Background: Frostbite is a local cold injury that may lead to loss of tissue, and result in disability. It is normally a consequence of prolonged exposure of unprotected regions to subzero ambient temperatures, which causes impairment of the microcirculation. In Slovenia, the main risk group for frostbite injury are mountain climbers. Frostbite is classified as either a superficialreversible injury, or an irreversible deep tissue injury. Superficial frostbite is managed in out-patient clinics, whereas hospital treatment is required for deep frostbite. The success of frostbite management depends a great deal on the field first aid and emergency medical treatment, as well as on the subsequent hospital treatment. The present study reports of the success of a protocol for hospital treatment of frostbite (Planica Protocol), comprising the early diagnosis with three-phase bone scintigraphy (TS), administration of appropriate medications, particularly iloprost, and initiation of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT). Patients and methods: A total of 27 mountain climbers presented with frostbite injury between 2000 and2010. Of these, 16 suffered superficial injuries and were treated as outpatients. The remaining 11 mountaineers (2 females, and 9 males) suffered deep frostbite and were hospitalised. Frostbite injury was sustained at different altitudes (range: 2000 to 8848 meters above sea level) in the toes (n = 9; 82%) and fingers (n = 2; 18%). Some climbers (n = 9; 82%) received field first aid, and some (n = 9; 82%) also emergency medical treatment in thefield. On admission to hospital, patients received the following treatpatient clinics, whereas hospital treatment is required for deep frostbite. The success of frostbite management depends a great deal on the field first aid and emergency medical treatment, as well as on the subsequent hospital treatment. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
F.22 Improvement to existing health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 30239193The important requirement that COST Action 730 demanded of the physiological model to be used for the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was its capability of accurate simulation of human thermophysiological responses across a wide range of relevant environmental conditions, such as conditions corresponding to the selection of all habitable climates and their seasonal changes, and transient conditions representing the temporal variation of outdoor conditions. In the first part of this study, available heat budget/two-node models and multi-node thermophysiological models were evaluated by direct comparison over a wide spectrum of climatic conditions. The UTCI-Fiala model predicted most reliably the average human thermal response, as shown by least deviations from physiologically plausible responses when compared to other models. In the second part of the study, this model was subjected to extensive validation using the results of human subject experiments for a range of relevant (steady-state and transient) environmental conditions. The UTCI-Fiala multi-node model proved its ability to predict adequately the human physiological response for a variety of moderate and extreme conditions represented in the COST 730 database. The mean skin and core temperatures were predicted with average root-mean-square deviations of 1.35± 1.00°C and 0.32±0.20°C, respectively.
F.16 Improvements to an existing information system/databases
COBISS.SI-ID: 25816103In 2012 we established a new laboratory: Humanoid and Cognitive Robotics Lab (http://www-hcr.ijs.si/). The main mission of the lab is to develop robots that can help people in natural environments. The lab is currently conducting a number of large European projects and also other projects for external users. The new lab was presented in an invited lecture at the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
D.05 Laboratory accreditation
COBISS.SI-ID: 26449959A humanoid torso mechanism is provided that simulates the actual movement of the human body. The torso includes a unique combination of mechanism and controlled rotary axes with actuators arranged in a geometry that enables human-like movements. That combination of buckling and bending mechanical structures is carried out in a unique way that allows the simulation of buckling and bending the spine in a way very similar to the human body.
F.33 Slovenian patent
COBISS.SI-ID: 25930791Background: automated solutions exist for production of many glass objects, for example glass sheets, conventional form bottles and jars. In contrast, due to the present state of the art in glass production technology, a number of processes are still executed manually. A glass production company has contacted us, asking for an automated solution of specific processes, which are still carried out in a manual way. Moreover, only a limited number of their operators are able to acquire the skills necessary to perform these processes satisfactorily. Achievement: we conceived and developed a system for automated glass blowing of a class of items. We first carried out numerous measurements and investigations of the present manual process. We determined the parameters that have relevant influence on the process. We have done a number of experiments, designed a number of subsystems and evaluated their suitability for our purpose. Basing on the knowledge acquired in these R&D and experimental activities, we conceived a structure of an automated system for glass-blowing operations. We defined the precise methodology for measurements and analysis of manual operations of various items and the formal construction procedure of computer representation for automated execution of these operations. We designed and developed all necessary components of a production cell for automated glass-blowing operations, e.g. computer control, dedicated electro pneumatic actuators and sensory subsystems. The developed system was successfully tested in the real target environment on a number of typical production items.
F.09 Development of a new technological process or technology