Čebele - včeraj, danes, jutri

Čebele so se razvile skupaj s kritosemenkami. Živalski plen, s katerim so se hranile njihove prednice, so zamenjale s pelodom in medičino. Tako se je razvilo eno najbolj zanimivih zavezništev, sožitje med rastlinami in čebelami. Med bolj opaznimi posledicami tega sožitja je izjemna pestrost cvetov, s katerimi rastline privabljajo čebele, manj opazna in znana pa je pestrost čebel. Po svetu jih je kar okrog 20 tisoč vrst. Čeprav večina živi samotarsko, so najbolj znane tiste, ki živijo v skupnostih. Nekatere med njimi pridelujejo med in te so človeka privlačile že od nekdaj in sčasoma se je tudi med čebelami in človekom razvilo nekakšno sožitje. Človek je čebelam priskrbel domovanja, cvetoče rastline, ki jih je gojil, pa si bile bogat vir hrane. V zameno jim je vzel med, a ne toliko, da ne bi mogle preživeti

Machine learning from coronas using parametrization of images

We were interested to develop an algorithm for detection of coronas of people in altered states of consciousness (two-classes problem). Such coronas are known to have rings (double coronas), special branch-like structure of streamers and/or curious spots. We used several approaches to parametrization of images and various machine learning algorithms. We compared results of computer algorithms with the human expert’s accuracy. Results show that computer algorithms can achieve the same or even better accuracy than that of human experts

GDV technique and machine learning: Current research and results

We use machine learning to analyze GDV images of leaves of apple trees and human fingers. We are interested in two hypotheses: 1. GDV images of plant leaves contain information about plant condition, 2. Human bioelectromagnetic field can be influenced by outside factors, such as vitalized water from special glasses. We performed four independent studies: (a) analyzing coronas of apple leaves, (b) detecting the effect of K2000 glasses on human BEM field, (c) detecting the effect of mobile phones on human BEM field and (d) detecting the effect of energized orbs on human BEM field

The development of new methods for monitoring biocontrol agent, Gliocladium catenulatum J1446, to control gray mold on strawberries

Gray mold, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, is one of the most common and serious diseases affecting strawberries. Different fungicides are used to manage this disease but can quickly lose their effectiveness and their ability to suppress the disease. Therefore, much attention is devoted to biological methods of control in recent years. Preparation PrestopMIX (Verdera Oy, Finland) is available in some European countries. It contains a biocontrol agent (BCA), isolate J1446 of the fungus Gliocladium catenulatum, active against grey mold. In the project Bicopoll, a project of European transnational research cooperation project CORE Organic II, we are checking for residues of BSA in bee products (honey, pollen) and following BCA distribution to strawberry flowers by bees. For this purpose, we developed a new, BCA specific real time PCR, which allows us to detect BCA in different samples and quantify it. Development of a new method and its application will be presented

Use of honeybees (Apis mellifera) to protect strawberry from grey mould (Botrytis cinerea)

BICOPOLL is a CORE Organic II European project on protecting strawberries from its most important disease, the grey mould (Botrytis cinerea). Protective spores of fungi Gliocladium catenulatum in Prestop® Mix (PM) are delivered to the flowers of strawberry by honeybees. We assessed effectiveness of honeybees as vectors under field conditions. Flower visits of bees, and fruit yield were monitored and departing and returning bees and strawberry flowers were sampled. Bees visited strawberry flowers the whole flowering period, but more abundant were in warm weather and in the afternoon. The quantity of spores on honeybees was determined by plating on media and a new method, qPCR that we have developed specifically for the protective fungi. The highest number of spores on bees was determined directly after administration of PM followed by a steady decline during the day until stabilization at a low number. The spores could also be detected in returning bees at a relatively constant low number. PM increased proportion of healthy berries for approximately 50 %. Results of first field experiment in Slovenia confirmed effectiveness of bees as vector of PM. We suggest some changes in application of PM

