The authors have witnessed an increase in crisis, resulting in significant loss of life and impact on the economy of a given country in recent years. In spite of the efforts and measures of each country's government to reduce the impact of the crisis, this trend has not been avoided. This trend is observed at all levels-in municipalities, in the Czech Republic, but also the world. Extraordinary events or a crisis ordinarily have the so-called cascade effect that causes other extraordinary events. An example of this may be windstorm, resulting in a power outage. Significant power supply outages are observed in hospitals. Here, it is essential for acute care clients to have a regular intake of electrical energy to ensure their life functions. The introduction of this article refers to the authors, which describes the situation with the increasing number of emergencies. Second, there are described possible cascade effect of the crises. The third part of this article is focused on the flood risk affecting hospitals. The aim of this article is to carry out risk mapping for selected hospitals in the Czech Republic, specifically in the Zlín Region.

• MeSH
• Risk Assessment * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Emergencies * MeSH
• Hospitals * MeSH
• Disaster Planning organization & administration   MeSH
• Wind MeSH
• Floods MeSH
• Electric Power Supplies * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

In order to understand of the processes controlling phytoplankton successions in the NE Black Sea, long-term data series are needed. We compiled 15 years (2002-2017) of measurements from which the existence emerges of a tight link between phytoplankton species dominance and nutrients concentrations. The latter is strongly influenced by wind direction. The link between algal dominance and nutrients is mediated by the growth strategy adopted by algal species. In spring, when nutrients are abundant, small diatoms such as Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima, with a "rapid growth strategy", prevail. In late spring and early summer, when N is low and P and Si are high, coccolithophorids such as Emiliania huxhleyi dominate, thanks to an "affinity growth strategy". Large diatoms, especially Pseudosolenia calcar-avis, dominate in summer and autumn, when their "storage growth strategy" allows the exploitation of discontinuous upwelling of nutrients. These seasonal changes of dominant species influence the structure of the food web.

• MeSH
• Nitrogen analysis   MeSH
• Eutrophication * MeSH
• Phosphorus analysis   MeSH
• Phytoplankton growth & development   MeSH
• Silicon analysis   MeSH
• Environmental Monitoring MeSH
• Seawater chemistry   MeSH
• Water Movements MeSH
• Seasons MeSH
• Diatoms growth & development   MeSH
• Wind MeSH
• Nutrients MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Black Sea MeSH

The EU air quality standards have been frequently exceeded in one of the European air pollution hot spots: Ostrava. The aim of this study was to perform an air quality comparison between an urban site (Radvanice), which has a nearby metallurgical complex, and a suburban site (Plesná) to estimate air pollution sources and determine their local and/or regional origins. Twenty-four hour PM1 and PM10 (particular matter) concentrations, detailed mass size distributions (MSDs) to distinguish the sources of the fine and coarse PM, and their chemical compositions were investigated in parallel at both sites during the winter of 2014. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to the PM1 and PM10 chemical compositions to investigate their sources. During the measurement campaign, prevailing northeastern-southwestern (NE-SW) wind directions (WDs) were recorded. Higher average PM10 concentration was measured in Radvanice than in Plesná, whereas PM1 concentrations were similar at both sites. A source apportionment analysis revealed six and five sources for PM10 and PM1, respectively. In Radvanice, the amount of PM and the most chemical species were similar under SW and NE WD conditions. The dominant sources were industrial (43% for PM10 and 27% for PM1), which were caused by a large metallurgical complex located to the SW, and biomass burning (25% for PM10 and 36% for PM1). In Plesná, the concentrations of PM and all species significantly increased under NE WD conditions. Secondary inorganic aerosols were dominant, with the highest contributions deriving from the NE WD. Therefore, regional pollution transport from the industrial sector in Silesian Province (Poland) was evident. Biomass burning contributed 22% and 24% to PM10 and PM1, respectively. The air quality in Ostrava was influenced by local sources and regional pollution transport. The issue of poor air quality in this region is complex. Therefore, international cooperation from both states (the Czech Republic and Poland) is needed to achieve a reduction in air pollution levels.

• MeSH
• Environmental Monitoring MeSH
• Particulate Matter analysis   MeSH
• Particle Size MeSH
• Cities MeSH
• Wind MeSH
• Air Pollution analysis   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Poland MeSH
• Cities MeSH

Heteromorphic diaspores (fruits and seeds) are an adaptive bet-hedging strategy to cope with spatiotemporally variable environments, particularly fluctuations in favourable temperatures and unpredictable precipitation regimes in arid climates. We conducted comparative analyses of the biophysical and ecophysiological properties of the two distinct diaspores (mucilaginous seed (M+ ) vs indehiscent (IND) fruit) in the dimorphic annual Aethionema arabicum (Brassicaceae), linking fruit biomechanics, dispersal aerodynamics, pericarp-imposed dormancy, diaspore abscisic acid (ABA) concentration, and phenotypic plasticity of dimorphic diaspore production to its natural habitat and climate. Two very contrasting dispersal mechanisms of the A. arabicum dimorphic diaspores were revealed. Dehiscence of large fruits leads to the release of M+ seed diaspores, which adhere to substrata via seed coat mucilage, thereby preventing dispersal (antitelechory). IND fruit diaspores (containing nonmucilaginous seeds) disperse by wind or water currents, promoting dispersal (telechory) over a longer range. The pericarp properties confer enhanced dispersal ability and degree of dormancy on the IND fruit morph to support telechory, while the M+ seed morph supports antitelechory. Combined with the phenotypic plasticity to produce more IND fruit diaspores in colder temperatures, this constitutes a bet-hedging survival strategy to magnify the prevalence in response to selection pressures acting over hilly terrain.

