591. Environmental evaluation of residential heating : comparative life cycle assessment of two heating systemsJanez Turk, Andreea Oarga-Mulec, Patricija Ostruh, Andraž Ceket, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the environmental performance of two systems for space heating and hot water provision in a residential building. In both cases, a ground-source heat pump is used. In the baseline system, the heat pump is driven by electrical power from the grid. In the alternative system, photovoltaic thermal collectors are integrated into the building for domestic hot water preparation and the production of electricity. Excess heat produced in the summer is introduced to the borehole and extracted later, in the cooler part of the year. Environmental benchmarking of the two systems was conducted using the Life Cycle Assessment method. A cradle-to-grave approach was applied, taking into account all life cycle stages of the system and its operation over 20 years. Results show that the alternative system yields significantly lower impacts in terms of Global Warming Potential (36% decrease) and Resources (36% decrease). In terms of Human Health, the decrease is minor (6%). However, in terms of Ecosystem, the alternative system shows a 47% higher impact than the baseline system. This increase is primarily attributed to the additional components required in the alternative configuration.
Keywords: LCA, GWP, heat pump, thermal energy storage, photovoltaic thermal collectors, heating, domestic hot water
Published in DiRROS: 17.11.2025; Views: 149; Downloads: 80
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592. Statistical learning improves classification of limestone provenanceRok Brajkovič, Klemen Koselj, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Determining the lithostratigraphic provenance of limestone artefacts is challenging. We addressed the issue by analysing Roman stone artefacts, where previously traditionalpetrological methods failed to identify the provenance of 72% of the products due to the predominance of micrite limestone. We applied statistical classification methods to 15 artefacts using linear discriminant analysis, decision trees, random forest, and support vector machines. The latter achieved the highest accuracy, with 73% of the samples classified to the same stratigraphic member as determined by the expert. We improved classification reliability and evaluated it by aggregating the results of different classifiers for each stone product. Combining aggregated results with additional evidence from paleontological data or precise optical microscopy leads to successful provenance determination. After a few samples were reassigned in this procedure, a support vector machine correctly classified 87% of the samples. Strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) proved particularly effective as provenance indicators. We successfully assigned all stone products to local sources across four lithostratigraphic members, thereby confirming local patterns of stone use by Romans. We provide guidance for future use of statistical learning in provenance determination. Our integrated approach, combining geological and statistical expertise, provides a robust framework for challenging provenance determination.
Keywords: antiquity, micrite limestone, machine learning, statistics, R, regio X, artefacts, Ig area
Published in DiRROS: 17.11.2025; Views: 128; Downloads: 37
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593. The formation and properties of large-surface-area intergranular mesoporous Al2O3 particlesKlara Šparlek, Romana Cerc Korošec, Goran Dražić, Anton Meden, Erika Švara Fabjan, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Mesoporous γ-Al2O3 with pores formed between nanocrystals was synthesized via the hydrothermal method, varying the ethanolamines (monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine), pH values (6.5, 7.5, 8.5) and the temperature of the thermal treatment. Characterization techniques, including nitrogen physisorption, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-DSC-MS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were employed to study the textural and structural properties of the materials. Thermal treatment at 500 ◦C produced mesoporous γ-Al2O3 with pores formed between nanoparticles. The materials synthesized with triethanolamine exhibited the narrowest pore size distribution and the highest specific surface area, particularly at higher pH values. The thermal treatment temperature significantly influenced the textural properties and crystallinity, with γ-Al2O3 retained up to 900 ◦C and the transformation to non-porous α-Al2O3 occurring at 1300 ◦C. These results demonstrate the critical role of synthesis parameters in understanding and optimizing the pore size and phase stability of mesoporous alumina.
