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The relevance of the study is conditioned by the growing demand of the population for safe and organic poultry products. Various microbiological preparations are used as therapeutic and preventive means and alternatives to the use of antibiotics in organic poultry farming. The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of preparations of probiotic microorganisms and their metabolites on the optimal composition of the microflora of the digestive canal, the general condition, and the liveability of broiler chickens. The effect of various types of drugs on broiler chickens was investigated: the probiotic LactoPharm LP12, the postbiotic Bacteriosan, and a bacteriocin nisin solution. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the microflora of the digestive canal of broiler chickens was determined by the method of bacteriological cultures. The disc diffusion method, using commercial discs with a minimum inhibitory concentration, revealed sensitivity to antibiotics. The effective effect of the new postbiotic Bacteriosan on the intestines of poultry was confirmed – no coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus was isolated on the 30th day of the experiment, and the lowest titre of Escherichia coli was recorded on days 30, 60, and 81 of the experiment. In terms of the content of lactic acid bacteria in the intestines of broiler chickens, the highest concentration was found in the experimental groups that used the probiotic LactoPharm LP12 and the experimental postbiotic by 21% and 32%, respectively, compared to control group. Treatment of bedding material with prophylactic drugs in poultry houses of experimental groups contributed to air sanitation and a decrease in the microbial background of the room compared to the control. The lowest mortality rate of chickens (-12%) was observed when using probiotics and postbiotics, due to the positive effect on the microbiocenosis of the digestive canal. When using an aqueous solution of nisin, the mortality rate was 14%. Thus, the use of the postbiotic Bacteriosan at a dose of 5 mL/kg of feed and the probiotic LactoPharm LP12 at a dose of 1 g/L of drinking water for seven days with a weekly break during the entire period of poultry rearing was experimentally substantiated, which will allow for effective prevention of infectious diseases and increase the liveability of broiler chickens

The article aims to present a cyber–physical system (CPS) to support the cultivation of aquaculture in a closed aquaponic system using the deep-water culture (DWC) method. The CPS uses precision sensors as TriOxmatic 700 IQ (for dissolved oxygen and water temperature), AmmoLyt Plus 700 IQ (for ammonium), NiCaVis 701 IQ NI (for nitrites and nitrates), SensoLyt® 700 IQ (for pH), and SL-M5 (for water level). It is built with a Raspberry Pi 4, 8 GB as a server, OpenHAB 3.0 software, and other specialized software for measuring water parameters. Some of the parameters are maintained completely autonomously, while others are indirectly controlled. Basic knowledge of hydroponics and aquaculture is required to set up the system, but day-to-day maintenance can be carried out by employees who receive instructions from the CPS. A method for the physical modification of the fish tank surface by using laser processing is proposed. This results in a change in surface topography (creating diverse microstructure patterns) and its roughness, which is of crucial importance for the bacterial adhesion mechanism.

Background: This study aims to deliver more insights on the impact of neoadjuvant treatment on Pd-L1 expression and to evaluate its correlation with clinicopathological factors. Methods: We reviewed 88 TNBC cases for the period 2021–2023. Data on age, tumor size, stage, and treatment were collected. Histological slides were assessed for subtype, grade, and TILs. A total of 48 received neoadjuvant treatment. HER2 and Ki67 were evaluated via immunohistochemistry. PD-L1 expression was tested on primary and residual tumors. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS (p < 0.05). Results: In this study, PD-L1 positive expression was found in 44.3% of primary tumors, with 52.9% of initially positive cases losing expression post-treatment. TILs were significantly higher in PD-L1-positive tumors (mean 41.79% vs. 27.55%, p = 0.001). A notable correlation was found between PD-L1 expression and Ki-67 proliferation index, with PD-L1-positive tumors having a median Ki-67 of 64.49 compared to 52.86 in negative cases (p = 0.015). Neoadjuvant immunotherapy led to a lower mean residual cancer burden (0.95 vs. 2.55, p = 0.002) compared to chemotherapy alone. Higher Ki-67 levels (≥50%) were associated with better treatment outcomes, showing a mean RCB score of 1.60 versus 3.16 for lower levels (p = 0.022). HER2-negative cases had a higher prevalence of favorable pathological response (54.5%) compared to HER2-low tumors (25%, p = 0.048), because of the strong correlation to high proliferative index. Conclusions: In conclusion, PD-L1 expression in TNBC shows significant discordance post-treatment, highlighting the need for routine testing and further research on predictive biomarkers.

