Some Considerations about the Peregrine Communities in Upper Moesia

Abstract: The present paper offers an outline of important evidence about the territories and the administration of the peregrine communities in Upper Moesia. The study of this type of communities can contribute to better understanding of the administrative history of this Roman province and help set the framework for the further research on this topic; this is especially important for the province of Upper Moesia since our knowledge of its ancient past is quite fragmentary.Apstrakt: Kada se napravi poređenje sa nekim drugim provincijama Rimskog carstva, generalno se ne zna mnogo o provinciji Gornjoj Meziji, a naročito kada je u pitanju upravna istorija i etničke i demografske prilike u njoj. Razlog tome treba tražiti pre svega u nedostatku dovoljno rečitih svedočanstava u izvorima, kako knjiškim tako i dokumentarnim. U ovom radu pažnja je usmerena na peregrine zajednice ili civitates peregrinae ove provincije. U pitanju su je jedan tip provincijskih administrativnih jedinica u koje je bilo organizovano domorodačko stanovništvo po uspostavljanju rimske uprave i koje je većinski bilo u statusu peregrina. Ne ulazeći u sva, već samo u pojedina važna pitanja nastoji se da se odrede okviri u kojima bi se u daljim istraživanjima mogli sprovesti metodološki principi, utvrđeni na drugom reprezentativnijem materijalu istog tipa administrativnih zajednica; daje se pregled najvažnijih svedočanstava o broju, rasporedu i teritorijama zajednica, te o pojedinim upravnim pitanjima i pretresaju najvažniji dosad izneti stavovi o njima

Roman Military Strategy in the Iron Gates in the Light of Epigraphic Evidence

The paper explores epigraphic evidence that shed light on the Roman defence strategy in the region of the Iron Gates from first to third centuries CE—from the early military presence of Romans in this region and the establishment of the Roman limes on the Danube until its refortification after the abandonment of Dacia and the establishment of DaciaRipensis. The complex relationship between the two banks of the Danube, the question of provincial borders and the command of the units stationed in the fortifications in the gorge will be examined based on the inscriptions

Silicon and Iron Differently Alleviate Copper Toxicity in Cucumber Leaves

Copper (Cu) toxicity in plants may lead to iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) deficiencies. Here, we investigated the effect of Si and Fe supply on the concentrations of micronutrients and metal-chelating amino acids nicotianamine (NA) and histidine (His) in leaves of cucumber plants exposed to Cu in excess. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was treated with 10 mu M Cu, and additional 100 mu M Fe or/and 1.5 mM Si for five days. High Cu and decreased Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations were found in Cu treatment. Additional Fe supply had a more pronounced effect in decreasing Cu accumulation and improving the molar ratio between micronutrients as compared to the Si supply. However, the simultaneous supply of Fe and Si was the most effective treatment in alleviation of Cu-induced deficiency of Fe, Zn and Mn. Additional Fe supply increased the His but not NA concentration, while Si supply significantly increased both NA and His whereby the NA:Cu and His:Cu molar ratios exceeded the control values indicating that Si recruits Cu-chelation to achieve Cu tolerance. In conclusion, Si-mediated alleviation of Cu toxicity was directed toward Cu tolerance while Fe-alleviative effect was due to a dramatic decrease in Cu accumulation

Silicon in action: Between iron scarcity and excess copper

Essential micronutrients belonging to the transition metals, such as Fe and Cu, are indispensable for plant growth and stress tolerance; however, when present in excess, they can become potentially dangerous producers of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, their homeostases must be strictly regulated. Both microelement deficiencies and elevated concentrations of heavy metals in the soil are global problems that reduce the nutritional value of crops and seriously affect human health. Silicon, a beneficial element known for its protective properties, has been reported to alleviate the symptoms of Cu toxicity and Fe deficiency stress in plants; however, we are still far from a comprehensive understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Although Si-mediated mitigation of these stresses has been clearly demonstrated for some species, the effects of Si vary depending on plant species, growing conditions and experimental design. In this review, the proposed mechanistic models explaining the effect of Si are summarized and discussed. Iron and copper compete for the common metal transporters and share the same transport routes, hence, inadequate concentration of one element leads to disturbances of another. Silicon is reported to beneficially influence not only the distribution of the element supplied below or above the optimal concentration, but also the distribution of other microelements, as well as their molar ratios. The influence of Si on Cu immobilization and retention in the root, as well as Si-induced Fe remobilization from the source to the sink organs are of vital importance. The changes in cellular Cu and Fe localization are considered to play a crucial role in restoring homeostasis of these microelements. Silicon has been shown to stimulate the accumulation of metal chelators involved in both the mobilization of deficient elements and scavenging excess heavy metals. Research into the mechanisms of the ameliorative effects of Si is valuable for reducing mineral stress in plants and improving the nutritional value of crops. This review aims to provide a thorough and critical overview of the current state of knowledge in this field and to discuss discrepancies in the observed effects of Si and different views on its mode of action

