Synthesis and characterization of carbon materials as titanium dioxide carrier for removal of the selected organic pollutants from water

Cilj ove doktorske disertacije je razvoj metode za dobijanje efikasnih kompozitnih fotokatalizatora, sa karbon monolitom i hidrotermalnim ugljenikom kao nosačem titan-dioksida za uklanjanje organskih zagaĎujućih materija iz vode. Karbon monolit kao nosač fotokatalizatora impregnisan je česticama titan-dioksida primenom dve različite metode: metoda potapanja (eng. dip-coating), koja podrazumeva upotrebu vezivnog sredstva, i metoda bazirana na termičkom tretmanu karbon monolita nakon uranjanja u koncentrovani rastvor TiCl4 (eng. thermal treatment)...The main objective of this work was to develope appropriate preparation method in order to obtain TiO2/carbon composites with the highest efficiency in removal of organic pollutants from the water. Carbon monolith and hydrothermal carbon were used as a titanium dioxide carrier for preparation of TiO2/carbon composites. Carbon monolith as a photocatalyst carrier is impregnated with particles of titanium dioxide using two methods: dip-coating method, which involves the use of a binder, and thermal treatment method. Composite photocatalysts with hydrothermal carbon as TiO2 carrier were synthesized by hydrothermal carbonization, using glucose and titanium isopropoxide, as precusors of carbon and titania, respectively..

Efficiency evaluation of a bivalent vaccine in the prophylaxis of mastitis in cows

Mastitis in cows represents one of the most actual problems in intensive dairy production. The longtime different approaches to the treatment of mastitis have not offered a suitable solution, and the problem of mastitis is still present and acute. Prevention of pathogen penetration into the mammary gland, its colonization and multiplication impose a constant need for regular inspections of milk, as well as preventive and therapeutic measures to reduce the incidence of mastitis. Studies in the field of vaccination of ruminants against mastitis pathogens suggest a limited success in obtaining significant results in immunoprophylaxis. Considering the results of other researchers and our own research, and bearing in mind the problems mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae represent, the aim of this study was the preparation and testing of an indigenous vaccine prepared with two stable strains, SAU 7 (S. aureus) and SAG 3 (Str.agalactiae). The dose was 5 mL/cow and consisted of inactivated bacterial S. aureus SAU 7 cells in a concentration of 1x1010 cfu/mL and Str. agalactiae SAG 3 in a concentration of 4 x 109 cfu/mL. The number of somatic cells in the milk samples during the whole study period was higher in vaccinated cows in both groups compared with the control, but this difference was not statistically significant. The concentration of immunoglobulin IgG in the milk of vaccinated cows was significantly higher than the concentration of this class of proteins in the milk of unvaccinated cows. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 46002

Genetic characterization of Croatian grapevine cultivars and detection of synonymous cultivars in neighboring regions

Twenty-two native Croatian grapevine varieties representing three different growing and climatic regions (Dalmatia, Istria, continental Croatia) have been genotyped at nine SSR loci. The identical genotypes of the Croatian cultivars Plavina and Brajdica confirmed the hypothesis they are the same variety. Comparing the SSR profiles of the Croatian cultivars with the profiles stored in a database containing about 300 European cultivars, further three pairs of synonyms were revealed: Teran Bijeli shares its genotype with the Italian cultivar Prosecco, Muskat Ruza Porecki corresponds to cv. Rosenmuskateller from North Italy and Moslavac is identical to the Hungarian variety Furmint. The microsatellite-based definitions of these synonyms are strongly supported by ampelographic observations. The genetic variability within the investigated Croatian cultivars was high with a genetic diversity of 75 %. A dendrogram based on allele sharing distances reflected neither common morphological features nor common geographic origins of the cultivars

Analysis of lactoferin gene polymophism and its association to milk quality and mammary gland health in Holstein-Friesian cows

