Objectives. This study aims to better understand peak experience and their varieties (PEV), as a key concept in understanding positive human experience, in the context of a specific adventurous recreational pursuit. Sample and settings. Interviews with the 14 crew members of the historical sailing vessel Oesterscheldewere held at the end of a 38-day crossing of the Indian Ocean. A rigorous qualitative hermeneutical – narrative approach in analysing interviews was utilised. Results. The results were based on a qualitatively different cross-section of PEV that could be seen as a mixture of already thematised varieties of peak experience. The PEV were presented on three levels: the level of action, the level of feeling and the level of reflection; as such, they consisted of the interplay between specific challenges (situations) and responses (reactions). Alongside original methodology and analysis, the authors suggested the importance of studying the participant’s response to PEV. The response to PEV is seen as a crucial component in this study and to PEV itself. Finally, it was suggested that PEV could be projected into the future as a private and useful model of participation in life. Limitations. The study has a number of limitations commonly connected to the qualitative approach: a small number of participants, language bias (all interviews were held in English), the bias of question structure (“what did you feel?”), the participation of a researcher on the voyage, and the professionalism of the main crew that could bias the interviews. and Cílem této studie bylo lépe porozumět vrchol-ným zážitkům a jejich variacím (PEV), jakožto klíčovému konceptu pro pochopení pozitivních lidských prožitků, v kontextu specifického dob-rodružného rekreačního vyžití. Rozhovory se 14 členy posádky historické plachetnice Oester-schelde se uskutečnily na konci 38denní plav-by přes Indický oceán a k jejich analýze autoři využili kvalitativní hermeneuticko-narativní přístup. Výsledky vycházely z kvalitativně odlišného průřezu PEV, který lze považovat za směs již te-matizovaných variací vrcholného zážitku. PEV byly prezentovány ve třech rovinách: v rovině jednání, v rovině pocitů a v rovině reflexe; jako takové se skládaly ze souhry konkrétních výzev (situací) a reakcí (odpovědí). Kromě originální metodiky a analýzy autoři zdůrazňují význam studování odpovědí účastníků na PEV. Reakci na PEV považují za klíčovou složku této studie i PEV samotné.Studie má řadu omezení běžně spojených s kvalitativním přístupem: malý počet účastníků, jazykové zkreslení (všechny rozhovory probíha-ly v angličtině), zkreslení dané strukturou otá-zek rozhovoru a také faktem, že tazatel se také účastnil plavby.
Thirty-two specimens of the Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus Laurenti (Reptilia: Crocodylidae), from the Kruger National Park, South Africa, and its vicinity were examined for pentastomid parasites during 1995 to 1999 and 2010 to 2011. Pentastomid parasites occurred throughout the year and were widespread in the study area with an overall prevalence of 97% and an overall mean abundance of 23.4 (0-81). Pentastome assemblages comprised six species in three sebekid genera: Alofia nilotici Riley et Huchzermeyer, 1995, A. simpsoni Riley, 1994, Leiperia cincinnalis Sambon, 1922, Sebekia cesarisi Giglioli in Sambon, 1922, S. minor (Wedl, 1861) and S. okavangoensis Riley et Huchzermeyer, 1995. The possible influence of host age, gender and geographic location (river system) on pentastome prevalence, abundance and species richness was investigated. Generally, neither host age, gender nor locality did affect infracommunities, likely because all hosts examined were adult or subadult and displayed comparable foraging behaviour, resulting in similar exposure pathways to fish intermediate hosts. Additionally, the longevity of pentastomids would contribute to accumulative infections as hosts mature. Structuring of pentastome assemblages was observed in as far as S. minor was the dominant species based on overall prevalence and abundance, followed by the equally common species S. cesarisi and L. cincinnalis. With an overall prevalence ranging from 34% to 41% and relatively low abundances, A. nilotici, A. simpsoni and S. okavangoensis form the rarer component of pentastome communities., Kerstin Junker, Frikkie Calitz, Danny Govender, Boris R. Krasnov, Joop Boomker., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Deposition of solid particles in the stormwater sewers reduces the discharging capacity, causing inundation. A sediment invert trap (SIT) is an option that can be installed at the bottom of the stormwater sewer drain to intercept the flowing solid particles. In the present study performance of rectangular SIT were analyzed experimentally and computationally. Variation of particle trapping efficiency of rectangular SIT fitted at the bottom of the open channel flume has been studied under the interpretation of invert trap depth, flow depth, particle size, particle shape, and slot width. To predict the flow field and trap efficiency of a rectangular invert trap, 2D-VOF-DPM-CFD modelling has been carried out using ANSYS Fluent 2020 R1 software. For velocity field determination, the volume of fluid (VOF) model was used along with realizable k-є turbulence model. To predict particle trap efficiency, stochastic discrete phase model (DPM) was utilized. From experimental study and CFD modeling, it has been found that the particle trap efficiency of rectangular invert trap varied with change in the depth of invert trap, sediment size, shape factor, depth of flow and slot width. Consideration of particle shape in terms of shape factor in the modeling of solid-phase through DPM validated the CFD predicted results with those obtained experimentally with mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of 2.68%, 3.99% and 6.6% for sewer solid size ranges SS1, SS2, and SS3 respectively at all flow depths for both slot widths considered in this study.
