Suchergebnisse

Maģistra darba temats – "Personas statuss un imigrācija". Darba mērķis ir apskatīt nepilsoņu statusu Latvijā un personas tiesības uz pilsonību, kā arī izpētīt būtiskākos problēmjautājumus imigrācijas jomā Latvijā un rast iespējamos problēmu risinājumus. Darbs sastāv no sešām nodaļām. Pirmajā nodaļā ir aplūkots personas statuss, atsevišķi apskatot personas tiesības uz pilsonību un nepilsoņu statusus Latvijā. Pirmajā apakšnodaļā tiek analizēts vai visiem cilvēkiem ir absolūtas tiesības uz pilsonību, īpaši tiek analizētas bērnu tiesības uz pilsonību. Tiek analizēts šo tiesību saturs, par pamatu ņemot starptautiskos cilvēktiesību dokumentus. Otrajā apakšnodaļā īsumā apskatīti vēsturiskie apstākļi un likumdevēja apsvērumi, kas bija par pamatu nepilsoņa statusa izveidei. Īpaša uzmanība tiek pievērsta Eiropas Savienības pilsoņu statusam attiecībā uz nepilsoņiem, piedāvājot vienkāršot procedūru Eiropas Kopienas pastāvīgā iedzīvotāja statusa saņemšanai Latvijas Republikas nepilsoņiem. Otrā nodaļa ir veltīta dubultpilsonības jautājumam, izpētot Latvijas un Eiropas Savienības nostāju šajā jautājumā. Ņemot vērā pārvietošanās brīvību starp Eiropas Savienības dalībvalstīm, cilvēktiesību attīstību, un to, ka aizvien vairāk Latvijas pilsoņi pārceļas uz dzīvi ārvalstīs, ir nepieciešamība veikt grozījumus normatīvajos aktos, kas regulē bērnu pilsonību, un atļaut kļūt par dubultpilsoņiem ārzemēs dzimušo pilsoņu bērniem. Trešajā nodaļā aplūkoti daži uzturēšanās atļaujas izsniegšanas nosacījumi, par pamatu ņemot tiesu praksi, kurā analizēti nosacījumi, kas personai jāievēro pieprasot uzturēšanās atļauju. Tiek analizēts arī laulības mērķis, starp ārvalstnieku un Latvijas pilsoni, kas paredz labvēlīgāku uzturēšanās atļaujas izsniegšanas kārtību. Ceturtajā nodaļā izpētīta Latvijas tiesu un Eiropas cilvēktiesību tiesas prakse, kur tiek izvērtētas personas tiesības uz privāto un ģimenes dzīves neaizskaramību, kā arī tiesisko regulējumu kur šīs tiesības noteiktas, izvirzot būtiskākos problemātiskos aspektus, ko ir izvērtējusi tiesa. Piektajā nodaļā aplūkota cilvēktiesību ierobežojumu izvērtēšana, kas ir jāveic, izdodot obligāto administratīvo aktu. Tiek analizēts, kas ir tiesīgs šo izvērtējumu veikt – tiesa vai iestāde, piemērot samērīguma principu arī gadījumā, kad ir jāizdod obligātais administratīvais akts, kas ir nelabvēlīgs adresātam, kā arī kādā gadījumā ir tiesības atkāpties no normatīvajā aktā noteiktā regulējuma. Sestajā nodaļā aplūkots patvēruma meklētāja un bēgļa statuss, šo personu noteikšanas procedūra un kritēriji saskaņā ar Latvijas un starptautiskajiem normatīvajiem aktiem, kā arī dažādas problēmas, kas var rasties, interpretējot šo personu definīciju. ; Master's degree Work theme – "Person's status and immigration". A goal of Work is to consider aliens' status in Latvia and person's rights for citizenship, as well as to study most essential problem issues in the field of immigration in Latvia and to find possible solutions of the problems. Work consists of six chapters. In Chapter 1 there's considered person's status by separately viewing the person's rights for citizenship and aliens' status in Latvia. In the first subchapter there's analyzed whether all men have absolute rights for citizenship, especially there's analyzed children's rights for citizenship. Analyzed is the content of these rights by taking as basis international human rights documents. In the second subchapter there are briefly viewed historical conditions and considerations of the legislator which were as basis for establishing of the alien's status. A special attention is drawn to the European Union citizens' status in relation to aliens, by offering to simplify the procedure for receipt of the European Union resident's status for aliens of the Republic of Latvia. Chapter 2 is devoted to the issue of double citizenship, by studying the standpoint of Latvia and the European Union in this issue. By taking into account the freedom of movement among European Union member states, development of the human rights and the fact that still more and more citizens of Latvia move for living abroad, it is necessary to make amendments in normative acts regulating children's citizenship and allow to become double citizens for citizens' children born abroad. In Chapter 3 there are viewed some conditions of issuance of residence permit by staying as basis court practice where analyzed are conditions the person should comply with by requesting the permit of staying. Also analyzed is a goal of marriage between a foreigner and the citizen of Latvia providing a more favorable order of issuance of the permit of staying. In Chapter 4 there's studied practice of Latvian courts and the European Human Rights Court where there are assessed the person's rights for private and family life inviolability, as well as the legal regulation where such rights are set forth, by moving out most essential problematic aspects having been assessed by the court. Chapter 5 deals with assessment of restrictions of human rights to be performed by issuing a compulsory administrative act. There's analyzed who is liable to make such an assessment – the court or the authority, to apply the principle of commensurability also in the case when there should be issued a compulsory administrative act what being unfavorable to the addressee, as well as in what case there is the right to deviate from the regulation set forth in the normative act. In Chapter 6 there's viewed the political asylum seeker's and refugee's status, procedure and criteria of determination of such persons in accordance with Latvian and international normative acts, as well as various problems which may occur by interpreting the definition of such persons.

In 2017–2021, Latvia celebrated its centenary with a wide-ranging cultural programme. The Centenary programme was announced as "the biggest event in the history of modern Latvia" providing 22.3 million euros over three years for more than 800 festive events "to strengthen the spirit of nationhood and a sense of belonging amongst the people of Latvia, and to promote collaboration and self-organization within the community" [Ministry of Culture 2020]. In this paper, we explore the ways in which this cultural policy initiative worked as a form of social solidarity building in the Latvian society, where there is a large Russian-speaking community. We are interested in examining the public's participation and perceptions of the Centenary cultural programme, focusing specifically on the differing patterns and effects in the Latvian and Russian-speaking communities. The analysis draws primarily on a representative survey, designed and conducted in the autumn of 2021 by the authors as part of a larger research project. The survey was designed to enable analysis of the perceptions of the Centenary programme, participation and consumption patterns among different social groups and cultural communities, and experiences and perceptions of social solidarity (or lack thereof) in the context of the Centenary programme. The survey has provided new data on the links between cultural and arts consumption practices in an ethnically diverse society, as well as on the perceptions of effects of arts consumption on social solidarity and sense of belonging. On the basis of quantitative analysis of the survey data, we study the patterns of cultural consumption and its social impact, given the ethnic diversity of the society in question. We explore, firstly, how cultural and arts consumption is influenced by ethnic belonging and, secondly, how the effects of this consumption differ among ethnic groups. Based on this empirical analysis, the paper contributes to the wider, ongoing interdisciplinary debates on cultural and arts consumption, societal diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, the paper offers a novel approach to exploring, both theoretically and empirically, the effects of cultural and arts consumption on social solidarity.

