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Analysis of Book Publisher's Marketing Tools
Gruberová, Laura ; Pešek, Ondřej (advisor) ; Hanzlík, Jan (referee)
This Master's thesis entitled Analysis of Book Publisher's Marketing Tools focuses on the Czech book market and marketing tools that are currently used by book publishers. The aim of the work is to evaluate marketing tools of the specific Czech book publisher based on qualitative research and suggest possible improvements in their use. The theoretical part contains definitions of basic concepts in the field of book publishing and book marketing, which serves as the basis for the practical part. The practical part deals with the analysis of marketing tools of book publisher Argo, presents pros and cons of these instruments and in the end, brings suggestions for their improvement. This part of the thesis is based on marketing situation analysis, on analysis of available data on publisher's activities and on an interview with one of its writers. This thesis is primarily valuable for book publishers and sellers, who can obtain information about possible marketing tools. For book readers, this thesis is particularly interesting in terms of obtaining information about how marketing tools can help them in the selection of books.
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Leisure time of children and family surrounding.
UHLÍŘOVÁ, Lenka
Bachelor thesis on "Activities for children and family environment" is focused on the issues of free time for children, especially for its use from the perspective of children themselves, as well as their parents. The theoretical part deals with a functionality of free time processed form of questions relating to education which in this area blends together with a family atmosphere. Analysing how parents can intervene positively and negatively to the use of leisure time of their children. Further work their way the function of the family and also the function of family environment on development of children especially their interests and abilities. I focus on leisure activity outside of the classroom and on the distribution of teachers who go in for of this free time. . An integral part of the thesis is the result of the negative impact on children in their free time, describing the consequences that may arise and we should try to avoid them. The practical part contains a survey: analysis of the views of parents whose professional focus is not pedagogical direction, parents with at least one of them is a teacher and an analysis of the answers of the children themselves. The research goal of my work is to analyse the general view of children's free time. How children use leisure time as guidance from parents, to what extent their leisure time is influenced by different factors and how far their ideas, wishes are taken into account.
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Economic cooperation between China and Sub-Saharan Africa
Šára, Ondřej ; Jiránková, Martina (advisor) ; Sejkora, Jiří (referee)
Building relations with China is a topic of broad and current interest, when it comes to establishing and deepening new economic cooperation between Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions. This thesis analyses current economic cooperation between these two regions with the prevailing emphasis on the African partner. The thesis is formally divided into five chapters. The first two chapters focus on selected theoretical and factual starting points related to the main topic of the thesis, which create a foundation stone for the other chapters. In the third chapter of the thesis, selected statistical data about current trade and investment cooperation between both partners are introduced. The main goal of the following fourth chapter is to analyze real impact of mutual cooperation on the selected country of Sub-Saharan region. The last chapter of the thesis analyses a relatively problematic and widely discussed issue: the classification and allocation of financial flows from China in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
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The American Foreign Policy with the Middle East : from the earliest days to the Obama’s mandate
Petraud, Jean-Félix ; Eichler, Jan (advisor) ; Dubský, Zbyněk (referee)
The following dissertation is an attempt of analysis and understanding of the foreign policy of the United States in the Middle East region and its evolution through time. Considering the fact that the Middle East region is or at least used to be a vital region for the United States national interests, the dissertation presents an exhaustive list of major events that have been major shifts in the US foreign policy in the region. The more or less chronological timeline allows the reader to have a better understanding of the evolution of the US foreign policy. The result of the dissertation is the identification of different patterns of foreign policy and to put the spot on the reasons of the changes of these patterns. Nevertheless, the history of the Middle East region and the incredible number of major events through the 2Oth century and the early 21st century make impossible to deal with all of them. Moreover, analysis and comments are based on academic research, but the dissertation remains subjective and may lead to discussions and debates.
