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2. Inclusion of travel writing, movement and sign languages into university curricula : case study of SloveniaVita Petek, Jasna Potočnik Topler, 2024, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: As part of Erasmus+ project: “Active and inclusive teaching of literacy and communication skills for enhanced employment and sustainable economic growth (IN-COMM GUIDE)”, university curricula of Slovenian study programs were analyzed. For purpose of this paper, curricula at Slovenian public and private universities were analyzed. The research focused on the question of which innovative methods were used for teaching communication skills, and whether travel writing, movement, and sign languages are included. Analysis showed that there were no innovative methods included in the curricula. It was shown that among all the curricula, there is none that has as its subject travel writing. In three curricula in total, the subject of sign language was found and six analyzed curricula were related to movement. Being active was found in curricula of Faculties of Education. We can conclude that curricula on communication skills at Slovenian universities still have room for further development, innovation and improvement. This chapter of the monograph also includes interviews that were conducted with representatives from the Association of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Associations of Slovenia and Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Podravje, Maribor.
Keywords: curriculum, innovative methods, travel writing, movement, sign languages
Published in DKUM: 06.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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3. Liposomes: recent progress on nanoparticles production and their usage in medicineMiha Peruš, Maša Knez Marevci, Petra Kotnik, 2026, review article Abstract: Since the discovery of the first nanoparticles, scientists have developed controlled-release drugs, in which nanoparticles play a crucial role as drug carriers. Nanoparticles enable targeted and controlled release, but also face some challenges in their application, production and storage in vivo. The most used nanoparticles for drug encapsulation are liposomes. Liposomes consist of a lipid bilayer membrane that separates the inner hydrophilic/aqueous core from the surrounding environment. In the process known as encapsulation, an active ingredient is added that is either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Their production is a challenge. Therefore, various production methods have been developed (thin film hydration, reverse phase evaporation, microfluidic methods, etc.) to achieve high encapsulation efficiency, stability and improved drug delivery in vivo. In medical treatment, liposomes are already used as carriers for analgesics, drugs to prevent and treat a variety of diseases (fungal, bacterial, and viral infections) and chemotherapeutics to treat various types of cancer (docetaxel, paclitaxel, doxorubicin, etc.). This article gives an insight into the methods of liposome production, ranging from conventional to more modern techniques with their advantages and disadvantages of the encapsulated substances and their use in medicine.
Keywords: nanoparticles, drug delivery, liposome preparation methods, liposome applications, medical substances, nanodelci, prenos zdravil, liposomi, medicinske sestavine
Published in DKUM: 06.11.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 9
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4. Acceptance and feasibility of virtual reality for teaching adult basic life support in older populationsAna Belen Ocampo Cervantes, Carmen Amalia Lopez Lopez, Robert Greif, Federico Semeraro, Manuel Pardo Rios, Nino Fijačko, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Abstract Background Virtual reality (VR) is emerging in adult Basic Life Support (BLS) training, but its acceptance among older adults has not been fully studied. This study aimed to develop expert-informed BLS content for both VR and laptop formats, and to evaluate the feasibility, usability, knowledge acquisition, satisfaction, and cybersickness of these platforms among older adult learners. Methods A two-phase mixed-methods study was conducted. Five experts co-developed and validated a VR/laptop-compatible adult BLS scenario based on the 2021 European Resuscitation Council guidelines. This scenario was then tested by older adults who voluntarily participated in either VR- or laptop-based training at a public technology event in Spain. Post-training, we measured knowledge acquisition, usability, satisfaction, user experience, and cybersickness. Comparative statistics and regression analyses were performed to evaluate learning outcomes and predictors. Results Five experts developed a consensus-based adult BLS decision tree with 10 scenes and six questions. A total of 583 adults (mean age 72.3 ± 4.8 years) took part in the BLS training evaluation. Those in the VR group (n = 415) outperformed those in the laptop group (n = 168) in key steps, including initiating CPR (58 % vs 41 %, p < 0.001) and using an AED (49 % vs 23 %, p < 0.001). VR participants rated usability of VR-training as excellent (73.8 ± 4.2), expressed high satisfaction and realism. Cybersickness was low (13.1 %). VR training predicted higher knowledge scores (β = 5.8, p < 0.001), and increased scores by 5.8 points over laptop training. VR participants were 2.3 times more likely to answer BLS questions correctly (OR = 2.3, 95 % CI: 1.6–3.2, p < 0.001) Conclusion VR could improve adult BLS knowledge in older adults, with high levels of acceptance and positive user experience. Future work should enhance accessibility and reduce discomfort.
