Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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Loneliness, socio-demographics, and self-rated health outcomes among the high-risk 50+ population in the Czech Republic: COVID-19 early outbreak responses
Get PDFLoneliness in late life can act as a trigger of negative feelings, reduce well-being, and cause significant health problems. Yet, we have a limited understanding of older adults’ lived experiences of loneliness, especially during pandemics. Based on the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) conducted in the Czech Republic (n = 2,631), we found that depression, nervousness, gender, trouble with sleep, and physical health condition before COVID-19 were significantly associated with loneliness. These determinants should be taken into account when planning further supportive fieldwork to optimize the functioning of the aging population during the pandemic and beyond.European Commission, DG RTD; Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, MPG; Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF; Seventh Framework Programme, FP7, (283646, 227822, 261982, 211909); Seventh Framework Programme, FP7; National Institute on Aging, NIA, (P01_AG005842, HHSN271201300071C, OGHA_04-064, P01_AG08291, R21_AG025169, IAG_BSR06-11, RAG052527A, U01_AG09740-13S2, Y1-AG-4553-01, P30_AG12815); National Institute on Aging, NIA; Fifth Framework Programme, FP5, (QLK6-CT-2001-00360); Fifth Framework Programme, FP5; Sixth Framework Programme, FP6, (RII-CT-2006-062193, CIT5-CT-2005-028857, CIT4-CT-2006-028812); Sixth Framework Programme, FP6; Horizon 2020, (101015924, VS 2016/0135, VS 2018/0285, 823782, VS 2020/0313, VS 2019/0332, 654221, 870628, VS 2015/0195, 676536); Horizon 202
Quality of beer with added pseudocereals
Get PDFThis study dealt with the addition of pseudocereals in the production of beer without the use of exogenous enzymes. The effect of added pseudocereals (quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat) on characteristics of beer was studied on beer samples prepared from barley malt, pseudocereals, water, hops, and brewer's yeasts. Pseudocereals were used as a partial malt substitute (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%). The colour of laboratory prepared beers was measured using a Konica Minolta CM 3500d. Basic parameters of beers (alcohol content, real extract and original extract of the wort) were measured using a FermentoFlash. The amount of fructose, glucose, maltose and maltotriose in the wort and in the beers was determined using an Agilent Technologies HPLC. A sensory evaluation was also performed. The results of the different variants of beer samples did not vary in terms of alcohol content. Beer lightness did not differ much between the pseudocereals variants. However, control beer was darker than beers with added pseudocereals. It is evident from the results of the determination of carbohydrates, that even the addition of pseudocereals in sprinkles can guarantee a sufficient amount of fermentable carbohydrates. From the results of the sensory analysis, it can be concluded that the addition of buckwheat to the work proved to be very acceptable. We can therefore evaluate that the addition of pseudocereals up to 30% in the pouring can be used in the production of beers.Grant IGA [IGA AF MENDELU 2021-IP013]; [AF MENDELU 2021-IP013
Controllable synthesis of heterogeneous ZnS/SnS2 encapsulated in hollow nitrogen-doped carbon microcubes as anode for high-performance Li-ion capacitors
No full textLi-ion capacitors (LICs) integrate the desirable features of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SCs), but the kinetic imbalance between the both electrodes leads to inferior electrochemical performance. Thus, constructing an advanced anode with outstanding rate capability and terrific redox kinetics is crucial to LICs. Herein, heterostructured ZnS/SnS2 nanosheets encapsulated into N-doped carbon microcubes (ZnS/SnS2@NC) are successfully fabricated. The sufficient ZnS/SnS2 heterostructure possesses abundant active sites, and the built-in electric field formed at the heterojunction interface can facilitate electron/ion migration. The interconnected hollow carbon layers could reduce the electron transfer resistance effectively and accommodate the volume change of SnS2, thereby maintaining the structural stability. Due to the synergy between multi-components, the ZnS/SnS2@NC anode demonstrates impressive Li storage performance with an excellent cyclic durablity (690 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 600 cycles) and considerable rate capability. Moreover, when matched with active carbon, the ZnS/SnS2@NC based LIC device delivers an admirable energy density of 134.1 Wh kg−1 and a high power output of 11,250 W kg−1, as well as remarkable capacity retention of 73.2 % after 6,000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. The experimental results demonstrate the significance of optimized heterointerface engineering toward construction of electrode materials with high-performance for Li storage.National Natural Science Foundation of China; International Cooperation Project of Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Committee [18520744400]; [22075082
In situ delivery of synthetic preimplantation factor using aldehyde-modified hyaluronic acid hydrogel with immobilized complexes of chondroitin sulfate derivatives
