The development of the multi-storey residential areas in the Baltic Sea region shows an inequality that changes the spatial environment of the territory. The major part of the city territory is occupied by the multistorey residential area that reveals multiple problems of the spatial environment. Therefore, it is necessary to resolve these problems by building new more multi-functional zones in the multi-storey residential areas that would further ensure the sustainable development of the spatial environment. To find the relevant data and material, a scheme of questions for analysis was developed. The scheme reflects all the necessary aspects for the analysis of the landscape composition in multi-storey residential areas. The analysis from the theoretical aspect with the usage of empirical methods determined the current state of the multi-storey residential areas in the Baltic Sea region. The paper presents the study of historical development and the causes of changes, as well as the current state and potential future development of the landscape composition of the multi-storey residential areas. It also reflects the development framework of the landscape composition. The multi-storey residential area that carries a great load of the multi-functional areas, needs an improvement, a renovation and needs to be reconstructed and developed according to all the mentioned characteristics of the spatial environment.

Civilization has historically flourished around rivers. There exists invisible and visible social activity system in the river landscape. With the world's economical, technological and social development, a focus on meeting human needs is vital. There is a need of a reinterpretation of landscapes' functions and revision of archetypes. The proposed approach is search for design of lifestyle versus design for territory. The research is based on the Lielupe river case study. The aim of the on-going research is search for approach to solve individuals' role of the river landscape. The task of this paper is to identify types of individuals' use of river landscape. Data collection was performed both from individuals' prospectus of use of landscape and from the functional use of river as a landscape object supplementing data both ways. I investigated it by analyzing intuitive images, making of an observation of people's habits, behaviours and occupations, and by cartographic analysis. At this stage of research there were observed seventeen groups of functions in the landscape of the Lielupe river valley, characterized by wide range of actions, described by landscape elements, and organised in social groups. These data are assessed by grading of their influence on landscape and its participants. Sixteen marginal grades were detected. This highlights a high potential for development of river landscape with an individual's participation in it. The further investigation is to develop ergonomic and functional planning principles for each type of interest group to compromise the individuals' needs.

Today e-learning is a term which is commonly used, but does not have a universally accepted definition, but it can be considered as technology-enhanced learning, where all types of digital technologies are used to support the learning process. Over the years some new functionality has appeared as mobile and wireless technologies (m-learning) and digital television provided possibilities for interactive study materials management (tv-learning). Latest options for training process acceleration are offered by virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies. The aim of this paper is to find solution for appropriate hardware selection before constructing VR/AR system for training needs focusing on platforms used for operators preparation to work with industrial equipment. In the beginning of the paper all hardware devices for such systems are summarized and explained. Then by using set theory and combinatorics all possible sets of input/output devices are described and calculated. Next dynamic modelling is used to create deterministic, static simulation model with an aim to ease the process of hardware selection for VR/AR training systems development. Simulation model is used for development of two pilot projects.

The aim of the study is to investigate and analyse the Model of Intercultural Communicative Competence in the Primary Schools. The investigation is based on the theoretical approach – scientific literature analysis of Intercultural Communicative Competence is done. According to that the Model of Intercultural Communicative Competence and the Competence assessment in the Primary Schools' Foreign Language (English) Lessons (for students aged 12-14) has been made. The Model of Intercultural Communicative Competence comprises Linguistic competence, Sociolinguistic competence, Discourse competence, and Intercultural competence. The developmental model of intercultural sensitivity consists of Ethnocentric stage (denial, defence, minimization), and Ethnorelative stage (acceptance, adaptation, integration). Intercultural methodology for teaching foreign languages includes Intercultural comparison, Intercultural didactics, and Intercultural Language awareness. Assessment of Intercultural communication competence shows culture understanding: empathy toward other (target) culture, ability to observe and analyse a culture, ability to communicate in the foreign (target) language.

The aim of the study: to analyse the principle of exemplarity, comprehend its features and their usage in university exact courses learning practice. The principle of exemplarity is a means of arranging the geodesy study course programme according to the most essential notions of the course and students abilities and knowledge level at Latvia University of Agriculture. It is one of the cognitive learning didactical principles proponed by the German scientist Martin Wagenschein and recognised in a teaching/learning process particularly in natural sciences. The origination of the principle of exemplarity, its relevant features and experience of other countries are analysed in the article. The following notions of the principle are analysed in the article: coping with information quantity, comprehension of a course entity and epistemology, interdisciplinarity; usage of exemplar as a feature of entity criterion in obtaining particular knowledge and skills; traits of Socratic dialogue. The principle of exemplarity is combined with problem-based learning, project method and student-centred approach and is used and discussed particularly in Germany and Denmark. The principle features and the ideas of its usage are being assessed, worked in and implemented in the geodesy study course programme for the land survey speciality first year students. The programme is revised thematically determining the focal themes (exemplars) in laboratory works via which the principle of exemplarity can be the means of obtaining the course of geodesy successfully.

