Digital Manufacturing in SMEs based on the context of the Industry 4.0 framework-one approach

Serbia is rapidly working on the development and implementation of digital manufacturing models in SMEs, through the national Industry 4.0 Platform. The aim is to create a pilot intelligent workshop which would be used to develop and showcase examples of best practice for digital manufacturing. Currently, most SMEs use CAD, CAM, ERP models, which form the basis for the development of the concept of digital manufacturing through cloud computing, BDA, IIoT and smart supply-chains, as elements of Industry 4.0. This paper gives a practical example of an SME with all the above-mentioned elements of digital manufacturing

Digital Manufacturing in SMEs based on the context of the Industry 4.0 framework-one approach

Serbia is rapidly working on the development and implementation of digital manufacturing models in SMEs, through the national Industry 4.0 Platform. The aim is to create a pilot intelligent workshop which would be used to develop and showcase examples of best practice for digital manufacturing. Currently, most SMEs use CAD, CAM, ERP models, which form the basis for the development of the concept of digital manufacturing through cloud computing, BDA, IIoT and smart supply-chains, as elements of Industry 4.0. This paper gives a practical example of an SME with all the above-mentioned elements of digital manufacturing

Use of the hurst exponent for analysis of electrocortical epileptiform activity induced in rats by administration of camphor essential oil or 1,8-cineole

In this study, we investigated the presence of long-range correlation effects in the electrocortical activity of rats using the Hurst exponent (H) calculated by dispersion analysis (DA) and an aggregated variance method (AGV). A slow decline of the autocorrelation function during time expansion and the existence of a correlation between distant time points of electrocorticograms (ECoGs) were shown to be typical of various pathophysiological states. In these cases, the H values were within a 0.5 < H < 1 range. A particularly slow decay of the autocorrelation function is typical of a long-range dependence (LRD). We found that ECoGs after i.p. administrations of camphor essential oil or its main constituent, 1,8-cineole, included attacks of uncontrolled electrical discharges and showed the presence of longrange correlation effects. Such findings are in agreement with recent data obtained by other authors and suggest that initiation of seizures can be predicted by certain ECoG indices. We estimated the critical period where the H values for ECoGs containing uncontrolled electrical discharges continuously increased within a few minutes before the attack. We believe that the AGV demonstrates certain advantages over DA in calculations of the H.Ми виявляли присутність ділянок тривалої кореляції в електрокортикограмах (ЕКоГ) щурів, використовуючи побудову експоненти Харста (Н). Останню розраховували на основі дисперсійного аналізу (DA) або методу згрупованих варіанс (AGV). В ЕКоГ, зареєстрованих у різних фізіологічних станах, спостерігалися повільне затухання аутокореляційної функції при розтягненні часової шкали та кореляція між віддаленими часовими точками. У цих випадках значення Н знаходилося в діапазоні 0.5<H<1.0. Особливо повільне затухання аутокореляційної функції свідчить про наявність довгодіапазонної залежності (LRD). Ми встановили, що в ЕКоГ, зареєстрованих після внутрішньоочеревинних ін’єкцій камфорної олії або її основного активного компонента 1,8-цинеолу, були наявні спалахи неконтрольованих розрядів (епілептиформні епізоди) та прояви тривалої кореляції. Ці спостереження узгоджуються з результатами, про котрі повідомляли інші автори, та вказують на можливість передбачати можливий розвиток судомної активності. Як виявилося, критичний період, у межах котрого величина Н для ЕКоГ з наявністю епілептиформних епізодів і котрий передує розвитку судомної активності, складає декілька хвилин. Ми вважаємо, що метод AGV при розрахунку Н має преференції порівняно з DА

Heavy Metals Distribution, Environmental and Health Risk, Sources, and Origin in Soil from European Beech Forests

