Turība University

This paper analyses Riga’s Latgale suburb, a centrally located but underdeveloped area undergoing transformation due to the Rail Baltica project. It explores how urban development can balance growth with preserving Holocaust-related heritage. Using a case study approach, the study highlights how the area’s historical memory has been managed and examines future challenges. It incorporates perspectives from key stakeholders, including local residents, planners, the Jewish community, and tourism professionals, to assess opportunities for inclusive and heritage-sensitive urban planning.

This study examines the evolving relationship between global value chains and carbon emissions from 2000 to 2014, using a framework that integrates distinct economic phases and significant events. Analyzing data from 52 countries, it identifies varied impacts across three periods: global value chains lowered carbon intensity during the Technology Diffusion phase (2001–2007) due to efficiency gains, raised it during the Crisis Disruption phase (2008–2009) amid economic turmoil, and had a diminished effect during the Policy Realignment phase (2010–2014) under shifting regulations. The research uncovers a U-shaped pattern where initial participation reduces emissions, but excessive engagement increases them, alongside differences between developed and developing nations and regional convergence in Asia. Drawing on data from international trade, climate, and economic sources, it employs advanced statistical methods to ensure accuracy. The findings support tailored policy recommendations, including global carbon pricing adjusted by development level, national green technology requirements, and corporate emission transparency, providing a cohesive strategy to balance trade benefits with climate goals during the study period.

This study explores how financial risk indicators influence corporate resilience and sustainability under market uncertainty. Using panel data of Chinese listed firms from 2010 to 2022, we develop machine learning models—including Random Forest, XGBoost, and Neural Networks—to evaluate firm-level default probability and resilience capacity. Unlike traditional linear models, our approach captures asymmetric and nonlinear responses between Distance to Default (DD) and Expected Default Frequency (EDF). The results reveal that financial fragility rises sharply when DD declines below critical thresholds, highlighting the need for resilience-oriented financial supervision. XGBoost achieves the best predictive performance, while Random Forest provides interpretability through feature importance and partial dependence analysis. The study contributes to sustainable finance by linking explainable AI with early-warning systems, offering data-driven tools for promoting financial stability and long-term sustainability in emerging markets.

Abstract The harmonization of international and national legal systems plays a crucial role in ensuring a high level of human rights protection. This article explores the mechanisms through which international law influences domestic legal frameworks and vice versa. Particular attention is given to the role of regional human rights courts, inter-jurisdictional dialogue, and the challenges posed by legal fragmentation. By examining judicial decisions and legal developments across different regions, the article highlights the increasing convergence of human rights norms and their implementation at the national level.

One billion children are affected by child abuse annually around the globe, leading to long-term damage and enormous economic burden. This research discusses international legal frameworks, with emphasis on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the INSPIRE strategies. Based on evidence from the Global Status Report on Preventing Violence Against Children 2020 and elsewhere, it reports that 88% of nations have good laws prohibiting violence, but just 47% effectively enforce them. Corporal punishment is prohibited in 79% of countries, but it is fully enforced in only 30%. Support for national plans is low, particularly in developing countries, and threats online such as child sexual abuse material develop quicker than legislatures can keep pace. Vulnerable populations, like indigenous children and children with disabilities, become more vulnerable due to lax protections. The research compares sources to establish that these gaps exist and are urgent. Reform needs to involve well-funded plans, improved training for police and judges, more modern digital legislation, and increased child involvement. All can take action now to ensure Sustainable Development Goal 16.2 and safeguard children everywhere. Keywords: legal frameworks, CRC, INSPIRE, child abuse, enforcement gaps, national plans, vulnerable children, online exploitation, SDG 16.2.

This study explores the implementation and effectiveness of Energy Management Systems (EMS) in enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency within a mid-sized industrial facility in the Netherlands. The research identifies key challenges such as the absence of real-time monitoring, high energy costs, and inefficiencies in resource usage. A systematic approach is applied, including literature review, problem analysis, and a case evaluation of an EMS deployment. The implemented EMS, featuring data tracking for electricity, gas, and water, demonstrates a potential reduction of $21 \%$ in electricity usage and $8.25 \%$ in gas consumption. Cost savings are quantified through a Net Present Value calculation over a five-year horizon, supported by sensitivity analysis for energy price fluctuations. The findings indicate significant opportunities for carbon reduction and compliance with environmental regulations. This study contributes to the literature by presenting a structured EMS deployment framework and offering practical insights for energy optimization in similar industrial contexts.

Manganese (Mn2+) metal doping into lead halide perovskite has offered an expanded palette to tailor the optoelectronic properties through engineering the energy transfer between the energy donor (exciton) and energy acceptor (Mn2+). However, it still remains a challenge to precisely modulate the two different emission centers to achieve the desired optoelectronic properties due to the presence of a complex interplay of competing excited-state dynamics, involving exciton recombination, forward and backward energy transfer, and dopant-state recombination. Here, we have developed a machine learning (ML) driven predictive framework to elucidate the complex energy transfer seen in Mn(x)-doped 2D PEA2Pb(Br1–yIy)4 perovskites. With integration of the ML predictive modelwith time-resolved spectroscopy, we identify and prioritize key important features (closely associated with excitonic properties such as bandgap, full width at half-maximum (FWHM), and wavelength), governing the degree of Mn sensitization. The ML-driven approach not only allows for precise prediction of desired optoelectronic properties but also uncovers nonlinear structure–function correlations that are often overlooked by conventional approaches. Our study, thus, provides new insight into the doped system, paving the way for the rational design of next-generation optoelectronic materials.

