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Biaxial Gay-Berne liquid crystal elastomer
No full textA large-scale off-lattice Monte Carlo simulation of main-chain liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) is performed to explore the possibility of finding temperature-induced biaxial orientational ordering in such systems. The liquid-crystalline molecules of the LCE are modeled by biaxial soft-core Gay-Berne ellipsoids and embedded into a monodomain elastomer network linked together by finitely extendable nonlinear elastic (FENE) bonds. On cooling from the uniaxial nematic phase, biaxial ordering of ellipsoids is observed and is accompanied by a spontaneous biaxial elastic deformation of the sample. Biaxial orientational alignment is also reflected in the calculated deuterium magnetic resonance spectra and in the predicted scattered X-ray intensity patterns, while no major calorimetric anomaly is observed at the uniaxial-to-biaxial nematic phase transition. The long-range character of the observed biaxial phase is elucidated by calculating selected orientational correlation functions
Functional neurological disorder following COVID-19
No full textBackground: Following COVID-19, an increased risk of neurological and psychiatric sequelae has been reported. Viral illnesses commonly trigger functional neurological disorder (FND). However, mechanisms beyond immediate biological effects may contribute to FND after COVID-19. While FND cases have been observed after COVID-19, the overall risk and contributing factors remain unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, we compared the rates of FND post-COVID-19 to other respiratory tract infections (RTIs), assessed the influence of disease severity, and the characteristics of newly diagnosed patients. Methods: We used TriNetX, a global electronic health record network. In total, 2,740,094 COVID-19 cases and 1846 post-COVID-19 FND cases were analysed. We compared FND incidence between 2 weeks and 6 months after COVID-19 to other RTIs and across cohorts of varying COVID-19 severity. Characteristics of individuals with new diagnoses of FND and migraine following COVID-19 were compared. Results: The incidence of FND was higher in COVID-19 patients with records of hospitalisation (OR 2.16595% CI 1.691-2.773) and emergency department visits (OR 1.41295% CI 1.069-1.864). Incidence was higher following COVID-19 compared to other RTIs, both in the first 2 years of the pandemic (0.033 vs. 0.021%, OR 1.555, 95% CI 1.271-1.902) and subsequently (0.038 vs. 0.027%, OR 1.394, 95% CI 1.173-1.657). Medical, neurological, and psychiatric comorbidities were more common in newly diagnosed post-COVID-19 FND compared to migraine. Conclusions: New-onset FND appears more likely after COVID-19 than other RTIs. Both the severity of the triggering illness and pre-existing individual vulnerability may contribute to the development of FND
The role of emotional competence in building a stable romantic relatonship
No full textMagistrsko delo obravnava širok spekter čustvene kompetentnosti in opredeljuje povezanost čustvene kompetentnosti z zadovoljstvom v partnerskem odnosu.
Čustvena kompetentnost zajema sposobnosti izražanja, zaznavanja, uravnavanja čustev in empatijo, vse to pa prispeva k uspešnejšemu zadovoljstvu v partnerskih odnosih in v vsakdanjem življenju.
V teoretičnem delu naloge so opredeljeni čustvena kompetentnost in njene dimenzije, čustveno izražanje, zaznavanje, regulacija čustev in empatija, opisana je njihova vloga in pomen pri gradnji trdnega partnerskega odnosa. Empirični del pa opisuje kvantitativno raziskavo, izvedeno s pomočjo Vprašalnika Zadovoljstva v partnerskem odnosu (Couples Satisfaction Index CSI) in Vprašalnika emocionalne inteligentnosti (angl. Emotional Skills and Competence Questionnaire – ESCQ), ki je vključeval ženske in moške v partnerskem odnosu. V anketi je sodelovalo 306 udeležencev (45 odstotkov moških in 55 odstotkov žensk), ki so bili v času izpolnjevanja v partnerskem odnosu. Raziskava prikazuje pozitivno povezanost med vsemi dimenzijami čustvene kompetentnosti (zaznavanje, izražanje in obvladovanje čustev) in zadovoljstvom v partnerskem odnosu. Rezultati raziskave kažejo, da so višje ravni emocionalne kompetentnosti v vseh treh dimenzijah ESCQ (zaznavanje, izražanje in obvladovanje čustev) dosegli moški. Razlike so statistično značilne (p < 0.001), kar nakazuje, da se čustvena inteligenca med spoloma lahko razlikuje glede na vzorec, kulturni kontekst in način merjena.
Čustvena inteligenca in njeno razumevanje prispeva k strokovnemu delu s pari, saj nam
omogoča globlje razumevanje, zaznavanje in upravljanje čustev, tako naših kot partnerjevih. Čustvena kompetentnost in njeno razvijanje v partnerskem odnosu spodbuja medsebojno spoštovanje, omogoča boljšo komunikacijo in boljše razumevanje v partnerskem odnosu, kar vodi do bolj kakovostnih partnerskih odnosov. Vsi ti dejavniki pa ne koristijo le partnerskemu odnosu, temveč tudi kakovostno vplivajo na celotno dinamiko družine, na ostale člane v družini ter na družino v celoti. Zato je čustvena inteligenca ključna usmeritev za psihoterapevtsko delo, svetovanja in ostale izobraževalne programe, ki razvijajo svetovalne medosebne veščine.The master’s thesis addresses a broad spectrum of emotional competence and examines its relationship with satisfaction in romantic partnerships. Emotional competence encompasses the abilities to express, perceive, and regulate emotions, as well as empathy, all of which contribute to greater satisfaction in romantic relationships and everyday life.
