Mazury Region Research Articles

Institutional and Legal Mechanisms for Protection of the Rights of Ukrainian Minority in the Warmia and Mazury Region

The research aims at presenting and exploring the mechanisms for protection of the rights of national minorities (based on the example of Ukrainian minority) in the Warmia and Mazury Region of the Republic of Poland. The research hypothesis is based on the statement that in fact the protection of rights of national minorities at the level of the Warmia and Mazury Region could be treated as a model, and thus implemented in other regions in Poland, or even in other countries facing the problems related to the protection of national and ethnic minorities. The main research problems are addressed within the questions: how is Ukrainian minority distributed in the studied region?; What are the state and local government institutions working for national minorities in the studied region of Poland?; What activities do these institutions undertake to ensure equal treatment of national minorities and provision for their rights?; How are these activities assessed by organizations/representatives of the Ukrainian national minority? The leading research method was the institutional and legal one. The research also contained the interviewing method as well as the focus group interview. Obtained results of the study confirmed the research hypothesis. It turned out that the Warmia and Mazury Region has created an effective institutional environment for the development of national minorities, including the Ukrainian one. It was possible thanks to the activity of the only Polish Plenipotentiary of the Marshal for national minorities and also the only National and Ethnic Minorities Committee of the Regional Council in Poland.

Solidarity Economy Reintegration Entities in Warmia and Mazury

The aim of the paper is to present solidarity economy reintegration entities and to analyse the actions they undertake for labour market reintegration and social inclusion of people at risk of social exclusion and for social and vocational rehabilitation of the disabled in the Warmia and Mazury region. The paper provides a review of the literature on the subject, based on an analysis of data from public statistics published by Statistics Poland, current studies of the Regional Centre of Social Policy in Olsztyn and scientific studies dedicated to the field of the social and solidarity economy.
 The analysis has revealed that all solidarity economy entities operating in the region are focused on taking comprehensive measures aimed at counteracting social exclusion and promoting social and vocational reintegration of people who, for various reasons, are not able to perform their social and professional roles independently and effectively.

Analysis and Evaluation of the Spatial Structure of Cittaslow Towns on the Example of Selected Regions in Central Italy and North-Eastern Poland

Cittaslow International promotes harmonious development of small towns based on sustainable relationships between economic growth, protection of local traditions, cultural heritage and the environment, and an improvement in the quality of local life. The aim of this study was to analyze and evaluate the differences and similarities in the spatial structure of Cittaslow towns in the Italian regions of Tuscany and Umbria and the Polish region of Warmia and Mazury. The study examined historical towns which are situated in different parts of Europe and have evolved in different cultural and natural environments. The presented research attempts to determine whether the spatial structure of historical towns established in different European regions promotes the dissemination of the Cittaslow philosophy and the adoption of sustainable development principles. The urban design, architectural features and the composition of urban and architectural factors which are largely responsible for perceptions of multi-dimensional space were evaluated. These goals were achieved with the use of a self-designed research method which supported a subjective evaluation of spatial structure defined by historical urban planning and architectural solutions. The study demonstrated that Medieval urban layouts can be successfully incorporated into the modern urban fabric to promote sustainable development and slow living.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in wild boar (Sus scrofa) from Strzałowo Forest Division, Warmia and Mazury Region, Poland.

Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonosis caused by a protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. Raw or undercooked venison may be a source of infection in humans. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of T.gondii antibodies in wild boar from the Strzałowo Forest Division of the Warmia and Mazury Region of Poland. A total of 90 samples were collected from 50 wild boar: 40 from both tongue and diaphragm muscles, 4 from diaphragm muscles and six from tongue muscles. Samples were analyzed using the commercial PrioCHECK® Toxoplasma Ab porcine ELISA, according to the manufacturer's instructions. T. gondii antibodies were detected in 24 of 50 (48%) tested animals. T. gondii antibodies were detected in 40 of 90 (44.4%) tested samples (21 of tongue muscles and 19 of diaphragm muscles). In the 40 wild boar that provided samples of meat juice from the tongue and diaphragm muscles, specific antibodies were more prevalent in the tongue (20 of 40 animals - 50%) than in the diaphragm muscles (17 of 40 animals - 42.5%). The study revealed a high percentage of wild boar seropositive to T. gondii. Muscle samples to obtain meat juice are easily available and simple to collect, even on the hunting grounds, which makes them suitable material for detecting T. gondii antibodies in wild boar. Wild boar are essential to T. gondii circulation in the environment, and raw or undercooked venison may be a source of human infections with this parasite.

