71. Upper Miocene ostracods from the Krško Basin, SE SloveniaMiha Marinšek, Valentina Hajek-Tadesse, Marijan Poljak, Tea Kolar-Jurkovšek, Luka Gale, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the ostracod assemblage from a 43 m thick section of
the Bizeljsko Formation, which constitutes the middle part of the Upper Miocene Posavje Group.
The succession comprises sandstone, siltstone, and marlstone, deposited in a delta front environment. The determined ostracods belong to the families Cyprididae, Cytheridae, Darwinulidae, and Loxoconchidae. In total, 30 species were identified. Additionally, 8 morphotypes were determined at the genus level. The most common genera are Candona, Hemicytheria, and Cyprideis. The assemblage belongs to the Caspiocypris labiata subzone from the upper Pannonian.
The ostracod assemblage from the Krško Basin is similar in species composition to Pannonian ostracod assemblages from Croatia and Serbia.
Keywords: Lake Pannon, Bizeljsko Formation, Pannonian, biostratigraphy, palaeoenvironment
Published in DiRROS: 27.07.2023; Views: 295; Downloads: 149
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72. Environmentally friendly protection of European beech against fire and fungal decay using a combination of thermal modification and mineralisationRožle Repič, Andreja Pondelak, Davor Kržišnik, Miha Humar, Nataša Knez, Friderik Knez, Andrijana Sever Škapin, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The demand for construction timber is continuously increasing, due to its favourable characteristics. However, the adequate protection of wood is key to its successful use, as it is flammable and susceptible to biodegradation. Given that thermal modification enhances the durability of wood, and mineralisation with CaCO3 considerably improves its fire properties, it is worth considering the combined effects of the two methods. European beech (Fagus sylvatica) was selected to determine the effects of a) thermal modification, b) mineralisation through the in-situ formation of CaCO3, and c) a combination of the two procedures, on resistance to decay fungi, reaction to fire and the mechanical properties of the wood. Microscopic analysis and comparisons of the samples before and after exposure to fungi were also conducted. Mineralised wood generally had a slightly alkaline pH value and higher equilibrium moisture content, while thermal modification lowered the equilibrium moisture content. The present study demonstrated the combined effect of thermal modification and mineralisation: the best response to fire as well as resistance to fungi was achieved when the two treatments were combined. Results from the Brinell hardness and three-point bending tests indicate that both modification procedures can slightly impair the mechanical properties of the wood.
Keywords: wood, protection, durability, mechanical properties
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2023; Views: 330; Downloads: 250
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73. Sensor development for corrosion monitoring of stainless steels in H2SO4 solutionsMiha Hren, Tadeja Kosec, Mari Lindgren, Elina Huttunen-Saarivirta, Andraž Legat, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Equipment made of different stainless steels is often used in the hydrometallurgical processing industry. In this study, an electrical resistance sensor was developed for monitoring corrosion in acidic solutions at high temperature. Two types of stainless steel were used as the electrode materials, namely grade 316L stainless steel (EN 1.4404) and grade 2507 duplex stainless steel (EN 1.4410). The materials and sensors were exposed to a 10% H2SO4 solution containing 5000 mg/L of NaCl at various temperatures. Results from the sensors were verified using electrochemical techniques and postexposure examination. Results showed that the microstructure played an important role in the interpretation of corrosion rates, highlighting the importance of using an appropriate stainless steel for the production of sensors. Electrochemical tests and postexposure examination both showed that the grade 2507 had a significantly lower corrosion rate compared to the grade 316L. Under industrial‑process conditions, the results for the grade 2507 sensor were promising with respect to sensor durability and performance, despite the extremely harsh operating environment.
Keywords: stainless steel, hydrometallurgical industry, sulphuric acid, electrical resistance sensor, corrosion
Published in DiRROS: 05.07.2023; Views: 326; Downloads: 183
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74. Characterizing steel corrosion in different alkali-activated mortarsNina Gartner, Miha Hren, Tadeja Kosec, Andraž Legat, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) present a promising potential alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The service life of reinforced concrete structures depends greatly on the corrosion resistance of the steel used for reinforcement. Due to the wide range and diverse properties of AAMs, the corrosion processes of steel in these materials is still relatively unknown. Three different alkali-activated mortar mixes, based on fly ash, slag, or metakaolin, were prepared for this research. An ordinary carbon-steel reinforcing bar was installed in each of the mortar mixes. In order to study the corrosion properties of steel in the selected mortars, the specimens were exposed to a saline solution in wet/dry cycles for 17 weeks, and periodic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were performed. The propagation of corrosion damage on the embedded steel bars was followed using X-ray computed microtomography (XCT). Periodic EIS measurements of the AAMs showed different impedance response in individual AAMs. Moreover, these impedance responses also changed over the time of exposure. Interpretation of the results was based on visual and numerical analysis of the corrosion damages obtained by XCT, which confirmed corrosion damage of varying type and extent on steel bars embedded in the tested AAMs.
