Women Writing Steel: Fiction, Memoir, and Poetry

Economic centers of northern Appalachia (Johnstown, Pittsburgh, Steubenville, Weirton, Wheeling, and Youngstown) define the Rust Belt because of their historical association with the steel industry. Steelworkers and mills populate the work of regional male authors and poets such as Thomas Bell, Robert Bruno, and Robert Gibb. Their work constitutes a subterranean canon of literature, however, works about the steel industry written by women are overlooked. Women steelworkers and writers such as Harriet Simpson Arnow, Jan Beatty, Margaret Byington, Steffi Domike, Eliese Colette Goldbach, Rebecca HardingDavis, and Eleanor Wymard explore the mills and the life of steelworkers in their works

Pendulum Energy Harvester with Amplifier

This paper presents a new principle of inductive vibration power harvester. Harvester is a pendulum that uses energy capacitor which is the mass. The mass is connected to the pendulum via a gearbox to achieve greater movement of the pendulum that generates an electromagnetic voltage. The harvester is developed at a very low frequency (1-10 Hz) which uses the rectified magnetic fluxes. Magnets are statically placed in the harvester case, and relative motion is carried out by the coil. Magnets are static, and the coil moves due to the weight ratio of magnets which the steel leads of the magnetic flux and the coil itself. This paper is focused on a harvester with a mechanical amplifier with the proposed technique is brings the plow harvester access with an auxiliary force. The experimental results indicate that the optimal results of the harvester with an accumulator for the resonant zone are 3.75 Hz, 7 Hz, and 10 Hz

An Experimental Study into Tholin\u27s Solubility with Liquid Hydrocarbons on Titan

Titan’s production of organics in its atmosphere and the liquid hydrocarbon lakes present on its surface make it a prime target for astrobiologists. Many previous studies on laboratory analogs of these organics, called tholins , have found amino acids, nitriles, and other building blocks necessary for life. The potential solubility of tholins in the lakes of Titan presents an opportunity to create physical and chemical changes within the organics. While the lakes of Titan are primarily comprised of nonpolar compounds (methane and ethane), many predict that very small amounts of polar hydrocarbons are also present. To better understand these processes, researchers create “tholins” to utilize in these studies. Since the production of tholins is also a randomized process, variations in the structure are to be expected in tholin production. Studies have been developed to better understand variability in the compounds and how best to simulate conditions being investigated. Chapter 1 investigates the effects of varying production times on tholin molecular structure. While the process of tholin production is randomized, general structural trends resulting from the effects of certain variables can be observed. Through these experiments, we seek to characterize the effects of different production time scales on the structure and composition of tholins. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) was utilized to observe large variations and spectral shifts on 1-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, and 12-hour production times of tholins. Resulting spectra do not show large changes in the molecular weights of tholins produced at different timescales. The resulting organics produced however might be different, with more aromatics and ring structures being present as production time increases. Therefore, the tholins produced at longer production times might not be dissimilar to tholin produced at shorter timescales. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 investigate tholins in the lakes on Titan. To better understand the impact these liquid polar compounds within the lakes might have on tholins, we utilize a mixture of both polar and nonpolar solvents. Acetonitrile, hexane, and a mixture solvent of hexane saturated with acetonitrile act as analogs to the Titan lake environment. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) was used in Chapter 2 to observe the physical characteristics (such as hydrodynamic diameter and dispersity indices) of the tholin particles within each solution. Measurements showed that the presence of acetonitrile did increase particle diameter and polydispersity values. Additionally, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and MALDI were utilized in Chapter 3 and 4 for spectroscopic analysis of organics with and without oxygen-containing species, respectively. Results from both of these studies showed no chemical changes in the samples containing mixtures of solvents. These projects can provide insight into the environment of Titan and further our knowledge of its potential habitability

An Experimental Study into Tholin\u27s Solubility with Liquid Hydrocarbons on Titan

