Is Poland's Central Bank Running a Smear Campaign on Youtube Against Cryptocurrencies?

A bizarre battle is emerging in the world of cryptocurrencies after Poland's central bank was accused of hiring YouTubers to "start a smear campaign" against cryptocurrencies in the country.

According to Business Insider Poland, the Narodowy Bank Polski (NFB) spent around 91,000 zloty (£19,430; $27,300) on a marketing campaign designed to attack the legitimacy of cryptocurrencies. The money was spent on platforms including Google and Facebook, but was also used to pay a Polish Youtube partner network called Gamellon.

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Ozimek volans: a Carnian Triassic Gliding Protorosaur

An early Late Triassic long-necked reptile with a bony pectoral shield and gracile appendages

Authors:

Dzik et al

Abstract:

Several partially articulated specimens and numerous isolated bones of Ozimek volans gen. et sp. nov., from the late Carnian lacustrine deposits exposed at Krasiejów in southern Poland, enable a reconstruction of most of the skeleton. The unique character of the animal is its enlarged plate-like coracoids presumably fused with sterna. Other aspects of the skeleton seem to be comparable to those of the only known specimen of Sharovipteryx mirabilis from the latest Middle Triassic of Kyrgyzstan, which supports interpretation of both forms as protorosaurians. One may expect that the pectoral girdle of S. mirabilis, probably covered by the rock matrix in its only specimen, was similar to that of O. volans gen. et sp. nov. The Krasiejów material shows sharp teeth, low crescent scapula, three sacrals in a generalized pelvis (two of the sacrals being in contact with the ilium) and curved robust metatarsal of the fifth digit in the pes, which are unknown in Sharovipteryx. Other traits are plesiomorphic and, except for the pelvic girdle and extreme elongation of appendages, do not allow to identify any close connection of the sharovipterygids within the Triassic protorosaurians.

Poland to Embark on $1 Billion Program to Replace Infantry Fighting Vehicles

The Polish government is planning to spend up to 80 billion zloty (US $21 billion) to replace its military’s Soviet-designed BWP-1 and BWP-2 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) with new tracked vehicles, Deputy Defense Minister Bartosz Kownacki told local news agency PAP.

“This is a major undertaking for the next dozen years which, according to various estimates, will generate a cost of between 20 and 80 billion zloty if we decide to acquire two types of infantry fighting vehicles, lighter and heavier units,” Kownacki said.

According to the deputy defense minister, the government is considering various partnerships on the project. This includes launching a joint procurement with the neighboring Czech Republic, as well as using the license for South Korea’s K9 chassis, which was acquired by Polish manufacturer Huta Stalowa Wola for its ASM Krab 155mm self-propelled howitzer.

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Remains of Blood Vessels Found in Polish Triassic Reptile Bones?

Spectroscopic Studies on Organic Matter from Triassic Reptile Bones, Upper Silesia, Poland

Authors:

Surmik et al

Abstract:

Fossil biomolecules from an endogenous source were previously identified in Cretaceous to Pleistocene fossilized bones, the evidence coming from molecular analyses. These findings, however, were called into question and an alternative hypothesis of the invasion of the bone by bacterial biofilm was proposed. Herewith we report a new finding of morphologically preserved blood-vessel-like structures enclosing organic molecules preserved in iron-oxide-mineralized vessel walls from the cortical region of nothosaurid and tanystropheid (aquatic and terrestrial diapsid reptiles) bones. These findings are from the Early/Middle Triassic boundary (Upper Roetian/Lowermost Muschelkalk) strata of Upper Silesia, Poland. Multiple spectroscopic analyses (FTIR, ToF-SIMS, and XPS) of the extracted "blood vessels" showed the presence of organic compounds, including fragments of various amino acids such as hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine as well as amides, that may suggest the presence of collagen protein residues. Because these amino acids are absent from most proteins other than collagen, we infer that the proteinaceous molecules may originate from endogenous collagen. The preservation of molecular signals of proteins within the "blood vessels" was most likely made possible through the process of early diagenetic iron oxide mineralization. This discovery provides the oldest evidence of in situ preservation of complex organic molecules in vertebrate remains in a marine environment.

