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Gauche and trans ethylenediammonium in the structures of ethylenediammonium tetrafluoroborate and tetrafluoroborate‑fluoride crystals
No full textThe possible stereochemical conformations of the isolated ethylenediammonium dication were discussed, along with an assessment of their relative stabilities. Crystals of ethylenediammonium tetrafluoroborate-fluoride and tetrafluoroborate salts were prepared and structurally characterised. The crystal packing and hydrogen bonding interactions involving the ethylenediammonium dication were also described and analysed. In the structure of [enH](BF)F, the ethylenediammonium dication adopts a superposition of left-handed and right-handed C-symmetrical gauche (synclinal) conformations, with an NCCN torsion angle of ±75.49(10)°. These conformers form a cyclic R(7) [enH]F fragment through hydrogen bonding with the fluoride anion. Three such R(7) [enH]F fragments, along with a fluoride anion from a fourth [enH]F unit, associate into a more complex R(16) ring motif within the hydrogen-bonded network of [enH](BF)F. In the [enH](BF) salt, the ethylenediammonium dications adopt a trans configuration, corresponding to C point group symmetry. Raman and IR spectra were recorded and tentatively interpreted. A clear spectroscopic distinction between the trans and gauche conformations of the enH dication was observed and discussed
ImproVisAR
No full textImprovisation is an important skill in music instrument learning, but remains a less-taught topic in traditional piano education. To improvise effectively, learners must develop musical vocabulary, creative confidence, and comfort in performance. These demands make piano improvisation a complex teaching challenge where technology interventions may offer support. Prior short-term studies on augmented piano roll visualisations have shown promise for teaching sight-reading and motor coordination in novice students. However, how such approaches can support advanced learners in acquisition of improvisational skills remains under-explored. To address this gap, we present ImproVisAR, an interactive piano training system that teaches improvisation through augmented piano roll visualisations. Concepts and tools derived from a codesign process with improvisation experts are integrated as structured learning modes. We validated the system through a four-day controlled study (n = 6) comparing an AR-based condition with a traditional sheet music condition following a mixed-methods approach to data analysis. We collected and analysed subjective ratings of cognitive load, creativity support, user-experience, expert evaluation of performances, interaction logs, and qualitative insights collected from daily post-study interviews. Our findings show that participants experienced reduced cognitive load over time, sustained engagement across sessions, and AR participants showed higher expert-rated scores, particularly in rhythm, flow, musicality and overall musical impression. Participants also reported greater immersion, freedom to create musical content and motivation to continue playing. We discuss these findings in relation to user experience and creativity support, and offer design recommendations for AR systems that aim to teach complex, expressive skills such as musical improvisation
Comparative analysis of lateral cervical radiographic imaging quality with and without anti-scatter grid application
No full textPurpose
This study investigated the effects of anti-scatter grid removal on radiation dose, image quality, and anatomical visibility in lateral (LAT) cervical spine imaging.
Methods
A two-part prospective study was conducted. In the phantom study, an anthropomorphic head-torso phantom with lard simulating extra fatty tissue of 2–10 cm in 2 cm increments was imaged using protocols with and without an anti-scatter grid. In the clinical study, 80 patients were randomly divided into two groups: half were imaged with an anti-scatter grid, and half without. Data collected included gender, body mass index (BMI), Dose Area Product (DAP), tube voltage (kV), current-time product (mAs), filtration, neck width, and use of Automatic Exposure Control (AEC). Effective dose (ED) and dose to selected organs were calculated using PCXMC 2.0 software. Two traumatologists and one radiologist evaluated all phantom and patient images according to European guidelines using a four-point scale (1 = diagnostically inadequate image4 = excellent image quality).
Results
In the phantom study, removal of the anti-scatter grid reduced mean DAP by 52.1 % (p < 0.001) without affecting diagnostic adequacysoft tissue-bone contrast improved (p = 0.009). In the patient study, removal of the anti-scatter grid reduced mean DAP and ED by 63.1 % and 61.7 %, respectively (both p < 0.001). All organ doses were significantly lower (p < 0.001). Soft tissue visibility improved by 12.5 % (p = 0.011), and soft tissue-bone contrast improved by 9.1 % (p = 0.007) without the anti-scatter grid. No other quality criteria differed significantly.
