123903 research outputs found
Sort by
Implementacija diferenčnega faznega kontrasta kot metoda kvantitativnega faznega slikanja
No full textPhase contrast microscopy is a microscopy technique used to enhance contrast of transparent biological samples, by translating phase shift variations of light, as it passes through the sample, into changes of its amplitude, which can be detected via intensity variations. It is a label-free, non-destructive method for observing biological samples, making it widely used. A modern approach to phase contrast microscopy is called Differential phase contrast (DPC) that uses at least one pair of complimentary illumination patterns to reconstruct the final phase image, however, it only qualitatively visualises the phase shift variations. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) is a microscopy technique that, quantitatively reconstructs phase images using phase variation information, from light passing through a transparent object. In this master’s thesis I used the quantitative differential phase contrast (qDPC) method to quantitatively reconstruct phase shift using the illumination scheme proposed in DPC and the weak object approximation (WOA). I used the Tikhonov regularisation to calculate the phase, for which a regularisation term is added to the least square minimisation, where a regularisation parameter is needed. I determined the optimal parameter using the discrepancy principle, which uses the noise estimation of the images to find the optimal regularisation parameter. Comparing the reconstructed phase images with fluorescence images showed that cell features, such as lipid droplets and cell nuclei, can be visualised with both techniques. Using the qDPC method to reconstruct samples where different types of nanoparticles were mixed with cells showed that nanoparticle aggregates can also be reconstructed on the phase image, however, their calculated phase shift values cannot be taken as accurate due to them introducing a high optical gradient, meaning they violate the WOA. Around nanoparticle aggregates are also present halo artifacts that are a consequence of a big change in refractive index, and influence the quality and accuracy of phase reconstruction. The qDPC method is able to quantitatively reconstruct the phase shift of thin, transparent samples and can be used to visualise certain cell features without the use of toxic cell dyes, which are needed in fluorescence microscopy.Fazni kontrast je mikroskopska tehnika, ki se uporablja za izboljšanje kontrasta prosojnih bioloških vzorcev, tako da variacije faznega premika svetlobe med prehodom skozi vzorec pretvori v spremembe njene amplitude, ki se jih lahko zazna kot spremembe intenzitete svetlobe. Metoda ne uporablja fluorescenčnih barvil in ni uničujoča za biološke vzorce, zaradi česar se uporablja na mnogih področjih, kot so medicina, biologija in biofizika. Moderna izvedba faznega kontrasta se imenuje diferencialni fazni kontrast (angl. DPC), ki uporablja pare komplementarnih vzorcev osvetlitve za rekonstrukcijo končne slike, vendar le kvalitativno vizualizira spremembe faznega premika. Kvantitativno fazno slikanje (angl. QPI) je mikroskopska tehnika, ki kvantitativno rekonstruira fazne slike z uporabo informacij o faznih spremembah, iz svetlobe, ki prehaja skozi prosojen predmet. V tej magistrski nalogi sem uporabil metodo kvantitativnega diferencialnega faznega kontrasta (angl. qDPC) za kvantitativno rekonstrukcijo faznega premika z uporabo sheme osvetlitve DPC in za neposredno povezavo fazne informacije z izmerjeno intenziteto sem uporabil približek šibkega objekta (angl. WOA). Uporabil sem Tikhonovo regularizacijo za izračun faze, za katero je potrebno dodati regularizacijski člen v minimizacijo najmanjših kvadratov. Optimalni parameter v regularizacijskem členu sem določil z uporabo načela neskladja (angl. discrepancy principle), ki uporablja oceno šuma na slikah slik za iskanje optimalnega regularizacijskega parametra. Primerjava rekonstruiranih faznih slik s fluorescenčnimi slikami je pokazala, da je mogoče celične komponente, kot so lipidne kapljice in celična jedra, opazovati z obema mikroskopskima tehnikama. Uporaba metode qDPC za rekonstrukcijo vzorcev, kjer so bile različne vrste nanodelcev pomešane s celicami, je pokazala, da je mogoče agregate nanodelcev rekonstruirati tudi na fazni sliki, vendar se njihovih izračunanih vrednosti faznega zamika ne more jemati kot natančne. Okoli agregatov nanodelcev so tudi prisotni halo artefakti, ki so posledica nagle spremembe lomnega količnika, in vplivajo na kvaliteto in natančnost rekonstrukcije faznega zamika. Metoda qDPC lahko kvantitativno rekonstruira fazni zamik tankih, prozornih vzorcev in se lahko uporablja za vizualizacijo določenih celičnih značilnosti brez uporabe strupenih barvil, ki so potrebna pri fluorescenčni mikroskopiji
