The impact of the July 2007 heat wave on daily mortality in Belgrade, Serbia

Objective: Mortality has been shown to increase with heat waves. Serbia experienced the hottest heat wave in July 2007. In this study, we examined patterns of non-traumatic excess mortality in Belgrade during this event. Methods: The numbers of deaths observed during the 9-day heat wave were compared to those expected on the basis of mortality rates reported for the previous eight years and two following years. Excess mortality was analyzed by age, gender and cause of death. Results: There was a total of 167 excess deaths (38%) between 16 and 24 July. People aged 75 years and older accounted for 151(90%) of all excess deaths. An increase of mortality among elderly was 76% in comparison to the baseline mortality. Excess female mortality was over two times higher than excess male mortality (54% : 23%). The biggest increase in mortality was from diabetes mellitus (286%), chronic kidney disease (200%), respiratory system diseases (73%), and nervous system diseases (67%). Cardiovascular and malignant neoplasms mortality accounted for the highest absolute numbers of excess deaths (77 and 49, respectively). There was no decrease in mortality in the 60-day period after the heat wave. Conclusions: There are several causes of an increase in heat-related mortality. The most vulnerable population group is the elderly females

The Research Into the Influence of Non-Resident Drivers on the Critical Headway and Follow-Up Headway at an Unsignalised Intersection

The input parameters in the procedure for calculating the minor movement capacity of the unsignalised intersection are the values of conflict flow, critical haedway and follow-up headway. The conflict flow value is established in exact measuring, on the basis of flow values on approaches and their distribution by driving directions. On the other hand, the values of the critical headway and the follow-up headway are the parameters which depend on the estimate and the behaviour of the drivers doing the minor movement. On account of that, these parameter values depend on different factors and influences, therefore, they are not identical at all intersections. In the procedures for calculating the capacity of two-way stop controlled inersections, the values of critical headway and follow-up headway are given as recommendations. Some of the methods for capacity calculations, such as Highway Capacity Manual, recommend the research on these parameter values in local conditions, considering different influences. This paper presents the results of the research into the influence of non-resident drivers on the features and values of critical headway and follow-up headway, and thereby on the intersection capacity as well

Alati za digitalnu forenziku

Computer forensics is a scientific discipline dealing with acquiring, collecting, storing and presenting data that are electronically processed and stored on computer media. Although a relatively new discipline, it has the potential to significantly influence the specific types of investigations and prosecutions. Computer forensics is significantly different than traditional forensic disciplines. First of all, tools and techniques that this discipline demands are relatively easily available to anyone who wants to conduct forensic analysis. Contrary to traditional forensic analysis, computer investigators need to conduct testing that is not always carried out in controlled conditions. Collecting digital evidence begins when information and/or physical objects are collected or stored in anticipation of testing. The term 'evidence' implies that the person who has collected it is recognized by the Court, so as the process of collecting evidence. Data or physical objects become evidence only when they are collected by an authorized person.Kompjuterska forenzika je naučna disciplina koja se bavi prikupljanjem, očuvanjem, analizom i prezentovanjem podataka koji su elektronski procesirani i uskladišteni na kompjuterskim medijima. Iako je relativno nova disciplina, ona ima potencijal da značajno utiče na specifične tipove istraga i krivičnih gonjenja. Kompjuterska forenzika se značajno razlikuje od tradicionalnih forenzičkih disciplina. Za početak, alati i tehnike koje ova disciplina zahteva, relativno su lako dostupni svakome ko želi da sprovede forenzičku analizu. Nasuprot tradicionalnim forenzičkim analizama, od kompjuterskih istražitelja se zahteva ispitivanje u uslovima koji nisu uvek kontrolisani. Prikupljanje digitalnih dokaza počinje kada se informacija i/ili fizički objekt prikupe ili sačuvaju u očekivanju ispitivanja. Termin 'dokaz' implicira da je osoba koja ga je prikupila prepoznata od strane Cuda, kao i sam proces prikupljanja. Podatak ili fizički objekt postaje dokaz jedino kada je prikupljen od strane ovlašćenog lica

Alati za digitalnu forenziku

Computer forensics is a scientific discipline dealing with acquiring, collecting, storing and presenting data that are electronically processed and stored on computer media. Although a relatively new discipline, it has the potential to significantly influence the specific types of investigations and prosecutions. Computer forensics is significantly different than traditional forensic disciplines. First of all, tools and techniques that this discipline demands are relatively easily available to anyone who wants to conduct forensic analysis. Contrary to traditional forensic analysis, computer investigators need to conduct testing that is not always carried out in controlled conditions. Collecting digital evidence begins when information and/or physical objects are collected or stored in anticipation of testing. The term 'evidence' implies that the person who has collected it is recognized by the Court, so as the process of collecting evidence. Data or physical objects become evidence only when they are collected by an authorized person.Kompjuterska forenzika je naučna disciplina koja se bavi prikupljanjem, očuvanjem, analizom i prezentovanjem podataka koji su elektronski procesirani i uskladišteni na kompjuterskim medijima. Iako je relativno nova disciplina, ona ima potencijal da značajno utiče na specifične tipove istraga i krivičnih gonjenja. Kompjuterska forenzika se značajno razlikuje od tradicionalnih forenzičkih disciplina. Za početak, alati i tehnike koje ova disciplina zahteva, relativno su lako dostupni svakome ko želi da sprovede forenzičku analizu. Nasuprot tradicionalnim forenzičkim analizama, od kompjuterskih istražitelja se zahteva ispitivanje u uslovima koji nisu uvek kontrolisani. Prikupljanje digitalnih dokaza počinje kada se informacija i/ili fizički objekt prikupe ili sačuvaju u očekivanju ispitivanja. Termin 'dokaz' implicira da je osoba koja ga je prikupila prepoznata od strane Cuda, kao i sam proces prikupljanja. Podatak ili fizički objekt postaje dokaz jedino kada je prikupljen od strane ovlašćenog lica

Analysis of Strengthening Variants of Existing Masonry Buildings for Seismic Resistance - Case Studies of Typical Residential Buildings in Niš

The revitalization of existing masonry buildings, built decades ago, is a very topical and complex structural engineering issue, especially when the building was built in the area of significant seismic activity. A large number of masonry buildings in the city of Niš, as well as in other places in Serbia, were built in the period before the adoption of technical regulations on the design and construction of seismically resistant structures and they are at insufficient safety level in the event of an earthquake. Therefore, it is necessary that structural strengthening meets the seismic resistance requirements laid down in Eurocode 8 or other relevant codes. In order to choose the method of structural strengthening, detailed seismic analyses must be carried out in several variants along with the application of relevant technical regulations. The effects of five analyzed structural strengthening methods were checked against the provisions of Eurocode 8, Part 1 and Part 3, which relate to the recommendations for the geometric characteristics of shear walls, and they were applied on two types of existing masonry buildings in Niš. On the basis of the performed analyses, conclusions were drawn regarding the methodological approach of the assessment of the condition of the structure, its seismic resistance and decision-making on remediation and/or strengthening measures

Effects of Air Polution on Growth in Schoolchildren

The growth is considered a very sensitive indicator of the impact of environment of the health status of children. The aim of the study was to investigate whether air pollution is related to children’s growth. The subjects were 1059 pupils, aged 7–11 years, living for more than ten years in the same home in the city of Ni{ (Serbia). Exposed group of children (N=545) were attending the school located in a city area with a high level of air pollution, while the children (N=514), in the comparison group, designed as non-exposed group, were attending the school in the area with a lower level of air pollution. The air concentrations of black smoke, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and lead in sediment matter were determined in ten-year period. Air pollution is associated with children’s height and weight, specially before the age of 9 years. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of thinness in children exposed to higher concentrations of air pollutants (p=0.038). It might be possible that air pollution negatively contributed to the growth rate in urban children

Advantages of implementation the process model for sustainable business operations of mining companies

Process approach is the basic element for integration the all similar requirements of the integrated management system (ISM) standard and stakeholders. Previous studies have shown that the process model of the ISM is the most represented in the Serbian companies. Implementation of the process model in mining company improves the company performances. This work analyzes the most important advantages achieved in implementation the process model and the appropriate criteria are defined for their evaluation. The AHP method was used to evaluate the advantages of process model. The results differentiate the most important advantages of the process model achieved by sustainable business operations of mining companies on the basis of competitiveness based on eco-innovations

Comparative thermal buckling analysis of functionally graded plate

A thermal buckling analysis of functionally graded thick rectangular plates according to von Karman non-linear theory is presented. The material properties of the functionally graded plate, except for the Poisson's ratio, were assumed to be graded in the thickness direction, according to a power-law distribution, in terms of the volume fractions of the metal and ceramic constituents. Formulations of equilibrium and stability equations are derived using the high order shear deformation theory based on different types of shape functions. Analytical method for determination of the critical buckling temperature for uniform increase of temperature, linear and non-linear change of temperature across thickness of a plate is developed. Numerical results were obtained in MATLAB software using combinations of symbolic and numeric values. The paper presents comparative results of critical buckling temperature for different types of shape functions. The accuracy of the formulation presented is verified by comparing to results available from the literature

Finite element modelling of laminated composite: Effects of different ply orientations

The subject of analysis in this paper are laminated composites as an always popular topic in the field of composite materials. The introductory part of the paper presents a brief overview of the current state of research in this area and points out further directions of research related to this very interesting topic. The classification of laminated composite plates from the aspect of different criteria are described in detail. As the subject of the paper is stress-strain analysis of laminated composite, the expression for the generalized Hooke's law of orthotropic class of material symmetry is given. The terms of the constitutive matrix are expressed through engineering constants. At the end, the bending analysis of the rigidly supported laminated plate under a sinusoidal load was performed. The mentioned analysis was conducted using software based on the finite element method. A comparative analysis of the plate with the different ply orientation (0°/90°/90°/0° and -45°/45°/45°/-45°) was done. The obtained results were analyzed and appropriate conclusions were made.Publishe

Influence of air pollution on hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Niš, Serbia

Background/Aim. In studies that investigate the health effects of short-term air pollution exposure, population-wide changes in acute outcomes such as mortality, hospital admissions and healthcare visits are linked to short-term variations in ambient pollutant concentrations. The aim of this study was to estimate the association between daily outdoor black smoke and sulphur dioxide levels and hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Niš, within a period 2001-2005. Methods. A time series analysis was performed using separated regression models for each pollutant and disease group, by age groups and population as a whole. The effects of copollutant, meteorological factors and cyclic oscillations in hospitalization numbers were controlled. Results. A significant increase in hospital admissions was associated with a 10 μg/m3 increase in the concentration of black smoke, for cardiovascular diseases: 3.14% (< 0.01) in children and youth under 19 years of age, 1.85% (< 0.001) in 19-64 age group, and 0.84% (< 0.05) in all ages, and for respiratory diseases: 1.77% (< 0.05) in 19-64 age group, and 0.91% (< 0.05) in all ages. The effects on hospitalizations for respiratory diseases in children and youth under 19 years of age, and for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in the elderly were not statistically significant. The increase of sulphur dioxide level was associated with the increased number of hospitalizations, for both cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in all age groups, but the influence was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Outdoor pollutants concentrations in urban area of Niš were below regulated limit values during most of the investigated period days but it is shown that even such a level of pollution has a significant effect on hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases