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No full textVarious language resources employ user participation in creating a dictionary or evaluating data. An example is Thesaurus of Modern Slovene, which incorporates user participation by allowing users to suggest new synonyms and evaluate existing ones. This paper aims to establish what users of the Thesaurus consider relevant synonyms and capture diverse perspectives in the perceptions of synonymy between various user groups. To investigate this, an evaluation of nearly 1000 user-suggested synonyms is conducted by 42 evaluators representing seven user groups. The focus lies on cross-group analysis of the evaluation. The differences are evident in the evaluators’ comments, giving insight into user needs. We discuss the findings, e.g. the uneven distribution of reported issues, the need to include evaluators from different regions and age groups, or the similarities between Lexicographers and Students groups. We also address possible limitations and present potential applications of the results. In conclusion, the results demonstrate both the success of the responsive model and user participation and the continuing need for user studies to better understand how users interact with responsive dictionaries, and their expectations
Vzhodna Azija
No full textEast Asia, part of the world’s largest and most populous continent, is taking on an increas-ingly important role in global political, economic and security matters. While regional economic integration has flourished over the past two decades, cooperation in the secu-rity domain remains very modest, which is – considering the regional flashpoints, such as the Taiwan Strait, North Korea, the East and the South China Sea – a matter of great concern. Even though China’s rise has accelerated the processes of regionalism and the formation of new integrations, East Asian countries remain increasingly anxious about Chinese strategic intentions and ambitions. The article argues that the absence of trust in the face of increasing military spending, is creating a security dilemma, which is very difficult to resolve due to the region’s geostrategic importance. Without a US presence, the region would be unstable, and likewise, the strained relations between the US and China endanger regional stability, too. While the Chinese government opposes the US’s presence in the region and makes no secret of its ambitions to create a new multilateral security architecture, more and more countries seem to side with the American defini-tion of China as a revisionist power, challenging the existing world order.Vzhodna Azija leži na največji in najbolj obljudeni celini sveta, ki prevzema vse pomem-bnejšo vlogo v globalnih političnih, gospodarskih in varnostnih zadevah. Medtem ko je gospodarsko povezovanje v regiji v zadnjih dveh desetletjih na vrhuncu, sodelovanje na varnostnem področju še vedno močno zaostaja, kar je ob perečih regionalnih kriznih žariščih, kot so Tajvanska ožina, Severna Koreja ter Vzhodno- in Južnokitajsko morje, nadvse zaskrbljujoče. Čeravno je kitajski vzpon pospešil procese regionalizma in oblik-ovanje novih integracij, se med vzhodnoazijskimi državami povečuje nelagodje glede kitajskih strateških namer in ambicij. Prispevek temelji na tezi, da odsotnost zaupanja ob čedalje večji vojaški potrošnji posledično ustvarja varnostno dilemo, ta pa je zaradi geo-strateškega pomena, ki ga imajo vsa omenjena območja, težko rešljiva. Brez pri sotnosti ZDA v regiji ni stabilnosti, prav tako pa je ta ogrožena zaradi napetih odnosov med ZDA in Ljudsko republiko Kitajsko. Medtem ko kitajska vlada vse glasneje nasprotuje ameriški navzočnosti v regiji in ne skriva svojih ambicij po vzpostavitvi nove multilateralne varnost ne strukture, ZDA dobivajo vse več somišljenikov v svoji opredelitvi Ljudske republike Kitajske kot revizionistične sile, ki ogroža obstoječi svetovni red
Impact of conventional and non-conventional processing technologies on phenolic compounds and polysaccharides in strawberry nectar
No full textThermal treatments extend the shelf life of processed products however, they may modify their qualities. This study examines the effects of processing and storage (4 ◦C during 60 days) on phenolic compounds and cell walls in strawberry nectar. Under microbial inactivation standardization, conventional thermal treatment (TT) was compared to Ohmic Heating (OH), High Pressure Processing (HPP), and Pulsed Electric Field (PEF). HPP resulted in the least colour variation after processing. After storage, colour decreased significantly after PEF, while TT preserved colour most effectively. Immediately after processing HPP-and OH- samples exhibited the highest total phenolic compounds (no reduction and a 4% reduction). However, after 60 days of storage TT better preserved phenolic compounds (a 7% reduction). Proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins degraded over time (a 14% (HPPsamples) and 42% (PEF-samples) reduction respectively). Cell wall components such as neutral sugars and galacturonic acid uniformly degraded after storage. Pectin degree of methylation significantly decreased after storage especially after PEF and HPP treatments which probably failed to achieve complete enzyme inactivation. Storage had a more significant impact on nectar quality attributes than processing
Determination of symmetry of a superconducting order parameter in nuclear magnetic resonance experiments
