This diploma thesis examines English have-presentative sentences and their Czech translational counterparts. Have-presentative sentences have a similar function to there- existentials, i.e. they introduce a new element on the scene. From the FSP point of view, the subject is context-dependent in these sentences and serves thus as a rheme, e.g. We have a long trip ahead of us (Ebeling 2000: 1) or The tree has a nest in it (Ebeling 2000: 228). The possessive meaning of have is weakened in these sentences and could be thus described as existential, which is possible to attest by the means of alternative there-construction (There's a long trip ahead of us.; There's a nest in the tree.). The theoretical part summarizes the treatment of have in various grammar books, its semantics and diverse functions. Furthermore, it briefly discusses the theory of functional sentence perspective (FSP) as defined by Firbas (1992) and explore different presentative constructions with emphasis on have- and there-presentatives. Finally, it describes the Czech verb mít - its semantics and function, and explores FSP with regard to Czech. The aim of the analysis was to gather 200 examples of have-presentatives extracted from the Czech-English parallel corpus InterCorp v10, examine its Czech translational counterparts and...

In this thesis, we propose architecture for a SaaS model in Cloud that would provide service to the financial investors who are not familiar with various mathematical models. Such finance models are used to evaluate financial instruments, for example, to price a derivative that is currently being traded before entering into a contact. An investor may approach CSP to price a particular derivative and specify the time, budget and accuracy constraints. Based on these constraints specified by investors, the service provider will compute the option value using our proposed FSM. To evaluate our proposed model, we compared pricing results with the classical model that provides a closed-form solution for option pricing to meet the accuracy constraints. After establishing the accuracy of our pricing results, we further ensured that the SLA between the FSP and the investors is honoured by meeting the constraints put forth by the investor who uses the Cloud service.

In this thesis, we propose architecture for a SaaS model in Cloud that would provide service to the financial investors who are not familiar with various mathematical models. Such finance models are used to evaluate financial instruments, for example, to price a derivative that is currently being traded before entering into a contact. An investor may approach CSP to price a particular derivative and specify the time, budget and accuracy constraints. Based on these constraints specified by investors, the service provider will compute the option value using our proposed FSM. To evaluate our proposed model, we compared pricing results with the classical model that provides a closed-form solution for option pricing to meet the accuracy constraints. After establishing the accuracy of our pricing results, we further ensured that the SLA between the FSP and the investors is honoured by meeting the constraints put forth by the investor who uses the Cloud service.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / The South African government is promoting Small, Micro- and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMMEs) as a key strategy for job creation, economic growth for poverty alleviation and a reduction in inequalities. The sustainable development of small businesses is therefore seen as the antidote for high levels of unemployment and poverty alleviation. Academics and policy makers agree that entrepreneurs, and the new businesses they establish, play a critical role in the development and well-being of their societies. If South Africa is to overcome its pressing challenges of unemployment and poverty, it urgently needs to become a more entrepreneurial society. The Field Study Programme (FSP) initiated by the Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA) in South Africa, and the Northeastern University (NU) in Boston, United States of America, aims to guide and support small business owners. The goal of the FSP was, therefore, to support small business owners to improve their understanding of managing their small business and their competency in finding innovative solutions to their current market challenges. Since the inception of the FSP at TSiBA in 2008, very little research has been undertaken to understand the value and benefits of the FSP from the perspective of community small business owners over the past seven (7) years. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of small business owners and the value of the FSP towards their small business venture to assist business schools and higher education institutions to execute FSP’s with greater success and impact. In terms of the FSP, local and international business students acted as ‘consultants’ applying their respective academic knowledge and skills to assist small business owners to adapt their business model to sustain their livelihoods. The major purpose of the FSP was for students to consult with participants regarding their needs or challenges and to transform their needs and challenges through practical intervention towards meaningful and sustainable solutions which are mutually beneficial for all parties involved. The FSP attempted to demonstrate how a joint service-learning and social entrepreneurship approach could contribute to improving the human capital of small business owners. The study applied a qualitative research approach to explore the experiences and perceptions of small business owners who participated in the FSP. Purposive sampling was used to acquire information from small business owners. In this study twenty (20), participants were chosen on the basis that they had run their own small businesses at the time of being selected for the FSP for more than 6-12 months. The FSP was conducted over a seven-month period from February 2014 to August 2014. The qualitative research instruments for this study were pre- and post-interviews with individuals and focus-group discussions. Tape recorded data was transcribed verbatim for each pre-and post-interview with individuals and focus group discussions. The researcher analysed the transcripts using thematic analysis. The study highlighted the following findings: A majority of participants reported a positive experience and satisfaction with their participation in the FSP. Most of the participants felt that the solutions presented had contributed to addressing their challenges and influenced the ongoing operations of their small business venture. It was perceived that a combined service-learning and social entrepreneurship approach to FSP could improve community outreach programs. Despite the positive feedback, more must be done to incorporate black small-businesses into the main economy. A further recommendation is that a more integrated approach is needed between small business owners and students to join forces and provide solutions and relevant skills-training once the FSP has been completed.

