Search

Soil organic matter and pores distribution within aggregates were studied using X-ray computed tomography (XCT; Nikon XT H 225ST and GE Phoenix L240) and advanced 2D/3D measurements by the digital Keyence VHX-6000 microscope (Japan). A new methodological approach with computed tomography involvement for studying the spatial arrangement of pores, porosity, and soil morphology is presented. Changes in studied parameters are documented along the transect of intensively used Haplic Chernozem. Soil disturbance due to erosion and colluvial soil profile formation is reported. Moreover, soil organic matter quality and aggregate stability were evaluated. Obtained results showed statistically significant differences between the control and eroded sites and between eroded and accumulated sites. The correlation coefficients were the highest for soil organic carbon (SOC) and humic substances CHS (r = 0.805) and CHS and CHA/CFA (r = 0.764). The highest porosity, aggregates stability and coefficients stability were confirmed on the eroded site. The computed tomography measurements also document the high disturbance of Haplic Chernozem on the control site and the newly formed profile of Colluvisol. Despite excellent complementary technique further research is necessary to improve micro-XCT resolution and capacity for the soil micromorphological study.

BackgroundOver the past 25 years, the development of multiuser applications has seen considerable advancements and challenges. The technological development in this field has emerged from simple chat rooms through videoconferencing tools to the creation of complex, interactive, and often multisensory virtual worlds. These multiuser technologies have gradually found their way into mental health care, where they are used in both dyadic counseling and group interventions. However, some limitations in hardware capabilities, user experience designs, and scalability may have hindered the effectiveness of these applications. ObjectiveThis systematic review aims at summarizing the progress made and the potential future directions in this field while evaluating various factors and perspectives relevant to remote multiuser interventions. MethodsThe systematic review was performed based on a Web of Science and PubMed database search covering articles in English, published from January 1999 to March 2024, related to multiuser mental health interventions. Several inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined before and during the records screening process, which was performed in several steps. ResultsWe identified 49 records exploring multiuser applications in mental health care, ranging from text-based interventions to interventions set in fully immersive environments. The number of publications exploring this topic has been growing since 2015, with a large increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most digital interventions were delivered in the form of videoconferencing, with only a few implementing immersive environments. The studies used professional or peer-supported group interventions or a combination of both approaches. The research studies targeted diverse groups and topics, from nursing mothers to psychiatric disorders or various minority groups. Most group sessions occurred weekly, or in the case of the peer-support groups, often with a flexible schedule. ConclusionsWe identified many benefits to multiuser digital interventions for mental health care. These approaches provide distributed, always available, and affordable peer support that can be used to deliver necessary help to people living outside of areas where in-person interventions are easily available. While immersive virtual environments have become a common tool in many areas of psychiatric care, such as exposure therapy, our results suggest that this technology in multiuser settings is still in its early stages. Most identified studies investigated mainstream technologies, such as videoconferencing or text-based support, substituting the immersive experience for convenience and ease of use. While many studies discuss useful features of virtual environments in group interventions, such as anonymity or stronger engagement with the group, we discuss persisting issues with these technologies, which currently prevent their full adoption.

High-entropy ceramic-based cermets represent a new and promising direction in improving the mechanical properties of conventional hardmetals through the formation of complex microstructures during synthesis. This has been systematically studied in two Co-free, high-entropy (Ti,Zr,Hf,Nb,Ta)C ceramic-based cermets using 10 wt% Ni and 10 wt% FeCrAl metallic binders during hot-press and spark plasma sintering. Fully densified microstructures were achieved in the temperature range of 1400–1500 °C, which is below the melting points of the pure Ni and FeCrAl alloy, owing to the liquid-phase assisted sintering. The optimal densification routes resulted in Vickers hardness (HV30) of 16.77 ± 0.72 and 18.32 ± 0.99 GPa, and fracture toughness (KIc_SENB) of 5.31 ± 0.41 and 4.83 ± 0.50 MPa m0.5, respectively for the Ni and FeCrAl bonded cermets. The improved damage tolerance of these cermets compared to the base (Ti,Zr,Hf,Nb,Ta)C high-entropy carbide is related to the reduced grain size and microstructural toughening mechanisms (e.g. crack deflection and bridging).