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Use of Interest Rate Models for Interest Rate Risk Management in the Czech Financial Market Environment
Cíchová Králová, Dana ; Arlt, Josef (advisor) ; Cipra, Tomáš (referee) ; Witzany, Jiří (referee)
The main goal of this thesis is to suggest an appropriate approach to interest rate risk modeling in the Czech financial market environment in various situations. Three distinct periods are analyzed. These periods, which are the period before the global financial crisis, period during the financial crisis and in the aftermath of the global financial crisis and calming subsequent debt crisis in the eurozone, are characterized by different evaluation of liquidity and credit risk, different relationship between financial variables and market participants and different degree of market regulations. Within this goal, an application of the BGM model in the Czech financial market environment is crucial. Use of the BGM model for the purpose of predicting a dynamics of a yield curve is not very common. This is firstly due to the fact that primary use of this model is a valuation of interest rate derivatives while ensuring the absence of arbitrage and secondly its application is relatively difficult. Nevertheless, I apply the BGM model to obtain predictions of the probability distributions of interest rates in the Czech and eurozone market environment, because its complexity, direct modeling of a yield curve based on market rates and especially a possibility of parameter estimation based on current swaptions volatilities quotations may lead to a significant improvement of predictions. This improvement was also confirmed in this thesis. Use of swaptions volatilities market quotations is especially useful in the period of unprecedented mone- tary easing and increased number of central banks and other regulators interventions into financial markets that occur after the financial crisis, because it reflects current market expectations which also include future interventions. As a consequence of underdevelopment of the Czech financial market there are no market quotations of Czech koruna denominated swaptions volatilities. I suggest their approximations based on quotations of euro denominated swaptions volatilities and also using volatilities of koruna and euro forward rates. Use of this approach ensures that predictions of the Czech yield curve dynamics contain current market expectations. To my knowledge, any other author has not presented similar application of the BGM model in the Czech financial market environment. In this thesis I further predict a Czech and Euro area money market yield curve dynamics using the CIR and the GP models as representatives of various types of interest rates models to compare these predictions with BGM predictions. I suggest a comprehensive system of three criteria, based on comparison of predicti- ons with reality, to describe a predictive power of selected models and an appropria- teness of their use in the Czech market environment during different situations in the market. This analysis shows that predictions of the Czech money market yield curve dynamics based on the BGM model demonstrate high predictive power and the best 8 quality in comparison with other models. GP model also produces relatively good qua- lity predictions. Conversely, predictions based on the CIR model as a representative of short rate model family completely failed when describing reality. In a situation when the economy allows negative rates and there is simultaneously a significant likelihood of their implementation, I recommend to obtain predictions of Czech money market yield curve dynamics using GP model which allows existence of negative interest rates. This analysis also contains a statistical test for validating the predictive power of each model and information on other tests. Berkowitz test rejects a hypothesis of accurate predictions for each model. However, this fact is common in real data testing even when using relatively good model. This fact is especially caused by difficult fulfilment of test conditions in real world. To my knowledge, such an analysis of the predictive power of selected interest rate models moreover in the Czech financial market environment has not been published yet. The last goal of this thesis is to suggest an appropriate approach to obtaining pre- dictions of Czech government bonds risk premium dynamics. I define this risk premium as a difference between government bond yields and fixed rate of CZK IRS with the same length. I apply the GP model to describe the dynamics of this indicator of the Czech Republic credit risk. In order to obtain a time series of the risk premium which are necessary for estimation of GP model parameters I firstly estimate yield curves of Czech government bonds using Svensson model for each trading day since 2005. Resulting si- mulations of risk premium show that the GP model predicts the real development of risk premiums of all maturities relatively well. Hence, the proposed approach is suitable for modeling of Czech Republic credit risk based on the use of information extracted from financial markets. I have not registered proposed approach to risk premium modeling moreover in the Czech financial market environment in other publications.
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Application of Monte Carlo simulations in banking
Boruta, Matěj ; Teplý, Petr (advisor) ; Fučík, Vojtěch (referee)
Currently, banking is exposed to huge market risks. One of those risks is occurrence of negative interest rates in the EU. Nowadays, it is important to use sophisticated and modern measurement tools and approaches to measure and manage banking risks. One of those methods is Monte Carlo simulation. This bachelor thesis is aimed at analysis and prediction of 3-month maturity Prague Interest Offer Rate (PRIBOR) for 3, 6 and 12 months with using Monte Carlo simulations. It was found that this method is suitable for prediction market variables with low volatility. If anybody uses this method, it is necessity to have in mind all pitfalls and assumptions, that this method includes, as an adequate random generated number of scenarios, approximation of correct probability distribution, independence of dataset and not least, as far as possible, to focus on factors generating randomness of market variable and not the prices, that express rather consequences of randomness than its cause. Further, the Monte Carlo prediction was compared with prognosis of the Czech Nation Bank and it was found that Monte Carlo prediction is more accurate for short term predictions. 12-month prediction of Monte Carlo simulation discovered also possible occurrence of negative interest rate at 0,05% level of probability in compare to the Czech National Bank prognosis, where was no negative interest rate predicted.
