|
The Wine Market in the Czech Republic and the Politics of Wine
Vlašicová, Eliška ; Tomšík, Karel (advisor) ; Malý, Michal (referee)
The dissertation thesis is focusing on the wine market in the Czech Republic. The aim is to identify weaknesses in the wine sector in order to formulate recommendations for improving a current situation in the sector. The Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union and the Common Market Organisation for Wine was presented in the theoretical part of the thesis, where also theoretical aspects of a market including supply and demand were described, as well as an agri-food market and its specifics, wine commodity chain, determinants of demand, supply and prices of wine. In the following chapters an analysis of the wine market, especially with emphasis on the production potential of vineyards in the Czech Republic was created, and demand, supply and price of wine including a price transmission in the commodity chain of wine were modelled based on a regression analysis. The significant influence on demand of wine have had previous values of wine consumption and wine prices, substitutes consumptions (prices of substitutes were not a significant factors), household income and salary, a quality of the wine and awards in international competitions. Significant factors of the side of supply including the price of wine grapes, the price of wine, vineyard area, production of wine grapes, some aspects of weather and certain subsidies. A climate change, which is in progress, may result to the expansion of viticulture and winemaking in the Czech Republic and also to a change of varieties in vineyards. Demand has in the commodity chain of wine greater impact than the supply. It can have a negative effect on growers or winemakers. Planting of vines is not sufficient to maintain current levels of a production potential of vineyards in the Czech Republic. The ideal amount of annual planting vines should be about 655 ha. A related issue is financing a vineyards renewal, which is costly. Based on a financial analysis of small and medium-sized wine companies, it was found that these businesses cannot afford the renewal of vineyards from its own resources and will require grant assistance of the state, eventually EU.
|
|
Freezing technology of bull sperm in relation to its survivability and fertilization ability
Doležalová, Martina ; Stádník, Luděk (advisor) ; Jiří, Jiří (referee)
The aim of optimalization the insemination doses production is to provide the highest fertilization ability of spermatozoa during the demanding proces of processing fresh semen and its subsequent cryopreservation. Temperature changes causes spermatozoa damage during the cooling and freezing. Spermatozoa is exposed to cold shock and many others limiting factors, which leads to cell death and therefore to decline of fertilization ability of thawed insemination doses. For increasing spermatozoa resistance, exactly the plasma membrane resistance against cold shock was fraction of egg yolk LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) at various concentrations into the comercially produced diluents added. It is believed that LDL acts possitively to plasma membrane and helps to maintain the fertilization ability of spermatozoa after thawing. Following step in the proces of insemination doses production is slow cooling of diluted semen and equilibration, when the straws are store at cooling box for 30 minutes to 240 hours. This period is necessary to penetrate of certain diluent components into the spermatazoa also maintain the balance between their intracellular and extracellular concentration. Also important is subsequent freezing temperature gradient of insemination doses. The most suitable freezing method is based on computer controlled temperature decline in freezing chamber which allows the precise control of ice crystals formation that could tear and kill the cell.
During 2012 to 2016 was repeatedly collected semen from the group of breeding bulls (n = 27, Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh breed) at AI centre. Semen which fulfill the standard entrance conditions in first step was evenly into several parts divided. For dilution the three types of comercially diluents AndroMed, Bioxcell and Triladyl with and without LDL addition were used. Into the diluents AndroMed and Bioxcell the concentration of LDL 4 %, 6 % and 8% into the dilent Triladyl 6 %, 8 % and 10 % was added. Diluted semen was filled into the glass capillares with volume 0,1 ml and temperature +4 °C. Subsequently the sample was placed to cold bath (0°C) for 10 minutes. Then the volume of capillare with physiological solution (37 °C) was mixed and for next 120 minutes was incubate. The effect of cold shock to proportion of live spermatozoa was evaluated by using Eosin and Nigrosine staining technique during heat test of spermatozoa survivability after spermatozoa heating and after 120 minutes of incubation.
The more suitable semen diluents which provide the higher spermatozoa resistance against cold shock were AndroMed and Bioxcell. Together the possitive effect of LDL addition into the diluents to lower decrease of proportion of live spermatozoa during heat test was found (P<0.05). The most suitable LDL concentration which had a favorable influence at spermatozoa resistance against cold shock was 6 % in diluent Bioxcell. Values of the proportion of live sperm were higher at the beginning of the heat test (+1.31% to + 3.2%) and after 120 minute incubation (+5.82% to +8.41%) compared to other diluents with and without addition of LDL.
