118,915 research outputs found
Does strict employment protection discourage job creation? Evidence from Croatia
No full textEmployment protection legislation in Croatia is among the most strict in Europe. Firing is difficult and costly, and flexible forms of employment are limited. Is this apparent rigidity reflected-as one would expect based on standard economic theory-in low labor market dynamics? Is job creation low and hiring limited? Is the job security of insiders achieved at the cost of outsiders not being able to enter thelabor market? The author attempts to answer these questions by examining job flows. If the employment protection legislation is binding, then job and worker turnover should be low. He shows that this is indeed the case. Hiring is limited and the average job tenure is very long in Croatia. Job destruction is low, however job creation is still lower. The result is accumulation of unemployment, in large part due to new labor market entrants not being able to find a job. The high degree of job protection also seems to strengthen the bargaining position of insiders and results in relatively high wages. So, wages in Croatia are higher than among its competitors, even after adjusting for productivity. These high labor costs are likely to contribute to limited job creation in existing firms, but also are likely to discourage the entry of-and thus job creation in-new firms. The author presents evidence that firm growth has been indeed limited in Croatia, contributing to the low employment level. The author examines other potential causes of high unemployment in Croatia (the unemployment benefit system, labor taxation, the wage structure, and skill and spatial mismatches). He argues that they do not play a substantial part in accounting for poor labor market outcomes in Croatia. The author concludes that the stringent employment protection legislation is the key labor market institution behind low job creation and high unemployment. Based on this he recommends specific measures aimed at liberalizing the labor market to foster job creation and employment.Labor Management and Relations,Labor Policies,Labor Markets,Environmental Economics&Policies,Trade Finance and Investment,Labor Markets,Labor Management and Relations,Labor Standards,Banks&Banking Reform,Environmental Economics&Policies
Why is unemployment so high in Bulgaria?
No full textThe author seeks to determine the main factors behind poor labor market outcomes in Bulgaria. Unemployment in Bulgaria is high and of long duration. The accumulation of the unemployment stock has been caused by relatively high inflows into unemployment coupled with limited outflows. These features of the Bulgarian labor market are typical of other transition economies in Central Europe and exploring their sources is of broad interest. The author focuses on determinants of and constraints to job creation. He uses data on job creation and job destruction from a survey of employment in all registered firms. He finds that the source of large inflows into unemployment is intensive enterprise restructuring associated with a high pace of job reallocation. However, job creation falls short of job destruction. Three main factors account for the limited job creation and hiring, and thus for low outflows from unemployment: a) The unfriendly business environment, reflected by a low rate of new firm formation, and a relatively small, small and medium enterprise sector. b) Labor market rigidities, including excessive hiring and firing costs. c) Skill and spatial mismatches brought about by enterprise restructuring, as well as low skills and marginalization of the long-term unemployed who cannot successfully compete for new jobs. The author recommends a three pronged strategy to improve labor market performance: (1) removing bureaucratic constraints to entry and expansion of firms; (2) enhancing labor market flexibility through lowering hiring and firing costs; and (3) improving the educational system so as to equip workers with broad and portable skills.Environmental Economics&Policies,Labor Policies,Labor Markets,Public Health Promotion,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Environmental Economics&Policies,Labor Markets,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Labor Standards,Banks&Banking Reform
