This study aims to add a new dimension to research in Australia on the use of accounting ratios to predict corporate failure. Previous studies have used the statistical technique of discriminant analysis to derive models for predicting whether a firm will or will not fail. This study will use the same statistical technique but with three differences: / (a) The ratios to be used in the discriminant analysis are selected by a method which ensured that no arbitrary limit is placed on their number. / (b) Because the significance of accounting ratios can vary from industry to industry, four industries are separately analysed: manufacturing, retail, property, and finance. / (c) The statistical probabilities yielded by the analysis are used to measure a firm’s current level of insolvency risk. / The extra dimension is added by interpreting the characteristic patterns of insolvency risk which emerge: an analysis of the factors causing the differences in these patterns throws new light on the causes, symptoms, and remedies of financial distress.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Department of Physics, June 2000. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, November, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

O treinamento isocinético é uma alternativa eficaz para incrementos neuromusculares e na performance de torque muscular dos flexores e extensores do joelho. No entanto, o treinamento mais efetivo para aumentar o equilíbrio de torque muscular entre isquiotibiais e quadríceps (I/Q) ainda parece desconhecido. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos de três diferentes tipos de treinamentos isocinéticos nas razões I/Q convencional (Rcon) e funcional (Rfun). Adicionalmente, foram avaliados os efeitos desses treinamentos nas variáveis de pico de torque (PT) concêntrico e excêntrico, pico de torque isométrico (PTI) taxa de produção de torque (TPT), ativação muscular (EMG), atraso eletromecânico (AE), espessura muscular (EM) e echo-intensity (EI) dos músculos flexores e extensores do joelho, bem como no desempenho funcional através dos testes squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) e sprint 40m. Quarenta sujeitos homens destreinados (22,87 ± 2,28 anos, 70,66 ± 11,04 kg, 174,29 ± 6,9 cm) realizaram 6 semanas de treinamento para flexores e extensores do joelho em um dinamômetro isocinético Biodex. Eles foram selecionados de forma randomizada em 3 grupos de treinamento: modo concêntrico de extensão e concêntrico de flexão de joelhos (CON/CON); modo excêntrico de extensão e excêntrico de flexão de joelhos (EXC/EXC); modo concêntrico de extensão e excêntrico de flexão de joelhos (CON/EXC); e um grupo controle que não realizou nenhum treinamento (CNTRL). Todas as sessões de treinamento foram separadas por pelo menos 48h e as variáveis analisadas foram testadas em 2 dias, sendo realizadas 72h antes e depois da realização dos treinamentos. O grupo que treinou no modo EXC/EXC obteve maiores resultados na RFun, assim como aumentos significativos em PT excêntrico, PTI, CMJ e DJ comparado aos demais grupos (p<0,05), enquanto o grupo que treinou no modo CON/CON aumentou TPF em relação aos demais (p>0.05). Todos os grupos aumentaram EM do quadríceps e isquiotibiais de forma similar (p<0,05). Não houve diferença entre os grupos para PT concêntrico, EMG, AE, EI, RCon, SJ ou Sprint 40m (p>0,05). Portanto, o modo de treinamento EXC/EXC pode ser o mais efetivo para aumentar equilíbrio de torque muscular funcional I/Q. Treinamento excêntrico aumenta o torque excêntrico, influenciando nos aumentos na RFun e em saltos verticais que envolvem torque excêntrico (CMJ e DJ). O modo de treinamento CON/CON pode ser o mais efetivo em aumentos na potencia muscular. / Isokinetic dynamometers may be a viable alternative for improvements in neuromuscular and strength performance of knee flexors and extensors. However, the most advantages training protocol to elicit the greatest increases in hamstrings to quadriceps (H/Q) muscle balance is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare three different isokinetic training protocols on H/Q strength balance, calculated by conventional and functional ratios. A secondary aim was to compare the training protocols across varied quadriceps and hamstrings muscle actions on concentric and eccentric peak torque (PT), isometric peak torque (IPT), rate of torque development (RTD), muscle activation (EMG), electromechanical delay (EMD), muscle thickness (MT) and echo-intensity (EI), as well functional performance tested by squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) and 40m sprint tests. Forty untrained male subjects (22.87 ± 2.28 yrs, 70.66 ± 11.04 kg, 174.29 ± 6.9 cm) performed 6 weeks of training of their dominant and non-dominant knees on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. They were randomly assigned to 3 training groups; concentric quadriceps and concentric hamstrings (CON/CON), eccentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (ECC/ECC), concentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (CON/ECC) or no training (CNTRL). All training sessions were separated by at least 48 hours, and all variables were tested in 2 days 72h before and after training. Results revealed that the ECC/ECC group showed significant increases in functional ratio, as well as hamstrings and quadriceps eccentric PT, IPT, CMJ and DJ, compared to all other groups while the CON/CON group increased RTD (p<0.05). In addition, all training groups increased MT of quadriceps and hamstrings similarly (p<0.05). There were no differences between groups for concentric PT, EMG, ED, EI, SJ, conventional ratio or 40m sprint (p>0.05). Our findings suggest that ECC/ECC training may be the most effective at increasing functional H/Q strength ratio. Eccentric training increases eccentric strength, thereby increasing the functional H/Q strength ratio. Eccentric training also improves vertical jumps involving eccentric strength. CON/CON training may be more effective at increasing muscle power.

