During 2020-2021, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant vulnerabilities in hospital safety, with oxygen-related fires and explosions occurring at twice the usual rate. This highlighted insufficient preparedness for increased oxygen therapy demands and the associated risks of oxygen-enriched atmospheres. This study aimed to develop and test a smart monitoring system to detect increased oxygen concentrations in hospital environments, mitigating the risk of fires. Based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the system includes wireless sensors that measure oxygen levels at regular intervals and transmit the data to a database. Alerts are sent to hospital staff via short message service and e-mail when oxygen levels exceed predefined thresholds. The sensors were deployed in an intensive care unit and were validated through real-time measurements under hospital conditions. The system demonstrated high accuracy (±1%) in monitoring oxygen concentrations with low power consumption (345 µA for oxygen concentration measurements taken every minute). Notifications reliably informed staff of oxygen level thresholds, enabling timely interventions. The proposed IoT-based smart monitoring system is a cost-effective and efficient solution for improving safety in medical environments.
- Klíčová slova
- Internet of Things (IoT) technology, Low power sensor., Oxygen-related fire prevention, Smart medical gas detection, Wireless oxygen monitoring,
- MeSH
- bezdrátová technologie MeSH
- COVID-19 * MeSH
- internet věcí MeSH
- jednotky intenzivní péče MeSH
- kyslík * analýza MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- monitorování fyziologických funkcí metody MeSH
- nemocnice MeSH
- oxygenoterapie metody MeSH
- pandemie MeSH
- pilotní projekty MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 izolace a purifikace MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- kyslík * MeSH
In recent decades, global change and local anthropogenic pressures have severely affected natural ecosystems and their biodiversity. Although disentangling the effects of these factors is difficult, they are reflected in changes in the functional composition of plant communities. We present a comprehensive, large-scale analysis of long-term changes in plant communities of various non-forest habitat types in the Czech Republic based on 1154 vegetation-plot time series from 53 resurvey studies comprising 3909 vegetation-plot records. We focused not only on taxonomic diversity but also on the functional characteristics of communities. Species richness of most habitat types increased over time, and taxonomic and functional community composition shifted significantly. Habitat specialists and threatened species became less represented in plant communities, indicating a decline in habitat quality. The spread of trees, shrubs, tall herbaceous plants, strong competitors, and nutrient-demanding species in all non-forest habitats, coupled with the decline of light-demanding species, suggests an effect of eutrophication and natural succession following the abandonment of traditional management. Moreover, we identified specific trends in certain habitats. In wetlands, springs, and mires, moisture-demanding species decreased, probably due to drainage, river regulations, and increasing drought resulting from climate change. Dry grasslands, ruderal, weed, sand, and shallow-soil vegetation became more mesic, and successional processes were most pronounced in these communities, suggesting a stronger effect of abandonment of traditional management and eutrophication. In alpine and subalpine vegetation, meadows and mesic pastures, and heathlands, insect-pollinated species declined, and the proportion of grasses increased. Overall, these functional changes provide deep insights into the underlying drivers and help conservationists take appropriate countermeasures.
- Klíčová slova
- biodiversity change, drought, eutrophication, functional traits, habitat specialists, mesophilization, succession, vascular plants,
- MeSH
- biodiverzita * MeSH
- ekosystém * MeSH
- klimatické změny MeSH
- rostliny * klasifikace MeSH
- zachování přírodních zdrojů MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Differently substituted pyrrole-azo-benzene molecular photoswitches were prepared in a straightforward synthetic way. Their fundamental properties were investigated by XRD analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering, and NMR spectroscopy; the experimental results were further corroborated by DFT calculations. Thermal robustness, the HOMO/LUMO levels, and the absorption properties were altered mostly by substituting the N-methylpyrrole moiety and further fine-tuned by modifying the benzene substituents. The pyrrole substituent also proved crucial for the second-order non-linear optical (NLO) response as well as the photoswitching performance. Both fast and slow molecular switches can be designed with the half-life of the (Z) -isomer ranging from 48 seconds to 23.28 hours and the E/Z molar ratio up to 12/88. This comprehensive study allowed elucidation of the fundamental structure-property relationships and subsequently addresses the key aspects of the property tuning via substitution in molecular azo-photoswitches.
