Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics / Deborah Canter / Junehee Kwon / Foodborne illnesses are a challenge, especially in ethnic restaurants partly because of differences in food handling practices and ethnic cultures. Chinese restaurants, representing the largest number of ethnic restaurants in the U.S., have unique food safety challenges. This study investigated variables including Chinese cultural values (CCVs) that influence U.S. Chinese restaurateurs’ behavioral intention regarding food safety training. The qualitative study, individual interviews with 20 Chinese restaurateurs, found 17 major CCVs that are important to participants. Most participants felt satisfied with previous health inspections, but several expressed difficulty with understanding health inspectors’ instructions and the reports. A limited number of participants provided food safety training mainly because it was required by law. Lack of money, time, labor, energy, and perceived needs for food safety training were major obstacles to providing food safety training in Chinese restaurants. The quantitative study assessed behavioral intention to provide food safety training and the influencing factors including CCVs using the instrument developed based on the qualitative study. Sample included 500 Chinese restaurateurs across the U.S., and 261 provided usable data. Among 17 CCVs, respondents perceived “courtesy” (6.95±0.24), “respect” (6.87±0.47), and “harmony” (6.85±0.41) as most important. The opinions of customers (5.74±1.71), family members (5.73±1.60), and business partners (5.49±1.57) were considered most important. Barriers to providing food safety training included employees’ physical exhaustion (5.89±1.58), employees’ learning capabilities (4.80±1.97), and financial resources (4.56±2.19). Of five CCV factors identified, CCVs pertaining to customer relations (β=0.133, p<.05) and interpersonal relations (β=0.320, p<.001) were significantly associated with behavioral intention to provide food safety training. Additional factors influencing food safety training intention were, personal influence (Fchange=3.98, p<.05), perceived barriers (Fchange=6.42, p<.05), and past experiences (Fchange=21.78, p<.001). Among participants, the males (t =2.97, p<.05) valued customer relations, whereas the females (t =5.52, p<.001) valued interpersonal relations. Chinese restaurateurs with bachelor’s degrees or higher (F=5.905, p<.01) had greater intentions to provide food safety training than others. Manual-based food safety training (6.17±1.23) in Chinese (6.13±1.33) was preferred by the respondents. Future research should evaluate if recommendations from this study have positive influences on food safety training at Chinese restaurants.

Τα τεχνητά νευρωνικά δίκτυα είναι μια μορφή τεχνητής νοημοσύνης, τα οποία αποτελούνται από ένα σύνολο απλών, διασυνδεδεμένων και προσαρμοστικών μονάδων, οι οποίες συνιστούν ένα παράλληλο πολύπλοκο υπολογιστικό μοντέλο. Μέχρι σήμερα έχουν εφαρμοστεί επιτυχημένα σε ένα ευρύ φάσμα περιοχών για την επίλυση προβλημάτων ταξινόμησης ή πρόβλεψης, όπως η βιολογία, η ιατρική, η γεολογία, η φυσική κ.ά. Σε αυτήν την εργασία θα ασχοληθούμε με την εκπαίδευση τεχνητών νευρωνικών δικτύων ανά πρότυπο εισόδου. Αυτή η προσέγγιση θεωρείται κατεξοχήν κατάλληλη για περιπτώσεις όπου η εκπαίδευση διαθέτει σημαντικό χρόνο και απαιτεί μεγάλο αποθηκευτικό χώρο, όπως συμβαίνει συχνά όταν έχουμε μεγάλα σύνολα προτύπων ή/και δίκτυα. Μέχρι σήμερα έχουν προταθεί πολλοί αλγόριθμοι εκπαίδευσης νευρωνικών δικτύων, καλύπτοντας ο ένας τα κενά του άλλου, σχεδιασμένοι ώστε να επιλύουν τα προβλήματα που παλιότερα ήταν δύσκολο να επιλυθούν. Στόχος της εργασίας είναι η εκτενής ανάλυση και αξιολόγηση των αλγορίθμων εκπαίδευσης καθώς και η ικανότητα γενίκευσης των εκπαιδευόμενων δικτύων σε μια ποικιλία προβλημάτων από τους τομείς τις ιατρικής και της βιοπληροφορικής. Επίσης επηρεασμένοι από τη δυνατότητα για την επίτευξη καλύτερης απόδοσης θα μελετήσουμε την συμβολή των νευρωνικών δικτύων στη μηχανική μάθηση. Συγκεκριμένα θα αποτιμήσουμε τη συνεισφορά των νευρωνικών δικτύων στη δημιουργία αξιόπιστων συστημάτων αποφάσεων χρησιμοποιώντας τεχνικές συνδυασμού ταξινομητών. Τέλος, θα μελετήσουμε τις δυνατότητες συνδυασμού τους με διάφορες άλλες κατηγορίες ταξινομητών μηχανικής μάθησης για την ανάπτυξη ισχυρότερων υβριδικών συστημάτων εξαγωγής πληροφορίας. / Literature review corroborates that artificial neural networks are being successfully applied in a variety of regression and classification problems. Due of their ability to exploit the tolerance for imprecision and uncertainty in real-world problems and their robustness and parallelism, artificial neural networks have been increasingly used in many applications. It is well-known that the procedure of training a neural network is highly consistent with unconstrained optimization theory and many attempts have been made to speed up this process. In particular, various algorithms motivated from numerical optimization theory have been applied for accelerating neural network training. Moreover, commonly known heuristics approaches such as momentum or variable learning rate lead to a significant improvement. In this work we compare the performance of classical gradient descent methods and examine the effect of incorporating into them a variable learning rate and an adaptive nonmonotone strategy. We perform a large scale study on the behavior of the presented algorithms and identify their possible advantages. Additionally, we propose two modifications of two well-known second order algorithms aiming to overcome the limitations of the original methods.

