Silesia Province Research Articles

Respiratory Status in Children and Exposure to Animal Allergens-The Problem of Reverse Causality in Cross-Sectional Studies.

Some epidemiological studies suggest that early exposure to animal allergens during infancy reduces the risk of bronchial asthma in school-age children. However, the observed associations in some cases may be an effect of the study used (epidemiological observational studies, especially a cross-sectional study) and indicate reverse causality. This study aimed to determine the association between exposure to animal allergens and the prevalence of respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma, considering the potential impact of reverse causality on the observed relationships. An analysis of data from a cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted in 2020 involving 3237 primary school students aged 7-15 years in the Silesian Province (Southern Poland) was carried out. The parents of students completed a questionnaire based on The International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). The relationship between the occurrence of chronic cough, wheezing, and dyspnea in the last 12 months, night waking due to dyspnea, and asthma in the presence of pets was assessed. Exposure to animal allergens was determined by answering the question, "Are there any furry or feathered animals in the home?" with three response options: "yes; they have been in the past; no" (Scenario 1). For the analyses and to reveal a potential reverse causality effect, the last two response categories regarding pet ownership were combined to form a "no" category in Scenario 2, and the first two answers were combined into a "yes" category in Scenario 3. A chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between variables, and a statistical significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. Chronic cough affected 9.5% of children, wheezing in the last 12 months-9.2%, night waking due to dyspnea-5.8%, dyspnea in the last 12 months-4.8%, bronchial asthma-9.2%. Analysis considering the category of having or not having pets (yes vs. no) showed that bronchial asthma was statistically significantly more common in children who did not have pets at home (10.9% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.002). A similar situation was observed for wheezing in the past 12 months (10.7% vs. 8.1%; p = 0.01) and nocturnal awakening due to dyspnea (6.8% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.03). No statistically significant differences were observed for the other symptoms. Analysis by time of pet ownership (a. present; b. present but in the past; c. not present) highlighted similar relationships. Asthma (a. 7.7% vs. b. 13.4% vs. c. 7.7%; p = 0.004), wheezing in the past 12 months (a. 8.1% vs. b. 8.9% vs. c. 10.9%, p = 0.03) and night waking (a. 5.0% vs. b. 4.5% vs. c. 7.1%; p = 0.04) were more common in children without pets and those who had owned pets in the past. The highest proportion of children with asthma was in homes where pets were present in the past. Analyses indicating a relationship between a higher prevalence of asthma and some respiratory symptoms, and the absence of pets cannot be considered as a casual association. The analysis conducted did not reveal a reverse causality effect. The results of observational epidemiological studies, especially a cross-sectional study, should always be interpreted with caution, considering possible distortions and conclusions drawn.

DIRECTIONS OF CHANGES WITHIN THE FAMILY FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. REPORT FROM RESEARCH IN THE PROVINCE OF SILESIA

The development of family foster care forms is closely related to the adopted assumptions of changes within the foster care system. The objective of the article is to demonstrate the directions of changes occurring in the family foster care system, to determine the relationship between the indicators of the deinstitutionalization process and the differences in the functioning of foster care system in towns with district rights and country districts. The study was carried out on the basis of financial and material reports on the performance of tasks in terms of family and foster care system support in the province of Silesia. The findings of the study provide a better understanding of the impact of the processes of change in the foster care system on the ongoing regression of the development of family foster care forms.

