bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Representing the Unrepresentable in Anita Desai’s Clear Light of Day
Authors: Osman Khan Touseef
Published: September 2024

This article looks closely at Anita Desai’s Clear Light of Day from the critical perspective of trauma studies with a particular focus on the representational crisis posed by individual and collective catastrophic events. It positions the novel within the category of partition fiction so as to enable a contextual reading—one that takes the literary-historical milieu as well as the evolution of the genre into consideration. Such positioning makes comparison and cross-referencing between texts possible. Any traumatic event causes a mnemonic gap in the individual victim’s consciousness and a politically motivated suppression of memory on the level of the collective. This problematizes its representation in the realistic mode, and partition novelists, especially from the 1980s and onwards, have resorted to indirect means to represent this massive disruption of social cohesion in the subcontinental history. Anita Desai, for example, uses the motifs of sibling rivalry and fragility of social relationships to imply the antagonism between India and Pakistan as well as Hindus and Muslims. Clear Light of Day gives its audience a localized view of history in the sense that it illustrates the profound consequences of the Partition on the members of the Das family. This article has attempted to explore how this localized view through indirect means of representation may yield insights into the intersecting points of public and private traumas and their recovery.
Bilingual First Language Acquisition (BFLA): Evidence for Bangla-English Learning Bilingual Child’s Phonological Development
Authors: Parveen Shapla
Published: September 2024

This article falls within the domain of “bilingual first language acquisition”. It discusses the early phonological development of a Bangla-English learning bilingual child at 12 months of age focusing on the occurrences of universal and language specific sound patterns found in the pre-linguistic and first word stage of infant vocalization. The co-occurrences of universal trends were indeed visible in the infants’ babbling in both language contexts, which is consistent with previous studies. However, since language specific patterns for Bangla and English were not substantial at this early stage, “language differentiation” had not taken place. Traces of mixed sound segments from the two languages provide evidence that it is possible for infants to develop sounds segments from two separate phonological systems simultaneously, that is, a child is able to acquire two first languages simultaneously, though the production level may not be homogeneous. This could be related to input factors. Though this research is an extraction from an ongoing longitudinal study, the findings are noteworthy as they provide data for developmental process at a given phase of language acquisition.
Representation of Sex-workers’ Plight in Mahasweta Devi’s Bedanabala and Rizia Rahman’s Letters of Blood
Authors: Alam Md. Maruf Ul
Published: September 2024

Mahasweta Devi’s Bedanabala and Rizia Rahman’s Letters of Blood portray the life of sex-workers in colonial Bengal and post-independence Bangladesh respectively. They are gripping tales of the marginalised lives of prostitutes. These two novels by Devi and Rahman can intimate great insight into the plight of sex-workers. Academic surveys and studies are not readily accessible or available to common people. Fiction has wider access and so novels like Mahasweta Devi’s Bedanabala and Rizia Rahman’s Letters of Blood can achieve what academic studies or narratives sometimes fail to do. This paper will attempt to analyse the potentials of the two novels in portraying the plight of sex-workers.
Legitimization in Phishing: A CDA Perspective
Authors: Tahereen Tanzina
Published: September 2024

This paper mainly aims at analyzing how various discursive strategies legitimizing different requests and assertions in phishing emails are exploited to exercise the social power abuse and influence cognitive knowledge of the users. This study attempts to interlock Van Leeuwen and Wodak’s (1999) four legitimization strategies and Van Dijk’s (1998, 2001, 2006) ‘triangulation approach’ of discourse-society-cognition cycle in order to analyze the legitimization strategies in phishing from a critical discourse perspective. The discursive approach includes the discursive strategies in legitimation, the social approach shows the social power abuse engaged in legitimization, and the cognitive approach presents the manipulation of the user’s beliefs influencing their actions. In order to conduct this study, qualitative method is applied in randomly selected 25 phishing emails as textual data.
European Painting and World War I: Evolution of Modern Era and Beyond
Authors: Abir Md. Shazed Ul Hoq Khan
Published: September 2024

World War I, famously known as The Great War, had an immense impact globally. It changed not only the geopolitical equations and alliances among countries but also reshaped both the history and future of modern art and culture worldwide. European painting, having its grand legacy of almost three thousand years (from seven century BC till today) went through a drastic change in its form and focus during this war. Artists changed their way of interpreting the world around as well as their artistic expression. They could no longer express their emotions and views as glibly through their paintings/art works as they did during the romantic or Victorian era, just the period prior to the Great War. Images they produced were mostly fragmented and distorted. This paper focuses on how the trauma and havoc of the Great War affected European painters and their paintings with the formation of various “Isms”, which developed new wave of modern painting accordingly.
“Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhereThe ceremony of innocence is drowned;” (Yeats, 1919)
Glosa do wyroku Sądu Najwyższego z dnia 4 sierpnia 2020 r., IV CSK 51/20
Authors: Ciechorski Jan
Published: September 2024