Introduction: The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer have tremendously changed in the last decades improving the survival and quality of life of the patients. Adherence to clinical practice guidelines in oncology significantly improves patients’ recurrence-free and overall survival. Nowadays, no national registry/database for breast cancer patients is available. This study aims to perform a nationwide analysis of the breast cancer guidelines adherence in Bulgaria, in particular regarding the diagnostic methods for histological confirmation and the types of radical surgery performed using an artificial intelligence (AI) powered software. Materials and methods: We analyzed data from January 2019 to August 2023 nationwide using the platform with access to anonymized medical information from Bulgaria's leading territorial oncology hospitals. A total of 13,790 patients met the inclusion criteria. Results: The gold standard diagnostic tool, CNB, was done in 5427 patients (39.35%), an intraoperative frozen section was performed as a method for confirmation of breast cancer in 6257 patients (45.37%) and the standard technique for lymph node evaluation, sentinel lymph node biopsy, was done in 357 patients (2.99%). Conclusion: In Bulgaria, there are still difficulties in achieving comparable rates of core-needle biopsy for the diagnosis of breast cancer and we have demonstrated unacceptably high rates of frozen section use for intraoperative diagnosis of breast cancer. Breast-conserving surgery is widely accepted and available, but still, the rates are lower than usual for developed countries. The rates of sentinel lymph node biopsy, however, are unreasonably low.

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km2 resolution for 0-5 and 5-15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e. offset) between in situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km2 pixels (summarized from 8519 unique temperature sensors) across all the world's major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications.

Semen cooling and cryopreservation have revolutionized the field of reproductive biotechnologies. However, challenges persist in maintaining sperm quality and viability during these processes. The unsatisfactory results and the main problems are associated with low quality, viability, morphological, structural, and DNA integrity, changes in plasma membrane, ability to interact with female tract and decrease in sperm fertilization potential. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of seminal plasma proteins with different molecular weights on the kinetic parameters of dog spermatozoa during cold storage at 4 °C. The proteins were isolated from the dogs’ seminal plasma ranging between 6-200 kDa, separated in four fractions. The ejaculates (n=15) were collected from 6 heathy dogs which were pooled. Spermatozoa were extended with Tris medium alone (control) or with addition of one of the isolated protein fractions, and were then incubated at 4 °C for 2 hours. Sperm incubated with seminal plasma proteins ranging between 10-15 kDa had significantly higher total motility (37.01±2.98%), sperm progressiveness (15.97±1.91%), curvilinear line velocity (37.46±3.75 μm/s), linearity (26.18±1.00%), and straightness (45.94±2.03%) compared to the other groups incubated with higher molecular weight proteins and the control group. The findings of this study indicated that the use of certain proteins in seminal plasma can be beneficial for reducing the detrimental effect of cooling at 4 °C and preserving the viability of dog spermatozoa. It seemed that the presence of 10-15 kDa proteins from canine seminal plasma rendered the spermatozoa less amenable to the negative influence during cooling.

This study characterized six introgression lines obtained from crossing two winter bread wheat varieties Albena and Slaveya with the D-genome synthetic hexaploid wheat 530-1. Phenotypically, the lines differed from the parents, as five of them expressed red spike color versus line 45-5 producing new coloration, identified as striped or banded glume pigmentation. All lines were taller, with longer ears and spikelets, later in heading time and less productive in grain yield than both wheat parents. They showed some positive traits in the field: optimal test weight (78–80 kg/hl), high thousand kernel weight (48–51 g), low sprouted seeds (0.3–1.5%), and high falling number (314-350 s). Two lines (38-7 and 46-7) exceeded the parents in grain protein content. In the competitive variety trial, Albena showed significantly higher sprouted grains (4.1%) and extreme measurements for a percentage of germination (99.0%) and germination index (83.0%) in 2022. The data identified Albena as a wheat variety with pre-harvest sprouting susceptibility. Of the lines, only 45-5 stood out with the lowest germination values and appeared as a promising genotype with resistance to pre-harvest sprouting. The introgression lines exerted useful genetic diversity for the studied traits and could serve as resources for quality improvement in wheat breeding programs.

