In modern life oxidative stress has a serious effect on human health; therefore, natural antioxidants play an important role in human well-being. Hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) eggs can be effectively enriched with selenium and vitamin E and can be used as a source of natural antioxidants. The objective of this study was to determine the interaction of selenium and vitamin E in eggs and egg yolk oil. Two groups of Lohman Brown-Classic breed laying hens from a real production facility were taken as an experimental object. The basal diet was the same for both groups and content 25 mg kgE-1 of vitamin E added. 0.2 mg kgE-1 of sodium selenite was used as an inorganic source of selenium in feed for one hen group and 0.3 mg kgE-1 of organic selenium in the selenized yeast form for the other group. The selenium content was determined in eggs, egg yolk, egg white and egg yolk oil samples and vitamin E content in egg yolks and egg yolk oil. The results of this study indicate that there is no difference in selenium content in eggs from inorganic and organic selenium hen diet taking into account that selenium content in feed was different. The majority of selenium is located in egg yolk, but there was no selenium detected in egg yolk oil. Vitamin E content in egg yolks was not affected by the source of selenium (p is less than 0.05). High vitamin E content in egg yolk oil effectively protects egg yolk oil from oxidation during storage.

Avian metapneumovirus (AMPV), formerly known as avian pneumovirus (APV) is epizootic agent of turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT) and swollen head syndrome (SHS) in turkeys and chickens. The infection primarily affects the upper respiratory tract of young birds (broilers), while also decreases egg production of adult hens. Thus, the development of infection in susceptible birds of any age can cause serious economic losses. The purpose of this study is to test serums from broilers and hens for the presence of antibodies against the avian metapneumovirus. In this series of studies 317 serum samples taken from one 1 day to 75 weeks old birds were tested. Thus, on the basis of serological tests of blood serum and of chicken flocks and broilers, we had a preliminary diagnosis on the presence of avian metapneumovirus infection. Serological studies of unvaccinated against avian metapneumovirus infection bird flocks using the ELISA method showed antibody titers on average at 22 859 ± 4133. Avian metapneumovirus infection in birds was accompanied by a decrease in egg production of chicken flocks by 8.0 - 12.8%.

This article summarizes data of determining a therapeutic dose of a new immunocorrecting drug, dermatocytoglobulin, developed by the authors of this study. It has been established that this drug has a therapeutic immunocorrecting effect on allergic dermatitis. Subjects of the study cattle, horses, of Raimbek – Commercial Diary Farm, 56 dogs and 35 cats admitted to a veterinary clinic. It has been established that administration of dermatocytoglobulin in trial groups reduces autoantibody titers until their elimination on the 12th day, dose of 0.2 cm3 per 10 kg while autoantibody titers in control groups were identified on the 30th day.

Stomach, as a part of the digestive canal, is important in the metabolic processes of the organism which affects the bird’s general health condition, its growth and development, consequently also the increase of the body weight. The aim of the research was to find out the dynamics of weight, length, and area of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) stomach and its parts in postnatal ontogenesis from 4 to 12 months of age. The absolute weight of stomach, length of the greater curvature of the stomach glandular part, diameter of the muscular part, thickness of stomach wall was determined. To find out the differences of the mean values between various age groups, ANOVA and Post Hoch tests were used. The increase of the stomach absolute weight continued throughout the postnatal ontogenesis period, but the stomach weight in relation to the ostrich body weight decreased, especially rapidly at the age of 6 and 8 months. At the same time, proportions of the absolute and relative weight of the stomach glandular and muscular part changed. The length of the greater curvature of the stomach glandular part, length of the deep gland region and diameter of the stomach muscular part increased during the whole observed period of ontogenesis; moreover, these parameters increased more rapidly from 6 to 8 months of age. The area of the stomach glandular and muscular part mucosa increased throughout the observed period of ontogenesis. The area of the superficial gland region in all age groups was larger than the area of the deep gland region.

The research paper discusses simulation of the loading process of the vertical axis wind turbine with the permanent magnet synchronous generator. Experimental and analytical studies were done in the year 2013. The research results show that electrical load on the wind turbine generator is important for the wind turbine performance. If the load is above or below the power gained from the wind energy, the turbine operation cannot be considered efficient and its dynamic parameters fail to achieve the efficiency level at the proper operation load when the load is built up strictly in accordance with the wind energy input. In the research, 3 separate virtual electrical loading models with static, discrete, dynamic electrical load were established. MATLAB SIMULINK simulated virtual model shows the importance of usage of the right amount of electrical load in the vertical axis wind turbine with the permanent magnet synchronous generator. Final research results showed that the most effective loading process of wind turbine generator is a dynamic load.

