Search

Penny bun (Boletus edulis) and chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) are fungi used for human consumption in several forms: fresh, thermally treated, or conserved (salted, marinated, pasteurized, dried). Random samples were collected on the territory of the Republic of Serbia in the period 1999-2018 intended for export to the EU. The presence of 137Cs was noted in each individual fungi sample. The higher activity level of 137Cs in fresh penny bun samples was noted in 2001 (25.9 Bqkg–1), while in fresh chanterelle samples it was noted in 2000 (18.6 Bqkg–1). Marinating the fungi reduced activity levels of 137Cs in relation to the fresh fungi activity, for penny bun from 1.6 to 12.6 times for a year, while for chanterelle from 0.8 to 14.7 times for a year. Drying the fungi increases activity levels of 137Cs: for penny bun from 0.04 to 0.29 times for a year, while for chanterelle from 0.03 to 1.94 times for a year. The values of annual effective radiation doses were much lower than the recommended values for the population (1 mSv).

Mosses are proven bioindicators of living environments. It is known that mosses accumulate pollutants from precipitates and, to some lesser extent, from the substrate. In this study, the effects of cesium (Cs) on the physiological traits of acrocarp polytrichaceous Catherine's moss (Atrichum undulatum Hedw.) were studied under controlled, in vitro conditions. Cesium can be found in the environment in a stable form (133Cs) and as a radioactive isotope (134Cs and 137Cs). Belonging to the same group of elements, Cs and potassium (K) share various similarities, due to which Cs can interfere with this essential element and thus possibly alter the plant's metabolism. Results have shown that Cs affects the measured physiological characteristics of A. undulatum, although the changes to antioxidative enzyme activities were not drastic following Cs treatments. Therefore, the activities of antioxidative enzymes at lower pH values are more the consequence of pH effects on enzymatic conformation than simply the harmful effects of Cs. Moreover, Cs did not affect the survival of plants grown on the solid substrate nor plants grown in conditions of light and heavy rain simulation using Cs with variable pH, indicating that Cs is not harmful in this form for the studied species A. undulatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the presence of mycorrhizae on seedlings from part of ten-year-old truffles plantation (about 3,000 m2) located in Eastern Serbia. This study is observation of the presence of ectomycorrhizal fungus from genus Tuber during its symbiotic stage on the roots of Corylus avellana L. Ten root samples were collected (randomly) and observed macroscopically and microscopically analyzed. There were changes in morphology and anatomy of the infected roots of C. avellana. Mantle was clearly observed to cover the roots and the mycelia formed the Harting net. Among arbitrary selected seedlings, there were found mature fruiting bodies on the surface of the soil. The truffles, identified as Tuber macrosporum Vittad, were found in the immediate vicinity of the hazelnut trees. There has been no previous information of mycorrhizae Tuber macrosporum/Corylus avellana on artificially created truffles plantation in Serbia. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 173032 and Grant no. 173015]

Dimensional analysis is a tool used to understand and analyze various problems in engineering. This analysis is useful for calculating dimensionless parameters and gives an answer as to which group of parameters affects the problem. Dimensional analysis can be represented using Buckingham's p-theorem. This paper provides an overview of the literature on the application of dimensional analysis and Buckingham's p theorem for various processing processes. The review period is observed in the period from 2007 until today. The main focus remains of the production process, performance and parameters of process, dimension and years of publication. Review work in this area aims to provide ready-made information in one place that can be very useful to future researchers in this direction of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, trends have been towards modeling machine processing using artificial intelligence. Artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple regression analysis are methods used to model and optimize the performance of manufacturing technologies. ANN and multiple regression analysis show high reliability in the prediction and optimization of machining processes. In this paper, machining parameters such as spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut were used in end milling process to minimize surface roughness. The influence of the parameters on the surface roughness was investigated using an artificial neural network and multiple regression analysis, and results are compared with the measured results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]