• MeSH
• Sampling Studies MeSH

• Conspectus
• Statistika
• NML Fields
• statistika, zdravotnická statistika

In this study, we focused on the reduction of broadband myopotentials (EMG) in ECG signals using the wavelet Wiener filtering with noise-free signal estimation. We used the dyadic stationary wavelet transform (SWT) in the Wiener filter as well as in estimating the noise-free signal. Our goal was to find a suitable filter bank and to choose other parameters of the Wiener filter with respect to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained. Testing was performed on artificially noised signals from the standard CSE database sampled at 500 Hz. When creating an artificial interference, we started from the generated white Gaussian noise, whose power spectrum was modified according to a model of the power spectrum of an EMG signal. To improve the filtering performance, we used adaptive setting parameters of filtering according to the level of interference in the input signal. We were able to increase the average SNR of the whole test database by about 10.6 dB. The proposed algorithm provides better results than the classic wavelet Wiener filter.

• MeSH
• Algorithms * MeSH
• Databases, Factual MeSH
• Electrocardiography methods   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Signal-To-Noise Ratio MeSH
• Wavelet Analysis * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Recent research has demonstrated the significance of incorporating invariance into neural networks. However, existing methods require direct sampling over the entire transformation set, notably computationally taxing for large groups like the affine group. In this study, we propose a more efficient approach by addressing the invariances of the subgroups within a larger group. For tackling affine invariance, we split it into the Euclidean group E(n) and uni-axial scaling group US(n), handling invariance individually. We employ an E(n)-invariant model for E(n)-invariance and average model outputs over data augmented from a US(n) distribution for US(n)-invariance. Our method maintains a favorable computational complexity of O(N2) in 2D and O(N4) in 3D scenarios, in contrast to the O(N6) (2D) and O(N12) (3D) complexities of averaged models. Crucially, the scale range for augmentation adapts during training to avoid excessive scale invariance. This is the first time nearly exact affine invariance is incorporated into neural networks without directly sampling the entire group. Extensive experiments unequivocally confirm its superiority, achieving new state-of-the-art results in affNIST and SIM2MNIST classifications while consuming less than 15% of inference time and fewer computational resources and model parameters compared to averaged models.

• MeSH
• Neural Networks, Computer * MeSH
• Learning * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

• MeSH
• Eye Movements MeSH
• Psychomotor Disorders MeSH
• Saccades MeSH

• Conspectus
• Psychologie
• NML Fields
• oftalmologie
• psychologie, klinická psychologie
• NML Publication type
• kolektivní monografie

A mutual interplay exists between adaptive immune system and gut microbiota. Altered gut microbial ecosystems are associated with the metabolic syndrome, occurring in most obese individuals. However, it is unknown why 10-25% of obese individuals are metabolically healthy, while normal weight individuals can develop inflammation and atherosclerosis. We modeled these specific metabolic conditions in mice fed with a chow diet, an obesogenic but not inflammatory diet-mimicking healthy obesity, or Paigen diet-mimicking inflammation in the lean subjects. We analyzed a range of markers and cytokines in the aorta, heart, abdominal fat, liver and spleen, and metagenomics analyses were performed on stool samples. T lymphocytes infiltration was found in the aorta and in the liver upon both diets, however a significant increase in CD4+ and CD8+ cells was found only in the heart of Paigen-fed animals, paralleled by increased expression of IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, and IFN-γ. Bacteroidia, Deltaproteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia dominated in mice fed Paigen diet, while Gammaproteobacteria, Delataproteobacteria, and Erysipelotrichia were more abundant in obese mice. Mice reproducing human metabolic exceptions displayed gut microbiota phylogenetically distinct from normal diet-fed mice, and correlated with specific adaptive immune responses. Diet composition thus has a pervasive role in co-regulating adaptive immunity and the diversity of microbiota.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The effects of sampling artifacts are often not fully considered in the design of air monitoring with active air samplers. Semivolatile organic contaminants (SVOCs) are particularly vulnerable to a range of sampling artifacts because of their wide range of gas-particle partitioning and degradation rates, and these can lead to erroneous measurements of air concentrations and a lack of comparability between sites with different environmental and sampling conditions. This study used specially adapted filter-sorbent sampling trains in three types of active air samplers to investigate breakthrough of SVOCs, and the possibility of other sampling artifacts. Breakthrough volumes were experimentally determined for a range of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sampling volumes from 300 to 10,000 m(3), and sampling durations of 1-7 days. In parallel, breakthrough was estimated based on theoretical sorbent-vapor pressure relationships. The comparison of measured and theoretical determinations of breakthrough demonstrated good agreement between experimental and estimated breakthrough volumes, and showed that theoretical breakthrough estimates should be used when developing air monitoring protocols. Significant breakthrough in active air samplers occurred for compounds with vapor pressure >0.5 Pa at volumes <700 m(3). Sample volumes between 700 and 10,000 m(3) may lead to breakthrough for compounds with vapor pressures between 0.005 and 0.5 Pa. Breakthrough is largely driven by sample volume and compound volatility (therefore indirectly by temperature) and is independent of sampler type. The presence of significant breakthrough at "typical" sampling conditions is relevant for air monitoring networks, and may lead to under-reporting of more volatile SVOCs.