Get PDFSynthetic preimplantation factor (SPIF) is a promising therapeutic agent for chronic inflammatory diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but frequent systemic dosing limits patient adherence and therapy efficacy. This study presents an injectable drug delivery system (DDS) using 2 % (w/v) aldehyde-modified hyaluronic acid (HAOX) and chondroitin sulfate (CSOX) to deliver 100 µg of Fluorescein isothiocyanate-modified SPIF (FITC-SPIF). The DDS utilizes electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged sulfate groups of CSOX and the positively charged amino acids of FITC-SPIF for effective entrapment. Key properties were analyzed, including moderate gelation time (193 s), swelling profile (18 %), injectability (27 G needle) and an established relevant release profile (20 μg/daily ± 3) via anomalous diffusion. Increasing CSOX concentration reduced initial burst release by 38 % (0.5 % CSOX) to 78 % (1 % CSOX), extending release time (T50 %) from 50 h (0.5 % CSOX) to 88 h (1 % CSOX). Additionally, the release of FITC-SPIF enhanced TGF-β secretion in THP-1 macrophages, indicating preserved biological activity. These findings highlight the tunable release and mechanical properties achieved by adjusting the HAOX:CSOX ratio, strategically aligning the DDS for targeted MS symptom management. This system potentially simplifies SPIF delivery and enhances therapeutic efficacy
Convergence of safety and security within process plants
Get PDFProcess plants safety is currently an integral part of process industries. This fact is evidenced by a number of important directives, standards, and regulations, such as the Seveso III Directive, Process Safety Management Standard or Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. By implementing them, personnel safety, process safety, functional safety, etc. are constantly ensured. However, on the other hand, it is necessary to point out that process plants can be a significant source of risk not only from a process point of view, but also as a result of intentional or unintentional external damage. In this context, it is also necessary to pay attention to process plants security. Currently, only a few directives related to the critical infrastructure protection or cyber security pay attention to this area. Based on these facts, the aim of the article is to present possibilities, tools and benefits of the convergence of process plants safety with the physical protection system and organizational resilience. As part of the physical protection system, convergence mechanical barriers, alarm systems, security forces and regime measures can be used for this purpose at the operational level. In contrast, organizational resilience processes can be used to strengthen process plants safety at the management level. In both cases, these security measures can be used in all three-time phases of the accident, i.e. before the accident, during the accident, and after the accident.Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic [VK01030014]; Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic [VEGA1/0257/23]; EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan for Slovakia [17R05-04-V01-00005
Evaluation of cutting forces and roughness during machining of spherical surfaces with barrel cutters
Get PDFBarrel tools are increasingly used in high-precision machining of free-form surfaces. However, limited studies evaluate their performance specifically on spherical geometries, where tool–surface contact characteristics differ significantly. Understanding how tool geometry and process parameters influence surface quality and cutting forces in such cases remains underexplored. This study evaluates how barrel cutter radius and varying machining parameters affect cutting forces and surface roughness when milling internal and external spherical surfaces. Machining tests were conducted on structural steel 1.1191 using two barrel cutters with different curvature radii (85 mm and 250 mm) on a 5-axis CNC machine. Feed per tooth and radial depth of cut were systematically varied. Cutting forces were measured using a dynamometer, and surface roughness was assessed using the Rz parameter, which is more sensitive to peak deviations than Ra. Novelty lies in isolating spherical surface shapes (internal vs. external) under identical path trajectories and systematically correlating tool geometry to force and surface metrics. The larger curvature tool (250 mm) consistently generated up to twice the cutting force of the smaller radius tool under equivalent conditions. External surfaces showed higher Rz values than internal ones due to less favorable contact geometry. Radial depth of the cut had a linear influence on force magnitude, while feed rate had a limited effect except at higher depths. Smaller-radius barrel tools and internal geometries are preferable for minimizing cutting forces and achieving better surface quality when machining spherical components. The aim of this paper is to determine the actual force load and surface quality when using specific cutting conditions for internal and external spherical machined surfaces.This research was funded by the Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin, supported under project No. IGA/FT/2025/002.Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin; [IGA/FT/2025/002
Augmented and mixed reality in liver surgery: a comprehensive narrative review of novel clinical implications on cohort studies
Get PDFThe Ministry of Health, Czech Republic, supported the con-ceptual development of a research organization (FNOs/2021). The authors thank all the study participants.Ministry of Health, Czech Republic [FNOs/2021
Structured singular value control With general two-degree-of-freedom feedback loop factorisation for single-input single-output systems
