Buildings which have high levels of sound pollution and facades that do not isolate outside noise are often found in large cities. This situation affects people s sound comfort and health. In connection with that, there is the high cost of materials which offer good sound reduction indices. This way, it is necessary to investigate alternative materials at lower costs, such as the blackout curtains. Taking these factors into consideration, the aim of this study is to examine the increase of sound isolation index (Rw) in relation to outside noise, through the use of vynil and polyester curtains in windows. The tests were carried out at the Acoustic Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria. The results of the tests have shown the performance of various curtains arrangements, resulting in a 2 to 5 dB increase in the sound isolation index. Duplicating curtains enabled an increase of about 1 dB in relation to simple curtains. There was no increase in the sound isolation index when overlapping the curtains. Putting up glass wool panels of different thickness has not influenced in the facade sound isolation. With this study, it has been possible to quantify the improvement of facades sound isolation by putting up blackout curtains currently in the market. / Nas grandes cidades, encontram-se freqüentemente edifícios submetidos a elevados níveis de poluição sonora, cujas fachadas não isolam adequadamente o ruído externo, situação esta que traz conseqüências para o conforto sonoro e para a saúde dos indivíduos. Associado a isto, está o alto custo dos materiais que apresentam bons índices de redução sonora, havendo a necessidade de se estudarem materiais alternativos, com custos menos elevados, como é o caso das cortinas black-out. Levando-se em conta estes fatores, o objetivo deste trabalho é averiguar o acréscimo no índice de isolamento sonoro a ruídos externos, gerado pela colocação de cortinas de vinil e de poliéster, sobrepostas a um elemento de fachada. Os ensaios foram realizados no laboratório do Setor de Acústica da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. A partir dos resultados dos ensaios verificou-se o desempenho de várias composições de cortinas, obtendo-se um aumento de 2 à 5 dB no índice de isolamento sonoro. A duplicação das cortinas possibilitou um aumento em torno de 1 dB, em relação às cortinas simples. Não houve alteração no índice de isolamento sonoro com o transpasse das cortinas. A colocação de painéis de lã de vidro de diferentes espessuras pouco influenciou no isolamento sonoro da fachada. A partir deste trabalho, pôde-se quantificar qual a melhoria no isolamento sonoro das fachadas propiciada pela colocação de cortinas black-out à disposição no mercado.

The aim of master thesis is to analyze the impact of electricity generation from wind on investment activities of CEPS's company, and also to assess the impact of these investments on the Czech economy. The work familiarizes readers with reasons for the development of the transmission system in the Czech Republic, with the concept of blackout and also with apparatus of assessing the impact of investment on the economy of the selected state -- input-output model analysis. The method used to obtain data for this work is based on the literature review, as well as expert advice on the input-output model, consultation with the experts in CEPS and the data provided by them. The theoretical part deals with Czech transmission system, and it is followed by the development of wind energy construction and the problems associated with it, with blackout and readiness of the Czech Republic to the possible failure in electricity supply. In the practical part, there are measures that are built in order to prevent the risk of blackouts in the Czech Republic, there is a more detailed examination of the Plan of development and rehabilitation of Czech transmission system, and there is also described the process of construction of analytical input-output apparatus for analyzing the impact of CEPS's development investments on the Czech economy, approximated by GDP.

The entire diploma thesis analyses causes, consequences and repercussions of an electricity grid network blackout and its impact to the respective consumers. Remarkable blackouts recorded since 1965 are briefly described and basic available information is considered. The grid standard fixing measures and electricity delivery priorities are characterized. The thesis also pays attention to entire Czech Republic grid availability and its blackout endurance as well as to its robustness within last several years. Indirect Fukushima event influence to the Czech Republic electricity system is mentioned. The main part of the thesis comprises of four big European grid blackouts causes and consequences, their comparison to each other and to the Dukovany nuclear power plant grid blackout drill scenario. The preventive and standard corrective measures against blackouts are pointed out.

An anti-social, grieving son avoiding his 21st birthday, his overworked mother stranded on a business trip, and his commitment-phobic older sister reliving her youth, reunite during a major blackout in Puerto Rico after a devastating loss to the family.

