Things We Could Design: For More Than Human-Centered Worlds by Ron Wakkary

Ron Wakkary’s Things We Could Design: For More Than Human-Centered Worlds (MIT Press, 2021) aims to rethink the direction of design practice using a posthumanist approach. This book is the result of years of professional and theoretical experience gained by the author in both academia and practice (Everyday Design Studio). Posthumanist exploration of design stands in opposition to the prevailing “art of human design of the last thirty years,” in which human values have been in the service of a “behavioral understanding of what is human” (p. 1). It represents an exploration of the possibilities for a new understanding of human-technology relations and posthumanism, while also addressing issues of accountability, sustainability, and equality

Ecophysiological and biochemical traits of three herbaceous plants growing on the disposed coal combustion fly ash of different weathering stage

The ecophysiological and biochemical traits of Calamagrostis epigejos (Roth.) Festuca rubra L. and Oenothera biennis L. growing on two fly ash lagoons of different weathering stage (L1-3 years and L2-11 years) of the 'Nikola Tesla- A' thermoelectric plant (Obrenovac, Serbia) were studied. Species-dependent variations were observed at the L1 lagoon; the greatest vitality (Fv/Fm and Fm/Fo) followed by higher photopigment and total phenolic contents were measured in O. biennis in relation to C. epigejos (p<0.001) and F. rubra (p<0.001). At the L2 site, higher vitality was found in O. biennis (p<0.001) and F. rubra (p<0.01) compared to C. epigejos. O. biennis had the highest photosynthetic capacity. The results obtained in this study indicate that all examined species maintained a level of photosynthesis that allowed them to survive and grow under the stressful conditions in ash lagoons, albeit with lower than optimal success.Projekat ministarstva br. 17301

Radionuklidi i toksični elementi u hrani za životinje i hrani animalnog porekla

Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine the content of radionuclides and toxic elements in samples feedstuffs and food of animal origin collected between 2007-2017 from two suburban areas of Belgrade, the municipalities of Palilula and Surčin, both areas with intensive agricultural production. Materials and Methods. Radionuclides (40 K and 137 Cs) and toxic elements (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in samples of corn, hay, meat, milk and eggs, by gamma ray spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-OES, Spectro Genesis). Results and Conclusions. The obtained results showed that natural 40 K was present in all investigated samples. The average activity concentration of 40 K was 94 Bq/kg in corn, 117 Bq/kg, 108 Bq/kg and 95 Bq/kg in beef, pork and chicken meat, respectively, as well as 61 Bq/kg in cow's milk and 48 Bq/kg in eggs. Anthropogenic radionuclide 137 Cs was not detected. The trend for toxic element levels according to the average concentrations found in the studied feed samples (corn and hay) was as follows: Zn>Cu>Pb>As>Ni>Cd. Arsenic was detected in animal feed in both Belgrade municipalities, with the average concentration being 1.08 mg/kg (0.5-1.37 mg/kg), and in corn, the as content was higher than in hay samples. In food of animal origin, only Zn and Cu were detected. It is concluded that the presence of radionuclides and toxic elements in feedstuffs and foods of animal origin does not pose a health risk for either humans or animals.Uvod. U radu su prikazani rezultati određivanja sadržaja radionuklida i toksičnih elemenata u uzorcima hrane za životinje i hrani animalnog porekla prikupljanih na području grada Beograda, opštinama Palilula i Surčin, u periodu od 2007-2017. godine. Materijal i metode. U uzorcima kukuruza, sena, mesa, mleka i jaja određivani se radionuklidi (40K i 137Cs) i toksični elementi (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb i Zn) metodama gama spektrometrije i indukovane kuplovane plazma spektrometrije (ICP-OES, Spectro Genesis). Rezultati i zaključak. Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali da je u uzrocima hrane za životinje i hrani animalnog porekla 40K bio dominantni radionuklid. Prosečan sadržaj 40K u kukuruzu je bio 94 Bq/kg, 117 Bq/kg u junećem mesu, 108 Bq/kg u svinjskom mesu, 95 Bq/kg u pilećem mesu, 61 Bq/kg u kravljem mleku i 48 Bq/kg u jajima. U hrani za životinje (kukuruz i seno) detektovani su toksični elementi u opadajućem trendu: Zn>Cu>Pb>As>Ni>Cd. Arsen je detektovan u hrani za životinje na oba ispitivana lokaliteta, prosečan sadržaj je bio 1.08 mg/kg (0.5-1.37 mg/kg), u uzroku kukuruza sadržaj arsena je bio veći nego u senu. U hrani animalnog porekla detektovani su Zn i Cu, dok je sadržaj ostalih toksičnih elemenata bio ispod praga detekcije. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata može se zaključiti da radionuklidi i toksični elementi u hrani za životinje i hrani animalnog porekla ne predstavljaju rizik po zdravlje ljudi i životinja

Floristic and phytocoenological research of segetal plant communities in cultivated areas of southern Srem

Segetal vegetation was studied in the cultivated areas of southern Srem with the aim of analyzing its taxonomy, phytocoenology, syntaxonomy and phytogeography, as well as determining to what extent ecological factors influenced the differentiation of segetal plant communities among row crops, small grain crops and in alfalfa fields. Segetal flora was comprised of 124 plant species, classified into 38 families, of which Asteraceae (28), Fabaceae (10) and Poaceae (10) contained the greatest number of species. Three associations were selected based on phytocoenological analysis: Polygonetum convolvulo-avicularis, Consolido-Polygonetum avicularis and Lolio-Plantaginetum majoris, as well as five lower syntaxa (subassociations and facies). Crop type, moisture, habitat acidity (pH), temperature and anthropogenic factors had the greatest impact on the ecological differentiation of the studied vegetation. The significant presence of non-native species (18) was another consequence of the anthropogenic effects and geographic position of southern Srem, and these, as coenobionts of segetal plant communities and undesirable species, had a significant impact on crop yield

Allelopathy of Paeonia officinalis L. 1753 ssp. banatica (Rochel) soó 1945, a Pannonian endemic and relict species

Paeonia officinalis L. 1753 ssp. banatica (Rochel) Soó 1945 represents a Pannonian endemic and relict plant species. As an endangered, disappearing species, it is protected according to IUCN and included into the Red Book of the Flora of Serbia. In the Deliblato Sands, in a community of English oak (Quercus robur), only a single population of this peony consisting of 74 individuals with a reduced reproduction capacity occurs. Since this could be the consequence of negative allelopathic influence of dominant species of tree, shrub and herbaceous plant layer, we performed allelopathic studies that included qualitative and quantitative analyzes of phenolic acids and total phenolics both in the litter and soil of this community. Surface soil layer under Paeonia officinalis L. 1753 ssp. banatica was found to connain 34.36 μg g1 and 564.42 μg g1 of free and total bound phenols, respectively. A deeper soil layer (10-20 cm) contained much lower amount of free (only 4.44 μg g1) and 571.73 μg g1 of total bound phenol compounds. In the surface soil layer only three free phenolic acids (ρ-coumaric, ρ-hydroxybenzoic and vanillic acid) in minute amounts (0.57-1.69 μg g1) were detected. In the deeper soil layer p-coumaric acid was absent. Soil covered with Paeonia officinalis ssp. banatica contains five phenolic acids in bound form, p-coumaric and vanillic acid being the most abundant (10.22-30.70 μg g1). These forms are evenly distributed in the surface and deeper soil layer.Banatski božur (Paeonia officinalis L. 1753 ssp. banatica (Rochel) Soó 1945) je panonski endem i relikt. Kao ugrožena vrsta koja iščezava, prema pravilima IUCN zaštićen je i uvršćen u Crvenu knjigu flore Srbije. U Deliblatskoj Peščari postoji samo jedna populacija sa 74 jedinke u lužnjakovoj zajednici (lokalitet Flamunda) smanjene reproduktivne sposobnosti, što je verovatno posledica negativnog alelopatskog uticaja dominantnih vrsta iz sprata drveća, žbunova i zeljastih biljaka na banatski božur. Stoga smo pristupili alelopatskim istraživanjima koja su obuhvatila analizu i merenje količine fenolnih kiselina i ukupnih fenola u stelji i zemljištu ove zajednice. Rezultati pokazuju da površinski sloj zemljišta pod banatskim božurom, sadrži 34,36/μg g1 slobodnih i 564,42 μg g1 vezanih ukupnih fenola. Dublji sloj zemljišta (10-20 sm) sadrži znatno manju količinu slobodnih (samo 4,44 μg g1) i 571,73 μg g1 ukupnih vezanih fenola. U površinskom sloju zemljišta su detektovane samo tri slobodne fenolne kiseline (p-kumarinska, p-hidroksibenzoeva i vanilinska) u malim količinama (0,57-1,69 μg g1). Dublji sloj zeljišta nije sadržao p-kumarinsku kiselinu. Zeljište pod banatskim božurom sadrži pet fenolnih kiselina u vezanom stanju, pri čemu najviše ima p-kumarinske i vanilinske kiseline (10,22-30,70 μg g1). Ne postoji razlika u količini vezanih fenolnih kiselina u površinskom i dubljem zeljišnom sloju, pošto su ravnomerno raspoređene. U stelji koja se sastoji od delimično razloženog lišća i grančica trepetljike, gloga, bele topole, hrasta lužnjaka i dr. izmereno je 10,13 μg g1 slobodnih i 14.09 μg g1 vezanih ukupnih fenola. Ona sadrži pet fenolnih kiselina, pri čemu preovlađuju vezani oblici. Najviše ima p-kumarinske, vanilinske i siringinske kiseline (61,78-194,49 μg g1). Ona sadrži 5 fenolnih kiselina, pri čemu preovlađuju vezane forme. Najviše ima p-kumarinske, vanilinske i siringinske (61,78-194,49 μg g1). Diskutovana je moguća uloga fenolnih jedinjenja dominantnih vrsta biljaka u fitocenozi u smanjenju brojnosti božura. U lužnjakovoj zajednici sa banatskim božurom, dobro je razvijen sprat žbunova i zeljastih biljaka (ima više od 60 biljnih vrsta), koje mogu negativno uticati na povećanje populacije božura. Kao meru za poboljšanje uslova za opstanak ove reliktne i endemične vrste naše Flore, potrebno je iz neposredne blizine populacije banatskog božura (na rastojanju od 3-4 m) uklanjati sve biljne vrste koje na bilo koji način mogu negativno uticati (biohemijski uticaj fenolnih jedinjenja dominantnih vrsta, zasena, konkurencija za vodu, mineralne materije i prostor).Projekat ministarstv

Cardiopulmonary parasitic nematodes of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Serbia

Among the wild canids, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is recognised as an important reservoir species for a range of parasites, including cardiopulmonary nematodes of public health and veterinary importance. As cross-host transmission between the red fox and domestic carnivores can play an important role in the epizootiology of cardiopulmonary parasitic diseases, the aim of the present investigations was to obtain data on the geographical distribution of cardiopulmonary nematodes of the red fox. The material for examination consisted of 83 foxes which were legally hunted at different locations during a three-month period from December 2017 to February 2018. The presence of four emerging species in Europe (Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, Dirofilaria immitis and Eucoleus aerophilus) was revealed in red foxes of Serbia. Crenosoma vulpis and E. aerophilus were detected in foxes in both the plain and the mountainous areas across the country. Dirofilaria immitis is distributed in red foxes near alluvial rivers in Vojvodina province (northern Serbia). Angiostrongylosis caused by A. vasorum was demonstrated to exist in two enzootic foci with a high percentage of infected foxes in a plain area of northern Serbia. To the best of our knowledge, C. vulpis and A. vasorum were discovered for the first time in red foxes in central Serbia. The results provide strong evidence for veterinarians to take into consideration the parasitic nematodes discovered in red foxes in the differential diagnosis of diseases of companion animals. In the context of the ‘One Health’ approach the results related to the distribution of the zoonotic species E. aerophilus and D. immitis can be useful for medical epidemiology

Seasonal variations of trace element contents in leaves and bark of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in urban and industrial regions in Serbia

