Digital Color Images as a Tool for the Sustainable Use of Embroidery Elements from Folk Costumes

The aim of the research is to improve the public’s assessment and understanding of the cultural values and history of Bulgaria. The main issues related to the sustainable use of elements of the cultural heritage are defined, and the accessible literary sources related to the digitization of the folklore heritage are reviewed. Shape indices, color, and textural characteristics were obtained from digital color images of the elements of Bulgarian folk costumes. The most informative indices of these features were selected. A kernel variant of the principal component analysis (kPCA) method was used to reduce the data volume of the feature vector. A Naïve Bayes classifier, discriminant analysis, and the support vector method (SVM) were used for classification. The classification accuracy was assessed. In the analysis of the decorative elements of Bulgarian costumes, it was found that the accuracy of classification depended both on the method for reducing the volume of data and on the separability of the classes of data, depending on the classifier used. In the analysis of microscopic images of textile fabrics from Bulgarian costumes, it was found that the accuracy of classification for the studied objects depended both on the method for reducing the volume of data and on the used classifier. In the considered cases, a classification error below 10% was obtained using a non-linear kPCA kernel and SVM with a non-linear partition function. It was proven that the results of this development can be used in the creation of modern cross-stitch patterns, textile patterns, and clothing. The practical application of these research findings has the potential to benefit various stakeholders, including cultural heritage institutions, researchers, artisans, designers, and the general public, promoting a deeper appreciation and sustainable use of costume embroidery elements. Research can continue in the direction of the sustainable use and preservation of embroidery elements of Bulgarian costumes, enriching the understanding of cultural heritage and promoting appreciation for it in future generations

DYNAMICS OF SOME VAGINAL PARAMETERS IN NON-PREGNANT BITCHES AFTER MID-LUTEAL AGLEPRISTONE TREATMENT

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of the antiprogestin aglepristone after its application in bitches with high serum progesterone concentrations on some specific vaginal parameters. Twelve non-pregnant female dogs from different breeds and ages were included in the study. The bitches were divided into two groups. Group I (n = 6) received aglepristone (10 mg/kg, subcutaneously) injected twice, 24 h apart, on days 29 and 30 after the estimated day of ovulation, which was determined by progesterone assays. Group II (n = 6) served as a control group and received a placebo. The electrical resistance of vaginal mucus, vaginal pH and serum P4 levels were determined on days 29, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42 and 45 after ovulation. Additionally, vaginal smears were performed to evaluate the changes in vaginal cells. Partial luteolysis was detected at day 32.5 ± 2.26 (mean ± SD) and 44 ± 1.73 in treated and control bitches, respectively (p < 0.001). Complete luteolysis (P4 < 2 ng/ml) was observed on day 41.5 ± 2.26 in treated bitches. Beginning on the day after the first treatment, a decrease in electrical resistance of vaginal mucus was measured in the experimental group. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) occurred on day 41.5±2.26 compared with day 29. The pH of vaginal secretions of all bitches in Group I increased during the period starting from the day after the first treatment. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was found on day 32.5 ± 2.26. No changes were detected for either parameter in the control group. The cell populations in vaginal smears of all animals were similar. In conclusion, aglepristone administration to dogs during the mid-luteal stage influenced vaginal pH and the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus. Key words: vagina; bitch; aglepristone; electrical resistance; p

Investigation on some biochemical parameters and effect of hormonal treatment in anoestrous dairy cows with cystic ovarian follicle

Objective: To investigate some blood biochemical parameters in anoestrous dairy cows with cystic ovarian follicles (COF) during the first two months post partum and the effect of hCG-PGF2α -GnRH treatment on their reproductive response. Methods: The investigation was performed on 20 lactating Holstein cows, divided into two groups: control group (n=8) and treated group (n=12). All animals had cystic ovarian follicles, detected during the two consecutive transrectal ultrasound examinations at 7-day interval. Blood samples from each animal were collected on the day of second ultrasonography (Day 0) and subjected to a hormonal and biochemical analysis. Treated cows were subjected to another ultrasound examination on day of prostaglandin injection and the presence of corpus luteum was recorded. The control animals were not treated, while the treated group received 1 500 IU hCG on day 0, PGF2α 500 mg on day 7 and 100 μg GnRH 48 hours latter. Eighteen hours after GnRH administration animals bearing corpus luteum on Day 7 were artificiallly inseminated. The last ultrasound examination was made forty days after start of the threapy. On the base of the obtained results, cumulative oestrous activity, cumulative ovulation rate, pregnancy rate and COF persistence were determined. Results: The blood analysis in the both groups on Day 0 showed significantly (P<0.05) lower mean concentration of progesterone, glucose and inorganic phosphate compared to the reference range values for cyclic dairy cows. Cumulative oestrous activity (91.7%) and cumulative ovulation rate (75.0%) were considerably higher (P<0.05) in treated group than control group, whereas the cystic follicle persistence (25.0%) was lower (P<0.05) in the treated group than control group. Conclusions: The present study confirmed the thesis for low blood levels of glucose and inorganic phosphate in cows presenting cystic ovarian follicles. It also indicated significant improvement of cumulative oestrous activity and ovulation rate in animals subjected to hCG-PGF2α -GnRH administration than non-treated animals. The used hormonal protocol could decrease cystic ovarian follicle persistence in dairy cows

Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis supplementation affects folliculogenesis, progesterone and ghrelin levels in fattening pre-pubertal gilts

The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis supplemented diet on follicular development and related endocrine parameters, such as estradiol and progesterone levels as well as ghrelin levels in pre-pubertal gilts. Twenty-one 60-day-old Danube White gilts, randomly divided in three groups—control and two experimental—were involved in the experiment. The diet of experimental animals was supplemented with 2 and 3 g of dry biomass/capita daily of the micro alga A. platensis (SP), respectively, during 120 days. Pigs weighing between 109.3 and 114.7 kg were slaughtered at the age of 180 days. The visual macroscopic and histological analysis of removed ovaries was done. Progesterone and estradiol levels by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and ghrelin by ELISE methods were measured. The presence of corpora lutea in the ovaries of animals from all three groups as well as the progesterone and estradiol levels indicated that the animals were cycling and puberty had started at the time of slaughtering. In the SP 3-g group, the number of large follicles and corpora lutea was significantly higher compared to the control group and the corpora albicans were found. A positive correlation was observed between ghrelin and progesterone among all groups as well as between estradiol and ghrelin in the experimental groups independent on dosages of SP. Arthrospira platensis-supplemented diet provoked a successful follicular development and an earlier ovulation during sexual maturation of pigs between 60 and 180 days

3D seismic response of a limited valley via BEM using 2.5D analytical Green's functions for an infinite free-rigid layer

This paper presents analytical solutions for computing the 3D displacements in a flat solid elastic stratum bounded by a rigid base, when it is subjected to spatially sinusoidal harmonic line loads. These functions are also used as Greens functions in a boundary element method code that simulates the seismic wave propagation in a confined or semi-confined 2D valley, avoiding the discretization of the free and rigid horizontal boundaries.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V4Y-47609FW-1/1/91431ac76dd79dd18d4629d2efeb569