Building Social Capital in the Polish-German border region: An Evaluation of the effectiveness of EU-funded Small Projects

Our research examines the development of 'social capital' in border regions. Specifically, we analyse whether participating in social or cultural events such as creative workshops or sporting competitions – so-called small projects – promotes neighbourly trust and the emergence of cross-border networks across one of the historically most difficult borders in Europe: in the Polish-German border region. Social psychologists have long argued that under certain conditions contact between the members of different nations leads to improved relations between these nations. The small projects fund (SPF) is an EU-funded financial instrument to encourage municipalities or NGOs to organise events that permit personal encounters between Poles and Germans who live in the Euroregions across the Polish-German border. The goal is to help potentially prejudiced border region residents realise that their fears are unfounded, to develop a sense of trust in people from the other side, and to gradually develop cross-border networks. However, there is so far no unambiguous empirical evidence that cross-border contact leads to greater trust in, or stronger networks with, the neighbours from the other side. Our research takes a qualitative, interview-based approach and examines this proposition, as well as the conditions under which social capital develops as a result of thorough personal contact. In the summer and autumn 2013, we observed 17 small projects with a variety of themes and conducted 90 interviews with 51 Polish and German participants. We interviewed most of these participants twice: once before they participated in the project and immediately afterwards, to trace how perceptions change as a result of personal contact. We also interviewed project organisers as well as a control group of 30 Poles and Germans to determine if the people who participate in small projects are in any way atypical. We found no major differences between our control group and the actual project participants, which indicates that small projects do not attract a completely atypical group of people. The border region is a site of lively and regular exchanges, though these are often quite cursory, for example to go shopping. This lively exchange goes hand in hand with a sense of familiarity and no major prejudices. When asked how they would react if a neighbour of the other nationality moved into their street, or if one of their family members wished to marry a person from the other side, most people reacted positively. We encountered hardly any dislike and distrust of people from the other side. On the contrary, there is much affinity and readiness to trust. Most of our respondents described people from the other side in very positive terms, such as likeable, sociable, open or hospitable, though some negative attributes were also mentioned, including chaotic, sly or stiff. Most participants became involved in the project through their membership in an organisation, such as a club or through voluntary organisations. For many youth projects, recruitment took place through schools or youth organisations. Quite a few people had heard of the Euroregions and could define their activities in the border region. However, most of our respondents had either not heard of the Euroregions or were unable to define them. In the context of small projects, communication between Poles and Germans is often hindered by the language barrier, though some basic communication is possible in English, through interpreters, or using body language. And indeed, we observed a range of contact situations in small projects. For example, several projects such as joint workshops offer many opportunities to interact, while certain solitary activities by nature make it harder for the Polish and German participants to mingle. In such circumstances, it is even more important to have a strong supporting programme on the side of the main activity of a project, such as concerts, parties or barbecues. In some projects there were many such surrounding activities, while in others there was no real programme to bring people together outside of the main project activity. We also witnessed some spontaneous and very cordial interactions, for example during unplanned evening activities or on the side of village fetes. To be sure, sometimes contact gives rise to conflicts or misunderstandings. We observed one such conflict in a youth camp. However, all in all, Polish-German exchanges during projects tend to be very positive experiences. For the vast majority of our interviewees, no opinion change occurred because their perceptions were already very good to begin with. We observed change in only five cases. In two of them, this was a change for the worse that directly resulted from the conflict during the abovementioned youth camp. In the three remaining cases, a noticeable improvement took place in young participants' opinions as a result of their positive experiences during the project. While a good deal of trust in the neighbours already exists in the Polish-German border region, there is still room for building new relations as well as deepening and developing the scope of existing cross-border networks. To this end, and based on the conclusions from this research, we recommend the following measures to perfect the small projects fund

Wybory popkultury. Relacje kultury popularnej z polityką, ideologią i społeczeństwem

Na tom "Wybory popkultury. Relacje kultury popularnej z polityką, ideologią i społeczeństwem" pod redakcją Kamili Kowalczyk i Joanny Płoszaj składa się dziewięć tekstów, napisanych przed badaczy reprezentujących różne dziedziny humanistyki. Poniżej prezentujemy spis treści, a zainteresowanych zapraszamy do pobrania publikacji.Szymon Makuc