O treinamento isocinético é uma alternativa eficaz para incrementos neuromusculares e na performance de torque muscular dos flexores e extensores do joelho. No entanto, o treinamento mais efetivo para aumentar o equilíbrio de torque muscular entre isquiotibiais e quadríceps (I/Q) ainda parece desconhecido. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar os efeitos de três diferentes tipos de treinamentos isocinéticos nas razões I/Q convencional (Rcon) e funcional (Rfun). Adicionalmente, foram avaliados os efeitos desses treinamentos nas variáveis de pico de torque (PT) concêntrico e excêntrico, pico de torque isométrico (PTI) taxa de produção de torque (TPT), ativação muscular (EMG), atraso eletromecânico (AE), espessura muscular (EM) e echo-intensity (EI) dos músculos flexores e extensores do joelho, bem como no desempenho funcional através dos testes squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) e sprint 40m. Quarenta sujeitos homens destreinados (22,87 ± 2,28 anos, 70,66 ± 11,04 kg, 174,29 ± 6,9 cm) realizaram 6 semanas de treinamento para flexores e extensores do joelho em um dinamômetro isocinético Biodex. Eles foram selecionados de forma randomizada em 3 grupos de treinamento: modo concêntrico de extensão e concêntrico de flexão de joelhos (CON/CON); modo excêntrico de extensão e excêntrico de flexão de joelhos (EXC/EXC); modo concêntrico de extensão e excêntrico de flexão de joelhos (CON/EXC); e um grupo controle que não realizou nenhum treinamento (CNTRL). Todas as sessões de treinamento foram separadas por pelo menos 48h e as variáveis analisadas foram testadas em 2 dias, sendo realizadas 72h antes e depois da realização dos treinamentos. O grupo que treinou no modo EXC/EXC obteve maiores resultados na RFun, assim como aumentos significativos em PT excêntrico, PTI, CMJ e DJ comparado aos demais grupos (p<0,05), enquanto o grupo que treinou no modo CON/CON aumentou TPF em relação aos demais (p>0.05). Todos os grupos aumentaram EM do quadríceps e isquiotibiais de forma similar (p<0,05). Não houve diferença entre os grupos para PT concêntrico, EMG, AE, EI, RCon, SJ ou Sprint 40m (p>0,05). Portanto, o modo de treinamento EXC/EXC pode ser o mais efetivo para aumentar equilíbrio de torque muscular funcional I/Q. Treinamento excêntrico aumenta o torque excêntrico, influenciando nos aumentos na RFun e em saltos verticais que envolvem torque excêntrico (CMJ e DJ). O modo de treinamento CON/CON pode ser o mais efetivo em aumentos na potencia muscular. / Isokinetic dynamometers may be a viable alternative for improvements in neuromuscular and strength performance of knee flexors and extensors. However, the most advantages training protocol to elicit the greatest increases in hamstrings to quadriceps (H/Q) muscle balance is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare three different isokinetic training protocols on H/Q strength balance, calculated by conventional and functional ratios. A secondary aim was to compare the training protocols across varied quadriceps and hamstrings muscle actions on concentric and eccentric peak torque (PT), isometric peak torque (IPT), rate of torque development (RTD), muscle activation (EMG), electromechanical delay (EMD), muscle thickness (MT) and echo-intensity (EI), as well functional performance tested by squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) and 40m sprint tests. Forty untrained male subjects (22.87 ± 2.28 yrs, 70.66 ± 11.04 kg, 174.29 ± 6.9 cm) performed 6 weeks of training of their dominant and non-dominant knees on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. They were randomly assigned to 3 training groups; concentric quadriceps and concentric hamstrings (CON/CON), eccentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (ECC/ECC), concentric quadriceps and eccentric hamstrings (CON/ECC) or no training (CNTRL). All training sessions were separated by at least 48 hours, and all variables were tested in 2 days 72h before and after training. Results revealed that the ECC/ECC group showed significant increases in functional ratio, as well as hamstrings and quadriceps eccentric PT, IPT, CMJ and DJ, compared to all other groups while the CON/CON group increased RTD (p<0.05). In addition, all training groups increased MT of quadriceps and hamstrings similarly (p<0.05). There were no differences between groups for concentric PT, EMG, ED, EI, SJ, conventional ratio or 40m sprint (p>0.05). Our findings suggest that ECC/ECC training may be the most effective at increasing functional H/Q strength ratio. Eccentric training increases eccentric strength, thereby increasing the functional H/Q strength ratio. Eccentric training also improves vertical jumps involving eccentric strength. CON/CON training may be more effective at increasing muscle power.

