Mortality development in Central Asian countries in 1986-2006 Abstract Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were more or less comparable in terms of their socioeconomic development. Despite some differences in overall mortality levels, the five former Soviet republics were also very close to each other in terms of directions of mortality trends by age, and cause-specific mortality patterns. After 1991, all the five countries experienced substantial political and social transformations, and the challenges associated with the transition from a socialist to a market economy system. The sudden changes brought numerous problems, such as rapid growth in unemployment, falling standards of living, and growing social and income inequalities. These factors contributed to the significant deterioration of the health situation in all the countries, but the size and the nature of the mortality crisis was different. This work examines patterns of mortality across the Central Asian countries using data from the middle of 1980s until 2006 years. Based on these analyses we conclude that the emergence of high mortality during the 1990s has been accompanied by increase in circulatory and external causes of death.

This thesis deals with systematic revision, evolutionary trends, palaeoecology and migration patterns of crustaceans (Cirripedia and Decapoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin. Thesis is presented as a compilation of 9 papers that were published in scientific peer-reviewed journals and includes not only old museum material, but also numerous crustacean specimens which have been recovered in the last decade. Besides, short remarks on fossil crustaceans currently under study or in the process of being published (Paraclythia, Oncopareia, Acrothoracica) are also included in this thesis. In view of the fact that the fossil crustaceans from the BCB were most recently recorded in the turn of the 19th and the 20th centuries (and partially revised in the first half of the 20th century) and since the systematics and taxonomy have changed significantly, all papers presented here focus primarily on systematic revision and modern description. The essential part of the thesis thus deals with taphonomy and its bearing on the identification of fossil material. Thanks to a modern description, new species of Ctenocheles fritschi (axiidean shrimp), Archaeochionelasmus nekvasilovae (acorn barnacle), Myolepas reussi and Capitulum sklenari (pedunculate barnacles) were erected. C. fritschi is...

Abstracts Does post-industrialized countries face a second Kuznets curve with the IT revolution? By: Rickard Sandqvist, Supervisor: Ulf Jansson, Urban and regional planning, advanced level, Master thesis for master exam in Urban and regional planning, 30 ECTS credits, Language: English, Key words: recent income inequality trends, the creative class, kuznets hypothesis and theories of income inequality, income inequality with the IT revolution in post-industrialized countries, SURE estimation, OLS estimation, income inequality measures.  The aim of the thesis is to analyze the development of income inequality for countries that have longer time series available. I use theories and hypothesises of income inequality and do some development of Kuznets hypothesis. My research question is: does post-industrialized countries face a second Kuznets curve with the IT revolution? I use OLS (ordinary least square) and SURE (seemingly unrelated regression equation) estimations to answer my research question. I use data from the world bank and I analyze data from mainly countries in europe and north and south america. My results is that there is evidence that post industrialised countries face a second Kuznets curve and I do the conclusion that this is depending on the IT revolution.

Online marketing has resulted in a paradigm shift in the advertisement industry. Programmatic buying is an emerging business model that is very promising for online advertising. In online advertising, revenue maximization is always a key matter for publishers. The purpose of this report is to examine whether programmatic buying can be used in conjunction with other parameters such as Google Adwords or Google Trends to increase profit. This research will provide valuable information regarding how to obtain site visitors at a cheap price while maximizing profit on advertisement shown to those users. We investigate a revenue maximization model that calculates the popularity of a set of news in different countries and compares it to the CPM, Cost-Per-Mille, of the corresponding country. To calculate the popularity, the program uses an API from Google Trends and the CPM data is obtained from the company Adform. Furthermore, we originally planned to also include Google Adwords to estimate the price of traffic acquisition. However, since we found several problems with achieving reasonable estimates for our purpose this parameter has therefore been excluded from the final product. The final product can therefore be seen as a soft indicator of how popular different news are in different countries and what revenue can be expected from corresponding countries. / Digital marknadsföring har resulterat i ett paradigmskifte inom reklambranschen. Programmatisk handel är en mycket lovande affärsmodell för automatisk annonsering online och är under stark tillväxt. Inom digital marknadsföring är vinstmaximering alltid en nyckelfråga för utgivare av annonsplatser. Denna rapport ämnar undersöka huruvida programmatisk handel kan användas tillsammans med andra parametrar som Google Adwords eller Google Trends för att öka vinsten från video-reklamannonser. Den grundläggande idén är att skapa trafik till en specifik hemsida för ett så lågt pris som möjligt samtidigt som vi vill att reklamvisningarna ska ge så höga intäkter som möjligt. Rapporten utreder parametrar som videopris för programmatisk handel i olika länder, Bounce Rate, Cost Per Click och Google Trends Score. Dessa parametrar används för att skapa en sammanvägning för att indikera i vilka länder och för vilka sökord den ekonomiska vinsten potentiellt är störst.        Arbetet har resulterat i ett program som beräknar populariteten för ett antal nyheter i olika länder och jämför med CPM, Cost-Per-Mille, priset för motsvarande land. För att beräkna populariteten används ett API från Google Trends och CPM datan kommer från företaget Adform. Från början var tanken att även väga in Google Adwords för att skapa en prisbild över kostnaden att inbringa trafik. Begränsningar som behövt genomföras under arbetets gång är att exkludera Google Adwords prissättning i det färdiga programmet, då det finns svårigheter i att utröna exakta prisuppgifter från Google Adwords. Slutprodukten är därmed en indikator på vilka nyheter som är populära i olika länder och intäkterna som kan förväntas därifrån.