Fenyloketonuria wybrany przykład rzadkiej choroby metabolicznej

Introduction. Phenylketonuria, a metabolic disease, diagnosed late and untreated leads to severe disability. Aim. The aim of the study was to present the characteristics of phenylketonuria as a rare metabolic disease. Material and methods. The method used in the work is the analysis of literature. Overview. The essence of the disease is the lack or a significant deficit in the activity of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH for short), which is produced by the liver. The deficit leads to disturbances in the transformation of phenylalanine (Phe) into tyrosine. The consequence of such a reaction is an excessive amount of the amino acid appearing in the child's serum, which ultimately leads to significant damage to the central nervous system. Conclusions. Nowadays, people suffering from Phenylketonuria have a great chance for proper intellectual development, and the disease itself does not affect the level of education or professional career. The success of screening is undoubtedly tangible, because through a quick diagnosis it gives patients a chance for a normal life.Wstęp. Fenyloketonuria, choroba metaboliczna, późno zdiagnozowana i nieleczona w odpowiedni sposób prowadzi do ciężkiego kalectwa. Cel. Celem pracy było przedstawienie charakterystyki fenyloketonurii jako rzadkiej choroby metabolicznej. Materiał i metody. Metoda zastosowana w pracy to analiza literatury. Przegląd. Istotą choroby jest brak lub znaczny deficyt aktywności enzymu hydroksylazy fenyloalaninowej (w skrócie PAH), który wytwarzany jest wątrobie. Deficyt prowadzi do zaburzeń przemiany fenyloalaniny (Phe) w tyrozynę. Konsekwencją takiej reakcji jest pojawiająca się w surowicy dziecka nadmierna ilość aminokwasu, co w ostatecznie prowadzi do znacznych uszkodzeń ośrodkowego układu nerwowego. Wnioski. W dzisiejszych czasach osoby chore na Fenyloketonurię mają ogromne szanse na prawidłowy rozwój intelektualny, a sama choroba nie ma wpływu na poziom wykształcenia czy karierę zawodową. Sukces badań przesiewowych jest niewątpliwie namacalny, gdyż poprzez szybką diagnozę daje szansę chorym pacjentom na normalne życie

Studies of the bacterial surfaces by XPS and SEM methods

This work presents the results of studies on bacteria Bacillus subtilis which was grown at di erent temperatures. The experiments were carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope equipped with cryo-chamber , which gives the possibility of testing biological samples in a frozen state. These methods enabled receiving images of surface topography of the bacteria and demarcated their chemical composition. After deconvolution of the lines C 1s and O 1s information concerning the intensity of the various functional groups in the bindings presented in the cell walls surface of tested strain and reallocation in relation to the temperaturę of incubation was obtained. These changes are visible in the form of an additional peak in both the C 1s and O 1s in bacteria cultured in suboptimum temperature

Source areas of the Grybów sub-basin : micropaleontological, mineralogical and geochemical provenance analysis (Outer Western Carpathians, Poland)

The Grybów Unit occurring in the Ropa tectonic window was the subject of micropaleontological and geochemical investigation. Studies, based on calcareous nannofossils, proved that the level of reworked microfossil is not higher than 22 % and it varies between two sections. Quantitative analyses of the reworked assemblages confirmed the domination of Cretaceous and Middle Eocene species. The Sub-Grybów Beds, Grybów Marl Formation and Krosno Beds were assigned to the Late Oligocene and represent the terminal flysch facies. Detrital material accumulated in the Oligocene sediments originated from the Marmarosh Massif, which is the eastern prolongation of the Fore-Magura Ridge. The microscopically obtained petrological features agree with the chemical composition of the samples. Mica flakes, rounded grains of glauconite, heavy mineral assemblage, including abraded grains of zircon, rutile and tourmaline as well as charred pieces of plant tissues are reworked components. Enrichment in zircon and rutile is confirmed geochemically by positive correlation between Zr and SiO_2. Zr addition is illustrated on 10 ×Al_2O_3-Zr-200 ×TiO_2 and Zr/Sc vs. Th/Sc diagrams. Interpretation of the A-CN-K diagram and variety of CIA and CPA values indicate that the source rocks were intensely weathered granite-type rocks

Ocena zmian morfologii, składu chemicznego i struktury elektronowej powierzchni bakterii z wykorzystaniem skaningowego mikroskopu elektronowego oraz spektroskopu fotoelektronów

