This appendix contains supplementary material to the paper "A sectoral net lending perspective on Europe". It includes information on the data provenance and processing, the statistical and algebraic framework applied in the study as well as supplementary figures for all countries in the sample. Moreover, it provides robustness checks for the cyclicality analysis of sectoral net lending flows. / Series: Ecological Economic Papers

La thèse se concentre sur la problématique très actuelle des déséquilibres macroéconomiques à laquelle on rattache l'existence des déficits jumeaux. La méthode innovante basée sur la métrique des distances, inspirée par la théorie des espaces métriques, permet de mettre en évidence les sources des divergences macroéconomiques qui sont, dans notre cas d'étude, la balance courante et l'endettement. Ces facteurs sont à la source de la divergence macroéconomique dans le monde ainsi qu'en Europe, ce qui souligne l'importance de l'analyse des déficits jumeaux. L'analyse dite de « text-mining », l'analyse du contenu des articles scientifiques sur les déficits jumeaux et leur classement révèlent la prédominance dans la recherche actuelle de l'approche théorique du modèle de Mundell-Fleming et de l'équivalence Ricardienne, qui sont confirmées notamment dans les pays développés. La validité de l'hypothèse des déficits jumeaux pour 14 pays de l'UE-15 dans le contexte de l'endettement public important est testée par l'estimation du modèle à effet de seuil des données de panel. Le modèle permet de conclure que l'hypothèse des déficits jumeaux est confirmée uniquement lorsque la dette publique se trouve dans l'intervalle de 40.2% à 96.6% du PIB. L'équivalence Ricardienne est valide dans le régime de la dette publique supérieure à 96.6% (le modèle à effet de seuil) ou bien 93% (le modèle dynamique qui explique l'impact asymétrique de la dette publique sur la croissance économique) du PIB. Ici, un déficit ne provoque pas l'autre; toutefois, l'efficacité de la politique budgétaire expansionniste pour rétablir la croissance économique est limitée. / The thesis presents highly topical macroeconomic imbalances problem and the related twin deficit phenomenon. Innovative distance-based methodology inspired by an algebraic term of the metric space allows to identify sources of the macroeconomic divergence, which are, in our case, the current account and the indebtedness. These factors are responsible for macroeconomic divergence in the world as well as in Europe, which suggests an importance of the twin deficit analysis. Text-mining, analysis of the content and systematic classification of the scientific papers on twin deficits reveal a dominance of the Mundell-Fleming approach and the Ricardian equivalence, confirmed mainly in developed countries. Twin deficit hypothesis in 14 countries of the EU15 in the context of the important public debt is tested by panel data threshold model. The model confirms twin deficit hypothesis only if a public debt-to-GDP ratio is of the range from 40.2% to 96.6%. The Ricardian equivalence is valid in the regime of the public debt-to-GDP higher than 96.6% (threshold model) or 93% (dynamic model explaining an asymmetric impact of the public debt on economic growth). One deficit does not deepen the second one, but efficiency of the expansionary fiscal policy to reestablish an economic growth is importantly reduced at this indebtedness level.

This study provides an empirical analysis of Shadow banking as a factor influencing cross- border financial flows. It builds upon emerging literature on Shadow banking and empirical literature on global imbalances and global financial flows. The aim of the thesis is to test three hypotheses, which relate global financial flows to lending, change in cross-border bank liabilities, and shadow banking, respectively. The second and third hypotheses are tested on gross capital flows, which, in contrast to net flows, better reflect financing activities. The results suggest that Shadow banking activities are related to higher gross capital flows in periods, when this sector is growing. These flows, however, tend to dry up when Shadow banking activities level off or decline. Among other important factors is the output growth differential and global risk aversion. JEL Classification E44, G20, G23, F32, F34, F21, F65 Keywords Shadow Banking, Global Imbalances, Capital Flows, Financial Stability Author's e-mail tomas.vaclavicek@gmail.com Supervisor's e-mail petr.teply@fsv.cuni.cz

The imbalances within the Euro-zone were the main reasons of the crisis that had led to the growing budget deficits in the Southern Europe resulting in the accumulation of unsustainable debt. The imbalances were caused by the declining competitiveness of the South vis-s-vis the North. The main causes of the declining competitiveness are the differences in unit labor costs invoked by different regulations concerning the labor markets in the Euro-zone countries and the diverging levels of productivity, which is liked with the different levels of technological advancement. The contributing factor is the institutional imperfections of the EMU, that did not allow the countries in Southern Europe to restore their competitiveness by traditional means without providing them with alternatives.

The aim of the thesis is to characterize the folding containers as one of the potential solutions to the problem of the repositioning of empty containers and to evaluate the possibility of their practical use in intermodal transport. The theoretical part characterizes contemporary development in international trade, intermodal transportation, the issue of empty containers and also characterizes foldable containers together with the assumptions of their successful introduction to the market. The practical part deals with current concepts of foldable containers, there is also an example for comparing the costs of transport when using standard or foldable containers and the opinion of a representative of one of the leading shipping companies on use foldable containers in practice. To obtain information used in the practical part of the thesis a secondary research was carried out, where most information comes from research papers and websites, and also primary research was done in the form of an interview with a representative of the shipping company. In conclusion is the evaluation of the possibility of using foldable containers in practice which is based on the information obtained through research.

The objective of this thesis is to define how strong is the influence of investment and macroeconomic climate of Arab exporters on how countries of Gulf Cooperation Council treat their income from the export of hydrocarbons. I would like to answer the question whether they invest their funds in domestic economies or in markets in other part of the world. I will try to point out the weaknesses of the investment environment and opportunities for remedies, which would lead to the strengthening of internal and external balance and to increase in the competitiveness of the GCC countries in the global economy.

