bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation into the difficulties in reading comprehension skills experienced byfirst-year English-majored students at school of foreign languages
Authors: Hoang Thu Thi , Nguyen Uyen Thi
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to explore the difficulties in English reading comprehension skills experienced by first-year English-majored students at School of Foreign Languages (SFL) in Thai Nguyen. This is done by answering two questions: “What difficulties do the first-year English-majored students meet when dealing with reading lessons and What are feasible solutions to overcome these difficulties?” One hundred and fifty first-year English-majored students were involved in answering the survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent to the students with a Google form link due to COVID-19. The data was collected within one day and analyzed through the descriptive statistical percentage Microsoft Office Excel 2013. The results of the study show that most of the students dealt with three main types of problems such as the area of linguistics, reading strategies, and psychology. Reading strategies are considered to be the most difficult among the three factors above and students often find it hard to guess meaning from the context, skim and scan. To solve these problems, teachers should provide students with more chances to practise reading strategies so they can use them in the right way to improve their reading comprehension and do well in their study.
Comparative analyis of cost and return of improved cassava production in Awka South LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Cecilia Nwigwe , Akaninyene Obot , Maurice Ozor , Loveth Nwabueze
Published: February 2023

IITA developed several new varieties during 1976-1985 for the benefit of cassava farmers. The study had four specific objectives which described the socio-economic characteristics of the cassava farmers, identify the perception of cassava farmers on the IITA improved varieties, ascertain the cost and profitability of cassava production and the constraints faced by the farmers. A multi stage and purposive sampling method was used in the selection of 100 respondents, 50 adopters and 50 non-adopters of IITA intervention in the study area. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents and these data were analyzed using gross margin, likert and descriptive analysis (frequency, percentage and mean). The result showed that majority of cassava farmers in the study area were male and majority of them were married. The mean farm size was 1.8ha which implied that production was in a small scale in the study area. The result also revealed the net return for adopters was N230,800 and N146,000 for non-adopters, which denoted that cassava production was more profitable to the adopters of the improved cassava varieties. The result further revealed that the inadequate information on availability of planting materials was the main constraints faced by the cassava farmers. This study concluded that the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) improved cassava varieties increased the profitability of cassava production. Therefore, it is recommended that extension agents should train and encourag farmers to use IITA varieties to increase their profitability in the study area.
Impact of International Trade on Economic Growth in Kenya
Authors: Mohamed Ali Dahir
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates the impact of international trade on the economic growth of Kenya by using the autoregressive distributive lag model (ARDL) approach with long-run and short-run coefficients, bound tests, and an error correction model. The study further adopts significant exchange rate, export, import, and gross domestic product (GDP) effects on Kenyan economic growth. The augmented dickey Fuller (ADF) test for unit root revealed that the series was of a different order, differing at the level and first differing to check stationarity to meet the intended goals. Data sources included World Bank and IMF data from 1970 to 2019. The result revealed that the exchange rate and import are positively associated with the gross domestic product (GDP), the exchange rate is positive and statistically significant, and export is negatively related to the gross domestic product (GDP) and is statistically insignificant. To boost exports, Kenya must continue its bilateral, regional, and international trade activities; offer technical and funding provisions to micro, small, and medium-sized initiatives in value chains and companies manufacturing the identified talented export goods; and support the progress of market- and product-specific initiatives.
Non-Destructive Testing in the Strategic Research on the Performance of Bridges
Authors: Souza Sílvia Roberta , Fajardo Abner Araújo , Camargos Ivana Maria Soares de , Lopes Mateus Felipe Barbosa , Barbosa Maria Teresa Gomes , Garcia Dayana Cristina Silva , Santos White José dos
Published: February 2023

The main purpose of bridges is to overcome physical obstacles and improve territorial mobility, therefore, knowledge of their particularities is required, such as project design, inspection and execution, maintenance service plans and others. The aim of the research is to carry out a survey of the main pathological manifestations in three reinforced concrete highway bridges (HB) – built in different years, namely: 1927, 1960 and 2018. The qualification and quantification of the anomalies were carried out and, after that, the prioritization matrix was used, which allows obtaining strategies to ensure the safeguard of the HBs. The methodology used, data collection and detailed inspection of the structure, i.e., non-destructive testing, proved to be appropriate to assess the conditions of the HBs, and also allowed to present results related to recovery services and the necessary maintenance. The pathological manifestations in older bridges are the result of project and building errors, as well as lack of maintenance service.
guerrilla antifranquista en la novela española. "Las noches sin estrellas" (1961) de Nino Quevedo
Authors: Ripoll Sintes Blanca
Published: February 2023

