Agricultural research in marginal dry areas can contribute to reducing poverty through the development of technological, institutional and policy options for poor farmers. Such research should address diversified opportunities and development pathways. This article analyses the diversity of livelihood strategies of rural people living in the Khanasser Valley in northwestern Syria, an area that is typical of marginal drylands. It proposes an operational classification of households based on their different livelihood strategies, applying an integrated methodology within a Sustainable Livelihoods framework. Households are classified into three clusters: agriculturists, labourers and pastoralists. The article examines the diversity of livelihoods involved, and considers where and how research should be directed to have greatest impact on poverty. Given that rural households are not homogeneous but dynamic entities, with diverse assets, capabilities and opportunities, the definition of household typologies can help to target development research. The article concludes that while agriculturists benefit most, poor labourers with enough land can also gain from pro-poor agricultural research. The poorest households with little land, and pastoralists, benefit little or only indirectly.

The study aims to find out the efficiency of periodic training of the harvester (cut-to-length) operator, using the automatically saved data of the harvesterʼs information system. It has been established that logging service providers and training institutions do not analyse the operatorʼs work before starting the training; therefore, the training is carried out according to certain, standard programs, without going into the previous performance of each trainee operator. The research uses data automatically saved by Ponsse harvesters during the year, obtained from Ponsse Manager. The study found that by using automatically saved data of the harvester information and performing data grouping with subsequent analysis, it is possible to determine the progress in the execution of specific stem processing operations and to identify operations where the instructor should pay increased attention during training. The research analysed the data of 3 operators, obtained while working with Ponsse harvesters in clear-cutting. In the study, it was found that operator A reduced stem processing time by 3%, labour productivity increased by 15%, and fuel consumption per l m⁻³ decreased by 14% over 3 months. Operator B, after training, saw a 20% reduction in stem processing time, a 13% increase in work productivity, and a 5% increase in fuel consumption l m⁻³ over 3 months. Operator C had a 10% increase in stem processing time, a 1% increase in labour productivity, and a 2% increase in fuel consumption l m³ after training.

Forest drainage is a common management practice, carried out in order to improve tree growth; however, the alterations in hydrological and microclimate dynamics can cause diverse changes in the characteristics of ground cover vegetation. The aim of study was to characterise the composition and richness of ground cover vegetation in drained forest stands, where the groundwater levels have been affected by the reconstruction of drainage diches. Research was conducted in the hemiboreal forests of Latvia. Three study sites were chosen, measurements of groundwater level, stand parameters and projective cover of ground covered vegetation took place in two stands which underwent reconstruction and restoration of the drainage system in 2019, and a control stand, where the drainage system had not been restored. For assessing the relationship of ground cover vegetation in relation to groundwater level and stand factors, DCA analysis was used. The differences between stands, regarding the species projective cover and species composition, were assessed by ANOSIM (Analysis of similarities). Sites, where drainage ditches were fully or partially reconstructed exhibited a greater diversity of ground cover vegetation species compared to the control stand, where no renewal of drainage ditches had occurred. Conversely, the control stand displayed a higher projective cover of the bryophyte layer. The composition of ground cover vegetation species differed amongst all studied stands, the varying stand characteristics and co-dominant tree species in canopy layer had a more pronounced influence on ground cover vegetation, making it complicated to evaluate direct impact of groundwater level.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is an aromatic herb with a multitude of uses. It is both a seasoning in various dishes, and a natural remedy for several diseases mainly due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Plus, it is also used in cosmetic industry and for improving agriculture practices and helping the environment, since it may be a natural antimicrobial. It is worth noting that this plant is also grown and commercialized in Uzbekistan, thus, if added value is given to rosemary’s products, it has potential for improving living conditions and helping in the economy of local farmers and entrepreneurs. In this work, we discuss a technique for obtaining rosemary essential oil, rich in terpenes, by vacuum assisted hydrodistillation. This is a solventless environmentally friendly and safe technique that allows the obtention of an added value rosemary product where terpenes, compounds responsible for most of rosemary’s properties, are the most abundant. Two samples of locally acquired rosemary were sourced, essential oil was extracted, and characterization was then performed by Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) and Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). As a comparison, a direct injection of a dilution of one of the essential oil samples was also performed. It was concluded that samples of essential oil obtained from both sources were entirely composed of terpenes or terpene derivatives. Besides, SPME was a superior method when compared to direct injection, since a larger number of volatiles was able to be identified.

Galactomannans, composed of galactose and mannose, may form gels and are considered safe because of their non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible nature. As a result, they are widely utilized in the food industry as stabilizers and thickeners. Among galactomannan producing species, guar gum and locust bean gum are particularly important due to their economical relevance. Guar gum and locust bean gum are often adulterated with cellulose gums like xanthan gum and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Adulteration of galactomannans with other gums may introduce uncertainties regarding functionality and complicate quality control, posing a potential problem for the food industry. Among the different techniques which have been used for determining and characterizing galactomannans, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy stands out. Especially when coupled to Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR), analyses are performed rapidly, with a minimum sample preparation, and without the need for solvent or previous extraction mechanisms. However, food is a very complex matrix that contains a high number of components which generate a multitude of spectral information and large data sets. Consequently, additional data processing tools such as chemometrics are needed to be able to draw useful information from spectra. Our goal in this work is to show how to optimize conditions for instrumental analysis by infrared spectroscopy of galactomannans and its constituent monomers and create a chemometric model where galactomannans could be differentiated as a single group. We successfully optimized the PCA model obtained after chemometric processing of infrared data through reducing dimensions by loadings selection.