No full textSuperconductivity is a state of matter characterised by zero electrical resistance and perfect diamagnetism. This state is established when Cooper pairs condense below the critical temperature . The microscopic properties of the superconducting state are encoded in the rotational symmetry of the superconducting order parameter, . Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments are a powerful tool for directly determining the momentum dependence of . Both, the shift of the NMR spectrum and the spin-lattice relaxation rate, , depend on the evolution of the density of states around the Fermi energy, thereby enabling a direct evaluation of . In cases with s−wave symmetry, is initially enhanced just below before adopting a thermally activated temperature dependence. The effects of magnetic fields, gap anisotropy, phonon damping, and electron correlations on the partial suppression of the so-called coherence peak are discussed. Finally, it is shown that in non-s−wave superconductors, the coherence peak is completely suppressed, and instead follows a power-law temperature dependence. NMR is thus one of the few experimental methods through which can be directly extracted hence providing critical tests for the interactions responsible for Cooper pairing
Anthropization impacts the selection of resting sites and their centrality in movement networks
No full textFor many animal species, resting and activity happen at distinct sites. As animals are limited in how far they can travel between resting and foraging sites, the spatial layout of those sites may constrain animal movements across the landscape. In anthropized landscapes, suitable resting sites are often scarce and dispersed, and movements between them are generally more constrained than in natural landscapes. In this context, animals may not be able to travel between any pair of resting sites in one single phase of activity. Thus, it is likely that in anthropized landscapes, some resting sites have a central position in the movement patterns of animals, serving as ‘stepping-stones\u27 allowing them to travel between different sectors of their home range. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the resting site selection and movement patterns of wild boars Sus scrofa along wide gradients of anthropization and forest cover across Europe. First, we characterized the dynamics of resting site utilization by the wild boar in response to anthropization, on a continental scale. Then, using network analysis applied to animal movements, and betweenness centrality as a metric, we investigated the relative contribution of resting and activity sites in connecting different parts of the home range. We found that the importance of resting sites in structuring movement patterns depended on the characteristics of the landscape, and notably on the level of anthropization. Our results suggest that in anthropized landscapes, where resting sites are sometimes a limiting resource for many animals, their spatial layout may play an often unnoticed yet important role in allowing animal movements across the landscape
Autonomous Device for Audio and Motion Recording of Wild Cats
No full textV pričujočem magistrskem delu smo v sodelovanju z Biotehniško fakulteto Univerze v Ljubljani naredili napravo za snemanje zvoka in premikov prostoživečih mačk (Felidae). Naprava mora biti dovolj majhna, lahka in učinkovita, da jo lahko normalno nosijo tudi manjše vrste mačk, kot je evrazijski ris, obenem pa mora samostojno delovati vsaj eno leto. Namesti se na že obstoječe ovratnice, ki sledijo GPS lokaciji živali. Obstoječa ovratnica po vnaprej določenem času razpade in pade z živali ter odda signal za lažje lociranje. Zato lahko naprava vse podatke shrani lokalno ter ne potrebuje zunanje komunikacije po pričetku snemanja.
Največji izziv predstavlja omejena energija naprave. Zaradi prostorske stiske smo lahko uporabili le dve 2/3AA bateriji, kar nam zagotovi le 15,12 Wh energije. Porabo smo zmanjševali z uporabo mikrokrmilnika STM32U535, ki je optimiziran za nizko porabo. Uporabili smo avtonomne periferne enote, ki omogočajo razbremenitev in spanje glavnega jedra pri večini operacij. Za generiranje napetosti smo uporabili nizko-izgubni stikalni regulator napetosti. Mikrofon uporablja detekcijo zvoka za nižjo porabo in snema le, ko se žival oglaša.
Končna naprava bo lahko delovala več kot eno leto in bo zasedla le 4 * 4 cm, tako da jo bomo lahko namestili na vse vrste divjih mačk in drugih živali. Obenem pa bo podpirala dodatne funkcije, ki bodo omogočale podaljšanje delovanja na več kot dve leti.In this master’s thesis, conducted in collaboration with the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, we developed a bio-logging device for recording audio and movements of wild cats (Felidae). The device must be sufficiently small and lightweight to reduce the negative impact on animals, particularly for smaller species like Eurasian lynx. It also requires enough energy storage and needs to be efficient enough to work independently for at least one year in the field. It is mounted on existing collars, which already have built in GPS tracking of the animal. The collar falls off the animal after a predetermined time and gives off a signal to facilitate retrieval. Consequently, all data are stored locally on the device, eliminating the need for external communication once recording begins.
