Regions Of Latvia Research Articles

Sustainable Development Perspectives for Latvian Regions

<p>Regional economies is a relatively young branch of economics, whose theoretical aspects started to develop in the 20s and 30s of the previous century, but gained vivid manifestation in the EU Regional policy. Since the Rome Treaty (1957), the need for a coordinated community solution to regional problems and the correction of regional imbalances was also recognised in EU political documents. The end of the twentieth century was the beginning of important international political processes marked by the start of a new way of thinking. This new way was sustainable development. Sustainable development is a concept that has to combine economic growth with such a use of natural resources that benefits the society as a whole. The long-term development has three dimensions: environmental, economic and social. In this paper, the attention will be devoted to the influence of these dimensions on the regional development.</p><p>The aim of this paper is to provide a new viewpoint, as it may seem, related to well-known things that include such economic concepts as regional development and sustainable development and to evaluate sustainable development in Latvian regions. To achieve the aim, the following tasks were selected: to evaluate the theoretical background of regional economy, to examine the main indicators of regional development, and to prepare a regional development forecast. The following research methodology was used: literature review, graphical method, focus group discussions and logically constructive approach – for making judgements and result analysis; synthesis method – to combine the elements in a unified system; social research methods – to obtain the primary information and to carry out its verification. Conclusions: the main reasons for misbalanced regional development are the differences in employment, levels of income and investment. The research proposes solutions to promote balanced regional development. </p>

Genetic diversity of two perch Perca fluviatilis populations of the Latgale region

Molecular markers based on retrotransposons possibility of integration into genomes of many organisms are commonly used for genetic analysis of different species. The aim of this study was to test possibility of use those markers in perch and detect genetic diversity of populations of two lakes of the Latgale region of Latvia: Cirišs and Sventes. The distance between the lakes is nearly 60 km, they belong to the same Daugava river basin but are different from ecological point of view. Forty two blood samples of <em>Perca fluviatilis </em>were collected altogether. Extracted DNA was analyzed using inter-PBS amplification technique with specifically selected retrotransposon-based primers and agarose gel electrophoresis. Data of genetic diversity of lakes were calculated by POPGENE and NTSYS software. In total, 127 loci were found in two populations, 81 of them were polymorphic. In spite of rather small distance between lakes Cirišs and Sventes, several differences in genetic variation of populations of two lakes were found. For example, the number of polymorphic loci in samples from Sventes lake was 61, but from Cirišs lake only 47. A unique allele was found in Lake Sventes. Genetic similarity and distance between populations of lakes Cirišs and Sventes was 0.9288 and 0.0739 respectively. Results proved that molecular markers based on retrotransposons PBS regions can be very useful to test genetic diversity of fish populations.

Innovative approach in the improvement of student’s attention

Integrated studies are aimed towards linking knowledge from a variety of subjects. By studying related subjects in an isolated manner the knowledge is acquired in a disorganized way. Therefore contemporary pedagogy demands the use of integrative teaching methodology to achieve the best results. An Integrative teaching methodology for children with learning difficulties and cognitive and motor disorders was used in 17 schools from different Latvian regions. Students acquired Integrative teaching methodology during one study year. Attention span and concentration abilities using Cognitron test from Vienna test system were estimated for 615 students before and after the acquiring of Integrative teaching methodology. The results of younger students have improved more than the results of older students after using this methodology. The largest increase of speed and accuracy of information processing was observed for 3-4 grade students of general schools.

