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The radical transformations in the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe (C&EE) have prompted a growing body of scholarship concerned to analyzed both the dramatic decline and the de facto restructuring of research systems throughout the region, and future opportunities for rebuilding them. This paper provides some basic background information on how science and technology (S&T) were organized before the transformations, and the changes since. It then briefly indicates why the topic is important for the field of science and technology studies (S&TS), and describes some trends in the development of S&TS in and on C&EE, before introducing the individual contributions in this Special Issue. This paper analyzes the transformation of research systems in Central and Eastern Europe as a coincidence of opportunities and trouble. Political rebuilding has bought opportunities for the greater self-regulation of research which ahs been demanded by many researchers. But an appropriate institutional rebuilding of the research system is strongly restricted by sharply reduced resource, and by political pressure towards research orientated to short-term applications in industry. These factors have shaped the dynamics of the transformation of research systems in the post-communist countries and have led, so far, to rather unsatisfactory outcomes. This paper give an overview of these developments, emphasizing the similarities between the different countries. The economic crisis, shrinking markets and falling funds have not just brought about decline in formerly communist research systems: in response to external pressures, and on the basis of their accumulated knowledge and skills, research orgaziations have developed new structures and mechanisms to distribute their results and use their expertise. This paper draws on evidence and anaylsis generated by a study which focused on the new arrangements appearing in and around research organizations. The objective of this study was not only to search for new organizational forms and to understand their operation, but also to evaluate their potential, in newly emerging innovation systems, to enhance knowledge flows into industry from academic and university research. This analytical approach is underpinned by a comparison of 'Science Park'-type developments in Western and Eastern Europe. Although there are clearly difference in their contexts, the comparison provides grounds for optimism. We can see already both the generation of the new, and the recombination of the old, knowledge, skills and contacts which will be necessary to economic regeneration in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This paper analyzes the present situation of Russian academic science, and explicates both the direct causes and the deep social roots of its recent crisis. The unfavourable position of Russian science is partly linked to traditional notions of the essence of Russian society, in which modern science exists as an inorganic, alien section, completely dependent on authorities whose current interests are not oriented towards modernization and the support of science. This approach suggests a way of understanding the social history of Russian science. A description of the spreading and growing crisis in the Russian Academy of Science after 1992 makes clear the background and atmosphere within which, in March 1994, a diagnostic study of the academic community was undertaken. This paper presents and interprets the survey's results in relation to major aspects of scientific activity: motivation, moods and intentions of scientists; their evaluation of the general situation in science and personal conditions of research; and current problems of science financing and organization. A compound picture derived from these data does not allow any definite predictions of the Academy's future: the processes revealed contain possibilities for both its positive transformation and its decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the transformation of research systems in Central and Eastern Europe as a coincidence of opportunities and trouble. Political rebuilding has bought opportunities for the greater self-regulation of research which ahs been demanded by many researchers. But an appropriate institutional rebuilding of the research system is strongly restricted by sharply reduced resource, and by political pressure towards research orientated to short-term applications in industry. These factors have shaped the dynamics of the transformation of research systems in the post-communist countries and have led, so far, to rather unsatisfactory outcomes. This paper give an overview of these developments, emphasizing the similarities between the different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses factors and dynamics underpinning the impact of trade unions on transformation processes in Central Europe. Although the authors focus on the situation in Poland, an attempt is made to contribute to a general analysis of, and conceptualisations about, relationships between government and unions in countries undergoing transformation. The basic assumption of the paper is that economic transformation is viewed as a process of interaction rather than a system of implementing decisions taken at the top. It is noted that post-communist trade unions operate in quasi-market conditions. This leads to externalisation and politicisation of industrial conflicts, which are considered as significant factors in modifying transformation programmes. The paper attempts to demonstrate that the current economic conditions and policies encourage unions to take an attitude of confrontation-and-claims rather than to support enterprise management in its improvement efforts. Finally the paper identifies three broad approaches to trade unions in Poland: anti-union fundamentalism, neo-corporatism and strategic pragmatism. In conclusions, it is noted that which of these approaches may prevail will depend partly on the unions' capacity to work with the government and management, and partly on the government-of-the day's policy as driven by a particular view of trade unionism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the agenda for the socio-economic reconstruction of Central and Eastern Europe. Faced with the contradictions between the promises and results of current policies, a group of scholars from Eastern and Western Europe met under the auspices of the Academy of Sciences in Vienna in October 1991 to discuss the main issues of the evolving transformation process on the basis of more than a dozen specially prepared papers. The result was the critical assessment of the current transformation strategy, as well as an Agenda of topics for discussion which seem to have been overlooked. The guiding principle of this Agenda is its concern for socio-economic reconstruction and growth of output, employment, and welfare. This objective requires conscious action by individuals, collective actors, and public authorities. These actions should be stimulated and coordinated by a socio-economic context in which the pursuit of individual interest adds both to individual and to social welfare. Such a context is made up of market forces supported by appropriate institutions (including forms of property and contracts) and guided by appropriate policies. They cannot, however, be ends in themselves.

