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Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics 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 Darbai ir Dienos 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.)

War, domestic violence, and economic instability in a country force its residents to flee their homeland and their place of birth to a different part of the world to save their lives, and around 70.8 million people have been displaced across the world (UNHCR, 2019). It is also a fundamental fact that women and children who have fled in this manner have been subject to various forms of violence and torture during their journey. Refugees are increasingly interested in emigrating to the United States of America, given the political and economic importance of the nation. Nevertheless, the United States has a strict legal system in place to prevent uncontrolled immigration, and hence the refugees face a variety of problems in order to travel to it. Refugees, particularly those travelling tens of thousands of kilometres are from Central American countries, Africa, Iran, and Syria, have arrived in many towns along the US-Mexico border. Increasing numbers of refugees force governments of the receiving countries to provide accommodation, food, and other facilities, which causes an inevitable financial crisis in the receiving regions. In such cases, the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a significant role in helping refugees with various types of assistance, and it is important to analyze the human rights activities of NGOs. NGOs have been a lobbyist in influencing legislators through a variety of political consultations and creating laws that protect refugees. It is crucial that NGOs can influence the Government level and various types of Cabinet Meetings, to study the issues of refugees and provide different kinds of possible support and assistance through their advocacy activities. The influence of the new media technologies in this twenty-first century has increased the opportunity to understand the lives of different people from different parts of the world and conduct various socio-political debates on global issues, such as the refugee crisis. Therefore, we need to evaluate the role of the social media of NGOs as a lobbyist in advocacy on addressing the refugee crisis. The article aims to identify the role of NGOs in addressing the migrant crisis and upholding the sanctuary policy in Florida that facilitates migrant integration. Research methods include a qualitative interview with the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FIC) and analyzing its social media discourse. The anti-sanctuary bill passed by the Florida state legislature were analysed; the analysis shows that the advocacy for the refugee crisis by NGOs using social media platforms increases civic participation. Such activism has a significant role in influencing policy framework on combating the crisis of refugee integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics 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 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.)

Copyright of Transformations in Business & Economics 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 Transformations in Business & Economics 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.)

Background. The purpose of current work is to clarify characteristics of anesthesiologists' use of heuristics in emergency medical care. Two separate studies were carried out to evaluate the characteristics of anesthesiologists' use of heuristics: (a) according to gained experience; (b) and under stressful conditions. Methods. First (longitudinal design) study was comprised of two phases 10-11 months apart. In both phases, participants solved three vignettes that required the provision of emergency medical care. In the second study, participants solved three medical vignettes under stressful conditions (i.e. under the influence of the cold pressor test). Physiological data - participants' heart rate - was registered using finger plethysmograph before and after the cold pressor test. The adequacy of decisions were evaluated independently by two experts in anesthesiology. Results and conclusions. Results of quantitative content analysis of the first longitudinal design study showed a decrease in the use of availability and an increase in anchoring and adjustment of heuristic as anesthesiology residents become more experienced. Results of both studies indicate that 32-38% of all anesthesiology residents' thoughts are heuristic in nature and 3-11% of all thoughts are cognitive errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pastarąjį dešimtmetį sparčiai plėtojama dvilypio informacijos apdorojimo samprata: esminiai intuityvaus (1-ojo tipo procesų) ir racionalaus (2-ojo tipo procesų) informacijos apdorojimo bruožai atskirti nuo nepagrindinių jų savybių, tikslinama terminija, atliekami empiriniai tyrimai ir siūlomi modeliai, vaizduojantys dvilypio informacijos apdorojimo ypatumus. Nepaisant to, vis dar mažai žinoma apie bendruosius intuityvaus ir racionalaus informacijos apdorojimo veikimo principus, konkrečiai – jų tarpusavio sąveiką ir santykinį pasireiškimą atskiruose informacijos apdorojimo cikluose. Straipsnyje nagrinėjamos matematinio dvilypio proceso atskyrimo metodo pritaikymo galimybės šiuolaikinės dvilypio informacijos apdorojimo sampratos kontekste. Pateikiama universali tyrimo strategija (sujungti matematinis dvilypio proceso atskyrimo ir netipiškų sprendimų reikalaujančių užduočių metodai), kuri leidžia tirti ir skaitine išraiška įvertinti intuityvaus ir racionalaus informacijos apdorojimo sąveiką specifinėmis aplinkybėmis.

