Potential phytotoxic and shading effects of invasive Fallopia (Polygonaceae) taxa on the germination of dominant native species

Two species of the genus Fallopia (F. sachalinensis, F. japonica, Polygonaceae) native to Asia, and their hybrid (F. ×bohemica), belong to the most noxious plant invaders in Europe. They impact highly on invaded plant communities, resulting in extremely poor native species richness. The low number of native species in invaded communities points to the possible existence of mechanisms suppressing their germination. In this study we assessed, under laboratory conditions, whether there are phytotoxic effects of the three Fallopia congeners on seed germination of three target species: two native species commonly growing in habitats that are often invaded by Fallopia taxa (Urtica dioica, Calamagrostis epigejos), and Lepidium sativum, a species commonly used in allelopathic bioassays as a control. Since Fallopia taxa form dense stands with high cover, we included varying light conditions as an additional factor, to simulate the effects of shading by leaf canopy on germination. The effects of aqueous extracts (2.5%, 5.0%, and 0% as a control) from dry leaves and rhizomes of the Fallopia congeners on germination of the target species were thus studied under two light regimes, simulating full daylight (white light) and light filtered through canopy (green light), and in dark as a control regime. Rhizome extracts did not affect germination. Light treatments yielded inconclusive results, indicating that poor germination and establishment of species in invaded stands is unlikely to be caused by shading alone. However, we found a pronounced phytotoxic effect of leaf extracts of Fallopia taxa, more so at 5.0% than 2.5% extract concentration. Fallopia sachalinensis exerted the largest negative effect on the germination of Urtica dioica, F. ×bohemica on that of C. epigejos, and F. japonica had invariably the lowest inhibitory effect on all test species. The weak phytotoxic effect of F. japonica corresponds to the results of previous studies that found this species to be generally a weaker competitor than its two congeners. Although these results do not necessarily provide direct evidence for allelopathic effects in the field, we demonstrate the potential phytotoxic effect of invasive Fallopia taxa on the germination of native species. This suggests that allelopathy may play a role in the impact of Fallopia invasion on species diversity of invaded communities

Potential phytotoxic and shading effects of invasive Fallopia (Polygonaceae) taxa on the germination of dominant native species

Two species of the genus Fallopia (F. sachalinensis, F. japonica, Polygonaceae) native to Asia, and their hybrid (F. ×bohemica), belong to the most noxious plant invaders in Europe. They impact highly on invaded plant communities, resulting in extremely poor native species richness. The low number of native species in invaded communities points to the possible existence of mechanisms suppressing their germination. In this study we assessed, under laboratory conditions, whether there are phytotoxic effects of the three Fallopia congeners on seed germination of three target species: two native species commonly growing in habitats that are often invaded by Fallopia taxa (Urtica dioica, Calamagrostis epigejos), and Lepidium sativum, a species commonly used in allelopathic bioassays as a control. Since Fallopia taxa form dense stands with high cover, we included varying light conditions as an additional factor, to simulate the effects of shading by leaf canopy on germination. The effects of aqueous extracts (2.5%, 5.0%, and 0% as a control) from dry leaves and rhizomes of the Fallopia congeners on germination of the target species were thus studied under two light regimes, simulating full daylight (white light) and light filtered through canopy (green light), and in dark as a control regime. Rhizome extracts did not affect germination. Light treatments yielded inconclusive results, indicating that poor germination and establishment of species in invaded stands is unlikely to be caused by shading alone. However, we found a pronounced phytotoxic effect of leaf extracts of Fallopia taxa, more so at 5.0% than 2.5% extract concentration. Fallopia sachalinensis exerted the largest negative effect on the germination of Urtica dioica, F. ×bohemica on that of C. epigejos, and F. japonica had invariably the lowest inhibitory effect on all test species. The weak phytotoxic effect of F. japonica corresponds to the results of previous studies that found this species to be generally a weaker competitor than its two congeners. Although these results do not necessarily provide direct evidence for allelopathic effects in the field, we demonstrate the potential phytotoxic effect of invasive Fallopia taxa on the germination of native species. This suggests that allelopathy may play a role in the impact of Fallopia invasion on species diversity of invaded communities

Spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid in coloured samples

Tato bakalářská práce se zabývá stanovením vitaminu C v barevných vzorcích spektrofotometrickou metodou po extrakci xylenem. Teoretická část se zabývá reakcemi, biochemií a výskytem kyseliny askorbové v potravinách. Rovněž je zde pojednáno o různých metodách stanovení vitaminu C, ať už jde o HPLC metody, elektrochemické metody, titrační stanovení, spektrofotometrické metody nebo metodu polarografickou. V experimentální části byly touto metodou nejprve stanoveny koncentrace kyseliny askorbové ve standardech, a potom v reálných vzorcích (vitaminové tablety, pomerančová šťáva a šťáva šlechtěných odrůd černého bezu). Dále byly stanoveny některé validační parametry metody. Citlivost metody byla určena na 1,6772, linearita na 0,9990, mez detekce byla stanovena na 0,0466 mg/ml a mez stanovitelnosti na 0,1552 mg/ml. Přesnost metody byla vyjádřena relativní směrodatnou odchylkou, která nabývala hodnot do 3,00 %.This bachelor’s thesis deals with spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid after the xylen extraction in coloured samples. The theoretical part deals with reactions, biochemistry and occurrence of ascorbic acid in foodstuffs. Also, it is dealt with various methods of determination of ascorbic acid, such as HPLC methods, electrochemical methods, titrimetric determinations, spectrophotometric determinations or polarographic method. In the experimental part of this method were first determined the concentration of ascorbic acid in the standards, then in real samples (vitamin tablets, orange juice and the juice of cultivated varieties of elderberry). Some validation parameters of the method were also determined. Sensitivity of the method was determined to 1,6772, linearity to 0,9990, limit of detection was set at 0,0466 mg/ml and the detection limit at 0,1552 mg/ml. Accuracy of the method was expressed as relative standard deviation, which gained 3,00% in value.

The impact of German macroeconomic data announcements on the Czech financial market

This paper analyzes the impact of German macroeconomic news announcements on the Czech financial market - as proxied by EUR/CZK exchange rate returns - over three sub-periods: the financial crisis period (2008-2009), the post-crisis period (2010-11/2013) and the currency intervention period (11/2013-2014). Both symmetric and asymmetric models from the class of generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models are applied. Macroeconomic shocks (GDP, ZEW, IFO, factory orders, industrial production, Purchasing manager's indexes (PMI) from service and production sectors) are constructed as deviations form expected values. The results suggest that announcement of German GDP and IFO index calm the exchange rate volatility during the 7-year total examined time period. Splitting the time series into 3 individual sub-periods the results suggest that announcements of GDP, factory orders decrease and announcements of industrial production, IFO index increase the conditional volatility during financial crises. Furthermore, announcements of GDP and ZEW index calm the exchange rate's conditional volatility during the post-crises period. Finally, announcements of GDP data and PMI index form production sector increase conditional variance during the central bank's currency interventions. Moreover, announcement of higher IFO index depreciates the CZK value during the post-crisis period

TEACHING OF THE LANGUAGE FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES FOR AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS

We deal in this paper with teaching foreign languages for specific purposes (LSP) the future agricultural graduates, which plays a major role at the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra as part of its language education system. Besides specialized terms and definitions, it also covers mastering the specific functional style of a given foreign language. Graduates from this university have shown their competence in various agricultural fields of study, as well as foreign language use in professional placement abroad. To be good at one´s specialization means to follow the latest news and the newest forms of research constantly, to read professional magazines proficiently, to be able to write scientific papers and present them in public, and to be ready to lead international teams in various agricultural projects. Our paper deals with the research we have provided at the Department of Languages. The goal of research was the four year monitoring of the group of 156 students of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra who were supposed, within their language UNIcert®, level III (C1) exam, to write their projects on varied specific topics of their own choices, to prepare and perform their presentations in the English or German languages, as well as evaluation of their results. The mentioned research was carried out in the years 2007 – 2010. The students were, through this exam, verified their complex skills in creating their own texts as well as their ability to present them in public

COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS IS MORE ASSOCIATED WITH NON-INFLAMMATORY MECHANISM THAN INFLAMMATION

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) includes a heterogeneous variety of neurological and psychiatric syndromes involving central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system. Neuropsychiatric lupus is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and NPSLE has been proven to have a profound effect on health-related quality-of-life. Cognitive impairment is one of the most common manifestations of NPSLE. The aim of our study was to assess cognitive dysfunction and its association with an inflammatory and non-inflammatory mechanism in a cohort of NPSLE patients. Methods: One-hundred patients with the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were enrolled in our study. All patients underwent clinical neuro-psychological and psychiatric examinations and based on the results the diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction was established according to the ACR classification of NPSLE. In the study, the presence of serum autoantibodies and promising molecule tumour necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), which supposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of NPSLE, were evaluated. Results: Cognitive dysfunction (a moderate to severe degree of a cognitive deficit) was found in fifty-seven percent of SLE patients. Of the examined biomarkers including TWEAK, none showed a significant association with cognitive impairment. The only antibodies associated with cognitive dysfunction were antiphospholipid antibodies. The antiphospholipid antibodies were two times higher in a group with cognitive dysfunction than in the group without cognitive impairment and the prevalence of the antiphospholipid syndrome was significantly higher in NPSLE patients (28.1% vs. 20.9%; p<0.05). Conclusion: Cognitive dysfunction significantly decreased the mental performance of patients with SLE. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies indicates that cognitive dysfunction is probably associated with non-inflammatory mechanism rather than inflammation. Supported by MHCR 023728. References: 1. Moravcova R, Posmurova M et al. Cognitive dysfunction in the Czech population of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. CesRevmtol:2010;18;2;85–91. 2. Fragoso-Loyo H, Atisha-Fregoso Y et al. Utility of TWEAK to assess neuropsychiatric disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus:2016;25;364–36

COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS IS MORE ASSOCIATED WITH NON-INFLAMMATORY MECHANISM THAN INFLAMMATION

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) includes a heterogeneous variety of neurological and psychiatric syndromes involving central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system. Neuropsychiatric lupus is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and NPSLE has been proven to have a profound effect on health-related quality-of-life. Cognitive impairment is one of the most common manifestations of NPSLE. The aim of our study was to assess cognitive dysfunction and its association with an inflammatory and non-inflammatory mechanism in a cohort of NPSLE patients. Methods: One-hundred patients with the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were enrolled in our study. All patients underwent clinical neuro-psychological and psychiatric examinations and based on the results the diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction was established according to the ACR classification of NPSLE. In the study, the presence of serum autoantibodies and promising molecule tumour necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), which supposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of NPSLE, were evaluated. Results: Cognitive dysfunction (a moderate to severe degree of a cognitive deficit) was found in fifty-seven percent of SLE patients. Of the examined biomarkers including TWEAK, none showed a significant association with cognitive impairment. The only antibodies associated with cognitive dysfunction were antiphospholipid antibodies. The antiphospholipid antibodies were two times higher in a group with cognitive dysfunction than in the group without cognitive impairment and the prevalence of the antiphospholipid syndrome was significantly higher in NPSLE patients (28.1% vs. 20.9%; p<0.05). Conclusion: Cognitive dysfunction significantly decreased the mental performance of patients with SLE. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies indicates that cognitive dysfunction is probably associated with non-inflammatory mechanism rather than inflammation. Supported by MHCR 023728. References: 1. Moravcova R, Posmurova M et al. Cognitive dysfunction in the Czech population of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. CesRevmtol:2010;18;2;85–91. 2. Fragoso-Loyo H, Atisha-Fregoso Y et al. Utility of TWEAK to assess neuropsychiatric disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus:2016;25;364–36

