1. Feasibility of a standard cognitive assessment in European academic memory clinicsAlice Grazia, Daniele Altomare, Lukas Preis, Andreas U. Monsch, Stefano F. Cappa, Serge Gauthier, Lutz Frölich, Bengt Winblad, Kathleen A. Welsh-Bohmer, Stefan J. Teipel, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, implementation feasibility, mild cognitive impairment, mixed-methods, standard cognitive assessment
Published in DiRROS: 03.08.2026; Views: 98; Downloads: 68
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2. Men in special education : A self-experiential professional development seminar supporting professional identityMonika Kadrnožková, Vanda Hájková, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: This study aimed to describe and evaluate a newly developed self-experiential seminar designed for students of special education at higher education institutions. The seminar was developed in response to the longstanding underrepresentation of men in special education programmes at Charles University and Jan Evangelista Purkyně University. It combined fieldbased learning, mentoring and guided reflection on professional identity, with particular emphasis on gender-sensitive approaches and enhancing the appeal of the field for male students. A mixedmethods design was employed, comprising a questionnaire (N = 115) and focus groups with male participants (N = 11). The results indicated that perceived teaching professionalism, pedagogical responsiveness and course attractiveness were positively associated with students’ confidence in their career choices. Male students reported heightened visibility and pressure linked to their minority status, while valuing support from lecturers and peers. The findings suggest that the methods employed in the seminar strengthen professional identity, motivation and self-efficacy while providing a transferable model that integrates theory with practice and supports diversity in educational professions.
Keywords: pedagogy, gender stereotypes, career choice, experiential seminar, mixed-methods design
Published in DiRROS: 14.07.2026; Views: 206; Downloads: 129
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3. Multiple controllers on organic matter accumulation at the Mesopotamia Basin of the Chia Gara Formation shale, Central IraqRana A. Ali, Iman A. Al-Ali, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: The Tithonian–Berriasian Chia Gara Formation in Central Iraq represents a major breakthrough in shale oil exploration. This study investigates two continuous core sections (140m and 137m) from the East Baghdad (EB1) and Balad (Ba1) oilfields, located within the intrashelf basin along the passive margin of the Arabian Plate. Comprehensive geochemical analyses, including major and trace elements, Mo isotopes, and total organic carbon (TOC), were conducted to evaluate the mechanisms controlling organic matter enrichment. The EB1 and Ba1 cores are subdivided into five and four organic sedimentary facies (OSF), respectively. In EB1, TOC values in the lower OSF 1 and OSF2 range from 3.55 to 8.0 wt.% and 2.31 to 4.42wt.% and are higher than those of the upper OSF 3, OSF 4, and OSF 5 that range from 0.5 to 3.77wt. %. In Ba1, OSF 3 and OSF 5, which range from 0.39 to 2.7wt.%. Redox indicators such as U/Th, Ni/Co, EF(U), and EF(Mo) show a progressive shift towards more oxic bottom-water conditions. The δ98/95Mo data (–0.3 to 2.5‰) confirm the presence of euxinic conditions, particularly within OSF2 in both EB1 and Ba1, thereby resolving previous uncertainties regarding bottom-water redox conditions. Primary productivity indices (Cu/Al and Ni/Al ratios) suggest relatively low productivity in deep-water slope and basinal facies. Furthermore, the upwelling indicators (EF(Co) × EF(Mn)), varying from 0 to 0.48 for EB1 and 0.05 to 0.18 for Ba1, suggest that preservation conditions played a more significant role than productivity conditions within the deep-water slope and basin. Differential subsidence, with local uplifts and erosion within the Mesopotamian Foredeep Basin likely contributed to spatial variability in organic enrichment. Overall, this study highlights the importance of the redox environment in the development of high-quality hydrocarbon source rocks in unrestricted environments that present upwelling.
Keywords: Mo isotopes, redox conditions, organic matter, primary productivity, geochemical methods, Upper Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, Mesopotamian Basin
Published in DiRROS: 06.07.2026; Views: 169; Downloads: 77
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4. Thematic Exploration of Slovenia’s Path to Independence in Slovenian Scopus-Indexed History Journals : A Bibliometric and Sociometric AnalysisDavid Hazemali, Mateja Matjašič Friš, Andrej Naterer, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This article explores how Slovenian history journals have portrayed Slovenia’s path to independence. The analysis of 3,759 articles and other journal contributions from 12 Scopus-indexed journals, using select digital humanities tools and methods, reveals that themes concerning Slovenia’s path to independence, though less frequent overall, exhibit a dynamic pattern of regular occurrence, influenced by commemorations and special issues of journals. This suggests growing scholarly interest over time. The analysis identified four key thematic groups: Socio-cultural, Political, Religious, and Yugoslavia themes. Furthermore, metadata analysis indicates a balanced distribution of male and female first authors and equitable thematic accessibility across publication languages. These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of how Slovenian Scopus-indexed history journals engage with this critical topic.
