Within a mobile communication network one can discern between base and hybrid base transmitter stations (BTS). The hybrid base transmitter stations differ from the conventional ones in that they use ...some alternative energy sources for power. This work presents a comparative assessment of life cycles of solar-powered hybrid BTS, and conventional BTS, using CML-IA method and CExD-based exergy analysis. Complete analysis was conducted, presenting the results of life cycle analysis for both systems. The results of assessment are presented using CML-IA and CExD categories at the mid-point level. The results also reveal a detailed insight into the mechanism of evolvement and sources of negative impact during life cycles of the analyzed systems. This establishes the basis for the development and manufacture of sustainable products and processes. Considering majority of factors, the use of hybrid BTS is justified. The exceptions are the categories of abiotic depletion, ozone layer depletion, and acidification according to CML-IA method, as well as the categories of non-renewable, primary and non-renewable minerals according to CExD method, which indicates greater negative impact in comparison with the conventional BTS.
•Comparative life cycles assessment of hybrid and conventional base transmitter stations.•Comprehensive evaluation with exergy analysis and life cyacle assessment.•Significant negative impact is the consumption of raw materials for the production phase.•Considering the overall results, the use of hybrid base transmitter stations is justified.
The production of floor coverings, in terms of environmental impact, is a very complex process due to a large number of influential parameters - various chemical emissions, inevitability of waste, a ...great number of influential physical quantities such as noise and vibration, dust and radiation, energy consumption, recyclability, etc. Interest in the application of LCA within the production of floor coverings has been present for almost two decades and is intensely increasing. During this period different approaches and attempts of LCA implementation have been recorded in this broad field. This paper presents a general model for environmental impact assessment of the production process of floor coverings based on LCA. The developed model represents a contribution to the improvement and a further step towards the standardization of LCA analysis in this field of floor covering production. Verification has been carried out through a case study based on an industrial facility which produces PVC floor coverings.Original Abstract: Proizvodnja podnih obloga je, s aspekta utjecaja na okolis, vrlo kompleksan proces zbog velikog broja utjecajnih parametara - razlicitih kemijskih emisija, neminovnosti otpada, veceg broja utjecajnih fizickih velicina poput buke i vibracija, prasine i zracenja, zatim potrosnje energije, recikljivosti itd. Zanimanje za primjenu LCA u podrucju proizvodnje podnih obloga traje vec skoro dva desetljeca i postaje sve intenzivnije. Tijekom tog razdoblja evidentirani su razliciti pristupi i pokusaji realizacije LCA u ovom sirokom podrucju. U ovom radu predstavljen je opci model za ocjenjivanje utjecaja na okolis procesa proizvodnje podnih obloga zasnovan na LCA. Razvijeni model predstavlja doprinos unapredenju stanja u podrucju i dodatni korak ka standardizaciji LCA analiza u podmcju proizvodnje podnih obloga. Verifikacija je realizirana kroz studiju slucaja utemeljenog na realnom industrijskom postrojenju za proizvodnju PVC podnih obloga.
