. U ovoj doktorskoj disertaciji pažnja je bila usmerena na molekularnu karakterizaciju AQP kod I. walleriana kao i na ekspresiju gena odgovornih za sintezu ovih proteina prilikom dehidratacije i rehidratacije. Identifikovana su četiri AQP u transkriptomu I. walleriana: IwPIP1;4, IwPIP2;2, IwPIP2;7 i IwTIP4;1. Svi AQP su imali NPA motive (Asparagin-Prolin-Alanin), transmembranske regione (TMh), odgovarajuće karakteristike kanala, stereohemijske osobine i tetramernu strukturu holoproteina. Dehidratacija i rehidratacija uticale su na ekspresiju gena za akvaporine u listovima I. walleriana, koja je bila povišena ili snižena u zavisnosti od intenziteta stresa. Ekspresija IwPIP2;7 gena bila je najviše promenjena od svih analiziranih AQP I. walleriana. Pri vlažnosti supstrata od 15 i 5% i rehidrataciji nakon isušivanja supstrata do 15 i 5%, ekspresija IwPIP2;7 gena se značajno smanjila, odnosno povećala...Drought is one of the abiotic stress facotors and one of the most common and biggest problems today. Drought has a negative impact on the growth and development of numerous plant species, and thus directly or indirectly affects their abundance and distribution, leaving negative consequences on the biodiversity of the entire flora and fauna. This study was carried out to examine the dehydration caused by drought, and rehydration effect on development, physiological, biochemical and molecular parameters in Impatiens walleriana, as well as the effects of the methyl jasmonate (MeJA) elicitation in order to overcome the stress caused by dehydration. I. walleriana (Balsaminaceae) is one of the three Impatiens species (beside I. hawkeri and I. balsamina) which are commercially produced in Serbia for many years. Due to its decorative traits and long flowering period, I. walleriana belongs to the most popular horticultural species all over the world. Plants have high requirements for the presence of water in the substrate, which deficiency leads to a rapid drop in cell turgor and tissue dehydration which is the main problem in commercial production and market placement of these plants. In the first part of the experiment design there were three treatments: control plant groups grown under optimal watering with 35–37% of soil moisture content, stressed plant groups non-irrigated to reach 15 and 5% of soil moisture content and recovered plant groups rehydrated for four days to reach optimal soil moisture content. Dehydration reduced fresh weight, total leaf area, as well as dry weight of I. walleriana shoots. Dehydration up-regulated expression of abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis genes 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase 4 (IwNCED4) and abscisic aldehyde oxidase 2 (IwAAO2) and catabolic gene ABA 8′-hydroxylase 3 (IwABA8ox3) which was followed by increased ABA content in the leaves. Decrement in water potential of shoots during the dehydration was not accompanied with increased amino acid proline content. Increament in total chlorophyll, carotenoid, polyphenols and flavonols content, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and DPPH (1,1′-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) activity, was observed in plants during dehydration. Increased antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide-dismutase – SOD, peroxidase – POX and catalase – CAT) throughout dehydration were also determined. Rehydration was significant for overcoming dehydration effect on growth parameters, shoot water potential, endogenous proline content and genes expression. Also, analysis of molecular structure and gene expression of aquaporins (AQP) in I. walleriana leaves were estimated. Aquaporins comprise a large group of transmembrane proteins responsible for water transport, which is crucial for plant survival under stress conditions. Despite the vital role of AQPs, nothing is known about this protein family in I. walleriana. In the present doctoral dissertation, attention is given to the molecular characterization of AQPs in I. walleriana and their expression during drought stress and recovery. We identified four I. walleriana AQPs: IwPIP1;4, IwPIP2;2, IwPIP2;7 and IwTIP4;1. All of them had conserved NPA motifs (Asparagine-Proline-Alanine), transmembrane helices (TMh), pore characteristics, stereochemical properties and tetrameric structure of holoprotein. Dehydration and rehydration treatment affected the AQPs expression in I. walleriana leaves, which was up- or downregulated depending on stress intensity. Expression of IwPIP2;7 was the most affected of all analyzed I. walleriana AQPs. At 15 and 5% soil moisture and recovery from 15 and 5% soil moisture, IwPIP2;7 expression significantly decreased and increased, respectively. Aquaporins IwPIP1;4 and IwTIP4;1 had lower expression in comparison to IwPIP2;7, with moderate expression changes in response to dehydration and rehydration, while IwPIP2;2 expression was significantly increased only in recovered plants..

Mesiodens and paramolar in the medieval age skeletal remains

Evolution as in all segments of human behavior and existence has left traces on human teeth. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the supernumerary teeth in skeletal remains found at the archeological site Stara Torina and SEM evaluation of the changes on the supernumerary teeth. The study included 90 skulls and 81 jaws of both sexes with average age 20-60 years. Supernumerary teeth were prepared for SEM for analyzing dental tissues. Six supernumerary teeth were found, among them five mesiodensand one paramolar. The frequency of hyperdontia in these skeletal remains is 2,1%. Mesiodens is different morphologically from the incisor it replaced and took part in occlusal contacts during mastication. Paramolar is different morphologically from molar teeth and it did not take part in occlusal contacts during mastication because of its low adherence for bone tissues and small dimensions

