iv Abstract As real estate is an important part of the wealth composition of households, this the impact of the financial stimulus that was observed throughout 2020 and how it might have affected housing prices in various European countries. For this the thesis runs a Vector Error Correction Model with the following independent variables: population, exchange rate, inflation, short-term interest rate, unemployment rate and the compensation of employees. The time frame for this regression is restricted to 2000Q1 to 2019Q4 in order to exclude the housing price development throughout 2020 that is already affected by the financial stimulus. These regression results are then used in combination with the 2020 actuals of all independent variables to approximate the expected housing price without financial stimulus. This gives an indication of a potential overpricing in the markets and provides an understanding of how financial stimulus might be connected to housing prices. Another analysis in this thesis then provides an understanding of the leader-follower relationship of housing prices and rental prices and provides an analysis on how this might be connected to the level of home ownership in a particular market. JEL Classification F62, J11, R30 Keywords Real Estate, Covid-19, Financial Stimulus Title The effect...

<b>Background. </b> Although antipsychotic medications are primarily intended to treat schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms in adults, they are commonly administered to nursing home residents as pharmacotherapy for "off-label" indications such as disruptive behaviour. However, clinical trials have demonstrated limited efficacy and serious side-effects of antipsychotics among the elderly. As previous studies have reported inappropriate use in several countries, their use in nursing home residents ought to be monitored to detect and reduce inappropriate administration. <br /><br /> <b>Objectives. </b> The aim of this study was a) to determine and compare prevalence rates of antipsychotic use in Ontario and Swiss nursing homes, b) to identify determinants of antipsychotics use in these two countries, by means of a cross-sectional design, and c) to investigate the impact of antipsychotic use on behaviours over time in Ontario and Swiss residents, by means of a longitudinal design. <br /><br /> <b>Methods. </b> This study involved secondary data analysis of 1932 residents from 24 nursing homes in the province of Ontario in Canada and 1536 residents from 4 nursing homes in a German-speaking canton in Switzerland. Residents were assessed with the Minimum Data Set (MDS) tool. Resident characteristics and prevalence rates were compared internationally with the chi-square test. Demographic and clinical determinants of antipsychotic use, as well as behavioural change associated with antipsychotics, were analyzed using logistic regression. <br /><br /> <b>Results. </b> Although Ontario nursing home residents had an overall heavier-care profile than Swiss residents, antipsychotics were administered to 25% of the Ontario residents compared to 29. 5% of the Swiss residents. The adjusted rate among residents without appropriate conditions was also lower in Ontario (14%) than in Switzerland (24. 5%). Apart from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and cognitive impairment, antipsychotic use was determined by a different range of characteristics in these two countries. Antipsychotic use was not predictive of behavioural improvement. <br /><br /> <b>Conclusion. </b> The high adjusted rates of antipsychotic use in Ontario and Swiss nursing home residents, as well as the presence of "inappropriate indications" and "facility" as determinants of their use, raise concerns about the appropriateness of their administration in both countries. Their lack of effectiveness to improve behaviours also questions their use as long-term treatment for behaviour disturbances. Changes in practice patterns and implementation of policies are warranted to reduce inappropriate prescribing practices to enhance the quality of care provided to residents in nursing homes.