Get PDFGeneral two-degree-of-freedom feedback loop factorisation for single-input single-output systems applied to oscillating plants with time delay, periodic changes of the controlled plant parameters and astatism using the D-K iteration and algebraic approach is described in this paper. The algebraic approach combines the structured singular value, algebraic theory and algorithm of global optimisation solving remaining issues in structured singular value framework. The algorithm for global optimisation can be alternated with direct search methods such as Nelder-Mead simplex method giving solutions for problems with one local extreme for final tune-up optimisation. As a global optimisation method, Differential Migration is used proving to be reliable in solving this type of problems. The D-K iteration is used as a reference method representing standard procedure for deriving optimal controller in the structured singular value theory. The results obtained from the D-K iteration are compared with the algebraic approach.Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic within the National Sustainability Programme project No. [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/19.0376]; European Regional Development Fund [LO1303 (MSMT-7778/2014)]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic within the National Sustainability Programm
The power of storytelling in product placement of TikTok’s short-form content: A qualitative study
No full textThis research explores the role of storytelling in product placement within short videos on social media, with a focus on the success of TikTok. With the rapid growth of social media marketing, TikTok has become a prime platform for brands to seamlessly integrate their products into engaging, story-driven content. The study uses a two-phase qualitative methodology; phase 1 consists of in-depth interviews with TikTok users and influencers, while stage 2 includes focus groups. The thematic analysis highlights how storytelling enhances the effectiveness of product placement on TikTok by shaping users' perceptions, influencing their behaviors, and positively impacting overall brand perception. The findings reveal three major themes: storytelling enhances the effectiveness of product placements on TikTok by fostering entertainment, engagement, and perceived usefulness. When products seamlessly integrate into relatable storylines, users perceive them as more genuine, memorable, and practical. Storytelling on TikTok enhances product placements by making them feel more authentic, increasing brand trust, engagement, and purchase intent. This makes it a beneficial strategy for brands in the changing world of social media marketing. This study applies the Narrative Transportation Theory to short videos on TikTok, demonstrating that even short stories can maintain viewer interest and enhance the effectiveness of product placements. This study offers marketers and content creators TikTok product placement strategies using narrative. By integrating storytelling into short video content, brands can enhance viewer engagement, brand memory, trust, brand recall, and buy intentions.This work is supported by the Internal Grant Agency of FaME, Tomas Bata University in Zl\u00EDnno.IGA/FaME/2025/008 I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my co-authors for their invaluable contributions to this research. Their insights, support, and collaboration have greatly enhanced the quality of this work. I extend my appreciation to: Dr. Rita Glozer, University of Pecs, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Communication and Media, for her expertise in qualitative research methodolog
Hierarchical Co/CoSe@MoSe2 heterostructures enable efficient polysulfides trapping and conversion for highly stable lithium-sulfur batteries
No full textLithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are now facing great challenges in the sluggish reaction kinetics and the severe shuttle effect of polysulfides. To address these issues, it is of crucial importance to design efficient sulfur cathode with strong adsorption, high catalytic activity and high electrical conductivity. Herein, Co/CoSe@MoSe2 hierarchically heterostructured catalyst is synthesized via a facile pyrolysis and hydrothermal method, in which MoSe₂ nanosheets are coated on Co/CoSe hollow microspheres. As-prepared structure serves as a sulfur host for lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived Co/CoSe metallic junction facilitates rapid catalytic conversion of lithium polysulfide (LiPSs), while two-dimensional MoSe2 nanosheets possessing a strong polarity and high specific surface area effectively trap LiPSs and suppress the shuttle effect. Last but not least, porous carbon networks derived by MOFs accelerate the charge transfer within the catalyst. With these synergistic advantages from their heterogeneous components, the assembled LSBs based on Co/CoSe@MoSe2 sulfur cathode delivers a high discharge capacity of 1313.9 mA h g−1 at 0.1C with a sulfur loading of 1.5 mg cm−2. Even at a high sulfur loading of 3.0 mg cm−2, it still demonstrates a stable cycling with a low capacity decay of 0.042 % per cycle after 200 cycles at 0.2C. This work provides new insights into understanding of heterostructured catalyst systems with balancing adsorption and catalysis for high-performance LSBs.National Natural Science Foundation of China, NSFC, (22075082); National Natural Science Foundation of China, NSFC; Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, STCSM, (18520744400); Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, STCSMNational Natural Science Foundation of China [22075082]; International Cooperation Project of Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Committee [18520744400