• MeSH
• Artifacts * MeSH
• Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated analysis   MeSH
• Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers analysis   MeSH
• Air Pollutants analysis   MeSH
• Environmental Monitoring methods   MeSH
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls analysis   MeSH
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons analysis   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Vychádzajúc z ekologickej perspektívy chápem náhlu zmenu zdravotného stavu a s ňou spojenú potrebu požiadať o miesto v celoročnom zariadení pre seniorov ako situáciu, v ktorej sa kumulujú všetky tri príčiny, ktoré autori označili za možné príčiny maladaptácie (Germain, Bloom, 1991; Germain, Gitterman, 2011). Skúmať, ako takýto zhluk príčin vplýva na klienta, je síce náročné, ale nevyhnutné. V rámci špecifického výskumu 5/2011 „Adaptační proces seniorů na život v ústavní péči“ som sa pokúsila získať informácie, ktoré mi umožnia nielen lepšie porozumieť klientke/ klientovi počas procesu adaptácie, ale tiež zistiť, či môže ekologická perspektíva prispieť k lepšiemu porozumeniu jej/jeho adaptačného procesu. V mojom príspevku približujem len čiastkové výsledky tejto výskumnej úlohy, vzťahujúce sa k výskumnému šetreniu realizovanému v zariadeniach pre seniorov na Slovensku. Vzhľadom k cieľu som si zvolila kvalitatívnu výskumnú stratégiu, konkrétne designe ilustračnej prípadovej štúdie (Yin, 2003; Zainal, 2007). Pri takto designovanej výskumnej práci výskumník pracuje s minimálnym počtom sledovaných prípadov, čo mu umožňuje uchopenie problému z viacerých rovín. Výskumnú vzorku tvorili dvaja seniori (muž vo veku 82 rokov a žena vo veku 76 rokov), ktorí boli klientmi zariadenia a v čase nášho výskumu prechádzali adaptačným procesom, dve sociálne pracovníčky, dve zdravotné sestry a rodinní príslušníci seniorov. V jednom prípade išlo o dcéru a zaťa klientky, v druhom prípade o syna a vnučku klienta. Získané výsledky poukázali na vzťah medzi sociálnou rolou, ktorú senior/seniorka v predchádzajúcom období zastával/zastávala a úspešnosťou samotnej adaptácie. Zároveň získané informácie naznačujú možnosti, ktoré do praxe sociálnej práce prináša práve ekologický prístup.

Based on the ecological perspective, we can understand sudden changes in the health condition and associated requirements for position in the year-round inclusion of seniors as a situation, in which all the three causes are accumulated referred to by authors as possible reasons for the maladaptation (Germain, Bloom, 1991; Germain, Gitterman, 2011). The examination of effects on the client due to this cluster of causes is tedious, but it is unavoidable. Within the framework of a specific research 5/2011 “Process of adaptation of seniors to their life under the institutional care”, I attempted to acquire data which could make it possible not only to improve understanding the client (man or women) in the course of the adaptation process, but also to determine whether the ecological perspective can bring a contribution to better understanding of his/her adaptation process. In my contribution, I mention only partial results of this research project concerning the research examination implemented in institutions for seniors in Slovakia. Given the target, I chose a qualitative research strategy, particularly design of an illustrative case study (Yin, 2003; Zainal, 2007). In the research work designed in this way, the investigator works with a minimum number of cases examined, which makes him/her possible to consider problems from different points of view. The research sample consisted of two seniors (a men aged 82 years and women aged 76 years), who were clients of the institution and in the course of our research, they were subjected to the adaptation process, two social workers, two nurses and members of families of the seniors. In one case, this was a daughter and son-in-law of the female client, and in the second case, this was a son and grand-daughter of the male client. The results acquired demonstrated relationships between the social role played by the male senior/female senior in the previous period and success of the adaptation itself. The data obtained simultaneously indicate possibilities brought into the social work practice just by the ecological approach.

