Latvian Queer Kharms? Sex and Power in Rihards Bargais’ Gossip

In 2012 the Latvian poet Rihards Bargais published a book called Tenkas (‘Gossip’), a collection of small absurd narratives, inspired by the Russian writer Daniil Kharms, that describes his fellow writers, well-known Latvian personalities and himself. Many of the pieces have an explicitly sexual character; one of them even resulted in legal action for libel, a situation unique in Latvian contemporary literature. Crossing several boundaries of reality and fiction, private and public, as well as the allowed and the forbidden, Bargais confronts society using sexual imagery in his literary work

Is Ilze Jansone’s Insomnia the Latvian Well of Loneliness?

The novel Insomnia by the young Latvian prose writer Ilze Jansone was the first contemporary Latvian novel dedicated to lesbian identity. It is productive to look at the questions raised in this novel in comparison to the well-known lesbian novel by the English author Radclyffe Hall, The Well of Loneliness, which caused considerable controversy at the time of its publication. These books have been written in different times and places, still there are some points that make Jansone’s approach similar to Hall’s: the presence of religion, the importance of the father figure (God the Father) and other issues of gender. Taking into account various queer theorists’ attempts to categorise Hall’s protagonist as a martyr, a masculine woman, a Christ-like person and in other ways in this paper we try to look for similarities between Hall’s and Jansone’s protagonists

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics of Parathyroid Gland Lesions

Funding Information: Funding: This research received funding from Latvian Science Funding, project number Izp-2020/2-0297, Multiparametric ultrasound correlation with morphology in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Background and Objectives: preoperative differentiation of enlarged parathyroid glands may be challenging in conventional B-mode ultrasound. The aim of our study was to analyse qualitative and quantitative characteristics of parathyroid gland lesions, using multiparametric ultrasound protocol—B-mode, Colour Doppler (CD), and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)— and to evaluate correlation with morphology in patients with hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Materials and Methods: consecutive 75 patients with 88 parathyroid lesions and biochemically confirmed HPT prior to parathyroidectomy were enrolled in the prospective study. B-mode ultrasound, CD, and CEUS were performed with the subsequent qualitative and quantitative evaluation of acquired data. We used 1 mL or 2 mL of intravenous ultrasound contrast agent during the CEUS examination. Correlation with post-surgical morphology was evaluated. Results: seventy parathyroid adenomas were hypoechoic and well contoured with increased central echogenicity (44.3%), peripheral-central vascularization (47%), and polar feeding vessel (100%). Twelve hyperplasias presented with similar ultrasound appearance and were smaller in volume (p = 0.036). Hyperplasias had a tendency for homogenous, marked intense enhancement vs. peripherally enhanced adenomas with central wash-out in CEUS after quantitative analysis. No significant difference was observed in contrasting dynamics, regardless of contrast media volume use (1 mL vs. 2 mL). We achieved 90.9% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity, 93% positive predictive value (PPV), 87.3% negative predictive value (NPV), and 87.3% accuracy in the differentiation of parathyroid lesions prior to post-processing. In a quantitative lesion analysis, our sensitivity increased up to 98%, specificity 80%, PPV 98%, and NPV 80% with an accuracy of 96.4%. Conclusions: CEUS of parathyroid lesions shows potential in the differentiation of adenoma from hyperplasia, regardless of the amount of contrast media injected. The quantitative analysis improved the sensitivity and specificity of differentiation between parathyroid lesions. Hyperplasia was characterized by homogeneous enhancement, fast uptake, and homogeneous wash-out appearance; adenoma—by peripheral uptake, central wash-out, and reduced hemodynamics. The use of CEUS quantification methods are advised to improve the ultrasound diagnostic role in suspected parathyroid lesions.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Is peer review in academic publishing still working?

