Type of housing as a factor of self-determination in persons with moderate intellectual disability

Uvod: Prethodna istraživanja su pokazala da je nivo samoodređenja osoba sa intelektualnom ometenošću determinisan različitim činiocima. Tip stanovanja je jedan od značajnih činilaca razvoja i praktikovanja te veštine. Cilj: Cilj rada je utvrđivanje razlika u nivou samoodređenja između osoba sa umerenom intelektualnom ometenošću koje žive u različitim tipovima stanovanja. Metode: Uzorkom je obuhvaćeno 87 odraslih osoba sa umerenom intelektualnom ometenošću, oba pola, koji žive u različitim tipovima stanovanja: u primarnim porodicama, institucijama ili programu stanovanja uz podršku. Za prikupljanje podataka o nivou samoodređenja korišćena je ARC skala samoodređenja. Rezultati: Utvrđene su statistički značajne razlike između ispitanika koji žive u različitim tipovima stanovanja na nivou ukupnog samoodređenja (F = 14,500; p < .001) i komponenti samoodređenja: autonomije (F = 17,995; p < .001), samoregulacije (F = 8,011; p = .001), psihološke osnaženosti (F = 15,634; p = .005) i samorealizacije (F = 5,837; p = .004). Nivo samoodređenja osoba sa umerenom intelektualnom ometenošću koje stanuju u zajednici uz podršku statistički je značajno viši od nivoa samoodređenja osoba koje stanuju u primarnim porodicama (p < .001) i institucijama (p = .004). Osobe koje stanuju u institucijama imaju viši nivo samoodređenja od onih koje žive sa svojim porodicama (p = .038). Zaključak: Stanovanje u zajednici uz podršku predstavlja optimalan ambijent za razvoj veština samoodređenja odraslih osoba sa umerenom intelektualnom ometenošću. Potrebno je intenzivirati praksu stanovanja u zajednici uz podršku za osobe sa umerenom intelektualnom ometenošću, s obzirom na to da je utvrđen stimulativan uticaj ovog tipa stanovanja na razvoj i praktikovanje ve- ština samoodređenog ponašanja.Introduction: Previous research has shown that the level of self- determination in people with intellectual disability is determined by various factors. The type of housing is one of the important factors in the development and practice of that skill. Aim: The objective of the paper was to determine the difference in the level of selfdetermination between persons with moderate intellectual disability who live in different types of housing. Methods: The sample included 87 adults with moderate intellectual disability, of both genders, living in different types of housing: in primary families, institutions, or a supported housing program. The ARC self-determination scale was used to collect data on the level of self- determination. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between respondents living in different types of housing at the level of total self-determination (F = 14.500; p < .001) and components of self- determination: autonomy (F = 17.995; p<.001), self-regulation (F = 8.011; p = .001), psychological empowerment (F = 15.634; p = .005) and self- realization (F = 5.837; p = .004). The level of self-determination in persons with moderate intellectual disabilities within the supported community living program was statistically significantly higher than the level of self-determination in persons living in primary families (p < .001) and institutions (p = .004). People who lived in institutions had a higher level of self-determination than those who lived with their families (p = .038). Conclusion: The supported community living program is an optimal environment for the development of self-determination in adults with moderate intellectual disabilities. It is necessary to intensify the practice of supported housing in a community for people with moderate intellectual disability, considering the determined stimulating effect on the development and practice of self-determined behavior skills

Influence of different carbon monolith preparation parameters on pesticide adsorption

The capacity of carbon monolith for pesticide removal from water, and the mechanism of pesticide interaction with carbon surface were examined. Different carbon monolith samples were obtained by varying the carbonization and activation parameters. In order to examine the role of surface oxygen groups in pesticide adsorption, carbon monolith surface was functionalized by chemical treatment in HNO3, H2O2 and KOH. The surface properties of the obtained samples were investigated by BET surface area, pore size distribution and temperature-programmed desorption. Adsorption of pesticides from aqueous solution onto activated carbon monolith samples was studied by using five pesticides belonging to different chemical groups (acetamiprid, dimethoate, nicosulfuron, carbofuran and atrazine). Presented results show that higher temperature of carbonization and the amount of activating agent allow obtaining microporous carbon monolith with higher amount of surface functional groups. Adsorption properties of the activated carbon monolith were more readily affected by the amount of the surface functional groups than by specific surface area. Results obtained by carbon monolith functionalisation showed that π-π interactions were the main force for adsorption of pesticides with aromatic structure, while acidic groups play an important role in adsorption of pesticides with no aromatic ring in the chemical structure

Preparation and Performance of Low Content Carbon Geopolymer

Due to the low CO2 emission of geopolymers compared to Portland cement, interest in their use as binding cement has increased in recent years. The main goal of this research is to relate the green and sustainable characteristics to the good mechanical and chemical properties of fly ashbased geopolymers. For those purposes, samples of different ratios of fly ash (FA) and metakaolin (MK) were prepared. Mineralogical characterization of the geopolymer samples conducted using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) showed that in the geopolymer synthesis reaction new amorphous phase was formed. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT) confirmed characteristic bands of Si-O and O-Si-O groups at 1045 cm–1 . Compressive strength analysis revealed that the optimal ratio of FA and MK is 50:50 and exhibits the highest value, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed the total reduction of carbon content in the alkali activated geopolymer with optimal stoichiometry 50:50. The results of this research indicates the possibility to obtain a geopolymer material with almost complete absence of carbon, which implies further application as a material with very high environmental potential and zero carbon emission

