Lublin Province Research Articles

Senior organizations at the time of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Part I.

Senior Clubs are the most commonly available and, in most cases, free form of activation of older people. The aim of their functioning is improvement in the quality of life of seniors through education and activation. By using research tools to assess the needs of seniors it is possible to determine the direction of intervention related with an effective therapeutic, educational and activation procedures. An individual approach to seniors seems to be the key to knowing their real needs, which significantly determine the quality of life, and may also help limit the escalation of gerontophobia occurring in the society. Research was conducted among participants in Senior Clubs and Universities of the Third Age. The aim of the study was verification of the needs, expectations, and potential barriers faced by seniors at the time of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The basic tool used in the study was an author-constructed, anonymous questionnaire including items from the standardized European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47). Participation in the survey was voluntary, and the selection criterion was participation in meetings of senior organisations located in the Lublin Province of eastern Poland. The study showed that the distance between the place of residence of seniors and the location of senior institutions was the factor determining participation in the classes. In addition, during the period of sanitary regime the seniors had increased difficulties with access to medical care and medical specialists. Senior institutions and organizations should consider the needs of seniors and adjust their offer to the challenges resulting from the period of social isolation.

A PROPOSED METHOD FOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE TESTING WITHIN A HEARING SCREENING PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN STARTING SCHOOL

This article sets out a proposal for how one might expand hearing screening in school children so as to include testing of speech mastery. From 2008 to 2019, the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing (IPPH) implemented a program to screen the hearing of Polish children starting school, covering over 1 million children. Its success prompted the development of a screening model to cover the entire process of verbal communication. One result was the "Equal Start in Education", a program implemented from 2019 to 2022 in the Lublin province, otherwise known as the "Lublin Program for Early Detection and Therapy of Communication Disorders in Children Starting School". It was conducted by the University Children’s Clinical Hospital in Lublin and the Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, in cooperation with IPPH, and was designed to assess hearing, auditory processing, voice, and speech-language. The program was successful in addressing various issues related to the screening of all communication skills. Here we present findings from the program and propose a testing procedure used to evaluate speech. The screening procedure might be applied more widely in the future, and could diagnose those children requiring audiological and speech-language therapy.

Effect of virus infection on the fruit quality of sour cherry cultivar Łutówka

A survey was carried out on a commercial sour cherry fruit orchard located in Lublin province in Poland to determine the influence of viruses on the fruit quality of sour cherry cv. Łutówka. Leaf samples from trees of sour cherry cv. Łutówka were tested for Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), Prune dwarf virus (PDV), Little cherry virus 1 (LChV-1), Little cherry virus 2 (LChV-2), Cherry virus A (CVA), Cherry green ring mottle virus (CGRMV), Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus (CNRMV), Cherry rasp leaf virus (CRLV) and Cherry mottle leaf virus (CMLV) using the RT-PCR technique. The results indicated that PNRSV and PNRSV+CVA infected the samples. PDV, LChV-1, LChV-2, CGRMV, CNRMV, CRLV, and CMLV were not detected in any of the tested sour cherry trees. The effect of virus infection on the chemical composition of sour cherry fruits was investigated. The anthocyanin, total phenolic and vitamin C contents, and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The total phenolic compound, vitamin C contents, and antioxidant activity were significantly higher in PNRSV- and PNRSV+CVA-infected than in virus-free sour cherry fruits. The total anthocyanin content in PNRSV- or PNRSV+CVA-infected fruits was lower than in control trees. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the world about the effect of PNRSV or PNRSV+CVA infection on the anthocyanin compounds, total polyphenolic compounds, vitamin C contents, and the antioxidant activity of sour cherry fruits.

Exchangeable versus residual metals in naturally aged plastic litter.