Conclusion
In both phantom and patient studies, removal of the anti-scatter grid resulted in significant dose reduction while maintaining or improving image quality. These results are consistent with previous findings and support the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle. Omitting the anti-scatter grid in LAT cervical spine imaging reduces dose by about 60 % without compromising diagnostic quality. Routine use in clinical practice is recommended to increase patient safety
‘ǂGender ideology’ as the master frame
No full textTo comprehend the functioning of ‘gender ideology’, numerous approaches that unpack and investigate its role in current anti-gender mobilizations have been proposed. However, despite acknowledging the discursive aspects of ‘gender ideology’, a gap persists in scrutinizing the internal structure of its discourse,distinct from the perspective focusing predominantly on anti-gender actors andcoalition building among conservative and right-wing forces. Our research aims to contribute to these debates by delving deeper into the internal structuring of anti-gender discourse, using the conceptual perspective of framing. Undertaking the analysis of ‘frame repertoires’ we point to the regularity in frame composition in the structure of ‘gender ideology’ as the master frame of anti-gender discourse. We identified four mechanisms of regularity, i.e. blending, simplifying, time-shifting,and relabelling which reveal how these structured discursive blocks traverse different topics and distort gender equality claims. Notably, our theoretical perspective proposes that the master frame of ‘gender ideology’ encompasses diverse themes, issues, and areas not because it is an ‘empty signifier’, but rather because it is built on a solid and regular structure that allows it to remain consistent across different themes. As such, it functions as a neoconservative symbolic violence
Sociolingvistični premik na Okinavi
No full textRyukyuan languages were formally declared endangered by UNESCO\u27s Atlas of the World\u27s Languages in Danger of Extinction in 2009. While the language shift dates to earlier periods, particularly the beginning of Meiji rule, this thesis maintains its focus on the post-World War II period, a pivotal moment for the languages of the Ryukyu Islands. During this era, the Ryukyuans experienced not only political and economic hardships but also a shift in national identity. To defend themselves against the U.S. Army\u27s human rights violations, the people showed a desire to reunite with Japan, which greatly influenced both national sentiment and language use.
This thesis examines the impact of language policies implemented during the occupation period following World War II on the use of the Ryukyuan language and how this affected the declining vitality of the language at the time in both private and public domains. Using Cooper’s and Spolsky’s language policy and planning frameworks, this research will analyse who initiated what policies, when, where, why, and how. This research draws on historical documents and educational policy records from the occupation period to provide a comprehensive picture of planning efforts during this period. The purpose of this thesis is to highlight how the postwar-era policies contributed to the language loss witnessed today in the Ryukyu Islands. It aims to present how these policies affected the attitude and language shift in the islands. Findings may also contribute to current revitalization efforts by providing a deeper understanding of past language suppression.Rjukujski jeziki so bili formalno razglašeni za ogrožene s strani UNESCO-vega Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger of Extinction leta 2009. Čeprav se je jezikovni premik začel že v prejšnjih obdobjih, predvsem na začetku vladavine Meiji, se ta naloga osredotoča na obdobje po drugi svetovni vojni, ki je bilo ključno za jezike Rjukujevih otokov. V tem času so Rjukujevci doživljali ne le politične in gospodarske težave, temveč tudi spremembo nacionalne identitete. Da bi se zaščitili pred kršitvami človekovih pravic ameriške vojske, so prebivalci izražali željo po ponovni združitvi z Japonsko, kar je močno vplivalo tako na nacionalna čustva kot na rabo jezika.