The new chiral ligands I–III based on derivatives of imidazolidin-4-one were synthesised and characterised. The catalytic activity and enantioselectivity of their corresponding copper(II) complexes were studied in asymmetric Henry reactions. It was found that the enantioselectivity of these catalysts is overall very high and depends on the relative configuration of the ligand used; cis-configuration of ligand affords the nitroaldols with major enantiomer S- (up to 97% ee), whereas the application of ligands with trans-configuration led to nitroaldols with major R-enantiomer (up to 96% ee). The “proline-type” ligand IV was also tested in asymmetric aldol reactions. Under the optimised reaction conditions, aldol products with enantioselectivities of up to 91% ee were obtained.

Background Inhaled corticosteroids have been widely reported as a preventive measure against the development of severe forms of COVID-19 not only in patients with asthma.Methods In 654 Czech and Slovak patients with asthma who developed COVID-19, we investigated whether the correct use of inhaler containing corticosteroids was associated with a less severe course of COVID-19 and whether this had an impact on the need for hospitalisation, measurable lung functions and quality of life (QoL).Results Of the studied cohort 51.4% had moderate persistent, 29.9% mild persistent and 7.2% severe persistent asthma. We found a significant adverse effect of poor inhaler adherence on COVID-19 severity (p=0.049). We also observed a lower hospitalisation rate in patients adequately taking the inhaler with OR of 0.83. Vital capacity and forced expiratory lung volume deterioration caused by COVID-19 were significantly reversed, by approximately twofold to threefold, in individuals who inhaled correctly.Conclusion Higher quality of inhalation technique of corticosteroids measured by adherence to an inhaled medication application technique (A-AppIT) score had a significant positive effect on reversal of the vital capacity and forced expiratory lung volume in 1 s worsening (p=0.027 and p

Abstract A panel of X-linked microsatellite markers was newly designed using the data from a previous sequencing project available in NCBI and used for a study of the Colorado potato beetle (CPB, Leptinotarsa decemlineata) X-haplotype variability. The analysis of scaffolds 49 and 61 (newly identified as fragments of CPB chromosome X) found ten high-quality markers, which were arranged in two PCR multiplexes and evaluated in both 420 CPB adults, collected from 14 localities of Czechia and Slovakia, and 866 larvae from five single-female families from two more Czech localities. Length polymorphisms found in 6 loci have predicted 192 potential X-haplotypes, however, only 36 combinations were detected in the adult males (N = 189), and seven additional ones in the larvae. The X-haplotypes were also generally unevenly distributed; five of the most frequent haplotypes were detected in 55% of males, 19 repeating up to ten-times in 38.7% of males and the remained 12 occurred uniquely in 6.3% of males. Bulk analysis of X-haplotypes dissimilarity indicated seven haplotype groups diversified by mutations and recombinations. Two haplotypes showed a distinctive regional distribution, which indicates an east–west disruption of CPB migration probably caused by different environments of localities in the South Bohemia region and Vysocina region. On the contrary, the results indicate a south–north migration corridor alongside the Vltava River. In the single-female families, from 6 to 13 distinct paternal haplotypes were detected, which proved and quantified a frequented polyandry in CPB.

Long-term field experiments provide a valuable dataset for predicting changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in different agricultural systems. The RothC-26.3 model was used to simulate changes in SOC in the monoculture of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and the Norfolk crop rotation during 1972-2100. The potential of the Gleyic Fluvisol Clayic to sequester organic carbon was investigated. The studied soil was heavily textured, with medium organic carbon content. Four management scenarios in the monoculture and six management scenarios in the Norfolk crop rotation were evaluated. Three different global climate models (MPI, MRI, CMSS) representing the uncertainty of future climate conditions were used. Results showed that carbon stocks were mainly influenced by plant residue inputs and exogenous organic materials application. The projection showed trends of carbon stocks decreasing in the case of monoculture management. Results also documented that management scenario D with straw incorporation and intercrops represented sustainability and carbon stock increase during all modelled climate scenarios. The SOC stock at the end of the century was approximately 66 t/ha. This represents a moderate sequestration of SOC of approximately 0.09 t/ha/year.

Land use changes together with riverbed regulations to avoid the annual floods affect the ecosystem of floodplain forests. Later subsequent revitalization measures, transboundary controlled river management, wetland restoration, and integrated planning were realized to reduce the negative effect of groundwater dropping and other environmental problems. This study aimed to follow the dynamic of groundwater level, soil properties and forest vitality as affected by climate change. The continuous dataset (2019-2022) of soil physical and hydrophysical parameters and tree radial growth parameters were obtained. Groundwater level was evaluated by z-score and the means, and standard deviation values were considered. The monthly assessment of soil and climatic conditions showed that the uneven distribution of rainfall and the increase in temperatures have significantly affected the soil hydrological regime and forest growth. Continual monitoring is necessary to prepare projection models, which can help better understand both the soil and tree growth parameters in the changing environment.