Impact of Plurilingualism on Learning Quality in Evening (Shift) Schools

<p><em>This paper presents the main findings of the second stage of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Lifelong Learning study (2011-2014) on identification of good practices that facilitate adult learning (aged 18-24) engagement in second chance education in evening (shift) schools. It analyses students’ perceptions of plurilingual learning processes and the impact of people’s plurilingualism on their learning. The methodology of early school leavers’ learning in working life research was used applying combined phenomenological semi-structured and narrative interviews. 116 people (72 early school leavers and 44 second chance education teachers) representing all geographical regions of Latvia were addressed. The study identifies the differences between learning of bilingual and plurilingual people in formal and informal learning environments and describes the impact of plurilingualism on the learning quality. </em></p><p> </p>

Peculiarities of Lifestyle and Learning Motivation of 9th Grade Students in Cities and Rural Area Schools of Latvia

<p><em>Psychosocial problems of adolescents are related with their lifestyle but </em><em>lifestyle and interests are affected by the area in which they live. The questionnaire of 9th grade students in 2 Latvia city schools and 2 Latvia rural area schools was carried out. The results of questionnaire showed that sport exercises in school attend majority of students in cities as well as in rural regions of Latvia but students from rural regions are more active. There are more students who spend less than 1 hour per day with their homework as well as watching TV in schools of Latvia cities in comparison with rural area schools. In Latvia cities as well as in rural regions students spend much time working with computer. The majority of students after 9th grade graduation intend to continue their studies in high school or vocational school.</em></p>

SCENARIOS OF LATVIAN RURAL SCHOOLS IN THE FUTURE PERSPECTIVE

In the frameworks of the research on Latvian rural schools’ educational environment there was carried out the forming experiment – cross-school mentoring in the organization form of five seminars that gathered 111 experts who represented educational sphere of two Latvian regions – Zemgale and Latgale. The aims of the article are 1) to give substantiation of the concept vision; 2) to describe the results of the cross-school mentoring seminars in the connection with: a) predictions of the future scenarios of sustainable development of rural schools and comparison of the results of future scenarios of 2004 with future scenarios of 2011 of sustainable development of rural schools and b) the influencing indicators of prestige and success of rural schools. The predictions of the future of scenarios of sustainable development reveal that there is an optimistic, pessimistic and realistic development and there are influencing factors of prestige of rural schools that are divided into two main groups: 1) representing factors of contexts (components) of school environment; 2) indicators of specificity of educational environment as prestige influencing factors.

Assessment of Wind Shear and Wind Energy Potential in the Baltic Sea Region of Latvia

Abstract The paper is devoted to the investigation into the wind energy potential based on long-term observations of the wind speed and energy density fluctuations at heights from 10 to 160 m on the Baltic Sea coast of Latvia. During the observations (2004 - 2013), the wind speed and direction values were measured, and the statistical database was accumulated using a LOGGER 9200 Symphonie measuring systems mounted on 60 m masts - one on the western coast and another on the north-east of Latvia. From June 2011 to May 2012, these measurements were complemented with the data for the heights from 40 to 160 m obtained by means of a ZephIR lidar and with the metrological data provided by “Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre” for the same period. The graphs of seasonal fluctuations in the wind speed were obtained for the heights up to 160 m by measurements over the period of 2007 - 2013. The results of the research on the wind speed distribution up to 200 m are promising for evaluation of the wind energy potential of Latvia and will be helpful in assessment of prospective sites for construction of WPPs.

Iodine deficiency during pregnancy: a national cross-sectional survey in Latvia.

Low iodine intake during pregnancy may cause thyroid dysfunction, which results in inadequate fetal brain development. In the absence of a universal salt iodization programme, we conducted a nationwide survey of iodine deficiency in pregnant women in Latvia. A countrywide twenty-cluster survey, with at least twenty women per cluster. Participants completed a questionnaire on dietary habits concerning iodine intake (n 739). Thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine and thyroperoxidase antibodies) was measured (n 550). Urinary iodine was measured using the ammonium persulfate method (n 696). The survey was performed in all regions of Latvia during the spring and autumn seasons in 2013. Pregnant women (n 829). The median creatinine (Cr)-standardized urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 80·8 (interquartile range (IQR) 46·1-130·6) µg/g Cr or 69·4 (IQR 53·9-92·6) µg/l during pregnancy, and 81% of pregnant women had UIC levels below the WHO recommended range of 150-250 µg/g Cr. The UIC was lowest during the first trimester of pregnancy, 56·0 (IQR 36·4-100·6) µg/g Cr, reaching higher concentrations of 87·5 (IQR 46·4-141·7) µg/g Cr and 86·9 (IQR 53·8-140·6) µg/g Cr in the second and third trimesters, respectively. Women taking supplements containing ≥150 µg iodine (6·8% of respondents) had non-significantly higher UIC than did women without supplementation (96·2 v. 80·3 µg/g Cr, respectively, P=NS). Thyroperoxidase antibody concentration did not correlate significantly with UIC: Spearman's ρ=-0·012, P=0·78. The median UIC indicates iodine deficiency in pregnant women in Latvia. Iodine supplementation (150 µg daily) and regular UIC monitoring should be suggested to overcome iodine deficiency and to reach the recommended levels without inducing autoimmune processes.

