Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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On the common population diversity measures in metaheuristics and their limitations
No full textMaintaining population diversity is one of the fundamental challenges for metaheuristic algorithms. With the emergence of adaptive and self-adaptive methods, the population diversity is frequently used as an indicator of the population state and feedback for the adaptive mechanism. In literature, several methods for quantification of the population diversity were proposed over the years. However, expressing the overall complexity of a metaheuristic population state by a single number inherently leads to simplification and distortion. As we show in this paper, lower diversity value does not automatically mean worse conditions for the emerging of new feasible solutions.IGA/CebiaTech/2021/001Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University [IGA/CebiaTech/2021/001
Ambient media design as a tool of creation of new communication media
No full textThe article is devoted to the ambient media and possible controlled process of their creation in the environment of marketing communication. The definition of ambient media is stated and its importance is also described as well as the perception of the public. The author specifies parameters of the process of creation of ambient media, which is called ambient media design. The article defines the optimal process including parameters of idea, time, place, and budget. The processes of prototyping, pretesting and production are also mentioned. Everything described above is associated with people working in the fields of marketing communication, design, and associated fields. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Quo vadis advertisement? Positives and negatives of current ad
No full textToday’s face of advertisement has changed dramatically over the last quarter of the century. There has also been a change in the public’s relationship with the advertisement. The aim of the study is to present an up-to-date view of this current situation, but in particular to highlight the attitudes of the public to the different forms of advertising at present. Through comparative analysis, as well as primary quantitative research, we want to take a look at the useful or at the harmful effects of advertising in our everyday life. The results will be brought to the attention of the professional and the general public in order to improve the situation in practice. The subsequent aim is, therefore, to help improve the content and form of this activity, respectively, to affect the undesirable amount of broadcasting time in the Czech and Slovak media. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Exploring Ghanaian adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information source(s): A qualitative approach
Get PDFAdolescents require information on several issues including sexual and reproductive health (SRH), which most of them receive from numerous sources. The study explored the kinds of SRH information sources adolescents in Ghana are exposed to and the source(s) which serve as their trusted one(s) vis-à-vis reasons given for trusting their sources. Using the Qualitative method of inquiry, the authors employed purposive and snowball sampling techniques to sample and interview twenty-one (n=21) adolescents (female and male) of the university of Cape Coast, Ghana. Results revealed that parents, especially mothers, are the most trusted sources of SRH information to adolescents in Ghana. Also, adolescents interviewed revealed that they source SRH information from their peers. Findings of the study inform and contribute to literature on trusted adolescent SRH information sources and impact policy directions on why adolescents in Ghana trust some SRH information sources over others. Implications for guidance and counselling have been discussed. Copyright © 2022: Daniel Edem Adzovie, Rita Holm Adzovie, and Nova Southeastern UniversityUniverzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně: IGA/FMK/2020/00
CuxCo1-xFe2O4 (x=0.33, 0.67, 1) spinel ferrite nanoparticles based thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites with reduced graphene oxide for highly efficient electromagnetic interference shielding
Get PDFCuxCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.33, 0.67, 1)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanocomposites exhibiting highly efficient electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding were prepared by a melt-mixing approach using a microcompounder. Spinel ferrite Cu0.33Co0.67Fe2O4 (CuCoF1), Cu0.67Co0.33Fe2O4 (CuCoF2) and CuFe2O4 (CuF3) nanoparticles were synthesized using the sonochemical method. The CuCoF1 and CuCoF2 exhibited typical ferromagnetic features, whereas CuF3 displayed superparamagnetic characteristics. The maximum value of EMI total shielding effectiveness (SET) was noticed to be 42.9 dB, 46.2 dB, and 58.8 dB for CuCoF1-rGO-TPU, CuCoF2-rGO-TPU, and CuF3-rGO-TPU nanocomposites, respectively, at a thickness of 1 mm. The highly efficient EMI shielding performance was attributed to the good impedance matching, conductive, dielectric, and magnetic loss. The demonstrated nanocomposites are promising candidates for a lightweight, flexible, and highly efficient EMI shielding material.Grantová Agentura České Republiky, GA Č
Factors with a major effect on the budgetary control process – An empirical study from the Czech Republic
Get PDFSuperlatives are commonplace in descriptions of traditional budgeting. Within managerial accounting techniques, it is one of the most frequently used, the most researched, but also the most criticized. While academics are largely united in criticism of traditional budgeting practices due to their inflexibility and consumption of resources, the existing studies have not identified universal assumptions to improve this system. The inconsistent conclusions in current literature create a need to explore approaches to mitigation of budgetary weaknesses. Furthermore, this incomplete knowledge is an impulse to examine factors influencing the choice of these approaches. The authors conducted a review of the literature to amass information on approaches developed to enhance traditional budgeting methods. Subsequently, research was conducted on the extent of utilization and the subjective perception of such methods at a sample of companies operating in the Czech Republic. The authors additionally attempted to determine which factors influenced the decisions of managers in selection of such a tool. A web-based survey was devised with the aim of gathering data, followed by analysis of correlation between selected variables through application of Pearson's chi-square test. The literature review revealed the importance of conducting a budgetary review in improving the budgetary control. In total, 136 Czech companies took part in the survey, and it was discovered that a significant number of them had implemented traditional budgeting methods. More than 80% of respondents monitored any variation within their budgets. In the following part, the share of foreign capital was identified as the factor that influenced choices made in budgetary control. Since no correlation was discerned between revision of a budget and subsequent perception of its efficiency, the results lend support to arguments that minor improvements do not radically affect budgeting overall.Grantová Agentura České Republiky, GA ČR; Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně: IGA/FaME/2020/010Czech Science FoundationGrant Agency of the Czech Republic [GA 17-13518S/P403]; Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FaME/2020/010
