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Phytomining, although predominantly in its early stages on the broader scientific scope of investigation, has garnered interest in metals such as Ni, Au, or rare earth elements (REE). However, Zn pollution from mine wastes, smelters, coal ash and other anthropogenic sources has become an environmental problem. Phytoremediation by hyperaccumulating plants is one of the proposed solutions to mitigate the pollution. Therefore, a need to utilize or dispose Zn hyperaccumulating plants occurred. Since studies of certain hyperaccumulating plant species have been previously conducted in order to extract metal products, similar hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical techniques were tried with Zn. The hydrometallurgical route was more focused on producing crude eco catalysts for organic chemistry or separating metal hydroxides by cementation. This was achieved with acid leaching of the ash which was obtained by calcinating the aboveground plant biomass. On the other hand, the pyrometallurgical route was more focused on safe and eco-friendly disposal of combustion products such as ash or biochar, while achieving zero toxic gaseous emissions from biomass pyrolysis. Regardless of the approach further research is needed to investigate the stabilization of metals that remain in the solid fraction during combustion and lowering the metal content in produced gases. So far, none of these technologies have been brought to a semi industrial scale and there is the potential of linking those two approaches together.

This review summarises our two decades of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) monitoring in different marine organisms along the eastern Adriatic Sea. The aim was to gain an insight into the trends of PCB distribution in order to evaluate the effectiveness of past and current legislation and suggest further action. Here we mainly focus on PCB levels in wild and farmed Mediterranean mussels, wild and farmed bluefin tuna, loggerhead sea turtles, common bottlenose dolphins, and small pelagic fish. The use of artificial intelligence and advanced statistics enabled an insight into the influence of various variables on the uptake of PCBs in the investigated organisms as well as into their mutual dependence. Our findings suggest that PCBs in small pelagic fish and mussels reflect global pollution and that high levels in dolphins and wild tuna tissues raise particular concern, as they confirm their biomagnification up the food chain. Therefore, the ongoing PCB monitoring should focus on predatory species in particular to help us better understand PCB contamination in marine ecosystems in our efforts to protect the environment and human health.

One of the most used techniques for making a continuous rail track is aluminothermic welding. This technique has its advantages in its simplicity, portability, and it does not require external energy when repairing or connecting tracks. One of the crucial parts when implementing this process is the mold design that influences the solidification of the casting. In this study three models were investigated that have varying positions of the feeders: asymmetrical mold, centered mold, and symmetrical mold. The focus of the paper is to determine how the position of the feeder effects the preheating of the side rails that would be welded together. This was carried out using NovaFlow & Solid CV and utilizing its sensor function. The rail was modeled after the 49E1 standard rail, and the preheating was carried out by simulating a burner at 1000 oC for 900 seconds. The asymmetrical model had a negligible increase in temperature, while the symmetrical and centered model were similar. One side rail was more heated than the other, which can be attributed to the positioning and shape of the burner source area.

Deruralization is a process that began with the development of industry in today's developed Western world. The abandonment of villages in Serbia started between the two world wars, only to gain more intense momentum after the Second World War. In the first decades of the 21st century in Serbia, this process reached a critical point due to the large number of abandoned villages, the aging population in the villages and the decreasing workforce capable of performing tasks in rural areas. This paper analyses the movement of the rural population in the regions of Serbia and its municipalities. The census data were processed using descriptive statistics, and the data for the entire country by municipalities were presented using the cartographic method. Finally, the problems and possible consequences of such trends in the movement of rural population were dealt with. Possible ways of revitalizing rural areas were also emphasized.

The present paper deals with holoplanktonic gastropods (Pteropoda) from the Middle Miocene (Badenian) deposits of Serbia. The material for the present study comes from three localities at the southern margin of the Pannonian Basin (Central Paratethys): Konjarnik (greater center of Belgra de), Sumijevac stream near Koceljeva (western Serbia), and Radljevo (Kolubara Basin, central Serbia). A total of four taxa were recorded and their stratigraphic value is discussed. Two taxa were identified to species level: Vaginella austriaca KITTL, 1886, belonging to the family Cavoliniidae GRAY, 1850 (1815), and Limacina valvatina (REUSS, 1867)?, from the family Limacinidae GRAY, 1847. Four specimens could only be identified to genus level (Vaginella sp. indet. and Clio? sp. indet.). The specimen of Clio? sp. indet. is possibly the first find of the genus Clio in Serbia. Here presented records of the genera Vaginella and Clio? from the late Badenian (NN6 nannozone) modify the insight into their paleogeographical distribution in the Middle Miocene of the Central Paratethys.

