Correlation between flexibility of chain-like polyelectrolyte and thermodynamic properties of its solution

Structural and thermodynamic properties of the model solution containing charged oligomers and the equivalent number of counterions were studied by means of the canonical Monte Carlo simulation technique. The oligomers are represented as (flexible) freely jointed chains or as a linear (rigid) array of charged hard spheres. In accordance with the primitive model of electrolyte solutions, the counterions are modeled as charged hard spheres and the solvent as dielectric continuum. Significant differences in the pair distribution functions, obtained for the rigid (rod-like) and flexible model are found but the differences in thermodynamic properties, such as, enthalpy of dilution and excess chemical potential, are less significant. The results are discussed in light of the experimental data an aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions. The simulations suggest that deviations from the fully extended (rod-like) conformation yield slightly stronger binding of counterions. On the other hand, the flexibility of polyions, even when coupled with the ion-size effects, cannot be blamed for qualitative differences between the theoretical results and experimental data for enthalpy of dilution.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figure

Cross-recognition of a pit viper (Crotalinae) polyspecific antivenom explored through high-density peptide microarray epitope mapping

Snakebite antivenom is a 120 years old invention based on polyclonal mixtures of antibodies purified from the blood of hyper-immunized animals. Knowledge on antibody recognition sites (epitopes) on snake venom proteins is limited, but may be used to provide molecular level explanations for antivenom cross-reactivity. In turn, this may help guide antivenom development by elucidating immunological biases in existing antivenoms. In this study, we have identified and characterized linear elements of B-cell epitopes from 870 pit viper venom protein sequences by employing a high-throughput methodology based on custom designed high-density peptide microarrays. By combining data on antibody-peptide interactions with multiple sequence alignments of homologous toxin sequences and protein modelling, we have determined linear elements of antibody binding sites for snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs), phospholipases A2s (PLA2s), and snake venom serine proteases (SVSPs). The studied antivenom antibodies were found to recognize linear elements in each of the three enzymatic toxin families. In contrast to a similar study of elapid (non-enzymatic) neurotoxins, these enzymatic toxins were generally not recognized at the catalytic active site responsible for toxicity, but instead at other sites, of which some are known for allosteric inhibition or for interaction with the tissue target. Antibody recognition was found to be preserved for several minor variations in the protein sequences, although the antibody-toxin interactions could often be eliminated completely by substitution of a single residue. This finding is likely to have large implications for the cross-reactivity of the antivenom and indicate that multiple different antibodies are likely to be needed for targeting an entire group of toxins in these recognized sites.Novo Nordisk Foundation/[NNF13OC0005613]/NNF/DinamarcaNovo Nordisk Foundation/[NNF16OC0019248]/NNF/DinamarcaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP

Inclusion of Ukrainian Refugee Children in Primary Schools in Logatec

V magistrskem delu sem raziskala značilnosti in izzive vključevanja otrok priseljencev v šolah v občini Logatec z vidika strokovnih delavcev. V teoretičnem delu je razložena strokovna terminologija v povezavi z migracijami, opredeljen je zakonski okvir priseljevanja in vključevanja v slovensko družbo ter obstoječe prakse in raziskave, ki so povezane z vključevanjem otrok priseljencev v šolo. Poleg tega pa so predstavljene tudi dosedanje ugotovitve s področja vključevanja otrok priseljencev in predlogi za vključevanje ukrajinskih otrok v šole tako pri nas kot tudi v tujini. V empiričnem delu sem raziskala izkušnje strokovnih delavcev, zaposlenih na osnovnih šolah v občini Logatec. Zanimalo me je, kako ocenjujejo svojo vlogo pri vključevanju otrok beguncev, kako jim je šola nudila podporo ter kako vrednotijo uspešnost šole v procesu vključevanja otrok beguncev in nenazadnje kako opisujejo izkušnje otrok priseljencev, njihove značilnosti ter sodelovanje s starši. Delo predstavi različne dejavnosti, ki so jih šole v občini Logatec uporabile pri vključevanju begunskih otrok iz Ukrajine. Ugotavljala sem tudi, kaj strokovni delavci predlagajo za lažje in učinkovitejše vključevanje otrok priseljencev. Uporabljen je kvalitativni raziskovalni pristop, kot raziskovalni pripomoček pa sem uporabila pol strukturiran intervju. Vzorec vključuje 15 strokovnih delavcev iz vseh treh osnovnih šol v občini Logatec. Rezultati kažejo na to, da so se strokovni delavci soočali s številnimi izzivi pri vključevanju ukrajinskih otrok v šole, te predvsem povezujejo s smernicami na sistemski ravni. Pomembna ugotovitev je tudi, da številni strokovni delavci vključevanje begunskih otrok zaznavajo kot dodatno obremenitev. Rezultati prikazujejo, kako je potekal postopek vključevanja in konkretne predloge za učinkovitejše delo na tem področju v prihodnosti.The master\u27s thesis deals with the characteristics of the integration of immigrant children in schools in the municipality of Logatec, challenges in integration and suggestions for improvements from the point of view of professionals. In the theoretical part, professional terminology related to migration is explained, the legal framework of immigration and integration into Slovenian society is defined, as well as existing practices and research related to the inclusion of immigrant children in school. In addition, the findings so far in the field of integration of immigrant children and proposals for the integration of Ukrainian children in schools both here and abroad are presented. In the empirical part, I investigated the experiences of professionals working at primary schools in the municipality of Logatec. I was interested in how they evaluated their role in the integration of refugee children, how the school provided them with support and how they evaluated the success of the school in the process of integrating refugee children, and last but not least, how they described the experiences of immigrant children, their characteristics and cooperation with their parents. The thesis deals with the research of various activities that the schools in Logatec municipality used in the integration of refugee children from Ukraine, and in addition, I found out what experts suggest for easier and more effective integration of immigrant children. A qualitative research approach is used, and I used a semi-structured interview as a research tool. The sample includes 15 professionals from all three primary schools in the municipality of Logatec. The results show that professionals faced many challenges in the integration of Ukrainian children in schools, and these are mainly linked to guidelines at the system level. It is also important to note that many professionals perceived the integration of refugee children as an additional burden. In addition, the results showed us how the integration process was carried out and what concrete suggestions for more effective work in this area in the future are offered by the professionals

BUSINESS PROCESS REENGINEERING (BPR) OBTAINING DRIVING LICENCE

Diplomska naloga obravnava proces pridobitve vozniškega dovoljenja, v katerega so vključene naslednje organizacije: zdravstveni dom, avtošola, Rdeči križ, izpitni center, upravna enota in center varne vožnje. Težave obstoječega procesa pridobitve vozniškega dovoljenja predstavlja ponavljanje določenih aktivnosti in preveč administrativnega dela. Namen diplomske naloge je prikazati prenovljen, izboljšan in poenostavljen proces pridobitve vozniškega dovoljenja. V prvem delu so predstavljeni namen, cilji in hipotezi diplomskega dela. V drugem delu naloge sem povzel nekaj teoretičnih vidikov prenove poslovnih procesov in izhodišč za uspešno prenovo poslovnih procesov. Predstavil sem modeliranje in simulacije procesov ter opisal avtošolo AMZS, Rdeči križ in izpitni center. V zadnjem, praktičnem delu naloge sem predstavil obstoječi proces s programskim orodjem iGrafix. Z orodjem sem izvedel simulacije in ugotovil slabosti obstoječega procesa ter na osnovi rezultatov izvedel njegovo prenovo. Na osnovi izdelane analize sem ugotovil, kako in v čem je prenovljen proces učinkovitejši ter potrdil/ovrgel postavljeni hipotezi.The thesis deals with the process of obtaining a driving license in which the following organizations are involved: health centre car school, Red Cross, examination centre, administrative unit and safe driving centre. The problems of the existing process of obtaining a driving license represent a repetition of certain activities and excessive administrative work. The purpose of the thesis is to present a renewed, improved and simplified process for obtaining a driving license. In the first part I will present the purpose, goals and hypotheses of the thesis. In the second part I will summarize some theoretical aspects of the revision of business processes and the starting points for successful business process reengineering. I will present modelling and simulation processes and describe the AMZS driving school, Red Cross and Driving Exam Centre. In the last, practical part, I will present the existing process with the iGrafix software tool. With the tool, I performed the simulations and identified its weaknesses, and on the basis of the results, I carried out a process revision. On the basis of the analysis I made, I determined how the modified process is more effective, and confirmed / overturned the hypotheses

Analysis of satisfaction with the use of Scrum methodology at work in the selected organization

