Our previous research was focussed on evaluating spaces in the Soviet period housing estates in Riga according to theoretical model of spatial measurements. This model was based on assumption established ex situ that liking and perception of urban space is closely related to buildings. Namely, to the way walls of the buildings shape a setting in terms of its height, width, length. This current paper sets the goal to analyse the impact of landscape elements such as trees, benches, elevations of earth surface, playgrounds on the perception and preference of open spaces in situ. This is done to verify the hypothesis that landscape elements as well as the method of research play a role in our knowledge on how urban spaces are regarded. Semi-structured interviews in walk-along modus are used to talk to inhabitants about the ways they see and like yards and streets in three residential areas: ‘Agenskalna priedes’, ‘Kengarags’, ‘Zolitude’. The interview materials are analysed discursively. The extracted information is compared to the data previously acquired by using the model of spatial measurements. The results of interviews show that trees are the landscape elements that have the largest impact on how residents perceive the size of a space and how they like a setting. There are also other elements such as benches, playgrounds, elevations that play a role. The interview material displays deviations in preference and perception of the size of space compared to the model of spatial measurements. Yet these deviations can be adapted to the model.

Human milk provides infant with the required nutrients for growth and development. The aim of preliminary study was to determine macro- and micronutrients content in mature human milk among lactating women residing in Latvia and dietary habits affecting it. The study was carried out from November 2016 to February 2017. In total, 24 pooled diurnal milk samples were collected from mothers whose infants had reached the age of at least two months. Personal information of each participant was recorded, including mother’s age, weight and height parameters, sex and age of an infant, parity, breastfeeding pattern, milk expression method used for sampling. Eating habits were obtained using Monthly Food Frequency Questionnaire. Analysed elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS Agilent 7700x, Japan). Concentrations ranged from 227.52 to 398.34 mg LE-1 for calcium, 58.56 – 256.38 mg LE-1 for sodium, 445.33 – 736.71 mg LE-1 for potassium, 25.73 – 49.52 mg LE-1 for magnesium, till 3.17 mg LE-1 for iron, 0.28 – 2.77 mg LE-1 for zinc, 0.06 – 0.43 mg LE-1 for copper, 2.00 – 44.00 µg LE-1 for manganese, 1.00 –10.00 µg LE-1 for chrome which is comparable to data obtained from other studies although chrome and manganese concentration was even higher than observed in literature. Cobalt and selenium content was below detection limit. Zinc content in human milk negatively correlated with baby’s age (p is less than 0.05). The content of majority of essential minerals in human milk was affected by mother’s dietary habits; however, more samples need to be analysed for representative conclusions.

Salty snacks are popular appetizers consumed between meals and are one of favourite components of menu at different social gatherings and private celebrations. Consumers base their choice of snacks not only on flavour and smell of product, but also on different kinds of parameters like colour, texture and nutritional value as well as other information labelled on packaging. Typically salty snacks are associated with potato (Solanum tuberosum) crisps, but in present paper there were viewed also vegetable crisps and snacks. The aim of this research was to evaluate nutritional value and physical quality of potato and vegetable crisps and wholegrain snacks in Latvian market. From January to March 2017, 22 potato and vegetable crisps and wholegrain snack samples from Latvian market were analysed. For all samples, information on the labels was analysed as well as salt content, thickness, crispness and colour using standard methods. For 31.8% of the investigated samples, presented information on label and determined salt content do not differ significantly (p is greater than 0.05). That means that 68.2% of the analysed potato, vegetable crisps and snacks on the packaging labels have represented incorrect salt content. Positive moderate correlation (r = 0.489) between potato and vegetable crisps thickness and crispness was found out. Raw materials and ingredients of samples directly impact colour values. If a sample contains beetroot, the colour results would indicate dark red. All potato crisps colour values point out light yellow colour.

High economic losses in agriculture can be caused by pig disease like Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS). Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV2) is the primary agent of PMWS. It is known that PMWS causes cellular and humoral immunity disorders, therefore it is considered a general immune deficiency disease in piglets. It is still unknown, why piglets with PMWS have severe loss of lymphocytes in lymphoid tissues and in the blood. Thus, the hypothesis of the study was that lymphocyte depletion occurs because of lymphocyte life-cycle delay in pigs infected by PCV2. The activity of cell life-cycle is attributed to protein Ki67. This protein is found in all active phases of the cell like interphase G1, S, G2 and mitoses. However, protein Ki67 is not observed at all in the cell’s “quiet” phase G0. The aim of our work was to investigate the lymph node cell proliferation activity of pigs infected by PCV2. In total, 42 pig carcasses were collected from 5 to 15 weeks old pigs with PMWS clinical manifestation. Lymph nodes were selected from each pig carcass for histological and immunohistochemical testing. We concluded that B lymphocyte population was reduced first in the lymph node with PCV2, but the number of T lymphocytes decreased later. PCV2 decreased B lymphocyte proliferation activity.