HEMP FIBERS AGAIN IN SERBIA: OLD FIBERS – NEW APPLICATIONS

This paper attempts to summarize the historical facts about the cultivation and use of hemp in the world, and especially in Serbia, with a special emphasis on the research and new application brought by the renaissance of hemp production at the end of the 20th century. Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) as one of the oldest cultivated plants represents a renewable and sustainable source of fibers, mainly for textile production. Due to their specific chemical composition, structure and properties, such as high specific strength, non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable nature, hemp fibers become ideal candidates for a wide range of applications. Being lignocellulosic, hemp can be used alone, or as combined with different kinds of polymers to provide a wide range of useful composites in textiles, construction, automotive industry, and soil conservation. Also, hemp fibers have proven to be efficient biosorbents and suitable precursors for the production of low-cost carbon materials for adsorption applications.U ovom radu su sumirane istorijske činjenice o gajenju i upotrebi konoplje u Srbiji i svetu, sa posebnim osvrtom na istraživanja i nove primene sa renesansom konoplje krajem 20. veka. Konoplja (Canabis Sativa L) je jedna od najstarijih gajenih biljaka, i predstavlja obnovljiv i održiv izvor vlakana, uglavnom za tekstilnu industriju. Zbog svog specifičnog hemijskog sastava, strukture i svojstava, kao što su visoka specifična čvrstoća, netoksičnost, biokompatibilnost i biorazgradivost, vlakna konoplje imaju visok potencijal za primenu u različitim oblastima. Sama, ili kao kompozit u kombinaciji sa različitim vrstama polimera, konoplja nalazi primenu u oblastima tekstila, građevinarstva, automobilske industrije, očuvanja životne sredine. Takođe, vlakna konoplje su se pokazala kao efikasni biosorbenti i pogodni prekursori za proizvodnju jeftinih ugljeničnih adsorbenata za prečišćavanje vode od organskih i neorganskih zagađujućih materija

The effect of starch modification on the dye adsorption efficiency

Researches in the field of nanotechnology indicate the possibility of the development and application of bionanocomposites based on clay minerals and biopolymers as promising materials for the removal of pollutants from contaminated water. Therefore, this study is based on an examination of the effect of intercalation of starch or cationic starch with kaolin clay or diatomaceous earth on the adsorption properties of the obtained materials for the removal of anionic and cationic dyes from aqueous solutions. Structural characterization of the obtained materials was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy while the morphology of the samples was determined by Scanning electron microscopy. The removal efficiency of methyl orange and crystal violet dyes was tested in a batch system, while the dye concentration after the adsorption process was determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. It was found that modification of cationic starch with clay and diatomaceous earth improved the efficiency for removing crystal violet dye from an aqueous solution

Carbon cryogel as an adsorbent for removal of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) ions from water

Zagađenje vodenih tokova teškim metalima je jedan od najakutnijih ekoloških problema današnjice. S obzirom na to da teški metali nisu biorazgradivi, oni se akumuliraju u životnoj sredini i na taj način ulaze u lanac ishrane ljudi i životinja, pa kao veoma toksične materije, mogu izazivati niz opasnih i često neizlečivih bolesti. Iz tog razloga, istraživači godinama u nazad razvijaju nove i usavršavaju postojeće tehnike za prečišćavanje otpadnih voda od ovih zagađujućih materija [1]. Za prečišćavanje vode zagađene teškim metalima mogu se koristiti različite metode: hemijska precipitacija, elektrohemijski tretmani, filtracija, reverzna osmoza, jonska izmena, membranski procesi, adsorpcija. Jedna od najčešće korišćenih je adsorpcija, koja zbog mogućnosti regenerisanja adsorbenta, odgovarajućim desorpcionim procesom, predstavlja veoma efektivnu i ekonomičnu metodu. Zahvaljujući razvijenoj specifičnoj površini i poroznosti, kao i prisustvu funkcionalnih grupa na površini, različiti ugljenični materijali pokazuju visoku efikasnost u uklanjanju teških metala iz vode. Karbon kriogel (CC) predstavlja ugljenični materijal razvijene mezoporoznosti čije se adsorpcione karakteristike mogu poboljšati optimizacijom i kontrolisanjem parametara dobijanja. U ovom radu je ispitana mogućnost uklanjanja jona teških metala (Cd2+, Ni2+ i Zn2+) iz vode, korišćenjem karbon kriogela i hemijski modifikovanog karbon kriogela. Prvi korak u sintezi karbon kriogela je polikondenzacija rezorcinola i formaldehida, u prisustvu natrijum-karbonata kao katalizatora. Organski kriogel pripremljen je solgel tehnologijom uz naknadno sušenje postupkom zamrzavanja, dok je karbonizacija organskog kriogela vršena u inertnoj atmosferi argona na temperaturi od 800 o C [2]. U cilju poboljšanja adsorpcionih karakteristika karbon kriogela, izvršeno je hemijsko modifikovanje korišćenjem 5 M HNO3 . Karakterizacija materijala izvršena je merenjem specifične površine BET metodom, određivanjem tačke nultog naelektrisanja metodom masene titracije, kao i određivanjem vrsta funkcionalnih grupa prisutnih na površini materijala, metodom infracrvene spektroskopije sa Furijeovom transformacijom (FTIR). Ispitan je uticaj pH vrednosti rastvora, početne koncentracije jona metala u rastvoru, kao i vremena kontakta na adsorpciju teških metala uzorcima karbon kriogela.Primenjenom hemijskom modifikacijom karbon kriogela ne dolazi do bitnijih promena u specifičnoj površini i poroznosti materijala. S druge strane, ovim postupkom dolazi do izmene površinske hemije materijala, uvođenjem novih, i povećanjem broja postojećih kiselih površinskih grupa, što je pokazano FTIR analizom i smanjenjem vrednosti tačke nultog naelektrisanja sa pHPZC = 9,3 na pHPZC = 3,1. Adsorpcija jona teških metala na modifikovanom i nemodifikovanom karbon kriogelu vršena je na pH = 6, jer pri ovoj pH vrednosti materijali pokazuju najveći adsorpcioni kapacitet, a ujedno je izborom ove pH izbegnuta precipitacija hidroksida metala. Izmene u hemiji površine dovode i do izmena adsorpcionih karakteristika karbon kriogela. Kako površinske grupe predstavljaju aktivna mesta za adsorpciju jona teških metala, povećanje količine površinskih grupa kod modifikovanog karbon kriogela dovodi do višestrukog povećanja adsorpcionog kapaciteta