Copyright of Acta Stomatologica Naissi is the property of Clinic of Stomatology Nis and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery-ERAS) represents a multimodal approach to surgical treatment of patients, based on evidence, starting preoperatively and continuing postoperatively. The concept aims to improve patient recovery while reducing complications and reducing length of hospital stay. The ERAS concept has become the standard of care in colorectal surgery. It is also used in vascular surgery, especially aortic and carotid surgery. In 2022, the Society for Vascular Surgery and the ERAS Society published the latest recommendations for vascular surgery for patients undergoing open aortic surgery. The study included 590 abstracts. The recommendations refer to the period before the admission of the patient, as well as to the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative period. Among the most important recommendations are the introduction of preoperative patient education, screening of anemia and nutritional status, optimization of risk factors, reduction of the use of nasogastric tubes and drainage, use of multimodal analgesia, targeted replacement of fluid, early removal of urinary catheters, active and early mobilization, and early enteral nutrition. There is more and more evidence about the importance of the ERAS protocol in elective vascular surgery, as well as its impact on reducing the length of hospital stay, reducing complications and better recovery of patients, lower treatment costs. Its application depends on the medical staff, so the education of healthcare workers is needed in this field.

Aluminothermic welding has been used to connect railway rails for over a century. This technique has the advantages of flexibility, weld compactness, and simplicity. External energy is not required for the procedure. Exothermic heat is produced by chemical reactions of aluminothermic elements. To create a quality welded connection, the mold and pouring system must provide uniform pouring of hot steel without turbulence, even heat dissipation or cooling, and an acceptable micro and macro structure of steel free of internal and external faults. The design of the mould was constantly changing, necessitating costly industrial experimentation. As a result, the mould's design was constantly evolving, necessitating the use of costly experimental procedures in industrial settings. The latest iteration of the model the casting cavity was improved by adding hoes in the sand and putting rails on both sides in order to more aquratly simuate heat transfer. Software programs are emulating conventional casting procedures for thermite steel casting in welded railway connections to save money and effort on costly and timeconsuming industrial testing. For the 49E1 rail, NovaFlow & Solid CV were utilized to simulate casting thermite steel in the mould cavity or weld junction.

Scientists discovered plastic in the early 1900s, but didn't realize the detrimental effects its fragmentation could have on the environment 100 years later. In particular, nanoplastics (NPs) particles ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm can cause major problems in the living world due to their high specific surface area for the adsorption other polluting substances from water, and their further bioaccumulation through the food chain. There is no distinctive method to identify, characterize, and quantify nanoplastics in aquatic environments. Although many of the methods developed to study microplastics are not directly applicable to nanoplastics, conventional methods of characterizing nanoplastics are usually tedious because they study individual nanoparticles in isolation. Since nanoplastics resulting from the decomposition of microplastics have different properties than engineering plastic nanoparticles, new techniques need to be developed to help us better understand the seriousness of the nanoplastic problem. Nanoplastic can be isolated from the water environment by a combination of filters and ultracentrifugation. A recent publications states that combining microscopy and spectroscopy, supported by chemometric techniques, will alow a better understand he behavior of nanoplastic particles in the environment and organisms. High hopes are placed on microscopies combined with neural networks for the quantification and characterization of nanoplastics in complex systems. This article describes the degradation pathways of plastics and the formation of nanoplastics in aquatic environments, and possible methods for separation and characterization of nanoplastics in relation to recent publications.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global public health concern, although its association with the inflammatory potential of the diet is still indefinite. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the association of MetS and its components with the inflammatory potential of the diet in a Croatian working population with sedentary occupations. Methods: In a cross‐sectional study, Croatian workers (n = 366) self‐administrated questionnaires for sociodemographic and health‐related data. Their anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were collected for evaluation of MetS. The inflammatory potential of the diet was assessed with a Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)®, scored using dietary data collected from a food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, education, smoking, physical activity and energy intake, was used to establish the association between DII and MetS. Results: MetS prevalence was 25% and was significantly associated with a pro‐inflammatory diet [mean (SD) 3.28 (1.45); P < 0.01]. The pro‐inflammatory diet was statistically associated with women, university degree, moderate physical activity, snacking between meals, central obesity, hypertriglyceridaemia, hypertension, low high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, MetS prevalence and lower adherence to a Mediterranean diet. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a statistically positive association for a one‐unit increase in the DII and MetS prevalence (odds ratio = 2.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.61–3.31; P < 0.01) and hypertension (odds ratio = 1.28; 95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.64; P = 0.04). Conclusions: Further longitudinal studies in different parts of Croatia, including inflammation biomarkers, are needed to enable a more defined view of the inflammatory potential of a diet and its association with various inflammatory‐based health conditions. The results obtained in the present study indicate the need for the development of anti‐inflammatory dietary interventions for population health protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Stomatologica Naissi is the property of Clinic of Stomatology Nis and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this work was to establish a temperature of finish rolling stage of Nb/Ti microalloyed steel containing 0.06 wt.% C, 0.77 wt.% Mn, 0.039 wt.% Nb and 0.015 wt.% Ti, using physical simulation. Samples were subjected to laboratory simulation at a twist plastometer at high temperatures, i.e. between 825 and 950°C. Five pass deformation and interpass times were selected in accordance with a processing parameters at five stand finishing hot strip mill. Restoration (recovery and/or recrystallization) behavior was evaluated by calculation of Fraction Softening (FS) and Area Softening Parameter (ASP) values. At 950°C all individual pass stress-strain curves, FS and ASP show full recrystallization in all interpass intervals. On the other hand, with a decrease in temperature to the interval of 875-825°C, the extent of restoration is decreasing, leading to recovery as a sole softening mechanism at 825°C, which was confirmed by the stress-strain curve shape, and values of FS and ASP. It is assumed that, due to high supersaturation, strain-induced precipitation promoted pinning of grain and subgrain boundaries and suppressed recrystallization. Therefore, the critical temperature for finish rolling was estimated to be 825°C.

