Descriure l’ agregat d’àrees petites amb un elevat risc de mortalitat detectat a la zona sud-oest d’Espanya, en particular a les províncies de Huelva, Sevilla i Cadis (HSC) durant el període 1987-1995, analitzar la seva evolució i explorar les seves possibles causes. Mètodes: Estudi ecològic mixt que examina el risc de morir en 2.218 àrees petites d’Espanya durant els períodes 1987-1995 i 1996-2004 mitjançant un enfocament bayesià empíric. Resultats: Les desigualtats geogràfiques en la mortalitat descrites a Espanya durant el període 1987-1995, on destacava una pitjor situació a la zona sud-oest i en particular a les províncies de HSC, no ha millorat en el període 1996-2004. La consistència de resultats per a diverses causes específiques de mort, sexe i períodes temporals, ha evidenciat que l’origen d’aquestes desigualtats geogràfiques és molt probablement una conseqüència de la combinació “tòxica” de factors socials (socioeconòmics, laborals i ambientals). L’exposició conjunta a substàncies tòxiques amb efectes cancerígens, que conformen una part important dels determinants laborals i ambientals de la salut, està probablement jugant un paper rellevant en l’elevada mortalitat observada a HSC. Conclusions: L’important problema en la mortalitat descrit a la zona sudoest d’Espanya entre els anys 1987-1995 contínua present durant el període 1996-2004, tant en homes com en dones. És necessari portar a terme estudis epidemiològics complementaris, així com desenvolupar un pla integral de salut pública (vigilància, detecció i tractament) al sud-oest espanyol basat en el principi de precaució. / To describe the cluster of high-risk mortality small areas detected in the southwest of Spain, specifically in the provinces of Huelva, Sevilla and Cádiz during the period 1987- 1995, to analyze their evolution and to explore their possible causes. Methods: Mixed ecological study that examines the risk of dying in 2.218 small areas of Spain during the periods 1987-1995 and 1996-2004 using an empirical bayesian approach. Results: The geographical inequalities in mortality described in Spain during the period 1987-1995, which featured the worse situation in the south-west and in particular in the provinces of HSC, has not improved in the period 1996-2004.. The consistency of results for different specific causes of death, sex and temporal period, has shown that the origin of these inequalities is most likely a result of the “toxic” combination of social factors (socioeconomic, occupational and environmental). The joint exposure to toxic substances with carcinogenic effects, which constitutes a significant part of the occupational and environmental determinants, is probably playing an important role in the high mortality observed in HSC. Conclusions: The important mortality problem described in the south-west of Spain between 1987-1995 is still present during the period 1996-2004, in both men and women. It is necessary to conduct additional epidemiologic studies, as well as to develop a comprehensive public health plan (surveillance, detection, treatment) in the southwest Spanish based on the precautionary principle.

La tesi analitza el procés d'emancipació dels joves des d'una triple vessant: social, econòmica i del mercat immobiliari. Analitza els diferents factors que intervenen en l’emancipació, tant per facilitar-la com per dificultar-la, per després complementar-los amb un apartat de propostes per a la gestió social de l’habitatge i la (re)habilitació de zones i espais susceptibles de ser transformats en habitatges assequibles. L'anàlisi consta de tres parts: una primera anàlisi bibliogràfica constitueix el marc teòric, que fonamenta les posteriors anàlisi quantitatives, la primera a partir de dades secundàries i la següent a partir de dades primàries. Finalment, un tercer apartat de propostes de gestió social de l’habitatge tanca la tesi amb unes conclusions que engloben tota l’anàlisi. El gruix de l’anàlisi recau en aquesta segona part quantitativa que primerament es basa en dades secundàries i després en dades primàries obtingudes a partir d’una enquesta. L’anàlisi quantitativa a partir de dades secundàries es basa en dades del cens, del padró i de la EPA (Encuesta de Población Activa) i analitza les característiques de les persones i les llars joves, tot comparant llurs comportaments en funció de l’edat i en contrast amb les llars adultes. Establint així una caracterització de les persones i les llars joves per a la posterior anàlisi de regressió logística que permet obtenir els elements determinants de l’emancipació. L’anàlisi quantitativa a partir de dades primàries es realitza mitjançant una enquesta a una mostra de la població jove emancipada i una petita mostra de la població jove que encara no s’ha emancipat però pretén fer-ho en els propers dos anys que possibilita l'anàlisi dels factors limitadors. L’enquesta es realitza al Maresme el 2007 i aporta una informació rellevant pel que fa a les dades subjectives del procés d'emancipació. Analitza l'emancipació en dos moments: primari (<25 anys) i consolidat (25-34 anys), incloent valoracions i aspectes de caràcter subjectiu. Es determinen així els factors que afavoreixen l'emancipació, així com els que la dificulten mitjançant una anàlisi de regressió logística que complementa la mateixa anàlisi feta a partir de dades secundàries i es complementa amb una caracterització de l’emancipació en funció dels valors més determinants. Finalment es proposen formes de gestió social de l'habitatge basades en la (re)habilitació i (re)utilització d’espais i zones en (des)ús que tant la Llei pel dret a l’habitatge com la Llei d’urbanisme permeten per facilitar l’accés a l’habitatge i diversificar l’oferta immobiliària existent, tant tipològicament com per la relació amb l’ús i el preu. S’utilitzen en aquest apartat mesures aplicables al conjunt de Catalunya però amb exemples concrets del Maresme.