This diploma thesis is entitled The education of workers in a selected organization. Its aim is to analyze the system of training, identify needs for training, propose changes and recommendations to improve the management of this area. The thesis is composed of two parts, i.e. the theoretical and the practical part. The theoretical part includes findings and information related to the matters of the system of training of employees based on available literature and internet sources both of domestic and foreign authors. The practical part is focused on analysis, description and evaluation of knowledge of the system of employees training in selected company. The practical part also includes recommended proposals to improve and streamline this area based on the previous analysis.

Training program for new financial advisors analysis of the company XY examines the whole training process in this company. The amalysis concentrates on distribution employees training. It tryes to find out the problems existing here. The analysis especially solves the evaluation of the training process. The work involves the recommendations leading to improve the training program in the future.

The aim of the thesis is to analyze and evaluate the process of education in glassworks company Kavalierglass, a.s. The theoretical part is devoted to HR strategy, corporate training and its place in company's personal activities, furthermore is described the whole process of education, starting with identification of needs and ending with evaluation. In the practical part there is analyzed the process of education in Kavalierglass, a.s. and all of the phases of the educational system implemented in company are described as well. This is based on the obtained results of interview with HR specialist of the company. Everything is accompanied by illustrative examples and information from the internal personnel information system. The conclusion of diploma thesis summarizes possible suggestions that are designed to ensure major efficiency of the current educational system in company.

The thesis is focused on corporate learning system. The aim of this thesis is evaluation of corporate learning system in the company Iveco Czech Republic, a.s., and proposing of corrective arrangements on the basis of theoretic knowledge that will lead to increase of the efficiency of education process in the company. This thesis is divided to theoretic part and practical part. Theoretic part is focused on definition of basic terms, environment, factors and relationships relating to corporate learning systems. Theoretic part solves systematic education. The practical part contains the characteristic of corporate and analysis of learning system in the company Iveco Czech Republic, a.s. This system has got 4 parts: identification of learning needs, planning of training courses, realization of training courses and evaluation. This part includes of corrective arrangements to improve of learning systems in the Iveco Czech Republic, a.s.

Thesis in the first part deals with the theoretical background for the analysis of the educational system. It describes the different phases of the educational system and possible approaches to training staff. The next part is a practical analysis of the education system of sales representatives at Top Moravia Q. This study focuses on introductory training for sales representatives and subsequent training, a personal training manager, working meeting and seminars. Through qualitative and quantitative research investigated the views of program participants on its meaning, effectiveness and contribution. The final part of the evaluation of the findings made and formulated recommendations for improving the program and the educational system as a whole. Also evaluated the overall company's approach to educational activities.

