Role asymmetry and code transmission in signaling games: an experimental and computational investigation.

PubMed

Moreno, Maggie; Baggio, Giosuè

2015-07-01

In signaling games, a sender has private access to a state of affairs and uses a signal to inform a receiver about that state. If no common association of signals and states is initially available, sender and receiver must coordinate to develop one. How do players divide coordination labor? We show experimentally that, if players switch roles at each communication round, coordination labor is shared. However, in games with fixed roles, coordination labor is divided: Receivers adjust their mappings more frequently, whereas senders maintain the initial code, which is transmitted to receivers and becomes the common code. In a series of computer simulations, player and role asymmetry as observed experimentally were accounted for by a model in which the receiver in the first signaling round has a higher chance of adjusting its code than its partner. From this basic division of labor among players, certain properties of role asymmetry, in particular correlations with game complexity, are seen to follow. Copyright © 2014 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

How Do Students Studying Turkish in Lithuania Describe Turkish Culture and People?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Varisoglu, M. Celal

2017-01-01

The aim of this paper is to describe ideas that students learning Turkish in Lithuania have about Turkish culture and Turkish people. A descriptive method was used in the research. The data for the research was collected from 15 students who learn Turkish at Vilnius University in Vilnius, Lithuania. For the participating in the research students,…

A resolution congratulating the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, or Act of March 11, and celebrating the rich history of Lithuania.

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL

2010-03-04

Senate - 03/04/2010 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status Agreed to in SenateHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Cost-effectiveness of 12- and 15-year-old girls' human papillomavirus 16/18 population-based vaccination programmes in Lithuania.

PubMed

Vanagas, Giedrius; Padaiga, Zilvinas; Kurtinaitis, Juozas; Logminiene, Zeneta

2010-08-01

There is a large difference in the prevalence of cervical cancer between European countries. Between European Union countries, cervical cancer is the most prevalent in Lithuania. Currently we have available vaccines for different types of human papillomavirus virus (HPV), but we lack evidence on how the vaccination would be cost-effective in low-resource Eastern European countries like Lithuania. To create a simulation model for the Lithuanian population; to estimate epidemiological benefits and cost-effectiveness for a HPV16/18 vaccination programme in Lithuania. For the cost-effectiveness analysis, we used Lithuanian population mathematical simulation and epidemiological data modelling. We performed comparative analysis of annual vaccination programmes of 12-year-old or 15-year-old girls at different vaccine penetration levels. Lithuanian female population at all age groups. A vaccination programme in Lithuania would gain an average of 35.6 life years per death avoided. Vaccinated girls would experience up to 76.9% overall reduction in incidence of cervical cancers, 80.8% reduction in morbidity and 77.9% reduction in mortality over their lifetime. Cost per life year gained with different vaccine penetration levels would range from 2167.41 Euros to 2999.74 Euros. HPV vaccination in Lithuania would have a very positive impact on the epidemiological situation and it would be cost-effective at all ranges of vaccine penetration. Vaccination in Lithuania in the long term potentially could be more cost-effective due to avoiding early disease onset and lower accumulation of period costs.

A catalogue of Lithuanian beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera)

PubMed Central

Tamutis, Vytautas; Tamutė, Brigita; Ferenca, Romas

2011-01-01

Abstract This paper presents the first complete and updated list of all 3597 species of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) belonging to 92 familiesfound and published in Lithuania until 2011, with comments also provided on the main systematic and nomenclatural changes since the last monographic treatment in two volumes (Pileckis and Monsevičius 1995, 1997). The introductory section provides a general overview of the main features of the territory of Lithuania, the origins and formation of the beetle fauna and their conservation, the faunistic investigations in Lithuania to date revealing the most important stages of the faunistic research process with reference to the most prominent scientists, an overview of their work, and their contribution to Lithuanian coleopteran faunal research. Species recorded in Lithuania by some authors without reliable evidence and requiring further confirmation with new data are presented in a separate list, consisting of 183 species. For the first time, analysis of errors in works of Lithuanian authors concerning data on coleopteran fauna has been conducted and these errors have been corrected. All available published and Internet sources on beetles found in Lithuania have been considered in the current study. Over 630 literature sources on species composition of beetles, their distribution in Lithuania and neighbouring countries, and taxonomic revisions and changes are reviewed and cited. An alphabetical list of these literature sources is presented. After revision of public beetle collections in Lithuania, the authors propose to remove 43 species from the beetle species list of the country on the grounds, that they have been wrongly identified or published by mistake. For reasons of clarity, 19 previously noted but later excluded species are included in the current checklist with comments. Based on faunal data from neighbouring countries, species expected to occur in Lithuania are matnioned. In total 1390 species are attributed to this category and data on their distribution in neighbouring countries is presented. Completion of this study provides evidence that the Lithuanian coleopteran fauna has yet to be completely investigated and it is estimated that approximately 28 % of beetle species remain undiscovered in Lithuania. More than 85% of beetle species expected for Lithuania have been found in the following families: Cerylonidae, Geotrupidae, Haliplidae, Kateridae, Lycidae, Lucanidae, Mycetophagidae, Scarabaeidae and Silphidae. In families with few species such as Alexiidae, Boridae, Byturidae, Dascilidae, Drilidae, Eucinetidae, Lampyridae, Lymexilidae, Megalopodidae, Nemonychidae, Nosodendridae, Noteridae, Orsodacnidae, Pyrochroidae, Pythidae, Psephenidae, Rhysodidae, Sphaeritidae, Sphaeriusidae, Sphindidae, Stenotrahelidae and Trogidae, all possible species have already been discovered. However in some beetle families such as Aderidae, Bothrideridae, Eucnemidae, Laemoploeidae, Mordellidae, Ptiliidae, Scraptidae and Throscidae less than 50% of all possible species are known. At present the beetle species recorded in Lithuania belong to 92 families, with species from 9 other families such as Agyrtidae, Biphylidae, Deradontidae, Mycteridae, Ochodaeidae, Phleophilidae, Phloeostichidae, Prostomidae, Trachypachidae are expected to be found. A bibliography and a index of subfamily and genus levels are provided. The information published in the monograph will serve to further faunistic and distribution research of beetles and will help to avoid confusion in the identificatation of coleopteran fauna of Lithuania. PMID:22461725

Onshore Wind Farms: Value Creation for Stakeholders in Lithuania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burinskienė, Marija; Rudzkis, Paulius; Kanopka, Adomas

With the costs of fossil fuel consistently rising worldwide over the last decade, the development of green technologies has become a major goal in many countries. Therefore the evaluation of wind power projects becomes a very important task. To estimate the value of the technologies based on renewable resources also means taking into consideration social, economic, environmental, and scientific value of such projects. This article deals with economic evaluation of electricity generation costs of onshore wind farms in Lithuania and the key factors that have influence on wind power projects and offer a better understanding of social-economic context behind wind power projects. To achieve these goals, this article makes use of empirical data of Lithuania's wind power farms as well as data about the investment environment of the country.Based on empirical data of wind power parks, the research investigates the average wind farm generation efficiency in Lithuania. Employing statistical methods the return on investments of wind farms in Lithuania is calculated. The value created for every party involved and the total value of the wind farm is estimated according to Stakeholder theory.

Canavan Disease

MedlinePlus

... Ashkenazi Jews from eastern Poland, Lithuania, and western Russia, and among Saudi Arabians. Canavan disease can be ... Ashkenazi Jews from eastern Poland, Lithuania, and western Russia, and among Saudi Arabians. Canavan disease can be ...

NASA Administrator Welcomes Minister of Economy

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-02-18

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, welcomes Lithuania's Minister of Economy Evaldas Gustas to NASA Headquarters to discuss potential collaborative space activities between NASA and the Republic of Lithuania, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 in Washington.

Facilitators and barriers of independent decisions by midwives during labor and birth.

PubMed

Everly, Marcee C

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that affect labor management decisions of midwives in hospitals and freestanding birth centers. A qualitative study was conducted using one-on-one tape recorded interviews of midwives who had experience managing labor and birth in both hospitals and freestanding birth centers. Ten interviews consisting of several open-ended questions were conducted, coded, and analyzed in a stepwise fashion to identify codes, categories, and themes. Seven participants reviewed the final framework and confirmed credibility and trustworthiness. Four overall themes were identified: trust birth, the woman, the environment, and the labor team. When making labor management decisions, midwives are affected by their trust in birth, the woman, the health care team, and the birth environment. Midwives report more resistance when making labor management decisions in hospitals. The findings of this study provide insight into both the decision making of midwives and how factors in different environments, in this case hospitals and freestanding birth centers, influence the ability of midwives to make independent labor management decisions. © 2011 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

29 CFR 4001.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Definitions. 4001.2 Section 4001.2 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION GENERAL TERMINOLOGY § 4001.2 Definitions... the United States Bankruptcy Code is filed, or the date on which any similar filing is made commencing...

29 CFR 4001.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Definitions. 4001.2 Section 4001.2 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION GENERAL TERMINOLOGY § 4001.2 Definitions... the United States Bankruptcy Code is filed, or the date on which any similar filing is made commencing...

29 CFR 1910.36 - Design and construction requirements for exit routes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

....36 Section 1910.36 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS Exit Routes and Emergency Planning... of exit routes necessary for your workplace, consult NFPA 101-2000, Life Safety Code. (c) Exit...

Changes in nursing ethics education in Lithuania.

PubMed

Toliusiene, Jolanta; Peicius, Eimantas

2007-11-01

The post-Soviet scene in Lithuania is one of rapid change in medical and nursing ethics. A short introduction to the current background sets the scene for a wider discussion of ethics in health care professionals' education. Lithuania had to adapt rapidly from a politicized nursing and ethics curriculum to European regulations, and from a paternalistic style of care to one of engagement with choices and dilemmas. The relationships between professionals, and between professionals and patients, are affected by this in particular. This short article highlights these issues and how they impact on all involved.

26 CFR 31.3306(k)-1 - Agricultural labor.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 15 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Agricultural labor. 31.3306(k)-1 Section 31.3306(k)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) EMPLOYMENT... Federal Unemployment Tax Act (Chapter 23, Internal Revenue Code of 1954) § 31.3306(k)-1 Agricultural labor...

26 CFR 31.3306(k)-1 - Agricultural labor.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 15 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Agricultural labor. 31.3306(k)-1 Section 31.3306(k)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) EMPLOYMENT... Federal Unemployment Tax Act (Chapter 23, Internal Revenue Code of 1954) § 31.3306(k)-1 Agricultural labor...

26 CFR 31.3306(k)-1 - Agricultural labor.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 15 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Agricultural labor. 31.3306(k)-1 Section 31.3306(k)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) EMPLOYMENT... Federal Unemployment Tax Act (Chapter 23, Internal Revenue Code of 1954) § 31.3306(k)-1 Agricultural labor...

26 CFR 31.3306(k)-1 - Agricultural labor.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 15 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Agricultural labor. 31.3306(k)-1 Section 31.3306(k)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) EMPLOYMENT... Federal Unemployment Tax Act (Chapter 23, Internal Revenue Code of 1954) § 31.3306(k)-1 Agricultural labor...

Renal anemia control in Lithuania: influence of local conditions and local guidelines.

PubMed

Ziginskiene, Edita; Kuzminskis, Vytautas; Petruliene, Kristina; Vaiciuniene, Ruta; Stankuviene, Asta; Bumblyte, Inga Arune

2013-01-01

Erythropoietin stimulating agents had a long haul in Lithuania--we had no epoetin till 1994 and there was no intravenous iron in 2001-2004. The aim of this study was to assess the changes of renal anemia control in hemodialysis patients from early independence of Lithuania till nowadays and to evaluate the link of anemia with hospitalization rates and survival and hemoglobin variability in association with mortality. In December of each year since 1996 all hemodialysis centers have been visited and data has been collected using special questionnaires. The history of renal anemia control in Lithuania was complicated; however, a significant improvement was achieved: 54.7% of hemodialysis patients reached the target hemoglobin; all patients have a possibility of treatment with epoetin and intravenous iron. The involuntary experiment with an intravenous iron occurred in Lithuania because of economic reasons and confirmed the significant role of intravenous iron in the management of renal anemia. Hemoglobin below 100 g/L was associated with a 2.5-fold increase in relative risk of death and 1.7-fold increase in relative risk of hospitalization in Lithuanian hemodialysis patients. Although hemoglobin variability was common in Lithuanian hemodialysis patients, we did not find the association between hemoglobin variability and all-cause mortality in our study.

77 FR 38717 - Updating Regulations Issued Under the Fair Labor Standards Act

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-29

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Wage and Hour Division 29 CFR Parts 531 and 553 Updating Regulations Issued Under the Fair Labor Standards Act CFR Correction In Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 500 to 899, revised as of July 1, 2011, the following corrections are made: [[Page 38718

The hill forts and castle mounds in Lithuania: interaction between geodiversity and human-shaped landscape

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skridlaite, Grazina; Guobyte, Rimante; Satkunas, Jonas

2015-04-01

Lithuania is famous for its abundant, picturesque hill forts and castle mounds of natural origin. In Lithuania as well as in whole Europe the fortified hills were used as the society dwelling place since the beginning of the Late Bronze Age. Their importance increased when Livonian and Teutonic Orders directed a series of military campaigns against Lithuania with the aim of expansion of Christianity in the region at the end of 1st millennium AD, and they were intensively used till the beginning of the 15th c. when most of them were burned down during fights with the Orders or just abandoned due to the changing political and economical situation. What types of the geodiversity were used for fortified dwellings? The choice in a particular area depended on a variety of geomorphology left behind the retreating ice sheets. High spots dominating their surroundings were of prime interest. In E and SE Lithuania, the Baltic Upland hills marking the eastern margin of the last Weichselian glacier hosted numerous fortified settlements from the end of 2nd millennium BC to the Medieval Ages (Narkunai, Velikuskes etc). In W Lithuania, plateau-like hills of the insular Samogitian Upland had been repeatedly fortified from the beginning of 1st millennium AD to the 14th century (Satrija, Medvegalis etc). Chains of hill forts and castle mounds feature the slopes of glaciofluvial valleys of Nemunas, Neris and other rivers where the slopes were dissected by affluent rivulets and ravines and transformed into isolated, well protected hills (Kernave, Punia, Veliuona etc). Peninsulas and headlands formed by the erosion of fluvial and lacustrine deposits were used in the lowlands, e.g. in central and N Lithuania (Paberze, Mezotne etc). How much the landscape was modified for defense purposes? Long-term erosion and overgrowing vegetation damaged the former fortified sites, however some remains and the archeological excavations allowed their reconstruction. The fortified Bronze Age settlements used naturally-protected sites with only hilltop flattening and small ditches. Wooden fences surrounded the settlements in most cases while stony ditches were used in NW Lithuania (e.g. Ipiltis). From the beginning of 1st millennium AD the fortifications became stronger with multiple rampart-ditch systems and artificial canals. Construction of hill forts with a high-powered fortification system started in 13th c. when wooden castles surrounded by rampart-trench systems appeared. What is a protection status for the hill forts and castle mounds? Near 1000 sites are protected by the Lithuanian State as historical monuments. Many of them are cleaned from vegetation, supplied with an infrastructure and arranged for tourism purposes. Some are parts of the nature or historical reserves or regional and national parks. However, apart from a few cases, geology of the hill forts and other strongholds in Lithuania is yet poorly known. Needless to say, the hill forts and castle mounds are quite a unique and attractive feature of the Lithuanian landscape. For defense purposes, the ancient European countries relied more on stone and brick castles than on steepness of high hill slopes as it was in case of Lithuania.

Social Partnership in Accrediting Lithuanian VET Qualifications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tutlys, Vidmantas; Kaminskiene, Lina

2008-01-01

This article examines social partnership in accrediting qualifications in Lithuania. It defines the factors influencing social partnership and surveys future development perspectives, referring to the creation and implementation of the national qualifications system in Lithuania. Social partnership in qualifications accreditation is regarded as a…

Teamwork in primary care: perspectives of general practitioners and community nurses in Lithuania

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background A team approach in primary care has proven benefits in achieving better outcomes, reducing health care costs, satisfying patient needs, ensuring continuity of care, increasing job satisfaction among health providers and using human health care resources more efficiently. However, some research indicates constraints in collaboration within primary health care (PHC) teams in Lithuania. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon of teamwork in Lithuania by exploring the experiences of teamwork by general practitioners (GPs) and community nurses (CNs) involved in PHC. Methods Six focus groups were formed with 29 GPs and 27 CNs from the Kaunas Region of Lithuania. Discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis of these data was then performed. Results The analysis of focus group data identified six thematic categories related to teamwork in PHC: the structure of a PHC team, synergy among PHC team members, descriptions of roles and responsibilities of team members, competencies of PHC team members, communications between PHC team members and the organisational background for teamwork. These findings provide the basis for a discussion of a thematic model of teamwork that embraces formal, individual and organisational factors. Conclusions The need for effective teamwork in PHC is an issue receiving broad consensus; however, the process of teambuilding is often taken for granted in the PHC sector in Lithuania. This study suggests that both formal and individual behavioural factors should be targeted when aiming to strengthen PHC teams. Furthermore, this study underscores the need to provide explicit formal descriptions of the roles and responsibilities of PHC team members in Lithuania, which would include establishing clear professional boundaries. The training of team members is an essential component of the teambuilding process, but not sufficient by itself. PMID:23945286

[Survey on drug-related problems in Lithuania's pharmacies].

PubMed

Kubiliene, Loreta; Liukenskyte, Simona; Savickas, Arūnas; Jureniene, Kristina

2006-01-01

to survey the most common and the most important drug-related problems in Lithuania, to explore their solution and factors influencing it, to formulate recommendations for solving drug-related problems. Pharmacists from community pharmacies participated in a random survey. They filled in questionnaires about drug-related problems and their solutions. It was the first survey on drug-related problems ever carried out in Lithuania. For the first time, it was found out that in Lithuania pharmacists most commonly encountered drug-related problem--additional drug therapy (52.03% of respondents)--and most rarely encountered drug-related problem--dosage too high (3% of respondents). Pharmacists stated that all categories of drug-related problems were of equal importance. It was established that pharmacists commonly solved drug-related problems associated with noncompliance with instructions (72.5% of respondents) and rarely met the problem when improper drug was selected (39.56% of respondents). Patients taking prescription medicines commonly encounter additional drug therapy problem, and patients taking nonprescription medications commonly encounter problems related to noncompliance with instructions.

77 FR 38173 - Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-27

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Wage and Hour Division 29 CFR Part 570 Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation CFR Correction 0 In Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 500 to 899, revised as of July 1, 2011, on page 302, the section heading for Sec. 570.65 is corrected to read...

Pre-School Education in Lithuania: Historical Interpretation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Montvilaite, Sigita

During the 20th century, preschool education in Lithuania evolved within a context of a changing society, ideology, and politics, including the experience of national independence, two world wars, political exile and occupation, and regained independence. This paper demonstrates the connection between past and present preschool educational…

Internet Banking Adoption: Case of Lithuania and Latvia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gaile-Sarkane, Elina; Jureviciene, Diva; Skvarciany, Viktorija; Iljins, Juris

2017-01-01

The banking sector has developed and extended usage of different services at a distance using the internet in the last decade. Internet-based banking services dominate over other historically provided alternatives. This paper explores the adoption of internet banking in Lithuania and Latvia. Internet banking success model was developed based on…

DefenseLink Feature: Travels with Gates

Science.gov Websites

Robert M. Gates said. Story Gates Connects NATO Afghanistan Effort With Terror Threat in Europe MUNICH , Germany, Feb. 10, 2008 - The war on terror in Afghanistan is Europe's war, too, Defense Secretary Robert M ministers during meetings in Vilnius, Lithuania. Story Pakistan Understands Terror Danger VILNIUS, Lithuania

Lessons from Lithuania: A Pedagogical Approach in Teaching Improvisation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hedden, Debra

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to uncover the approach that a professor in Lithuania utilized in successfully teaching undergraduate music education majors how to improvise during a one-semester course. The research questions focused on the participant's philosophy of teaching and learning, his methods for motivating students, the learning…

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to financial disclosure and transparency by labor union management.

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX

2009-12-18

Senate - 12/18/2009 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

In comparative perspective: The effects of incarceration abroad on penal subjectivity among prisoners in Lithuania

PubMed Central

Slade, Gavin; Vaičiūnienė, Rūta

2017-01-01

This article looks at how global flows of people and policies affect penal subjectivity among prisoners in Lithuania. Those who had previously been incarcerated abroad perceive their punishment in Lithuania’s reforming penal system in comparative terms. We find that international prison experience may either diminish or increase the sense of the severity of the current punishment. Respondents often felt more comfortable in a familiar culture of punishment in Lithuania that emphasizes autonomy and communality. Moreover, internationalized prisoners perceive prison reform emulating West European models as a threat to this culture and are able to articulate comparative critiques of this reform and contest its effects. PMID:29568238

OECD Reviews of School Resources: Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shewbridge, Claire; Godfrey, Katrina; Hermann, Zoltán; Nusche, Deborah

2016-01-01

This report for Lithuania forms part of the OECD Review of Policies to Improve the Effectiveness of Resource Use in Schools. The purpose of the review is to explore how school resources can be governed, distributed, utilised and managed to improve the quality, equity and efficiency of school education. School resources are understood in a broad…

Arts and Cultural Education at School in Europe. Lithuania 2007/08

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Siaulytiene, Dalia

2008-01-01

Artistic education at general education schools in Lithuania is organised by teaching separate art subjects. Art education based on the integrated approach or project method may be organized at primary school, in grades one to four, according to the individual curriculum prepared by the teacher. Arts subjects included in Lithuanian arts curriculum…

Development of Indicators for Educational Planning: Brazil, Cambodia, Estonia, Gambia, Lithuania, Thailand.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, Paris (France). International Inst. for Educational Planning.

This publication presents the outcomes of a distance education course on development and dissemination of indicators used for educational planning. The course took place from November 2000 to February 2001 and was attended by representatives from the ministries of education of Brazil, Cambodia, Estonia, Gambia, Lithuania, and Thailand. The overall…

Music Performance Anxiety among Students of the Academy in Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paliaukiene, Vilma; Kazlauskas, Evaldas; Eimontas, Jonas; Skeryte-Kazlauskiene, Monika

2018-01-01

Music performance anxiety (MPA) affects amateurs, students and professional musicians. We aimed to analyse MPA among students of music performance in a higher education academy in Lithuania. A sample of 258 music performance arts students of the Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy participated in this study. The Kenny Music Performance Anxiety…

Information Needs Research in Russia and Lithuania, 1965-2003

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maceviciute, Elena

2006-01-01

Introduction: The invisibility of research on information needs from the East and Central Europe in the West suggested an exploration of the published research output from Lithuania and Russia from 1965 to 2003. Method: The data were collected from the abstracting journal Informatika-59. The publications were retrieved from Lithuanian and Russian…

E-Books in Academic Libraries: Results of a Survey Carried out in Sweden and Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maceviciute, Elena; Wilson, T. D.; Gudinavicius, Arunas; Šuminas, Andrius

2017-01-01

Introduction: This paper reports on a study of e-books issues in academic libraries in two European countries representative of small language markets--Sweden and Lithuania. Method: Questionnaire surveys, using the same instrument, were carried out in Swedish and Lithuanian academic libraries. Analysis: Quantitative analysis was performed using…

Investing in Youth: Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

OECD Publishing, 2016

2016-01-01

The series Investing in Youth builds on the expertise of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on youth employment, social support and skills. It covers both OECD countries and countries in the process of accession to the OECD, as well as some emerging economies. The present report on Lithuania is the fourth of a new…

Legal assessment of current situation on orphan patients in Lithuania.

PubMed

Spokiene, Indre

2008-01-01

After Lithuania joined the European Union, the Regulation (EC) No. 141/2000 on orphan medicinal products and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 847/2000 came into force as part of national legislation. Member States must adopt specific measures to increase knowledge on rare diseases and to improve their detection, diagnosis, and treatment. The aim of this article was to present and to assess the current legal situation on orphan patients and their treatment in Lithuania, to identify legislation gaps, and to propose some ideas how to facilitate the solution of the existing problems in this field. For this purpose, European Union and Lithuanian legal documents on rare medicinal products are examined using a comparative method. With reference to inventory of Member States' incentives for rare diseases in national level, the most important issues, which orphan patients face to in Lithuania, are singled out. In Lithuania, the situation of orphan patients in terms of protection of patient rights is insufficiently determined. The access to effective health care services or approved therapies in some cases is restricted. Working relationships between genetic services and various clinical specialists as well as with those in primary care are not legally determined; the number of clinical trials aimed at orphan medicinal products is low. These results suggest a need for awareness raising among Lithuanian Government, health care specialists, patient organizations about the importance to improve practical implementation of European Union legislation and progressive experience of some European countries in this field.

The recent economic recession and self-rated health in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland: a comparative cross-sectional study in 2004-2010.

PubMed

Reile, Rainer; Helakorpi, Satu; Klumbiene, Jurate; Tekkel, Mare; Leinsalu, Mall

2014-11-01

The late-2000s financial crisis had a severe impact on the national economies on a global scale. In Europe, the Baltic countries were among those most affected with more than a 20% decrease in per capita gross domestic product in 2008-2009. In this study, we explored the effects of economic recession on self-rated health in Estonia and Lithuania using Finland, a neighbouring Nordic welfare state, as a point of reference. Nationally representative cross-sectional data for Estonia (n=10 966), Lithuania (n=7249) and Finland (n=11 602) for 2004-2010 were analysed for changes in age-standardised prevalence rates of less-than-good self-rated health and changes in health inequalities using logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of less-than-good self-rated health increased slightly (albeit not statistically significantly) in all countries during 2008-2010. This was in sharp contrast to the statistically significant decline in the prevalence of less-than-good health in 2004-2008 in Estonia and Lithuania. Health disparities were larger in Estonia and Lithuania when compared to Finland, but decreased in 2008-2010 (in men only). In Finland, both the prevalence of less-than-good health and health disparities remained fairly stable throughout the period. Despite the rapid economic downturn, the short-term health effects in Estonia and Lithuania did not differ from those in Finland, although the recession years marked the end of the previous positive trend in self-rated health. The reduction in health disparities during the recession indicates that different socioeconomic groups were affected disproportionately; however, the reasons for this require further research. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Potential Effects of a Scenario Earthquake on the Economy of Southern California: Small Business Exposure and Sensitivity Analysis to a Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sherrouse, Benson C.; Hester, David J.; Wein, Anne M.

2008-01-01

The Multi-Hazards Demonstration Project (MHDP) is a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and various partners from the public and private sectors and academia, meant to improve Southern California's resiliency to natural hazards (Jones and others, 2007). In support of the MHDP objectives, the ShakeOut Scenario was developed. It describes a magnitude 7.8 (M7.8) earthquake along the southernmost 300 kilometers (200 miles) of the San Andreas Fault, identified by geoscientists as a plausible event that will cause moderate to strong shaking over much of the eight-county (Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura) Southern California region. This report contains an exposure and sensitivity analysis of small businesses in terms of labor and employment statistics. Exposure is measured as the absolute counts of labor market variables anticipated to experience each level of Instrumental Intensity (a proxy measure of damage). Sensitivity is the percentage of the exposure of each business establishment size category to each Instrumental Intensity level. The analysis concerns the direct effect of the earthquake on small businesses. The analysis is inspired by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report that analyzed the labor market losses (exposure) of a M6.9 earthquake on the Hayward fault by overlaying geocoded labor market data on Instrumental Intensity values. The method used here is influenced by the ZIP-code-level data provided by the California Employment Development Department (CA EDD), which requires the assignment of Instrumental Intensities to ZIP codes. The ZIP-code-level labor market data includes the number of business establishments, employees, and quarterly payroll categorized by business establishment size.

Parenting Dimensions in Relation to Pre-Schoolers' Behaviour Problems in Latvia and Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sebre, Sandra B.; Jusiene, Roma; Dapkevice, Egle; Skreitule-Pikse, Inga; Bieliauskaite, Rasa

2015-01-01

The aim of the present study was to examine associations between parenting and child behaviour problems in two neighbouring countries with subtle, yet apparent cultural differences. Participants were mothers and fathers of preschool-age children from Latvia and Lithuania. Parents completed a measure of child-rearing attitudes and reported on their…

Economic, Educational and Cultural Predictors of Science Learning in Lithuania and Estonia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mikk, Jaan

2007-01-01

The aim of the research was to assess the economic, educational and cultural predictors of the TIMSS 2003 science test results in Lithuania and Estonia. The data for the research were received from the TIMSS 2003 User Guide for the International Database. The Spearman rank correlation coefficients, calculated on the students' level and the schools…

On Ideology, Language, and Identity: Language Politics in the Soviet and Post-Soviet Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balockaite, Rasa

2014-01-01

The paper illuminates links between state politics and language politics in Lithuania during different historical periods: (a) the thaw period, (b) the stagnation period, (c) the liberalization periods of Soviet socialism, and (d) the two post-Soviet decades characterized by both nationalism and liberalization. Based on analysis of the texts by…

First report of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ subgroup 16SrI-A associated with a disease of potato (Solanum tuberosum) in Lithuania

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Symptoms of little leaf, witches’-broom, and abnormally small and deformed potatoes, suggestive of possible phytoplasmal infection, were observed in diseased potato (Solanum tuberosum var. Hannibal arba Kestrel) in the Vilnius region of Lithuania. DNA extracted from symptomatic leaves and shoots we...

Gap Year Students in Lithuania: The Value Orientations of Children from Wealthy Social Groups

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leonavicius, Vylius; Ozolinciute, Egle

2015-01-01

The paper seeks to understand the trajectories of students who defer entry to university. The study was conducted in Lithuania, a former Soviet Union republic. The phenomenon of a "gap year" is usually associated with young people, who decide not to enter higher education schools immediately after receiving secondary education, instead…

29 CFR 4003.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Definitions. 4003.2 Section 4003.2 Labor Regulations... OF AGENCY DECISIONS General Provisions § 4003.2 Definitions. The following terms are defined in § 4001.2 of this chapter: Code, contributing sponsor, controlled group, ERISA, multiemployer plan, PBGC...

29 CFR 4003.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Definitions. 4003.2 Section 4003.2 Labor Regulations... OF AGENCY DECISIONS General Provisions § 4003.2 Definitions. The following terms are defined in § 4001.2 of this chapter: Code, contributing sponsor, controlled group, ERISA, multiemployer plan, PBGC...

29 CFR 4003.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Definitions. 4003.2 Section 4003.2 Labor Regulations... OF AGENCY DECISIONS General Provisions § 4003.2 Definitions. The following terms are defined in § 4001.2 of this chapter: Code, contributing sponsor, controlled group, ERISA, multiemployer plan, PBGC...

29 CFR 4003.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Definitions. 4003.2 Section 4003.2 Labor Regulations... OF AGENCY DECISIONS General Provisions § 4003.2 Definitions. The following terms are defined in § 4001.2 of this chapter: Code, contributing sponsor, controlled group, ERISA, multiemployer plan, PBGC...

29 CFR 4003.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 29 Labor 9 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Definitions. 4003.2 Section 4003.2 Labor Regulations... OF AGENCY DECISIONS General Provisions § 4003.2 Definitions. The following terms are defined in § 4001.2 of this chapter: Code, contributing sponsor, controlled group, ERISA, multiemployer plan, PBGC...

29 CFR 1952.101 - Developmental schedule.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR... effective July 1, 1973. (b) Complete revision of all occupational safety and health codes as proposed within... budget. (e) Establishment of specific occupational safety and health goals by July 1, 1974. These goals...

29 CFR 1952.101 - Developmental schedule.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR... effective July 1, 1973. (b) Complete revision of all occupational safety and health codes as proposed within... budget. (e) Establishment of specific occupational safety and health goals by July 1, 1974. These goals...

29 CFR 1952.117 - Changes to approved plans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR... the amendment on October 24, 1988. (2) The State submitted amendments to its Occupational Safety and Health Act (chapter 69, Utah Code Annotated 1953), which became effective on April 29, 1985, which...

"Lyderiu Laikas" (Time for Leaders): Lithuania's Response to Changing Leadership and Learning in Their Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Coleen; Blandford, Sonia; Pranckuniene, Egle; Vildziuniene, Marina

2011-01-01

This paper examines how the Ministry of Education in Lithuania has approached policy change to the leadership of their schools. The aim of the Time for Leaders Project and subsequent policy is to recapture the enthusiasm of teachers and school leaders that had been in evidence immediately after the country regaining independence in 1990. The Time…

Russian as a Commodity: Medical Tourism and the Healthcare Industry in Post-Soviet Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Muth, Sebastian

2017-01-01

The focus of this paper is on Lithuania, where government policies continue to limit the use of Russian in education, the public space and the media, while the local economy has recognized proficiency in Russian as a commodity. This is particularly salient in the healthcare industry that grew significantly in the past years with patients from…

"Profits to the Danes, for Us--Hog Stench?" The Campaign against Danish Swine CAFOs in Rural Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Juska, Arunas

2010-01-01

The paper analyzes a grass-roots campaign to limit the expansion of Danish-owned industrial hog operator Saerimner in Lithuania. The industrialization of livestock production as well as local responses to the restructuring of meat production are interpreted within the broader context of the incorporation of peripheral regions into global agro-food…

National Testing of Pupils in Europe: Objectives, Organisation and Use of Results. Lithuania 2009

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bigeliene, Daiva; Gudynas, Pranas; Ranonyte, Asta; Uginciene, Egle

2009-01-01

The guiding principles of assessment policy and practice in Lithuania are described in the Law on Education (2003), General Curriculum and Educational Standards for Pre-school, Primary and Basic education (2003) and General Education Plans (2008-2009) as well as the special policy document on assessment called The Concept of Assessment of Pupils'…

Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe: Tackling Social and Cultural Inequalities. Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seibokiene, Grazina

2008-01-01

In Lithuania early childhood education and care embraces children of the age from one to seven and is an integrated part of the education system. According to Lithuanian education classification, it belongs to the zero level of education. Though defined as pre-school education yet this stage is composed of two parts--pre-school education of…

Chemical Polymorphism of Essential Oils of Artemisia vulgaris Growing Wild in Lithuania.

PubMed

Judzentiene, Asta; Budiene, Jurga

2018-02-01

Compositional variability of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) essential oils has been investigated in the study. Plant material (over ground parts at full flowering stage) was collected from forty-four wild populations in Lithuania. The oils from aerial parts were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC(FID) and GC/MS. In total, up to 111 components were determined in the oils. As the major constituents were found: sabinene, 1,8-cineole, artemisia ketone, both thujone isomers, camphor, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, davanone and davanone B. The compositional data were subjected to statistical analysis. The application of PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and AHC (Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering) allowed grouping the oils into six clusters. AHC permitted to distinguish an artemisia ketone chemotype, which, to the best of our knowledge, is very scarce. Additionally, two rare cis-chrysanthenyl acetate and sabinene oil types were determined for the plants growing in Lithuania. Besides, davanone was found for the first time as a principal component in mugwort oils. The performed study revealed significant chemical polymorphism of essential oils in mugwort plants native to Lithuania; it has expanded our chemotaxonomic knowledge both of A. vulgaris species and Artemisia genus. © 2018 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.

Overturn of the proposed alcohol advertising ban in Lithuania.

PubMed

Paukštė, Ernesta; Liutkutė, Vaida; Stelemėkas, Mindaugas; Goštautaitė Midttun, Nijolė; Veryga, Aurelijus

2014-05-01

In response to the dramatic increase in alcohol-related problems in Lithuania, policy measures, including alcohol advertising and availability restrictions combined with taxation increase, were implemented in 2007-08. Simultaneously, a full alcohol advertising ban was adopted to take effect from 1 January 2012. Therefore, the alcohol industry responded with extensive lobbying aiming to revoke this ban, and ultimately they succeeded at the end of December 2011. To document and analyse actions of stakeholders and events during the alcohol advertising ban cancellation process in Lithuania. Policy analysis includes a development of event time-line, description of key stakeholders' actions and a review of policy context. The alcohol industry in Lithuania used similar tactics as the tobacco industry globally, such as creating strong and diverse opposing groups. The industry successfully exerted pressure to change alcohol control legislation, while non-governmental organizations had the important role of a watchdog, blunting industry's efforts. Unequal power distribution made it difficult to withstand combined local and international lobbying to cancel the ban. Given the global nature of the alcohol industry, there is a need for international regulation to limit the influence of vested interests on national lawmaking. © 2014 Society for the Study of Addiction.

29 CFR 1910.144 - Safety color code for marking physical hazards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 29 Labor 5 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Safety color code for marking physical hazards. 1910.144... § 1910.144 Safety color code for marking physical hazards. (a) Color identification—(1) Red. Red shall be the basic color for the identification of: (i) Fire protection equipment and apparatus. [Reserved] (ii...

29 CFR 1910.144 - Safety color code for marking physical hazards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 29 Labor 5 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Safety color code for marking physical hazards. 1910.144... § 1910.144 Safety color code for marking physical hazards. (a) Color identification—(1) Red. Red shall be the basic color for the identification of: (i) Fire protection equipment and apparatus. [Reserved] (ii...

29 CFR 1910.144 - Safety color code for marking physical hazards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 29 Labor 5 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Safety color code for marking physical hazards. 1910.144... § 1910.144 Safety color code for marking physical hazards. (a) Color identification—(1) Red. Red shall be the basic color for the identification of: (i) Fire protection equipment and apparatus. [Reserved] (ii...

29 CFR 1910.144 - Safety color code for marking physical hazards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 29 Labor 5 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Safety color code for marking physical hazards. 1910.144... § 1910.144 Safety color code for marking physical hazards. (a) Color identification—(1) Red. Red shall be... basic color for designating caution and for marking physical hazards such as: Striking against...

RES-E Support Policies In The Baltic States: Development Aspect (Part I)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bobinaite, V.; Priedite, I.

2015-02-01

Despite quite similar conditions (natural resources) for electricity production from renewable energy sources (RES-E) in three Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), significant differences exist in these countries as to the RES-E production volume. In Latvia this volume is the highest, while in Estonia and Lithuania it is half as high. One of the factors that determine the RES-E production volumes is support policies, which in the Baltic States are different. The main objective of this work was to analyze and compare these support policies. The results have shown that for rapid RES-E development the most effective policy is to be market-oriented (as in Estonia), whereas for more stable development such policy should be producer-oriented (as in Lithuania).

A regional approach to health care reform: the Texas border.

PubMed

Rivera, Jose Luis Manzanares; Zuniga, Genny Carrillo

2015-01-01

The purpose of this article is to analyze health insurance disparities related to labor environment factors in the Texas-Mexico border region. A logistic regression model was performed using microdata from the 2010 American Community Survey to estimate the probability of having employer-based insurance, controlling labor environment factors such as hours worked, occupation industry, and the choice of private, nonprofit or public sector jobs. Industries primarily employing the Mexican American population are less likely to offer employer-based health insurance. These industries have the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 770 construction, including cleaning, and NAICS code 8680, restaurants and other food services. Although it was found that working in public sector industries such as code 9470, administration of justice, public order, and safety, or NAICS code 7860, elementary and secondary schools, improved by 60% the probability of the Mexican American population having employer-based health insurance, these occupations ranked at the bottom of the main occupation list for Mexican Americans. These findings provide evidence that the labor environment plays an important role in understanding current health insurance access limitations within the Mexican American community under 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provisions, which are directed to small business and lower-income individuals.

77 FR 22766 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-17

..., Federal Supply Class or Service Code, Contractor Name and Address, Value of Contract Instrument, and the Number and Value of Direct Labor Hours will be used to facilitate the accurate identification of the function performed and to facilitate estimate the reliability of the data. The Direct Labor Hours are...

Gender, the Labor Process and Dignity at Work

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crowley, Martha

2013-01-01

This study brings together gender inequality and labor process research to investigate how divergent control structures generate inequality in work experiences for women and men. Content-coded data on 155 work groups are analyzed using Qualitative Comparative Analysis to identify combinations of control techniques encountered by female and male…

The development and validation of an activity monitoring system for use in measurement of posture of childbearing women during first stage of labor.

PubMed

Martin, Caroline J Hollins; Kenney, Laurence; Pratt, Thomas; Granat, Malcolm H

2015-01-01

There is limited understanding of the type and extent of maternal postures that midwives should encourage or support during labor. The aims of this study were to identify a set of postures and movements commonly seen during labor, to develop an activity monitoring system for use during labor, and to validate this system design. Volunteer student midwives simulated maternal activity during labor in a laboratory setting. Participants (N = 15) wore monitors adhered to the left thigh and left shank, and adopted 13 common postures of laboring women for 3 minutes each. Simulated activities were recorded using a video camera. Postures and movements were coded from the video, and statistical analysis conducted of agreement between coded video data and outputs of the activity monitoring system. Excellent agreement between the 2 raters of the video recordings was found (Cohen's κ = 0.95). Both sensitivity and specificity of the activity monitoring system were greater than 80% for standing, lying, kneeling, and sitting (legs dangling). This validated system can be used to measure elected activity of laboring women and report on effects of postures on length of first stage, pain experience, birth satisfaction, and neonatal condition. This validated maternal posture-monitoring system is available as a reference-and for use by researchers who wish to develop research in this area. © 2015 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

No place like home.

PubMed

Benavidez, Teresa; Friedman, Beth

2003-07-01

To ease staffing burdens, Seton Healthcare Network established a home coding program. DNFB claims pending the health information management department's code assignment consistently decreased, reducing the organization's dollars holding by 25 percent. Decreases in contract and as-needed labor contributed to an operational cost savings of about $200,000 per year. The organization was able to fill all of its coding vacancies.

The impact of Nordic adult education ideas on the development of a democratic society in Lithuania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teresevičienė, Margarita; Trepulė, Elena; Trečiokienė, Edita

2017-02-01

This article analyses the role of the cooperation with and the influence of the Nordic countries on the development of a democratic society in Lithuania through adult education since the reinstatement of its independence from Soviet regime in March 1990 to the present. The authors focus on three main areas: (1) the training of Lithuanian adult educators; (2) the establishment and development of NGOs; and (3) the implications for a Lithuanian policy of adult education. Within the framework of Nordic-Baltic cooperation established among five Nordic and three Baltic countries (NB8) in 1992, Lithuanian adult educators seized the opportunity to visit Scandinavian institutions and projects. Experiencing Nordic adult education ideas has resulted in a marked shift in Lithuanian adult educators' values, methodology and careers; and in the establishment of a series of very influential umbrella associations as well as hundreds of NGOs in Lithuania which work with adults and support functioning democratic values in society. This shift is related to the civic responsibility and active participation growing out of the bottom-up approaches of group work, cooperation, discussions and learning circles which are so inherent in the Nordic tradition of adult education. The internalisation of new democratic values was more complicated than expected for many Lithuanian politicians, adult educators and NGO leaders in terms of how political decisions were perceived and implemented. Furthermore, the influence of the Nordic-Baltic cooperation in adult education may also be traced in adult education policy implications in Lithuania. Some changes in the policies of contemporary Lithuania have not been successful and even failed to promote a democratic society.

Infant mortality gap in the Baltic region - Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania - in relation to macroeconomic factors in 1996-2010.

PubMed

Ebela, Inguna; Zile, Irisa; Ebela, Danute Razuka; Rozenfelde, Ingrida Rumba

2013-01-01

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE. A constant gap has appeared in infant mortality among the 3 Baltic States - Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania - since the restoration of independence in 1991. The aim of the study was to compare infant mortality rates in all the 3 Baltic countries and examine some of the macro- and socioeconomic factors associated with infant mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The data were obtained from international databases, such as World Health Organization and EUROSTAT, and the national statistical databases of the Baltic States. The time series data sets (1996-2010) were used in the regression and correlation analysis. RESULTS. In all the 3 Baltic States, a strong and significant correlation was found: Latvia (r=-0.81, P<0.01), Lithuania (r=-0.93, P<0.01), and Estonia (r=-0.91, P<0.01). There was also a correlation between infant mortality and healthcare expenditure in local currency per capita: Latvia (r=-0.81, P<0.01); Lithuania (r=-0.90, P<0.01) and Estonia (r=-0.88, P<0.01). In Latvia (r=0.87, P<0.01) and Estonia (r=0.70; P<0.01), a significant correlation between infant mortality and unemployment levels was observed from 1996 to 2008, whereas the statistical significance disappeared in the period from 1996 to 2010. In Lithuania, the relationship was not significant. CONCLUSIONS. Higher infant mortality rates and a less stable decreasing tendency in Latvia are apparently explained by less successful adaptation to a new political and economic situation and limited skills in adjusting the healthcare system to the reality of life.

To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that agencies may not deduct labor organization dues from the pay of Federal employees, and for other purposes.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Rep. Scott, Tim [R-SC-1

2011-06-07

House - 06/20/2011 Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy . (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Curriculum Change and Social Inclusion: Perspectives from the Baltic and Scandinavian Countries. Final Report of the Regional Seminar (Vilnius, Lithuania, December 5-8, 2001).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tawil, Sobhi, Ed.

The main objectives of a Vilnius, Lithuania, seminar were to share experiences in curriculum reform to promote life skills for social inclusion. This was to be achieved through an exchange on principles, approaches and methodologies that inform processes of curriculum reform in life skills education. Most of the participants were senior education…

JPRS Report, Soviet Union, Political Affairs.

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-09-07

Rehabilitates Cardinal Vaivods [SOVETSKAYA LATVIYA, 15 Jun 89] 35 Church Built By Boris Godunov Conducts Religious Services [I. Serebryakov...from 1920 through 1940; —the history of the LSDRP [Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party] from 1918 ; —the evaluation of the 23 August 1939...parallels with the 1918 situation in Lithuania in our arguments are incorrect. Let us recall the fact alone that Lithuania at that time used 400 tons of

Renal Anemia Control in Lithuania: Influence of Local Conditions and Local Guidelines

PubMed Central

Kuzminskis, Vytautas; Vaiciuniene, Ruta; Stankuviene, Asta; Bumblyte, Inga Arune

2013-01-01

Erythropoietin stimulating agents had a long haul in Lithuania—we had no epoetin till 1994 and there was no intravenous iron in 2001–2004. The aim of this study was to assess the changes of renal anemia control in hemodialysis patients from early independence of Lithuania till nowadays and to evaluate the link of anemia with hospitalization rates and survival and hemoglobin variability in association with mortality. In December of each year since 1996 all hemodialysis centers have been visited and data has been collected using special questionnaires. The history of renal anemia control in Lithuania was complicated; however, a significant improvement was achieved: 54.7% of hemodialysis patients reached the target hemoglobin; all patients have a possibility of treatment with epoetin and intravenous iron. The involuntary experiment with an intravenous iron occurred in Lithuania because of economic reasons and confirmed the significant role of intravenous iron in the management of renal anemia. Hemoglobin below 100 g/L was associated with a 2.5-fold increase in relative risk of death and 1.7-fold increase in relative risk of hospitalization in Lithuanian hemodialysis patients. Although hemoglobin variability was common in Lithuanian hemodialysis patients, we did not find the association between hemoglobin variability and all-cause mortality in our study. PMID:24367239

Liquid drugs and high dead space syringes may keep HIV and HCV prevalence high - a comparison of Hungary and Lithuania.

PubMed

Gyarmathy, V Anna; Neaigus, Alan; Li, Nan; Ujhelyi, Eszter; Caplinskiene, Irma; Caplinskas, Saulius; Latkin, Carl A

2010-01-01

Despitevery similar political, drug policy and HIV prevention backgrounds, HIV and HCV prevalence is considerably different in Hungary (low HIV and moderate HCV prevalence) and Lithuania (high HCV and moderate HIV prevalence). Wecompared the drug use profile of Hungarian (n = 215) and Lithuanian (n = 300) injecting drug users (IDUs). Overall, compared with IDUs in Hungary, IDUs in Lithuania often injected opiates purchased in liquid form ('shirka'), used and shared 2-piece syringes (vs. 1-piece syringes) disproportionately more often, were less likely to acquire their syringes from legal sources and had significantly more experience with injected and less experience with non-injected drugs. It may not be liquid drugs per se that contribute to a higher prevalence of HCV and/or HIV, but it is probably factors associated with the injecting of liquid drugs, such as the wide-spread use and sharing of potentially contaminated 2-piece syringes acquired often from non-legal sources, and syringe-mediated drug sharing with 2-piece syringes. Scaling up substitution therapy, especially heroin replacement, combined with reducing the supply of liquid drugs may decrease the prevalence of high-risk injecting behaviours related to the injecting of liquid drugs and drug injecting-related infections among IDUs in Lithuania. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Transitional economy, technological change and women's employment: the case of Vietnam.

PubMed

Nguyen Nhat Tuyen

1999-01-01

This paper examines the changing labor and gender relations in the process of economic change in Vietnam. The report also explores the extent of opportunities for women emerging from the processes of technological change and economic liberalization. Vietnam was able to achieve considerable progress and growth with the introduction of the policy package known as doi-moi (renovation). Along with liberalization, came withdrawal of state support in vital social sectors. Under socialism, the state had observed a set of minimum labor standards and provided facilities such as childcare, which were crucial in enabling women to participate in the public sphere. With the state receding into the background, labor has been made much vulnerable to exploitation by internal and external forces. Much affected are women who have steadily been losing all support from the state, which also affects their ability to compete equally with men in the market. Therefore, although there is a Labor Code, which guarantees the rights of workers, in particular the rights of women workers, not many women in the nonstate sector can practically enjoy its legal benefits. In order to correct this situation, the government should develop a program for the implementation and monitoring of the Labor Code, with a special focus on possible violations in the private sector.

