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Can business play a role in building resilience among vulnerable communities? Can (marketing) employment contribute to resilience – and if so, how? These are increasingly important and relevant questions in our current world as the recent COVID-19 pandemic showed many households to be just one shock away from falling into poverty. Consequently, understanding how resilience, the ability to cope both psychologically and economically with adversity, can be built has become a top priority for many policymakers and practitioners. This paper explores a marketing solution to building resilience. In this paper, we seek to answer the following question: “Can sales employment help people build resilience and enable them to cope with adversity?” We offer a mechanism through which sales improves resilience: by facilitating opportunities to connect. We show that by enabling opportunities to connect with a wide set of individuals, sales employment can build resilience. We differentiate between types of connections and show that different connections can lead to different forms of resilience. We present experimental evidence from a randomized controlled trial involving saleswomen in rural India. With our partner organization, we recruited, trained, and randomly assigned 1,048 women to either treatment, placebo, or control condition. We exogenously assign individuals to an employment position that facilitates opportunities to connect and measure the impact on resilience. In doing so, not only do we vary opportunities to connections, but we also provide a plausible mechanism of why they have more connections than others: certain jobs – in our case sales employment. To the best of our knowledge, there is no empirical evidence showing the impact of (changing) connections on resilience when facing adversity. In doing so, we are the first to randomly assign participants to different employment forms and causally estimate the impact of employment on personal outcomes, such as resilience. Our results show that those engaged in sales employment are more resilient than those in placebo employment or no-employment conditions. In fact, we find that sales employment significantly improves one’s ability to be economically resilient when facing adversity by increasing: i) the likelihood of being aware of external sources of help and ii) the ability to take-up external sources of help. Second, our results show that engagement in sales is associated with having a wider set of connections. This effect is largely driven by increased connections with local government representatives and local community leaders. We find a strong association between the width of connections and economic and psychological resilience. Last, we examine heterogeneous effects and find that those from lower caste benefit most from engaging in sales employment in terms of building resilience compared. To the best of our knowledge, no one has looked at the impact of employment on resilience – we show that marketing employment holds the power to improve resilience when facing adversity.

This thesis is a contribution to macroeconomics and macro-finance research. It focuses on two areas, the interactions between debt markets and the macroeconomy, in the first two chapters, and consumption heterogeneity’s role in the transmission of shocks, in the third. The first chapter is my job market paper, “Monetary Policy and the Maturity Structure of Public Debt”. It studies the mediating impact of the maturity structure of public debt in the transmission of monetary policy shocks to economic activity. A longer debt maturity attenuates greatly the effect of monetary policy: going from the average historical duration of US debt to very short term debt doubles the impact of a rise of the policy rate on output. A similar result holds in UK data. There is no differential effect on inflation. I show that these effects can be traced back to a quantitatively important financing channel. A model featuring an interaction between an empirically estimated primary market friction and a standard financial accelerator is able to account for these facts. The second chapter of the thesis is “The Fiscal Consequences of Missing an Inflation Target”. This is a joint work with Helene Rey. We show, in Euro Area countries and in the US, the effect of the reliability of central banks’ monetary policy on public finances. When a credible central bank misses its inflation target, this has large fiscal consequences for the fiscal authority. These misses are quantitative sizable in the past low inflation decade, especially for countries with a high level and a high maturity of public debt. We link our results to the optimum currency area literature as the monetary-fiscal nexus is key to the functioning of the Euro Area: the ECB sets monetary policy for sovereigns with heterogeneous debt profiles. The third chapter of my thesis, “LESS is MORE: Consumer Spending and the Size of Economic Stimulus Payments”, is a joint work with Paolo Surico. We study the consumption response to unexpected transitory income gains of different size, using hypothetical survey questions. Affluent households exhibit a higher Marginal Propensity to Consume (MPC) out of large gains while families with low cash-on-hand display a higher MPC out of small gains. The spending of higher earners is consistent with the predictions of a model with non-homothetic preferences on consumption, while spending of low-income families can be accounted for by borrowing constraints. Our results suggest that, for a given level of public spending, a fiscal transfer of smaller size paid to a larger group of low-income households stimulates aggregate consumption more than a larger transfer paid to a smaller group.

