bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic Growth, Corporate Earnings And Equity Returns: Evidence From Central And Eastern European Countries
Authors: Gajdka Jerzy , Pietraszewski Piotr
Published: September 2016

This paper discusses the links between economic growth, corporate earnings and stock returns. Cross-country correlation studies do not confirm the intuitive assumption that higher returns on equities are more likely in the fastergrowing countries. The problem can be analysed more deeply by analysing stock returns with respect to the growth of earnings per share (EPS) and changes in valuation (P/E ratio). Within this framework, two types of factors explaining the lack of correlation between GDP growth and stock returns are distinguished. The empirical research on developed and emerging market countries reveals that in the long run stock price returns are driven by companies’ earnings, and that the lack of correlation between GDP growth and equity returns is almost fully explained by the divergence between GDP growth and EPS growth. In this article the results of an investigation into this area, based on a sample of post-communist Central and Eastern European countries, are presented and discussed. It was found that in these countries changes in valuation (P/E ratio) appear to play an important role, cancelling the impact of EPS growth on stock returns.
The Canadian Unemployment Insurance Generosity: Reflections From A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Amine Samir
Published: September 2016

The unemployment compensation system is at the centre of the current economic and political debate in many Western countries which, under the effects of the increase in public debt, must decide the level of their unemployment insurance while taking into account its impact on the performance of the labour market. In this article, we compare the generosity of such public policy in France and in Canada, while focusing on the experience of central and eastern Europe. By building a composite index, we show that the French unemployment insurance is more generous only in pecuniary terms, and not in its qualitative dimension.
The Finance Growth Link: Comparative Analysis Of Two Eastern African Countries
Authors: Fanta Ashenafi Beyene , Makina Daniel
Published: September 2016

This paper examines the finance growth link of two low-income Sub-Saharan African economies – Ethiopia and Kenya – which have different financial systems but are located in the same region. Unlike previous studies, we account for the role of non-bank financial intermediaries and formally model the effect of structural breaks caused by policy and market-induced economic events. We used the Vector Autoregressive model (VAR), conducted impulse response analysis and examined variance decomposition. We find that neither the level of financial intermediary development nor the level of stock market development explains economic growth in Kenya. For Ethiopia, which has no stock market, intermediary development is found to be driven by economic growth. Three important inferences can be made from these findings. First, the often reported positive link between finance and growth might be caused by the aggregation of countries at different stages of economic growth and financial development. Second, country-specific economic situations  and episodes are important in studying the relationship between financial development and economic growth. Third, there is the possibility that the econometric model employed to test the finance growth link plays a role in the empirical result, as we note that prior studies did not introduce control variables.
The Increased Content of Micronutrients in Celery, Carrot, Parsnip and Parsley Plants after Treatment with Sodium Naphthenate
Authors: Grbović Ljubica , Kevrešan Slavko , Ćirin-Novta Vera , Kuhajda Ksenija , Kevreša Žarko , Pavlović Ksenija , Vasiljević Bojana
Published: September 2016

Young plants of celery, parsley, parsnip and carrot, grown in nutrient solution, were treated with sodium naphthenate (10−7 mol dm−3), applying foliar and root treatments. Both treatments affected the root content of all investigated elements present in the nutrient solution, but in a different way, depending on the plant species. An average change (increase/decrease) in the contents of investigated essential elements was about 35%. Our experiments with naphthenate showed that this treatment may enhance the efficiency of essential elements uptake and increase its content in plants without changing concentration of these elements in the nutrient solution. Especially interesting results were obtained in the case of carrot, as increased contents were observed in the elements that are usually deficient in nutrition (Fe, Zn, Mn), whereas the other remained unchanged.
Dunavski Rubin – A New Indeterminate Tomato Cultivar
Authors: Takač Adam , Popović Vukašin , Červenski Janko , Glogovac Svetlana , Medić-Pap Slađana
Published: September 2016

Dunavski rubin is a medium early indeterminate cultivar with large fruits and average fruit weight of 180 g. It was developed by crossing cultivars Korona and Saint Pierre. Hybrid material was grown by using the pedigree method. Phenotypically uniform line V9 was selected and submitted to the Varietal Release Committee of the Republic of Serbia. Cultivar was released in 2014 by the Decision of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia under no. 320-04-1871/2/2013-11. Dunavski rubin represents successful combination of genes responsible for high fertility rate and fruit quality. Fruits of Dunavski rubin cultivar have high percentage of dry matter (6.30%), high level of lycopene (106.7 mg/100 g), and excellent total acidity (0.39%). Vitamin C content is 52.7 mg/100 g, while total sugars amount to 5.71%. High K content (1520 mg/kg) and low Na content (79.8 mg/kg) is what distinguishes this cultivar from the others. Comparing with other cultivars trough three year field experiments, it was concluded that Dunavski rubin is a cultivar intended for fresh consumption due to a long fruit-bearing period, but is also an excellent raw material for processing due to its high quality fruit. All of the above mentioned classifies Dunavski rubin as an enhancer in technological processing of tomato.
Lectotypification of × Anthepleurospermum gruetterianum (Asteraceae)
Authors: Pliszko Artur , Heise Waldemar
Published: September 2016

