The Scientific Journal of Rezeknes Augstskola
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HONEY PRODUCTION IN LATVIA
Full text linkThe geographical position of Latvia is favorable for obtaining high-quality honey. The beekeeping industry is one of the modern agricultural production sectors in Latvia. Honey from various flowers can be obtained in Latvia. The aim of the study is to assess the potential for honey production in Latvia. Research methods: 1) analysis of honey production data, 2) review of various information sources. On average, 1256.811±0.426 tons of honey are obtained in Latvia per year (time period 1923-1937 and 1997-2023). Since 2019, honey exports in Latvia have exceeded imports. The greater the amount of honey produced in Latvia, the greater the amount of honey exported. The amount of honey exports increased, especially in 2021. It is possible that this was also facilitated by the formation of beekeepers\u27 cooperatives. The amount of imports also increased, which could be explained by the decrease in the solvency of the population, i.e., imported honey is much cheaper than local honey. In Latvia (2018), honey was exported at a price 2.1 times higher than imported, but in 2019, the difference between export and import prices was only 1.3 times. There is a trend in Latvia where there are many small beekeepers in the honey extraction sector, for whom it is an additional source of income or a hobby. However, both the number of bee colonies and the amount of honey produced are increasing every year. Latvian beekeepers can produce high-quality products, but honey production can be increased by moving bees to nectar-rich pastures and diversifying production types by developing monofloral honey production
THE EFFICIENCY OF USING INNOVATIVE SOIL LIMING AND FERTILIZER MEANS IN WINTER WHEAT SOWINGS
Full text linkField trials were conducted at the Study and Research Farm “Peterlauki” of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies from 2020 to 2023. Soil characteristics: sod - stagnogley soil Luvisols (according to FAO classification); granulometric composition – heavy dusty sand clay. Winter wheat sowings were established using different variants of a fertilizer mix with cattle (from JSC “Ziedi JP”) manure digestate (D) and wood ash (P) (from LLC “Gren Jelgava”) in different ratios. The norms of the innovative mixed fertilizer for cattle manure digestate and wood ash were 5, 10, and 20 t per ha. Unfertilized winter wheat plots were used as a control. Variants in the two-factor trial were randomized in triplicate. In the experiment, the influence of the researched factors on winter wheat grain yield, the content of protein, starch and gluten in grains, Zeleny index, grain volumetric weight (kg per hL), and the mass of 1000 grains were determined. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of biogas fermentation by-product (digestate) and cogeneration plant and boiler house residues (wood ash) on the yield and quality of winter wheat. Depending on the study variant, the winter wheat yield varied on average three years from 6.29 to 7.39 t per ha. It was established that the average winter wheat grain yield in the control variant was 5.05 t per ha, which is significantly (p<0.05) lower than in the variants using fertilizers of digestate and wood ash mixtures. Using digestate and wood ash mixtures, sufficiently high and high-quality winter wheat yields can be obtained without the use of mineral fertilizers. The mixtures of digestate and wood ash are an innovative fertilizer way for improving soil fertility, which is also suitable for winter wheat
SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK WITH ACORN COFFEE, A TIME FORGOTTEN PRODUCT REVIVAL
Full text linkSweetened condensed milk is a long-storable concentrated product that can be found worldwide. It is used both directly in food and as a raw material for the production of other food products. Canned milk plays an important strategic role in the food stock reserves of many countries. Mostly canned milk is consumed by countries with poorly developed farming or dairy processing industries or regions where the existence of such branches is not possible. Worldwide, condensed milk is mostly produced in large milk processing plants due to the complexity of technology and the need for large amounts of raw milk and energy for its processing. Nowadays, there are many varieties of condensed milk available on the market, where the most interesting examples are present in post-Soviet regions. This is explainable due to the significance of condensed milk as one of the most strategically important food products of the USSR (especially during the Cold War period), and also due to the cultural impact on its citizens as canned milk was the easily available sweet tasting product. Soviet canned milk production specialists upgraded and developed other varieties, such as sweetened condensed full cream or skimmed milk or cream with coffee or cocoa. Also, there were other taste varieties in development, but due to different factors, only a few of them got to the mass production stage. Most interesting is the use of coffee substitutes for adding to sweetened condensed milk, where you get a coffee-taste-like product, but without caffeine in it. In mass production, there is only one such product available – sweetened condensed milk with chicory, and unfortunately, its selling market is very limited. The objective of this article is to reveal the use of oak tree acorns as a caffeine-free additive for sweetened condensed milk, reinventing it for the modern world market, where demand for traditional and biological food is growing. The article contains sweetened condensed milk with acorn coffee explanation with a historical review, production theory, and prototype creation steps, that were based on original, but time-forgotten technology from 1939, and similar, but still used, sweetened condensed milk with chicory technology
