Traditional and alternative methods of tourist event evaluation: case study of the Czech Republic

This contribution presents and discusses selected methods and techniques applied in the area of tourist event assessment with a main focus on their economic effects evaluation. Besides the traditional evaluation models, such as the Input-output analysis or the CGE model, one newer and less common methodology–the local multiplier LM3 is introduced. This evaluation method has not been applied yet (in its full version) on any particular event, but it seems to have a potential to become more widespread, especially for evaluating events of local character and impact. This paper also observes the current research stages in terms of event tourism in the Czech Republic, where event industry increased its importance in the last decades. It offers an exhaustive listing of all the studies observing primarily event economic impacts in the Czech regions. The results of this study present a classification of the Czech events\u27 economic impact studies according to the applied methodology and also some recommendations for selection particular methodology according to a specific type of an event

Půdní archivy v černozemích

Soil archives provide valuable information on the past of the environment, in particular vegetation history (Costantini 2018). The aim of this thesis is study the feasibility of using the modern method of near-infrared spectroscopy to study the vegetation history of chernozems, using previously collected databases (Vysloužilová et al. 2015) to extract information from new sites along the grassland-woodland boundary in Minnesota, USA. The results are then analyzed and compared to known information and the results of more traditional approaches.Půdní archivy poskytují cenné informace o paleoenvironmentu, obzvláště o vegetační historii (Costantini 2018). Cílem této práce je ověřit použitelnost moderní metody blízké infračervené spektroskopie ke studiu vegetační historie černozemí za účelem získaní informací z nových lokalit podél hranice stepi a lesa v Minnesotě, USA s použitím dříve sestavených databází spektrálních dat (Vysloužilová et al. 2015). Výsledky jsou analyzovány a srovnány se známými skutečnostmi a výsledky tradičnějších metod.Katedra fyzické geografie a geoekologieDepartment of Physical Geography and GeoecologyFaculty of SciencePřírodovědecká fakult

Advanced Functions of a Modern Power Source for GMAW Welding of Steel

This paper evaluates the use of a modern welding power source equipped with advanced arc control functions. At the Laboratory of Welding Technologies of CTU in Prague we have focused on GMAW welding of steel using Sigma Galaxy, a modern welding power source produced by Migatronic. Sigma Galaxy is equipped with functions called Intelligent Arc Control and Sequence Repeat. According to the manufacturer, controlling an arc by these functions should significantly stabilize the welding process, lower the heat input and the deformation, and improve the weld quality. To evaluate the benefits of these functions completely, single V butt welds were performed on S275J2 structural steel 10 mm in thickness (2 weld layers: root+capping layer) in PF and PG positions. Welding was monitored by the Welding Information System, and was compared with standard GMAW welding. The results have shown that these “intelligent” functions offer significant advantages for steel welding, especially in vertical and overhead positions, because they lower the heat input and improve the weld metal control

Selection of quantitative and qualitative methods for comprehensive evaluation of PPP projects focusing on the Czech Republic

The article deals with the theoretical back-ground and concepts providing the basis for the use of forms of financing and acquisition of public goods and services through partnerships between the public and the private sectors (public-private partnership – PPP). The aim of this article is to introduce a new original methodology using a selection of qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating investments and to form a complex output that will clearly and distinctly testify about the appropriateness of using the PPP method. For this purpose, processes which are normally used for business valuation – generators of values, property valuation, yield valuation, valuation based on market analysis, are combined and incorporated/recast in the current assessment methodology, which is based on the Public Sector Comparator and determinants of value for money (VFM), are being used. Although this new methodology was developed in response to the problematic situation regarding PPP projects’ evaluation particularly in the Czech Republic, it can also be applied in other countries.</p

Economic performance of the NUTS III Regions in the Czech Republic in the context of entrepreneurship subsidies from the EU Structural Funds

Entrepreneurship is considered to be one of the essential factors of economic growth and entrepreneurship policy is considered to be a significant contributor to the regional economic development. The aim of the present paper is to determine whether the unemployment rate and the GDP per capita of the NUTS III regions in the Czech Republic are influenced by the amount of financial subsidies paid to businesses from the Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovation (OPEI). We employed regression analysis and Granger Causality testing in order to evaluate our Hypotheses. Results from the use of econometric models confirmed statistically significant positive impact of OPEI subsidies lagged by one year on the growth of NUTS III GDP per capita. However, we were unable to confirm statistically significant initial impact of OPEI subsidies on the growth of GDP per capita. The hypothesis assuming negative impact of OPEI subsidies on changes of regional unemployment rate was statistically confirmed both initially and with a lag of one year

NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION BY INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY OF RESISTANCE SPOT WELDS USED IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Resistance spot welding (RSW) is one of the main joining technologies of thin sheets in the automotive industry. Key factors affecting the strength of the RSW joint are the nugget diameter, asymmetry, expulsions, intended surfaces, and the presence of cracks. Despite its broad use, the RSW joint quality verification is limited only to destructive testing and a limited number of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods. Most of the testing is done destructively by sampling, which assesses only systematic defects. Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is the most used NDT method to detect non-systematic defects in the RSW joints, however the probability of the defect detection of conventional testing techniques is not fully satisfactory. Other approaches were invented to deal with this situation. The article uses the currently most used NDT approach of the UT testing as a benchmark to evaluate the ability of thermographic testing to detect defective welds of the resistance spot welding in an on-line mode. The article demonstrates that the infrared thermography may find systematic process errors that are not detectable by other NDT methods by an analysis of different temperature drops measured after a constant delay time caused by different cooling dynamics of satisfactory and non-satisfactory weld joints

Phyllotactic model linking nano and macro world

Recently, the arrangement of diffraction primitives according to a phyllotactic model was presented. This arrangement was used to benchmarking purposes of the e-beam writer nano patterning. The phyllotactic arrangement has several interesting properties. One of them is related with the coherence between the nano-or microscopic domain of individual optical primitives and the properties of visually perceived images crated by these structures in the macro domain. This paper presents theoretical analysis of the phyllotactic arrangement in the referred context. Different approaches enabling the creation of diffractive optically variable images are proposed. The practical part of the presented work deals with the nano patterning of such structures using two different types of the e-beam pattern generators. One of them is a system with a variable shaped beam of electrons, while the other one is a system with a Gaussian-shaped beam. E-beam writing strategies and the use of inherent spiral patterns for exposure ordering and partitioning are also discussed.TACR [TE 01020233]; MEYS CR [LO1212

Surface Integrity after Turning a Duplex Stainless Steel with Respect to Tool Geometry

This study deals with surface integrity expressed in terms of stress state as well as microstructure alterations after turning a duplex stainless steel. Residual stresses and the presence of strain-induced martensite are studied as functions of the rake angle. Residual stresses of surface and sub-surface layers were determined by the use of the X-ray diffraction and hole-drilling techniques. X-ray diffraction enables us to distinguish between residual stresses in each phase separately, which is not possible when the hole-drilling method is applied. Furthermore, alterations in the near surface region are also analysed by the use of the magnetic Barkhausen noise and metallographic observation

Cross-linked gelatine by modified dextran as a potential bioink prepared by a simple and non-toxic process

Essential features of well-designed materials intended for 3D bioprinting via microextrusion are the appropriate rheological behavior and cell-friendly environment. Despite the rapid development, few materials are utilizable as bioinks. The aim of our work was to design a novel cytocompatible material facilitating extrusion-based 3D printing while maintaining a relatively simple and straightforward preparation process without the need for harsh chemicals or radiation. Specifically, hydrogels were prepared from gelatines coming from three sources-bovine, rabbit, and chicken-cross-linked by dextran polyaldehyde. The influence of dextran concentration on the properties of hydrogels was studied. Rheological measurements not only confirmed the strong shear-thinning behavior of prepared inks but were also used for capturing cross-linking reaction kinetics and demonstrated quick achievement of gelation point (in most cases < 3 min). Their viscoelastic properties allowed satisfactory extrusion, forming a self-supported multi-layered uniformly porous structure. All gelatin-based hydrogels were non-cytototoxic. Homogeneous cells distribution within the printed scaffold was confirmed by fluorescence confocal microscopy. In addition, no disruption of cells structure was observed. The results demonstrate the great potential of the presented hydrogels for applications related to 3D bioprinting.RP/CPS/2022/001; CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/19_073/0016941; Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT: CZ.1.05/2.1.00/19.0376, RP/CPS/2022/003; Grantová Agentura České Republiky, GA ČR: 20-28732SMinistry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech republic-DKRVO [RP/CPS/2022/003, RP/CPS/2022/001]; project OP RDE Junior Grants of TBU in Zlin [CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/19_073/0016941]; CEBIA-Tech Instrumentation [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/19.0376]; Czech Science FoundationGrant Agency of the Czech Republic [20-28732S