Editorial

The cover title of the new issue, An Oriental Journey, has attracted a great deal of interest from authors of various disciplines. Scholars of both remote and recent history have passionately explored this theme. The issue section contains three articles related to the medieval Levant. Wojciech Mruk, a medievalist from the Jagiellonian University, analyses the account given by Lionardo Frescobaldi, Simone Sigoli and Giorgio Gucci, who made a peregrination to the Holy Land together between 1384 and 1385. Another article, by Christopher Schabel (Cyprus University in Nicosia), discusses the best-known medieval Cypriot village of Psimolofu and its links with the patriarchs of Jerusalem. Nicholas Coureas of the Cyprus Research Center provides a broad perspective on the presence of the Greek Church on Cyprus during the Lusignan and Venetian rule (1191–1571). The next contribution takes us back to the 20th century and even further to the East. Magdalena Filipczuk (Jesuit University Ignatianum in Cracow) reconstructs selected themes in the reflections by Lin Yutang, a Chinese thinker, translator and editor, based on his work towards explaining and popularizing Chinese culture and philosophy in the West. One more article that takes us to the Far East, but back in time, is by Małgorzata Sobczyk (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń) undertakes to characterize the image of a Japanese woman in the light of sixteenth-century European accounts. The next three studies invite us to learn more about Poles and their presence in the East. Ewa Siemieniec-Gołaś (Jagiellonian University) makes an attempt to discuss the figure of Władysław Jabłonowski, not only a physician in the Ottoman service, but also an expert and researcher of the East. Beata Gontarz (University of Silesia in Katowice) discusses the cultural experience of Jan Józef Szczepański based on his book Do raju i z powrotem [To Paradise and Back]. The last article in the issue section is a work of turkologist Sylwia Filipowska (Jagiellonian University), who discusses the circumstances of Tadeusz Kowalski’s journey to Turkey in 1927.

Raising Our Collective Voices: A Sing-Along for Our Collaborative Futures as Qualitative Inquiry (Introduction to a Song Panel From ICQI 2021)

The short essay serves as introduction to a partial Special Issue section that chronicles the 2021 ICQI panel “Raising Our Collective Voices.” The introduction outlines the purpose of the panel in relation to the congress theme and participant responses to the call. After the initial COVID year from which we will continue to reel, it seemed more important than ever to revisit the modality of song linked with the theme of the congress. And more importantly to revisit the power, potency, and possibility of music and how particular songs, old and emerging, stir and inspire something in all of us—tapping into our collective conscious, penetrating our sense of being fully alive, and giving voice and sound to the fury, desire, and resolve in our living.

EDITORIAL: AN INTRODUCTION TO FRACTALS IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

In recent years, the application of fractal theory in construction materials has drawn tremendous attention worldwide. This special issue section containing seven papers publishes the recent advances in the investigation and application of fractal-based approaches implemented in construction materials. The topics covered in this introduction mainly include: (1) the fractal characterization of construction materials from nano- to micro-scales; (2) combining fractals methods with other theoretical, numerical and/or experimental methods to evaluate or predict the macroscopic behavior of construction materials; (3) the relationship of fractal dimension with the macro-properties (i.e. mechanical property, shrinkage behavior, permeability, frost resistance, abrasion resistance, etc.) of construction materials.

YbeY is required for ribosome small subunit assembly and tRNA processing in human mitochondria

Mitochondria contain their own translation apparatus which enables them to produce the polypeptides encoded in their genome. The mitochondrially-encoded RNA components of the mitochondrial ribosome require various post-transcriptional processing steps. Additional protein factors are required to facilitate the biogenesis of the functional mitoribosome. We have characterised a mitochondrially-localized protein, YbeY, which interacts with the assembling mitoribosome through the small subunit. Loss of YbeY leads to a severe reduction in mitochondrial translation and a loss of cell viability, caused by less accurate mitochondrial mt-tRNASer(AGY) processing from the primary transcript and an accumulation of immature mitochondrial small subunit. Our results suggest that YbeY performs a dual function in mitochondria coupling tRNA processing to mitoribosome biogenesis.Issue SectionNucleic Acid EnzymesAbstract Figure

USING A SLEDGEHAMMER TO CRACK A NUT: THE SCOPE AND POWERS OF THE MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTORATE IN LIGHT OF Anglogold Ashanti Ltd v Mbonambi (2017) 38 ILJ 614 (LC)

This case note examines the scope of the MHSI’s powers to issue section 54(1) instructions and the circumstances under which these instructions should be issued. Furthermore, the note examines the relevant jurisprudence of the South African courts dealing with the review of the MHSI’s exercise of power both in imposing administrative fines and issuing mine stoppage orders. This is done in light of the decision in AngloGold Ashanti. The note shows the importance of section 54 instructions and the role they have played in the reduction of serious injuries and fatalities at the mines over the past two decades. Nevertheless, the MHSI’s exercise of power in terms of the provision is not immune from critique. The facts of the case are outlined below. This is followed by a few comments and then a conclusion is drawn. The terms “employer” and “mining company” are used interchangeably in this contribution.