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Seed decay is one of the most important diseases of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) that has a negative impact on the market grade of soybeans. The disease is mainly caused by Diaporthe longicolla, along with other Diaporthe species. Screening of soybean seeds health status in Vojvodina Province, Serbia, showed cultural and morphological variability among isolates identified as D. longicolla. With the use of DNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) region and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α), the new species was determined. BLAST analysis showed 100% identity with D. pseudolongicolla (syn. D. novem) that was described in this study and its taxonomic revision is discussed. Pathogenicity trial showed that both species, D. longicolla and D. pseudolongicolla, are highly pathogenic on soybean stem and seed, causing 100% of stem wilting and more than 82% of seed decay.

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of primers on seed quality parameters using different starting values of germination. For this purpose, ten soybean lines selected at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad were evaluated. The starting values of germination ranged between 48% and 89%. Seeds were surface sterilized with 3% sodium hypochlorite and immersed in different primers: 1% potassium nitrate, 1% potassium chloride and 1% hydrogen peroxide. Untreated seeds were used as the control. The obtained results revealed that the effects of priming depended on soybean line and treatment, whereas the efficiency of this pre-sowing treatment was not affected by the starting value of seed germination. Some lines responded favorably to immersion, while in others priming had an inhibitory effect, causing a significant decrease in germination. There was an increase in germination up to 12% or a decrease up to 11%, depending on line and treatment. Lines that were positively affected by this method also exhibited increased values for other germination parameters: mean germination time (MGT) and time to 50% germination (T50). Lower values of MGT and T50 were observed in lines which showed a negative response to priming and a decrease in germination, but also a more rapid radicle protrusion, as compared to the control. In conclusion, there is no universal applicability of one single primer as it might cause a negative response in some lines and thus reduce seed quality.

Over the past few decades, there has been significant concern about the impact of waste on the environment, and accordingly, the former European Communities and the European Union have adopted a number of environmental legislation. Inadequate waste management has led to numerous cases of pollution of land and groundwater, which jeopardized the natural functioning of the ecosystem and the health of the population exposed to pollution. The EU Sustainable Development Strategy identifies the prevention of waste generation and proper management of it as one of its main priorities. The need for waste management is clearly emphasized, in order tominimize the risk of endangering the lives and health of people and the environment. The aim of this paper is to present the most important EU legislationon waste management, as well as to analyse relevant case law of Court of Justice of European Union.

The main objective of this paper, based upon the extensive empirical research of free flow in local conditions, is to quantify the unfavourable impact of the flow structure on the road capacity using PCE (Passenger Car Equivalent) values as a function of longitudinal grade. Based on literature reviews and empirical research, it has been proved that the PCE value for all vehicle classes is directly correlated with the road gradient. The PCE values in free flow conditions have been determined for the approved vehicle classes. Based on the measured values, models for determining the average PCE value depending on the upward grade on two-lane roads have been developed. Comparison of the developed models in conditions of free traffic flow with the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) models has shown lower PCE values in this research. Models for the percentage of PCE values PCE15%, PCE50% and PCE85% have also been established.

The aim of this study is to determine statistic significant differences in self-efficacy of handball athletes according to their playing position. The sample consists of 127 handball players from 10 clubs in Serbia, 83 of them are males and 44 are females. All participants are divided in 4 groups (wing, back player, goalkeeper and line player), with an assumption that there are no significant differences between male and female handball players (p= .909). General Self-Efficacy Scale (SGSE; Schwarzer, & Jerusalem, 1981) is applied. Results indicate that there are no significant differences in self-efficacy beliefs in handball players according the playing position in the team (p= .581); handball players on each playing position in the team is equally assured in their skills, regardless the fact that the position activities will affect the outcome of the game. As regards the findings of previous studies and the specificity of handball, this paper provides possible explanation of the obtained results and their implementation in everyday activities of athletes and coaches.

