Silesia Province Research Articles

Evaluation of Relationship Between Air Pollutant Concentration and Meteorological Elements in Winter Months

Abstract The paper presents the evaluation of the relation between meteorological elements and air pollutants’ concentrations. The analysis includes daily concentrations of pollutants and variation of meteorological elements such as wind speed, air temperature and relative humidity, precipitation and total radiation at four monitoring stations located in the province of Lower Silesia in individual months of the winter half-year (November–April, according to hydrological year classification) of 2005–2009. Data on air quality and meteorological elements came from the results of research conducted in the automatic net of air pollution monitoring conducted in the range of the State Environment Monitoring. The effect of meteorological elements on analysed pollutant concentration was determined using the correlation and regression analysis at significance level α < 0.05. The occurrence of maximum concentration of NO, NO2, NOX, SO2 and PM10 occurred in the coldest months during winter season (January, February and December) confirmed the strong influence of “low emission” on air quality. Among the meteorological factors assessed wind speed was most often selected component in step wise regression procedure, then air temperature, less air relative humidity and solar radiation. In the case of a larger number of variables describing the pollution in the atmosphere, in all analyzed winter seasons the most common set of meteorological elements were wind speed and air temperature.

The Diversity of Moss Flora of Katowice Town (S Poland)

The results of bryological studies that were conducted on the territory of Katowice are presented. Katowice is the largest town in the main Polish industrial region (Silesia Province). The goal of the paper is to evaluate the impact of human pressure and the spatial structure of a town on the distribution of moss species. A great deal of habitat diversity is reflected in the quite high species richness. The moss flora includes 192 species, from which 14 are considered endangered in the national red list, seven are regionally endangered in the Silesia Province (four of those included in the former list and another three), and 48 taxa are under legal protection by the Polish government (36 not included in either of the former lists). In heavily urbanized areas of the city the number of species usually does not exceed 20 in one square kilometer. In squares that were more differentiated in regard to habitat conditions and in those with a greater forest cover, species richness amounted to almost 60. Some ecological aspects are discussed, e.g. the spatial polarization of calciphilous and acidophilous bryoflora.

The Corporate Real Estate Market in Public Statistics in Poland

Abstract This paper presents theoretical considerations regarding the needs and criteria of creating ownership divisions of real estate markets for the purpose of public surveys and research. The scope of necessary changes to the collection of information in public registers and institutional conditions is indicated, as a necessary aspect towards enabling separate studies for corporate real estate to be conducted. Study results comparing the basic parameters of the real estate market in the Silesian voivodeship (Silesia province) in 2004-2012, as per the Central Statistical Office (CSO) annual reports, are also presented, as are the results of an analysis of data collected from a database of appraisers and valuers. The market parameters adopted for comparison have in both cases been developed based on the same source data obtained from public documents of the Registers of Real Estate Prices and Values (RREPV). The article presents the detailed results of own research on the real estate market in the Silesian voivodeship for 2012, with regards to the amount of real estate, the transaction values, the area of properties, and selected averages with regards to property type in line with those used in CSO studies. Also included is an assessment of the completeness of the market data presented by the CSO, taking into account the selected types of real estate. This paper also indicates the results of a pilot survey study of office workers of the RREPV in poviat (district) council offices. The comparison of the regional real estate market forms a basis for the critical evaluation of the categories of real estate used in official statistics and selected forms of real estate turnover. Proposals regarding the needs and conditions that must be met in order to enable research on the corporate real estate market have also been formulated.

Knowledge of Nurses on Prevention of Nosocomial Infections in post-stroke Patients