El “Premio Nadal 1960” fue concedido a la faulkneriana novela de Ramiro Pinilla Las ciegas hormigas y, en un humilde tercer puesto, quedó, enmascarada por ciertos comentarios de la crítica contemporánea, una de las primeras novelas escritas en la España de posguerra en torno a la vida de la guerrilla antifranquista: Las noches sin estrellas, de Nino Quevedo. Reivindicar esta novela, totalmente desconocida por el gran público, no sólo es un deber para el investigador de la literatura sino una respuesta a un interés general hacia este fenómeno: es curiosamente circular el hecho de que el último “Premio Nadal” haya sido concedido a la obra de Alicia Giménez Bartlett, Donde nadie te encuentre, basada en la vida de la “Pastora” la guerrillera más buscada por la guardia civil; o que la obra de Almudena Grandes, Inés o la alegría, transcurra a lo largo de una fallida invasión del maquis a la Vall d’Aran.
Poesía mapuche: deslindes sobre una textualidad fronteriza.
Authors: Millares Selena
Published: February 2023

En las últimas décadas, la poesía mapuche traducida al castellano ha iluminado un espacio de escritura casi desconocido anteriormente, por corresponder a una cultura marginada y a una lengua ágrafa. La invención de un alfabeto mapuche y la edición de versiones bilingües será el fundamento de un diálogo fértil entre dos culturas fronterizas, la mapuche y la criolla.
novela interesante o la verdad de las novelas entre Romanticismo y Realismo
Authors: Comellas Mercedes
Published: February 2023

El trabajo trata de perseguir lo que se entendía por interés novelesco (criterio con el que se definió el género de la novela) durante las decisivas décadas que separan una de las primeras publicaciones románticas (El Artista de 1835) de los comienzos galdosianos reseñados en La Ilustración de Madrid (1870). El recorrido parte del magisterio de Alberto Lista y combina las opiniones que en trabajos y artículos diversos publicaron autores contemporáneos (entre otros, López Soler, Martínez de la Rosa, Mesonero, Fernando Vera, Pedro de Madrazo, Larra, Gil y Zárate o Milá y Fontanals), centrándose particularmente en la obra crítica de Eugenio de Ochoa, discípulo de Lista, cofundador de El Artista y reseñista de Galdós. Las variaciones que sufrió el criterio de interés reflejan los profundos cambios habidos en la concepción y función de la novela.
Ediciones francesas de Rubén Darío
Authors: Paredes Alberto
Published: February 2023

Seis de las obras de Rubén Darío tuvieron su primera edición en Francia. Esto es un hecho conocido. Lo que este ensayo ofrece por la primera vez es el examen sistemático y exhaustivo de los datos editoriales declarados en los ejemplares confrontándolos con los catálogos y repertorios legales y profesionales franceses. El resultado muestra que no hay correspondencia exacta sino irregularidades y lagunas. Al mismo tiempo en este ensayo Paredes comenta una serie de particularidades sobre la biblioteconomía francesa, no siempre conocidas por los hispanistas. El texto concluye con observaciones sobre detalles poco atendidos concernientes a esas seis obras darianas.
De aristócrata a socialista: María Vinyals, escritora, periodista y oradora
Authors: Ezama Gil Ángeles
Published: February 2023

En este trabajo abordo el estudio de la escritura de María Vinyals, más conocida como la aristocrática marquesa de Ayerbe y la socialista María de Lluria, una mujer comprometida con el tema de la educación, el feminismo y el socialismo. María escribió una obra histórica (El castillo del marqués de Mos en Sotomayor), una novela (Rebelión), una docena de cuentos, una traducción y varios textos memorialísticos; con ellos se sitúa en la estela de escritoras aristócratas de su tiempo como la duquesa de Alba o la marquesa de Bolaños. Lo más interesante de su escritura son, sin embargo, sus artículos periodísticos (sobre todo los publicados en El Fígaro y El Socialista), que evidencian su compromiso con las causas mencionadas: son la cara de una moneda cuya cruz la conforman los varios discursos que pronunció a lo largo de los años.
Fanfarria para el hombre común. Los orígenes del teatro comercial europeo
Authors: Allen John
Published: February 2023

Las obras de Shakespeare y sus coetáneos presentaban la historia de Power on Display, como reza el título de un libro de Leonard Tennenhouse. En Madrid durante la misma época, Cervantes y otros dramaturgos montaron La Numancia, Fuenteovejuna y El alcalde de Zalamea, obras que se compaginan más con el gobierno de Sancho Panza en la isla de Barataria que con los dilemas históricos de los aristócratas de las obras de Shakespeare. Las quejas de Cervantes y Lope del poder del vulgo en los corrales de Madrid surgieron por la forma en que se financiaban las producciones, que dependían de una combinación extrañísima de unos pagos mensuales de los dueños de las casas a cada lado del corral junto con las entradas diarias de los mosqueteros del patio.
Azorín ante los personajes del Quijote
Authors: Baquero Escudero Ana L.
Published: February 2023