U okviru doktorske disertacije predstavljen je razvoj hibridnog modela za ocenjivanje životnog ciklusa proizvoda i procesa. Razvoj hibridnog modela se ogleda kroz unapređenje postojećeg metodskog ...okvira LCA, te je stoga uključio razvoj svih faza LCA, a koje obuhvataju definisanje cilja i predmeta, inventar životnog ciklusa, ocenjivanje uticaja životnog ciklusa i interpretaciju rezultata. Najznačajnija unapređenja su sprovedena u okviru faza inventara životnog ciklusa i ocenjivanja uticaja životnog ciklusa. Izmene koje se odnose na način prikupljanja podataka, su razvijene zbog uključivanja parametara potrebnih za izračunavanje vrednosti sadržaja eksergije tokova. Unapređenje faze ocenjivanja uticaja životnog ciklusa se ogleda kroz razvoj originalnog pristupa za izračunavanje ukupne potrošnje eksergije, kroz uključivanje dodatne kategorije uticaja, razvijanje indikatora kategorije uticaja i razvijanje pristupa za izračunavanje karakterizacionih faktora. Sprovedena je i analiza postojećih LCIA metoda, radi izbora adekvatnog metoda u koji će biti uključena dodatna kategorija uticaja, kao i indikator kategorije uticaja, koji zajedno opisuju ukupnu potrošnju eksergije tokom čitavog životnog ciklusa. Takođe, prilikom razvoja kategorije uticaja su poštovani određeni kriterijumi, koje ona mora da zadovolji da bi mogla biti adekvatno uključena u odabrani LCIA metod. Pored toga, bitan deo unapređenja ocenjivanja uticaja životnog ciklusa, leži u razvoju proračuna karakterizacionih faktora. Razvijena dodatna kategorija uticaja nazvana je Ukupna potrošnja eksergije - UPE, a izražava se preko indikatora MJex. LCIA metod koji je odabran na osnovu SWOT analize u koji je ova dodatna kategorija uticaja uključena je CML metod. Postavljeni hibridni metodski okvir posmatra kompletan životni ciklus, ali i svaki od jediničnih procesa koji uključuju elementarne tokove, odnosno tokove uzete iz prirodnog sistema bez dodatne obrade, kao i tokove proizvoda, odnosno tokovekoji su na neki način izmenjeni od strane pojedinih antropogenih sistema. Izračunavanje sadržaja eksergije i karakterizacionih faktora je sprovedeno kako za elementarne tokove tako i za tokove proizvoda. Funkcionalnost i praktična primenljivost razvijenog hibridnog modela je verifikovana na dva primera, koji su obuvatili proizvodnju laminatnog parketa i međusobnu komparaciju hibridnih baznih predajničkih stanica i konvencionalnih baznih predajničkih stanica. Dobijeni rezultati daju jednu zaista detaljniju i širu sliku mehanizma nastanka i izvora negativnih uticaja tokom životnog ciklusa posmatranih industrijskih sistema. Time je potvrđena njegovu praktična primenljivost, kao i ukupni cilj istraživanja. Rezultati istraživanja realizovani u okviru doktorske disertacije, u opštem smislu, daju doprinos stvaranju osnove za izdradnju puta ka razvoju i proizvodnji održivih proizvoda i procesa. Razvijeni hibridni model za ocenjivanje životnog ciklusa proizvoda i procesa pruža dodatne informacije, koje mogu biti korisne u procesu donošenja odluka na svim nivoima, kako u industriji tako i u državnim institucijama.
Proizvodnja podnih obloga je, s aspekta utjecaja na okoliš, vrlo kompleksan proces zbog velikog broja utjecajnih parametara - različitih kemijskih emisija, neminovnosti otpada, većeg broja utjecajnih ...fizičkih veličina poput buke i vibracija, prašine i zračenja, zatim potrošnje energije, recikljivosti itd. Zanimanje za primjenu LCA u području proizvodnje podnih obloga traje već skoro dva desetljeća i postaje sve intenzivnije. Tijekom tog razdoblja evidentirani su različiti pristupi i pokušaji realizacije LCA u ovom širokom području. U ovom radu predstavljen je opći model za ocjenjivanje utjecaja na okoliš procesa proizvodnje podnih obloga zasnovan na LCA. Razvijeni model predstavlja doprinos unapređenju stanja u području i dodatni korak ka standardizaciji LCA analiza u području proizvodnje podnih obloga. Verifikacija je realizirana kroz studiju slučaja utemeljenog na realnom industrijskom postrojenju za proizvodnju PVC podnih obloga.