Methane is considered to be the main greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted by livestock. One method for reducing methane emissions from ruminants is to improve production efficiency, which reduces methane emissions per unit of product (FAO, 2010; Gworgwor, Mbahi, and Yakubu, 2006). There are many researches about prebiotics which can reduce methane production in livestock, for example, galacto-oligosaccharides reduced methane emission up to 11% (litres/day) (Zhou et al., 2004). There is almost no information about prebiotic inulin, so the aim of this research was to determine the impact of different dosages of inulin concentrate (50%) on the increase of calves’ body weight and its impact on methane emission, as well as to find out how the results change if it is added to barley flour not to milk as in our previous research. Approximately fifty days old, clinically healthy, different Holstein Friesian crossbreed calves kept in groups of 8, in a partly closed space with natural ventilation through windows were included in this research. Eight calves were in the control group (CoG) and sixteen received inulin (Pre12 (n = 8), Pre24 (n = 8)). At the beginning of the experiment – the 28th and 56th day - we determined each calf’s weight and measured the methane level in the rumen by using the PICARROG-2508 gas analyser (Fleck, 2013). We concluded that inulin supplement significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the live weight gain comparing Pre24 and CoG. The highest methane production on 1 kg of body weight at the end of the research was detected in Pre24 – 1.24 mg mE-3 and the lowest in CoG – 0.99 mg mE-3.

Hyperadrenocorticism (excessive adrenal production of sex steroids related to adrenocortical adenomas and carcinomas) is a common disease in neutered male and female pet ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and causes significant morbidity. Incidence of ferret adrenal disease in Latvia is high because the majority of them are gonadectomized. The most common clinical symptoms include symmetrical alopecia and recurrence of sexual behavior. Sex steroids used to diagnose disease are estradiol, androstenedione and 17α-OH progesterone. It is mentioned that androstenedione is the most sensitive during development of the disease. The aim of this study was to sum up, evaluate and compare clinical findings and blood hormone measurements in ferrets diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism. Forty two ferrets (n = 20 female, n = 22 male) with various clinical symptoms related to hyperadrenocorticism were included in this research. Clinical examination based on clinical symptom protocol was performed and blood samples were taken in all cases. There is a high correlation between the age of neutering and onset of clinical signs in female ferrets. In both sexes, there is no correlation between clinical signs and levels of sex steroids. In male and female group, symmetrical alopecia, pruritus, scaling and fragility of skin and lethargy are the most common findings. During this research, a ranking system (from 1 to 4) for the severity of alopecia was developed. All ferrets had one or two elevated sex steroid levels. In our research, androstenedione was elevated in 25 cases out of 42. Clinical signs and sex steroid measurements are important in diagnosing hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets.

Legumes are becoming more popular in food and feed consumption. They are promoted by EU policy related to healthy lifestyle and environmental policy. Legumes can be grown in crop rotation as monocrop or in different kind of intercropping systems. It is a well-known fact that legumes play an important role in fixation of the atmospheric N, whereas their influence on other biological and chemical aspects of the soil ecosystem is only explored partially. The experimental trial was established at the Pūre Horticultural Research Centre with the aim of studying the influence of legumes on the soil properties in the intercrop with strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Different genotypes were included in the trial as intercrops: two local broad beans (Vicia faba var. major L.) genotypes, two pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars and clover (Trifolium hybridum L.). Two control treatments were included in the trial: with and without nitrogen fertilizer usage. Strawberries were planted in May of 2014 and maintained in the field for three years. Results showed that there were significant differences between treatments in soil respiration rate (SRR) and SRR dynamic throughout the experiment time. Dehydrogenase activity had similar results, though no significant differences between treatments were observed in the third year. No significant difference between treatments was found in the soil organic matter. Obtained data shows that legumes have a significant influence on the soil biological properties but not on biochemical properties. Further research needs to be carried out to determine legume influence on soil environment in more detail.

