1. New records of rare species in the Mediterranean Sea (May 2022)Vasiliki Kousteni, Athanasios Anastasiadis, Michel Bariche, Pietro Battaglia, Andrea Bonifazi, Ilija Ćetković, Giovanni Chimienti, Marco Colombo, Costas Constantinou, Maria Corsini-Foka, Cem Dalyan, Aikaterini Dogrammatzi, Filippo Domenichetti, Radhouan El Zrelli, Alfredo Fernández-Alías, Thodoros E. Kampouris, Lovrenc Lipej, Borut Mavrič, Ana Pešić, Domen Trkov, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: This Collective Article presents new information about the occurrence of 20 taxa that belong to six Phyla: one Cnidaria, one Ctenophora, two Annelida, four Mollusca, two Arthropoda, and ten Chordata. These records were reported from ten countries from the western to the eastern Mediterranean Sea as follows: Spain: early colonization signs of the Mar Menor lagoon by the cigar jellyfish Olindias muelleri; France: second record of the sea chub of the genus Kyphosus in French Mediterranean waters; Italy: first record of the marbled crab Pachygrapsus maurus in Sardinian waters; first records of the polychaetes Malmgrenia polypapillata and Levinsenia tribranchiata in the Tyrrhenian Sea; new record of the deep-sea squid Ancistrocheirus lesueurii in the Tyrrhenian Sea; first record of the pignosed arrowtooth eel Dysomma brevirostre in the Adriatic Sea; Tunisia: first documented record of the blue butterfish Stromateus fiatola and new record of the iconic great white shark Carcharodon carcharias in the Gulf of Gabes; Slovenia: first records of the sea slug Diaphorodoris alba and the sharpnose sevengill shark Heptranchias perlo; Mon-tenegro: new record of the rare tope shark Galeorhinus galeus; Greece: new records of the rabbitfish Chimaera monstrosa and the electric ray Tetronarce nobiliana; first published record of the nuribranch Discodoris rosi; Turkey: first record of the ctenophore Hormiphora plumosa at country level; first records of the anomuran decapod Munida speciosa and the Mediterranean tripodfish, Bathypterois mediterraneus from the Levantine Sea; Cyprus: first documented record of the nuribranch Scyllaea pelagica; Leb-anon: first record of the killer whale Orcinus orca from the Levantine Sea.
Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 14; Downloads: 2
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2. Development and validation of a one-step reverse transcription real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection and identification of tomato mottle mosaic virus and tomato brown rugose fruit virusAntonio Tiberini, Ariana Manglli, Anna Taglienti, Ana Vučurović, Jakob Brodarič, Luca Ferretti, Marta Luigi, Andrea Gentili, Nataša Mehle, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Tobamovirus species represent a threat to solanaceous crops worldwide, due to their extreme stability and because they are seed borne. In particular, recent outbreaks of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in tomato and pepper crops led to the establishment of prompt control measures, and the need for reliable diagnosis was urged. Another member of the genus, tomato mottle mosaic virus, has recently gained attention due to reports in different continents and its common features with tomato brown rugose fruit virus. In this study, a new real-time RT-PCR detection system was developed for tomato brown rugose fruit virus and tomato mottle mosaic virus on tomato leaves and seeds using TaqMan chemistry. This test was designed to detect tomato mottle mosaic virus by amplifying the movement protein gene in a duplex assay with the tomato brown rugose fruit virus target on the CP-3’NTR region, which was previously validated as a single assay. The performance of this test was evaluated, displaying analytical sensitivity 10−5–10−6-fold dilution for seeds and leaves, respectively, and good analytical specificity, repeatability, and reproducibility. Using the newly developed and validated test, tomato brown rugose fruit virus detection was 100% concordant with previously performed analyses on 106 official samples collected in 2021 from different continents.
