Covid-19 as a source of failure or a catalyst for positive changes in business?

Theoretical background: Beyond doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a series of perturbations in the economies of almost every country in the world. This global crisis has contributed to the business turmoil and has been seen in services in particular. Due to restrictions on economic activity introduced by governments of countries, which were aimed at slowing down the scale of virus infections, many enterprises faced a severe dilemma, i.e. how to continue their activities, how to survive the crisis, and maybe end this activity, or change it into another. For many companies, the pandemic crisis turned out to cause multi-faceted losses and even bankruptcy. But also, some companies saw the crisis as an opportunity to introduce positive changes and gain new sales markets and customers. For these companies, the coronavirus pandemic has become a growth catalyst.Purpose of the article: The theoretical part of the article is devoted to analyzing the literature resources on the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on business. In the practical part, the author explores the results of the quantitative research conducted in 2021 to find out how the coronavirus influenced the functioning of the SME sector in Poland. The author posed the following research questions: How did coronavirus impact the functioning of enterprises? How did companies cope with this crisis? Was the pandemic crisis a source of financial failure or collapse of Polish enterprises? Was it an opportunity for market success? Did the pandemic initiate new business strategies, cause or accelerate changes in the business model?Research methods: The literature review was made using the database of scientific articles in Google Scholar and ResearchGate. The author searched for relevant articles using the following keywords: “COVID-19”, “coronavirus”, “pandemic”, “pandemic crisis”, and “lockdown”. The quantitative study covered 500 Polish business entities operating in production, trade, and services in domestic and foreign markets. There were no limitations regarding the area of activity (according to the Polish Classification of Activities) or the number of years of firms’ presence on the market. The study did not cover large enterprises, i.e. 250 or more employees.Main findings: In general, the coronavirus pandemic caused problems in the market but did not contribute to the drastic collapse of the SME sector, nor was it a catalyst for their spectacular development. The conducted study showed that most companies dealt moderately well with the pandemic crisis. They took remedial action to avoid a complete loss of liquidity, going out of business, and bankruptcy risk. A small percentage saw an opportunity in the crisis or used this time to improve their situation.Theoretical background: It can be said without a doubt that the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has caused a series of perturbations in the economies of almost every country in the world. This global crisis has contributed to the business turmoil and has been seen in services in particular. Due to restrictions on economic activity introduced by governments of countries, which were aimed at slowing down the scale of virus infections, many enterprises faced a severe dilemma, i.e., how to continue their activities, how to survive the crisis, and maybe end this activity, or change it into another. For many companies, the pandemic crisis turned out to cause multi-faceted losses and even bankruptcy. But also, some companies saw the crisis as an opportunity to introduce positive changes, and gain new sales markets and customers. For these companies, the coronavirus pandemic has become a growth catalyst.Purpose of the article: The article presents the collected results of the study, discusses the conclusions drawn, and compares with other results of the research conducted so far available in the literature on the subject. The theoretical part of the article is devoted to the analysis of the literature resources on the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on business in the country and abroad, with particular emphasis on the SME sector. In the practical part, the author analyzes the results of her research conducted in 2021 to learn about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the functioning of Polish micro, small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Poland. The author tries to answer the questions: To what extent did the coronavirus pandemic affect the functioning of enterprises, and how did companies cope with this crisis? For how many companies the pandemic crisis was a source of economic failure or collapse? For how many, it was an opportunity for reorganization, a chance for market success, a stimulus for new business strategies, or a reason for introducing changes in the business model? Research methods: The quantitative study covered 500 Polish business entities operating in the domestic and foreign markets in production, trade, and services. There were no limitations on the area of activity (according to the Polish Classification of Activities), nor the number of years of firms’ presence on the market. The study did not cover large enterprises, i.e., 250 or more employees. It was assumed that the introduced prohibitions and constraints in trade and services in 2020-2021 had many effects on economic activity and forced entrepreneurs to take appropriate measures to keep the company on the market and survive the pandemic crisis.Main findings: In general, it can be stated, taking into account other studies conducted so far in this field, that the coronavirus pandemic caused perturbations on the market but did not contribute to the drastic collapse of the SME sector, nor was it a catalyst for their spectacular development. The results of the conducted study showed that most companies dealt moderately well with the pandemic crisis. They took remedial action to avoid a complete loss of liquidity, going out of business and the risk of bankruptcy. A small percentage saw an opportunity in the crisis or used this time to improve their situation