Geosites of Lithuania as an environment for dwelling of specific biota: geo- and biodiversity interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skridlaite, Grazina; Motiejunaite, Jurga; Jukoniene, Ilona; Prigodina Lukosiene, Ingrida

2016-04-01

Surface of Lithuania and surrounding countries is sculptured by five glaciations, which left behind morainic tills and melt water deposits, modified by erosion and later used for agriculture or overgrown by wild meadows or forests. The glaciations also left numerous erratic boulders and boulder fields that are declared as natural monuments in Lithuania and surrounding countries. Tens of single boulders and boulder fields are included into the Geosites database at the Lithuanian Geological Survey. Though sparse, but of high scientific value, Devonian, Permian, Triassic and Jurassic outcrops and quarries of Lithuania are variably protected. Quaternary scientists attempted to use single erratic boulders, their fields and abundances in tills to imply glacier dynamics. Some erratics came from known localities in Scandinavia and are called indicator boulders because they show the source and directions of ice sheet movements. Huge single boulders (e.g. 7 m long and 6 m high Puntukas, Anyksciai Regional Park) and wild boulder fields are natural monuments and attractive sites for visitors. Outcrops and quarries of Devonian dolomites and gypsium, Permian limestones and Jurassic sandstones widely used for a scientific research are parts of the protected geo-diversity in the Venta and Birzai regional parks, N and NW Lithuania. On the other hand, a large part of the c. 700 species of lichenized and allied fungi and of c. 500 bryophytes known in Lithuania are confined to natural or semi-natural (quarries) rocky habitats. Eight rock-dwelling lichen and nine bryophyte species are included in the Lithuanian Red Data Book, some of them are known from 1-2 localities or are thought to be extinct now. Besides, the recent investigations of dolomite quarries revealed them to be habitats for 7 bryophyte, 8 lichenized and lichenicolous species, previously unknown for Lithuania. One new lichenicolous species was discovered (Khodosovtsev et al., 2012). Some of the newfinds are rare or absent also in the neighbouring countries. In general, protection of geo-diversity coincides well with protection of narrowly specialized cryptogams, e.g. overgrowing of boulder fields with tall herbs and shrubs also has adversary effect on rock-dwelling lichens. Shading of Devonian outcrops and quarries by trees and shrubs may obscure rocky surfaces and destroy lichens, but favour an establishment of sciophyllous bryophytes. No doubt that cleaning of surfaces of single boulders that are well-known nature monuments prevents an establishment and growth of lichens and bryophytes. However, most of the geological monuments which are subjected to cleaning are situated in localities under strong anthropogenic impact and therefore not suitable for settlement of the rare and protected species. Though conservation conflicts arise even when protecting different species of biota, not to mention conservation of bio- versus geo-diversity, most of the conservation measures for the geoheritage in Lithuania are also suitable for rock-inhabiting lichens and bryophytes. Protection status and measures should be negotiated by bio-and geoscientists, and legislation for bio- and geo-diversity protection should be improved. Khodosovtsev, A., Vondrák, J., Naumovich, A., Kocourková, J., Vondráková, O., Motiejūnaitė, J., 2012. Nova Hedwigia, 95(1-2): 211-220.

"Sweatshop" Protests Raise Ethical and Practical Issues.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van der Werf, Martin

1999-01-01

Student activists have put pressure on colleges and universities to toughen licensing codes aimed at eliminating sweatshop labor for college apparel made in other countries, and have had some success. However, oversight of the codes among contractors in developing countries is logistically and economically problematic. (MSE)

The Al-Hiraak Movement in Yemen: A Study of the Implications of Federalization on a Secession Movement

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-04

backing the established 19 Allen Buchanan, Secession: The Morality of Political Divorce from Fort Sumter to Lithuania and Quebec (Boulder: Westview...behavior as being a result of either deprivation or social marginalization. Deprivation is generally defined as poverty or the denial of political...South Arabia. London: I.B. Tauris, 2011. Buchanan, Allen. Secession: The Morality of Political Divorce from Fort Sumter to Lithuania and Quebec

Trends and social differences in alcohol consumption during the postcommunist transition in Lithuania.

PubMed

Klumbiene, Jurate; Kalasauskas, Darius; Petkeviciene, Janina; Veryga, Aurelijus; Sakyte, Edita

2012-01-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate the trends and social differences in consumption of various types of alcoholic beverages in Lithuania over the postcommunist transition period (1994-2010). The data were obtained from nine nationally representative postal surveys of Lithuanian population aged 20-64 conducted every second year (n = 17154). Prevalence of regular (at least once a week) consumption of beer, wine, or strong alcoholic beverages and the amount of alcohol consumed per week were examined. Regular beer drinking as well as the amounts consumed increased considerably in both genders. The increase in regular consumption of strong alcohol was found among women. Sociodemographic patterning of regular alcohol drinking was more evident in women than in men. In women, young age and high education were associated with frequent regular drinking of wine and beer. Social differences in regular alcohol drinking should be considered in further development of national alcohol control policy in Lithuania.

Space plant biology research in Lithuania.

PubMed

Ričkienė, Aurika

2012-09-01

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial Earth satellite, initiating its space exploration programs. Throughout the rest of the twentieth century, the development of these space programs received special attention from Soviet Union authorities. Scientists from the former Soviet Republics, including Lithuania, participated in these programs. From 1971 to 1990, Lithuanians designed more than 20 experiments on higher plant species during space flight. Some of these experiments had never before been attempted and, therefore, made scientific history. However, the formation and development of space plant biology research in Lithuania or its origins, context of formation, and placement in a worldwide context have not been explored from a historical standpoint. By investigating these topics, this paper seeks to construct an image of the development of a very specific field of science in a small former Soviet republic. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Homicide Rates in Lithuania.

PubMed

Chmieliauskas, Sigitas; Laima, Sigitas; Andriuskeviciute, Gerda; Jurolaic, Eleonora; Jasulaitis, Algimantas

2018-05-01

Homicide rate in Lithuania between 2004 and 2013 decreased and reached an average of 6.7 per 100,000 people in 2013. The data regarding forensic autopsies of intentional homicide victims were obtained from the State Forensic Medicine Service. Spearman's correlation test was used to assess trends in the homicide rates. A significant correlation was observed between homicide distribution and the following variables: Lithuania's gross domestic product (r = -0.85, p = 0.003), the number of alcohol intoxication cases of victims (r = 0.97, p < 0.05). After regression model adjustments, these variables remained significantly associated with the homicide distribution (p < 0.05). 73% of victims were men, with a mean age of 45.5 ± 15. Alcohol intoxication was present in 58% of victims. 66% of homicides were carried out indoors, 57% in urban area. The presented findings help decide which prevention programs may be the most effective in homicide rate reduction. © 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Labor Market Frictions and Production Efficiency in Public Schools. Working Paper 163

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Dongwoo; Koedel, Cory; Ni, Shawn; Podgursky, Michael

2016-01-01

State-specific licensing policies and pension plans create mobility costs for educators who cross state lines. We empirically test whether these costs affect production in schools--a hypothesis that follows directly from economic theory on labor frictions--using geo-coded data from the lower-48 states. We find that achievement is lower in…

Agricultural Occupations Handbook.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lark, Floyd J.; Henderson, Billie

This agricultural occupations handbook was developed from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) and the U.S. Departments of Health, Education, and Welfare, and Labor publication, Vocational Education and Occupations. It includes the U.S. Office of Education coding for the instructional area of agriculture and the cluster coding for the…

75 FR 3053 - Application Numbers and Proposed Exemptions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-19

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code).

Study on Customer Satisfaction with Facilities Management Services in Lithuania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lepkova, Natalija; Žūkaitė-Jefimovienė, Giedrė

2012-12-01

The article introduces the concept and content of facilities management (FM) services. The paper presents the concept of customer satisfaction and discusses the key factors which influence the opinions of customers and their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the services provided. The article presents two studies: a brief survey of several FM service providers and a survey of customer satisfaction with FM services in Lithuania. The conclusions are given at the end of the article.

Epidemiology of paediatric burns in Lithuania: focus on a vulnerable population exposed to the risk of scalds at home without hot tap water supply.

PubMed

Kubilius, Darius; Smailytė, Giedrė; Rimdeikienė, Inesa; Malcius, Dalius; Kaikaris, Vygintas; Rimdeika, Rytis

2014-05-01

To describe the epidemiology of paediatric burns in Lithuania, identify the trends of burn occurrence, the vulnerable population and aetiology. This study was based on all inclusive national information obtained from the National Health Insurance database for the period of 2001-2010. Information on the burns aetiology was collected in the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Heath Sciences Kauno Klinikos. 7146 children in the age group of 0-14 were hospitalized in Lithuania and constituted 44% of all admissions due to burns. The incidence among boys was 149.8 and among girls 99.9 per 100,000. The highest risk of burns was observed from 11 to 15 months of age. Scalding in 0-1 years age group composed 96% of all burns in this age group. Children younger than 2 years of age are a vulnerable population of burns in Lithuania. Scalding was main cause of their burns. The aetiological subgroups of scalding were scalding with hot drinks/food and scalding with hot water meant for household. The major part of scalding with hot drinks was due to scalding with parents' drinks. Scalding with hot water meant for household is associated with the lack of hot water supply. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

The Palaeoproterozoic accretionary crustal growth: implications from new age data on the crystalline basement in Lithuania, NW Belarus and N Poland (the East European Craton)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skridlaite, G.; Bogdanova, S.; Taran, L.; Wiszniewska, J.

2012-04-01

A southwestward younging of Palaeoproterozoic terranes in the crystalline basement in the western part of the East European Craton has been recently suggested by numerous isotopic datings (TIMS, SIMS zircon, EPMA monazite and 40Ar/39Ar). Along with geochemical and geophysical data this allows to decipher a multistage accretionary history. In the east, the Belarus-Podlasie Granulite belt (BPG) is dominated by 1.88 Ga dioritic-granodioritic (calc-alkaline) magmatism in Belarus (Claesson et al., 2001). Remnants of c. 1.89 Ga metadiorites, c. 1.90 Ga magmatic zircon cores in c. 1.80 Ga granites (Vejelyte, 2011) in S and E Lithuania and 1.88 Ga metagranodiorites in E Poland (Radzyn area) confirm the c. 1.90 Ga accretion-related magmatism in the BPG and the East Lithuanian domain. Together with the coeval juvenile granitoids in the adjacent Okolovo terrane this indicates the formation of the Lithuanian-Belarus composite terrane at 1.90-1.88 Ga. At c. 1.86-1.84 Ga, abundant gabbro-diorite-granodiorite-granite intrusions were emplaced further southwest in Lithuania, NW Belarus and N Poland. In Lithuana, within the Polish-Lithuanian terrane the TTG suite of deformed and metamorphosed in amphibolite facies calc-alkaline tonalitic, quartz dioritic and dioritic rocks is characteristic for the Randamonys massif. The strongly deformed granitoids in the adjacent NW Belarus, mafic granulites and gneissic granites of igneous origin in central Lithuania, garnet-cordierite bearing granites further north display similar c. 1.84 Ga magmatic age (Motuza et al., 2008). This shows that various tectonic settings including island and continental magmatic arcs were possible. They were accreted to the Lithuanian-Belarus terrane sometime at 1.84-1.81 Ga while voluminous charnockitic magmatism took place in W Lithuania (e.g. Claesson et al., 2001; Vejelyte, 2011). A chain of younger c. 1.83 Ga volcanic arcs was developed in W and S Lithuania and N Poland (Wiszniewska et al., 2005). The widespread c. 1.80-1.76 Ga metamorphism and tholeiitic magmatism related to post-collisional extension constrain the maximum age of the final accretion of the terranes. It is evidenced by numerous 1.80-1.79 Ga gabbro-noritic, dioritic and granitic intrusions in NE Poland and elsewhere in Lithuania and Belarus (Claesson, 2001; Vejelyte, 2011). The later reworking at c. 1.70-1.45 Ga and c. 1.60-1.45 Ga AMCG magmatism affected the already accreted craton. Evolutionary, a 1.90-1.87 Ga continental margin was established in present-day E Lithuania and NW Belarus, while younger volcanic arcs were still forming to the west and south at 1.86-1.84 Ga. They had been subsequently accreted to the c. 1.89 Ga continental margin in the time span of 1.84-1.80 Ga, and a new continental margin emerged. After the youngest c. 1.83-1.80 Ga island arcs were docked, the ocean was closed and the crust was finally cratonized. The younger 1.70-1.45 Ga events were intracratonic reflections of active geological processes further west. This is a contribution to the project "Precambrian rock provinces and active tectonic boundaries across the Baltic Sea and in adjacent areas" of the Visby Programme (the Swedish Institute), Lithuanian Science Council grant MIP-034/2011 and SYNTHESYS project SE-TAF-1535

[Survival of hemodialysis patients in Lithuania (data from all hemodialysis centers in the 1998-2005 cohort)].

PubMed

Stankuviene, Asta; Bumblyte, Inga Arūne; Kuzminskis, Vytautas; Ziginskiene, Edita; Balciuviene, Vilma

2007-01-01

There is no any official renal registry in Lithuania, so in order to know the exact demographic statistics of patients on hemodialysis, we started to collect data since 1996. The aim of the study was to estimate the survival rate of hemodialysis patients and its dynamics, to compare survival in different groups of sex, age, primary renal disease, and to compare to survival of dialysis patients in Europe. We analyzed the data of all patients who started hemodialysis in Lithuania between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2005. The information was obtained from medical documentation. The total survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Maier method. During the study period, 2418 patients started hemodialysis (51.7% of males, 48.3% of females). Their mean age at the beginning of treatment was 56.19+/-16.12 years. Death occurred in 792 patients. The main cause of death was cardiovascular events, accounting for 32.3%. The total survival rate of hemodialysis patients in Lithuania at 1 year was 79.97%; at 2 years, 69.18%; at 5 years, 49.97%; at 7 years, 38.3%. Males lived longer than females (log rank P<0.05), but the mean age of females was greater, and survival rate adjusted for age did not differ between the groups. The highest survival rate was in the youngest group (0-19 years old), the lowest - in patients older than 75 years. Diabetic patients lived shorter than nondiabetic patients (log rank P<0.00001). Although patients who start hemodialysis have become older and their survival has been improving, in the 1998-2002 cohort survival was lower as compared to overall survival of patients on dialysis in European countries participating in ERA-EDTA registry. Survival of hemodialysis patients in Lithuania in the 1998-2005 cohort depended on age and primary renal disease and despite aging of population on hemodialysis has been improving.

[Development of hemodialysis service in Lithuania during (1996-2003)].

PubMed

Ziginskiene, Edita; Kuzminskis, Vytautas; Stankuviene, Asta; Santockiene, Lina; Kybartiene, Sondra; Labutiene, Vilma; Makaraite, Alanta; Vainauskas, Vaclovas; Macius, Kazimieras; Sakalauskiene, Marija; Sirevicius, Virgilijus; Urbanaviciene, Jūrate

2005-01-01

The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes of hemodialysis (HD) service and main demographic characteristics of HD patients in Lithuania during seven years period. From 1996 to 2003 we visited annually all HD centers in Lithuania and collected data about all HD patients. There was a sharp increase in the number of HD centers (from 17 to 37), HD stations (from 25 p. m. p. (per million population) to 87 p.m.p.; p<0.001), HD patients (from 60 p.m.p. to 264 p.m.p.; p<0.001) and incidence of new HD patients (from 54.3 p.m.p. to 92 p.m.p.; p<0.01). In 1996 all 17 HD centers in Lithuania were public. Private HD centers appeared in 1998 and reached 43.2% of all HD centers (n=16) in 2003. 44.8% of HD patients were dialyzed in private HD centers. The mean age of HD patients increased from 47.2+/-16.1 years in 1996 to 57.5+/-14.9 years in 2003 (p<0.001). HD population became older. The percentage of patients over 60 years old increased from 22.8% to 49.7% (p<0.001) and over 70 years old--from 54% to 21.9% (p<0.001). The main underlying disease of end-stage renal disease was chronic glomerulonephritis but its rate had decreased from 54.5% in 1996 to 26.5% in 2003 (p<0.001). During this period there was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of end-stage renal disease due to diabetics (from 7.1% to 18.0%; p<0.01), hypertensive nephropathy (from 3.1% to 9.4%; p<0.05), and chronic pyelonephritis (from 11.2% to 18.6%; p<0.01). In summary during the last seven years HD service in Lithuania expanded significantly, and rapid development of private HD was observed. The number of HD patients was rising continuously with predominance of diabetic, hypertensive and elderly patients.

Identification and genetic characterization of Sarcocystis arctica and Sarcocystis lutrae in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Baltic States and Spain.

PubMed

Kirillova, Viktorija; Prakas, Petras; Calero-Bernal, Rafael; Gavarāne, Inese; Fernández-García, José Luis; Martínez-González, Manuel; Rudaitytė-Lukošienė, Eglė; Martínez-Estéllez, Miguel Ángel Habela; Butkauskas, Dalius; Kirjušina, Muza

2018-03-12

Typically, carnivores serve as definitive hosts for Sarcocystis spp. parasites; currently, their role as intermediate hosts is being elucidated. The present study aimed to identify and molecularly characterize Sarcocystis cysts detected in striated muscle of red foxes from different populations in Latvia, Lithuania and Spain. Muscle samples from 411 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 269 racoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) from Latvia, 41 red foxes from Lithuania and 22 red foxes from Spain were examined for the presence of Sarcocystis sarcocysts by light microscopy (LM). Sarcocystis spp. were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular biology techniques. Sarcocystis cysts were detected in 11/411 (2.7%) Latvian, 3/41 (7.3%) Lithuanian, and 6/22 (27.3%) Spanish red foxes, however, cysts were not observed in the muscles of racoon dogs. Based on LM, TEM, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, ITS1, cox1 and rpoB sequences, Sarcocystis arctica and Sarcocystis lutrae cysts were identified in red fox muscles from Latvia and Lithuania, whereas only S. arctica was detected in Spain. The 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and ITS1 sequences from the 21 isolates of S. arctica from Latvia, Lithuania and Spain were identical. By contrast, two and four haplotypes were determined based on mtDNA cox1 and apicoplast rpoB sequences, respectively. Polymorphisms were not detected between the two isolates of S. lutrae from Latvia and Lithuania. Based on phylogenetic results, S. arctica and S. lutrae were most closely related to Sarcocystis spp. using predatory mammals as intermediate hosts and to Sarcocystis species with a bird-bird life-cycle. Based on current knowledge, the red fox and Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) could act as intermediate host for the same two Sarcocystis species. Molecular results suggest the existence of two genetic lineages of S. arctica, and such divergence relies on its geographical distribution but not on their intermediate host species.

Construction safety program for the National Ignition Facility, July 30, 1999 (NIF-0001374-OC)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Benjamin, D W

1999-07-30

These rules apply to all LLNL employees, non-LLNL employees (including contract labor, supplemental labor, vendors, personnel matrixed/assigned from other National Laboratories, participating guests, visitors and students) and contractors/subcontractors. The General Rules-Code of Safe Practices shall be used by management to promote accident prevention through indoctrination, safety and health training and on-the-job application. As a condition for contracts award, all contractors and subcontractors and their employees must certify on Form S and H A-l that they have read and understand, or have been briefed and understand, the National Ignition Facility OCIP Project General Rules-Code of Safe Practices. (An interpreter must briefmore » those employees who do not speak or read English fluently.) In addition, all contractors and subcontractors shall adopt a written General Rules-Code of Safe Practices that relates to their operations. The General Rules-Code of Safe Practices must be posted at a conspicuous location at the job site office or be provided to each supervisory employee who shall have it readily available. Copies of the General Rules-Code of Safe Practices can also be included in employee safety pamphlets.« less

Teaching ethics in a Masters Program in Public Health in Lithuania

PubMed Central

Jakusovaite, Irayda; Bankauskaite, Vaida

2007-01-01

This article aims to present 10 years of experience of teaching ethics in a Masters Program in Public Health in Lithuania, and to discuss the content, skills, teaching approach and tools of this programme. In addition, the article analyses the links between ethics and law, identifies the challenges of the teaching process and suggests future teaching strategies. The important role of teaching ethics in countries that are in transition owing to a radically changing value system is emphasised. PMID:17601872

[WILD MAMMALS OF THE GRAND DUCHY OF LITHUANIA IN THE WORKS OF JEAN-EMMANUEL GILIBERT].

PubMed

Samojlik, Tomasz; Daszkiewicz, Piotr

2015-01-01

Among the many topics of lively scientific work that Jean Emmanuel Gilibert (1741-1814) conducted in Grodno and Vilnius, an important place is occupied by his observations of wild mammals. Royal patronage and care from Antoni Tyzenhauz, Treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the governor of Grodno, allowed Gilibert to keep and observe wild fauna captured by royal services in royal forests, including Białowieża Primeval Forest. Such was an origin of a female bison kept by Gilibert in Grodno. Its description, published in Indagatores naturae in Lithuania (Vilnius 1781) for decades became the primary source of information about the behaviour, food preferences and the anatomy of European bison. European science has just begun to take interest in European bison, therefore Gilibert's account entered scientific circulation by way of French natural history encyclopaedias (mainly Georges Buffon's Histoire naturelle) and works by Georges Cuvier or Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire. Apart from the description of European bison, Gilibert left an entire series of observations of wild mammals inhabiting the forests of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. His accounts of moose were important in building a knowledge base for this species. In the first half of the 18th century, moose was known mainly from fantastic descriptions in Renaissance works and from prescriptions devoted to using moose hoof as the epilepsy treatment. Gilibert's observations helped to overthrow such superstitions. Similarly, Gilibert's first-hand information verified the widespread legends concerning brown bear (e.g. the belief that white bears, belonging to other species than polar bears, occur in Lithuania) . List of species kept and thoroughly watched by the scholar is much longer and includes lynx, wolf (and hybrids of wolves and dogs), beaver, badger, fox, hedgehog, and even white mouse. Also his comments on the species of mammals then absent in Lithuania but known either from farming or from the fur trade (wolverine, bobak marmot or steppe polecat). Also in these cases, Gilibert's descriptions were often the first reliable information that entered the circulation in European science. His accounts were not free of errors and mistakes--but they resulted mainly from the pioneering role of his work. Some of his breeding experiments can arouse the reader's sincere smile today, such as an attempt to feed a beaver with fish or serve cooked beans to a lynx In the margins of his mammal observations, Gilibert described also the place of their occurrence, extensive forests of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Read from the contemporary perspective, his thoughts are surprisingly relevant. In his praise of "primeval nature, free from human actions and not disturbed by accident or by the impatience of human desires" he sounds very similar to today's eulogists of the primeval forest of Białowieża.

75 FR 47639 - Application Nos. and Proposed Exemptions; D-11569, Sherburne Tele Systems, Inc.; and D-11597...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-06

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code).

75 FR 12305 - Application Nos. and Proposed Exemptions; D-11500, Carle Foundation Hospital & Affiliates Pension...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-15

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code).

Development of the profession and qualifications of adult educators in Lithuania in the context of reforms of adult education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gedvilienė, Genutė; Tūtlys, Vidmantas; Lukošūnienė, Vilija; Zuzevičiūtė, Vaiva

2018-01-01

The Baltic countries regained their independence from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s and joined the European Union in 2004. This article seeks to explore institutional development and reforms of adult education and lifelong learning in Lithuania with respect to the processes, the actors and the context of socioeconomic change over the past 20 years. It also looks at the implications of these processes for the professionalisation of adult educators, referred to here as "adult learning teachers" (ALTs). The authors begin with an analysis of the historical-institutional and political-economical aspects of the development of adult education and lifelong learning by providing a retrospective of institutional change in Lithuania. They then move on to analyse the existing institutional and legal arrangements of adult education which shape and institutionalise the profession and qualifications of ALTs. Their empirical research reveals the opinions of Lithuanian ALTs on their current professional occupational profile and its future development.

Structural Estimation of Family Labor Supply with Taxes: Estimating a Continuous Hours Model Using a Direct Utility Specification

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heim, Bradley T.

2009-01-01

This paper proposes a new method for estimating family labor supply in the presence of taxes. This method accounts for continuous hours choices, measurement error, unobserved heterogeneity in tastes for work, the nonlinear form of the tax code, and fixed costs of work in one comprehensive specification. Estimated on data from the 2001 PSID, the…

Impact of anthropogenic pressure on the formation of population structure and genetic diversity of raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides

PubMed Central

Griciuvienė, Loreta; Paulauskas, Algimantas; Radzijevskaja, Jana; Žukauskienė, Judita; Pūraitė, Irma

2016-01-01

Abstract The raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides experienced an active introduction and acclimatization in the European part of Russia followed by its migration to and colonization in the neighboring countries. Eventually, it has spread rapidly into many European countries. N. procyonoides probably invaded Lithuania from the neighboring countries of Belarus and Latvia where the species was introduced. However, the data on genetic diversity and population structure of the raccoon dogs in the recently invaded territories are still scarce. The objectives of this study were to investigate genetic diversity of N. procyonoides in Lithuania after acclimatization, and to assess the impact of anthropogenic pressure on the formation of population structure. A total of 147 N. procyonoides individuals collected from different regions of Lithuania were genotyped using 17 microsatellite markers. The microsatellite analysis of raccoon dogs indicated high levels of genetic diversity within the population. The Bayesian clustering analysis in STRUCTURE identified 4 genetic clusters among sampled raccoon dogs that could not reveal a clear separation between subpopulations. The widespread distribution of raccoon dogs in Lithuania, high level of genetic variation observed within subpopulations, and low level of variation portioned among subpopulations suggest migration and gene flow among locations. The significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances indicated isolation that reflected the distance between locations. The fencing of highways and very intensive traffic could be barriers to gene flow between the western and eastern sampling areas of raccoon dogs. PMID:29491930

Case-crossover analysis of heat-coded deaths and vulnerable subpopulations: Oklahoma, 1990-2011

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Brianna F.; Brooke Anderson, G.; Johnson, Matthew G.; Brown, Sheryll; Bradley, Kristy K.; Magzamen, Sheryl

2017-11-01

The extent of the association between temperature and heat-coded deaths, for which heat is the primary cause of death, remains largely unknown. We explored the association between temperature and heat-coded deaths and potential interactions with various demographic and environmental factors. A total of 335 heat-coded deaths that occurred in Oklahoma from 1990 through 2011 were identified using heat-related International Classification of Diseases codes, cause-of-death nomenclature, and narrative descriptions. Conditional logistic regression models examined the association between temperature and heat index on heat-coded deaths. Interaction by demographic factors (age, sex, marital status, living alone, outdoor/heavy labor occupations) and environmental factors (ozone, PM10, PM2.5) was also explored. Temperatures ≥99 °F (the median value) were associated with approximately five times higher odds of a heat-coded death as compared to temperatures <99 °F (adjusted OR = 4.9, 95% CI 3.3, 7.2). The effect estimates were attenuated when exposure to heat was characterized by heat index. The interaction results suggest that effect of temperature on heat-coded deaths may depend on sex and occupation. For example, the odds of a heat-coded death among outdoor/heavy labor workers exposed to temperatures ≥99 °F was greater than expected based on the sum of the individual effects (observed OR = 14.0, 95% CI 2.7, 72.0; expected OR = 4.1 [2.8 + 2.3-1.0]). Our results highlight the extent of the association between temperature and heat-coded deaths and emphasize the need for a comprehensive, multisource definition of heat-coded deaths. Furthermore, based on the interaction results, we recommend that states implement or expand heat safety programs to protect vulnerable subpopulations, such as outdoor workers.

[GEOLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF THE VILNIUS REGION BY J. E. GILIBERT (1741-1814), THE FIRST PROFESSOR OF NATURAL HISTORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VILNIUS].

PubMed

Tarkowski, Radosław

2015-01-01

In 1775-1783, Jean-Emmanuel Gilibert (1741-1814) stayed in Respublica Poloniae to oranize a veterinary school, the Royal Botanic Garden and the Royal School of Physicians in Grodno, and since 1781 he worked in Vilnius as Professor of Natural History at the Principal School of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Little is known about his work conducted in Lithuania in the field of geology and earth sciences. The author has decided, on the basis of Gilibert's publications and analysis of the literature (works of J. Garbowska and P. Daszkiewicz and others), to present his teaching and research activities in this field. In Grodno, Gilibert looked after and multiplied the collections of the natural history cabinet at the Royal School of Physicians, renowned for its rich mineralogical and fossil collections watched and admired by, among others, King Stanisław August, J. Bernoulli (1744-1807) and M. Patrin (1742-1815) who mentions the amber rosary with a different species of insects preserved in each bead. Gilibert's tours around Lithuania were the opportunity to enlarge the geological collections and to adapt them to the needs of the school. He also appreciated the importance of ordinary specimens representing the geology of the area. These specimens not only enriched the natural history cabinet, but also defined the way of working and collecting. Ha was the first to found and gather fossil animals from near Grodno. The signs of mineralogical and geological interests of Gilibert can be found in the works of other authors of that epoch (L. Viteta (1736-1809) and J. Bernoulli). In Vilnius, Gilibert conducted a one year-long full lecture on natural history (zoology, botany and mineralogy). In his lectures on mineralogy, he presented not only the systematics, but also emphasized the usefulness of minerals in medicine, for the production of ornamental items and in different sectors of the economy. He adapted the process of teaching to the needs of practical life, based on observations and experiments, and was using the local wildlife specimens in his lectures. Thanks to the French naturalist, the teaching of natural science remained at a good European level since the time the Department was founded at the University of Vilnius. A treatise on physical geography of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is Gilibert's best-known published work in Poland. Based on own observations, he determined, e.g., the causes of drying of ponds and marshes, as well as of the formation of peat, limonitic iron and ocher, the origin of rivers in Lithuania and the presence of amber, and described a number of fossils. He provided the characteristics of geological deposits (now included in the Quaternary), described their origin and age, and drew attention to the issues of dynamic geology (e.g. erosional activity of rainwater, river erosion, formation of sand dunes). From the period of his eight-year stay in Lithuania, Gilibert also submitted observations on the climate of Lithuania, documented by temperature measurements. He indicated that the climate of this part of Europe was milder than the French believed, with clearly noticeable two seasons: winter and summer. He pointed out that the autumn rains give rise to muddy areas persisting to the end of November, and the most severe frost, usually several days long, occurs in late December and January, when the winds blow from the northeast. June and July are typically the hottest months, but the northern winds sometimes cause July ground frosts. He compared Lithuania's climate to that of the Alpine foreland. Gilibert was the first scholar who studied the natural environment of Lithuania based on scientific principles. Interesting are his observations on the amber resin, for example, unequivocal statement that amber is a resin, at the time when the idea was still much discussed. Worth noting are the geological elements in the physiographic description of Lithuania, published by Gilibert (1806) in Histoires des Plantes d'Europe. It should also be pointed to the methodological aspect of Gilibert's works: the facts precede interpretations, the results are attempted to be universalized by transposition into areas other than those investigated by Gilibert, and the observations are linked with scientific theories, which were new at those times, in the field of geology, chemistry and physics. Gilibert's descriptions were often the first ones available to the naturalists in western and southern Europe. They were all the more valuable that contained a lot of data on the geology, meteorology, physical geography etc., useful in various fields.

Future Research Needs for Dredgeability of Rock: Rock Dredging Workshop Held in Jacksonville, Florida on 25-26 July 1985.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-09-01

ORGANIZATION Gjeoteehnical Laborator WESGR-M 6c ADDRESS (City, Slate, and ZIP Code ) 7b ADDRESS(City, State. and ZIP Code ) PO Box 631 Vicksburg, MS 39180...of Engineers 8< ADDRESS(City, State, and ZIP Code ) 10 SOURCE OF FUNDING NUMBERS PROGRAM PROJECT TASK WORK UNIT.. ", 1 :, • ; I, - u It ., " ’ ~f...Springfield, VA 22161 17 COSATI CODES 18 SUBJECT TERMS (Continue-On revprse of necessary and identify by block number) " FIELD GROUP SUB GROUP

75 FR 22853 - D-11456, PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.; and D-11602, State Street Bank and Trust Company, et...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-30

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code).

Emerging from the tragedies in Bangladesh: a challenge to voluntarism in the global economy.

PubMed

Claeson, Björn Skorpen

2015-02-01

Under the regime of private company or multi-stakeholder voluntary codes of conduct and industry social auditing, workers have absorbed low wages and unsafe and abusive conditions; labor leaders and union members have become the targets of both government and factory harassment and violence; and trade union power has waned. Nowhere have these private systems of codes and audits so clearly failed to protect workers as in Bangladesh's apparel industry. However, international labor groups and Bangladeshi unions have succeeded in mounting a challenge to voluntarism in the global economy, persuading more than 180 companies to make a binding and enforceable commitment to workers' safety in an agreement with 12 unions. The extent to which this Bangladesh Accord will be able to influence the entrenched global regime of voluntary codes and weak trade unions remains an open question. But if the Accord can make progress in Bangladesh, it can help to inspire similar efforts in other countries and in other industries. © 2015 SAGE Publications.

Lithuanian health care in transitional state: ethical problems

PubMed Central

Jakušovaitė, Irayda; Darulis, Žilvinas; Žekas, Romualdas

2005-01-01

Background Throughout the economic and political reforms in post-communist countries, significant changes have also occurred in public morality. One of the tasks of the Lithuanian health policy is to create mechanisms for strengthening the significance of ethical considerations in the decision-making processes concerning health care of individuals and groups of individuals, as well as considering the positions of physicians and the health care system itself in a general way. Thus, health care ethics could be analyzed at two levels: the micro level (the ethics of doctor-patient relationships) and the macro level (the ethics of health policy-making, which can be realized by applying the principles of equal access, reasonable quality, affordable care and shared responsibilities). To date, the first level remains dominant, but the need arises for our attention to refocus now from the micro level to the patterns of managing and delivering care, managing the health care resources, and conducting business practices. Discussion In attempting to increase the efficiency of health services in Lithuania, a common strategy has been in place for the last fifteen years. Decentralization and privatization have been implemented as part of its policy to achieve greater efficiency. Although decentralization in theory is supposed to improve efficiency, in practice the reform of decentralization has still to be completely implemented in Lithuania. Debates on health policy in Lithuania also include the issue of private versus public health care. Although the approach of private health care is changing in a positive way, it is obvious that reduced access to health services is the most vulnerable aspect. In the Lithuanian Health Program adopted in July 1998, the target of equity was stressed, stating that by 2010, differences in health and health care between various socio-economic groups should be reduced by 25%. Summary The restructuring of health care system in Lithuania should be based on a balance between decentralization and centralization, and between public and private health care sectors. Successful transition requires a balanced role of the government. Today it is obvious in Lithuania that continuous encouragement to make sacrifices was not enough to induce the system to function well, and in an ethical manner. PMID:16281969

Barriers to access to opioid medicines for patients with opioid dependence: a review of legislation and regulations in eleven central and eastern European countries.

PubMed

Vranken, Marjolein J M; Mantel-Teeuwisse, Aukje K; Jünger, Saskia; Radbruch, Lukas; Scholten, Willem; Lisman, John A; Subataite, Marija; Schutjens, Marie-Hélène D B

2017-06-01

Barriers linked to drug control systems are considered to contribute to inequitable access to controlled medicines, leaving millions of people in pain and suffering. Most studies focus on access to opioids for the treatment of severe (cancer) pain. This study aims to identify specific access barriers for patients with opioid dependence in legislation and regulations of 11 central and eastern European countries. This study builds on a previous analysis of legislation and regulations as part of the EU 7th Framework Access To Opioid Medication in Europe (ATOME) project. An in-depth analysis was undertaken to determine specific barriers for patients with opioid dependence in need of opioid analgesics or opioid agonist therapy (OAT). For each country, the number and nature of specific potential barriers for these patients were assessed according to eight categories: prescribing; dispensing; manufacturing; usage; trade and distribution; affordability; penalties; and other. An additional keyword search was conducted to minimize the omission of barriers. Barriers in an additional category, language, were recorded qualitatively. Countries included Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey. Ten of the 11 countries (all except Estonia) showed specific potential barriers in their legislation and regulations. The total number of barriers varied from two (Slovenia) to 46 (Lithuania); the number of categories varied from one (Slovenia) to five (Lithuania). Most specific potential barriers were shown in the categories 'prescribing', 'usage' and 'other'. The total number in a single category varied from one to 18 (Lithuania, prescribing). Individual differences between countries in the same specific potential barrier were shown; for example, variation in minimum age criteria for admission to OAT ranging from 15 (Lithuania, in special cases) to 20 years (Greece). All countries had stigmatizing language in their legislation. Patients with opioid dependence are likely to experience specific barriers to accessing opioids in addition to those experienced by other non-dependent patients. © 2017 Society for the Study of Addiction.

Uncertainty analysis of moderate- versus coarse-scale satellite fire products for quantifying agricultural burning: Implications for Air Quality in European Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCarty, J. L.; Krylov, A.; Prishchepov, A. V.; Banach, D. M.; Potapov, P.; Tyukavina, A.; Rukhovitch, D.; Koroleva, P.; Turubanova, S.; Romanenkov, V.

2015-12-01

Cropland and pasture burning are common agricultural management practices that negatively impact air quality at a local and regional scale, including contributing to short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). This research focuses on both cropland and pasture burning in European Russia, Lithuania, and Belarus. Burned area and fire detections were derived from 500 m and 1 km Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), 30 m Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) data. Carbon, particulate matter, volatile organic carbon (VOCs), and harmful air pollutants (HAPs) emissions were then calculated using MODIS and Landsat-based estimates of fire and land-cover and land-use. Agricultural burning in Belarus, Lithuania, and European Russia showed a strong and consistent seasonal geographic pattern from 2002 to 2012, with the majority of fire detections occurring in March - June and smaller peak in July and August. Over this 11-year period, there was a decrease in both cropland and pasture burning throughout this region. For Smolensk Oblast, a Russian administrative region with comparable agro-environmental conditions to Belarus and Lithuania, a detailed analysis of Landsat-based burned area estimations for croplands and pastures and field data collected in summer 2014 showed that the agricultural burning area can be up to 10 times higher than the 1 km MODIS active fire estimates. In general, European Russia is the main source of agricultural burning emissions compared to Lithuania and Belarus. On average, all cropland burning in European Russia as detected by the MCD45A1 MODIS Burned Area Product emitted 17.66 Gg of PM10 while annual burning of pasture in Smolensk Oblast, Russia as detected by Landsat burn scars emitted 494.85 Gg of PM10, a 96% difference. This highlights that quantifying the contribution of pasture burning and burned area versus cropland burning in agricultural regions is important for accurately calculating carbonaceous emissions and emissions that negatively impact air quality.

Lithuanian health care in transitional state: ethical problems.

PubMed

Jakusovaite, Irayda; Darulis, Zilvinas; Zekas, Romualdas

2005-11-09

Throughout the economic and political reforms in post-communist countries, significant changes have also occurred in public morality. One of the tasks of the Lithuanian health policy is to create mechanisms for strengthening the significance of ethical considerations in the decision-making processes concerning health care of individuals and groups of individuals, as well as considering the positions of physicians and the health care system itself in a general way. Thus, health care ethics could be analyzed at two levels: the micro level (the ethics of doctor-patient relationships) and the macro level (the ethics of health policy-making, which can be realized by applying the principles of equal access, reasonable quality, affordable care and shared responsibilities). To date, the first level remains dominant, but the need arises for our attention to refocus now from the micro level to the patterns of managing and delivering care, managing the health care resources, and conducting business practices. In attempting to increase the efficiency of health services in Lithuania, a common strategy has been in place for the last fifteen years. Decentralization and privatization have been implemented as part of its policy to achieve greater efficiency. Although decentralization in theory is supposed to improve efficiency, in practice the reform of decentralization has still to be completely implemented in Lithuania. Debates on health policy in Lithuania also include the issue of private versus public health care. Although the approach of private health care is changing in a positive way, it is obvious that reduced access to health services is the most vulnerable aspect. In the Lithuanian Health Program adopted in July 1998, the target of equity was stressed, stating that by 2010, differences in health and health care between various socio-economic groups should be reduced by 25%. The restructuring of health care system in Lithuania should be based on a balance between decentralization and centralization, and between public and private health care sectors. Successful transition requires a balanced role of the government. Today it is obvious in Lithuania that continuous encouragement to make sacrifices was not enough to induce the system to function well, and in an ethical manner.

Analysis of high allergenicity airborne pollen dispersion: common ragweed study case in Lithuania.

PubMed

Šaulienė, Ingrida; Veriankaitė, Laura

2012-01-01

The appearance of ragweed pollen in the air became more frequent in northerly countries. Attention of allergologists and aerobiologists in these countries is focused on the phenomenon that Ambrosia plants found relatively sporadic but the amount of pollen is high in particular days. Over the latter decade, a matter of particular concern has been Ambrosia pollen, whose appearance in the air is determined by the plants dispersing it and meteorological processes that alter pollen release, dissemination, transport or deposition on surfaces. Pollen data used in this study were collected in three pollen-trapping sites in Lithuania. The data corresponding to 2006-2011 years of pollen monitoring were documented graphically and evaluated statistically. Analysis of the pollen data suggests that although the number of ragweed plants identified has not increased over the latter decade, the total pollen count has been on the increase during the recent period. The highest atmospheric pollen load is established on the last days of August and first days of September. The estimated effect of meteorological parameters on pollen dispersal in the air showed that in Lithuania ragweed pollen is recorded when the relative air humidity is about 70%, and the minimal air temperature is not less than 12°C. Analysis of wind change effect on pollen count indicates that pollen is most often recorded in the air when the changes in wind speed are low (1-2 m/s). We have established a regularity exhibiting an increase in ragweed pollen count conditioned by south-eastern winds in Lithuania.

Time trends of contact allergy to the European baseline series in Lithuania.

PubMed

Linauskienė, Kotryna; Malinauskienė, Laura; Blažienė, Audra

2017-06-01

Monitoring trends of positive patch test reactions is useful for epidemiological surveillance and contact allergy prevention, and has not previously been reported in Lithuania. To examine and compare changes in the prevalence of contact allergy to European baseline series allergens in adults with suspected contact dermatitis during a 9-year period. In this retrospective study, patch test results of 297 consecutive patients, tested with the European baseline series in 2014-2015, were analysed and compared with the data published earlier in Lithuania. The most common allergens were nickel sulfate (30.6%), methylisothiazolinone (MI) (13.5%), methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/MI (7.4%), potassium dichromate (6.1%), cobalt chloride (6.1%), Myroxylon pereirae resin (5.4%), p-phenylenediamine (5.4%), fragrance mix I (4.7%), formaldehyde (4.4%), and methyldibromo glutaronitrile (3.7%). Increases in the prevalence of sensitization to MCI/MI (2.3% in 2006-2008 and 7.4% in 2014-2015; p < 0.0001) and nickel sulfate (16.4% in 2006-2008 and 30.6% in 2014-2015; p < 0.0001) and decreases in the prevalence of sensitization to paraben mix (3.2% in 2006-2008 and 0.3% in 2014-2015; p = 0.006) were observed. Prevalences for the other allergens remained stable or showed a decreasing trend (Myroxylon pereirae resin; p = 0.06). This study provides current information on the prevalence of contact allergy in Lithuania. Changing trends in sensitivity to some allergens probably reflect changes in exposure. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Educational differences in incidence of cancer in Lithuania, 2001-2009: evidence from census-linked cancer registry data.

PubMed

Smailyte, Giedre; Jasilionis, Domantas; Vincerzevskiene, Ieva; Krilaviciute, Agne; Ambrozaitiene, Dalia; Stankuniene, Vladislava; Shkolnikov, Vladimir M

2015-05-01

This study used population-based census-linked cancer incidence data to identify patterns of educational differentials in the risk of cancer by detailed sites of cancer in Lithuania. The study is based on the linkage between all records of the 2001 population census, all records from the Lithuanian Cancer Registry (cancer incidence), and all death and emigration records from Statistics Lithuania for the period between 6 April 2001 and 31 December 2009. The study population (cohort) includes all permanent residents of Lithuania aged 30-74 years on the day of the census (6 April 2001). The study found that cancers of the lip, mouth, and pharynx, esophagus, stomach, larynx, urinary bladder, pancreas, and lung for men and cancers of the cervix uteri, lung, and colon for women show a statistically significant inverse educational gradient with excess incidence in the lowest educational group. At the same time, a reversed cancer risk gradient with the highest incidence for the higher education group was observed for thyroid cancer, melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancers, and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. This group also includes prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and multiple myeloma for men and cancer of the pancreas, breast cancer, cancer of the colon, and cancer of the uterus for women. The associations between education and cancer incidence observed in this study reflect the concordance between social status and lifestyle-related risk factors for cancer. Cancer awareness in society has also contributed toward the observed higher risk of cancer, which is usually promoted more by patients with higher education.

Over 400 m.y. metamorphic history of the Fennoscandian lithospheric segment in the Proterozoic (the East European Craton)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skridlaite, G.; Bogdanova, S.; Taran, L.; Baginski, B.; Krzeminska, E.; Wiszniewska, J.; Whitehouse, M.

2009-04-01

Several Palaeoproterozoic terranes in the Fennoscandian lithospheric segment of the East European Craton (EEC) evolved differently prior to their final amalgamation at c. 1.8 Ga. South-westward younging of the major tectono-thermal events characterizes the Baltic -Belarus region between the Baltic and Ukrainian Shields of the EEC. While at c.1.89-1.87 Ga and 1.85-1.84 Ga rocks of some northern and eastern terranes (Estonia, Belarus and eastern Lithuania) experienced syncollisional, moderate P metamorphism, subduction-related volcanic island arc magmatism still dominated southwestern terranes in Lithuania and Poland. The available age determinations of metamorphic zircon (SIMS/NORDSIM and TIMS methods, Stockholm, SHRIMP method, RSES, ANU, Canberra) and metamorphic monazite (TIMS, Stockholm and EPMA method, Warsaw University) allow to distinguish several metamorphic events related to major orogenic processes: - 1.90-1.87 Ga amphibolite-facies H/MP metamorphism occurred along with emplacements of juvenile TTG-type granitoids in the North Estonian and Lithuanian-Belarus terranes. They are coeval with the main accretionary growth of the crust in the Svecofennian Domain in the Baltic Shield (e.g. Lahtinen et al., 2005). - 1.84-1.79 Ga high-grade metamorphism affected sedimentary and igneous rocks in almost all the terranes and is assumed to have been related to the major aggregation of the EEC (Bogdanova et al, 2006, 2008). In the metasedimentary granulites of western Lithuania, a prograde metamorphism commenced with monazite growth prior garnet at 1.84-1.83 Ga. The sediments and mafic igneous rocks in Lithuania, felsic igneous rocks in NE Poland underwent peak metamorphism and deformation at 1.81-1.79 Ga (zircon and monazite ages). The 1.83-1.79 Ga metamorphism has the same age as a metamorphic imprint and strong shearing of the crust in central Sweden (Andersson et al., 2004). The postcollisional granulite metamorphism of mafic intrusions at 1.80-1.79 Ga in Belarus indicates that the NW-SE collision can have triggered the crustal/mantle disturbance along the Fennoscandia-Sarmatia suture zone. - c. 1.7-1.6 Ga moderate PT metamorphic overprint and deformation of 1.83-1.82 Ga magmatic charnockites and c. 1.8 Ga metamorphic granulites in western Lithuania was recorded by the growth of a new garnet, zircon and monazite. The dated charnockites and metasediments contain metamorphic monazite of both 1.60-1.59 Ga and 1.7-1.65 Ga ages. These metamorphic events can reflect a distal influence of the 1.7-1.6 Ga Gothian orogeny in SW Fennoscandia (e.g. Ahall and Connelly, 2008). - 1.55-1.50 and 1.50-1.45 Ga events. In southern Lithuania, the 1.53-1.50 Ga AMCG magmatism was accompanied by high-grade metamorphism. Deformation and amphibolite facies metamorphism are marked by the 1.55-1.45 Ga 40Ar/39Ar ages of hornblende along EW-trending lineaments in central and southeastern Lithuania and Belarus. There are also indications of shearing and low grade, c. 1.50 Ga, metamorphism of metasedimentary rocks and charnockites in NW Lithuania and NE Poland. Altogether, the coeval AMCG magmatism, local high-grade and widespread low-grade metamorphism, and deformation can be manifestations of the Danopolonian orogeny, particularly prominent around the South Baltic Sea. This is a contribution to the project "The Precambrian structure of Baltica as a control of its recent environment and evolution" of the Visby Programme (the Swedish Institute) and SYNTHESYS project SE-TAF-1535. References Ahall, K.I. and Connelly, J.N., 2008. Precambrian Research, 161(3-4): 452-474. Andersson, U.B. et al., 2004, GFF 126, 16-17. Bogdanova, S. et al., 2006, Geological Society, London Memoirs, 32, pp. 599-628 Bogdanova, S. et al., 2008, Precambrian Research 160, 23-45. Lahtinen, R., et al., 2005. In: Precambrian Geology of Finland - Key to the Evolution of the Fennoscandian Shield. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 481-532

Potential Effects of a Scenario Earthquake on the Economy of Southern California: Labor Market Exposure and Sensitivity Analysis to a Magnitude 7.8 Earthquake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sherrouse, Benson C.; Hester, David J.; Wein, Anne M.

