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Zhuangzijevo delo Jie Xin解心 (Razpletanje srca in uma) ter modrost biomi-mikrije
No full textZhuangzi employs the term jie 解 (untangling, dissecting, releasing, unravelling) in both jie xin 解心 (untangling the heartmind) and jie niu 解牛 (dissecting the ox). This concept embodies Zhuangzi’s philosophy of achieving clarity and balance by aligning with the natural order rather than resisting it. This philosophical spirit resonates with the wisdom of biomimicry, which draws on nature’s time-tested systems as models for addressing human challenges. Both Zhuangzi’s 解心 and biomimicry involve observing and emulating natural forms, processes, and patterns to produce new products and practices attuned with nature’s living forces. This approach advocates integrating the natural world into human practices—not exploiting nature, but treating it as a teacher and guide rather than merely a resource. Such perspectives and practices offer a pathway toward sustainable innovation, ecological balance, and synchronized coexistence in the 21st century.Zhuangzi uporablja izraz jie 解 (razpletanje, razčlenjevanje, sproščanje, razpletanje) tako v jie xin 解心 (razpletanje srca in uma) kot v jie niu解牛 (razčlenjevanje vola). Ta kon-cept uteleša Zhuangzijevo filozofijo doseganja jasnosti in ravnovesja z usklajevanjem z naravnim redom namesto z upiranjem njemu. Ta filozofski duh je v sozvočju z modrostjo biomimikrije, ki črpa iz preizkušenih sistemov narave kot modelov za reševanje človeških izzivov. Tako Zhuangzijev jie xin kot biomimikrija vključujeta opazovanje in posneman-je naravnih oblik, procesov ter vzorcev za ustvarjanje novih izdelkov in praks, usklajenih z živimi silami narave. Ta pristop zagovarja vključevanje naravnega sveta v človeške prakse – ne izkoriščati naravo, ampak jo obravnavati kot učiteljico in vodnico, ne le kot vir. Takšne perspektive in prakse ponujajo pot k trajnostnim inovacijam, ekološkemu ravnovesju ter usklajenemu sobivanju v 21. stoletju
The selective detection of individual respiratory droplets in air
No full textPreventing the spread of airborne diseases in crowded indoor spaces is a global challenge. Infected individuals release virus-laden respiratory droplets (RDs) that can remain suspended in air and infectious for hours. Current monitoring methods cannot distinguish these droplets from airborne particulate matter (PM) in a real time. Here, we present a capacitive sensor that selectively detects and counts the individual droplets in indoor spaces, regardless the presence of PM. The device exploits the dielectric constant (ε) of water (78.2) to differentiate the droplets from solid PM particles (ε < 15). In a nonventilated conference-room study, RDs concentrations (40–330 RDs/L) were found to be correlated with human occupancy, but not with PM levels. The developed technology enables a real-time monitoring of number concentration of RDs, which represent a potential health risk when they carry viral or bacterial infections. The detected increase in RD concentration can serve as a trigger for data-driven ventilation and infection-prevention measures, providing an effective tool for mitigating the spread of respiratory diseases in hospitals, schools and other public spaces
Ali mora biti politika velikih sil nujno tragična? Li (力) in de (德) kot dve paradigmi moči
No full textThis text contrasts two perspectives of power. The first is represented by John Mearsheimer’s “realism”, under which, power is only real when it is coercive, military might and which is comparable to the concept of li (力) in traditional Chinese political theory. This paper presents an alternative conception of power—de (德)—a non-coercive power achieved through co-empowerment. It is only under the first conception of power that forces us to the conclusion that great power competition must necessarily be tragic. This paper elucidates the governing logics of both accounts of power and shows how they have animated political life in both the European-Western and Sinitic contexts. Central to the de conception of power is the concept of min (民)—the subject of the de conception of political power. We can see an early Chinese transition from “Heaven” as the source of political power to that of the min. This paper closes with observations on the parallels between the de account of