The theoretical part of the thesis defines emotional competence and its dimensions—emotional expression, emotional perception, emotion regulation, and empathy—and describes their role and importance in building a stable and fulfilling romantic relationship. The empirical part presents a quantitative study conducted using the Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI) and the Emotional Skills and Competence Questionnaire (ESCQ). The sample included women and men who were in a romantic relationship at the time of data collection. A total of 306e participants took part in the survey (45% men and 55% women).
The findings indicate a positive association between all dimensions of emotional competence (emotion perception, expression, and regulation) and satisfaction in romantic relationships. The results further show that men achieved higher levels of emotional competence across all three ESCQ dimensions (emotion perception, expression, and regulation). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001), suggesting that emotional intelligence may differ between genders depending on the sample, cultural context, and measurement approach.
Emotional intelligence and its understanding contribute significantly to professional work with couples, as they enable deeper insight into the perception and regulation of emotions—both one’s own and those of one’s partner. Emotional competence and its development within romantic relationships foster mutual respect, enhance communication, and promote better understanding between partners, leading to higher-quality romantic relationships. These factors not only benefit the couple but also positively influence overall family dynamics, other family members, and the family as a whole. Therefore, emotional intelligence represents a key focus in psychotherapeutic practice, counseling, and educational programs aimed at developing interpersonal counseling skills
Factors associated with successful treatment of smoking addiction with pharmacotherapy
No full textIzhodišča
Kajenje je pomemben svetovni zdravstveni problem, ki prispeva k prezgodnji smrti in invalidnosti. Slovenija ima nižjo razširjenost kajenja v primerjavi s povprečjem EU, kar poudarja potrebo po nadaljnjih učinkovitih ukrepih za nadzor tobaka. Na primarni ravni
zdravstvenega varstva poteka prepoznava in prva obravnava kajenja v okviru Programa integrirane preventive kroničnih nenalezljivih bolezni pri odraslih. Primarna raven ponuja različne možnosti pomoči pri opuščanju kajenja pri izbranem osebnem zdravniku, diplomirani medicinski sestri v Centrih za krepitev zdravja in v Zdravstveno
vzgojnih Centrih. Farmakoterapija za pomoč pri opuščanju kajenja pa se v Sloveniji redko uporablja in malo je znanega o njenem pomenu in vlogi pri opuščanju kajenja.
Namen
Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti značilnosti bolnikov, ki so bili uspešni pri opustitvi kajenja s pomočjo farmakoterapije, identificirati dejavnike, povezane z uspešnim prenehanjem kajenja s pomočjo farmakoterapije, ter razložiti njihov pomen in težo pri
uspešnem prenehanju kajenja.
Metode
Izvedli smo dvostopenjsko multicentrično raziskavo, sestavljeno iz presečne kohortne raziskave in prospektivne klinične intervencije. V presečni raziskavi je sodelovalo 24 ambulant. Skupaj je bilo oddanih 717 vprašalnikov presečne raziskave. V interventnem delu raziskave je sodelovalo 21 ambulant. Skupaj so oddale 176 protokolov. Raziskava je potekala od 14. 7. 2020, ko je bil vključen prvi pacient, do 4. 11. 2022, ko je s spremljanjem zaključil zadnji pacient.
Raziskavo je odobrila Slovenska nacionalna komisija za medicinsko etiko (KME 0120/133/2019/4).
Instrumenti
Uporabili smo Fagerströmov test odvisnosti od nikotina in vprašalnik »Anketa o kajenju«. Vprašalnik »Anketa o kajenju« smo za potrebe naše raziskave prilagodili po vprašalniku, opisanem v članku »Barriers to and Interest in Lung Cancer Screening Among Latino and Non-Latino Current and Former Smokers«.
Analiza podatkov
Za spremljanje in upravljanje podatkov v realnem času smo v raziskavi uporabili platformo REDCap. Statistična obdelava podatkov je bila izvedena z uporabo programske opreme IBM SPSS Statistics, verzija 29.
Rezultati
Poskus opustitve kajenja z zdravili na recept je bil uspešen pri 24,4 % (95 % IZ: 18,1-30,7 %), kadilcev. Multivariatna logistična regresijska analiza je potrdila pomen adherentnosti in stopnje odvisnosti od nikotina kot ključnih napovedovalcev za uspešno opustitev kajenja. Fagerströmov test je bil statistično značilen (RO = 0,7595 % IZ: 0,58–0,96p = 0,02), kar pomeni, da večja odvisnost zmanjšuje verjetnost uspešne opustitve. Adherenca pa je pokazala še močnejši napovedni učinek (RO = 3,5395 % IZ: 1,47–8,51p < 0,01). Druge spremenljivke, vključno s starostjo,
izobrazbo, številom otrok, izkušnjami s preteklimi poskusi prenehanja in subjektivno oceno zdravja, niso bile povezane z uspešnim izidom opustitve kajenja s pomočjo farmakoterapije.
