Institutional Repository of Klaipėda University
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Psychological factors influencing the feeling of loneliness in female students with hearing impairments.
No full textThe article presents the study results on the factors influencing the emergence of the feeling of loneliness in female students with hearing impairments. Loneliness is seen as an anxious feeling that appears as a result of the individual’s dissatisfaction with the quality and quantity of communication with other people, as well as the reaction to the lack of intimate relationships and dissatisfied social needs, as subjective rather than objective social isolation. The research involved 70 students with disabilities studying in various universities and having hearing impairments. The control group consisted of 70 female students without hearing impairments. The participants’ age ranged from 18 to 22 years. The results obtained in the course of the research indicate the presence of the feeling of loneliness in students with disabilities. The greatest contribution to it is made by family and romantic loneliness (relationships with a partner, with loved ones, the absence of a significant Other), namely, the dissatisfied need for attachment and security. The feeling of loneliness is associated not only with interpersonal relationships, but also with individual personal traits, attitudes and needs of female students with hearing impairments. The sources of irritability and emotional instability of female students with hearing impairments are their strong need for social and cultural communication, which is not sufficiently satisfied, as well as gender conflicts between partners, caused by social stereotypes existing in society and gender inequality. The main reasons for the feeling of loneliness in female students with hearing impairments are their fears of loneliness, dependence, rejection by others both in interpersonal and social relations, as well as social and communicative anxiety. The main indicator of disharmony in the interpersonal relations of female students with disabilities (in the family, with a partner, with significant Other) is proneness to conflicts, the reason for which is their focus solely on their own interests and their need for recognition and respect. The stronger external locus of life control is, the more female students with hearing impairments tend to feel like a victim, thereby they become more and more insecure, anxious, tend to shift the responsibility for what is happening with them on others. This contributes to a subjective sense of the mismatch between the actual and desired social and partnership relationships. The factors of the loneliness of female students with hearing impairments are their fear of communication, interpersonal relationships, personal characteristics, and personal dissatisfaction with the life quality. Female students with hearing impairments are the category of students who require special attention from university staff to help them be integrated into the educational environment and establish contacts with their peers
Cybersecurity actualization in the national security strategy of Lithuania.
No full textThe purpose of this thesis is to analyze the relevance of cybersecurity in the overall context of national security. The paper consists of introduction, four chapters with subchapters and conclusions. The first section approaches the multidimensionality of national security and the concept of cybersecurity, as well as the specifics of its enforcement. The second section analyzes national security legislation and threats that affect national security. The third chapter reviews the NATO and EU approach to cyber security and defense, discusses legal framework, activities of cybersecurity agencies, and the importance of international co-operation. analyzing the changes in cyber incidents and cyber espionage and reviewing the current real life situation. The importance and necessity of collaboration among Lithuania, NATO and the EU on cyber security and defense issues are also discussed
An adaptive method for inspecting illumination of color intensity in transparent polyethylene terephthalate preforms /
No full textMachine vision systems are applied in industry to control the quality of production while optimizing efficiency. A machine vision and AI-based inspection of color intensity in transparent Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) preforms is especially sensitive to backgrounds and lighting, therefore, much attention is given to its illumination conditions. The paper examines the adverse factors affecting the quality of image recognition and presents an adaptive method for reducing the influence of changing illumination conditions in the color inspection process of transparent PET preforms. The method is based on predicting measured color intensity correction parameters according to illumination conditions. To test this adaptive method, a hardware and software system for image capture and processing was developed. This system is capable of inspecting large quantities of preforms in real time using a neural network with a modified gradient descent and momentum algorithm. The experiment showed that correction of the measured color intensity value reduced the standard deviation caused by variable and uneven illumination by 61.51%, demonstrating that machine vision color intensity evaluation is a robust and adaptive solution under illuminated conditions for detecting abnormalities in machine-based PET inspection procedures
Hybrid war threats impact on national security.
