The analysis of factors that determine the level of interest rates paid on treasury bills in Slovenia

The Slovenian ministry of finance started to issue treasury bills regularly in 1998. Above all, it has been guided by a long-term interest to develop the money market although the financing ofhquidity and short-term deficit has also been important factor. A developed money market would not only be a benefit for the government in terms of providing cheaper and more flexible borrowing, but it would also help create conditions for a more transparent interest rate policy and a more effective liquidity management of all market participants. It would also provide a short-term risk-free instrument for the public to invest in. This paper presents the econometric evidence of determinants of the interest paid on three-month treasury bills and the influence the analyzed rate plays on the bond market. The identification of these factors and formation of the proper model can be applied to forecast the three-month treasury bill rate and to improve the efficiency of the government's borrowing policy.interest rates, treasury bills, money market development, public debt management

Quantum coherent control of the photo\-electron angular distribution in bichromatic ionization of atomic neon

We investigate the coherent control of the photo\-electron angular distribution in bichromatic atomic ionization. Neon is selected as target since it is one of the most popular systems in current gas-phase experiments with free-electron lasers (FELSs). In particular, we tackle practical questions, such as the role of the fine-structure splitting, the pulse length, and the intensity. Time-dependent and stationary perturbation theory are employed, and we also solve the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation in a single-active electron model. We consider neon ionized by a FEL pulse whose fundamental frequency is in resonance with either $2p-3s$ or $2p-4s$ excitation. The contribution of the non\-resonant two-photon process and its potential constructive or destructive role for quantum coherent control is investigated.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali: A state-based system in transition

"This paper reviews the structure and performance of the sorghum and millet seed sector in Mali. The Sahel is the origin of pearl millet and sorghum, seed selection and management of these crops is embedded in local cultures, and most producers of these crops are subsistence oriented. Despite seed sector reform, no certified seed of these crops is sold in local markets and farmers prefer to rely on themselves or each other for seed. The dominant source of certified seed is the national seed service. Certified seed is multiplied by contracted farmers and seed producer groups, and supplied to farmers through farmers' associations, development organizations, and extension services. The informal sector supplies farmers with non-certified seed directly and indirectly through village grain markets. There is no consensus about whether it is lack of effective demand or supply that constrains farmer use of certified sorghum and millet seed, but researchers generally conclude that the process of certifying seed is too lengthy, some mechanism must be established for production and trade of locally-adapted landraces, and Mali's highly structured farmers' associations could play an even stronger role in testing and promoting demand for certified seed. Recommendations have included the use of small packs and seed auctions where market infrastructure is sparse, and in more commercialized areas, involvement of agro-input dealers, shopkeepers and traders. Still, estimated adoption rates for improved millet (under 10 percent of crop area) and sorghum seed (under 20 percent of crop area) could be as high as can be expected in this challenging natural environment and institutional context." from Author's AbstractSeeds, Formal sector, Informal sector, Millet, Sorghum, Seed markets, Biodiversity,

The external expectations of potential real estate buyers in Slovenia and Japan

This article presents partial results of a survey being conducted in Slovenia and Japan. It seeks to determine the factors that have a decisive influence over potential real estate buyers when deciding to purchase. The article focuses on the role of potential buyers’ external expectations in relation to their various cultural identities. We follow the hypothesis that these differences in external expectations are statistically significant. The primary instrument for measuring participants’ expectations was a survey in which 1,270 people participated. We statistically analysed the results by conducting a one-way analysis of variance related to the participants’ various cultural identities. By analysing the results of the statistical analyses, we confirmed the hypothesis. It is evident from the results that Slovenian participants had lower expectations in terms of Slovenia’s legal, taxation and other regulatory measures in housing compared to Japanese participants. Considering that legislation represents the Slovenian government’s primary influence over the real estate market, the expectations of the participants in our survey show that Slovenian buyers’ confidence should be increased in this area