1. Analysis of the Operational Reliability of Different Types of Switching Substations Using the Monte Carlo MethodFranjo Pranjić, Peter Virtič, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This study investigates the operational reliability of different types of switching substations within the context of power systems, employing the Monte Carlo method for analysis. The research focuses on evaluating the reliability of high-voltage substations, including single-busbar systems, double-busbar systems, and switchgears with a ring-type power supply. By conducting simulations and analyzing statistical data on device reliability, the study aims to identify the most reliable implementation of switching substations. The results are presented through graphical representations and comparative tables, highlighting the impact of factors such as the number of switching elements and their connection on operational reliability. The findings indicate that configurations with a greater number of busbars and a parallel connection of switching elements exhibit higher operational reliability. The study provides insights to inform decision-making in the construction of new switching substations, emphasizing the importance of stable operation within power systems. Keywords: switchgear, switching devices, high voltage, operating reliability, unavailability, failure interval Published in DKUM: 06.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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2. Multiplicative method for assessing the technical condition of switching bay devices in a substation using maintenance prioritiesJanez Ribič, Gorazd Štumberger, Marko Vodenik, Uroš Kerin, Miha Bečan, Anja Šketa, Drago Bokal, Peter Kitak, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The results of the presented research are directly applicable to enhancing the maintenance strategies of transmission system operator (TSO) assets, particularly high-voltage switchyard equipment, and are extendable to other TSO systems. Furthermore, the proposed methodology lays the groundwork for the implementation of predictive maintenance. This paper introduces a novel methodology for assessing the technical condition of high-voltage switchyard devices—specifically, circuit breakers, disconnectors, and instrument transformers—within a high-voltage switching bay. The proposed model integrates multiplicative criteria, which reflect maintenance actions, and additive criteria, which capture the operational and maintenance history of individual devices. Supported by a newly developed data model, the methodology enables an automated assessment process that generates a c-curve representing the condition trajectory of each device or device type. Leveraging real-time data from the maintenance information system, this automated approach allows for the timely evaluation of a device’s technical state prior to scheduled maintenance. The resulting c-curve analysis supports strategic maintenance planning and prioritization. The proposed solutions have been implemented experimentally by TSO ELES. Keywords: condition-based maintenance, health index, circuit breaker, disconnector, instrument transformer, substation, failure mode analysis Published in DKUM: 23.06.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 15
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3. Implementacija metode fmea v proces tehnične nabave : magistrsko deloTimotej Šket, 2025, master's thesis Abstract: Nabava je ključni proces, katerega cilj je zagotavljanje zalog po konkurenčnih cenah in zahtevanih specifikacijah. V magistrskem delu obravnavam problem napak v procesu tehnične nabave, ki izhajajo iz človeških in sistemskih dejavnikov. Uvedba metode FMEA omogoča analizo kritičnih točk procesa in identificiranje napak. S poudarkom na NCR-poročilih sem analiziral neskladnosti, njihove vzroke in vpliv na končni izdelek. Rezultati kažejo, da uporaba FMEA metode zmanjša število napak, izboljša označevanje neskladnih ponudb ter poveča zadovoljstvo strank. Zaključujem, da je FMEA učinkovita pri izboljšanju tehnične nabave in zagotavljanju kakovosti izdelkov. Keywords: - Tehnična nabava
- FMEA (analiza možnih napak in njihovih posledic, angl. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
- Napake v procesu
- NCR (poročilo o neskladnosti, angl. Non-Conformity Report) Published in DKUM: 16.06.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 25
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4. Deep learning predictive models for terminal call rate prediction during the warranty periodAljaž Ferencek, Davorin Kofjač, Andrej Škraba, Blaž Sašek, Mirjana Kljajić Borštnar, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Background: This paper addresses the problem of products’ terminal call rate (TCR) prediction during the warranty period. TCR refers to the information on the amount of funds to be reserved for product repairs during the warranty period. So far, various methods have been used to address this problem, from discrete event simulation and time series, to machine learning predictive models.
Objectives: In this paper, we address the above named problem by applying deep learning models to predict terminal call rate.
Methods/Approach: We have developed a series of deep learning models on a data set obtained from a manufacturer of home appliances, and we have analysed their quality and performance.
Results: Results showed that a deep neural network with 6 layers and a convolutional neural network gave the best results.
Conclusions: This paper suggests that deep learning is an approach worth exploring further, however, with the disadvantage being that it requires large volumes of quality data. Keywords: manufacturing, product lifecycle, management product failure, machine learning, prediction Published in DKUM: 21.01.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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5. The role of environmental PM2.5 in admission acute heart failure in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients : an observational retrospective studyAndreja Sinkovič, Andrej Markota, Manja Kraševec, David Šuran, Martin Marinšek, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Air pollution with increased concentrations of fine (< 2.5 μm) particulate matter (PM2.5) increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Even short-term increase of PM2.5 may help trigger ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and heart failure (HF) in susceptible individuals, even in areas with good air quality.
