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This article presents the impact of changing the operating parameters of a building’s indoor climate systems on a building’s management system. The study is performed using the dynamic energy modelling program DesignBuilder. The created dynamic energy model is based on the documentation of an actual administrative building and the data recorded by the building management system. The developed model changes the operating modes and parameters of the components of microclimate systems. After the changes, simulations are performed to obtain new results for the building’s energy needs. These results are compared, and the impact of different parameters on energy consumption is analyzed. The study found that a proper setting of indoor climate performance can lead to a 26% reduction in heat and a 7% reduction in cooling costs, which does not adversely affect the comfort of the people. Article in Lithuanian. Biurų pastato mikroklimato sistemų veikimo parametrų įtaka energijos poreikiams Santrauka Europos Sąjungoje keliami tikslai, skatinantys energijos vartojimo efektyvumo didinimą. Vieną didžiausių energijos vartojimo mažinimo potencialų turi pastatų sektorius. Šiame straipsnyje analizuojama, kokią įtaką energijos poreikiams daro pastato mikroklimato sistemų veikimo parametrų keitimas pastato valdymo sistemoje. Tyrimas atliekamas naudojant dinaminio energinio modeliavimo programą DesignBuilder. Tyrimo objekto modelis sukurtas pagal realaus administracinės paskirties pastato projektinę dokumentaciją bei remiantis pastato valdymo sistemos fiksuojamais duomenimis. Sukurtame modelyje keičiami mikroklimato sistemų komponentų darbo režimai ir parametrai. Atlikus pakeitimus atliekamas įvairių sistemų valdymo alternatyvų modeliavimas. Rezultatai lyginami tarpusavyje, analizuojama skirtingų parametrų įtaka pastato energijos poreikiams. Tyrimo metu nustatyta, kad, tinkamai suderinus mikroklimato sistemų veikimo parametrus, galima tikėtis 26 % šilumos ir 7 % vėsos sąnaudų sumažėjimo, kuris nedaro neigiamo poveikio patalpose esančių žmonių komfortui. Reikšminiai žodžiai: mikroklimato sistemų valdymas, energijos vartojimas, DesignBuilder, pastato dinaminis energinis modeliavimas.

The high share of global energy costs to create an indoor climate has been of increasing interest to the global community for several decades and is increasingly the focus of policy. This paper analyses the energy performance gap between actual energy consumption and energy demand obtained during the dynamic energy simulation and building certification. To identify the energy performance gap, an existing office of energy efficiency class B was selected as a case study. The simulation program IDA Indoor Climate and Energy was used to create a dynamic energy model, based on the designed documentation and the actual indoor climate parameters recorded by the building management system. The results of the case study showed that the accuracy and reliability of the results presented by the dynamic energy model of the building directly depend on the assumptions. The correct values of the internal heat gains, indoor climate parameters, human behavior, air quality levels at different times of the day and season, HVAC system operation parameters and operation modes, specific fan powers of ventilation systems, the seasonal energy efficiency of cooling equipment and characteristics of sun protection measures have to be selected. Article in Lithuanian. Administracinio pastato energijos vartojimo efektyvumo spragos vertinimas Santrauka Patalpų mikroklimatui sukurti tenkanti didelė globalių energijos sąnaudų dalis jau keletą dešimtmečių vis labiau domina pasaulinę bendruomenę, vis dažniau ši problema atsiduria ir politikos dėmesio centre. Šiame straipsnyje nagrinėjama energijos efektyvumo spraga tarp faktinių energijos sąnaudų ir energijos poreikių, gautų dinaminio energinio modeliavimo bei sertifikavimo metu. Siekiant nustatyti energijos efektyvumo spragą ir ją lemiančias priežastis, tyrimui pasirinktas administracinės paskirties pastatas, kuris atitinka B energinio naudingumo klasę. Kompiuterinė programa „IDA Indoor Climate and Energy“ panaudota dinaminiam energiniam modeliui sukurti pagal projektinę dokumentaciją ir pastato valdymo sistemoje fiksuojamus faktinius patalpų mikroklimato parametrus. Tyrimo rezultatai atskleidė, kad pastato dinaminio energinio modelio pateiktų rezultatų tikslumas ir patikimumas tiesiogiai priklauso nuo prielaidų, padarytų dėl vidinių šilumos pritėkių dydžių, mikroklimato parametrų kitimo ribų, žmonių elgsenos ypatumų, oro kokybės lygių skirtingu paros ir sezono laikotarpiais, ŠVOK sistemų veikimo parametrų ir režimų, vėdinimo sistemų savitųjų ventiliatorių galių, vėsinimo įrenginių sezoninio energinio efektyvumo ir įstiklintos fasado dalies apsaugos nuo saulės priemonių charakteristikų nustatymo. Reikšminiai žodžiai: administracinis pastatas, dinaminis energinis modeliavimas, IDA-ICE, energijos vartojimo efektyvumo spraga, faktinės energijos sąnaudos, sertifikavimas.

Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2015. 125 + viii pages. $87 Hardcover. ISBN 978-0-739-17838-6. Reviewed by Rasa Davidaviciute.

Straipsnio tikslas – aptarti pagrindinius eksplikavimo reiškinio aspektus, kuriuos vertimo tyrėjai vertina nevienareikšmiškai: apibrėžties problematiką, eksplikavimo klasifikaciją, eksplikavimo vertime žodžiu ir raštu skirtumus ir galimas eksplikavimo priežastis. Atkreipiamas dėmesys į konteksto svarbą sinchroniniame vertime ir aptariami komunikacinės rizikos vengimo, kaip pagrindinės eksplikavimo priežasties, trūkumai. Straipsnyje eksplikavimo sinchroniniame vertime ypatumai apžvelgiami pasitelkiant vertimo iš vokiečių kalbos į lietuvių kalbą pavyzdžius iš Europos Parlamento plenarinių sesijų.

Well-designed and implemented selection is one of the important prerequisites for achieving the expected results in the modern competitive sport at all levels. The aim of this work was to determine how the selection was made for Serbian League players, on the basis of their certain motor parameters and the positions in the team. A sample of 25 senior players of a football team competing in the Serbian League is divided into four sub-samples, based on team positions. For assessment of motor characteristics following tests were used: long jump (LJ), Abalac test (AT); 10 seconds push-ups (PU), 30 seconds trunk bends (TB), 20 meter flying start running (20FSR), 20 meter high start running (20HSR), 50 meter high start running (50HSR) and Cooper test (CT) . Based on the obtained results it can be concluded that there are significant differences for variable 20FSR and variable CT (F = 3754, 9835, p = .027, .000, respectively). Three canonical discriminant functions were singled out, where the first explained even 84.6%, the second 14.5% and the third only 1% of the total variance, or in summary first two functions explained 99.0% of the variance. It can be concluded that the selected players, in terms of the position in the team, distinguished first by performing on the Cooper test, followed by the result of 20 meter flying start running, 20 meter high start running, 50 meter high start running, trunk bends, and finally by Abalac test, push-ups and long jump. Observed as a function of certain motor characteristics, it could be concluded that in the selection of players in terms of the playing position confidence level was 72.0% in general level, with the most reliable for goalkeepers (100%), midfielders (71.4%) and defensive players (70.0%), while the smallest was at strikers (50%).

Different optimization methods generate a large variety of solutions that are suitable for achieving the sets of chosen objectives. The selection of appropriate design variables and objective functions are essential elements in the optimization process. However, the existing methodologies seem to be too complicated and designers seek to use simpli-fied methods in order to evaluate the overall performance of the buildings. The advancement of information technology enables the use of Building Information Modelling and energy simulation tools for the integrated building design in an early stage. Thus, this article introduces a new evaluation method for analysis of the effective solution of the building performance and aims at determining the influence of a complex criteria (construction duration, construction cost, annual bill-based costs, annual primary energy demand, annual CO2 emissions of energy use, CO2 emissions of construction materials and works, thermal comfort) for the final decision making. The findings of the article have confirmed that the high level of the building energy efficiency is not directly proportional to the overall investments, i.e. additional invest-ments do not bring benefits from economic and environmental points of view.

Two localities for Huperzia selago subsp. arctica are recorded from Lithuania, to the south of its known distribution area. The habitats of this subspecies are cutover peatlands whose natural vegetation was disturbed 6-8 years ago during peat exploitation. One of the dominant species of latest vegetation cover is the invasive bryophyte Campylopus introflexus. Characteristics of the habitats of H. selago subsp. arctica and the frequency of this taxon in populations were analysed.