2008-01-01

The Multi-Hazards Demonstration Project (MHDP) is a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and various partners from the public and private sectors and academia, meant to improve Southern California's resiliency to natural hazards (Jones and others, 2007). In support of the MHDP objectives, the ShakeOut Scenario was developed. It describes a magnitude 7.8 (M7.8) earthquake along the southernmost 300 kilometers (200 miles) of the San Andreas Fault, identified by geoscientists as a plausible event that will cause moderate to strong shaking over much of the eight-county (Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura) Southern California region. This report contains an exposure and sensitivity analysis of economic Super Sectors in terms of labor and employment statistics. Exposure is measured as the absolute counts of labor market variables anticipated to experience each level of Instrumental Intensity (a proxy measure of damage). Sensitivity is the percentage of the exposure of each Super Sector to each Instrumental Intensity level. The analysis concerns the direct effect of the scenario earthquake on economic sectors and provides a baseline for the indirect and interactive analysis of an input-output model of the regional economy. The analysis is inspired by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report that analyzed the labor market losses (exposure) of a M6.9 earthquake on the Hayward fault by overlaying geocoded labor market data on Instrumental Intensity values. The method used here is influenced by the ZIP-code-level data provided by the California Employment Development Department (CA EDD), which requires the assignment of Instrumental Intensities to ZIP codes. The ZIP-code-level labor market data includes the number of business establishments, employees, and quarterly payroll categorized by the North American Industry Classification System. According to the analysis results, nearly 225,000 business establishments, or 44 percent of all establishments, would experience Instrumental Intensities between VII (7) and X (10). This represents more than 4 million employees earning over $45 billion in quarterly payroll. Over 57,000 of these establishments, employing over 1 million employees earning over $10 billion in quarterly payroll, would experience Instrumental Intensities of IX (9) or X (10). Based upon absolute counts and percentages, the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities Super Sector and the Manufacturing Super Sector are estimated to have the greatest exposure and sensitivity respectively. The Information and the Natural Resources and Mining Super Sectors are estimated to be the least impacted. Areas estimated to experience an Instrumental Intensity of X (10) account for approximately 3 percent of the region's labor market.

Geological research for public outreach and education in Lithuania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skridlaite, Grazina; Guobyte, Rimante

2013-04-01

Successful IYPE activities and implementation of Geoheritage day in Lithuania increased public awareness in geology. A series of projects introducing geology to the general public and youth, supported by EU funds and local communities, were initiated. Researchers from the scientific and applied geology institutions of Lithuania participated in these projects and provided with the geological data. In one case, the Lithuanian Survey of Protected Areas supported the installation of a series of geological exhibitions in several regional and national parks. An animation demonstrating glacial processes was chosen for most of these because the Lithuanian surface is largely covered with sedimentary deposits of the Nemunas (Weichselian) glaciation. Researchers from the Lithuanian Geological Survey used the mapping results to demonstrate real glacial processes for every chosen area. In another case, 3D models showing underground structures of different localities were based on detailed geological maps and profiles obtained for that area. In case of the Sartai regional park, the results of previous geological research projects provided the possibility to create a movie depicting the ca. 2 Ga geological evolution of the region. The movie starts with the accretion of volcanic island arcs on the earlier continental margin at ca. 2 Ga and deciphers later Precambrian tectonic and magmatic events. The reconstruction is based on numerous scientific articles and interpretation of geophysical data. Later Paleozoic activities and following erosion sculptured the surface which was covered with several ice sheets in Quaternary. For educational purpose, a collection of minerals and rocks at the Forestry Institute was used to create an exhibition called "Cycle of geological processes". Forestry scientists and their students are able to study the interactions of geodiversity and biodiversity and to understand ancient and modern geological processes leading to a soil formation. An aging exposition at the Museum of Erratic Boulders in NW Lithuania is being rearranged for educational purposes, to show the major rock types and their origins more clearly. A new exhibition is supplemented with computer portals presenting geological processes, geological quizzes, animations etc. Magmatism, metamorphism, sedimentation and other geological processes are demonstrated using erratic boulders brought by glaciers from Scandinavia and northern Russia. A part of the exhibition is devoted to glaciation processes and arrival of ice sheets to Lithuania. Visitors are able to examine large erratic boulder groups in a surrounding park and to enjoy beautiful environment. The exhibition also demonstrates mineral resources of Lithuania, different fossils and stones from a human body. In all cases it was recognised that a lack of geological information limits the use of geology for public outreach. Ongoing scientific research is essential in many places as well as a mediator's job for interpreting the results of highly specialised research results and to adapt them for public consumption.

Medical augmentation of labor and the risk of ADHD in offspring: a population-based study.

PubMed

Henriksen, Lonny; Wu, Chun Sen; Secher, Niels Jørgen; Obel, Carsten; Juhl, Mette

2015-03-01

Oxytocin for labor augmentation is widely used in obstetric care in Western countries. Two recent, smaller studies found opposing results regarding the association between prenatal exposure to oxytocin for labor augmentation and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In Denmark, oxytocin is the medication used for nearly all medical augmentations of labor, and we examined the association between medical augmentation of labor and ADHD in a large cohort study based on national register data. All singletons born after spontaneous onset of labor in Denmark between 2000 and 2008 (N = 546 146) were included in the study. Data from the Danish Medical Birth Registry on medical augmentation of labor (yes/no) were used to identify exposed children. ADHD was defined based on the diagnostic codes of International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, for hyperkinetic disorder and information on dispensed ADHD medication. A multivariate proportional hazards regression model was used to test the association. Among 546 146 deliveries, 26% included medical augmentation of labor, and 0.9% of the children were identified as having ADHD (n = 4617). We found no association between augmentation of labor and ADHD in the offspring (hazard ratio: 1.05 [95% confidence interval: 0.98-1.13]). Our study does not support an association between medical augmentation of labor and ADHD in the child. Copyright © 2015 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Optimization of Aircraft Seat Cushion Fire Blocking Layers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-03-01

function of cost and weight, and the costs of labor involved in assembling a ccmposite seat cushion. The same classes of high char yield polymers that are...SEAT LATER DESIGN REPORT NRBBNBsg$$$$$$NN$$R$$$$$ SEAT DESIGN NUMBER: 009 LAYER NAME CODE NO. S MANUFACTURER 5 COST FACTORS . LABOR ...72621, 9096.. 7SS43. 73757. 77147. DELTA COSTS 0. 8340. 2922. 1136. 4327. ACOSOS in Iho..aS Of dollars. COST SUIRNY REPORT Re ....... VONR3 MORFA

EEO External Relevant Labor Force Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

N 04 .- . / Washington. D.C. 20350 If. CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS Navy Personnel Research and Development Center,/, Sentber 1 8 Code 303 N-i...8217Mn. RESEARCH REPORT NO. 37 EEO EXTERNAL RELEVANT LABOR FORCE ANALYSIS D.M. ATWATER R. J. NIEHAUS’ N BY J. A. SHERIDAN ii OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT...San Diego. CA 92152 86 I4. MONITORING AGENCY NAME & AOORESS(I diflerent ham Controlling ONce.) IS. SECURITY CLASS. (of Ihis report) oA SN (/#/F

78 FR 66769 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-06

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11729, Bank of America Corporation; and L-11760, Intel Corporation.

QR Codes as Mobile Learning Tools for Labor Room Nurses at the San Pablo Colleges Medical Center

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Del Rosario-Raymundo, Maria Rowena

2017-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the use of QR codes as mobile learning tools and examine factors that impact on their usefulness, acceptability and feasibility in assisting the nurses' learning. Design/Methodology/Approach: Study participants consisted of 14 regular, full-time, board-certified LR nurses. Over a two-week period,…

Nurse-physician communication during labor and birth: implications for patient safety.

PubMed

Simpson, Kathleen Rice; James, Dotti C; Knox, G Eric

2006-01-01

To describe communication between nurses and physicians during labor within the context of the nurse-managed labor model in community hospitals and its relationship to teamwork and patient safety. Multicenter qualitative study involving focus groups and in-depth interviews. Labor and birth units in 4 Midwestern community hospitals. 54 labor nurses and 38 obstetricians. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted using open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using inductive coding methods to gain understanding from the perspective of those directly involved. Description of interdisciplinary interactions during labor. Nurses and physicians shared the common goal of a healthy mother and baby but did not always agree on methods to achieve that goal. Two clinical situations critical to patient safety (fetal assessment and oxytocin administration) were frequent areas of disagreement and sources of mutual frustration, often leading to less than optimal teamwork. Minimal communication occurred when the mother and fetus are doing well, and this seemed to be purposeful and considered normal. Physicians and nurses had distinct opinions concerning desirable traits of members of the other discipline. Interdisciplinary communication and teamwork could be improved to promote a safer care environment during labor and birth.

Impact of hemodialysis dose and frequency on survival of patients on chronic hemodialysis in Lithuania during 1998-2005.

PubMed

Stankuvienė, Asta; Ziginskienė, Edita; Kuzminskis, Vytautas; Bumblytė, Inga Arūnė

2010-01-01

The question of the targets of dialysis dosing remains controversial since the beginning of the long-term dialysis treatment era. It is still uncertain if higher dialysis dose is better. The aim of our study was to investigate issues of dialysis dose in Lithuania during the period of 1998-2005 and to determine associations between hemodialysis dose and survival of patients on chronic hemodialysis. We analyzed data of all patients who started hemodialysis due to end-stage renal disease in Lithuania between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2005. The information about hemodialysis frequency, duration, and adequacy (according to Kt/V) was obtained from medical documentation. The overall survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival comparisons were made using the log-rank or Breslow tests. Univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to select variables significantly associated with the risk of death; then these variables were included in multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. During the study period, from 2428 patients who started chronic hemodialysis, 58.5% of patients started hemodialysis three times a week. More than one-third (36.2%) of patients were dialyzed twice weekly, and 5.3% of patients started hemodialysis once weekly. Survival analysis revealed that patients dialyzed less than three times per week survived shorter than patients receiving a higher dialysis dose. Duration of HD session of ≤8 hours per week was an independent risk factor for mortality. A higher mean Kt/V was associated with better survival of patients on chronic hemodialysis. Dialysis frequency and weekly duration of HD sessions were dependent on HD accessibility in Lithuania during the period of 1998-2005. Better survival of patients on chronic hemodialysis was associated with a higher hemodialysis dose.

Epidemiological patterns of tick-borne encephalitis in Lithuania and clinical features in adults in the light of the high incidence in recent years: a retrospective study.

PubMed

Radzišauskienė, D; Žagminas, K; Ašoklienė, L; Jasionis, A; Mameniškienė, R; Ambrozaitis, A; Jančorienė, L; Jatužis, D; Petraitytė, I; Mockienė, E

2018-02-01

Lithuania is one of the countries with the highest incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Europe. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological patterns of TBE in Lithuania, and characterize clinical features in adults in the light of the high incidence in recent years. Surveillance data available on the website of the Centre for Communicable Diseases and AIDS of Lithuania were used to describe the epidemiological patterns of TBE. The retrospective study included 712 patients hospitalized in the Centre for Infectious Diseases and the Centre for Neurology of Vilnius University in the years 2005-2014. Tick-borne encephalitis incidence rates have been increasing by 8.5% per year for the 45-year period from 1970 to 2014. The joinpoint model finds two joinpoints at 1991 and 1994, with a significant decrease of 8.4% per year (P < 0.05) prior to the joinpoint at 1991, and a rise of 195.2% afterwards. TBE presented with meningoencephalitis in 556 cases (81.3%). A total of 129 patients (18%) had a severe case of the disease. The most common neurological signs were ataxia (579, 81.3%), meningeal signs (474, 66.5%) and tremor (338, 47.5%). Limb paresis was observed in 6.3% of patients. Five patients (0.7%) died, and 544 patients (76.7%) were discharged with sequelae. Intensified efforts in promoting TBE vaccination will be needed in the light of the high incidence and expanded spatial distribution. Significant prognostic factors for severe cases of the disease were age above 61 and delayed immune response of specific immunoglobulin G. © 2017 The Authors. European Journal of Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Neurology.

Access to care in the Baltic States: did crisis have an impact?

PubMed

Karanikolos, Marina; Gordeev, Vladimir S; Mackenbach, Johan P; McKee, Martin

2016-04-01

In 2009, brief but deep economic crisis profoundly affected the three Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In response, all three countries adopted severe austerity measures with the shared goal of containing rising deficits, but employing different methods. In this article, we analyze the impact of the economic crisis and post-crisis austerity measures on health systems and access to medical services in the three countries. We use the EU-SILC data to analyze trends in unmet medical need in 2005-2012, and apply log-binomial regression to calculate the risk of unmet medical need in the pre- and post- crisis period. Between 2009 and 2012 unmet need has increased significantly in Latvia (OR: 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15-1.34) and Estonia (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.72-2.27), but not Lithuania (OR: 0.84. 95% CI: 0.69-1.04). The main drivers of increased unmet need were inability to afford care in Latvia and long waiting lists in Estonia. The impact of the crisis on access to care in the three countries varied, as did the austerity measures affecting their health systems. Estonia and Latvia experienced worsening access to care, largely exacerbating already existing barriers. The example of Lithuania suggests that deterioration in access is not inevitable, once health policies prioritise maintenance and availability of existing services, or if there is room for reducing existing inefficiencies. Moreover, better financial preparedness of health systems in Estonia and Lithuania achieved some protection of the population from increasing unmet need due to the rising cost of medical care. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Fleas (Siphonaptera) in the Nests of Dormice (Gliridae: Rodentia) in Lithuania.

PubMed

Lipatova, I; Stanko, M; Paulauskas, A; Spakovaite, S; Gedminas, V

2015-05-01

Negative effects of flea (Siphonaptera) parasitism on the host may be expressed in different ways. The aim of this study was to assess distribution of the flea fauna in nests of dormice in Lithuania. Nests of Glis glis (L.), Dryomys nitedula (Pallas), and Muscardinus avellanarius (L.) were collected from nest boxes in 2012 and 2013. Fleas were collected from nests in the laboratory and put into plastic tubes with 70% ethanol. Flea species were identified using morphological keys. From 400 nest boxes, 112 nests of dormice were collected from eight sites from mixed forests of central Lithuania. Twenty-three nests of G. glis were collected from nest boxes, with 16 of them containing 286 fleas belonging to four species: Ceratophyllus sciurorum (Schrank) (259), C. gallinae (Schrank) (23), Hystrichopsylla talpae (Curtis) (3), and Megabothris turbidus (Rothschild) (1). Fourteen nests of M. avellanarius were collected from nest boxes, 4 of which contained 224 fleas belonging to two species: C. sciurorum (221) and C. gallinae (3). Twenty-four nests of D. nitedula were collected from nest boxes, including 17 containing 207 fleas belonging to two species: C. sciurorum (205) and C. gallinae (2). Fifty-one nests of undetermined dormice species also were collected from nest boxes, 12 of them contained 395 fleas belonging to three species: C. sciurorum (374), Ctenophthalmus agyrtes (Heller) (19), and Ctenophthalmus assimilis (Taschenberg) (2). C. sciurorum was a predominant species in the nests of dormice. The occurrence of C. gallinae was documented in Lithuania for the first time. © The Authors 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Cutting Costly Codes Act of 2013

THOMAS, 113th Congress

Sen. Coburn, Tom [R-OK

2013-05-16

Senate - 05/16/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Model-Driven Engineering of Machine Executable Code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichberg, Michael; Monperrus, Martin; Kloppenburg, Sven; Mezini, Mira

Implementing static analyses of machine-level executable code is labor intensive and complex. We show how to leverage model-driven engineering to facilitate the design and implementation of programs doing static analyses. Further, we report on important lessons learned on the benefits and drawbacks while using the following technologies: using the Scala programming language as target of code generation, using XML-Schema to express a metamodel, and using XSLT to implement (a) transformations and (b) a lint like tool. Finally, we report on the use of Prolog for writing model transformations.

Technical Solution for Mitigating Radio-Frequency (RF) Interference to Air Traffic Control Communications

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

the fiber-optic receiver. When electrical power was restored by reinserting the plug, there could be no guarantee that all of the relays within the...useable set of coded instructions was expected to take approximately 3 man-months to develop and would incur costs, in labor , much greater than the...man-hour labor load was expected to be only about a month, the inability to quickly verify a “final” circuit design represented the highest risk

Search Codes for a Bibliography for the Study of African International Relations

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-01-01

Soja (1970). A high speed ln-house reference system was needed to facilitate storage, search, and retrieval of bibliographic reference materlal...REfUBLIC 0F (N0R™ KUW KUWAIT LAB LABOR UNIONS, INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS l- LA LAND LOCKED NATIONS LAO LAOS LAT LATIN AliERICA LAW I AW, INTERNATIONAL...IOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF (NORTH) KÜS KOREA (SOUTH) KUW KUWA I T LAb LABOR UNIONS, INTERNATIONAL ASPECTS LAU LA )S I.AT LATIN AiiEUICA LAN

Labor Resource Audit and Analysis: A Tool for Management Planning and Control

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-01

RM(onn17 COSA~ CODES B 5OBJECT TERMS (Continge pn rev@rj !~cea and f, entfa y.block R V FIELD GROUP SUB-GROUP re-; P anning; labor; ugLr og; a e...David 1 hplr., chairman Department of Admi srtv Sine KnealeT-Mg;fi Dea ofInformation and-ln sine ii ABSTRACT This study was conducted in an effort to...Audit ---------------------------------- 84 viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A wide variety of authorities in their field have contributed material to this study. I

First detection of bluetongue virus serotype 14 in Poland.

PubMed

Orłowska, Anna; Trębas, Paweł; Smreczak, Marcin; Marzec, Anna; Żmudziński, Jan F

2016-07-01

Here, we present the first detected cases of bluetongue virus (BTV) in native cattle from Poland. The virus was found in animals located near the Polish-Belarusian and Polish-Lithuanian borders. The positive animals were detected through an official epidemiological surveillance program. A combination of type-specific real-time RT-PCR and phylogenetic tests revealed the presence of BTV serotype 14 (BTV-14). This serotype is highly homologous to the vaccine strain and BTV-14 present in Russia, Lithuania, and Spain (from an animal imported from Lithuania). The most probable route of virus introduction to Poland was transmission through midges. All of the cases were subclinical.

Dress codes and appearance policies: challenges under federal legislation, part 3: Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the National Labor Relations Act.

PubMed

Mitchell, Michael S; Koen, Clifford M; Darden, Stephen M

2014-01-01

As more and more individuals express themselves with tattoos and body piercings and push the envelope on what is deemed appropriate in the workplace, employers have an increased need for creation and enforcement of reasonable dress codes and appearance policies. As with any employment policy or practice, an appearance policy must be implemented and enforced without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, national origin, religion, disability, age, or any other protected status. A policy governing dress and appearance based on the business needs of an employer that is applied fairly and consistently and does not have a disproportionate effect on any protected class will generally be upheld if challenged in court. By examining some of the more common legal challenges to dress codes and how courts have resolved the disputes, health care managers can avoid many potential problems. This article, the third part of a 3-part examination of dress codes and appearance policies, focuses on the issues of race and national origin under the Civil Rights Act, disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act, and employees' rights to engage in concerted activities under the National Labor Relations Act. Pertinent court cases that provide guidance for employers are addressed.

The impact of health changes on labor supply: evidence from merged data on individual objective medical diagnosis codes and early retirement behavior.

PubMed

Christensen, Bent Jesper; Kallestrup-Lamb, Malene

2012-06-01

The justification bias in the estimated impact of health shocks on retirement is mitigated by using objective health measures from a large, register-based longitudinal data set including medical diagnosis codes, along with labor market status, financial, and socio-economic variables. The duration until retirement is modeled using single and competing risk specifications, observed and unobserved heterogeneity, and flexible baseline hazards. Wealth is used as a proxy for elapsed duration to mitigate the potential selection bias stemming from conditioning on initial participation. The competing risk specification distinguishes complete multiperiod routes to retirement, such as unemployment followed by early retirement. A result on comparison of coefficients across all states is offered. The empirical results indicate a strong impact of health changes on retirement and hence a large potential for public policy measures intended to retain older workers longer in the labor force. Disability responds more to health shocks than early retirement, especially to diseases of the circulatory, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems, as well as mental and behavioral disorders. Some unemployment spells followed by early retirement appear voluntary and spurred by life style diseases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

76 FR 76149 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-06

... or Service Code, Contractor Name and Address, Value of Contract Instrument, and the Number and Value... performed and to facilitate estimate of the reliability of the data. The Direct Labor Hours are requested...

76 FR 70703 - Senior Executive Service: Membership of Performance Review Board

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-15

...;and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, #0;delegations of authority..., Employee and Labor Relations Division. [FR Doc. 2011-29427 Filed 11-14-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P ...

29 CFR Appendix to Part 1400 - Code of Professional Conduct for Labor Mediators

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... his usefulness as a mediator. The quality of his character as well as his intellectual, emotional... and recommendations and accept full responsibility for their honesty and merit. The mediator has a...

29 CFR Appendix to Part 1400 - Code of Professional Conduct for Labor Mediators

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... his usefulness as a mediator. The quality of his character as well as his intellectual, emotional... and recommendations and accept full responsibility for their honesty and merit. The mediator has a...

29 CFR Appendix to Part 1400 - Code of Professional Conduct for Labor Mediators

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... his usefulness as a mediator. The quality of his character as well as his intellectual, emotional... and recommendations and accept full responsibility for their honesty and merit. The mediator has a...

29 CFR Appendix to Part 1400 - Code of Professional Conduct for Labor Mediators

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... his usefulness as a mediator. The quality of his character as well as his intellectual, emotional... and recommendations and accept full responsibility for their honesty and merit. The mediator has a...

Spousal Labor Market Effects from Government Health Insurance: Evidence from a Veterans Affairs Expansion

PubMed Central

Boyle, Melissa A.; Lahey, Joanna N.

2015-01-01

Measuring the total impact of health insurance receipt on household labor supply is important in an era of increased access to publicly-provided and subsidized insurance. Although government expansion of health insurance to older workers leads to direct labor supply reductions for recipients, there may be spillover effects on the labor supply of uncovered spouses. While the most basic model predicts a decrease in overall household work hours, financial incentives such as credit constraints, target income levels, and the need for own health insurance suggest that spousal labor supply might increase. In contrast, complementarities of spousal leisure would predict a decrease in labor supply for both spouses. Utilizing a mid-1990s expansion of health insurance for U.S. veterans, we provide evidence on the effects of public insurance availability on the labor supply of spouses. Using data from the Current Population Survey and Health and Retirement Study, we employ a difference-in-differences strategy to compare the labor market behavior of the wives of older male veterans and non-veterans before and after the VA health benefits expansion. Although husbands’ labor supply decreases, wives’ labor supply increases, suggesting that financial incentives dominate complementarities of spousal leisure. This effect is strongest for wives with lower education levels and lower levels of household wealth and those who were not previously employed full-time. These findings have implications for government programs such as Medicare and Social Security and the Affordable Care Act. JEL codes: H4, I1, J2 PMID:26734757

Impact assessment of ionizing radiation on human and non-human biota from the vicinity of a near-surface radioactive waste repository.

PubMed

Nedveckaite, T; Gudelis, A; Vives i Batlle, J

2013-05-01

This work describes the radiological assessment of the near-surface Maisiagala radioactive waste repository (Lithuania) over the period 2005-2012, with focus on water pathways and special emphasis on tritium. The study includes an assessment of the effect of post-closure upgrading, the durability of which is greater than 30 years. Both human and terrestrial non-human biota are considered, with local low-intensity forestry and small farms being the area of concern. The radiological exposure was evaluated using the RESRAD-OFFSITE, RESRAD-BIOTA and ERICA codes in combination with long-term data from a dedicated environmental monitoring programme. All measurements were performed at the Lithuanian Institute of Physics as part of this project. It is determined that, after repository upgrading, radiological exposure to humans are significantly lower than the human dose constraint of 0.2 mSv/year valid in the Republic of Lithuania. Likewise, for non-human biota, dose rates are below the ERICA/PROTECT screening levels. The potential annual effective inhalation dose that could be incurred by the highest-exposed human individual (which is due to tritiated water vapour airborne release over the most exposed area) does not exceed 0.1 μSv. Tritium-labelled drinking water appears to be the main pathway for human impact, representing about 83 % of the exposure. Annual committed effective dose (CED) values for members of the public consuming birch sap as medical practice are calculated to be several orders of magnitude below the CEDs for the same location associated with drinking of well water. The data presented here indicate that upper soil-layer samples may not provide a good indication of potential exposure to terrestrial deep-rooted trees, as demonstrated by an investigation of stratified (3)H in soil moisture, expressed on a wet soil mass basis, in an area with subsurface contamination.

Prescription opioid poisoning across urban and rural areas: identifying vulnerable groups and geographic areas.

PubMed

Cerdá, Magdalena; Gaidus, Andrew; Keyes, Katherine M; Ponicki, William; Martins, Silvia; Galea, Sandro; Gruenewald, Paul

2017-01-01

To determine (1) whether prescription opioid poisoning (PO) hospital discharges spread across space over time, (2) the locations of 'hot-spots' of PO-related hospital discharges, (3) how features of the local environment contribute to the growth in PO-related hospital discharges and (4) where each environmental feature makes the strongest contribution. Hierarchical Bayesian Poisson space-time analysis to relate annual discharges from community hospitals to postal code characteristics over 10 years. California, USA. Residents of 18 517 postal codes in California, 2001-11. Annual postal code-level counts of hospital discharges due to PO poisoning were related to postal code pharmacy density, measures of medical need for POs (i.e. rates of cancer and arthritis-related hospital discharges), economic stressors (i.e. median household income, percentage of families in poverty and the unemployment rate) and concentration of manual labor industries. PO-related hospital discharges spread from rural and suburban/exurban 'hot-spots' to urban areas. They increased more in postal codes with greater pharmacy density [rate ratio (RR) = 1.03; 95% credible interval (CI) = 1.01, 1.05], more arthritis-related hospital discharges (RR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.06, 1.11), lower income (RR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.83, 0.87) and more manual labor industries (RR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.10, 1.19 for construction; RR = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.04, 1.20 for manufacturing industries). Changes in pharmacy density primarily affected PO-related discharges in urban areas, while changes in income and manual labor industries especially affected PO-related discharges in suburban/exurban and rural areas. Hospital discharge rates for prescription opioid (PO) poisoning spread from rural and suburban/exurban hot-spots to urban areas, suggesting spatial contagion. The distribution of age-related and work-place-related sources of medical need for POs in rural areas and, to a lesser extent, the availability of POs through pharmacies in urban areas, partly explain the growth of PO poisoning across California, USA. © 2016 Society for the Study of Addiction.

An Analysis of the Cost-Volume Relationships within the Aircraft Program of the Naval Air Rework Facility, Alameda, California.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-06-01

INDIVIDUAL 22b TELEPHONE (include Area Code) 22c, OFFIcE YMBOI1. Thu . Lao(403) 646-255 1 o e DO FORM 1473,84 MAR 83 APR edition ray be used until...schedules are produced using projected direct labors hours available and established labor hour norms per aircraft. Since the actual workload is...and segment costs. (3) Use break-even analysis to compare revenues and costs and to evaluate relative profitability of the four aircraft program

Basal cell skin cancer and the risk of second primary cancers: a cancer registry-based study in Lithuania.

PubMed

Krilaviciute, Agne; Vincerzevskiene, Ieva; Smailyte, Giedre

2016-07-01

The aim of this population-based cohort study was to determine the risk of second primary cancer in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) patients in Lithuania. This analysis was based on patients diagnosed with BCC in Lithuania between 1998 and 2007 and followed until 2011. Standardized incidence ratios for subsequent cancers as a ratio of observed number of cancer cases in people with previous BCC diagnosis to the expected number of cancer cases in the underlying general population were calculated. After diagnosis of BCC, 1442 new cases of selected cancers were diagnosed. Compared with the general population, the incidence of all new primaries combined after BCC was very close to expected. Statistically meaningful increase in developing subsequent cancer was obtained for Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, and leukemia in men, and for cancers of the lip, lung, and breast in women. Risk of melanoma and thyroid cancer was significantly elevated in both sexes. Relative risk of cancer of the eye was increased although not significant. In our study, we found increased cancer risk for cancers related to sun exposure. In addition, increased risks were identified for Hodgkin's lymphoma, thyroid cancer, leukemia, prostate, and breast cancer in BCC patients. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Suicidal ideation, risk factors, and communication with parents. An HBSC study on school children in Estonia, Lithuania, and Luxembourg.

PubMed

Mark, Lauraliisa; Samm, Algi; Tooding, Liina-Mai; Sisask, Merike; Aasvee, Katrin; Zaborskis, Apolinaras; Zemaitiene, Nida; Värnik, Airi

2013-01-01

Suicide is a leading cause of death among youth. In the year 2002, Lithuania had the 2nd, Luxembourg the 5th, and Estonia the 9th highest suicide rates among 15- to 19-year-olds across 90 countries worldwide. Suicidal ideation is a significant precursor to suicide. To report on the prevalence of and associations between suicidal ideation, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical fighting, bullying, and communication with parents among 15-year-old schoolchildren. The survey analyzes data from the 2005/2006 HBSC study from Estonia, Lithuania, and Luxembourg (N = 4,954). The risk factors were calculated through multinomial logistic regression analyses. The overall prevalence of suicidal ideation in the preceding year was 17%. Suicidal thoughts were associated with communication difficulties with parents (OR from 2.0 to 4.6) and other risk factors, especially multiple risks (OR for 4-5 concurrent risk factors from 4.5 to 13.6). Parent-child communication had a significant mediating effect by decreasing the odds for suicidality and multiple risks. The prevalence estimates were obtained by self-reports. The causal relationships need further investigation. The risk factors studied, particularly multiple risks, were associated with higher odds for suicidal ideation. Good parent-child communication is a significant resource for decreasing suicidal ideation among adolescents.

Lithium levels in the public drinking water supply and risk of suicide: A pilot study.

PubMed

Liaugaudaite, Vilma; Mickuviene, Narseta; Raskauskiene, Nijole; Naginiene, Rima; Sher, Leo

2017-09-01

Suicide is a major public health concern affecting both the society and family life. There are data indicating that higher level lithium intake with drinking water is associated with lower suicide rate. This pilot study examined the relationship between lithium levels in drinking water and suicide rates in Lithuania. Twenty-two samples from public drinking water systems were taken in 9 cities of Lithuania. The lithium concentration in these samples was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The suicide data were obtained from the Lithuania Database of Health Indicators, and comprised all registered suicides across all ages and gender within the 5-year period from 2009 to 2013. The study demonstrated an inverse correlation between levels of lithium (log natural transformed), number of women for 1000 men and standardized mortality rate for suicide among total study population. After adjusting for confounder (the number of women for 1000 men), the lithium level remained statistically significant in men, but not in women. Our study suggested that higher levels of lithium in public drinking water are associated with lower suicide rates in men. It might have a protective effect on the risk of suicide in men. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.

Leisure-time physical inactivity and psychological distress in female-dominated occupations in Lithuania.

PubMed

Malinauskiene, Vilija; Malinauskas, Romualdas; Malinauskas, Mindaugas

2017-12-27

Poor mental health, manifesting as psychological distress, has become a leading problem recently; therefore, determining associated factors is important, especially in female-dominated occupations, as women are more prone to psychological distress than men, in part due to demands of both professional and domestic tasks. The objective of the present study was to investigate associations between leisure-time physical inactivity and psychological distress, accounting for the possible relation of psychosocial factors at work (job demands, job control, social support at work, workplace bullying) and life events in representative samples of family physicians, internal medicine department nurses and secondary-school teachers in Lithuania. In total, 323 family physicians, 748 internal medicine department nurses and 517 secondary-school teachers were interviewed during 2012-2014 in Lithuania. Godin leisure-time exercise, Goldberg General Health, Job content, and Negative acts questionnaires were administered. Logistic regression was used. A high proportion of family physicians, nurses and teachers were physically inactive during leisure. Leisure-time physical inactivity was strongly associated with psychological distress, adjusting for age, workplace bullying, job demands, job control, social support at work and traumatic life events in all three female-dominated occupations. Efforts to increase leisure-time physical activity level in medical occupations could be beneficial.

Laboratory medicine education in Lithuania.

PubMed

Kucinskiene, Zita Ausrele; Bartlingas, Jonas

2011-01-01

In Lithuania there are two types of specialists working in medical laboratories and having a university degree: laboratory medicine physicians and medical biologists. Both types of specialists are officially being recognized and regulated by the Ministry of Health of Lithuania. Laboratory medicine physicians become specialists in laboratory medicine after an accredited 4-year multidisciplinary residency study program in Laboratory Medicine. The residency program curriculum for laboratory medicine physicians is presented. On December 9, 2009 the Equivalence of Standards for medical specialists was accepted and Lithuanian medical specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine can now apply for EC4 registration. Medical biologists become specialists in laboratory medicine after an accredited 2-year master degree multidisciplinary study program in Medical Biology, consisting of 80 credits. Various postgraduate advanced training courses for the continuous education of specialists in laboratory medicine were first introduced in 1966. Today it covers 1-2-week courses in different subspecialties of laboratory medicine. They are obligatory for laboratory medicine physicians for the renewal of their license. It is not compulsory for medical biologists to participate in these courses. The Centre of Laboratory Diagnostics represents a place for the synthesis and application of the basic sciences, the performance of research in various fields of laboratory medicine, as well as performance of thousands of procedures daily and provision of specific teaching programs.

[Ordinance No. 91-240 of 25 February 1991 relating to the Labor Code applicable to the Territory of Mayotte].

PubMed

1991-03-06

This Law sets forth the Labor Code for the French territory of Mayotte. The Code contains the following provisions relating to sex discrimination, maternity leave, night work, and the employment of foreigners: a) employers are prohibited from discriminating against women who are pregnant; b) women are entitled to fully paid maternity leave of 14 weeks, 8 weeks before and 6 weeks after giving birth; c) the employer and the Government will each pay for half of the worker's salary during this leave; d) discrimination on the basis of sex or family situation is prohibited in advertisements, offers of employment, hiring, firing, pay, training, job classification, and promotion; e) retaliation for instituting an action for sex discrimination is prohibited; f) men and women are guaranteed equal pay for equal work or work of an equivalent value; g) women may not perform work at night in factories, mines, building sites, workshops, public or ministerial offices, places of professional work, companies, unions, or associations of any sort, unless they are in management positions; and h) a foreigner may not engage in a professional activity in Mayotte without authorization. The Law prescribes penalties for violations of these provisions.

[Changes in hemodialysis adequacy in Lithuania during 1999-2005].

PubMed

Ziginskiene, Edita; Kuzminskis, Vytautas; Sileikiene, Elvyra; Tamosaitis, Algirdas; Sirevicius, Virgilijus

2007-01-01

Despite the improvement of hemodialysis technique, mortality of chronic hemodialysis patients remains quite high. It considerably depends on dialysis adequacy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the adequacy of hemodialysis procedure and its changes in Lithuania during 1999-2005. Between 1999 and 2005 in December, all hemodialysis centers in Lithuania were annually visited, and data on the type of hemodialysis, duration of hemodialysis (hours per week), single-pool Kt/V were collected from all hemodialysis patients. The percentage of patients on bicarbonate hemodialysis sharply increased from 57.9% in 1999 to 100% in 2001 (P<0.001), and the duration of hemodialysis procedure increased (67.3% of hemodialysis patients were dialyzed 12 and more hours per week in 2005 vs. 41.3% in 1999, P<0.001). The percentage of patients who were dialyzed three times per week increased from 51% in 1999 to 77% in 2005 (P<0.001). The mean Kt/V was 0.81+/-0.53 in 1999, but it increased to 1.21+/-0.27 in 2005 (P<0.001). More than half (54%) of all hemodialysis patients in 2005 had Kt/V > or =1.2 vs. more than one-third (36%) in 1999 (P<0.001). The mean Kt/V of patients who were on dialysis three times per week was 1.25+/-0.6; two times per week, 1.30+/-0.8; and one time per week, 1.27+/-0.26 in 2003. In 2005, the results were 1.21+/-0.27, 1.22+/-0.26, and 1.16+/-0.29, respectively (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS. 1. The improvement of the quality of hemodialysis was observed in Lithuania during 1999-2005: a) from 2001, patients received only bicarbonate hemodialysis; b) weekly duration of hemodialysis increased; c) Kt/V improved. 2. Despite the improvement of hemodialysis quality, it is not optimal yet and is associated with insufficient duration of hemodialysis.

The results of nucleic acid testing in remunerated and non-remunerated blood donors in Lithuania

PubMed Central

Kalibatas, Vytenis; Kalibatienė, Lina

2014-01-01

Background In Lithuania, governmentally covered remuneration for whole blood donations prevails. Donors may choose to accept or reject the remuneration. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of nucleic acid testing (NAT) discriminatory-positive markers for human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in seronegative, first-time and repeat, remunerated and non-remunerated donations at the National Blood Centre in Lithuania during the period from 2005 to 2010. Materials and methods All seronegative whole blood and blood component donations were individually analysed by NAT for HIV-1, HBV and HCV. Only discriminatory-positive NAT were classified. The prevalence of discriminatory-positive NAT per 100,000 donations in the donor groups and the odds ratios comparing the remunerated and non-remunerated donations were determined. Results Significant differences were observed for HBV NAT results: 47.42 and 26.29 per 100,000 remunerated first-time and repeat donations, respectively, compared to 10.6 and 3.58 per 100,000 non-remunerated first-time and repeat, seronegative donations, respectively. The differences were also significant for HCV NAT results: 47.42 and 51.99 for remunerated first-time and repeat donations, respectively, compared to 2.12 and 0 per 100,000 non-remunerated first-time and repeat, seronegative donations, respectively. No seronegative, discriminatory-positive NAT HIV case was found. The odds of discriminatory HBV and HCV NAT positive results were statistically significantly higher for both first-time and repeat remunerated donations compared to first-time and repeat non-remunerated donations. Discussion First-time and repeat remunerated seronegative donations were associated with a statistically significantly higher prevalence and odds for discriminatory-positive HBV and HCV NAT results compared to first-time and repeat non-remunerated donations at the National Blood Centre in Lithuania. PMID:24120587

Familial determinants of current smoking among adolescents of Lithuania: a cross-sectional survey 2014.

PubMed

Zaborskis, Apolinaras; Sirvyte, Dainora

2015-09-14

Understanding the role of the family in shaping adolescent health risk behaviours has recently been given increased attention. This study investigated association between current smoking and a range of familial factors in a representative sample of Lithuanian adolescents. Study subjects (N = 3696) were adolescents aged 13- and 15-years from the schools in Lithuania who were surveyed in Spring 2014 according to the methodology of the cross-national Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC). A standard HBSC international questionnaire was translated into Lithuanian and used anonymously to obtain information about current smoking patterns and family life (family structure, quality of communication in family, parental monitoring, bonding, parenting style, family time, etc.). Logistic regression was used to assess association between smoking and familial variables. The prevalence of current smoking was 16.5 % (20.8 % in boys and 11.9 % in girls; P < 0.001). Adjusting for gender, age and family affluence, adolescents from non-intact families were significantly more likely to be current smokers (OR = 2.10; 95 % CI: 1.74-2.54) compared with intact families. Five independent familial factors were significantly related to increased risk for adolescent smoking: low maternal monitoring (OR = 2.79; 95 % CI: 1.98-3.92), low satisfaction with family relationships (OR = 1.89; 95 % CI: 1.27-2.83), low school-related parental support (OR = 1.40; 95 % CI: 1.01-1.95), easy communication with the father (OR = 0.56; 95 % CI: 0.38-0.80) and often use of electronic media for communication with parents (OR = 0.66; 95 % CI: 0.50-0.88). The last two determinants showed an inverse effect than it was hypothesized. Higher prevalence of smoking among adolescents of Lithuania is associated with a non- intact family structure as well as weaker parental support and bonding. Family life practices are critical components to be incorporated in prevention and intervention programs for adolescent smoking in Lithuania.

Are advance directives helpful for good end of life decision making: a cross sectional survey of health professionals.

PubMed

Peicius, Eimantas; Blazeviciene, Aurelija; Kaminskas, Raimondas

2017-06-05

This paper joins the debate over changes in the role of health professionals when applying advance directives to manage the decision-making process at the end of life care. Issues in relation to advance directives occur in clinical units in Lithuania; however, it remains one of the few countries in the European Union (EU) where the discussion on advance directives is not included in the health-care policy-making agenda. To encourage the discussion of advance directives, a study was designed to examine health professionals' understanding and preferences related to advance directives. In addition, the study sought to explore the views of health care professionals of the application of Advance Directives (AD) in clinical practice in Lithuania. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by interviewing 478 health professionals based at major health care centers in Kaunas district, Lithuania. The design of the study included the use of a questionnaire developed for this study and validated by a pilot study. The collected data were analyzed using standard descriptive statistical methods. The analysis of knowledge about AD revealed some statistically significant differences when comparing the respondents' profession and gender. The analysis also indicated key emerging themes among respondents including tranquility of mind, the longest possible life expectancy and freedom of choice. Further, the study findings revealed that more than half of the study participants preferred to express their will while alive by using advance directives. The study findings revealed a low level of knowledge on advance directives among health professionals. Most health professionals agreed that AD's improved end-of-life decision making while the majority of physicians appreciated AD as the best tool for sharing responsibilities in clinical practice in Lithuania. More physicians than nurses preferred the presence of advance directives to support their decision making in end-of-life situations.

76 FR 49791 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-11

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11601, BB&T Asset Management, Inc. (BB&T AM); and D-11661, Bayer Corporation (Bayer or the Applicant) et al.

Prevalence and burden of headache disorders in Lithuania and their public-health and policy implications: a population-based study within the Eurolight Project.

PubMed

Rastenytė, Daiva; Mickevičienė, Dalia; Stovner, Lars Jacob; Thomas, Hallie; Andrée, Colette; Steiner, Timothy J

2017-12-01

The Eurolight project assessed the impact of headache disorders in ten EU countries, using the same structured questionnaire but varying sampling methods. In Lithuania, sample selection employed methods in line with consensus recommendations for population-based burden-of-headache studies. The survey was cross-sectional. We identified, from the Residents' Register Service, a sample of inhabitants of Kaunas city and surrounding Kaunas region reflecting age (in the range 18-65 years), gender and rural/urban distributions of Lithuania. Medical students called unannounced at their homes and conducted face-to-face interviews employing a structured questionnaire. Of 1137 people in the pre-identified sample, 573 (male 237 [41.4%], female 336 [58.6%]; mean age 40.9 ± 13.8 years) completed interviews (participation proportion: 50.4%). Gender-adjusted 1-year prevalences were: any headache 74.7%; migraine 18.8%; tension-type headache (TTH) 42.2%; all headache on ≥15 days/month 8.6%; probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH) 3.2%. Migraine (OR: 3.6) and pMOH (OR: 2.9) were associated with female gender. All headache types except TTH were associated with significantly diminished quality of life. Migraine caused a mean 4.5% loss in paid worktime per affected male and 3.5% per affected female. Lost per-person times due to TTH were much less, but to pMOH and other headache on ≥15 days/month much higher. Among the entire workforce, lost productivity to migraine was estimated at 0.7%, to TTH 0.3% and to pMOH or other headache on ≥15 days/month 0.5%. The total of 1.5% may translate directly into lost GDP. Alternative calculations based on headache yesterday (with little recall error) produced, for all headache, a corroborating 1.7%. Similar losses from household work would also drain the nation's economy. Our findings were comparable to those from earlier studies using similar methods in Russia and Georgia. The multiple burdens from headache in Lithuania indicate substantial ill-health and unmet need for health care. The heavy burdens on individuals are matched by heavy economic burden. Of particular concern is the high prevalence of headache on ≥15 days/month, seen also in Russia and Georgia. Health policy in Lithuania must heed WHO's advice that effective treatment of headache, clearly desirable for its health benefits, is also expected to be cost-saving.

Prevalence and familial predictors of suicidal behaviour among adolescents in Lithuania: a cross-sectional survey 2014.

PubMed

Zaborskis, Apolinaras; Sirvyte, Dainora; Zemaitiene, Nida

2016-07-12

In the past decades Lithuania has been experiencing a very high suicide rate among young people and there are scarce data on the role of the family in shaping these people suicidal behaviour. This study investigated the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts, as well as their association with a range of familial factors in a representative sample of Lithuanian adolescents. Study subjects (N = 3572) were adolescents aged 13- and 15-years from the schools in Lithuania who were surveyed in Spring 2014 according to the methodology of the cross-national Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC). A standard HBSC international questionnaire was translated into Lithuanian and used anonymously to obtain information about suicidal behaviour (stopped doing activities, considered suicide, planned suicide, and suicide attempts) and family life (family structure, quality of communication in family, parental monitoring and bonding, parenting style, family time, etc.). Logistic regression was used to assess association between suicidal behaviours and familial variables. Forty three percents of surveyed adolescents reported presence of emotions that stopped doing activities during the last 12 months, 23.8 % seriously considered attempting suicide, 13.7 % made a suicide plan, 13.2 % attempted suicide, and 4.1 % needed treatment because of suicide attempt in the previous year. Adolescents from non-intact families reported more suicidal ideation (OR ranged from 1.32 to 1.35, P < 0.05) and more suicide attempts (OR = 1.70, 95 % CI 1.38-2.09, P < 0.001). Among adolescents from intact families, some manisfestations of suicidal behaviour were significantly associated with low satisfaction in family relationships, low father's and mother's emotional support, low mother's monitoring, low school-related parental support, authoritarian-repressive father's parenting style and permissive-neglectful mother's parenting style, but rare family time together and rare electronic media communication with parents were inversely associated with suicidal behaviour. The boys, 15-year-olds and adolescents who indicated often activities together with their families were more likely than their counterparts to report suicide attempts treated by a doctor or nurse. The young people of Lithuania are at particular risk for suicides. A non-intact family structure and weak family functioning are significant predictors of suicidal ideation and attempts among adolescents of Lithuania. It is essential to consider family life practices in planning intervention programs for prevention of suicides among adolescents.

Labor union members play an OLG repeated game

PubMed Central

Kandori, Michihiro; Obayashi, Shinya

2014-01-01

Humans are capable of cooperating with one another even when it is costly and a deviation provides an immediate gain. An important reason is that cooperation is reciprocated or rewarded and deviations are penalized in later stages. For cooperation to be sustainable, not only must rewards and penalties be strong enough but individuals should also have the right incentives to provide rewards and punishments. Codes of conduct with such properties have been studied extensively in game theory (as repeated game equilibria), and the literature on the evolution of cooperation shows how equilibrium behavior might emerge and proliferate in society. We found that community unions, a subclass of labor unions that admits individual affiliations, are ideal to corroborate these theories with reality, because (i) their activities are simple and (ii) they have a structure that closely resembles a theoretical model, the overlapping generations repeated game. A detailed case study of a community union revealed a possible equilibrium that can function under the very limited observability in the union. The equilibrium code of conduct appears to be a natural focal point based on simple heuristic reasoning. The union we studied was created out of necessity for cooperation, without knowing or anticipating how cooperation might be sustained. The union has successfully resolved about 3,000 labor disputes and created a number of offspring. PMID:25024211

Conservation of geo- and -biodiversity in Lithuania: are there conflicts?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skridlaite, Grazina; Motiejunaite, Jurga

2014-05-01

Lithuanian surface is sculptured by more than five glaciers, which retreated c. 10 000 years ago. After the ice sheets melted in Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, and other neighbouring countries, they left numerous erratic boulders and boulder fields. Hundreds of single boulders and boulder fields are declared as natural monuments in Lithuania and other countries and are variably protected. Tens of single boulders and boulder fields are included into the Geosites database at the Lithuanian Geological Survey. Rapid weather changes in Lithuania cause the weathering of erratic boulders. However, the fastest erosion is by overgrowing cryptogams: lichenized and non-lichenized fungi, algae, cyanobacteria and bryophytes. Lichens are among the first colonizers of rock surfaces, and their impact on stonework heritage is rather well documented. Hard rocks (e.g. granites) are weathering considerably slower than soft or relatively soft sandstones, dolomites or marbles; however serious impact is visible on stones with inscriptions, drawings and open surfaces of the protected nature monuments. Lichens gradually cover whole boulder surfaces obscuring their geological value and contributing to the surface weathering in Lithuania and neighbouring countries where numerous protected stony nature monuments occur. The 73 of the 723 species of lichenized and allied fungi in Lithuania are confined to hard acid rocks. Eight of these acid rock-dwelling species are included in the Lithuanian Red Data Book, some of them have high threat category or are thought to be extinct now. There is no conservation conflict between the red-listed saxicolous lichens and their substrate where the species are confined to wild boulder meadows. Here lichens and their boulder substrate suffer from excessive growth and overshadowing from surrounding vascular plants, also from pollution which change stone surface properties and induce encroachment of more aggressive species than the usual slow-growing acid rock communities. The main conservation conflict occurs when the solitary boulder monuments or open boulder expositions (e.g. V. Intas' Museum of Boulders in Mosedis, the Geology Museum in Vievis) are concerned. These expositions are supposed to serve a basis for geological science and education; however they are almost completely overgrown. Attempts to clean the boulders were met by general public and some scientists rather negatively and caused several conflicts. A wave of negative opinions appeared in media after the second largest boulder Puntukas was cleaned by compressed water streams. Several problems are concerned. First of all, both chemical and mechanical cleaning not only will remove lichens and other cryptogams, but may be damaging to a boulder or to environment and wildlife. The measures should be taken with utmost care, and lichen species as well as stone surfaces are to be examined before applying any treatment. Another problem is to convince general public, caretakers and scientists that the overgrown stone surfaces should be cleaned. Some botanists, foresters, environmental people would prefer to let the nature to do its work and to cover stony surfaces with vegetation. Therefore, in conflict cases, expert opinions, both botanical and geological should be addressed. This is a contribution to the Open Access Centre activities

"In my opinion, work would be in first place and family in second": young women's imagined gender-work relations in post-Soviet Lithuania.

