Soil erosion is one of the largest global problems of environmental protection and sustainable development, causing serious land degradation and environmental deterioration. The need for fast and accurate soil rate assessment of erosion and deposition favors the application of alternative methods based on the radionuclide measurement technique contrary to long-term conventional methods. In this paper, we used gamma spectrometry measurements of ¹³⁷Cs and unsupported ²¹⁰Pb _ex in order to quantify the erosion on the Titel Loess Plateau near the Tisa (Tisza) River in the Vojvodina province of Serbia. Along the slope of the study area and in the immediate vicinity eight representative soil depth profiles were taken and the radioactivity content in 1 cm thick soil layers was analyzed. Soil erosion rates were estimated according to the profile distribution model and the diffusion and migration model for undisturbed soil. The net soil erosion rates, estimated by ¹³⁷Cs method range from −2.3 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ to −2.7 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, related to the used conversion model which is comparable to published results of similar studies of soil erosion in the region. Vertical distribution of natural radionuclides in soil profiles was also discussed and compared with the profile distribution of unsupported ²¹⁰Pb _ex measurements. The use of diffusion and migration model to convert the results of ²¹⁰Pb _ex activities to soil redistribution rates indicates a slightly higher net erosion of −3.7 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ with 98% of the sediment delivery ratio.

Implementing comprehensive noise management plans in every organisation is not just a task; it is also a responsibility to maintain a productive and healthy atmosphere in the work environment. By upholding minimal noise exposure levels, we directly contribute to safeguarding workers' health and well-being, a mission that should drive our every action. Many studies have confirmed that, nowadays, exposure to noise at the workplace is, in most cases, above the proposed level. On the other hand, employees are also exposed to other physical stressors whose minimal variations affect productive capacity, social relations and employee health. In the context of Industry 5.0, it is crucial to adopt strategies that prioritise the well-being and comfort of employees. This human-centred approach enhances potency and fosters a sense of added value for workers, making them an integral part of an organization which improves resilience and a broader focus on sustainability. The paper analyses noise across 13 different industries, particularly emphasising the excessive sound pressure levels experienced by workers. It also delves into the critical values of 1/3 octave frequency that might harm different aspects of workers' health. In addition to this, worker satisfaction in standard and open-plan offices will also be considered. Particular emphasis will be placed on exploring diverse engineering solutions to minimise noise exposure, alongside conducting risk assessments in scenarios where preventive protection measures are not implemented for specific reasons.

Radiological screening of construction materials is conventionally performed on bulk samples, yet occupants are exposed to fine, abradable, and respirable fractions. This study examines how particle-size distribution (PSD) governs the redistribution of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and anthropogenic ¹³⁷Cs in construction materials and in ash from domestic biomass heating. In total, 27 materials were analysed by high-resolution HPGe gamma spectrometry, with granulometric segregation at coarse (PSD3) and fine (PSD7) resolution. PSD3 showed no monotonic effect, whereas PSD7 revealed a systematic rise of the activity concentration index toward the finest fractions. ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs showed the strongest particle-size dependence, indicating preferential accumulation in the fines; ¹³⁷Cs was detected only in biomass-ash pellets, where it was enriched in the fines (EF = 2.73 relative to bulk; a single-material case study). Two models are proposed: a physically grounded surface-controlled model and a descriptive granulometric enrichment factor for material ranking, both fitted to the present dataset. A fraction-resolved dose assessment showed that the internal hazard index (Hin) rises toward the fines and exceeds unity (≈1.1) in the respirable ash and fireclay fractions even though their bulk values remain acceptable. Bulk screening, therefore, underestimates the dose-relevant burden carried by the fine fractions that workers and households actually inhale.

The increasing integration of digital technologies in higher education raises important questions about their real pedagogical value in teaching practice. The aim of this research was to examine students’ attitudes about the use of digital technologies, their representation in teaching, and their influence on the perceived pedagogical value of teaching at the technical faculty, examined through correlational and regression analyses. The research also included an analysis of the relationships among digital technologies, student engagement, and students’ assessments of teachers’ digital competence, particularly under conditions of limited technical resources. The research was conducted on a sample of 375 students in engineering study programs. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis of the measurement scales (Cronbach’s alpha and, for the two-item scale, the Spearman-Brown coefficient), correlation analysis and regression models. The results show that, although students generally have a positive perception of digital technologies and teachers’ digital competence, exposure to advanced digital tools in teaching remains limited. Student engagement showed as the most significant predictor of the perceived pedagogical value of digital technologies, along with the institutional support and students’ digital competencies, which also made significant contributions. In contrast, teachers’ digital competence and level of exposure to digital technologies were not significant predictors when considered alongside other variables. These results demonstrate that the perceived pedagogical value of digital technologies primarily depends on the ability to encourage students’ interaction and active participation in the teaching process. The research also provides empirical evidence from the technical faculty context and contributes to understanding the conditions under which digital technologies enhance teaching quality.

This paper examines the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) among various soil particle sizes, with a focus on Fluvisol soils in Novi Sad, Serbia, which are distinguished for their high sand content. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs), as As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb were analyzed in urban soil in the vicinity of major roads and distribution factors (DF) were calculated. Urban soil was initially collected as bulk samples and then separated into seven distinct particle size fractions through wet sieving. Based on the obtained results, the highest values were observed in the finest fraction (< 25 μm), followed by larger fractions (500-1000 μm), while the lowest values were found in the medium-sized particles (125-250 μm). Considering the predominant presence of sand as larger particle in urban soils worldwide, it is important to include coarser fractions in the risk assessment for the urban environment.

This paper presents an overview of the theoretical basis of liquid–solid adsorption, with an emphasis on physical and chemical adsorption, the main stages of mass transport and the most frequently applied kinetic models. Particular attention is paid to the limitations of interpreting kinetic data and to the distinction between mathematical fitting and the actual adsorption mechanism. The overview indicates that reliable interpretation of adsorption processes must consider both surface interactions and mass-transfer resistances in the boundary layer and in adsorbent pores. In the context of printing engineering, these theoretical considerations are particularly relevant for the treatment of offset printing effluents such as waste developer and waste fountain solution, where adsorption is used as a polishing step following electrocoagulation/flotation as the primary treatment stage.