Radioactive Isotopes in Soils and Their Impact on Plant Growth

In 1999, Serbia was bombarded by NATO. One of the cities most affected by the consequences of bombardment with uranium is the city of Vranje, where the consequences are felt even today. Due to the influence of uranium, the mortality rate has increased. This paper presents the effects of some of the radionuclides that have contaminated the soil, as well as the connection between soil and plants that grow on that soil. The performed measurements of radionuclides (226Ra, 40K, 232Th, 238U, and 235U). The results show that the content of each of these radionuclides has different concentrations, but what is important is that some values are even below the detection limit, corn <0.06 235U on the location Korbevac and wheat <0.04 235U on the location Bujkovac. On the three and all of these gated locations, the calculated values of the transfer factors for 40K were in the range of 0.144–0.392, while in the case of 226Ra, the transfer factors ranged from 0.008 to 0.074. Only one value (0.051) was obtained for the transfer factor of 232Th. Specific activities of 137Cs, as well as uranium isotopes, in all the investigated cereal samples, were below minimal detectable activity concentrations. The ratio of radionuclides in soil and plants is of great importance for human nutrition

Transfer Factors for ,,The Soil-Cereals System in the Region of Pcinja, Serbia

The aim of the paper was to estimate the values of transfer factors for natural radionuclides (K-40, Ra-226, Th-232, U-235, and U-238) and Cs-137 from soil to plants (cereals: wheat, corn and barley) as important parameters for the agricultures in the selection of the location and the sort of cereals to be planted on. The results presented in this paper refer to the ,,soil -cereals system in the region of Pcinja, Serbia. Total of 9 samples of soil and 7 samples of cereals were measured in the Department of Radiation and Environmental Protection, Irnica Institute of Nuclear Sciences, using three high -purity germanium detectors for gamma spectrometry measurements. In all the samples, transfer factors for Ra-226 are significantly lower than for K-40, but they are all in good agreement with the literature data. On the three investigated locations, the calculated values of transfer factors for K-40 were in the range of 0.144 to 0.392, while in the case of Ra-226, the transfer factors ranged from 0.008 to 0.074. Only one value (0.051) was obtained for transfer factor of Th-232. Specific activities of Cs-137, as well as uranium isotopes, in all the investigated cereal samples, were below minimal detectable activity concentrations. Also, the absorbed dose rate and the annual absorbed dose from the natural radionuclides in the soil, were calculated. The absorbed dose rate ranged from 49-86 nSv/h, while the annual absorbed dose ranged from 0.061-0.105 mSv. The measurements presented in this manuscript are the first to be conducted in the region of Pcinja, thus providing the results that can be used as a baseline for future measurements and monitoring

Measurement the Efficiency of Building Project Management

Construction industry has complexity in its nature because it contains large number of parties as clients, contractors, consultants, stakeholders, shareholders, regulators and others. Construction projects in Libya suffer from many problems and complex issues in performance such as cost, time and safety. The aim of this work is to identify and evaluate the main factors affecting the performance of construction projects in Libya. Literature review about performance was reviewed to identify the factors affecting the Performance of construction projects. In addition, other local factors have been added as recommended by local experts. Pilot study of the questionnaire was achieved by a scouting sample, which consisted of 30 questionnaires. A questionnaire survey was conducted and 63 factors were identified, categorized into 10 groups, evaluated and ranked from owners, consultants and constructors perspectives. 120 questionnaires were distributed as follows: 25 to owners, 35 to consultants and 60 to contractors. 88 questionnaires were received (73%) as follows: 17 (70%) from owners, 25 (72%) from consultants and 46 (77%) from contractors as respondents. The most important factors agreed by the owners, consultants and contractors were: average delay because of closures and materials shortage; availability of resources as planned through project duration; leadership skills for project manager; escalation of material prices; availability of personals with high experience and qualification; and quality of equipments and raw materials in project