Sklepi
Odvisnost od nikotina in upoštevanje farmakoterapije sta najmočnejša napovedna dejavnika uspešnega poskusa opustitve kajenja. Tako identifikacija možnih odzivnikov in predpisovanje farmakoterapije kot nadaljnje spremljanje se lahko izvajajo v osnovnem zdravstvenem varstvu.Background
Smoking is a major global health problem that contributes to premature death and disability. Slovenia has lower prevalence of smoking compared to the EU average, which highlights the need for continuous effective tobacco control measures. At the primary health care level, smoking is identified and first treated within the framework of the Integrated Prevention of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Adults Program. The primary health care level offers various options for helping to quit smoking with a selected personal physician, a registered nurse in the Health Promotion Centers and in the Health Education Centers. Pharmacotherapy to help quit smoking
is rarely used in Slovenia and little is known about its importance and role in quitting smoking.
Aim
The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of patients who are most likely to benefit from pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, to identify factors associated with successful smoking cessation using pharmacotherapy, and to explain their importance and weight in successful smoking cessation.
Methods
We conducted a two-stage multicenter study consisting of a cross-sectional cohort study and a prospective clinical intervention. 24 clinics participated in the cross sectional study. A total of 717 cross-sectional survey questionnaires were submitted. 21 clinics participated in the intervention part of the study. A total of 176 protocols were submitted. The study was conducted from 14. 7. 2020, when the first patient was included, to 4. 11. 2022, when the last patient completed follow-up.
The study was approved by the Slovenian National Commission for Medical Ethics (KME 0120/133/2019/4).
Instruments
We used the Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Test and the “Smoking Questionnaire”. The “Smoking Questionnaire” questionnaire was adapted for our study from the questionnaire described in the article “Barriers to and Interest in Lung Cancer Screening Among Latino and Non-Latino Current and Former Smokers”.
Data analysis
We used the REDCap platform for real-time data monitoring and management in the study. Statistical data processing was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 29.
Results
Attempts to quit smoking with prescription medications were successful in 24.4% (95% CI: 18.1–30.7%) of smokers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed the importance of adherence and nicotine dependence as key predictors of successful smoking cessation. The Fagerström test was statistically significant (OR = 0.7595% CI: 0.58–0.96p = 0.02), indicating that greater dependence decreases the likelihood of successful cessation. Adherence showed an even stronger predictive effect (OR = 3.5395% CI: 1.47–8.51p < 0.01). Other variables, including age, education, number of children, experience with previous quit attempts, and subjective health assessment, were not associated with successful smoking cessation outcome with pharmacotherapy.
Conclusions
Nicotine dependence and adherence to pharmacotherapy are the strongest predictors of successful smoking cessation attempts. Both identification of potential responders and prescription of pharmacotherapy and follow-up can be performed in primary health
care
AI-based segmentation of pulmonary vessels and trachea
No full textUvod: Segmentacija ima ključno vlogo pri analizi medicinskih slik, saj omogoča delitev slike na več segmentov oziroma smiselnih struktur, kar olajša njeno nadaljnjo obdelavo in interpretacijo. 3D Slicer je brezplačna, odprtokodna programska oprema, namenjena vizualizaciji, obdelavi in segmentaciji medicinskih slik. Med njegovimi razširitvami so tudi MONAI Label, MONAI Auto3DSeg in TotalSegmentator, ki so namenjeni avtomatski segmentaciji z uporabo umetne inteligence. Namen: Namen magistrske naloge je opredeliti pomembnost segmentacije v radiologiji in primerjati polavtomatske ter avtomatske metode segmentacije, ki jih program 3D Slicer ponuja za pljučno žilje in sapnik. Metode dela: Uporabljena je bila deskriptivna in eksperimentalna metoda dela. Prvi del naloge temelji na pregledu obstoječe literature, drugi del na praktični izvedbi segmentacij. Za izvedbo tega dela smo na delovno postajo namestili prosto dostopen program 3D Slicer in dodali razširitve MONAI Label, MONAI Auto3DSeg ter TotalSegmentator. Referenčne segmentacije smo izvedli s polavtomatsko metodo povečevanja območij v programu 3D Slicer, ostale segmentacije pa z uporabo navedenih modelov. Ovrednotili smo učinkovitost pridobljenih segmentacij z izračunom koeficienta Dice. Rezultati: Avtomatski modeli v programu 3D Slicer omogočajo bistveno hitrejšo segmentacijo v primerjavi s polavtomatsko metodo povečevanja območij. Mediana polavtomatske segmentacije pljučnega žilja je znašala 51,0 minut [42,855,5], mediana časa segmentacije sapnika pa 31,0 minut [26,335,0]. Modeli so avtomatsko segmentacijo opravili v nekaj minutah in tako skrajšali čas segmentacije od 