The paper is aimed at the assessment of opportunities for the financing of innovative activities in Latgale region. The analysis is based generally on the case of Rezekne. Firstly, the problem is determined - Latgale is the weakest region in Latvia from economical development point of view. Secondly, the overview of the financial resources for innovative activities is given. Finally, the author argues his opinion on necessity to develop innovative business in order to improve the situation in Latgale. One of the most important aspects that hamper Latgale's development is the lack of financial resources. The optimal schemes for the financing of innovative business are offered. The research lead to the conclusion that finances for sustainable development of innovative business could be attracted through the Latgale's small enterprises (SMEs) cooperation with regional higher education institutions (Rezekne Higher Education Institution, Daugavpils University), business support centres and Rezekne Special economical zone structures.

In the article there are used statistical data about Latvia rural private households of the years 2001 and 2003. The distribution of natural households in Latvia countryside is investigated. The possibilities of the use of input-output models in the research of natural rural household economy are investigated. Making use of private household "Galakrogs" input-output tables for the years 1999, 2000, and 2001 published by A.Eglite, corresponding input-output models are compiled and their informative analysis is performed.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the application possibilities of berries marc in wheat bread making to improve its quality. Sensory evaluation was used to determine the liking degree of bread with berries marc. Twenty samples of wheat bread with raspberries, white currants, gooseberries and seabuckthorn marc were produced by using standard technology. A 9 point hedonic scale was used to find out the degree of liking. The sensory data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. The results of hedonic scaling show that berries marc (5-10% of the flour mass) can be used in baking wheat bread.

Turkey is a mountainous country with many high mountains. Recent estimations show that there are approximately 20.7 million ha of forested area in Turkey, covering 25.8% of the total land area. However, little over half of this forested area is classified as unproductive (51.7%). Artvin is located in the North Eastern Black Sea part of Turkey and is the home of a very rich biological diversity. Forests in Artvin region are in different climatic zones - from temperate climate to continental climate zone - and there are several vegetation zones in the region which ranges from sea level to the altitude of 3500 m. A Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantation, planted in 1996 in the alpine zone in Artvin-Ardanuc region, was investigated. The size of study area was 40 ha and this research was done on 12 sample plots. There were 50 Scotch pine seedlings on each sample plot. Height and root collar diameter of the seedlings were measured. The mean slope was the same (60%) on the sample plots, and the effects of exposure and altitude significantly affected the height and root collar diameter growth of the seedlings (P is less than 0.05). It was determined that increased altitude is associated with decreased height growth and root collar diameter of the seedlings.

Nowadays the industrial society changes over to the information society. The introduction of elements from distance education and e-studies is an effective means in updating traditional education system in higher educational establishments of Latvia. Due to the decrease of the amount of contact classes and increase of the share of independent work, the version of studies of a mixed-mode type (the introduction of separate elements from the distance education and e-studies in traditional subjects of studies) is the most appropriate types of education in higher educational establishments of Latvia. Hence new study materials elaborated exactly to cover the needs of independent active studies with feedback are required. The techniques type of study materials has to be acceptable for students of different age groups. The aims and tasks are to be clearly defined in the study materials for distance education and e-studies. Tests and examinations are carried out to state whether the aims and tasks are fulfilled. The objective of tests and exams is not a severe evaluation of student knowledge but the analysis of made mistakes. With the introduction the elements of distance education and e-studies in the process of teaching and learning of subjects in higher educational establishments, the students from towns and country will have greater possibilities to acquire knowledge at the speed, time and place most suitable for them.

In order to get maximum economic effect, when setting a solar collector in a peasant yard, it is important to choose the correct place. The yield of obtained heat energy will be at its maximum, if the temperature of surrounding air and solar radiation are higher by the relative humidity of the air - lower. To define these parameters, a special device 'Meteorological Device' (MD-4) was developed. The device was supplied with a mechanism which tracks the sun all day round. So the direct solar radiation on the surface perpendicular to the sun beams was measured. The second measuring of the solar radiation was made in relation to the surface, which was perpendicular to the sun beams only at the middle of a day time. For the measuring of the air temperature and relative humidity, corresponding sensors were used. In every 15 minutes the data of these four meteorological parameters were automatically measured and the results were saved into a logger - the device for data accumulation. After a certain period of time the information was brought into the memory of a computer and analysed.