Latvian Piano Teachers' Views on an Ideal Teaching Aid for Pupils - Young Pianists

Abstract Currently, in Latvia, an adequate teaching aid that would meet the major requirements of young novice pianists is not available. Consequently, a question arises: What could be an ideal teaching aid for them? The opinion survey of 165 piano teachers from all regions of Latvia was carried out according to a three-point scale, in which 30 parameters that would characterise the teaching aid were indicated. The quantitative and qualitative methods of data processing were applied in this research. The results of the survey show that an ideal teaching aid for young novice pianists should correspond to the pupils' age group and be multinational. The results of the empiric research were used to articulate the basic principles of the development of teaching aids.

Regional Development and Private Consumption Structure in Latvia

Abstract The matter of the territories’ facilitation development in Latvia's regional economics is significant under the EU conditions. In order to compare the regional economic development level it is suggested to use the relation between consumer income growth and changes in expenditures on food and non-alcoholic beverages. The average income level of inhabitants in Riga region is higher than in other Latvian regions, which consequently demonstrates lower proportion of food expenditure in private consumption structure. The results of the analysis of covariance demonstrate that, first, Latvian regional level of economic development is significantly different from Latvia's average development level and, second, there is still a gap among living conditions in Latvia's regions.

When Regional Growth Does Not Benefit from High-tech Specialization? Explaining the Experience of Latvian Regions

Abstract Changes in technological structure of manufacturing towards high-tech sectors do not automatically lead to improvements in labour productivity. This can be as a trap for economically less developed regions, which tend to increase a presence of high-tech sectors in manufacturing structure, but as a result are not able to reach desirable improvements in economic growth. Using structural change and specialization indices and shift-share analysis technique, this paper analyses effect of structural changes in manufacturing sector on economic growth in Latvian regions. Empirical research findings highlight that those Latvian regions, which make a choice to have a technologically more developed manufacturing structure and pay less attention to the improvements of labour productivity turn out to be in the situation, when strengthening of specialization in high-tech sectors does not reflect in regional economic growth performance improvements. This, for example, is the case of the Latvian region with the lowest GDP per capita. The author finds out that changes of technological structure of manufacturing in favour to high-tech sectors without accompany of labour productivity growth do not provide desirable contribution in the improvements of economic growth performance and technologically less intensive sectors with higher labour productivity can contribute to the economic growth in bigger extent at this stage.

Cultural Environment as a Potential for Society Renewal

The renewal of society is a broad term in its original sense but in the context of the article, it is linked with issues of depopulation, territorial polarization, and shrinking processes in Latvia. One of the “hot points” for local governments has been finding ways to attract people and promote the development of rural territories for the past decades. Both theoretical and practical solutions for maintaining rural society and promoting the renewal of society are the development of the cultural environment. Cultural activities directly affect public participation, cooperation among the population, the development of creativity, and promotion of inclusive society, health and society renewal. As recent investigations show, cultural environment is broadly developing in rural territories of Latvia. The research of cultural environment as a potential for the renewal of society of Latvia is a novelty due to the beginning of the National Research Program for the period 2014–2017 funded by the Government of Latvia (EKOSOC LV projects 5.2.4., 5.2.8.). The aim of the article is to analyze cultural environment as a potential for renewal of society in rural territories of Latvia. The research object is planning and development documents of local governments, different agents of rural territories. The results of the study reveal development of cultural environment in rural regions in Latvia. However, these practices are fragile yet and need support. They can bring forth new social and economic structures and serve as promoters of the smart development of rural territories in Latvia. For this reason, local governments should create their strategies to appreciate and support cultural activities as their potential for renewal of rural society.