Introduction. Nosocomial infections are associated with daily functioning of a hospital and constitute one of major medical issues. The role and duty of the nurse is to prevent hospital infections in every hospitalized patient, especially in post-stroke patients. Only nursing staff that is educated and aware of their actions is able to minimize the risk of infection and thus reduce the suffering of the patient.Aim. The purpose of the paper was to assess, quantitatively, nurses’ knowledge about nosocomial infections and the procedures used most often in post-stroke patients.Material and Methods. The research was conducted in a group of 80 nurses working in randomly selected stroke and neurological units in the territory of Silesia province. The research used diagnostic poll method and research tool was a questionnaire developed based on the literature.Results. Analysis of the research material allowed concluding that investigated nurses have insufficient knowledge about the prevention of nosocomial infections and the procedures used most often in post-stroke patients. Knowledge of the surveyed nurses depends on education, age and seniority.Conclusions. The results of our tests are not satisfactory and allowed to formulate following conclusions:1. The nurses surveyed have insufficient knowledge on how to prevent nosocomial infections. Nurses do not know sufficiently basic procedures used at neurological wards, such as degumming the patient’s airway and also bladder catheterization.2. Self-assessment of nurses’ knowledge is much higher than proved in the study performed.3. The knowledge of the nurses surveyed depends mainly on age, seniority and education. The research showed that nurses with shorter seniority and younger have broader knowledge regarding prevention of nosocomial infections, they more often know the definition of nosocomial infection and more frequently use protective clothes and apply the procedure of washing hands than their older colleagues do. (JNNN 2014;3(2):58–63)

The predictors of falls in adult and senior women from cities of Lower Silesia, Poland

Purposebalance disorders are considered a significant problem in the elderly as they are associated with an increased incidence of falls. In effect, they can lead to numerous injuries, disability, or even death. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between the risk of falling and various factors (morphology, socioeconomic status, physical fitness, and physical activity level) in adult and elderly women.MethodsThe study population sample included 149 women aged 47-89 years living in the province of Lower Silesia, Poland. The women were divided into two age groups of younger (<i>n</i> =83, x<sub>age</sub> = 59.09 years) and older (<i>n</i> = 66, &#967<sub>age</sub> = 70.77 years) participants. Measures included BMI, marital status, and physical activity, physical fitness, and education levels. Statistical analysis included a chi-squared &#967<sup>2</sup> test, cluster analysis, logistic regression, and correspondence analysis.ResultsBMI and physical fitness were strongly correlated with falls: the higher the bMI (overweight or obese) and the lower physical fitness, the greater the risk of falling. The remaining variables showed a weak relationship with falling.ConclusionsThe fall risk of women who are overweight or obese or with a low physical fitness level is approximately 2.5 times higher than those with normal and healthy levels of BMI and physical fitness. The presence of both risk factors increased the likelihood of falling.

EPA-0902 – Treatment for alcohol dependence in poland. is there a better option?

In Poland, the problem of alcohol dependence according to various statistics cover from 5 to 7% of the population, hence the number of centers for such people is growing. The most common method of the treatment of addiction at the moment is integrative psychotherapy of addiction based on psycho-social model. It turns out, however, that the method of BSFT has many advantages that make it effective and less expensive than traditional methods used. The aim of this study was presenatation of patients’ and therapists’ needs as well as identification of existing barriers. 64 therapists were examined in total; 37 women (57%) and 27 males (43%). The study involved also 191 patients, 160 men (83.77%) and 31 women (16.23%). All the surveys were anonymous and were collected in health centers within the province of Silesia. As it turns out, type of education and skills learned in the process of therapists’ training is the main factor in the choice of the form of therapy proposed to patients. When it comes to barriers for alcohol addiction treatment, the therapists often pointed to cultural barriers, such as shame of admitting the addiction or fear of stigmatization. As reasons why the alcohol addiction treatment centers’ do not change their treatment programs surveyed indicated as the most important answer’patients do not care what methods are used in’ (16.75%). This points to the need for more programs tailored to the needs of respondents, since the standard treatment regimens lead to more frequent treatment failure.

Pozostałości środków ochrony roślin z grupy fungicydów w owocach i warzywach z terenów województw śląskiego i opolskiego w latach 2011–2013

