The aim of the present research is to identify human subjective response (health and comfort) to the micro-thermal environment established by integration of individually controlled localized chilled beam and chilled ceiling (LCBCC) system and to compare its performance with the performance of mixing ventilation combined with chilled ceiling (CCMV).Experiments were carried out in mock-up of an office (4.1 m × 4.0 m × 3.1 m, L× W× H) with one person under two summer temperature conditions (26 °C and 28 °C). To mimic direct solar radiation in the room, five radiative panels on the wall together with electrical sheets on the half of the floor were used. The test room was set-up with two desks, as two workstations, and one laptop on each table. The main workstation (WS1) was located close to the simulated window. The second work station (WS2) was placed in the opposite side of the room. The room was equipped with two types of ventilating and cooling systems.  The first system consisted of a localized active chilled beam (LCB) unit together with chilled ceiling (CC) panels. The LCB was installed above the WS1 to create micro-environment around the occupant sitting at the desk. The supply flow rate from the LCB could be adjusted by the occupant within the range of 10 L/s to 13 L/s by means of a desk-mounted knob. The integration of mixing ventilation (MV) system and chilled ceiling panels was the second ventilating and cooling strategy. Twenty- four subjects (12 female and 12 male) were exposed to different indoor environment established by two cooling systems. Each experiment session lasted 120 min and consisted of 30 min acclimatization period and 90 min exposure period. The performance of the systems was identified and compared by physical measurements of the generated environment and the response of the human subjects. The study showed that perceived air quality (PAQ), overall thermal sensation (OTS) acceptability and local thermal sensation (LTS) acceptability clearly improved inside the micro-environment by using LCBCC system. Moreover, at the main workstation, OTS and LTS votes were close to “neutral” thermal sensation (ASHRAE seven point scale) when LCBCC system was used. However, OTS and LTS votes increased to the “slightly warm” side of the scale by applying CCMV system which implied the better cooling performance of the LCBCC system. Acceptability of work environment apparently increased under the room condition generated by LCBCC system. In agreement with human subjective study, the results from physical measurements and thermal manikin study showed that uniform thermal condition was generated all over the room. Air and operative temperature distribution was almost uniform with no difference higher than 1 °C between the measured locations in the room. Thus, both LCBCC and CCMV systems performed equally well outside of the micro-environment region. The use of the chilled ceiling had impact on the airflow interaction in the room and changed the airflow pattern. It can be concluded that the combination of convective and radiative systems can be considered as an efficient strategy to generate acceptable thermal condition in rooms.

This master’s thesis deals with making marketing strategy for the MSC.Software Company that sells simulation software. This thesis analyzes the current marketing strategy of the company and proposes it’s more effective usage.

Tumours are not autonomous transformed cell populations, but rather a society composed of both malignant and normal, including immune, cells that together foster tumour growth and development. Tumour-associated macrophages have been reported to enhance tumour growth, progression and metastasis. In high-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, prototypically the B-cell neoplasm, Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL), infiltrating macrophages engulf large numbers of apoptotic tumour cells. Evidence suggests that apoptotic BL cells can condition the tumour microenvironment to promote lymphoma development by selectively attracting macrophages while inhibiting neutrophil infiltration and by stimulating macrophages to produce the B-cell growth and survival factor. Tumour cells grow in a hypoxic and nutrient-deficient environment and the resultant cellular stress can induce apoptosis. It is therefore possible that hostile environmental conditions in the tumour also contribute to the generation of a pro-tumour microenvironment. This thesis describes investigations which examined this hypothesis. BL cells were cultured at high density to mimic conditions of metabolic stress existing in the tumour environment. Cell-free supernatants from such stressed BL cells demonstrated potent chemoattractive activity for mononuclear phagocytes. Supernatants from BL cells that were protected from apoptosis by over-expression of bcl-2 had similar ability, confirming that chemoattractant release was apoptosis-independent. The observation that apyrase and suramin could inhibit the chemotactic activity of these supernatants suggested that nucleotides might be the apoptosis-independent chemoattractant. Detection of ATP in stress supernatants by bioluminescence assay was consistent with this proposal. Significantly, supernatants from BL cells and those transfected with bcl-2 were both found to inhibit neutrophil migration, suggesting the occurrence of a neutrophil migration inhibitory factor whose release was apoptosis-independent. Furthermore, stress supernatants could promote BL cell proliferation in vitro, which was apoptosis and cell line-independent. In order to study the role of TAM in the tumour microenvironment, a novel macrophage model was devised using mouse embryonic stem cells (ES cells). Cells derived from ES cells generated in vitro expressed macrophage-specific markers and were free of dendritic cells and undifferentiated ES cells. ES cell-derived macrophages (ESDM) could migrate towards apoptotic BL cells and engulf them. However, ESDM migrated to stress supernatants with decreasing efficiency as they matured. Preliminary data indicated that the phagocytic ability of ESDM to engulf apoptotic cells increased as they matured, consistent with distinct roles for circulating monocytes and tissue macrophages with regard to this function. Considering the high yields and purities of ESDM described here, together with their non-malignant nature and genetic versatility these cells should provide a superior source of undifferentiated mononuclear phagocytes with which to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying tumour infiltration and microenvironmental conditioning by TAM. In conclusion, this work suggests that under conditions of pre-apoptotic stress, BL cells have the capacity to regulate their micro-environment upstream of their apoptosis programme to promote net tumour growth through paracrine signals that attract supportive macrophages and inhibit destructive neutrophils and through release of autocrine/juxtacrine tumour growth factors.

