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Physical Properties of Silver Fir (Abies alba L.) Wood Cladding Modified by Traditional Japanese Charring Method
Get PDFSilver fir (Abies alba L.) wood samples were charred on one surface using an enhanced version of the traditional Japanese Yakisugi method. The 15 charred boards obtained from five charring chimneys were divided into three different zones and investigated for their physical properties. The density profile, water absorption after 24 h of water submersion, and Brinell hardness were analyzed. In general, the temperature-time regime, which causes inside surface carbonization, was more evident at the bottom than at the top of the chimney. The density profile of the specimens revealed that the surface charring treatment decreased the surface density of the wood significantly. A gradient was visible from 383 kg/m2 at the bottom to 424 kg/m2 at the top. Water absorption measurements showed that a thicker carbonized layer could take up more water as a result of increased porosity. While 3,684 g/m2 were absorbed at the bottom, the top accounted for only 2,533 g/m2. Furthermore, with increasing thickness of the charred layer, the hardness gradually decreased. The average of the charred specimens reached only 3.2% of the hardness of the uncharred back side of the specimens.O
Nitrates directive restriction: To change or not to change in terms of climate change, that is the question
Get PDFThe positive effect of nitrogen fertilization in agriculture inevitably increases residual nitrogen losses. Water pollution led to legal restrictions of some farm practices within the framework of the Nitrates Directive of the EU. Nevertheless, even several decades later, the situation has not improved significantly. We present a possible science-based explanation of such a state and provide it to farmers and government as a support for environmental management settings. This study aimed to compare an established approach to implementing the Nitrates Directive, specifically the climate-based zoning of nitrogen fertilization restrictions using data from the mid-20th century. We evaluated this approach by juxtaposing the initial climate data with more recent data spanning from 1991 to 2020. Subsequently, we examined this zoning framework from the perspective of the non-vegetative period, characterized by temperatures below 5 oC, which is widely acknowledged as a critical threshold for nitrogen intake by plants. We found out that i) the employed climate-born zoning does not correspond to recent climate data; ii) nonvegetation period is longer than nitrogen fertilization restrictions. Therefore, despite a noteworthy 22 day reduction in the nonvegetation period from 1961/1962 to 2019/2020, we cast doubt on the notion that the period limiting nitrogen fertilizer application should also be shortened, while admitting that there are other abiotic and biotic factors affecting nitrogen behaviour within the ecosystem.OA-hybri
Mottainai in Civil Engineering - A Message from Japan
Get PDFThis article examines the impact of Japan's mottainai concept on civil engineering practices, focusing on the waste of materials, financial resources, and harmonisation of structures with the environment. The authors highlight the global challenges of environmental and social imbalances in the context of global warming. The Japanese concept of mottainai is presented as the key to shaping the civil engineering approach. The inefficient use of raw materials was analysed in terms of material waste. A transition to a closed-loop economy is recommended, emphasising the need for resource efficiency. In the context of financial resources, the need for efficient budget allocation and project management is emphasised. The section on harmonising structures with the environment focuses on aesthetics, environment, sustainable mobility, and an integrated approach to urban planning. Civil engineering projects should combine functional efficiency with respect to the environment, and the mottainai concept can be a tool for achieving sustainability in civil engineering. Innovative solutions, such as intelligent energy management systems, are recommended to improve construction efficiency.O
Ergonomic approach in tourism for visitors with special needs