First part of this thesis is focusing on history of internet gambling and its shift to the online environment. Other chapter is about psychological aspects which affects the approach to the gambling the most in many different environments with major focus on the online gambling and its characteristic differences. Main goal of this thesis is the evaluation of the present state of the regulation of internet gambling in some of the countries around the world and their comparison with the situation in Czech Republic. One of the outcomes is the summary of recommendations which should be taking into consideration while creating the new gaming act.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T15:14:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Guilherme de Paula Moreira Fracaro.pdf: 1427700 bytes, checksum: f759217009e2ccbcf53a1f94eb64e5bf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Industrial energy efficiency has received increasing attention in many countries because of its importance in the pursuit of security of energy supply, increased competitiveness in the economy and in the mitigation of greenhouse gases emissions. This dissertation aimed to evaluate the energy consumption development of Brazilian pulp and paper industry, a sector classified and energy-intensive and with significative importance both in terms of energy and economic. Both the emissions intensity of greenhouse gases, arising from the sector energy consumption, and the developments of the energy efficiency levels were analysed, estimating the existing energy saving potentials. Through a decomposition analysis, the influences of changes in the struture, production intensity and energy efficiency levels in the increased sector energy consumption over time were evaluated. In order to contextualize the changes occurred in the country, an international comparison of the development of both the energy efficiency levels and the energy consumption decomposition of other importante producing countries: Canada, United States of America, Finland and Sweden were held. It was concluded in this study that the emissions intensity of carbon dioxide equivalent by the national industry decreased significantly between 1979 and 2010, from 1.24 to 0.31 CO2e per tonne of exported pulp and produced paper. Despite a significant increase in the energy efficiency levels, responsible for 5.5 PJ savings in electricity consumption and for 37.6 PJ savings in fuels consumptions between 1979 and 2009, it was identified a saving potential of 7.3 PJ and 105.5 PJ related to the annual consumption of electricity and fuels, respectively, in the Brazilian pulp and paper industry. Among the countries evolved in the international comparison, both Swedish and Finnish industreis were the most eficiente, followed by the Brazilian, American and Canadian, being the latter the only one where there was a reduction in the energy efficiency levels over the analysed period. Keywords: energy-efficiency; decomposition analysis; international comparison. / A eficiência energética industrial vem recebendo crescente atenção em diversos países por sua importância na busca por segurança de suprimento energético, aumento de competitividade na economia e mitigação das emissões de gases de efeito estufa. Esta dissertação teve por objetivo avaliar o desenvolvimento do consumo energético da indústria de papel e celulose no Brasil, setor classificado como energo-intensivo e com significativa importância tanto em termos energéticos quanto econômicos no país. Analisou-se o desenvolvimento da intensidade de emissões de gases de efeito estufa, decorrentes do consumo energético do setor, e os desenvolvimentos dos níveis de eficiência energética, estimando-se os potenciais de conservação de energia existentes. Através de uma análise de decomposição, avaliou-se as influências das mudanças estruturais, de intensidade de produção e dos níveis de eficiência energética no aumento do consumo de energia pelo setor ao longo do tempo. Afim de contextualizar as alterações ocorridas no país, realizou-se uma comparação internacional dos desenvolvimentos dos níveis de eficiência e da decomposição do consumo energético em outros importantes países produtores: Canadá, Finlândia, Suécia e Estados Unidos da America. Concluiu-se neste estudo foram que a intensidade das emissões de dióxido de carbono equivalente pela indústria nacional reduziu significativamente entre 1979 e 2010, de 1,24 para 0,31 tCO2e por tonelada de celulose exportada e papel produzido. Apesar de um importante aumento dos níveis de eficiência energética, responsável por uma economia de 5,5 PJ em eletricidade e 37,6 PJ em combustíveis entre 1979 e 2009, identificou-se ainda um potencial de aproximadamente 7,3 PJ e 105,5 PJ para a conservação anual de eletricidade e combustíveis, respectivamente, na indústria brasileira de celulose e papel. Entre os países envolvidos na comparação internacional, as indústrias sueca e finlandesa mostraram-se como as mais eficientes, seguidas pelas indústrias brasileira, estadunidense e canadense, sendo esta última a única onde ocorreu uma redução nos níveis de eficiência energética para o período analisado.

<p>The treatment of rectal cancer is complex and comprises: diagnostic measures; different preoperative treatments; a multitude of surgical and technical choices; possibilities of postoperative treatments and postoperative care and follow up. In this thesis, some aspects of this complex paradigm have been further investigated. One of the most feared complications after rectal cancer surgery is anastomotic leakage. The risk of anastomotic leakage is affected by non-influenceable factors related to the tumour and the patient. In the first paper, the risk of anastomotic leakage in relation to a surgical instrument, the circular stapler, was investigated. The risk of leakage was 7% or 11%, depending on the choice of instrument. In the second paper, a long-term evaluation of survival and local recurrence rates in the Swedish Rectal Cancer Trial was made. Randomisation was to either preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery or surgery alone. After 13 years median follow-up, survival was 38% in the radiotherapy group and 30% in the surgery alone group. Differences in local recurrence rates were seen in all stages. Most rectal cancer operations carry a high risk of morbidity and mortality. For early stage cancers, a local procedure may be sufficient and in the third paper, population-based results of local excision of rectal cancer were explored. In stage I, cancer specific survival was the same after local excision as after major resection, but the relative survival was lower. The risk of local recurrence was higher after local excision than after resections. In the fourth paper, differences in survival rates in the Nordic countries and Scotland were investigated. The relative excess risk of death was highest in Denmark, but only in the first 90 postoperative days. </p><p>Through applying already existing knowledge and successively introducing new treatments, the results for rectal cancer treatment will be further improved.</p>

