bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CHANGES IN CONCENTRATIONS OF ORGANIC MATTER IN THE MOUTHS OF THE DOTNUVELE AND SMILGA RIVERS
Authors: MISEVIČIENĖ Stefanija
Published: March 2018

The quality of water in rivers of central Lithuania is often bad due to intensive anthropogenic activities. When rivers flow through the town’s territory, concentrated pollution, such as rainwater, industrial and productional waste water discharges, contributes to diffuse sources of pollution. If biogenic substances are the main indicators for diffuse pollution, organic matter, expressed as BOD, is the indicator for concentrated pollution. The article provides the 2013 – 2017 monitoring data on the changes of organic matter in the water of the Dotnuvele and Smilga Rivers and discusses the reasons for fluctuations in concentrations of BOD7. The aim of the research is to investigate the changes in the organic matter of the Dotnuvele and Smilga Rivers, depending on meteorological factors. For chemical analysis, water samples were taken quarterly. Water analysis was carried out by the ASU Chemical Analytical Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering Institute. The amount of organic matter (BOD7) is calculated as the difference in oxygen content after 7 days of incubation, while the amount of dissolved oxygen (O2) in the water is determined by the electrochemical probe method. The concentrations of BOD7 and O2 in the water of both rivers is compared with the criteria for assessing the ecological status of surface water bodies. The research has shown that the dissolved oxygen concentrations in rivers’ water are strongly influenced by water temperature and precipitation. The lower the temperature, the more of the dissolved oxygen is found in rivers’ water (r = -0.64). A lower precipitation amount, which reaches the rivers, increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in them (r = -0.45). The increase of BOD7 concentrations in rivers’ water was caused by higher precipitation amount (r = 0.46), higher air (r = 0.41) and lower water temperature (r = -0.41). The ecological status of the Dotnuvele River was usually good, while Smilga was average.
RECYCLING OF MINERAL SERPENTINITE WASTE FROM MINING INDUSTRY AND ITS USE IN AGRICULTURE TO IMPROVE SOIL AGROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Authors: PEKARSKAS Juozas , GAVENAUSKAS Algirdas , DAUTARTĖ Anželika , STIKLIENĖ Aida
Published: March 2018

The influence of processing the serpentinite quarry from the Caucasian mountains at the foot of the Mount Elbrus crushed waste on soil agrochemical properties, phytotoxicity of spring barley, influence on barley plant biomass and its chemical composition were investigated. Ground and granular serpentinite had a different effect on soil and plants. Application of serpentinite fertilizers significantly increased the content of calcium, iron, 227.95-376.75 and 5.05-9.62 mg kg-1, total and plant-derived magnesium 0.34-0.52 and 1.19-2.16 mg kg-1, lead and nickel, while the amount of copper dropped substantially; the soil was becoming more alkaline. Application of ground serpentinite lead to alkalizing of the soil much more compared to the granular, with a significant increase in plant-derived magnesium. The influence of serpentinite increased the yield of spring barley plants in green and dry mass by 0.049-0.256 and 0.011-0.046 g or 0.65-3.41 and 1.19-2.59% out of the growing vessel, and dry matter increased by 0.12-0.26 % units, the yield of spring barley green and dry mass under the influence of ground serpentinite was higher than of granular serpentinite fertilizer, and the dry matter was found to be significantly higher than that of unfertilized spring barley plants. Ground and granular serpentinite was not phytotoxic to spring barley. An application of ground serpentinite increased an amount of calcium, potassium and magnesium in the barley dry matter compared to the granular serpentinite. Ground and granular serpentinite reduced the amount of trace elements copper and manganese in the dry mass of the plant, and the amount of zinc decreased only after fertilization with granular serpentinite. An application of serpentinite significantly decreased content of lead, chrome and cadmium while nickel content significantly increased in the dry matter of barley plants.
BIO-ECONOMY BASED BUSINESS MODELS FOR THE FOREST SECTOR – A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: REIM Wiebke , Sjödin David , PARIDA Vinit , ROVA Ulrika , CHRISTAKOPOULOS Paul
Published: March 2018

The shift towards a bio-economy is one of the main focus areas of political initiatives aiming for a society relying on renewable biological sources while achieving economic growth. The forest sector is expected to contribute significantly to the development of the bio-economy which at the same time support rural development by creating new markets for advanced forest based products. However there is a need to focus more on the economic feasibility of such initiatives. Literature on bio-economy often implicitly addresses certain aspects connected to business models but is lacking a holistic perspective on the role of business models for the successful shift towards a bio-economy in the forest sector. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic literature review about bio-economy business models in the forest sector to advance the understanding about increased and sufficient value generation necessary to persuade a shift towards bio-economy. This paper is based on a systematic review of 42 scientific journal articles and book chapters on forest based bio-economy. The first result of the article is a structured aggregation of the existing bio-economy business models including the maturity and potential for large scale application. The main implication of the paper is an overall framework on how to facilitate the commercialization of bio-economy based business models through an improved understanding of all elements of the business model canvas to reach market acceptance of innovative business models. Recommendations for future research are presented in the end of the paper.
MODELING OF THE OPTIMAL DISTRIBUTION OF MOTORWAY OVERPASSES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE A4 MOTORWAY SECTION
Authors: BACIOR Stanisław , PRUS Barbara , DUDZIŃSKA Małgorzata
Published: March 2018