Admission without consent to a psychiatric hospital constitutes a drastic interference with fundamental human rights, in particular the right to personal freedom and decisions about one's private life. Consequently, the interpretation of the provisions authorizing such conduct must be decidedly strict. This adoption is justified when both the medical and behavioral premises specified in the Mental Health Protection Act are met. General indication of aggression in his behavior is not sufficient to demonstrate that the person being accepted poses a direct threat to his or her life or the health or life of others. Necessary evidence is an opinion of an expert psychiatrist, failure to do so may result in the court not recognizing the essence of the case.
Świadomość sytuacji jako determinanta bezpieczeństwa w anestezjologii. Przyczynek do oceny należytej staranności lekarza anestezjologa
Authors: Turos Maria
Published: September 2024

The presented article discusses one of the issues concerning the perception of the facts of the events taking place, which is extremely important in medical practice, despite various forms of documentation. Here, it is specifically presented in relation to anaesthesiology, a medical specialty characterized by high dynamics of changes occurring in a short time interval. The effects of insufficient proper assessment of the event, especially in a difficult situation, may result in the formation of cognitive errors, which is the essence of the issue
Wykorzystanie wizerunku pacjenta przez lekarza. Zdjęcia przed i po zabiegu
Authors: Denys-Starzec Adriana
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The aim of this publication is to discuss theoretical issues related to the dissemination of the so-called before and after photos presenting an image of a patient. The paper will discuss the definition of the patient's image, as well as characterise the permission for dissemination of the patient's image, with particular emphasis on its unclear legal construction. Practice shows that the image of a patient may be disseminated for advertising purposes. As a rule, the purpose of dissemination of "before and after" photographs will be self-promotion of the doctor, consisting in encouraging potential patients to use a given service. However, such photo-reporting may have prohibited features of advertising.
Success of the strategic litigation for the protection of reproductive rights, triumph of constitutionalism or 'escape into formalism'? Commentary on the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 14 December 2023, no. 27617/04 in M.L. v. Poland.
Authors: Nieróbca Natalia
Published: September 2024

In the judgment of 14th December 2023 the ECHR declared unlawful the interference in the applicant's private life due to the tightening of the abortion law as an outcome of the verdict of an improperly appointed constitutional court. It is the first result of the wave of complaints that the Court received after the so-called embryopathological premise for abortion was repealed by the TK. The powerful positive impact it could potentially have on the situation of Polish women should not be underestimated. On one hand, it opens the way for the direct victims of the 22 October 2020 ruling to pursue financial claims in Strasbourg. In addition, it obliges courts to refuse to take into account faulty judgments of the Constitutional Tribunal when adjudicating. Finally, the resulting obligation to implement the ECtHR judgment may provide an incentive for statutory liberalisation of the Polish abortion law. However, when justifying its decision on the violation of Article 8 ECHR, the panel focused on matters far from the essence of the question of reproductive rights. In this regard, it is natural to feel dissatisfied by the fact that after years of silence, the Court did not take the opportunity to update its position on the margin of appreciation of Member States regarding the way in which abortion is legally regulated. The strong focus on constitutional law issues, nevertheless, means that the M.L. judgment, rather than in the context of the ECtHR's decisions on abortion, should be seen as a continuation of a line of jurisprudence focused on the consequences of defects in the process of judicial appointments. Disappointing – albeit for other reasons – is also the Court's dismissal of a complaint by Ms. M.L. to the extent that she alleged a violation of the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment by Poland. The ruling on this subject was, indeed, not preceded by a detailed analysis of the circumstances of the case, which would have made it possible to determine whether the "minimum level of severity" had been achieved, and therefore cannot be considered truly justified.
Między schematem a prawami człowieka - prawnomedyczne zagrożenia praw osób interpłciowych oraz europejskie modele ich ochrony, w kontraście do realiów krajowej opieki medycznej – część 1: Możliwe płaszczyzny naruszenia dóbr osób interpłciowych
Authors: Przewoźniak Ryszard
Published: September 2024

This article aims at presenting an intersex person both as a member of a particular minority in terms of sexual health perspective, as well as in a way of legal protection of their rights, in particular within a relation to participation in the healthcare system. Analysis of available data, regarding topics of medicalisation of intersexuality, and the experience of people formingthe described minority, in relation to medical interventions interfering with their sexual health and development of sexual characteristics, allows finding a disturbing differenciacion between schemes of procedures used torwards intersexual people, and patients not recognised as posessing such traits. It is especially noticeable in terms of axiological, and practical justification of decisions about proceeding a medical intervention regarding upbringing and health development of these patients. Said analysis presents possible risk areas, within which a decision regarding an approval of such intervention might be regarded as a discriminatory infringement of patients rights. Among others, particular examination has been conducted within topics of violations of patients autonomy and body integrity, infringements of the mechanisms of providing an informed consent, and rights regarding access to ones medical records. Due to the complex nature of said asnalysis, and multiple intertwined aspects of said problem, regarding a legal study of regulations adressing the presented issues, this part of article consists of mostly theorhetical examination and discussion about possible violation of intersex patients rights, as well as general oligations, and ethics binding medical personnel proviging care for them.
Środki generalne wykonywania orzeczeń Europejskiego Trybunału Praw Człowieka w polskich sprawach dotyczących sprzeciwów od decyzji lekarza odmawiających możliwości dokonania zabiegu terminacji ciąży
Authors: Dyba Julia
Published: September 2024

