The influence of the UV irradiation intensity on photocatalytic activity of ZnAl layered double hydroxides and derived mixed oxides

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been studied to a great extent as environmental-friendly complex materials that can be used as photocatalysts or photocatalyst supports. ZnAl layered double hydroxides and their derived mixed oxides were chosen for the investigation of photocatalytic performances in correlation with the UV intensities measured in the South Pannonia region. Low supersaturation coprecipitation method was used for the ZnAl LDH synthesis. For the characterization of LDH and thermal treated samples powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), nitrogen adsorption-desorption were used. The decomposition of azodye, methylene blue was chosen as photocatalytic test reaction. The study showed that the ZnAl mixed oxide obtained by thermal decomposition of ZnAl LDH has stable activity in the broader UV light irradiation range characterizing the selected region. Photocatalytic activity could be mainly attributed to the ZnO phase, detected both in LDH and thermally treated samples. The study showed that the ZnAl mixed oxide obtained by the calcination of ZnAl LDH has a stable activity within the measured UV light irradiation range; whereas the parent ZnAl LDH catalyst did not perform satisfactory when low UV irradiation intensity is implied

The correlation between anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities in seven year old girls

The aim of this research was to determine whether there is a connection between anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities in normal and overweight seven year old girls. The sample consisted of 75 first grade girl students of elementary schools in the town of Niš, which were classified based on their BMI values in normal weight group (N = 47) and overweight group (N = 28).Anthropometric characteristics were determined by measuring 16 parameters of longitudinal, transversal, circular dimensionality and body mass, and subcutaneous fatty tissue by measuring skin fold thickness. For the assessment of motor abilities (explosive strength, coordination and speed), a battery of nine tests was applied. Relations between anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities were assessed by canonical correlation analysis. The results indicate that the correlations were statistically significant only in the group of overweight children (p = 0.00), and defined by three pairs of canonical factors. Factors of canonical correlation between anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities in a group of overweight girls indicate that body voluminosity and subcutaneous fatty tissue hinder the realization of motor tasks that require lifting or transferring body mass, while higher parameter values of longitudinal dimensionality contribute to a better performance in explosive strength of arms and legs, but impair coordinatio

MORPHO-MOTORIC STATUS AND LEVEL OF NUTRITION IN NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRLS

Abstract. The nutritional status of children is an important indicator of their physical and motor development, as well as one of the factors that affects their morpho-motoric status. The aim of this study was to determine differences in morphological characteristics and motor abilities in nine-year-old girls with varying degrees of nutritional status. The research was conducted on a sample of 89 third grade elementary school students in Niš, aged 9.01 ± 0.28. Based on the BMI, three sub- samples were formed (normal weight, overweight and obese participants). Morphological status was determined by measuring the parameters of longitudinal, transversal and circular dimensionality, body weight and subcutaneous fatty tissue. Motor abilities (explosive strength, coordination and speed) were determined by a battery of nine tests. Differences in morphological and motor variables were determined by using MANOVA/ANOVA and LSD Post Hoc test. The results indicate that, in regards to the BMI, there are significant differences in morpho-motoric status in nine-year-old girls. Higher values of morphological characteristics, but also a lower level of explosive strength, speed and coordination were recorded in overweight and obese participants.Key words:  nutritional status, morphological characteristic, motor abilities, differences, girls

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH OF SCHOOLCHILDREN

The aim of this research was to determine the trend of relations between the system of body characteristics and the system of explosive strength variables. 402 subjects aged 7 to 10 participated in this study. There were applied 17 measures for assessing the anthropometric characteristics and 4 test to assess explosive strength. Based on the obtained results on the relation of body characteristics and explosive strength it has been determined that there are significant relations of the two studied areas on the subsamples of subjects aged 8, 9 and 10. Relations on the subsample of subjects aged 7 are not statistically significant (p<0.05).  When it comes to the trend of relations between the ages of 7 to 10 a permanent increase is evident, except for the subsample of subjects aged 8, which shows a slight decline compared to the subjects aged 7. Based on the cross-correlation of the two studied area, it can be concluded that voluminosity and skinfolds measures appear negative (interfering) to tasks performance which highlights the explosive leg strength in all the subsamples of subjects

Photoluminescence Spectroscopy of CdTe/ZnTe Self-Assembled Quantum Dots

We present photoluminescence (PL) measurements of two different, 3 monolayers and 12 monolayers (ml), CdTe self-assembled quantum dot (SAQD) samples. The spectra were recorded in the temperature range 20 K–300 K, with photoexcitation over the ZnTe barrier layer. PL spectra displayed two main emission bands. High-energy PL emission (E1) is ZnTe LO like phonon- (ωLO = 204.2 cm−1 (3 ml), ωLO = 207.3 cm−1 (12 ml)) assisted deexcitation. Dominant low-energy band (E2) presents the direct deexcitation to ground state of the CdTe quantum dots