×Anthepleurospermum gruetterianum, a validly published name for the hybrid between Anthemis arvensis and Tripleurospermum inodorum, is lectotypified.
Notes on distribution of some portunid crabs in the Mediterranean Sea (Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae)
Authors: Koch Milan , Ďuriš Zdeněk
Published: September 2016

Collections of benthic organisms were obtained during previous Soviet research cruises in the Mediterranean Sea, 1974–1980. Material was collected by bottom grabs or trawls from the depths of 20-500m. Collecting stations were allocated in the Aegean, Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, Balearic, Alboran, and Ionian Seas, and between Sicily and Tunisia. Among decapod crustaceans collected, 8 species of portunid crabs were present, i.e.,Liocarcinus. corrugatus(Pennant, 1777),L. depurator(Linnaeus, 1758),L. maculatus(Risso, 1827),L. navigator(Herbst, 1794),L. vernalis(Pennant, 1816),L. zariquieyiGordon, 1968,Macropipus tuberculatus(Roux, 1830), andBathynectes longipes(Risso, 1816). For two species,L. maculatusandL. zariquieyi, new distributional records are presented here. An extension of the known depth range is reported here forL. maculatusandL. vernalis.
Habitat conditions of occurrence of Ptychoverpa bohemica (Krombh.) Boud. (Morchellaceae) in anthropogenic habitats in southern Poland
Authors: Stebel Adam , Błońska Agnieszka
Published: September 2016

The paper presents information about habitat conditions of occurrence of the Ptychoverpa bohemica (Krombh.) Boud. fungus in man-made habitats in Silesian Upland in southern Poland. Soil samples were collected from 5 sites in order to measure the contents of organic carbon, nitrogen, carbon/nitrogen ratio and percentage of organic matter, as well as the values of pH and electric conductivity. Lists of plants associated with Ptychoverpa bohemica were also prepared. Results of the investigation show that pH values of analysed soils are neutral to slightly acidic, they show negligible salinity, and the content of organic carbon, nitrogen and organic matter are higher in their upper levels. The floristic composition of patches with Ptychoverpa bohemica usually consists of species which are common in urban areas, such as apophytes and anthropophytes, for example: Betula pendula, Brachythecium rutabulum, Epipactis helleborine, Pinus sylvestris, Populus tremula, Quercus robur, Salix caprea and Sorbus aucuparia.
New faunistic record ofSchineriella schineri(Chironomidae: Diptera) from Slovakia
Authors: Ščerbáková Soňa
Published: September 2016

The paper presents new faunistic record ofSchineriella schineri(Strobl, 1880) for Slovakia from Číčov oxbow lake. Details on finding and notes on distribution and ecology are given.
New records of Micropezidae, Clusiidae and Periscelididae (Diptera: Acalyptrata) from Portugal
Authors: Roháček Jindřich , Andrade Rui , Gonçalves Ana Rita , Almeida Jorge Mota
Published: September 2016

Records of 11 species of three families of acalyptrate Diptera, Micropezidae (4 species), Clusiidae (4) and Periscelididae (3) are given from Portugal. Seven species are new faunal additions to this country, viz. Neria cibaria (Linnaeus, 1761), Neria octoannulata (Strobl, 1899) (both Micropezidae), Clusiodes albimanus (Meigen, 1830), C. caledonicus (Collin, 1912), C. gentilis (Collin, 1912) (all Clusiidae), Periscelis (Myodris) piricercus Carles-Tolrá & Verdugo Páez, 2009 and P. (Periscelis) sp. n. near P. winnertzii Egger, 1862 (Periscelididae). Distribution and biology of all recorded species are reviewed and supplemented with new information based on Portuguese material and notes on the taxonomy and variability of some species are appended.
Remarkable findings of mosses from the Orthotrichaceae family in the Muránska planina National Park (Slovakia)
Authors: Plášek Vítězslav , Blanár Drahoš , Fialová Lucie , Skoupá Zuzana
Published: September 2016

The article presents recent findings of epiphytic bryophytes from the Orthotrichaceae family in the Muránska planina National Park. Field surveys were carried out between 2008 and 2016. In total, 111 localities were visited. Altogether, 19 taxa from the Orthotrichaceae family were recorded - 8 of them are new for the territory of the National Park (Dorcadion affine var. bohemicum, D. rupestre, Orthotrichum diaphanum, O. patens, O. scanicum, O. stramineum, Pulvigera lyellii, and Ulota bruchii) and 1 as new for Slovakia (Dorcadion affine var. bohemicum). Eleven species are listed on the Red list of bryophytes of Slovakia – EX: Orthotrichum rogeri; CR: Nyholmiella gymnostoma, Orthotrichum patens, O. scanicum; VU: Dorcadion striatum, Ulota bruchii; NT: Dorcadion speciosum, Orthotrichum pallens, Pulvigera lyellii, Ulota crispa; DD: Orthotrichum stramineum. The most interesting findings are briefly discussed.
Breeding avifauna of Niemodlin countryside (SW Poland) during the years 2002-2007, and its changes over the last 56 years (1962-2007)
Authors: Kopij Grzegorz
Published: September 2016