In this reporting procedure (April 2022–September 2022) 1 , we present three cases before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and one case before the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR). 2 All three cases before the ECtHR concern pension claims. The first case is Savickis and Others v Latvia (App no 49270/11), dealing with the payment of employment pensions in Latvia to 'permanently resident non-citizens'. For these citizens, the Latvian legislation did not take into account periods worked in other Soviet republics at the time of the occupation of Latvia by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), which it did do for Latvian citizens. The Court had to review this difference in treatment in light of the prohibition of discrimination in Article 14 European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the right to property in Article 1 Protocol no. 1 to the ECHR (AP ECHR). The second report discusses a case concerning the length of the appeal proceedings relating to a reduction of the applicant's pension rights. In Bieliński v Poland (App no 48762/19), the Court had to review whether there was a violation of Article 6 ECHR (right to a fair trial) and Article 13 ECHR (right to an effective remedy). P.C. v Ireland is the third case that will be discussed (App no 26922/19). It concerns disqualification from an old-age pension while serving a sentence of imprisonment. The applicant claimed that this disqualification violated Article 1 AP ECHR read alone, as well as Article 14 ECHR read in conjunction with Article 1 AP ECHR. Finally, this overview ends with a discussion of the European Social Charter (ESC). In Unione Sindacale di Base (hereinafter: USB) v Italy (collective complaint, App no 170/2018), the ECSR had to review the compatibility of the Italian scheme of socially useful workers with several of the provisions of the ESC, including the prohibition of discrimination (Article E), read in conjunction with the right to social security in Article 12 (1) of the revised ESC.

Article 6 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms provides for the right of everyone to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law. An important guarantee, such as the enforcement of a court judgment, is also enshrined in human rights theory and practice, as unenforced judgments pose a threat to legal stability, which is one of the fundamental basis for the sustainable development of society. The institute of law of the securing a claim serves in cases where execution of the future judgment may be impossible or made substantially more difficult. The aim of the research is to study the legal framework, which determines the regulations of the securing a claim in Latvia in order to make proposals for enhancement of the legal framework. The research deployed descriptive, analytical and deductive-inductive methods as well as the methods of interpretation of legal norms. Using these methods, legal acts, views of legal scientists and case law were reviewed and analyzed, and subsequently conclusions and recommendations were made. Analyzing the development of the securing a claim it can be admitted that this institute of law in Latvia has problems as the application of the securing a claim in court practice within the framework of limited adversarial and dispositivity principles, as well as shortcomings in the theoretical foundations of the securing a claim which are based on the findings of legal scientists of the last century. As a result of the research, the author drew the conclusions, that Latvia does not make sufficient use of the long-standing successful procedural solutions for securing a claim in others states, such as court mortgages, bank guarantee or mortgage of the plaintiff to secure the defendant's losses, defendant's protection letter to protect against unjustified securing a claim, a possibility to secure a claims which are not financial in nature and many more that can make legal regulation of the securing a claim more modern and effective.

Abstract
There have been a limited number of studies in Latvia that were focused on vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), especially during the initiation phase of the therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate details of vancomycin therapy in its initiation phase and to analyse the results of the first therapeutic drug monitoring within a multidisciplinary hospital in Latvia. A retrospective observational study was performed in a multidisciplinary hospital in Latvia. Adult patients hospitalised in an intensive care unit and undergoing vancomycin therapy with at least one concentration measurement were included in this study. Data about patients included demographic and clinical data, renal function prior to initiation of vancomycin therapy, data about vancomycin therapy, data about the first TDM, and details about the first measurement of vancomycin concentration according to determined reference range — subtherapeutic, therapeutic and supratherapeutic levels. A total of 60 intensive care unit patients who received vancomycin with at least one concentration measurement were included in this study. Fifty-eight patients received vancomycin as intermittent intravenous infusion. The first measurement of concentration was taken before the 3rd–4th vancomycin dose in 38.3% cases, and in 33.3% cases — before the 2nd dose. Sampling to determine the concentration within 30 minutes before vancomycin administration was performed in zero cases. In 35% cases, sampling was done within 2–5 hours before vancomycin administration and in 23.3% — immediately after or within a few hours after vancomycin infusion. Twelve (20%) patients had a concentration in the subtherapeutic level, and 14 (23.3%) patients had concentrations above the therapeutic level. In 42.8% of patients who had concentrations in supratherapeutic level, sampling had been performed immediately after or within several hours after vancomycin administration. The first concentration measurement was performed more than one hour before an infusion in all cases. Data on concentrations and timing were not adequate to perform appropriate therapy modification. Interpretation of dosing regime and concentration results were not adequate, and therefore correct modification of vancomycin therapy was often not possible. Routines of correct dosing regime and the 1st TDM during the initiation phase of vancomycin therapy can be improved.