Factors affecting the inclusion of students with special educational needs in visual art education in primary school
No full textŠtevilni mednarodni dokumenti in raziskave poudarjajo pomen različnih dejavnikov, ki vplivajo na vključevanje učencev s posebnimi potrebami. Namen raziskave je analizirati dejavnike, s poudarkom na različnih sklopih prepričanj, ki vplivajo na vključevanje učencev s posebnimi potrebami pri pouku likovne umetnosti v osnovni šoli. Za čim celovitejši vpogled je bila uporabljena triangulacija treh tehnik: anketa na slučajnostnem vzorcu (N = 355) učiteljev likovne umetnosti in učiteljev dodatne strokovne pomoči, opazovanje učencev s posebnimi potrebami pri likovni umetnosti na namenskem neslučajnostnem vzorcu (N = 76) ter intervju s petimi učitelji, ki izvajajo dobro poučevalno prakso. Raziskava prinaša znanstveni doprinos na področju raziskovanja prepričanj in ravnanj strokovnih delavcev. Na podlagi faktorske analize je bilo oblikovanih pet vsebinskih sklopov prepričanj v kontekstu dela z učenci s posebnimi potrebami pri likovni umetnosti, in sicer o: (1) samoučinkovistosti, (2) predmetu, (3) vlogah in odgovornostih strokovnih delavcev, (4) negativnih prepričanjih o učencih in njihovem vključevanju ter (5) uporabi prilagoditev. Strokovni delavci so izrazili predvsem pozitivna ali nevtralna prepričanja. Srednje močno in pozitivno so povezana prepričanja o samoučinkovitosti, predmetu ter vlogah in odgovornostih. V praksi se najpogosteje uporabljajo prilagoditve na področjih socialne integracije in organizacije ter na izobraževalnem področju. Po oceni opazovalcev so omogočene vsem učencem v sklopu dobre poučevalne prakse in je potrebnih le malo ali nič dodatnih prilagoditev za učence s posebnimi potrebami. Redko so prisotne prilagoditve, ki bi bile vezane na specifične primanjkljaje in bi zahtevale vnaprejšnje načrtovanje ali posvetovanje. Segmentacija je pokazala tri skupine strokovnih delavcev, ki jih združujejo podobno opredeljena prepričanja in pretekle izkušnje. Pripadnost skupini se je v regresijski analizi pokazala kot dober model napovedi ravnanja strokovnih delavcev, saj pojasni 64 % variance, kar pomeni, da bodo tisti, ki imajo jasno opredeljena prepričanja in pogostejše pretekle izkušnje z uporabo naštetih dobrih praks, tudi v prihodnje pogosteje uporabljali naštete prakse. Strokovni doprinos predstavljajo potrebe anketiranih in dobri primeri izkušenj intervjuvanih, ki lahko predstavljajo izhodišče za načrtovanje dodatnih usposabljanj in izobraževanj za strokovne delavce.Numerous international documents and studies emphasize the importance of various factors that influence the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs. The aim of this research is to analyse the factors affecting the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs in primary school visual arts education classes, focusing on different beliefs. Three techniques were triangulated to gain as much insight as possible: a survey of a random sample (N = 355) of visual arts education teachers and special education teachersobservation of pupils with special educational needs in visual art classrooms in a purposive non-random sample (N = 76)and interviews with five teachers who implement good teaching practises. Using factor analysis, five themes of beliefs related to working with pupils with special educational needs in the visual arts education were developed: (1) self-efficacy, (2) subject, (3) roles and responsibilities of professionals, (4) negative beliefs about pupils and their inclusion, and (5) the use of adaptations. Teachers expressed mainly positive or neutral beliefs. There is a moderate and a strong positive correlation between beliefs about self-efficacy, subject and roles and responsibilities. In practice, adaptations