Legal Restrictions and Entrepreneurial Spawning: A Relational Look into Non-Compete Policies

Non-competes come in the form of restrictions on employees and the key value they carry are to protect a business from future competition. On the other hand, entrepreneurial ventures are fueled by individual interests and by individuals looking to become new entrants. Naturally, these conflicting interests lead to a ‘fight’ – some fair and some unfair – between the business and the individual. This ‘fight’ and the question of how the two interests can co-exist within the business environment is an important question that should be addressed by state policymakers and firms alike. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between non-compete policies and entrepreneurial growth and to uncover the factors that may shape this relationship. Although non-competes do carry the potential to create a trade-off between benefits to firms and costs to individual workers, how much is this potential actually played out in practice? This was the initial driving question behind my research study. Given that non-compete provisions come in all shapes and forms, I created an interview study that aimed to collect a variety of experiences in relation to non-competes. In my data collection, I took an in depth, exploratory approach by asking a series of interview questions. Interview data was collected with a total of 34 observations. Each respondent for the interview study was in a different position in what I call the ‘non-compete cycle’. The non-compete cycle is made up of those who enforce the non-compete, those who currently fall under a non-compete, and those who have transitioned out of a non-compete. I conducted a quantitative-level analysis and used statistical methods to empirically test the relationship between non-competes and entrepreneurial outcomes. I also conducted a qualitative-level analysis by recording interview comments and experiences regarding this topic and noting themes that emerged from my interviews. The results of my regression models and t-test analyses indicate that there is a non-random relationship, and evidence of negative correlations, between variables impacting a non-compete, and outcome variables for entrepreneurial spawning. The results of my qualitative analyses indicate that there are intangible factors outside of a non-compete agreement that can protect business interests. My analysis further raises the question of whether a non-compete is truly meaningful in the business environment

Music of the night: Performance practitioner considerations for enhancement work in music

While the domains of music and sport performance share many convergences, performance psychology and enhancement training is less common in music. Consequently, practitioners such as sport psychologists or psychotherapists are increasingly being used to work with musicians. Successful collaboration between disciplines might be particularly beneficial as the domain of music performance is rife with psychological, physical, and systemic challenges for which appropriate support structures are often lacking. Accordingly, this article aims to contribute to effective interdisciplinary communication by reviewing a selection of common sociocultural and systemic issues in music performance that might broaden practitioners’ contextual knowledge of musicians. Although this article is not meant to be a comprehensive review of all available research, we have included ample references to direct readers toward relevant material on the topics being discussed. In addition, we propose that practitioners who are interested in working with musicians apply a positive, culturally sensitive, evidence-based, and holistic approach when translating and communicating psychology principles to musicians. We provide suggestions as to how this might be achieved and also emphasize the importance of exploring a range of methods, prioritizing practicality, and introducing performance enhancement training accurately. In doing so, we suggest that practitioners avoid focusing solely on performer wellbeing, theoretical delivery formats or limited psychological skills strategies

Digital device for supervising and evaluating outdoor activities

Práce se zabývá vytvořením mobilního elektronického zařízení, které přinese nové možnosti do volnočasových aktivit a následně je schopno aktivity vyhodnocovat. Nejdříve je provedena analýza zařízení dostupných na trhu a jejich přínosy do volnočasových aktivit, následně nápady na aktivity, které by s pomocí digitálních zařízení bylo možno provozovat, souhrn vlastností, které by zařízení mohlo nabídnout, vybrání vhodných komponent a jejich sestavení. Dále práce popisuje oživování takto sestaveného zařízení, jeho programování a ladění, které přechází k demonstraci jeho funkčnosti. Práce je zakončena celkovým shrnutím.This project deals with development of portable electronic device which brings new opportunities to leisure activities and their evaluating. At first, analysis of devices available on market and their acquisitions is made, then tips and ideas of new activities, which would be played with digital devices, summation of features, that the device would do, choosing adequate components, their assembly, configuration and programming. After it, domonstration of the device is described and this document is summarized.

Solid State Power Amplifier for the L-Band

Cílem diplomové práce je návrh dvoustupňového zesilovače pracující v pásmu vyhrazeném pro sekundární radary 1090 MHz. Výstupní výkon zesilovače má být 20 W a účinnost zesilovače má být co nejvyšší. Proto je koncový stupeň navržen ve třídě C. Obsahem diplomové práce je teoretický rozbor, simulace parametrů, porovnání simulačních programů Ansys Designer a AWR Microwave Office a návrh jednotlivých stupňů zesilovače a následné porovnání naměřených parametrů se simulacemi.The goal of this diploma's thesis is to create a design of a two stages amplifier working in a band reserved for the secondary surveillance radar at the frequency of 1090 MHz. Output power of the amplifier should be 20 W and efficiency should be as high as possible. Because of this the second stage is designed in class C. Contents of this diploma's thesis include a theoretical analysis, simulations of the amplifier parameters, comparison of the Ansys Designer and AWR Microwave Office simulation programs and design of both stages of the amplifier, followed by a comparison of the measured parameters with the simulations.

