CHEMICAL REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGIES

Environmental pollution remains one of the most serious world problems. Great efforts are made to limit the release of harmful compounds into the environment, and a variety of methods for remediation of soil, surface water and groundwater have been developed over the years. Chemical remediation technologies are of great interest since they can remove and degrade pollutants in contaminated sites. This paper focuses on several chemical remediation technologies, such as precipitation, flocculation, adsorption and ion-exchange, chemical oxidation, soil washing and flushing and electrokinetic remediation. Remediation technologies are almost always combined with one another, although they can be used separately. Choosing an appropriate techonolgy will depend on the type of the pollutants and site conditions, and it should be done in such manner so that the most cost-effective and efficient technology is chosen. Even though some of the technologies are used full-scale, research should be focused on enhancing the existing, and developing new remediation technologies

LAMOTRIGINE VERSUS LITHIUM AUGMENTATION OF ANTIDEPRESSANT THERAPY IN TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION: EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY

Background: Mood stabilizer augmentation of standard antidepressant drugs has been shown to be effective in treatment-resistant depression. Despite the reported high overall efficacy, lithium has been relatively underused in recent years. Lamotrigine, a novel anticonvulsant recently recognized as a mood stabilizer, seems to have putative antidepressive properties. The aim of the study was to investigate lamotrigine efficacy and tolerability as antidepressant augmentation for unipolar treatment-resistant depression compared to lithium. Subjects and methods: 88 patients suffering from treatment-resistant Major depressive disorder, having acute recurrent depressive episodes according to DSMIV criteria, were enrolled in the study. This was an open-label trial with a flexible dosing regimen. All patients, received antidepressants in full therapeutic doses. They were divided into two augmentation groups: 46 patients received 50-200 mg/day lamotrigine, and 42 patients received 600-1200 mg/day lithium. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and The Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI) were used to monitor therapeutic efficacy. Patients were evaluated weekly for an 8 week treatment period. Results: The HAM-D total score was significantly reduced in both treatment groups at the study endpoint, without any difference between the groups. However, significant clinical improvement was reached within the second treatment week in the lamotrigine group compared to the lithium group (p=0.01 vs. lithium). Lamotrigine showed significant efficacy on the HAM-D item 1(depressed mood; p=0.01), item 7 (work and interest; p=0.01) and CGI-Improvement scale (p=0.02). The drop-out rate due to treatment failure was lower in the lamotrigine group (n=1) compared to the lithium (n=4) group. Also, the incidence of side effects did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that lamotrigine could be useful as augmentation of antidepressants for treatment-resistant unipolar depression. Also, lamotrigine may accelerate the onset of antidepressant action, and therefore might be useful in treatment of major depression in general

The Life and Work of Ksenija Atanasijević (1894-1981) - Psychology and Anthropology as the Inevitability and Necessity of Philosophy

Ksenija Atanasijević (1894-1981) was the first woman in Serbia to obtain a Ph. D. in philosophy. Going through numerous psychological metamorphoses in her lifetime and confronted with numerous challenges, Ksenija Atanasijević developed a specific philosophical-psychological system of consolation prominently featuring the concepts of happiness, bliss, moderation, courage and wisdom. Modifying the original teachings of Democritus and Epicurus, Ksenija Atanasijević developed a distinctive anthropology based on confrontation with but equally the overcoming of obstacles, both internal (spiritual) as well as external ones. The philosopheress developed a reflexive and indeed metaphysical defensive psychotherapeutical skill at the root of which was cleansing the soul, as well as dedication to the realm of fancy, fantasy and imagination. Ksenija Atanasijević also had precious literary talent which was best expressed in her analyses of the poetry and prose of great Serbian writers (Pandurović, Njegoš, Nastasijević, etc.). It is quite certain that this, with Anica Savić-Rebac, definitely greatest Serbian philosopheress, through personal suffering, creative solitude and shrouded desperation built an utterly authentic and harmonious system of philosophical comfort

The Life and Work of Ksenija Atanasijević (1894-1981) - Psychology and Anthropology as the Inevitability and Necessity of Philosophy

