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The present research has been supported by the Institute of Solid State Physics, the University of Latvia within the framework of National Research Program IMIS2. [Grant numbers VPPI IMIS2, IMIS4]. ; The article presents a quantum kinetic framework to study interacting quantum systems. Having the constituting model Hamiltonians of two-band semiconductor and the photoexcited electron-hole pair, their quantum kinetic evolution has been revi-sited. Solution to this nonlinear problem of electron-hole interaction is obtained making use of the self-consistency loop between the densities of photoexcited electrons and holes and the pairwise interaction terms in the constituting model Hamiltonians. In the leading order, this approach supports the required isomorphism between the pairwise interaction and the birth and annihilation operators of the photoexcited electrons and holes as a desirable property. The approach implies the Hilbert space and the tensor product mathematical techniques as an appropriate generalization of the noninteracting electron-hole pair toward several-body systems. ; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART²

Young, tertiary-educated emigrants see themselves, and are seen by their home country's government, as agents of economic and social change, especially if they can be incentivized to return home. In this paper we examine the barriers that prevent this positive impact from being fully realized, taking the case of Latvia, formerly part of the Soviet Union but since 2004 a member state of the European Union. We build our analysis on data from an online questionnaire (N = 307) and from narrative interviews (N = 30) with foreign-educated Latvian students and graduates. In moving beyond remittances, we examine knowledge transfer to the home country as a form of "social remittance" and break down knowledge into two types—that which can be transferred fully and that which can be transferred only partially. We find that students and graduates do indeed see themselves as agents of change in their home country, but that the changes they want to make, and the broader imaginaries of development that they may have, are constrained by the limited scale of the market, ethnic privileging of "Latvianness," and the often nontransparent recruitment practices in Latvia. Policy should recognize and respond to various barriers that exist to knowledge transfer and return migration.

The importance of international trade for the economic development of any country, on the one hand, and the decreasing rates of goods turnover within the EU countries in recent years, on the other hand, reveal the relevance of the research on the assessment of Latvia's trade potential with the EU countries. The aim of this study is to measure and assess Latvia's export potential with the European Union countries based on the gravity model. Since the development of trade relations is influenced by various factors, the article provides an overview of empirical studies that analyse various factors determining the level of trade among the countries. Possible volume of exports from Latvia to the EU countries was calculated on the basis of gravity model; calculations were conditioned by several factors included in the model, such as GDP, geographical distance and the degree of country's economic freedom. The article also provides an assessment of Latvia's export potential realisation extent. The method described in this article allowed applying the gravity model for the assessment of cooperation between Latvia and the EU countries, and was suitable for the quantitative evaluation of the extent to which export potential was realised in other countries.

Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is one of major risk factors of cerebral infarction. The use of oral anticoagulants is the only evidence-based method of reducing the risk of cardioembolic accidents. The guidelines of oral anticoagulant admission and usage have been available since 2012. The results of this study show that of 550 stroke patients that were admitted to Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Rīga, Latvia, from 1 January 2014 until 1 July 2014, atrial fibrillation was diagnosed in 247 (45%) cases, and of these patients, only 8.5% used oral anticoagulants before the onset of stroke. Six months after discharge of 111 (44.9%) stroke survivors, five (4.5%) used no secondary prevention medication, 27 (24.3%) used antiplatelet agents, 54 (48.6%) warfarin, and 25 (22.5%) used target specific oral anticoagulants (TSOACs). The mortality rate was significantly higher in the patient group that used no secondary prevention medication or antiplatelet agents compared to the patient group that used oral anticoagulants. The use of oral anticoagulants for primary stroke prevention in Latvia is insufficient. The mortality of cardioembolic stroke in 180 days is very high - 40.4%. Secondary prevention is essential to prevent recurrent cardioembolic accidents.

Abstract
Mute swan Cygnus olor is the most abundant breeding swan species in Rīga and Latvia. Since manmade habitats are the preferred breeding habitats of this species - Cygnus olor is of particular interest in studies of urban biodiversity. The latest records show that 30-40 pairs breed annually in Rīga, 400-700 individuals migrate through the area, and 120-150 individuals stay over winter. The goal of our study was to determine the genetic variation of the mute swan population in Rīga. Blood samples were collected from 47 individual birds found in different sites in Rīga or elsewhere in Latvia. The universal retrotransposon based iPBS markers were used to estimate diversity. Three primers (2076, 2080, and 2415) amplified 64 DNA fragments; of these 18 (28%) were polymorphic. The average diversity index based on polymorphic markers for the studied individuals was 0.425. All individuals, with the exception of two pairs of individuals, could be separated by means of these markers. The grouping of individuals was not be associated with their sampling location, gender and age. The genetic diversity indexes were compared between these groups. The breeding individuals (including their cygnets) had bands not showing variation among breeding birds as compared to the not breeding ones.