The developed, innovative method of estimating the impact of motorway on agricultural land allows determination of all the losses associated with the directions of this impact. The basis for the determination of losses is the analysis of variability in land use and the quality classes and location of access roads to the land along the axis of the planned motorway. The approved measure of the multidirectional impact of the motorway on agricultural land is a change in the value of land, which is designated taking into account the differentiation of their suitability for agricultural production.
The developed method of determining the impact of motorway on agricultural land was presented on the example of A4 motorway section between Bratkowice and Mrowla. The existing section of motorway was assessed and then for the same section the calculations were made again, but with an alternative location of the motorway overpasses.
In the case of the existing section, the construction of one kilometer of the section of motorway under consideration will result in a reduction in the value of agricultural land of 1725 cereal units. Acquisition of land for the construction of the motorway and its negative impact cover about 69% of the total reduction in value of agricultural land. The remaining 31% of the land value reduction is related to the increase in transport and the deterioration of the parcels layout. On the other hand, in the case of the section with alternative arrangement of viaducts, the value of agricultural land is reduced of 1538 cereal units. Acquisition of land under construction and its toxic impact will be equal 75%, while the combined effect of transport growth and deterioration of the layout makes 25%.
THE USE OF COACHING IN THE AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN
Authors: CARPIO Deiyalí , URBANO Beatriz
Published: March 2018

Agricultural organizations are faced with continuous processes of change: economic openness, national and international competition between companies, adaptation to new business management models -Corporate Social Responsibility-, changing markets and the need to comply with regulations and certifications. This has led to the generation of a great demand for knowledge, preparation and motivation of the people who work in the organizations and in the agribusiness environment. Organizations are obliged to seek strategies or business techniques that allow them to guarantee survival and increase their levels of competitiveness. Among these techniques the coaching technique is highly positioned. The objective of the research was to analyze the use of coaching in the agricultural value chain as a tool to contribute to rural development. The study analyzed 50 coaching companies in Spain, from which qualitative and quantitative data of agricultural and rural coaching were taken. Moreover, a sample of 22 coached agribusinesses in Spain was characterized in order to obtain a profile of the coaching in the agricultural value chain. Frequency, contingency and significance analysis were used to characterize the performance of coaching in the agricultural value chain. The results show that a business attitude among coaching is needed while the use of a combination of coaching tools could improve the agricultural value chain and rural development. It is necessary to promote the coaching techniques among the agricultural value chain, especially at the first stages of the chain, in order to increase the agricultural businesses competitiveness and to contribute to the rural development.
THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT’S POTENTIAL AS A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS
Authors: DUDZIŃSKA Małgorzata , PRUS Barbara , BACIOR Stanisław
Published: March 2018

All definitions of the natural environment’s potential provided by the literature highlight the role of humans as entities making use of environmental resources. The natural environment creates conditions for life processes to occur by supplying raw materials and energy required to satisfy various human needs. It provides a basis and a precondition for socio-economic development. It is, however, difficult to define the natural environment’s potential in its entirety, therefore the study focused on the resource-and-performance aspect of this potential.
Hence, the article aims at identifying the relationships between the level of the natural environment’s potential and the level of socio-economic development of communes. The study involved communes located in Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship. The study was carried out in several stages and involved an analysis of the level of the natural environment’s potential as well as of the meta-indicator that shows the socio-economic determinants of communes in a synthetic manner. The analysis of the relationships between the level of the natural environment’s potential and the socio-economic development was performed using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient.
THE INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION ON THE GROWTH OF PAULOWNIA TREES AT THE FIRST YEAR OF CULTIVATION IN A LIGHT SOIL
Authors: PTACH Wiesław , ŁANGOWSKI Ariel , ROLBIECKI Roman , ROLBIECKI Stanisław , JAGOSZ Barbara , GRYBAUSKIENE Vilda , KOKOSZEWSKI Mateusz
Published: March 2018

