Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the differentiation of selected macroeconomic variables characterizing the EU economies over a short period

The 2020+ pandemic was not only the most serious global health crisis since the Spanish flu of 1918 but also one of the most economically expensive pandemics on a global scale. The scale and dynamics of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by a coronavirus entailed serious disturbances in social and economic life. Chapter 2 aims to analyze and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the differentiation of selected macroeconomic aggregates in the European Union economies. The study examined 27 European countries that were members of the European Union at the time of the announcement of the pandemic by the World Health Organization. The following macro-indicators were analyzed and assessed: gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, the unemployment rate, gross fixed capital formation (investments) per capita, exports and imports per capita. The research project included both a long (2006-2020) and a short (Q2 of 2020 vs. Q2 of 2019) period. The depth of decreases in macroeconomic aggregates, including GDP (and consequently GDP per capita) in the second quarter of 2020 was unprecedented in the post-war history of the member states of the former European Communities and the current European Union. The sharpest decrease was observed in the countries that in 2006-2019 belonged to the group of economies with high and highest values of GDP per capita

Fiscal interventions in 2020

Chapter 3 aims to make a comparative analysis of fiscal responses of the European Union member states and of the United Kingdom to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey covered measures implemented in 28 European economies between January and November 2020. This study discusses assistance packages offered in all countries, and fiscal and monetary responses in all member states of the European Union. The countries analyzed are divided into the eurozone and other economies. The lockdown, with its social and economic restrictions imposed in the surveyed countries, resulted in an economic downturn and a loss of 4.5% of GDP in total. Unemployment rose in those countries by 24% on average. Assistance packages were offered to stimulate economies and preserve employment, e.g. subsidies to wages, moratoriums (grace periods) on payment of taxes and repayment of loans, loans and guarantees granted to businesses, purchase of treasury and corporate securities by central banks. Those government responses were financed by public debt that rose in the countries surveyed from 80% to 91% of GDP on average. The Next Generation EU fund was approved at the EU level (EUR 750 billion), and was aimed to support the 2021-2027 financial framework (EUR 1.8 trillion in total). It was observed that governmental assistance was aimed at improved innovation, competitiveness and energy transition

Postawy rodziców wobec dzieci z orzeczeniem o potrzebie kształcenia specjalnego

The paper presents the considerations on parents’ attitudes towards children with disabilities. The authors examine the classifications of parental attitudes which appear in the scholarly literature. Then the research results are presented. The research was carried out among parents of children with a statement of special educational needs by using a diagnostic survey with a Parental Attitudes Scale by Mieczyslaw Plopa. The main problem of the research project was what the attitudes of parents towards children with a statement of special educational needs are. It was found that the parents are more often characterized by desirable thaninadequate parenting attitudes in the following scales: acceptance – rejection inconsistency, excessive requirement and autonomy but in the scale of over-protection relatively more parents are characterized by undesirable than the right attitude. It was also proved that parental attitudes vary depending on the type of disability and age of the child, as well as gender, parent’s education, place of living, and the type of school where the child attends. The results also indicate that the sex of the child, the number of offspring, and family structure do not affect parental attitudes presented. The analysis shows the presence of a relatively high intensity of parental attitudes towards desirable among parents of children with a statement of special educational needs. It also points to the large differences in the attitudes presented in the study group. Taking the variables into account might allow a better understanding of the situation of families with children with disabilities and ultimately the choice of adequate support to fulfill their needs.W artykule przedstawiono rozważania dotyczące postaw rodziców wobec dzieci z niepełnosprawnością. Przeanalizowano typologie postaw rodzicielskich, pojawiające się w literaturze naukowej. Następnie zaprezentowano własne badania, przeprowadzone metodą sondażu diagnostycznego za pomocą Skali Postaw Rodzicielskich Mieczysława Plopy wśród 268-osobowej grupy rodziców dzieci z orzeczeniem o potrzebie kształcenia specjalnego. Główny problem badawczy projektu brzmiał: Jakie są postawy wychowawcze, które preferują rodzice dzieci z orzeczeniem o potrzebie kształcenia specjalnego? Stwierdzono, że badani rodzice częściej przejawiają pożądane niż niewłaściwe postawy wychowawcze w następujących skalach: akceptacja – odrzucenie, niekonsekwencja, nadmierne wymaganie i autonomia, jednakże w skali nadmierne ochranianie stosunkowo więcej rodziców cechuje się postawą niepożądaną niż właściwą. Ustalono, że postawy rodziców różnią się w zależności od typu niepełnosprawności i wieku dziecka, a także płci, wykształcenia rodzica, miejsce zamieszkania oraz typu szkoły, do której uczęszcza dziecko. Wyniki wskazują ponadto, iż płeć dziecka, ilość potomstwa oraz struktura rodziny nie wpływają na prezentowane postawy rodziców. Przeprowadzona analiza dowodzi występowania stosunkowo dużego nasilenia postaw w kierunku pożądanym u rodziców dzieci z orzeczeniem o potrzebie kształcenia specjalnego, ale wskazuje również na duże zróżnicowanie w zakresie prezentowanych postaw w badanej grupie. Wzięcie pod uwagę badanych zmiennych pozwolić może na lepsze zrozumienie sytuacji rodzin z dziećmi z niepełnosprawnością i ostatecznie dobór adekwatnego do ich potrzeb wsparcia

Relationship between ROS production, MnSOD activation and periods of fasting and re-feeding in freshwater shrimp Neocaridina davidi (Crustacea, Malacostraca)