Transposable elements or transposons (TEs) are abundant genome components in almost all multicellular organisms. Their activity is double-sided: they could be harmful and destructive for the genes and genomes, and yet could carry beneficial information (new regulatory motifs, new lncRNA and protein-coding genes, etc.) The host response to this double-sided nature of TEs is the evolution of various systems for TE silencing and control at DNA, transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. TE control systemsneutralize the harmful effects of TEs and help the beneficial traits of TE sequences to be integrated into the host genome and become part of cellular signaling or regulatory systems. So the co-evolution between TEs and TE control systems could be considered the main road to TE exaptation and functionalization. The main focus of this review is the complex interplay between TEs and PIWI/piRNA system, an ancient regulatory system in animals, active mostly in the germline and early embryo. The roles of TEs, PIWI/piRNAs, and their interactions are discussed in more detail in two fields that together are crucial for evolution itself: animal reproduction and stress response.

Understanding the needs of emergent bilingual learners (EBLs) is important for consultants working to promote inclusive, affirming school environments. Thirty-three school professionals, including teachers, counselors, and social workers (70% female, 20% persons of color, 18% bilingual) shared their perceptions of experiences of EBLs attending high schools in the United States. In this pre-consultation qualitative data collection, themes were identified from six focus groups. Analyses revealed school, family, peer, and individual influences tied to EBLs' well-being. Participants recommended that schools institute culturally-specific structures to support EBLs, but also intervene with non-EBLs, general education teachers, and mainstream curriculum. Findings suggest that schools revise how they support the academic needs of EBLs. While English as a Second Language programs are commonplace in high school EBLs' language development, participants recommended that such programs should not isolate students from their non-EBL counterparts. Participants also recommended increased access to advanced classes. Implications for systems-level consultation are discussed.

High school students labeled as English learners, referred to in this article as emergent bilinguals, participated in a mixed-methods study of their social and emotional well-being. Relationships with school personnel, peer relations, and involvement in support activities were connected to well-being while experiences of microaggressions from teachers and peers, lack of access to advanced curricula, and poor integration with mainstream peers were related to negative well-being. A variety of school, peer, and family themes both promoted and compromised well-being. Students' sense of connection to mainstream students was positively related to school belonging and positive affect. A sense of connection to ethnic peers and a positive ethnic identity were related to positive affect but not school belonging. This pattern of findings suggests that connecting with members of both one's ethnic and the mainstream community may lead to greater well-being but integrating into the mainstream community prompts greater school belonging. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.

During 2018–2022, the local breeding population of the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) in southeastern Bulgaria was monitored in the territory of three districts of Sliven, Yambol and Burgas. Diet data were collected in 15 breeding pairs. Overall, we identified 290 prey items. We used three methods for diet analysis that produced different results: (1) collecting prey remains (68 individuals, 23.5%), (2) collecting pellets and skeletal materials (42 individuals, 14.5%), and (3) collecting data on a diet using trail cameras (180 individuals, 62.1%). The dominant part of the diet formed mammalian species (69.3%, ten species and some undetermined Rodentia and other Mammalia). Birds were less represented but with similar species richness (21.0%, 11 species and pigeons (Columba sp.), thrushes (Turdus sp.), undetermined Passeriformes and Galliformes). Compared to birds, the proportion of Reptilia was lower (9.3%, two species). Amphibia were represented only with one specimen of the common toad (Bufo bufo). The dominant diet of long-legged buzzards in southeastern Bulgaria was European souslik (Spermophilus citellus, 31.0%), followed by sibling vole (Microtus mystacinus, 25.5%). Less abundant taxa were undetermined Passeriformes (6.9%), lesser mole rat (Nannospalax leucodon, 5.9%), pigeons (4.5 %), blotched snake (Elaphe sauromates, 3.8%), Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata, 3.5%), European hare (Lepus europaeus, 3.1%), common magpie (Pica pica, 2.8%), Colubridae (1.7%), common blackbird (Turdus merula, 1.4%), domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus, 1.0%) and Eurasian skylark (Alauda arvensis, 1.0%). Spermophilus citellus was the most abundant species in the Yambol district samples and the most abundant species in the data obtained from trail cameras. In the Burgas district, the dominant species was Microtus mystacinus. When comparing the diet spectrum of Buteo rufinus from other authors, birds occurred more frequently than reptiles in our material.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the changes in the motility and kinetic patterns of canine spermatozoa, capacitated and decapacitated, after the addition of seminal plasma protein fractions with different molecular weight. It has been proposed that proteins in seminal plasma support the survival of the spermatozoa and exert a dual effect: capacitation and decapacitation. The seminal plasma from fresh ejaculates was subjected to chromatographic separation and four protein fractions were obtained. Computer-assisted sperm analysis was used to determine the sperm subpopulations with specific motion and kinetic characteristics after incubation with each of the four protein fractions. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of the fractions that exhibit a significant effect on the capacitation and decapacitation was performed. By sperm class analyser, capacitation changes were observed in the sperm subpopulation with a high curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement incubated with the seminal plasma protein fraction with a high molecular weight, which was also reflected in the decreased linearity, straightness, and progressive motility. The sperm subpopulation incubated with the seminal plasma protein fraction with a low molecular weight seemed to undergo a process of decapacitation (decreasing of the curvilinear velocity, increasing of the linearity, straightness and showing progressive motility). Despite their ample panorama of actions, the role of seminal plasma proteins regarding capacitation and decapacitation is still undetermined.