In the years 2011–2013 308 samples of fruits and vegetables were examined under official control of testing pesticide residues in agricultural crops in The Laboratory of Pesticide Residue Research in Sośnicowice. The samples for testing were provided by the Provincial Inspectors State Plant Health and Seed Inspection in Katowice and Opole. Fifty-one active substances (authorized for usage) were detected in analyzed samples. The percentage of samples with residues of active substances in the Silesia province was 17.7% and 15.3% in Opole. One active substance of plant protection products prohibited for use in a given assortment was detected. Information notice was sent using the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). W latach 2011–2013 w Laboratorium Badania Pozostałości Środków Ochrony Roślin w Sośnicowicach przebadano 308 próbek owoców i warzyw w ramach urzędowej kontroli badania pozostałości środków ochrony roślin w płodach rolnych. Próbki do badań dostarczane były przez Inspektorów Wojewódzkich Inspekcji Ochrony Roślin i Nasiennictwa w Katowicach i Opolu. W wyniku przeprowadzonych analiz w badanych próbkach wykryto 51 substancji czynnych (s.cz.) dopuszczonych do stosowania. Odsetek próbek z pozostałościami s.cz. wynosił w województwie śląskim 17,7%, a w opolskim 15,3%. Wykryto jedną s.cz. środka ochrony roślin niedozwoloną do stosowania w danym asortymencie. Informacja została przekazana w ramach systemu Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

Support for e-Health Services Among Elderly Primary Care Patients

E-health has a substantial potential to improve access to as well as support efficient and effective care for the elderly. Questions remain and must be addressed, however, regarding the challenges faced by the elderly in the use of this technology. The aim of the study was to assess the attitude (needs) and preferences of the elderly in a selected region of Poland regarding selected e-health services and the factors associated with them. The study was conducted among 286 patients over 60 years of age being served by general practitioners in southwest Poland's Lower Silesia Province. The assessment pertaining to e-health was based on a specially designed questionnaire. Nearly one-third of the study respondents had a computer at home, and 61% of these (19% of all surveyed elderly) used it. Twenty-two percent of respondents used the Internet, at least occasionally, whereas 62% used mobile phones. Approximately 41% (n=116) of the elderly had a favorable attitude toward e-health services (labeled here as supporters) and were willing to use it if/when offered an opportunity to do so. A substantial majority (84%) of supporters expressed a desire to receive simple medical recommendations via mobile phone or a computer, although significant majorities (61% and 60%, respectively) would like to receive the results of tests by e-mail or short message service reminders for scheduled visits or prescribed medications. Slightly less than half (47%) of e-health supporters would request appointments online. Among the more important factors associated with support of e-health services were urban residence, higher education, and normal cognitive function, as well as having a computer, Internet access, or a mobile phone. The majority of elderly patients in this Polish community are not overly enthusiastic about using information and communications technology tools in their healthcare. Nevertheless, a substantial percentage (41%) among this group support selected e-health services.

Attitudes towards conscientious objection among community pharmacists in Poland

Background The European Council Resolution 1763 (2010), “The right to conscientious objection in lawful medical care”, provoked a discussion among Polish pharmacists on the necessity for granting them the right to refuse to dispense medicinal products which invoke conscientious objection. Objective To explore attitudes of Polish pharmacists towards the conscience clause. Setting Pharmacies with public e-mail addresses in various parts of Poland (Lower Silesia Province, Mazovia Province, Kuyavia-Pomerania Province, and West Pomeranian Province). Method An online survey questionnaire addressed to 1,454 pharmacies. The participants were asked 8 questions, including a question addressed only to pharmacy managers and owners. Main outcome measure Attitudes towards the right to conscientious objection for pharmacists. Results Ultimately, responses of 126 pharmacists (83 women, 43 men, average age-39 years of age) were taken into consideration. Most participants (92 %) have never refused to fill a prescription due to their beliefs; however, 15 % of participants state that if the conscience clause were legally sanctioned, they would exercise this right. Most participants (73 %) think that pharmacists should not have the right to conscientious objection. Almost half of participants who support implementation of the conscience clause would grant this right to pharmacists on a conditional basis, if the pharmacists were obliged to present other real options to the patient about obtaining a specific product. Conclusion Pharmacists are rather reluctant to the idea of implementing the conscience clause, but despite a clear majority of its opponents, there seems to be a necessity for introducing such a regulation.

A new parthenogenetic bagworm Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. from Poland (Lepidoptera, Psychidae).

Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. is described from the province of Upper Silesia (Śląskie voivodship) in southern Poland and compared with its closest parthenogenetic relative Reisseronia gertrudae Sieder, 1962. The new species is well characterized by the structures of the female antennae and legs. The breeding of an F1 generation was successful and is described, as is the species' habitat and life history.

