11. Influence of microwaves in the early stage of alkali activation on the mechanical strength of alkali-activated materialsBarbara Horvat, Majda Pavlin, Vilma Ducman, 2023, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: This study focuses on the influence of microwave irradiation dosimetry on alkali-activated slurry in its early stages. The impact on the chemistry and mineralogy along with the mechanical properties were evaluated by changing the power of microwaves and their duration of exposure. This influenced the dissolution of amorphous content, diffusion, and self-assembly into an aluminosilicate network. The precursors used in this study were metakaolin, a non-waste material commonly used in geopolymerisation technology, and local fly ash and ladle furnace slag as secondary materials. Furthermore, they were chemically and mineralogically analysed, and their mixtures with NaOH and Na-water glass provided the optimal ratio of the amount of elements obtained using the pre-calculation approach. However, the potential extra addition of water was experimentally determined to allow complete wetting of the material and solid workability during moulding. Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, the influence of water was further investigated in alkali-activated slag and fly ash irradiated with microwaves, which resulted in the highest values of mechanical strength in the dosimetry-mapping part of the analysis. In addition to the time dependence of the expected mechanical strength on the ageing of the alkali- activated material, the synthesised material exhibited a significant dependence on the dose of microwave irra- diation, which was different for every precursor as well as every mixture with different chemistries.
Ključne besede: odpadni material, alkalijska aktivacija, obsevanje z mikrovalovi, mehanska trdnost, waste material, alkali activation, microwave irradiation, mechanical strength
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 12.07.2023; Ogledov: 397; Prenosov: 290
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12. Preparation of façade panels based on alkali-activated waste mineral wool, their characterization and durability aspectsMajda Pavlin, Barbara Horvat, Vilma Ducman, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Mineral wool is a widely used insulation material and one of the largest components of construction and demolition waste, yet it mainly ends up in landfills. In this work, we explored the potential recycling of waste stone wool in the pilot production of alkali-activated façade panels. The current work shows mechanical properties, SEM-EDS and mercury intrusion porosimetry analyses for three different mix designs used for the preparation of façade panels. They are all composed of waste stone wool and differ in the amount of co-binders (local slag, lime, metakaolin and/or fly ash) selected by the preliminary studies. In this study, co-binders were added to increase early strength and improve the mechanical properties and freeze-thaw resistance. The mechanical properties of each were measured up to 256 days, different durability tests were executed, and, by evaluating the mechanical properties, microstructure and workability of the mortar, the most suitable mix was selected to be used for pilot production. In addition, the leaching test of the selected mixture showed no exceeded toxic trace elements and therefore got classified as non-hazardous waste after its use.
Ključne besede: alkali activation, waste mineral wool, SEM, XRF, XRD, mechanical strength
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.06.2023; Ogledov: 339; Prenosov: 147
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13. The preparation and characterization of low-temperature foams based on the alkali activation of waste stone woolMajda Pavlin, Barbara Horvat, Mark Češnovar, Vilma Ducman, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Waste mineral wool represents a huge amount of construction and demolition waste that is still not adequately returned into the value chain but needs to be landfilled. In the present study, waste stone wool (SW) was evaluated for the preparation of alkali-activated foams. For this purpose SW was milled and sieved below 63 μm, then the activator (sodium silicate) and different amounts of foaming agent (hydrogen peroxide, H2O2), varying between 1 wt% and 3 wt%, were added to the slurry and cured in moulds at an elevated temperature (70 ◦ C) for three days. In this way, foamed, highly porous materials were obtained whose density and mechanical properties were influenced by the amount of foaming agent used. The densities obtained ranged between 1.4 and 0.5 g/cm3, with corresponding mechanical properties of between 12.6 and 1.5 MPa and total porosities in the range 37.8–78.6%, respectively. In the most porous samples with the total porosity of 78.6%, a thermal conductivity of 0.092 W/(m∙K) was confirmed. The study confirmed the suitability of waste mineral wool (in our case SW) as a precursor for alkali-activated foams with potential use in the construction sector or other industrial applications.
Ključne besede: alkali activation, waste mineral wool, mechanical strength, open access, alkalijska aktivacija, odpadna volna, SEM, XRF, XRD, mehanska trdnost, odprti dostop
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.06.2023; Ogledov: 270; Prenosov: 211
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14. Alkali activation of metallurgical slags : reactivity, chemical behavior, and environmental assessmentIsabella Lancellotti, Federica Piccolo, Katja Traven, Mark Češnovar, Vilma Ducman, Cristina Leonelli, 2021, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) represent a promising alternative to conventional building materials and ceramics. Being produced in large amounts as aluminosilicate-rich secondary products, such as slags, they can be utilized for the formulation of AAMs. Slags are partially crystalline metallurgical residues produced during the high temperature separation of metallic and non-metallic materials in the steelmaking processes. In the present study, the electric arc furnace carbon or stainless steel slag (EAF) and secondary metallurgical slag such as ladle furnace basic slag (LS) were used as precursors in an alkali-activation process. EAF slag, with its amorphous fraction of about 56%, presented higher contents of soluble Si and Al species with respect to ladle slag R (35%). However, both are suitable to produce AAM. The leaching behavior shows that all the release values are below the regulation limit. All the bivalent ions (Ba, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) are well immobilized in a geopolymeric matrix, while amphoteric elements, such as As and Cr, show a slight increase of release with respect to the corresponding slag in alkaline and aqueous environments. In particular, for Sb and As of AAM, release still remains below the regulation limits, while Mo presents an increase of leaching values that slightly exceeds the limit for landfill non-dangerous waste.