Niemodlin countryside (c. 300 km2) is situated in the south-western part of Opole Silesia, SW Poland. Forests occupy c. 40%, arable grounds – 1/3, and meadows and pastures – 7%. There are 31 fish-ponds with a total diked surface of 663 ha. The paper presents results of field investigations carried out during the years 2002-2007 and an analysis of changes in the breeding avifauna over the last 56 years. During the years 2002-2007, 123 breeding and 11 probably breeding bird species were recorded in this area. During the years 1962-2007 151 species were recorded as breeding residents; and additional five species – as probably breeding resident. The following species were recorded as breeding for the first time in 1962-2007: Haliaeetus albicilla, Larus canus, Motacilla cinerea, Saxicola torquata, Locustella luscinioides, Ficedula albicollis, Corvus corax and Carpodacus erythrinus. In the same period the following species became extinct: Podiceps nigricollis, Anas clypeata, Milvus milvus, and Tringa glareola. The following species increaed in numbers in 1962-2007: Coturnix coturnix, Grus grus, Columba oenas, Apus apus, Dryocopus martius, Dendrocopos medius, Motacilla cinerea, Saxicola torquata and Corvus corax. In the same period, Tachybaptus ruficollis, Podiceps cristatus, Podiceps grisegena, Ciconia ciconia, Aythya nyroca, Perdix perdix, Gallinago gallinago, Larus ridibundus, Tyto alba, Alcedo atthis, Picus viridis, Riparia riparia and Corvus cornix decreased in numbers. The areas with the highest concentration of rare and endangered species are postulated to be protected as nature reserves, landscape parks and other spatial forms of nature conservation.
Organisational reasons of job burnout
Authors: Moczydłowska Joanna
Published: September 2016

The article contains theory-cognitive and empirical parts which aim at diagnosing the organisational reasons of burnout detected by managers in. The group of 45 managers who are the students of Executive MBA in the Institute of Economics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw took part in the research. The managers’ opinions about organisational risk factors of burnout which occur in their work environment were the research subject. Survrey was the main research tool used in the study. The following research problem was formulated: What organisational factors raiseing the risk of burnout are detected by managerial staff in their work environment?

The analysis of respondents’ statements enable to identify of the following categories of burnout risk factors: pressure (of time, responsibility, expectations), lack of possibilities to develop occupational abilities and of prospects, the reasons entrenched in wrong interpersonal relations, lack of basic employees’ need, deficiencies of the motivational system and work organisation, failure to meet the making decisions. Indirectly, the research results indicate senior staff individualistic inertia. The respondents are conscious of burnout risk factors but they do not take enough effective action to build friendly organisational environment and promote healthy lifestyle. They estimate that the impact of these factors on the mental hygiene improvement in the enterprises is little. They are prone to detect potential sources of burnout in factors which they do not have direct influence on, for instance in the rules enforced by the high level managers, in law of tough market competition etc. There are no statistically significant differences between the responses of men and women. The article develops knowledge in the area of organisational behavior.
Innovative multimedia project – the exemplification of the concept of technological entrepreneurship
Authors: Badzińska Ewa
Published: September 2016

The scientific purpose of the study is an attempted synthesis of the concept of technological entrepreneurship. The cognitive aim of the publication is to present the functionality of an innovative technological solution the uses authorial applications and interactive devices designed and commercialized by the analyzed technology start-up. The application of the empirical method of a case study has made it possible to characterize the essence of technological entrepreneurship and illustrate the progress and development of the studied phenomenon in business practice.

The functionality of an innovative multimedia project has been presented as the exemplification of technological entrepreneurship in cooperation between commercial enterprise and business environment institutions. It has been pointed to measurable economic and social outcomes achieved by the company as a result of conscious implementation of the concept of technological entrepreneurship.

Case studies in the field of technological entrepreneurship should develop the existing theory and provide explanations of the hitherto unrecognized phenomena. The author proposes the understanding of technological entrepreneurship as a process that combines the elements of academic and intellectual entrepreneurship with the entrepreneurship of commercial organizations implementing new technologies in the market environment.

