scholarly journals Individual Pension Products Offered by Banks in Poland - a Multidimensional Comparative Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 91-104
Author(s):  
Peterson K. Joanna Rutecka-Góra

Abstract The supplementary old-age pension system in Poland consists of group and individual plans. This research covers the latter, namely the individual retirement accounts and individual retirement security accounts that were introduced in 2004 and 2012 respectively. The main aim of the paper is to conduct a multidimensional comparative analysis of bank retirement products including the linguistic complexity of documents creating the retirement contracts offered to individuals by banks, and the costliness and profitability of such products in the period 2012-2019. Moreover, it identifies the dependencies between the linguistic and economic traits of retirement contracts offered by banks. The correlation analysis conducted using the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient showed that the more readable a document of a bank contract is, the higher the interest rate is and the higher the cancellation fees. The results of the study are relevant for both financial institutions and public bodies as they show the key characteristics that may influence the demand for individual retirement products in Poland and may serve as either a stimulator or a barrier in the development of supplementary old-age pension provision.

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 979-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Djukic ◽  
Martin Munz ◽  
Fritz Sörgel ◽  
Ulrike Holzgrabe ◽  
Helmut Eiffert ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn 1900, Ernst Overton found that the entry of anilin dyes through the cell membranes of living cells depended on the lipophilicity of the dyes. The brain is surrounded by barriers consisting of lipid layers that possess several inward and outward active transport systems. In the absence of meningeal inflammation, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration of anti-infectives in humans estimated by the ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) in CSF (AUCCSF) to that in serum (AUCCSF/AUCS) correlated positively with the lipid-water partition coefficient at pH 7.0 (logD) (Spearman's rank correlation coefficientrS= 0.40;P= 0.01) and negatively with the molecular mass (MM) (rS= −0.33;P= 0.04). The ratio of AUCCSFto the AUC of the fraction in serum that was not bound (AUCCSF/AUCS,free) strongly correlated with logD(rS= 0.67;P< 0.0001). In the presence of meningeal inflammation, AUCCSF/AUCSalso correlated positively with logD(rS= 0.46;P= 0.002) and negatively with the MM (rS= −0.37;P= 0.01). The correlation of AUCCSF/AUCS,freewith logD(rS= 0.66;P< 0.0001) was as strong as in the absence of meningeal inflammation. Despite these clear correlations, Overton's rule was able to explain only part of the differences in CSF penetration of the individual compounds. The site of CSF withdrawal (lumbar versus ventricular CSF), age of the patients, underlying diseases, active transport, and alterations in the pharmacokinetics by comedications also appeared to strongly influence the CSF penetration of the drugs studied.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (90) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Iryna Sarga ◽  
Jakub Bonisławski ◽  
Michał Spieszny

Aim. The main aim of the research was to evaluate and compare changes in accuracy of throws performed by KS Cracovia 1906 handball players, before and after endurance effort. Basic procedures. The study was carried out among14 players who played in the second women’s handball division in the 2016/2017 season. The study took place during final preparations for the season, at the beginning of September 2016. The level of durability of the tested players was assessed using the Beep Test and the accuracy of throws, both before and after the endurance effort (after the Beep Test), was analysed, considering the training and endurance experience of the tested handball players. Basic methods of descriptive statistics, the Student’s t-test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used in the preparation of the results, and to assess the size of differences between the individual players, normalised indicators were calculated. Results main findings. Analysis of the research results presented in the study showed that after a long-term effort of endurance nature, the accuracy of throws among the tested handball players decreased. It seems that they suffered from nervous system fatigue leading to less accurate and less precise performance of motor tasks. Conclusions. On the basis of the analysis performed in the study, the following conclusions were drawn: that the accuracy of throws among KS Cracovia 1906 handball players after a long endurance effort, significantly decreased, and the accuracy of throws, both before and after the endurance effort, does not depend on the training period. Furthermore, more time should be devoted to the formation of aerobic strength in training the tested team.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Mikhailova ◽  
Dmitrij Koba

The main idea of the presented work is the assumption that innovative behavior is largely predetermined by the synthesis of values and motives, the relationship of which has not been sufficiently studied. The article presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the value-motivational characteristics of managers with different levels of expression of innovativeness. On the basis of the theoretical study, the authors of the article formulated a hypothesis about the presence of significant differences in value-motivational characteristics among managers with different levels of innovativeness. The hypothesis determined the goal of the empirical study, which was to establish links between value-motivational characteristics and the specificity of the severity of innovativeness among middle managers working in manufacturing companies. The study involved 83 respondents from 25 to 50 years old, working in manufacturing companies in the Moscow region. The survey was carried out using the following methods: (1) methodology "Diagnostics of the real structure of personal value orientations" by S.S. Bubnova; (2) questionnaire "Diagnostics of the motivational structure of personality" by V.E. Milman; (3) "Scale of self-assessment of innovative personality traits" (N.M. Lebedeva, A.N. Tatarko). For statistical verification of the results, the Kruskal-Wallis H-test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used. The empirical results obtained made it possible to identify managers with different levels of self-assessment of innovativeness among the respondents and to obtain in each of the groups specific data on the manifestation of value-motivational characteristics of behavior and activity. At the end of the article, the authors formulated recommendations to enhance the professional activity of managers with different levels of self-assessment of innovativeness. In particular, it is important to develop training programs that correct the value-motivational sphere of the individual, taking into account the synthesis of those values and motives of activity that are characteristic of groups with high, medium and low self-esteem of innovativeness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Jiang ◽  
Peian Lou ◽  
Xiaoluo Chen ◽  
Chenguang Wu ◽  
Shihe Shao

Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is mainly affected by genetic and environmental factors; however, the correlation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with T2DM remains largely unknown. Methods Microarray analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in patients with T2DM and healthy controls, and the expression of two candidate lncRNAs (lnc-HIST1H2AG-6 and lnc-AIM1-3) were further validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to measure the degree of association between the two candidate lncRNAs and differentially expressed mRNAs. Furthermore, the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway and GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis were used to reveal the biological functions of the two candidate lncRNAs. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed. Results The microarray analysis revealed that there were 55 lncRNAs and 36 mRNAs differentially expressed in patients with T2DM compared with healthy controls. Notably, lnc-HIST1H2AG-6 was significantly upregulated and lnc-AIM1-3 was significantly downregulated in patients with T2DM, which was validated in a large-scale qRT-PCR examination (90 controls and 100 patients with T2DM). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient revealed that both lncRNAs were correlated with 36 differentially expressed mRNAs. Furthermore, functional enrichment (KEGG and GO) analysis demonstrated that the two lncRNA-related mRNAs might be involved in multiple biological functions, including cell programmed death, negative regulation of insulin receptor signal, and starch and sucrose metabolism. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that lnc-HIST1H2AG-6 and lnc-AIM1-3 were significantly correlated with T2DM (OR = 5.791 and 0.071, respectively, both P = 0.000). Furthermore, the ROC curve showed that the expression of lnc-HIST1H2AG-6 and lnc-AIM1-3 might be used to differentiate patients with T2DM from healthy controls (area under the ROC curve = 0.664 and 0.769, respectively). Conclusion The profiles of lncRNA and mRNA were significantly changed in patients with T2DM. The expression levels of lnc-HIST1H2AG-6 and lnc-AIM1-3 genes were significantly correlated with some features of T2DM, which may be used to distinguish patients with T2DM from healthy controls and may serve as potential novel biomarkers for diagnosis in the future.


Author(s):  
Ian Howard ◽  
Peter Cameron ◽  
Maaret Castrén ◽  
Lee Wallis ◽  
Veronica Lindström

ABSTRACT Background Quality Indicator (QI) appraisal protocols are a novel methodology that combines multiple appraisal methods to comprehensively assess the "appropriateness" of QIs for a particular healthcare setting. However, they remain inadequately explored compared to the single appraisal method approach. This paper aimed to describe and test a QI appraisal protocol versus the single method approach, against a series of QIs potentially relevant to the South African Prehospital Emergency Care setting. Methods An appraisal protocol was developed consisting of two categorical-based appraisal methods, combined with the qualitative analysis of the discussion generated during the consensus application of each method. The output of the protocol was assessed and compared with the application and output of each method. Inter-rater reliability of each particular method was evaluated prior to group consensus rating. Variation in the number of non-valid QIs and the proportion of non-valid QIs identified between each method and the protocol were compared and assessed. Results There was mixed IRR of the individual methods. There was similarly low to moderate correlation of the results obtained between the particular methods (Spearman’s rank correlation=0.42,p&lt;0.001). From a series of 104 QIs, 11 non-valid QIs were identified that were shared between the individual methods. A further 19 non-valid QIs were identified and not shared by each method, highlighting the benefits of a multi-method approach. The outcomes were additionally evident in the group discussion analysis, which in and of itself added further input that would not have otherwise been captured by the individual methods alone. Conclusion The utilization of a multi-method appraisal protocol offers multiple benefits, when compared to the single appraisal approach, and can provide the confidence that the outcomes of the appraisal will ensure a strong foundation on which the QI framework can be successfully implemented.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 769
Author(s):  
Yuko Hara ◽  
Kenichi Goda ◽  
Shinichi Hirooka ◽  
Takehiro Mitsuishi ◽  
Masahiro Ikegami ◽  
...  

