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The main part of companies in Bulgaria are built, however in the 70s, and upgraded last decade. The country supplies around 80 % of its supplies of paper, paperboard and pulp with own production. Integrated treatment of wastes is a priority for realizing closed life cycle of materials. The aim of the present work is to investigate the composition and other important characteristics of biomass wood ash wasted from paper industry. The correlations and associations among the chemical characteristics are also studied to find some basic trends and important relationships between two similar wastes from different enterprises. It was proved that all samples taken contained Ba, Cr, Mn, Ni, Co, Al, Fe, Cu and Zn far below the legal limits for such type of products. A product has a certain anti-acidic effect. The other positive result was that the content of iron is between 34 to 60 mg per 1 kg dry waste. The microscopic photos confirmed that the particles are close to the nano-size materials. The content of the elements C, N, H is in good quantities and ratios, which is a prerequisite for their use as a soil improver. By the results of this study, it was confirmed that all samples produced as a result of the thermal treatment and final low water content achieved are free from pathogen microorganisms and different weed seeds, affecting the yield and soil sustainability. That allows determining the optimal ratio between the used components with a view to obtain products with desired thermal stability and physico-chemical properties as soil improvers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an algorithm for organizing and grouping data related to the expenditures by education levels in Bulgaria. The built database is used as a source from which the necessary information is searched depending on the entered indicators and time interval. The considered indicators include the public and private expenditures by education levels for the period2012-2020. The extracted subsets of elements are processed and analyzed. In this connection, four groups of variables are calculated and discussed. The results show that the expenditures in four of the education levels (primaryand pre-primary education as well as upper and lower secondary education) grow over the last five years (2016-2020). The quoted indicator inpost-secondary, non-tertiary education isreduced gradually in 2016-2019. During 2015, as compared to 2014, the expenditures in the considered 7 levels of education decreased in the range from 0.29% to 7.81%. This work calculates the share of expenditure for tertiary educationbachelor, master and doctor in comparison with the total expenditures for education in the indicatedtime period. The obtained value of the variable for this education level is the highest. It is 29.74%. The values of this variable are significantly lower for the following two levels of education - tertiary education-professional bachelor and postsecondary, non-tertiary education. They are 1.54% and 0.29% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I draw on ethnographic fieldwork (participant observation) carried out at a Bulgarian service area to argue that such spaces create a 'meaningful sociality' building on imagination and sensual experience, as well as on experiences of intersectional oppression or dominance. I draw on the history and adaptations of shkembeto (tripe soup) and my observations of its preparation and serving at one such service area. This soup, which is famous in Turkey and Bulgaria, offers some people disorienting sensory experiences that are associated with complex power relations, which makes the service area a site for reflection on discrimination and gender roles. The paper closes with reflections on the sociality of such places, which is ephemeral but meaningful both there and at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the hope of rapid development of rural tourism in Bulgaria, how to innovate and optimize the marketing mode and successfully achieve marketing purposes is an urgent problem for the marketing of rural tourism destinations. Based on the analysis of destinations in Bulgaria like Botevgrad, Chiprovtsi, Radomir, etc., this paper has proposed suggestions on designing tourist products in the provinces of Bulgaria. The ambition is to encourage rural areas to make full use of local superior resources, including traditional folk culture, old churches and pastoral views to build traditional leisure agricultural projects, protect the precious historic and cultural heritage and promote the prosperity of local rural economy. The research is based on field research of the specific places with the cooperation of local authorities and different organizations. The paper begins with a literature review concerning the role of tourism in sustainable destination development, considering the specificities of rural tourism, and the contribution of this tourism to sustainable development of rural areas. The literature review is followed by a case study for 3 regions in Bulgaria. Via qualitative and quantitative approach, the case study identifies the views of diverse stake holders (visitors, public, private agents of supply, residents and consultants). The methodology and observations under the analysis are presented and open for discussion. The paper ends with some prescriptions and offers for marketing strategy creation. In conclusion there are some suggestions on how to make the rural area sustainable through marketing strategies on rural tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to examine internal and external factors as well as main obstacles to managers'/owners' participation in education and training. Design/methodology/approach: The sample comprises managers of 151 Bulgarian predominantly micro- and small-size enterprises. The data was gathered in 2020 through direct standardized interviews at the respondent's workplace. This study uses quantitative estimation methods including binominal and multinominal logistic regression as well as nonparametric testing. Findings: Regarding the findings in the relevant studies, the results confirm that the larger firm's size, the existence of human resource management strategy and practices as well as learning-oriented culture stimulate employer-financed management training. The lack of trainers with relevant need-specific expertise appears to be a major barrier. Additionally, the outputs highlight the role of other important determinants not being extensively discussed so far such as the level of development of the region in which the company operates, involvement in R&D and innovation activity as well as the issue of trust in trainer. Practical implications: This study provides insights into (under)investments in continuing vocational training which might lead to practical implications for businesses, education and government policy in lifelong learning. Moreover, this study focuses on a country with one of the lowest participation rates in adult education across Europe which allows for a better understanding of similar examples. Originality/value: To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first paper examining determinants of management training in Bulgaria and one of the few in the European context. It gives support to the existing literature but adds new findings as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the role played by organizational ambidexterity and open innovation in innovation outputs, considering business units with different levels of technological intensity (medium-high and high tech, and medium-low and low tech) for countries with different innovation profiles. The countries considered in this paper are i) Estonia and Slovenia as innovation followers; ii) Slovakia, Hungary, Spain, Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal, Norway, and Croatia as moderate innovators; and iii) Bulgaria, Lithuania and Romania as modest innovators. In the empirical approach, the research hypotheses arise from the literature review and are tested using secondary data collected from the Community Innovation Survey (CIS) 2010. The conceptual model is tested using the logistic regression method, which indicates suitable accuracy and reliability for empirical testing purposes. The evidence reveals that for innovation followers, ambidexterity has a greater influence on the practice of eco-innovation, marketing innovation, and product innovation. For moderate innovators, ambidexterity has a greater influence on the practice of product innovation, process innovation, and eco-innovation. Concerning modest innovators, ambidexterity has a greater influence on the practice of product innovation, process innovation, and eco-innovation. With regard to open innovation, for innovation followers, this has a negative influence on product innovation in medium-high and high-tech companies. For moderate innovators, open innovation has a greater influence in process, organizational, and ecoinnovation. In the case of modest innovators, open innovation is more significant for innovation outputs in product, organizational, and marketing innovation. Size is not always positively related to innovation outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dipsacus gmelinii is here reported as a new addition to the vascular flora of Bulgaria. It was recorded on Belene Island, in the Danube River. In the present paper, the species is described morphologically with an emphasis on carpomorphological characters. The distinctive differences from related species of the genus are also highlighted. Additionally, ecological conditions and floristic composition at the localities of the species, and phytosociological relationships of the communities in which it participates are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper compares physical and chemical characteristics of technogenic soil profiles at coal mine spoil from Maritsa-Iztok Mines. Sites with coniferous vegetation and without vegetation were selected. Brief comparison was made between physicochemical characteristics of studied soil profiles and those from other mine spoils. Relations with previous studies are also provided. The technogenic soil profiles have high cation exchange capacity and organic carbon content. Soil water repellency was measured and its correlation with studied soil characteristics of the Technosols was established. The water drop penetration time (WDPT) decreases sharply after heating of extremely hydrophobic soil samples. Before heating it correlates significantly with exchangeable cations of aluminium (R*WDPT-Al = 0.863) in the soil profile under pine and less with hydrogen in the profile without vegetation (RWDPT-H8.2 = 0.409). In the pine site, significant correlation was also found between the WDPT and the total organic carbon (R*WDPT-TOC = 0.711) as well as with fulvic organic carbon (R*WDPT-FOC = 0.824). In the non-vegetated soil profile, the correlation is significant with the fraction of unextracted organic carbon (R*WDPT-Cunextr. = 0.644). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital transformation of society is a reality. Technology is becoming integral to people's daily lives and children are growing up in the digital age. The education systems have to reflect and adapt to the new digital reality to effectively engage and prepare students for the future. Teachers have to possess digital competences at a high level, meaning that they are successfully able to use digital tools and technologies in their teaching practices. Digital competences include digital literacy, experience using educational software and platforms, and the ability to seamlessly integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) into the organization of educational activities. The current paper aims to study the opinion of teachers in Bulgarian schools regarding the possibilities of using digital technologies to achieve educational goals and the extent to which teachers integrate digital tools in their teaching activities. Teachers' opinions about the need for specific digital competences are important. The results of the survey show that teachers in Bulgaria actively use digital technologies in their daily teaching activities (84.8%) in order to create and provide learning content to students and to provoke their active participation, and is a convenient tool for evaluating their students' knowledge and skills and for providing effective feedback. The conducted research also identifies the necessary competences that teachers of the digital generation of learners need—skills and competences for developing authored electronic resources in various formats for students with different learning styles, as well as for working in online environments—individually and collaboratively with other teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal economic sector devoted to the breeding, raising, and production of farm animals is known as the livestock industry. There are precise standards for making high-quality feed in animal husbandry. Precision livestock feeding is a crucial component, with the potential to significantly impact the profitability of livestock; it permits the provision of diets to animals that are precisely tailored to their specific daily nutritional needs. Through simulation modeling, a single model can be created for automated systems to determine daily rations for farm animals. For the purposes of this document, precision livestock feeding refers to the practice of tailoring feed to individual animals or groups of animals, taking into account their changing nutritional needs over time and individual differences in terms of nutritional requirements. The practice aims to optimize animal health and performance while reducing feed waste. This paper presents a formal model for determining the quantities of components needed to achieve a minimum cost mixture that satisfies compositional and quantitative criteria. The present research calculates the amount of hay and silage required to feed an animal per day at the most economical cost by applying an optimization approach that involves defining and solving an optimization problem. The problem is solved using a well-known software package, which is necessary for the practical application of the resulting model. Real data from livestock production in Bulgaria are used to numerically test the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the application of digital information management tools in the context of financial control. In Bulgaria, such research is innovative as it is the first time that digital transformation in crucial financial control institutions, which influence the formation of the revenue part of the state budget and the spending of public funds, has been studied. The study aims to answer the research question of to what extent the application of digital tools in financial control improves its effectiveness. It analyses how modern technologies improve the efficiency and accuracy of information used in financial control institutions. The authors examine the impact of digital tools, such as database management systems, business analytics platforms, and electronic document management tools, on collecting, analyzing, and managing financial and non-financial information. The study uses descriptive statistics and a correlation analysis, which significantly contributes to establishing the relationship between implemented digital tools and improvements in financial control procedures. The results show that despite the conditions created for digitalization in financial control institutions, digital tools are used to a limited extent in the information management process. The study emphasizes the need for continuous investment in digital technologies and training to maximize the benefits of their application in financial control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rainfall, with its intensity, duration, and seasonal distribution, is among the main factors causing soil erosion, which is a widespread environmental problem in Bulgaria. Rainfall erosivity shows the potential of precipitation to generate erosion processes and is an essential indicator of the climate vulnerability of a region. This paper aims to evaluate rainfall erosivity in a part of the Eastern Rhodopes Mountains, an area that is characterised by high-intensity erosion processes and high erosion risk. Local peculiarities of rainfall erosivity were revealed by the calculation of some precipitation indices based on the monthly precipitation for the period 2000–2021, such as the precipitation concentration index (PCI), Angot precipitation index, Fournier index (FI), and modified Fournier index (MFI). The analysis of the extremely wet and extremely dry months at the annual and seasonal (October–March and April–September) levels was performed to evaluate the susceptibility to erosion. The results from the study show that rainfall erosivity in the studied area varies from low to moderate in the northern part of the study area and from high to very high in the south. According to the MFI, high and very high erosivities have been observed mainly since 2012. The erosivity increases from north to south, to the area with a complex relief, where the combination of orography and atmospheric circulation make favourable conditions for the occurrence of extreme precipitation. The analyses of the calculated indices show that the precipitations in most of the studied area generally have from a low to a moderate erosivity, but this does not exclude the occurrence of cases with high and very high erosivities, which are characteristic of recent years and are related to the increase in annual precipitations and extreme precipitation months. The results of this study can contribute to the development and implementation of measures and preventive activities for the reduction and possible elimination of the negative impacts of extreme precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valorization of high-volume mine tailings could be achieved by the development of new geopolymers with a low CO2 footprint. Materials rich in aluminum and silicon with appropriate solubility in an alkaline medium can be used to obtain a geopolymer. This paper presents a study of copper mine tailings from Bulgaria as precursors for geopolymers. Particle size distribution, chemical and mineralogical composition, as well as alkaline reactivity, acidity and