The European Union aspires to pursue an ambitious climate policy. The energy sector is a key tool to ensure success in this area. At the same time, excessively ambitious targets can be a serious problem for individual member states. The aim of the article is to analyze the possibilities available to the Polish energy sector in the context of the assumed EU climate neutrality goals by 2050.

The analyzed research problem concerns, in particular, two areas of strategic importance for Poland: the coal sector and the renewable energy sources sector. The role of the former should be significantly reduced in the coming decades, while the position of the latter should be substantially strengthened. The juxtaposition of these challenges with the Polish economic, social and techno- logical realities is the main subject of analysis in this text. The method of system analysis with elements of a decision-making approach will be used. This will allow for an effective analysis and review at the research level of the most important problems and challenges faced by Poland in light of the necessary adjustments to be made in order to achieve the priorities assumed by the European Union.

The hypothesis of the article is that Poland is able to effectively meet European climate targets, although the implementation of this challenge requires decisive action on the part of the government, as well as an adequate response from investors and society. To this end, appropriate actions must be undertaken at both a strategic and operational level.

Artykuł prezentuje analizę problematyki zarządzania wielopoziomowego na przykładzie polityki energetycznej Unii Europejskiej. Proces integracji w Europie Zachodniej stanowi złożone zjawisko polityczne, społeczne i gospodarcze. Odpowiednie zarządzanie złożoną strukturą UE jest zarówno próbą skuteczności procesu integracji, jak również ważnym wyzwaniem, od którego zależy przyszłość projektu integracyjnego. Polityka energetyczna stanowi interesujące studium przypadku, na bazie którego można doskonale zaobserwować zarówno możliwości, jakie oferuje model multi-level governance dla jej skutecznego prowadzenia, jak również podstawowe trudności w jego praktycznym wdrażaniu. Celem artykułu jest pokazanie, iż koncepcja wielopoziomowego zarządzania mogłaby być bardziej efektywnie realizowana w polityce energetycznej UE, ale są ku temu różnorodne ograniczenia.

The article presents the question of solidarity in relation to the energy policy of the European Union. This topic seems particularly important in the context of the crisis of the European integration process, which includes, in particular, economic problems, the migration crisis and the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Brexit). The issue of solidarity was analyzed from the legal and formal, institutional, and functional and relational points of view. The aim of the article is to show to what extent the theoretical assumptions, resulting from the provisions of European law on the solidarity, correspond with the actions of the Member States in the energy sector. The practice of the integration process indicates that the particular national economic interests in the energy sector are more important for the Member States than working towards European solidarity. Meanwhile, without a sense of responsibility for the pan-European interest, it is not possible to effectively implement the EU’s energy policy. The European Commission – as the guardian of the treaties – confronts the Member States with ambitious challenges to be undertaken “in the spirit of solidarity”. In the verbal sphere, this is supported by by capitals of the individual countries, but in practice, the actions taken divide the Member States into opposing camps instead of building a sense of the European energy community. This applies in particular to such issues as: the management of the energy union, investments in the gas sector (e.g. Nord Stream I and Nord Stream II), and the position towards third countries – suppliers of energy raw materials to the EU (in particular towards the Russian Federation). Different views on the above problems make it extremely difficult for Member States to take action “in the spirit of energy solidarity”. Thus, the energy problem becomes another reason for the weakening of European unity.

The aim of the study was to assess the course of posterior interosseous nerve in the wrist capsule in the transparent method of nerve staining.

M a t e r i a l a n d M e t h o d s: Thirty dorsal wrist capsules were collected bilaterally from 15 donors (thirty capsules) within 12 hours of death. By the dorsal incision the capsules were collected in the same manner. The specimens were stained according to the protocol of modified Sihler’s staining technique. The preserved capsules were analysed under 8–16× magnification of optical microscope for the presence of major posterior interosseous nerve trunks, their major and minor branches, and nerve connections.

