The support of the science and research projects

It is about supporting projects of research and science activities of young researchers with high social demand and with the simultaneous projection of new knowledge into the educational process and teaching in study programs.

The duration of the grant is set from March 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. The main solver of the grant (applicant) is an employee of UJEP with a working time equal to or higher than 0.3. The research team must include a mentor of the main researcher and at least 2 students (master’s or doctoral SP).

The total volume of grant support for internal projects for the years 2021 and 2022 amounts to a total of CZK 6 million (CZK 3 million per year). The maximum amount of the budget for the period of solving one internal grant is set at 600 thousand. CZK (300 thousand CZK per year).

At its meeting on March 9, 2021, the Grant Board of UJEP approved a list of supported internal projects, which are divided into 3 research sections. 

ENGINEERING AND NATURAL SCIENCES SECTION
Section budget: 3 307 380 Kč

1. Miscanthus Rhizospheric Soil Interactions (MRSI)
Head of the research team: Karim Al Souki, PhD.
Faculty of Environment
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-44-001-2

Annotation:
Miscanthus cultivation is expanding for phytoremediation and energy uses. A few papers discuss its rhizosphere structure processes. However, interactions among these processes and their influence on plant’s health have not been studied. Thus, the proposed work aims to study separately and collectively, in different miscanthus fields, the interactions between carbon sequestration, nitrogen fixation, microbial communities and verify their effects on miscanthus health.

Project goals:
Some publications discuss the impact of miscanthus on carbon sequestration and nitrogen fixation. Nevertheless, no paper has shed the light on the interactions occurring in the rhizosphere zone of the plant, which might interfere in modifying the upper mentioned processes. For instance, to date, little is known about how the diversity and species interactions of the active rhizomicrobial community change during soil carbon sequestration and what interactions drive these changes. Within this proposal, we aim to verify how does the miscanthus-soil-microbial community interact in the rhizosphere and adapt to environmental conditions to sustain health and growth and mutual benefit of the different compartments. We also aim to study how do the soil parameters mediate rhizospheric interactions and processes (nitrogen fixation and carbon sequestration) and the diversity of microbial communities. Concomitantly, we would like to verify the importance of rhizosphere microbial communities and their benefits to miscanthus plants.

For this sake, we will address the following research questions:

  • How does soil carbon sequestration under miscanthus modify the microbial community structure in the rhizosphere?
  • Do variations in microbial community structure have any impacts on soil carbon sequestration?
  • How does the nitrogen fixation process contribute to the plant health/physiology and the soil carbon pool in the rhizosphere of miscanthus?

2. Nanocrystalline cerium oxides for the protection of health and the environment
Head of the research team: Mgr. Jakub Ederer, Ph.D.
Faculty of Environment
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-44-002-2

Annotation:
The CeO2 can cleave some bonds (peptide, phosphodiester) in biologically active molecules like peptides, ATP (virus, bacteria component) or pesticides. The CeO2 can be used themselves or as the active component in the nanotextile/nanofabric. It offers a possibility and way how to produce effective protection against viruses (SARS-CoV-2) and bacteria. And it can also be used as sorbents in pollutants decontamination.

Project goals:
The project’s aim will be the CeO2 preparation and its application as the material capable decomposing of biologically active molecules and its possible use in nanotextiles/nanofabric as well as material for pollutants removing from the environment.

3. Robotic vehicle construction
Head of the research team: Ing. František Klimenda, Ph.D.
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-48-003-2

Annotation:
The project is focused on the structural design of a robotic vehicle, including process instrumentation and its implementation in the laboratories of FME. During the design of the truck, the required power and energy of the engines will be measured depending on the weight of the load being transported and the distance travelled will be measured depending on the track profile and driving resistances. Based on the stated measured quantities, optimization will be performed within the lonq-term production capacity of the truck.

Project goals:
The aim of the project is the design and implementation of a robotic vehicle, including control on which the measurement of basic quantities during the operation of the vehicle will take place.

4. Technological research of island regions – a case study of Macaronesia
Head of the research team: Ing. Richard Pokorný, PhD.
Faculty of Environment
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-44-004-2

Annotation:
The geological evolution of Macaronesia is bound to the contact of three lithospheric plates along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Azores­Gibraltar fault. The archipelagos were formed by the products of basaltic subaerial volcanism, locally with the sporadic occurrence of sedimentary and volcanic-sedimentary formations. The fossil record of these layers has not yet been analyzed in detail. Therefore, the goal is a paleontological and paleoecological study, devoted mainly to trace fossils.

