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4. Ecotoxicologically relevant cyclic peptides from cyanobacterial bloom (Planktothrix rubecens) - a threat to human and environmental healthBojan Sedmak, Tina Eleršek, Olga Grach-Pogrebinsky, Shmuel Carmeli, Nataša Sever, Tamara Lah Turnšek, 2008, original scientific article Abstract: Background. The information of the overall production of major cyanobacterial cyclic peptides in a water body is essential for risk assessment and for the prediction of future development of the bloom. A procedure that gives a reviewof both toxic and non-hepatotoxic hydrophilic cyclic peptide production is important to evaluate the ecological conditions in the water environment and to predict the release of dangerous toxic and tumour promoting substances.Methods. The cyclic peptides were identified on the basis of their retention times, characteristic spectra, molecular masses and biological activity. The non-hepatotoxic cyclic peptides were characterised by their inhibition of porcine pancreatic elastase, while cytotoxicity to mammalian cells was tested with the MTT test on B16 cell line. Conclusions. The method presented gives a rapid, simultaneous assessment, preliminary identification and estimation of bioactive cyclic peptides. The synthesis of non-hepatotoxic cyclic peptides can mediate the release various toxic and otherwise biologically active substances that induce systemic genotoxicity in mammals.
Keywords: tumor promoters, microcystin, anabaenopeptin, planktopeptin, toxic cyanobacterial blooms, environmental health
Published in DiRROS: 07.03.2024; Views: 100; Downloads: 20
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5. Comprehensive permanent remote monitoring system of a multi-span highway bridgeAndrej Anžlin, Uroš Bohinc, Doron Hekič, Maja Kreslin, Jan Kalin, Aleš Žnidarič, 2021, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: As part of the reconstruction of a multi-span viaduct on a Slovenian highway, a permanent remote monitoring system with over 200 sensors was established. Several parameters are monitored on different parts of the viaduct by means of temperature sensors, accelerometers, strain gauges, long-gauge deformation and Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors. In this way strains, frequencies and temperatures on external prestressed beam cables, carbon fibre rebarsused for the flexural strengthening of a deck overhang, pier caps and prestressed beams are measured and stored into the on-site central data acquisition system. This paper presents architecture of the permanent bridge monitoring system and preliminary results of the measurements.
Keywords: permanent monitoring, structural health monitoring, bridge WIM, sensors, viaduct
Published in DiRROS: 22.01.2024; Views: 212; Downloads: 98
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6. Using statistical analysis of an acceleration-based bridge weigh-in-motion system for damage detectionEugene J. O'Brien, Muhammad Arslan Khan, Daniel Patrick McCrum, Aleš Žnidarič, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: This paper develops a novel method of bridge damage detection using statistical analysis of data from an acceleration-based bridge weigh-in-motion (BWIM) system. Bridge dynamic analysis using a vehicle-bridge interaction model is carried out to obtain bridge accelerations, and the BWIM concept is applied to infer the vehicle axle weights. A large volume of traffic data tends to remain consistent (e.g., most frequent gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3-axle trucks); therefore, the statistical properties of inferred vehicle weights are used to develop a bridge damage detection technique. Global change of bridge stiffness due to a change in the elastic modulus of concrete is used as a proxy of bridge damage. This approach has the advantage of overcoming the variability in acceleration signals due to the wide variety of source excitations/vehicles–data from a large number of different vehicles can be easily combined in the form of inferred vehicle weight. One year of experimental data from a short-span reinforced concrete bridge in Slovenia is used to assess the effectiveness of the new approach. Although the acceleration-based BWIM system is inaccurate for finding vehicle axle-weights, it is found to be effective in detecting damage using statistical analysis. It is shown through simulation as well as by experimental analysis that a significant change in the statistical properties of the inferred BWIM data results from changes in the bridge condition.