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Use of inhalation systems with asthma in connection with nursing
KLEINOVÁ, Irena
Asthma bronchiale is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, connected to bronchial hyperactivity leading to shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and cough. It effects people of all age categories and cannot be efficiently cured nor prevented. The incidence ranks this disease among the most common children´s chronic diseases. It affects a significant part of the global population - records say about 300 million people. Its prevalence has dramatically increased over the last 20 years. It is estimated that in 2025 about 400 million people will suffer from asthma. Cornerstones of asthma control are based on early diagnostics, efficient treatment, adherence to lifestyle changes and proper use of inhalation devices. Once the treatment is effective and check-ups and the use of inhalation therapy are regular, the prognosis of asthma is very favourable and it is possible to improve the patient´s quality of life. The control over asthma and its maintenance is the main objective of treatment. This can be achieved by using anti-inflammatory therapy, especially in inhalation form. This Bachelor´s thesis focuses on mapping inhalation systems with patients with asthma bronchiale. To a large extent it deals with the issue of use of inhalation systems, keeping to lifestyle changes and the role of the nurse in asthma-specialized outpatient´s departments. We see the relevance of this topic in the fact that, despite all available literature and medical advice, many asthmatics still make mistakes in the inhalation technique. Wrongly selected inhalation systems or wrongly selected inhalation techniques results in therapeutic failures and problems of patients get worse. This does not maintain control over asthma. The fact that many asthmatics do not know their exact diagnosis and underestimate some symptoms is very alarming. In the introduction, the theoretical part focuses on the definition of the disease. Other chapters include causes and symptoms of asthma, its classification, diagnostics and treatment. It also provides information about the treatment of acute asthma attacks - exacerbation and the role of the nurse in examination of an asthmatic patient. A great part of the thesis deals with inhalation systems, their types and effects. The preparation for the use of manual handheld inhalers and nursing care for the asthmatic patient in outpatient and inpatient care is developed at the end of the theoretical part. The objective of this part was to summarize the current knowledge about this issue. The objective of the Bachelor´s thesis was to map the use of inhalation systems in patients with asthma bronchiale. The following research questions were used: How do nurses inform patients about the use of inhalation systems? What type of inhaler do patients like? What is the nurse´s involvement in the examination of asthmatic patients? What are the most common mistakes in the application with an inhaler? How do asthmatics keep to lifestyle changes? The practical part of the thesis contains the results of qualitative research which was made on the basis of the semi-structured interview. Final interviews were transcribed and subsequently processed by the technique of open coding. The research sample was made of 12 asthmatics and 9 nurses working in selected asthma-specialized outpatient´s departments. With respect to the results found, an information brochure was created - see Annex 7 - which is intended for use by asthmatics. We believe that the results of this thesis will be helpful for asthmatics and increase the interest of experts in this issue and will also address other people willing to take part in its solution.
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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.
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Statistical analysis of beekeeping in Vysočina region and prediction of it is future development
Musil, Radovan ; Prášilová, Marie (advisor) ; Anna, Anna (referee)
This diploma thesis analysis selected indicators from beekeeping in 2005-2015 in region Vysočina. Diploma thesis analysis, development of number of beehives, number of beekeepers, number of beehives per beekeeper and production of honey in region Vysočina. Diploma thesis calculate trends of development of these time series and predict their development to the future. These indicators are very interesting, not just because of production of honey and recreational function of beekeeping, but mainly because of pollination. Without bees crop yields would decrease rapidly and from landscape would disappear a lots of plants. That is why it is important to whole agriculture if they can count on pollination by bees. Diploma thesis also analysis numbers of beehives and numbers of beekeepers divided to groups by number of beehives per beekeeper in region Vysočina and their development between years 2010 and 2015. Thesis also contains questionnaire made in population of region Vysočina. This questionnaire finds out consumption of honey of population of Vysočina and their habits and preferences in shopping and consuming honey. Conclusion of thesis is prediction of development of beekeeping in Vysočina and recommendation of future steps for further development of this field.
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