This thesis looks at fundamental disagreements about the role of society in the delivery of health care services. In particular, it develops an argument for viewing health care as a human right, and in doing so, argues that society is at least partially responsible for the health of its members. In the first section of the thesis, I argue that health is a human need, and that the institutional goal of health care is to restore to an individual their health. As an institution, health care is a primary social good and, as such, it ought to be afforded the same institutional protections as other primary social goods, and encoded as a “human right.” In the second section, I tackle the “Difficult Costs” objection, noting that while there is high financial cost associated with the provision of health care services, the moral and social cost of not providing health care and viewing it as a human right far outweighs the financial costs. With another appeal to Rawlsian principles, by way of reflective equilibrium, I argue that the design of an institution is paramount to the cost-effective distribution of health care resources in accordance with the view that health care is a human right. In the final section, I acknowledge that the objections to health care as a human right should be taken seriously, and that they form the basis of the limits to this right. I argue that any right to health care cannot be extended beyond the restoration of basic, species-typical normal human function. I acknowledge that the Rawlsian ideal has difficulty rendering decisions where priority is a central concern. Finally, I suggest that these limitations can be overcome when the right to health care is viewed as progressively realizable, in conjunction with other basic human rights.

This thesis looks at fundamental disagreements about the role of society in the delivery of health care services. In particular, it develops an argument for viewing health care as a human right, and in doing so, argues that society is at least partially responsible for the health of its members. In the first section of the thesis, I argue that health is a human need, and that the institutional goal of health care is to restore to an individual their health. As an institution, health care is a primary social good and, as such, it ought to be afforded the same institutional protections as other primary social goods, and encoded as a “human right.” In the second section, I tackle the “Difficult Costs” objection, noting that while there is high financial cost associated with the provision of health care services, the moral and social cost of not providing health care and viewing it as a human right far outweighs the financial costs. With another appeal to Rawlsian principles, by way of reflective equilibrium, I argue that the design of an institution is paramount to the cost-effective distribution of health care resources in accordance with the view that health care is a human right. In the final section, I acknowledge that the objections to health care as a human right should be taken seriously, and that they form the basis of the limits to this right. I argue that any right to health care cannot be extended beyond the restoration of basic, species-typical normal human function. I acknowledge that the Rawlsian ideal has difficulty rendering decisions where priority is a central concern. Finally, I suggest that these limitations can be overcome when the right to health care is viewed as progressively realizable, in conjunction with other basic human rights.