power with agriculturalism and an organicist mentality that is defining of Chinese civilization. In contrast, it draws parallels between the li account of power and the overwhelmingly “nomadic” forms of life that characterize European civilization.Besedilo primerja dve perspektivi moči. Prvo predstavlja »realizem« Johna Mearsheimer-ja, po katerem je moč resnična le, kadar gre za (prisilno) vojaško silo, ki jo je mogoče primerjati s pojmom li (力) v tradicionalni kitajski politični teoriji. V nasprotju s to pa članek predstavi alternativno pojmovanje moči – de (德) – neprisilno moč, doseženo s soopolnomočenjem. Le prva koncepcija moči nas sili v sklep, da mora biti tekmovanje velikih sil nujno tragično. Članek pojasnjuje vodilni logiki obeh pojmovanj moči in po-kaže, kako sta navdihovali politično življenje tako v evropsko-zahodnem kot v sinitskem kontekstu. Osrednje mesto v koncepciji moči de ima pojem min (民) – subjekt koncepcije politične moči de. Opazimo lahko zgodnji kitajski prehod od »Neba« kot izvora politične moči k pojmu min. Članek se zaključi z ugotovitvami o vzporednicah med razlagami moči de in poljedelstvom ter organicistično miselnostjo, ki določa kitajsko civilizacijo. Po drugi strani pa oriše vzporednice med razlago moči li in pretežno »nomadskimi« ob-likami življenja, ki zaznamujejo evropsko civilizacijo
Konfucijanska socialna filozofija med jazom in družino
No full textOur world is increasingly chaotic. It is important to draw on philosophical resources to help in navigating the coming turbulence. As a philosophical tradition born of troubled times, Confucianism is one such resource. Confucianism is not necessarily pacificist but is characterized by a consciousness for the well-being of others and society. This article looks to the Confucian relational self, social ontology, and the political significance of the family. It is guided by Confucius’ statement that when the way fails in the world one should conceal themselves and his claim that governing is to be found in the family rather than being employed in government. When contextualized within Confucian social philosophy, we are afforded a perspective that shows how the ontological structure of the self-other relationship makes the family a public rather than private institution and informs possible avenues of political action when the way fails in the world.Naš svet postaja vse bolj kaotičen. Pomembno je, da črpamo iz filozofskih virov, ki nam lahko pomagajo pri soočanju s prihajajočimi izzivi. Konfucijanstvo, filozofska tradicija, ki je nastala v nemirnih časih, je eden takšnih virov. Konfucianizem ni nujno pacifističen, vendar je osnovan na zavesti o blaginji drugih in družbe. Ta članek preučuje konfucijan-ski relacijski jaz, socialno ontologijo in politični pomen družine. Vodilo mu je Konfu-cijeva izjava, da se je treba, ko v svetu ni več prave poti, skriti, ter njegova trditev, da je vladanje mogoče najti v družini, in ne v službi vlade. Ko to umestimo v okvir konfucijske socialne filozofije, dobimo perspektivo, ki kaže, kako ontološka struktura odnosa med jazom in drugim ustvarja družino kot javno, in ne zasebno institucijo, ter nakazuje možne poti političnega delovanja, ko v svetu ni več prave poti
Advances in automated fetal brain MRI segmentation and biometry
No full textAccurate fetal brain tissue segmentation and biometric measurement are essential for monitoring neurodevelopment and detecting abnormalities in utero. The Fetal Tissue Annotation (FeTA) Challenges have established robust multi-center benchmarks for evaluating state-of-the-art segmentation methods. This paper presents the results of the 2024 challenge edition, which introduced three key innovations. First, we introduced a topology-aware metric based on the Euler characteristic difference (ED) to overcome the performance plateau observed with traditional metrics like Dice or Hausdorff distance (HD), as the performance of the best models in segmentation surpassed the inter-rater variability. While the best teams reached similar scores in Dice (0.81-0.82) and HD95 (2.1–2.3 mm), ED provided greater discriminative power: the winning method achieved an ED of 20.9, representing roughly a 50% improvement over the second- and third-ranked teams despite comparable Dice scores. Second, we introduced a new 0.55T low-field MRI test set, which, when paired with