U okviru doktorske disertacije predstavljen je
razvoj hibridnog modela za ocenjivanje životnog ciklusa
proizvoda i procesa. Razvoj hibridnog modela se ogleda
kroz unapređenje postojećeg metodskog ...okvira LCA, te je
stoga uključio razvoj svih faza LCA, a koje obuhvataju
definisanje cilja i predmeta, inventar životnog ciklusa,
ocenjivanje uticaja životnog ciklusa i interpretaciju
rezultata. Najznačajnija unapređenja su sprovedena u
okviru faza inventara životnog ciklusa i ocenjivanja uticaja
životnog ciklusa. Izmene koje se odnose na način
prikupljanja podataka, su razvijene zbog uključivanja
parametara potrebnih za izračunavanje vrednosti sadržaja
eksergije tokova. Unapređenje faze ocenjivanja uticaja
životnog ciklusa se ogleda kroz razvoj originalnog pristupa
za izračunavanje ukupne potrošnje eksergije, kroz
uključivanje dodatne kategorije uticaja, razvijanje
indikatora kategorije uticaja i razvijanje pristupa za
izračunavanje karakterizacionih faktora. Sprovedena je i
analiza postojećih LCIA metoda, radi izbora adekvatnog
metoda u koji će biti uključena dodatna kategorija uticaja,
kao i indikator kategorije uticaja, koji zajedno opisuju
ukupnu potrošnju eksergije tokom čitavog životnog
ciklusa. Takođe, prilikom razvoja kategorije uticaja su
poštovani određeni kriterijumi, koje ona mora da zadovolji
da bi mogla biti adekvatno uključena u odabrani LCIA
metod. Pored toga, bitan deo unapređenja ocenjivanja
uticaja životnog ciklusa, leži u razvoju proračuna
karakterizacionih faktora. Razvijena dodatna kategorija
uticaja nazvana je Ukupna potrošnja eksergije - UPE, a
izražava se preko indikatora MJex. LCIA metod koji je
odabran na osnovu SWOT analize u koji je ova dodatna
kategorija uticaja uključena je CML metod. Postavljeni
hibridni metodski okvir posmatra kompletan životni ciklus,
ali i svaki od jediničnih procesa koji uključuju elementarne
tokove, odnosno tokove uzete iz prirodnog sistema bez
dodatne obrade, kao i tokove proizvoda, odnosno tokovekoji su na neki način izmenjeni od strane pojedinih
antropogenih sistema. Izračunavanje sadržaja eksergije i
karakterizacionih faktora je sprovedeno kako za
elementarne tokove tako i za tokove proizvoda.
Funkcionalnost i praktična primenljivost razvijenog
hibridnog modela je verifikovana na dva primera, koji su
obuvatili proizvodnju laminatnog parketa i međusobnu
komparaciju hibridnih baznih predajničkih stanica i
konvencionalnih baznih predajničkih stanica. Dobijeni
rezultati daju jednu zaista detaljniju i širu sliku mehanizma
nastanka i izvora negativnih uticaja tokom životnog ciklusa
posmatranih industrijskih sistema. Time je potvrđena
njegovu praktična primenljivost, kao i ukupni cilj
istraživanja. Rezultati istraživanja realizovani u okviru
doktorske disertacije, u opštem smislu, daju doprinos
stvaranju osnove za izdradnju puta ka razvoju i proizvodnji
održivih proizvoda i procesa. Razvijeni hibridni model za
ocenjivanje životnog ciklusa proizvoda i procesa pruža
dodatne informacije, koje mogu biti korisne u procesu
donošenja odluka na svim nivoima, kako u industriji tako i
u državnim institucijama.
This PhD thesis presented the development of a
hybrid model for life cycle assessment of products and
processes. The development of a hybrid model includes the
improvement of the existing methodological LCA
framework, and therefore of all phases of the LCA:
definition of goal and scope, inventory analysis, life cycle
impact assessment and interpretation. The most significant
improvements have been made within the inventory
analysis and life cycle impact assessment phases.
Improvement have been made in relation to the method of
data collection, due to the inclusion of parameters for
calculation of the exergy content of in- and output flows.
Improvement of the life cycle impact assessment phase is
reflected through the development of original approach for
calculating the total consumption of exergy, through the
inclusion of additional impact category, development of
indicator for impact category and development of method
for calculation of characterization factors. The analysis of
existing LCIA methods was performed, in order to choose
the appropriate method that will incorporate this additional
impact category, as well as an impact category indicator,
which together should describe the total consumption of
exergy throughout the entire life cycle. Further,
development of this impact category have been complied
with certain criteria which it must meet in order to be
properly incorporated in the chosen LCIA method. Besides
this, an important part of improvement of the life cycle
impact assessment is the development of method for
calculation of characterization factors. Developed
additional impact category is named Total exergy
consumption, and it's expressed through indicator of MJex.