The main parameters of the plough body that determine the ploughing efficiency are the initial and the final soil trip lifting angles on the share-mouldboard surface, the angles of its horizontal generatrix, the radius of this surface, and the working width of the body. By using analytical correlations derived as a result of theoretical research, a computer algorithm has been worked out for simulating the functions of the plough body and the forces exerted by soil upon the operating parts, as well as its draft resistance. These correlations allow to determinate the forces acting on the plough body and its draft resistance depending on the share inclination angle, as well as to evaluate its impact on the ploughing efficiency: energy, and the fuel consumption, and the quality of work. By increasing the initial lifting angle epsilon, (inclination angle of share toward furrow bottom) the draft resistance increases. For economical ploughing, the initial lifting angle of the soil strip must have a minimal value, its optimum may vary 28...32 deg. The use of bodies having optimal parameters allows obtaining good ploughing quality, reduce draft resistance by 12...20% and to raise correspondingly the efficiency, to save fuel and financial resources for ploughing.

The development of the water management economy must satisfy the demands of the society and create the assumptions for a balanced development of the Lithuanian economy. Therefore it is essential to develop a politically independent, innovative and effective water management economy, which shall ensure the supply of the continuous, long-term and accessible services of water supply and wastewater management, socially necessary to all users, the quality of which shall meet the provided requirements. Lithuanian economy has been evolving towards the market economy for the entire decade after the restoration of the independence in 1991. The situation in water supply and maintenance economy was complicated: water management economy in most localities was worn and economically ineffective, wastewater treatment equipment was physically and morally outdated. After joining the European Union, it was required to harmonize the national requirements with the legislation of the European Union: the core attention in the water management sector had been given to the implementation of the Directive of the Common Water Policy. The implementation of the European Union requirements in the water management sector required big financial investment. The objective of this article is to evaluate the investment into the water management sector in Lithuania. The European Union, the international financing institution and national sources are the main resources for the financing of the development of the water sector. In 2000-2003, the subsidies and grants from the aforementioned organizations amounted to 1,169.92 thousand LTL in order to improve the assimilation of the investment, it is essential to increase the pay-back of the water management sector, modify the current management, administration and control structure of the companies in the water sector.

The paper presents the analysis of the pollution of water and sludge of the pond situated in the park of Kedainiai town. The analysis of pollutants such as heavy metals and oil-products has been carried out with the aim to evaluate the possibilities of arranging a sanitary safe bathing, place in the park and use the accumulated sludge. It was determined that the content of heavy metals in sludge exceeds the maximum permissible limit for sludge pollution in Lithuania. According to cadmium amount, the pollution also exceeds maximum allowable soil pollution level. However, the sludge in the pond contains a rather large amount of oil-products. After carrying out stirring-up tests of bottom sludge, it was determined that turbid water is polluted with oil-products that exceed the maximum permissible limit.

Constructed wetlands (CW) are considered as one of principal wastewater treatment methods containing and soil filters. CW may be of subsurface vertical flow (VF) and horizontal flow (HF). The objective of the studies was to estimate N-removal efficiency differences in CW of vertical and horizontal flow. To evaluate nitrogen (N) removal efficiency, the database of the studies on both construction of CW collected within the period of 1995-2005 was used. Horizontal filter systems characterize for a 1.6 times higher N-removal efficiency than vertical filters. Generally, N-removal efficiency depends on the load of filters. When filter load was 1.5 g mE-2dE-1 according to TN, N-removal efficiency is 39.6 and 24.0% in HF and VF systems respectively. Considering the seasons of the year, no significant difference was observed in N-removal efficiency in HF and VF systems during cold and warm periods of the year. N contained in water after the treatment process in filters is detected in different forms. NH4-N is prevailing in HF, while in VF systems NO3-N is dominant. It was also observed that NH4-N in the effluent during the initial operation of VF after the construction works in the first two months in the warm and in four months during their operation in the cold period of the year was prevailing.