Digital repository of Slovenian research organizations
Not a member yet
17604 research outputs found
Sort by
Effects of eccentric- and concentric-based plyometric programmes on strength, speed and tensiomyography parameters of female athletes
Full text linkThe aim of the study was to examine the effects of eccentric- and concentric-based plyometric programmes on the strength, speed, and tensiomyography (TMG) parameters of female athletes. The study included twenty junior female participants from three different sports equally divided into two experimental groups of n = 10. Two plyometric programmes with contrasting designs were conducted for a period of six weeks, with sessions held twice per week. The first plyometric programme (ECC-CON-G) was based on exercises with eccentric, and the second (CONC-CON-G) with concentric contractions. TMG was used to evaluate neuromuscular performances of six muscles of both legs – vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (SM), gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), and gastrocnemius medialis (GM)) – and two strength and speed tests: countermovement jump (CMJ), and sprint test at 10 m and 20 m. The results show that both groups had significant effects between pre-post measurements in CMJ (Diff, ECC-CON-G = 9.02%, and CONC-CON-G = 5.59%, p < 0.05), at 10 m (Diff, ECC-CON-G = 9.23%, and CONC-CON-G = 9.35%, p < 0.001), and 20 m (Diff, ECC-CON-G = 6.16%, and CONC-CON-G = 5.35%, p < 0.001), and TMG parameters in ECC-CON-G (all 6 left leg muscles, and right leg-VL, BF, GL, GM, p < 0.05), in CONC-CON-G (left leg-BF, SM, GL, GM, and right leg-VL, BF, GL, GM, p < 0.05). There were significantly better effects in ECC-CON-G compared to CONC-CON-G for CMJ height and time, for only time in 20 m sprint, and TMG parameters for left leg VL and VM, and right leg BF and GM. A plyometric programme based on exercises with eccentric contractions proved more beneficial for strength, speed, and TMG parameters in young female athletes compared to a programme based on concentric contractions
CFD-based analysis of deviations between thermocouple measurements and local gas temperatures during the cooling phase of compartment fires
No full textData from thermocouple (TC) measurements play a pivotal role in fire safety science and engineering studies. It is well-known that there are deviations from the actual local gas temperature and many studies have led to the development of correction factors. The present study focuses on these deviations inside compartments through a systematic series of CFD simulations, performed with Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), version 6.8.0. A canonical cubic box is used as geometry. This allows for the demonstration of the impact of the presence of smoke, with variable optical thickness, on the TC data as retrieved from FDS. Significant differences are observed between TC measurements and local gas temperatures. Corrections as developed for TC measurements in open atmospheres cannot be readily applied in compartment configurations, where smoke properties change both spatially and temporally
Revealing the dual role of nanoparticle size and surface ligands in plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis of Au/TiO₂ nanorods
Full text link
Semaglutide delays 4-hour gastric emptying in women with PCOS and obesity
Full text linkContext: Semaglutide could contribute to reduced energy intake and weight loss by delaying gastric emptying (GE). However, the evidence for notable effects of semaglutide is inconclusive and compromised by the use of indirect methodology. Objective: to evaluate the effect of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 1.0 mg on late digestive period of GE after ingestion of a standardized solid test meal by using technetium scintigraphy, the reference method for this purpose. Design: We conducted single-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 20 obese women with PCOS (average age 35 (32.3-40.8) years), BMI 37 (30.7-39.8) kg/m2 ) randomized to s.c semaglutide 1.0 mg QW (S) or placebo (P) for 12 weeks. GE was assessed after ingestion of [99mT c] colloid in pancake labeled with radiopharmaceutical by scintigraphy using sequential static imaging and dynamic acquisition at baseline and at week 13. Estimation of GE was obtained by repeated imaging of remaining [99mT c] activity (RA) at fixed time intervals over 4 hours after ingestion. Results: From baseline to the study end, semaglutide increased the estimated retention of gastric contents by 3.5% at the 1st hour, 25.5% at 2nd , 38.0% at 3rd and 30.0% at the 4th hour after ingestion of the radioactively labeled solid meal. Four hours after ingestion, semaglutide retained 37% of solid meal in the stomach compared to no gastric retention in P group (p=0.002). Half time (T1/2 ) was significantly longer in S as compared to P (171 min vs 118 min, (p<0.001). Conclusion: Semaglutide markedly delayed 4-hour GE in women with PCOS and obesity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Eigenspace embeddings of imprimitive association schemes
Full text linkFor a given symmetric association scheme and its eigenspace there exists a mapping of vertices of to unit vectors of , known as the spherical representation of in , such that the inner products of these vectors only depend on the relation between the corresponding verticesfurthermore, these inner products only depend on the parameters of . We consider parameters of imprimitive association schemes listed as open cases in the list of parameters for quotient-polynomial graphs recently published by Herman and Maleki, and study embeddings of their substructures into some eigenspaces consistent with spherical representations of the putative association schemes. Using this, we obtain nonexistence for two parameter sets for -class association schemes and one parameter sets for a -class association scheme passing all previously known feasibility conditions, as well as uniqueness for two parameter sets for -class association schemes
Radiological characterization of alkali-activated material doped with Sm[sub]2O[sub]3 and its polymerization products
