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This comprehensive analysis delves into the multifaceted evolution of research concerning information and communication technology (ICT) within the dynamic landscape of education. Embracing the meta-analysis methodology, this study embarks on a detailed journey through the corpus of scientific literature devoted to exploring the intricate interplay between ICT and education. Covering a substantial temporal span from 2002 to 2022, this investigation meticulously scrutinises and synthesises a wealth of scholarly contributions, illuminating diverse dimensions of the integration of ICT and its impact in educational settings. The overarching objective is to discern not only the methodological nuances, but also the transformative potential and broader trends that underscore the nexus of ICT and education. With a keen focus on Lithuanian scholarly output, this analysis seeks to unravel the intricate tapestry of research endeavours, shedding light on the methodological paradigms, thematic trajectories, and empirical insights that have shaped the discourse surrounding the role of ICT in education over the past decade. At its core, this study aims to address a constellation of probing questions that lie at the heart of contemporary educational discourse. How has the research methodology pertaining to the application of ICT in education evolved over time? In what specific domains and subdomains of education are the contours of the influence of ICT most discernible, and what emergent themes and focal points have garnered scholarly attention? Furthermore, what demographic cohorts and educational stakeholders emerge as primary subjects of inquiry, and how do researchers navigate the complexities of data collection and analysis in elucidating the nuanced dynamics of ICT integration in educational contexts? Through a judicious blend of quantitative and qualitative analyses, this study embarks on an ambitious journey to unravel the intricate threads of inquiry that animate the discourse surrounding ICT in education. By adopting a mixed-method meta-analytical framework, this investigation offers a panoramic vista that spans thematic, temporal, methodological, and demographic dimensions, thereby affording a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted landscape of the integration of ICT in education. In traversing this expansive terrain of inquiry, this study aspires not only to illuminate the contours of past research endeavours, but also to chart a course for future inquiry and innovation in harnessing the transformative potential of ICT to enrich and enhance educational practices and outcomes. After analysing Lithuanian scientific works related to the application of ICT in the field of education, it is evident that quantitative methodologies are most commonly chosen for empirical research on this topic, while qualitative methodologies are less prevalent. In articles employing quantitative methodologies, prevalent themes relating to ICT include: competency, application, possibilities and experiences, virtual learning environments, users of these environments, development in education, usage habits, attitudes towards ICT tool usage, augmented reality technologies, ICT as a component of learning environments, computer usage at home, and incentive-based encouragement using ICT tools. In articles employing qualitative methodologies, prevalent themes relating to ICT include: values education, opportunities, the internet, incentive-based encouragement, virtual learning environments, cloud computing, and experiences of using ICT in the teaching and learning process. Mixed-methodology articles commonly focus on the pedagogical foundations of educational environments, virtual experiments, the engagement of education participants, skills development, adult education, the personalisation of teaching and learning, e-learning, the educational environment, and increasing motivation. The most frequently studied subjects in these articles are teachers, followed by students, with other participant groups such as education experts and support specialists being less common. Systematising the data collection instruments used in the scientific articles analysed revealed that questionnaires predominated, with interviews being chosen less frequently, and other types of instruments being rare. An analysis of the essential conclusions of the examined scientific articles reveals that positive experiences of using ICT in the field of education are significantly more prevalent than negative experiences.

Copyright of Law / Teise is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the paper is to examine implementation of the laws of the cathedral chapter of the diocese of Samogitia according to the acts of the general sessions of the chapter (for the period from 1613 to 1913). The corpus of the constitutions, or statutes of the chapter was created in 1561–62 by the famous mid-16th century Lithuanian lawyers, Canon Pedro Ruiz de Moros (Petrus Roysius) and Bishop Joannes Domanowski. Despite the fact that already in 1637 Bishop Georgius Tyszkiewicz added some new constitutions (published in the annex of the paper), and there were subsequent attempts to ‘modernize’ the old corpus of the constitutions in the late 18th – early 19th century, the Roysian statutes retained their validity and exceptional authority in the life of the Samogitian cathedral chapter as long as 1925 when the old statutes were fundamentally revised. The constitutions predominantly influenced decisions of the chapter via hearing and memory. Due to the limited copies of the text which had to be not too much multiplicated in order to preserve secrecy, majority of canons were aware of the contents of the constitutions from reading aloud (usually, in fragments than in extenso) during the general sessions of the chapter. Perhaps this could explain occasional cases of erroneous allusion to the text of the constitutions in the decisions of the chapter. In some other cases, aspiration to ground the decisions of the chapter with solid arguments could inspire canons to invoke hardly definable ‘spirit’ (mens) of the constitutions. However, usually the constitutions were quoted correctly; the cases of clear reference to specific articles of the constitutions found in the acts of the general sesssions of the chapter are listed and described in the final part of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Lituanistica is the property of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Filosofija, Sociologija is the property of Lithuanian Academy of Sciences Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Logos: A Journal, of Religion, Philosophy Comparative Cultural Studies & Art (08687692) is the property of Logos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Logos: A Journal, of Religion, Philosophy Comparative Cultural Studies & Art (08687692) is the property of Logos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Vilnius University Open Series is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In the first half of 1924, the Commissioner of the City of Vilnius, Kazimierz Wimbor, sent a secret report to the Polish government’s delegate in the city of Vilnius. The report discussed the activities of various community associations in the city, their leadership, and did not hesitate to provide political assessments of the organizations and recommendations for future activities. In terms of organizational activity, the Jews of Vilnius stood out from other communities, having established and maintained dozens of associations of various kinds. The published document is relevant and valuable for conducting research on the history of Vilnius in the 20th century. It the paper is almost unknown in Lithuanian historiography and has not been published yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Knygotyra is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Soter: Journal of Religious Science / Religijos Mokslo Žurnalas is the property of Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Theology-Philosophy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pedagogy Studies / Pedagogika is the property of Vytautas Magnus University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Problems / Problemos is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper contains an editing of seven documents and letters concerning the tithes from Radziwiłł’s estates near Brest for the Catholic parish church in Čarnaŭčycy and St. Barbara provostry in Brest. Senders were two members of the Radziwiłł family: Mikołaj Krzysztof “The Orphan” and Albrycht Władysław and addresses parish priests and land-stewards. This documents are interesting sources of knowledge about relations between them and landlord’s activity in the field of solutions to the disputes about tithes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The category of the body is the main object of this study. The paper hopes to further examine the “corporal” theme in the research of the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania while simultaneously aiming to outline the countours of the concept. Being a legal codex, The First Statute of Lithuania (1529) was chosen as a foundational text for this study since it pertains to various aspects of both public and private life. Albeit not exhausting all possible interpretations, three bodies were examined more closely: that of a nobleman, of the grand duke, and of the state (the Grand Duchy) – each more abstract than the former. First of these can be associated with terms of status and honour, the second functions as if by extensions of ducal officers and medias, while the third is characterized by the matters of indivisibility, inalienation and membership. Moreover, three different properties (or faculties) were attributed to the body: epistemological (via senses and body marking), agential (as a mean to excercise one’s will and freedoms), and individualizing (as in the problem of belonging). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines paleographic specifics of Ruthenian documents of Alexander Jagiellon (1492–1506), Grand Duke of Lithuania. We looked into 17 documents of this ruler, kept in Lithuania and Poland. The examination of Alexander Jagiellon’s Ruthenian documents enabled us to establish the following: 1) the documents were written on two types of material – parchment or paper – using black or brown ink; 2) the documents were authenticated with pendant or applied seals of the Grand Duke of Lithuania, while other means of authentication such as signatures of the ruler or his officials were not detected; 3) individual letters in the texts of the documents are enlarged and/or decorated; 4) in all these documents, the slant of the letters varies (the letters are either vertical or slanted to the left or right); 5) some letters (mostly consonants) are raised above words, even though they make only a small part of all letters in the documents; 6) some words are made shorter by omitting vowels; 7) words are often (but not always) separated by spaces; 8) letters in individual words are almost never connected. The paleographic analysis of Alexander Jagiellon’s Ruthenian documents confirms an idea (expressed in historiography as early as in the last century) of the conditionality of the term “cursive” and manifestation of some traits of semi-uncial in Ruthenian documents of the Chancery of the Grand Duke of Lithuania in the 16th century. The Ruthenian documents of this ruler display features of both cursive and semi-uncial or even uncial. We also attempted to identify individuals (Alexander Jagiellon’s scribes) who could have been responsible for the preparation of documents and documents that could have been written by the same individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government One-Stop Shops are promoted as a strategy for improving intergovernmental collaboration, coordinating “Weberian” bureaucratic structure, and streamlining service delivery using technology. One-stop-shop models, which are seen as a significant accomplishment in recent e-government initiatives, aim to provide public service delivery mechanisms that are efficient, accessible, coordinated, and cost-effective. The purpose of this research paper is to assess citizens’ satisfaction with the quality of integrated public services provided by One-Stop Shop (OSS), with a particular emphasis on the relationship between citizen satisfaction with the quality of OSS services and determinant dimensions of trust, procedures, staff skills and qualifications, time and cost savings, and perceived citizen care/support. This paper employs a quantitative approach method through a survey as a research instrument. A structured questionnaire is distributed to 114 citizens receiving service in OSS in a municipality in south Albania, a western Balkan country. The study’s primary objective is to provide top-level managers of the OSS agencies and policymakers with an effective instrument for better evaluating and understanding the perceived quality of their integrated public services offered from the perspective of their citizens. This understanding aims to facilitate the formulation of more effective policies and strategies that foster the ongoing enhancement and incorporation of novel public management best practices. The findings of the multi-regression analysis reveal that the factors - Saving, Staff, Support, Procedures, and Trust had a positive and statistically significant impact on satisfaction, accounting for 85.8 per cent of the variation values of citizen satisfaction with the quality service provided by One-Stop Shop.