Das Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrages ist, den historisch bedingten Wandel des Familienrechts am Beispiel des deutschen Rechtsinstituts elterliche Sorge und des litauischen tëvø valdþia vorzustellenund auf die Unregelmäßigkeiten bei der Anwendung der entsprechenden Ausdrücke hinzuweisen sowie entsprechende Lösungen vorzuschlagen.Die Rechtsvergleichung sowie die Feststellung und Lösung diesbezüglicher Übersetzungsproblematik sind im Kontext der zunehmenden Globalisierung immer wichtiger, wobei Veränderungen im Rechtssystem eines Staates entsprechende Impulse für den Wandel derRechtsinhalte eines anderen Staates geben können. Außerdem lassen sich am Wandel der Rechtsinstitute Entwicklungstendenzen des jeweiligen Rechtssystems sehr gut nachvollziehen, deren Kenntnis für die Arbeit des Rechtsübersetzers unentbehrlich ist.Ende des letzten Jahrhunderts sind zahlreiche Forschungsarbeiten von vielen Autoren (Peter Sandrini, Gerard-René de Groot, Susan Sarsevic, Radegundis Stolze u.a.) im Bereich der juristischen Terminologie und Übersetzung erschienen. Es gibt jedoch in Litauen kaum rechtsvergleichende Untersuchungen unter Berücksichtigung der Fachausdrücke, die bestimmte Rechtsinhalte im deutschen und im litauischen Rechtssystem benennen. Da die Rechtsübersetzung viele (sprachliche, terminologische, rechtsvergleichende etc.) Problembereiche umfasst, deren ausführliche Analyse in einem kurzen Beitrag aus Platzgründen nicht möglich ist, wird im Folgenden auf den Vergleich sprachlicher Formen verzichtet und eher auf den Wandel der Bezeichnungen der erwähnten Rechtsinstitute sowie auf die inhaltlichen Aspekte und die Unterschiede zwischen denAusdrucksformen im deutschen und im litauischen Familienrecht eingegangen. ----- Straipsnyje aptariama Vokietijos ir Lietuvos šeimos teisės sąvokų kaita, remiantis teisės institutų elterliche Sorge ir tėvų valdžia pavyzdžiais. Pristatomi atitinkamų sąvokų vartojimo nenuoseklumai, pabrėžiant, jog išraiškos formos atspindi tam tikras už jų slypinčias nuostatas. Lyginamas Vokietijos ir Lietuvos civiliniuose kodeksuose nustatytas teisės institutų elterliche Sorge ir tėvų valdžia turinys ir jų išraiškos formų kitimo tendencijos abiejose šalyse. Atkreipiamas dėmesys, kad po daugybės Vokietijoje vykusių reformų teisės instituto pavadinimas, pakeistas iš elterliche Gewalt į elterliche Sorge, išreiškia daug palankesnį požiūrį į vaikų priežiūrą. Supažindinamasu Lietuvos šeimos teisėje anksčiau egzistavusiu teisės institutu tėvystės teisės bei jo nevienareikšmiu pavadinimu. Pateikiamos panaikinto teisės instituto tėvystės teisių atėmimas priežastys. Analizuojama, kodėl siūlomi variantai tėvų globa ir tėvų atsakomybė ir pareigos ne visiškai tiksliai atspindi šio teisės instituto esmę, bei pateikiamos galimos alternatyvos. Lyginant Vokietijos ir Lietuvos šeimos teisės institutų pavadinimų kaitą, galima teigti, jog Vokietijos šeimos teisės institutas elterliche Sorge savo išraiškos forma labiau atspindi rūpinimosi vaikais aspektą nei Lietuvos civiliniame kodekse įtvirtinta tėvų valdžia. Straipsnyje raginama siekti, kad Lietuvoje galiojantys teisės institutai tiek turinio atžvilgiu, tiek išraiškos forma atspindėtų teisės normose užfiksuotą vaiko gerovės ir vaiko interesų viršenybės principą.

Francesco Faraldi,1 Vincenzo Papa,2 Daria Rasà,2 Debora Santoro,2 Simona Russo21Struttura Complessa Oculistica III, Presidio Ospedaliero Oftalmico, Torino, Italy; 2Medical Affairs, SIFI SpA, Aci S Antonio, Catania, ItalyPurpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of 0.1% dexamethasone/0.3% netilmicin (Netildex), with that of 0.1% dexamethasone/0.3% tobramycin (Tobradex) in the treatment of external ocular inflammation requiring antibiotic therapy.Methods: In this randomized, double-blind study, 139 subjects with conjunctival inflammation associated with signs of ocular infection were treated with Netildex (n = 71) or Tobradex (n = 68) four times daily for 6 days. The primary efficacy analysis was based on the percentage of patients with at least a 50% decrease in conjunctival hyperemia at the endpoint visit (Day 6 [± 1]) with respect to baseline (responder rate). An equivalence margin of 20% was set for this study. A follow-up visit was performed at Day 14 (± 1). Other efficacy parameters were: conjunctival edema, conjunctival discharge, lid hyperemia, lid edema, presence of ocular infection, and symptoms of ocular discomfort. Safety evaluations included intraocular pressure, visual acuity, and adverse events.Results: At Day 6, a decrease of conjunctival hyperemia was observed in 87.3% and 90.9% of the patients treated with Netildex and Tobradex, respectively. The 95% confidence interval for the difference between groups (–15.3 ÷ 8.0) satisfied the equivalence hypothesis. Subjects treated with Netildex had a better control of lid hyperemia (P = 0.016), tearing (P = 0.001), burning (P = 0.007), and stinging (P = 0.004). No adverse reactions were observed during the study except one case of keratitis in the Tobradex group.Conclusion: Netildex was as effective and safe as Tobradex in reducing signs and symptoms in patients with conjunctival inflammation when ocular infection was suspected.Keywords: conjunctivitis, dexamethasone, netilmicin, red eye