Ključne besede: slag, aluminosilicate materials, chemical reactivity, cold consolidation, alkali activation, leaching test, open access
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 22.05.2023; Ogledov: 360; Prenosov: 183
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15. Decomposition of tensiomyogram and comparison with torque twitch responses after post-activation potentiationEnsar Abazović, Armin Paravlić, Damir Zubac, Erol Kovačević, Boštjan Šimunič, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Objectives: This study evaluates the effect of post-activation potentiation (PAP) after 5x5s maximal voluntary isometric contractions (activation stimulus, AS) on tensiomyography (TMG) and torque twitch contractile parameters of vastus lateralis (VL) and medialis (VM), respectively. Further, we validated the decomposition of TMG response to separate responses of three fiber types. Methods: 15 healthy individuals participated in this study (40% women; age 19±2.3 years). A decomposition of VL TMG response was done after optimal fitting of three exponential curves. Results: We found main effects in contraction time (Tc) for muscle, method and time. Furthermore, we found interactions between muscle*method, method*time and muscle*method*time. Compared to PRE AS, we found shorter TMG Tc in VL and VM during the first two minutes after AS. Torque Tc remained unchanged in VL, while it increased in VM within 30 seconds after AS. A decomposition of VL TMG response confirmed PAP effects being present only in decomposed type IIb muscle fibers. Conclusion: The TMG is a sensitive method to detect PAP effects with a sensor mounted directly above the muscle belly. After the decomposition of the TMG signal to three separate muscle fiber phenotypes, we provided a non-invasive insight in the contribution of each muscle fiber phenotype to the PAP of the whole muscle.
Ključne besede: skeletal muscles, fast-twitch fibers, post-activation potentiation, decomposition, tensiomyography
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 05.09.2022; Ogledov: 940; Prenosov: 227
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16. The time course of quadriceps strength recovery after total knee arthroplasty is influenced by body mass index, sex, and age of patientsArmin Paravlić, Cécil J. W. Meulenberg, Kristina Drole, 2022, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Introduction: For patients with osteoarthritis who have undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA), quadriceps strength is a major determinant of general physical function regardless of the parameters adopted for functional assessment. Understanding the time course of quadriceps strength recovery and effectiveness of different rehabilitation protocols is a must. Therefore, the aim of this study was to: (i) determine the magnitude of maximal voluntary strength (MVS) loss and the time course of recovery of the quadriceps muscle following TKA, (ii) identify potential moderators of strength outcomes, and (iii) investigate whether different rehabilitation practices can moderate the strength outcomes following TKA, respectively. Design: General scientific databases and relevant journals in the field of orthopedics were searched, identifying prospective studies that investigated quadriceps’ MVS pre-to post-surgery. Results: Seventeen studies with a total of 832 patients (39% males) were included. Results showed that in the early post-operative days, the involved quadriceps’ MVS markedly declined, after which it slowly recovered over time in a linear fashion. Thus, the greatest decline of the MVS was observed 3 days after TKA. When compared to pre-operative values, the MVS was still significantly lower 3 months after TKA and did not fully recover up to 6 months following TKA. Furthermore, a meta-regression analysis identified that the variables, time point of evaluation, patient age, sex, and BMI, significantly moderate the MVS of the quadriceps muscle. Conclusion: The analyzed literature data showed that the decrease in strength of the involved quadriceps muscles following TKA is considerable and lasts for several months post-surgery. Therefore, we recommend to specifically target the strengthening of knee extensor muscles, preserve motor control, and apply appropriate nutrition to ensure a holistic quadriceps muscle recovery. Since age, sex, and BMI were found to be moderating factors in patients’ recovery, further research should include specific analyses considering these moderators.
