Symbolic politics theory created by Stuart J. Kaufman attempts to give an explanation on what makes people engage in ethnic wars and genocide by combining some rationalist thoughts with social-psychological ideas. This study analyzes the symbolic politics theory by qualitive methods using the war in Kosovo and the peaceful declaration of independence in North Macedonia as cases selected thru strategic selection.  The result of this study shows that symbolic politics theory can help to understand what causes people to follow their chauvinist leaders into ethnic violence by referring to historical nationalistic myths with the use of symbols to create fear and hostility. The theory therefore helps to understand the sequence of events that eventually resulted in the war over Kosovo 1998-1999 thru this study. The result of this study also shows that symbolic politics theory can help to understand why the declaration of independence in North Macedonia did not result in violence or war, even though the premisses in the country where much the same to other war tourn countries in the Balkans at the time. Results show that elites in North Macedonia chose a different path to achieve independence unlike their neighbouring countries in the Balkans. By identifying the destructive ways of using symbols referring to historical myths to create fear and hostility towards another ethnic group, North Macedonia instead displayed an including path and an effort to meet the different needs of different ethnic groups within their own borders.

The work deals with interethnic contexts in the traditional Bulgarian music, which in the past were often neglected or marginalized for various reasons. Convergent processes which take place as a result of cultural interaction between the Balkan ethnicities are assessed. A role of the long-term affiliation of the Balkan region with one state structure (the Ottoman Empire) is examined as one of the factors, which could significantly help mutual contacts between involved ethnicities. The author's starting points are based on the philological concept of the Balkan Linguistic Union, in which a set of phenomena and convergent tendencies in genetically unrelated languages of the Balkan area are researched. The author raises the question whether it is possible to formulate a similar thesis in the field of music and to define a notional Balkan Music Union based on the assessment of the main converging processes. For this purpose, two distinctive phenomena, which are both present in the Bulgarian folklore as well as, to certain extent, in a broader Balkan context, are selected. Musical and cultural interaction between two ethnic groups is examined at the ceremony of the Nestinarstvo/Anastenaria, folk mysteries which culminate with a dance on hot coals and is practised by small communities of Bulgarians and...