LCIA method that is chosen based on the performed
SWOT analysis and which incorporated this additional
impact category is CML method. Developed hybrid
methodological framework takes into account the entire life
cycle, and each of the unit processes that involves
elementary flows (flows taken from the natural system
without any further processing), as well as product flows(flows that are in some way altered by certain
anthropogenic system). Calculation of exergy and
characterization factors was performed for both elementary
and product flows.
Functionality and practical applicability of the
developed hybrid model was verified through two case
studies, which are the production of laminate parquet
flooring and comparison of hybrid base transceiver stations
and conventional base transceiver stations. The obtained
results provided more detailed and more broader insight of
the mechanism of the generation and source of negative
impacts throughout the life cycle of observed industrial
systems. Thus, the practical applicability of the developed
hybrid model and goal of the research have been
confirmed. The results of the research contribute to
creation of the foundation for designing a path towards
development and manufacturing of sustainable products
and processes. The developed hybrid model for the life
cycle assessment of products and processes provides
additional information that may be useful in decisionmaking
process at all levels, within both industry and
government institutions.
The concentration of antibodies against virus influenza A H1N1 in the titer (≥1:32) positively correlates with resistance to flu in healthy persons. In elderly and immune-compromised patients, an ...influenza vaccine may be less immunogenic.
: A lower post-vaccinal antibody titer (≥1:16) may be sero-protective against respiratory viral infections in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
: Fifty patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-24; Rheumatoid Arthritis-15; and Sjögren's Syndrome-11), who were at least 65 years old or whose relative disease duration (disease duration/age) was greater than 1/8, were examined. Thirty-four of them were vaccinated with a trivalent inactivated non-adjuvant influenza vaccine. The antibody concentration against influenza virus A H1N1 was measured using the standardized hemagglutination inhibition test and patients who got any respiratory viral infection were registered. To test the hypothesis, a correlative analysis was applied, followed by a binary logistic regression that included potential confounding variables, such as age, disease duration and therapy (personal/health-related conditions).
: Vaccinated patients were significantly less affected by respiratory viral infections (21% vs. 75%). The lower titer considered (≥1:16) was significantly present more often among vaccinated patients (68% vs. 6%). The correlation between its presence/absence and that of respiratory viral infections was -0.34 (
< 0.05). The binary logistic regression evidenced the relevance of this correlation, confirming the hypothesis. Vaccination was associated with the 87.3% reduction in the likelihood of getting respiratory viral infections, whereas the lower antibody titer (≥1:16) was associated with the 77.6% reduction in the likelihood of getting respiratory viral infections. The vaccine was well tolerated by all patients and after vaccination no exacerbation of the underlying disease was observed.
: A lower antibody titer (≥1:16) against influenza virus A H1N1 could be protective against respiratory viral infections for certain autoimmune rheumatic diseases patients, which confirms the clinical effectiveness of influenza vaccination.
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•Disturbance promotes natural regeneration and pollen, but not seed, immigration.•Post-disturbance pollen immigration helps maintaining neutral genetic diversity.•Contrasting spatial ...genetic patterns are present in cohorts of adults and juveniles.•Gene flow monitoring is crucial to develop conservation plans, in particular in GCUs.•Skewed reproductive success might impact the adaptive potential of forest remnants.
Studying how genetic diversity is transmitted between generations is critical for assessing the survival prospects of fragmented forest tree populations. This is especially urgent in the case of rare, endangered species that are at high risk of extinction and/or exceptionally susceptible to climate change, and are thus to be prioritised for conservation initiatives. We performed the first assessment of gene flow patterns by parentage analysis in the IUCN red-listed Serbian spruce Picea omorika (Panč.) Purk., within a Genetic Conservation Unit (GCU) which was exposed to fire disturbance 30 years ago. Parentage analysis was based on assigning the parentage of 104 juveniles to all the adult trees (48) present in the 2.8 ha population. All individuals were genotyped at 11 highly informative nuclear microsatellite markers.
