149 research outputs found
Józef Mackiewicz and the German editions of his works
No full textJózef Mackiewicz (1902–1985) lived from 1955 until his death in Germany. There is, however, very limited research on this period of his life. Almost completely unknown in Poland is the history of German editions of his works. Against this backdrop, the author of this article attempts to discuss this issue comprehensively, based on the writer’s work present in the Polish Museum in Rapperswil. With this, the research desideratum of Mackiewicz’s philology becomes realized, and those interested in the subject gain a valuable insight into previously unknown facts and testimonies of the writer’s life and work in the period in question
The Impact of Public Debt on Consumer Inflation Expectations in Europe
No full textThe study analyzes the impact of public debt on consumer inflation expectations in 20 selected European countries. According to the so‑called fiscal theory of the price level, fiscal policy may influence the inflation rate. Consequently, it may also influence inflation expectations. In order to check whether or not European consumers understand the relationship proposed by the fiscal theory of the price level, the author estimates an inflation expectations equation with the public debt‑to‑GDP ratio as one of the explanatory variables. Moreover, the author analyzes the macroeconomic efficiency of inflation expectations with respect to public debt. Mackiewicz‑Łyziak estimates the equations using panel data. The results suggest that in low‑indebted countries the public debt level does not significantly influence consumer inflation expectations. In heavily indebted countries, on the other hand, higher public debt leads to an increase in inflation expectations, the author notes. Moreover, in countries with high public debt, consumers tend to process data on debt in an effective manner, Mackiewicz‑Łyziak says, while in low‑indebted countries expectational errors are not orthogonal with respect to information on the public debt level. The author concludes that the research points to the existence of an additional channel-an “expectations channel”-through which high public debt affects future inflation.Zgodnie z fiskalną teorią poziomu cen polityka fiskalna może mieć wpływ na stopę inflacji, a zatem potencjalnie może także wpływać na oczekiwania inflacyjne. Celem artykułu jest sprawdzenie, czy w rzeczywistości taka zależność istnieje. W badaniu przedstawiony został wpływ długu publicznego na oczekiwania inflacyjne konsumentów w 20 krajach europejskich, wysoko i nisko zadłużonych. W artykule analizujemy, czy konsumenci europejscy rozpoznają zagrożenie dla stabilności cen związane z wysokim zadłużeniem i w jaki sposób uwzględniają informację dotyczącą długu publicznego przy formułowaniu oczekiwań inflacyjnych. Na danych panelowych estymowane jest równanie oczekiwań inflacyjnych, w którym jedną ze zmiennych objaśniających jest stosunek długu publicznego do PKB. Ponadto ocenie poddana jest makroekonomiczna efektywność oczekiwań inflacyjnych względem długu publicznego. Wyniki badania pokazują, że w grupie krajów nisko zadłużonych dług publiczny nie wpływa w istotny sposób na oczekiwania inflacyjne konsumentów, natomiast w grupie krajów wysoko zadłużonych istnieje dodatni, istotny wpływ wielkości zadłużenia na oczekiwania. Ponadto w krajach, gdzie dług rzeczywiście może stanowić zagrożenie i uruchomić procesy inflacyjne, konsumenci przetwarzają informację na jego temat w sposób efektywny, podczas gdy w krajach nisko zadłużonych błędy prognoz nie są ortogonalne względem informacji na temat długu. Jednym z istotnych wniosków płynących z przedstawionego badania jest to, że sugeruje ono występowanie dodatkowego kanału, poprzez który wysokie zadłużenie może przekładać się na wyższą inflację, mianowicie kanału oczekiwań
Wpływ infrastruktury na produktywność w gospodarce Polski
No full textThe paper focuses on the link between infrastructure and productivity in the Polish economy. The researcher aims to estimate the direct elasticity of GDP with regard to infrastructure and check the indirect influence of infrastructure on productivity. The adopted research method is based on estimating a three-factor production function for Poland, covering capital, labor and infrastructure. Two forms of the production function were adopted, the Cobb-Douglas function and the translog function. The production function was estimated on the basis of data for Poland’s 16 provinces in 2000-2006. The findings obtained by the author show that infrastructure is an important factor influencing production. The estimated direct elasticity of GDP to infrastructure ranged from 0.11 to 0.22 depending on the production function and the variables used. This level of elasticity is compatible with research findings for other countries, the author says. However, Mackiewicz-Łyziak’s research yielded no conclusive findings on the influence of infrastructure on productivity in the case of other production factors
The Impact of Infrastructure on Productivity in the Polish Economy
No full textThe paper focuses on the link between infrastructure and productivity in the Polish economy. The researcher aims to estimate the direct elasticity of GDP with regard to infrastructure and check the indirect influence of infrastructure on productivity. The adopted research method is based on estimating a three-factor production function for Poland, covering capital, labor and infrastructure. Two forms of the production function were adopted, the Cobb-Douglas function and the translog function. The production function was estimated on the basis of data for Poland’s 16 provinces in 2000-2006. The findings obtained by the author show that infrastructure is an important factor influencing production. The estimated direct elasticity of GDP to infrastructure ranged from 0.11 to 0.22 depending on the production function and the variables used. This level of elasticity is compatible with research findings for other countries, the author says. However, Mackiewicz-Łyziak’s research yielded no conclusive findings on the influence of infrastructure on productivity in the case of other production factors
Capsule endoscopy - State of the Technology and Computer Vision Tools after the First decade
No full textNon
Making The Pact More Flexible: Can It Lead to Less Flexible Fiscal Policies?
