ASSESSMENT OF RARE EPIPHYTIC LIVERWORT TRANSPLANTATION METHOD IN POPULUS TREMULA FOREST

Epiphytic bryophytes are important biodiversity elements in forest ecosystems globally. In addition, bryophytes take part in ecosystem functioning and are excellent environmental indicators. Almost half of the red-listed bryophyte distribution in Latvia is related to forest habitats. However, despite the increasing knowledge about epiphyte ecology, we are lacking information about individual rare species environmental demands. The present study aimed to evaluate the transplant disc method in rare liverwort transplantation success in aspen forest. As a result, we found that the transplant disc method can be used in epiphytic liverwort studies, but improvements are recommended in sealant selection for transplantation. Liverwort transplants were sensitive to changed substrate quality. Although transplant physiological stress during the transplantation experiment could be important. Epiphyte transplantation studies could help to test epiphyte sensitivity to global climate change in the future

Cytomegalovirus chronic infection as a risk factor for stroke : A prospective study

Funding Information: This research was supported by European Social Fund.Stroke is the second most common cause of death in the world and a major cause of long-term disability. Chronic infection is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke and related forms of atherosclerotic vascular disease. The aim of our study was to compare the plasma Cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin G antibody level in a patient and control group, and to determine the association of CMV chronic infection with ischemic stroke, and with stroke subtype. The present study does not present a cogent demonstration that cytomegalovirus chronic infection is a risk factor of stroke. Further studies are necessary to clarify the effective prophylactic measures to determine other significant risk factors for stroke.publishersversionPeer reviewe

CLIL approach for integrated history and English teaching and learning in Grade 9

Globalizācija ir daļa no mūsu dzīves mūsdienas un tās nozīme tikai palielinās. Satura un valodas integrēta apguve ir plaši atzīta ne tikai Eiropā, bet arī visa pasaulē jau no 1990-tajiem gadiem. Satura un valodas integrēta apguve ir ļoti populāra, jo skolēniem arvien vairāk nepieciešama angļu valoda, lai turpinātu savas studijas. Viņiem niepieciešamas angļu valodas zināšanas akadēmiskā akademiskā līmeni, lai sekmīgi turpinātu studijas un saprast dažādus jēdzienus, ko lieto viņu izvēlētajā priekšmetā. Jēdzienus neapgūst angļu valodas stundās. Satura un valodas integrēta apguve nozīmē aktīvu starppriekšmetu saikni. Skolēni mācās angļu valodu ne tikai angļu valodas stundās, bet viņi izmanto angļu valodu, lai apgūtu citus priekšmetus. Tas palielina angļu valodas brīvu lietojumu. Pētījums notika Rīgas vakara (maiņu) vidusskolā. Tajā piedalījās divas 9. klases. Diplomdarba mērķis ir pētīt kā praktiski notiek satura un valodas integrēta apguve 9.klases vēstures stundās. Tika viektas dažādas aktivitātes un izstrādāti vēstures materiāli angļu valodā. Pētījuma beigās skolēni piedalījās aptaujā, kurā parādīja skolēnu attieksmi pret angļu valodas izmantošanu vēstures stundās. Pētījuma laikā tika novērots, ka satura un valodas integrēta apguve paaugstina skolēnu valodas prasmes. Diplomdarba autore vēlas turpināt angļu valodas un vēstures priekšmetu integrētu pasniegšanu.Globalization is a part of our life nowadays and the influence of this process on our lives only increases. Content and Language Integrated Learning has gained widespread acknowledgement in numerous education systems not only in Europe but also in other continents since its onset in the 1990s in Europe. Content-language integrated learning is very topical because students need English more and more in further studies or work life. They need English on the academic level; they have to know specific vocabularies which are related to their subject. These specific vocabularies are not acquired during the English lesson. CLIL means the active usage of cross-disciplinary skills. Students do not learn English in English lessons, but they are encouraged to use English during another lesson to acquire different subjects. It promotes English fluency. A case study was conducted in Riga Secondary Night –Shift school. It involved two classes of Grade 9. The aim of the Diploma Paper is to explore how History and English integrated teaching and learning process can be implemented and practiced in working with Grade 9 students. Different activities and materials were created and implemented during History lessons. Students filled the questionnaire at the end of the case study. The questionnaire shows students attitude and progress during CLIL implementation. The study has led to the conclusion that CLIL improves and develops students’ achievements, skills and competencies. The author of the Diploma Paper is motivated to continue the implementation of integrating History and English

Characterization of Self-Growing Biomaterials Made of Fungal Mycelium and Various Lignocellulose-Containing Ingredients

In this study, novel blends of mycelium biocomposites (MB) were developed. Various combinations of birch sawdust and hemp shives with birch bark (BB) and wheat bran (WB) additives were inoculated with basidiomycete Trametes versicolor to produce self-growing biomaterials. MB were characterized according to mycelial biomass increment in final samples, changes in chemical composition, elemental (C, H, N) analyses, granulometry of substrates, water-related and mechanical properties, as well as mold resistance and biodegradability. The mycelial biomass in manufactured MB increased by ~100% and ~50% in hemp and sawdust substrates, respectively. The lignocellulose ingredients during fungal growth were degraded as follows: cellulose up to 7% and 28% in sawdust and hemp substrates, respectively, and lignin in the range of 13% in both substrates. A larger granulometric fraction in hemp MB ensured higher strength property but weakened water absorption (600–880%) performance. Perspective MB combinations regarding strength performance were hemp/BB and pure hemp MB (σ10 0.19–0.20 MPa; E 2.9 MPa), as well as sawdust/WB combination (σ10 0.23 MPa; E 2.9 MPa). WB positively affected fungal biomass yield, but elevated water absorption ability. WB improved compressive strength in the sawdust samples but decreased it in the hemp samples. BB supplement reduced water absorption by more than 100% and increased the density of sawdust and hemp samples. All MB samples were susceptible to mold contamination after full water immersion, with identified fungal genera Rhizopus, Trichoderma and Achremonium. The MB exhibited high biodegradability after 12 weeks’ exposure in compost, and are therefore competitive with non-biodegradable synthetic foam materials

PROPERTIES OF WOOD AND PULP FIBERS FROM LODGEPOLE PINE (PINUS CONTORTA) AS COMPARED TO SCOTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS)

In this study, the relationship between the properties of the wood and kraft pulp fibers as well as paper characteristics of 27-year-old trees, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), was assessed. All trees had been grown in Latvia, within the same forest type, Myrtillosa. Wood density, year ring width, chemical composition and cross-sectional cell wall dimensions were measured. Fiber characteristics were determined, and handsheets were made for all samples from unbeaten kraft pulp. The results showed that the amount of latewood had a positive correlation with wood density for both species and with further positive impact on the paper burst index. Also, slight differences in cross-sectional dimensions were observed. Lodgepole pine provided paper with higher burst strength than Scots pine. Since the former is of higher density, less wood per volume is needed to produce a ton of pulp, and results showed a higher pulp yield in the case of lodgepole pine

Mechanical and Air Permeability Performance of Novel Biobased Materials from Fungal Hyphae and Cellulose Fibers

Novel biobased materials from fungal hyphae and cellulose fibers have been proposed to address the increasing demand for natural materials in personal protective equipment (PPE). Materials containing commercially available kraft fibers (KF), laboratory-made highly fibrillated hemp fibers (HF) and fungal fibers (FF) obtained from fruiting bodies of lignicolous basidiomycetes growing in nature were prepared using paper production techniques and evaluated for their mechanical and air permeability properties. SEM and microscopy revealed the network structure of materials. The tensile index of materials was in the range of 8–60 Nm/g and air permeability ranged from 32–23,990 mL/min, depending on the composition of materials. HF was the key component for strength; however, the addition of FF to compositions resulted in higher air permeability. Chemical composition analysis (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) revealed the presence of natural polysaccharides, mainly cellulose and chitin, as well as the appropriate elemental distribution of components C, H and N. Biodegradation potential was proven by a 30-day-long composting in substrate, which resulted in an 8–62% drop in the C/N ratio. Conclusions were drawn about the appropriateness of fungal hyphae for use in papermaking-like technologies together with cellulose fibers. Developed materials can be considered as an alternative to synthetic melt and spun-blown materials for PPE