Field adjustments in transition economies : social transfers and the efficiency of public spending - a comparison with OECD countries

Despite a dramatic shift away from subsidies in the early years of transition, the countries of Central Europe still show signs of unsuccessful fiscal adjustment, insufficient deficit reduction, and loose spending policy. High social transfers and low efficiency of government spending remain two challenges of fiscal adjustment and long-term sustainability of budgetary policy choices. A cross-country regression analysis shows that the problems with high social-security outlays are largely the result of loose eligibility criteria (many pensions go to early retirees) under current state pay-as-you-go pension systems - and not so much to old populations or high replacement rates. The authors suggest that transition economies should strive for a real social consensus on the reform of future pension rights. The transition to a funded pension system could be financed by a combination of: government debt; proceeds from privatization; and efficiency gains from lowering and/or restructuring government spending in favor of infrastructure, retraining, and market-oriented tertiary education.Environmental Economics&Policies,Banks&Banking Reform,Economic Theory&Research,Public Sector Economics&Finance,Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Public Sector Economics&Finance,Banks&Banking Reform,National Governance

Employing visualisation techniques and tools for educational purposes in textile studies

Modern textile and clothing manufacturers can today use the entire range of conventional CAD/CAM systems together with new computer graphics and Internet-based technologies in order to strengthen their position on the market, building a completely new electronic-business offer. Graphical presentation of textile products and processing, or visualisation, presents a promising technology that can be treated as a potential enrichment of conventional computer aided technologies used today by the majority of advanced producers of textile fabrics, clothing, and other textile products. The article presents the results of research on designing computer software for visualising the fabric dyeing process. The program package produced enables the effective visualisation of two fabric dyeing processes: a Pad-Batch machine line for dyeing flat textiles in open-width state, and an HT overflow dyeing machine for fabric dyeing in rope form. Graphical applications of both dyeing processes can be used for both industrial and educational purposes. In this article, we focus more on presenting the program structure and functionalities for using the software to support the education of textile students

The effect of pretreatment on the environment and dyeing properties of a selected cotton knitted fabric

The current preparation of cotton knitted fabric prior to dyeing mainly involves a combined process consisting of scouring and peroxide bleaching. In this research two pre-treatment procedures, i.e. combined alkaline scouring/bleaching and enzymatic scouring/bleaching, were compared and their effects evaluated regarding environmental impact, whiteness and dyeing properties. Different pre-treated samples of cotton knitted fabrics were subsequently dyed with a chosen set of bifunctional reactive Cibacron LS dyes.The results obtained indicate that combined pre-treatment by enzymatic scouring/bleaching can be regarded as a good alternative to alkaline scouring/bleaching since it results in lower pollution of waste-water, lower SAK value after dyeing, washing and soaping, and consequently lower hydrolysation of dyestuff. Furthermore, added advantages are that it produces similar whiteness, similar dye exhaustion and, with the exception of black dyestuff, comparable dyeing results

The Effect on Retinal Structure and Function of 15 Specific ABCA4 Mutations: A Detailed Examination of 82 Hemizygous Patients

Purpose: To determine the effect of 15 individual ABCA4 mutations on disease severity. Methods: Eighty-two patients harboring 15 distinct ABCA4 mutations in trans with null (hemizygous), 10 homozygous, and 20 nullizygous patients were recruited. Age of onset was determined from medical histories. Electroretinography (ERG) responses were classified into three groups (normal; cone dysfunction; cone and rod dysfunction). The dark-adapted bright-flash (DA 10.0) a-wave amplitudes and the light-adapted flicker ERG (LA 3.0 30 Hz) amplitudes were plotted against age and compared with the nullizygous patients. Fundus autofluorescence imaging (FAF) was assessed when available. Results: Patients hemizygous for p.G1961E and p.R2030Q had normal ERGs. Patients harboring p.R24H, p.R212C, p.G863A/delG, p.R1108C, p.P1380L, p.L2027F, and c.5714+5G>A had abnormal ERGs (ERG group 2 or 3) at older ages, in most cases with significantly higher amplitudes than nullizygous patients. Mutations p.L541P+A1038V, p.E1022K, p.C1490Y, p.E1087K, p.T1526M, and p.C2150Y were associated with abnormal ERGs (group 2 or 3) and amplitudes comparable to those of nullizygous patients. The majority of patients, including those harboring p.G1961E, had foveal atrophy; while both patients harboring p.R2030Q had foveal sparing. Most patients harboring intermediate and null-like mutations displayed FAF abnormalities extending beyond the vascular arcades. Conclusions: In the hemizygous state, 2/15 ABCA4 alleles retain preserved peripheral retinal function; 7/15 are associated with either preserved or only mildly abnormal retinal function, worse in older patients; 6/15 behave like null mutations. These data help characterize the degree of dysfunction conferred by specific mutant ABCA4 proteins in the human retina