No full textOne of the most often discussed features of the Stability and Growth Pact is the rigidity of its 3% deficit rule. In the recent time several reform proposals aim at alleviating the rule in order to allow more room for the automatic stabilizers to operate. As the 3% limit became in the recent years the only binding (at least partially) rule of the Pact’s framework, such a reform is likely to cause even further deterioration of the member countries’ fiscal balances. The empirical evidence presented in the paper shows that in the past lowering the structural budget surplus had a strong negative impact on a degree of anti-cyclical fiscal stabilization. This, in turn, suggests that the Pact’s reform, through higher structural deficits, is likely to decrease, rather then increase, the scope of anti-cyclical fiscal actions undertaken by the EMU member countries.fiscal policy, stabilization policy, fiscal rules, Stability and Growth Pact
Józef Mackiewicz, Mykolas Römeris and the Lithuanisation of the Vilnius Region in 1939-1940
No full textStraipsnio temą inspiravo diskusija, kilusi Lietuvos visuomeniniamc-kultūriniame diskurse po Józefo Mackiewiczius knygos Tiesa akių nebado (Vilnius 2015) / Prawda vv oczy nie kole (Londyn: Kontra 2002) vertimo j lietuvių kalbų. Šioje knygoje Autorius pateikia tam tikrus kaltinimus žinomam profesoriui, visuomenės veikėjui Mykolui Röme- riui. Nurodoma, jog pastarasis 1939-1941 metais savo nuostatomis ir veiksmais buvo „lietuvių tarnu“, „kenkėju“ ieškant sprendimų Vilniaus krašto integracijai į to meto Lietuvą. Straipsnyje svarstoma, nagrinėjama ar tokie J. Mackiewicziaus kaltinimai turi pagrindo, aiškinamasi kur slypi jų diskusijos esmė ir jos aktualumas šiandienos Lietuvai. Konstatuojama, kad J. Mackiewicziaus kaltinimai Mykolui Romėnui - pagrįsti emocijomis, o ne racionaliais argumentais. Iš esmės, abu jie buvo kritiškai nusistatę dėl Vilniaus krašto lituanizavimo. Tačiau jų kritiško požiūrio skirtumus apsprendė skirtinga „krašto/krajovcinės idėjos“ interpretacija. J. Mackiewiczius savo kritines nuostatas dėstė iš Istorinės Lietuvos atkūrimo pozicijų, o M. Römeris - atsižvelgdamas į tai, kad reali Lietuva jau 20 metų buvo etninė ir neišvengiamai tokia ir liks. Pažymima, kad M. Römeris aktyviai ieškojo galimybės lietuvių ir lenkų susitarimui Vilniaus krašte, pasisakė prieš prievartinius lietuviškos valdžios metodus integruojant Vilniaus kraštą j to meto Lietuvą, kritikavo tiek lenkišką, tiek lietuvišką nacionalizmus ir siūlė integruoti kraštą, remiantis „pilietiniu“, o ne „tautiniu“ principu. Tai reiškė integruoti, išlaikant etnokultūrinį Vilniaus krašto savitumą, o ne lituanizuojant. Pastebima, kad turint galvoje, jog iki šiol Lietuvoje dar nėra sukurtas aiškus valstybinis modelis kaip reikia spręsti Vilniaus krašte geografinių ir istorinių pavadinimų bei gyventojų pavardžių ortografijos klausimus aptarta diskusija gali būti naudinga tokio modelio paieškoms. Reikšminiai žodžiai: J. Mackevičius, M. Riomeris, Vilniaus kraštas, lituanizacija; Vilnius, Vilnija, krajovcai, krajovcinė idėja, lituanizavimas, Antras pasaulinis karas, sovietų okupacija, vokiečių nacių okupacija; J. Mackevičius, M. Riomeris, Vilnius region, Lithuanisation; Krajovcai), regional vision, Lithuanisation, World War Two, Soviet Occupation, occupation by German Nazis; Vilnius, Vilnius Region, Krajowcy (Fellow Countrymen or NativesThe subject for this paper was prompted by a discussion in the public cultural discourse in Lithuania, after the book entitled, Prawda w oczy nie kole by Józef Mackiewicz (Londyn: Kontra 2002) was published, before being translated into Lithuanian language, Tiesa akių nebado (Vilnius 2015). The author of the book discusses certain accusations against Michał Römer, a well-known professor and notable figure in Lithuania. It is claimed that in 1939-1941, the latter was a “servant of Lithuanians”, a “saboteur”, and a - strong “believer” in perusing integration of the Vilnius Region with Lithuania. The present article is an analysis which attempts to identify whether such accusations made by J. Mackiewicz had grounds, to clarify the core and relevance of the discussion to present- day Lithuania. It is stated that accusations brought by J. Mackiewicz against Michał Römer, are supported by emotions rather than rational arguments. In fact, both men were highly critical of the Lithuanisation of the Vilnius Region. However, disparity in their critical views was determined by a different interpretation of the “regional vision” (the idea of the region promoted by Krajowcy or Fellow Countrymen or Natives, krajovcai, opposing the division of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth). J. Mackiewicz presented his critical views from the perspective of restoration of Historical Lithuania, whereas Michał Römer, took into account the fact that in reality Lithuania had been ethnic for 20 years, and it would remain as such. It is noted that M. Micha! Römer, actively sought opportunities for accord between Lithuanians and Poles in the Vilnius Region, raised objections to forceful methods of the then Lithuanian authorities applied in integrating the Vilnius Region into Lithuania of that period. [...