Ten European Union Members Send Letter Stating Russo-German NordStream Gas Pipeline NOT in European Interests

Russia's plans to extend its gas link to Germany run counter to EU interests and risk further destabilizing Ukraine, 10 European governments said in a letter to the European Commission that called for a summit-level debate on the issue.

A group of European companies signed an agreement with Gazprom in September to expand its Nord Stream pipeline to Germany, bypassing Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Gazprom said it would halt gas deliveries to Ukraine while Kiev said it could find cheaper supplies elsewhere.

The letter, written on Thursday and signed by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, says the project should come under the closest regulatory scrutiny and called for "an inclusive debate" at next month's EU summit.

"The position of the European Commission on the Nord Stream II project will also essentially influence the perception of the EU's common foreign and security policy among its core allies and traditional partners," the letter, seen by Reuters, said.

World leaders have been urging Moscow and Ankara to avoid any escalation of tensions following the shooting down of a Russian jet by NATO member Turkey.

Russia's relationships with the European Union and Ukraine have been volatile since the annexation of Crimea in March last year.

The Nord Stream extension to deliver increased volumes of gas straight to Germany could have serious consequences for Kiev and EU nations, the letter said.

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Studying Marrow Cavity Filings to Understand Triassic Taphonomy in Poland

Analysis of marrow cavity fillings as a tool to recognise diverse taphonomic histories of fossil reptile bones: Implications for the genesis of the Lower Muschelkalk marine bone-bearing bed (Middle Triassic, Żyglin, S Poland)

Author:

Kowal-Linka

Abstract:

The bone-bearing bed from Żyglin (S Poland), which likely represents the oldest Lower Muschelkalk accumulation of reptile remains in the SE part of the Germanic Basin, has been investigated in order to determine its genesis. The basic methods were supported by petrographic analysis of the marrow cavity and large inter-trabecular pore space fillings of fossil bones, which was used to check its usefulness to identify the environments where the bones were initially deposited and to decipher taphonomic histories of the remains. The bone-bearing bed is a composite deposit, which consists of three distinct layers (from bottom to top): micritic limestone (mudstone, bioturbated autochthonous mud), crinoidal limestone (grainstone to packstone, calcirudite), and shell-rich limestone (packstone to wackstone, calcirudite). The crinoidal limestone layer, the main bone-bearing bed, is recognised as the proximal tempestite deposited in the mid-ramp zone. The petrographic analysis of the fillings reveals the prevalence of minute ostracod carapaces, accompanied by other grains, embedded together with micrite to microspar. Such compositions suggest that these sediments may have been inserted into the bone pore spaces in lagoons and tidal-flat ponds. Features of some bones record their early diagenetic burial and lithification before the final redeposition. The isopachous spar, blocky spar and weathered pyrite document changes in the chemical composition of fluids that flowed into the bone interiors. The burrow found in the marrow cavity of specimen IGUAM-ZOV-7 provides evidence that some remains were inhabited by minute or juvenile invertebrates. All recognised features indicate that both invertebrate and vertebrate bioclasts, included in the tempestite, were initially deposited in various settings of the carbonate ramp and in the end redeposited as a result of a heavy storm or a hurricane. The examined bone-bearing bed represents time-averaged assemblage, which originated due to hydraulic concentration of the vertebrate bioclasts. The petrographic analysis of the fillings is a valuable tool to identify complex taphonomic pathways of vertebrate bioclasts.

Giving a Crap: Understanding Polish Norian-Rhaetian Triassic PaleoEcologies Through Carnivore Coprolites

Coprolites of Late Triassic carnivorous vertebrates from Poland: An integrative approach

Authors:

Zatoń et al

Abstract:

