The research aim was to study the development of sheep farming sector in Latvia and to appraise the current situation of the sheep farming sector in Latvia. The following methods were used - method of analysis, analysis of regulatory enactments, monographic or descriptive, graphical methods, content analysis, and statistical analysis - to analyse the research so that it would be possible to achieve the aims and to accomplish the tasks defined in the study. As a result, the research provides characteristics of the sheep farming sector and analysis of the historical development in Latvia, description of the figures of sheep industry in Latvian agriculture and assessment of the information and statistical data on production of the sheep farming sector on both domestic and foreign markets. This study has reflected laws and regulations governing the processes of sheep farming sector in Latvia. This study uses data of Agricultural Data Centre of Latvia and the Central Statistical Bureau on sheep farming from 2008 to 2013. It has been found that one of the main problems in the sector in Latvia is small total number of sheep. High fragmentation of the farms and insufficient total volume of production is the cause for import of products of the sheep industry. Positively that sheep farming is one of the fastest growing sectors of agriculture in Latvia, as indicated by the number of sheep on 1 July 2013 – 99412 sheep, or an increase of 22% compared with 1 July 2008, when 76877 sheep were registered in Latvia.

This publication summarizes the history of woodworking in territory of Latvia before the restoration of independence in 1990. Contents of the book: 1. Latvian wooden housing and furnishings. 2. Woodworking. 3. The artistic wood processing in Latvia. 4. Organ construction. 5. Wooden shipbuilding. 6. Latvian mast sorter contribution in development of timber tree trade and industry. 7. Mechanized woodworking beginning in Latvia. 8. Woodworking during years of independent Republic of Latvia. 9. Timber export until 1940. 10. Latvian woodworking during Soviet occupation and the first years of the German occupation (1940-1945). 11. Woodworking in the Soviet Latvia after World War II. 12. Education and science. 13. Latvian furniture. 14. Personality in woodworking industry of the Soviet Latvia. | Šajā izdevumā apkopota kokapstrādes vēsture Latvijas teritorijā līdz neatkarības atgūšanai 1990. gadā. Grāmatas saturs: 1. Latviešu koka mājokļi un to iekārtojums. 2. Kokamatniecība. 3. Koka mākslinieciskā apstrāde Latvijā. 4. Ērģeļu būve. 5. Koka kuģu būve. 6. Latviešu mastu šķirotāju ieguldījums koku tirdzniecības un rūpniecības attīstībā. 7. Mehanizētās kokapstrādes aizsākums Latvijā. 8. Kokapstrāde neatkarīgās Latvijas Republikas gados. 9. Kokmateriālu eksports līdz 1940. gadam. 10. Latvijas kokapstrāde padomju pirmās okupācijas un vācu okupācijas gados (1940-1945). 11. Kokapstrāde Padomju Latvijā pēc Otrā pasaules kara. 12. Izglītība un zinātne. 13. Latviešu mēbeles. 14. Personības Padomju Latvijas kokapstrādes nozarē.

During the controls for Trichinella in wild boar meat, Alaria spp. mesocercariae in the examined samples are diagnosed. There does not exist a routine veterinary inspection for diagnosis of alariosis (Alaria spp.) in Latvia. The aim of the study was to determine Alaria spp. mesocercariae distribution in wild boar (Sus scrofa) meat in Latvia. Laboratory examination was performed in Latvia University of Agriculture Faculty of Veterinary Medicine laboratory of Parasitology, from 2010 to 2013. Meat samples were examined using artificial digestion method, which in regulation No 2075/2005 is considered an official detection method for Trichinella. In total, 1233 wild boar meat samples from different hunting regions of Latvia were examined. The territory of Latvia was divided into four regions – Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme and Latgale. For examination we used meat samples from wild boar pillars of diaphragm. Samples were taken from wild boars of different age and gender. The prevalence of infection in the examined wild boar meat samples from all regions was 8.2%, but the intensity of infection 2.8.

