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Advancing objective evaluation of speech-driven gesture generation for embodied conversational agents
No full textAssessing the potential of urban orchards, berry bushes, and apiaries for local food production and carbon mitigation in a small European City
Get PDFWith the growing concentration of populations in urban centres, ensuring resilient and sustainable food systems has become a critical priority. Disruptions in food supply chains, particularly in small cities with limited logistical flexibility, can severely compromise food availability. In response, the utilisation of urban green spaces for food production has been increasingly recognised as a viable strategy to enhance local self-sufficiency while contributing to broader environmental goals. This study evaluated the potential for integrating urban orchards, berry bushes, and apiaries within the public green spaces of Maribor, a small Slovenian city with a total area of 40 km². Emphasis was placed on publicly owned or publicly accessible land—including municipal holdings, stateowned plots, and land managed by public companies—that remains underutilised yet suitable for edible landscaping. Using spatial analysis conducted through QGis, available green space was quantified and assessed for suitability in supporting fruit trees, edible shrubs, and beekeeping installations. Estimates were then derived for the number of fruit and berry seedlings that could be planted, the volume of potential fruit and honey yields, and the corresponding contribution to carbon dioxide reduction through enhanced urban vegetation and decreased food transport dependency. The results indicate that even fragmented and seemingly marginal green areas possess significant aggregate potential for improving local food resilience, fostering community engagement, and delivering measurable carbon mitigation benefits. Furthermore, urban food forests and community orchards were identified as multifunctional landscape interventions that not only enhance food security but also improve urban biodiversity, air quality, and residents’ mental well-being. These findings align with the European Union’s objectives for urban ecosystem efficiency and carbon neutrality by 2050 and underscore the importance of integrating edible green infrastructure into urban planning frameworks. The study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the role of decentralised, nature-based solutions in urban sustainability transitions
Kinetic modeling of solvent partitioning effect on the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from glucose in biphasic solvent system
Get PDFThe distribution characteristics of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) in solution significantly affect its yield and separation/purification during its production process from glucose, but there is currently a lack of quantitative correlation with the reaction kinetics. In this paper, a systematic kinetic study was conducted on the catalytic conversion of glucose to 5-HMF using a porous carbon catalyst that possesses both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites in a biphasic solvent system composed of NaCl-H2O and Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). The addition of NaCl was found to enhance the extraction of 5-HMF into the organic phase, with the highest yield of 84.5% achieved under 10 wt% NaCl concentration. Excessive NaCl increases the solubility of 5-HMF in the aqueous phase, thereby causing a reduction in yield. Kinetic study reveals that higher NaCl concentrations suppress glucose isomerization, humins formation, and direct dehydration to 5-HMF. Excess NaCl also facilitated side reactions, such as 5-HMF rehydration. Changes in solubility equilibrium constants and partition coefficient of 5-HMF were positively correlated, and sensitivity analysis highlighted the impact of NaCl on solubility equilibrium of 5-HMF between aqueous and organic phases. By introducing the parameter of polar activation energy (Ec), the impact of NaCl on the rate constants of various reaction pathways was quantified, confirming that NaCl altered the physicochemical properties of solvent and potentially catalyzed the reaction. These findings provide valuable insight into the mechanisms and kinetics of glucose isomerization and dehydration in biphasic solvent systems, laying the foundation for the design and regulation of solvent properties to optimize these reactions
Towards inclusive and resilient living environments for older adults: a methodological framework for assessment of social sustainability in nursing homes