Vertebrate coprolites derived from Upper Triassic terrestrial deposits of southern Poland have been subjected to various analytical methods in order to retrieve information about their composition, producer’s diet and nature of the microscopic structures preserved in the groundmass. Morphologically, the coprolites have been classified into four morphotypes, of which only three were further analysed due to their good state of preservation. Their groundmass are composed of francolite, a carbonate-rich apatite, in which abundant coccoid structures are preserved. Based on various microscopic and organic geochemical techniques, they are interpreted as fossilized bacteria which could have mediated the phosphatization of the faeces. The thin sectioning revealed that the coprolites consist of those containing exclusively bone remains, and those preserving both bone and plant remains. Those coprolites preserving only vertebrate remains are suggestive for exclusive carnivorous diet of the producers. However, the interpretation of coprolites consisting of both vertebrate and plant remains is more debatable. Although they may attest to omnivory, it cannot be excluded that potential producers were carnivorous and occasionally ingested plants, or accidentally swallowed plant material during feeding. The latter may involve predation or scavenging upon other herbivorous animals. The potential producers may have been animals that foraged in or near aquatic habitats, such as semi-aquatic archosaurs and/or temnospondyls. This is supported by the presence of ostracode and other aquatic arthropod remains, and fish scales within the coprolites, as well as by the presence of specific biomarkers such as phytanic and pristanic acids, which are characteristic constituents of fish oil. The preservation of such labile organic compounds as sterols, palmitin, stearin or levoglucosan attests for rapid, microbially-mediated mineralization of the faeces at very early stages of diagenesis.

Transitional Fossil Molar Tooth From Morganucodont Mammaliaform Hallautherium Found From Norian/Rhaetian Triassic Poland

Mammal-like tooth from the Upper Triassic of Poland

Authors:

Świło et al

Abstract:

Recent Triassic discoveries have extended the record of near-mammals (Mammaliaformes) back to the Norian, about 215 Ma, and reveal a significant diversity of Late Triassic (Norian-Rhaetian) forms. We now add to this Late Triassic diversity a nearly complete double-rooted right lower molariform tooth (ZPAL V.33/734) from the Polish Upper Triassic that is significant because it comes from uppermost Norian–lower Rhaetian rocks and is the first discovery of a mammal-like tooth in the Mesozoic of Poland. The described tooth shows transitional dental morphology between advanced cynodonts and mammaliaforms and it appears to represent a basal mammaliaform (genus Hallautherium), probably belonging to Morganucodonta.

Procurement Delays may Force Poland Navy to Abandon Submarine Capability

The deputy commander of the Polish Navy's Submarine Squadron has warned that the force faces a bleak future - and possibly even disbandment - if the government fails to order new vessels soon.

With its four Sokól-class (Type 207) diesel-electric patrol submarines (SSKs) due to retire by 2017, the navy had anticipated that a tender for procurement of three replacement units would be issued by late 2014/early 2015. The published strategy included delivery of the first Orka SSK in 2019-2020, two new vessels in service by 2022 and the third by 2030.

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Oh the Irony! Kaliningrad Seperatism now a Foreign Policy Issue

Statements by Lithuanian and Polish commentators about Kaliningrad and actions by the Russian authorities against activists in that non-contiguous Russian Federation exclave suggest that the issue of separatism there is an increasingly lively one even if the prospects for any change in its status are not great.

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Hat tip Randy.

Early Paleolithic Artifacts From Poland are Really Geofacts, not Man-made

The alleged Early Palaeolithic artefacts are in reality geofacts: a revision of the site of Kończyce Wielkie 4 in the Moravian Gate, South Poland

Authors:

Wiśniewski et al

Abstract:

In this paper we show that a site Kończyce Wielkie 4 (SW Poland) published in JAS (2010a) by Foltyn et al. can no longer be accepted as a reliable evidence for the oldest presence of humans in the northern part of Carpathians and Sudetes Mountains (Matuyama-Brunhes). Unfortunately, in the light of conducted analysis among others with Peacock's method, it seems that the lithics from Kończyce Wielkie appear to be much more similar to geofacts rather than to artefacts. As a background for comparison Lower Paleolithic artefacts from two German sites Wallendorf and Wangen were used. Moreover, the petrological determination of the finds from Kończyce Wielkie is also dubious issue. Foltyn et al. suggested a long distance transport of lithics from several sources. As it has been demonstrated in the paper, local glacial sediments consist of rocks that are analogous to published lithic spectrum. Finally, the geological data shown by Foltyn et al. seem to be incorrect. Authors did not take into account the results concerning the regional geology that indicate clearly much younger age of layers dated by Foltyn et al. (2010a) at the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene.

