Desing and evaluation of Bituminous Stress Absorbing Pavement Layer

Tato práce se zabývá možností použití asfaltové směsi se zvýšenou odolností proti šíření trhlin (SAL). V teoretické části je pojednáno o problematice vrstvy SAL a jsou zde popsány použité zkušební metody. V praktické části je navrženo několik směsí s odlišnými parametry. Na vybraných směsích byly například provedeny zkoušky nízkoteplotních charakteristik, trvalých deformací, zkoušky v tahu za ohybu, relaxace, modulu tuhosti a únavy. Na základě výsledků zkoušek bylo provedeno porovnání směsí a vyhodnocení v programu LayEps.This master's thesis deals with the possibility of special asphalt-rubber mixture using - Stress Absorbing Layer (SAL). In the theoretical part the SAL and test methods are described. In the practical part, several different mixtures are designed and selected mixtures were tested. Low-temperature characteristics, permanent deformations, bending tensile relaxation, stiffness modulus and fatigue properties were determined. Based on the test results the mixtures were compared and their benefit is evaluated according to Performance Pavement Design Method, the pavement structure was evaluated by using of computer programme LayEps.

Petrological and geochemical characteristics of Palaeogene low-rank coal on the Faroe Islands: restricted effects of alteration by basaltic lava flows

The first combined petrographic and geochemical investigation of coal from the Faroe Islands was performed as a case study to understand thermal effects from basaltic lavaflows on immature coal. The samples were divided into two distinct groups:“normal”coal (xylite and detroxylite) and“altered organic matter”(charcoal and organic particles dispersed in samples rich in altered clastic mineral components or enriched via hydrothermal fluids). The“normal”coal consists primarily of huminite-group material dominated by ulminite. The proportions of material from inertinite and liptinite groups vary from sample to sample. The studied macerals are anisotropic with no observed reaction rims or vacuoles. According to the mean ulminite reflectance in combination with ultimate and proximate analyses, the coal reached the lignite and subbituminous stages. The maceral compositions together with coal palynology indicate a predominance of gelified wood-derived tissues and demonstrate that the coal evolved in wet forest swamps under limno-telmatic to telmatic conditions. Alteration effects on immature coals from overlying basalt flows were relatively limited. Due to relatively rapid heat loss from the basaltic lava, as verified by the presence of volcanic glass (tachylyte), its imposed thermal effects resulted only in development of a thin“anthracite-like”crust on samples with no elevated coal rank. Associated hydrothermal fluids induced coal hydrofracturing with subsequent mineral precipitation and decomposition of the ambient feldspar-rich volcaniclastic sediments. Altered organic matter is enriched in SiO2, Al2O3 and FeOtot, as well as in trace elements such as Ni and Cr. In contrast, these samples are depleted in Hg (<10 ppb).Jedná se o první kombinovaný petrografický a geochemický výzkum uhlí na Faerských ostrovech, který byl proveden jako klíčová studie k pochopení termálního efektu výlevů bazaltových láv v blízkosti slojí nevyzrálého uhlí. Vzorky byly rozděleny do dvou odlišných skupin: „normální“ uhlí (xylit a detroxylit) a „alterovaná organická hmota“ (dřevěné uhlí a organické částice rozptýlené ve vzorcích bohatých na alterované klastické minerální komponenty nebo obohacených hydrotermálními fluidy). „Normální“ uhlí je tvořeno převážně macerály huminitové skupiny, z nichž dominuje ulminit. Zastoupení macerálů skupiny inertinitu a liptinitu je variabilní. Studované macerály jsou anizotropní, bez pozorovaných reakčních lemů či vakuol. Na základě světelné odraznosti ulminitu a chemicko-technologických parametrů vykazuje uhlí nízký stupeň prouhelnění. Macerálové složení společně s palynologií indikují převahu dřevních pletiv a ukazují na vývoj uhlí v prostředí občasně zaplavovaných lesních mokřadů. Efekt alterace nevyzrálého uhlí nadložními bazaltovými výlevy byl poměrně omezený. Vzhledem k relativně rychlému zchladnutí bazaltové lávy, prokázanému přítomností vulkanického skla (tachylytu), se termální efekt projevil pouze vyvinutím tenké vrstvičky antracitového vzhledu na vzorcích bez celkového zvýšení stupně prouhelnění. Hydrotermální fluida spojená s vulkanickou aktivitou způsobila mechanickou desintegraci uhlí a následné vysrážení minerálů doprovázené rozkladem okolních vulkanoklastických sedimentů bohatých na živce. Alterovaná organická hmota je obohacena jednak o SiO2, Al2O3 a FeOtot, jednak o stopové prvky, jako například Ni a Cr. Naopak, tyto vzorky jsou ochuzeny o Hg (<10 ppb)

Biodiversity of freshwater algae and cyanobacteria on deglaciated northern part of James Ross Island, Antarctica. A preliminary study.

