This study explores the legal and ethical implications of introducing AI-powered robots into medical practice within the European Union (EU). It employs an interdisciplinary methodology that combines survey responses from medical professionals across 20 countries, expert interviews, literature review, and legal analysis. The findings identify a significant gap in professional awareness regarding existing legal frameworks. The analysis focuses in particular on several key EU regulations, including the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Medical Device Regulation (MDR), and the revised Product Liability Directive (PLD). It further identifies eight key factors that influence liability, including the explainability of AI decisions, the quality of training data, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and evolving dynamics in the doctor–patient relationship. Building on recent academic debates, the study proposes a dual framework for assigning liability: one that incorporates both ex-ante (preventive) and ex-post (remedial) mechanisms. Alongside this dual framework, the study further proposes liability models that translate these principles into practical mechanisms for regulating AI-powered robots deployed in medical practice. This model is grounded in a link-in-the-chain approach to liability, distributing liability among all actors involved in the development, deployment, and use of AI-powered robots. The study concludes that a harmonized, context-sensitive legal framework is urgently needed. Such a framework should clarify roles and responsibilities across the AI ecosystem, promote collaborative governance, and provide targeted training for medical professionals. Ultimately, ensuring the safe and effective integration of AI-powered robots in medical practice will depend on coordinated regulatory action and a shared commitment to transparency, accountability, and patient safety.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to create a comprehensive framework for global mega-projects designed to enhance connectivity and trade between China and the rest of the world. Launched in Warsaw in 2012, the 14+1 Initiative is a key component of the BRI, serving as a platform for coordinating investment, promoting economic cooperation, and facilitating cultural and educational exchanges. It primarily focuses on addressing social and economic issues between China and the 14 Central and Eastern European (CEE) member countries. This paper examines the progress of the 14+1 Initiative through an analysis of economic exchanges among participating member countries. It also addresses the growing challenges and vulnerabilities posed by emerging security threats and geopolitical shifts, such as the war in Ukraine, which have significant implications for critical infrastructure resilience. Furthermore, recent global developments, including conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, are affecting multidimensional risks and systemic vulnerabilities within the region. Special attention is paid to the role of technological innovations – such as the integration of AI and digitalization – in strengthening infrastructure resilience and ensuring long-term sustainability. Finally, strategies are assessed for enhancing risk management and improving cooperation between CEE countries, China, and other stakeholders within the BRI framework to safeguard critical infrastructure and sustain economic growth amid ongoing uncertainties.
Textile waste has become a major environmental challenge associated with increasing levels of production and consumption in the fashion industry. The fast fashion business model, characterised by rapid production cycles, low prices, and frequent replacement of clothing items, contributes significantly to growing volumes of textile waste and the depletion of natural resources. This study examines students’ perceptions of the environmental impacts of textile waste and fast fashion, with particular emphasis on sustainable consumption practices and textile waste management in Croatia. The study combines a review of the scientific literature with an online questionnaire survey conducted among a non-probability convenience sample of 79 students enrolled in different study programmes in Croatia. The results indicate a high level of environmental awareness and familiarity with textile waste issues among respondents. However, despite generally positive attitudes towards sustainability, willingness to modify purchasing behaviour or pay higher prices for sustainable clothing remained limited, indicating a clear attitude–behaviour gap. Price emerged as a particularly important factor influencing purchasing decisions, while limited access to textile collection facilities was identified as an important barrier to proper textile waste management. Chi-square tests of independence did not identify statistically significant associations between environmental concern and support for sustainable fashion or between level of education and the examined sustainability-related consumption responses. The findings suggest that environmental awareness alone may not be sufficient to encourage sustainable consumption and highlight the importance of combining environmental education with economically accessible sustainable alternatives and adequate textile collection infrastructure. The study provides exploratory insight into the relationship between environmental awareness, consumer behaviour, and self-reported textile management practices among the surveyed students and contributes to the discussion on promoting more sustainable textile consumption within a circular economy.
Persons with disabilities and elderly people represent a particularly vulnerable population that may experience various difficulties in their physical, psychological, and social functioning. In order to empower them, it is therefore necessary to implement various interdisciplinary therapeutic and rehabilitation programmes. In this context, the role of inclusive beekeeping has recently been considered as a potentially significant activity that can promote various psychophysical and social dimensions of an individual. However, scientific research in this area is still scarce, making it difficult to fully understand the benefits of this approach and to further adapt and expand its accessibility. The objective of this study was to gain insight into the contributions of inclusive beekeeping to different aspects of the quality of life of persons with disabilities and elderly people, as well as to offer suggestions on how to improve this activity and cater to these specific user groups. Based on a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted using a sample of 11 respondents (aged 38 -74 years) with different types of physical disabilities and chronic illnesses. The findings suggest that inclusive beekeeping may have a positive contribution to the quality of life of persons with disabilities and elderly people by improving their physical, emotional, and material well-being, as well as their interpersonal relationships and self-determination. To maximise these benefits, it is important to ensure optimal conditions for the implementation of inclusive beekeeping through various educational programmes, accessibility and assistance services, ergonomic adaptation of equipment, and financial support. These conditions would further reduce the personal and social barriers associated with participating in this activity. In addition, further research is needed to better adapt beekeeping to the specific needs and psychophysical capabilities of persons with disabilities and elderly people.
Rapid urbanization around the world, exponential population growth and industrialization have made waste management a challenge that is increasing every day. Floral waste is a major problem because flowers play an important role in people's lives, beautifying interiors and landscapes and promoting human health. However, flowers are perishable and complex plant organisms that need to be handled and stored properly to maintain their value and quality. Despite the wide distribution of flower species, especially the marigold, only part of the plant is used, usually only the petals, while the larger part remains unused and becomes waste. Therefore, the question arises whether the residues that remain after the use of marigold flowers in various industries, especially in the production of marigold cream, can be used for energy production. For this reason, yellow and orange marigold biomass was used in this work. The basic physical and energetic properties were determined according to the given standards, namely the content of water, ash, coke, fixed carbon and volatile matter, as well as the upper and lower heating value and the content of C, H, N and S. The results obtained showed that for the sustainable disposal of biomass used for energy production, it is better to use yellow marigolds instead of orange ones, as they contain agreater amount of biomass. It was also proven that marigold biomass, with its high carbon content and good calorific value, is a good raw material for energy utilization.
