The paper analyses the road freight transport indicators for Lithuanian counties in the period 2020-2024 in order to assess their distribution and impact on regional economies. Based on statistical data, the study applies a comparative analysis, where statistical indicators are converted into relative indicators and evaluated. The aim of the paper is to compare the performance of road freight transport in Lithuania by county. The study analyses the change in the number of road freight transport operators, the vehicle fleet, the road network as part of the transport infrastructure and trends in local freight transport.The paper highlights the underlying causes of regional disparities. The main influences on counties are the density of transport undertakings and their activity intensity, which depends on the volume of freight loaded, as well as the accessibility of the road network and the development of infrastructure. In regions where the concentration of freight transport enterprises and the number of vehicles are higher, the transport sector represents an important part of the economy of a given county, with a positive impact on employment and business development.
The article aims to determine which dietary supplements athletes choose to correct body composition. The study analyzes the motivation and supplement choices of athletes who visit dietary supplement stores to improve body composition. The study draws attention to the significant influence of social media networks and peers on supplement use, indicating the need for evidence-based information campaigns promoting science-based choices among athletes.
Transportation systems play a pivotal role in the economic progress of communities. Within these systems, bridges are crucial for linking regions, facilitating the crossing of obstacles such as rivers and valleys. These structures, however, demand significant human and monetary investments. In the realm of civil engineering, rein-forced concrete bridges stand as monumental feats of design and function. A critical factor in the longevity and eco-friendliness of these structures lies in the concrete cover that protects the reinforcing steel. In this paper, we explore the multifaceted role of concrete cover in not only extending the lifespan of these bridges but also in advancing their sustainability. Properly managing such an infrastructure, including reinforced concrete (RC) road bridges, aligns with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Goal #9 focuses on establishing robust infrastructure, encouraging inclusive and sustainable industrial growth, and spurring innovation. Con-versely, subpar and inefficient planning could impede the realization of goal #15, dedicated to the preservation of land ecosystems. Acknowledging the inevitable corrosion issues in reinforced concrete bridges, this paper introduces a sensitivity analysis of the cover protective layer of the reinforcement. A case study of a Portuguese concrete bridge belonging to the A25 highway is presented. A deterioration model is applied for the quantifica-tion of the lifetime and correspondent users’ costs of the reinforced concrete bridge of different solutions of rein-forced concrete cover. The sensibility analysis was performed for concrete thickness of 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm and 45 mm. Based on the findings of the research it can be concluded that adopting solutions, or materials that provide wider lifespan, of the concrete bridges, will decrease significatively the total costs and environmen-tal impact of the construction of bridges.
Two professional publications, admittedly no longer new, but relevant, determining positions in the protection of ecosystems, set the stage for serious, reasoned conversations. One of them, published in 2020, is the scientific study of Lina Straigytė and Gintautas Činga, foresters of the Academy of Agriculture of VMU, Possibilities and limitations of growing non-natives tree species in the forests of Lithuania and European Union countries (Kaunas, VMU publishing house, 124 p.; called MK in the text). The second publication was prepared by the collective of authors (editors Zigmantas Gudžinskas, Valerijus Rašomavičius), the book Invasive and alien species in Lithuania was published at the end 2023 (Vilnius, Nature Research Centre, 312 p.; called GK in the text).The invasiveness of the plant can be “resisted” by proper maintenance, by controlling the possibilities of its spread by technological means other than indiscriminate removal from urban greenery or historic greenery and the use of chemical preparations as indicated in the book of naturalists (GK, pp. 261–264). Well, the specified order of priorities for the destruction of populations of invasive organisms (GK, p. 164) only confirms the one-sided projection of the “science box” view, without understanding where one or another plant “reaches” first and why.
Oral health is an integral part of overall health. Systemic diseases and conditions can influence the risk of developing oral diseases. Dental hygienists can play an important role in the early detection of signs of systemic diseases and in coordinating patient care. Research findings indicate that dental hygienists recognize the connections between oral health and various systemic diseases.