The middle region of the digestive system, the midgut of freshwater shrimp Neocaridina davidi is composed of a tube-shaped intestine and the hepatopancreas formed by numerous caeca. Two types of cells have been distinguished in the intestine, the digestive cells (D-cells) and regenerative cells (R-cells). The hepatopancreatic tubules have three distinct zones distinguished along the length of each tubule-the distal zone with R-cells, the medial zone with differentiating cells, and the proximal zone with F-cells (fibrillar cells) and B-cells (storage cells). Fasting causes activation of cell death, a reduction in the amount of reserve material, and changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential. However, here we present how the concentration of ROS changes according to different periods of fasting and whether re-feeding causes their decrease. In addition, the activation/deactivation of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) was analyzed. The freshwater shrimps Neocaridina davidi (Crustacea, Malacostraca, Decapoda) were divided into experimental groups: animals starved for 14 days, animals re-fed for 4, 7, and 14 days. The material was examined using the confocal microscope and the flow cytometry. Our studies have shown that long-term starvation increases the concentration of free radicals and MnSOD concentration in the intestine and hepatopancreas, while return to feeding causes their decrease in both organs examined. Therefore, we concluded that a distinct relationship between MnSOD concentration, ROS activation, cell death activation and changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential occurred

Development of central auditory processes in Polish children and adolescents at the age from 7 to 16 years

There are discrepancies in the literature regarding the course of central auditory processes (CAP) maturation in typically developing children and adolescents. The purpose of the study was to provide an overview of age - related improvement in CAP in Polish primary and secondary school students aged 7–16 years. 180 children/adolescents, subdivided into 9 age categories, and 20 adults (aged 18-24 years) performed the Dichotic Digit Test (DDT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT), Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), Gap Detection Test (GDT) and adaptive Speech-in-Noise (aSpN). The 12-year-olds was retested after w week. We found the age effects only for the DDT, DPT and FPT. In the right ear DDT the 7-year-olds performed more poorly than all groups ≥12. In the left ear DDT both 7- and 8-year-olds achieved less correct responses compared with the 13-, 14-, 15- year-olds and with the adults. The right ear advantage was greater in the 7-year-olds than in the 15-year-olds and adult group. At the age of 7 there was lower DPT and FPT scores than in all participants ≥13 whereas the 8-year-olds obtained less correct responses in the FPT than all age categories ≥12. Almost all groups (except for the 7-year-olds) performed better in the DPT than FPT. The test-retest reliability for all tests was satisfactory. The study demonstrated that different CAP have their own patterns of improvement with age and some of them are specific for the Polish population. The psychoacoustic battery may be useful in screening for CAP disorders in Poland

Nutrition Strategies for Optimizing Performance and Health in Young Athletes

Introduction: The increasing participation of young individuals in sports necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between nutrition and athletic performance during the critical adolescent years. This introduction sets the stage for an exploration of the dynamic nutritional needs of young athletes, emphasizing the pivotal role of nutrition in supporting growth, energy metabolism, and overall athletic achievement. Current State of Knowledge: The current state of knowledge encompasses an in-depth analysis of key nutritional considerations for young athletes. Examining energy and macronutrient requirements, micronutrient considerations, hydration strategies, and optimal timing of nutrition, this section synthesizes existing research to provide evidence-based guidelines. Furthermore, it addresses the unique challenges posed by different sports and the importance of tailored nutritional approaches for diverse athletic endeavors. The evolving landscape of sports nutrition is also explored, with a specific focus on the benefits and potential risks associated with protein and creatine supplementation. Summary: In summary, this article serves as a comprehensive resource for athletes, coaches, and parents seeking to navigate the intricate intersection of nutrition and young athletes. By elucidating evidence-based strategies and addressing the potential drawbacks and risks associated with certain supplements, the article aims to empower stakeholders with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions regarding the nutritional well-being of young athletes. It underscores the importance of individualized approaches, recognizing the diversity of young athletes and advocating for adaptable nutritional strategies that contribute to both immediate performance gains and sustained health and athletic success

Nutrition Strategies for Optimizing Performance and Health in Young Athletes

Introduction: The increasing participation of young individuals in sports necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between nutrition and athletic performance during the critical adolescent years. This introduction sets the stage for an exploration of the dynamic nutritional needs of young athletes, emphasizing the pivotal role of nutrition in supporting growth, energy metabolism, and overall athletic achievement. Current State of Knowledge: The current state of knowledge encompasses an in-depth analysis of key nutritional considerations for young athletes. Examining energy and macronutrient requirements, micronutrient considerations, hydration strategies, and optimal timing of nutrition, this section synthesizes existing research to provide evidence-based guidelines. Furthermore, it addresses the unique challenges posed by different sports and the importance of tailored nutritional approaches for diverse athletic endeavors. The evolving landscape of sports nutrition is also explored, with a specific focus on the benefits and potential risks associated with protein and creatine supplementation. Summary: In summary, this article serves as a comprehensive resource for athletes, coaches, and parents seeking to navigate the intricate intersection of nutrition and young athletes. By elucidating evidence-based strategies and addressing the potential drawbacks and risks associated with certain supplements, the article aims to empower stakeholders with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions regarding the nutritional well-being of young athletes. It underscores the importance of individualized approaches, recognizing the diversity of young athletes and advocating for adaptable nutritional strategies that contribute to both immediate performance gains and sustained health and athletic success

Troska o zdrowie w aspekcie społecznym. Cz. 2

Praca recenzowana / peer-reviewed pape