Integrating Airborne Laser Scanning and 3D Ground-Penetrating Radar for the Investigation of Protohistoric Structures in Croatian Istria

We present the investigation of two rather ephemeral archaeological sites located in the municipality of Oprtalj/Portole (Croatian Istria) by means of integrated archaeological, geophysical and remote sensing techniques. The results obtained confirm the first interpretation of these contexts; a protohistoric burial mound and a small hillfort, respectively. We further obtained detailed information about both deposits through 2D and 3D remote sensing and geophysical studies that produced maps, volumes, profiles and cross-sections. At the first site, the volume reconstruction of both the inner stone core and the superimposed earth of the putative stone mound also allowed us to estimate the labour necessary to erect the structure. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the integrated approach can be valuable not only to acquire novel data about the archaeological deposits but also to calibrate future investigations and to plan effective measures for heritage management, monitoring and valorization

Unfreezing the discursive hegemonies underpinning current versions of “social sustainability” in ECE policies in Anglo–Celtic, Nordic and Continental contexts

Social sustainability is linked to finding new ways of living together and strengthening social capital and participation, as well as to social justice and equity in societies, and it is becoming increasingly important for diverse multicultural societies. In this article, we trace understandings of social sustainability as established in Early Childhood Education (ECE) policy documents by following the chains of meaning connected to sense of belonging, local place and cultural diversity and through ECE collaboration with children’s parents/caregivers. Critical discourse analysis has been applied to trace the chains of meaning attached to these concepts in ECE steering documents in Australia, Croatia, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK (England, Scot-land, Wales and Northern Ireland). Such analysis shows different ways in which the ECE polices indirectly work with social sustainability, as well as create critical distance from the sets of meanings established in each country (by proving a chain of meaning established in the policy documents of another country). In conclusion, we do not advocate in favour of any of the chains of meaning but argue for continual reflection and reflexivity, and we see research to be a particularly significant arena in which to unfreeze the taken for granted and sustainable notion

Quantitative-genetic analysis of intensity growth of gilts fertile breed and their hybrids in the nucleus farm

The paper analyzes the 2760 gilts four different genotypes, two of which are pure bred Landrace (429 gilts) and Yorkshire (421 gilts) and two hybrid F1(YxL) (999 gilts) and F1(LxY) (911 gilts), tested in the period from 2010 to 2011.Analyzed by the following traits of intensity growth: weight at weaning (WW), daily gain at suckling (DGS), weight in rearing (WR), daily gain at rearing (DGR), weight in test (WT), daily gain on test (DGT), weight of gilts (WG) and life gain (LG). Due to the manifestation of heterosis effect, hybrid gilts in rearing made any higher body weight of about 3 kg, while the age of 160 days on average had a higher body weight by 7.0 kg compared to the pure breed gilts, which resulted in higher daily gain in different phases of rearing. Degree of heritability for analysis traits of intensity growth is of medium to high. Heritability (h2) for daily gains were larger (0.640 for DGS, 0.858 for DGR and 0.859 for DGT) in relation to the heritability for achieved body weight (0.584 for WW, 0.558 for WR and 0.816 for WT) in different phases of rearing. Between the most observed traits were found positive genetic and phenotypic correlations. The negative correlation found between WR, DGR and WT, DGT (rg= -0.055 to -0.108; rp = -0.010 to - 0.033), between WW, DGS and DGR (rg= -0.301 respectively -0.466; rp = -0.234 respectively -0.271)

Integrating airborne laser scanning and 3d ground-penetrating radar for the investigation of protohistoric structures in Croatian Istria

6siWe present the investigation of two rather ephemeral archaeological sites located in the municipality of Oprtalj/Portole (Croatian Istria) by means of integrated archaeological, geophysical and remote sensing techniques. The results obtained confirm the first interpretation of these contexts; a protohistoric burial mound and a small hillfort, respectively. We further obtained detailed information about both deposits through 2D and 3D remote sensing and geophysical studies that produced maps, volumes, profiles and cross-sections. At the first site, the volume reconstruction of both the inner stone core and the superimposed earth of the putative stone mound also allowed us to estimate the labour necessary to erect the structure. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the integrated approach can be valuable not only to acquire novel data about the archaeological deposits but also to calibrate future investigations and to plan effective measures for heritage management, monitoring and valorization.noneopenBernardini F.; Vinci G.; Forte E.; Mocnik A.; Visnjic J.; Pipan M.Bernardini, F.; Vinci, G.; Forte, E.; Mocnik, A.; Visnjic, J.; Pipan, M

Comparison of morphological characters between wild and cultured sterlet (acipenser ruthenus l.)

Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus L.) populations in the Danube River had experienced severe decline during the 20th century, and have become dependant on stocking measures in significant area of their distribution. Despite the current wide use of stocking, there are few studies dealing with efficiency of stocking efforts, especially with impact of rearing conditions on fitness of released individuals. This study tried to assess existence of morphological changes in reared sterlet that could impact their swimming performance and thus reduce survival of stocked fish. Wild sterlet (n=45) from the Danube River were compared with sterlet from aquaculture (n=20), originating from wild Danube spawners. Statistical comparison of 15 morphological traits revealed that samples significantly differed in 11 traits, as well as that reared sterlet had significantly shorter pectoral fins and stockier body than those from the wild. Additional investigation is needed to determine if these morphological differences could affect adaptability and survival of reared sterlet after their release into the river. Period of adaptation in lotic environment, prior to stocking, could probably alleviate the influence of aquaculture rearing on the fitness of released fish

Coagulation disorders in the patients with deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity

PURPOSE Venous thromboembolism is a relevant social and health care problem for its high incidence, pulmonary embolism-related mortality and long-term sequelae which may be disabling (post-thrombotic syndrome and ulceration). PROCEDURES The aim of our work was to establish the presence of coagulation disorders (hypercoagulable states) in the patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the leg. Prospectively we have analyzed a group of 30 patients with echosono-graphicaly verified DVT of the leg who were admitted to the department of vascular surgery from August 1st 2000 to July 31st 2001.The following parameters were monitored: prothrombin time (PT) partial thromboplastin time (PTT), fibrinogen (Fib), alpha 2 antiplasmin (A-2 AP), D-dimer (DD), antithrombin III (AT III) and factor VII. FINDINGS Activation of the coagulation process was registered. The values of monitored coagulation parameters are shown in table 1. Plasma levels of monitored parameters in the patients with DVT of the leg were significantly higher than in the control subjects. CONCLUSION In patients with a DVT a hypercoagulable state is common finding. Some parameters of coagulation activity such as D-dimer might be of great interest in the diagnostic strategy of DVT

Concentrations of Selected Elements in Liver Tissue of Grey Wolves (Canis lupus) from Serbia

The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is a large carnivore species and a top predator in the ecosystems that it inhabits. Considering its role in food webs, wolves may be exposed to high concentrations of potentially harmful elements. Therefore liver samples from 28 legally hunted wolves were analyzed for concentrations of 16 elements using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference between the genders only for Li, and there were no differences between individuals caught in different years. The majority of statistically significant correlations between element levels were positive, except for three cases. Compliance with several criteria for suitable bioindicator organisms imply that wolves may serve for monitoring environmental contamination

Human Impacts on Fish Fauna in the Danube River in Serbia: Current Status and Ecological Implications

The Danube River basin represents a hotspot for the European freshwater diversity. The Danube in Serbia is characterized by a significant level of fish diversity, as well as by economically important fish resources. However, the Danube fish fauna is facing a number of adverse anthropogenic impacts, such as unsustainable fishery, habitat loss and fragmentation, water pollution and non-native species invasions. In this chapter, the major adverse impacts on the Danube fish communities in Serbia are presented, and the critical management measures are discussed, such as those related to supportive stocking and other conservation efforts. In order to ensure adequate protection and sustainable management of fish resources in the Danube in Serbia, it will be critical to introduce effective monitoring system, to establish and enforce adequate management measures, and to intensify research efforts on critical issues related to fish management and conservation