are most frequently used in the areas of social integration, organization and education. Observers believe that all pupils can benefit from good teaching practice and that few or no additional adaptations are required for pupils with special educational needs. There are rarely adaptations that relate to specific deficits and require advance planning or consultation. Segmentation revealed three groups of teachers united by similarly defined beliefs and previous experiences. Group membership proved to be a good predictor of professional behaviour in the regression analysis, explaining 64% of the variance, meaning that those who have clearly defined beliefs and have used the listed good practices more frequently in the past are more likely to use the listed practices in the future. The professional contribution is represented by the needs of the respondents and good examples of the interviewees\u27 experiences, which can be a starting point for planning additional education and training for practitioners
Comparison of unity and FMOD libraries for spatial audio localization in virtual reality
No full textSpatial audio is central to immersion and situational awareness in virtual reality (VR), but the performance diferences between diferent audio engines have not been suiciently explored. This study compares Unity’s integrated spatial audio system and the FMOD engine in a controlled VR sound localisation task. Thirty volunteers completed three levels of 16 trials each while wearing a head-mounted display (Oculus Quest). They were randomly assigned to one of the two systems and asked to identify the direction of an active loudspeaker among several virtual sources. We measured localisation accuracy, reaction time, spatial distance error and cumulative head rotationlearning efects were assessed by comparing the irst and third stages. Participants using FMOD achieved slightly higher accuracy (93% vs 87% overall) and turned their heads less, suggesting that FMOD made it easier for users to localise sounds in space, while Unity users showed greater variability and a slightly greater learning gain. About two-thirds of participants improved their accuracy over time, but there were signiicant individual diferences. These results suggest that both engines perform similarly well on basic localisation tasks, although FMOD has slight advantages in spatial accuracy. The work highlights the importance of evaluating spatial audio engines in user-centred studies and emphasises the need to consider personal factors and task complexity in future research
Image-based monitoring of material emissions for wear characterization of laminated polymer composite gears
No full textThis work presents a computer vision image-based methodology for quantitative wear particle diagnostics in polymer composite gear systems. Conventional monitoring techniques typically provide limited information on the morphology and size distribution of the particles, restricting their diagnostic capability. In this study, optical microscopy is combined with computer vision image-based algorithms to characterize particles resulting from gear wear. Inspection at magnification captured approximately 70 % of the microplastic range, while complementary SEM analysis at confirmed extended diagnostic capability at sub-micrometer scales. The circularity and aspect ratio of particles proved to be important indicators of wear stages, while the size of the particles remained consistent regardless of the torque applied. Approximately 80 % of the worn out volume was found consistently represented by 10–50 particles. The developed methodology provides reproducible and quantitative insights into gear wear stages that are not accessible through conventional monitoring. The results demonstrate potential for improved monitoring and reliable failure prediction in polymer composite tribosystems
The nurse\u27s role in effective communication with older adults for proper use of medication
