21st Century engineering challenges observed through computer vision syndrome

Inženjerski posao početkom novog tisućljeća više se ne može zamisliti bez računala. Inženjeri koji u svom radu koriste računala ili neke druge ekrane za promatranje, kako za projektiranje, tako i u fazama rada u proizvodnji, izloženi su utjecaju sindroma računalnog oka. U ovom radu definiran je sindrom računalnog oka, objašnjen je njegov nastanak i izložene su njegove posljedice. U središnjem dijelu rada dani su rezultati istraživanja provedenog u Republici Srbiji o pitanju poznavanja korisnika računala, uočenim simptomima ovog sindroma i postojanju sindroma računalnog oka. Na kraju rada izložena su rješenja za smanjenje i sprječavanje nastanka promatranog sindroma.In the beginning of the new millennium, professional engineering cannot be imagined exclusive of the use of computers. Engineers who use computers or some other monitoring display terminals, both in design and various manufacturing phases, have been exposed to the effects of computer vision syndrome. Computer has become almost an indispensable piece of equipment both in the office and at home. This paper defines the computer vision syndrome, describes its genesis and explains related consequences. In the central part of this paper, results are presented of the research conducted in the Republic of Serbia regarding computer users, detected computer vision syndrome symptoms as well as the genuine actuality of computer vision syndrome among computer users. The final part of the paper offers possible solutions for reducing the effects and preventing occurrence of the observed syndrome

Access to finance for organic producers in Serbia: demand side

The aim of this paper is to identify the problems faced by organic producers when trying to access inance in Serbia. Previous research and experience show that demand for inancial services in the segment of organic producers is higher than the supply, and that neither commercial banks nor other inancial institutions are willing or able to meet inancial needs within the value chain. Due to such situation, agricultural producers are stuck in the “missing middle” segment which lacks funding sources. This study uses questionnaires designed speciically to obtain farm-level data in order to evaluate the shortcomings of the farm credit system. The study shows that access to inance is one of the biggest constraints faced by organic producers and that the existing mechanisms for agricultural funding are not adequate

The Influence of Open Source Software on Creativity, Communication and Students’ Social Life

Today’s global, knowledge-based society and economy need creative thinkers in all fields: engineering, medicine, arts, entrepreneurship and education. Educational institutions are tasked with finding new ways of encouraging students to become creative both as individuals and groups. Still, motivation and creativity are only a few of the primary educational goals. They are ambiguous by nature, theoretical, and hard to implement in the real world. Nevertheless, it is a common belief that creativity is an important trait that students should possess in order to face the quickly evolving world. The purpose of this study is to examine the related published works on games, software, imagination, education and creativity. We seek to gather useful information that would both draw attention to this problem and how Open-Source Software (OSS), as a model, can drive students’ creativity

Comparative analysis of development funds for Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia

Formation, growth, development and survival of SMEs, as the backbone of a country's economic development, depend significantly on the availability of capital in countries in which they operate. In conditions of low supply in capital market activities, development funds become even more significant for the SMEs sector. In this paper we will deal with the importance of development funds and their impact on the increase and acceleration of economic activity in the economies of Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia. Using the method of comparative analysis of the Development Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Investment and Development Fund of Montenegro and the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development, we will analyze their impact on businesses and economy as a whole through capital investments to small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs. The analysis will show that the environment and the level of development of business entities, and their capacity for further development have an important influence on the activities of development funds. What is more, in this paper we will also address the significance of development funds for SMEs, as opposed to commercial banks, in terms of availability of funds, securities and capital circulation