Keywords: real-time PCR, tomato mottle mosaic virus, tomato brown rugose fruit virus, leaves detection, seeds detections, performance criteria
Published in DiRROS: 16.07.2024; Views: 5; Downloads: 5
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4. Lastnosti lesa iz rudnika SitarjevecMiha Humar, Boštjan Lesar, Davor Kržišnik, Andreja Pondelak, Andrijana Sever Škapin, Angela Balzano, José Gonçalves, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Rudarska tradicija v Litiji, segajoča v staro železno dobo, je vključevala intenzivno uporabo lesa v rudnikih, še posebej za podporo in zaščito rovov. Rudnik Sitarjevec je bil znova odprt za turizem leta 2017, in v letu 2021 so odprli glavni rov. Les ostaja ključen material v rudnikih, čeprav so ga v preteklosti nadomeščali z drugimi materiali. Uporabljeni les je izpostavljen razkroju zaradi visoke vlažnosti in gliv, kot je bela hišna goba. Ta gliva lahko povzroči razgradnjo lesa in je pogosta v vlažnih okoljih rudnikov. Obstoj gliv je pomemben, saj lahko vplivajo na obiskovalce rudnika. Visoka relativna zračna vlažnost (96,6 %) in stalna temperatura (10,1 °C) v rudniku ustvarjata razmere, ki so ugodne za rast gliv, vendar pa relativno nizka temperatura ni omejujoč dejavnik za razgradnjo lesa. Koncentracija glivnih spor v rudniku je visoka in je razložena z razširjenostjo gliv v samem rudniku. Poleg tega smo opazili, da je v lesu veliko anorganskih onesnaževal ter veliko kristalov.
Keywords: razkroj, bela hišna goba, težke kovine, kristali, spore
Published in DiRROS: 21.06.2024; Views: 249; Downloads: 75
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5. Biocompatible polyelectrolyte multilayers with copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles for inhibiting bacterial growthNives Matijaković Mlinarić, Stefanie Altenried, Atiđa Selmani, Juraj Nikolić, Aleksander Učakar, Anamarija Zore, Anže Abram, Sandro Lehner, Andrijana Sever Škapin, Monika Kušter, Eva Roblegg, Davor Kovačević, Qun Ren, Klemen Bohinc, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The prevalence of bacterial infections presents a significant challenge in the medical field, demanding effective strategies to impede bacterial adhesion and growth on various surfaces. The conducted study investigates the efficacy of polyelectrolyte multilayers─comprising poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and alginate (ALG)─embedded with zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) to inhibit bacterial adhesion on stainless-steel surfaces. Surface characterization involved zeta potential, contact angle, and roughness assessments. The effect of NP composition, size, and morphology in conjunction with polycation or polyanion terminating multilayers was evaluated against planktonic and surface-adhered Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells. Surfaces with the positively charged PAH-terminating multilayer displayed higher water contact angles (≈ 63°) than the negatively charged ALG-terminating multilayers (≈ 45°). Multilayers containing ZnO NPs showed a significant inhibition of planktonic E. coli growth, >99%. Moreover, complete growth inhibition of surface-adhered E. coli was achieved for multilayers containing both ZnO and CuO. Due to their larger specific surface area, rod-like ZnO NPs displayed higher antibacterial activity. The samples with ALG as the terminating layer showed more substantial antibacterial properties than samples with PAH as the terminating layer. Biocompatibility tests on immortalized human keratinocyte cells revealed good compatibility with multilayers incorporating NPs. In summary, this study underscores the potential of ZnO and CuO NPs within PAH/ALG multilayers for antibacterial applications without compromising their cytocompatibility.
Keywords: polyelectrolyte multilayers, alginate, poly(allylamine hydrochloride), CuO, ZnO, nanoparticles, Escherichia coli
Published in DiRROS: 06.06.2024; Views: 130; Downloads: 110
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6. Building competences for researchers working towards ocean sustainabilityJerneja Penca, Andrea Barbanti, Christopher Cvitanovic, Amel Hamza-Chaffai, Ahmed Elshazly, Jean-Baptiste Jouffray, Nezha Mejjad, Melita Mokos, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The challenges of achieving just, equitable and sustainable ocean futures require a new type of transdisciplinary and action-oriented science that integrates across disciplines and knowledge systems. Scientists and researchers in academia, industry or government, who contribute to knowledge creation, innovation, and policy development for the ocean, must be empowered with a fresh set of competences. This paper maps the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to enable such a shift. The proposed skillset serves as a foundation for the design and operationalisation of modern training for ocean sustainability and is envisaged to be used by researchers both individually and in teams. It also highlights the potential for career diversification beyond the traditional ’blue jobs’ legitimated by existing sectors. To ensure the short-term practical implementation of the competence framework, self-awareness and self-reflection are encouraged among learners and teachers, along with pragmatic actions to overcome barriers to transdisciplinarity. For long-term impact, system interventions will be necessary to improve organisations’ readiness to absorb and valorise researchers trained in this new framework. This will require re-training the current pedagogical workforce as well as reframing existing knowledge systems and incentives.