The field experiment was carried out in 2016 on sandy soil in the forest nursery Białe-Błota (Bydgoszcz Forest Division, Poland). The effect of sprinkler irrigation on the growth Paulownia Shan Tong trees was investigated. The experiment was established as one factorial. The variability factor was the irrigation: S-sprinkler irrigation and C- without irrigation (control). The process included the controls of growth parameters: tree height, trunk diameter, number and surface of leaves. It was found that the sprinkled seedlings of Paulownia Shan Tong were significantly higher than those growing in the non-irrigated plots. The sprinkler irrigation applied in the experiment resulted in an increase in the number of leaves of the Paulownia and their surface area, which resulted in an increase in biomass yield. By analysing the results of the study on trunk diameter, leaf number and surface, it may be stated that irrigation watering significantly influenced the tested parameters. Irrigation significantly increased the height of Paulownia trees. The positive effect of the usage of sprinkler irrigation may indicate the possibility of effective application of this method in the field cultivation of Paulownia Shan Tong.
GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT IN MIXED FOREST STANDS
Authors: RÖHLE Heinz
Published: March 2018

In 2017, the global population stands at about 7.6 billion. Due to the medium variant of the population projections, developed by the UN, the world population will grow to nearly 10 billion by the middle of this century. As a consequence, the worldwide demand for wood will increase. Therefore, the forest sector has to develop concepts in order to cope with the increasing demand for wood, the altering environmental conditions and the challenge of climate change. Modified silvicultural treatment programs may contribute to solving these questions. Appropriate measures are the conversion of pure stands into mixed stands, the promotion of natural regeneration instead of artificial regeneration and the creation of structured forests consisting of indigenous or foreign tree species, which are better adapted to climate change and/or are growing faster. Mixed stands often exceed the volume as well as the biomass productivity of pure stands and increase the biodiversity of forest landscapes. Forest simulation models are a prerequisite for the management of mixed stands. They provide enhanced opportunities of planning for forest conversion and facilitate the decision support in forest practice. These model approaches support the development of goal oriented thinning programs and make it possible to test and optimize alternative silvicultural concepts without the establishment of experimental plots. The Bavarian State Forest Enterprise (Bayerische Staatsforsten) is managing 808731 ha of forest area in the southern part of Germany. Since 2005 this enterprise is converting pure, coniferous stands (> 200000 ha of forest area) into mixed, uneven-aged forests. A simulation program (single tree simulator) is used in order to achieve this goal.
METHODS OF COMPLEX ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL AND ANTHROPOGENIC PRESSURE FOR WATER RESOURCES IN CENTRAL ASIA - KARATAL RIVER CASE STUDY
Authors: Suleimenovich MUSTAFAYEV Zhumakhan , MOSIEJ Jozef , KOZYKEEVA Lya Tobazhanovna , ZHANYMKHAN Kurmanbek
Published: March 2018

Development of the national economy in the Karatal basin river is characterized by the progressive involvement and development of the resource potential of natural landscapes, the current rate of utilization of which greatly enhances the anthropogenic impact on the natural environment. A significant impact on the formation of the ecological environment of natural landscapes is provided by the rural and water sectors, as well as by industrial facilities related to processing and mining. At the same time, on the one hand the economic activity of the man in the catchment areas of the river basin gives a certain positive effect, and on the other hand, it is accompanied by an unavoidable set of negative ecological consequences that complicate ecological situations in various ranks of natural systems. Such negative natural and man-caused process in human activity occurs as a result of inadequate knowledge of the regularities of interaction between natural and anthropogenic factors, about the processes developing in the natural environment in complex watershed management, which is one of the obstacles on the way to the creation of ecologically sustainable cost-effective water catchment systems.
Scientific interest to the assessment of the ecological state of the catchments of rivers and the problem of their complex development have been appeared relatively recently which is explained by the increase in modern conditions of anthropogenic load on the catchment areas, the need to assess the impact of such pressures on the ecological stability of catchments and the emergence of the problem of ensuring the sustainable function of catchments. The catena concept was developed to analyze the regular variability of soil on the slope. The example of this approach consists first in a structural component, the recurring pattern of certain soils in a landscape transects in which every chain element has its place in the chain, a soil has it in a landscape areal.
The object of the research is the catchment basin of the Karatal river with a length of 390 km, an area of 19.1 thousand km², which is formed by the merger of three rivers called Tekeliaryk, Chadzha and Kora, sources which are at an altitude of 3200-3900 m. The initial 160 km is mountain character, from the Zhungarian Alatau and below the confluence of Kara and Chizhe River overlooks a wide intermountain plain. Other tributaries are Kara, Terekty, Laba, Balykty, Mokur and the most abundant is Koksu. After the confluence of the tributary of the Koksu River, Karatal flows through the sandy desert of the Southern Balkhash. At a distance of 40 km from the mouth, the river has a delta area of 860 km 2. According to long-term observations, the average annual discharge of the Karatal River in the Ushtobe section is 66.7 m3/s or 2.1 km3/ year.
THE RELATIONSHEEP OF AMINO ACID METABOLISM WITH PRODUCTIVITY OF GROWING YOUNG SHEEP
Authors: ISMAILOV Ismail Sagidovich , TREGUBOVA Nina Vladimirovna , KOCHKAROV Rashid Hasanbievich , MORGUNOVA Anna Victorovna , DRIZHD Natalija Alecseevna
Published: March 2018