high-quality superresolution reconstruction, achieved the highest segmentation performance across all test cohorts (Dice=0.86, HD95=1.69, ED=6.26). This provides the first quantitative evidence that low-cost, low-field MRI can match or surpass high-field systems in automated fetal brain segmentation. Third, the new biometry estimation task exposed a clear performance gap: although the best model reached a mean average percentage error (MAPE) of 7.72%, most submissions failed to outperform a simple gestationalage-based linear regression model (MAPE=9.56%), and all remained above inter-rater variability with a MAPE of 5.38%. Finally, by analyzing the top-performing models from FeTA 2024 alongside those from previous challenge editions, we identify ensembles of 3D nnU-Net trained on both real and synthetic data with both image- and anatomy-level augmentations as the most effective approaches for fetal brain segmentation. Our quantitative analysis reveals that acquisition site, super-resolution strategy, and image quality are the primary sources of domain shift, informing recommendations to enhance the robustness and generalizability of automated fetal brain analysis methods
Microchannel geometry effects on nematic dowser domain dynamics
No full textUnderstanding the dynamics of topological defects in liquid crystals is essential for optimizing their performance in adaptive optics, responsive surfaces, and advanced display technologies. Here, we investigate the dynamics of disclination loops enclosing an escaped structure in a nematic liquid crystal, known as dowser domains, within microfluidic channels of various geometries. Through a combination of experiments and numerical simulations, we demonstrate that fluid flow, dictated by the channel geometry alone, governs the dynamics, shape, and size of these domains. We find that channel constrictions extend the lifetime of dowser domains by accelerating their growth, while channel expansions slow down their dynamics and shorten their lifetime. In addition, manipulating the flow paths of dowser domains through serpentine microchannels can further influence their shape and lifespan. We also demonstrate domain splitting in a T-junction microchannel. These findings pave the way for the design of hierarchical networks that can manipulate dowser domains in high-throughput parallel channel systems. Taken together, the results presented here improve our understanding of defect loop dynamics in soft materials and advance the development of flow-based liquid crystal devices and applications
Effects of PDADMAC solution pretreatment on beech wood - waterborne coating interaction
No full textThis study builds on previous research into the surface modification of beech wood with polyethyleneimine (PEI) prior to finishing it with a waterborne coating. Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) is introduced as an alternative cationic polyelectrolyte for the pretreatment of beech wood surfaces. Wood samples were treated with aqueous 1% PDADMAC solutions of low (LMW—8000 g mol−1) and high (HMW—100,000–200,000 g mol−1) molecular weights, with or without NaCl addition. The effects of the treatments on wood surface chemistry, wettability, surface energy, water absorption, coating penetration, coating adhesion strength, and surface roughness of coated wood were analysed using FTIR, fluorescence microscopy, SEM/EDS, and standardised tests commonly used in wood surface finishing. The results showed that polyelectrolyte pretreatment modified the surface properties of wood, reducing water absorption and surface roughness without significantly affecting coating adhesion strength. PDADMAC formed a more uniform surface layer of wood with limited coating penetration, and NaCl addition improved wood surface smoothness (reducing surface roughness parameters of coated wood by 23%–29%, in samples treated with PDADMAC LMW with 0.01 M NaCl). These findings confirm that cationic polyelectrolyte pretreatment enhances the compatibility and performance of waterborne coatings, offering an environmentally friendly approach to improving wood–waterborne coating interactions
Mechanisms of bisphenol A and its analogs as endocrine disruptors via nuclear receptors and related signaling pathways