RICE-LEGUME FLOUR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO GLUTEN-CONTAINING FLOURIN BREAD BAKING
Full text linkThe article describes the development process of a new product - rice bean flour bread. The product is a functional alternative to classic wheat flour bread. The development of the new product is based on literature research and experiments. The ingredients of alternative flour bread are characterized. The most difficult thing in the development of alternative flour bread is the imitation of gluten, in connection with which gluten alternatives are studied. For its imitation, such groups of raw materials as hydrocolloids and proteins are offered. Conclusions are drawn about the importance of ingredients in alternative bread and the possibilities of gluten imitation. Bread made with just rice flour was crumbly, dry, and had a bad texture. Although adding potato starch decreased crumbling and increased cohesiveness, it also added an unwanted aftertaste. Tapioca starch lessened the aftertaste of potato starch and enhanced texture. Using eggs as a source of protein enhanced crumb structure and bread growth
INNOVATIVE SOIL LIMING AND FERTILIZER MEANS PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Full text linkIn addition to numerous factors, organic waste has a significant impact on increasing environmental pollution, which is an imperative for its solution. The goal of the work was to use the by-products of biogas production plants and cogeneration plants for soil fertilization, which allows to create a new innovative product from their mixtures. The preparation of the best mixtures applied and evaluated in greenhouses under production conditions was carried out at the companies JSC "Ziedi JP" and "Pampali". The production scheme of soil liming and fertilizer was developed and approved at both companies. The effectiveness of the composition of the mixtures was first tested on soils of different acidity in a greenhouse. The set of machines and aggregates required for the preparation and spreading of the new type of fertilizer on the field was made. Digestate, after complete development in bioreactors, is fed to the mechanical screw press separator, where it is divided into solid (dry matter 25 %<) and liquid (dry matter 3%>) fraction. The digestate of solid fractions is mixed with wood ash in portions in a screw-type mixer equipped with electronic scales. The ingredients are poured in parts so that the mixer mixes a uniform mass. After mixing, the new fertilizer is discharged from the mixer onto a conveyor belt and then into a pile, which is covered with a cover to reduce ammonium emissions. The use of the innovative soil fertility enhancer can be an effective way of recycling both products and can also be an environmentally friendly alternative to mineral fertilizers
HEI SUSTAINABLE COMMUNICATION IN SOCIAL MEDIA: E-COURSE EVALUATION VIA TRIANGULATION METHOD
Full text linkGiven that sustainable communication is already a complex phenomenon, the role of social media, currently growing rapidly, is underestimated by universities and academia. The present research aims at analysing the e-course “The power of social media in the professional development of teachers: personal brand, tools for educational products, promotion of sustainable development values” for HEIs teaching staff. The exploratory research was leveraged in this work for the e-course construction and evaluation. The exploratory empirical study was implemented in 2022-2023. The empirical study was built on the triangulation method referred to data collection and data analysis. The sample was composed by six trainers, 15 participants, and two experts. HEIs sustainable communication in social media is beneficial for all the involved as it supports just green transition, e.g. by lowering the carbon emissions by, for example, commuters, aimed at reducing climate impact and mitigating climate change. The empirical study allows drawing a conclusion that the e-course “The power of social media in the professional development of teachers: personal brand, tools for educational products, promotion of sustainable development values” for HEIs teaching staff was positively evaluated. The positive evaluation proposes that the e-course is effective and efficient
SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSROOM: STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON THE PROBLEM
Full text linkThe present-day globalised world is becoming more dynamic and soft skills become one of the main factors that enable people to participate actively in all aspects of life in it. Moreover, to succeed in personal and professional lives present-day students should be prepared to meet unpredicted challenges that are hard to imagine today. Taking into account the fact that the lists of soft skills are constantly changing and soft skills classifications provided by present-day researchers and practitioners vary greatly, the present research is aimed at finding out students’ perspectives on the importance of soft skills identified by World Economic Forum 2023, on the one hand, and the role of English as a university discipline in soft skills development, on the other hand. To achieve the aim of the study, the researchers developed a questionnaire which included a combination of close-ended and open-ended questions and items on a 5-Likert scale (1 – very unimportant, 2 – unimportant, 3 – neutral, 4 – important, 5 – very important). Data collection lasted for four months and took place in September-December 2023 among students of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design. To select the research sample, the researchers used a convenience sampling technique. The questionnaires were distributed by hand from researchers to first- and second-year students who studied English as a Second Language. The mixed design of research included qualitative and quantitative processing of the data obtained and the data analysis comprised manual calculations.