Phytomining is a currently developing biotechnology aiming to extract rare and precious metals from naturally enriched or polluted soils with the help of hyperaccumulator plants. On the territory of the Balkans, hyperaccumulating species mainly accumulate elements such as nickel, zinc, thallium, copper and arsenic. This paper provides an overview of the studied technologies around the world for the extraction of these elements from hyperaccumulator's biomass, as well as the areas of potential application of the obtained products. Phytomining has a potential for development in Serbia, and for this purpose it is necessary to utilitized available hyperaccumulators, as well as to investigate technologies for the extraction of metals from their biomass.

Introduction: It is important to measure intracranial pressure because traumatic brain injuries lead to intracranial hypertension and ischaemic brain lesions. The gold standard for measurement of intracranial pressure is invasive methods, but they can lead to complications and are not always available. Measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter is a useful noninvasive way to estimate intracranial pressure and it can be done via ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Increased optic nerve sheath diameter on computed tomography can help to diagnose intracranial hypertension and to verify the need for urgent therapy and invasive measurements. Case report: We present 74 years old patient with traumatic brain injury and intracranial bleeding. Optic nerve sheath diameter was 6.81 mm on the left and 6.83 mm on the right side on the initial scan. In the coming days, existing haematomas were enlarged and there were newly formed haematomas, so there were changes in the optic nerve sheath diameter. After the haematoma evacuation, the sheath diameter was 6.56 mm on the left and 6.47 mm on the right side. At the time of the second neurologic deterioration, the sheath diameter was 7.43 mm on the left and 7.25 mm on the right side. On the 25th day, the diameter was 6.72 mm on the left and 6.41 mm on the right side. Conclusion: Measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter is a significant additional diagnostic method for the assessment of intracranial hypertension and can help to decide on further treatment.

Phytomining is a new promising technique that is based on using hyperaccumulating plants which biomass is utilized as a bio-ore for metal extraction. The Ni-hyperaccumulating species Odontarrhena muralis is widely distributed on ultramafic soils in Serbia, and could be a promising candidate for Ni agromining. In the present study, efficiency of a hydrometallurgical process for Ni recovery using biomass of O. muralis wild population through the synthesis of Ni salts from plant ash in the form of ammonium nickel sulfate hexahydrate, Ni(NH4)2(SO4)2 6H2O – (ANSH) was assessed. The average Ni content in the plant from ultramafic sites in West Serbia was up to 3.300 g kg-1. The mass yield of ANSH crystals from the crude ash was ~12 % with the average purity of 73 % were obtained. By optimizing the purification process before precipitation of ANSH crystals, it is possible to obtain salt crystals of higher purity, which increases the economic profitability of this process. The results of this preliminary study on wild population of O. muralis show the increased potential for implementation of phytomining practices as an alternative way of Ni extraction on ultramafic sites in Serbia.