In recent decades, with the intensification of human activities and accompanying urbanization, research on landscape change, with a focus on the balance between urbanized and natural areas, has become increasingly relevant. The aim of this article is to analyze the anthropogenic landscape of Klaipėda County and its municipalities from 2011 to 2024. In preparing the article, the following research methods were employed: literature review, assessment of the current situation, grouping, comparison, analytical and statistical analysis, logical analysis, and graphical methods. The analysis showed that the anthropogenic landscape of Klaipėda County increased by 9,782.82 hectares or 38.05 percent. In 2011, the anthropogenic landscape in Klaipėda County accounted for 4.94%, while in 2024, it accounted for 6.80%. After analyzing the changes in the areas of landscape components in Klaipėda County, it was determined that the area of built-up land increased by 10,704.50 hectares or 79.42% over a 13-year period. During the same period, road areas decreased by 1,340.81 hectares or 13.32%. At the same time, the area of degraded land increased by 419.20 hectares or 19.35%. The study shows that rapid urbanization is occurring in Klaipėda County, making it essential to implement environmental protection measures to prevent the degradation of the natural landscape and its components.
The aging population is one of the key features of modern demographic processes, shaping future projections and serving as an essential basis for defining healthcare objectives. This phenomenon impacts not only economic indicators but also sets new healthcare goals, with a primary focus on ensuring healthy aging to mitigate the effects of an aging society. Given the rapidly aging population and the growing number of patients with complex needs, it is crucial to highlight the role of nurses as vital healthcare professionals who contribute to dignified and healthy aging. The continuous increase in the number of older individuals necessitates the expansion of medical treatment, nursing, caregiving, and disease prevention services. Therefore, it is particularly important today to discuss healthy aging and analyze the role that nursing plays in this field.
The article reviews scientific and technical problems related to digital modeling in the field of mechanical engineering. The development and improvement of machines is no longer possible without automated design systems that allow engineers to visualise, analyse and optimise prototypes before their manufacture. The object of research is the modeling and visualisation of kinematic parameters of link mechanisms using the SolidWorks Motion Analysis tool of the computer-aided design program. After creating a digital motion analysis model of the Scotch Yoke mechanism, diagrams of kinematic parameters were generated. The results obtained confirmed the accuracy, high speed and direct applicability of digital modeling in mechanical engineering studies.
AI usage in healthcare is still in its infancy and has not yet reached its potential to make the global healthcare system more equitable and safe. There is a substantial gap between AI promises and its actual delivery in healthcare settings. AI is a social-technical system and AI technology alone cannot solve our health equity issue. This is the research question: What social, political, and economic elements in the global health system must be addressed such that the capacities of AI can be optimized? The paper employs qualitative research to seek expert opinions, investigate the success cases of implementing particular AI devices in Hong Kong and Singapore, and integrate the lessons learned from the adoption of 87 AI-technology initiatives in a large Canadian hospital. The author recommends how the supply side increases their trustworthiness and the demand side grows trust. The supply side includes technology providers, legal, policy, and professional organizations, venture capitalists, and academic research institutions need to provide responsible AI and govern AI for long-term benefits. Increasing trust from healthcare organizations, including the presence of champions, organization alignments, funding mechanisms, new professional identities, patients' digital and health literacy capabilities, and supportive organization culture, is recommended. The same AI devices should be interoperable among the healthcare systems in and outside their countries. Standardized data quality assessment, benchmarking datasets, funding mechanisms, and agreement on model and clinical performance measures need to be used to facilitate comparison across products and settings. Investment in supporting digital infrastructure in low and middle-income countries is essential for the effective operation of AI devices. Various stakeholders must continuously demystify AI and participate in the collaborative work with those who have less power in the system.