Zintegrowany system wsparcia rodzin doświadczających problemu ubóstwa w województwie warmińsko-mazurskim

Region Warmii i Mazur od lata zmaga się z ubóstwem, a jego wskaźnik jest dużo większy od danych pochodzących z innych obszarów Polski. Największy odsetek osób ubogich z województwa warmińsko-mazurskiego, w tym rodzin z dziećmi znajduje się na terenach wiejskich i małych miasteczek. Zjawisku biedy towarzyszą także dodatkowe problemy powodujące marginalizację i wykluczenie w różnych sferach życia.
 Władze województwa podejmują systemowe działania wspierające rodziny znajdujące się w kryzysie ekonomiczno-społecznym poprzez pomoc w postaci świadczeń pieniężnych i niepieniężnych, które przyznawane są przez odpowiednie ośrodki pomocy społecznej. Bardzo ważnym i mogącym znacznie obniżyć poziom ubóstwa nie tylko w województwie warmińsko-mazurskim, ale także w całym kraju, jest program zawarty w dokumencie Strategia Europa 2020. Zakłada on zmniejszenie ilości Europejczyków zmagających się z problemem ubóstwa o 25 %.Wśród wszystkich województw, mieszkańcy Warmii i Mazur w największym stopniu korzystają z pomocy społecznej oraz ze świadczeń społecznych. Na tle wybranych kategorii takich jak: sieroctwo, bezrobocie, bezdomność czy niepełnosprawność- ubóstwo jest najczęstszą przyczyna korzystania z tego typu usług.
 Mimo organizacji wielotorowego wsparcia rodzin ubogich na Warmii i Mazurach występuje ciągła potrzeba pomocy i walki z ubóstwem i zagrożeniem ubóstwa. Ma to związek przede wszystkim z występowaniem dużego odsetka obszarów popegeerowskich, mniejszej liczby miejsc pracy, słabo rozwiniętego przemysłu oraz wysokich kosztów utrzymania.

Revitalization of Public Spaces in Cittaslow Towns: Recent Urban Redevelopment in Central Europe

Revitalization of cities varies depending on the scale of a city, type of challenges, and the socio-environmental context in each case. While revitalization projects carried out in globally known cities are well described, there is still a gap in characterizing revitalization processes that aim to improve quality of life in smaller units like medium-sized towns. This paper fills this gap by the insight from 82 revitalization projects implemented in 14 towns of Warmia and Mazury region (Poland) which are associated in the Cittaslow movement. The study combines a quantitative assessment of statistical data describing these projects with their qualitative evaluation based on interviews with local experts. The results of conducted analyses show that socio-economic development plays a major role as, despite projects which directly refer to the social domain, social elements were found also in projects initially categorized as those targeted to architectural and spatial domains. On the other hand, the authors observed that environmental and ecological as well as cultural issues are treated unevenly or marginally in projects compared to social ones. Interviews with experts show that the least importance was assigned to cultural and historical domain. The obtained results might constitute important knowledge to understand the background of current revitalization processes outside of global metropolises to improve future mechanisms supporting urban renewal.

