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Extreme precipitation of a minimum daily value of >30 mm often initiates natural hazards such as floods, which in turn may not only lead to property damage but also present a danger to people's health and lives. This paper mainly focuses on examining the trends and frequency of extreme daily precipitation (EDPr) in Poland. Also, it determines natural risk zones caused by EDPr of >30 mm, >50 mm, >70 mm, and >100 mm. In Poland, a significant positive trend was found for EDPr > 30 mm, >50 mm, and >70 mm in September, and for EDPr >100 mm in May. The most frequently recorded EDPr in Poland was >30 mm, the frequency of which ranged from 0.04% in February to nearly 3% in July. EDPr of >100 mm was recorded in 4 months, from May to August. An increase in the frequency of monthly EDPr in Poland occurred mainly in the southwestern and western parts. In Poland, three hazard zones of various frequencies of EDPr events were determined. In Zone III, which is in the southwestern and southern parts of the country, EDPr events occurred far more often than in Zone I; on average, four times more in the spring–summer season and slightly more than five times more in the autumn–winter season. The obtained results may help in the building of modern management and monitoring systems for the prevention of natural hazards caused by extreme precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The population aging, together with the shrinking caring potential of families, is a major challenge for social policy in the coming years. The aim of the study is to identify the factors that determine not only the use of long-term care (LTC) but also the selection of individual types of such care in Poland. Methods: Using unique data collected from inpatient LTC facilities in Poland and the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) database, we estimate logistic regressions explaining the choice of LTC solution. Results: Our results suggest that social inequalities play a role in choosing the type of LTC. Better educated people choose private institutions, while people without support network use more often social residential homes. The impact of multimorbidity on choosing different types of inpatient facilities is limited, thus the number of ADL limitations remains a better indicator of long term care utilization. Conclusions: The study confirms that social inequalities influence decisions about the choice of LTC. However, multi-morbidity is a predictor of using LTC to a limited extent. The differences in LTC selection determinants between women and men are noticeable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meteorological drought (MDr) causes considerable economic losses in many countries, including in relation to agriculture. To examine the diversity of seasonal meteorological drought in Poland, the study uses monthly precipitation sums in the period from March to November, collected from 74 ground-based meteorological stations in 1951–2020. The paper defines meteorological drought on the basis of the standardized precipitation index in three seasons (SPI-3) and differentiates three degrees of drought intensity: extreme, severe and moderate. The study also calculates the size of Poland's area affected by meteorological drought (AAMDr) and determines the relationship between AAMDr and SPI-3. MDr in Poland occurred more frequently in spring and autumn (every 4–5 years) than in summer (every 7 years). In the areas affected by extreme drought, precipitation was below the average, mainly ≤50% of the climatic norm, and air temperature values were below or above the average of the climatic norm, mainly ranging from −1.0 to 1.0 °C. A significant negative correlation between AAMDr and SPI-3 indices was found. The obtained results could be useful for managing climatic risk and developing regional and local agriculture adaptation plans aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• LTC cost in Poland will rise due to population aging. • Obesity is a factor increasing the need for long term care. • We make projections of LTC costs of adults 50+ depending on the level of obesity. • Obesity of older adults may increase the LTC costs, even by up to 0.2% of GDP The share of both elderly and obese people in the population of many countries, including Poland in particular, will increase. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of obesity of adults 50+ on public expenditures on long-term care in Poland. Using the Survey on Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) database and the European Commission macro-simulation model, we estimate long-term projection of long-term care costs of older adults depending on the level of obesity. Our results suggest that obese people are more likely to be disabled and obesity of adults 50+ may increase the long-term care costs by up to 0.3% of GDP in 2070 horizon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goals of this work were to assess differences in precipitation totals (Pr) in Poland in both time and space and to distinguish regions based on precipitation variability in the years 1951-2018. To assess precipitation conditions, the study used statistical and spatial analyses implemented in ArcGIS Desktop and STATISTICA software. The largest number of significant, positive correlations describing the linear Pr trend were found for March. The lowest monthly Pr, which represents only approximately 6% of the multi-year precipitation totals, was recorded in October 1951; the highest monthly Pr, which represents as much as approximately 355% of the multi-year precipitation totals, was recorded in October 1974. The study distinguished three precipitation regions of Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Effective nursing leadership is a key element of the healthcare system and is essential for proper functioning and patient safety. Aim. To explore authentic leadership competencies among novice nurses and the relationship between the competencies components and sociodemographic variables. Methods. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, data were collected in 2019 with the Authentic Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire – Polish adaptation (ALSAQ-P) and metrics. The analysis was based on 133 completed questionnaires. Results. The majority of novice nurses presents the average level of authentic leadership competencies. They present the low level of competence in relational self-awareness domain. The correlation of seniority with moral processing has been revealed. Compared to women, men present significantly higher authentic leadership competence. Conclusions. Novice nurses authentic leadership competencies should begin to be developed. Actions to strengthen women's leadership competencies are also an important aspect of nursing development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the possibility of uranium recovery from a post-mining uranium ore dump in Poland by a bioleaching method. The studies were conducted on the dump leaching model with the mass of 570 kg of uranium bearing mineral material from Radoniów pile and in the periodic bioreactor with a work volume of 80 dm3 and with mechanical mixing and aeration of the charge. The uranium concentration in the examined material was about 800 ppm. In this process, the consortium of microorganisms isolated from former mines was used. It was composed of the following microorganisms: Bacillius, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Thiobacillus, Halothiobacillus, Thiomonas, and Geothrix. The efficiency of the uranium bioleaching process was 98% in the reactor, and a yield of 70% was obtained in the dump leaching model. The post-leaching solution contained significant amounts of uranium ions that were separated in two stages: (1) by ion chromatography and then (2) by a two-step precipitation method. The resulting solution was a source of ammonium diuranate, the precursor of yellowcake (uranium oxides). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigate whether higher physical activity of older people dampens increases in public expenditure, particularly the costs of long-term care. In our estimations, we refer to the projections of long-term care costs in Poland, published by the European Commission. Using the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) database, we calculate disability rates based on physical activity performed. Our results suggest that disability rates are significantly lower for older people who are physically active, and the promotion of physical activity in Polish society may significantly reduce future budgetary burden connected with population aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kletno deposit in the Śnieżnik Massif (Central Sudetes, SW Poland), mined for Fe, U, Ag, Cu, fluorite, and marble through the ages, developed at the contact of marbles and orthogneiss. Here, we present a new Fe-Ti-V-ore (containing up to 14.07 wt. % Fe, 2.05 wt. % Ti, and 2055 ppm V in bulk rock) and ornamental- to gem-quality talc prospect at the southwest margin of this deposit. This newly documented Fe-Ti-V mineralization is hosted in hornblendites, dolomite veins, and chlorite schists, which, along with talc, envelopes a tectonic slice of serpentinite. Hornblendites are interpreted as metamorphosed ferrogabbros, derived from the same mafic melts as adjacent barren metagabbros. The oxygen and carbon isotope compositions of metabasites and dolomite veins (amphibole δ18O values = 8.8-9.3‰; carbonate δ18O values = 12.8-16.0‰, and δ13C values = -8.3‰ to -7.2‰), in combination with those of the country marbles (carbonate δ18O and δ13C values = 23.2‰ and +0.1‰, respectively), suggest that mineralization-bearing hornblendites formed due to interaction of the mafic magma with CO2 released during the decarbonation of the sediments. The CO2-bearing fluid interaction with gabbros likely caused carbonation of the gabbros and formation of the dolomite veins, whereas talc formed due to Si-rich fluids, possibly derived from a mafic intrusion, interaction with serpentinite, or due to the metasomatism of the serpentinite-gabbro assemblage. Moreover, fluids leaching Fe and Ti from the adjacent sediments can mix with the mafic magma causing enrichment of the magma in Fe and Ti. Consequently, the mineralization-bearing ferrogabbros became even more enriched in Fe and Ti, which can be linked with the formation of Fe-Ti-V ore bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern archaeology makes use of analytical methods in order to answer questions about deposit and technological provenience of artefacts. This paper discusses selected and the most interesting, results obtained during the completion of a research project which focuses on silver from the 10th and 11th centuries in Poland. In total, 200 silver artefacts known from Polish hoards (found in Kalisz-Dobrzec, Nowa Obra, Wolsztyn District, Zalesie, Olsztyn District, Słuszków and Jastrzębniki, Kalisz