Gonorrhea, caused by the human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is a severe public health problem worldwide with more than 82 million new infections each year. N. gonorrhoeae is transmitted by sexual contact and primarily causes urogenital mucosal infections in men and women. Left untreated, this infection may cause severe complications, especially in females. Eye infections of the newborn can occur. Gonorrhea infections enhance HIV transmission. The highly prevalent antibiotic resistance and the emergence of new drug resistances render treatment of the infections increasingly difficult. Close monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility of this pathogen is crucial, and enhanced knowledge of molecular mechanisms of gonococcal antimicrobial resistance is urgently needed. There are no vaccines available against N. gonorrhoeae. Control of gonorrhea relies on comprehensive strategies which can be better formulated by understanding, at molecular levels, how N. gonorrhoeae is transmitted in communities. My research aimed to illustrate the severe burden of antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae temporally and geographically in China and to reveal the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance particularly the development of reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone in N. gonorrhoeae isolates. To determine specific strain distributions, N. gonorrhoeae isolates were characterized using molecular typing methods such as a modified porB-based typing scheme and the N. gonorrhoeae Multi-Antigen Typing (NG-MAST) method, compared to traditional epidemiological approaches. The ultimate goal was to provide information for better formulating disease control strategies for gonorrhea. In this research, male patients with gonorrhea and their sex partners were recruited in Shanghai (2005 and 2008) and in Urumchi (2007-2008), China. Epidemiological information pertaining to sexual contacts was collected. N. gonorrhoeae isolates were investigated for their antimicrobial susceptibility. Molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance were explored by analysis of potential resistant determinants (gyrA, parC, porB, mtrR, ponA and penA). The molecular data were combined with bioinformatic analysis and traditional epidemiological data. High percentages of N. gonorrhoeae isolates (11% - 19% in Shanghai, 4.5% in Urumchi) exhibited reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MICs = 0.125-0.25 mg/L), the first line drug recommended for the treatment of gonorrhea in China. The majority of isolates (>98%) were susceptible to spectinomycin, an alternative regimen for gonorrhea treatment; however, the proportion of isolates having intermediate levels of susceptibility increased from 1.9% in 2005 to 9.9% in 2008. The majority of isolates tested were resistant to penicillin (80% - 93%), tetracycline (56% - 65%) and ciprofloxacin (98% - 100%). Plasmid-mediated resistance in N. gonorrhoeae isolates were highly prevalent (51% - 79%) in Shanghai and Urumchi. Analysis of 60 clinical isolates revealed that reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone is mediated by porB1b allele and is associated with specific mutations in penicillin binding protein 2 and in the DNA binding and dimerization domains of MtrR. Penicillin binding protein 1 is not involved in reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone. Although mutation patterns in quinolone resistant determinant regions (QRDRs) varied, the majority of ciprofloxacin resistant isolates had double mutations in GyrA (S91F and D95G/A/N) and most isolates also carried a S87R/N mutation in ParC. The presence of mutations in the QRDR of ParC is correlated with elevated ciprofloxacin MICs. A modified porB-based molecular typing scheme was developed and involved ~82% of the DNA sequence of gonococcal porB. This typing method proved to have high discriminatory ability (index of discrimination = 0.93 0.96), and was cost effective and easy to perform as compared to the NG-MAST analysis. Using the modified porB-based typing method, N. gonorrhoeae isolates were reliably differentiated, and transmission clusters were identified. Molecular epidemiology using the porB-based method confirmed direct sexual connections and identified sexual networks otherwise unrevealed by the patient self-reporting or traditional case-tracing methods.

The dividend payout policy is one of the most debated topics within corporate finance and some academics have called the company’s dividend payout policy an unsolved puzzle. Even though an extensive amount of research regarding dividends has been conducted, there is no uniform answer to the question: what are the determinants of the companies’ dividend payout ratios? We therefore decided to conduct a study regarding the determinants of the companies’ dividend payout ratios on large and medium cap on Stockholm stock exchange. The purpose of the study is to determine if there is a relationship between a number of company selected factors and the companies’ dividend payout ratios. A second purpose is to determine whether there are any differences between large and medium caps regarding the impact of the company selected factors. We therefore reviewed previous studies and dividend theories in order to conclude which factors that potentially could have an impact on the companies’ dividend payout ratios. Based on the literature, we decided to test the relationship between the dividend payout ratio and six company selected factors: free cash flow, growth, leverage, profit, risk and size. The data used in the research are secondary data collected during a time period of five years, between 2006 and 2010. The study follows a quantitative research method with a deductive approach and we have based the study on four dividend theories: the dividend irrelevance theory, the bird in hand theory, the signaling theory and the agency theory. In order to determine whether there is a relationship between the companies selected factors and the dividend payout ratio we conducted both an Ordinary least square (OLS) and a Tobit regression. Multicollinearity tests were also conducted in order to ascertain that no multicollinearity affected the results of the study. The results indicate that some of the company selected factors have an impact on the companies’ dividend payout ratios and there are some differences between large and medium caps. The dividend payout ratios of large caps have a significant relationship to free cash flow, growth and risk. While the dividend payout ratios of medium caps have a significant relationship to free cash flow, leverage, risk and size.