Detailed data on the long-term performance of bioretention cells (BC) for stormwater management are sparse. This research aimed at setting up and testing an infrastructure that will provide the data on hydrologic and chemical performance of BC. Two identical experimental BC’s were built. The monitoring methodology monitoring was developed and tested during a first growing season with the first BC supplied with natural rainfall, while the second BC was used for ponding experiments. Key layer of the BCs, a biofilter, was composed of sand, compost and topsoil. Both BCs are equipped with sensors monitoring the components of water balance and the water potential of the biofilter. High levels of total suspended solids were detected in the outflow. The runoff coefficient for the entire period of the growing season was 0.72 in the first BC and 0.86 in the second BC, while the peak outflow reduction for individual rainfall episodes ranged between 75% to 95% for the first BC and 19% to 30% for the second BC. Saturated hydraulic conductivity of the biofilter in the first BC decreased by two orders of magnitudes after the first year of operation. Retention curves of the biofilter changed due to material consolidation.
Balance control is a critical task of daily life, the ability to maintain upright posture becomes of particular concern during aging when the sensory and motor system becomes deteriorated. Falls contribute to the most deaths caused by injury within the aged population, and the mortality rate following a fall is drastically elevated. Longitudinal and reliable assessment of balance control abilities is a critical point in the prediction of increased risk of falling in an elderly population. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of the Homebalance test in the identification of persons being at higher risk of falling. 135 subjects (82 women and 53 men) with geriatric syndrome have been recruited and the Homebalance and the Tinetti Balance test were performed. Results of both tests strongly correlated proving the good performance of the Homebalance test. Standing balance declines with increasing body mass index in both genders. Analysis of fluctuations of the center of pressure (COP) revealed higher frequency and magnitude in mediolateral direction COP movements when compared women to men. A strong negative correlation has been found between Tinetti static balance score and the total length of the COP trajectory during the examination on Homebalance (r = -0.6, p<0.001). Although both methods revealed good performance in detecting balance impairment, Homebalance test possesses higher precision due to the continuous nature of COP-derived parameters. In conclusion, our data proved that the Homebalance test is capable to identify persons with impaired balance control and thus are at higher risk of falling.
Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a disorder with heterogeneous manifestation due to asphyxia during perinatal period. It affects approximately 3-12 children per 1000 live births and cause death of 1 million neonates worldwide per year. Besides, motor disabilities, seizures, impaired muscle tone and epilepsy are few of the consequences of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Despite an extensive research effort regarding various treatment strategies, therapeutic hypothermia with intensive care unit supportive treatment remains the only approved method for neonates who have suffered from moderate to severe hypoxicischemic encephalopathy. However, these protocols are only partially effective given that many infants still suffer from severe brain damage. Thus, further research to systematically test promising neuroprotective treatments in combination with hypothermia is essential. In this review, we discussed the pathophysiology of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and delved into different promising treatment modalities, such as melatonin and erythropoietin. However, preclinical studies and clinical trials are still needed to further elucidate the mechanisms of action of these modalities.
In as early as 1997, the World Health Organization officially recognized obesity as a chronic disease. The current epidemic of obesity and overweightness has aroused great interest in the study of adipose tissue formation. The transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) binds to the target gene promoter regulatory sequences, acting as a key factor in regulating the differentiation of preadipocytes in the adipose tissue, and plays an important role in regulating the adipocyte metabolism. A further understanding of the structure and expression characteristics of PPARγ, in addition to its mechanisms of action in adipocyte differentiation, may be applied to control obesity and prevent obesity-related diseases. In this article, recent studies investigating the effect of regulating PPARγ on adipocyte differentiation are reviewed. In particular, the structural characteristics, expression patterns, and molecular mechanisms of PPARγ function in adipocyte differentiation are considered., Hui Wu, Xiaohua Li, Chunyan Shen., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Vascular calcification (VC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality with the absence of current treatment. This study aimed to investigate whether eIF2α phosphorylation inhibition could ameliorate VC. VC in rats was induced by administration of vitamin D3 (3×105 IU/kg, intramuscularly) plus nicotine (25 mg/kg, intragastrically). ISRIB (0.25 mg/kg·week), an inhibitor of eIF2α phosphorylation, ameliorated the elevation of calcium deposition and ALP activity in calcified rat aortas, accompanied by amelioration of increased SBP, PP, and PWV. The decreased protein levels of calponin and SM22α, and the increased levels of RUNX2 and BMP2 in calcified aorta were all rescued by ISRIB, while the increased levels of the GRP78, GRP94, and C/EBP homologous proteins in rats with VC were also attenuated. Moreover, ISRIB could prevent the elevation of eIF2α phosphorylation and ATF4, and partially inhibit PERK phosphorylation in the calcified aorta. These results suggested that an eIF2α phosphorylation inhibitor could ameliorate VC pathogenesis by blocking eIF2α/ATF4 signaling, which may provide a new target for VC prevention and treatment.
Acute liver failure (ALF) is known for extremely high mortality
rate, the result of widespread damage of hepatocytes. Orthotopic
liver transplantation is the only effective therapy but its
application is limited by the scarcity of donor organs. Given the
importance in the liver biology of Wnt/β-catenin signaling
pathway, we hypothesized that its stimulation could enhance
hepatocyte regeneration and attenuate the course of
thioacetamide (TAA)-induced ALF in Lewis rats. Chronic
treatment with Wnt agonist was started either immediately after
hepatotoxic insult (“early treatment”) or when signs of ALF had
developed (“late treatment”). Only 23 % of untreated Lewis rats
survived till the end of experiment. They showed marked
increases in plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and
bilirubin and ammonia (NH3) levels; plasma albumin decreased
significantly. “Early” and “late” Wnt agonist treatment raised the
final survival rate to 69 % and 63 %, respectively, and
normalized ALT, NH3, bilirubin and albumin levels. In conclusion,
the results show that treatment with Wnt agonist attenuates the
course of TAA-induced ALF in Lewis rats, both with treatment
initiated immediately after hepatotoxic insult and in the phase
when ALF has already developed. Thus, the pharmacological
stimulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway can present
a new approach to ALF treatment.