Uzdolnienia dzieci w wieku przedszkolnym w opinii rodziców

The article addresses the issue of the giftedness of preschool children. Based on research and literature analysis, issues related to the development of preschoolers’ talents were discussed. The most frequently observed aptitudes, their diagnosis and ways of supporting a gifted child are presented. The necessity of cooperation between parents and the kindergarten was emphasized. Attention was paid to the difficulties faced by parents of gifted children. The conclusions, practical advice and tips resulting from the research and analysis of the literature on the subject can be used in pedagogical practice to stimulate the development of children’s talents.Artykuł podejmuje problematykę uzdolnień dzieci w wieku przedszkolnych. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań i analizy literatury przedmiotu omówiono zagadnienia związane z rozwojem uzdolnień przedszkolaków. Przedstawiono najczęściej obserwowane uzdolnienia, ich diagnozę oraz sposoby wsparcia dziecka uzdolnionego. Podkreślono konieczność współpracy rodziców i placówki przedszkolnej. Zwrócono uwagę na trudności, z jakimi borykają się rodzice dzieci uzdol-nionych. Wnioski oraz praktyczne rady i wskazówki wynikające z badań i analizy literatury przedmiotu mogą być wykorzystane w praktyce pedagogicznej, aby stymulować rozwój dziecięcych uzdolnień

Algal mats transport diaspores and carpological remains in shallow lakes

Algal mats in lakes and reservoirs can transport diaspores and carpological remains of plants, and thus may influence the creation of taphocoenoses. In 2012, I quantified carpological remains in two types of algal mats from a small reservoir in southern Poland. Mats formed by filamentous algae participate primarily in the original transport of diaspores, and can influence their concentration and facilitate their migration, mainly between the shores of the reservoir. Diatom mats partake primarily in diaspore redeposition, but can also cause their dispersal between the shore zone and the central part of the reservoir. This research demonstrates that mats built by diatoms contain far more remains and are more biologically diverse than filamentous algal mats. Movement of carpological remains observed in both types of algal mats points to their role in the formation of taphocoenoses and suggests that algal mats must be considered when interpreting macrofossil records

Etyka a pedagogika. Myśl pedagogiczna Jacka Woronieckiego w odniesieniu do współczesnej edukacji