electroconductivity of aqueous slurry are studied. The heavy metal content and their mobility are studied by leaching tests. Sequential extraction was applied to determine the geochemical phase distribution of heavy metals. The studied samples were characterized by high alkalinity, which could favor the geopolymerization process. The water-soluble sulphates were less than 4%. The Si/Al ratio in mine tailing was found to be 3. The alkaline reactivity depended more so on the time of extraction than on the concentration of NaOH solution. The main part of the heavy metals was found in the residual fraction; hence, in high alkaline medium during the geopolymerization process, they will stay fixed. Thus, the obtained geopolymers could be expected to exert low environmental impact. The presented results revealed that studied copper mine tailing is a suitable precursor for geopolymerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results from the application of the holistic approach to employability based on secondary data and a questionnaire survey of the human resources employed in the hotel and restaurant sector (198) and semi-structured interviews with tourism sector employers (11) in the municipality of Devin, Bulgaria. The results outline some of the dimensions of employability, existing problems of employability and their potential solutions. It is typical for the municipality of Devin that a large part of the local population in the region is directly dependent on tourism. This leads to relatively low staff turnover and high motivation to offer a quality tourism product. Respondents exhibit a high self-assessment of their own knowledge, skills and attitude in terms of development of tourism, but this does not correspond to the real situation given their activities to improve their own skills during the pandemic period closure. Recommendations are proposed for upgrading the qualification of staff at municipal and enterprise level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtualization and online engineering of services are emerging as key themes that will profoundly influence society and industry in the near and distant future. This paper focuses on the transformation of administrative services in universities into virtual services through online engineering. This transition presents challenges not only to universities in Bulgaria but also worldwide. Given the significant impact of technology on the daily operations of universities, it is evident that the digital divide is an issue worthy of investigation. Disparities in the adoption of online administrative services can and will lead to inconsistencies in the economic development of universities. This article aims to explore some of the challenges associated with virtualization and online engineering of administrative services in universities and offers insights into how to address them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines specific artifacts - stone balls of various sizes - that constitute significant material remnants of Ottoman military history in Bulgaria. While historical records confirm the existence of Ottoman gunpowder artillery in the region, archaeological research has contributed little to its study. This is largely due to the misdating and misinterpretation of these stone balls. Through careful analysis of publicly available archaeological data and historical sources, this study presents a new perspective on using gunpowder artillery and stone projectiles in Ottoman Bulgaria. It contends that most of these artefacts were integral to the Ottoman military arsenal, challenging previous assumptions that limited them to medieval ammunition. The study provides compelling evidence for the existence of Ottoman-era stone projectiles at several sites, including Cherven, Shumen, Nikopol, Silistra, Kaliakra, and Svishtov. This evidence is corroborated by historical records, which underscore the undeniable presence of Ottoman artillery in the region, particularly in the areas between the Danube and the Balkan Mountains, which remained a vulnerable frontier zone in contrast to the land south of the mountains. Crucially, this research underscores the need for more precise archaeological documentation, comprehensive artefact descriptions, thorough contextual information, and multidisciplinary research to understand the complex history of these stone projectiles fully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2007 has brought new dynamic changes to the business environment where this primary Bulgarian industry functions. Getting financial incentives to support income as well as incentives to comply with other European policies distorts the business environment in Bulgaria. The land reform has been a key element of the agricultural transformation during the long-term transition in Bulgaria, which aims to create favourable conditions for the establishment of market economy by decentralizing the process and restoring the right of ownership to all owners and their heirs. The problems related to the study of land relations are of eternal relevance and significance. The importance of land relations is much more essential for the sustainable development of the viable rural regions in Bulgaria, having in mind the favourable natural conditions and the traditions inextricably interwoven with the agricultural sector in the country. The comprehensive research of land relations is a key condition for studying their impact on the socio-economic processes and relations, thus focusing on certain synergistic opportunities for the agricultural sector in Bulgaria. The purpose of this article is to describe, present and analyze the role and challenges of land relations, as well as the related issues that are fundamental for the state of agriculture and the place of the sector in Bulgarian economy as a whole. The study also has a narrow focus on achieving the key goal of intensifying the links between education, business and public authorities in general. For the research analysis we will apply the scientific approach as well as the following methodological framework such as complex and structural analysis. The study focuses on the challenges and problems in the development of land relations in Bulgaria, as well as the range of land relations related to the social, economic, management and legal environment in Bulgaria. The institutional environment in Bulgarian agriculture is a complex system of symbiotic relationships, dynamically changing under the influence of national and sectoral legislation. The challenges and issues of land relations are an extremely complex social phenomenon. The economic, social and environmental influences involved in it has a two-way impact on the agricultural sector. The harmonization and improvement of institutional framework in compliance with the requirements of the EU - development of sectoral legislation, re-structuring of agricultural farms, as well as various aspects of the implementation of the CAP, competitiveness and development of rural regions, are part of the issues and challenges related to the sustainable development of land relations and the agricultural sector in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, climate change has become a critical global issue with far-reaching consequences for regional climates and ecosystems. While regional climate models provide valuable information, there is a growing need for high-resolution simulations to assess local impacts. This paper addresses this gap by presenting the first simulation of a 3 km convection-permitting (CP) scenario simulation for Bulgaria. The main aim of this study is to assess different precipitation indices and their future changes for Bulgaria under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) scenario following the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment Flagship Pilot Study protocol. The simulations are evaluated against high-resolution observations. We downscale Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 Global Climate Model (CMIP5 GCM) data for historical (1995–2004) and future (2089–2098) periods using a regional climate model (RCM) at 15 km grid spacing and parametrized convection. We use these fields as initial and boundary conditions for convection-permitting kilometer-scale simulations. The 15 km grid spacing driving model is used as a reference to assess the added value of the kilometer-scale simulation. Additionally, the 3 km seasonal mean and projected 2 m temperature and the winter snow water equivalent are presented. The results show that the kilometer-scale simulation shows better performance of wet-hour intensity in all seasons, wet-hour frequency in the spring, fall, and winter, and extreme precipitation (99.9th percentile of all precipitation events, p99.9) in the winter and fall. The kilometer-scale simulation improves the projected precipitation distribution and modifies the signal of the precipitation frequency, intensity, and heavy precipitation change over some areas. A positive projected change in the wet-hour intensity is expected in all seasons (13.86% in spring, MAM, 17.48% in summer, JJA, 1.97% in fall, SON, and 17.43% in winter, DJF) and in the heavy precipitation in the spring (13.14%) and winter (31.19%) in the kilometer-scale experiment. The projected increase in mean winter precipitation is accompanied by a significant decrease in mean winter snowfall over lowlands (50−70%). The convection-permitting Regional Climate Model, version 4.7.1 (RegCM4.7.1) suggests an increase in winter snowfall over the highest parts of the country, but a significant increase in the 2 m temperatures there. The results of this study are encouraging and may be of interest to the community of climate scientists and users of climate data for making reliable estimates of the local impacts of future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When designing and manufacturing machines and installations for processing, transporting and storing grain and seeds, it is necessary to know some of their basic physical and mechanical characteristics. They are also necessary for the correct selection of the operating modes of the facilities in the grain warehouses. In this paper, an engineering and technical classification of the mass-grown cereals, legumes and oilseed crops in Bulgaria is presented. For the most used varieties and hybrids, density of grains (seeds), hectoliter mass, angle of natural slope, and angle of friction on smooth materials are determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents information about some Mediterranean dolichopodid species and their habitat preferences, as well as distribution from the southern parts of Bulgaria and southeast Turkey. One new locality of Sybistroma discipes is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this article is to recount the birth and development of midwifery and maternal care education in Bulgaria after the Bulgarian Liberation at the end of XIX and the beginning of the XX century. The researchers set the following tasks: 1) to present the main reasons for the emergence of professional midwifery education in post-Liberation Bulgaria; 2) to show the place and role of the first professionally trained midwives in Bulgaria; 3) to outline the seminal work of notable personalities for the development of professional midwifery care. Historical method was used, secondary historical sources, documents and scientific papers were reviewed. Conclusions: Professional midwifery education helped the introduction and spread of modern Obstetrics/Gynecology medicine, which lead to decrease in maternal and infant mortality and slowly improved quality of life for Bulgarian women and children. Bulgarian nationals educated abroad brought to the country the scientific foundation and best practices in maternal health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten breeds of chickens have been created in the Republic of Bulgaria, two of which are under national control, and the rest are bred only by amateur poultry breeders. The present study aims to determine the population status and regionalization of the local breeds of chickens in the Republic of Bulgaria. The most extensive area of distribution is shown by Struma chicken, Bregovska dzhinka, and Struma bantam breeds, and Stara Zagora red chicken, the Rhodope painted chicken, and Southwest Bulgarian dzhinka - with local distribution. The most numerous breed is the Bregovska dzhinka, occupying 34% of the total number of birds of the studied breeds, and the least numerous is the Southwest Bulgarian dzhinka with only 2% relative share. The predicted rate of inbreeding (ΔF) for the Bulgarian breeds, varies from 0.04% for Bregovska dzhinka to 0.77% for Southwest Bulgarian dzhinka. Population growth rate (r) values vary from 0.93 in the Black Shumen chicken to 1.21 in the Rhodope chicken. Considering various factors influencing the determination of the conservation status, it can be summarized that Bulgarian breeds of chickens, except for Bregovska dzhinka, have an endangered or critical status. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of those breeds where a significant concentration of the main part of their population is observed in an area with a radius of less than 50 km and/or bred in a small number of farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the impact of subsidies on agricultural holdings of different economic sizes in Bulgaria for the period 2014-2020. The objective is to dissect the dispersion and repercussions of these subsidies on the gross and net earnings of these enterprises. The research is rooted in a thorough exploration of existing literature and utilizes a spectrum of analytical techniques, including comparative analysis, regression analysis, and fixed effects models. The findings underscore the substantial role of subsidies in shaping the revenue of Bulgarian agricultural producers. This validates the primary hypothesis that subsidies bolster the financial health of enterprises and foster the resilience of the agricultural sector overall. Nonetheless, it's crucial to note that the magnitude and efficacy of the subsidies' impact fluctuate based on the economic scale of the enterprises. This underscores the need for a differentiated approach in determining subsidy policies, taking into account the specific needs of different groups of agricultural producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation and research of genetic resources of key crops and their use in the global farming system present the main trends for developing sustainable agriculture and producing healthy food products. This study aims to investigate the available genetic resources of (Phaseolus spp. L.) landraces and breeding lines/varieties to identify promising genotypes with a view to their further use for breeding as a source of new germplasm. Investigation and evaluation of 18 accessions of Phaseolus spp. L. from Bulgaria for economically important agronomic traits and molecular approaches using ISSR and SCAR marker systems were carried out. The genetic characterization by seven SCAR markers was applied to the selected genotypes to determine the genes associated with the resistance to economically important diseases. The population structure of Phaseolus spp. L. was determined using the grouping method based on Bayesian models based on six ISSR markers and STRUCTURE software. Based on a comparison between the ISSR molecular marker and descriptors results and the higher Q value, the no admixture ancestry model and correlated allele frequencies were the parameters combination selected for describing the population structure of the selected genotypes. The correspondence between the ISSR-based analysis and the descriptors showed that 14 (77.78%) of the 18 Phaseolus accessions groups were in the same cluster in both methods. Promising genotypes have been identified based on the applied integrated research approach - phenotypic and genotypic with the potential for integrating into breeding programs as a source of new germplasm of Phaseolus spp. L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Involving the global issues as listed in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in education is necessarily done in the education process, especially in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning. Exposure to global issues is known to improve students' understanding, awareness, and ability to solve urgent issues faced by global society. This paper aims to find out the trend of research on the coverage of SDGs in students' learning process. This systematic literature analysis was done by applying Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Method. A total of 25 studies were recognized through a systematic search by using Sustainability, SDGs, and EFL as keywords. The result shows that the trend of associating SDGs with EFL settings was done mostly in Indonesia. In the recent year 2022, it reached the highest number of studies in the particular matter with 7 total of research. It was also found that the study involving SDGs on EFL learning was mostly done in the tertiary setting, compared with K-12, junior high school, secondary, high school, and other educational institutions. It was also discovered that the specific area of study enhances EFL students' learning achievement, environmental awareness, global citizen values, as well as students' levels of self-norms, beliefs, and self-value.

