Discussion

In this contribution aspects of inter-sample input signal behavior are examined. The starting point is that parametric identication always is performed on basis of discrete-time data. This is valid for identication of discrete-time models as well as continuous-time models. The usual assumptions on the input signal are; i) it is band-limited, ii) it is piecewise constant or iii) it is piecewise linear. One point made in this paper is that if a discrete-time model is used, the best possible (in the model structure) adjustment to data is made. This is independent of the assumption on the input signal. However, a transformation of the obtained discrete model to a continuous one is not possible without additional assumptions on the input signal. The other point made is that the frequency functions of the discrete models very well coincides with the frequency functions of the discretized continuous time models and the continuous time transfer function fitted in the frequency domain

Monetary and Exchange Rate Regimes Changes: The Cases of Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Republic of Serbia

The paper explores (former) transition economies, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Republic of Serbia, concerning abandonment of the exchange rate targeting and fixed exchange rate regimes and movement toward explicit/implicit inflation targeting and flexible exchange rate regimes. The paper identifies different subperiods concerning crucial monetary and exchange rate regimes, and tracks the changes of specific monetary transmission channels i.e exchange rate channel, interest rate channel, indirect and direct influences to the exchange rate, with variance decomposition of VAR/VEC model. The empirical results indicate that Polish monetary strategy toward higher monetary and exchange rate flexibility has been performed smoothly, gradually and planned, compared to the Slovak and, especially, Czech case. The comparison of three former transition economies with the Serbian case indicate strong and persistent exchange rate pass-through, low interest rate pass-through, significant indirect and direct influence to the exchange rate as potential obstacles for successful inflation targeting in the Republic of Serbia.Exchange rate targeting, Inflation targeting, Intermediate exchange rate regimes, Monetary transmission channels

Monetary and Exchange Rate Regimes Changes: The Cases of Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Republic of Serbia

The paper explores (former) transition economies, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Republic of Serbia, concerning abandonment of the exchange rate targeting and fixed exchange rate regimes and movement toward explicit/implicit inflation targeting and flexible exchange rate regimes. The paper identifies different subperiods concerning crucial monetary and exchange rate regimes, and tracks the changes of specific monetary transmission channels i.e exchange rate channel, interest rate channel, indirect and direct influences to the exchange rate, with variance decomposition of VAR/VEC model. The empirical results indicate that Polish monetary strategy toward higher monetary and exchange rate flexibility has been performed smoothly, gradually and planned, compared to the Slovak and, especially, Czech case. The comparison of three former transition economies with the Serbian case indicate strong and persistent exchange rate pass-through, low interest rate pass-through, significant indirect and direct influence to the exchange rate as potential obstacles for successful inflation targeting in the Republic of Serbia.Exchange rate targeting; Inflation targeting; Intermediate exchange rate regimes; Monetary transmission channels

Assessment of lower extremities ischemic disease by thallium 201 perfusion scintigraphy in patients with diabetic angiopathy

Background/Aim. Tibial perfusion in diabetic microangiopathy is considered to be a diagnostic problem. A special place in quantifying muscle microcirculatory perfusion belongs to thallium 201 muscle perfusion scintigraphy (201Tl PS). Thallium, showing the characteristics of potassium (K+), enters a cell by means of active cell transportation and follows erythrocyte up to the tissue. The aim of this study was to determine if 201Tl PS of lower extremities (LE) is a good method for estimating muscle microcirculatory perfusion in diabetic microangiopathy. Methods. The study included 32 patients of an average age 66.1 ± 14.9 years with signs of LE ischemia befalling into III and IV stage of ischemic disease according to the Lariche-Fontain classification. Out of that number there were 27 of the patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), while 5 of the patients were with Burger's disease and Raynand's disorder. Lower extremities PS was performed after 3 min of tibial loading by the use of dorsoplantar foot flexion and intravenous 74 MBq 201Tl as a 10-minute dynamic study. A 10 minute static scintigraphy was carried out of the gluteal region, femurs, tibias and feet per a position and repeated after 3 h at rest in the same projections. The results were interpreted visually and by the semiquantitive method using a program for calculating the number of pulses per pixel in the corresponding region over 1-, 2- and 10-minute dynamic study, thus obtaining numerical data for estimating perfusion. Binding ratio in both legs was estimated visually as low (1), medium (2) and significant (3) difference in both legs. The results were compared with doppler hemodynamic indices (PI and RI). Results. Regardless the group, 201Tl binding intensity rising was significantly 2 min after application, as compared to 1 min, and the obtained level of binding was maintained even after 10 min. In the group Fontain III the majority of the patients showed a medium difference in binding 201Tl (2) in regard to the group Fontain IV with the patients having a low difference (1) between both legs and a significant difference between both legs (3). A statistically significant positive correlation was obtained between the values of RI index regarding distal region of a. tibialis posterior (p < 0.05, r = 0.43), as well as a. tibialis anterior (p = 0.05, r = 0.38). There was no correlation for the PI index. Low collateral net development based on the values for the indices PI and RI showed a less muscle perfusion on 201Tl in regard to medium and well developed collateral net with identical perfusion. Conclusion. The results of lower extremities perfusion scintigraphy are reliable indice of muscle microcilculatory perfusion. There is a statistically significant correlation between the doppler hemodynamic indices and 201Tl perfusion scintigraphy

