Developments in the available inequality indexes for the Western Balkan countries: trends in the last 10 years

In this chapter we analyse the level of inequality in Western Balkan countries, particularly in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, during the past ten years. Inequality is one of the main challenges both for the economic theory and economies of the world today. Wage gaps widened and household income inequality increased in a large majority of OECD countries in the three decades before the recent economic crisis. Before the economic crises countries of Western Balkan region recorded economic growth. There was an increase in GNI per capita and HDI all over the region. The data on inequality in western Balkan countries are scarce – they are not available for all countries for the whole period 2001-2011. According to available data Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia belong to the group of the countries with low level of inequality, while Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have medium level of inequality. The highest levels of Gini coefficient over the period are present in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia. While in Serbia this indicator decreased and in Montenegro it was stable, in other countries it slightly increased over a period

Mergers and acquisitions in banking sector: the case of Western Balkan countries

The reform process that took place in the Western Balkan countries attracted the penetration of the international banks. European banks entered the markets predominately through acquisitions of the local state-owned and private banks. The M&A activities triggered by the European banks played an important part in changing of the banking sectors in the Balkan countries in terms of consolidation, market concentration and competition in banking sector, financial intermediation development and landing allocation. As a result of international banks penetration, banking sectors of the Western Balkan countries encountered with significant changes. In particular, M&A transactions have been the direct cause for the overall decrease in the number of financial institutions and for the substantial growth in foreign banks proportion in the total assets. Although the decline in interest rate spreads, as an indication of increase of competition in all observed countries, is noticeable during the past decade, the interest rate spreads are still much higher than on the European markets. The expansion of lending activity in three western Balkan countries was mainly due to an increase in credits to private households rather than to the companies, which is unproductive use of the financial sources

VOLCANISM OF HOT SPOTS ON THE RÉUNION AS THE EXAMPLE

Réunion (French: La Réunion, formerly: Īle Bourbon) is beside the Mauritius the largest and the youngest island on the Mascarene Plateau in the Indian Ocean. The island is of volcanic origin, formed through volcanic activity initiated by deeply settled “hot spot” inside the Earth’s mantle. It was formed within the last 2 million years from lava effusions whose volume is up to now nearly 75,000 km3. Only 3% of its volume is emergent and the total height from the sea floor is 6,500 m. The island is about 40 km in width with about 800,000 inhabitants. The capital city is St Denis. The nature of the island is impressive: active volcano, mountains above 3,000 m in height and deep canyon, frequently exceeding 2,000 m in depth. Since 2010, about 40% of its area is announced a National park and a UNESCO World Heritage site

Correlation between p53 expression and clinical-pathological characteristics of gastric cancer

Backgraund/Aim. Gene p53, or “cell genome keeper”, has a preventive effect on the occurrence of genetic aberrations and prevents abnormal expansion of (tumor) cells. In gastric cancer cells in most cases we register high expression of mutated p53 gene, which correlates with prognosis and specific clinicalpathological characteristics of gastric cancer. Methods. Using the imunohistochemical method we determined the level of expression of p53 protein in 62 gastric cancers and 30 precancerous conditions (intestinal metaplasia of the stomach). We analyzed the relationship of the level of p53 expression and clinical pathological characteristics of gastric cancer. Results. Expression of p53 was positive in 42 (67.7%) tumor cases and in 7 (14.3%) cases of intestinal metaplasia. Expression of P53 and stomach cancer were in direct correlation (p = 0.000). Sensitivity for p53 in stomach cancer cases was 67.7% (42/62), and specifility was 76.7% (23/30). Expression of mutated p53 protein was in direct correlation with the invasion of lymph nodes (p = 0.034) and with invasion of blood vessels by carcinoma cells (p = 0.042). Conclusion. There is a direct correlation between p53 expression and gastric cancer and it indicates the ability of carcinoma cells to invade blood vessels

NPD in small manufacturing enterprises in Serbia

New product development in small manufacturing enterprises on the territory of Serbia was investigated on a representative sample of micro and small enterprises covering a broad range of businesses. It was found that market pull was the prevalent strategy for new product development, which was characterized by close collaboration with customers from the idea to the final product including the R&D activities. Besides customers, the main sources of ideas were competitors and trade fairs or exhibitions. The marketing activities associated with new product introduction were quite limited. These findings were compared with new product development practices in neighboring countries. Based on our findings we propose two measures to improve new product development in small manufacturing enterprises in Serbia: establish a closer cooperation with external knowledge centers (universities, research institutes, innovation centers) and set up innovation networks with complementary partners by actively using the open innovation concept.This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Vorkapić, Miloš, Filip Radovanović, Dragan Ćoćkalo, and Dejan Đorđević. 2017. “NPD u malim proizvodnim poduzećima u Srbiji.” Tehnički vjesnik 24 (1): 327-332. [http://dx.doi.org/10.17559/TV-20150807185156