Background: This study aims to deliver more insights on the impact of neoadjuvant treatment on Pd-L1 expression and to evaluate its correlation with clinicopathological factors. Methods: We reviewed 88 TNBC cases for the period 2021–2023. Data on age, tumor size, stage, and treatment were collected. Histological slides were assessed for subtype, grade, and TILs. A total of 48 received neoadjuvant treatment. HER2 and Ki67 were evaluated via immunohistochemistry. PD-L1 expression was tested on primary and residual tumors. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS (p < 0.05). Results: In this study, PD-L1 positive expression was found in 44.3% of primary tumors, with 52.9% of initially positive cases losing expression post-treatment. TILs were significantly higher in PD-L1-positive tumors (mean 41.79% vs. 27.55%, p = 0.001). A notable correlation was found between PD-L1 expression and Ki-67 proliferation index, with PD-L1-positive tumors having a median Ki-67 of 64.49 compared to 52.86 in negative cases (p = 0.015). Neoadjuvant immunotherapy led to a lower mean residual cancer burden (0.95 vs. 2.55, p = 0.002) compared to chemotherapy alone. Higher Ki-67 levels (≥50%) were associated with better treatment outcomes, showing a mean RCB score of 1.60 versus 3.16 for lower levels (p = 0.022). HER2-negative cases had a higher prevalence of favorable pathological response (54.5%) compared to HER2-low tumors (25%, p = 0.048), because of the strong correlation to high proliferative index. Conclusions: In conclusion, PD-L1 expression in TNBC shows significant discordance post-treatment, highlighting the need for routine testing and further research on predictive biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to present a cyber–physical system (CPS) to support the cultivation of aquaculture in a closed aquaponic system using the deep-water culture (DWC) method. The CPS uses precision sensors as TriOxmatic 700 IQ (for dissolved oxygen and water temperature), AmmoLyt Plus 700 IQ (for ammonium), NiCaVis 701 IQ NI (for nitrites and nitrates), SensoLyt® 700 IQ (for pH), and SL-M5 (for water level). It is built with a Raspberry Pi 4, 8 GB as a server, OpenHAB 3.0 software, and other specialized software for measuring water parameters. Some of the parameters are maintained completely autonomously, while others are indirectly controlled. Basic knowledge of hydroponics and aquaculture is required to set up the system, but day-to-day maintenance can be carried out by employees who receive instructions from the CPS. A method for the physical modification of the fish tank surface by using laser processing is proposed. This results in a change in surface topography (creating diverse microstructure patterns) and its roughness, which is of crucial importance for the bacterial adhesion mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction: Obesity is defined as chronic low-grade inflammation which is manifestation of the cellular response to a variety of stressful situations leading to organ and tissue damage. А high lipid diet could be assumed to be the trigger mechanism for the development of inflammatory processes leading to a disorder in the immune tolerance in the testis. Aim: The present study aimed at demonstrating the expression of inflammatory markers in the testis by a model of a high lipid diet and the possible effect on spermatogenesis. Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were used in the study divided into two groups: a control group fed standard rodent food and an experimental group receiving high lipid food for 14 weeks. Routine histological techniques, immunohistochemical reactions for proinflammatory markers and morphometric analysis were performed to examine the testis preparations. Results: The high lipid diet caused a low-grade inflammation in the testis in the experimental group, which was confirmed by the increase of proinflammatory markers: the C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, and interleukin-4, and by the elevated levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme in the experimental versus control groups in a rat experimental model. Conclusions: Our results suggest that a high lipid diet might be a possible cause for the idiopathic infertility in men.