Analysis of diluted honey samples from the province of Lower Silesia (Poland) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The direct determination of 18 elements (B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, and Zn) in 1% aqueous honey solutions (dilution factor = 100) by ICP MS was presented. The presence of sugar in sample solutions caused a decrease in analytical signals, the appearance of carbon-containing polyatomic ions, and the deposition of carbonaceous products on a sampler cone. On the flip side, these effects did not destabilize the ICP, while the internal standard calibration (9Be, 89Y, and 153Eu as standards) made it possible to correct matrix effects. Additionally, in the case of 11B, 23Na, 43Ca, and 57Fe isotopes, using a collision cell (He, 2 mL min−1) was required. Due to lower sample blanks, the analysis of water-diluted honey samples offered on average 3 times lower detection limits of elements than achieved for microwave-digested samples. The proposed method, characterized by high analytical throughput, was used for the analysis of 120 samples of honey from the apiaries in the Lower Silesia province. The average content of the major elements in the analyzed honey samples was: B 10.4 mg kg−1, Ca 61.0 mg kg−1, Fe 1.0 mg kg−1, K 1049 mg kg−1, Mg 27.8 mg kg−1, Mn 3.4 mg kg−1, Na 9.1 mg kg−1, Rb 1.4 mg kg−1, Zn 2.0 mg kg−1, and the average content of the trace elements: Ba 130 μg kg−1, Cd 3.2 μg kg−1, Cs 4.8 μg kg−1, Cu 315 μg kg−1, Li 3.8 μg kg−1, Ni 90 μg kg−1, Pb 8.0 μg kg−1, Sr 119 μg kg−1, Tl 1.2 μg kg−1. It was found that (1) the concentrations of all tested elements (except B and Tl) were higher in dark honey, (2) the content of Cs and Rb in honey from the mountain areas of the voivodeship was much higher than this in honey from the lowland areas, and (3) the best discriminators in terms of the color and the botanical origin of honey were the concentrations of Cu and Mn, and to a lesser extent also B, Ca, K, Mg, and Na; e.g., honeydew and buckwheat honey contained much higher amounts of Cu and Mn, sunflower honey was characterized by a significantly higher content of Ca, and rape honey showed an increased B content. Given that the proposed sample preparation procedure allows the simultaneous, reliable, and fast determination of major, trace, and ultra-trace elements, it seems to be a convenient method for the profiling of many honey samples in a very short time.

Chickenpox in Poland in 2021.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease, but one that can be effectively prevented by vaccination. In Poland, vaccination against the disease is recommended, paid for, and chickenpox remains very common. In recent years, starting in 2002, the upward trend in the incidence of chickenpox has continued, except in 2020. In 2020, there was a decrease in incidence. The aim of this study was to evaluate epidemiological indicators of chickenpox in Poland in 2021 compared to previous years, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation of the epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2021 was carried out based on the results of the analysis of aggregate data published in the annual bulletins: "Infectious Diseases and Poisons in Poland in 2021" and "Immunization in Poland in 2021". In addition, recommendations from the 2021 Immunization Program are described. 57,669 cases of chickenpox were registered in Poland in 2021, 42% less than in the previous year. The incidence of chickenpox in 2021 was 151.1 per 100,000, which was lower than in 2020, as well as in 2019, when it was 470.6/100,000. The lowest incidence was registered in Lower Silesia Province - 99.2/100,000, while the highest in Silesia Province - 215.8/100,000. The highest incidence was in children aged 0-4 years (18,028). The incidence of chickenpox in males was higher than in females (159.5 vs. 143.3/100 thousand), and urban residents were higher than rural residents (152.1 vs. 149.6/100 thousand). Hospitalization due to chickenpox in 2021 included 210 people, which accounted for 0.36% of the total number of registered cases. In 2021, there was a decrease in the number of chickenpox cases compared to the previous year. The lower incidence may have been the result of a decrease in the transmission of the chickenpox virus, the decrease in the number of cases has to do with, among other things, the restrictions put in place in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, which result in, among other things, reduced human contact, the wearing of masks and increased social distance.

Mumps in Poland in 2021.

