The untraditional methodology of engineering geological application in the exploration of river Dams after a flood

The submitted paper presents partial results of an engineering geological project of considering the right river levee of the Odra river in a section km 8,600 - 21,995 between Ostrava - Jih and Pudlov. Disastrous floods in July 1997 connected with local failures of the levee in examined area came out a question of necessary analysing those failures with a prognosis of possibility of their repetition in case of next loading of the levee with high water stands. The most critical for the filtration stability of the levee from a standpoint of their base conditions could be the places of transition of a levee fill over an original river bed and the dead channles, which can be often hardly defined in space by analysis of the graphic bases, which are lucidly elaborated in the relevant geographical information system. During next stages of the levee stability analysis is possible to pay particular attention to above mentioned critical sections well defined in space, if required.Este artículo presenta los resultados parciales del proyecto de ingeniería geológica "Evaluación de los diques de protección en el margen derecho del río Odra en la sección 8.6 - 21.99 Km entre Ostrava - Jih y Pudlov". Debido a la ruptura de varios diques como consecuencia de las inundaciones que se presentaron en el área de estudio en julio de 1997, se generó la necesidad de analizar las causas de dichos daños y de predecir su posible recurrencia en el caso de nuevas sobrecargas por altos niveles de agua en el río. Los cruces de los llenos por los cauces antiguos del río y sus brazos secos pueden considerarse, desde el punto de vista de las condiciones de cimentación, como los sitios más criticos para la estabilidad de los diques de protección. Estos sitios se pueden delimitar y definir claramente en el espacio mediante el análisis de bases gráficas dentro de un sistema de información geográfico (SIG) apropiado, y asi concentrar los análisis de estabilidad de los diques de protección en los tramos criticos

Activity of 50 Long-Period Comets Beyond 5.2 AU

Remote investigations of the ancient solar system matter has been traditionally carried out through the observations of long-period (LP) comets that are less affected by solar irradiation than the short-period counterparts orbiting much closer to the Sun. Here we summarize the results of our decade-long survey of the distant activity of LP comets. We found that the most important separation in the dataset is based on the dynamical nature of the objects. Dynamically new comets are characterized by a higher level of activity on average: the most active new comets in our sample can be characterized by afrho values >3--4 higher than that of our most active returning comets. New comets develop more symmetric comae, suggesting a generally isotropic outflow. Contrary to this, the coma of recurrent comets can be less symmetrical, ocassionally exhibiting negative slope parameters, suggesting sudden variations in matter production. The morphological appearance of the observed comets is rather diverse. A surprisingly large fraction of the comets have long, teniouos tails, but the presence of impressive tails does not show a clear correlation with the brightness of the comets.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in A

Characteristics associated with significantly worse quality of life in mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome from the Prospective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) study

Background Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary Syndrome (SS) are the most common cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. MF/SS is accompanied by considerable morbidity from pain, itching and disfigurement. Aim To identify factors associated with poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients newly diagnosed with MF/SS. Methods Patients enrolled into Prospective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI; an international observational study in MF/SS) had their HRQoL assessed using the Skindex-29 questionnaire. Skindex-29 scores were analysed in relation to patient- and disease-specific characteristics. Results The study population consisted of 237 patients [60 center dot 3% male; median age 60 years, (interquartile range 49-70)], of whom 179 had early MF and 58 had advanced MF/SS. In univariate analysis, HRQoL, as measured by Skindex-29, was worse in women, SS, late-stage MF, those with elevated lactate dehydrogenase, alopecia, high modified Severity Weighted Assessment Tool and confluent erythema. Linear regression models only identified female gender (beta = 8 center dot 61; P = 0 center dot 003) and alopecia (beta = 9 center dot 71, P = 0 center dot 02) as independent predictors of worse global HRQoL. Item-level analysis showed that the severe impairment in symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 2 center dot 14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1 center dot 19-3 center dot 89] and emotions (OR 1 center dot 88, 95% CI 1 center dot 09-3 center dot 27) subscale scores seen in women was caused by more burning/stinging, pruritus, irritation and greater feelings of depression, shame, embarrassment and annoyance with their diagnosis of MF/SS. Conclusions HRQoL is significantly more impaired in newly diagnosed women with MF/SS and in those with alopecia. As Skindex-29 does not include existential questions on cancer, which may cause additional worry and distress, a comprehensive validated cutaneous T-cell lymphoma-specific questionnaire is urgently needed to more accurately assess disease-specific HRQoL in these patients.Peer reviewe

