Journals Published by Vilnius Tech
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YOLOv11n-CDL: accurate and lightweight pavement defect detection via enhanced multi-scale attention and feature fusion
No full textPavement defect detection requires both high accuracy and real-time performance in complex road environments, yet existing lightweight models often struggle with blurred textures, background interference, and small cracks. To address these limitations, this study proposes YOLOv11n-CDL, an enhanced lightweight detector integrating three targeted improvements. First, the ConvSmart module expands the receptive field and strengthens multi-scale feature extraction, improving the representation of defects of varying sizes. Second, a Double-Stage Attention (DSA) mechanism, embedded at the deepest backbone stage, iteratively highlights discriminative crack patterns while suppressing shadows, markings, and texture noise. Third, a P2-level small-object detection path provides high-resolution features that significantly improve sensitivity to fine cracks and micro-potholes. Experiments on IRRDD show that YOLOv11n-CDL achieves 75.3% [email protected] and 44.6% [email protected]:0.95, outperforming the baseline by 3.0 and 1.1 percentage points, and exceeding YOLOv8n and YOLOv7-tiny in both precision and recall. Additional results on RDD2022 and low-power devices confirm strong generalization and real-time deployability. These improvements demonstrate that YOLOv11n-CDL offers an effective balance between accuracy, robustness, and efficiency for practical pavement inspection applications
From waste to resource: bibliometric evaluation of the use of banana pseudostems as biodegradable material
No full textThe search for sustainable alternatives has positioned banana pseudostems as a promising material for the production of bioplastics, biopolymers, and eco-friendly composites. This bibliometric review of 119 publications (2003–2024) reveals growing academic interest in its use as a biodegradable material, with an annual growth rate of 8.91% and an average of 15.25 citations per article. Pseudostem fibers have superior mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 458 MPa and a modulus of 17.14 GPa. Bioplastics derived from this biomass are not only viable alternatives to conventional plastics, especially in packaging, but also provide antibacterial and UV protection. In addition, these fibers function as efficient biosorbents, achieving up to 100% arsenic removal in water. Sentiment analysis of scientific abstracts indicates a predominant feeling of confidence and optimism, reinforcing the potential of banana pseudostems in sustainable industrial applications and highlighting their role in advancing the circular economy
Analytical formulas for polynomial coefficients in radial basis function interpolation
Full text linkRadial basis functions (RBF) are used in many areas, including interpolation and approximation, solution of partial differential equations, neural networks, and machine learning. RBFs are based on the sum of weighted kernel functions. Additional orthogonal polynomials are added for robustness, numerical stability, and computational efficiency improvement.This contribution gives a new analytical formula specifying values of the polynomial coefficients used in RBF interpolation. The zerodegree polynomial coefficient is related to the sigmoid function used in RBF-neural networks (RBF-NN).Unlike prior works where polynomial augmentation is only used to guarantee solvability, this paper provides explicit closed-form formulae for polynomial coefficients (with special focus on the zerodegree case). This new analytical treatment clarifies their role as global bias terms in both interpolation and RBF neural networks. Expected applicability is in data interpolation and approximation, RBF-neural networks, scientific computing and PDE solutions, geostatistics & spatial interpolation, machine learning, and data fitting and signal processing
Digitalization and configurational effects on regional income inequality: analysis of panel data from 134 economies
Full text linkThe literature on the impact of digitalization on regional income disparities is fragmented and contentious. Drawing on complex systems perspective and configurational theory, this paper analyses the configurational effects of digitalization factors embedded in specific contexts on regional income disparities, using a sample of 134 economies from 2012 to 2021, employing Panel Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (Panel fsQCA) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA). This paper identifies four context-specific configurational patterns through which digitalization reduces regional income disparities. While no single condition emerges as a strictly necessary condition, digital inclusion and digital finance demonstrate broad positive effects across configurations. Although digital transformation cannot guarantee reduced disparities, severe digital deficiency consistently leads to widening regional income disparities. At the same time, this paper discovers previously unnoticed causal mechanisms and captures the dynamic trends and spatial characteristics of digitalization’s impact. These findings offer diverse,adaptable insights for regional common prosperity.
