本研究以2002至2013年11個球季NBA聯盟的球隊，來探討球隊內薪資不平均化程度，分別與球隊的例行賽及季後賽戰績的關聯性如何?以及球隊總薪資超越豪華稅門檻多寡，分別與例行賽及季後賽戰績的關聯性如何? 實證結果發現在控制球員人數、觀眾人數、總教練因素以及球隊過去的戰績，薪資不平均程度與例行賽勝率、晉級季後賽有著顯著的正相關，但與季後賽的戰績則沒有顯著的關聯，且將球隊以薪資不平均程度(以HHI作為衡量指標)分為高低中三個群組，在最高的群組，付出的豪華稅越多，越能幫助球隊晉級季後賽。同時根據logistic 廻歸研究結果發現HHI指標及GINI係數每增加1%，打進季後賽的機率分別會增加1.152%及1.049%的機率打進季後賽，另外就HHI就最不平均組別而言，球隊總薪資超過豪華稅門檻時，每多支付100萬美元的薪資可增加1.002%機率打入季後賽。本研究認為決定球賽的勝負，薪資策略固然重要，但只運用薪資策略本身來提升球隊例行賽勝率有限，必須考慮球隊本身特質、有效利用相關資源才能增加球隊勝率。 / This research uses NBA’s past 11 seasons (2002 to 2013 season) to explore the association with NBA team's salary structure and its performance. The research also tries to analysis the association between luxury tax and NBA team’s performance. The empirical results show that after control the number of players, audience, coach, and the last season’s winning percentage, the regular season’s performance has positive highly corrected with salary’s HHI and GINI index. However, the playoff’s performance does not associate with salary’s HHI and GINI index. The logistic regression model predicts that when a team increases 1 percent of HHI and GINI index, then the team increases 1.152% and 1.049% opportunity to make in the NBA playoff. The highest HHI group’s logistic model predicts that when a team increases 100 million salaries over luxury tax cap, the team can increase 1.002% opportunity to make in the NBA playoff. We believe that although the strategy of NBA’s salary is important, however, the salary strategy itself is not enough to dramatic increase team’s performance. In order to improve the performance of a team, the characteristic of a team, the coach, audience and the team winning history maybe play the more important role in increasing winning percentage.

Background: Genome-wide association studies have identified variants within the FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) locus as the strongest predictors of obesity amongst all obesity-associated gene loci. Recent evidence suggests that variants in FTO directly affect human adipocyte function through targeting IRX3 and IRX5 and thermogenesis regulation. Aim: We addressed the relevance of this proposed FTO-IRX pathway in adipose tissue (AT) of children. Results: Expression of IRX3 was higher in adipocytes compared to SVF. We found increased adipocyte-specific expression of IRX3 and IRX5 with the presence of the FTO risk haplotype in lean children, whereas it was unaffected by risk variants in obese peers. We further show that IRX3 expression was elevated in isolated adipocytes and AT of lean compared to obese children, particularly in UCP1-negative adipocytes, and inversely correlated with BMI SDS. Independent of BMI, IRX3 expression in adipocytes was significantly related to adipocyte hypertrophy, and subsequent associations with AT inflammation and HOMA-IR in the children. Conclusion: One interpretation of our observation of FTO risk variants linked to IRX3 expression and adipocyte size restricted to lean children, along with the decreased IRX3 expression in obese compared to lean peers, may reflect a defense mechanism for protecting body-weight, which is pertinent for lean children.

The purpose of this study has been to examine how mature eight Swedish companies are in regards of IT- and agile maturity. Furthermore, how they can improve upon their IT- and agile maturity. The research objects of this study has been eight different organizations who all hired the same IT-consultancy. Information has been gathered through semi-structured interviews with respondents from each organization. The interviews were built upon a theoretical framework consisting of Ragowsky et al. (2012) IT-maturity model and Sidky et al. (2007) Agile Measurement Index (SAMI). We have attempted to combine the models into a matrix model that takes both types of maturity into account. The results have shown a greater level of IT-maturity than expected. Agile maturity on the other hand have been a contributing factor to failures in some of the projects. Although we have found that being mature in only one of the factors has been unusual. In conclusion, the organizations in our sample have shown high IT-maturity so the next challenge for Swedish organizations seems to be to acquire greater agile maturity.