Nitrogen is the only plant nutrient taken up as both a cation (NH4+) and anion (N03-). Nitrate is considered the "safe" form of N and NH4+ is generally thought to be toxic, especially at high levels. High NH4+/N03- ratios are thought to be toxic because they result in a rhizosphere pH low enough to damage root membranes, induced cation deficiencies, and build-up of NH3 caused by delayed NH4+ assimilation. These factors can be minimized in hydroponic culture. The objective of these studies was to quantify lll the effects of high NH4+/N03- ratios on nitrification and growth of wheat in hydroponics. Two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown to maturity with either 15% or 80% of the N supplied as NH4+. The effect of using Cl- versus SO42- as counter ions to NH4+ was also examined. Yield was not significantly affected by NH4+ ratio or counter ion. Seed protein was increased from 15 to 19% with high NH4+. Harvest index was reduced from 52 to 48% with 80% NH4+, but was unaffected by counter ion. Rates of nitrification in hydroponic culture are not well quantified and could result in significant conversion of NH4+ to NO3- before plant uptake. An isotopic dilution study was conducted to quantify rates of nitrification in hydroponic culture. A 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design was used to examine the effect of pH (5.8 or 7.0), inoculation with nitrifying bacteria, and the presence of plants. This study was done with wheat grown in vigorously-aerated, 2-L bottles. Each bottle contained 10 g of diatomaceous earth to provide surface area for microbial growth. Nitrate began to accumulate in 5 d in unplanted, inoculated bottles at pH 7.0; in 20 d at pH 5.8 with inoculation; but did not begin to accumulate in non-inoculated bottles (pH 5.8 or 7.0) until day 30. Nitrate never accumulated in any of the planted bottles, most likely because plants consumed the NO3- that was produced. Calculations from the isotopic dilution measurements indicated that the rate of nitrification averaged 58 μmol NO3- L-1d-1 in the planted bottles, and averaged 270 μmol NO3- L-1d-1 in unplanted bottles. Nitrification was likely reduced in the planted bottles because the reduced concentration of NH4+ limited nitrification. To provide rapid, inexpensive measurement of nutrient concentration in hydroponic solution, five colorimetric tests were evaluated. Tests for NO3- and PO4 were accurate and reliable, but the tests for SO42- SiO2, and Fe need additional refinement.

