Determinanty přímých zahraničních investic v zemích Subsaharské Afriky

Determinanty přímých zahraničních investic v zemích Subsaharské Afriky Abstrakt Tato práce se zabývá determinanty přímých zahraničních investic v zemích Subsaharské Afriky. Tento region byl po dlouhou dobu považován investory za příliš rizikový a jediným důvodem pro investice se zdál být výskyt nerostných surovin, především ropy. Cílem této práce je především zjistit, jestli se v posledním desetiletí situace změnila a jestli se zemím, které zlepšily své institucionální prostředí, podařilo přilákat významnější množství zahraničních investic do jiných sektorů ekonomiky. K analýze determinant je využíváno standardních ekonometrických modelů pro analýzu panelových dat, pomocí kterých se postupně pokusím vysvětlit nejen roční úhrnný příliv zahraničních investic, nýbrž také jejich podíl na HDP a jejich akumulaci za posledních 10 let. Výsledky potvrzují skutečnost, že nerostné zdroje hrají dominantní roli pro investory zvažující investice v zemích Subsaharské Afriky. Klíčová slova: přímé zahraniční investice, nerostné suroviny, Subsaharská AfrikaDeterminants of foreign direct investment in Sub-Saharan Africa Abstract This paper deals with determinants of foreign direct investments in Sub-Saharan Africa. This region has been considered very risky for foreign investors and the only incentive for FDI was seen in natural resources, especially oil. The objective of this paper is to find out whether this trend has prevailed in the past decade or if countries that managed to improve their institutional environment attracted significant amount of FDI into other sectors of economy. Standard econometric models are employed to explain FDI flows to individual countries. Not only FDI flows but also the share of FDI to GDP and accumulated FDI are used as dependent variable. The results confirm the fact, that natural resources still play the most important role for inward FDI. Key words: foreign direct investment, natural resources, Sub-Saharan AfricaInstitute of Economic StudiesInstitut ekonomických studiíFaculty of Social SciencesFakulta sociálních vě

Význam struktury daňových systémů pro ekonomický růst v zemích OECD - Extreme Bounds Analysis

Význam struktury daňových systémů pro ekonomický růst v zemích OECD - Extreme Bounds Analysis Abstrakt Diplomová práce zkoumá význam struktury daňových systémů pro ekonomický růst v zemích OECD. Jejím cílem je zjistit, zdali příjmově neutrální daňová reforma může významněji podpořit ekonomický růst. Jinými slovy, práce identifikuje typy daní, které nejvíce škodí růstu ekonomiky a vyvozuje návrhy vhodných daňových reforem. K analýze robustnosti vztahu mezi jednotlivými typy daní a růstem je použita metoda extreme bounds analysis. Tato metoda spočívá v opakovaném provádění růstových regresí, přičemž je sledováno chování klíčových proměnných v reakci na změny ve specifikaci modelu. Výsledky naznačují, že zdanění práce má významný negativní dopad na ekonomický růst, zatímco vliv spotřebních a majetkových daní se nezdá být robustní. Na základě zjištění je navržena příjmově neutrální daňová reforma, která by část daňového břemene přesunula z příjmu zaměstnanců na spotřebu či majetek. Klasifikace JEL: H21, H24, H27, O11, O47 Klíčová slova: struktura daňového systému, ekonomický růst, extreme bounds analysis, daňová reformaThe importance of tax system structure for economic growth in OECD countries - Extreme Bounds Analysis Abstract The thesis examines the importance of tax system structures for economic growth in OECD countries. It aims to find out whether a revenue-neutral tax reform can promote economic growth. In other words, its objective is to identify taxes which are most harmful for economic growth and suggest tax policy implications accordingly. The extreme bounds analysis is employed to examine the robustness of relationship between particular taxes and the growth rate. This method consists in running a number of regressions and observing how the coefficients respond to various model alterations. The results suggest that taxes levied on personal income have a robust negative impact on economic growth. On the other hand, consumption and property taxes appear to be non-significant predictors of economic growth. The policy implication is drawn that a revenue-neutral tax reform shifting the tax burden from personal income towards consumption and property is likely to boost the economy. JEL classification: H21, H24, H27, O11, O47 Key words: tax system structure, economic growth, extreme bounds analysis, tax reformInstitute of Economic StudiesInstitut ekonomických studiíFakulta sociálních vědFaculty of Social Science