• MeSH
• Adaptation, Psychological * MeSH
• Homes for the Aged * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Aged * MeSH
• Social Adjustment * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged * MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Case Reports MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

The use of multidimensional scales for assessing fear of death among nursing students can assist in teaching and evaluating the effectiveness of targeted training in thanatology. Research has demonstrated good psychometric characteristics of the Czech version of the Collett-Lester Fear of Death Scale (CL-FODS). It was applied to nursing students (N = 256), who reported as their biggest fear the process of their own dying. Greater fear of death and dying was found in students who had no experience of the dying and death of a loved one. Good internal consistency was achieved for the four subscales of the Czech CL-FODS.

• MeSH
• Adaptation, Psychological * MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Attitude to Death * MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Psychometrics MeSH
• Fear psychology   MeSH
• Students, Nursing psychology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Three polysaccharide complexes (PSCs) were isolated from the aerial parts of common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), and the flowers of common lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) and silver linden (Tilia tomentosa Moench) by boiling water extraction and ethanol precipitation. The chemical composition and immunomodulating effects of isolated PSCs were characterized. The chemical characterization revealed that the three samples contain mainly pectic polysaccharides. They exhibited ex vivo intestinal immunomodulating activity through the murine Peyer's patch-mediated bone marrow cell proliferation test at 100μg/ml concentration. At the same time, they stimulated ex vivo human blood T-cell populations (CD4+/CD25+ and CD8+/CD25+), phagocytic leukocytes (CD14+ and CD64+ cells) and induced IL-6 production from human white blood cells and Peyer's patch cells. The herbal PSCs stimulated ex vivo ROS production from whole blood phagocytes and showed unspecific in vitro anti-proliferative activity against normal and A549, HeLa and LS180 tumor cells. This is the first report on immunomodulating studies of linden flower pectins and chemical and biological activity characterization of lavender polysaccharides. Our study demonstrates that similarly to purslane, lavender and silver linden herbal materials contain immunomodulating polysaccharides that could be useful for support of compromised immune system.

• MeSH
• Adaptive Immunity drug effects   MeSH
• Immunomodulation drug effects   MeSH
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration MeSH
• Lavandula chemistry   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
• Pectins chemistry   MeSH
• Peyer's Patches drug effects   immunology   MeSH
• Polysaccharides chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Portulaca chemistry   MeSH
• Immunity, Innate drug effects   MeSH
• Antineoplastic Agents chemistry   pharmacology   MeSH
• Tilia chemistry   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The possibility of Miscanthus×giganteus cultivation as an energy crop on the different types of mining rocks was studied. It was revealed that a loess-like loam and red-brown clay with the added black soil were the most suitable for plant growing. The yield of dry above-ground biomass ranged from 4.3 to 6.8 t DM ha-1 after the first year of cultivation and from 8.9 to 9.7 t DM ha-1 after the second year while using these substrates. The application of amendments stimulated the growth and development of plants and increased productivity from 50 to 140%. M.×giganteus showed sufficient tolerance and good enough growth on the geochemically active dark-gray schist clay with yield from 2 to 3 t DM ha-1 after the first year of cultivation already. For plants grown on the different strata of dark-gray schist clay, the thermal decomposition of the biomass took place in four stages in the temperature range from 30 to 640 °C. The samples grown on stratum 0-20 cm showed the highest reactivity with a peak 30.6%/min at 290 °C. There were differences in the concentrations of determined heavy metals: iron, zinc, copper, and lead in the plant tissues depending on the layer depth of dark-gray schist clay from 0 to 20 cm to 40-60 cm. The relatively limited content of heavy metals in the above-ground biomass was due to the preferential accumulation in the roots.

• MeSH
• Adaptation, Biological * MeSH
• Biomass MeSH
• Mining * MeSH
• Plant Roots chemistry   growth & development   MeSH
• Soil Pollutants analysis   MeSH
• Poaceae chemistry   growth & development   MeSH
• Soil chemistry   MeSH
• Metals, Heavy analysis   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Ukraine MeSH