No full textUvod: Komunikacija med medicinsko sestro in pacientom je ključni element kakovostne zdravstvene nege in temelj uspešne, varne ter učinkovite obravnave pacientov. S staranjem prebivalstva naraščata število nenalezljivih bolezni in potreba po doslednem izvajanju terapije, zat postaja terapevtska komunikacija eden najpomembnejših dejavnikov pri zagotavljanju varne in učinkovite zdravstvene oskrbe. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je opredeliti in preučiti pomen ter izzive terapevtske komunikacije med medicinskimi sestrami in starejšimi pacienti v povezavi z jemanjem zdravil. Cilj je ugotoviti, kako učinkovita komunikacija vpliva na dosledno jemanje zdravil, prepoznati najpogostejše ovire v procesu komunikacije in preučiti načine in strategije za varno shranjevanje zdravil v domačem
okolju. Metode: V diplomskem delu smo uporabili deskriptivno metodo s sistematičnim pregledom literature v časovnem obdobju od leta 2015 do 2025. Literaturo smo pridobili iz podatkovnih baz PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect in ResearchGate s pomočjo ključnih besed ter z uporabo Boolovih operatorjev \u27\u27AND\u27\u27 in \u27\u27OR\u27\u27. Pri iskanju so bili upoštevani vključitveni in izključitveni kriteriji, osredotočeni na kakovostno in vsebinsko ustrezno literaturo v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku. V končno analizo je bilo vključenih 17 virov. Rezultati: Ugotovitve kažejo, da učinkovita komunikacija medicinskih sester pomembno vpliva na dosledno jemanje zdravil pri starejših pacientih, saj omogoča boljše razumevanje terapevtskih navodil, večjo motivacijo za sodelovanje in zagotavlja večjo varnost v procesu zdravljenja. Med ključne ovire sodijo kognitivne in senzorične omejitve starejših, časovna stiska medicinskih sester ter neustrezno komunikacijsko okolje. Medicinske sestre s prilagojenim pristopom, uporabo jasnega jezika, vizualnih pripomočkov, tehnik povratnega preverjanja razumevanja in vključevanjem svojcev pomembno prispevajo k adherenci in varni uporabi zdravil. Razprava in zaključek: Komunikacija v zdravstveni negi poleg prenosa zdravstvenih informacij predstavlja proces grajenja zaupanja in partnerskega odnosa med medicinsko sestro in pacientom. Terapevtska komunikacija zahteva strokovno znanje, čustveno inteligenco in sposobnost prilagajanja posameznikovim potrebam, kar omogoča večjo učinkovitost in zadovoljstvo pacientov. Učinkovita in empatična komunikacija je ključna za varno in kakovostno izvajanje zdravstvene nege. Medicinske sestre imajo ključno vlogo pri izobraževanju, spremljanju in spodbujanju pacientov k pravilnemu shranjevanju in jemanju zdravil, s čimer se zmanjšuje možnost napak ter izboljšujejo zdravstveni izidi in kakovost življenja starejših oseb.Introduction: Communication between nurses and patients is a key element of high-quality nursing care and forms the foundation for successful, safe, and effective treatment of older patients. With an aging population, both the number of chronic diseases and the need for consistent therapy adherence are increasing, making therapeutic communication one of the most important factors in ensuring safe and effective healthcare. Purpose: The aim of this thesis is to define and analyze the importance and challenges of therapeutic communication between nurses and older adults in relation to medication use. The objectives are to determine how effective communication influences medication adherence, identify the most common communication barriers, and explore methods and strategies for safe medication storage in home-care enviroments. Methods: A descriptive method with a systematic literature review was used, covering the period from 2015 to 2025. The literature was obtained from the PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect and ResearchGate databases using relevant keywords and Boolean operators \u27\u27AND\u27\u27 and \u27\u27OR\u27\u27. Inclusion and exclusion criteria focused on high-quality and relevant literature in Slovenian and English. A total of 17 sources were included in the final analysis. Results: Findings show that effective nursing communication has a significant impact on medication adherence among older adults by improving understanding of therapeutic instructions, enhancing motivation for cooperation, and ensuring greater treatment safety. The main barriers include cognitive and sensory limitations among older adults, nurses\u27 time constraints, and inadequate communication environments. Through an adapted approach, use of clear language, visual aids, teach-back techniques, and family involvement, nurses play an important role in promoting adherence and safe