2-krat do 16-krat, odvisno od modela. Vrednosti koeficienta Dice pri segmentaciji pljučnega žilja so bile nekoliko raznolike. Najbolj uspešna sta bila modela TotalSegmentator (mediana 0,80 [0,770,81]) in MONAI Label – wholeBody (mediana 0,83 [0,720,86]). Pri segmentaciji sapnika so vsi modeli dosegali dobre koeficiente Dice. Najboljše rezultate sta dosegala modela Auto3DSeg Lungs (mediana 0,84 [0,820,86]) in Auto3DSeg Mediastinal Anatomy TS2 (mediana 0,83 [0,810,85]). Razprava in zaključek: 3D Slicer predstavlja zanesljivo, hitro in dostopno orodje za podporo pri obdelavi ter označevanju dihalnih anatomskih struktur. Segmentacija sapnika je bila natančna in dokaj preprosta, medtem ko segmentacija pljučnega žilja še zahteva optimizacijo modelov. Uporaba avtomatskih modelov segmentacije lahko bistveno prihrani čas radiologov, optimalen pristop v klinični praksi pa predstavlja kombinacija avtomatske segmentacije in strokovne validacije s strani radiologa.Introduction: Segmentation is a key part of medical image analysis, as it allows images to be divided into multiple segments or meaningful structures, facilitating further processing and interpretation. 3D Slicer is free, open-source software designed for visualising, processing, and segmenting medical images. Its extensions include MONAI Label, MONAI Auto3DSeg, and TotalSegmentator, which are designed for automatic segmentation using artificial intelligence. Purpose: The purpose of this master\u27s thesis is to emphasise the importance of segmentation in radiology and to compare semi-automatic and automatic segmentation methods for pulmonary vessels and the trachea, as offered by the 3D Slicer software. Methods: Descriptive and experimental research methods were used. The first part of the thesis is based on a review of the existing literature, while the second part is based on the practical implementation of segmentation. To carry out this work, we installed the freely available 3D Slicer software on a workstation. We added the MONAI Label, MONAI Auto3DSeg, and TotalSegmentator extensions. Reference segmentations were performed using the semi-automatic Grow from Seeds method in the 3D Slicer program, while other segmentations were performed using the aforementioned models. We evaluated the effectiveness of the obtained segmentations by calculating the Dice coefficient. Results: Automatic models in the 3D Slicer software enable significantly faster segmentation compared to the semi-automatic method of enlarging areas. The median time for semi-automatic segmentation of the pulmonary vasculature was 51.0 minutes [42.855.5], while the median time for segmentation of the trachea was 31.0 minutes [26.335.0]. The models performed automatic segmentation in a few minutes, reducing the segmentation time by a factor of 2 to 16 times, depending on the model. The Dice coefficient values for pulmonary vein segmentation varied considerably. The most successful models were TotalSegmentator (median 0.80 [0.770.81]) and MONAI Label – wholeBody (median 0.83 [0.720.86]). All models achieved good Dice coefficients in trachea segmentation. The best results were achieved by the Auto3DSeg Lungs model (median 0.84 [0.820.86]) and the Auto3DSeg Mediastinal Anatomy TS2 model (median 0.83 [0.810.85]). Discussion and conclusion: 3D Slicer is a reliable, fast, and accessible tool for supporting the processing and labelling of respiratory anatomical structures. Trachea segmentation was accurate and relatively simple, while pulmonary vasculature segmentation still requires further model optimisation. The use of automatic segmentation models can significantly save radiologists timehowever, the optimal approach in clinical practice remains a combination of automatic segmentation and expert radiologist validation
Current of injury in intracardiac electrogram during cardiac pacemaker lead implantation for conduction system pacing
No full textPri aktivni pritrditvi elektrod trajnega srčnega spodbujevalnika se pojav toka poškodbe (ang. current of injury, COI) na znotrajsrčnem elektrogramu že dolgo uporablja kot pokazatelj
ustreznega mehanskega stika elektrode z miokardom. Kljub klinični uporabi pa je vrednotenje COI v praksi pretežno subjektivno in temelji na vizualni presoji izvajalca posega, medtem ko kvantitativni parametri in njihova napovedna vrednost za dolgoročno stabilnost elektrode še niso standardizirani. Namen zaključnega dela je bil izvedba prospektivne longitudinalne raziskave, v kateri smo analizirali dinamiko COI pri postavitvi elektrode v področje levega kraka prevodnega sistema (ang. left bundle branch area pacing, LBBAP) ter ovrednotili povezavo med akutnimi spremembami COI in dolgoročno stabilnostjo parametrov spodbujanja. V raziskavo smo vključili deset bolnikov z ohranjenim iztisnim deležem levega prekata in brez znakov kardiomiopatije. Med implantacijo smo iz znotrajsrčnih elektrogramov pridobili signale ob času postavitve elektrode ter 5 in 10 minut po njej. Za kvantifikacijo COI smo uporabili različne parametre, ki odražajo intenziteto in časovni potek pojava. Rezultati so pokazali, da se parametri COI po postavitvi elektrode statistično značilno
spreminjajo, kar odraža akutno elektrofiziološko prilagoditev stika elektrode z miokardom.
