Decision making pattern of subsistence farmers in Bulgaria

Economic research by and large is dominated by a ‘rationality’ paradigm. Economic decision making within this paradigm is viewed as a maximising procedure. In general the latter represents the decision-making as a choice amongst a well defined set of alternatives. In this paper we question this and analyse the options of the small-scale subsistence farmers in Bulgaria in the way they see them. By applying mental accounting methodology we deduce some significant characteristics of Bulgarian subsistence agriculture.

Integrated Phototransistors in a CMOS Process for Optoelectronic Integrated Circuits”,

Abstract -This work presents integrated pnp phototransistors built in a 0.6 µm OPTO ASIC CMOS process using a low doped epi wafer as starting material. Several phototransistors with different designs of the base and emitter area were realized and characterized. For these novel photodetectors responsivities up to 65 A/W for DC light and up to 37.2 A/W for modulated light were achieved. Other transistors reach bandwidths up to 14 MHz. Due to the used standard silicon CMOS process lowcost integration is possible. Analog and digital circuitry can be implemented together with active optical detectors. This paves the way for high performance optical sensors and cost efficient SoC devices. Typical application examples include highly sensitive optical sensors, active pixel image sensors, light barriers and optical distance measurement sensors as well as 3D cameras

Monitoring of microdisplacements in Golyamata Tsepnatina cave, Madara plateau, NE Bulgaria

The only early medieval rock bas-relief in Europe Madara Horseman is included in UNESCO World Heritage List. This article presents the results from an in situ monitoring of microdisplacements across fissure forming the Golyamata Tsepnatina Cave located at the edge of Madara Plateau above the Horseman, NE Bulgaria. Additionally, we studied movements along cracks behind the plateau edge, which are related to the dynamics of peripheral plateau parts and shaped the rock slices. Monitoring involves the use of a 3D extensometer model TM-71 installed in the cave as well as five sets of pin marks installed across the cracks behind the plateau edge. The results obtained since 1990 indicate formation of a new rock slice from the cliff due to the gravitational extension of rock massif. The established horizontal microdisplacements of the rock slice to SSE imply the existence of a possible active fault with left-lateral component of movements at the base of the plateau. We established influences from near and distant earthquakes with epicenters in NE Bulgaria (Provadia), Romania (Vrancea), and Turkey (Izmit). The graphs of established movements mark continuously ongoing process of shear processes along the slice forming cracks.Key words: rock deformations, seismic effects, monitoring, microdisplacements, Madara Plateau, Bulgaria.Spremljanje mikropremikov v jami Goljamata Cepnatina, Visoka planota Madara, SV BolgarijaEdini zgodnjesrednjeveški skalni relief v Evropi, Madarski konjenik, je vključen v Unescovo svetovno dediščino. Ta prispevek obravnava rezultate in situ meritev mikropremikov v razpoki, v kateri je oblikovana jama Goljamata cepnatina, ki se nahaja na robu visoke planote Madara nad Madarskim konjenikom v SV Bolgariji. Dodatno smo proučevali tudi premike razpok za robom visoke planote, ki so odvisni od dinamike robnih delov visoke planote in oblikujejo kamninske bloke. Monitoring vključuje uporabo 3D-ekstenzometra model TM-71, ki je nameščen v jami. Dodatno vključuje tudi pet merilnikov premikov, ki so nameščeni v razpokah za robom visoke planote. Rezultati, ki smo jih pridobili od leta 1990, kažejo nastajanje novih kamninskih blokov iz klifa zaradi gravitacijskega razpiranja kamninske mase. Ugotovljeni vodoravni mikropremiki kamninskih blokov v smeri proti JJV, kažejo, da je možen aktiven prelom z levo-zmično komponento v podlagi visoke planote. Ugotovili smo vplive bližnjih in oddaljenih potresov z epicentri v SV Bolgariji (Provadija), Romuniji (Vrancea) in Turčiji (Izmit). Grafi ugotovljenih premikov kažejo dolgotrajne strižne procese vzdolž kamninskih blokov, ki oblikujejo razpoke.Ključne besede: deformacije kamnin, seizmični učinki, monitoring, mikropremiki, Madara visoka planota, Bolgarija.

Acoustic cell concentration, washing & perfusion for cellular therapy manufacturing

A major wave of promising cellular therapies is progressing through clinical trials, such that engineers and scientists need to address the challenges of economically ensuring the manufacture of safe and efficacious cell therapy products. These processes often depend on devices and methods that were developed for only related blood cell processing or vaccine manufacturing. Thus, we are in a window of opportunity to tailor innovative technologies to address the emerging specialized needs of cell therapy manufacturing. Concentrating and washing cells between stages is a repeated bioprocess unit operation, such as to transfer cells from culture medium to cryopreservation medium. Especially for small-scale autologous therapies, cell washing is not well performed by closed-system centrifuges or filters, including due to the loss of potentially lifesaving cells. We previously developed an acoustic cell separation device that has been widely used for 20 years as part of mammalian cell perfusion bioreactors. This non-fouling filter technology uses gentle ultrasonic standing wave forces to separate cells from medium based on density and compressibility differences. We have now adapted this technology to concentrate and then wash cells at high concentrations, so as to reduce the wash volumes by an order of magnitude, thereby reducing the process cost of goods compared to centrifuge washing. The device operation has been optimized to obtain greater than 99.9% washing with 95% washed cell recoveries, such that this acoustic technology could become the method of choice for cell therapy bioprocessing. We also have recently enhanced automated acoustic devices to perfuse over 140 million cell/mL cultures, maintaining \u3e99% cell separation efficiencies. With the simplicity of no physical filter barrier or mechanical moving parts, this tailored technology provides a high performance closed manufacturing device, to perfuse, concentrate and wash cells. The development of robust and economical means of mammalian cell manufacturing is on the critical path to ensuring that promising innovative therapies can become widely available to innumerable patients in dire need

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe