Implementation of the New Control Methods in Simplification of a Multidimensional Control and Optimization of a Control System Parameters.

The main purpose of this text is to present application of the Largest Lyapunov Exponent (LLE) as a criterion for optimization of the new type of simple controller parameters. Investigated controller is the part of numerically simulated control system. The calculation of LLE was done with a new method [2]. Introduction contains reference to previous publications on inverted pendulum control and Lyapunov stability. Application of the new simple formula for LLE estimation in control systems is discussed. In the next part simulated dynamical system is described and new type of simple controller allowing to control multidimensional system is introduced. In the last part results of the simulation are shown along with conclusions to whole dynamics analysis. Comparison of the proposed regulator with the linearquadratic regulator (LQR) was verified and its better effectiveness with respect to LQR was proved

A new approach to estimation of actively managed component of foreign exchange reserves

Changes in foreign exchange (FX) reserves are difficult to measure in an economically meaningful way because central banks do not decompose reported data into passive and active components. Only the latter should be used when the usefulness of FX reserves in crisis management is assessed or symptoms of currency manipulations are looked for. The applicability of the existing approach to identification of active component of FX reserves is highly limited as it relies on data that are available for a relatively short timespan. To overcome these problems the new approach to estimation of active component of FX reserves is laid out. It makes use of a time-varying coefficient model estimated with Bayesian techniques. The empirical results are obtained for 20 countries over 1995-2017 period. The main finding is that the estimates from the new approach are highly correlated with those from the existing approach, but the timespan of the former is substantially larger than that of the latter. The estimates based on the new approach are cross-checked against the data on FX market interventions of the Czech National Bank. It is demonstrated that the estimates are in general superior to plain changes in FX reserves as a measure of FX interventions and are not worse than those from the existing approach

(2,4-Dipropoxyphen­yl)boronic acid

In the crystal, the title compound, C12H19BO4, exists as a centrosymmetric O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonded dimer. Dimers are linked via C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating an infinite zigzag chain oriented parallel to [11]. The chains are assembled, giving sheets aligned parallel to (21) and inter­connected by weak C—H⋯π inter­actions, producing a three-dimensional network

Exchange rate as a shock absorber or a shock propagator in Poland and Slovakia - an approach based on Bayesian SVAR models with common serial correlation

The paper examines whether exchange rates in Poland and Slovakia acted as shock absorbers or rather shock-propagating mechanisms. A set of Bayesian structural VAR models is built for each country that enables us to identify supply, demand, monetary and financial shocks. Identifying restrictions are derived from the extended stochastic macroeconomic model of an open economy. Sample covers quarterly data 1998-2013. After careful consideration of alternative VAR specifications it is demonstrated that overly parsimonious VARs result in an imperfect identification of shocks that distorts the results. Empirical evidence is found that the higher exchange rate flexibility in Poland than in Slovakia contributed to the absorption of shocks. Though financial shocks had stronger influence on the exchange rate in Poland than in Slovakia, especially in the run-up to the crisis, the participation in the ERM II did not protected the Slovak koruna against the strong and excessive appreciation

Insulating property of the flexible exchange rate regime: A case of Central and Eastern European countries

We examine the insulating property of flexible exchange rate in CEE economies using the fact that they have adopted different regimes. A set of Bayesian structural VAR models with common serial correlations is estimated on data spanning 1998q1-2015q4. The long-term identifying restrictions are derived from a macroeconomic model. We find that irrespective of the exchange rate regime output is driven mainly by real shocks. Its reactions to these shocks, however, are substantially stronger under less flexible regimes, whereas the responses to nominal shocks are similar. Hence, the insulating property of flexible regimes can reduce the costs from economic shocks

Atherothrombosis as a Leading Cause of Acute Coronary Syndromes and Stroke: The Main Killers in Developed Countries

Worldwide, cardiovascular incidents are estimated to cause 17.5 million deaths, 80% of which are ischemic strokes or acute coronary syndromes. Cardiovascular disease results in a significant financial burden for healthcare system—namely, in 2009, it was 9% of the gross health service expenditure in the European Union. Therefore, the development of the knowledge about atherosclerosis—initially thought to be solely degenerative disorder but now considered a multifactorial inflammatory state—is essential. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is usually a manifestation of severe reduction in coronary blood flow caused by atherosclerotic plaque and thrombus. The pathology of the atherosclerotic plaque is complex. Essentially, it is disease of the arterial intima that, through subsequent stages, results to luminal narrowing. Over the years, various theories regarding the genesis growth and vulnerability of atherosclerotic lesions have been promoted, usually focusing on endothelial injury, smooth muscle cell proliferation, lipid accumulation, and, more recently, inflammatory reactions

Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation (RHYTHM-AF) International Registry in Poland

Background: A key procedure of the rhythm control strategy in atrial fibrillation (AF) is cardioversion to normal sinus rhythm. The aim of the present study was to provide a review of treatment patterns for the cardioversion of patients with AF in a hospital setting in Poland and document the success rate of various cardioversion procedures.Methods: We herein present the results from Poland of a prospective observational study to characterize patients with recent onset episodes of AF for whom cardioversion is one of the planned therapeutic options — the RHYTHM-AF registry. Consecutive patients in the hospital setting, age > 18 years, with documented AF at the time of enrollment, excluding those with atrial flutter and those treated with vernakalant, were recruited. No treatment was recommended nor discouraged.Results: Five hundred and one patients were recruited (mean age 64.2 ± 12.1), with 294 (58.7%) patients finally undergoing cardioversion. Primary electrical cardioversion (ECV) was successful in 131 (88.5%) patients. Primary pharmacological cardioversion (PCV) was successful in 110 (75.3%) patients. Amiodarone and propafenone were most commonly used (52.1% and 24.7%, respectively). Fourteen complications and adverse events were recorded (no stroke was observed).Conclusions: Conversion to sinus rhythm was attempted in < 60% of the patients with AF admitted to the hospital with an intention to terminate arrhythmia. ECV was successful in ~90% of the patients, while PCV in ~75% of the patients (amiodarone and propafenone were most commonly used). The rate of complications was low (2.8%).

Exchange rate as a shock absorber or a shock propagator in Poland and Slovakia - an approach based on Bayesian SVAR models with common serial correlation

The paper examines whether exchange rates in Poland and Slovakia acted as shock absorbers or rather shock-propagating mechanisms. A set of Bayesian structural VAR models is built for each country that enables us to identify supply, demand, monetary and financial shocks. Identifying restrictions are derived from the extended stochastic macroeconomic model of an open economy. Sample covers quarterly data 1998-2013. After careful consideration of alternative VAR specifications it is demonstrated that overly parsimonious VARs result in an imperfect identification of shocks that distorts the results. Empirical evidence is found that the higher exchange rate flexibility in Poland than in Slovakia contributed to the absorption of shocks. Though financial shocks had stronger influence on the exchange rate in Poland than in Slovakia, especially in the run-up to the crisis, the participation in the ERM II did not protected the Slovak koruna against the strong and excessive appreciation