Digital transformation is changing the way organizations are structured and operate, but many of its impacts remain unclear. In this article, we break digital transformation into three key components: digitization and full-scale transformation. We then present an integrated framework that addresses not only technological changes, but also shifts in organizational structure and culture. By reviewing literature from 2018 to 2024 and examining real-world examples, from the successes of companies like Amazon and GE to the struggles seen in cases like Blockbuster and Nokia, we show that digital transformation can lead to flatter hierarchies and more agile, data-driven decision-making processes. However, challenges remain, such as cultural resistance and the difficulties of integrating legacy systems. Our findings show that successful transformation requires careful alignment of technology, culture and strategy. Moreover, we propose a diagnostic tool designed to assess an organization's digital maturity and emphasize that digital transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous strategic journey aimed at maintaining competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
This paper presents the latest scientific information on the importance of vitamin C for the body and the results of a quantitative study on vitamin C in citrus fruits. The aim of the study was to compare the vitamin C content of citrus fruits commercially available on Lithuanian marketplaces. The citrus fruits used for the study (oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, lemons) were purchased from different supermarkets in February and were imported from different countries. The high-performance liquid chromatography method was used for the determination of vitamin C. The highest levels of vitamin C were found in mandarins and grapefruits, the average – in oranges and the lowest – in lemons, but the levels of vitamin C in the same type of fruit varied, suggesting that they depend more on the country of origin of the fruit, the variety of the conditions of transport, storage and other factors.
Studies on agricultural land area changes are crucial for ensuring food security, promoting sustainable land use, protecting the environment, supporting economic growth, monitoring climate change impacts, and guiding policy development. They help identify challenges and plan long-term solutions to balance food production, environmental conservation, and economic development. The change in agricultural land use is influenced by several key factors: economic (market fluctuations, subsidies, farm modernization), demographic and social changes (emigration, aging farmers, farm consolidation), natural factors (climate change, soil degradation), and urbanization (urban expansion, infrastructure development). Environmental policy also has a significant impact, promoting the restoration of natural ecosystems and reducing the agricultural impact on the environment.After analyzing the changes in agricultural land areas in Klaipėda County between 2004 and 2024, it was determined that the area of agricultural land decreased by 9,775.89 ha or 3.46%. During this period, arable land decreased by 5,367.78 ha or 2.28%, orchard areas decreased by 4,240.15 ha or 83.89%, and the area of meadows and natural pastures also decreased by 167.96 ha or 0.41%.Between 2004 and 2024, agricultural land in most municipalities of Klaipėda County has decreased. Notably, Klaipėda and Palanga municipalities saw the most significant declines, with reductions of 22.45% and 13.41%, respectively.
The author of the article analyses the provisions of the Vilnius City Greening and Plantation Maintenance Standard – a new (2024) publication of the Vilnius City Municipality. It is called the Second Standard because the First standard, which regulates the maintenance and landscaping of city streets, Vilnius City Municipality Street Infrastructure Standard was published earlier, in 2021. Critical notes are provided for both publications. Both, the First “green” Vilnius Street Infrastructure Standard (2021) and the Second, new Vilnius City Greening and Maintenance of Plantations Standard (2024) will guide and encourage the wise, scientific user to think critically and act independently. Blind, literal following of these documents will hardly lead to a green, sustainable city, because there are many unfinished, debatable details. And as it has already been repeated many times, this Second Standard (2024) and its graphic expression should receive corrections in the administration of the Vilnius city municipality. We should once again return to his formulations, relying on the penetrating eye and wisdom of editors and specialists, scientific and practical knowledge, correct them, edit them – in other words, rebalance the degree of greenness maturity and sustainability.
The article presents and analyses the development of the idea and tradition of ecological planning and design in town planning and landscape architecture, emphasizing the creative contributions of Patrick Geddes (1854–1932), Ian Lennox McHarg (1920–2001), John Ormsbee Simonds (1913–2005) and others to this field. The aspects of urban planning in harmony with nature, the scientific and methodical activities of these masterminds, which were and remain significant and relevant for the development of Lithuanian urban planning and landscape architecture, are analysed.
Straipsnyje analizuojama Lietuvos dendrologinio rajonavimo arba klimato sąlygų tinkamumo sumedėjusiems augalams zonavimo raida, želdynams tinkamų sumedėjusių augalų asortimentų kaita ir pagrindiniai jų sudarymo kriterijai. Aptariama JAV Žemės ūkio departamento sudaryto klimato sąlygų zonavimo sistema, analizuojamas jos taikymas Lietuvoje klimato kaitos sąlygomis.