Acts of terrorism often result in fatalities, but the impact of terrorism is not limited to loss of lives. Terrorism acts can disturb or suspend the peace process; they cause, lengthen, or deepen conflicts and escalate violence. In addition, terrorism has an effect on the economy of the state, given that combatting of terrorism requires significant temporal and financial resources.The threat posed by international terrorism not only constitutes one of the biggest challenges that the world and Europe in particular is currently facing, but also affects the security and economic interests of the Latvian nationals. In addition, terrorism-related crimes threaten the security of not only separate states, but that of the entire international community as well.In the view of the author, the relevance of the topic is illustrated by the fact that 23 May 2018, saw the Criminal Act of Latvia being complemented by a new (IX1) section on "Crimes Related to Terrorism", thereby underscoring the preparedness of Latvia to adjust its legislative framework in order to avert possible threats of terrorism. The new version of the law sees terrorism, financing of terrorism, invitation to terrorism and terrorism threats, recruitment and training of persons for terrorism, travelling for terrorism purposes, and justification of terrorism classified as criminal offences.Author has chosen the topic of terrorism with the aim of exploring the definition of terrorism and its depiction in international and Latvian law, as well as analysing the criminal liability for terrorism prescribed by the Latvian law and determining the issues associated with the classification of terrorism.The paper consists of introduction, three chapters, and conclusion. In the first chapter, the definition of terrorism is considered. The second chapter is devoted to the analysis of criminal liability for terrorism under the Latvian law, and the third chapter – to the issues associated with the classification of terrorism. Finally, conclusions with respect to the threats posed by terrorism to the European Union and Latvia are drawn.

Social inclusion and reduction of inequalities is becoming an increasingly topical problem in a range of OECD countries, due to the demographic structure of inhabitants and inequality of income, in many cases depending on labour contribution taking into account skills and competence often lacking for part of population gaining education many years ago. Big share of this part of the population currently is not able to keep the speed of technology development and increase of requirements for digital skills and internet use. The aim of the current research is to investigate possible solutions to address social inclusion by possible involvement in the labour market of different groups at risk – based on provision of digital skills, computer availability, as well as health conditions by regions in Latvia, by age groups, by gender, by employability status. The tasks of the research: analyse recent scientific findings on innovative approaches on involvement of different groups of inhabitants being at poverty risk into labour market and social inclusion, making them feel as valuable and esteemed members of the society; analyse data of several survey results: EU-SILC; Labour Force Survey and Survey on ICT skills for different groups of society in Latvia; analyse tendencies on Internet use in Latvia by gender. Main research methods – analysis of previous conducted research results reflected in scientific publications and policy analysis documents; analysis of data of EU-SILC and Labour Force Surveys as well as survey results on ICT skills on aspects of digitalisation and willingness to be involved in training and improvement of skills to avoid social exclusion and poverty. Findings – different regions have different results in digital literacy, however, implementation of innovative approaches in inhabitants' involvement in labour market help to avoid or diminish social exclusion. ; The research was supported by the NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME "LATVIAN HERITAGE AND FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE STATE" project "CHALLENGES FOR THE LATVIAN STATE AND SOCIETY AND THE SOLUTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT" (INTERFRAME-LV, Project No.VPP-IZM-2018/1-0005).

