Patterns of Interrelationships between Inflation, R&D, Innovation, and Economic Growth: Evidence from Central and Eastern European Countries

The primary objective of the article is to examine the nexus between inflation, R&D, patents, and economic growth within a group of Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs). The examination is conducted in two parts. First, the impact of total R&D expenditures on economic growth is observed, as well as the influence of growth on private and public R&D investments. Second, the conversion from private and public R&D investment to innovation, measured by the number of patents, is observed. Throughout the analysis, economic growth and inflation are representative of macroeconomic stability. The outcomes of the panel auto-regressive distributed lag estimation indicate that total R&D expenditures are essential and positively significant for economic growth in the observed countries. The results also show that output growth has a remarkably positive impact on generating private R&D expenditures. Such an influence is also found, but at a weaker level, in the case of public R&D expenditures. In this part of the analysis, inflation has demonstrated a harmful influence on R&D expenditures. The results of the second part indicate that public and private R&D expenditures, at a significant level, generate innovation activities, while the impact of inflation has proven to be unimportant

Neuroinflammation in Autism and Supplementation Based on Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Narrative Review

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. The maternal status of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) regulates microglial activity and neuroinflammatory pathways during a child’s brain development. In children with ASD, the metabolism of PUFA is thought to be deficient or abnormal, leading to increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, increased oxidative stress and an imbalance in the formation and action of neurotransmitters. In addition, nutritional deficits in omega-3 PUFA may affect gut microbiota and contribute to ASD by the gut–brain axis. The aim of this study was to review the possible role of neuroinflammation in ASD development and the effect of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in children with ASD. Due to a wide heterogeneity across RCTs, no definitive conclusion about omega-3 PUFA effects in ASD can be drawn. Supplementation with PUFA could be considered as one of the aspects in regulating the biological status of the organism and could provide added value to standard medical and psychological interventions for reducing behavioral deficits

A novel type of building material derived from the by-products of steel making industry

Electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) and electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) are the waste materials generated during the iron and steel scrap remelting in electric arc furnace. EAFS is non-hazardous material which has found its application in different field of civil engineering. On the other hand, EAFD is classified as hazardous matreials due to the presence of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cu Cr and Cd) and their potential leaching into environment. Stabilization/solidification (S/S) of toxic waste is a widely investigated as simply method for production of stable product. Cement binder was mainly used for this purpose but important shift in the use of different waste materials as a cement replacement was observed. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of S/S of heavy metals from EAFD using the alkali activated binders based on EAFS. The alkali activated slag with a different content of EAFS was synthesised and characterized using the SEM/EDS, XRDP, FTIR. The binding of Zn into the reaction product of slag alkali activation was founded. The immobilization efficacy was evaluated using TCLP Method No. 1311 (USEPA) and EN 12457-2 (EULFD) leaching tests

STANJE STABALA AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM L. U DRVOREDIMA CENTRALNOG DELA OBRENOVCA

In urban areas treelined paths are the most vulnerable element. According expected functions treelined paths in certain street are unsatisfactory with their appearance and general condition. These are primarily biological, ecological, sociological and aesthetic functions. Because of negative anthropogenic influences trees are with low level condition, very low functionality and the unsatisfactory state of health. Most of the trees exist in very difficult circumstances of streets, there are crowded in the underground and in the aboveground part. In such circumstances, just as individual specimens of trees grow into individuals who manifest themselves in terms of morphology characteristics which are representative of its species. In this paper is presented the state of the avenue of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in two central streets of the old part of Obrenovca. The data were analyzed on the basis of the reviewed every tree and with the particular assessing the state of the crown and the state of the trunk. Based on the analysis of the results measures are proposed for the rehabilitation of individual trees as well as measures for the reconstruction of the entire tree line.U sistemu gradskog zelenila drvoredi su najugroženiji element. Drvoredi pojedinih ulica kod nas svojim izgledom i opštom kondicijom ne zadovoljavaju očekivane funkcije. To su u prvom redu biološke, ekološke, sociološke i estetske funkcije. Pod negativnim antropogenim uticajima stabla su niskog stepena kondicije, vrlo niske funkcionalnosti i nezadovoljavajućeg zdravstvenog stanja. Većina stabla egzistira u vrlo teškim uslovima ulice, stešnjena su i u podzemnom i u nadzemnom delu. U takvim okolnostima samo pojedinačni primerci izrastu u individue koje u morfološkom smislu manifestuju reprezentativne osobine svoje vrste. U radu je prikazano stanje drvoreda divljeg kestena (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) u dve centralne ulice starog dela Obrenovca. Analizirani su podaci na osnovu pregledanog svakog stabla posebno ocenjivanjem stanja krune i stanja debla. Na osnovu anlize rezultata predložene su mere za sanaciju pojedinih stabala kao i mere za rekonstrukciju celokupnog drvoreda