First published online 23 September 202
Assessing the progress of EU countries towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Full text linkThis study evaluates the extent to which European Union countries are meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It analyses a range of factors to measure the progress being made. The research pays attention to areas such as reducing poverty, promoting gender equality and examining labour markets. The AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method was utilised to determine the importance of the indicators, while the COPRAS method was applied to evaluate and rank the countries according to the effectiveness of their sustainable development policies. The data indicated that Finland, Denmark, and Sweden are at the leading positions in implementing sustainable development, whereas Germany and Spain show less favourable results. The analysis also showed that the main factors impacting sustainable development are the risk of poverty, the gender unemployment gap and long-term unemployment.
Article in English.
ES šalių pažangos vertinimas siekiant tvarios plėtros tikslų
Santrauka
Šiame tyrime vertinama, kiek Europos Sąjungos šalys įgyvendina tvaraus vystymosi tikslus (TVT). Jame analizuojami įvairūs veiksniai, leidžiantys įvertinti padarytą pažangą. Tyrime dėmesys skiriamas tokioms sritims kaip skurdo mažinimas, lyčių lygybės skatinimas ir darbo rinkų tyrimas. AHP (analitinis hierarchinis procesas) metodas buvo taikomas rodiklių svarbai nustatyti, o COPRAS metodas – šalims vertinti ir reitinguoti pagal jų tvaraus vystymosi politikos veiksmingumą. Duomenys rodo, kad Suomija, Danija ir Švedija yra pirmaujančios tvaraus vystymosi įgyvendinimo srityje, o Vokietija ir Ispanija rodo mažiau palankius rezultatus. Analizė taip pat parodė, kad pagrindiniai veiksniai, darantys įtaką tvariai plėtrai, yra skurdo rizika, lyčių nedarbo skirtumas ir ilgalaikis nedarbas.
Reikšminiai žodžiai: tvarus vystymasis, TVT, skurdas, lyčių nelygybė, nedarbas, korupcija, socialiniai ir ekonominiai rodikliai
Does fiscal and financial green policy coordination curb corporate “greenwashing”? Evidence from the green loan interest subsidies policy in China
Full text linkAmidst the push for green development, finding ways to effectively coordinate fiscal and financial policies to curb corporate “greenwashing” has emerged as a crucial issue to investigate. Using data from non-financial listed firms in China from 2011 to 2022, this study employs a multi-period difference-in-differences model, treating the green loan interest subsidies (GLIS) policy as a quasi-natural experiment to examine its impact on “greenwashing”. We find that the GLIS policy significantly suppresses corporate “greenwashing.” GLIS policy not only stimulates bank credit supply and increases the scale of green credit, but also motivates banks to strengthen their risk identification mechanisms, thereby curbing “greenwashing.” The inhibitory effect is more pronounced in firms with high financing constraints, low transparency in environmental management systems, and heavy pollution firms. Moreover, GLIS policy can synergize fiscal and financial policies, addressing the deficiencies of individual policies and enhancing their practical effectiveness in green governance. Overall, our results verify the inhibitory effect of the GLIS policy on “greenwashing,” providing evidence and useful insights for China and other countries or regions to promote coordinated green policies between fiscal and financial sectors.
