Extreme precipitation events in the Czech Republic in the context of climate change

As an introduction, short survey of two analyses of long-term fluctuations of annual precipitation totals in the Czech Republic is presented. The main focus of this paper is to contribute to investigation of precipitation trends in the Czech Republic by another point of view. For every pixel of 1 km<sup>2</sup> size, annual maxima of daily precipitation were obtained for time period of 112 years (1895–2006). Based on these time series, we were trying to answer question if there are some changes of area size/distribution of annual maximum of daily precipitation totals. Courses and trends are analyzed for some parameters of area distribution of annual maximum of daily precipitation totals in the area of the Czech Republic. No significant climate changes of tested precipitation characteristics were found

Influence of Climatic Cycles on Properties of Leadfree Solders

This paper presents complex climatic tests performed in the laboratory of climatechnology of the Department of Electrotechnology. More specifically, it presents the results of climatic shocks administered to specimens of Sn-Pb and leadfree solders, and compares the results.While the experimental results are negative regarding the use of electrical resistance as a method for tracking degradation of the joints, the research has provided a large number of specimens that can be examined for structural changes in the solder after climatic stress

An overstoichiometric Nd–Fe–B hard magnetic material

A commercial Nd-rich Nd–Fe–B-based hard magnetic material was studied. The obtained results were compared before and after recording of the thermomagnetic curve up to 800 °C. The curve itself showed clearly besides Curie points of the Nd2Fe14B phase and α-Fe also another critical temperature. Mössbauer spectroscopic (MS) phase analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) showed in addition to the commonly known phases Nd2Fe14B and NdFe4B4 also some paramagnetic and ferromagnetic iron atoms (MS) and Fe17Nd2 intermetallics (XRD). During the exerted thermal treatment, the content of the Nd2Fe14B and NdFe4B4 phases remained almost unchanged, while iron atoms from remnant minor phases built a separate α-Fe phase. The XRD pattern also showed the presence of some minor Nd phase. The results of Squid magnetic measurements suggest a nanocrystalline decoupled structure of the Nd-rich alloy in the optimized magnetic state. Measurement of the magnetization loop showed, in spite of small changes in the phase composition, that magnetic properties of the quality material deteriorated during the thermal treatment

Thermal stability and mechanism of thermally induced crystallization of Fe73.5Cu1Nb3Si15.5B7 amorphous alloy

Investigation of thermal stability of the alloy revealed stepwise crystallization process, manifested by two distinct complex exothermic peaks in differential scanning calorimetry curves. Kinetic parameters of individual crystallization steps were found using the Kissinger and Vyazovkin methods. Structural characterization of thermally treated samples showed formation of different iron-based phases including α-Fe(Si), Fe2B, Fe16Nb6Si7 and Fe2Si and some metastable intermediary species. Morphology characterization of the surface and cross-section of the thermally treated samples showed granulated structure composed of several different phases and indicated occurrence of impingement effects during crystal growth. Value of estimated lifetime suggested very high stability against crystallization at room temperature and abrupt decrease of lifetime with temperature increase

Periodic variable A-F spectral type stars in the northern TESS continuous viewing zone. I. Identification and classification

Context. In the time of large space surveys that provide tremendous amounts of precise data, it is highly desirable to have a commonly accepted methodology and system for the classification of variable stars. This is especially important for A-F stars, which can show intrinsic brightness variations due to both rotation and pulsations. Aims: The goal of our study is to provide a reliable classification of the variability of A-F stars brighter than 11 mag located in the northern TESS continuous viewing zone. We also aim to provide a thorough discussion about issues in the classification related to data characteristics and the issues arising from the similar light-curve shape generated by different physical mechanisms. Methods: We used TESS long- and short-cadence photometric data and corresponding Fourier transform to classify the variability type of the stars. We also used spectroscopic observations to determine the projected rotational velocity of a few stars. Results: We present a clear and concise classification system that is demonstrated on many examples. We find clear signs of variability in 3025 of 5923 studied stars (51%). For 1813 of these 3025 stars, we provide a classification; the rest cannot be unambiguously classified. Of the classified stars, 64.5% are pulsating stars of g-mode γ Doradus (GDOR) and p-mode δ Scuti types and their hybrids. We realised that the long- and short-cadence pre-search data conditioning simple aperture photometry data can differ significantly not only in amplitude but also in the content of instrumental and data-reduction artefacts, making the long-cadence data less reliable. We identified a new group of stars that show stable light curves and characteristic frequency spectrum patterns (8.5% of the classified stars). According to the position in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, these stars are likely GDOR stars but are on average about 200 K cooler than GDORs and have smaller amplitudes and longer periods. With the help of spectroscopic measurements of v sin i, we show that the variability of stars with unresolved groups of peaks located close to the positions of the harmonics in their frequency spectra (16% of the classified stars) can be caused by rotation rather than by pulsations. We show that without spectroscopic observations it can be impossible to unambiguously distinguish between ellipsoidal variability and rotational variability. We also applied our methodology to three previous studies and find significant discrepancies in the classification. Conclusions: We demonstrate how difficult the classification of variable A-F stars can be when using only photometric data, how the residual artefacts can produce false positives, and that some types cannot actually be distinguished without spectroscopic observations. Our analysis provides collections that can be used as training samples for automatic classification. Full Table 5 is only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/A+A/666/A14