Full and proper implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights can be accomplished with general measures. Implementing them in the current legal system will allow future avoidance of suing the state before the Court in a similar case, as well as ensure the implementation of the positive obligations imposed on the states that have acceded to the European Convention on Human Rights. The purpose of this article is to present how Poland approaches the fulfillment of its obligation to implement the Court's judgment with regard to cases related to abortion. Using the dogmatic-legal method, the paper attempts to indicate what actions are being taken and what should be taken so that the implementation is considered correct and effective in the context of repairing the national legal system. The result of the analysis is the conclusion about the incorrect approach of Poland based on leaving matters "to their own course", which only leads to the increase of legal problems and the lowering of Poland's position in the international arena, as a state that does not fulfill its obligations.
Kilka uwag o prawach pacjenta w przepisach ustawy o opiece zdrowotnej nad uczniami z dnia 12 kwietnia 2019 r.
Authors: Świderska Małgorzata
Published: September 2024

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O przerwaniu ciąży ze wskazań leczniczych po rozstrzygnięciu Trybunału Konstytucyjnego z 22.X.2020 r. i po śmierci pacjentki w szpitalu w Pszczynie
Authors: Boratyńska Maria
Published: September 2024

Access to legal abortion in Poland is an area which fanatics are gradually trying to narrow more and more, with the ultimate aim of achieving a total ban on abortion. The atmosphere of oppression created in this way has a negative impact on, among other things, pregnant women's access to healthcare. There is a growing fear among doctors of any more decisive medical intervention in their bodies, so as not to harm the developing foetus or expose them to criminal responsibility. This encourages the creation of distortions in the perception of the law in force and the spread of errors in its understanding. Among the various possible types of legal liability, doctors are most afraid of criminal law. Their legal awareness is mainly shaped by this prism, and fear is instilled already during medical studies. As a result, knowledge of the applicable law is superficial, one-sided, and tainted with biased "instructions" of suspicious origin. This is how legal myths are created about the alleged inadmissibility of termination of pregnancy as long as the heart of the foetus is beating or about the obligation to denounce a patient who presents herself with complications after an unassisted termination of pregnancy. Media commentaries reproduce distortions in the interpretation of the law on termination of pregnancy, interspersed with complaints about the imprecise law, which does not provide physicians with sufficient legal security to save the health and life of pregnant patients.  The study collects these distorted and falsified messages and compares them with the current law. The mechanism of errors is explained, distortions of interpretation are corrected and the lawful procedure is indicated. The work may be useful mainly in the practice of medicine and its aim is to clarify doubts and to help physicians get rid of false beliefs and unjustified fear of giving a woman the necessary medical assistance, but with possible harm to the fetus.
Problematyka budowania relacji lekarza seksuologa z pacjentem na gruncie systemowych instytucji procedury karnej i wykroczeniowej
Authors: Kamiński Bartłomiej
Published: September 2024

The issues presented in this text include problems related to a relationship between a sexologist and a consulted person on the basis of criminal and misdemeanor procedure. The author prefaces his deliberations with an introduction devoted to introductory issues, including general aspects of the subject under discussion, such as sexual health, sexuality or sexual rights. Entering the sphere of discussing procedural institutions, the author describes the regulations contained in the criminal and misdemeanor procedural law, with regard to the role of the sexologist. By pointing to the moment of the statutory introduction of a sexologist into the criminal procedure, the author draws attention to his position in relation to other court witness experts. By taking up the subject, the author points out the issue of the relationship between a patient and a sexologist doctor (medical sexologist), which has its legal basis in the medical legislation. Continuing his reflections, the author explains the key role of soft competencies, which are overlooked in the formal requirements of the expert's work.
Stwierdzanie zgonu i wystawianie kart zgonu w świetle nowych uprawnień kierowników podstawowych zespołów ratownictwa medycznego
Authors: Zawadzki Dariusz , Berent Jarosław , Kubiak Rafał , Ciastkowska-Berlikowska Agnieszka
Published: September 2024