In the next step the process of equilibration was optimized, is an important part of insemination doses production. The effect of the length of equilibration for subsequent fertilization ability of spermatozoa was evaluated using spermatozoa motility based of CASA and proportion of live spermatozoa after thawing and during heat survival test lasting 120 minutes (37 ° C). Suitable semen was diluted by comercially used diluent AndroMed based on soya lecithin, filled into the straws (0.25 ml), cooled and equilibrated in cooling box for 30, 120 and 240 minutes and freezed in programmable freezing box applying four types of freezing curves differing in temperature rate decline. There was used standard and by producer recommended 3. phase freezing curve, then 2. phase freezing curve, and 3. phase freezing curve with slower as well as rapid decline of temperature rate in freezing chamber, compared with standard freezing curve. The highest spermatozoa motility was found using 240 minutes of equilibration by +2.72% and +4.58% compared to other lengths of equilibration (P <0.05 to 0.01). The highest proportion of live spermatozoa was found using 120 minutes of equilibration (+6.87 % and +8.68 %). The highest average spermatozoa motility during heat test after thawing was achieved by using 2. phase freezing curve (from +2.97% to +10.37%, P <0.05), also in the proportion of live spermatozoa (from + 4.37% to +8.82%, P <0.01). When evaluating interaction between the length of equilibration and freezing curve (standard 3. phase and 2 . phase freezing curve), the highest average spermatozoa motility and proportion of live spermatozoa using 240 minutes of equilibration by both freezing curves was reached, there was no statistically significant differences. As well as, in all evaluated parts of this study the individual differences between ejaculate of bulls and within semen from one bull (P <0.05) as secondary effect were found.
To maintain good fertilization ability of semen during cryopreservation is necessary to increase the spermatozoa resistance against cold shock using addition of correct concentration of LDL into the commercially used diluents AndroMed and Bioxcell. Subsequently the fertilization ability of insemination dose is influenced by cooling, the length of equilibration and freezing. The length of equilibration 120 minutes and more as well as gentle way of freezing according to freezing curve, which ensures a gradual decrease of temperature in freezing chamber provided the higher average spermatozoa motility and proportion of live spermatozoa.
|
|
Antioxidant, anti-proliferative and immunomodulatory effect of fruits, vegetables and mushrooms in vitro
Doskočil, Ivo ; Havlík, Jaroslav (advisor) ; Orsák, Matyáš (referee)
Recently there has been an increasing interest in discovering of new species of plants and mushrooms which have antioxidant or anti proliferative activity. The interest is caused by the fact that these species have medicinal and food utilization. These properties of plants and mushrooms can be used when dealing with many diseases which may be connected with oxidative stress (inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and tumour disease, etc.).
The thesis propounds characteristics of in vitro antioxidant and anti proliferative activity of 19 types of juices and 28 methanol extracts of fruits and vegetables, which are common parts of a diet. In the thesis there are also characteristics of 13 ethanol extracts of edible mushrooms of the order of Polypore (Popyporales). Antioxidant activity was quantifie by 2, 2 diphenyl 1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT (3 (4,5 dimethylthiazol 2 yl) 2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Immunomodulatory activity was determined by an assay of phagocytic activity of human neutrophil granulocytes. Further a total phenolic content (TPC) and total beta glucan content were investigated; these are considered to be the potentially active constituents participating in mentioned activities.
From the obtained results it is evident that juices (TPC = 1603.2 mg GAE/L; ORAC = 438.5 umol TE/g)
and a bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) fruit extract (ORAC 836.6 umol TE/g; DPPH = 404.6 umol TE/g) showed
the highest antioxidant activity of all tested samples of fruits and vegetables. Capsicum (Capsicum L.)
juices (TPC = 642.1 mg GAE/L; ORAC = 127.9 umol TE/g) and a radish (Raphanus sativus L.) extract
(ORAC 724.5 umol TE/g; DPPH = 52.2 umol TE/g) also proved to have the high values of antioxidant activity. From the tested fruits and vegetables the following inhibited to produce a nitric oxide: onion (Allium cepa L) juices (lowered the NO production by 57%), tangerine juices (Citrus reticulata Blanco)(by 52%), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis italic) extract (by 21%), and orange (Citrus sinensis Pers.) extract (by 10%). Concerning edible
mushrooms, Lentinus tigrinus (Bull.) Fr. (TPC = 216.2 umol GAE/g of extract), Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Kras (TPC = 257.9 umol GAE/g of extract), and Royoporus badius (Pers.) A.B. De (TPC = 257.8 umol GAE/g of extract) presented the highest phenolic content. Sparassis crispa (Wulfen) Fr. (117.4 mg/g of extract) had the highest content of beta glucan. Substantial effect on phagocytic activity of granulocytes was noticed in connection with Neolentinus lepideus (Fr.) Redhead & Ginns, Polyporus squamosus (Huds.) Fr., and S. crispa. In connection with the latter of mentioned mushrooms, a moderate inhibitory effect towards HT 29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line
(IC50 = 107 ug/ml of extract) was noticed.
