The extensive use of fossil fuels coupled with its decreasing availability has ignited many countries to enact policies on energy usage. Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) all over the world are implementing initiatives to save energy. The South African ESCO industry must still overcome many barriers for it to be as effective as other global ESCOs. One of the stakeholders of an energy-savings intervention is the measurement and verification (M&V) team. The M&V team aims to provide objective and independent quantification of energy savings realised during an intervention. Despite the importance of the M&V function, the M&V process was shown to be inefficient, lacking in standardisation and research. The focus of this dissertation is to identify opportunities for improvement within the M&V process and to determine methods for the easy management thereof. The first two research aims are met by evaluating the process and determining the requirements for improving the process with regard to the critical areas that were identified. It is realised that the management of the M&V process could be simplified by using an information management system. This leads to the design of an information management system for the M&V process using the knowledge obtained during the evaluation. A case study is performed on one of South Africa’s largest ESCOs. The findings of the case study underline improvements regarding certain performance indicators. Moreover, the findings suggest that an information management system can support all the desired process requirements. / MIng (Mechanical Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

LEGAL REGULATIONS OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN CZECH REPUBLIC AND IN SELECTED COUNTRIES This graduation thesis describes and analyzes legal regulations of unemployment benefits in Czech Republic and in Sweden. Main reason why I have chosen that topic could be seen in the fact that in both countries exist two different systems. In Czech Republic we have compulsory state system of unemployment benefits but Sweden is one of four European countries where we can find so-called Ghent system. Sweden is also known as typical example of welfare state, so I came to conclusion it could be interesting to focus attention also to this matter and its influence to the topic. The aim of the thesis is to compare both systems, individual institutes of this problematic, focus on main differences and also point out common rules and principles. The thesis involves an introduction, main part and conclusion. The main part is divided into seven chapters. The first one presents explanation of unemployment, its different types and consequences. Following two chapters concern development of legal regulations of this problematic both in Czech Republic (also in Czechoslovakia) and in Sweden. Because some of the mentioned acts are very extensive, I focused only on legal rules concerning the unemployment benefits. The main part of...

This work is dedicated to the study of Spanish language and the influence it has on English in the territory of the United States of America. The main emphasis is put on the variety of Spanglish. The work is divided into four sections. The first part is focusing on the history and the current state of the Spanish language in Northern America. The language is being divided into basic subgroups. The second part consists of the terminology used thorough this subsequent thesis. As for the third part, it is dealing wih Spanglish and its main characteristics. The final seccion is based on a survey that was realized by means of an Internet questionnaire. The thesis is putting stress on the reciprocal influence of the two languages and the comprehensibility of collected data. Key words Spanish, English, variety, Spanglish, bilingualism, lexicon, code switching, questionnaire.

TITLE: The mural paintings in the Augustinian monastery in Třeboň AUTHOR: Michaela Vrchotová DEPARTMENT: Department of Art History SUPERVISOR: Prof. PhDr. Ing. Jan Royt, Ph.D. ABSTRACT: The subject of this thesis are the mural paintings in St. Giles church and the former monastery of Augustinian Canons in Třeboň, which date from the last quarter of the 14th century until the late Middle Ages and the onset of Renaissance at the beginning of the 16th century. The main objective was to gather all available information that could contribute to elucidating the period context of the creation of the mural paintings in the monastery of Třeboň. The intended output was, to the extent of objective possibilities, an art historical analysis of the works, backed by all the researched facts, and the assessment of the significance of Rosenberg donators and of their links to the imperial court. The extent of preservation and the possibilities for assessment of the artistic quality of the individual mural images form a relatively broad range. The mural paintings were divided into three time periods and the pictures that were the focus of the thesis stand as interesting period documents, not only from the artistic, but also from the cultural point of view, and as such they deserve a place in the history of Třeboň monastery...

CREATION AND TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP IN COOPERATIVE Summary The theme of the thesis is Creation and termination of membership in cooperative. Cooperative as a legal entity is one type of an association of people for some specific purpose which is characterized by them. Any cooperative cannot be without its members. Therefore the legal amendment of membership's creation and termination in cooperative creates very important legal amendment part in cooperatives. The thesis, which has introductory and closing chapter too, is divided into five chapters which are arranged by way, whose goal is to give a systematic explanation of creation and termination of membership in cooperative in the Czech Republic. The thesis includes relevant decisions of the Czech courts and opinions from books and articles. The introductory chapter contains the main purposes of the thesis. The first and second chapters are a common introduction to the law of cooperatives. The first chapter provides a brief historical law sources explanation of cooperatives and valid legal amendment of cooperatives. It pays attention on a bill which includes a new legal amendment of cooperatives. The comparison between Czech and German legal cooperatives amendments is a part of this chapter too. The second chapter explains basic terms which are...