The Irish poet William Butler Yeats was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923 by the Royal Swedish Academy “for his always inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation”1. The article focuses specifically on three poems from Yeats’s “modernist” period which he included in the cycle New Poems (1938): “The Gyres”, “Lapis Lazuli” and “Imitated from the Japanese”. These later writings emerge as a logical consequence of his previous engagement with philosophy and occultism, mythology and history, art and reality. Yeats’s strenuous efforts to forge mythopoeic stereotypes seem to transcend mere personal versions of myth in an attempt to discover deeper levels of meaning, and to complete the self-image he developed throughout his life. In his later works he managed to make meaningful pronouncements on key moral and philosophical issues relating to the human condition.

Actual status, distribution, numbers and threats for four forest bird species – Tengmalm’s Owl (Aegolius funereus), Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum), Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus), and Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) were studied in the territory of the Pirin National Park, Bulgaria, in the years 2001−2002 and 2019. For the owls, we used night line transect, 2−5 km in length, with acoustic imitation of species calls (henceforth playback) at each 500 (700) m (38 points in 2001−2002, 80 points in 2019). Daytime line transects, 2−5 km in length, were used for counting woodpeckers and Pygmy Owl. In Capercaillie counts, we searched for tracks in the snow, excrements or feathers. GIS analyses were applied for visualization of habitat association and distribution patterns of the studied species. The numbers and distribution of these species were compared between the two study periods and with existing data from previous studies. In 2019 a total of 29 occupied territories of Tengmalm’s Owls, 20 territories of Pygmy Owls, 2 territories of Three-toed Woodpeckers and 16 leks of Capercaillies were found. Decrease in numbers was detected for Tengmalm’s Owl (-30.4%) and Capercaillie. These species showed also different spatial pattern of presence between the two study periods. Three- toed Woodpecker population in Pirin NP is very small, not exceeding 10−15 pairs. Pygmy Owl was recorded for the first time during the breeding period in the National Park. The reasons for the differences between the two study periods were discussed. The results indicate some threats (ski tourism development, disturbance by people, sanitary cuttings, etc.) for these birds and can be used for improving the spatial planning of human activities in Pirin NP.

The area of Coastal Dobrudzha in NE Bulgaria is well known for its richness of vagrants. A long-term research project was started at a location at Durankulak Lake, on the northern Black Sea Coast, aiming to obtain data on the characteristics of autumn migration of passerine birds and on the presence of vagrants there. A total of 20 mist nets with an overall length of 200 meters were set between August and October in two different habitats - reed bed and broad-leaved forest. In 2019, a total of 9344 birds of 84 species were caught and ringed. In 2020, the number of the birds caught increased to 13786 of 93 species. Vagrants such as dusky warbler (Phylloscopus fuscatus), yellow-browed warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) and red-flanked bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus) were captured in 2020. Detailed information about these findings is given in the present work.

Despite what we have learned about the causes and consequences of bullying, efforts to reduce bullying through interventions to date have yielded modest results. Most bullying prevention efforts have targeted perpetrators and victims, ignoring the powerful role that observers play in maintaining cycles of bullying. This article presents literature from the fields of bystander behavior, empathy training, multicultural education, and ally/social justice orientation development; integrates relevant findings; and proposes a comprehensive model of upstanding behavior to inform prevention efforts. Through helping youth understand the value of being upstanders, there is a greater propensity for our schools and communities to become safer, more compassionate places that value the contributions of all members.