We found that fire disturbance triggered natural regeneration, usually poor to absent in Serbian spruce, and boosted pollen immigration (66%), which is reported as rather modest among undisturbed populations of this species. Seed immigration was absent, coherently with what was previously hypothesised for natural, undisturbed populations. Thus, the immigration of new gametes into the studied Serbian spruce population was accomplished exclusively through pollen gene flow, at a rate sufficient to counteract, at least in the short term, genetic drift. Furthermore, the abundant post-disturbance pollen immigration most likely accounts for the lack of fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) in the juvenile cohort, contrary to the SGS observed in the adult cohort which is amongst the strongest ever recorded in anemophilous forest tree species. Finally, as generally found in forest trees, individual reproductive success was uneven among individuals, with 25% of local adults siring 70% of the sampled juveniles.
Our results on post-disturbance gene flow patterns in the only Serbian spruce population with reportedly abundant regeneration complement the outcomes of previous genetic studies while providing essential information for the dynamic management and conservation of this rare and endangered species severely threatened by climate warming. Tracking the temporal development of gene flow parameters and the consequences of gene flow on genetic diversity are two cornerstones of future forest genetic monitoring programs, which are particularly important for GCUs. In particular, monitoring the genetic diversity of forest regeneration is deemed as the key for understanding changes that otherwise would remain mostly untraceable in long-lived organisms such as forest trees.
To assess and compare the cell viability and ion release profiles of two conventional glass ionomer cements (GICs), Fuji IX and Ketac Molar EasyMix, modified with TiO2 and Mg-doped-HAp nanoparticles ...(NPs).
TiO2 NPs, synthesized via a sol–gel method, and Mg-doped hydroxyapatite, synthesized via a hydrothermal process, were incorporated into GICs at a concentration of 5 wt.%. The biocompatibility of prepared materials was assessed by evaluating their effects on the viability of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), together with monitoring ion release profiles. Statistical analysis was performed using One-way analysis of variance, with significance level p < 0.05.
The addition of NPs did not significantly affect the biocompatibility of GICs, as evidenced by comparable decreased levels in cell viability to their original formulations. Distinct variations in cell viability were observed among Fuji IX and Ketac Molar, including their respective modifications. FUJI IX and its modification with TiO2 exhibited moderate decrease in cell viability, while other groups exhibited severe negative effects. While slight differences in ion release profiles were observed among the groups, significant variations compared to original cements were not achieved. Fluoride release exhibited an initial “burst release” within the initial 24 h in all samples, stabilizing over subsequent days.
The addition of NPs did not compromise biocompatibility, nor anticariogenic potential of tested GICs. However, observed differences among FUJI IX and Ketac Molar, including their respective modifications, as well as induced low viability of DPSC by all tested groups, suggest the need for careful consideration of cement composition in their biological assessments.
The findings contribute to understanding the complex interaction between NPs and GIC matrices. However, the results should be interpreted recognizing the inherent limitations associated with in vitro studies. Further research avenues could explore long-term effects, in vivo performance, and potential clinical applications.
The results of long-term groundwater monitoring in the Bileća reservoir adjacent (eastern Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina) indicate that there is a good hydraulic connection between the reservoir ...and the karst aquifer located in the right bank of the reservoir. In remote parts of the right-bank karst aquifer, due to complex lithostratigraphic characteristics and a tectonic structure, the influence of the reservoir is very variable and has been insufficiently studied up until now. This paper presents the analysis and synthesis of new, relevant hydrogeological data, as a basis for the creation of a 3D spatial model, i.e., the analysis of the karst system’s behaviour, both under regular and artificial hydrological conditions of surface reservoir construction and its continuous use (filling and emptying). The interactive connection of the model and complex surface and groundwater time series monitoring data of this system is presented through the analysis of its hydrodynamic characteristics, which completes the spatial model of the karst regime caused by low and high groundwater levels and low and high reservoir water levels. The integration of all the data into one model and further multiparametric analyses revealed the different types of hydrodynamic conditions prevailing in the karst aquifer with regard to the influence of the high or low waters of the reservoir.
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