Tyrimo tikslas – ištirti policijos pareigūnų sprendimų priėmimo ypatumus kritinėmis aplinkybėmis. Tyrime dalyvavo 103 policijos pareigūnai, atvykę į Lietuvos policijos mokyklos mokymus. Kritinės situacijos buvo sukuriamos, taikant lazerinių treniruoklių sistemą „AIS PRISimTM“, tiriamieji pildė NEO PI-R asmenybės ir streso įveikos klausimynus, sprendimų priėmimo Aš efektyvumo skalę bei demografinių duomenų anketą. Pareigūnų patiriamas stresas buvo vertinamas, atsižvelgiant į hormono kortizolio kiekio pokyčius. Tyrimo rezultatai atskleidė šiuos svarbius momentus: a) pareigūnų sprendimų priėmimas kritinėmis aplinkybėmis yra susijęs su lytimi ir užimamomis pareigomis; b) pareigūnai dažniausiai taiko problemų sprendimo ir rečiausiai – emocinės iškrovos įveikos strategiją; c) pareigūnų sprendimų priėmimo Aš efektyvumas kritinėmis aplinkybėmis yra aukštesnis už vidutinį; d) geresnius priimamų sprendimų ir atliekamų veiksmų vertinimus (pagal visus kriterijus) gavo tie pareigūnai, kuriems būdingi žemi neurotizmo įverčiai.

The last decade marks the rapid development of dual process theories of higher cognition (Evans, 2007; Evans & Stanovich, 2013 a; 2013 b), i. e. defining the features of intuitive Type 1 and reflective Type 2 processing were separated from their typical correlates, the consensus regarding the use of terminology was reached, and empirical research stimulated the creation of various models of the dual process of conflict resolution. Nevertheless, there is still little knowledge about the general principles of operation of the intuitive Type 1 and the reflective Type 2 processing. Particularly little attention is directed towards the question of interaction between both kinds of processing and their manifestation in a given information processing cycle. The main reason behind this problem is of methodological nature. To date, there are very few methods that both can address this issue and do it in the ecologically valid manner. The most promising model to deal with the aforementioned problem is process dissociation (Jacoby, 1991; Lindsay & Jacoby, 1994), however its use has been thwarted due to the unfavourable historical circumstances. During the period of 1991/1994-2006, the use of the process dissociation method has no firm theoretical basis, because the main principles of dual process theories (and particularly default-interventionist model) were still under discussion, while during the period of 2007-2015, cognitive psychologists used a less ecologically valid form of process dissociation method, which dubiously presupposes the priority of Type 2 processing, although the default-interventionist model highlights the priority of Type 1 processing. This article examines the possibilities of applying the process dissociation method in the context of contemporary dual process theories of higher cognition. It is concluded that the combination of two methods (process dissociation and counterintuitive tasks) may serve as a promising universal research strategy to analyze and mathematically evaluate the interaction of the intuitive Type 1 and the reflective Type 2 processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The criterion for general sustainability is formed on the basis of a concept of sustainable development regarding the evaluation of energy efficiency measures for building refurbishment. The criterion for general sustainability consists of five criteria: energy efficiency, environmental impact, economical rationality, comfort and life cycle duration. Multi-criteria analysis has been performed normalizing the values of the criteria applying the SAW (Simple Additive Weighting) method. The analysis of the influence of separate criteria forming the criterion for general sustainability has been performed presenting five scenarios in each of which four criteria have formed general sustainability criteria. The results of the conducted analysis have showed that all five criteria set in the basic scenario are equally important when targeted at evaluating energy efficiency measures in a versatile and objective manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Baltic Journal of Road & Bridge Engineering (Baltic Journal of Road & Bridge Engineering) is the property of Baltic Journal of Road & Bridge Engineering 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 this reflective narrative the social worker presents personal experiences of working with seigniors who are ill with different grades of senile dementia. The author speaks about the problems and problem-solving methods, and shares her views about the methods, which she applied in her daily practice of the social worker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Straipsnyje aptariama sprendimų priėmimo samprata, aprašomi sprendimų priėmimo proceso etapai, apribojimai bei supaprastinimo strategijos. Analizuojamos akademinės disciplinos, nagrinėjančios sprendimų priėmimą, aptariamos trys pagrindinės tyrimų tradicijos, kuriomis grindžiama sprendimų priėmimo teorija: racionaliojo sprendimų priėmimo, riboto racionalumo ir natūralistinio sprendimų priėmimo. Aptariamos sociologinėje sprendimų priėmimo analizėje dominuojančios teorijos.