Titan’s production of organics in its atmosphere and the liquid hydrocarbon lakes present on its surface make it a prime target for astrobiologists. Many previous studies on laboratory analogs of these organics, called tholins , have found amino acids, nitriles, and other building blocks necessary for life. The potential solubility of tholins in the lakes of Titan presents an opportunity to create physical and chemical changes within the organics. While the lakes of Titan are primarily comprised of nonpolar compounds (methane and ethane), many predict that very small amounts of polar hydrocarbons are also present. To better understand these processes, researchers create “tholins” to utilize in these studies. Since the production of tholins is also a randomized process, variations in the structure are to be expected in tholin production. Studies have been developed to better understand variability in the compounds and how best to simulate conditions being investigated. Chapter 1 investigates the effects of varying production times on tholin molecular structure. While the process of tholin production is randomized, general structural trends resulting from the effects of certain variables can be observed. Through these experiments, we seek to characterize the effects of different production time scales on the structure and composition of tholins. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) was utilized to observe large variations and spectral shifts on 1-hour, 4-hour, 6-hour, and 12-hour production times of tholins. Resulting spectra do not show large changes in the molecular weights of tholins produced at different timescales. The resulting organics produced however might be different, with more aromatics and ring structures being present as production time increases. Therefore, the tholins produced at longer production times might not be dissimilar to tholin produced at shorter timescales. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 investigate tholins in the lakes on Titan. To better understand the impact these liquid polar compounds within the lakes might have on tholins, we utilize a mixture of both polar and nonpolar solvents. Acetonitrile, hexane, and a mixture solvent of hexane saturated with acetonitrile act as analogs to the Titan lake environment. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) was used in Chapter 2 to observe the physical characteristics (such as hydrodynamic diameter and dispersity indices) of the tholin particles within each solution. Measurements showed that the presence of acetonitrile did increase particle diameter and polydispersity values. Additionally, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and MALDI were utilized in Chapter 3 and 4 for spectroscopic analysis of organics with and without oxygen-containing species, respectively. Results from both of these studies showed no chemical changes in the samples containing mixtures of solvents. These projects can provide insight into the environment of Titan and further our knowledge of its potential habitability

Konvergence metody Markov chain Monte Carlo

Tato práce se zabývá problémem náhodného q-obarvení z teorie grafů, ve kte- rém je úkolem obarvit vrcholy grafu q barvami, tak aby žádné sousední vrcholy neměly stejnou barvu. Cílem je generovat náhodné q-obarvení z rovnoměrného rozdělení na množině přípustných řešení. Problém byl formulovaný pomocí Mar- kovských řetězců a bylo k němu přistupováno přes Markov Chain Monte Carlo metodu, konkrétně Gibbsův výběrový plán. Cílem byla modifikace věty o rych- losti konvergence Gibbsova výběrového plánu z systematického na náhodný výběr vrcholů. Bylo třeba dokázat několik pomocných tvrzení a při důkazu hlavní věty byla použita metoda "coupling". Podařilo se odhadnout počet iteraci potřebných k tomu aby vzdálenost, ve smyslu totální variace, rozdělení řetězce od cílového rozdělení byla dostatečně malá. Význam věty byl demonstrovaný na numerických příkladech a je přidána také ukázka simulace. 23This thesis deals with the problem of random q-coloring from graph theory, in which goal is to color all vertices of graph by q colors so that no adjacent vertices have the same color. The aim is to generate random q-coloring from uniform distribution on the set of relevant solutions. The problem was expres- sed through Markov chain and approach was done through Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, namely the Gibbs sampler. The aim was to modify theorem of fast convergence of Gibbs sampler from systematic sweep to random sweep. It was ne- cessary to prove several auxiliary theorems, and in the proof of main theorem the "coupling" method was used. We managed to estimate the number of iterations needed to make the distance, in terms of total variation,from the distribution on the chain to the target distribution sufficiently small. The meaning og the the- orem was demonstrated in numerical examples and example od simulation was also added. 24Department of Probability and Mathematical StatisticsKatedra pravděpodobnosti a matematické statistikyMatematicko-fyzikální fakultaFaculty of Mathematics and Physic

Edgeworthův rozvoj

Táto práca sa zaoberá Edgeworthsovím rozvojom pre aproximáciu rozdelenia odhadu parametra. Úloha práce je uviesť pojem Edgeworthsov rozvoj, zaviesť jeho predpokaldy a s nimy súvisiace termíny. Následne ukázať postup pre odvodenie prvého člena Edgeworthsovho rovoju. Nakoniec túto aproximáciu demonštrovať na príkaldoch, porovnať ho s inými aproximáciami (hlavne celntrálnou limitnou vetou), a ukázať silné a slabé stránky Edgeworthsovho rozvoja.This thesis is focused around Edgeworths expansion for aproximation of distribution for parameter estimation. Aim of the thesis is to introduce term Edgeworths expansion, its assumptions and terminology associeted with it. Afterwords demonstrate process of deducting first term of Edgeworths expansion. In the end demonstrate this deduction on examples and compare it with different approximations (mainly central limit theorem), and show strong and weak points of Edgeworths expansion.Katedra pravděpodobnosti a matematické statistikyDepartment of Probability and Mathematical StatisticsFaculty of Mathematics and PhysicsMatematicko-fyzikální fakult