Ta naloga preučuje vpliv jezikovnih politik, uvedenih med okupacijo po drugi svetovni vojni, na rabo rjukuškega jezika in kako je to vplivalo na upad vitalnosti jezika v zasebnem in javnem prostoru v tistem času. Z uporabo okvirov za jezikovno politiko in načrtovanje, kot ju predlagata Cooper in Spolsky, bo raziskava analizirala, kdo je uvedel katere politike, kdaj, kje, zakaj in kako. Raziskava temelji na zgodovinskih dokumentih in zapisih o izobraževalnih politikah iz obdobja okupacije, da bi ponudila celovito sliko prizadevanj za načrtovanje jezika v tem obdobju. Namen te naloge je izpostaviti, kako so povojne politike prispevale k izgubi jezika, ki jo danes opažamo na Rjukujevih otokih. Naloga si prizadeva prikazati, kako so te politike vplivale na odnos do jezika in jezikovni premik na otokih. Ugotovitve bi lahko prav tako prispevale k sodobnim prizadevanjem za oživitev jezika, saj nudijo globlje razumevanje preteklega zatiranja jezika
Establishment of a hop (Humulus lupulus) transformation protocol for target genomerearrangement using CRISPR/Cas9 technology
No full textMagistrsko delo je bilo zastavljeno z namenom vzpostavitve protokola transformacije štirih sort hmelja, \u27Celeia\u27, \u27Styrian Eureka\u27, \u27Styrian Kolibri\u27 in \u27Wye target\u27, za tarčno preurejanje genoma s tehnologijo CRISPR/Cas9. Preizkušali smo tri različna gojišča, ki so se razlikovala po vsebnosti in koncentraciji hormonov in tri tipe izsečkov, listni pecelj, internodij in izseček listne ploskve. Pogoji za določanje najboljših kombinacij je bila uspešnost regeneracije, pri čemer smo opazovali tvorbo kalusa, zelenega kalusa ter razvoj poganjkov. Pri iskanju najboljše kombinacije sorte, gojišča in tipa izsečka smo opazili razlike med samo ustreznostjo gojišča in tipa izsečkov glede na sorto. Za največ sort je bilo najbolj primerno gojišče z dodatkom 1 mg/l TDZ in 0,025 mg/l IAA, med izsečki pa je bil najbolj odziven internodijski izseček. Za nadaljni poskus transformacije hmelja smo izločili izsečke listne ploskve, saj je bila njihova regeneracija najslabša, in uporabili izsečke listnega peclja in internodije. Za transformacijo smo nato izbrali po dve kombinaciji gojišča in izsečeka, za vsako sorto, ter izbrane transgene ZsGreen, hptII in Cas9 na plazmidu pHSE-Zsg-sgHlPDS1 vnesli v celice hmelja s pomočjo bakterije Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Med regeneracijo izsečkov smo uspešnost transformacije spremljali z epiflourestentno lupo. Za preverjanje prisotnosti transgenov smo izvedli PCR analizo ter agarozno elektroforezo. Transgen ZsGreen je bil med vsemi transgeni najpogosteje zastopan pri testiranih vzorcih, s kar 90 % prisotnostjo. Pomnožke transgena Cas9 je bilo moč zaznati pri 80 % testiranih vzorcev, transgen hptII pa je bil prisoten pri 65 % vzorcev. Primerjava odstotka regeneracije brez transformacije in po transformaciji je pokazala očitno razliko, saj so se izsečki po transformaciji veliko slabše regenerirali. Z nalogo lahko potrdimo, da je uspešnost transformacije in regeneracije zelo odvisna od same kombinacije sorte, gojišča in tipa izsečka.The master\u27s thesis was designed with the aim of establishing a protocol for the transformation of four hop varieties, \u27Celeia\u27, \u27Styrian Eureka\u27, \u27Styrian Kolibri\u27 and \u27Wye target\u27, for targeted genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We tested three different culture media, which varied in hormone content and concentration, and three types of explants: petiole, internode, and leaf explants. The criteria for determining the best combinations were regeneration success, observing callus formation, green callus development, and shoot formation. In the search for the best combination of cultivar, culture medium, and explant type, we observed differences among the cultivars, media, and explant types. For most cultivars, the most suitable medium was the one supplemented with 1 mg/L TDZ and 0.025 mg/L IAA, and among the explants, the internodal explant was the most responsive. For further hop transformation experiments, we excluded the leaf explants due to their poor regeneration and used petiole and internode explants instead. For the transformation, we selected two medium-explant combinations for each variety and introduced the selected transgenes ZsGreen, hptII, and Cas9 on the plasmid pHSE-Zsg-sgHlPDS1 into hop cells using the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens. During explant regeneration, we monitored transformation success using an epifluorescence microscope. To verify the presence of transgenes, we performed PCR analysis and agarose gel electrophoresis. Among all the transgenes, ZsGreen was the most frequently detected in the tested samples, with a 90 % presence rate. The Cas9 transgene was detected in 80 % of the samples, and hptII was present in 65 % of the samples. A comparison of regeneration rates before and after transformation showed a clear difference, as explants regenerated much less successfully after transformation. This study confirms that the success of transformation and regeneration is highly dependent on the specific combination of cultivar, culture medium, and explant type
Traffic education in preschool through creative movement
No full textGibanje ima že od rojstva izjemen pomen za otrokov celostni razvoj. Ples kot oblika gibanja omogoča doživljanje, raziskovanje in učenje, medtem ko ustvarjalni gib predstavlja pristop, ki povezuje besedne, predstavne in gibalne načine učenja ter otrokom omogoča, da znanje pridobivajo na sproščen in izkustven način.