Keywords: bridge health monitoring, bridge WIM, structural dynamics, damage detection, vehicle-bridge interaction
Published in DiRROS: 12.09.2023; Views: 260; Downloads: 134
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7. Functional characteristics and subjective disease perception in patients with COVID-19 two months after hospital dischargeKaja Teraž, Boštjan Šimunič, Manca Peskar, Uroš Marušič, Saša Pišot, Luka Šlosar, Mladen Gasparini, Rado Pišot, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: Although early inpatient and post-hospital rehabilitation is recognized as necessary, not all COVID-19 patients have access to rehabilitation. There are no published reports in the literature that investigate the outcomes of patients who do not receive rehabilitation after COVID-19. Our aim was to evaluate possible improvements in determinate functional and psychological parameters in COVID19 patients two months after their hospital discharge. Methods: On both time points various motor, cognitive, and clinical measurements such as body composition, tensiomyography, blood pressure, spirometry, grip strength test, Timed Up and Go test, gait speed, 30-second chair-stand test, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment, were performed. Additionally, questionnaires such as the SARC-CalF test, Edmonton frail scale, International Physical Activity questionnaire andThe Mediterranean Lifestyle index were conducted to assess lifestyle characteristics. Results: A total of 39 patients (87.2% male; mean age of 59.1 ± 10.3 years), who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 at the Izola General Hospital (IGH), Slovenia between December 2020 and April 2021, were included. Patients were assessed at two time points (T1 and T2): T1 was taken after receiving a negative COVID-19 test and T2 was taken two months after T1. After two months of self-rehabilitation, we have detected a BMI increase (p < .001), fat free mass increase (p < .001), better Edmonton frail scale (p < .001), SARC-CalF score (p = .014) and MoCA score (p = .014). There were no detected changes in lifestyle habits nor in physical performance tests. Discussion: It is already known that COVID-19 has long-term negative consequences regardless of the stage of the disease. Our findings support the notion that patients cannot fully regain all their functions within a two-month period without receiving structured or supervised rehabilitation. Therefore, it is crucial to offer patients comprehensive and structured rehabilitation that incorporates clinical, cognitive, and motor exercises.
Keywords: pandemics, coronavirus, functional improvement, hospital stay, health perception
Published in DiRROS: 26.07.2023; Views: 326; Downloads: 162
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8. Model updating concept using bridge Weigh-in-Motion dataDoron Hekič, Andrej Anžlin, Maja Kreslin, Aleš Žnidarič, Peter Češarek, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Finite element (FE) model updating of bridges is based on the measured modal parameters and less frequently on the measured structural response under a known load. Until recently, the FE model updating did not consider strain measurements from sensors installed for weighing vehicles with bridge weigh-in-motion (B-WIM) systems. A 50-year-old multi-span concrete highway viaduct, renovated between 2017 and 2019, was equipped with continuous monitoring system with over 200 sensors, and a B-WIM system. In the most heavily instrumented span, the maximum measured longitudinal strains induced by the full-speed calibration vehicle passages were compared with the modelled strains. Based on the sensitivity study results, three variables that affected its overall stiffness were updated: Young’s modulus adjustment factor of all structural elements, and two anchorage reduction factors that considered the interaction between the superstructure and non-structural elements. The analysis confirmed the importance of the initial manual FE model updating to correctly reflect the non-structural elements during the automatic nonlinear optimisation. It also demonstrated a successful use of pseudo-static B-WIM loading data during the model updating process and the potential to extend the proposed approach to using random B-WIM-weighed vehicles for FE model updating and long-term monitoring of structural parameters and load-dependent phenomena.
Keywords: monitoring, bridge, viaduct, bridge weigh-in-motion (B-WIM), structural health monitoring (SHM), finite element (FE), calibration, model updating
Published in DiRROS: 29.05.2023; Views: 392; Downloads: 213
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9. Exploring the well-being of Slovenian and Serbian sport science students during the covid-19 pandemic of summer 2022Brigita Banjac, Ivana Milovanović, Saša Pišot, Radenko Matić, Stevo Popović, Sandra Radenović, Patrik Drid, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly changed everyday life of social actors, which inferred mental health and well-being concerns. As students of health-related studies tend to adapt better to difficult circumstances, in this study, we explored the effect of the pandemic on sports science students’ well-being during the summer of 2022. The research was conducted in Slovenia and Serbia. The sample comprised n = 350 students. The PERMA-Profiler, a 15-item self-reported questionnaire, was adapted to assess well-being across five elements: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Data were collected with a questionnaire through the summer of 2022 (from May to July) and analyzed in SPSS, AMOS 26.0. The results revealed normal functioning (M = 7.72, SD ± 1.38) for the overall well-being of the students. Although all dimensions indicated high scores, relationships (M = 7.95, SD ± 1.63), meaning (M = 7.76, SD ± 1.69), and engagement (M = 7.73, SD ± 1.36) rated the highest. Furthermore, the instrument was acceptable, as the confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate reliability based on Cronbach's alpha (15 items, α = 0.94) and strong internal correlations between the PERMA dimensions. This study contributes to the previously published research, emphasizing the positive responses and successful coping of sports science students in times of complex situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords: sport, health science, physical education, university students, pandemics, mental health, well-being
Published in DiRROS: 16.02.2023; Views: 389; Downloads: 214
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