La matrice extracellulaire joue un rôle très important dans la régulation de l’angiogenèse en procurant un support dans la formation des vaisseaux, en délivrant des facteurs endogènes pro- ou anti-angiogéniques. Nous avons montré que l’hypoxie induit une surexpression du gène COL5A1 dans les cellules endothéliales. Le laboratoire a identifié un fragment issu du collagène V, noté HEPV, qui contient un site de liaison à l’héparine, et qui montre des propriétés anti-angiogéniques remarquables. En effet, ce fragment est capable d’inhiber la prolifération et la migration des cellules endothéliales vasculaires et leur maturation en tubes endothéliaux. Les résultats obtenus montrent qu’HEPV est capable d’empêcher la phosphorylation de ERK1/2 et de Akt induite par le FGF-2 et donc la réponse aux stimuli mitogènes induits par FGF-2. De plus, une étude transcriptomique réalisée sur des cellules endothéliales traitées ou non par HEPV a révélé que HEPV est capable d’induire l’expression de COL4A1 et COL18A, gènes codant pour des collagènes qui peuvent aussi être clivés et libérer des facteurs anti-angiogéniques. Finalement, nous avons utilisé un modèle d’angiogenèse murin afin de valider in vivo l’activité anti-angiogénique d’HEPV. Ces expériences montrent que le peptide injecté en intraveineuse s’accumule au site d’angiogenèse en se fixant sur les vaisseaux en formation, et est capable d’inhiber l’angiogenèse induite par le FGF-2, alors qu’un peptide contrôle muté sur le site de liaison à l’héparine n’a aucun effet. Ce peptide est capable également d’inhiber efficacement l’angiogenèse tumorale, une inhibition qui se traduit par un ralentissement de la croissance de la tumeur / The basement membrane plays an important role in angiogenesis by providing support necessary for blood vessel formation and supplying endogenous pro- and anti-angiogenic factors that condition the endothelial cells behavior. CoLV is present at the vicinity of endothelial cell basement membrane? We previously showed that a fragment derived from COLV a1, named HEPV, contains a functional heparin binding site, inhibits specifically endothelial cell proliferation and migration and disrupts endothelial tube formation. Prolonged treatment with HEPV results in the activation of collagen IV a1 and collagene XVIII a1 expression, the parental molecules of the anti-angiogenic fragments arresten and endostatin respectively. Heparin binding sites have been involved in the regulation of FGF2-induced angiogenesis. Soluble HEPV significantly inhibits phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT in FGF2-stimuled endothelial cells. Moreover, in vivo experimentation using the mouse angiogenesis subcutaneous sponge assay shows that HEPV accumulates at angiogenic sites and inhibits FGF-2-induced angiogenesis. HEPV also significantly lowers intra-tumoral angiogenesis and tumor xenograft growth in nude mice. We also showed that hypoxia, the major angiogenesis-inducing factor, induces Collagen V production by endothelial cells and the release of a fragment encompassing HEPV into the culture medium. Finally, the released of HEPV-containing fragments in vivo was attested by the immunodetection of the fragment with specific antibodies in human breast cancer in which collagen V is overexpressed. Collectively, our results qualify HEPV as a new endogenous regulator angiogenesis with possible application in cancer therapy

L'industrie du béton est une source importante d'émissions de gaz CO2 lors de la production de ciment. Une des solutions proposées à l'industrie de la construction est de remplacer le ciment par des matières premières secondaires moins polluantes (ex : filler calcaire, fumée de silice), qui peuvent également améliorer les caractéristiques rhéologiques du liant et accroître la durabilité du béton.Le but principal de cette thèse est donc de : (1) standardiser la formulation de béton issue des différents travaux de recherche publiés tout en assurant une bonne compréhension de ses propriétés rhéologiques; (2) adapter ces principes aux conditions de réalisation (prise en compte des caractéristiques des matériaux locaux utilisés); et (3) vérifier dans le laboratoire ou sur le terrain la viscosité plastique et le seuil d’écoulement des bétons.Outre les moyens expérimentaux classiques nous avons utilisé, dans notre étude, un autre moyen de caractérisation rhéologique : c’est l’écoulement de béton dans un V-Funnel couplé à un canal horizontal en plexiglas. Dans un premier temps nous cherchons à comprendre la corrélation entre la viscosité et les paramètres rhéologiques de béton en se basant sur des modèles proposés dans la littérature. À partir de là, nous cherchons à présenter le modèle qui décrit le comportement de béton. Pour ce faire, nous proposons une corrélation théorique entre la viscosité plastique du béton frais et le temps d’écoulement dans le V-Funnel, puis nous comparons cette solution théorique avec des mesures expérimentales rapportées dans la littérature. / The concrete industry is an important source of carbon dioxide gas emissions during cement production. One of the proposed solutions to the construction industry is to replace the cement by less polluting secondary raw materials (e.g. limestone filler, silica fume), which can also improve the rheological properties of binder and increase the concrete durability.Thus, the development of self-compacting concrete can be seen as an attempt to reduce the environmental impact of the construction. Similarly, the structure optimization also aims at reducing the quantity (in volume) of concrete and is reflected in the use of high performance concrete and ultra performance fiber-reinforced concrete (HPC and UPFRC).The most widely adopted approach to quantify these rheological properties is to experimentally measured the shear stress versus strain rate using a concrete rheometer.In addition to traditional experimental tests such as the V-funnel, spread, sieve stability and L box, in our study we used another test of rheological characterization: it is the flow of concrete in a V-Funnel and then in a horizontal channel Plexiglas.The main purpose of this thesis is to: (1) standardize the concrete formulation outcome of various research works published while ensuring a good understanding of its rheological properties, (2) adapt these principles to the realization conditions (taking into account characteristics of local materials used), and (3) check, in the laboratory or in the field, the plastic viscosity and the flow threshold of concrete.