This diploma thesis is tasked to evaluate the company Kordárna Inc. with the view of its sale within the frame of reorganization as a nonliquidating solution to its insolvency. The evaluation of the company Kordárna Inc. is performed to the date of January 1st, 2009. By then the company, due to many unfavorable conditions, falls into existential problems that have to be immediately solved. The reorganization plan is allowed and processed within the framework of higher creditors' satisfaction. An integral part of this plan is also the desirable evaluation of the company Kordárna Inc. with the view of its sale to a new investor. Within these issues, both the detailed external and internal analysis of the company and the financial analysis of the 5 preceding fiscal periods are processed (years 2004-2008). Consequently, based on many assumptions, the financial plan for the 4 following fiscal periods (2009-2012) is conducted, and the evaluation of the company Kordárna using 4 evaluation methods -- FCFF, FCFE, EVA and Liquidation value methods -- is processed.

O desenvolvimento do câncer cervical está associado à infecção por alguns tipos de Papilomavírus Humano (HPV). Entre os mecanismos de carcinogênese associados ao HPV incluem-se alterações em moléculas que modulam a manutenção de componentes da matriz extracelular (MEC), como as metaloproteinases de matriz (MMP) e alguns de seus reguladores. A proteína RECK (reversion inducing cysteine rich protein with kazal motifs) apresenta função essencial na remodelação tecidual e na angiogênese fisiológica ou tumoral, através da regulação pós-transcricional da atividade de MMP-2, MMP-9 e MMP-14 (MT1-MMP). Resultados publicados previamente por nosso grupo apontam para a correlação entre a expressão da oncoproteína E7 de HPV16, a alta expressão e atividade de MMP-9 e a baixa expressão de seus reguladores, TIMP-2 e RECK. A expressão de RECK também é baixa em lesões do colo uterino de alto grau e em amostras de câncer cervical, quando comparadas a amostras de pacientes com cervicite. O presente estudo visa determinar o papel de RECK no processo de tumorigênese mediado por HPV. Para isto, estabelecemos linhagens derivadas de tumor de colo de útero (SiHa, SW756 e C33A) que superexpressam RECK a partir de transdução com lentivírus. Os efeitos da superexpressão de RECK sobre o potencial tumorigênico de SiHa, SW756 e C33A foram avaliados em modelos de estudo in vivo e in vitro. De maneira geral, a superexpressão de RECK foi associada com a capacidade reduzida de invasão em câmara de Matrigel® e de formação de colônia independente de ancoragem. Ainda, camundongos nude inoculados s.c. com células tumorais superexpressando RECK apresentaram atraso no estabelecimento e crescimento tumoral e sobrevida global estendida quando comparados aos controles. Ambos tumores derivados de SiHa RECK e SW756 RECK apresentaram redução na frequência de células tumorais e endoteliais, ao passo que mostrarm aumento no infiltrado inflamatório. Esta observação foi acompanhada de redução na população de neutrófilos e potenciais células mieloderivadas supressoras em tumores de ambas as linhagens. Em tempo, analisamos séries de dados de expressão de CIN e carcinomas cervicais do banco de dados GEO e verificamos que a hipermetilação do gene RECK e a inibição da expressão de mRNA de RECK são eventos precoces no desenvolvimento do câncer de colo de útero. Avaliamos que a baixa expressão de RECK foi associada a progressão de lesões CIN3+ e ao aumento de metástases em linfonodo pélvico em pacientes com câncer de colo de útero. Ademais, notamos que o tratamento com quimio radioterapia levou ao aumento dos níveis de mRNA de RECK em um outro grupo de pacientes com câncer de colo de útero. Concluímos que a superexpressão de RECK (i) reduz o potencial tumorigênico de linhagens celulares derivadas de colo de útero independente do status de infecção por