This paper shows that endogenous adjustments in the composition of labour supplies magnify the effects of changes in commodity prices on the measured skill premium under quite plausible conditions. These composition effects arise from decisions of individuals with heterogeneous inherent abilities about acquiring human capital. They reinforce the well-known Stolper – Samuelson effect on the measured skill premium in countries with a sufficiently high relative supply of skilled labour, but compensate them otherwise. As a result, the model can account for the observation of a worldwide increase in the skill premium during the last two decades.

We know the Nordic countries are leaders in sustainable developments in social and eco-friendly practices, and measurements of multiple bottom lines are becoming common for many organizations. Also, the European Union has enacted laws to practice sustainability and submit reports on it. However, these reports are not compulsory for all the organizations in the EU. If the organizations have more than 500 workers, they are obliged to report on it. Yet multiple bottom-line measurements for sustainability practices are becoming a trend these days, so many organizations are measuring multiple bottom lines for sustainability practices. The interesting fact is that many organizations are voluntarily measuring multiple bottom lines for sustainability practices. For private companies, these phenomena are not uncommon. But if an organization is owned by a local municipality, this is not so common. One such company is Roskilde Kongres- og Idrætscenter (an event management organization) which is owned by Roskilde municipality. Event management companies organize events, congregations, or social occasions. It is obvious that these functions will create waste, and a huge amount of energy and natural resources are connected to them. These activities have a non-eco-friendly impact on society and the environment. Although this organization is not required by law to measure multiple bottom lines for sustainability practices, it is measuring four bottom lines for the sustainability agenda. In the beginning, we did not know the exact reasons but assumed that stakeholders in this organization might demand multiple bottom-line measurements for sustainability practices. The purpose of this thesis paper was to learn about the influence of stakeholders on measuring multiple bottom lines for sustainability practices. The journey began with the theoretical framework used to study the situation. The theory of stakeholders guided which stakeholders particularly had to be considered. By exploring the different kinds of stakeholders, it was easier to know whether they influenced measuring multiple bottom lines for the sustainability agenda or not, and even if they did, which stakeholder was the most influential. The primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews, and the design of a case study was used. The analysis was done through narrative analysis due to the fact that qualitative data was collected from personal interviews. The findings of this research paper reveal that a few stakeholder groups influence measuring multiple bottom lines for sustainability practices. Moreover, influence from stakeholders can force an organization to make choices it is not required to make.

Species with three-membered rings and the amide linkage are well studied. A quick perusal of the literature with SciFinder finds some 50 000 references to cyclopropanes and almost 300 000 references to amides. In the current paper, we discuss the structure and energetics of two understudied three-membered ring amides, 1,2-oxaziridine-3-one (5) (simultaneously describable as the simplest cyclic carbamate and simplest hydroxamate) and aziridine-2,3-dione (7) (simultaneously describable as the simplest imide and simplest α-ketoamide), with but 5 and nearly 10 references, respectively, for these two classes of compounds. Neither 1,2-oxaziridine-3-one (5) nor aziridine-2,3-dione (7), nor any derivative thereof, has been isolated. Calculational theory ameliorates the paucity of experimental information. The current study reports our computational findings for these and related species (e.g., enols and imidols) where we have used the G3(MP2)//B3LYP method.

Reading is a commandment from Allah. commanded through al-Qur'an Surah al-Alaq verse 1 which was revealed through the intermediary angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. Which will be preached to all the human Ummah specifically to the Ummah who always follows the teachings of Islam. Therefore, we must read the Koran, both reading directly (written) and reading with signs of Allah's power. (implied). Which has a variety of discussions ranging from reading the Koran, mentadabburi, practice and practice so as to create a generation of Qur'ani. In this paper using library research with the method of using library data collection techniques (Library Research) that uses various kinds of existing literature such as books, books of hadith, books of interpretation and the Qur'an that will help in using methods, deductive, inductive and comparative. And it was concluded that the command to read in the Koran so that it can be seen that reading is not just a job, not a mere hobby but as a very important command that will underlie all our activities in this world, let alone a prosecutor of knowledge, reading also is a foundation to go to the path that is blessed by Allah.

