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Berichte vom verheerenden Waldsterben in den böhmischen Wäldern tauchten in letzter Zeit häufiger in unseren Medien auf. Die Wirklichkeit ist zum Teil noch schlimmer, als die Bilder, die wir dabei zu sehen bekamen. Ein Geheimbericht der Tschechoslowakischen Akademie der Wissenschaften enthüllt Einzelheiten.
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The increasing environmental changes and the progressive climate crisis are forcing a constant search for the causes of the problem. It is seen not only in technological progress, industrialization and consumptionism, but in man’s negative attitudes towards nature. One of its solutions is the formation of a new pro-ecological attitude, which operates not only in the natural, but also in the social and cultural context. A manifestation of contemporary ecological thought are gardens, which have now acquired the status of a timeless ecological topos and are becoming an ecosymbol of man's relationship with the environment. In this sense, gardens are a place of coexistence between man and nature, which is treated as a common home — an oikos. The purpose of this article is to explain the contemporary idea of ecological gardens and to try to trace their origins in Roman agronomic literature and medieval gardens. In addition, to relate the garden practices and solutions of the time to the modern ecological meaning.
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The article deals with the role of the state in nature protection in the Bohemian and Silesian Giant Mountains (Krkonoše, Riesengebirge) from late 19th century to 1938. It argues that the issue of local nature conservation should be seen in the broader context of the development of nature conservation in Central Europe. It also shows that the main motive behind conservationists’ calls for a stronger role of the state after 1900 was the growing perception of tourism as a threat for the mountains. The state’s involvement in nature protection increased after World War I when it established natural reservations and issued nature protection decrees. At the same time, however, the growth of mass tourism led the state to plan and build roads and implement other economic plans that were highly damaging to nature. In addition, there were military and strategic motives that led states to build roads and border fortifications in the 1930s.
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Anti-science attitudes and movements have been attracting more, and more attention of researchers in the past years, especially during the pandemic. Anti-science attitudes can be defined as a dismissal of established, and empirically confirmed scientific facts for reasons that are not scientifically grounded. Previous research in social psychology has consecutively shown that this phenomenon can be predicted much better by ideological, and worldview variables than by education level. The aim of this research was to examine the role of religiosity, political orientation (conservatism), and individual value preferences in predicting four attitudes towards science, i.e.: climate change denialism, vaccination skepticism, anti-evolutionism, and general positive belief in science. The study was carried out according to the quantitative research paradigm. Hierarchical regression analysis was applied to test the predictive power of each independent variable. For each dependent variable a 3-step regression analysis was carried out, with age as control variable added in step 1, religiosity, and conservatism added in step 2, and 12 values preferences in step 3. The highest correlation could be observed between religiosity, political conservatism, anti-evolutionism, and Tradition value preference. The strongest negative correlations appeared between Universalism, and Power preference, as well as between belief in science, and anti-evolutionism. Conservatism was a positive predictor of climate change denialism, and Universalism preference predicted it negatively. Vaccine skepticism regression analysis did not bring any significant results. Anti-evolutionism was influenced by religiosity, and conservatism, as well as a lower preference of Security, Conformity, and Universalism values. Belief in science was positively predicted by Security preference, and negatively predicted by religiosity, and Tradition preference.
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Until the development of organic chemistry and the production of synthetic dyes in the second half of the 19th century, substances of natural origin were the only source of color compounds. These could be mineral, plant, and animal products, used in the form of raw products (e.g., crushed metals, minerals, animal fragments, or their excretions) and preparations derived from them. Among the plants we find many species that have been used as sources of coloring substances. They were valued primarily in the production of various utility or decorative fabrics and were used to dye natural fibers. Plant extracts or purified fractions of color compounds were also used as pigments in painting, in the illumination of books, and as substances that improve the look of medicines or foodstuffs. Some had medicinal significance per se. Among them, a small group of plant substances with a blue color is of special interest.The most famous natural raw material of this group is indigo (Indigo), obtained from Indigofera tinctoria L. and its substitutes. Noteworthy is also the less known wood of the logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum L.), known as the blue tree. This work presents the history, uses, and therapeutic importance of the abovementioned raw materials and their contemporary use.
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The subject of the article are folk beliefs concerning trees and their use in magic and medicine. The source basis for the presented descriptions, analyzes and interpretations are materials obtained during ethnographic field research in the Kielce region, which I conducted in 2010–2021, and published works. In the article I present cultural images of selected trees functioning in the minds of the inhabitants of Kielce villages. The analysis of the acquired ethnographic materials made it possible to find out how people think about trees as important elements of the cultural landscape, how they perceive them, what beliefs they connect with, and in the treatment of what ailments they use them. The phenomenon of a tree in folk culture results both from the mythical worldview, i.e. specific attitudes of rural residents towards natural phenomena, as well as from the specific features that trees have.The most important aspect determining the place of trees in the folk image of the world is their personification, ascribing to them the mediating features of the cosmic tree and the tree of life. Hence their significant position in the mental picture of the world and rich symbolism manifested in magical and religious rituals, vegetation rituals and healing practices with the participation of trees.
