Lowering emissions expelled from internal combustion engines has been the focus of researchers worldwide. Adding hydroxy gas to current internal combustion engines can be an effective way of lowering CO2, CO, HC and particle emissions, as well as improve combustion. Because of this, a review of previously conducted research on the addition of hydroxy gas to different internal combustion engines has been produced. During this review, it was concluded that addition of hydroxy gas can be an effective way of lowering fuel consumption and CO, CO2 and HC emissions in petrol engines, as well as fuel consumption and CO and HC emissions in diesel engines.

Cyberattacks have become a regular part of network activity. To mitigate the risks from possible threats, organisations have implemented firewalls and intrusion detection systems, which can help stop network attacks. The problem is that often the accuracy of these systems is not effective enough. Another part of network security is security information and management platforms. These systems are more advanced versions of Threat Intelligence Platforms, because it is possible to make in-depth analyses of real-time events in a network. This research paper proposes improving intrusion detection system functionality using Open-Source Intelligence. Anomaly-based intrusion detection systems often generate alerts, but these alerts require deeper analysis to understand whether it is a real attack or just a false alarm. By making Open-Source Intelligence requests and evaluating extra information, it is possible to make more precise rules to stop attacks against network infrastructure. Open-Source Intelligence requests are generated directly from the intrusion detection system or with Python scripts based on the organisation’s infrastructure profile. The proposed architecture was experimentally tested by automating Open-Source Intelligence requests and intrusion detection rule generation by Python scripts.

One of the most important problems of modern education is low achievement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects. Poor performance in mathematics is a serious problem in many countries. In order to improve the effectiveness of mathematics studies, it is more important to improve such key factors as students’ learning self–efficacy and learning initiative. This study is devoted to students’ learning initiative and the factors influencing it. It is the insufficiency of students’ regular learning initiative in the study process that is the basis of the fact that students are not sufficiently prepared for the final exam. Based on the research results of the scientific literature, a questionnaire was created that investigated the students’ learning initiative and factors that could improve it – attitude towards mathematics studies, motivation, as well as emotional factors that are often related to Causal attributions. The research was conducted at Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, surveying students of various specialties and various courses. Fisher’s exact test of independence is used to determine whether there is a significant relationship between two categorical variables – the respective factors and performance on the math completion test. The results show that one of the main causes is a low self–assessment of mathematics competence, which in turn affects motivation and attitude towards mathematics studies and slows down learning initiative.

Northern Europe will be one of the locations where the renewable energy from forests could displace fossil fuels as a result of climate change: therefore, it will become more crucial to maintain renewable materials that also collect CO2. By taking tree biomass out of forest stands, we could create more renewable resources to use in practice, but this has certain negative effects on the forest ecology, including nitrogen leaching and vegetation degradation. The goal of the study is to investigate the effects of full biomass removal (FBR) in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) forest stands and how this forest management affects vegetation regeneration, tree stock and carbon storage overall. The aforementioned structures were assessed at various forest ages. The central region of Latvia contains Norway spruce stands with all of the sample sites under study situated on drained peaty mineral soils and weakly aerated gleyic soils. As a result of the long-term evaluation, it was determined that the forest vegetation in FBR was similar to that in the same-age control stand (SAC) and that vegetation can successfully regenerate. The average tree height and DBH is lower in areas where stump removal and understory biomass was not carried out. Statistically significant (p<0.05) long-term influence of stump removal on the average height and diameter of Norway spruce can be identified in all parameters, except, tree height in Myrtillosa mel. forest type. Total biomass removal in long term has almost no significant effect on tree stand and vegetation regeneration.

The phenomenon of global climate change holds utmost importance in its impact on forest ecosystems. To mitigate the effects of this phenomenon, several European countries have introduced non-native tree species into their forests. However, comprehensive ecological analysis is needed to assess the suitability of these non-native species. Pinus strobus is often considered a potential substitute for native species. Tree-ring analysis is a useful methodology for evaluating the relationship between tree growth and meteorological conditions, given the significant impact of these conditions on tree development. In this study, 25 core samples were collected from an experimental plantation of Pinus strobus located in the western part of Latvia for analysis. The plasticity of the tree-ring width of Pinus strobus was evaluated using a multiple additive regression model. The analysis revealed that the previous summer precipitation was a significant factor, indicating the drought sensitivity of the increment. Additionally, the temperature in the previous July and August was also found to be a significant meteorological parameter, suggesting some tradeoffs between growth and the formation of nutrient reserves. The estimated growth responses suggest that the radial increment of Pinus strobus growing outside its native range is highly weather-sensitive, implying uncertainty in its growth with anticipated climatic changes. These findings emphasize the need for further ecological analysis to determine the suitability of non-native tree species and their ability to withstand the climatic changes.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease whose prevalence in the world is increasing every year. To improve the life quality of diabetes patients and achieve better treatment results, adjusted food products with lower carbohydrate quantities are necessary. Primarily fructose is used in products for diabetes patients, but fructose increases obesity risk. The aim of the study is to evaluate available scientific articles on potential natural sweeteners for the substitution of fructose in food products for people with diabetes. Natural sweeteners could be a good alternative to fructose, they decrease product glycaemic index and positively influence the health of diabetes patients. Stevia is a plant used in food production for obtaining sweet taste. Glycosides extracted from stevia are food additives, i.e. sweeteners. Stevia decreases sugar levels and improves insulin secretion, it has antibacterial and antioxidative features. The use of stevia in food production causes a bitter aftertaste of products. To disguise the bitter aftertaste, other natural sweeteners are added to stevia. Thaumatin is a sweet protein used in food production. To improve product taste, polyols and other natural sweeteners are added. Polyols are a good alternative for fructose substitution because they slightly influence sugar levels in the blood and they have high chemical thermal stability. Products containing different combinations of several natural sweeteners possess the best sensory features. The research results show that stevioside, rebaudioside, thaumatin, and polyols are good alternatives for fructose substitution in products. To clarify how sweeteners, influence food product features additional researches are necessary.

