OBLICZENIA NUMERYCZNE POCHODNEJ UŁAMKOWEGO RZĘDU W ZAGADNIENIACH POCZĄTKOWYCH, PRZYKŁADY W PROGRAMACH MATLAB I MATHEMATICA

The paper concerns a numerical method that deals with the computations of the fractional derivative in Caputo and Riemann-Liouville definitions. The method can be applied in time stepping processes of initial value problems. The name of the method is SubIval, which is an acronym of its previous name – the subinterval-based method. Its application in solving systems of fractional order state equations is presented. The method has been implemented into an ActiveX DLL. Exemplary MATLAB and Mathematica codes are given, which provide guidance on how the DLL can be used.Artykuł dotyczy numerycznej metody, którą wykorzystać można do obliczeń pochodnej ułamkowego rzędu w definicji Caputo i Riemanna-Liouville’a. Metoda ta może być wykorzystana przy rozwiązywaniu zagadnień początkowych. Metoda nosi nazwę SubIval, co jest akronimem jej poprzedniej, anglojęzycznej nazwy „subinterval-based method” (metoda podprzedziałów). Przedstawiono jej zastosowanie w rozwiązywaniu równań stanu ułamkowego rzędu. Metoda została zaimplementowana w bibliotece DLL z obsługą ActiveX. Przedstawiono przykładowe kody obliczeniowe (w oprogramowaniach MATLAB i Mathematica), które zawierają wskazówki dotyczące zastosowania biblioteki

SPECJALISTYCZNE OBLICZENIA SYMBOLICZNE DLA PROBLEMÓW W STANACH USTALONYCH

An implementation of symbolic computation for steady state problems is proposed in the paper. A mathematical basis is derived in order to specify the quantities that the implementation will concern. An analysis is performed so that an optimal algorithm can be chosen in terms of the two chosen criteria – the operation time and memory needed to store symbolic expressions. The implementation scheme of the specialized class for symbolic computation is presented with the use of a general figure and by an example. The implementation is made in C++ but the presented idea can also be applied in other programming languages that share similar properties. A program using the proposed algorithm was studied for its efficiency in terms of calculation time and memory used by symbolic expressions. This is made by comparing the calculations made by the author’s program with those made by a script written in Mathematica.W artykule zaproponowano implementację obliczeń symbolicznych dla problemów w stanach ustalonych. Wyprowadzono podstawę matematyczną aby sprecyzować wielkości, dla których dokonana jest implementacja. Przeprowadzono analizę dzięki której dobrano optymalny algorytm pod względem wybranych kryteriów użyteczności tj. czasu wykonywania operacji oraz pamięci wymaganej do zapisu wyrażeń symbolicznych. Schemat implementacji specjalistycznej klasy do obliczeń symbolicznych przedstawiono za pomocą ogólnego schematu oraz z wykorzystaniem przykładu. Implementacji dokonano w języku C++ lecz ogólna idea przedstawiona jest w ten sposób, aby można ją było wykorzystać również w innych językach programowania o podobnych cechach. Wydajność programu wykorzystującego proponowany algorytm sprawdzono pod względem czasu wykonywania obliczeń i zajmowanej pamięci przez wyrażenia symboliczne. Dokonano tego poprzez porównanie obliczeń z autorskiego programu z wykonanymi przez skrypt napisany w programie Mathematica

The new wave of polish migration after EU enlargement - current state, determinants and outlook

Following Poland’s accession to the EU there has been a major change in outward migration patterns from Poland. In the last three years Poland has witnessed an increased outflow of workers, especially to Great Britain and Ireland, two countries that opened up their labour markets as early as in May 2004. By analyzing different sources of data we try to obtain a fairly consistent view of the scale of migration from Poland to these two countries and of the profile of Polish migrants with respect to such characteristics as age, education, jobs held in the country of immigration, earnings, intended length of stay and reasons for migration. In light of the theories of migration, empirical evidence as well as results of recent surveys of Poles working in Britain and Ireland, the wage-differential between Poland and the two destination countries of migration appears to be a valid explanation for the recent post-accession wave of migration. Given this result we run a simulation of development of wages in Poland, the UK and Ireland to find out if the ‘wage-differential’ motive for migration is likely to be influential in the coming years. We find that this motive is unlikely to lose significance, even despite the rapid growth of Polish wages in the last few months.international migration, determinants of migration, Poland, enlargement, European Union