Taking advantage of industrial heritage for the needs of tourism in the Silesian province

Silesian province is constantly associated with an industrial region. However, in the last years a lot of industrial plants have finished or limited their production. Extraction of coal that is still a symbol of the region, is being limited over the last years. Moreover, there are still numerous postindustrial sites which have not been in a production process for many years. It gives an opportunity to use this industrial heritage for the needs of industrial tourism. In this way attractiveness of the region increases, and it makes possible usage and protection of the sites instead of their slow destruction. This article shows how industrial heritage is used for the development and promotion of the Silesian province. Key words: industrial heritage, industrial tourism, technological monuments.

Scenarios of the future - modelling of innovative tourist products

The aim of this article is to indicate the directions of the development of tourist sector innovativeness in the south region of Silesian Province. In the article was self-characterized the essence of modelling innovative products during the cycle of product life. There were presented chosen results of research in region and scenario planning method, used for indication of main changes in tourist sector - with special pressure on the innovativeness. Key words: Tourist products, Innovation, Future

The Industrial Monuments Route of the Silesian Voivodeship as an example of the regional tourism product enhancing tourism competitiveness of the region

Abstract The paper deals with the idea of destination competitiveness and its relations with competitiveness of spatial tourism products and competitiveness of entities catering tourism in the region. The case study method is used in the paper and the example of Industrial Monuments Route of the Silesian Province is analysed. The Route is a tourist product which presents the major and most interesting industrial facilities in the Silesian Region in terms of tourist, historic and architectonic values. The creation of the new spatial product - the Route by the regional authority - enhanced competitiveness of the Province as the image was improved, as well as a competitive advantage of operators of attractions within the Route was built. Some difficulties and challenges of such a way of enhancing destination competitiveness are discussed in the text.

Chemometric Analysis of Heavy Metals Coexistence in Different Plant Matrices in The Upper Silesian Industrial District / Analiza Chemometryczna Metali Ciężkich Pochodzących Z Różnych Matryc Roślinnych Z Terenów Górnośląskiego Okręgu Przemysłowego

Abstract Contents of Zn, Cd, Ni, Mn, Cu, Pb and Fe in 36 samples of Scots pine collected in 9 sites located in the Upper Silesia Province have been determined using AAS technique. The samples were digested before the analysis. On the basis of cluster analysis the existence of links between the quantitative composition, the sampling sites and the type of the matrix have been found. The coexistence of certain groups of elements was found and described.

Selection of mineralised methods to analyse different types of matrices. Applying the Box-Cox transformation to chemometrics study the coexistence of heavy metals in natural samples

Abstract Chemometric methods are mostly used to optimise technological processes and analytical procedures. Applying chemometric methods in environmental tests may reveal relationships among chemical elements in biomes. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) are very helpful for detecting relationships among studied parameters. However, large amounts of data may have a negative effect on this analysis and can lead to misinterpretation of the results. This situation was observed when the samples, taken from several places in the Silesian Province, were used to test the relationship between heavy metals contained in various environmental matrices. Samples were collected from a small area and were characterised by a single biome (pine forest) because direct interpretation of PCA and CA was insufficient to correctly describe such data. The solution to this problem was the use of the Box-Cox transformation, which is a rapid method to normalise input data. The application of chemometric tools enabled the relationships between sampling sites (industrialised and non-industrialised) to be examined and was very helpful in illustrating the relationship between the methodologies of plant preparation samples. Furthermore, the results may indicate the need for further data analysis. The tools described in this paper can be useful for choosing the optimal mineralisation method according to the type of test matrix.

Q fever outbreaks in Poland during 2005–2011

BackgroundQ fever is a health problem affecting humans and animals worldwide. In Poland, previous studies have pointed to 2 sources of outbreaks of the disease: the importation of infected animals and their products, and natural domestic foci. In the last decade, 5 outbreaks have occurred in cattle farms in south Poland in Malopolskie, Podkarpackie, Opolskie, and Silesian provinces. The aim of this study was to characterize the Q fever foci in Poland.Material/MethodsA total of 279 individuals were included. Levels of serum IgM and IgG antibodies to phase I and II C. burnetii antigens were assayed by indirect immunofluorescence method. Bacterial DNA from all specimens were detected with PCR with primer pairs specific to the htpAB-associated repetitive element, and amplicons were sequenced.ResultsInfection was recognized in 67 individuals out of 279 tested in all foci. Twenty-five individuals presented clinical symptoms of acute Q fever. DNA of C. burnetii was found in 8 human blood samples obtained from 3 farm workers and 5 family members.ConclusionsThe described outbreaks demonstrate that the main source of human infections in Poland is infected cattle.