Polish-Russian Cross-Border Cooperation from the Perspective of Polish Foreign Policy. General View

Due to geopolitical location, North-Eastern Polish regions (voivodships) have a big potential for the development of cross-border cooperation. This kind of international activity can have impact on regional development. Polish authorities on the central, regional and local levels initiate, run and co-finance cross-border projects designed to promote integration, understanding and co-operation across the border. According to the aims of the Polish foreign policy the basis of the long-term strategy of regional development of the North-Eastern Poland could be its geographical position and long-established co-operation with Kaliningrad Oblast. Institutional framework of contacts are: intergovernmental agreements, agreements establishing Euroregions, agreements between regional and local authorities. The cross-border cooperation between Warmia and Mazury Region and the Kaliningrad Oblast could be important part of the Polish foreign policy towards Russia. KEYWORDS: Cross-border cooperation, Kaliningrad Oblast, Warmia and Mazury Region, Foreign Policy of Poland, Polish-Russian Relations.

Assessing the Value of Agroecosystem Services in Warmia and Mazury Province Using Choice Experiments

Due to the often-intangible benefits of agroecosystem services (AES), their cultural, social, and economic value is very difficult to quantify and integrate into decision-making and policy-making processes. The aim of this study is to assess the non-market values of AES in an exceptionally environmentally rich area of the Warmia and Mazury region (Poland), identifying consumers’ preferences for them using the choice experiment (CE) method. Four AES attributes were selected for the research: (i) water quality; (ii) wildlife populations; and (iii) agricultural landscape. The study has revealed that the residents of Warmia and Mazury region were concerned about environmental issues that may be caused by agriculture. There was a demand for the provision of AES. The application of multinomial logit (MNL) model has revealed that marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) values were the highest for water quality (EUR 1.94), followed by wildlife population (EUR 1.02) and agricultural landscape (EUR 0.85). The findings have provided quantitative information related to the demand for improvements in AES through agri-environmental protection programs.

Dwa nazwiska i jeden przydomek z Warmińskiej sagi […] Edwarda Cyfusa

The article explains the etymology of two surnames (Cyfus, Stynka / Stinka) and one nickname replacing a surname very popular in the region (Karaśniki). All anthroponyms occur in Edward Cyfus Warmian saga, which is popular not only in the region. A few recipes based on stynka and karaś, fish widely used in the region of Warmia and Mazury before WWII are attached to the text due to the reason explained in the article.

OCHOTNICZE HUFCE PRACY JAKO INSTYTUCJE RYNKU PRACY NA WARMII I MAZURACH

Volunteer Labour Troops are one of the key government's agencies focused on organization of a system support for youth, in the area of it's both social and professional activation i.e. upbringing, teaching, training courses, consultancy and employment. As budgetary institutions they are entrusted with responsibility for particularly difficult youth, stemmed from socially neglected environments, threatened with marginalization and social exclusion. In recent years those institutions in the elastic way have adapted their nature of business and functions fulfilled to constantly changing social-economic reality.The main goal of this article is to enunciate Volunteer Labour Troops in Warmia and Mazury as counteracting marginalization and social exclusion, in completing background and professional preparation of youth and unemployed before the age of 25. In the article analysis of documents statutes, regulations and educational programmes of each VLC units has been applied as well as individual in – depth interviews conducted with VLC representatives in region. The necessary for drawing conclusions research material has been gathered in VLC units working in Warmia and Mazury region.

Temporal trends (1953–2012) of toxic and essential elements in red deer antlers from northeastern Poland

Red deer antlers have a number of advantages that make them a unique material for monitoring trace elements. As antlers are shed and regrown every year, results of toxicological investigations can be applied to a particular region and time. We analyzed the content of four toxic (Pb, Cd, Hg, As) and three essential (Cu, Zn, Fe) trace elements in 254 red deer antler samples spanning between 1953 and 2012. Age of stags did not influence concentrations of analyzed elements in antlers, except for Zn whose level increased with age. The highest concentrations of toxic elements occurred at the beginning of the analyzed period. Levels of Pb, Hg and Zn in antlers decreased over the course of the study. Levels of Cd and As were low and presented a steady trend. Variations in the levels of the analyzed elements in red deer antlers are considered to reflect levels of exposure of animals in their habitat over the sixty-year study period. The range of essential element levels did not indicate any contamination. Environmental conditions in the Mazury Region during the last decades appeared to have improved significantly, as established by declining trends of toxic elements levels in deer antlers.