El interés por los clásicos de Martínez Ruiz queda plasmado a lo largo de su dilatada trayectoria literaria; del mismo destaca, con singular relieve, Cervantes y su obra. A partir de una previa contextualización histórica sobre el cervantismo de su época, el presente trabajo acota, pues, tan solo una pequeña parcela de la abundante producción de temática cervantina de Azorín, para analizar tanto sus interpretaciones y valoraciones críticas, como su creación literaria dedicada a los personajes del Quijote.
Parcos en promesas y largos en obras: las aportaciones del Boletín de la Biblioteca de Menéndez Pelayo al estudio de Lope de Vega
Authors: Gómez Sánchez-Ferrer Guillermo
Published: February 2023

Con motivo de los cien años de existencia del Boletín de la Biblioteca de Menéndez Pelayo, parece oportuno volver los ojos a las principales aportaciones de la revista. En ese sentido, el presente trabajo ofrece una revisión y puesta al día del valor de los artículos publicados en ella que tratan, directa o indirectamente, de la vida y obra de Lope de Vega. Para cumplir con nuestro propósito, resumiremos en estas páginas los aspectos más destacados de los principales estudios lopescos aparecidos en las páginas del Boletín, señalaremos su repercusión entre los posteriores investigadores del Siglo de Oro (en los casos en que esta sea claramente relevante) y trataremos de subrayar los aspectos más sugerentes de cada uno de ellos en relación con las principales líneas de investigación de la actualidad.
Development of Testing Protocol for Cripple Wall Components (PEER-CEA Project)
Authors: Zareian Farzin , Lanning Joel
Published: February 2023

This report is one of a series of reports documenting the methods and findings of a multi-year, multi-disciplinary project coordinated by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER) and funded by the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). The overall project is titled “Quantifying the Performance of Retrofit of Cripple Walls and Sill Anchorage in Single-Family Wood-Frame Buildings,” henceforth referred to as the “PEER–CEA Project.” The overall objective of the PEER–CEA project is to provide scientifically-based information (e.g., testing, analysis, and resulting loss models) that measure and assess the effectiveness of seismic retrofit to reduce the risk of damage and associated losses (repair costs) of wood-frame houses with cripple wall and sill anchorage deficiencies as well as retrofitted conditions that address those deficiencies. Tasks that support and inform the loss-modeling effort are: (1) collecting and summarizing existing information and results of previous research on the performance of wood-frame houses; (2) identifying construction features to characterize alternative variants of wood-frame houses; (3) characterizing earthquake hazard and ground motions at representative sites in California; (4) developing cyclic loading protocols and conducting laboratory tests of cripple wall panels, wood-frame wall subassemblies, and sill anchorages to measure and document their response (strength and stiffness) under cyclic loading; and (5) the computer modeling, simulations, and the development of loss models as informed by a workshop with claims adjustors. This report is a product of Working Group 3.2 and focuses on Loading Protocol Development for Component Testing. It presents the background, development process, and recommendations for a quasi-static loading protocol to be used for cyclic testing of cripple wall components of wood-frame structures. The recommended loading protocol was developed for component testing to support the development of experimentally informed analytical models for cripple wall components. These analytical models are utilized for the performance-based assessment of wood-frame structures in the context of the PEER–CEA Project. The recommended loading protocol was developed using nonlinear dynamic analysis of representative multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems subjected to sets of single-component ground motions that varied in location and hazard level. Cumulative damage of the cripple wall components of the MDOF systems was investigated. The result is a testing protocol that captures the loading history that a cripple wall may experience in various seismic regions in California.
A Historical Study of Prostitution
Authors: Bhat Rashid Manzoor
Published: February 2023

Since the beginning of time, the history of romantic relationships between men and women has been one of the most fascinating and complex. Hugging and sexual intercourse between men and women is an example of a romantic act that can take many forms. Different countries' policies on prostitution, such as legal and illegal forms, have been widely disseminated. Various forms of prostitution, such as consensual and forced prostitution, will be discussed here. Every country and every type of society has had some form of prostitution at some point in its history. It is an age old social evil. Kautilya in Arthashastra refers to the ganikas as an indispensable factor in royal courts and in India, it became institution in the post Vedic period Prostitution was an organized profession and was a source of revenue to the State in ancient times. A prostitute is a woman who sells herself for sexual purpose to a great number of men in succession and with little or no choice among them. This article is prepared through analytical and archival method of research.
Development Communication within Maqasid Al Shariah Framework: Some Preliminary Ideas
Authors: Iguda phd Sunusi
Published: February 2023

An attempt is made in this Submission to examine Development Communication within the context of Maqasid al Shariah "higher goals of Islamic Law "with a View to complementing the comprehension and wider application of the concept. The compatibility
of the two concepts seems to be congruent as their intents and dimensions are identical. It is hoped that the questions this paper sets out to address would open the door for more researches and discourses among scholars. Development communication was, in the early 1960s, part of the need to bring development to the third world societies. Early scholars believed that governments should invest in communication infrastructure and utilize the mass media institutions to create a climate of change for the farmers and the low income earners. The traditional barriers were regarded as factors that inhibited changes. Daniel Lerner himself said that Islam was a religion that was stopping progress in the Middle Eastern societies. This study would examine some of the tenets in development communication and would argue that Islam is a religion for progress Islam wants Muslims to be progressive. Development Communication seen within the context of Maqasid al Shariah would provide a clearer picture on and about Islamic principles and the type of progress the religion wants its followers to attain.
Country Image of Nigeria: A Preliminary Study of factors affecting the Perception of Nigeria in 21st century
Authors: Iguda PhD Sunusi
Published: February 2023