PubMed

Reiter, Herwig

2010-01-01

This article explores young women's orientation to work and motherhood in the post-communist context of radical socio-economic transformation in Europe. Based on a qualitative-explorative study into meanings of work and unemployment among young people in post-Soviet Lithuania, the paper introduces an empirically grounded classification of imagined gender-work arrangements. The single patterns of the classification are based on the three configurations of work and motherhood, work and partnership, and work and provision. The findings inform the reconstruction of the 'landscape' of imagined gendered adulthoods in Europe as well as the analysis of emerging gender relations under conditions of rapid social change.

Epiphytic lichen community dynamics in deciduous forests around a phosphorus fertiliser factory in Central Lithuania.

PubMed

Motiejūnaite, Jurga

2007-03-01

The detailed dynamics of epiphytic lichen communities were observed while studying permanent quadrats in the zone of influence of a phosphorus fertiliser factory in central Lithuania. The most significant changes were induced by several factors: changes in macroenvironment (increase of illumination), bark scaling, succession processes, individual growth characteristics of the community members, and influence of fungal infection and invertebrate grazing. None of these changes could be directly linked with air pollution. These observations have shown that in conditions of more or less stable pollution, epiphytic community dynamics should be evaluated with care, the best indicators of the characteristics of the communities being species richness and presence/absence and abundance of indicator (nitrophilous or acidophilous) species.

New European community strategy for health and safety: the elephant in the room.

PubMed

Woolfson, Charles; Calite, Dace

2007-01-01

Although Lithuania has comprehensive health and safety legislation in line with EU requirements, on a range of general health and occupational health and safety (OHS) indicators, it is a poor performer. Survey data suggest that the norm for work in Lithuania is based on a regime of intensification without a participative working environment in which employees have a voice in safety management. Although European-style legislative reforms appear to be having no measurable effects on CHS performance in post-communist New Member States, the EU OHS strategy for 2007-2012 fails to take account of the deteriorated working environments in these states, suggesting that prospects for harmonization of working environment standards in the enlarged Europe may recede with eastward expansion.

Safety and health in the construction of fixed offshore installations in the petroleum industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1981-01-01

A meeting convened by the ILO (International Labor Office) on safety problems in the offshore petroleum industry recommended the preparation of a code of practice setting out standards for safety and health during the construction of fixed offshore installations. Such a code, to be prepared by the ILO in co-operation with other bodies, including the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO), was to take into consideration existing standards applicable to offshore construction activities and to supplement the ILO codes of practice on safety and health in building and civil engineering work, shipbuilding and ship repairing. (Copyright (c) International Labour Organisation 1981.)

77 FR 19345 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-30

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11582, South Plains Financial, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the Plan or the Applicant); and D-11668, TIB Financial Corp. Employee Stock Ownership Plan with 401(k) Provisions (the Plan).

76 FR 59434 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-26

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D- 11676 The Kemper Corporation Pension Plan (the Plan); L-11618 Oregon- Washington Carpenters Employers Apprenticeship and Training Trust Fund (the Plan); and L-11647 R+L Carriers Shared Services, LLC

Transit labor arrangements : most transit agencies report impacts are minimal

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-11-01

Over the last several years there has been renewed concern about the 37-year old statutory provision commonly known as Section 13 (c) -- codified as section 5333(b) of title 49 U.S. Code. Before the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) may make grant...

78 FR 4170 - Sunshine Act Meetings: January 2013

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-18

... NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD Sunshine Act Meetings: January 2013 TIME AND DATES: All meetings..., Deputy Executive Secretary. (202) 273-3737. Dated: January 16, 2013. Gary Shinners, Deputy Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013-01203 Filed 1-16-13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7545-01-P ...

78 FR 72719 - Sunshine Act Meetings: December 2013

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-03

... NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD Sunshine Act Meetings: December 2013 TIME AND DATES: All meetings..., Associate Executive Secretary, (202) 273-2917. Dated: November 27, 2013. William B. Cowen, Solicitor. [FR Doc. 2013-29025 Filed 11-29-13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7545-01-P ...

Celebrate Your Freedom! May 1, Law Day 1997.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Michaud, Mike; And Others

1997-01-01

Presents seven brief articles on legal issues concerning young people. Addresses such topics as curfews, teen smoking, dress codes, and child labor. Some articles are student-written while others profile student activity. Student authors include Mike Michaud, Danny Rosen, Carrie Kendrick, and William Hansen. (MJP)

30 CFR 57.19096 - Familiarity with signal code.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 57.19096 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS-UNDERGROUND METAL AND NONMETAL MINES Personnel... signals for cages, skips, and mantrips when persons or materials are being transported shall be familiar...

30 CFR 56.19096 - Familiarity with signal code.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 56.19096 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR METAL AND NONMETAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS-SURFACE METAL AND NONMETAL MINES Personnel... signals for cages, skips, and mantrips when persons or materials are being transported shall be familiar...

20 CFR 638.529 - Income taxes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Employees' Benefits EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JOB CORPS PROGRAM UNDER TITLE IV-B OF THE JOB TRAINING PARTNERSHIP ACT Center Operations § 638.529 Income taxes. The Act... 26, U.S. Code). The Job Corps Director may obtain from tax authorities information regarding taxation...

Citizen empowerment in the domestic waste policy development in Lithuania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stasiukynas, Andrius; Survila, Arvydas; Smalskys, Vainius

2017-04-01

Lithuania offers an interesting case of lagging in terms of domestic waste recycling in the European context. Despite the adoption of all relevant EU regulation, including a pricing system, which is designed to be more conducive for recycling. One important group of policy instruments which in the application of which Lithuania needs to improve, is public participation in environmental governance. The objective of this study is to relate the means of public participation and the decision-making on waste management and recycling outcomes. The study consisted of two stages. Stage one: key decision-making public agencies responsible for policy formulation and implementation of domestic waste management were identified. Later, an analysis of public available documentation covering decision-making in these institutions was conducted with the aim to measure the level of citizen engagement. Stage two: agency managers and staff responsible for citizen engagement were interviewed with the goal of evaluating their attitudes. Attitudes of officials are a crucial for a successful citizen engagement. The results showed that officials recognized very little the value of citizen engagement. They perceived contribution as an the creation of additional challenges to be tackled with, rather than help to lower service delivery costs and improve policy effectiveness. This renders the government with a depleted number of options of improving domestic waste management to "top-down" measures and imposition of financial incentives or costs.

Infection disclosure in the injecting dyads of Hungarian and Lithuanian injecting drug users who self-reported being infected with hepatitis C virus or human immunodeficiency virus.

PubMed

Gyarmathy, V Anna; Neaigus, Alan; Li, Nan; Ujhelyi, Eszter; Caplinskiene, Irma; Caplinskas, Saulius; Latkin, Carl A

2011-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of disclosure to network members of being hepatitis C virus (HCV)- or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected among injecting dyads of infected injection drug users (IDUs) in Budapest, Hungary and Vilnius, Lithuania,. Multivariate generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to assess associations. Very strong infection disclosure norms exist in Hungary, and HCV disclosure was associated with using drugs and having sex within the dyad. Non-ethnic Russian IDUs in Lithuania were more likely to disclose HCV infection to non-Roma, emotionally close and HCV-infected network members, and to those with whom they shared cookers, filters, drug solutions or rinse water or got used syringes from, and if they had fewer non-IDU or IDU network members. Ethnic Russian Lithuanian IDUs were more likely to disclose HCV if they had higher disclosure attitude and knowledge scores, 'trusted' network members, and had lower non-injecting network density and higher injecting network density. HIV-infected Lithuanian IDUs were more likely to disclose to 'trusted' network members. Disclosure norms matched disclosure behaviour in Hungary, while disclosure in Lithuania to 'trusted' network members suggests possible stigmatization. Ongoing free and confidential HCV/HIV testing services for IDUs are needed to emphasize and strengthen disclosure norms, and to decrease stigma.

An inter-country comparison of unofficial payments: results of a health sector social audit in the Baltic States

PubMed Central

Cockcroft, Anne; Andersson, Neil; Paredes-Solís, Sergio; Caldwell, Dawn; Mitchell, Steve; Milne, Deborah; Merhi, Serge; Roche, Melissa; Konceviciute, Elena; Ledogar, Robert J

2008-01-01

Background Cross-country comparisons of unofficial payments in the health sector are sparse. In 2002 we conducted a social audit of the health sector of the three Baltic States. Methods Some 10,320 household interviews from a stratified, last-stage-random, sample of 30 clusters per country, together with institutional reviews, produced preliminary results. Separate focus groups of service users, nurses and doctors interpreted these findings. Stakeholder workshops in each country discussed the survey and focus group results. Results Nearly one half of the respondents did not consider unofficial payments to health workers to be corruption, yet one half (Estonia 43%, Latvia 45%, Lithuania 64%) thought the level of corruption in government health services was high. Very few (Estonia 1%, Latvia 3%, Lithuania 8%) admitted to making unofficial payments in their last contact with the services. Around 14% of household members across the three countries gave gifts in their last contact with government services. Conclusion This social audit allowed comparison of perceptions, attitudes and experience regarding unofficial payments in the health services of the three Baltic States. Estonia showed least corruption. Latvia was in the middle. Lithuania evidenced the most unofficial payments, the greatest mistrust towards the system. These findings can serve as a baseline for interventions, and to compare each country's approach to health service reform in relation to unofficial payments. PMID:18208604

The Nation and the Family: The Impact of National Identification and Perceived Importance of Family Values on Homophobic Attitudes in Lithuania and Scotland.

PubMed

Wakefield, Juliet R H; Kalinauskaite, Monika; Hopkins, Nick

The meanings attached to the nation can be consequential for group members' attitudes and beliefs. We examined how national identity definition can influence the extent of individuals' homophobia with 159 Lithuanian and 176 Scottish university students who completed a questionnaire which measured their national identification, homophobia, and the extent to which they felt traditional family values were central to their nation's identity. Consistent with nation-wide differences in the significance given to the family, Lithuanian participants perceived family values to be more important for their national identity and expressed higher levels of homophobia than did Scottish participants. Moreover, the relationship between level of national identification and homophobia was stronger in Lithuania than in Scotland. Analyses revealed that the perceived importance of family values helped explain the difference between homophobia levels in Lithuania and Scotland. In both sites we found an indirect effect of national identification on homophobia via the perceived importance of family values, but this effect was significantly stronger for Lithuanian participants. These findings illustrate the ways in which identification with the nation is relevant to attitudes concerning sexuality, and how this varies according to national context. Our work indicates that LGBT rights campaigns should be informed by the knowledge that homophobia may be perpetuated by national valorisation of the family.

Characteristics of dental attendance among Lithuanian middle-aged university employees.

PubMed

Sakalauskiene, Zana; Maciulskiene, Vita; Vehkalahti, Miira M; Kubilius, Ricardas; Murtomaa, Heikki

2009-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate and describe the dental attendance patterns and to characterize the factors that encourage preventive dental visits among 35- to 44-year-old university employees in Lithuania. A questionnaire survey was conducted anonymously among the 35- to 44-year-old employees (n=862) of four universities in Lithuania in 2005. The response rate was 64% (n=553). Data on their most recent dental visit, habitual dental attendance, and self-reported dental health were collected. Gender, marital status, education, and income levels served as background factors. Of the respondents, 79% were women, and 82% held a university degree. Of all the respondents, 75% reported having their most recent dental visit within the previous 12 months; 19% indicated a preventive check-up as the reason for it (15%--self-decided visit and 4%--dentist's recall). The most common treatments received were fillings (75%), scaling and cleaning (28%), and endodontic treatment (22%). Analysis of the data about habitual dental attendance showed that preventive check-up as the main reason for attendance was more commonly reported by women (OR=1.7), among those who indicated having lost fewer teeth (OR=1.5), reported higher incomes (OR=1.4), and who indicated a shorter time interval since their most recent dental visit (OR=1.3). Dental problem seems to be a dominant reason for dental attendance in Lithuania where both dentists' and patients' behavior weakly reflects preventive orientation.

An inter-country comparison of unofficial payments: results of a health sector social audit in the Baltic States.

PubMed

Cockcroft, Anne; Andersson, Neil; Paredes-Solís, Sergio; Caldwell, Dawn; Mitchell, Steve; Milne, Deborah; Merhi, Serge; Roche, Melissa; Konceviciute, Elena; Ledogar, Robert J

2008-01-21

Cross-country comparisons of unofficial payments in the health sector are sparse. In 2002 we conducted a social audit of the health sector of the three Baltic States. Some 10,320 household interviews from a stratified, last-stage-random, sample of 30 clusters per country, together with institutional reviews, produced preliminary results. Separate focus groups of service users, nurses and doctors interpreted these findings. Stakeholder workshops in each country discussed the survey and focus group results. Nearly one half of the respondents did not consider unofficial payments to health workers to be corruption, yet one half (Estonia 43%, Latvia 45%, Lithuania 64%) thought the level of corruption in government health services was high. Very few (Estonia 1%, Latvia 3%, Lithuania 8%) admitted to making unofficial payments in their last contact with the services. Around 14% of household members across the three countries gave gifts in their last contact with government services. This social audit allowed comparison of perceptions, attitudes and experience regarding unofficial payments in the health services of the three Baltic States. Estonia showed least corruption. Latvia was in the middle. Lithuania evidenced the most unofficial payments, the greatest mistrust towards the system. These findings can serve as a baseline for interventions, and to compare each country's approach to health service reform in relation to unofficial payments.

Occupational characteristics of respiratory cancer patients exposed to asbestos in Lithuania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Everatt, R. Petrauskaitdot e.; Smolianskiedot n, G.; Tossavainen, A.; Cicdot enas, S.; Jankauskas, R.

2009-02-01

Objective: To assess characteristics of asbestos exposure in respiratory cancer patients in Lithuania. Methods. Information on occupational exposure to asbestos was collected by personal interviews and occupational characteristics were evaluated among 183 lung cancer and mesothelioma patients with cumulative asbestos exposure >=0.01 fibre years hospitalized at the Institute of Oncology, Vilnius. Additionally, some results of workplace air measurements were reviewed. Results. Cases with estimated cumulative exposure >=5 fibre years had worked mainly in the construction industry (49%), installation and maintenance (13%), foundry and metal products manufacturing (6%), heating trades and boilerhouses (6%) as fitters/maintenance technicians, construction workers, welders, electricians or foremen. Typical asbestos materials used by the patients were asbestos powder, asbestos cement sheets and pipes, asbestos cord, brake and clutch linings. Patients were exposed to asbestos when insulating boilers, furnaces, pipes in power stations, industrial facilities, ships, locomotives, buildings, while covering and repairing roofs, at the asbestos cement plant or unloading asbestos products. Most patients with estimated cumulative exposure of >=0.01-4.9 fibre years worked as lorry, bus or tractor drivers and motor vehicle mechanics. In 2002-2007 workplace air asbestos concentrations exceeded the limit value of 0.1 f/cm3 in 11 samples out of 208 measurements. Conclusion. The results of this study indicate that since the 1960s occupational exposure to chrysotile asbestos was extensive in Lithuania.

Suicide mortality trends in young people aged 15 to 19 years in Lithuania.

PubMed

Strukcinskiene, B; Andersson, R; Janson, S

2011-11-01

This paper considers the suicide mortality trends from 1990-2009 in young people aged 15 to 19 years in Lithuania. Suicide and injury mortality data, plus mortality data from all causes, were used to compare the trend lines. Suicide mortality rate in young people aged 15-19 years and in all population showed a rising trend from 1990, and then a decreasing trend from 2002 year. This trend was significant exclusively in boys. When comparing suicide deaths as a percentage of injury deaths and of all deaths in the age group 15-19 years, rising trends for boys were evident, whilst in girls, there was no evidence of change. In Lithuania, from early 1990s, the frequency of suicide increased amongst adults and young people aged 15-19 years. After 2002, a decrease in deaths by suicide was observed both for the whole population and for young people aged 15-19 years. The rise and fall was obvious for boys. The reasons for different trends may have been influenced by the political and socioeconomic instability in the 1990-2002 period, and the socioeconomic stability, together with active preventive measures, from 2002. Although the consumption of modern Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increased during the same time, suicide mortality was again high during the economic crisis in 2008-2009. © 2011 The Author(s)/Acta Paediatrica © 2011 Foundation Acta Paediatrica.

Perceived discrimination and low back pain among 28,532 workers in South Korea: Effect modification by labor union status.

PubMed

Lee, Nagyeong; Sung, Hyoju; Kim, Ji-Hwan; Punnett, Laura; Kim, Seung-Sup

2017-03-01

This study investigated the association between workplace discrimination and low back pain among Korean workers and explored the role of labor union in the association. We analyzed a cross-sectional survey of 28,532 workers from the 3rd Korean Working Conditions Survey (2011), a nationally representative dataset in South Korea. Experience of workplace discrimination for five different reasons was assessed using the questions: "Over the past 12 months, have you ever experienced workplace discrimination based on your: (a) age, (b) education, (c) birth region, (d) sex, and (e) employment status?" Experience of low back pain within a 12 month period was measured using a yes/no question. Labor union membership was coded into three categories: (1) workers at workplaces without a labor union; (2) workers without union membership at workplaces with a labor union; (3) workers with union membership. In workplaces without a labor union, low back pain was statistically significantly associated with workplace discrimination based on age (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.73, 2.35), education (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.71), birth region (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.84), sex (OR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.81, 2.73), and employment status (OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.99, 2.72) after adjusting for covariates including physical work factors. However, no significant association was observed among workers at workplaces with a labor union regardless of workers' union membership. Workplace discrimination was associated with low back pain only in workplaces without a labor union. Presence of labor union at workplaces may have a protective effect on workers' low back pain against workplace discrimination. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Identification and functional analysis of microRNA in myometrium tissue from spontaneous preterm labor

PubMed Central

Tang, Yao; Ji, Hongjing; Liu, Haiyan; Gu, Weirong; Li, Xiaotian; Peng, Ting

2015-01-01

Spontaneous preterm labor is an important complication in perinatology characterized by early onset myometrium contractions leading to labor at preterm. However, the exact mechanism that maintain uterine quiescence and promote increased uterine contractility during labor were incompletely defined. MicroRNAs is a class of short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by binding the 3’ untranslated region of target mRNAs and play an important role in biological process and cellular functions. We hypothesized we could find differentially expressed microRNAs in the myometrium of women in spontaneous preterm labor. Thus, a microarray analysis of miRNAs of preterm myometrium was performed. 18 out of the 2006 detected microRNAs were found to be significantly dysregulated in myometrium in labor verse not in labor at preterm. Biological validation by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction confirms us a consistence rate of 83.3% (5 out of 6) with microarray analysis. The target genes for validated microRNAs were predicted by three algorithms (PicTar, TargetScan, and miRanda). Most of the potential targets of the miRNAs were relevant to positive regulation of cardiac muscle hypertrophy, reduction of cytosolic calcium ion concentration and relaxation of cardiac muscle as well as prostate cancer, adherents junction, regulation of actin cytoskeleton and regulation and other factor-regulated calcium reabsorption. Our result illustrates a characteristic microRNA profile in myometrium tissues and provides a new understanding of the process involved in spontaneous preterm labor. PMID:26722471

Holocene malacofauna in calcareous deposits of Dūkšta site near Maišiagala in Lithuania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanko, Aleksander; Gaigalas, Algirdas; Rudnickaitė, Eugenija; Melešytė, Monika

2008-01-01

The paper contains results of new investigations in Lithuania of the first occurrences of terrestrial molluscs in calcareous tufa (travertine), carbonate content and radiocarbon dating. Terrestrial fossil molluscs (35 taxa) prevail in the mollusc fauna, while freshwater species are much more rare (6 taxa). The Dūkšta terrestrial mollusc fauna embraces a complex of thermophiles including such forest species as Acicula polita (Hartmann), Acanthinula aculeata (Müller), Aegopinella cf. pura (Alder), Bulgaria cana (Held) and Discus cf. rotundatus (Müller), as well as mainly South European Carychium tridentatum (Risso) and mainly West European Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy). The radiocarbon age of the sediments was found to correspond to the end of the Atlantic climatic period and the beginning of the Subboreal.

Decision Making about Hospital Arrival among Low-Risk Nulliparous Women after Spontaneous Labor Onset at Home.

PubMed

Edmonds, Joyce K; Miley, Kathleen; Angelini, Kimberly J; Shah, Neel T

2018-05-15

Postponing hospital admission until the active phase of labor is a recommended strategy to safely reduce the incidence of primary cesarean births. Success of this strategy depends on women's decisions about when to transfer from home to the hospital, a process that is largely absent from research about childbirth. This study aimed to determine the decision-making criteria used by women about when to go to the hospital after the self-identification of labor onset at home. A qualitative study was conducted at an academic medical center with a sample of 21 nulliparous women who went into spontaneous labor at home and had term, singleton, and vertex-presentation births. The purposive sample consisted of women who decided to stay at home or go to the hospital in early labor. Birth narratives from in-depth interviews conducted in the postpartum period using a semistructured interview guide were subjected to content analysis. The verbatim transcriptions of the interviews were coded and categorized into a set of decision criteria. Criteria used by women in deciding to go to the hospital or stay at home in early labor included the degree of certainty with the self-identification of labor onset, ability to cope with labor pain, influence of social network members, health care provider advice, and concerns about travel to the hospital. Perception of childbirth risk and the need for reassurance about the normalcy of symptoms and fetal well-being also influenced women's decisions. Women use a common set of criteria in deciding when to arrive at the hospital during labor. Antenatal education and telephone triage interventions that incorporate the considerations of women deciding to seek or delay hospital admission in childbirth may facilitate health seeking in more advanced labor. Symptom recognition education about early labor onset and progression could reduce decisional uncertainty. © 2018 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

7 CFR 3560.625 - Maintaining the physical asset.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 15 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Maintaining the physical asset. 3560.625 Section 3560.625 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE... Maintaining the physical asset. On-farm labor housing must meet state and local building and occupancy codes. ...

7 CFR 3560.625 - Maintaining the physical asset.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 15 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Maintaining the physical asset. 3560.625 Section 3560.625 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE... Maintaining the physical asset. On-farm labor housing must meet state and local building and occupancy codes. ...

7 CFR 3560.625 - Maintaining the physical asset.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 15 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Maintaining the physical asset. 3560.625 Section 3560.625 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE... Maintaining the physical asset. On-farm labor housing must meet state and local building and occupancy codes. ...

7 CFR 3560.625 - Maintaining the physical asset.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 15 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Maintaining the physical asset. 3560.625 Section 3560.625 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE... Maintaining the physical asset. On-farm labor housing must meet state and local building and occupancy codes. ...

7 CFR 3560.625 - Maintaining the physical asset.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 15 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Maintaining the physical asset. 3560.625 Section 3560.625 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING SERVICE... Maintaining the physical asset. On-farm labor housing must meet state and local building and occupancy codes. ...

Developing Codes of Conduct for Manufacturers of College Apparel.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nicklin, Julie L.

1998-01-01

Colleges and universities are establishing policies to ensure that clothing carrying their names are not being manufactured with "sweatshop" labor. The colleges' policies attempt to set acceptable standards for manufacturers producing the lucrative licensed lines. However, institutions are finding that it is difficult to enforce those…

29 CFR 4043.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... the Code. Subpart A contains definitions and general rules. Subpart B contains rules for post-event... Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS REPORTABLE EVENTS AND... prescribes the requirements for notifying the PBGC of a reportable event under section 4043 of ERISA or of a...

29 CFR 4043.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... the Code. Subpart A contains definitions and general rules. Subpart B contains rules for post-event... Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS REPORTABLE EVENTS AND... prescribes the requirements for notifying the PBGC of a reportable event under section 4043 of ERISA or of a...

29 CFR 4043.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... the Code. Subpart A contains definitions and general rules. Subpart B contains rules for post-event... Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS REPORTABLE EVENTS AND... prescribes the requirements for notifying the PBGC of a reportable event under section 4043 of ERISA or of a...

29 CFR 4043.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... the Code. Subpart A contains definitions and general rules. Subpart B contains rules for post-event... Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS REPORTABLE EVENTS AND... prescribes the requirements for notifying the PBGC of a reportable event under section 4043 of ERISA or of a...

29 CFR 4043.1 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... the Code. Subpart A contains definitions and general rules. Subpart B contains rules for post-event... Relating to Labor (Continued) PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PLAN TERMINATIONS REPORTABLE EVENTS AND... prescribes the requirements for notifying the PBGC of a reportable event under section 4043 of ERISA or of a...

76 FR 64237 - Republication

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-18

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Wage and Hour Division 29 CFR Parts 500 to 899 Republication CFR Correction Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 500 to 899, revised as of July 1, 2011, is being republished in its entirety. The earlier issuance inadvertently omitted footnotes 41 through 58, referenced in...

2 CFR 176.90 - Non-application to acquisitions covered under international agreements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong..., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg...

78 FR 20144 - Sunshine Act Meetings: April 2013

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-03

... NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD Sunshine Act Meetings: April 2013 TIME AND DATES: All meetings are... INFORMATION: Henry Breiteneicher, Associate Executive Secretary, (202) 273-2917. Dated: April 1, 2013. Henry Breiteneicher, Associate Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013-07881 Filed 4-1-13; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7545-01-P ...

Using the Student Edition of Update on Law-Related Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Banaszak, Ronald A.

1997-01-01

Provides accompanying learning activities for each of the articles in the same issue. The brief articles address a number of legal issues concerning young people including dress codes, teen smoking, curfews, restricted areas (such as the mall), and child labor. Includes a law term crossword puzzle. (MJP)

78 FR 15740 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-12

... of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) sponsored information... Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL-ETA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th...). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Information collected on the Occupational Code Assignment Form (Form ETA-741) is...

29 CFR Appendix to Part 1400 - Code of Professional Conduct for Labor Mediators

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... the principles of free and responsible collective bargaining. They must be aware that their duties and... to establish principles applicable to all professional mediators employed by city, State or Federal... to resort to economic and legal sanctions. However, the mediation process may include a...

BASIC Language Flow Charting Program (BASCHART). Technical Note 3-82.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Charles C.; And Others

This document describes BASCHART, a computer aid designed to decipher and automatically flow chart computer program logic; it also provides the computer code necessary for this process. Developed to reduce the labor intensive manual process of producing a flow chart for an undocumented or inadequately documented program, BASCHART will…

77 FR 23291 - Investigations Regarding Certifications of Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-18

.... Credentialing Administration (Company). [FR Doc. 2012-9247 Filed 4-17-12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P ... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Investigations Regarding Certifications... Assistance, Employment and Training Administration, has instituted investigations pursuant to Section 221 (a...

46 CFR 349.3 - Certification criteria.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... other benefits substantially equivalent to the rights and benefits provided by chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, for any member of a Reserve Component of the Armed Forces of the United States who is... relevant documentation to MARAD, Office of Maritime Labor, Training, and Safety, MAR-250, 400 Seventh St...

30 CFR 75.1107-16 - Inspection of fire suppression devices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...-16 Section 75.1107-16 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS-UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Fire Protection Fire... Systems” (NFPA No. 11A—1970). National Fire Code No. 13A “Care and Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems” (NFPA...

30 CFR 75.1107-16 - Inspection of fire suppression devices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...-16 Section 75.1107-16 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH MANDATORY SAFETY STANDARDS-UNDERGROUND COAL MINES Fire Protection Fire... Systems” (NFPA No. 11A—1970). National Fire Code No. 13A “Care and Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems” (NFPA...

34 CFR 674.36 - Deferment of repayment-NDSLs made on or after October 1, 1980, but before July 1, 1993.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. (ii) The borrower provides service to low-income... prescribed under section 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (the Federal minimum wage), except that...

[Parallels in development of hemodialysis service and kidney transplantations in Lithuania during 1996-2005].

PubMed

Ziginskiene, Edita; Kuzminskis, Vytautas; Bumblyte, Inga Arūne; Santockiene, Lina; Dalinkeviciene, Egle; Kardauskaite, Zydrūne; Uogintaite, Jurgita; Motiejūnaite, Agne; Butautas, Ernestas; Vainauskas, Vaclovas; Macius, Kazimieras; Sakalauskiene, Marija; Steckis, Ricardas; Gaupsiene, Egle; Urbanaviciene, Jūrate; Labutiene, Vilma

2007-01-01

The aim of our study was to evaluate the changes in hemodialysis service, main demographic characteristics of hemodialysis patients in Lithuania during 1996-2005, and their correlation with the number of recipients on the kidney waiting list. During the study period, we annually visited all hemodialysis centers in Lithuania and collected data about all hemodialysis patients. There was a sharp increase in the number of hemodialysis centers (from 17 to 43), hemodialysis stations (from 25 to 100 per million population, P<0.001), hemodialysis patients (from 60 to 312 per million population, P<0.001), and new hemodialysis patients (from 54.3 to 95 per million population, P<0.01). The mean age of hemodialysis patients increased from 47.2+/-16.1 years in 1996 to 58.8+/-15.6 years in 2005 (P<0.001). Hemodialysis population became older. The percentage of patients aged more than 60 years increased from 22.8% to 53.2% (P<0.001) and aged more than 70 years from 5.4% to 24.4% (P<0.001). The frequency of chronic glomerulonephritis as underlying disease of end-stage renal disease decreased from 54.5% in 1996 to 21.1% in 2005 (P<0.001). There was an increase in the percentage of patients in whom end-stage renal disease was caused by diabetic (from 7.1% to 19.2%, P<0.01) and hypertensive nephropathies (from 3.1% to 13.9%, P<0.05) and chronic pyelonephritis (from 11.2% to 17.9%, P<0.01). The percentage of recipients on the kidney waiting list decreased from 71.4% in 1996 to 21.1% in 2005. In summary, during the last 9 years, hemodialysis service in Lithuania significantly expanded. The number of hemodialysis patients was continuously rising with predominance of diabetic, hypertensive, and elderly patients. Diabetic nephropathy, chronic glomerulonephritis, and pyelonephritis were the main underlying diseases of end-stage renal disease in hemodialysis patients in 2005. The percentage of recipients on the kidney waiting list decreased probably because of the rise in the number of elderly patients and patients with diabetes mellitus in Lithuanian hemodialysis population.

Value priorities and their relations with quality of life in the Baby Boomer generation of Lithuanian nurses: a cross-sectional survey.

PubMed

Blazeviciene, Aurelija; Jakusovaite, Irayda

2007-11-08

The understanding of the values of nurses is especially important, since nurses constitute 80% of workforce in the healthcare system in Lithuania. In addition to that, nursing is one of the major constituents of healthcare. The aim of this study was to determine what values predominate in the cohort of Baby Boomer nurses, and to evaluate the relation of these values with quality of life using M. Rokeach's terminal and instrumental values scale. M.Rokeach distinguished terminal values (such as world peace, wisdom, and happiness), which are preferred end-states of existence, and instrumental values (such as responsibility and cooperation), which are preferred modes of conduct. We performed a representative anonymous questionnaire-based inquiry of nurses working in regional hospitals of Lithuania. The nurses who participated in the study were distributed into four work cohorts: the Veterans, the Baby Boomers, the Generation Xers, and the Generation Nexters. The majority of the nurses belonged to the Baby Boomers and the Generation Xers cohorts. Since in Lithuania, like in the whole Europe, the representatives of the Baby Boomers generation are predominating among working people, we selected this cohort (N = 387) for the analysis. The survey data was processed using the SPSS statistical software package The main values in life were family security, tranquility, and a sense of accomplishment. However, such values as true friendship, equality, and pleasurable and leisured life were seen as rather insignificant. The most important instrumental values were honesty, skillfulness, and responsibility. Our study showed a statistically significant (albeit weak) correlation between the QOL and terminal values such as the sense of accomplishment, tranquility, equality, and pleasure, as well as the instrumental value - obedience. We detected a statistically significant relationship between good QOL and satisfaction with oneself, relationships with the surrounding people, and friends' support. The findings of our study showed that, although Lithuania was under a totalitarian regime for 50 years, both the terminal and the instrumental values of the Baby Boomers generation are very similar to those of the same generation in other countries.

Value priorities and their relations with quality of life in the Baby Boomer generation of Lithuanian nurses: a cross-sectional survey

PubMed Central

Blazeviciene, Aurelija; Jakusovaite, Irayda

2007-01-01

Background The understanding of the values of nurses is especially important, since nurses constitute 80% of workforce in the healthcare system in Lithuania. In addition to that, nursing is one of the major constituents of healthcare. The aim of this study was to determine what values predominate in the cohort of Baby Boomer nurses, and to evaluate the relation of these values with quality of life using M. Rokeach's terminal and instrumental values scale. M.Rokeach distinguished terminal values (such as world peace, wisdom, and happiness), which are preferred end-states of existence, and instrumental values (such as responsibility and cooperation), which are preferred modes of conduct. Methods We performed a representative anonymous questionnaire-based inquiry of nurses working in regional hospitals of Lithuania. The nurses who participated in the study were distributed into four work cohorts: the Veterans, the Baby Boomers, the Generation Xers, and the Generation Nexters. The majority of the nurses belonged to the Baby Boomers and the Generation Xers cohorts. Since in Lithuania, like in the whole Europe, the representatives of the Baby Boomers generation are predominating among working people, we selected this cohort (N = 387) for the analysis. The survey data was processed using the SPSS statistical software package Results The main values in life were family security, tranquility, and a sense of accomplishment. However, such values as true friendship, equality, and pleasurable and leisured life were seen as rather insignificant. The most important instrumental values were honesty, skillfulness, and responsibility. Our study showed a statistically significant (albeit weak) correlation between the QOL and terminal values such as the sense of accomplishment, tranquility, equality, and pleasure, as well as the instrumental value – obedience. We detected a statistically significant relationship between good QOL and satisfaction with oneself, relationships with the surrounding people, and friends' support. Conclusion The findings of our study showed that, although Lithuania was under a totalitarian regime for 50 years, both the terminal and the instrumental values of the Baby Boomers generation are very similar to those of the same generation in other countries. PMID:17996067

76 FR 70495 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-14

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11637 HSBC-North America (U.S.) Tax Reduction Investment Plan; D-11679 Sammons Enterprises, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership ESOP; and D-11683 First Federal Bancshares of Arkansas, Inc. Employees' Savings and Profit Sharing Plan.

76 FR 3165 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-19

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11580, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and its Current and Future Affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, Baird); and D-11611, Security Benefit Mutual Holding Company (MHC) Benefit Life Insurance Company (SBL, and together with the Applicants), et al.

77 FR 32686 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-01

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11649, Meridian Medical Associates, S.C, Employees' Retirement Plan and Trust (the Plan); D-11710, El Paso Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the Plan); and D-11714, Ed Laur Defined Benefit Plan (the Plan).

System-on-Chip Data Processing and Data Handling Spaceflight Electronics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleyner, I.; Katz, R.; Tiggeler, H.

1999-01-01

This paper presents a methodology and a tool set which implements automated generation of moderate-size blocks of customized intellectual property (IP), thus effectively reusing prior work and minimizing the labor intensive, error-prone parts of the design process. Customization of components allows for optimization for smaller area and lower power consumption, which is an important factor given the limitations of resources available in radiation-hardened devices. The effects of variations in HDL coding style on the efficiency of synthesized code for various commercial synthesis tools are also discussed.

Preterm labor in the absence of acute histologic chorioamnionitis is characterized by cellular senescence of the chorioamniotic membranes.

PubMed

Gomez-Lopez, Nardhy; Romero, Roberto; Plazyo, Olesya; Schwenkel, George; Garcia-Flores, Valeria; Unkel, Ronald; Xu, Yi; Leng, Yaozhu; Hassan, Sonia S; Panaitescu, Bogdan; Cha, Jeeyeon; Dey, Sudhansu K

2017-11-01

Decidual senescence has been considered a mechanism of disease for spontaneous preterm labor in the absence of severe acute inflammation. Yet, signs of cellular senescence have also been observed in the chorioamniotic membranes from women who underwent the physiological process of labor at term. We aimed to investigate whether, in the absence of acute histologic chorioamnionitis, the chorioamniotic membranes from women who underwent spontaneous preterm labor or labor at term exhibit signs of cellular senescence. Chorioamniotic membrane samples were collected from women who underwent spontaneous preterm labor or labor at term. Gestational age-matched nonlabor controls were also included. Senescence-associated genes/proteins were determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis (n = 7-9 each for array; n = 26-28 each for validation), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (n = 7-9 each), immunoblotting (n = 6-7 each), and immunohistochemistry (n = 7-8 each). Senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity (n = 7-11 each) and telomere length (n = 15-22 each) were also evaluated. In the chorioamniotic membranes without acute histologic chorioamnionitis: (1) the expression profile of senescence-associated genes was different between the labor groups (term in labor and preterm in labor) and the nonlabor groups (term no labor and preterm no labor), yet there were differences between the term in labor and preterm in labor groups; (2) most of the differentially expressed genes among the groups were closely related to the tumor suppressor protein (TP53) pathway; (3) the expression of TP53 was down-regulated in the term in labor and preterm in labor groups compared to their nonlabor counterparts; (4) the expression of CDKN1A (gene coding for p21) was up-regulated in the term in labor and preterm in labor groups compared to their nonlabor counterparts; (5) the expression of the cyclin kinase CDK2 and cyclins CCNA2, CCNB1, and CCNE1 was down-regulated in the preterm in labor group compared to the preterm no labor group; (6) the concentration of TP53 was lower in the preterm in labor group than in the preterm no labor and term in labor groups; (7) the senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity was greater in the preterm in labor group than in the preterm no labor and term in labor groups; (8) the concentration of phospho-S6 ribosomal protein was reduced in the term in labor group compared to its nonlabor counterpart, but no differences were observed between the preterm in labor and preterm no labor groups; and (9) no significant differences were observed in relative telomere length among the study groups (term no labor, term in labor, preterm no labor, and preterm in labor). In the absence of acute histologic chorioamnionitis, signs of cellular senescence are present in the chorioamniotic membranes from women who underwent spontaneous preterm labor compared to those who delivered preterm in the absence of labor. However, the chorioamniotic membranes from women who underwent spontaneous labor at term did not show consistent signs of cellular senescence in the absence of histologic chorioamnionitis. These results suggest that different pathways are implicated in the pathological and physiological processes of labor. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Evolution of functional specialization and division of labor.

PubMed

Rueffler, Claus; Hermisson, Joachim; Wagner, Günter P

2012-02-07

Division of labor among functionally specialized modules occurs at all levels of biological organization in both animals and plants. Well-known examples include the evolution of specialized enzymes after gene duplication, the evolution of specialized cell types, limb diversification in arthropods, and the evolution of specialized colony members in many taxa of marine invertebrates and social insects. Here, we identify conditions favoring the evolution of division of labor by means of a general mathematical model. Our starting point is the assumption that modules contribute to two different biological tasks and that the potential of modules to contribute to these tasks is traded off. Our results are phrased in terms of properties of performance functions that map the phenotype of modules to measures of performance. We show that division of labor is favored by three factors: positional effects that predispose modules for one of the tasks, accelerating performance functions, and synergistic interactions between modules. If modules can be lost or damaged, selection for robustness can counteract selection for functional specialization. To illustrate our theory we apply it to the evolution of specialized enzymes coded by duplicated genes.

7 CFR 319.59-3 - Articles prohibited importation pending risk evaluation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

..., Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan... Korea, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela. [70 FR 8231, Feb. 18, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 71212, Nov...

7 CFR 319.59-3 - Articles prohibited importation pending risk evaluation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

..., Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan... Korea, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela. [70 FR 8231, Feb. 18, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 71212, Nov...

7 CFR 319.59-3 - Articles prohibited importation pending risk evaluation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

..., Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan... Korea, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela. [70 FR 8231, Feb. 18, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 71212, Nov...

Curonian Spit, Lithuania and Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

The Curonian Spit in Lithuania and the Russian Federation was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Human habitation of this elongated sand dune peninsula, 98 km long and 0.4-4 km wide, dates back to prehistoric times. Throughout this period it has been threatened by the natural forces of wind and waves. Its survival to the present day has been made possible only as a result of ceaseless human efforts to combat erosion through stabilization and reforestation projects.

The image covers an area of 55.8 x 109.5 km, was acquired on July 25, 2006, and is located near 55.3 degrees north latitude, 20.9 degrees east longitude.

The U.S. science team is located at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. The Terra mission is part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

Family planning and the labor sector: soft-sell approach.

PubMed

Teston, R C

1981-01-01

Dr. Cesar T. San Pedro, the director of the company clinic at Dole Philippines plantation in South Cotabato in Region 11, has been pressing the management to initiate a comprehensive family planning programs for their 10,000 workers. Pedro wants the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) to enforce its population program. The situation at Dole is one that requires an arbiter. Since 1977, there has not been a Population/Family Planning Officer (PFPO) for the area, and it is not possible to monitor closely if the qualified firms are following the labor code and providing family planning services to their employees. Susan B. Dedel, executive director of the PFPO, has reported that the office has sought to endear its program to the private sector by showing that family planning is also profitable for the firm. This "soft-sell" approach has been the hallmark of the MOLE-PFPO since it began in 1975 as a joint project of the Commission on Population (POPCOM), United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), and International Labor Organization (ILO). Some critics have argued that this liberal style of implementation is short-selling the program. They point out that the Labor Code of 1973 enforces all establishments with at least 200 employees to have a free in-plant family planning program which includes clinic care, paid motivators, and volunteer population workers. The critics seem, at 1st glance, to have the statistics on their side. In its 5 years of operation, the PFPO has convinced only 137,000 workers to accept family planning. This is quite low, since of the 1.2 million employed by the covered firms, 800,000 are eligible for the MOLE program. Much of the weakness of the implementation is said to be due to the slow activation of the Labor-Management Coordinating Committees (LMCC). The critics maintain that because of the liberal enforcement of Department Order No. 9, the recalcitrant firms see no reason to comply. Dedel claims that the program is on the right track. Hamlish Richards, chief of ILO's population and labor policies branch, has high praise for the program. Over the years the ILO has awarded fellowships to 19 labor ministry officials from Asia and Africa to learn from Dedel and her staff. What is most impressive is PFPO's training component. The country's bigger establishments have already implemented the PFPO concepts, and the programs of these companies are reviewed. Last year PFPO entered into an agreement with the Population Center Foundation and POPCOM Region 11 to test the viability of the use of incentives. 6 companies agreed to try out this approach.

Methods for Ensuring High Quality of Coding of Cause of Death. The Mortality Register to Follow Southern Urals Populations Exposed to Radiation.

PubMed

Startsev, N; Dimov, P; Grosche, B; Tretyakov, F; Schüz, J; Akleyev, A

2015-01-01

To follow up populations exposed to several radiation accidents in the Southern Urals, a cause-of-death registry was established at the Urals Center capturing deaths in the Chelyabinsk, Kurgan and Sverdlovsk region since 1950. When registering deaths over such a long time period, quality measures need to be in place to maintain quality and reduce the impact of individual coders as well as quality changes in death certificates. To ensure the uniformity of coding, a method for semi-automatic coding was developed, which is described here. Briefly, the method is based on a dynamic thesaurus, database-supported coding and parallel coding by two different individuals. A comparison of the proposed method for organizing the coding process with the common procedure of coding showed good agreement, with, at the end of the coding process, 70  - 90% agreement for the three-digit ICD -9 rubrics. The semi-automatic method ensures a sufficiently high quality of coding by at the same time providing an opportunity to reduce the labor intensity inherent in the creation of large-volume cause-of-death registries.

29 CFR 1400.735-21 - Miscellaneous statutory provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 29 Labor 4 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Miscellaneous statutory provisions. 1400.735-21 Section... Service.” (b) Chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code, relating to bribery, graft, and conflicts of... Registration Act (18 U.S.C. 219). (r) Penalties: The following table, copied from the Federal Personnel Manual...

78 FR 66074 - Sunshine Act Meetings: November 2013

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-04

... NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD Sunshine Act Meetings: November 2013 TIME AND DATES: All meetings....'' See also 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(10). CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dated: October 31, 2013. William B. Cowen, Solicitor. [FR Doc. 2013-26408 Filed 10-31-13; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 7545-01-P ...

A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that agencies may not deduct labor organization dues from the pay of Federal employees, and for other purposes.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Sen. DeMint, Jim [R-SC

2011-06-06

Senate - 06/06/2011 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that Washington's Birthday be observed on February 22, rather than the third Monday in February, of each year.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Rep. Wolf, Frank R. [R-VA-10

2011-06-21

House - 06/30/2011 Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy . (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Discovering Genres of Online Discussion Threads via Text Mining

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Fu-Ren; Hsieh, Lu-Shih; Chuang, Fu-Tai

2009-01-01

As course management systems (CMS) gain popularity in facilitating teaching. A forum is a key component to facilitate the interactions among students and teachers. Content analysis is the most popular way to study a discussion forum. But content analysis is a human labor intensity process; for example, the coding process relies heavily on manual…

Job Grading System for Trades and Labor Occupations. Part II.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Civil Service Commission, Washington, DC. Bureau of Policies and Standards.

Three new standards (telephone mechanic, electroplater, and animal caretaker) for grading jobs under the Federal Wage System are cited. There is an alphabetical listing by job for published job grading standards, an occupational code-structure index for published grading standards, and a list of 61 jobs by published job grading standard with…

The A.B.C.'s of the C.B.A. (Collective Bargaining Act). Government Code Sections 3540, Etc.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

San Mateo County Board of Education, Redwood City, CA.

This summary of California's Collective Bargaining Act outlines the essential points of this state law, including the processes to be employed for bargaining unit determination, definition and settlement of unfair labor practices, ascertainment of the scope of negotiations, certification of exclusive bargaining representatives, arbitration, and…

78 FR 11092 - Safety and Health Regulations for Construction

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-15

... LABOR DEPARTMENT Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 CFR Part 1926 Safety and Health Regulations for Construction CFR Correction In Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926, revised as of July 1, 2012, on page 225, in Sec. 1926.152, paragraph (c)(16) is added to read as follows: Sec...

30 CFR 72.710 - Selection, fit, use, and maintenance of approved respirators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.../code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. This incorporation by reference was approved by the..., DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH HEALTH STANDARDS FOR COAL MINES Miscellaneous § 72.710...; http://www.ansi.org, and may be inspected at any MSHA Coal Mine Safety and Health district office, or...

30 CFR 72.710 - Selection, fit, use, and maintenance of approved respirators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

.../code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. This incorporation by reference was approved by the..., DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH HEALTH STANDARDS FOR COAL MINES Miscellaneous § 72.710...; http://www.ansi.org, and may be inspected at any MSHA Coal Mine Safety and Health district office, or...

30 CFR 72.710 - Selection, fit, use, and maintenance of approved respirators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

.../code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. This incorporation by reference was approved by the..., DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH HEALTH STANDARDS FOR COAL MINES Miscellaneous § 72.710...; http://www.ansi.org, and may be inspected at any MSHA Coal Mine Safety and Health district office, or...

75 FR 34626 - Rules and Regulations for Abandoned Individual Account Plans

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-18

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration 29 CFR Part 2578 Rules and Regulations for Abandoned Individual Account Plans CFR Correction In Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1927 to End, revised as of July 1, 2009, on pages 664 and 665, remove the second Appendix C...

77 FR 68834 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-16

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11610, UBS Financial Services, Inc. D- 11666, Central Pacific Bank 401(k) Retirement and Savings Plan (the Plan); D-11672, Studley, Inc. Section 401(k) Plan Profit Sharing Plan (the Plan); and D-11724, EquiLend Holdings LLC (EquiLend).

Cancer incidence in the workers cohort of textile manufacturing factory in Alytus, Lithuania.

PubMed

Kuzmickiene, Irena; Didziapetris, Remigijus; Stukonis, Mecys

2004-02-01

Altogether 14,650 workers employed at least for 1 year a the textile factory in Alytus, Lithuania, were included in the cohort and followed during the period from 1978 to 1997. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for men was 1.28. The incidence of esophagus cancer was significant higher (SIR 3.42). It increased only slightly for lung (SIR 1.35). In the women cohort, SIR was 1.05. However, there was a significant increase of the incidence of gallbladder cancer (SIR 3.19). Among textile-processing (spinning and weaving departments) women workers, we found elevated total cancer incidence (SIR 1.35), incidence of breast cancer (SIR 1.49), and cervical cancer (SIR 1.82). In this cohort increased SIR values were observed for more than 10 years since first exposure for all cancer (SIR 1.70) and cervical cancer (SIR 2.44).

Self-reported cannabis products and other illicit drugs consumption in older school-age children in Northern Lithuania: a comparison between 2006 and 2012.

PubMed

Miniauskienė, Dalia; Jurgaitienė, Dalia; Strukčinskienė, Birutė

2014-01-01

Cannabis use is widespread among young people in Europe. The aim of this study was to analyze and to compare the associations between the self-reported consumption of cannabis products and other illicit drugs among older schoolchildren in 2006 and in 2012. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2006 and 2012 in Northern Lithuania. In total 3447 young people aged 17-19 years were investigated (1585 male and 1862 female). For this survey, the ESPAD questionnaire was used. In Northern Lithuania, the schoolchildren aged 17-19 years self-reported that 16.7% in 2006 and 23.9% in 2012 of them tried cannabis products. The consumption of cannabis products in the age group of 17 years increased from 14.9% in 2006 to 21.5% in 2012. The consumption of cannabis together with alcohol increased from 7.6% to 14.3%. Cannabis consumers more often tried amphetamines, heroin, LSD, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and injective drugs. In 2012, cannabis consumers girls less than boys used only crack and injective drugs; all other illicit drugs they used the same often as boys. The cannabis products consumption in schoolchildren has increased by 7%. Nearly twofold increase was observed in the consumption of cannabis together with alcohol. Young people who used cannabis products more often tried other illicit drugs. There were no differences by gender in the consumption of illicit drugs among cannabis consumers. Copyright © 2014 Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Production and hosting by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

The Xpert® MTB/RIF assay in routine diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis: A multicentre study in Lithuania.