Freshwater algae and cyanobacteria have been studied at the James Ross Island (Ant- arctica) since the first Czech expedition to the James Ross Island area in austral summer of 2004. Main emphasis, however, has been devoted to cyanobacteria and diatoms. Therefore, recent knowledge on biodiversity of freshwater species of green algae is fragmentary. The main aim of presented study was to contribute to species list of green algae and cyanobacteria from James Ross Island. To evaluate species richness of algae and cyanobacteria, samples of water/mats from 6 different lakes, shallow ponds, and seepages located in northern deglaciated part of the James Ross Island were collected in austral summers 2012 and 2013, respectively. The samples were analysed using optical microscopy approach after transport to Czech laboratories. Algal and cyanobacterial taxa were determined according to morphological characteristics. Frequencies of individual taxa occurrence in samples were evaluated. Species richness differences between sampling sites was found. Dominating taxa differed between collection sites as well. Altogether, 41 algal and cyanobacterial taxa were found. Some species and genera: Cosmarium sp., Actinotaenium curtum, Staurastrum punctulatum and Chlorobotrys regularis are reported for James Ross Island for the first time. In some samples, there were some species that remained undetermined due to limitations of light microscopy and morphological approach.Byly studovány sladkovodní řasy a sinice ostrova Jamese Rosse, Antarktida. Výsledky analýzy biodiverzity jsou uvedeny podle charakteru stanoviště.Freshwater algae and cyanobacteria have been studied at the James Ross Island (Ant- arctica) since the first Czech expedition to the James Ross Island area in austral summer of 2004. Main emphasis, however, has been devoted to cyanobacteria and diatoms. Therefore, recent knowledge on biodiversity of freshwater species of green algae is fragmentary. The main aim of presented study was to contribute to species list of green algae and cyanobacteria from James Ross Island. To evaluate species richness of algae and cyanobacteria, samples of water/mats from 6 different lakes, shallow ponds, and seepages located in northern deglaciated part of the James Ross Island were collected in austral summers 2012 and 2013, respectively. The samples were analysed using optical microscopy approach after transport to Czech laboratories. Algal and cyanobacterial taxa were determined according to morphological characteristics. Frequencies of individual taxa occurrence in samples were evaluated. Species richness differences between sampling sites was found. Dominating taxa differed between collection sites as well. Altogether, 41 algal and cyanobacterial taxa were found. Some species and genera: Cosmarium sp., Actinotaenium curtum, Staurastrum punctulatum and Chlorobotrys regularis are reported for James Ross Island for the first time. In some samples, there were some species that remained undetermined due to limitations of light microscopy and morphological approach

Biodiversity of freshwater algae and cyanobacteria on deglaciated northern part of James Ross Island, Antarctica. A preliminary study.

Freshwater algae and cyanobacteria have been studied at the James Ross Island (Ant-arctica) since the first Czech expedition to the James Ross Island area in austral summer of 2004. Main emphasis, however, has been devoted to cyanobacteria and diatoms. Therefore, recent knowledge on biodiversity of freshwater species of green algae is fragmentary. The main aim of presented study was to contribute to species list of green algae and cyanobacteria from James Ross Island. To evaluate species richness of algae and cyanobacteria, samples of water/mats from 6 different lakes, shallow ponds, and seepages located in northern deglaciated part of the James Ross Island were collected in austral summers 2012 and 2013, respectively. The samples were analysed using optical microscopy approach after transport to Czech laboratories. Algal and cyanobacterial taxa were determined according to morphological characteristics. Frequencies of individual taxa occurrence in samples were evaluated. Species richness differences between sampling sites was found. Dominating taxa differed between collection sites as well. Altogether, 41 algal and cyanobacterial taxa were found. Some species and genera: Cosmarium sp., Actinotaenium curtum, Staurastrum punctulatum and Chlorobotrys regularis are reported for James Ross Island for the first time. In some samples, there were some species that remained undetermined due to limitations of light microscopy and morphological approach. We plan to sample those locations of the James Ross Island that have never been investigated before for future studie

Macro- and microelements in soil profile of the moss-covered area in James Ross Island, Antarctica

The study of Antarctic ecosystem provides a valuable insight into the nature development on the Earth. Biocenosis formation and colonization of land by organisms are noticeable especially in newly-deglaciated areas. In this research, soil profile development in the coastal zone of James Ross Island was investigated. The main objective was the characterisation of soil horizons. The contents of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Se and Zn were measured using ICP-MS technique. Soil parameters like organic carbon content, pH and content ofsub-63 μm fraction were also determined. Based on the results obtained, the mineral-depleted and mineral‑enriched layers in the soil profile were distinguished. With increasing depth, the shallow soil profile consisted mainly of weathered regolith. Apparently, the basic processes which are prerequisite for the development of soil ecosystem in the studied area were confirmed

Nitrate and ammonium ions contents in field minibioreactors with Antarctic freshwater autotrophs