Electrical energy plays an indispensable role in our contemporary society. However, we mostly realize its position in agriculture in a situation which often already entails irreversible consequences. Therefore, the thesis aims to assess the consequences of power blackout on agricultural farming. In connection with the selected objective, a question arises whether long-term power blackouts also constitute a serious threat to agricultural farms of South Bohemia? The theoretical part briefly describes electrical energy, its production and method of transmission. It also includes basic elements of the power system including its stability and safety. The chapter also acquaints the reader with the critical infrastructure of the Czech Republic and its legislative base. Then, it globally analyzes the term blackout.Given the topic of the thesis, it is necessary to mention the valuable work of the integrated rescue system which in addition to the basic obligations to ensure the protection of human life and property is required to provide missions to rescue animals in emergency situations. Finally, this chapter deals with the application of electrical energy in agriculture, including the characteristics of surveyed farms and a high degree of automation used in farming.The research part is based on the search of the current state of selected agricultural farms. The research was focused on the South Bohemian Region which makes no exception in relation to this issue. Used for the research was a qualitative method of data collection with the information obtained through the techniques of controlled interviews and the secondary analysis of data provided by competent employees of farms in South Bohemia. The results are then outlined in two planes. During recent years, breeding stations have been completely renovated, especially in the section of technological processes. Modern electronic devices which include e.g. automated milking, feeding, suction and washing equipment, heating of service water and heating, should ensure trouble-free operation in such farms. However, what the vast majority of farms is not adequately prepared for is to ensure their smooth operation even during a failure of the electrical system. A number of farms do not have an alternate source of electrical energy. The percentage of self-sufficient farms having on its premises a pumping station that can supply the local diesel-aggregate, is also negligible. Moreover, in case of a diesel-aggregate failure, no alternative source is available. A crucial problem arises in the category of poultry. The animals are situated in large-volume halls where all processes are controlled by fully automated control systems. An alternative source of electrical energy is a crucial element needed to ensure normal operation of the farms. Unless the established criteria are in compliance (ventilation, lighting, etc.), reaction of the animals becomes evident within tens of minutes. Any deviation results in rapid loss of animals. It is assumed that the resulting data will be used both for research purposes in the area of secondary impacts in case of electrical system failures and for objective assessment of the effectiveness in farming security within the current methods. The purpose is to educate the above entities.