Cilj istraživanja je da se utvrdi da li postoje statistički značajne razlike u generalnoj samoefikasnosti kod sportista koji se bave rukometom u zavisnosti od njihove pozicije u timu. Uzorak ispitanika obuhvata 127 ispitanika, od toga 83 rukometaša i 44 rukometašice, iz 10 rukometnih klubova u Srbiji. Uzimajući u obzir da ne postoje statistički značajne razlike u generalnoj samoefikasnosti između ispitanika različitog pola (p= 0,909), ukupan uzorak je na osnovu varijable pozicija u timu podeljen u četiri grupe: golman (n=19), spoljni napadač (n=48), krilo (n=43), kružni napadač (n=17). U istraživanju je primenjena Skala generalne samo-efikasnosti (SGSE; Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1981). Rezultati pokazuju da ne postoje statistički značajne razlike u generalnoj samoefikasnosti kod sportista u zavisnosti od njihove pozicije u timu (p= 0,581); svaka pozicija u timu je relativno jednako uverena u svoje sposobnosti, bez obzira da li će od nje da zavisi ishod utakmice. Polazeći od rezultata prethodnih istraživanja i specifičnosti rukometa, u radu se diskutuju moguća objašnjenja rezultata, odnosno njihovo značenje kod sportista i trenera u treningu i takmičenju.

IntroductionWhile medicine shortages are complex, their mitigation is more of a challenge. Prospective risk assessment as a means to mitigate possible shortages, has yet to be applied equally across healthcare settings. The aims of this study have been to: 1) gain insight into risk-prevention against possible medicine shortages among healthcare experts; 2) review existing strategies for minimizing patient-health risks through applied risk assessment; and 3) learn from experiences related to application in practice.MethodologyA semi-structured questionnaire focusing on medicine shortages was distributed electronically to members of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action 15105 (28 member countries) and to hospital pharmacists of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) (including associated healthcare professionals). Their answers were subjected to both qualitative and quantitative analysis (Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and IBM SPSS Statistics®) with descriptive statistics based on the distribution of responses. Their proportional difference was tested by the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test for independence. Differences in the observed ordinal variables were tested by the Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test. The qualitative data were tabulated and recombined with the quantitative data to observe, uncover and interpret meanings and patterns.ResultsThe participants (61.7%) are aware of the use of risk assessment procedures as a coping strategy for medicine shortages, and named the particular risk assessment procedure they are familiar with failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) (26.4%), root cause analysis (RCA) (23.5%), the healthcare FMEA (HFMEA) (14.7%), and the hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) (14.7%). Only 29.4% report risk assessment as integrated into mitigation strategy protocols. Risk assessment is typically conducted within multidisciplinary teams (35.3%). Whereas 14.7% participants were aware of legislation stipulating risk assessment implementation in shortages, 88.2% claimed not to have reported their findings to their respective official institutions. 85.3% consider risk assessment a useful mitigation strategy.ConclusionThe study indicates a lack of systematically organized tools used to prospectively analyze clinical as well as operationalized risk stemming from medicine shortages in healthcare. There is also a lack of legal instruments and sufficient data confirming the necessity and usefulness of risk assessment in mitigating medicine shortages in Europe.

This study was carried out to identify the relations between macroinvertebrate communities and river basin specific (RBS) pollutants in the Danube River. The investigation was performed at 68 sites along 2,500 km of the Danube. Forward selection (FS), canonical correspondence analyses (CCA), the Spearman correlation coefficient (SC) and BIO-ENV analysis (to detect synergistic effects) were used to identify the relations between the macroinvertebrate dataset and selected biological metrics with RBS pollutants. Of the 20 analysed pollutants (preselected based on NORMAN network methodology), seven (2,4-dinitrophenol, chloroxuron, bromacil, dimefuron, amoxicillin, bentazon and fluoranthene) were found to significantly correlate with macroinvertebrate communities. BIO-ENV analysis revealed 3 subsets of environmental variables that were in high correlation with the biota resemblance matrix, consisting mainly of a combination of the above-mentioned pollutants. Our results indicate that there are significant correlations between chemical determinants and aquatic biota. Moreover, this study contributes to the validation of the methodology used for prioritization of RBS pollutants proposed by the NORMAN network.

A plant’s main mechanism to diminish the effects caused by high free radical levels generated during high irradiance is the synthesis of various secondary metabolites. In addition to interspecies differences, their concentrations may be influenced by genetic, ontogenic, morphogenetic or environmental factors. We investigated the influence of genetic (genotypes from different natural habitats) and environmental (contrasting light regimes as well as successive parts of the vegetation period) variability on the accumulation of 10 selected phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and xanthones) in Iris variegata genotypes. Genotypes originated from either sun-exposed or shaded natural habitats were transplanted to two experimental light treatments (high light intensity with a higher R/FR ratio and low light intensity with a lower R/FR ratio). Significant impacts of both genetic and environmental seasonal variability (spring, summer and fall during the vegetation period) on phenolic compound profiles were detected. Their highest amounts were detected in spring. The magnitude of difference between light treatments (high vs. low light intensity) and the direction of this change varied depending on the secondary compound class. Phenotypic correlations among the 10 analyzed secondary metabolites differed across the experimental light treatments and their number decreased from spring to fall.