No full textThe number of people with disabilities has been increasing as a result of ageing population, chronic health diseases and environmental factors such as accidents, natural disasters or conflicts. Disabled people make valuable part of community and their integration into society reflects the level of human development and public awareness. Social responsibility and human rights legislations support the improvement of tourism conditions for visitors with special needs resulting in hotel industry in accessible tourism policies including transport, accommodation, destinations and attractions appropriately meeting their needs. Ergonomic design should be preventive design. Sustainability is assured by ergonomic premises which are safe, pollution free, hygienic and nonhazardous. In ergonomics applications, functional efficiency privails and individuals are able to live in environment which is safe, convenient and healthy. The cooperation of builders, architects and ergonomics designers is essential. This paper presents results of research in hotel sector in Kusadasi, Turkey. The aim was to determine if the hotel facilities are provided to the disabled people, the perceptions of general guests about the disability and their accommodation in disabled rooms. Semi-structured interviews with hotel's department managers were conducted in 9 hotels ranked as 4 and 5 star.Published Versio
Cultural ecosystem services of the traditional South Bohemian landscape on the example of LAG Třeboňsko
No full textThe article focuses on the identification and evaluation of cultural ecosystem services within the territory of the Local Action Group (LAG) Třeboňsko. The practical implementation of ecosystem services into decision-making processes, planning, monitoring, or economic mechanisms in the Czech Republic is still low. Besides the need for its dissemination in public administration, it is desirable to raise awareness within the organization of local action groups as a tool for local and rural development. Methodically, the article works with an expert estimation of the signifikance of cultural ecosystem services in terms of targeted management on a scale of 4 to 0 points. For the actual identification of cultural ecosystem services, the CICES system was used. Its ecosystem service classes were grouped into four groups - 9.1.1.1 Characteristics of ecosystems that enable activities supporting health, recovery, or pleasure through active physical or impressive interactions; 9.1.1.2 Characteristics of ecosystems that enable activities supporting health, recovery, or pleasure through passive or observational interactions; 9.1.1.3 Characteristics of ecosystems that enable intellectual interactions, research activities, or education; 9.1.1.4 Characteristics of ecosystems with heritage value - cultural, historical, traditional, regional heritage (biodiversity conservation also belongs to this group). To map the sources of cultural ecosystem services, the Consolidated Ecosystem Layer (KVES) was used. The model area of LAG Třeboňsko is unique with its pond landscape, where valuable natural ecosystems intersect with a historical pond management system. This is reflected in the widespread representation of cultural ecosystem service sources belonging to group 9.1.1.4 with the highest priority in terms of management.Published Versio
Opportunities for the Development of a Borderland Rural Territory: A Case Study of the Hlučín Region
Get PDFThe study evaluates the regional development potential of a specific rural micro-region with regard to its qualitative aspect. It aims to set a general strategy for further development. The method is a geographical analysis using the migration balance as an indicator of the region's attractiveness for housing. Main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were identified. Generally accessible statistical data was used. The proposed strategy is to support the development of the human capital. In addition to the generally valid recommendations for the development of rural areas, it is always necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the geographical location, path dependency, natural, economic and social potential, the state of the environment, cultural factors or other specifics. The regional and local decision-making levels play an important role in this process.O
Sustainability and efficiency as the key to self-sufficiency in sugar and sugar beet production in the Czech Republic
No full textPříspěvek zkoumá vývoj produkce cukrové řepy s následnou výrobou cukru a hodnotí rozhodující faktory, které jsou nezbytné pro zachování této produkce nejen s ohledem na zabezpečení soběstačnosti ve výrobě jedné ze základních potravin na našem území, ale zejména její role v udržitelnosti venkovských regionů. Klíčové faktory jsou hodnoceny na bázi analýzy vývoje základních ukazatelů v oblasti pěstování cukrové řepy a následné výroby cukru včetně vlivu na cenový přenos v rámci vertikály a dopadu na zahraniční obchod. Specifikuje rozhodující faktory související se zachováním produkce cukrové řepy a výroby cukru v kontextu dynamického vývoje, kterým toto odvětví prošlo na základě aplikace SZP a zásahů v rámci reforem SOT, kdy je od roku 2017 tento trh po více než 48 letech plně vystaven tržnímu prostředí.The contribution examines the development of sugar beet production with the subsequent production of sugar and evaluates important factors that are necessary for the preservation of this production not only with regard to ensuring self-sufficiency in the production of one of the basic foods in our territory, but especially its role in the sustainability of rural regions. Key factors are evaluated based on the analysis of the development of basic indicators in the field of sugar beet cultivation and subsequent sugar production, including the effect on price transmission within the vertical and the impact on foreign trade. It specifies the production affects the context related to the preservation of sugar beet and sugar production in the dynamic development that this sector has undergone based on the application of the CAP and within the framework of the SOT reforms, when from 2017 this market is fully exposed to the market environment after more than 48 years.Published Versio
