The 2021 Bulgarian election: a ‘QAnon turn’ for Eastern European politics?

One of the key stories from Bulgaria’s parliamentary election on 4 April was the rise of a new party led by talk show host and musician Slavi Trifonov, which finished in second place. Nikolay Marinov and Maria Popova write that the election underlined the existence of a new ‘conspiracy cleavage’ in Eastern European politics. Journalists ... Continue

Moroccan propolis: a natural antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm against Staphylococcus aureus with no induction of resistance after continuous exposure

This study was performed to evaluate the total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities of twenty-four propolis samples from different regions of Morocco. In addition, two samples were screened regarding the antibacterial effect against four Staphylococcus aureus strains. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectra (GC-MS) analysis was done for propolis samples used in antibacterial tests. The minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC, MBC) were determined. The potential to acquire the resistance after sequential exposure of bacterial strains and the impact of adaptation to propolis on virulence using the Galleria mellonella were evaluated. Additionally, the effects of propolis extract on the bacterial adherence ability and its ability to inhibit the quorum sensing activity were also examined. Among the twenty-four extracts studied, the samples from Sefrou, Outat el Haj, and the two samples marketed in Morocco were the best for scavenging DPPH, ABTS, NO, peroxyl, and superoxide radicals as well as in scavenging of hydrogen peroxide. A strong correlation was found between the amounts of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities. Propolis extract at the MIC value (0.36 mg/mL) significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the virulence potential of S. aureus ATCC 6538 and the MRSA strains without leading to the development of resistance in the sequence of continuous exposure. It was able to impair the bacterial biofilm formation. The results have revealed that sample 1 reduces violacein production in a concentration dependent manner, indicating inhibition of quorum sensing. This extract has as main group of secondary metabolites flavonoids (31.9%), diterpenes (21.5%), and phenolic acid esters (16.5%).Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Pest-OE/QUI/UI4023/2011info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mechanical Models with Interval Parameters

In this paper we consider modelling of composite material with inclusions where the elastic material properties of both matrix and inclusions are uncertain and vary within prescribed bounds. Such mechanical systems, involving interval uncertainties and modelled by finite element method, can be described by parameter dependent systems of linear interval equations and process variables depending on the system solution. A newly developed hybrid interval approach for solving parametric interval linear systems is applied to the considered model and the results are compared to other interval methods. The hybrid approach provides very sharp bounds for the process variables - element strains and stresses. The sources for overestimation when dealing with interval computations are demonstrated. Based on the element strains and stresses, we introduce a definition for the values of nodal strains and stresses by using a set-theoretic approach

Survey of Users Interest in Initiatives Related to the European Program Healthy Lifestyle 4 All

The European Commission Healthy Lifestyle 4 All (HL4A) program aims to link sports and active lifestyles with health, food, and other policies. Healthy Lifestyle 4 All demonstrates the EC's commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles among all generations and across different social groups. HL4A is guided by the position that everyone can benefit from activities that improve health and well-being. The present study presents the attitudes of youth, corporations, and start-up companies regarding their involvement in initiatives related to the three pillars of Healthy Lifestyle 4, namely: Improved awareness of healthy lifestyles among all generations. Easy access to sports, physical activity, and healthy eating. A comprehensive holistic approach linking food, health, well-being, and sport

EFFICIENCY OF THE CAREER CENTERS IN BULGARIA

In Western countries, the Career Center is an integral part of any university that claims to offer up‐to‐date education and services to its students.  Well‐functioning career centers are a very powerful marketing tool for attracting prospective students. The centers are at the service of both students interested in work and internship programs, as well as employers looking for prospective employees. The purpose of this study is to understand the extent to which the Bulgarian Career Centers perform correctly, their expected duties and how well they function effectively. Career Centers provide high quality services related to the career guidance and development of students. Professionally trained professionals work with learners who want to better define their interests, opportunities and potential to define the most appropriate areas for career development. Multiple techniques such as group and individual discussions, tests, and more are often used in composing such profiles

New member of Gromochytriales (Chytridiomycetes) - Apiochytrium granulosporum nov. gen. et sp