One of the central issues of the modern age is related to the prevention of excessive use of narcotics, but also the Internet and electronic devices in the everyday life of young people. This leads them to loneliness, distance from society, family, people, nature… In order to prevent these problems of the modern age, it is necessary to continuously look for solutions. Some of them are related to youth engagement programs through sports activities outside the regular curriculum. The aim of this paper is to alert the public, especially the intellectual ones, to the necessity of including this type of extracurricular activities in the development of young people's personalities. The results of the research provide an overview of sports activities that should first be introduced into the plan of extracurricular activities, and which will introduce young people to a healthy growing up, and contribute to their physical and intellectual progress. The paper seeks to point once again to the population as a significant driving force in the development of economies, sports as a significant export branch, a powerful weapon against addiction, and a means of combating crime.

Sodium carbonate is a material that is very good sorbent of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and it is a reason of it is increasing importance in environmental protection. In order to improve it is sorption characteristics, activation of Na2CO3 was performed by mechanochemical procedure and monitoring of changes during the relaxation time. This research is based on differential thermal analysis with thermogravimetry, in order to determine the changes that occurred on the activated samples during the relaxation period under controlled conditions. Sodium carbonate was activated for 2 and 7 minutes in a vibro mill, and then the activated samples were deposited in at room temperature and atmosphere of carbon dioxide at a humidity of 95% for 96h.

The results of polymetallic sulphide Cu-Zn-Pb concentrate leaching with sulphuric acid in the presence of sodium nitrate as an oxidizing agent, at atmospheric pressure, are presented and discussed. Chemical composition and phase ratio of the starting concentrate and solid residuals after the leaching process are shown. Chemical reactions of leaching and their thermodynamic probabilities are predicted based on the calculated Gibbs energies and analysis of E-pH diagrams. The influence of temperature and time on the leaching degree of the concentrate's components is experimentally determined. It is shown that it is possible to obtain copper, zinc and iron in a solute form, while lead in the anglesite (PbSO4) form remains in the solid residual after the leaching process. The iron is being oxidized to Fe(III)-sulphate, which takes part in a sulphide leached minerals and turns into Fe(II)-sulphate.

We re-examined the fossil scaphopod assemblage from the Middle Miocene (Badenian) deposits in Višnjica locality near Belgrade (Serbia) reveals high biodiversity of this neglected fossil group. The study of the nearly 300 specimens has revealed the presence of twelve species of scaphopoda, two of which are mantiened in open nomenclature. They belong to seven genera (in both orders, Dentaliida Da Costa, 1778 and Gadilida starobogatov, 1974): Fissidentalium badense (Partsch in Hörnes, 1856), Antalis cf. taurocostatum(Sacco, 1897), Antalis mutabilis (Hörnes 1856 ex Doderlein ms), Antalis cf. subprismaticum (Baluk, 1972), Antalis sp., Paradentalium sexangulum (Gmelin, 1790), Paradentalium michelottii (Hörnes, 1856), Dentalium sp., Omniglypta jani (Hoernes, 1856), Omniglypta emersoni (Caprotti, 1979), Gadilina taurogracilis Sacco, 1897, Pulsellum miocaenicum (Boettger, 1901). Representatives of the order Dentaliida da Costa, 1778, predominate. Among the identified species, Fissidentalium badense is the most common in the investigated material and comprised 40% of the collected specimens. the order Gadilida is represented only by Pulsellum miocaenicum (Boettger, 1901).

In December 2019, a new Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) was identified as responsible for outbreak of viral pneumonia in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The World Health Organization has announced a pandemic of COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) on March 2nd 2020. COVID-19 is a respiratory infection where majority of patients have mild clinical symptoms. About 14% of patients require hospitalization and oxygen therapy and 5% of patients require admission to the intensive care unit. The most severe clinical cases include ARDS, sepsis and septic shock, acute renal failure, multiorgan dysfunction, and myocardial damage. Spread of the infection so far indicates that the number of patients requiring hospital admition and intensive care treatment will significantly burden the health care system in all countries. Several intensive and critical care protocols, based on the first experiences in treatment of viral pneumonia and severe COVID-19 illness, have already been published. Here we present the first version of a suggested protocol in our country, with an attached flowchart for the initial management of the COVID-19 patients in need for mechanical ventilation. The protocol is based on the worldwide existing experience in treatment of COVID-19 patients. The intention is not to replace the clinical experience and critical judgment of the attending doctors, but to strengthen their decisions and tailor treatment according to the recourses existing in our country.

