41. The effect of curing temperature and thickness of polybutyl methacrylate siloxane coatings on the corrosion protection of structural steel S355Damir Hamulić, Gregor Medoš, Dorota Korte, Peter Rodič, Ingrid Milošev, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: structural steel, siloxane polybutyl methacrylate sol-gel, curing temperature, thickness, porosity Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 86; Downloads: 45
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43. Anti-corrosion and anti-icing properties of superhydrophobic laser-textured aluminum surfacesPeter Rodič, Nina Kovač, Slavko Kralj, Samo Jereb, Iztok Golobič, Matic Može, Ingrid Milošev, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Superhydrophobic surfaces have favorable properties in simultaneously reducing the negative effects of corrosion and ice accumulation. In this study, laser-texturing was employed as a facile and environmentally friendly surface method to prepare a surface with hierarchical roughness for subsequent grafting by immersion in an ethanol solution containing 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FAS-10). Various analytical techniques were utilized to assess the characteristics of the laser-textured aluminum surfaces before and after grafting, such as a contact profilometer, optical tensiometer, scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive spectroscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope. These methods were used to evaluate surface roughness, wettability, morphology, and composition. The corrosion properties were evaluated through potentiodynamic and impedance measurements in a dilute Harrison's solution (DHS) composed of 0.35 wt% (NH4)2SO4 + 0.05 wt% NaCl. Additionally, freezing delay tests at various surface temperatures were performed to assess the surface's ability to prevent the freezing of water droplets on the treated surface. The laser-textured aluminum surface, featuring micro/nanostructures and a grafted nanoscopic perfluoroalkyl silane film, exhibited outstanding superhydrophobicity and enhanced corrosion protection. The developed surface has been shown to significantly delay the onset of ice nucleation and extend the freezing delay. Keywords: aluminum, laser-texturing, corrosion, superhydrophobic surface, anti-icing Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 91; Downloads: 40
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44. Polymerised forms in the zirconium conversion coatings on cold-rolled steel : proof of conceptAna Kraš, Ingrid Milošev, Antoine Seyeux, Philippe Marcus, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This study validates the proposed polymerised structure, including tetrameric polynuclear species, of solid amorphous oxyhydroxide zirconium conversion coatings on cold-rolled steel using ToF-SIMS. Tetramers are formed at pH near 4 (and possibly higher), with thickness increasing over extended conversion times. EIS in simulated acid rain further demonstrates that optimal coating formation requires a pH of at least 4 and a sufficient conversion time for adequate thickness, confirmed by the high-frequency EIS loop. Tetramer forms were not observed when the coatings were prepared at lower pH or shorter conversion time, proving that the polymerisation step is crucial for obtaining the coatings offering adequate corrosion protection Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 102; Downloads: 33
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45. Functionalisation of the aluminium surface by cucl2 chemical etching and perfluoro silane grafting : enhanced corrosion protection and improved anti-icing behaviourPeter Rodič, Matic Može, Iztok Golobič, Ingrid Milošev, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This study aimed to prepare a facile hierarchical aluminium surface using a two-step process consisting of chemical etching in selected concentrations of CuCl2 solution and surface grafting through immersion in an ethanol solution containing 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane. The goal was to achieve superhydrophobic characteristics on the aluminium surface, including enhanced corrosion resistance, efficient self-cleaning ability, and improved anti-icing performance. The surface characterisation of the untreated aluminium and treated in CuCl2 solutions of different concentrations was performed using contact profilometry, optical tensiometry, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy to determine the surface topography, wettability, morphology, and surface composition. The corrosion properties were evaluated using potentiodynamic measurements in simulated acid rain solution and salt-spray test according to ASTM B117-22. In addition, self-cleaning and anti-icing tests were performed on superhydrophobic surfaces prepared under optimal conditions. The results showed that the nano-/micro-structured etched aluminium surface with an optimal 0.5 M concentration of CuCl2 grafted with a perfluoroalkyl silane film achieved superhydrophobic characteristics, with water droplets exhibiting efficient corrosion protection, self-cleaning ability, and improved anti-icing performance with decreased ice nucleation temperature and up to 545% increased freezing delay. Keywords: superhydrophobic surface, corrosion protection, self-cleaning, anti-icing Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 86; Downloads: 42
