Natural Disasters and Their Impact: Socio-economic Issues

The paper describes the characteristics of natural disasters with respect to their scope, type and socio-economic features. On the basis of the data collected in an empirical research the paper investigates the level of knowledge of the population regarding natural disasters and their readiness to face them. The main sources of information are: relevant documents, statistical data, scientific and professional literature, empirical research

In Vitro Lead Tolerance Testing in White Poplar Genotypes on Acidic Medium

This study evaluates in vitro tolerance of white poplar genotypes to the presence of lead in an acidic rooting medium. Lead was supplemented in form of Pb(NO3)2, in the following concentrations: 0 M (Control), 10-6 M, 10-5 M, 10-4 M and 10-3 M. After four weeks of cultivation, the following characters were measured: number of roots, the length of the longest root, the shoot height, dry root mass and dry shoot mass, and parameters related to photosynthetic pigments: content of chlorophyll a, b, a+b, and of carotenoids in fresh mass, as well as chlorophyll a/b ratio. For further statistical analysis, tolerance indices by Turner and Marshal (TI) were calculated for each measured character. The strongest inhibitory effect was achieved on the medium with 10-4 M Pb(NO3)2, but the best differentiation between genotypes was achieved on the medium with 10-5 M Pb(NO3)2. The highest tolerance indices for the length of the longest root and shoot height had genotypes L-12 and LBM, and for root and shoot dry mass genotypes LCM and L-12. There were no significant differences between genotypes in tolerance indices by any of the examined photosynthetic parameters. The obtained results suggest that both low pH and the presence of citric acid as chelating agent improved evaluation of lead tolerance in comparison with the results obtained on media with standard pH and without citric acid in similar studies. In vitro tests on acidic medium with citric acid can efficiently differentiate examined genotypes for lead tolerance, which could be important for their use in phytoextraction projects, especially on acidic soils

Green Plasticizer for Poly(vinyl chloride) Re-Granulate Production: Case Study of Sustainability Concept Implementation

The increase in waste polymer recycling has helped in promoting sustainability, and together with the use of renewable raw materials, it has become a widespread concept with positive effects on both the economy and ecology. Accordingly, the aim of this study was the synthesis of “green” plasticizers, marked as LA/PG/PET/EG/LA, formed from waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and bio-based platform chemicals propylene glycol (PG) and levulinic acid (LA). The structure of the obtained plasticizers was complex, as confirmed by results from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The LA/PG/PET/EG/LA plasticizers and waste poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were used in an optimized technology for PVC re-granulate production. The hardness of the PVC-based material with “green” plasticizers, in comparison to commercial plasticizer dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), increased by 11.3%, while migration decreased. An improved material homogeneity and wettability of the fibers by the matrix were observed using SEM analysis of the material’s fracture surface, with a higher efficiency of intermolecular interactions leading to better mechanical performances of the newly designed materials. Thus, LA/PG/PET/EG/LA are unique materials with good compounding and plasticizing potential for PVC, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). In that manner, the use of bio-renewable resources and recycled polymers will contribute to diminishing waste polymer generation, contributing to a lower carbon footprint

Socioekonomske posledice suša i suvišnih unutrašnjih voda u Vojvodini/Srbiji

Nagy, Imre; Vuksanović, Gordana; Mesaroš, Minučer; Marković, Slobodan; Gavrilov, Milivoj; Pavić, Dragoslav; Basarin, Biljana; Lukić, Ti

Green Plasticizer for Poly(vinyl chloride) Re-Granulate Production: Case Study of Sustainability Concept Implementation

The increase in waste polymer recycling has helped in promoting sustainability, and together with the use of renewable raw materials, it has become a widespread concept with positive effects on both the economy and ecology. Accordingly, the aim of this study was the synthesis of “green” plasticizers, marked as LA/PG/PET/EG/LA, formed from waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and bio-based platform chemicals propylene glycol (PG) and levulinic acid (LA). The structure of the obtained plasticizers was complex, as confirmed by results from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The LA/PG/PET/EG/LA plasticizers and waste poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were used in an optimized technology for PVC re-granulate production. The hardness of the PVC-based material with “green” plasticizers, in comparison to commercial plasticizer dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), increased by 11.3%, while migration decreased. An improved material homogeneity and wettability of the fibers by the matrix were observed using SEM analysis of the material’s fracture surface, with a higher efficiency of intermolecular interactions leading to better mechanical performances of the newly designed materials. Thus, LA/PG/PET/EG/LA are unique materials with good compounding and plasticizing potential for PVC, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). In that manner, the use of bio-renewable resources and recycled polymers will contribute to diminishing waste polymer generation, contributing to a lower carbon footprint

Poland - Serbia : the challenges of the scientific cooperation

Foreword: "This book contains the collection of 21 academic articles (arranged alphabetically according to the names of the Authors) dedicated to Professor Iliija Rosić, former Rector of Kragujevae University and the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, who died on January 11,2008.The book contains the preface, a biographical note including a complete list of acadcmic achievements, as well as the outline of Professor Rosic’s scholarly, academic and organizational activities in Poland."(...

Bogardus’s scale of social distance: Advantages and limitations

Social distance represents one of the oldest, but also of the most current research topics in sociology. Only in the period from 1990 to 1995, more than 500 studies were published about social distance. When studying various kinds of relations - class, religious, ethnic etc - social distance is measured by the Bogardus’s scale or by the application of some of its modifications. The paper would point to the characteristics of the original determination of the notion of social distance and its later modifications as well as to the epistemological limitations in the application of the Bogardus’s scale