β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is a well-established biomaterial for bone regeneration, highly regarded for its biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. However, its clinical efficacy is often compromised by susceptibility to bacterial infections. In this study, we address this limitation by integrating femtosecond (fs)-laser processing with the concurrent synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) mediated by Azorean green tea leaf extract (GTLE), which is known for its rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The fs laser was employed to modify the surface of β-TCP scaffolds by varying scanning velocities, fluences, and patterns. The resulting patterns, formed at lower scanning velocities, display organized nanostructures, along with enhanced roughness and wettability, as characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), optical profilometry, and contact angle measurements. Concurrently, the femtosecond laser facilitated the photoreduction of silver ions in the presence of GTLE, enabling the efficient synthesis of small, spherical AgNPs, as confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The resulting AgNP-embedded β-TCP scaffolds exhibited a significantly improved cell viability and elongation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs), alongside significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This study underscores the transformative potential of combining femtosecond laser surface modification with GTLE-mediated AgNP synthesis, presenting a novel and effective strategy for enhancing the performance of β-TCP scaffolds in bone-tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone substitutes are widely employed for applications in orthopedic surgery for the replacement of injured bone. Among the diverse methods that are used to design 3D bioceramic matrices, Freeze Foaming has gained attention, since it provides the ability to tune the shape of the created structures. One of the major problems related to these constructs is the lack of porosity at the outwards sides (holder) of the scaffold, thus reducing the cellular affinity and creating a rejection of the implant. In this research, we aimed to develop a bone scaffold with enhanced surface properties and improved cellular affinity. The main aim was to alter the biocompatibility characteristics of the 3D bioceramic constructs. We have produced three-dimensional, complex-shaped hollow shell structures, manufactured by Additive Manufacturing processes and as a second step, filled with a ceramic suspension by the Freeze-Foaming process. 3D constructs from HAP-derived TCP and TCP/ZrO2 were synthesized by freezefoaming method and subsequently irradiated with a fs-laser (λ = 800 nm) spanning a range of parameters for achievement of optimal surface processing conditions. The designed scaffolds demonstrated enhanced topographical properties with improved porosity examined by SEM, EDX, and 3D profilometry after laser treatment. Wettability and computer tomography (CT) evaluation was also performed. The results from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro-Raman analysis did not show photochemical and surface or volume defects and changes after laser processing of the ceramic samples. Preliminary results from MG-63 osteoblast-like cell tests showed good cell affinity on the processed surfaces and no cytotoxic effect on the cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly expected to incorporate sustainability into all aspects by integrating it not only into education and research but also into operational processes, including procurement. In some cases, national legislation hinders public universities from adhering to sustainability requirements. This paper aims to introduce a leadership approach model that enables public universities to overcome the constraints imposed by the legal framework. To explore the relatively new area of Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP), where still little is known, the Technical University of Sofia (TU-Sofia) was chosen as a testbed for the case study. Firstly, the challenges posed by external factors—such as non-discrimination principles stated in Bulgaria's Public Procurement Act (PPA) and internal incentives at TU-Sofia for sustainable procurement initiatives were identified. Secondly, based on the findings, the recommendation is to adopt a leadership approach model by developing and implementing a Sustainable Public Procurement Policy (SPPP) tailored to harness the university's sustainable development drivers while complying with legislative requirements. As a result of the leadership approach model implementation, the university will not only enhance economic benefits but also mitigate risks and drive transformative change in procurement management processes, contributing to broader societal and environmental goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Digging and burrowing mammals modify soil resources, creating shelter for other animals and influencing vegetation and soil biota. The use of conservation translocations to reinstate the ecosystem functions of digging and burrowing mammals is becoming more common. However, in an increasingly altered world, the roles of translocated populations, and their importance for other species, may be different. Boodies (Bettongia lesueur), a commonly translocated species in Australia, construct extensive warrens, but how their warrens affect soil properties and vegetation communities is unknown. We investigated soil properties, vegetation communities, and novel ecosystem elements (specifically non‐native flora and fauna) on boodie warrens at three translocation sites widely distributed across the species’ former range. We found that soil moisture and most soil nutrients were higher, and soil compaction was lower, on warrens in all sites and habitat types. In contrast, there were few substantial changes to vegetation species richness, cover, composition, or productivity. In one habitat type, the cover of shrubs less than 1 m tall was greater on warrens than control plots. At the two sites where non‐native plants were present, their cover was greater, and they were more commonly found on boodie warrens compared to control plots. Fourteen species of native mammals and reptiles were recorded using the warrens, but, where they occurred, the scat of the non‐native rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was also more abundant on the warrens. Together, our results suggest that translocated boodie populations may be benefiting both native and non‐native flora and fauna. Translocated boodies, through the construction of their warrens, substantially alter the sites where they are released, but this does not always reflect their historic ecosystem roles.