In this study, we examined the ability of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) to capture heavy metals, and whether its capacity to absorb metals from soil is associated with surrounding ecological characteristics and sources of pollution. We studied the seasonal accumulation of B, Cu, Sr and Zn in leaves and bark, and the chlorophyll content in the common deciduous tree Aesculus hippocastanum L. in four urban parks in Pančevo, Smederevo, Obrenovac and Belgrade (Serbia) affected by different anthropogenic activities. The research included plants from a control site located within the zone of a former oak forest. Our findings suggest that there are potential ecological risks around Smederevo, Belgrade and Obrenovac due to elevated concentrations of B and Zn relative to the average concentrations described for worldwide soils, as well as national regulations. Substantial and toxic foliar accumulation of B was observed in Smederevo and Belgrade, and of Sr in both plant tissues at all sites. However, the Cu and Zn contents in leaves were not enough to meet the physiological needs of plants. Chlorophyll a and the total carotenoid content peaked in August under the most unfavorable conditions of the year, which may be considered as an adaptive mechanism. The obtained results showed the remarkable complexity of environmental conditions and the difficulties A. hippocastanum, as a species, has to overcome. Under conditions of different types of urban and industrial pollution, A. hippocastanum showed great element accumulation potential and could be regarded as both an accumulator and a response indicator, since its leaves are quite susceptible to damage.Archives of Biological Sciences (2017), 69(2): 201-21

Analysis of benzoic and cinnamic acid derivatives of some medicinal plants in Serbia

Natural phenolics, which are ubiquitously distributed in plants, have been reported as functional factors in phytotherapy. We have examined phenolic compounds in the leaves and inflorescences of five significant medicinal plants of different plant families: Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae); Achillea clypeolata (Asteraceae); Nymphaea alba (Nymphaeaceae); Rumex acetosella (Polygonaceae) and Allium ursinum (Alliaceae). The examined species were rich in total phenolics (up to 30.88 mg/g dry weight). According to their total phenolics contents, the plants can be arranged in the following order: A. clypeolata>N. alba>S. officinalis>R. acetosella>A. ursinum. Free phenolics prevailed in all species in comparison to the bound forms (63.72-82.68% of total phenolics). The highest content of total free phenolics was measured in the tissues of A. clypeolata and N. alba, and the lowest in A. ursinum. Five phenolic acids were isolated and measured. p-Coumaric and ferulic acids as derivatives of cinnamic acid prevailed in the leaves of R. acetosella and A. ursinum (up to 4.81%).Projekat ministarstva br. 17301

Semantic Search Engine as tool for clinical decision support in Register for Acute Coronary Syndrome

This paper presents the implementation and use of Semantic Search Engine (SSE) as part of knowledge management system functionalities in Register for Acute Coronary Syndrome (REACS). REACS SSE is part of a clinical decision support system and is used as an aid in decision making in clinical processes related to the care and treatment of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

Phase morphological and antimicrobial properties of HAp-TiO2 nanomaterials obtained by different synthesis route

Due to the growing number of people infected with the new corona virus in the world, there is an increase in bacterial infections, which weakens the immunity. New knowledge about simple and low cost synthesis methods of materials with good structural and antimicrobial properties are of great importance nowadays. Combination of bio ceramic Hydroxyapatite material with good biocompatible characteristics and Titanium dioxide material with good degradation properties of organic molecules when combine together has ability to absorb and decompose the bacteria. Hydroxyapatite/titanium dioxide nanomaterials have been prepared by tree different synthesis route. The morphology and semi quantitative chemical analysis were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). Phase and structural characterization of obtained materials were determined using X-ray powder diffraction method (XRD). The crystallite sizes of the obtained materials were evaluated in the average range from 8 nm to 15 nm. Due to phase analysis by XRD characterization the peak shows presence of anatase phase with hydroxyapatite. Based on XRD peaks positions the hexagonal hydroxyapatite phases are formed in every synthesis route with TiO2 anatase phase. The microstructural studies confirmed that the nanosized HAp coated in a different way with TiO2 depending on a synthesis route. EDX analysis confirmed presence of Ti, Ca, P, O in obtained materials. The IR spectroscopy confirmed vibrational bands characteristic for HAp and titanium with anatase phase. The investigated materials show satisfactory antimicrobial properties