Sustainable rural development in Serbia - relationship between population dynamicss and environment

In this paper the relationship between populatiOn and the environment, and their influence on rural sustainability in Serbia, using quantitative typology of rural areas will be examined. The typology is based on the net relative change of population in rural areas in Serbia, according to the difference between the number of inhabitants at the end of the studied period (2011) and a hypothetical population that each rural settlement would have if the population in base year (1961) was changed proportionally to the change of total rural population. Research results indicate types of population dynamics of rural areas with different scale and intensity of environmental degradation: progressive type with favorable human and economic potentials, strong urban influence and huge environmental transformation; stagnant type with advanced agricultural and demographic dimension which imposed pressures to the natural environment; regressive type with heterogeneous demographic, social and economic features, and different impacts on natural and social environment, and dominant regressive type of rural areas highly characterised by the deficient in human and economic potential and preserved natural resources. Based on analysed rural particularities it can be concluded that the different human, environmental and economic potentials and obstacles of determined types of rural areas should be the starting point in defining appropriate sustainable strategies and development directions

A review of the polygraph: history, methodology and current status

The history of research into psychophysiological measurements as an aid to detecting lying, widely known as the ‘lie detector’ or polygraph is the focus of this review. The physiological measurements used are detailed and the debates that exist in regards to its role in the investigative process are introduced. Attention is given to the main polygraph testing methods, namely the Comparative Question Test and the Concealed Information Test. Discussion of these two central methods, their uses and problems forms the basis of the review. Recommendations for future research are made specifically in regards to improving current polygraph technology and exploring the role of the polygraph in combination with other deception detection techniques

The utility of post-conviction polygraph testing among sexual offenders

It is often difficult to ascertain the true extent and nature of sexually deviant behavior, as much relies on self-report or historic information. The polygraph has been proposed as a useful tool in the treatment and supervision of sex offenders. The current review aims to provide a coherent, objective, and recent synthesis of evaluation studies exploring the utility of the post-conviction polygraph (PCSOT) in the treatment and management of sexual offenders. This was assessed based on offense recidivism rates and disclosure; self-reported utility was also considered. Nineteen studies were identified from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands with no randomized controlled trials identified. Overall, there was a significant increase in relevant disclosures associated with the polygraph. The impact on reoffending rates was significant for violent but not sexual offenses. A number of methodological factors introduced the potential for bias in a significant number of studies reviewed in this review

The pharmacologic treatment of problematic sexual interests, paraphilic disorders and sexual preoccupation in adult men who have committed a sexual offence

This paper provides an international perspective on the use of medications to treat problematic sexual interests, paraphilic disorders and sexual preoccupation in men who have committed a sexual offence. Experts from Canada, Czech Republic (CR), Russia, United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (US) met in Prague, CR in May 2017 to review and compare their treatment approaches. This report is a summary of their discussions, including empirical data from CR and Russia which have not previously been published in the English language. All participants agreed that continuing international collaboration would be very useful for the development of ethical international prescribing guidelines, as well as pooling data from studies on the efficacy and utility of pharmacological and other biological treatments for people who have committed sexual offences

Non-Newtonian Mixed Thermo-Elastohydrodynamics of Hypoid Gear Pairs

Transmission efficiency is the main objective in the development of vehicular differential systems, comprising hypoid gear pairs. The overall aim is to contribute to improved vehicle fuel efficiency and thus levels of harmful emissions for modern desired eco-drive axles. Detailed predictive analysis plays an important role in this quest, particularly under realistic operating conditions, comprising high contact loads and shear rates. Under these conditions, the hypoid gear pairs are subject to mixed non-Newtonian thermo-elastohydrodynamic conditions, which is the approach undertaken in this paper. Such an approach for hypoid gear pair has not hitherto been reported in the literature

Sustainable rural development in Serbia - relationship between population dynamicss and environment

