1. 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: 57; Downloads: 6
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2. Urban greenspaces and nearby natural areas support similar levels of soil ecosystem servicesDavid J. Eldridge, Haiying Cui, Jingyi Ding, Miguel Berdugo, Tadeo Sáez-Sandino, Jorge Duran, Juan J. Gaitan, José L. Blanco-Pastor, Alexandra Rodríguez, César Plaza, Tine Grebenc, Tina Unuk Nahberger, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Greenspaces are important for sustaining healthy urban environments and their human populations. Yet their capacity to support multiple ecosystem services simultaneously (multiservices) compared with nearby natural ecosystems remains virtually unknown. We conducted a global field survey in 56 urban areas to investigate the influence of urban greenspaces on 23 soil and plant attributes and compared them with nearby natural environments. We show that, in general, urban greenspaces and nearby natural areas support similar levels of soil multiservices, with only six of 23 attributes (available phosphorus, water holding capacity, water respiration, plant cover, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and arachnid richness) significantly greater in greenspaces, and one (available ammonium) greater in natural areas. Further analyses showed that, although natural areas and urban greenspaces delivered a similar number of services at low (>25% threshold) and moderate (>50%) levels of functioning, natural systems supported significantly more functions at high (>75%) levels of functioning. Management practices (mowing) played an important role in explaining urban ecosystem services, but there were no effects of fertilisation or irrigation. Some services declined with increasing site size, for both greenspaces and natural areas. Our work highlights the fact that urban greenspaces are more similar to natural environments than previously reported and underscores the importance of managing urban greenspaces not only for their social and recreational values, but for supporting multiple ecosystem services on which soils and human well-being depends.
Keywords: soil, ecosystem services, urban forests
Published in DiRROS: 17.04.2024; Views: 38; Downloads: 18
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4. The influence of cytokine gene polymorphisms on the risk of developing gastric cancer in patients with Helicobacter pylori infectionDavid Štubljar, Samo Jeverica, Tomislav Jukić, Miha Skvarč, Tadeja Pintar, Bojan Tepeš, Rajko Kavalar, Borut Štabuc, Alojz Ihan, 2015, original scientific article Keywords: cytokine gene, gastric cancer, Helicobacter pylori infection
Published in DiRROS: 16.04.2024; Views: 48; Downloads: 9
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5. Fast and accurate multiplex identification and quantification of seven genetically modified soybean lines using six-color digital PCRAlexandra Bogožalec Košir, Sabine Muller, Jana Žel, Mojca Milavec, Allison C. Mallory, David Dobnik, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The proliferation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) presents challenges to GMO testing laboratories and policymakers. Traditional methods, like quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), face limitations in quantifying the increasing number of GMOs in a single sample. Digital PCR (dPCR), specifically multiplexing, offers a solution by enabling simultaneous quantification of multiple GMO targets. This study explores the use of the Naica six-color Crystal dPCR platform for quantifying five GM soybean lines within a single six-plex assay. Two four-color assays were also developed for added flexibility. These assays demonstrated high specificity, sensitivity (limit of detection or LOD < 25 copies per reaction) and precision (bias to an estimated copy number concentration <15%). Additionally, two approaches for the optimization of data analysis were implemented. By applying a limit-of-blank (LOB) correction, the limit of quantification (LOQ) and LOD could be more precisely determined. Pooling of reactions additionally lowered the LOD, with a two- to eight-fold increase in sensitivity. Real-life samples from routine testing were used to confirm the assays’ applicability for quantifying GM soybean lines in complex samples. This study showcases the potential of the six-color Crystal dPCR platform to revolutionize GMO testing, facilitating comprehensive analysis of GMOs in complex samples.