Purpose- This study aims to empirically identify the key factors affecting the perception of people about Nigeria as a country and its citizens.
Methodology- The study adopts a qualitative design using Focus group discussion as its instrument for data collection. Respondents were selected using purposive sampling technique. Four focus group discussions were conducted using four groups; a group for Nigerian nationals and groups for respondents from nine countries

Findings-The research found out that Nigeria as a country suffers from image crisis and reputation, and Nigerians in diaspora are largely perceived as people with questionable character. However, perceptions about a nation could change if people perceive positive image of that country or when the country leadership is proven credible, as respondents give very different responses after watching a 5-minute video clip about Nigeria.
Research limitations/implications-. The scope of the study which covered only three out of the seven continents calls for further study on the subject to cover a range of the seven continents for a more representative sample and outcome.
Practical implications- The outcome of this study will help policy makers and other stakeholders in rebranding campaigns for direct foreign investments, tourism industry and national orientation and development.
Social implications- Nigerians at home and at diaspora do have an informed way to be aware of how they are seen. This may help them to look inward and adjust their attitude to become good ambassadors of their countries so to gain respect and dignity through tackling all factors that damage their image in the eyes of other nationals.
Originality/value-Although studies were conducted on Nigeria’s image and rebranding projects, this study sought to probe the perception of other nationalities about Nigeria and Nigerians.
Media Convergence and the Change in Media Content Production and Distribution in Nigeria
Authors: Olaitan Ridwanullah Abdulhameed , Ali Bala Ruqayyah
Published: February 2023

The production, distribution, access, and reuse of information, knowledge, and entertainment by users have change as a result of media convergence. This has led to increased involvement, autonomy, and diversity. The growth of user-generated content and
people's transition from audience to participants is a significant change brought on by media convergence. Content that was formerly exclusive to particular communication media, such as print and broadcast, particularly newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and cinema, is now accessible to billions of people. This paradigm shift, brought about by technological advancement, has affected how individuals in society think, feel, act, and even how the society operates as a whole. This study thus identifies the key points of transition observed in the contemporary media. Anchored on technological determinism theory, the study argues that breaking news has now become instantaneous as a result of convergence. Although newspapers still go to sleep, their social media handles never do. Similarly, radio and television stations no longer wait for the news schedule to break the news. The challenge posed by media convergence has prompted conventional media to switch to a multimedia approach to content production and distribution. The major conventional media organizations now have social media handles where they break news
as well as source news. The study, however, recommends that the same professionalism displayed on conventional media platforms should be extended to their social media posts in the age of media convergence.
Internalization of Islamic Education Values for Children with Special Needs
Authors: Indriyani Lidia Tiyana
Published: February 2023

Children with special needs are those who have temporary or permanent special needs that require more intense educational services. This becomes very important for students, especially Children with Special Needs to be able to practice religious values in their lives, so that the goals of Islamic religious education are achieved. Physical, mental, social, intellectual and or social disabilities also have the same rights in terms of education, meaning that they are entitled to educational services so that they can carry out their functions as servants of Allah and in the end they will be able to have awareness and responsibility. This study aims to determine how to internalize the values of Islamic education in children with special needs. This research is a qualitative research, namely library research that uses books and other literature as the main topic. Descriptive analysis is needed for qualitative research. The results of the study reveal that efforts to familiarize the values of Islamic Religious Education in children with special needs provide examples continuously and then get used to it every day regularly, repeatedly and can also be habituation that is spontaneous. This continuous guidance in doing something is expected to become an inherent habit for students to get used to, including children with special needs, even though doing so requires a process, given the ability to accept children with different special needs.
Raising Responsible Children: Forms of Parental Concern in Providing Character Education
Authors: Sinaga Janes , Sinambela Juita Lusiana , Sompotan Dale Dompas , Siswanto Daniel , Pandiangan Kingston , Purba Beni Chandra
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this paper is so that every parent understands their role in providing the first education before or after the child enters formal education in general. Often parents leave education problems to their teachers at school, but parents forget that education must start at home and parents are the teachers. By providing the first education at home through parents, the parents will be able to properly direct what are the goals or aspirations of the parents towards their children, both formally and in character. If parents do not neglect this, there will be many children who can be educated properly and correctly according to the expectations of the parents in the future. The research was conducted using qualitative methods by collecting data from bibliography of books and scientific journals as well as online media. It is hoped that this research can increase parental awareness in providing the first education to their children
Analisis Metode Economic Order Quantity, Safety Stock, Reorder Point, dan Cost of Inventory dalam Mengoptimalkan Manajemen Persediaan Umkm Bakso Pedas
Authors: Itsna R Niswah , Nirwana A Intan , Widya P Revita , Bastomi Mohamad
Published: February 2023

