Cardiovascular dynamic and variability data are commonly used in experimental protocols involving cognitive challenge. Usually, the analysis is based on a sometimes more and sometimes less well motivated single specific time resolution ranging from a few seconds to several minutes. The present paper aimed at investigating in detail the impact of different time resolutions of the cardiovascular data on the interpretation of effects. We compared three template tasks involving varying types of challenge, in order to provide a case study of specific effects and combinations of effects over different time frames and using different time resolutions. Averaged values of hemodynamic variables across an entire protocol confirmed typical findings regarding the effects of mental challenge and social observation. However, the hemodynamic response also incorporates transient variations in variables reflecting important features of the control system response. The fine-grained analysis of the transient behavior of hemodynamic variables demonstrates that information that is important for interpreting effects may be lost when only average values over the entire protocol are used as a representative of the system response. The study provides useful indications of how cardiovascular measures may be fruitfully used in experiments involving cognitive demands, allowing inferences on the physiological processes underlying the responses.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Mental Processes physiology MeSH
- Data Interpretation, Statistical * MeSH
- Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena * MeSH
- Blood Pressure physiology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mathematics MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Stress, Psychological physiopathology MeSH
- Reaction Time physiology MeSH
- Heart Rate physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) can be formally implemented by various methods. This study compares suitability of four selected MCDM methods, namely WPM, TOPSIS, VIKOR, and PROMETHEE, for future applications in agent-based computational economic (ACE) models of larger scale (i.e., over 10 000 agents in one geographical region). These four MCDM methods were selected according to their appropriateness for computational processing in ACE applications. Tests of the selected methods were conducted on four hardware configurations. For each method, 100 tests were performed, which represented one testing iteration. With four testing iterations conducted on each hardware setting and separated testing of all configurations with the-server parameter de/activated, altogether, 12800 data points were collected and consequently analyzed. An illustrational decision-making scenario was used which allows the mutual comparison of all of the selected decision making methods. Our test results suggest that although all methods are convenient and can be used in practice, the VIKOR method accomplished the tests with the best results and thus can be recommended as the most suitable for simulations of large-scale agent-based models.
- MeSH
- Models, Economic MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Decision Support Techniques MeSH
- Decision Making * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Inventář sociální tělesné úzkosti (SPAS – social physique anxiety scale) byl původně v ČR validizován na vzorku sportujících studentů (viz. Harbichová, 2009). Motl a Conroy (2001) však upozorňují na potřebu evaluace faktorové struktury SPAS u skupin s různou úrovní tělesné kondice i frekvence vykonávání pohybových aktivit. I proto bylo cílem této studie testování invariance faktorové struktury u dvou různých skupin studentů (studenti FF UK v Praze, N=96 a studenti FTVS UK v Praze, N=110). Výsledky více-skupinové faktorové analýzy poukazují na invarianci faktorové struktury, faktorových zátěží, jedinečností i rozptylů faktorů v případě unidimenzionálního modelu 8 položkové české verze SPAS. Kauzální model potvrdil očekávané rozdíly v sociální tělesné úzkosti mezi muži a ženami. Modifikovanou 8 položkovou verzi SPAS lze tedy doporučit k využití ve výzkumu sociální tělesné úzkosti v českém prostředí.
The translated Czech version of Social physique anxiety scale (SPAS) was originally validated in a sample of university students participating in variety of sports (viz. Harbichová, 2009). According to Motl and Conroy (2001) however, the structure of SPAS should be evaluated across samples of individuals differing in physical fitness and activity levels. In this study we examined the factorial invariance of SPAS across two samples of university students differing in frequency of participating in physical activities. Using structural equation modeling (confirmatory factor analysis) we identified invariance of factor structure, factor loadings, item uniquenesses and factor variance across both samples. Causal model with latent variable was used to indicate that women had higher latent mean score on the 8-item SPAS than men. We can recommend the 8-item SPAS to be used in studies of social physique anxiety in Czech population.
- MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Human Body * MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Self Concept * MeSH
- Social Behavior * MeSH
- Sports MeSH
- Students MeSH
- Anxiety * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Příspěvek prezentuje nejdůležitější výsledky pilotní studie, která zkoumala vztahy mezi prosociálními tendencemi, empatií a pěti osobnostními dimenzemi. K dignostice prosociálních tendencí byl využit Prosocial Tendencies Measure – PTM (Dotazník prosociálních tendencí) G. Carla a B. A. Randalla, k měření empatie multidimenzionální škála M. Davise Interpersonal Index Reactivity – IRI (Index interpersonální reaktivity) a konečně k diagnostice osobnostních dimenzí dotazník NEO Five-Factor Inventory NEO-FFI (Costa, McCrae), jenž byl u nás převeden a standardizován pro českou populaci M. Hřebíčkovou a T. Urbánkem pod názvem NEO pětifaktorový osobnostní inventář. Výzkum byl realizován u souboru 137 univerzitních studentek sociální práce a vychovatelství. V provedeném výzkumu bylo zjištěno, že prosociální tendence významně souvisí se všemi sledovanými aspekty empatie, avšak vůbec nesouvisí se zkoumanými faktory osobnosti vyplývající z přístupu Big Five. Naopak kognitivní i emocionální empatie však významně souvisí s osobnostním faktorem přívětivosti a otevřeností ke zkušenosti. Lze proto uvažovat o tom, že vztah mezi základními osobnostními dimenzemi a prosociálními tendencemi může být zprostředkován úrovní kognitivní a emocionální empatie. Zdá se, že základní rysy osobnosti přístupu Big Five k vysvětlení, proč lidé vykazují prosociální tendence, samy o sobě nestačí, aniž by nebyly vzaty v úvahu další psychologické konstrukty a také výsledky procesů sociálního učení.
The article presents the most important results of the pilot study that researched the relationships among prosocial tendencies, empathy and five personality dimensions. The diagnostics of prosocial tendencies was performed with the help of Prosocial Tendencies Measure Questionnaire – PTM by G. Carl and B. A. Randall; the empathy measuring was performed with the help of multi-dimension scale by M. Davis, Interpersonal Reactivity Index – IRI, and the diagnostics of personality dimensions was performed with the help of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory questionnaire – NEO-FFI (Costa, McCrae), which was transformed and standardized for Czech population by M. Hřebíčková and T. Urbánek under the name of NEO pětifaktorový osobnostní inventář (NEO five-factor personality inventory). The research was implemented at a set of 137 university students of social work and educator branch. The research performed showed that prosocial tendencies are significantly related to all followed aspects of empathy, but they are not related at all with the researched personality factors following from Big Five approach. On the contrary, cognitive and emotional empathy are significantly related to the personality factor of kindness and openness towards experience. Therefore it can be considered that the relation among the basic personality dimensions and the prosocial tendencies can be mediated by the level of cognitive and emotional empathy. It seems that the basic personality features of Big Five approach to the explanation why people show prosocial tendencies do not suffice in themselves, without taking in consideration other psychological constructs, as well as results of processes of social learning.
- MeSH
- Empathy MeSH
- Research Support as Topic MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Personality classification MeSH
- Personality Inventory statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Social Behavior MeSH
- Social Work manpower statistics & numerical data education MeSH
- Students statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Universities MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Female MeSH
Decellularized scaffolds can serve as an excellent three-dimensional environment for cell repopulation. They maintain tissue-specific microarchitecture of extracellular matrix proteins with important spatial cues for cell adhesion, migration, growth, and differentiation. However, criteria for quality assessment of the three-dimensional structure of decellularized scaffolds are rather fragmented, usually study-specific, and mostly semi-quantitative. Thus, we aimed to develop a robust structural assessment system for decellularized porcine liver scaffolds. Five scaffolds of different quality were used to establish the new evaluation system. We combined conventional semi-quantitative scoring criteria with a quantitative scaffold evaluation based on automated image analysis. For the quantitation, we developed a specific open source software tool (ScaffAn) applying algorithms designed for texture analysis, segmentation, and skeletonization. ScaffAn calculates selected parameters characterizing structural features of porcine liver scaffolds such as the sinusoidal network. After evaluating individual scaffolds, the total scores predicted scaffold interaction with cells in terms of cell adhesion. Higher scores corresponded to higher numbers of cells attached to the scaffolds. Moreover, our analysis revealed that the conventional system could not identify fine differences between good quality scaffolds while the additional use of ScaffAn allowed discrimination. This led us to the conclusion that only using the combined score resulted in the best discrimination between different quality scaffolds. Overall, our newly defined evaluation system has the potential to select the liver scaffolds most suitable for recellularization, and can represent a step toward better success in liver tissue engineering.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Aim: The objective of this study was to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Diabetes Self-Management Scale (T-DSMS). Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: This study was performed in two phases: 1) a forward-backwards translation of the existing version of the Diabetes Self-Management Scale (DSMS); and 2) evaluation of its psychometric properties using confirmatory factor analysis. Between February to June 2016, a total of 700 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients were recruited from outpatient diabetes clinics of both community and university hospitals in Khon Kaen and Bangkok province Thailand, using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The results, based on confirmatory factor analysis using Unweighted Least Squares, confirmed the construct validity of the T-DSMS (CFI = 0.985; RMSEA = 0.258; TLI = 0.981; SRMR = 0.040). The T-DSMS contains 13 items across four domains: Diet, Blood, Exercise, and Foot care. Conclusion: We translated and appropriately validated the DSMS in Thai T2DM patients. The T-DSMS was shown to have good psychometric properties, including content validity and criterion validity. The T-DSMS is an adequate instrument with which to assess diabetes self-management in Thai T2DM patients, and can provide valuable insights into the epidemiology of diabetes self-management, and enable evaluation of prevention programs for diabetes self-management in T2DM patients.
