Comparative Analysis of Selected Heavy Metals in Water Leaves Grown on Soil in Dumpsites in Amai Community

Four water leaves samples were collected in Otefe-Oghara community (two grown on dumpsite and two from non-dumpsite) and were analysed for the presence of lead, iron and cadmium using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results of analysis showed the presence of lead, iron and cadmium in the water leaves from all the sample sites. Lead, iron and cadmium were found in the range of 14.95-16.11mg/kg, 0.50-0.64mg/kg and 27.18-28.42mg/kg respectively for the dumpsite and 0.11-0.17mg/kg, 0.01-0.01mg/kg and 20.6-23.27mg/kg respectively for the non-dumpsite. Amongst the metals, iron was the highest followed by lead while cadmium was the lowest for both dumpsites and non-dumpsites. The leaves at the dumpsites were observed to be contaminated as results of analysis showed that samples at the dumpsites were higher than those of the non-dumpsites, and also above the FAO/WHO standard for vegetables. This therefore calls for regular monitoring. It was therefore recommended that the traditional way of cutting and consuming water leaves anywhere it is grown should be discouraged as the level of contamination cannot be ascertained. Keywords: Dumpsite; heavy metals; non-dumpsite; water leaves,

METHODS FOR ASSESSING THE TECHNICAL CONDITION OF BEARING HUBS IN MEANS OF TRANSPORT

This article presents two methods of testing bearing hubs, which may supplement the existing subjective and unreliable methods of diagnostics of rolling bearings used in wheel bearing hubs of motor vehicles and other means of road transport. One of the most important elements responsible for the safety of a vehicle is the bearing hub. Regular monitoring of the technical condition of bearings should become an obligation at vehicle inspection stations when carrying out a technical inspection of a vehicle, authorising it to travel on public roads. This article presents the results of vehicle tests with signs of damage to rolling bearings, using two test stands: one on which the dynamic balancer acted as a device for accelerating the wheel, and the other, which was designed as a test dedicated to automotive rolling bearings, where a dynamic weighbridge was used as the wheel drive, made it impossible to test the wheel at lower rotational speeds. The newly designed and manufactured bearing testing device eliminates the disadvantages of the previous stand, and additionally, enables the measurement of a fully loaded bearing hub, which enables the simulation of real operating conditions on the bearing hub.

MONITORING PROPOSAL OF THE SPECIES VIOLET CARPENTER BEE XYLOCOPA VIOLACEA IN POLAND

The main purpose of this scientific publication is to present the suggested methods of monitoring the species violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea, which belongs to Hymenoptera of the bee family Apidae. Despite the fact that this insect is only partially protected under Polish national law, there are very few identified localities of these animals in Poland. The main problem related to the uncertainty of the number of the violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea is the lack of monitoring within national borders. The proposed method of population status assessment is based on the field research. These studies include the observations of many elements of the population and the environment and on predicting what are the prospects for protecting the violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea in Poland. The proposed method of population status assessment is based on the analysis of species presence and abundance and the proposed method of habitat status assessment is based on the analysis of area, food base, type of environment, elements of the habitat, the nature of the surroundings and habitat stability. The proposed methods can be also applied for Xylocopa valga, which can be easily confused with the violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea. What is the most important – regular monitoring may contribute to the recognition of other places of occurrence and will enable effective protection of the violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea in Poland.

The Perception of Russia by Young People in Post-Soviet Countries: the Experience of Sociological Assessment

The decades that have passed since the collapse of the USSR have identified serious challenges for Russia, the answer to which depends on the prospect of maintaining its leadership position in the integration processes in the modern post-Soviet space, not only due to objective advantages in the possession of resources, but also due to its attractiveness for the younger generation of the post-Soviet countries. The article makes an attempt of a sociological assessment of the perception of modern Russian humanitarian projects by young people in post-Soviet countries, their willingness to join the international educational projects proposed by Russia and build a trajectory of professional development, taking into account the opportunities available in Russia. The authors draw attention to the need for regular monitoring of the perception of Russia by the youth of the post-Soviet countries in order to adapt the proposed programs of international cooperation to the needs of the target audience, and also offer a methodology for its construction.

