The double-edged sword of RP: the contrasting roles of a pronunciation model in both native and non-native environments

The observations I make are largely based on my MA research, which is now being modified for the purposes of my Ph.D. I asked undergraduate students of English in England and the Czech Republic to evaluate seven voices ranging from the clearly regional to the unquestionably RP. The objective was to discover which sounds are considered to fall within the scope of RP by students in both countries, which approach avoids treating RP as though it were to include only the sounds ‘allowed by a preconceived model’ (Upton 2000: 78). Further, the respondents were asked to comment on the most salient features in the recordings: what they opted to comment on reveals a marked difference in the role of RP as a model accent in the given countries. Societies which lack a prestigious non-regional accent are often oblivious to the social connotations RP carries. Whilst it seems technically impossible to replace the model accent in all teaching materials all over the world, creating awareness of the fact that a rather outmoded model of RP found in many textbooks may not always be the best option is a necessary step towards ensuring that non-English speaking students are not only understood but that their speech will attract no adverse judgements

A Microanalysis of Pension Reform: To Switch or Not to Switch in the Czech Republic?

This paper examines the microeconomic impact of a reform of the Czech pension system in which the program is partially shifted from a public, unfunded basis to a private, funded basis. It considers three different scenarios in which individuals have the choice to switch some of their mandatory contributions into a funded scheme in exchange for a proportionate reduction in their traditional public pension benefits. It attempts to discern, based on gender, age and income, which workers would be better off switching, and offers some recommendations for policy makers. In particular, the impact of mandatory switching on individuals with low earning capacities is examined and discussed.pension reform; social security; Czech Republic

Sequence anatomy of mitochondrial anion carriers

AbstractTwo hundred and eighty-four genes of eight eukaryotic genomes for mitochondrial anion carriers were sorted into 43 (+18 single protein) subfamilies. Subfamilies differ by the number, nature, and locations of charges and polar residues in the transmembrane α-helices. Consequently, these residues and the rarely unique residues of the matrix and cytosolic segments most likely determine the different molecular phenotypes (functions). ‘Common ancestral hydrophilic segments’ were found in matrix and cytosolic segments, with interchangeable polar residues. Thus the hydrophobic microstructures of hydrophilic carrier parts are supposed to predetermine structure/conformation, whereas polar and charged microstructures should predetermine function, namely in the transmembrane spanning α-helices

Bridge crane reconstuction

Bakalářská práce je zaměřena na renovaci mostového jeřábu. Hlavním cílem bakalářské práce je navržení všech pohonů a navržení mechanických součástí, které bude nutno po výměně motorů taktéž zrenovovat. Bakalářská práce je rozdělena na dvě části. V první části je zdokumentován původní stav mostového jeřábu a druhá část bakalářské práce se zabývá samotným výpočtem pohonů a návrhem jednotlivých mechanických částí.Bachelor's thesis is focused on renovating the bridge crane. The main aim of this thesis is to design all the drives and the design of mechanical parts, which will be the replacement engine also renovate. This work is divided into two parts. The first part is a documented original condition of the bridge crane and a second part of this thesis deals with the actual calculation of each propulsion and design mechanical parts.

Tin and its compounds in the environment

Cílem této bakalářské práce je vypracování aktuální literární rešerše, týkající se problematiky cínu v životním prostředí. Zahrnuje chemické a fyzikální vlastnosti, výskyt a koloběh cínu v životním prostředí. Obsahuje také možné metody extrakce a stanovení cínu a jeho sloučenin.The aim of this thesis is the actual elaboration literature search concerning the issue tin in the environment. It includes chemical and physical properties, occurrence and tin cycle in the environment. It also contains possible methods for extraction and determination of tin and its compounds.

Semiconductor devices production on silicon

Předkládaná práce se zabývá problematikou základních technologií a procesů pro výrobu polovodičových součástek na křemíkovém substrátu. Uvádí procesy vytváření vrstvy oxidu křemičitého pomocí oxidace, vytváření struktur pomocí fotolitografie, dotování příměsí do oblastí vymezených fotolitografií pomocí difúze až po vytváření kontaktů a vodivých cest naprašováním. Dále se zabývá technologickým postupem výroby konkrétních součástek na křemíku, popisem těchto součástek i měřením, výpočtem růstu oxidu křemičitého, výpočtem difúze. Výsledkem jsou naměřené charakteristiky charakteristik součástek plus jejich vyhodnocení.This work deals with the basic technologies and processes of manufacturing semiconductor devices on a silicon substrate. Deals with the processes from creating a layer of silicon dioxide by oxidation, through the creation of structures using photolithography, the doping of additives into defined areas of diffusion, up to creating contacts and conductive pathways by sputtering. It also deals with the technological production process for silicon devices, description of devices and measurement, calculation layers of silicon dioxide, calculated of diffusion and measured characteristics of components and their evaluation.