21. Between disenchantment and re-enchantment : exploring AI as a companion in the inner lifeIvan Platovnjak, Snežana Brumec, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: This article examines the speculative potential of designing a spiritually attuned artificial intelligence platform capable of supporting processes of meaning-making, fostering conditions conducive to emotional resonance, and assisting in the dis-covery of intrinsic values across diverse spiritual orientations. Situated within the socio-cultural context of late modernity—marked by the rationalization of life-worlds, increased individualization, and the erosion of traditional frameworks of meaning—we interpret the renewed emphasis on spirituality, emotional and em-bodied experience, as well as interiority, as indicative of a broader re-engagement with right-hemisphere cognitive modes, as theorized by iain McGilchrist. Rather than conceptualizing ai as a surrogate for spiritual experience or communal be-longing, we explore whether this fundamentally left-hemisphere technological ar-tifact could paradoxically be reconfigured to facilitate holistic perception, existen-tial reflection, and prosocial engagement. acknowledging the ethical complexities and epistemological constraints of such a vision, we propose a theoretical model for a digital interface that does not prescribe, but invites; that does not instruct, but listens. We conclude by posing a critical question: Can artificial intelligence, when sensitively designed, contribute to the re-enchantment of human experi-ence—not by transmitting meaning, but by enabling deeper forms of dialogical presence?
Keywords: spirituality, artificial intelligence, right-hemisphere cognition, meaning-making, late modernitiy
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 4; Downloads: 4
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22. Effects of 30-day high-dose omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on plasma oxidative stress enzyme activities in recreational and trained runners : a pilot studyBojan Martinšek, Milan Skitek, Tina Kosjek, Leon Bedrač, Evgen Benedik, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Physical activity induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which, at moderate levels mediate beneficial physiological adaptations, including insulin sensitivity and enhanced antioxidant defense. However, excessive ROS production during intense exercise may exceed endogenous antioxidant capacity, leading to oxidative stress and muscle damage. Objective: This study examined the effects of 30-day high-dose omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (9 g/day) on plasma fatty acid composition and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in recreational (n = 11) and trained (n = 10) runners, with emphasis on group- and time-specific responses. Methods: Plasma levels of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were assessed at three time points: pre-, during, and post-supplementation period. Enzymatic activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were measured at six time points, including before and after exercise sessions involving a 2800 m run followed by a 400 m sprint. Results: Omega-3 supplementation increased plasma EPA and DHA. In trained runners, it was associated with a transient reduction in GPx and a pronounced mid-phase decline in SOD, whereas enzyme activities remained stable in recreational runners. CAT activity did not change significantly in either group. Conclusions: Short-term high-dose omega-3 supplementation modulates antioxidant enzyme activity in a group- and time-dependent manner. The observed downregulation of GPx and SOD in trained runners may reflect altered redox signaling; however, its relevance for exercise performance remains uncertain. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the physiological and functional consequences of these findings.
Keywords: physical activity, running, reactive oxygen species, omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 12; Downloads: 10
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23. Empathy between embodiment and digital depersonalization : philosophical and psychological aspectsBarbara Simonič, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Empathy, the ability to understand and share the experience of another, is tra-ditionally understood as a cornerstone of interpersonal relationships and social cohesion. However, in the age of digital communication and the increasing virtu-alization of interactions, important questions arise about the nature, expression, and impact of empathy. The development of digital technology and the ubiquity of the internet are changing the way we interact and communicate with each other, with the physical aspect increasingly disappearing. although digital tools allow us to make contact quickly and efficiently, concerns are being raised about the impact of these forms of communication on the quality of interpersonal relationships. Digital communication is often text-based, asynchronous, and often anonymous, which reduces the presence of physical and social signs that are essential for a clas-sic empathic experience. against this backdrop, the discussion of empathy in the context of digital depersonalization requires a holistic approach that encompasses philosophical, psychological, and other perspectives. in this paper, we will address the challenges of empathy based on physicality and direct interpersonal contact, which are often diminished or absent in digital communication. This absence re-duces the possibility of a full empathic experience and promotes the phenomenon of depersonalization.