Francesco Faraldi,1 Vincenzo Papa,2 Debora Santoro,2 Daria Rasà,2 Annamaria L Mazza,2 Maria M Rabbione,1 Simona Russo21Department of Ophthalmology III, Presidio Ospedaliero Oftalmico, Torino, Italy; 2SIFI SpA, Catania, ItalyPurpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an ophthalmic gel containing sodium hyaluronate and xanthan gum in addition to the antibiotic netilmicin in the management of traumatic corneal abrasions.Patients and methods: Patients with traumatic corneal abrasions were randomly treated as follows: Group A (n = 20) with an occlusive patching for 12 hours plus one drop of an eye gel containing 0.15% sodium hyaluronate, 1% xanthan gum and 0.3% netilmicin qid for 5 days; and Group B (n = 20) with an occlusive patching for 2–3 days plus one application of 0.3% netilmicin ophthalmic ointment qid for 5 days. All patients were evaluated after the third and seventh day by slit-lamp examination, fluorescein staining, and corneal defect photograph in order to assess corneal re-epithelialization. Conjunctival hyperaemia, lid oedema, subjective symptoms of discomfort, and conjunctival swabs were also evaluated.Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the extent of corneal healing after 3 days of treatment. Both treatments were also highly effective in decreasing the erosion score and the conjunctival hyperemia (P < 0.0001, P < 0.005, respectively) without any significant difference between the two types of treatment. Subjective symptoms of discomfort and conjunctival swabs were also evaluated.Conclusion: In the management of traumatic corneal abrasions, the administration of an eye gel containing sodium hyaluronate and xanthan gum is able to reduce the length of occlusive patching. In addition, the presence of netilmicin guarantees good antibiotic prophylaxis during the wound repair process.Keywords: netilmicin, xanthan gum, wound healing, patching, corneal abrasion

IntroductionThe complex phenomenon of engagement in the research draws upon the sociocultural theories and emphasizes the three interrelated dimensions: behavioral, emotional/affective, and cognitive. Student engagement in academic life is a key factor for student wellbeing, making it essential to address the issues related to student engagement to be able to foster overall academic success. The research has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the academic environment including students' performance and their social and private lives.MethodologyIn order to help young people prepare to become students, an analysis of student needs and experiences was carried out at three universities: the University of Stavanger (Norway), Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania), and the University of Iceland (Iceland). Focus group discussions were used to collect data about the students' experience entering university and what challenges first-year students faced before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 17 first-year (6 males and 11 females) who started their studies during COVID-19 lockdown and 16 second-year students (9 males and 7 females) who started theirs studies before COVID-19 participated in the focus groups discussions. The collected data consists of students' responses during the focus group discussions. The qualitative thematic content analysis was used to identify emergent themes and categories.ResultsThe results of the research indicate that students face several challenges when entering university: adapting to the academic environment and the student role, information overload, social relationships, communication, and self-esteem issues. Students who started their studies during the pandemic indicated different experiences and challenges in adapting to university life.DiscussionThis research faced several constraints, including the limited sample size, the focus on only three universities in Northern Europe, and the reliance on self-reported data from the focus group interviews, which may not fully capture the diversity of student experiences. Despite these limitations, the research provides valuable insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student engagement and the unique challenges faced by new students during this period. The results of this research confirm the findings of previous research claiming that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic vary depending on the environment. Students need a variety of targeted and /or intensive support services to address their increased social, emotional, and academic needs.

Despite the tightening of energy performance standards for buildings in various countries and the increased use of efficient and renewable energy technologies, it is clear that the sector needs to change more rapidly to meet the Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario by 2050. One of the problems that have been analyzed intensively in recent years is that buildings in operation use much more energy than they were designed to. This problem, known as the energy performance gap, is found in many countries and buildings and is often attributed to the poor management of building energy systems. The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) has untapped potential to address this problem and lead to more sustainable buildings. This paper reviews different AI-based models that have been proposed for different applications and different buildings with the intention to reduce energy consumption. It compares the performance of the different AI-based models evaluated in the reviewed papers by presenting the accuracy and error rates of model performance and identifies where the greatest potential for energy savings could be achieved, and to what extent. The review showed that offices have the greatest potential for energy savings (up to 37%) when they employ AI models for HVAC control and optimization. In residential and educational buildings, the lower intelligence of the existing BEMS results in smaller energy savings (up to 23% and 21%, respectively).

Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are becoming an increasingly popular heating source for buildings. The paper presents an evaluation of the experimental data from ASHP operation during the heating season in Lithuania when the problem of the evaporator’s surface freezing is visible. The performance of the air-to-water heat pump is examined using energy and exergy analyses performed by a coefficient of performance (COP), COPCarnot, exergy efficiency, and primary energy ratio. Analysis results show that the existing difference between the ideal and actual operation of ASHP represents the demand to improve the performance of ASHP evaporator. The actual COP was from 3.5 to 4.7 times lower than the Carnot COP. At 0 °C and 95% humidity, the ASHP’s performance was least favourable, with an average exergy efficiency of 0.21 and a COP of 1.49.