PubMed

Pimkina, Edita; Zablockis, Rolandas; Nikolayevskyy, Vladyslav; Danila, Edvardas; Davidaviciene, Edita

2015-11-01

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is an important public health problem in Lithuania with MDR rates in new cases reaching 11% in 2012. Currently available diagnostic tools are not fully adequate for an accurate and rapid result for diagnosis of TB and MDR-TB. To evaluate the performance of Xpert(®) MTB/RIF assay for an early diagnosis of TB and detection of rifampicin (RIF) resistance in routine settings in Lithuania. A total of 833 individual respiratory samples obtained from patients previously treated for TB and MDR-TB contacts were tested using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay. Performance characteristics of the assay for TB and RIF resistance detection were calculated using culture and phenotypical DST results as a gold standard. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for TB detection were 93.7% and 91.7%, respectively with the sensitivity for smear-negative specimens reaching 82.5%. Resistance to RIF was detected in 81 (20.7%) primary specimens with no false negative results; there were 4/225 (1.8%) false-positives among strains sensitive to rifampicin. Overall sensitivity and specificity of the molecular assay for detection of RIF resistance calculated against phenotypic DST results were 100% and 98.2%, respectively. Our results demonstrate very good performance of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for the detection of TB and RIF resistance on primary respiratory specimens. It provides strong evidence that implementation of the assay for routine laboratory diagnosis in high drug-resistance settings may improve and facilitate TB diagnosis. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Work related risk factors for musculoskeletal complaints in the spinning industry in Lithuania

PubMed Central

Gamperiene, M.; Stigum, H.

1999-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of self reported musculoskeletal complaints in the back, arms or neck, and legs among workers in the spinning industry, and to investigate the relations between these complaints and work related variables. METHODS: An interview based questionnaire survey was carried out in two spinning industry factories in Lithuania. RESULTS: The study group consisted of all workers in production (n = 363). Symptoms of the legs were the musculoskeletal symptom reported most often (61%). Many subjects had arms or neck (55%) or back problems (28%). 20% had experienced pain from all three sites. Almost 25% had had musculoskeletal pain every day and 16% had experienced constant pain during previous year. Packers had the highest risk of arms or neck problems whereas spinners had the highest risk of back or leg problems. Working in a strained posture (bending, work with arms raised up above shoulder level, and repetitive movements of the fingers) was associated with all three complaints. Only arms or neck complaints were associated with age. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal disorders are a common problem among workers producing gobelin or synthetic thread in Lithuania and working in a strained posture is a risk factor for developing musculoskeletal disorders in three body sites: legs, arms or neck, and back. To better understand the different aspects of physical load as risk factors, a more detailed study of the frequency of postural changes as well as an observation of individually adopted postures would be necessary. This applies to intervention studies in factories of the spinning industry to prevent complaints of the legs and shoulders.   PMID:10474538

The great spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus micans Kug.) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Lithuania: occurrence, phenology, morphology and communities of associated fungi.

PubMed

Menkis, A; Lynikienė, J; Marčiulynas, A; Gedminas, A; Povilaitienė, A

2017-08-01

We studied the occurrence, morphology and phenology of Dendroctonus micans in Lithuania and the fungi associated with the beetle at different developmental stages. The occurrence of D. micans was assessed in 19 seed orchards (at least 40 years old) of Picea abies (L. Karst.) situated in different parts of the country. Bark beetle phenology was studied in two sites: a seed orchard of P. abies and a plantation of Picea pungens (Engelm.). D. micans morphology was assessed under the dissection microscope using individuals at different developmental stages that were sampled during phenology observations. Communities of fungi associated with D. micans were studied using both fungal culturing methods and direct high-throughput sequencing from D. micans. Results showed that the incidence D. micans was relatively rare and D. micans was mainly detected in central and eastern Lithuania. The life cycle included the following stages: adult, egg, I-V developmental stage larvae and pupa. However, development of D. micans was quicker and its nests larger under the bark of P. pungens than of P. abies, indicating the effect of the host species. Fungal culturing and direct high-throughput sequencing revealed that D. micans associated fungi communities were species rich and dominated by yeasts from a class Saccharomycetes. In total, 319 fungal taxa were sequenced, among which Peterozyma toletana (37.5% of all fungal sequences), Yamadazyma scolyti (30.0%) and Kuraishia capsulate (17.7%) were the most common. Plant pathogens and blue stain fungi were also detected suggesting their potentially negative effects to both tree health and timber quality.

To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that civilian employees of the Department of Defense performing unsatisfactory work shall not be eligible for annual nationwide adjustments to pay schedules.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Rep. West, Allen B. [R-FL-22

2011-03-29

House - 04/01/2011 Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

To amend title 5, United States Code, to require that the Office of Personnel Management submit an annual report to Congress relating to the use of official time by Federal employees.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Rep. Ross, Dennis A. [R-FL-12

2011-06-01

House - 06/20/2011 Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy . (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the termination of further retirement benefits for Members of Congress, except the right to continue participating in the Thrift Savings Plan.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Rep. Coffman, Mike [R-CO-6

2011-09-14

House - 10/03/2011 Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy . (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

76 FR 31991 - All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers; United States City Average

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-02

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers; United States City Average Pursuant to Section 33105(c) of Title 49, United States Code, and the... Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (1967 = 100) increased 110.0 percent from its 1984 annual...

77 FR 23283 - All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers; United States City Average

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-18

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers; United States City Average Pursuant to Section 33105(c) of Title 49, United States Code, and the... Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (1967 = 100) increased 116.6 percent from its 1984 annual...

19 CFR 12.45 - Transportation and marketing of prison-labor products.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... violation of section 1761 or 1762, title 18, United States Code, with respect to any imported article comes to the attention of a port director, he shall detain the article and report the facts to the... be taken against the article, it shall be seized and held pending the receipt of further instructions...

7 CFR Exhibit I to Subpart A of... - Guidelines for Seasonal Farm Labor Housing

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... convertible to year-round occupancy; however, the living units shall be designed for the intended type of... is important that the design of the LH site and buildings will help to create a pleasing lifestyle...—Compliance is required with National, state and local codes or regulations affecting design, construction...

4 CFR 2.5 - Prohibited personnel practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... for employment— (1) On the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, as prohibited...); (3) On the basis of sex, as prohibited under section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29... 3110(a)(3) of title 5, U.S. Code) of such employee. (h) Reprisals. GAO employees shall not take or fail...

4 CFR 2.5 - Prohibited personnel practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... for employment— (1) On the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, as prohibited...); (3) On the basis of sex, as prohibited under section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29... 3110(a)(3) of title 5, U.S. Code) of such employee. (h) Reprisals. GAO employees shall not take or fail...

4 CFR 2.5 - Prohibited personnel practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... for employment— (1) On the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, as prohibited...); (3) On the basis of sex, as prohibited under section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29... 3110(a)(3) of title 5, U.S. Code) of such employee. (h) Reprisals. GAO employees shall not take or fail...

4 CFR 2.5 - Prohibited personnel practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... for employment— (1) On the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, as prohibited...); (3) On the basis of sex, as prohibited under section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29... 3110(a)(3) of title 5, U.S. Code) of such employee. (h) Reprisals. GAO employees shall not take or fail...

4 CFR 2.5 - Prohibited personnel practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... for employment— (1) On the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, as prohibited...); (3) On the basis of sex, as prohibited under section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29... 3110(a)(3) of title 5, U.S. Code) of such employee. (h) Reprisals. GAO employees shall not take or fail...

76 FR 79065 - Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements Under Title VII, the ADA and GINA

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-21

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 29 CFR Part 1602 Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements Under Title VII, the ADA and GINA CFR Correction In Title 29 of the Code of Federal... title VII or section 107 of the ADA'' and add in their place the words ``section 709(c) of title VII...

The Human Lives behind the Labels: The Global Sweatshop, Nike, and the Race to the Bottom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bigelow, Bill

1997-01-01

The importance of discovering invisible social realities, of looking behind masks presented by everyday consumer goods (like T-shirts and soccer balls), inspired an Oregon high school teacher's efforts to teach about global sweatshops and child labor in poor countries. By examining loopholes in Nike's "code of conduct," students…

Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Nemunas River Delta

EPA Science Inventory

The concept of ecosystem services recognizes the services, and benefits, provided to people by ecosystems. The Nemunas River Delta, in Lithuania, provides many ecosystem services to the people of the area, including food, fuel, transportation, climate regulation, water purificati...

DefenseLink Special: Travels with Rumsfeld, October 2005

Science.gov Websites

DefenseLink.mil Aug. 04, 2015 War on Terror Transformation News Products Press Resources Images Websites Contact Lithuania, praised Mongolia for its support in the war on terror. Story Photo: See caption below. A 'PROUD

Alfalfa witches'-broom

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Alfalfa witches'-broom was first reported in 1969 in Australia and later in South Africa, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. More recently, specific phytoplasmas associated with alfalfa witches'-broom have been identified from symptomatic plants in the United States (Wisconsin), Italy, Lithuania, Oman, Ira...

CERN welcomes new members

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2017-08-01

Lithuania is on course to become an associate member of CERN, pending final approval by the Lithuanian parliament. Associate membership will allow representatives of the Baltic nation to take part in meetings of the CERN Council, which oversees the Geneva-based physics lab.

MLST genotypes of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from broiler products, dairy cattle and human campylobacteriosis cases in Lithuania.

PubMed

Ramonaite, Sigita; Tamuleviciene, Egle; Alter, Thomas; Kasnauskyte, Neringa; Malakauskas, Mindaugas

2017-06-15

Campylobacter (C.) jejuni is the leading cause of human campylobacteriosis worldwide. We performed a molecular epidemiological study to investigate the genetic relationship among C. jejuni strains isolated from human diarrhoeal patients, broiler products and dairy cattle in Lithuania. The C. jejuni isolates from human clinical cases, dairy cattle and broiler products were genotyped using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Allele numbers for each housekeeping gene, sequence type (ST), and clonal complex (CC) were assigned by submitting the DNA sequences to the C. jejuni MLST database ( http://pubmlst.org/campylobacter ). Based on the obtained sequence data of the housekeeping genes a phylogenetic analysis of the strains was performed and a minimum spanning tree (MST) was calculated. Among the 262 C. jejuni strains (consisting of 43 strains isolated from dairy cattle, 102 strains isolated from broiler products and 117 clinical human C. jejuni strains), 82 different MLST sequence types and 22 clonal complexes were identified. Clonal complexes CC21 and CC353 predominated among the C. jejuni strains. On ST-level, five sequence types (ST-5, ST-21, ST-50, ST-464 and ST-6410) were dominating and these five STs accounted for 35.9% (n = 94) of our isolates. In addition, 51 (19.5%) C. jejuni strains representing 27 (32.9%) STs were reported for the first time in the PubMLST database ( http://pubmlst.org/campylobacter ). The highest Czekanowski index or proportional similarity index (PSI) was calculated for C. jejuni strains isolated from human campylobacteriosis cases and broiler products (PSI = 0.32) suggesting a strong link between broiler strains and human cases. The PSI of dairy cattle and human samples was lower (PSI = 0.11), suggesting a weaker link between bovine strains and human cases. The calculated Simpson's index of all C. jejuni isolates showed a high genetic diversity (D = 0.96). Our results suggest that broiler products are the most important source of human campylobacteriosis in Lithuania. The study provides information on MLST type distribution and genetic relatedness of C. jejuni strains from humans, broiler products and dairy cattle in Lithuania for the first time, enabling a better understanding of the transmission pathways of C. jejuni in this country.

Women in Physics in Lithuania: Challenges and Actions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šatkovskienė, Dalia

2009-04-01

The gender equality problem in physics is discussed on the basis of Lithuanian statistics and results of the project, "Baltic States Network: Women in Sciences and High Technology" (BASNET), initiated by Lithuanian women physicists and financed by the European Commission.

Computer Science in High School Graduation Requirements. ECS Education Trends

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zinth, Jennifer Dounay

2015-01-01

Computer science and coding skills are widely recognized as a valuable asset in the current and projected job market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 37.5 percent growth from 2012 to 2022 in the "computer systems design and related services" industry--from 1,620,300 jobs in 2012 to an estimated 2,229,000 jobs in 2022. Yet some…

Tableau de Bord, 1996. Follow-up to the Conclusions of the Essen European Council on Employment Policies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Commission of the European Communities, Brussels (Belgium).

This document presents an overview of the principal labor market measures taken by the 15 member states of the European Union since the publication of the 1995 overview. In each section, individual countries' actions are discussed separately, with code letters indicating the country name. The following topics are among those discussed in the…

Changes in Smoking-Related Norms in Bars Resulting from California's Smoke-Free Workplace Act

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Satterlund, Travis D.; Lee, Juliet P.; Moore, Roland S.

2012-01-01

California's Smoke-Free Workplace Act--CA Labor Code Sec. 6404.5(a)--was extended to bars in 1998. This article analyzes changes in normative beliefs and behaviors related to bar smoking in the decade following the adoption of the Act. In a series of studies evaluating the smoke-free workplace law in bars, researchers conducted extensive…

[Law No. 92-1446 of 31 December 1992 on employment, the development of part-time work, and unemployment insurance].

PubMed

1993-01-01

Among other things, this Law amends Article L 320 of the French Labor Code to provide that the declaration that must be made by an employer to the social welfare authorities before a worker can be hired--which will be extended to all departments in France--is mandatory as of 1 September 1993. Employers who do not comply after this date are subject to the penalties determined by the State Council. The amendment was enacted to help in the fight against the use of clandestine workers. Decree No. 92-508 of 11 June 1992 (Journal officiel de la Republique francaise, 12 June 1992, p. 7728) sets forth rules on an employer's compliance with Article L 324-14 of the Labor Code, which makes an employer who employs a clandestine worker mutually liable with the employee for the payment of social welfare taxes, the costs for benefits received by the employee, and penalties. A Circular of 9 November 1992 (Journal officiel de la Republique francaise, 18 November 1992, p. 15846) sets forth measures on the reinforcement of the fight against clandestine workers in application of Law No. 91-1383 of 31 December 1991.

[Assessment of health risk in view of changes in labor code and methods used for protecting the environment].

PubMed

Indulski, J A; Rolecki, R

1994-01-01

In view of the present and proposed amendments to the Labor Code as well as bearing in mind anticipated harmonization of regulations in this area with those of EEC, the authors emphasize the need for well developed methodology for assessing chemical safety in an occupational environment with special reference to health effects in people exposed to chemicals. Methods for assessing health risk induced by work under conditions of exposure to chemicals were divided into: methods for assessing technological/processing risk, and methods for assessing health risk related to the toxic effect of chemicals. The need for developing means of risk communication in order to secure proper risk perception among people exposed to chemicals and risk managers responsible for prevention against chemical hazards was also stressed. It is suggested to establish a centre for chemical substances in order to settle down all issues pertaining to human exposure to chemicals. The centre would be responsible, under the provisions of the Chemical Substances Act, for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the present situation and for the development of guidelines on assessment of health risk among persons exposed to chemicals.

78 FR 41101 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-09

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11640, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the Applicant or the Bank); D-11772, UBS AG (UBS or the Applicant); and D- 11739, D-11740, & D-11741, Sears Holdings Savings Plan (the Savings Plan), Sears Holdings Puerto Rico Savings Plan (the PR Plan) and The Lands' End, Inc. Retirement Plan (the Lands' End Plan).

F-22 Raptors fly into Lithuania as part of European tour > U.S. Air Force >

Science.gov Websites

The Book Speeches Archive Former AF Top 3 Viewpoints and Speeches Air Force Warrior Games 2017 Events 2018 Air Force Strategic Documents Desert Storm 25th Anniversary Observances DoD Warrior Games

9 CFR 94.11 - Restrictions on importation of meat and other animal products from specified regions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

..., Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Namibia (excluding the region north... by adding the words, “Republic of Korea,” after the word “Japan,”, effective Jan. 12, 2010. At 75 FR...

Longer breastfeeding is an independent protective factor against development of type 1 diabetes mellitus in childhood.

PubMed

Sadauskaite-Kuehne, Vaiva; Ludvigsson, Johnny; Padaiga, Zilvinas; Jasinskiene, Edita; Samuelsson, Ulf

2004-01-01

Early weaning diet, early introduction of breast milk substitution and cow's milk have been shown to increase the risk of type 1 diabetes later in life. It is also shown that older maternal age, maternal education, preeclampsia, prematurity, neonatal illness and neonatal icterus caused by blood group incompatibility, infections and stress might be risk factors for type 1 diabetes. We aimed to determine whether early nutrition is an independent risk factor for diabetes despite other life events. Data from 517 children (268 boys and 249 girls) in south-east of Sweden and 286 children (133 boys and 153 girls) in Lithuania in the age group of 0 to 15 years with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus were included into analysis. Three age- and sex-matched healthy controls were randomly selected. Response rate in control families in Sweden was 72.9% and in Lithuania 94.8%. Information was collected via questionnaires. Exclusive breastfeeding longer than five months (odds ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.36-0.81) and total breastfeeding longer than 7 (0.56, 0.38-0.84) or 9 months (0.61, 0.38-0.84), breastfeeding substitution that started later than the third month (0.57, 0.33-0.98) among Swedish children 5 to 9 years old and later than the seventh month (0.24, 0.07-0.84) among all Swedish children is protective against diabetes when adjusted for all other above-listed risk factors. In Lithuania, exclusive breastfeeding longer than two months in the age group of 5 to 9 years is protective (0.58, 0.34-0.99) when adjusted for other factors. Longer exclusive and total breastfeeding appears as an independent protective factor against type 1 diabetes. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Linked versus unlinked estimates of mortality and length of life by education and marital status: evidence from the first record linkage study in Lithuania.

PubMed

Shkolnikov, Vladimir M; Jasilionis, Domantas; Andreev, Evgeny M; Jdanov, Dmitri A; Stankuniene, Vladislava; Ambrozaitiene, Dalia

2007-04-01

Earlier studies have found large and increasing with time differences in mortality by education and marital status in post-Soviet countries. Their results are based on independent tabulations of population and deaths counts (unlinked data). The present study provides the first census-linked estimates of group-specific mortality and the first comparison between census-linked and unlinked mortality estimates for a post-Soviet country. The study is based on a data set linking 140,000 deaths occurring in 2001-2004 in Lithuania with the population census of 2001. The same socio-demographic information about the deceased is available from both the census and death records. Cross-tabulations and Poisson regressions are used to compare linked and unlinked data. Linked and unlinked estimates of life expectancies and mortality rate ratios are calculated with standard life table techniques and Poisson regressions. For the two socio-demographic variables under study, the values from the death records partly differ from those from the census records. The deviations are especially significant for education, with 72-73%, 66-67%, and 82-84% matching for higher education, secondary education, and lower education, respectively. For marital status, deviations are less frequent. For education and marital status, unlinked estimates tend to overstate mortality in disadvantaged groups and they understate mortality in advantaged groups. The differences in inter-group life expectancy and the mortality rate ratios thus are significantly overestimated in the unlinked data. Socio-demographic differences in mortality previously observed in Lithuania and possibly other post-Soviet countries are overestimated. The growth in inequalities over the 1990s is real but might be overstated. The results of this study confirm the existence of large and widening health inequalities but call for better data.

Phylogenetic characterization of Canine Parvovirus VP2 partial sequences from symptomatic dogs samples.

PubMed

Zienius, D; Lelešius, R; Kavaliauskis, H; Stankevičius, A; Šalomskas, A

2016-01-01

The aim of the present study was to detect canine parvovirus (CPV) from faecal samples of clinically ill domestic dogs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by VP2 gene partial sequencing and molecular characterization of circulating strains in Lithuania. Eleven clinically and antigen-tested positive dog faecal samples, collected during the period of 2014-2015, were investigated by using PCR. The phylogenetic investigations indicated that the Lithuanian CPV VP2 partial sequences (3025-3706 cds) were closely related and showed 99.0-99.9% identity. All Lithuanian sequences were associated with one phylogroup, but grouped in different clusters. Ten of investigated Lithuanian CPV VP2 sequences were closely associated with CPV 2a antigenic variant (99.4% nt identity). Five CPV VP2 sequences from Lithuania were related to CPV-2a, but were rather divergent (6.8 nt differences). Only one CPV VP2 sequence from Lithuania was associated (99.3% nt identity) with CPV-2b VP2 sequences from France, Italy, USA and Korea. The four of eleven investigated Lithuanian dogs with CPV infection symptoms were vaccinated with CPV-2 vaccine, but their VP2 sequences were phylogenetically distantly associated with CPV vaccine strains VP2 sequences (11.5-15.8 nt differences). Ten Lithuanian CPV VP2 sequences had monophyletic relations among the close geographically associated samples, but five of them were rather divergent (1.0% less sequence similarity). The one Lithuanian CPV VP2 sequence was closely related with CPV-2b antigenic variant. All the Lithuanian CPV VP2 partial sequences were conservative and phylogenetically low associated with most commonly used CPV vaccine strains.

Menopause and myocardial infarction risk among employed women in relation to work and family psychosocial factors in Lithuania.

PubMed

Malinauskiene, Vilija; Tamosiunas, Abdonas

2010-05-01

To assess the relationship between menopause and age at menopause and the risk of the first non-fatal myocardial infarction taking into account the possible influence of psychosocial job characteristics, marital stress, level of social support, educational level, occupation, age and traditional ischemic heart disease risk factors. Population-based case-control study among 35-61 years old employed women in Kaunas, Lithuania. Totally 122 myocardial infarction cases and 371 controls were interviewed in 2001-2004. The logistic regression analysis was performed. Younger age at menopause (

Increasing thyroid cancer incidence in Lithuania in 1978-2003.

PubMed

Smailyte, Giedre; Miseikyte-Kaubriene, Edita; Kurtinaitis, Juozas

2006-12-11

The aim of this paper is to analyze changes in thyroid cancer incidence trends in Lithuania during the period 1978-2003 using joinpoint regression models, with special attention to the period 1993-2003. The study was based on all cases of thyroid cancer reported to the Lithuanian Cancer Registry between 1978 and 2003. Age group-specific rates and standardized rates were calculated for each gender, using the direct method (world standard population). The joinpoint regression model was used to provide estimated annual percentage change and to detect points in time where significant changes in the trends occur. During the study period the age-standardized incidence rates increased in males from 0.7 to 2.5 cases per 100,000 and in females from 1.5 to 11.4 per 100,000. Annual percentage changes during this period in the age-standardized rates were 4.6% and 7.1% for males and females, respectively. Joinpoint analysis showed two time periods with joinpoint in the year 2000. A change in the trend occurred in which a significant increase changed to a dramatic increase in thyroid cancer incidence rates. Papillary carcinoma and stage I thyroid cancer increases over this period were mainly responsible for the pattern of changes in trend in recent years. A moderate increase in thyroid cancer incidence has been observed in Lithuania between the years 1978 and 2000. An accelerated increase in thyroid cancer incidence rates took place in the period 2000-2003. It seems that the increase in thyroid cancer incidence can be attributed mainly to the changes in the management of non palpable thyroid nodules with growing applications of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in clinical practice.

Bullying behavior and mental health in healthcare and educational sectors in Kaunas, Lithuania.

PubMed

Bernotaite, Lina; Malinauskiene, Vilija; Leisyte, Palmira

2017-05-16

Investigations on workplace bullying in the countries of Eastern Europe are yet not too extensive. The aim of the study has been to identify the most frequent bullying behavior and to explore the associations with psychological distress and post-traumatic stress symptoms in 3 female-dominated occupations in Kaunas, Lithuania. This crosssectional study employed 517 teachers (response rate (RR) = 71.3%), 174 family physicians (RR = 65.7%) and 311 internal medicine department nurses (RR = 69.1%). The twenty-two-item Negative Acts Questionnaire was used for measuring the exposure to bullying behavior, Goldberg 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) - psychological distress, Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) inventory - post-traumatic stress symptoms, Karasek & Theorell Demand-Control questionnaire - psychosocial job characteristics. The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) SPSS Statistics version 20.0 was used for performing the statistical analysis. Logistic regression was used for assessing the associations among 22 negative acts as continuous variable and mental health outcomes adjusting to age, psychosocial factors at work and everyday life. Exposure to workplace bullying behavior on a weekly/daily basis was prevalent among family physicians at the rate of 19%, among nurses - 12.9%, among teachers - 4.1%. Even after adjustment to age, psychosocial job characteristics and threatening life events, the exposure to 22 negative acts as continuous variable was significantly associated with psychological distress and post-traumatic stress symptoms for all 3 occupations. Health care sector is particularly affected by workplace bullying. Exposure to bullying behavior was associated with mental health problems for all 3 occupations. Preventive measures are necessary to improve psychosocial work environment conditions in healthcare and educational institutions in Lithuania. Med Pr 2017;68(3):307-314. This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.

Low job control and myocardial infarction risk in the occupational categories of Kaunas men, Lithuania

PubMed Central

Malinauskiene, V; Theorell, T; Grazuleviciene, R; Malinauskas, R; Azaraviciene, A

2004-01-01

Study objective: To determine the association between adverse psychosocial characteristics at work and risk of first myocardial infarction in the occupational categories of Kaunas men, Lithuania. Design: The analysis was based upon a case-control study among full time working men in the general population of Kaunas. Outcome measure: First non-fatal myocardial infarction diagnosed in 2001–2002. The Swedish version of the demand-control questionnaire was used to examine the effect of job control and demands. Setting: Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania, a former socialist country in a transition market economy. Participants: Cases were 203 men 25–64 years of age with a first non-fatal myocardial infarction and controls were 287 men group randomly selected from the study base. Main results: Low job control had a significant effect on myocardial infarction risk in the general 25–64 year old Kaunas male population (OR = 2.68; 95% CI 1.68 to 4.28) after adjustment for age and socioeconomic status. Low job control was a risk factor in the occupational categories of the increased myocardial infarction risk (1st occupational category—legislators, senior officials and managers and the 8th—plant and machine operators and assemblers; OR = 2.78; 95% CI 1.31 to 5.93 and 2.72; 95% CI 1.56 to 4.89, respectively, after adjustment for age and socioeconomic status). Though the adjusted odds ratio estimates were significantly high for the rest of the occupational categories (2nd—professionals, 3rd—technicians and associate professionals, and 7th—craft and related trades workers). Conclusions: The association between low job control and first myocardial infarction risk was significant for all occupational categories of Kaunas men. PMID:14729894

African Mining, Gender and Local Employment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolonen, A.; Kotsadam, A.

2014-12-01

Access to employment improves women's lives and is listed among the top five priorities for promoting gender equality in the 2012 World Development Report. This paper addresses this issue by exploring women's labor market opportunities in Africa within one very important and growing sector: extractive industries. Africa's opportunities are being transformed by new discoveries of natural resources and their rising prices, and the mining sector is the main recipient of foreign direct investment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Whether the discovery of natural resources is a blessing or a curse to a country's citizens is a contentious issue, and natural resource dependence has been linked to negative outcomes at the national level such as environmental degradation, conflict, elite capture of rents and low female labor force participation. Natural resource extraction has been argued to be a hindrance to women's labor market participation by increasing reservation wages and by decreasing market demand for female labor. We perform the first cross-national study testing these hypotheses with micro-data. To do this we combine survey data on 500,000 women in Sub-Saharan Africa with geo-coded data on 900 large-scale mines (see Figure 1). We treat mine openings and mine closings as natural experiments to explore local labor market changes. Industrial mines generate local structural shifts. Subsistence farming becomes less important for both men and women. However, men shift to skilled manual labor, and women shift to service sector jobs. This contradicts the hypothesis that natural resource extraction is detrimental to women, by not providing them with new job opportunities. However, in support of the hypothesis, women decrease their labor market participation more than men do. A back-of-the-envelope calculation estimates that 90,000 women across Africa benefit from service sector jobs as a direct result of industrial mining in their communities, but 280,000 women leave the labor force. Further evidence using exogenous changes in world prices of minerals show that effects are stronger in boom times, but that the labor market effects are temporary and disappear with mine closing. The effects are highly spatially concentrated, and individuals living 50km away from a mine are not affected by it.

Decree No. 2737 issuing the Code of Minors, 27 November 1989.

PubMed

1989-01-01

This document contains major provisions of the 1989 Code of Minors of Colombia. This Code spells out the rights of minors to protection, care, and adequate physical, mental, and social development. These rights go into force from the moment of conception. Minors have a specified right to life; to a defined filiation; to grow up within a family; to receive an education (compulsory to the ninth grade and free of charge); to be protected from abuse; to health care; to freedom of speech and to know their rights; to liberty of thought, conscience, and religion; to rest, recreation, and play; to participate in sports and the arts; and to be protected from labor exploitation. Handicapped minors have the right to care, education, and special training. Minors also have the right to be protected from the use of dependency-creating drugs. Any minor in an "irregular situation" will receive protective services. The Code defines abandoned minors and those in danger and provides specific protective measures which can be taken. Rules and procedures covering adoption are included in the Code, because adoption is viewed as primarily a protective measure.

Roosters to Robots.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCorkle, Sarapage, Ed.; Suiter, Mary, Ed.

This publication contains six lessons for elementary, secondary, and high school classrooms developed by writers from Belarus, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, and the United States. The authors of these lessons were participants in the Training of Writers program developed and conducted by the National Council on Economic Education,…

Clinical cosmobiology: The Lithuanian study 1990 1992

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoupel, Eliyahu; Petrauskiene, Jadviga; Kalediene, Ramune; Abramson, Evgeny; Sulkes, Jacqueline

1995-12-01

The numbers of deaths from ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke (CVA), all accidents except vehicular, vehicular accidents and suicide (overall total, totals for men and women) per month for 36 months (1990 1992) in Lithuania were analysed in relation to: (1) month of the year (1 12); (2) geomagnetic activity; and (3) solar activity. A total of 122227 deaths (64490 men and 57737 women) was studied, and the results compared with those obtained in an earlier study in Israel, differing geographically and climatically from Lithuania. It was shown that the time of year, solar activity, and geomagnetic activity were related to the monthly death distribution, especially regarding death from IHD and suicide. Age and gender differences were apparent in the relationship between death distribution and physical environmental factors. At age >70 years, many of these relationships change. The monthly distribution of deaths from IHD and suicide are adversely correlated with solar activity and with each other. Differences are presumed in serotoninergic effects as caused by environmental influences.

PTSD and Complex PTSD: ICD-11 updates on concept and measurement in the UK, USA, Germany and Lithuania

PubMed Central

Karatzias, Thanos; Cloitre, Marylene; Maercker, Andreas; Kazlauskas, Evaldas; Shevlin, Mark; Hyland, Philip; Bisson, Jonathan I.; Roberts, Neil P.; Brewin, Chris R.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The 11th revision to the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) proposes two distinct sibling conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD). In this paper, we aim to provide an update on the latest research regarding the conceptual structure and measurement of PTSD and CPTSD using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) as per ICD-11 proposals in the USA, UK, Germany and Lithuania. Preliminary findings suggest that CPTSD is common in clinical and population samples, although there may be variations across countries in prevalence rates. In clinical samples, preliminary evidence suggests that CPTSD is a more commonly observed condition than PTSD. Preliminary evidence also suggests that the ITQ scores are reliable and valid and can adequately distinguish between PTSD and CPTSD. Further cross-cultural work is proposed to explore differences in PTSD and CPTSD across different countries with regard to prevalence, incidence, and predictors of PTSD and CPTSD. PMID:29372010

‘Contexts of Exit in the Migration of Russian Speakers from the Baltic Countries to Ireland’

PubMed Central

Aptekar, Sofya

2013-01-01

Recently, Ireland has become a major destination for migrants from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Many of these migrants are members of Russian-speaking minorities leaving a context of restrictive citizenship and language laws and varying degrees of ethnic tension. This paper draws on interviews collected in Ireland to examine the role played by the contexts of exit in decisions to migrate among Russian-speaking minorities from the Baltics. The results suggest that Russian speakers from Estonia migrate because of their experiences as minorities, while those from Latvia and Lithuania migrate to escape low wages and irregular employment. This is so despite equally restrictive language and citizenship laws in Estonia and Latvia. I argue that the effect of state policy as a push factor for minority emigration is mediated by other contextual aspects, such as levels of contact, timbre of ethnic relations, and the degree of intersection between economic stratification and ethnicity. PMID:24363609

Water-quality control, monitoring and wastewater treatment in Lithuania 1950 to 1999.

PubMed

Cetkauskaite, A; Zarkov, D; Stoskus, L

2001-08-01

The Lithuanian water-management system developed on the basis of Soviet regulations in 1950-1990. Surface-water quality monitoring started in the 1950s, and the system was improved in the 1960s. Today, 48 rivers are being monitored using up to 70 parameters. Statutory monitoring of discharges started in 1962, wastewater standards were issued in 1957 and 1966, and then revised in 1996. Wastewater-treatment plants were built first in rural areas, in factories since the 1950s, and later in towns. Since 1991, large capacity municipal plants have been constructed with foreign assistance. Water quality has improved in some rivers since 1970, but Lithuania's main river, Nemunas, remains moderately polluted. The lower Nemunas is especially affected by discharges of municipal and industrial wastewater from Sovietsk and Neman (Russia), which account for half of the total loading. Hydrobiological data of 1994-1998 indicated the eutrophication of the Curonian Lagoon, and bacteriological pollution and blue-green algae blooms in the Baltic Sea north of Klaipeda.

Impact of beaver dams on abundance and distribution of anadromous salmonids in two lowland streams in Lithuania.

PubMed

Virbickas, Tomas; Stakėnas, Saulius; Steponėnas, Andrius

2015-01-01

European beaver dams impeded movements of anadromous salmonids as it was established by fishing survey, fish tagging and redd counts in two lowland streams in Lithuania. Significant differences in abundancies of other litophilic fish species and evenness of representation by species in the community were detected upstream and downstream of the beaver dams. Sea trout parr marked with RFID tags passed through several successive beaver dams in upstream direction, but no tagged fish were detected above the uppermost dam. Increase in abundances of salmonid parr in the stream between the beaver dams and decrease below the dams were recorded in November, at the time of spawning of Atlantic salmon and sea trout, but no significant changes were detected in the sections upstream of the dams. After construction of several additional beaver dams in the downstream sections of the studied streams, abundance of Atlantic salmon parr downstream of the dams decreased considerably in comparison with that estimated before construction.

PTSD and Complex PTSD: ICD-11 updates on concept and measurement in the UK, USA, Germany and Lithuania.

PubMed

Karatzias, Thanos; Cloitre, Marylene; Maercker, Andreas; Kazlauskas, Evaldas; Shevlin, Mark; Hyland, Philip; Bisson, Jonathan I; Roberts, Neil P; Brewin, Chris R

2017-01-01

The 11th revision to the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) proposes two distinct sibling conditions: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (CPTSD). In this paper, we aim to provide an update on the latest research regarding the conceptual structure and measurement of PTSD and CPTSD using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) as per ICD-11 proposals in the USA, UK, Germany and Lithuania. Preliminary findings suggest that CPTSD is common in clinical and population samples, although there may be variations across countries in prevalence rates. In clinical samples, preliminary evidence suggests that CPTSD is a more commonly observed condition than PTSD. Preliminary evidence also suggests that the ITQ scores are reliable and valid and can adequately distinguish between PTSD and CPTSD. Further cross-cultural work is proposed to explore differences in PTSD and CPTSD across different countries with regard to prevalence, incidence, and predictors of PTSD and CPTSD.

Chlorogenic acid, rutin and hyperoside content in Fragaria vesca, F. viridis and F. moschata in Lithuania.

PubMed

Bagdonaite, Edita; Jakstas, Valdas; Raudonis, Raimondas; Janulis, Valdimaras

2013-01-01

In Lithuania, two species of the genus Fragaria L. (Rosaceae), F. vesca L. and F. viridis Weston, occur naturally in the wild and two others, F. moschata Weston and F. × ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier are found escaped from cultivation. The main objective of this study was to establish the variation pattern in the content of chlorogenic acid, rutin and hyperoside in leaves and fruits of the native Lithuanian species. In this work, the chemical polymorphisms of different Fragaria species were studied by growing plants side by side under the same cultivated field conditions. F. vesca fruits had the highest rutin (1.38 ± 0.19 mg g(-1) DM), hyperoside (0.69 ± 0.10 mg g(-1) DM) and chlorogenic acid (2.25 ± 0.34 mg g(-1) DM) content, followed by F. viridis and F. moschata. Our results showed that the leaves should be taken into account as important rutin and hyperoside contributors for strawberries.

Primary Spoken Language and Neuraxial Labor Analgesia Use Among Hispanic Medicaid Recipients.

PubMed

Toledo, Paloma; Eosakul, Stanley T; Grobman, William A; Feinglass, Joe; Hasnain-Wynia, Romana

2016-01-01

Hispanic women are less likely than non-Hispanic Caucasian women to use neuraxial labor analgesia. It is unknown whether there is a disparity in anticipated or actual use of neuraxial labor analgesia among Hispanic women based on primary language (English versus Spanish). In this 3-year retrospective, single-institution, cross-sectional study, we extracted electronic medical record data on Hispanic nulliparous with vaginal deliveries who were insured by Medicaid. On admission, patients self-identified their primary language and anticipated analgesic use for labor. Extracted data included age, marital status, labor type, delivery provider (obstetrician or midwife), and anticipated and actual analgesic use. Household income was estimated from census data geocoded by zip code. Multivariable logistic regression models were estimated for anticipated and actual neuraxial analgesia use. Among 932 Hispanic women, 182 were self-identified as primary Spanish speakers. Spanish-speaking Hispanic women were less likely to anticipate and use neuraxial anesthesia than English-speaking women. After controlling for confounders, there was an association between primary language and anticipated neuraxial analgesia use (adjusted relative risk: Spanish- versus English-speaking women, 0.70; 97.5% confidence interval, 0.53-0.92). Similarly, there was an association between language and neuraxial analgesia use (adjusted relative risk: Spanish- versus English-speaking women 0.88; 97.5% confidence interval, 0.78-0.99). The use of a midwife compared with an obstetrician also decreased the likelihood of both anticipating and using neuraxial analgesia. A language-based disparity was found in neuraxial labor analgesia use. It is possible that there are communication barriers in knowledge or understanding of analgesic options. Further research is necessary to determine the cause of this association.

Coding update of the SMFM definition of low risk for cesarean delivery from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM.

PubMed

Armstrong, Joanne; McDermott, Patricia; Saade, George R; Srinivas, Sindhu K

2017-07-01

In 2015, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine developed a low risk for cesarean delivery definition based on administrative claims-based diagnosis codes described by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine definition is a clinical enrichment of 2 available measures from the Joint Commission and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality measures. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine measure excludes diagnosis codes that represent clinically relevant risk factors that are absolute or relative contraindications to vaginal birth while retaining diagnosis codes such as labor disorders that are discretionary risk factors for cesarean delivery. The introduction of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification in October 2015 expanded the number of available diagnosis codes and enabled a greater depth and breadth of clinical description. These coding improvements further enhance the clinical validity of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine definition and its potential utility in tracking progress toward the goal of safely lowering the US cesarean delivery rate. This report updates the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine definition of low risk for cesarean delivery using International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification coding. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Development of the Brief Romantic Relationship Interaction Coding Scheme (BRRICS)

PubMed Central

Humbad, Mikhila N.; Donnellan, M. Brent; Klump, Kelly L.; Burt, S. Alexandra

2012-01-01

Although observational studies of romantic relationships are common, many existing coding schemes require considerable amounts of time and resources to implement. The current study presents a new coding scheme, the Brief Romantic Relationship Interaction Coding Scheme (BRRICS), designed to assess various aspects of romantic relationship both quickly and efficiently. The BRRICS consists of four individual coding dimensions assessing positive and negative affect in each member of the dyad, as well as four codes assessing specific components of the dyadic interaction (i.e., positive reciprocity, demand-withdraw pattern, negative reciprocity, and overall satisfaction). Concurrent associations with measures of marital adjustment and conflict were evaluated in a sample of 118 married couples participating in the Michigan State University Twin Registry. Couples were asked to discuss common conflicts in their marriage while being videotaped. Undergraduate coders used the BRRICS to rate these interactions. The BRRICS scales were correlated in expected directions with self-reports of marital adjustment, as well as children’s perception of the severity and frequency of marital conflict. Based on these results, the BRRICS may be an efficient tool for researchers with large samples of observational data who are interested in coding global aspects of the relationship but do not have the resources to use labor intensive schemes. PMID:21875192

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to representation election procedures.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Sen. Enzi, Michael B. [R-WY

2012-02-16

Senate - 04/24/2012 Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 45 - 54. Record Vote Number: 68. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

The Top 100. The Fastest Growing Careers for the 21st Century. Revised Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

1998

This publication presents 100 careers the U.S. Department of Labor and other sources project as the fastest growing through the year 2006. A shaded bar on the bottom of the title page of each article contains a listing of codes for three commonly used government classification systems. Shaded bars at the bottom of other pages provide quick facts.…

Precision and Accuracy of Intercontinental Distance Determinations Using Radio Interferometry.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-07-01

applicsible) Air Forcc Gc.’!physics Laborator - LWG F19628-82-K- 0002 Sc ADDRESS ICity,. State and ZIP Code) 10. SOURCE OF FUNDING NOS. [lanscon AFB, MA...error in the calibration phase, E. Hence E tan-’[( Acsin, s- Acoso )/A ] (3.2.5)4s obs s obs cal and the corrected calibration phase will be given by cal m

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Labor to establish minimum funding levels for States for the support of disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives, and for other purposes.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT

2011-06-30

Senate - 06/13/2012 Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-567. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

An assessment of training needs for the lumber manufacturing industry in the eastern United States

Treesearch

Joseph Denig; Scott Page; Yuhua Su; Karen Martinson

2008-01-01

A training needs assessment of the primary forest products industry was conducted for 33 eastern states. his publication presents in detail the statistical analysis of the study. Of the 2,570 lumber manufacturing companies, consisting of firms with more than six employees for the U.S. Department of Labor Standard Industrial Classification Code 2421, the response rate...

Comparative U.S.-Israeli Homeland Security

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-06-01

perception is the economic benefit that the United States receives from such a porous border in the form of inexpensive guest labor. Taking this argument...housing Israeli families have been back-fitted with bulletproof glass in windows that face Palestinian neighborhoods. On a much larger scale, Israel has...without requiring a metal cover; dealing with ceilings ; and creating and enforcing building codes for commercial structures so they can withstand

Re-Contextualization of the Bologna Process in Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leisyte, Liudvika; Zelvys, Rimantas; Zenkiene, Lina

2015-01-01

The paper explores the implementation of selected Bologna action lines in Lithuanian higher education institutions (HEIs). The study is carried out from an organizational perspective on national re-contextualization, drawing upon sociological institutionalism. The Bologna process is likely to be normatively accepted by institutions in the context…

Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Nemunas River Delta

EPA Science Inventory

The concept of ecosystem services recognizes the services, and benefits, provided to people by ecosystems. The Nemunas River Delta, in Lithuania, is a valued area that can provide a range of services. We conducted a meta-analysis of existing studies done on the region to identify...

Progress in Decommissioning of Ignalina NPP Unit 1

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ancius, Darius; Krenevicius, Rimantas; Kutas, Saulius

2002-07-01

The aim of the paper is to present the Lithuanian legal framework regarding the nuclear safety in Decommissioning and Waste Management, and the progress in the Decommissioning Programme of the unit 1 of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP). INPP is the only nuclear plant in Lithuania. It comprises two RBMK-1500 reactors. After Lithuania has restored its independence, responsibility for Ignalina NPP was transferred to the Republic of Lithuania. To ensure the control of the Nuclear Safety in Lithuania, The State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) was created on 18 October 1991, by a resolution of the Lithuanian Government. Significant workmore » has been performed over the last decade, aiming at upgrading the safety level of the Ignalina NPP with reference to the International standards. On 5 October 1999 the Seimas (Parliament) adopted the National Energy Strategy: It has been decided that unit 1 of Ignalina NPP will be closed down before 2005, The conditions and precise final date of the decommissioning of Unit 2 will be stated in the updated National Energy strategy in 2004. On 20-21 June 2000, the International Donors' Conference for the Decommissioning of Ignalina NPP took place in Vilnius. More than 200 Millions Euro were pledged of which 165 M funded directly from the European Union's budget, as financial support to the Decommissioning projects. The Decommissioning Program encompasses legal, organizational, financial and technical means including the social and economical impacts in the region of Ignalina. The Program is financed from International Support Fund, State budget, National Decommissioning Fund of Ignalina NPP and other funds. Decommissioning of Ignalina NPP is subject to VATESI license according to the Law on Nuclear Energy. The Government established the licensing procedure in the so-called 'Procedure for licensing of Nuclear Activities'; and the document 'General Requirements for Decommissioning of the Ignalina NPP' has been issued by VATESI. A very important issue is the technical support to VATESI and the Lithuanian TSO's (Technical Support Organisations) in their activities within the licensing process related to the Decommissioning of INPP. This includes regulatory assistance in the preparation of decommissioning and radioactive waste management regulatory documents, and technical assistance in the review of the safety case presented by the operator. The Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN, France) and the French Nuclear Safety Authority (DSIN) as well as Swedish International Project (SIP) are providing their support to VATESI in these areas. (authors)« less

PREFACE: 5th Baltic Conference on Silicate Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mezinskis, G.; Bragina, L.; Colombo, P.; Frischat, G. H.; Grabis, J.; Greil, P.; Deja, J.; Kaminskas, R.; Kliava, J.; Medvids, A.; Nowak, I.; Siauciunas, R.; Valancius, Z.; Zalite, I.

2011-12-01

Logo This Volume of IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering presents a selection of the contributions to the 5th Baltic Conference on Silicate Materials (BaltSilica2011) held at Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia from 23-25 May 2011. The conference was organized by Riga Technical University (Latvia) and Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania). The series of Baltic conferences on silicate materials was started since 2004: the first conference was held in Riga, Latvia, 2004; the second conference was held in Kaunas, Lithuania 2005; the third was held again in Riga, Latvia, 2007, and the fourth was held in Kaunas, Lithuania 2009. BaltSilica 2011 was attended by around 50 participants from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Poland, Italy, France, Ukraine and Russia. In comparison with previous silicate materials conferences, the broadening of participating countries is an indication of the interest of scientists, engineers and students to exchange research ideas, latest results, and to find new research topics for cooperation in the fields of silicate, high temperature materials, and inorganic nanomaterials. The scientific programme included 8 invited plenary lectures 23 oral presentations and 25 posters [1]. Scientific themes covered in the conference and in this special issue: Natural and Artificial Stone Materials; Traditional and New Ceramic and Glass-Like Materials; Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials. This volume consists of 23 selected proceeding papers. The Editor of this special issue is grateful to all the contributors to BaltSilica 2011. I am also very grateful to the scientific committee, the local organizing committee, the session chairs, the referees who refereed the submitted articles to this issue, and to students from the Department of Silicate, High Temperature and Inorganic Nanomaterials Technology of the Riga Technical University who ensured the smooth running of the conference. Particular thanks goes to eight plenary speakers who provided interesting findings and thoughtful overviews in the scientific themes of the conference. Special thanks go to Prof., Dr.rer.nat. Günther Heinz Frischat (Germany) who encouraged and supported the organization of these scientific meetings from the very first BaltSilica conferences. With warm regards and best wishes for the next BaltSilica conference. The Conference Chairman Gundars Mezinskis Reference [1] Baltic Conference on Silicate Materials. Book of abstracts of the 5th Baltic Conference on Silicate Materials BaltSilica 2011 : 23-25 May 2011, Riga, Latvia ed G Mezinskis, G Sedmale, J Setina, I Sperberga, L Krage, I Pavlovska, D Andersone (Riga: RTU Publishing House) p 94

78 FR 55103 - Notice of Proposed Exemption involving AT&T Inc. (Together With AT&T Inc.'s Affiliates, AT&T or...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-09

...This document contains a notice of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of a proposed individual exemption from certain prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA or the Act), and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The proposed transactions involve AT&T, the AT&T Pension Benefit Plan (the Plan), and the SBC Master Pension Trust (the Trust). The proposed exemption, if granted, would affect the Plan and its participants and beneficiaries. Effective Date: If granted, this proposed exemption will be effective as of September 1, 2013.

76 FR 14083 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-15

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11468 & D-11469 The Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation Retirement Savings Plan, The Krispy Kreme Profit- Sharing Stock Ownership Plan; D-11632 Millenium Trust Co. LLC, Custodian FBO William Etherington IRA; D-11642 H-E-B Brand Savings & Retirement Plan and H.E. Butt Grocery Company; and L-11625 The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Finishing Institute.

Hot and Cold Ethnicities in the Baltic States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ehala, Martin; Zabrodskaja, Anastassia

2014-01-01

The article discusses the temperatures of the main ethnic groups in the Baltic states: Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, and their three Russian-speaking communities, and the Latgalian and Polish minority groups in Latvia and Lithuania, respectively. The study uses a triangulated methodology that includes a survey questionnaire for quantitative…

COMPARISON OF AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS FROM THE COMBUSTION OF ORIMULSION AND OTHER FUELS

EPA Science Inventory

The paper gives results of inhouse emissions testing and a literature review relating to Orimulsion, an emulsion of Venezuelan bitumen, water, and a proprietary surfactant, being used as a fuel for utilities in Canada, China, Denmark, Italy, Japan, and Lithuania, primarily as a r...