Abstract
The aim of this work was to develop a red clover variety adapted to agro-climatic conditions of Latvia, suitable for different requirements of forage producers, resistant to most widespread diseases and producing high seed yield annually. Medium late ripening diploid red clover variety 'Jancis' was created at the LLU Research Institute of Agriculture in long-term work carried out since 1985. After free pollination of best samples of red clover collections from the VIR (St. Petersburg), individual and family selection among hybrids were carried out for approximately 20 years. Finally, best breeding line Nr. 43047 was registered as a variety 'Jancis'. The variety is characterised by good winter hardiness, high dry matter yield (10-12 t·ha-1) and good persistence in the sward - up to 3-4 years. The variety is characterised by a long stem (90-110 cm) with 8-9 internodes, dark green leaves with a distinctive brighter picture, medium length and width of medial leaflet, and bright pink flower heads. 'Jancis' has stable annual seed yield in the conditions of Latvia; under favourable conditions reaching 500- 600 kg·ha-1 seeds. Since 2010, the variety 'Jancis' has been included in the common Latvian and EU Plant Variety Catalogue.

During the Soviet era there were no publicly available published literary representations of the Soviet deportations and imprisonment of civilians and Latvian Army officers to Siberia and the Far East. If there were any, these were very scarce and available to very few people. Deportations and imprisonments were marginalized and silenced themes in all possible respects – politically, socially and culturally. Many narratives (in books published in state publishing houses) emerged only in the beginning of the 1990ies when the Soviet Union collapsed and Latvia regained its independence. Those narratives were written secretly during the Soviet time, as the authors were or could be repressed for talking about forbidden topics. The female experience was not only totally silenced but it was also different from men's experience of imprisonments and deportations as men and women with children were separated – men were sent to forced labour camps and women to places of settlement. Even when writing about deportations was dangerous, the narratives of that experience construct strong resistance to the Soviet repressions against Latvia and its people. Many female narratives about these experiences emerged later adding to the testimonials studies of archives and historical documents thus making resistance discourse more pointed and stronger.

This paper is an analysis carried out on the process of globalization, its historical perspective in Western Europe and the three Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia after gaining their first independence in 1918. The core problem of the article, which the authors attempt to answer, is: how the process of globalization has been developing and influencing societies and economies in Western Europe and fragmentarily in the Baltic States in the course of history. The process of globalization in Western Europe and in the Baltic States is full of contrasts and has not been linear since the very beginning. Modern scientific literature proposes many ways of dividing and grouping globalization process into periods (stages). The most acknowledged is the division of the process into three main periods: the first period (from 1490 to 1890), the second period (from 1891-1989), and the third period (1990- until now). In contrast to Western Europe, the openness of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, to globalization process in the historical timeframe, is fragmented. The process of integration has been stopped several times due to foreign occupation. The consequence – The Baltics are still considered (though advanced) as transition economies.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.em.17.2.2187

The paper deals with the characterization of the main demographic processes in the Baltics. After the reestablishmentof statehood in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the population dynamics clearly have been decreasing. This isevidenced both by the negative results of natural movement and the dominance of emigration in international migration processes.Population decline (depopulation) is a characteristic feature also for the titular ethnicities. Under-replacement fertility,relatively high mortality, especially for men, a high intensity of emigration and an ageing population are observed in all threeBaltic countries, particularly after accession to the European Union in 2004. Latvia and Lithuania since 1990 have had amongthe highest population loss indicators in Europe. The scenarios of depopulation still prevail in the coming decades. ; Šiame straispnyje nagrinėjami pagrindiniai Baltijos šalyse vykstančių demografinių procesų bruožai. Atkūrus nepriklausomybę Estijoje, Latvijoje ir Lietuvoje išryškėjo gyventojų skaičiaus mažėjimo tendencija, kurią nulėmė neigiama natūraligyventojų kaita ir neigiama neto tarptautinė migracija (išvykusiųjų skaičius viršija atvykusiųjų skaičių). Kartų kaitos neužtikrinantisgimstamumo lygis, santykinai aukštas mirtingumo lygis (ypač vyrų), intensyvi emigracija ir gyventojų senėjimas stebimi visoseBaltijos šalyse. Šios nepalankios tendencijos ypač pasireiškė šalims įstojus į Europos Sąjungą 2004 m. Nuo 1990 m. Latvija irLietuva pasižymi vienais iš didžiausių depopuliacijos tempų Europoje. Depopuliacija tęsis ir artimiausiais dešimtmečiais.

Using Latgale as a case study, this paper explores the influence of the European Union policy and planning experience of different European Union countries to planning practice in Latvia. The paper analyses three issues: • how planning experience of the other countries influenced planning practice in Latgale region, focusing on the example of elaboration process of panning documents; • how the process of planning system reforms in Latvia could influence Latgale region in the future; • and what actions might be realized to take advantage of future challenges and perspectives. Research object – the spatial planning policy of Latgale region in the context of the European Union policies. Research subject – development planning documents of Latgale Planning Region. Research methods – content analysis, deductive and inductive methods, theoretical analysis of scientific literature, EU and Latvian legislation analysis, comparative analysis, etc. Conclusions and suggestions- Contradiction or deficiencies in regional development planning documents of Latgale Planning Region are mainly related to deficiencies in normative acts as well as the lack of real instruments for implementation of development planning documents. Development planning documents of planning regions shall be considered as basic documents for establishing priorities in allocation of the financing of EU Structural Funds.