Social security of women during pregnancy and maternity and protection of their work Abstract The diploma thesis deals with the security of women during pregnancy and motherhood and the safety of their work. The whole work illustrates the development of social security in the Czech Republic, in particular the current situation of social security with the main focus on pregnant women and parents taking care of their children. The diploma thesis is divided into four chapters. The first chapter deals with the historical development of social security in the territory of the Czech Republic, in particular the development in the 20 century which is decisive for the current state of social security in the Czech Republic. The second chapter focuses on the international context of social security. The Czech Republic is a member state of several international organisations whose legislation has a significant impact on our social area. Therefore, this chapter is also devoted to international organisations and international law regulations focused on the social area, in particular on the rights of social security. The third chapter, which is the most extensive, is dedicated to the social security of women during pregnancy and motherhood. It deals with the security arising from both the sickness insurance system and the...

[pt] O presente trabalho avalia a evolução da microestrutura e as propriedades mecânicas devido à influência do aporte de calor exercido por um procedimento de soldagem que utilizou sequencialmente dois processos de soldagem sobre um tubo de aço API 5L X80, fabricado pelo processo UOE, de um aço produzido por laminação controlada sem resfriamento acelerado. A soldagem foi realizada em um tubo de 20 de diâmetro nominal e 3/4 de espessura, fixado na posição horizontal simulando condições de campo, usando o processo MAG de curtocircuito de corrente controlada com gás de proteção CO2 (100%) para o passe de raiz e o processo por Arame Tubular com proteção gasosa Ar - CO2 (80% - 20%) para os demais passes. As propriedades mecânicas foram avaliadas segundo os ensaios mecânicos exigidos na norma API 1104, além dos ensaios de microdureza Vickers e de impacto Charpy V. As mudanças microestruturais na Zona Afetada Termicamente e Material de Solda foram avaliadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e microscopia óptica. A avaliação mecânica segundo a norma API 1104 foi reprovada, onde os resultados dos ensaios de tração e Nick-Break foram aceitos e o ensaio de dobramento lateral um corpo-de-prova apresentou uma trinca superior ao comprimento máximo aceitável. Os resultados da microdureza foram aceitáveis e o resultado do impacto Charpy V, segundo a norma DNV-OS-F101, para a temperatura de 0 °C foi insatisfatório na região do metal de solda dos passes de acabamento. A região da ZTA apresentou maior energia de impacto quando comparado com o material de base à temperatura de 0 °C, embora com presença do microconstituinte A-M. / [en] The present work evaluates the changes in the microstructural and mechanical properties of an API 5L X80 steel tube due to the influence of heat input exerted during a welding procedure that used two sequential welding processes. The tubes were manufactured using the UOE process, from steel that was produced by controlled rolling without accelerated cooling. The welding was carried out on a 3/4 thick and 20 nominal diameter pipe, while it was held in a horizontal position in order to simulate field conditions, using a controlled short circuit GMAW process with CO2 (100%) gas shielding for the root pass and a flux cored arc welding process with Ar-CO2 (80% - 20%) gas shielding for the other passes. The evaluation of the mechanical properties was done by means of mechanical tests according to the API 1104 standard, in addition to the Vickers microhardness and Charpy V-notch tests. The changes in the microstructure of the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) and the welded metal were evaluated by means of scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. The mechanical evaluation was unsatisfactory according to the API 1104 standard, while the tensile and Nick-Break test results were acceptable. The side bend test showed a crack in a specimen that exceeded the maximum acceptable value. The Vickers microhardness results were acceptable and the Charpy V-notch result, according to the DNV-OS-F101 standard, at a temperature of 0 °C, was unsatisfactory in the weld metal region of the over cap. The HAZ region showed greater energy of impact absorption compared to the base metal, at a temperature of 0 °C, even with existence of the microconstituent M-A.

