Spatial distribution and isotopic signatures of N and C in mosses across Europe.

The accumulation of nitrogen (N) in moss tissue has proven to be a reliable marker of increasing N deposition. However, this measurement does not offer additional data about the origin of pollution. In this respect, the analysis of the N isotopic ratios might be a helpful tool in providing supplementary information about the nature of the nitrogenous species in biomonitoring surveys.

Assessment of radiological hazards of soils from the city of Bitola (Macedonia) and its environs.

To establish the radioactivity level of soils and assess the associated radiological impact on residents, 58 samples from the town of Bitola and its environs were collected. After conducting gross alpha and gross beta measurements with a gas-flow proportional counter as a preliminary screening test, subsequent gamma-spectrometry measurements reveal the presence of K, Ra, Th, and Cs in the soil samples as radionuclides with the highest impact. The absorbed gamma dose rate, the annual effective dose, radium equivalent activity, external hazard index, gamma index, excess lifetime cancer risk, and annual gonadal dose were calculated using the obtained activity concentrations of the radionuclides.

Distribution of some natural and artificial radionuclides in soil from the city of Bitola (Macedonia) and its environs.

The aim of the study is a thorough investigation of the radioactivity level in soils of the town of Bitola (Macedonia) and its environs. Topsoil samples collected from 58 locations within a 5 × 5 km grid were analysed. Serving as a screening, gross alpha and beta activity measurements were performed using gas-flow proportional counter.

Regional air quality study by assessing trace metal atmospheric deposition.

This study addresses the atmospheric deposition of trace elements investigated in Albania, Croatia and Macedonia in 2010 as part of the European Moss Study. This study provides data on the concentration of ten metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, Fe, Al, and Li) in naturally growing mosses. In general, all concentration data follow a lognormal distribution.

Comparative analysis of different nuclear medicine techniques in evaluation of renal function.

Introduction: Nuclear medicine (NM) methods play an important role in the evaluation of renal function in a wide range of clinical indications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation between measured GFR (mGFR) obtained by the three-plasma sample slope-intercept NM method (TPSM) - reference method vs. estimated GFR (eGFR) using Fleming's single plasma sample method (SPSM) at 120 min, 180 min, and 240 min and correlation of reference method with eGFR with camera-based Gates' protocol.

Study of nitrogen pollution in the Republic of North Macedonia by moss biomonitoring and Kjeldahl method.

In the summer of 2005 and 2010, moss samples were collected from 72 sampling sites evenly distributed all over the territory of Republic of North Macedonia. Kjeldahl method was used to determine the nitrogen content in the samples. Descriptive statistics and distribution maps were prepared.

Modelling spatial patterns of correlations between concentrations of heavy metals in mosses and atmospheric deposition in 2010 across Europe.

Background: This paper aims to investigate the correlations between the concentrations of nine heavy metals in moss and atmospheric deposition within ecological land classes covering Europe. Additionally, it is examined to what extent the statistical relations are affected by the land use around the moss sampling sites. Based on moss data collected in 2010/2011 throughout Europe and data on total atmospheric deposition modelled by two chemical transport models (EMEP MSC-E, LOTOS-EUROS), correlation coefficients between concentrations of heavy metals in moss and in modelled atmospheric deposition were specified for spatial subsamples defined by ecological land classes of Europe (ELCE) as a spatial reference system.

Refreshing the Aged Latent Fingerprints with Ionizing Radiation Prior to the Cyanoacrylate Fuming Procedure: A Preliminary Study.

One of the crucial factors determining the cyanoacrylate deposit quality over latent fingerprints appeared to be the extent of the humidity. This work focuses on the enhancement/refreshment of age-degraded latent fingerprints by irradiating the samples with UV, X-ray, or thermal neutrons prior to the cyanoacrylate (CA) fuming. Age degradation of latent fingerprints deposited on glass surfaces was examined through the decrease in the number of characteristic minutiae counts over time.

Spatially valid data of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and nitrogen derived by moss surveys for pollution risk assessments of ecosystems.

For analysing element input into ecosystems and associated risks due to atmospheric deposition, element concentrations in moss provide complementary and time-integrated data at high spatial resolution every 5 years since 1990. The paper reviews (1) minimum sample sizes needed for reliable, statistical estimation of mean values at four different spatial scales (European and national level as well as landscape-specific level covering Europe and single countries); (2) trends of heavy metal (HM) and nitrogen (N) concentrations in moss in Europe (1990-2010); (3) correlations between concentrations of HM in moss and soil specimens collected across Norway (1990-2010); and (4) canopy drip-induced site-specific variation of N concentration in moss sampled in seven European countries (1990-2013). While the minimum sample sizes on the European and national level were achieved without exception, for some ecological land classes and elements, the coverage with sampling sites should be improved.

Multi-element atmospheric deposition in Macedonia studied by the moss biomonitoring technique.

Moss biomonitoring technique using moss species Homolothecium lutescens (Hedw.) Robins and Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw.) was applied to air pollution studies in the Republic of Macedonia.

Trends of atmospheric deposition of trace elements in Macedonia studied by the moss biomonitoring technique.

In 2002 and 2005 the moss biomonitoring technique was applied to air pollution studies in the Republic of Macedonia in the framework of the International Cooperative Programme on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE-ICP Vegetation) Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP). In August 2005 samples of the terrestrial mosses Homolothecium lutescens and Hypnum cupressiforme were collected at 72 sites evenly distributed over the territory of the country, in accordance with the sampling strategy of the European moss survey programme. A total of 41 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Cd, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy Hf, Ta, W, Hg, Pb, Th, and U) were determined by instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry.