“Lituanistika”, International Research Database
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An Educational robotics approach to drawing and studying central trochoids at the university level
No full textEducational robotics has become increasingly popular in STEM education, offering motivating and hands-on learning experiences. The use of robots in science education is widespread, mainly in primary and secondary schools, whereas there is little research in higher mathematics education in this area. This paper explores the potential of educational robotics for teaching plane curves at the university level. Specifically, it investigates the development and implementation of a LEGO Education SPIKE Prime robot designed to draw various central trochoids, including epicycloids and hypocycloids. The robot’s construction and programming are described in detail, emphasising the relationship between the physical movements of the robot and the mathematical equations of the curves it produces. The study also examines the integration of dynamic geometry software, which allows for visualising the curves and verifying the robot’s accuracy. The development process of the drawing LEGO robot followed the V-model methodology. Functional and manual testing of the drawing robot was conducted in a classroom environment with ten students. Based on the feedback from students, the paper concludes that educational robotics can serve as a valuable tool for enhancing both theoretical and practical understanding of mathematical and engineering concepts, offering a more engaging and interactive approach to learning. Keywords: higher education; STEM-based education; educational robotics; LEGO robotics; drawing devices; central trochoids
Mindful monitoring and accepting the body in physical activity mediates the associations between physical activity and positive body image in a sample of young physically active adults
No full textIntroduction: The study aimed to extend research on the possible mechanisms that explain the associations between physical activity (PA), mindfulness during PA and positive body image. In the present study, we tested the mediating role of state mindfulness during PA in the association between PA and trait body appreciation. We also explored the moderating roles of sex and body mass index (BMI) in these associations. Methods: In total, 759 students participated in the study but after applying the inclusion criteria 539 questionnaires were approved for analysis, with a mean age of 23.3 ± 7.2 years (49.7% were women). Study participants completed the online survey, which included sociodemographic details, PA data, the State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity 2 (SMS-PA-2) and the Body Appreciation Scale 2 (BAS-2). Results: Monitoring and accepting the body during exercise mediated the association between PA and body appreciation. BMI moderated the association between accepting the body during exercise and body appreciation: for heavier individuals with BMI >24.99 kg/m2 , the associations between accepting the body during exercise and body appreciation were higher (B = 0.53, p <0.001) compared to those whose body weight was in the normal range (B = 0.21, p <0.001). Conclusion: Strengthening mindfulness and promoting mindful body acceptance during exercise might enhance a positive body image, especially in individuals with a higher BMI. Keywords: state mindfulness, physical activity, Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT), positive body image, embodiment
Business model innovation for sustainable multifunctional land management in abandoned rural areas: a case study
No full textThe issue of the future of abandoned agricultural land has become a prominent topic of discussion in contemporary scientific research and political discourses, especially considering the unique contribution of new-generation entrepreneurs to innovations in rural areas. The research increasingly provides evidence of how they serve as founders and catalysts of unconventional and often audacious ideas that ultimately transform abandoned areas into successful sustainable innovative business models with restored multifunctional land use. The main aim of this article is to disclose the potential of innovative business models, developed by new-generation entrepreneurs, for sustainable multifunctional land management in abandoned rural places, through the example of the “Sun Circle Camping” initiative in Lithuania. A qualitative research methodology was applied to perform an in-depth case study of a successful business model innovation for sustainable multifunctional land management in an abandoned rural area of Lithuania. The research results demonstrate how the smartly restored multifunctional distribution of abandoned land might generate durable land management practices, fulfilling the environmental, socio-cultural, and economic pillars of sustainability. Keywords: sustainability; land functions; land management; abandoned rural areas; business model innovation; new-generation entrepreneur; Lithuania
Maintenance of lexical pitch accent in heritage Lithuanian: a study of perception and production
No full textThis study investigates how the unique circumstances of heritage language acquisition impact prosody, an understudied aspect of heritage speech. I examine the perception and production of lexical pitch accent by two generations of heritage Lithuanian speakers in Chicago (n = 13), with a qualitative comparison to one normative native speaker also living in Chicago. The speakers participated in the following: (1) a perception task requiring them to identify meaning distinctions between pairs of words that differ only by accent; and (2) a production task in which they produced sentences containing nine nominal declensions, where pitch accent plays a morphological role. In task (1), speakers across the board were not able to identify meaning distinctions in accent-based minimal pairs, irrespective of their frequency, and were more accurate at perceiving pairs that differed on the basis of segmental phonological features. However, HSs with more education perceived more accent-based distinctions, as did HSs who were more engaged in the Chicago community. Older HSs maintained more distinctions than either the NS or the younger HSs, which suggests a change in progress in the language or the Chicago Lithuanian community. In task (2), none of the speakers consistently used pitch to signal word-level prominence. Instead, all speakers relied on changes in duration and vowel quality to signal word-level prominence, suggesting that, for these speakers, there has been a shift to a stress-accent system. The older HSs also patterned more like the NS in their retention of the expected stress in the nominal declensions. Dialect was also determined to play a role in the retention of standard accent patterns in both perception and production. Keywords: pitch accent; prosody; tone; stress; heritage languages; Lithuanian
Physician workforce in Lithuania: changes during thirty years of independence
No full textHealthcare human resource planning is one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare systems in many countries. Inadequate decisions in human resource planning can lead to an insufficient number of healthcare professionals then healthcare inequalities. One of the components of resource planning in the healthcare system is long-term data monitoring and the identification of potential trends. Since 1990, the number of physicians in Lithuania has decreased by 15.3% (−2266), but the decrease in the population has led to a 13.61% increase in the number of physicians per 10,000 inhabitants (5.32). During the analyzed period, the largest decrease in the number of physicians workforce by specialty was the number of medical physicians (−73.08%), epidemiology and hygiene (−69.30%), children’s diseases (−49.08%), the most increased number was of family/general practitioners (GPs), geneticists, physical medicine, and rehabilitation specialists. Since 1992, the number of visits to physicians in Lithuania, which has been decreasing for a long time, began increasing, and in 2022 (9.3 visits) it has almost reached the number of visits (9.5) per capita as in 1991. The aim of this research was to collect long-term data from various databases, summarize them, and identify possible trends and the reasons for data changes. The study analyzed data from the Lithuanian healthcare system from the Declaration of Independence of Lithuania to the last 30 years. The data includes or affects the indicators of the healthcare system, changes in population and doctors, the number of visits to doctors, the number of medical students and residents, and data determining inequalities in the healthcare system. Long-term data analysis is useful for developing a model of healthcare human resource planning and for planning healthcare resources. Keywords: healthcare system; healthcare planning; healthcare professionals; health resources; Lithuania
Archaeology of modern conflict and heritage legislation in Lithuania during thirty years of restored Independence
No full textAfter the Lithuanian National Revival in 1988 and the restoration of independence in 1990, the public on their own initiative searched for the remains of fallen anti-Soviet Lithuanian partisans (1944-1953), excavating the burial sites of partisan remains, their bunkers and dugouts. Such excavations prompted the need to establish regulations and procedures for the exhumation and transfer of the remains of victims of 20th-century conflicts and occupation regimes. Government resolutions adopted in 1992 obliged prosecutors, archaeologists, anthropologists and forensic medical experts to be involved in the exhumation procedure and to carry out the exhumation in accordance with the basic requirements of archaeological research. Owing to the restoration and destruction of authentic partisan bunkers and dugouts, the increase in archaeological investigations at 20th-century conflict sites, as well as the emergence of a distinct field of modern conflict archaeology, the 2022 revision of the Archaeological Heritage Management Regulation stipulated the necessity to carry out archaeological research prior to any excavation works at all 19th- and 20th-century conflict sites. Between 1995 and 2022, a total of 171 permits for archaeological excavations at 20th-century conflict sites were issued. Investigations were mostly carried out at the burial sites of Wehrmacht and Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa) soldiers of the Second World War and Lithuanian partisans. Partisan bunkers, dugouts, campsites, battlefields also received considerable attention. Today, more than 1700 20th-century conflict sites have legal protection in Lithuania. These include Lithuanian Partisan War sites (mainly sites of death and burial), burial sites of soldiers from the First and Second World Wars, sites of massacres and burials of Jews, and other sites associated with the Soviet and Nazi occupation regimes. This article focuses on 20th-century conflict sites in Lithuania, examining issues of their protection, heritage conservation and archaeology, as well as current trends in archaeological research methodology. Keywords: archaeology, modern conflict, archaeological research, exhumations, heritage legislation, state institutions, public, First and Second World Wars, Lithuanian Partisan War, Lithuania
Concept paper: the evolution of policy approaches to educational inequality in Hungary and Lithuania
No full textOver 30 years after restoring independence and a transition to democratic systems with market economy, post-socialist countries emphasised Western values of freedom and equality, which extended to all policy areas, including education. However, research suggests that transformation of the former socialist bloc have had distinct effects on equity in education depending on contextual variables, requiring a deeper investigation into the education sector. To fill this gap, this concept paper describes the historical policy evolution in a comparative perspective in two post-socialist countries, Hungary and Lithuania, evaluating the period between 1945 until today with a focus on educational inequality. The paper demonstrates the temporal dimension of the shifts in the meaning of educational inequality as a policy concept by analysing how historical legacies of socialism, new narratives during regime change, and the growing influence of global and European values have impacted education policy. Evaluation of recent policy shows a considerable influence of neoliberal policy imperatives on education policy. Overall, the analysis revealed numerous parallels between the two countries, as well as the diverging political trajectories after the regime change, and especially in the post-2010 period. Keywords: education, inequalities, education policy, Hungary, Lithuania
A Preliminary investigation of the relationship between gamification and organizational socialization outcomes: does gamification live up to its expectations?
No full textAbstract. Organizations are increasingly incorporating gamification elements into their activities, but research regarding how this affects newcomers is limited. Successful integration of new employees contributes to optimal functioning in the workplace. However, gamification can be associated with mixed work-related impact. The present cross-sectional study evaluates the relationship between gamification and organizational socialization outcomes. The results of this study show that gamification plays a minimal role in the socialization process. Nevertheless, there are some weak relationships between gamification elements and socialization outcomes. Role clarity, social integration, task mastery, and organizational commitment were positively related to employees’ interactions with gamification elements. However, no tendencies were observed concerning job motivation, turnover intentions, or perceived organizational insider status. Challenges were the most related to socialization outcomes. It has also been observed that competition can have a relatively negative impact on organizational commitment. The study suggests practical value for managers regarding gamification usage. Plain Language Summary. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between gamification and organizational socialization outcomes in the workplace. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 149 employees to gather data and insights. The findings of the study showed that gamification has a minimal impact on the socialization process of employees. There were weak relationships found between gamification elements and socialization outcomes such as role clarity, social integration, task mastery, and organizational commitment. However, no links were observed between gamification and job motivation, turnover intentions, or perceived organizational insider status. The study found that challenges were the most related to socialization outcomes while competition had a negative impact on organizational commitment. This study provides practical value for managers and HRM professionals regarding the usage of gamification in the workplace. Keywords: gamification, organizational socialization, newcomers, employee adjustmen
The Younger Europe - or the older? Visions of politics in the Early Modern Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
No full textThis essay explores the trajectory of Polish–Lithuanian political thought from 1569 to 1795, focusing particularly on elements of modern state concepts that did not find their way into Polish–Lithuanian discourse. In the sixteenth century, political ideology in Poland–Lithuania, much like most European humanists and specifically “civic humanists,” was firmly rooted in classical state thinking. Ideas about the state, a citizen’s role, and freedom were all drawn from this classical tradition. However, Western European thought started to diverge from these classical theories during the seventeenth century. It established modern notions of sovereignty, natural rights, and the concept of the state as an entity separate from its citizens. Contrastingly, in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, state theorists and political debaters remained loyal to older notions, largely bypassing the emergence of new trends in political thought. The essay illuminates how the ancient tradition was summoned and sustained in Polish–Lithuanian political discourse. It delves into the reasons behind this steadfast adherence, particularly when European thought was veering onto a different course around the cusp of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Furthermore, it illustrates how references to classical antiquity in the eighteenth century provided a platform for re-engaging with contemporary Western theories. Keywords: Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth – early modern political thought – civic humanism – mixed monarchy – Aristotelian-Ciceronian tradition – Roman republicanism – state sovereignt
Letters of Gediminas and the problem of the first Dominican church in Vilnius
No full textGedimino laiškai nuo seno traukė tyrėjų dėmesį. Prieš maždaug šimtą metų labiausiai istorikus jaudinęs klausimas buvo susijęs su šių laiškų autentiškumo problematika: ar jie autentiški Vilniuje, Lietuvos didžiojo kunigaikščio dvare surašyti dokumentai?, o gal jie su Vokiečių ordinu konfliktavusių rygiečių sukurti falsifikatai? Dėl šios bylos sprendimo istorikų nuomonės buvo pasidalinusios į tris grupes: vieni manė, kad Gedimino laiškai yra falsifikatai, kiti teigė, kad jie tikri (autentiški) dokumentai, buvo ir tokių, kurie buvo neapsisprendę ir laikėsi neutralios pozicijos, aiškiai nepasisakydami nei už, nei prieš. Pastaraisiais dešimtmečiais įsivyravo požiūris, kad Gedimino laiškai yra autentiški dokumentai, parašyti Vilniuje su Gedimino žinia ir pritarimu. Tiesa, turime pabrėžti, kad ir „pralaimėjusios“ stovyklos darbų, visų pirma Kurto Forstreuterio straipsnių, nereikia skubėti nurašyti į vien tik istoriografijos tyrėjus dominančios literatūros užutėkį, nes juose esama išties įdomių pastebėjimų bei vertingų įžvalgų, kurios atkaklų tyrėją gali paskatinti kelti naujus klausimus ir ieškoti naujų atsakymų. Raktiniai žodžiai: Gediminas, Gedimino laiškai, dominikonai, pranciškonai, Vilnius.This article seeks to answer a seemingly simple question: did the Dominican church exist in Vilnius during the reign of the Lithuanian grand duke Gediminas (1316–1341)? It is mentioned in a several letters of this ruler that were produced in 1323 and, therefore, the idea that this church was a real thing received wide currency in numerous historiographical works. However, the comprehensible analysis of the contradictory information regarding this subject-matter, and the very absence of its mention in a letter addressed to the Dominicans themselves, allowed the author of this paper to advance a thesis that this church, in all probability and likelihood, did not exist at all. The fact that it was mentioned might be interpreted as an attempt by Gediminas to produce a most positive image of his (pagan) country in the eyes of the intended (Roman Christian) audience. In sum, Gediminas collaborated more closely with the Franciscans, but some Dominican friars also were present at his court in 1323. It would be extremely interesting to know whence they came. However, for the lack of conclusive evidence this question must remain unanswered. Keywords: Gediminas, Letters of Gediminas, Dominicans, Franciscans, Vilnius