Amazement and surprise were the common reactions of Western political scientists to the fall of communism; they did not foresee, nor could they explain, the collapse of the regime. This paper argues that the reason why Western political scientists could not foretell the fall of the communist system was their overcommitment to artificial models of society and their lack of concern with economics. Western political science, especially, overlooked how the concept of privatizing the economy affected the devolution of the communist order, in contrast, I examine the question of the "sudden revolution" in the historical context and in the context of the privatization of the economy. The privatization of the economy, or rather, the specific ways privatization is conducted, is the main factor that explains the "peaceful collapse" puzzle and the newly emerging tensions as well. The paper consists of two parts. In the first part, "Trismus," I argue against the picture of Central Europe painted by Western political scientists. The question "Why did the communist order, a regime that defended itself stubbornly for a long time, at last collapse peacefully?" concludes the first part and opens the second, "Transformation." The point "Nomenklatura Chrysalis" is crucial for solving the puzzle of the "sudden" and peaceful fall of communism. In the conclusion, I refer to the current, and probably future, economic and political tensions that are likely to emerge in countries undergoing ownership transformations. Eventually this involves me in Fukuyama's proposition of the "end of history." Amazement and surprise were the common reactions of Western political scientists to the fall of communism; they did not foresee, nor could they explain, the collapse of the regime. This paper argues that the reason why Western political scientists could not foretell the fall of the communist system was their overcommitment to artificial models of society and their lack of concern with economics.... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a growing debate about the ethics of management buy-outs (MBOs). One possible criticism of the MBO is that it serves the interests of incumbent management at the expense of shareholders. In this paper we develop the general arguments concerning the ethical aspects of the MBO to include other forms of buy-out beyond "going privates" and apply the analysis to MBOs as a mode of privatisation in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). MBOs are justified in this context post perestroika as a means of incentivising economic activity by giving managers an ownership stake in former state enterprises. The actual mode of privatisation, though, raises issues of social justice and the criticism that MBOs are at the expense of the broader social good. The ethical problem for the CEE is to balance the economic gains of a move to markets with the ethical risks to the agents of these markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking the case of the interwar Yugoslav Sokol (Sokol Kraljevine Jugoslavije), this article examines the complex relationship between the discourses of organic nationhood and political socialization in what was the largest voluntary association in the country. While Sokol typically projected a vision of itself as an apolitical entity--as it claimed to represent the organic national body--this article will explore the dynamics, as well as contradictions, between such discourses and the socio-political reality they aimed to describe and eventually alter in their pursuit of improving the 'national body.' In conversation with scholarship on the conceptual history of modern East Central European nationalisms, including the social history of ideas and movements and political socialization more specifically, this article provides insight into the contextual, conceptual history of nationhood by focusing on selected thinkers engaged in Sokol, against the backdrop of particular mass practices and modes of political socialization in the organization. The tension between the involvement of the masses in the allegedly apolitical formations and the reality of subjecting them to political socialization en masse provides the central axis around which the argument is organized. The article concludes that their concept of nationhood was intimately intertwined with that of democracy and simultaneously posited against (party) politics and statism. Moreover, it demonstrates that Sokol was rooted in notions of civilizational hierarchies and directly linked to producing modern political subjects for the new Yugoslav state by means of the gymnastic and educational practices they promoted and conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk has always been the concern of managers and shareholders as a part of decision-making processes. Managers tend to control unsystematic risk mostly while trying to minimize the exposure to systematic (market) risk. The paper aims to assess the risk level and risk-return tradeoffs for the companies operating in Czech automotive industry. A diversification formula and calculation of returns using return-on-equity were employed on the yearly basis from 2005 till 2014. The returns and risk calculations were conducted on the portfolio of auto manufacturers, followed by the portfolio of auto suppliers, while the third one was performed for suppliers and manufacturers taken together. The results of the study show that the average correlation coefficient tends to decrease when we move from manufacturers to suppliers, while increasing when we join manufacturers and suppliers in one portfolio. The highest diversification benefit has been reached in the portfolio of auto suppliers. The highest risk is manifested for the portfolio of manufacturers, while the lowest – in the portfolio of auto suppliers. Risk level declined when we joined manufacturers and suppliers in comparison with risk of manufacturers alone. However, the lowest risk and the highest risk-return tradeoff were achieved in the portfolio of suppliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature is an important physical factor that is known to strongly affect biodiversity as well as ecosystems and their functioning. However, research in this area is still relatively limited; this may also be attributed to the multitude of influencing factors and the complexity of the statistics involved. This study analyzes the differences between the surface temperature of three Central European broadleaf tree species. A better understanding of these differences