In Uzbekistan, the main food product is bread, which is produced in various forms from local and imported wheat. Most of it is not studied by microelement analysis. The objective of this study is to quantify trace elements in locally produced wheat from various cultivated regions of Uzbekistan. Four different varieties of wheat are cultivated in Sirdarya, Tashkent region, Kashkadarya and Fergana were selected for analysis. Next, a comparative analysis of the elemental composition like iron, zinc, potassium, calcium etc., in the selected samples were studied. To carry out the above aims, an innovative research method was chosen, which is called improved instrumental neutron activation analysis. This method differs from others in its high accuracy in determining trace elements and its multi-element nature. Using this method, we can understand how insufficient nutrients are in baked goods made from wheat grain grown in Uzbekistan. Based on the results of the study, it can be recommended to enrich the soil with fertilizers high in iron and zinc. As a result, in turn, will have a positive effect on the health of the population, since today there is a shortage of the above listed elements. It was also revealed that the concentration of potassium and calcium in wheat cultivated in Uzbekistan is in a high state than other elements. Using the chosen method, two toxic elements were determined and according to the analysis for toxic elements, all four samples are recommended for consumption, as they do not exceed the permissible level for food safety.

Ensuring inclusive rural development of territorial communities requires a comprehensive study and the use of special methods and tools. To ensure such growth, it is advisable to apply financial decentralisation and territorial marketing. The aim of the study is to determine the level of inclusive rural development of territorial communities of Lviv region. The study is based on the analysis of the budgetary indicators of rural territorial communities of Lviv region, a study of the political, economic and social inclusion of active groups of entities of rural territorial communities of Lviv region. The budgetary indicators of rural territorial communities of Lviv region are analysed, taking into account the average values for the region and the country. Based on the results of questionnaire surveys of active groups of entities of rural territorial communities of Lviv region, the level of political, economic and social inclusion is determined. The research identified indicators of political, economic and social inclusion that shape the perceptions of active groups of entities on further improvements aimed at enhancing inclusive rural development of territorial communities. The results of the research show that the level of inclusive rural development of territorial communities of Lviv region is above average. Prospects are aimed at ensuring permanent monitoring of the integrated index of inclusive rural development of territorial communities as an indicator of the efficiency of budgetary funds (financial decentralisation) and meeting the needs of active groups of entities of rural communities (territorial marketing) in Ukraine.

In the realm of innovative product development, a multidisciplinary and scientifically grounded approach plays a pivotal role in shaping the creation of novel solutions. As society faces complex problems and rapidly evolving needs, understanding the scientific methodologies and theories underpinning innovative product development is crucial. Research aim is to comprehensively analyse and synthesize the diverse theoretical foundations from various scientific disciplines that influence the process of innovative product development. Research methods include literature review, content analysis, and expert interviews were employed to identify and categorize relevant theoretical frameworks from various disciplines. The studyʼs key findings emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in innovative product development. The study highlights the roles of creativity, economics, and psychology in product development, stressing the need to weave diverse scientific theories into a systematic approach for user-centric solutions. The study highlights the integrative nature of innovation by elucidating the diverse theoretical foundations underpinning product development, enhancing understanding of how various scientific theories converge to drive innovation systematically. The findings underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in guiding real-world product development, offering practical insights for innovators, educators, and professionals seeking to optimize the innovation process and create user-centric solutions.

Nowadays, when the economic development of countries is more and more influenced by knowledge-based, innovative entrepreneurship, particular attention is paid to the application and protection of intellectual property. Enterprises can acquire intellectual property rights in various ways externally and such rights can also be generated by enterprises internally: they launch and subsequently produce new or improved products and services (research and development) and ensure the protection of intellectually intensive products (patents, trademarks, computer software, etc.). Thus, it is important to study the valuation and accounting of intellectual property rights. The aim of the research is, on the basis of the studies of intellectual property rights accounting policy in Latvia, to identify the shortcomings related to the valuation and accounting of intellectual property rights and to develop recommendations for their elimination. The following research tasks are subject to the aim: to study IPRs concept, regulatory framework and statistical data, to valuate accounting policy for IPRs; to identify shortcomings related to the valuation and accounting of IPRs; to develop recommendations for the elimination of identified shortcomings. The results of research enable to draw a conclusion that the requirements of the laws and regulations of Latvia do not prevent from the capitalization of intellectual property rights as intangible assets; however, it is necessary to revise and improve some requirements. In the conclusion of research, the authors have elaborated recommendations for the elimination of identified shortcomings.

Digital progress in the European Union is a catalyst for economic development. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the pace of digitalization, thereby creating not only challenges for the European Union but also new opportunities for economic development in Europe. The present research focuses on an analysis of digital economy and society index scores for Latvia and Lithuania, comparing the performance of both countries with the European Union average. The research aims to identify the critical areas that hinder digital progress in Latvia and Lithuania. Accordingly, the digital economy and society index was analysed for the period from 2018 to 2023. The empirical part of the research includes a sociological survey, and the survey data were analysed in order to identify population needs for and experience in using digital technologies in Latvia and Lithuania. The survey involved 146 respondents. The research results allowed us to identify the critical areas for Latvia and Lithuania to focus on for further digital progress. Latvia and Lithuania both show high scores, well above the EU average, in the ‘digital public servicesʼ component, indicating that both countries have a high level of e-government users and widespread access to digital public services. The results of the sociological survey further confirm this, showing that a large majority of 84.25% of respondents in both Latvia and Lithuania use digital solutions in their daily lives.