Use of spatial analysis in the mining field in the Udorka Valley. Introduction to geoarchaeological search for flint workshops at site 24 in Poręba Dzierżna (Małopolska Province, southern Poland)

The aim of the paper is to present regional business framework which affects small and medium-sized enterprises’ development. The paper presents results of own empirical research, which were conducted in late-2004 year within two groups: entrepreneurs and local authorities. The research was restricted to two provinces in southern Poland (Lesser Poland Voivodeship - Malopolska and Silesian Voivodeship - Śląsk), which make up one region within the EU NUTS classification (region II). The first research group consisted of 109 micro, small and medium-sized firms random sample and the second one of 150 commune authorities. The empirical study was based on the numerous questions, which thematically can be divided into three groups: local business environment, the entrepreneurial attitude of the owner and the characteristics of the firm as well as the development of a firm. In entrepreneurs’ perceptions nationalwide factors (96,2%) and entrepreneurial attitude of entrepreneurs (94,3%) matter most on development of small and medium-sized enterprises, but regional factors in entrepreneur’s opinions also play a very important role (76,5%). The factors based in regional business environment can be divided into two groups: stimuli and barriers. On the basis of empirical research it is possible to determine upon sixteen barriers and stimuli of small and medium-sized enterprises development, in addition to which it is worth underlining, that they are common for the whole studied community, as only in two incidents statistical essential differences were proved. As far as legal form is concerned differences of financial support evaluation were affirmed (χ2 = 8,43 at p = 0,07, χ2 YATESA = 9,05 at p = 0,06). One-man private enterprises considerably more often than remaining enterprises defined this factor as a barrier. Industrial enterprises in predominant majority (considerably more often than remaining enterprises) defined public financial support as a barrier of small and medium-sized enterprises development (χ2 = 26,2 near p = 0,03), but in addition to which the level of significance in first case is rather weak. Taking additionally the percentages of confirmed dependences into account, which carried out 3% (16 factors x 4 variables characterizing each enterprise) it can be commonly accepted, that the prepared on the basis of empirical research composition of barriers and stimuli is typical for the all studied enterprises, which allow for generalizations in this range.

Researches on prehistoric flint mines are currently widely developing, as they allow a deep insight into the past economy, early industry, and the network of trading routes and inter-regional contacts. In the territory of Poland and in general, Central Europe, one of the most important flint raw materials was an Upper Jurassic chert, so-called chocolate flint. In this paper are presented preliminary results of the research of chocolate flint mine in Poręba Dzierżna, site 24 (Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, southern Poland). The outcrop, and anthropogenic relief indicating the activity of prehistoric miners, were discovered in 2013. Recently excavations undertaken on the site recorded the remains of mining shafts, spoil heaps, and rich traces of workshops. The deposits of chocolate flint were previously known only in the Holy Cross Mountains, 130 km to the NE. The research undertaken has therefore a significant impact on the existing interpretations related to the extraction, use, and distribution of chocolate flint by prehistoric communities in Central Europe.

Polonium (210Po) concentrations in different honey samples from Lower Silesian Voivodeship and Lesser Poland Voivodeship (southern Poland) were determined. Significantly higher 210Po concentrations were observed near mining heaps and former excavations versus background areas. Differences in 210Po concentrations were also observed for honeydew versus nectar honey and between the two voivodeships.

The correct estimation of ambulance travel time is an extremely important issue from the perspective of healthcare and the security of citizens. In some events, the threat to the health or life of an injured person increases with each minute of waiting for an ambulance. The authors of this article analyzed how ambulances travel throughout the entire Lesser Poland voivodeship in southern Poland. Based on the analysis of 300 million GPS records that were collected over several years from 300 ambulances, real ambulance speed characteristics were compiled for the most important cities in the region. The obtained results regarding ambulance speed characteristics were used to understand the correlation between ambulance speed, the density of the road network, and the built-up areas of a given city. Furthermore, the impact on the speed of ambulances of traffic, time of day, day of the week, or the season was also examined. The influence of the use of ambulances’ lights/sirens on travel time was also examined. The culmination of the research was the presentation of the theoretical foundations of coverage maps and a method of implementing them based on the determined speed characteristics. The presented studies show that the speed at which ambulances move is a very local phenomenon. Also, a relatively constant average speed of ambulances throughout the whole week was found. Moreover, a difference in speed between signaled and non-signaled ambulance trips was observed. The speed characteristics that were obtained were used as input data for the development of dynamic coverage maps, which are an invaluable tool for supporting the decisions of ambulance dispatchers.

Erigeron sumatrensis is newly reported as casual alien in Poland. A single plant was found growing on the edge of the roadside in Głogoczów near Mogilany, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, southern Poland. The locality was mapped by using the ATPOL cartogram method, and the pathway of introduction by road transport was presented.

The paper presents two new records of alien Gypsophila perfoliata in Poland. It was found on 16 September 2016 in Bodzanów and Łapczyca, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, southern Poland, growing on roadside slopes and in roadside ditch. The updated map of distribution is presented using the ATPOL cartogram method, and the pathways of introduction and spreading are discussed.

The incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is on the rise worldwide. Chronic bronchitis is a frequent accompaniment of COPD, which increases the burden of COPD in affected individuals. The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotype of chronic bronchitis in COPD patients. The study was based on the survey data retrospectively retrieved from the Action Health-Lung Cancer Prophylaxis and Health Care Improvement screening program that concerned all the inhabitants, aged over 40, of the Proszowice administrative region situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland. Participants with the symptoms suggestive of a lung disease were subject to further evaluation. The findings were that 546 (13.3%) out of the 4105 individuals displayed spirometry features of COPD. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis were present in 92 (16.8%) out of the COPD afflicted persons. Chronic bronchitis was commoner in current smokers and its incidence increased with increasing severity of airway obstruction. In multivariate analysis, chronic bronchitis was independently related to lower FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and to dyspnea. In regression model, factors related to increased risk of chronic bronchitis were current smoking, asthma, and lower lung function. We conclude that COPD with coexisting chronic bronchitis is linked to severer dyspnea and worse lung function. Current smoking, asthma, and lower lung function are related to increased risk of chronic bronchitis accompanying COPD.

Spergularia marina, a rare native halophyte and nationally vulnerable species, is reported from a new locality in southern Poland. It was found on 14 September 2016 in Mogilany, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, growing between paving stones at the Zakopianka road. Map of distribution of S. marina in Poland based on the ATPOL cartogram method is provided, and its possible pathways of introduction are discussed.

Cystic echinococcosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases affecting humans and livestock worldwide, and is endemic in Poland. A set of six isolates on larval stages of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato tapeworms collected from three humans, two pigs and one sheep from Polish foci of CE was examined by DNA sequencing of two mitochondrial genes (cox1, rrnS). The results demonstrated the presence of E. canadensis and E. granulosus sensu stricto in the investigated hydatid cysts. The former species was found in all five isolates from pigs and humans derived from central Poland. In a sheep hydatid cyst originating from Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland, E. granulosus s. s. (G1 genotype) was identified. This is the first report of an unambiguously autochthonous infection with E. granulosus s. s. in Poland. The global distribution and host affiliations of the commonly occurring G1 microvariant with nucleotide change 56C/T in cox1, detected here in Polish sheep, are discussed. The finding that sheep harboured E. granulosus s. s. may have important consequences for developing effective hydatid control programmes in Poland due to its longer maturation rate in dogs compared with E. canadensis G7. This may lead to greater expenditures for purchasing anthelmintics to provide an appropriate dosing regime in sheep-raising areas of the country.

<p>In this study, we used DTMs from airborne LIDAR data to reveal an unexpectedly high concentration of relict mining shafts and relict charcoal hearths, small landforms that record past metallurgy and can potentially provide new data on its history and environmental impact. We determined the number and distribution of relict shafts in the mining area of Tarnowskie Góry and Bytom (Silesian Upland, southern Poland) and relict charcoal hearths in the adjacent Mała Panew River valley (Silesian Lowland, southern Poland). We also aimed to explore details of relief and structure of selected shafts and hearths located in past mining and smelting centres, date their age with the radiocarbon method and compare dating results with existing historical data. On the mining field under study, we have found 13 864 relict mining shafts spread over 10,5 km2, varying in size (2-50 m in diameter) and relief details (with common features such as central depression and surrounding collar-shaped spoil heap). Radiocarbon dates of selected relict shafts indicate mining in the following periods: Roman Period (since the beginning of the Common Era, up to 5th century AD), Early Medieval to Medieval Period (7th-13th century AD) and Modern Period (15th-17th century AD). At the same time, historical documents provide information only about medieval and modern mining (since the 12th century). In the Mała Panew valley, we have found as many as 166 356 relict charcoal hearths, resulting in an extremely high concentration of 184 relict charcoal hearths per 1 km2 on avg. A typical single relict charcoal hearth in the area under study is 14 m in diameter, c 2 m high with a volume of c 205 m3. Around the central mound of each relict charcoal hearth, 4 to 9 depressions are present (each 2–3 m in diameter and around 0.5 m deep). Most of the radiocarbon dates obtained for selected relict charcoal hearths correspond well with historical data on the nearest individual smelting centres (15th-19th century). However, in some cases, radiocarbon dates from relict charcoal hearths can indicate that the smelting plants may have been established earlier (12th-13th century) than historical sources suggest or that charcoal was used for another kind of activity. The considerable number and concentration of relict mining shafts and relict charcoal hearths record large-scale relief changes caused by silver, lead and iron mining in the study area, as well as significant changes in the environment (i.e. forest cover) caused by wood exploitation for charcoal.</p>