HPV e que (ii) o seu efeito sobre as populações intratumorais se mostrou específico para as linhagens infectadas por HPV. Estes resultados apontam para uma possível interação entre as alterações no microambiente tumoral associadas ao HPV e a função de RECK. Finalmente, a regulação negativa da expressão de RECK é um evento precoce na história natural do câncer cervical. / Persistent infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types is the main etiologic factor for the development of cervical cancer. The HPV carcinogenic mechanisms include alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) components, as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and its regulators. The Reversion-inducing Cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) plays a central role on tissue remodeling, tumor angiogenesis and exert inhibitory effects on the transcription, synthesis, activation and activity of MMP-2, MMP-9 e MMP-14 (MT1-MMP). As previously published by our group, it has been observed a correlation between the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein expression, the up-regulation of MMP-9 and the down-regulation of its inhibitors, RECK and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2). Also, RECK expression was downregulated in cervical intraepithelial neoplasias grades 2 and 3 (CIN2/3) and invasive carcinoma samples levels when compared with clinical samples of pacients diagnosed with cervicitis. The present study aims to determine the role of RECK in HPV mediated tumorigenesis. In order to do so, we generated cervical tumors derived cell lines (SiHa, SW756 e C33A) superexpressing RECK by lentiviral transduction followed by FACS. We assessed the effects of RECK superexpression in the tumorigenic potential of SiHa, SW756 e C33A using both in vitro and in vivo protocols. Overall, RECK superexpression is associated with reduced chamber invasion and reduced anchorage independent colony formation. Moreover, nude mice injected s.c. with RECK superexpressing tumor cells presented (i) delayed tumor establishment and (ii) increased overall survival, when compared with controls. Both SiHa and SW756 superexpressing RECK presented decreased frequency of tumor and endothelial cells, whilst showed increase in inflammatory infiltrate population. This observation was followed by a decrease in potential myeloid derived suppressor cell and neutrophil populations in both SiHa RECK and SW756 RECK tumors. Additionally, we observed hipermethylation and premature and consistent downregulation of RECK mRNA expression in CIN and cervical cancer expression datasets from GEO database. We observed that reduced RECK expression was associated with CIN3+ progression and increased pelvic lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer patients. Furthermore, we found that chemo radiotherapy treatment led to increased levels of mRNA in another set of cervical cancer patients. We conclude that RECK superexpression reduces the tumorigenic potential of cervical cancer derived cell lines regardless of HPV infection status. However, we found that the effect of RECK over the intratumoral cells populations is specific to HPV infected tumor cell lines. These results points to a possible interaction between HPV associated tumor microenvironment alterations and RECK. Finally, RECK downregulation is an early event in the natural history of cervical cancer.

The aim of this diploma thesis was to analyse market opportunities of a given company. To reach this aim, I made own evaluation of the macro environment using STEP analysis, using Porter{\crq}s model I analysed the micro environment, and for the company assessment financial analysis and marketing mix were used. I have made a summary of all my findings and created SWOT analysis, in which I identified strenghts and weaknesses of the company, as well as its opportunities and threats.