When running a business, management is an important thing to be carried out by all UMKM actors. UMKM Spicy Meatballs is a business engaged in the culinary or food sector. The purpose of this study was to determine the application of merchandise inventory management and to find out the efforts made in anticipating merchandise losses at Unisma's Spicy Meatballs. The type of research used is field research using a qualitative approach and as a source of information in this research is the seller of Spicy Meatballs beside the unisma campus where it is in the food court. During the research, a qualitative method was applied by conducting direct interviews with the owner of Spicy Meatballs to obtain the data used in calculating inventory. Therefore, this study tries to calculate ordering costs and storage costs for Spicy Meatballs using the EOQ method, in order to assist owners in managing their inventory. The results of the Spicy Meatball UMKM research show that the EOQ method can help Spicy Meatball UMKM in minimizing the cost of ordering supplies. The EOQ method also helps owners find out the optimal number and frequency of orders
Web-Based Cash Receipt Accounting System Using the Direct Posting Method (Case Study: SD Putra Nirmala - Cirebon)
Authors: Suwandi  , Hatta Muhamamd , Septian Willy Eka , Nurhana Gytha
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to make an application for cash receipts for paying tuition fees, building fees and uniform payments at Putra Nirmala Elementary School, Cirebon City. The research method used is the direct posting method, in which cash receipts transactions are recorded directly in the general journal and ledger. This research topic is very important for the school, because it can help manage cash inflows in a computerized manner. The result of this study is the establishment of a cash receipts application that can help schools by using the direct post bookkeeping method. By making this application, it can help the management of Putra Nirmala Elementary School, Cirebon City, in managing cash inflows from paying tuition fees, building fees and uniform payments
ANALYSE OF EXPLOSION CHARACTERISTICS OF WOOD DUST CLOUDS IN DEPENDENCE OF THE PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Jurca Adrian Marius , Paraian Mihaela , Radu Mirela Ancuta , Popa Mihai Catalin , Gabor Dan
Published: February 2023

Many processes involving dusts, suspended or accumulated, have the potential to lead to fire, explosion or decomposition in the presence of oxygen and an ignition source. The risk of dust explosions increases as more and more products take the form of dusts or require the use of dusts during manufacture. In spite of extensive research and development to prevent and mitigate dust explosions in the process industries, this phenomenon continues to represent a constant hazard to industries including manufacturing, using and handling of combustible dust material.
The purpose of explosion preventing and protection measures is to prevent explosion occurrence, by eliminating or avoiding the conditions leading to explosions. The dust explosion and combustion characteristics are required to be known, in order to suitably choose and draw up the preventive and protection measures. Once known, the protection/prevention measures can be correlated with the safety characteristics.
The aim of this paper is to analyze of explosion and combustion characteristics of wood dust clouds in dependence of the particle size distribution. The paper shows the importance of knowing the explosive characteristics of dusts and identifying the factors of influence in obtaining the results.
ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDE AND HEAVY METAL RESIDUES IN HONEY BY GC/ECD AND GF-AAS: COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT PRODUCTION AREAS FROM ROMANIA
Authors: Cristea Ramona , Sandru Claudia , Popescu Diana Ionela
Published: February 2023

Residues of pesticides and HM, used in bees care or in crop fields, have negative effects on the health of bees and humans and of the antimicrobial properties of the honey. Investigation of HM and pesticides is vital, since the use of chemical solutions has �rise up� significantly. Our aim was to investigate whether the level of contaminants in honey (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, As, using GC/ECD and GF-AAS) and pesticides: ?-HCH, ?-HCH, ? -HCH, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, DDE, DDD, and DDT, alpha -Endosulfan, carbofuran, pirimicarb (by gas chromatography with electron capture determination). Iron (max. 0.76725 mg / kg), Zinc, Lead Copper Cadmium, Arsenic have lower values than the maximum allowed; 0.01 mg/ kg is the maximum allowed for pesticides; exception is max. 0.05 mg / kg for DDD, DDT, DDE, Carbofuran and Pirimicarb. The average of the resulting values exceeds the maximum allowed in many cases to four decimal places, as follows: Alpha HCH (max. 0.0158mg / kg), Beta HCH and HCH (by 10-15%), Aldrin (double), alpha endo-sulfan (three times than maximum). Endrin was not detected in any honey samples. Organochlorines in the pp DDE range were below the maximum (0.05 mg / kg). The pyrimicarbon showed lower values. The values determined are not dangerous for the human.
ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL RESISTANCE OF TREE SPECIES OF PLANTS IN THE CONDITIONS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
Authors: Nesterova Natalia
Published: February 2023