The article addresses the pedagogical achievements of Jacek Woroniecki. Reference is made to his works, in which he made ethics and the moral aspect the basic manifestation of educational activity. Guided by a concern for the proper moral level of people in all manifestations of their lives, Woroniecki created a body of work and thinking from which we can draw, regardless of the current conditions. The reflections resulting from them, prompting the reader to build morally good relationships between educators and pupil, make the subjectivity of a human being the basic paradigm of education, which is so important and inalienable in today’s reality as well. The subject of this article is therefore the topicality of Woroniecki’s views in relation to the contemporary space of educational influence. It points to the very important aspect of the integrity of ethics and pedagogy, which the thinker raises to constitute a pillar of his pedagogy, or more precisely, of aretology, a synthesis of the humanism of Greek paideia and Christian pedagogy. A separate section is devoted to epistemological references to the idea of paedagogia perennis, pointing to the cognitive inseparability of philosophy and pedagogy and – in relation to pedagogical practice – of upbringing and education. Taking into consideration the need for contemporary educators to constantly search for new educational paths, to take sometimes difficult directions in their professional practice, Woroniecki’s classic thought in the world of relativized values may turn out to be “the path leading man to moral maturity.” Woroniecki’s achievements in this respect definitely have a great, timeless pedagogical value.W artykule zaprezentowano rozważania nad dorobkiem pedagogicznym Jacka Woronieckiego. Odwołano się do prac autora, w których etykę i aspekt moralny uczynił podstawowym przejawem szeroko rozumianej działalności edukacyjno-wychowawczej. Kierowany troską o właściwy poziom moralny człowieka we wszelkich przejawach jego życia, zbudował katalog refleksji i podpowiedzi, z których możemy czerpać niezależnie od aktualnych uwarunkowań. Przemyślenia z nich płynące, skłaniające czytelnika do budowania moralnie prawidłowych relacji między osobą wychowawcy i wychowanka, czynią z podmiotowości człowieka podstawowy paradygmat edukacji, tak istotny i niezbywalny również w dzisiejszych realiach. Przedmiotem dociekań niniejszego artykułu uczyniono zatem kwestię aktualności poglądów Woronieckiego w odniesieniu do współczesnej przestrzeni oddziaływań edukacyjnych. Wskazano tu na podnoszony przez myśliciela istotny aspekt integralności etyki z pedagogiką, stanowiący filar jego pedagogiki, a ściślej aretologii, będącej syntezą humanizmu greckiej paidei oraz chrześcijańskiej pedagogiki. Osobne miejsce poświęcono epistemologicznym odniesieniom idei paedagogiae perennis wskazującej na nierozłączność poznawczą filozofii i pedagogiki oraz – w wymiarze praktyki pedagogicznej – wychowania i edukacji. Biorąc pod uwagę konieczność nieustannych poszukiwań przez współczesnych pedagogów nowych edukacyjnych ścieżek, obierania nieraz trudnych kierunków w swojej praktyce zawodowej, klasyczna myśl Woronieckiego w świecie zrelatywizowanych wartości może się okazać ścieżką wiodącą „człowieka do moralnej dojrzałości”. Dorobek Woronieckiego posiada w tym zakresie ogromny, ponadczasowy walor pedagogiczny

Prevalence of congenital coronary artery anomalies and variants in 726 consecutive patients based on 64-slice coronary computed tomography angiography

  Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is helpful in making a precise noninvasive evaluation of coronary anatomy, allowing concomitant evaluation of other cardiac structures. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of coronary artery variations detected by 64-slice mutidetector CT. Materials and methods: The results of ECG-gated CCTA in 726 consecutive patients (mean age 58 years) were analysed retrospectively. The main indicationsfor CCTA were a typical chest pain, angina pectoris, screening for coronary artery disease and determination of the patency of bypass grafts or stents. Acquisitionwas performed with a 64-detector CT scanner with retrospective ECG gating. Imaging results were assessed by experienced cardiovascular radiologist. Results: The overall incidence of coronary artery anomalies was 1.1% (8 out of 726 participants). The most common anomaly was an anomalous origin of the circumflex artery from the right coronary sinus with a retroaortic course (4 patients,0.6%), followed by origin of right coronary artery from the left coronary sinus (2 patients, 0.3%). One patient with abnormal origin of the left main artery from the right coronary sinus (0.1%) and 1 patient with a circumflex artery origin from the proximal segment of the right coronary artery (0.1%) were observed, both with retroartic course. Conclusions: CCTA is a noninvasive imaging technique useful for the precise evaluation of variations of the coronary arteries. This study shows similar results to other reports on this subject.