Placing emphasis on high level of responsibility, professionalism and tendency for improvement is expected from medical students. A continuous flow of information puts medical students in front of a choice between the already known and the new. It is therefore necessary to think flexibly and to be ready to verify information and admit mistakes – it is necessary to be able to think critically. While studying chemistry in Riga Stadiņš University, students have an opportunity to use critical thinking methods for certain purposes – investigation of laws of nature. Development of critical thinking therefore is an integral component rather than the goal of medical education. A complex education method with linked didactic methods was developed – the goals are development of critical thinking during practical work, development of study process organization skills, and critical analysis of information, situation modelling, self-assessment and self-dependence. In order for used didactic methods to work, levels of student qualification were taken in consideration and students were offered an opportunity to evaluate their work themselves. By adapting different forms of studying to each topic of theoretic course and practical work, it was possible to find the most effective as proven by student questionnaires. As research shows, the most effective didactic methods are: 1) special assignments where students have to verify given facts; 2) situations where students are directed towards intensified analysis of conditions of assignment; 3) mastering of science-based research principles which include promotion of theories, practical testing, result analysis, and conclusion drawing.

It is important to define which of the plant growth factors determines the yield level. During recent years in Latvia, in most cases it was moisture. Grain yield level mostly depends on meteorological conditions during the tillering stage. Plants do not utilize all water from precipitation. Rain water efficacy depends on soil granulometric composition and content of humus. Humus content could be considered as regulated factor. Important is also distribution of precipitation during the vegetation period as well as run-off of rain water which depends on micro-relief, soil tillage type, and direction in accordance with the slope gradient. It is very important for cereal growing in what conditions tillering is done, because during that time productive stems as well as ear sprouts are formed. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of soil moisture on the growth and development of winter wheat Triticum aestivum L. Field trials were carried out during 2005-2007 in Kurpnieki field at the Research and Study farm „Vecauce” of the Latvia University of Agriculture. A total of 47 points (distributed as a grid of 50×50 m) were selected for sampling in the winter wheat field. In both experimental years, the increasing soil moisture in spring had a significant positive effect on the flag leaf area, which, in its turn, increased also the level of grain yield. Partial correlation analysis showed that exclusion of organic matter content and altitude above the sea level as factors, changes soil moisture at different layers of the soil insignificantly.

Winter rape (Brassica napus L.) significance among field crops is unchangeable for last decade in Latvia. Rape plant development in autumn, plant wintering and plant yielding is partly influenced by plant density. The aim of our research, started in autumn 2007 in the Research and Study farm ''Vecauce'', was to investigate the influence of agro-ecological factors (sowing date, sowing rate and fungicide (as growth regulator in autumn) application) on two type (line and F1) winter rape varieties' plant density in autumn, in spring and at harvesting. Plant density in autumn, in spring and during harvesting was determined also by meteorological parameters as air temperature and precipitation. Oilseed rape field germination was observed from 84% sown on 1st of August in 2007 till 67% sown on 1st of August in 2008. A significant impact (p is less than 0.05) of the sowing rate was noted for plant winter hardiness (in points) for variety 'Californium' in both years: 2008 and 2009. Fungicide application effect on plant survival during winter was observed for treatments with greater plants density. A very little average plant number decrease per square m during summer growth period was noted for all treatments in both years - within 1 to 4% in some cases. The tendency was observed that final plant density at harvest if greater sowing rates had been used, was never high on average for 'Californium' from 75 plants per 1 square m (120 germinable seeds per square m) to 60 plants per 1 square m (100 germinable seeds per square m) in 2009. Correlations between plant density at harvest time and seed yield were found.

Precocity of fruit plants enables early obtaining of yield and income. But precocity can be influenced by drought. In some cases precocity is related to insufficient growth and insufficient yield in the succeeding years. The precocity of sour cherries was investigated in the trial established at the Latvia State Institute of Fruit Growing. Soil moisture treatments - woodchip mulch and drip irrigation as well as cultivars ‘Bulatnikovskaya’, ‘Desertnaya Morozovoi’, ‘Latvijas Zemais’, ‘Orlica’, ‘Shokoladnica’, ‘Tamaris’, and ‘Zentenes’ were used as trial factors. The flowering and yielding was observed in 2008 and 2009. Flowering, fruit set, fruit mass, and yield were characterized in order to evaluate precocity of cherries in different soil moisture treatment variants. The use of drip irrigation did not influence the yield of sour cherries, but the use of woodchip mulch decreased the yield in the third growing year. The cultivar ‘Tamaris’ was the most precocious, and the cultivar ‘Bulatnikovskaya’ was the most productive.

Cultivars of northern highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are the most suitable for areas with long, cold winter, because they require the greatest number of winter chilling hours. The blueberries are excellent sources of phytochemicals that are believed to have a significant biological activity. The experiment was done at the Institute of Agrobiotechnology, Latvia University of Agriculture, Jelgava, in the year 2009. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate phenological development of 9 highbush blueberry cultivars, their yield, fruit weight and biochemical composition: total anthocyanins, total phenols, ascorbic acid, titratable acids, and soluble solids. The obtained data showed correlation between duration of flowering and fruit ripening; between harvest and end of vegetation period of the highbush blueberry. The phenological development was dependent not only on cultivars, but also on the effective air temperature (above + 5 deg C). The research results allow assessing the phenology development of blueberry cultivars and predicting the fruit ripening time in conditions of Latvia. The most productive cultivars were 'Patriot' and 'Northland' The biggest single berry weight presented the cultivars 'Chippewa' and 'Bluejay'. The cultivar 'Jersey' had the highest content of titrable acid, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid. The highest phenol content was detected in highbush blueberry cultivars 'Spartan' and 'Bluecrop'.