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN URBAN AREAS BY INNOVATIVE PERMACULTURAL DESIGN

First two paramount problems of the world are food security and energy. Permaculture isa new interdisciplinary branch of the science, which has positive synergistic effects and solves bothproblems, including environmental care. The paper analyzed the holistic principles of permaculturedesign and possible application in the flats, gardens in the suburbs and/or in the countryside, the urbanland, fields and plots, on rural estates and cottages, in commercial and industrial applications, as well asin educational institutions and in the abandoned land. Permaculture as a set of knowledge aboutdesigning sustainable human communities, is a connection of the old traditional techniques, enrichedwith new knowledge and technologies in the field of architecture, construction, agriculture and forestry,chemistry, biology, sociology, urban planning, ecology, economy, energy, water and wastemanagement. Permaculture research answers on how to simultaneously grow food, build energyefficient dwellings and improve the functionality of urban communities while preserving theenvironment. Model of positive examples from international smart practice are presented

Natural and artificial radioactivity in some protected areas of south east Europe

The primary aim of this research is the investigation of natural and artificial radioactivity in protected areas of Kopaonik, Vlasina, and Rila Mountains. Soil samples (including lake sediment), drinkable spring water and conifers at mentioned locations of Southeast Europe, are chosen as study objects due to their importance for people and the environment in global. Specific activities of Ra-226, Th-232, K-40, U-238, U-235, Cs-137, Pb-210, and Be-7 are determined using gamma spectrometry and the obtained values compared with literature and mean world values. Risk assessment parameters and the soil-plant transfer factor were determined for Ra-226, K-40, (CS)-C-137, and Pb-210. This is the first radioactivity study of high mountain areas of Vlasina and Kopaonik in Serbia and Rila in Bulgaria and as such a baseline measurement and foundation for future research

Sustainable water resources management of Prokletije region

The main goal of this paper is the upgrading of classic economic analyses of optimal concept selection of small hydro development. Techno-economic small hydro system needs to be environmentally friendly and socially acceptable solution. Environmental and social parameters are quantified by Delphi method. They are results of Environmental and Social impact assessment study of the project. Environmental and social parameters are incorporated in the techno-economic analyses for the optimal sustainable concept of small hydro development, by Elektra method, as possible multi attributive operational research model. System of small hydro power plants optimization for Prokletije streams catchments area is case study where the developed model is tested and proofed. Economic cost and total investment of fifteen possible small hydro power plants has been upgraded with quantified environmental and social parameters and analyzed in the function of sustainable economic development of Prokletije region. </em

Large Graphene Quantum Dots Alleviate Immune-Mediated Liver Damage

We investigated the effect of large (40 nm) graphene quantum dots (GQDs) in concanavalin A (Con A; 12 mg/kg i.v.)-induced mouse hepatitis, a T cell-mediated liver injury resembling fulminant hepatitis in humans. Intravenously injected GQDs (50 mg/kg) accumulated in liver and reduced Con A-mediated liver damage, as demonstrated by histopathological analysis and a decrease in liver lipid peroxidation and serum levels of liver transaminases. The cleavage of apoptotic markers caspase-3/PARP and mRNA levels of proapoptotic mediators Puma, Noxa, Bax, Bak1, Bim, Apaf1, and p21, as well as LC3-I conversion to autophagosome-associated LC3-II and expression of autophagy-related (Atg) genes Atg4b, Atg7, Atg12, and beclin-1, were attenuated by GQDs, indicating a decrease in both apoptosis and autophagy in the liver tissue. This was associated with the reduced liver infiltration of immune cells, particularly the T cells producing proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ, and a decrease in IFN-γ serum levels. In the spleen of GQD-exposed mice, mRNA expression of IFN-γ and its transcription factor T-bet was reduced, while that of the IL-33 ligand ST2 was increased. The hepatoprotective effect of GQDs was less pronounced in ST2-deficient mice, indicating that it might depend on ST2 upregulation. <i>In vitro</i>, GQDs inhibited splenocyte IFN-γ production, reduced the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in macrophage and T cell lines, inhibited macrophage production of the free radical nitric oxide, and reduced its cytotoxicity toward hepatocyte cell line HepG2. Therefore, GQDs alleviate immune-mediated fulminant hepatitis by interfering with T cell and macrophage activation and possibly by exerting a direct hepatoprotective effect

Erratum to: Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition) (Autophagy, 12, 1, 1-222, 10.1080/15548627.2015.1100356

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