Get PDFThe quality of living environments for older adults represents a critical component of social sustainability in an ageing society. Among various housing options, nursing homes are the most institutionalised form of elderly care and demand special attention regarding architectural design. This paper explores the impact of architectural and open space features on social sustainability in living environments for older adults. A comparative analysis of three Slovenian nursing homes is presented. The first two, built in the post-war period, were based on elevated architectural criteria inspired by Swedish human-centred housing design. The third was completed in 2021 in the post-COVID-19 era, which revealed the vulnerability of such housing typologies. An integrated methodological framework was developed by applying two complementary assessment tools: the Safe and Connected, developed by the authors to evaluate the spatial, health, and social resilience of nursing home environments, and the Well-being and Integration, addressing the role of open space with a particular emphasis on the identification of older adults with their environment and the facilitation of social resilience. Both tools evaluate indicators linked to the social dimension of quality of life for older adults. The results show a gradual improvement in architectural quality from the 1960s to the 1980s, followed by a partial decline in the contemporary case. The Swedish example scored highest across both tools. In contrast, the newest Slovenian facility scored surprisingly low in social integration, highlighting critical gaps in current nursing home design. This study demonstrates the value of applying interdisciplinary, tool-based evaluations in identifying design strategies that foster resilient and inclusive LTC environments, and the proposed framework may serve as a decision-making aid for architects, planners, and policymakers. This research highlights the importance of reintroducing human-oriented design principles to support socially sustainable nursing home environments
Credibility of messages with and without emoticons in the age group from a ge 25 to 34
Get PDFZaključno delo obravnava, ali virusna sporočila s čustvenčki povečajo čustveno privlačnost sporočila pri posameznikih v starostni skupini od 25 do 34 let. Osredotoča se na doživljanje sporočil s čustvenčki in brez njih, in čustvene dejavnike, kateri vplivajo kako prejemniki presojajo verodostojnost in zaupnost teh sporočil. V dobi digitalizacije so pri digitalni komunikaciji čustvenčki vsakodnevno prisotni, saj jih ljudje uporabljamo kot čustveno izražanje in čustveno komunikacijo. Vse pogosteje so čustvenčki del zlonamernih sporočil, katere uporabljajo akterji, ki se poslužujejo socialnega inženiringa, da bi z manipulacijo čustev žrtve dosegli svoje zlonamerno dejanje, največkrat z namenom, da jim ti prostovoljni razkrijejo zaupne informacije ali pa omogočijo dostop do sistemov. V zaključnem delu smo se osredotočili na empirično raziskavo, katera temelji na analizi odzivov na zlonamerna sporočila, ta pa temelji na spletni anketi. Rezultati raziskave prispevajo k razumevanju vpliva čustvene komunikacije v digitalnem okolju, ter izpostavlja pomen čustvene manipulacije kot učinkovito orodje v tehnikah socialnega inženiringa. Delo pa hkrati opozarja, da je potrebna večja ozaveščenost uporabnikov pri presoji sporočil, prejetih preko spletnih in elektronskih kanalov. Rezultati nakazujejo, da čustvenčki v nekaterih primerih vplivajo na zaznavanje zlonamernih sporočil, saj te lahko prispevajo k bolj pozitivnem vtisu in zmanjšanju previdnosti pri uporabnikih.The diploma thesis examines whether viral emoji messages increase the emotional appeal of a message for individuals in the 25-34 age group. It focuses on the experience of messages with and without emoticons, and emotional factors that influence how recipients judge the authenticity and confidentiality of these messages. In the age of digitalisation, emoticons are present in digital communication on a daily basis, as people use them for emotional expression and emotional communication. Increasingly, emoticons are part of malicious messages used by social engineering actors to manipulate the emotions of the victim in order to achieve their malicious act, most often by volunteering confidential information or access to systems. In the final part we focus on an empirical study based on the analysis of responses to malicious messages, this study is based on an online survey. The results of the research contribute to the understanding of the impact of emotional communication in the digital environment, and highlights the importance of emotional manipulation as an effective tool in social engineering techniques. At the same time, the work points to the need for greater awareness on the part of users in assessing messages received through online and electronic channels. The results suggest that emoticons in some cases influence the perception of malicious messages, as they can contribute to a more positive impression and reduced caution among users
Energetic utilization of solid-state fermentation residues
Get PDFV diplomskem delu smo preučili možnosti energetske izrabe konopljinih pogač, ki so ostanek
po fermentaciji v trdnem stanju (SSF) z glivo Thermomyces lanuginosus. Namen raziskave je
bil ovrednotiti vpliv biološke predobdelave in temperature pirolize na sestavo biomase ter
kakovost produktov termične obdelave. Pirolizo smo izvedli pri 300 °C in 700 °C v inertni
atmosferi ter analizirali nastale trdne in tekoče produkte.
Rezultati kažejo, da se je z višanjem temperature masni izkoristek zmanjšal, medtem ko so se
zgornja kurilna vrednost, delež aromatskih struktur in vsebnost fiksnega ogljika povečali.
Biološka obdelava je prispevala k znižanju vsebnosti hlapnih snovi in povečanju pepela, kar
kaže na razgradnjo organske komponente biomase. Termogravimetrična analiza, izvedena v
kisikovi in dušikovi atmosferi ter sklopljena s FTIR spektroskopijo, je pokazala sprembo v
reaktivnosti biološko obdelanih vzorcev, z nižjo začetno temperaturo razgradnje in manjšimi
izpusti hlapnih spojin. FTIR analiza je potrdila razgradnjo lignoceluloznih struktur ter večjo
prisotnost aromatskih skupin pri višjih temperaturah pirolize.