The Incidence And Risk Factors of Serum Hypokalemia After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty

Background: Regular monitoring of serum potassium after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is a routine examination, which can detect abnormal serum potassium and reduce adverse events timely caused by postoperative hypokalemia. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of hypokalemia after primary total hip and knee replacement.Methods: This study included patients who underwent unilateral total knee or hip arthroplasty in our department from April 2017 to March 2018. The serum potassium level before and after operation was collected and retrospectively analyzed. The differences in age, BMI and other factors between hypokalemia patients and non-hypokalemia patients at different time points after surgery were compared, and then the risk factors of postoperative hypokalemia were analyzed based on multiple logistic regression.Results: The total incidence of postoperative hypokalemia was 53.1%, while the respective rate on the first, third and fifth postoperative day was 12.5%, 40.7% and 9.6%. The serum potassium level on the first, third and fifth postoperative day was 3.84±0.32mmol/l, 3.59±0.34mmol/l and 3.80±0.32mmol/l, while among which, the level on the third day was the lowest (p=0.015). The independent risk factors for hypokalemia after total hip and knee replacement were the level of preoperative serum potassium (p=0.011), preoperative red blood cells (p=0.027), and a history of diabetes (p=0.007).Conclusion: Regular monitoring of serum potassium should be performed after TJA due to hypokalemia was a very common complication. We need to pay more attention to patients’ preoperative potassium and red blood cells, especially patients with diabetes.

Regular Monitoring of the Condition of Soils and Green Plants As a Direction for Assessing the Quality of the Urban Environment

This paper examines the existing in the Russian Federation approaches to assessing the quality of the urban environment, the concept of the quality index of the urban environment; the analysis of indicators for calculating the quality index of the urban environment and the factors that form the ecological well-being of the urban environment for the local population has been carried out. The territory of the northern industrial hub of Volgograd was chosen as the object of research, in particular, the zone of influence of the ferrous metallurgy enterprise AO “VMK ‘Krasny Oktyabr’”, which has a historically specific location relative to the functional zones of the city. The analysis of the results of monitoring the content of mobile forms of heavy metals in the soil cover, carried out by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry, and the assessment of the general life state of tree green plantations in the territory of the sanitary protection zone of the enterprise based on the enumeration of trees is presented. The identified zone of influence of the enterprise, taking into account the presence of additional sources of pollution of the soil cover and MPC of metals, instead of their background concentrations, extends for 3.5–3.7 km from the border of the enterprise in the form of elongated areas of increased concentrations. Cartographic visualization reveals the presence of two clearly pronounced foci of pollution located to the west of the existing SOC of the enterprise. When assessing the general condition of trees, it is also possible to recognize the worst territory of the test plots located to the west of the operating TWCs in accordance with the directions of the prevailing winds. The data obtained confirm the feasibility of organizing regular monitoring of the soil cover and the state of green forests in the city as one of the directions for assessing the quality of the environment and taking these indicators into account when calculating the quality index of the urban environment.

Periodontal Effects of Orthodontic Expansion Devices

The aim of this review article is to identify and present an overview on the effects of different palatal expansion device on periodontium. Orthodontic treatment is a popular option for adolescents and adult patients for achieving better alignment of teeth and better esthetics. Palatal expansion technique is useful in treatment of patients’ malocclusion. With newer palatal expansion devices, patient’s malocclusion can be treated in better way. It is important to understand that oral hygiene plays an important role in the maintenance of periodontal health during orthodontic treatment. In adult patients, regular monitoring regarding the periodontal health should be performed prior to and during orthodontic treatment.

Development of the National System of Qualifi cation Certifi cation of Audit Personnel As a Factor in Improving the Quality of Audit and the Demand for the Profession

The article includes materials presented at the scientifi c and practical conferences «Problems of Audit Quality» organized by the Self-regulatory organization of Auditors «Sodruzhestvo» in June-July 2021. Th e conferences are dedicated to the development of audit education and qualifi cation certifi cation of audit personnel in the Russian Federation, aimed at improving the quality of audit through the introduction of a competence-based approach and the creation of a national system for regular monitoring of auditor’s competencies, contributing to the training of broad-based specialists in demand in various areas of economic, business and fi nancial management.