The subject of this article is the issue of the newly acquired rights to confirm death and issue death certificates by managers of basic emergency medical teams (paramedics, nurses and nurses in the system). At the beginning, the study draws attention to an introduction to the issues and an explanation of the basic definitions. The next part of the work discusses the characteristics of the signs of death, legal issues related to the participation of third parties and issues related to the issuance of medical documentation. The basis for the considerations when writing the article was to present the correct way to confirm death and issue death certificates.
Glosa do wyroku Europejskiego Trybunału Praw Człowieka z dnia 17 lutego 2022 roku w sprawie Y przeciwko Polsce, nr skargi 74131/14
Authors: Ślaski Krzysztof , Krakowiak Marcin
Published: September 2024

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Prawne aspekty prowadzenia ciąży u pacjentki w śpiączce lub stanie wegetatywnym. Kontynuacja ciąży po śmierci kobiety
Authors: Plebanek Ewa
Published: September 2024

This article considers the legal issues of treatment decisions for decisionally incapacitated pregnant women and the legal issues of offering life support to the point of fetal viability to a patient who is brain dead and pregnant. Lack of ethical, legal, and clinical consensus about best practice in managing this kind of case; a poor clinical evidence base; and the fact that offering life support violates the patient’s autonomy and human dignity are sources of ethical, legal, and clinical complexity analyzed here. Using  recent cases as examples, this article will outline the legal approach to brain-dead mother and her foetus or to  mother in coma/vegatative state. I will try to advance the arguments of the circumstances in which maternal physiological support after brain death may be ethically justifiable.
Weterynaryjne badania kliniczne a badania kliniczne z udziałem ludzi
Authors: Kaczan Damian
Published: September 2024

Medicines are the basis of modern medicine and veterinary medicine. Mechanisms of their impact on human and animal bodies are similar. Therefore, clinical trials are carried out in a similar way, regardless of whether people or animals are involved. However, the differences between the legal status of humans and animals, as well as the need to protect people’s personal rights require different standardization of tests of medicinal products intended for use in medicine and veterinary medi- cine. The article compares the legal regimes of these experiments on the basis of the current legal status and its changes, which will occur in the near future. The following issues are discussed: the sources of clinical trial law and the relationship between national and EU normative acts; legal definitions of researcher and sponsor; the mode of selection of the research team leader; the entity having the status of a clinical trial partici- pant; administrative decisions required to legally start an experiment; and the principles of liability for damage related to clinical trials. The author concludes that both the Polish and the EU legislator recognize the need to differentiate between the two regimes, but they implement it in an imperfect manner. A critique of relevant legal provisions is followed by some amendment proposals.
Glosa do wyroku Sądu Najwyższego z dnia 4 marca 2020 r., IV KK 221/19
Authors: Sitarz Olga
Published: September 2024

For the liability of a doctor for an offense under Art. 160 § 3 of the Penal Code, it does not matter whether it has something else, or whether it is necessary to secure an abandoned action that can reverse the risk to the patient's life or health. A sufficient feature of this offense is, after all, the effect not in the form of violation of this protected property, but in the form of carrying out orders to their security.
Uwagi na tle postanowienia Sądu Najwyższego z 2 lutego 2017 r. sygn. II KK 306/16 oraz wyroku Sądu Najwyższego z 9 listopada 2017 r. sygn. II KK 215/17
Authors: Wiaderek Aleksander
Published: September 2024

Two paramedics and a dispatcher have been charged with endangering the imminent risk of loss of life or grievous bodily harm the health of a stroke patient who, on the instructions of the dispatcher they transported her to a hospital without conditions or technical facilities for treating strokes conditions and technical facilities for treating strokes, and on the spot refused to transport her to another facility suitable for the clinical condition. The patient survived,  but at the cost of great damage to her health, and as an auxiliary defendant the was the husband, who from the outset insisted that his wife be transported elsewhere elsewhere, but for reasons of his own convenience. An altercation with him delayed assistance. In essence, the case concerns the interpretation of the standards governing the transportation of  persons in a state of medical emergency by the emergency medical services system medical emergency system, and whether a patient in that system has anything at all to say over the facility to which he or she would be taken.
Investigation of Cytotoxic Effects and Antimicrobial Activities of Light-cured and Self-cured Universal Adhesive Systems
Authors: Tunç Tutku , Bal Halil , Hubbezoğlu İhsan
Published: September 2024

Objective: This study aimed to compare the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of a light-cured adhesive system and a self-cured adhesive system from the same company.
Materials and Methods: A Tokuyama BOND force II (Light-cured) adhesive system (TF2B) and a Tokuyama Universal Bond (Self-cured) adhesive system (TUB) were selected for the study. The cytotoxicity evaluation of these two systems on cell cultures was performed using MTT assay and Agar Diffusion assay in L929 fibroblast cells. Disk diffusion method and liquid microdilution (MIC) method were used to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. The experiments were performed on 6 pathogenic bacteria and 1 yeast fungus.
Results: According to MTT test results, both adhesive systems have no significant toxic effect on healthy cells (L929). However, when TUB and TF2B were compared with each other, it was found that TF2B had almost no toxic effect. In the agar diffusion test, when the two bonds were compared with each other, a weak color lightening was observed only around the first concentration of TUB. No visible melting was detected in other concentrations of TUB and TF2B. Both adhesive systems failed to reach MIC values effectively on the test microorganisms. Since the results were far above the MIC values of the reference antibiotics, it was determined that they did not have antimicrobial effects. Disk diffusion results similarly showed that both bonds did not form an inhibition zone on the test microorganisms.
Conclusions: In dentistry, cytotoxic effects of universal adhesive systems on living cells can be observed. Self-cured and Light-cured adhesive systems did not show toxic effects on L929 cells. In addition, antimicrobial effects on test microorganisms were not detected. The cytotoxicity of the materials can be tested on different cells.
Impact of Agricultural Ontologies Evolution on the Alignment Preservative Adaptation
Authors: Atig Yahia , Zahaf Ahmed , Khiati Nadri
Published: September 2024