Squatter settlements still represent the worst of urban poverty and inequality in Turkey. Yet the world has the resources, know-how and power to reach the best experiences. Urban transformation has become a topic of growing interest in many cities in the world. It has also become popular in Turkish cities and the most common urban transformation projects in Turkey are implemented in squatter settlements. However, while the scope of urban transformation interventions generally aims to improve the quality of urban life, increase the livability of cities in various aspects and provide cities with the ability to trace other cities in both national scale and the globalized world, it is still a question mark whether urban transformation projects are successful enough in improving every aspects of urban life and fulfill the promise of development for their inhabitants particularly by improving the lives of the poor and promoting equity. In this respect, this research tries to identify the success level of urban transformation projects implemented in squatter settlements. Since many urban transformation projects implemented extensively in squatter settlements in Turkey, generally with the aim of increasing the density of buildings and gaining rent over these areas, the concept of urban transformation has an indisputable importance to be researched. The key purpose of this thesis is to reveal the components of quality of urban and community life in terms of physical, environmental, social, and economic dimensions and provide both objective (quantitative) and subjective (qualitative) approaches over these components to assess the success level of Sentepe Urban Transformation Project and increase the success level of urban transformation projects in squatter settlements. This research will reveal up the degree to which Sentepe Urban Transformation Project will respond to the requirements of the criteria of urban quality of life. Further, this research aims to provide inputs for the next urban transformation interventions to guarantee the satisfaction of urban life and well-beings of local community in terms of various issues related to urban life. The key proposition of this research is &amp / #8216 / The success level of an urban transformation project depends on how far it provides an urban quality of life whose main indicators are both physical, environmental, economic, and social and objective and subjective aspects.&amp / #8217 / This thesis utilizes the experiences of one of well known project in the world which provides quality of urban and community life due to the multi-dimensional characteristics of urban transformation. Then, as stated above, the research focuses on &amp / #8216 / Sentepe Urban Transformation Project&amp / #8217 / in Ankara as a field survey and evaluate the success level of this project due to the success determinants proposed by this thesis. Finally, this thesis intends to increase the success level of urban transformation projects in squatter settlements and puts forward the success level of &amp / #8216 / Sentepe Urban Transformation Project&amp / #8217 / in terms of providing well-being of inhabitants in accordance with quality of urban life indicators and four dimensions of urban regeneration / physical, environmental, economic, and social.

In this thesis, pre-Baath period of Syrian foreign policy between 1946 and 1963 is analyzed. The main objective of this thesis is to examine the main characteristics of the Syrian foreign policy. This thesis argues that foreign policy perception of Syrian politicians regardless of their class, ideology and political orientations depended on historically rooted pragmatism in which interest calculations, shifting alliances and external patronage had special importance. In order to understand pragmatism in Syrian foreign policy, determinants of Syrian foreign policy will be examined by looking at three interacting environments: the domestic, regional and international. It will be showed that Syrian foreign policy was shaped by these interlinked environments and pragmatic responses of Syrian policymakers to opportunities and challenges coming from these environments. Syrian politics from 1946 to 1963 can be marked by excessive political instability in the form of factionalism, successive coup d&rsquo / &eacute / tats and counter-coups. This thesis also examines the relationship between coups and foreign policy and whether coups affected Syrian foreign policy or not.

Three epitope-mapping procedures were used to identify B-cell epitopes on Betanodaviruses: neutralisation escape mutant sequence analysis, phage display, and pepscan. Betanodaviruses have emerged as major pathogens of marine fish. These viruses are the aetiological agents of a disease referred to as viral nervous necrosis (VNN), which affects many species of fish that are economically valuable to the aquaculture industry. The identification of betanodavirus B-cell epitopes will facilitate the rational development of vaccines to counter VNN. A panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was produced using hybridoma methodology for use in each of the epitope mapping procedures. These antibodies were characterised in Western blotting, ELISA, and virus neutralisation tests. Rabbit polyclonal sera, and serum samples from nodavirus-infected fish were also used for pepscan analyses. Attempts to produce betanodavirus neutralisation escape mutants, using plaque assay or limiting dilution based methods, were not successful. Two phage libraries expressing random peptides of seven (Ph.D.7™) or twelve (Ph.D.12™) amino acids in length as fusions to the coat protein were used to identify the ligands recognised by MAbs directed against betanodavirus. Neither of these phage libraries yielded conclusive results. Phage clones containing tandem inserts were obtained after MAb selection from library Ph.D.7™. Extensive screening and nucleotide sequence analysis of MAb-selected clones from library Ph.D.12™) failed to yield a consensus sequence. Pepscan analyses were performed using the recently developed suspension array technology (SAT). This was used to map the recognition sites of MAbs and serum samples onto a panel of overlapping synthetic peptides (12mers) that mimicked the betanodavirus coat protein. The results of pepscan analyses required careful interpretation due to the binding of antibodies and serum samples to multiple peptides. However, three regions of the nodavirus coat protein were identified as containing B-cell epitopes: amino acids 1-50, 141-162, and 181-212. These results are discussed in relation to previous studies of immune responses to betanodaviruses, and to the future development of betanodavirus vaccines and diagnostic reagents.

No description available.