Airbus Offers to Make Poland 5th Nation for Helicopter Contract

Airbus Group is ready to offer Poland a sweeping partnership alongside its core European nations to support its bid for a major military helicopter contract, a senior executive told Reuters.

The proposal comes as Airbus Group competes with Sikorsky of the United States, a unit of United Technologies, and AgustaWestland, owned by Italy's Finmeccanica, in a contest to sell 70 rotorcraft worth an estimated $3 billion.

"We want to bring Poland in the direction of Europe and the Airbus Group in defense and especially on helicopters where they have two big tenders, one of which is already ongoing," Airbus Helicopters Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury said.

"We view this process as an accelerator and a catalyst for Poland to become the fifth Airbus nation," Faury said, adding there should be "more Europe in defense".

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Poland Begins Procurement of 32 Attack Helicopters

The Polish Armament Inspectorate officially launched its 'Kruk' (Raven) attack helicopter acquisition programme on 8 July, which will eventually replace the country's ageing Mil Mi-24 'Hind' combat helicopters.

The purchase of 32 new attack helicopters comes under a PLN11.6 billion (USD3.8 billion) priority project that also includes the acquisition of 70 multi-role helicopters.

The main competitors in the future 'Kruk' tender are expected to be the AgustaWestland/Turkish Aerospace Industries T129; the Boeing AH-64E Apache 'Guardian'; and the Airbus Helicopters EC 665 Tiger.

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Dicynodont Coprolites From Norian/Rhaetian Triassic Poland

Putative dicynodont coprolites from the Upper Triassic of Poland

Authors:

Bajdek et al

Abstract:

A significant number (more than 100) of brown to dark and silty, carbonate or pyrite-mineralized, in part organic carbon-rich, spherical or oval-shaped structures have been collected from the Upper Triassic (uppermost Norian-lower Rhaetian) sediments of the Lipie Śląskie clay-pit at Lisowice near Lubliniec town, Poland. Their geological context, morphology, content, geochemistry and association with skeletal remains suggest they are faecal masses of a sizable herbivorous tetrapod. The only large herbivore known from the site is a giant 5 metre-long dicynodont (Synapsida: Anomodontia), represented by numerous bones and also by large, oval-shaped footprints. The putative dicynodont coprolites were collected from mudstone and siltstone with numerous organic remains that were deposited in anoxic conditions. In addition, REEs and other trace element concentrations suggest that the burial environment and diagenesis of these coprolites were under anoxic conditions. SEM and thin section images of the coprolite matrix show numerous nests with pyrite (probably bacterial in origin) and large amount of mineral particles.. The putative dicynodont coprolites contain also amorphous, dark organic matter, poorly preserved palynomorphs, small fragments of plant cuticle. Detailed characteristic of these coprolites reveals possible implications for the ecology and physiology of the source animal species. The delta 13C values of the gymnosperm cuticle and dark organic matter measured in three coprolites is − 23.4‰, − 21.2 ‰ and − 20.3 ‰, all average. The evidence from these coprolites suggests that dicynodonts processed plant soft elements into very small pieces, but wood fragments were found also in a mass accumulation in two coprolites.

The Norian Triassic Dinosaur & Dinosauriform Biota of Poland

Basal dinosauriform and theropod dinosaurs from the mid–late Norian (Late Triassic) of Poland: implications for Triassic dinosaur evolution and distribution

Authors:

Niedźwiedzki et al

Abstract:

The rise of dinosaurs during the Triassic is a widely studied evolutionary radiation, but there are still many unanswered questions about early dinosaur evolution and biogeography that are hampered by an unevenly sampled Late Triassic fossil record. Although very common in western North America and parts of South America, dinosaur (and more basal dinosauriform) remains are relatively rare in the Upper Triassic deposits of Europe, making any new discoveries critically important. One of the most diverse dinosauriform assemblages from Europe comes from the Poręba site in Poland, a recently described locality with exposures of the Zbąszynek Beds, which have a palynomorph assemblage characteristic for the mid–late Norian in the biostratigraphic schemes of the Germanic Basin. Using a synapomorphy-based approach, we evaluate several isolated dinosauriform specimens from Poręba. This assemblage includes a silesaurid, a herrerasaurid and remains of another type of theropod (potentially a neotheropod). The Poręba herrerasaurid is the first record of this rare group of primitive dinosaurs from Europe and one of the youngest records worldwide, whereas the silesaurid is the youngest record of a silesaurid from Europe. These findings indicate that silesaurids persisted alongside true dinosaurs into the mid–late Norian of Europe and that silesaurid–herrerasaurid–neotheropod assemblages (which are also known from the Norian of North America, at low latitudes) were more widespread geographically and latitudinally than previously thought. Silesaurid–herrerasaurid–neotheropod assemblages may have been a common ecological structuring of dinosaurs during their early evolution, and their widespread distribution may indicate weak palaeolatitudinal controls on early dinosaur biogeography during the latest Triassic.

Getting a bit Fanboy with Poland's 35 Ton PL-01 Tank

Other than it looks cool, the damned thing seems to be cut from the cloth Rumsfeld wanted the FCS to be made from.  Sheesh.

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Insights into the Paleoenvironment of Coniacian Cretaceous Poland's Lagerstätten

Palaeoenvironment of the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) concretions-bearing Lagerstätten from Poland

Authors:

Trzęsiok et al

Abstract:

Abundantly fossiliferous Upper Cretaceous sediments including decapod remains in the region of Stary Waliszów (Southern Poland) have been known for many years. To date, however, no study has dealt specifically with detailed palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. The origin of these sediments is still uncertain and has been the source of considerable confusion and controversy, mainly due to the strong bioturbation and decalcification of these sediments. By using the fossil record, comparative taphonomy and geochemical analyses of concretions, we provide new insights into the paleoenvironment and the paleoecology of this unique Coniacian ecosystem.

On the basis of ichno- and body fossil assemblages composed almost exclusively of benthic organisms such as decapods, molluscs and echinoderms, which are commonly disarticulated but rarely abraded, we suggest that the fossiliferous sediments in Stary Waliszów were formed in shallow, normal saline and well-oxygenated waters of the upper sublittoral zone with moderate sedimentation rate and low turbulence of waters. The presence of angular terrigenous clasts, well-preserved delicate land flora and the near absence of planktonic and nektonic fossils strongly imply proximity to the land. Recorded taxa inhabited a soft-bottom environment. Some organisms were fossilized inside siderite concretions. These concretions were formed within the sediment below the zone of active bioturbation during the early stage of diagenesis. Remarkable preservation of decapod remains is due to phosphatization, which replaced the cuticle.

Poland is Planning on Purchasing 64 Fifth Generation Fighters in 2021

Poland is planning to purchase 64 fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft from 2021 in an update to the country's modernisation plans, it has been revealed.

The new fighters will replace the Polish Air Forces fleet of Sukhoi Su-22M4 'Fitter-K' ground attack aircraft and Mikoyan MiG-29 'Fulcrum-A' fighter aircraft.

Brigadier General Tomasz Drewniak, deputy commander of the Polish Air Forces Inspectorate, revealed the information during the second meeting of the Parliamentary Group for the Polish Armed Forces on 20 February.

According to Gen Drewniak 64 new multirole aircraft will be purchased under an open tender for delivery from 2021 onwards. The Polish government has reserved PLN170 million (USD56 million) for the programmes pre-acquisition phase in 2020 and PLN330-350 million for the aircrafts' purchase cost in 2021/22.