Ontology matching techniques are a solution to surmount the problem of interoperability on the fly between ontologies. However, both alignments and ontologies are likely to be evolved throughout their life cycle, which frequently degrades their qualities. One of the main features of an alignment is its conservativity, so that it should never generate new knowledge compared to those generated by reasoning solely on ontologies. We focus in this paper on the issue of adapting the fresh alignment between evolved OWL-2 ontologies while respecting the conservativity principle. We also propose several patterns to deal with the problem of detection and repair of conservativity breaches during such evolution depending on the type of change in the related OWL-2 ontologies. We use famous ontologies from the field of agriculture to validate our experimentation. At the end we present a set of open research issues.
Groundwater for urban water supply in Ukraine: a case study of Mykolaiv (Military challenges and lessons for the future)
Authors: Shestopalov Viacheslav , Rudenko Yurii , Koliabina Iryna , Stetsenko Borys , Yaroshenko Kostiantyn
Published: September 2024

The paper discusses the possibility of using groundwater as a source of water supply for Mykolaiv during emergencies or military operations. A hydrogeological model of the Mykolaiv groundwater field was developed to investigate the water exchange pattern and sources of operational groundwater reserves in the Upper Sarmatian aquifer, which is a primary source of drinking groundwater in the Mykolaiv area. The influence of various factors on water-bearing capacity of the Upper Sarmatian sediments was assessed, including the vulnerability of the fresh groundwater to the intrusion of brackish water from the Bug Estuary. The study also examined the feasibility of operating the aquifer under forced conditions, depending on the duration of emergency periods or military operations.
Mapping the intrinsic potential of water infiltration in urban subsurface: feedback from France
Authors: Lucassou Flora , Chrétien Pierre , Pinson Stéphanie , Barrière Jérôme , Le Guern Cécile
Published: September 2024

In a context of increasing urbanization, with strong soil sealing, and with an increase in extreme weather events, the management of rainwater in urban areas is becoming a major issue. In order to improve water resource management and to prevent urban floods, more and more cities are considering or already implementing water infiltration systems. Infiltration of water is not possible anywhere due to natural and/or anthropic reasons. In this frame, the intrinsic infiltration capacity of the subsurface is one key natural parameter. Global maps are needed to build territorial strategies. In France, a lot of studies are available but a national methodological framework for mapping this index does not exist. In this paper, we analyse various studies carried out in France for such mapping and compare the methods with examples in other countries. Most of the French studies combine a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) and a Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis. The criteria include geological, hydrogeological and geomorphological parameters. The PHOEBUS method developed on Rennes Metropolis seems the most relevant and replicable one to provide a common framework at French scale. It takes into account 7 criteria, including rock/soil permeability, topographic slope and thickness of the unsaturated zone. The obtained maps may be used as such, modified by integrating sealed surfaces or crossed with other criteria linked to the urban environment (e.g. sealed surfaces, soil pollution, heat islands). They provide a decision support tool for urban planning. In particular, they are useful to improve rainwater management, but also in the elaboration of desealing or renaturation strategies. It seems essential to act in concertation with local stakeholders to identify their needs and the specificities of the territory.
[Cesare Cipolletti, from the Tiber Island to the Andes]
Authors: Argentieri Alessio , De Caterini Giovanni , Rotella Giovanni
Published: September 2024

[Article in Italian]
Cesare Cipolletti, dall’isola Tiberina alle Ande
Foreword
Authors: Hollis Julie
Published: September 2024

This special publication, Groundwater in the Cities of Europe, comes at a time when groundwater is increasingly recognised as a resource under threat...
Urban Groundwater in the cities of Europe: hidden challenges in a changing climate
Authors: Hinsby Klaus , O’Connor Sophie , Larva Ozren , Van der Keur Peter , La Vigna Francesco
Published: September 2024

