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The contribution deals with the risk assessments of contemporary accidents in construction in the Czech Republic. The risk analysis is defined as a systematic and structured data processing to identify potential hazards. The risk is a quantitative or qualitative expression of threat. A number of accidents and human errors are characteristic of the construction industry. A zero risk does not exist. An analysis of 615 incidents is presented which identified the location within the building sector in the Czech Republic. The risk analysis including the Risk Assessment Matrix (RAM) is based on secondary data from the Construction and Technical Prevention System (CTPS) in the Czech Republic from 2010 to 2016. The risk level is determined by the likelihood of occurrence and consequence of defects, faults, and accidents in the construction industry.

Radon is a naturally occurring, colourless and odourless radioactive gas, with a halflife of 3.8 days. Dangerous is not radon itself, but its progeny (daughter) products. The radon decay products irradiating of the lung. There is a strong correlation between radon exposure and lung cancer. The indoor radon concentrations in residential buildings are monitored. The study is performed in eight storied blocks of flats and also in family houses. The contributed deals with the radon concentration depending on a year season and floor level. Radon concentrations are varying with the characteristics of the building and its ventilation. Statistical analysis of the results shows that the probability that a weekly measurement represents the yearly radon concentration is significantly higher (twice) in winter and in summer than in summer and autumn. The maximum values of radon concentration is obtained in the first and second-floor rooms might be due to the contribution of radon emanation from the soil, entering into the living spaces from the ground.

The objective of the paper is to investigate the environmental and health impacts of the common flooring materials. The paper presents a numerical simulation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions from flooring surface covering. VOCs emissions are mostly dangerous pollutants with a negative health impact on the human body and carcinogenic risk. The comparative simulation of emission for single flooring materials under standard test conditions was performed. The significant VOCs emissions from nylon carpet, linoleum, vinyl, laminate and hardwood flooring are compared. The results of a chemical analysis simulation confirmed that commonly used flooring surfaces fall into the category of polluting materials.

Complex II (CII) activity controls phenomena that require crosstalk between metabolism and signaling, including neurodegeneration, cancer metabolism, immune activation, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. CII activity can be regulated at the level of assembly, a process that leverages metastable assembly intermediates. The nature of these intermediates and how CII subunits transfer between metastable complexes remains unclear. In this work, we identify metastable species containing the SDHA subunit and its assembly factors, and we assign a preferred temporal sequence of appearance of these species during CII assembly. Structures of two species show that the assembly factors undergo disordered-to-ordered transitions without the appearance of significant secondary structure. The findings identify that intrinsically disordered regions are critical in regulating CII assembly, an observation that has implications for the control of assembly in other biomolecular complexes. Here, the authors investigate the maturation of human respiratory Complex II, uncovering two metastable intermediates of maturation which suggest changes in intrinsic disorder ensure that the assembly steps occur in the correct sequence.

Vertical greenery systems (VGS) are effective at solving urban heat. They can absorb noise pollution and dust, and, aesthetically, they are positively perceived. Systems using hydroponic irrigation and nutrition, in combination with mineral wool as a base, are light and effective (they are able to hold water, with a high percentage of air, and a good mechanical structure to hold the plant stable). However, the functionality of a system can be compromised if the water supply is depleted or the irrigation system fails. This deficiency can be partially remedied if a certain amount of biochar or a suitable organic fertilizer is also a part of the system. The research task consisted of verifying this assumption and determining the effective amount of the biochar. Samples with different amounts of biochar were examined under the same temperature and humidity conditions; extended drying times, additional costs, and safety tank size savings were found. Subsequently, the effective amount of the biochar was determined by the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. It has been experimentally verified that biochar has a positive effect and prolongs the drying time; the additional costs are almost offset by the benefits. It should be noted that the results are valid for central Europe, and may be modified for different climate and economic zones.