No full textResearch object. Hybrid War Threats Impact on National Security The aim of this paper is to evaluate NATO, EU and Lithuania‘s preparedness to respond to hybrid threats in correlation with the lessons identified and learned in the course of hybrid conflict in Ukraine. In order to achieve this aim, the following tasks were determined: 1. overview genesis and key features of hybrid war in the light of post-Cold War geopolitical processes; 2. identify and evaluate key aspects of hybrid conflict in Ukraine; 3. evaluate impact of hybrid conflict in Ukraine on security safeguarding processes within EU, NATO and Lithuania; 4. analyze features of shaping response to hybrid threats from the EU, NATO and Lithuania‘s national perspective; 5. compile lessons learned and based on it provide proposals. Research methods. Analytical and comparative approaches are used in order to conduct comprehensive analysis of hybrid threats impact on national security. Analytical method is applied for the analysis of research literature, publications, documents and legal acts. Comparative method is applied for identifying differences and similarities related to developing of NATO, EU and Lithuania‘s response to hybrid threat. Post Cold War geopolitical situation created illusion of non-conflict world based on universal liberal values. This illusion influenced Western nations, including Lithuania, decisions to pay insufficient attention to defence and security. Aggressive Russia‘s posture and hybrid war in Ukraine in particular forced to radically review such approach. It is concluded that hybrid threats influenced NATO and EU accepting active role shaping response to those threats by applying comprehensive approach principles. Also, defence cooperation between those organizations has increased. Evaluating Lithuania‘s selected strategy of responding to hybrid threats, it was identified that significant attention is paid to interinstitutional cooperation and developing comprehensive response. Within relatively short timeframe, important decisions related to security and defence, such as re-introduction of compulsory military service and establishment of rapid reaction forces had been made
Education for students with special needs: child X case.
No full textThe article presents the opinion of teachers and parents concerning the educational situation of students with special educational needs at general education schools. The qualitative research, which was carried out by means of a semi-structured interview with teachers and parents, helped to determine that students with special educational needs are included in the general education school on a theoretical rather than practical basis. Despite the fact that the school advocates the inclusion of students with special educational needs and provides various special support services, informants observe a number of weaknesses in the system that do not provide an opportunity for the subject to receive the support one requires. It is alleged that teachers working at general education schools are not trained to work with such students and there is a lack of means and facilities for individual work. There are too many students in classes. Due to the following reasons, education that the subject receives is not always efficient. It was also revealed that specialists working with the subject have difficulties in communicating with each other and working as a team in order to set and achieve a common goal. All interviewees work as they think is best. Poor parent-subject work at home was also emphasized. For the given reasons, there is a lack of continuation in the education of the subject, which is one of the most important factors influencing the educational success of students with special educational needs
Decision-support tools used in the Baltic Sea area: performance and end-user preferences /
No full textDecision-support tools (DSTs) synthesize complex information to assist environmental managers in the decision-making process. Here, we review DSTs applied in the Baltic Sea area, to investigate how well the ecosystem approach is reflected in them, how different environmental problems are covered, and how well the tools meet the needs of the end users. The DSTs were evaluated based on (i) a set of performance criteria, (ii) information on end user preferences, (iii) how end users had been involved in tool development, and (iv) what experiences developers/hosts had on the use of the tools. We found that DSTs frequently addressed management needs related to eutrophication, biodiversity loss, or contaminant pollution. The majority of the DSTs addressed human activities, their pressures, or environmental status changes, but they seldom provided solutions for a complete ecosystem approach. In general, the DSTs were scientifically documented and transparent, but confidence in the outputs was poorly communicated. End user preferences were, apart from the shortcomings in communicating uncertainty, well accounted for in the DSTs. Although end users were commonly consulted during the DST development phase, they were not usually part of the development team. Answers from developers/hosts indicate that DSTs are not applied to their full potential. Deeper involvement of end users in the development phase could potentially increase the value and impact of DSTs. As a way forward, we propose streamlining the outputs of specific DSTs, so that they can be combined to a holistic insight of the consequences of management actions and serve the ecosystem approach in a better manner
Monthly abundance patterns and the potential role of waterbirds as phosphorus sources to a hypertrophic Baltic Lagoon /
No full textCompared to external loads from tributaries and sediment recycling, the role of waterbirds as phosphorus (P) sources in estuaries is overlooked. We performed monthly ship-based surveys of waterbird abundance in the Lithuanian part of the Curonian Lagoon, calculated their potential P excretion, and compared its relevance to the riverine inputs. Phosphorus excretion rates for the censused species were assessed accounting for variations of body weights, daily feces production and their P content, and assigning species to different feeding and nutrient cycling guilds. During the study period (March–November 2018), 32 waterbird species were censused, varying in abundance from ~18,000–32,000 (October–November) to ~30,000–48,000 individuals (June–September). The estimated avian P loads during the whole study period varied between 3.6 and 25 tons, corresponding to an area load between 8.7 and 60.7 mg P m−2. Waterbird release of reactive P to the system represented a variable but not negligible fraction (1%–12%) of total external P loads, peaking in June–September and coinciding with cyanobacterial blooms. This study is the first in the Baltic Sea region suggesting that waterbirds are potentially important P sources to phytoplankton in large estuaries, in particular, during low discharge periods
Management of healthy lifestyle risk factors among young people.