In European cities, groundwater remains an issue of significant concern, largely because it is “out of sight and out of mind.” The general public, and even decision-makers, possess only a limited understanding of the state and characteristics of this vital resource. As a consequence, problems related to groundwater quality or changing water tables/piezometric surfaces may persist for years, or even decades, without being adequately addressed-or worse, without being noticed at all before resulting in land subsidence,saltwater intrusion, deep migration of persistent organic contaminants like PFAS (Le monde, 2023) or other irreversible consequences. The urban water cycle is central to ensuring the supply of clean, safe drinking water, effective sanitation, and wellfunctioning drainage systems for millions of residents. The impacts of human activities, such as land use change, excessive water abstraction and mismanagement, and the discharge of wastewater can exert a far greater influence on groundwater systems and hydrogeology than climate change. These activities alter the quantity and quality of both surface and groundwater, raising complex scientific, technical, socio-economic, cultural, and ethical challenges in urban water management. It is important to address the many challenges associated with ensuring water security and safety in cities (Quevauviller et al., 2024), as well as for development of effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies for urban areas (IPCC, 2024). Groundwater plays a critical role in the green transition and is an integral component of most climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies (Ingemarsson et al., 2022), and for meeting the increasing demand for freshwater in cities due to accelerating urbanization (United Nations, 2022). Many urbanized areas in Europe already face poor chemical and quantitative status (EEA, 2024; Sentek et al., 2024), and global change including increasing populations and sea level rise pose a tremendous challenge for safe and secure water supply especially in coastal European cities. Open access to digital subsurface data e.g. through the European Geological Data Infrastructure supports societal needs and UN sustainable development goals (Hinsby et al., 2024). This special issue demonstrates some of the important issues that the water supply of European cities are facing in times of increasing competing use of the subsurface (Volckko et al., 2020), projected climate change impacts on the hydrological cycle (Henriksen et al., 2023) and with freshwater now being among the transgressed planetary boundaries (Richardsson et al., 2023). [...]
Optimizing Selection of Sustainable Material-extraction Sites with GIS-based Decision-support Systems (AHP/MACBETH): In-depth Case Study from Settat, Morocco
Authors: Amellal Issam , Amellal Asmae , Hattabi Said
Published: September 2024

In today’s world, sustainability is crucial, particularly in managing natural resources for sustainable development. Often, environmental impacts of new activities are overlooked, worsening the effects on already vulnerable environments. Our study uses two multi-criteria decision-making tools, MACBETH and AHP, integrated with GIS technology, to evaluate quarry sites in Settat Province, Morocco. This methodology classifies sites by suitability, based on criteria aligned with sustainable development goals.We found a high consistency between MACBETH and AHP, with less than 4% divergence in criteria weighting, confirming the robustness of our integrated approach in making location-based decisions for quarries. The resulting maps clearly delineate zones from unsuitable to highly suitable for quarrying. Beyond assessing current quarrying practices, our findings offer strategic insights for future site planning and establishment, showcasing adaptability and potential for replication. This research provides a practical model for improving material extraction practices, aligning with sustainable development needs, and serving as a valuable tool for policymakers and industry stakeholders.
A Study on Harmonic Functions
Authors: Uçar Mehmet , Uçar Hatice
Published: September 2024

The class of functions that have bounded boundary rotation and bounded radius rotation are the generalization of the convex and the starlike functions, respectively. The concept of such functions was introduced by Löwner [1]. But he did not use the present terminology. It was Paatero [2, 3] who systematically developed their properties and made an exhaustive study of the class of functions that have bounded boundary rotation. We will examine in this paper, the subclass of $${\mathcal S}_{H}$$ that is related to the class of functions that have bounded radius rotation.
Study of the Kinetics of Nucleation and Growth of Silver Nanoparticles: UV-Visible Spectroscopy vs. Atomic Force Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Georgiev Peter , Simeonova Silviya , Mihaylov Lyuben , Nihtianova Diana , Balashev Konstantin
Published: September 2024

Silver nanoparticles have been the subjects of research interest because of their unique properties and extensive use in modern-day applications. A variety of preparation techniques have been reported for their synthesis but among them mostly recognized is a modified version of the Turkevich citrate method. In this study, we also chose this method of silver nanoparticle synthesis. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized first, traditionally with UV-Visible spectroscopy and then their sizes and shapes were identified employing Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). From the UV-Vis data were extracted the rate constants for the nucleation ($$k_1$$) and growth ($$k_2$$) of the silver nanoparticles, and then these constants were further used to fit those obtained from AFM and TEM. Using the values of $$k_1$$ and $$k_2$$ independently in the two experimental methods validated and supported the well-acknowledged two-step mechanism of slow nucleation and fast autocatalytic surface growth.
Effect of Heat Input on Microstructure and Microhardness in WAAM
Authors: Tongov Manahil , Petkov Vladimir , Tashev Plamen
Published: September 2024

Experiments were carried out for WAAM of samples using electric arc and additive material in the form of solid wire grade G3Si1. The layers were built-up with one transition each. Metallographic macro- and microsections were made from the obtained samples. The macro- sections are used to determine the locations of microhardness measurements. The microsections were used to measure the microhardness and to illustrate the microstructure. The analysis of the obtained results shows that the heat input and the interlayer temperature are of crucial importance for the obtained mechanical characteristics of the built-up samples. The microstructure of the obtained layers varies along the height of the built-up samples thus witnessing for the thermal treatment occurring in each layer except the last one as a result of applying the subsequent layers.
The Impact of Covid-19 on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in Patients Treated Conservatively for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Antonov Petar , Krastev Plamen , Ivanov Atanas , Hristova Eleonora , Timev Aleksander
Published: September 2024

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-malignant urological pathology characterized by a progressive increase in the volume of the prostate gland and one of the important diseases which affect lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Covid-19 is a new viral infection with epidemiological characteristics of a pandemic. The disease is presented as a respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological late complication. There is limited data that low urinary tract can be affected and aggravate symptoms and quality of life (QoL).
Our pilot study describes a male population treated with conservative methods for BPH and the effect of Covid-19 infection on their LUTS and QoL. This was a case-control study between April 2021 and November 2021. The study included 33 patients with a history of Covid-19 infection. The assessment of LUTS was carried out by processing the data obtained from the completed by the patients IPSS questionnaires (the last one before, immediately, and five months after Covid-19). The control group consisted of 50 patients, which for the management of the selection bias, matched according to demographic and clinical features of the group. All patients underwent ultrasound diagnostics giving information about the volume of the prostate gland and the amount of residual urine.
Two years after the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, we can confidently say that not all characteristics of this type of infection are sufficiently clear. More in-depth studies on Covid-19 as a cause of worsening LUTS and overall progression of BPH could help identify new aspects of infection leading to significant improvements in its treatment.
Single Visit Root Canal Treatment of Teeth with Chronic Periapical Periodontitis
Authors: Zaneva-Hristova Denitsa
Published: September 2024

The treatment of periodontitis aims to eliminate the etiological factor, i.e. microorganisms and their toxins; to influence the inflammatory process in the periapical tissues and to stimulate the healing process; to provide an airtight filling of the root canal to isolate the apical periodontium from contact with saliva in the oral cavity. The removal of the etiological factor is associated with mechanical and chemical treatment of the root canal. Since most endodontic problems are of microbial origin, their removal is considered the most important step in root canal therapy.
The number of visits for treatment of infected root canals is one of the most discussed topics in endodontics. Endodontic treatment through multiple visits is a traditionally accepted method. However, an alternative protocol involving one visit has been proposed.
The aim of this study was to determine the degree of clinical success in teeth diagnosed with chronic asymptomatic apical periodontitis treated by a single-visit method. Thirty one patients aged 16 to 69 years with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic asymptomatic apical periodontitis were included in the study. All proven cases are subject to treatment in a single stage. Based on the data obtained from this task, it is clear that adequate isolation and adherence to the simplified generally accepted irrigation protocol are sufficient to obtain good healing results.
Bio-insecticidal Efficacy of Beauveria bassiana Vuill. Strains against Tettigonia viridissima L. in Tobacco
Authors: Radev Zheko , Spasova-Apostolova Velichka , Petkova Mariana
Published: September 2024

The green grasshopper (Tettigonia viridissima L.) is a species which attacks tobacco plants. The purpose of the present study was to establish the bio-insecticidal efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana Vuill. strains 214, 644, and 733 on the growth and development of T. viridissima in tobacco. The research was conducted under laboratory conditions. The study found insecticidal effects of the B. bassiana strains 214, 644, and 733 against T. viridissima. Surviving of larvae was monitored at 5-day intervals until the 15th day after treatment with a spore suspension of the tested Beauveria strains. The highest virulence of the tested fungi was shown by strain 644, followed by strains 214 and 733. On the 5th day after treatment, no efficacy against T. viridissima larvae was detected. On the 10th day post-treatment strain 644 showed 66.7% efficacy, while efficacy against larvae of grasshoppers for the other two strains 214 and 733 was significantly lower: 33.3%. Efficacy gradually increased and on the 15th day post-treatment 100% mortality of T. viridissima was observed for all isolates. The results obtained from the virulence test of B. bassiana 214, 644, and 733 ascertain their application as biocontrol agents in tobacco production under field conditions.
Spatial Transcriptomics of Meningeal Inflammation Reveals Inflammatory Gene Signatures in Adjacent Brain Parenchyma
Authors: Gadani Sachin P , Singh Saumitra , Kim Sophia , Hu Jingwen , Smith Matthew D , Calabresi Peter A , Bhargava Pavan
Published: September 2024