E-commerce is anything that involves an online transaction. E-commerce provides multiple benefits to the consumers in form of availability of goods at lower cost, wider choice, and saving time. The general category of e-commerce can be broken down into two parts: E-merchandise and E-Finance. E-commerce involves conducting business using modern communication instruments: telephone, fax, e-payment, money transfer systems, e-data interchange, and the Internet. Online businesses like financial services, travel, entertainment, and groceries are all likely to grow. Forces influencing the distribution of global e-commerce and its forms include economic factors, political factors, cultural factors, and supranational institutions. Goods and Service Tax or GST as it is known is all set to be a game-changer for the Indian economy. Overall it is known to be beneficial to both the consumer, business, and the Government. In India, there are different indirect taxes applied on goods and services by central and state governments. GST is intended to include all these taxes into one tax with seamless ITC and charged on both goods and services. Thus excise duty, special additional duty, service tax, VAT to name a few will get repealed and will be added into GST. For this, GST will have 3 parts CGST, SGST, and IGST. The central taxes like excise duty will be subsumed into CGST and state taxes like VAT into SGST. This going to be forward on all transactions of both goods and services, only one tax will apply which is GST comprising of CGST and SGST. IGST would be applied instead of SGST for interstate transactions. Input credit of all these taxes will be available against all the respective outputs. This paper is the outcome of a review of various research studies carried out on the Impact of GST on E-commerce. This paper examines different aspects like No threshold for GST registration, No Benefit under Composition Scheme, Tax Collection at Source by Marketplace Operator. Finally in the conclusion, one country and one tax will help the Indian economy to grow rapidly.

International audience; Pharmacovigilance is in charge of studying the adverse effects of pharmaceutical products. In this field, pharmacovigilance specialists experience several difficulties when searching and exploring their patient data despite the existence of standardized terminologies (MedDRA). In this paper, we present our approach to enhance the way pharmacovigilance specialists perform search and exploration on their data. First, we have developed a knowledge graph that relies on the OntoADR ontology to semantically enrich the MedDRA terminology with SNOMED CT concepts, and that includes anonymized patient data from FAERS. Second, we have chosen and applied a semantic search tool, Sparklis, according to the user requirements that we have identified in pharmacovigilance.

The quality of asphalt pothole repair in carriageways depends on several important factors, such as the selection of patching material and the choice of repair technique. Conventional hot mix plants operate to support large paving projects, making production more economic with high volume output. When small repairs and maintenance are needed, it can be challenging to maintain small quantities of hot asphalt at a sufficient temperature, especially in the case of winter maintenance. Consequently, the repair materials cannot be compacted to the desired level on some occasions. Thus, producing high quality asphalt materials for low-volume and hand-laid applications including potholes patching and utility reinstatements has lways been a problem. This research aimed to develop a pelletised polymer modified bitumen (PPMB) with reduced temperature sensitivity for low volume applications. The effect of the developed binder PPMB on the asphalt has been evaluated in terms of stiffness, permanent deformation (wheel track test, creep test and indentation test) and fatigue life test, durability (water sensitivity and freeze-thaw cycle) in comparison with the conventional patching materials. The results showed that the highest penetration index (low temperature sensitivity) has been achieved by modifying bitumen with 20% rubber and 2% wax to produce polymer modified bitumen (PMB). Hence, the developed PMB has been incorporated with 5% filler (limestone) and then pelletised and coated with 1% paper sludge ash to produce PPMB. The outcomes showed that PPMB improved the asphalt properties in terms of stiffness, permanent deformation and fatigue life test, water sensitivity and freeze-thaw cycle; this is due to the development of a strong bonds between the PPMB and the aggregate resulting in stronger and more durable asphalt compared to the traditional hot mix asphalt. Furthermore, the self-compacted mastic asphalt has been developed by incorporating PPMB and fine aggregate. The results demonstrated that modifying the mastic asphalt with 2% gilsonite and 3% low density polyethene has improved the sensitivity to permanent deformation (creep test, wheel track test and indentation test), resistance for water sensitivity and long-term ageing compared to the unmodified mastic asphalt. This implies that the modified mastic asphalt could be used in heavy traffic due to its mechanical and durability properties. The overall results indicated that using the PPMB to produce asphalt and modified mastic asphalt is a successful alternative to the traditional patching materials in different applications.