"The Careerist" by Józef Mackiewicz : the novel’s intrigue and female characters
No full textAutor artykułu poddaje analizie fabularne uwarunkowania Karierowicza - powieści opublikowanej w tym samym czasie, co Droga donikąd (1955), mającej jednak zupełnie inną niż tamten utwór problematykę, tym samym ciekawie odbiegającej od głównego, polityczno-historycznego nurtu prozy (również tej fikcjonalnej) Józefa Mackiewicza. W centrum uwagi znajdują się tutaj złożone relacje między ukrywającym prawdę o sobie tytułowym bohaterem tekstu a każdą z kilku postaci kobiecych, otaczających go na kolejnych etapach tej "kariery". Ich zachowania, decyzje i działania, mając kolosalne znaczenie dla jego życiowych losów, określają w istocie kierunek powieściowej akcji. Kształtują zarazem w dużym stopniu przekaz myślowy utworu, wpisany w kształt tak ułożonej, niewolnej przy tym od paraboliczności, fabuły.The article’s author analyses some aspects of the plot of Karierowicz (The Career-ist) – the novel written by Józef Mackiewicz and published at the same time (1955) as Droga donikąd (The Road to Nowhere), but having a completely different sub-ject than that famous novel of him, and thus interestingly different from the main part of Mackiewicz’s prose, devoted to the political and historical matters. The fo-cus here is on the intricate relationship between the title character, who is hiding the truth about his past, and each of the several female characters surrounding him at subsequent stages of his "career". Their behavior, decisions and actions have a huge impact on his life and actually determine the directions of the novel’s action. At the same time, they largely shape the cardinal idea of the work, embed-ded in the plot which is arranged in this way
Colour image analysis of wireless capsule endoscopy video: A review
No full textWireless capsule endoscopy (CE) has been available since 2001 and is now established as one of the principal approaches used to examine the small bowel, with a range of devices available from four manufacturers. But although its use is widespread the reading of CE videos remains an arduous and time consuming exercise for gastroenterologists because relevant frames which are of interest to the physician constitute only about 1\% of the video. CE exam viewing times vary from 40-90 minutes, depending on the clinician's experience, the complexity of the case and the small bowel transit time. Colour image analysis has been applied by manufacturers to speed up this process, for example, Given Imaging's \emph{Rapid Reader} Software includes a suspected blood indicator (SBI) designed to detect bleeding in the video. However, some evaluations of this tool reported concerns with regard to its specificity and sensitivity and so it does not free the specialist from reviewing the entire footage and can only be used as a fast screening aid. Over the past decade a number of papers have proposed a range of colour image processing and computer vision applications to assist the gastroenterologist in the analysis of CE video. These techniques can be divided into three categories, the first considers the topographic segmentation of CE video into meaningful parts such as mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. The second involves the detection of clinically significant video events (both abnormal and normal) and the third attempts to adaptively adjust the video viewing speed. This chapter reviews this research focusing particularly on the role of colour and texture descriptors and concludes by suggesting possible future directions for CE analysis
SVW-UCF Dataset for Video Domain Adaptation
No full textUnsupervised video domain adaptation (DA) has recently seen a lot of success, achieving almost if not perfect results on the majority of various benchmark datasets. Therefore, the next natural step for the field is to come up with new, more challenging problems that call for creative solutions. By combining two well known sets of data - SVW and UCF, we propose a large-scale video domain adaptation dataset that is not only larger in terms of samples and average video length, but also presents additional obstacles, such as orientation and intra-class variations, differences in resolution, and greater domain discrepancy, both in terms of content and capturing conditions. We perform an accuracy gap comparison which shows that both SVW→UCF and UCF→SVW are empirically more difficult to solve than existing adaptation paths. Finally, we evaluate two state of the art video DA algorithms on the dataset to present the benchmark results and provide a discussion on the properties which create the most confusion for modern video domain adaptation methods
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