may help to elucidate the role of microclimate in biodiversity. We consider a time series of high-resolution thermal images taken from a meteorological observation tower and calculate mean canopy leaf temperatures for beech, ash and maple ( Fagus silvatica, Fraxinus excelsior and Acer pseudoplatanus). In a first step, comparable image areas are extracted from the thermal image sections of the crown of each tree species avoiding shadow areas, branches, etc. We used an automatic segmentation technique, the Otsu thresholding. Extracted canopy leaf temperature values were then processed and the resulting temperature profiles estimated by O'Sullivan penalized splines. For comparing the differences in canopy leaf temperature over time, we propose the construction of simultaneous confidence bands. The analyses show that there are significant-though small-differences in canopy surface temperature between the three tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant role in developing and shaping the city of Bratislava played Danube River. Since 1830 introduced a regular shipping service for people and goods. The Harbour of Bratislava began to grow. At the turn of the 19 th and 20 th centuries, next to cargo harbour built a new part Winter Harbour. The harbour experienced a golden age between the world wars. In the 1 st half of the 20 th century belonged among the biggest inland river harbours in Middle Europe. The Czechoslovakia was one of the largest export countries in Europe. At that time, there were also held the International Danube Fairs. The harbour was almost destroyed during the Second World War. In the post-war period the function of the port revived and modernized. Currently consists of Passenger Harbour, Winter Harbour and innovative parts of the cargo harbour built lower downstream. From the beginning Harbour of Bratislava was built as internationally, enabling investment and implementation of activities of enterprises of different countries. According to available sources, we know that in harbour worked except to Slovakia, respectively Czechoslovakia, French, Austrian, Hungarian and German shipping company. In the past, the city with harbour was growing, presently with growing city the harbour decreases. Landing stages and the surfaces of Winter Harbour are taken for the new residential and commercial construction; the historical harbour buildings are demolished. In the past we kept pace with Europe, sometimes we even set an example. At this time is the question whether we would nowadays not take example from Europe. The paper will present a summary of the known, but especially the lesser known international contexts of Bratislava harbour. It shows a vision of which direction could move into its development, particularly with regard to its history and unique value which remained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. In the last decade of the 20th century, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have experienced rapid changes in health policies. This process was largely supported by international grants. After this support has ended, it is important to keep up with the development, developing its own strategies and priorities. Aims and methods. The aim of the paper is to make a proposal for the future development of the discipline in CEE countries. The proposal is based on reports on an invitational conference that was organized for the key representatives of family medicine from CEE countries. For the purpose of this paper, additional information about the situation was gathered from literature reviews, country visits and personal interviews. Results. Information shows that although family medicine has been formally recognized and introduced in university curricula, there is a very big difference in its academic position. Postgraduate training has been established in all CEE countries, according to the European Directive. Quality measures such as the development and implementation of guidelines and the re-certification procedure have also been formally introduced, but its quality varies. The key areas of concern are atomization of practices, unsatisfactory payment systems, lack of academic infrastructure and unsatisfactory continuous professional development. On the other hand, examples of good practice exist and need to be promoted. Conclusion. There is a need for continuous exchange of expertise within the countries. The paper will serve as a discussion paper for the next meeting of experts from CEE countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on the 13th annual conference of the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration in Austria called "Business and Marketing Strategies for Central & Eastern Europe." Date and venue of the conference; Call for papers.

Background: Ongoing climate change is anticipated to increase the frequency and intensity of drought events, thereby affecting forest recovery dynamics and elevating tree mortality. The drought of 2018, with its exceptional intensity and duration, had a significant adverse impact on tree species throughout Central Europe. However, our understanding of the resistance to and recovery of young trees from drought stress remains limited. Here, we examined the recovery patterns of native deciduous tree sapling species following the 2018 drought, and explored the impact of soil depth, understory vegetation, and litter cover on this recovery. Methods: A total of 1,149 saplings of seven deciduous tree species were monitored in the understory of old-growth forests in Northern Bavaria, Central Germany. The vitality of the saplings was recorded from 2018 to 2021 on 170 plots. Results: Fagus sylvatica was the most drought-resistant species, followed by Betula pendula, Acer pseudoplatanus, Quercus spp., Corylus avellana, Carpinus betulus, and Sorbus aucuparia. Although the drought conditions persisted one year later, all species recovered significantly from the 2018 drought, albeit with a slight decrease in vitality by 2021. In 2018, the drought exhibited a more pronounced adverse effect on saplings in deciduous forests compared to mixed and coniferous forests. Conversely, sapling recovery in coniferous and mixed forests exceeded that observed in deciduous forests in 2019. The pivotal factors influencing sapling resilience to drought were forest types, soil depth, and understory vegetation, whereas litter and forest canopy cover had a negative impact. Conclusion: Long-term responses of tree species to drought can be best discerned through continuous health monitoring. These