Experimental Analysis of Heat Transport in Concrete And Steel-Concrete Composite Structural Members

Teoretická část práce je zaměřena na problematiku měření teploty, pórového tlaku a vlhkosti v betonových a ocelobetonových prvcích za zvýšených teplot s ohledem na použití jednotlivých postupů a měřidel v praxi. Na tuto teoretickou část dále navazuje praktická část, ve které jsou aplikovány poznatky z teoretické části. Je popsán návrh a postup experimentálního měření teploty v betonových a ocelobetonových prvcích s následným vyhodnocením naměřených výsledků.A theoretical part of the thesis is focused on measurement of temperature, pore pressure and humidity in the concrete and the steel-concrete composite structural members at elevated temperatures with respect to the usage of the respective procedures and gauges in practice. The theoretical part is further followed by an experimental part in which are applied findings from the theoretical part. Design and procedure of the experimental measuring of the temperature in concrete and steel-concrete composite structural members are described; the evaluation of the measured results follows then

Complexity stage model of the medical device development based on economic evaluation-MedDee

The development of a new product is essential for the progress and success of any company. The medical device market is very specific, which is challenging. Therefore, this paper assesses an economic model for medical device evaluation using the economic, health, technology regulatory, and present market knowledge to enable the cost-time conception for any applicant. The purpose of this study is to propose a comprehensive stage model of the medical device development to subsequently describe the financial expenditure of the entire development process. The identification of critical steps was based on the literature review, and analysis, and a comparison of the available medical device development stages and directives. Furthermore, a preliminary assessment of the medical device development steps and procedures on the basis of the interviews was performed. Six interviews were conducted with an average duration of one hour, focusing on areas: relevance and level of detail of the medical device development stages, involvement of economic methods, and applicability of the proposed model. Subsequently, the improvement and modification of the medical device investment process, based on respondents' responses, were conducted. The authors have proposed the complexity model MedDee-Medical Devices Development by Economic Evaluation. This model is comprised of six phases: initiation, concept, design, production, final verification, and market disposition in which the economic methods are incorporated.Web of Science125art. no. 175

Synthesis and disinfection effect of the pyridine-4-aldoxime based salts

PubMed ID: 25719739A set of new quaternary ammonium compounds based on pyridine-4-aldoxime was synthesized, characterized with analytical data (NMR, EA, HPLC, MS) and tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity (antibacterial, antifungal) and cytotoxicity. Quaternary pyridinium-4-aldoxime salts with length of alkyl side chain from C8 to C20 and belonging to the group of cationic surfactants were investigated in this work. An HPLC experimental protocol for characterization of mixtures of all homologues has been found. Antimicrobial evaluation found that yeast-type fungi were most sensitive towards C14 and C16 analogues, whereas the C16 analogue was completely ineffective against filamentous fungi. Antibacterial assessment showed versatility of C14 and relatively high efficacy of C16 against G+ strains and C14 against G− strains. Notably, none of the studied compounds exceeded the efficacy and versatility of the benzalkonium C12 analogue, and benzalkonium analogues also exhibited lower cytotoxicity in the cell viability assay.Web of Science2033696368

Simvastatin Inhibits Endotoxin-Induced Apoptosis in Liver and Spleen Through Up-Regulation of Survivin/NF-κB/p65 Expression

Endotoxemia is associated by dysregulated apoptosis of immune and non-immune cells. We investigated whether simvastatin has anti-apoptotic effects, and induces hepatocytes and lymphocytes survival signaling in endotoxin-induced liver and spleen injuries. Wistar rats were divided into the groups pretreated with simvastatin (20 or 40 mg/kg, orally) prior to a non-lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the LPS group, and the control. The severity of tissue inflammatory injuries was expressed as hepatic damage scores (HDS) and spleen damage scores (SDS), respectively. The apoptotic cell was detected by TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling) and immunohistochemical staining (expression of cleaved caspase-3, and anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL, survivin and NF-κB/p65). Simvastatin dose-dependently abolished HDS and SDS induced by LPS (p < 0.01), respectively. Simvastatin 40 mg/kg significantly decreased apoptotic index and caspase-3 cleavage in hepatocytes and lymphocytes (p < 0.01 vs. LPS group, respectively), while Bcl-XL markedly increased accordingly with simvastatin doses. In the simvastatin, groups were determined markedly increased cytoplasmic expression of survivin associated with nuclear positivity of NF-κB, in both hepatocytes and lymphocytes (p < 0.01 vs. LPS group). Cell-protective effects of simvastatin against LPS seemed to be mediated by up-regulation of survivin, which leads to reduced caspase-3 activation and inhibition of hepatocytes and lymphocytes apoptosis

Detailed Spatial Analysis of Parliamentary Elections in 2010 Using Geographically Weighted Regression

The thesis deals with the geographical analysis of the parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic in 2010. Its main goal is a detailed analysis of the elections using the method of geographically weighted regression (GWR), statistical method, which allows to uncover spatial context of the examined phenomenon more precisely. Furthermore, it is investigated whether and how the entry of new political parties on the scene (TOP 09, Věci veřejné) in 2010 changed the territorial relationship between voting behavior and the socioeconomic characteristics of the population compared to 2006 elections. The data at the municipal level from the Census 2001 and 2011 and election data are used. Data are analyzed using GWR, analysis of variance and multiple linear regression. It is shown that the global decline in turnout in 2010 was greater in the left-wing than in the right-wing regions. The existence of regional differences in the relations between local characteristics and the results of the election of the parties is demonstrated. These observed differences appear to be relatively stable - results in 2010 for each party are similar to results from 2006, especially for the ODS and the KSČM. Explanatory variables for voting for TOP 09 are very similar to those of ODS, with a larger positive effect of..