Copyright of Information Sciences / Informacijos Mokslai 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 Social Education / Socialinis Ugdymas 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 Parlamento Studijos is the property of Parlamento Studijos 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 Socialinis Darbas 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.)

Copyright of Business: Theory & Practice is the property of Vilnius Gediminas Technical 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 presents the results of qualitative comparative analysis of such causal factors of Lithuanian government's stability as decision-making model, role of political parties, government ideology and parliamentary majority. The basic source of the research was the interviews with ministers who have served in different cabinets. The cabinets led by Kazimiera Prunskienė, Gediminas Vagnorius, Adolfas Šleţevičius, Laurynas Mindaugas Stankevičius, Rolandas Paksas, Andrius Kubilius, Algirdas Mykolas Brazauskas and Gediminas Kirkilas are analyzed in this article. The research showed that in most cases the governments, where decision-making model is monocratic and party influence in governmental decision-making process is weak; or those in which decision-making model is monocratic and which have support of the parliamentary majority, are stable. It was also revealed that a strong influence of ruling party (or parties) in the governmental decision-making process and the leftist ideology could lead to government stability. The governments might be classified into three homogeneous groups according to decision-making model, role of political parties in decision-making, ideology, size of parliamentary support and cabinet duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agricultural Sciences / Zemès ukio Mokslai 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.)

This article examines the decision-making process in the energetics sector. In the work, multicriteria decision-making support tools, their application domains and usability possibilities are analysed and structured. The article presents the support tools selected for environmental policy integration in energetics and determines the possibilities of their application for Lithuania's energetics policy. It gives the methodology of multicriteria decision-making in the energetics sector, based on the assessment of the impact of energy and environmental policy priority goals. The definition of 'harmonious development' is extended, regarding philosophies of various generations about the basic aspects of Human, Nature and System's capacity harmonization. According to this expanded definition, there is presented an improved energetics policy development system: Propulsion - State - Response (PSR). The main contribution is the design of the State phase, combining the Human, Nature and System parts, aiming to create overall and relevant strategies. A consecutive energetics policy development system is set out and the method of its use is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Studies of Accounting & Finance: Problems & Perspectives / Apskaitos ir Finansu Mokslas ir Studijos: Problemos ir Perspectyvos 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.)

The philosophy of decision making in economics is to assess and select the most preferable solution, implement it and to gain the biggest profit. Important issues such as competitive market, changing technical, political and social environment have a key role in personnel selection. It is the crucial task which determines the company's present and future. Many decisions made cannot be accurately forecast or assessed. Understanding of the multiple criteria method and knowledge to calculate the algorithm of the method allows a decision maker to trust solutions offered by solution support systems to a greater extent. Many individual attributes considered for personnel selection such as organizing ability, creativity, personality, and leadership exhibit vagueness and imprecision. The fuzzy set theory appears as an essential tool to provide a decision framework that incorporates imprecise judgments inherent in the personnel selection process. In this paper, a fuzzy multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) algorithm using the principles of fusion of fuzzy information, additive ratio assessment (ARAS) method with fuzzy numbers (ARAS-F) and step-wise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) technique are integrated. The proposed method is apt to manage information assessed using both linguistic and numerical scales in a decision making problem with a group of information sources. The aggregation process is based on the unification of information by means of fuzzy sets on a basic linguistic term set. The computational procedure of the proposed framework is illustrated through an architect's selection problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author presents the investigation of evidence-based health care organizations management. Based on theoretical and practical material the management paradigm and specificity are disclosed. The study shows the complexity of evidence-based management decision-making of health care organizations and high degree of responsibility for the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article overviews the topical issues, challenges and future tendencies of higher education study programmes of culture management. The pre-history and development of culture management as a professional practice and an academic discipline in the second half of the 20th century - the beginning of the 21st century are also analysed. The most important stages of change as well as changes in external and professional environment that influenced the previous ones are discussed comparing their processes in Western and Eastern Europe. On the basis of accumulated material such as analysis of study programmes, professional scientific publications on studies of culture management and changes in it as well as personal insights, the article analyses problematic issues of the study programmes of culture management from three content-related aspects - relation between the profession and culture field, variety of speciality-based roles and profiles, professional ethnics and responsibility. Under conditions of unavailable unified requirements for studies in this field (the article explains that such requirements are impossible) the provided content-related aspects are suggested as reference points that enable to more precisely position the study programmes of culture management that are in the process of preparation or implementation in academic and professional contexts. Separate components of study programmes, the compliance of separate study subjects and their role, their change in the development of the young sub-discipline are analysed. The article makes an attempt to substantiate the importance of professional training of culture management, the most essential knowledge and competences striving for assurance of cultural identity protection, development of professional culture, enhancement of creativity-based international competitiveness of the country. The article also substantiates topicality of this problem in contemporary context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Socialinis Darbas 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.)