Community-Sourced Cultural Heritage Valorization Model

Cultural practices of exploring, revitalizing, interpreting and developing cultural heritage have become an important driving force in alleviating the social, cultural, environmental and economic challenges of today's world and in initiating sustainable progress in local communities. The interpretation of cultural uniqueness is not only in the hands of professionals from heritage institutions or research centres, but also in the hands of local residents, who are recognized as heritage bearers, cultural activists, practitioners and transmitters of heritage to the younger generations. The main objective of the model is to describe steps to achieve community involvement in cultural heritage projects and guidelines for carrying out the valorisation process with the active participation of the local population. The model outlines interesting and instructive case studies of how different interactive and "soft" methods can be used to build communities by following both top-down and bottom-up approaches. In addition, presented practices also show how to convince the younger generation that local heritage offers many opportunities to put bold ideas into practice.Kulturne prakse povezane z raziskovanjem, ohranjanjem, oživitvijo in razvojem kulturne dediščine so postale pomembna gonilna sila pri lajšanju sodobnih družbenih, kulturnih, okoljskih in gospodarskih izzivov ter vzpostavljanju trajnostnega napredka v lokalnih skupnostih. Interpretacije lokalnih kulturnih prvin niso več le v rokah strokovnjakov iz dediščinskih institucij ali raziskovalnih centrov, temveč tudi v rokah lokalnih prebivalcev, ki so prepoznani kot nosilci dediščine, kulturni aktivisti, izvajalci in prenašalci dediščine mlajšim generacijam. Glavni cilj modela je predstaviti korake, kako doseči sodelovanje skupnosti v projektih, povezanih s kulturno dediščino in kako implementirati procese ovrednotenja preteklih stvaritev z aktivnim vključevanjem lokalnih prebivalcev. V priročniku so predstavljene zanimive in poučne prakse, ki izpostavljajo uporabo različnih interaktivnih in „mehkih“ metod za krepitev skupnosti po pristopih „od zgoraj navzdol“ in „od spodaj navzgor“. Predstavljeni primeri še pokažejo, kako prepričati mlade generacije, da ustvarjanje lokalne dediščine lahko omogoči številne priložnosti za uresničevanje drznih idej v praksi

Marijine božjepotne cerkve med Alpami in Krasom

In Slovenia the pilgrimage has a long tradition, which can be demonstrated by many pilgrimage routes and churches. Among others, almost 400 are dedicated to Virgin Mary. The pilgrims have appealed to Virgin Mary with many requests, thanks and promises, which are not expressed only by prayers, but also through songs and legends. The booklet presents 14 pilgrim churches dedicated to Virgin Mary from the Julian Alps to the Karst region, which form regional church route in the Slovenian part of previous archdiocese of Gorica. The route was constructed in the framework of the international project THETRIS – THEmatic Transnational church Route development with the Involvement of local Society, which aim was to preserve, present and sustainable manage sacral cultural heritage for the rural development. The pilgrimage route is named after a well-known Slovenian religious song Marija, skoz življenje voditi srečno znaš (Mary, you know how to lead us happily through life), which gave courage to many our predecessors through turbulent personal and social problems. Because of that, also pilgrimage to the presented churches can encourage the thoughts on contemporary meanings of sacral cultural heritage for more compassion societies and well-being among people.Božjepotništvo ima na Slovenskem dolgo tradicijo, kar nam dokazujejo številne romarske poti in cerkve, med katerimi je skoraj 400 Marijinih. Romarji se k Mariji obračajo z različnimi prošnjami, zahvalami in obljubami, ki jih ne izražajo le skozi molitev, temveč tudi s pesmijo in legendami. Knjižica predstavlja 14 Marijinih romarskih cerkva med Alpami in Krasom, ki sooblikujejo regionalno cerkveno pot po slovenskem delu nekdanje goriške nadškofije. Pot je nastala v okviru mednarodnega projekta THETRIS – Razvoj mednarodne tematske poti s sodelovanjem lokalne skupnosti, katerega namen je bil ohranjanje, predstavljanje in vzpostavljanje vzdržne rabe cerkvene kulturne dediščine za razvoj podeželja. Pot je poimenovana po poznani slovenski romarski pesmi Marija, skoz življenje voditi srečno znaš, ki je po ljudskem pripovedovanju mnogokrat bodrila naše prednike skozi težke osebne in družbene preizkušnje. Zato lahko tudi romanje k predstavljenim cerkvam spodbuja razmišljanje o sodobnem pomenu cerkvene dediščine za graditev sočutne in povezane družbe ter doseganje dobrega počutja ljudi