The phenomenon of underpricing is a matter often spoken about in previous research, there are also well known papers that touch upon the subject of asymmetrical information on the marketplace as the central theory. This paper seeks to analyze the Swedish IPO market from 2011 through 2021 and is further limited to Swedish Tech companies listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. When a company decides to introduce their stocks onto the market, it is interesting to observe the market trends and the stock price changes from the first day of introduction. Prior studies analyze how stocks are heavily underpriced on the date of introduction as a strategy to spike the value on the first active day on the market, and thereafter slow down their growth in the coming months. Using prior research as a point of reference, the purpose of this paper is to observe how market trends on the day of an IPO affect its long-term performance. This study is based on an observation of 79 IPO:s on First North, where 30% of the cases were underpriced, and 70% were overpriced. The analysis shows that the underpricing of an IPO tends to lead to a positive performance of the stock over the coming 6 months, and the opposite is considered to be true for overpriced stocks. Further analysis of the result implies that the stock's performance follows a negative trend among 50 of the studied cases, independent of the industry trend as a whole. A statistical significance could not be found for underpricing in regard to both the following long-term performance of the stock and the industry trend; therefore, no statistical correlation could be determined. / Fenomenet om underprissättning är ett omtalat ämne i tidigare forskningsstudier fram till idag. Det finns även välkända teorier som behandlar detta ämnesområde där asymmetrisk information på marknaden är den centrala ideologin. Denna studie ämnar analysera den svenska IPO-marknaden från och med 2011 till och med 2021, och är vidare avgränsad till svenska tech-bolag listade på Nasdaq First North Growth Market. När ett företag tar beslut om att introduceras på aktiemarknaden är det intressanta att observera marknadstrenden och aktiekursens riktning från bolagets första handelsdag. Detta eftersom tidigare forskning har studerat hur aktier vid börsintroduktion är signifikant underprissatta för att sedan snabbt stiga i värde de första handelsdagarna och därefter sjunka kraftigt månaderna efter. Med utgångspunkt från dessa forskningsstudier är syftet med denna studie att observera hur marknadstrender på börsintroduktionsdagen påverkar aktiens långsiktiga prestation. Studien är bestående av 79 observerade börsintroduktioner på First North, där 30% av fallen var underprissatta och resterande 70% överprissatta. Analysen visar att när en underprissättning sker vid börsintroduktion tenderar aktien att prestera positiv avkastning sex månader efter, och motsatsen för om en överprissättning sker. Vidare analys av resultatet visar att aktiens kursriktning vid 50 av fallen har en nedåtgående trend oavsett hur dess branschtrend beter sig. En statistisk signifikans mellan underprissättning och den efterföljande total avkastningen samt branschtrenden och den efterföljande totalavkastningen var inte möjlig att påvisas i studien, och något samband mellan dessa anses därmed inte föreligga.

La presente investigación tiene como propósito demostrar cuáles de los elementos del marketing mix (producto, precio, plaza y promoción) son los factores que influyen en la compra de cosméticos faciales de las mujeres de Lima Metropolitana. De esta manera, se espera que los resultados de este estudio contribuyan al entendimiento de las reales motivaciones de compra de las consumidoras de cosméticos faciales, lo cual permita a las empresas del rubro y emprendimientos peruanos mejorar su estrategia de marketing e innovar en sus acciones. Se ha utilizado la metodología descriptiva correlacional mediante la realización de encuestas con una muestra de 400 mujeres de Lima Metropolitana. Para ello, se ha dividido en grupos de edades de 15 a 24, 25 a 34, 35 a 44 y 45 a 54 años, basándose en las generaciones establecidas y las preferencias de cada una. La herramienta estadística utilizada es SPSS. Asimismo, como sustento de esta indagación, se ha considerado un estudio previo denominado: “Factores que afectan la intención de compra de cosméticos faciales de los consumidores chinos (2017)”. El resultado principal de la investigación es que la promoción es el principal factor influyente en la toma de decisiones. Además, sistematizadas las muestras, se identificó que no todos los elementos del marketing mix y sobre todo los elementos de la promoción son similares para efectuar una compra de maquillaje facial, puesto que el comportamiento de las mujeres es diferente por grupos de edades, según sus gustos y preferencias, las tendencias que siguen y experiencias de vida. / The purpose of this research is to demonstrate which of the elements of the marketing mix (product, price, place and promotion) are the factors that influence the purchase of facial cosmetics for women in Metropolitan Lima. In this way, it is hoped that the results of this study will contribute to the understanding of the real purchasing motivations of consumers of facial cosmetics, which will allow Peruvian companies and enterprises to improve their marketing strategy and innovate in their actions. The correlational descriptive methodology has been used by conducting surveys with a sample of 400 women from Metropolitan Lima. To do this, it has been divided into age groups of 15 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 years, based on the established generations and the preferences of each one. The statistical tool used is SPSS. Likewise, as a support for the research, a previous study called: "Factors that affect the purchase intention of facial cosmetics of Chinese consumers (2017)" has been considered. The main result of the research is that promotion is the main influencing factor in decision making. In addition, when the samples were systematized, it was identified that not all the elements of the marketing mix and especially the elements of communication are similar for making a purchase of facial makeup, since the behavior of women is different by age group, according to their tastes and preferences, trends that follow and life experiences / Tesis