Analysis of ECG curves during simulated myocardial infarction

Cílem této práce bylo navrhnout a vytvořit scénáře simulující infarkt myokardu pro Emergency Care Simulator a Human Patient Simulator a ověřit, zda je možné infarkt simulovat tak, aby výstup v podobě elektrokardiogramu odpovídal klinickým poznatkům a následně křivky analyzovat. Pro pilotní měření jsem použil human patient simulator. Nasnímal jsem průběhy elektrokardiogramu pomocí pacientského monitoru Datex Ohmeda S/5 a následně jsem křivky upravil v programu Matlab. Na simulátoru human patient simulator lze simulovat infarkt myokardu, ale nelze modelovat křivky elektrokardiogramu. Lze pouze vybírat předvolby z nastavení. Každý záznam elektrokardiogramu ze scénáře má své specifické segmenty a je tak od ostatních dobře rozpoznatelný. Výsledkem jsou zjednodušené modely různých druhů infarktu myokardu, nasnímané a upravené záznamy jejich průběhů elektrokardiogramu a doprovodný popis, jak se scénáři pracovat v případě dalšího využití. Časová analýza prokázala shodu simulovaných křivek elektrokardiogramu s reálnými záznamy infarktu myokardu. Výrazné rozdíly v elektrokardiogramech jsou ST elevace nebo deprese, inverzní vlna T a hluboký hrot S. Celkově záznam srdeční aktivity z human patient simulator hodnotím jako nevyhovující a nevhodný pro další detailní využití.The aim of this thesis was to design and create the scenarios simulating myocardial infarction via the Emergency Care Simulator and Human Patient Simulator and verify if it is possible to simulate the myocardial infarction to respond to clinical knowledge of electrocardiogram curve and analyse these curves. For the measurements I used human patient simulator. I scanned the process of electrocardiogram curves with the Datex Ohmeda S/5 patient monitor, then I modified the curves in the program Matlab. On the human patient simulator, it is possible to simulate myocardial infarction, but the electrocardiogram curve cannot be modelled on them. It can only be chosen the pre-set from setting. Every single electrocardiogram record from the simulation has its own specific segment and it is easily recognisable from the others. The results of this work are simplified models of myocardial infarctions, recorded and modified their electrocardiogram curves and accompanying working guideline of the scenarios for the next usage. Time analysis shown the conformity of simulated electrocardiograph curves with real records of myocardial infarction. Significant differences of electrocardiographs are ST elevation and depression, inversion of T wave and deep S peak. I rate the signal from human patient simulator as substandard and poor quality for the next detailed usage

Device with Backlit Buttons on the DALI Bus

Diplomová práce se zabývá použitím sběrnice DALI a tvorbou kombinace vstupního a výstupního zařízení pro implementaci do již existujícího řešení osvětlení industriální zóny, používající sběrnici DALI. Součástí diplomové práce je návrh desky plošného spoje, softwaru ovládající vstupně výstupní periferie vytvořené DPS a ovladač (driver) pro rozhraní DALI s možností komunikace po 24-bit i 16-bit rámcích.The diploma thesis deals with the use of the DALI bus and the creation of a combination of input and output devices for implementation in an existing lighting solution for an industrial zone using the DALI bus. The diploma thesis includes the design of a printed circuit board, software controlling the input and output peripherals created in the PCB and a driver for the DALI interface with the possibility of communication in 24-bit and 16-bit frames.450 - Katedra kybernetiky a biomedicínského inženýrstvívýborn

Professional training for public service interpreting and translation students in languages of lesser diffusion

