Intrinsic Determinants of Aβ12–24 pH-Dependent Self-Assembly Revealed by Combined Computational and Experimental Studies

The propensity of amyloid- (A) peptide to self-assemble into highly ordered amyloid structures lies at the core of their accumulation in the brain during Alzheimer's disease. By using all-atom explicit solvent replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations, we elucidated at the atomic level the intrinsic determinants of the pH-dependent dimerization of the central hydrophobic segment A and related these with the propensity to form amyloid fibrils measured by experimental tools such as atomic force microscopy and fluorescence. The process of A dimerization was evaluated in terms of free energy landscape, side-chain two-dimensional contact probability maps, -sheet registries, potential mean force as a function of inter-chain distances, secondary structure development and radial solvation distributions. We showed that dimerization is a key event in A amyloid formation; it is highly prompted in the order of pH 5.02.98.4 and determines further amyloid growth. The dimerization is governed by a dynamic interplay of hydrophobic, electrostatic and solvation interactions permitting some variability of -sheets at each pH. These results provide atomistic insight into the complex process of molecular recognition detrimental for amyloid growth and pave the way for better understanding of the molecular basis of amyloid diseases

Motivation system of employees in the company “EuroTour Group”

Předložená bakalářská práce se zabývá problematikou motivace zaměstnanců v malém podniku. Cílem práce je vypracování analýzy motivačního systému v malých podnicích a formulace návrhu na zdokonalení současného systému. Teoretická část práce se zaměřuje na definici pojmů motivace, motiv, stimul, pracovní motivace a řízení pracovního výkonu. Dále následuje charakteristika vývoje různých modelů řízení v průběhu času a definice pracovní spokojenosti. Závěr práce se zabývá klasifikací druhů odměňování. Praktická část bakalářské práce zahrnuje popis společnosti EuroTour Group s.r.o., analýzu současného systému motivace a návrh na jeho zlepšení. Výzkum byl proveden na bázi osobního pohovoru a dotazníkového šetření. Ze získaných výsledků byly vyvozeny výhody a nevýhody podniku. Mezi výhody lze začlenit pružnou pracovní dobu, péči o zaměstnance a pohodlné pracovní prostředí. Jako negativa lze uvést omezené možnosti kariérního růstu a osobního rozvoje či velmi malý výběr výhod pro zaměstnance. Výsledkem daného výzkumu je nabídnutí komplexních doporučení, která by mohla rozšířit pracovní motivaci a spokojenost zaměstnanců a zároveň i výkonnost a výsledky samotného podniku.The bachelor thesis deals with the motivation of employees of a small enterprise. The aim of this research is to analyse the profile of the motivation system in small enterprises, to formulate a proposal for improvement of the current system. The theoretical part focuses on definitions of motivation, motive, stimulus, work motivation and motivation theories. Then follows Characteristic development of various management models in progress and the definition of job satisfaction. The conclusion of theoretical part covers the remuneration classification. The practical part of the bachelor thesis includes the description of EuroTour Group, an analysis of the current motivation system and a proposal for its improvement. The research was based on a personal interview and questionnaire survey. Advantages and disadvantages of the company were derived from the obtained results. Among benefits there are: flexible working hours, employee care, and a comfortable working environment. As a negative, limited possibilities of career growth and personal development, a very small selection of benefits for employees can be mentioned. The concluding part of this research concludes a set of recommendations which could increase employee’s motivation and satisfaction as well as the performance and working results of the company itself

Corporate social responsibility and its impact on corporate image

Diplomová práce se věnuje tématu společenské odpovědnosti jako jednomu z prvků firemní identity. Cílem je provést analýzu CSR aktivit konkrétní společnosti na finančním trhu, určit jejich vliv na firemní image a vytvořit doporučení pro zlepšení současné situace v podniku. Práce je rozdělena do dvou hlavních částí: teoreticko-metodologické a praktické. Teoretická část je představena literární rešerší tématu společenské odpovědnosti. Je popsána historie konceptu, proces implementace CSR, jeho přínosy a kritika. Druhá polovina rešerše se zabývá firemní image a společenskou odpovědností z pohledu marketingu, její interní a externí komunikací. Empirická část obsahuje primární a sekundární výzkumy. Primární je tvořen vlastním kvantitativním výzkumem pomoci dotazníkového šetření. Na základě vyhodnocení jsou navržena doporučení pro obohacení CSR politiky podniku a posílení firemního image v očích veřejnosti.This master thesis is devoted to corporate social responsibility as one of the elements of corporate identity. The aim is to analyze the CSR activities of the company Česká spořitelna a.s., determine their impact on the corporate image and create recommendations for improving the organization’s current situation. The thesis is divided into two parts: theoretical and practical. The first part is dedicated to social responsibility, its history, the process of CSR implementation. At the same time, its benefits and criticism are also described. The second half deals with the corporate image and social responsibility presented in the marketing perspective, its internal and external communication. The empirical part contains primary and secondary research. To collect the data regarding awareness of CSR activities and their influence on the corporate image the questionnaire survey is used. Based on the results, the recommendations are proposed to enrich the company's CSR policy and strengthen the company's image in the eyes of the public

