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Automatinio krepšinio metimų atpažinimo ir sekimo iš vaizdo įrašų metodų tyrimas.
No full textThis research focuses on the development of a system capable of detecting a basketball backboard, rim, net, and ball from a single static video stream. The system operates by processing frames extracted from the video, with the aim of achieving accurate and efficient object detection in real time. Different versions and configurations of YOLO models were tested and compared based on precision, inference speed, and model size. The ultimate objective is to identify the most effective setup to support a reliable shot recognition system
Resource-efficient and low-carbon thermal energy production in small-scale combustion plants.
No full textFuel combustion remains the primary method for heat production and supply to district heating networks (DHNs) in Lithuania. The main fuels used for heat generation are solid biofuels and natural gas. The combustion of natural gas, like any other fossil fuel, results in substantial emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), which contribute to climate change. Although the direct climate impact of solid biofuel boilers is generally lower due to the biogenic origin of CO2 emissions, frequent use of moist and ash-rich biomass reduces the overall efficiency of boiler houses and leads to the loss of usable heat. This master’s thesis aims to evaluate opportunities for improving heat production efficiency in small-scale fuel combustion units (FCUs) and to propose alternatives that replace fossil fuel–based systems with renewable energy source (RES) technologies, thereby mitigating climate impact
Enhancing learning motivation through gamification.
No full textThe rapid pace of digitization and the increased demand for distance learning following the pandemic have revealed that traditional educational processes don't always sufficiently engage students. This challenge leads to poorer achievement levels and reduced student motivation. One of the most effective strategies to address this problem is gamification – the application of game design elements in non-game situations, aimed at strengthening student engagement and learning motivation. The effectiveness of gamification in education is based on self-determination theory, which states that student engagement is promoted by satisfying the needs for autonomy, competence, and social connection. By applying gamification elements, such as levels or badges that reflect progress, students are given the opportunity to experience advancement, choose their methods of activity, and collaborate toward common goals. Scientific research confirms that gamification statistically significantly improves students' cognitive, motivational, and behavioral indicators. The main objective of this final project was to increase students' learning motivation by applying an information gamification platform based on educational games. The object of the work was students' learning motivation and the application of gamification elements to improve motivation. To achieve this goal, five tasks were addressed: analyzing the possibilities of applying gamification platforms in the learning process; investigating the challenges and needs experienced by teachers related to the use of gamification; designing an information gamification system; implementing and deploying the system; and conducting research to evaluate the system's impact on educational motivation
Microhardness of root canal sealers at different canal thirds: a pilot In vitro study /
No full textObjectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microhardness of various root canal sealers in the coronal, middle and apical thirds of the simulated root canals. Material and Methods: The study analysed the bioceramic root canal sealers (RCS) TotalFill® BC Sealer™, AH Plus® Bioceramic Sealer and BioRoot™ RCS, the resin-based RCS AH Plus® Jet™ and the bioceramic cement ProRoot® MTA (positive control). Gypsum samples simulating root canals were prepared and divided into five experimental groups. The canals were filled with the respective RCS and incubated for 24 hours at 37 °C (95% humidity). The microhardness of the RCS in different thirds of the canal was evaluated using the Vickers microhardness (HV) test. Results: The microhardness ranged from 6.8 HV (AH Plus® Bioceramic Sealer) to 70.3 HV (ProRoot® MTA). TotalFill® BC Sealer™ remained stable across all thirds (P > 0.05), AH Plus® Bioceramic Sealer was significantly harder in the coronal third (P = 0.008), BioRoot™ RCS and ProRoot® MTA were significantly harder in the apical third (P < 0.05), while AH Plus® Jet™ showed significantly higher hardness in the middle and apical thirds (P = 0.008). BioRoot™ RCS showed no significant difference in microhardness compared to ProRoot® MTA (P = 0.146). Other RCS were significantly less hard than the positive control (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Sealer microhardness varied across canal thirds, with TotalFill® BC Sealer™ showing stability, BioRoot™ RCS resembling the positive control and the others displaying regional variation
Transportation of small parts on a platform excited in two perpendicular horizontal directions by sinusoidal vawes with a phase shift /
No full textThis paper proposes a vibrational transportation method of small parts on a platform excited in two perpendicular horizontal directions by harmonic sinusoidal excitation with a phase shift. To investigate the characteristics of the transportation process, dynamic and mathematical models were developed. The mathematical model was implemented by developing simulation codes using MATLAB, and simulations of the process were carried out. The simulation results showed that parts can be transported due to the asymmetry caused by the phase shift between the perpendicular sinusoidal waves. Moreover, the transportation characteristics can be controlled by modifying the excitation parameters. The influence of the input parameters on the transportation characteristics was determined. The method can be applied across various industries, especially those related to high technologies that implement tasks related to feeding, position or automatic assembly of delicate objects
Integrating biomechanical metrics into clinical prosthetic decision making /
