The aim of this Master´s thesis is to find out whether there is a relation (mainly) between economic factors and government popularity in Slovakia, based on data from the period 2004-2016. The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part describes theoretical aspects of government popularity function and historical overview of past government cabinets in Slovakia. The second part is practical, that explains a methodology used in modelling and results of modelling itself. At the end of this thesis, there is final summary of attained results.

The aim of this study was to find a relation between the popularity of a Czech government and the state of the national economy. Popularity functions were established and econometrically tested for governments led by Prime ministers Zeman, Špidla, Topolánek and Nečas. It was discovered that the popularity indeed depends on the state of national economy; in case of left oriented governments the main factor is unemployment while in the case of right oriented governments the main factor is inflation. It was also proven, beside the main goal, that the Phillips curve theorem is valid in conditions of the Czech Republic. Besides the economic factors, political factors as corruption affairs and similar were proven to affect popularity of the government even more than the economic factors. Therefore it is essential to make sure that media is really independent from politicians, which in the czech reality is far from the truth.

Background: Biomonitoring of pesticides is an objective measure of short-term pesticide exposure as it measures possible exposure in the human body. Current evidence on the relationship between demographic, socio-economic and pesticide exposure risk factors and urinary levels of organophosphate (OP) pesticide metabolites among children is generally incomplete and conflicting in some cases. There is therefore a need for further research. Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between socio-economic, demographic and reported pesticide exposure related activities and characteristics in relation to urinary levels of three dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites (diethyl phosphate (DEP), dimethyl phosphate (DMP) and dimethyl triphosphate (DMTP)) among boys living in the rural areas of the Western Cape, South Africa. Methods: This was an analysis of data collected during a cross- sectional study of 183 boys from three agricultural intense areas in the Western Cape of South Africa between April 2007 and March 2008. Measurements included a questionnaire on demographic, socio-economic and pesticide exposure risk factors and analysis of spot urine samples for DAP metabolites. Results: Most of the boys (70%) lived on farms with a median age of 12 years (range: 5.0 - 19.5 years). The median concentrations of DAP, DEP, DMP and DMTP were 68.3 ng/ml (IQR= 27.9; 129.5), 5.5 ng/ml, 32.6 ng/ml and 16.7 ng/ml, respectively. The sum of the three DAP levels wasinversely associated with age. Children older than 14 years had less DAP levels (β = -68.1; 95% CI: -136.8,0.6) than children 9 years and younger. DAP levels also varied significantly with residential area, with the levels highest in Grabouw (apple farming), followed by Hex River Valley (grape farming) (β= -52.1; 95% CI: -97.9, -6.3) then Piketberg (wheat farming) (β= -54.2; 95% CI:-98.8, -9.7). Other weaker and non-significant associations with increased DAP levels were found with increased household income, member of household work with pesticides, living on a farm, drinking water from an open water source and eating crops from the vineyard and or garden. Conclusion: The study found younger age and living in and around an apple and grape farms, to be associated with increased urinary DAP concentrations among the school children provide evidence that younger age and residential area can be associated with increased urinary DAP concentrations among boys. Additionally, there are other household and behavioural characteristics that are associated with elevated urinary DAP levels. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs to improve the statistical power and the associations found are recommended. The study provided more insight to incomplete and inconclusive evidence of previous studies.

CHARLES UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Institute of Political Studies Department of Political Science Master's Thesis 2021 Robert Hartmann 78525080@fsv.cuni.cz ii CHARLES UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES Institute of Political Studies Department of Political Science 4 Years after Hurricane Maria - An institutional analysis of the Puerto Rican energy sector in regard to the stagnant energy transition Master's thesis Author: Robert Hartmann Study program: International Economics and Political Studies Supervisor: Professor PhDr. Martin Potůček, CSc., M.Sc. Year of the defense: 2021 Abstract: Error! No text of specified style in document. iii Abstract While initiatives across the globe started to combat and mitigate climate change, their effort and ability differ significantly, especially in regard to the abilities to transform the energy sector as one of the biggest emitters in our society. Thus, transitioning away from the current global energy system is of paramount importance and drivers, as well as obstacles for a successful transition must be identified. The transition towards low-carbon, more resilient and reliable energy systems does require more than changes in technologies as the process is also shaped by changes in the rules and regulations which govern energy systems. This thesis will...

Background Teenage pregnancy is a public and global health concern that remains a substantial challenge in Low-income countries, particularly the densely populated countries, including Rwanda. The factors that contribute to teenage pregnancies are broad, with the most common are socioeconomic factors. The study aims to investigate the association of socioeconomic, demographic factors of teenagepregnancy in Rwanda. Methods This study uses a cross-sectional study of Demographic and Health Survey data from the national Representative of Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey done between 2014 and 2015. Our study Analysis used a weighted data sample of adolescents aged 19-24 years. Bivariate descriptive and logistic regression was used to examine the associated factors of Teenage Pregnancy. Results Descriptive bivariate analysis exhibit place of residence, wealth index and education attainment variables are statistically significant. Multivariate analysis found positive association with teenage pregnancy after adding all variables to control potential confounders in bivariate logistic regression. For example, education attainment (no education and primary); Religion (Protestant and Adventist); wealth index (poor and middle) teenager’s women and girls who lived in the eastern region were associated with pregnancy among women who were Below 20 years old. Conclusion There is a substantial increase in teenage pregnancy in Rwanda. The study results demonstrate that potential factors (economic status and education attainment) are more likely to correlate to teenage pregnancy in Rwanda. Socioeconomic and demographics factors should be strongly considered when designing policies to address teenage pregnancy in Rwanda. / <p>Thesis presentation of Socio-economic factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Rwanda: A secondary analysisof Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey data from 2014-2015 by Kalisa Francois</p>

In this study the impact of socio economic factors in raising a child with mental disability was discussed and explored. There is limited research done on this topic in the world and in South Africa. Studies show that there is a direct link between poverty and mental disability. There are multiple factors that have an influence on a family that have a child that suffers from mental disability. These factors include stress and unresolved emotions regarding the child that suffers from mental disability, financial burdens, dealing with the child’s problematic behaviour and the social stigma associated with disabilities. It was found that there is little support available for families that have to deal with all these factors. Different aspects of mental disability have been discussed in this study in order to create a better understanding of mentally disability and to provide all the necessary information surrounding mental disability. Aspects that were discussed are: a) What is mental disability, b) Levels of mental disability, c) The link between poverty and mental disability, d) Socio-economic and psychosocial factors that have an impact on the family, e) Causes of mental disability, f) Role of the social worker, and g) Services provided to families. These aspects have been discussed through literature and in the empirical study. Findings from this study show that families that have a child with mental disability also have to contend with a lot of socio-economic factors that play a role in the family. Having a child with a mental disability in the house has an influence on all members of the family. Children with a mental disability have serious emotional and behavioural problems. Parents of mentally challenged children commonly experience different emotions. Raising a child with a mental disability may be more expensive than raising a typical child. It was thus concluded that there is a need to explore the impact of socio-economic factors in raising a child with a mental disability. / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Social Work and Criminology / MSW / Unrestricted