Ugotovili smo, da biološka predobdelava vpliva na sestavo biomase in lastnosti produktov
pirolize, kar odpira možnosti za optimizacijo procesa energetske izrabe lignoceluloznih
ostankov.In this thesis, we investigated the energy recovery potential of hemp cakes, which are the
residue after solid-state fermentation (SSF) with the fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus. The
study aimed to evaluate the influence of biological pre-treatment and pyrolysis temperature on
biomass composition and the quality of thermal treatment products. Pyrolysis was carried out
at 300 °C and 700 °C in an inert atmosphere, after which the resulting solid and liquid products
were analysed.
The results show that as the temperature rises, the mass yield decreases. However, the upper
heating value, the proportion of aromatic structures and the fixed carbon content increase.
Biological treatment resulted in a reduction in volatile matter content and an increase in ash
content, indicating the decomposition of the organic component of the biomass.
Thermogravimetric analysis, coupled with FTIR spectroscopy, was carried out under oxygen
and nitrogen atmospheres. This showed an accompanying increase in the reactivity of the bio-
treated samples, with a lower initial decomposition temperature and lower volatile compound
emissions. FTIR analysis confirmed the degradation of lignocellulosic structures and an
increased presence of aromatic groups at higher pyrolysis temperatures.
Our findings suggest that biological pre-treatment influences the composition of biomass and
the properties of pyrolysis products. This opens up the possibility of optimising the energy
recovery process of lignocellulosic residues
Design of a CNC Milling Machine
Get PDFV magistrski nalogi je predstavljena zasnova in konstrukcija CNC rezkalnega stroja za lastno uporabo. Osnovni cilj je bil razviti cenovno dostopen, a dovolj tog in natančen stroj za obdelavo različnih materialov, predvsem navadnega jekla ter občasno tudi nerjavnega jekla. V uvodnem delu je podan kratek pregled CNC rezkalnih strojev, njihovih značilnosti in področij uporabe. Sledi utemeljitev izbire ključnih komponent, kot so koračni motorji v zaprti zanki, visokofrekvenčno vreteno, kroglična vretena in linearna vodila glede na zahteve obdelave jekla in razmerje med zmogljivostjo in ceno. V zaključku je predstavljen proces 3D modeliranja konstrukcije v programu Creo 8 ter glavne konstrukcijske rešitve, ki zagotavljajo stabilnost in natančnost. Rezultat je tehnično utemeljena in praktično izvedljiva zasnova kompaktnega triosnega CNC rezkalnega stroja, prilagojenega delovanju v manjšem delavniškem okolju.This thesis presents the design and construction of a three-axis CNC milling machine intended for personal use. The main objective was to develop a cost-effective yet sufficiently rigid and precise machine capable of machining various materials, primarily mild steel and occasionally stainless steel. The introductory chapter provides an overview of CNC milling machines, their key characteristics and applications. The subsequent chapters justify the selection of core components such as closed loop stepper motors, a high-frequency spindle, ball screws, and linear guides with respect to steel machining requirements and the balance between performance and cost. The final part describes the 3D modelling workflow in Creo 8 and the main structural solutions that ensure stability and accuracy. The outcome is a technically reasoned and practically feasible design of a compact three-axis CNC milling machine tailored to a small workshop environment
Obvladovanje Tveganj pri Prevozu Goriva Podjetja Montana d.o.o
Get PDFThis diploma thesis examines risk management as one of the most important issues in transport of hazardous goods, while focusing on the company Montana d.o.o. In the theoretical part we highlighted the importance of safety in logistics, the legal and regulatory framework, driver training, and preventive measures for reducing risks.
Regarding the empirical part, we analyzed how Montana d.o.o. manages risks in practice through equipment, procedures, training and supervision. We conducted an interview with the company management, which provided us with an insight into daily operations and safety practices. The findings confirmed that Montana d.o.o. fully complies with the prescribed standards and, in some areas, introduces additional safety measures, as well.
The results indicate that Montana d.o.o. successfully ensures reliability and safety in fuel transport, while also demonstrating that there is always room for improvement. Based on the results, we proposed recommendations for further development of risk management practices to maintain efficient, safe, and sustainable operations.Diplomsko delo preučuje obvladovanje tveganj kot enega najpomembnejših elementov pri prevozu nevarnega blaga, s poudarkom na podjetju Montana d.o.o.. V teoretičnem delu smo izpostavili pomen varnosti v logistiki, pravni in regulativni okvir, usposabljanje voznikov in preventivne ukrepe za zmanjšanje tveganj.