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN CHESS PERFORMANCE

Women are underrepresented and underperformanced in chess at the top level. An explanation for the small number of female chess players because chess is an intellectually demanding activity would support the view of biological gender differences in intellectual abilities. However, despite different theories, there is no scientific evidence for sex specific intellectual performance differences. Furthermore, memory is heavily implicated in chess performance and is also often used to explain sex differences. Many novel findings are emerging and complementing cognitively-oriented research on chess. Sex stereotypes can have a greatly debilitating effect on female players leading to a sharp decline in performance when competing with males in chess. Women generally score lower than men both on aggressiveness and dominance and at the same time during a chess game, mental fatigue occurs earlier in women. This is usually explained by the fact that in the female body glycogen content is lower compared to males due to hormonal conditions and therefore unable to meet the demands for fast energy. Women also seem disadvantaged because they approach chess competitions with less confidence and with a more cautious attitude than their male counterparts. A motivational perspective may be better suited for understanding the underperformance of women as chess players. Studies of psychology, physiology and biochemistry of chess players should be used to improve the practice and pedagogy for male and female chess players

MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF THE CO2 LASER CUTTING PROCESS USING GENETIC PROGRAMMING

The development of mathematical models by using experimental data is of great importance for modelling and optimization of the laser cutting process. Motivated by the lack of research regarding the use of genetic programming (GP) for deriving empirical mathematical models that describe the laser cutting process, the present study discusses the application of GP to the development of a kerf taper angle mathematical model. The aim was to quantify the relationship between three selected input parameters (cutting speed, laser power and assist gas pressure) and kerf taper angle using GP in the CO2 laser cutting of aluminium alloy AlMg3. To obtain the experimental database for the GP model evolution process, a laser cutting experiment was planned as per standard full factorial design where all three selected parameters were varied at three levels. The fit between the experimental and the GP model prediction values of kerf taper angle was found to be appropriate. Finally, by using the derived GP mathematical model, the analysis of the effects of input parameters on the change in kerf taper angle values was performed by generating 3D surface plots

Towards automated design of quantum cascade lasers

We present an advanced technique for the design and optimization of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum cascade laser structures. It is based on the implementation of the simulated annealing algorithm with the purpose of determining a set of design parameters that satisfy predefined conditions, leading to an enhancement of the device output characteristics. Two important design aspects have been addressed: improved thermal behavior, achieved by the use of higher conduction band offset materials, and a more efficient extraction mechanism, realized via a ladder of three lower laser states, with subsequent pairs separated by the optical phonon energy. A detailed analysis of performance of the obtained structures is carried out within a full self-consistent rate equations model of the carrier dynamics. The latter uses wave functions calculated by the transfer matrix method, and evaluates all relevant carrier–phonon and carrier–carrier scattering rates from each quantized state to all others within the same and neighboring periods of the cascade. These values are then used to form a set of rate equations for the carrier density in each state, enabling further calculation of the current density and gain as a function of the applied field and temperature. This paper addresses the application of the described procedure to the design of lambda~9 µm GaAs-based mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers and presents the output characteristics of some of the designed optimized structures. © 2005 American Institute of Physic

Modeling the organisational implementation of a drone and counter-drone operator into the Serbian Armed Forces rifle section

Drones are one of the new threats to tactical units. The armed forces use them with various successes in operations. However, the smallest tactical unit such as rifle section is generally still unprepared to operate drones and perform counter measures. Drones have a wide range of capabilities and therefore can be used for both civilian and military purposes. Along with the development of drones, counter-drone systems have also been developed. Several small drones and counter-drone systems suitable for the use by one man are presented in the first part of the research results to show that there is more than one system that can be selected for operational use. This also shows that one soldier in rifle section is capable of operating a small drone and counter-drone systems. This research has aimed to survey the organizational structure and determine organizational capabilities to implement a drone and counter-drone operator duty in rifle section. For that purpose, the research team has conducted a series of interviews with officers and non-commissioned officers of the Serbian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense. This duty is defined as "a drone operator" and in this research the Serbian Armed Forces rifle section is modeled in such a way to include a duty for 1) a specialized rifleman, 2) a converted sniper, or 3) an embedded soldier

Combined lymphangioma and hemangioma of the spleen in a patient with Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome

Introduction. Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome (KTS) is a very rare congenital anomaly of blood vessels, characterized by the following clinical triad: varicose superficial veins, port-wine stain and usually bony and soft tissue hypertophy of extremities, most often located in the lower extremities. It is often accompanied by visceral manifestations, and rarely combined with splenomegaly. Case Outline. A 30-year-old female patient came to the Surgery Clinic because of occasional left hypochondrial pain. After she was diagnosed with KTS combined with splenomegaly, splenectomy was performed. Macroscopic and microscopic spleen examination indicated the presence of tumor of vascular origin, presenting a combination of lymphangioma and hemangioma. Conclusion. Diagnosed KTS demands a thorough clinical examination of the patient because of the potential presence of visceral manifestations. When splenomegaly is present, even though being often benign, splenectomy is usually performed to alleviate accompanying symptoms which occur as a result of organ enlargement and compression, to prevent rupture and consequential bleeding when the vascular spleen tumor is large, and finally to avoid a possibility of malignant transformation