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<p>U eksperimantalnom postupku disertacije mi&scaron;evi NMRI soja su tretirani infuzom biljke Aristolochia clematitis. Sasu&scaron;eni listovi, grane i plodovi biljke potopljeni su u ključalu vodu i ostavljeni 3-5 sati da stoje, a potom su profiltrirani kroz filter papir. Pravljen je rastvor biljke/vode od 10g/ 1000ml (1%), 20g/ 1000ml (2%) i 40g/ 1000ml (4%). Različite koncentracije infuza su date mi&scaron;evima da piju u neograničenoj količini u periodu od 7 nedelja. Tako su formirane tri ispitne grupe, prva koja je primala 1% infuz, druga 2% infuz i treća 4% infuz i kontrolna grupa koja je dobijala samo vodu da pije. U svakoj grupi je bilo 20 životinja. Tako je razvijen animalni model hronične toksičnosti. Na kraju eksperimenta je urađena patohistolo&scaron;ka analiza bubrega, makroskopski pregled organa i merenje diureze tokom trajanja eksperimenta. Urađena je kompletna analiza urina koja podrazumeva utvrđivanje: boje, izgleda, pH, specifične težine, proteina i sedimenta urina. Analize urina ponavljane su na svakih 7 dana u toku 7 nedelja istraživanja. Na kraju eksperimenta urađena je analiza biohemijskih parametara (glukoza, urea, kreatinin, mokraćna kiselina, ukupni bilirubin, direktni bilirubin, ukupni tj. totalni proteini, natrijum i kalijum) i analiza kompletne krvne slike. Utvrđeno je da je Aristolochia clematitis izrazito nefrotoksična biljka. Utvrđene su patohistolo&scaron;ke promene tubula i intersitcijuma NMRI mi&scaron;a, koje su bile najveće u ispitnoj grupi koja je primala najaču dozu. Ustanovljene&nbsp; patohistolo&scaron;ke promene su slične opisanim patohistolo&scaron;kim promenama tubulointersticijuma bolesnika obolelih od Balkanske endemske nefropatije. Nije ustanovljeno postojanja karcinoma gornjeg urotrakta. Makroskopskim pregledom prilikom obdukcije eksperimentalnih životinja nisu ustanovljene značajnije promene bubrega. Do&scaron;lo je prvo do izrazitog porasta diureze u prvoj, odnosno drugoj nedelji praćenja, kod druge i treće eksperimentalne grupe, da bi nakon 7 nedelja istaživanja diureza u svim ispitnim grupama bila manja od kontrolne grupe. Postoji porast ureje na kraju istraživanja, koji je dvostruko veći u trećoj eksperimentalnoj grupi u odnosu na kontrolnu. Postoji izrazit pad mokraćne kiseline na kraju istraživanja kod eksperimentalne grupe 3. Postoji izrazit pad granulocita u leukocitarnoj formuli u svim ispitnim grupama, a najveći je u trećoj ispitnoj grupi. Kako je do&scaron;lo do pada relativnih vrednosti granulocita, tako je do&scaron;lo do porasta relativnih vrednosti limfocita u prvoj i drugoj ispitnoj grupi. U trećoj ispitnoj grupi je pad granulocita praćen izrazito velikim povećanjem relativnog broja bazofilnih granulocita. Postoji značajan pad specifične težine urina na kraju istraživanja u drugoj i trećoj eksperimentalnoj grupi. Proteinurija je bila čest nalaz svim eksperimentalnim grupama, dok je bila odsutna ili samo u tragu u kontrolnoj grupi. Na kraju eksperimenta je utvrđen znatni porast broja kristala fosfata u eksperimentalnim grupama. Cilindri su se pojavljivali samo u nalazu urina u trećoj ispitnoj grupi. Najveći broj promena urina je utvrđen u trećoj eksperimentlanoj grupi.</p> / <p>In the experimental procedure of dissertation, NMRI strain mice were treated with infusion of plants Aristolochia clematitis. Dried leaves, branches and fruit plants are submerged in boiling water and left to stand for 3-5 hours, and then filtered through filter paper. It was made a solution of the plant / water of 10g / 1000ml (1%), 20g / 1000ml (2%) and 40g / 1000ml (4%). Different concentrations of infusions were given to mice to drink an unlimited amount for a period of 7 weeks. So we formed the three test groups, the first who received 1% infusion, the second received 2% infusion and third received 4% infusion and a control group that received only water to drink. In each group there were 20 animals. Thus, developed an animal model of chronic toxicity. At the end of the experiment was performed histopathological analysis of kidneys, macroscopic examination of organs and measuring urine output during the experiment. We performed a complete analysis of urine, which is the determination of: color, appearance, pH, specific gravity, protein and urine sediment. Urinalysis were repeated every 7 days during the 7 weeks of the study. At the end of the experiment were analyzed for biochemical parameters (glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, total proteins, sodium and potassium) and analysis of the complete blood count. It has been found that Aristolochia clematitis is extremely nephrotoxic plant. Identified histopathological changes of tubules and interstitium of NMRI mouse, which were the biggest in the test group receiving biggest dose. Established histopathological changes are similar to those described by pathological changes of tubulointerstitial injury of patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy. Not established the existence of cancer of the upper urinary tract. Macroscopic examination at autopsy of experimental animals, did not determine significant changes in the kidneys. There is first an enormous increase in diuresis in the first and second week of follow-up, in the second and third experimental groups retrospectively, that after 7 weeks of research, diuresis in all test groups was lower than the control group. There is an increase of urea at the end of the research, which is twice higher in the third experimental group compared to the control. There is a marked decrease in uric acid at the end of the research in the experimental group 3. There is a marked decrease in granulocytes in the leukocyte formula in all test groups, and the highest in the third test group. As the decline in the relative values of granulocytes, so there has been a rise in the relative values of lymphocite in the first and second test group. In the third test group, granulocyte drop was accompanied by a extremely large increase in the relative number of basophils. There is a significant drop in specific gravity of urine at the end of the research in the second and third experimental group. Proteinuria is a common finding to all experimental groups, while it was absent or only in traces in the control group. At the end of the experiment was determined to increase significantly the number of phosphate crystals in the experimental groups. The cylinders have appeared only in the urine in the third test group. The greatest number of changes in the urine is determined in the third experimental group.</p>

Aristolochic acids (AA) are human carcinogens which have also very strong nephrotoxic properties. A mixture of AA is present in Aristolochiacae plant species. These plants were and still are used in traditional medicine in some countries, particularly in Asia. Aristolochic acids participate in development of two types of nephropathies. The first disease is designated as Aristolochic Acid Nephropathy (AAN), the second one is Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN). Both nephropathies are associated with urothelial malignancies, which are caused by AA. One of the common features of ANN and BEN is that not all individuals exposed to AA suffer from nephropathy and tumour development. One cause for these different responses may be individual differences in the activities and expression levels of the enzymes catalyzing the biotransformation of AAI, the major toxic component of AA contained in Aristolochia species. Detailed knowledge of enzymes which participate in metabolism of AAI may contribute to elucidation of inter-individual susceptibility to AAN, BEN and later urothelial malignancies. Aristolochic acid I is either oxidative detoxicated or reductive activated by biotransformation enzymes. Reductive bioactiovation of AAI leads to formation of covalent AA-DNA adducts in organism which result in producing of...