Governance of hospitals and accessibility of health care in post-semashko health care systems

This thesis comprises an overview of health care transition in post-communist countries and two original contributions to the subject's literature. The background chapter establishes the meaning of post-communist transformation by presenting key socio-economic changes and characterising health care systems emerging from transition. The first of the two original studies develops, substantiates and statistically applies a model of hospital governance transition. Going beyond the public-private delineation, the model identifies five stages of hospital governance transformation: (1) the integrated Semashko model, (2) decentralised hospital management, (3) devolved hospital ownership, (4) corporatisation, and (5) privatisation of hospitals. Each stage corresponds to a distinct distribution of decision powers, financial risks and residual claims between the sector participants; moreover, it reflects efficiency factors associated with decentralisation. Building on previous studies primarily concerned with financing arrangements, this model constitutes a more complete picture of economic incentives and the managerial capacity in the sector. The econometric analysis of 22 countries over the 22-year period 1989-2010 is based on a random trend model. Notable findings include devolution of ownership leading to increases in acute care lengths of stay, numbers of admissions, and selected measures of mortality attributable to hospital care. Corporatisation of hospitals is found to be associated with increased acute lengths of stay and bed occupancy rates. The findings suggest that decentralisation and autonomisation, as introduced in the region, did not contribute to the intended de-emphasising of inpatient care. Higher utilisation rates coinciding with increased mortality may imply that territorial governments trade-off quality for quantity of care when they are given authority over hospital care provision. Reform design features and resource constraints persistent in the transition systems offer possible explanations of this. The second study examines health care accessibility in seven countries of Central and Eastern Europe, over the five years 2005-2009, through the lens of individual-level unmet needs for examination or treatment. Investigated are the magnitude and nature of access barriers as well as the structure of inequality. The study design based on logit and multinomial logit models of individual socio-economic characteristics permits the interpretation of findings in absolute and comparative terms and shows the problem dynamics. Health care is most easily accessible in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Affordability issues and prohibitive waiting times are prevalent in Poland and the Baltic States. Mobility and information represent relatively minor access barriers. The poorest households, the unemployed, working age cohorts, and women are more exposed than the population at large to problems in accessing health care. Over the analysed period access conditions generally improved. The outcomes show that substantial differences exist between the countries that constitute an arguably homogenous group of post-communist, new EU member states. This suggests there are policy lessons to be learned from peer transition countries. The nature of access barriers is indicative of gaps in coverage and inadequacy of public sector resources relative to need, which call for systemic solutions

Prospects for EU-Moldova economic relations

This study analyses the current situation in Moldova and presents scenarios for future economic integration of Moldova with the European Union. It is expected that these findings will be used in the formulation of Moldovan economic policy, particularly while drafting the next framework agreement with the EU.European integration, Moldova, trade, reforms

What you cannot get from routine MRI of MS patient and why – The growing need for atrophy assessment and seeing beyond the plaque

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that still has not been fully understood and calls for better diagnostic procedures for the improvement of everyday patient care and drug development. Routine magnetic resonance examinations reveal demyelinating focal lesions, but they do not correlate sufficiently with the patients’ disability and cognitive impairment. For more than 100 years it has been known that demyelination affects not only white but also grey matter of the brain. Recent research has confirmed the serious consequences of grey matter pathology. Over the last several years, atrophy of the brain and especially of its grey matter has become a most promising marker of the patients’ clinical status. The paper discusses the concept and importance of atrophy assessment in relation to the standard magnetic resonance results

The new wave of polish migration after EU enlargement - current state, determinants and outlook