Although certain aspects of the material culture of the Chalco lithic period have been known for more than fifty years, the flint assemblages of this time-span have been studied only sporadically. The large samples of flint artifacts recovered in the large-scale excavations of Teleilat Ghassul and the Beer Sheva sites have been only briefly described or totally ignored. The flint assemblages of T. Ghassul were published in Ghassul I-II by Neuville (1934) and Mahan (1940). Probably the richest sample, the assemblage from this site is described by Neuville without specifying the frequencies of the various artifact types. Whereas for the potsherds, en raison de son importance (Ghassul 1:55),their provenance was mentioned, the less important flint artifacts were treated as a unit, ignoring their distribution in time and space. For the Beer Sheva Chalcolithic sites, which must have yielded thousands of flint artifacts, only a preliminary description of a small sample from l:Iorvat Beter is available (Yeivin 1959). Since many of these implements were thrown away, these pieces are not available for further study. Of the flint assemblages of Bir Safadi and Bir Abu-Matar (Perrot 1968) nothing is yet published. The Besor sites near Tell el-Far'ah (S) yielded rich flint assemblages, but these were published a long time ago (BP II). To summarize, the flint assemblages of the Chalcolithic sites from the southern half of Israel and from T. Ghassul, i.e. the largest, richest and best preserved sites, are inadequately known; the information is either partial, outdated or missing entirely. During the past three decades, advanced methods for the analysis of flint artifacts have been applied to the local Stone Age flint assemblages. The result has been a much better understanding of the Palaeolithic cultural development and distribution. However, these methods have barely been applied to the study of Chalcolithic assemblages. The large quantities of pottery sherds found at these sites are still generally considered to be more informative than their flint artifacts. Recent studies of the known assemblages from the Tell el-Far'ah area by Roshwalb (1981) and new assemblages from northeastern Sinai by Gilead (Oren and Gilead 1981) have shown that the flint artifacts are significant components of the material culture and merit serious attention. The systematic collection of these artifacts, sifting of deposits for the recovery of the minute elements in the assemblage and an attribute analysis of the finds are essential for the proper understanding of the material culture. A further contribution towards a better understanding of the Chalco lithic flint assemblages is provided below in presenting a new tool type: the micro-endscraper.

This article attempts to present some aspects of the spatial reconstruction, modes of use, and social relations in the longhouse settlements of the Linear Pottery culture (LBK) by means of a contextual distributional analysis of ground stone artefacts. Three LBK settlement complexes from Lesser Poland (southern Poland) were selected for analysis based on a considerable number of finds of ground stone tools yielded by the excavations. Accurate determination of the intended use of a stone object, as indicated by the traces of use on its surface, was of central importance. Based on the above data, the author has distinguished two types of household sectors in LBK settlements with longhouses, namely domestic and communal. It is argued that the inhabitants of a given longhouse used the domestic sector for their purposes, while the latter served the community. Significant differences in the proportions of ground stones were found between settlements and between the settlement phases of a village. This leads the author to consider whether there might have been specialized settlements for a particular microregion in addition to the function served by a single longhouse. Each settlement would have specialized in different household tasks.

Adequate access to mechanical thrombectomy during COVID-19 pandemic in lesser Poland Voivodeship in Poland

The aim of the present study is to analyze drowning fatalities in the Vistula River from 2011 to 2020 in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. The material for the study consisted of autopsy protocols provided by the Department of Forensic Medicine in Cracow. Demographic data, results of post-mortem examinations and results of basic toxicological tests - levels of ethyl alcohol in the blood and urine of decedents were analyzed. The extracted data were subjected to statistical analysis using TIBCO Statistica® 13.3.0 software. χ2 and one-way ANOVA tests of independence (p < 0.05) were performed. 79 cases were analyzed. The mean age was 44.2 years (SD = 16.81). The majority of the study group was male (73.1%). 57.9% of men were under the influence of alcohol (>0.5 per mille) at the time of drowning, compared to 23.8% of women (p = 0.008). Most bodies were found between the Kosciuszko and Dąbie barrages (57.0%). Spring and summer were the most common seasons for drownings (59.5%). 35.4% of victims suffered from psychiatric illnesses. Emphysema aquosum was more frequent in bodies that were not in an advanced state of putrefaction (p = 0.000). 23.1% of victims had head injuries, 14.1% - upper limb injuries, while 11.5% had lower limb injuries. Inebriated men are more likely to be victims of drowning, which may be due to a greater tendency toward reckless behavior and irresponsible consumption of alcoholic beverages. Most drownings occur in the city center, which points to suicide as the cause of incident. The occurrence of external injuries is the result of jumping from a great height or the effect of carrying the corpse downstream.

Trapezoidal flint microliths have been attributed to various early agricultural cultures in Central Europe. They are found in both settlements and cemeteries. The cemetery of the Lublin-Volhynian Culture in Książnice, Site 2, one of the two biggest necropolises of younger Danubian cultures in southern Poland, has provided the greatest number of trapezes. Use-wear analysis has revealed the manner in which trapezes were used and has shed some light on the reasons for the presence of these artifacts in graves. Microliths differ in terms of their shapes, their production and usage. The location of microliths within grave pits is heterogeneous, both in relation to the human remains and to other flint artifacts. We observe a different situation at the cemetery of the Jordanów Culture in Domasław, Site 10/11/12. Despite the fact that burial rites of both societies were similar in many respects, the distribution and the function of trapezes from graves in Domasław is quite uniform as compared to Książnice