Mineral Composition of Three Popular Wild Mushrooms from Poland.

The region of Warmia and Mazury is characterized by the special diversity and richness of its natural environment, including large forest complexes, where wild mushrooms are commonly collected and consumed. This study aimed to examine the differences in mineral content (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese) of three species of mushrooms collected in north-eastern Poland. The research material consisted of dried samples of king bolete (Boletus edulis), bay bolete (Boletus badius), and chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) collected in the region of Warmia and Mazury. The content of the above-mentioned elements in mushroom fruit bodies was determined using the flame atomic absorption spectrometry (acetylene-air flame) and the emission technique (acetylene-air flame) for sodium and potassium. For the majority of micro- and macroelements, the studies confirmed the presence of significant differences in their content, depending on the species of fungi. The studied mushrooms cover a significant percentage of daily demand for many of the minerals. This concerns mainly copper, zinc, and potassium, although none of the species was a good source of calcium and sodium. Among the analyzed mushrooms, chanterelle is the best source of most minerals.

The Use of Geographic Databases for Analyzing Changes in Land Cover—A Case Study of the Region of Warmia and Mazury in Poland

This article analyzes the applicability of spatial data for evaluating and monitoring changes in land use and their impact on the local landscape. The Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) Land Cover database was used to develop a procedure and an indicator for analyzing changes in land cover, and the continuity of different land use types. Changes in land use types were evaluated based on land cover data. The results were analyzed over time to track changes in the evaluated region. The studied area was the Region of Warmia and Mazury in Poland. The preservation of homogeneous land cover plays a particularly important role in areas characterized by high natural value and an abundance of forests and water bodies. The study revealed considerable changes in land cover and landscape fragmentation in the analyzed region.

Differences in Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in North-East Poland.

Background and Objective: Nowadays, diabetes is one of the main causes of blindness in the world. Identification and differentiation of risk factors for diabetic retinopathy depending on the type of diabetes gives us the opportunity to fight and prevent this complication. Aim of the research: To assess differences in the risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Warmia and Mazury Region, Poland. Materials and Methods: Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (DR) were assessed on the basis of an original questionnaire, which included: personal data, clinical history of diabetes and eye disease. Elements of clinical examination: blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference. Indicators of diabetes metabolic control: mean glycemia, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol and triglycerides, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), albumin–creatinine ratio in urine. Results: The study group included 315 (26%) patients with DM1 and 894 (74%) patients with DM2. Risk factors were estimated on the basis of logistic regression and verified with Student’s t-test. Statistically significant dependencies were found in both groups between the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy and diabetes duration, HbA1c, triglyceride concentrations, indicators of kidney function and cigarette smoking status. In the DM2 group, the development of DR was significantly influenced by the implemented models of diabetic treatment. Conclusions: In the whole study group, the risk of DR was associated with the duration of diabetes, HbA1c, triglyceride concentrations and smoking. In DM1 patients, the risk of DR was associated with diabetic kidney disease in the G1A1/A2 stage of chronic kidney disease, and in DM2 patients with the G2 stage of chronic kidney disease. An important risk factor for DR in DM2 patients was associated with late introduction of insulin therapy.

The relationship between biotic factors and the content of chosen heavy metals (Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn) in six wild freshwater fish species collected from two lakes (Łańskie and Pluszne) located in northeastern Poland