Application of Markal Model Generator in Optimizing Energy Systems

The main objectives of European energy policy include: security of energy supply, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the development of efficient and clean energy technologies. The obligation to fulfil these objectives is connected, among others, with the optimization of the development of all energy system i.e. a group of facilities and equipment for the collection, transmission, processing, distribution and use of energy in all its forms. Computer programs such as MARKAL, TIMES, ENPEP, MIDAS are the basic tools for modelling different energy systems. Various simulation, optimization and macro models are created with them. Multi-criteria methods are also used. In this paper the use of MARKAL as a tool for the optimization of an energy system was the matter of research. The article presents the characteristics of MARKAL. Additionally, it includes an example of the use of the program to create a model of the supply of heat for the province of Silesia together with its results.

Kryzys i reforma życia zakonnego XIV–XVI wieku i jego wpływ na dominikański klasztor łęczycki

Although to a lesser degree, the 14th century crisis of religious life also embraced Mendicant Orders, including the Order of Preachers. Dominican brothers were obliged to respect the principles written down in the rule of St Augustine as well as in the constitution of the order which regulated the life of the Order as well as defined the Order’s organizational structure. Friars however, sometimes gave in to temptation and broke the rules of their communities. The convents’ style of life with characteristic disregard for the notion of religious community in the order and omnipresent individualism in every field was in conflict with the spirit and content of the rules and constitution of the Dominican, and was referred to as conventualism. The call to initiate a thorough reform of the law in the Order was given by Master General Raymond of Capua. At his command in every Dominican province within one year one monastery with at least 12 brothers was required to introduce the rule of regular observance – the renewal of relations from the period of the formation of the Order and strict adherence (observare) to the Order’s rules. The basic condition of the observance was enclosure. Observant Convents were excluded from the authority of the Provincial and subjected to the power of vicars designated by the Master General. This led to the creation of separate congregations sometimes uniting reformed monasteries from different provinces and countries.In the Polish province the observant reform officially began on 30 July 1432 in the Wroclaw monastery of St. Adalbert. The success of the reform was confirmed by Chelmno Chapter in 1519 only in the orders in Glogow, Legnica, Krosno (part of Silesia province) as well as in part of Mazovia province, whereas the entire division of the province of Greater Poland together with the Łęczyca monastery was subjected to special care of Andrew from Parczew. The same chapter tells Vicar General of the province to re-visit the convents and reintroduce the reform. The negative effects of the collapse of observance by Łęczyca Friars Preachers were serious and they appeared immediately. The convent had never exceeded the number of 12 monks present at one time till the end of its existence in 1799.There were several reasons for the fall of observance in Poland: the reform was superficial in its character, both conventualists and observants were under the authority of the provinces, small convents were poverty stricken. According to J. Kłoczowski the initiators of the reform wrongfully restricted the reform to moral issues only, ignoring the structural aspect. It led to many monks behave passively towards the attempts to introduce observance.

Prediction of construction and assembly production in the province of Lower Silesia. Part I

The article is the first part of the series „Prediction construction and assembly production in Lower Silesia.” It was assumed that salary of employees will be one of the independent variables to determine the volume of production. Salaries of employees was predicted, using multiple regression and autoregressive moving average SARIMA methods. An analysis of the results was carried out.
 The errors ME, MAE, MPE, MAPE and Theil coefficients I, I2, I12, I22, I32 were calculated. Multiple regression equation with 12 predictors was set. Predictors were selected from among the 53 independent variables. Forecasted data were obtained for construction and assembly production prediction.

Prevalence of dental erosion in 15 year-old subjects from Lower Silesia province

Prevalence of dental erosion in 15 year-old subjects from Lower Silesia province