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Coprolite Evidence of Predation From Famennian Devonian Poland

Coprolite evidence for carnivorous predation in a Late Devonian pelagic environment of southern Laurussia

Authors:

Michał ZatońCorresponding and Michał Rakociński

Abstract:

Small, light-brown and beige cylindrical structures found in the lower Famennian (Upper Devonian) shales and marls of the Holy Cross Mountains area, central Poland, have been investigated for the first time. Their compact, pellet-shaped morphology and the presence of various fossil fragments scattered within the phosphatic groundmass clearly indicate that they are coprolites. The coprolite inclusions are dominated by arthropod cuticle fragments followed by fish remains, one conodont, and one scolecodont. The arthropod cuticle fragments are represented by the crustacean-like thylacocephalan Concavicaris and three other different types of arthropods of uncertain affinity. The presence of some conical fragments resembling telsons from phyllocarid crustaceans suggests that some of the cuticle fragments may belong to that group of arthropods. The fish remains mainly consist of actinopterygian paleoniscoid scales and sarcopterygian teeth. Taking both fossil and facies characteristics into account, it is clear that the coprolites originated from a carnivorous pelagic fishes that hunted other fishes and swimming arthropods. Surprisingly, similar faunal contents consisting of paleoniscoid fishes, Concavicaris arthropods, and conodonts occur in situ within the body cavities of the Famennian cladoselachian sharks in the Cleveland Shale, Ohio. Such a coincidence suggests that at least some of the Famennian coprolites from Poland may have also been produced by pelagic carnivorous sharks. The preservation of defecated remains was influenced by an interplay between an oxygen-deficient benthic environment devoid of bioturbators and scavengers and rapid, microbially-driven phosphatization.

Dinosaurs Ancestors Evolved Right After the Permian Extinction

The oldest evidence of the dinosaur lineage—fossilized tracks—is described this week in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Just one or two million years after the massive Permian-Triassic extinction, an animal smaller than a house cat walked across fine mud in what is now Poland. This fossilized trackway places the very closest relatives of dinosaurs on Earth about 250 million years ago—5 to 9 million years earlier than previously described fossilized skeletal material has indicated. The paper also described the 246-million-year-old Sphingopus footprints, the oldest evidence of a bipedal and large-bodied dinosaur.

"We see the closest dinosaur cousins immediately after the worst mass extinction," says Stephen Brusatte, a graduate student affiliated with the Division of Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History. "The biggest crisis in the history of life also created one of the greatest opportunities in the history of life by emptying the landscape and making it possible for dinosaurs to evolve."

The new paper analyzes three sets of footprints from three different sites in the Holy Cross Mountains of central Poland. The sites, all quarries within a 25-mile radius of each other, are windows into three ecosystems because they represent different times periods. The Stryczowice trackway is the oldest at 250 million years. The Baranów trackway is the most recent at 246 million years of age while the Wióry trackway is sandwiched in time between the others.

Because footprints are only an imprint of a small part of the skeleton, identification of trackmakers is often tricky. Luckily, dinosaurs have a very distinctive gait, especially when compared to their diapsid relatives (the evolutionary group that includes birds, reptiles, and extinct lineages) like crocodiles and lizards. While lizards and crocodiles have a splayed walking style, dinosaurs place their two feet closer together. The footprints at all three Polish sites show this feature as well as indisputable dinosaur-like features, including three prominent central toes and reduced outer two toes, a parallel alignment of these three digits (a bunched foot), and a straight back edge of footprints, additional evidence of a dinosaur-like simple hinged ankle.

Because all of these features are seen in footprints at the oldest site, Brusatte and colleagues conclude that the Stryczowice prints—which are only a few centimeters in length—are the oldest evidence of the dinosaur lineage. These dinosaurs, though, are considered "stem dinosaurs," or the immediate relatives of dinosaurs not part of the slightly more derived clade that technically defines dinosaurs. Also, this animal did walk on all four limbs, an abnormal posture for early dinosaurs and their close relatives, although it appears that its forelimbs were already being reduced to more dinosaur-like proportions since the footprints overstep handprints.

The Baranów and Wióry trackways show changes early in the evolutionary history of dinosaurs. Wióry at 248 million years ago shows slight diversification in the types of tracks, but all tracks remain quadrupedal. Footprints from Baranów at 246 million years ago, however, may be the earliest evidence of moderately large-bodied and bipedal true dinosaurs. These tracks, which are called Sphingopus, are 15 centimeters long.

Less than no time.