21. UV light causes structural changes in microplastics exposed in bio-solidsS. S. Alavian Petroody, Seyed Hossein Hashemi, Luka Škrlep, Branka Mušič, Cornelis A. M. van Gestel, Andrijana Sever Škapin, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Bio-solids (biological sludge) from wastewater treatment plants are a significant source of the emission of microplastics (MPs) into the environment. Weakening the structure of MPs before they enter the environment may accelerate their degradation and reduce the environmental exposure time. Therefore, we studied the effect of UV-A and UV-C, applied at 70 °C, on three types of MPs, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), that are commonly found in sewage sludge, using three shapes (fibers, lines, granules). The MPs were exposed to UV radiation in bio-solid suspensions, and to air and water as control. The structural changes in and degradation of the MPs were investigated using Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (ATR-FTIR) and surface morphology was performed with SEM analysis. UV exposure led to the emergence of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in all of the PP samples. In PE and PET, these groups were formed only in the bio-solid suspensions. The presence of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups increased with an increasing exposure time. Overall, UV radiation had the greatest impact on the MPs in the bio-solids suspension. Due to the surface-to-volume ratio of the tested samples, which influences the degradation rate, the fibers were more degraded than the other two plastic shapes. UV-A was slightly more effective at degrading the MPs than UV-C. These findings show that ultraviolet radiation in combination with an elevated temperature affects the structure of polymers in wastewater bio-solids, which can accelerate their degradation. Keywords: microplastics, degradation, hydroxyl, carbonyl, ultraviolet light Published in DiRROS: 14.11.2023; Views: 350; Downloads: 174 Full text (2,27 MB) This document has many files! More... |
22. Humidity sensing ceria thin-filmsVilko Mandić, Arijeta Bafti, Luka Pavić, Ivana Panžić, Stanislav Kurajica, Jakov-Stjepan Pavelić, Zhen Shi, Katarina Mužina, Ivana Katarina Ivković, 2022, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 07.11.2023; Views: 242; Downloads: 117 Full text (3,80 MB) This document has many files! More... |
23. Development of multi-component fluoropolymer based coating on simulated outdoor patina on quaternary bronzeTadeja Kosec, Luka Škrlep, Erika Švara Fabjan, Andrijana Sever Škapin, Giulia Masi, Elena Bernardi, Cristina Chiavari, Claudie Josse, Jerome Esvan, Luc Robbiola, 2019, original scientific article Abstract: Bronze reacts with oxygen, humidity, and pollutants in the atmosphere so that a patina forms. Natural exposure to an outdoor atmosphere can be simulated and accelerated in order to achieve a patina that mimics outdoor ancient patina. In order to avoid the uncontrolled dissolving of either the natural or artificially formed patina, protection of the patina is needed.
In this study, a multi-component fluoropolymer based coating for the protection of bronze patina was developed. In order to provide various functionalities of the coating (such as the hydrophobicity of the coating surface, obtaining interactions within the coating itself as well as a bronze substrate and inhibiting the corrosion processes), a fluoroacrylate coating with appropriate adhesion promoter was suggested, with and without a silane modified benzotriazole inhibitor. The protective efficiency and durability of the applied coatings were investigated electrochemically using potentiodynamic tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a simulated acid rain solution. All of the developed coatings showed a significant decrease in the corrosion current density. The self-assembled single layer coating (FA-MS) also showed 100% inhibition efficiency. After ageing the coating remained transparent and did not change by UV exposure and/or thermal cycling. The patina and coating investigations using FIB-SEM and EDX showed that the latter coating (FA-MS) successfully covered the surface of the patinated bronze. The mechanism of the bonding was proposed and supported with the spectroscopic observation of a thin and even coating.
Keywords: bronze, patina, fluoropolymer coating, atmospheric corrosion Published in DiRROS: 25.10.2023; Views: 389; Downloads: 214 Full text (2,17 MB) This document has many files! More... |
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25. Single-layer and double-layer filtration materials based on polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene nanofibers coated on melamine microfibersTilen Potisk, Maja Remškar, Luka Pirker, Gregor Filipič, Igor Mihelič, Marjan Ješelnik, Urban Čoko, Miha Ravnik, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: nanofibers, aerosols, filtration Published in DiRROS: 15.09.2023; Views: 301; Downloads: 163 Full text (2,07 MB) This document has many files! More... |
26. Environmental enrichment through virtual reality as multisensory stimulation to mitigate the negative effects of prolonged bed restLuka Šlosar, Manca Peskar, Rado Pišot, Uroš Marušič, 2023, review article Abstract: Prolonged bed rest causes a multitude of deleterious physiological changes in the human body that require interventions even during immobilization to prevent or minimize these negative effects. In addition to other interventions such as physical and nutritional therapy, non-physical interventions such as cognitive training, motor imagery, and action observation have demonstrated efficacy in mitigating or improving not only cognitive but also motor outcomes in bedridden patients. Recent technological advances have opened new opportunities to implement such non-physical interventions in semi- or fully-immersive environments to enable the development of bed rest countermeasures. Extended Reality (XR), which covers augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR), can enhance the training process by further engaging the kinesthetic, visual, and auditory senses. XR-based enriched environments offer a promising research avenue to investigate the effects of multisensory stimulation on motor rehabilitation and to counteract dysfunctional brain mechanisms that occur during prolonged bed rest. This review discussed the use of enriched environment applications in bedridden patients as a promising tool to improve patient rehabilitation outcomes and suggested their integration into existing treatment protocols to improve patient care. Finally, the neurobiological mechanisms associated with the positive cognitive and motor effects of an enriched environment are highlighted. Keywords: physical inactivity, bed rest, nonphysical interventions, virtual reality Published in DiRROS: 11.09.2023; Views: 351; Downloads: 173 Full text (1,18 MB) This document has many files! More... |