This paper examines the application of the CHASING M2 PRO MAX underwater robot for the creation of databases for the technical inspection of the underwater components of water transport vehicles and their infrastructure. The paper defines and analyzes specific areas of application for the underwater robot, detailing the characteristics of its control systems that are essential for efficiently and accurately collecting data on water transport vehicles and underwater port infrastructure. Special attention is given to the operations of the technical inspection process of watercraft and port infrastructure. The study analyzes how this robot can improve the data collection process and inspection efficiency. Finally, the underwater inspection process is modeled, demonstrating how the CHASING M2 PRO MAX can be integrated into existing procedures to optimize data collection and analysis. This research opens new possibilities in the field of water transport safety and infrastructure maintenance, providing valuable insights into the application of underwater robot technologies.

Copyright of Public Security & Public Order / Visuomenes Saugumas ir Viesoji Tvarka is the property of Mykolas Romeris University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research work has become more intensive in recent years in the field of bibliography, library, and information sciences. A greater number of research works analyzing different issues of these sciences are being published. The present paper addresses one structural aspect of the problem concerning the contribution of Lithuanian bibliography, library, and information scientists to the development of science in the USSR. The paper analyzes the contribution of articles by Lithuanian SSR authors published in the union's profile periodical press. Several research works, analyzing the contribution of countries, scientific groups, or scientists to the development of science, have been published in the Soviet Union and abroad. An index that helps address the tasks formulated in the article has been created using some of the statements provided in these works.

This paper explores the presence and integration of postcolonial studies in literature education within the faculties of philology in the capitals of the former Yugoslav countries. Focusing on the emerging field of critical curriculum studies, the research delves into the nuanced landscape of literature education, particularly at higher levels, specifically emphasizing literary students’ specialized education. The study contextualizes postcolonial studies as a hybrid space for theoretical discourse, tracing its roots to anticolonial critique and contemporary Western theories. Drawing on the anticolonial heritage of socialist Yugoslavia and its involvement in the Non-Aligned Movement, the paper navigates the complexities of (post)colonial dynamics in the Balkans. This paper investigates the presence, or absence, of postcolonial theory in literature curricula within humanities faculties in the former Yugoslav countries’ capital cities. This research is based on the close interconnection of literature and postcolonial theory, whose origins lie within the literary representation of colonization relations. The primary objective is to discern the extent to which postcolonial studies are integrated into literary education and what implications this holds within the national context. Through an examination of course programs and content at various academic levels, the research aims to illuminate the role of postcolonial theory in shaping the narrative of literature education in the context of the former Yugoslavia.

For a person’s overall health, it is important to establish a proper connection between work and leisure. This paper shows the results of theoretical and empirical research on factors leading to a lack of leisure time in high school students. The main goal of this paper was to determine whether high school students have any leisure time and what activities take their leisure time away. To examine this, an empirical study was conducted among 468 students in three high schools in the city of Split (general-education high school, medical high school, and electrical engineering high school). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis. The research has shown that parents-imposed duties are minimal and do not take away a lot of students’ leisure time. On the other hand, class-related activities, i.e. homework and learning take away the greatest part of students’ leisure time, students are not prone to participate in extracurricular and out-of-school activities. Moreover, if they do engage in such activities, their choices may be influenced by gender norms.

This paper examines landscape photography from the latter half of the 20th century to the first half of the 21st century, focusing on the emergence of the aestheticized landscape tradition prevalent in Lithuanian photographic art. It also questions whether landscape photography has the capacity to respond to the challenges posed by the Anthropocene and foster ecological awareness and activism. The analysis of the photographs' aesthetics is conducted within the framework of theories concerning the visualization of the Anthropocene, while the ideological discourse is contextualized within the development of environmental law and the ecological landscape. During the Soviet era, nature conservation efforts were primarily geared towards resource preservation and reproduction to meet consumer demands. Although Soviet ideologists advocated for addressing ecological issues at micro-level, through education and instilling a basic culture of environmental responsibility, the rapid development of industries, agriculture, and energy disregarded ecological sustainability principles. Photography, under strict control and censorship, was unable to openly address ecological crises. Furthermore, creators often lacked awareness and comprehension of the magnitude of the crisis. Following Lithuania's independence, the nation's environmental protection efforts integrated into international frameworks. However, agricultural renewal processes remain unaddressed, and preemptive measures to prevent environmental violations and tragedies have been lacking. Despite three decades of open discourse on ecological issues and widespread availability of information through various channels - including media and scientific research - society's perception of nature has undergone significant transformation. Nevertheless, artists upholding the traditions of Lithuanian humanistic photography have largely sidestepped global trends in ecological activism. Instead, their archives predominantly feature imagery characterized by romanticization, sacralization, mythologization, universalization, and aestheticization. The distinction between the artistic strategies of modernist and postmodernist photography becomes evident in how nature is represented or omitted, and in the construction and actualization of environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Logos: A Journal, of Religion, Philosophy Comparative Cultural Studies & Art (08687692) is the property of Logos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper explores state sovereignty by developing a systematic framework for categorising states based on their sovereignty status. At the heart of our analysis lies the distinction between sovereign states and satellite states – a distinction that has significant implications for global security, stability, and the balance of power. While sovereign states exercise full autonomy and control over their affairs, satellite states often find themselves in a subordinate position, heavily influenced or even dominated by external powers. A theoretical framework deconstructs the concept of sovereignty into four crucial elements: authority, legitimacy, independence, and territoriality, which provide a structured assessment of the level of sovereignty in a state and serve as the basis for our analysis. To illustrate the application of our framework, we adopt a case study approach focused on Belarus. As a nation situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe with a history marked by geopolitical contestation and strategic manoeuvring, Belarus provides a compelling context for examining sovereignty dynamics. Through a systematic analysis of Belarus’ political, economic, and military landscape, we seek to assess its sovereignty status within the framework of our analysis. While the topic of Belarus’ sovereignty and integration within Russia has been extensively explored over the years, the innovative contribution of this paper lies in purposefully designed methodology for sovereignty assessment and the use of the latest empirical data while practically applying the model for the case of Belarus.

The subject of this paper is a review of previous research on smart specialization as a concept which is one of the strategies for sustainable development of regions. Innovations are considered as one of the key drivers of growth. Recognition of innovation which was central point of strategy ‘Europe 2020’ where ‘smart specialization’ needs to make possible for the regions and countries pursue those industries in which they hold a comparative advantage and which have basis for further innovations. The main purpose of this paper is defining smart specialization and its role on the regional development. Analysis and comparison of the scientific literature and applications of smart specialization were used as methods for this paper. The main findings of this paper show that the basis of smart specialization are innovation, knowledge and research which are pillars of smart, sustainable development. Smart specialization means identifying the unique characteristics and potential of each country and region, with the aim of achieving competitive advantages and excellence. It also includes strengthening regional innovation systems, increasing knowledge exchange and spillover the benefits of innovation throughout the regional economy. By comparison method of the scientific literature this paper will contribute to the development of theoretical background of smart specialization as a strategic concept formed by a group of European Union experts with the aim of reducing the gap in competitiveness between the European Union and the United States, which arises from the lower economic and technological specialization of European countries, especially at the regional level. Also it will promote smart specialization as a concept that can contribute to strengthening regional innovation policy and regional development.

In an era characterized by increasing demands for transparency and accountability, Open Government Data (OGD) initiatives have emerged as a critical tool for fostering public trust in government institutions. This paper examines the direct impact of the results of OGD on the satisfaction of citizens and the activities of state institutions. The main purpose of this paper is to study whether there is a link between the availability of OGD and institutional trust, and, if so, to establish whether this effect can guarantee the satisfaction of citizens. The study involved a large-scale survey conducted among residents of the Turkestan region. The survey encompassed questions related to trust in various government entities, the usage of OGD, satisfaction with government services, and socio-demographic factors. Data collected from 360 respondents were subjected to rigorous statistical analysis. A substantial positive correlation between OGD availability and usage and citizens’ trust in government institutions, particularly among frequent internet users, was found. Additionally, the study revealed that OGD positively influences citizens’ satisfaction, which, in turn, contributes to increased trust in government. OGD initiatives play a vital role in enhancing trust in government institutions, particularly in digitally connected populations. Recognizing the mediating role of satisfaction presents opportunities for policymakers to refine strategies aimed at delivering higher-quality public services and strengthening democratic processes.