No full textManagement of healthy lifestyle risk factors among young people is a relevant topic these days not only in Lithuania, but in all worldwide society. The increasing number of various addictions, unbalanced diet, lack of physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of good rest - all this makes health and emotional state changes but to the negative side and sometimes irreversibly. Therefore, it is important to minimise these risk factors as much as possible. The aim of the study - to assess risk factors of healthy lifestyle among young people and to provide its management tools. Methodology of the study. A quantitative test method has been chosen. The instrument used - an online survey, using questionnaire. The SPSS program has been used to present the analysis of the survey data. In total - 321 respondents. The research has been carried out on ethical basis. Results of the study. It has been found out that just slightly more than half of the respondents are interested in healthy lifestyle, women being more interested than men. Older respondents take more interest in healthy lifestyle habits. The opinions of the urban and rural inhabitants on whether they live in a healthy way, are not statistically distant. The survey participants’ position is that the basic principles of healthy lifestyle are healthy eating and sufficient physical activity, but not many of them practise sport daily, yet, men seem trying to do it. Women tend to link a healthy diet with a healthy lifestyle more often than men. Alcohol consumption and smoking are associated with stress and relaxation, but the majority believes that smoking harm is greater than that of alcohol. It has been found out too that most people feel stress about their job or relationships. Younger respondents say that they feel stressed due to their studies and routine. Respondents try to forget stress watching television/film or communicating with friends. Conclusions. Individuals tend to be interested in healthy lifestyle, but just a part of them lives healthily or has correct and healthy habits, goes to bed on time, practises sport, eats healthily, does not consume alcohol, does not smoke or tries to relieve stress properly
Interaction of social responsibility and innovative activity in Lithuanian companies.
No full textThe master's thesis examines the topic of great relevance – the interaction of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and innovative activities in Lithuanian companies. The aim of the work is to identify the interaction between CSR and innovative activities in Lithuanian companies and to provide recommendations for strengthening this interaction. The work consists of three parts: theoretical, examining the theoretical aspects of CSR, innovative activities and possible interactions of these phenomena, the methodological part substantiates the research methodology and provides research organization guidelines, and the third analytical-project part analyzes secondary data sources and empirical research results, statistical and causal relationships, hypotheses are being tested as well. The research hypotheses are partially confirmed, Lithuanian business leaders have a relatively high level of innovation and CSR implementation, a weak but existing relationship between the strength of CSR and innovation is recorded, and it is established that the innovation activity of companies has no significant relationship with the development of sustainable or eco-innovation so far. Taking into account the synthesis of the analysis of literature sources, secondary data and the results of empirical research, recommendations and suggestions are formulated on how to strengthen the interaction between CSR and innovation activities
The influence of hedonic motives on online impulse buying through shopping lifestyle for career women /
No full textThis research aims to know the influence of hedonic motives on impulse buying, shopping lifestyle on impulse buying, and hedonic motives on shopping lifestyle. The data are collected from questionnaires distributed to 130 respondents. The respondents are obtained from judgmental sampling or non-random sampling. The data are processed with SmartPLS software as the analytical tool. The results of this research show that hedonic motives and shopping lifestyle have a significant influence on impulse buying