Keywords: mesoporous Al2O3, hydrothermal method, intergranular porosity, ethanolamines, influence of pH, temperature of thermal treatment
Published in DiRROS: 17.11.2025; Views: 167; Downloads: 104
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594. Test methods for chloride diffusivity of blended cement pastes : a review by RILEM TC 298-EBDNeven Ukrainczyk, Thomas Bernard, Arezou Babaahmadi, Liming Huang, Christoph Zausinger, Anthony Soive, Stéphanie Bonnet, Fabien Georget, Maruša Mrak, Sabina Dolenec, Tobias Völker, Prannoy Suraneni, William Wilson, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) is an important part of the roadmap for reducing CO2 emissions and extending the service life of reinforced concrete structures. To accelerate the adoption of SCMs, the RILEM Technical Committee 298-EBD evaluates scaled-down cement paste test methods to assess the effect of SCM on resistance to chloride and sulfate ingress and reactivity, which are critical to concrete durability. This review focuses on methods for measuring chloride diffusivity and is divided into four sections: diffusivity models and parameters, diffusion test methods (including NMR and chloride measurements), migration test methods and implications for future research. Key insights highlight the complexities of multi-species ionic and molecular diffusion/migration, including various binding interactions, and compares the different measurement methodologies. The review also addresses the test scale and aggregate effects, noting the pros and cons of testing at the paste, mortar, and concrete scales. The review underscores the need for further investigation into testing protocols and the influence of SCM on chloride diffusion, emphasizing that comprehensive testing across different scales provides complementary information for assessing durability performance.
Keywords: cements, chloride, SCMs
Published in DiRROS: 17.11.2025; Views: 115; Downloads: 55
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595. Experimental investigations of internal macro-scale convection in the loose-fill wood fiber insulation layer of a full-scale wall elementMartin Veit, Hicham Johra, Nikolaj Rask, Simon M. Roesgaard, Rasmus Lund Jensen, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: With increasing restrictions on the energy efficiency of buildings, thicker insulation layers are installed in new and refurbished buildings to reduce heat losses. Previous studies have indicated that internal macro-scale convection cells can occur in thick porous insulation layers, decreasing the thermal performance of the envelope component. The focus of previous studies has been on horizontal insulation layers, most often composed of glass wool. Therefore, there is a lack of empirical data for loose-fill insulation and, in particular, bio-based materials, which have the potential of being more sustainable than conventional ones. The present investigation of this paper looks at the possibility of internal macro-scale convection inside loose-fill wood fiber insulation in a full-scale vertical wall element, with the modified Rayleigh number in the current investigation being between 20 and 45 and exhibiting internal convection in all cases. The experimental results show good agreement in terms of heat flux and temperature distribution with numerical simulations where the macro-scale convection is modelled explicitly. It also indicates that internal macro-scale convection can be modelled with existing building physics simulation tools, such as COMSOL. Finally, the internal macro-scale convection increases the effective U-value by up to 90 % for the highest temperature difference in steady-state conditions. This effect appears to diminish under dynamic boundary conditions, with a calculated effective U-value being within the uncertainty of the steady-state case with the lowest temperature difference, indicating that it might be less influential under real conditions.
Keywords: thermal performance, internal convection, performance gap, insulation materials
Published in DiRROS: 17.11.2025; Views: 141; Downloads: 75
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596. Dataset on parameters of natural forest regeneration a decade after silvicultural treatment in Dinaric fir-beech forestsTanja Mrak, Janez Kermavnar, Lado Kutnar, Petr Baldrian, Nataša Šibanc, Vendula Brabcová, Tijana Martinović, David Lenarčič, Martina Štursová, 2025, complete scientific database of research data Keywords: research data
Published in DiRROS: 17.11.2025; Views: 199; Downloads: 0
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598. Balancing health and socioeconomic impacts : a uniform framework for evaluating non-pharmaceutical interventionsMatjaž Gams, Anže Marinko, Nina Reščič, Aljoša Vodopija, Sophie Vandepitte, Delphine De Smedt, Jana S. Javornik, Franc Strle, Vito Janko, David Susič, Zoja Anžur, Mitja Luštrek, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: This paper introduces a uniform evaluation framework for assessing the effectiveness of past non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in managing infectious diseases, taking into account the cultural and social differences between countries. The framework enables quantifying and finding the optimal balance of both the health and socioeconomic impacts of NPIs. The aim is to assist policymakers in understanding which NPIs lead to the optimal balance by highlighting unnecessary costs - the costs that could be avoided while maintaining the same infection rates. To assess the extent of unnecessary socioeconomic consequences experienced by a country during a past epidemic of infectious diseases, we use the following approach. First, we