The subject of the article is the formation of legal dispute practices among Lithuanian emigrant periodical publishers in the USA during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The aim is to analyze the legal cases brought against emigrant periodical publishers during this period, assessing their causes, aspects of the cases, their coverage in the press, and their consequences, based on scientific research and contemporary press publications. The main focus is on the 1897 case against the newspaper "Saulė" published in Mahanoy City, Pa., where publisher D. T. Bačkauskas was accused of violating a US postal ban by distrib uting immoral literature. Other notable cases include the 1898-1900 litigation involving Chicago newspaper "Lietuva" publisher A. Olšauskas and editor J. Šernas against local Lithuanian priest A. Kriaučiūnas over critical articles directed at him, and the lawsuit of Shenandoah, Pa. newspaper "Viltis" publisher V. Šlekys by A. Savickas, who accused the newspaper of defamation and demanded the disclosure of the article author's name. The analysis of these and other cases from the period revealed that litigation was one of many manifestations of the ideological split within the emigrant community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As the role of the press grew within the community, clergy, who constituted the majority of the right wing leadership, found themselves losing the unchallenged authority they had in Lithuania and were unable to compensate for it through their own press and polemics against other factions. Therefore, they tried to exploit legal opportunities. The case against "Saulė" can be partially explained by its popularity within the emigrant community and its occasional positioning as a Catholic news paper, which drew readers away from the still weak right wing press. Priest Kriaučiūnas's struggle against "Lietuva" can be partly explained by his aim to undermine the influence of the liberal "Lietuva" on Chicago Lithuanians and to create favourable conditions for his newspaper "Katalikas" and its growing influence. Evaluating the causes of the cases, it is possible to discuss the complicated perception of the satirical genre within the emigrant community of that time. On one hand, the hyperbolization of problems and ills in the emigrant life attracted readers with engaging texts, but on the other, it was interpreted as propaganda for a dissolute lifestyle and rejection of religious norms, dismissing the satirical aspect. Additionally, the defense of freedom of speech became a cornerstone in the litigation between Olšauskas and priest Kriaučiūnas. Meanwhile, in the case of Šlekys, the journalistic principle of source protection and the willingness to defend it in court is noteworthy. Regarding the coverage of the cases in the press, e.g. Bačkauskas utilized the reporting of his case in "Saulė" to strengthen his image as an independent publisher and defender of Lithuanian identity. Conversely, the press opposing "Saulė" presented the case as a matter of great significance, serving Lithuanian interests, and depicted the initiator of the case almost as a hero sacrificing for the good of the emigrant community, using colourful epithets and emotional expressions (similar to "Saulė"). The fight for community interests and justice was echoed in the descriptions of the cases of Olšauskas and priest Kriaučiūnas. Moreover, during the analyzed period, there emerged an understand ing among individuals who considered themselves defamed in the press that their grievances could be addressed legally. It can be said that this became part of the rapidly forming tradition within the emigrant com munity to resolve even the smallest quarrels through legal means, despite contemporaries' concerns that three things tarnished the Lithuanian name in the eyes of others: drunkenness, brawling, and lawsuits, worrying about how much money was wasted and how much of it went to non Lithuanians. This tradition became customary in the emigrant community, and legal disputes among periodical publishers became not an exceptional occurrence but a common practice, sometimes resolving ideological disagreements in court, throughout the 20th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on soldiers enrolled in permanent compulsory initial military service in Lithuania and analyses their service motivation and attitudes to threats to national security. The article identifies the motives for joining permanent compulsory initial military service and highlights the fact that young people’s choice of permanent compulsory initial military service is most often driven by individual motives. In order to compare the results, representative surveys were conducted in 2018 and 2023. The empirical data suggest that the perception of the main threat to national security identified by troops as an economic threat remained unchanged between 2018 and 2023. However, in 2023, soldiers grew somewhat more aware of the threat of military aggression. In 2018, volunteers differed significantly from conscript forces in their determination to engage in national defense. The expected determination to engage in national defense at a time of an increased military threat did not significantly increase in 2023 compared to 2018; moreover, the attitudes of volunteers and conscripts failed to converge. However, 2023 saw a significant increase in conscripts’ service motivation and an improvement in their assessment of the National Defence Volunteer Forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Paedagogica Vilnensia is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Oikos: Lithuanian Migration & Diaspora Studies is the property of Lithuanian Emigration Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

From current cognitive science, some theories propose that the human mind includes two systems: a system leading quick intuitions and a system ruling slow logical reasoning. Given that the systems are in the mind, one might think that their existence is difficult to check. This paper presents a way to gradually confirm the hypothesis about the two systems. It adopts the conception of the two systems as presented by the theory of mental models. Moreover, following Carnap’s proposal of reduction, the paper describes two procedures to incrementally confirm the hypothesis. One of them investigates human performance at inferences in the form of Modus Tollendo Tollens. The other one investigates inferences from an exclusive disjunction having three disjuncts.