The subject of this paper is a review of previous research on smart specialization as a concept which is one of the strategies for sustainable development of regions. Innovations are considered as one of the key drivers of growth. Recognition of innovation which was central point of strategy ‘Europe 2020’ where ‘smart specialization’ needs to make possible for the regions and countries pursue those industries in which they hold a comparative advantage and which have basis for further innovations. The main purpose of this paper is defining smart specialization and its role on the regional development. Analysis and comparison of the scientific literature and applications of smart specialization were used as methods for this paper. The main findings of this paper show that the basis of smart specialization are innovation, knowledge and research which are pillars of smart, sustainable development. Smart specialization means identifying the unique characteristics and potential of each country and region, with the aim of achieving competitive advantages and excellence. It also includes strengthening regional innovation systems, increasing knowledge exchange and spillover the benefits of innovation throughout the regional economy. By comparison method of the scientific literature this paper will contribute to the development of theoretical background of smart specialization as a strategic concept formed by a group of European Union experts with the aim of reducing the gap in competitiveness between the European Union and the United States, which arises from the lower economic and technological specialization of European countries, especially at the regional level. Also it will promote smart specialization as a concept that can contribute to strengthening regional innovation policy and regional development.
Juozapo Kamarausko kūryba užima išskirtinę vietą Lietuvos dailės ir architektūros istorijoje. Tai menininkas palikęs daugybę vedutų, skirtų Vilniaus ir kitų Lietuvos vietovių architektūriniam kraštovaizdžiui. Šio straipsnio tikslas – apibendrinti inžinieriaus architekto, dailininko Juozapo Kamarausko kūrybinės veiklos tyrimų visetą, išplečiant ir pagilinant atskiras analizės sritis, pabrėžiant esmines jo biografijos detales ir svarbiausius aspektus, pateikiant asmenines įžvalgas nuveikto darbo meninės dokumentalistikos, techninio piešinio svarbos aspektu.
Straipsnyje analizuojamos elektros įrenginių izoliacijos varžos nusidėvėjimo priežastys ir pasekmės. Apžvelgiami integruoti įprastuose matuokliuose besisukančių elektros mašinų izoliacijos varžos matavimo metodai. Pateiktas izoliacijos varžos matavimo metodų taikymo algoritmas.
Šiame tyrime buvo išnagrinėta dvirankio flambergo, istorinio Europos ginklo, gamybos procesas, pabrėžiant techninės sudėtingumo, ergonomikos principų taikymo svarbą ir eksperimentinės archeologijos metodų pritaikymą. Flambergo gamyba, reikalaujanti aukštos kvalifikacijos meistrų darbo, buvo techniškai sudėtinga dėl unikalaus dizaino ir funkcinio pritaikymo, todėl šis ginklas tapo elitiniu ir prieinamu tik nedaugeliui. Ginklo rankenos ilgis, ašmenų dydis, papildomas skersinukas ir ricasso suteikė jį naudojančiajam nepaprastą kertamąją galią bei manevringumą mūšio lauke. Nepaisant flambergo privalumų, jo gamybos procesas atskleidė ir tam tikrus trūkumus: sumažėjęs ašmenų standumas, didesnis svoris, tai lėmė šio ginklo populiarumo mažėjimą XVII amžiaus pabaigoje. Tyrimo metodika, apimanti eksperimentinę rekonstrukciją, dizaino ir gamybos eksperimentus, fizinio ir mechaninio efektyvumo testus bei eksperimentinės metalurgijos taikymą, leido giliau suprasti istorinės ginkluotės gamybos technologijas, medžiagų savybes bei praktinio naudojimo ergonomiką. Tyrimo rezultatai rodo, kad ašmenų kietumo skirtumai atsirado dėl nevienodo temperatūros pasiskirstymo per ašmenis, priklausomai nuo jų masės ir storio, tai patvirtina, kad kiekviena ginklo dalis reikalauja individualaus termoapdorojimo požiūrio. Šis darbas įrodo, kad eksperimentinė archeologija ir praktinės rekonstrukcijos yra svarbios ne tik istorinių ginklų gamybos procesų atkūrimui, bet ir gilesniam istorinės kultūros supratimui skatinti.
An article presents an evaluation of the underwater noise of the performed bottom seismic surveys in the waters of the Lithuanian Baltic Sea, analyzes the underwater noise levels that were determined by mathematical modelling. It presents an assessment of the risks posed to marine mammals by extremely high intensity underwater noise levels in the research area. Possibilities of underwater noise reduction for these noisy activities discussed.
