Search

This article describes a strategic concept for the Lithuanian bioeconomy that was developed as a deliverable of the Task 1.5 in the BIOEAST’sUP H2020 project. We aimed to create a conceptual basis for the preparation of a national bioeconomy strategy and/or action plan in order to initiate a deeper discussion about the strategically oriented development of a knowledge-based circular bioeconomy in Lithuania. Our strategic insights are focused on two niche energy sectors like biofuels and biogas. The results of the SWOT analysis reveal that, in Lithuania, a synthesis of the biofuels and biogas sectors' strategic directions is necessary to develop over-arching national bioeconomy-appropriate strategic actions, such as market intervention actions, research, innovation and education actions, as well as governance and policy actions.

This article describes a strategic concept for the Lithuanian bioeconomy that was developed as a deliverable of the Task 1.5 in the BIOEAST’sUP H2020 project. We aimed to create a conceptual basis for the preparation of a national bioeconomy strategy and/or action plan in order to initiate a deeper discussion about the strategically oriented development of a knowledge-based circular bioeconomy in Lithuania. Our strategic insights are focused on two niche energy sectors like biofuels and biogas. The results of the SWOT analysis reveal that, in Lithuania, a synthesis of the biofuels and biogas sectors' strategic directions is necessary to develop over-arching national bioeconomy-appropriate strategic actions, such as market intervention actions, research, innovation and education actions, as well as governance and policy actions.

In order for organizations to remain competitive and successful in the contemporary business environment, one of the fundamental prerequisites is innovative behavior of employes. Therefore, research analyzing the organizational and personal factors of this behavior is relevant, in which increasing attention is paid to the agility of employees. In general, agility can be described as a person’s ability to adapt quickly and efficiently to normal or new work situations, accept changes and respond appropriately to them. The study aimed to determine the relationship between employees agility, self-efficacy, and innovative behavior in the organization and to evaluate the mediating role of self-efficacy for the relations between agility and innovative behavior. The cross-sectional survey was conducted in the sample of 172 employees. 78% of them were women, the average age of the participants was 33.8 years. Scales measuring employee agility, innovative behavior and self-efficacy were applied in the study. For this study, a Lithuanian employee agility scale consisting of twenty items was prepared. The results were processed using correlational, regression, and mediation analysis. Main results: firstly, more expressed employee agility and self-efficacy predicts their higher involvement in innovative behavior, and secondly, self-efficacy acts as a mediator for the relationship between agility and innovative behavior. The importance of the employee’s personal characteristics – agility and self-efficacy – in predicting innovative behavior was confirmed, and the role of self-efficacy as a mediator for the relationship between agility and innovative behavior was revealed. Theoretical and practical implications of the study results are discussed.

As escolas são desafiadas a promover uma gestão didático-pedagógica que promova a inclusão de estudantes com deficiência, garantindo acesso equânime aos conteúdos curriculares. Este trabalho desenvolveu uma metodologia de produção de videoaulas acessíveis sobre a temática água, utilizamos experimentações como subsídio didático para contextualização dos discentes com processo de produção de conhecimento científico. Os experimentos cognatos ao assunto foram selecionados e realizados com os discentes para verificação das principais dúvidas quanto ao conhecimento científico associado e a manipulações dos materiais. Gerou-se um repositório vídeo gravações com tradução em língua de sinais. Estas videoaulas (n = 5, totalizando 83 minutos de gravação) foram submetidas à avaliação em relação à qualidade didática e acessibilidade, por profissionais especializados no ensino com surdos e professores de Ciências. Considerando o aspecto de publicitação, foram implementados nestes vídeos, um código digital que, uma vez acionado, gera um questionário para verificação da aprendizagem, além do roteiro para replicação dos experimentos. Conclui-se que este artigo pode corroborar para promoção da Educação Científica Inclusiva, considerando sua metodologia de produção centrada nos estudantes como protagonistas, além das videoaulas constituírem-se em recursos de consultas a estudantes, docentes e intérpretes, cumprindo também um papel de formação continuada.