Integrated ICT System to Increase Physical Activity in Schools: Agent-Oriented Modeling Approach

During the past two decades the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) has fundamentally changed the routines and practices of nearly all aspects of life, sometimes, creating undesired side-effects such as decreased physical activity, obesity, overweight and sedentary behaviour for school-age children. In this case teachers and parents often regard ICT systems (“computers”) as a growing danger for adolescents’ health.The authors aim to discover how integration of advanced and appropriate ICT systems can help to increase physical activity in schools. Thus authors complement to one-sided general public opinion and propose specific positive outcomes of integration of effective ICT systems for increased physical activity, improved teaching and learning environment, higher overall quality and accessibility of education and learning motivation. In this research authors take an agent-oriented modelling approach, as opposed to the more commonly used object-oriented view. “Agents” are defined as the humans and man-made components of a system. The specific agent-oriented model is presented at three levels of abstraction corresponding to a motivation layer, a design layer, and an implementation layer. The research paper also examines the outcomes and evidence of practical implementation of the proposed agent-oriented model during an experiment conducted in the Northeast Latgale region in Latvia from 2012 until 2014.

Lifelong Learning Strategy Framework for the Vidzeme Region

In today's rapidly changing environment, lifelong learning is becoming a part of everyday life. Latvian regions face problems due to the fact that many well-educated people choose to work in the capital. There is no comprehensive strategy or technological support for lifelong learning in the Latvian regions which could upgrade people's competences and allow them to combine learning with work and family life. In this regard, it is important to create an overall strategy for lifelong learning which would incorporate learning as part of an ongoing lifelong process. The goal of the paper is to create a theoretical framework and provide new perspectives on the development of lifelong learning in the Vidzeme region. The paper is focused on identifying the major steps needed to make lifelong learning technologically viable in the Vidzeme region. The requirements and potential of each Vidzeme municipality have been researched for the purpose of improving the efficiency and quality of lifelong learning in the region. The paper represents the theoretical preconditions for qualitative development of lifelong learning in the region and presents a technological model which would provide the lifelong learning process with ongoing technological support.

Enhancement of the methodological and systematic foundation for monitoring socio-economic developments in Latvian regions

Enhancement of the methodological and systematic foundation for monitoring socio-economic developments in Latvian regions

Applying Markov Chains for NDVI Time Series Forecasting of Latvian Regions

Time series of earth observation based estimates of vegetation inform about variations in vegetation at the scale of Latvia. A vegetation index is an indicator that describes the amount of chlorophyll (the green mass) and shows the relative density and health of vegetation. NDVI index is an important variable for vegetation forecasting and management of various problems, such as climate change monitoring, energy usage monitoring, managing the consumption of natural resources, agricultural productivity monitoring, drought monitoring and forest fire detection. In this paper, we make a one-step-ahead prediction of 7-daily time series of NDVI index using Markov chains. The choice of a Markov chain is due to the fact that a Markov chain is a sequence of random variables where each variable is located in some state. And a Markov chain contains probabilities of moving from one state to other.