Ključne besede: knee osteoarthritis, total knee arthroplasty, rehabilitation, functional performance, voluntary activation, obesity, body mass index
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 26.05.2022; Ogledov: 725; Prenosov: 479
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17. Neutralizing anti-interferon-[gamma] autoantibodies: an ameliorating factor in COVID-19 infection?Mark Kačar, Paulina Cortes-Acevedo, Vinesh Patel, Clive Carter, Pamela Hughes, Hugh P. McGann, Effrossyni Gkrania-Klotsas, Helen Baxendale, Gabriela Barcenas-Morales, Rainer Doffinger, Sinisa Savic, 2021, drugi znanstveni članki Ključne besede: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, interferon-gamma, respiratory distress syndrome, nontuberculous mycobacteria, macrophage activation syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 09.11.2021; Ogledov: 1073; Prenosov: 267
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19. Mast cell activation test in the diagnosis of allergic disease and anaphylaxisRajia Bahri, Adnan Custovic, Peter Korošec, Marina Tsoumani, Martin Barron, Jiakai Wu, Rebekah Sayers, Alf Weimann, Monica Ruiz-Garcia, Nandinee Patel, Mira Šilar, 2018, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background. Food allergy is an increasing public health issue and the commonest cause of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Conventional allergy tests assess for the presence of allergen-specific IgE, significantly overestimating the rate of true clinical allergy resulting in over-diagnosis and adverse impact on health-related quality of life. Objective. To undertake initial validation and assessment of a novel diagnostic tool, the mast cell activation test (MAT). Methods. Primary human mast cells (hMCs) were generated from peripheral blood precursors, and sensitized using patient sera and then incubated with allergen. Mast cell degranulation was assessed by flow cytometry and mediator release. We compared the diagnostic performance of MAT to existing diagnostic tools to assess in a cohort of peanut-sensitized individuals undergoing double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge. Results. hMCs sensitized with sera from peanut, grass pollen and hymenoptera- (wasp venom) allergic patients demonstrated allergen-specific and dose-dependent degranulation by both expression of surface activation markers (CD63 and CD107a) and functional assays (prostaglandins D2 and ß-hexosaminidase release). In this cohort of peanut-sensitized individuals, MAT was found to have superior discrimination performance compared to other testing modalities including component-resolved diagnostics and basophil activation test. Using functional principle component analysis, we identified 5 clusters or patterns of reactivity in the resulting dose-response curves, which at preliminary analysis corresponded to the reaction phenotypes seen at challenge. Conclusion. MAT is a robust tool which may confer superior diagnostic performance compared to existing allergy diagnostics, and may be useful to explore differences in effector cell function between basophils and mast cells during allergic reactions.
Ključne besede: allergy and immunology -- diagnosis, anaphylaxis, immunologic tests, mast cells, food hypersensitivity, basophil activation test, BAT, mast cell activation test
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 30.11.2020; Ogledov: 1735; Prenosov: 1613
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20. Heritable risk for severe anaphylaxis associated with increased [alpha]-tryptase-encoding germline copy number at TPSAB1Jonathan J. Lyons, Jack Chovanec, Michael P. O'Connell, Yihui Liu, Julij Šelb, Roberta Zanotti, Yun Bai, Jiwon Kim, Quang T. Le, Tom DiMaggio, Matija Rijavec, Peter Korošec, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background: An elevated basal serum tryptase level is associated with severe systemic anaphylaxis, most notably caused by Hymenoptera envenomation. Although clonal mast cell disease is the culprit in some individuals, it does not fully explain this clinical association. Objective: Our aim was to determine the prevalence and associated impact of tryptase genotypes on anaphylaxis in humans. Methods: Cohorts with systemic mastocytosis (SM) and venom as well as idiopathic anaphylaxis from referral centers in Italy, Slovenia, and the United States, underwent tryptase genotyping by droplet digital PCR. Associated anaphylaxis severity (Mueller scale) was subsequently examined. Healthy volunteers and controls with nonatopic disease were recruited and tryptase was genotyped by droplet digital PCR and in silico analysis of genome sequence, respectively. The effects of pooled and recombinant human tryptases, protease activated receptor 2 agonist and antagonist peptides, and a tryptase-neutralizing mAb on human umbilical vein endothelial cell permeability were assayed using a Transwell system. Results: Hereditary [alpha]-tryptasemia (H[alpha]T)--a genetic trait caused by increased [alpha]-tryptase-encoding Tryptase-[alpha]/[beta]1 (TPSAB1) copy number resulting in elevated BST level--was common in healthy individuals (5.6% [n = 7 of 125]) and controls with nonatopic disease (5.3% [n = 21 of 398]). H[alpha]T was associated with grade IV venom anaphylaxis (relative risk = 2.0; P < .05) and more prevalent in both idiopathic anaphylaxis (n = 8 of 47; [17%; P = .006]) and SM (n = 10 of 82 [12.2%; P = .03]) relative to the controls. Among patients with SM, concomitant H[alpha]T was associated with increased risk for systemic anaphylaxis (relative risk = 9.5; P = .007). In vitro, protease-activated receptor-2-dependent vascular permeability was induced by pooled mature tryptases but not [alpha]- or [beta]-tryptase homotetramers. Conclusions: Risk for severe anaphylaxis in humans is associated with inherited differences in [alpha]-tryptase-encoding copies at TPSAB1.
Ključne besede: mastocytosis, venoms, hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis - diagnosis, mast cells, idiopathic anaphylaxis, mast cell activation, hereditary alpha-tryptasemia
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 11.09.2020; Ogledov: 2041; Prenosov: 375
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