This thesis maps the role of the U.S. dollar as an international currency with a main focus on the second half of the 20th century and the role of dollar in the world economy. The thesis spans from the end of the Second World War to the eve of the last global financial crisis. The thesis documents, how dollar became the leading international currency during the Bretton Woods system era. Although the inner conflicts led to breakup of the system, dollar remained the most important currency. Despite many attempts, a successful reform of the international monetary system never happened since then. In the last 30 years, the uncoordinated U.S. monetary policy led to rapid growth of imbalances in the world economy and consequently to the 2007/08 Financial crisis. The thesis shows that the viable reform can build on the original plan of John M. Keynes, which prepared for the Bretton Woods conference.

Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Philosophy of Education in the University of Zululand, 1994. / The study contributes scientifically to the erudite debate still going on and problems facing the Government of National Unity about open schools. The study reveals the most central problem in open schools, that is, if education amongst its functions serves to enhance and maintain cultural identity, thus, are open schools culturally relative to maintain all cultural identities. The study further reveals alienation as a social problem suffered by African pupils in open schools and in their respective communities. Different perceptions and expectations by African parents are revealed in this study as well. Statistical imbalances in Black is to White enrolment ratio in these schools has been noted together with concomitant justifications by their predominantly White principals. The study consequently recommends that, since hitherto the integration has been such that only Black pupils move to White schools, therefore the Minister of Education should take into account the inadequacies and in some instances non-existence of vital facilities for effective teaching-learning to take place in African schools which is one of the pulling factors.

Stroke is serious neurological disease and is a major cause of death as well as disability throughout the globe. Stroke has a complex pathophysiology that involves inflammatory pathways, excitotoxicity mechanisms, oxidative damage, apoptosis, ionic imbalances, angiogenesis and neuroprotection. 85% of strokes are ischemic and occurs when a cerebral vessel, or any vessel supplying the brain, narrows or loses pressure resulting in subsequent brain ischemia and infarction downstream to the site of obstruction depriving tissues of vital oxygen and nutrients. This may be caused by either atherosclerotic thrombi or distant emboli defined as a mass of clotted blood or other material. It is estimated that over a billion people currently smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products, seeing as smoking is a major risk factor for stroke this is of major concern. Platelets are hematopoietic cells produced by bone marrow megakaryocytes. Platelets play a role in the development of ischemic stroke primarily by means of their participation in the formation of thromboemboli, the presence of abnormal platelet function may predispose patients to a pro-thrombotic, pro-inflammatory state. The reorganization of the cytoskeleton in platelets is an important factor in the complex mechanisms found in thrombosis and haemostasis. The platelet membrane contains a large number of receptors which specifically bind agonists that stimulate the physiological platelet response. Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms involved in the neuronal damage of stroke. Oxidative stress is a state of imbalance between free radical production, in particular, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the ability of the organism to neutralize them, leading to progressive oxidative damage. Smoking is known to result in the generation of various free radicals. Flow cytometric analysis of the platelets of thrombo-embolic ischemic stroke patients and smokers revealed that the membranes of the two groups were altered in some form as well as an increased activation in both groups when compared to healthy individuals. Superoxide levels in the platelets were higher in smokers when compared to stroke patients, while hydrogen peroxide levels were elevated in the platelets of both groups. Superoxide was elevated in the whole blood samples of both groups. The production and subsequent reactions of reactive oxygen species appear to be influential in stroke and smoking and may likely be a crucial factor in the development of a pro-thrombotic, pro-inflammatory state which may prove to be a hallmark in the pathophysiology of stroke and smoking. Confocal microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy showed that platelets of stroke patients and smokers appear to be more activated and more prone to form tight clots. Furthermore an increased amount of superoxide is present in the platelets of stroke patients and smokers, specifically in the centre of clots. This may be an indication that once platelets have aggregated and started to fuse together, the mitochondria are expelled from the platelets and “trapped” within the clot. Atomic force microscopy also indicated both the stroke patients and smoker‟s platelets appear to be in a more activated state than the control group. Here it is apparent that some form of cytoskeletal rearrangement takes place to a more severe extent in the stroke group than in the smokers. Necrosis may be present in the platelets of stroke patients while neither apoptosis nor necrosis can be identified in the platelets of smokers however some form of membrane alteration is likely present. All the techniques used showed an increase in platelet activation in stroke patients and smokers, necrotic platelets may be present in the stroke patients while the platelet membrane of smokers seems to be altered. ROS is present and alters the platelet function of smokers and stroke patients in some way. It appears as if thrombo-embolic ischemic stroke patients and smokers‟ platelets have similar trends in activation but the processes involved to achieve this differ as there are structural differences present. These differences may prove a useful tool to further understand the pathophysiology behind thrombo-embolic ischemic stroke as well as to discover new therapeutic pathways. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Physiology / Unrestricted

Title: Compensatory exercises in ice hockey Objective: The aim of this diploma thesis is to create battery of compensatory exercises suitable for ice hockey. Methodology: It was used scientific method of observation - theoretical-empirical character. The results were measured by pre-intervention and post- intervation measurements. The results were compared with using a Cohen's coefficient d, an arithmetic mean and a percent. Results: We have created the battery of comepnsatory exercises suitable for ice hockey players. This battery was created by studying the literature, consulting with coaches and physiotherapists and from personal experience. We were found differences in all tests compering pre- intervention and post-intervation measurements, which indicate a tendency to qualitative shift. Key words: ice hockey, muscle imbalances, compensatory exercises, unilateral load