Silesia Region Of Poland Research Articles

Organisational culture as a stress determinant in SME sector organisations.

This paper is theoretical and empirical in nature. Its first purpose is to present the results of authors' own empirical research devoted to assessing the present and expected organisational culture model in Polish SME sector employees' opinion. Another key research objective was to assess occurrence of some statistically significant dependencies between the declared model of the organisational culture and the perception of the present level of respondents' stress. Two research tools were used in the research process: the Organisational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) by Cameron and Quinn and the authors' own questionnaire to assess the occurrence and intensity of any dysfunctional phenomena at the workplace, including the level of employees' stress. Statistical analysis of significant differences between variables was conducted with Pearson's chi-square test of independence. Anonymous empirical research, on a randomly selected sample (N = 700) of respondents from the Silesian Region in Poland was run in 2017, with the paper (hard) copy of both research instruments. The research results show that the current model of the organisational culture is a statistically significant determinant of employees' level of negative stress in all kinds of analysed organisations.

Young Adults Among Patients Admitted to Polish Intensive Care Units in the Silesian ICU Registry.

BackgroundPatients under 30 years of age constitute a unique population in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to obtain information on young adults admitted to Polish ICUs and to identify independent predictors of favorable outcome in this population.Material/MethodsData from 20 651 adult patients from the Silesian Registry of Intensive Care Units conducted in the Silesian Region of Poland since October 2010 were analyzed. Patients aged 18–29 years were identified and their data were compared to the remaining population. Preadmission and admission variables that independently influence the favorable outcome (defined as survival of ICU stay and discharge in a condition other than vegetative state or minimally conscious state) were identified.ResultsAmong 20 609 analyzed adult patients, 850 (4.1%) were under the age of 30 years. Young adults had a lower mean APACHE II and SAPS III score at admission and were more frequently admitted to the ICU due to trauma, poisonings, acute neurological disorders, and obstetric complications. ICU mortality was over 2 times lower (20.1% vs. 45.3%, p<0.001). Independent variables affecting favorable outcome in this population were: admission to ICU from the operating theatre and multiple trauma as a primary cause of admission.ConclusionsThe greater chance of favorable outcome in adults under the age of 30 years admitted to the ICU is due to their unique characteristics. Favorable outcome in young adults is most likely among patients admitted to the ICU following multiple trauma or admitted from the operating theatre.

Problems of the Functioning of E-Administration in the Silesian Region of Poland from the Perspective of a Person with Disabilities

The article presents an analysis of the functioning of e-administration in municipal offices in the Silesian Province in Poland. It was evaluated by handicapped people with various degrees of disability, of different ages and different educational backgrounds. In Poland the disabled, similarly to abled-bodied people, have to take care of various official matters in offices. It is important that all these clients, in particular the handicapped, can arrange things without leaving their home. The following hypothesis has been formulated in the present article: more frequent use of electronic tools for communication with the office leads to increased satisfaction of the disabled client with the functioning of e-administration. Based on the study conducted, the following variables received the highest scores: functioning of an office’s website under various browsers (score 4.89); providing a service in a safe way (4.76); polite and friendly attitude of employees towards clients having trouble using the e-office (4.75); employees’ assistance for the client in the event he/she makes a mistake when using the e-office (4.75). The lowest rated issues among the investigated variables include: promptness of employees’ response to e-mails (4.29), promptness of e-service provision (3.34), and taking care of official business on the first attempt (4.42).

Streamlining of Obtaining and Processing Data from Ogimet Service Using Python Language Script

This paper contains a study of using Ogimet services as a source of meteorological data and the Python language script to streamline data processing. Meteorological data is important in large number of research projects in different disciplines of sciences and technology. In this case, it was used to analyze cloudiness, but it can also be used for energy, hydrology, and environment analyses.Attention has been paid to the total cloudiness variability in an area of the Lower Silesia region in Poland during the time period of 2001–2010 using the data from eight synoptic stations (the data was obtained from the Ogimet service). A very important part of the work constituted Ogimet services as a source of free and easily available meteorological data. The biggest advantage of Ogimet is that the process of obtaining data is very easy and helpful in reducing the time needed to collect the data necessary in the research process. The offered data is free and available via the Internet, but it is raw and general. For these reasons, a Python script language application was made for faster and easier data processing. The script applied in this project has been described in detail in the work.Finally, after processing the data, the daily averages of total cloudiness have been calculated based on the available data for eight meteorological stations. Next, the ten-year average for each day and month have been calculated. The results of the study were compared with works that took a longer data time period of total cloudiness into account.

