The European Union’s Cohesion Policy and the Economic Security of Poland

The article presents the Polish experience resulting from implementing European Union’s cohesion policy in 2004–2006 and some experiences as well as the effects of funds from the European budget in 2007–2013. The effects of structural funds implementation on the development of Polish regions was is also presented in a synthetic manner, including their effect in the socio-economic situation in Poland as a whole. Issues pertaining to the influence of European intervention into the elimination of disproportions between Poland and the richer EU states have are also touched upon. The last part of the work mentions the role of funds from the EU budget in cushioning the effects of the economic downturn

Zintegrowane inwestycje terytorialne jako nowy instrument podejścia terytorialnego w polityce regionalnej

The article is devoted to the evolution of the European Union's cohesion policy, whose fundamental objective is to enhance the social and economic cohesion of member states, including the changes that have taken place in 2014-2020. Because in this perspective, a number of studies and analyzes have been proposed to change it by giving it a territorial dimension that takes into account the use of endogenous potentials and the specificity of particular territories. The proposed changes should contribute to a fuller use of the potentials for more effective growth, employment and cohesion. The Integrated Development Investment as an element of the new regional policy paradigm has also become a new instrument of development implemented at the level of the European Union. The paper also covers the basic concepts and definitions that have allowed us to define a new dimension of regional policy, taking into account its evolution and its impact on the environmentArtykuł poświęcony jest ewolucji polityki spójności Unii Europejskiej, której fundamentalnym celem jest zwiększanie spójności społecznej i ekonomicznej krajów członkowskich, w tym jej zmianom jakie zaszły w perspektywie 2014-2020. Ponieważ w tej perspektywie, w wyniku szeregu przeprowadzonych badań i analiz zaproponowano jej zmianę poprzez nadanie jej terytorialnego wymiaru uwzględniającego wykorzystanie potencjałów endogenicznych i specyfiki poszczególnych terytoriów. Zaproponowane zmiany powinny przyczynić się do pełniejszego wykorzystania potencjałów na rzecz efektywniejszego kreowania wzrostu, zatrudnienia i spójności. Nowym instrumentem rozwoju wykreowanym na poziomie Unii Europejskiej, implementowanym także w Polsce, stały się Zintegrowane Inwestycje Terytorialne jako element nowego paradygmatu polityki regionalnej. W pracy przybliżono również podstawowe pojęcia i definicje, które pozwoliły na określenie nowego wymiaru polityki regionalnej wraz z uwzględnieniem jej ewolucji i oddziaływania na otoczeni

Trzydzieści lat funkcjonowania samorządu terytorialnego – nauka prawa administracyjnego wobec reform ustrojowych. Zagadnienia wprowadzające

The reforms carried out in 1990, which included the reactivation of local self-government, constituted one of the most important elements of the systemic transformation in our country. They were also an important element of the reform measures undertaken to implement the three main goals of the political transformation after 1989: democracy, the free market and decentralization. The postulate of restoring local self-government was included in the Solidarity programme in 1981, and it was the subject of renewed focus during the Round Table talks in 1989. Among the supporters and propagators of this idea in the anti-communist opposition were representatives of the study of administrative law, who envisioned the creation of a completely new institution that would not be indebted to the communist regime. It was therefore assumed that the old system of local authorities had been rejected. The self-government reform carried out in 1990 was at the same time a powerful shock to the study of systemic administrative law, which lost its subject of research, namely the issues of national councils, which from then on were treated only in the context of ‘negative experiences’. The reactivation of the local self-government in 1990 was accompanied by discussions and disputes on the concept of its essence, basic political assumptions and detailed rules of functioning. However, the reform did not come to an end in 1990, as local government law is characterized by a significant dynamic of changes concerning specific solutions, which is reflected in numerous amendments to local government laws. Subsequent reforms were accompanied by the activities of experts in the field of administrative law. At the same time, one should note significant development in the study of administrative law with regard to the consideration of local self-government issues.Przeprowadzone w 1990 r. reformy obejmujące reaktywowanie samorządu terytorialnego stanowiły jeden z najważniejszych elementów przemian ustrojowych w naszym kraju i były one istotnym elementem działań reformatorskich w ramach realizacji trzech głównych celów transformacji ustrojowej po roku 1989: demokracja, wolny rynek, decentralizacja. Postulat przywrócenia samorządu terytorialnego znalazł się w 1981 r. w programie Solidarności i powrócono do niego podczas obrad Okrągłego Stołu w 1989. Wśród zwolenników i propagatorów tej idei w opozycji antykomunistycznej byli przedstawiciele nauki prawa administracyjnego, którzy przewidywali stworzenie całkowicie nowej instytucji, niemieszczącej się w ramach ustroju komunistycznego. Zakładano zatem jednoznaczne odrzucenie starego systemu władz lokalnych. Przeprowadzona w 1990 r. reforma samorządowa stanowiła jednocześnie potężny wstrząs dla nauki ustrojowego prawa administracyjnego, które utraciło swój przedmiot badań w postaci problematyki rad narodowych, traktowanych odtąd wyłącznie w kontekście „negatywnych doświadczeń”. Reaktywowaniu samorządu terytorialnego w 1990 r. towarzyszyły dyskusje i spory wokół koncepcji jego istoty, podstawowych założeń ustrojowych i szczegółowych zasad funkcjonowania. Reforma nie zakończyła się w 1990 r., gdyż prawo samorządowe charakteryzuje się znaczną dynamiką przemian dotyczących konkretnych rozwiązań, co znajduje swój wyraz w licznych nowelizacjach ustaw samorządowych. Kolejnym reformom towarzyszyła działalność ekspertów z zakresu nauki prawa administracyjnego. Jednocześnie odnotować należy znaczny rozwój nauki prawa administracyjnego w zakresie problematyki samorządowej