The results indicate that the tested plants and mushrooms can be beneficial when reducing the negative effects of oxidative stress. The oxidative stress has been recognized as a contributing factor to a whole range of diseases and the reduction of the oxidative stress may lead to the decrease in the possibility of the diseases´ progression. The results show the possible favourable effects on the human health. When evaluating the results, the following fact should be taken into consideration; the in vitro tests and screenings are considered to be the first phase of systematic research of the effects and serve for the choice of respondents for further detailed studies.
|
|
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and his Compositions for the Cello and the Piano
Šístek, Eduard ; ERICSSON, Mikael (advisor) ; KAŇKA, Michal (referee)
This thesis offers a brief overview of the life and the work of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. It was no coincidence that Robert Schumann called him the Mozart of the 19th century: Being a prodigy from a very early age, he composed with such an unbelievable lightness. Many of his compositions have become an essential part of the world of music nowadays. Equally, his pieces for the cello and the piano, which are dealt with in the second part of the thesis, have their remarkable qualities and they are worth playing.
|
|
Confidence Cycles and Liquidity Hoarding
Audzei, Volha
Market confidence has proved to be an important factor during past crises. However, many existing general equilibrium models do not account for agents’ expectations, market volatility, or overly pessimistic investor forecasts. In this paper, we incorporate a model of the interbank market into a DSGE model, with the interbank market rate and the volume of lending depending on market confidence and the perception of counterparty risk. In our model, a credit crunch occurs if the perception of counterparty risk increases. Our results suggest that changes in market confidence can generate credit crunches and contribute to the depth of recessions. We then conduct an exercise to mimic some central bank policies: targeted and untargeted liquidity provision, and reduction of the policy rate. Our results indicate that policy actions have a limited effect on the supply of credit if they fail to influence agents’ expectations. Interestingly, a policy of a low policy rate worsens recessions due to its negative impact on banks’ revenues. Liquidity provision stimulates credit slightly, but its efficiency is undermined by liquidity hoarding.
Fulltext:  PDF
|
|
A pair of phase-synchronized semiconductor lasers for length metrology
Hucl, Václav ; Holá, Miroslava ; Čížek, Martin ; Řeřucha, Šimon ; Pham, Minh Tuan ; Pravdová, Lenka ; Lazar, Josef ; Číp, Ondřej
Semiconductor lasers are increasingly widespread in areas that have been so far dominated by He-Ne lasers. One of such areas is the length metrology, where He-Ne laser operating at 633nm wavelength is still a traditional source of coherent light for laser interferometers distance measuring. The advantages of semiconductor lasers compared with He-Ne laser are greater optical power and a significantly wider range of wavelength tuning without mode jumps. Another advantage is the possibility of frequency modulation of wavelength of the laser diode by directly changing the injection current. The benefits predetermine these laser diodes for the realization of dual-frequency laser sources for heterodyne interferometry. In this case, using a phase-locked loop technique the optical frequency of a laser diode is locked to the optical frequency of another laser diode with a certain frequency offset in the MHz order. In our contribution we present utilization of DBR laser diodes in implementing a dual-frequency laser source for laser interferometry with heterodyne detection.\n
|
|
Point to Line Mappings and Other Line Parameterizations not only for Hough Transform
Havel, Jiří ; Kälviäinen, Heikki (referee) ; Lefevre, Sebastien (referee) ; Herout, Adam (advisor)
Tato práce se zabývá Houghovou transformací (HT). HT je nejčastěji používána pro detekci přímek nebo křivek, ale byla zobecněna i pro detekci libovolných tvarů. Hlavní téma této práce jsou parametrizace přímek, speciálně PTLM - zobrazení bodů na přímky. Tyto parametrizace mají tu vlastnost, že bodům v obrázku odpovídají přímky v parametrickém prostoru. Tato práce poskytuje důkazy některých vlastností PTLM. Za zmínku stojí existence páru PTLM vhodného pro detekci a efekt konvoluce v obrázku na obsah parametrického prostoru. V práci jsou prezentovány dvě implementace HT. Obě využívají k akceleraci grafický hardware. Jedna využívá GPGPU API CUDA a druhá zobrazovací API OpenGL. Jako aplikace detekce přímek je uvedena část detekce šachovnicových markerů použitelných pro rozšířenou realitu.