- Klíčová slova
- Azo-compounds, Hyper–rayleigh scattering, Non–linear optics, Photoswitch, Pyrrole,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Cathelicidins are a group of cationic, amphipathic peptides that play a vital role in the innate immune response of many vertebrates, including humans. Produced by immune and epithelial cells, they serve as natural defenses against a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In humans, the cathelicidin LL-37 is essential for wound healing, maintaining skin barrier integrity, and combating infections. Cathelicidins of different origins have shown potential in treating various skin conditions, including melanoma, acne, and diabetic foot ulcers. Despite their promising therapeutic potential, cathelicidins face significant challenges in clinical application. Many peptide-based therapies have failed in clinical trials due to unclear efficacy and safety concerns. Additionally, the emergence of bacterial resistance, which contradicts initial claims of non-resistance, further complicates their development. To successfully translate cathelicidins into effective clinical treatments, therefore, several obstacles must be addressed, including a better understanding of their mechanisms of action, sustainable large-scale production, optimized formulations for drug delivery and stability, and strategies to overcome microbial resistance. This review examines the current knowledge of cathelicidins and their therapeutic applications and discusses the challenges that hinder their clinical use and must be overcome to fully exploit their potential in medicine.
- Klíčová slova
- cathelicidins, clinical trials, peptide formulations, recombinant production, resistance mechanism, skin drug delivery, wound healing,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive questionnaire survey on the practices of research ethics committees reviewing academic research projects in Czechia. The study aims to provide an unbiased and objective assessment of the current practices of research ethics committees, namely to obtain the missing data on their functioning in the context of academic research, to identify difficulties and shortages that threaten the responsible functioning of research ethics committees in the country and to investigate the implementation of Additional Protocol on Biomedical Research CETS No. 195 in their practice. Such research has never been conducted in Czechia. METHODS: This was a mixed-methods study, in which the online survey with closed and open-ended questions was chosen to explore the situation regarding ethics assessment of research involving human participants. We developed a questionnaire containing 18 questions concerning several aspects of the functioning of research ethics committees. The questionnaire was in Czech language and was administered through the Qualtrics platform anonymously. The target group of 61 research ethics committees at research institutions was approached by emails and we received 43 completely filled questionnaires, i.e., response rate of 67%. RESULTS: We obtained valuable data on the functioning of research ethics committees in Czechia in three main domains: the mandate and composition of the committee; the scope of its agenda; the process of evaluation including the voting procedure. In addition, the final set of open-ended questions provided an in-depth look at the problems faced by research ethics committees in Czechia. From the results is evident that the responsible assessment of the ethics of research involving human subjects is still not satisfactorily addressed and established for routine practice in the country. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of our study revealed that the main problem of research ethics in Czechia is the lack of national legislation on research ethics governance. To address this problem, the country requires a legislative framework accompanied by supportive measures aimed at educating, guiding and advising research ethics committees, especially in the Czech academic environment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.
- Klíčová slova
- academic research institutions, human subject research, international ethics standards, research ethics, research ethics committees, research ethics governance,
- MeSH
- biomedicínský výzkum etika MeSH
- etické komise - výzkum * MeSH
- etické zhodnocení MeSH
- etika výzkumu * MeSH
- experimenty na lidech etika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Soil moisture shapes ecological patterns and processes, but it is difficult to continuously measure soil moisture variability across the landscape. To overcome these limitations, soil moisture is often bioindicated using community-weighted means of the Ellenberg indicator values of vascular plant species. However, the ecology and distribution of plant species reflect soil water supply as well as atmospheric water demand. Therefore, we hypothesized that Ellenberg moisture values can also reflect atmospheric water demand expressed as a vapour pressure deficit (VPD). To test this hypothesis, we disentangled the relationships among soil water content, atmospheric vapour pressure deficit, and Ellenberg moisture values in the understory plant communities of temperate broadleaved forests in central Europe. Ellenberg moisture values reflected atmospheric VPD rather than soil water content consistently across local, landscape, and regional spatial scales, regardless of vegetation plot size, depth as well as method of soil moisture measurement. Using in situ microclimate measurements, we discovered that forest plant indicator values for moisture reflect an atmospheric VPD rather than soil water content. Many ecological patterns and processes correlated with Ellenberg moisture values and previously attributed to soil water supply are thus more likely driven by atmospheric water demand.
- Klíčová slova
- Ellenberg indicator values, atmospheric water demand, microclimate, relative humidity, soil moisture, temperate broadleaved forest, understorey vegetation, vapor pressure deficit (VPD),
- MeSH
- atmosféra * chemie MeSH
- lesy * MeSH
- mikroklima MeSH
- půda * chemie MeSH
- rostliny MeSH
- stromy fyziologie MeSH
- tlak par * MeSH
- voda * MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- půda * MeSH
- voda * MeSH
The spirituality discourse within social work has been developing for several decades, albeit more in the USA than in the states of the EU. Europe or the countries of the EU were characterised as an exceptional case because of their secularity. Social work in Europe is also typically secular. Nevertheless, the spirituality discourse within social work is slowly developing also in Europe. In social services, chaplains, pastoral workers and assistants, and similar professions are often more responsible for spiritual care than social workers. Should social workers approach spiritual issues from the client's point of view or from a theological stance or rather just from the social work perspective? What reasons and arguments can we formulate and express? This text will discuss both these questions and their context as well as the possible answers.