"Att jobba manualstyrt kräver en god kompetens” - En intervjustudie om Intervju om anknytningsstil i Sverige

Lilja, A. & Topilina, G. “Att jobba manualstyrt kräver en god kompetens”. En intervjustudie om Intervju om anknytningsstil i Sverige. Examensarbete i socialt arbete 15 högskolepoäng. Malmö universitet: Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle, institutionen för socialt arbete, 2019. Standardiserade bedömningsmetoder är en del av socialarbetares vardag. Enligt Socialstyrelsen ökar intresset för att använda standardiserade metoder och ett evidensbaserat arbetssätt inom socialt arbete i Sverige. Samtidigt finns bristfällig information om vilka metoder som anses vara evidensbaserade och vilka som inte är det. Denna studie fokuserar på Intervju om anknytningsstil (IAS) - en standardiserad bedömningsmetod som syftar till att kartlägga och mäta kvalitet på klientens nära relationer. IAS saknar enligt Socialstyrelsen evidens och utvärdering men används i barn- och familjehemsutredningar. Syftet med studien är att ur ett organisationsteoretiskt perspektiv undersöka hur socialarbetare använder IAS i det praktiska sociala arbetet med fokus på de yrkesverksammas uppfattning av metoden och metodens roll i arbetsprocessen. Studien syftar även till att undersöka vilken tilltro socialarbetare har till metoden och resultatet samt om metoden har någon påverkan på kontakten med klienten. För att uppfylla studiens syften har sju socialarbetare intervjuats som använder IAS i sitt arbete. Studiens resultat visar att trots metodens standardiserade utformning skiljer sig användandet både gällande syfte och utförande. Informanterna har skilda uppfattningar om vilka slutsatser som kan dras av IAS och hur metoden påverkar relationen till klienten. De flesta respondenter betvivlar att IAS är knuten till forskning och uttrycker att metoden inte är tillräckligt effektiv och tidsenlig. Samtidigt ser flera av informanterna tydliga fördelar med att använda IAS i sitt arbete.Lilja, A. & Topilina, G. “You Need to Be Very Competent to Use the Standardised Methods”. An Interview Study of Adult Attachment Interview in Sweden. Degree project in Social Work. 15 högskolepoäng. Malmö University: Faculty of Health and Society, Department of Social Work, 2019. Standardized assessment methods are part of the everyday lives of social workers. According to Socialstyrelsen, the interest in using standardized methods and an evidence-based approach in social work in Sweden is increasing. At the same time there is insufficient information about which methods are considered to be evidence-based and which are not. This study focuses on Attachment Style Interview (ASI) - a standardized assessment method that aims to map out and measure the quality of the client's close relationships. According to Socialstyrelsen, ASI is lacking in both evidence and evaluation, yet is used in home assessments where children are concerned. The purpose of the study is to investigate, from an organizational theoretical perspective, how social workers use ASI in their practical work, focusing on the perception of professionals regarding the method and the role of the method within the work process itself. The study also aims to investigate what trust social workers have regarding the method and its results, and whether the method has any influence over/on the contact with the client. To fulfill the aims of the study seven social workers currently using ASI in their daily work have been interviewed. The results of the study show that, despite the standardized design of the method, the use differs both in terms of purpose and design. The informants have different opinions about what conclusions can be drawn from the ASI, and how the method affects the relationship with the client. Most respondents doubt that the ASI is linked to research, and state that the method is not sufficiently effective nor contemporary. Nevertheless, several of the informants agree on clear advantages in using ASI in their work

"Att jobba manualstyrt kräver en god kompetens” - En intervjustudie om Intervju om anknytningsstil i Sverige