A doença de Chagas, também chamada de tripanossomíase americana é a terceira doença parasítica mais presente no mundo, perdendo apenas para malária e esquistossomose. As terapias existentes atualmente para essa tripanossomíase são insatisfatórias e pouca atenção tem sido dada para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos. Os medicamentos utilizados atualmente apresentam boa atividade apenas na fase inicial da doença e geram efeitos colaterais severos nos pacientes. <br /> As hidrazonas representam uma classe de compostos imínicos de grande versatilidade estrutural e importante atividade biológica em diversos níveis, sendo observados resultados de atividade tripanocida interessantes de hidrazonas coordenadas a rutênio. Por outro lado, complexos com oxovanádio coordenado a derivados de quinoxalinas apresentam melhores atividades do que os ligantes na forma livre e que complexos formados por essas quinoxalinas com outros metais. <br /> Esse trabalho buscou unir as propriedades biológicas das hidrazonas e vanádio de forma a obter complexos com boa atividade tripanocida. Foram sintetizados dois ligantes hidrazonas derivados da 2-tiofenofenohidrazida, e através dos mesmos foram desenvolvidos dez novos complexos de oxovanádio (V). Os produtos foram caracterizados por ponto de fusão, análise elementar, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e do UV-Vis., ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN 1H) e difração de raios X em monocristal, sendo obtidos três classes de complexos. Duas classe são formadas por complexos com ligantes mistos, na forma [VO(L)(OR)] com R=metil, etil, n-propil e L=hidrazona, e na forma [VO(L)(mal)] com L=hidrazona e mal= pirona maltol. Outra classe obtida é formada por binucleares de oxovanádio na forma [(VOL)2(&mu;-O)] com L=hidrazona e os centros de vanádio ligados por uma ponte &mu;-oxo. As estruturas obtidas para os complexos mistos com os alcóxidos e para os dímeros apresentam geometria piramidal quadrática distorcida, enquanto que os complexos mistos com maltol apresentam geométrica octaédrica distorcida. <br /> Ensaios in vitro contra cepas de T. cruzi mostraram resultados interessantes (SI iguais ou maiores que 10) para que continue a exploração dos tipos de complexos formados e novos ensaios biológicos devem ser realizados para verificar o mecanismo de ação e a atividade in vivo desses compostos, com intuito de obter um novo fármaco antichagásico baseado em vanádio no futuro. / Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis is the third most present parasitic disease in the world. The existing therapies for this trypanosomiasis are unsatisfactory and a little attention has been given to the development of new drugs. The drugs currently used exhibit good activity only in the early phase of the disease and generate severe side effects in patients. <br /> Hydrazones represent a class of iminic compounds with good structural variability and important biological activity at various levels, and interesting results of trypanocidal activity are observed for hydrazones coordinated to ruthenium. On the other hand, complexes with oxovanadium coordinated to quinoxaline derivatives have better activities than the free ligands and complexes with other metals coordinated to that quinoxalines. <br /> This study aimed to unite the biological properties of hydrazones and vanadium to obtain complexes with good trypanocidal activity. Two hydrazones ligands derived from 2- tiofenofenohidrazida were synthesized, and through that ligands, ten new complexes of oxovanadium (V) were developed. The products were characterized by melting point, elemental analysis, infrared and UV - Vis. spectroscopies, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and single crystals x-ray diffraction. Three classes of complexes were obtained. Two of them are formed by complexes with mixed ligands, one at [VO(L)(OR) ] form, with R = methyl , ethyl , n- propyl and L = hydrazone , and the other one with the [VO(L)(mal)] empirical form, with L = hydrazone and mal = pyrone maltol. Another class consists of binuclear oxovanadium complexes obtained at [(VOL)2(&mu;-O)] form, with L = hydrazone and the vanadium centers connected by a &mu;-oxo bridge. The structures obtained for the mixed complexes with the alkoxides and dimers have quadratic distorted pyramidal geometry, while the mixed maltol complexes have distorted octahedral geometry. <br /> In vitro assays against T. cruzi strains showed interesting results (SI equal to or greater than 10) to continue the exploration of the types of complexes formed and new biological tests must be conducted to verify the mechanism of action and in vivo activity of these compounds, in order to obtain a new vanadium-based antichagasic drug in the future.