Institutional Repository of Klaipėda University
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The role of satisfaction with job and cognitive trauma processing in the occurrence of secondary traumatic stress symptoms in medical providers working with trauma victims /
No full textChallenges of empowering of advertising ethics in Lithuania: analysis of the case of ethical violations of advertising submitted to the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman in 2016-2021.
No full textThe relevance of the study is related to the development of the advertising industry, and as this industry grows, it is and is more and more important to analyze the challenges and problems of the implementation of ethics in the Lithuanian legal system. The key issue of the thesis is: what is the nature and significance of the ehtical branches of advertising submitted to the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman in 2016 – 2021 for the Lithuanian advertising legal system? The aim of this thesis is to analyze the challenges of the implementation of advertising ethics in Lithuania in 2016 – 2021, based on the cases of ethical breaches in advertising submitted to the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman: to describe the concept of ethics and its relation to the social norms prevailing in the society, to present the concept and development of advertising and its impact on the consumer from a theoretical perspective, to compare the concepts of ethics and advertising and identify the points of interaction between them, to examine the laws on advertising ethics in Lithuania and the EU. A critical, comparative and interpretative analysis of the cases of complaints submitted to the Office concerning breaches of advertising ethics revealed that companies are still using various types of advertising to promote unfair and unethical advertising to consumers. The highest number of advertising ethics violations in the 2016 – 2021 Office‘s notes relates to gender discrimination against women. Unethical advertising often uses stereotypes of women as potential sex objects, objectifying their bodies, which promotes gender inequality and discriminates one gender against another
Salinity dynamics of the Baltic Sea /
No full textIn the Baltic Sea, salinity and its large variability, both horizontal and vertical, are key physical factors in determining the overall stratification conditions. In addition to that, salinity and its changes also have large effects on various ecosystem processes. Several factors determine the observed two-layer vertical structure of salinity. Due to the excess of river runoff to the sea, there is a continuous outflow of water masses in the surface layer with a compensating inflow to the Baltic in the lower layer. Also, the net precipitation plays a role in the water balance and consequently in the salinity dynamics. The salinity conditions in the sea are also coupled with the changes in the meteorological conditions. The ecosystem is adapted to the current salinity level: a change in the salinity balance would lead to ecological stress of flora and fauna, and related negative effects on possibilities to carry on sustainable development of the ecosystem. The Baltic Sea salinity regime has been studied for more than 100 years. In spite of that, there are still gaps in our knowledge of the changes of salinity in space and time. An important part of our understanding of salinity are its long-term changes. However, the available scenarios for the future development of salinity are still inaccurate. We still need more studies on various factors related to salinity dynamics. Among others more knowledge is needed, e.g. from meteorological patterns in various space and time scales and mesoscale variability in precipitation. Also, updated information on river runoff and inflows of saline water is needed to close the water budget. We still do not understand accurately enough the water mass exchange between North Sea and Baltic Sea and within its sub-basins. Scientific investigations of the complicated vertical mixing processes are additionally required. This paper is a continuation and update of the BACC II book which was published in 2015, including information from articles issued until 2012. After that, there have been many new publications on the salinity dynamics, not least because of the Major Baltic Inflow which took place in December 2014. Several key topics have been investigated, including the coupling of long-term variations of climate with the observed salinity changes. Here the focus is on observing and indicating the role of climate change for salinity dynamics. New results of MBI-dynamics and related water mass interchange between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea have been published. Those studies also included results from the MBI-related meteorological conditions, variability in salinity and exchange of water masses between various scales. All these processes are in turn coupled with changes in the Baltic Sea circulation dynamics
A bottom-up practitioner-derived set of Essential Variables for Protected Area management /
