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KYPO4INDUSTRY: A Testbed for Teaching Cybersecurity of Industrial Control Systems
Get PDFThere are different requirements on cybersecurity of industrial control systems and information technology systems. This fact exacerbates the global issue of hiring cybersecurity employees with relevant skills. In this paper, we present KYPO4INDUSTRY training facility and a course syllabus for beginner and intermediate computer science students to learn cybersecurity in a simulated industrial environment. The training facility is built using open-source hardware and software and provides reconfigurable modules of industrial control systems. The course uses a flipped classroom format with hands-on projects: the students create educational games that replicate real cyber attacks. Throughout the semester, they learn to understand the risks and gain capabilities to respond to cyber attacks that target industrial control systems. Our described experience from the design of the testbed and its usage can help any educator interested in teaching cybersecurity of cyber-physical systems
Public Attitudes Toward Shared Custody : The Czech Republic
Get PDFIn the beginning of the existence of divorce as a social institution, parenthood was not as deeply problematized as the moral aspects of the partnership. In contrast, current public and scientific debates are most frequently involved in the questions of the impact of divorce on the children. Shared custody can be understood as a result of this cultural shift. The knowledge about public attitudes toward this topic and its social differentiation is limited. This study presents a unique source of data on shared custody attitudes from EVS (European Values Study) and CHPS (Czech Household Panel Survey) surveys conducted recently in the Czech Republic. The results show there is a substantive distinction between the attitudes of men and women and that the acceptance of shared custody is higher in younger age groups. No differences according to the social and economic status of respondents and their family backgrounds were found. Concerning the broader attitudinal contingency, we found no relationship between egalitarian gender attitudes and the acceptance of shared custody, but conservative attitudes toward divorce consequences increase the acceptance of shared custody.In the beginning of the existence of divorce as a social institution, parenthood was not as deeply problematized as the moral aspects of the partnership. In contrast, current public and scientific debates are most frequently involved in the questions of the impact of divorce on the children. Shared custody can be understood as a result of this cultural shift. The knowledge about public attitudes toward this topic and its social differentiation is limited. This study presents a unique source of data on shared custody attitudes from EVS (European Values Study) and CHPS (Czech Household Panel Survey) surveys conducted recently in the Czech Republic. The results show there is a substantive distinction between the attitudes of men and women and that the acceptance of shared custody is higher in younger age groups. No differences according to the social and economic status of respondents and their family backgrounds were found. Concerning the broader attitudinal contingency, we found no relationship between egalitarian gender attitudes and the acceptance of shared custody, but conservative attitudes toward divorce consequences increase the acceptance of shared custody
Žijeme v době bezprecedentního míru? : Steven Pinker a jeho percepce v odborné literatuře
Get PDFČlánek shrnuje a kriticky reflektuje hlavní myšlenky díla Stevena Pinkera The Better Angels of our Nature a představuje hlavní proudy kritiky. Tyto proudy kritiky jsou zařazeny do kategorií, načež dochází k reflexi síly argumentů Pinkerovych oponentů. Závěry hovoří v prospěch koherence a empirické zakotvenosti myšlenkového proudu vyzdvihujícího civilizační pokles míry násilí. Rozpoznání těchto trendů a jejich zdrojů může pak sloužit jako návod k dalšímu pokroku v této oblasti.The article sums up the main ideas of Steven Pinker’s book The Better Angels of our Nature, and introduces main currents of its criticism. The currents are categorized; thereafter the strength of Pinker’s opponents’ arguments is evaluated. The conclusions points towards coherence and sound empirical foundation of the school of thought emphasizing the civilizational downward trend in violence. Recognition of these trends can in turn help determine further steps in mitigating levels of political violence
An Explorative Analysis of ABCG2/TOP-1 mRNA Expression as a Biomarker Test for FOLFIRI Treatment in Stage III Colon Cancer Patients: Results from Retrospective Analyses of the PETACC-3 Trial
Get PDFBiomarker-guided treatment for patients with colon cancer is needed. We tested ABCG2 and topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) mRNA expression as predictive biomarkers for irinotecan benefit in the PETACC-3 patient cohort. The present study included 580 patients with mRNA expression data from Stage III colon cancer samples from the PETACC-3 study, which randomized the patients to Fluorouracil/leucovorin (5FUL) +/- irinotecan. The primary end-points were recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Patients were divided into one group with high ABCG2 expression (above median) and low TOP-1 expression (below 75 percentile) ("resistant") (n = 216) and another group including all other combinations of these two genes ("sensitive") (n = 364). The rationale for the cut-offs were based on the distribution of expression levels in the PETACC-3 Stage II set of patients, where ABCG2 was unimodal and TOP1 was bimodal with a high expression level mode in the top quarter of the patients. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the hazard ratios and the association between variables and end-points and log-rank tests to assess the statistical significance of differences in survival between groups. Kaplan-Meier estimates of the survival functions were used for visualization and estimation of survival rates at specific time points. Significant differences were found for both RFS (Hazard ratio (HR): 0.63 (0.44-0.92); p = 0.016) and OS (HR: 0.60 (0.39-0.93); p = 0.02) between the two biomarker groups when the patients received FOLFIRI (5FUL+irinotecan). Considering only the Microsatellite Stable (MSS) and Microsatellite Instability-Low (MSI-L) patients (n = 470), the differences were even more pronounced. In contrast, no significant differences were observed between the groups when patients received 5FUL alone. This study shows that the combination of ABCG2 and TOP1 gene expression significantly divided the Stage III colon cancer patients into two groups regarding benefit from adjuvant treatment with FOLFIRI but not 5FUL
Tort Law in the Czech Republic
No full textThis monograph is part of the International encyclopaedia of law, specifically tort law, created within the editorial project of IEL, and outlines the system of tort law in the Czech Republic, describing the situation of the new Czech private law effective since 1 January 2014. The work complies with the outline made by the editor but it inevitably reacts to specific features of the law of tort in the Czech Republic. Second edition describes the legal situation by 1st September 2019.Monografie je součástí Mezinárodní encyklopedie práva, řady Právo náhrady škody. Je zpracována v rámci edičního projektu věnovaného náhradě škody a zahrnuje systém náhrady škody v České republice podle změněného právního stavu, účinného od 1. 1. 2014.Monografie je zpracována podle osnovy editora, avšak se zřetelem ke zvláštnostem národní právní úpravy práva deliktních závazků v České republice. Druhé vydání zachycuje právní stav k září 2019.This monograph is part of the international encyclopaedia of law, specifically tort law, created within the editorial project of IEL, and outlines the system of tort law in the Czech Republic, describing the situation of the new Czech private law effective since 1 January 2014. The work complies with the outline made by the editor but it inevitably reacts to specific features of the law of tort in the Czech Republic. Second edition describes the legal situation by 1st September 2019
Toxic potentials of particulate and gaseous air pollutant mixtures and the role of PAHs and their derivatives
Get PDFBackground: Air pollution, which represents a major environmental risk to human health, comprises a complex mixture of compounds where only little is known about its specific toxicities. Objectives: This study examined the specific toxicities associated with ambient air pollutant mixtures with respect to gas/particle partitioning, particulate matter (PM) size, pollutant polarity and bioaccessibility from PM, and evaluated the contribution of PAHs and their oxygenated and nitrated derivatives (OPAHs, NPAHs). Methods: Air samples (gas phase, PM10 and size- segregated PM), were collected at urban (in winter and summer) and background (winter) sites in the Czech Republic. The total and bioaccessible concentrations were addressed using organic solvent extraction and simulated lung fluid extraction, respectively. Organic extracts were also further fractionated according to polarity. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated activity, anti-/estro- genicity, anti-/androgenicity, thyroid receptor (TR)-mediated activity and cytotoxicity for bronchial cells were determined by human cell-based in vitro bioassays. The contribution of studied compounds to observed effects was assessed by both modelling and reconstructing the mixtures. Results: Significant effects were detected in the sub-micrometre size fraction of PM (estrogenicity, androgenicity, TR- and AhR-mediated activities) and in the gas phase (TR-mediated activity, antiandrogenicity). Compounds interacting with TR showed high bioaccessibility to simulated lung fluid. Relatively lower bioaccessibility was observed for estrogenicity and AhR-mediated activity. However, the toxicity testing of reconstructed mixtures revealed that the targeted pollutants are not the main contributors, except for urban PM air pollution in winter, where they accounted for 5-88% of several effects detected in the original complex environmental samples. Discussion: Studied toxicities were mostly driven by polar compounds largely attributed to the easily inhalable PM1, which is of high relevance for human health risk assessment. Except of parent PAHs in some cases, the targeted compounds contributed to the detected effects mostly to a relatively low extent implying huge data gaps in terms of endocrine disruptive potencies of targeted substances and the significance of other polar compounds present in ambient air
Photochemistry of a 9-Dithianyl-Pyronin Derivative: A Cornucopia of Reaction Intermediates Lead to Common Photoproducts
Get PDFLeaving groups attached to themeso-methyl position of many common dyes, such as xanthene, BODIPY, or pyronin derivatives, can be liberated upon irradiation with visible light. However, the course of phototransformations of such photoactivatable systems can be quite complex and the identification of reaction intermediates or even products is often neglected. This paper exemplifies the photochemistry of a 9-dithianyl-pyronin derivative, which undergoes an oxidative transformation at themeso-position to give a 3,6-diamino-9H-xanthen-9-one derivative, formic acid, and carbon monoxide as the main photoproducts. The course of this multi-photon multi-step reaction was studied under various conditions by steady-state and time-resolved optical spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy to understand the effects of solvents and molecular oxygen on individual steps. Our analyses have revealed the existence of many intermediates and their interrelationships to provide a complete picture of the transformation, which can bring new inputs to a rational design of new photoactivatable pyronin or xanthene derivatives