findings demonstrate the natural regeneration potential of deciduous species in the context of climate change. Selective tree species planting, soil management practices, and promoting understory diversity should be considered when implementing adaptive management strategies to enhance forest resilience to drought events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Climate change is likely to exacerbate the negative effects of invasive alien species (IAS) as it will foster their further spread. This paper analyses the potential socio-economic effects of three emerging IAS (giant ragweed, Ambrosia trifida ; annual wormwood, Artemisia annua ; and burweed marshelder, Iva xanthiifolia ), which are known to cause substantial harm to human health and to have negative effects on agricultural production. The novelty of the study consists in an integrated approach that combines several aspects of IAS research and management. We model the future spread of the study species in Central Europe by the year 2050 under several climate change, management and spread scenarios. The costs and benefits of controlling the expansion of these IAS are based on this forecast. The results show that an early and coordinated response to the spread of these IAS yields substantial net benefits under all scenarios. Under the conditions of moderate climate change (+1.5 °C), discounted net benefits range from €19 to €582 million. Assuming more severe climate change (+2.4 °C), total savings over the full period are projected to add up to €1063 million. These large socio-economic benefits provide compelling evidence that public authorities should act preventively to restrict the spread of these three IAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the faunal remains from the new excavation area at the Lower Paleolithic site of Schöningen. The focus of the study is on the southern extension of the main find horizon (Spear Horizon South), which includes the layer that yielded the famous Schöningen spears (13 II-4). Taxonomic data corroborate previous studies, that hominins primarily hunted Equus mosbachensis , a large Pleistocene horse. Equid body part representation at the site suggests that the animals were hunted and butchered locally. There is no evidence for density-mediated attrition in the assemblage. Weathering damage is uncommon, though there is ample evidence that carnivores had access to the bone. Carnivore bite sizes were measured and compared to experimental data provided by previous authors. Based on relationships between bite size and carnivore behavior and body size, we conclude that the primary modifying agents were large carnivores (i.e., wolves or saber-toothed cats). Previous studies show that carnivores often had secondary access to the remains, after hominins. Cut marks are commonly arranged haphazardly on the bones. This may indicate that multiple hominins participated in the butchery of horse skeletons, or that they were butchered over the course of hours or days. Cut marks on axial elements are more “orderly,” which probably reflects the physical logistics of orienting one's body in relation to a large carcass. These data differ from sites formed by Middle and Upper Paleolithic hominins, which might suggest that in later times, a system of organized meat provisioning was already in place. Taken together, the faunal evidence from the Spear Horizon South indicates that late Lower Paleolithic hominins using the site understood the behaviors of different prey species, hunted socially to take down large game, and successfully competed with large carnivores on the landscape for primary access to ungulate remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pleistocene sequence of Schöningen provides a key link between unglaciated and glaciated areas in western Central Europe and is an important point of reference for the subdivision of the glaciated late Middle Pleistocene. This locality yields paleoecological and geological evidence of at least four interglacial periods prior to the Holocene and younger than the Elsterian glaciation. The Pleistocene deposits at Schöningen are valuable archives of climate, landscape, and human evolution, containing outstanding information on past environmental changes and human adaptation. This paper presents paleoenvironmental and biostratigraphical results from the Middle Pleistocene archaeological lakeshore site of Schöningen, focusing on the so-called reference profile Schöningen 13 II of 2003. We discuss the lithological, palynological, and macrobotanical evidence and present a revised subdivision and reinterpretation of late phases of the Reinsdorf Interglacial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information about the book "Regionalism and the Global Economy: The Case of Central and Eastern Europe," by Jan Joost Teunissen. The papers in this book and comments, resulting from a conference held at the Institute of Economics of the Czech National Bank in January 1997, analyze the integration of Central and Eastern Europe at subregional, regional, and global levels. Piritta Sorsa discusses the role of transition policies and regional trade agree- merits in fostering trade and foreign direct investment in the Baltics. András Inotai as- sesses prospects for joining the European Union.

The stations of the Metropolitan Station Network in Olomouc (Czech Republic) were assigned to local climatic zones, and the temperature characteristics of the stations were compared. The classification of local climatic zones represents an up-to-date concept for the unification of the characterization of the neighborhoods of climate research sites. This study is one of the first to provide a classification of existing stations within local climate zones. Using a combination of GIS-based analyses and field research, the values of geometric and surface cover properties were calculated, and the stations were subsequently classified into the local climate zones. It turned out that the classification of local climatic zones can be efficiently used for representative documentation of the neighborhood of the climate stations. To achieve a full standardization of the description of the neighborhood of a station, the classification procedures, including the methods used for the processing of spatial data and methods used for the indication of specific local characteristics, must be also standardized. Although the main patterns of temperature differences between the stations with a compact rise, those with an open rise and the stations with no