Project goals:
Identification of basic types of paleoecosystems in the fossil record of the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde archipelagos.
Reconstruction ecosystem linkages using fossil record (especially race fossils).
A significant contribution to the knowledge of the colonization and development of the fauna and flora of Macaronesia during the Cenozoic.

5. Influence of isolation methods on the production of exosomes as mediators of intercellular communication and their use for drug delivery
Head of the research team: Mgr. Alena Semerádtová, PhD.
Faculty of Science
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-53-005-2

Annotation:
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that can play a significant role in intercellular communication through the transfer of signal molecules. Moreover, exosomes can also serve as a carrier for the transfer of therapeutics into the cells.
The project is focused on an optimization of isolation methods, which is the crucial aspect for their further use, followed by an encapsulation of the therapeutics into exosomes that can serve as a natural drug delivery system.

Project goals:
This project aims to optimize the isolation methods of exosomes which are a key step for their use as a drug delivery system, as well as drug encapsulation into exosomes and evaluation of the efficiency of exosome transfer of therapeutics in vitro (to selected cell lines) concerning isolation method.

6. Archives hidden in the Czech landscape
Head of the research team: Ing. Johana Zacharová, PhD.
Faculty of Environment
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-44-006-2

Annotation:
Tangible archives of human activities are hidden in landscapes. Their study using modern geoinformation technologies, geomorphologic, geochemical, geophysical and dendrochronological methods will show the value of historical agricultural structures with accompanying vegetation and architecture of floodplains, especially in the region of north-western Bohemia. The project will be based on successful research of recent years and will allow setting an interdisciplinary team involving new experts.

Project goals:
The main goal of the project is to deepen the knowledge base regarding tangible records of anthropogenic influence on the cultural landscape. Particular research topics combine topographical, geomorphological, geophysical, pedological and biological mappings to describe the consequences of anthropogenic activities on the architecture of river systems, document the phenomenon of historical agricultural structures, including agricultural landforms and accompanying vegetation in Bohemia, their impact on the land use and local georelief.

The research aims to answer questions such as:
o Does the presence of historical agricultural structures in the Czech Republic reflect certain specific natural conditions?
o What changes in farming and natural conditions can be deduced from tree rings in the open agricultural landscape on agrarian stone walls in the Krušné Hory Mts.?
o How long and by which mechanisms have historical agricultural terraces been created?
o Has anthropogenic influence on Czech rivers been more important than climatic trajectories in the late Holocene?
o Is it possible to reconstruct and date the history of contamination in the Bílina River catchment from its fluvial sedimentary archive?

BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE SECTIONS
Section budget: 1 293 600 Kč

7. Objectification of the stress response when using personal protective equipment for non-medical healthcare workers in pre-hospital emergency care during a pandemic
Head of the research team: PhDr. Mgr. et Mgr. Patrik Christian Cmorej, Ph.D.
Faculty of Health Studies
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-72-007-2

Annotation:
The project is focused on the objectification of the humoral stress response of the organism caused by the use of personal protective equipment during the pandemic of the COVID-19 disease by non-medical health staff in prehospital emergency care during simulated resuscitation. We expect the project to provide objective information on the stress burden caused by the use of personal protective equipment used in pre-hospital emergency care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project goals:
The aim of this work is to objectify the degree of stress load in non-medical health staff in pre-hospital emergency care caused by the use of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. A partial goal is to evaluate the quality of chest compressions during simulated resuscitation performed by workers using personal protective equipment.

8. Economic and institutional aspects of planning and implementation of nature-friendly adaptation measures
Head of the research team: Ing. Jiří Louda, PhD.
Faculty of Social and Economic Studies
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-45-008-2

Annotation:
With increasingly significant negative consequences of climate change, Nature Based Adaptation solutions in the landscape (NBAS) play a crucial role in increasing the resilience of the area. ln contrast to technical measures, NBAS bring a number of co-benefits for society (e.g. cooling the environment, space for recreation) in addition to the primary intended effects (e.g. reducing the risk of floods), the project responds to ignorance or disregard for these benefits, as well as institutional barriers that prevent the wider applicability of these NBAS in practice

Project goals:
The main goal of the project is to support the practical applicability of nature based adaptation measures addressing climate extremes concerning the complexity of its implementation and their enforceability among key actors. The project will focus on the valuation of the broad range of benefits provided by the nature based adaptation measures to the society, institutional framework assessment and evaluation of social acceptability of measures implementation. The use of economic and institutional analysis brings an innovative element for the design and planning of adaptation measures, where the urban-technical approach still prevails.