Metals may be associated with plastics as additives arising from manufacture or through acquisition from the environment, but these associations are often poorly defined or referred to synonymously when considering metal availability. In this study, samples of plastic litter (n = 22) have been collected from various environmental and industrial compartments of Lublin Province, Poland, and fractionated according to polymer type (polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, expanded polystyrene, polypropylene, and "mixed") before being micronised to < 2mm. Composites (n = 89) were subjected to two phases of a standardised and widely employed sequential extraction protocol (Bureau Communautaire de Reference; BCR) in order to define available (acid-soluble and exchangeable) and residual (soluble in boiling aqua regia) concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. For a given metal, total content, calculated by summing available and residual components, was highly variable, both between locations and amongst polymer categories, reflecting the heterogeneous distribution of a multitude of different additives. Overall, however, concentrations were greatest for Fe, with medians of several hundred to several thousand mg kg-1 amongst the different polymers, and lowest for Cd, Co, and Ni, where nearly all concentrations were below 10mgkg-1. Median percentage metal availabilities were greatest for expanded polystyrene and were above 25% for Mn and Zn and below 10% for Cr and Fe in all polymer types. These observations are largely, but not entirely, attributed to the relative contributions of metals acquired from the environment and metals present as additives and residues. Significantly, the approach employed allows direct comparisons of metal availability in plastics with metal availability in environmental solids in order to evaluate the overall impacts of plastics in metal risk assessments.

Cytokine inflammatory response in dairy cows with mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae.

The aim of the study was evaluation of the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, IL-12β and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the serum and milk of cows with mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae. A total of 60 milk samples from diseased cows and 30 milk samples from healthy cows were included in the study. Blood and milk samples were taken from Holstein-Friesian cows from three herds (two in tie-stall and one in a free-stall housing system) in Lublin Province in Poland. The concentrations of cytokines in blood serum and quarter milk samples were determined by ELISA. The levels of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12β and TNF-α were significantly higher in the milk of cows suffering from mastitis caused by S. agalactiae compared to the milk of healthy cows (263.03 vs 55.36 pg/mL, 298.34 vs 131.82 pg/mL, 604.10 vs 139.17 pg/mL and 460.86 vs 78.82 pg/mL, respectively). In the group of sick cows, cytokine levels were significantly higher in milk than in serum (263.03 vs 55.25 pg/mL for IL-1β, 298.34 vs 164.22 pg/mL for IL-8, 604.10 vs 70.34 pg/mL for IL-12β and 460.86 vs 104.78 pg/mL for TNF-α). The results confirm the involvement of the entire bovine immune system to protect against the bacteria first locally in the udder. The response of the mammary gland to infection caused by S. agalactiae is rapid and already very strong at the beginning of the infection.

First report of Bartonella sp. isolated from Hippobosca equina L.(Hippoboscidae: Hippobosca) in Lublin Province, south-eastern Poland.

Hippobosca equina (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), is a widespread blood-feeding ectoparasite associated with the forest ecosystem. The insect is characterized by a wide host range and low host specificity, which increases the risk of feeding on animals that constitute a reservoir of transmissible pathogens, including Bartonella spp. Hippobosca equina adults were collected from humans and companion animals within a continental mesotrophic oak-pine mixed forest in eastern Poland. DNA was isolated by the ammonia method, and isolates obtained from single individuals were tested by PCR method for the presence of 5 vector-borne pathogens. In case of the positive results, the amplicons were sequenced and examined by a BLAST search. The PCR analysis of DNA isolates obtained from 100 H.equina specimens revealed the presence of the RNA polymerase beta-subunit gene (rpoB) of the genus Bartonella, in 1% of the studied insects, i.e. one H.equina female. The rpoB gene haplotype of Bartonella sp. reported in this study, was identical to a Bartonella sp. sequence obtained from deer keds in Lithuania, and very closely related to strains with zoonotic potential. None of the H.equina specimens studied was positive for the presence of B.burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., and Coxiella burnetii. The study indicates the need to screen the occurrence of Bartonella spp., both in potential vectors and reservoirs of this pathogen in various habitats.