The article suggests and argues a theoretical framework for studying a particular case of memory securitization. It is based on the constructivist perception of security that is systematically framed in the studies of representatives of the Copenhagen School, who consider security as a socially constructed phenomenon and define identity protection to be one of its primary goals.
Pursuant to this approach, the article presents a correlation between memory and security in at least three aspects. In the first instance, similar to security, collective memory is socially determined. In the second instance, collective memory lies at the core of various forms of identity, including national identity. In the third instance, collective memory is not only an object of protection but also a resource, which is used by securitization actors for threat identification, enemy image modeling as well as for defining the means of protection.
The Latvian case is applied for setting the theoretical framework of the memory securitization model. In future, it might be used to study specific juridical and political mechanisms of memory securitization in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
The authors perceive the securitization of memory as a diverse complex of measures aimed at establishing and setting a certain historical narrative, as well as convincing society to be actively loyal to it. Accordingly, the policy of memory is defined as a mechanism for putting securitization in practice. The initial conditions for understanding this process in Latvia are the post-communist transition, ethnocultural divisions of the society, and the external factor represented by Russia, that promotes its historical narratives.
In one respect, R. Brubaker's concept of the "nationalized" state is taken as a theoretical model of the politics of memory in Latvia. According to this concept, the official narrative of post-communist countries has been set as a nation-oriented one. On the other hand, the concept of the memory regime developed by M. Bernhard and J. Kubik is also considered. As per their theory, the memory regime in Latvia can be described as being divided into the official and alternative narrative of counter-memory, which is based on the Soviet legacy.

The authors sincerely thank S. Ali, A. Kalinko, and F. Rocca for providing experimental EXAFS data, as well as M. Isupova, V. Kashcheyevs, and A. I. Popov for stimulating discussions. Financial support provided by project No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/l/16/147 (1.1.1.2/16/I/001) under the activity "Post-doctoral research aid" realized at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia is greatly acknowledged by D.B. A.K and J.P. would like to thank the support of the Latvian Council of Science project No. lzp-2018/2–0353. ; Scandium fluoride (ScF3) belongs to a class of negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials. It shows a strong lattice contraction up to about 1000 K switching to expansion at higher temperatures. Here the NTE effect in ScF3 is studied in the temperature range from 300 K to 1600 K using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations in the isothermal-isobaric (NpT) ensemble. The temperature dependence of the lattice constant, inter-atomic Sc–F–Sc bond angle distributions and the Sc–F and Sc–Sc radial distribution functions is obtained as a function of supercell size from 2a × 2a × 2a to 5a × 5a × 5a where a is the lattice parameter of ScF3. A comparison with the experimental Sc K-edge EXAFS data at 600 K is used to validate the accuracy of the AIMD simulations. Our results suggest that the AIMD calculations are able to reproduce qualitatively the NTE effect in ScF3, however a supercell size larger than 2a × 2a × 2a should be used to account accurately for dynamic disorder. The origin of the NTE in ScF3 is explained by the interplay between expansion and rotation of ScF6 octahedra ; Latvian Council of Science lzp-2018/2–0353; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia 1.1.1.2/VIAA/l/16/147 (1.1.1.2/16/I/001); Chinese Academy of Sciences; 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 ; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927025619304975

Governments work hard to make their district a better place to live, sometimes when society does not recognize what has been done and it indicates the real issue – information asymmetry. To improve information flow between government and society as well as active social change it is possible to use macro-social marketing. In a few cases, it is already happening but there are many more where it could be used by the government. Problem statement – there is information asymmetry between government and society, that reflects on the social development of the country on a macro-level. Aim – to investigate macro-social marketing and its ability to improve the communication flow between government and society while making a positive impact on society. Main research methods used – scientific publications and previous conducted research analysis, for empirical part a quantitative non-parametric method for statistical. The authors study macro-social marketing and its implementation of good practice, CSDD, in Latvia. First, it is important to get a common understanding of what macro-social marketing is and how it differs from micro social or social marketing. Second, macro-social marketing is already in use but not always governments are aware that they are using it, so authors will stimulate awareness by mentioning successful cases where macro-social marketing has been used in addition by doing one in-depth case study of a Latvian government organization called CSDD that is responsible for road traffic security in Latvia. In the end, there will be available main conclusions, proposals, and recommendations for the Latvian government that can be used to positively influence society as well as other stakeholders. Main results and findings of the paper – the article provides new information about macro-social marketing and its ability to make a positive impact on society if used right by the Latvian government and public institutions. Analyze macro-social marketing Latvia CSDD case; make conclusions about macro-social marketing and assemble recommendations for Latvian government. Overall, the article answers do macro-social marketing is a way for the government to make a positive influence on society.

Financial support provided by Scientific Research Project for Students and Young Researchers Nr. SJZ/2019/2 realized at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia is greatly acknowledged. 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 CAMART 2 . ; Currently a lot of attention is paid to 1D nanomaterials due to their advantages in comparison to bulk materials. They offer broad possibilities of application, including photocatalytic water splitting. Simulations of water adsorption on such materials with computationally costly theoretical methods, such as ab initio molecular dynamics, are needed for improvement of such photocatalysts' efficiency. Still, it is very problematic to treat a real-size nanotube at available computational power. The existing nanotube surface approximations are not accurate and universal enough. We have already proposed methods for 2D model construction out of TiO2 nanotubes of (101) and (001) configuration at the moderately expensive DFT level. The idea behind was to provide a partial description of nanotubular strain by applying lattice constants from nanotubes to slab models, and preserving geometry motifs. We use water adsorption energy, valence band maximum and conduction band minimum positions, as well as DOS shape as criteria for model validation. Our previous work was limited only to specific variants of nanotubes and water adsorption. In this work we establish these novel approaches along a wide nanotube diameter range, in particular for water adsorption studies. We demonstrate that the 2D models do not impose critical compromises in terms of accuracy, and therefore allow calculations of much larger nanotubes than common approaches do. ; Scientific Research Project for Students and Young Researchers Nr. SJZ/2019/2; 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 CAMART 2

The authors wish to express gratitude to K. Smits for TEM measurements. This research is funded by the Latvian Council of Science, project "Novel transparent nanocomposite oxyfluoride materials for optical applications", project No. LZP-2018/1-0335. GK wishes to expresses gratitude to Arnis Riekstins "MikroTik" donation. Donations are administered by the University of Latvia Foundation. © 2019. This work is licensed under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. ; Transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing hexagonal NaErF4 nanocrystals were synthesized by a heat treatment of a precursor glass obtained by the melt quenching technique. Combined X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed the formation of single phase nanocrystals in the glass ceramics. The enhancement of intensity and spectral change of upconversion luminescence (UCL) confirmed the presence of Er3+ ions in the crystalline phase of the glass ceramics. Dominant energy transfer processes were identified using the rate equation formalism. Time-resolved site-selective spectroscopy studies at low temperatures were employed to elucidate the local structure of Er3+ ions in the glass ceramics and microcrystalline NaErF4. The origin of multi-site formation in hexagonal NaErF4 lattice is discussed. --- / / / --- This is the preprint of the following article: Guna Krieke; Andris Antuzevics, Maris Springis, Uldis Rogulis, Upconversion luminescence in transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing hexagonal NaErF4, Journal of Alloys and Compounds Volume 798 (2019), which has been published at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925346717304731. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Elsevier Terms and Conditions for Sharing and Self-Archiving. © 2019. This work is licensed under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. ; Latvian Council of Science LZP-2018/1-0335; University of Latvia Foundation; 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.

Рассмотрена реакция прибалтийской печати и публицистики на введение дополнительных контингентов Красной армии в Эстонию, Латвию и Литву в июне 1940 г. На примерах печатных изданий и обзора прессы советскими полпредствами в Эстонии, Латвии и Литве, сохранившихся в Архиве внешней политики Российской Федерации, рассматривается характер взаимоотношений СССР и стран Балтии накануне и в процессе ввода дополнительных воинских контингентов на территорию Прибалтики. В качестве исследовательской задачи автором была предпринята попытка показать на основе архивных материалов реакцию средств массовой информации на вхождение советских войск в балтийские республики. Кроме того, в своей работе автор указывает на то, что печать и публицистика Литвы, Латвии и Эстонии подвергалась государственной цензуре, что способствовало благоприятному расположению со стороны официальной прессы к политике СССР. Также в исследовании отмечается, что, несмотря на отношение советских солдат к эстонцам, латышам и литовцам как к вероятным противникам, между гражданами Прибалтики и советскими солдатами находился известный компромисс. ; This article studies the reaction of the Baltic press and political journalism to the introduction of additional troops of the Red Army in Estonia, Latvia and in Lithuania in June 1940. The relationship between the USSR and the Baltic States before and during the introduction of additional troops in the territory of the Baltic States is illustrated on the example of publications and press reviews of the Soviet embassies in Estonia, Latvia and in Lithuania kept in the «Russian State Foreign Policy Archive». The author's research objective was an attempt through the study of the archival materials to show the mass media reaction to the introduction of Soviet troops in the Baltic states. Besides, the author points out in his paper that the press and journalism of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia were censored, and that contributed to the official media positive assessment of the USSR policy. The research backs the idea that despite the attitude of Soviet soldiers of the Red Army to Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians as potential enemies the citizens of the Baltic States and soldiers of the Red Army were amenable to compromise.

Strategy of the European Union in efficient energy usage demands to have a higher proportion of renewable energy in the energy market. Since heat pumps are considered to be one of the most efficient heating and cooling systems, they will play an important role in the energy consumption reduction in buildings aimed to meet the target of nearly zero energy buildings set out in the EU Directive 2010/31/EU. Unfortunately, the declared heat pump Coefficient of Performance (COP) corresponds to a certain outdoor temperature (+7 °C), therefore different climate conditions, building characteristics and settings result in different COP values during the year. The aim of this research is to investigate the Seasonal Performance factor (SPF) values of air-to-water heat pump which better characterize the effectiveness of heat pump in a longer selected period of time, especially during the winter season, in different types of residential buildings in Latvian climate conditions. Latvia has four pronounced seasons of near-equal length. Winter starts in mid-December and lasts until mid-March. Latvia is characterized by cold, maritime climate (duration of the average heating period being 203 days, the average outdoor air temperature during the heating period being 0.0 °C, the coldest five-day average temperature being −20.7 °C, the average annual air temperature being +6.2 °C, the daily average relative humidity being 79 %). The first part of this research consists of operational air-to-water heat pump energy performance monitoring in different residential buildings during the winter season. The second part of the research takes place under natural conditions in an experimental construction stand which is located in an urban environment in Riga, Latvia. The inner area of this test stand, where air-to-water heat pump performance is analyzed, is 9 m2. The ceiling height is 3 m, all external wall constructions (U = 0.16 W/(m2K)) have ventilated facades. To calculate SPF, the experimental stand is equipped with sensors which provide measurements for electricity consumption and gained heat energy.

In order to be able to correct the asocial behaviour of adolescents, several factors that can have POSITIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE FAMILY an effect on the issue must be understood, these being biological, social, and psychological, as well as understanding the context of the situation itself. Various methods were used to research valuable adolescent family environments, including the questionnaire entitled Positive and Destructive Family, which was developed by Russian authors (Опросник "Конструктивно-деструктивная семья" (КДС), Эйдемиллер, Юстицкис). Since this methodology was not available to researchers in Latvian, the first step to be taken was to adapt this method to the cultural environment of Latvia. (The author's consent has been received for the use of the questionnaire in scientific work.) The adaptation of the method allows the following steps to be implemented (Hambleton & Patsula, 1998; 1999; 2000; Van de Vijver & Hambleton, 1996): the translation and backward translation of questionnaire observing the context of the cultural environment; empirical verification of the translated questionnaire, thereby establishing its reliability and validity in accordance with the psychometric indicators used to provide a validity check on the factors illustrated in the source survey; the administration of the survey in the new cultural environment; documentation showing the adaptation of the questionnaire and the development of the interpretation of the survey's values. To date, only some of the aforementioned steps have been implemented and presented. Respondents from sixty families participated in the survey (all of whom were aged in group of 31-68, and who included 42 women and eighteen men). The survey consists of twenty statements to which respondents will reply either positively or negatively (this being the dichotomy scale). Further tasks are related to the complete adaptation and application there of in population surveys in Latvia. Another method for family study that has been adapted in Latvia provides more extensive opportunity for further empirical studies, and will also provide a useful set of instruments for practitioners in psychology. Key words: adolescent deviance, dysfunctional family, questionnaire adaptation.