The content of nitrate and ammonium ions in aquatic environment is an important factor in the development of microorganisms colonies especially in low-nutrient environment. In this study, field experiments using small-volume minibioreactors were performed directly on the James Ross Island in Antarctica in order to describe changes in nitrate and ammonium ions contents in the Antarctic environment The ion concentrations in minibioreactors with local freshwater autotrophs was monitored for increased eutro-phication conditions. The content of nitrogen forms was determined in water samples taken from the minibioreactors regularly. Samples were taken to the laboratory of the Johann Gregor Mendel station where nitrogen content was evaluated using ion-selective electrodes. Furthermore, the freshwater autotrophs was subjected to basic taxonomic study. Closed system of the minibioreactors allowed the monitoring of nitrogen speciation changes which take place in the environment. These changes can be attributed to both the biological activity of microorganisms and external conditions. Increased eutrophication of water did not induce a rapid development of the freshwater autotrophs

Inhalation of ZnO nanoparticles: Splice junction expression and alternative splicing in mice

Despite the wide application of nanomaterials, toxicity studies of nanoparticles (NP) are often limited to in vitro cell models, and the biological impact of NP exposure in mammals has not been thoroughly investigated. Zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs are commonly used in various consumer products. To evaluate the effects of the inhalation of ZnO NP in mice, we studied splice junction expression in the lungs as a proxy to gene expression changes analysis. Female ICR mice were treated with 6.46 x 10(4) and 1.93 x 10(6) NP/cm(3) for 3 days and 3 months, respectively. An analysis of differential expression and alternative splicing events in 298 targets (splice junctions) of 68 genes involved in the processes relevant to the biological effects of ZnO NP was conducted using next-generation sequencing. Three days of exposure resulted in the upregulation of IL-6 and downregulation of BID, GSR, NF-kB2, PTGS2, SLC11A2, and TXNRD1 splice junction expression; 3 months of exposure increased the expression of splice junctions in ALDH3A1, APAF1, BID, CASP3, DHCR7, GCLC, GCLM, GSR, GSS, EHHADH, FAS, HMOX-1, IFN, NF-kB1, NQO-1, PTGS1, PTGS2, RAD51, RIPK2, SRXN1, TRAF6, and TXNRD1. Alternative splicing of TRAF6 and TXNRD1 was induced after 3 days of exposure to 1.93 x 10(6) NP/cm(3). In summary, we observed changes of splice junction expression in genes involved in oxidative stress, apoptosis, immune response, inflammation, and DNA repair, as well as the induction of alternative splicing in genes associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Our data indicate the potential negative biological effects of ZnO NP inhalation.Web of Science168120019

Basaltic Dyke with Specific Volcanogenic Structures and its geomorphic evolution: Unique Geoheritage of the Faroe Islands (North Atlantic Ocean)

Volcanic landforms resulting from Cenozoic volcanism represent the most peculiar features of global geodiversity and provide eminent narratives for geoeducation. Among them, however, relict volcanic forms and site-specific landforms in remote areas have received less attention. In this paper, we provide the first description of unique volcanogenic features (hereinafter referred to as pseudo-hieroglyphs) developed on a summit rock wall at the Sandfelli ridge near the village of Gjógv in the N Eysturoy Island (Faroe Islands). The geomorphic evolution of the ridge and rock wall during the Quaternary is described and detailed petrographic analyses of the volcanogenic features are provided. Based on observed petrographical features, we interpret the pseudo-hieroglyphs to probably represent unique examples of chaotic horizontal columnar jointing. Following the geomorphological and petrographic examination of the study site, we analyse current Faroese legislation aiming at nature conservation and use this case to discuss broader implications of geoheritage conservation and geotourism in distant regions.Vulkanická krajina vzniklá kenozoickým vulkanismem představuje nejpodivnější rysy globální geodiversity a poskytuje vynikající příběhy pro geovzdělávání. Méně pozornosti se však dostává reliktním vulkanickým formám a lokálním tvarům reliéfu v odlehlých oblastech. V tomto článku přinášíme první popis unikátních vulkanogenních tvarů (dále jen "pseudo-hieroglyfy"), které se vyvíjely na skalní stěně vrcholu na hřbetě Sandfelli u vesnice Gjógv v severní části ostrova Eysturoy (Faerské ostrovy). Je popsán geomorfologický vývoj hřbetu a skalní stěny během kvartéru a jsou uvedeny podrobné petrografické analýzy vulkanogenních vlastností. Na základě pozorovaných petrografických rysů interpretujeme pseudo-hieroglyfy, které pravděpodobně představují jedinečné příklady chaotické horizontální sloupcovité odlučnosti. Po geomorfologickém a petrografickém studiu zájmové lokality analyzujeme současnou faerskou legislativu zaměřenou na ochranu přírody a užíváme tohoto příkladu k diskusi širších důsledků zachování a geoturistiky geografického dědictví ve vzdálených regionech