THERMAL COMFORT TRENDS AND VARIABILITY IN THE CROATIAN AND SLOVENIAN MOUNTAINS

Mountain meteorological stations played an extremely important role in weather forecasting in the past because they were the only available data source on meteorological conditions several hundred metres above the sea level. Nowadays they are mainly used to estimate the climatic variations and the climate change trends in the environment that is not under the direct influence of the local anthropogenic factors. Two mountain meteorological observatories were chosen to illustrate climatic and bioclimatic trends and variability, Zavižan in Croatian Dinaric Alps and Kredarica in Slovenian Julian Alps. Both have the same monitoring protocol and similar instruments. Because of their unchanged surrounding since time of establishment the data from both observatories are extremely valuable for studying changes in sensitive mountain ecosystems in both countries. Data from the period 1955-2004 were used to assess mountain climatic and bioclimatic variability and trends in Croatia and Slovenia. Results point at the significant increase in the thermal bioclimate index (PET) based on the human energy balance models. At both sites the increase is mainly caused by temperature changes

A HIGH RESOLUTION TEMPERATURE CLIMATOLOGY FOR THE GREATER ALPINE REGION (GAR)

The Greater Alpine Region (the GAR) covering the area between 4-19°E and 43-50°N and an altitude range between 0 and more than 4000 m asl. offers a challenging climate worth to be studied in any detail. However, it is surprising that up to now no comprehensive Alpine Temperature Climatology covering the whole region is existing. To overcome this deficiency as a first step we want to produce monthly temperature maps for this region in spatial resolution as high as possible. The period under investigation will be 1961-1990. In this paper we will describe the first steps of our initiative as well as the further plans

Has the impact of heatwaves on mortality changed in Slovenia? A study of the heatwaves, 2014-2018

Abstract Background Heat waves are associated with increased mortality. In the last years the decreasing trend has been observed. Methods We estimated relative risks for number of deaths, for the observed diagnoses, sex and age, as well as 95% confidence intervals and excess deaths associated with heat waves occurring in the years from 2014 to 2018. Results Statistically significant were: in 2014, all, all causes (RR 1.26 (95% CI, 1.14-1.40); male, all causes (1.26 (1.09-1.45)); female, all causes (1.27 (1.11-1.44)); 5-74 years, all causes (1.26 (1.07-1.49)): 75+ years, all causes (1.27 (1.12-1.43)); all, circulatory system (1.24 (1.06-1.45)): female, circulatory system (1.27 (1.04-1.55)); 75+ years, circulatory system (1.3 (1.1-1.55)); female, 75+ years, circulatory system (1.33 (1.08-1.64)) and all, neoplasms (1.33 (1.11-1.59)), in 2015, 75+ years, all causes (1.11 (1.00-1.22)); all, circulatory system (1.14 (1.01-1.3)) and 75+ years, circulatory system (1.17 (1.01-1.34)), in 2016, 5-74 years, circulatory system (1.17 (1.01-1.34)) and male, 5-74 years, circulatory system (1.41 (1.01-1.99)), in 2017 and 2018 no statistically significance appeared. Conclusions Despite increasing heat load in observed years, we did not notice a statistically significant association between heat waves and the number of deaths in the last observed years 2017 and 2018. The results indirectly indicate that we are on the right track with public health efforts to raise awareness among Slovenes about the danger of heatwaves and appropriate measures. Key messages Heat waves will become more frequent, more intense and will last longer in the future, Due to these facts public health efforts are continously needed. The population is growing old and chronical noncommunicating diseases increases, so the burden of heatwaves will continue for voulnerable groups. </jats:sec

Association between heat waves and number of deaths for old-age in slovenia, from 2013 to 2017

Abstract Background Heat waves are associated with incresed mortalitiy, especially in old-age population. Methods We estimated relative risks for number of deaths, for the observed diagnoses, sex, and area, as well as 95% confidence intervals and excess deaths associated with heat waves occurring in the years from 2013 to 2017, for population 75+ years old. Results Statistically significant were: in 2014: all causes of deaths (RR = 1.27, CI 1.12-1.44); male, all causes of deaths (RR = 1.27, CI 1.04-1.56); female, all causes of deaths (RR = 1.26, CI 1.08-1.48); all, circulatory system diseases (RR = 1.19, CI 1.01-1.43); female, circulatory system diseases (RR = 1.23, CI 1.01-1.51); rural area (RR = 1.28, CI 1.09-1.51); urban area (RR = 1.35, CI 1.11-1.64); and in 2015: all causes of deaths (RR = 1.28, CI 1.15-1.41); male, all causes of deaths (RR = 1.27, CI 1.08-1.5); female, all causes of deaths (RR = 1.27, CI 1.12-1.45); all, circulatory system diseases (RR = 1.27, CI 1.1-1.48); male, circulatory system diseases (RR = 1.38, CI 1.06-1.79); female, circulatory system diseases (RR = 1.23, CI 1.03-1.47); rural area (RR = 1.31, CI 1.16-1.47). No significant association in 2013, 2016 and 2017 appeared. Conclusions Despite increasing heat load in observed years, we did not notice a statistically significant association between heat waves and the number of deaths in the last observed years 2016 and 2017. The results indirectly show that we are on good way with our public health efforts concerning awareness of Slovenian people about the dangers heat waves bring. Key messages Heat waves will become more intense, will last longer and will appear more frequent. We must take care after old age population. Chronic noncommucating diseaes increase and life expectancy also increases, so the burden of deaths during heat waves is expected to increase too. </jats:sec