A number of studies on digestion of the ruminants have shown the process of synthesis of all the essential amino acids in the rumen (Abu Fadel, 2004; Trukhachev, V., Zlidnev, N. 2008). However, according to some researches, microbial protein is deficient in methionine and lysine. This assumption also proves the need for further study of the influence of balanced amino acids to these diets on the growth, development and productive performance of the ruminants.
Scientific approbation of the issues related to establishing the requirements of young sheep in lysine and methionine with cystine and development of recommendations for their proper balance in animal rations have been conducted along with a series of physiological, scientific and practical experiments. For this purpose, we used the following research methods: preparative, analytical, measuring and calculating. Zootechnical evaluation of young sheep’s diet with different levels of lysine and methionine with cysteine has been conducted, and influence of these components on growth, development, metabolism, the use of amino acids and wool productivity have been studied.
The importance of studying the content of amino acids in plasma is evident because they are the indicators of protein metabolism in the animals’ organism and represent themselves the exchange fund when used in the biochemical transformations in the process of updating the protein of the body tissues and the synthesis of animal products.
Increase in young sheep’s diet of lysine and methionine can improve their productivity, reduce the cost of feed energy and improve biochemical indexes of meat, taking into account the optimization of its amino acid composition. Efficiency increase of young sheep during the process of the individual development is linked to conditions of feeding and in particular the usefulness of a protein food, which is primarily determined by sufficient intake of essential amino acids - lysine and methionine with cystine.
Thus, the inclusion in the diet of growing young sheep some amount of synthetic amino acids – 6–8 grams of lysine and 3–4 g of methionine per 1 fodder unit, enhances oxidation-reduction processes, increase productivity, i.e. wool yield and other indicators. The content of free amino acids in plasma directly depends on their availability in feed. The use of synthetic amino acids (lysine, methionine and cystine) contributed to the increase of their content in a free state in the blood serum, indicating their increased demand in sheep.
With the use of different doses of synthetic amino acids (lysine, methionine, cystine) in the diets of young sheep it has been found that the organization of optimum conditions of feeding, care and management of sheep in winter season help to avoid abrupt changes in the structure of the skin, to ensure the normal development of the histological structure and morphogenetic processes.)
CAUSES OF SPATIAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN RURAL AREAS IN POLAND
Authors: KONIECZNA Jadwiga , KONIECZNY Dariusz
Published: March 2018

Rural areas, defined as land outside towns, except industrial areas, account for over 93% of the area of Poland. They are attractive as a places of work, residence, leisure, as well as places where agricultural and non-agricultural business activities can be conducted. Agriculture is naturally associated with rural areas. Currently, apart from the agricultural function and (depending on the socioeconomic, natural or historical conditions) rural areas are also places of leisure, recreation, residence or industrial activities. This is a consequence of implementation of the concept of multi-functional development of rural areas, in which conditions are created for diverse business activities, while respecting environmental constraints. Such a multifunctional approach must take into account the interests of all parties to avoid spatial conflicts. Therefore, actions aimed at the development of rural areas should be based on an in-depth analysis of the value of the area under consideration, they should take into account natural conditions (soil, climate, terrain) of the land for conducting agricultural activities, but also take into account environmental, social and economic aspects.
Objective and historical conditions affecting agriculture in Poland and the experience gained so far indicate that there is a need to change the spatial arrangement of agricultural areas. This is because of the characteristic features of agriculture in Poland, which include a disadvantageous structure of farms in terms of their area, small size of farms, insufficient technical infrastructure in villages and difficult soil conditions. Rural areas in Poland, including agriculture, are undergoing deep structural changes in regard to agricultural production, but also to farm size and layout, demographic and spatial structures as well as technical and social infrastructure. The changes taking place in rural areas in Poland are greatly affected by the Common Agricultural Policy in the European Union. As a member of the EU, Poland has been receiving aid since 2004 and has been implementing actions within Rural Development Programmes.
The aim of this paper is to analyse the transformations that have been taking place in rural areas in Poland and to present selected factors and causes of the changes in rural spaces.
CROSS-BORDER RELATIONS IN RURAL AREAS (BASED ON LOCAL BORDER TRAFFIC)
Authors: Zabielska Izabela , Zielińska-Szczepkowska Joanna , Kisiel Roman
Published: March 2018