No full textBisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used chemical that is slowly being phased out due to its toxic properties. The industry is therefore looking for alternatives in the form of BPA analogs. However, studies have shown that BPA analogs can have comparable or even stronger endocrine and toxic effects than BPA. This review describes various mechanisms and interactions of BPA analogs with individual nuclear receptors. They interfere with downstream signaling pathways not only by binding to the nuclear receptors, but also by various alternative mechanisms, such as altering receptor expression, affecting co-receptors, altering signal transduction pathways, and even epigenetic changes. Further studies are needed to fully investigate the potential synergistic and additive effects that may result. In the search for a less harmful alternative to BPA, affinity to the nuclear receptor may not be the decisive factor. We therefore recommend a different study approach to assess their effects on the endocrine system before new BPA analogs are introduced to the market to protect public health and the environment
Thoughts on fire, fuels, and forest management in Slovenia
No full textPožari v naravi so tema, ki v Evropi sproža burne polemike v kontekstu gozdov in njihovega upravljanja. Požar pogosto obravnavamo kot naravno nesrečo, ki povzroča škodo, vendar je v nekaterih gozdnih ekosistemih hkrati tudi naraven proces in pomemben del režima motenj. Dolga zgodovina rabe zemljišč otežuje razumevanje naravne vloge požarov v evropskih gozdovih. Spremembe rabe zemljišč in pretekla gozdnogospodarska praksa so na nekaterih območjih povečale količino goriva in požarno ogroženost. V zadnjem času pa podnebno segrevanje in vse pogostejše ter dolgotrajnejše suše sprožajo vse pogostejše in bolj ekstremne požare oziroma njihovo pojavljanje tudi v mezofilnih gozdnih ekosistemih, ki so slabo prilagojeni na ogenj. Zato je nujno bolje razumeti vlogo požara v številnih evropskih gozdnih ekosistemih, vključno s tem, kako lahko gospodarjenje z gozdom, kadar je to primerno, ogenj uporabimo, namesto da ga gasimo, čeprav je v Sloveniji kurjenje v gozdu trenutno prepovedano z zakonom. Strokovni članek obravnava ključna vprašanja, povezana z ekologijo požarov in upravljanjem gozdov v Sloveniji, nastal pa je kot rezultat izmenjave med Raziskovalno postajo Pacific Southwest, Zavoda za gozdove ZDA (US Forest Service) in strokovnjaki za upravljanje gozdov/požarov v Sloveniji. Prispevek se osredotoča na območji požarišč Goriškega Krasa in Potoške gore ter na druga gozdna območja v Sloveniji. Povzemamo ključne ugotovitve, ki temeljijo na terenskih opazovanjih, strokovnih razpravah in izkušnjah iz požarno ogroženih gozdov Kalifornije. Upamo, da bo to spodbudilo nadaljnjo razpravo in celovitejše razumevanje možnosti za upravljanje požarno ogroženih gozdov v Sloveniji.Wildfire is a topic that raises much controversy in the context of forests and forest management in Europe. Fire is often viewed as a natural disaster that is harmful, yet fire is also a natural process and an important component of the disturbance regime in some forest ecosystems. A long history of land use has made it difficult to unravel the natural role of fire in European forests. Land use changes and past forestry practices have also increased fuels and fire hazard in some areas. In recent times a warming and increasingly drought-prone climate are raising concerns that fires are becoming more frequent and extreme, or extending into mesic forest ecosystems that are poorly adapted to fire. There is therefore an urgent need to better understand the role of fire in many European forest ecosystems including how forest management can, when appropriate, work with fire, rather than against it, yet prescribed burning in forests is currently illegal in Slovenia. This professional contribution discusses key issues related to fire ecology and management in Slovenia resulting from an exchange between the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station and forest/fire management experts in Slovenia. The paper focuses on the Goriški Kras and the Potoška Gora Fire sites, as well as other forest sites in Slovenia. We summarize some key thoughts, based on field observations, discussions, and experience from fire-prone forests of California. We hope this will encourage further discourse and a fuller understanding of management options for fire prone forests in Slovenia