International audienceMolecular phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA gene sequences of nearly any species of Chytridiomycota has typically challenged traditional classification and triggered taxonomic revision. This has often led to the establishment of new taxa which, normally, appear well supported by zoospore ultrastructure as diagnostic character. To construct a meaningful and comprehensive classification of Chytridiomycota, the combination of molecular phylogeny and morphological studies of traditionally defined chytrid species is needed. In this work, we have studied morphological and ultrastructural features based on light and transmission electron microscopy as well as molecular phylogenetic analysis of a parasite of the yellow-green alga Tribonema gayanum (strain X-124 CCPP ZIN RAS) morphologically similar to Rhizophydium granulosporum. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene sequence of this strain supports that it represents a new genus and species affiliated to the recently established order Gromochytriales. The ultrastructure of X-124 confirms its phylogenetic position sister to Gromochytrium and serves as the basis for the description of the new genus and species Apiochytrium granulosporum

Perspectives of growth of economic security by clustering of small innovation enterprises

The authors analyze the notion, sense, criteria, and indicators of evaluation of economic security and perform the evaluation of economic security of modern economic systems with the help of the offered methodology, which leads to the conclusion that one of the most successful countries are characterized by low level of economic security; therefore, there is a necessity for the search for perspectives of the increase of economic security. As a tool for increasing economic security, clustering is offered. The authors performed the structural analysis of formation of modern clusters and allowed allocating the problems of clustering which can be solved by clustering of small innovational enterprises. It is necessary that small innovational enterprises participate in the development of the program; their joint projects should at least concern, or, even better, solve their common problems (which will increase the competitiveness of cluster, as small innovational enterprises are connected by chains of value added with the same large companies); small innovational enterprises should participate – within the limits of their competencies – in the formation of the program of cluster development; there should be no artificial disunion between clusters of large enterprises and clusters of small innovational enterprises (which requires creation of common list of clusters). As a result of the research, the authors come to the conclusion that cluster is a form of increasing competitiveness within one country and in the global market, which stipulates the growth of national economic security. The highest efficiency of cluster is achieved by clustering small innovational enterprises, which stipulates the optimal level of competition in a cluster and leads to creation of innovations – which is a moving force of development of modern economy and the basis for economic security.peer-reviewe

Dynamics of the Image of the Steppe in E. P. Rostopchina’s Creative Work

The dynamics of the steppe chronotope in the work of E. P. Rostopchina has not been the subject of analysis previously. Meanwhile, the study of this space-time continuum makes it possible to clarify the idea of the creative evolution of the writer which is a controversial issue in literary studies. Based on the ideas about the chronotope and, more particularly, the steppe chronotope set forth in the works of Russian literary critics (M. M. Bakhtin, Yu. M. Lotman, V. N. Toporov), the authors of the article prove that the image of the steppe in E. P. Rostopchina’s works is dynamic. During the Anna period of her creative work, the steppe is “lifeless”, “sad”, “silent”, an alien and boundless desert, in which a person full of physical and spiritual strength is uncomfortable and lonely. During the St Petersburg period, the image of the steppe appears as a habitable space that has become a saving “cell” for sensitive and exalted souls tired of the meaningless whirlwind of secular life. Finally, in the late Moscow period, a symbolic national image of the steppe emerges, which is associated with the eternal Russian world: Russia’s heroic past, its difficult present, and the future stretching infinitely. Relying on the traditional interpretations of the steppe existing in Russian literature (A. S. Pushkin, N. V. Gogol, P. A. Vyazemsky, etc.), E. P. Rostopchina brings her own semantic nuances to this image. The consideration of the chronotope of the steppe in its dynamics makes it possible to conclude what contribution E. P. Rostopchina made to the formation of the “steppe text” as a specifically national one for Russian literature

CRYOPRESERVATION OF RAM SPERM FROM AUTOCHTHONOUS BREEDS DURING A NON-MATING SEASON

It is possible to collect and successfully cryopreserve ejaculates in a non-mating season from rams of the autochthonous breeds Karakachan, Cooper-red Shumen and Karnobat-local, raised in Bulgaria. Studies are in progress aiming the elaboration of optimal cryoprotective extenders and freezing technology