University of Maribor

About: University of Maribor is a education organization based out in Maribor, Slovenia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & KEKB. The organization has 3987 authors who have published 13077 publications receiving 258339 citations. The organization is also known as: Univerza v Mariboru.

A multi-level rapid prototyping drill guide template reduces the perforation risk of pedicle screw placement in the lumbar and sacral spine.

Abstract: The method of free-hand pedicle screw placement is generally safe although it carries potential risks. For this reason, several highly accurate computer-assisted systems were developed and are currently on the market. However, these devices have certain disadvantages. We have developed a method of pedicle screw placement in the lumbar and sacral region using a multi-level drill guide template, created with the rapid prototyping technology and have validated it in a clinical study. The aim of the study was to manufacture and evaluate the accuracy of a multi-level drill guide template for lumbar and first sacral pedicle screw placement and to compare it with the free-hand technique under fluoroscopy supervision. In 2011 and 2012, a randomized clinical trial was performed on 20 patients. 54 screws were implanted in the trial group using templates and 54 in the control group using the fluoroscopy-supervised free-hand technique. Furthermore, applicability for the first sacral level was tested. Preoperative CT-scans were taken and templates were designed using the selective laser sintering method. Postoperative evaluation and statistical analysis of pedicle violation, displacement, screw length and deviation were performed for both groups. The incidence of cortex perforation was significantly reduced in the template group; likewise, the deviation and displacement level of screws in the sagittal plane. In both groups there was no significantly important difference in deviation and displacement level in the transversal plane as not in pedicle screw length. The results for the first sacral level resembled the main investigated group. The method significantly lowers the incidence of cortex perforation and is therefore potentially applicable in clinical practice, especially in some selected cases. The applied method, however, carries a potential for errors during manufacturing and practical usage and therefore still requires further improvements.

Effect of pre-hospital advanced life support with rapid sequence intubation on outcome of severe traumatic brain injury.

Abstract: Background: The role of pre-hospital trauma care and the effect of pre-hospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI) on patient outcome are still not clear. This study evaluated the impact of prehospital trauma care by emergency physicians (EP) on mortality from severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a 180-day Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Methods: A 48-month parallel non-controlled cohort study compared a group of 64 patients with severe TBI [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 15] who received pre-hospital advanced life support (ALS) with RSI and were transported to the hospital by EPs (EP group), with a group of 60 patients who did not receive pre-hospital ALS with RSI [emergency medical technicians (EMT) group]. Results: There were no significant statistical differences between the groups in age (P ¼ 0.79), mechanism of injury (P ¼ 0.68), gender (P ¼ 0.82), initial GCS (P ¼ 0.63), initial SaO2 in the field (P ¼ 0.63), initial systolic blood pressure in the field (P ¼ 0.47) and on-scene time (P ¼ 0.41). In the EP group, there was significantly better first hour survival (97% vs. 79%, P ¼ 0.02), first day survival (90% vs. 72%, P ¼ 0.02), better functional outcome (GOS 4‐5: 53% vs. 33%, P < 0.01; GOS 2‐3: 8% vs. 20%, P < 0.01) and shortened hospitalization time in intensive care unit (ICU) (P ¼ 0.03) and other departments (P ¼ 0.04). In total hospital mortality, we detected no differences between both groups [EP group: 40% (95% CI: 34‐45%) vs.EMT group 42% (95% CI: 36‐47%, P ¼ 0.76], except in a subgroup of patients with GCS 6‐8 where there was significantly lower total hospital mortality in the EP group (24% vs. 78%, P < 0.01). Conclusion: After starting the trauma care system with emergency physicians in our region, there was a decrease in the number of deaths on hospital admission, a reduction in hospital mortality in the GCS group 6‐8, a change in the temporal distribution of deaths, an improvement in functional neurological outcome and shortened hospitalization time.

Experimental Investigation of Optimal Timing of the Diesel Engine Injection Pump Using Biodiesel Fuel

Abstract: This paper discusses the influence of biodiesel on output characteristics of a diesel engine and optimal timing setup for its injection pump. The influence of biodiesel is studied by running experiments on an NA diesel bus engine MAN D2 2566 with a direct-injection M system. The fuel used is biodiesel produced from rapeseed. Special attention is focused on the determination of the optimal injection-pump timing with respect to engine harmful emissions, engine fuel consumption, and other engine performance parameters. These engine characteristics are compared against those obtained using conventional D2 diesel. Experiments with biodiesel and D2 are run on several engine operating regimes. The engine was monitored for possible operation problems and carefully examined after the tests. The results obtained are presented and analyzed. It is shown that with carefully optimized timing of the pump, the harmful emission of NOx, smoke, HC, and CO can be reduced essentially by keeping other engine characteristics wi...

Obesity Discrimination in the Recruitment Process: "You're Not Hired!".

Abstract: Previous literature reports that obese persons are discriminated in the workplace. Evidence suggests that obese people are perceived as having less leadership potential, and in comparison to normal weight peers, are expected to be less successful. This study examined whether obese people are discriminated against when applying for employment. Three hypotheses were offered in line with previous research: (1) obese people are less likely to be assessed positively on personnel suitability than normal weight people; (2) obese people in active employment are more likely to be discriminated against than people in non-active employment; and (3) obese women are more likely to be discriminated against than obese men. 181 Participants were sampled from sedentary, standing, manual and heavy manual occupations. Participants rated hypothetical candidates on their suitability for employment. Employees also completed measures of implicit and explicit attitudes toward obesity. MANOVA was conducted to examine if obese candidates were discriminated against during the recruitment procedure. Results demonstrated that participants rated obese candidates as less suitable compared with normal weight candidates and when the weight status of the candidate was not revealed for work across the four workplace groups. Participant gender and weight status also impacted perceptions of candidates' suitability for work and discrimination toward obese candidates was higher in participants from more physically demanding occupations. The study findings contribute to evidence that obese people are discriminated against in the hiring process and support calls for policy development.