A novel negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus showing genetic similarity to viruses of the genus Rubodvirus has been found in raspberry plants in the Czech Republic and has tentatively been named raspberry rubodvirus 1 (RaRV1). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed its clustering within the group, albeit distantly related to other members. A screening of 679 plant and 168 arthropod samples from the Czech Republic and Norway revealed RaRV1 in 10 raspberry shrubs, one batch of Aphis idaei, and one individual of Orius minutus. Furthermore, a distinct isolate of this virus was found, sharing 95% amino acid identity in both the full nucleoprotein and partial sequence of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene sequences, meeting the species demarcation criteria. This discovery marks the first reported instance of a rubodvirus infecting raspberry plants. Although transmission experiments under experimental conditions were unsuccessful, positive detection of the virus in some insects suggests their potential role as vectors for the virus.

Trampling of vegetation as a result of recreation can adversely affect natural habitats, leading to loss of vegetation and degradation of plant communities. Many studies indicated that intrinsic properties of plant communities appear to be the most important factors determining the response of vegetation to trampling disturbance. Specifically, the dominant life-form of a plant community accounts for more variation in the resistance of communities to trampling than the intensity of the trampling experienced, suggesting that simple assessments based on this trait could guide decisions on access to natural sites. We verify these claims in the Belianske Tatry National Nature Reserve in Slovakia, which has been closed since 1978 due to destruction by mass tourism, with the exception of one trail made accessible since 1993. In researching the resistance of communities according to dominant life forms we adjusted the number of passes according to the minimum (75 tourists) and maximum (225 tourists) daily visitation during the tourist season. The studied communities occur in close proximity to the trails on the saddles through which the open trail passes. Available evidence from our studies suggests that vegetation dominated by hemicryptophytes is more resistant to trampling and recovers from trampling to a greater extent than vegetation dominated by other life forms. Therefore, we selected three alpine communities dominated by hemicryptophytes. In the Juncetum trifidi community, they almost completely dominate, they are mainly composed of grasses. Although they dominate the Junco trifidi-Callunetum vulgaris community, the species, Calluna vulgaris has been added to the woody chamephytes, and thus the woody Chamaephytes achieve a higher cover than in the Juncetum trifidi community. Although in the community Seslerietum tatrae biscutelletosum laevigatae hemicryptophytes dominate, it consists of several plant life forms and its grasses reach greater heights than in previous communities. We found that it is not possible to estimate the resilience of communities to trampling by dominant life forms. Life forms within one community react very similarly, but this statement cannot be generalized globally for all communities. At the same time, we found that if we damage the native community, which subsequently regenerates, the life forms of the community behave differently when damaged repeatedly. More detailed research is needed worldwide, which would point out patterns of behaviour of alpine plant vegetation to trampling.

Marián Sedlák,1,2 Adonis Wazir,3 Aikaterini Dima,4 Jakub Gazda,5 Radoslav Morochovič1 1Trauma Surgery Department, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Faculty of Medicine & Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, Slovakia; 2Zachranna Sluzba Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia; 3Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, UK; 4South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; 5 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Faculty of Medicine & Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, SlovakiaCorrespondence: Marián Sedlák, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Faculty of Medicine & Louis Pasteur University Hospital, Trauma Surgery Department, Kosice, Slovakia, Email marian.sedlak.md@gmail.comBackground: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common trauma-related diagnoses among the elderly population treated in emergency departments (ED). Identification of patients with increased or decreased risk of intracranial bleeding is of clinical importance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the implication of cutaneous impact location (CIL) on the prevalence of intracranial injury after suspected or confirmed TBI irrespective of its severity.Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, descriptive observational study of geriatric patients aged 65 years and older treated for suspected or confirmed TBI in a trauma surgery ED. The primary outcome of the study was the assessment of a CIL of the injury and its association with the prevalence of intracranial lesions found on a head computed tomography scan.Results: Among 381 patients included in the analysis, the CIL of interest (temporo-parietal and occipital impacts) was present among 178 (46.7%) cases. Thirty-six (9.5%) patients were diagnosed with intracranial bleeding. The prevalence of intracranial bleeding was higher in the CIL of interest group compared with other locations outside (12.9% vs 6.4%; p = 0.030). CIL of interest was a predictor of intracranial bleeding (p = 0.033; OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.06 to 4.42).Conclusion: The CIL of head injury is a predictor of intracranial lesions among geriatric patients with traumatic brain injury. Physicians should be aware of this association when assessing elderly patients with head injuries. More studies are needed to develop a clinical management tool incorporating CIL to guide the diagnosis of TBI in this population.Keywords: cutaneous impact location, traumatic brain injury, TBI, geriatric TBI