Keywords: corrosion, alkali-activated mortars, steel reinforcement, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, X-ray computed microtomography, visual analysis
Published in DiRROS: 05.07.2023; Views: 367; Downloads: 172
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76. Understanding stability, oligomerization and deactivation during catalytic lignin hydrodeoxygenation by mechanistic reaction micro-kinetics linked with 3D catalyst particle nanotomographyTina Ročnik, Matej Žula, Janvit Teržan, Blaž Likozar, Uroš Maver, Laura Činč Ćurić, Edita Jasiukaityte, Miha Grilc, 2023, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 23.06.2023; Views: 308; Downloads: 167
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77. Combining mineralisation and thermal modification to improve the fungal durability of selected wood speciesRožle Repič, Andreja Pondelak, Davor Kržišnik, Miha Humar, Andrijana Sever Škapin, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The development of non-biocidal and environmentally friendly systems to protect wood against biological decay has become a high priority in recent years. In the present study the impact of an innovative modification procedure, combining two environmentally friendly modification methods: thermal modification and mineralisation, using an aqueous solution of calcium acetoacetate as a precursor, on the fungal durability of wood was evaluated. European beechwood (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway sprucewood (Picea abies) were selected as model wood species. Wood samples were treated using either a single or combination of both methods and exposed to four different fungi: Gloeophyllum trabeum, Rhodonia placenta, Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus. The effect of the different modifications on moisture content, dynamic vapour sorption, contact angle and pH value was also evaluated. Overall, the highest durability against Rhodonia placenta, Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus was achieved through thermal modification in both wood species, while the combination of mineralisation and thermal modification has a synergistic effect against degradation by Gloeophyllum trabeum. In the case of beechwood the mass loss decreased from 41% for native to 6% for combined modified samples. We proved that the effectiveness of different treatment against fungal decay of wood were in strong dependence of their moisture content, dynamic vapour sorption, contact angle and pH values. The role of fungi on the morphology of the wood and on crystal structure of formed carbonate was investigated using SEM-EDS analysis.
Keywords: thermal modification, wood mineralization, fungal durability, environmentally friendly modification methods
Published in DiRROS: 20.06.2023; Views: 330; Downloads: 381
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78. Investigation of the British pendulum calibration uncertainty by Monte Carlo simulationVid Primožič, Miha Hiti, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The paper presents the evaluation of the calibration uncertainty of the British pendulum slip resistance tester using Monte Carlo simulation method. A mathematical model was produced which describes pendulum behavior based on its calibration parameters. The Monte Carlo simulation, programmed in Python, was used for simulating the effect of each of the calibration parameters adjustment within their tolerance intervals, with uniform and triangular probability distribution. Four different tolerance limits were compared: limits from a current international standard, a proposition with reduced limits from recent literature, and two novel propositions, one with reduced but easily achievable limits, and a second one for best practically achievable limits. The results of the simulation show a fundamental standard uncertainty contribution of about 2.8% for pendulum calibration according to current standard limits. Furthermore, they suggest a possible improvement to 0.5%–0.7% as its best practical direct calibration standard uncertainty for reduced limits.
Keywords: British pendulum, simulacija, Monte Carlo, merilna negotovost, odprti dostop
Published in DiRROS: 20.06.2023; Views: 305; Downloads: 172
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79. Engineered combinatorial cell device for wound healing and bone regenerationLucija Kadunc, Duško Lainšček, Rok Gašperšič, Petra Sušjan, Uroš Kovačič, Miha Butinar, Boris Turk, Roman Jerala, Iva Hafner Bratkovič, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Growth factors are the key regulators that promote tissue regeneration and healing processes. While the effects of individual growth factors are well documented, a combination of multiple secreted growth factors underlies stem cell–mediated regeneration. To avoid the potential dangers and laborintensive individual approach of stem cell therapy while maintaining their regeneration-promoting effects based on multiple secreted growth factors, we engineered a “mix-and-match” combinatorial platform based on a library of cell lines producing growth factors. Treatment with a combination of growth factors secreted by engineered mammalian cells was more efficient than with individual growth factors or even stem cell–conditioned medium in a gap closure assay. Furthermore, we implemented in a mouse model a device for allogenic cell therapy for an in situ production of growth factors, where it improved cutaneous wound healing. Augmented bone regeneration was achieved on calvarial bone defects in rats treated with a cell device secreting IGF, FGF, PDGF, TGF-β, and VEGF. In both in vivo models, the systemic concentration of secreted factors was negligible, demonstrating the local effect of the regeneration device. Finally, we introduced a genetic switch that enables temporal control over combinations of trophic factors released at different stages of regeneration mimicking the maturation of natural wound healing to improve therapy and prevent scar formation.
Keywords: wound healing, bone regeneration, growth factors
Published in DiRROS: 01.06.2023; Views: 495; Downloads: 193
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80. Characterization of steel corrosion processes in various blended cements by means of coupled multi-electrode arraysMiha Hren, Tadeja Kosec, Andraž Legat, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Supplementary cementitious materials can affect the porosity of concrete, pore solution pH and chloride binding, all of which influence the type and magnitude of corrosion damage. Advanced corrosion monitoring techniques are needed to follow the development of corrosion on steel embedded in concrete across space and over time. In this study, coupled multi-electrode arrays (CMEAs) were used to characterise corrosion processes in OPC and three blended cements. Cyclic wetting with chlorides was undertaken to initiate corrosion. The results showed three distinct types of corrosion: localised corrosion (CEM I), localised corrosion that expanded over time (CEM II), and a combination of localised and general corrosion (CEM III and CEM IV). Cathodic locations were also monitored successfully, and the corrosion behaviour was related to total porosity and pH of the pore solution. MicroCT was used to quantify the volume of corroded material, which agreed well with results calculated from the CMEA measurements.
Keywords: blended cements, coupled multi-electrode array, corrosion of steel in concrete, supplementary cementitious materials, open access
Published in DiRROS: 29.05.2023; Views: 275; Downloads: 174
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