The effect of biotic factors as species, condition factor, body weight and total length of fish on concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) in organs of Rutilus rutilus (L.), Abramis brama (L.), Coregonus lavaretus (L.), Esox lucius (L.), Perca fluviatilis (L.) and Tinca tinca (L.) from reservoirs of Warmia and Mazury region (northeastern Poland) were determined. Differences in the content of metals were observed between species (P ≤ 0.05). Some metals demonstrated specific affinity for particular tissues. The lower content of metals found in muscles and ranged as follows: Zn 3.427-9.950, Fe 1.297-2.550, Cu 0.133-0.279 and Mn 0.050-0.162 (expressed mg/kg wet weight). The highest content of Fe (33.49-123.6) and Cu (3.994-27.14) (except for copper in perch) in liver (P ≤ 0.05) is related to detoxification, whereas high concentration of Mn (1.366-5.113) and Zn (15.91-135.0) (except for Zn in tench) in gills may be associated with excretion processes or uptake (P ≤ 0.05). The two organs (gills and liver) may be used as bioindicators of metal contamination aquatic environments. Studies on the size and condition factor dependency of heavy metal concentrations have showed that, although the relationship is performed, in most cases was not statistically significant for organ. Metal Pollution Index (MPI) in organs of fish examined was 1.503 < MPI < 3.575. Daily consumed a 34 g portion of fish examined (per capita) is 0.317-0.624% of Fe, 1.174-3.408% of Zn, 0.455-0.955% of Cu and 0.085-0.278% of Mn of the RDA reference dose.

Renewable energy sources in the Region of Warmia and Mazury in north-eastern Poland

The region of Warmia and Mazury in Poland is fourth largest voivodeship which occupies 7,7 % of the country’s territory. The Region of Warmia and Mazury in north-eastern Poland is situated at a distance from conventional energy sources. Therefore, the Region is a Polish leader in power generation from renewable energy sources. The structure of electrical grids in the Region of Warmia and Mazury is poorly developed and insufficient. Therefore, electric power infrastructure should be expanded and modernized as part of energy sector development to increase energy efficiency as well as electricity and heat production from renewable energy sources. The Region of Warmia and Mazury is characterized by a considerable discrepancy between energy generation and energy use. It recent years, electricity consumption exceeded energy production more than 10-fold. The region has to purchase energy from external sources and develop new generation methods, in particular those that rely on renewable resources of energy. In Warmia and Mazury, the most popular renewable energy sources include biomass, wind turbines, solar and photovoltaic panels, hydropower, heat pumps and geothermal energy. The region is characterized by distributed energy generation in small polants that carter mostly to local needs. The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn has developed, in collaboration with the Warmia and Mazury Energy Agency, a renewable energy strategy for 2010-2020 in the Region of Warmia and Mazury. The strategy is consistent with the Polish Energy Policy and the national plan for the use of renewable energy sources. In the region Warmia and Mazury, efforts are being made to generate 14,000 TJ of energy from renewable sources ( approx. 18,4 % of energy consumption in the region) and 1,700 GWh of electricity (approx. 49 % of energy consumption in the region), reduce CO2 emissions in the energy sector by 1,530,000 tons, and the decrease energy consumption per unit of GDP (PLN 1 million) from 1.94 TJ to 1.67 TJ by 2020.

Sociodemographic and family correlates of dietary-lifestyle patterns in young men: cross-sectional study (MeDiSH Project)

AbstractThe aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic and family correlates associated with dietary and lifestyle patterns in young men. In all, 367 men from the Warmia and Mazury region (Poland), aged 19–40 years old participated in the study. Data regarding sociodemographic, family status, dietary and lifestyle characteristics were collected through structured interviews using food frequency questionnaire KomPAN (Jezewska-Zychowicz et al. 2018, http://www.knozc.pan.pl). Dietary and lifestyle patterns were derived using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). In total, 25 dietary and 6 lifestyle standardised variables were included in the PCA. The associations were verified using logistic regression. Four DLPs were derived, explaining 33% of the variance. Men from the upper tertile of “Protein food, fried-food and recreational physical activity” pattern (characterised by frequent intake of white meat, white rice, eggs, red meat, fried food, groats, higher number of meals a day and recreational activity) were more likely to be under 30 years old (odds ratio, OR = 2.20, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI: 1.30–3.70) than men from the bottom tertile. Men from the upper tertile of “Sandwiches and convenience foods” pattern (characterised by frequent intake of cold meats and smoked sausages, white bread, butter, cheese, sweets and tinned meat) were more likely to be in a relationship (1.95, 1.14–3.34) than men from the bottom tertile. Men from the upper tertile of “Fast foods and stimulants” pattern (characterised by frequent intake of sweetened beverages, energy drinks, alcohol, fast foods, and smoking currently or/and in the past) were more likely to be under 30 years old (2.46, 1.46–4.14), to live in towns and rural areas (2.07, 1.21–3.55) and to have lower educational level (2.01, 1.20–3.36) in comparison to men from the bottom tertile. Men from the upper tertile of “Healthy diet, activity at work, former smoking” pattern (characterised by frequent intake of fruit, vegetables, fermented milk products, wholegrain bread, fish, cottage cheese, milk, groats, legumes, higher number of meals a day, physical activity at work and smoking in the past) were more likely to work physically (2.06, 1.22–3.47) and be in a relationship (1.93, 1.12–3.32). Sociodemographic and family correlates were strongly associated with dietary and lifestyle patterns, both healthy and unhealthy, in our sample of young men. The results demonstrate that diet and lifestyle interventions should be particularly targeted at men under 30 years old, those living in small towns and rural areas and with lower educational level.

