Multi-Faceted Environmental Analysis to Improve the Quality of Anthropogenic Water Reservoirs (Paprocany Reservoir Case Study)

Maintaining good condition of dam reservoirs in urban areas seems increasingly important due to their valuable role in mitigating the effects of global warming. The aim of this study is to analyze possibilities to improve water quality and ecosystem condition of the Paprocany dam reservoir (highly urbanized area of southern Poland) using current data of the water parameters, historical sources, and DPSIR (Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) and 3D modeling concerning human activity and the global warming effects. In its history Paprocany reservoir overcame numerous hydrotechnical changes influencing its present functioning. Also, its current state is significantly influenced by saline water from the coal mine (5 g L -1 of chlorides and sulphates) and biogenic elements in recreational area (about 70 mg L -1 of chlorate and to 1.9 mg L -1 Kjeldahl nitrogen) and in sediments (222.66 Mg of Kjeldahl nitrogen, 45.65 Mg of P, and 1.03 Mg of assimilable phosphorus). Concluding, the best solutions to improve the Paprocany reservoir water quality comprise: increasing alimentation with water and shortening the water exchange time, restoration of the 19th century water treatment plant, and wetlands and reed bed area revitalization. The study also proved the applicability of mathematical models in planning of the actions and anticipating their effciency

Mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke – Five years of experience in Poland

Objectives Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland. Methods and results We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and outcome measures. Results Most of the CSCs (74%) were founded at University Hospitals and most (65.2%) work round the clock. In 78.3% of them, the working teams are composed of neurologists and neuro-radiologists. All CSCs perform CT and angio-CT before MT. In total 586 patients were subjected to MT and data from 531 of them were analyzed. Mean time laps from stroke onset to groin puncture was 250±99min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6h from stroke onset; 59.3% of them were treated with IV rt-PA prior to MT; 15.1% had IA rt-PA during MT and 4.7% – emergent stenting of a large vessel. M1 of MCA was occluded in 47.8% of cases. The Solitaire device was used in 53% of cases. Successful recanalization (TICI2b–TICI3) was achieved in 64.6% of cases and 53.4% of patients did not experience hemorrhagic transformation. Clinical improvement on discharge was noticed in 53.7% of cases, futile recanalization – in 30.7%, mRS of 0–2 – in 31.4% and mRS of 6 in 22% of cases. Conclusion Our results can help harmonize standards for MT in Poland according to international guidelines

Rozwój i wdrożenie zmodyfikowanych karabinów maszynowych rodziny UKM 2000 kalibru 7,62 mm

Zakłady Mechaniczne TARNÓW S.A. (ZMT, Tarnów, Poland), the manufacturer of the UKM 2000 family of 7.62 mm machine guns, has extensive experience producing and factory-repairing those guns, and collect the comments and observations of the weapon’s users. Taking them into consideration, ZMT has decided to modify the UKM 2000 family. The decision coincided with the stance of the MoD’s Armament Inspectorate, which suggested implementing such a modification, providing a detailed determination of its range (“Modification Guidelines”). First, the changes were introduced in the infantry version (UKM 2000P), then in the onboard version (UKM 2000C). The core aims of the modification were: increasing the weapon’s reliability and durability, improving the technology and ergonomics, and minimising the number of parts and groups that require individual fitting. Initially, the changes were supposed to encompass only a modest number of parts and groups; however, during the design works, the necessity to introduce deep modifications to the most important rifle elements, i.e. the bolt, the slide, the pin, the gas regulator and the feeding mechanism, appeared. During the research on the 7.62 mm modified UKM 2000P machine guns, properties such as the weapon’s operation in low temperatures, as well as its resistance to dynamic interaction with dust and sand, salt fog, and elevated humidity were investigated. ZMT placed the first batch of the machine guns under monitored operation, and the observations made during use so far clearly confirm the soundness and range of the changes introduced. It should be kept in mind, however, that it is not possible to develop a single, universal weapon configuration that would meet the needs of all users. Direct exchange of feedback between the User and the Manufacturer allows the structure to be optimised and guarantees development in the field in question.Zakłady Mechaniczne TARNÓW S.A. (ZMT), producent rodziny 7,62 mm karabinów maszynowych UKM 2000, posiadają bogate doświadczenia z produkcji i napraw zakładowych tych karabinów oraz gromadzą uwagi i spostrzeżenia z użytkowania tej broni. Uwzględniając je, ZMT podjęły decyzję o przeprowadzeniu modyfikacji rodziny UKM 2000. Decyzja ta zbiegła się ze stanowiskiem Inspektoratu Uzbrojenia MON, sugerującym przeprowadzenie takiej modyfikacji ze szczegółowym określeniem jej zakresu („Wytyczne do modyfikacji”). W pierwszej kolejności zmiany wprowadzono w odmianie piechotnej (UKM 2000P), a następnie w wersji pokładowej (UKM 2000C). Zasadniczymi celami modyfikacji było: zwiększenie niezawodności i trwałości broni, poprawienie ergonomii i technologiczności oraz zminimalizowanie ilości części i zespołów podlegających indywidualnemu pasowaniu. Początkowo zmiany miały objąć tylko kilka części i zespołów, jednak w trakcie prac projektowych zaistniała potrzeba dokonania głębokiej modyfikacji najważniejszych elementów karabinu, tj. zamka, suwadła, iglicy, regulatora gazowego oraz mechanizmu dosyłania. Podczas badań typu 7,62 mm zmodyfikowanych karabinów maszynowych UKM 2000P sprawdzono m.in. działanie broni w niskich temperaturach oraz odporność broni na dynamiczne działanie pyłu i piasku, na mgłę solną i podwyższoną wilgotność. ZMT objęły pierwszą partię karabinów maszynowych nadzorowaną eksploatacją, a dotychczasowe obserwacje z użytkowania jednoznacznie potwierdzają zasadność i zakres wprowadzonych zmian. Należy jednak pamiętać, że nie ma możliwości opracowania jednej uniwersalnej konfiguracji broni, zaspokajającej wymagania wszystkich użytkowników. Bezpośrednia wymiana uwag między Użytkownikiem a Producentem pozwala optymalizować konstrukcję i jest gwarantem rozwoju w przedmiotowym obszarze