No full textAssessing the environmental status of Protected Areas (PAs) is a challenging issue. To indicate that status, the identification of a common set of variables that are scientifically sound, and easy to assess and monitor by the PA practitioners, is particularly important. In this study, a set of 27 Essential Variables (EVs) for PA management was selected in a bottom-up process from 67 harmonised variables that describe the status of Ecosystem Functions and Structures, Ecosystem Services, and Threats in PAs. This bottom-up process involved 27 internationally recognised PAs, mostly European, with different level of protection, different extent, and a wide range of human-nature interactions. The EVs were selected by more than 120 practitioners, i.e. PA managers and rangers, as well as scientists, working in terrestrial and aquatic PAs. Across both terrestrial and aquatic PAs, scientists and practitioners largely identified the same variables as important. Data availability for these 27 EVs varied between PAs and av eraged 67% across all studied PAs. As this set of EVs for PAs is defined through a bottom-up approach considering variables already in use both in management and research, it is more than for previous EVs likely to be adopted, applied and developed to record the status and changes in the ecological and socio-economic conditions of PAs and to forecast future changes. Thereby, the EVs for PAs present a common vocabulary and tool to enhance in a uniform way the (inter)national communication, exchange and comparison of information on the status of PAs between policy makers, scientists and PA managers. The perceived status of the EVs, on an average 3.6 on a scale to a maximum of 5, indicates the surveyed PAs are in a moderate to good environmental condition. Moreover, the EVs for PAs form a cost- and time-efficient tool for PA managers to monitor developments in essential elements of their PAs, including the potential for Societal Goods and Benefits (SG&B), and to (pro-)actively tackle the potential threats that may arise in their area. Likewise, for policy makers EVs for PAs may support decision making on ecosystem management, spatial planning, and predictive modelling on the future status and requirements of PAs in their country or region
Preschool educational institution administration: functions and their optimal adaptation.
No full textThe issue of implementation and optimal adaptation of the functions of preschool educational institutions is a relevant one across all regions of Lithuania. Its goal is to render high quality services and to ensure proper implementation of the goals and objectives of the preschool educational institutions. The goal of this study is to analyze the administration of preschool institutions, encompassing their functions and optimal adaptation of the latter. The analysis of the theoretical aspects of preschool institution administration revealed that the structure of the preschool educational institution is very important in terms of its administration. The overview of legal regulations showed that limits of liability in terms of preschool institution administration and the key functions of the said institutions, i.e., education assistance, social support and health care. The study of the articles of association of preschool educational institutions in Radviliškis District and Šiauliai City revealed that, in both cases, the institutions were focused on the implementation of the functions of education assistance and health care. The qualitative research revealed that the assigned functions were implemented via specialist’s services, cooperation with the municipality, communication with the parents and collaboration with the Public Health Agency. The following administrative problems making the optimal implementation of the assigned functions more difficult were determined: large quantities of documents, lack of specialists, lack of financial resources and centralized accounting. The research also helped to determine the problems that needed to be resolved to optimally adapt the functions to suit the needs of the service recipients. Such problems are namely the lack of funds, job openings and specialists; inclusion of the parents of the students; and professional qualification development for class teachers
Physical activity habits of middle-aged people (45-59 years of age).
No full textA habit of physical activity is understood as the tendency to perform a certain action, developed through human activity and education. Often, a habit becomes a functional need that drives a person to do one thing or another. A habit is a result of constant repetition of a learned action. Many habits are formed in childhood, usually by imitating adults. Regular physical activity in childhood is said to build strong habits that tend to last a lifetime (Alves, Alves, 2019). Research object. Physical activity habits of middle-aged (45–59 years old) people. Research problem. Recently, there has been a growing body of literature reviewing the health benefits of physical activity and how physical activity affects people’s quality of life (Eckstorm, Neukam, Kalin and Wright, 2020). However, there is little research on the physical activity habits of middle-aged people. The frequency and duration of physical activity is largely determined by the habits a person develops, which have an impact on their health. Therefore, the aim of this master thesis is to determine the physical activity habits of middle-aged (45–59 years old) people. Hypothesis. A stronger habit of physical activity has a positive impact on the health of middle-aged people. Research aim. To determine the physical activity habits of middle-aged (45–59 years old) people. Research objectives. 1. To analyse the concept of physical activity and physical activity habits; 2. To assess the physical activity and physical activity habits of middle-aged (45–59 years old) people; 3. To assess the subjective health status of middle-aged (45–59 years old) people. 