Calcium supplementation from dairy products in the diet of women over the age of 55 from Zabrze (the Silesian Osteoactive Study - nutritional part).

ObjectivesThe primary goal of the study was to assess calcium intake among women over the age of 55.Material and methodsThe study participants were randomly selected from the female population of Zabrze, a town in the Upper Silesia Region in Poland, making use of the framework of the Silesia Osteoactive Study Project. The Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (sFFQ) was used for nutritional assessment. A total of 388 women at the median age of 65.2 years responded to written and mailed invitations and decided to participate in the study.ResultsThe mean calcium intake in the group of enrolled post-menopausal women was 886.9 ±615.1 mg/day. Only 32.9% of the participants met the daily calcium intake criterion of > 1000 g/day (the Estimated Average Requirement of 1000 mg according to the Nutrition Standards from 2017 for women in the age group of 51–65 years). Calcium supplementation, identified among women over the age of 55 years in Zabrze, was not sufficient and significantly differed from indicated nutrition standards. Fermented dairy products were the main source of calcium for the studied women. The quantity of calcium provided from yoghurts, kefirs and buttermilk was 338.3 mg/day. The level of consumption of fortified plant products, e.g., soy milk, was found to be very low. Some of the study participants (approximately 32%) reported the intake of calcium supplements or OTC medicinal products with calcium.ConclusionsSumming up, the studied women reported low calcium intake levels, which calls for appropriate adjustments, including either dietary modifications or proper supplementation programmes with calcium containing agents.

Spatial and Quantitative Analysis of Waste from Rock Raw Minerals Mining: A Case Study of Lower Silesia Region in Poland

Mining of minerals is associated with waste that needs to be dealt with, e.g., safely deposited or, if possible, reused. From 2010 to 2016, 6,182,277 Mg of waste was deposited during mining of rock raw materials in the Lower Silesia region in Southwest Poland. Extraction activities were responsible for 46.95% of that waste, while mineral processing was responsible for 53.05% of that waste. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of waste resulting from mining rock raw minerals in Poland’s Lower Silesia region. In the study, an inventory of waste deposited during rock raw mineral mining and processing was prepared. Then, a geographic information systems (GIS) database that included information on the quantity and quality of waste generated during rock raw mineral mining and processing during the 2010–2016 study period was created. It was used for assessment of the variation of waste distribution and density in time and space with GIS kernel density estimation (KDE) functions. Spatial context of mining waste production and distribution over a period of 7 years in Lower Silesia were analyzed and presented graphically. The study revealed increasing accumulation of mining waste and helped to identify spatial clusters of its deposition in the region. Based on a literature study and the identified main waste types, the potential of selected types of this waste for re-use was analyzed and prospective uses were proposed. The methodology of quantitative and spatial analysis used in this research can be applied to studies in other regions coping with the problem of a large amount of mining waste.

The Concept of Regulating Forest Management in a Region Subject to High Environmental Pressure

In modern forestry, the complexity of the planning process is increasing, specifically in the context of the sustainable use of forest resources and its adaptation to climate changes. This article presents the concept of forest use regulation promoting the sustainable forestry development in forest management planning. A method for defining a synthetic criterion of assessing important features of stand structure was proposed, which would enable the classification of stands in terms of needs and the urgency of their transformation (reconstruction) or suitability for longer standing. As a result, such a concept may ensure the preservation of the relative uniformity of logging use and the improvement of age structure as well as an increase of natural values of the forest, regardless of a stand’s age. The concept was tested on a large forest complex (over 0.5 million hectares) subjected to intense environmental pressure (Silesian Region in Poland). We prepared long-term individualistic development forecasts, separately for area and volume. Based on this, we followed the cutting uniformity principle in the analysed time period by calculating a long-term average of cutting allowance. It was determined by averaging the projected usage size in moving window and eventually was adopted as the cutting upper limit in the whole analysed period. The proposed size of cuts in each period resulted from the relation between the average value and the forecast. Three sets of stands of the differentiated urgency of interventions were distinguished: I—well-stocked and stable stands (no need of intervention)—55% of stands area, II – acceptable stands (not urgent intervention needed)—35% and III—poor stands (urgent intervention needed)—10%. This concept joins top-down and bottom-up approach of cutting uniformity that focuses stand’s status instead of its age or dimensions.