Forests cover about 40% of Earth’s surface, while is 42% of the European Unions’ total land area is covered by forests and wooded land [1]. Forest ecosystems are open and dynamic systems that exchange matter with other systems such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere [1]. Nowadays, in addition to the exchange of substances necessary for its functioning, there is also an exchange of polluting substances. Heavy metals in forest soil can originate from natural and anthropogenic processes and their high concentration can be toxic for ecosystems and humans [2]. The aim of this study is to determine: (i) heavy metal distribution in forest soil; (ii) environmental and health risk; (iii) the source of heavy metals; (iv) the origin of heavy metals; and (v) influence of the geological substrate on heavy metal contents. Soil samples were collected from European mountain beech forests in 11 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. Since European beech forests grow on a wide range of geological settings, during this research terrestrial ecosystems that lie on five major bedrock groups (andesite, carbonate, conglomerate, granite, and sandstone) were investigated. The average abundance order of heavy metal contents in forest soil samples is Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > Co > Cd. According to geo-statistical analysis soil samples with the lowest heavy metal contents belong to cambisol soil type, on sandstone, and granite substrate, and with the highest contents belong luvisols and rendzina soil types on limestone and dolomite substrate. The concentration of most heavy metals doesn’t show a systematic pattern with depth. Considering enrichment factor (EF) Pb, Sb, Cd and As, have moderate enrichment, or moderately severe enrichment in the surface soil layer. Mercury has severe enrichment. The highest values of hazard quotient pathways are noticed for ingestion in the children population, especially in the case of Pb. The Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a positive correlation among most of the elements indicating one or more common sources of heavy metals. Based on the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) V, Ni, Cu and Th were provided the highest percentage contribution for Factor 1, As, and Se for Factor 1 and Factor 3, Hg for Factor 4, and Cd for Factor 5. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that Principle Component 1 (PC1) was mainly loaded with V, Ni, Cu, As, Se, and Th with similar high values, and Cd and Hg were strongly correlated in the Principle Component 2 (PC2). Taking into account all results it can be concluded that heavy metal concentrations in European beech forests soil are mainly determined by the geological substrate

The Anions Profile as an Important Property of Soil in European Beech Forests

As the forests decrease in their size and quality, the forest ecosystems, as well as the ecosystems services and climate also change. Hence many of the animals and plants are relocated or brought into jeopardy of distinguishing. Directly and indirectly climate changes affect the growth and productivity of forests through changes in soil properties, temperature, draught, atmospehric falls and other factors. The effects of climate change on soils are expected mainly through alteration in soil moisture conditions and increase in soil temperature and CO2 levels [1]. These changes influence complex forest ecosystems since concentration of soil organic carbon, nitrogen cycles, water and nutrient retention, filter functions and erosion control are also affected. The hustle enviroment lead to forest extiction due to changes in the formation and conservation of soil structure, available water-holding capacity, soil nutrient cycling, and soil biodiversity transport of nutrients. The forest trees slowly extinct, decompose and change nitrogen cycles, content of organic carbon and other factors that influence the rest of forests ecosystems. In this study, the most abundant anions of European beech forest soils were investigated due to their specific roles in forests ecosystems. The carbonate and sulfate play important role in soil structure, water holding capacity and soil density. On the other hand, phosphate and nitrate ions can be regarded as markers of undisturbed forest ecosystems. The chloride is relatively uninvolved in neither biological nor inorganic chemical reactions [2]. Leaching in forest soils is limited by physco chemical reactions and roots needs. The framework of this study is to develop adequate database of forest ecosystems, and their response to climate change. This will involve analysis of physicochemical properties, anion and elemental composition. For that purpose, 80 soil samples from 15 soil profiles (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-40 cm and 40-80 cm) were collected from beech forests of Spain, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia (Figure 1). Dionex ICS 3000 was used for anion analysis. The obtained results pointed out relatioship of sulfate and carbonate according to the soil type, while others anions did not exhibit such behavior. Climate change leads to leaching of basic cations which leaves the soils more acidified and this can be even more severe in soils containing high concentrations of sulfates [3]. The database of the major anion profile can be used for building apropriate model for assessing and predicting the effects of the climate changes on forest ecosystems The outcomes of this study will be compiled with the research conducted on pollution induced and climate change effects regarding aquatic, atmospheric and terrestrial systems, which will be operationalized in a geo-spatial and temporal forecasting model. The obtained models may be used as screening techniques for predicting the environmental stress caused by climate change in forest mountain regions

Application of Nature-Based Solutions in Serbian Protected Area Management for the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals

Healthy natural ecosystems, such as protected areas (PA), support and sustain biodiversity and human well-being by providing essential ecosystem services and health benefits. However, maintaining such ecosystems to provide these environmental benefits becomes a more and more challenging issue with climate changes, biodiversity loss, land degradation and the continued erosion of the natural capital, particularly in the developing world. The main objective of this research is to establish a methodology for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 “Life on Land”. The methodology will include the determination of heavy metals in soil and needle samples, and questioners for different stakeholders: local people, local businesses, government, civil society organizations (CSO), and the academic community. Soils are integral components of protected area ecosystems. Soil health has been defined as “the capacity of soil to function as a vital living system, within an ecosystem and land-use boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and promote plant and animal health” [1]. This definition speaks to the importance of managing soils, so they remain sustainable for future generations. On the other hand, the conifer needles are good bioindicators of ecosystem conditions. The questioner will allow obtaining data about the social and economic benefits of the PAs. The soil and needle samples from four protected areas in Serbia (Zlatibor, Golija, Tara, Đerdap) were analyzed using Inductively coupled plasma –optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Quantitative pollution indices were calculated (Enrichment factor (EF), Contamination factor (Cf), Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), Pollution load index (PLI), and Degree of contamination (Cd)), since they are effective tools for converting the raw environmental data into information relevant to support decision-making [2]. Results of this study provide a scientifically-based overview of the conditions of soil health and health of the forest ecosystem and help to propose nature-based solutions (NBS) for enhancing the sustainability of management, especially in the context of improving ecosystem services and climate change adaptation and mitigation. NBS provide affordable, sustainable, and feasible benefits that contribute to improving soil quality and support several ecosystem services relevant to support public health and social well-being [4]. Results of this study use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 15 “Life on Land” as a global framework for establishing the partnership between PA managers, conservationists and local authorities that would enhance health and increase environmental, social and economic benefits of the PAs

Judd-Ofelt parametrization from emission spectra: The case study of the Eu3+ 5D1 emitting level

Traditional applications of the Judd-Ofelt (JO) theory to the analysis of the Eu3+ optical spectra make use of the emission transitions originating from the 5D0 manifold. In the present paper, we report an alternative method of evaluating the JO intensity parameters from the Eu3+ emission spectra based on the 5D1 → 7F0,1 transitions. The reduced matrix elements of the unit tensor operators are re-calculated for the 5D0,1,2 → 7F0,1,…,6 Eu3+ transitions in the intermediate coupling approximation using the average electrostatic and spin-orbit coupling parameters. The suggested method was tested by analyzing the emission spectra of the Eu3+ doped GdAlO3, LaF3, NaYF4, Y2O3, ZrO2, YNbO4, ZBLA and PIGLZ hosts. It is shown that the developed method is more accurate for the hosts with relatively high 5D1 level population, which emphasizes its high potential and applicability. In addition to the JO analysis, the CIE chromaticity coordinates are calculated for the investigated spectra. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Effects of substrates and temperatures on Cynara cardunculus L. seed germination

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of substrates and temperatures on Cynara cardunculus seed germination. The tests encompassed the following substrates - filter paper, sand and compost. The follow-ing temperature regimes were applied on each substrate used for germination tests: 20/30°C (T 1), 20°C (T 2) and 25°C after 10-day chilling at 10°C (T 3). The analysis of variance showed that there were statistically significant differences between the first counts and the total seed germination, depending on the substrate type, tempera-ture regime and medium × temperature regime interaction The highest germination was detected on filter paper, whereas the lowest was on sand. Furthermore, the highest germination was determined at a constant temperature of 20°C (T 2), while the lowest, at a temperature regime of 25°C after 10-day chilling at 10°C (T 3)

Changes in hydrocarbons and elemental distribution in peloids during maturation processes (Sečovlje Salina Nature Park Slovenia)

In Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, the therapeutic mud matured in the natural sedimentary environmental site. This work aimed to determine the influence of the peloid maturation process on the hydrocarbon and elemental distributions, as well as changes in morphology. For this purpose, the sample before and after maturation was examined using various methods. n-Alkanes were the most abundant among saturated hydrocarbons in both immature and mature peloid samples. The results showed that the maturation mainly influenced the change in distribution and concentration (from 378 to 1958 ppm) of n-alkanes. The organic matter (OM) of the immature peloid sample was characterized by a slight prevalence of long-chain and odd carbon-numbered n-alkanes, maximizing at n-C27. However, mature peloid's OM showed a similar share of short-, mid- and long-chain n-alkanes with a slight dominance of short-chain members, maximizing at n-C16. The origin of short-chain and even carbon-numbered n-alkanes was attributed to microbial precursors (e.g., Leptolyngbyaceae). Hopanes were considerably more dominant compared to steranes in both peloids. The hopane series of immature peloid was characterized by the dominance of 22,29,30-trinor-hop-5(6)-ene (C27 hopene), as well as the presence of C30-hop-22(29)-ene (diploptene), which are widespread in cyanobacterial species. The aromatic fraction of immature peloid pointed to the predominance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). As peloid aging progressed, the sample was richer in methyl-branched alkanes, carboxylic acids, their methyl esters, and thermodynamically more stable hopanes and steranes. The presence of elements with toxicological relevance during maturation was reduced below the limits prescribed in most of the directives for cosmetic products. It specifically refers to: As, Ni and Se. A higher concentration of total sulfur in the mature peloid can be related to gypsum precipitation in the summer and/or more intensive microbial activity