develop a model that predicts the number of infections from NPIs in a country. Second, we estimate the socioeconomic costs (SEC) of the NPIs universally for countries included in the study. Third, we develop a model that prescribes the NPI plans with the optimal trade-off between the number of infections and the SEC. Fourth, we create a model that specifically adjusts each country’s SEC. Finally, we provide additional analysis to increase comprehension of the effects of NPIs. Demonstrated through an analysis of COVID-19 pandemic responses in 17 countries, the study offers a systematic presentation of the framework and a concrete examination of the integrated effects of NPIs. It provides insights into interventions’ direct and indirect consequences, offering guidance for future epidemic responses. The framework enables a systematic understanding of the effects of the NPIs applied, acknowledging the national diversity in health measure acceptance and implementation. This allows for fair analysis across countries, identifying and displaying the economic, social, and health-related costs of suboptimal NPI strategies, i.e., unnecessary costs. The framework is applicable for any infectious disease, NPIs, or country, assuming the medical interventions are similar, e.g., timing and amount of vaccination
Keywords: Bombus dahlbomii, Patagonian bumblebee, invasive species, population dynamics, socioeconomic consequences, infectious diseases
Published in DiRROS: 14.11.2025; Views: 164; Downloads: 94
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599. A risk score to predict kidney survival in patients with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease at the age of two monthsKathrin Burgmaier, Samuel Kilian, Klaus Arbeiter, Bahriye Atmis, Olivia Boyer, Anja Katrin Buescher, Ismail Dursun, 2025, review article Abstract: Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is a severe hepatorenal fibrocystic disorder. Its rareness and the variability of disease courses have been major obstacles for the establishment of clinical trials on treatment of kidney disease in ARPKD. In this observational study we characterized kidney disease progression in a very large cohort of up to 658 patients with the clinical diagnosis of ARPKD and identified risk factors associated with rapid kidney disease progression. The estimated probability of kidney failure by the age of 20 years was 50.1% (95% confidence interval 42.2%‒57.0%), with earlier kidney failure in specific subgroups. Mean yearly estimated glomerular filtration rate decline after the first year of life was 1.3 ml/min per 1.73 m2 during childhood and adolescence in the overall cohort, ranging from 0.5 to 2.2 ml/min per 1.73 m2 in various subgroups. Furthermore, we developed prediction models for the relative risk of early kidney failure to be applied at the age of two months in daily clinical life. The finally chosen predictor set for a score based on a Cox model encompassed five factors: gestational age at oligo- or anhydramnios, gestational age at birth, functional genotype, serum creatinine (mg/dl) as well as documentation of arterial hypertension at the age of two months. The derived simple prognostic score showed good prediction performance, especially in the first three years of life. It reliably identified patients who are not at risk of early kidney failure and may be helpful to identify patients at risk of more rapid disease progression that could benefit from novel therapeutic interventions.
Keywords: ciliopathies, fibrocystic hepatorenal disease, fibrocystin, kidney survival, polycystic kidney disease
Published in DiRROS: 14.11.2025; Views: 195; Downloads: 78
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600. Intestinal involvement in graft versus host disease in children : an overview by the ESPGHAN Gastroenterology CommitteeMarina Vincent, Amit Assa, Osvaldo Borrelli, Matjaž Homan, Javier Martin-de-Carpi, Zrinjka Mišak, Maria Giovanna Puoti, Isabelle Scheers, Sara Sila, Caterina Strisciuglio, Christos Tzivinikos, Jernej Dolinšek, Emmanuel Mas, 2025, review article Abstract: Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a complication that frequently occurs afterhaematopoietic stem cell transplantation and concerns many children in paediatrichaematology‐oncology and bone marrow transplantation departments. It can affectvarious organs, with the skin, gastrointestinal tract and liver being the most com-monly involved. To confirm intestinal GVHD and to rule out differential diagnosesendoscopy is frequently needed. Currently, there are no specific consensus rec-ommendations concerning the best method for endoscopic exploration and medicalmanagement of this disease in children, with limited studies available, including alow number of patients. Sigmoidoscopy could be initially proposed under sedation. Ifsigmoidoscopy is normal or if a general anaesthesia is required, colonoscopy andupper endoscopy should be planned, avoiding duodenal biopsy because of the riskof duodenal haematoma. Regarding therapeutic options, corticosteroids are thefirst‐line treatment for GVHD. Ruxolitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, is indicated forchildren aged 12 years and older with acute or chronic GVHD who have aninadequate response to corticosteroids or other systemic therapies. Nutritionalsupport has a key role in the management of intestinal GVHD and should beconsidered to guarantee the best possible evolution of intestinal GVHD.
Keywords: GVHD, children, complication, endoscopy, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, intestine
Published in DiRROS: 14.11.2025; Views: 146; Downloads: 79
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