Cílem této studie bylo zhodnocení léčebného účinku psychoterapeutického přístupu k pacientům s diagnózou psychotického spektra v rámci programu denního stacionáře. Jedná se o eklektický terapeutický přístup s kombinací psychoterapeutických metod a technik a jejich aplikaci na základě našich praktických zkušeností při léčbě psychóz a nejnovějších poznatků výzkumu v této oblasti. Efekt léčebné intervence je klinicky hodnocen z hlediska aktuální psychopatologie, úrovně a typu dosažené remise a subjektivního hodnocení vývoje psychického stavu. Ke klinickému hodnocení slouží objektivní a subjektivní psychometrické škály PANSS, CGI‑S, PSP a WHOQOL‑Bref. Data jsou zpracována neparametrickými i parametrickými statistickými testy včetně posouzení korelací mezi škálami.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychotherapeutic approach to patients diagnosed with the psychotic spectrum within the day care center. There is an eclectic therapeutic approach with a combination of psychotherapeutic methods and techniques and their application based on our practical experience in the treatment of psychosis and the latest research findings in this field. Effective intervention is clinically evaluated from the perspective of current psychopathology, degree and type of remission achieved and subjective evaluation of the development of mental state. The clinical evaluation is based on objective and subjective psychometric scales PANSS, CGI-S, PSP and WHOQOL-Bref. The data are processed by non-parametric and parametric statistical tests, including assessment of correlations between scales. The outcome of the study is a desirable improvement in symptomatic remission indicators despite its sufficient entry level, extension of the functional occupational social status accompanied by adequate adjustment of subjective status above the population standards. The results obtained are clinical and statistical results with limited sample size and strong tests. The conclusions of this pilot study serve to modify the design for the long-term study, in particular by widening the scope of the selection, creating a control file and including more sensitive scaling and software tools.
- MeSH
- Day Care, Medical * methods psychology statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Psychotherapy methods statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Psychotic Disorders * psychology therapy MeSH
- Psychotherapy, Group methods statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Statistics as Topic MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Publication type
- Clinical Trial MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Blood flows and pressures throughout the human cardiovascular system are regulated in response to various dynamic perturbations, such as changes to peripheral demands in exercise, rapid changes in posture, or loss of blood from hemorrhage, via the coordinated action of the heart, the vasculature, and autonomic reflexes. To assess how the systemic and pulmonary arterial and venous circulation, the heart, and the baroreflex work together to effect the whole-body responses to these perturbations, we integrated an anatomically-based large-vessel arterial tree model with the TriSeg heart model, models capturing nonlinear characteristics of the large and small veins, and baroreflex-mediated regulation of vascular tone and cardiac chronotropy and inotropy. The model was identified by matching data from the Valsalva maneuver (VM), exercise, and head-up tilt (HUT). Thirty-one parameters were optimized using a custom parameter-fitting tool chain, resulting in an unique, high-fidelity whole-body human cardiovascular systems model. Because the model captures the effects of exercise and posture changes, it can be used to simulate numerous clinical assessments, such as HUT, the VM, and cardiopulmonary exercise stress testing. The model can also be applied as a framework for representing and simulating individual patients and pathologies. Moreover, it can serve as a framework for integrating multi-scale organ-level models, such as for the heart or the kidneys, into a whole-body model. Here, the model is used to analyze the relative importance of chronotropic, inotropic, and peripheral vascular contributions to the whole-body cardiovascular response to exercise. It is predicted that in normal physiological conditions chronotropy and inotropy make roughly equal contributions to increasing cardiac output and cardiac power output during exercise. Under upright exercise conditions, the nonlinear pressure-volume relationship of the large veins and sympathetic-mediated venous vasoconstriction are both required to maintain preload to achieve physiological exercise levels. The developed modeling framework is built using the open Modelica modeling language and is freely distributed.
- MeSH
- Baroreflex * physiology MeSH
- Exercise * MeSH
- Cardiovascular System * MeSH
- Blood Pressure physiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Posture physiology MeSH
- Heart Rate physiology MeSH
- Systems Analysis MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
First published in paperback xviii, 382 stran, 4 nečíslované strany barevné obrazové přílohy : ilustrace, tabulky ; 24 cm
- MeSH
- Small-Area Analysis MeSH
- Epidemiologic Methods MeSH
- Epidemiologic Studies MeSH
- Statistics as Topic MeSH
- Environment MeSH
- Publication type
- Collected Work MeSH
- Conspectus
- Patologie. Klinická medicína
- NML Fields
- epidemiologie
- environmentální vědy