First published online 20 October 202
The efficiency of sustainable development goals 4 and 8 in China: impact of low fertility
Full text linkChina’s declining birth rate is gradually eroding the demographic dividend, potentially affecting education, employment, and the economy. This study constructs a meta two-stage dynamic Directional Distance Function (DDF) Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model under exogenous variable. It considers the birth rate as an exogenous variable to assess the efficiency of 30 Chinese provinces in achieving SDGs 4 and 8. Key findings include: (1) Integrating the birth rate into the analytical framework has enhanced overall efficiency in most provinces, particularly in the central region. The average efficiency across 30 provinces was 0.8, with minimal regional disparities. (2) The birth rate positively influences both SDG 4 and SDG 8, notably boosting SDG 4 efficiency. (3) Efficiency varies by province: 17 exhibit high efficiency in both SDG 4 and SDG 8, one shows low SDG 4 but high SDG 8 efficiency, two have high SDG 4 but low SDG 8 efficiency, and ten are inefficient in both goals. (4) Hebei, Shandong, and Guangdong have significant redundancy in education and social security investments. Hebei, Henan, and Shanxi show considerable deficiency in economic growth and employment, while Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia require further enhancements in energy efficiency.
First published online 23 September 202
Fragmented authority and deferred action: deconstructing environmental governance under the European Green Deal in Lithuania
Full text linkThis study critically examines the evolving landscape of environmental governance in Lithuania within the context of the European Green Deal, drawing on three semi-structured interviews with executive, academic, and legislative stakeholders. Using a two-phase methodology that combines thematic coding analysis with Jacques Derrida’s deconstruction, the research reveals the epistemic tensions, institutional contradictions, and normative ambivalences shaping Lithuania’s green transition. The findings challenge the linear narrative of policy implementation and instead expose a fragmented field governed by binary logics, such as compliance versus conviction, center versus periphery, and participation versus performance. While official strategies emphasize legal alignment and technocratic execution, they often operate through temporal deferral, symbolic participation, and structural dependency on supranational resources. The analysis highlights the performative nature of law, the influence of post-socialist path dependencies, and the failure of procedural participation to generate democratic legitimacy. Through deconstruction, the research reframes crisis not as a catalyst for coherence, but as a condition that reveals the fragility of sustainability discourses. Ultimately, this work argues for a more reflexive, dialogic, and ethically grounded approach to environmental governance, one that recognizes contradiction not as failure, but as the very terrain of democratic transformation
Gamification and its impact on improving training and business innovation processes
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to analyze the impact of gamification on employee motivation and engagement in business innovation processes. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, including 55 articles retrieved from the Scopus database, following the PRISMA statement guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to ensure the relevance and quality of the reviewed studies. Regarding materials and methods, a specific search equation was used to identify articles addressing the relationship between gamification and productivity in the workplace. Key data were extracted from the selected articles, including information on the study population, the gamification techniques implemented, and the observed benefits. The findings were categorized to identify recurring patterns and themes. Results showed that gamification enhances employee motivation and engagement, thereby improving business innovation processes. Various gamification techniques were identified as effective, along with contextual factors that influenced outcomes. The review also highlighted the need to tailor gamification strategies to maximize their benefits. It is concluded that this work provides a critical overview of the current state of knowledge in the field of gamification and its application in business innovation. Areas requiring further research were identified, suggesting that gamification can be a valuable tool for improving productivity and creativity within organizations
Possibilities of quantitative assessment of the state of activities of science and technology parks
Full text linkScience and technology parks (STP) play a special role in the knowledge-based economy. An STP is a place where scientific ideas and thoughts are transformed into products and services. As socio-economic systems, they create a basis for the development of start-ups, knowledge transfer, cooperation between enterprises and scientific institutions and, thus, the commercialization of innovations and other research results. For this reason, the focus of STP functioning is the object of scientific research. On the other hand, there are enough unresolved issues. In most cases, individual aspects of STP activities are upset. There is a lack of research related to the assessment of park activities in a comprehensive, systemic manner. Without a general indicator, it is impossible to compare the activities of individual STPs, it is impossible to study their impact on the performance of enterprises, etc. The aim of the article is to develop a methodology for a comprehensive quantitative assessment of the activities of scientific and technological progress and to test it using the example of parks in Poland