|
|
Impacts of deforestation of west African mountains on biodiversity
Stříbrská, Eliška ; Hořák, David (advisor) ; Reif, Jiří (referee)
The high rate of deforestation is a global problem with negative impacts on species biodiversity and it also contributes to global and local climate changes. This problem is much more urgent in hotspots of biodiversity and endemism like west African mountains. Moreover, these locations are now recognized as the most fragmented and the most deforested mountains on the African continent. Impacts on local organisms is mostly negative. The organisms are facing habitat loss and the inability to migrate between the isolated regions. The bond between associated animals and plants, that are life depend on each other, is being broken and the whole ecosystem is being changed. In general, the ecosystem is less stable and all these changes make deforestation a chain reaction. Although there are some positive impacts on the biodiversity too, it does not influence the endemic species. It has more positive consequences for the generalist species occupying wide range of habitats and utilizing various food resources. Local communities are also facing the impacts of the ecosystem changes, their lives are negatively influenced by longer and more intensive periods of drought, landslides and they are not able to rely on the supply of the forest products. To be able to change current situation, financial support and...
|
|
|
Evolution of PTC bitter taste receptors in West Africa
Holoubková, Tereza ; Černý, Viktor (advisor) ; Macholán, Miloš (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to determine whether the TASR38 gene is under selection pressure in West Africa and if its diversity varies within populations practicing different modes of subsistence. It further focuses on polymorphisms occurring in the gene and their association with sensitivity to the bitter tasting compound PTC. The thesis analyses 147 samples of saliva from three Mauritanian populations in order to sequence the DNA of the TAS2R38 gene exon. Ten polymorphic sites conditioning 16 haplotypes were observed in TAS2R38 gene. Mutations in amino acid positions 49, 262 and 296 occurred in all three populations; all eight possible haplotypes were observed. 94 % of them constitutes major PAV and AVI haplotypes and AAI haplotype, all of which were detected in each of the three populations. Additionally, 14 genotypes were identified in our sample; the most common being those created by a combination of the three haplotypes. Kruskal-Wallis test showed that TAS2R38 genotypes are strong predictors of PTC response in the examined African populations. PAV haplotype is associated with sensitivity to PTC (taster haplotype); conversely, AVI is a nontaster haplotype. At the same time, it was confirmed that PAV is an ancestral haplotype evolutionary closest to the chimpanzee TAS2R38 gene and it probably...
|
|
|
Geophysical and remote sensing methodologies applied to the analysis of regolith and geology in Burkina Faso, West Africa
Metelka, Václav ; Ježek, Josef (advisor) ; Miller, John (referee) ; Martelet, Guillaume (referee) ; de Kemp, Eric (referee)
The oldest parts of continents, so-called cratons, are the focus of worldwide research not only because they represent primary constraints for our understanding of the early evolution of the Earth, but also because of their significant mineral potential. This work contributes to the understanding of the geological and geomorphological evolution of the West African Craton, by an integrated analysis of airborne geophysical and satellite remote sensing data constrained by field structural, lithological, geophysical, and geomorphological observations acquired around Houndé, Boromo and Banfora greenstone belts and associated granitoid domains in western Burkina Faso. The results of this integration suggest that the granitoid domains of western Burkina Faso are formed by numerous small- to medium-sized plutons, and the magnetic data provided a better definition of the actual pluton shapes. Airborne gamma ray spectrometry data aided in the mapping process in areas with less regolith cover. Three deformation events (D1-D3) can be distinguished in western Burkina Faso. A megacrystic tholeiitic basalt unit allowed us to establish stratigraphic correlations between the two belts and propose a crustal scale anticline (D1). The D1 penetrative structures, resulting from an E-W to WNW-oriented compression are...
