16168 research outputs found
Sort by
LiteDenseMoE: an explainable lightweight densely connected mixture-of-experts network for aerial scene recognition in low contrast remote sensing images /
No full textLand Remote sensing image classification is crucial for understanding ongoing geographical and environmental changes. It aids in land use and land cover classification, crop and vegetation classification, change detection, and classification of coastal and aerial regions. Many advanced techniques were introduced based on some substantial modifications in the models; however, this resulted in a complex framework that is difficult to adapt. In this work, we proposed a novel Lightweight Dense Mixture of Experts (LiteDenseMoe) model for aerial and coastal regions classification using remote sensing images. The proposed model initially incorporates light, dense blocks with lightweight dense layers, as well as channel and spatial attention mechanisms. The resulting model is further fused with an Mixture of Experts block that extracted more relevant and essential features for the accurate prediction of complex aerial scenes. In the training process of the proposed model, a Hyperband Optimization technique is employed for hyperparameter initialization, rather than manual selection. After training the proposed model, classification was performed, along with output interpretation. The proposed LiteDenseMoe architecture is evaluated on three datasets and achieved an accuracy of 93.25% on MLRSNet, 92.56% on NWPU-RESISC45, and 96.54% on the EuroSAT dataset with only 0.3 million parameters. Expert allocation and their confidence per class, Expert disagreement Network, and t-SNE visualization are also observed to interpret the Moe results. Detailed Ablation studies and comparative analysis with pre-trained and SOTA models confirm the impact and efficiency of the proposed architecture for aerial and coastal regions classification
Comparative study of titanium-doped and titanium–silver Co-doped diamond-like carbon films /
No full textHydrogen-free diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were deposited by magnetron sputtering and doped with titanium (Ti-DLC) and codoped with titanium and silver (Ti/Ag-DLC, 80/20 at. % TiAg target). Ti loadings of 0.3–1.8 at. % produced only modest roughness changes (Rq ≈ 1.8–2.3 nm) and a slight increase in ID/IG and sp2/sp3 ratios, though the D-band down-shifted markedly. Ti/Ag codoped DLC films contained 1.0–6.9 at. % total metal, while the surface was enriched in Ag according to X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Except for the highest doped film, Ti/Ag-DLC showed lower graphitization than the Ti-DLC films prepared under identical conditions. Rq increased to 3.9 nm for the Ti/Ag-DLC films, reaching the highest value at the lowest Ti/Ag content. The presence of Ag also diminished surface oxidation and reduced oxygen concentration at low doping levels. Ti doping and Ti/Ag codoping of DLC films reduced the coefficient of friction by up to 2-fold when normal loads of 1–10 nN were used. Nanoindentation tests revealed that both Ti-DLC and Ti/Ag-DLC films show their greatest hardness loss at the lowest dopant concentrations. Water contact angles for Ti-DLC films changed nonmonotonically but became slightly less hydrophilic (∼69°) compared to undoped DLC. Ti/Ag-DLC films first became more wettable (59.9°) and then recovered to 68.5° as metal content increased. OWRK calculations showed a dopant-induced decline in total surface free energy, which was driven by reductions in dispersive components. Collectively, these data indicate that the Ti/Ag codoping offers a tunable balance of hardness, roughness, and wettability, combining the benefits of Ti with the advantages of Ag when applied at low to moderate concentrations
Success factors for sustainability ambassadorship.
No full textSustainability is becoming an increasingly important area of organizational activity in pursuit of sustainable development and social responsibility goals. An increasing number of organizations integrate sustainability principles into their strategies; however, in practice, challenges remain related to employees’ genuine engagement and the assumption of personal responsibility for sustainable behavior. One of the approaches used to address these challenges is sustainability ambassadorship, whereby employees voluntarily promote sustainability values and behaviors within the organization. Although sustainability ambassadorship is recognized in the academic literature as a significant initiative, there is still a lack of research identifying the factors that determine the success of this activity in organizations
The manifestation of social service innovations in institutions: challenges and prospects for development.
