The Family Records of Andreas de Pozza from 1569-1603

The Privata series of the Dubrovnik State Archives contains several dozens of private and business books of the Dubrovnik nobility and merchants from the fifteenth and the sixteenth centuries. Even though the majority of such private books have been lost, the ones that have been preserved represent an important fund for the research of business matters and family life of Dubrovnik residents in the Middle Ages and in the Early Modern Times. The article deals mainly with the family chronicle of Andreas de Pozza, son of Antonius, which had been kept between 1569 and 1603

The Closing of the Nobility and Council of Dubrovnik in the Political and Social Context of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Century

This article addresses the closing of the nobility and Major Council of Dubrovnik as a long-term process most clearly articulated in the course of the thirteenth and fourteenth century. Analysed are the criteria used for the definition of nobility and its closing before the actual closure of the council, while special attention has been given to the preserved lists of the Major Council membership from the mid-thirteenth and early fourteenth century, their purpose and effect. As the Venetian Serrata of the last decades of the thirteenth and first decades of the fourteenth century proved to have been a model and impetus for the closing of the Ragusan along with other Dalmatian councils, its meaning as well as different interpretations of this process are being thoroughly considered. The article compares the method and effects of the closing of the Ragusan council with those of other cities of the Eastern Adriatic. The interpretation of these processes as presented in Ragusan chronicles inaugurates the final assessment of the significance and consequences of the closing of the Major Council of Dubrovnik

Comparative Research on Substance Abuse and Self-Perception Among Adolescents with Physical Handicap

The research on substance (alcohol, tobacco and drug) abuse and on self-perception was done by comparing a test group of physically disabled adolescents and a test group of non-disabled adolescents. The respondents of the experimental group were students of the only special high school for physically handicapped persons in Croatia, Zagreb. The respondents of the control group were the students of two regular high schools in the capital of Croatia. The instrument used in this research was a self-reported, anonymous questionnaire. The respondents completed the questionnaire in the classroom. The data analysis regarding alcohol abuse indicated that physically disabled adolescents drink more often and out of quite different motives than their non-disabled peers. Regarding the prevalence, frequency, quantity and motives for smoking, no statistically significant difference has been found between the tested groups. On the contrary, significant differences between handicapped and non-disabled adolescents were evident regarding drug abuse. Only one physically disabled examinee used a drug – marijuana, only a few times a year. On the other hand, almost one quarter of the non-disabled adolescents use at least one, five at the most, type of drug sometimes or often. The results on the self-perception scale show that adolescent with physical disabilities have a much more negative attitude toward themselves than non-disabled controls. Their self-esteem and self-confidence are seriously diminished. Described findings could have a mighty impact on ways of preventing substance abuse, and on ways of increasing self-esteem among disabled and non-disabled adolescents

The Adriatic Sea wave response to severe Bura wind

Bura is a strong wind with severe gusts; it occurs suddenly and affects safety of life at sea. It has a large spatial variability and depends on an upstream terrain configuration. The quality of surface winds derived from meteorological models is the key issue (and input) in wave modelling. In this study we are addressing question of storm Bura wind and effect on wave field response. Increase in the predicted wind field resolution from 8 to 2 km using Aladin model dynamical adaptation enables high resolution wave forecast as well. There is little information about detailed structure of the wave field (significant height and direction) in the Adriatic Sea produced by severe Bura wind. Results for wave response of the Adriatic Sea for 13-18 of November 2004 storm are presented and discussed in detail, as well as differences due to forcing of the wave model with 8 km and 2 km ALADIN wind fields. Comparison of modelled wave response is made with in situ ADCP wave measurements