Copyright of Journal of Business Economics & Management is the property of Vilnius Gediminas Technical 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 this paper we describe the application's fields of the sensitivity analysis methods. We pass in review the application of these methods in multiple criteria decision making, when the initial data are numbers. We formulate the problem, which of the sensitivity analysis methods is more effective for the usage in the decision making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents risk assessment of construction objects. The assessment is based on the multi-attribute decision-making methods. The risk evaluation attributes are selected taking into consideration the interests and goals of the stakeholders as well as factors that have influence on the construction process efficiency and real estate value. Ranking of objects and determination of their optimality are determined by applying TOPSIS grey and COPRAS-G methods with attributes values determined at intervals. A background and a description of the proposed model are provided and key findings of the analysis are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial evaluation methods such as Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) are not fully adequate for accounting three practical aspects of construction projects: reinvestment rate, actual amount of required investment, and firm available funds. In a certain type of projects, this inadequacy often results in the inapplicability of NPV, multiple or no IRR problem, systematic bias of IRR, and inconsistent decision signal and ranking between NPV and IRR. Many modified methods have been developed, but hardly succeeded in reflecting construction market reality in anintegrated manner. To address this issue, Project Present Value, Project Rate of Return, and Firm Rate of Return are proposed together with an investment decision framework. The proposed methods are designed to be free from all those problems, while incorporating market reality in them. As a result, construction practitioners would have more reliable and economically meaningful decision tools, which lead to the success of their projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sociologija: Mintis ir Veiksmas 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.)