Ključna ugotovitev raziskave je, da je hitrost upadanja COI povezana z dolgoročnim pragom
spodbujanja: počasnejše zmanjšanje COI je koreliralo z nižjim in bolj stabilnim pragom
spodbujanja po treh mesecih, medtem ko je hitro izginjanje COI nakazovalo manj optimalno
stabilnost elektrode. Ugotovitve potrjujejo, da lahko kvantitativna analiza COI dopolni klinično presojo med vsaditvijo LBBAP in služi kot zgodnji pokazatelj kakovosti postavitve elektrode. Rezultati predstavljajo korak k bolj objektivnemu vrednotenju in potencialni standardizaciji merjenja pojava COI, pri čemer bodo potrebne raziskave na večjih skupinah bolnikov.During active fixation of permanent pacemaker leads, the appearance of current of injury (COI) on intracardiac electrogram signals has long been used as an indicator of adequate mechanical contact between the lead and the myocardium. Despite its clinical relevance, COI assessment in practice remains largely subjective and relies on visual interpretation by the operator, while quantitative parameters and their predictive value for long-term lead stability have not yet been standardized. The aim of this study was to conduct a prospective longitudinal study to analyse the dynamics of COI during implantation of the pacing lead for left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) and to evaluate the association between acute COI changes and long-term stability of pacing parameters. Ten patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and no evidence of cardiomyopathy were included. Intracardiac electrograms were recorded at the time of lead fixation, and again at 5 and 10 minutes after fixation. Several quantitative parameters representing the intensity and time course of COI were used. The results demonstrated that COI parameters were changing significantly after lead fixation, reflecting acute electrophysiological adaptation at the lead–myocardium contact. A key finding was that the rate of COI decline was associated with the long-term pacing threshold: a slower reduction in COI correlated with lower and more stable pacing thresholds at three months, whereas faster disappearance of COI was associated with less favourable stability. These findings suggest that quantitative analysis of COI may complement clinical judgement during LBBAP implantation and serve as an early indicator of the quality of lead fixation. The results represent a step toward more objective evaluation and potential standardization of COI measurement, although larger studies will be required to validate these observations
Influence of self-concept on learning mathematics
No full textV magistrskem delu preučujem, ali različne sestavine samopodobe – učne in socialne
samopodobe ter samopodobe pri matematiki – vplivajo oz. se povezujejo z učno uspešnostjo
učencev pri matematiki. Samopodobo učencev sem merila z anketnim vprašalnikom, učno
uspešnost s šolskimi ocenami, dosežki pri nacionalnem preverjanju znanja (NPZ) in udeležbo
na matematičnih tekmovanjih. Osrednji cilj raziskave je bil ugotoviti, kakšen je odnos med
samopodobo in učno uspešnostjo ter preveriti, ali obstajajo razlike med učenci in učenkami v
izraženosti posameznih sestavin samopodobe.
V teoretičnem delu sem predstavila pojem samopodobe, njene ključne sestavine in značilnosti.
Poleg tega sem obravnavala pojem učne uspešnosti ter na podlagi pregleda literature izpostavila
povezave med posameznimi vidiki samopodobe in učnim uspehom.
V empirični raziskavi, ki sem jo izvedla v okviru magistrskega dela, je sodelovalo 97 učencev
tretjega vzgojno-izobraževalnega obdobja iz dveh osnovnih šol Osrednjeslovenske regije.
Uporabila sem kvantitativno raziskovalno metodo in strukturiran anketni vprašalnik za
merjenje treh sestavin samopodobe. Rezultati so pokazali, da sta učna samopodoba in
samopodoba pri matematiki statistično značilno pozitivno povezani z učnimi dosežki pri
matematiki, med socialno samopodobo in učno uspešnostjo pa nisem ugotovila statistično
značilne povezanosti. Raziskava ni pokazala statistično značilnih razlik v izraženosti
posameznih dimenzij samopodobe med učenci in učenkami. Pokazalo se je tudi, da učenci, ki
se pogosteje udeležujejo matematičnih tekmovanj, poročajo o višji učni samopodobi in višji
samopodobi pri matematiki.
Ugotovitve magistrskega dela prispevajo k boljšemu razumevanju vloge samopodobe kot
pomembnega dejavnika učne uspešnosti pri učenju in poučevanju matematike v osnovni šoli.
Rezultati potrjujejo, da je pri podpori učencem smiselno upoštevati tudi njihove notranje
psihološke dejavnike in razvijati pozitivno samopodobo kot del celostnega učnega pristopa.This master’s thesis examines the influence of different components of self-concept—
academic, social, and mathematical— on students’ academic achievement in mathematics.
Students’ self-concept was measured with a questionnaire, while academic achievement was
assessed using school grades, results from the National Assessment of Knowledge (NPZ), and
data on participation in mathematics competitions. The main aim of the study was to explore
the relationship between self-concept and academic achievement and to determine whether
differences exist between boys and girls in the expression of specific components of self
concept.
In the theoretical part, the concept of self-concept, its main components, and characteristics are
presented. In addition, the concept of academic achievement is discussed, and findings from
the literature on the relationship between different aspects of self-concept and academic
performance are reviewed.
The empirical part of the research included 97 students from the third educational cycle (grades
7–9) in two primary schools in the Central Slovenia region. A quantitative research design was
applied, using a structured questionnaire to measure the three components of self-concept. The
results showed that both academic self-concept and mathematical self-concept are significantly
and positively related to achievement in mathematics, while no significant relationship was
found between social self-concept and academic performance. The study also found no
statistically significant gender differences in the expression of the dimensions of self-concept.