Prometna vzgoja je ena izmed glavnih področij, saj z njo pripomoremo k varnosti otroka. Ta otroke že zgodaj pripravlja na odgovorno in varno ravnanje v prometu. Pogosto se dejavnosti prometne vzgoje izvajajo s pomočjo iger, slikovnih gradiv in pogovorov. Ker je otrokova primarna potreba gibanje, sem v načrtovane dejavnosti vpeljala metodo ustvarjalnega giba.
V diplomskem delu sem raziskala, kako lahko ustvarjalni gib uporabimo pri spoznavanju prometne vzgoje in prometa na sploh. V teoretičnem delu sem opredelila plesno umetnost in z njo povezane cilje v Kurikulumu za vrtce (2025), predstavila plesno vzgojo, njene metode in oblike dela. Povzela sem tudi spoznanja o plesu, plesni sposobnosti in vmesnem modelu, saj so pomembni za razumevanje nadaljnje teorije. Osredotočila sem sem na opredelitev ustvarjalnega giba ter njegov vpliv na otroka, ki sta glavno vodilo v mojem delu. Zelo pomembna je povezava giba in učenja, zato sem vključila tudi izkustveno učenje ter učinke gibanja. Z metodo ustvarjalnega giba razvijamo ustvarjalno mišljenje in telesno-gibalno inteligentnost. V nadaljevanju sem povzela še drugi sklop teoretičnega dela, in sicer prometno vzgojo. V ta del sem vključila področje družbe, opredelila prometno vzgojo, projekt Pasavček in povzela smernice za pomoč strokovnim delavcem pri prometni vzgoji. Oba dela teoretičnega dela sem na koncu povezala in utemeljila njuno dopolnjevanje.
V empiričnem delu sem predstavila praktično izvedene dejavnosti, v katere sem vključila ustvarjalni gib in prometne vsebine. Dejavnosti sem izvajala v skupini, kjer so otroci stari od 4 do 6 let. S praktičnim delom sem želela ugotoviti, kako bodo otroci sprejeli prometno vzgojo, če bo ta predstavljena skozi ustvarjalni gib. Želela sem spoznati, ali ustvarjalni gib prispeva k usvajanju cestnoprometnih vsebin in kakšen je njegov motivacijski vpliv. Rezultati analize so pokazali, da ustvarjalni gib pozitivno vpliva na usvajanje prometnih vsebin, spodbuja domišljijo, sodelovanje in izražanje otrok ter s tem povečuje njihovo motivacijo. Otroci so v dejavnostih sodelovali z navdušenjem, dali so veliko idej in jih uresničevali. Bili so v interakcijah drug z drugim ter medsebojno sodelovali, kar je pripomoglo k sproščenosti in uspešnosti projekta.Movement is essential for a child\u27s holistic development from birth. Dance, as a form of movement, enables experiencing, exploring, and learning, while creative movement connects verbal, visual, and physical learning methods, allowing children to acquire knowledge in a relaxed and experiential manner.
Traffic education is a key area, as it contributes to children\u27s safety. It prepares children from an early age for responsible and safe behaviour in traffic. Traffic education activities are often conducted through games, visual materials, and discussions. As movement is a primary need for children, I incorporated the creative movement method into the planned activities.