Peer review is central to academic publishing. Yet for many it is a mysterious and contentious practice, which can cause distress for both reviewers, and those whose work is reviewed. This paper, produced by the Editors’ Collective, examines the past and future of peer review in academic publishing. The first sections consider how peer review has been defined and practised in changing academic contexts, and its educational significance in the development of scholarship. The paper then explores major historical and contemporary issues around identity, diversity, anonymity, and the review process, and the related power of editors versus reviewers in academic publishing. Finally, the paper discusses the case of new scholars as reviewers engaging in neoliberal labour, before concluding with some brief recommendations based on our analysis

Long-term genetic monitoring of a reintroduced Eurasian lynx population does not indicate an ongoing loss of genetic diversity

Where reintroduced wildlife populations are considered as vulnerable this is generally due to limited founder size and isolation. While many of these populations show low levels of genetic diversity, little is known about the temporal patterns of genetic diversity loss and the role of initial founder effects vs. ongoing genetic drift. Here we analysed genotype data from 582 Eurasian lynx samples from the reintroduced Bohemian-Bavarian-Austrian population (BBA) over a time span of 35 years, representing approximately 13 generations. Two-wave reintroduction of lynx from at least two distinct West-Carpathian areas resulted in relatively high start-up of genetic diversity. After the initial decline when the population lost about a quarter of its genetic diversity compared to the Carpathian source population, the genetic diversity and effective population size remained almost unchanged over the next 20 years. Despite confirmed isolation of BBA and thus absence of gene flow, we detected relatively low inbreeding during the two recent decades within the slightly increasing population size, which may have prevented ongoing loss of genetic diversity. Given the current status of BBA, we do not support genetic reinforcement to maintain its long-term viability; but urge the importance of facilitating gene flow with neighbouring lynx populations through an improvement of landscape connectivity and by strengthening law enforcement as well as the prevention of illegal killings. A sound genetic monitoring alongside regular camera trap-based monitoring of population size, health status and reproduction is pivotal to decide on future conservation interventions.publishedVersio

Challenges and science-based implications for modern management and conservation of European ungulate populations

Wildlife management systems face growing challenges to cope with increasingly complex interactions between wildlife populations, the environment and human activities. In this position statement, we address the most important issues characterising current ungulate conservation and management in Europe. We present some key points arising from ecological research that may be critical for a reassessment of ungulate management in the future. Ecosystem . Population sustainability . Science-basedmanagement .Wildlifemanagement .Adaptive managemen

Narrative structure, narrator, and narrative levels in the prose of Andra Neiburga

Promocijas darbā aplūkota Andras Neiburgas (1957–2019) īsproza, aptverot stāstus, kas tapuši no 1985. līdz 2011. gadam, un pievēršoties stāstījuma uzbūvei un stāstītāja funkcijām, kā arī līdz šim nepētītajiem kontekstuālajiem stāstījuma līmeņiem. Nozīmīga vieta pētījumā atvēlēta naratoloģijas un maskulinitāšu studiju teorētisko jautājumu problemātikai, iekļaujot šo disciplīnu vēsturisko apskatu un pašreizējās situācijas raksturojumu un kritiku. A. Neiburgas īsproza analizēta klasiskās un postklasiskās naratoloģijas aspektā, īpašu uzmanību pievēršot jēdziena latviskā ekvivalenta zinātniskajai izpētei un pamatojumam. Maskulinitāšu analīzē A. Neiburgas prozā par pamatu izmantotas sociālā konstruktīvisma teorijas, kas maskulinitāti skata kā kompleksu un nestabilu kategoriju, interpretējot to kā vīrieša ķermenim nepiesaistītu fenomenu. Atslēgvārdi: stāstījums, maskulinitātes, īsproza, mūsdienu literatūra, Andra NeiburgaIn this thesis, I reflect upon the short fiction by Andra Neiburga (1957–2019), including stories written between 1985 and 2011 and considering the structure of the narrative and the functions of the narrator, as well as the hitherto unexplored contextual levels of the narrative. I accord an important place to theoretical problems of narratology and masculinity studies, including a historical overview of these disciplines and a characterization and critique of the current situation. I analyze Neiburga’s short fiction in respect to classical and post-classical narratology, paying particularly close attention to the scientific exploration and basis of the Latvian equivalent and concept. The analysis of masculinities in Neiburga’s fiction is based on the theories of social constructivism that consider masculinity as a complex and unstable category, interpreting it as a phenomenon unrelated to the male body. Keywords: narrative, masculinities, short fiction, contemporary literature, Andra Neiburg

Project Formation of "Store" Ltd. fish and crayfish farms establishment of trade ratio