The paper explores the relation between a contemporary Aristotelian conception of human flourishing and two critical perspectives on work. The meaningful work perspective inquires what kind of work would be meaningful, by arguing that meaningful work is essential for human flourishing. The post-work perspective argues that good life lies outside work and workplaces and calls to eliminate work as much as possible. The paper suggests that it is possible to acknowledge the insights of both perspectives via contemporary Aristotelian notions of practice and human flourishing. The notion of practice incorporates the conception of meaningful work, yet it applies to nonwork activities as well. Conceptualization of human well-being via the notion of practice also responds to the post-work challenge of conceiving human flourishing without prioritizing work over other meaningful activities. In this way, a contemporary Aristotelian conception of human flourishing supports both the need for better work and less work.

Although there were many disagreements in transatlantic relations before the COVIC-19, the pandemic accelerated tensions in transatlantic relations even more. The inauguration of the new US president Joe Biden, however, has been perceived as a new chapter in transatlantic relations. The paper aims to assess the COVID-19 pandemic implications to transatlantic relations and answer the question of whether the pandemic has strengthened or weakened the transatlantic security community? The paper stems from the idea that transatlantic countries compose a transatlantic security community. It examines the COVID-19 implications to several tiers of features that should be present in every security community: namely, implications to the perception of threats, patterns of communication and policy coordination, as well as to institutional framework. The paper argues that COVID-19 has not transformed the transatlantic security community; however, it highlighted certain problematic aspects of transatlantic relations.

The paper aims to review the history of dialectology at Vilnius University since the establishment of the Department of the Lithuanian Language in 1940. To achieve this, we have set the following objectives: 1) to present the teaching of dialectology, 2) to review the dialect material collection, and 3) to examine existing research. Descriptive, analytical, and evaluative methods are applied in the study. The beginning of dialectological research is associated with the name of Antanas Salys. The works of Aleksas Girdenis and Zigmas Zinkevičius are also discussed in the paper, as well as the teaching of the dialectology subject, methods of collecting dialectological material and directions of dialectological research. The paper distinguishes the paradigms of traditional, structural, and new dialectology dialectology, and examines their methodological similarities and differences. The most important conclusions and summaries of the paper are fundamentally related to dialectological paradigms: in more than eighty years since the first dialectology subject taught at Vilnius University, the understanding of dialectology has changed. The stage of traditional dialectology at the University was extremely important, as it produced the most fundamental works that are still used today. The structural dialectology paradigm and Prof. Girdenis Dialectology School that trained a large group of productively working Lithuanian dialectologists has flourished over the years. Currently, the new paradigm of dialectology is making its way, offering new theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of dialects.

The use of piezoelectric force sensors is well-established in industrial systems and devices, but their adoption in consumer products has been limited due to the high cost of implementation as well as complex peripheral electronics. This paper proposes an alternative approach to force sensing using commonly available piezoelectric buzzer elements, which could potentially reduce the cost of such sensors and promote their integration into consumer products. The paper represents experimental investigations of output characteristics of two different piezoelectric force sensors, which are based on disc-shaped buzzers. The goal of the investigation is to indicate and experimentally confirm electromechanical characteristics of proposed piezoelectric sensors under different sensing and signal management conditions. The results of the investigations showed that piezo buzzers have the potential to serve as cost-effective force sensors in consumer products as well as in different mechatronic systems. Article in English. Pjezoelektrinių jėgos sensorių tyrimas Santrauka Pjezoeletriniai jėgos sensoriai jau seniai yra naudojami industrinėse sistemose ir prietaisuose. Bet šių jutiklių pritaikymas buitinėje technikoje bei kituose plataus vartojimo prietaisuose iki šiol buvo ribotas dėl didelių diegimo kaštų ir sudėtingos periferinės elektronikos, reikalingos pjezoelektrinių jėgos sensorių signalams interpretuoti. Šiame straipsnyje bus nagrinėjamas alternatyvus, plačiai paplitusių pjezogarsiakalbių (angl. piezo buzzer) panaudojimas jėgos matavimams atlikti. Straipsnyje pateikiami eksperimentiniai dviejų skirtingų pjezoelektrinių jėgos jutiklių, pagrįstų disko formos garsiakalbiais, charakteristikų tyrimai. Tyrimo tikslas – parodyti ir eksperimentiškai patvirtinti siūlomų pjezoelektrinių jutiklių elektromechanines charakteristikas skirtingomis matavimo ir signalo valdymo sąlygomis. Tyrimų rezultatai parodė, kad pjezogarsiakalbiai gali būti ekonomiški jėgos jutikliai tiek plataus vartojimo gaminiuose, tiek įvairiose mechatroninėse sistemose. Reikšminiai žodžiai: jėgos jutiklis, jėgos matavimas, pjezoelektrinės medžiagos, disko formos pjezoelektriniai garsiakalbiai.