4. To determine the link between health status and physical activity habits in middle-aged (45–59 years old) people. Research methods. To achieve the aim of the research, an analysis of scientific literature, a questionnaire survey based on the Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire (RPAQ) and the Short Form 36 Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire (F-36), as well as statistical data analysis were carried out. Research results. The middle-aged people in the research were found to have an average physical activity level of ≥600 MET min -¹ weeks. The subjects with active jobs were more physically active than those with sedentary jobs, but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The subjects were found to have a moderate habit of engaging in some form of physical activity. Similarly to the amount of physical activity, the subjects with active jobs had a stronger physical activity habit than those with sedentary jobs. However, there was also no statistically significant difference in physical activity habits between the groups (p>0.05). In terms of general health, almost half of the subjects rated their health as good. More than half of the subjects had no change in their health status over the year. Active workers were statistically significantly (p<0.05) more likely than sedentary workers to rate their health status. The subjects with active jobs also rated their health better in individual health domains than the subjects with sedentary jobs. Analysing the relationship between physical activity habits and health status assessments of the subjects with active and sedentary jobs shows that the stronger the physical activity habit and the more active the job, the better the health outcomes in different health domains
How do studies at the university help prospective physical education teachers form their professional identity? /
No full textThis study examines the expression of self-efficacy, academic motivation, study satisfaction of prospective physical education teachers in different years of study, their interrelationships and intends to explain how studies help prospective physical education teachers shape their professional identities. A questionnaire survey was administered to 783 1st to 4th year undergraduate physical education students from four Lithuanian universities. The year of study did not affect changes in students’ self-efficacy expectations and intrinsic academic motivation, which may mean that such professional identity indicators are less affected by contextual factors. The correlations among the analysed variables showed that the quality of teaching, clear goals, and the maintenance of autonomy are essential components of the academic environment in order to strengthen the prospective PE teacher’s professional identity. The results of the study may encourage physical education teacher educators’ deeper analysis of the ongoing feedback on student satisfaction with their studies as an emotional PI indicator
Comparative analysis of national security strategies of Middle and Eastern European countries in 21st century.
No full textMiddle and Eastern European region is both historically and politically complicated. The effect of this we can also detect in countries understanding security. In order to countries to collaborate and reach mutual relations, and not only via international agreements, but also in bilateral relations, security priorities should be as identical as possible. It seems reasonable that same region should have same or identical security strategies. Purpose of research – analyse four different Middle and Eastern European countries, in particular – Lithuanian, Latvian, Polish and Hungarian – national security strategies. Research countries are part of defensive alliances such as NATO, and on surface of it, this means same basic principles regarding making national security strategies. However, during research it was discovered that same region – Middle and Eastern European – countires prioritise different risks, main difference being identifying Russia, as a risk, between Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. In a meantime, Hungary prioritises risk coming from illegal migration, and Russia is left further down in priorities. More over, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland carefully sees possibility for relationship improvement with Russia, but Hungary is rather warm in that regard. This means that Hungary‘s different perspective may lead to diffucult relations in both format as bilateral and international, especially then topic changes to Russia
Short-term effects of the EU Nitrate Directive reintroduction: reduced N loads to river from an alluvial aquifer in Northern Italy /
No full textThe Po Plain (northern Italy) is one of the largest aquifers in Europe, and 67% of the utilized agricultural land in this area is classified as a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ). However, it hosts intensive agriculture and livestock farming. In a stretch of the Mincio River (a tributary of the Po River), hydraulic heads and physico-chemical parameters of river and groundwater were monitored for a hydrologic year (2020–2021), to evaluate the effects of manure fertilization and flooding irrigation on surface-and groundwater chemistry. From 2020 the Nitrate Directive’s fertilization limit was reintroduced and a comparison has been performed comparing surface-and groundwater data from the 2019 fertilization period (before limit reintroduction) and 2020 (after). Results suggest that in 2021 the phreatic aquifer displayed elevated nitrate (NO3−) concentrations, exceeding 50 mg L−1, although average values were lower than those of 2019. Nitrate loads in the Mincio River reached 6670 kg NO3− d−1 and resulted from the overfertilization in the surrounding area and the quick transfer of nitrogen from groundwater to the river. As compared to 2019, the river loads decreased by 59%, suggesting that the introduction of fertilization limits can produce measurable, short-term responses in alluvial aquifers