Keywords: sustainable blue economy, sustainability science, marine sciences, transformative research, interdisciplinary sciences
Published in DiRROS: 07.05.2024; Views: 191; Downloads: 335
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7. State of the art methodologies for the estimation of fire costs in buildings to support cost–benefit analysisIkwulono David Unobe, Andrea Lucherini, Shuna Ni, Thomas Gernay, Ranjit Kumar Chaudhary, Ruben Van Coile, 2024, review article Abstract: Fires can lead to costly building damage as well as loss of lives and injuries. Installed to protect buildings from fire, or to limit the damage from such outbreaks, fire protection measures are a common feature in buildings. However, these features come at a cost. Although quite ubiquitous in buildings, the value of these features to private individuals and to society is not fully understood. To understand their value, a cost benefit analysis detailing the costs and benefits of fire protection measures is needed. Carrying out such an analysis requires methods for computing both the cost of these fire protection measures, and losses from fires (including both direct and indirect losses). This study outlines methodologies for evaluating those costs and losses. An exhaustive collection of available data necessary for estimating both costs and losses is presented. Several limitations in current methodologies and data constraints were identified, with recommendations proposed to address these shortcomings. Relevant sections of a study by the authors that refines fire protection cost estimation at national and sub-national levels are emphasized, including updated building categories, guidance on computing multipliers, and detailed cost calculation methods for installation and maintenance costs. The calculation uses regularly updated U.S. Census Bureau construction data, ensuring timely multiplier updates. The insights and suggestions presented in this study will ultimately refine the process of selecting fire protection strategies that maximize the net benefit of fire protection measures for both private stakeholders and society at large.
Keywords: fire protection measures, cost of fire protection, losses from fire, cost benefit analysis, installation costs, maintenance costs
Published in DiRROS: 18.04.2024; Views: 260; Downloads: 39
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8. Model uncertainty in a parametric fire curve approach : a stochastic correction factor for the compartment fire load densityFlorian Put, Andrea Lucherini, Bart Merci, Ruben Van Coile, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: A commonly used approach to represent the thermal load in a compartment fire is the Eurocode Parametric Fire Curve (EPFC), which specifies gas temperatures (or rather adiabatic surface temperatures). Recognizing the significant deviations between real fires and the EPFC framework, the concept of model uncertainty is explored. This study does not aim to assess or improve the EPFC, but introduces a model uncertainty, allowing for reliability-based structural fire engineering (SFE). It presents a stochastic correction factor for the fire load density, based on the maximum temperature in steel sections. The focus is on the fire load density, but in general other parameters can be jointly taken into account as well. This correction factor considers protected and un- protected sections, incorporating variations in section factor and protection thickness. The findings reveal that the fire load density within the EPFC framework can be modified to better represent the severity of fire ex- periments. This approach ensures physical consistency of the obtained compartment gas temperatures, as opposed to alternative approaches for addressing the EPFC model uncertainty. While promising results are evident in this proof of concept, exploration for other types of structural elements and evaluation for structural systems is necessary before integration into design practices.