- Klíčová slova
- Postsecularity, Religiosity, Social work, Spirituality, Spirituality in social work,
- MeSH
- humanismus MeSH
- křesťanství psychologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- sekularismus MeSH
- sociální práce * metody MeSH
- spiritualita * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
Prismatic lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are considered promising electric energy sources in electromobility applications due to their efficient space utilization. However, their sensitivity to external and internal influences and reduced durability lead to inflation risk and potential explosions throughout their lifecycle. These critical processes are strongly influenced by the inner construction of the cell, especially concerning the coating and mechanical fixation. This study subjects a commercially available prismatic LIB cell to comprehensive, correlative analysis employing various imaging techniques. The inner structure of the entire cell is visualized non-destructively by X-ray computed tomography (CT), enabling the identification of critical design flaws prior to electrochemical cycling. Electrochemical cycling simulates the battery lifecycle, and the cell is subsequently disassembled in the fully charged state. The usage of the inert-gas transfer system allowed the preparation of Broad Ion Beam (BIB) electrodes cross-sections in a fully native state and for the first time to observe the tearing of graphite particles due to over-lithiation. Established region labeling system allowed to use CT and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) correlatively to identify critical regions. After 100 cycles, a 40% capacity loss was observed and event diagram describing deagradation mechanisms, related both to the cell design and to the processes occurring at high load, was created.
- Klíčová slova
- Lithium plating, Lithium-ion battery, Prismatic cell, SEM, X-ray computed tomography,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) technology represents an unconventional but vital manufacturing technology in many different industrial branches. The automotive industry and its many significant requirements bring the need to manufacture inserts and mould segments for plastic injections from Albromet W130 material, with a required roughness, Ra, from 4.5 to 5 µm so that subsequent profile etching can be eliminated. A planned experiment of 60 rounds was carried out to discover the optimal machining parameters, namely, the pulse-off time, gap voltage, discharge current, pulse-on time, and wire speed in order for the thickness of 10 to 100 mm (after 10 mm) to demonstrate the required roughness. The goal was to evaluate the surface roughness, maximise the cutting speed, and manufacture it without surface or subsurface defects. The evaluation of the planned experiment led to the establishment of optimised WEDM machining parameters with which thicknesses of 10-100 mm will always be produced with the required roughness, Ra, from 4.5 to 5 µm and with the highest possible cutting speed. It was also proven that the machining does not lead to surface or subsurface defects, and thus, the service life of the manufactured parts will not be affected.
- Klíčová slova
- Albromet W130, WEDM, design of experiment, surface roughness, thicknesses, wire electrical discharge machining,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: The application of a biochar in agronomical soil offers a dual benefit of improving soil quality and sustainable waste recycling. However, utilizing new organic waste sources requires exploring the biochar's production conditions and application parameters. Woodchips (W) and bone-meat residues (BM) after mechanical deboning from a poultry slaughterhouse were subjected to pyrolysis at 300 °C and 500 °C and applied to cambisol and luvisol soils at ratios of 2% and 5% (w/w). RESULTS: Initially, the impact of these biochar amendments on soil prokaryotes was studied over the course of one year. The influence of biochar variants was further studied on prokaryotes and fungi living in the soil, rhizosphere, and roots of Triticum aestivum L., as well as on soil enzymatic activity. Feedstock type, pyrolysis temperature, application dose, and soil type all played significant roles in shaping both soil and endophytic microbial communities. BM treated at a lower pyrolysis temperature of 300 °C increased the relative abundance of Pseudomonadota while causing a substantial decrease in soil microbial diversity. Conversely, BM prepared at 500 °C favored the growth of microbes known for their involvement in various nutrient cycles. The W biochar, especially when pyrolysed at 500 °C, notably affected microbial communities, particularly in acidic cambisol compared to luvisol. In cambisol, biochar treatments had a significant impact on prokaryotic root endophytes of T. aestivum L. Additionally, variations in prokaryotic community structure of the rhizosphere depended on the increasing distance from the root system (2, 4, and 6 mm). The BM biochar enhanced the activity of acid phosphatase, whereas the W biochar increased the activity of enzymes involved in the carbon cycle (β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, and β-N-acetylglucosaminidase). CONCLUSIONS: These results collectively suggest, that under appropriate production conditions, biochar can exert a positive influence on soil microorganisms, with their response closely tied to the biochar feedstock composition. Such insights are crucial for optimizing biochar application in agricultural practices to enhance soil health.
- Klíčová slova
- Biochar, Enzymatic activity, Microbial composition, Organic waste recycling, Soil quality,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