Abstract Background BRASH syndrome (bradycardia, renal failure, atrioventricular nodal blockade, shock, and hyperkalemia) is a rare clinical condition with potentially severe outcomes. Patients with BRASH syndrome can present with diverse signs and symptoms and are usually in critical condition, but if recognized early, the syndrome is treatable and may have a favorable prognosis. Case presentation This case study presents a 74-year-old patient with a history of multiple chronic conditions who was brought to the emergency department with a suspected cerebrovascular accident, altered mental status, and bradycardia. A head computed tomography scan was unremarkable but laboratory results showed hyperkalemia, acidosis, and renal failure with concomitant progressive hypoglycemia. The patient was diagnosed with a BRASH syndrome characterized by a vicious cycle of atrioventricular nodal blockade induced by the potentiated effect of beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, in combination with progressive hypoglycemia due to the suspected accumulation of anti-diabetic medications, which influenced the presentation and initial triage in the emergency department. She was admitted to the intensive care unit for further management, where she continued to improve and was ultimately discharged in a relatively stable condition. Conclusion This case study highlights the importance of considering rare and atypical presentations of medical conditions, particularly in elderly patients who may have multiple comorbidities. Early recognition and prompt management of such cases are crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Elastic constants of dual-phase β-titanium alloys with different phase compositions and different volume fractions of individual phases were investigated using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy and transient grating spectroscopy. It was shown that even for high volume fractions of the secondary phases (ω and α), the crystals can retain cubic symmetry and homogeneity in their elastic behavior, both at the macro-scale and at the micro-scale, unless the secondary phases precipitate under external stress violating this symmetry. In contrast, a material heat-treated under uniaxial compression deviates from cubic symmetry in its macroscopic behavior, and its micro-scale elastic behavior is heterogeneous. The results also reveal that the ω and α particles have different impacts on the elastic constants of the β−matrix, the former affecting only the shear part of the elastic response, while the latter also the bulk modulus.

In vitro propagation techniques particularly apply for genotypes, where classic approach fails to succeed or if it is less efficient. One of these cases is compactly growing plum cultivar ‘Dwarf’, which considerably complicates the nursery propagation due to its shortened internodes. For in vitro micropropagation of this plum, we tested the Murashige and Skoog (1962) growth media with cytokinin added: 6-benzylaminopurine, thidiazurone or 2- isopentenyladenine. The highest multiplication coefficient (2.56) was achieved at 4 mg/L of 6-benzylaminopurine.

Apples are an important source of polyphenolic substances that contribute to the antioxidant activity of the fruit. Presence of apples in the diet significantly contributes to the intake of polyphenols. Apple consumption is associated with prevention of degenerative diseases. Polyphenolic profiles of apples from different regions of the Czech Republic and Poland were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Four phenolic substances quercitric, epicatechin, phloridzin, and chlorogenic acid were determined in selected apples samples. No statistically significant differences between the regions of the given country were determined for the varieties ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Idared’. Chlorogenic acid was the major polyphenol in apples from Poland and its content tended to be higher being 45.4 ± 20.2 µg/g for the ‘Golden Delicious’ and 74.1 ± 2.6 µg/g for the ‘Idared’ varieties, while in the Czech Republic it was 34.2 ± 14.0, respectively 44.3 ± 21.3 µg/g. In contrast, Czech apples contained more epicatechin and quercitrin in these varieties.

Heracleum mantegazzianum is an invasive species in middle Europe. The mode of action of its invasiveness is still not known. Our study focuses on observation of potential allelopathic influence by the production and release of phytochemicals into its environment. Plant material was collected four times within one season (April, May, June, July 2019) at locality Lekárovce (eastern Slovakia) for comparison of differences in composition and potential allelopathy. Water extracts from collected samples were used for different biological assays. The total phenols and flavonoids were determined spectrophotometrically. The profile and content of phenolic components, including coumarins, were determined by two techniques of liquid chromatography along with in vitro evaluation of the free radical scavenging activity of extracts (DPPH, Hydroxyl, Superoxide, and FRAP). The changes in composition in extracts in different seasonal periods were evident as well as potential phytotoxic activity in some concentrations on specific model plants. The slight antioxidant activity was noted. The invasiveness of the current species could be supported by the excretion of its phytochemicals into its surroundings and by different modes of action influencing living organisms in its environment.