Abstract Many studies explore how firm-level characteristics affect the returns that corporate insiders earn when they trade the stocks of their own firms, but little is known about the role of insiders’ personal characteristics. This dissertation contributes to the literature by expanding our understanding of how corporate insiders’ personal characteristics affect their decisions to exploit private information in insider trading. The first essay of the dissertation examines whether insiders who have shown noncompliance with the tax law are more prone to exploit their information advantage in insider trading than other insiders. Our empirical results from analyzing archival data of all insider trades in Sweden show that the noncompliant insiders use more of their information advantage to trade their insider stocks shortly before significant stock price changes than other insiders. The second essay explores why insiders engage in informed insider trading, given the surprisingly small average insider returns reported in the literature and the potential costs involved. Using archival data of corporate insiders in Sweden, we show that less wealthy insiders are more likely to time their insider selling, and sell in greater magnitudes, prior to abnormal price declines than wealthy insiders. We also find that less-wealthy insiders with lower risk-aversion as measured by their criminal behavior are particularly prone to timing their selling to avoid price declines. The third essay examines what type of insiders are willing to violate their own company’s restrictions on insider trading by trading on their private information during blackout periods when the firm prohibits trading by its insiders. Using archival data of corporate insiders in Finland, I find that less-wealthy insiders avoid economically significant insider losses by selling their insider stocks during the prohibited blackout period. These insider sales also predict negative earnings surprises. / Tiivistelmä Tämä väitöskirja laajentaa aikaisempaa tutkimuskirjallisuutta tarkastelemalla, miten yritysten sisäpiiriläisten henkilökohtaiset ominaisuudet vaikuttavat sisäpiirin kaupankäynnin tuottoihin. Väitöskirjan ensimmäisessä osatutkimuksessa tutkitaan, voidaanko sisäpiirin kaupankäynnin tuottoja selittää sisäpiiriläisten verottajalta saamien hallinnollisten sanktioiden avulla. Osatutkimuksen empiiristen tulosten mukaan verottajalta hallinnollisia sanktioita saaneet sisäpiiriläiset ansaitsevat merkittävästi suurempia sisäpiirin kaupankäynnin tuottoja kuin muut sisäpiiriläiset. Aikaisemmissa tutkimuksissa havaitut sisäpiirin kaupankäynnin tuotot vaikuttavat verrattain pieniltä, kun huomioidaan sisäpiiritiedon hyödyntämiseen liittyvä maine- ja juridinen riski. Toisessa osatutkimuksessa tutkitaan, miksi jotkut sisäpiiriläiset kuitenkin päättävät hyödyntää sisäpiiritietoaan käydessään kauppaa yhtiöidensä osakkeilla. Tulosten mukaan matalamman varallisuuden sisäpiiriläiset ajoittavat osakemyyntinsä todennäköisemmin ennen osakekurssien laskuja kuin korkeamman varallisuuden sisäpiiriläiset. Tämä tulos on erityisen vahva sellaisten matalamman varallisuuden sisäpiiriläisten joukossa, jotka ovat erityisen riskihakuisia henkilökohtaisilla rikostuomioilla mitattuna. Väitöskirjan kolmannessa osatutkimuksessa tutkitaan, millaiset sisäpiiriläiset eivät noudata yhtiöidensä asettamia rajoituksia sisäpiirin kaupankäynnille vaan hyödyntävät sisäpiiritietoaan käymällä kauppaa ns. suljetun ikkunan aikana, jolloin yhtiön asettamat rajoitukset kieltävät sisäpiirin kaupankäynnin. Tämän osatutkimuksen empiirisen tulosten mukaan matalamman varallisuuden sisäpiiriläiset ansaitsevat suljetun ikkunan aikana toteuttamillaan osakemyynneillä merkittävästi suurempia tuottoja kuin muut sisäpiiriläiset. Matalamman varallisuuden sisäpiiriläisten suljetun ikkunan aikana toteuttamat osakemyynnit myös ennustavat yrityksen julkistamaa tulevaa negatiivista tulosyllätystä.

Le réseau électrique joue un rôle important en tant qu'infrastructure majeure dans chaque pays. Toutefois, avec l'accroissement de la pression économique et environnementale, les systèmes électriques deviennent plus étendus, plus complexes et fonctionnant plus près de leur limite de stabilité. Les blackouts de réseau électrique qui se sont produits dans le monde ces dernières années sont la conséquence de cette situation. Cette thèse a pour objectif de fournir des solutions permettant de prévenir les blackouts de réseaux électriques. Une analyse des phénomènes de blackouts passés est tout d'abord proposée afin de comprendre leurs principales causes et leurs mécanismes. Sur la base de cette analyse, il est établi que les principales causes de blackouts sont directement liées aux problèmes de la stabilité, tels que la stabilité angulaire et la stabilité de tension. Afin de pouvoir prévenir les pannes du réseau causées par les problèmes de stabilité, une nouvelle approche énergétique fondée sur l'utilisation des gramiens de commandabilité et d'observabilité a été proposée. La méthode permet la meilleure sélection de contrôleurs/capteurs afin de pouvoir améliorer l'amortissement des oscillations électriques. Les résultats pourraient être appliqués à grande échelle aux systèmes électriques, afin de construire une nouvelle structure de commande robuste. Dans ce mémoire, cette approche énergétique a également été appliquée afin de maîtriser la stabilité transitoire. Il s'agit d'une méthode heuristique utilisant le gramien de commandabilité comme moyen de choisir les générateurs qui sont utilisés pour replanifier la production d'électricité afin d'améliorer la stabilité transitoire de plus en plus critique lors d'un blackout. Enfin, les principaux facteurs influençant l'écroulement de tension ont été pris en compte à long terme grâce à une approche par simulation dynamique. Une stratégie de contrôle préventif fondée sur un « power flow » optimal a été également proposée. Du point de vue de la prévention, le problème du délestage de charges en cas de sous-tension a été discuté et évalué.