District, Kalisz-Rajsków and Stojkowo, Kołobrzeg District and Naruszewo, Płońsk District) were studied. A micro-invasion LA-ICP-MS (Laser Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) was used for determinining lead isotope ratios in silver. The data obtained were evaluated using statistical methods which allowed reliable isotopic ratios in inhomogeneous alloy to be obtained. In order to study the provenance of silver, the obtained lead isotope ratios in the artefacts were compared with those of silver deposits. The use of SEM-EDX allowed the tracing of morphological changes and the measurement of quantitative elemental composition of coins, raw silver and jewellery according to technological traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The institutional support clearly accelerated the development of municipal adaptation plans. • The nationwide initiative increased the number of cities participating in adaptation planning. • The driving force for local planning of adaptation is organizational and financial support. • The ACP method can be used to assess the credibility of urban adaptation plans in Central-Eastern Europe. Adaptation to climate change is becoming a commonly understood necessity, therefore more and more cities are beginning to develop adaptation plans. The effects of planned actions remain an unknown for a long time, thus the quality and credibility of developed plans are of special importance. The goal of this work is to determine the credibility of 44 municipal adaptation plans (MAP) developed in 2015–2019 by the largest Polish cities as part of a governmental program. Further objectives include indicating the weak and strong points of adaptation planning, attempting to explain the causes of different assessment results of adaptation plans for particular cities, and evaluating the usability of the Adaptation Policy Credibility (APC) framework in Polish conditions. It was found that institutional support for adaptation planning had a highly positive effect. All the cities which joined the project developed highly credible plans, but the quality of these plans varied. The weak points of planning in Polish cities include its regulatory nature and the related legislation, past performance, funding, consistency, equity and justice, and public opinion. On the other hand, the strong points of planning in Polish cities include network membership, adaptation options, and taking uncertainty into consideration. Important aspects also include directing future research towards the development of a method for assessing the implementation of planned actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Central European Agriculture is the property of Journal of Central European Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to calculate the subjective equivalence scale and poverty rates for Poland and compare them to equivalence scales in Eastern and Western Europe.Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions data for 2005-2012. In particular, the authors capture the minimum needs income question and, knowing the minimum needs income of each individual’s observation, apply OLS regression controlling for income and household structure to estimate the poverty threshold, equivalence scales and poverty.Findings The subjective equivalence scales for the Euro Zone are constant for the period 2004-2012 and less stable for the CEE countries. The child cost in relation to the cost brought by an additional adult is higher in the CEE countries than in the Euro Zone countries. The subjective poverty rates are lower than the OECD rates. The only exceptions are Latvia, Estonia and Bulgaria.Originality/value The authors extend the analysis made by Bishop et al. (2014) by adding data for the years after 2007 and countries outside the Euro Zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The onion is the most common vegetable cultivated in Poland and yield is marked by high year to year variability. The yield quantity is predominantly affected by variable meteorological conditions, especially by precipitation deficiency. Data were collected from the Research Centre for Cultivar Testing and the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management for the period 1966-2005 to evaluate the effect of precipitation conditions on the yield of onions (Allium cepa L.) cultivated in Poland using multiple regression analysis. Verification of the curvilinear regression equation was conducted on the basis of relative forecast error and average relative forecast error. For this equation the ARFE amounted to 9.6%. The threshold precipitation value, i.e. the value at which reduction by at least 5% of the total yield occurs, was determined by curvilinear regression. Reduction of potential yield caused by precipitation deficiency and the frequency of precipitation deficiency were determined. Reductions of at least 5% in the average domestic onion yield in Poland occurred when atmospheric precipitation was ≤ 183 mm. This level of precipitation constituted 87% of the norm and took place in the period between the end of emergence to the beginning of leaf bending. Potential reduction in onion yield in Poland caused by precipitation deficiency in this period varied between 9 and 18%. In Poland, the frequency of atmospheric precipitation deficiency between 1966 to 2005 varied from 10% in the south-east to 50% in the central west and north west. The average frequency of atmospheric precipitation deficiency amounted to about 