Keywords: structural fire engineering, compartment fires, fire load density, steel structures, reliability, probability of failure
Published in DiRROS: 17.04.2024; Views: 249; Downloads: 41
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9. Modelling intumescent coatings for the fire protection of structural systems : a reviewAndrea Lucherini, Donatella de Silva, 2024, review article Abstract: Purpose
Intumescent coatings are nowadays a dominant passive system used to protect structural materials in case of fire. Due to their reactive swelling behaviour, intumescent coatings are particularly complex materials to be modelled and predicted, which can be extremely useful especially for performance-based fire safety designs. In addition, many parameters influence their performance, and this challenges the definition and quantification of their material properties. Several approaches and models of various complexities are proposed in the literature, and they are reviewed and analysed in a critical literature review.
Design/methodology/approach
Analytical, finite-difference and finite-element methods for modelling intumescent coatings are compared, followed by the definition and quantification of the main physical, thermal, and optical properties of intumescent coatings: swelled thickness, thermal conductivity and resistance, density, specific heat capacity, and emissivity/absorptivity.
Findings
The study highlights the scarce consideration of key influencing factors on the material properties, and the tendency to simplify the problem into effective thermo-physical properties, such as effective thermal conductivity. As a conclusion, the literature review underlines the lack of homogenisation of modelling approaches and material properties, as well as the need for a universal modelling method that can generally simulate the performance of intumescent coatings, combine the large amount of published experimental data, and reliably produce fire-safe performance-based designs.
Research limitations/implications
Due to their limited applicability, high complexity and little comparability, the presented literature review does not focus on analysing and comparing different multi-component models, constituted of many model-specific input parameters. On the contrary, the presented literature review compares various approaches, models and thermo-physical properties which primarily focusses on solving the heat transfer problem through swelling intumescent systems.
Originality/value
The presented literature review analyses and discusses the various modelling approaches to describe and predict the behaviour of swelling intumescent coatings as fire protection for structural materials. Due to the vast variety of available commercial products and potential testing conditions, these data are rarely compared and combined to achieve an overall understanding on the response of intumescent coatings as fire protection measure. The study highlights the lack of information and homogenisation of various modelling approaches, and it underlines the research needs about several aspects related to the intumescent coating behaviour modelling, also providing some useful suggestions for future studies.
Keywords: intumescent coatings, fire protection, modelling, structural fire engineering, fire safety, performance-based design
Published in DiRROS: 17.04.2024; Views: 230; Downloads: 95
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10. Thermal characterisation of the cooling phase of post-flashover compartment firesAndrea Lucherini, Balša Jovanović, Jose L. Torero, Ruben Van Coile, Bart Merci, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The main characteristics of the cooling phase of post-flashover compartment fires are studied using a simplified first-principles heat transfer approach to establish key limitations of more traditional methodologies (e.g., Eurocode). To this purpose, the boundary conditions during cooling are analysed. To illustrate the importance of a first-principles approach, a detailed review of the literature is presented followed by the presentation of a simplified numerical model. The model is constructed to calculate first-order thermal conditions during the cooling phase. The model is not intended to provide a precise calculation method but rather baseline estimates that incorporate all key thermal inputs and outputs. First, the thermal boundary conditions in the heating phase are approximated with a single (gas) temperature and the Eurocode parametric fire curves, to provide a consistent initial condition for the cooling phase and to be able to compare the traditional approach to the first- principles approach. After fuel burnout, the compartment gases become optically thin and temperatures decay to ambient values, while the compartment solid elements slowly cool down. For simplicity, convective cooling of the compartment linings is estimated using a constant convective heat transfer coefficient and all linings surfaces are assumed to have the same temperature (no net radiative heat exchange). All structural elements are assumed to be thermally thick. While these simplifications introduce quantitative errors, they enable an analytical solution for transient heat conduction in a semi-infinite solid that captures all key heat transfer processes. Comparisons between the results obtained using both approaches highlight how, even when considering the same fire energy input, the thermal boundary conditions according to the Eurocode parametric fire curves lead to an increase energy accumulated in the solid after fuel burnout and a delay in the onset of cooling. This is not physically correct, and it may lead to misrepresentation of the impact of post-flashover fires on structural behaviour.
Keywords: cooling phase, fire decay, fire dynamics, compartment fires, structural fire engineering, fire safety
Published in DiRROS: 15.04.2024; Views: 277; Downloads: 133
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