Lactoferrin (LTF) is a glycoprotein, a member of transferrin gene family which plays an important role in immune mechanisms in the mammary glands of cows. The amount of lactoferrin increases during inflammatory processes and viral infections. The aim of this investigation was to monitor the distribution of lactoferrin gene genotypes and its connection to milk quality and the occurrence of mammary gland diseases in 46 Holstein-Freisian cows of different age (2-7 years) on a farm near Belgrade. DNA was isolated from blood samples, and the polymorphism of lactoferrin gene was deterimined by PCR-RFLP method using the restriction enzyme Eco RI. We found two alelic forms of this gene in cows included in these experiments (A and B) and two genotypes (AA and AB) in a ratio 71.7% to 28.3%. The genotype BB was not found in this sample. In order to determine the degree of differences between genotypes we used discriminant analysis which has shown that there is a statistically significant difference between genotypes AA and with respect to productive parameters. When analyzed separately, the only parameter which differed significantly (p=0.021) between two genotypes was total milk production. Individuals with observed genotypes are most similar for the amount of milk fat (p=0.271). There is no statistically significant difference in the number of somatic cells in milk samples between the examined genotypes. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III46002

Structural Characteristics and Adsorption Properties of Alkali Activated Blends Ashes/Metakaolin

The aim of this paper is to show the possibility of using waste materials, blends of (wood ash, fly ash, from thermal power plant, and metakaolin) for the production of alkali activated materials that can be used to purify wastewater from different kinds of pollutants such as heavy metals. Heavy metals are toxic, especially cadmium, so they must be removed from wastewater to prevent or minimize contact with the environment and humans. The synthesis of the alkali activated materials was performed by mixing solid precursors with a liquid alkali activator. Two- and three-component systems of wood ash, fly ash and metakaolin (wood ash/fly ash, wood ash/metakaolin, fly ash/metakaolin and wood ash/fly ash/metakaolin) were used as precursor materials. The alkali activator solution was a mixture of sodium silicate solution and sodium hydroxide solution of concentrations (6M and 12M). The characterization of alkali activated materials was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). XRD measurements of investigated samples showed a characteristic halo between 18 and 35º 2 with a dominant crystal phase of quartz. FTIR spectroscopy showed that the main vibration band of all investigated samples appeared between 1037-996 cm-1, and corresponds to Si-O-Si/Si-O-Al bands. SEM/EDS analysis was used to determine the microstructure of the samples. The adsorption efficiency of the investigated alkali activated materials for removing cadmium ions from aqueous solution was tested under different conditions: initial concentration of cadmium ions in the range of 20-100 mg/l, pH values from 3 to 7 and mass of adsorbents from 0.02-0.05 g

Reproductive potential of the functionally female native Croatian grapevine 'Grk bijeli'

A native Croatian grapevine 'Grk bijeli', sharing a parent-offspring relationships with 'Tribidrag' (aka 'Zinfandel'), is grown exclusively on the Adriatic island of Korčula. It is one of the grape cultivars with female-only functional flowers, causing reduced fertilisation and leads to problems in grape production and wine quality. A typical cluster of 'Grk bijeli' at maturity contains fully developed seeded berries, in addition to a highly variable proportion of undersized seedless berries. The aim of this study was to identify the cause of the reduced reproduction potential of 'Grk bijeli' in order to establish a better growing environment for improved yield and grape quality. 'Grk bijeli' female gametophyte develops normaly and at maturity contains both egg and central cell, together with two synergid cells and three antipodal cells. On the other hand, 'Grk bijeli' pollen grains show developmental deviations. Specifically, most of the pollen grains undergo the first pollen mitosis and contain one vegetative cell and one generative cell, while 20 % of ungerminating grains also accomplish the second pollen mitosis, giving rise to two sperm cells and one vegetative cell. Morover, 'Grk bijeli' pollen has acolporate morphology, which prevents germination and contributes to reduced reproduction. Furthermore, fertilisation after pollination with other varieties results in various degrees of ovule abortion depending on the pollinator, revealing Croatian cultivars 'Plavac mali crni' and 'Pošip bijeli' as favourable varieties. Although this study describes a highly valuable cultivar of local importance, it also contributes to fundamental knowledge of grapevine reproductive biology and offers a strategy for improvement of wine production and oenological performance of semi-fertile varieties in general