Environmental changes significantly impact health behavior. Active travel behavior is mostly affected by increasing motorization, urban sprawl, and traffic safety. Especially for children, active and independent travel can contribute to physical activity, social and motor development, and other health-related outcomes. A reduced number of children engaging in independent mobility over the last 20 years demanded researchers to further examine the construct of children’s independent mobility. By examining relevant literature, this narrative review aims to provide the current state of knowledge on children’s independent mobility, and identify future directions in research, as well as practical implications. From a public health perspective, considering children’s independent mobility in intervention programs is recommended, since it is associated with numerous health and environmental benefits. To develop interventions, multilevel socio-ecological influences on children’s independent mobility are widely examined; however, evidence is limited due to heterogeneous measurements and a lack of high-quality prospective studies. To oppose the decline in children’s independent mobility, further analysis using comparable measures is needed to understand the determinants of children’s independent mobility and to enable international comparison.

The doctoral thesis focuses on the development of preschool education in Germany. It was composed using the tools of comparative education research especially the qualitative research paradigm. It aims to analyze the contemporary reforms of the pre-primary education in Germany. The research design stands on a case study, which is based on the document content analysis method, semi-structured interviews with experts, and participating observation. The research has focused on the system settings in preschool education, as well as on ongoing reforms itself. The study outlines the development of pre-school institutions, external conditions and the possibility of managing preschool education in Germany. It provides an analysis of curricula documents as well as the insight into current alternative models and innovative approaches in preschool education. Also it elaborates the topic of contemporary situation in teaching staff and the trends in his training, and finally identifies the current reforms, trends and challenges in preschool education in Germany. Germany has implemented in the last 15 years a series of reforms relating to the settings of conditions in preschool education both at the national and state level. These reforms reflect specific regional features of individual federal states, but at...

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / An analysis of South African school mathematics results indicates that one of the problem areas in the mathematical performance of learners is proof and proving. In an endeavour to improve the mathematical proving ability of first year students at UWC, the MAM 112 class (a first year elective mathematics course) was taught a course in elementary logic. In the initial part of the study, logic puzzles were utilized as a tool to teach students to make logical connections between and from mathematical statements using the rules of inference. Subsequently research was done to determine if knowledge and understanding of logic would translate into improved proving abilities of students. To put proof and proving into perspective the origins and functions of proof was explicated and proving in South African schools was investigated. Consequently reasons are advanced for the dismal high school mathematics results in terms of proof and possible solutions are discussed. Recent discoveries of neuroscience are utilized to delineate the brain structures and cognitive processes involved in learning so as to gain a better understanding of the learning of mathematics. The findings of neuroscience, cognitive psychology and educational psychology are employed to elucidate the influence of emotion, confidence, experience and practice on the learning of mathematics in order to determine which factors can be applied to improve the proving abilities of students. The findings of the study indicate that knowledge of logic does help to improve the ability of students to make logical connections (deductions) between and from statements. The results of the study, however, do not indicate that knowledge and understanding of logic translates into improved proving ability of mathematical statements by students.

Most of already described theoretical principles related to creation of organizational structure were defined and used in mass (industrial) production environment which was quite stabile. As a consequence of all changes driven by globalization and spread of using information technologies, new, dynamic form of organizational structure is needed - virtual organizational structure. The basic concept of the virtual organization structure was introduced during late 80's, however clear definition of the virtual management has not been presented yet. This fact can be termed as the main trigger and reason for composing the Thesis. At first, literature sources were reviewed in order to determine trends of the organizational structure’s development. Based on the information extracted from secondary review, objectives of the Thesis were set and three hypotheses were modeled to be confirmed or disconfirmed. Consequently, primary research was carried out to gain principal data concerning to the focus of the research. Theoretical contribution of the Thesis can be found in the complex summary of various aspects related to the virtual organizational structure. Moreover, the Thesis includes definition of the virtual organizational structure term, names its key characteristics, advantages and disadvantages and thereto presents the typology of the virtual organizational structure. Upon to the primary data obtained from the research it was confirmed that no best practices are available although it would be welcomed. With this in mind, the main purpose of the Thesis was met by defining steps to be taken in order to use the virtual organizational structure in practice. The outcomes of the primary research and the best practices composed might be used within lectures held at Faculty of Business and Management, Brno University of Technology, however they eliminate theoretical non-clarities. Finally, there is number of relevant aspects for further research.