Maģistra darba nosaukums ir „SIA “Store” Zivju un vēžu audzēšanas uzņēmuma izveidošana un tirdzniecība”Eiropas akvakultūra attīstās, bet tās kopējās produkcijas apjoms vēl ir samērā neliels, jo apstākļi zivju un vēžu audzēšanai dažādās valstīs ļoti atšķiras.Projekta īstenošanai uzņēmums izvēlējies, izmantot vēžus un vienkāršāk kultivējamās zivju sugas –stores, līņi.. Projekta ietvaros dibināmā uzņēmuma juridiskā forma ir Sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību – slēgta tipa kapitālsabiedrība ar juridiskas personas tiesībām, kuras pamatkapitālu veido dalībnieka ieguldītais īpašums – daļas, kura pamatkapitāls ir 250 000 Ls. Uzņēmuma nosaukums ir sabiedrības ar ierobežotu atbildību „Store”. Projekta mērķis ir ir kultivēt un audzēt Krievijas stores, līņus un platspīļu vēzi. Projekta uzdevums ir sniegt vispārēju informāciju par plānoto uzņēmuma darbību, potenciālo klientu loku, konkurentiem, izstrādāt mārketinga un finanšu plānu, aprakstīt uzņēmuma riskus un to samazināšanas iespējas. Izmantojot pieņēmumus, darbā ir apkopota finanšu prognoze – uzņēmuma ieņēmumu plāns, peļņas vai zaudējumu aprēķins, naudas plūsmas plāns un plānotā bilance par 4 gadiem. Izmantojot darbā minētos pieņēmumus un aprēķinātos finanšu datus, aprēķinātais projekta atmaksāšanās laiks ir 4 gadi. Maģistra darbs sastāv no 8 daļām, kopējais darba apjoms ir 82 lappuses, 28 informatīvas tabulas, 6 attēli un 8 informatīvi grafiki.Master's working title is "SIA" Store "fish and crayfish farming enterprise creation and marketing of aquaculture in Europe is developing, but its total output is still relatively small, since the conditions of fish and crayfish production in different countries very atšķiras.Projekta implementation of the company chosen, to use crayfish and easily cultivated fish species, sturgeon, tench .. The project formed the company's legal form of a limited liability company - a closed corporation with its own legal personality, whose share capital consists of the members have contributed estate - part of whose capital is 250 000. Company name is a limited liability company "Store". The project is designed to cultivate and grow the Russian sturgeon, tench and Noble crayfish. The project aims to provide general information on the Company's planned operations, potential clients, competitors, develop marketing and financial plan, describe the company's risks and reduction opportunities. Using the assumptions that work is summarized in the financial outlook - the company's revenue plan, income statement, cash flow plan and forecast balance sheet for 4 years. Working from these assumptions and estimates of financial data, the estimated project payback period is 4 years. Master's thesis consists of 8 parts, total working volume of 82 pages, 28 informative tables, 6 figures and 8 informative graphs

Interest Rate Risk Management

Maģistra darbā tiek analizēts procentu likmju risks un tā pārvaldība nefinanšu uzņēmumos. Darba mērķis ir izveidot uzņēmumiem praktiski pielietojamu procentu likmju riska pārvaldības pieeju. Darba ietvaros tiek analizētas galvenās procentu likmju veidošanās teorijas, procentu likmju un makroekonomikas savstarpējās attiecības. Autors ar Monte Karlo simulācijas palīdzību prognozē iespējamo nākotnes procentu likmju attīstību. Darbā tiek analizēti Latvijas komercbanku piedāvātie atvasinātie finanšu instrumenti, kas tiek pielietoti konkrēta uzņēmuma procentu likmju riska pārvaldībā ar mērķi atrast optimālo risinājumu, kas samazinātu uzņēmuma naudas plūsmas svārstīgumu. Balstoties uz analizēto teorētisko materiālu un pētījuma rezultātiem, autors izstrādā secinājumus un priekšlikumus par procentu likmju riska pārvaldības pieeju nefinanšu uzņēmumos.The Master’s thesis covers interest rate risk management in non-financial institutions. The goal of the thesis is to create an interest rate risk management approach which could be used in practice by wide range of non-financial institutions. Thesis analyses the main interest rate theories, relationship between interest rates and macroeconomics. Author makes forecasts about possible interest rate developments using Monte Carlo simulation. Plain vanilla derivatives offered by Latvian banks are analyzed; derivatives are applied to a specific company with the aim to find the optimal solution which decreases cashflow volatility. The author draws conclusions and offers propositions about interest rate risk management in non-financial institutions based on the results of theoretic and practical research