Homogeneity study of candidate reference material (contaminated soil) based on determination of selected metals, PCBs and PAHs

Reference materials (RMs) are an indispensable part of QA/QC system and have played a critical role in the continual expansion of analytical capabilities of the analytical laboratories. The homogeneity study of the candidate for reference material is essential for the quality of reference material (certified reference material) used in quality assurance activities. The homogeneity study of candidate for reference materials of contaminated soil collected from a plot situated near the chemical factory “Rokita” in Brzeg Dolny (Silesian Region of Poland) for total metal content of Mg, Fe, Zn, Hg and analytes from a group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was carried out. The experimental design and study by using one way ANOVA showed no significant difference within and between bottle homogeneity and the material was found homogeneous. Total expanded uncertainty (k = 2) due to heterogeneity for all four metals and analytes from a group of PCBs and PAHs was determined within the range of 5–15%. The candidate for reference material of fortified soil was found to be homogeneous up to the minimum sample size of 100 mg for total Hg, 500 mg for Mg, Fe, Zn and 1 g from a group of PCBs and PAHs, and thus is suitable for certification.

Comparison between &lt;i&gt;NOD2 &lt;/i&gt;gene mutation carriers (3020insC) and non-carriers in breast cancer patients: a clinicopathological and survival analysis

&lt;b&gt;Introduction&lt;/b&gt;: The 3020insC mutation of &lt;I&gt;NOD2&lt;/I&gt; predisposes to many types of common cancers, e.g. breast cancer. In this report we compare &lt;I&gt;NOD2&lt;/I&gt; 3020insC mutation carriers with non-carriers in a similar age range at diagnosis according to clinicopathological factors and survival in breast cancer patients from the Silesia region in Poland. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Material and methods&lt;/b&gt;: We reviewed the medical records of 72 early breast cancer patients, who were diagnosed and treated in COI in Gliwice. Genetic diagnostics was conducted in all patients. Twenty-eight (39%) patients were &lt;I&gt;NOD2&lt;/I&gt; mutation carriers and 44 (61%) were non-carriers. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt;: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) was detected more often in &lt;I&gt;NOD2&lt;/I&gt; mutation carriers than non-carriers (25% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.194). Similarly, lymph nodes without metastases (N0) were reported more frequently in patients with &lt;I&gt;NOD2&lt;/I&gt; mutation (71.4% vs. 43.2%, p = 0.029). HER2 without overexpression was observed insignificantly more often in group with &lt;I&gt;NOD2&lt;/I&gt; mutation (82.1% vs. 63.6%, p = 0.115). Similarly, lower histological grade (G1+G2). There was no difference in tumor size (T1–T2) (89.3% vs. 86.4%, p = 1.00) or steroid receptor status (28.6% vs. 29.5%, p = 1.00) between groups. The median follow-up was 5.1 years (range: 0.6–26.1 years) for &lt;I&gt;NOD2&lt;/I&gt; carriers and 5.3 years (range: 2.0–19.7 years) for non-carriers. There was no difference between mutation carriers and non-carriers according to overall survival (5-year OS: 96% vs. 93%, p = 0.427). &lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions&lt;/b&gt;: There were no differences between &lt;I&gt;NOD2&lt;/I&gt; (3020insC) mutation carriers and non-carriers, according to comorbid condition, drugs, tumor size, steroid receptor status and 5-year overall survival.