First record of the expansive harvestmen Dicranopalpus ramosus (Simon, 1909) (Arachnida: Opiliones) in Poland
No full text<p>MATERIAL</p> <p>Location: Dąbrówka near Poznań [UTM XU 10], Lipowa St., geographical coordinates of the centre of the area: 52°22'58"N, 16°44'44"E.</p> <p>25 Sep 2014 – 2♂♂, 1♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 8 Oct 2014 – 1♂, 1♀ and 1♂ (obs.) (leg. & obs. T. Rutkowski); 26 Oct 2014 – 2♂♂ (obs. T. Rutkowski); 28 Oct 2014 – 1♂; 29 Oct 2014 – 4 ♂♂ (obs. T. Rutkowski); 4 Nov 2014 – 1♂ (obs. T. Rutkowski); 8 Dec 2014 – 2♂♂ (obs. T. Rutkowski); 9 Nov 2014 – 1♀ (doc. phot. M. Adamczewski, ver. T. Rutkowski); 26 Nov 2014 – ♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 27 Nov 2014 – 1♂; (leg. T. Rutkowski); 9 Aug 2015 – 4 juv. (obs. T. Rutkowski); 19 Sep 2015 – 3 juv. (obs. T. Rutkowski); 13 Oct 2015 – 4♂♂, 3♀♀ (obs. T. Rutkowski); 15 Oct 2015 – 2♂♂ and 3 exx. (obs.) (leg. & obs. T. Rutkowski); 21 Oct 2015 – 2 exx. (obs. T. Rutkowski); 18 Nov 2015 – 2♂♂ (obs. T. Rutkowski); 24 Nov 2015 – 5♂♂ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 25 Nov 2015 – 2♂♂, 3♀♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 26 Nov 2015 – 3♂♂ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 27 Nov 2015 – 1♂, 3♀♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 28 Nov 2015 – 2♂♂, 2♀♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 29 Nov 2015 – 4♂♂, 1♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 4 Dec 2015 – 1♂ (obs. T. Rutkowski); 10 Dec 2015 – 1♂ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 14 Dec 2015 – 5♂♂, 1♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 15 Dec 2015 – 2♂♂, 1♀ (obs. T. Rutkowski); 16 Dec 2015 – 2♂♂ (obs. T. Rutkowski); 17 Dec 2015 – 3♂♂ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 18 Dec 2015 – 4♂♂, 1♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 22 Dec 2015 – 1♂ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 27 Dec 2015 – 1♂ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 28 Dec 2015 – 2♂♂, 1♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 30 Dec 2015 – 1♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 10 Dec 2015 – 2♂♂, 3♀♀ (leg. T. Rutkowski); 8 Sep 2016 – 1 ex. (obs. T. Rutkowski); 10 Oct 2016 – 1♂, 2♀♀ (obs. T. Rutkowski).</p> <p>Comparative material: Netherland; province Utrecht, IJsselstein, Sagittapad Str., wall of building, 28 Aug – 3 Sep 2009 – 1♂; leg. J. Stachowicz, det. et coll. R. Rozwałka.</p> <p>TAXONOMICAL IDENTIFICATION</p> <p> <i>Dicranopalpus ramosus</i> is easy to identify.</p> <p>As the only species occurring in Western and Central Europe, it has long finger-like apophyses on the patella of the pedipalps present in both sexes (Figs 2g, h & 3). While resting, it takes a specific position, with all its legs spread sideways, unlike any other species of harvestman found in this part of the continent (Fig. 4).</p> <p> <b>Male</b> (10 specimens): body ovoid, quite strongly flattened, length from 3.2 to 4.1 mm (3.7), covered with leathery cuticle (Fig. 2a). The color of the body variables, is a combination of different shades from yellow-brown to gray-brown in color. Cephalothoracic part lighter (yellowish-brown, dirty-yellowish, gray-yellowish) with a distinct darker (brown) lateral, trapezoidal or rectangular strip at the height of the eyes and darker areas of muscle insertions (Fig. 2a). Ocular tubercle unarmed, yellow-orange, away from the front edge approximately half of its length. Abdominal part gray-yellowish to gray-brown in color with a lighter stripe along the midline (Fig. 2a). Chelicerae honey in color, with numerous, darker tubercles tipped bristles on the dorsal surface of the basal segment and on the frontal surface of the second segment. Tips of pincers black-brown (Figs 2c, d). The length of the pedipalps approximately 4.4–5.1 mm (FePe – 1.3) yellow-brown to dark-brown in color (Figs 2g & 3), apical part of the foot distinctly darker. The femur of the pedipalp with short ventral process. Patella with long finger like apophysis on median side, reaching 2/3 of tibia length (Figs 2g & 3). The surface of the abdomen uniformly whitish. Coxa, genital operculum and abdominal sternites with quite a number of dark, short bristles. Coxa white to white-yellow, trochanters distinctly darker yellow-orange (brown-orange), other segments of the legs