Air-to-air heat pumps are used in today’s ventilation systems increasingly often as they provide heating and cooling for buildings. The energy transformation modes of these units are subject to constant change due to the varying outdoor air state, including temperature and humidity. When choosing how to operate and control energy transformers, it is important to be able to adapt effectively to the changing outside air conditions. Nowadays, modern commercial heat pumps offer two levels of control flexibility: a compressor with a variable speed and an electronic expansion valve. This combination of control elements has boosted the seasonal energy efficiency of heat pumps. For a long time, cycle control possibilities have been dominated by electronic controls. The authors of this paper aim to present an additional element to the traditional heat pump controls, which provides a third level of control over the cycle. To achieve the objective, experimental investigations of a heat pump integrated into a ventilation unit have been carried out under real-life conditions. The experiments involved varying the operating modes of the unit by adjusting the compressor speed, the position of the expansion valve, and the volume of the system loop. The study examined the performance characteristics of the heat pump and found that the performance of a variable-volume heat pump is comparable to that of a conventionally operated typical constant-volume heat pump system. In addition, the study found that by adding a third level of volume control to the active heating circuit, in combination with conventional controls, the heat pump’s heat output range could be extended by 69.62%. The study determined the variation of the heat pump cycle in the p-h diagram with the variation of the loop volume. The benefits and drawbacks of a heat pump with a variable-volume loop are discussed in this study.

Calibration of the energy model of a building is one of the essential tasks required to determine the efficiency of building management systems, and both their own and other systems’ improvement potential. In order to make the building energy model as accurate as possible, it is necessary to collect comprehensive data on its operation and sometimes to assess the missing information. This paper represents the process of developing an energy model for an administrative building and its calibration procedure, using detailed long-term measurement and building management system (BMS) data. Indoor air temperature, CO₂ concentration, and relative humidity were experimentally measured and evaluated separately. Such dual application of data reduces the inaccuracy of the assumptions made and assesses the model’s accuracy. The DesignBuilder software developed the building model. During the development of the model, it was observed that the actual energy consumption needs to be assessed, as the assumptions made during the design about the operation and management of HVAC systems often do not coincide with the actual situation. After integrating BMS information on HVAC management into the building model, the resulting discrepancy between the model results and the actual heat consumption was 6.5%. Such a model can be further used to optimize management decisions and assess energy savings potential.

This paper presents a systematic mapping (SM) study with the aim to determine how Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodologies and technologies contribute to energy-related analyses over the course of the entire building life cycle. The method adopted in the study is based on a set of seven research questions. We used a mixed technique combining co-citation analysis and bibliographic coupling in order to analyze the publications’ datasets for the period 2010–2020. The main advantage and novelty of this study are that the joint dataset from the Scopus and Web of Science databases was used to develop the keyword map. The main findings of this study indicate that many BIM-based applications can be used to analyze the building energy performance at all stages of the building life cycle. However, the applications of BIM in conjunction with other information technologies are limited and are still in the initial stage. In the future, the main improvements should be focused on process, model, system, tool, use and information modeling. The most promising long-term solution is an open BIM framework based on open standards, which allows the integration of BIM and energy simulation tools and satisfies specific data exchange requirements.

SINCHRONINIO VERTIMO STRATEGIJOS VERČIANT VOKIEČIŲ KALBOS PASAKYMUS SU ŠALUTINIAIS SAKINIAIS Į LIETUVIŲ KALBĄ Šis straipsnis – vienas pirmųjų bandymų Lietuvoje pažvelgti į sinchroninio vertimo problemas iš mokslinės perspektyvos. Straipsnyje apžvelgiami sinchroninio verti­mo sunkumai, atsirandantys dėl skirtingos vokiečių ir lietuvių kalbų šalutinių saki­nių sintaksės, supažindinama su vertimo mokslo darbuose pristatomomis sinchro­ninio vertimo strategijomis ir aptariami galimi šių strategijų taikymo būdai. Per tarptautinę konferenciją vienas prancūzų politikas, nesulaukęs vertimo iš vokiečių kalbos, neteko kantrybės ir atsisukęs į savo vertėją paklausė: „Kodėl gi Jūs neverčiate?“ Vertėjas lakoniškai atsakė: „Tebelaukiu veiksmažodžio...“

Viena iš esminių nuosekliojo vertimo proceso dalių – žymėjimasis. Vertėjas pasižymi kalbėtojo produkuojamo teksto turinį, kad galėtų kalbėtojo pranešimą perteikti kita kalba. Straipsnio tikslas – nustatyti ir aprašyti teksto glaudinimo strategijas, kurias pasitelkdami vertėjai šį turinį gali pasižymėti kuo glausčiau. Straipsnyje pristatomas empirinis šių strategijų tyrimas ir kokybinė eksperimentu surinktų šešių užrašų tekstų analizė. Nustatyta, kad vertėjai, nuosekliai versdami iš vokiečių kalbos į lietuvių kalbą, žymisi pasitelkdami dvi teksto glaudinimo strategijas: elipsę ir transformaciją. Remiantis Danielio Gile’io pastangų modeliu (Gile 1997; Gile 2009, 157– 190) aptariami šių strategijų pranašumai ir trūkumai ekonomiškumo atžvilgiu. Daroma išvada, kad teksto glaudinimo strategijų pasirinkimas gali priklausyti nuo vertėjo turimų kognityvinių išteklių