Honey Sold Directly by Producers in the Silesian Region of Poland as a Source of Clostridium botulinum Types A, B, E, and F

The level of contamination of honey with Clostridium botulinum spores is considered as an indicator of the adequacy of hygienic practices during collection, extraction, and subsequent processing. A total of 39 honey samples purchased directly from beekeepers at outdoor markets and from small amateur apiaries in Silesia were analysed for Clostridium botulinum spores. The samples were prepared using a dilution centrifugation method and cultured in parallel in cooked meat medium (CMM) and tripticase peptone glucose yeast (TPGY) enrichment broths. Identification of C. botulinum toxin types A, B, E, and F was performed with the use of a multiplex PCR method. The analysis showed six (15.4%) samples to be contaminated with C. botulinum spores. The major serotypes detected were type A – in two (5.1%) and type B – in two (5.1%) honey samples, respectively. Types E and F were found in 1 (2.6%) and 1 (2.6%) positive honey sample analysed, respectively.

Changes in statistics of malignant neoplasms of central nervous system excluding brain (ICD-10: C70, C72) in the Lower Silesia Region of Poland in the years 2006-2012

Changes in statistics of malignant neoplasms of central nervous system excluding brain (ICD-10: C70, C72) in the Lower Silesia Region of Poland in the years 2006-2012

The importance of body mass normalisation for ultrasound measurement of the transversus abdominis muscle: The effect of age, gender and sport practice

BackgroundSome studies have not considered body mass as a confounder in TrA analysis, which may have led to improper interpretation of results. ObjectivesTo assess the differences in the effect of age, gender and physical activity between normalised for body mass and actual values of the TrA as well as to establish the effect of age, gender and physical activity on normalised for body mass TrA thickness in adolescents. DesignThe study was a cross-sectional study conducted at selected primary and secondary schools, and colleges in the Silesian region of Poland. MethodA real-time ultrasound was used to obtain images of the TrA muscle. Body mass normalisation for TrA thickness was performed with allometric scaling and the following equation: Allometric-scaled TrA = TrA thickness/body mass0.61. ResultsAnalysis has shown that boys have significantly thicker muscle by 0.27 mm (95% CI 0.04–0.50) than girls, and those who practise sports have thicker muscle by 0.30 mm (95% CI 0.06–0.52) than non-active individuals. For allometric-scaled TrA, there were no significant effects (p > 0.50). There was a significant correlation between participants age and the actual value of the TrA (r = 0.42, p < 0.05). The correlation between age and allometric-scaled TrA was insignificant and close to zero (r = −0.006, p = 0.93). ConclusionsAn analysis of TrA thickness without body mass normalisation can deliver improper interpretation of study results. Thus, it is recommended in future researches to analyse TrA thickness measurement after normalisation rather than actual values. In the adolescent population, there is no effect of gender, age and physical activity on allometric-scaled TrA thickness.

The potential for business development among social enterprises on the example of Częstochowa region

The paper presents the capability of social economy entities to perform economic activities. These organizations are located in northern part of Silesian region in Poland. Theory of their classification has been introduced, including the definition of social enterprise. The main assumptions of market activity of the above organizations were depicted in the paper. Consequently, the author presents the results of the research carried out in a regional dimension as a part of a project titled „Jurassic Center of Social Economy Assistance”. The above research project embraced diagnosis of social economy entities regarding their capabilities to develop market activities.

Modeling of experimental data on trace elements and organic compounds content in industrial waste dumps

The main objective of the study presented was to investigate the differences between 20 mine waste dumps located in the Silesian Region of Poland and Czech Republic, in terms of trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contents. The Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis were applied in exploration of the studied data. Since the data set was affected by outlying objects, the employment of a relevant analysis strategy was necessary. The final PCA model was constructed with the use of the Expectation-Maximization iterative approach preceded by a correct identification of outliers. The analysis of the experimental data indicated that three mine waste dumps located in Poland were characterized by the highest concentrations of dibenzo(g,h,i)anthracene and benzo(g,h,i)perylene, and six objects located in Czech Republic and three objects in Poland were distinguished by high concentrations of chrysene and indeno (1.2.3-cd) pyrene. Three of studied mine waste dumps, one located in Czech Republic and two in Poland, were characterized by low concentrations of Cr, Ni, V, naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthen, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo (b) fluoranthene, benzo (k) fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(g,h,i)anthracene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene and indeno (1.2.3-cd) pyrene in comparison with the remaining ones. The analysis contributes to the assessment and prognosis of ecological and health risks related to the emission of trace elements and organic compounds (PAHs) from the waste dumps examined. No previous research of similar scope and aims has been reported for the area concerned.