In my diploma thesis, I explored how creative movement can be used in teaching traffic education and understanding traffic more broadly. In the theoretical section, I defined the art of dance and its related objectives in the Curriculum for Kindergartens (2025), and presented dance education, its methods, and forms of work. I also summarised findings on dance, dance ability, and the intermediate model, as these are important for understanding the subsequent theory. I focused on the definition of creative movement and its impact on the child, which are the main guidelines in my work. The connection between movement and learning is very important, so I also included experiential learning and the effects of movement. Through the creative movement method, we develop creative thinking and physical-motor intelligence. I then summarised the second part of the theoretical work, which concerns traffic education. In this section, I included the area of society, defined traffic education, described the Pasavček project, and summarised guidelines for professionals involved in traffic education. Finally, I connected both parts of the theoretical work and justified their complementarity.
In the empirical part, I presented activities that I had practically implemented, incorporating creative movement and traffic-related content. I conducted these activities with a group of children aged 4 to 6 years. Through this practical component, I aimed to determine how children would respond to traffic education when presented through creative movement. I also sought to assess whether creative movement aids in the acquisition of road traffic knowledge and its motivational impact. The analysis results indicated that creative movement positively influences the acquisition of traffic content, stimulates children\u27s imagination, cooperation, and expression, and thereby increases their motivation. The children participated enthusiastically, contributed many ideas, and put them into practice. They interacted and cooperated with one another, which contributed to the relaxed and successful outcome of the project
Rules on State Immunity and Confiscation of State Property
No full textPravila o imuniteti držav spadajo v področje mednarodnega prava, ki temelji na zaščiti suverenih držav in njihovega premoženja pred sodnimi in izvršilnimi postopki organov drugih držav. Tradicionalna absolutna doktrina o imuniteti držav se postopoma nadomešča z restriktivno, ki določa, da države za dejanja, ki jih država sklene kot gospodarski subjekt (iure gestionis) ne uživajo imunitete, prav tako pa državno premoženje, uporabljeno za gospodarske namene, ni deležno absolutne zaščite pred zasegom. Razvoj je posledica vse pogostejšega nastopanja držav kot gospodarskih subjektov in potrebe po zaščiti zasebnikov, ki vstopajo v pogodbena razmerja z njimi. Na drugi strani suverena dejanja držav (iure imperii), z nekaterimi izjemami, ostajajo zaščitena z imuniteto.
Suverena dejanja na primer vključujejo tudi dejanja oboroženih sil, v okviru katerih pogosto prihaja do kršitev mednarodnega prava, na primer mednarodnega prava človekovih pravic. Z uporabo pravil o imuniteti, je žrtvam v takih primerih onemogočena pravica do dostopa do sodišča in kot tudi pravica do odškodnine za nastalo škodo.
Izguba imunitete v sodnem postopku na podlagi soglasja ali katere izmed izjem ne pomeni, da država oz. njeno premoženje avtomatično izgubi tudi zaščito imunitete v postopku izvršbe. Poleg tega določene kategorije premoženja uživajo absolutno zaščito pred izvršbo, ne glede na njihov namen rabe. Upniki tako lahko posežejo le po premoženju, ki se uporablja za gospodarske namene, pri čemer pa je dokazovanje namena rabe premoženja v praksi zelo zahtevno. Razlog dodatne zaščite državnega premoženja pred zasegom je, da le ta predstavlja poseg v svobodo države upravljati s svojimi zadevami. Takšna ureditev v praksi pogosto preprečuje upnikom učinkovito sodno varstvo v postopkih proti državam.
Pravila o imuniteti držav so praviloma zamejena na sodne postopke oz. iz njih sledeče izvršilne postopke, vse pogosteje pa se postavlja vprašanje ali se države lahko sklicujejo na imuniteto tudi v okviru administrativnih postopkov, na primer omejevalnih ukrepov (sankcij). Mnenja avtorjev glede tega vprašanja so deljena, pri čemer v tem magistrskem diplomskem delu zaključujemo, da je imuniteta držav zaenkrat omejena zgolj na sodne oz. iz njih sledeče izvršilne postopke.The rules on state immunity fall within the field of international law and are based on the protection of sovereign states and their property from judicial and enforcement proceedings initiated by the authorities of other states. The traditional doctrine of absolute state immunity is gradually being replaced by the restrictive doctrine, according to which states do not enjoy immunity for acts undertaken in the capacity of a commercial actor (iure gestionis), likewise, state property intended for commercial use does not enjoy absolute protection from confiscation. This development is the result of states increasingly acting as commercial entities and the need to protect private parties who enter into contractual relations with them. On the other hand, sovereign acts of states (iure imperii), with certain exceptions, remain protected by immunity.
