Helios (Slovenia)

The golden rule of creating a machine learning algorithm is to handle as much data as possible under consistent conditions. In the field of air quality, these models can be used for short-term air quality forecasting, helping predict high pollution peaks and alerting residents in cases where pollutant concentrations exceed legal or World Health Organization (WHO) limits.For daily air quality predictions and short-term forecasts, the Slovenian Environment Agency uses the CAMx dispersion model, which is frequently upgraded with new input data. Based on the model results and expert opinions, we inform the public about air quality levels and issue alerts when concentrations reach the limit values. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) has developed Model Output Statistics (MOS), which downscale air quality forecasts produced by regional ensemble models and incorporate measurement values from observation sites across Europe.In our study, we evaluated and compared CAMS MOS forecasts with forecasts from the Slovenian operational CAMx model and raw CAMS ensemble forecasts at Slovenian observational sites. The evaluation was conducted using time series plots, scatter plots, and Taylor diagrams, alongside statistical metrics such as the fraction of forecasts within a factor of two (FAC2), mean bias (MB), mean gross error (MGE), normalized mean bias (NMB), normalized gross error (NMGE), root mean square error (RMSE), correlation coefficient (r), coefficient of efficiency (COE), and index of agreement (IOA).Our findings indicate that CAMS MOS forecasts are almost always more accurate than raw CAMS or CAMx model predictions, particularly for the MOS day-1 forecast. However, for PM10 and PM2.5, longer-term MOS forecasts (day-2, day-3, and day-4) were less accurate than RAW and/or CAMx predictions based on certain statistical measures. When analysing individual stations, we observed occasional instances where MOS forecasts were less accurate for specific pollutants.CAMS MOS is a useful tool for improving the national alert system, helping to warn residents about poor air quality conditions and enabling timely protective measures. Consequently, our results suggest that the MOS day-1 forecast can serve as a valuable additional tool for issuing daily PM10 forecasts and, for some stations, even O3 daily maxima predictions. However, all MOS forecasts should be used with an awareness of their limitations—for example, the time lag in predicting high PM10 episodes and the systematic underestimation of O3 daily maxima at many Slovenian stations.

In this work, the development of FDCA-based polyester resins for coil coatings in industrial environment is presented. The goal of our research was to prepare industrial coatings made from renewable materials with the same performance as the standard coating. Resins with 1%–41% of FDCA on polymer were synthesized and then used in a formulation for primer. Resins were characterized by the determination of non-volatile matter, acid value, hydroxyl value, glass transition temperature, and measurement of viscosity, color and molecular weight. Coatings were characterized by the determination of viscosity, density, non-volatile matter, adhesion, T-test, MEK test, reverse impact, and pencil hardness, as well as the measurement of gloss. FTIR measurements confirmed successful incorporation of FDCA into the polymer. The results showed that resins with up to 31% of FDCA on polymer can be used to prepare coil coating where the properties of resins comply with the requirements and are comparable to the properties of standard resin. Resins had non-volatile matter between 59.0 and 60.1%, an acid value up to 4.6 mg KOH/g, a hydroxyl value of 22.0–24.9 mg KOH/g and viscosity at 23 °C between 6100 and 7500 mPa.s. Nevertheless, with the increase in FDCA in the formulation, discoloration of the resin occurred and incompatibility with the solvents was observed, while up to 10 °C lower glass transition temperatures and up to 28% lower molecular weights of the resins were determined. For coatings prepared from FDCA-based resins, the properties improved or were comparable to the properties of coating prepared from standard resin. Adhesion improved with higher content of FDCA in the resin from 2 Gt to 0 Gt, while all coatings had gloss at 60° of 39%–41%, a reverse impact of 10 J and a pencil hardness of H/2H. T-bend test results varied between 2 T and 0.5 T and the results of the MEK test showed resistance > 100 DR.

Aromatic monomers are key building blocks for many polymer resins for coatings applications. The rigid structure results in improved thermal and mechanical properties of the coatings, such as high hardness or scratch-resistance to name but a few. However, most of the available aromatic building blocks are very inexpensive monomers obtained from petrochemical resources. To enhance the sustainability of coatings materials, bio-based alternatives are of high interest for both industry and academia. This short review aims to highlight very recent work on bio-based aromatics for coatings applications.