The paper analyses the innovative internal blinds, which allow to use the solar energy, received through a window for a heating, more efficiently and to ensure a greater air velocity due to the convection. Blinds are constructed that one side is covered with material, which absorbs the solar energy and the other side is reflective. Thus, there is an ability to control an amount of absorbed solar radiation and air supply temperature between the window and the blinds. In addition, the construction of the air to provide locating elements. The elements for air deflection are additionally foreseen in the construction. Due to the natural circulation cold air falls between the blinds and the window, then warms up and rises to the top. The paper presents an empirical and theoretical assessment of an operation of the blinds. In addition, the analysis of the experimental researches of an air flow intensity and a dependency of temperature increase from external (climatic) conditions is performed. Santrauka Straipsnyje analizuojamos inovatyvios vidinės žaliuzės, kurios leidžia efektyviau panaudoti per langą gautą saulės energiją patalpoms šildyti bei didesniam oro judrumui dėl konvekcijos užtikrinti. Žaliuzės sukonstruotos taip, kad viena jų pusė padengta saulės energiją absorbuojančia medžiaga, o kita pusė yra atspindinti. Taip atsiranda galimybė reguliuoti absorbuojamos saulės spinduliuotės kiekį bei tarp lango ir žaliuzių cirkuliuojančio oro temperatūrą. Papildomai konstrukcijoje numatyti orą nukreipiantys elementai. Šaltas oras natūralios cirkuliacijos būdu patenka tarp žaliuzių ir lango, ten sušyla ir kyla į viršų. Straipsnyje pateikiamas žaliuzių veikimo empirinis ir teorinis įvertinimas. Be to, atliekama eksperimentinių tyrimų analizė, kurios metu vertinamas sukuriamas oro srauto intensyvumas ir temperatūros kitimo priklausomybė nuo išorinių (klimatinių) sąlygų. Reikšminiai žodžiai: vidinės žaliuzės, saulės energijos absorbavimas, patalpų šildymas, temperatūros prieaugis, natūrali konvekcija, oro judrumas, faktinis efektyvumas.

Pagrindinis straipnsnio tikslas yra pademonstruoti, jog ankstyvojo Edmundo Husserlio matematikos filosofijos visiškas atmetimas buvo nepagrįstas. Tiksliau, įrodinėdama, kad jau ankstyvasis Husserlis numato matematinės intuicijos šiuolakinius apibrėžimus ir taikymus. Šiam tikslui pirmiausia pateiksiu intuicijos vaidmens ankstyvojoje Husserlio matematikos filosofijoje analizę, o tada parodysiu, kad ji pasižymi esminiais panašumais su intuicijos apibrėžimu ir taikymu bene ryškiausio iš šiuolaikinių matematinės intuicijos šalininkų Charleso Parsonso darbuose.

Researches on efficient energy supply in new buildings are significant for implementation of energy performance targets for buildings, aiming to increase energy efficiency as well as the share of renewable energy in the total balance of consumed energy and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the environment. Many studies suggest integrated assessment methods that combine building energy simulation and optimization methods. However, optimal solutions for case studies are based only on quantitative criteria (energy technical, environmental and economic). Therefore, such an approach is not sufficient to achieve the optimal building energy supply system in respect of the quantitative and qualitative criteria. The presented multicriteria assessment model for an energy supply system of a low energy house allows determining the optimal combination of technologies for a building energy supply system (BESS). Six variants of building constructions and fifteen combinations of BESS for each variant were analysed. Energy efficiency, environmental impact, economic rationality, comfort and system functionality were considered key criteria for optimal decision making. The results showed that the optimal solution for low energy and passive houses in Lithuania and other cold climate countries is the building envelope that corresponds to characteristics of energy efficiency class A+ and the BESS combination, consisting of a wood boiler and electricity from the national electricity grid. Santrauka Mažaenergio pastato efektyvaus aprūpinimo energija tyrimai yra svarbūs įgyvendinant pastatų energinio naudingumo tikslus, siekiant padidinti energijos vartojimo efektyvumą ir atsinaujinančiųjų išteklių energijos dalį bendrajame suvartojamos energijos balanse, taip pat sumažinti šiltnamio efektą sukeliančių dujų emisijas. Atliekant tyrimus taikomi integruoto vertinimo metodai, siejantys pastato energinį modeliavimą ir optimizavimą, nustatantys racionalius sprendinius tik pagal kiekybinius kriterijus (energinius, techninius, ekologinius ir ekonominius). Tokio požiūrio nepakanka siekiant įdiegti racionalią pastato aprūpinimo energija sistemą kiekybinių ir kokybinių kriterijų atžvilgiu. Straipsnyje pateikiamas mažaenergio pastato aprūpinimo energija daugiatikslio vertinimo modelis, kuriuo remiantis iš pasirinktų šešių pastato konstrukcijų variantų ir jiems numatytų 15 PAES technologijų derinių nustatytas racionalus PAES technologijų derinys, vertinimo kriterijais imant energinį efektyvumą, poveikį aplinkai, ekonominį racionalumą, sukuriamą komfortą ir sistemos funkcionalumą. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad, Lietuvoje ir panašaus klimato šalyse įgyvendinant mažaenergiams ir pasyviems vienbučiams namams keliamus reikalavimus, racionalus sprendinys yra pastato atitvaros, atitinkančios A+ energinio naudingumo klasės reikalavimus, su PAES deriniu, kurį sudaro biologinio kuro (malkų) katilas ir iš nacionalinių elektros tinklų tiekiama elektros energija. Reikšminiai žodžiai: mažaenergis pastatas, pastato aprūpinimo energija sistema, DesignBuilder, Polysun, WASPAS