Diplomsko delo predstavlja pregled ugotovitev pri razvoju timskega dela in uvajanju agilne Scrum metodologije ter analizo zadovoljstva z njeno uporabo pri delu v izbrani banki v slovenskem prostoru. Namen diplomskega dela je bil proučiti Scrum metodologijo in na podlagi raziskave z metodo anketiranja med zaposlenimi, ki metodologijo že uporabljajo, ugotoviti, ali so z njo zadovoljni, ter proučiti prednosti dela z njeno uporabo. Rezultati raziskave kažejo, da je velika večina zaposlenih zadovoljnih z uporabo Scrum metodologije pri timskem delu, pri čemer se je izkazalo, da so dejavniki vključenosti in sooblikovanja med najpomembnejšimi. Zaposleni so najbolj zadovoljni s pripadnostjo timu, občutkom samostojnosti ter dobrimi možnostmi izražanja mnenj. Kot največjo prednost Scrum metodologije so zaposleni, ne glede na spol ali starostno strukturo, izpostavili boljši nadzor nad potekom dela, večjo odzivnost na zahteve ter prilagodljivost spremembam. Rezultati kažejo tudi, da prepletanje Scrum metodologije in linijskega vodenja, dolžina sestankov, pomanjkanje Scrum trenerjev in lastnikov zahtev predstavljajo težavo, zato se predlagajo naslednje izboljšave: formalizirati Scrum metodologijo kot uradno metodologijo dela v banki, razširiti uporabo Scruma na čim večje število timov, izobraziti večje število Scrum trenerjev in lastnikov zahtev, v sistemizaciji delovnih mest formalizirati delovna mesta, ki jih predpisuje Scrum.The diploma thesis presents an overview of the findings in the development of teamwork and the introduction of agile Scrum methodology and an analysis of satisfaction with the use of Scrum methodology in working in a selected bank in Slovenia. The purpose of the diploma work was to study the Scrum methodology and, based on a survey using the survey method among employees who already use the methodology, to determine whether they are satisfied with it and to study the advantages of working using the Scrum methodology. The results of the survey show that the vast majority of employees are satisfied with the use of the Scrum methodology in teamwork, with the factors of involvement and co-creation proving to be among the most important. Employees are most satisfied with team affiliation, a sense of independence and good opportunities to express opinions. As the biggest advantage of the Scrum methodology, employees, depending on gender or age structure, highlighted better control over the workflow, greater responsiveness to requirements and adaptability to change. The results also show that the intertwining of Scrum methodology and line management, the length of meetings, the lack of Scrum masters and Product owners are a problem, so the following improvements are proposed: formalize Scrum methodology as the official methodology of working in the banka greater number of Scrum masters and Product owners, in the systematization of jobs to formalize the jobs prescribed by Scrum

AN APPLICATION FOR RECORD KEEPING ON FARMS

Diplomska naloga zajema zasnovo in izdelavo uporabniške rešitve za vodenje evidenc na kmetijskem gospodarstvu. Namen te uporabniške rešitve je, lastniku kmetijskega gospodarstva olajšati delo pri vodenju evidenc na kmetijskem gospodarstvu. Vodenje evidenc je potekalo ročno, z zapisovanjem podatkov v tabele na listu papirja. Z uporabo rešitve, lastnik vpiše podatek v računalnik, ko podatek potrebuje mu je v hipu dosegljiv. V hipu lahko izpiše poročila: brejost krav, zdravljenje in osemenjevanje živali, prodaja in nakup izdelkov, servisiranje strojev in o prihodkih in odhodkih v izbranem časovnem obdobju na kmetijskem gospodarstvu. Lastnik s tem zmanjša možnost napake in prihrani čas, saj mu ni treba izračunavati seštevkov in pregledovati listov papirja, da pride do želenega podatka. Uporabniška rešitev je izdelana z orodjem Microsoft Office Access 2003, za nazornejšo predstavitev podatkov pa sem uporabil Microsoft Office Excel 2007.The diploma assignment presents an application for record keeping on a farm. The purpose of this application is to help owner of the farm to plan and evaluate the most important activities on the farm. Before the implementation of this application, records were kept on paper. This often caused loss important data and calculation errors. With the application which is presented in this assignment, the owner of farm can enter the data into the computer. The data stored in the data base, can be used for reports, calculations, etc. any time. When needed, he can print different reports related to various activities on the farm, such as pregnancy of cow`s, medical treatment and insemination of cow`s, sales and purchases products, maintenance of the farm machinery, including reports on costs and incomes in a selected time interval. The application helps the owner to reduce possibility of mistakes and saves his time, because he doesn’t need to summarise and check the data and search for data to find and shape the information the he needs. We used Microsoft Office Access 2003 to develop the applicationfor data presentation Microsoft Office Excel 2007 was used

