Mazovia Region Research Articles

The Impact of Export Dynamics on a Firm’s Growth

Purpose: This research aimed to identify the prevalence and particular characteristics of export-driven growth as opposed to those of the domestic market. It examined how the relative dynamics of export sales vs. domestic sales were affected by internationalization intensity (FSTS), age of the fi rm, early internationalization, size of the fi rm and industry technological level. Similarly, it examined the impact of sales growth and its direction (domestic vs. export-driven) on company performance. Methodology: The analysis was based on panel data from approximately 300 manufacturing fi rms in the Mazovia region of Poland that were engaged in sustained export operations during 2003 to 2010. Several hypotheses were tested regarding factors affecting the growth dynamics of regular exporters as well as their performance (productivity). Findings: This research proved that only a small percentage (less than 10%) of fi rms reached the status of regular exporter. Although regular exporters engaged in international operations shortly after their foundation, they formed a distinct category of early internationalizing fi rms. For the management of young, ambitious ventures, achieving regularity in their initial export operations represented a major challenge. Implications: Regularity of international sales is crucial for export performance, both at the enterprise and country levels. This implies that export promotion efforts should concentrate on growth-oriented fi rms, specifi cally to assist them in reaching regular exporter status shortly after initiating sales outside the domestic market. Originality: The analysis of the internationalization process was expanded by adding the regularity dimension, which has been rarely addressed in the extant literature.

Allocation of elements in a chronosequence of silver birch afforested on former agricultural lands

Research on the effect of birch regeneration on changes occurring in the environment on former farmlands included a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the biomass growing on the research plots. Five experimental plots were selected in the Mazovia region: two in Dobieszyn and the Kampinos National Park and one in Kozienice. The analysis performed on each plot was concerned with the amount and chemical composition of biomass in four patches of vegetation, characterised by the different ages of the birch trees growing there. The vegetation patches were classified according to age group, i.e. I: 1–4 years old, II: 5–8 years old, III: 9–12 years old and IV: over 12 years old. Biomass samples were collected in the field and determined in kg DM/ha using the following components: roots, stem, bark, branches, assimilation apparatus, litterfall and the total biomass of the other (except birch) plants. For all the above-mentioned groups, the content of the elements N, C, S, Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb, and Cd was determined. This allowed us to obtain both the values of the concentrations of particular substances and their allocation in both the organic matter and litterfall. The aim of the research was to discover whether the allocation of elements changes with the age of birch growing on former farmland.

Status Społeczno-Ekonomiczny i Czas Trwania Objawów u Mężczyzn Chorych na Gruźlicę Leczonych w Mazowieckim Centrum Leczenia Chorób Płuc i Gruźlicy w Otwocku

The incidence of tuberculosis depends on many factors, not only on health issues but also on socioeconomic factors. The aim of this study was to assess the duration of symptoms and the extent of radiological changes in men with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in relation to their socioeconomic status. This was a retrospective study based on the analysis of 300 hospital records of patients hospitalised in 2004-2006 in the male ward of the Mazovian Treatment Centre of Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis in Otwock. In all patients, the diagnosis of tuberculosis was bacteriologically confirmed. We evaluated the duration of symptoms prior to hospitalisation, the extent of radiological changes and socioeconomic status. We also took into account the place of residence, professional activity, age and marital status. Among patients with TB hospitalised in the Mazovia Region, 74% were professionally inactive persons and 57% were unemployed. Patients population in cities and villages were similar, but as much as 10% of the patients hospitalised who were actively spreading bacilli in Mazovia Region were homeless. In the study group, 60% of the men were unmarried. In 63% of the patients symptoms of tuberculosis were present for more than two months. Chronic symptoms were reported more often in the unemployed (60%) and in single patients. As much as 81% of the patients at the initiation of treatment, had extensive radiological changes in 3 or more lung fields. Quite often sweeping pulmonary changes were observed in the homeless, unemployed and pensioners. Sputum smear-positive tuberculosis, was demonstrated in 87% of the examined patients. The incidence of tuberculosis observed in the Mazovia Region was especially observed in the unemployed, disabled and pensioners. Among these patients, many were homeless. The majority of patients in Mazovia Region at the start of treatment already had very extensive radiological changes and the symptoms were present with them for several weeks.

Analysis of particulate matter concentrations in mazovia region, central poland, based on 2007–2010 data

Measurement results of PM10 (particulate matter with diameters below 10 μm) concentrations performed at four stations in central Poland (2007–2010) were analyzed in terms of levels and distributions of concentrations, the number of exceedances of the limit values and the causes of these exceedances. PM10 levels were similar at suburban and rural stations, except of one station located in the vicinity of a busy street. The median of PM10 concentration ranged from 26 μg/m3 at suburban station to 44 μg/m3 at Warsaw Kerb station. Seasonal variability analysis of PM10 concentration revealed an additional maximum beyond the usual autumn-winter one. This maximum occurred in April at all stations, and corresponded to seasonal wildfires activity and dust activation in Eastern Europe. Cluster analysis of back-trajectories revealed that PM10 concentrations depend on the direction of advection of the incoming air; the highest values are registered for air of regional and southern origins, while the lowest are for the airmasses coming from the north and northwest direction.

The Incidence of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (A1AT) Deficiency Alleles in Population of Central Poland—Preliminary Results from Newborn Screening

Inherited alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1ATD) is listed among the three most common genetic disorders in Caucasians. It considerably increases the risk of progressive obstructive lung diseases, mostly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Data on the A1ATD prevalence in Poland are scarce, no studies with large enough groups representative for whole Polish population have been performed. Here, we present the preliminary data on the incidence of A1AT main deficiency alleles from the newborn screening in Mazovia (Central Poland) region. Real-time PCR genotyping and A1AT blood concentration measure- ment by nephelometry were performed from the dry blood spots (DBS) samples of 658 newborns. Deficiency alleles PI*Z i PI*S were present in 28 children, respectively in 2.8% and 1.5%. Their existence corresponded with significantly lower A1AT blood concentration. Estimated incidence of deficiency alleles was 13.7/1000 (95% CI 5.8–21.5) for PI*Z and 7.6/1000 (95% CI 1.7–13.5) for PI*S. The calculated prevalence for the main deficiency genotype ZZ was 1/5345. The study is on-going.

Savings of Mazovian households following Poland’s accession to the European Union

The article deals with the issue, quite important one for the economy, of savings kept by households that face the unemployment-related problems in the Mazovia region of Poland, following the country’s accession to the EU. It discusses crucial macroeconomic theories concerning the problem of saving. The article also includes an analysis, based upon the Author’s own studies, of the dynamics and principal directions of changes taking place in the structure of consumption as well as of the most significant motives for saving in households which include unemployed members in the Mazovia region.

PORÓWNANIE SKŁADU KWASÓW TŁUSZCZOWYCH ZAWARTYCH W TŁUSZCZU MLEKA KLACZY I KRÓW

The objective of the study was to assess the composition of fatty acids (FA) in the mare's milk fat and to compare them with the composition of FA in the cow's milk fat, with a focus on the FA appearing essential in human nutrition. The research material consisted of 10 mare's milk samples and 10 cow's milk samples taken from the milk of the animals during the winter and summer feeding periods, in the Mazovia region. In each sample, the fatty matter content was determined using a Rose-Gottlieb method, as was the composition of FA using a gas chromatography. The analysis of FA composition in the mare's milk showed a high content of saturated FA: caprylic C8:0, capric C10:0,lauric C12:0. The unsaturated FA of the mare's milk were represented mainly by the linoleic acid C18:2 9c12c and the alpha linolenic acid C18:3 9c12c15c. The cow's milk was characterized by the higher content of the following saturated FA: butyric acid C4:0, caproic acid C6:0, and stearic acid C10:0, as well as by a significantly lower content of polyunsaturated FA: linolenic and alpha linolenic acid. The content of FA in the milk of those two animal species was characterized by the high season-dependent variation

Relationship between dental age according to Demirjian and cervical vertebrae maturity in Polish children

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between Demirjian's method and the improved cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM) method. The material consisted of the clinical files and panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs of 718 children (431 girls and 287 boys) aged from 6 to 17 years, inhabitants of the Mazovia region (Central Poland). Dental age according to Demirjian was estimated using panoramic radiographs and the cervical stages (CS) of the CVM were evaluated on cephalometric radiographs. Descriptive statistics of the chronological and dental ages of the patients for a particular CS of skeletal maturity was calculated for girls and boys separately. Linear regression analysis and correlation (Pearson's r coefficient), as well as the Spearman rank correlation coefficient (R) were applied to measure the association between CS and dental calcification stages of all analysed teeth. A consistently earlier occurrence (by about 6 months) for each CS was observed in females. A moderate, but statistically significant, correlation between Demirjian's dental developmental stages and CS was determined. The level of the correlation was different for individual teeth: the teeth showing the highest relationship with CVM were the second premolars and canines (in female and male subjects, respectively). The central incisor demonstrated the poorest correlation in both genders. The findings confirmed that both dental and skeletal maturity should be assessed if the maturity stage of a growing child is to be relevant to clinical practice. The results indicate the usefulness of dental calcification stages as a simple first-level diagnostic test to determine the skeletal maturity status of a subject.

Scheloribates distinctus Mihelčič, 1964 - a species of mite (Acari: Oribatida) new to fauna of Poland and new records of three rare species

A new to fauna of Poland oribatid mite species (Scheloribates distinctus) and new localities of three rare species (Protoribates pannonicus, Punctoribates ghilarovi, Oppia nitens) are recorded from old compost heap in Łomianki near Warsaw, Mazovia Region, Poland.

Distribution of EU and National Funds Supporting Agriculture and Rural Development: Empirical Insights from Mazovia Region

This paper addresses the question of distribution of support from the EU budget and the national budget to agricultural holders in Mazovia region in comparison with Poland as a whole. In the first main section, the characteristics of the agricultural sector in the region, using main sectoral indicators, is presented. The second section illustrates the agricultural and rural support under the Rural Development Program and the Sectoral Operational Program “Restructuring and modernization of agriculture and rural development” provided to Mazovian beneficiaries with reference to this support at whole country level. Empirical analyses are based on Eurostat statistics as well as on data obtained from the Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Results of the study show that the Mazovian province, which is a region that can be placed in front of agricultural development, was awarded over the period 2004-2007 a relatively high level of support and ranked first or second among all 16 provinces according to selected measures

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea, Papilionoidea) of the Kampinos National Park and its buffer zone

Poland; e-mail: marcins@uwb.edu.pl Abstract: Kampinos National Park is the second largest protected area in Poland and therefore a potentially important stronghold for biodiversity in the Mazovia region. However it has been abandoned as an area of lepidopterological studies for a long time. A total number of 80 butterfly species were recorded during inventory studies (2005–2008), which proved the occurrence of 80 species (81.6% of species recorded in the Mazovia voivodeship and about half of Polish fauna), including 7 from the European Red Data Book and 15 from the national red list (8 protected by law). Several xerothermophilous species have probably become extinct in the last few decades (Colias myrmidone, Pseudophilotes vicrama, Melitaea aurelia, Hipparchia statilinus, H. alcyone ), or are endangered in the KNP and in the region (e.g. Maculinea arion, Melitaea didyma), due to afforestation and spontaneous succession. Higrophilous butterflies have generally suffered less from recent changes in land use, but action to stop the deterioration of their habitats is urgently needed. Lycaena dispar, Maculinea teleius and M. alcon are still quite widespread but L. helle and Euphydras aurinia were recorded on single sites only. However, Maculinea nausithous was observed only in 2005 and has probably just disappeared from the KNP. Despite the aforementioned losses, the Kampinos Forest deserves to be added to the list of the Prime Butterfly Areas in Europe. Key words: butterflies, biodiversity, Kampinos National Park, fauna of Poland, endangered species