Internationalisation of Higher Education and Nation Building: Resolving Language Policy Dilemmas in Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bulajeva, Tatjana; Hogan-Brun, Gabrielle

2014-01-01

Our paper discusses trends and challenges faced by Lithuanian Higher Education (HE) internationalisation policy processes in the context of European and global internationalisation tendencies. Using 2001-2011 EU mobility statistics and data from recent HE Lithuanian strategic programmes aimed at promoting the internationalisation of university…

NATO CCMS PILOT STUDY ON CLEAN PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES -(PHASE I) - 2002 ANNUAL REPORT

EPA Science Inventory

The annual report summarizes the activities of the NATO CCMS Pilot Study on clean products and processes for 2002, including the proceedings of the 2002 annual meeting held in Vilnius, Lithuania. The report presents a wealth of information on cleaner production activities in ove...

Goals of Quality in Doctoral Studies and Forecasted Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zelvys, Rimantas

2007-01-01

This article discusses the quality assurance policy of doctoral studies implemented in Lithuania and its probable outcomes are forecasted. In scientific literature the quality of education is commonly defined as a holistic phenomenon composed of the quality of initial conditions, quality of process and quality of outputs. The accomplished document…

Research on Mobile Learning Activities Applying Tablets

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kurilovas, Eugenijus; Juskeviciene, Anita; Bireniene, Virginija

2015-01-01

The paper aims to present current research on mobile learning activities in Lithuania while implementing flagship EU-funded CCL project on application of tablet computers in education. In the paper, the quality of modern mobile learning activities based on learning personalisation, problem solving, collaboration, and flipped class methods is…

Bush vs. Obama Detainee Policy Post-9/11: An Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

detainees, including Abd al- Rahim al-Nashiri, the accused architect of al-Qaeda’s bombing of the Navy destroyer USS Cole in Yemen in 2000, were to be...foreign inmates absent a formal agreement. Lithuania began talks with the United States about accepting prisoners from Guantanamo, and the European

A Business Of Security: Applying An Economic Model To Human Trafficking In Oregon

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-01

presents policy analysis under a qualitative cost - benefit lens to assess economic model variables applied to state level policies. The conclusion is...modern slavery, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, Oregon, supply and demand, cost - benefit analysis 15. NUMBER OF PAGES 129 16. PRICE CODE 17...analyzing weaknesses and gaps. The thesis presents policy analysis under a qualitative cost - benefit lens to assess economic model variables applied to

Social and Political Event Data to Support Army Requirements: Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-11-01

available information . Geographic data at the city level is not enough spatial fidelity for tactical-level analyses. Vi- olent Events Socio-Cultural...analyze and/or visualize the data to produce mission-relevant information . Hand-coded datasets can be more precise, but they require added time and labor...Figure 4. Process to transform event data into mission-relevant information . ................... 35 Tables Table 1. Sources of event data

Content Coding of Psychotherapy Transcripts Using Labeled Topic Models.

PubMed

Gaut, Garren; Steyvers, Mark; Imel, Zac E; Atkins, David C; Smyth, Padhraic

2017-03-01

Psychotherapy represents a broad class of medical interventions received by millions of patients each year. Unlike most medical treatments, its primary mechanisms are linguistic; i.e., the treatment relies directly on a conversation between a patient and provider. However, the evaluation of patient-provider conversation suffers from critical shortcomings, including intensive labor requirements, coder error, nonstandardized coding systems, and inability to scale up to larger data sets. To overcome these shortcomings, psychotherapy analysis needs a reliable and scalable method for summarizing the content of treatment encounters. We used a publicly available psychotherapy corpus from Alexander Street press comprising a large collection of transcripts of patient-provider conversations to compare coding performance for two machine learning methods. We used the labeled latent Dirichlet allocation (L-LDA) model to learn associations between text and codes, to predict codes in psychotherapy sessions, and to localize specific passages of within-session text representative of a session code. We compared the L-LDA model to a baseline lasso regression model using predictive accuracy and model generalizability (measured by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) from the receiver operating characteristic curve). The L-LDA model outperforms the lasso logistic regression model at predicting session-level codes with average AUC scores of 0.79, and 0.70, respectively. For fine-grained level coding, L-LDA and logistic regression are able to identify specific talk-turns representative of symptom codes. However, model performance for talk-turn identification is not yet as reliable as human coders. We conclude that the L-LDA model has the potential to be an objective, scalable method for accurate automated coding of psychotherapy sessions that perform better than comparable discriminative methods at session-level coding and can also predict fine-grained codes.

Content Coding of Psychotherapy Transcripts Using Labeled Topic Models

PubMed Central

Gaut, Garren; Steyvers, Mark; Imel, Zac E; Atkins, David C; Smyth, Padhraic

2016-01-01

Psychotherapy represents a broad class of medical interventions received by millions of patients each year. Unlike most medical treatments, its primary mechanisms are linguistic; i.e., the treatment relies directly on a conversation between a patient and provider. However, the evaluation of patient-provider conversation suffers from critical shortcomings, including intensive labor requirements, coder error, non-standardized coding systems, and inability to scale up to larger data sets. To overcome these shortcomings, psychotherapy analysis needs a reliable and scalable method for summarizing the content of treatment encounters. We used a publicly-available psychotherapy corpus from Alexander Street press comprising a large collection of transcripts of patient-provider conversations to compare coding performance for two machine learning methods. We used the Labeled Latent Dirichlet Allocation (L-LDA) model to learn associations between text and codes, to predict codes in psychotherapy sessions, and to localize specific passages of within-session text representative of a session code. We compared the L-LDA model to a baseline lasso regression model using predictive accuracy and model generalizability (measured by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve). The L-LDA model outperforms the lasso logistic regression model at predicting session-level codes with average AUC scores of .79, and .70, respectively. For fine-grained level coding, L-LDA and logistic regression are able to identify specific talk-turns representative of symptom codes. However, model performance for talk-turn identification is not yet as reliable as human coders. We conclude that the L-LDA model has the potential to be an objective, scaleable method for accurate automated coding of psychotherapy sessions that performs better than comparable discriminative methods at session-level coding and can also predict fine-grained codes. PMID:26625437

An Initial Study of the Diagnostic Utility of the Emotional and Behavioural Screener in Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sointu, Erkko; Lambert, Matthew C.; Nordness, Philip D.; Geležiniene, Renata; Epstein, Michael H.

2018-01-01

In schools, screening is an effective method to identify students at-risk for emotional and behavioural disorders. Several intervention programmes such as Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports, Response to Intervention, and Multi-tiered Systems of Supports call for the use of psychometrically sound screening instruments. This study…

Lithuanian Educators' Experiences of Norwegian Early Childhood Education and Care during a Short Study Trip

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sadownik, Alicja R.; Baraldsnes, Dziuginta; Kalgraf, Solveig

2017-01-01

This paper presents an analysis of how educators from Lithuania experienced the Norwegian ECEC during a short study trip. The research results are informed by the theory of Practice Architecture [7, 8] that describes educational practices using the concepts of "sayings," "doings," and "relatings." "Sayings"…

Congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 20th anniversary of their declarations on the restoration of independence from the Soviet Union.

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Rep. Shimkus, John [R-IL-19

2010-04-26

Senate - 12/08/2010 Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status Agreed to in HouseHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Educational Choice Regarding Technical Education: Research with Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kacerauskas, Tomas; Šaparauskas, Jonas

2017-01-01

In first part, the models, theories, mechanisms and presumptions, as well as the ideas of educational choice discourse have been scrutinized. In the second part, the survey on educational choice at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania has been presented. The methodology used in this research is a survey of respondents and survey…

Knowledge of ICT of Secondary School Graduates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Valavicius, Eugenijus; Babravicius, Kestutis

2012-01-01

The paper analyses the results of the computer literacy survey conducted among the 11th and 12th form students in gymnasiums and secondary schools in Lithuania. The basis for the questionnaire was taken from previous surveys carried out in Vilnius Pedagogical University. The questionnaire is divided into five topics, such as computer hardware and…

The Practice of Media Education: International Research on Six European Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parola, Alberto; Ranieri, Maria

2011-01-01

This paper presents and discusses the results of OnAir, a European project on Media Education funded by the European Commission. This two-year project aimed at collecting, documenting, and developing media education practices across Europe, especially in Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. In particular, the paper focuses on…

Student Internships in Lithuania: A Stakeholder Perspective on Management and Economics Programmes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaminskiene, Lina; Rutkiene, Aušra

2012-01-01

The article discusses the practice of internships in Lithuanian higher education in the context of changes and challenges to educational reforms, particularly in the enhancement of relations with the labour market and related stakeholders. Higher education institutions are grappling with the changing conception, and duration, of the internship.…

International Models and Domestic Translations? The Case of University Governing Boards in Romania and Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Králiková, Renáta

2015-01-01

In the early 2000s, several post-communist countries launched reforms of university management and governance marked by the influence of a "modernization agenda" for higher education governance, which was promoted by the World Bank, the OECD and the European Commission. However, this "modernization agenda" was employed…

Qualifications at Level 5: Progressing in a Career or to Higher Education. Working Paper No 23

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grm, Slava Pevec; Bjørnåvold, Jens

2014-01-01

This study addresses qualifications at level 5 of the European qualifications framework (EQF) in 15 countries (Belgium (Flanders), the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, France, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, the United Kingdom (EWNI and Scotland) that had linked their national…

Teachers as Informal Learners: Workplace Professional Learning in the United States and Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jurasaite-Harbison, Elena; Rex, Lesley A.

2013-01-01

This study demonstrates the understandings that result from teachers' explanations of how they learn when they encounter everyday situations that evoke their learning. The study renders these explanations as a framework for further research on teacher workplace learning in informal settings. The framework emerged from a constant-comparative…

Subjective Vitality and Patterns of Acculturation: Four Cases

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ehala, Martin; Vedernikova, Elena

2015-01-01

The article presents a comparative analysis of the subjective vitalities (SVs) of the minority groups of Latvia (Russian-speakers), Lithuania (Russian-speakers and Poles) and Mari El (Maris) in the Russian Federation, with a particular focus on the Mari case. The same extended version of the SV questionnaire was used in quantitative surveys in all…

Language Policy and the Internationalization of Higher Education in the Baltic Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaša, Rita; Mhamed, Ali Ait Si

2013-01-01

In the framework of the internationalization and globalization of higher education and competition for international students, the paper examines how language policy in higher education shapes the provision of study programs in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It concludes that study programs in the Baltic states mostly follow the convention of a…

Central and Eastern Europe: Vocational Education and Training in Transition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bertrand, Olivier

1995-01-01

Analysis of recent developments in vocational education and training in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe brings out certain common problems. On the economic level, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania are undergoing a profound crisis. Consequences for training have included the closing of many company schools or workshops, absence of…

Psycho-Semantics of Management Constructs: Expression of Democracy among Schoolteachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saparnis, Gintaras

2006-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to disclose the psycho-semantics of the opinions held by school educators in Lithuania on the expression of democracy in education management. Methodology: A non-standardized questionnaire asked teachers the open-ended question: "Are there any manifestations of democracy in your school? If yes (or…

Examining Trends in Parent-Child Communication in Europe over 12 Years

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tabak, Izabela; Mazur, Joanna; Granado Alcon, Maria del Carmen; Orkenyi, Agota; Zaborskis, Apolinaras; Aasvee, Katrin; Moreno, Carmen

2012-01-01

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in communication with parents about matters of concern to 11- and 13-year olds. Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) surveys conducted in Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, and…

Adolescents' Intentional Self-Mutilation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laskite, A.; Laskene, S.

2011-01-01

In Lithuania, suicide is among the top three causes of death; between twenty and thirty-three school-age children take their own lives every year, and the overwhelming majority of adolescents do not seek help in connection with situations that prompt them to engage in self-mutilation. Research indicates adolescents think that if more attention is…

Economic and Educational Correlates of TIMSS Results

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mikk, Jaan

2005-01-01

The good knowledge of the correlates of educational achievement highlights the ways to the efficient use of economic and human capital in raising the efficiency of education. The present paper investigates the correlates and compares the values of the correlates for the Republic of Lithuania with the average international values. The data for the…

Great Expectations? Variation in Educational Plans of Students in Post-Socialist Eastern Europe

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chykina, Volha; Chung, Hee Jin; Bodovski, Katerina

2016-01-01

Using all available waves of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) from 1995 to 2011, this study examines the factors influencing educational expectations of students in five Eastern European countries (Hungary, Lithuania, the Russian Federation, Romania, and Slovenia). We consistently find across countries and waves…

Issues and Challenges for Small Countries in Attracting and Hosting International Students: The Case of Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Urbanovic, Jolanta; Wilkins, Stephen; Huisman, Jeroen

2016-01-01

The spread of the neo-liberal ideology internationally has encouraged increased marketisation of higher education systems right around the world. With marketisation promoting competition, efficiency and revenue generation, many countries have begun to recruit more foreign students. Higher education has moved towards becoming a profitable commodity…

Lithuanian University Students' Knowledge of Biotechnology and Their Attitudes to the Taught Subject

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lamanauskas, Vincentas; Makarskaite-Petkeviciene, Rita

2008-01-01

The impact of genetic engineering on peoples' everyday life has become present reality. In order to establish the level of the available schoolchildren and university students' knowledge of biotechnology, various investigations have been conducted. However, the current situation in Lithuania remains unclear. A total of 287 students--pre-service…

From the Analysis of Work-Processes to Designing Competence-Based Occupational Standards and Vocational Curricula

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tutlys, Vidmantas; Spöttl, Georg

2017-01-01

Purpose: This paper aims to explore methodological and institutional challenges on application of the work-process analysis approach in the design and development of competence-based occupational standards for Lithuania. Design/methodology/approach: The theoretical analysis is based on the review of scientific literature and the analysis of…

FSU/Eastern Europe: Russia spearheads small upturn

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1996-08-01

The paper discusses the political and legal scene in Russia, domestic restructuring, exploration, drilling, development by Western companies and by Russian companies, and production. Exploration and development in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Serbia are also discussed.

Resources for development of training in public health and health managment in Eastern Europe: the Kaunas experience.

PubMed

Kalediene, Ramune

2002-01-01

The aim of this paper is to review the resources and steps required for development and evaluation of training in public health and management of public health as experienced in Kaunas University of Medicine, Lithuania. The transition from Departments of Social Medicine and Hygiene to a Faculty of Public Health of international standards requires a process of adaptation and development of human resources more than physical facilities. After restoration of independence in 1990, rapid development of training in public health was started in Lithuania. Great support was provided by the international projects Baltic Rim Partnership for Public Health (BRIMHEALTH) and European Union Trans-European Mobility Scheme for University Students (TEMPUS). Undergraduate and postgraduate training programs were successfully implemented in the Faculty of Public Health, Kaunas University of Medicine. Lithuanian experience could serve as an example of success and pitfalls in training a critical mass of professionals who should act as powerful advocates for health, promoting analysis, continuity and success of public health interventions, and health care reforms in countries in transition.

Inequalities in mortality by marital status during socio-economic transition in Lithuania.

PubMed

Kalediene, R; Petrauskiene, J; Starkuviene, S

2007-05-01

To analyse the changes in mortality inequalities by marital status over the period of socio-economic transition in Lithuania and to estimate the contribution of major causes of death to marital-status differences in overall mortality. A survey based on routine mortality statistics and census data for 1989 and 2001 for the entire country. The proportion of married population has declined over the past decade. Widowed men and never married women were found to be at highest risk of mortality throughout the period under investigation. Although inequalities have not grown considerably, mortality rates have increased significantly for divorced populations and for never married men, widening the mortality gap. Cardiovascular diseases contributed most to excess mortality of never married and divorced men, as well as all unmarried groups of women. The excess mortality of widowed men from external causes was greatest in 2001. Marriage can be considered as a health protecting factor, particularly in relation to mortality from cardiovascular diseases and external causes. Local and national policies aimed at health promotion must focus primarily on improving the position of unmarried groups and providing psychological support.

Awareness and practice of patient's rights law in Lithuania

PubMed Central

Ducinskiene, Danute; Vladickiene, Jurgita; Kalediene, Ramune; Haapala, Irja

2006-01-01

Background Patient's rights law is intended to secure good medical practice, but it can also serve to improve understanding between patients and medical staff if both were aware of their rights. Methods Awareness and practice of the new patient's rights law in Lithuanian health care institutions was explored through a survey of 255 medical staff and 451 patients in the four Kaunas city medical units in 2002. Participation rates were 74% and 66%, respectively. Results Majority of the medical staff (85%) and little over one half of the patients (56%) had heard or read about the Law on Patient's Rights (p < 0.001). Only 50% of professionals compared to 69% of patients thought information for patients about diagnosis, treatment results and alternative treatments is necessary (p < 0.001). A clear discrepancy was indicated between physicians informing the patients (80% – 98% of physicians) and patients actually knowing (37% – 54%) their treatment prognosis, disease complications or possible alternative treatment methods. Conclusion These results suggest a need for awareness-raising among patients to improve the practical implementation of the Patient's Rights Law in Lithuania. PMID:16948855

77 FR 2797 - Notice of Proposed Exemption; BlackRock, Inc. and Its Investment Advisory, Investment Management...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-19

...This document contains a notice of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of a proposed individual exemption from certain prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), the Federal Employees' Retirement System Act of 1986, as amended (FERSA), and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The proposed transactions involve BlackRock, Inc. and its investment advisory, investment management and broker-dealer affiliates and their successors. The proposed exemption, if granted, would affect plans for which BlackRock, Inc. and its investment advisory, investment management and broker-dealer affiliates and their successors serve as fiduciaries, and the participants and beneficiaries of such plans.

77 FR 76770 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-28

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11664, Atlas Energy, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the Plan); D-11718, Notice of Proposed Amendment to Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 2007-05, Involving Prudential Securities Incorporated; L-11720, The Mo-Kan Teamsters Apprenticeship and Training Fund (the Fund); L-11738, The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) and Red Re, Inc. (Red Re) (together, the Applicants); and D-11671, Silchester International Investors LLP (Silchester or the Applicant).

76 FR 77593 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-13

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11517, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its Current and Future Affiliates and Subsidiaries (JPMorgan Chase); D- 11579, Delaware Charter Guarantee & Trust Co. d\\b\\a\\ Principle Trust Company (Principle Trust); D-11628, Aztec Well Servicing Company and Related Companies Medical Plan Trust Fund (the Plan); D-11669, Genzyme Corporation 401(k) Plan (the Plan or the Applicant); and Retirement Program for Employees of EnPro Industries (the Plan), D-11662 et al.

Body size of newborns in relation to mother's ethnicity and education: a pilot study from Vilnius City (Lithuania), 2005-2010.

PubMed

Tutkuviene, Janina; Morkuniene, Ruta; Bartkute, Karolina; Drazdiene, Nijole

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to analyse body size indices of newborns in Vilnius city (Lithuania) during 2005-2010 in relation with mother's education and ethnicity, and in parallel with the changes of socio-economic situation during the recent years. The present results were based on data (N = 18,084) from the Vilnius University Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Comparison of the present Lithuanian data with other newborn studies was made. The analysis of socio-economic and demographic indicators of Lithuania, and the comparison of Gross Domestic Product of various countries was performed. The comparison of body size of newborns' data from the different countries showed that Lithuanian newborns were among the biggest babies. Some statistically significant differences in body size of newborns from different ethnic groups were established. Body length of Lithuanian newborns (M = 52.6 cm, SD = 2.5) was higher than length of Russian, Ukrainian and Romanian newborns. Body weight of Lithuanian newborns (M = 3511 g, SD = 485) was bigger than birth weight of Russian, Polish, Ukrainian and Romanian newborns. The analysis of newborns size by mother's education showed that body weight of neonates from mothers with the university education and from each other education group was bigger in comparison with the babies from respectively lower education group. The comparison of newborns weight by mother's ethnicity in relation to education level revealed nearly no discrepancies between size of newborns from mothers with the same education level at different ethnic group. The analysis of birth parameters by year has not established a statistically significant difference between the mean values for the body weight and body length of the whole investigated contingent of the full-term, single-birth newborns from Vilnius city during the 2005-2010. However, the tendency has been revealed that newborns from mothers with lower education were the most susceptible to negative economic changes after the 2008.

[Irrational drug use in Siauliai, Panevezys and Utena counties of Lithuania].

PubMed

Maciulaitis, Romaldas; Janusonis, Tomas

2003-01-01

In our study, we aimed to investigate the irrational use of the reimbursed drugs in some counties of Lithuania in 2001 by investigating the viewpoints of the physicians to the problems of the irrational pharmacotherapy, possible causes and solutions of them. This investigation was designed as a qualitative structured questionnaire. The study was composed of two stages. The personal health records of 2001 of Siauliai, Panevezys and Utena counties residents were analyzed and the cases of irrational drug use were selected, examined and verified during the first stage. There were 318 personal health records analyzed and 111 cases of irrational drug use verified. The 23 problems of irrational pharmacotherapy were distinguished and classified according to the responsibilities. The viewpoints of the physicians to the problems of the irrational pharmacotherapy were confirmed and analyzed during the second stage of the study. Thirty-one physicians were interviewed and responses summarized. 1. The irrational drug use took place in Siauliai, Panevezys and Utena counties of Lithuania in 2001. 2. Twenty-three types of problems of irrational pharmacotherapy can be distinguished. They can be classified into the 3 main levels according to the responsibility: the level of the administration (institution), the physician and the patient; other problems can be distinguished separately. 3. The most frequently specified by physicians possible reasons of the irrational drug use were the lack of information, the overcharge of the physician and the lack of the qualification. 4. The most frequently specified possible solutions of the irrational drug use by physicians were the growth of qualification, the establishment of the algorithms and the increase of the time spent per patient. 5. There was noticed particular tendency at the level of the physicians: physicians eliminated their responsibility at this level and related the problems with other levels--the levels of the administration (institution) and the patient.

The prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus among 15-34-year-aged Lithuanian inhabitants during 1991-2010.

PubMed

Ostrauskas, Rytas

2015-04-01

To summarize the data on the prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus among 15-34-year-aged Lithuania inhabitants (1991-2010). New prevalent cases consist of growing-up patients with diabetes onset in childhood, i.e., up to 14 years, new onset 15-34-year-aged type 1 diabetic patients Lithuanian inhabitants, and immigrants. The data on type 1 diabetes was collected with the help of general practitioners and regional endocrinologists in Lithuania. On 31 December 1991, there were 1202 adolescent and adult 15-34-year-aged patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus or 103.59 per 100,000 inhabitants of the same age group (95% Poisson CI 97.90-109.62), and at the end of 2010 - 1533 or 187.80 (178.63-197.44), respectively in Lithuania. During 19-year period the mean increase of type 1 diabetic patients was 1.25±1.94% per year or 1.47±2.74 per 100,000 inhabitants per mean year of the study period (for males 1.42±2.14% or 1.69±3.05/100,000 and for females 1.05±1.99%, or 1.24±2.92/100,000). Regression-based linear trends showed that the prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus in 15-34-year-age group had a tendency to increase among males (r=0.953; p<0.001) and females (r=0.970; p<0.001). The age adjusted prevalence frequencies for males and females in 1991 were correspondingly 102.81/100,000 and 104.55/100,000, and in 2010 - 193.75 and 182.01. The prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus among 15-34-year-age males and females had a tendency to increase during 1991-2010. Copyright © 2014 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Power politics: National energy strategies of the nuclear newly independent states of Armenia, Lithuania and Ukraine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabonis-Chafee, Theresa Marie

The successor states of Armenia, Lithuania and Ukraine arrived at independence facing extraordinary challenges in their energy sectors. Each state was a net importer, heavily dependent on cheap energy supplies, mostly from Russia. Each state also inherited a nuclear power complex over which it had not previously exercised full control. In the time period 1991--1996, each state attempted to impose coherence on the energy sector, selecting a new course for the pieces it had inherited from a much larger, highly integrated energy structure. Each state attempted to craft national energy policies in the midst of severe supply shocks and price shocks. Each state developed institutions to govern its nuclear power sector. The states' challenges were made even greater by the fact that they had few political or economic structures necessary for energy management, and sought to create those structures at the same time. This dissertation is a systematic, non-quantitative examination of how each state's energy policies developed during the 1991--1996 time period. The theoretical premise of the analysis (drawn from Statist realism) is that systemic variables---regional climate and energy vulnerability---provide the best explanations for the resulting energy policy decisions. The dependent variable is defined as creation and reform of energy institutions. The independent variables include domestic climate, regional climate, energy vulnerability and transnational assistance. All three states adopted rhetoric and legislation declaring energy a strategic sector. The evidence suggests that two of the states, Armenia and Lithuania, which faced tense regional climates and high levels of energy vulnerability, succeeded in actually treating energy strategically, approaching energy as a matter of national security or "high politics." The third state, Ukraine, failed to do so. The evidence presented suggests that the systemic variables (regional climate and energy vulnerability) provided a more favorable environment for Ukraine, one in which the state attempted reform of the sector, but not as a concerted national security issue.

The prevalence of self-reported underuse of medications due to cost for the elderly: results from seven European urban communities.

PubMed

Stankuniene, Aurima; Stankunas, Mindaugas; Avery, Mark; Lindert, Jutta; Mikalauskiene, Rita; Melchiorre, Maria Gabriella; Torres-Gonzalez, Francisco; Ioannidi-Kapolou, Elisabeth; Barros, Henrique; Savickas, Arūnas; Radziunas, Raimondas; Soares, Joaquim J F

2015-09-26

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported underuse of medications due to procurement costs amongst older persons from seven European urban communities. The data were collected in a cross-sectional study ("ABUEL, Elder abuse: A multinational prevalence survey") in 2009. Randomly selected people aged 60-84 years (n = 4,467) from seven urban communities: Stuttgart (Germany), Athens (Greece), Ancona (Italy), Kaunas (Lithuania), Porto (Portugal), Granada (Spain) and Stockholm (Sweden) were interviewed. Response rate - 45.2%. Ethical permission was received in each country. The results indicate that 3.6% (n = 162) of the respondents self-reported refraining from buying prescribed medications due to cost. The highest prevalence of this problem was identified in Lithuania (15.7%, n = 99) and Portugal (4.3%, n = 28). Other countries reported lower percentages of refraining from buying medications (Germany - 2.0%, Italy - 1.6%, Sweden - 1.0%, Greece - 0.6%, Spain - 0.3%). Females refrained more often from buying medications than males (2.6% vs. 4.4%, p < 0.0001). The prevalence of this refraining tended to increase with economic hardship. These differences between countries can be only partly described by the financing of health-care systems. In spite of the presence of cost reimbursement mechanisms, patients need to make co-payments (or in some cases to pay the full price) for prescribed medications. This indicates that the purchasing power of people in 10.1186/s12913-015-1089-4 the particular country can play a major role and be related with the economic situation in the country. Lithuania, which has reported the highest refrain rates, had the lowest gross domestic product (at the time of conducting this study) of all participating countries in the study. Refraining from buying the prescribed medications due to cost is a problem for women and men in respect to ageing people in Europe. Prevalence varies by country, sex, and economic hardship.

Prevalence of overweight/obesity in relation to dietary habits and lifestyle among 7-17 years old children and adolescents in Lithuania.

PubMed

Smetanina, Natalija; Albaviciute, Edita; Babinska, Veslava; Karinauskiene, Lina; Albertsson-Wikland, Kerstin; Petrauskiene, Ausra; Verkauskiene, Rasa

2015-10-01

Until recently increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among pediatric population in Europe and worldwide contributes to major well-known risks for metabolic consequences in later life. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity among children and adolescents in Lithuania and assess its association with energy balance related behaviors as well as familial demographic and socioeconomic factors. Cross-sectional study included 3990 7-17 years old schoolchildren from 40 schools of Kaunas region, Lithuania. Study participants underwent anthropometric measurements. Body mass index (BMI) was evaluated according to International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria for children and adolescents. Children and adolescents and their parents filled in the questionnaires on parental sociodemographic characteristics, dietary habits, TV watching time, and family socioeconomic status. The prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity among boys and girls was 6.9 and 11.7 % (P < 0.05), 12.6 and 12.6 % (P > 0.05), and 4.9 and 3.4 % (P < 0.05), respectively. Obesity was significantly more prevalent in the 7-9 years old group (6.7 and 4.8 % in boys and girls, respectively, P < 0.05). Lower meals frequency and breakfast skipping were directly associated with overweight/obesity (P < 0.05); however, physical inactivity was not associated with higher BMI. Children's overweight/obesity was directly associated with lower paternal education and unemployment (OR 1.30, P = 0.013 and OR 1.56, P = 0.003, respectively). The prevalence of overweight and obesity among 7-17 years old Lithuanian children and adolescents was more prevalent in younger age, still being one of the lowest across the European countries. Meals frequency, breakfast skipping, paternal education and unemployment as well as a family history of arterial hypertension were found to be associated with children's and adolescents' overweight/obesity.

Reflections on the maternal mortality millennium goal.

PubMed

Lawson, Gerald W; Keirse, Marc J N C

2013-06-01

Nearly every 2 minutes, somewhere in the world, a woman dies because of complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Every such death is an overwhelming catastrophe for everyone confronted with it. Most deaths occur in developing countries, especially in Africa and southern Asia, but a significant number also occur in the developed world. We examined the available data on the progress and the challenges to the United Nations' fifth Millennium Development Goal of achieving a 75 percent worldwide reduction in the maternal mortality by 2015 from what it was in 1990. Some countries, such as Belarus, Egypt, Estonia, Honduras, Iran, Lithuania, Malaysia, Romania, Sri Lanka and Thailand, are likely to meet the target by 2015. Many poor countries with weak health infrastructures and high fertility rates are unlikely to meet the goal. Some, such as Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Guyana, Lesotho, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, had worse maternal mortality ratios in 2010 than in 1990, partially because of wars and civil strife. Worldwide, the leading causes of maternal death are still hemorrhage, hypertension, sepsis, obstructed labor, and unsafe abortions, while indirect causes are gaining in importance in developed countries. Maternal death is especially distressing if it was potentially preventable. However, as there is no single cause, there is no silver bullet to correct the problem. Many countries also face new challenges as their childbearing population is growing in age and in weight. Much remains to be done to make safe motherhood a reality. © 2013, Copyright the Authors, Journal compilation © 2013, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Depression and Retirement in Late Middle-Aged U.S. Workers

PubMed Central

Doshi, Jalpa A; Cen, Liyi; Polsky, Daniel

2008-01-01

Objective To determine whether late middle-aged U.S. workers with depression are at an increased risk for retirement. Data Source Six biennial waves (1992–2002) of the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative panel survey of noninstitutionalized 51–61-year-olds and their spouses started in 1992. Study Design Workers aged 53–58 years in 1994 were followed every 2 years thereafter, through 2002. Depression was coded as lagged time-dependent variables measuring active depression and severity of depression. The main outcome variable was a transition to retirement which was measured using two distinct definitions to capture different stages in the retirement process: (1) Retirement was defined as a transition out of the labor force in the sample of all labor force participants (N = 2,853); (2) In addition a transition out of full time work was used as the retirement definition in the subset of labor force participants who were full time workers (N = 2,288). Principal Findings In the sample of all labor force participants, the presence of active depression significantly increased the hazard of retirement in both late middle-aged men (adjusted OR: 1.37 [95 percent CI 1.05, 1.80]) and women (adjusted OR: 1.40 [95 percent CI 1.10, 1.78]). For women, subthreshold depression was also a significant predictor of retirement. In the sample of full time workers, the relationship between depression and retirement was considerably weaker for women yet remained strong for men. Conclusions Depression and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with retirement in late middle-aged U.S. workers. Policymakers must consider the potentially adverse impact of these labor market outcomes when estimating the cost of untreated depression and evaluating the value of interventions to improve the diagnosis and treatment of depression. PMID:18370974

Pheromone traps and other methods in assessing pine beauty moth (Panolis flammea Schiff.)

Treesearch

Algimantas Ziogas

2003-01-01

The objective of this research was to evaluate different methodologies for quantifying pine beauty moth (Panolis flammea Schiff.) populations in pine stands of Southern part of Lithuania. Evaluations were conducted in selected pine stands by assessing the following: pupae (in the litter); larvae (falling from trees after chemical knock down); and...

Internationalisation as a Strategy to Improve the Quality of Higher Education in Small States: Stakeholder Perspectives in Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Urbanovic, Jolanta; Wilkins, Stephen

2013-01-01

Assumptions have developed around the benefits of internationalisation; for example, that it promotes cultural integration and harmony, improves the quality of education and research, and improves country and institutional reputations internationally. A range of coercive, normative and mimetic influences have pushed most small states with mass or…

Leadership Style and Job Satisfaction in Higher Education Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alonderiene, Raimonda; Majauskaite, Modesta

2016-01-01

Purpose: Although leadership is found to have impact on the followers' attitudes and performance there is a gap in leadership studies in HEIs, especially having Lithuania in mind. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of leadership style on job satisfaction of faculty in higher education institutions (HEI). Design/methodology/approach:…

Pine beauty moth (Panolis flammea Schiff.) outbreak management: suppression versus natural enemies

Treesearch

Paulius Zolubas

2003-01-01

Pine beauty moth (Panolis flammea Schiff.) is one of the most serious defoliators that periodically threatens Scotch pine forests on poor sandy soils in Lithuania. Population increase of this pest began in 1999. Because a maximum of only 15% defoliation was predicted in particular areas, no additional funding was required for suppressing the...

Assessment and Recognition of Non-Formal and Informal Learning: A Lithuanian Case of Novice Consultants' Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burkšaitiene, Nijole

2015-01-01

This article reports the results of the investigation into institutional support provided to adults by 12 novice consultants on assessment and recognition of their non-formal and informal learning in four institutions of higher education (HEIs) in Lithuania. Using the general systems perspective and perception theory, novice consultants'…

SCREENING BIOAVAILABLE HYDROPHOBIC TOXICANTS IN SURFACE WATERS WITH SEMIPERMEABLE MEMBRANE DEVICES: ROLE OF INHERENT OLEIC ACID IN TOXICITY EVALUATIONS

EPA Science Inventory

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were deployed for 4 weeks in two rivers in Lithuania, The SPMD dialysates were tested in the Microtox assay and, surprisingly, the sample from the relatively clean (U) over bar la River exhibited three times more toxicity than the sample fro...

Cross National Study on Pre-Service Elementary and Science Teachers' Opinions on Science Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Šorgo, Andrej; Pipenbaher, Nataša; Šašic, Slavica Šimic; Prokop, Pavol; Kubiatko, Milan; Golob, Nika; Erdogan, Mehmet; Tomažic, Iztok; Bilek, Martin; Fancovicova, Jana; Lamanauskas, Vincentas; Usak, Muhammet

2015-01-01

Cross national study on opinions on science teaching was revealed on a sample of 1799 (596 males, 1203 females) pre-service elementary and science teachers' enrolled in various departments at selected universities in Croatia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey. Three factors explaining 43.4% of variance were extracted from a…

A Sociolinguistic Comparison between Quebec's Charter of the French Language and the 1989 Language Laws of Five Soviet Republics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maurais, Jacques

1991-01-01

Compares the language laws of five Soviet Republics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, and Kazakhstan) with Quebec's Charter of the French Language along the following lines: proclamation of an official language; the common language in question; language of communication with customers and citizens; language of education; and linguistic…

Transnational Analysis of Vocational Education and Training in the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

European Training Foundation, Turin (Italy).

Vocational education and training (VET) in 10 Central and Eastern European countries--Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, and Slovenia--was examined. The analysis focused on the following issues: socioeconomic context of VET reforms; VET at the start of reforms; the European Union Phare…

Access to nature in lithuania: Limits, perceptions and design issues

Treesearch

Aida Macerinskiene

2015-01-01

One of the factors in local tourism could be nature tourism promotion for disabled people in protected areas. This social group is more sensitive to long-distance travel; therefore, it is likely that local tourism is especially attractive. The disabled population may possibly have more free time, which also makes local travel particularly attractive. The main focus...

Stakeholders' Cooperation in the Study Programme Quality Assurance: Theory and Practice in Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pileicikiene, Nora

2011-01-01

The cooperation of various stakeholders' groups is a prerequisite to develop and realise high-quality study programmes, i.e. during studies to develop skills that are relevant to the labour market and social life. In order to achieve effective stakeholders' cooperation, it is necessary to identify stakeholder's groups relevant to a study programme…

Phytoplasma infection in prized linden cultivar Tilia platyphyllos “Laciniata”: Is “Laciniata” a valid cultivar?

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Linden (Tilia platyphyllos ‘Laciniata’) trees growing in Kaunas Botanical Garden and in the parks of Verkiu (Vilnius) and Belvederis estates in Lithuania exhibited laciniated, deformed leaves and yellowing of veins. These trees had been planted in the parks, for the beauty of their “cut-out-elongate...

Trade Remedies: A Primer

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-05-01

Turkmenistan Turkey Trinidad Tajikistan Pakistan Philippines Malaysia Lithuania Latvia Estonia Ecuador Czechoslovakia Bangladesh Poland Norway Moldova Iran...while continuing domestic production of more high-end items. Many furniture retailers reportedly became furious with furniture industry petitioners...because they feared that the higher prices caused by possible AD duties would depress sales and result in the layoffs of retail employees. Furniture

Teachers' Workplace Learning within Informal Contexts of School Cultures in the United States and Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jurasaite-Harbison, Elena

2009-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore informal contexts of teachers' workplace professional learning and inform educational researchers, teacher educators, administrators and teachers about ways in which teachers learn to improve their practice. By questioning how teachers learn on-the-job to be better teachers and how school cultures…

Re-Learning Higher Education in the Age of Convergence: Example of Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ulvydiene, Loreta

2012-01-01

Since May of 1999, 46 European countries have been engaged in reconstructing their higher education systems to bring about a greater degree of "convergence," i.e. a move toward common reference points and operating procedures to create a European Higher Education Area. Education has always played an important role in the development of…

MuseumScouts: Exploring How Schools, Museums and Interactive Technologies Can Work Together to Support Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wishart, Jocelyn; Triggs, Pat

2010-01-01

In this paper we report on the successes and challenges of a creative project involving museums, schools and interactive technologies. The MuseumScouts project is EU Comenius 2.1 funded and involves teachers, teacher educators, museum staff, students and researchers from five European countries: Germany (Berlin and Munich), Lithuania (Vilnius),…

Predictive value of the present-on-admission indicator for hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism.

PubMed

Khanna, Raman R; Kim, Sharon B; Jenkins, Ian; El-Kareh, Robert; Afsarmanesh, Nasim; Amin, Alpesh; Sand, Heather; Auerbach, Andrew; Chia, Catherine Y; Maynard, Gregory; Romano, Patrick S; White, Richard H

2015-04-01

Hospital-acquired venous thromboembolic (HA-VTE) events are an important, preventable cause of morbidity and death, but accurately identifying HA-VTE events requires labor-intensive chart review. Administrative diagnosis codes and their associated "present-on-admission" (POA) indicator might allow automated identification of HA-VTE events, but only if VTE codes are accurately flagged "not present-on-admission" (POA=N). New codes were introduced in 2009 to improve accuracy. We identified all medical patients with at least 1 VTE "other" discharge diagnosis code from 5 academic medical centers over a 24-month period. We then sampled, within each center, patients with VTE codes flagged POA=N or POA=U (insufficient documentation) and POA=Y or POA=W (timing clinically uncertain) and abstracted each chart to clarify VTE timing. All events that were not clearly POA were classified as HA-VTE. We then calculated predictive values of the POA=N/U flags for HA-VTE and the POA=Y/W flags for non-HA-VTE. Among 2070 cases with at least 1 "other" VTE code, we found 339 codes flagged POA=N/U and 1941 flagged POA=Y/W. Among 275 POA=N/U abstracted codes, 75.6% (95% CI, 70.1%-80.6%) were HA-VTE; among 291 POA=Y/W abstracted events, 73.5% (95% CI, 68.0%-78.5%) were non-HA-VTE. Extrapolating from this sample, we estimated that 59% of actual HA-VTE codes were incorrectly flagged POA=Y/W. POA indicator predictive values did not improve after new codes were introduced in 2009. The predictive value of VTE events flagged POA=N/U for HA-VTE was 75%. However, sole reliance on this flag may substantially underestimate the incidence of HA-VTE.

Auto identification technology and its impact on patient safety in the Operating Room of the Future.

PubMed

Egan, Marie T; Sandberg, Warren S

2007-03-01

Automatic identification technologies, such as bar coding and radio frequency identification, are ubiquitous in everyday life but virtually nonexistent in the operating room. User expectations, based on everyday experience with automatic identification technologies, have generated much anticipation that these systems will improve readiness, workflow, and safety in the operating room, with minimal training requirements. We report, in narrative form, a multi-year experience with various automatic identification technologies in the Operating Room of the Future Project at Massachusetts General Hospital. In each case, the additional human labor required to make these ;labor-saving' technologies function in the medical environment has proved to be their undoing. We conclude that while automatic identification technologies show promise, significant barriers to realizing their potential still exist. Nevertheless, overcoming these obstacles is necessary if the vision of an operating room of the future in which all processes are monitored, controlled, and optimized is to be achieved.

To amend title 5, United States Code, to increase the maximum age limit for an original appointment to a position as a Federal law enforcement officer in the case of any individual who has been discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions, and for other purposes.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Rep. Bishop, Rob [R-UT-1

2011-05-12

House - 05/13/2011 Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy . (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Automatic translation of MPI source into a latency-tolerant, data-driven form

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nguyen, Tan; Cicotti, Pietro; Bylaska, Eric

Hiding communication behind useful computation is an important performance programming technique but remains an inscrutable programming exercise even for the expert. We present Bamboo, a code transformation framework that can realize communication overlap in applications written in MPI without the need to intrusively modify the source code. We reformulate MPI source into a task dependency graph representation, which partially orders the tasks, enabling the program to execute in a data-driven fashion under the control of an external runtime system. Experimental results demonstrate that Bamboo significantly reduces communication delays while requiring only modest amounts of programmer annotation for a variety ofmore » applications and platforms, including those employing co-processors and accelerators. Moreover, Bamboo’s performance meets or exceeds that of labor-intensive hand coding. As a result, the translator is more than a means of hiding communication costs automatically; it demonstrates the utility of semantic level optimization against a well-known library.« less

Automatic translation of MPI source into a latency-tolerant, data-driven form

DOE PAGES

Nguyen, Tan; Cicotti, Pietro; Bylaska, Eric; ...

2017-03-06

Hiding communication behind useful computation is an important performance programming technique but remains an inscrutable programming exercise even for the expert. We present Bamboo, a code transformation framework that can realize communication overlap in applications written in MPI without the need to intrusively modify the source code. We reformulate MPI source into a task dependency graph representation, which partially orders the tasks, enabling the program to execute in a data-driven fashion under the control of an external runtime system. Experimental results demonstrate that Bamboo significantly reduces communication delays while requiring only modest amounts of programmer annotation for a variety ofmore » applications and platforms, including those employing co-processors and accelerators. Moreover, Bamboo’s performance meets or exceeds that of labor-intensive hand coding. As a result, the translator is more than a means of hiding communication costs automatically; it demonstrates the utility of semantic level optimization against a well-known library.« less

Automatic translation of MPI source into a latency-tolerant, data-driven form

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nguyen, Tan; Cicotti, Pietro; Bylaska, Eric

Hiding communication behind useful computation is an important performance programming technique but remains an inscrutable programming exercise even for the expert. We present Bamboo, a code transformation framework that can realize communication overlap in applications written in MPI without the need to intrusively modify the source code. Bamboo reformulates MPI source into the form of a task dependency graph that expresses a partial ordering among tasks, enabling the program to execute in a data-driven fashion under the control of an external runtime system. Experimental results demonstrate that Bamboo significantly reduces communication delays while requiring only modest amounts of programmer annotationmore » for a variety of applications and platforms, including those employing co-processors and accelerators. Moreover, Bamboo's performance meets or exceeds that of labor-intensive hand coding. The translator is more than a means of hiding communication costs automatically; it demonstrates the utility of semantic level optimization against a wellknown library.« less

Master standard data quantity food production code. Macro elements for synthesizing production labor time.

PubMed

Matthews, M E; Waldvogel, C F; Mahaffey, M J; Zemel, P C

1978-06-01

Preparation procedures of standardized quantity formulas were analyzed for similarities and differences in production activities, and three entrée classifications were developed, based on these activities. Two formulas from each classification were selected, preparation procedures were divided into elements of production, and the MSD Quantity Food Production Code was applied. Macro elements not included in the existing Code were simulated, coded, assigned associated Time Measurement Units, and added to the MSD Quantity Food Production Code. Repeated occurrence of similar elements within production methods indicated that macro elements could be synthesized for use within one or more entrée classifications. Basic elements were grouped, simulated, and macro elements were derived. Macro elements were applied in the simulated production of 100 portions of each entrée formula. Total production time for each formula and average production time for each entrée classification were calculated. Application of macro elements indicated that this method of predetermining production time was feasible and could be adapted by quantity foodservice managers as a decision technique used to evaluate menu mix, production personnel schedules, and allocation of equipment usage. These macro elements could serve as a basis for further development and refinement of other macro elements which could be applied to a variety of menu item formulas.

75 FR 61931 - Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-06

...This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11576, Bank of America, NA et al.; D-11591, Citigroup Inc. and its affiliates (Citigroup), the Citigroup 401(k) Plan, the Citibuilder 401(k) Plan for Puerto Rico the (Citibuilder Plan) and collectively with the Citigroup 401(k) Plan, the Participant Directed Plans, the Citigroup Pension Plan (and collectively with the Participant Directed Plans, the Plans) (the Applicants); and D-11611, The West Coast Bancorp 401(k) Plan (the Plan); et al.

Experimental design and analysis of JND test on coded image/video

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Joe Yuchieh; Jin, Lina; Hu, Sudeng; Katsavounidis, Ioannis; Li, Zhi; Aaron, Anne; Kuo, C.-C. Jay

2015-09-01

The visual Just-Noticeable-Difference (JND) metric is characterized by the detectable minimum amount of two visual stimuli. Conducting the subjective JND test is a labor-intensive task. In this work, we present a novel interactive method in performing the visual JND test on compressed image/video. JND has been used to enhance perceptual visual quality in the context of image/video compression. Given a set of coding parameters, a JND test is designed to determine the distinguishable quality level against a reference image/video, which is called the anchor. The JND metric can be used to save coding bitrates by exploiting the special characteristics of the human visual system. The proposed JND test is conducted using a binary-forced choice, which is often adopted to discriminate the difference in perception in a psychophysical experiment. The assessors are asked to compare coded image/video pairs and determine whether they are of the same quality or not. A bisection procedure is designed to find the JND locations so as to reduce the required number of comparisons over a wide range of bitrates. We will demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed JND test, report experimental results on the image and video JND tests.

AREVA Developments for an Efficient and Reliable use of Monte Carlo codes for Radiation Transport Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chapoutier, Nicolas; Mollier, François; Nolin, Guillaume; Culioli, Matthieu; Mace, Jean-Reynald

2017-09-01

In the context of the rising of Monte Carlo transport calculations for any kind of application, AREVA recently improved its suite of engineering tools in order to produce efficient Monte Carlo workflow. Monte Carlo codes, such as MCNP or TRIPOLI, are recognized as reference codes to deal with a large range of radiation transport problems. However the inherent drawbacks of theses codes - laboring input file creation and long computation time - contrast with the maturity of the treatment of the physical phenomena. The goals of the recent AREVA developments were to reach similar efficiency as other mature engineering sciences such as finite elements analyses (e.g. structural or fluid dynamics). Among the main objectives, the creation of a graphical user interface offering CAD tools for geometry creation and other graphical features dedicated to the radiation field (source definition, tally definition) has been reached. The computations times are drastically reduced compared to few years ago thanks to the use of massive parallel runs, and above all, the implementation of hybrid variance reduction technics. From now engineering teams are capable to deliver much more prompt support to any nuclear projects dealing with reactors or fuel cycle facilities from conceptual phase to decommissioning.