The designed innovative multimedia project supports the management of information for travelers and information regarding fleet management in public transport.
Car industry enterprises in Poland: strategic priorities in the circumstances of depression on the market
Authors: Baran Michał
Published: September 2016

It is in the recent years that the automotive branch has been remarkably affected by the global economic crisis. The companies located in Poland make up a significant element of the global system. The paper analyses the most important data that describe the activities of these companies in the years of the crisis (the research covered the period from 2005 through 2012). It is possible to formulate the thesis that this is the group of entities that coped relatively well with the difficult situation encountered in the environment. Thanks to the conducted analysis it was possible to point to the regularities that increased the possibility success in this kind of circumstances.
Stereotypes in the perception of cross-border business partners (on the example of Podlasie entrepreneurs)
Authors: Tomaszuk Anna
Published: September 2016

The aim of the study was to determine whether the Podlasie entrepreneurs think about neighboring nations (Belarusian, Lithuanian, Ukrainian and Russian) in a stereotypical way (ascribing to them certain negative characteristic) and, if that affects in any way the decision about cooperation. The theoretical part of the article concerns the concept of stereotype, its features and functions. In the empirical part the results of research are presented. It was carried out on a group of Polish entrepreneurs (in Podlasie) in order to identify their attitudes and opinions on some neighboring nations (Russians, Belarusians, Lithuanians and Ukrainians). The research was a pilot study. The sample included two hundred entrepreneurs. Authors’ questionnaire was used. In the light of the study negative national stereotypes seem to have a great importance in creating cross-border networking.
Effects of retrieval formats on second language vocabulary learning
Authors: Nakata Tatsuya
Published: September 2016

The present study set out to examine how we can optimize paired-associate learning of second language (L2) vocabulary. In paired-associate learning, retrieval, where learners are required to access information about an L2 word from memory, is found to increase vocabulary learning. Retrieval can be categorized according to dichotomies of (a) recognition versus recall and (b) receptive versus productive. In order to identify the optimal retrieval format, the present study compared the effects of the following four conditions: recognition, recall, hybrid (combination of recall and recognition), and productive recall only. In this study, 64 English-speaking college students studied 60 Swahili-English word pairs using computer-based flashcard software. Results suggested that for paired-associate learning of L2 vocabulary, (a) recall formats are more effective than recognition for the acquisition of productive knowledge of orthography and (b) recognition formats are more desirable than recall when knowledge of spelling is not required.
Prítomnosť češtiny na Slovensku a aspekt spisovnosti
Authors: Jarošová Alexandra
Published: September 2016

The paper aims at giving a retrospective view of the presence of Czech in Slovakia through prism of the concepts language situation, communication situations and standardness.

Within the conditions of the feudal heterogeneity of the Hungarian Monarchy and without any distinct cultural and political centre of the Slovaks, in a situation of considerable dialectal variety, the Czech language fulfilled the role of a comprehensible and within the whole society (among educated Slovaks) valid and relatively unified written form of the “local language” (lingua vernacula). In the 14th and the 15th centuries this Czech got only relatively little Slovakized. During the 16th and the 17th centuries two mutually overlapping tendencies of the development of the written language of the Slovaks were being formed: 1. Slovakized Czech, or a Slovak-version Czech, and 2. Regional Variants of Cultural Slovak. Both tendencies found their place in the Catholic as well as in the Protestant environment. In the 2nd half of the 18th century, with continuation into the beginnings of the 19th century, two directions that started to be formed already in the previous period, became crystalized: 1. Under the influence of the progressing re-Catholicization, the Slovakized Czech of the Protestants undertook the direction from diglossia towards “pure” Czech (at least in the sense of an intention), and the Protestant circles unequivocally accepted it as their standard language, sometimes denoting it as reč československá (Czechoslovak language) or českoslovenčina (the Czechoslovak); 2. In the Catholic environment, the cultural Western Slovak of the southern type and called bernolákovčina (Bernolák‘s Slovak) was codified, with the status of an autonomous standard language – a development away form diglossia towards Slovak. It was a period of two standard languages to which Štúr’s codification of Slovak put an end. His codification was based on the northern Central Slovak dialects, and after its modification in the so called opravená slovenčina (“corrected Slovak”) it was accepted by the representatives of both confessions.
Метонимия и метафора как корреляты двух этапов вынуждено поверхностного восприятия возможности создать новое лексическое значение
Authors: Попов Сергей
Published: September 2016

For decades now, we are talking about that in science in general, and in linguistics in particular a structuralist paradigm is naturally complemented with an anthropocentric paradigm – with its inherent attention to human cognitive structures. Following the question “how?” we more and more often ask the question “why?”. This is a logical way of development of human thought in the process of cognition of reality: first, based on the differential and integral signs, organize, and then wonder why the system looks exactly the way it looks, with its tendentiousness and illogicalities. The aim of the article is to study the correlation between lexical phenomena of metonymy and metaphor and cognitive structure of perception. This study is in line with a new scientific approach proposed by evolutionary epistemology: cognitive and evolutionary. This approach implies increased attention to human perception and logic in their evolution. Based on the information of anthroponimic sciences related to linguistics about degrees of perception and logics quality, this approach allows to see the deep reasons of phenomena being studied.
On the Rhythmic Law and the Suffix -ár
Authors: Pukanec Martin
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this paper is to examine the violations of the Rhythmic Law in the words with the suffix -ár related to the Ľubomír Kralčák’s inspiring paper On the Vocal Quantity Stability in the Slovak Suffix -ár (-áreň). I propose here a regressive rhythmic law according to which the Proto-Slovak roots of the AP (b) regularly shortened when followed by the suffix -ár. The proposed sound law operated in Proto-Slovak, before the definitive fixation of the stress on the initial syllable in Slovak and before the Slovak Rhythmic Law.
Does Central Bank Quality Determine Sovereign Ratings and Credit Default Swap Spreads: Evidence from the World?
Authors: Ramlall Indranarain
Published: September 2016