Indicators that reflect the transition from unemployment to employment are an important element of the monitoring systems of employment services in EU countries. Monitoring employment trends is a complex task that usually goes beyond quantitative parameters. The correct application and interpretation of the indicators is inseparable from contextual phenomena, and the use of comparative analyses at different scales, e.g. time, territory, makes it possible to increase the informativeness of this indicator. The aim of the paper is to identify, on the basis of the available data, the trends in the transition from unemployed to employment at the national and territorial level, and to forecast possible shirt-term development scenarios for the selected jobplacement indicators. The methodological part of the paper assesses the links between unemployment trends and jobplacement indicators. The methodological approach to the assessment of differentiation of jobplacement indices are described there. On the basis of the data from the customer service units of the national Employment Service, an analysis of the spatial distribution of the transition of the registered unemployed to employment was conducted. The forecast of the indicators was based on short-term historical data from the customer service units and economic context variables. In the face of relatively unfavourable forecasts for the EU economic situation, the paper presents the assumptions for changes in the situation on the Lithuanian labour market in the short term.

Systems generating strong magnetic fields are widely used in modern fundamental and applied research as well as in the most innovative industrial processes. These devices generate magnetic fields that reach 5–100 T and the conductors are subjected to a huge Lorentz force, so the conductor material must be extremely strong (UTS ≥ 700 MPa) and have a good specific electrical conductivity (IACS ≥ 60%). Since traditional conductors such as copper, aluminum, gold, and silver cannot withstand such loads, microcomposite materials have been developed that are characterized by such high strength and good specific electrical conductivity. This paper reviews the specific electrical conductivity and specific electrical resistance characteristics of conductor and factors affecting them, methods of measuring these electrical characteristics as well as properties of Cu-Nb18% microcomposite conductor. This paper also describes the methodology for measuring the specific electrical conductivity and specific electrical resistance of the Cu-Nb18% microcomposite conductor solid and with welded joint (welded by using butt welding). The comparison of application possibilities of used methodologies and obtained characteristics was carried out. Article in Lithuanian. Cu-Nb 18 % mikrokompozitinio laidininko ir jo virintinių jungčių elektrinio laidumo ir savitosios elektrinės varžos matavimo ypatumai Santrauka Šiuolaikiniuose fundamentiniuose, taikomuosiuose tyrimuose bei inovatyviausiuose industriniuose procesuose yra plačiai taikomi stiprių magnetinių laukų sistemos. Šie įrenginiai generuoja magnetinius laukus, kurie siekia 5–100 T, o laidininkai yra veikiami didžiulės Lorentzo jėgos, todėl laidininkų medžiaga turi būti itin tvirta (UTS ≥ 700 MPa) ir turėti gerą savitąjį elektrinį laidumą (IACS ≥ 60 %). Kadangi tradiciniai laidininkai tokie kaip varis, aliuminis, auksas, sidabras negali atlaikyti tokių apkrovų, buvo sukurtos mikrokompozitinės medžiagos, kurios pasižymi dideliu stipriu ir turi gerą savitąjį elektrinį laidumą. Šiame darbe apžvelgiamos laidininkų savitojo elektrinio laidumo bei savitosios elektrinės varžos charakteristikos, jiems įtaką darantys veiksniai, šių elektrinių charakteristikų matavimo metodikos, Cu-Nb 18 % mikrokompozitinio laidininko savybės. Taip pat šiame darbe yra aprašomos Cu-Nb 18 % mikrokompozitinio laidininko su virintine jungtimi (pagaminta taikant sandūrinį kontaktinį suvirinimą) ir vientiso Cu-Nb 18 % laidininko savitojo elektrinio laidumo ir savitosios elektrinės varžos matavimo metodikos, atliktas metodikų taikymo galimybių ir gautų charakteristikų palyginimas. Reikšminiai žodžiai: elektrinis laidumas, savitoji elektrinė varža, Cu-Nb mikrokompozitiniai laidininkai, virintinės jungtys, matavimai.