Delays on construction projects are w result in several negative effects like disputes, lawsuits, total dissertation and abandonment. Thus, identifying, ranking and confronting the causes of delay This paper identifies the causes construction projects in Addis Ababa. categorized in 8 major groups. 43 Contractors, 21 Consultants, and 19 Aluminum Fabricators were asked to evaluate frequency and severity of each cause. Data were analyzed with frequency and importance indices. Agreement of the rankings of importance of the causes between groups was tested. Findings of the research revealed that a consultants experienced a 42% and 52% of delay the groups of respondents attest that cause of delay. They also share the view that important. Consultants distinctly perceive whereas Contractors regard Fabricators view that Material Related causes are second in line. Relative agreement of rank of causes between groups showed a high degree of correlation among the groups of respondents. viii worldwide phenomena. Construction projects delays are important. of delay in aluminum fabrication and installation in This study revealed a total of 52 causes . about 90% of the contractors and 85% of the average delay over original contract period. All Owner induced factors are the most frequent and severe Contractor Related causes are third most that Project related causes are second most severe, related causes as runner-ups. Fabricators hold the

In 2018, Bader et al. published research showing evidence that the level of workplace harassment experienced by expatriates varied according to the expatriate’s gender and the culture of the nation in which they were working. Furthermore, Bader et al. found that the level of harassment experienced influenced important outcomes such as job satisfaction and work-related frustration. Recent research, however, has shown that research results often fail to replicate in subsequent research studies (Anvari & Lakens, 2018; Maxwell et al., 2015; Open Science Collaboration, 2015). In fact, recent replications (Obenauer & Kalsher, 2022; Ubaka et al., 2022) of seminal research on employment discrimination (Rosette et al., 2008) have failed to fully replicate the findings of their target study. Bader et al.’s paper has been downloaded more than 1300 times per year since publication and has already received more than 50 citations. Considering the impact of this work within the context of what is often referred to as a replication crisis, this research is a prime target for replication. Additionally, given the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on expatriates, there is a need to investigate if and how our knowledge of the previous expatriate experience is applicable to today’s context. Building on this, displays of Asian hate that have been observed since the pandemic have illustrated a need to extend Bader et al.’s work beyond looking at gender differences to include race/ethnicity as a factor that would influence harassment experienced

The detailed description about the OMIS (One Machine-Infinite Bus) and the SLIS(Single Load -Infinite Bus)will be done in this paper and the detailed introduction of these two concepts(the coherent generators and the coherent buses) and their aggregation. Based on the new OMIS model, the new methods of identifying the coherent generators and aggregating the coherent generators will be advanced. Based on the coherent generators, the new algorithm for the reserving coefficient of the steady angular stability will comes into being. Based on the new SLIS model, the new methods of identifying the coherent buses and aggregating the coherent buses will be put forward. Based on the coherent buses, the new algorithm for the reserving coefficient of the steady voltage stability will be brought about. A real example is used to validate the idea in this paper. A discussion on the angular references between the online data and the offline data will be done when the phases from the WAMS are used. The steady stability of two generators model will be acquired.

