Parents’ knowledge and skills about the risks of the digital world

In this article we present the level of knowledge and literacy held by the parents  of primary school students regarding internet safety (online safety, digital safety) in the context of digital literacy (DL) in terms of both technical skills and knowledge. The study reported on here was conducted in Poland, and was commissioned by the Ministry of National Education. The research involved measuring the knowledge and skills regarding the prevention of electronic threats (ethreats) which are defined as problematic situations and  behaviour mediated by digital media and the internet. E-threats are related to mental and physical health, social aspects and technical matters related to the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). In order to narrow down the research area, 6 components related to e-threats were selected, namely: the ergonomics of using digital media; the evaluation of the reliability of online information; the influence of advertising on consumers’ choices; risky online relationships; understanding the mechanisms of secure logging-in; and protection against malware. The DL level was measured using a competence test. An analysis of 514 tests revealed that the most neglected areas were the protection of children against unwanted communication with other users, and secure loggingin.  The strongest component was the ergonomics of using ICT. We also noted that more than one fifth of parents showed a satisfactory level of DL related to online safety. Another observation was that DL is a complex and heterogeneous concept. The DL components are related with one another to different extents. Some DL elements are determined by the level of education, place of living, subjective sense of own well-being or intuitive perception (self-evaluation). Keywords: digital literacy; digital safety; first stage of education; parents; schoo

Revitalised Heritage of the Former Congress Poland Textile Industry as a Supra-Regional Potential

The aim of the paper is to present cultural heritage of the textile industry, crucial for the past development of central parts of Poland, which could be an important value for supra-regional identity and potential. The analysis based on the case studies of three historical post-industrial complexes includes data examination and study walks. The chosen complexes are situated in Zgierz, Łódź and Żyrardów, i.e. towns that have been subject to consistent and long-term urban regeneration processes done in the spirit of sustainable development and multifunctional exploitation. The conducted analysis proves that the historical and cultural values of these complexes are of supra-regional nature and that their accessibility as well as existing service infrastructure and highlights make them attractive not only locally. The article leads to the conclusion that in order to use their potential to the fullest, there is a need of a common action on the regional level, such as the creation of a cultural route

The period of intense vegetation growth and maturing of plants in north-western Poland

The objective of the study consisted in determining the changeability of the dates of commencement and termination of the period of intense vegetation growth and the period of maturing of plants in north-western Poland, and also the respective durations thereof. Use was made of data concerning average monthly air temperatures for the years 1966–2015, which were obtained from the collections of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute. The period of intense vegetation growth has been defined as a period with average daily air temperature of ≥ 10oC, whereas the period of maturing of plants as one with an average daily air temperature of ≥ 15oC. The dates of commencement and termination of the aforementioned periods were determined using mathematical formulae proposed by Gumiński. On average, the period of intense vegetation growth commenced 3 days/10 years earlier and terminated 1 day/10 years later. In turn, the period of maturing of plants commenced on average 2 days/10 years earlier and terminated on average 2 days/10 years later. Research also revealed an increase in the duration of both the period of intense vegetation growth, and the period of maturing of plants in north-western Poland

Patterns in the multiannual course of growing season in Central Europe since the end of the 19th century

The research identified patterns in the multiannual course of start and end dates, and length of growing sea son (GS) in Central Europe since the end of the 19th century in selected cities of Central Europe in the period 1893-2020. GS start in the analysed stations was characterised by high year-to-year variability, particularly in those located more southwards, i.e. in Prague and Vienna. A smaller variability occurred in GS end dates. The GS was subject to prolon gation, although these changes in particular cities were uneven and had different causes. In Toruń and Potsdam, its increase was caused by a greater shift of the end date, and in the remaining stations, it was determined by its earlier start date. Two subperiods were distinguished that differ in terms of intensity of changes of the start and end dates, as well as the length of the GS. The intensification was observed recently

The spread of alien species along the touristic routes of the Słowiński National Park

Touristic routes have a great meaning for the spread of alien species through the protected areas like national parks. The aim of the study was to assess the spread of the chosen species along the different kinds of touristic routes of the Słowiński National Park and asphalt roads lying in the direct vicinity of the Park, in its protective zone. The presence of 108 localities of eight alien species were recorded (Padus serotina, Quercus rubra, Acer negundo, Robinia pseudoacacia from woody species and Conyza canadensis, Impatiens parviflora, Juncus tenuis and Oxalis fontana from herbaceous plants). The localities of the woody plants were found in areas where they were formerly deliberately planted or near routes leading to such areas. All of the analysed woody plants can be the source of ecological threat and should be actively removed. Interestingly, regarding herbaceous plants, the species which according to literature are not a threat to untransformed habitats – Juncus tenuis and Oxalis fontana – were noted quite commonly. Their populations should be monitored. The populations of Impatiens parviflora, classified to the IV class of invasiveness and Conyza canadensis, which can invade sand dunes, should be destroyed as soon as possible till they occupy small areas

