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Evolution of molecular interaction between host and parasite
Bílková, Barbora ; Vinkler, Michal (advisor) ; Synek, Petr (referee)
Coevolution between host and parasite is a long-term object of scientific interest, mostly because of negative influence of parasites and human need to defend against it., The evidence concerning host-parasite coevolution mechanisms is, however, still incomplete and various models and theories are considered separately, out of the general concept. Beside generally well-known theories such as the "Red queen" theory or the coevolution "arms race" theory, several other models were proposed, e.g. the "gene for gene" model or the "matching allele" model, which describe detailed aspects of host-parasite coevolution and principles of genetic variability maintenance in their interaction. Although there are many studies mapping reciprocal evolution of hosts and parasites, the connection between empirical evidence and theoretical models is often missing. Therefore, this thesis covers theory on host-parasite evolutionary interactions and provides examples of host-parasite systems and molecules, which correspond to behavior of described models.
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The Causes of Iraqi War: Why the US Administration decided to invade Iraq in 2003
Bartková Sodomová, Renáta ; Karásek, Tomáš (advisor) ; Karlas, Jan (referee)
The thesis: "The Causes of Iraqi War: Why the US Administration decided to invade Iraq in 2003" focuses on explanation why the administration of the USA made that step. The specification of the roots of war is based on five causes and seventeen subcauses according to the essay of Stephen Van Evera and other scholars, and the paper trough the methodology of text's analyzes investigates behavior, decision-making process and motivations of the US administration (the level of units) and some steps of the US president G. W. Bush (individual level) in the process leading to the war in Iraq. Concerning the causes of war, the paper introduces different concepts of the offense-defense balance and analyzes whether the balance was disrupted. Secondly, it examines the role of cumulative resources in Iraq like oil, territory and state structures and it shows how they influenced the decision. Third, it searches for the linkage among an emergence of a new threat and responses to it which mouthed to the acceptance of the concept of the first move advantage. Fourth, the thesis accounts for the roots of misperception, where they originate and how they operated in perception of the US administration of the Iraqi threat. Finally, the investigation of the last root of conflict explains why and how windows of...
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Factors influencing the success of restricting the development and use of technology
Hanzl, Ondřej ; Kučera, Tomáš (advisor) ; Střítecký, Vít (referee)
The primary goal of this thesis is to analyze and compare the impact of political and technological influences on the breakdown of disarmament efforts between the two world wars. This issue is approached by analyzing the string of disarmament conferences that took place in the interwar period and restrictions placed on the German military imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. The theory that serves both as inspiration and a tool to examine the subject is the Actor-network theory originating from École nationale supérieure des mines de Paris. This theory is used to view the subject in a new light. The author places military technology, the political movement of disarmament, and especially restrictions of Germany on par with states and international organizations. While the political turmoil and causes and effects are well researched and documented, the technological aspects of the issue less so. The author asks if the disarmament efforts were realistic in their scope. Whether a state abiding by the new rules could even mount a feasible defence in a case of attack and retain offensive capabilities. Whether the technology itself allowed the existence of alternative weapon systems not breaking these rules. And in the case of Germany, whether these restrictions were effectively limiting German potential...
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Food and host specialization in Aculeata (Hymenoptera)
Hochová, Veronika ; Policarová, Jana (advisor) ; Černá, Kateřina (referee)
Aculeata is a group of insects, its representatives vary significantly in the use of resources which are necessary for its survival and reproduction. Herbivores which live on parts of plants, carnivores which hunt other insects and omnivores are included in this group. There are also parasitic species such as cleptoparazites, brood parasites or parasitoids classified in Aculeata. Particular groups of Aculeata are adapted to resourcing, these adaptations exist in adult and immature stages simultaneously. Adaptation to the kind of source can lead to adjustment of mouthpart for easier prey hunting or nectar collecting, corbicula and special hair intended for collecting pollen or oils, a sting used for incapacitate the host or a sting for defense. Aculeata varies to such an extent how they are specialized in food and the host. Aculeata incorporates closely specialized species together with generalized species. The known information about the specialization Aculeata on food and host is summarized in this thesis.
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Defence Expenditures in Western Countries: Panel Data Analysis
Sosnovec, Jan ; Gregor, Martin (advisor) ; Bobková, Božena (referee)
The purpose of this thesis is to examine main determinants of military expenditures of NATO members and other Western countries. These determinants are identified and their relations with military expenditures analyzed using regression analysis on an unbalanced data panel of 30 countries during the period 1969-2011. "Military burden' - share of defense expenditures on country's GDP - is used as the explained variable. Explanatory variables include main economic indicators - GDP per capita, population, economic growth, indebtedness etc. - as well as several variables related to security (e.g. the level of threat posed by the Soviet Union) or politics (ideological orientation of the government). The question of behavior within a military alliance (contribution versus free-riding) is also taken into account. The main findings are that there are significant structural differences between major military powers - the US, France and the UK - and the rest of the Western world, and similar differences appear to exist between the Cold War and the post-Cold War periods. Furthermore some evidence is provided for the commonly held belief that smaller NATO members are essentially free-riding on the protection provided by few major powers (especially the US). Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
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Evolution of molecular interaction between host and parasite
Bílková, Barbora ; Vinkler, Michal (advisor) ; Synek, Petr (referee)
Coevolution between host and parasite is a long-term object of scientific interest, mostly because of negative influence of parasites and human need to defend against it., The evidence concerning host-parasite coevolution mechanisms is, however, still incomplete and various models and theories are considered separately, out of the general concept. Beside generally well-known theories such as the "Red queen" theory or the coevolution "arms race" theory, several other models were proposed, e.g. the "gene for gene" model or the "matching allele" model, which describe detailed aspects of host-parasite coevolution and principles of genetic variability maintenance in their interaction. Although there are many studies mapping reciprocal evolution of hosts and parasites, the connection between empirical evidence and theoretical models is often missing. Therefore, this thesis covers theory on host-parasite evolutionary interactions and provides examples of host-parasite systems and molecules, which correspond to behavior of described models.
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