Residues of antimicrobial agents and related compounds of emerging concern in manure, water and soil Part 1 – Pilot-sampling campaign in Slovakia and first findings

In a thinking of circular economy, the understanding how problematic chemical substances may migrate and travel across the various boundaries of a life-cycle is of pivotal importance to ensure that the philosophy of reuse and recycle is not jeopardized by new risks of contamination. In this framework, veterinary medicinal products (VMP) and there, in particular the anti-microbial agents are a growing source of concern in the context of the reuse of processed manure as a fertilizer. This is mainly due to the lack of understanding of their role in the development of anti-microbial resistances and their propagation. While the mechanistic study how the propagation takes places at molecular genetic level receives much attention, the actual data situation on occurrence of VMPs and AMAs in agricultural land remains opaque and poor. In order to prepare a larger and EU-wide monitoring exercise on the waters exposed directly or indirectly to the (processed) manure a first pilot exercise was organised to develop an appropriate protocol. This first report compiles a series of background information collected, describes the execution of first pilot sampling and presents the first elements in the development of a validated analytical methods.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

A living drug: application of CAR-T therapy for lymphoid malignancies and beyond

The ongoing development of novel personalized cancer therapies has resulted in the implementation of T cells enriched with synthetic chimeric antigen receptors, known as chimeric antigen receptors T cell (CAR-T) cells, into clinical practice. CAR-T cells are able to recognize and bind specific antigens present on the surface of target cells — so-called tumor-associated antigens. This innovative method has been approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies and may also serve as a bridge to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The production of the drug containing modified T cells consists of several steps — leukapheresis, T cell activation, transduction and expansion of the final CAR-T cells. Activation of CAR-T cells occurs through a pathway independent of the major histocompatibility complex, which is often associated with uncontrolled responses from the immune system and adverse reactions such as cytokine release syndrome. CAR-T therapy can only be performed in certified centers, and requires close cooperation between experienced specialists of different medical disciplines. This is what determines its effectiveness. Every step from collection and cryopreservation, through transport and modification, to thawing and infusion is strictly controlled because it has a critical impact on the quality and efficiency of the drug. Despite its proven benefits, CAR-T therapy remains available only to patients who meet well-defined criteria. These however are liable to change with the emergence of new indications

Residues of antimicrobial agents and related compounds of emerging concern in manure, water and soil

In order to prepare a larger and EU-wide monitoring exercise aiming at the characterisation of processed manure as well as on the waters exposed directly or indirectly to the (processed) manure a first pilot exercise was organised to develop an appropriate protocol. While the first related report compiled a series of background information collected, the results on the analytical characterization of pilot sites operated by the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra are presented and discussed. Manure samples (processed and untreated), runoff, groundwater and surface water samples, were analysed for 488 compounds covering typical representatives of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, pharmaceuticals, ingredients of personal care products and other industrially used chemicals. For 60 of these compounds (corresponding to 12 %), concentration above the established limits of quantification of these novel multi-compound technique were obtained. The study demonstrates the applicability of the hybrid target / non-target analytical approach called "Compound Fishing" and the reports presents the design for a related EU-wide exercise. Although this study does characterize the respective test sites, it delivers an understanding of environmental pressures created on sites and under real-field scenarios. The experimental work conducted allows also to establish a link between the evaluation of scientific literature, the biogeochemical modelling and the field conditions scenarios of when processed manure is applied.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

The Future of Cities

This report is an initiative of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the science and knowledge service of the European Commission (EC), and supported by the Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO). It highlights drivers shaping the urban future, identifying both the key challenges cities will have to address and the strengths they can capitalise on to proactively build their desired futures. The main aim of this report is to raise open questions and steer discussions on what the future of cities can, and should be, both within the science and policymaker communities. While addressing mainly European cities, examples from other world regions are also given since many challenges and solutions have a global relevance. The report is particularly novel in two ways. First, it was developed in an inclusive manner – close collaboration with the EC’s Community of Practice on Cities (CoP-CITIES) provided insights from the broader research community and city networks, including individual municipalities, as well as Commission services and international organisations. It was also extensively reviewed by an Editorial Board. Secondly, the report is supported by an online ‘living’ platform which will host future updates, including additional analyses, discussions, case studies, comments and interactive maps that go beyond the scope of the current version of the report. Steered by the JRC, the platform will offer a permanent virtual space to the research, practice and policymaking community for sharing and accumulating knowledge on the future of cities. This report is produced in the framework of the EC Knowledge Centre for Territorial Policies and is part of a wider series of flagship Science for Policy reports by the JRC, investigating future perspectives concerning Artificial Intelligence, the Future of Road Transport, Resilience, Cybersecurity and Fairness Interactive online platform : https://urban.jrc.ec.europa.eu/thefutureofcitiesJRC.B.3-Territorial Developmen