27. Vegetacijske in talne razmere v izbranih gozdovih GGE Ivančna Gorica na območju Prestrane pri Krki : (delavnica Javne gozdarske službe in projekta Life-IP Natura.SI na OE ZGS Ljubljana)Lado Kutnar, Valerija Babij, Aleksander Marinšek, Roman Črnič, Luka Laznik, 2023, other monographs and other completed works Keywords: vegetacija, tla, rastišče, ekologija gozda, delavnice, Javna gozdarska služba, Slovenija, fitocenologija, gozdne združbe, gozdni rastiščni tipi Published in DiRROS: 08.09.2023; Views: 347; Downloads: 128 Full text (7,69 MB) |
28. Effects of digital-based interventions on muscular strength in adults : a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials with quality of evidence assessmentArmin Paravlić, Luka Šlosar, Ensar Abazović, Uroš Marušič, 2023, review article Abstract: Background: In the last three decades, both medical and sports science professionals have recognized the considerable potential of digital-based interventions (DBI) to enhance the health-related outcomes of their practitioners.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and potential moderators of DBI on measures of muscular strength.Methods: Six databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SportDiscus, Embase, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and Google Scholar) were searched for eligible studies up to June 2022. The GRADE, PEDRO, and TIDieR checklists were used to assess the quality of evidence, methodology, and completeness of intervention descriptions, respectively.Results: A total of 56 studies were included in the meta-analysis (n = 2346), and participants were classified as healthy (n = 918), stroke survivors (n = 572), diagnosed with other neurological disorders (n = 683), and frail (n = 173). The DBI showed a small effect (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.28, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.31; p < 0.001) on strength, regardless of the type of intervention, control group, or tested body part. More specifically, while splitting the studies into different subgroups, a meta-analysis of 19 studies (n = 918) showed a small effect (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.63; p = 0.003) on strength in the asymptomatic population. Similarly, small but positive effects of DBI were observed for stroke survivors (SMD = 0.34, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.56; p = 0.002), patients diagnosed with other neurological disorders (SMD = 0.17, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.32; p = 0.021), and the frail population (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI 0.0 to 0.5; p = 0.051). Sub-group analysis and meta-regression revealed that neither variable modified the effects of the DBI on measures of strength.Conclusions: Overall, DBI may serve as an effective method to improve measures of strength in adults, regardless of their health status as well as the type of digital device, the presence of human-computer interaction, and the age of participants. In addition, the DBI was found to be more effective than traditional training or rehabilitation methods. Keywords: cognitive training, physical function, strength, neurodegenerative disorders, older adults Published in DiRROS: 07.08.2023; Views: 406; Downloads: 203 Full text (1,87 MB) This document has many files! More... |
29. Makroekonomski učinki proizvodnje in predelave lesa listavcevDomen Arnič, Peter Prislan, Luka Juvančič, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: As far as the utilization of the value-added potential of hardwood assortments is concerned, we have considerable reserves in Slovenia. These could be exploited mainly by increasing the economic use of roundwood in Slovenia and by developing more technologically advanced processing methods for roundwood. The aim of this paper is to assess the untapped potential of the forest-wood chain in Slovenia using input-output models, focusing on the use of hardwood. For the whole forest-wood chain, we assessed the existing situation and tested five scenarios for the improvement of the forest-wood chain in Slovenia. We developed a national input-output model to evaluate possible scenarios for the future development of the wood-based bioeconomy. The results of scenario analysis of the input-output model show that the Slovenian wood-based bioeconomy can achieve up to 20% higher production value, a 24% increase in employment and 19% increase in household income in the future through restructuring of economic activities. In the paper, we discuss how upgrading the forestry and wood-processing industry (according to the defined scenarios) could be achieved by increasing the processing capacity of hardwoods and provide recommendations for decision makers. Keywords: forest- and wood-based bioeconomy, hardwoods utilization, input-output models, wood processing industry, scenario analysis, mobilization of hardwoods Published in DiRROS: 03.08.2023; Views: 343; Downloads: 182 Full text (1,21 MB) This document has many files! More... |
30. Analiza kakovostne strukture okroglega lesa listavcevLuka Krajnc, Domen Arnič, Peter Prislan, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The research presented in this study addressed the distribution of volume across different log grades in three hardwood species: European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) and English oak (Quercus robur L.). Standing trees were selected, marked, and measured. Afterwards the trees were felled and bucked into assortments according to national legislation regarding assortment grades and requirements for each assortment grade. Each individual assortment was measured and classified into one of the national log quality grades. Proportions of log volume with different grades within individual tree volumes were calculated and presented in this study. Differences were found in log grade volume distribution between different species and diameter classes. By following the national grading system for assortments, between 40% and 50% of total volume will be usable assortments in hardwoods Keywords: logs, hardwoods, volume, quality, log grading Published in DiRROS: 03.08.2023; Views: 334; Downloads: 176 Full text (5,01 MB) This document has many files! More... |