Ksenija Atanasijević (1894-1981) was the first woman in Serbia to obtain a Ph. D. in philosophy. Going through numerous psychological metamorphoses in her lifetime and confronted with numerous challenges, Ksenija Atanasijević developed a specific philosophical-psychological system of consolation prominently featuring the concepts of happiness, bliss, moderation, courage and wisdom. Modifying the original teachings of Democritus and Epicurus, Ksenija Atanasijević developed a distinctive anthropology based on confrontation with but equally the overcoming of obstacles, both internal (spiritual) as well as external ones. The philosopheress developed a reflexive and indeed metaphysical defensive psychotherapeutical skill at the root of which was cleansing the soul, as well as dedication to the realm of fancy, fantasy and imagination. Ksenija Atanasijević also had precious literary talent which was best expressed in her analyses of the poetry and prose of great Serbian writers (Pandurović, Njegoš, Nastasijević, etc.). It is quite certain that this, with Anica Savić-Rebac, definitely greatest Serbian philosopheress, through personal suffering, creative solitude and shrouded desperation built an utterly authentic and harmonious system of philosophical comfort

Kvalitet života povezan sa zdravstvenim stanjem studenata medicine - komparativna studija

Background/Aim. Previous studies on medical students' subjective perception of health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) showed inconclusive results. Moreover, there are no published studies to compare HRQoL of medical students to non-medical university students. The aim of the study was to assess subjective perception of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in medical students' sample, to compare it with non-medical university stu-dents and to ascertain predictors of better perception of HRQoL in medical students. Methods. Scores of all domains on the Mental and Physical Component Summary subscales and total score of the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), used for assessment of HRQoL in samples of 561 medical and 332 non-medical university students were assessed and compared. In addition, linear regression to identify predictors of better perception of mental and physical components of HRQoL and overall HRQoL in the sample of medical students was used. The dependant variables were subscores and total score with the SF- 36, and independent variables were certain sociodemographic and academic characteristics of the students. Results. Medical students had statistically significantly higher scores on the Mental Component Summary and total SF-36 score compared to non-medical students. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that higher scores of Physical Component Summary were associated with age, male sex and the year of studies. The Mental Component Summary were associated with age, male sex, the year of studies and marital status. The total SF-36 score was associated with age, male sex and the year of studies. Conclusion. Medical students perceive their health much better than other university students do, but female, older and second grade medical students have worse perception of their HRQoL. Those points should be potential target areas for specific prevention and treatment in order to achieve better HRQoL.Uvod/Cilj. Dosadašnje studije subjektivne percepcije zdravlja i kvaliteta života povezanog sa zdravstvenim stanjem (HRQoL) studenata medicine pokazale su kontradiktorne rezultate. Štaviše, ne postoje objavljene studije koje su poredile HRQoL studenata medicine i studenata ne- medicinskih fakulteta. Cilj ove studije bio je da se proceni subjektivna percepcija HRQoL na uzorku studenata medicine, da se uporedi sa percepcijom HRQoL studenata ne- medicinskih fakulteta i da se utvrde prediktori bolje percepcije HRQoL kod studenata medicine. Metode. Uzorak za istraživanje obuhvatio je 561 studenta medicine i 332 studenta ne-medicinskih fakulteta Univerziteta u Beogradu. Istraživanje je obavljeno uz pomoć Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) upitnika koji procenjuje mentalnu i fizičku komponentu, kao i ukupan skor subjektivne procene kvaliteta života vezanog za zdravstveno stanje. Upoređeni su skorovi sa zbirne skale i supskala dve grupe studenata. Pored toga, korišćena je i linearna regresija da bi se procenili prediktori boljeg sagledavanja ukupnog skora i mentalne i fizičke komponente HRQoL na uzorku studenata medicine. Zavisne varijable bile su supskorovi i ukupan skor sa SF- 36 upitnika, a nezavisne varijable sociodemografske i akademske karakteristike ispitanika. Rezultati. Studenti medicine imali su statistički značajno više skorove na supskali mentalnog zdravlja i na ukupnom skoru SF-36 upitnika u odnosu na studente ne-medicinskih fakulteta. Linearna regresija pokazala je da su viši skorovi fizičke komponente povezani sa godinama starosti, muškim polom i godinom studija; viši skorovi mentalne komponente povezani sa godinama starosti, muškim polom, godinom studija i bračnim statusom. Ukupan SF-36 skor povezan je sa godinama starosti, muškim polom i godinom studija. Zaključak. Studenti medicine gledaju na svoje zdravstveno stanje mnogo bolje nego studenti ne-medicinskih fakulteta. Ipak, devojke, stariji studenti i studenti druge godine medicine imaju lošiju percepciju svog kvaliteta života koji se vezuje za zdravlje. Ovo bi trebalo da budu fokusi za specifičnu prevenciju i eventualnu terapiju u cilju postizanja boljeg kvaliteta života studenata medicine