In mountain lakes, which were affected by acidification in the past or in the present, invertebrate species have become top predators and they influence the whole community. This thesis deals with foraging strategies of three of these predators, Cyclops abyssorum and Heterocope saliens (Crustacea: Copepoda) and Glaenocorisa propinqua (Insecta: Heteroptera) in the model localities Černé lake, Plešné lake and Prášilské lake. The main aim was the determination of food composition and food preferences of these predators. The quality and quantity of consumed food I investigated with a microscope using a method which has not been published yet. To make a microscope preparation I used Potassium hydroxide or Lactic acid in order to dissolve soft organic matter, so that the chitinous particles were well visible. The found food of animal origin was subsequently compared with the prey availability with the use of Jacobs' index. In addition to this research, a feeding experiment with G. propinqua was carried out. The food of all the invertebrate predators was dependent on food availability or eventually on the season of the year. G. propinqua mostly preferred as a prey members of Daphniidae family and then the species Polyphemus pediculus (Cladocera), if they were available (Prášilské lake). In Plešné lake,...

Plants of the genus Bergenia are part of remedies used in Ayurveda medicine. They also play an important part in traditional healing practice in China, India, Mongolia and Russia. Theoretical part of this thesis sums the newest findings and research results concerning three Bergenia species: Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb., Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch a Bergenia ornata Stein. The thesis mainly focuses on their current and potential use in medicine and pharmacy. Bergenia extract is traditionally used for dissolving kidney stones, treating respiratory tract illnesses and to stop bleeding. The most important active substances of these plants, their characteristics and main effects are also noted. Bergenia is an important source of arbutin and bergenin. Bergenin has antitussive, antiflogistic and gastroprotective effects. Arbutin is used to treat urinary tract diseases and in cosmetology to lighten the skin. The experimental part of this thesis includes methods of preparation of permanent microscope slides from leaves of chosen Bergenia species. Photographs have been taken from both permanent and native slides. Anatomy of the leaf and leaf epidermis is described including stomatal index. Presence of calcium oxalate crystals in form of druses is also documented. Basic anatomical features were...

This study constructs a financial stress index with a specific focus on the case of the Czech Republic. The advantage of the index is primarily its ability to measure the current level of stress in the financial system incorporating information from various sectors of the economy and expressing it in a single-value statistic. Our index successfully recorded and evaluated critical periods of elevated financial stress especially during the recent financial crisis. Furthermore, we examine a systematic interaction between financial stress and the macroeconomics using vector autoregression analysis along with method of impulse responses. Based on our results we observe a significant and positive response of unemployment due to the shock in financial stress. Conversely, a negative effect was examined on inflation and interest rates. JEL Classification G17, G32 Keywords financial stress index, vector autoregression, impulse responses

Title: The effect of analytic and synthetic methods in patients with muscular dystrophy Objectives: Two main objectives are set in my thesis. The first objective is to summarize the theoretical knowledge concerning problems of muscular dystrophy, its classification, hereditary predispositions, diagnostic procedures, subsequent care and to present international grant projects, and the muscular dystrophy world organization and registry. The second objective is to assess the effect of the six months lasting physiotherapeutic intervention on the self-sufficiency and self-reliance of given probands - the individuals suffering from the muscular dystrophy at the age from 40 to 66 years, and to assess the extent of muscular shortening according to Janda in the experimental group Methods: This thesis is of an exploratory nature. It is an experimental study focused on the assessment of the effect of the physiotherapeutic intervention in the individuals suffering from the muscular dystrophy. To assess the extent of the improvement I used the information collected during the kinesiologic analyses (entry, final, follow up) that included goniometric assessment according to Janda, the examination of shortened muscles according to Janda, the examination of joint play according to Lewit and Rychlíková, the examination of...