Kulturna baština i uloga volonterskih udruga u procesima postizanja održivog razvoja u ruralnim zajednicama (Sažetak)

Activities relating to the discovery of local history, revival of rituals, and modification of traditional knowledge that are undertaken in local communities or associations have placed the reflection on the role and significance of heritage practices in contemporary society under scrutiny. We are becoming increasingly aware that heritage activities play an important role in the development of an innovative local economy, a creative community, and the achievement of sustainable development, but this is something that the local community must recognize. The purpose of this article is to describe the informal ways of raising awareness on the development potential of heritage activities and their uses for a higher quality of life through an analysis of the operation of associations in Slovenia that are involved in modifying traditional knowledge to create new products.Aktivnosti povezane s otkrivanjem lokalne povijesti, oživljavanjem rituala i prilagodbom tradicionalnih znanja koje provode lokalne zajednice ili udruge stavljaju pod povećalo promišljanje o ulozi i značenju baštinskih praksi u suvremenom društvu. Sve smo svjesniji kako aktivnosti kulturnog naslijeđa imaju važnu ulogu u razvoju inovativnoga lokalnog gospodarstva, kreativne zajednice i postizanju održivog razvoja, ali to je nešto što lokalna zajednica mora prepoznati. Cilj ovog rada jest opisati neformalne načine osvještavanja ljudi o razvojnom potencijalu aktivnosti kulturnog naslijeđa te njihova korištenja za postizanje bolje kvalitete života kroz analizu rada udruga u Sloveniji koje se bave prilagodbom tradicionalnih znanja u svrhu izrade novih proizvoda

Marijine božjepotne cerkve med Alpami in Krasom

In Slovenia the pilgrimage has a long tradition, which can be demonstrated by many pilgrimage routes and churches. Among others, almost 400 are dedicated to Virgin Mary. The pilgrims have appealed to Virgin Mary with many requests, thanks and promises, which are not expressed only by prayers, but also through songs and legends. The booklet presents 14 pilgrim churches dedicated to Virgin Mary from the Julian Alps to the Karst region, which form regional church route in the Slovenian part of previous archdiocese of Gorica. The route was constructed in the framework of the international project THETRIS – THEmatic Transnational church Route development with the Involvement of local Society, which aim was to preserve, present and sustainable manage sacral cultural heritage for the rural development. The pilgrimage route is named after a well-known Slovenian religious song Marija, skoz življenje voditi srečno znaš (Mary, you know how to lead us happily through life), which gave courage to many our predecessors through turbulent personal and social problems. Because of that, also pilgrimage to the presented churches can encourage the thoughts on contemporary meanings of sacral cultural heritage for more compassion societies and well-being among people.Božjepotništvo ima na Slovenskem dolgo tradicijo, kar nam dokazujejo številne romarske poti in cerkve, med katerimi je skoraj 400 Marijinih. Romarji se k Mariji obračajo z različnimi prošnjami, zahvalami in obljubami, ki jih ne izražajo le skozi molitev, temveč tudi s pesmijo in legendami. Knjižica predstavlja 14 Marijinih romarskih cerkva med Alpami in Krasom, ki sooblikujejo regionalno cerkveno pot po slovenskem delu nekdanje goriške nadškofije. Pot je nastala v okviru mednarodnega projekta THETRIS – Razvoj mednarodne tematske poti s sodelovanjem lokalne skupnosti, katerega namen je bil ohranjanje, predstavljanje in vzpostavljanje vzdržne rabe cerkvene kulturne dediščine za razvoj podeželja. Pot je poimenovana po poznani slovenski romarski pesmi Marija, skoz življenje voditi srečno znaš, ki je po ljudskem pripovedovanju mnogokrat bodrila naše prednike skozi težke osebne in družbene preizkušnje. Zato lahko tudi romanje k predstavljenim cerkvam spodbuja razmišljanje o sodobnem pomenu cerkvene dediščine za graditev sočutne in povezane družbe ter doseganje dobrega počutja ljudi