SARS-CoV-2 virus causes COVID-19, which is characterized by a high level of aerosol spreading of viral particles. Aerosol generating procedures are high-risk procedures for anesthesiologists and necessities expensive high level protective personal equipment (PPE) (level 3). The problem with COVID-19 is the high number of patients, which presents an economic burden for the health care system and country, and causes issues with human and equipment resources. Airway protocols vary among hospitals like three gloves technique, videolaryngoscope, FFP3 masks, eye protection, and additional shield. All parts of the anesthesiologist's body need to be covered with protective equipment. Extubation is also considered as high risk from the point of aerosol production, and PPE level 3 is required. Patient monitoring for early warning signs leads to intubation, which is predicted and planned. The patient is preoxygenated, fully relaxed, without mask ventilation as rapid sequence intubation. The suggested time for intubation is 30 s, immediate cuff inflation, followed by a tube connecting with the machine for mechanical ventilation. Capnography serves for the tracheal intubation confirmation. Supraglottic devices and cryccothyteothomy are reserved for situation can't intubate-can't oxygenate. Airway procedures are considered as high-risk procedure, and the most experienced anesthesiologist should perform them in the shortest possible time. The best solution is to have an airway dedicated team, educated in simulation center for this specifiec type of intubation, proper planning, prepared and checked medications and equipment.

Belgrade area is a region of high paleobiodiversity, being ranked among the best known in Serbia. The prominent position among a number of Middle Miocene (Badenian) fossiliferous sites in the vicinity of Belgrade (southern Pannonian Basin, Central Paratethys) are occupied with sediments of Rakovica stream, also known as “Rakovica sands”. Here, the integrated evidence based on new fossil findings of calcareous nannoplankton, foraminifera and molluscs assemblages, allows the stratigraphic revision of the clastic facies of the Rakovica succession. Based on the studies of lithological composition, high paleodiversity molluscs fauna and local palaeogeographical setting, it can be concluded with reasonable certainty that deposits of Rakovica stream entitled “Rakovica sand” represents a sandstone of the shallow marine (littoral) environment during Lower Badenian time. Large benthic foraminifera Ammonia viennensis (d’ORBigny), and Borelis haueri (d’ORBigny) as well as zone marker nn5 Sphaenolithus heteromorphus defLandRe correspond to this biostratigraphic level. during the late early Miocene and Middle Miocene (Badenian), the climate in the Central Paratehys was mainly subtropical. This is supported at its southern margin by the presence of thermophilous mollusc taxa, as well as the Conidae, Strombidae, Xenophoridae, Pleurotomidae, Turridae, Muricidae, etc. Consequently, the investigated deposit can be ascribed to the early Badenian which biostratigraphically corresponds to the nn5 nannozone by correlation with successions in theirs type-areas to the Central Paratethys, and defines preciously the time of the marine transgression in this area.

Introduction: After marsupialisation of large jaw cysts, there comes to the formation of bone defects which do not guarantee the stability of the blood clot and therefore are filled with iodine gauze. Any replacement of iodine gauze, toilet of the wound, causes minor or major bleeding, which slows wound epithelialisation and organization. Therefore, making the partial acrylic denture obturator is recommended to be done a few weeks after the surgery. Case report: This work presents two patients who had partial acrylic denture obturator made on the tenth day after the surgery. This allowed significantly easier toilet of the wounds, faster epithelialization and organization, and thus faster bone healing. Conclusion: Restored function of chewing, swallowing and speech, as well as the aesthetic appearance suggest that early use of acrylic obturator prosthesis is very significant.

The first association of citizens to the public sector is related to a bulky state apparatus with complicated procedures. In order to avoid this identification, the state must improve the delivery of value to citizens. With the increase in the efficiency of the public sector, citizens' satisfaction and confidence increase as well as the image of the state in the international community. To achieve this, the state must adopt marketing approaches using the profit sector.

This paper describes Middle Miocene (Badenian) shark teeth from Serbia and discusses their geographical distribution at other localities of the Central Paratethys. The shark teeth originate from Višnjica (near Belgrade), from Višnjica Clay, or the ‘Pleurotoma Clay’. The variety of sharks is very low, but according to these fossils Višnjica is the richest among serbian localities. The sharks teeth reported in the paper belong to the following taxa: Otodus (Megaselachus) megalodon (AgAssiz, 1835), Hemipristis serra AgAssiz, 1835 and Odontaspididae indet. The high diversity of invertebrates (molluscs, echinoids, corals etc.) and other coeval fossil assemblages indicate a warm period (the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum), which preceded the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition.

This paper presents the first detailed biostratigraphic investigation of deposits cropping out in stream Sumijevac near Koceljeva (western Serbia). The most important fossil communities and their significance are presented. New biostratigraphic results have been achieved by the study of calcareous nannoplankton, foraminifera and mollusks fauna which clearly indicate the presence of the lower Badenian zone (Lagenid Zone), and defines preciously time of the marine transgression in this area. Further, the revised age of the sedimentary deposits presented here provides the necessary background information for future research of the Badenian sediments of Serbia and neighbouring regions.