No full textThis master’s thesis analyses development processes of innovations in social services and their significance for improving service quality in Lithuanian social service organisations. Innovations in social services are regarded as an important element of contemporary social policy, as they create preconditions for increasing service accessibility, operational efficiency, and person-centred practice. In the field of social services, innovations are defined as new methods, technological solutions, organisational models, or ways of service delivery that contribute to reducing social exclusion and empowering service users. However, the implementation of innovations in the social service sector often faces challenges related to limited funding, excessive regulation, insufficient staff competences, and difficulties in managing organisational change. Object of the thesis: the manifestation of social service innovations in institutions. Aim of the thesis: to examine the manifestation of social service innovations, related challenges, and development prospects in Lithuanian social service centres. To achieve this aim, the following objectives are set: to analyse the theoretical aspects and the concept of social service innovations; to evaluate innovation implementation processes and their significance for the quality of social services; to identify barriers and facilitating factors for innovation implementation in organisational practice; and to disclose social service providers’ attitudes towards the implementation of innovations and their practical application. The research has been conducted in municipal social service institutions in Lithuania using a mixed-methods approach. The qualitative part involved semi-structured interviews with managers of social service organisations in order to reveal aspects of innovation understanding, application, and impact on service users. The quantitative part consisted of a questionnaire survey of social service employees, aimed at assessing the prevalence of innovations, staff attitudes, and organisational readiness for change. Quantitative data were processed using descriptive statistical methods, while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The findings showed that innovations in the social service sector are perceived as an important necessity for improving service quality and increasing service users’ satisfaction. It was found that managers generally support innovative solutions and seek to involve employees and the community in service improvement; however, innovation implementation is constrained by unstable funding, administrative burden, and an insufficiently consistent strategic approach to the development of this field. Quantitative findings revealed that most employees support the implementation of innovations and indicate that they contribute to improving service accessibility and strengthening social inclusion; nevertheless, they emphasise that innovations are often implemented on a project basis without ensuring long-term continuity. The study concludes that the development of innovations in social services has the potential to strengthen social justice and reduce social exclusion, however, sustainable implementation requires systemic preconditions, including long-term financial stability, clearer innovation policy direction, strengthening staff competences, and promoting cross-sectoral cooperation. The success of innovations depends on organisational cultural openness, leadership, and employee engagement, therefore, it is important to apply change management principles constantly and to create organisational environment conducive to innovation in the social service sector
The impact of gamification on employee engagement and technostress in the context of digital transformation.
No full textThe Master thesis analyzes the influence of gamification elements on employee engagement and technostress in the context of digital transformation. The rapid implementation of business management systems (CRM, ERP) often causes employee tension, prompting a search for motivational solutions. Although gamification is considered effective, there is a lack of empirical data on its impact on employees' psychological state during intensive technological changes. The aim is to determine the impact of gamification elements on engagement and technostress based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), and to reveal the mechanisms of this impact through the satisfaction of psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness). The theoretical part analyzes the concept of gamification, its application in non-game contexts, and its links to engagement. Three main clusters of elements are distinguished: achievement (points, levels), empowerment (feedback, goals), and social (rankings, cooperation). The research model is based on the assumption that gamification works indirectly, mediated by psychological needs. The empirical part presents the quantitative research methodology and results. The study involved 229 respondents working in private and public sectors using gamified systems. Descriptive statistics, linear regression analysis, and mediation modelling (PROCESS macro) were used for data analysis. The research results cover the evaluation of three main hypotheses. The first hypothesis, stating that gamification satisfies psychological needs, was confirmed: it was found that the visualization of employee achievements significantly strengthens competence, while empowerment elements (e.g. instant feedback) enhance autonomy. The second hypothesis regarding the impact on engagement was also confirmed (full mediation established), but two different paths emerged: a positive impact through the strengthening of autonomy and a negative impact through the sense of relatedness. This anomaly indicates that in the conditions of digital transformation, excessive socialization (e.g., leaderboards) acts as a cognitive distraction. The third hypothesis, that gamification reduces technostress, was not confirmed – no statistically significant relationship was found. The study concludes that the most effective gamification is one focused on individual empowerment and mastery development, while technostress management requires educational and managerial solutions rather than motivational ones
Factors affecting oil product transshipment volumes at the port of Klaipėda.