Innowacyjność gospodarki w świetle krajowych progra-mów operacyjnych realizowanych w Polsce w ramach po-lityki spójności Unii Europejskiej w latach 2004–2020

The article presents Polish experience in building a competitive economy with financial support from the European Union budget as part of national operational programs. In this context, consider-ations began by clarifying the concept of innovation, then both the potential of the Polish economy on the eve of European integration, the strategic planning process and operational programs entirely focused on supporting those elements that directly and indirectly affect the growth of innovation of domestic business entities were presented. The article also draws attention to the scale of financial resources allocated to support the innovativeness of the Polish economy in particular programming periods, the evolution of goals and priorities and the entities involved in the implementation of these issues

Trophic state (TSISD) and mixing type significantly influence pelagic zooplankton biodiversity in temperate lakes (NW Poland)

Background Lake depth and the consequent mixing regime and thermal structure have profound effects on ecosystem functioning, because depth strongly affects the availability of nutrients, light, and oxygen. All these conditions influence patterns of zooplankton diversity. Zooplankton are a key component of the aquatic environment and are essential to maintaining natural processes in freshwater ecosystems. However, zooplankton biodiversity can be different regard to depth, mixing type and trophic state. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine how depth and mixing regime affect zooplankton diversity in lakes. We also investigated the vertical distribution of diversity across a trophic gradient of lakes. Methods A total of 329 zooplankton samples from 79 temperate lakes (36 polymictic and 43 dimictic) were collected. The biodiversity of zooplankton was calculated using species richness (SR) and the Shannon index (SI). An index based on Secchi disc visibility was used to determine the trophic state index (TSISD) of lakes. The one-way ANOVA with Duncan’s post hoc test were used to determine differences in zooplankton biodiversity between mictic lake types and thermal layers. To find the best predictors for zooplankton biodiversity a multiple stepwise regression was used. The rarefaction method was used to evaluate the impact of mixing types, thermal layers, and the TSISDon zooplankton biodiversity indices. A Sørensen similarity analysis and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) were performed to describe the similarity patterns in species composition among lakes. Results We identified a total of 151 taxa from 36 polymictic and 43 dimictic lakes. Lake depth and the TSISD were significantly correlated with the biodiversity of lake zooplankton. The results of ANOVA and Duncan tests show that mictic type and thermal zones had a significant effect on zooplankton biodiversity. The rarefaction curve showed significant differences in zooplankton biodiversity, which was greater in lakes with lower trophic state. Ordination by NMDS showed clustering of different mictic types, thermal layers, and composition changes throughout the TSISDprofile. Moreover, we determined that polymictic lakes are more heterogeneous than dimictic lakes in regard to zooplankton similarities. Discussion Both mictic lake types were characterized by varying levels of zooplankton biodiversity, which is shaped by the communities’ response to lake depth, thermal layers and TSISD values. The zooplankton SR and SI (during daylight hours) depends greatly on the mixing type. Lake type also indicates the importance of the metalimnion in shaping zooplankton biodiversity in dimictic lakes. In addition, data from NW Polish lakes indicated that the increase of the TSISD leads to taxonomic shifts and has a negative effect on the diversity of all groups of zooplankton

Transformation of a large multi-speciality hospital into a dedicated COVID-19 centre during the coronavirus pandemic

Introduction. The article describes the process of converting a large multi-specialized hospital into one dedicated to COVID-19 patients, and present established standards of work organization in all the wards and training system of the medical and supporting staff. The several weeks pandemic of the COVID-19 disease has forced the healthcare systems of numerous countries to adjust their resources to the care of the growing number of COVID-19 patients. Managers were presented with the challenge of protecting the healthcare workers from transmission of the disease within medical institutions, and issues concerning the physical and psychological depletion of personnel. Materials and method. Based on analyses of the structure and work processes in Central Clinical Hospital (CCH) reconstructive strategic plan was developed. It included: division of existing wards into observation and isolation wards; installing locks; weekly plan for supplying personal protection equipment (PPE); designating new access to the hospital and communication routes; training of medical and supporting staff. The plan was implemented from the first days of conversion of the hospital. Results. The wards of the CCH were converted for observation and isolation, and each one was fitted with sanitary locks. There was a big improvement in the supply of PPE for the medical staff. Separation of the ‘dirty’ and ‘clean’ parts of the CCH were attained, and widespread intensive training not only protected personnel against infections, but also diminished unrest which was discernable at the beginning of conversion. Conclusions. The transformation efforts will ultimately be appraised at the end of the epidemic, but the data looks encouraging. Two weeks after conversion, the testing of hospital Staff was started and by the end of April, 459 tests were had been conducted, of which only 11 were positive