Keywords: bibliometric and sociometric analysis, digital humanities tools and methods, democratization processes, independent Slovenia, content analysis, thematic analysis of Slovenian history journals
Published in DiRROS: 06.07.2026; Views: 169; Downloads: 134
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5. Mediterranean diet adherence, body composition, and recovery outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients : a mixed-methods studyKaja Teraž, Boštjan Šimunič, Rado Pišot, Saša Pišot, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of nutritional and lifestyle factors in recovery from severe illness, yet their role in post-hospitalization rehabilitation remains insufficiently understood. Methods: This study investigated the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, body composition, and recovery-related outcomes in individuals following severe COVID-19 using an explanatory mixed-methods design. Thirtynine patients were assessed at hospital discharge and after 8 weeks of unsupervised rehabilitation in a single-centre prospective cohort study conducted in Slovenia (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04860206, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04860206). Results: Quantitative analyses showed a significant increase in fat-free mass over time and positive associations between fat-free mass and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Qualitative findings further revealed that individuals with higher adherence demonstrated structured routines, adaptive coping strategies, and greater psychosocial resilience during recovery. Discussion: Together, these findings suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern, alongside related lifestyle behaviors, may support favorable body composition and enhance recovery processes following severe illness. This study provides an integrated perspective on physiological and behavioral determinants of recovery, highlighting the potential of nutrition-based approaches in post- COVID-19 rehabilitation.
Keywords: body composition, clinical nutrition, COVID-19 rehabilitacija, dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, Mediterranean diet, mixed-methods, rehabilitation
Published in DiRROS: 30.06.2026; Views: 191; Downloads: 153
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6. Integrating public perception and expert knowledge in mapping and assessing cultural ecosystem services in peri-urban landscapeVita Žlender, Rok Brišnik, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Dynamic peri-urban landscapes, positioned between urban and rural environments, play a crucial role in providing cultural ecosystem services (CES) that enhance human wellbeing. However, CES in peri-urban landscapes are often undervalued and insufficiently integrated into spatial planning due to challenges such as understanding their spatial distribution, connections with geographical variables such as land use, land cover, or protection regimes, and insufficient incorporation of local knowledge. This study addresses these issues by using expert knowledge and public perception. We conducted a mixed-methods analysis across three Slovenian cities, Ljubljana, Kranj, and Koper, mapping CES provision and importance. Experts used a scoring matrix to assess CES provision potential, and participatory mapping with local users was used to identify the perceived importance of CES. Spatial and statistical analyses revealed patterns in CES distribution and their relationship with geographical variables. The findings highlight leisure and recreation activities, aesthetic value, and social relations as the most frequently and intensively perceived CES benefits. Protected, residential, and mixed-use areas emerged as CES hotspots for users, whereas forest, contrary to previous research, was identified as a coldspot in terms of perceived importance. Leisure and recreation activities was the most spatially clustered CES, whereas more cognitive services such as sense of place and identity were more dispersed. We also found that perceived CES benefits are closely linked to the proximity to people’s homes and perceived landscape accessibility. This mixed-methods approach effectively captured the diverse values and importance patterns of CES, revealing discrepancies between provision potential and perceived importance. The results emphasize the importance of evidence-based spatial planning that integrates CES to improve human wellbeing and address environmental challenges in peri-urban landscapes.
Keywords: Cultural Ecosystem Services, Peri-Urban Landscape, Spatial Planning and Policy, Mixed Methods, Slovenia, Case Studies
Published in DiRROS: 24.06.2026; Views: 257; Downloads: 176
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7. Fifteen years of health-and-environment research in SloveniaTanja Carli, Andreja Kukec, Lijana Zaletel-Kragelj, Ivan Eržen, 2026, other scientific articles Abstract: The environment in which we are born, live, work, and age is an important determinant of human health. This review summarises key epidemiological studies conducted over the past 15 years at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, in collaboration with experts in public health, clinical medicine, and other health and environmental disciplines. Methodological approaches for linking health and environmental data, including advanced spatial epidemiological methods to assess the impact of ambient air pollutants on respiratory diseases and diabetes, were highlighted. Considering the observed health outcomes among children and adolescents, new tools were developed and validated to estimate the prevalence of asthma and sleep-related problems among youths. In adults, the review examines the lifetime prevalence of first and recurrent systemic allergic reactions to bee venom among beekeepers, emphasising the need for effective risk-management strategies. Overall, the studies demonstrated the value of integrating health and environmental data to better understand and address public health challenges in Slovenia. The findings underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in developing evidence-based public health policies to mitigate environmental health risks and promote a high quality of life for present and future generations.