The gut microbiota influences the reactivity of the immune system, and Parabacteroides distasonis has emerged as an anti-inflammatory commensal. Here, we investigated whether its lysate could prevent severe forms of neuroinflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice and how this preventive strategy affects the gut microbiota and immune response. Lysate of anaerobically cultured P. distasonis (Pd lysate) was orally administered to C57BL/6 mice in four weekly doses. One week later, EAE was induced and disease severity was assessed three weeks after induction. Fecal microbiota changes in both vehicle- and Pd lysate-treated animals was analyzed by 16S V3–V4 amplicon sequencing and qPCR, antimicrobial peptide expression in the intestinal mucosa was measured by qPCR, and immune cell composition in the mesenteric and inguinal lymph nodes was measured by multicolor flow cytometry. Pd lysate significantly delayed the development of EAE and reduced its severity when administered prior to disease induction. EAE induction was the main factor in altering the gut microbiota, decreasing the abundance of lactobacilli and segmented filamentous bacteria. Pd lysate significantly increased the intestinal abundance of the genera Anaerostipes , Parabacteroides and Prevotella , and altered the expression of antimicrobial peptides in the intestinal mucosa. It significantly increased the frequency of regulatory T cells, induced an anti-inflammatory milieu in mesenteric lymph nodes, and reduced the activation of T cells at the priming site. Pd lysate prevents severe forms of EAE by triggering a T regulatory response and modulating T cell priming to autoantigens. Pd lysate could thus be a future modulator of neuroinflammation that increases the resistance to multiple sclerosis.

This contribution describes the subjective assessment process of indoor environmental conditions in university classrooms. The university campus consisting of several buildings is situated on the outskirts of the town of České Budějovice (South Bohemia, Czech Republic). A high level of indoor environment quality (IEQ) is a key factor to achieve healthy environments in buildings. Suitable indoor air quality is more important in schools and universities (no-industrial civic amenities) than in many other buildings. Indoor air quality in the university environment affects learning processes, concentration, and productivity of students. It also could affect the health of students and teachers in long-term. Students are at greater risk because of the hours spent in educational facilities. The evaluation of the subjective assessment of the quality of the indoor environment at university classrooms is described within the paper.

Due to the current environmental situation, the reducing of greenhouse gas emission and the saving energy is the phenomenon. The building sector is still growing and more and more energy is needed. Thermal performance of building envelope has been of great importance in the context of existing global warming issues. Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions in the member states of the European Union. According to the research project Heartland Green Sheets, the recommended criteria for assessments of sustainable buildings materials are low embodied energy, recyclable, use renewable resources, locally or regionally produced, energy efficient, low environmental impact, durable, minimize waste, positive social impact and affordable. The contribution focuses on life-cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainability assessment of commonly used wall systems. The multi-criteria analysis of the contemporary wall systems in term of sustainable development is presented in the paper. The contemporary commonly used wall systems are assessed in terms of labour, time and financial demands, energy and environmental performance.

Ambient comfort maintenance accompanied by excessive energy consumption is hugely criticized concerning the limited sustainability of the building sector in the long-term. In this sense, the energy reduction strategies based on the employment of passive air-control techniques are viewed as a prospective solution for improved energy performance. In order to contribute to this significant issue, this paper is aimed at the design and material characterization of novel plaster with an improved thermal and humidity control performance. For this purpose, a form-stable diatomite/dodecanol-based phase change material together with superabsorbent polymer are used as admixtures for the passive moderation of indoor air quality by newly designed modified plasters. The experimental assessment of the functional properties by means of mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and hygric properties is performed. Considering the goal of the paper, particular attention is paid to the characterization of water vapor storage and moisture buffering according to the Nordtest method. Differential scanning calorimetry is employed for the description of phase change intervals as well as the specific enthalpy of phase change. The obtained results point to significant improvements in the hygroscopic performance and increased thermal energy storage that can be used for passive moderation of the indoor temperature and reduction of the relative humidity swings.

The paper deals with the current state and development of smart cities in the Czech Republic in the context of sustainable mobility and transport and the improvement of the quality of life inhabited by small-scale cities. Today, cities are exposed to many challenges and are looking for new efficient transport solutions that will ease existing infrastructure, improve public space, and promote sustainable modes of transport. The growth of individual car traffic has caused numerous social conflicts and environmental difficulties in recent decades. These problems are usually not affected by the size of cities and municipalities but the degree of urbanization. In all cities large, medium, and small, there is an imbalance between the need for transport and the geographical distribution of new areas of urban development. In accordance with the principles of sustainable development, smart cities must find an answer to how to combine the interests of the inhabitants of the area with security, parking, freight transport solutions, creating a public space with a preference for public transport, walking, and cycling. This contribution is supported by the project TACR ETA TL02000559 Safe and secure cities for pedestrians and senior citizens.