A comparative analysis of drinking water quality management systems in Poland

Purpose: The article aims to present and discuss the results of comparative analysis of applied methods in water treatment processes, and to assess whether they belong to the group of advanced and strategic methods used in the treatment and improvement of drinking water quality. Design/Approach/Methodology: The theoretical part of the article discusses the state of drinking water regions of Poland in terms of its chemical, physical, and biological properties, considering the level of pollution. Next, the drinking water quality management scheme in Poland is presented from the organizational point of view, then, Poland's drinking water quality regulations, both national and EU, have been characterized, as well as a few legal norms and programs supporting the ecological campaign in Poland "I drink tap water". In the succeeding part of the article, attention was paid to a detailed analysis of the methods used in Poland in the processes of drinking water treatment and improvement. Findings: Based on the comparative analysis, final conclusions have been drawn up indicating the most effective and ecologically sound methods used in water treatment processes to improve drinking water status in the regions of Poland in such a way that it not only meets legal and environmental standards but is also an essential factor in improving the quality of health, life and economic situation of a given social group. Practical Implications: The article brings a number of valuable information that can be the base material and reference to further research, programs and studies for local governments, practitioners and scientific specialists dealing with issues of improving the quality of drinking water, effective management of water resources, ecology or aspects of environmental protection. Originality/Value: The results of the comparative analysis and theoretical considerations in this article complement the current research in the field of drinking water quality management, and may become a valuable resource of knowledge and a set of specimens that can be useful in developing dissertations in the field of management, environment and ecology.peer-reviewe

The influence of human impact on the diversity of species on the example of the landscape conservation protected area

Przedstawiono problem zróżnicowania gatunkowego na obszarze o różnej intensywności antro-pogenicznej w czasie i przestrzeni. Główne źródła antropopresji pochodzą z obszarów przyległych do analizowanego. Zmiany antropogeniczne obejmują tu głównie stosunki wodne, wydeptywanie i utwardzenie gleby oraz zanieczyszcze-nie środowiska. W takich warunkach formowały się różne typy siedlisk, które zostały skolonizowanie przez różne eko-logicznie i geograficznie grupy roślin o zróżnicowanych wymaganiach siedliskowych. Na obszarze tym stwierdzono wy-stępowanie 149 gatunków roślin naczyniowych. Badana flora składa się z gatunków leśnych, muraw kserotermicznych, apofitów, antropofitów oraz z gatunków o szerokiej amplitudzie ekologicznej. Większość gatunków jest związana ze zbiorowiskami muraw kserotermicznych. Wyniki badań wskazują, iż w niektórych przypadkach wpływ antropopresji doprowadził do wzbogacenia gatunkowego na terenach o wyższej intensywności ludzkich działań

Comprehensive Palaeobotanical Studies of Lacustrine-Peat Bog Sediments from the Mazovian/ Holsteinian Interglacial at the Site of Nowiny Żukowskie (Se Poland) – Preliminary Study

The environmental variability during the Mazovian/Holsteinian interglacial is better understood thanks to the results of multidisciplinary palaeobotanical studies. The perfectly preserved and abundant material from Nowiny Żukowskie in SE Poland has been the subject of numerous palaeobotanical analyses. The results both of initial pollen analysis and of the examination of plant macroremains provide a detailed view of changes in the palaeoenvironment of this area during the Mazovian/Holsteinian interglacial. Originally, the water basin was mostly the habitat of plants indicative of low trophy. The frequent occurence of swamp plants evidences a change in hydrological and climatic conditions consistent with the intra-interglacial climatic oscillation. In the subsequent part of the optimum, an expansion of swamps with Aracites interglacialis and Dulichium arundinaceum was recorded. The development of a peat bog overgrown by i.a. Sphagnum sp., Eriophorum vaginatum, and Andromeda polifolia was also observed. The growth of swamp and peat vegetation resulted in the nearly complete disappearance of aquatic vegetation, apart from species typical of the climatic optimum of the Mazovian/Holsteinian interglacial: Brasenia borysthenica and Aldrovanda dokturovskyi. The close of the interglacial was marked by the intensive development of peat bog and swamp communities with Carex rostrata, Menyanthes trifoliata, and A. interglacialis. The intensive increase in the number of A. interglacialis during the period described as the “birch oscillation” supports the hypothesis of noticeable changes in hydrological conditions at that time. The end of the described period is typified by a deterioration of climatic conditions, indicated by the increase in values for Betula humilis, B. nana, and Juniperus communis