The paper aims at presenting to answer: can cooperation within local border traffic (LBT) be a platform for cross-border relationships in rural areas? Rural areas located in the border zone were subjected to analysis, limiting the study area to the Polish Warmia-Masuria Province and the Kaliningrad Oblast of the Russian Federation. For the needs of the present task, survey studies were designed and carried out, targeting rural governments of Warmia-Masuria Province (rural areas) covered by the Agreement on LBT on the Polish side, as well as respondents residing in the Kaliningrad Oblast on the Russian side. Individual interviews represented the basic research method in data collection. The interview questionnaire was the research tool applied. As results from the carried out surveys: cross-border relationships on rural areas within LBT expand economic innovation, infiltrate social and cultural influences, overcome negative stereotypes, and reinforce cooperative habits. Furthermore, they support the development of additional cross-border cooperation area.
BUILDING SOCIAL CAPITAL THROUGH LEADER APPROACH 2007-2013: CASE OF LATVIA AND POLAND
Authors: WOJEWÓDZKA-WIEWIÓRSKA Agnieszka , KRIEVIŅA Agnese , MELECE Ligita
Published: March 2018

Building and developing social capital is regarded as a major factor underpinning the development of rural areas, while the LEADER approach to rural development has been found to have a great potential for creation and use of social capital. Therefore, the aim of the study is to explore the LEADER approach in building social capital in rural areas of Latvia and Poland, based on the thematic analysis of the implemented projects during 2007-2013. To achieve the objective, the study explores the introduction of the approach in Latvia and Poland, as well as presents project case studies for social capital formation in Latvia and Poland, by using appropriate materials and research methods. Projects carried out under the LEADER 2007-2013 in Latvia and Poland affect rural communities regarding social capital on different levels at the same time: build trust, create bonds around common values and raise citizens' involvement in joint initiatives. There are examples of projects that contribute to the building of structural social capital, relational social capital and cognitive social capital in Latvia and Poland. Overall, the thematic analysis of the realized projects in Latvia and Poland reveals that in relation to the social capital they have improved the possibilities for gathering and socialization, for participation in interest groups and associations. Never before in rural areas of Latvia and Poland there has been such a form of cooperation of different local actors, applying the bottom-up approach. Studies show that this approach works well in practice and brings the intended effects to rural development.
COMPARISON OF SLOVAK DAIRY PRODUCTS WITH AND WITHOUT ADDED VALUE SOLD BY COMMERCIAL CHAINS
Authors: Petriľák Marek , Horská Ing. Elena , Šumichrast Jozef , Palkovič Jozef
Published: March 2018

The share of products with higher added value is constantly decreasing in Slovakia's agri-food exports and the share of basic agricultural raw materials with low added value is increasing. Commercial retail chains sell especially products without added value. On the other side, products that have undergone a processing are imported from abroad. According to the latest survey of the Slovak Food Chamber of Agriculture in 2016, the share of Slovak products on retailers and retail chains is only 39.91%, with 38.9% in 2015 and 2014.with increase of only 1%. Most of the agri-food products produced in Slovakia are at most represented in commodities: eggs, milk, honey and at least in the following categories: processed vegetables, packaged meat and processed fruit. The main objective of presented paper is to show, that Slovak farmers rather sell raw milk instead of selling added value processed products. A big difference can be found between milk and dairy products, where up to 20% is the difference in the representation of these products in the commercial chains. This fact means, that the Slovak farmers produce enough milk, but it is convenient for them to sell milk as a raw material instead of processing it in their own direction and selling the processed products. Raw milk is exported abroad and then comes back to the Slovak market with an added value as processed product. The survey, which was carried out on all trade chains, showed that the share of Slovak milk in the chain is 63%. An important finding is also the presence of individual dairy products that are produced in Slovakia. The result of the survey showed that the largest share of Slovak dairy products in the domestic market is 51% cottage cheese and sweet / sour cream 55% lowest ripening cheese 40%and processed cheese and cheese spread 43%.
CURRENT CHALLENGES OF AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS AGAINST FARMING ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: BOJAR Waldemar , SIKORA Marek , DZIEŻA Grzegorz
Published: March 2018

The paper investigates circumstances determined modern agriculture and agribusiness challenges and shows methods ensuring sustainability of value-added agriculture and rural areas taking into account, inter alia, climate change, healthy food, organizational and technological progress.
The aim of the article is to show that combining the agribusiness circumstances and methods allows to ensure sustainable development, value-added agriculture and rural areas. To verify adjustment farming processes according set up goals the questionnaire survey on farm equipment and information systems was carried out in 2017 in Kujawy & Pomorze region. The questionnaire was sent to all participants in the supply chain of that particular company.
The challenge facing modern agriculture is the ability to efficiently implement farm innovations, acquire new knowledge and effective use of the farming progress achievements. Negative effects of intensive farming for environment cause to seek for solutions let face economic and environmental challenges for contemporary agriculture and rural areas development. Serious threatens in a climate change can cause imbalance in food supply and demand. Observed higher frequency and severity of adverse weather events require genotypic adaptation. Hence, some studies on genetic progress in those crops adaptation were presented. Also some approaches how to assess and collect data for yield gap analysis, and to summarize the yield gap explaining factors were identified. The presented results showed that although management and edaphic factors are more often considered to explain the yield gap, both farm characteristics and socio-economic factors often explain the yield gap.
FEATURES OF THE KARYOTYPE OF NORTH CAUCASUS AYRSHIRE DAIRY CATTLE POPULATION: DEFECTS IN REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS
Authors: TRUKHACHEV Vladimir , OLEYNIK Sergey , ZLYDNEV Nikolay
Published: March 2018

