Performance Evaluation of Polymeric Membrane Permeability Characteristics Using Different Aqueous Solutions

In the last decade the application of membrane separation technology is more increasing. The membrane in water purification and wastewater treatment is essential separation process used for water reclamation. The production of new membrane types with different permeable characteristics and performances allows them to be fitted in different membrane modules that can be used in the membrane filtration. The water characteristics are important for the membrane performance. It can seriously affect the permeability characteristics and increase the fouling on the membrane surface. In wastewater treatment, the characteristics of the aqueous influent can reduce the permeability of the membrane and the process efficiency of the membrane bioreactor (MBR). The aim of this paper is to explore the effect of different aqueous solutions on membrane permeability using dead end filtration process. For this purpose, NaCl solution with different concentration were prepared and the effect of the concentration polarization on the membrane was observed. The constructed membrane module was also tested with real water sample and the membrane permeability was analyzed. In this experiment a polymeric membrane produced from polyether sulphonate (PES), with diameter of 5.0 cm and pore size of 0.04 µm was assembled in a constructed module for dead-end filtration. The module was constructed in a way that would allow turbulence of the solution on the membrane surface. The following working parameters were examined: transmembrane pressure (TMP), the types of solutions, the working temperature, and the influence of agitation on the feeding to the specific membrane flux and permeability. The results showed that the membrane permeability is affected by the water organic and inorganic constituents and in the process of design of membrane reactor for wastewater treatment, the water composition should be taken in consideration.

Comparative Overview of the Quality of Life in Serbia and North Macedonia Analyzed According to Numbeo Database

In economic theory and practice, the term standard of living has emerged in recent decades. It was created as a suitable response to problems related to people’s lives, regional inequalities in the level of development and served as an acceptable concept for more complex valorization of development potentials, especially in rural areas. The subject of the research is a comparative analysis of the quality of life in Serbia and Northern Macedonia according to Numbeo database. The aim of this paper is to point out the importance of living standards from both economic and sociological aspects, as well as to review the position of Serbia and Northern Macedonia in relation to other countries in the region based on the analysis of collected data and research. The reason for the comparative presentation of Serbia and Northern Macedonia is that the quality of life is at an approximate level. The salary of employees in education in these countries represents an average income that is sufficient for a satisfactory quality of life. The standard of living of a country depends on a number of factors such as political factors, economic factors, demographic, environmental and cultural factors.

Glass-Ceramics Produced by Vitrification of Coal Fly Ash

Glass-ceramics based on CAS (CaO-Al2O3-SiO2) system was produced by controlled crystallization of vitrified fly ash. Fly ash was pre-treated by magnetic separation and nonmagnetic part of fly ash (NFA) was used. Maximal crystallization of parent glass occurs in the temperature region from 900 oC to 1160 oC. Glass-ceramics was produced by consolidation of parent glass i.e. pressing (45 MPa) and sintering at 950, 1000, 1050 and 1100 oC, and isothermal time at the final temperature of 30, 60, 120 minutes. The dominant crystalline phase was calcium aluminum silicate (anorthite). The obtained glass-ceramics could be potentially used in construction applications.

Phytoremediation of Soil Contaminated With Heavy Metals Using the Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L.)

Phytoremediation has proven to be a suitable method for removing heavy metals from the soil with the help of plants. To examine the phytoremediation potential, the experimental study monitored the influence of high and low concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Zn) on Helianthus annuus L., as well as their accumulation in seeds, roots, stems and leaves. The experiment was carried out during one growing season in outdoor conditions, in pots with a volume of 5L in which Helianthus annuus L. was planted, and the soil was contaminated with these heavy metals in concentrations below and above the maximum allowable concentration prescribed by the Rulebook on Determining Permissible Quantities of Harmful and Dangerous Substances in Soil and Methods of Their Testing. After growth and development of the plant, the experimental research examined the accumulation potential of the plant, the growth of the plant itself and its ability to survive depending on different concentrations of heavy metals. By processing the obtained results, statistically significant differences of heavy metals were determined in individual parts of the plants, depending on the applied concentration. The highest concentration of Zn was recorded in the leaves of the plant in the amount of 18.21 mg/kg, and the lowest concentration in the stem, 3.92 mg/kg. The measured values of heavy metals Cd and Pb differ from the above because the lowest concentrations of these heavy metals were recorded in the seed, and were 12.02 mg/kg for Pb and 9.20 mg/kg for Cd, which is a statistically significantly lower determined value relative to other parts of the plant.

Risk Factors in Musculoskeletal Disorder Development in Children Connected With the Extended use of Information and Communication Technologies

Introduction: The way of life in modern society goes along with new technological discoveries and achievements. This lifestyle leaves its positive and negative consequences on children. Such changes are especially reflected on health already in earliest stages of life. The studies show that most children have been using computers even since kindergarten and that children’s computer use is longer than recommended. It is more effective and cheaper to prevent musculoskeletal disorders than to cure them. Goal: To examine all risk factors concerning the development of musculoskeletal disorders connected with a long use of information and communication technologies by reviewing scientific literature. Material and methods: Non-experimental qualitative research into the risk factors of the development of musculoskeletal disorders connected with a long use of information and communication technologies based on relevant databases. Results and discussion: Based on a discussion of the attitudes and opinions of other authors, risk factors are divided in three basic groups: ergonomic, individual, and psychosocial risk factors. As it is shown in the discussion of this paper, a disbalance of the desk for a desktop computer, the non-ergonomic design of the furniture, the type and time of the ICT usage device, the sedentary way of using the ICT devices at school and at home are just some of the numerous risk factors to children’s health. Conclusion: By examining the risk factors in the development of musculoskeletal disorders in children connected with an extended use of information and communication technologies, the presented evidence in the discussion section based on other authors’ attitudes and opinions, leads us to the conclusion that numerous risk factors that affect children’s health are due to a larger and more frequent use of computers, console games, tablets and mobile phones.