This study innovates from prior research which focuses on the determinants of sovereign ratings and credit default swap spreads for a large sample of countries by incorporating the quality of central banks, let alone refined proxies. Findings show that the explanatory power of both sovereign ratings and CDS spreads model improve by a hefty 11 percent in case of sovereign ratings and 6 to 9 percent in the case of CDS spreads when central bank quality is incorporated. Such a finding bolters the notion that institutional quality does play a preponderant role when it comes to assessing country risk, making it a systematic component of institutional quality. The effect of labour participation implies that countries buffeted by stronger effects of an ageing population have greater propensity of increases in CDS spreads. Evidence is also found as to the driving dynamics of CDS spreads and sovereign ratings to be distinct. Our results hold robust post tackling for endogeneity problem.
Forecasting Macedonian Business Cycle Turning Points Using Qual Var Model
Authors: Petrovska Magdalena , Krstevska Aneta , Naumovski Nikola
Published: September 2016

This paper aims at assessing the usefulness of leading indicators in business cycle research and forecast. Initially we test the predictive power of the economic sentiment indicator (ESI) within a static probit model as a leading indicator, commonly perceived to be able to provide a reliable summary of the current economic conditions. We further proceed analyzing how well an extended set of indicators performs in forecasting turning points of the Macedonian business cycle by employing the Qual VAR approach of Dueker (2005). In continuation, we evaluate the quality of the selected indicators in pseudo-out-of-sample context. The results show that the use of survey-based indicators as a complement to macroeconomic data work satisfactory well in capturing the business cycle developments in Macedonia.
Investment in Research and Development - A Factor of Adjustment of Montenegro to the EU Economy
Authors: Tomljanović Marko , Grubišić Zoran
Published: September 2016

Montenegro and other Western Balkan countries are characterized by historical mortgages, political instability, commenced but uncompleted structural reforms and unfavourable economic situation, which all contributed to their lagging behind other EU member states. In addition to this, these countries have been faced with a low level of investment in research and development, unfavourable educational structure, low level of innovation and a lack of awareness about the importance of research and development in modern economies.

The economic and political situation led to their determination to become a full EU member, which requires the fulfilment of specified criteria, implementation of structural reforms and “catching up” with other EU member states. Investment into research and development are found to be the key factor for fulfilling their objective – EU membership.
Over-reaction to Policy Signals, and Central Bank Optimal Communication Policy
Authors: Naini Ahmad-Reza Jalali , Naderian Mohammad-Amin
Published: September 2016

This paper reviews the theoretical arguments and counter arguments regarding central bank optimal communication policy in an environment with imperfect common knowledge and strategic complementarity. More specifically, the paper discusses the environment in which full transparency is no longer necessarily the superior strategy. Uncertainty about the underlying economic state in the presence of dispersed information is the basis for the emergence of imperfect common knowledge. These issues are further discussed in an augmented Lucas-island model. Full policy transparency in this setting leads to overreliance to central bank public policy signals, resulting in the expectations coordination away from fundamentals - dubbed as over-reaction to central bank announcements. Optimal communication policy in this context entails strategies to limit over-reaction via partial transparency or partial publicity.
Weighting Strategies for Combining Data from Dual-Frame Telephone Surveys: Emerging Evidence from Australia
Authors: Baffour Bernard , Haynes Michele , Western Mark , Pennay Darren , Misson Sebastian , Martinez Arturo
Published: September 2016

Until quite recently, telephone surveys have typically relied on landline telephone numbers. However, with the increasing popularity and affordability of mobile phones, there has been a surge in households that do not have landline connections. Additionally, there has been a decline in the response rates and population coverage of landline telephone surveys, creating a challenge to collecting representative social data. Dual-frame telephone surveys that use both landline and mobile phone sampling frames can overcome the incompleteness of landline-only telephone sampling. However, surveying mobile phone users introduces new complexities in sampling, nonresponse measurement and statistical weighting. This article examines these issues and illustrates the consequences of failing to include mobile-phone-only users in telephone surveys using data from Australia. Results show that there are significant differences in estimates of populations’ characteristics when using information solely from the landline or mobile telephone sample. These biases in the population estimates are significantly reduced when data from the mobile and landline samples are combined and appropriate dual-frame survey estimators are used. The optimal choice of a dual-frame estimation strategy depends on the availability of good-quality information that can account for the differential patterns of nonresponse by frame.
Is the Short Version of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-S) Applicable for Use in Telephone Surveys?
Authors: Brust Oliver A. , Häder Sabine , Häder Michael
Published: September 2016