The right to property is regulated by Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights. The basic aim of this article of the Convention is to protect every person from unlawful interference by the state in the peaceful enjoyment of property. Such a negative obligation includes, for example, the prohibition of expropriation of property, as well as the planning of restrictions or the temporary seizure of property. Any interference by a public authority with the right to peaceful enjoyment of property must be lawful, that is, it must have a basis in domestic law, which should be sufficiently precise and predictable. Also, the interference with the right to property must follow a legitimate aim. It is only permitted in the public interest, and control of the use of property is carried out in accordance with the general interest. The interests of an individual affected by a measure of violation of the right to property should be balanced with the interests of the general public. The interference should not represent an excessive or disproportionate burden on the individual. It is necessary for the state to introduce control measures that include determination whether a measure is appropriate for achieving its goal and whether it is proportionate. Interference in property rights does not constitute a violation of Protocol 1 to the Convention if the owner receives the appropriate compensation for damages, which constitutes a fair satisfaction.

As one of the most distinct groups in the hoverfly genus Merodon, the monophyletic ruficornis species group has been the focus of several studies using different approaches. Molecular methods have shown incongruences between morphological and molecular data. In the present study, we investigated four species of the Merodon ruficornis group (i.e. M. loewi, M. armipes, M. papillus and M. hoplitis) with the aim of detecting intra- and interspecific genetic diversity, and we examined the usefulness of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) in an integrative taxonomic approach to species delimitation. Analysis of Nei’s genetic variation over all loci showed that genetic diversity for the analyzed Merodon species was h=0.24. Based on UPGMA, PCoA and Bayesian clustering analyses, our results clearly differentiated four groups that correspond to the four morphologically-defined Merodon species. Among the analyzed species, M. armipes and M. hoplitis showed the lowest level of genetic divergence; M. loewi was clearly separated from both M. armipes and M. papillus. Based on our data, we propose the use of RAPD-PCR as an additional tool for resolving taxonomic problems within Merodon. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no.173002]

This paper deals with the protection of the river Danube on international level. The most important legal act in this field is the Convention on cooperation for the protection and sustainable use of the Danube river, which was adopted in Sofia in 1994. It stipulates a system of supervision and cooperation among states. The Contracting Parties to the Convention exchange the available information on the general conditions of the riverine environment within the catchment area of the Danube River, experience gained in the application and operation of the best available techniques and results of research and development, emission and monitoring data, measures taken and planned to be taken to prevent, control and reduce transboundary impact and other issues. The Convention established International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River which deals with the realization of the aims and provisions of this Convention. It elaborates proposals and recommendations addressed to the Contracting Parties.

Within the European Union, as a regional international organization, environmental protection has been recognized as one of the significant objectives. EU law on environmental protection is adopted in the form of directives, which Member States are obliged to adequately transfer into their national legislation and implement, effectively and in timely manner, by adopting and implementing appropriate measures. In case Member States fail to comply with the above duties, the role of the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union is of a great importance. This paperwork presents randomly selected examples of the activities of the aforementioned bodies of the European Union in order to show the seriousness with which the implementation of EU law on environmental protection in member states is being monitored.

This study investigates the photochemical degradation of alachlor, a chloroacetanilide herbicide. All experiments were conducted in ultra-pure deionized water (ASTM Type I quality) using direct ultraviolet (UV) photolysis and the UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation process. The direct UV photolysis and UV/H2O2 experiments were conducted in a commercial photochemical reactor with a quartz reaction vessel equipped with a 253.7 nm UV low pressure mercury lamp (Philips TUV 16 W). The experimental results demonstrate that UV photolysis was very effective for alachlor degradation (up to 97% removal using a high UV fluence of 4200 mJ/cm2). The UV/H2O2 process promoted alachlor degradation compared to UV photolysis alone, with a high degree of decomposition (97%) achieved at a significantly lower UV fluence of 600 mJ/cm2 when combined with 1 mg H2O2/L. The application of UV photolysis alone with a UV fluence of 600 mJ/cm2 gave a negligible 4% alachlor degradation. The photo degradation of alachlor, in both direct UV photolysis and the UV/H2O2 process, followed pseudo first-order kinetics. The degradation rate constant was about 6 times higher for the UV/H2O2 process than for UV photolysis alone.