Edgeworthův rozvoj

Táto práca sa zaoberá Edgeworthovým rozvojom pre aproximáciu rozdelenia odhadu parametra. Úloha práce je uviesť pojem Edgeworthov rozvoj, zaviesť jeho predpoklady a s nimi súvisiace termíny. Následne ukázať postup pre odvodenie prvého člena Edgeworthovho rozvoja. Nakoniec túto aproximáciu demonštrovať na príkladoch, porovnať ho s inými aproximáciami (hlavne centrálnou limitnou vetou) a ukázať silné a slabé stránky Edgeworthovho rozvojaThis thesis is focused around Edgeworth's expansion for approximation of distribution for parameter estimation. Aim of the thesis is to introduce term Edgeworth's expansion, its assumptions and terminology associated with it. Afterwards demonstrate process of deducting first term of Edgeworth's expansion. In the end demonstrate this deduction on examples and compare it with different approximations (mainly central limit theorem), and show strong and weak points of Edgeworth's expansion.Department of Probability and Mathematical StatisticsKatedra pravděpodobnosti a matematické statistikyFaculty of Mathematics and PhysicsMatematicko-fyzikální fakult

Illegal employment

Since 2007 Labour Code contains the definition of dependent work, which can be carried out only in labour-law relations. The Amendment to Labour Code from 2012 makes the definition more precise, when it stipulates essential elements of dependent work and designates the others as conditions, under which dependent work should be carried out. The Amendment to Employment Act changes the definition of illegal work. Illegal work is a performance of dependent work by natural person except for labour-law relation, or if natural person – foreigner carries out work in conflict with issued permission to employment or without this permission. Since 2012 sanctions for illegal work were increased. Labour inspection is entitled to impose sanctions, in case of foreigners it is Customs Office. For control purposes employer is obliged to have copies of documents at the workplace proving the existence of labour-law relation. Goal of controls and high fines is to limit illegal employment of citizens of Czech Republic and foreigners as well. Illegal work has unfavourable economic impact on state budget. It comes to extensive tax evasions and also to evasions within health insurance and social security. If a concluded commercial-law relation meets the attributes of dependent work, then it stands for a concealed legal relationship. Tax Office can subsequently assess an income tax to businessman. Labour-law relationship enjoys a higher legal protection than commercial-law relationship; nonetheless it is not suitable to limit liberty of contract in cases when it is not unambiguously a dependent activity

Inflammatory Marker sTREM-1 Reflects the Clinical Stage and Respiratory Tract Obstruction in Allergic Asthma Bronchiale Patients and Correlates with Number of Neutrophils

The knowledge that asthma is an inflammatory disorder has prompted us to investigate the plasma levels of a new inflammatory marker sTREM-1 that is released from the surfaces of activated neutrophils and monocytes. The plasma levels of sTREM-1 were analysed by a sandwich ELISA test in the cohort of 76 patients with allergic asthma bronchiale and 39 healthy controls. Our results revealed more than 3.5 times higher levels of sTREM-1 in AB patients (92.3 pg/mL ± 125.6) compared with healthy subjects (25.7 pg/mL ± 9.2; P = 0.0001). Higher levels of sTREM-1 were found also in patients with exacerbated AB (170.5 pg/mL ± 78.2) compared with nonexacerbated AB patients (59.1 ± 78.2; P < 0.0001), patients with respiratory tract obstruction (176.4 pg/mL ± 177.8), than those without obstruction (51.99 pg/mL ± 64.0; P < 0.0001) and patients with anti-IgE therapy (P < 0.0001). Levels of sTREM-1 correlated with number of leucocytes (P = 0.002), and absolute number of neutrophils (P = 0.001). Elevated plasma levels of sTREM-1 reflect the severity, state of exacerbation, presence of respiratory tract obstruction in AB patients and together with increased number of neutrophils point to the role of neutrophils in inflammation accompanying AB