One of the ways of improving the genotypes of dairy cattle in Russia is to increase the proportion of the Ayrshire breed, which can be justly claimed to be one of the best dairy breeds in the world. However, due to the prevalence of large-scale breeding technologies, which involves the use of a limited contingent of dairy cattle bulls, including but not limited to the Ayrshire breed, the emergence of new-born calves with various anomalies, including chromosomal, which commonly have a hereditary basis attributable to gene mutations have been observed. Given that the bulk of these anomalies are acquired by recessive inheritance, they may not always manifest themselves in the phenotype and thus represent a hidden genetic load. In recent years, the significance of cytogenetic analysis and karyotyping is becoming increasingly important, not only when considering the theoretical assumptions, but also when solving applied problems aimed at preventing damage to agricultural production. This article presents the results of the cytogenetic analysis of Ayrshire cattle affected by reproductive problems. The following has been established: an absence of changes in the diploid set of the investigated dairy cattle (2n = 60); the presence of aberrant cells, whose frequency of occurrence amounted to 3.6% in the population of 440 head (number of aberrations per aberrant cell researched – 0.036 / 1.0); the absence of reciprocal translocations in the karyotype of the investigated population. It is suggested that the existing Ayrshire sires Hannulan Yaskiyri, Riihiviidan Urho Errant, O.R.Lihting and their descendants do not have a genetic load of chromosomal abnormalities.
SCREENING OF COMPLEX VERTEBRAL MALFORMATION (CVM) AND BOVINE LEUKOCYTE ADHESION DEFICIENCY (BLAD) IN THE AYRSHIRE CATTLE BREED IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS
Authors: TRUKHACHEV Vladimir , OLEYNIK Sergey , ZLYDNEV Nikolay , MOROZOV Vitaliy
Published: March 2018

The Ayrshire dairy breed is renowned for producing large quantities of high quality milk and, therefore, is frequently used for crossbreeding. However, various hereditary anomalies caused by gene mutations have been recently recorded in calves produced by some Ayrshire sires. Most of these anomalies were shown to have a recessive inheritance pattern, thus imposing a threat of unpredictable dramatic changes in cattle genotypes under such factors as genetic drift, selection and inbreeding. The purpose of this study was to examine the susceptibility of the Ayrshire cattle bred in the North Caucasus to such hereditary abnormalities as complex vertebral malformation (CVM) and bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD). The investigation was carried out on 16 cows with various phenotype and reproduction disorders that were selected based on a three-year veterinary observation of 440 livestock animals. The target group cows were generally the descendants of Hannulan Yaskiyri, Riihiviidan Urho Errant and O.R. Lihting. The results demonstrated that no animals under study were the carriers of these genetic disorders, which proved the mutant alleles of BLAD and CVM to be absent from the Ayrshire cattle livestock bred in the North Caucasus. Therefore, the sires of these cattle can be successfully used for breeding.
FOREST MANAGEMENT AND WATER QUALITY IN LATVIA: IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES AND SEEKING SOLUTIONS
Authors: KALVITE Zane , LIBIETE Zane , Arta BARDULE Arta BARDULE
Published: March 2018

Rise in human population, industrialization, urbanization, intensified agriculture and forestry pose considerable risks to water supply and quality both on global and regional scale. While freshwater resources are abundant in Latvia, during recent years increased attention has been devoted to water quality in relation to anthropogenic impacts. Forest cover in Latvia equals 52% and forest management and forest infrastructure building and maintenance are among the activities that may, directly or indirectly, affect water quality in headwater catchments. Sedimentation, eutrophication and export of hazardous substances, especially mercury (Hg), are of highest concern.
To address these topics, several initiatives have started recently. In 2011, cooperation programme between Latvian State Forest Research Institute (LSFRI) “Silava” and JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” was launched to evaluate the impact of forest management on the environment. This programme included research on the efficiency of water protection structures used at drainage system maintenance (sedimentation ponds, overland flow) and regeneration felling (bufferzones). In 2016, within the second stage of this cooperation programme, a study on the impact of forest management on water quality (forest road construction, drainage system maintenance, felling) was started on a catchment scale.
Since 2016 LSFRI Silava is partner in the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme project “Water management in Baltic forests”. By focusing on drainage systems, riparian zones and beaver activity, this project aims at reducing nutrient and Hg export from forestry sites to streams and lakes. While this project mostly has a demonstration character, it will also offer novel results on Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in beaver ponds in all participating states.
This paper aims at summarizing most important challenges related to the impact of forest management on water quality and corresponding recent initiatives striving to offer solutions.
CZECH AGRARIAN FOREIGN TRADE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES DISTRIBUTION: TRANSFORMATION PROCESS
Authors: SMUTKA Luboš , SVATOŠ Miroslav , MAITAH Mansoor
Published: March 2018