Friction Stir Processing (FSP) has the potential for locally enhancing the properties of Al-Si alloy castings, for demanding applications within the automotive industry. In this thesis, the effect of FSP has been examined on three different cast Al-Si alloys:i) A Hypoeutectic Al-8.9wt%Si Alloyii) A Hypereutectic Al-12.1wt%Si Alloyiii) A Hypereutectic Al-12.1wt%Si-2.4wt%Ni AlloyThe influence of different processing parameters has been investigated at a fundamental level. Image analysis of particle size distributions and growth method of tessellation were used to quantify the level of particle refinement and the homogeneity of the second phase spatial distribution. Stop-action experiments were also carried out, to allow the microstructural changes around the tool during FSP to be studied. Two computer models have been explored, in order to predict the temperature distribution and the material flow behaviour. Furthermore, the stability of the microstructure of the friction stir processed material was studied after being heat treated at elevated temperatures. The changes in particle size and grain structure were examined, hardness measurements were taken across the PZ, and tensile testing were carried out at room and elevated temperatures.After FSP, the microstructure of the cast Al-Si alloys was greatly refined. However, differences in microstructure have been observed throughout the PZ, which tended to be better refined and distributed on the advancing side, than the retreating side of the PZ. Changing the processing parameters also influenced the size and spatial distribution of the second phase particles. By studying the changes in microstructure around the tool from the stop-action experiments, and comparing the results to the thermal distribution and material flow behaviour predicted by the computer models, it has been shown that the flow stress, pitch, and temperature of processing, all needed to be considered, when determining the effects that FSP have on the microstructure. FSP caused very little changes to the hardness of the material, while tensile properties were greatly improved, due to the elimination of porosity and refinement of large flawed particles. In terms of the stability of the microstructure after FSP, particle coarsening and abnormal grain growth has been observed during high temperatures heat treatment. Furthermore, the Al2Cu phase was found to dissolve into solid solution at elevated temperatures, so GPZs and solute clustering can then develop within the alloy during natural ageing.

Terminal ballistics study multivariate behavior and aftermath of projectile and target interactions. Tests and models are often based on monolithic armors, however, layered and spaced armors are common in real world applications. Such configurations add complexities that require research to understand their effects on terminal ballistics. The ballistic limit velocity (V50) represents the speed where armor perforation probability is 50%. It is used for quantitative comparison of protection capabilities for different armors. This research studied the V50 of spaced and layered A36 steel armors against fragment simulating projectiles (FSPs). Four methods for estimating armor V50 were evaluated and compared to experimental data. The first two methods were analytical methods from literature, the third was finite element (FE) simulations in EPIC, and the fourth was a Monte Carlo method developed in this research. The Monte Carlo method using 100,000 iterations was the most accurate and efficient of all methods.

The caseloads of food stamp program and welfare program experienced sharp drops among non-metropolitan single female-headed families with children (SFHFwC) after welfare reform in 1996. There is concern that leaving welfare program has led to nonparticipation in food stamp program due to multiple reasons. This study conducts an empirical analysis of non-metropolitan SFHFwC's participation in food stamp program and welfare program, using the 1993 and 1999 CPS data. Results from using reduced-form probit model, bivariate probit model and structural probit model are compared. The reduced-form probit model considers participation in both programs as functions of all exogenous variables. The bivariate probit model allows correlation between the participation in the two programs. The structural probit model considers participation in welfare as an endogenous variable of FSP participation. Empirical analysis is also conducted through the comparison across years and between southern and the remaining U.S. states. We found that welfare participation has a significant and positive impact on FSP participation. Households leaving welfare are more likely not to participate in FSP. Further, welfare participation is more important in determining FSP participation in 1999 than in 1993. Residence in South has a significant and negative impact in welfare participation in 1999, but has no significant impact on FSP participation in either year. Incomes and number of young children are the other major determinants of participation in both programs. Policy suggestions include improving economic situation to reduce FSP caseloads on one side, and providing more information about FSP eligibility to welfare leavers to ensure their food safety on the other side. / Master of Science

In communication, a language user is naturally disposed to proceed from what is known to, or shared by, both the speaker/writer and hearer/reader and end with the information that is the most important. Such a disposition complies with the requirements of Functional Sentence Perspective (FSP), but it also makes a language user “transform” the basic word order. The present work took a functional approach to language study to explore the syntactic potential of English to produce various sentence patterns by carrying out a communicative (functional) analysis of Carson McCullers’ short stories. The analysis showed that one of the main causes of noncanonical ordering of sentence elements is thematization by means of Preposing. The preposed elements were semantically diverse, though the frequency of occurrence of different process type sentences varied. The results of the analysis led to the conclusion that syntactic movement is determined by the semantic, syntactic and contextual restrictions. Syntactically, the peripheral elements of the sentence exhibited a higher flexibility than the core sentence elements. Semantic and syntactic unity of the sentence elements were interfered when the preposed sentence elements expressed information recoverable from a very short retrievability span, which revealed the significant role of the context in syntactical movements. Preposing and the resulting sentence patterns seem to be used for particular discourse functions: to enhance the... [to full text] / Pagal sakinio aktualiosios skaidos (AS) teoriją konkrečiame kontekste vieni sakinio elementai komunikaciniu požiūriu yra svarbesni negu kiti. Kalbos vartotojas yra natūraliai linkęs sakinį pradėti nuo to, kas žinoma jam kaip kalbėtojui ar rašytojui ir jo klausytojui ar skaitytojui ir baigti sakinį informacija, kuri yra svarbiausia. Tokia nuostata verčia kalbos vartotoją transformuoti vadinamą gramatinį sakinio modelį Veiksnys+Tarinys+Papildinys. Kitaip tariant, komunikacijos procese sintaksinio lygmens uždavinys yra „rasti“ tinkamą sakinio modelį ir jį aktualizuoti. Šiame darbe yra tiriamos anglų kalbos sintaksinės galios sudaryti įvairias sintaksines struktūras, kurios geriausiai gali atspindėti sakinio turinį ir komunikacinį tikslą. Tiriamajai medžiagai pasirinkti amerikiečių rašytojos Carson McCaullers apsakymai. Tyrimas parodė, kad tiriamų sakinių žodžių tvarką dažniausiai lėmė teminami semantiniai elementai, iškeliant juos į sakinio pradžią, arba kitaip tariant, atliekant temos preposiciją (angl. Preposing). Į sakinio pradžią keliami elementai yra semantiškai skirtingi, priklausomai nuo proceso tipo. Žodžių tvarkos įvairavimą lemia semantiniai, sintaksiniai ir konteksto apribojimai. Dažniausiai į sakinio pradžią keliami pagrindiniai ir periferiniai elementai reiškė žinomą informaciją. Tiriant žodžių tvarkos įvairavimo atvejus, buvo siekiama įvertinti ir diskursinį žodžių tvarkos modelių vaidmenį. Tyrimas parodė, kad įprasta žodžių tvarka yra keičiama, siekiant ne tik... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

This diploma thesis deals with topic of cochlear implants (CI), especially with elaborating of sound signal with audio processors. In this work, principles and possibilities of rehabilitation of hearing with cochlear implants are described. In the thesis, there are principles of audio processors and modern coding strategies explained. The processes of simulation of selected strategies are stated. In the last chapter, there are the results of the simulations tested and discussed.

This thesis investigates using friction stir welding to repair common surface defects found in aluminum-silicon sand castings. Wherein, the effect of welding parameters: weld RPM, weld speed, and number of weld passes, were evaluated using hardness, porosity density, welding temperature, microstructure refinement as metrics. Therefrom, the results strongly suggest friction stir welding: reduces porosity size, reduces porosity density in a specific area, increases average hardness, improves hardness uniformity, increases surface roughness, redistributes microstructure features in a manner that theoretically improves strength, and maintains a welding temperature less than 660 degrees Celsius.