Organic solvents as chemical risk factors of the work environment in different branches of industry and possible impact of solvents on workers' health
The aim of our study was to investigate organic solvents as chemical risk factors of the work environment in different branches of the industry in Latvia during 1998-2006 and to evaluate the possible impact of solvents to worker health according to the exposure index. The work conditions were studied in 116 enterprises of different branches of industries in Latvia. The analysis of 1790 measurements showed that organic solvents in the work environment have different degrees of exposure probability risk on worker health. The exposure levels in workplaces differ. More than half of surveyed workplaces (56.7%) had a low organic solvent exposure probability level, in 25.2% workplaces it was medium, and in 18.1% workplaces high. The most widely used organic solvents were aromatic hydrocarbons, which was recorded in 35% of the measurements made during assessment of aromatic hydrocarbon group organic solvent exposure in the work environment. In most workplaces several solvents were present simultaneously. Since solvents have a one-way effect on the human body, the actual exposure risk level is higher than shown when evaluating the exposure index of a single solvent only.

This paper reviews the establishment, development and present day of the Pauls Stradiņš Museum of the History of Medicine in Rīga, Latvia. The museum initially represented the hopes of one very excited enthusiast, and what was decisive was that he was able to fill the vacuum of knowledge and information, expand on it, and legalise it as an institution protected by the state. No less important, however, has been the approach taken by government structures and the public at large in support of Pauls Stradiņš' hopes. This comparatively liberal approach toward what could be seen as a private museum can be attributed to the fact that health care had been declared a priority in the Soviet Union at that time, and in ideological terms, the history of medicine was a fairly neutral issue. The museum celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007. This paper reviews the basic functions and structures of the museum, as well as the changes which have occurred in the complex era of the 20th century. Some areas of activity are reviewed in greater detail, and there are statistics to offer a look at the museum today. Key words: Latvia - Museums - Collections - History of medicine

Nozaru politikas tīklojuma perspektīva tika izmantota, empīriskā pētījumā analizējot organizāciju mijiedarbību attīstības sadarbības jomā. Īpaša uzmanība tika pievērsta valsts iestāžu un nevalstisko organizāciju sadarbībai, kā arī nozares politikas tīklojuma veidošanās īpatnībām. Empīriskā pētījuma gaitā apstiprinājās izvirzītais pieņēmums, ka organizācijas daudz ciešāk sadarbojas valstiskā un nevalstiskā sektora ietvaros, savukārt mazāk intensīva un attīstīta ir sadarbība starp organizācijām no dažādiem sektoriem. Kopumā nozaru politiku tīklojuma perspektīva vērtējama kā piemērota arī Latvijas situācijai un nākotnē var dot jaunu, nozīmīgu informāciju par valsts iestāžu un nevalstisko organizāciju sadarbību. ; Policy network approach is used in empirical research to analyze interaction between organizations in development cooperation sphere. Special attention is directed to cooperation between government institutions and nongovernmental organizations and to specific characters in the development of the policy network. In empirical research the stated assumption proves true. Organizations have tight cooperation within their own governmental or nongovernmental sector while cooperation between sectors is less developed and less intense. Summarizing, we can say that the perspective of policy network can be evaluated as appropriate to situation in Latvia and its further application in future can render new and important information on cooperation between governmental institutions and nongovernmental organizations in Latvia.

The concept of `societal security' has been formulated to account for the phenomenon of societal identity as a source of instability. This article discusses the concept as articulated by Buzan et al. and applies it to the post-Soviet experience of the Baltic States. It examines the process of Sovietization and the way in which migration and horizontal and vertical competition created tensions and stresses between societies in the Baltic States which then carried over into and shaped the first decade of restored independence. The reasons for and nature of the state-building policies in the three states, particularly the formulation of citizenship policies and the emergence of classic societal security dilemmas, are analysed. Within an empirically based section, the authors then explore the way in which the prospect of European Union membership has impacted on the societal security sectors in Estonia and Latvia. It argues that the normative power of the EU has prompted Estonia and Latvia to resolve their societal security dilemmas in a manner acceptable to the EU, but that the `magnetic attraction' of EU membership increasingly has the power to repel within an emerging post-sovereign security order.

For more than three decades the author has been concerned with issues to do with emotion, suffering and healing. This volume presents ethnographic studies of South Wales, Maharashtra and post-Soviet Latvia connected by a theoretical interest in healing, emotion and subjectivity. Exploring the uses of narrative in the shaping of memory, autobiography and illness and its connections with the master narratives of history and culture, it focuses on the post-Soviet clinic as an arena in which the contradictions of a liberal economy are translated into a medical language