WORKING CAPACITY FOR PERSONS WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
Full text linkMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent globally and result in substantial personal distress and significant social expenses for businesses and society. The ageing population and labor shortages exacerbate these effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of MDS on employment absenteeism and presenteeism. Two instruments, the EQ-5D and the iPCQ, were used to quantitatively survey the Latvian population. 949 respondents of working age were surveyed. From this group, 553 respondents with MSD were selected, averaging 47 years old, 50.6% of whom were men. The results showed that 7.23% experienced absenteeism in the last month. Additionally, 45.9% reported discomfort at work due to MSDs. The EQ-5D-5L questionnaire revealed a decline in health-related quality of life with increasing age, highlighting the significance of addressing the aging workforce and promoting health preservation. 38.3% of respondents with MSDs received rehabilitation interventions, which showed a moderate association with health-related quality of life. The study showed that there is a negative correlation between health-related quality of life and productivity loss. This highlights the importance of comprehensive interventions that address both the physical and psychological aspects of MSDs. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, employers, and healthcare professionals to design targeted interventions that improve the health and productivity of individuals with MSDs.
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: SHAPING EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION AND COMMITMENT IN LARGE GERMAN COMPANIES
Full text linkThe rapid evolution of the political, economic, and social landscape has generated increased interest in understanding the contextual application of Management styles and behaviours toward employees. In this context, organizations must comprehend and assess employee satisfaction to enhance productivity and realize their strategic and economic goals. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prevailing and significant Management behaviours toward employees in large German companies and their impact on employee satisfaction and job commitment. To achieve the research objective, the study will employ a qualitative method to explore Management behaviours toward employees. Data was collected through interviews with randomly selected Managers from different companies and departments. The study aims to uncover discrepancies or variations in employee expectations regarding Management behaviour. The findings will provide a better understanding of the most prevalent and significant Management behaviours toward employees in large German companies and their impact on employee satisfaction and job commitment. The results will be valuable to Management in adopting suitable leadership styles and improving employee satisfaction, leading to increased productivity and organizational performance. The research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field of Management and human resource Management by providing insights into the impact of Management behaviours on employees. It will also offer recommendations to Management on how to enhance employee satisfaction and job commitment, leading to improved organizational performance. In conclusion, this study will investigate the prevailing Management behaviours toward employees in large German companies and their impact on employee satisfaction and job commitment
MODELS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR BIOLOGY TEACHERS IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL CHANGES
Full text linkThis article aims to explore the impact of social changes on the professional development of biology teachers. The purpose of the study is the analysis of modern challenges in the field of education and the development of a model of professional growth of a biology teacher. The following methods are employed in the study: analysis and synthesis of literature on the research topic to determine the current state of the investigated problem, systematic analysis, and synthesis of obtained information to identify the main models of professional development for biology teachers. The regulatory framework ensuring conditions for the professional development of teachers has been analyzed. Modern economic and technological changes, socio-cultural and political transformations, dynamics of interethnic and cultural relations in Ukraine, high population mobility, and migration processes affect the education system and the professional development of teachers. In the scientific discourse, among effective models of professional development for teachers, scholars distinguish: concepts of teaching and development of teachers\u27 professional abilities based on knowledge (knowledge for practice, knowledge in practice, personal knowledge); models of professional development for educators (training model, award-bearing model, deficit model, cascading model, standards-based model, coaching/mentoring model, community of practice model, action research model, transformational model); competency, cognitive, human-centered models; models of applied science, craftsmanship, reflective, apprentice-expert model, rationalist model, case studies model, cascading. The author proposes an original model of professional development, which involves six stages: analysis of contemporary challenges, professional training based on teachers\u27 needs, creation of an individual development plan, integration of innovative technologies into professional activities, self-evaluation, and the establishment and support of professional communities. The main research results indicate the need to reconsider traditional approaches to teaching biology and emphasize the use of modern technologies in the professional development of teachers for successful implementation of changes in the educational environment.