medication use. Discussion and conclusion: Communication in nursing care extends beyond the simple exchange of medical information − it is a process of building trust and partnership between nurses and the patients. Therapeutic communication requires professional competence, emotional intelligence, and the ability to adapt to individual needs, which enhances both care quality and patient satisfaction. Effective and empathetic communication is essential for safe, holistic and high-quality nursing care. Nurse play a vital role in educating, monitoring, and supporting patients in the corect storage and use of medications, therby reducing errors and improving treatment outcomes as wll as the overall quality of life for older adults
Prognostic value of kappa free light chain index in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis
No full textBackground: The kappa free light chain (κ-FLC) index is a well-established biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS). While the prognostic value of the κ-FLC index has been demonstrated in early relapsing-remitting MS, its prognostic value in primary progressive MS (PPMS) has not yet been investigated. Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with PPMS with diagnostic lumbar puncture and clinical follow-up of at least 12 months were recruited from nine MS centers across five countries. At baseline, age, sex, disease duration, and the number of T2 hyperintense (T2L) and contrast-enhancing T1 lesions (CEL) on MRI were determined. κ-FLC was measured using nephelometry/turbidimetry, and the κ-FLC index was calculated as (CSF κ-FLC/serum κ-FLC)/albumin quotient. At follow-up, the occurrence of disability progression and the administration of disease-modifying treatment (DMT) were registered. The primary endpoint was time to disability progression. Results: A total of 121 PPMS patients were included with a median age of 53 years (25th-75th percentile: 46-59) and a balanced sex distribution (48.8% female). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed no significant association between the κ-FLC index and disability progression [hazard ratio (HR) 1.0, p = 0.950]. Prior use of DMT (HR 0.60, p = 0.023) and brain T2L > 9 at baseline (HR 2.22, p = 0.026) were significantly associated with disability progression. The remaining covariates, including age, sex, disease duration, and CEL, showed no significant associations. Conclusion: The κ-FLC index does not predict disability progression in PPMS, contrasting its growing role as a prognostic biomarker in relapsing MS. This highlights phenotypic differences in MS pathophysiology and underscores the need for prognostic biomarkers in PPMS
Analysis of products used in confectionery by X-ray powder diffraction
No full textV svojem diplomskem delu sem analizirala različne vzorce slaščičarskih sestavin ter
ugotavljala prisotnost posameznih kristaliničnih faz. Pri tem sem uporabila metodo
rentgenske praškovne difrakcije, ki je ena izmed osnovnih metod za karakterizacijo
kristaliničnih trdnin. Če takšne vzorce osvetlimo z rentgensko svetlobo, dobimo za
trdnino značilno uklonsko sliko oziroma praškovni posnetek. Sliko, ki jo dobimo,
imenujemo difraktogram in je značilna za vsako kristalinično snov tako, kot prstni odtis
pri človeku.
Pri obdelavi podatkov sem uporabila dva računalniška programa, ki omogočata
sistematično primerjavo meritev z obstoječimi standardi. Ugotovila sem, da večina
analiziranih izdelkov vsebuje vsaj eno vrsto sladkorja, najpogosteje saharozo, pogosto pa
laktozo ter D-glukozo hidrat, ali pa nadomestek sladkorja. Nekaterih deklariranih sestavin
ni bilo mogoče zaznati, kar je posledica zelo nizkega deleža ali pa pomanjkanja ustreznih
standardov v podatkovni bazi.In my thesis, I analyzed various samples of confectionery ingredients and investigated
the presence of individual crystalline phases. For this purpose, I used the X-ray powder
diffraction method, which is one of the fundamental techniques for the characterization
of crystalline solids. When such samples are irradiated with X-ray radiation, a diffraction
pattern characteristic of the solid, known as a powder pattern, is obtained. The image
obtained is called a diffractogram and is characteristic of each crystalline substance, much
like a fingerprint is characteristic of a human being.