Anthropogenic and Climate Influence on Land Degradation

Badlands are areas with scarce or completely absent vegetation formed in a wide range of lithologies in different climate conditions and exposed to a wide range of geomorphological processes [1]. Generally, rapid evolution governed by erosion processes is a consequence of complex mineralogical and physico-chemical sediment composition and climate conditions. Because of that, badlands are often described as natural field laboratories and, furthermore, badland material is suitable for laboratory experiments that can, in controlled conditions, provide insight of changes that occur in the field. As indicated above, beside lithology, climate is one of the most significant factors in badlands forming. Since human activities have great impact on the environment and since climate changes present one of the biggest environmental pollution problems nowadays, in this research badland material was exposed to different conditions with the aim of monitoring changes caused by extreme climate conditions and acid ice. Three samples from badlands in China organized in six sets were treated with ice (representing snow) and acid ice (frozen acid rain) during fifteen cycles, dried in the oven for three cycles and afterwards again threated with ice and acid ice for additional five cycles. After each cycle samples were photographed, so that physical changes can be tracked, while leachate was collected and analyzed for monitoring changes in its volume, pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and cation concentration. Beside slight oscillations in parameters through cycles of samples treated with acid ice, extreme changes in observed parameters were not noticed neither between samples, nor between treatments. Leachate EC were a bit higher in samples treated with ice, leachate volume was higher for samples treated with acid ice, while pH was similar in both cases. Cation concentrations are similar in the leachate of all tested samples. In most of cases, the highest concentrations were measured at the beginning of the experiment, during the first two cycles or during the first “ice” cycles after drying. This indicates the high cation concentrations originate from the sediment surface or washing along the crack that appeared after drying. Physical changes that occurred through cycles implied that heat/drought is more aggressive agent of sediment decay. Decay caused by ice is slower, not as aggressive as drought, but not negligible, causing noticeable and significant cracks and fissures of fragments. This experiment confirmed that drought has high impact on sediment weathering, but more importantly, pointed out the impact of ice and its thawing, opening new questions about climate impact on forming, erosion processes and evolution of badlands which need to be further examined

IDENTIFICATION OF FACTORS INFLUENCING BIRTH WEIGHT, LENGTH, AND HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE

Newborn size at birth is an important indicator of fetal health, neonatal health, infant survival and childhood morbidity. The aim of our study was to assess and identify factors that significantly influence birth weight, length, and head circumference by performing a post hoc analysis of the data collected during the retrospective-prospective observational cohort study which was conducted at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Serbia. The influence of potential factors on birth weight, length, and head circumference was evaluated by multiple linear regression analysis. The study included 320 pregnant women and 332 newborns. Four factors had a significant negative effect on birth weight: smoking, twin pregnancy, use of methyldopa and corticosteroids during pregnancy. Smoking, twin pregnancy and corticosteroid use also had a significant negative effect on birth length. Negative effect on fetal head circumference at birth had smoking, use of corticosteroids and antibiotics during pregnancy. Maternal height and gestational age at birth showed a positive influence on fetal anthropometric measurements. Clinicians should pay attention to pregnant women with lower body height, twin pregnancy, who smoke and use corticosteroids, methyldopa and antibiotics

Belgrade’s Urban Green Areas Current Soil State and Its Way to Sustainability

Urban forests are important part of cities’ green infrastructure, especially in cities with great anthropogenic pressure as Belgrade is. Urban green areas enable people to connect with nature and contribute to livability in cities, but some studies reported soil pollution particularly with heavy metals. Due to that, soil samples from Avala Mt,. and Byford’s and Zvezdara Forests were collected from 15 sites and three depths (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-40 cm), making a total of 45 analyzed samples. Among all analysis, content of microelements was measured for the purposes of this research. No significant changes were observed comparing sites or depths and among all measured elements Zn was the most and Hg the least abundant. Analysis of microelements in soil showed that sustainable soil quality Ni levels are exceeded in all samples, while Cr, Cd and Co levels only in some. All of these results can be explained by forests’ age, geological origin and anthropogenic origin and influence. Even though due to Serbian Soil Quality Regulation no remediation is required for now, in the light of predicted climate change, regular monitoring and assessment should be done to display soil quality and to maintain or improve urban forests sustainability