37%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deficient precipitation (dPr) in the growing season, especially in critical periods, affects plant condition and determines the quality and quantity of obtained yields. Knowledge about the variability and distribution of dPr is essential to mitigate its effect on agricultural soils and on crop and livestock production. The goal of the work is to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of spring precipitation deficiency and also to indicate the zones of risk and variability of its occurrence in Poland. It was assumed that dPr occurred when total monthly precipitation in a given year accounted for ≤75% of the total multi-year mean (1951–2018). In the spring season, the multi-year mean of the area covered by deficient precipitation (ACDP) amounted to 33% and fluctuated between approximately 31% in May and approximately 35% in March. The study distinguished four zones in Poland that vary in terms of the risk and variability of spring precipitation deficiency. The obtained results may be used, for example, to assess the needs for irrigation in the changing climate conditions, to model the growing season and yields of cultivated plants, and to select adaptation measures for agriculture in response to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper points out possibilities for limiting anthropic pressure in the Puszcza Zielonka Landscape Park in Poland. Based on the identification and evaluation of the most precious fragments of the environment, it determines the attractiveness of the park perceived as a complex multi- -ecosystem. It also identifies the main spatial problems and symptoms of anthropic pressure. The evaluation was conducted through establishing zones with similar environmental value and the determination of hemeroby indicators. The following basic problems were identified: recreational buildings and the development of settlements, cessation of agricultural production, further division of arable land into smaller plots in the buffer zone, combined with a change of land use. The final result of this research is a map of the functional and spatial division of the park, allowing for its protective, biocenotic and scientific functions and possible use for recreation in line with the principles of sustainable development. We ascertained that the strategic objectives and criteria for shaping spatial structures of protected areas should be included in the local spatial policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses 40 years valuable of data (1966-2005) obtained by the Polish Research Centre for Cultivar Testing and the Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management to recognize weather conditions conducive to large and small crops of onion (Allium cepa L.), more specifically its mid-late cultivars growth in Poland. We found three clusters of agrometeorological conditions, determining different sizes of onion crops. Cluster no. 1 included observations which were characterized by large onion crops (45.9 t ha-1 for the total crop and 44.7 t ha-1 for the commercial crop) and cluster no. 3 was characterized by a small crop (respectively 26.2 and 24.8 t ha-1). Large crops were favored by the following weather patterns: during sowing-end of emergence, above-average sunshine duration (8.1 h) and above-average air temperature (13.0°C); in the end of emergence-beginning of leaf bending-average sunshine duration (7.4 h), average soil temperature (18.7°C) and air temperature (16.8°C) and above-average rainfall, described by the coefficient of rainfall (2.8 mm); in the beginning of leaf bending-harvest-soil temperature (17.3°C) and air temperature (16.0°C) lower than a long-term average. Temperatures of soil and air that are higher than a long-term average, especially in the period sowing-end of emergence, with a parallel stable level of rainfall, may cause a reduction in onion crops in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the long-term environmental impact and historical temporal pollution patterns caused by a former copper mine in Iwiny (south-western Poland) using a dendrochemical approach. An additional aspect of this research was considering the possibility of using the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) measurement technique as a cheaper alternative to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in dendrochemical analyses conducted in copper mining areas. In the study area, a tailings storage facility (TSF) dam failure (1967) took place and the alkaline flotation waste containing high concentration of Cu and Pb are stored. Tree cores from pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) were analysed for the content of 11 trace elements (TEs) (Cd, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cr, Co, Pb, Cu, Fe, Al, Ag) using the ICP-OES technique, while tree rings' widths (TRWs) were also measured. Samples that were most significant in the context of the research goals were verified with the ICP-MS method. The results revealed the strong long-term impact of the copper industry as reflected in a substantial increase in the mean contents of: (1) Mn, Ni, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu and Fe in industrial vs. control trees, (2) TRWs for control vs. industrial trees. However, the observed patterns of TEs and TRWs did not correspond to the known timing of pollution inputs (mining activity, tailings spill). Peak levels were observed for Zn and Fe after the mine was closed. The lack