|
|
Impact of Current Information Technology Trends on the Future of Grey Literature
Savić, Dobrica
This paper deals with emerging information technology (IT) and other trends and their impact on the grey literature. It is based on analysis of the most prevalent trends in general information management and new IT solutions, which will define and impact the digital future of related information management activities, as well as the grey literature. The analysis was done based on seven reports issued in 2016 by five world leading consulting and service companies that have a special interest in researching the impacts of IT on our business environments, work procedures and behaviors.
Fulltext: idr-1032_3 - PDF
Slides: idr-1032_1 - PDF; idr-1032_2 - PDF
Video: idr-1032_4 -  MP4
|
|
Characteristics of the working behavior of Czechs and Ukrainians
BYKOVA, Sofia
The aim of this work is to create a transparent and comparable characteristics of the work behavior phenomenon within the cultures of those states - what is common and what is different between them, or maybe incompatible .It is supposed to have some analysis of possible conflicts and their connection with the mentality. The primary reason of this aim choosing is the specialty I study. My work contains information that could be interesting and useful not only for me and my future job, but also for managers and other employees. Overview of examined issues contains specific points, such as the fundamentals of economic psychology and behavioral economics (symbiosis of psychological and economic opinion on motivation and rationality of individuals), theories of motivation and reaction to different occurrence, characteristic of the term "mentality", general points about the human impact of the world economy. For realizing the goals of my work the following hypotheses have been proposed - Czech and Ukrainian mentality have significant differences, though these cultures are close. - Ukrainian and Czech employees are able to work effectively in a team and find a "common language" in the workplace. The difference in mentality does not obstruct on it. - Employers could be interested in the Ukrainian employees taking into account their high concernment and motivation. All three of the hypotheses were confirmed by observed data and comparison of mentality characteristics. Czechs are often tolerant to other cultures, moreover Ukrainian culture is not much different and does not create difficulties in the working relationship. Based on the fact that the chosen company has no conflicts associated with work behavior and differences in mentality, it's hard to define my contribution to this organization work.
|
|
Project management in selected company
POKORNÝ, Radek
This work deals with project management in chosen company. It has two parts. The first part is theoretical, which is focused to theoretical treatment of the subject. It explains what is the project, management of projects, organizations of projects, processes of project management, what is target of project, communication, control, changes and risks and more. In the practical part I focused to concrete company and project management and than I analyzed concrete project. Name of the mentioned company is OHL ŽS, a.s. It is company from Spain, which acts all over the world. In the Czech Republic has the base in Brno. This company has several divisions and every of them is focused to different professional architecture. I have chosen division of structural engineering. This division builds all kinds of buildings. It could be construction of new buildings or reconstruction. To analysis of chosen project I used various business documents, contracts with investor or suppliers, document which include billing, timetable. I especially used my experience with projects of this company, and I was part of this project. Name of this project is Reconstruction of cladding including replacement windows and insulation. During the analysis of project I found a couple major gaps. If we could avoid these gaps, we could increase profit. These graphs is especially in management. At the beginning there were appointed two temporary construction managers. They doesn't care about result project, because they knew that they will not be to the end of the project. These gaps are because there is missing motivation system. Project manager can´t affect results of employees. It doesn´t depend on performance of employees, they always has the same wages. For elimination of these gaps I proposed several suggestions for improvement. The first suggestion is modification and extension of motivation system. New motivation system include personal evaluation. This evaluation depends on performance of employee. The second part is bonus from over profit. The next suggestion is make a new working position. This position would take care about controlling and project documentation. During the building project, especially at the end is construction manager very busy. It depend of decision of construction 63 manager what kind of activity will have prefer. Project documentation and administration or controlling of building works. If they are doing everything correct and technology are respect. Suggested position would take care about invoices, real work, which is done, project documentation, controlling of budget. The third suggestion is purchase of small machinery such as chipping hammers and drills. At this time they rent all devices. Rent is higher than purchase price. The last suggestion is use credit to restoration of fleet. At this time they have obsolete fleet, because the bought all cars by cash. It is not conveniently.
|
guest ::