The Influence of Recreational Aerobics on Subjective Assessment of Psychosomatic Status of Women

Sedentary life significantly affects the working abilities and health status of middle-aged women. On the other hand, appropriate systematic exercise can have a preventive effect on reducing symptoms and the appearance of some diseases, and thus have a positive effect on improving psychosomatic status. The research aimed to determine the subjective assessment of the psychosomatic status of women under the influence of recreational aerobics. The population from which the sample was drawn is a population of healthy women, age from 35 to 45 years, who dominantly live a sedentary lifestyle. For this study, a scale of subjective psychosomatic status assessment (SPPPS) was applied. The scale consists of 32 characteristic discomforts (disorders) which are divided into eight groups: shoulder and arm pain; back pain; leg pain; fatigue and sensorial discomfort; indigestion; cardiovascular disorders; neuropsychiatric disorders, symptoms of general fatigue. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test revealed statistically significant changes (p = 0.000) in all analyzed variables between initial and final measurements. Based on this finding, it can be concluded that recreational aerobics has a positive effect on improving the psychosomatic status of sedentary middle-aged women.

Motion and Dance as a Type of Therapy With Working With Children/People With Developmental Difficulties

Besides the standard treatments that are nowadays used with working with children/people with developmental difficulties and the obligatory aspect of schooling, active free time is also very important for maintaining and improving psychological, motoric and social abilities of children/people with developmental difficulties. Active free time contributes to developing of creativity, satisfaction of one’s own life, personality development, and therefore it improves the quality of life itself. The main aim of this research is observation and assessment of motoric abilities of children/people with developmental difficulties, before and after conducting continuous activities in the form of traditional dance i.e. play games as well as the influence on the quality of life. The evaluation of motoric abilities has been done by defectologists before performing an adjusted work program and after completion, in which, using quantitative and qualitative analysis, the progress has been established in segments such as motoric body control, motion coordination of upper extremities, motion coordination of upper and lower extremities and motion coordination of upper and lower extremities by rhythm. Active participation and cooperation between participants, influenced improvement of social skills and the easier overcoming of problems in the group, creative and active free time and improvement of life quality. Based on obtained result, one should strive to adopt new creative ways of working with children/people with developmental difficulties in order to gain comprehensive holistic and rehabilitation approach.

Role of Sanitary Engineers in Prevention of Covid-19 Pandemic

Among the most emphasized consequences of pandemic COVID-19 influence is a negative trend of economic development and lock down of many production companies. One of areas where sanitary engineers can be engaged is drinking water safety and safety of wastewater. The new situation requires the change of actual teaching content during the teaching process of sanitary engineers, with the purpose of their training for inclusion in activities on prevention of virus spreading and controlling subjects in charge of people health protection, food safety and protection of living environment. It is very important that higher school institution authorities become familiar with knowledge gaps, potential implications on food, water and environment safety, research direction and other issues related to virus control, among which is also SARS–COV-2. The aim of this work is to encourage wider discussion on promotion of the actual study programs on higher institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring countries as well as development of content proposals, which can lead to knowledge promotion, and competence of graduated students. During the recent discussion, we came to conclusion that it is necessary to develop studies, which have multidisciplinary approach, including the area of public health system, quality, food safety, environment protection and administrative law. Apart from that, students should obtain the necessary knowledge level in area of organization, management and economy, and with the purpose of enabling continuous production and income creation. We should also develop student research capabilities.

Trends in air Pollution: The Use of Mosses as Biomonitors

Air pollution is a major concern throughout the universe due to the effects on living and non-living things. Before an area is said to be polluted, there is the need to carry out a bottom-up or top-down assessment of the environment. Mosses have been widely employed as cheap bioindicators of atmospheric pollution. It reduces the time-frame spent in monitoring and the results are reliable. Several types of research have been undertaken on the spatial and temporal trends in air pollution using mosses. This paper explained what moss is, discussed the cost of biomonitoring using a moss, mapping, and researches undertaken on mosses as bioindicators.

Efficiency Evaluation of Hospitals Sterilization by Biological and Chemical Methods

Autoclaving is one of the methods which sterilizes medical solidwaste. This study was carried out to evaluate efficiency of autoclaves in two Shahrekord hospitals(Kashani and Hajar) in Iran by biological and chemical indicators. In this study, the performance of autoclave was studied based on biological and chemical through setting 96 tests. Variables were loading type in four groups (light, medium, semi- heavy, and heavy), location, type of hospital , and temperature-135°C, time10min features in fixed pressure equal to 4.2 bar. Biological and chemical indicators were ATCC 7953 which contained Stearotermophilus Geobacillus spores ,and chemical indicator Class 6 with three color circle as weekly, respectively.The best autoclave operational condition based on biological indicator in both hospitals were light loading rate in Kashani and Hajar 66%(8), and 75%(9) desirable results, respectively. Each four loading rate level based on biological and chemical indicators the Hajar hospital with 68% desirable results were more efficiency than Kashani hospital with57% desirable results. According to results of this study (biological index) sterilization failure in kashani and Hajar hospitals were 65%, and 50%, respectively.There is an increased need for suitable regulation and control of autoclave devices and for monitoring and suitable handling of these devices in developing countries.