Metastatic MHC class I-negative mouse cells derived by transformation with human papillomavirus type 16

In the endeavour to develop a model for studying gene therapy of cancers associated with human papillomaviruses (HPVs), mouse cells were transformed with the HPV type 16 (HPV16) and activated H-ras oncogenes. This was done by contransfection of plasmid p16HHMo, carrying the HPV16 E6/E7 oncogenes, and plasmid pEJ6.6, carrying the gene coding for human H-ras oncoprotein activated by G12V mutation, into secondary C57BL/6 mouse kidney cells. An oncogenic cell line, designated MK16/1/IIIABC, was derived. The epithelial origin of the cells was confirmed by their expression of cytokeratins. No MHC class I and class II molecules were detected on the surface of MK16/1/IIIABC cells. Spontaneous metastases were observed in lymphatic nodes and lungs after prolonged growth of MK16/1/IIIABC-induced subcutaneous tumours. Lethally irradiated MK16/1/IIIABC cells induced protection against challenge with 105homologous cells, but not against a higher cell dose (5 × 105). Plasmids p16HHMo and pEJ6.6 were also used for preventive immunization of mice. In comparison with a control group injected with pBR322, they exhibited moderate protection, in terms of prolonged survival, against MK16/1/IIIABC challenge (P< 0.03). These data suggest that MK16/1/IIIABC cells may serve as a model for studying immune reactions against HPV16-associated human tumours. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

COVID-19 infection in adult patients with hematological malignancies: a European Hematology Association Survey (EPICOVIDEHA)

Background: Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) are at high risk of mortality from SARS-CoV-2 disease 2019 (COVID-19). A better understanding of risk factors for adverse outcomes may improve clinical management in these patients. We therefore studied baseline characteristics of HM patients developing COVID-19 and analyzed predictors of mortality. Methods: The survey was supported by the Scientific Working Group Infection in Hematology of the European Hematology Association (EHA). Eligible for the analysis were adult patients with HM and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 observed between March and December 2020. Results: The study sample includes 3801 cases, represented by lymphoproliferative (mainly non-Hodgkin lymphoma n = 1084, myeloma n = 684 and chronic lymphoid leukemia n = 474) and myeloproliferative malignancies (mainly acute myeloid leukemia n = 497 and myelodysplastic syndromes n = 279). Severe/critical COVID-19 was observed in 63.8% of patients (n = 2425). Overall, 2778 (73.1%) of the patients were hospitalized, 689 (18.1%) of whom were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Overall, 1185 patients (31.2%) died. The primary cause of death was COVID-19 in 688 patients (58.1%), HM in 173 patients (14.6%), and a combination of both COVID-19 and progressing HM in 155 patients (13.1%). Highest mortality was observed in acute myeloid leukemia (199/497, 40%) and myelodysplastic syndromes (118/279, 42.3%). The mortality rate significantly decreased between the first COVID-19 wave (March–May 2020) and the second wave (October–December 2020) (581/1427, 40.7% vs. 439/1773, 24.8%, p value < 0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, age, active malignancy, chronic cardiac disease, liver disease, renal impairment, smoking history, and ICU stay correlated with mortality. Acute myeloid leukemia was a higher mortality risk than lymphoproliferative diseases. Conclusions: This survey confirms that COVID-19 patients with HM are at high risk of lethal complications. However, improved COVID-19 prevention has reduced mortality despite an increase in the number of reported cases.EPICOVIDEHA has received funds from Optics COMMITTM (COVID-19 Unmet Medical Needs and Associated Research Extension) COVID-19 RFP program by GILEAD Science, United States (Project 2020-8223)