Mumps is a contagious viral disease occurring mainly in children, the source of infection being the sick/infected person. Since 2003, vaccination against mumps has been mandatory in Poland, performed according to a two-dose schedule. As part of the Public Health Immunization Program (PSO), the MMR combination vaccine (against measles, mumps and rubella) is used for the entire population of children. The aim of this study was to evaluate epidemiological indicators of mumps in Poland in 2021 compared to previous years, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of the epidemiological situation of mumps in Poland in 2021 was based on the interpretation of data from the bulletin , "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2021" and , "Immunization in Poland in 2021". 484 cases of mumps were registered in Poland in 2021. The total incidence was 1.3 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than in 2020. The highest incidence of 1.8 per 100,000 residents was registered in Pomorskie Province, and the lowest incidence of 0.7 in Lower Silesia Province. The highest incidence (6.4/100 thousand) was recorded in children aged 0-4 and 5-9. The incidence rate for men (1.4/100,000) was higher than for women (1.1). In 2021, there were 9 patients hospitalized due to mumps, this was more than in 2020. The decrease in the number of cases of mumps in 2021 remained related to the ongoing pandemic - the restrictions introduced during the pandemic period led to a decrease in the number of cases not only of COVID-19, but also of other diseases spread by the droplet route, including mumps. The number of registered cases based on the reports of diagnosing physicians may be underestimating the actual number of cases due to the continued difficult access of patients to primary care physicians.

Temporary Custody in Care Centres. Report from a Study in the Silesian Voivodeship

One of the most important assumptions about the operation of the contemporary foster care system is that caring for a child deprived of proper living conditions in their own family is temporary. The aim of a child’s stay in foster care is to rebuild the stability of the family and restore it to the child or—should that emerge as impossible—to regulate the child’s legal status and initiate the adoption procedure.The research objective is to determine to what extent care centres fulfil the assumptions of foster care temporariness and define mutual relations between variables significant for the fulfilment of this assumption. It also aims to determine differences between towns with district rights and country districts concerning the indicators of foster care temporariness. The study was conducted based on financial and material reports on the performance of tasks in the field of family support and the system of foster care in the province of Silesia. The study results show that, on average, family reintegration occurs in the instance of one in nine children placed in institutional foster care. At the same time, the adoption rate is depicted by a downward trend. Another phenomenon of concern is that an increasing proportion of children leaving institutional foster care are those who become independent. This means that the temporariness of institutional foster care is decreasing. Research also demonstrated that the indicators of deinstitutionalisation and intensity of foster care do not have a statistically significant impact on fulfilling the temporariness assumption at care institutions. The type of county, on the other hand, has a statistically significant effect on the fulfilment of adoption tasks.

Screening of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the water environment of a region diversified in land use and urban development (Silesian Province, southern Poland)

This research aimed to assess the PPCP contamination of the water environment within the Silesian Province (southern Poland), where emerging contaminants are likely to occur due to urbanisation and industrialisation, especially in the central part of the voivodeship. An attempt was made to compare the PPCP occurrence in waters of areas that varied in land use and urban development, i.e. within the Upper Silesian Urban Area (USUA) and outside this region. The research was performed in selected areas of the province and involved sampling of raw and treated wastewater from four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), as well as surface water (9 samples) and groundwater (14 samples) in six pilot sites. In total, 102 PPCPs were analysed using the LC-MS/MS method. In the natural waters, physicochemical parameters were also measured, and the basic chemical composition of the samples was determined. In the wastewater samples, the number of detected substances and the total PPCP concentrations were up to 66 PPCPs and 1211.0 µg/L in influents, and up to 59 PPCPs and 174.1 µg/L in effluents. The values for the natural water samples were respectively up to 71 PPCPs and 172.2 µg/L in surface water, and up to 13 PPCPs and 1.5 µg/L in groundwater. The results revealed that wastewater discharges from WWTPs using conventional treatment methods serve as a significant source of PPCPs due to inefficient removal of the microcontaminants. The contamination level of the surface waters in terms of the PPCP occurrence and basic chemical composition was higher within the USUA, where rivers are recipients of wastewater discharges from WWTPs. The PPCP quantity in the groundwater samples did not vary greatly within and outside the USUA, likely due to hydraulic connection between rivers and aquifers or induced surface water infiltration that recharge aquifers in some of the selected areas.