X-Ray Scattering Studies of the SiO2_2/Si(001) Interfacial Structure

X‐ray scattering has been utilized in a study of the SiO$_2$/Si(001) interfacial structure. Scattering data provide evidence for a low coverage 2×1 epitaxial structure at the SiO$_2$/Si interface for dry oxides grown on highly ordered Si surfaces at room temperature. The observed scattering is consistent with distorted dimer models of the interfacial structure. Thermal annealing substantially reduces the order of the 2×1 structure while prolonged exposure to humid air almost eliminates the 2×1 symmetry scattering. These findings suggest that the observed 2×1 order is associated with a metastable, intermediate state of the dry oxidation process.Engineering and Applied Science

Small matters: Explaining the city through a medieval wall

In the city of Kranj, Slovenia, three former medieval defence towers were redesigned as public spaces. The three interventions are positioned and discussed within the frame of small-scale interventions, specifically as urban acupuncture. First, small-scale interventions are looked at as an approach to designing open space, and parallels with landscape approach are presented. Second, the Three Towers project is discussed, focussing on the relationship it establishes between the city and its context. As the city is built on top of a conglomerate canyon, the interventions open up the slopes and offer distinct views of the surrounding landscape. In this way, they rediscover and emphasise the relationships between the existing contextual amenities and the city itself. The experience of the site grounds the visitor in a physical and historical context and thus fulfils the mental map one might create of Kranj. In this way, the three small interventions influence the perception of the whole city

People in Glass Houses: The Practical and Conceptual Challenges of Public Access in Mid-Century Modernist Residences

High Modernist residential architecture of the mid-twentieth century embodied an austere beauty of simplicity and purity of form. Applying strict design theory to material and structure, architects connected man, architecture and nature in a way that enabled a surreal experience, pushing a residential structure beyond a dwelling to a spiritual place. Over time, some of the most famous and iconic pieces of this architecture have shifted ownership and are no longer used as residences. A new demand for public access and visitation has transformed them into museums and public spaces, turning each into a piece of art in its own right. The function has now shifted in part into the public sphere. As ownership shifts, places originally designed as private retreats for their occupants are now under pressure to open to the public for view and exploration. Highly appreciated as works of art, they draw crowds eager to experience the unique and sensational lifestyle they provided. While this transformation gives a second life to buildings that otherwise might be threatened by destruction or unsympathetic ownership, it also presents problems. Issues of practicality (public access), integrity (durability of physical fabric), and theory (conceptual continuity) raise questions about the most appropriate future for Modernist residential architecture

X‐Ray Reflectivity Studies of SiO2_2/Si(001)

X‐ray reflectivity has been utilized in a study of the SiO$_2$/Si interfacial structure for dry oxides grown at room temperature on highly ordered Si(001) surfaces. Scattering near ($\pm$110) demonstrates the Si lattice termination of the wafers studied is characterized by a highly ordered array of terraces separated by monoatomic steps. Specular reflectivity data indicate the ‘‘native’’ dry oxide thickness is approximately 5 Å with a 1‐Å vacuum interface width. Residual laminar order in the oxide electron density along the oxide/Si interfacial normal decays exponentially from the oxide/Si interface with a $\sim$2.7‐Å decay length.Engineering and Applied Science

Small matters: Explaining the city through a medieval wall

In the city of Kranj, Slovenia, three former medieval defence towers were redesigned as public spaces. The three interventions are positioned and discussed within the frame of small-scale interventions, specifically as urban acupuncture. First, small-scale interventions are looked at as an approach to designing open space, and parallels with landscape approach are presented. Second, the Three Towers project is discussed, focussing on the relationship it establishes between the city and its context. As the city is built on top of a conglomerate canyon, the interventions open up the slopes and offer distinct views of the surrounding landscape. In this way, they rediscover and emphasise the relationships between the existing contextual amenities and the city itself. The experience of the site grounds the visitor in a physical and historical context and thus fulfils the mental map one might create of Kranj. In this way, the three small interventions influence the perception of the whole city