Sovereign acts include, for example acts of the armed forces, within which violations of international law, such as international human rights law, often occur. Through the application of rules on immunity, victims in such cases are denied the right of access to a court as well as the right to compensation for the damage suffered.
The loss of immunity in judicial proceedings, on the basis of consent or one of the recognized exceptions, does not mean that the state or its property automatically also loses the protection of immunity in enforcement proceedings. In addition, certain categories of property enjoy absolute protection from enforcement, regardless of their intended purpose of use. Creditors may therefore only seize property used for commercial purposes, although, in practice, proving the purpose for which the property is used is highly demanding. The reason for the additional protection of state property against confiscation lies in the fact that enforcement constitute a interference with a state\u27s freedom to manage its own affairs. In practice, this framework often prevents creditors from obtaining effective judicial protection in proceedings against states.
The rules on state immunity are generally limited to judicial proceedings and the enforcement proceedings arising therefromhowever, it remains questionable whether states may also invoke immunity in the context of administrative measures, such as restrictive measures (sanctions). Scholars are divided on this issue, and this master\u27s thesis concludes that, for the time being, state immunity is limited solely to judicial proceedings and the enforcement proceedings deriving thereform
Associated production of a -boson and a charm meson at NNLO in QCD
No full textThe production of heavy-flavor hadrons in association with a vector boson in proton-proton collisions is a powerful probe for studying Quantum Chromodynamics and the content of protons. In this article, we provide, for the first time, differential predictions through NNLO for the production of final states. The results are compared to recent ATLAS measurements, and the sensitivity to the strange content of the proton is investigated by PDF profiling. The results are found to be promising for including measurements in proton-proton collisions in PDF fits
Estimating Parkinson’s Disease Progression from Finger-Tapping Videos Using Gaussian Processes
No full textParkinsonova bolezen je druga najpogostejša degeneratvina bolezen. Je neozdravljiva, vendar se ob zgodnjem odkritju napredovanje lahko upočasni. Pogosto se zgodi, da se znaki bolezni zgodaj opazijo s strani družinskih zdravnikov, vendar zaradi dolgih čakalnih vrst za nevrologa, diagnoza in posledično zdravljenje, pridejo nekoliko kasneje. Krajšanju čakalnih vrst bi lahko pripomogla avtomatizacija napovedovanja stopnje bolezni, kar je motivacija za nastanek te naloge. Eden izmed načinov ocenjevanja stopnje prizadetosti je uporaba testa tapkanja s prsti, ki je del lestvice MDS-UPDRS. V sklopu naloge smo uporabili video posnetke, kjer pacienti izvajajo test tapkanja. Ti so bili ocenjeni s strani zdravnika od 0 do 4 z uporabo kriterijev, ki jih določa lestvica. Za zaznavo roke smo uporabili orodje MMPose ter iz pridobljenih ključnih točk izdelali značilke. Klasifikacijo smo izvedli z uporabo Gaussovih procesov, pri čemer smo primerjali učinkovitost različnih kovariančnih funkcij oziroma jeder. Najboljši rezultat smo dosegli z uporabo jedra Matern 3/2, kjer je model dosegel 66% točnost in 0,66 F1 vrednost.Parkinson\u27s disease is the second most common degenerative disease. It is incurable, however with early discovery, its progression can be slowed. Early signs of the disease are often noticed by family physicians, but due to long waiting times for neurologists, diagnosis and consequently treatment can be delayed. Automating the prediction of disease progression could reduce those waiting times, which is the motivation behind this thesis. One of the methods to determine the level of disease progression is by using a finger tapping test, which is part of the MDS-UPDRS grading scale. In this work, we used video recordings in which patients performed the finger tapping test. These recordings were evaluated by a physician on a scale from 0 to 4 according to the criteria defined by the scale. Hand detection was performed using MMPose and features were extracted from the obtained keypoints. For classification we used Gaussian Processes, where we compared the use of different covariance functions (kernels). The best result was achieved using the Matern 3/2 kernel, with the model reaching 66% accuracy and an F1 score of 0,66