During data processing, I used two computer programs that enable systematic comparison
of the measurements with existing standards. I found that most of the analyzed products
contain at least one type of sugar, most commonly sucrose, and often lactose and D-
glucose hydrate, or a sugar substitute. Some of the declared ingredients could not be
detected, which is due either to their very low content or to the lack of appropriate
standards in the database
German Air Defence in Lower Styria during World War II
No full textPomemben del bojev med drugo svetovno vojno se je odvil v zraku, t. i. taktično bombardiranje pa je postalo glavni način uničevanja vojne proizvodnje in nasprotnikove morale. Pri stopnjevanju zavezniških bombnih napadov na nemške položaje se je v zadnjih letih vojne pred nevarnostjo bomb znašlo tudi področje Spodnje Štajerske. V luči letalske nevarnosti so se nemške oblasti zatekale k raznovrstnim ukrepom za zmanjševanje števila potencialnih žrtev in materialne škode. Tako so v protiletalski obrambi delovali aktivno in tudi pasivno. Aktivno delovanje je zajemalo nastanitev enot protiletalskega topništva okrog pomembnih taktičnih in industrijskih ciljev ter urbanih mestnih središč. Pasivno delovanje pa je zajemalo gradnjo zakloniščnih prostorov ter organizacijo raznovrstnih opozorilnih, reševalnih in pomožnih enot za preprečevanje in odpravljanje posledic letalskih napadov.
Magistrsko delo prikazuje okvirni oris nemške protiletalske obrambe na področju Spodnje Štajerske med drugo svetovno vojno, pri čemer je poudarek na glavnih urbanih središčih, Mariboru in Celju. S pomočjo arhivskega gradiva in literature so predstavljeni načini pasivnega delovanja, gradnja zaklonišč, reševalne in pomožne službe za primere letalskih napadov ter tudi način aktivnega delovanja z orisom območij nastanitev enot protiletalskega topništva v okolici urbanih mestnih središč.A significant part of the fighting during World War II took place in the air, and tactical bombing became the primary method of destroying war production and the enemy\u27s morale. As the Allied bombing of German positions intensified, the area of Lower Styria was also exposed to the danger of bombs in the final years of the war. Considering the aerial danger, the German authorities resorted to various measures to reduce the number of potential victims and the extent of material damage. They operated actively and passively in anti-aircraft defence. Active operations included the placement of anti-aircraft artillery units around important tactical and industrial targets and urban centres. Passive activities included the construction of shelters and the organization of various warning, rescue, and auxiliary units to prevent and mitigate the effects of air raids.
The master\u27s thesis provides an outline of German anti-aircraft defence in the Lower Styria region during World War II, with a focus on the main urban centres, Maribor and Celje. Using archival materials and secondary literature, the thesis presents the methods of passive measures, including the construction of shelters, rescue, and auxiliary services in the event of air raids, as well as the methods of active measures, with an outline of the deployment areas of anti-aircraft artillery units in the vicinity of urban centres
Using barium contrast agents in radiology
No full textUvod: V uvodu je bila predstavljena vloga kontrastnih sredstev (KS) v medicinskih slikovnih preiskavah, njihova uporaba ter pomen za diagnostiko. Izpostavili smo tudi slabosti kontrastnih sredstev, kot so možnost neželenih učinkov in kratko opisali različne vrste KS ter področja uporabe. Uvod je služil kot temelj za razumevanje nadaljnjih vsebin diplomskega dela, kjer smo se osredotočili predvsem na barijeva kontrastna sredstva. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je bil predstaviti osnovne značilnosti in stranske učinke barijevih kontrastnih sredstev ter opozoriti na pomen pravilnega rokovanja z njimi v klinični praksi. Delo je poskušalo tudi osvetliti ključne dejavnike, ki vplivajo na varnost in učinkovitost barijevih sredstev ter kako ta sredstva prispevajo k diagnostiki v medicinskih slikovnih tehnikah. Metode dela: Diplomsko delo temelji na deskriptivni metodi z analizo obstoječe literature s področja radiologije in medicine. Literaturo smo zbirali v slovenskih in svetovnih podatkovnih bazah (Cobiss, RUL, PubMed, Science Direct itd.). Iskanje je potekalo med 8. in 30. avgustom 