The greatest challenge is the device’s limited energy supply. Due to space constraints, we were able to use only two 2/3AA batteries, providing just 15.12 Wh of energy. Power consumption was reduced through the use of an STM32U535 microcontroller, optimized for low-power operation. We employed autonomous peripheral units that offload tasks and allow the main core to remain in sleep mode during most operations. A low-loss switching voltage regulator was used for power conversion. The microphone employs sound detection to further reduce consumption, activating recording only when the animal vocalizes.
The final device will be capable of operating for more than one year while occupying only 4 * 4 cm, making it suitable for attachment to all species of wild cats and other animals. In addition, it will support extended functionalities that can prolong operation to over two years
Achieving appropriate topography of turned ceramic disks using ultrasonic assistance for the purpose of improving surface adhesion properties
No full textPo mehanski obdelavi ZnO varistorskih diskov je treba na čelno površino nanesti aluminijev prevodni sloj, ki mora imeti dobro adhezijo. Ker gladka čelna površina po klasičnem struženju ne omogoča zadostnega oprijema, jo dodatno teksturiramo s struženjem z ultrazvočno asistenco. V okviru magistrske naloge so bili izvedeni poizkusi z različnimi kombinacijami rezalnih parametrov. Prve teste smo zaradi višje obdelovalnosti izvedli na medenini, nato pa postopke prenesli na keramiko. Rezultate smo ovrednotili s trgalnimi testi in MATLAB analizo ter na podlagi tega določili optimalne pogoje obdelave.After the mechanical processing of ZnO varistor discs, a conductive aluminum layer must be applied to the front surface, which requires good adhesion. Since the smooth surface resulting from conventional turning does not provide sufficient bonding, additional texturing is performed using ultrasonic-assisted turning. As a part of the master\u27s thesis, experiments were conducted using various combinations of cutting parameters. Initial tests were carried out on brass due to its better machinability, and the procedures were later applied to ceramic discs. The results were evaluated using pull-off tests and MATLAB analysis, which enabled the determination of optimal machining conditions
Cellulose nanofibrils as a tannic acid carrier within a biopolymer matrix
No full textNamen diplomske naloge je bil priprava biofilmov na osnovi poli(vinil alkohola) (PVA) z dodatkom funkcionalnih komponent. Kot bioaktivni dodatek smo izbrali taninsko kislino (TA), ki je znana po antibakterijskih in antioksidativnih lastnostih. Za njen nosilec v polimerni matrici smo uporabili tri vrste celuloznih nanofibril (CNF, LCNF, TCNF). Del vzorcev smo dodatno obdelali z ultrazvočnim homogenizatorjem, nato pa iz suspenzij vlili filme v petrijevke. Po večtedenskem sušenju so bili filmi pripravljeni za testiranje, pri čemer smo vse rezultate primerjali z referenčnim PVA filmom. Pri meritvah stičnega kota je imel film z dodatkom 2 % LCNF in 10 % TA (P2LCNF10T) najmanj hidrofilen značaj. Mehanske lastnosti vseh kompozitnih filmov so bile boljše glede na osnovni polimernajvišje vrednosti modula elastičnosti in natezne trdnosti je dosegel film z dodatkom TCNF in TA (P2TCNF10T) brez ultrazvočne obdelave. Film z dodatkom 2 % CNF in 10 % TA (P2CNF10T) je imel najnižji raztezek pri pretrgu. Film, ki je bil najmanj podvržen izluževanju, je bil biokompozitni film P2TCNF10T.The aim of this thesis was to prepare biofilms based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with the addition of functional components. Tannic acid (TA), known for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, was selected as the bioactive additive. Three types of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF, LCNF, TCNF) were employed as carriers of TA within the polymer matrix. Part of the samples was additionally treated with an ultrasonic homogenizer, after which the suspensions were cast into Petri dishes to form films. Following several weeks of drying, the films were ready for testing, with all results compared to a reference PVA film. Contact angle measurements revealed that the film containing 2% LCNF and 10% TA (P2LCNF10T) exhibited the lowest degree of hydrophilicity. The mechanical properties of all composite films were improved compared to the neat polymerthe highest values of elastic modulus and tensile strength were obtained for the film containing TCNF and TA (P2TCNF10T) without ultrasonic treatment. The film containing 2% CNF and 10% TA (P2CNF10T) showed the lowest elongation at break. The biocomposite film that was least subjected to leaching was the biocomposite film P2TCNF10T
Expression of selected microRNAs in serum and prediction of response to teriparatide treatment in postmenopausal osteoporosis
No full textPomenopavzna osteoporoza je kronična presnovna bolezen kosti, za katero je značilno postopno zmanjševanje mineralne kostne gostote, poslabšanje mikroarhitekture kostnega tkiva ter povečano tveganje za zlome. Glavni vzrok za nastanek bolezni je znižana raven estrogena po menopavzi, kar povzroči neravnovesje med kostno resorpcijo in izgradnjo. Ena izmed terapevtskih možnosti je zdravljenje z rekombinantno obliko analoga parathormona – teriparatidom, ki deluje osteoanabolno.