rise or sparsely built areas were evident; the air temperature also showed considerable differences within particular zones. These differences were largely caused by various geometric layout of development and by unstandardized placement of the stations. For the direct comparison of temperatures between zones, particularly those stations which have been placed in such a way that they are as representative as possible for the zone in question should be used in further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to establish reference intervals for the haematological profile of alpacas on the basis of a large population of clinically healthy animals, and to determine the influence of sex, age and season on these indicators. Blood samples were collected from 243 alpacas (53 males and 156 females over six months of age and 34 crias - 12 males and 22 females - under six months of age). The selected farms were located in Central Europe (Czech Republic and Germany). We determined 13 haematological indicators. Comparison of the results was performed with respect to the sex of animals and for the older group also with regard to the season and to the feeding period. We found no highly significant (P > 0.001) differences between males and females. We did find highly significant differences (P < 0.001) between the group of crias under six months of age and the older alpacas (mean corpuscular volume - MCV, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration - MCHC, red cell distribution width - RDW, white blood cell count - WBC, neutrophil count). Based on our findings we suggest that for some indicators different reference intervals (esp. WBC and differential cell counts) be used for the two above mentioned age groups. We found some highly significant differences (P < 0.001) in haematological indicators in the older group of alpacas between the summer and winter feeding period (haemoglobin concentration, MCHC). Clinical laboratory diagnosis may be improved by the use of age-based and season-based haematological reference values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented paper deals with the issue of the efficient use of solar energy potential gained from thermal panels via tracking the Sun’s trajectory. Based on long-term measurements of the selected parameters, the efficiency of the installed system in relation to the ecliptic was evaluated in the static regime as well as in a rotary regime. In the comparison of rotary and fixed system of the collectors the presented results show an increase of the effectiveness of rotary one during the period of the day. On closer view the increase is not constant. During the day it varies: the most significant increase is in the afternoon, while the time from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. the effectiveness of both systems almost identical. The utilisation of the rotary system as a suitable instrument for the elimination of the system stagnation was also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several countries in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe used a rich set of prudential instruments during the recent credit and housing boom and bust cycles. We construct a comprehensive database of these policy measures covering 16 countries at a quarterly frequency. We use this database to investigate whether the policy measures had an impact on housing price inflation. The measures that appeared to be effective were capital measures (minimum capital adequacy ratio, maximum ratio of lending to households to share capital) and nonstandard liquidity measures (marginal reserve requirements (MRRs) on foreign funding, MRRs linked to credit growth). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing building stock has an immense impact on preserving a social, economic and ecologic sustainability – especially in Central Europe with low rates of new construction. This paper focuses on life-cycle based renovation strategies considering not only structural and thermal refurbishment, but also the social aspects of an ageing society needs, as well as a preservation of cultural heritage. For a case study of a specific housing block of the Red Vienna historic period, several refurbishment variants were developed and evaluated in a quantitative as well as qualitative way for the economic (life cycle costs and yields), ecologic (CO 2 emissions) and socio-cultural impacts (monument protection, accessibility, assisted living). According to the research, there are great potentials in structural refurbishment of the building stock for support of assisted living models. These prove to be substantially more cost efficient than the institutional care, providing a better comfort for the inhabitants, as well as the necessary social mix by a trans-generation housing in the social housing facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outside metropolitan areas, regional differentiation under post-socialism is heavily influenced by the uneven distribution of industry. The core-periphery differences of service- and industry-based competitiveness underscore the relevance of reindustrialization policies, particularly under the economic crisis. These policies bear different implications across different time horizons, and can be understood as the development of advantageous investment locations to achieve re-specialization, as well as a strong local factor supply. With institutional weaknesses, the path-dependency of restructuring and the lack of domestic capital, there is a need for bridging institutions to articulate diffuse interests and undertake strategic intervention within the local economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on several findings related to earnings and risks in the banking industry in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Topics discussed include zero correlation existing between Corporate reform and Banking reform, inflation leading to an increase in the risks associated with banking industry and existence of positive correlation between Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Central and Eastern European countries and their banking reforms.

The article focuses on the reforms in the banking industry in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). It states that CEE countries transformed from a centrally planned economy to a market based economy under the impact of the European Union (EU), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and discusses the impact of this transformation on the banks earnings quality.

