1. Optimisation of a sample preparation method for the determination of multi-elemental compositions in human hair by triple quadrupole ICP-MS analysisAgneta Annika Runkel, Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik, Igor Živković, Polona Klemenčič, Darja Mazej, Milena Horvat, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Monitoring toxic elements has a long tradition in Slovenia due to historical mining. More recently, attention has shifted to essential elements, since both deficiencies and excesses can harm health. Regular monitoring of (non-)essential elements supports risk assessment and policymaking. While urine and blood are common biomonitoring matrices, hair offers a non-invasive alternative that reflects exposure over several months, though standardised methodologies for hair analysis remain limited. This study aimed to develop and validate a sensitive and robust analytical method for the determination of 29 elements in human hair, addressing key challenges in sample preparation and contamination control. We developed a sensitive and robust method for the determination of 29 elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Ti, U, V, and Zn) in 3 cm segments of human hair that involves a washing procedure with acetone and Milli-Q water, microwave digestion with 65% HNO3, and analysis with Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Evaluation of preparation steps revealed stainless-steel scissors as a major contamination source. Glass digestion vessels were unsuitable for several elements due to high detection limits and relative standard deviations. The optimised method reduced analytical variability and improved sensitivity compared to published protocols. This validated method enables reproducible multi-elemental analysis in hair, highlights overlooked contamination risks, and is now applied in human biomonitoring studies to strengthen exposure assessment and standardisation efforts.
Keywords: determination of elements, optimization, human biomonitoring
Published in DiRROS: 27.01.2026; Views: 119; Downloads: 61
 Full text (1,59 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
2. Optimizing foamed glass production with machine learningUroš Hribar, Sintija Stevanoska, Christian Leonardo Camacho Villalón, Matjaž Spreitzer, Jakob Koenig, Sašo Džeroski, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Foamed glass is a lightweight material commonly used for insulation. However, optimizing its properties remains a challenge due to the large number of synthesis parameters involved in its production. While previous studies have investigated synthesis conditions, a comprehensive study applying machine learning approaches is lacking in the literature. In this paper, we apply machine learning methods, i.e., random forests of predictive clustering trees and a multilayer perceptron, training them on 124 experimental data points to accurately predict the apparent density and closed porosity of foamed glass. We then apply a multiobjective optimization algorithm together with the multilayer perceptron to find optimal values for the process parameters used in foamed glass production. Our results show that the combination of machine learning and multiobjective optimization is an effective proxy for the development of novel foamed glass materials.
Keywords: process optimization, machine learning, foamed glass
Published in DiRROS: 18.11.2025; Views: 308; Downloads: 123
Full text (1,51 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
3. Potential for improving the environmental sustainability of natural aggregates production (Slovenian case study)Janez Turk, Anja Kodrič, Rok Cajzek, Tjaša Zupančič Hartner, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The environmental performance of natural aggregates for concrete and road construction, extracted from a dolomite quarry, was investigated. Environmental hotspots were identified, and potential optimization measures to further reduce the environmental footprint were proposed. The natural aggregates extracted from the dolomite quarry have relatively low GWP and a low environmental footprint in general. The GWP of 1 tonne of natural aggregates used in concrete production is 1.13 kg CO2 equiv., while for 1 tonne of aggregates used in road construction, it is 0.97 kg CO2 equiv. The dolomite rock in the quarry in question is tectonically fractured, such that very intensive extraction is not required, taking into account the blasting of the rock and further processing. The use of non-road mobile machinery is already optimized. Additional reductions in environmental impact could be achieved by powering the screening process exclusively with electricity from renewable sources, such as a photovoltaic system. In this context, integrating on-site battery storage systems might present a promising solution for addressing the seasonal mismatch between solar energy generation and processing demands.
Keywords: rock extraction, global warming potential, environmental impact, optimization, sensitivity
Published in DiRROS: 15.10.2025; Views: 344; Downloads: 179
Full text (1,14 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
4. Temperature performance and rutting prediction of steel slag asphalt mixturesHongwen Du, Qinghao Han, Yunhao Wu, Linhua Ma, Minda Ren, 2025, original scientific article Keywords: road engineering, performance prediction, steel slag–rubber powder-modified asphalt mixture, optimization algorithms
Published in DiRROS: 03.10.2025; Views: 394; Downloads: 176
Full text (2,32 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
5. Enhanced surface engineering of ENB alloy coatings: tribo-mechanical insights into heat treatment and sodium borohydride levelsDuraisamy Revathi Ponnusamy Rajarathnam, S. Senthil Babu, Fatima Firdous Nikhat, M. Selvaraj, R. T. Ajaykarthik, 2025, original scientific article Keywords: optimization, bath composition, elastic modulus, friction resistance, nodules
Published in DiRROS: 02.10.2025; Views: 405; Downloads: 202
Full text (7,68 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
6. |
7. |
8. |
9. |
10. |