Descriptive Analysis of Trauma Admission Trends before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Traumatic injuries are a significant global health concern, with profound medical and socioeconomic impacts. This study explores the patterns of trauma-related hospitalizations in the Lublin Province of Poland, with a particular focus on the periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary aim of this research was to assess the trends in trauma admissions, the average length of hospital stays, and mortality rates associated with different types of injuries, comparing urban and rural settings over two distinct time periods: 2018-2019 and 2020-2021. This descriptive study analyzed trauma admission data from 35 hospitals in the Lublin Province, as recorded in the National General Hospital Morbidity Study (NGHMS). Patients were classified based on the International Classification of Diseases Revision 10 (ICD-10) codes. The data were compared for two periods: an 11-week span during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and the equivalent period in 2019. The study found a decrease in overall trauma admissions during the pandemic years (11,394 in 2020-2021 compared to 17,773 in 2018-2019). Notably, the average length of hospitalization increased during the pandemic, especially in rural areas (from 3.5 days in 2018-2019 to 5.5 days in 2020-2021 for head injuries). Male patients predominantly suffered from trauma, with a notable rise in female admissions for abdominal injuries during the pandemic. The maximal hospitalization days were higher in rural areas for head and neck injuries during the pandemic. The study highlights significant disparities in trauma care between urban and rural areas and between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. It underscores the need for healthcare systems to adapt to changing circumstances, particularly in rural settings, and calls for targeted strategies to address the specific challenges faced in trauma care during public health crises.

Indoor Air Quality in Schools Located in Poland, Lublin Province

Indoor Air Quality in Schools Located in Poland, Lublin Province

How to effectively build the image of an emerging destination.

Only a few studies have focused on building the image of emerging destinations. The region’s image is influenced by its tourist attractiveness (image-related perception) and the knowledge about its tourist attributes (recognition). To build the image of emerging destinations, the attributes of attractiveness should be identified. In this study, such an attempt was made for Lublin Province. A diagnostic survey and statistical methods were used to assess the perception of its attractiveness and the recognition of the attractiveness attributes by visitors. Lublin Province has no tourism image, and its attractiveness attributes are identified only vaguely. The landscape is the only attribute on which the image of this destination can be built.

The effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy in the acute phase of ischemic stroke based on the experience of the rural community of the Lublin Province in eastern Poland

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis - recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is currently popular among the recommended treatments for fresh ischemic stroke, mainly within 4 – 5 hours of the first symptoms. Still too many patients are delayed or not eligible for causal treatment because of a time out. Despite the growing public awareness associated with brain vascular diseases, there are still environments where it seems inadequate. This mainly applies to rural areas. Evaluation of the effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy in the acute phase of ischemic stroke on the background of differences related to the time of measurement. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy in the acute phase of ischemic stroke based on the experience of the rural community of the Lublin Province in eastern Poland. Methods: The diagnostic survey method with the survey technique was used. A standardized research tool was used - the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The study involved 81 patients of the Department of Neurology - Stroke Unit of the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Lublin, reporting their place of residence in rural areas. Results: The biggest difference in patients treated with alteplase was observed in measurements between day 1 and 10 (Z = 3.951, p &lt;0.001), where the average NIHSS score on the first day it brought M = 10.36, and on the 10th day M = 4.04. A slight difference in NIHSS scores was observed in patients who did not receive thrombolytic therapy. The largest difference was observed between day 1 and 10 (Z = 5.408 p &lt;0.001), where the average NIHSS score on day 1 was M = 9.08 and on 10. M = 5.21. Conclusions: Among patients who received thrombolytic therapy there was a faster improvement in neurological status compared to patients who did not receive such treatment.

Knowledge, protection behaviours and seroprevalence of Lyme borreliosis in inhabitants of Lublin Province, eastern Poland - evaluation of a prophylaxis programme.

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most frequent tick-borne disease with 17,338 cases reported in Poland in 2022. Since research on a LB vaccine is still ongoing, the promotion of individual behaviours and limiting of tick exposure is one of the most effective ways to prevent LB. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the LB prevention programme by assessing the knowledge, practice behaviours, seroprevalence of LB and satisfaction among the population of the Lublin Province in eastern Poland. The prevention programme was carried out among 2,920 participants who were asked about their exposure to ticks, history of LB and prevention behaviours. Awareness of knowledge was evaluated before and after training. Seroprevalence of LB was rated by ELISA and immunoblot assays. Over 73% of participants reported tick bites in their lifetime, without significant differences between rural and urban area inhabitants. More than 80% of individuals declared that they use protective measures (PPM), such as proper clothes and body checking; repellents were the least frequently used by participants. The diagnosis of LB but not tick bites in a lifetime influenced the more frequent use of PPM. Increase in knowledge was observed in 86% of participants after education, and the highest knowledge was noted among respondents with higher education. The seroprevalence of anti-B.burgdorferi antibodies was 37% and was higher among men than women (40% vs. 36%). The population of Lublin Province is highly exposed to tick bites and infection with B. burgdorferi. The high seroprevalence and increase in knowledge confirmed the effectiveness and need for preventive programmes. These results can be useful for optimizing and enhancing the effects of future prevention campaigns.