Salt Intake of Children and Adolescents: Influence of Socio-Environmental Factors and School Education.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the salt consumption by children and adolescents from the Silesian Province (Poland), taking into account the region's dietary traditions and the age of the students+. (2) Methods: 300 students aged 10-18 from different types of schools were enrolled in the study and divided into groups in terms of school, sex, and the state of their nutrition. A survey questionnaire about dietary habits, including the frequency and serving size with respect to 12 salty products, was used. On the basis of the frequency and the amount of consumed products, as well as the data on salt content, the amount of total daily intake of salt was estimated. (3) Results: The mean daily intake of salt by children and adolescents was 1.083 g (0.433 g of sodium); children aged 10-12 consumed the highest amount of salt (1.296 g/day) compared to pupils aged 13-15 (1.131 g of sodium) and adolescents aged 16-18 (0.863 g/day). (4) Conclusions: With age, as a result of various factors, the consumption of salt declines. The parents' impact and the familial socio-environmental factors begin to wane, and other factors start to have influence, e.g., school education of a healthy lifestyle and health behavior of peers.

Teeth as an Indicator of the Environmental Exposure of Silesia Province's Inhabitants in Poland to Metallic Trace Elements.

(1) Background: The elemental composition of teeth can provide an estimate of environmental exposure to heavy metals. The aim of this study was to analyze the possibility of using teeth in the biomonitoring of environmental exposure to heavy metals as an indicator of contaminants present in the human residential environment. (2) Methods: The research materials were 110 samples of extracted teeth. The samples were taken from people living in three areas in the province of Silesia. The concentrations of cadmium, lead, and mercury in the samples were determined. (3) Results: The results of the chemical analysis of the collected samples showed a significant variation in the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Hg) in the analyzed teeth. Furthermore, the mean concentrations of the analyzed heavy metals in the teeth varied according to the patient's place of residence, the type of tooth analyzed, the presence of caries in the patient, and the smoking or non-smoking status of the patient. (4) Conclusions: The results of the chemical analysis of the teeth of inhabitants of three cities in the most polluted region of Poland indicate that they can be used as an indicator of environmental exposure to cadmium, lead, and mercury.

Wyzwania dla bezpieczeństwa psychicznego nauczycieli w miejscu pracy – badania pilotażowe w gminie Strzelin

The study aims to show how teachers’ interactions with students, parents or legal guardians, and colleagues in the workplace affect educators’ sense of psychological safety. To this end, the survey and in-depth interviews were carried out among teachers of public educational institutions in the municipality of Strzelin (in the Lower Silesian Province). A noticeable scarcity of studies on the aggressive acts directed against educators and their consequences was the inspiration to undertake them. Publications on increasing the levels of physical, psychological, sexual, and economic aggression among students are much more common. The obtained research results show that many teachers feel “left behind” in the face of the aggression they experience, expressing the view that they cannot count on help and understanding from either the Ministry of Education and Science or their immediate superiors. Furthermore, the measurements showed that educators need to be more adequately assimilated knowledge of the legal protection to which they are entitled and are also unaware of ministerial initiatives to provide psychological support for teachers. The conducted pilot study argues in favour of the desirability of pursuing subsequent in-depth research addressing the issue of teachers’ psychological safety.

Do the pollution related to ozone pose a real health threat to the population in Upper Silesia?

Abstract Background Air pollution is a leading environmental factor, that influences human health. Although Ozone plays crucial role in the screening Earth's surface and lower atmosphere layers from the ultraviolet radiation, the troposphere ozone is proved to have negative effect on human body. Long-term exposure to a higher ozone concentration is related to a decrease in life expectancy. Objectives The objective of this study was the measurement-based assessment for determining whether the concentrations of ozone is within admissible limits or exceeded in Silesia province (5 million agglomeration) and therefore pose a threat to the local population together with the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 significantly exceeded at the same time. Material and methods The data provided by the Voivodship Inspectorate for Environmental Protection in Katowice for period 2015-2022 was used in the statistical analysis. The received data constitutes the result of 8-hour concentrations of ozone in selected air monitoring stations of Silesian province. The locations of 3 monitoring stations were found useful for the aim of this research; one site is situated in rural background area, another one is located in medium - sized city and the Katowice station is representative for urban background situation. Results The alarm level hasn't been exceeded in indicated measurements stations in Silesian Voivodship in period 2015-2022 (averaging time 1 hour: 240 µg/m3 four 3 hours). The target level has been exceeded in 2015-2017, in all three measurements stations and in the following years in one station (in Zloty Potok - 2018 and in Katowice -2019). Each year the largest number of exceedances occurred in August. Conclusions The results clearly indicate lack of hazards for general population health in terms of increased concentrations of ozone in the city centres and outside in Upper Silesia agglomeration and the situation even improved in last years. We identified the main sources of ozone. Key messages • The troposphere ozone is proved to have negative effect on human body, long-term exposure to a higher ozone concentration is related to a decrease in life expectancy. • The results clearly indicate lack of hazards for general population health in terms of increased concentrations of ozone in the city centres and outside in Upper Silesia agglomeration.