The treatment of rectal cancer is complex and comprises: diagnostic measures; different preoperative treatments; a multitude of surgical and technical choices; possibilities of postoperative treatments and postoperative care and follow up. In this thesis, some aspects of this complex paradigm have been further investigated. One of the most feared complications after rectal cancer surgery is anastomotic leakage. The risk of anastomotic leakage is affected by non-influenceable factors related to the tumour and the patient. In the first paper, the risk of anastomotic leakage in relation to a surgical instrument, the circular stapler, was investigated. The risk of leakage was 7% or 11%, depending on the choice of instrument. In the second paper, a long-term evaluation of survival and local recurrence rates in the Swedish Rectal Cancer Trial was made. Randomisation was to either preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery or surgery alone. After 13 years median follow-up, survival was 38% in the radiotherapy group and 30% in the surgery alone group. Differences in local recurrence rates were seen in all stages. Most rectal cancer operations carry a high risk of morbidity and mortality. For early stage cancers, a local procedure may be sufficient and in the third paper, population-based results of local excision of rectal cancer were explored. In stage I, cancer specific survival was the same after local excision as after major resection, but the relative survival was lower. The risk of local recurrence was higher after local excision than after resections. In the fourth paper, differences in survival rates in the Nordic countries and Scotland were investigated. The relative excess risk of death was highest in Denmark, but only in the first 90 postoperative days. Through applying already existing knowledge and successively introducing new treatments, the results for rectal cancer treatment will be further improved.

<b>Background. </b> Although antipsychotic medications are primarily intended to treat schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms in adults, they are commonly administered to nursing home residents as pharmacotherapy for "off-label" indications such as disruptive behaviour. However, clinical trials have demonstrated limited efficacy and serious side-effects of antipsychotics among the elderly. As previous studies have reported inappropriate use in several countries, their use in nursing home residents ought to be monitored to detect and reduce inappropriate administration. <br /><br /> <b>Objectives. </b> The aim of this study was a) to determine and compare prevalence rates of antipsychotic use in Ontario and Swiss nursing homes, b) to identify determinants of antipsychotics use in these two countries, by means of a cross-sectional design, and c) to investigate the impact of antipsychotic use on behaviours over time in Ontario and Swiss residents, by means of a longitudinal design. <br /><br /> <b>Methods. </b> This study involved secondary data analysis of 1932 residents from 24 nursing homes in the province of Ontario in Canada and 1536 residents from 4 nursing homes in a German-speaking canton in Switzerland. Residents were assessed with the Minimum Data Set (MDS) tool. Resident characteristics and prevalence rates were compared internationally with the chi-square test. Demographic and clinical determinants of antipsychotic use, as well as behavioural change associated with antipsychotics, were analyzed using logistic regression. <br /><br /> <b>Results. </b> Although Ontario nursing home residents had an overall heavier-care profile than Swiss residents, antipsychotics were administered to 25% of the Ontario residents compared to 29. 5% of the Swiss residents. The adjusted rate among residents without appropriate conditions was also lower in Ontario (14%) than in Switzerland (24. 5%). Apart from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and cognitive impairment, antipsychotic use was determined by a different range of characteristics in these two countries. Antipsychotic use was not predictive of behavioural improvement. <br /><br /> <b>Conclusion. </b> The high adjusted rates of antipsychotic use in Ontario and Swiss nursing home residents, as well as the presence of "inappropriate indications" and "facility" as determinants of their use, raise concerns about the appropriateness of their administration in both countries. Their lack of effectiveness to improve behaviours also questions their use as long-term treatment for behaviour disturbances. Changes in practice patterns and implementation of policies are warranted to reduce inappropriate prescribing practices to enhance the quality of care provided to residents in nursing homes.

No description available.

International prevalence of ever asthma and current wheeze in adults were examined in 55 countries participating in the World Health Survey. The prevalence of ever asthma ranged from 1.1-7.9% in Asia, 2.4-7.6% in Africa, 3.4-7.9% in Middle East, 2.4-12.1% in America, 3.9-6.8% in Eastern Europe, 4.2-17.1% in Western Europe, and 18.5% in Australia. Anxiety and ever depression were strong and consistent risk factors for ever asthma (Odds ratios (ORs) ranged from 0.64-4.08 and 1.42-18.49, respectively) and current wheeze (ORs ranged from 1.57-3.56 and from 1.72-16.23, respectively). Female and older age appeared to be risk factors, while higher education appeared to be a protective factor for both outcomes. In conclusion, large variations in ever asthma and current wheeze prevalence were observed both within and among geographic regions, with the highest prevalence generally found in Western Europe, Brazil, and Australia, and the lowest prevalence found in Asia and Africa. / Epidemiology

This article examines the dynamics of bank profitability in the USA, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy and Switzerland over the period 1993-2014. We find long-run bank profit persistence in all six countries in the period before the financial crisis in 2008. Banks with large capital ratios are persistently more profitable, and there is little evidence of a link between bank size and the persistence of bank profits. Commercial (saving) banks are persistently more (less) profitable in four of the six countries. The effects of the financial crisis in 2008 differed dramatically across countries as well as across ownership types. While US banks experienced dramatic declines in the immediate aftermath of the crisis, they recovered much faster than their European counterparts and essentially retain their long run profit potential by the year 2014.