HUMANITY AND ART SECTION
Section budget: 1 780 600 Kč

9. „Wir sind deutsche Freimaurerei “- Freemasonry as a cultural and social element of Czech Germans.
Head of the research team: Mgr. Rudolf Kardoš, Ph. D.
Faculty of Arts
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-63-009-2

Annotation:
The topic of the project is an institutional and cultural and social analysis of the association activities of Freemasons specifically in the Czech German community in the period from the end of the 19th century to 1938. This area was dominated by a Masonic institution – the Great Lodge Lessing zu den drei Ringen the whole territory of the republic and had more than 2000 members. The main intention is to process the institutional development of the German Masonic faction in the context of Czech-German relations within the state with an emphasis on the cultural and social activities that this organization created programmatically.

Project goals:
The aim of the project is to map the genesis of Masonic associations and their social structure through the institutional analysis of German Freemasonry in the Czech lands and Czechoslovakia from the end of the 19th century to 1938. An unanswered question remains what influence they had on the created cultural and social activities, which include in particular their educational activities, support and charitable activities and presentations at the place of operation.

10. In SITU
Head of the research team: MgA. Adéla Machová, PhD.
Faculty of Art and Design
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-46-010-2

Annotation:
The project IN SITU focuses on a topíc of spatial contexts in contemporary visual art. The project works with space as a medium and motif of creation in an artistic, curatorial and philosophical point of view. The attention is turned to the process of creating an artwork and its presentation, mutual interaction and connection is being investigated: artist – artwork – curator- wider socio-cultural context. The intention is to reflect on approaches and impact on the content of the visual message.

Project goals:
The aim of the project is to support creative activities and career development of members of the research team, especially young researchers (3 assistant professors) and one docent, who are interdisciplinarily interconnected with selected topics.

The partial goal of the project is to provide suitable conditions for the mediation of artistic outputs and the implementation of the individual specific research intentions (artistic research and research in philosophy and art theory discussed in theoretical texts), while there is special attention paid to the excellent outputs in the form of the art exhibition in a prestigious gallery institution (RUV: A), publication of a monograph and publication of articles (RIV: B, C). The project brings creative stimulus and supports the career advancement of academic employees and students in the doctoral study program.

ln the areas of philosophy and art theory, the project aims to mediate contemporary art through the interpretation of the work and the curatorial strategy of art presentation, with the main motive being to fill the gaps and build bridges between the artwork and the audience.

11. Nobleman at rest. Count Karel Chotek at the chateau and estate Velké Březno
Head of the research team: Mgr. Marcela Zemanová, PhD.
Faculty of Arts
Project No: UJEP-IGA-JR-2021-63-011-2

Annotation:
The project focuses on the life of the Count Karl Chotek (1783-1868) at the estate Velké Březno near ústí nad Labem after he had resigned his post of the Supreme Burgrave of the Kingdom of Bohemia in 1843. The main attention will be paid to a less known period of Chotek’s life, closely tied with the region of ústí. Chotek will be presented simultaneously as a highborn and financially secured private person, dedicated to his family, to his avocations and developing the family estates, and as a former official, who never gave up hoping for being called to active duty again.

Project goals:
Basically, the desired result of this project is to present a life of a nobleman, of a retired high-ranking official, at his provincial estate within the social and political changes in the second third of the 19th century. Therefore, it will concentrate on his family and his estates on one hand and on his ambitions and his efforts to come back to active politics on the other. The underlying hypothesis presumes that Chotek, grown-up and deeply enrooted in the era of the late Enlightenment and Biedermeier as he was, had certain difficulties with finding his place in the upcoming modem civic society. On the theoretical and methodological level, the project will employ mainly the procedures and methods of social history, history of everyday life and microhistory.