This paper primarily focuses on Czech agrarian foreign trade comparative advantage issues. The structure and comparative advantages distribution are analyzed in the period before (2001) and after the Czech EU accession (2015/2016). The main central aim of this paper is to identify and analyze changes in comparative advantages distribution and trade commodity structure which have occurred. Trade structure and comparative advantages distribution are analysed in relation to the EU and rest of the World (Developing countries, OECD members, CIS, etc.). Commodity structure (we applied HS system) is analysed specifically in relation to unit value development, trade volume development and comparative advantages distribution development. To successfully accomplish the above mentioned objectives, this paper applies Lafay index and Trade balance index. The results derived from individual analyses are highlighted through the “Product mapping method”. The product mapping matrix divides the entire set of exported products into 4 groups. The LFI index has been chosen for the “product mapping” approach because of its ability to take into consideration only those transactions which are truly related to individual countries’ trade performance. The TBI index has been utilized for its ability to divide the products according to their real trade performance into the above specified four quadrants. In the analysed period, Czech agrarian trade increased its dependency on EU Countries. The share of EU countries in regards to Czech agrarian trade turnover has increased from 78% to nearly 90%. Czech agrarian exports are dominated by low processed and semi-processed aggregations having a low unit value. On the other hand, imports can be characterized by a much higher unit value and a much higher processing level. Unfortunately, the unit value of Czech agrarian exports has been constantly decreasing on the other hand the unit value of imports is increasing. Czech trade comparative advantages exist in relation to the following set of products: HS10, HS12, HS01, HS04, HS15, HS24, HS22, HS11, HS17, HS03, HS16, HS09, HS13 and HS14.
MATHEMATICAL COMPETENCES AND COMPETENCE-BASED MATHEMATICS LEARNING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: VINTERE Anna
Published: March 2018

This paper is the result of scientific analysis and assessment of scientific literature and a number of information sources taking into consideration the authors’ reflection experience and observations in connection with the mathematics role in sustainable development which may be characterized by a number of factors, including, mathematical competence compliance with competencies for sustainable development as well as coherence between mathematical competence and capacity which should have new professional. The methodology of the research is based on Danish KOM (Competencies and the Learning of Mathematics) project which set up eight mathematical competences: abilities to ask and answer questions in and with mathematics and he ability to deal with and manage mathematical language and tools. Students from Latvia University of Agriculture and Riga Technical University were asked to evaluate (using self-evaluation method) their mathematical competence by writing in the questionnaire numbers from 0 to 3, where 0 - I have not mastered this skill, but 3 - I can apply mathematical knowledge in different situations of life, I can formulate a mathematical problem, solve it. The survey results are analysed by respondents mathematics learning experience as well as needs for mathematics knowledge and skills in modern labour market conditions as well as in accordance with factor for social capital building.
SATISFACTION OF RURAL POPULATION WITH PUBLIC SERVICES IN THE REGIONS: ANALYSIS OF EDUCATIONAL INDICATORS
Authors: MERKYS Gediminas , BUBELIENE Daiva , ČIUČIULKIENĖ Nijolė
Published: March 2018

The key idea of the well-being concept strives to answer the question about how well the needs of people in a society are met in different spheres of social life - the physical, economic, social, educational, environmental, emotional, and spiritual – as well as individuals’ evaluations of their own lives and the way that their society operates (Gilbert, Colley, Roberts, 2016). One of the possible suggestions for answering the question: “How well are the needs of people in a society met?” could be the monitoring of citizen’s satisfaction with public services while applying a standardized questionnaire for population covering 193 primary indicators (health, social security, culture, public transport, utilities, environment, recreation and sport, public communication, education, etc). Even 23 indicators are about education that makes educational services a considerable part of all social service system. As the researchers aimed to analyze satisfaction of rural population with public services stressing the education issue, indicators about education dominated in the survey. The data were collected in 2016 - 2017 in 2 regional municipalities: municipalities: Jonava and Radviliskis (N=2368). The results of the analysis demonstrate that rural residents' satisfaction with formal general education services is relatively high. The only negative exception is the "the placement of a child in a pre-school institution based on the place of residence". Furthermore, rural residents poorly evaluated educational services that are related to non-formal education, adult education, the education of children with disabilities, child safety, meaningful xtracurricular activities of children and young people during all day, preventive programs. These major conclusions let the researchers state that local self-governmental institutions are not capable to cope with the quality challenges of some educational services without special intervention policy of the central government and the EU responsible structural units. A negative impact is also reinforced by a rapidly deteriorating demographic situation in Lithuanian rural areas.
BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES IN INCREASING RURAL EMPLOYMENT: LABOUR RESOURCES AND SELECTED POLICY INSTRUMENTS. THE CASE OF EU COHESION POLICY AND COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY INTERVENTIONS IN POLAND
Authors: DUDEK Michał , KARWAT-WOŹNIAK Bożena
Published: March 2018

