Polish Research Centres Research Articles

Medieval Bulgaria in Polish Historiography after 1989

Polish-Bulgarian relations have a centuries-old history, and medieval Bulgarian history has been widely present in Polish research and publications throughout the 20th century. However, the deep crisis processes that started in the early 1980s, the massive activity of the Solidarity trade union in Poland, and the events of the 1980s marked the beginning of a new period in Polish research and, accordingly, in Polish-Bulgarian relations and contacts. The main task of the paper is to present and analyze studies and publications on medieval Bulgarian history over the decades following the fall of communist rule, in the context of complete liberalization of political, scientific, and cultural life in Polish society. Are there any traditional topics that continue to develop after 1989? Are there new topics and problems in Polish studies and publications on Bulgarian history that emerged in the decades of transition after 1989? Are there any new Polish research centres and schools working in the field of the Bulgarian Middle Ages that appeared in the last three decades? Despite the transition and difficulties of the 1980s and 1990s in Polish society and for Polish historians, the analysis demonstrates a strong and lasting interest in medieval Bulgarian history in Polish historiography at the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries. Finally, the author expresses hope that, despite the vicissitudes and challenges facing the two nations in today’s globalizing world, this interest in the medieval Bulgarian past will persist in the coming decades.

Complex Characterization of Fine Fraction and Source Contribution to PM2.5 Mass at an Urban Area in Central Europe

It is well documented that Southern Poland is one of the most polluted areas in Europe due to the highest airborne concentrations of particulate matter (PM). Concentrations of fine particles are especially high in winter. Apart from detailed number concentrations, it is essential to accurately identify and quantify specific particulate pollution sources. Only a few Polish research centers are involved in such experiments—among them is Krakow research group. For the most part, research focuses on collecting 24-h average samples from stationary PM samplers at ambient monitoring sites and quantifying the specific elements and chemical constituents in PM. This approach includes modeling methods that can use the variability in physical and chemical PM characteristics as an input dataset to identify possible sources of the particles. The objective of this paper is to provide research results based on data collected from June 2018 to May 2019 from a single monitoring station at a central urban site. Careful comparison of data obtained prior to a 2019 law prohibiting solid fuel burning in the city of Krakow with data (2019–2020) when a regulation went into effect should indicate progress by noting lower PM levels. This work has shown that the method applied and Krakow results might be of interest to the broader community in regions of high PM concentration.

Polish historiography and archaeology on the mechanisms behind the formation of the Piasts’ regnum

This paper discusses the hypotheses developed by Polish researchers on the mechanisms behind the formation of the Piast state. All issues are discussed from the perspective of medieval history, the views of which were until recently prominent in the literature on the subject, and also from the perspective of the more recent findings of early medieval archaeology. The proposals tabled by archaeologists from particular Polish research centres (in Poznań, Warsaw and Wroclaw) are confronted with the results of historical research. A representative of the Poznań centre, the author presents his ideas on the subject as based, e.g., on the results of absolute dating, which are not always consistent with the views of other scholars.

ARTs in Wild Felid Conservation Programmes in Poland and in the World.

With the exception of the domestic cat, all felid species (Felidae) are currently threatened with extinction in their natural habitat. To develop effective and optimal wild cat conservation programmes with assisted reproductive technology (ART) it is necessary to combine advances from different disciplines of science, starting from the biology of the species, through research into the population and habitat, assisted reproductive technologies, establishment of gene banks, developing bioinformatic systems, and ending with biodiversity and endangered species management. In the last few years knowledge of felid reproduction has expanded considerably thanks to comparative studies utilising the domestic cat as a research model for endangered wild cats. Basic reproductive techniques utilised in both domestic cat breeding and rescuing wild felid populations that are threatened with extinction include semen collection and cryopreservation, artificial insemination, oocyte collection, in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilisation, somatic cloning, and embryo transfer. The main directions in which assisted reproductive technologies are being developed in wild cat conservation implementations and the contribution of Polish research centres in advancing these methods are presented.

Exploring the Reliability and Validity of the Huntington's Disease Quality of Life Battery for Carers (HDQoL-C) within A Polish Population.

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare genetic neurodegenerative disorder that causes motor disorders, neuropsychiatric symptoms and a progressing deterioration of cognitive functions. Complex issues resulting from the hereditary nature of HD, the complexity of symptoms and the concealed onset of the disease have a great impact on the quality of life of family carers. The caregivers are called the “forgotten people” in HD, especially with relation to genetic counseling. This study aims to explore the reliability and validity of the Huntington’s Disease Quality of Life Battery for carers (HDQoL-C) within a Polish population. A total of 90 carers recruited from the Enroll-HD study in Polish research centers of the European Huntington’s Disease Network completed a polish translation of the HDQoL-C. Data were subjected to Principle Components Analysis (PCA) and reliability measures. The Polish version of the shortened versions of the HDQoL-C is similarly valid compared to the original English version and suitable for use within this population. The HDQoL-C has previously demonstrated a wide range of benefits for practitioners in capturing and understanding carer experience and these benefits can now be extended to Polish speaking populations.