This article presents the evaluation and optimization algorithm of the building energy system. Two main objectives have been achieved: the optimal configuration of the building energy system has been defined, which minimizes the use of non-renewable sources and reduces the environmental impact of the building. Energy demand for the house has been simulated employing DesignBuilder software. Five configurations of technologies for the building energy system have been chosen and simulated applying Polysun software in order to define the seasonal energy efficiency of the generators of each configuration. Multi-criteria decision making methods SAW (Simple Additive Weight), COPRAS (COmplex PRoportion ASsessment) and MEW (Multiplicative Exponential Weighting) have been used for finding the optimal decision on this case study. Santrauka Pateikiamas mažai energijos vartojančio gyvenamojo namo energetinės sistemos vertinimo ir optimizavimo algoritmas. Šio tyrimo metu, siekiant nustatyti racionalų realiai pritaikomą pastato energetinės sistemos technologijų derinį, įgyvendinti du pagrindiniai tikslai: parinktas derinys, kurį taikant maksimaliai išnaudojami atsinaujinantieji energijos ištekliai ir sumažinamos sistemos išmetamų CO2 dujų emisijos. DesignBuilder kompiuterine programa atliktas energinis modeliavimas pastato energijos reikmėms nustatyti. Esamam gyvenamajam namui parinkti penki energetinės sistemos technologijų deriniai. Atliktas derinių modeliavimas Polysun programa, nustatytas kiekvieno derinio generatoriaus sezoninis energinis efektyvumas. Įvairiapusiškai racionaliam sprendimui priimti buvo taikyti daugiakriterio vertinimo metodai: SAW (Simple Additive Weight), COPRAS (COmplex PRoportion ASsessment) ir MEW (Multiplicative Exponential Weighting). Reikšminiai žodžiai: mažai energijos vartojantis gyvenamasis namas, energetinės sistemos technologijų deriniai, DesignBuilder, Polysun, MCDM, SAW, COPRAS, MEW.

Currently, such topics as improvement of energy efficiency of buildings and energy systems, development of sustainable building concepts, and promotion of renewable energy sources are in the focus of attention. The energy efficiency targets of the European Union are based on information regarding energy consumed by buildings. The amount of energy consumed by buildings depends on the main influencing factors (namely, climate parameters, building envelope, energy systems, building operation and maintenance, activities and behaviour of occupants), which have to be considered in order to identify energy efficiency potentials and opportunities. The article aims to investigate the total amount of energy consumed by a low energy house, built in Lithuania, using a combination of energy consumption data received from a simulation and measured energy consumption data. The energy performance analysis in the low energy house revealed some factors that have the main influence on the total figures of energy consumed by the house. The identified significant factors were used to find the optimal solutions for the design of low energy buildings.

Straipsnyje aptariama Vokietijos ir Lietuvos šeimos teisės sąvokų kaita, remiantis teisės institutų elterliche Sorge ir tėvų valdžia pavyzdžiais. Pristatomi atitinkamų sąvokų vartojimo nenuoseklumai, pabrėžiant, jog išraiškos formos atspindi tam tikras už jų slypinčias nuostatas. Lyginamas Vokietijos ir Lietuvos civiliniuose kodeksuose nustatytas teisės institutųelterliche Sorge ir tėvų valdžia turinys ir jų išraiškos formų kitimo tendencijos abiejose šalyse. Atkreipiamas dėmesys, kad po daugybės Vokietijoje vykusių reformų teisės instituto pavadinimas, pakeistas iš elterliche Gewalt į elterliche Sorge, išreiškia daug palankesnį požiūrį į vaikų priežiūrą. Supažindinama su Lietuvos šeimos teisėje anksčiau egzistavusiu teisės institutu tėvystės teisės bei jo nevienareikšmiu pavadinimu. Pateikiamos panaikinto teisės instituto tėvystės teisių atėmimaspriežastys. Analizuojama, kodėl siūlomi variantai tėvų globa ir tėvų atsakomybė ir pareigos ne visiškai tiksliai atspindi šio teisės instituto esmę, bei pateikiamos galimos alternatyvos. Lyginant Vokietijos ir Lietuvos šeimos teisės institutų pavadinimų kaitą, galima teigti, jog Vokietijos šeimos teisės institutas elterliche Sorge savo išraiškos forma labiau atspindi rūpinimosi vaikais aspektą nei Lietuvos civiliniame kodekse įtvirtinta tėvų valdžia. Straipsnyje raginama siekti, kad Lietuvoje galiojantys teisės institutai tiek turinio atžvilgiu, tiek išraiškos forma atspindėtų teisės normose užfiksuotą vaiko gerovės ir vaiko interesų viršenybės principą.