An important feature of many rural markets is the over-supply of labour. An insufficient number of jobs in rural areas is usually associated with the shortage of capital, companies, consumers and skilled workers, i.e. limited impact of the agglomeration effect. Additionally, in regions with structural changes in agriculture, the phenomenon of increased or hidden unemployment is visible. One of the important objectives of labour market policy in Poland was a promotion of employment, especially in peripheral, poor and agricultural territories. Along with the accession of Poland to the EU, both agricultural and cohesion policy instruments supported by the structural funds have also been aimed at resolving the problems of rural labour markets. They concerned mainly the diversification of agricultural activities, support of entrepreneurship, as well as development of knowledge and skills. The paper considers the barriers and challenges in increasing employment in rural Poland. In particular, the changes on local rural labour markets and the influence of relevant policy tools thereon have been studied. The study is based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the public statistics and information on the implementation of selected EU CAP and Cohesion Policy instruments in Poland from the period 2007-2014 and the literature of the subject. The study showed that, despite the favourable economic situation and the effects of projects aimed at creating and maintaining non-agricultural jobs in rural areas supported by the EU founds, the rural employment rate and the number of people employed in agriculture did not increase significantly. In this context, the paper provides the explanation of limited improvements in terms of rural employment and policy offers recommendations in this area.
DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCER GROUPS IN POLAND – MAZOVIA CASE STUDY
Authors: STAWICKI Maciej , WOJEWÓDZKA-WIEWIÓRSKA Agnieszka
Published: March 2018

The aim of the paper was to present the development of agricultural producer groups in Mazovia - region in Central Poland with capital of the Voivodeship in Warsaw. Data and literature analysis, interviews and descriptive methods were used. In the first part the authors present theoretical background of cooperation in agriculture based on social capital. The second part presents the main results of the research: the quantitative development of producer groups in the period 2007-2017, the structure of agricultural products produced by the groups and their legal forms. Currently most of groups operate as limited liability companies and co-operatives. Also the main benefits and barriers concerning creation and development of agricultural producer groups were identified. The main barriers were unwillingness to cooperate, mistrust, and high administrative and legal burdens. On the basis of the study – in order to help develop agricultural groups - it is recommended to strengthen social capital in the rural areas (especially important is overcoming mental barriers and development of trust), educate farmers (management, accounting, etc.) and promote good practice. The conclusions of the study may be applicable in countries where producer groups’ development is low (as Lithuania).
A COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFI-CIENCY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF CURRENT UNDERGRAD-UATE STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GENERATION Z: RURAL VERSUS URBAN STUDENTS
Authors: URBONIENĖ Jūratė , KOVERIENĖ Indrė
Published: March 2018

Understanding the audience is the key to successful communication. Therefore, an effective teacher has to consider manifold differences among the students in any given classroom: the characteristics of the students, the mindset of the generation, the variety of learning styles, the students’ needs and goals, and their educational background. Since Aleksandras Stulginskis University (ASU) awards the degrees in food sciences and agriculture, a sizeable part of the students come to study from rural areas. Recent educational research in the USA, UK and Lithuania have revealed a significant difference in the academic performance of the students from rural and urban areas, however, it is still an unresolved problem for the educational institutions in Lithuania. This area has an insubstantial amount of research documented. Thus, the current research aims at investigating the relationship between the location of the school, a student graduated from, and the results of the English Language Diagnostic Test as well as analysing the academic performance of the Agronomy Faculty students through the 2nd, 3rd and 4th semesters. The study focuses on our current undergraduate students - the always-connected, app-happy, smartphone-dependent, born with the Internet, technology, and social media Generation Z. The research methods involve the statistical and comparative analyses of the urban and rural student academic performance (diagnostic test results, examination grades of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th semesters) in the English language; the theoretical assumptions based on the related scientific literature and documents on educational statistics, and the investigation of motivational factors influencing the academic performance of the Generation Z students in line with the processed survey results. The research was initiated in 2015, student academic performance was monitored through the period from 2015 to 2017, and the survey was administered in 2017. The research findings indicate that students from rural schools have an inferior level of the English language compared to the students that finished schools in urban areas, whereas the examination results through the second, third and fourth semesters unveiled an unexpected tendency. Figures show that students from rural schools not only managed to catch up with their colleagues from urban schools, but also outperformed their urban-school peers by roughly increasing rates of their performance. The research evidence could aid teachers and education policy makers, providing a better understanding of Generation Z students from rural and urban areas and factors influencing students' performance.