|
|
|
The successes of soft power in international relation
Wesley, Nathaniel ; Raška, Francis (advisor) ; Anděl, Petr (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to look at the role of the United States Peace Corps as a tool of soft power in the context of international relations and at the use of soft power as an effective part of diplomacy. This thesis has looks at the role of the Peace Corps in former British colonies in West Africa between 1961 and 1970.The project has focused the relationship of the newly independent British colonies with the United States in a period of intensive ideological interest of the USSR in this part of the world. The primary materials used in the paper have been journals and newspaper articles published by the Peace Corps, testimonials of former Peace Corps volunteers and scholarly publications on the topic of the Peace Corps, West African-American relations and relations between West Africa and the USSR. The Peace Corps played an important role in establishing relations between the US and West African countries in the 1960's with a special emphasis on education.
|
|
|
Contemporary Francophone Music in West Africa: An Outline of musicians and styles of the countries where French is the official language
Reslerová, Monika ; Klinka, Tomáš (advisor) ; Jančík, Jiří (referee)
anglicky Title of the thesis: Contemporary Francophone Music in West Africa: An Outline of styles and musicians of the countries where French is the official language Key words: West Africa, music, francophonie Abstract: The thesis is focused on West African music sang in French from the year 2000 up to the present. The musical scene of eight former members of the French Western Africa (Niger, Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin) is depicted through an overview of contemporary french-singing artists. The first chapter outlines four main tendencies in the traditional West African music and the modern music styles which were adopted in the countries we describe. Each of the following chapters is focused on a particular country which is characterized from the linguistic and socio-cultural point of view if the latter can influence the local musical scene. Information about cultural traditions and individual artists follow. Several musicians' work is described in more detail and biographical facts that could have influenced their personal style are mentioned.
|
|
|
Geophysical and remote sensing methodologies applied to the analysis of regolith and geology in Burkina Faso, West Africa
Metelka, Václav ; Ježek, Josef (advisor) ; Miller, John (referee) ; Martelet, Guillaume (referee) ; de Kemp, Eric (referee)
The oldest parts of continents, so-called cratons, are the focus of worldwide research not only because they represent primary constraints for our understanding of the early evolution of the Earth, but also because of their significant mineral potential. This work contributes to the understanding of the geological and geomorphological evolution of the West African Craton, by an integrated analysis of airborne geophysical and satellite remote sensing data constrained by field structural, lithological, geophysical, and geomorphological observations acquired around Houndé, Boromo and Banfora greenstone belts and associated granitoid domains in western Burkina Faso. The results of this integration suggest that the granitoid domains of western Burkina Faso are formed by numerous small- to medium-sized plutons, and the magnetic data provided a better definition of the actual pluton shapes. Airborne gamma ray spectrometry data aided in the mapping process in areas with less regolith cover. Three deformation events (D1-D3) can be distinguished in western Burkina Faso. A megacrystic tholeiitic basalt unit allowed us to establish stratigraphic correlations between the two belts and propose a crustal scale anticline (D1). The D1 penetrative structures, resulting from an E-W to WNW-oriented compression are...
|
|
| |
|
|
Selected forms of entry on foreign market
Bitnarová, Andrea ; Švarc, Zbyněk (advisor) ; Pelán, Karel (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to provide a comprehensive overview of the possible forms of entry on foreign markets. Various inputs are compared according to an advantages and disadvantages. Diploma thesis is focused on trading with West Africa, particularly with Nigeria. Therefore I will bring the importance of the process of discussions and negotiations with respect to awareness of differences in cultural aspects of the negotiations and contracts. In conclusion, I refer to the establishment of a specific joint venture in Nigeria. Any input options on the international market are assessed in the context of trade in goods.
|
|
|
ECOWAS - Origin, Progress and Prospects
Novotná, Lenka ; De Castro, Tereza (advisor) ; Fialová, Barbora (referee)
This thesis discusses the Economic Community of West African States, its members and its influence in the region of West Africa. Describes the history of the region, geographic and demographic characteristics of West Africa and foremost ECOWAS. The aim is to introduce the formation - its origin, institutions, regional integrations within this formation, macroeconomic indicators, intra-trade and its role in international trade. It also examines whether the community is currently effective and suggests the future for this Community.
|
|
| |
guest ::