2024. Z uporabo vključitvenih in izključitvenih kriterijev smo izbrali 15 člankov, ki smo jih podrobneje analizirali. Rezultati: Rezultati so predstavljeni z vidika različnih vplivov barijevih kontrastnih sredstev na diagnostično natančnost pri slikovnih tehnikah, kot so VFSS, CT in mikro-CT. Obravnavani so bili ključni dejavniki, kot so struktura, viskoznost in varnost barijevih sredstev, ter njihov pomen za napovedovanje neželenih izidov, kot sta aspiracijska pljučnica ali poškodbe žil. Razprava in zaključek: V razpravi smo primerjali rezultate iz različnih študij ter ugotovili, da se barijeva kontrastna sredstva kljub razvoju novih kontrastnih pripravkov še vedno pogosto uporabljajo zaradi svoje visoke diagnostične vrednosti, predvsem pri preiskavah prebavil in funkcionalnih motenj požiranja. Razpravljali smo o možnih izboljšavah varnosti pri uporabi barijevih sredstev, zlasti glede pravilne izbire bolnikov, prilagoditve viskoznosti kontrastnega sredstva in upoštevanja kontraindikacij, kot je sum na perforacijo ali povečano tveganje za aspiracijo. Predstavljen je bil tudi pomen novih dvo-modalnih kontrastnih sredstev, ki združujejo barijeve spojine z drugimi slikovnimi modalitetami in kažejo potencial za nadaljnje izboljšanje diagnostične natančnosti. V zaključku smo poudarili glavne ugotovitve diplomskega dela ter izpostavili pomen pravilne in varne uporabe barijevih kontrastnih sredstev v klinični praksi. Podana so bila tudi priporočila za klinično delo ter smernice za prihodnje raziskave, ki bi se morale usmeriti v razvoj varnejših formulacij in nadaljnjo evalvacijo novih kontrastnih sredstev.Introduction: The introduction will present the role of contrast media (CM) in medical imaging examinations, their use, and significance for diagnostics. It will also highlight the drawbacks of contrast media, such as the possibility of adverse effects, and briefly describe different types of CM and their areas of application. The introduction will serve as a foundation for understanding the subsequent content of the thesis, which will focus mainly on barium contrast media. Purpose: The aim of this thesis is to present the basic characteristics and side effects of barium contrast media and to emphasize the importance of proper handling in clinical practice. The work will also seek to shed light on key factors that affect the safety and effectiveness of barium media and how these substances contribute to diagnostics in medical imaging techniques. Methods: The thesis is based on a descriptive method with an analysis of existing literature in the fields of radiology and medicine. The literature was collected from Slovenian and international databases (Cobiss, RUL, PubMed, Science Direct, etc.). The search took place between August 8 and August 30, 2024. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 articles were selected for detailed analysis. Results: The results will be presented in terms of the various impacts of barium contrast media on diagnostic accuracy in imaging techniques such as VFSS, CT, and micro-CT. Key factors such as the structure, viscosity, and safety of barium media will be discussed, as well as their importance for predicting adverse outcomes such as aspiration pneumonia or vascular injury. Discussion and conclusion: In the discussion, we compared the results of various studies and found that barium contrast agents, despite the development of newer contrast preparations, are still frequently used due to their high diagnostic value, particularly in examinations of the gastrointestinal tract and functional swallowing disorders. We discussed possible improvements in safety when using barium agents, especially regarding appropriate patient selection, adjustment of contrast medium viscosity, and consideration of contraindications, such as suspected gastrointestinal perforation or increased risk of aspiration. The importance of new dual-modal contrast agents, which combine barium compounds with other imaging modalities and demonstrate potential for further improvement in diagnostic accuracy, was also presented. In the conclusion, we emphasized the main findings of the thesis and highlighted the importance of proper and safe use of barium contrast agents in clinical practice. Recommendations for clinical work were provided, along with guidelines for future research, which should focus on the development of safer formulations and further evaluation of new contrast agents