Information technology is increasingly permeating the lives of every modern individual, profoundly impacting them as consumers. With e-commerce and online shopping now firmly entrenched in daily routines, it becomes imperative to conduct research and establish a comprehensive e-shopper/e-buyer profile. The purpose of this article is to study modern Internet shoppers in Latvia and describe the profile of a typical e-buyer to identify possible problems and prospects for the development of e-commerce for Latvian companies during the relevant period. The article highlights some aspects that characterize Latvian e-buyers and their behaviour as consumers, analysing their buying habits by age structure in dynamics and comparing data for the period from 2010 to 2021. The frequency of online purchases by Latvian users is also examined. The key characteristics of several basic portraits of the typical e-shopper in Latvia are substantiated. The analysis employs monographic and statistical methods, and visual images are presented based on Eurostat data. The research authors conclude that the Latvian segment of online buyers is rather conservative, but it is becoming more and more active in exploring the possibilities of online shopping. The key characteristics of several basic profiles of an average e-shopper in Latvia are also justified.

Ensuring the spatial development of regional agricultural systems in Ukraine during martial law requires a comprehensive study and implementation of urgent effective tools and mechanisms. The hostilities had a negative impact on agriculture, disrupting the regional structure of agricultural production and consumption, destroying agricultural land, assets, enterprises in certain regions of Ukraine, and reducing the volume of agricultural exports through traditional logistics channels. The aim of the study is use territorial marketing to ensure the development of regional agricultural systems in Ukraine. It is based on the analysis of regional structure of agricultural systems in Ukraine, clustering of regional agricultural systems in terms of relative security of sustainable agriculture, and mechanisms of land use development. The regional structure of agricultural systems in Ukraine is analysed and the territories where the ecosystem is destroyed and unsuitable for agriculture, which are temporarily occupied are identified. The dynamics of planted area of agricultural crops under the harvest were assessed, clusters of regional agricultural systems of Ukraine during martial law were identified. Based on research results, the use of territorial marketing is proposed, a mechanism for sustainable agriculture and strategic land use planning is developed. Prospects intend to ensure spatial development of regional agricultural systems in Ukraine during martial law by relocating agricultural enterprises to relatively safe regions, creating of integrated entrepreneurial agricultural structures, developing of public-private partnerships, attracting investments and introducing innovations, digitalization in agriculture, developing exports within the framework of cross-border cooperation, increasing employment in agriculture due to internal migration processes, etc.

The Baltic States have a three-tier pension system. Pillar II is the state funded pension scheme in which contributions are made automatically from an employee’s gross salary as part of social contributions. The contributions to Pillar II state funded pension schemes may be invested in several pension plans with different risk ratios of which three types are the most common: active, balanced and conservative ones. The accumulation of funds and consequently a partial amount of an old-age pension depends on the chosen pension plan and the manager of funds. The research aim is to assess the operation efficiency of the state funded pension schemes in the Baltic States. The research mainly employs and provides the analysis on the statistical data on the value and return of assets and number of Pillar II scheme participants. Theoretical discussion is built upon the use of scientific publications by means of monographic descriptive method, correlation and regression analyses as well as the methods of analysis and synthesis. In Latvia, 25.62% on average of all state funded pension plans participants have chosen conservative strategy, while only 8.36% on average have chosen this strategy in Lithuania. In Estonia (75.49%) and Lithuania (69.13%), the majority of assets are accumulated in the balanced strategy pension plans. The research results show that pension plans have positive return in long-term; though, sharp fluctuations and negative return might be demonstrated in short-term. Both in Lithuania and Latvia exists a negative correlation between Pillar II pension schemes and inflation, i.e. the return of a pension scheme decreases with the increase of inflation meaning that inflation alongside with other economic and political factors might be considered as a factor affecting the return of pension schemes.