Kljub temu, da je pri večini bolnic zdravljenje uspešno, obstaja manjši delež, pri katerih ne pride do pričakovanega zvišanja mineralne kostne gostote. Namen naše naloge je bil ugotoviti, ali se izražanje izbranih mikro RNA, za katere je znano, da so vključene v osteogenezo (hsa miR 20b 5p, hsa miR 31 3p, hsa miR 133a 3p in hsa miR 375-3p), spreminja tekom zdravljenja, ali se razlikuje med odzivnimi in neodzivnimi bolnicami, ter ali bi lahko te miRNA služile kot napovedni označevalci terapevtskega odziva.
V raziskavo je bilo vključenih 51 bolnic s pomenopavzno osteoporozo, ki so prejemale teriparatid eno leto. Glede na relativno spremembo mineralne kostne gostote v ledvenem delu hrbtenice v obdobju enega leta smo jih razvrstili v odzivno (sprememba večja ali enaka 3 %) in neodzivno skupino (sprememba manjša od 3 %). Izražanje izbranih miRNA v serumskih vzorcih pred začetkom in po šestih mesecih zdravljenja smo določili z verižno reakcijo s polimerazo v realnem času (RT-qPCR). Najpomembnejše razlike v izražanju smo zaznali pri dveh negativnih regulatorjih osteogeneze, to sta hsa‑miR‑133a‑3p in hsa‑miR‑375‑3p, pri katerih je bilo relativno izražanje pri neodzivnih preiskovankah že izhodiščno statistično značilno višje, ta razlika pa se je ohranila tudi po šestih mesecih zdravljenja. Pri hsa‑miR‑20b‑5p smo po šestih mesecih v primerjavi z odzivno skupino zaznali višje relativno izražanje v neodzivni skupini, kar je nekoliko nepričakovano, glede na njeno znano proosteogeno delovanje. Pri hsa‑miR‑31‑3p spremembe niso dosegle statistične značilnosti, viden pa je bil trend povečanega izražanja pri neodzivnih.
Rezultati kažejo, da imata hsa‑miR‑133a‑3p in hsa‑miR‑375‑3p potencial za klinično uporabnost kot napovedna označevalca odziva na zdravljenje s teriparatidom. To odpira možnost bolj individualiziranega zdravljenja osteoporoze, za potrditev pa bodo potrebne še nadaljnje raziskave.Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a chronic metabolic bone disease characterized by a gradual decrease in bone mineral density, deterioration of bone microarchitecture, and an increased risk of fractures. The primary cause is reduced estrogen levels after menopause, disrupting the balance between bone resorption and formation. One treatment option is teriparatide, a recombinant analogue of parathyroid hormone with an anabolic effect on bone.
Although treatment is effective in most patients, there is a smaller proportion in whom the expected increase in bone mineral density does not occur. The aim of our study was to determine whether the expression of selected microRNAs known to be involved in osteogenesis (hsa‑miR‑20b‑5p, hsa‑miR‑31‑3p, hsa‑miR‑133a‑3p, hsa‑miR‑375‑3p) changes during treatment, whether it differs between responsive and non-responsive patients, and whether these microRNAs could serve as predictive biomarkers of therapeutic response.
The study included 51 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis who received teriparatide treatment for one year. Based on the relative change in bone mineral density in the lumbar spine, they were classified into responder and non-responder groups (responders had a BMD increase of three percent or more, non-responders had an increase of less than three percent). Expression levels of selected microRNAs in serum samples, collected before treatment and after six months, were analysed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The most prominent differences were observed in hsa‑miR‑133a‑3p and hsa‑miR‑375‑3p, where relative expression levels were already significantly higher in non-responsive patients at baseline and remained elevated after six months of treatment. For hsa‑miR‑20b‑5p, a higher relative expression was observed in the non-responsive group after six months, which was unexpected given its known pro-osteogenic role. No statistically significant differences were found for hsa‑miR‑31‑3p, although a trend toward increased expression in the non-responsive group was noted.