Marijine božjepotne cerkve med Alpami in Krasom

In Slovenia the pilgrimage has a long tradition, which can be demonstrated by many pilgrimage routes and churches. Among others, almost 400 are dedicated to Virgin Mary. The pilgrims have appealed to Virgin Mary with many requests, thanks and promises, which are not expressed only by prayers, but also through songs and legends. The booklet presents 14 pilgrim churches dedicated to Virgin Mary from the Julian Alps to the Karst region, which form regional church route in the Slovenian part of previous archdiocese of Gorica. The route was constructed in the framework of the international project THETRIS – THEmatic Transnational church Route development with the Involvement of local Society, which aim was to preserve, present and sustainable manage sacral cultural heritage for the rural development. The pilgrimage route is named after a well-known Slovenian religious song Marija, skoz življenje voditi srečno znaš (Mary, you know how to lead us happily through life), which gave courage to many our predecessors through turbulent personal and social problems. Because of that, also pilgrimage to the presented churches can encourage the thoughts on contemporary meanings of sacral cultural heritage for more compassion societies and well-being among people.Božjepotništvo ima na Slovenskem dolgo tradicijo, kar nam dokazujejo številne romarske poti in cerkve, med katerimi je skoraj 400 Marijinih. Romarji se k Mariji obračajo z različnimi prošnjami, zahvalami in obljubami, ki jih ne izražajo le skozi molitev, temveč tudi s pesmijo in legendami. Knjižica predstavlja 14 Marijinih romarskih cerkva med Alpami in Krasom, ki sooblikujejo regionalno cerkveno pot po slovenskem delu nekdanje goriške nadškofije. Pot je nastala v okviru mednarodnega projekta THETRIS – Razvoj mednarodne tematske poti s sodelovanjem lokalne skupnosti, katerega namen je bil ohranjanje, predstavljanje in vzpostavljanje vzdržne rabe cerkvene kulturne dediščine za razvoj podeželja. Pot je poimenovana po poznani slovenski romarski pesmi Marija, skoz življenje voditi srečno znaš, ki je po ljudskem pripovedovanju mnogokrat bodrila naše prednike skozi težke osebne in družbene preizkušnje. Zato lahko tudi romanje k predstavljenim cerkvam spodbuja razmišljanje o sodobnem pomenu cerkvene dediščine za graditev sočutne in povezane družbe ter doseganje dobrega počutja ljudi

Marijine božjepotne cerkve med Alpami in Krasom

In Slovenia the pilgrimage has a long tradition, which can be demonstrated by many pilgrimage routes and churches. Among others, almost 400 are dedicated to Virgin Mary. The pilgrims have appealed to Virgin Mary with many requests, thanks and promises, which are not expressed only by prayers, but also through songs and legends. The booklet presents 14 pilgrim churches dedicated to Virgin Mary from the Julian Alps to the Karst region, which form regional church route in the Slovenian part of previous archdiocese of Gorica. The route was constructed in the framework of the international project THETRIS – THEmatic Transnational church Route development with the Involvement of local Society, which aim was to preserve, present and sustainable manage sacral cultural heritage for the rural development. The pilgrimage route is named after a well-known Slovenian religious song Marija, skoz življenje voditi srečno znaš (Mary, you know how to lead us happily through life), which gave courage to many our predecessors through turbulent personal and social problems. Because of that, also pilgrimage to the presented churches can encourage the thoughts on contemporary meanings of sacral cultural heritage for more compassion societies and well-being among people.Božjepotništvo ima na Slovenskem dolgo tradicijo, kar nam dokazujejo številne romarske poti in cerkve, med katerimi je skoraj 400 Marijinih. Romarji se k Mariji obračajo z različnimi prošnjami, zahvalami in obljubami, ki jih ne izražajo le skozi molitev, temveč tudi s pesmijo in legendami. Knjižica predstavlja 14 Marijinih romarskih cerkva med Alpami in Krasom, ki sooblikujejo regionalno cerkveno pot po slovenskem delu nekdanje goriške nadškofije. Pot je nastala v okviru mednarodnega projekta THETRIS – Razvoj mednarodne tematske poti s sodelovanjem lokalne skupnosti, katerega namen je bil ohranjanje, predstavljanje in vzpostavljanje vzdržne rabe cerkvene kulturne dediščine za razvoj podeželja. Pot je poimenovana po poznani slovenski romarski pesmi Marija, skoz življenje voditi srečno znaš, ki je po ljudskem pripovedovanju mnogokrat bodrila naše prednike skozi težke osebne in družbene preizkušnje. Zato lahko tudi romanje k predstavljenim cerkvam spodbuja razmišljanje o sodobnem pomenu cerkvene dediščine za graditev sočutne in povezane družbe ter doseganje dobrega počutja ljudi