Evaluating Changes in Trauma Epidemiology during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Insights and Implications for Public Health and Disaster Preparedness.

The COVID-19 pandemic demanded changes in healthcare systems worldwide. The lockdown brought about difficulties in healthcare access. However, trauma still required further attention considering its modifications. The presented study aims to investigate the variances in epidemiological patterns of trauma during the lockdown and the previous year, with a view to better understand the modifications in healthcare provision. The authors analyzed data from the first lockdown in 2020 (12 March-30 May) and the same period in 2019 from 35 hospitals in Lublin Province. A total of 10,806 patients in 2019 and 5212 patients in 2020 were included in the research. The uncovered changes adhered to the total admissions and mortality rate, the frequency of injuries in particular body regions, and injury mechanisms. The lockdown period resulted in a reduction in trauma, requiring an altered approach to healthcare provision. Our research indicates that the altered approach facilitated during such periods is essential for delivering tailored help to trauma patients.

The Effectiveness of a UAV-Based LiDAR Survey to Develop Digital Terrain Models and Topographic Texture Analyses.

This study presents a comparison of data acquired from three LiDAR sensors from different manufacturers, i.e., Yellow Scan Mapper (YSM), AlphaAir 450 Airborne LiDAR System CHC Navigation (CHC) and DJI Zenmuse L1 (L1). The same area was surveyed with laser sensors mounted on the DIJ Matrice 300 RTK UAV platform. In order to compare the data, a diverse test area located in the north-western part of the Lublin Province in eastern Poland was selected. The test area was a gully system with high vegetation cover. In order to compare the UAV information, LiDAR reference data were used, which were collected within the ISOK project (acquired for the whole area of Poland). In order to examine the differentiation of the acquired data, both classified point clouds and DTM products calculated on the basis of point clouds acquired from individual sensors were compared. The analyses showed that the largest average height differences between terrain models calculated from point clouds were recorded between the CHC sensor and the base data, exceeding 2.5 m. The smallest differences were recorded between the L1 sensor and ISOK data-RMSE was 0.31 m. The use of UAVs to acquire very high resolution data can only be used locally and must be subject to very stringent landing site preparation procedures, as well as data processing in DTM and its derivatives.

Psychiatric conditions in the practice of National Emergency Medical Services teams in eastern Poland during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic.

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic in Poland on the number of visits by National Medical Rescue teams to patients with mental disorders. The study included a retrospective analysis of EMT departures from the Łuków district (northern part of the Lublin province) in the two-year period 3.2019-2.2021 (one year before epidemic -period I, the year of the epidemic -period II). The material consisted of Departure Request Cards and Medical Rescue Cards. In 2-year period were 862 events that met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis, 442- period I and 420- period II, respectively. In both periods, men were analyzed more often (68.7% Pre-Pan; 71.1% Pan). Interventions were more frequent in cities (60.3% Pre-Pan; 60.7% Pan). The share of alcohol and psychoactive substances as a cause of EMS interventions in psychiatric conditions was higher in pandemic. 1. The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant impact on the number of EMS interventions related to mental disorders in the area covered by the analysis 2. The average duration of EMS interventions to psychiatric conditions slightly increased during the epidemic period 3. Both in the period before and during the pandemic, in the interventions covered by the analysis, men were much more likely to be EMT patients 4. The age of the patients included in the analysis did not change significantly before and during the pandemic 5. Events caused by alcohol abuse and exacerbations of schizophrenia symptoms both before and during the pandemic have the largest share in the analysis.