Gaia Data Release 2 Variable stars in the colour-absolute magnitude diagram

Context. The ESA Gaia mission provides a unique time-domain survey for more than 1.6 billion sources with G ≲ 21 mag. Aims. We showcase stellar variability in the Galactic colour-absolute magnitude diagram (CaMD). We focus on pulsating, eruptive, and cataclysmic variables, as well as on stars that exhibit variability that is due to rotation and eclipses. Methods. We describe the locations of variable star classes, variable object fractions, and typical variability amplitudes throughout the CaMD and show how variability-related changes in colour and brightness induce “motions”. To do this, we use 22 months of calibrated photometric, spectro-photometric, and astrometric Gaia data of stars with a significant parallax. To ensure that a large variety of variable star classes populate the CaMD, we crossmatched Gaia sources with known variable stars. We also used the statistics and variability detection modules of the Gaia variability pipeline. Corrections for interstellar extinction are not implemented in this article. Results. Gaia enables the first investigation of Galactic variable star populations in the CaMD on a similar, if not larger, scale as was previously done in the Magellanic Clouds. Although the observed colours are not corrected for reddening, distinct regions are visible in which variable stars occur. We determine variable star fractions to within the current detection thresholds of Gaia. Finally, we report the most complete description of variability-induced motion within the CaMD to date. Conclusions. Gaia enables novel insights into variability phenomena for an unprecedented number of stars, which will benefit the understanding of stellar astrophysics. The CaMD of Galactic variable stars provides crucial information on physical origins of variability in a way that has previously only been accessible for Galactic star clusters or external galaxies. Future Gaia data releases will enable significant improvements over this preview by providing longer time series, more accurate astrometry, and additional data types (time series BP and RP spectra, RVS spectra, and radial velocities), all for much larger samples of stars

Evaluation of engineering-geological conditions for conurbation of Ostrava (Czech Republic) within GIS environment

The main aim of the presented study was to create a new type of engineering-geological maps for relative costs for foundation engineering. The newly proposed map in this paper can replace the formerly used maps of the suitability for foundation engineering which shows only the suitable and/or unsuitable sites and suggests the use of suitable areas for construction only. However, there are developed technologies that they can overcome the potential problems in unsuitable areas by relatively high costs. It means that unsuitable areas can also be used as construction areas. Therefore, the use of the newly proposed map of relative costs, which reflects the complexity of geo-factors by proportional category of larger, or smaller relative costs is satisfactory. Another part of this research was to assess various geo-factors (engineering-geological zones, workability of rocks, pre-Quaternary bedrock, flood land, radon hazard, mining subsidence and slope movements), which affect the foundation of future buildings. This study was carried out in the large industrial city of Ostrava in the Czech Republic with complicated engineering geological conditions and high anthropogenic influence factors including undermining. The use of complicated relationships is also generally difficult to be taken into account by the planners. Therefore, the use of the newly created synthetic map by planners is simple; even planners who are not geologists will be able to apply it easily.Web of Science6741022100

Ocena osiadań powierzchni terenu rejonu ostrawsko-karwińskiego naruszonego działalnością górniczą w odniesieniu do stref geologiczno-inżynierskich

The study deals with the evaluation of terrain subsidence (isocatabases) as one of the most important manifestations of mining exploitation. Development of human activities in various spheres of interest occurs also in such affected landscapes. In terms of the engineering geology there is a need for subsidence development assessment in time in relation to the engineering-geological zones representing the geological environment with similar characteristics. It's very essential for the foundation engineering. Overlay analyses in the Geographic Information Systems of the stated factors bring the necessary information for land-use decision-making and planning. The case study in the selected part of the Karvina section of the Ostrava-Karvina District (map sheet 15-44-02) was implemented in the cadastral district of the town of Orlova in the north-east of the Czech Republic.W artykule przyjęto temat oceny osiadań terenu, jednego z najistotniejszych objawów eksploatacji górniczej. Rozwój działalności człowieka przejawia się ogólnym naruszeniem krajobrazu. Dla wymagań geologii inżynierskiej zachodzi potrzeba oceny rozwoju niecki osiadań w czasie dla odpowiednich stref geologiczno-inżynierskich opisujący środowisko geologiczne o podobnych cechach. Jest to niezbędne dla tematyki fundamentowania. Przetworzenie danych z analiz inżynierskich przez Geograficzny System Informatyczny (GIS) daje niezbędne informacje dla decyzji dotyczących zagospodarowania przestrzennego. Jako analizę przypadku wybrano miasto Orloga, znajdujące się w rejonie Karwiny-Zagłębia Ostrawsko-Karwińskiego (karta mapy nr 15-44-02)