Establishment and in-house validation of stem-loop rt pcr method for microrna398 expression analysis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to the class of small non-coding RNAs which have important roles throughout development as well as in plant response to diverse environmental stresses. Some of plant miRNAs are essential for regulation and maintenance of nutritive homeostasis when nutrients are in excess or shortage comparing to optimal concentration for certain plant species. Better understanding of miRNAs functions implies development of efficient technology for profiling their gene expression. We set out to establish validate the methodology for miRNA gene expression analysis in cucumber grown under suboptimal mineral nutrient regimes, including iron deficiency. Reverse transcription by "stem-loop" primers in combination with Real time PCR method is one of potential approaches for quantification of miRNA gene expression. In this paper we presented a method for "stem loop" primer design specific for miR398, as well as reaction optimization and determination of Real time PCR efficiency. Proving the accuracy of this method was imperative as "stem loop" RT which consider separate transcription of target and endogenous control. The method was verified by comparison of the obtained data with results of miR398 expression achieved using a commercial kit based on simultaneous conversion of all RNAs in cDNAs

Digitizing Ancient Epigraphic Heritage: Project EpiDoc XML Encoding of Roman Inscriptions from Serbia

The project EpiDoc XML Encoding of Roman Inscriptions from Serbia: Digitization of Ancient Epigraphic Heritage carried out by the Institute for Balkan Studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and funded by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia focuses on research, training, digital documenting and digital edition of Roman inscriptions from the territory of Serbia (the Roman province of Upper Moesia and parts of Lower Pannonia, Dalmatia and Thrace). The project’s primary aim is to form a national e-archive of inscriptions that will be encoded in EpiDoc TEI-XML format. This collection of digital corpora will represent a completely new epigraphic edition that is furthermore born-digital and ready for interchange. The project is envisioned as a core for networking and intensifying the collaboration between research and cultural institutions. Its mission is to educate, inspire and instigate collaborative work and new concepts in epigraphic research.Poster presented at the 24. LIMES CONGRESS Serbia, 201

Silicon Alleviates Iron Deficiency in Barley by Enhancing Expression of Strategy II Genes and Metal Redistribution

The beneficial effects of silicon (Si) have been shown on plants using reduction-based strategy for iron (Fe) acquisition. Here we investigated the influence of Si on Fe deficiency stress alleviation in barley (Hordeum vulgare), a crop plant which uses the chelation-based strategy for Fe acquisition. Analyses of chlorophyll content, ROS accumulation, antioxidative status, concentrations of Fe and other micronutrients, along with the expression of Strategy II genes were studied in response to Si supply. Si successfully ameliorated Fe deficiency in barley, diminishing chlorophyll and biomass loss, and improving the activity of antioxidative enzymes, resulting in lowered reactive oxidative species accumulation in the youngest leaves. Alleviation of Fe deficiency stress correlated well with the Si-induced increase of Fe content in the youngest leaves, while it was decreased in root. Moreover, Si nutrition lowered accumulation of other micronutrients in the youngest leaves of Fe deprived plants, by retaining them in the root. On the transcriptional level, Si led to an expedient increase in the expression of genes involved in Strategy II Fe acquisition in roots at the early stage of Fe deficiency stress, while decreasing their expression in a prolonged stress response. Expression of Strategy II genes was remarkably upregulated in the leaves of Si supplied plants. This study broadens the perspective of mechanisms of Si action, providing evidence for ameliorative effects of Si on Strategy II plants, including its influence on accumulation and distribution of microelements, as well as on the expression of the Strategy II genes

OPTIMIZATION BASED DETERMINATION OF THE SET OF CONTINUOUS-STATE COMPONENTS CRITICAL TO THE MECHANICAL SYSTEM STATE

This paper proposes a new approach to determining the set of the most critical continuous-state components in continuous-state mechanical systems. Unlike traditional importance measures, which determine the criticality of individual components, our approach provides selection of the entire set of critical components. In addition, it enables determination of the minimal budget for achieving full or any required performance levelof the mechanical system. We start from the continuum structure function and the system state definition through minimal cut sets. The problem defined in this paper is formulated as a determination of a set of components whose states maximize the system performance level under the budget constraint. Further, we prove that the solution of the formulated problem can be obtained based on the solution to a weighted minimal hitting set problem. The proposed approach is applied to a group of benchmark instances and the obtained results are compared to components’ rankings obtained by using traditional importance measures

New and revised inscriptions from Dalmatia. Municipium Malvesiatium and municipium Splonistarum

This paper provides new epigraphic evidence from the Roman province of Dalmatia, more precisely from its easternmost parts, which belong today to Serbia. The present edition is based on our autopsy performed during 2015–2016 within the framework of the digitization project carried out by the Institute for Balkan Studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts

Are we reaching a turning point in Serbia with respect to Serbian Sign Language in deaf education?

This paper provides an overview of the challenges affecting deaf education in Serbia, as well as in Serbian Sign Language (SZJ) by probing important policy measures that have been introduced over the years. Furthermore, we provide a summary of sign language research and the beginning of deaf awareness in Serbia. Our discussion focuses on key changes in the education policy that took place in 2009 when inclusive education was introduced and when Serbia ratified the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The ratification of UNCRPD and the subsequent empowerment of the Serbian deaf community paved the way for the legal recognition of Serbian Sign Language in 2015, along with the enactment/passing of the Law on the Use of Sign Language. We review the existing legal and policy documents concerning deaf education and Serbian Sign Language by providing an outline of the government’s latest Strategy on Education until 2030 and its accompanying Action Plan until 2023. In conclusion, by focusing on the major goals set by the Strategy and the Action plan, we consider the feasibility of the goals with respect to the time frame and situation in practice