Comparative analysis of total protein, casein, lactose, and fat content in milk of cows suffering from subclinical and clinical mastitis caused by Streptococcus spp.

The aim of the study was to analyse the total protein (TP), casein (CAS), lactose (LAC), and fat content of milk from cows with subclinical (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) caused by Streptococcus spp. A total of 60 milk samples from diseased cows and 30 milk samples from healthy cows were included in the study. Milk samples were taken from Holstein-Friesian cows from four dairy farms in Lublin Province. The bacteriological examination of the milk was performed and the somatic cells count in 1 mL of milk was determined using a SomaCount FC automatic cell counter. Determination of TP, CAS, LAC, FAT and FA levels in milk was carried out using a DairySpec FT automated Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Total protein in milk from HE was significantly higher than in milk from cows with mastitis (4.04% vs 3.57% in milk from SCM cows and 3.7% in milk from CM cows, P = 0.001). The CAS level was 2.73% in milk from CM cows and 2.92% in milk from SCM cows vs 3.30% in milk from HE cows, P = 0.001. The changes in CAS and TP in milk resulted in a significant difference in the CAS/TP ratio (81.7% in milk from HE cows vs 73.8% in milk from CM cows). A decrease in levels was also recorded for LAC (4.8% in milk from HE cows vs 4.51% in milk from SCM cows and 4.01% in milk from CM cows, P = 0.001). The fat level was significantly higher in milk from healthy cows than in milk from cows with mastitis (4.0% vs 2.3% in milk from SCM cows and 1.64% in milk from CM cows, P = 0.001). It should be emphasised that the decrease in the levels of TP, LAC and FAT was significant not only in milk from CM cows but also in milk from SCM cows. This is very unfavourable, because the reduction in the main milk components results in poor quality dairy products and impairs line processes.

Ludzie i metody. Rozbijanie podziemia niepodległościowego w Lubartowskiem (lipiec 1944 – kwiecień 1947)

The Lubartów district was one of the poorest areas of the Lublin province; nevertheless, strong structures of the independence underground subordinated and then reporting to the legitimate Polish government in exile were active in its area. The main crackdown on the underground occurred between August 1944 and April 1947. In the first year after the communists took power, the Soviets and the structures of the repression apparatus created in Lubartów took the main role in smashing the local underground. Its Polish officers mostly came from rural backgrounds and were poorly educated and trained. Ethnically, they were mostly Poles. However, at the District Public Security Office (PUBP) in Lubartów, two of the first three PUBP managers were Ukrainians by origin. The section that was responsible for fighting the underground was initially headed by a Jew, who was succeeded by a Ukrainian. Despite their low level of education and training, it was security office (UB) officers who were victorious in the crackdown on the local underground. Soviet assistance, violence and lawlessness guaranteed success.

Use of neural network based on international classification ICD-10 in patients with head and neck injuries in Lublin Province, Poland, between 2006-2018, as a predictive value of the outcomes of injury sustained.

Head and neck injuries are a heterogeneous group in terms of both clinical course and prognosis. For years, there have been attempts to create an ideal tool to predict the outcomes and severity of injuries. The aim of this study was evaluation of the use of selected artificial intelligence methods for outcome predictions of head and neck injuries. 6,824 consecutive cases of patients who sustained head and neck injuries, treated in hospitals in the Lublin Province between 2006-2018, whose data was provided by National Institute of Public Health / National Institute of Hygiene, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were qualified using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (10th Revision). The multilayer perceptron (MLP) structure was utilized in numerical studies. Neural network training was achieved with the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) method. In the designed network, the highest classification efficiency was obtained for the group of deaths (80.7%). The average value of correct classifications for all analyzed cases was 66%. The most important variable influencing the prognosis of an injured patient was diagnosis (weight 1.929). Gender and age were variables of less significance with weight 1.08 and 1.073, respectively. Designing a neural network was hindered due to the large amount of cases and linking of a large number of deaths with specific diagnosis (S06). With a predictive value of 80.7% for mortality, ANN can be a promising tool in the future; however, additional variables should be introduced into the algorithm to increase the predictive value of the network. Further studies, including other types of injuries and additional variables, are needed to introduce this method into clinical use.

KNOWLEDGE OF RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES AND OWNERS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF FOOD SAFETY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS AND ITS DETERMINANTS

Background. In Poland, more and more people are using catering services. Only the conduct compli ant with requirements currently in force, proper hygiene and the use of safety assurance systems guarantee the preparation of meals of adequate health quality. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and activi ties of employees of different levels and work experience employed in restaurants concerning basic issues related to the principles of GHP, GMP and the HACCP system, as well as their implementation and appli cation. The research tool was a survey questionnaire. The survey was conducted in 2022 among employ ees and owners of 20 restaurants in the Lublin province. Correlations between seniority and position in the restaurant and the surveyed variables were examined, whereas one-way ANOVA analysis of variance was conducted to investigate the significance of differences in the opinions of employees and restaurant own ers. Results and conclusions. The knowledge of employees about the principles, implementation and op eration of food safety assurance systems in the surveyed restaurants can be described as medium. The respondents’ position was significantly correlated with the evaluation of knowledge of food safety assur ance systems, trainings in the HACCP system and the opinion that if the HACCP system was not imple mented, nothing would change. The perception of the HACCP system by the groups of employees having seniority of up to 5 years was significantly different compared to employees having longer seniority. Respondents believed that implementing a HACCP system would guarantee food safety (67 %) and high product quality (53 %).

Assessment of digital competences of Lublin Province residents in relational terms

Purpose: Digital competences in the modern world play a significant role in people's lives. They are vital for building Society 5.0. They are the subject of research by many scholars as well as research organizations and groups. The objective of the article is to present theoretical considerations and results of empirical research on the assessment of digital competences of residents in relational terms. Design/methodology/approach: The review of documents and diagnostic survey methods were used to achieve the objective. The first method consisted in a critical analysis of the literature on the subject and was used to develop methodological assumptions. The second was employed to conduct the empirical study among the residents of the Lublin Province. The results enabled the frequency of the use of digital competences to be linked with the significance of the individual areas of life. Findings: The study confirmed that the residents recognize the importance of digital competences in different areas of life and are ready to develop the competences. The frequency of their use is not high and does not differ significantly in relation to age, education and occupational status. Respondents use the competences the most frequently in the most significant area of life – relationships with their loved ones. The competences are used with the lowest frequency in the least significant areas: religion and civic engagement. Research limitations/implications: The pilot study enabled research assumptions to be verified. The snowball sampling method proved to be effective in the selection of the sample for exploratory purposes. In the prospective basic research, the sample will be selected in such a way as to ensure its representative character. The online survey technique will be replaced by the CATI to reach respondents who do not actively use ICT. The study showed the need for certain changes to be introduced into the research tool. Practical implications: The research proved the validity of applying a relational model when assessing digital competences of residents. In this approach, instead of the areas of people's lives, they can also be analyzed in relation to organizations taking into account the spheres of the organizations' activity. Social implications: The results of the study constitute a valuable source of information concerning Society 5.0 and the significance of digital competences. They confirm that the residents use them with low frequency, which indicates the need for systemic actions to be taken in order to enhance them. Originality/value: The article is based on existing knowledge regarding Society 5.0 and digital competence research models. The originality of the study consists in the use of the relational approach that allows the frequency of their use to be linked with the areas of life significant for respondents. Keywords: digital competences, Society 5.0, relational model. Category of the paper: Research paper.

Flint sickles from graves of the Strzyżów culture in the light of use-wear analysis

The presented article aims to interpret the function of the selected flint sickles from the Early Bronze Age. For this purpose, we made a use-wear analysis of 13 sickles coming from the cemeteries of the Strzyżów culture in south-east Poland: Rogalin site 15, Hrubieszów-Podgórze site 1, Hrebenne sites 10 and 31, and Świerszczów site 5 (Hrubieszów district, Lublin province). All analyzed sickles were made of Volhynian flint and represent the sub-triangular type. As a result, we can conclude thatanalyzed tools were used mostly for harvesting cereals or other siliceous plants. They were placed in hafts made of hard organic materials, and hide or plants. Conducted studies also revealed that these objects, suitably altered (sickle tips were destroyed right before being deposited in a grave) became important grave goods.