The Simulation of Electret Effect in Zn0.7Cd0.3S Layers

The regularities of the dark discharge in ionic contact mode as well as of the thermoelectret effect have been investigated for Zn0.7Cd0.3S layers. The peculiarities of electret charge formation as well as the electret voltage dependences on poling electric field, polarisation time and temperature have been analysed in Zn0.7Cd0.3S layers during the present work. The model of space charge accumulation have been proposed

The model for evaluation of corporate strategic changes in the context of climate change: plywood manufacture

The paper presents the model for evaluation of corporate management measures aimed at solving tasks related to climate change challenges (UN 1998; EP 2009; EC 2013) faced by enterprises and inevitably leading to corporate strategic changes. In a detailed yet concise manner, the paper analyses the model for evaluation of corporate strategic changes and specifies techniques for its application focusing on the following proposed criteria: the market share; financial capacity; business development potential; product competitiveness; and productivity. The paper reveals the benefit of the use of the proposed model for corporate strategic changes. Greater possibilities are created to rationalise the process of corporate strategic changes and the use as well as development of human, material and financial potentials, which lead to greater competitiveness of an enterprise. The model guides to directions and actions to be taken in order to continue increasing effectiveness of an enterprise in the context of climate change objectives. The evaluation model suggested by the author is also analysed according to flexibility of proposed techniques, the characteristics of which can be modified and adjusted depending on specifics of the changing business environment. This allows ensuring and promoting competitiveness of an enterprise while pursuing the climate change challenges (UN 1998; EP 2009; EC 2013) set for businesses. First published online: 08 Jul 201

Experimental investigation of clay-straw building finishing layer under different drying conditions

This manuscript represents investigation of six different clay mixtures under variable drying conditions, namely: bright yellow clay (typical for Lithuania), brown clay (Lithuania Sergėnai district), mixture of different clays, white Spanish clay, clay mass which is resistant for thermal coldness (with synthetic cardigan) and Lithuanian coarse clay with granite additives. Drying process was provided imitating natural drying process and fast drying in drying oven at 110 C°. The main idea of this study – imitate clay and clay-straw buildings drying process and to determine which of used clay types had smallest volumetric and linear deformations. Volumetric and linear deformations for clay-straw buildings is one of the most important factors evaluating cracking in this type of buildings. To reach this purpose six tiles of different clay types were used. Before drying stage water content, plasticity, and liquid limits index, respectively was determined for all types of clay. All clay tiles volumetric and linear deformations before and after drying process were measured with specialized view analysis program in order not to damage samples’ form. According to the obtained results a clay type whith the smallest deforamations (volumetric and linear) was found. With the smallest volumetric and linear deformations clay-straw building is not only environmental friendly, sustainable and green, but it does not require a lot of maintenance during building life time

Theoretical foundations of the smart city concept

The article deals with smart city concepts and their theoretical definitions. A smart city must have a smart social system integrated into the city’s activities and management processes. The smart city is defined in the scientific literature by various dimensions. This article examines three main smart city dimensions: community, economy, public management. A smart city is characterized by the empowerment of representatives of the city community to actively participate in the management of the city’s operational processes. The smart economy quickly and resourcefully uses new opportunities, implements knowledge and innovations. Smart public management makes timely decisions and promptly implements them

Pažintinių gebėjimų ir apoliproteino E Ɛ4 genotipo sąsajos: sisteminė apžvalga

Deterioration of cognitive functions is becoming a more and more important issue in the context of aging. So there is a growing interest in studies looking for the risk factors of deterioration of cognitive functions. Apolipoprotein E is a plasma protein whose major function is lipids transportation. APOE ɛ4 allele of the Apolipoprotein E gene is known as a risk factor of Alzheimer disease. Previous researchers stated, that APOE ɛ4 also might be related to cognitive performance in normal aging. However, results of previous studies are quit confusing: different studies established various associations between APOE ɛ4 and specific cognitive functions. Moreover, longitudinal studies failed to establish prognostic value of APOE ɛ4 genotype to different levels of cognitive functions deterioration. So the purpose of this study is to review prospective, observational, cohort studies that had researched the association between APOE ɛ4 and cognitive functions using a systematic analysis method.The weight of evidence suggests that APOE ɛ4 is associated with cognitive functions in healthy adults. APOE ɛ4 carriers are likely to have a lower level of cognitive functions. Associations between specific cognitive functions and APOE ɛ4 genotype are quite confusing. The most consistent finding was a negative relationship between APOE ɛ4 genotype and performance of memory and executive functioning. The presence of APOE ɛ4 and attention test results were less likely to be associated. Reasoning and verbal abilities were mostly not connected to APOE ɛ4 genotype. Associations between APOE ɛ4 and cognitive function differ in the groups of healthy adults, adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer disease. There were established that APOE ɛ4 is associated with cognitive functions in a cognitively impaired population. People with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer disease more often tended to be APOE ɛ4 carriers in comparison with people who are not cognitively impaired. Longitudinal studies revealed different links between APOE ɛ4 and cognitive functions. Although APOE ɛ4 might be a risk factor of deterioration of cognitive functions in healthy and impaired cognitive functions groups. Yet prognostic value of APOE ɛ4 in deterioration of cognitive functions in Alzheimer population is confusing. The current review suggests that APOE ɛ4 has an effect on cognitive functions. It might be a risk factor for the deterioration of cognitive functions in healthy adults and cognitively impaired population. However further researches are needed to establish specific associations between APOE ɛ4 genotype and different cognitive functions in healthy adults and disease populations.Senėjimo problemos kontekste pažintinių gebėjimų prastėjimas tampa vis aktualesnė tema. Yra duomenų, kad APOE ɛ4 genotipas prognozuoja prastesnius pažintinius gebėjimus. Taigi, kyla poreikis išsiaiškinti, kurie pažintinių gebėjimų komponentai ir jų pokyčiai siejasi su APOE ɛ4 genotipu. Šio straipsnio tikslas – sisteminės analizės metodu apžvelgti mokslinius tyrimus, analizavusius pažintinių gebėjimų ir APOE ɛ4 genotipo sąsajas.Ankstesnių tyrimų rezultatai atskleidžia, kad turintieji APOE ɛ4 alelį pasižymi prastesniais pažintiniais gebėjimais, palyginti su asmenimis, neturinčiais APOE ɛ4. Dauguma tyrimų įrodo, kad APOE ɛ4 genotipas susijęs su prastesne atmintimi ir vykdomosios funkcijos rezultatais. Kiek rečiau aptinkami APOE ɛ4 ir dėmesio ryšiai. O verbaliniai ir samprotavimo gebėjimai su šio geno polimorfizmu dažniausiai nesiejami. Manoma, kad APOE ɛ4 genotipas gali turėti įtakos pažintinių gebėjimų prastėjimui, tačiau lieka neaiški šio geno polimorfizmo įtaka pažintinių gebėjimų prastėjimui, pasireiškus Alzheimerio ligai.Taigi, APOE ɛ4 genotipas gali būti rizikos veiksnys, susijęs tiek su natūraliu, tiek su patologiniu pažintinių gebėjimų prastėjimu. Tačiau tolesni APOE ɛ4 genotipo ir pažintinių gebėjimų sąsajų tyrimai yra būtini