This diploma thesis deals with the strategic analysis of Skoda Auto a. s. and its current strategy. Also, it deals with verifying of given hypotheses to effectively determine the future operational strategy. The first part is the theoretical and methodological, which explains the key concepts of strategic analysis of a company. It's followed by the practical part, which translates the theory of strategic analysis into the practice, analyzes modern trends and via the synthesis method it achieves the objective of this thesis: to specify strategic recommendations for Skoda Auto and to verify the hypotheses specified in the beginning.

No description available.

Les adultes conspécifiques (ou évolutivement proches) réduisent le recrutement des graines/plantules à leur proximité, à cause d’une forte pression de prédation par des ennemis spécialistes ou peu mobiles (Hypothèse de Janzen-Connell). Cependant, l’importance de l’effet Janzen-Connell reste controversé, suggérant que les interactions entre adultes et plantules ne se restreignent pas aux adultes conspécifiques proches, ni aux ennemis spécialistes : les adultes hétérospécifiques, la taille des adultes et la représentation de leur lignée dans la canopée pourraient aussi contrôler le recrutement des plantules. De plus, les effets des adultes sur les graines/plantules pourraient être médiés par des ennemis généralistes et très mobiles, par des champignons mutualistes et par certaines conditions micro-environnementales. Nous avons étudié les effets des arbres adultes sur le recrutement des graines/plantules de chêne, via les ennemis mobiles, les champignons mutualistes et enfin les conditions micro-environnementales. Nos résultats démontrent que : (i) un adulte conspécifique empêche le recrutement des plantules à proximité, via une accumulation des décomposeurs spécialistes qui augmentent la qualité nutritionnelle des plantules, attirant ainsi les ennemis. De plus, un adulte de grande taille attire des herbivores mollusques ; (ii) un adulte hétérospécifique favorise le recrutement des plantules à sa proximité, en réduisant l’herbivorie et en améliorant le microenvironnement ; (iii) une canopée évolutivement proche favorise le recrutement des graines et plantules, en rassasiant les prédateurs de graines et en augmentant le soutien par les mycorhizes, respectivement. Ainsi, nos résultats permettent d’identifier les structures forestières optimales pour le recrutement du chêne. De plus, nos résultats suggèrent que le recrutement maintient les chênes proches de leurs espèces apparentées et donc dans leur niche ancestrale. / Conspecific (or closely related) adults reduce seed/seedling recruitment in their proximity, due to high pressure from specialized or little mobile enemies (Janzen-Connell Hypothesis). However, the importance of the Janzen-Connell effect remains controversial, suggesting that interactions between adults and seedlings are not restricted to close conspecific adults, nor to specialized enemies: heterospecific adults, size of adults and dominance of their lineage in the canopy may also control seed/seedling recruitment. Moreover, effects of adults on seeds/seedlings may be mediated by generalist or mobile enemies, fungal mutualists, and microenvironmental conditions. We studied the effect of adult trees on recruitment of oak seeds/seedlings, via mobile enemies, fungal mutualists, and finally microenvironmental conditions. Our results demonstrated that (i) a conspecific adult impedes recruitment of proximate seedlings by accumulating specialist decomposers that favor nutritional quality of seedlings and thereby attract herbivores. Moreover, a large adult attracts mollusk herbivores; (ii) a heterospecific adult favors recruitment of proximate seedlings, by reducing herbivory and improving the micro-environment; (iii) a closely related canopy favors seeds and seedlings recruitment, by oversaturating seed predators and increasing mycorrhizal support, respectively. Hence, our results permit to identify forest structures that are optimal for oak recruitment. Moreover, our results suggest that recruitment maintain oaks close to related species, in their ancestral niche.

The manufacturing process of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) generally takes place under climate control, as the base material used for membranes is well known for its hygroscopic properties. The large climate-controlled area for the whole assembly line does not only increase energy consumption, but also limits the further scalability of the production line. Within this article, a micro-environment concept for the MEA production based on a roll-to-roll (R2R) process was investigated. By using the Finite Element Method, a 3D numerical model has been established, in which the local climate control on different MEA production processes is covered. In particular, the influence of humidity on dimensional changes of the CCM, which in turn cause product deformation, is simulated. In addition, a gravimetric method was used to experimentally investigate the moisture absorption and release behavior of the MEA components under defined climatic conditions.