Abstract Background The role of primary care physician in COPD management varies in different health care systems. According to the researches in various countries, extent of spirometry use in diagnosing and grading COPD frequently remains insufficient. Inaccurate diagnosis results in mistreatment and disease progression. The aims of our study were to investigate the accuracy of COPD diagnosis, grading, and treatment according to guidelines in daily practice of primary care. Methods A retrospective analysis of ambulatory records in a large primary care center was conducted. Digital medical records of current patients were screened for ICD-10-AM codes J44.0, J44.1, J44.8 and J44.9. All medical records starting from the first visit in this primary care center were reviewed. Results Two hundred twenty-eight patients diagnosed with COPD were included in the study, 118 male, mean age 67 yrs. (SD 14). A spirometry report was available to 58% of the patients, 75% of them met the guidelines for COPD diagnosis. The grade was correct for 56.8% of the patients. 54% were consulted by the pulmonologist at least once. After re-analyzing spirometry, correcting the diagnosis, and grading, it was determined that only 70% of the patients were receiving appropriate treatments. Sixteen per cent of patients were undertreated and 14% were overtreated. Conclusions COPD care in primary practice remains suboptimal. Incorrect approach often leads to incorrect grading and mistreatment. Points for improvement should be identified in further studies.

The article presents the situation of youth in contemporary society. Neoliberal economy, ageing society, rapid globalisation, technological changes, increase of social risk have prompted specific, historically unfamiliar, and fairly difficult to forecast social change. Social adaptation and construction of own identity are becoming challenging to youth as a specific social group in this period of great uncertainty, risk, and opportunities. Youth studies are referred to as one of the means to help understand the youth phenomenon and form the respective policy. Aim of the article is to reveal the role of youth studies as a specific interdisciplinary genre of the empirical-analytic paradigm in social sciences. Research objectives: (1) To identify the traditions of youth studies and differences between them; (2). To reveal the specific character of youth studies as an empirical paradigm in the contemporary context. Analysis of scientific sources and document analysis are used for achievement of the goal and objectives. Since the 20th century, youth studies have been developing as an independent research discipline and tradition. Perception of the notion of a young person has been changing along with development of the paradigmatic and methodological research traditions. Modernity has doubtlessly contributed to a young person finding his/her place in other age groups and putting an emphasis on the importance of youth as a specific social group. Recently, youth has been viewed as both the risk and the opportunity group. Although qualitative research, in particular, where youth emancipation is aspired, prevails in the contemporary research tradition, the empirical-analytic paradigm has not lost its relevance. The research has demonstrated that empirical-analytic paradigm is a specific genre of the youth studies characterised by quantitative approach and strong link to politics and practical situation of the phenomenon.