The impact of heatwaves on ED visits at Ljubljana University Medical Center, from 2013 to 2017

Abstract Background Morbidity increases during the summer heatwaves globally. Despite increasing heat load, public health efforts probably improve public awareness and behavior. Our study aimed to assess whether ED visits during heatwaves in Slovenia decreased in the last years. Patients and Methods We analyzed data from the Ljubljana University Medical Centre database for consecutive patients arriving at ED, covering the Osrednjeslovenska region (around 650.000 people) in the summer period 2013 to 2017. We estimated relative risks for a number of ED visits for the observed diagnoses, sex, and age, as well as 95% confidence intervals and excess ED visits associated with heatwaves occurring in all observed years. Results Statistically significant were: in 2013: all, all causes (RT 0.78 (95% IZ, 0,72-0,85)); male, all causes (0.78 (0.70-0.88)); female, all causes(0.77 (0.68-0.87)); 75+ years, all causes (0.79 (0.70-0.91)); all, circulatory system (0.74 (0.63-0.86)); male, circulatory system (0.74 (0.60-0.91)); female, circulatory system (0.74 (0.59-0.93)) and all, digestive system (0.7 (0.35-0.91), in 2014: all, all causes (1.17 (1.07-1.28)); male, all causes (1.14 (1.01-1.29)); female, all causes (1.2 (1.06-1.35)) and all, 75+ years, all causes (1.21 (1.06-1.38)), in 2015: all, all causes (1.08 (1.01-1.16)); female, all causes (1.1 (0.01-1.22)); all, endocrine diseases (1.47 (1.03-2.1)), in 2016: all, all causes (0.92 (0.86-0.98)) and all, 75+ years, all causes (0.9 (0.81-0.99), in 2017: all, 75+ years, all causes (0.89 (0.81-0.97)), all, circulatory system (0.86 (0.77-0.96)), female, circulatory system (0.83 (0.7-0.97)); all, digestive system (0.76 (0.32-0.93)) and all, endocrine diseases (1.38 (1.02-1.85)). Conclusions The scientific evidence shows that it is possible to influence heat-related outcomes with proper public health interventions. The results of our research show a decrease in ED visits during heatwaves and support the hypothesis that public behavior is changing. Key messages ED visits due to heatwaves can be preventable. In Slovenia we are on good way with public health interventions. Heatwaves will become more frequent, more intense and will last longer, so we must continue with public health efforts. </jats:sec

The distribution of Ambrosia spp. pollen grains through North East of Italy, Slovenia and Carinthia (Austria) in the year 2021

Introduction The data sharing of Ambrosia spp. pollen particles detection among the Environmental Agencies of North East Italy, Carinthia (Austria) and Slovenia has allowed the development of a geographical map showing where ragweed was mostly concentrated in 2021. Materials and Methods Ambrosia spp. pollen grains were identified during the routine microscope analysis of the samples collected in 2021 from n.24 stations belonging to the monitoring networks of the Environmental Agencies involved in the study. Specific training in the recognition of Ambrosia spp pollen was previously carried out to distinguish it from similar genera. Pollen concentration data collected from each station were reported as annual pollen index, i.e. the sum of daily pollen concentration over the year (fig.1). Kriging model was applied to spatialize the punctual annual data and visualize the areas of greatest presence of the pollen. Results and Discussion The annual pollen indexes of Ambrosia spp. from North East of Italy, Carinthia (Austria) and Slovenia, spatialized with the Kriging method are represented in figure 2. On this map, the sampling stations are also reported and since each station represents the main phytoclimatic areas of each territory, it was possible to validate the result obtained. It is evident a higher concentration of Ambrosia pollen in the eastern-south part of the study are

Effects of controlled nucleation on freeze-drying lactose and mannitol aqueous solutions

The lyophilization of lactose and mannitol aqueous solutions was investigated with an emphasis on analyzing the effects of controlled nucleation, temperature of nucleation, and pore size distribution on the freeze-drying process. The experimental procedure involved the depressurization technique of controlled nucleation, in-vial temperature measurements as well as measurements of the chamber pressure, which allowed the analysis of the product batch, loaded in the laboratory lyophilizator. The average pore enlargement was 93 and 58% with the incorporation of the controlled nucleation step in the lyophilization of 6 wt% lactose and 6 wt% mannitol solutions, respectively. Consequently, the primary drying times were lowered from 450 to 500 min in both cases. The pore sizes were determined to be as important as the solid material itself in the scope of the sublimation rates. Namely, the average equivalent diameter of the pores was larger in the dried mannitol cake compared to the lactose cake. However, despite the higher porosity of the dried mannitol cake, the end of the sublimation in the primary drying step was observed approximately 500 min earlier during the lyophilization of the lactose solution with the same initial concentration as the mannitol solution in a comparable freeze-drying protocol. In addition, an increase in mannitol concentration from 3 to 12 wt% was found to substantially extend the time required for the sublimation phase of the lyophilization

A high resolution temperature climatology for the Greater Alpine Region (GAR).

The Greater Alpine Region (the GAR) covering the area between 4-19°E and 43-50°N and an altitude range between 0 and more than 4000 m asl. offers a challenging climate worth to be studied in any detail. However, it is surprising that up to now no comprehensive Alpine Temperature Climatology covering the whole region is existing. To overcome this deficiency as a first step we want to produce monthly temperature maps for this region in spatial resolution as high as possible. The period under investigation will be 1961-1990. In this paper we will describe the first steps of our initiative as well as the further plans