The aim of this study was to isolate and identify Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains on the basis of molecular characteristics. From root nodules of different soybean cultivars were obtained 56 isolates, characterized according to morphological, cultural, and biochemical properties. Among these isolates, 33 isolates showing resemblance with Bradyrhizobium sp. were further subjected to molecular identification. Following DNA extraction, a partial 16S rDNA gene sequence from the isolates was amplified by PCR using universal primers fD1 (27F) and rP3 (1492R). Purification and sequencing of the amplified fragments were done in the bio­technology company Macrogen, Seoul, South Korea. Sequences were analyzed using the pro­gram FinchTV and BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) and compared to sequences in GenBank and the Bradyrhizobium ID-database for identification. Comparison of the se­quences with the Bradyrhizobium ID-database showed that all tested isolates were identified as Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Each isolate was deposited in the NCBI GenBank database under a unique accession number. Identification of Bradyrhizobium species from root nodules of soybean is of great importance because the symbiosis between rhizobia and legumes are a cheaper and usually more effective agronomic practice for ensuring an adequate supply of nitrogen for legumes, while preserving and improving fertility and productivity of soils. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 31022]

This article represents the overview of certain new trends in international environmental protection. The results of the research are organized in several sections: international legal sources (international agreements, international legal principles, soft law), human rights (Aarhus Convention, human rights in relation to climate change, right to water), procedural mechanisms available for the protection of environment (ICJ, CJEU, international procedures available to individuals, international investment arbitration, national courts). The article focuses not only on new developments which illustrate innovative approaches to environmental protection but also detects a number of problems in relation to their effective implementation and enforcement.

Background/Aim. The efficacy and safety of bevacizumab (BEV) in combination with capecitabin and irinotecan in first-line therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) were studied. In order to improve safety and efficacy of chemotherapy, as well as to reduce adverse reactions to a minimum, doses of active agents applied were changed in relation to previously employed schedules. Methods. Patients with histologically documented mCRC with no previously received chemotherapy or with received adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which ended 6 months before capecitabin treatment (1000 mg/m2 per os from the 2nd to 8th day of each cycle), irinotecan (175 mg/m2 iv every 2 weeks), plus bevacizumab (5 mg/kg iv every 2 weeks) were observed. Results. This prospective study included 35 patients of both sexes. The overall response rate (ORR) of 28.6%, partial response (PR) of 28.6%, progressive disease (PD) of 28.6% and stable disease (SD) of 42.8% were found. The progressionfree survival (PFS) of the analyzed patients was 11.3 (95% CL: 9.1–12.9) months while overall survival (OS) of the included patients was 25.2 (95% CL: 17.4–28.4) months and 117 adverse effects were recorded in 24 patients. Alopecia, nausea and vomiting, hemorrhage, hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, abdominal pain, proteinuria, and hypertension (51.4%, 37.1%, 37.1%, 25.7%, 22.8%, 20.0%, 20.0% and 17.1%, respectively) were most frequently observed adverse effects. Conclusion. The results of this clinical trial support and recommend the use of bevacizumab plus capecitabin and irinotecan in the doses and schedule applied throughout this study as the first-line treatment of mCRC patients.

The aim of the paper is to present green infrastructure planning within the concept of climate-smart cities. In this context the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), as part of green infrastructure planning, is stressed in the establishment of climate-smart cities. In addition to presenting international examples of good practice, such as using GIS data, maps and tools for support in the USA, or designing a tool for water management and water infrastructure planning in Chicago, the paper provides an insight into the current status of green infrastructure planning in Serbia. The “Green regulation of Belgrade” project is presented as a representative example. The conclusions emphasise that the main preconditions for achieving climate-smart and green cities include legal and planning frameworks, as well as appropriate strategic and other programs that will further encourage the creation of GIS for green areas and create the conditions for climate-smart green infrastructure planning. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR 36035: Spatial, Environmental, Energy and Social Aspects of Developing Settlements and Climate Change - Mutual Impacts and Grant no. TR 36036: Sustainable spatial development of Danube area in Serbia]