Keywords: Older adults, Training methods, Virtual reality, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Basic Life Support, Knowledge, Usability
Published in DKUM: 29.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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5. The antimicrobial effect of various single-strain and multi-strain probiotics, dietary supplements or other beneficial microbes against common clinical wound pathogensSabina Fijan, Primož Kocbek, Andrej Steyer, Polona Maver Vodičar, Maja Strauss, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is colonized by a diverse microbiota that works in harmony to protect the skin. However, when skin damage occurs, the skin microbiota is also disrupted, and pathogens can invade the wound and cause infection. Probiotics or other beneficial microbes and their metabolites are one possible alternative treatment for combating skin pathogens via their antimicrobial effectiveness. The objective of our study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of seven multi-strain dietary supplements and eleven single-strain microbes that contain probiotics against 15 clinical wound pathogens using the agar spot assay, co-culturing assay, and agar well diffusion assay. We also conducted genera-specific and species-specific molecular methods to detect the DNA in the dietary supplements and single-strain beneficial microbes. We found that the multi-strain dietary supplements exhibited a statistically significant higher antagonistic effect against the challenge wound pathogens than the single-strain microbes and that lactobacilli-containing dietary supplements and single-strain microbes were significantly more efficient than the selected propionibacteria and bacilli. Differences in results between methods were also observed, possibly due to different mechanisms of action. Individual pathogens were susceptible to different dietary supplements or single-strain microbes. Perhaps an individual approach such as a ‘probiogram’ could be a possibility in the future as a method to find the most efficient targeted probiotic strains, cell-free supernatants, or neutralized cell-free supernatants that have the highest antagonistic effect against individual clinical wound pathogens.
Keywords: probiotics, beneficial microbes, wound pathogens, skin pathogens, agar spot, co-culturing, agar well diffusion, molecular methods, PCR
Published in DKUM: 23.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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6. Comparative analysis of life cycle impact assessment methods for packaging productsGregor Radonjič, Matjaž Denac, 2025, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: In assessing environmental impacts of packaging, it is necessary to use modern software tools, supported by verifiable databases based on the environmental life cycles of products. There are several software solutions that differ greatly from each other in terms of the complexity of life cycle modeling, accessibility to databases, LCIA methods used to determine environmental impacts, and the dynamics of database updating. The aim of this paper is to conduct LCA study for the case of a two-layered polymeric film made from low density polyethylene (PE-LD) and polyamide-6 (PA-6) laminated plastic packaging film using several LCIA methods to compare and comment the final LCA results in terms of the life-cycle environmental impacts. Results clearly show that the choice of LCIA method for evaluating environmental impacts within LCA study has a very large impact on the final result.
Keywords: packaging, life cycle assessment, LCIA methods, environmental impacts
Published in DKUM: 23.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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7. Internationalization at home among tourism students from Portugal and Slovenia : coil based on qualitative methodsAna Isabel Rodrigues, Marta Amaral, Nadja Mlakar, Pedro Cravo, João Rodrigues, Barbara Pavlakovič Farrell, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Traditional mobility programmesseem to be insufficient to fulfil the desired internationalization of higher education programmes. For this reason, other forms of internationalization need to be explored and addressed, such as ‘internationalization at home’ (IaH), a concept that has attracted the attention of a significant number of researchers over the years. Considering this, the aim of this paper is to present an example of such practices by focusing on the implementation of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in the context of Tourism degree programmes offered by two institutions: the Polytechnic Institute of Beja, Portugal, and the University of Maribor, Slovenia. Furthermore, the paper intends to highlight the role played by qualitative methods in the design of this COIL programme, titled: “Integral Rural Tourism experiences: lessons from the Alqueva Lake, Portugal, and the Dolenjska region, Slovenia”. To achieve these goals, the paper focuses on: (i) the definition of internationalization at home and COIL, (ii) the topic and structure of this COIL programme, (iii) qualitative methods used in activity design, and on (iv) the evaluation of this initiative. This COIL proved to be a positive experience, as it helped to consolidate an international partnership and to increase the number of students involved in internationalization activities in both Tourism degrees involved. Furthermore, it encouraged students to develop a wide range of skills, such as digital, language and intercultural skills, which are of crucial importance, particularly in the case of Tourism degree programmes. Moreover, qualitative methods were found to be a suitable approach for the design of the tasks proposed. Finally, the limitations identified, related mostly to language difficulties and to the discrepancy in the perception of the proposed activities by students from the two institutions, hinted at the challengingnature of COIL to all involved –both students and teachers.