A version of time-bounded Kolmogorov complexity, denoted KT, has received attention in the past several years, due to its close connection to circuit complexity and to the Minimum Circuit Size Problem MCSP. Essentially all results about the complexity of MCSP hold also for MKTP (the problem of computing the KT complexity of a string). Both MKTP and MCSP are hard for SZK (Statistical Zero Knowledge) under BPP-Turing reductions; neither is known to be NP-complete., Recently, some hardness results for MKTP were proved that are not (yet) known to hold for MCSP. In particular, MKTP is hard for DET (a subclass of P) under nonuniform NC^0 m-reductions. In this paper, we improve this, to show that MKTP is hard for the (apparently larger) class NISZK_L under not only NC^0 m-reductions but even under projections. Also MKTP is hard for NISZK under P/poly m-reductions. Here, NISZK is the class of problems with non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs, and NISZK_L is the non-interactive version of the class SZK_L that was studied by Dvir et al., As an application, we provide several improved worst-case to average-case reductions to problems in NP, and we obtain a new lower bound on MKTP (which is currently not known to hold for MCSP).

The objective of this deliverable is to provide a detailed overview of the dissemination, communication, and exploitation strategy that will be implemented during the BlueRev project. This strategy is integrated under WP6 Dissemination & Communication, exploitation and replication. As WP6 leader, LOBA will be responsible for the overall management and support of activities defined under the present dissemination and communication plan, including monitoring the performance and developing the main dissemination and communication channels, tools and materials to be used during the project. In collaboration with Task 6.5, led by APRE (Exploitation manager), the present plan will also address the exploitation and sustainability strategy, aiming at ensuring the timely promotion of the project’s outcomes and engagement of parties outside the Consortium, interested in using or adopting them. The Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication plan outlines a detailed planning of the dissemination and communication activities systematically, intending to perform actions and campaigns that reach specific groups and audiences for specific purposes. The first version of the exploitation and sustainability plan included in this document, provides the strategy, methodology, and tools to be implemented during the project to pave the way for the exploitation of its results. The current version of the exploitation and sustainability plan also includes an overview of BlueRev´s Background and Foreground Intellectual Property and a preliminary screening of the project’s key exploitable results along with potential pathways for their exploitation (as identified by all partners using a dedicated tool, we dubbed as the IPR Matrix) as well as an individual exploitation plan per partner. The exploitable results of the project as well as the provisions pertaining to their exploitation will be updated during the project to deliver the “Final Exploitation and replication plan” (D6.5) in M36. All partners will be actively involved in the dissemination, exploitation and communication actions implementation, and their involvement will contribute to satisfactory dissemination of the project’s objectives, activities, and results. In general, the expected contribution from partners is to: • Implement publicity and dissemination campaigns in their own countries and at European level; • Exploit their contacts and networks; • Supply news and updates for the website and newsletter; • Help to keep the project’s Social Media Accounts (SMAs) alive and active; • Participate in relevant events to promote the project and its outcomes; • Contribute with scientific papers acknowledging the BlueRev project.

This PhD thesis is a collection of three independent papers with the overall objective to explore the process of leader emotional labour from the perspective of leader identity work, particularly in leader-follower role relationships. Paper 1 takes a relational identity approach to conceptualise underlying emotional dynamics of leaderfollower relationships, using managers in healthcare as an exemplar of leaders who occupy multiple role identities at work. The paper proposes the conceptual framework of leader emotional labour based on the salience of leader role identity and their personal latitude. Some propositions are provided to guide on how to use the developed framework in future research. Paper 2 offers a longitudinal multilevel model of emotional labour changes within leaders. The paper uses random coefficient modelling to analyse the multiwave leader-follower dyadic data. The findings reveal the impact of between-leader difference: leader relational self-concept, and the moderating effect of leader-follower relational self-concept similarity on leaders emotional labour and its changes within leaders over time. With this, the paper proposes a person-based mechanism of emotional labour antecedents that is influenced by the heterogeneity of significant followers in role-relationships. Meaningful changes in emotional labour within leaders over time provide some unique insight into emotional labour processes in leader-follower relationships. Paper 3 investigates indirect effects of emotional labour in leader identity work on supervisor well-being through social validation from followers in the presence of leader identity threat. Using structural equation modelling to analyse the multiwave leader-follower dyadic data, the results illustrate the significant boundary conditions where social validation from followers can function differently in leader emotional labour when their leader identity is under threat.