THE CONCEPT OF ANDREW’S DAY IN CROSS-BORDER CULTURAL SPACE

THE CONCEPT OF ANDREW’S DAY IN CROSS-BORDER CULTURAL SPACE

TERRITORIAL AND NATIONAL IDENTITY AND AN ECOCRITICAL PERSPECTIVE IN CORMAC MCCARTHY ’ S “ CHILD OF GOD ”

The notion of belonging has often been examined from the perspective of location and the politics of relations to space and culture. The paper explores, how Cormac McCarthy’s novel “Child of God” (1973) maps out and interrogates the notion of belonging – the protagonist Lester Ballard’s belonging to his nation, community and the limits imposed or the labels attached to Lester Ballard and the rest of the Appalachian community. The paper also dwells on the issue of borders expressed in C. McCarthy’s text: the border of territorial and national identity, the border of Lester Ballard as the victim’s personal identity and the border of his physical place – the Appalachian region within an existential realm of conflicting political system and cultural context in the 20th century. It is possible to draw parallels with Latgale region in Latvia, which had struggled for maintenance of its territorial and national identity for years, especially in the 20th century, when Latvia intelligentsia was unwilling to accept the identity and culture of Latgale region. For many years, it had been a periphery of periphery, marked by isolation and dominated by internal and external forces and struggles against the ongoing oppression of its distinct, regionally and historically rooted identity and language. The paper as well examines “Child of God” text from an ecocritical angle, unveiling the metaphorical and symbolic level, on which relationship with the nonhuman and human world is conveyed.

INVESTIGATION OF BEE BREAD AND DEVELOPMENT OF ITS DOSAGE FORMS

The aim of the study. The objective of this study was to investigate microscopic, physical and chemical properties of bee bread collected in three regions of Latvia in order to compare the quality and to investigate the possibility of producing granules containing bee bread. Material and methods. Microscopic analysis of bee bread samples was performed. Plant herbaria, special literature and internet sources were used for identification of pollen. Thin layer chromatography was used for identification of carotenoids and flavonoids. Granules were prepared by wet granulation method. Lactose, calcium lactate, calcium carbonate, potato starch and purified water were used as excipients. Appearance, loss on drying, pH of aqueous solution and content of carotenes were estimated. Results. Microscopic analysis showed mostly native pollen identified as willow pollen. Beta-carotene identified and 2 carotenoids found by thin layer chromatography. Two zones of flavonoids found on chromatograms at day light and 6 zones at ultra violet light. The comparison of bee bread samples of 3 regions of Latvia showed insignificant differences in appearance and consistency, hydrogen ion concentration 3.93–4.23, loss on drying 7.72–11.07 %; content of carotenes calculated to bcarotene 6.77–9.35 mg%. Stability study of bee bread samples showed greater changes after storage at 40ºC temperature. All compositions of granules showed appropriate appearance and flowability. Quality of granules: loss on drying 5.48–13.5%, content of carotenes calculated to b-carotene 5.77–6.75 mg%. Conclusions. Pollen of willow can be considered as an indicator of the origin of bee bread in Latvia. Bee bread samples of three regions of Latvia have insignificant differences in physical, chemical parameters.

Stress Coping Mechanisms and Professional Burnout among Latvian Nurses

The reason of burnout is the negative influence of job stress. Due to burnout nurses work may become less productive, employees are absent due to illness, as well as the fluctuation of staff increases. It shows the need to develop adaptive coping strategies among nurses. The aim of the study was to find out stress coping mechanisms and burnout presence among nurses practicing in Latvia. The instruments which used for data collection: demographic questionnaire, R.S. Lazarus and S. Folkman's The Ways of Coping Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory. The Ways of Coping Scale completed by 484 nurses working in healthcare institutions in different regions of Latvia in the age range from 21 to 66 years. The highest values have: planful problem-solving, self-controlling and positive reappraisal, accepting responsibility and seeking social support; while the lowest values can be seen in two scales – confrontive coping and escape/avoidance. The prevailing ways of coping stress in the sample are planful problem solving, self-controlling and positive reappraisal. Maslach burned out inventory which was completed by 587 practicing nurses. Age range of respondents was from 22 to 68 years. Descriptive statistical parameters for Maslach Burnot Inventory by subscales: mean for Emotional Exhaustion subscale - 22.75 (SD=10.75), for Depersonalization subscale was 7.52 (SD=5.30) and for rank of Personal achievement subscale - 34.57 (SD=8.22).