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The aim of the paper is to provide a cross-cultural analysis of selected linguistic realizations of persuasion in the language of technical communication represented by the genre of technical manuals (TM) and to identify the differences and similarities between the ways persuasion is expressed in this type of specialized discourse in English and Czech. More specifically, the paper attempts to discover which linguistic realizations of directives are applied to persuade the readers of the correctness of the instructions and the necessity of reading and following them. The results demonstrate that the main lexico-grammatical devices are quite similar in all the data. There are only minor frequency differences between English and Czech manuals, which are naturally reflected in their parallel Czech and English translations. The findings indicate that the quality of written instructions, including the degree of persuasiveness, is of great importance since it can influence prospective users of particular technical devices when making a choice about what to buy.

The article focuses on the macroeconomic analysis of production, export, import and investment in machine tools in the Czech Republic in the context of the initiative of Industry 4.0. Machine tools (MT) are among traditional industries in the Czech Republic and the industry has an innovative and growth potential. However, the economic crisis may disrupt or modify this trend. The article focuses on the analysis of correlations between GDP growth and production of MT, MT exports and investments in MT in the Czech Republic after the accession to the European Union in 2004 during the economic crisis of 2009 and the post-crisis development until 2014. The results show that production and exports are directly related to fluctuations in GDP and the economic cycle, but domestic investment in machine tools did not show this dependence. It is necessary to capture new trends to increase the competitiveness of the MT industry. The course of recovery of Czech economy after the economic crisis of 2009 indicates signals of qualitative changes in the traditional field of machine tool production. Comparing the years 2013 and 2014, it shows that export MT (SITC 731) fell in 2014, although the total exports from the Czech Republic to Europe and to the world grew significantly.

The role of English as a global lingua franca of academia has become indisputable in the on-going process of internationalization of all scholarship, even though the majority of writers and readers of academic texts are non-native speakers of English. Thus it is questionable whether there is any justification for imposing on international academic communication written in English the style conventions typical of the dominant Anglophone discourse community. Recommendations usually comprise qualities such as clarity, economy, linearity and precision in communication (cf. Bennett, 2015), which can be achieved, among other means, by certain overt guiding signals including conjuncts (Quirk et al., 1985).

The implementation of innovation strategies in SMEs is subjected to changes in the economic cycle. The reliability of economic trend indicators varies according to economic trends. The author deals with the relationship between selected business cycle survey indicators and time periods that correspond to the different phases of the economic cycle between the years 2003−2017. The aim of the article is to find out whether selected business cycle surveys indicators are equally reliable across the economic cycle. To solve the problem, first, the consensus of a selected business cycle surveys indicator and the performance of the mechanical engineering industry were evaluated, and then, the results were put into the context of the time period and tested with nonparametric ANOVA. The results show that the selected indicator was more reliable in periods of growth and less reliable in downturns, which is a signal for SMEs as to how to interpret the business cycle surveys. The use of future development assessments provides important information for businesses that make investment decisions and help them think over funding for innovation.

Successful timing of INDUSTRY 4.0 projects in businesses can be disrupted by the coming of a recession. The authors assume a close link between INDUSTRY 4.0 and research and development (R&D) projects. R&D projects are statistically internationally monitored and have a significant impact on European Union economic policies. This article explores the impact of the two economic recessions in 2009 and 2012−2013 on the number of R&D entities and human resources involved in R&D in the Czech Republic. The method of multivariate statistics with dummy variables was used. Research has shown that different sectors (business sector, government sector, higher education sector, and non-profit sector) show a different development of the number of R&D entities in times of economic crisis. The research findings indicate that current European Union grant support, tax relief, and other specific factors appear to be more important for the development of R&D projects in the Czech Republic than the effects of economic recession. In terms of longer time horizons, however, the effects of the business cycle cannot be ignored. In order to predict economic development, enterprises and other subjects can use leading macroeconomic indicators.

In this study were evaluated the Edam cheeses with fat content in dry matter 30% and 45% (w/w) produced using two different starter cultures YY and LL during 6 months of ripening. Sampling times were 26, 54, 89, 117, 146 and 180 days after production. The surface and central parts of cheeses have been evaluated separately.Cheese texture was analysed by using a Tira test 27025. The force needed to compress the sample was recorded (N). Ripening time had significant effect on rheological characteristics of the cheeses. The improvement of texture was related to the ripening time. At the beginning of ripening (1st month), there is a significantly higher hardness on surface layer of the cheese in samples of cheeses with 30% fat in dry matter. This is the case in both cultures. This difference has evened out after 2 months of ripening. The force needed to compression of the centrepiece of cheese with lower fat content in dry matter was 30.96 N and of cheese with higher fat content in dry matter 36.51 N, while after 60 days of ripening of cheese with lower fat content in dry matter it was 50.56 N and of cheese with higher fat content in dry matter 63.23 N.The influence of two different types of starter culture on the texture was evaluated. It was found out that after 60 days of ripening of cheese with 45% (w/w) fat in dry matter there was significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) in the firmness between cheese with starter culture YY (force 63.23 N) and LL (force 48 N). In every Edam sample after 3 months of aging (optimal ripe Edam) there was no dependence on the type of starter culture. After 120 days of ripening there was a significant difference in firmness of cheese with culture YY (44.58 N) and LL (33.61 N). Satistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) between the firmness of the surface and the central parts of the cheese was not found after one month of ripening.

Vocational rehabilitation plays a key role in the overall improvement of the quality of life for patients with chronic illness or after injury. Physicians have an important role in identifying suitable patients and recommending vocational rehabilitation as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation treatment. This article provides an overview of the use of vocational rehabilitation in the treatment of various patients with different types of illnesses and suggests criteria for selecting appropriate patients for involvement in vocational rehabilitation. The review presents the current state of vocational rehabilitation, its possibilities, limitations, and challenges for further development. One of the main challenges is the potential use of vocational rehabilitation for patients on temporary disability leave. Although employment law has allowed this possibility for 20 years, in practice, the tool of vocational rehabilitation has not yet been used for this group of individuals. The article also brings new findings revealed by research conducted within an experimental project that pilot tested the concept of so-called "vocational rehabilitation centers." The research showed, among other things, that the early involvement of individuals with disabilities in vocational rehabilitation, combined with a multidisciplinary approach, more than triples their chances of obtaining or retaining employment.

There is evidence supporting the use of psychosocial interventions in dementia care. Due to the role of policy in clinical practice, the present study investigates whether and how the issue of psychosocial care and interventions has been addressed in the national dementia plans and strategies across Europe. A total of 26 national documents were found. They were analyzed by content analysis to identify the main pillars associated with the topic of psychosocial care and interventions. Specifically, three categories emerged: (1) Treatment, (2) Education, and (3) Research. The first one was further divided into three subcategories: (1) Person-centred conceptual framework, (2) Psychosocial interventions, and (3) Health and social services networks. Overall, the topic of psychosocial care and interventions has been addressed in all the country policies. However, the amount of information provided differs across the documents, with only the category of 'Treatment' covering all of them. Furthermore, on the basis of the existing policies, how the provision of psychosocial care and interventions would be enabled, and how it would be assessed are not fully apparent yet. Findings highlight the importance of policies based on a comprehensive and well-integrated system of care, where the issue of psychosocial care and interventions is fully embedded.