The state of tree species growing in the conditions of Kyiv is analyzed. An integrated scale for ranking the level of stability according to the modified one is proposed we identified the Lapin scale and identified tree species with high adaptive properties to drought and water scarcity in the context of global climate change.
BIOCHAR ENHANCES ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT GENES REMOVAL FROM AQUEOUS ECOSYSTEMS
Authors: Danilova Natalia , Karamova Kamalya , Galitskaya Polina
Published: February 2023

Pollution of aquatic ecosystems with antibiotic-resistant genes originating from human medicine and veterinary is an urgent problem due to the potential threaten to public health. Antibiotic-resistant genes enter surface waters and wastewater through vertical and horizontal water runoff. At the same time, heavy metals and biogenic substances often presented in aqueous ecosystems often exacerbate the problem since the drive the horizontal transfer of antibiotic-resistance genes. To solve the problem of purification of waters from antibiotic-resistant genes, the adsorbing agents, such as biochar, might be used. In this work, we studied the effect of biochar on the dynamics of the content of tetracycline-resistant genes in a liquid LB medium with a microbial community transferred to the medium from compost. The following additives were used - Cu (600 �g*l-1), Cd (130 �g*l-1), Ni (70 �g*l-1), Fe (1500 �g*l-1), humic acids (6%), oxytetracycline (300 mg/l). Real-time PCR revealed the absence of the tet(O) gene both in all variants with and without biochar. The highest excesses over control were found for the tet(M) and tet(C) genes. The introduction of biochar made it possible to reduce the content of antibiotic-resistant genes in all samples with different additives. Thus, in the variant with Cd, the content of the tet(A), tet(B), tet(C) � tet(S) gene was eliminated. The tet(�), tet(E) � tet(S) genes were completely absent in the sample with antibiotic.
BIOMONITORING OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION THROUGH NEEDLES AND CONIFER BARK IN INDUSTRIAL AND URBAN AREAS OF THE JIU VALLEY
Authors: Szollosi-Mo?a Andrei , Prodan Maria , Nalboc Vasilica Irina , Suvar Niculina Sonia , Ianc Nicolae
Published: February 2023

Certain studies have determined specific conifers, which can be found in urban and industrial areas can be used to monitor the degree of air pollution being used for passive biomonitoring processes. The needles and bark of conifers taken from the industrial and urban areas of the Jiu Valley, mercury, chromium) and arsenic, after acid mineralization of the samples of pine bark (Pinus sp.), spruce (Picea Abies) and thuja (Thuja Occidentalis) and those taken from these conifers in the urban area and in the vicinity of the industrial units in the Jiu Valley.
The processing of experimental data allowed the use of conifers to detect the accumulation and degree of heavy metal pollution. The results of this study show that the highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in areas with heavy traffic, as well as in the vicinity of industrial areas, the Jiu Valley, being an area with a highly developed mining industry. The lowest concentrations of heavy metals in the analyzed samples were found in the vicinity of recreational areas and parks.
BIOTOPE PREFERENCES OF OICEOPTOMA THORACICUM (COLEOPTERA: SILPHIDAE)
Authors: Jakubec Pavel , Montoya-Molina Santiago , Qubaiova Jarin , Novak Martin , Vetrovska Martina
Published: February 2023

Biotope or habitat preferences are important species characteristics that can be used for understanding their ecology, as well as their conservation, and even as a tool for crime investigations for detection of post-mortem body manipulation. However, the characterization of species� habitat preferences can be difficult. There are several limiting factors like lack of quantitative data and reliance on anecdotal evidence for this trait. Further, we must consider the reaction to the border between two neighboring habitats. These ecotones are important biodiversity hotspots in the landscape, which combine characteristics of both habitats, but some specialist species seem to avoid them. To characterize habitat preference of the potentially forensically important necrophagous beetle Oiceoptoma thoracicum (Linnaeus, 1758), we set up an experiment in the transition zone between the meadow and forest habitat. The individuals of O. thoracicum were collected using baited pitfall traps across two habitats and at ecotone. The traps were exposed for two weeks after which the samples were taken to the laboratory, where they were sorted and the specimens of O. thoracicum were sexed and counted. The obtained data were evaluated by a generalized linear model to establish the relationship between the presence and abundance of the focal species and distance from the ecotone. We found that the abundance of the species significantly changes along the forest-meadow gradient and shows a preference for woods. Its abundances at the ecotone and on meadows was low, showing a clear preference for forest habitats. This has important implications for the forensic use of the species, as it can be used to detect post-mortem body manipulation.
CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH BARCODING METHOD
Authors: Szaboova Dana , Stubnova Eliska Gburova , Kautmanova Ivona
Published: February 2023