R e s u l t s: Three main types of nerve course were identified within the joint capsule. Type I — the most common, with the presence of a single trunk with the excursion of the first main branch on the radial side, two main branches on the ulnar side, the presence of the prevailing number of small branches on the radial side and the presence of 3–4 branches extending beyond the level of the carpo-metacarpal joints. Type II with the presence of two main nerve trunks, running almost in parallel with the first main branch on the radial side, two main branches on the ulnar side with presence of a predominant number of small branches on the radial side and the presence of 3–4 branches running beyond the level of carpo-metacarpal joints. Type III (least often) with the presence of crossed main nerve trunks.

C o n c l u s i o n: The modified Sihler’s staining technique allows for transparent visibility of the nerves innervation the dorsal wrist capsule. However does not allow accurate assessment as histological examination, especially in evaluation of nerve endings, but it gives a significantly larger area of nerve observation.

B a c k g r o u n d: Assessment of the neurocontrol of the external anal sphincter has long been restricted to investigating patients by invasive tools. Less invasive techniques have been regarded less uitable for diagnosis.

O b j e c t iv e: The aim was to develop a surface electromyography-based algorithm to facilitate fecal incontinence diagnosis, and to assess its sensitivity and specificity.

D e s i g n: Data analysis from a single center prospective study.

P a t i e n t s: All patients from colorectal surgery office were considered. They underwent a structured interview, a general physical and proctologic examination. Patients with diagnosed fecal incontinence (Fecal Incontinence Severity Index >10) were included into the study group. The control group consisted of healthy volunteers that scored 5 or less and had negative history and physical exam. Both groups underwent the same tests (rectoscopy, anorectal manometry, transanal ultrasonography, multichannel surface electromyography and assessment of anal reflexes).

M e t h o d s: EMG results were analyzed to find parameters that would facilitate fecal incontinence diagnosis.

O u t c o m e m e a s u r e s: Sensitivity and specificity of surface electromyography, to diagnose fecal incontinence, were assessed.

R e s u l t s: A total of 49 patients were included in the study group (mean age ± SD 58.9 ± 13.8). The control group (n = 49) gender matched the study group (mean age ± SD 45.4 ± 15.1). The constructed classification tree, based on surface electromyography results, correctly classified 97% of cases. The sensitivity and specificity of this classification tree, to diagnose FI, was 96% and 98% respectively.

L i m i t a t i o n s: The age of women in the control group differs significantly from mean age of other groups.

C o n c l u s i o n s: Surface electromyography is an good tool to facilitate diagnosing of fecal incontinence.

To determine the role of the pineal gland and its secretory product melatonin on various aspects of the functioning of the organism, the gland can be easily surgically removed in rats within 18 hours a fter birth. We performed pinealectomy in rats in a state of deep hypothermia under an operating microscope, using a micro-suction device of our own construction. The rats were induced into a state of suspended animation by placing them in the freezing compartment at minus 20 Celsius degrees. The cessation of respiration and heart beat lasted for about 15 minutes. During that time the pinealectomy was performed. In some cases there was minor hemorrhage that was easily controlled. There were no major side effects or mortality following surgery. All rats recovered within 15 minutes after the end of the procedure. The pinealectomy procedure described in this study is simple, rapid, effective and safe, and can be easily performed with instruments commonly available in most laboratories.

The study was carried out on 50 human lower legs obtained during autopsies (KBET: 122.6120.315.2016). The anatomy of the joint was studied using classical anatomical description methods. Based also on literature we have reviewed the current knowledge on the inferior tibiofibular joint blood supply considering the important clinically aspect - vascular density. Authors of this paper postulate relatively low vascular density of the region described and potential worse condition for healing in case of injury or after surgical procedures performed. We also postulate that ligament screws should be positioned with special respect to time limit which enables proper healing of the syndesmosis.

Anatomy of the vascular system of the leg was studied using classical anatomical dissection methods. Based also on literature we have reviewed the current knowledge on the vascularization of the lower leg and its embryological background with special respect toward the posterior tibial artery and its branches.