ANALYSIS OF DILEMMAS REGARDING THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA, WITH A FOCUS ON THE CORONA PANDEMIC

Varstvo osebnih podatkov je v zadnjih letih ena izmed perečih tem. Osebni podatki se namreč zaradi hitrega razvoja tehnologije in digitalizacije nahajajo na spletu, kjer se obdelujejo za različne namene. Pri njihovi obdelavi in uporabi prihaja do raznih nepravilnosti, za katere posamezniki sploh ne vedo. Delo predstavlja teoretično in praktično opredelitev področja varstva osebnih podatkov ter opozarja na težave, s katerimi se na tem področju soočamo. V svoje diplomsko delo sem vključila deskriptivno metodo, v sklopu katere sem opredelila temeljne pojme in predpise s področja varstva osebnih podatkov, ter problematiko zbiranja in obdelave osebnih podatkov. Predstavila sem nejasnosti rabe predpisov na tem področju in analizirala vsebino Splošne uredbe o varstvu osebnih podatkov ter vsebino novega Zakona o varstvu osebnih podatkov (ZVOP-2). Primerjalno metodo sem uporabila za primerjavo/analizo določb starega zakona o varstvu osebnih podatkov, torej ZVOP-1, z določbami GDPR. V empiričnem delu raziskave sem uporabila statistično metodo, s katero sem analizirala kršitve varstva osebnih podatkov, in sicer v letih pred koronapandemijo (2018, 2019) in v času njenega pojava (2020, 2021). Skozi raziskovalno delo sem obe hipotezi potrdila, kajti zaključiti je mogoče, da je problematika nejasnosti hierarhije rabe predpisov na področju VOP res prisotna. Pri rabi/uporabi predpisov prihaja velikokrat do težav, ker niso sprejeti nacionalni zakoni (v Sloveniji ZVOP-2), kar negativno vpliva na področje VOP. Prav tako je bilo na podlagi druge hipoteze ugotovljeno, da se je Informacijski pooblaščenec v času koronapandemije soočal z več nepravilnostmi na področju VOP kot pred koronapandemijo. Glavni razlog so bili v tem obdobju predvsem neustrezno in nezakonito sprejeti ukrepi vladnega telesa. Menim, da bo to delo pristojne institucije opozorilo na pomembnost sprejetja in uporabe nove zakonodaje na področju VOP, ki bodo hkrati s tem vsem predstavile pravice in dolžnosti pri ravnanju z osebnimi podatki.The protection of personal data has been one of the most known topics in recent years. Due to the rapid development of technology and digitalization, personal data is found online and processed for a variety purposes. Its processing and using leads to various irregularities that individuals are not even aware of. This work provides a theoretical and practical definition of the area of personal data protection and highlights the problems in this area. In my first thesis, I have included a descriptive method, in the framework of which I have defined the basic concepts and regulations in the field of personal data protection, as well as the issues of collecting and processing of personal data. I presented the ambiguities in the use of the rules in this area. I also analysed the content of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the content of the preposition of the new incoming Personal Data Protection Act (ZVOP-2). I used the comparative method to compare and analyse the provisions of the old data protection law, i. e. ZVOP-1, with the provisions of the GDPR. In the empirical part of the research, I used a statistical method to analyse personal data protection violations in the years before the corona pandemic (2018, 2019) and in the time of its occurrence (2020, 2021). Throughout my research I have confirmed both hypotheses because it can be concluded that the problem of the ambiguity of the hierarchy of the use of regulations in the field of VOP is indeed present. There are often problems in the use of regulations due to the lack of national laws (ZVOP-2 in Slovenia), which has a negative impact on the area of protection of personal data. The second hypothesis concluded that the Information Commissioner faced more irregularities in the area of personal data protection in the time of corona pandemic than before the corona pandemic. This was mainly due to inappropriate and illegal measures taken by the government body during this period. I believe that this work will draw the attention of the competent institutions to the importance of adopting and applying new legislation in the area of personal protection data, which will at the same time make everyone aware of their rights and obligations when dealing with personal data