The agronomic role of legumes in cropping systems is well understood with the respect to N2 fixation, mechanisms of precrop effects, and environmental impacts. The combined inoculation and tripartite symbiosis between leguminous plants, Rhizobium spp. and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi has been the subject of intensive research. Less attention has been paid to their effects on subsequent crops. Pot experiments were carried out in the greenhouse of Latvia University of Agriculture in 2015 and 2016. Soil used for this experiment was taken from the previous trial, where broad beans (Vicia faba var. major Harz.) were grown. Bean seeds, depending on the variant, were inoculated with rhizobia bacteria or mycorrhiza fungi, or the mixture of both microorganisms. Onions were grown as a subsequent crop. During the experiment, fresh and dry weight of onion leaves was determined. Onion root mycorrhizal colonization frequency and arbuscule abundance in the onion root system were determined. The activity of soil microorganisms was determined by soil respiration intensity. Results showed that the use of microsymbionts increased the subsequent onion leaf harvest in 2014 by 2.3% and in 2015 by 9.5%. In 2015 the highest increase of onion leaf yield was detected in variants were rhizobia strain RP023 was used. Rhizobia strain RV407 gave a positive effect only in combination with mycorrhiza fungi. Precrop treatment with mineral nitrogen fertilizer increased the onion yield in both years – by 12.4 and 14.3%, respectively. In all treatments, a decrease in dry matter content was observed. The highest incidence of mycorrhiza fungi structures was detected under mycorrhiza treatment. Tripartite symbiosis promoted the soil respiration rate.

Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affect the overall agriculture and food supply. Edamame, also called vegetable soybean is an import vegetable in the world, especially in the East Asia. China is the world’s centre for vegetable soybean production. Edamame beans are harvested before full maturity when bean pods are green and just before turning to yellow colour. Most cultivated varieties in the world are of Japanese origin. The aim of this literature survey is to give a review on history and consumption facts of edamame, as well as on the yield and quality parameters of this fresh commodity. Monographic method has been used for this review. Edamame has a high nutritional and medical value. Composition of biologically active compounds in edamame plants is dependent on climate conditions, seasonal changes, cultivar properties and maturity stage. Vegetable soybean has a long cultivation history in the world. In Europe edamame is grown, but in Latvia edamame has not been grown until now, but there is some experience in soya grain growing. Pod colour is the main external quality factor of edamame. It can be influenced by light, moisture, fertilization, variety properties, planting density and harvesting procedures. Vegetation period for edamame in most cases is reported to be between 75 and 100 days. Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affect the overall agriculture and food supply. Edamame, also called vegetable soybean is an import vegetable in the world, especially in the East Asia. China is the world’s centre for vegetable soybean production. Edamame beans are harvested before full maturity when bean pods are green and just before turning to yellow colour. Most cultivated varieties in the world are of Japanese origin. The aim of this literature survey is to give a review on history and consumption facts of edamame, as well as on the yield and quality parameters of this fresh commodity. Monographic method has been used for this review. Edamame has a high nutritional and medical value. Composition of biologically active compounds in edamame plants is dependent on climate conditions, seasonal changes, cultivar properties and maturity stage. Vegetable soybean has a long cultivation history in the world. In Europe edamame is grown, but in Latvia edamame has not been grown until now, but there is some experience in soya grain growing. Pod colour is the main external quality factor of edamame. It can be influenced by light, moisture, fertilization, variety properties, planting density and harvesting procedures. Vegetation period for edamame in most cases is reported to be between 75 and 100 days.

This work deals with the baking quality of the spelt wheat grain (Triticum spelta L.) compared with bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Mixed flours were made of different share of spelt wheat and bread wheat (in total 11 mixtures) in 2016 in the Česke Budejovice in the laboratories of the Faculty of Agriculture. The technological quality of these mixtures was analysed, focusing on standard evaluation methods (protein content, characteristic of gluten or swellability of protein). The analysis was supplemented by complete rheological analysis made by Mixolab II. Bread was used as a model product. Subsequently, sensory evaluation of baked bread from the previously prepared mixtures was done. Part of the analysis was to estimate the economic basic bread recipe with different proportions of bread wheat and spelt wheat. The results were statistically analysed via STATISTICA 9.1 (StatSoft, Inc., USA). It was proved that the flour made of spelt can give cereal products with a higher nutritional value. The results have shown that the spelt grain is much more suitable for baking. Its advantage is the higher protein content and higher resistance of kneading of the dough and starch gelatinization rate, which was statistically confirmed. The main disadvantage is the higher price of spelt. According to the results, the ideal utilization of spelt wheat based on sensory analysis and economic calculations seems to be the mixture of spelt wheat and bread wheat, which results in an undeniable decrease of the product cost, and hence effects the common customer choice and taste preferences.