V empiričnem delu smo analizirali, kako Montana d.o.o.. v praksi obvladuje tveganja z opremo, postopki, usposabljanjem in nadzorom. Opravili smo intervju z vodstvom podjetja, ki je omogočil vpogled v vsakodnevno poslovanje in varnostne prakse. Ugotovitve so potrdile, da Montana d.o.o.. v celoti izpolnjuje predpisane standarde, na nekaterih področjih pa uvaja tudi dodatne ukrepe.
Rezultati kažejo, da Montana d.o.o.. uspešno zagotavlja zanesljivost in varnost pri prevozu goriva, hkrati pa dokazuje, da je vedno prostor za izboljšave. Na podlagi rezultatov smo predlagali priporočila za nadaljnji razvoj praks obvladovanja tveganj za ohranjanje učinkovitega, varnega in trajnostnega poslovanja
Local agricultural product offer in beltinci- a case study analysis
Get PDFV raziskavi je bila izvedena analiza kmetijskih gospodarstev v občini Beltinci, z namenom proučevanja aktualnega stanja kmetijstva, njenih razvojnih možnostih za prihodnost, deležu predelanih kmetijskih produktov in izboljšanja trženjskih možnosti na podlagi povezovanja in sodelovanja kmetovalcev med sabo, ob pomoči občine. Uporabljeni so bili preverljivi podatki iz Statističnega urada in Ministrstva za kmetijstvo, gozdarstvo in prehrano. Prikazani so grafikoni s številom kmetijskih gospodarstev, o statusih in usmerjenostih kmetijskih gospodarstev, rabi zemljišč, predelanih produktih, o prodaji, izzivih kmetovanja, posodobitvi in sodelovanju med kmetovalci. Analiza podatkov je bila izvedena s pomočjo programa 1KA. Ugotovljeno je bilo, je kar 78 % vseh kmetijskih gospodarstev občine samooskrbnih, 33 % pa je tržno usmerjenih. Ugotovljeno pa je bilo tudi, da se število kmetijskih gospodarstev zmanjšuje. Prav tako je bilo ugotovljeno, da je 83 % kmetovalcev pripravljenih na medsebojna sodelovanja, z namenom izboljšanja trženjskih možnosti produktov.The study analysed agricultural holdings in the municipality of Beltinci, with the aim of studying the current state of agriculture, its future development prospects, the share of processed agricultural products and the improvement of marketing opportunities. All that was observed on the basis of integration and cooperation of farmers among themselves and the assistance of the municipality. Verifiable data from the Statistical Office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food were used. Charts are presented on the number of agricultural holdings, on the status and orientation of agricultural holdings, on land use, on processed products, on sales, on farming challenges, on modernisation and on the cooperation between farmers. Data analysis was carried out using 1KA software. 78% of all farms in the municipality were found to be subsistence farms and 33% market-oriented. However, it was also found that the number of agricultural holdings is decreasing. It was also found that 83% of farmers are willing to cooperate with each other in order to improve the marketability of their products
Development of an Appointment Management Application in Microsoft Power Apps
Get PDFDiplomska naloga obravnava razvoj aplikacije za upravljanje terminov v okolju Microsoft Power Apps, namenjene digitalizaciji internih rezervacijskih procesov znotraj organizacije. V uvodu je opredeljen problem ročnega upravljanja terminov, ki pogosto povzroča neučinkovitosti in napake. Cilj naloge je bil zasnovati nizkokodno rešitev, s katero se upravljanje izobraževanj, prijav ter obveščanja zaposlenih poenostavi in izboljša.
Dodana vrednost razvite aplikacije je v hitrejšem izvajanju prijavnih procesov ter v podpori nadaljnji digitalizaciji organizacijskih procesov.
Zaključki naloge izpostavljajo, da nizkokodni razvoj predstavlja ustrezno metodologijo za razvoj poslovnih rešitev, ki ne zahtevajo poglobljenega programerskega znanja in zagotavljajo visoko stopnjo prilagodljivosti in avtomatizacije.The bachelor’s thesis addresses the development of an appointment management application using Microsoft Power Apps, aimed at digitalizing internal reservation processes within organizations. The introduction identifies challenges associated with manual appointment handling, which often result in inefficiencies and errors. The objective was to design a low-code solution that streamlines the management of training, registrations, and employee notifications.
The added value of the developed application lies in accelerating booking processes and supporting the continued digitalization of organizational workflows.
The conclusions emphasize that low-code development offers a suitable approach for creating business solutions that do not require extensive programming expertise, while providing high levels of flexibility and automation