The paper contains description of the working principles and evaluation of the operational parameters of the commercially available fuel conversion adapter, intended to adapt gasoline fuelled spark ignition (SI) engine for use of high ethanol content blended fuel, known as E85. Commercially available gasoline and E85 fuel were used as test fuels. Production automobile, equipped with 1.8 litre 4 cylinder SI port fuel injection (PFI) engine was tested on the roll-type eddy-current chassis dynamometer in wide open throttle (WOT) constant speed mode. High precision fuel consumption measurement system AVL KMA Mobile was used. Engine operating parameters, used for evaluation of the efficiency of the fuel conversion adapter was engine torque (T), engine brake power (Pb ), air/fuel equivalence ratio (λ), specific fuel consumption (SFC) and engine thermal efficiency (ηt ). Analysis of engine operational parameters showed successful operation of fuel conversion adapter with E85 fuel, resulting in increase of engine peak torque by 4.4%, increase of energy efficiency in whole tested engine speed range up to 6.1% but increase of specific fuel consumption by approximately 22%, when compared with the gasoline use.

The growing popularity of wooden panels renders this market segment increasingly competitive. The article describes a new type of fibre boards e.g. the furniture production, developed in cooperation with ATB (Leibniz-Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim) by using a new method of raw material preparation and specific production technologies of ATB. The main raw material is preserved hemp (Cannabis sativa) stalks. The samples are made of raw materials with different wet-preservation time and varying types of binder. For the first time there is used main raw material with short time wet-preservation. Samples that are 8 mm thick correspond to a medium-density fibreboard and that are 16mm thick correspond to a low-density fibreboard, fitting in its mechanical properties to standard BS EN622. On ATB’s experimental processing line 1,200x800x8 mm and 1,200x800x16 mm size board samples are produced and the tests are performed to determine such parameters as bending strength, thickness swelling and thermal conductivity according to EU standard methods.

Willow species are nowadays extensively studied. Species are being investigated to evaluate their use and role in various sectors of national economy. The use of willows in short rotation coppice (SRC) for biomass and energy production has a priority in the European Union policy. There are many countries that have grants and financial aid system for so-called ‘green energy’ production. Willow species also have other economically and ecologically important features: resistance to contaminants, strong root system, high tannin contents, decorative, etc. Willow SRC systems are used for phytoremediation and in wastewater purification, in combination with biomass production. There are several countries of Eastern Europe researching adequacy of the willow SRC for the farmland contaminated by radionuclides segregated from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster. Willows are used for quarry restoration, water sludge treatment, erosion control etc, but the most important field at the moment is the biomass production.

According to the forecast, in future the number of storms in Latvia is going to increase. The wind and the snow are risk factors influencing damages of forests; the least tolerant species against wind damages is Picea abies (L.) Karst. It is impossible to avoid the damages caused by weather conditions – windbreaks, windthrows, snowbreaks, snow crushes and snowthrows in forests, since they reoccur in certain periods of time. The aim of the research was to analyze the impact of abiotic risk factors on the management of young Picea abies (L.) Karst. stands. Young stands of Norway spruce were researched in all regions of Latvia in 2011 and 2012. These stands were up to 40 years old. In total, 75 stands were measured and surveyed, and 257 sample plots were arranged, where the following damages were identified: frost damages, snow crushes, snowbreaks, snowthrows, windfall and windthrows. The sample plot method was used. The intensity of damages is higher on drained soils. The linear correlation between occurrence and intensity of impact damages caused by abiotic factors was significant (r = 0.988 is greater than r0.05 = 0.253). There is no significant (p = 0.686 is greater than α = 0.05) difference between the intensity of impact damages caused by abiotic risk factors in the stands with regular and irregular shapes of forest compartments. Irregular form forest plots have formed naturally, occurrence of abiotic factors there is 7.5% but the factor intensity – 6.7% and that is higher than in regular forest plots where abovementioned parameters reach 4.7% and 2.9%.

The aim of this paper is to characterize and ascertain quality influencing factors of wood chips produced from forest residues in clear-cuts. The quality of food fuels varies according to the harvesting season, site characteristics and silvicultural treatment. For this study 89 piles of logging residues from clear-cuts located in Western part of Latvia were used. Piles were stored in different parts of clear-cut according to its direction against nearby stand. Piles of logging residues were pre dried and then chipped. A period of chipping and sample acquisition was from February to May of the year 2012. Results show that chips from forest residues can be successfully used for medium scale boilers. Chips with lower carbon content, calorific value, relative moisture and bulk density of wet chips can be produced in May. Location of the pile in centre and SE part of the clear cuts can decrease resulting ash content in wood chips.