High-entropy rare-earth (RE) zirconates with pyrochlore structure were successfully fabricated by pressureless and spark plasma sintering. RE2Zr2O7 compound with nominal composition (La0.2Y0.2Gd0.2Nd0.2Sm0.2)Zr2O7 was prepared by simple glycine nitrate procedure (GNP). GNP process yielded powders with low crystallinity and after subsequent calcination, well crystalline ceramics were formed. During calcination defective fluorite (F-RE2Zr2O7) and crystal pyrochlore (Py-RE2Zr2O7) structures coexist. Formation of pure crystalline pyrochlore occurs after sintering at 1450 °C. High-density ceramics, free of any additives, were obtained after powders compaction and pressureless (PS), as well as field assisted sintering technique (FAST) at 1450 °C. Theoretical investigations of the high-entropy RE2Zr2O7 pyrochlore systems were performed. Unit cell parameter of the obtained Py-RE2Zr2O7 is 10.5892(2) Å and 10.5999(2) Å for PS and FAST sintering, respectively, which is in good agreement with the results of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The thermal diffusivity of sintered samples at room temperature was ∼0.7 mm2/s for both sintering methods. Resumen: Se fabricaron con éxito, mediante sinterización por plasma sin presión y por chispa, los circonatos de tierras raras (RE) de alta entropía con estructura de pirocloro. El compuesto RE2Zr2O7 con composición nominal (La0,2Y0,2Gd0,2Nd0,2Sm0,2)Zr2O7 se preparó mediante un procedimiento simple de nitrato de glicina (GNP). El proceso GNP produjo polvos con baja cristalinidad y después de la posterior calcinación, se formaron cerámicas bien cristalinas. Durante la calcinación coexisten estructuras defectuosas de fluorita (F-RE2Zr2O7) y pirocloro cristalino (Py-RE2Zr2O7). La formación de pirocloro cristalino puro se produce después de la sinterización a 1.450 °C. Después de la compactación de polvos y sin presión (PS), así como por la técnica de sinterización asistida en campo (FAST) a 1.450 oC, se obtuvieron cerámicas de alta densidad, libres de aditivos. Se realizaron investigaciones teóricas de los sistemas de pirocloro RE2Zr2O7 de alta entropía. El parámetro de celda unitaria del Py-RE2Zr2O7 obtenido es 105.892(2) Å y 105.999(2) Å para la sinterización PS y FAST, respectivamente, lo que está de acuerdo con los resultados de los cálculos de la teoría funcional de la densidad (DFT). La difusividad térmica de las muestras sinterizadas a temperatura ambiente fue de ∼ 0,7 mm2/s para ambos métodos de sinterización.

Abstract The Colorado potato beetle (CPB, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Slechtd.) is an invasive pest with economic importance worldwide. Sex ratios during egg-hatching and a frequency of polyandry in single-female families were analysed to clarify the reproduction strategy of CPB, which was still known only in fragments. 1296 just hatching 1st instar CPB larvae were collected from 19 single-female families, of which 13 were random families collected from potato fields and 6 were families produced by laboratory farming of naturally fertilised females. All larvae were analysed to detect a sex using a qPCR-based method and to detect polymorphisms in genotypes of 9 microsatellite (SSR) markers. The bias in sex ratio in favour of females was confirmed using linear mixed-effects model in both experimental groups of families: field collections (F = 36.39; P = 0.0001) and laboratory farming (F = 13.74; P = 0.0139). The analysis of diversity in microsatellites proved the polyandry in all progenies as 73% of analysed segregation patterns did not match with the patterns expected for full-sib progenies; on average per locus, 46% of allelic and 49.7% of genotype ratios showed irregular segregation. Both findings contribute toward understanding CPB success rate as an invasive species, as the preferential bearing of females with polyandry has a great potential to keep fitness of progenies, to maintain and operate population diversity, and to accelerate the reproduction of the pest.

Prunus pumila L., the dwarf sand plum (also named sand cherry), is a North American shrub with edible fruit. It is not yet widely known in Central Europe, but it has the potential to become of interest to growers thanks to its adaptability and drought tolerance. Apart from the fruit processing, the value of this species lies in its applicability as a rootstock for apricot and peach. Our work aimed at the micropropagation techniques for this species. We used the Murashige and Skoog growth medium with selected auxins and cytokinins added. In the multiplication phase, thidiazuron proved itself to be efficient in the concentration 1 or 2 mg/L. For the rooting induction, satisfactory results were obtained when indole-3-butyric acid was used in the concentration 5 mg/L.