"It's Your Problem. Deal with It." Performers' Experiences of Psychological Challenges in Music

Musicians need to deal with a range of challenges during their performance career and in response to these have reported a number of conditions that impact on their performance. Although social support from peers and teachers has been identified as part of the process of dealing with these challenges, little is understood about musicians' coping methods, beliefs and their attitudes toward support. Therefore, this study aimed to explore (a) performers' previous experiences of psychological challenges, (b) the types of support they used and, (c) how this might inform future support programs in learning environments. Fifteen interviews were conducted with pre-elite ( = 5) transitioning elite ( = 3) and established elite performers ( = 7) in order to elicit data on psychological challenges, coping, beliefs and preferences for support. Inductive content analysis suggested that elite performers in this sample reported positive health habits, philosophical views of performance, health and life, positive anxiety reappraisal, and use of various psychological strategies, albeit without being explicitly aware of it. The need for various professional skills (e.g., communication, business, self-management, and organizational skills) was emphasized by all participants. Transition into conservatoire was marked by severe psychological challenges, disorders and trauma. Primary sources of support included friends, family and self-help literature. Professional help was predominantly sought for physical problems. The impact of teachers was paramount, yet securing good teachers was considered a matter of "luck." The most negative aspects recounted included abusive teachers, unsupportive environments, social comparison, competition, and disillusionment after entering the profession. Participants believed that talent could be developed and also valued wellbeing in relation to performance. Positive effects of late specialization on social development and professional skills were also mentioned. Implications and suggestions are discussed

Microwave power amplifier

Cílem bakalářské práce je návrh mikrovlnného výkonového zesilovače v pásmu X pro střední kmitočet 10,368GHz. Zesilovač má pracovat v CW režimu a v pulsním režimu s výstupním výkonem 36dBm a ziskem 20dB. Obsahem bakalářské práce je teoretický rozbor, návrh zesilovače a jeho napájecích a ochranných obvodů, simulace časových konstant napájecích obvodů, simulace zesilovače, konstrukce a změření parametrů zesilovače.The goal of this bachelor's thesis is to create a design of a microwave power amplifier working in X-band at the center frequency of 10.368GHz. The amplifier has to operate in CW mode and pulse mode with output power of 36dBm and gain of 20dB. Contents of this bachelor's thesis include a theoretical analysis, design of the amplifier and its bias and protective circuits, simulations of time constants of the bias circuits, simulations of the amplifier, construction and measurement of the amplifier parameters.

The pPSU Plasmids for Generating DNA Molecular Weight Markers.

Visualizing nucleic acids by gel electrophoresis is one of the most common techniques in molecular biology, and reference molecular weight markers or ladders are commonly used for size estimation. We have created the pPSU1 & pPSU2 pair of molecular weight marker plasmids which produce both 100 bp and 1 kb DNA ladders when digested with two common restriction enzymes. The 100 bp ladder fragments have been optimized to migrate appropriately on both agarose and native polyacrylamide, unlike many currently available DNA ladders. Sufficient plasmid DNA can be isolated from 100 ml E. coli cultures for the two plasmids to produce 100 bp or 1 kb ladders for 1000 gels. As such, the pPSU1 and pPSU2 plasmids provide reference fragments from 50 to 10000 bp at a fraction of the cost of commercial DNA ladders. The pPSU1 and pPSU2 plasmids are available without licensing restrictions to nonprofit academic users, affording freely available high-quality, low-cost molecular weight standards for molecular biology applications

Gender differences in clinical presentation and 1-year outcomes in atrial fibrillation

Objectives Our objective was to examine gender differences in clinical presentation, management and prognosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a contemporary cohort. Methods In 6412 patients, 39.7% women, of the PREvention oF thromboembolic events – European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation, we examined gender differences in symptoms, risk factors, therapies and 1-year incidence of adverse outcomes. Results Men with AF were on average younger than women (mean±SD: 70.1±10.7 vs 74.1±9.7 years, p<0.0001). Women more frequently had at least one AF-related symptom at least occasionally compared with men (95.4% in women, 89.8% in men, p<0.0001). Prescription of oral anticoagulation was similar, with an increase of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants from 5.9% to 12.6% in women and from 6.2% to 12.6% in men, p<0.0001 for both. Men were more frequently treated with electrical cardioversion and ablation (20.6% and 6.3%, respectively) than women (14.9% and 3.3%, respectively), p<0.0001. Women had 65% (OR: 0.35; 95% CI (0.22 to 0.56)) lower age-adjusted and country-adjusted odds of coronary revascularisation, 40% (OR: 0.60; (0.38 to 0.93)) lower odds of acute coronary syndrome and 20% (OR: 0.80; (0.68 to 0.96)) lower odds of heart failure at 1 year. There were no statistically significant gender differences in 1-year stroke/transient ischaemic attack/arterial thromboembolism and major bleeding events. Conclusion In a ‘real-world’ European AF registry, women were more symptomatic but less likely to receive invasive rhythm control therapy such as electrical cardioversion or ablation. Further study is needed to confirm that these differences do not disadvantage women with AF