The DNA barcoding project provides a very quick and easy way to identify different types of organisms based on their DNA. The main objective of this study is to obtain the sequences of different species of fungi, plants and animals to map the biodiversity of Slovakia. This project also represents a new use for collections stored in natural history museums around the world. This paper shows in particular a laboratory view of the DNA barcoding project, such as the practical application of the methodology for different groups of organisms, the possibilities of using different genes and emphasizes the importance of professional taxonomists. In the museum, we deal with a wide range of samples and we encounter various difficulties. For example, some genera of fungi contain unreadable sections in the middle of the sequence, in insect groups it is a problem with samples killed with ethyl acetate or too old samples, where the DNA is mostly degraded. For the amplification of bird samples, we have found no consistent method for the whole group and we work with several different primer sets and conditions to be able to amplify most of the samples. The identification of various plant species according to their barcodes has also proven quite difficult, as plants are a very specific and fast-evolving group of organisms, and their distinction according to the short barcode regions is nearly impossible. Therefore, we would like to emphasize the necessity of cooperation with specialized taxonomists. Our data are continuously uploaded to the international BOLD database, where there are already more than 500 different species of a wide range of groups of fungi, plants and animals from Slovakia.
ECOLOGICAL STATE ASSESSMENT OF THE DANUBE DELTA
Authors: Dutu Laura , Grosu Dumitru , Dutu Florin , Catianis Irina
Published: February 2023

The paper presents the results of the water quality of the St. George branch, one of three Danube River distributaries, using the combined physical and chemical analyses from June 2017. Three cutoff meander reaches (the Mahmudia, Upper Dunavat and Lower Dunavat meanders) were selected to assess the water ecological state. The cut-offs of the meanders by navigational canals since 1984�1988 caused significant changes in the distribution of the water discharge. Water samples were acquired throughout several cross-sections of both natural and artificial canals of the three rectified meanders, in order to investigate the physical and chemical characteristics of the water. The analyse of the physical and chemical parameters, such as water temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, degree of mineralization, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, suspended sediments, sulphate, chlorophyll �a�, hydrogen sulfide, etc., has shown the predominance of the good ecological state of the water for nitrites and nitrates and lowquality state for phosphates. The water quality assessment was made according to Order 161/2006 [1]. The conclusions regarding the ecological state of the study area could be drawn by observing the water quality variations as conditioned by the position of the sampling points and distance to the main channel.
EFFICIENT RISK COMMUNICATION TO STRENGTHEN THE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN THE ACHIEVEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS. A CASE IN THE APUSENI MOUNTAINS, ROMANIA
Authors: Stefanescu Lucrina , Meltzer Monika , Alexandrescu Filip
Published: February 2023

Risk communication facilitates the understanding of risks by the local communities and results in a higher acceptance degree of the people regarding the management of risks. Constant communication between all stakeholders on topics like community sustainable development (including environmental risk management) leads to a better local governance and a higher public engagement in the problems of the community, leading to improved behavior patterns. Moreover, broader and more effective community engagement is greatly encouraged in the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development through citizen science and community-based participatory research initiatives. In complex contexts, citizen science appears as an indispensable tool given the historical and micro-spatial patterning of environmental problems. This paper focuses on a case which includes three former/still active mining areas and it aims to identify the stakeholders involved in risk communication, their main themes of interest and some tailored methods for public participation, in line with their needs and opinions on the existing risks. The results of the research in these areas revealed a high potential for learning in the local mining communities and their openness towards scientific information and citizen science initiatives. This is a potential that could be capitalized for a higher public engagement in the management of environmental issues of the area and for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.
USING RIAM AND GIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (A CASE STUDY ON A NATURAL PROTECTED AREA IN ROMANIA)
Authors: Muntean Octavian-Liviu , Arghius Viorel , Macicasan Vlad , Malos Cristian , Rosian Gheorghe
Published: February 2023

Environmental impact assessment is a complex scientific process that often exceeds procedural and legislative aspects. The data and information used in the EIA derive from various sources, so they must be integrated using an appropriate methodology. The established assessment methods are Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) and Geographic Information System (GIS), each allowing the integration of observations, data, and environmental information. The present study aims to apply RIAM and GIS to the impact assessment on the natural protected area in Romania (ROSCI0227 (Sighi?oara - Tarnava Mare, part of the European Ecological Network NATURA 2000). This area has large geodiversity and biodiversity represented by eighteen natural habitats (e.g., wood pastures, shrubs, and old forests) and over thirty-six threatened species of flora and fauna (e.g., amphibians, bats, birds, and mammals). Although it has the status of conservation of flora, fauna species, and habitats, the analyzed natural area is subject to evident anthropogenic pressures and threats. The presence of old human settlements, transport infrastructure networks, and traditional rural and urban industrial activities are factors for generating and amplifying anthropogenic impacts on the environment and protected biodiversity. The integrated evaluation methodology allows for obtaining matrixes based on a mix of quantitative and qualitative geographical and ecological data. The interpolation action of these scores (based on the Inverse Distance Interpolated Method) results in a thematic map of impacts. This methodology has the advantage of rapid implementation and transparency, even if the experts� opinions prevail in the approach and interpretation of environmental impacts.
EXAMINATION OF URBAN AREAS DROUGHT VULNERABILITY. A TETEVEN TOWN CASE STUDY
Authors: Chilikova-Lubomirova Mila
Published: February 2023