• MeSH
• Biophysical Phenomena * MeSH
• Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
• Brassicaceae physiology   MeSH
• Ecosystem MeSH
• Adaptation, Physiological * MeSH
• Germination physiology   MeSH
• Fruit physiology   MeSH
• Soil MeSH
• Seeds physiology   MeSH
• Seed Dispersal physiology   MeSH
• Wind MeSH
• Water MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

We compared selected thermal indices in their ability to predict heat-related mortality in Prague, Czech Republic, during the extraordinary summer 2015. Relatively, novel thermal indices-Universal Thermal Climate Index and Excess Heat Factor (EHF)-were compared with more traditional ones (apparent temperature, simplified wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT), and physiologically equivalent temperature). The relationships between thermal indices and all-cause relative mortality deviations from the baseline (excess mortality) were estimated by generalized additive models for the extended summer season (May-September) during 1994-2014. The resulting models were applied to predict excess mortality in 2015 based on observed meteorology, and the mortality estimates by different indices were compared. Although all predictors showed a clear association between thermal conditions and excess mortality, we found important variability in their performance. The EHF formula performed best in estimating the intensity of heat waves and magnitude of heat-impacts on excess mortality on the most extreme days. Afternoon WBGT, on the other hand, was most precise in the selection of heat-alert days during the extended summer season, mainly due to a relatively small number of "false alerts" compared to other predictors. Since the main purpose of heat warning systems is identification of days with an increased risk of heat-related death rather than prediction of exact magnitude of the excess mortality, WBGT seemed to be a slightly favorable predictor for such a system.

• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Heat Stress Disorders mortality   MeSH
• Seasons MeSH
• Models, Theoretical * MeSH
• Cities MeSH
• Wind MeSH
• Humidity MeSH
• Hot Temperature adverse effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Cities MeSH

Windbreak is one of the key factors for making the agriculture systems successful through reduced wind erosion, improved microclimate, increased biodiversity, and production potentiality of timber and agricultural crops. Even though windbreak occupies only a small part of agricultural landscape, its advantages on the ecological and economical perspective are quite high. This study evaluated the effects of three windbreak types on the wind erosion control in relation to their structural diversities, wind-speed reduction, and optical porosities in the central part of the Czech Republic. Diversity in the windbreak was evaluated based on its species diversity, vertical structure, spatial pattern, and complexities. Wind speed was measured at the different distances on the leeward side of the windbreak and one station placed on the windward side as a control. Windbreak characteristics were described by terrestrial photogrammetry method using the values of optical porosity. The timber volume of the windbreaks with rich biodiversity species ranged from 224 to 443 m3 ha-1height of the windbreak on the. Results of the windbreak efficiency showed significantly closer relationship between optical porosity and structural indices. The optical porosity significantly correlated with wind-speed reduction, especially in the lower part of the windbreak. A significant dependency of the windbreak efficiency on the tree dominant height was also observed for each windbreak type. The most significant effect on the wind-speed reduction in terms of structural indices had total diversity index and Arten-profile index describing vertical structures, which are recommended together with the optical porosity to evaluate the windbreak efficiency in controlling wind erosion.

• MeSH
• Ecology MeSH
• Trees growth & development   MeSH
• Wind * MeSH
• Conservation of Natural Resources methods   MeSH
• Agriculture methods   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH

Pro fyziologické proudění vzduchu nosní dutinou a bezproblémové nosní dýchání je důležitý nízký odpor a převážně laminární charakter proudění s minimem turbulencí. Patologické stavy (např. deviace/perforace nosní přepážky) způsobují zvýraznění turbulencí s nárůstem nosního odporu, který je pacienty vnímán jako nosní neprůchodnost. Nosní neprůchodnost negativně ovlivňuje každodenní aktivity pacientů a zhoršuje kvalitu života. Ke studiu nosní aerodynamiky jsou využívány mechanické či kadaverózní modely nosu, nebo je proudění vzduchu nosem studováno pomocí počítačového modelování tzv. CFD (computational fluid dynamics). CFD je v současnosti dominantní metodou ke studiu nosního proudění, využívá vytvoření 3D počítačového modelu nosní dutiny dle CT vyšetření. Narůstající znalosti nosního proudění mají potenciál využití v klinické praxi, především v rinochirurgii - přesnější zacílení operační léčby pacientů s nosní neprůchodností a hodnocení efektivity operací.