The dissertation studies the nonlinear resonance problems of power systems. Generally speaking, ferroresonance has usually occurred in low-voltage distribution system, especially for potential transformers. Due to the considerable increase of power consumption, the power system is more complex than before. Besides, a number of under-ground cables are used, and transformers¡¦ loss reduce due to improvement of core iron material. These factors could probably result in ferroresnance occurring in extra-high-voltage power system. The dissertation proposed three-phase representation method to analyze unbalance and non-linear system. This method employ magnetically coupled electrical circuit techniques and the original voltage equations can be used without the need for any transformations, which improves significantly computation accuracy. Consequently, it is quite suitable for power system design and incident investigation. Since the traditional d-q-0 model is not well suited for the study of unbalanced faults and requires further transformation, the analytical solution becomes rather complicated and the solutions are still inaccurate. At last we simulated the ferroresonant overvoltages occurring at a nuclear power station in Taiwan in order to investigate the causes and afford mitigation. The simulation results were enough to prove accuracy and practicability of this method.

The title of thesis is Domino effects in critical infrastructure and sets the objective to analyse the interaction between the representatives of individual critical infrastructure sectors. In case of failure in one sector, which would cause a domino effect and subsequently limited functionality or a failure in other sectors, the consequences for the population and the entire affected area would be enormous. This reason, as well as general topicality of this problem led me to focus my thesis on the area of critical infrastructure. Probably the most feared is power failure, which currently occurs very often and sometimes affects areas larger than cities, regions, and even states. Fortunately, all infrastructure representatives are usually best prepared for this kind of failure, and therefore its start and a short-term effect have practically no significant impact on their normal functioning. But for longer exposure exact consequences cannot be estimated because it depends on specific circumstances around individual representatives. The thesis is divided into several parts. The theoretical part, which is further subdivided, includes three chapters concerning critical infrastructure. The chapter setting the fundamental terms, which are used further in the thesis, enables to understand the inclusion of critical infrastructure. The historical development of the critical infrastructure and its position from the point of view of the European Union and also of the Czech Republic is also mentioned in the theoretical part. Finally, there are itemized and characterized individual critical infrastructure sectors. Very important questions dealing witch the protection of the critical infrastructure are discussed at the end of the theoretical part. It is important components involved in it are mentioned there, as well as various procedures supporting the effectivity, according to several publications. The practical part is also divided into chapters. The first part concerns interviews with specialists representing each sector of the critical infrastructure. Each of these representatives was asked about the effect of possible failures in other sectors that may arise in these situations. The question is whether the sectors tend to be influenced and thus to cause a domino effect, which could even result in the collapse of the companies represented by them. These interviews are then written in an adapted form. To see the interview data more easily, they are processed into tables according to the individual sectors of critical infrastructure and then commented.

The diploma thesis deals with large-scale electrical power failures, in other words about blackouts. The work is then divided into two sections. The theoretical part describes the (critical) infrastructure, which is undoubtedly part of the electrical energy, further introduces the reader to the electricity system of the Czech Republic and also with blackout as such. The last chapter analyzes some important outages in the world and in total of eight blackouts and trying to point out how technical defects, control errors or extreme weather manifestation can negatively affect the lives of each of us. In the practical part are mentioned two objectives. The first, main aim of the diploma thesis is to find out and assess the level of knowledge of inhabitants about the problems of large-scale electrical power failures, with a hypothesis claims that awareness of the population in selected municipalities with extended competence does not reach 80 %. The exploration is carried out on two municipalities with extended competence Uherské Hradiště and České Budějovice. Obtained data are then evaluated by a comparative approach. Based on the results of the research, remedies are being suggested, purpose of the remedies is to improve the system of informing the population about the subject matter. This is the second objective. According to the objectives and for the needs of my thesis, I used the method of collecting data in the form of a questionnaire survey which carries elements of quantitative research. The thesis and its results can serve as a study material which could be further used for other research. Also it may be inspired by considering how to improve the awareness of the inhabitants.