Communication with elderly people from the perspective of nursing staff

Bachelor thesis deals with the communication with elderly people from the perspective of nursing staff. It describing in detail topic verbal and nonverbal communication and its importance in interaction with elderly people, then its works with age, aging process and associated changes. Main goal and basis bachelor thesis are research investigation. It finds out the most suitable ways of communication with elderly people in retirement home. Researching methods is quantitative questionnaire, examined respondents are nursing staff how they communicate in home for the elderly, specifically in 3 homes for the elderly in Prague. Results which we finished by quantitative questionnaire with following data analysing, we deal with them in the research part of the work. 115 is the number of respondents, who were participate quantitative questionnaire. We used our own questionnaire. Nurses should control how they communicate with patient and use professional attitude. Elderly people need our care and attention. Communication with elderly people have some specifics. It should be brief, accurate. Quiet and kindly speech is also important. Most of seniors value enough time for communication, privacy during it, patience and goodwill with smile on nurse face. Bachelor thesis deals with barriers from nurses and from...Bakalářská práce se zabývá komunikací se seniory z pohledu nelékařského zdravotnického personálu. Podrobněji popisuje téma verbální i neverbální komunikace a její význam při interakci se seniory a následně se hlouběji zaměřuje na stáří, stárnutí a s tím spojené změny. Hlavní cíl a základ bakalářské práce tvoří kvantitativní výzkumné šetření, které má zjistit nejvhodnější způsoby a formy komunikace se seniory v domovech pro seniory. Metodou výzkumu bylo zvoleno kvantitativní dotazníkové šetření, zkoumanými respondenty je ošetřující personál domovů pro seniory, dotazníkové šetření bylo provedeno celkem ve 3 domovech pro seniory v Praze. Výsledky, kterých jsme se dopracovali kvantitativním dotazníkovým šetřením a následnou analýzou těchto dat se podrobněji věnuje empirická část práce. Dotazníkového šetření se zúčastnilo 115 respondentů, byl použit dotazník vlastní konstrukce. Zdravotníci by specifika při ošetřovatelské péči a komunikaci se seniory měli ovládat. Senioři si určitě zaslouží naši péči a pozornost. Komunikace s nimi má svá specifika a zásady. Má být stručná, jasná a výstižná. Klidná a vlídná mluva je též zásadní. Dostatek času, soukromí, trpělivosti, a ochoty pomoci s úsměvem na tváři většina seniorů ocení. Bakalářská práce zmiňuje i bariéry, jak ze strany zdravotníků, tak i od seniorů,...Ústav ošetřovatelstvíDepartment of Nursing2. lékařská fakultaSecond Faculty of Medicin

Financial Analysis of Selected Company

Import 26/06/2013Práce je zaměřena na finanční analýzu společnosti Solartec, s. r. o., jejíž hlavní činností je výroba a instalace fotovoltaických elektráren. Cílem práce je zhodnotit finanční situaci společnosti Solartec, s. r. o. v letech 2007 až 2011. Teoretická část práce obsahuje informace o finanční analýze, především o jejich metodách. Část praktická se pak zabývá provedením finanční analýzy společnosti Solartec, s. r. o. Finanční analýza této společnosti byla provedena na podkladě odborné literatury a účetních výkazů podniku.This thesis is focused on financial analysis of the company Solartec, s. r. o. whose main activity lies in productoin of solar cells and assembling of Photovoltaic Power Plants. The goal of the thesis is an avaluation of financial situation of Solartec, s. r. o. in years from 2007 to 2011. The theoretical part contains knowledge about financial analysis, especially their methods. Practical part of this thesis is concerned with performing financial analysis of the Solartec, s. r. o. company. Financial analysis of this company was performed on the basis of specialized bibliography and accounts of the company.117 - Katedra účetnictvívýborn