This study addresses the significant gap in existing literature regarding the long-term effects of emollients and emulsifiers on skin health to systematically evaluate the impact of these substances on Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) and skin barrier functions across various skin conditions. The main aim of this research is to evaluate the effects of commonly used emollients and emulsifiers on skin barrier function across different skin conditions to provide insights that will contribute to the development of optimized skincare formulations for individuals with compromised skin barriers. A literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using targeted search strings to gather relevant studies published over the last 20 years. The inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed studies that provided empirical data on the effects of emollients and emulsifiers on TEWL and skin barrier functions, specifically in human subjects. A total of 88 articles were initially identified, with 41 meeting the strict inclusion criteria after quality assessment using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. The review revealed varied effects of emollients and emulsifiers on skin health. Natural oils were found to enhance skin barrier functions and reduce TEWL, whereas synthetic emollients raised concerns about their occlusive properties and potential to worsen skin conditions over time. Emulsifiers showed dual effects; some exacerbated TEWL in normal skin but reduced it in damaged skin, highlighting the complexity of their interaction with skin barrier components. The findings emphasize the need for standardized research methodologies and long-term studies to better understand the mechanisms by which emollients and emulsifiers influence skin health, particularly regarding TEWL measurement techniques while products do exhibit dual behavior and scientific evidence should guide the selection of emulsifiers and emollients in skincare products to ensure both efficacy and long-term safety as well as the special assessment of the safer alternative what support both human health and environmental sustainability.

Several crisis communication models can be applied in the discourse of man-made crises occurrence, such as terrorist attacks, cyber-attacks, or explosions caused by negligence and other similar events. However, one of the most comprehensive models in practical terms- and yet one of the least scientifically researched- is the Joint Information System (JIS) model. By nature, the resolution of such critical incidents, which are driven by human intention and action, requires the involvement of multiple actors, primarily state security institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations and possibly others. The JIS model thus provides a collaborative framework for crisis communication, involving multiple stakeholders, including government emergency responders, media representatives, community leaders and other actors depending on the type of incident. The JIS approach subsequently ensures that critical information dissemination is coordinated, consistent and effective in addressing the needs of all involved parties. The JIS model is based on five key principles: 1) Integrated communication, which requires collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure a unified message development and delivery, 2) Audience-focused communication, which prioritizes understanding the concerns and informational needs of different audiences to tailor messages accordingly, 3) Timely and accurate communication, which ensures that stakeholders receive reliable and up-to-date information throughout the various crisis phases, 4) Credible communication, which focuses on building trust and maintaining the credibility of information sources and 5) Continuous communication, which highlights the importance of sustained information-sharing in the precrisis stage and throughout both the crisis management and recovery phases. Recovery from a man-made crisis, including but not limited to terrorist incidents, is a complex and multifaceted process that encompasses physical, emotional, social, and economic dimensions. In the aftermath of such events, effective communication is crucial for maintaining public safety, disseminating critical information and mitigating the psychological and social impacts of the crisis on affected areas and citizens. This paper examines the application of the JIS model in man-made crisis scenarios, analysing its effectiveness in ensuring structured and transparent communication. The research employs a qualitative analysis of past crisis events where the JIS model has been implemented, drawing insights from case studies and best practices that are available online. The findings indicate that the JIS model significantly enhances crisis response by fostering coordination among stakeholders, reducing misinformation and improving public trust, consequently- maintaining reputational aspects of the state authorities high, that is one of the cornerstones of the successful crisis management. Overall, the JIS model is a highly effective approach to crisis communication, particularly in the context of man-made crises. By adhering to its principles, organizations can enhance their crisis management capabilities, minimize the adverse impacts on affected communities, and facilitate a more efficient recovery process.

The pivotal function of independent institutions in the adjudication of legally binding decisions, in accordance with the rule of law and the fundamental principles of the Latvian legal system, is evident. These institutions serve to clarify and adjust the applicability of general concepts to specific cases that are the subject of dispute. The unique geopolitical situation of Latvia is a perpetual reminder of the ambiguity with which its state institutions are regarded by the public and other state-level actors. A fundamental and diametrically opposed clash of opinions within the framework of the state itself (between various stakeholders, members of society, political players, institutions) and in the mass media environment, inciting long-term disagreements and turbulence, can literally be created by a few words or one sentence, one illustration, from the context of which the author's opinion on global issues of Latvian history and political position can be interpreted more broadly. The concept of militant democracy involves the potential questioning and challenging of the very guarantees of defending freedoms and human rights. The article provides a critical overview of the latest amendments to legislation and court practice, thereby establishing a unique insight into the ability and methods of all three powers of the state in strengthening and defending state values in times of turbulence.