Furthermore, students who participated more frequently in mathematics competitions reported
higher levels of academic and mathematical self-concept.
The findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of self-concept as an important
factor in academic achievement in mathematics learning and teaching in primary school. The
results confirm that in supporting students, it is essential to consider their internal psychological
factors and to foster a positive self-concept as part of a comprehensive educational approach
The novel Yugoslavia, my fatherland by Goran Vojnović as a road novel
No full textPrispevek analizira roman Gorana Vojnovića Jugoslavija, moja dežela z vidika lite-rarnega žanra romana ceste, ki se je v drugi polovici 20. stoletja razvil pod vplivom pikaresknega romana, razvojnega romana in filmskega žanra road movie, in sicer predvsem v severnoameriški književnosti, v 21. stoletju pa je postal priljubljen tudi v evropskih književnostih. Vojnovićev roman ima tako vsebinske kot formalne značil-nosti tega žanra, npr. prvoosebnega pripovedovalca, epizodično strukturo, posebna psihična stanja med vožnjo z avtom, ki mu omogoči obujanje spominov na otroštvo in soočanje s travmatskimi izkušnjami, kritični pogled na družbo s položaja obstranca in tematiziranje tega, kar je v družbi zamolčano. Istočasno pa roman preseže žanrsko shemo, tematizira prav to govorjenje o zamolčanem in pokaže, da ni pomembno le, da o zamolčanem spregovorimo, temveč tudi, kako o tem spregovorimo.The article analyses Goran Vojnović’s novel Yugoslavia, My Fatherland from the per-spective of the literary genre of the road novel, which developed in the second half of the 20th century under the influence of the picaresque novel, the coming-of-age novel and the road movie film genre, primarily in North American literature, but in the 21st century it has also become popular in European literature. Vojnović’s novel has both the content and formal characteristics of this genre, such as a first-person narrator, an episodic structure, special psychological states while driving a car, which allow him to recall memories of childhood and confront traumatic experiences, a critical view of society from the position of outsiders, and the thematization of what is concealed in society. At the same time, the novel transcends the genre scheme and thematizes precisely this talking about what is left unsaid, showing that it is not only important to talk about what is left unsaid, but also how we talk about it
Suicide prevention and postvention in schools – case study
No full textV magistrskem delu obravnavamo tematiko samomorilnega vedenja pri mladostnikih, pri čemer se osredotočamo na preventivno in postvencijsko delovanje šole ob dogodku samomora učenca.
V teoretičnem delu najprej predstavimo značilnosti samomora in samomorilnega procesa ter nadaljujemo s statističnimi podatki o razširjenosti samomora v Sloveniji ter razširjenosti samomora med mladimi v Sloveniji. Nadalje predstavimo značilnosti obdobja mladostništva in razvojne naloge, s katerimi se mladostniki srečujejo v obdobju adolescence, pri čemer se osredotočamo na soočanje mladostnikov z razvojnimi nalogami. V sklopu omenjenega poglavja opišemo tudi samomorilni proces pri mladostniku in nakažemo na razliko med samodestruktivnim in samopoškodovalnim vedenjem pri mladostnikih. Sledi poglavje z varovalnimi dejavniki in dejavniki tveganja za samomorilno vedenje pri mladostnikih, le-te v nadaljevanju predstavimo še v kontekstu šolskega okolja. Pozornost nadalje namenimo vlogi šole in strokovnih delavcev pri prepoznavanju in ukrepanju v primeru samomorilnega vedenja mladostnikov. Pri tem opredelimo opozorilne znake, ki nakazujejo na prisotnost tveganja za samomorilno vedenje, ter predstavimo ukrepanje v primeru zaznane (samomorilne) stiske pri mladostniku. Pri tem se podrobneje osredotočimo na pogovor z mladostnikom v (samomorilni) stiski. Poglavje zaključimo s predstavitvijo pomena sodelovanja šole z zunanjim strokovnjakom v primerih samomorilnega vedenja učencev. Sledi poglavje o preventivnem delovanju šole v povezavi s samomorilnim vedenjem mladostnikov, pri čemer najprej opredelimo vzgojno delovanje šole ter nadalje izpostavljamo predvsem pomen oddelčne skupnosti ter vlogo šolske svetovalne službe pri preventivnem delovanju šole. Ob koncu poglavja nakažemo na pomen detabuizacije samomora. V zadnjem poglavju predstavimo postvencijsko delovanje šole po samomoru učenca, pri čemer sledimo korakom postvencije, ki jih navajajo Smernice za postvencijo: ko se zgodi samomor učenca ali dijaka (2021). Nato izpostavimo še pomen sodelovanja šole in strokovnih delavcev z zunanjimi strokovnjaki v času postvencije, kot tudi pomen znanja in spretnosti strokovnih delavcev pri soočanju s samomorilnim vedenjem oziroma samomorom mladostnika.
V empiričnem delu magistrske naloge predstavljamo rezultate, ki so bili pridobljeni z intervjuji strokovnih delavcev (ravnatelj, razredničarka, šolska svetovalna delavka), ki so se srečali s samomorom učenca, in zunanje strokovnjakinje, ki je z vključeno šolo sodelovala v času postvencije. Rezultate predstavljamo v treh sklopih, in sicer preventivno delovanje šole v povezavi s samomorilnim vedenjem, postvencijsko delovanje šole ob dogodku samomora učenca ter znanje, spretnosti in kompetence strokovnih delavcev za soočanje s samomorilnim vedenjem učencev.