In this paper the relationship between populatiOn and the environment, and their influence on rural sustainability in Serbia, using quantitative typology of rural areas will be examined. The typology is based on the net relative change of population in rural areas in Serbia, according to the difference between the number of inhabitants at the end of the studied period (2011) and a hypothetical population that each rural settlement would have if the population in base year (1961) was changed proportionally to the change of total rural population. Research results indicate types of population dynamics of rural areas with different scale and intensity of environmental degradation: progressive type with favorable human and economic potentials, strong urban influence and huge environmental transformation; stagnant type with advanced agricultural and demographic dimension which imposed pressures to the natural environment; regressive type with heterogeneous demographic, social and economic features, and different impacts on natural and social environment, and dominant regressive type of rural areas highly characterised by the deficient in human and economic potential and preserved natural resources. Based on analysed rural particularities it can be concluded that the different human, environmental and economic potentials and obstacles of determined types of rural areas should be the starting point in defining appropriate sustainable strategies and development directions

Mercury pollution of sediments from the river Tisa (Serbia)

Mercury (Hg) has been listed as a global high priority pollutant by many international organizations due to its mobility and persistence in the environments and high toxicity to organisms. This research was conducted with the aims to determine: (i) total Hg content (THg) and its spatial distribution in sediments of river Tisa along the river course, (ii) possible sources of THg and (iii) degree of THg pollution in sediments from the river Tisa through different criteria. Total Hg in the sediments ranged from 0.07 to 0.49 mg kg-1, with mean ± S.D. value of 0.26 ± 0.10 mg kg-1. The highest mean value of THg (0.30 mg kg-1) was found in the lower stream, while the lowest (0.13 mg kg-1) was found in the tributary. According to Principal Component Analyses (PCA) strong positive loading of metals in all parts of the river Tisa is mainly controlled from the same sources. These sources are related to anthropogenic activities based on calculated Enrichment Factor (EF) values. Total Hg are higher than background value. According to the Republic of Serbia official standard, THg values of river Tisa sediments were within the range of maximum permissible values. Compared with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) guideline, 80.49% of sediment samples indicated that THg in the river Tisa sediments represented minimal and possible risk towards the living organisms. Integrating the results of pollution assessment, it could be concluded that THg in river Tisa sediments in Serbia demonstrates considerable contamination according to Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Contaminant Factor (CF), and high pollution risk according to Potential Environmental Risk Index (PERI)

Application of Nature-Based Solutions in Serbian Protected Area Management for the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals

Healthy natural ecosystems, such as protected areas (PA), support and sustain biodiversity and human well-being by providing essential ecosystem services and health benefits. However, maintaining such ecosystems to provide these environmental benefits becomes a more and more challenging issue with climate changes, biodiversity loss, land degradation and the continued erosion of the natural capital, particularly in the developing world. The main objective of this research is to establish a methodology for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 “Life on Land”. The methodology will include the determination of heavy metals in soil and needle samples, and questioners for different stakeholders: local people, local businesses, government, civil society organizations (CSO), and the academic community. Soils are integral components of protected area ecosystems. Soil health has been defined as “the capacity of soil to function as a vital living system, within an ecosystem and land-use boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or enhance water and air quality, and promote plant and animal health” [1]. This definition speaks to the importance of managing soils, so they remain sustainable for future generations. On the other hand, the conifer needles are good bioindicators of ecosystem conditions. The questioner will allow obtaining data about the social and economic benefits of the PAs. The soil and needle samples from four protected areas in Serbia (Zlatibor, Golija, Tara, Đerdap) were analyzed using Inductively coupled plasma –optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Quantitative pollution indices were calculated (Enrichment factor (EF), Contamination factor (Cf), Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), Pollution load index (PLI), and Degree of contamination (Cd)), since they are effective tools for converting the raw environmental data into information relevant to support decision-making [2]. Results of this study provide a scientifically-based overview of the conditions of soil health and health of the forest ecosystem and help to propose nature-based solutions (NBS) for enhancing the sustainability of management, especially in the context of improving ecosystem services and climate change adaptation and mitigation. NBS provide affordable, sustainable, and feasible benefits that contribute to improving soil quality and support several ecosystem services relevant to support public health and social well-being [4]. Results of this study use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 15 “Life on Land” as a global framework for establishing the partnership between PA managers, conservationists and local authorities that would enhance health and increase environmental, social and economic benefits of the PAs