The inclusion of psychological indicators in survey research has become more common because they offer the possibility of explaining much of the variance in sociological variables. The Big Five personality dimensions in particular are often used to explain opinions, attitudes, and behavior. However, the short versions of the Big Five Inventory (BFI-S) were developed for face-to-face surveys. Studies have shown distortions in the identification of the Big Five factor structure in subsamples of older respondents in landline telephone surveys. We applied the same BFI-S but with a shorter rating scale in a telephone survey with two subsamples (landline and mobile phone). Using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), we identified the Big Five structure in the subsamples and the age groups. This finding leads us to conclude that the BFI-S is a powerful means of including personality characteristics in telephone surveys.
Accuracy of Mixed-Source Statistics as Affected by Classification Errors
Authors: van Delden Arnout , Scholtus Sander , Burger Joep
Published: September 2016

Publications in official statistics are increasingly based on a combination of sources. Although combining data sources may result in nearly complete coverage of the target population, the outcomes are not error free. Estimating the effect of nonsampling errors on the accuracy of mixed-source statistics is crucial for decision making, but it is not straightforward. Here we simulate the effect of classification errors on the accuracy of turnover-level estimates in car-trade industries. We combine an audit sample, the dynamics in the business register, and expert knowledge to estimate a transition matrix of classification-error probabilities. Bias and variance of the turnover estimates caused by classification errors are estimated by a bootstrap resampling approach. In addition, we study the extent to which manual selective editing at micro level can improve the accuracy. Our analyses reveal which industries do not meet preset quality criteria. Surprisingly, more selective editing can result in less accurate estimates for specific industries, and a fixed allocation of editing effort over industries is more effective than an allocation in proportion with the accuracy and population size of each industry. We discuss how to develop a practical method that can be implemented in production to estimate the accuracy of register-based estimates.
Empirical Best Prediction Under Unit-Level Logit Mixed Models
Authors: Hobza Tomáš , Morales Domingo
Published: September 2016

The article applies unit-level logit mixed models to estimating small-area weighted sums of probabilities. The model parameters are estimated by the method of simulated moments (MSM). The empirical best predictor (EBP) of weighted sums of probabilities is calculated and compared with plug-in estimators. An approximation to the mean-squared error (MSE) of the EBP is derived and a bias-corrected MSE estimator is given and compared with parametric bootstrap alternatives. Some simulation experiments are carried out to study the empirical behavior of the model parameter MSM estimators, the EBP and plug-in estimators and the MSE estimators. An application to the estimation of poverty proportions in the counties of the region of Valencia, Spain, is given.
A Simulation Study of Weighting Methods to Improve Labour-Force Estimates of Immigrants in Ireland
Authors: Nguyen Nancy Duong , Burke Órlaith , Murphy Patrick
Published: September 2016

As immigration has become a global phenomenon in recent years, a number of European countries, including Ireland, have experienced an influx of immigrants, causing a shift in their national demographics. Therefore, it is important that the EU-LFS yield reliable labour-force estimates not only for the whole population, but also for the immigrant population.

This article uses simulation techniques to compare the effectiveness of four different weighting mechanisms in order to improve the precision of the labour-force estimates from the Irish component of the European Union Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS) called the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS). The four weighting methodologies for comparison include the original and the current weighting scheme of the QNHS as well as our two proposed alternative weighting schemes. The simulation results show that by modifying the current QNHS weighting mechanism, we can improve the accuracy of the labour-force estimates of the immigrant population in Ireland without affecting the estimates of the whole population and the Irish nationals.

This article highlights potential issues that other countries with new immigrant populations may face when using the EU-LFS for immigration research, and our recommendations may be useful to researchers and national statistical offices in such countries.
An Imputation Model for Dropouts in Unemployment Data
Authors: Nilsson Petra
Published: September 2016

Incomplete unemployment data is a fundamental problem when evaluating labour market policies in several countries. Many unemployment spells end for unknown reasons; in the Swedish Public Employment Service’s register as many as 20 percent. This leads to an ambiguity regarding destination states (employment, unemployment, retired, etc.). According to complete combined administrative data, the employment rate among dropouts was close to 50 for the years 1992 to 2006, but from 2007 the employment rate has dropped to 40 or less. This article explores an imputation approach. We investigate imputation models estimated both on survey data from 2005/2006 and on complete combined administrative data from 2005/2006 and 2011/2012. The models are evaluated in terms of their ability to make correct predictions. The models have relatively high predictive power.
The Marginal Effects in Subgroup Decomposition of the Gini Index
Authors: Ogwang Tomson
Published: September 2016

In this article, we derive the elasticity of the Gini index with respect to changes in subgroup incomes for subgroups that are characterized by significant income separation. The resulting elasticity, which is structurally similar to that of the empirically popular Lerman and Yitzhaki’s (1985) elasticity for Gini income-source decomposition, entails easy and transparent computations. Some possible checks for income separation are described and an illustrative example using Canadian data is provided. The advantages of the proposed methodology over the Shapley value approach to Gini subgroup decomposition are stated.
Nonrespondent Subsample Multiple Imputation in Two-Phase Sampling for Nonresponse
Authors: Zhang Nanhua , Chen Henian , Elliott Michael R.
Published: September 2016