Nation and Language: Modern Aspects of Socio-Linguistic Development. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference (Lithuania, October 21-22, 2010)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Online Submission, 2010

2010-01-01

The 4th international conference "Nation and Language: Modern Aspects of Socio-Linguistic Development" continues an eight-year old tradition. The conference is organized by Kaunas University of Technology Panevezys Institute and aims to bring scientists and researchers together for a general scientific discussion on new trends in…

Institutional Assessment of Research and Studies: Inevitable Feature of a Modern State or One More Bureaucratic Whim in Lithuania?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dienys, Vincentas; Pukelis, Kestutis; Ziliukas, Pranas

2005-01-01

A number of small countries face similar problems while organising external assessment of higher education institutions: how to select proper experts, how to prepare them and maintain? How to avoid bias or interest conflict between experts who evaluate the institution and the institution being evaluated? How to reduce the financial costs of…

The Bologna Process and Its Impact on Higher Education at Russia's Margins: The Case of Kaliningrad

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ganzle, Stefan; Meister, Stefan; King, Conrad

2009-01-01

Embracing the Russian Federation since 2003, the Bologna process is no longer exclusively confined to western European countries. As early as 1999, Vladimir Putin declared the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between Lithuania and Poland, as a potential pilot region for intensified cooperation between Russia and the EU on a number of policy…

Schooling in the Kovno Ghetto: Cultural Reproduction as a Form of Defiance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Slaten Frasier, Amanda Marie

2015-01-01

When Soviet forces entered the Kovno Ghetto (Lithuania) on 1 August 1944 they found a scene of mass destruction. What happened at Kovno was a reflection of the extent of the Final Solution, where the goal was to extinguish not only the Jews, but their entire culture. While the Final Solution was instituted throughout Europe, this paper will focus…

Attitudes to Agricultural Policy and Farming Futures in the Context of the 2003 CAP Reform: A Comparison of Farmers in Selected Established and New Member States

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gorton, Matthew; Douarin, Elodie; Davidova, Sophia; Latruffe, Laure

2008-01-01

Farmers' attitudes, to agricultural production, diversification and policy support, and behavioural intentions in five Member States of the EU (France, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, England) are analysed comparatively. Groups of farmers with similarly held attitudes are identified using cluster analysis to investigate whether differences in…

Environmental Issues in the Media--Students' Perceptions in the Three Nordic-Baltic Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keinonen, Tuula; Yli-Panula, Eija; Svens, Maria; Vilkonis, Rytis; Persson, Christel; Palmberg, Irmeli

2014-01-01

The media, as a source of information, is supposed to have a significant role in effecting people's environmental knowledge and attitudes. The purpose of this study was to find students' perceptions of environmental issues as presented in the media and how students in Finland, Lithuania and Sweden used these media sources in the matters related to…

Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Child-Reported Emotional and Physical Abuse: Rates, Risk Factors and Psychosocial Symptoms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sebre, Sandra; Sprugevica, Ieva; Novotni, Antoni; Bonevski, Dimitar; Pakalniskiene, Vilmante; Popescu, Daniela; Turchina, Tatiana; Friedrich, William; Lewis, Owen

2004-01-01

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the incidence of child emotional and physical abuse, associated risk factors and psychosocial symptoms in a cross-cultural comparison between post-communist bloc countries. Method: One-thousand one-hundred forty-five children ages 10-14 from Latvia (N=297), Lithuania (N=300), Macedonia (N=302), and…

Quadrennial Defense Review Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-01

medicine , and computer network operations. While we continue to employ a mix of programs and incentives to recruit quality personnel, we are also...Lithuania* Singapore Australia Finland Luxembourg* Slovakia* Austria France* Macedonia Slovenia* Azerbaijan Georgia Montenegro Spain* Belgium...20,000 positions by 2015. We will continue to significantly enhance Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates meets with plant workers during a tour of an

Females of the genus Podmosta (Plecoptera: Nemouridae): comparison of terminalia and a new female record in Baltic Amber.

PubMed

Chen, Zhi-Teng

2018-04-10

Based on a specimen preserved in Baltic amber from Lithuania, a new fossil female of the nemourid genus Podmosta Ricker, 1952 is described, illustrated and compared to other described species of the genus. The new female specimen is distinguished from other Podmosta females by the "rabbit-shaped" sclerite on sternum 8.

Ethical and Legal Observations on Contract Cheating Services as an Agreement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tauginiene, Loreta; Jurkevicius, Vaidas

2017-01-01

In this paper we cast light on one form of dishonest behaviour in academia--contract cheating services. We examine how an agreement between a student and a contract cheating services provider is viewed from ethical and legal perspectives. For this purpose we carried out an analysis of contract cheating services as an agreement which, in Lithuania,…

The Economic Consciousness and Value Orientations of Graduates of the Higher Educational Institutions of Latgalia [Latvia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Voronov, Viktor Vasil'evich

2010-01-01

This article is devoted to an analysis of the economic consciousness and current orientations of the graduates of higher educational institutions of the Latgalia region of Latvia, which shares borders with Pskov oblast in Russia and with Belarus and Lithuania. Latgalia, part of the Pskov and Vitebsk gubernias of the Russian state for about a…

Publishers' Responses to the E-Book Phenomenon: Survey Results from Three "Small Language" Markets

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, T. D.; Maceviciute, Elena

2016-01-01

Introduction: This paper reports on a study of publishers' attitudes towards e-books in the context of the global situation of e-book publishing. Comparative data are drawn from a replication of a survey carried out in Sweden, in Lithuania and in Croatia. Method: A self-completed questionnaire survey was undertaken, offering respondents the choice…

Use of GeoGebra in Primary Math Education in Lithuania: An Exploratory Study from Teachers' Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Žilinskiene, Inga; Demirbilek, Muhammet

2015-01-01

With the advance of information and communications technologies, new teaching tools are becoming more pervasive. These tools can be utilized in a variety of ways to improve and enhance math teaching. Considering the integration of technology in teaching mathematics, it is clear that the replacement of board and chalk with digital presentation…

Genetic Variation among African Swine Fever Genotype II Viruses, Eastern and Central Europe

PubMed Central

Fernández-Pinero, Jovita; Pelayo, Virginia; Gazaev, Ismail; Markowska-Daniel, Iwona; Pridotkas, Gediminas; Nieto, Raquel; Fernández-Pacheco, Paloma; Bokhan, Svetlana; Nevolko, Oleg; Drozhzhe, Zhanna; Pérez, Covadonga; Soler, Alejandro; Kolvasov, Denis; Arias, Marisa

2014-01-01

African swine fever virus (ASFV) was first reported in eastern Europe/Eurasia in 2007. Continued spread of ASFV has placed central European countries at risk, and in 2014, ASFV was detected in Lithuania and Poland. Sequencing showed the isolates are identical to a 2013 ASFV from Belarus but differ from ASFV isolated in Georgia in 2007. PMID:25148518

Cumulative Small Effect Genetic Markers and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia

PubMed Central

Serrano-Fernandez, Pablo; Dymerska, Dagmara; Kurzawski, Grzegorz; Derkacz, Róża; Sobieszczańska, Tatiana; Banaszkiewicz, Zbigniew; Roomere, Hanno; Oitmaa, Eneli; Metspalu, Andres; Janavičius, Ramūnas; Elsakov, Pavel; Razumas, Mindaugas; Petrulis, Kestutis; Irmejs, Arvīds; Miklaševičs, Edvīns; Scott, Rodney J.; Lubiński, Jan

2015-01-01

The continued identification of new low-penetrance genetic variants for colorectal cancer (CRC) raises the question of their potential cumulative effect among compound carriers. We focused on 6 SNPs (rs380284, rs4464148, rs4779584, rs4939827, rs6983267, and rs10795668), already described as risk markers, and tested their possible independent and combined contribution to CRC predisposition. Material and Methods. DNA was collected and genotyped from 2330 unselected consecutive CRC cases and controls from Estonia (166 cases and controls), Latvia (81 cases and controls), Lithuania (123 cases and controls), and Poland (795 cases and controls). Results. Beyond individual effects, the analysis revealed statistically significant linear cumulative effects for these 6 markers for all samples except of the Latvian one (corrected P value = 0.018 for the Estonian, corrected P value = 0.0034 for the Lithuanian, and corrected P value = 0.0076 for the Polish sample). Conclusions. The significant linear cumulative effects demonstrated here support the idea of using sets of low-risk markers for delimiting new groups with high-risk of CRC in clinical practice that are not carriers of the usual CRC high-risk markers. PMID:26101521

Cumulative Small Effect Genetic Markers and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

PubMed

Serrano-Fernandez, Pablo; Dymerska, Dagmara; Kurzawski, Grzegorz; Derkacz, Róża; Sobieszczańska, Tatiana; Banaszkiewicz, Zbigniew; Roomere, Hanno; Oitmaa, Eneli; Metspalu, Andres; Janavičius, Ramūnas; Elsakov, Pavel; Razumas, Mindaugas; Petrulis, Kestutis; Irmejs, Arvīds; Miklaševičs, Edvīns; Scott, Rodney J; Lubiński, Jan

2015-01-01

The continued identification of new low-penetrance genetic variants for colorectal cancer (CRC) raises the question of their potential cumulative effect among compound carriers. We focused on 6 SNPs (rs380284, rs4464148, rs4779584, rs4939827, rs6983267, and rs10795668), already described as risk markers, and tested their possible independent and combined contribution to CRC predisposition. Material and Methods. DNA was collected and genotyped from 2330 unselected consecutive CRC cases and controls from Estonia (166 cases and controls), Latvia (81 cases and controls), Lithuania (123 cases and controls), and Poland (795 cases and controls). Results. Beyond individual effects, the analysis revealed statistically significant linear cumulative effects for these 6 markers for all samples except of the Latvian one (corrected P value = 0.018 for the Estonian, corrected P value = 0.0034 for the Lithuanian, and corrected P value = 0.0076 for the Polish sample). Conclusions. The significant linear cumulative effects demonstrated here support the idea of using sets of low-risk markers for delimiting new groups with high-risk of CRC in clinical practice that are not carriers of the usual CRC high-risk markers.

Changes in precipitation regime in the Baltic countries in 1966-2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaagus, Jaak; Briede, Agrita; Rimkus, Egidijus; Sepp, Mait

2018-01-01

The aim of the study was to analyse trends and regime shifts in time series of monthly, seasonal and annual precipitation in the eastern Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) during 1966-2015. Data from 54 stations with nearly homogeneous series were used. The Mann-Kendall test was used for trend analysis and the Rodionov test for the analysis of regime shifts. Rather few statistically significant trends ( p < 0.05) and regime shifts were determined. The highest increase (by approximately 10 mm per decade) was observed in winter precipitation when a significant trend was found at the large majority of stations. For monthly precipitation, increasing trends were detected at many stations in January, February and June. Weak negative trends revealed at few stations in April and September. Annual precipitation has generally increased, but the trend is mostly insignificant. The analysis of regime shifts revealed some significant abrupt changes, the most important of which were upward shifts in winter, in January and February precipitation at many stations since 1990 or in some other years (1989, 1995). A return shift in the time series of February precipitation occurred since 2003. The most significant increase in precipitation was determined in Latvia and the weakest increase in Lithuania.

Metamorphism and magmatism in the western East European Craton: implications for 1.84 to 1.45 Ga evolution in Lithuania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skridlaite, Grazina; Baginski, Boguslaw; Bogdanova, Svetlana; Whitehouse, Martin

2010-05-01

The western East European Craton (EEC) was formed by the accretion of distinct terrains at c. 1.8 Ga. Some boundaries between particular terrains and their continuation across the Baltic Sea from Lithuania to Sweden have to be justified. Recently obtained numerous U-Pb zircon ages from the Siupariai 3 (Sp3), Palukne 1 (Pl1) charnockites, Rukai 1 (Rk1), Geluva 99 (Gl99) granitoids, Bliudziai 150 (Bl150), Lauksargiai (Lk2, 5) and Pociai 3(Pc3) granulites determined using a Cameca ims1270 instrument of the Nordic high-resolution ion-microprobe facility (NORDSIM), as well as monazites of the Sp3, Pl1, Vydmantai 1 (Vd1) charnockites, Lk2, 5, Bl150 granulites dated by Cameca SX-100 electron microprobe (EPMA dating) at University of Warsaw allowed to reconstruct terrain boundaries from north to south in western Lithuania and a sequence of crust-forming events. In the north, the slightly deformed, coarse-grained Sp3, Pl1 and Vd1 (Claesson et al., 2001) charnockitoids crystallized in the time span of c. 1.84-1.81 Ga. The magmatic zircons contain a few c. 2.4-2.0 Ga inherited cores. The rocks were deformed and thermally reworked immediately after their crystallization as indicated by c. 1.79-1.74 Ga zircons and c. 1.85-1.76 Ga high-Y monazites, but the major metamorphism they underwent not earlier than c. 1.70 Ga. Thick zircon rims and rounded sector-zoned metamorphic zircons of c. 1.70 Ga likely grew together with peak garnet at 800o C, 7 kbar (Sp3) or 760o C and 6.5 kbar (Pl1). Numerous 1.62-1.56 Ga monazites recorded decompression to 2 kbar and cooling to 500o C in Sp3, mostly cooling to 450o C (at 4 kbar) in Pl1, and isothermal decompression from 650o C at 7 kbar to 500o C at 3 kbar in Vd1. In the south, the Bl150, Lk2, 5 and Pc 3 metasedimentary granulites containing a wide age range (3.0 to 1.85 Ga) of detrital zircons were deposited not earlier than 1.89 Ga. An incipient metamorphism started with the growth of relatively high-Y monazite (Y>3%) at 1.84-1.83 Ga, however a peak of 850o C at 9-10 kbar was likely achieved c. 1.80 Ga ago as indicated by metamorphic zircon (Lk2), and confirmed with 1.81-1.79 Ga monazite. Two isobaric cooling steps after the peak may be attributed to the two episodes of monazite growth at 1.72-1.70 and 1.63-1.62 Ga (Bl150) or at 1.70-1.64 Ga (Lk2, 5). The Rusne 1 tonalites intruded the metasedimentary granulites at c. 1.81 Ga (Claesson et al., 2001). To sum up, the 1.84-1.81 charnockitic magmatism in northwestern Lithuania can be correlated with TIB 0 magmatism in south-central Sweden and may be attributed to an active continental margin as well. This indicates a terrane boundary in west Lithuania earlier not recognized. The c. 1.81 Ga granitic magmatism and c. 1.81 -1.76 Ga metamorphism are related to major accretion of the western EEC when a volcanic island arc, which is identified in NE Poland, southern and central Lithuania in the present south (Wiszniewska et al., 2005), possibly collided with the continental margin in the north. The 1.70-1.60 Ga metamorphic events can reflect a distal influence of the 1.7-1.6 Ga Gothian orogeny in SW Fennoscandia (e.g. Ahall and Connelly, 2008). The 1.55-1.45 Ga AMCG magmatism, c. 1.56 Ga metamorphism and deformation of charnockites can be manifestations of the Danopolonian orogeny, particularly prominent around the South Baltic Sea. This is a contribution to the project "The Precambrian structure of Baltica as a control of its recent environment and evolution" of the Visby Programme (the Swedish Institute), Lithuanian Science and Study Foundation and SYNTHESYS project SE-TAF-1535. References Ahall, K.I. and Connelly, J.N., 2008. Precambrian Research, 161(3-4): 452-474. Claesson, S., et al., Tectonophysics, 339 (1-2), 1-18. Wiszniewska et al., 2005, 104-108, Scientific Communications, Warsaw.

Adult Competency Education Kit. Basic Skills in Speaking, Math, and Reading for Employment. Part I. ACE Competency Based Job Descriptions: #30--Roofer Apprentice; #31--Pipefitter; #32--Medical Supply Clerk; #33--Stock Clerk; #35--Warehouseman (Laborer, Stores).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

San Mateo County Office of Education, Redwood City, CA. Career Preparation Centers.

This sixth of fifteen sets of Adult Competency Education (ACE) Based Job Descriptions in the ACE kit contains job descriptions for Roofer Apprentice, Pipefitter, Medical Supply Clerk, Stock Clerk, and Warehouseperson. Each begins with a fact sheet that includes this information: occupational title, D.O.T. code, ACE number, career ladder, D.O.T.…

Increasing Participation of Wounded Warriors and Individuals with Disabilities: Finding and Recruiting Schedule A Candidates

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

decline since FY 2000 and short of the 2 percent goal set by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ( EEOC )—a goal that only 11 federal agencies...OPM), in consultation with the secretary of Labor, the chair of the EEOC , and the director of the Office of Management and Budget, to develop...to anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months. The regulations guiding this instruction can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The citation

Synthesis of Cubane Based Energetic Molecules

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-04-13

Judahi Goldwasser Code 1132P Contract No. N00014-86-C-0699 93 08590 SRI Project Number 2723 93,08590 David S. Ross, Director 7) Chemistry Laborator David...1132p 800 N. Quincy St. Arlinston. VA 22217-5000 11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES Final Project Report 12a. DISTRIIUTION/AVAJLABIL[TY STATEMENT 12b. DISTRIBU71ION...course of our studies here and in a parallel ONR sponsored program (SRI project number 6654, ONR contract No. N00014-88-C-0537), we discovered and

Improved outcome of childhood acute myeloid leukemia in an Eastern European country: Lithuanian experience.

PubMed

Kairiene, Igne; Pasauliene, Ramune; Lipunova, Nadezda; Vaitkeviciene, Goda; Rageliene, Lina; Rascon, Jelena

2017-10-01

The reported treatment outcomes of children treated for cancer in Eastern European countries are inferior to those in Northern/Western Europe. We hypothesized that recent survival rates could be comparable to the current standards and performed a population-based analysis of treatment outcome of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in Lithuania, a small Eastern European country. Children < 18 years old who were treated for AML from 2000 to 2013 were included (n = 54). Estimates of 5-year event-free (EFS 5y ) and overall survival (OS 5y ) rates were analyzed. Comparing periods 2000-2006 (n = 32) and 2007-2013 (n = 22), the EFS 5y improved from 31 to 63% (p = 0.04), and the OS 5y improved from 31 to 72% (p = 0.02) because of reductions in toxicity-related mortality (42 vs. 15%, p = 0.08) and relapse (43 vs. 25%, p = 0.08). The most significant improvement was demonstrated in high-risk patients (OS 5y improved from 26 to 75%, p = 0.02) who benefited from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: the post-transplant EFS 5y increased from 13 to 86% (p = 0.01). The current survival rate of Lithuanian children treated for AML was comparable to the expected rate in other parts of Europe. What is Known: • In the last three decades, significant improvement has been achieved in treating childhood cancer, with an overall survival (OS) rate of > 80% in high-income countries. The difference in survival rates between Northern/Western and Eastern European countries as well as between high- and middle-/low-income countries is as much as 20%. Recently, the 5-year event-free survival rate of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has reached > 60% in high-income countries. The survival rates for myeloproliferative diseases were the lowest in Eastern European countries. • The reported inferior survival rates were calculated based on outcome data of patients treated until 2007. The recent survival rates in Eastern European countries are unknown. What is New: • Being a small Eastern European country, Lithuania has experienced good economic growth during the last decade. We hypothesized that economic growth and gain of experience could result in better survival rates of children treated for cancer in our country in recent years. • A population-based analysis of treatment outcome of childhood AML treated in Lithuania in the recent years was performed for the first time. The survival rates of childhood AML in Lithuania are comparable to those of other high-income countries. Current survival rates of children treated for cancer in Eastern European countries could be comparable to the best current standards contributing to better European survival rates of childhood cancer in general.

Payment for whole blood donations in Lithuania: the risk for infectious disease markers.

PubMed

Kalibatas, V

2008-04-01

In Lithuania, remuneration for whole blood donations still prevails, with the government covering payment for the donors. The payment per donation in cash is equal to 40 litas (euro11.6); it is offered to all blood donors and accepted by the majority of them. Donors who gave blood and received the payment are treated as remunerated donors; those who gave blood and did not take the payment are treated as non-remunerated ones. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of payment for whole blood donations and to analyse the prevalence of infectious diseases markers per 100 remunerated and non-remunerated, first-time and regular whole blood donations, and to compare the risk ratios of infectious disease markers of remunerated and non-remunerated whole blood donations in 2005 and 2006 at the National Blood Center in Lithuania. Whole blood donors were categorized as follows: (i) first-time donor, remunerated; (ii) first-time donor, non-remunerated; (iii) regular donor, remunerated; and (iv) regular donor, non-remunerated. The blood donations were analysed for the presence or absence of the following infectious disease markers: anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV (1)/(2)) and syphilis. Only confirmed infectious disease markers were classified. To assess the risk of payment for whole blood donations, the prevalence of infectious disease markers per 100 donations in the different donor groups and the risk ratios between the remunerated and non-remunerated donations were determined. The prevalence per 100 first-time remunerated donations was: for anti-HCV 1.84 (2005) and 2.98 (2006); for HBsAg 1.73 (2005) and 2.03 (2006); for syphilis 0.67 (2005) and 1.03 (2006). The prevalence per 100 first-time non-remunerated donations was: for anti-HCV 0.93 (2005) and 0.98 (2006); for HBsAg 1.57 (2005) and 1.33 (2006); for syphilis 0.29 (2005) and 0.47 (2006). The first-time donors who were remunerated for whole blood donations had a significantly higher prevalence of infectious disease markers per 100 donations and a higher risk ratio for at least three infectious disease markers (HBsAg, anti-HCV and syphilis) as compared to first-time donors who were non-remunerated. The regular donors who were non-remunerated for whole blood donations had the lowest prevalence of all infectious disease markers: anti-HCV -0.03 (2005) and 0.04 (2005); syphilis -0.06 (2005) and 0.02 (2006); and any positive cases of HBsAg and anti-HIV (1)/(2) were found both in 2005 and 2006. No statistically significance differences in incidence and risk ratio existed when comparing the regular donations who were remunerated and non-remunerated. The payment for whole blood donors provides a higher risk for infectious disease markers of first-time donations at the National Blood Center in Lithuania.

The Experience of Teachers in the Application of "ActivInspire" Interactive Evaluation System in Classroom: A Case of Teachers in Lithuania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dudaite, Jolita; Prakapas, Romas

2017-01-01

New technologies are evidently gaining access to daily school life. Considering new challenges, the educators search for new ways to update educational content in the 21st Century when learning paradigms are changing. Soon, the new technological tools and solutions become predominant and change the traditional approach to teaching and learning.…

Vocational Education and Training as a Tool To Ensure Social and Economic Cohesion. National Observatory Country Report. Lithuania, 1999.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dienys, Vincentas; Beleckiene, Giedre; Zimina, Natalija

The poor state of the Lithuanian economy has led to a diminishing number of jobs and growing number of unemployed. Statistical data make it evident that the poor standard of education is one cause of unemployment. Stages of vocational education and training (VET) are initial, secondary, and postsecondary. The state oversees operation of education…

East European Security After the Cold War

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-01-01

Christian National Union (Poland) ZPL League of Poles in Lithuania vi ."• ... almpter One INTRODUCION More than two decades ago, Zbignlew Brzezinski ...which Brzezinski drew inspiration captures even more aptly and poignantly Eastern Europe’s current security dilemma. Eastern Europe today is...new Defense Minister, Admiral Piotr Kolodziejczyk. has close ties to President Walesa and was Defense Minister in the Mazowiecki government (1990

Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-08

territory in 1918 . Britain had tried to take Iraq from the Ottomans earlier in World War I but were defeated at Al Kut in 1916. Britain’s presence in...2007 because $7.2 billion not approved by Iraqi government. Sources: CIA The World Factbook; State Department International Religions Freedom Report...Diwaniyah and includes forces from the following foreign countries: Armenia, Slovakia, Denmark, El Salvador, Ukraine, Romania , Lithuania, Latvia, Mongolia

Blood donors' motivation and attitude to non-remunerated blood donation in Lithuania

PubMed Central

Buciuniene, Ilona; Stonienë, Laimutë; Blazeviciene, Aurelija; Kazlauskaite, Ruta; Skudiene, Vida

2006-01-01

Background In the Soviet period, the blood donation system operated in Lithuania exclusively on a remunerative basis. After joining the EU, Lithuania committed itself to meeting the EU requirements to provide all consumers within its boundaries with safe blood products made from voluntary unpaid blood donations. However, the introduction of a non-remunerated donation system may considerably affect donors' motivation and retention. Thus the aim of the current research was to determine blood donation motives among the present donors and investigate their attitude towards non-remunerated donation. Methods A questionnaire survey of 400 blood donors. Survey data processed using SPSS statistical analysis package. Statistical data reliability checked using Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). Results Paid donors comprised 89.9%, while non-paid ones made 10.1% of the respondents. Research findings show that 93 per cent of the paid donors give blood on a regular basis; while among the non-remunerated donors the same figure amounted merely to 20.6 per cent. The idea of the remuneration necessity is supported by 78.3 per cent of the paid donors, while 64.7 per cent of the non-remunerated respondents believe that remuneration is not necessary. The absolute majority of the paid donors (92%) think they should be offered a monetary compensation for blood donation, while more than half of the non-remunerated donors (55.9) claim they would be content with a mere appreciation of the act. Provided no remuneration were offered, 28.44 per cent of the respondents would carry on doing it, 29.6 per cent would do it only in emergency, 29.6 per cent would donate blood merely for their family or friends, and 12.3 per cent would quit it completely. Conclusion Most respondents admitted having donated blood for the following reasons: willingness to help the ill or monetary compensation. Majority would consent to free blood donation only in case of emergency or as a family replacement, which leads to a conclusion that provided monetary remuneration is completely terminated part of the currently active paid donors would withdraw from this activity, which might seriously affect the national supply of blood and its products. PMID:16792814

Determinants of self-rated health in elderly populations in urban areas in Slovenia, Lithuania and UK: findings of the EURO-URHIS 2 survey.

PubMed

Stanojevic Jerkovic, Olivera; Sauliune, Skirmante; Šumskas, Linas; Birt, Christopher A; Kersnik, Janko

2017-05-01

Ageing imposes extra financial burdens on social and health services in developed countries. Self-rated health (SRH) is considered to be both a reliable measurement of overall health status including morbidity and mortality and an important predictor of hospitalization, functional impairment and greater demand for health-care services in the elderly. Our aim was to identify factors associated with poor SRH in elderly populations and investigate possible differences between urban areas in Slovenia, Lithuania and UK. Data were obtained from population-based surveys from the European Urban Health Indicator System Part 2 project. The stratified representative sample (41% men and 59% women) consisted of a total of 2547 respondents aged ≥65 from the urban areas in the three countries. The prevalence of poor SRH was highest in Lithuanian urban areas. The strongest factors associated with poor SRH were low education [OR (odds ratio) 4.3, 95% CI (confidence interval) 2.5-7.3, P < 0.001], restriction of activities attributable to a chronic disease (OR 2.6, 95% CI 2.2-3.0, P < 0.001), inadequate physical activity (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5, P = 0.007) and poor mental health (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.1-1.2, P < 0.001). The main factors associated with poor SRH by country included the following: living alone (Slovenia) (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.7, P = 0,023), female sex (Lithuania) (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0-4.2, P = 0.058) and inadequate physical activity (UK) (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3-3.6, P = 0,003). Despite different levels of poor SRH, the factors associated with poor SRH were similar for the urban areas of the three countries. Factors associated with poor SRH in the urban areas could also reflect either cultural differences or specific situations for elderly in that country, which need further research. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Sustainable development of deep-water seaport: the case of Lithuania.

PubMed

Burskyte, Vilma; Belous, Olga; Stasiskiene, Zaneta

2011-06-01

In 2003, the Japan International Cooperation Agency carried out a development feasibility study of Klaipeda Seaport (Lithuania). The focus in this study was the evaluation of environmental impacts of the port expansion because it is located in an ecologically sensitive area. While the Japanese researchers focused on the environmental impact analysis, they did not provide unambiguous conclusions. The problems remained unresolved and required further, more detailed consideration and deeper analysis. Environmental sustainability in seaports is an issue of timely importance in many countries given the rapid increase in port-to-port traffic and harbor capacity. This paper explores the situation in Klaipeda Seaport (Lithuania) which is the northernmost ice-free port on the Eastern coast of the Baltic Sea and its challenges in terms of environmental aspects and current pollution situation. This port plays an important role in the economic development of the region and in creating a sustainable society, i.e., a society that continues to develop economically without increasing its impact on our living environment and where the possible reduction of its current impact can be huge due to the fact that the seaport is a place where transport and logistics intersect and constitute large-scale industrial estates. Increasingly, they also turn towards sustainability. Society faces the need for radical change because of increasing technological progress and increasing environmental impact. Environmental and public issues must be addressed by a systemic approach to find harmony among all the subsystems. Therefore, the authors of the article performed an assessment of the deep-water port of Klaipeda sustainable development opportunities tackling the following tasks: (1) Assessing Klaipeda port and the projected deep-water port of the current environment state; (2) Assessing the impact of the water quality of Klaipeda port, depending on the intensity of activity; (3) Assessing the projected impact of the deep-water port on the environment. The results of the performed research allowed: (a) to reveal strengths and weaknesses of Klaipeda port development and the potential conflicts of interest among different stakeholders, (b) to identify the set of problem solutions seeking sustainable Klaipeda port development; (c) to develop the set of sustainability indicators to monitor the efficiency of the development.

[Laparoscopic surgery for malignancies of the colon, rectum, and anus in Lithuania in 2008].

PubMed

Samalavicius, Narimantas Evaldas; Rudinskaite, Giedre; Pavalkis, Dainius; Latkauskas, Tadas; Kaselis, Nerijus; Sidlauskas, Zilvinas; Sniuolis, Pranas; Poskus, Tomas; Kvedaras, Vytautas; Strupas, Kestutis; Poskus, Eligijus

2009-01-01

THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS STUDY: was to analyze data on laparoscopic surgery for malignant diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus in Lithuania during the period of January 1, 2005, to February 15, 2008. During the above-mentioned period in Lithuania, 130 laparoscopic surgeries for malignancies of colon, rectum, and anus were performed in seven different hospitals. There were 73 males and 57 females with a mean age of 68 years (range, 35-85 years). Laparoscopic procedures were attempted in 140 cases. Out of them, 130 were completed laparoscopically; 10 operations were converted to open, and conversion rate was 7.1%. Twenty-seven (20.8%) patients had stage I, 45 (34.6%) stage II, 45 (34.6%) stage III, and 13 (10%) stage IV disease. Ninety-two (70.8%) patients underwent straight laparoscopic surgery and 38 (29.2%) - hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery. Time in surgery was from 50 to 365 min, with a mean of 183 min. During 130 operations, in 11 (8.5%) cases, blood vessels were ligated through specimen retrieval site. Out of 104 operations, where anastomosis was performed (23 abdominoperineal resections and 3 Hartmann's procedures), in 68 (65.4%) cases it was done laparoscopically and in 36 (34.6%) cases using conventional extracorporal suturing. Hospital stay ranged from 7 to 59 days, with a mean of 12 days. One (0.8%) patient died. Postoperative complications occurred in 27 (20.8%) cases. Reoperation rate was 4.6% (6 cases). Complications were as follows: suture insufficiency (3 cases), eventration (3 cases), wound infection (7 cases), intraperitoneal abscess (1 case), abdominal wall phlegmon (1 case), intra-abdominal infiltrate (1 case), perineal hematoma (1 case), proctovaginal fistula (2 case), intraoperative bleeding from uterus (1 case), urinary retention (4 cases), cystitis (1 case), pneumonia (1 case), acute cardiovascular insufficiently (1 case). In histological specimens, 10 lymph nodes were found on the average (range, 2 to 27). Laparoscopic surgery for malignant diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus is dominating among laparoscopic surgeries for colorectum. Complication rate is similar to other authors. To evaluate disease relapse and outcomes, observation time is not sufficient yet.

Republic Act No. 6725, 12 May 1989.

PubMed

1989-01-01

This Philippines Act is designed to strengthen the prohibition on discrimination against women with respect to the terms and conditions of employment. It amends Article 135 of the Labor Code to read as follows: "Art. 135. Discrimination prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any employer to discriminate against any woman employee with respect to terms and conditions of employment solely on the grounds of sex. The following are acts of discrimination: (a) Payment of a lesser compensation, including wage, salary or other form of remuneration and fringe benefits, to a female employee as against a male employee, for work of equal value; and (b) Favoring a male employee over a female employee with respect to promotion, training opportunities, study and scholarship grants solely on account of their sexes. Criminal liability for the willful commission of any unlawful act as provided in this article or any violation of the rules and regulations issued pursuant to Section 2 hereof shall be penalized as provided in Articles 288 and 289 of this Code: provided, that the institution of any criminal action under this provision shall not bar the aggrieved employee from filing an entirely separate and distinct action for money claims, which may include claims for damages and other affirmative reliefs. The actions hereby authorized shall proceed independently of each other. SEC. 2. The Secretary of Labor and Employment is hereby authorized to promulgate the necessary guidelines to implement this Article in accordance with the generally accepted practices and standards here and abroad."

75 FR 8117 - Prohibited Transaction Exemptions and Grant of Individual Exemptions involving: 2010-01; Deutsche...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-23

...This document contains exemptions issued by the Department of Labor (the Department) from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). A notice was published in the Federal Register of the pendency before the Department of a proposal to grant such exemption. The notice set forth a summary of facts and representations contained in the application for exemption and referred interested persons to the application for a complete statement of the facts and representations. The application has been available for public inspection at the Department in Washington, DC. The notice also invited interested persons to submit comments on the requested exemption to the Department. In addition the notice stated that any interested person might submit a written request that a public hearing be held (where appropriate). The applicant has represented that it has complied with the requirements of the notification to interested persons. No requests for a hearing were received by the Department. Public comments were received by the Department as described in the granted exemption. The notice of proposed exemption was issued and the exemption is being granted solely by the Department because, effective December 31, 1978, section 102 of Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1978, 5 U.S.C. App. 1 (1996), transferred the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to issue exemptions of the type proposed to the Secretary of Labor.

Epidemiology of anesthesia-related complications in labor and delivery, New York State, 2002-2005.

PubMed

Cheesman, Khadeen; Brady, Joanne E; Flood, Pamela; Li, Guohua

2009-10-01

Epidemiologic data on anesthesia-related complications occurring during labor and delivery are essential for measuring and evaluating the safety and quality of obstetric anesthesia care but are lacking. We aimed to fill this research gap by exploring the epidemiologic patterns and risk factors of anesthesia-related complications in a large sample of women giving birth in New York hospitals. Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases files, we identified all discharge records for labor and delivery from New York hospitals between 2002 and 2005. We then identified women who experienced any recorded anesthesia-related complication during labor and delivery as determined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. The incidence of anesthesia-related complications was calculated by demographic and clinical characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess risk factors of anesthesia-related complications. Of the 957,471 deliveries studied, 4438 (0.46%) had at least one anesthesia-related complication. The majority (55%) of anesthesia-related events occurring during labor and delivery were spinal complications, followed by systemic complications (43%) and overdose or adverse effects (2%). Multivariate logistic regression revealed five risk factors of anesthesia-related complications: cesarean delivery (odds ratio [OR] 2.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.36-2.68), rural area (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.21-1.46), Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index >or=1 (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.28-1.69), Caucasian race (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.24-1.52), and scheduled admission (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.18). Anesthesia-related complications were associated with about a one-day increase in the average length of stay (3.89 +/- 3.69 [mean +/- SD] days vs 2.92 +/- 2.38 days for deliveries without anesthesia-related complications, P < 0.0001) and a 22-fold increased risk of maternal mortality (OR 22.26, 95% CI 11.20-44.24). The incidence of anesthesia-related complications during labor and delivery seems to be low but remains a cause of concern, particularly in women undergoing cesarean delivery, living in rural areas, or having preexisting medical conditions.

A large-scale analysis of sex differences in facial expressions

PubMed Central

Kodra, Evan; el Kaliouby, Rana; LaFrance, Marianne

2017-01-01

There exists a stereotype that women are more expressive than men; however, research has almost exclusively focused on a single facial behavior, smiling. A large-scale study examines whether women are consistently more expressive than men or whether the effects are dependent on the emotion expressed. Studies of gender differences in expressivity have been somewhat restricted to data collected in lab settings or which required labor-intensive manual coding. In the present study, we analyze gender differences in facial behaviors as over 2,000 viewers watch a set of video advertisements in their home environments. The facial responses were recorded using participants’ own webcams. Using a new automated facial coding technology we coded facial activity. We find that women are not universally more expressive across all facial actions. Nor are they more expressive in all positive valence actions and less expressive in all negative valence actions. It appears that generally women express actions more frequently than men, and in particular express more positive valence actions. However, expressiveness is not greater in women for all negative valence actions and is dependent on the discrete emotional state. PMID:28422963

Veterans and Pell Grant Eligibility in 1982. Joint Hearing before the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education of the Committee on Education and Labor and the Subcommittee on Education, Training and Employment of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, House of Representatives, Ninety-Seventh Congress, Second Session. Serial No. 97-81.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Congress of the U.S., Washington, DC. House Committee on Education and Labor.

This is a Congressional hearing to review and receive comment on H.R. 6190, legislation that would amend Title 38, United States Code, to exempt GI bill educational benefits from the determination of a veteran's eligibility for Federal educational benefits. Testimony includes statements, prepared statements, letters, and supplemental materials…

[Legal and methodical aspects of occupational risk management].

PubMed

2011-01-01

Legal and methodical aspects of occupational risk management (ORM) are considered with account of new official documents. Introduction of risk and risk management notions into Labor Code reflects the change of forms of occupational health and safety. The role of hygienist and occupational medicine professionals in workplace conditions certification (WCC) and periodical medical examinations (PME) is strengthened. The ORM could be improved by introducing the block of prognosis and causation based on IT-technologies that could match systems of WCC and PME thus improving the effectiveness of prophylactics.

A State Partnership Program (SPP) for Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

former eastern bloc countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ) that emerged from the Cold War independent, but potentially precarious following the fall of the...asserts the necessity to “engage and involve the private sector in reconstruction” and also “to secure and protect the natural resources, energy production ...military working dogs , and combat lifesaver training amongst many38 15 An increasingly important country in terms of CENTCOM’s security cooperation

Enhancing the Role of Social Partner Organisations in the Area of Vocational Education and Training in the Candidate Countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Institutional Arrangements. Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

European Training Foundation, Turin (Italy).

The role of social partner organizations in vocational education and training (VET) has been compared for Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. In these countries, a system of industrial relations comparable to those existing in western Europe is emerging gradually.…

An Educology of Values Education: The Attitudes of Thirteen to Fifteen Year Old Teenagers Towards Spiritual Values--Priorities, Change and Some Pre-Conditions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martisauskiene, Elvyda

2002-01-01

An analysis was conducted in Lithuania of teenager attitudes towards spiritual values which function in both micro- and macro-environments. The data obtained in this contemporary investigation were compared with those registered two decades ago, in the authoritarian type of society of that time. The focus of the study is on the peculiarities of…

Environmental Engagement Success Utilizing Reachback Support

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-24

Georgia •Kosovo •Moldova • Montenegro •Norway •Romania •Russia •Sweden 24 May 2012 - 7 UNCLASSIFIED $0 $100,000 $200,000 $300,000 $400,000...Bulgaria $770K Serbia $500K Macedonia $1.3M Kosovo $950K Montenegro $2.4M Albania $900K Bosnia $500K Lithuania $815K Latvia...treatment plants Sustainable energy Sustainable design 24 May 2012 - 14 UNCLASSIFIED BPC DOD Strategy Project Development Country

War in Afghanistan: Strategy, Military Operations, and Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-08

the Northern Alliance, a loose network dominated by ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks , primarily from northern Afghanistan. Key legacies of Afghanistan’s years...Germany, 500; Italy, 1,040; Lithuania, 20; Poland , 680; Portugal, 120; Romania, 700; Slovakia, 240; Spain, 500; Turkey (N/A); United Kingdom, 1,200...integrated.” In the immediate post-Taliban years, ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks —strongly represented in the Northern Alliance—predominated in Afghanistan’s

War in Afghanistan: Strategy, Military Operations, and Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-06

opposition, in particular from the Northern Alliance, a loose network dominated by ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks , primarily from northern Afghanistan...announced: Albania, 125; Croatia, 40; Czech Republic, 100; Germany, 500; Italy, 1,040; Lithuania, 20; Poland , 680; Portugal, 120; Romania, 700; Slovakia...Tajiks and Uzbeks —strongly represented in the Northern Alliance—predominated in Afghanistan’s fledgling army, at the expense of ethnic Pashtuns. But as

Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-07-01

Finland : 3 UK: 13 Croatia: 4 Hungary: 3 Italy: 22 Lithuania: 2 Netherlands: 6 Poland: 9 Portugal: 1 Romania: 3 Slovenia: 1 Slovakia: 1...civilian casualties resulting from operations by pro -government forces compared with the same period in 2011, and more specifically, a 42 percent...Window A is administered by the World Bank; contributors are Australia ($5.9 million), Finland ($2.5 million), and the United States ($50 million

Iraq: Post-Saddam Governance and Security

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-08-12

took control of the territory in 1918 . Britain had tried to take Iraq from the Ottomans earlier in World War I but were defeated at Al Kut in 1916... Religions Freedom Report, September 2007; DOD Measuring Stability Report, June 2008. CRS-3 1 Bush, George H.W., and Brent Scowcroft. A World Transformed...Armenia, Slovakia, Denmark, El Salvador, Ukraine, Romania , Lithuania, Latvia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. Polish forces number 900, down from a high

Indoor thermal environment, air exchange rates, and carbon dioxide concentrations before and after energy retro fits in Finnish and Lithuanian multi-family buildings.

PubMed

Leivo, Virpi; Prasauskas, Tadas; Du, Liuliu; Turunen, Mari; Kiviste, Mihkel; Aaltonen, Anu; Martuzevicius, Dainius; Haverinen-Shaughnessy, Ulla

2018-04-15

Impacts of energy retrofits on indoor thermal environment, i.e. temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH), as well as ventilation rates and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations, were assessed in 46 Finnish and 20 Lithuanian multi-family buildings, including 39 retrofitted case buildings in Finland and 15 in Lithuania (the remaining buildings were control buildings with no retrofits). In the Finnish buildings, high indoor T along with low RH levels was commonly observed both before and after the retrofits. Ventilation rates (l/s per person) were higher after the retrofits in buildings with mechanical exhaust ventilation than the corresponding values before the retrofits. Measured CO 2 levels were low in vast majority of buildings. In Lithuania, average indoor T levels were low before the retrofits and there was a significant increase in the average T after the retrofits. In addition, average ventilation rate was lower and CO 2 levels were higher after the retrofits in the case buildings (N=15), both in apartments with natural and mixed ventilation. Based on the results, assessment of thermal conditions and ventilation rates after energy retrofits is crucial for optimal indoor environmental quality and energy use. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Self-reported oral health behavior and attitudes of dental and technology students in Lithuania.

PubMed

Pacauskiene, Ingrida M; Smailiene, Dalia; Siudikienė, Jolanta; Savanevskyte, Julija; Nedzelskiene, Irena

2014-01-01

The aim of the present study was to assess self-reported oral health habits, attitudes, lifestyle between the sample groups of preclinical and clinical dental and technology students in Lithuania using the Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI), and to evaluate the impact of education on their behavior and self-reported oral health. A sample of 183 dental and 75 technology students at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Medical Academy, Faculty of Odontology, and Kaunas University of Technology completed the Lithuanian version the HU-DBI questionnaire with 11 additional items. The data were analyzed using the "SPSS 19.0 for Windows" software package. The mean HU-DBI score of clinical final-year dentistry students was significantly higher (p=0.001) than the score of the preclinical group (6.81 (1.2) and 5.96 (1.5), respectively). The mean scores of both groups of dental students were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the technology group (5.37 (1.8)). Oral health behaviors and knowledge were superior in dental students. Dental education had a significant positive impact on the oral health and behavior improvement. The attitudes of the Lithuanian dental students should be further improved by initiating a comprehensive program that would emphasize the importance of oral hygiene before the clinical program starts.

Radiological and archaeological investigation of a mummy from Roman Egypt curated in the National Museum of Lithuania.

PubMed

Piombino-Mascali, Dario; Jankauskas, Rimantas; Snitkuvienė, Aldona; Rutkauskas, Tadas; Sutherland, M Linda

2016-01-01

Among the collections belonging to the National Museum of Lithuania at Vilnius, resides an ancient Egyptian coffin containing a mummified human body. The coffin and its occupant are believed to have belonged to the King of Poland and to have been located in his palace at Warsaw. At the turn of the last century, Egyptologists dated the coffin to the end of the 21st dynasty (1070 BC-945 BC), and described the item as coming from Thebes, belonging to Hori, priest of Amun-Ra. However, no investigation was ever carried out on the human body associated with the coffin. Within the framework of the Lithuanian Mummy Project, the preserved human remains underwent computed tomographic investigation in order to reconstruct the biological profile of the subject and to determine the embalming method employed. This led to the identification of a young adult male. Additionally, the mummy shroud was stylistically assessed in order to determine the mummy's chronology in Egyptian history. Interestingly, the body could be ascribed to the Roman period of Egypt (30 BC-395 AD) due to analogies with the burial shrouds of the Soter group. This indicates a reuse of the coffin at some point in history.

Late-Holocene vegetation dynamics in response to a changing climate and anthropogenic influences - Insights from stratigraphic records and subfossil trees from southeast Lithuania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edvardsson, Johannes; Stančikaitė, Miglė; Miras, Yannick; Corona, Christophe; Gryguc, Gražyna; Gedminienė, Laura; Mažeika, Jonas; Stoffel, Markus

2018-04-01

To increase our understanding of long-term climate dynamics and its effects on different ecosystems, palaeoclimatic and long-term botanical reconstructions need to be improved, in particular in underutilized geographical regions. In this study, vegetation, (hydro)climate, and land-use changes were documented at two southeast Lithuanian peatland complexes - Čepkeliai and Rieznyčia - for the Late-Holocene period. The documentation was based on a combination of pollen, plant macrofossils, peat stratigraphic records, and subfossil trees. Our results cover the last two millennia and reveal the existence of moist conditions in Southern Lithuania between 300 and 500 CE and from 950 to 1850 CE. Conversely, changes towards warmer and/or dryer conditions have been recorded in 100, 600, and 750 CE, and since the 1850s. Significant differences with other Baltic proxies prevent deriving a complete and precise long-term reconstruction of past hydroclimatic variability at the regional scale. Yet, our results provide an important cornerstone for an improved understanding of regional climate change, i.e. in a region for which only (i) few detailed palaeobotanical studies exist and which has, in addition, been considered as (ii) an ecologically sensitive region at the interface between the temperate and boreal bioclimatic zones.

The role of the European Structural and Investment Funds in Financing Health System in Lithuania: Experience from 2007 to 2013 funding period and implications for the future.

PubMed

Murauskiene, Liubove; Karanikolos, Marina

2017-07-01

European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are a major source of investments in the newer EU member states. In Lithuania's health sector, the amount for the 2007-2013 funding period reached more than €400 million. In this paper we aim to (i) identify the key areas in the health sector which were supported by ESIF, (ii) determine the extent to which ESIF assisted the implementation of the ongoing health system reform; and (iii) assess whether the use of funds has led to expected improvements in healthcare. We review the national strategic documents and legislation, and perform calculations to determine funding allocations by specific area, based on the available data. We analyse changes according to a set of selected indicators. We find that implementation of programmes funded by the ESIF lacks formal evaluation. Existing evidence suggests that some improvement has been achieved by 2013. However, there are persisting challenges, including failure to reach a broad agreement on selection of health and healthcare indicators, lack of transparency in allocations, and absence of coherent assessment measures of healthcare quality and accessibility. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Eye healthcare services in eastern Europe: Part 1. Cataract surgery.

PubMed

Kocur, I; Resnikoff, S; Foster, A

2002-08-01

To describe cataract surgical services in 1998 in 12 eastern European countries and to identify their needs to reduce cataract blindness. All inpatient eye departments in the 12 countries received a standardised questionnaire; the data obtained were further processed at the coordinating centre in Prague. All 458 eye departments in the region were involved. The response rate was 100%, except for Bulgaria (93%) and Romania (93%). The total number of cataract surgeries per one million inhabitants in 1998 was calculated: Belarus (800), Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1275), Bulgaria (1730), the Czech Republic (4210), Estonia (2530), Hungary (3530), Latvia (1860), Lithuania (1550), Trans-Dniester Moldova (1300), Poland (1475), Romania (1260), and Slovakia (2430). Cataracts were mostly operated on by the extracapsular technique. Intracapsular extractions were frequently performed in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (47%), Belarus (46%), Bulgaria (18%), and Romania (14.3%). Phacoemulsification was uncommonly used in 1998, except for the Czech Republic (86%), Estonia (50%), Slovakia (38%), and Hungary (16%). An IOL was implanted in more than 90% of patients in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia. Conditions for cataract surgery in the eastern European region differ. The main barriers to cataract surgery were state budget limitations, insufficient supply of consumables, underutilisation of operating theatres, and poor detection of patients requiring surgery.

Experimental Infection of Domestic Pigs with African Swine Fever Virus Lithuania 2014 Genotype II Field Isolate.

PubMed

Gallardo, C; Soler, A; Nieto, R; Cano, C; Pelayo, V; Sánchez, M A; Pridotkas, G; Fernandez-Pinero, J; Briones, V; Arias, M

2017-02-01

An experimental infection was conducted to evaluate horizontal transmission, clinical, virological and humoral response induced in domestic pigs infected with African swine fever (ASF) genotype II virus circulating in 2014 into the European Union (EU). Ten naive pigs were placed in contact with eight pigs experimentally inoculated with the Lithuanian LT14/1490 ASF virus (ASFV) responsible for the first ASF case detected in wild boar in Lithuania in January 2014. Clinical examination and rectal temperature were recorded each day. Blood sampling from every animal was carried out twice weekly. Blood samples were examined for presence of ASF virus-specific antibodies and for determining the ASFV viral load. From the obtained results, it was concluded that the Lithuanian ASFV induced an acute disease which resulted in 94, 5% mortality. The disease was easily detected by real-time PCR prior to the onset of clinical signs and 33% of the animals seroconverted. All findings were in accordance with observations previously made in domestic pigs and wild boar when infected with ASF genotype II viruses characterized by a high virulence. One in-contact pig remained asymptomatic and survived the infection. The role of such animals in virus transmission would need further investigation. © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Factors associated with Listeria monocytogenes contamination of cold-smoked pork products produced in Latvia and Lithuania.

PubMed

Bērziņs, Aivars; Hörman, Ari; Lundén, Janne; Korkeala, Hannu

2007-04-10

A total of 312 samples of sliced, vacuum packaged, cold-smoked pork from 15 meat processing plants in Latvia and Lithuania, obtained over a 15-month period from 2003 until 2004, were analyzed for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes at the end of their shelf-life. Overall, 120 samples (38%) tested positive for L. monocytogenes. Despite the long storing period, the levels of L. monocytogenes in cold-smoked pork products were low. Manufacturing processes were studied at seven meat processing plants. A new approach with a logistic multivariable regression model was applied to identify the main factors associated with L. monocytogenes contamination during the manufacturing of cold-smoked pork products. Brining by injection was a significant factor (odds ratio 10.66; P<0.05) for contamination of product with L. monocytogenes. Moreover, long cold-smoking times (> or = 12 h) had a significant predictive value (odds ratio 24.38; P<0.014) for a sample to test positive for L. monocytogenes. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results indicated that various sources of L. monocytogenes contamination existed over periods of time in several meat processing plants. In two meat processing plants, persistent L. monocytogenes strains belonging to serotypes 1/2a and 1/2c were found.