Vrste zadataka čitanja u materijalima za početno učenje stranog jezika

This article presents the results of an investigation into reading tasks presented in the language learning materials for young learners of English as a foreign language. It attempts to explore the frequency and types of tasks to which young learners are exposed while learning to read. The results have confirmed that the authors of learning materials comply with the current recommendations for teaching foreign languages to young learners who, in order to become proficient readers, need a firm foundation in auditory and oracy skills. The results also reveal that tasks encourage the development of reading skill in combination with listening, speaking and writing; also that reading is taught implicitly, which supports the previous theories about young learners having a holistic approach to language and still lacking the ability to analyse language. However, the current analysis further shows that a significantly higher number of tasks fall into a category of closed tasks and, as such, do not offer many possibilities for learners to develop their creativity and productivity. This study has gone some way towards enhancing our understanding of the reading skill development with young learners. The observations presented here have many implications for the further research on learning materials, as well as on the teacher\u27s approach to teaching foreign language reading.U radu se donose rezultati istraživanja zadataka čitanja prisutnih u materijalima za učenje engleskog kao stranog jezika za učenike mlađe školske dobi. Pokušavaju se istražiti zastupljenost i vrste zadataka kojima su učenici mlađe školske dobi izloženi u početnom učenju čitanja. Rezultati potvrđuju da autori materijala za učenje prate trenutne preporuke za poučavanje stranih jezika učenika mlađe školske dobi koji, kako bi postali uspješni čitatelji, trebaju čvrstu osnovu u vještinama slušanja i govorenja. Rezultati ujedno otkrivaju kako zadatci potiču razvijanje vještine čitanja u kombinaciji sa slušanjem, govorenjem i pisanjem te da se čitanje poučava implicitno, što je u skladu s postojećim teorijama prema kojima učenici mlađe školske dobi imaju holistički pristup jeziku i nedovoljno razvijene sposobnosti analiziranja jezika. No daljnjom je analizom utvrđeno da je značajno veći broj zadataka zatvorenog tipa koji učenicima ne pružaju dovoljno mogućnosti za razvijanje kreativnosti i produktivnosti. Ovo istraživanje doprinosi boljem razumijevanju razvijanja vještine čitanja učenika mlađe školske dobi, a iz rezultata proizlaze implikacije za daljnja istraživanja materijala za učenje, kao i pristupa poučavanju čitanja

Paranasal sinus osteoma: is there any association with anatomical variations?

Background: Developmental disturbances of the paranasal sinuses are proposed as the cause of osteoma. We examined whether such disturbances may result in the frequent presence of anatomical variations of the paranasal sinuses in patients with osteoma. Methodology/Principal: The study was performed retrospectively on 2,820 patients subjected to CT examination during 2005 - 2011. Demographic and CT characteristics of osteoma, and associated pathological findings were evaluated for 104 patients with diagnosed osteoma. The presence of anatomical variations was assessed for 51 osteoma patients with a complete medical history, and for 1,233 patients from a control group. Results: The prevalence of osteomas was found to be 3.69%, with male to female ratio 1.08:1. The frontal sinus was most commonly affected, The presence of anatomical variations was more frequent in patients with osteoma than in controls, with significant differences confirmed for the sphenomaxillary plate, infraorbital cell, and crista galli pneumatization. Conclusions: The paranasal sinus osteoma is associated with higher prevalence of anatomical variations, This can be explained either by the stronger influence of genetic and/or environmental factors on the development of the paranasal sinuses in patients with osteoma, or by their higher susceptibility to abovementioned factors

Rizik od nastanka litosferksih katastrofa u Braničevskom okrugu

Predmet istraživanja je analiza rizika od nastanka litosferskih katastrofa u Braničevskom okrugu. Zadatak istraživanja je analizirati intenzitet zemljotresa, kao i zastupljenost klizišta i odrona na proučavanoj teritoriji. Cilj rada je utvrditi stepen rizika nastanka litosferskih katastrofa koje mogu ugroziti život stanovništva i njihove delatnosti u Okrugu. U radu je kartom prikazana geografska rasprostranjenost klizišta i odrona na teritoriji Braničevskog okruga. Za posmatranu teritoriju prikazane su i karte intenziteta zemljotresa za povratni period od 95 i 975 godina. Analizom su obuhvaćene gustina naseljenosti stanovništva prema naseljima u Okrugu, kao i rasprostranjenost poljoprivrednih, šumskih, naseljenih, vodnih i industrijskih površina. U radu su kartografski prikazane gustina naseljenosti stanovništva i namena zemljišta. Uporednom analizom navedenih podataka izrađena je sintezna karta koja obuhvata geoprostorno preklapanje istraženih litosferskih nepogoda sa gustinom naseljenosti stanovništva i namenom zemljišta kako bi se dobile zone visokog stepena rizika za stanovništvo. Na bazi sintezne karte izrađena je karta visokog, srednjeg i niskog rizika od nastanka litosferskih katastrofa i njihovog uticaja na život stanovništva i na njihove delatnosti na teritoriji Braničevskog okruga. Na osnovu istraživanja dati su predlozi mera za prevenciju, pripravnost, odgovor na udes i sanaciju katastrofalnih posledica po stanovništvo, građevinske objekte i privredne delatnosti u Braničevskom okrugu