Nonresponse is very common in epidemiologic surveys and clinical trials. Common methods for dealing with missing data (e.g., complete-case analysis, ignorable-likelihood methods, and nonignorable modeling methods) rely on untestable assumptions. Nonresponse two-phase sampling (NTS), which takes a random sample of initial nonrespondents for follow-up data collection, provides a means to reduce nonresponse bias. However, traditional weighting methods to analyze data from NTS do not make full use of auxiliary variables. This article proposes a method called nonrespondent subsample multiple imputation (NSMI), where multiple imputation (Rubin 1987) is performed within the subsample of nonrespondents in Phase I using additional data collected in Phase II. The properties of the proposed methods by simulation are illustrated and the methods applied to a quality of life study. The simulation study shows that the gains from using the NTS scheme can be substantial, even if NTS sampling only collects data from a small proportion of the initial nonrespondents.
Is early breast milk fortification more effective in preterm infants?: a clinical trial
Authors: Alizadeh Taheri Peymaneh , Sajjadian Negar , Asgharyan Fargi Marzieh , Shariat Mamak
Published: September 2016

Objective:

Breast feeding alone does not provide adequate nutrition for growth in preterm infants; therefore, fortifiers are added when over 70–80 cc/kg/day of breast milk is tolerated. As there are few studies comparing early and late breast milk fortification, the following study was conducted.

Study design:

This double-blind clinical trial was performed on 80 preterm infants (gestational age of 28–34 weeks, birth weight <2 kg). The newborns were randomly divided into two groups to receive either early or late fortification. The primary and secondary outcomes were the difference in growth indices and complications (including feeding intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and septicemia) between the two groups, respectively.

Results:

Both groups showed increases in growth indices; however, there was no statistically significant difference in increments of growth indices and complications between the two groups.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that early fortification from the first feeding in neonates with exclusive breast feeding did not improve growth in the first 4 weeks in preterm neonates in comparison with late fortification; so early fortification may not be cost effective.
Chemical constituents and ovicidal effects of mahlab, Prunus mahaleb L. kernels oil on cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) eggs
Authors: Mead Hala M. , El-Shafiey Samah N. , Sabry Hend M.
Published: September 2016

The carried out investigations evaluated ovicidal activity of mahlab, Prunus mahaleb L. kernel oil against cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.). The chemical constituents of the fixed oil of mahlab were analyzed using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Timnodonic (33.07%), oleic (28.71%) and linoleic (24.35%) were the basic fatty acids, while the major hydrocarbon and sterol were found to be heneicosane (62.57%) and β-sitosterol (10.57%). The LC50 values for the one-day-old egg masses were found to be more susceptible than 3-day-old ones. Moreover, the leaf dip technique occurred to be more efficient than spraying technique. The results also showed abnormalities in the external morphology of egg shell, chorion surface, shell imprints and aeropyles of S. littoralis eggs treated with mahlab and KZ oils as compared to a control by using scanning electron microscope. Generally, the tested oils significantly reduced the activities of transaminase enzymes (AST and ALT), acid and alkaline phosphatases and total soluble protein except mahlab oil on acid phosphatase as compared to a control. Additionally, the oils of both mahlab and KZ oil affected some biological aspects such as incubation period, larval duration, larval mortality and pupal weight comparing to a control.
Wild boar offal as a probable source of Aujeszky’s disease virus for hunting dogs in Poland
Authors: Szczotka-Bochniarz Anna , Lipowski Andrzej , Kycko Anna , Sell Bartosz , Ziółkowski Michał , Małek Barbara
Published: September 2016

Introduction:Aujeszky’s disease (AD), most often related to infection of domestic and feral swine, may also concern other mammals, including dogs. The disease in carnivores, related to consumption of raw meat or offal contaminated with AD virus, is manifested by severe neurological disorders and inevitably leads to animal’s death.

Material and Methods:Karelian bear dog was euthanised due to nervous symptoms that started two days after participation in wild boar hunting. After exclusion of rabies the dog’s carcass was subjected to standard necropsy. Tissue samples were collected for histological examination. Samples of the brain were tested for ADV by real-time PCR and virus isolation. Samples of the liver were collected for toxicological examination.

Results:The presence of ADV was confirmed by real-time PCR and virus isolation. Toxicological examination revealed anticoagulant poisoning. This is the first case of Aujeszky’s disease (AD) in a hunting dog in Poland after exposure to ADV from offal of wild boar.