Objective: The aim of this study was to present some cases of acute vertigo potentially related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and review the available literature about cochleovestibular dysfunction after the COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: In the period from May to July 2021, we evaluated 33 patients (mean age 54.3 ± 14.1) with "acute vertigo" post COVID-19 vaccination. A detailed medical history was taken on comorbidities, types of vaccines received, and symptoms associated. All patients underwent otoneurological evaluation, such as head impulse test, nystagmus evaluation, test of skew (HINTS) examination. Head shaking test-induced nystagmus, hyperventilation-induced nystagmus, and parossistic positional nystagmus were studied to search for vestibular impairment. Results: Symptoms included 16 patients (48.5%) with objective vertigo, 14 patients (42.4%) with subjective vertigo, and 3 patients (9.1%) with dizziness. Of the associated ear, nose, and throat (ENT) symptoms, the most expressed was tinnitus (18.2%). Bedside examination showed absent nystagmus in 7 patients (21.2%), 9 patients (27.3%) had horizontal or rotatory nystagmus, 17 patients (51.5%) had a vertical or oblique nystagmus, negative HST, or "central HINTS." Discussion and Conclusions: The 9 patients had an evoked nystagmus pathognomonic for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo; in the remaining 17 cases, peripheral vestibular dysfunction could be excluded and central disorder may be suggested. Due to the prevalence of nystagmus of non-peripheral origin, a central nervous system involvement could not be excluded. However, due to the small sample size, a definite cause-effect relationship between vaccination and vertigo cannot be inferred. In light of expected third dose, large-scale and well-designed studies are needed to better define possible adverse reactions of the COVID-19 vaccine., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Di Mauro, La Mantia, Cocuzza, Sciancalepore, Rasà, Maniaci, Ferlito, Tundo and Anzivino.)

(1) Background: This systematic review was designed to analyze adenotonsillectomy's role in treating behavioural disorders and sleep-related quality of life in pediatric OSAS. (2) Methods: Papers that report pre-operative and post-operative outcomes by using the Epworth sleepiness scale, OSA-18, NEPSY, Conners' rating scale, BRIEF, PSQ-SRBD, PedsQL and CBCL. We performed a comprehensive review of English papers published during the last 20 years regarding behavioural disorders in OSAS patients and adenotonsillectomy. (3) Results: We included 11 studies reporting behavioral outcomes and sleep related quality of life after surgery. We investigated changes in behavior and cognitive outcomes after AT, and we found significant improvements of the scores post-AT in almost all studies. After comparing the AT group and control group, only one study had no difference that reached significance at one year post-AT. In another study, it did not show any significant improvement in terms of all behavioural and cognitive outcomes. The questionnaires on sleep-related quality of life after AT (PSQ-SRBD or ESS or OSA-18 or KOSA) may improve with positive changes in sleep parameters (AHI, ODI and SpO2). Furthermore, there is a significantly higher decrease in OSAS symptoms than the pre-AT baseline score. (4) Conclusion: Future studies should pay more attention to characterizing patient populations as well as rapid surgical treatments through existing criteria.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes. Prolonged hyperglycemia stimulates inflammatory pathway characterized by the release of some cytokines leading to the impairment of blood retinal barrier (BRB). NAP exerts a protective effect in various eye diseases, including DR. So far, the role of NAP in the modulation of inflammatory event during early phase of this pathology has not been investigated yet. In the current study, we have studied the retinal protective effect of NAP, injected into the eye, in diabetic rats. NAP treatment exerts a dual effect downregulating interleukin (IL)-1β and its related receptors and upregulating IL-1Ra expression. We have also tested the role of this peptide in human retinal epithelial cells (ARPE19) cultured on a semipermeable support and exposed to hyperglycemic-inflammatory insult, representing a in vitro model of diabetic macular edema, a clinical manifestation of DR. The results have shown that NAP prevents outer BRB impairment by upregulating the tight junctions. In conclusion, deepened characterization of NAP action mechanism on hyperglycemic-inflammatory damage may be useful to develop a new strategy to prevent retinal damage during DR., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The effects of all trans retinoic acid and hyperthermia were studied in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT29. Cell cytotoxicity after exposure to ATRA or heat-shock, alone or in association, was evaluated by the MTT assay while cell surface and ultrastructure modifications and actin fibre assembly changes were investigated by electron microscopy and by the FITC-phalloidin method. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytofluorimetry and electron microscopy. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was employed to study mRNA expression of genes involved in apoptosis, differentiation and growth arrest. Joint treatments were more effective in reducing the vital cell yield, being this effect only partially due to apoptosis. A marked up-regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/Cip1 expression, not followed by any differentiation process, was responsible for growth arrest. Modulation of Hsp-70 expression, involved in cell response to treatments, was considered. Our results demonstrate that cell treatment with ATRA followed by heat-shock may elicit useful effects to treat tumours, which are responsive to retinoids, as well as those malignant cells which may be constitutively thermotolerant.