Uno de los aspectos de los cuales más se enorgullece la Unión Europea es de su diversidad lingüística, pero ¿realmente apoya la total diversidad de lenguas existente en el territorio europeo? La respuesta es no, ya que únicamente reconoce de forma oficial veinticuatro lenguas de los ochenta y cuatro idiomas autóctonos del territorio, sin tener en cuenta la enorme cantidad y variedad de lenguas procedentes de los movimientos migratorios. Algunas de estas lenguas de menor difusión regionales cuentan con cierto reconocimiento legal por parte de las instituciones del país o región en las que se encuentran, pero la supervivencia de muchas otras depende únicamente de la lucha de sus hablantes y de financiación privada. En el ámbito educativo, si bien es cierto que algunas de estas lenguas regionales se imparten en mayor o menor medida en los niveles de educación obligatoria, en varias zonas europeas no forman parte de los planes de estudio universitarios. Por otra parte, la llegada de población extranjera en un espacio y tiempo limitado en la última década del siglo XX y a lo largo del siglo XXI supuso y sigue suponiendo un aumento de población residente europea alófona y, por ende, un aumento de población que acude a los servicios públicos con un conocimiento nulo o limitado de la lengua oficial. Como se podrá ver a lo largo de este escrito, una parte importante de estos servicios públicos no ofrecen a los usuarios de lengua extranjera ningún tipo de ayuda lingüística para facilitarles la comunicación con los proveedores, por lo que estas personas deberán acudir a los centros acompañados de intérpretes ad hoc, sin formación alguna en la profesión y, a menudo, con un conocimiento limitado de la lengua mayoritaria y de la terminología específica del sector, aspectos que pueden desencadenar consecuencias graves. El objetivo principal de esta investigación es, mediante una revisión bibliográfica de varios estudios publicados en línea, analizar la tipología y la calidad de la formación disponible para los futures traductores e intérpretes de los servicios públicos, las lenguas en las que se ofrece, así como las lenguas de menor difusión que conocen los estudiantes de los grados y másteres de traducción e interpretación, tanto en la Unión Europea como específicamente en España. Las hipótesis planteadas son que, por una parte, un elevado porcentaje de estudiantes de traducción e interpretación en la Unión Europea es conocedora de alguna lengua de menor difusión y el error que las universidades cometen al no permitir a estos alumnos formarse en sus lenguas hereditarias; por otra parte, que la oferta de cursos formativos en TISP se encuentra muy limitada, tanto a nivel estatal como europeo; y, por último, las consecuencias que puede ocasionar el hecho de que intérpretes no calificados sean los responsables de mediar a nivel lingüístico entre los proveedores de los servicios públicos y los usuarios alófonos. Para confirmar estas hipótesis, se trataran los siguientes puntos: i) se presentará el marco teórico en el que se encuadran las lenguas de menor difusión presentes en la Unión Europea, siendo estas tanto las lenguas regionales como las lenguas de la migración (principalmente las extracomunitarias); ii) se presentará el papel de la traducción y la interpretación en la protección de las lenguas regionales así como la importancia de la TISP de lenguas extracomunitarias; iii) finalmente, se analizará un listado de publicaciones especializadas en el sector de la traducción y la interpretación y de la TISP, varias de ellas basadas en encuestas realizadas a estudiantes, así como a usuarios de los servicios públicos. Por último, los resultados confirman, por una parte, la hipótesis de que no existe una gran oferta universitaria para formarse en traducción e interpretación en lenguas de menor difusión en la Unión Europea, aunque una gran parte de los estudiantes de estos grados y másteres conozcan una o más lenguas extracomunitarias o regionales, así como la dificultad de poder obtener una formación universitaria especializada en el sector de la TISP. Por otra parte, también se confirma la hipótesis de que, hasta en países con servicios de TISP regularizados, existe una enorme demanda de intérpretes en los servicios públicos y una falta de profesionales formados, principalmente de lenguas de menor difusión, por lo que con frecuencia los usuarios alófonos deben recurrir a intérpretes ad hoc, hecho que puede ocasionar consecuencias negativas en el rendimiento de estos servicios al ciudadano.One of the aspects the European Union is most proud of is its linguistic diversity. However, does the institution really support the full linguistic diversity existing in the European territory? The answer is no, as only twenty-four of the territory's eighty-four indigenous languages are officially recognized by the institutions, and those numbers are without taking into consideration the diversity of languages related to migration. Some of these European regional languages are legally recognized by the institutions of the country or region in which they are found, but the survival of many others depends entirely on the effort of their speakers and on private funding. Regarding to education, while, in the region in question, the regional language may be taught as part of the primary and secondary education curriculum, it is quite often not the case in higher education studies. On the other hand, the arrival of an important amount of migrant population in a limited space and time throughout the last decade of the 20th century and during the 21st century has also led to an increase in the number of allophone European residents and thus to an increase in the number of people using public services with little or no knowledge of the official languages. As this written document shows, a significant number of these public services centers do not provide any language support for users who do not speak the language in order to facilitate communication with the service provider. These individuals must therefore go to these centers accompanied by ad hoc interpreters, who have no professional training and who often have a limited knowledge of the majority language and of the terminology specific to the sector, which can come with serious consequences. The main aim of this study is to analyze, through a literature review of several studies published online, the nature and quality of Public Service Translation and Interpreting training, the languages in which these training courses are offered, and the languages of lesser diffusion that the students of Translation and Interpreting studies speak, throughout the EU countries and specifically in Spain. The hypotheses put forward are that, on the one hand, there is a large proportion of Translation and Interpreting students in the EU who speak a language a lesser diffusion, and the mistake universities are making by not offering to these students the opportunity to specialize their studies in their hereditary language; on the other hand, the very limited availability of PSIT training courses at both national and European level; and finally, the possible negative consequences of the participation of ad hoc interpreters in the linguistic mediation between service providers and allophone users. In order to substantiate these hypotheses, the following points will be addressed: i) a theoretical framework focused on the EU languages of lesser diffusion, including regional languages and migrant languages (mainly non-EU languages); ii) the role of translation and interpreting in the preservation of regional languages, and the importance of PSIT for speakers of non-EU languages; iii) finally, a list of publications specialized in the fields of translation and interpreting and PSIT, some of which are based on surveys conducted with students and users of public services. Finally, the results confirm, on the one hand, the hypothesis that there is not a wide offer of higher education studies of translation and interpreting in the European Union specialized in languages of lesser diffusion, even though a large part of the students of these bachelor’s and master's degrees know one or more non-EU and/or regional languages, and the difficulty existing to obtain university training specialized in PSIT. On the other hand, the results also confirm the hypothesis that, even in countries where PSIT services are standardized and legalized, there is a high demand for interpreters in public services and a lack of trained professionals, mainly in languages of lesser diffusion, which results in allophone users having to rely on ad hoc interpreters, increasing the risk of negatives consequencesMáster Universitario en Comunicación Intercultural, Interpretación y Traducción en los Servicios Públicos. Especialidad e