The Plant Species Composition of an Abandoned Meadow as an Element of an Ecosystem Mosaic within an Urban-Industrial Landscape

The absence of traditional management in grasslands is responsible for the consequent changes in plant community species composition and diversity of this habitat in Europe. The common reason for these changes is the spread of expansive native species such as Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth and their subsequent dominance over other component species. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of management treatments (e.g., mowing, harvesting biomass) and their frequency of application (e.g., once or twice a year) on the cover abundance of C. epigejos (L.) Roth and the subsequent changes in component grassland species richness and diversity (Shannon–Wiener index) of an abandoned meadow in Silesia in S. Poland. A difference in species richness was found after five years of mowing, but an increase in species diversity appeared only after seven years of the treatments. Significant increases in species richness and Shannon–Wiener index and a significant decrease in cover abundance of C. epigejos (L.) Roth were recorded after different periods and for different treatments

Comprehensive approach to Upper Silesian reservoir water quality issues. Case study: the Paprocany Reservoir in Tychy, Southern Poland

tekst w j. pol. i ang.Celem prac było przygotowanie programu działań i możliwych rozwiązań, prowadzącego do poprawy jakości wód Jeziora Paprocańskiego i uwzględniającego wieloaspektowego podejścia do przyczyn obserwowanych problemów

Food security framings within the UK and the integration of local food systems

This paper provides a critical interpretation of food security politics in the UK. It applies the notion of food security collective action frames to assess how specific action frames are maintained and contested. The interdependency between scale and framing in food security discourse is also scrutinised. It does this through an examination of " official" UK food security approaches and the place of local food systems within these debates. The paper shows how the UK government's approach to food production and food security has been underpinned by the notion of resilience, which it considers is best achieved through sustainable intensification, market liberalisation and risk management, with local food systems largely sidelined within these " official" framings. Nevertheless, collective action frames are socio-political constructs which are open to contestation; they are not static entities and are part of a mobile multi-organizational political field. The notion of incompleteness and fragility is highly pertinent to an examination of debates about the contribution that local food systems can make to food security within the UK, suggesting that the " official" interpretation of food security can be challenged to be more inclusive and to accommodate social justice imperatives. Adopting this more holistic perspective broadens UK definitions of food security beyond the quantity of food available to encompass the needs of communities, households and individuals, offering a more transformative and progressive role for local food systems, notwithstanding the significance of asymmetrical power relations. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd

Mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke : five years of experience in Poland

Objectives: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland. Methods and results: We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and outcome measures. Results: Most of the CSCs (74%) were founded at University Hospitals and most (65.2%) work round the clock. In 78.3% of them, the working teams are composed of neurologists and neuro-radiologists. All CSCs perform CT and angio-CT before MT. In total 586 patients were subjected to MT and data from 531 of them were analyzed. Mean time laps from stroke onset to groin puncture was 250 99 min. 90.3% of the studied patients had MT within 6 h from stroke onset; 59.3% of them were treated with IV rt-PA prior to MT; 15.1% had IA rt-PA during MT and 4.7% - emergent stenting of a large vessel. M1 of MCA was occluded in 47.8% of cases. The Solitaire device was used in 53% of cases. Successful recanalization (TICI2b–TICI3) was achieved in 64.6% of cases and 53.4% of patients did not experience hemorrhagic transformation. Clinical improvement on discharge was noticed in 53.7% of cases, futile recanalization - in 30.7%, mRS of 0–2 - in 31.4% and mRS of 6 in 22% of cases. Conclusion: Our results can help harmonize standards for MT in Poland according to international guideline