Late Neolithic circular enclosures: never entirely uncovered

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Music Therapy in the Management of Dementia

Background: Due to the increase in life expectancies and the number of aging population worldwide, there is a rise of aging diseases, out of which the most common is dementia. Therefore, researchers all over the world look for another alternative ways that can improve cognitive competency and neuropsychiatric disorders of these people in order to assist them in maintaining the quality of their life and reducing the overall economic burden. One of the alternative approaches seems to be non-pharmacological therapies, which are non-invasive, with minimum side effects and definitely less costly, such as a music therapy (MT). Objective: The purpose of this review study is to discuss benefits and limitations of music therapy in the management of dementia. Method: This was done by conducting a literature review of available sources found in the Web of Science, Scopus and MEDLINE. Results: The findings show that MT may be a promising non-invasive strategy with a long history of use, relatively favorable acceptance among patients with dementia, and its efficacy especially in the treatment of psycho-behavioral symptoms of dementia. Conclusion: However, more research should be conducted in the area of cognitive functioning, as well as on the mechanism of MT for dementia patients. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved

Vascular Cognitive Impairment: Information from Animal Models on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Cognitive Deficits

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is the second most common cause of cognitive deficit after Alzheimer’s disease. Since VCI patients represent an important target population for prevention, an ongoing effort has been made to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disorder. In this review, we summarize the information from animal models on the molecular changes that occur in the brain during a cerebral vascular insult and ultimately lead to cognitive deficits in VCI. Animal models cannot effectively represent the complex clinical picture of VCI in humans. Nonetheless, they allow some understanding of the important molecular mechanisms leading to cognitive deficits. VCI may be caused by various mechanisms and metabolic pathways. The pathological mechanisms, in terms of cognitive deficits, may span from oxidative stress to vascular clearance of toxic waste products (such as amyloid beta) and from neuroinflammation to impaired function of microglia, astrocytes, pericytes, and endothelial cells. Impaired production of elements of the immune response, such as cytokines, and vascular factors, such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), may also affect cognitive functions. No single event could be seen as being the unique cause of cognitive deficits in VCI. These events are interconnected, and may produce cascade effects resulting in cognitive impairment

Treatment costs of Parkinson´s disease in Central Europe

The aim of the study is to describe current values of direct costs of Parkinson’s disease in western and central Europe in comparison with other available data in order to illustrate the development of the treatment costs of Parkinson’s disease (PD) on the public sector. In this research study Drummond’s methodology is used for the speci fi cation of costs. The costs are divided into two categories. The fi rst category consists of the costs of creation and running of health care program and these costs are perceived as the used sources. The costs are calculated on the basis of the reviews of the studies from the European countries, but also on the basis of authors’ own survey in the University Hospital of Hradec Kralove conducted among 510 patients in the period of 2011-to the third quarter of 2015. Within this study the direct costs among 510 patients at the University Hospital of Hradec Kralove were explored in the period of 2011- to the third quarter of 2015. These costs included neurological examination, CT screening, blood collection, hospitalization, and drugs. The total direct costs of patient per year reached 2,032 EUR. The survey showed that the underpinning of patients with PD was bene fi cial from the costs point of view because the costs on the outpatient care were much lower in comparison with the inpatient care. In addition, patients released from the hospital are usually transferred to the establishments with subsequent care, for example into hospices, because family care due to its complexity is impossible

Use effectiveness of medical devices: A case study on the deployment of ultrasonographic devices

Background: In the sense of Act No. 123/2000 Coll., as amended (hereinafter referred to as the Act), a medical device is understood to be a wide range of resources, especially medical equipment. To implement innovative technologies in practice, it is becoming extremely important to be cost-conscious and effective. The aim of the article is to use an ultrasonographic device case study in a selected hospital to show the possibility of solving the use effectiveness of medical devices. Methods: Within the first step, a summary of the use of ultrasonographic devices is developed in terms of performance number and time. Also, a summary of all costs for the last 5 years has been created. The analyzed ultrasonographic device set is evaluated in terms of activity indicators, profitability, and Du Pont decomposition. Revenues from the operation of individual instruments and payroll productivity are taken into account. All of this is evaluated in the context of the requirements of the department and the spectrum of ultrasonographic devices. Results: The results show that the economic evaluation of device use efficiency, comparing the requirements of the department and spectrum of the devices, suggests a major revision in use of these devices and savings. Conclusion: The new design of the most profitable system differs significantly in the arrangement of individual ultrasonographic devices. The benefit of the study is not just a newly designed organization-specific arrangement, but it can be perceived as a modeling approach that can be used to analyze other sets of medical technology.Web of Science52450649