No full textIn recent years, petroleum product handling volumes at the Klaipėda Port have undergone significant changes, particularly after the 2020-2021 period, when cargo volumes did not return to their previous levels. This dynamic raises the question of whether the observed decline in handling volumes is related to port-specific operational characteristics or driven by external economic and energy-related factors. Given the role of Klaipėda Seaport in energy cargo logistics, the analysis of such changes is particularly relevant in the context of short-term port planning. The aim of this study is to empirically assess the impact of macroeconomic and energy-related factors on petroleum product handling volumes at Klaipėda Seaport by identifying statistical relationships in the short term. The analysis seeks to distinguish inertial fluctuations in cargo handling from the effects of external economic factors and to evaluate the extent to which changes in selected indicators explain short-term dynamics in handling volumes. The theoretical part of the study reviews scientific research examining the dependence of port cargo handling on economic activity, energy prices, and geopolitical shocks. The literature emphasizes that the energy cargo segment is characterized by higher short-term volatility and greater sensitivity to external shocks compared to overall port cargo volumes. These insights support the application of time series methods, which allow for the analysis of dynamic relationships between variables and their time lags while focusing on a single dependent variable. The empirical analysis is based on monthly data for the period from 2010 to 2023. Petroleum product handling volumes are treated as the dependent variable, while the Lithuanian industrial production index and Brent crude oil prices are selected as explanatory variables. ARIMA and ARIMAX models are applied to assess both the internal dynamics of cargo handling and the impact of external factors. In this study, the ARIMAX methodology is applied to the analysis of petroleum product handling at Klaipėda Seaport in order to evaluate short-term relationships and observe changes in cargo handling dynamics over the analyzed period. The results indicate that petroleum product handling at Klaipėda Seaport exhibits pronounced cyclicality and several possible structural breaks, with the most significant associated with the 2020-2021 period. The empirical findings reveal a positive and statistically significant impact of industrial production activity on handling volume changes, while the influence of Brent crude oil prices appears to be short-term and negative. This confirms that cargo handling dynamics depend not only on past values but also on changes in the external economic and energy environment. The practical application analysis demonstrates that the empirically estimated ARIMAX model adequately captures the direction of petroleum product handling changes outside the estimation sample, particularly during periods without abrupt economic shocks. Out-of-sample testing confirms that the model’s forecasts outperform naive benchmarks, while the analysis of hypothetical economic scenarios allows for the assessment of the short-term impact of key macroeconomic factors on handling volumes
Investigation of the durability of water-permeable pedestrian pathways using ground plantain powder (plantago major).
No full textThe development of modern urban infrastructure necessitates the search for sustainable, environmentally friendly, and functional pedestrian pavement solutions that meet not only mechanical strength requirements but also criteria related to water permeability, durability, and ecological impact. Considering the increasing precipitation caused by climate change and the principles of the circular economy in material selection, the advancement of permeable pavements capable of reducing stormwater loads and improving urban ecosystem performance has become particularly relevant. For this reason, the chosen topic of the Master’s thesis focuses on producing a water-permeable pedestrian pavement using plantain powder and investigating the properties that enhance pavement durability, as well as potential operational scenarios. To achieve the aim of the Master’s thesis, the following tasks were undertaken: 1. Based on a literature review of permeable pavements and the production technology of biocomposites with plantain powder, select a manufacturing method and design the composite composition. 2. Examine the chemical properties of plantain powder and cement, compare them. 3. Determine the physical and mechanical properties of the produced composite. 4. Evaluate the influence of plantain powder, municipal waste ash, emulsions on the composite structure and pavement durability in comparison with control samples and provide recommendations for practical application. The thesis consists of three main parts: a theoretical section, a methodological section, and a section presenting research results and their discussion. The literature review outlines the limitations associated with plantain powder and its compatibility with municipal waste ash in composite formulations, describes various types of pedestrian pavements, identifies physical solutions, and examines the effects of organic fillers or binders on composite performance. The methodology section details the materials used, sample compositions, testing procedures, and experimental workflow. The results section presents the findings, including the chemical composition of plantain powder, the physical and mechanical properties of biocomposite samples containing plantain powder, as well as proposed operational scenarios and recommendations for pedestrian pavement applications. The research revealed that the mechanically strongest sample is B20+. However, given that the thesis evaluates water-permeable pavement, an overall assessment of durability tests indicated that the most suitable composition is the biocomposite containing 10% municipal ash (B10). The Master’s thesis comprises 61 pages (excluding appendices) and includes 16 tables and 47 figures. A total of 55 literature sources were referenced
Sound dramaturgy in postdramatic theatre: creating musical narration in the play “The medusa‘s room”.