This study aims to obtain a composite index characterizing Bulgarian districts about their creativity by presenting results for the pre-pandemic. The composite index developed by Rodrigues and Franco (2019), use of quantitative method and multivariate statistical techniques have been used to answer this objective. From the data gathered primarily from NSI- The National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria, the results show that creativity is one of the pillars of economic growth, and financial resources and local and foreign investment for its development are still very limited. The government and cultural organisations supported initiatives to showcase the country's cultural diversity and historical significance. The creative sector, including design, arts, media, and technology started to be seen as a driving force for the country's economic growth. Startups and creative entrepreneurs are increasingly gaining weight, which has led to the creation of creative centers, and co-working spaces. Therefore, this study contributes to the intelligent application of creative cities' ideas in the creative industries and contemporary cities' management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Population abundance is amongst the most basic and crucial parameters for the assessment of conservation status of any species. Three species of odontocetes, all represented by local subspecies, inhabit the Black Sea: the Black Sea common dolphin Delphinus delphis ponticus, the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus ponticus, and the Black Sea harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena relicta. Their populations are threatened by multiple factors, including overfishing of their prey, bycatch, pollution and epizootics. Despite this, there are no basin wide estimates for any cetacean species in the Black Sea. Methods: In 2019, a systematic study was carried out under the EU CeNoBS project. Six strata were designed in the waters of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Türkiye and Ukraine, covering most of territorial and offshore waters, which were surveyed between June 19 and July 4. A line transect distance sampling approach was used, following predefined transects within each stratum, achieving a 5% coverage of the surveyed area. A total of 7,344 kilometres of transects were surveyed recording a total of 1,744 cetacean sightings. Design-based abundance estimates were obtained using a Multiple Covariate Distance Sampling (MCDS) approach. Model-based abundance estimates were also derived using a Generalized Additive Models (GAM) approach, linking species sightings with a number of environmental covariates (e.g., bathymetric features, sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a) over a grid of 10x10 km. Results and discussion: The uncorrected (for perception and availability bias) estimates obtained through the model-based analysis were 108,283 (CV=0.07) common dolphins, 22,720 (CV=0.15) bottlenose dolphins and 93,808 (CV=0.06) harbour porpoises. These aerial surveys yielded the first insights on overall abundance, density and distribution, providing current regional baseline values and density maps for all three cetacean species of the Black Sea during the summer months, to be used for the elaboration of effective conservation measures and to address national and international requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International portfolio management is influenced by the existence of "frictions", factors or events that interfere with trade, which are linked in financial literature to market-specific factors, such as available information, restrictions, investor protection, or market liquidity. Given the wide variety of factors that can be included in these categories, scientific studies typically focus on a reduced number of indicators at a time in order to offer an in depth analysis of their impact. We offer a consolidated view of the perspectives observed in financial literature by proposing a novel index for market frictions that includes all these four components and rank fifteen post-communist East European capital markets based on their index values. We then constructed various scenarios by assuming different levels of importance for the criteria used in index construction. By employing grey clustering analysis, we cluster these capital markets into three categories—strongly recommended, recommended with some reserve, and not recommended—based on the importance given by the decision maker to these factors. The results show that some of the studied markets are in the same cluster, irrespective of the chosen scenario. The only market always included in the "strongly recommended" category is Hungary, indicating that it is a good investment option for international participants. Bulgaria and Slovakia are always regarded as "recommended with reserve" markets, whereas the Republic of Moldova is part of the "not recommended" category. The other markets show a degree of variability that can be explained by different investor perspectives. This study contributes to the existing literature by combining the advantages of grey clustering and portfolio analysis. Investors can use this approach during the decision-making process related to their investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents research and findings related to the Second Chance Schools - an innovative approach which is gaining strength and popularity in recent years but is almost unknown in Bulgaria. The documentary research, the analysis of interviews of the various actors and the online surveys during the project revealed a set of characteristics of Second Chance Schools common to most countries in Europe. The study reveals that in the countries where the SCS approach has been applied, early school leavers’ rates are going down. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assisting women in attaining their reproductive goals is crucial for improving the well-being of families and children. As the first point of contact for healthcare, general practitioners (GPs) are ideal for family planning (FP) and preconception care (PCC). However, primary care interventions' efficacy is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine GPs' knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives on FP and PCC service management. Most GPs were aware of FP and PCC services and held a firm conviction that they should be primarily accountable together with obstetrician–gynaecologists. However, it is worth noting that less than 50% of respondents reported receiving thorough and comprehensive knowledge of their respective specialities. Those with general medicine qualifications demonstrated a high level of commitment to providing such services. The women's GPs and those with training in general medicine prescribed birth control pills and emergency contraception three times more frequently than the other doctors who suggested condoms or traditional methods or referred patients to another specialist (p < 0.05). In conclusion, PCC is of the utmost importance, and its effective implementation demands the collaboration of policymakers, healthcare providers, and individuals. GPs are essential in managing FP and PCC. They must incorporate more in-depth PCC into their clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the age structure of male capercaillies Tetrao urogallus L., 1758 in Bulgaria based on specimens preserved in collections. We studied 206 birds from the museum collections of the Sitnyakovo Palace (Rila Mnt.) and the National Museum of Natural History, (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences). The age of the birds was determined by the shape of the beak, the shape of the outer feathers of tail, the length of the beak, the length of the beak furrow and the height of the beak at the base. For each of the characteristics used, we divided the birds into three age classes: juvenile (up to 14 months), subadult (between 14 and 60 months) and adult (over 60 months). Of all individuals studied, 92 (44.7%) were juveniles, 64 (31.1%) were subadults and 50 (24.3%) were adults. We found an inconsistency in determining the age of individuals using only one of the characteristics. We proposed to use the angle of curvature of the beak for the age determination. We recommend introducing the requirement to examine more somatometric characteristics in the rare cases when shooting of capercaillies is allowed. This will allow the correct estimation of the age of capercaillies and the accumulation of database information, which will be useful for the management of this difficult to be studied and economically important species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the safety of using modified natural clinoptilolite as a food additive for mammals. Any potential adverse impacts of altered natural clinoptilolite on the regular physiological processes of animals were evaluated. Sixty male ICR laboratory mice, aged approximately 6–8 weeks, were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Both groups underwent a 45-day testing period, during which the experimental group was given rodent food mixed with 12.5% modified natural clinoptilolite from the Beli Plast deposit, Bulgaria. Sampling was carried out on days 0, 15, 30 and 45, with each time point providing samples for morpho-physiological and haematological studies, the oxidative stress on the base of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) measurements in liver and kidney so as the assessment of gene toxicity via the micronucleus test. All animals used in the experiment survived until the end of the study, gained weight and showed good activity and vital signs. The mice supplemented with clinoptilolite showed 21% higher body weight gain compared to the control group. Furthermore, there were no established signs of gene toxicity, pathological changes in the levels of oxidative stress and haematological parameters. These results suggest that using clinoptilolite as a food supplement does not lead to observable toxicities and even improves growth performance. Owing to its elevated sorption potential, this method is appropriate for purging the mammalian organism of toxins, with negligible adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the distribution and status of the stone crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium and the noble crayfish Astacus astacus within Natura 2000 protected areas in Bulgaria. Totally, 121 live crayfish were caught, with A. torrentium mainly found at altitudes between 410 and 1317 m a.s.l., particularly between 300 and 900 m. The highest population density of stone crayfish was observed in Ograzhden – Maleshevo, Osogovska Planina and Belasitsa Mountains. Astacus astacus was detected in the Rabrovo Protected Area only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at the identification and characterization of five actinobacterial strains with presumed belonging to the species Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens isolated from tomato and pepper plants, and establishing the potential role of both plants as natural reservoirs of this phytopathogen. Species identification was performed via MALDI-ToF MS, 16S rDNA sequencing and PCR. The strains were Gram-positive with a coryneform cell shape having yellow/orange-pigmented colonies; positive for catalase and esculin, and starch and casein hydrolysis; oxidase-, urease-, indole- and nitrate-reduction-negative and were strictly aerobic. All isolates produced antimicrobial substances against various phytopathogenic bacteria. Tomato and pepper plants were artificially infected with newly isolated strains in order to establish their role as natural reservoirs of the bacteria. Morphological alterations were observed only in the tomato plants, with defoliation of the first two to four leaves at the 28th day. Then, viable coryneform bacterial isolates (n = 73) were successfully re-isolated only from the stems of the infected plants. The similarity between the re-isolates and the respective initial isolates was confirmed phenotypically and genotypically by RAPD-PCR, confirming that solanaceous vegetables can act as reservoirs of C. flaccumfaciens. This is the first report of C. flaccumfaciens in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study serves a dual purpose: firstly, to identify the pivotal architectural components within wine tourism offerings that contribute to a lasting and memorable experience; and secondly, to explore their correlation with the four customer experience realms (4Es). The investigation operates at a micro level, focusing on a specific category of winery - small, family-owned establishments - in an emerging wine destination. Employing a netnography approach, the research design centers on a thematic analysis of visitor reviews sourced from TripAdvisor. The ensuing results are quantified to ascertain the significance of individual factors. A total of 137 reviews spanning the period from June 2013 to May 2022 were manually extracted and coded using MaxQDA. This study's rationale rests upon two key premises: firstly, the scarcity of research within the specific context of emerging wine destinations from the post-Eastern bloc; and secondly, the limited exploration of the nexus between wine tourism drivers and consumer experiences. The most influential drivers shaping memorable wine tourism encounters that we identified are "people" and "wine", predominantly associated with the escapist and aesthetic dimensions of experience. These findings diverge markedly from prior research, where the escapist dimension typically received minimal attention. Theoretically, our results enrich understanding by elucidating how the four dimensions of the wine tourist experience intersect with the attributes of the tourism offering, thereby serving as a potential model for future investigations. Moreover, wineries stand to gain valuable insights for product design aimed at enhancing the overall consumer experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For more than a century, in the center of Sofia, the capital of the Republic of Bulgaria, there is and functions the church of St. Nikolai Mirlikiyski the Wonderworker, known as the Russian church. The church was built at the beginning of the 20th century with the idea of being part of the complex of the Russian imperial diplomatic body in Sofia and to serve the Russian diplomats, their families and the Orthodox Russian citizens living permanently or temporarily in the Bulgarian capital. However, after its consecration in 1914, disputes began, both regarding the ownership of the church building and the canonical jurisdiction of the church—of the Metropolitan of Sofia or the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. This dispute culminated in September 2023, with the expulsion from Bulgaria of several Russian and Belarusian clergies serving in the Russian church on charges of espionage in favor of the Russian Federation. The subsequent closure of the church by the Russian ambassador Mitrofanova led to internal and external political tension and ecclesiological chaos in the country. The Russian side violated the Bulgarian Law on Religions, known as the Confessions Act 2002, and directly infringed the Statute of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. This article provides expert answers to the public law, property rights and canonical issues concerning the case of the Russian church in Sofia, based on the relevant sources of law (ecclesiastical and civil). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnic foods and beverages are cultural heritage. This review summarizes the available data about the manufacturing, flavouring, and colouring of the homemade Bulgarian ethnic alcoholic beverage rakia, including information from scientific and grey literature, published surveys, traditional old recipe books, and field observations and interviews with local producers of homemade rakia. Taking into consideration the scarce scientific evidence available on the subject, this study aims to contribute to the preservation of a valuable Bulgarian tradition and cultural heritage for future generations. A detailed description of the process of manufacturing homemade rakia is presented, and the role of this ancient technology in the extraction of bioactive compounds is discussed. Different aspects of the consumption of alcoholic beverages and their dual metabolic effects on human health are elucidated. The centuries-old knowledge about the preparation of the homemade beverage rakia, flavoured and coloured using arboreal species, is discussed as a basis for the development of low-alcohol or non-alcoholic functional beverages with high content of bioactive compounds with beneficial health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of Phytophthora species have been identified as destructive plant pathogens and invasive species. They have the potential to affect a wide range of host plants and cause diseases in agricultural and forest ecosystems. Two Phytophthora species from rhizosphere soil samples collected from declining Alnus glutinosa in Bulgaria were isolated in the autumn of 2022. They were identified as Phytophthora polonica and Phytophthora hydropathica according to the DNA sequence analysis of the ITS region, as well as their morphological and physiological characteristics. The pathogenicity of both species to common and gray alder was evaluated by the inoculation of detached leaves and cuttings. Experimental data proved that P. polonica and P. hydropathica are able to cause leaf necrosis not only on A. glutinosa from which they were derived, but also on A. incana. No significant deference in the aggressiveness of the studied isolates from both Phytophthora species against the two tested plants was observed. Therefore, P. polonica and P. hydropathica were determined as potential threats for alder ecosystems in the country. This is the first report for the isolation of P. polonica in Bulgaria and represents the most southeastern point of the species distribution in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient planning and control of timber harvesting operations is crucial to growth productivity and reducing costs, and different systems or methods are applied to obtain elevated performance. In particular, cable yarding is a highly appreciated and very efficient wood extraction method in areas that are difficult to access with ground-based extraction machines. Combined logging systems are not diffuse and not often implemented. For this reason, the use and the application of innovative methods are limited. However, some combinations have recently been observed in forest operations. This study, conducted in a deciduous stand in Bulgaria, paid attention to the combination of a tractor-mounted tower yarder (Valentini V400) with a clambunk skidder (Timberjack 1010D), aiming to examine the viability and develop the operational efficiency of the two-stage extraction system and to define the time, log volume extracted per unit by the yarder and the clambunk, and the yarding and skidding costs. The researchers carried out a time-motion study and performed a regression analysis to identify those variables that are most likely to affect the duration of work elements and productivity. For cost analysis, the COST model was used. The mean productivity of the tower yarder was 10.34 m3/PMH and 8.11 m3/SMH, while for the clambunk skidder, the productivity was 6.23 m3/PMH and 4.93 m3/SMH. The net costs for the combined logging system were calculated as 120.87 €/PMH and 14.93 €/m3. This study adds new data about the correct use of both machines, supporting their application in beech forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study is to analyze the link between the degree of professional burnout among general practitioners in Bulgaria during a pandemic and their satisfaction with the balance between their personal lives and professional lives. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic from December 2021 to January 2022 among 377 general practitioners. We identified the presence and level of burnout syndrome among GPs using V. Boyko's method for diagnostics of the severity of symptoms and the phases of formation and completion of the 'occupational burnout' process. Descriptive statistics and parametric and non-parametric tests were used for the analysis. For the significance level of the null hypothesis, we assumed that p < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. A total of 96.3% of the GPs had a high level of burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. They worked more than 8 h a day (74.8%) and more than 5 days a week (69.0%). A total of 86.3% of them were not satisfied with the spare time they had and stated that they could not balance their work and personal lives (67.1%) since the pandemic was announced. A link was found between the level of professional burnout and long working hours (p = 0.022), dissatisfaction with free time (p = 0.028), and the inability to balance work and personal life (p = 0.000), as well as concerns related to safety during the pandemic (p = 0.048). Unrealistically high levels of burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a disturbed work–life balance is a reason to re-evaluate health policies and involve more hospital care doctors at the frontlines to fight against severe infectious diseases. The results of this study could be used to inform policy makers, healthcare managers, and other stakeholders about the factors that have had profound impacts on GPs' stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Introduction: The subject of the present study concerns the analysis of the existence and long time evolution of the solar ~200 yr (de Vries/Suess) and ~2400 yr (Hallstadt) cycles during the recent part of the Wurm ice epoch and the Holocene, as well as their forcing on the regional East European climate during the last two calendar millennia. The results obtained here are compared with those from our previous studies, as well as with the results obtained by other authors and with other types of data. A possible scenario of solar activity changes during the 21st century, as well as different possible mechanisms of solar–climatic relationships, is discussed. (2) Data and methods: Two types of indirect (historical) data series for solar activity were used: (a) the international radiocarbon tree ring series (INTCAL13) for the last 13,900 years; (b) the Schove series of the calendar years of minima and maxima and the magnitudes of 156 quasi 11 yr sunspot Schwabe–Wolf cycles since 296 AD and up to the sunspot cycle with number 24 (SC24) in the Zurich series; (c) manuscript messages about extreme meteorological and climatic events (Danube and Black Sea near-coast water freezing), extreme summer droughts, etc., in Bulgaria and adjacent territories since 296 and up to 1899 AD, when the Bulgarian meteorological dataset was started. A time series analysis and χ2-test were used. (3) Results and analysis: The amplitude modulation of the 200 yr solar cycle by the 2400 yr (Hallstadt) cycle was confirmed. Two groups of extremely cold winters (ECWs) during the last ~1700 years were established. Both groups without exclusion are concentrated near 11 yr sunspot cycle extremes. The number of ECWs near sunspot cycle minima is about 2 times greater than that of ECWs near sunspot cycle maxima. This result is in agreement with our earlier studies for the instrumental epoch since 1899 AD. The driest "spring-summer-early autumn" seasons in Bulgaria and adjacent territories occur near the initial and middle phases of the grand solar minima of the Oort–Dalton type, which relate to the downward phases and minima of the 200 yr Suess cycle. (4) Discussion: The above results confirm the effect of the Sun's forcing on climate. However, it cannot be explained by the standard hypothesis for total solar irradiation (TSI) variations. That is why another hypothesis is suggested by the author. The mechanism considered by Svensmark for galactic cosmic ray (GCR) forcing on aerosol nuclei was taken into account. However, in the hypothesis suggested here, the forcing of solar X-ray flux changes (including solar flares) on the low ionosphere (the D-layer) and following interactions with the Earth's lithosphere due to the terrestrial electric current systems play a key role for aerosol nuclei and cloud generation and dynamics during sunspot maxima epochs. The GCR flux maximum absorption layer at heights of 35–40 km replaces the ionosphere D-layer role during the sunspot minima epochs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order for a strain to be considered a probiotic or suitable plant bioprotective agent, it must have proven antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens M exhibited significantly high antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Sclerotinia; yeasts of the genera Candida and Saccharomyces; as well as high antibacterial activity against pathogens of the genera Escherichia, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Listeria, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus. The manifested antimicrobial activity was influenced by the composition of the growth medium. The antifungal activity of the strain was investigated at growth temperatures of 30 °C and 37 °C, and at different pH values in aerobic and anaerobic cultivation, under static and dynamic culturing conditions. High antifungal activity was observed at the 24th h on both growth media (LBG broth and MPB broth) at pH = 6 and pH = 7 in aerobic and anaerobic cultivation. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens M produced antibiotic substances at pH > 5.0, and the antibiotic substances were either secreted into the medium or associated with the cell surface. Four compounds with different antifungal activity and different Rf values were registered through thin-layer chromatography (Rf1 = 0.47; Rf2 = 0.55; Rf3 = 0.67; and Rf4 = 0.75), two of the compounds were ninhydrin-positive. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens M was cultured in a bioreactor with stirring, and the parameters of the growth kinetics and the sporulation kinetics have been modeled. A spore concentrate of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens M has been obtained. In further research, the efficiency of the concentrate as a plant bioactive agent will be tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosa centifolia L. and Rosa gallica L. (Rosaceae) are grown as raw materials for valuable essential oils and hydrosols. There are scarce data about the biological activities and the genoprotective potential of the hydrosols of these roses. The aim of the study was to provide information on their cytotoxic/genotoxic activity and anti-cytotoxic/anti-genotoxic capacity against mutagenic N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The evaluation was performed using classical tests for chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in the higher plant Hordeum vulgare and human lymphocyte test systems. The experimental schemes included combined hydrosol and mutagen treatment. Both hydrosols (6, 14, 20%) had no cytotoxic effect on barley and showed low genotoxicity in both test systems as the injuries were enhanced to a lesser extent compared to the controls. Lymphocytes were more susceptible than H. vulgare. Under the conditions of combined treatment, it was found that the two hydrosols possessed good anti-cytotoxic and anti-genotoxic potential against MNNG. Both rose products exerted genoprotective potential to a similar extent, decreasing the frequencies of aberrations in chromosomes and micronuclei to a significant degree in both types of cells when non-toxic concentrations of hydrosols were applied before MNNG. This was performed both with and without any inter-treatment time. The observed cytoprotective/genoprotective potential suggests that these hydrosols are promising for further application in phytotherapy and medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research aimed to characterize the genetic diversity and relationships among extant Arabian horse sire lines in Bulgaria, using 15 equine microsatellite markers. The evaluation included 537 Arabian horses representing nine sire lines (SAKLAWI I, LATIF, SEANDERICH, IBRAHIM, SHABAB, DJEBEL MOUSA, KUHAILAN AFAS, BAIRACTAR, and SARHAN). The obtained results indicated that within these lines, the mean number of alleles ranged from 4.15 in SARHAN to 5.54 in SAKLAWI I and LATIF. The mean expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.54 in the SEANDERICH line to 0.67 in SAKLAWI I. The inbreeding