Česky
Academic bulletin 04/2000
RESUME
The opening celebration of the new research centre PALS (Prague Asterix Laser System) was held at the beginning of April. The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (ASCR) received what is the second most extensive laser system in Europe from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics based in Munich, SRN, for the symbolic price of one German Mark.
Research and Development Council of the Government of the Czech Republic
Report from the 132nd session of the Czech Government's Research and Development Council.
News from the Academic Council
The 44th session of the Academic Council of the ASCR took place on April 11th, 2000.
Portraits from the Archives
Jaroslav Šafránek - the 110th Anniversary of His Birth
Šafránek's "science testament" includes 60 books and 15 patents in the field of optics, medicinal physics, electromagnetism and acoustics. But he is primarily known as a pioneer of Czech radio and television.
Science - Research - Society
Biosensors will be once irreplaceable
Dr. Eduard Brynda, biophysician from the ASCR's Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, and his team has been focusing on the surface development of ultra sensitive biosensors. Biosensors are the result of applied research in physics and biology. New methods operating on a macromolecular base can simplify medicine diagnostics and the monitoring of biochemistry of organisms.
Cité des Sciences et de L'industrie La Villette in Paris - Unique Model of Promotion of Science
The Centre of Science and Industry La Villette is one of the largest European centres promoting science and technologies to the public. It is located 20 minutes northeast of the centre of Paris. Examples of the most important science explorations are installed in an area of 150 000 m2. Academic Bulletin interviewed Mr. Roland Virieux of the Centre's directorship about its prime conception and connections among the various ways of presenting the results of science.
Hand-Written Bible for the Millennium Year
A project to produce a hand-written Bible has been undertaken by the Czech Bible Society and is being supported by ecumenical groups, Christian churches and other institutions all around the country. Its main goal is to make the public aware of the never ending validity of the biblical message.
Czech Design of the 3rd Millennium
The Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague and Design Centre of the Czech Republic announced a challenge opportunity for designers: create decorative functional objects and parts of the interiors suitable to the environment and the demands of contemporary living. The five best projects of the competition, called "Design 2000", were announced on March 9, 2000.
Czech X-ray Spectrometer onboard the American Satellite
A solar broad-band hard X-ray spectrometer was launched onboard the MTI satellite from the space centre at Vandenberg, California, on March 12, 2000. The HXRS experiment is a joint endeavour by the Astronomical Institute of the ASCR and the Space Environment Centre of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the spectrometer has an expected operational lifetime of three years. Academic Bulletin describes the details about the realisation and the goals of this project.
Interview
Trapped in the Cell Nets
An interview with Professor František Vyskočil from the Department of Cell Neurophysiology of the ASCR's Institute of Physiology. Professor Vyskočil also lectures at the Department of Animal Physiology and Developing Biology of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Charles University in Prague. Last year the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge announced that František Vyskočil had been selected "International Man of the Year 1999 - 2000" and he was presented with the Golden Scroll of Excellence in recognition of outstanding services to natural science, in particular to general physiology and neurobiology.
Awards
Laudatio - Ján Pišut was honoured with the Ernst Mach Award
Events
Cloning?!
Is cloning ethical? What are cloned animals used for? Is it possible to clone animals other than sheep or pigs, for instance the genus in the process of extinction? The answers to these and similar questions were presented by experts of cloning from the ASCR during a round table discussion organised by the ASCR's Department of Public Relations on April 10th, 2000.
The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry has Received a Valuable Gift from Germany
At the beginning of April 2000 the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the ASCR was given an air-conditioned box called Fytotron from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Compliment for One of the Great Czech Composers
The music firm Supraphon for the first time has published piano compositions by Miloslav Kabeláč, one of the important Czech composers who lived in second half of the 20th century.
Ten Years of Transformation in the Czech and Slovak Republics
On April 6, 2000 the ASCR's Institute of Sociology and the Academy's Department of Public Relations held a joint press conference on the results of sociological research on Czech society within last ten years of its existence. The research involved 4744 persons ages 18 to 69. It was focused on social stratification, mobility, living standards and the every day life style of Czech society. Research also brings some interesting facts about the social structure, ways people spend their leisure time and the labour market.
News - Announcements
Resume
New Books
Chronicle: Events at the Academy in Photos
An exhibition of historical images of active volcanoes "Volcanoes - beauty and fear" was presented in the hall of the ASCR's Geophysical Institute in March and April 2000.
Topical Supplement
"One Small Spring Music" - the Importance of Prague in Mozart's Life Schedule