The establishment of democracy in the communist countries, which generated profound social and economic transformation, was accompanied by a decline in fertility. We attempt to provide an overall survey on fertility since 1989 in ten Central and Eastern European Countries, members of the European Union, and to identify the variables which explain the fertility decline. We will use univariate and multivariate statistical analysis to identify disparities between the ten countries, and the variables which explain these differences. Also, we developed a panel econometric model to confirm the hypothesis of a similar pattern of evolution for fertility in these countries and that the decline in fertility can be explained both through demographic and economic variables. The decline in fertility can be explained by economic growth, marriage, divorce, abortion, and migration. The empirical evidence presented in this paper supports the view that the decline in fertility over the 1989s represents the continuation of a longstanding trend of the previous period, according to the demographic transition theory, but its speed and magnitude has been influenced by the new social and economic landscape. These results can be useful for public authorities of the CEE countries to rethinking demographic policies and to ensure the sustainability of demographic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the crisis frame, many forecasts failed to provide well determined ratios. What we tried to explain in this paper is how some selected Central and Eastern European countries will perform in the near future: Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic, using neural networks-based forecasting model which we created for the nominal and real convergence ratios. As a methodology, we propose the forecasting based on artificial neural network (ANN), using the well-known software tool GMDH Shell. For each output variable, we obtain a forecast model, according to previous values and other input related variables, and we applied the model to all countries. Our forecasts are much closer to the partial results of 2013 in the analyzed countries than the European Commission's or other international organizations' forecasts. The results of the forecast are important both for governments to design their financial strategies and for the investors in these selected countries. According to our results, the Czech Republic seems to be closer to achieve its nominal convergence in the next two years, but it faces great difficulties in the real convergence area, because it did not overpass the recession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DEMOCRATIZATION TERM IS USED IN SOCIOLOGY IN A VAGUE SENSE, IGNIFYING THE PASSAGE OF A STATE AWAY FROM NON-DEMOCRATIC REGIME TO A DEMOCRATIC ONE. IN THE PRESENT PAPER WE WANT TO PRESENT MEANING OF THE WORD DEMOCRATIZATION, STARTING FROM ITS ORIGINS AND REACHING MEANING OF THE TERM TODAY. OUR SCIENTIFIC APPROACH FOCUSES ON THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM AND THE TRANSITION COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE TO DEMOCRACY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the determinants of the changes in the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio in selected European emerging markets. The model was estimated on a panel dataset using a fixed effects estimator for seven Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries between Q3:2007 and Q3:2012. The countries analyzed are Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Romania and Slovakia. Although the literature on NPLs is quite extensive, this is the first empirical research on the countries of CEE region using aggregate, country-level data on problem loans. The results suggest that the primary cause of high levels of NPLs is the economic slowdown, which is evident from statistically significant and economically large coefficients on GDP, unemployment and the inflation rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the spatial and temporal variability of thermal continentality in Central Europe. Gorczyński's and Johansson-Ringleb's formulae were used to derive the continentality index. The study also looked at the annual patterns of air temperature amplitude (A), a component of both of these formulae, and D; the difference between the average temperatures of autumn (Sep.-Nov.) and spring (Mar.-May). Records of six weather stations representing the climate of Central Europe were included in the study covering the period 1775-2012 (Potsdam, Drezden, Prague, Vienna, Krakow, Debrecen). The highest continentality index was found in Debrecen and the lowest in Potsdam. The continentality index fluctuated with time with two pronounced dips at the turn of the 19th century and in the second half of the 20th century. The highest continentality index values were recorded during the 1930s and 1940s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper provides empirical evidence of the impact of life satisfaction on the individual intention to migrate. The impacts of individual characteristics and of country macroeconomic variables on the intention to migrate are analyzed jointly. Using the Eurobarometer Survey for 27 Central and Eastern European (CEE) and Western European (non-CEE) countries, we find that people have a greater intention to migrate when dissatisfied with life. The socioeconomic variables and macroeconomic conditions affect the intention to migrate indirectly through life satisfaction. At all levels of life satisfaction, individuals with similar characteristics have greater intentions to migrate from CEE countries than from non-CEE countries. These findings underscore the importance of individual life satisfaction not only as a strong predictor of the individual migration intention, but also as a mediator between individual socioeconomic variables and macroeconomic conditions and that intention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Shopping centers play an important role in improving the quality of life in town and city centers around the world. Often seen as drivers of local economies, shopping centers are necessary to maintain economic growth and a sense of community, offering employment, and providing a better quality of life. In last decades in all capital cities and large cities in Central and Southeastern Europe numerous shopping centers were open and therefore the situation at retail market and traditional supply chains changed rapidly. The aim of this paper is to provide key data related to shopping center industry in Central and Southeastern European countries and to analyze the structure of retail offers, opportunities for investors, retailers and consumers at given markets. Comparative analysis of secondary data will give an insight into the current state of shopping center development and discuss the problems related to future retail development in Southeastern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Return migration might be a key factor for development in sending regions, especially in East Central Europe. In 2004, the enlargement of the European Union affected a mass labour migration from post-socialist countries towards Western European regions. Among rules of the Union this East-West migration has become more than brain-drain, beside high-skilled migrants, lower skilled ones also leave their country of origin. This paper focused on common characteristics of migrants from East Central European countries. During research I have used results of an online survey among migrants and made interviews with returned Hungarian migrants. Though sending countries make efforts towards re-attracting migrants, without stable macro-factors their return might be uncertain. According to my results, though each country has its own profile, in some cases, especially Hungarian and Polish migrants have common characteristics in terms of motivation of emigration and type of work abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitation and surface temperature are two of the most important variables that describe our weather and climate. Several previous studies investigated aspects of their relationship, for instance the climatological dependence of daily precipitation on daily mean temperature, P (T). However, the role of specific weather systems in shaping this relationship has not been analysed yet. This study therefore identifies the weather systems (WSs) that are associated with intense precipitation days as a function of T , focusing on the question of how this relationship, symbolically expressed as P (T , WS), varies regionally across the Northern Hemisphere and between seasons. To this end, we first quantify if intense precipitation occurs on climatologically warmer or on colder days. In winter, over most continental and ocean regions, intense precipitation falls on warmer days apart from the Mediterranean area and regions in the lee of the Rocky Mountains, where intense precipitation is favoured on colder days. In summer, only at high latitudes is intense precipitation favoured on warmer days, whereas continental areas experience intense precipitation on colder days. For selected regions in Europe and North America, we then identify the weather systems that occur preferentially on days with intense precipitation (referred to as wet days). In winter, cyclones are slightly dominant on colder wet days, whereas warm conveyor belts and atmospheric rivers occur preferentially on warmer wet days. In summer, the overall influence of atmospheric rivers increases, and the occurrence of weather systems depends less on wet day temperature. Wet days in the lee of the Rocky Mountains are influenced by most likely convective systems in anticyclones. Finally, we investigate P (T , WS) during the wettest and driest season in central Europe and the central United States (US). In qualitative agreement with the results from the first part of this study, the wettest winter is warmer than normal in central Europe but colder in the central US, and the wettest summer is colder in both regions. The opposite holds for the driest winter and summer, respectively. During these anomalous seasons, both the frequency and the precipitation efficiency of weather systems change in central Europe, while the wettest and driest seasons in central US mainly arise from a modified precipitation efficiency. Our results show that the precipitation–temperature–weather system relationship strongly depends on the region and that (extreme) seasonal precipitation is influenced by the frequency and precipitation efficiency of the different weather systems. This regional variability is reflected in the relative importance of weather system frequency and efficiency anomalies for the formation of anomalously wet and dry seasons. Interestingly, in some regions and seasons, the precipitation efficiency of weather systems is increased during anomalously cold seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study focuses on 15 August 2010, when many severe convective storms occurred over parts of central and Eastern Europe, with some of these exhibiting various interesting cloud-top characteristics observed by weather satellites. The importance of the phenomena of cold-U and cold-ring features in the infrared brightness temperature enhanced imagery stems from the fact that storms exhibiting these features are very often accompanied by severe weather. Therefore, besides the general description of the atmospheric conditions in the area, we seek possible reasons for the different cloud-top appearance of these storms from the perspective of Meteosat Second Generation and polar-orbiting weather satellites. Two main issues are discussed in this paper - the unusually warm appearance of the cloud-top of the “Prague hailstorm” and the presence of cold-ring and cold-U shaped storms in close proximity to the warmer “Prague hailstorm”. Both of these issues prove that the storm top appearance is very sensitive to the upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric conditions, with the first one strongly reflecting variations in the tropopause height due to the presence of the jet-stream over the region. The second topic addresses the strength of the storm relative upper level winds as a major discriminator between the cold-U and cold-ring storm top categories. Due to the above mentioned facts, 15 August 2010 was selected as one of the prime cases of interest for the Convection Working Group. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The case of undertaking health policy analysis has been made by a number of academics and practitioners, however there has been given less attention to how the health care decisions are made, what theories and methods best inform policy making processes. This paper aim to conceptualize a theoretical framework in order to describe decision-making models in six Central and Eastern European countries: Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical static pendulums have been installed in mines or caves in Central Europe since 2007. Two-dimensional optical measurement of the tilt of a rock mass and continuous fully digital on-line evaluation of results makes possible the detection of a small tilt of the surroundings with a resolution of tens of nanoradians or the deformation of the surroundings in the horizontal plane with resolution of hundreds of nanometres. The paper describes the measurement device and the first results of the measurements in Magdalena Jama, which is part of the Postojna Cave System (Slovenia). The correlation of deformation between distant stations shows the existence of stress variations that are not only of local origin (high floods, local seismicity, and aseismic deformations). The stress field has a wider, and not only regional, character with effects that can be observed very far from the origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Few studies have investigated the relationship between the recent global financial and economic crisis and FDI flows. This paper aims to analyze such a relationship for Central and Eastern European countries (EU members). The crisis had a major impact on capital flows to the region, although the magnitude of the impact differed notably, depending on the type of capital inflows and the receiving country. In order to highlight this, we use a regression model and panel data methodology, trying to find if there is some difference between the analyzed countries. The results will be very useful if there is a pattern for different countries regarding the main effect of the financial crisis and the interaction with economic growth over the FDI. Taking into consideration the fact that we found that economic growth has a significant influence over the level of FDI and, moreover, a positive influence, the present study is very important in supporting the regulatory environment of those specific countries, in order to attract more FDI, as a solution for recovery of the economies affected by crisis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to ensure the innovation-based competitiveness of the Central and Eastern European economies, in each one a more efficient exploitation of human capital is required, through the cultivation and by getting the outmost of the entrepreneurial spirit in conjunction with the active population''s creative and innovative features, as it appears in the objective of New Lisbon and Europe 2020 strategies. Based on the entrepreneurial process research model, considering the economical development stage and competitiveness level of Romanian, Hungary, Latvia and Croatia, the paper aims to identify the short-, medium- and long-term effects of entrepreneurship upon the labour market, at the level of each selected country. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Amid recent financial crisis, has increased the risks related to the sustainability of the households’ banking loans. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the bi-dimensional causality relationship between household sector and monetary policy in the experience of acceding countries Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Romania between 2007M01-2012M04. Using a Vector Autoregressive Model, we analyze the impact of short term interest rate on loan to deposit ratio for households. Our empirical results suggest that the excessive built-up of financial imbalances related to the households behavior is properly taken into consideration by monetary policy only in Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The current economic and financial crisis has had a strong influence on stock market performances in the process of financing the economic activities. This paper aims to analyze the dynamic of the stock market in Central and Eastern Europe under the impact of the macroeconomic imbalances, emphasizing the volatility of the foreign capital inflows. The data selected for the study will be used to test the impact of stock market development on the correlation between foreign capital inflows and economic growth. The result will allow comparisons between the macroeconomic performances and identifying the adequate measures through which national capital market can become more attractive for investors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper aims to reassess the contribution of the Balassa- Samuelson effect to the inflation and real exchange rate appreciation using panel data for nine CEECs covering the period ranging from the mid-1990s to the third quarter of 2010. The main idea of this analysis is to answer the question of whether the Global Economic Crisis had a significant impact on the efforts of CEECs to stay on the path of real convergence. The Balassa- Samuelson effect explains less than 1.5 percentage points on average of inflation differential relative to the euro area and around 1 percentage point of the total domestic inflation. The results are robust across the model specification and estimation method. Most of the results point out that the Balassa- Samuelson effect has not changed considerably during the crisis even though it is lower compared to that in the earlier stage of transition (for the period up to 2004). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim To determine relative effects of habitat type, climate and spatial pattern on species richness and composition of native and alien plant assemblages in central European cities. Location Central Europe, Belgium and the Netherlands. Methods The diversity of native and alien flora was analysed in 32 cities. In each city, plant species were recorded in seven 1-ha plots that represented seven urban habitat types with specific disturbance regimes. Plants were classified into native species, archaeophytes (introduced before ad 1500) and neophytes (introduced later). Two sets of explanatory variables were obtained for each city: climatic data and all-scale spatial variables generated by analysis of principal coordinates of neighbour matrices. For each group of species, the effect of habitat type, climate and spatial variables on variation in species composition was determined by variation partitioning. Responses of individual plant species to climatic variables were tested using a set of binomial regression models. Effects of climatic variables on the proportion of alien species were determined by linear regression. Results In all cities, 562 native plant species, 188 archaeophytes and 386 neophytes were recorded. Proportions of alien species varied among urban habitats. The proportion of native species decreased with increasing range and mean annual temperature, and increased with increasing precipitation. In contrast, proportions of archaeophytes and neophytes increased with mean annual temperature. However, spatial pattern explained a larger proportion of variation in species composition of the urban flora than climate. Archaeophytes were more uniformly distributed across the studied cities than the native species and neophytes. Urban habitats rich in native species also tended to be rich in archaeophytes and neophytes. Main conclusions Species richness and composition of central European urban floras are significantly affected by urban habitat types, climate and spatial pattern. Native species, archaeophytes and neophytes differ in their response to these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents two subregional examples of Silesian voivodeship transition that depict learning or knowledgeable regions as driving forces for urban economic resilience. It mentions that Silesian voivodeship is a region that possesses some features of a learning region. It offers a conviction about the specific interrelation betweenlearning regions and economic urban resilience.

Since banking sectors from Central and East-European countries are currently characterized by high levels of presence of foreign banks, in this article we intended to conduct a costs and benefits analysis on their entry in the banking markets of these countries. The study will begin with a comparative analysis on bank privatization policies used in 5 Central and Southeastern Europe countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria), because they had a great influence in increasing domination of banks with foreign capital. We will also compare the characteristics and structure of the banking sector in each of the five countries and we'll show that in recent years, in every country, there is a growing governance of foreign-owned banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have gone through immense political and socioeconomic restructuring after the collapse of communism around 1990. Such transition has affected the lives of populations in these countries in many significant respects. A key aspect of life and wellbeing in any society is that of population health. This paper traces the transitions in population health—life expectancies and mortality rates for both males and females—in seven of the CEE countries during the two decades after the fall of communism. We estimate a series of panel data models to identify some of the common factors that would explain health transitions in these countries, while allowing for country-specific variability. Our findings indicate that the health transitions are strongly country specific. Moreover, income per capita and trade openness are statistically significant common contributors to health transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common feature of all health systems from emerging economies is the shortage of financial resources. This fact is currently exacerbated by the economic crisis that has led many governments to reconsider the level of public spending in the health sector. Starting from the Romanian experience, the paper aims to highlight the linkage between the performance of the health system and the total health spending for selected countries from Central and Eastern Europe. Romania has the lowest level of health expenditure as percentage of GDP in Europe, even if its growth rate for 2003-2008 was the highest. In addition, empirical evidence shows that these resources are used inefficiently. Despite the increasing resources allocated to the health sector, statistical analysis shows that health system efficiency, as measured by under-5 (child) mortality rate, is still low. We use regression analysis based on crosssection data in order to explain the differences in health expenditure and their implication on the system efficiency. Health data have been provided by international organizations. Crosssection regression results suggest that total health spending and GDP per capita are the most important factors explaining differences in health status across Central and Eastern European countries, though other lifestyle factors could play important roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]