Purpose: To evaluate the role of PM2.5 levels ≥ 20 μg/m3 in admission acute HF in STEMI patients.
Materials and Methods: In 290 STEMI patients with the leading reperfusion strategy primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), we retrospectively studied independent predictors of admission acute HF and included admission demographic and clinical data as well as ambient PM2.5 levels ≥ 20 μg/m3. We defined admission acute HF in STEMI patients as classes II–IV by Killip Kimball classification.
Results: Acute admission HF was observed in 34.5% of STEMI patients. PPCI was performed in 87.1% of acute admission HF patients and in 94.7% non-HF patients (p= 0.037). Significant independent predictors of acute admission HF were prior diabetes (OR 2.440, 95% CI 1.100 to 5.400, p=0.028), admission LBBB (OR 10.190, 95% CI 1.160 to 89.360, p=0.036), prior resuscitation (OR 2.530, 95% CI 1.010 to 6.340, p=0.048), admission troponin I≥ 5μg/l (OR 3.390, 95% CI 1.740 to 6.620, p< 0.001), admission eGFR levels (0.61, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.72, p < 0.001), and levels of PM2.5 ≥ 20 μg/m3 (OR 2.140, 95% CI 1.005 to 4.560, p=0.049) one day before admission.
Conclusion: Temporary short-term increase in PM2.5 levels (≥ 20 μg/m3) one day prior to admission in an area with mainly good air quality was among significant independent predictors of acute admission HF in STEMI patients. Keywords: admission acute heart failure, ST-elevation myocardial infarction, air pollution, PM2.5 Published in DKUM: 14.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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6. Cardiovascular comorbidities in COVID-19 : comprehensive analysis of key topicsRene Markovič, Luka Ternar, Tim Trstenjak, Marko Marhl, Vladimir Grubelnik, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: hypertension, hyperglycemia, embolism, thrombosis, heart failure, vascular disease Published in DKUM: 22.08.2024; Views: 53; Downloads: 12
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7. Nicotinamide for the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fractionMahmoud Abdellatif, Viktoria Herbst, Franziska Koser, Sylvère Durand, Rui Adão, Francisco Vasques-Nóvoa, Johanna K Freundt, Julia Voglhuber, Maria Rosaria Pricolo, Michael Kasa, Simon Sedej, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a highly prevalent and intractable form of cardiac decompensation commonly associated with diastolic dysfunction. Here, we show that diastolic dysfunction in patients with HFpEF is associated with a cardiac deficit in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Elevating NAD+ by oral supplementation of its precursor, nicotinamide, improved diastolic dysfunction induced by aging (in 2-year-old C57BL/6J mice), hypertension (in Dahl salt-sensitive rats), or cardiometabolic syndrome (in ZSF1 obese rats). This effect was mediated partly through alleviated systemic comorbidities and enhanced myocardial bioenergetics. Simultaneously, nicotinamide directly improved cardiomyocyte passive stiffness and calcium-dependent active relaxation through increased deacetylation of titin and the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium adenosine triphosphatase 2a, respectively. In a long-term human cohort study, high dietary intake of naturally occurring NAD+ precursors was associated with lower blood pressure and reduced risk of cardiac mortality. Collectively, these results suggest NAD+ precursors, and especially nicotinamide, as potential therapeutic agents to treat diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF in humans. Keywords: heart failure, hypertension, niacinamide, metabolic syndrome Published in DKUM: 06.08.2024; Views: 89; Downloads: 5
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8. 'Time is prognosis' in heart failure : time-to-treatment initiation as a modifiable risk factorAmr Abdin, Stefan D. Anker, Javed Butler, Ingrid Kindermann, Mitja Lainščak, Lars H. Lund, Marco Metra, Wilfried Mullens, Giuseppe M. Rosano, Jonathan Slawik, 2021, review article Abstract: In heart failure (HF), acute decompensation can occur quickly and unexpectedly because of worsening of chronic HF or to new-onset HF diagnosed for the first time ('de novo'). Patients presenting with acute HF (AHF) have a poor prognosis comparable with those with acute myocardial infarction, and any delay of treatment initiation is associated with worse outcomes. Recent HF guidelines and recommendations have highlighted the importance of a timely diagnosis and immediate treatment for patients presenting with AHF to decrease disease progression and improve prognosis. However, based on the available data, there is still uncertainty regarding the optimal 'time-to-treatment' effect in AHF. Furthermore, the immediate post-worsening HF period plays an important role in clinical outcomes in HF patients after hospitalization and is known as the 'vulnerable phase' characterized by high risk of readmission and early death. Early and intensive treatment for HF patients in the 'vulnerable phase' might be associated with lower rates of early readmission and mortality. Additionally, in the chronic stable HF outpatient, treatments are often delayed or not initiated when symptoms are stable, ignoring the risk for adverse outcomes such as sudden death. Consequently, there is a dire need to better identify HF patients during hospitalization and after discharge and treating them adequately to improve their prognosis. HF is an urgent clinical scenario along all its stages and disease conditions. Therefore, time plays a significant role throughout the entire patient's journey. Therapy should be optimized as soon as possible, because this is beneficial regardless of severity or duration of HF. Time lavished before treatment initiation is recognized as important modifiable risk factor in HF. Keywords: heart failure, prognosis, treatment Published in DKUM: 05.08.2024; Views: 99; Downloads: 9