The physiological nasal airflow with low resistance and low level of turbulences is necessary for normal nasal breathing. Pathological conditions (e.g. septal deviation/perforation) cause elevation of nasal resistance that patients feel like nasal obstruction. The nasal obstruction worsens quality of life. There are some possibilities how to simulate and study nasal airflow - mechanic models or computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Nowadays, CFD is dominant method for simulating nasal airflow. There is a potential to apply aerodynamic information to clinical rhinology and rhinosurgery.

• Keywords
• proudění vzduchu nosem, laminární proudění, turbulentní proudění,
• MeSH
• Convection * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Nose * physiology   pathology   MeSH
• Nasal Septal Perforation physiopathology   MeSH
• Computer Simulation MeSH
• Air Movements MeSH
• Nose Deformities, Acquired physiopathology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, as symbionts of many tree species in temperate forests, are thought to play an important role in forest regeneration processes after large disturbances. Their reaction to different disturbance and management regimes was studied in spruce forests (Lariceto-Piceetum) 10 years after a severe windthrow in the Tatra National Park (Slovak Republic). ECM community structure was compared between different "management types″-cleared area (EXT), area affected by wildfire (FIRE), uncleared area left for natural development (NEX), and mature forest as a control (REF). Based on Illumina sequencing of soil samples, we determined that the percentage of sequences assigned to ECM fungi decreased with increasing disturbance and management intensity (REF → NEX → EXT → FIRE). Similarly, the total number of ECM species per each of ten sampling points per plot (100 ha) differed between managed (EXT-11 species, FIRE-9) and unmanaged (NEX-16, REF-14) treatments. On the other hand, the percentage of sequences belonging to ericoid mycorrhizal fungi increased. Management type significantly influenced the composition of the ECM community, while vegetation and soil characteristics explained less data variation. The ECM species assemblage of the unmanaged site (NEX) was the most similar to the mature forest, while that of the burnt site was the most different. Thelephora terrestris dominated in all treatments affected by windthrow, accompanied by Tylospora fibrillosa (NEX) and Tylospora asterophora (EXT and FIRE). Management regime was also the most important factor affecting ECM species composition on the roots of spruce seedlings assessed by Sanger sequencing.

• MeSH
• Basidiomycota isolation & purification   physiology   MeSH
• Biodiversity * MeSH
• Forestry methods   MeSH
• Forests MeSH
• Mycorrhizae isolation & purification   physiology   MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
• Seedlings microbiology   MeSH
• Picea microbiology   MeSH
• Wind MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Slovakia MeSH

The study investigated the separate and combined effects of ventilation rate, free convection flow produced by a thermal manikin, and the presence of objects on the distribution of tracer gas and particles in indoor air. The concentration of aerosol particles and tracer gas was measured in a test room with mixing ventilation. Three layouts were arranged: an empty room, an office room with an occupant sitting in front of a table, and a single-bed hospital room. The room occupant was simulated by a thermal manikin. Monodisperse particles of three sizes (0.07, 0.7, and 3.5 μm) and nitrous oxide tracer gas were generated simultaneously at the same location in the room. The particles and gas concentrations were measured in the bulk room air, in the breathing zone of the manikin, and in the exhaust air. Within the breathing zone of the sitting occupant, the tracer gas emerged as reliable predictor for the exposure to all different-sized test particles. A change in the ventilation rate did not affect the difference in concentration distribution between tracer gas and larger particle sizes. Increasing the room surface area did not influence the similarity in the dispersion of the aerosol particles and the tracer gas.

• MeSH
• Aerosols analysis   MeSH
• Manikins MeSH
• Gases analysis   MeSH
• Air Movements MeSH
• Ventilation * MeSH
• Air Pollution, Indoor * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH

This paper presents an extension of our previous wind-tunnel study (Nosek et al., 2016) in which we highlighted the need for investigation of the removal mechanisms of traffic pollution from all openings of a 3D street canyon. The extension represents the pollution flux (turbulent and advective) measurements at the lateral openings of three different 3D street canyons for the winds perpendicular and oblique to the along-canyon axis. The pollution was simulated by emitting a passive gas (ethane) from a homogeneous ground-level line source positioned along the centreline of the investigated street canyons. The street canyons were formed by courtyard-type buildings of two different regular urban-array models. The first model has a uniform building roof height, while the second model has a non-uniform roof height along each building's wall. The mean flow and concentration fields at the canyons' lateral openings confirm the findings of other studies that the buildings' roof-height variability at the intersections plays an important role in the dispersion of the traffic pollutants within the canyons. For the perpendicular wind, the non-uniform roof-height canyon appreciably removes or entrains the pollutant through its lateral openings, contrary to the uniform canyon, where the pollutant was removed primarily through the top. The analysis of the turbulent mass transport revealed that the coherent flow structures of the lateral momentum transport correlate with the ventilation processes at the lateral openings of all studied canyons. These flow structures coincide at the same areas and hence simultaneously transport the pollutant in opposite directions.

• MeSH
• Air Pollutants analysis   MeSH
• Models, Theoretical * MeSH
• Cities MeSH
• Wind * MeSH
• Vehicle Emissions analysis   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Cities MeSH