Marko Nikolic

Implementation models for energy recovery measures of existing kindergarten facilities in Serbia

Original scientific paper Investments in the construction of new kindergartens are at a low level in Serbia. On the other hand, the existing facilities are outdated, devastated and do not meet current regulations, especially in terms of energy efficiency. The attendance of children in such facilities represents a significant social issue and therefore, the refurbishment of these structures is necessary. This paper presents measures for energy recovery and methods of their implementation within the framework of a comprehensive revitalization of the existing kindergartens. Through a case study, an analysis of energy efficiency and cost effectiveness for three sets of measures has been conducted, the findings of which are presented and discussed. The advantages of the applied methods are listed, as well as the potential areas for the implementation of the results. In addition, some recommendations for the future research are given and the limitations in the application of the obtained results are emphasized.

The Influences and Importance of the UNESCO World Heritage List: The Case of Plaošnik, Ohrid

The World Heritage List was created as a result of the need to protect and conserve cultural and natural heritage. The Ohrid region is one of only 28 sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List that are both cultural and natural sites. Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe, boasting exquisite medieval religious architecture, as well as urban architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. The site of Plaošnik is a large archaeological and historic location in Ohrid’s old town that witnessed all cultural eras from prehistory to Ottoman, but most importantly it was the location of the oldest Slavic monastery and the first Slavic University in the Balkans. In 2007, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia prepared a controversial plan of activities for the instauration of St. Clement’s University at Plaošnik. The main interest of this study is the position of cultural heritage in the evolution of a town, and the treatment of heritage in this process, shown through the case of Plaošnik; it focuses on the influence of pressure for (re)development projects on the key elements of an area recognized by the World Heritage List, as well as the influence of the World Heritage List, as an international legal instrument, on the preservation of these features.

[PP.04.24] THE IMPACT OF HYPERTENSION ON QT DISPERSION AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH ANGINA PECTORIS

Objective: Introduction: QT dispersion (QTd) is a measure of inhomogeneous repolarization of myocardium and is used as an indicator of arrhythmogenicity. According to the values of QTd can identify coronary patients who are at high risk of cardiac death and sudden cardiac death. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hypertension on QT dispersion and echocardiographic parameters in patients with angina pectoris. Design and method: The study included 113 patients with angina pectoris (average age 57.2 years), of which 78 were with hypertension, and 35 were without arterial hypertension. There were no significant differences in age and gender between the two groups of patients. In all subjects exercise stress test on a treadmill according to the Bruce protocol and echocardiographic examination were performed and from standard ECG corrected QT dispersion (QTdc) and QTd was calculated. Results: Patients with angina pectoris and hypertension had significantly higher values of QTd (55.1 ± 17.1 vs 42.8 ± 19.5 ms; p < 0.01) and QTdc (59.2 ± 20.0 vs 45.5 ± 18.1 ms; p < 0.001) compared to those without arterial hypertension. Also, patients with angina pectoris and hypertension had significantly higher values of the thickness of the interventricular septum (12.1 ± 2.1 vs 10.8 ± 1.7 mm; p < 0.005), left ventricle posterior wall thickness (10.9 ± 1.5 vs 9.2 ± 1.4 mm; p < 0.001) and left atrium diameter (40.9 ± 4.8 vs 37.3 ± 5.4 mm; p < 0.005) compared to those without hypertension. Patients with angina pectoris and arterial hypertension have higher values of the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (54.1 ± 5.8 vs 53.7 ± 7.1 mm; p-NS), and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (36.6 ± 6.1 vs 35.8 ± 6.9 mm; p-NS) and lower values of left ventricular ejection fraction (60.9 ± 11.2 vs 63.6 ± 11.9%; p-NS), but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that patients with angina pectoris and hypertension have significantly higher values of QT dispersion parameters, thickness of the left ventricle walls and left atrium diameter in comparison to those without hypertension.