Reduce the sulphur dioxide content of wine by biological process in relation to the content of polyphenolic substances
Get PDFIn recent years, many papers have paid attention to the bioactive compounds, particularly to the antioxidant activity of polyphenolic compounds in food and beverages, due to their positive effect on human body. Therefore, the phenolic compounds and their antioxidant capacity become an important quality parameter, especially in niche markets concerned with health benefits. Wine is an excellent source of various classes of polyphenols. The phenolic compounds are responsible for the sensory characteristics, particularly colour, astringency, bitterness, and aroma, too. Another very important ingredient in the wine is added the sulphur dioxide, which has the role to protect these reductive components of wines. Sulphur dioxide has the effects of antioxidant, antimicrobial and preservative that is mutually merging. However, it is possible to increase the stability of the complex of biologically active substances (BAS), as holders of natural antioxidant capacity. The present contribution brings opportunities rather than full elimination, but a substantial reduction of the content of sulphur dioxide, which protects the wine during the entire technological process of manufacture and treatment. The dosage of sulphur dioxide can be reduced in its values from 15 to 40% of the total health of the authorized maximum sulphur dioxide content of wine.operational Program called Research and Development for Innovations (Vyzkum a vyvoj pro inovace); state budget of the Czech Republic within the Centre of Polymer Systems Project [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0111]; Brno University of Technology - MSMT CR [22738]; European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF)European Commission22738; Vysoké Učení Technické v Brně, BUT; European Regional Development Fund, ERDF; CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.011
Use of detection of suspicious behavior in ensuring the security of persons in transport
No full textThe article aims to describe and explain the basic principles of using the detection of suspicious behavior in ensuring security in transport and especially in public services, where the targets can be passengers, their companions or employees themselves. The paper also aims to explain the reason for the attacks and describe the basic behaviors that can precede the attack.Technology Agency of the Czech Republic [TH04010377
Novel Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPS) based on electrospun polydimethylsiloxane/polystyrene fibrous structures infused with natural blackseed oil
Get PDFHydrophobic fibrous slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) were fabricated by electrospinning polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polystyrene (PS) as a carrier polymer on plasma-treated polyethylene (PE) and polyurethane (PU) substrates. Subsequent infusion of blackseed oil (BSO) into the porous structures was applied for the preparation of the SLIPS. SLIPS with infused lubricants can act as a repellency layer and play an important role in the prevention of biofilm formation. The effect of polymer solutions used in the electrospinning process was investigated to obtain well-defined hydrophobic fibrous structures. The surface properties were analyzed through various optical, macroscopic and spectroscopic techniques. A comprehensive investigation of the surface chemistry, surface morphology/topography, and mechanical properties was carried out on selected samples at optimized conditions. The electrospun fibers prepared using a mixture of PDMS/PS in the ratio of 1:1:10 (g/g/mL) using tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent showed the best results in terms of fiber uniformity. The subsequent infusion of BSO into the fabricated PDMS/PS fiber mats exhibited slippery behavior regarding water droplets. Moreover, prepared SLIPS exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacterium strains.RP/CPS/2022/001, RP/CPS/2022/002; Qatar National Research Fund, QNRFQatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation) [NPRP13S-0123-200153, JSREP 07-022-3-010]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic DKRVO [RP/CPS/2022/001, RP/CPS/2022/002
Best practice forever? Dynamics behind the perception of farm-fed anaerobic digestion plants in rural peripheries
Get PDFAnaerobic digestion (AD) plants undoubtedly represent an integral and irreplaceable element in rural energy transition and sustainable waste management. In our study, we focus on an advanced understanding of the dynamics behind the changing perceptions of AD plants in host communities in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The surveyed AD plant case studies were selected to represent best-practice examples of AD plant operations in their countries. By means of a comparative survey in three host communities, we seek to learn more about the shift in perceptions of AD plants between their planning and operational phases. We find that, although our cases are considered best-practice examples of AD plant operations, their overall support in their communities dramatically dropped in the operational phase consequent to real-life experience with living in the neighbourhood of an AD plant. Additionally, our findings indicate that respondents who reported the most severe deterioration of AD plant perceptions were, surprisingly, those who had participated in the planning process more than other respondents. The most frequently mentioned type of participation in the planning phase was reported to be visits to the local administration office to inspect an AD plant's planning documentation. We argue that deteriorating perceptions of best-practice examples of AD plant operations negatively impact the further development and acceptance of the biogas sector in Eastern Europe. The element of acceptance by the locals of AD plant operations urgently requires reflection in the definition of best practices to inspire and upgrade both existing and planned biogas energy projects.Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness; State Research Agency of SpainSpanish Government; Regional Development Fund [CSO2017-86975-R, VEGA 1/0514/21]Vedecká Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaŠ SR a SAV, VEGA: 1/0514/21; European Regional Development Fund, ERDF: CSO2017-86975-R; Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital, Gobierno de España, MINEC