No full textBACKGROUND: Transfemoral amputation profoundly alters gait, often resulting in asymmetry, compensatory movement patterns, and increased musculoskeletal loading (Benton et al., 2024). Despite continuous progress in prosthetic knee technology, includ-ing the transition from mechanical to microprocessor-controlled systems, functional out-comes remain highly variable. A major challenge is that clinical decisions regarding pros-thesis selection and adjustment are often guided by observation and patient feedback ra-ther than objective biomechanical evidence (Persine et al., 2024). Without quantitative assessment, subtle gait deviations may go unnoticed until they contribute to long-term complications. Advanced biomechanical analysis provides an opportunity to capture pre-cise kinematic and kinetic data, offering measurable metrics that can enhance clinical decision-making, improve prosthesis fitting, and support individualized rehabilitation strategies. OBJECTIVE: To identify and evaluate biomechanical metrics that support clinical decision-making and enhance the individualization of prosthesis fitting in transfemoral amputees. METHODS: In the study of biomechanical gait characteristics, a subject with a left above-knee amputation (male, 32 years old, height 192 cm, weight 94 kg) volunteered to participate. The participant was evaluated using two different prosthetic knee systems: a mechanical knee and a microprocessor-controlled knee. For each condition, gait trials were repeated six times with 1–2-minute breaks between walks. Kinematic data were collected using a Qualisys motion analysis system with 12 Oqus 7 cameras operating at 120 Hz. Ground reaction forces were recorded using two AMTI force plates. Additional treadmill-based gait analysis was performed with the Rehawalk HP Cosmos system in combination with the Zebris FDM-T, which integrates a pressure sensor matrix operating at 120 Hz. RESULTS: Analysis revealed pronounced gait asymmetry with the mechanical knee, characterized by excessive pelvic obliquity of up to 12° on the prosthetic side. This was accompanied by shorter step length, reduced stance time, and asymmetric loading, indi-cating functional instability. In contrast, the microprocessor-controlled knee reduced pel-vic obliquity to 5°, with more balanced step length and improved stance phase duration. Load distribution between limbs became more symmetrical, and hip joint motion more closely matched normative patterns. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated measurable gait differences, including kinematic and kinetic data. Motion analysis effectively identifies asymmetries and com-pensatory strategies that may not be visible through clinical observation alone. Integrating these data into clinical workflows can support evidence-based decisions, op-timize prosthesis alignment, and enhance individualized rehabilitation outcomes
Determinants of property reuse for age-friendly social housing development in shrinking and ageing cities: evidence from Latvia /
No full textDemographic decline and population ageing present unprecedented challenges to housing systems in post-socialist Europe. With one of the European Union (EU)’s fastest shrinking populations, an underdeveloped social housing sector, and an ageing housing stock dominated by Soviet-era multi-family blocks, Latvia exemplifies these difficulties. Adaptive property reuse—repurposing underutilised buildings into age-friendly social housing—offers a potential solution, but its feasibility depends on complex economic, regulatory, social, and environmental determinants. This study investigated these determinants using a mixed-methods approach. Data were drawn from 312 survey responses, 15 policymaker interviews, 10 developer interviews, and focus group of 25 senior residents across Latvia. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to extract six determinant clusters: site selection, feasibility analysis, design and planning, implementation strategies, monitoring and evaluation, and scaling strategies. The findings demonstrate: (1) economic feasibility and regulatory clarity dominate stakeholder concerns, with financing gaps receiving the lowest ratings (M = 2.91); (2) implementation strategies emerged as the highest-priority determinant, emphasising governance capacity and structured execution; (3) significant trust deficits exist between developers and municipal authorities, undermining collaboration; (4) seniors prioritise design inclusivity and social integration, while developers emphasise cost efficiency and regulatory certainty; and (5) environmental sustainability consistently ranked lower (M ≈ 3.34) across all stakeholder groups due to pressing affordability concerns. Although municipal officers were intentionally oversampled (58%) due to their central role in Latvia’s housing governance, robustness checks confirmed the six-factor structure remained stable across stakeholder groups. This study contributes theoretically by contextualising adaptive reuse within shrinking cities and ageing societies and practically by providing a determinant-based framework for housing policy
Ability to borrow modeling techniques for small and medium-sized enterprises /
No full textThis study comprehensively evaluates the ability to borrow machine learning modeling techniques for SMEs, utilizing a sample of the Baltic States with many variables. The study aims to assess the applicability of access to credit modeling techniques for SMEs. This is the first study in which a large–scale assessment has been carried out in the Baltic States sample, covering five years of credit applications from SMEs to a depository institution. The results showed that Gradient Boosting produces the most accurate results. Gradient Boosting demonstrated better results than the benchmark Logistic Regression as well as other advanced machine learning models, including Random Forests and Multilayer Perceptron models. The method showed the highest accuracy of the overall receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the associated area under the curve (AUC) (ROC–AUC) and Average Precision values, as well as other discriminatory threshold values, compared to alternative methods
The role of lupins and buckwheat in sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and the circular economy /
No full textBuckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and lupins (Lupinus spp.) are traditional crops gaining renewed attention due to their nutritional value, ecological adaptability, and potential role in sustainable agriculture. Both are rich in high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, and bioactive compounds that support human health and meet the growing demand for plant-based foods. In addition to their nutritional importance, these crops can be cultivated on marginal soils with low fertilizer requirements, making them valuable components of climate-resilient cropping systems. Beyond nutrition, both crops generate processing by-products such as husks and ashes, which are increasingly important in the context of fertilizers, bioenergy, and biomaterials, illustrating the dual value of these crops in sustainable and circular systems. This review summarizes data on cultivation, yield, and chemical composition and highlights the multiple pathways for by-product valorisation across food, energy, and environmental applications, contributing to the development of bio-based and circular economy strategies