In an era of global warming, addressing key agricultural development challenges, including reducing food insecurity and feeding a growing population, while building resilience to the adverse effects of climate change and minimising further environmental degradation induced by the agricultural sector requires a transformation of agricultural systems. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is a sustainable agriculture approach that can help guide such a transformation by orienting agricultural system actions towards the realisation of a triple-objective – sustainably increasing agricultural productivity, adapting to climate change, and contributing to lower the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Yet, high levels of inequality in the distribution of land, a key natural resource for agricultural production, and land tenure insecurity may limit opportunities for widespread farmer adoption of CSA. Policy interventions, such as land reforms, that can broaden landless and land-poor farmers’ access to land as well as to markets, infrastructure and advisory services, and that can enhance farmers’ tenure security, may not only help improve equity and efficiency but also contribute to build an enabling environment for CSA, thereby enhancing environmental sustainability. This thesis comprises three papers investigating associations between CSA and land reform, with a particular emphasis on lower-income country settings. The first paper (Chapter 2) introduces and describes a conceptual framework, the Climate Smart Land Reform (CSLR) framework, which builds on theoretical and empirical literature on CSA and land reform and uncovers associations between the two concepts. It describes a CSLR as comprising of four pillars, land redistribution, land tenure reform, markets and infrastructure, and Rural Advisory Services (RAS). These four pillars are considered, within the framework, to have the potential to foster CSA adoption and to generate positive effects on a range of social, political, economic and environmental objectives that land reformers may entertain, including the three CSA objectives. The CSLR framework represents an innovative way to conceptualise how land reforms can contribute not only to socio-economic and political improvements, but also to environmental sustainability. The second paper (Chapter 3) explores the linkage presented in the CSLR framework between the land tenure reform pillar of the framework and the three CSA objectives by examining the land registration and certification programme undertaken at the end of the 1990s in Tigray (Ethiopia). The use of a difference-in-differences approach applied to an original panel dataset constructed from Earth Observation data reveals that the reform has led to progress on the three CSA objectives. This suggests that land tenure reforms can contribute to the achievement of rural development objectives, including objectives associated with climate change. The third paper (Chapter 4) is dedicated to the study of the South African land reform. It includes a historical summary of the causes and of the process that led to its launch, as well as a critical analysis comparing land reformers’ initial intentions with the actual implementation of the land reform. This analysis exposes key issues that have hampered the realisation of land reformers’ original intentions, including the implementation of inadequate measures for the transfer of land and for the provision of support services to land reform participants. Building on these findings, secondary data from a farm-household level survey are used to analyse empirically the association between the land redistribution and RAS pillars of the CSLR framework and CSA adoption. Results from the estimation of binary response models show that land redistribution participation was associated with a higher likelihood of adopting CSA, but only in the absence of RAS, thus providing evidence of the inadequacy of RAS in fostering CSA in the South African land reform context and confirming the need to enhance efforts for the establishment of a well-coordinated, multi-stakeholder and participatory RAS system.

This thesis is composed of four environmental economics essays spanning the topics of climate change, international trade, and meat consumption. The first two chapters bring together approaches from the fields of international trade and climate econometrics. Using reduced-form empirical methods informed by theory, they investigate how international trade and weather shocks interact to affect economic outcomes. Chapter 1 estimates the impact of weather shocks on export sales relative to domestic market sales, finding that in the agricultural sector temperature shocks create additional barriers to international trade, as do precipitation shocks for the manufacturing sector in rainy countries. Chapter 2 examines the historical role of trade openness in the effect of temperature shocks on growth, finding some support for the hypothesis that connectedness to international markets may help to mitigate the impact of temperature shocks on economic growth. Chapter 3 continues the focus on international trade but shifts towards the topic of reduced meat consumption. Using insights from a structural gravity model for international trade, this paper explores how the impact of a tax on meat consumption in the EU can reach beyond borders and generate market signals via international trade mechanisms that undermine (to some degree) the aim of mitigating carbon emissions. Chapter 4 continues the theme of meat consumption but departs from the international trade perspective and instead focuses to the US market. Using granular data on households and stores, this paper interrogates popular stories about plant-based meat substitute products, finding that they remain a niche market and so far have shown limited potential for decarbonizing the food sector. This analysis highlights the potential need for policy intervention to spur demand growth and innovation in this product space. Overall, this thesis contributes to broadening our understanding of the challenges posed by climate change and climate policymaking.