The aim of this thesis is to examine how wealth inequality alters when macroeconomic factors such as housing price index, inflation rate, and minimum wage change. In the theoretical part, the potential connection between some macroeconomic factors and wealth inequality is described through the link of the Lorenz Curve and Pareto distribution. In the empirical part, we analyze the development of wealth inequality in 21 countries from the European Union from 2004 to 2015. The study presents significant evidence that the housing price index is negatively correlated with wealth inequality while similar conclusions cannot be made regarding inflation rate and minimum wage. In this paper, the Gini index is used as a proxy for wealth inequality.

O índice de Conley é uma ferramenta utilizada no estudo de sistemas dinâmicos. Em particular, as decomposições de Morse combinadas com uma apropriada versão do índice de Conley e uma correspondente equação de Morse freqüentemente nos permitem obter resultados de multiplicidade de soluções. Neste trabalho, apresentamos a teoria do índice de Conley e a equação de Morse associada a uma decomposição de Morse e aplicamos os resultados em equações diferenciais ordinárias / The Conley index is a well known tool used in the analysis of dynamical systems. In particular, Morse decompositions combined with an appropriate version of the Conley index and a corresponding Morse equation, often allow us to obtain multiplicity results for solutions. In this work we introduce the Conley index theory and the Morse equation relative to a Morse decomposition and apply the results to ordinary differential equations

by Ng Kit Yin Kitty, Yu Koon Ying Harry. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-75). / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.i / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.v / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vi / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.3 / The Black-Scholes Model --- p.3 / Option Pricing --- p.4 / Price of the underlying asset --- p.4 / Volatility of the underlying asset --- p.5 / Time to expiration --- p.5 / The risk-free interest rate --- p.5 / Users of Options --- p.6 / Chapter III. --- HANG SENG INDEX OPTIONS --- p.8 / The Hang Seng Index (HSI) --- p.8 / Mechanics of Trading in HSI Options --- p.9 / Features of HSI Options --- p.10 / European Style --- p.11 / Cash Settlement on Exercise --- p.12 / Risk of Trading Options --- p.13 / Similarities and Differences Between HSI Options on the Futures Contracts and HSI Futures --- p.13 / Chapter IV. --- OPTIONS TRADING STRATEGIES --- p.15 / Rising Market Strategies --- p.15 / Declining Market Strategies --- p.17 / Volatile and Stable Market Strategies --- p.18 / Butterfly Spread --- p.20 / Calendar Spread --- p.20 / Chapter V. --- EX-POST STUDIES OF OPTION TRADING STRATEGIES --- p.23 / Methodology --- p.24 / Data Requirement --- p.25 / Assumptions --- p.25 / Empirical Results --- p.26 / Analysis of the First Scenario - Bullish Anticipation on the HSI Market --- p.32 / Ranking of Profits --- p.32 / Mechanics of the Bull Spread --- p.32 / Mechanics of the Calendar Call Spread --- p.32 / Analysis of the Second Scenario - Bearish Anticipation on the HSI Market --- p.39 / Ranking of Profits --- p.39 / Mechanics of the Calendar Put Spread --- p.40 / Analysis of the Third Scenario - Volatile Aniticipation on the HSI Market --- p.43 / Analysis of the Fourth Scenario - Stable Anticipation on the HSI Market --- p.47 / Summary of Our Analysis --- p.47 / Limitations --- p.48 / Recommendations --- p.49 / Chapter VI. --- REVIEW ON HANG SENG INDEX OPTIONS: THE 1993 EXPERIENCE --- p.50 / Relationship Between HSI Futures and HSI Options --- p.50 / Trading Volume --- p.51 / Open Positions --- p.51 / Volatility --- p.52 / Chapter VII. --- PROSPECTS FOR OPTIONS IN HONG KONG --- p.54 / Chapter VIII. --- CONCLUSION --- p.56 / APPENDIX --- p.57 / REFERENCES --- p.72