Šaudymas yra viena iš seniausių sporto šakų pasaulyje ir priskiriamas prie techniškai sunkių: taiklų šūvį lemia pu- siausvyra, taikymo tikslumas ir stabilumas, nuspaudimo būdas. Kadangi šaulių rezultatai priklauso nuo techninio parengtumo, sporto mokslininkai rekomenduoja jo įvertinimui ir tobulinimui naudoti kompiuterines programas: SCATT (Rusija), „Rika Home Trainer“ (Austrija), „Noptel“ (Suomija). Pastaruoju metu (2008⎯2010 m.) Lietuvai atstovauja šaulys, kuris nuo 2008 iki 2009 metų net penkis kartus pagerino Lietuvos rekordą šaudymo pneumatiniu šautuvu rungtyje. Šio laikotarpio testavimo ir pratybų duomenų analizė leistų išskirti tokius techninio parengtumo rodiklius, kurie turi didžiausios įtakos šaulio rezultatui. Tyrimo tikslas ⎯ įvertinti didelio meistriškumo šaulio techninio parengtumo ir šaudymo rezultato ryšį parengiamuoju laikotarpiu. Testavimai atlikti SCATT (Rusija) kompiuterine įranga. Testavimai SCATT kompiuterine įranga vyko 2008 m. rugsėjo ⎯ spalio mėn. Atlikti septyni testavimai, užregistruota (po 10 šūvių) 21 serijos ir 210 pataikymų rezultatai. Elektronine skaičiuokle „Microsoft Exel 2003“ buvo skaičiuojamas aritmetinis vidurkis (vid.), standartinis nuokrypis (SN), šaudymo rezultatų ir techninio parengtumo rodiklių ryšys. Šaulio techninis parengtumas buvo vertintas pagal šiuos rodiklius: 10 šūvių serijos vidurkį, šūvio atlikimo laiką, taikymo stabilumą pagal taikinį, atstumą tarp taikymo ir pataikymo taškų. Registruojant šaudymo rezultatą bei atstumą tarp taikymo ir pataikymo taškų pastebėta, kad mažėjant atstumui buvo pataikoma arčiau taikinio centro. Tai atitiko mokslininkų išvadas, teigiančias, kad: daugiau laiko taikymosi metu praleidžiant taikinio centre šaudymo rezultatas gerėja; kuo ilgiau taikomasi mažesne judesių amplitude (mažesnis nueitas kelias), tuo rezultatas geresnis. Vadinasi, kai taikymo metu daugiau laiko pra- leidžiama taikinio centre, taikymo taško nueitas kelias būna trumpesnis, o atstumas tarp taikymo ir pataikymo taškų gali būti mažesnis. Iš gautų taikymo stabilumo duomenų daroma išvada, kad tiriamo šaulio sportinis parengtumas priklauso nuo tai- kymo stabilumo ir atitinka ankstesnių tyrimų rezultatus: daugiau laiko taikymosi metu praleidžiant taikinio centre šaudymo rezultatas gerėja. Pabrėžtina, kad po tirto parengiamojo laikotarpio šaulio sportinis parengtumas gerėjo ir svarbiausių varžybų metu buvo pasiekti asmeniniai ir pagerinti penki Lietuvos šaudymo rekordai. Galima būtų teigti, kad parengiamuoju laikotarpiu nustatyta techninio parengtumo gerėjimo tendencija gali sudaryti prielaidas didžiausiam sportiniam parengtumui, tačiau būtina turėti kuo daugiau informacijos apie rengimo programą, varžybas. Tirto šaulio sportinį parengtumą galima vertinti pagal šiuos techninius rodiklius: atstumą tarp taikymo ir pataikymo taškų; taikymo taško nueitą kelią; taikymo stabilumą pagal taikinio centrą. Visgi tyrimo rezultatai neleidžia tvirtinti, kad tie patys rodikliai galėtų būti informatyvūs kitais rengimo etapais. Raktažodžiai: Pasaulio taurės varžybos, ilgieji nuotoliai, sprintas, įskaitiniai taškai.

Background. The aetiology of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) is multifactorial, whereas occlusal disharmony is one of the predisposing factors. Researchers still discuss the relation between occlusion and TMD. Objective. The study aims to investigate the relation between static occlusal parameters and TMD clinical symptoms using T-Scan II analysis system. Material and methods. The sample consisted of 44 persons divided into the treatment group of 20 TMD patients and the control group of 24 subjects without TMD. The main task of T-Scan II computerized occlusal analysis system was to record every patient’s occlusion and estimate static occlusal parameters: centre of occlusal force, asymmetry index of maximum occlusal force and occlusion time. These results were compared between groups, data related to patients’ complaints and clinical symptoms. The analysis was carried out using Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests. Results. Averages of the centre of occlusal force in TMD subjects were 6.55 ± 0.99 mm, in the control group – 5.88 ± 0.69 mm; the asymmetry index of maximum occlusal force averages: 15.90 ± 2.71 and 12.93 ± 1.88; occlusion time: 0.281 ± 0.036 s and 0.236 ± 0.022 s, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups but they were found in the centre of occlusal force and the asymmetry index in the two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions. There exists a relation between complaints of patients with TMD and static occlusion parameters. Values of the centre of the occlusal force distance and the asymmetry index of occlusal force in TMD patients with pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were significantly higher than in the control group.

Daugelyje mokslo šakų naudojami dideli duomenų kiekiai. Kad tokie duomenys būtų geriau suprantami, jie dažnai yra vizualizuojami. Egzistuoja daugybė daugiamačių duomenų vizualizavimo metodų. Daugiamatės skalės yra vienas iš žinomiausių metodų. Taikant daugiamates skales, didesnių matmenų duomenys atvaizduojami į dviejų ar trijų matmenų erdvę. Šiame straipsnyje parodyta, kad daugiamatės skalės gali būti naudojamos kartu su genetiniu algoritmu optimizavimo uždaviniams spręsti.