Keywords: environmental medicine, epidemiology, methods, research
Published in DiRROS: 10.06.2026; Views: 143; Downloads: 142
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8. The influence of late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance image analysis imprecision on myocardial damage quantification in patients with myocarditis : a pilot studyLana Kralj, Andreja Černe Čerček, Alja Gomišček, Borut Kirn, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Myocardial damage in myocarditis is assessed through late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Variability in quantifying myocarditis extent results from imprecise image segmentation and inconclusive data on quantification method selection. To improve analysis precision, segmentation steps are systematically ranked based on their inherent risks of error. Additionally, data on two distinct quantification methods are presented. Methods: Using newly developed software, four experts analyzed five LGE-CMR left ventricular (LV) short-axis (SAx) images of myocarditis patients in three sessions. Regions of interest (ROIs) (myocardial (ROImyoc), reference (ROIref), and exclusion region (ROIexcl)) were identified and used to calculate LGE extent with 3σ (intensity above three standard deviations (σ) in reference) and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) method (intensity above 50% of maximum signal in reference). The reference LGE extent was calculated and the influence of the ROIs on LGE extent variability was determined. Interobserver and intraobserver variability were evaluated as 1-intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: LGE extent variability was 6.2 ± 0.6% for 3σ and 4.0 ± 0.6% for FWHM. The contributions of ROImyoc, ROIref, and ROIexcl were 1.5 ± 0.2%, 2.7 ± 0.4%, and 2 ± 0.3%, respectively, for 3σ, and 1.1 ± 0.1%, 1.6 ± 0.4%, and 1.3 ± 0.3%, respectively, for FWHM. LGE extent was lower in FWHM. Interobserver variability was 0.56 for 3σ and 0.43 for FWHM. The intraobserver variability was higher for the 3σ method in all four observers. Conclusion: ROIref selection contributed most to LGE extent variability. FWHM yielded lower LGE extent and lower inter- and intraobserver variability. Due to low statistical significance, the findings are only partially confirmed.
Keywords: myocarditis, cardiac magnetic resonance, variability, full width at half maximum, thresholding methods, segmentation
Published in DiRROS: 03.06.2026; Views: 305; Downloads: 156
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9. Determination of metal(oid)s and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in size-fractionated airborne particulate matter : methodological approaches, trends, gaps and future needs : a reviewPrashant Kumar, Radmila Milačič Ščančar, Marija Đurić, Alenka Mauko Pranjić, Janez Ščančar, 2026, review article Abstract: This review highlights a significant gap in the multi-pollutant characterisation of ultrafine particulate matter (PM <0.1 µm), focusing on metal(oid)s and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Fractionation mechanisms, sampling protocols and analytical methods are examined with an emphasis on integrating quality assurance measures to ensure high-quality data and facilitate cross-study comparability. Based on studies published between 2010 and 2025, research has largely focused on the analysis of pollutants bound to PM2.5 or PM10. Only 5% of the studies addressed ultrafine particles (UFPs), which have the greatest toxicological impacts. The measurement of both pollutant groups within a single sampling campaign was rare (14% of the studies). The reliability of analytical data was rarely evaluated. Only 33% of the studies employed certified reference materials for quality control and method validation. Microwave-assisted digestion and ultrasound-assisted extraction were commonly used for sample preparation prior to the determination of metal(oid)s and PAHs, by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, respectively. Both pollutant groups exhibited strong seasonal variability, with elevated concentrations observed during heating periods in cold seasons, as well as associated with fine PM and UFPs, fractions that exhibit high bioaccessibility. Smaller PM fractions were associated with anthropogenic sources, including fossil fuel and biomass combustion, traffic and industrial emissions, while coarse PM reflected naturally-derived crustal material. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of uniform and comprehensive protocols for sampling UFPs and quantifying associated pollutants, which are essential for reliable data and effective urban air quality control strategies aimed at mitigating emissions.
Keywords: particulate matter, urban air quality, sampling protocols, analytical methods, metal(oid)s, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Published in DiRROS: 15.05.2026; Views: 313; Downloads: 340
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10. Breast reconstruction after cancer : historical development, modern techniques, and psychological impactMaks Tušak, Aleš Porčnik, Ivan Kneževič, Jasmina Markovič Božič, Matej Tušak, Andrej Lapoša, 2026, original scientific article Keywords: breast reconstruction, mastectomy, free flap, reconstruction methods, DIEP flap, autologous breast reconstruction, reconstruction with breast implants
Published in DiRROS: 15.05.2026; Views: 299; Downloads: 209
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