Monetary and Exchange Rate Regimes Changes: The Cases of Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Republic of Serbia

International audienceThe paper explores (former) transition economies, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Republic of Serbia, concerning abandonment of the exchange rate targeting and fixed exchange rate regimes and movement toward explicit/implicit inflation targeting and flexible exchange rate regimes. The paper identifies different subperiods concerning crucial monetary and exchange rate regimes, and tracks the changes of specific monetary transmission channels i.e exchange rate channel, interest rate channel, indirect and direct influences to the exchange rate, with variance decomposition of VAR/VEC model. The empirical results indicate that Polish monetary strategy toward higher monetary and exchange rate flexibility has been performed smoothly, gradually and planned, compared to the Slovak and, especially, Czech case. The comparison of three former transition economies with the Serbian case indicate strong and persistent exchange rate pass-through, low interest rate pass-through, significant indirect and direct influence to the exchange rate as potential obstacles for successful inflation targeting in the Republic of Serbia

Hyperbaric oxygenation effects determination in the therapy of chronic occlusive lower extremities arteries disease by the use of perfusion scintigraphy

Background/Aim. Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) is a medical treatment of a patient with 100% oxygen inspiration under the pressure higher than atmospheric in a special unit designed to let the whole patient's body rest in a chamber. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the application of HBO treatment on the patient's lower extremities with chonic inoperabile occlusive disease by measning the parameters of perfusion scintigraphy (perfusion reserve, relative perfusion). Methods. This investigation included 22 patients (19 males and 3 famales). Following clinical assessment of lower extremities condition according to the skin appearance and its adnexa, claudication distance was performed. Clinical condition was graded by the use of 5-point nominal scale. In all of the patients 99mTctetraphosmine lower extremities scintigraphy was done ten days prior to the treatment start and ten days after the treatment with HBO. Lower legs were imaged from the posterior view. Prior to imaging the patients were obligatory lying approximately half an hour. Results. In 18 (86%) of the patients there was an improvement manifested as better subjective condition and better skin and its adnexa appearance. Following HBO treatment there was a statistically significant change in collecting the radiopharmac at rest. This finding indicates an increased viability of muscles as well as an increased perfusion reserve. Perfusion reserve mean values increased from 39.99 to 50.86%, and from 38.46 to 49.33% for the right and the left lower leg, respectively. This parameter clearly indicates favorable effects of HBO treatment pertaining neoangiogenesis and, consequently, increased viability of the lower leg muscles. It was also obvious in visual analysis of the obtained images. Conclusion. The obtained results confirm that muscle perfusion measured by the parameters of perfusion scintigraphy using 99mTc-tetrophosmine (perfusion reserve, relative perfusion) in patients with inoperable occlusive disease of the lower leg arteries significantly increases after the application of HBO treatment

Estimation of 99mTc-ciprofloxacin accumulation indexes in bone and joint bacterial infections

Background/Aim. 99mTc-ciprofloxacin is a radiopharmaceutical preparation sintetized to improve diagnostic accuracy of bacterial infections in human tissues. It is mostly applied in diagnosis of bone and joint infections. Many papers have confirmed its sensitivity to infection, but newer papers argued its specificity. The aim of this study was to compare the results of visual analysis of scintigrams to semiquantitative calculations of accumulation indexes with the assumption that calculation of indexes would improve the specificity for bone and joint infections. Methods. We examined 40 patients, 25 with confirmed bone and joint bacterial infections and 15 patients with bone and joint diseases without bacterial infection. Scintigraphy was performed 5 minutes, 1, 4 and 24 hours after intravenous (iv) injection of 99mTc-ciprofloxacin. Scintigrams were analyzed visually and by calculation and comparation of accumulation indexes values. Results. Visual sensitivity was 94%, but specificity only 47%. Index calculation achieved much higher specificity (100% after 1, 4 and 24 hours for cut off value of 1.50). All basic index values (5 min) in the patients with infections increased in 24 hours. In 8 patients without infection occurred a slight increase and in 7 patients decrease of basic index values. Conclusion. Calculation of accumulation index values is needed in the use of 99mTc-ciprofloxacin scintigraphy as it is the only way to improve specificity for bacterial bone infections. Visual interpretation of results is sensitive, but not specific due to accumulation of the drug in a high percent of non infected bone and joint lesions

Possibilities of nontoxic autonomous thyroid nodules treatment by percutaneous ethanol injection