The impact of daytime napping on physical and cognitive performance in athletes - a literature review
No full textUvod: Spanje ima ključno vlogo pri regeneraciji telesa, uravnavanju kognitivnih funkcij in hormonskem ravnovesju, zato je eden najpomembnejših dejavnikov športne zmogljivosti. Kljub temu raziskave kažejo, da športniki pogosto spijo manj od priporočene količine, kar vodi v slabšo zmogljivost, zmanjšano motivacijo in povečano utrujenost. Zaradi tega se v zadnjem času povečuje zanimanje za strategije optimizacije spanja, ki bi podprle regeneracijo in učinkovitost treninga. Ena od teh strategij je dnevni spanec, ki dokazano izboljša pozornost, telesno zmogljivost in občutek budnosti ter zmanjšuje utrujenost po napornih vadbah. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je bil opredeliti učinke dnevnega spanca na telesne in kognitivne zmogljivosti športnikov. Metode dela: Opravljen je bil pregled literature z uporabljeno opisno metodo. Raziskava je potekala v podatkovni zbirki PubMed z izbranimi ključnimi besedami in zastavljenimi merili. Rezultati: V pregled je bilo vključenih šest randomiziranih nadzorovanih raziskav s časovnim okvirjem od leta 2018 do 2024. V štirih raziskavah so primerjali učinke dnevnega spanca z odsotnostjo tega, v dveh pa razliko med različno dolgimi obdobji dnevnega spanca. V eni od raziskav so proučevali učinke dnevnega spanja po predhodni noči delni omejitvi spanja. Rezultati kažejo, da dnevni spanec nima statistično značilnega vpliva na aerobno zmogljivost, medtem ko se pri anaerobni zmogljivosti kažejo pozitivni učinki. Kognitivne funkcije so se izboljšale v nekaterih raziskavah, predvsem pri testih pozornosti in reakcijskega časa, četudi rezultati niso popolnoma enotni. Subjektivno počutje se je po dnevnem spancu večinoma izboljšalo, saj so udeleženci poročali o manjši utrujenosti, boljši kakovosti spanja in manj stresa, zlasti po daljšem počitku. Razprava in zaključek: Na osnovi pregleda literature lahko sklenemo, da dnevni spanec, dolg od 25 do 60 minut, pozitivno vpliva na kognitivne in telesne zmogljivosti športnikov. Kljub ugodnim učinkom rezultati niso povsem enotni, zato so za bolj natančne ugotovitve potrebne še nadaljnje raziskave.Introduction: Sleep plays a key role in body recovery, cognitive regulation, and hormonal balance, making it one of the most important determinants of athletic performance. However, research shows that athletes often sleep less than the recommended amount, leading to poorer performance, reduced motivation, and increased fatigue. This has led to an increased interest in sleep optimisation strategies to support recovery and training performance. One of these strategies is daytime nap, which has been shown to improve attention, physical performance, and alertness, and to reduce fatigue after strenuous exercise. Purpose: Purpose of this diploma work was to determine the effects of daytime napping on athletes\u27 physical and cognitive performance. Methods: Overview of literature was carried out using descriptive method. The literature search was conducted in the PubMed database using selected keywords and predefined criteria. Results: Six randomised controlled trials with a time frame from 2018 to 2024 were included in the review. Four trials compared the effects of daytime nap with no nap, and two trials compared the difference between different lengths of daytime nap. In one study, they were interested in the effects of a daytime nap following partial sleep restriction the night before. The results show that daytime nap has no statistically significant effect on aerobic performance, while anaerobic performance shows positive effects. Cognitive function improved in some studies, especially in tests of attention and reaction time, although the results are not entirely uniform. Subjective well-being mostly improved after daytime sleep, with participants reporting less fatigue, better sleep quality, and less stress, especially after longer rest periods. Discussion and conclusion: Based on the results presented in this literature review, we can conclude that daytime naps of 25-60 minutes have a positive effect on cognitive and physical performance in athletes. Despite the beneficial effects, the results are not entirely uniform and further research is needed to make more precise conclusions