Climate and weather play significant role in the urban areas function. They impact on the social and economy life, on the environment and infrastructure, on the biodiversity. That`s why the occurrence of extreme or untypical events is a challenge. Droughts are part of these processes. They are prolonged events that can lead to serious harmful impacts. For this purpose of importance is the becoming of reliable knowledge about such behaviour that can serve as a base for the selection of appropriate prevention and mitigation measures. This is possible by the implementation of recent scientific studies in the area that refer best to local specifics.
In help of professionals and decision makers in the area this paper focuses on the droughts phenomena in urban areas. It observes the problem as a part of the climateenvironmental nexus. In this context the droughts vulnerability is examined in an integrated way, considering the main aspects and scientific approaches for droughts diagnostics. To illustrate the process in the material are summarized the results of a droughts study for one Bulgarian town � Teteven, situated in the northern slopes of the central Balkan in the Beli Vit river valley. For this reason it is implemented an integrated set of drought indicators that can ensure in parallel the detecting of meteorological and hydrological droughts and to serve for droughts vulnerability evaluation.
FOOD SPECTRUM OF THREE FISH SPECIES FROM THE MUGILIDAE FAMILY IN BRACKISH WATER ALONG THE BULGARIAN BLACK SEA COAST
Authors: Bekova Radoslava , Prodanov Bogdan
Published: February 2023

The food spectrum of three fish species from the Mugilidae family in different age groups was studied. The samples were collected in 2019 - 2021 from the river estuaries and the coastal brackish lakes at the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The research aims to establish the food spectrum of mullets and thus make a connection between food components. The results show that the predominant groups in the stomachs of the three mullet species are detritus, zoobenthos (Rissoa sp. And Trochammina inflate - 64.28%) and macrophytes (Cladophoraceae family - 53.14%). Several potential toxic species were also found: Amphora coffeaeformis, Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima, Pseudonitzschia seriata, Prorocentrum cordatum, E. pyriformis, P. minimum, Protoperidinium crassipes. For the first time along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, in the stomachs of mullet fish, the presence of particles (less than 2.5 cm) from the category "Artificial polymers" was observed. The most common in the stomachs of mullet are macrophytes of the family Ulvaceae - 45.5%; family Cladophoraceae - 35.5%; from phytoplankton - Navicula spp (97.09%); of zoobenthos: Nematoda g.sp. - 49.3% and Trochammina inflate - 32.3%.
GEOPARKS AS A BASIS FOR THE INTEGRATED CONSERVATION OF ECOSYSTEMS, CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF ECOTOURISM
Authors: Naydenov Kliment
Published: February 2023

Geopark is a region that has a complex special protected status, on the territory of which the geological history of the Earth, the formation of local landscapes, expressive geological formations, and layers of fossil fauna are clearly revealed. A geopark is not only a geological heritage, but also habitats for biological species, interconnected ecosystems, it is a cultural and historical heritage. Geopark is a favorable environment for the development of ecotourism and related business. UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas that represent geological landscapes and promote sustainable development of regions based on local initiatives. They help in monitoring and raising awareness of the issue of climate change and natural disasters. In addition, many geoparks assist local communities in developing disaster mitigation strategies. The importance of the development and management of the new category of protected area "geopark" and the growing importance of geological heritage for the economy of underdeveloped regions through the development of geotourism and other alternative forms of sustainable tourism: cultural tourism, rural tourism, ecotourism. First of all, the article considers the model of geoparks as an opportunity to preserve the geological, natural, cultural heritage, and secondly, the model of geoparks is considered as a model for effective and sustainable development of the territory, where all areas, including education and science, develop in symbiosis, the heritage is preserved, thirdly, it is an effective model for organizing the tourist flow and promoting sites on the territory of geoparks.
GREEN COMPETITIVENESS IN WASTE MANAGEMENT IN URBAN SOCIETY
Authors: Ameir Omar
Published: February 2023

Climate change and environmental degradation pose an existential threat to the EU and the world. The aim of the Green Agreement for Europe is to make Europe climate neutral by 2050, to support the economy through green technologies, to create a sustainable industry and transport and to reduce pollution. Turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities will make the transformation fair and inclusive. The European Commission is helping EU Member States to design and implement reforms that support ecological transformation and contribute to achieving the goals of the Green Agreement for Europe. It also helps to design the necessary procedures in central and local administrations and to set up the coordination structures necessary to implement environmental policies. The aim of this article was to propose possible strategies for the use and support of the competitiveness of companies in the Czech Republic in meeting the objectives of the European Union. In the interests of competitiveness, this contribution leads to the strengthening of the SME sector, the reduction of market barriers, the facilitation of foreign investment and trade, the development of research and innovation, better management of public-private partnerships and the optimization of state-owned enterprises.