This thesis is composed of four essays on urban and spatial economics. The first two papers are empirical studies evaluating the impact of public policies in England – one looking at transport infrastructure and the other at flood management. The last two papers leverage satellite imagery to investigate the effects of floods and flood risk on urbanisation in developing countries. The first paper focuses on the impact of cycling infrastructure on road traffic in London. It demonstrates that providing segregated cycling lanes increases cycling flows without impacting motorised traffic. Not only do the cycling flows increase immediately after the opening of the dedicated lanes, but they also appear to be on a permanent steeper growth path. One primary causal mechanism investigated is the reduction in accidents along the cycling routes. The second paper analyses the role of natural disasters in local election results in England. It finds that at the electoral ward level, electors punish the incumbent party after a flood during local elections in England – but they are much more likely to do so if the incumbent party aligns with the party in power, both at the local authority and national government levels. There is no evidence that the political party alignment of the incumbent is a significant driving force. However, there is a clear pattern of more votes going to the UK Independence Party in the wake of a flood shock. The third paper of the thesis investigates the causal role of land scarcity and path dependence on the expansion of Chinese cities into high flood risk land. It finds that a naïve OLS regression overestimates the role topographic constraints play in driving urbanisation in high flood risk areas. Once instrumented for, land scarcity due to topographic constraints is not a driver of urbanisation in high flood risk areas: cities expand into high flood risk land despite having safe land to expand on. The last paper explores the medium-term effect of flooding on population growth in Sub- Saharan Africa. It finds that large floods in rural areas have long-term persistent effects on population growth but that the effects are mitigated in large urban areas. Using Demographic and Health Survey data, the paper finds that experiencing a severe flood is associated with worse health outcomes and a higher probability of being classified in the poorest wealth bracket, especially in rural areas. In the medium-term, the analysis shows sorting of the poorest households in high-flood risk areas. This is consistent with a higher out-migration rate from rural areas.

This project explored Japan’s changing security attitudes from 1972 to 2014 under the scope of its official defense white papers, using a method of sentiment analysis. Consistent with previous studies, Japan was highly cooperative with China during the period from 1972 to 1992, a period rightfully characterized as the “Golden Age.” Starting from 1993, faced with a rising China, Japan maintained an overall neutral posture on the official and legal level towards China, but subtle attitudinal changes could be seen. While Japan had praised China for its cooperative efforts to denuclearize the Korean peninsula and active involvement in UN peacekeeping, it also pointed to China’s covert purposes for engaging in such activities and repeatedly raised concerns about a perceived violation of state sovereignty by China on the “Senkaku Islands,” as well as over Beijing’s human rights issues and lack of transparency in military spending. The current project shows that Japan has continued to adopt non-confrontation, non-provocative language even when describing its disputes with China.

Sequencing can provide genomic characterisation of a specific organism, as well as of a whole environmental or clinical sample. High Throughput Sequencing (HTS) makes it possible to generate an enormous amount of genomic data at gradually decreasing costs and almost in real-time. HTS is used, among others, in medicine, veterinary medicine, microbiology, virology and epidemiology. The paper presents practical aspects of the HTS technology. It describes generations of sequencing, which vary in throughput, read length, accuracy and costs ̶ and thus are used for different applications. The stages of HTS, as well as their purposes and pitfalls, are presented: extraction of the genetic material, library preparation, sequencing and data processing. For success of the whole process, all stages need to follow strict quality control measurements. Choosing the right sequencing platform, proper sample and library preparation procedures, as well as adequate bioinformatic tools are crucial for high quality results.