Lilja, A. & Topilina, G. “Att jobba manualstyrt kräver en god kompetens”. En intervjustudie om Intervju om anknytningsstil i Sverige. Examensarbete i socialt arbete 15 högskolepoäng. Malmö universitet: Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle, institutionen för socialt arbete, 2019. Standardiserade bedömningsmetoder är en del av socialarbetares vardag. Enligt Socialstyrelsen ökar intresset för att använda standardiserade metoder och ett evidensbaserat arbetssätt inom socialt arbete i Sverige. Samtidigt finns bristfällig information om vilka metoder som anses vara evidensbaserade och vilka som inte är det. Denna studie fokuserar på Intervju om anknytningsstil (IAS) - en standardiserad bedömningsmetod som syftar till att kartlägga och mäta kvalitet på klientens nära relationer. IAS saknar enligt Socialstyrelsen evidens och utvärdering men används i barn- och familjehemsutredningar. Syftet med studien är att ur ett organisationsteoretiskt perspektiv undersöka hur socialarbetare använder IAS i det praktiska sociala arbetet med fokus på de yrkesverksammas uppfattning av metoden och metodens roll i arbetsprocessen. Studien syftar även till att undersöka vilken tilltro socialarbetare har till metoden och resultatet samt om metoden har någon påverkan på kontakten med klienten. För att uppfylla studiens syften har sju socialarbetare intervjuats som använder IAS i sitt arbete. Studiens resultat visar att trots metodens standardiserade utformning skiljer sig användandet både gällande syfte och utförande. Informanterna har skilda uppfattningar om vilka slutsatser som kan dras av IAS och hur metoden påverkar relationen till klienten. De flesta respondenter betvivlar att IAS är knuten till forskning och uttrycker att metoden inte är tillräckligt effektiv och tidsenlig. Samtidigt ser flera av informanterna tydliga fördelar med att använda IAS i sitt arbete.Lilja, A. & Topilina, G. “You Need to Be Very Competent to Use the Standardised Methods”. An Interview Study of Adult Attachment Interview in Sweden. Degree project in Social Work. 15 högskolepoäng. Malmö University: Faculty of Health and Society, Department of Social Work, 2019. Standardized assessment methods are part of the everyday lives of social workers. According to Socialstyrelsen, the interest in using standardized methods and an evidence-based approach in social work in Sweden is increasing. At the same time there is insufficient information about which methods are considered to be evidence-based and which are not. This study focuses on Attachment Style Interview (ASI) - a standardized assessment method that aims to map out and measure the quality of the client's close relationships. According to Socialstyrelsen, ASI is lacking in both evidence and evaluation, yet is used in home assessments where children are concerned. The purpose of the study is to investigate, from an organizational theoretical perspective, how social workers use ASI in their practical work, focusing on the perception of professionals regarding the method and the role of the method within the work process itself. The study also aims to investigate what trust social workers have regarding the method and its results, and whether the method has any influence over/on the contact with the client. To fulfill the aims of the study seven social workers currently using ASI in their daily work have been interviewed. The results of the study show that, despite the standardized design of the method, the use differs both in terms of purpose and design. The informants have different opinions about what conclusions can be drawn from the ASI, and how the method affects the relationship with the client. Most respondents doubt that the ASI is linked to research, and state that the method is not sufficiently effective nor contemporary. Nevertheless, several of the informants agree on clear advantages in using ASI in their work

CORONARY ARTERY ANOMALY. CORONARY-PULMONARY FISTULA

True coronary and pulmonary fistulas occur quite seldom. Most often this defect is a casual finding at diagnosis of other cardiac diseases. Hemodynamics of this defect is caused by the affected coronary artery shunt into the cardiac chamber or the great vessel. Before introduction in modern diagnosis methods of high-precision ultrasonic devices and cardiac treatment to verify such anomaly as a coronary artery fistula, it was impossible. In our study we present a clinical case with right and left coronary artery fistulas into a pulmonary artery and a left atrium

Fibrillation Mechanism of a Model Intrinsically Disordered Protein Revealed by 2D Correlation Deep UV Resonance Raman Spectroscopy

Understanding of numerous biological functions of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) is of significant interest to modern life science research. A large variety of serious debilitating diseases are associated with the malfunction of IDPs including neurodegenerative disorders and systemic amyloidosis. Here we report on the molecular mechanism of amyloid fibrillation of a model IDP (YE8) using 2D correlation deep UV resonance Raman spectroscopy. YE8 is a genetically engineered polypeptide, which is completely unordered at neutral pH yet exhibits all properties of a fibrillogenic protein at low pH. The very first step of the fibrillation process involves structural rearrangements of YE8 at the global structure level without the detectable appearance of secondary structural elements. The formation of β-sheet species follows the global structural changes and proceeds via the simultaneous formation of turns and β-strands. The kinetic mechanism revealed is an important new contribution to understanding of the general fibrillation mechanism proposed for IDP