Trichinella species are worldwide distributed zoonotic agents and carnivores, as pine marten and stone marten, are common wildlife reservoirs for this nematode. In wild and domestic animals from Latvia and Lithuania detected Trichinella britovi, T. nativa, T. spiralis and T. pseudospiralis. Aim of this study was to obtain the Trichinella species prevalence and diversity in stone and pine martens in Latvia and Lithuania. Samples collected in hunting seasons from 2011 till 2014 in different regions of Latvia and in Kaunas region, Lithuania. Animals were killed by licensed hunters accordingly to Latvian hunting law (MK rules No 760) and Lithuania hunting law (LR MEDŽIOKLĖS ĮSTATYMAS Nr. IX-966). From each sampled animal (n=142) collected muscle tissues from foreleg and stored frozen at -20° C until further analyzing. Trichinella larvae detection was conducted separately for each animal. At least 25 g muscle tissue was analyzed according to European Union Commission Regulation with reference method (EC No 2075/2005). The number of Trichinella larvae per gram of muscle tissues (l.p.g.) was determined and larvae were collected and stored in 96% ethyl alcohol for further analyses. Trichinella species were identified by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using species specific primers. Trichinella sp. prevalence in Martes sp. is 48.6%: in Lithuania (Kaunas region) 20.0% but in Latvia 52.0%. In Latvia detected higher Trichinella sp. prevalence in Martes sp. than in Lithuania (Kaunas region). There is no difference in Trichinella sp. prevalence in pine marten (49.2%) and stone marten (45.8%) in Latvia and Lithuania (Kaunas region). Trichinella sp. intensity is higher in pine marten (0.04-49.88 l.p.g.) than in stone marten (0.04-17.92 l.p.g.). In Trichinella identification determined three species: T. britovi, T. nativa and T. spiralis. There is higher Trichinella sp. diversity in Latvia than in Lithuania (Kaunas region). Trichinella nativa is only common in mix invasion with T. britovi. The widespread species in Latvia and Lithuania (Kaunas region) is T. britovi.

Nowadays, in the times of globalisation, competitive business environment, market saturation, and the increased consumer power, the client becomes increasingly more definitive in manufacturer’s and client’s interrelations. Therefore, an efficient satisfaction of client needs becomes increasingly significant in achieving business success. Driven by all these forces, the companies are looking for opportunities to define and develop their competitive advantages. There are developed various methodologies how to determinate competitive advantage. Various scientists have given their input to polish and clarify methodology routes to determinate competitive advantage but the authors of the article challenge achievements still far and propose new input, based on theoretical base, expert surveys, and empirical experience. The aim of the article is to provide effective methodology of company`s competitive advantage determination. The tasks of the article are: 1) to inspect various approaches or competitive advantage determination; 2) to evaluate most recognisable opportunities of competitive advantage determination; and 3) to introduce and evaluate new competitive advantage determinant model. Research methods: theoretical observation of existing competitive advantage determinant methods, expert survey of 35 entrepreneurs and representatives of executive management, representing international companies.

The condensation reaction of benzaldehyde with nitromethane that resulted in the formation of β-nitrostyrene was studied in ionic liquid media — (2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium carboxylates (formates, lactates, acetates) without application of any other catalyst. The dependence of product yield on the ionic liquid cation and anion structure, the polarity of the ionic liquid and the pseudo-pH value of the reaction medium was investigated. The highest yield of the condensation reaction product — β-nitrostyrene was achieved in (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium formate medium. | Pētīta β-nitrostirola sintēze benzaldehīda kondensācijas reakcijā ar nitrometānu jonu šķidrumu (2-hidroksietil) amonija karboksilātu (formiātu, laktātu, acetātu) vidēs bez citu katalizatoru lietošanas. Pētīta reakcijas produkta iznākuma atkarība no jonu šķidrumu katjona un anjona uzbūves, jonu šķidrumu kopējās polaritātes un reakcijas vides pseido-pH vērtības. Visaugstāko β- nitrostirola iznākumu nodrošināja (2-hidroksietil) amonija formiāta lietošana par reakcijas vidi.

In markets of Latvia, the asparagus beans (Vigna sesquipedalis cv 'Metro'), mung beans (Vigna radiata), and Vigna unguiculata ssp. ungiculata seeds can purchasing. The purchased seeds germinate in 10-14 days. The all three vignu species grow to an average height of 6.5 cm after month cultivation. As temperature in greenhouse fall down under 10 deg C and three days in night period was from 5 to 7 deg C, vignu vegetation ended due to lack of plant cold store. Vigna yield is small in the agro-climatic conditions of Latvia. Now low temperature affects vigna growth and development. In soil of Latvia existing rhizobia could invade vigna roots hair.