The objective of this work is to analyze the effectiveness of two widely used methods for collecting aquatic macroinvertebrate samples: the semiquantitative kick and sweep (K&S) and quantitative Surber net (SN) techniques. Based on our data, the methods were fully comparable as regards analysis of the macroinvertebrate metrics most often used in ecological status assessment (sensitivity/tolerance parameters), while K&S was found to be more successful in the evaluation of biodiversity. Thus, both methods could be used for routine monitoring of the status of water bodies, according to the recommendation of the EU Water Framework Directive, while for research, K&S is more advanced. K&S is also more effective timewise for material collecting. SN sampling is a quantitative method and could thus be used in studies of aquatic ecosystem productivity. [This work was supported by the European Communities 7th Framework Program Funding, Grant Agreement No. 603629-ENV-2013-6.2.1-Globaqua]

This study focuses on the avidus–nigritarsis lineage within the genus Merodon, exploring morphological, genetic, and distributional aspects of two related assemblies within this lineage: the clavipes and pruni species groups. An integrative taxonomic approach was followed to ensure comprehensive species identification and validation, using adult morphology, wing geometric morphometrics, and genetic analysis of the mtDNA COI gene. In the clavipes group, seven species were identified, including three new species: M. aenigmaticus Vujić, Radenković & Likov, sp. nov., M. latens Vujić, Radenković & Likov, sp. nov., and M. rufofemoris Vujić, Radenković & Likov, sp. nov. In the pruni group, our revision revealed a new species, M. aequalis Vujić, Radenković & Likov, sp. nov., and the revalidation of Merodon obscurus Gil Collado, 1929, stat. rev. Merodon pallidus Macquart, 1842 is redescribed. Diagnoses, identification keys to species, and distribution maps are provided, and neotypes for Syrphus clavipes Fabricius, 1781 and Merodon quadrinotatus (Sack, 1931) are designated. Additionally, the following new synonyms are proposed: M. clavipes albus syn. nov., M. clavipes ater syn. nov., M. clavipes niger syn. nov., and M. splendens syn. nov. are junior synonyms of M. clavipes; and M. velox armeniacus syn. nov. and M. velox anathema syn. nov. are junior synonyms of M. velox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, environmental pollution from microplastic (MPs), plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, and climate change have received international attention. However, these two issues have been primarily investigated separately hitherto, although they exhibit a cause-and-effect relationship. In water environments, previous researches have mainly been focused on investigating the impact of human-related activities on microplastic degradation, but little is known about non-anthropogenic effects on microplastic distribution. In this paper, the main focus was to investigate impact of rainfall on microplastic behavior in the environment. The preliminary results of this study imply a close relationship between rainfall and plastic behavior in the environment and the adsorption possibilities of metal adsorption on plastics and microplastics. It also opens up some questions regarding possible leaching of metals from plastic surface into the environment highlighting the importance of this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive urbanization and industrialization has led to increasing water pollution by heavy metals, adversely affecting human health and the environment. Among the different technologies available for heavy metals removal from water, adsorption is regarded as the most effective approach. Nanomaterials, especially magnetic nanoparticles, have emerged as promising tools for heavy metals removal because of their unique properties. One of the main drawbacks with magnetic nanoparticles is their tendency to form aggregates in solution, decreasing their efficacy and limiting their applications in water treatment. In order to stabilize magnetic nanoparticles, researchers have therefore begun modifying their surfaces with a variety of support media. In addition to carbon-based materials, natural and synthetic polymers and other molecules, metal organic frameworks and layered double hydroxides have all been employed as carriers in novel magnetic nanocomposites. This review summarizes the most recent developments in this field, focussing on the potential application of magnetic nanocomposites as adsorbents for removing heavy metals from water. Critical gaps in the current literature are also identified, as much work is still required before magnetic nanocomposites may be readily applied in real world applications, including scale up of production and subsequent pilot investigations of water treatment in dynamic flow conditions. Heavy metal contamination of water resources is a serious global problem Much work has focused on developing magnetic nanocomposites as heavy metal adsorbents This work summarizes recent research efforts in this field Magnetic nanocomposites show great promise for heavy metal removal applications Scale-up and pilot studies are needed to bring their realization closer to fruition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]