The aim of the study was the use of modem physical techniques to study biological materials. Knowledge of the structure and elemental composition of the bacterial cells surface and the modifications occur in them is important due to the fact that the surface structures of the first contact with the environment, to protect cells from harmful substaces and are involved in interactions between other cells of the bacteria. The experiments were carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with "Cryo-chamber”, which gives the possibility of testing biological samples in a frozen state. These methods enabled receiving images of surface topography of the bacteria and demarcated their chemical composition. This work presents the results of studies on bacteria isolated from the air indoor spaces, such as dental offices and gyms, and the external environment sewage treatment plant, located in the province of Silesia. In addition, the chemical composition of the surface layer of the bacteria and morphological changes were studied in the cell wall bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli that were grown at different temperatures and different pH. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) gives high information content and yields quantitative data on elemental composition and chemical bonding of the surface layer of the bacteria. Based on the registered inspection XPS spectra, in the energy 0 - 1400 eV, average atom concentration elements on the surface of the tested microorganisms was determined. The calculations were performed using the Physical Electronics Multipak which includes only those elements for which the characteristic lines are clearly visible in the spectrum. When interpreting the results the special attention was put on the determination of major elements (C, O, N, P) and remaining (K, Cl, Mg). An interesting observation was made in the elemental analysis of the bacterial surfaces for two examples of XPS spectra of Bacillus subtilis in the temperature 37°C and 20°C. Fitted lines of carbon (C1 s) and oxygen ( 0 1 s) of the bacterial samples tested for both temperatures (20°C and 37°C) using SimPeak. Analysis of this main line allowed the identification of various functional groups participating in the biomaterial of the bacterial surface. The XPS lines related to the optimal temperature are narrower and the functional groups are better distinguishable. This indicates the better quality of the cell wall surface. Observations of frozen the bacteria in Cryo-SEM have allowed to gain information about their surface structure, both at low and high magnifications and to determine their size. The length, thickness and smoothness of the surface of the bacteria grown in the optimal temperature are different than at a sub-optimal temperature. Also, the electronic structure is different, and the deconvolution lines C 1 s and O 1 s in bacteria grown at temperature 20°C revealed an additional peak. This is due to immaturity of the cell wall surface. Presence of the additional lines indicates that the temperature is one of environment of the main factors affecting the structure of the bacteria

Manual lymphatic drainage with comprehensive anti-diabetic therapy (MLD / CDT) as a method of treatment of lymphoedema - literature review

Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymph, i.e stagnation of water and proteins in extracellular space and lymphatic vessel due to impairment of its transportation as an effect of congenital disorders or lymph vessel lesion. The priority in therapeutic approach to lymphedema should be establishing the cause of edema, setting medical diagnosis and treatment method as early as possible. Complex Decongestive Therapy is recommended by International Society of Lymphology and considered as a standard in lympedema treatment irrespective of their stage of development and the cause

Cost risk of construction of small hydroelectric power plants

The growing demand for electricity forces the humanity to find the most economical methods of its production. Functioning without electricity in today's world deprives human from the possibility of a free existence, and even completely prevents it because of the technicisation of society. Growing awareness of acquiring "clean" environmentally-friendly energy from renewable sources contributes to the successive development of this sector of the economy. The purpose of the article was to analyse the risk of construction costs for small hydroelectric power plants along with an indication of the location and needs of a small hydroelectric power plant in Poland. The subject of the study was a small hydroelectric power plant producing electricity, using a turbine to convert the kinetic energy of water into mechanical energy. Aiming at illustrating the benefits of the discussed investment based on the estimation of construction costs and, as a result, financial results, a specific case of a small hydroelectric power plant located in the region of Kujawsko-Pomorskie [Kuyavian-Pomeranian Viovodeship] in central Poland was analysed. The intended research objective was achieved using industry literature, magazines as well as technical knowledge of persons holding building qualifications (including hydro-technical construction) and materials made available by two Bydgoszcz companies specializing in the implementation of small hydroelectric power plants. The COMAR- Jarek Górecki® algorithm, which operates in the industry as the author's concept of calculating the variation of financial outlays incurred for the implementation of investment and construction projects, was used to analyse the risk of costs of a construction project

Network analysis of co-operation between research institutions - example of ESPON Programme

The aim of the paper is to characterise ESPON Programme (European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion) as a network-based international research programme and the evaluation of capacity of network analysis in studying scientific cooperation. Results of the study show that institutions involved in ESPON projects create a dense, closely interconnected network of co-operation. The network is dominated by a limited number of institutions, which are involved in large share of the projects and have the most expanded cooperation network. Spatial analysis proves that there is significant lack of institutions from Central-Eastern Europe in the Programme. Network analysis allowed to identify the most efficient methods for improving the presence of institutions representing new member states in the ESPON co-operation network