Economic Analysis of Ginseng Based Forest Farming: a Sustainable Income Diversification Opportunity for Forest Landowners

While American ginseng is a complicated opportunity for forest farmers to understand, within these production systems there are many opportunities and constraints linked to production of ginseng. There are different market demands and prices paid for the various grades of dried roots depending on the system used to cultivate the plant. This study reviewed the unique benefits of producing ginseng, opportunities for forest farmers, the potential profits, as well as financial risks. The study focused on two common ginseng production systems in the southeastern region of the U.S. The specific objective of the paper is to assess economic returns of producing ginseng under different production systems. The Monte Carlo simulation was performed to analyze the profitability and risks associated with producing ginseng and performed sensitive analysis to determine the effect of uncertainty variables such as production costs, yield, and price of product on economic feasibility.

Genetic variation of CAST gene in Local Karnobat and Karnobat merino sheep breeds

Karnobat sheep plays an important role in the development of sheep breeding in Southeastern region of Bulgaria. They are valuable source of genetic material. The aim of present experiment was to determine the allele variation of CAST gene in Local Karnobat and Karnobat Merino sheep breeds. A total of 60 blood samples were collected – 30 per breed. DNA was extracted and genotypes of all animals were identified by means of PCR-RFLP technique. The restriction reactions were accomplished by specific enzyme MspI. As expected both breeds were characterized with low level of genetic diversity due to the fact that mostly maintaining selection has been implemented. In Local Karnobat sheep breed was identified only one heterozygous individual from all 30. In Karnobat merino were identified allele M with frequency 0,97 and allele N with frequency 0,03. Genotypes MM and MN were revealed with frequencies 0,93 and 0,07, respectively. According to the statistical analysis both breeds were in HWE equilibrium.

Patterns of Past and Future Droughts in Permanent Lowland Rivers

The problem of droughts is acute due to climate change. The study aims to assess the temporal and spatial drought patterns in Lithuanian lowland rivers in the past and to project these phenomena according to climate scenarios and models. Drought analysis was based on Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) and Streamflow Drought Index (SDI). To evaluate the past patterns, the hydrometeorological data of 17 rivers were used from 1961–2020. Future drought changes were analyzed in 2021–2100 according to the selected RCPs (Representative Concentration Pathways) using the hydrological model HBV. There were different patterns of droughts in three hydrological regions of Lithuania (Western, Central and Southeastern). The Southeastern region was more prone to extreme summer hydrological droughts, and they had a shorter accumulation period compared to the other two regions. SPI and RDI indices showed that the number of dry months and the minimum value of the index increased, extending the accumulation period. The highest correlation was recorded between RDI-12/SPI-12 and SDI-12. The amplitude between extremely wet and dry values of river runoff will increase according to RCP8.5. The projections indicated that hydrological drought intensity in the Central region is expected to increase under both analyzed RCPs.

Peculiarities of the disease and prevalence of chronic cystitis among the female population of Ukraine in the regional aspect

The study uses data from state and industry official statistics for 2008-2017. Absolute and relative indicators of morbidity and prevalence of chronic cystitis among the female population of Ukraine, its regions and areas were analyzed taking into account two five-year periods for comparative assessment of the nature and intensity of dynamic processes. It is revealed that the number of patients with chronic cystitis (СC) registered in Ukraine is at the expense of women, which are 3-3.5 times more in number than men, with their characteristic more intensive growth (for 10 years by 3.6% against 0.4% among the adult population in the country). The first three places in the structure belong to the Southeastern region, Kyiv, Western region, the next – Central, Southern, Northeastern regions. Levels of the prevalence of the disease among women (100 thousand) are higher than the average in Ukraine and have a high growth rate (for 10 years by 13.5% from 232.2 to 263.6 against 9.3% from 171.5 to 187.5, respectively). Typical for Ukraine persistent increase in patients with the first diagnosis of chronic cystitis (0.8%, 2.1% and 2.8%, respectively, in the first, second periods and 10 years to 15112 in 2017) is also formed by this category (women's growth was 3.4%, 12.4%, and 5.0%, respectively, to 11.295). A similar situation was also identified in the analysis of the level of morbidity (per 100 thousand). In Ukraine, its growth rate for the last five years was 9.6% against 1.8% for the previous year, for 10 years – 11.9%, and the value reached 43.4 in 2017 against 38.8 in 2008. Among women, its levels are higher than the average in Ukraine (in 2017 – 59.2 against 56.1 in 2008), and the increase was more intense (by 6.2% and 11.3% over the periods; for 10 years – by 11.98%).

Association of Ageism and Empathy in Young Adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between empathy and ageism among undergraduate students. A cross-sectional survey of undergraduate students was conducted at a midsize university in the Southeastern region of the United States.

Birds of Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil

Parque Nacional do Caparaó is located in the Serra do Caparaó in the southeastern region of Brazil. It lies on the border between the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais. It is a large fragment of Atlantic Forest vegetation, with altitudinal variation from 630 to 2,892 m. We present an annotated list of bird species found in the park based on data collected from 2012 to 2018. We recorded 216 species, including 66 endemic, 22 threatened, and 17 newly recorded species. To complete the list of species, we added data available in several bibliographic sources and digital databases, bringing the total number of bird species in the park to 348 and including 98 endemic and 33 threatened species. This work is the first to present an updated list of birds for the park, and the data presented show the importance of this protected area for conservation of birds in the region.