Background: The smart city concept has become a central framework in contemporary urban governance; however, empirical research predominantly focuses on large metropolitan areas, while small municipalities remain comparatively underexplored. This study examines how citizens of Ivani & cacute;-Grad perceive and use smart applications and how these patterns relate to its smart city transition. Methods: A quantitative survey was conducted in 2024 on a convenience sample of 100 residents of Ivani & cacute;-Grad. The questionnaire included closed-ended questions on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness and use of smart applications, and attitudes toward further digitalization of local public services. Descriptive statistics, chi(2) tests of independence, and correlation analysis based on composite indices were applied. Results: The findings reveal statistically significant associations between gender and the use of smart applications (chi(2) = 5.76; p = 0.016) and between age and the perceived importance of smart applications (chi(2) = 8.42; p = 0.014). No significant association was identified between education level and application use. Composite index analysis further demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between digital engagement and the perceived importance of smart services (rho = 0.418; p < 0.001), indicating that experiential interaction with digital services is closely linked to their perceived relevance. Conclusions: The results suggest that smart service adoption in small urban contexts is shaped less by formal educational attainment and more by behavioral engagement and perceived usefulness. The case of Ivani & cacute;-Grad highlights the importance of citizen-oriented, accessibility-focused digital leadership strategies in sustaining inclusive smart city development.
To facilitate its goal of fostering department transformation, the Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education (PULSE) organizes some of its work into five geographic regions and leverages the expertise of the PULSE Fellows in each region. This article examines how these Regional Networks have driven department-level changes through outreach activities, use of the PULSE Rubrics as a diagnostic tool to help departments to advance the Vision and Change recommendations, and implementation of the PULSE framework to address local needs and challenges. We present impact data through Regional Network activities and identify commonalities in successes and challenges across all the geographic regions. Through reports from the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Northwest, and Midwest Great Plains, we highlight each Regional Network’s accomplishments in influencing the adoption of PULSE strategies to implement the Vision and Change recommendations to transform departments.
In this paper, conceived as a case study, the author problematizes the role of Edward Snowden in the context of revelations concerning mass surveillance in the United States (US), seeking to clarify the impact of these disclosures on the procedural-institutional and ethical dimensions of personal data protection, intelligence practices in the domain of data collection and processing, and the role of the media in democratic societies through the lens of the concept of civic oversight of intelligence services and the right of access to information. The research methodological framework is based on a case study and a qualitative content analysis of relevant scholarly and professional papers, as well as legislative and media sources. The revelations regarding mass surveillance conducted by the security agency primarily responsible for the technical collection of data through communication and non-communication signals-the National Security Agency (NSA)-provoked strong reactions, initially from the media and the wider American and global public, and subsequently from the state administration and the leadership of intelligence services themselves. The response of the state apparatus to these events was twofold. In addition to the prosecution of Snowden and attempts to diminish the significance of his disclosures to protect the NSA and the broader American intelligence system, the leadership of the intelligence apparatus was compelled to confront reforms and new paradigms concerning the relationship between democracy, the respect for human rights and personal freedoms, and the pursuit of national security.
This study, conducted during 2022–23, evaluates the ecological status of the Mirusha River using macrophytes as bioindicators. Industrial pollution, sewage, agricultural runoff, and climate change significantly affect river ecosystems, leading to degradation of water quality and biodiversity. The Mirusha River, heavily polluted by untreated sewage, solid waste, and agricultural runoff, was examined through macrophyte sampling and analysis of physicochemical parameters at six locations. The research used standard methodologies to assess macrophyte diversity and abundance, identifying 53 species across 25 families. The average values indicate severe water pollution, with a high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 24.3 mg/L and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 38.4 mg/L, indicating a high organic load. In addition, the average nutrient concentrations were very high including Nitrites (NO2−) reaching a value of 0.95 mg/L, Total nitrogen (NT) 16.4 mg/L, Ammonia (NH4+) 2.42 mg/L, Total phosphorus (PT) 0.72 mg/L and Nitrates (NO3−) 7.1 mg/L. The study identified distinct pollution impacts: the upper areas (SP1–SP3) were the most polluted due to industrial and residential waste, while the lower regions (SP4–SP6) faced pollution from gastronomy and infrastructure. The findings suggest that anthropogenic activities and poor water quality significantly affect macrophyte communities, highlighting the need for targeted restoration efforts to improve river health and biodiversity.
Modern lifestyles often put at risk careless and reckless financial management, which can lead to over-indebtedness, default and bankruptcy. The inability of individuals to manage their finances is accompanied by numerous negative business, social and family implications that manifest themselves through financial stress, limited spending opportunities, which are directly related to the quality of life, and increasing inequality. In the paper, the authors investigate the phenomenon of excessive borrowing in Croatia to improve the quality of life and artificially raise the standard of living, which limits the plans of the inhabitants of Croatia. Quality of life, within the framework of this research, encompasses the dimensions of financial stability, health, social inclusion and general satisfaction with life, analysing how an individual's economic circumstances shape their personal and social well-being. Furthermore, the paper analyses (i) the characteristics of individuals in financial difficulties, their attitudes towards debt reduction planning and financial recovery strategies, and (ii) differences in proactive behaviour among individuals, particularly in the context of willingness to take on additional work and the benefits of living standards in response to the current deterioration of their financial situation. The research results indicate that the key to achieving an economy of well-being is finding a balance between the benefits of credit and a sustainable level of indebtedness adjusted to the individual's financial capabilities. In this context, the research was conducted on a purposive sample of 782 respondents who experienced a loss of economic autonomy and sovereignty in making financial decisions, which influenced their proactive behaviour. The research results confirm that the key to achieving economic well-being is establishing a balance between the benefits of credit and a sustainable level of indebtedness that does not threaten the financial stability of the individual. The research was conducted on a purposive sample of 782 respondents who experienced a loss of economic autonomy, which had a direct impact on the quality of life. The research results suggest that economic factors, such as low income and increased indebtedness, have a more pronounced negative effect on quality of life, while job riskiness may be a reason for finding additional work.