Keywords: empathy, digital communication, depersonalization, embodiment, interpersonal relationships
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 12; Downloads: 8
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24. Association of preoperative smoking with the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications : a post hoc analysis of an observational study in 29 countriesGalina Dorland, W. Saadat, David M.P. van Meenen, Ary Serpa Neto, Michael Hiesmayr, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: While smoking has been consistently identified as a significant contributor to postoperative complications, the existing literature on its association with postoperative pulmonary complications remains conflicting. Aim: We examined the association of preoperative smoking with the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Methods: Post hoc analysis of an observational study in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. We included patients at increased risk of PPCs, according to the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia (ARISCAT) score (≥ 26 points). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of one or more predefined PPCs in the first five postoperative days, including unplanned postoperative need for supplementary oxygen, respiratory failure, unplanned need for invasive ventilation, ARDS, pneumonia and pneumothorax. Secondary endpoints included length of hospital stay and in–hospital mortality. We performed propensity score matching to correct for factors with a known association with postoperative outcomes. Results: Out of 2632 patients, 531 (20.2 %) patients were smokers and 2102 (79.8 %) non-smokers. At five days after surgery, 101 (19.0 %) smokers versus 404 (19.2) non–smokers had developed one or more PPCs (P = 0.95). Respiratory failure was more common in smokers (5.1 %) than non–smokers (3.0 %) (P = 0.02), while rates of other PPCs like need for supplementary oxygen, invasive ventilation, ARDS, pneumonia, or pneumothorax did not differ between the groups. Length of hospital stay and mortality was not different between groups. Propensity score matching did not change the findings. Conclusion: The occurrence of PPCs in smokers is not different from non–smokers.
Keywords: anaesthesia, intraoperative ventilation, smoking, postoperative outcome, postoperative pulmonary complications, PPCs, respiratory complications
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 5; Downloads: 2
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25. Landslides on Glaciers: from a literature collection towards a detection strategyGisela Domej, 2025, review article Abstract: Glacial environments are extremely sensitive to climate change and associated phenomena such as deglaciation and changes in snowfall patterns affecting the glacial mass balance globally. However, as an essential part of the Earth’s water storage, glaciers are of significant importance for the geo-biologic stability.
As documented in many locations, landslides on glaciers can trigger altered glacier responses, i.e., glacial advance or glacial surges, which is approached via a literature collection in three categories: cases, inventories, and detection. This publication presents the complexity of landslides on glaciers, statistics based on the literature collection, and a possible index stacking approach towards pattern and shape recognition.
Keywords: glaciers, landslides, debris, rockslides, rock avalanches, glacier dynamics
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 10; Downloads: 8
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26. Flexoelectric polarization enhancement in paraelectric ▫$BaHfO_3$▫ via strain gradient engineeringTimo Piecuch, Nina Daneu, Tina Radošević, Nick A. Shepelin, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Flexoelectricity – polarization induced by strain gradients – offers a route to polar functionality in centrosymmetric dielectrics, where traditional piezoelectric effects are absent. This study investigates the flexoelectric effect in epitaxial BaHfO3 (BHO) thin films, a centrosymmetric and paraelectric perovskite. While a large lattice mismatch induces defect-driven relaxation, a coherently grown BHO film undergoes elastic relaxation, forming intrinsic strain gradients exceeding 105 m−1. A 29-fold enhancement in spontaneous polarization is observed at an electric field of 4 MV cm−1 for BHO exhibiting a strain gradient compared to relaxed BHO. This enhancement is attributed to flexoelectric coupling, which is isolated from ferroelectric and piezoelectric contributions due to the centrosymmetric nature and the absence of phase transitions in BHO. The findings establish a clear link between engineered strain gradients and enhanced polarizability in oxide thin films, offering a benchmark system for deconvoluting the flexoelectric effect from other polar effects. These results provide a basis for exploiting flexoelectricity in dielectric devices and advance the fundamental understanding of strain-coupled phenomena in functional oxides.
Keywords: condensed matter physics, flexoelectricity, strain gradients, epitaxial oxide thin films
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 19; Downloads: 14
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27. Carbon cycling dynamics in the headwater Radovna stream recharged by Lipnik springs, a carbonate catchment in the Julian Alps, Slovenia, based on stable isotope analysisTjaša Kanduč, Timotej Verbovšek, Nataša Mori, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Carbon cycling was investigated monthly (July, August, September, October, November, March and May) from July 2023 to May 2024 in the Radovna stream originating from the permanent Lipnik spring in the Julian Alps, Slovenia using isotopic composition of carbon in dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13CDIC) and particulate organic carbon (δ13CPOC). The investigated catchment is composed of massive coarse - crystal dolomite and limestone. Total alkalinity ranged from 2.2 to 2.7mM and is characteristic for carbonate pristine environments. In-situ parameters e.g. dissolved oxygen ranged from 11.0 to 12.0mg/L, pH from 7.9 to 8.1 and specific electrical conductivity from 275 to 318μS/cm, respectively. The values of dissolved oxygen reflect that the water system is well oxygenated. CO2 presented a source of carbon to the atmosphere during all investigated months. Oversaturation with CO2 is 1.01 to 4.1 times of atmospheric value. δ13CDICranged from -11.8 to -9.7‰. This indicates that dissolved inorganic carbon under different discharge conditions mainly originates from the dissolution of carbonates (from 50.3 % to 57.3%), followed by the degradation of organic matter (from 42.8% to 49.7%). Equilibration with atmospheric CO₂ has a negligible impact, ranging from 0.01% to 0.11%. δ13CPOC in river water indicate sources such as plant debris, with δ13CPOC of -29.4‰, and highly degraded soil organic matter, with δ13CPOC of -24.9‰. The δ13CDIC and δ13CPOC values are typical for a forest stream flowing over a limestone substrate. Strong statistical negative significant correlation was obtained between electrical conductivity and water temperature, mass of total suspended solids (mTSS) and pH.