Links Between Farm Size, Location and Productivity of Farms in the Czech Republic
Get PDFThis paper aims to examine the productivity of Czech farms with dependence on their size and natural conditions. The methodological approach is based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA), which enables to assess whether there are significant differences between groups of farms with different size and from different locations in terms of their productivity and profitability. We use data from the FADN CZ database for the period 2015-2020 and show that very large and large farms reach substantially higher productivity in all regions, whatever the natural conditions are. Results confirmed that farms in areas without natural constrains achieve statistically significantly higher levels of all productivity indicators in comparison with farms located in areas with natural constraints. The results also showed that the agricultural policy is decisive for functioning of small farms. The subsidies have a greater effect on smaller farms than on their larger counterparts.O
Enhancing the fire resistance properties of thermally modified Robinia pseudoacacia wood with natural and synthetic flame retardants: chemical characterisation and fire behaviour
Get PDFThe increasing demand for wood with enhanced flame retardant characteristics in construction applications necessitates strategic interventions. This study explores the fire behaviour and chemical characterisation of Robinia pseudoacacia wood subjected to thermal modification and flame retardant treatments. Thermal modification was carried out at three different temperatures (160 oC, 180 oC and 240 oC). The fire properties of wood coated with Flame Gard (F), a commercial flame retardant, arabinogalactan (A), a natural flame retardant, melamine adhesive (MF) with ammonium polyphosphate (AP), nanosilica (NS), nanoclay (NC) (MF-AP-NS and MF-AP-NC) and arabinogalactan with AP, NS and NC (A-AP-NS and A-AP-NC), were assessed using cone calorimetry in terms of the weight loss rate, ignition time and heat release rate. The commercial flame retardant Flame Gard outperformed the natural and fortified flame retardants in terms of the weight loss rate, heat release rate (HRR) and ignition time (tig). Unmodified samples exhibited superior fire properties in terms of tig and HRR compared to thermally modified samples. The peak heat release rate (kW.mMINUS SIGN 2) and time to peak heat release rate (s) showed a moderate degree of dependency on the chemical constituents of the wood.OA-hybri
Mathematical modelling and optimization of the granulation process of loose compound feed for broilers
Get PDFThe article presents the results of studying the indicators of the crumbling of granules and the specific energy costs of experimental batches of granulated feed for broilers. The process of granulation of compound feed for broilers was studied using the statistical planning method of a multifactorial experiment using a granulation line, including a granulator press. The dependence of the crumbling of granules and the energy consumed on the selected factors has been established. The moisture content of the feed mixture W (%) and steam pressure P (MPa) were chosen to optimise the granulation process. A matrix plan of the experiment was compiled. With the optimal values of the factors obtained in the study using the experimental planning method, an experimental batch of granulated feed was developed. At the selected levels of factors, the calculated value of the crumbling of granules was 20.11%, which fits into the optimum according to the standard of the crumbling of granulated feed for poultry (no more than 22%). The specific electricity consumption was 9.23 kWh/ton. Experiments have shown that the discrepancies between the experimental and calculated data are insignificant and within these indicators' experimental error determination. Mathematical modelling of the granulation process of loose compound feed for broilers made it possible to solve an important practical problem - to optimize the granulation mode, which ensures the production of good quality granules with minimal energy consumption. The obtained optimal granulation parameters can serve as the basis for producing granulated feed for broilers.O