This doctoral thesis contains three essays on the macroeconomic impact of inflation targeting: (1) Inflation-targeting regime, as a framework for monetary policy conduct, has been adopted by central banks in thirty countries. Some of these countries enjoy high incomes while others have middle incomes. In contrast to the development-based classification –often applied in the literature, thus ignoring income disparity– this study employs income-based classification in constructing the data sample. The objective is to investigate, using a panel of middle-income countries, whether inflation targeting is a good remedy for high inflation. In addition to the commonly used covariates in the literature, this study also includes in its covariate matrix the worldwide governance indicators as proxy for institutional quality. The findings exhibit a significant reduction of inflation and its volatility among the inflation-targeting adopters compared to the non-adopting middle-income countries. The results are robust to the exclusion of high inflation episodes, and to using the alternative measures of inflation. The results are also robust to the post-estimation sensitivity tests recommended for such empirical analysis. (2) Many economists acknowledge the paramount role that foreign investment plays in fostering economic development and growth via integrating economies around the globe. Studies have shown that foreign investment, particularly foreign direct investment (FDI) is attracted to countries that exhibit good governance, low uncertainty and a high degree of macroeconomic stability. The literature also argues that monetary policy under inflation targeting (IT) mitigates uncertainty, enhances governance and brings macroeconomic stability to the adopting countries. Hence, it would seem that the IT-adoption should enable the adopting countries attract the largest FDI inflows. To verify this conjecture, this study performs a comparison between the IT-adopting countries and the non-adopters in attracting FDI. Using a panel of OECD and middle-income countries, the empirical findings exhibit an interesting but contradicting pattern: when it comes to the OECD countries, the results show that the IT-adopters do better than the non-adopters in attracting the FDI inflows. For the middle-income countries, however, the IT-adoption appears to have the opposite effect: a significant reduction in the FDI inflows is witnessed among the IT-adopters compared to their counterparts. The results are robust to the post-estimation sensitivity tests. (3) Inflation targeting, as a monetary-policy framework, is said to promote economic efficiency and growth. Yet, when evaluating the macroeconomic performance of inflation-targeting regimes, the existing literature only emphasizes the dynamics of inflation and the costs associated with taming inflation. There is hardly any assessment of the claim of efficiency and growth. To fill this gap, and to measure the causal impact of inflation-targeting adoption on economic efficiency, we compare the dynamics of output growth and long-term unemployment between countries that have adopted inflation targeting and the non-adopting countries. Our findings seem to refute the efficiency claim, and paint a bleak picture of inflation targeting: when compared to the countries that did not adopt inflation targeting, there is a significant reduction in the average growth rate among the inflation-targeting adopters by over ½ percentage point. Additionally, long-term unemployment significantly rises among the inflation-targeting countries by almost 2 percentage points as compared to the non-adopters. These results are robust to both the exclusion of the outlier observations and to the sensitivity tests recommended for such analysis.

Thesis deals with methods of financial analysis in the insurance industry followed by application of selected methods and approaches to the insurance company Komerční pojišťovna, a.s. Financial analysis is performed from the perspective of the owner. Theoretical part is determined to the description of financial analysis with a focus on the insurance industry. Practical part is determined for application of methods of financial analysis and comparison of assessed insurance company with the insurance industry and its competition.

This thesis deals with the financial analysis of the selected company from the perspective of an external analyst. The work is divided into theoretical and practical parts. In the theoretical section describes the methods and procedures for financial analysis. The practical part of the financial analysis of the selected company and the evaluation of the found results, including recommendations. It also includes intercompany evaluation. In the final part of the overall evaluation of the results of the financial analysis.

Cotton is the most abundant natural fiber in the world. Many countries are involved in the growing, importation, exportation and production of this commodity. Paper documentation claiming geographic origin is the current method employed at U.S. ports for identifying cotton sources and enforcing tariffs. Because customs documentation can be easily falsified, it is necessary to develop a robust method for authenticating or refuting the source of the cotton commodities. This work presents, for the first time, a comprehensive approach to the chemical characterization of unprocessed cotton in order to provide an independent tool to establish geographic origin. Elemental and stable isotope ratio analysis of unprocessed cotton provides a means to increase the ability to distinguish cotton in addition to any physical and morphological examinations that could be, and are currently performed. Elemental analysis has been conducted using LA-ICP-MS, LA-ICP-OES and LIBS in order to offer a direct comparison of the analytical performance of each technique and determine the utility of each technique for this purpose. Multivariate predictive modeling approaches are used to determine the potential of elemental and stable isotopic information to aide in the geographic provenancing of unprocessed cotton of both domestic and foreign origin. These approaches assess the stability of the profiles to temporal and spatial variation to determine the feasibility of this application. This dissertation also evaluates plasma conditions and ablation processes so as to improve the quality of analytical measurements made using atomic emission spectroscopy techniques. These interactions, in LIBS particularly, are assessed to determine any potential simplification of the instrumental design and method development phases. This is accomplished through the analysis of several matrices representing different physical substrates to determine the potential of adopting universal LIBS parameters for 532 nm and 1064 nm LIBS for some important operating parameters. A novel approach to evaluate both ablation processes and plasma conditions using a single measurement was developed and utilized to determine the “useful ablation efficiency” for different materials. The work presented here demonstrates the potential for an a priori prediction of some probable laser parameters important in analytical LIBS measurement.