yellow-brown to brown, usually with slightly darker patella and lighter apical parts of femur and tibia. Tibia of all legs with pseudoarticulations, the number of which varies from 3 to 6 on TiLI, LIII, LIV, and 4–9 on TiLII. Often the number of pseudoarticulations on tibia of left and right side differs. Length of ♂ legs (Fe+Pa +Ti+Mt+Ta) (in parentheses length of femur): LI – 28.2 (5.3); LII – 51.0 (9.3); LIII – 27.6 (4.9); LIV – 37.0 (6.5). The penis pale-yellow, slightly sclerotized, around 1.3–1.5 mm in length. Truncus of the penis rod like, in apical part with tear shaped cavity (Fig. 2i, j), the glans slightly darker, oval, stylus fixed and short, with a small tuft of bristles on the bottom side (Fig. 2j).</p> <p> <b>Female</b> (6 specimens): body elongated, length 4.9–6.0 mm (5.7) with distinct protuberance at the height of the 4–5 abdominal tergites (Figs 2b, m). Body coloration contrast, cephalothorax and first two tergites of the abdomen white-grayish other tergites distinctly darker (dark-gray). Along the midline of the abdomen extends brown framed, fingers like branched light spot (Fig. 2b). Ocular tubercle unarmed, yellow-orange, away from the front edge of the body approximately 2/3 of its length. Muscle insertions darker, as is darker spot behind ocular tubercle (Fig. 2b). The basic color of chelicera yellowish, with clear brown-black band on the II segment (Figs 2e, f) and black tips of the pincers. Tubercles on I and II segment of chelicera present, but in fewer number than in male. The length of the pedipalp 4.9 mm (FePe – 1.45). The femur of the pedipalp with short ventral process. Patella with long club like apophysis on median side, reaching almost to the end of the tibia (Fig. 2h). Trochanter and basal part of the femur whitish to white-yellow, apical part brownish, patella with the process dark brown, tibia light-brown with lighter apical part, foot gray-brown. Abdominal part of the body whitish, coxa slightly darker (yellow-whitish), trochanters yellow-orange. The femur and tibia white-yellowish or light-brown with distinctly darker ring in subapical part and with light (whitish) apical part. Patella distinctly darker than femur and tibia (brown), other segments of the legs yellow-brown. Tibia, alike the male with a variable number of pseudoarticulations: 3– 7 on Ti,, and 6–12 on Ti1. Length of ♀ legs (in parentheses length of femur): L– LI LIII, LIV LII I 24.5 (4.3); LII – 42.2 (7.6); LIII – 23.4 (4.2); LIV – 32.6 (5.6). Ovipositor length approximately 1.7–2.1 mm, width 0.30–0.40 mm, light brown, with 22–27 segments. First 15–17 segments with a fairly long bristles, gradually declining toward the base. Receptaculum seminis small, fingers like (Fig. 2k), weakly sclerotized, located mostly in II and III full segment (Fig. 2l).</p> <p> 1</p> <p> Wijnhoven (2013), in very detailed analysis performed on bigger number of specimens of <i>D. ramosus</i> also showed high variability in number of pseudoarticulations on tibia, but he did not mention the differences between right/left side.</p> <p> The newly discovered site in Poland is currently the most easterly known position of <i>Dicranopalpus ramosus</i> in Europe. The nearest noted locality of this harvestman are situated in central Germany (Lübeck – just about 440 km and Lehrte near Hanover (c.a. 470 km) (Arachnologische Gesellschaft 2016, Fig. 1). The localization, where <i>D. ramosus</i> were found, is situated in a rapidly expanding suburban village belonging to the broader suburbs of Poznań. The harvestmen were collected and observed on a few hundred meter long wall surrounding a recently built residence, adjacent to the 19th-century park. Observations of many individuals over a period of several months suggest the existence of a sustainable population rather, than the effect of accidental introduction of a single individual, or a single deposit of eggs. However, this site of <i>D. ramosus</i> had to arise relatively recently, since searching for this species carried out in the immediate area and in several potential locations in western Poland gave a negative result. Presumably, the source of introduction of <i>D. ramosus</i> can be trees or ornamental plants brought from Western Europe, used to create a large garden.