Ugotovili smo, da imajo šola in s tem strokovni delavci pomembno vlogo tako v preventivnem kot tudi v postvencijskem delovanju v primeru samomorilnega vedenja mladostnikov. V raziskavo vključeni intervjuvanci so poročali o tem, da samomorilno vedenje prepoznavajo predvsem tisti učitelji, ki so vsakodnevno z učenci, redkeje pa se učenci sami odločijo povedati o svoji stiski. Učitelji vzpostavijo prvi stik z učenci, za katere se predvideva, da so v stiski in naslovijo opaženo. Po pogovoru z učencem vključijo v proces še šolsko svetovalno službo. V povezavi s preventivnim delovanjem smo ugotovili, da šola, vključena v raziskavo, preventivno deluje na treh ravneh ter pri tem sodeluje z zunanjimi institucijami. Preventivne dejavnosti izvajajo tako učitelji kot tudi šolska svetovalna služba in zunanji strokovnjaki. Preventivno pa so na šoli delovali tudi po samomoru učencav ta namen so potekale delavnice in predavanja za učence, ki so jih izvajali šolska svetovalna služba ter zunanje strokovnjakinje. Organizirana so bila tudi posamezna srečanja za učitelje in starše, ki jih je vodila zunanja strokovnjakinja. V povezavi s postvencijskim delovanjem smo ugotovili, da so na šoli po prejeti novici o samomoru učenca delovali organizirano in hitro, pomoč so takoj začeli iskati pri zunanjih strokovnjakih. O dogodku so bili obveščeni vsi − učenci, učitelji in starši. Oblikoval se je krizni tim, pouk pa je potekal po ustaljenem urniku, vendar s posebnim poudarkom na pogovoru ter čustveni razbremenitvi učencev. V času postvencije so strokovni delavci šole sodelovali z različnimi institucijami in strokovnjaki, ki so nudili podporo učencem, učiteljem in staršem. Nazadnje ugotavljamo, da imajo strokovni delavci za soočanje in ustrezno ukrepanje v primerih samomorilnega vedenja le delno ustrezno znanje, šibko znanje oziroma ga sploh nimajo. Intervjuvanci so pri tem posebej poudarili pomen dodatnega izobraževanja in usposabljanja.In this master\u27s thesis we address the topic of suicidal behaviour among adolescents, focusing on preventive and postvention measures taken by schools in the event of a student\u27s suicide.
In the theoretical part, we first present the characteristics of suicide and the suicidal process and then continue with statistical data on the prevalence of suicide in Slovenia and the prevalence of suicide among young people in Slovenia. We then present the characteristics of the adolescence period and the developmental tasks that adolescents face during this period, focusing on how adolescents cope with developmental tasks. In this chapter, we also describe the suicidal process in adolescents and point out the difference between self-destructive and self-harming behaviour in adolescents. This is followed by a chapter on protective factors and risk factors for suicidal behaviour in adolescents, which we then present in the context of the school environment. Further we focus on the role of schools and professional staff members in recognizing and responding to suicidal behaviour in adolescents. We define warning signs that indicate the presence of a risk of suicidal behaviour and present measures to be taken in the event of perceived (suicidal) distress in adolescents. We focus in more detail on talking to adolescents in (suicidal) distress. We conclude the chapter with the importance of cooperation between schools and external experts in cases of suicidal behaviour among students. This is followed by a chapter on preventive action by schools in relation to suicidal behaviour in adolescents, in which we first define the educational role of schools and then highlight the importance of the class community and the role of the school counselling service in preventive action by schools. At the end of the chapter, we mention the importance of suicide destigmatisation. In the last chapter, we present the school\u27s post-suicide measures taken after a student\u27s suicide by following the post-suicide steps outlined in the Guidelines for Post-Suicide Measures: Smernice za postvencijo: ko se zgodi samomor učenca ali dijaka (2021). We then highlight the importance of cooperation between the school and professionals with external experts during post-suicide intervention, as well as the importance of the knowledge and skills of professional staff in dealing with suicidal behaviour or suicide among adolescents.
In the empirical part of the master\u27s thesis, we present the results obtained from interviews with professional staff members (the principal, homeroom teacher, school counsellor) who have experienced a student\u27s suicide, and an external expert who collaborated with the school during the postvention period. The results are presented in three sections: preventive measures taken by the school in relation to suicidal behaviour, postvention measures taken by the school in response to the student\u27s suicide, and the knowledge, skills, and competences of professionals in dealing with suicidal behaviour in students.