Different levels of epidermal growth factor signaling modifies the differentiation of specific cell types in mouse postnatal retina

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling has been implicated in the regulation of the differentiation and proliferation of retinal progenitors. We assessed how different levels of EGF signaling, achieved either by increasing receptor expression or via addition of the exogenous ligand, or an increase in both, can affect the differentiation of progenitors in the first week of postnatal retinal development in the model system of retinal explants (REs). Proliferating progenitor cells in REs were infected with either the control CLV3/ESR-related peptide family (CLE)-green fluorescent protein (GFP)-or with EGF receptor (EGFR)-GFP-expressing retrovirus, and grown in the control medium or in the presence of exogenous EGF (10 ng/mL). The differentiation of infected cells into Muller glia (Sox9+), rod photoreceptors (rhodopsin+) and horizontal cells (calbindin+) was analyzed. In all the examined conditions, infected cells differentiated into Muller glia and rod photoreceptors that normally develop postnatally. Horizontal cells finished their development during the embryonic stages and progenitors infected with control-GFP virus did not differentiate into GFP+/calbindin-in either control or EGFsupplemented medium, however, cells infected with EGFR-GFP differentiated into horizontal cells (GFP+/calbindin+) in both culture conditions. These results imply that altering the levels of EGFR and/or the amount of the EGF ligand can overcome progenitor competence restriction

First comprehensive monitoring of inclusive education in Serbia: selected findings

The paper authored by Tinde Kovač-Cerović, Dragica Pavlović-Babić, Tijana Jokić, Olja Jovanović and Vitomir Jovanović First comprehensive monitoring of inclusive education in Serbia: selected findings, presents selected findings of the first comprehensive evaluation of inclusive education in Serbia, five years after its systemic introduction. This evaluation is based on indicators defined by the Framework for monitoring inclusive education in Serbia. The research was conducted on a representative sample of 28 schools, and it encompassed 1537 students, 794 parents and 742 teachers. The structure of the framework, which implies predefined indicators and criteria, as well as the assessment of that same indicator by various informants, enabled the identification of the areas which are strong points in our education system, as well as areas that require immediate system development. The results of the monitoring constitute a reliable basis for improving the policy and practice of inclusive education in Serbia.Collection name : Library „PEDAGOŠKA TEORIJA I PRAKSA” 4

The effect of UV-irradiation on the thermal stability of modified urea-formaldehyde resins with thermally activated montmorillonite