The 42nd Symposium Chromatographic Methods of Investigating Organic Compounds : Book of abstracts

The 42nd Symposium Chromatographic Methods of Investigating Organic Compounds : Book of abstracts. June 4-7, 2019, Szczyrk, Polan

3D modelling of underwater archaeological artefacts

Underwater photogrammetry is a good alternative to traditional archaeological excavations, which are often less accurate and very destructive to underwater artefacts Furthermore the photogrammetric principles applied with the Remotely Operated Vehicles allows us to explore objects that are at very great depths. For this thesis proposes a stereo camera system unit was designed in order to extract three-dimensional data from digital images. This stereo system unit consists of two cameras, two camera housings and a stereo bar mounted on a pan/tilt unit. Relative positions between these two cameras will provide us the external orientation data and in consequence it might solve the problem caused by the lack of ground control data on the underwater site.This master thesis also gives an insight into some of the mathematical background of photogrammetry, especially an influence on the intrinsic camera parameters caused by the air-glass-water interface is described. The underwater images are dark, murky and of poor quality due to a difficult conditions under water. In order to improve the perception of the underwater images a script based on histogram stretching of a few colour models are proposed. The primary subject of this thesis was a 3D modelling of the underwater shipwreck believed to be Den Waagende Thrane (The Waking Crane), which sunk in the Trondheim harbour in 1713. However due to technical problems this particular measurement has not been performed. Two other underwater objects were surveyed from the offshore based on the previously prepared data acquisition plans. In result a few three-dimensional models were created using different settings and a detailed analysis of the quality and utility of these models were conducted

Umbilical cord prolapse during labour - case study

Wstęp: Wypadnięcie pępowiny to rzadkie powikłanie okołoporodowe. Jest to sytuacja, gdy po pęknięciu błon płodowych pępowina znajduje się przed częścią przodującą (wypadnięcie jawne), bądź obok niej (wypadnięcie ukryte). W wyniku ucisku płodu na pępowinę pojawiają się nieprawidłowości w zapisie akcji serca dziecka, spowodowane zmniejszonym zaopatrzeniem w krew utlenowaną. Sytuacja ta jest bezpośrednim zagrożeniem dla życia płodu i wymaga natychmiastowego ukończenia ciąży drogą operacyjną.Cel pracy: Celem pracy było opracowanie diagnoz pielęgniarsko-położniczych u pacjentki z wypadniętą pępowiną oraz zaplanowanie interwencji, w oparciu o aktualną literaturę dotyczącą tego powikłania.Materiał i metody: Podmiotem badań była ciężarna, u której doszło do wypadnięcia pępowiny w przebiegu porodu. W pracy wykorzystano metodę studium przypadku oraz posłużono się metodą analizy piśmiennictwa. Zastosowano techniki badawcze takie jak: obserwacja, wywiad oraz analiza dokumentacji.Wyniki: Pacjentka objęta została holistyczną opieką, która pozwoliła na wyodrębnienie głównych problemów pielęgnacyjnych i zaplanowanie interwencji. Najważniejsza diagnoza pielęgniarsko-położnicza dotyczyła wypadnięcia pępowiny po odpłynięciu płynu owodniowego. Inne istotne problemy pielęgnacyjne to: ryzyko niedotlenienia i zamartwicy płodu z powodu ucisku pępowiny przez część przodującą, niepokój pacjentki z powodu hospitalizacji i tęsknoty za rodziną oraz niedostateczne przygotowanie szyjki macicy do porodu i niewystarczająca czynność skurczowa mięśnia macicy. Wnioski: W momencie wypadnięcia pępowiny najważniejsze jest jego wczesne rozpoznanie i sprawne postępowanie oraz współpraca personelu medycznego, w celu szybkiego ukończenia ciąży przez cięcie cesarskie. Prawidłowe sformułowanie diagnoz pielęgniarskich i wykonanie wcześniej ustalonych interwencji zwiększa efektywność działań.Introduction: Umbilical cord prolapse is a rare perinatal complication. It is a situation when after the rupture of the amniotic membranes the umbilical cord is located before the fetal presenting part (overt prolapse) or next to it (occult prolapse). As a result of fetal pressure on the cord, there are abnormalities in the baby’s heartbeat, due to reduced oxygenated blood supply. This situation is a direct threat to the life of the fetus and requires immediate operative delivery.Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to identify problems and to plan interventions in the situation of umbilical cord prolapse, based on the current literature.Material and methods: The subject of a study was a pregnant woman who experienced umbilical cord prolapse during labour. A study used the individual case study method and the method of literature analysis. Techniques such as observation, medical interview and analysis of the medical records were involved. Results: The patient was taken care holistically, what allowed to highlight main nursing problems and plan interventions. The most important nursing diagnosis concerned the umbilical cord prolapse after rupture of membranes. Other important nursing problems include: the risk of fetal hypoxia and asphyxia due to compression of the umbilical cord by the presenting part, the patient's anxiety due to hospitalization and missing the family, insufficient preparation of the cervix for delivery and inadequate uterine contractions.Conclusions: When the umbilical cord prolapses, the most important thing is its early diagnosis, rapid management and cooperation of medical personnel in order to end the pregnancy quickly by caesarean section. The correct formulation of nursing diagnoses and the performance of predetermined interventions increases the effectiveness of activities

The scientist, the politician, the artist and the citizen – How water united them in one book

The Urban Water Atlas for Europe constitutes an original overview of Urban Water Management in Europe, explaining and illustrating water in an unprecedented way and reflecting how water, the essence of life, flows through the arteries of our cities. Leading experts in water sciences and technologies, together with climate change researchers have joined artists and children in order to show how thirsty our cities really are and how we can cope with their growing demand for the most precious resource of our planet. The result is the first major publication of the Science and Knowledge Service of the European Commission, the JRC, which in a movement stemming from its Sci-Art Programme seeks to explore the important opportunities arising from the cross-fertilisation between science and art. The Atlas itself establishes the benchmark for over 40 cities, both European and from farther afield, in 30 different countries, in a manner which permits a vast range of municipalities to confront one of the greatest global challenges by employing local solutions in order to ensure a supply of water for all. It contains 95 scientific indicators and parameters, over 700 graphs, original illustrations and never seen before photographs and combines the work of 40 contributors from 22 organizations. Yet, the true value of this publication lies in the process of ensuring that the underlying scientific knowledge is available for societal uptake. The resolving of conflicts which stem from an exclusive self-understanding of traditional natural sciences, the difficulty to communicate the purpose of technological solutions and the challenge to engage in peer-to-peer discussion between the sciences, politics and the citizen constitute worthy lessons for both environmental experts and their social science counterparts.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

The scientist, the politician, the artist and the citizen: how water united them

The Urban Water Atlas for Europe constitutes an original overview of Urban Water Management in Europe, explain- ing and illustrating water in an unprecedented way and reflecting how water, the essence of life, flows through the arteries of our cities. Leading experts in water sciences and technologies, together with climate change researchers, have joined artists and children in order to show how thirsty our cities really are and how we can cope with their growing demand for the most precious resource of our planet. The result is the first major publication of the Sci- ence and Knowledge Service of the European Commission, the JRC, which within a movement stemming from its Sci-Art Programme seeks to explore the important opportunities arising from the cross-fertilisation between science and art. The Atlas itself establishes the benchmark for over 40 cities, both European and from farther afield, in 30 different countries, in a manner which permits a vast range of municipalities to confront one of the greatest global challenges by employing local solutions in order to ensure a supply of water for all. It contains 95 scientific indicators and parameters, over 700 graphs, original illustrations and never seen before photographs and combines the work of 40 contributors from 22 organisations. Yet, the true value of this publication lies in the process of ensuring that the underlying scientific knowledge is available for societal uptake. The resolving of conflicts which stem from an exclusive self-understanding of traditional natural sciences, the difficulty to communicate the purpose of technological solutions and the challenge to engage in peer-to-peer discussion between the sciences, politics and the citizen constitute worthy lessons for both environmental experts and their social science counterparts