Nowadays excessively used corticosteroids in veterinary medicine induce steroid hepatopathy in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). The objective of this study was to determine the possibility of the hepatoprotectants to decrease the corticosteroid-induced alteration in such dogs’ blood serum enzymes as alaninaminotransferase (ALAT), gammaglutamyltranferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and corticosteroid-induced thermostable alkaline phosphatase (cAP). The study took place in private veterinary clinics in Riga, Latvia, during 2013, with the permission of dogs’ owners. Twenty eight animals, which received corticosteroids due to present diagnosis, were divided into two groups. In the first group long-lasting corticosteroid methylprednisolone acetate injection was used once, while in the second group the hepatoprotectants were used after the injection of corticosteroids. It was discovered that after 14 and after 30 days of hepatoprotectants use, blood enzymes were significantly lower (p is less than 0.05) than in dogs that did not receive hepatoprotectants. In both groups the enzyme values did not reach the reference limits. The study is set to investigate further if and when the values reach the reference limits.

A prospective study was performed on 15 client-owned dogs to assess the clinical outcome after surgical excision of canine cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) depending on histologic grade and completeness of surgical margins. The surgical margins were evaluated as complete, close or incomplete if they were more than 3 mm, from 1 to 3 mm or less than 1 mm wide, respectively. Survival time for dogs with low grade MCT (based on grading by M. Kiupel et al.) was 409 days compared with only 60 days for dogs with high grade tumor. Dogs with high grade tumors had significantly shorter survival time and worse prognosis than dogs with low grade tumors (p=0.013). Complete excision was associated with lower possibility and longer time to tumor recurrence, as well as longer survival, however, marginal surgical border status did not have a significant impact on time to tumor recurrence and survival. It was also found that tumor duration but not tumor size had a significant impact on surgical margin status (p=0.047). Tumor size significantly affected survival time with larger tumors being correlated with shorter survival (p=0.03). The results of our study suggest that grade, tumor size and recurrence are significant factors for MCT prognostication.

The paper discusses heat transfer and the step response of a low-power induction motor to no-load mode under fan cooled and naturally cooled conditions. In Latvia University of Agriculture (LUA) in the electric drive laboratory the experimental tests were performed on a 1.1 kW totally enclosed fan cooled three phase induction motor with a fan mounted on a shaft for fan cooled conditions and with a fan taken off for naturally cooled conditions. The transient temperatures are measured in nine points of the stator end windings and in two points of the stator frame using thermocouples. Temperature is measured by using K type thermocouples and Pico-Log TC – 08 data logger. The current and voltage are measured by using Simple Logger II L562 two channel data logger. Measurement data are processed and archived using data loggers Pico-Log Recorder, Simple Logger II and Data View software. The experimental test results show that ventilation plays an essential role in the heating process of small power induction motors. Mathematical and virtual models of induction motor windings heating are represented to simulate the heating process of induction motor under no-load mode and different cooling conditions.

Europe’s future wood demand for energy is expected to increase by 10 million to 200 million m3 in the period 2010- 2030. This will be supplied by both domestic sources (forests, industrial residues post-consumer wood waste), but also from sources outside Europe. The EU-28 predicts a near future (2020) gap between solid biomass supply and demand for renewable energy: 21.4 million tonnes of oil equivalents (MTOE). This is estimated via preliminary renewable energy action plans (NREAP’s) per country. The EU-28 expects wood pellet import will merely complete this gap of 21.4 MTOE, with more than 50 million tonnes of pellets. This implies a feedstock need of 125 million m3 of wood from forests and other sources outside the EU-28. A practical approach to include bioenergy in wood sector models should start with the input of wood pellets. Ideally, three types of bioenergy markets should be considered, in which pellets and the other major woody feedstock are included: 1. Large scale power production (the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, all importing pellets from outside the EU-28); 2. Medium scale combined heat and power (CHP’s) including those in the forest sector (Nordic countries use pellets and chips for energy, merely imported from the EU-28); 3. Small scale residential heating (Germany, Austria and Italy, using wood pellets and logs from regional sources). We suggest starting with inclusion of medium scale CHP’s, followed by large scale power production. Small scale heating is relatively stable and should not have large impacts on future markets.

The influence of forest distribution in the landscape on precipitation in middle latitudes is poorly researched. Moreover, results of such studies are controversial. Nevertheless, most researchers agree with findings, that influence of landscape roughness formed by forests on the amount of precipitation is significant. This study aimed to extend knowledge of the interface between forest distribution and the amount of precipitation during particular periods. Database of the amount of precipitation from 31 Lithuanian meteorological stations during the period of 2002-2010 was used in this study. Findings defined statistically significant correlations in the amount of precipitation increase due to shorter Euclidean distance to the nearest forest edge in the particular landscape (r = -0.421 – -0.359), p is less than 0.05), also shorter distance of the meteorological stations to the nearest forests (r = -0.380, p is less than 0.05) and higher density of the forests, treated as a perimeter per area ratio (PAR) (r = 0.359 – 0.551, p is less than 0.05).