Effect of alkali modification on adsorption efficiency of fly ash

As coal combustion in thermal power plants generates huge amounts of waste such as bottom ash and fly ash, there is a need to find new applications for these materials. One of the ways of its reuse is chemical or thermal modification of the ash in order to obtain new materials, which can be further used as adsorbents of various pollutants from water. The subject of this research was the alkali modification and alkali activation of fly ash in purpose to increase the adsorption capacity towards heavy metal ions. The success of modification process and characterization of the obtained materials was monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The concentration of zinc and cadmium ions after adsorption was determinated by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The kinetics of the adsorption process on the most efficient adsorbent were examined and the experimental data were compared with pseudo-first and pseudo-second order models. The achieved results show a positive effect of alkaline modification of fly ash on adsorption efficiency of both metals, while alkaline activation gives an exceptionally effective adsorbent in the case of zinc

Heavy metals concentration in soils from parks and green areas in Belgrade

The current study included the investigation of several metals and their distribution in urban soils from parks and green areas in the city of Belgrade. The soils were sampled in January and February 2008. The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn and Zn were measured, as well as the pH values and organic matter contents. The obtained results showed that there was a significant level of contamination in some samples, especially with lead, and that it was most probably caused by anthropogenic activities, mostly from traffic. The results were compared with the National legislation and Netherlands standards. Also, the recent results were compared with the data from previous work and it was concluded that there has been a certain increase of the Pb concentration in the past three years. The level of pollution in playground soil was very high and each analyzed sample exceeded the Dutch target value for Cd, Co and Pb

Fly ash modified waste cotton and cotton-polyester yarns for removal of heavy metals from water

Using two types of industrial waste materials (yarns and fly ash), adsorbents for removing heavy metal ions from water were obtained. To improve the adsorption efficiency of cotton and cottonpolyester yarns, modification using fly ash and sodium alginate as a binder, was applied. Characterization of materials was performed by Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while the concentration of lead and cadmium ions was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The modification of the material has contributed to an increase in the adsorption efficiency of lead and cadmium by up to twice in comparis onto the unmodified materials. It was found that the kinetics of the metal adsorption process can be better described by a second-order pseudo model. The results showed that by combining two types of industrial waste, cotton and cotton/polyester yarns and fly ash, highly efficient adsorbents for removing lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions are obtained

A green adsorbent based on wheat starch for removal of selective organic pollutants from aqueous solutions

The objective of this study was to evaluate the adsorption efficiency of a cationic functionalized wheat starch, obtained with betaine hydrochloride and glycidyl trimethylammonium chloride by an environmentally friendly process without the use of organic solvents. Surface functional groups of samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the morphology of the materials was examined using scanning electron microscopy, the nitrogen content was determined by elemental analysis, while UV-VIS spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were used for adsorption investigation. The efficiency of obtained cationic starches to adsorb the anionic and cationic dyes, as well as selected pharmaceuticals and pesticides was investigated. Adsorption experiments were performed in a batch system to determine the effect of contact time, initial concentration, and pH of the solution on the removal efficiency of crystal violet dye, which was chosen as the model for the detailed study of adsorption. Pseudo-first and pseudosecond order models were used to examine the adsorption kinetic, while Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to equilibrium adsorption data. The results showed that environmentally and economically acceptable adsorbents prepared in this study could be effective in removing the examined organic pollutants