Keywords: internationalization at home, collaborative online international learning, qualitative methods, tourism degrees
Published in DKUM: 16.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 3
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8. Teacher opinion about using problem-based learning in technology and engineering educationLara Voler, Andrej Flogie, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: A school for the 21st century requires innovative approaches to learning and teaching. The presented research investigates the current state of innovative teaching methods, particularly problem-based learning (PBL), among teachers of the subject Technology and Engineering (TE) in Slovenian lower secondary schools. The main aim of the research was to determine the attitude towards such innovative teaching approaches, how often innovative teaching methods are used, how teachers perceive their importance, and finally, according to the teachers, how they are qualified for this. In the research, an appropriate questionnaire for teachers is developed. Qualitative and quantitative research was conducted using an online survey and statistical data processing. The online survey results showed that teachers positively assess the importance of using PBL, which is perceived as a more challenging method than traditional teaching methods. Despite numerous challenges, teachers express high motivation to improve their teaching practices. Based on the data obtained, it is found that teachers' knowledge is assessed less positively than their competence assessment, which indicates the need for more accurate methods of evaluating knowledge and emphasizes the importance of continuous professional development. The research findings could be important for improving teaching practices and promoting innovations in the educational process. High motivation and readiness of teachers to accept innovative pedagogical approaches can contribute to a better learning environment and the development of a more competent teacher in the future.
Keywords: continuous professional development, innovative teaching methods, problem-based learning, student motivation, teacher competence, technology and engineering
Published in DKUM: 15.09.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 10
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9. Aligning business solutions and business requirements for digital transformation – case research : V.Uroš Zabukovšek, Simona Sternad Zabukovšek, Samo Bobek, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: This study explores how Business and IT Alignment (BITA) influences business performance (PERFO) and corporate sustainability (SPACS) using a mixed-methods case study of an international manufacturing enterprise. The quantitative analysis (PLS-SEM) indicated BITA affects PERFO indirectly through IT service quality (ITSQ), while remote work (EWORK), despite its relation to BITA, showed no significant impact. BITA strongly predicted SPACS by enhancing employees’ sustainability knowledge, confidence, and willingness to act. Qualitative findings from semi-structured interviews revealed a BITA maturity of 3.3 (on a 5-point scale), highlighting its role in sustainability via better decision-making, process optimization, and IT-enabled transparency. Notable discrepancies between managerial and employee perceptions of BITA maturity were identified. Results suggest successful BITA fosters sustainability-oriented behaviour and IT-driven performance improvements, though continuous reinforcement within organizations is required. The study emphasizes the value of integrating qualitative and quantitative methods for comprehensive insights into BITA's impact.
Keywords: business and IT alignment (BITA), IT service quality (ITSQ), business performance (PERFO), corporate sustainability (SPACS), remote work (EWORK), mixed methods research (MMR), PLS-SEM, organizational maturity, sustainability awareness, case study
Published in DKUM: 29.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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10. An analysis of methods and techniques used for business process improvementEva Krhač Andrašec, Benjamin Urh, Matjaž Roblek, Tomaž Kern, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Background: More than 50 process-based approaches, methods, and techniques have been developed in recent decades to achieve more efficient operation of organizational systems. Due to increasingly rapid changes in the business environment, the question of which method or technique will have the most significant impact on increasing the organizational system’s competitive advantage is becoming increasingly important. Purpose: In the presented research, we focused on identifying methods and techniques often cited in the literature and most often used in practice as efficient for improving business processes. Methods: We prepared a 4-phase structured review of the available literature and supported the findings with survey research. Results and Conclusion: Based on the results, we designed a set of appropriate, most frequently used, and efficient methods and techniques for improving business processes. The completed research can serve as a starting point for answering the question about the appropriate methods and techniques for the chosen approach. In continuing the research, it would be reasonable to check other properties and the use of methods and techniques.
Keywords: business process management, business process improvement, approaches, methods, techniques
Published in DKUM: 13.08.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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