Structure-Dependent Effects of Phthalates on Intercellular and Intracellular Communication in Liver Oval Cells
Get PDFHumans are exposed to phthalates released from plastics, cosmetics, or food on a daily basis. Phthalates have low acute liver toxicity, but their chronic exposures could induce molecular and cellular effects linked to adverse health outcomes, such as liver tumor promotion or chronic liver diseases. The alternation of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and MAPK-Erk1/2 pathways in liver progenitor or oval cells can disrupt liver tissue homeostatic mechanisms and affect the development and severity of these adverse outcomes. Our study with 20 different phthalates revealed their structurally dependent effects on liver GJIC and MAPK-Erk1/2 signaling in rat liver WB-F344 cell line with characteristics of liver oval cells. The phthalates with a medium-length side chain (3-6 C) were the most potent dysregulators of GJIC and activators of MAPK-Erk1/2. The effects occurred rapidly, suggesting the activation of non-genomic (non-transcriptional) mechanisms directly by the parental compounds. Short-chain phthalates (1-2 C) did not dysregulate GJIC even after longer exposures and did not activate MAPK-Erk1/2. Longer chain (>= 7 C) phthalates, such as DEHP or DINP, moderately activated MAPK-Erk1/2, but inhibited GJIC only after prolonged exposures (>12 h), suggesting that GJIC dysregulation occurs via genomic mechanisms, or (bio)transformation. Overall, medium-chain phthalates rapidly affected the key tissue homeostatic mechanisms in the liver oval cell population via non-genomic pathways, which might contribute to the development of chronic liver toxicity and diseases
Kvalita výkonu mediace z pohledu zapsaných mediátorů
No full textTato kapitola je stejně jako kapitola předchozí založená na vlastním dotazníkovém šetření zapsaných mediátorů, soudců a advokátů z roku 2019. V rámci kvantitativního šetření byly dále srovnány názory a postoje k mediaci v rámci tří zainteresovaných skupin – zapsaných mediátorů, soudců a advokátů, které byly dotazovány pomocí dotazníkového šetření v roce 2019. U těchto skupin můžeme sledovat převažující spokojenost s prStěžejní oblastí pro hodnocení mediace a její další rozvoj je kvalita výkonu mediace. Zapsaní mediátoři, soudci i advokáti považují za klíčová kritéria hodnocení kvality činnosti zapsaného mediátora schopnost řešit obtížné případy, kompetence mediátora a přívětivost jednání. Oproti tomu rychlost práce a úspěšnost v dosahování dohod je relativně méně důležitá pro zapsané mediátory. Velkou důležitost počtu mediovaných případů jako kritériu hodnocení kvality mediátora nepřikládá žádná z dotazovaných skupin. Z hlediska otázky profesního vymezení mediace považuje mediátora za svébytnou profesi naprostá většina zapsaných mediátorů. Jen třetina z nich ale podporuje možnost vykonávat mediaci jako živnost a velmi malé množství považuje za potřebné zavádění specializací dle oblastí výkonu mediace.Tato kapitola je stejně jako kapitola předchozí založená na vlastním dotazníkovém šetření zapsaných mediátorů, soudců a advokátů z roku 2019. V rámci kvantitativního šetření byly dále srovnány názory a postoje k mediaci v rámci tří zainteresovaných skupin – zapsaných mediátorů, soudců a advokátů, které byly dotazovány pomocí dotazníkového šetření v roce 2019. U těchto skupin můžeme sledovat převažující spokojenost s prStěžejní oblastí pro hodnocení mediace a její další rozvoj je kvalita výkonu mediace. Zapsaní mediátoři, soudci i advokáti považují za klíčová kritéria hodnocení kvality činnosti zapsaného mediátora schopnost řešit obtížné případy, kompetence mediátora a přívětivost jednání. Oproti tomu rychlost práce a úspěšnost v dosahování dohod je relativně méně důležitá pro zapsané mediátory. Velkou důležitost počtu mediovaných případů jako kritériu hodnocení kvality mediátora nepřikládá žádná z dotazovaných skupin. Z hlediska otázky profesního vymezení mediace považuje mediátora za svébytnou profesi naprostá většina zapsaných mediátorů. Jen třetina z nich ale podporuje možnost vykonávat mediaci jako živnost a velmi malé množství považuje za potřebné zavádění specializací dle oblastí výkonu mediace.This chapter is also based in the original survey research of registered mediators, judges and advocates conducted in 2019. The quality of mediation performance is a key area for the evaluation of mediation and its further development. Registered mediators, judges and lawyers consider the ability to resolve difficult cases, the competence of the mediator and the friendliness of the proceedings to be the key criteria for assessing the quality of the activities of a registered mediator. Compared to this, the speed of work and the success rate in reaching agreements is relatively less important for registered mediators. None of the interviewed groups thinks the number of mediated cases is an important criterion for evaluating the quality of the mediator. As regards the question of the professional definition of mediation, the vast majority of registered mediators consider a mediator to be an independent profession. However, only a third of them support the possibility of performing mediation as a trade and a very small number consider it necessary to introduce specializations according to the areas of mediation performance