Multi-objective analysis is a popular tool to solve many economic, managerial and construction problems. The objective of this research is to develop and implement a methodology for multi-objective optimization of multi-alternative decisions in road construction. After a rough overview of the articles dealing with the multi-objective decision and assessment of road design alternatives described by discrete values, Multi-Objective Optimization on the basis of the Ratio Analysis (MOORA) method was selected. This method focuses on a matrix of alternative responses on the objectives. A case study demonstrates the concept of multi-objective optimization of road design alternatives and the best road design alternative is determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of coupled managerial approaches directed to designing a full-functional system of improving the business functioning is examined in this research. This improvement could be achieved on the basis of the business processes uninterrupted monitoring. Such system is oriented to the establishment of the integral analytical business platform for providing the coordinated objectives setting, timely revealing and neutralising the unforeseen events, decision-making at different levels of an organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In project development it is hardly possible to get exhaustive and accurate information. As a result, the situations occur, the consequences of which can be very damaging to the project. Inaccurate evaluation of the strategy related to capital investment and project implementation is one of the reasons why such estimates are not required in practice. Instead, a classification approaches may be used for this purpose. The decision-making process, based on the established risk assessment principles expressed in linguistic terms, requires qualitative judgement and experiential knowledge of the construction experts. Presented structured and realistic methods deals systematically with different risk management situations and assist the investors in reaching the correct risk assessment of possible alternatives will be of great value. This paper presents a methods of multiattribute comparativite analysis (CLARA and SAW methods) of variants of investment classified risks in construction. A practical case to illustrate how the methods works is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For an insurance company, the planning has to be carried out under uncertainty. Thus, the decision making model includes the parameters that are not completely known at the current point of time, when the decision has to be taken. These parameters can be named as risk factors. The activity of insurance company is affected by many risk factors, thus the multivariate uncertainty space, where the correlations among these factors are possible, can be constructed. For their dependency structure, the alternative method - copula functions - are employed, which allows to model the non-linear dependencies between the correlated stochastic variables. The purpose of this work is to explore the copula effect on the investment portfolio of the insurance company. The insurance business is influenced by a large number of stochastic parameters, and decisions concerning the assets that must be invested over time to cover liabilities and to achieve goals subject to various uncertainties and various constraints are considered. Two approaches of making decision models under uncertainty are applied in the integrated dynamic management of insurance company's financial assets and liabilities. One of them allows to evaluate the company's strategy and technically is based on stochastic simulation. The other approach generates a strategy from the stochastic optimization model. Two copula functions - Gaussian copula and Student's t-copula - concerning the investment performance are employed while generating the set of scenarios for representing the behaviour of risk factors in the multivariate structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Baltic Journal of Road & Bridge Engineering (Baltic Journal of Road & Bridge Engineering) is the property of Baltic Journal of Road & Bridge Engineering 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 Ekologija 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 Transformations in Business & Economics 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 paper analyses modelling renewal of construction objects applying methods of the game theory. Rational construction management variants are usually selected under various conditions, using the efficiency criteria. A choice of rational alternatives can be absolutely uncertain when influences of external factors are unknown. In the current paper, selecting of rational renewal variants of derelict buildings from the viewpoint of sustainable development is presented. Sustainable development always involves great uncertainty; accordingly, the methods of the Game Theory are used for a particular problem. Bayes's and Laplace's rules are applied for searching rational renewal variants of derelict buildings in Lithuanian rural areas. The case study proved that the methods of the Game Theory are effective in a real life situation and can be successfully applied to solving similar problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To facilitate the decision-making and communication, an evaluation method has been devised that incorporates environmental effects of the energy use with thermal and atmospheric indoor climate in a score on an absolute scale from 0-100 %, called the "Eco-factor". This factor is based on indicators of physical properties. For the indoor climate part these include mainly the indoor temperature, velocity, and concentration fields. The energy part considers the energy distributed to energy sources, and the environmental effects of the resulting airborne emissions evaluated by Life Cycle Assessment (given by default figures from a database). The tool is used to make an overall assessment of the quality of design alternatives, where the "costs" (energy) is compared to the "benefit" (indoor climate), and to identify possibilities for improvement. The paper shows a model case study of an office building, where choices are considered that must be made in an early design phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problems in office buildings are often related to the design and control of the indoor environment and of the building as an energy system. The often interconnected nature of the above two issues is important to take into account, since, for instance, internal and external heat loads, temperatures, and air change rates affect both energy use and indoor comfort. Thus, to avoid the indoor climate problems, it is essential that energy optimisation is integrated with assessment of indoor climate. An assessment concept based on the so-called Eco-factor has been developed; it can assist building designers in creating solutions of these problems. The assessment concept is meant to be an integral part of new design guidelines for office buildings, which aim to achieve energy efficient buildings with a good indoor comfort and low environmental impact. The building designers have different needs at different stages of the design process. For this reason, the assessment concept makes use of the Eco-factor tool, which is defined so input can be based on both simple and advanced calculations in early and later phases of design, respectively, while still delivering the same output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to effectively integrate decision-making tasks (such as interactive access to data and support for numerical and quantitative modelling techniques) together with the knowledge representation and visualisation tasks and inference procedures that model an expert's thought process has provoked research efforts to integrate decision support systems (DSS) with knowledge and expert systems (ES), neural networks and multimedia towards the formulation of intelligent DSS. We can analyse the intelligent DSS as a network of distributed systems (DSS, ES, neural networks, etc.) each of them facing and solving a specific problem. Under this point of view different systems can be integrated in the integrated system. Knowledge based decision support system for building refurbishment developed in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University is described in the paper in order to describe the above systems integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the most widespread designs of external walls of the multi-storey residential buildings now in use. Such 49 alternative designs of external walls of multi-storey residential buildings are analyzed using multicriteria analysis program under uncertainty. Few ways of the decision are applied for the decision of the problem: the method of distance to an ideal point, Baye's rule and Wald's rule. To project and understand effective construction of a building, it is necessary to execute exhaustive analysis of all decisions (planimetric, prolongation of term and quality of buildings operation, improvement of architectural decisions, etc.). The level of a design of external walls efficiency of multi-storey residential buildings depends on very many factors, including: cost of the construction work, used materials and building mechanisms, aesthetics, properties of service, thermal insulation properties, durability, etc. The offered decision of the choice of the effective decision problem using the system of the criteria having different dimensions takes into account the rational estimation of economic, climatic, social conditions and traditions and also allows better to satisfy architectural, functional, service, comfort and other requirements of the client. It also allows to reduce design, building and operational expenses. The choice of a variant mainly depends on needs and existing financial ability of the customer. The offered system of the effective decision choice using the principles of the multi-criteria analysis is described in the presented paper. There is an opportunity on the basis of the offered system to compare alternative design decisions of external walls of multi-storey residential buildings and the choice of the most effective variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]