The dynamics of the northwestern border of the Carpathians

The border area between the Bohemian Massif and the Carpathians arc is covered by dense networks of repeated levellings as well as horizontal (triangulation, trilateration) measurements. The results were adjusted in separate vertical or horizontal networks respectively. Derived rates of vertical and horizontal movements are presented. The properties of these movements are discussed as a background to the tectonic development of the area under study.     

Optimal Model for Geoid Determination from Airborne Gravity

Two different approaches for transformation of airborne gravity disturbances, derived from gravity observations at low-elevation flying platforms, into geoidal undulations are formulated, tested and discussed in this contribution. Their mathematical models are based on Green's integral equations. They are in these two approaches defined at two different levels and also applied in a mutually reversed order. While one of these approaches corresponds to the classical method commonly applied in processing of ground gravity data, the other approach represents a new method for processing of gravity data in geoid determination that is unique to airborne gravimetry. Although theoretically equivalent in the continuous sense, both approaches are tested numerically for possible numerical advantages, especially due to the inverse of discretized Fredholm's integral equation of the first kind applied on different data. High-frequency synthetic gravity data burdened by the 2-mGal random noise, that are expected from current airborne gravity systems, are used for numerical testing. The results show that both approaches can deliver for the given data a comparable cm-level accuracy of the geoidal undulations. The new approach has, however, significantly higher computational efficiency. It would be thus recommended for real life geoid computations. Additional errors related to regularization of gravity data and the geoid, and to accuracy of the reference field, that would further deteriorate the quality of estimated geoidal undulations, are not considered in this study.     

On the Integrability of Limited-Area Numerical Weather Prediction Model ALADIN over Extended Time Periods

This note summarizes results of the first integration of regional numerical weather prediction model ALADIN in a climate mode. The ALADIN model, developed in an international cooperation led by Météo France, is operationally used for weather prediction. The grid step of the model is 12 km; the integration domain covers a major part of Europe. A one-month-long run has been performed with this model on observed boundary conditions (represented by assimilations by the global model ARPEGE). It is demonstrated that no excessive error is generated and accumulated in the model during the integration; hence the model is integrable for extended time periods and may serve a basis for a development towards a regional climate model.     

Exceptional Fireball Activity of Orionids in 2006

We report exceptional fireball activity of the Orionid meteor shower in 2006. During four nights in October 2006 the autonomous fireball observatories of the Czech part of the European Fireball Network (EN) recorded 48 fireballs belonging to the Orionids. This is significantly more than the total number of Orionids recorded during about five decades long continuous operation of the EN. Based on precise multi-station photographic and radiometric data we present accurate atmospheric trajectories, heliocentric orbits, light curves and basic physical properties of 10 Orionid fireballs with atmospheric trajectories that were long enough and, with one exception, were observed from at least three stations. Seven were recorded in within a 2-h interval in the night of 20/21 October. Their basic parameters such as radiant positions and heliocentric orbits are very similar. This high fireball activity originated from a very compact geocentric radiant defined by α = 95.10° ± 0.10° and δ = 15.50° ± 0.06°. These fireballs most likely belonged to a distinct filament of larger meteoroids trapped in 1:5 resonance with Jupiter. From detailed light curves and basic fireball classification we found that these meteoroids appertain to the weakest component of interplanetary matter.     

The importance of symbols in the region formation process

The aim in the article is to conceptualize the general foundations of research on the importance of regional symbolism in the process of region and regional identity formation. The article is founded on a critical analysis of works pertaining not only to the field of the new regional geography, but also to the field of regional marketing and/or branding, sociology, and semiology. The authors focus on meanings attributed to symbols and symbolism in literature, and observe which elements are viewed as regional symbols and how these symbols contribute to the process of regional development and institutionalization, especially in the formation of its symbolic shape. They examine the thematic and theoretical grounds, looking at identity, regional identity, and regional institutionalization. Next, regional symbols are defined and classified according to their types and forms, and their importance in the process of regional formation and institutionalization is discussed. The results show that symbols of any type can play an important role in a region’s marketing, and become the key image associated with a region. The authors conclude that regional symbols are a significant feature of the formation of a region and its identity, both outwardly (the external image of a region) and inwardly (concerning the inhabitants’ relationships with their region).     

Latitudinal and temporal shifts in the radial growth-climate response of Siberian larch in the Polar Urals

This paper presents a dendroclimatic analysis of Siberian larch trees sampled along a latitudinal 260-km transect located in the Polar Urals,Russia. Three standardised chronologies were built over a length of 230–293 years using 79 individual tree-ring chronologies collected in the southern,middle and northern parts of the Polar Urals.Bootstrapped correlation functions showed that the annual growth of the larches was mainly influenced by the air temperatures in June and July. The relative role of the temperatures increased from south to north. Daily air temperature data analysis revealed that the duration of the growing season in the northern part of the Polar Urals is 24 days less than that in the southern part. At the present time, air temperatures exceeded threshold of 8~℃, 5 days earlier than it did in the beginning of the 20 th century In response to the increase in the duration of the growing season and the changing winter conditions in the Polar Urals over the last 130 years, radial growth–temperature relationships in larches have weakened;this effect was strongly pronounced in the southern part of the Polar Urals.     

Is special relativity a key to the ‘enigma’ of non-locality phenomenon,in the end?

An idea is put forward that the events considered in the non-locality phenomenon are co-local and simultaneous in the reference frame of information moving with the velocity of light. Then, the special relativity can explain many aspects of the issue. Furthermore, the impact of the idea is discussed in relation to problems of the Mach principle and those of the Planck era connected to the closeness or openess of our Universe.