</p> <p> In continental Europe <i>Dicranopalpus ramosus</i> is accounted for in mainly synanthropic environments, where it is found on the walls of buildings and on the trunks of trees, in parks, gardens, orchards, etc. (Hillard 2005, Noordijk et al. 2007, Wijnhoven 2009, Muster & Mayer 2014). It was also noted from ruderal environments, semi-natural forests, etc. (Muster & Mayer 2014). Data from the UK (Spider and Harvestman Recording Scheme 2016) point to the trunks, branches and leaves of trees and shrubs in natural environments as the main environment of occurrence of <i>D. ramosus</i>, and less likely, the data indicate the walls. It is possible that the advantage of synanthropic posts in continental Europe stems from the fact that these large, often resting in exposed places harvestmen are just easily noticeable there, in opposition to the individuals sitting on the trunks of trees, etc. The possibility of such a "methodical error" is mentioned by Noordijk et al. (2007). The second cause of the differences in the <i>Dicranopalpus ramosus</i> environmental preferences between Great Britain and continental Europe may be another phase of expansion. In Great Britain <i>D. ramosus</i> is present since 1950s of the 20th century, so it is now a long-established species and widely distributed (Spider and Harvestman Recording Scheme 2016). In the Benelux countries (Wijnhoven 2009, Muster & Meyer 2014), Germany (Arachnologische Gesellschaft 2016), Denmark (Toft & Hansen 2011), and Sweden (Jonsson 2013), <i>D. ramosus</i> is a relatively newcomer, therefore, its presence is limited mainly to anthropogenic environments, from where it is just starting to colonize the natural biotopes. The colonization scheme confirms the observations of the spread of other invasive harvestman species in Poland, e.g. <i>Opilio canestrinii</i> (Thorell) (Rozwałka & Staręga 2012) or <i>Odiellus spinosus</i> (Rozwałka et al. 2013, 2014).</p>Published as part of <i>ROZWAŁKA, Robert & RUTKOWSKI, Tomasz, 2016, First record of the expansive harvestmen Dicranopalpus ramosus (Simon, 1909) (Arachnida: Opiliones) in Poland, pp. 65-71 in Fragmenta Faunistica 59 (1)</i> on pages 66-70, DOI: 10.3161/00159301FF2016.59.1.065, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/6251914">http://zenodo.org/record/6251914</a>
Determining Relevant Input Dimensions for the Self-Organizing Map
No full textBojer T, Hammer B, Strickert M, Villmann T. Determining Relevant Input Dimensions for the Self-Organizing Map. In: Rutkowski L, Kacprzyk J, eds. Neural Networks and Soft Computing (Proc. ICNNSC 2002). Physica-Verlag; 2003: 388-393
Relevance LVQ versus SVM
No full textHammer B, Strickert M, Villmann T. Relevance LVQ versus SVM. In: Rutkowski L, Siekmann J, Tadeusiewicz R, Zadeh LA, eds. Artificial Intelligence and Softcomputing, Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence, 3070. Berlin: Springer; 2004: 592-597
The Generational Impact of Software
No full textEighteen Impact columns to date have talked only about growing software. Les Hatton, Anne Rutkowski, and Carol Saunders indicate that there are also limits to growth in our field
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
No full textThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Square Dancing with the Stars to Enhance Dynamic Hirschman Linkages?
No full textIn this Presidential Address, the author takes the reader on a reconnaissance of his life and time as a regional scientist. He points out scenery he found scintillating along the way, hoping that some may pick up the banner and chew on a few of the ideas for a while. He suggests a revisit to Albert O. Hirschman’s notion of key sectors and more empirical analysis related to Marcus Berliant’s and Masahisa Fujita’s notion of knowledge creation and transfer.Presidential Address, San Antonio, Texas, March 29, 2014 (53rd Meetings of the Southern Regional Science Association
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
No full textWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Letter from unknown writer to Jesse L. Boyce
No full textLetter to Jesse L. Boyce from unknown author (possibly Jack) about the investigation into the powder magazine located in the Grand Canyon. Some personal news is included in the letter such as the writer's marriage to the daughter of C.A. Taylor, former Supervisor of Cochise County
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