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The article presents the legal opinions of two Advocates General (AG) of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and two judgments of this court (CJEU) issued in cases C-157/15 and C-188/2015 in matters relating to religion. The main research method used in the article is the dogmatic method. The author analyzes the positions of two lawyers employed as AG CJEU in matters concerning the imposition of bans by entrepreneurs on persons employed, displaying religious symbols in places and time of work. The article is divided into five parts. In the first part, the author looks at legal concepts such as discrimination and religious freedom. In the second part, the reader is introduced to the essence of the dispute between entrepreneurs and employed believers of religion. The third part deals with the cases regulated by the provisions of Directive 2000/78/EC concerning lawful exceptions to the prohibition of discrimination. The fourth part is devoted to the policy of religious neutrality recognized by the European Union as a remedy between employers and employees. In the last, fifth part, the operative parts of the judgments of the Court of Justice are listed. CJEU rulings prohibit employees from wearing and displaying overly visible religious symbols. Failure to comply with this prohibition cannot be considered as direct discrimination on the basis of religion. The interest of the entrepreneur is not a sufficient justification for the parties to the re-employment relationship to reach an agreement, because the wearing of religious symbols by employees in the workplace cannot be considered as a “significant professional requirement.”
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There is a growing interest in the behavior, psychological changes, and stress management of polar expedition members in the specialist literature. The need for security as the primary motivation of the individual is one of the personality parameters that significantly influence behavior strategies and the adaptation process, especially in situations of potential threat, tension, and risk. The present study aims to investigate the need for security as a basic motivation of the personality, the primary stress factors, and the preferred coping strategies of the participants in the XXXI Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition on Livingstone Island. The study involved 28 participants from the XXXI Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition aged 33 to 71. 1) Methodology for the study of the need for security in the behavior of the individual – Bulgarian validation of the test by A. Velichkov et al. 1998; 2) Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced scale (COPE – 1, Carver et al. 1989), adapted for Bulgarian conditions (Georgiev et al. 2003); 3) Methodology for investigating the sources of stress in participants in Antarctic expeditions. The majority of participants had a low level of need for security. Significant differences were found according to the level of need for security regarding the Climatic conditions and work mode stress factor. Prior experience significantly influenced preferred coping strategies, Climatic conditions, and work mode stress factors. The results can support adaptation and adequate preventive actions to reduce psychological distress in participants.
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The subject of the study is the institution of remote service by uniformed services officers. The legislator has significantly restricted the use of remote service, which may only be performer in strictly defined cases, such as states of emergency, state of epidemic threat or epidemic, or due to special needs of the service.
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Managing psychosocial risks presents a similar complexity to providing personalized psychological support, as each organization is a unique entity, just as each individual personality has a distinct structure. In this context, adopting a standardized template could lead to negative consequences for both the company and its employees. The real solution lies in the ability of the psychosocial risk management team to carry out individualized analyzes adapted to the specifics of each work environment.
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The article proposes the incorporation of travel writing as a linguistic resource in teaching English for specific purposes (ESP). Introducing generic variety into a language lesson is supported by the principles of communicative language teaching. Travel writing is also proven to be both a vehicle of relevant content and a powerful stimulus for students´ involvement in the lesson. Taking social constructivism as its second vector, the article discusses travel writing as a mediatized resource for making sense of the world. Recent publications of travel experiences in Bulgaria are read through the lens of critical discourse analysis seeking to identify travellers´ levels of engagement with the Bulgarian heritage. Focus on the construction of Bulgarian heritage could stimulate critical thinking by alerting students to the fact that communication is never innocent of ideology and travelogues are often instrumental in popular geopolitics.
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Prazne ulice i sablasni gradovi, policijski sat i karantena; zatvorene trgovine, restorani, škole i kazališta; zatvorene granice u većini zemalja; oko tri milijarde ljudi u lockdownu ili u nekoj vrsti izolacije; laserski termometri, geolokacijsko praćenje i masovni nadzor; stotine milijuna nezaposlenih radnika; vedro nebo nad nama, izvanredno stanje pod nama; stotine milijardi skakavaca roji se u prostranstvima Afrike i Azije hranjeno klimatskim promjenama; plamte najveći požari ikada zabilježeni u černobilskoj "Zoni isključenja", podudarajući se s godišnjicom nuklearne nesreće i trenutnom pandemijom; potresi i poplave; autoritarni kapitalizam i ekofašizam u porastu su u cijelom svijetu.
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Ruderal ecologies can be regarded as places where more-than-human actants start to operate. In this article, places abandoned by a man, are called “prospective ruination” to emphasize the verb of decomposition function and to reorient the cognitive perspective of decay into the future, understood as a new human and more-than-human ruderal assemblages of culture-natures. The author of this text truly believes, that providing this kind of view, expands the Polish imaginary related to the rubble, reorienting the perspective of decay, to the vibrant more-than-human agencies and forces. The subject of the research reflection on ruderal ecologies (Caitlin DeSilvey), which constitute a. living archive, is Karolina Grzywnowicz’s project Weeds exhibited in 2015 at Zachęta in Warsaw. By introducing the term “biomnemonic witness” (gr. Mnemosyne, goodness of memory), the author emphasizes the subjectivity of the plant kingdom and its floral agencies in creating cultural and biological entanglements. The coda of the sketch problematizes the notion of a living archive and determines the trajectory of getting out of the anthropocentric cognitive impasse.