Elements of crisis e-learning : perspectives of Polish teachers

The aim of the research was to investigate teachers' perspectives on the elements of emergency e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted with 134 teachers from different types of schools in Poland during the first wave of crisis e-learning (March - May 2020). The variables included in the analysis comprise teachers' use of differentiated teaching methods, student collaboration, school support for modern ICT, and teachers' digital competence. The findings are summarized as follows: (1) about a third of students did not develop the ability to work together in emergency e-learning; (2) more than two-thirds of teachers underlined that their schools actively promoted the idea of implementing ICT in education; (3) more than two-thirds of teachers emphasized that their school principals had systematically modernized the IT facilities necessary for effective teaching; (4) approximately half of the teachers were supported by the school authorities in strengthening their digital competence; and (5) teachers used various teaching methods in emergency e-learning, and the most popular methods were videos, presentations, e-learning platforms, and interactive games and applications; (6) teachers who did not differentiate digital teaching methods did not believe in the development of opportunities for soft skills among students; (7) the schools invested in technological facilities and supported the development of digital competence among teachers; and (8) the intensive use of e-learning platforms by teachers increased their positive attitude towards the development of soft competences (e.g., collaboration skills) among students

Intoxication-related teenagers' suicide attempts - an analysis of the issue

Introduction and Aim:  Adolescent suicide attempts are a significant clinical and social issue. Often, young people resort to medications, alcohol, or psychoactive substances in their suicide attempts. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors contributing to suicidal behaviors and the characteristics of substances used by adolescents for suicidal purposes.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, medical documentation analysis was used. The study included the medical records of 45 individuals up to 18 years of age who were admitted to the Clinical Toxicology-Cardiology Department due to poisoning for the purpose of suicide in the year 2022.Results: The study group consisted of 45 individuals aged 15 to 18 years. Suicide attempts accounted for 37.5% of toxicology hospitalizations in the under 18 age group. The dominant group consisted of females (82.2%) and urban residents (62.2%). Those hospitalized following a suicide attempt primarily used medications, often over-the-counter analgesics. The majority (71.1%) suffered from mental disorders, predominantly depressive disorders (81.2%).Conclusions: Among suicide attempts involving intoxication, those utilizing medications are dominant. A concerning phenomenon is the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, commonly considered safe. Girls are particularly vulnerable to emotional difficulties that can lead to suicide. Mental disorders pose a suicidal risk, and patients with such disorders have access to psychiatric medications that can become tools for self-harm

Canonical analysis of concentrations of toxic metals in endometrium of women with gynecological disorders

Objectives: Among the main adverse environmental factors, we usually distinguish the impact of heavy metals, especially Cd and Pb. Apart from the carcinogenic and toxic properties, their potential, stimulating estrogen receptors effect (metaloestrogens) is strongly emphasized; as well as participation in gene regulation mechanisms (epigenetic). The aim of this study is to examine if there is a special scheme of concentrations of heavy metals accumulated in the female endometrium in certain pathologies: endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, endometrial polyps and miscarriages. The control group consisted of patients with abnormal uterine bleeding or functional bleeding with correct histopathological findings.Material and methods: The study was performed on 92 women. Microwave induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry was used to assess metals concentrations in tissue material and the results of obtained concentrations were converted to μg/kg. The calculations were performed using discriminant and canonical analyses and revealed fourdiscriminant functions.Results: The results showed that metal’s tissue concentrations vary in different types of histopathological diagnosis and the scheme of concentrations might be characteristic for analyzed diagnosis. Pb and Al has the most substantial impact on discrimination.Conclusions: Endometrium may accumulate toxic metals such as: Pb, Cd, Ni, Mn, Cu, Zn, Al, Cr.It can be assumed that there are characteristic distributions of toxic metals concentrations for individual histopathologicaldiagnoses

Mouse Pxt1 expression is regulated by Mir6996 miRNA

Mouse Pxt1 gene is expressed exclusively in male germ cells and encodes for a small, cell death inducing protein. However, upon PXT1 interaction with BAG6, cell death is prevented. In transiently transfected cell lines the PXT1 expression triggered massive cell death, thus we ask the question whether the interaction of PXT1 and BAG6 is the only mechanism preventing normal, developing male germ cells from being killed by PXT1. The Pxt1 gene contains a long 3′UTR thus we have hypothesized that Pxt1 can be regulated by miRNA. We have applied Pxt1 knockout and used Pxt1 transgenic mice that overexpressed this gene to shed more light on Pxt1 regulation. Using the ELISA assay we have demonstrated that PXT1 protein is expressed in adult mouse testis, though at low abundance. The application of dual-Glo luciferase assay and the 3′UTR cloned into p-MIR-Glo plasmid showed that Pxt1 is regulated by miRNA. Combining the use of mirDB and the site-directed mutagenesis further demonstrated that Pxt1 translation is suppressed by Mir6996-3p. Considering previous reports and our current results we propose a model for Pxt1 regulation in the mouse male germ cells