Increase of Urban Forests Sustainability by Assessing Landscape Sensitivity

Urban forest includes individual trees, but also associated vegetation and the soil beneath the trees. In many regions, urban forests are the most extensive, functional and visible form of green infrastructure in cities and occupy an important place in mitigating and adapting to climate change and preservation of forest ecosystems. These forests are safe islands for biodiversity and play a key role in preserving human health and raising the quality of life in the city. However, urban forests face many challenges including difficult growing condition, insufficient resources for proper care and problems for development, which are enhanced by incomplete public understanding of benefits that urban forests provide. Urban soils are often subject to several degradation processes, such as erosion, compaction and pollution. The Košutnjak urban forest (Belgrade, Serbia), occupies a total area of 305.32 ha, of which 83% is forested. In 2014, 93% of the area was declared a Monument of Nature “Košutnjak Forest” while the remaining 7% of the forest is intended for recreation and general cultural and educational functions. The stand is mostly natural deciduous hardwood tree and covers almost 70% of the forest. Košutnjak is home to many plant and animal species, some of which are under strict protection. There are 521 plant species, including for example oak (Quercus sp.), chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), cedar (Cedrus sp.), pine (Pinus sp.), hazel (Corylus sp.). In 2015, the average age of the trees has been estimated to be 60–70 years. During the same year, about 50 ha of Košutnjak has been re-forested with 4,400 seedlings of ash (Fraxinus sp.) and sycamore (Platanus sp.). However, trees in Košutnjak present a poorly developed canopy, often rotten. The forest was seriously affected by the snowfall in December 2021, when a large number of trees fell, broke and bent. The general condition of the forest is unfavorable, the assembly is interrupted and damaged. Due to steep slopes and generally poor condition of vegetation, erosion processes are observed in the form of scouring, rills, gullies and local movements of soil masses. Other forms of physical degradation include compaction namely in observed wheel tracks. The aim of this study is to investigate the connection between the productivity of forest ecosystems and soil quality. Soil physical- chemical characteristics contribute to determining the sensitivity of the soil of the urban forest Košutnjak to degradation processes and the connection between the state of vegetation and soil quality. The study is based on the detail analyses of the data of the current state of land and vegetation, as well as expected deviations due to the impact of selected climate change scenarios. Three potential climate scenarios were tested and contribute to understanding the possibility of adapting the Košutnjak urban forest to degradation processes and soil nutrient losses favored by climate change. This knowledge will aid in determining proposed measures and strategies to mitigate the effects of land degradation processes based on the principle of environmental engineering. The study introduces a new framework for valorization of the current and future state of land and vegetation in the urban forest Košutnjak. The results provide a basis for mitigating or restoring land degradation, which inevitably arises from the management practices. With application of anti-erosion, remediation and prevention measures and application of natureinspired solutions and ecosystem services, the condition of the land will be improved

Утицај геолошке подлоге и начина коришћења терена на физичко-хемијска својства земљишта фрушк

Soil erosion is a problem that affects the landscape at different scales and represents a serious challenge for land management and soil conservation in both natural forests and meadows. The aim of this study was to determine how the parent material and land use affect the physical and chemical properties of the soil in the area of the Fruska gora Mountain. The soils were developed on five bedrock types: serpentinite, marl, trachyte, shale, loess and two land use types: forest and meadow. Twenty-three forest soil and 24 meadow soil from a depth of 0-20 cm were sampled from the Fruska gora Mt. Following properties were determined: pH, electrical conductivity, oxidation-reduction potential, content of organic carbon, sodium adsorption ratio, aggregate size and stability. There is no statistically significant difference in pH, Eh, EC, and SAR values between the analyzed forest and meadow soils, but there is a statistically significant difference in the content of Corg. It can be conculded that both the parent matrial, and to a slightly less extent, land use have a great influence on physico-chemical properties of the soil.Ерозија земљишта је проблем који утиче на пределе у различитим размерама и представља озбиљан изазов за управљање земљиштем и очување земљишта како у природним шумама тако и на ливадама. Циљ овог истраживања био је да се утврди како матична стена и начин коришћење земљишта утичу на физичко-хемијске особине земљишта на подручју Фрушке горе. Земљишта су развијена на пет типова стена: серпентинит, лапорац, трахит, шкриљац, лес, као и на два начина коришћења терена: шума и ливада. Са Фрушке горе узоркована су 23 шумска земљишта и 24 ливадска земљишта са дубине од 0-20 цм. Одређена су следећа својства: pH, електрична проводљивост (EC), оксидо-редокс потенцијал (Eh), садржај органског угљеника (Corg), однос адсорпције натријума (SAR), величина агрегата и стабилност. Не постоји статистички значајна разлика у вредностима pH, Eh, EC и SAR између анализираних шумских и ливадских земљишта, али постоји статистички значајна разлика у садржају Corg. Може се закључити да на физичко-хемијске особине земљишта велики утицај имају изворни материјал и у нешто мањој мери начин коришћење земљишта

Applicability of the PA-BAT+ in the evaluation of values of urban protected areas

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has a vision that the proper evaluation of protected areas (PAs) leads to a greater interest, more significant investment, and better conservation of natural resources. The evaluation of ecosystem services (ES) provided by protected areas (PAs) is of long-term importance to the local and national economies. Mapping the values of PAs, greater participation of decision-makers, and finally changes in public policies and the development of economic models that include natural resources in their development plans are significant but also long-term processes. IUCN has established the Protected Areas Benefits Assessment Tool+ (PA-BAT+), which provides initial information on how different stakeholders view the current state and potential values of PAs, which can help integrate natural resources and services provided by ecosystems in development plans. Such a tool makes it possible to identify the main factors relevant to the PAs and the country’s development policy, the flow of economic benefits, and the need for strategies that will enable the return of income to local people and PAs. Factors relevant to the importance of specific jobs in PAs - which is vital for the rural economy and necessary for decision-makers could also be identified with this tool. Identifying these factors can increase PA’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, such as no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being for people, quality education, clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, life below water and life on land