The paper analyzes global optimization problem. In order to solve this problem multidimensional scaling algorithm is combined with genetic algorithm. Using multidimensional scaling we search for multidimensional data projections in a lower-dimensional space and try to keep dissimilarities of the set that we analyze. Using genetic algorithms we can get more than one local solution, but the whole population of optimal points. Different optimal points give different images. Looking at several multidimensional data images an expert can notice some qualities of given multidimensional data. In the paper genetic algorithm is applied for multidimensional scaling and glass data is visualized, and certain qualities are noticed. Santrauka Analizuojamas globaliojo optimizavimo uždavinys. Jis apibrėžiamas kaip netiesinės tolydžiųjų kintamųjų tikslo funkcijos optimizavimas leistinojoje srityje. Optimizuojant taikomi įvairūs algoritmai. Paprastai taikant tikslius algoritmus randamas tikslus sprendinys, tačiau tai gali trukti labai ilgai. Dažnai norima gauti gerą sprendinį per priimtiną laiko tarpą. Tokiu atveju galimi kiti – euristiniai, algoritmai, kitaip dar vadinami euristikomis. Viena iš euristikų yra genetiniai algoritmai, kopijuojantys gyvojoje gamtoje vykstančią evoliuciją. Sudarant algoritmus naudojami evoliuciniai operatoriai: paveldimumas, mutacija, selekcija ir rekombinacija. Taikant genetinius algoritmus galima rasti pakankamai gerus sprendinius tų uždavinių, kuriems nėra tikslių algoritmų. Genetiniai algoritmai taip pat taikytini vizualizuojant duomenis daugiamačių skalių metodu. Taikant daugiamates skales ieškoma daugiamačių duomenų projekcijų mažesnio skaičiaus matmenų erdvėje siekiant išsaugoti analizuojamos aibės panašumus arba skirtingumus. Taikant genetinius algoritmus gaunamas ne vienas lokalusis sprendinys, o visa optimumų populiacija. Skirtingi optimumai atitinka skirtingus vaizdus. Matydamas kelis daugiamačių duomenų variantus, ekspertas gali įžvelgti daugiau daugiamačių duomenų savybių. Straipsnyje genetinis algoritmas pritaikytas daugiamatėms skalėms. Parodoma, kad daugiamačių skalių algoritmą galima kombinuoti su genetiniu algoritmu ir panaudoti daugiamačiams duomenims vizualizuoti. Raktiniai žodžiai: daugiamatės skalės, genetiniai algoritmai, vizualizavimas.

Straipsnyje analizuojami darbuotojų socializacijos organizacijoje reiškinys, sąsajos su darbiniu ir pilietišku elgesiu bei tapatumu organizacijai ir tapatumo vaidmuo socializacijos ir elgesio darbe ryšiams. Šios srities tyrimų nėra daug, o kaip teigia Cooper-Thomas ir Anderson (2006), darbinis ir pilietiškas elgesys bei socialinis sutelktumas yra socializacijos indikatoriai, padedantys įvertinti socializacijos veiksmingumą ir rengti pagrįstas socializacijos priemonių sistemas. Tyrime dalyvavo 129 nevadovaujamas pareigas einantys privačių organizacijų darbuotojai (54,3 % dirba iki vienerių metų, 45,7 % – ilgiau nei metus). Tyrimo metodas – anketinė apklausa. Rezultatai: darbinį elgesį prognozuoja veiklos dimensija, pilietišką – profesinės kalbos išmokimas, politikos bei organizacijos tikslų ir vertybių perėmimas, tapatumą organizacijai – tikslų ir vertybių bei ateities ir karjeros perspektyvų rodikliai. Kai tapatumas organizacijai aukštas, ilgiau nei metus dirbančių darbuotojų darbinį elgesį stiprina tikslų ir vertybių, politikos bei ateities perpektyvų, o pilietišką elgesį – veiklos rodiklis.

