Clean, fresh air is the most important requirement for good indoor air quality (IAQ) in all buildings, but it is especially important with regard to the environments within hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The literature indicates that buildings with heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems may have an increased risk of sick building syndrome (SBS) and building-related illness (BRI) if they are not well maintained. Microorganisms are brought into hospitals by people, air currents, water, construction materials and equipment. The main objective of this study was to assess the degree of fungal and bacterial contamination in the University Clinical Centre in Banja Luka, which is directly connected to the HVAC system. Airborne bacteria and fungi in the indoor hospital environment were assessed experimentally. Air samples were collected during the winter season. This paper presents the results related to the concentration of microorganisms expressed in colony forming units per cubic metre of air sampled (in CFU/m) together with the microclimatic parameters temperature and relative humidity. The results of monitoring indicate the effectiveness of HVAC systems in reducing microbiological contamination.

Noise pollution is one of the main environmental problems today.The main source of environmental noise is traffic noise, especially the noise of road vehicles. The continuing expansion of motorized transport in Europe and Republic of Srpska today, and especially the sharp increase in the use of private cars raises concerns about the health risks.The aim of the case study was to determine the noise level at the location „Borik“ in Banja Luka. The measured values indicate that the noise level in this street is alarming. This paper discusses health and well-being related impacts of traffic noise pollution as well as the economic and social benefits associated with its reduction. It summarizes the latest scientific evidence on the impact of road traffic-induced noise on physical and mental health as a reaction to the high level of traffic noise risks. According to the scientific evidence, road traffic is the main source of noise pollution in Europe that cause harmful health such as impaired communication and disturbed sleep, as well as adverse after effects such as fatigue and decreased performance, annoyance, hearing impairment, ischemic heart disease and hypertension. The effects of unhealthy noise level are reflected on living and working conditions, consequently affecting the economy.This paper highlights economic implications and health benefits linked to cross-functionalities in the process of noise reduction in urbanism, architecture and vehicle design and methods for its evaluation. Cost-benefit analysis would be a pivotal decision-making tool for the city road traffic and land-use decisions. Economic valuation is about identifying all preferences and translating them into a money measure, to create a common denominator for comparing the pros and cons. Any decision implicitly include a money value into health effects. A holistic approach is crucial, considering the various health and economic consequences together.

The aim of this study was to assess the microbiological contamination levels of indoor pollution in General hospital in Doboj-Department of Microbiology and Patoanatomy and Department of Microbiology with Parasitology of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Concentration of bacteria and fungi was determined in order to evaluate the microbiological quality of the air in the subject Hospital. Furthermore, correlation of airborne bacteria and fungi with environmental parameters (temperature, relative humidity) was investigated. Air samples were collected during the winter season (February, 2017) at nine different locations. Variation of microorganism in air samples was discussed, through experimental measuring. The paper presents the average values of bacteria and fungi (in CFU/m 3 ). Maximum, minimum and other statistical values are in correlation with microclimatic parameters. Variations are directly connected to relative humidity. The results of this study show the high level of microbiological contamination of the air. Increased ventilation, alongside with HVAC system and other hygiene measures in the subject hospital would significantly contribute to the improvement microbiological quality of the indoor air.

People in Croatia seem to choose learning foreign languages, besides their obligatory ones throughout their education, even when they do not choose a career in languages. This study investigated the use of language learning strategies of multilinguals who majored in languages (the L group) and those who did not (the NL group). There were eight participants, four in each group, who spoke at least two foreign languages. The study was conducted using the form of an interview which consisted of two parts. The first part focused on examining the levels of metalinguistic awareness, and approach and attitudes towards language learning, whereas in the second part the focus was on more specific information about language learning strategies. Findings show that both groups form their attitudes to language learning based on their personal experiences and use their L1 to help them with a foreign language. They both make connections between languages they speak and notice similarities and differences in them. However, it seems that the L group is more metalinguistically aware than the NL group. This was shown in the inconsistency of some answers given by the NL group. Learning vocabulary seems to differ on the individual level, but it can generally be concluded that the L group approaches it by paying attention to many factors that are proven to have a positive effect on language learning, as opposed to the NL group. Another difference was found in the way students plan their learning. It seems that the L group does not plan their learning as much as the NL group does, when it comes to language. Moreover, the L group seems to have a better understanding of some features of English grammar that do not exist in Croatian. The NL group, on the other hand, uses popular culture to improve their language learning and emphasizes it more than the L group does. It was concluded that the career choice possibly affected language learning strategies which shaped language learning differently for both groups, but did not affect success in acquiring those languages.

The advanced thermal insulation materials and solutions for improved thermal resistance have been receiving an ever increasing attention due to their significance for sustainable building. Reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions by development and deployment of sustainable construction technologies, systems and materials in new and existing buildings will be key to addressing the challenge of a transition to nearly zero-energy buildings in Europe by 2020. Nanotechnology promises to make thermal insulation more efficient, less reliant on non-renewable resources as an important strategy on the pathway to green buildings. The application of nano insulation materials to limit the wall thickness is one of the greatest potential energy-saving characteristics for the existing buildings, as well as for the architectural heritage. This paper examines the potential advantages of using nanotechnology-based high-performance thermal insulation materials in reducing the life cycle energy, reduction of material usage and enhancing the life span of buildings.