Statystyczno-porównawcza analiza XXIII Międzynarodowego Kongresu Bizantynologicznego (Belgrad, 22-27 VIII 2016)

The 23rd International Congress of Byzantine Studies took place in the hospita­ble capital of Serbia from Monday (22 August) to Saturday (27 August 2016). Ac­cording to official data in the congress took part 1,260 byzantine scholars from 48 countries of the world. The largest number of scientist represented Greece (212), Serbia (122), France (103), Russia (87), the United Kingdom (79) and Italy (78). Numerous scholars came to Belgrade also from Germany (72), the USA (64), Bul­garia (57), Turkey (40) and Austria (39). Poland was represented officially by 26 byzantine scholars. To this number must be added two Poles affiliated to foreign universities. Most Polish researchers, as many as 11, represented the University of Lodz – today the most important Polish center for research on the history and culture of Byzantium. During the congress 1148 scholars presented 1329 papers and communications. According the official data 1057 papers (= 79,533%) were in English, 165 in French (= 12,415%), 30 in Greek (= 2,257%), 28 in German (= 2,106%), 28 in Russian (= 2,106%) and 21 (= 1,580%) in Italian. Twenty-six Poles representing the Polish research centers presented a total of 29 communica­tions (26 in English, 1 in French, 1 in German and 1 in Russian). Furthermore, one Pole affiliated to the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, delivered his com­munication in French. According the official data, the congress was divided into several program blocks. The first block was the solemn opening session. Part of this session was the inaugural lecture of professor John F. Haldon from Princeton University. On the other hand, during the six plenary sessions were delivered 20 papers. The third block of the congress were the round table sessions. These ses­sions were a total 49 (= 382 communications). There have also been 116 sessions of free communications, during which 843 papers were read. Furthermore, during the six special sessions the participants delivered 64 presentations. Finally, a sepa­rate block were two poster sessions. In these sessions attended 19 authors. The sessions of the congress were held either at the Faculty of Philology (3 Studentski trg) or at the building of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (35 Knez Mihailova St.). It was agreed that the 24rd International Congress of Byzantine Studies will be held in 2021 in Istanbul.

I Ogólnopolska Konferencja Oprawoznawcza „Tegumentologia polska dzisiaj” (Toruń, 26–27 czerwca 2014 r.)

On 26th–27th June 2014, the Institute of Information Science and Book Studies at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun organised the first conference dedicated to Polish tegumentology. Its aim was to create a forum for exchange of information and experiences by Polish tegumentology specialists from the largest Polish research centres. The article summarizes the conference and contains basic information about the presented papers.

Intestinal parasites in Polish community on the example of military environment.

The epidemiological situation concerning the prevalence of the majority of intestinal parasites in Poland has not been investigated in recent years and therefore is not known. Information on the prevalence of nematodes and most of cestodes is acquired from the studies carried out in Polish research centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of intestinal parasites among Polish soldiers who served in harsh environmental conditions in Afghanistan and their families living in Poland. The relation between the rates of infections in military personnel and in their families in the context of the risk of importing intestinal parasites from Afghanistan to Poland was also analysed in this article. 264 families consisting of 803 persons took part in the study which was conducted in the period May 2011 - December 2012. Stool samples were subjected to parasitological examination in the Military Institute of Medicine, Poland. The tests were performed by means of three diagnostic methods (direct smear, decantation, flotation). The study population comprised 264 married soldiers and 539 civilians (soldiers' wives and children) living permanently in urban areas in Poland. Intestinal parasites were diagnosed in 4/264 studied soldiers (1.5% infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia intestinalis), in 9/253 studied women (3.6% infected with A. lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia spp.) and in 5/286 children (1.7% infected with A. lumbricoides, G. intestinalis). There was no more than one infection per one household. The occurrence of intestinal parasites among Polish soldiers shows the possibility of importing pathogens from the Third World countries. It also indicates, in the context of infected women and children, that the source of infection of parasites of the digestive tract can be present in Poland.

Employees 50+: How They Are Assessed and How They Assess Themselves

In Poland, the older workers are valued for their knowledge and professional experience. Many of them, during transition period, actively participated in the creation of today’s businesses and now occupy exposed managerial positions, being aware of their own value. On the other hand, old age is one of the main reasons for the limited access to work. The seniors are assigned stereotypical characteristics, such as low levels of education, poor health, troubles with the adaptation to the new conditions, fatigue with work or fear of competition from younger workers (Jezowska, 2007). There are also frequent manifestations of ageism (Szukalski, 2011). An attempt at testing the validity of assessments and feedback on employees aged 50 years or more generated by themselves and their superiors and co-workers was made in the article. The results collected in eight thematic reports drawn up by the Polish research centres in the years 2005–2012 were analysed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ss.85.3.8414

Is There any Demand For the Workers Aged 50+ in Poland?

The process of ageing affects all the European Union Member States, including Poland. According to forecasts by the Central Statistical Office, in 2035, the population of Poland will decrease in relation to 2010 by more than 2 million, and the share of people aged 50+ in the total population will increase from 34.8% to 46.6% (Prognoza ludności 2009). In the context of current and projected demographic changes, a discussion is taking place and actions are taken to – on the one hand – extend the period of Poles' economic activity and – one the other hand – implement age management systems in enterprises, enabling the efficient exploitation of the potential of workers aged 50+. The paper considers the problem of the situation of people aged 50+ in the Polish labour market. The main objective is to find out whether in Poland there is a need for the work performed by people aged 50+. The employers' views on workers 50+ and the possibilities and conditions of employment of this group are presented. The paper uses and confronts statistics related to the labour market (BAEL) and the results of quantitative and qualitative research carried out by selected Polish research centres within the framework of projects co-financed from EU funds.

Patterns of scientific reasoning: An introduction

From December 2001 till December 2004, the Science, Innovation and Media Department of the Ministry of the Flemish Community (Belgium) and the State Committee for Scientific Research of the Republic of Poland funded a cooperation project (Bilateral Scientific and Technological Cooperation Project BIL01/80) between two Flemish and two Polish research centres. The Flemish partners were the Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science of Ghent University and the centre with the same name of the Free University of Brussels. The Polish partners were the Chair of Logic and Philosophy of Science of the University of Zielona Gora and the Group of Logic and Cognitive Science of N. Copernicus University (Torun).