The montmorillonite as a 2:1 smectite type clay has two tetrahedral sheets of silica sandwiching the alumina octahedral sheet. The particles of this mineral are plate-shaped with the thickness of 0.96 nm and an average diameter about 1 μm. This type of clay (K10) is using to improve the characteristics of different materials in the fields of catalysis, food additives, polymers, sorbents, etc. In this study thermally activated montmorillonite (DK10) was used because the thermal treatment alters its properties. The degree of activation was determined using specific surface measurement (Sear’s method). The specific surface area (SSA) of K10 was 119 m2/g but after the thermal treatmant it was 317.4 m2/g. The effect of UV-irradiation on the thermal stability of a urea-formaldehide resin (UF) nanocomposites based on DTK10 was assessed. For this purpose UF nanocomposites were synthesized and irradiated using UV light at two wavelengths l (254 and 366 nm). Characterization of nanocomposites with modified and not modified clay was performed using XRD, FTIR, and TG/DTA analysis. The peaks at 2q values of 26.74, 26.6, 26.54, 26.6 originate from quartz in sample DTK10, non-irradiated UF/DTK10 and UV-irradiated sample at l=254 nm and l= 366nm, respectively. From the IR spectra it was assessed that intensity of the carboxyl group at 1630 cm−1 decreased with UVirradiation in modified nanocomposite. The aliphatic stretch band about 2956 cm−1 and –C–O band at 1130 cm−1 also decreases due to the formation of hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups on the DTK10 surface. Based on thermogravimetric measurements it was estimated that before and after UV-irradiation modified UF/DTK10 nanocomposites have almost identical temperature intervals in which degradation processes are occurred. The total mass loss for non-irradiated and irradiated UF/DTK10 was 60.18, 55.26 and 58.6%, respectivelyIX International Conference on Radiation in Various Fields of Research : RAD 2021 : book of abstracts; June 14-18, 2021; Herceg Novi, Montenegr

Zeolite and Bentonite as Formaldehyde Scavengers in Urea-Formaldehyde Resins

Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins are the leading adhesive in the wood industry. Their disadvantages are low water resistance and formaldehyde (FA) emissions from wood panels due to the low stability of the amino-methylene bond. Since FA has a detrimental effect on the environment and human health, the main goal of the modern adhesives industry is to produce efficient UF adhesives with low amounts of emitted, if not without, FA. One way to achieve this is to add a formaldehyde scavenger. In this work, UF resins modified with zeolite type ZSM-5 and bentonite as free FA scavengers are analyzed and compared. A total of three UF resins were synthesized: pure UF resin (UF), UF composite containing zeolite (ZUF), and bentonite (BUF) under the same conditions. Specific surface area (SSA) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) for bentonite and zeolite were determined. SSA (Sears' method) for bentonite is 19.9 m2/g and for zeolite 39.1 m2/g. The CEC of bentonite is 0.68 mol/kg, and that of zeolite is 0.1 mol/kg. The disulfide method was used to determine free FA in modified UF resins. The amount of free FA in the ZUF composite is 0.06%, while in the BUF composite is 0.18%. The hydrolytic stability of modified UF resins was determined by measuring the amount of liberated FA in the modified UF resins after acid hydrolysis. The results show that the amount of released FA in the ZUF composite is 4.08%, while in the BUF resin, it is 4.8%. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that zeolite is a better scavenger of free FA than bentonite and that its ZUF composite is hydrolytically more stable than the BUF composite.15th International symposium „Novel technologies and sustainable development", October 20-21 2023, Leskovac

Genetic Polymorphisms of Neurocardiovascular Disorders

The autonomic nervous control of cardiovascular (CV) system plays a major role in the adaptation of the organism to the changes in external and internal environment. It’s dysfunction is the major pathophysiological factor in the development of neurocardiovascular diseases. The aim of this review is to present the state of the art on the role of candidate gene polymorphisms of the molecules in the signaling chain of neurocardiovascular transmission in neurocardiovascular diseases. Neurocardiovascular disorders can be classified as sympathetic vs. vagally mediated disorders, though in many disorders both systems are dysfunctional. A number of molecules along the signaling pathway can be functionally modified and be the background of the predisposition, faster progression or complicated form of the disease. When the disease is the consequence of the joined parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system disequilibrium, the focus of neurogenetic research should be on molecules providing the cross-talk between the two systems: on intercellular and intracellular level and on the level of the signaling process integration. An aggregation of positive results for the association between certain genes and different neurocardiovascular phenotypes pointed on a specific "neurocardiovascular genetic hotspots". Identification of these genes could be of particular interest as a diagnostic tool in the clustered form of neurocardiovascular diseases. New data obtained from neurogenetic approach will improve the disease outcome by gene, pharmacologic and behavioral modulation of the autonomic nervous system