Abstract. The paper deals with the relatively new worldwide trend of adding a “green” slant to business. The purpose of the research was twofold: firstly, to clarify the definition of “green business”, secondly, to test the hypothesis that the differences in business penetration by “green” ideas in various countries are to a large extent determined by national specifics in terms of economic development and public consciousness. Authors compare and contrast the commonly found definitions of “green business”, clarify a distinction between the “green business” notion and that of “sustainable business”, define the main agents of the business “greening” trend, discuss what it means to be “green” and what business practices qualify it as “green”. A quantitative empirical research method – a survey via a questionnaire distributed to respondents by e-mail or handed in directly – was used for the second purpose of the study. The survey was conducted by the authors in Lithuania and Ireland. The collected primary data were processed with the SPSS program and analysed by methods of correlation analysis. The research has revealed considerable differences in the “green” attitudes and practices of Lithuanian and Irish companies, the former being more concerned with costs than benefits of becoming “green”, and the latter demonstrating awareness that being “green” opens new revenue-raising opportunities. Key words: green business, environmental awareness, green attitudes and practices

Profesorė, socialinių mokslų (edukologijos) daktarė Vytauto Didžiojo universiteto Socialinio darbo katedra K. Donelaičio g. 58, LT-44248 Kaunas. Tel. +370 37 327 967 El. paštas: n.mazeikiene@adm.vdu.lt Sociologijos doktorantė Kauno technologijos universiteto Socialinių mokslų fakulteto Sociologijos katedra K. Donelaičio g. 20, LT-44239 Kaunas El. paštas: agne_dorelaitiene@yahoo.com Straipsnyje diskutuojama, kaip socialinio konstravimo procese per lyčių socializaciją, habituaciją ir nematomojo, paslėptojo ugdymo programą sukuriamos horizontalios profesinių sričių segregacijos prielaidos: moterys dominuoja pagal skaičių švietimo sistemoje, socialinio darbo, slaugos, paslaugų srityje; vyrai – pramonės, technologijų, vadovavimo srityse. Aptariamas socialinių darbuotojų vyrų, dirbančių tradiciškai moteriška laikomoje socialinio darbo srityje, edukacinės patirties ir profesinio identiteto formavimosi atvejis. Biografinio tyrimo metodu atskleidžiama asmeninių naratyvų ir socialinių struktūrų kuriamų dominuojančių diskursų sąveika.

Mitochondria are cellular powerhouses and are crucial for cell function. However, they are vulnerable to internal and external perturbagens that may impair mitochondrial function and eventually lead to cell death. In particular, small molecules may impact mitochondrial function, and therefore, their influence on mitochondrial homeostasis is at best assessed early on in the characterization of biologically active small molecules and drug discovery. We demonstrate that unbiased morphological profiling by means of the cell painting assay (CPA) can detect mitochondrial stress coupled with the induction of an integrated stress response. This activity is common for compounds addressing different targets, is not shared by direct inhibitors of the electron transport chain, and enables prediction of mitochondrial stress induction for small molecules that are profiled using CPA.

Objectives: Pheochromocytomas (PHEO) are neuroendocrine tumors rarely diagnosed in children. We are reporting on the management challenges of three adolescent patients who present with hereditary PHEO., Case Presentation: The index patient and his male sibling presented with bilateral PHEO, while a third patient presented with a unilateral PHEO, all associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. The patients were treated with computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous cryoablation (CRA) of the adrenal lesions, with varying degrees of success., Conclusions: CT-guided percutaneous CRA of hereditary PHEO has not been reported in the pediatric population and may represent a novel treatment strategy that reduces the risk of intraprocedural complications and adrenal insufficiency (AI)., (© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.)

Using an FLP/FRT-based method to create germline clones, we screened Drosophila chromosome arms 2L and 3R for new female meiotic mutants. The screen was designed to recover mutants with severe effects on meiotic exchange and/or segregation. This screen yielded 11 new mutants, including six alleles of previously known meiotic genes (c(2)M and ald/mps1). The remaining five mutants appear to define at least four new genes whose ablation results in severe meiotic defects. Three of the novel meiotic mutants were identified at the molecular level. Two of these, mcm5(A7) and trem(F9), define roles in meiotic recombination, while a third, cona(A12), is important for synaptonemal complex assembly. Surprisingly, five of the nine mutants for which the lesion has been identified at the molecular level are not the result of mutations characteristic of EMS mutagenesis, but rather due to the insertion of the transposable element Doc. This study demonstrates the utility of germline clone-based screens for the discovery of strong meiotic mutants, including mutations in essential genes, and the use of molecular genetic techniques to map the loci.