Ampelographic and genetic characterization of Croatian grapevine varieties

Before the Phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) crisis in Croatia more than 400 grape varieties were under cultivation. Today their number is drastically decreased. Recently, many efforts in the preservation of grapevine biodiversity were undertaken: detailed inventory of varieties in different wine-growing regions, establishing of national and regional collections and their systematic ampelographic and genetic characterisation. This paper shows results of multiannual ampelographic and genetic research concerning Croatian grapevines considered as autochthonous varieties. After identification, many synonyms and homonyms were detected and unique genotypes were selected. Basic data of them are shown: description (according to OIV descriptors) and genetic profiles (9 SSR loci), growing area and status of vulnerability. Also, genetic relationship based on the shared allele distance is computed from SSR data. Results show certain level of similarity among varieties, and classify Croatia as important gene-pool in Europe. Some additional accessions which were detected and introduced into collections recently are still being investigated and characterized so that the here presented list of Croatian native grapevine cultivars is not final

PRIMENA HORMONA U INDUKCIJI I SINHRONIZACIJI ESTRUSA I OVULACIJE KOD KRAVA

Imajući u vidu značaj i obim stočarske proizvodnje, nameće se pitanje praćenjazdravlja i plodnosti u zapatima krava. Visoka produktivnost povlači za sobomnegativne efekte na plodnost, pa tako između proizvodnje mleka i plodnosti postoji„borba za primat”. Jedan od načina borbe za što bolju plodnost u zapatima krava jei primena hormona u manipulaciji polnim ciklusom kod krava. Cilj ove biotehnološkemere je sinhronizacija i indukcija estrusa, kao i sinhronizacija ovulacijeu određenim fazama polnog ciklusa. Na taj način omogućava se pravilno i racionalnoiskorišćavanje kapaciteta farmi i smanjuju troškovi ljudstva, postiže se boljaiskoristivost semena i efikasnije planiranje proizvodnje. Za indukciju i sinhronizacijuestrusa koriste se preparati prostaglandina i njegovih analoga kroz nekolikorazličitih protokola, dok se za sinhronizaciju preovulatornog folikularnog razvoja iindukciju ovulacije koriste preparati na bazi GnRH i progestina u kombinaciji saprostaglandinima

PREGLED BAKTERIJSKIH I VIRUSNIH OBOLJENJA SVINJA U EKSTENZIVNOM I INTENZIVNOM NAČINU DRŽANJA

U ovom radu je dat pregled oboljenja svinja bakterijske i virusne etiologije kojamogu da budu prisutna u ekstenzivnom i intenzivnom načinu držanja. Dobrozdravlje svinja je uslov dobre reprodukcije, odnosno rentabilne proizvodnje. Zdravljezavisi od uslova držanja, nege, ishrane, kontrole i zdravstvene zaštite. Veliki brojbolesti koje su prisutne na farmama svinja industrijskog tipa, moguće je primenomprofilaktičkih i terapeutskih mera, kao i pojačanom kontrolom stručnih službi držatipod kontrolom. Odgovarajućom saradnjom vlasnika farmi sa stručnim službama, uzpoštovanje i sprovođenje stručnih saznanja, te primenom niza biotehničkih mera istavljanjem akcenta na preveniranje bolesti svinja, a u cilju promocije dobrog zdravljasvinja, moguće je unaprediti proizvodnju. U ovom preglednom radu dali smo presekoboljenja bakterijske i virusne etilogije koje se srecu na komercijalnim farmama i uekstenzivnom načinu držanja

First steps towards national radon action plan in Serbia

Radon problem has a special attention in many countries in the world and the most of them have established national radon programmes. The radon issues in Serbia have not been approached in a systematic and organized way. Currently, there are many research groups and institutions working in radon field, and it is a good basis to integrate all these activities into a comprehensive national programme to define the strategic objectives and action plan for the next few years. Also, Serbia as a candidate for membership in the EU is obliged to harmonize its legislation, including the field of radiation protection in which the radon issues has an important role. In this report, a brief history of radon research, present status and plans for the future activity on radon issues in Serbia are presented. Regarding the long-term plans, the establishment and implementation of the Radon Action Plan with the primary goal of raising awareness about the harmful effects of public exposure to radon and implementing a set of measures for its reduction. In that sense, the synergy between the national, regional and local organizations responsible for public health and radiation protection must be achieved