Our results suggest that hsa‑miR‑133a‑3p and hsa‑miR‑375‑3p have potential clinical value as predictive biomarkers of response to teriparatide. This highlights the possibility of more personalized approaches to osteoporosis treatment, but confirmation with further research is needed
Study of fungal biomineralisation for concrete repair
No full textBeton je najpogosteje uporabljen gradbeni material, vendar je njegova trajnost omejena z nastajanjem razpok. Kot obetavna, okolju prijazna rešitev za popravilo se uveljavlja biogeno samoceljenje, ki temelji na mikrobno inducirani biomineralizaciji kalcijevega karbonata (CaCO3). Glive so zaradi svoje poliekstremotolerance, ki vključuje tudi odpornost na alkalne pogoje in sposobnost tvorbe spor in micelija, posebej zanimivi kandidati za tovrstne aplikacije. Namen magistrske naloge je bil ovrednotiti potencial 36 izbranih poliekstremotolerantnih glivnih sevov za uporabo pri popravljanju betona. Preverjali smo njihovo sposobnost preživetja v alkalnih pogojih, značilnih za beton, ter karakterizirali njihovo zmožnost biomineralizacije CaCO3. Za ugotavljanje lastnosti sevov smo uporabili presejalne teste alkalotolerance na gojiščih s cementom (pH 9-13). Biomineralizacijo s pomočjo ureazne aktivnosti smo spodbujali na gojiščih z anorganskim (kalcijev nitrat) in organskim (kalcijev laktat) virom kalcija. Nastale kristale smo analizirali z optično in vrstično elektronsko mikroskopijo (SEM-EDS) ter Ramanovo spektroskopijo. Naši rezultati so pokazali, da je 30 od 36 sevov toleriralo pH 10, 14 sevov od 27 pa je uspešno raslo na gojišču, prelitem čez cement z dodatkom diatomejske zemlje (pH 9-10). Večina testiranih sevov je v biomineralizacijskih gojiščih tvorila minerale kalcijevega karbonata, predvsem kalcit, v nekaterih primerih tudi vaterit. Štirje sevi so tvorili tudi kalcijeve oksalate. SEM analiza je potrdila veliko raznolikost morfologij kristalov med sevi ter pokazala, da površina glivnih hif pri nekaterih sevih služi kot nukleacijsko mesto za kristalizacijo. Pri aplikaciji na cementne prizme so glive rastle v razpokah, vendar do pomembnejšega zapolnjevanja z minerali ni prišlo. Rezultati vseeno nakazujejo, da imajo izbrane glive velik biomineralizacijski potencial, vendar so za njihovo učinkovito uporabo v betonu nujne nadaljnje raziskave.Concrete is the most widely used construction material, yet its durability is limited by crack formation. As a promising and environmentally friendly repair solution, biogenic self-healing based on microbially induced biomineralization of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) has been gaining attention. Polyextremotolerant fungi, due to their resistance to alkaline conditions and ability to form extensive mycelium, represent particularly interesting candidates for such applications. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the potential of 36 selected polyextremotolerant fungal strains for use in concrete repair. We examined their ability to survive in alkaline conditions characteristic of concrete and characterized their capacity for CaCO3 biomineralization. To assess strain properties, we conducted screening tests of alkalotolerance on cement-based media (pH 9-13). Biomineralization via urease activity was promoted on media containing inorganic (calcium nitrate) and organic (calcium lactate) calcium sources. The resulting crystals were analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Raman spectroscopy. Our results showed that 30 out of 36 strains tolerated pH 10, and 14 out of 27 strains successfully grew on cement-coated medium supplemented with diatomaceous earth (pH 9-10). Most tested strains produced calcium carbonate minerals in biomineralization media, predominantly calcite, and in some cases vaterite. Four strains also formed calcium oxalates. SEM analysis confirmed a high diversity of crystal morphologies among strains and revealed that fungal hyphae in some strains served as nucleation sites for crystallization. When applied to cement prisms, fungi grew within cracks, although significant mineral filling did not occur. Nevertheless, the results indicate that the selected fungi have great biomineralization potential, but further research is needed for their effective use in concrete