of new sources of pollution and the temporal relationship strongly suggests that the tree rings recorded the chemical signal of the TSF reclamation (the use of fertilizers and agrotechnical interventions). Patterns of 7 elements were detected in most of the samples by ICP-OES (Co and Cd were not detected, Al and Ag were partly detected), while ICP-MS detected all of the elements. Significant differences were obtained for Ag, Cd, and Co. Despite challenges with the application of dendrochemistry in research on old mining areas (e.g., lack of old trees), it has proved to be a useful tool for investigating the aggregate environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The differences in plant phenology between rural and urban areas are the subject of research conducted all over the world. There are few studies aimed at assessing the impact of the urban heat island on plant vegetation only in urban areas. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the distance from the city center and the form of land cover on the phenological development of trees using the example of the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.). The research area covered the entire city of Wrocław. In order to best capture the impact of the distance from the city center on the rate of changes of individual phenophases, 3 areas were designated—at a distance of 1 km, 2 km and 5 km. The study assessed the average duration of individual phenological phases along with the variability characteristics for leafing, flowering and fruiting in relation to the designated zones and classified forms of land cover based on mean value ( x ¯ ) and standard deviation (±SD) in individual weeks of the year. For the leafing and flowering phases, the frequency of the occurrence of phases in individual weeks of the year was analyzed in relation to the designated zones and classified land use methods. The results obtained on the basis of phenological observations carried out in 2017 in Wrocław confirmed the extension of the period of vegetation in the city center in relation to its peripheries. Trees growing in road lanes entered the vegetation period later and defoliated faster, which confirms the negative impact of street conditions on the development of trees in urban space. Thus, the growing season in road lanes is shorter and due to the 1-year observation period, it is justified to conduct further observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recognition of changes in the course of agricultural thermal periods is vital when it comes to determining appropriate measures for adapting agriculture to climate change. The present study examined changes in air temperature between 1951 and 2014 in the area of south-western Poland. A statistically significant, positive linear trend was confirmed for the annual average temperature, seasonal averages, and monthly averages in the periods spanning February–May and July–August. From the beginning of the 21st century, the period of winter dormancy of plants started increasingly later; farming and plant vegetation periods started increasingly earlier, and the period of active plant growth was prolonged. Among the considered agricultural periods, the growing season was the most prolonged. The duration of the farming period was also significantly longer, but the winter dormancy period was shortened. The negative linear trend of days when the temperature stood at <0 °C was statistically confirmed for temperature in the entire region and most of the stations. In terms of predicting the consequences of the changes that were observed today over the next decades, this is not an easy task. However, the nature of these changes suggests that further cultivation of winter crops may require far-reaching adaptation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS) is characterized by the presence of multiple motor and vocal tics, as well as other neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of particular clinical symptoms in patients diagnosed with TS., Material and Methods: A hundred twenty-six individuals were studied. A brief questionnaire including data from the medical history and neurological examination was used., Results: TS was much more frequent in males (80%; 101/126) than in females. The mean age at onset was 7.6 (2-17) years. The onset of the disease was usually slow. Abrupt onset of the disease, usually after infection, was noted in 11% (12/114) of patients. The mean delay in diagnosis was 3.9 years. In most patients tics were moderate (64%; 81/126). Mild and severe intensity of tics were reported in 15% (19/126) and 21% (26/126) of patients, respectively. 77% (97/126) of individuals with TS had comorbidities. The mean comorbidity score was 2.79 per patient. Anger control problems, sleep difficulties, self-injurious behaviour and coprolalia were strongly associated with comorbidity. The most common reported comorbidity was attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (59%; 74/126). Family history was positive in 46% (57/125) of patients, most often in TS patients with onset between ages 2 and 4 years (70%; 14/20). Haloperidol was the most commonly used medication in our cohort (60%; 57/95). 22% (27/122) of patients did not receive any symptomatic treatment., Conclusions: The appropriate diagnosis was delayed for about four years after the onset of the disease. Comorbidity and behavioural problems were frequent features of TS. Genetic factors can play an important role in the aetiology of TS.