Aristolochic acids (AA) have been considered as toxicants of plants which were found in plants of the family Aristolochiaceae. The most abundant acids in mentioned plants are aristolochic acid I (AAI) and aristolochic acid II (AAII). AA have been considered as causes kidney disease called Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). AAN was initially discovered in patients of one Belgian clinic in Brussels specialized on treatment of patients leading to a decrease in their body weight. The first name of this disease was Chinese herb nephropathy (CHN). Later, it was discovered that one component of herbal preparation was changed by a mistake with the Aristolochiaceae plant. The second type of renal disease caused by AA was discovered in populations of countries along the Danube river, called as Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), which was probably caused by the contamination of grains with plants containing AA. These renal diseases (AAN and BEN) are often associated with development of upper urothelial cancer (UUC). AA (AAI + AAII) in organisms are subject to biotransformation leading to its reductive activation or oxidative detoxification. Both cytosolic enzymes [NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase] and microsomal enzymes [cytochromes P450, NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase] participate in their reduction. The...

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Untersuchung der institutionalisierten Beziehungen zwischen der NATO und Russland seit 1997 und konzentriert sich dabei besonders auf die Ergebnisse des „Permanent Council“ (PJC, 1997) und des „NATO-Russia Council“ (NRC, 2002). Das Vermächtnis von Strukturen, die während des kalten Krieges entstanden, beeinflusst weiterhin die Interaktionen zwischen der NATO und Russland. Dies wurde insbesondere während der Kosovo-Krise und nach dem 11. September 2001, welcher die „post-post-Cold War era“ einläutete, sichtbar. Das zentrale Kapitel der Dissertation beinhaltet eine empirische Analyse der Policy-Felder, denen sich der PJC und der NRC widmen. Hier wird vor allem auf die Zusammenarbeit von der NATO und Russland auf dem Balkan und auf den Kampf gegen den Terrorismus eingegangen. Die Fallstudie untersucht NATO-Russland Interaktionen in Zentralasien; besonders im Hinblick auf geopolitische Trends, die für beide Akteure und ihre zukünftigen Beziehungen wichtige Auswirkungen haben werden. Diese Arbeit untersucht die Qualität der Beziehungen zwischen der NATO und Russland anhand von Ereignissen, welche diese Beziehungen geprägt haben und erklärt, warum manche Verhaltensmuster sich kontinuierlich wiederholen. / This dissertation examines the institutionalized relationship between NATO and Russia since 1997; focussing on the outcomes of the 1997 Permanent Joint Council (PJC) and the 2002 NATO-Russia Council (NRC). The legacy of Cold War structures has continued to influence the way NATO and Russia interact; most notably during the Kosovo crisis and in the aftermath of the attacks of September 11 that rang in the “post-post-Cold War era”. The bulk of the research consists of an empirical analysis of policy fields covered by the PJC and the NRC. Particular attention is given to NATO-Russia interaction in the Balkans, as well as to the fight against terrorism. The case study assesses NATO-Russia interaction in Central Asia, taking into consideration geopolitical trends that will shape both actors’ actions in the future. Tracing events that have shaped NATO-Russia relations, this dissertation analyzes the quality of NATO-Russia relations and explains why certain patterns keep reoccurring.

Heliosperma (nom. cons prop.) comprises 15—20 taxa, most of them endemic to the Balkan Peninsula. DNA sequences from the chloroplast (rps16 intron, psbE-petG spacer) and the nuclear genome (ITS and four putatively unlinked RNA polymerase genes) are used to elucidate phylogenetic relationships within Heliosperma, and its position within Sileneae. Three main lineages are found within Heliosperma: Heliosperma alpestre, H. macranthum and the H. pusillum-clade. The relationships among the lineages differ between the plastid and the nuclear trees. Relative dates are used to discriminate among inter- and intralineage processes causing such incongruences, and ancient homoploid hybridisation is the most likely explanation. The chloroplast data strongly support two, geographically correlated clades in the H. pusillum-group, whereas the relationships appear poorly resolved by the ITS data, when analysed under a phylogenetic tree model. However, a network analysis finds a geographic structuring similar to that in the chloroplast data. Ancient vicariant divergence followed by hybridisation events best explains the observed pattern. The morphological and taxonomical diversity in the H. pusillum-group is possibly ecology-induced, and is not correlated with the molecular data. Phylogenetic patterns regarding the origin of Heliosperma are complicated, probably influenced by reticulate and sorting events. At least two ancient lineages have been involved in its evolution, one most closely related to Viscaria/Atocion and the other to Eudianthe/Petrocoptis. Atocion and Viscaria are sister genera, most species-rich on the Balkans, and including six/three species. Phylogenies do not support their traditional classification, and provide a framework for a taxonomic revision. Atocion compactum is found in three different positions in the chloroplast tree, and in a single clade in the nuclear gene trees. Using relative dates we demonstrate that hybridisation with subsequent chloroplast capture is a feasible explanation for the pattern observed. This, and other observed reticulate patterns, highlights the importance of hybridisation in plant evolution.

Issued also as thesis, Göttinger, 1965. / Bibliography: p. 366-373.