Digital repository of Slovenian research organizations
Not a member yet
17604 research outputs found
Sort by
Polymorphisms rs1800587 and rs1143634 of the interleukin-1α gene are associated with the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Full text linkBackground: Our study was designed to test the possible association between either polymorphisms T889C (rs1800587) or C3954T (rs1143634) of the interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) gene with subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Moreover, the effect of both polymorphisms on progression of carotid atherosclerosis in 3.8-year follow-up was studied. Patients and methods: 595 subjects with T2DM were enrolled in the prospective study. Subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis were assessed with ultrasound at the time of recruitment and after 3.8-years. Genotyping of two polymorphisms (rs1800587, rs1143634) was performed with real-time PCR System. Results: The comparison of atherosclerosis parameters was performed with regard to different genotypes of IL-1α rs1800587 and rs1143634 polymorphisms upon enrolment. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed the association of IL-1α rs1143634 on total plaque thickness progression in a 3.8 year follow up. Conclusions: An association between either the IL-1α rs1800587 or rs1143634 and total plaque thickness at the time of recruitment was reported. Additionally, we demonstrated the effect of the IL-1α rs1143634 on total plaque thickness progression in the 3.8-year follow-up in patients with T2DM
The natural attenuation of bioavailable sulfur loads in soil around a coal-fired power plant 20 years after ceasing pollution
Full text linkThe coal-fired Plomin Thermal Power Plant (Plomin TPP) in Croatia is located in the center of the east coast of the Istrian peninsula (northern Adriatic) and is considered the main source of historical air pollution in the region. Between 1970 and 2000, sulfur-rich coal from the local Raša coal mine was primarily used. In this study, a screening of content and fate of TPP-derived sulfur in soil around the power plant was made two decades after the S-rich coal was banned from use. Soil samples were collected at varying distances from the TPP in the prevailing wind direction (NE), along with a control sample taken more than 10 km away. The samples were analyzed for total sulfur, sulfate, organic sulfur (humic and fulvic), and the stable isotope composition of total sulfur (δ34S). Additionally, coal and coal ash were analyzed for total sulfur, sulfate and δ34S. Soil sampling along the prevailing wind direction from the Plomin TPP revealed markedly elevated sulfur content, with levels at 100 m downwind reaching up to 4 wt.%, which is over 100 times higher than the 0.04 wt.% measured at the control site located upwind. Sulfur content decreases sharply with increasing distance from the TPP, reflecting the deposition gradient along the prevailing wind path. Speciation analysis showed that over 95% of the sulfur in the soil is now present in organic form, mainly bound to humic acids. The δ34SVCDT values of the bulk coal used in the TPP ranged from −10.0 to −5.0‰. In most soil samples, the bulk δ34S values were positive (+7.0 to +20.0‰). The values of sulfate in soil range from +1.0 to +5.5‰, while those in organic sulfur range from −3.5 to +6.0‰. This indicates that atmospheric deposition of 34S-depleted fly ash and sulfate from coal are the most important sulfur sources, while some of the sulfur in the soil is also of marine origin. Finally, we showed that natural attenuation was a significant and efficient process within the sustainable management of the site historically contaminated by anthropogenic atmospheric sulfur deposition
Terrestrial and mobile laser scanning for national forest inventories
Full text linkLight Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) has emerged as an important data source for monitoring forest resources. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and Mobile laser scanning (MLS) have already shown high potential in further advancing forest inventory development. By enabling the retrieval of new forest attributes in addition to traditional ones, these technologies could drive forest inventories into a new paradigm by introducing innovative approaches to measuring and monitoring forests. The debate on the possible implementation of TLS and MLS in forest inventories, particularly in national forest inventories (NFIs), continues in both the scientific community and the public institutions. To date, few studies have evaluated the application of TLS and MLS technologies in large-scale forest inventories or assessed their practical operational limits. In this practice-oriented paper, we first detail TLS and MLS data acquisition and processing for tree attribute estimation, assessing their maturity and main limitations. We then explore three European case studies—from the French, Finnish, and Swiss National Forest Inventories (NFIs)—where these technologies have been tested. Based on these experiences, we identify the main constraints and challenges for operational implementation. Lastly, we discuss the prospects for TLS and MLS within the NFI context and the requirements for their successful adoption. We conclude that TLS and MLS should be viewed not as a replacement for, but as a complement to and enhancement of, traditional NFI practices. Emphasis should be placed on the new opportunities these technologies offer, rather than on direct comparisons with conventional methods
Vključenost in uspešnost romskih učenk in učencev v osnovni šoli (v obdobju 2016/17–2024/25)
Full text link
Computing leaky waves in semi-analytical waveguide models by exponential residual relaxation
Full text linkSemi-analytical methods for modeling guided waves in structures of constant cross-section yield frequency-dependent polynomial eigenvalue problems for the wavenumbers and mode shapes. Solving these eigenvalue problems over a range of frequencies results in continuous eigencurves. Recent research has shown that eigencurves of differentiable parameter-dependent eigenvalue problems can alternatively be computed as solutions to a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) obtained by postulating an exponentially decaying residual of a modal solution. Starting from an approximate initial guess of the eigenvalue and eigenvector at a given frequency, the complete eigencurve is obtained using standard numerical ODE solvers. We exploit this idea to develop an efficient method for computing the dispersion curves of plate structures coupled to unbounded solid or fluid media. In these scenarios, the approach is particularly useful because the boundary conditions give rise to nonlinear terms that severely hinder the application of traditional solvers. We discuss suitable approximations of the nonlinearity for obtaining initial values, analyze computational costs and robustness of the proposed algorithm, and verify results by comparison against existing methods