Keywords: digital PCR, dPCR, quantification, multiplexing, genetically modified organisms, 6-color system, virus diagnostics, virology
Published in DiRROS: 29.03.2024; Views: 94; Downloads: 41
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6. Inhibition of cathepsin X enzyme influences the immune response of THP-1 cells and dendritic cells infected with Helicobacter pyloriMiha Skvarč, David Štubljar, Andreja Nataša Kopitar, Samo Jeverica, Bojan Tepeš, Janko Kos, Alojz Ihan, 2013, original scientific article Abstract: Background. The immune response to Helicobacter pylori importantly determines the outcome of infection as well as the success of eradication therapy. We demonstrate the role of a cysteine protease cathepsin X in the immune response to H. pylori infection. Materials and methods. We analysed how the inhibition of cathepsin X influenced the immune response in experiments when THP-1 cells or dendritic cells isolated from patients were stimulated with 48 strains of H. pylori isolated from gastric biopsy samples of patients which had problems with the eradication of bacteria. Results. The experiments, performed with the help of a flow cytometer, showed that the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), especially TLR-4 molecules, on the membranes of THP-1 cells or dendritic cells was higher when we stimulated cells with H. pylori together with inhibitor of cathepsin X 2F12 compared to THP-1 cells or dendritic cells stimulated with H. pylori only, and also in comparison with negative control samples. We also demonstrated that when we inhibited the action of cathepsin X in THP-1 cells, the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines were lower than when THP-1 cell were stimulated with H. pylori only. Conclusions. We demonstrated that inhibition of cathepsin X influences the internalization of TLR-2 and TLR-4. TLR-2 and TLR-4 redistribution to intra-cytoplasmic compartments is hampered if cathepsin X is blocked. The beginning of a successful immune response against H. pylori in the case of cathepsin X inhibition is delayed.
Keywords: cathepsin X, macrophage, dendritic cells
Published in DiRROS: 22.03.2024; Views: 74; Downloads: 40
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7. Delavnica Smernice za gospodarjenje z gozdovi na hudourniških območjih v luči nedavnih ujm na Gozdarskem inštitutu SlovenijeUrša Vilhar, Andrej Breznikar, Andreja Gregorič, Gregor Danev, Boris Rantaša, Jaša Saražin, David Štefanič, Jože Papež, 2023, professional article Keywords: gospodarjenje z gozdovi, urejanje hudournikov
Published in DiRROS: 29.02.2024; Views: 175; Downloads: 42
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8. Krmiljenje togosti in trdnosti recikliranega polipropilena (rPP) z dodatkom odpadnega papirja s postopkom brizganja : magistrsko deloDavid Črešnar, 2023, master's thesis Keywords: recikliranje, ogljični odtis, recikliran polipropilen, recikliran biokompozit, brizganje, togost, trdnost, magistrsko delo
Published in DiRROS: 22.02.2024; Views: 144; Downloads: 42
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10. Effect of demineralization and ball milling treatments on the properties of Arundo donax and olive stone-derived biocharMariem Zouari, Laetitia Sarah Jennifer Marrot, David Brian DeVallance, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: The structural and physio-chemical properties of biochar are crucial to determining biochar’s quality and the adequate application. Specifically, the large porosity of biochar has been known as a favorable feature, especially for environmental remediation. In this regard, physical and chemical modifications have been used to improve biochar’s porosity which requires high-energy consumption and involves chemical agents. The objective of this study was to prepare biochar with developed porosity using mild treatments. Arundo donax and olive stone were demineralized by a water-washing method. Treated and non-treated biomasses were pyrolyzed, and part of the derived samples was subjected to wet ball milling. Samples were characterized with proximate, Fourier transform infrared, particle size, and physisorption analyses. The effect of demineralization depended on the biomass type, as ash reduction only influenced Arundo donax-derived biochar, which was attributed to the difference in initial ash content that was relatively low for olive stone. The carbonization yield decreased by 46% for the Arundo donax biomass after demineralization. Moreover, demineralization expanded the surface area and total pore volume of the Arundo donax biochar. The ball milling was effective in producing micro-sized biochar particles with a mean size ranging between 30 ± 2 µm and 42 ± 2 µm and between 13 ± 1 µm and 22 ± 2 µm for Arundo donax and olive stone without and with demineralization, respectively. Ball milling increased the surface area of non-demineralized Arundo donax by 47% and demineralized Arundo donax by 124%. Additionally, ball milling increased the surface area of non-demineralized olive stone by 65% and demineralized olive stone by 62%.
Keywords: biomass, carbonisation, porosity
Published in DiRROS: 13.02.2024; Views: 128; Downloads: 73
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