Travis, SK, Mujika, I, Zwetsloot, KA, Gentles, JA, Stone, MH, and Bazyler, CD. The effects of 3 vs. 5 days of training cessation on maximal strength. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 633-640, 2022-The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 vs. 5 days of training cessation on body composition, perceived recovery and stress state, and maximal strength. Nineteen strength-trained athletes (23.8 ± 4.1 year; 90.8 ± 20.7 kg; 174.2 ± 7.3 cm) completed a powerlifting specific 4-week training block followed by either 3 or 5 days of training cessation. During the 4-week training block, athletes were trained 3 days per week, performing 3-4 movements that included at least 2-3 competition lifts per session while performing 4-5 sets of 3-5 repetitions with intensity ranging from 75 to 100% 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Body composition, psychometric measures, upper-body maximal strength, and lower-body maximal strength were assessed before (T1) and after 4 weeks of training (T2) and at 3 or 5 days of training cessation (T3). The alpha level was set at p < 0.05. After the 4-week training block (T1 to T2), trivial significant increases in body mass (p = 0.016, Hedge's g = 0.04) and bench press 1RM (p = 0.01, g = 0.16) were observed, as well as small significant increases in back squat 1RM (p < 0.001, g = 0.23), deadlift 1RM (p = 0.003, g = 0.20), powerlifting total (p < 0.001, g = 0.21), and Wilks Score (p < 0.001, g = 0.27). There were no significant differences between groups for isometric back squat performance, psychometric measures, and body composition after training cessation (T2-T3). However, small significant decreases in isometric bench press performance were observed after 5 days (p < 0.001, g = 0.16), but not 3 days of training cessation. The results of this study suggest maximal lower-body strength can be preserved during 3 and 5 days of training cessation, but maximal upper-body strength is only preserved for 3 days after 4 weeks of strength training in athletes.

Целью исследования является повышение уровня подготовки с помощью внедрения эффективных методов обучения. Научная новизна исследования заключается в обосновании целесообразности применения эффективных методов обучения в образовательную подготовку учащихся. Практическая значимость: разработка информационной системы с применением эффективных методов обучения как средства повышения интересов учащихся. / The aim of the study is to increase the level of training through the introduction of effective teaching methods. The scientific novelty of the study is to justify the feasibility of using effective teaching methods in the educational training of students. Practical relevance: the development of an information system using effective teaching methods as a means of increasing the interests of students.

Tyrimo objektas – jėgos rodikliai įtakojantys sportinį rezultatą plaukime. Tyrimo tikslas – išanalizuoti kai kurių jėgos komponentų įtaką sportiniam rezultatui plaukime. Uždaviniai: 1. Identifikuoti plaukikų raumenų aktyvavimo ir jėgos pasireiškimo ypatybes plaukimo judesiuose. 2. Nustatyti ir palyginti skirtingo meistriškumo moterų plaukikių peties išorinio ir vidinio sukimo jėgos komponentus esant kampiniui greičiui 60 ° / s. 3. Nustatyti ir palyginti skirtingo meistriškumo vyrų plaukikų peties išorinio ir vidinio sukimo jėgos komponentus esant kampiniui greičiui 60 ° / s. 4. Išaiškinti skirtingo meistriškumo plaukikų raumenų disbalanso rodiklius. Hipotezė - didelio meistriškumo plaukikų dinaminių (jėga, galingumas) charakteristikų rezultatai yra aukštesni nei vidutinio meistriškumo plaukikų. Išvados: 1. Mokslininkai tyrinėję raumenų funkcijas plaukimo metu išskiria šias ypatybes: 1.1 Plaukiko judesių visumoje išskiriami 48 labiausiai reikšmingi raumenys, kurių tarpe pagrindinės raumenų grupės padedančios plaukikui judėti į priekį yra kaklo, rankų, liemens bei kojų raumenys, kurių funkciniam parengtumui turi būti skiriama daugiausia dėmesio. 1.2 Plaukime yra išskiriamos 4 plaukimo jėgos pasireiškimo formos: maksimalioji jėga, staigioji jėga, greitumo jėga bei ištvermės jėga. Kiekvienoje atskirai paimtoje plaukimo distancijoje šių jėgos parsireiškimo formų reikšmingumas yra savitas. 2. Didesnio meistriškumo moterų plaukikių peties išorinio ir vidinio sukimo jėgos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Research object – strength factors that have influence on the sport results in swimming. The aim of the research – to examine some of the strength components which have an influence on the results in swimming. Tasks: 1. Identify the swimmer's muscle activation and the force characteristics in the swimming movements. 2. To identify and compare the different levels of swimmers shoulder external and internal rotation force components at angular speed of 60 °/s. 3. To identify and compare the different levels of swimmers shoulder external and internal rotation force components at angular speed of 60 °/s. 4. To clarify the different levels of swimmers muscles imbalance rates. Hypothesis – Higher skill swimmers dynamic (force, power) characteristics are better than the lower - skill swimmers. Conclusions: 1. Researchers have explored muscle function at swimming movements distinguishes these features: 1.1 In swimmer’s movements there are 48 most important muscles groups, including: neck, arms, torso and leg muscles which help swimmer’s to move forward. 1.2 Swimming distinguished 4 swimming force application forms: peak strength, explosive power, speed and strength endurance strength. Those forces have different impact on every different swimming distance. 2. Higher level women swimmers shoulder external and internal rotation strength ratios are better than lower-skill swimmers. 3. Higher level men swimmers shoulder external and internal rotation strength ratios are better than... [to full text]