In recent years, the digitalization of the economy and the increasing demand for resources have created several challenges for developing countries, their regions, and urban agglomerations. Therefore, many governments have undertaken significant changes in the policies applied to developing regions and cities. These new concepts are aimed at gradually building sustainable and smart cities. This is the response of countries to new challenges such as the digital environment, combating climate change, and maintaining favorable living conditions due to the strong environmental and socio-economic degradation. In this regard, the authors set as their main research objective to analyze and assess the sustainability of cities and the surrounding territory by implementing sustainable development policies at all levels. A major task and difficulty for the authors is to build upon and refine a model that can be used to assess sustainable and smart cities. In this paper, the authors propose an approach to studying sustainable cities, thus evaluating the effects of policies implemented in this field. The model includes the main groups of indicators that are used to analyze the sustainable and smart development of municipalities in the Northeast region of Bulgaria. Based on these indicators, data is collected, and processed, and comparative and statistical analysis is carried out to assess their sustainability and intelligence. The authors reach important conclusions such as an unsatisfactory level of sustainable and intelligent development, although the environment and conditions at the national level are favorable. In fact, in Bulgaria, based on the assessment of the studied municipalities in the Northeast region, it is clear that we cannot talk about sustainable cities because Bulgarian municipalities are still at the beginning of this development path.

In the EU member countries that obey the rule of law principle, the legislative work of the parliament supports the market economy by producing public capital. In many cases, legislation is connected to public investment projects, and sometimes also to socially important private projects. Both include public benefits and costs, but also public risks. Moreover, as the public commitment to major private undertakings may preclude both immaterial and material contributions, there is a noteworthy threat that an accidental actualization of the remainder risk caused by some unforeseen incident would fall heavily on the taxpayers. This paper constructs a club theoretic model for the analysis of representative democracy. In the model, the public commitment to a private project is decided by the simple majority voting rule in the parliament. The analysis shows that strict assessment of the remainder risk may halt the whole undertaking implying that the promised social benefits are also lost. As a solution, we propose a constitutional Investment Fund, which would launch short-maturity public bonds to citizens and pension funds, earmarked to the material part of the public commitment to private projects. The system could partly privatize the public remainder risk so that only the immaterial part remains to common taxpayers thus increasing the probability of a majority vote for the project. At the same time, the government would get equity finance for its investments, and the citizens and pension funds would hold securities with tangible net asset value. The system should increase precision in public debt and risk management and bring democracy, public governance, and the market economy closer to each other.

Digitalization and new technologies are now firmly on the agendas of governments worldwide. New technological trends have not only become catalysts for economic development, but are also reshaping how the public sector works and implements its policies. Amid technological transformations, the countries of Central Asia are searching for new ways to adapt to these changes. This paper aims to assess these attempts by exploring the digitalization policies of the five Central Asian countries. By using qualitative methods and expert interviews, the article identifies key limitations and potential areas of development for the Central Asian states regarding digitalization and artificial intelligence. By providing valuable insights, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the digitalization challenges faced by developing countries. Through the analysis of local expert opinions, the article seeks to contribute valuable insights to the distinct approaches adopted by these countries, thus enriching the understanding of the region’s trajectory in the digital era.

In today’s globalized world, social and labor disputes have become a significant concern for individuals and organizations. This paper aims to explore the prevention and resolution of such conflicts, focusing on both international practices and the specific experience of Kazakhstan. By examining the literature, research methodology, and analytical reports, we will gain insights into effective strategies and approaches to addressing social and labor conflicts. This article is optimized for SEO and provides valuable information for individuals, organizations, and policymakers seeking to navigate the complexities of social and labor disputes. International experience is a valuable source of knowledge and practice for improving government regulation and conflict-prevention mechanisms. The article examines strategic documents and economic indicators based on qualitative research by OECD countries on the prevention of the adverse consequences of social conflicts. The study examines a number strategic documents and programs for conflict prevention and resolution.

The system of risk management in the state bodies of Kazakhstan and many other countries is becoming particularly relevant and scientifically problematic, since the implementation of tasks set in national projects and development plans is often carried out under conditions of uncertainty and a diversity of factors, which can make it difficult to accurately identify and quantify risks for management decision-making. Based on scientific approaches to risk management in the public sector, this paper attempts to investigate the state of readiness of civil servants in Kazakhstan to implement risk management and determine the range of basic competencies of employees and the level of organizational culture, as differences in the culture and structure of organizations can affect the successful implementation of risk management at the level of public administration. The analysis of the above-mentioned problem is based on a quantitative method of scientific research – a survey, which allows us to draw conclusions and generalizations about such a large group of respondents as civil servants in Kazakhstan, consisting of around 70,000 employees. Due to the fact that the survey was conducted using an online platform and was confidential in nature, the results of the study are characterized by representativeness and reliability.