While modern high efficacy disease modifying therapies have revolutionized the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, they are less effective at controlling progressive forms of the disease. Meningeal inflammation is a recognized risk factor for cortical grey matter pathology which can result in disabling symptoms such as cognitive impairment and depression, but the mechanisms linking meningeal inflammation and grey matter pathology remain unclear. Here, we performed MRI-guided spatial transcriptomics in a mouse model of autoimmune meningeal inflammation to characterize the transcriptional signature in areas of meningeal inflammation and the underlying brain parenchyma. We found broadly increased activity of inflammatory signaling pathways at sites of meningeal inflammation, but only a subset of these pathways active in the adjacent brain parenchyma. Sub-clustering of regions adjacent to meningeal inflammation revealed the subset of immune programs induced in brain parenchyma, notably complement signaling and antigen processing/presentation. Trajectory gene and gene set modeling analysis confirmed variable penetration of immune signatures originating from meningeal inflammation into the adjacent brain tissue. This work contributes a valuable data resource to the field, provides the first detailed spatial transcriptomic characterization in a model of meningeal inflammation, and highlights several candidate pathways in the pathogenesis of grey matter pathology.
DGRPool: A web tool leveraging harmonized Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel phenotyping data for the study of complex traits
Authors: Gardeux Vincent , Bevers Roel PJ , David Fabrice PA , Rosschaert Emily , Rochepeau Romain , Deplancke Bart
Published: September 2024

Genome-wide association studies have advanced our understanding of complex traits, but studying how a GWAS variant can affect a specific trait in the human population remains challenging due to environmental variability.
Drosophila melanogaster
is in this regard an excellent model organism for studying the relationship between genetic and phenotypic variation due to its simple handling, standardized growth conditions, low cost, and short lifespan. The
Drosophila
Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) in particular has been a valuable tool for studying complex traits, but proper harmonization and indexing of DGRP phenotyping data is necessary to fully capitalize on this resource. To address this, we created a web tool called
DGRPool
(dgrpool.epfl.ch), which aggregates phenotyping data of 1034 phenotypes across 135 DGRP studies in a common environment. DGRPool enables users to download data and run various tools such as genome-wide (GWAS) and phenome-wide (PheWAS) association studies. As a proof-of-concept, DGRPool was used to study the longevity phenotype and uncovered both established and unexpected correlations with other phenotypes such as locomotor activity, starvation resistance, desiccation survival, and oxidative stress resistance. DGRPool has the potential to facilitate new genetic and molecular insights of complex traits in
Drosophila
and serve as a valuable, interactive tool for the scientific community.
The Jag2/Notch1 signaling axis promotes sebaceous gland differentiation and controls progenitor proliferation
Authors: Abidi Syeda Nayab Fatima , Chan Sara , Seidel Kerstin , Lafkas Daniel , Vermeulen Louis , Peale Frank , Siebel Christian W
Published: September 2024

The sebaceous gland (SG) is a vital appendage of the epidermis, and its normal homeostasis and function is crucial for effective maintenance of the skin barrier. Notch signaling is a well-known regulator of epidermal differentiation, and has also been shown to be involved in postnatal maintenance of SGs. However, the precise role of Notch signaling in regulating SG differentiation in the adult homeostatic skin remains unclear. While there is evidence to suggest that Notch1 is the primary Notch receptor involved in regulating the differentiation process, the ligand remains unknown. Using monoclonal therapeutic antibodies designed to specifically inhibit of each of the Notch ligands or receptors, we have identified the Jag2/Notch1 signaling axis as the primary regulator of sebocyte differentiation in homeostatic skin. Mature sebocytes are lost upon specific inhibition of the Jag2 ligand or Notch1 receptor, resulting in the accumulation of proliferative stem/progenitor cells in the SG. Strikingly, this phenotype is reversible, as these stem/progenitor cells re-enter differentiation when the inhibition of Notch activity is lifted. Thus, Notch activity promotes correct sebocyte differentiation, and is required to restrict progenitor proliferation.
Feeding Rates in Sessile versus Motile Ciliates are Hydrodynamically Equivalent
Authors: Liu Jingyi , Man Yi , Costello John H , Kanso Eva
Published: September 2024

Motility endows microorganisms with the ability to swim to nutrient-rich environments, but many species are sessile. Existing hydrodynamic arguments in support of either strategy, to swim or to attach and generate feeding currents, are often built on a limited set of experimental or modeling assumptions. Here, to assess the hydrodynamics of these “swim” or “stay” strategies, we propose a comprehensive methodology that combines mechanistic modeling with a survey of published shape and flow data in ciliates. Model predictions and empirical observations show small variations in feeding rates in favor of either motile or sessile cells. Case-specific variations notwithstanding, our overarching analysis shows that flow physics imposes no constraint on the feeding rates that are achievable by the swimming versus sessile strategies – they can both be equally competitive in transporting nutrients and wastes to and from the cell surface within flow regimes typically experienced by ciliates. Our findings help resolve a long-standing dilemma of which strategy is hydrodynamically optimal and explain patterns occurring in natural communities that alternate between free swimming and temporary attachments. Importantly, our findings indicate that the evolutionary pressures that shaped these strategies acted in concert with, not against, flow physics.