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Growth rates of three commercial eucheumoids: brown Eucheuma denticulatum and green and brown Kappaphycus alvarezii were studied at three sites (Gazi Bay, Kibuyuni and Mkwiro) in southern Kenya. The study was conducted using the fixed off-bottom rope technique over a 15 month period from August 2001 to October 2002, in 4 plots (5 m x 1.5 m) set up at each site. The brown E. denticulatum had the highest mean growth rate over the entire period of 4.7% day-I compared to the green and brown K. alvarezii which were 4.3% day l and 4.2% dayl, respectively. Mean relative growth rates were highest at Gazi (5.6% dayl), and lowest in Kibuyuni (3.2% day-I) with intermediate values of 4.8% dail at Mkwiro. Increased water motion was observed to increase thallus nitrogen and hence the growth of eucheumoids. The 'ice-ice' syndrome affected both brown E. denticulatum and brown K. alvarezii but not green K. alvarezii. Mean growth was higher during the southeast monsoon (4.7% day+) than during the northeast monsoon (4.0% dayl).The carrageenan characteristics of the three morphotypes were measured for 12 months. The highest carrageenan yield was obtained for green K. alvarezii (59.1% dry wt), whereas the average carrageenan yield for brown K. alvarezii was 56.5% dry wt and 56.6% dry wt for brown E. denticulatum. The plants at Gazi (58.0% dry wt) had a slightly, though significantly, higher carrageenan yield than both those at Kibuyuni (57.1 % dry wt) and Mkwiro (57.3% dry wt). However, from a commercial point of view the differences in carrageenan yields were not meaningful. Highest gel strengths were obtained in carrageenans from green K. alvarezii (1042.1 g cm") and brown K. alvarezii (1053.7 g ern"), whereas low values of 100.8 g ern" were obtained for brown E. denticulatum. The brown E. denticulatum had carrageenan with higher viscosity (81.7 mPa.s) and sulphate content (29.1% dry wt) than both green and brown K. alvarezii. The gel viscosities of all the morphotypes were higher during the southeast monsoon (67.3 mPa.s) than during the northeast monsoon (46.3 mPa.s) and were positively correlated with gel strengths.A survey was conducted among households in the three villages, from April to September 2001 to assess their socio-economic characteristics. There were 182 household heads interviewed; about 20% were women. Fishing was the main source of livelihood for about 48% of the household members. In 2001, the average monthly income for the surveyed households was Kshs. 9904 (1 US$=75 Kshs.), with about 67% having less than Kshs. 10 000. The average prevalence of poverty among the households surveyed was 45.1% with 38.8%,54.8% and 46.7% of households in Gazi, Kibuyuni and Mkwiro villages, respectively, living below the poverty line of Kshs. 1239 per month per adult person. An economic feasibility study for growing brown E. denticulatum and brown K. alvarezii in pilot farms of 0.1 ha was conducted at Gazi and Kibuyuni. A higher yield of 793 kg dry wt was obtained for plants grown at Gazi than those at Kibuyuni (793 kg dry wt). The net income derived from E. denticulatum was estimated at Kshs. 7549 annually in a 0.1 ha seaweed farm. A higher annual income of Kshs. 49 126 was generated from K. alvarezii. The rate of return on investment in farming E. denticulatum ranged from 15 to 63%, while 122 to 380% for K. alvarezii. The pay back period was shorter for the latter (0.3 to 0.7 years) than the former (1.2 to 2.7 years).A cross-sectoral policy analysis regarding legislation and policy relevant to the introduction and development of eucheumoid cultivation in Kenya, with particular reference to Kenyan legislation was conducted. The analysis showed that there is no system of promoting or regulating mariculture, though there are fragmented regulations that are scattered among the policies, Acts and regulations of various institutions. Such regulations were not designed specifically for mariculture and as a result they do not fully address the needs of mariculture. The establishment of a national mariculture development programme in Kenya is proposed as a means to develop and manage the farming of marine resources, including seaweeds.

En la actualidad, la industria de los videojuegos ha presentado un gran crecimiento con respecto a otras industrias, lo que ha generado un mayor número de competidores en el sector. Asimismo, los modelos de compra de videojuegos han variado con el tiempo, convirtiéndose el free to play en la modalidad más atractiva entre los videojugadores. Por tal motivo, los videojuegos free to play competitivos han optado por invertir en distintos ámbitos, con la finalidad de mejorar su posicionamiento y atraer nuevos usuarios. No obstante, con respecto las inversiones, se ha determinado tres factores que se relacionan al posicionamiento, la inversión publicitaria, la inversión en la escena competitiva y la inversión en influencers. Razón por la cual, se desarrolla cada uno de ellos, mediante su aproximación con el marketing de videojuegos. La metodología comprende un análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo, mediante un análisis cruzado de las variables, entrevistas a profundidad y grupos focales. De esta manera, se discute lo recogido, encontrando hallazgos de vital importancia que validan las hipótesis presentadas. Lo que coloca a la inversión en la escena competitiva, como la inversión de mayor importancia para el posicionamiento de los esports free to play. / At present, the videogames industry has shown great growth compared to other industries, which has generated a greater number of competitors in the sector. Likewise, videogame purchase models have varied over time, making free to play the most attractive modality among videogames. For this reason, competitive free to play video games have chosen to invest in different fields, in order to improve their positioning and attract new users. However, with respect to investments, three factors have been determined that relate to positioning, advertising investment, investment in the competitive scene and investment in influencers. Reason why, each of them is developed, through its approach to videogame marketing. The methodology includes a quantitative and qualitative analysis, through a cross-analysis of the variables, in-depth interviews and focus groups. In this way, the collected is discussed, finding findings of vital importance that validate the hypotheses presented. What places the investment in the competitive scene, as the most important investment for the positioning of esports free to play. / Trabajo de investigación