Leaf morphology was assessed in Pajiesys and Seirijai field trials of oaks. Oaks in these trials are the progenies of oak trees (Quercus genus) that grow in the Trakas forest of Seirijai district of Alytus forest enterprise of Lithuania. The aim of the study was to determine the number of hybrid trees between the progenies of the Trakas forest in Pajiesys and Seirijai field trials. 251 oaks belonging to 40 half-sib families were sampled. Twenty three leaf morphological variables were measured on each of 5 leaves collected from each tree and analysed by principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA). The study concluded that Q. robur and Q. petraea leaves are most clearly identified by six morphological traits. Discriminant function of two traits for oak species separation was proposed. The study has also revealed a high degree of interspecific hybridization in field trials. Study results were compared with earlier reports about hybridization occurring in mixed oak stands in other parts of Europe.

Pine, spruce and birch stem’s quality is different in regions of Latvia, but the differences are not included in the tables and models of assortment outcome. Therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the outcome of round wood assortments. The aim of the research was to evaluate the regional differences of final felling sawlog outcome for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and birch (Betula spp.) in Latvia and to set the regions with a different sawlog outcome. Data from 1645 final felling areas was used for pine, 1202 for spruce and 1531 for birch from the years 2010 – 2012. Firstly, the sawlog outcome of 97 territorial units was set by using the data of the final felling areas sawlog outcome of pine, spruce and birch. Secondly, territorial units with a similar sawlog outcome were consolidated in regions. The smallest regional difference of sawlog outcome was found for spruce (9.4%), slightly larger for pine (10.5%) and the largest difference for birch (16.2%). Three regions with the different sawlog outcome were found for Scot pine, six for Norway spruce and seven for birch. Several spruces and birch regions have similar sawlog outcome but those do not have borders. They are between regions with higher or lower sawlog outcome. Sawlog outcome of neighbouring regions differ for at least 4 – 5%.

The study aims to find productivity of biofuel production in pre-commercial thinning, depending on the structure of assortments and to identify factors that influence the cost of mechanized tending of young stands. Five work methods were compared in the study, starting from standard thinning (production of sawn timber, pulpwood and firewood) with no use of accumulating device and finalizing with the biofuel method – no other assortments except biofuel are produced and the most intense use of accumulating device is considered. Accumulating device is not used for production of standard round-wood assortments. The experiments were implemented in February – March, 2013. The material produced in the study was used by ‘Graanul Pellets’ company to evaluate possibilities to use timber extracted in pre-commercial thinning of coniferous stands in production of premium class pellets. The average productivity in different stands is statistically different. The study shows that productivity of harvesting is 3.7 … 5.1 m**3 hE-1, which can be increased by more intensive use of accumulation. No difference found between work methods in forwarding trials, but productivity grows with increase of share of firewood. Average loading time 26 min, unloading 3.6 min, average load 6.0 m**3 . Prime-cost calculation shows that harvesting costs depending on the working method is in the range of 22.4 … 26.5 EUR mE-3. Comparison of potential expenses and incomes demonstrates that economically the most efficient is production of traditional assortments (sawn wood, small size sawn wood, pulp wood and firewood) with an active use of accumulating function.

The study represents results of productivity studies of mechanized ditch cleaning using Ponsse Fox harvester adapted to multi-tree handling H6 head in forest drainage systems managed by Joint stock company “Latvia state forests”. The aim of the study is to evaluate productivity of extraction of biomass from ditches depending on working method and to estimate factors affecting prime-cost of biofuel in mechanized harvesting. The study results demonstrate that the 2nd method (mechanized extraction of roundwood and following motor-manual cleaning of remaining vegetation) is the most efficient solution for mechanized cleaning of ditches. Benefits of the 2nd method are smaller costs of undergrowth removal and bigger output of solid biofuel. Ponsse Fox harvester demonstrated sufficient work quality and productivity in the trials; however, it would be wise to use heavier harvesters or caterpillar excavator based harvesters in ditch cleaning. Using the 2nd method, a harvester can extract about 227 ha of ditches (23,000 m3 ) annually.

Thermal wood modification has been intensively studied in the recent decades because of the possibility to produce wood with improved biodurability and dimensional stability without use of harmful chemicals. Beside altered physical characteristics, wood colour is changed to lighter or darker brown as a result of thermal treatment. Growth of interest in thermal wood treatment has stimulated numerous researches concerned with discoloration of thermally modified wood which is subjected to light exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the colour stability of thermally modified hardwood during storage in the dark where wood discolouration is not photoinduced but rather a result of oxidative ageing. Three thermally modified hardwood species – aspen (Populus tremula L.), alder (Alnus incana Moench), birch (Betula pendula Roth.), where investigated. Wood discoloration was monitored by spectrophotometrical measurements of reflectance spectra and chromaticity parameter calculations using CIELAB colour system where L* is the lightness, and a* and b* are the chromatic coordinates. The colour stability of thermally modified wood as well as of untreated wood of the same species was examined by means of assessment of the colour parameter changes (ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, ΔEab). All wood specimens under study discoloured during the experiment, but the colour change did not exceed two units that are common and accepted for wood products. Untreated and thermally modified wood showed different trends of discoloration during storage in the dark. The final colour changes that were fixed at the end of the experiment were greater for the thermally treated wood.