Contemporary Developments in UK Defence Policy: Their Origins and Strategic Consequences

In 2010, in the face of budgetary constraints, the British coalition government embarked upon a new review of strategy comprising a National Security Strategy and a Strategic Defence and Security Review. This article examines the 2010 strategy review (the NSS together with the SDSR) and the reasons for its publication, and aims to analyze continuity and change vis-à-vis Labour’s defence policy and to evaluate its implications for the United Kingdom’s future defence posture

Ehler, Tomáš: USA a znovusjednocení Německa. Diplomatický proces v letech 1989–1990

Knižní recenze / Book reveiw

British and French Nuclear Forces in the Second Nuclear Age

The article outlines the main theoretical models of nuclear proliferation and the motives that are driving states to obtain nuclear weapons. It also focuses on theoretical concepts dealing with variants and alternatives of the future fate of nuclear arsenals and roles played by nuclear weapons. Attention is also paid to the roles of nuclear weapons in the past views of Great Britain and France. The article analyses their motives for joining the nuclear club and also the reasons that led them to keep their nuclear arsenals in the second nuclear age. The authors conclude that these two countries were driven to cross the nuclear threshold not just by security motives, but by other motives as well. Because of the fact that some such motives remain relevant even today, it is rather unlikely to presume that the two states would be willing to abolish their nuclear arsenals in the foreseeable future

Jan Růžička – Kryštof Kozák a kolektiv: Úpadek amerického federalismu? Posilování federální vlády na prahu 21. století.

Jan Růžička – Kryštof Kozák a kolektiv: Úpadek amerického federalismu? Posilování federální vlády na prahu 21. století. 1. vydání. Praha: Karolinum, 2008, 160 stran, ISBN 978-80-246-1503-5

The First Construction of Unconventional Type of Railway Superstructure in the ŽSR Infrastructure

AbstractIn the introduction of the paper the unconventional type of railway superstructure (so called ballastless track) is briefly characterized from the point of view of its historical development. Its advantages and disadvantages related to the classic railway superstructure (rail skeleton placed in gravel railbed) are also stated here. In the further parts of this paper the built-in system of ballastless track RHEDA 2000® is characterized, using the example of the first application of the unconventional railway superstructure in the conditions of ŽSR, related to the construction of the tunnel Turecký vrch in the modernised V. multimodal corridor (line section Nové Mesto nad Váhom-Púchov). The conclusion states the methods of diagnostics of ballastless track, transitional areas and connecting sections with classic railway superstructure. This diagnostics is a part of a scientific project of experimental monitoring of the geometrical position of the track in the ongoing warranty period of the respective modernised line section; realized for the needs of DG of ŽSR by the workers of the Department of Railway Engineering and Track Management in cooperation with the Department of Geodesy of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Žilina

Use of magnetic resonance imaging to quantify fat and steatosis in the pancreas in patients after bariatric surgery: a retrospective study

Introduction Pancreatic steatosis (PS) has both metabolic consequences and local effects on the pancreas itself. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most reliable non-invasive method for diagnosing PS. We investigated the impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) on the presence of PS, differences in individuals with and without PS, and the metabolic effects of bariatric procedures. Methods Changes in anthropometric and basic biochemistry values and MS occurrence were evaluated in 34 patients with obesity who underwent a bariatric procedure. After the procedure, patients underwent MRI with manual 3D segmentation mask creation to determine the pancreatic fat content (PFC). We compared the differences in the PFC and the presence of PS in individuals with and without MS and compared patients with and without PS. Results We found no significant difference in the PFC between the groups with and without MS or in the occurrence of PS. There were significant differences in patients with and without PS, especially in body mass index (BMI), fat mass, visceral adipose tissue ( VAT), select adipocytokines, and lipid spectrum with no difference in glycemia levels. Significant metabolic effects of bariatric procedures were observed. Conclusions Bariatric procedures can be considered effective in the treatment of obesity, MS, and some of its components. Measuring PFC using MRI did not show any difference in relation to MS, but patients who lost weight to BMI < 30 did not suffer from PS and had lower overall fat mass and VAT. Glycemia levels did not have an impact on the presence of PS.Web of Science32113674366

Prevention of sarcopenia in patients with obesity afterbariatric and metabolic surgery: The effect ofprogrammed training on the muscle tissue andanthropometric functions - A randomized controlledtrial (SarxOb study protocol)

Obesity is a serious metabolic disease that significantly increases cardiovascular risks and other health complications. Sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from obesity that increases the health risks and is associated with cardiac, respiratory, and other diseases. Bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) leads to significant changes in body composition. Our pilot study showed that bariatric patients are at risk of sarcopenia after BMS. This finding resulted in a hypothesis that an exercise plan in the experimental group will lead to postural stabilization and a lower decline in muscle homotopy, further leading to a greater reduction in fat mass and a positive effect of exercise on skeletal muscle volume and strength and endocrine-metabolic function. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of programmed aerobic and strength training on muscle function, volume, and morphology in patients after BMS. The study is a single-center, randomized clinical trial after sleeve gastrectomy focused on muscle tissue. The experimental group will perform targeted physical activity once a week for 12 months and the training plan will include anaerobic and aerobic components. Magnetic resonance imaging of skeletal muscles will be correlated with the values of densitometry examination and changes in body composition, certain blood parameters of myokines, biomechanical analysis of movement abnormalities, and behavioral and dietary counseling. This study will address the research questions about the effect of programmed training on muscle tissue and muscular functions after BMS.Web of Science23219719

Prevention of sarcopenia in patients with obesity after bariatric and metabolic surgery: The effect of programmed training on the muscle tissue and anthropometric functions – A randomized controlled trial (SarxOb study protocol)

Obesity is a serious metabolic disease that significantly increases cardiovascular risks and other health complications. Sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from obesity that increases the health risks and is associated with cardiac, respiratory and other diseases.  Bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) leads to significant changes in body composition. Our pilot study showed that bariatric patients are at risk of sarcopenia after BMS. This finding resulted in a hypothesis that an exercise plan in the experimental group will lead to postural stabilization and a lower decline in muscle homotopy, further leading to a greater reduction in fat mass and a positive effect of exercise on skeletal muscle volume and strength and endocrine-metabolic function. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of programmed aerobic and strength training on muscle function, volume, and morphology in patients after BMS. The study is a single-center, randomized clinical trial after sleeve gastrectomy focused on muscle tissue. The experimental group will perform targeted physical activity once a week for 12 months and the training plan will include anaerobic and aerobic components. Magnetic resonance imaging of skeletal muscles will be correlated with the values of densitometry examination and changes in body composition, certain blood parameters of myokines, biomechanical analysis of movement abnormalities, and behavioral and dietary counseling. This study will address the research questions about the effect of programmed training on muscle tissue and muscular functions after BMS