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For centuries, people around the world have risked their lives boarding unseaworthy ships and other watercraft in hopes of finding a better economic future, education, or fleeing war. Search and rescue services often depend on ships to assist those in distress deep in the sea. This first response and assistance is sometimes crucial to the survival of those in distress. In addition to sound and light signals, alarm notification is also carried out using modern communication technologies. This allows rapid and coordinated rescue operations to be carried out. Too often, however, search and rescue operations are impossible with the efforts of one country alone. In this sense, it should be noted that international cooperation is of key importance.
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This research presents an analysis of the participation and interaction of 129 students from the Faculty of Teacher Training Education (University of Valencia) with tourist places cultural heritage from the Valencia city. The analysis of our students’ affective evaluation and interpretation of a touristic place through smart tourism was a major factor that impacted their perception of the cultural heritage significance of a certain place. Therefore, our findings suggest that there is a strong correlation between students’ cultural experiences, awareness and perception of a touristic place and their interpretation of the economic, social and cultural significance of the touristic places. Tourism experiences of our students contributed to transformative learning acquired by immersion in a new knowledge as a result of travelling and living in one of the most visited regions in Spain.
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Since 2020, there has been a noticeable rise in the prevalence of online work. The catalyst for this shift was the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was subsequently followed by a state of war. These circumstances compelled numerous individuals to acquire proficiency in the latest information technologies to retain their employment or seek new opportunities. The convergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war has heightened several risk factors associated with compromised mental well-being within the realm of professional activities. This circumstance remains true for educators across all educational levels, spanning from primary school to tertiary education. As with any phenomenon, both favorable and unfavorable facets can be discerned. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive description of the primary factors influencing the psychological well-being of individuals engaged in professional work in an online mode. It meticulously investigates the dual-edged sword of online work, accentuating the necessity for a balanced approach to remote employment. It emphasizes the critical need for adaptive measures and support systems to harness the benefits of remote work while minimizing its psychological detriments. By exploring the intersection of technological advancements and psychological health, this research sheds light on the complex dynamics at play, advocating for a more nuanced understanding and strategic interventions to ensure the well-being of professionals navigating the digital work landscape.
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The paper addresses the issue of the potential impact of a university’s presence in the rankings of climate friendly HEIs on its brand and activities, filling a research gap in this area. It starts with a discussion of the concepts of a brand, its personality and strength, presenting selected brand rankings as well as criteria for rankings of climate friendly universities, having outlined the specificity of a climate responsible HEI brand. Afterwards it presents answers to the research questions which were obtained using the desk research method obtained using the desk research method: how the Jagiellonian University is currently performing in the rankings of climate friendly universities and what aspirational reference points can be identified for it. The subjects of the study were three leading rankings published in 2023, which assessed HEIs in terms of their climate actions and the position of the Jagiellonian University in them – both globally and in relation to groups of universities from Poland, Central Europe, European Union and the UNA Europa network. As a result of benchmarking, groups of HEIs brands were mapped as they could constitute reference points for the activities of the Jagiellonian University and other Polish universities. The impact of climate friendly HEIs rankings on the brand and activities of a university is based not only on the need to meet participation criteria, but also on creating social pressure related to comparing brands, and on the need to ensure the coherence of the brand of a climate friendly university on the principle of positive feedback loop.
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In this essay, we contend that the relationship between human society and physical environment is not gender neutral, as men and women are treated inequitably. There exists an inequitable binary structure between the two polar values, as human society often exploits and degrades the environment, and women are undermined in various occasions. The role of women is undermined in environmental management and monitoring. Our strategy in dealing with this issue of negligence would be to expose the misconception that women have little or nothing to contribute in environmental management beside biological reproductive roles, and activities such as cooking, washing, fetching firewood and nursing of children. We will also show the negative impacts of these forcefully assigned female duties on the climate, and how this leads to pollution, which in turn, obstructs the biospheres (plant and animal species). Using the principle of complementarity, the paper insists on the need to eradicate all socio-culturally perceived superlative attributes of distinction between human society and environment or masculinity and femininity. The paper calls for mainstreaming of gender perspective, expansion of women’s opportunities and participation in environmental management, at all levels, for environmental sustainability.
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In this study, the weather modification studies of the United States of America (USA) during the Cold War and its applications in the military field are examined. In the study, it was sought to answer the questions of what kind of studies the USA did to control weather conditions in the competitive environment brought by the bipolar international system, how it tried to apply these studies in the military field, and what effects these implementations had nationally and internationally. Scientifically applied weather modification techniques were used for the first time as a weapon type by the USA in the Vietnam War. In the study, It has been concluded that the interest in militarygrade research on the management of weather conditions by the USA has declined over time due to the disclosure of its military secret activities on this subject, the ambiguous results of the implementations, and the emergence of various regulations to prevent the use of such modification techniques for military purposes at the international level.
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