The aim of the research was to develop a new energy-saving bioethanol congruent dehydration technology and respective experimental facility. The developed technology is based on the bioethanol semi-dry congruent dehydration principle. As a result of the performed research an experimental facility for congruent dehydration of bioethanol was created and patented (European patent No. EP12160659.4.) by help of which several options of bioethanol dehydration were tested. As a result of the conducted research a scientifically justified new technology and technological equipment for bioethanol dehydration were obtained that allows saving up to 80 % of energy for the production of concentrated bioethanol. When doing the measurements and calculations of energy consumption of the technological cycle, it was discovered that application of the bioethanol congruent dehydration technology in the energy efficient variant ensures approximately 80 % of energy saving, in contrast to the traditional rectification method using the molecular sieve.

The scientific monograph is prepared on the basis of authors’ research results for the period 1996-2013. The monograph will be of assistance learning the development course of historical events and in the analysis of political processes in Latvia, in their relationship with the course of administrative territorial reform, both before and after accession of Latvia to the European Union. The monograph will provide an opportunity to follow the development course of events, to analyse possible development scenarios of the country, to evaluate unused opportunities, and to analyse the causes of failures, and it also will serve as a basis to politicians in the preparation and adaptation of weighed, politically important decisions. The authors have expounded their research in four chapters: 1. Regional development in Latvia: the process of administrative territorial reform. 2. Problems related to the regional administrative division in Latvia. 3. Regional development in Latvia: solutions of administrative territorial reform. 4. Problems of the reform of regional administrative division in Latvia (2001). | Zinātniskā monogrāfija ir vispusīgs pētījums par administratīvi teritoriālās reformas gaitu pirms un pēc Latvijas iestāšanās Eiropas Savienībā, tās izstrādē izmantoti pētījumu rezultāti par laika periodu no 1996. gada līdz 2013. gadam. Monogrāfijas autori dod iespēju sekot līdzi notikumu attīstības gaitai un analizēt neveiksmju cēloņus. Monogrāfija var kalpot par pamatu politiķiem izsvērtu politiski svarīgu lēmumu sagatavošanā un pieņemšanā. Tiek piedāvāti risinājumi kā nodrošināt visas valsts teritorijas līdzsvarotu attīstību, kā arī satur informāciju par administratīvi teritoriālās reformas gaitu, norādot tās problēmas un sniedzot priekšlikumus turpmākai rīcībai.

Autori analizē un salīdzina Latvijas, Igaunijas, Polijas, Somijas un Lielbritānijas empīrisko pētījumu datus par iedzīvotāju uzskatiem par nabadzību un sociālo nevienlīdzību, kas iegūti laika posmā no 1995. gada līdz 2013. gadam. Tiek empīriski analizēti daži nacionālās identitātes nosacījumi (naturalizācija, migrācija), proksimitāte Latvijai, novadam, pilsētai, teritoriālā proksimitāte un līdzdalība vēlēšanās, Latvijas iedzīvotāju ģeopolitiskā orientācija, nacionālais lepnums, morālo un sociālo normu ievērošana, tajā skaitā attieksme pret vidi kā pilsoniskuma izpausme, kā arī etniskuma un pilsoniskuma mijiedarbība. Darbs adresēt galvenokārt akadēmiskai auditorijai, bet varbūr saistošs arī plašākam lasītāju lokam. | The authors analyzed and compared Latvian, Estonia, Poland, Finland and the United Kingdom empirical research data concerning their views on poverty and social inequalities, obtained during the period from 1995 to 2013. It is empirically analyzed some national identity conditions (naturalization, migration), proximity to Latvia, county, city, spatial proximity and participation in elections, the Latvian population geopolitical orientation, national pride, moral and social norms, including the attitude towards the environment as an expression of citizenship, and the interaction of ethnicity and citizenship. Work to address mainly academic audience, but maybe bound to a wider readership.