INFLUENCE OF PSYCHO-SOCIAL FACTORS ON THE EMERGENCE OF DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL RISK IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of certain psychosocial factors – insight, psycho-education, family and social support, loneliness and social isolation – on the appearance of depression and suicidal risk in schizophrenia. Subjects and methods: This was a cross-sectional study that comprised hospitalized patients with schizophrenia in the initial remission phase. The assessment of depression and suicidal risk was made by applying a semi-structured psychiatric interview that included scrutinized factors (insight, psycho-education, family and social support, loneliness and social isolation), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS). On the basis of the assessment results, the sample was divided into two groups: Group of patients with depression and suicidal risk in schizophrenia (N=53) and Control group (N = 159) of patients with schizophrenia without depression and suicidal risk. Results: In the Group of patients with depression and suicidal risk, compared with the Control group, there was significantly higher frequency of insight in the mental status

Potentially toxic elements in the riparian soils of the Sava River

Purpose Riparian zone contamination is a growing problem for several European catchments due to high anthropogenic pressures. This study investigates As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the Sava River riparian zone, characterized by wide agricultural areas, various geological substrates, and different types of industrial pollution. The accumulation and mobility of these elements were studied because they are listed as priority substances in the Water Framework Directive and environmental objectives for surface waters. Materials and methods Sampling was performed during the sampling campaign of the EU 7th FW-funded GLOBAQUA project in September 2015 during a low-water event. Soil samples were collected along the Sava River at 12 selected sampling sites, from a depth of 0–30 cm, at a distance of 10–15 m from the river bank. The extent of pollution was estimated by determining total and readily soluble element concentrations in the soils. Potential ecological risk and the source of the selected elements in the soils was determined using the enrichment factor (EF), potential ecological risk index (RI), and statistical methods such as the principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA). Results and discussion This study showed that concentrations of the selected elements increase along the Sava. In terms of origin, PCA and MLRA indicated that Cr and Ni in soils are predominantly lithogenic, while As, Cd, Pb, and Zn are both lithogenic and anthropogenic (ore deposits, industry, and agriculture). PCA singled out Cu since its origin in soil is most probably from specific point-source pollution. EF was generally minor to moderate for most of the examined elements, apart from Cu, for which the EF was significant at one sampling site. Overall ecological risk (RI) fell within the low-risk category for most sites, apart from Belgrade sampling site (BEO), where high total Cd content affected individual and overall ecological risk indicators, indicating Cd could represent a considerable ecological risk for the downstream riparian zone. Conclusions Purpose: Riparian zone contamination is a growing problem for several European catchments due to high anthropogenic pressures. This study investigates As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the Sava River riparian zone, characterized by wide agricultural areas, various geological substrates, and different types of industrial pollution. The accumulation and mobility of these elements were studied because they are listed as priority substances in the Water Framework Directive and environmental objectives for surface waters. Materials and methods: Sampling was performed during the sampling campaign of the EU 7th FW-funded GLOBAQUA project in September 2015 during a low-water event. Soil samples were collected along the Sava River at 12 selected sampling sites, from a depth of 0–30 cm, at a distance of 10–15 m from the river bank. The extent of pollution was estimated by determining total and readily soluble element concentrations in the soils. Potential ecological risk and the source of the selected elements in the soils was determined using the enrichment factor (EF), potential ecological risk index (RI), and statistical methods such as the principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression analysis (MLRA). Results and discussion: This study showed that concentrations of the selected elements increase along the Sava. In terms of origin, PCA and MLRA indicated that Cr and Ni in soils are predominantly lithogenic, while As, Cd, Pb, and Zn are both lithogenic and anthropogenic (ore deposits, industry, and agriculture). PCA singled out Cu since its origin in soil is most probably from specific point-source pollution. EF was generally minor to moderate for most of the examined elements, apart from Cu, for which the EF was significant at one sampling site. Overall ecological risk (RI) fell within the low-risk category for most sites, apart from Belgrade sampling site (BEO), where high total Cd content affected individual and overall ecological risk indicators, indicating Cd could represent a considerable ecological risk for the downstream riparian zone. Conclusions: At downstream sites, there was a noticeable increase in PTE content, with Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn exceeding the proposed threshold values for European soils, indicating rising contamination in riparian soils. In terms of the ecological risk, only Cd could pose a potential ecological threat for the downstream riparian zone

Workshops with refugees: Special experiences from the work with elderly people

The authors explain the phenomenon of refuge as a form of experience which differentiate refugees from indigenous population. They explore changes in number and geographical distribution of refugees in Serbia and Montenegro. Also, the method of work and goals of the humanitarian organization "Hi Neighbor" are elaborated. The paper is focused on the workshops with elderly people. One of the workshop activities is drawing on the topic "My personal space". In the pictures drawn by refugees the readiness for establishment of "life line", interrupted "somewhere", by the war and refuge, is pronounced

Victimization of old people as members of a special marginal group

In this paper the authors explain the role of the old in status systems both in modern societies and throughout history. The authors point out the role of the ageing process in defining the marginal status of old people and their risks to become victims of abuse. Because of their biological and psychological characteristics and their social status, the old are vulnerable to various forms of abuse: physical, psychological and sexual violence, negligence, and self-negligence, abandonment and economic exploitation. The case study has been done in cooperation with the expert team of Gerontology center of the town Niš