Effect of Weather Conditions on Yield and Health Status of Faba Bean Seeds in Poland

Faba beans are considered to be one of the most important leguminous crops. The species is characterized by high nutritional value, in terms of both energy and protein content, which makes it suitable for food and feed production. Fungal diseases are among the key biotic factors responsible for a decline in faba bean yields. In this study, the yield and health status of faba bean seeds from the region of Warmia and Mazury (WM) and the region of Lower Silesia (LS), in Poland, were determined. Correlations between weather conditions vs. the yield of faba bean seeds and the occurrence of saprophytic and pathogenic fungi were analyzed. The study revealed that temperature and precipitation influenced the development and yield of faba beans in successive growth stages. Temperature exerted the greatest effect on the yield of faba beans during inflorescence emergence (BBCH 55-Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt and CHemical Industry), whereas the effect of precipitation was the maximum at the 4–5 leaves unfolded stage (BBCH 34–35) and at the end of flowering (BBCH 69). The occurrence of saprophytic, pathogenic, and toxin-producing fungi was influenced by temperature and precipitation in the flowering stage (BBCH 61–64).

Deutschordensstaat in Preußen und sein Kulturerbe im Bewusstsein der Jugend der Region Ermland-Masuren – Analyse von Fragebogenuntersuchungen

The article presents the results of a survey analyzing the students’ knowledge about the State of the Teutonic Order in Prussia and its material heritage in the Region of Warmia and Mazury. The unique role played by the Teutonic Order in European history and the successful preservation of its material and cultural heritage deserve educational efforts to raise awareness about local history in the Region of Warmia and Mazury. In 2016–2017, a questionnaire survey was conducted in secondary schools in the Region of Warmia and Mazury. A total of 555 questionnaires were filled by students in all counties of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship where Teutonic structures and other elements of the order’s material and cultural heritage have been preserved to this day. The students’ knowledge of local history was surveyed in three categories: knowledge of historical facts, events and dates; understanding of historical processes; knowledge and understanding of historical, material and cultural heritage. The results of the survey were interpreted, and the relevant conclusions were formulated in the last part of the article.

Modelling promotion strategies in local government units with the application of structural equation modelling (SEM) with an example of Warmia and Mazury region

The self-government of the Warminsko-Mazurskie Province (wojewodztwo warminsko-mazurskie) has implemented one of the first image-centered promotion strategies in Poland to promote the region. Its promotion strategy was a result of the campaign termed “Mazury Cud Natury - The Wonder Of Nature” launched in 2009 and constituted especially by image-centered actions targeted at tourists and representatives of the surroundings of the Warminsko-Mazurskie Province, with no specific segmentation of the remaining recipients. What is more, the “Mazury Cud Natury - The Wonder Of Nature” has been the first operation of the kind run at such a scale in Poland. Nearly all of the local government units in the Warminsko-Mazurskie Province, supported by numerous non-profit organizations and the private sector, have become actively involved in the campaign. The paper presents the characteristics and application of sample statistical tools developed to evaluate the efficacy of the adopted promotion strategy in the above mentioned region.