Biodiversity on one of the post-mining heaps in the Silesian province (Poland)

Biodiversity on one of the post-mining heaps in the Silesian province (Poland)

WE HAVE TWO INSPECTION INSTITUTIONS. WE HAVE NO SUPPORT INSTITUTION: PROFESSIONAL FOSTER PARENTS ON THE SYSTEM OF FOSTER FAMILY SUPPORT. SINGLE CASE STUDY

International research demonstrates that one of the most important predictors of foster parents satisfaction is a properly functioning system of foster family support. The article aims to answer the question: how do professional foster parents evaluate their relationships with the institutions which form the district system of foster family support? The research was conducted in qualitative strategy based on the qualitative case study method. The research technique applied involved semi-structured interviews, executed with 10 professional foster families, operating in one district in the province of Silesia. The research conclusions allow a better understanding of the needs of foster parents within the scope of support offered by the system of foster care.

Innovative Activities of Public Sector Enterprises in the Context of Poland’s Economic Growth in 2012–2021

Objectives: The principal aim of the paper is to analyse and assess the impact of the innovative activities of public sector enterprises on the change in GDP per capita in Poland. The object of the research turned out to be public sector enterprises, but the analysis was extended to include NUTS2 units. Therefore, 16 Polish Provinces were examined in this respect. The research period covered the years 2012–2021. Research Design &amp; Methodology: In the theoretical part, a critical analysis of the literature on the subject was used, while in the empirical part, statistical analysis was provided. The empirical analysis included the characterisation of the selected features, an analysis of basic descriptive statistics, and an analysis of the obtained results. The collected data was prepared using descriptive statistics – mean values, median, minimum and maximum values, first and third quartiles, and distance from the average value, as well as changes in relation to the base year. Several predictors were identified and determined in an arbitrary manner, allowing research to be conducted and conclusions to be drawn. Pearson correlation analysis was also used, the results of which made it possible to determine the strength of the relationship between the examined measures in the field of innovative activitiesof public sector enterprises and Poland’s economic growth. Findings: The main conclusions at the national level include, firstly, that in the analysed period in the Polish economy, on average 26% of public sector enterprises were innovative industrial entities.Secondly, the most frequently introduced type of innovation in the surveyed sector were new or improved processes; the average percentage of enterprises generating this type of activity was 24%. Thirdly, on average, 19.4% of public sector enterprises incurred expenditure on innovation activities, but in 2021, this percentage increased by slightly over 3 percentage points.However, at the regional level, the following regularities can be formulated. Firstly, both in terms of the highest average percentage of innovative industrial enterprises and the highest average expenditure on innovative activities, the Silesian Province was the leader, followed closely by the Masovian Province. A completely different situation concerned the regions for which the percentages of these predictors turned out to be the lowest, i.e. the Lubusz Province and the Warmian-Masurian Province. Secondly, the average share of net revenues from the sale of innovative products in total net revenues from sales in three Provinces, i.e. Pomeranian, Sub-Carpathian, and Łódź, turned out to be higher than the average share for Poland. Implications/Recommendations: The practical implication of the study may be the identification of several predictors of innovative activity of the public sector that influences Poland’s economic growth (measured by the growth dynamics of GDP per capita); the obtained results provide some scope for applying a targeted policy aimed at developing the innovativeness of public sector enterprises in Poland on the one hand, and at improving the attractiveness and competitiveness of the economy on the international arena on the other. Contribution/Value Added: The practical implication of the study may be the identification of several predictors of innovative activity of the public sector that influences Poland’s economic growth (measured by the growth dynamics of GDP per capita); the obtained results provide some scope for applying a targeted policy aimed at developing the innovativeness of public sector enterprises in Poland on the one hand, and at improving the attractiveness and competitiveness of the economy on the international arena on the other.