In the organization and management of poultry farming many problems arise which call for a solution. Among such problems are the following: The amount of floor space per hen which will prove the most economical, the value of electric lights in poultry houses, amount of labor which can be profitably invested in a poultry flock, and the amount of feed which can be economically fed to poultry. There are many influences which determine poultry profits that cannot be controlled directly, but the factors mentioned here are largely within the control of the poultryman. He should, therefore, direct them as far as possible so as to increase his net returns. Each hen should be provided with floor space necessary for most efficient production. The poultryman, however, does not know the amount of space that will bring the greatest returns. If the net income from each hen is just as high with two square feet of floor space per hen as where each hen has six square feet, then it is not economical to have six square feet of floor space per hen. If this is the case, it would be advisable for the poultryman to increase the size of his flock so as to obtain the fullest returns from his investment in poultry houses and equipment. A poultry farmer should know if there are any advantages derived from the use of electric lights. If it is an advantage to use lights, the poultryman desires to know how many hours they should be used each day. If, through the use of lights, production is increased to such an extent that gross returns more than pay for wiring, cost of electricity, and other incidental expenses, lights will prove a profitable investment. A poultryman must give time and labor to his flock in feeding, cleaning coops and gathering eggs. When this work has been efficiently done, extra time and labor is not likely to increase profits. The poultry farmer wants to know the point where increased labor fails to increase profits. This same principle applies to the amount of feed given to poultry. Up to a certain point production may be increased as the amount of feed is increased, but before this point is reached, the extra eggs may not pay for the additional feed costs. The poultry farmer should know the limits of poultry feeding which will prove profitable. whether or not the poultryman solves these problems determines to a considerable degree his success or failure. This study is an attempt to point out the relationship existing between several of these factors which pertain to the organization, management, and profitableness of poultry farm.

Department of Defense (DoD) implemented Human Social Cultural and Behavior (HSCB) program to meet the need to develop capability to understand, predict and shape human behavior among different cultures by developing a knowledge base, building models, and creating training capacity. This capability will allow decision makers to subordinate kinetic operations and promote non-kinetic operations to govern economic programs better in order to initiate efforts and development to address the grievances among the displeased by adverse events. These non-kinetic operations include rebuilding indigenous institutions’ bottom-up economic activity and constructing necessary infrastructure since the success in non-kinetic operations depends on understanding and using social and cultural landscape. This study aims to support decision makers by building a computational model to understand economic factors and their effect on adverse events. In this dissertation, the analysis demonstrates that the use of cellular automata has several significant contributions to support decision makers allocating development funds to stabilize regions with higher adverse event risks, and to better understand the complex socio-economic interactions with adverse events. Thus, this analysis was performed on a set of spatial data representing factors from social and economic data. In studying behavior using cellular automata, cells in the same neighborhood synchronously interact with each other to determine their next states, and small changes in iteration may yield to complex formations of adverse event risk after several iterations of time. The modeling methodology of cellular automata for social and economic analysis in this research was designed in two major implementation levels as follows: macro and micro-level. In the macro-level, the modeling framework integrates iv population, social, and economic sub-systems. The macro-level allows the model to use regionalized representations, while the micro-level analyses help to understand why the events have occurred. Macro-level subsystems support cellular automata rules to generate accurate predictions. Prediction capability of cellular automata is used to model the micro-level interactions between individual actors, which are represented by adverse events. The results of this dissertation demonstrate that cellular automata model is capable of evaluating socio-economic influences that result in changes in adverse events and identify location, time and impact of these events. Secondly, this research indicates that the socioeconomic influences have different levels of impact on adverse events, defined by the number of people killed, wounded or hijacked. Thirdly, this research shows that the socio-economic, influences and adverse events that occurred in a given district have impacts on adverse events that occur in neighboring districts. The cellular automata modeling approach can be used to enhance the capability to understand and use human, social and behavioral factors by generating what-if scenarios to determine the impact of different infrastructure development projects to predict adverse events. Lastly, adverse events that could occur in upcoming years can be predicted to allow decision makers to deter these events or plan accordingly if these events do occur.