Conclusion:This infection should be taken into consideration in differential diagnosis of syndromes of neurological disorders in dogs. Since AD is found in both domestic pigs and wild boar in Poland, special care must be taken to prevent spread of infection to other species.
Changes in blood parameters induced by experimental jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus infection
Authors: Dudek Katarzyna , Lutnicki Krzysztof , Bednarek Dariusz , Marczuk Jan , Kycko Anna , Reichert Michał
Published: September 2016

The aim of the study was to assess the changes of blood parameters in 12 three-week-old Polish Merino sheep subjected to experimental jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) infection.

Material and Methods: Haematological (WBC with leukocyte subpopulations: GRA, LYM, MID, and RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, HGB, HCT, PLT, and MPV) and biochemical blood parameters (acid/base balance, cation/anion content, and gasometry) were determined in blood samples collected one month after JSRV infection, then at four-week intervals for five consecutive months.

Results: A decrease in RBC, HCT, MCV, PLT, MPV, and LYM values in comparison with controls was found in the last month of observation. On the other hand, at the same time, an increase in HGB, MCH, MCHC, WBC, MID, and GRA indices was observed. Moreover, at the end of experiment blood gasometric indices such as pCO2, HCO3, and tCO2, and Na and K ion concentrations were higher in the affected lambs than in the healthy animals. The pH values of the challenged animals exhibited less alkaline character than in the case of controls, which was associated with a decrease in O2% saturation. However, the majority of differences between JSRV inoculated and control groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The observed changes in the examined blood parameters can be considered as prodromal symptoms in the preclinical phase of adenocarcinoma development associated with JSRV infection.
Real-time quantitative PCR for detection and identification of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2
Authors: Dors Arkadiusz , Kowalczyk Andrzej , Pomorska-Mól Małgorzata
Published: September 2016

Introduction: Porcine pleuropneumonia inflicts important economic losses on most commercial herds. Detection of subclinical or chronic infection in animals still remains a challenge, as isolation and identification of A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes is difficult and quantification of the bacteria on agar plates is often almost impossible. The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate a serotype-specific quantitative TaqMan probe-based PCR for detection of serotype 2 in pig lungs, tonsils, and nasal swabs.

Material and Methods: The primers were designed from the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis genes of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2. PCR specificity and sensitivity were evaluated using reference strains and several other bacterial species commonly isolated from pigs.

Results: The real-time qPCR for detection of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 was highly specific and gave no false positives with other serotypes or different bacterial species of pig origin. The detection limit for pure culture was 1.2 × 104 CFU/mL, for lung tissue and nasal swabs it was 1.2 × 105 CFU/mL, and for tonsils - 1.2 × 105 CFU/mL.

Conclusion: The method can be used to serotype A. pleuropneumoniae isolates obtained during cultivation and to detect and identify A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 directly in nasal swabs and tonsil scrapings obtained from live pigs or lung tissue and tonsils collected post-mortem.
Usefulness of immunohistochemical indicators for diagnosis and prognosis of poorly differentiated tumours
Authors: Kandefer-Gola Małgorzata , Nowak Marcin , Ciaputa Rafał , Madej Janusz A.
Published: September 2016

Immunohistochemical studies have become an indispensable element of establishing the correct histopathological diagnosis of poorly differentiated lesions, proving particularly suitable, and occasionally indispensable, for diagnosis of poorly differentiated neoplastic tumours. Knowledge of the mechanism of action and normal reaction of individual proteins is required in selection of the antibody pattern for a given tissue and in evaluation of the obtained results. This paper aims to promote the application of immunohistochemical techniques in routine diagnosis, especially in cases of poorly differentiated or undifferentiated tumours.
What can Lithuania offer for its Security?: Foreign Policy Dilemmas in Lithuania’s Relations with the United States
Authors: Jurgelevičiūtė Diana
Published: September 2016

Strategic partnership between states is a reciprocal exchange built on mutual commitment. The significance of the United States to Lithuania is unquestionable. However, why should the U.S. care about Lithuania? The emphasis on the U.S. interests and policies allows ignoring the question about Lithuania’s engagement and input into the partnership. Therefore, this article asks how does Lithuania contribute to the strategic partnership with the U.S.? To be precise, does Lithuania support and pledge its allegiance to the U.S. when this support goes beyond the limits of direct responsibilities of strategic partner, or even enters into a conflict with other important responsibilities or interests of the state?
NATO, Russia and the Discourse of Danger: Analysing the Rhetoric of NATO Secretary General A.F. Rasmussen
Authors: Ališauskas Tadas
Published: September 2016

This article examines the political rhetoric of NATO Secretary General Anders F. Rasmussen during his term in office (2009–2014). The officially conducted public diplomacy of A. F. Rasmussen is analysed based on the poststructuralist theoretical assumptions in order to detect the manifestations of discourse of danger in NATO-Russia relations during the years 2009–2014.

The empirical data under review (official discourse of A. F. Rasmussen) is interpreted in the light of NATO–Russia relations by determining the main stages, dominating themes and discursive representations of these relations during the analysed period. Based on the tendencies in articulating dangers to NATO, this paper examines the Alliance’s position and its alternation vis-à-vis Russia in international system.