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9. STEMI patients in the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in northeast Slovenia - a retrospective, single-center observational studyAndreja Sinkovič, Manja Kraševec, David Šuran, Martin Marinšek, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in most countries. We aimed to retrospectively assess the admissions, treatments, complications, and mortality of STEMI patients in the northeast of Slovenia during the first (March–May 2020) and second waves (October–December 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic and to compare them with data from 2019 (March–October). Comparing 2019 and both waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed nonsignificant differences in the number of STEMI admissions, baseline characteristics, use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within the first 3 (40.5%* vs. 38.7% vs. 25%*, *p = 0.074) or 6 h, TIMI III flow after primary PCI, and hospital complications, as well as significant increases in hospital heart failure (23.3% vs. 42%, p = 0.015) and mitral regurgitation in the second wave (10% vs. 26.9%, p = 0.008) of the pandemic and a nonsignificant increase in hospital mortality (8.9% vs. 9.4% vs. 13.6%) during both waves of the pandemic. We conclude that, due to the increased severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in the second wave, there were longer delays to primary PCI in STEMI patients, resulting in significantly increased hospital heart failure and non-significantly increased hospital mortality. Keywords: ST-elevation myocardial infarction, COVID-19, time delay, primary percutaneous coronary intervention, heart failure, mortality, pandemic Published in DKUM: 04.07.2024; Views: 134; Downloads: 23
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10. Effects of atrial fibrillation on the human ventricleSteffen Pabel, Maria Knierim, Thea Stehle, Felix Alebrand, Michael Paulus, Marcel Sieme, Melissa Herwig, Friedrich Barsch, Thomas Körtl, Arnold Pöppl, Simon Sedej, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Rationale: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure often coexist, but their interaction is poorly understood. Clinical data indicate that the arrhythmic component of AF may contribute to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.
Objective: This study investigates the effects and molecular mechanisms of AF on the human LV.
Methods and results: Ventricular myocardium from patients with aortic stenosis and preserved LV function with sinus rhythm or rate-controlled AF was studied. LV myocardium from patients with sinus rhythm and patients with AF showed no differences in fibrosis. In functional studies, systolic Ca2+ transient amplitude of LV cardiomyocytes was reduced in patients with AF, while diastolic Ca2+ levels and Ca2+ transient kinetics were not statistically different. These results were confirmed in LV cardiomyocytes from nonfailing donors with sinus rhythm or AF. Moreover, normofrequent AF was simulated in vitro using arrhythmic or rhythmic pacing (both at 60 bpm). After 24 hours of AF-simulation, human LV cardiomyocytes from nonfailing donors showed an impaired Ca2+ transient amplitude. For a standardized investigation of AF-simulation, human iPSC-cardiomyocytes were tested. Seven days of AF-simulation caused reduced systolic Ca2+ transient amplitude and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ load likely because of an increased diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leak. Moreover, cytosolic Na+ concentration was elevated and action potential duration was prolonged after AF-simulation. We detected an increased late Na+ current as a potential trigger for the detrimentally altered Ca2+/Na+-interplay. Mechanistically, reactive oxygen species were higher in the LV of patients with AF. CaMKII (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIδc) was found to be more oxidized at Met281/282 in the LV of patients with AF leading to an increased CaMKII activity and consequent increased RyR2 phosphorylation. CaMKII inhibition and ROS scavenging ameliorated impaired systolic Ca2+ handling after AF-simulation.
Conclusions: AF causes distinct functional and molecular remodeling of the human LV. This translational study provides the first mechanistic characterization and the potential negative impact of AF in the absence of tachycardia on the human ventricle. Keywords: atrial fibrillation, calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type 2, excitation contraction coupling, heart failure, oxidative stress Published in DKUM: 28.06.2024; Views: 115; Downloads: 15
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