Background/Aim. According to the current principles, autonomous functional thyroid nodules are treated by surgery or by radioiodin therapy. Ultrasound guided percutaneous ethanol injection into solid tumors of the soft tissues was a starting point in attempts to treat the thyroid nodules by the same method. The aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of percutaneous injection in treating solitary, nontoxic, autonomous thyroid nodules of up to 15 mL volume. Methods. In 25 patients with solitary nontoxic autonomous thyroid nodules diagnosed by tehnetium-99m scanning as an intensive area having a complete supremacy in the paranodal tissue, an ultrasound guided percutaneous ethanol injection was applied. The procedure was carried out repeatedly once a week until the reduction in nodule size to 50% of the initial size was achieved. Results. An average size of the nodule before curing was 9.68 ± 5.01 mL. An average quantity of the injected ethanol was 9.52 ± 5.08 mL, ie 1.06 ± 0.48 mL/mg of the tissue. The regression of the nodule size in the successfully (Δvol% u = - 57.09 ± 13.75%, p < 0.001) and partly successfully cured (Δvol du = -48.45 ± 14.35%, p < 0.05) was statistically significant compared to the size before the treatment. After ceasing ethanol injection, 18 months later, a further size regression (Δvol% = -79.20 ± 9.89%) compared to the initial one (p < 0.001) was noticed. Soon, after the procedure was finished, a statistically significant concentration increase of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) was noticed compared to the initial values (0.18 ± 0.16 vs 0.34 ± 0.31 mU/L, p < 0.01). According to the given criteria, in two female patients satisfactory results were not achieved, but, a year later, in one of them the nodule was not seen by repeated scintigram. The number and frequency of side effects were insignificant. Conclusion. Repeated percutaneous ethanol injections into nontoxic solitary autonomous thyroid nodules result in disappearing of authonomy. The regression of the nodule size of more than 50% compared to its initial volume, as well as the increase in concentration of TSH for more than 50% are the signs of a successful treatment

To What Extent Can Member States Have Anti-Avoidance Rules Limiting Interest Deduction? - an Analysis From a Swedish Perspective

The Swedish Government introduced the Swedish interest deduction limitation rules as it was identified that the preferential tax treatment of debt in comparison to equity had been used by Multi-National Enterprises for tax planning purposes. The Swedish rules have, however, been under investigation of the European Commission, which, in a letter of formal notice to the Swedish Government, has stated that the rules are incompatible with the fundamental freedoms of EU law. The purpose of the thesis is, thus, to analyse to what extent Member States can have anti-avoidance rules limiting interest deduction and more specifically whether the Swedish rules are compatible with the fundamental freedoms of EU law. Other international obligations of Sweden such as State aid, secondary EU law and tax treaties have not been regarded. Applying the legal dogmatic research method it has been shown that the Swedish interest deduction limitation rules apply to affiliated companies i.e. where a company has substantial influence in another company or if the companies are mainly under the same management. The main rules are that interest expenses are not deductible between affiliated companies or for back-to-back loans, which are used for the acquisition of shares in an affiliated company or a company that will become affiliated after the acquisition. There are some exceptions to this, according to which deduction of interest expenses is allowed if the beneficial owner of the interest income would have been taxed with at least a 10 % tax rate, following the hypothetical test. Deduction of interest expenses, however, can be denied, even though the interest income is taxed with at least 10 %, if the main reason for the debt arrangement is that the affiliated companies are to obtain a substantial tax advantage. Deduction is, further, allowed, even though the interest income is taxed with a tax rate below 10 %, if the transaction is mainly business motivated. There are specific rules for pension funds. The Swedish interest deduction limitation rules are to be examined with the freedom of establishment as definite influence is a prerequisite for the application of the rules. Even though the Swedish interest deduction limitation rules apply regardless of nationality and residency of the taxpayer are the rules to be considered indirectly discriminatory. The Swedish rules are more likely to apply to cross-border situations than to Swedish wholly internal situations, as the Swedish tax rate is 22 %. It is also, in the preworks, stated that the aim of the rules is to prevent evasion of the Swedish tax base. The Swedish rules cannot be justified by the cohesion of the tax system or the safeguarding of the balanced allocation of taxing rights between Member States due to lack of symmetry but the prevention of tax avoidance can justify the rules since wholly artificial arrangements are restricted. The Swedish rules are, however, not proportionate since the rules have a wider scope of application than to only wholly artificial arrangements, have a presumption of tax avoidance and are not in line with the principle of legal certainty. The Swedish interest deduction limitation rules are, thus, incompatible with the freedom of establishment

Effect of reflection of sunlight on illuminance and energy gain of greenhouses

A reflecting wall was built into a greenhouse which provided for the reflection back to the ground of sun rays arriving at the northern wall of a greenhouse. Thus, the ground illuminance/irradiance could be substantially increased. The effect is particularly significant in winter when the sun is low throughout the day, so that most of the radiation goes through the greenhouse and the ground radiant power is small. Four types of greenhouses with reflecting walls were considered with increasing efficiency of insolation. A theory was developed, showing that a several-fold enhancement of the ground irradiance and radiant energy should be achievable. The effect of sky (diffuse) radiation is also considered, both in the case of a clear and of a cloudy day. An experimental model as well as a full-scale greenhouse with a reflecting wall with the provision for measuring the ground illumination was built and exposed to the sun. Measurements were made over an extended period of time and the results confirmed qualitatively those obtained from the theory