Basilar tip fenestration giving rise to Percheron’s and mesencephalic arteries

The basilar bifurcation region is a common site for intracranial aneurysms, as well as it gives rise to a group of perforating arteries that supply the mesencephalon and the thalamus. Complex vascular microanatomy poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and neurologists. In this paper, we present a previously unreported case of basilar tip fenestration that gave rise to five perforating arteries: the artery of Percheron and four mesencephalic arteries. Due to invaluable clinical significance, the possibility of such a variant must be considered during performing various neurovascular procedures, since e.g., embolization of the fenestration misdiagnosed as an aneurysm would inevitably lead to severe neurological complications (consciousness disturbances, quadriplegia, and sensory loss). Comprehensive knowledge of the neuroanatomy and neuroembryology is crucial to safe execution of intracranial interventions

Standard clinical computed tomography fails to precisely visualise presence, course and branching points of deep cerebral perforators

Background: Standard computed tomography (CT) images have earned a well-established position in neuroimaging. Despite that, CT is somehow limited by its resolution, which does not enable to distinctively visualize structures smaller than 300 um in diameter. Perforating arteries, most of which measure 100-400 um in diameter, supply important subcortical structures (thalamus, basal ganglia, internal capsule). Consequently, pathologies affecting these vessels (e.g. lacunar strokes) can have a devastating clinical outcome. The aim of our study was to assess standard CT’s ability to visualize perforators and compare it with microscopical and micro-CT pictures. Materials and methods: We have obtained six brainstem and seventeen basal ganglia specimens. We infused them with barium sulphate contrast medium administered into either vertebral or internal cerebral artery. After that, the specimens were fixed in formalin and subsequently a series of CT, micro-CT and microscopical examinations were performed. Results: The median number of visualized perforators in brainstem and basal ganglia specimens was 8 and 3, respectively for CT and 18 and 7 for micro–CT (p < 0.05). Standard CT failed to clearly visualize branching points and vessels smaller than 0.25-0.5 mm (1-2 voxels) in diameter. Parallel vessels, like lenticulostriate arteries could not be differentiated in standard CT due to their proximity being smaller that the resolution. Conclusions: Basing on our results, we infer that CT is a poor modality for imaging of the perforators, presenting both quantitative and qualitative flaws in contrast with micro-CT

Impact of the catchment land use on some factors of lakes trophic status: a GIS approach

ABSTRACT Background. Artificial enrichment of lakes has posed serious management problems for water supply. In results many European lakes had already undergone significant eutrophication. It seems that a good tool to determine the influence of catchment use on the trophic changes in lakes is Geographic Information System (GIS) and its databases. Methods. The study covered 31 stratified lakes located in northwestern Poland. These lakes were chosen on account of their considerable recreation value and economic importance. The parameters chosen as dependent variables were Secchi depth and electrical conductivity. Local catchments and network catchment of studied lakes as independent variables were prepared using QGIS Wien (2.8.7). The land use variables were prepared with Corine Land Cover, 2006. Results. According to Carlson index the studied lakes ranged from mesotrophic to eutrophic. Both dependent variables Secchi depth and conductivity values were significantly correlated with independent land use variables (P < 0.05). Discussion. Our survey revealed that percentage use of the catchment (developed in the Geographic Information System) can be a useful tool in the assessment of the lakes risks. With the GIS tools we also confirmed a significant impact of land use on changes transparency and conductivity values in North West lakes in Poland

From contract to contract the provincial government - the institutionalization of an instrument of regional development

W artykule zaprezentowano proces kształtowania polityki rozwoju regionalnego w Polsce, w tym przybliżono reformę administracyjną, utworzenie samorządowych województw oraz ich udział w kreowaniu i poprowadzeniu polityki regionalnej. Jednak zasadnicza część pracy poświęcona została zaprezentowaniu genezy kontraktu wojewódzkiego oraz jego wpływu na budowanie polityki regionalnej w Polsce, w tym przede wszystkim relacji pomiędzy rządem, odpowiedzialnym za realizację polityki interregionalnej oraz samorządem realizującym politykę intraregionalną. W ostatniej część opracowania przybliżono założenia kontraktu terytorialnego, będące w dużej mierze wynikiem doświadczeń wynikających z realizacji kontraktów wojewódzkich oraz opisano usytuowanie kontraktu terytorialnego w procesie kształtowania polityki rozwoju regionalnego w latach 2014-2020.The article presents the process of shaping regional development policy in Poland, this brought closer administrative reform, the establishment of local regions and their participation in creating and leading the regional policy. However, a substantial part of the work was devoted to the presentation of the origins of the provincial contract and its impact on building regional policy in Poland, including in particular the relationship between the government, responsible for the implementation of the policy of interregional and intraregional self-government implements policy. In the last part of the study brought closer assumptions territorial contract, which is largely the result of the experience gained from the implementation of regional contracts and describes the location of the territorial contract in the process of regional development policy in the years 2014-2020