Long-Term Outcomes of Kidney and Simultaneous Pancreas–Kidney Transplantation in Recipients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Silesian Experience

BackgroundKidney transplantation (KTx) markedly reduces mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) caused by type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The outstanding issue is whether transplantation should be limited only to KTx, with further insulinotherapy, or combined with pancreas transplantation in patients with ESKD/T1DM. The goal of this study was to compare the results of simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation (SPKTx) and deceased donor KTx and to identify factors affecting patient and kidney graft survival in patients with ESKD/T1DM. MethodsEighty-seven deceased donor KTx and 66 SPKTx operated on in the Silesia region of Poland between 1998 and 2013 were included in the retrospective analysis. ResultsDuring the mean 6.7 ± 3.6 years of follow-up, fewer cardiovascular episodes were observed in SPKTx recipients than in KTx recipients (1.5% vs 12.6%; P < .05). Five-year patient survival (80.7% in SPKTx vs 77.5% in KTx) and kidney graft survival (66.1% in SPKTx vs 70.4% in KTx) did not differ between study groups. There were no differences in patient survival (log-rank test, P = .99) or kidney graft survival (P = .99) based on Kaplan-Meier curves. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis failed to identify factors explaining patient and kidney graft survival. Five-year pancreas graft survival was 58.9%. SPKTx recipients had significantly higher estimated glomerular filtration rates during the 7-year posttransplant period and less frequently developed proteinuria (6.1% vs 23%; P < .01). ConclusionsPancreas transplantation reduced cardiovascular risk and prevented the development of proteinuria but did not improve patient and kidney graft survival in recipients with T1DM in the 7-year follow-up period.

Collaboration Between Lowersilesian Cultural Tourism Attractions – A Reality or a Dream of a Future?

Interorganisational cooperation seems to have become the common strategy in a modern tourism market. On one hand it strengthens organisations with all the benefits it can offer, on the other it develops and promotes the competitive advantage of a destination on a global tourist market. The paper focuses on cultural tourism attractions sector in Lower Silesia region in Poland. It sets out to identify various forms of the collaboration and follows with analysing two different cases of them. They are furthermore compared which allows to draw conclusions concerning both the benefits and weaknesses of both. Final results include assumptions of the authors concerning the conditions for succesful collaboration in case of heritage tourism attractions.

Review of Changes in Amount of Hospitalizations Related to Poisoning by Chosen Psychotropic Drugs (T43 ICD-10) in Lower Silesia Region of Poland in Years 2006-2012

Review of Changes in Amount of Hospitalizations Related to Poisoning by Chosen Psychotropic Drugs (T43 ICD-10) in Lower Silesia Region of Poland in Years 2006-2012

Important to Forensic Medicine Statistical Trends in Hospital Admissions of Patents Bitten and Struck by Dogs (W54 ICD-10) in the Lower Silesia Region of Poland in the Years 2006-2012

Important to Forensic Medicine Statistical Trends in Hospital Admissions of Patents Bitten and Struck by Dogs (W54 ICD-10) in the Lower Silesia Region of Poland in the Years 2006-2012

Analysis of Medical Interventions due to Toxic Effects of Contacts with Animals, Including Envenoming (X20-X27 and T63 ICD-10) in Lower Silesia Region of Poland in Years 2006-2012

Analysis of Medical Interventions due to Toxic Effects of Contacts with Animals, Including Envenoming (X20-X27 and T63 ICD-10) in Lower Silesia Region of Poland in Years 2006-2012

Analysis of Dynamics in Hospital Admissions Due to Poisonings by Nonopioid Analgesics, Antipyretics and Antirheumatics (T39 ICD-10) in Lower Silesia Region of Poland in Years 2006-2012

Analysis of Dynamics in Hospital Admissions Due to Poisonings by Nonopioid Analgesics, Antipyretics and Antirheumatics (T39 ICD-10) in Lower Silesia Region of Poland in Years 2006-2012