coefficient for the entire Arabian populations was rather low: FIS = −0.109, fluctuating from −0.204 in SHABAB to −0.041 in SAKLAWI I. The mean genetic differentiation, FST, was 0.096, demonstrating that nearly 90% of the total genetic variation was due to genetic differentiation within each population. STRUCTURE analysis indicated a genetic similarity between SHABAB and LATIF, between IBRAHIM and KUHAILAN AFAS, as well as between SAKLAWI I, SEANDERICH, and BAIRACTAR. This study of the genetic diversity of Arabian sire lines in Bulgaria can assist in developing a national strategy for the exclusion of non-purebred animals from breeding programs in order to preserve the genetic profile of the original Arabian lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial ryegrass is the most widely grown temperate grass species globally as a source of forage (grazing, hay, silage) or for amenity use. It is a part of landscape, protects soil from water and wind erosion, enriches it with organic substances and improves its fertility. During the period 2015-2020 in the Institute of Forage crops (IFC) - Pleven a collection nursery was studied in field non-irrigated conditions on leached black soil, in block duplicate method, in 2 replications with a total of 19 accessions of perennial ryegrass, with 50 individual plants each (25 plants for forage and 25 plants - for seeds), including 14 varieties and 5 ecotypes, 10 tetraploid and 9 diploid, from Bulgaria (BG), Belgium (BE), and Romania (RO). The aim is to determine the vitality per year and longevity (after many years, more than 3-4) of perennial ryegrass collection accessions and to make a selection of the most vital and long - lasting genotypes. Scale of survival according to the International Classifier for the family Poaceae (Bukhteeva et al., 1985) was used - limiting factors of the environment are cold - winter, drought and high temperatures - summer. An autumn inventory of the individual plants no./% was carried out annually, as 25 plants per sample = 100%., and vitality classification as follows: Very Low - less than 1 to 20% of plants are left alive; Low - more than 21 to 50%; Medium - more than 51% to 70%; High - more than 71 to 90%; Very High - more than 90% of the plants are still alive. Computer statistical processing of the data (via Excel, at P = 0.05) included variance analyses. Data on vitality and longevity are characterized by: marginal values (min and max), arithmetic mean (x), standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV,%). Variation was considered weak, moderate, or strong at CV values, respectively: up to 10%; > 10-20%, and > 20% (Dimova and Marinkov, 1999). When grown for fodder, the local ecotypes Sokolare, Topolovgrad and Bekovi skali are the most viable by years and the longest surviving up to 5 years, with the percentage of plants alive in the fifth year being the highest for the Sokolare ecotype. Ecotype Sokolare is strongly influenced by the method of use, which is the longest-lasting and most viable when grown for fodder - 5 years and the shortest - when grown for seeds - 3 years. All diploid varieties live up to 4 years, and only the Harmoniya variety up to 5 years, with the Bulgarian varieties Harmoniya and Strandzha being the most viable and long-lasting when grown for fodder. Harvesting once a year for seeds extends the life cycle of diploid varieties up to 5 years and for the Harmoniya variety - up to 6. The Bulgarian tetraploid varieties Tetrany, Tetramis and the Belgian varieties Floris, Melpetra and Melverde are the most durable and long-lasting. One-time harvesting per year for seeds extends the life cycle of the tetraploid varieties up to 5 years, and for the Bulgarian varieties Tetrany, Tetramis and the Belgian varieties Floris, Melpetra and Melverde - up to 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a significant import of modern tower yarders has been registered in Bulgaria, where official productivity standards are routinely used for operational planning and control. Given the higher potential of the newer yarder models, the Bulgarian forestry sector has started a review of the older productivity standards dating back to the 1970s. This new endeavor has offered an ideal opportunity for gauging the effect of technological progress in yarder technology. Therefore, the authors have used the very first results achieved during the development of the new standards for conducting a preliminary quantitative comparison between older and newer yarder types. Modern yarders (e.g., Konrad Mounty 4000) are much faster than the older ones (e.g., Koller K300), and their time consumption per cubic meter is half as large, especially on longer distances. At short distances, however, their performance evens out. Regardless of the distance, the installation time of the Konrad Mounty 4000 is twice as short. As they are largely automated, the new machines can be manned by smaller crews (e.g., two workers instead of three) and are easier and safer to operate. Finally, the new machines are equipped with built-in loaders and processors, which allows them to integrate delimbing, crosscutting and stacking within the same work cycle. With older models, a separate team must be deployed for those tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we investigate the availability and access to orphan drugs for rare cancers in Bulgaria, aiming to address the urgent need for improved treatment access for this vulnerable population. By comparing data from European and national sources, we aimed to assess the availability, delays, and budgetary impact of these drugs. Our findings reveal significant disparities in their access and highlight the pressing need for targeted policies to address these inequalities. This research contributes valuable insights into the challenges faced by rare cancer patients and we call for focused efforts at both the European and national levels to ensure equitable access to treatment. Rare cancers are defined by an annual incidence of fewer than 6 per 100,000. Bearing similarities to rare diseases, they are associated with substantial health inequalities due to diagnostic complexity and delayed access to innovative therapies. This situation is further aggravated in Southeastern European countries like Bulgaria, where limited public resources and expertise underscore the need for additional policy and translational research on rare cancers. This study aimed to explore the availability and access to orphan drugs for rare cancers in Bulgaria for the period of 2020–2023. We cross-compared data from both the European Union and national public sources to evaluate the number of available and accessible orphan drugs for rare cancers, the delay from market authorization to reimbursement, the dynamics of public expenditures, and regional disparities in access across the country. We juxtaposed the main characteristics of oncological and non-oncological orphan drugs as well. Only 15 out of 50 oncological orphan drugs that were authorized by the European Medicine Agency were accessible for rare cancer patients in Bulgaria. The median delay between market authorization and inclusion in the Bulgarian Positive Drug List was 760 days. The total expenditures for all orphan drugs for rare cancers amounted to EUR 74,353,493 from 2020 to 2023. The budgetary impact of this group rose from 0.24% to 3.77% of total public medicinal product expenditures for the study period. Rare cancer patients represent a vulnerable population that often faces limited to no access to treatment. We call for targeted European and national policies to address this major inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This literature review aims to present a comprehensive overview of contracts used in agriculture, focusing on their development, usage, and impacts in Bulgaria and other countries, and based on it make a classification of the contracts. The research is grounded in the broader field of agricultural economics, rural development and instructional economics, emphasizing the shift in use in contracts in agriculture in Bulgaria after the accession of the country in the EU. It delves into various types of contracts used in agriculture. The classification that is created is illustrating a detailed framework that organizes these agreements based on their focus and functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores plant communities dominated by the invasive species Fallopia x bohemica (Bohemian Knotweed) in Bulgaria. Using field data from 91 locations, an analysis identified the association Reynoutrietum japonicae within the alliance Aegopodion podagrariae. That association is recorded for the first time in Bulgaria. The vegetation is characteristically dominated by the Bohemian Knotweed species, which forms dense stands with low species richness. It mainly occurs in disturbed areas, such as riverbanks, roadsides and abandoned spots. This study contributes to understanding the distribution and composition of plant communities dominated by that invasive species. The negative impact of Bohemian Knotweed on the native flora and vegetation is also highlighted, with an emphasis on the need in control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]