Hsp83 loss suppresses proteasomal activity resulting in an upregulation of caspase-dependent compensatory autophagy

The 2 main degradative pathways that contribute to proteostasis are the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy but how they are molecularly coordinated is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate an essential role for an effector caspase in the activation of compensatory autophagy when proteasomal activity is compromised. Functional loss of Hsp83, the Drosophila ortholog of human HSP90 (heat shock protein 90), resulted in reduced proteasomal activity and elevated levels of the effector caspase Dcp-1. Surprisingly, genetic analyses showed that the caspase was not required for cell death in this context, but instead was essential for the ensuing compensatory autophagy, female fertility, and organism viability. The zymogen pro-Dcp-1 was found to interact with Hsp83 and undergo proteasomal regulation in an Hsp83-dependent manner. Our work not only reveals unappreciated roles for Hsp83 in proteasomal activity and regulation of Dcp-1, but identifies an effector caspase as a key regulatory factor for sustaining adaptation to cell stress in vivo

Evidence for a Novel Marine Harmful Algal Bloom: Cyanotoxin (Microcystin) Transfer from Land to Sea Otters

“Super-blooms” of cyanobacteria that produce potent and environmentally persistent biotoxins (microcystins) are an emerging global health issue in freshwater habitats. Monitoring of the marine environment for secondary impacts has been minimal, although microcystin-contaminated freshwater is known to be entering marine ecosystems. Here we confirm deaths of marine mammals from microcystin intoxication and provide evidence implicating land-sea flow with trophic transfer through marine invertebrates as the most likely route of exposure. This hypothesis was evaluated through environmental detection of potential freshwater and marine microcystin sources, sea otter necropsy with biochemical analysis of tissues and evaluation of bioaccumulation of freshwater microcystins by marine invertebrates. Ocean discharge of freshwater microcystins was confirmed for three nutrient-impaired rivers flowing into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and microcystin concentrations up to 2,900 ppm (2.9 million ppb) were detected in a freshwater lake and downstream tributaries to within 1 km of the ocean. Deaths of 21 southern sea otters, a federally listed threatened species, were linked to microcystin intoxication. Finally, farmed and free-living marine clams, mussels and oysters of species that are often consumed by sea otters and humans exhibited significant biomagnification (to 107 times ambient water levels) and slow depuration of freshwater cyanotoxins, suggesting a potentially serious environmental and public health threat that extends from the lowest trophic levels of nutrient-impaired freshwater habitat to apex marine predators. Microcystin-poisoned sea otters were commonly recovered near river mouths and harbors and contaminated marine bivalves were implicated as the most likely source of this potent hepatotoxin for wild otters. This is the first report of deaths of marine mammals due to cyanotoxins and confirms the existence of a novel class of marine “harmful algal bloom” in the Pacific coastal environment; that of hepatotoxic shellfish poisoning (HSP), suggesting that animals and humans are at risk from microcystin poisoning when consuming shellfish harvested at the land-sea interface

Tax competition and the relationship between ČR and Germany

The thesis discusses tax competition among European countries. At this moment, we are witnesses of progressive declining of tax rates because of tax competition. Main aim of this thesis is to evaluate benefits and disadvantages of this trend. Comparison of the Czech Republic and Germany is done in more detailed analysis. Within the context of this dilemma is an analysis of effects of investment incentives and questioning if investment incentives have such huge influence on economic growth and unemployment as indicated in often persuasions of political leaders. Introduction to this thesis contents description of tax competition and following parts enter this dilemma into more details

Determinants of FDI in Sub-Saharan Africa

Determinants of foreign direct investment in Sub-Saharan Africa Abstract This paper deals with determinants of foreign direct investments in Sub-Saharan Africa. This region has been considered very risky for foreign investors and the only incentive for FDI was seen in natural resources, especially oil. The objective of this paper is to find out whether this trend has prevailed in the past decade or if countries that managed to improve their institutional environment attracted significant amount of FDI into other sectors of economy. Standard econometric models are employed to explain FDI flows to individual countries. Not only FDI flows but also the share of FDI to GDP and accumulated FDI are used as dependent variable. The results confirm the fact, that natural resources still play the most important role for inward FDI. Key words: foreign direct investment, natural resources, Sub-Saharan Afric