No full textRelevance and novelty of the topic: The role of sound and music in theatre during the postmodern era is multifaceted. The traditional understanding of the use of music in theatre is changing: from an applied tool intended to supplement the emotional weight of the performance, sound and its use become an equivalent dramaturgical element to the literary text or the on-stage action. In postmodern theatre, the artistic object presented by the creators and perceived by the audience – the performance – becomes a shared event between both parties, in which music has a greater influence on the outcome than ever before in theatre history. In this work, by analysing music as an autonomous dramaturgical element and expanding the understanding of its practical use in the performance “The Medusa‘s Room” directed by Paulius Juška, the aim is to contribute to the discourse of postmodern theatre, the features of which have not yet been fully explored or applied. This work seeks to reveal how, in contemporary theatre, music evolves from an applied function into an independent theatrical element that shapes the structure of the performance, and how the characteristics of this transformation are reflected in the creation of the soundtrack for “ The Medusa‘s Room.” Object of the research: The sound dramaturgy and musical interpretation of the performance “The Medusa‘s Room.” Project aim: To review the context of postmodern theatre and, based on theoretical analysis, to create a soundtrack for the performance “ The Medusa‘s Room”, demonstrating how musical interpretation shapes the dramaturgy of the performance. Objectives: 1. music. To discuss the context of postmodernism and postdramatic theatre and their influence on theatre 2. To analyse the dramaturgical and ideological context of “The Medusa‘s Room”, revealing the connections between feminist and postmodernist literature and this work. 3. To define the characteristics of sound dramaturgy and composition in “The Medusa‘s Room”, examining the interaction of different theatrical elements. 4. To create and prepare the soundtrack for “The Medusa‘s Room” Research methods: The study employed literature analysis, which was applied in examining the context of postmodern theatre and the understanding of sound dramaturgy. The works of theorists such as Hans-Thies Lehmann, Erika Fischer-Lichte, Daiva Citvarienė, Mladen Ovadija, David Roesner, and others are discussed. The dramaturgy of Saara Turunen’s play “ The Medusa‘s Room” was then analysed, along with a comparative literary analysis of Hélène Cixous’s essay “The Laugh of the Medusa” and Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own” in order to identify the feminist and ideological aspects of the play that influence the author’s choice of music and the parallels with the musical interpretation of the staged performance. The final part of the work reflects on the process of creating sound dramaturgy and the artistic decisions made during this process. Results and areas of application: The research demonstrated that the music of postmodern theatre often functions and can operate as an autonomous element of dramaturgy. The soundtrack of the performance “The Medusa‘s Room” practically showed that the purposeful use of sound design and music actively constructs the course of action and the further narrative of the performance. The results of this work can be used for studies on the functions of music in contemporary theatre and applied in the practice of musical dramaturgy. Project structure: The thesis consists of an introduction, three chapters, conclusions, a list of references, and appendices. The first chapter reviews the context of postmodern theatre, the second analyses the dramaturgy and symbolism of “The Medusa‘s Room,” and the third discusses the soundtrack of “The Medusa‘s Room”. expanding the understanding of contemporary uses of theatre music, an area that remains insufficiently explored
Deep learning for brain tumor segmentation and classification: a systematic review of methods and trends /
No full textThis systematic review aims to comprehensively examine and compare deep learning methods for brain tumor segmentation and classification using MRI and other imaging modalities, focusing on recent trends from 2022 to 2025. The primary objective is to evaluate methodological advancements, model performance, dataset usage, and existing challenges in developing clinically robust AI systems. We included peer-reviewed journal articles and high-impact conference papers published between 2022 and 2025, written in English, that proposed or evaluated deep learning methods for brain tumor segmentation and/or classification. Excluded were non-open-access publications, books, and non-English articles. A structured search was conducted across Scopus, Google Scholar, Wiley, and Taylor & Francis, with the last search performed in August 2025. Risk of bias was not formally quantified but considered during full-text screening based on dataset diversity, validation methods, and availability of performance metrics. We used narrative synthesis and tabular benchmarking to compare performance metrics (e.g., accuracy, Dice score) across model types (CNN, Transformer, Hybrid), imaging modalities, and datasets. A total of 49 studies were included (43 journal articles and 6 conference papers). These studies spanned over 9 public datasets (e.g., BraTS, Figshare, REMBRANDT, MOLAB) and utilized a range of imaging modalities, predominantly MRI. Hybrid models, especially ResViT and UNetFormer, consistently achieved high performance, with classification accuracy exceeding 98% and segmentation Dice scores above 0.90 across multiple studies. Transformers and hybrid architectures showed increasing adoption post-2023. Many studies lacked external validation and were evaluated only on a few benchmark datasets, raising concerns about generalizability and dataset bias. Few studies addressed clinical interpretability or uncertainty quantification. Despite promising results, particularly for hybrid deep learning models, widespread clinical adoption remains limited due to lack of validation, interpretability concerns, and real-world deployment barriers
Agar-collagen fluid gels as a dysphagia food: rheological characterization vs fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing /
No full textThe completely different structuring approach of the fluid gels makes them rheologically-tunable systems with a high underexplored potential for application in dysphagia diets. The aim of this study was to characterize the swallowing behavior of high-protein collagen (20 %w/w) fluid gels structured with various agar concentrations (0.5 to 2.5 %w/w) using different analytical methods. The oral performance during different phases of dynamic swallowing processes was characterized by rheological methods (shear yield stress, shear-dependent viscosity, strain and frequency-dependent viscoelasticity, shear recovery behavior), International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative tests (IDDSI) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. In addition, the stability and particle size of the systems were characterized. All samples were stable and the polydispersity increased (span from 1.7 to 3.2) with increasing agar concentration. Fluid gels displayed low yield stress values (<2.0 Pa), good shear flowability and high shear recovery behavior which is well-matched with the facilitated swallowing process. The IDDSI tests showed that varying the agar concentration yields fluid gels with different thickness levels, suitable for mild and moderate dysphagia. The results of the endoscopic swallowing assessment test correlated with the results of the rheological analysis and confirmed the suitability of these systems for safe swallowing