We found out that schools and their professional staff play an important role in both preventive and postvention measures in cases of suicidal behaviour among adolescents. The interviewed people included in the study reported that suicidal behaviour is primarily recognized by the teachers who are with students on a daily basis, while students themselves are less likely to decide to talk about their distress. Teachers establish initial contact with students who are believed to be in distress and address their concerns. After talking to the student, they involve the school counselling service in the process. In relation to preventive measures, we found that the school included in the study takes preventive action on three levels and cooperates with external institutions in this regard. Preventive activities are carried out by teachers, the school counselling service, and external experts. The school also took preventive action after a student committed suicideto this end, workshops and lectures were held for students, conducted by the school counselling service and external experts. Individual meetings for teachers and parents were also organized, led by an external expert. With regards to post-incident activities, we found that the school responded in an organized and quick manner after receiving news of the student\u27s suicide, immediately seeking help from external experts. Everyone was informed about the event – students, teachers and parents. A crisis team was formed, and lessons continued according to the regular schedule, but with a special emphasis on conversation and emotional support for the students. During the post-incident period, the school\u27s professional staff collaborated with various institutions and experts who provided support to students, teachers, and parents. Finally, we conclude that professionals have only partial knowledge, weak knowledge, or no knowledge at all about how to deal with and respond appropriately to suicidal behaviour. The interviewed people particularly emphasized the importance of additional education and training in this area
Računski razvoj lokalizirane deformacije preko kristalnih mej v obsevanih polikristalih
No full textIn this thesis, the mechanisms of plastic strain localization in neutron-irradiated polycrystalline materials are extensively examined with their connection to Irradiation-Assisted Stress Corrosion Cracking (IASCC). New theoretical and numerical advances are introduced within the framework of Strain Gradient Crystal Plasticity (SGCP) that predict the formation and evolution of slip and kink bands, commonly termed “clear channels”.
A novel enhanced theory (Enhanced SGCP) is proposed, in which the amplitude of the gradient term in the free energy expression is specified as a function of the local strain, thereby implicitly capturing microstructural evolution. This formulation introduces a variable length scale that enables control over the shape and width of the bands. With an appropriately chosen dependence, the bands become not only regularized but also overcoming limitations of classical SGCP models, in which band spreading and loss of plastic strain localization are observed at higher loads.
Within the Enhanced SGCP framework, two models are introduced that differ in the chosen gradient contribution to the free energy. The Enhanced MicroSlip-SGCP model regularizes both types of bands, whereas the Enhanced MicroCurl-SGCP model regularizes only kink bands. In both models, the effects of grain size, the length scale, the boundary conditions at grain boundaries on macroscopic hardening, the microscopic evolution of dislocations, and stress concentrations at grain boundaries are examined in detail.
Using an in-house computational code, an efficient framework based on the Fast Fourier Transform is established, enabling rapid solution of the highly nonlinear equations of the Enhanced SGCP theory at high resolutions. The results are validated against analytical solutions and a commercial finite-element code. Simulations indicate that, under MicroHard conditions, mechanical stresses at grain boundaries increase markedly, supporting the hypothesis of intergranular cracking consistent with IASCC mechanisms. Qualitatively, the results agree with experimental observations in irradiated stainless steels and zirconium alloys.V disertaciji obširno obravnavamo mehanizme lokalizacije plastične deformacije v obsevanih polikristaliničnih materialih ter njihovo povezavo z nastankom napetostne korozije pod vplivom nevtronskega sevanja (angl. IASCC). Uvedemo nove teoretične in numerične izboljšave, s katerimi na osnovi teorije kristalne plastičnosti z gradientom deformacije (angl. SGCP) napovemo nastanek in razvoj drsnih ter pregibnih lokaliziranih deformacijskih pasov, ki so znani kot »čisti kanali«.
Predlagamo novo razširjeno teorijo SGCP, v kateri amplitudo gradientnega člena v izrazu za prosto energijo definiramo kot funkcijo lokalne deformacije, s čimer posredno zajamemo razvoj mikrostrukture. Tako uvedemo spremenljivo dolžinsko skalo, ki omogoča nadzor nad obliko in širino simuliranih pasov. S primerno izbrano odvisnostjo postanejo pasovi ne le regularizirani, temveč tudi konstantne širine, s čimer presežemo omejitve klasičnih modelov SGCP, kjer pri večjih obremenitvah opazimo širjenje pasov oz. izgubo lokalizacije plastične deformacije.
V okviru razširjene teorije SGCP predstavimo dva modela, ki se razlikujeta po izbranem gradientnem popravku proste energije. Model MicroSlip-SGCP regularizira oba tipa pasov, medtem ko model MicroCurl-SGCP regularizira le pregibne pasove. V obeh modelih podrobno preučimo, kako velikost kristalnih zrn, dolžinska skala in robni pogoji na mejah kristalnih zrn vplivajo na makroskopsko utrjevanje, mikroskopski razvoj dislokacij ter koncentracijo napetosti na kristalnih mejah.
Na podlagi lastne računske kode vzpostavimo učinkovit računski okvir, ki temelji na metodi hitre Fouriereve transformacije in omogoča hitro reševanje močno nelinearnih enačb znotraj razširjene teorije SGCP pri visokih ločljivostih računske mreže. Rezultate validiramo z analitičnimi rešitvami ter s komercialnim programom na osnovi metode končnih elementov. Simulacije pokažejo, da se pri pogojih MicroHard mehanske napetosti na kristalnih mejah močno povečajo, kar podpira hipotezo o nastanku medkristalnih razpok v okviru IASCC. Kvalitativno se rezultati ujemajo z eksperimentalnimi opažanji v obsevanih nerjavnih jeklih in cirkonijevih zlitinah