People experience life and interact with others in many ways. The term ‘neurodivergence’ refers to variations from what is considered typical. Research and education into neurodivergent conditions in women and girls is essential to inform a timely reassessment of clinicians’ approaches to those who present with multiple symptoms. Neurodivergence may influence a person’s style of communication, learning, attitudes, and behaviour, and they may experience inequity and rejection. A formal diagnosis improves access to support services and helps them and their family better understand themselves and the challenges they face. Neurodivergent females are very prone to developing many physical and psychological health issues, and it is important that clinicians learn to recognise and respond to these. This narrative review highlights the huge burden of co-occurring conditions carried by neurodivergent women and girls and suggests how clinicians might increase their awareness of diagnosis and management of these to mutual benefit.

We experience life and interact with others in a multitude of ways. The term ‘neurodivergence’ refers to variations from what is considered typical or normal. Neurodivergence influences an individual’s behaviour in social situations and is associated with atypical emotional responses. This can precipitate inequity and rejection. Neurodivergent women and girls experience many physical and psychological health issues, and musculoskeletal disorders account for a significant proportion of these. Research and education into neurodivergent conditions in females should inform the reassessment of clinicians’ present approach to those who present with multiple unexplained symptoms. Obtaining official confirmation of a neurodivergent condition improves access to support services and helps them and their family better understand themselves and the challenges they face. This commentary highlights the increased risk of developing rheumatological disease for women and girls with neurodivergent conditions and suggests how clinicians might increase their awareness of this.

BackgroundExtracorporeal life support (ECLS) is increasingly used in the treatment of infarct-related cardiogenic shock despite a lack of evidence regarding its effect on mortality.MethodsIn this multicenter trial, patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock for whom early revascularization was planned were randomly assigned to receive early ECLS plus usual medical treatment (ECLS group) or usual medical treatment alone (control group). The primary outcome was death from any cause at 30 days. Safety outcomes included bleeding, stroke, and peripheral vascular complications warranting interventional or surgical therapy.ResultsA total of 420 patients underwent randomization, and 417 patients were included in final analyses. At 30 days, death from any cause had occurred in 100 of 209 patients (47.8%) in the ECLS group and in 102 of 208 patients (49.0%) in the control group (relative risk, 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.19; P=0.81). The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 7 days (interquartile range, 4 to 12) in the ECLS group and 5 days (interquartile range, 3 to 9) in the control group (median difference, 1 day; 95% CI, 0 to 2). The safety outcome consisting of moderate or severe bleeding occurred in 23.4% of the patients in the ECLS group and in 9.6% of those in the control group (relative risk, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.50 to 3.95); peripheral vascular complications warranting intervention occurred in 11.0% and 3.8%, respectively (relative risk, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.31 to 6.25).ConclusionsIn patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock with planned early revascularization, the risk of death from any cause at the 30-day follow-up was not lower among the patients who received ECLS therapy than among those who received medical therapy alone. (Funded by the Else Kröner Fresenius Foundation and others; ECLS-SHOCK ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03637205.)

We experience life and interact with others in a multitude of ways. The term ‘neurodivergence’ refers to variations from what is considered typical or normal. Neurodivergence influences an individual’s behaviour in social situations and is associated with atypical emotional responses. This can precipitate inequity and rejection. Neurodivergent females are especially prone to many physical and psychological health issues, and musculoskeletal disorders account for a significant proportion of these. Research and education into neurodivergent conditions in females should inform the reassessment of clinicians’ present approach to those who present with multiple unexplained symptoms. Obtaining official confirmation of a neurodivergent condition improves access to support services and helps them and their family better understand themselves and the challenges they face. This commentary highlights the increased risk of developing rheumatological disease for females with neurodivergent conditions and suggests how clinicians might increase their awareness of this.

This study analyzed 16 bisphenols (BPs) in wastewater and sludge samples collected from different stages at a municipal wastewater treatment plant based on sequencing batch reactor technology. It also describes developing an analytical method for determining BPs in the solid phase of activated sludge based on solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Obtained concentrations are converted into mass flows, and the biodegradation of BPs and adsorption to primary and secondary sludge are determined. Ten of the sixteen BPs were present in the influent with concentrations up to 434 ng L-1 (BPS). Only five BPs with concentrations up to 79 ng L-1 (BPA) were determined in the plant effluent, accounting for 8 % of the total BPs determined in the influent. Eleven per cent of the total BPs were adsorbed on primary and secondary sludge. Overall, BPs biodegradation efficiency was 81%. The highest daily emissions via effluent release (1.48 g day-1) and sludge disposal (4.63 g day-1) were for BPA, while total emissions reached 2 g day-1 via effluent and 6 g day-1 via sludge disposal. The data show that the concentrations of BPs in sludge are not negligible, and their environmental emissions should be monitored and further studied.