We previously reported that superficial non-ampullary duodenal tumors (SNADETs) commonly had a whitish mucosal surface, named milk-white mucosa (MWM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of MWM with epithelial intracellular lipid droplets (immunohistochemically stained by adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP)) and histological tumor grades. We reviewed endoscopic images and the histopathology of SNADETs resected en bloc endoscopically. We analyzed the correlation between the positive rates of endoscopic MWM in preoperative endoscopy and resected specimens, and ADRP-positive rates in the resected specimens. Associations between the MWM-positive rates and tumor grades, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN)/intramucosal carcinoma (IC), and low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) were analyzed. All the 92 SNADETs analyzed were <20 mm and histologically classified into 39 HGIN/IC and 53 LGIN. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient showed a significant correlation between MWM-positive and ADRP-positive rates (p < 0.001). MWM-positive rates were significantly lower in the HGIN/IC than in the LGIN in preoperative endoscopy (p < 0.001) and resected specimens (p = 0.02). Our results suggest that endoscopic MWM is closely associated with epithelial intracellular lipid droplets and that the MWM-positive rate may be a predictor of histological grade in small SNADETs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (02) ◽  
pp. 209-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luana Berwig ◽  
Ana da Silva ◽  
Eliane Corrêa ◽  
Eliane Serpa ◽  
Rodrigo Ritzel

Summary Introduction: Hyperplasia of the pharyngeal tonsil is one of the main causes of mouth breathing, and accurate diagnosis of this alteration is important for proper therapeutic planning. Therefore, studies have been conducted in order to provide information regarding the procedures that can be used for the diagnosis of pharyngeal obstruction. Objective: To verify the correlation between nasopharyngoscopy and cephalometric examinations in the diagnosis of pharyngeal tonsil hyperplasia. Method: This was a cross-sectional, clinical, experimental, and quantitative study. Fifty-five children took part in this study, 30 girls and 25 boys, aged between 7 and 11 years. The children underwent nasofibropharyngoscopic and cephalometric evaluation to determine the grade of nasopharyngeal obstruction. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient at the 5% significance level was used to verify the correlation between these exams. Results: In the nasopharyngoscopy evaluation, most children showed grade 2 and 3 hyperplasia of the pharyngeal tonsil, which was followed by grade 1. In the cephalometry assessment, most children showed grade 1 hyperplasia of the pharyngeal tonsil, which was followed by grade 2. A statistically significant regular positive correlation was observed between the exams. Conclusion: It was concluded that the evaluation of the pharyngeal tonsil hyperplasia could be carried out by fiber optic nasopharyngoscopy and cephalometry, as these examinations were regularly correlated. However, it was found that cephalometry tended to underestimate the size of the pharyngeal tonsil relative to nasopharyngoscopy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Urszula Kaczmarek ◽  
Wojciech Kowalczyk ◽  
Dariusz Gozdowski ◽  
Dorota Olczak-Kowalczyk

Introduction. The use of age- and risk-adjusted caries prevention requires up-to-date knowledge on the cariostatic effects of fluoride, as well as the methods and safety of fluoride prophylaxis. Aim. The aim of the study was to assess dentists’ knowledge of the safety and mechanism of anticaries effects of fluoride. Material and methods. An anonymous questionnaire was conducted among 212 dentists participating in dental training. The questions included in the questionnaire related to knowledge about water fluoridation, fluoride cariostatic mechanisms and the safety of fluoride prophylaxis. The chi-square test and the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. A significance level of 0.05 was used. Results. Incorrect knowledge about water fluoridation was demonstrated by 26.9% of respondents in the country and 16.0% of respondents in Europe. Most respondents (80.7%) reported higher efficacy of exogenous vs endogenous anticaries approaches, and more than half of respondents (59.0%) considered the processes of remineralisation and demineralisation as the most important anticaries activity. Almost all respondents (95.7%) agreed that the use of fluoride for caries prevention is controversial, mainly due to its dose-dependent therapeutic or toxic effects (85.4%). According to about 20% of respondents, cariostatic fluoride doses have adverse effects on the general health, mainly in the form of bone fragility (10.4%). Conclusions. Lack of correct knowledge about the dominant cariostatic effects of fluoride may result in the choice of an inappropriate preventive method or avoiding local application of fluoride preparations for fear of adverse systemic effects, which may in turn lead to increased caries prevalence in a given population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-428
Author(s):  
Danwen Bao ◽  
Xiaoling Zhang ◽  
Jiayu Gu

To scientifically and accurately evaluate the status of the development of green airports in China, evaluation methods of green, ecological airports are established in this paper. To address the shortcomings in subjective and objective weighting methods, we propose a combination weighting method based on Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and evaluation grades based on interval approximation. At the same time, by taking into account resource conservation, environmental friendliness, operation efficiency, and people-oriented service, we propose an evaluation index system and an interval number for each index. Lastly, the theory is applied to five large airports in different regions of China. Analysis of the evaluation results shows that Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) have the highest scores for the resource conservation and environmental friendliness indexes, thus indicating that the development of a green ecological airport is closely related to its passenger transportation scale and economic strength. All considered airports showed the need for upgrading public  service facilities and constructing intelligent equipment. The method proposed in this paper is reasonable  and reliable; therefore, it can provide guidance for the evaluation and construction of green, ecological  airports.


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