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46. Linear and volumetric polyethylene wear patterns after primary cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty failure : An analysis using optical scanning and computer-aided design modelsMatej Valič, Ingrid Milošev, Vesna Levašič, Mateja Blas, Eva Podovšovnik, Jaka Koren, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: : (1) Background: Analyses of retrieved inserts allow for a better understanding of TKA failure mechanisms and the detection of factors that cause increased wear. The purpose of this implant retrieval study was to identify whether insert volumetric wear significantly differs among groups of common causes of total knee arthroplasty failure, whether there is a characteristic wear distribution pattern for a common cause of failure, and whether nominal insert size and component size ratio (femur-to-insert) influence linear and volumetric wear rates. (2) Methods: We digitally reconstructed 59 retrieved single-model cruciate-retaining inserts and computed their articular loadbearing surface wear utilizing an optical scanner and computer-aided design models as references. After comprehensively reviewing all cases, each was categorized into one or more of the following groups: prosthetic joint infection, osteolysis, clinical loosening of the component, joint malalignment or component malposition, instability, and other isolated causes. The associations between volumetric wear and causes of failure were estimated using a multiple linear regression model adjusted for time in situ. Insert linear penetration wear maps from the respective groups of failure were further processed and merged to create a single average binary image, highlighting a potential wear distribution pattern. The differences in wear rates according to nominal insert size (small vs. medium vs. large) and component size ratio (≤1 vs. >1) were tested using the Kruskal–Wallis test and the Mann– Whitney test, respectively. (3) Results: Patients with identified osteolysis alone and those also with clinical loosening of the component had significantly higher volumetric wear when compared to those without both causes (p = 0.016 and p = 0.009, respectively). All other causes were not significantly associated with volumetric wear. The instability group differentiated from the others with a combined peripheral antero-posterior wear distribution. Linear and volumetric wear rates showed no significant differences when compared by nominal insert size (small vs. medium vs. large, p = 0.563 and p = 0.747, respectively) or by component (femoral-to-insert) size ratio (≤1 vs. >1, p = 0.885 and p = 0.055, respectively). (4) Conclusions: The study found increased volumetric wear in cases of osteolysis alone, with greater wear when combined with clinical loosening compared to other groups. The instability group demonstrated a characteristic peripheral anterior and posterior wear pattern. Insert size and component size ratio seem not to influence wear rates. Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 99; Downloads: 46
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47. Survival of Eurasian lynx in the human-dominated landscape of EuropeJoseph Premier, M. L. Bastianelli, Julian Oeser, Ole Anders, Henrik Andrén, Malin Aronsson, Guna Bagrade, Elisa Belotti, Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten, Luděk Bufka, Rok Černe, Lan Hočevar, Miha Krofel, Nives Pagon, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Survival and cause-specific mortality rates are vital for evidence-based population forecasting and conservation, particularly for large carnivores, whose populations are often vulnerable to human-caused mortalities. It is therefore important to know the relationship between anthropogenic and natural mortality causes to evaluate whether they are additive or compensatory. Further, the relation between survival and environmental covariates could reveal whether specific landscape characteristics influence demographic performance. We used telemetry data on 681 Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), a model apex predator with large spatial requirements, that were tracked across their European distribution. Through time-to-event analyses, we sought to determine the variables associated with differences in their survival. Illegal killing was the main cause of mortality (33.8%), and mortality rates were similar in protected and hunted populations (8.6% and 7.0% per year, respectively). Survival varied greatly across populations (70–95% per year). Across all study sites, higher hunting and anthropogenic mortality rates were partially compensated by lower rates of other mortality causes but not by natural mortality alone. Variation in survival depended on sex (female survival was 1.5 times greater than male survival) and seasonality (highest risk during hunting season and winter), and lower survival rates were correlated with higher human modification of landscapes at both coarse (home range composition) and fine (habitat use within home range) scales. Some variation in survival was driven by unobserved factors, which, given the high rates of human-caused mortalities, including illegal killing, are of foremost concern. Due to the low natural mortality rates in protected and hunted populations, we conclude that anthropogenic causes of mortality are likely close to additive, such that maintaining or increasing refuge habitat with little human disturbance is critical to lynx conservation. Keywords: cause-specific mortality, compensatory mortality, Eurasian lynx, large carnivore, Lynx lynx, survival Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 94; Downloads: 46
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48. Parasite sedimentary DNA reveals fish introduction into a European high-mountain lake by the seventh centuryElena Fagín, Marisol Felip, Anton Brancelj, Pere Masqué, Jordi Catalan, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: High-mountain lakes were historically fishless due to natural barriers, but human introductions have led to widespread fish presence. Although particularly intensive during the last decades, historical documents indicate introductions in European high mountains already during the 14th and 15th centuries, but they could have occurred before, provided the intensive land use of the high mountain had started earlier. We used ancient environmental DNA from lake sediments (sedDNA) to investigate this hypothesis. Fish ectoparasites from various clades were identified using the 18S rRNA gene in the sediment record of a deep, high-mountain Pyrenean lake, with Ichthyobodo (Kinetoplastea) being of particular interest due to its consistent occurrence. The study shows a continued presence of fish parasites in the lake since the 7th century, which coincides with the Late-Roman and Visigothic extensive mountain use for sheep pasturing as supported by nearby archeological remains and increased lake primary production evidenced by photosynthetic pigments. Keywords: high-mountain lakes, fishless, sedimentary ancient DNA, sedDNA, ectoparasites, hydrobiology Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 85; Downloads: 35
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49. GozdarstvoAjša Alagić, Amina Gačo Jež, Anica Simčič, Urša Vilhar, Simon Zidar, Ana Fornažar, Ana Mandić, Mandica Dasović, 2025, independent professional component part or a chapter in a monograph Keywords: gozdna pedgogika, priročniki, gozdarstvo Published in DiRROS: 23.04.2025; Views: 75; Downloads: 15
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50. Hybrid zones in the European Alps impact the phylogeography of alpine vicariant willow species (Salix L.)Loïc Pittet, Pia Marinček, Piotr Kosinski, Natascha D. Wagner, Elvira Hörandl, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: In the European Alps, Pleistocene climate oscillations resulted in geographical range expansions and restrictions of species. Postglacial recolonizations often result in secondary contact hybridization of vicariant species, thereby creating hybrid zones with patterns of introgression. Here, we compare the genetic structure of two secondary contact hybrid zones between two vicariant willow species pairs occurring in the European Alpine System. Supplemented by morphological and ecological data, we try to understand the factors shaping the hybrid zones and their influence on geographical range filling patterns. Methods: RAD sequencing and morphometric data were used to characterize biogeographical history, genetic diversity and the hybrid zone of each species pair. Vegetation relevés and species distribution models provided ecological context and support. Key results: Results suggest that recolonization of the Alps happened from peripheral glacial refugia, resulting in broad secondary contact zones in the Eastern Alps in both species pairs. Both hybrid zones show introgression, but differ in symmetry and intensity of gene flow, in the type of introgressed loci, and in the geographical range. Habitat preferences and species distribution models do not indicate ecological barriers to recolonization. Conclusions: Hybrid zones do not only affect the genetic structure of species by gene flow and introgression, but also appear to impact the biogeographical patterns of species. Keywords: hybridization, phylogeny, phylogeography, climatic oscillations, genus Salix Published in DiRROS: 22.04.2025; Views: 103; Downloads: 38
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