Following Poland’s accession to the EU there has been a major change in outward migration patterns from Poland. In the last three years Poland has witnessed an increased outflow of workers, especially to Great Britain and Ireland, two countries that opened up their labour markets as early as in May 2004. By analyzing different sources of data we try to obtain a fairly consistent view of the scale of migration from Poland to these two countries and of the profile of Polish migrants with respect to such characteristics as age, education, jobs held in the country of immigration, earnings, intended length of stay and reasons for migration. In light of the theories of migration, empirical evidence as well as results of recent surveys of Poles working in Britain and Ireland, the wage-differential between Poland and the two destination countries of migration appears to be a valid explanation for the recent post-accession wave of migration. Given this result we run a simulation of development of wages in Poland, the UK and Ireland to find out if the ‘wage-differential’ motive for migration is likely to be influential in the coming years. We find that this motive is unlikely to lose significance, even despite the rapid growth of Polish wages in the last few months

The new wave of polish migration after EU enlargement - current state, determinants and outlook

Following Poland’s accession to the EU there has been a major change in outward migration patterns from Poland. In the last three years Poland has witnessed an increased outflow of workers, especially to Great Britain and Ireland, two countries that opened up their labour markets as early as in May 2004. By analyzing different sources of data we try to obtain a fairly consistent view of the scale of migration from Poland to these two countries and of the profile of Polish migrants with respect to such characteristics as age, education, jobs held in the country of immigration, earnings, intended length of stay and reasons for migration. In light of the theories of migration, empirical evidence as well as results of recent surveys of Poles working in Britain and Ireland, the wage-differential between Poland and the two destination countries of migration appears to be a valid explanation for the recent post-accession wave of migration. Given this result we run a simulation of development of wages in Poland, the UK and Ireland to find out if the ‘wage-differential’ motive for migration is likely to be influential in the coming years. We find that this motive is unlikely to lose significance, even despite the rapid growth of Polish wages in the last few months

Effect of diosmin and diosmetin on the level of pro-inflammatory factors in the endothelium artificially induced with inflammatory stimuli

Introduction: Diosmin and its aglycone diosmetin are phlebotropic drugs used in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Diosmin increases the elasticity and tension of blood vessel walls, exhibits an antiedematous effect, and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. As it is commonly known that the endothelium layer plays a significant role in the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system, this paper investigates the effect of diosmin and diosmetin on modulating the levels of pro-inflammatory factors in an endothelial cell culture (HUVEC) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol (PMA). Material and methods: A normal human umbilical vein/vascular endothelium cell line HUV-EC-C (HUVEC) was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Cell viability was assessed using NR and MTT assays. The levels of human IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, COX-2, and PGE2 were measured using ELISA kits. Results: Depending on the agent used to initiate inflammation, different levels of factors associated with this state were obtained. Diosmetin significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory IL-1β and IL-6 as well as COX-2 in PMA-treated cells. Meanwhile, diosmin did not affect the interleukins but it lowered COX-2 and increased PGE-2. Upon the LPS stimulation of HUVEC cells, diosmetin increased the levels of PGE2, IL-1β, COX-2, and nitric oxide (NO), while diosmin increased NO and IL-6. Conclusion: Diosmin and diosmetin have different impacts on the levels of pro-inflammatory factors depending on the inflammation inducer. Diosmetin more effectively modulated inflammation than diosmin, suggesting that the attachment of the sugar moiety to the aglycone attenuates its activity

Unmet medical needs and health care accessibility in seven countries of Eastern Europe

The study investigated the magnitude and structure of health care access barriers and utilisation inequalities in seven countries of Eastern Europe. Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia were examined over the period 2005-2009. The dataset containing 574,390 observations was derived from the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). Logit and multinomial logit models were estimated for each country-year combination to inspect the relationship between respondents’ socio-economic characteristics, the probability of reporting unmet needs for examination or treatment, and the reason for the need not being met. We found that health care was most easily accessible in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Affordability issues and prohibitive waiting times were prevalent in Poland and the Baltic States. Mobility and information represented minor access barriers. The poorest households, the unemployed, working age cohorts and women were more exposed to problems in accessing health care than the population at large. Access conditions improved over the analysed period. Substantial differences exist among countries that constitute an arguably homogenous group of post-communist, new EU member states. The nature of access barriers is indicative of coverage gaps and inadequacy of public sector resources relative to need, which call for systemic solutions