Evaluation of the quality of life of older people with diabetes.

Diabetes is commonly classified as a chronic disease of affluence due to the frequency of its incidence and the rate of its spreading. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of life of geriatric patients with type 2 diabetes. 294 seniors diagnosed with type 2 diabetes living in the Lower Silesian Province in south-western Poland took part in the study. The study used a self-developed questionnaire collecting clinical and socio-demographic data, the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire, Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Self-Care of Diabetes Inventory (SCODI) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Significant relationships of QoL with BMI, level of education and place of residence, were observed. BMI was significantly negatively correlated with the psychological domain of functioning and the environmental functioning, the level of education was correlated with physical health, psychological and environmental functioning, while the place of residence was correlated with the perception of the QoL and environmental functioning. Acceptance of illness was positively correlated with the perception of QoL and one's physical health. The results of regression analyses in predicting QoL in all domains showed that all models were a good fit for the data (p < 0.001), and the single predictor was maintenance of self-care. The level of depression was negatively correlated to a statistically significant degree with the perception of QoL and one's health condition. BMI, level of education and place of residence had the highest impact on the quality of life of the participants. The quality of life of the participants improved with the increase in the acceptance of their illness. The higher the level of depression exhibited by the participants, the poorer they evaluated their quality of life.

Assessment of Life Satisfaction of the Physicians of the Silesian Province, Poland.

The medical profession is associated with a heavy psychological and physical burden. Specific working conditions can negatively affect the assessment of physicians' quality of life. The lack of current studies prompted us to evaluate the life satisfaction of the physicians in the Silesian Province in relation to the selected factors (health status, professional preferences, family and material status). The study included 701 physicians and dentists from the Silesian Province aged between 25 and 80 years. It was conducted in 2018 using the Paper and Pencil Interview technique by obtaining non-personalized demographic, anthropometric, socioeconomic, occupational, health and lifestyle data. The following measures were used: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Occupational Satisfaction and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Considering the environmental conditions, the total SWLS scores were analysed in terms of the significance of differences in the groups. Moreover, the SWLS scores underwent multivariate analysis of variance and the correlation analysis of job satisfaction and the presence of anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Life satisfaction among the physicians and dentists from the Silesian Province was at an average level. Significant predictors included age and economic status. Additionally, significant predictors in the younger subjects (25-50 years) included the Body Mass Index and practising sports. In turn, in the older subjects (50-80 years), these predictors were related to hospital work and being on sick leave. The study found a significant moderate association between life satisfaction and professional satisfaction. Additionally, a significantly lower level of life satisfaction was reported in the subjects who presented with anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. Due to its association with the profession, the mean level of life satisfaction among physicians and dentists prompts verification of crucial spheres related to the physical, emotional, social and material well-being and the activity of the professional group.

Exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 pollution and the risk of respiratory diseases in upper Silesia inhabitants

Background: Multiple studies confirm that PM2.5 and PM10 can affect lung growth and development in children and adolescents, the number of medical visits, and hospital emergency admissions due to asthma, respiratory symptoms, and upper and lower respiratory tract disorders. Objective: The objective of this study was the measurement-based assessment for determining whether the concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 are within admissible limits or exceeded in the Upper Silesia urban area (Silesia province) and to examine the relationship between PM concentrations and the number of admissions in Primary Health Care due to respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic bronchitis for children, adolescents and adults. Material and methods: The data provided by the Voivodship Inspectorate for Environmental Protection in Katowice, National Health Fund - Silesian Department, and the District Sanitary-Epidemiological Station in Katowice for the period 2012-2017 was used in the statistical analysis. Results: The increase in the number of excessive levels of average daily PM10 concentration was observed in almost all measurement stations, both for the acceptable level, information, and alarm level. The increase in average annual PM2.5 concentrations was also observed. The results showed an increased prevalence of respiratory diseases (ICD-Diagnosis Code 10-CM: J017, J030, J034, J038, J040) during the study period in 14 of 20 cities of Silesia province, consistently higher for children than adults. Conclusions: In Silesia province, the air quality is poor and has deteriorated over the last few years. Exposure to ambient PM2.5 and PM10 was significantly associated with the development of respiratory tract diseases in children and adults.