Full text linkThe aim of this study was determination of radiological characterization of alkali-activated material with Sm2O3 and its polymerization products. Alkali-activated materials with 1 wt.% and 5 wt.% addition of Sm2O3 were synthesized and their natural radioactivity was determined. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence showed changes in the phase composition, or the formation of stable compounds, at higher temperatures. All samples demonstrated good pozzolanic activity, while the percentage of Sm2O3 was slightly changed. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the obtained material has a very low carbon content making it environmentally friendly, due to its low carbon content. A detailed analysis of the oxygen peak indicates variations in the stoichiometry of the oxides, which may affect the changes of natural radioactivity. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that with the increase in the temperature of the thermal treatment, the opening of the pores in the alkali-activated material occurs, as well as further propagation of reaction that increased porosity and crystallization. Radiological measurement confirmed that examined alkali-activated material is safe for usage and exploitation. It should be emphasized that the presence of artificial radionuclide cesium 137Cs was not detected
Hydrolysis synthesis of iridium oxide (IrO[sub]x) on carbon for acidic oxygen evolution: influence of heat-treatment on structure and electrocatalytic activity
Full text linkThe development of efficient and durable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is critical for advancing proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). This study presents a nanostructured iridium oxide anchored on high-surface-area carbon (IrOx/C) OER electrocatalyst, synthesized through ultrasonication-assisted deposition of hydrolysis-derived colloidal IrOx nanoparticles onto the carbon support. The as-prepared IrOx/C exhibits a mass activity exceeding five times that of unsupported benchmark commercial IrO2, attributed to its uniform nanoparticle distribution and enhanced surface chemistry. Post-synthesis heat-treatments at two different temperatures (200 or 300 °C) were employed to stabilize the catalyst structure. Notably, the sample treated at 200 °C retained 84% of its initial activity after accelerated stress testing, outperforming the commercial counterpart, which retained 67 % under identical conditions. Comprehensive structural and morphological analyses revealed that the heat-treatment increased the IrOx particle size and decreased the Ir³⁺/Ir⁴⁺ ratio while leaving the amorphous nature of IrOx unaffected, which combinedly led to the improved durability. These findings offer valuable insights into designing stable low-iridium OER electrocatalysts for acidic PEMWE applications
Intraluminal migration of a surgical drain near an anastomosis site after total gastrectomy
Full text linkBackground: Esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage (EJAL) is a severe complication following gastrectomy for gastric cancer, typically treated with drainage and nutritional support. We report a case of intraluminal drain migration near the esophagojejunal anastomosis (EJA), resulting in persistent drainage and mimicking EJAL after total gastrectomy. Case summary: A 64-year-old male underwent open total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for gastric adenocarcinoma, with two silicone drains placed near the EJA. On postoperative day (POD) 4, the patient developed signs of peritonitis and sepsis, necessitating surgical re-exploration abscess drainage, peritoneal lavage, and drain repositioning. A contrast swallow study on POD 18 revealed rapid filling of the abdominal drain without extraluminal contrast collection. Persistent drainage prompted an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy on POD 59, which revealed approximately 5 cm of the drain within the esophagus, with the perforation site located 2 cm distal to the intact EJA. The drain was repositioned under endoscopic guidance. A repeat contrast radiograph on POD 67 demonstrated no evidence of extraluminal contrast extravasation or filling of the abdominal drain. The patient was subsequently discharged without further incident. Conclusion: Intraluminal drain migration is a rare complication following gastric surgery but should be considered when persistent drainage occurs
Influence of hypnosis and acupuncture on perioperative complications
Full text linkBackground: This randomised, single-centre study and original research manuscript aimed to evaluate whether perioperative hypnosis and acupuncture can reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), opioid use, and other complications in spinal surgery compared to standard pharmacological management. Methods: In total, 60 patients undergoing spinal surgery were divided into three groups regarding antiemetic prevention: Hypnosis and acupuncture (HG), hypnosis, acupuncture, and antiemetic (HAG), and standard control with antiemetic (CG). Hypnosis was performed one day before surgery, or patients received premedication with midazolam on the day of surgery. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and remifentanil. Acupuncture was performed bilaterally at points LI4 and PC6 after induction of anaesthesia. Postoperatively, the consumption of opioids and antiemetics, satisfaction and well-being, length of stay and complications were recorded. Results: In all groups, additional opioids were administered in the first hour after surgery (p = 0.4). In the ICU, only one patient in the HAG and two patients in the CG and HG required additional analgesics (p = 0.8). Overall satisfaction (9/9/0 vs. 10/6/4 vs. 9/7/3p = 0.4) and well-being scores (10/8/0 vs. 13/5/2 vs. 13/5/1p = 0.5) were high across all groups, with no significant differences. Two patients in CG experienced mild complications. The length of hospitalisation was similar (3 days in CG vs. 4 days in HAG and HG (p = 0.7). Only one patient in the HG required antiemeticsnone were needed in CG or HAG (p = 0.4). Conclusions: Within the constraints of this exploratory single-centre trial, hypnosis appeared to provide anxiolytic benefits comparable to benzodiazepines, and intraoperative acupuncture did not increase PONV despite reduced pharmacological prophylaxis. No significant differences were detected in opioid and antiemetic consumption. Larger, adequately powered studies are needed to confirm these findings and optimise the timing and modality of non-pharmacological interventions