Keywords: total alkalinity, stable isotopes, carbon, pCO2, headwater stream, Julian Alps
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 9; Downloads: 3
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29. Mesozoic stratigraphy of Dinaric successions at the Dinarides – Southern Alps boundary, Sava Folds region, SloveniaBenjamin Scherman, Ágnes Görög, Boštjan Rožič, Szilvia Kövér, László Fodor, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: In central Slovenia, on the border between Southern Alpine derived units and Dinaric units in the northern part of the Sava Folds, detailed field observations and reambulation-type mapping were conducted. The research aimed to clarify the distribution of Mesozoic formations and the palaeogeographical and tectonic position of the studied area.
Based on field observations, lithofacies, microfacies, and biostratigraphic studies (including benthos and planktonic foraminifers, dinocysts, acritarchs, chitinoidellids, calpionellids, green algae, microproblematica, calcareous nannofossils and ascidians), the following successions characterize the northern limb of the Trojane Anticline and the Tuhinj–Motnik Syncline: upper Anisian to lowermost Ladinian platform carbonates (Mendole Formation) are overlain by Ladinian siliciclastic successions including volcanoclastic resediments (Pseudozilian Formation). These either interfinger or are overlain by the Ladinian to lower Carnian platform limestone (Schlern Formation); in the upper part of this formation, the deep–marine siliciclastics and/or carbonates are locally intercalated. Following a significant stratigraphic gap, the lower Tithonian to lower Valanginian pelagic limestone and carbonate resediments (Biancone Formation s.l.) were deposited. The Biancone limestone is covered by upper Aptian–upper Albian (Cenomanian?) marlstone with occasional calcarenite (calciturbidite) interlayers (Lower Flyschoid/Gora Formation). The succession ends with Upper Cretaceous pelagic and resedimented limestones (Volče/Krško Formation).
The age and spatial distribution of these successions often differ from that depicted on the existing geological maps. This succession resembles the Transition Zone between the External and Internal Dinarides. Our study indicates the presence of similar transitional Mesozoic Dinaric successions north of the previously proposed Southern Alpine thrust front.
Keywords: Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Aptian–Albian calpionellids, Dinarides, Southern Alps, Sava Folds
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 14; Downloads: 9
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30. Evaluation of cut slope stability in the Lesser Himalaya of NepalKrishna Kumar Shrestha, Kabi Raj Paudyal, Dinesh Pathak, Alessandro Franci, Prem Bahadur Thapa, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: A spatial inventory of cut slopes in the central and western Lesser Himalaya of Nepal was prepared and characterised to evaluate their stability. The stability of these cut slopes is governed by the geotechnical properties of rock/soil together with slope geometry, groundwater conditions and human interventions. Numerous cut slope failures were observed in areas where slope geometry is modified for engineering developments such as roads, dams, powerhouses, industrial development, etc. Two modelling sites were evaluated using the Limit Equilibrium Method (LEM), Finite Element Method (FEM), and Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM). Pre-failure analyses using LEM and FEM under dry and saturated conditions revealed that the stability of the Lesser Himalayan hillslopes with considerable soil thickness is predominantly controlled by the depth of groundwater level (GWL). Slopes remain stable with a factor of safety (FoS)>1.3 when the GWL lies below 7 m from the surface and gradually become unstable as it approaches the surface. This trend for both slopes confirms that elevated groundwater during the rainy season is the major cause of frequent cut slope failures in the Himalayan regions. The comparison of FoS from LEM and Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) from FEM showed a strong cross-correlation (90–99 %), revealing minimal variation which affirmed the validity of the adopted modelling techniques used in this study. Post-failure simulations of these sites were further analysed using an innovative approach, the robust PFEM modelling technique, to compute the dynamic failure mechanism. Sensitivity analysis of both modelled sites showed that friction angle and cohesion are the most significant parameters for slope stability evaluation. Moreover, forward and back analyses indicated that computed results are in good agreement, thus depicting reliability and performances along with the model validation.
Keywords: cut slope, slope stability, numerical modelling, evaluation and validation, Lesser Himalaya, Nepal
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 21; Downloads: 11
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