The socio-economic importance of abandoned railway areas in the landscape of the Silesian Province (southern Poland)

Abstract The Province of Silesia, in Poland, is an area where many railway connections, of mostly local importance, have been closed recently. In some cities, they have been eliminated altogether and passenger rail transport has been replaced by bus transport. For this research, a sociological study was conducted using the diagnostic survey method and the questionnaire technique. A transversal testing strategy was also used. The aims of the study were to illustrate the function of abandoned railway areas in the landscape and to present possible recommendations for their development from the point of view of the needs of society. The research population included 1,685 people who were students at the University of the Third Age and adult residents. The surveys focused on the possibility of exploiting the natural potential of railway areas. The respondents’ answers provided suggestions for the development of unused railway areas, which included creating bicycle lanes, alleys with a high biodiversity of both flora and fauna, and walking tracks. The analysis of the study’s results can be useful to both local authorities and the Management of the Polish State Railways (PKP S.A.) in their decision-making processes concerning the revitalization of unused railway areas. Similar revitalization efforts have already been undertaken by various cities and communities.

The Problem of Reliability in Public Transport for the Metropolis GMZ Area-Pilots Studies

Ensuring the sustainable development of transportation whether it involves a country, a city or a metropolitan area is becoming a priority for modern Europe. Therefore, the development of sustainable transportation is crucial in cities. It should aim to increase the number of trips made by public transportation while minimizing social costs and negative environmental impacts. The intensive development of cities from industrial to service-based and the phenomenon of suburbanization require changes in public transport services. Often, however, carriers do not change existing lines and stops and schedules justifying this by passenger habits. This approach can cause a mismatch between the availability of public transportation services and the demand for these services. Therefore, planning and improving the public transportation system should be based on careful analysis. There are different approaches to this problem. The article uses the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) method to assess service quality, including reliability, where the main measurement tool was a survey questionnaire. A pilot studies has been conducted to present the opinion of residents of the Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowskiej Metropolis (GZM) on specific parameters of public transportation. The GZM is a large metropolitan area in the Silesian province, consisting of 41 municipalities. The metropolitan area is inhabited by more than 2.3 million people and covers an area of about 2550 square kilometers. The results of the pilot studies are a contribution to further research and may be useful to understand the essence of reliability in public transport.

Circulation of the Silesian Political Elite - Case Study

This paper is aimed to investigate the exchange index of the Silesian political elite in cities with county rights from the 2002 election through five elections until 2018. The author’s deliberations on the political elite exchange are based on the political elite circulation theory presented by Vilfredo Pareto. The key research question to be answered in this paper is: What is the exchange index of the local political elite’s representatives in cities with county rights in the Silesian province (PL “województwo” [voivodeship] – a local government administration unit in Poland).&#x0D; A regression analysis was carried out to test the influence of the year of the term of office and city on the political elite’s exchange level. The list of councillors was transformed into a database using a Python algorithm. Further data operations (diagram plotting, model calculation) were performed in the R 4.0.5 statistical environment (R Core Team, 2020). The analyses proved that the observed values of the political elite exchange index were close to the mean or distributed homogenously around it. Chorzów was the only exception for which the political elite exchange index was significantly lower than the mean for each year. The mean index of “political elite exchange” was higher in 2002 than in other years, while the expected means of 2006, 2010, and 2014 differ insignificantly. The analyses revealed a relatively stable composition of the elites. The summary contains conclusions and recommendations.