[Family caregiver issues: gender, privacy, and public policy perspectives].

PubMed

Lee, I; Chou, Fan-Hao; Chen, Chung-Hey

2011-04-01

Due to the phenomenon of Taiwan'saging population has made, long-term care has become an issue of increasingly emphasized importance. According to the statistics, the family takes responsibility for most long-term care duties and more than 70% of primary family caregivers are female. In the past, because of gender-based divisions of labor and gender role expectations made, it was taken for granted that females would be the socially preferred family caregivers. Those men who devoting in themselves to such work were regarded as a rare precious. As such, family care signified entailed different life experiences for males and females. Over the years, amendments to the civil code have recognized family care contributions, and the allowance for caregivers underlines that care responsibilities have shifted away from the family to society. Traditional gender divisions of labor today are significantly more blurred; family structures have become smaller in size; female labor in the workplace has increased; and ten-year long-term care plans and long-term care insurance have been successively implemented. These transformations will make labor outsourcing more and more popular and transform family care from a private problem to a pubic policy issue. In the future, family caregivers require consideration and support on a sustained basis. It is also important to improve and monitor the quality of care services. Nurses, the major professional members of long-term care teams, should be concerned over the issue of family care while providing nursing care. They should include family caregivers in the care plan so that they can make sure that patients receive comprehensive and constant care in order to enhance the overall quality of nursing care.

Training course on code implementation.

PubMed

Allain, A; De Arango, R

1992-01-01

The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) is a coalition of over 40 citizen groups in 70 countries. IBFAN monitors the progress worldwide of the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The Code is intended to regulate the advertising and promotional techniques used to sell infant formula. The 1991 IBFAN report shows that 75 countries have taken some action to implement the International Code. During 1992, the IBFAN Code Documentation Center in Malaysia conducted 2 training courses to help countries draft legislation to implement and monitor compliance with the International Code. In April, government officials from 19 Asian and African countries attended the first course in Malaysia; the second course was conducted in Spanish in Guatemala and attended by officials from 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries. The resource people included representatives from NGOs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America with experience in Code implementation and monitoring at the national level. The main purpose of each course was to train government officials to use the International Code as a starting point for national legislation to protect breastfeeding. Participants reviewed recent information on lactation management, the advantages of breastfeeding, current trends in breastfeeding and the marketing practices of infant formula manufacturers. The participants studied the terminology contained in the International Code and terminology used by infant formula manufacturers to include breastmilk supplements such as follow-on formulas and cereal-based baby foods. Relevant World Health Assembly resolutions such as the one adopted in 1986 on the need to ban free and low-cost supplies to hospitals were examined. The legal aspects of the current Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) and the progress in the 12 BFHI test countries concerning the elimination of supplies were also examined. International Labor Organization conventions on maternity legislation also need to be implemented to support breastfeeding.

Evolution of the Division of Labor between Genes and Enzymes in the RNA World

PubMed Central

Boza, Gergely; Szilágyi, András; Kun, Ádám; Santos, Mauro; Szathmáry, Eörs

2014-01-01

The RNA world is a very likely interim stage of the evolution after the first replicators and before the advent of the genetic code and translated proteins. Ribozymes are known to be able to catalyze many reaction types, including cofactor-aided metabolic transformations. In a metabolically complex RNA world, early division of labor between genes and enzymes could have evolved, where the ribozymes would have been transcribed from the genes more often than the other way round, benefiting the encapsulating cells through this dosage effect. Here we show, by computer simulations of protocells harboring unlinked RNA replicators, that the origin of replicational asymmetry producing more ribozymes from a gene template than gene strands from a ribozyme template is feasible and robust. Enzymatic activities of the two modeled ribozymes are in trade-off with their replication rates, and the relative replication rates compared to those of complementary strands are evolvable traits of the ribozymes. The degree of trade-off is shown to have the strongest effect in favor of the division of labor. Although some asymmetry between gene and enzymatic strands could have evolved even in earlier, surface-bound systems, the shown mechanism in protocells seems inevitable and under strong positive selection. This could have preadapted the genetic system for transcription after the subsequent origin of chromosomes and DNA. PMID:25474573

Evolution of the division of labor between genes and enzymes in the RNA world.

PubMed

Boza, Gergely; Szilágyi, András; Kun, Ádám; Santos, Mauro; Szathmáry, Eörs

2014-12-01

The RNA world is a very likely interim stage of the evolution after the first replicators and before the advent of the genetic code and translated proteins. Ribozymes are known to be able to catalyze many reaction types, including cofactor-aided metabolic transformations. In a metabolically complex RNA world, early division of labor between genes and enzymes could have evolved, where the ribozymes would have been transcribed from the genes more often than the other way round, benefiting the encapsulating cells through this dosage effect. Here we show, by computer simulations of protocells harboring unlinked RNA replicators, that the origin of replicational asymmetry producing more ribozymes from a gene template than gene strands from a ribozyme template is feasible and robust. Enzymatic activities of the two modeled ribozymes are in trade-off with their replication rates, and the relative replication rates compared to those of complementary strands are evolvable traits of the ribozymes. The degree of trade-off is shown to have the strongest effect in favor of the division of labor. Although some asymmetry between gene and enzymatic strands could have evolved even in earlier, surface-bound systems, the shown mechanism in protocells seems inevitable and under strong positive selection. This could have preadapted the genetic system for transcription after the subsequent origin of chromosomes and DNA.

Work-related injuries in minors.

PubMed

Schober, S E; Handke, J L; Halperin, W E; Moll, M B; Thun, M J

1988-01-01

Since 1938, federal child labor laws have restricted employment of persons under 18 years old, in part to protect them from hazardous occupations. Workers' compensation claims reported to the Supplementary Data System of the Bureau of Labor Statistics were examined to define the current status of occupational injuries among minors. Data tapes from 1980 to 1983 were searched to identify all current claims for injuries and illnesses occurring in 1980 in persons under age 18. Injury rates were calculated using information about employment in 1979 available from the 1980 census. In the 24 states included in this study, 23,823 claims were reported for persons less than 18 years old. Of these claims, approximately 10% were from persons under age 16. Rates of injuries in 16- and 17 year olds were 12.6 per 100 full-time male workers and 6.6 per 100 full-time female workers. Serious injuries included fractures, dislocations, and amputations, accounting for 5.8%, 0.7%, and 0.6% of cases, respectively. California, the only state that coded whether injuries resulted in fatalities, reported 12 deaths in this age group. Machines and vehicles, many of which are restricted under child labor laws, accounted for 8.3% and 5.8% of claims. These data suggest that persons under age 18 years are not adequately protected from occupational injury. Further attention and, possibly, new preventive strategies are needed.

Palaeoproterozoic Volcanic Massive Sulphides (VMS) in the Lithuanian crystalline basement: evidences for a back-arc tectonic setting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skridlaite, Grazina; Siliauskas, Laurynas

2014-05-01

In the southwestern part of the East European Craton (EEC), several events of Palaeoproterozoic volcanic arc magmatic activity were recognized in the concealed crystalline basement. In Lithuania, the TTG suites of 1.89 Ga and 1.86-1.84 Ga were later metamorphosed in amphibolite and granulite facies conditions. Remnants of a volcano-sedimentary sequence metamorphosed in green schist and amphibolite facies conditions were discovered in central and southern Lithuania. In southern Lithuania, the upper part of the Lazdijai 13 (Lz13) drilling (at c. 493 m depth) consists of exhalitic quartz chlorite cherts mixed with andesitic rocks. The rocks are impregnated with magnetite in some places replacing calcite. Most of the magnetite grains are overgrown by a dendritic kovelite, which may have formed while magnetite was still in aqueous surrounding. Other accessory minerals are xenotime, zircon, apatite, Sr-Ba sulphates etc. The cherts are underlain by a metaandesite which volcanic structures were obscured by hydrothermal alteration, i.e. the idiomorphic magnetite crystals and porphyritic plagioclase grains were replaced by clay minerals and quartz or muscovite in many places. Thin metamorphosed mudstone layers turned into garnet, biotite (+/-staurolite) and chlorite schists. The rocks were affected by silicification, chloritization, argilitization and carbonatization. Taking into account the rock composition, micro and macro scale alteration zones and absence of breccia, the whole package resembles an outer part of the VMS stockwork. The lower boundary at 526 m is sharp, marked by a quartz vein, below which lies quartz, biotite (+/- chlorite) bearing schist with minor tremolite (former sandstone). It was intensely affected by silicification, and was enriched in Na, K and Ca. Accessory minerals are monazite, xenotime, apatite and detrital zircon. The schist exhibits fine mineral foliation, and is fine-grained. A 4 m thick granitic vein cuts the rock at 654 m depth, below which there are amphibolites with layers or lenses of skarns formed in marbles. Some amphibolites resemble porphyritic basalts. These might be dikes of basalts, which are common for back arc VMS surroundings. The volcano-clastic rock from the Lz13 yielded c. 1.83 Ga and c. 1.80 Ga ages. The whole rock Sm-Nd isotopic composition points towards juvenile origin of the rock (TDM=2.08 Ga, ɛNd (1.9) +1.8). After the comparison of the obtained data set with VMS deposits formed in different environments, it is most likely that the volcano-sedimentary sequence of Lz13 was formed in a back arc tectonic setting. The volcano-sedimentary sequence can be correlated with the 1.83 Ga Oskarshamn-Jönköping Belt (Mansfeld et al., 2005) and the volcano-sedimentary Vetlanda formation (Makowsky and Mansfeld, 2013) in southeastern Sweden. The c. 1.83-1.80 Ga volcanic arc and back-arc system continues from southeastern Sweden through the Baltic Sea to Lithuania. This is a contribution to the Open Access Centre activities Mansfeld, J., Beunk, F.F. and Barling, J., 2005. GFF, 127: 149-157 Makowsky, F., Mansfeld, J., 2013. 31st Nordic Geological Winter Meeting, Lund, Sweden, 89-90.

Geology for youth in Lithuania: International Year of Planet Earth-related and other activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skridlaite, Grazina; Guobyte, Rimante; Skrinskas, Skirmantas; Nemaniene, Jurgita

2010-05-01

A great number of Lithuanian secondary and high schools devoted a range of activities to Earth sciences on September 22 (autumn equinox), 2008 proclaimed by the Lithuanian National Committee for IYPE and Ministry of Education and Science of Lithuania as "Earth's day". Beforehand, the 11 IYPE brochures were translated, supplemented with relevant Lithuanian data and placed on the website www.zemesmetai.lt. The activities comprised lessons, competitions, performances, field trips, seminars, excursions to museums and nature sites, meetings with geologists and naturalists etc. In many schools the 10 scientific themes were expanded, transformed and included into different school programmes such as geography, chemistry, physics, biology, Lithuanian language etc. The other schools preferred to organise discussions, performances and concerts where children expressed their concern about future of the Earth and suggested ways to save it. Several schools invited geologists, ecologists or other representatives of Earth sciences or local authorities to provide with information on environmental and geological issues in Lithuania and their own surroundings. Several museums and nature sites were visited. The "Earth's day" was advertised and broadcasted on TV and radio, reflected in the press. The reports from schools were placed on the Lithuanian IYPE website. The Board acknowledged the best participants with special letter of thanks. It turned out that despite the provided information on different subjects of geology only few of them were chosen. School teachers encountered some problems relating the Earth's interior with its surface, recognising modern geological processes etc. They found some brochures to be too complicated for non-specialists. Biodiversity was much easier to explain and present as geodiversity. Nevertheless, everybody admitted the great importance of geosciences in society and insufficient knowledge, and greatly acknowledged the initiative of the IYPE. The "Earth's day" initiative triggered a lot of activities and joint projects at Lithuanian schools and public institutions devoted to Earth sciences. Many geologists and other scientists were invited to schools, public and governmental institutions to provide with all sorts of geological information. A lot of different competitions, camps and seminars followed the "Earth's day". As a special success the Young Geologist movement hosted by the NGO Lithuanian Youth Tourism Center has to be admitted. Summer camps, seminars, competitions on geology have been organized at the Center for more than 25 years. The successful co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Science of Lithuania and also with several private and governmental institutions and commercial enterprises resulted in a publishing of a special calendar for 2009. Each month in the calendar is devoted to the institution or enterprise either related to geosciences, using nature resources in a sustainable way or producing environmentally friendly goods or energy. The calendar was distributed to Lithuanian schools, public and governmental institutions. Inspired by the success of the "Earth's day", the LitNC and Ministry of Education and Science organised a competition "Earth in our hands" for all types of schools in 2009. Over 50 PowerPoint presentations, movies, drawings, photos and posters were received at the Center of Young Naturalists in Vilnius. The winners were awarded with a special "geotour" on September 25.

Novel oxytocin receptor variants in laboring women requiring high doses of oxytocin.

PubMed

Reinl, Erin L; Goodwin, Zane A; Raghuraman, Nandini; Lee, Grace Y; Jo, Erin Y; Gezahegn, Beakal M; Pillai, Meghan K; Cahill, Alison G; de Guzman Strong, Cristina; England, Sarah K

2017-08-01

Although oxytocin commonly is used to augment or induce labor, it is difficult to predict its effectiveness because oxytocin dose requirements vary significantly among women. One possibility is that women requiring high or low doses of oxytocin have variations in the oxytocin receptor gene. To identify oxytocin receptor gene variants in laboring women with low and high oxytocin dosage requirements. Term, nulliparous women requiring oxytocin doses of ≤4 mU/min (low-dose-requiring, n = 83) or ≥20 mU/min (high-dose-requiring, n = 104) for labor augmentation or induction provided consent to a postpartum blood draw as a source of genomic DNA. Targeted-amplicon sequencing (coverage >30×) with MiSeq (Illumina) was performed to discover variants in the coding exons of the oxytocin receptor gene. Baseline relevant clinical history, outcomes, demographics, and oxytocin receptor gene sequence variants and their allele frequencies were compared between low-dose-requiring and high-dose-requiring women. The Scale-Invariant Feature Transform algorithm was used to predict the effect of variants on oxytocin receptor function. The Fisher exact or χ 2 tests were used for categorical variables, and Student t tests or Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used for continuous variables. A P value < .05 was considered statistically significant. The high-dose-requiring women had greater rates of obesity and diabetes and were more likely to have undergone labor induction and required prostaglandins. High-dose-requiring women were more likely to undergo cesarean delivery for first-stage arrest and less likely to undergo cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal status. Targeted sequencing of the oxytocin receptor gene in the total cohort (n = 187) revealed 30 distinct coding variants: 17 nonsynonymous, 11 synonymous, and 2 small structural variants. One novel variant (A243T) was found in both the low- and high-dose-requiring groups. Three novel variants (Y106H, A240_A249del, and P197delfs*206) resulting in an amino acid substitution, loss of 9 amino acids, and a frameshift stop mutation, respectively, were identified only in low-dose-requiring women. Nine nonsynonymous variants were unique to the high-dose-requiring group. These included 3 known variants (R151C, G221S, and W228C) and 6 novel variants (M133V, R150L, H173R, A248V, G253R, and I266V). Of these, R150L, R151C, and H173R were predicted by Scale-Invariant Feature Transform algorithm to damage oxytocin receptor function. There was no statistically significant association between the numbers of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions in the patient groups. Obesity, diabetes, and labor induction were associated with the requirement for high doses of oxytocin. We did not identify significant differences in the prevalence of oxytocin receptor variants between low-dose-requiring and high-dose-requiring women, but novel oxytocin receptor variants were enriched in the high-dose-requiring women. We also found 3 oxytocin receptor variants (2 novel, 1 known) that were predicted to damage oxytocin receptor function and would likely increase an individual's risk for requiring a high oxytocin dose. Further investigation of oxytocin receptor variants and their effects on protein function will inform precision medicine in pregnant women. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

U.S. Foreign Policy Towards Latvia During the Inter-War Period, 1917- 1941

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-04-01

Latvia. and Lithuania in Lhe Twentieth Century. New York: Longman, 1991. Hixson, Walter L. George F. Kennan: Cold War Iconoclast . New York: Columbia...Walter L. George F. Kennan: Cold War Iconoclast . New York: Columbia University Press, 1989. Hodgson, Godfrey. The Colonel: The Life and Wars of...Cold War Iconoclast (New York: Columbia University Press, 1989), 7. 64 The Russian Section furnished the State Department with considerable evidence that

Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-03

water and power shortages, and a major currency devaluation , raising questions about his longer term political future. On foreign policy, Chavez’s...have not disappeared. Most emerging market nations have weathered the crisis, international private investment flows are recovering, and the IMF has...lose support from the IMF and other sources of finance. Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania remain

JPRS Report, Soviet Union, Military Affairs

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-05-09

these years and we are not very rich but I understand there would not be much in Lithuania if the republics did not help one another. Can we really...in avoiding the draft by his girlfriend I. Vasyagina, a nurse at the Cherepovets Metallurgical Combine trauma sta- tion. The law clearly...to schools, and enterprises to units. Sponsorship traditions are rich , and the Komsomol must have more than the last word to say here. Basic

Revisiting Transitions in the Arab World, Spring or Fall?

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

Further, how might democracy arrive, embed, and survive in Middle  Eastern Arab states? Conversely, might the passions for accountable  gover - nance...ment “Democracy  [is]  preferable  to other  forms of  government.”4 These results mirror other findings of widespread support for accountable gover ...Lithuania, and Ukraine. After years of turbulent democratic gover - nance, individuals preferring democracy to a strong leader fell from 51 to 29

Dissent and Nationalism in the Soviet Baltic.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-01

and which, in the final analysis, also has an internal policing function, is manned on the principle of extraterri- toriality, which means that local...descriptor of current antiestablish- ment activities and attitudes in the Baltic region. The common mean - ing of "dissent," i.e., deviation by a minority...denied any means of support. The regime’s intentions to eradicate the Catholic religion in Lithuania were unmistakable. Despite the critical situation in

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Vilnius photometry of M29 (NGC6913) (Milasius+, 2013)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milasius, K.; Boyle, R. P.; Vrba, F. J.; Janusz, R.; Straizys, V.; Cernis, K.; Laugalys, V.; Zdanavicius, K.; Zdanavicius, J.; Kazlauskas, A.; Smilgys, R.

2015-01-01

The observational material was obtained with CCD cameras on three different telescopes: the wide-field Maksutov-type 35/51cm telescope of the Moletai Observatory in Lithuania (2004), the 1m Ritchey telescope at the Flagstaff Station of the US Naval Observatory in Arizona (2006-2008) and the 1.8m VATT telescope of the Vatican Observatory on Mt. Graham, Arizona (2011-2012). (3 data files).

War in Afghanistan: Strategy, Military Operations, and Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-25

dominated by ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks , primarily from northern Afghanistan. Key legacies of Afghanistan’s years of civil war, conflict, and oppressive rule...Lithuania, 20; Poland , 680; Portugal, 120; Romania, 700; Slovakia, 240; Spain, 500; Turkey (N/A); United Kingdom, 1,200. Non-NATO nations that have...immediate post-Taliban years, ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks —strongly represented in the Northern Alliance—predominated in Afghanistan’s fledgling army, at the

The Future of Transatlantic Security Relations. Colloquium Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-01

Black Sea region could be either active or reserve troops, and that Romania and Bulgaria were likely candidates for hosting the troops. The deployed...Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania , Slovakia, and Slovenia. NATO now has 26 members. Nor is this all. Since the 1990s, the Alliance has...splendid isolation. • The World War I alliance that vanquished Imperial Germany in 1918 was defunct 1 year later, when the United States absconded

Effects of weather and heliophysical conditions on emergency ambulance calls for elevated arterial blood pressure.

PubMed

Vencloviene, Jone; Babarskiene, Ruta M; Dobozinskas, Paulius; Sakalyte, Gintare; Lopatiene, Kristina; Mikelionis, Nerijus

2015-02-27

We hypothesized that weather and space weather conditions were associated with the exacerbation of essential hypertension. The study was conducted during 2009-2010 in the city of Kaunas, Lithuania. We analyzed 13,475 cards from emergency ambulance calls (EACs), in which the conditions for the emergency calls were made coded I.10-I.15. The Kaunas Weather Station provided daily records of air temperature (T), wind speed (WS), relative humidity, and barometric pressure (BP). We evaluated the associations between daily weather variables and daily number of EACs by applying a multivariate Poisson regression. Unfavorable heliophysical conditions (two days after the active-stormy geomagnetic field or the days with solar WS>600 km/s) increased the daily number of elevated arterial blood pressure (EABP) by 12% (RR=1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.21); and WS≥3.5 knots during days of T<1.5 °C and T≥12.5 °C by 8% (RR=1.08; CI 1.04-1.12). An increase of T by 10 °C and an elevation of BP two days after by 10 hPa were associated with a decrease in RR by 3%. An additional effect of T was detected during days of T≥17.5 °C only in females. Women and patients with grade III arterial hypertension at the time of the ambulance call were more sensitive to weather conditions. These results may help in the understanding of the population's sensitivity to different weather conditions.

Fire impacts on European Boreal soils: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pereira, Paulo; Oliva, Marc; Cerda, Artemi

2016-04-01

Fire is an important natural disturbance in boreal ecosystems, fundamental to understand plant distribution (Ryan, 2002; Wallenius et al., 2004; Granstrom, 2001). Nevertheless, nowadays the intense and successful, fire suppression measures are changing their ecological role (Pereira et al., 2013a,b). This is consequence of the lack of understanding of stakeholders and decision makers about the role of the fire in the ecosystems (Mierasukas and Pereira, 2013; Pereira et al., 2016). This fire suppression measures are increasing the amount of fuel accumulation and the risk of severe wildfires, which can increase of frequency and severity in a context of climate change. Fire is a good tool for landscape management and restoration of degraded ecosystems (Toivanen and Kotiaho, 2007). Fire is considered a soil forming factor (Certini, 2014) and in boreal environments it has been observed that low fire severities, do not change importantly soil properties, mean fire severities induce positive impacts on soil, since add an important amounts of nutrients into soil profile and high severity fires had negative impacts due to the high consumption of organic matter (Vanha-Majamaa et al., 2007; Pereira et al., 2014). References Certini, G., 2014. Fire as a soil-forming factor. Ambio, 43, 191-195 Granstrom A. 2001. Fire management for biodiversity in the European Boreal forest. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 3: 62-69. Mierauskas, P., Pereira, P. (2013) Stakeholders perception about prescribed fire use in Lithuania. First results, Flamma, 4(3), 157-161. Pereira, P., Cerdà, A., Jordán, A., Bolutiene, V., Úbeda, X., Pranskevicius, M., Mataix-Solera, J. (2013) Spatio-temporal vegetation recuperation after a grassland fire in Lithuania, Procedia Environmental Sciences, 19:856-864 Pereira, P., Mierauskas, P., Ubeda, X., Mataix-Solera, J.,Cerda, A. (2012) Fire in protected areas - the effect of the protection and importance of fire management, Environmental Research, Engineering and Management, 1(59), 52-62. Pereira, P., Ubeda, X., Mataix-Solera, J., Oliva, M., Novara, A. (2014) Short-term spatio-temporal spring grassland fire effects on soil colour,organic matter and water repellency in Lithuania, Solid Earth, 5, 209-225. Ryan KC. 2002. Dynamic Interactions between forest structure and fire behavioural in boreal ecosystems. Silva Fennica 36: 13-39 Toivanen T, Kotiaho JS. 2007. Mimicking natural disturbances of boreal forests: the effects of controlled burning and creating dead wood on beetle diversity. Biodiversity Conservation 16: 3193-3211.

A combined Fuzzy and Naive Bayesian strategy can be used to assign event codes to injury narratives.

PubMed

Marucci-Wellman, H; Lehto, M; Corns, H

2011-12-01

Bayesian methods show promise for classifying injury narratives from large administrative datasets into cause groups. This study examined a combined approach where two Bayesian models (Fuzzy and Naïve) were used to either classify a narrative or select it for manual review. Injury narratives were extracted from claims filed with a worker's compensation insurance provider between January 2002 and December 2004. Narratives were separated into a training set (n=11,000) and prediction set (n=3,000). Expert coders assigned two-digit Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Injury and Illness Classification event codes to each narrative. Fuzzy and Naïve Bayesian models were developed using manually classified cases in the training set. Two semi-automatic machine coding strategies were evaluated. The first strategy assigned cases for manual review if the Fuzzy and Naïve models disagreed on the classification. The second strategy selected additional cases for manual review from the Agree dataset using prediction strength to reach a level of 50% computer coding and 50% manual coding. When agreement alone was used as the filtering strategy, the majority were coded by the computer (n=1,928, 64%) leaving 36% for manual review. The overall combined (human plus computer) sensitivity was 0.90 and positive predictive value (PPV) was >0.90 for 11 of 18 2-digit event categories. Implementing the 2nd strategy improved results with an overall sensitivity of 0.95 and PPV >0.90 for 17 of 18 categories. A combined Naïve-Fuzzy Bayesian approach can classify some narratives with high accuracy and identify others most beneficial for manual review, reducing the burden on human coders.

Case Study: The Withdrawal of Russian Military Forces from the Baltic States

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-01-01

Llthuama, Latvia and Estoma regained the independence they had lost at the start of the Second World War The opportumty for these new states to...Russia was perceived as pursuing a pohcy of mtlmldatlon toward Latvia, Lithuania and Estoma As the Russia-Baltic dialogue began to deteriorate m 1993... Estoma Finally, Moscow needed good relations \\~th Vllnrus to ensure easy access to Kalmmgrad, the exclave on the Baltic Sea that was physically

Laboratories new to the ICRM.

PubMed

Karam, Lisa; Anagnostakis, Marios J; Gudelis, Arunas; Marsoem, Pujadi; Mauring, Alexander; Wurdiyanto, Gatot; Yücel, Ülkü

2012-09-01

The Scientific Committee of the ICRM decided, for the 2011 Conference, to present laboratories that are at a key developmental stage in establishing, expanding or applying radionuclide metrology capabilities. The expansion of radionuclide metrology capabilities is crucial to meet evolving and emerging needs in health care, environmental monitoring, and nuclear energy. Five laboratories (from Greece, Lithuania, Indonesia, Norway and Turkey) agreed to participate. Each laboratory is briefly introduced, and examples of their capabilities and standardization activities are discussed. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Reinforcing Deterrence on NATO’s Eastern Flank: Wargaming the Defense of the Baltics

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-01

RUSSIA RUSSIA FINLAND POLAND LITHUANIA LATVIA ESTONIA BELARUS Vilnius Riga Helsinki Tallinn Minsk 6 ritorial integrity of the two countries. Under the best...them under Moscow’s nuclear umbrella. By turning a NATO counterattack aimed at liberating the Baltic republics into an “invasion” of “Russia...fires systems, in territory that even NATO would agree constitutes “Russia.” Under Russian doctrine, it is unclear what kinds or magnitudes of

The Security Concerns of the Baltic States as NATO Allies

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

Defence Col- lege in Tartu, Estonia, the military higher college of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Dr. Corum was a pro - fessor at the U.S. Army...Estonia, along with Finland , became the most modern, literate, and advanced regions of the Old Russian Empire. A cultural revival in the 19th...States were part of Europe designated as the Soviet sphere of influence, along with Eastern Poland and parts of Romania and Finland . The Soviet

United States Foreign Assistance Programs: The Requirement of Metrics for Security Assistance and Security Cooperation Programs

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-01

Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania , Slovakia, and Slovenia. 26 The seven PfP Eastern European countries, as...The Soviet experience has left an indelible mark in Ukrainian “identity, politics, economics and even religion ”127 and this experience looms large in...from Tsarist Russia to the Soviet Union from 1918 to 1921.186 The Russian and Soviet influences, along with previous Persian and Ottoman cultures

European Nationality Influence in the Management of Squamous Cell Vulvar Cancer.

PubMed

Iacoponi, Sara; Zapardiel, Ignacio

2017-01-01

Vulvar cancer is a rare disease. In western European countries, the incidence is 1.2 cases per 100,000 women/year. The aim of this study was to analyze the management and disease-free survival (DFS) of vulvar cancer among European countries. An international multicenter retrospective study including patients diagnosed of squamous cell vulvar cancer was performed. Countries analyzed included Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Turkey. One hundred different centers were enrolled including 1,505 squamous cell tumors treated from January 2001 until December 2005. The mean free surgical margin was 9.93 mm, which was different between countries (p = 0.076); it ranged from 5.79 mm (95% CI 4.44-7.13) in Germany to 33.39 mm (95% CI 22.21-44.58) in Lithuania. The global 5-year overall survival rate was 61.4%, and the global 5-year DFS rate was 32%. DFS times were different between countries as well as the treatments carried out. The country with the shortest DFS time had 15.9 ± 3.1 months compared to the one with the longest time with 66.0 ± 17.4 months. Wide differences in treatments and DFS times have been observed between countries. Homogeneous management for squamous cell vulvar cancer is needed to obtain the best survival rates for all patients. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The self-reported quality of life of Lithuanian children with asthma was comparable to Western populations.

PubMed

Taminskiene, Vaida; Vaitkaitiene, Egle; Valiulis, Algirdas; Turner, Steve; Hadjipanayis, Adamos; Stukas, Rimantas; Valiulis, Arunas

2018-02-01

Quality of life (QoL) has been widely researched among children with asthma in Western countries, but there is a lack of data from eastern Europe, where the prevalence is relatively low, but hospital admission rates are higher. We evaluated the overall level and major determinants of QoL in Lithuanian children aged 5-11 years with asthma. This study was carried out in six asthma outpatient clinics in the two largest cities of Lithuania from January 2015 to July 2016. The children's QoL was measured using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) asthma module, which was completed by the child and one parent. We collected questionnaires from 226 children (68% boys) with a mean age of eight (±2) years: 65% had mild asthma, 31% had moderate asthma and 4% had severe asthma. One in 10 had been hospitalised in the preceding 6 months. The mean self-reported QoL score was 74 and the parent-reported QoL score was 73. QoL was associated with asthma severity and control, shortness of breath and the child's general health, but not socioeconomic factors. The overall level and major determinants of QoL in children with asthma in Lithuania were comparable with Western populations. ©2017 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Eye healthcare services in eastern Europe: Part 2. Vitreoretinal surgical services.

PubMed

Kocur, I; Resnikoff, S; Foster, A

2002-08-01

To describe vitreoretinal surgical services in 1998 in 12 eastern European countries and to identify ways for their further improvement. All inpatient eye departments in the 12 countries received a standardised questionnaire; the data obtained were processed at the international study coordinating centre in Prague. All 458 eye departments in the region were involved. The number of retinal detachments treated by extraocular surgery, or pars plana vitrectomy, per one million inhabitants respectively, were as follows: Belarus (52; 6), Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (21; 2), Bulgaria (39; 19), the Czech Republic (78; 40), Estonia (60; 17), Hungary (81; 88), Latvia (82; 36), Lithuania (68; 6), Trans-Dniester Region of Moldova (6; -), Poland (70; data not available), Romania (24; 25), and Slovakia (67; 55). The number of people per one retinal laser was assessed (in millions): Belarus (1.26), Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2.23), Bulgaria (0.59), the Czech Republic (0.22), Estonia (0.24), Hungary (0.23), Latvia (0.41), Lithuania (0.62), Poland (0.36), Romania (2.25), and Slovakia (0.14). Conditions for posterior eye segment surgery in the central and eastern European region vary substantially. Underserved regions require (1) more eye doctors trained in surgical and laser retinal treatment; (2) improvement in screening for diabetic eye complications and retinopathy of prematurity; (3) technical equipment for places in need.

Eye healthcare services in eastern Europe: Part 1 Cataract surgery

PubMed Central

Kocur, I; Resnikoff, S; Foster, A

2002-01-01

Aim: To describe cataract surgical services in 1998 in 12 eastern European countries and to identify their needs to reduce cataract blindness. Methods: All inpatient eye departments in the 12 countries received a standardised questionnaire; the data obtained were further processed at the coordinating centre in Prague. Results: All 458 eye departments in the region were involved. The response rate was 100%, except for Bulgaria (93%) and Romania (93%). The total number of cataract surgeries per one million inhabitants in 1998 was calculated: Belarus (800), Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1275), Bulgaria (1730), the Czech Republic (4210), Estonia (2530), Hungary (3530), Latvia (1860), Lithuania (1550), Trans-Dniester Moldova (1300), Poland (1475), Romania (1260), and Slovakia (2430). Cataracts were mostly operated on by the extracapsular technique. Intracapsular extractions were frequently performed in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (47%), Belarus (46%), Bulgaria (18%), and Romania (14.3%). Phacoemulsification was uncommonly used in 1998, except for the Czech Republic (86%), Estonia (50%), Slovakia (38%), and Hungary (16%). An IOL was implanted in more than 90% of patients in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia. Conclusions: Conditions for cataract surgery in the eastern European region differ. The main barriers to cataract surgery were state budget limitations, insufficient supply of consumables, underutilisation of operating theatres, and poor detection of patients requiring surgery. PMID:12140200

Eye healthcare services in eastern Europe: Part 2 Vitreoretinal surgical services

PubMed Central

Kocur, I; Resnikoff, S; Foster, A

2002-01-01

Aim: To describe vitreoretinal surgical services in 1998 in 12 eastern European countries and to identify ways for their further improvement. Methods: All inpatient eye departments in the 12 countries received a standardised questionnaire; the data obtained were processed at the international study coordinating centre in Prague. Results: All 458 eye departments in the region were involved. The number of retinal detachments treated by extraocular surgery, or pars plana vitrectomy, per one million inhabitants respectively, were as follows: Belarus (52; 6), Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (21; 2), Bulgaria (39; 19), the Czech Republic (78; 40), Estonia (60; 17), Hungary (81; 88), Latvia (82; 36), Lithuania (68; 6), Trans-Dniester Region of Moldova (6; –), Poland (70; data not available), Romania (24; 25), and Slovakia (67; 55). The number of people per one retinal laser was assessed (in millions): Belarus (1.26), Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2.23), Bulgaria (0.59), the Czech Republic (0.22), Estonia (0.24), Hungary (0.23), Latvia (0.41), Lithuania (0.62), Poland (0.36), Romania (2.25), and Slovakia (0.14). Conclusions: Conditions for posterior eye segment surgery in the central and eastern European region vary substantially. Underserved regions require (1) more eye doctors trained in surgical and laser retinal treatment; (2) improvement in screening for diabetic eye complications and retinopathy of prematurity; (3) technical equipment for places in need. PMID:12140201

Cancer incidence among workers exposed to softwood dust in Lithuania.

PubMed

Smailyte, Giedre

2012-06-01

The aim of this study was to assess cancer incidence in a cohort of woodworkers exposed to softwood dust in a Lithuanian wooden joinery products factory. The study population consisted of 1518 workers (1080 men and 438 women) employed in the factory for at least 1 year between 1947 and 1996 and living in Lithuania on 1 January 1978, when the follow-up for cancer incidence began. The follow-up period for cancer was 1978-2007. Cancer risk was assessed by standardised incidence ratios (SIR) with reference to the national population. Overall cancer incidence was not increased among woodworkers. However, the number of mouth and pharynx cancer cases among male woodworkers was significantly increased compared with expected numbers (SIR 2.19, 95% CI 1.17 to 3.74). A higher risk was found for cancer of the buccal cavity than for pharyngeal cancer (SIRs 2.83 and 1.45, respectively). The SIR for larynx cancer was also elevated (SIR 1.39, 95% CI 0.64 to 2.64) among men, while the number of lung cancer cases was higher than expected only among women (SIR 2.07, 95% CI 00.57 to 5.31). This results of this study support the hypothesis that exposure to softwood dust may increase the risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer. No support was found for an increased risk of other respiratory cancers among workers exposed to softwood dust.

Stakeholder driven indicators for eHealth performance management.

PubMed

Vedlūga, Tomas; Mikulskienė, Birutė

2017-08-01

The goal of the present article is to compile a corpus of indicators of eHealth development evaluation that would essentially reflect stakeholder approaches and complement technical indicators of assessment of an eHealth system. Consequently, the assessment of the development of an eHealth system would reflect stakeholder approaches and become an innovative solution in attempting to improve productivity of IT projects in the field of health care. The compiled minimum set of indicators will be designed to monitor implementation of the national eHealth information system. To ensure reliability of the quality research, the respondents were grouped in accordance to the geographical distribution and diversity of the levels and types of the represented jobs and institutions. The applied analysis implies several managerial insights on the hierarchy of eHealth indicators. These insights may be helpful in recommending priority activities in implementation of an eHealth data system on the national or international level. The research is practically useful as it is the first to deal with the topic in Lithuania and its theoretical and practical aspect are particularly relevant in implementation of an eHealth data system in Lithuania. The eHealth assessment indicators presented in the article may be practically useful in two aspects: (1) as key implementation guidelines facilitating the general course of eHealth system development and (2) as a means to evaluate eHealth outcomes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Process of Creating Integrated Home Care in Lithuania: from Idea to Reality

PubMed Central

Jurkuvienė, Ramunė; Butkevičienė, Rūta; Gajdosikienė, Indrė

2016-01-01

Background: The article presents an analysis of the formulation and implementation of a social innovation: integrated home care (IHC) in post-soviet Lithuania. From 1998 a series of top-down orders to implement IHC were issued, however, home nursing did not start. In 2011 the Ministry of Social Security and Labour began a process to develop integrated home care using new, collaborative processes. The result was 21 pilot projects with well-conceptualized IHC services. Method: Using data from focus groups, interviews, and recorded observations, the research team systematically documented the innovation process, including themes and deviations, employing Smale’s Innovation Trinity framework to organize the larger picture. Results: In the Lithuanian post-totalitarian context, top-down communication was found to be prevalent. Not only IHC, but also openness to change and dialogue at high levels were innovations. Patient-centered practice at local levels could only occur when a new attitude of mind was reached through dialogue with officials at higher levels and between peers. Conclusions: The enactment, rather than the mask of dialogue, participatory program development were critical in the success of IHC innovation. This is difficult to achieve in the light of antiquated public bureaucracies, but in this case, the Ministry team, rather than avoiding the expectation of top-down communication, made it into an asset through promotion of collaboration. PMID:28435419

Investigation of Variations in the Human Urine Metabolome Amongst European Populations. An Exploratory Search for Biomarkers of People at Risk-of-Poverty.

PubMed

Trimigno, Alessia; Khakimov, Bekzod; Savorani, Francesco; Tenori, Leonardo; Hendrixson, Vaiva; Čivilis, Alminas; Glibetic, Marija; Gurinovic, Mirjana; Pentikäinen, Saara; Sallinen, Janne; Garduno Diaz, Sara; Pasqui, Francesca; Khokhar, Santosh; Luchinat, Claudio; Bordoni, Alessandra; Capozzi, Francesco; Balling Engelsen, Søren

2018-05-14

According to Eurostat 2016, approximately 119 million European citizens live at-risk-of-poverty (ROP). This subpopulation is highly diverse by ethnicity, age and culture in the different EU states, but they all have in common a low income, that could represent an increased risk of nutrients deficiencies due to poor nutritional habits. This study aims to investigate the human urine metabolome in the search of common biomarkers representing dietary deficiencies amongst European populations at ROP. 2732 urine samples were collected from 1391 subjects across five different European countries including the United Kingdom, Finland, Italy, Lithuania and Serbia, and analysed using 1 H-NMR spectroscopy. The resulting urine metabolome data were explored according to study design factors including economic status, country and gender. Partitioning of the effects derived from the study design factors using ANOVA-Simultaneous Component Analysis (ASCA) revealed that country and gender effects were responsible for most of the systematic variation. The effect of economic status was as expected much weaker than country and gender, but more pronounced in Lithuania than in other countries. Citrate and hippurate were among the most powerful ROP biomarkers. The possible relationship between these markers and nutritional deficiencies amongst the ROP population is discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Attitudes of Major Soviet Nationalities. Volume II. The Baltics. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania.

DTIC Science & Technology

1973-06-01

acquired wide popularity (and probably snob appeal ). Kafka, Ionesco and Dostoyevsky were available to Soviet Estonians earlier than to the Russian reading...Estonia . chided as snob appeal ). Of Estonia’s 757 general schools, 556 (i.e. 71) use Estonian, 90 use Russian and 60 are mixed. 2 The same applies to...novels whicr combine literary quality with national appeal ro 2 ’), collective farm realism at its best (M. Traatl), realisti> lezcription of city life

Global Explosive Ordnance Disposal Conference and Exhibition Held in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on April 27-30, 2010

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-30

POLICY 24 Kagan ASP Response  21 Jul 08- ARCENT notified by Defense Attaché .  Uzbeks requested three types of equipment: land mine detectors...2 pax) on site.  21 Aug 08- the Training Team (5 pax) with equipment arrived in Uzbekistan.  28 Aug 08 all Uzbek / USEMB objectives were met...Slovakia, Spain, Poland Romania, United Kingdom, United States, Turkey Albania, Croatia Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Czech Latvia, Lithuania

Industry turns its attention south

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marhefka, D.

1997-08-01

The paper discusses the outlook for the gas and oil industries in the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Significant foreign investment continues to elude Russia`s oil and gas industry, so the Caspian nations of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are picking up the slack, welcoming the flow of foreign capital to their energy projects. Separate evaluations are given for Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Serbia.

Making the business case for hospital information systems--a Kaiser Permanente investment decision.

PubMed

Garrido, Terhilda; Raymond, Brian; Jamieson, Laura; Liang, Louise; Wiesenthal, Andrew

2004-01-01

Further evidence in favor of the clinical IT business case is set forth in Kaiser Permanente's cost/benefit analysis for an electronic hospital information system. This article reviews the business case for an inpatient electronic medical record system, including 36 categories of quantifiable benefits that contribute to a positive cumulative net cash flow within an 8.5 year period. However, the business case hinges on several contingent success factors: leadership commitment, timely implementation, partnership with labor, coding compliance, and workflow redesign. The issues and constraints that impact the potential transferability of this business case across delivery systems raise questions that merit further attention.

Crowdsourcing Samples in Cognitive Science.

PubMed

Stewart, Neil; Chandler, Jesse; Paolacci, Gabriele

2017-10-01

Crowdsourcing data collection from research participants recruited from online labor markets is now common in cognitive science. We review who is in the crowd and who can be reached by the average laboratory. We discuss reproducibility and review some recent methodological innovations for online experiments. We consider the design of research studies and arising ethical issues. We review how to code experiments for the web, what is known about video and audio presentation, and the measurement of reaction times. We close with comments about the high levels of experience of many participants and an emerging tragedy of the commons. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Deep Learning for Automated Extraction of Primary Sites From Cancer Pathology Reports.

PubMed

Qiu, John X; Yoon, Hong-Jun; Fearn, Paul A; Tourassi, Georgia D

2018-01-01

Pathology reports are a primary source of information for cancer registries which process high volumes of free-text reports annually. Information extraction and coding is a manual, labor-intensive process. In this study, we investigated deep learning and a convolutional neural network (CNN), for extracting ICD-O-3 topographic codes from a corpus of breast and lung cancer pathology reports. We performed two experiments, using a CNN and a more conventional term frequency vector approach, to assess the effects of class prevalence and inter-class transfer learning. The experiments were based on a set of 942 pathology reports with human expert annotations as the gold standard. CNN performance was compared against a more conventional term frequency vector space approach. We observed that the deep learning models consistently outperformed the conventional approaches in the class prevalence experiment, resulting in micro- and macro-F score increases of up to 0.132 and 0.226, respectively, when class labels were well populated. Specifically, the best performing CNN achieved a micro-F score of 0.722 over 12 ICD-O-3 topography codes. Transfer learning provided a consistent but modest performance boost for the deep learning methods but trends were contingent on the CNN method and cancer site. These encouraging results demonstrate the potential of deep learning for automated abstraction of pathology reports.

Investigations of the unsaturated zone at two radioactive waste disposal sites in Lithuania.

PubMed

Skuratovič, Žana; Mažeika, Jonas; Petrošius, Rimantas; Martma, Tõnu

2016-01-01

The unsaturated zone is an important part of the water cycle, governed by many hydrological and hydrogeological factors and processes and provide water and nutrients to the terrestrial ecosystem. Besides, the soils of the unsaturated zone are regarded as the first natural barrier to a large extent and are able to limit the spread of contaminants depending on their properties. The unsaturated zone provides a linkage between atmospheric moisture, groundwater, and seepage of groundwater to streams, lakes, or other surface water bodies. The major difference between water flow in saturated and unsaturated soils is that the hydraulic conductivity, which is conventionally assumed to be a constant in saturated soils, is a function of the degree of saturation or matrix suction in the unsaturated soils. In Lithuania, low and intermediate level radioactive wastes generated from medicine, industry and research were accumulated at the Maisiagala radioactive waste repository. Short-lived low and intermediate levels radioactive waste, generated during the operation of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) and arising after the INPP decommissioning will be disposed of in the near surface repository close to the INPP (Stabatiske site). Extensive data sets of the hydraulic properties and water content attributed to unsaturated zone soil profiles of the two radioactive waste disposal sites have been collected and summarized. Globally widespread radionuclide tritium ((3)H) and stable isotope ratio ((18)O/(16)O and (2)H/(1)H) distribution features were determined in precipitation, unsaturated zone soil moisture profiles and groundwater.

Leadership styles in ethical dilemmas when head nurses make decisions.

PubMed

Zydziunaite, V; Lepaite, D; Suominen, T

2013-06-01

The overlooked aspect in Lithuania is the dearth of leaders among head nurses, who bear the responsibility for decisions in ethical dilemmas. Understanding the application of leadership styles is fundamental to ensuring head nurses' abilities to influence outcomes for healthcare providers and patients. To identify the leadership styles applied by head nurses in decision making in ethical dilemmas on hospital wards. The data were collected by questionnaires completed by head nurses (n = 278) working in five major state-funded hospitals in each of the five regions of Lithuania. The data were analysed using SPSS 16.0, calculating descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Head nurses apply democratic, affiliative, transformational and sustainable leadership styles when resolving ethical dilemmas. The application of leadership styles is associated not only with specific situations, but also with certain background factors, such as years of experience in a head nurse's position, ward specialization and the incidence of ethical dilemmas. Nurses having been in a head nurse's position over 10 years use primitive leadership styles, notably bureaucratic leadership, more often than do those head nurses with only a few years of experience in such a position. The results highlight the need for head nurses to reflect on their practices and to find new ways of learning from practice, colleagues and patients. Head nurses' managerial decisions due to their 'executive power' can turn into a new state-of-the-art leadership in nursing. © 2013 The Authors. International Nursing Review © 2013 International Council of Nurses.

Radionuclides in the ground-level atmosphere in Vilnius, Lithuania, in March 2011, detected by gamma-ray spectrometry.

PubMed

Gudelis, A; Druteikienė, R; Lujanienė, G; Maceika, E; Plukis, A; Remeikis, V

2012-07-01

This study presents the ground-level air monitoring results obtained in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, on 14 March-14 April 2011 after the recent earthquake and subsequent Tsunami having a crucial impact on Japanese nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) on 11 March 2011. To collect representative diurnal aerosol samples a powerful sampling system ensuring the air filtration rate of 5500 m(3) h(-1) was used. The following artificial gamma-ray emitting radionuclides have been determined: (129m)Te, (132)Te (in equilibrium with its daughter (132)I), (131)I, (134)Cs, (136)Cs and (137)Cs. Activity concentration of the globally distributed fission product (137)Cs has increased from a background value of 1.6 μBq m(-3) to the value of 0.9 mBq m(-3) at the beginning of April. The activity ratio (134)Cs/(137)Cs was found to be close to 1, with a slightly higher activity of (134)Cs. The maximum aerosol-associated (131)I activity concentration of 3.45 mBq m(-3) was by four orders of magnitude lower than that measured at the same location in April-May 1986 as a consequence of the Chernobyl NPP accident. The estimated gaseous fraction of iodine-131 constituted about 70% of the total (131)I activity. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cancer incidence among women flax textile manufacturing workers in Lithuania.

PubMed

Kuzmickiene, Irena; Stukonis, Mecys

2010-07-01

To determine site-specific cancer incidence among women spinning-weaving and dyeing-finishing workers in the largest flax textile factory in Lithuania. The cancer incidence of a cohort of 3447 women workers from a flax textile factory was investigated for the period 1978-2002. All subjects were employed at the plant in the period 1957-2000 for a minimum of 12 months. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) were estimated by use of the corresponding national rates. SIRs were calculated for the spinning-weaving and dyeing-finishing work categories, and for two durations of employment categories (<10 years, > or =10 years). The cancer SIRs among spinning-weaving and dyeing-finishing workers were 0.84 (95% CI 0.69 to 1.00) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.52 to 1.44). An incidence deficit for non-melanoma skin cancer was found for the spinning-weaving unit (SIR 0.45, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.92). The risk of oral cavity and pharynx cancer was significantly increased in spinning-weaving unit workers with <10 years of employment (SIR 5.71, 95% CI 1.56 to 14.60). A significant excess of thyroid cancer and nervous system cancer was found among dyeing-finishing workers. The overall cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer incidence rate among flax spinning-weaving workers was lower compared with the Lithuanian population. The present findings lend some support to an excess of thyroid and nervous system cancers among dyeing-finishing workers and of oral cavity and pharynx cancer in spinning-weaving workers.

The inability to pay for health services in Central and Eastern Europe: evidence from six countries

PubMed Central

Pavlova, Milena; Rechel, Bernd; Golinowska, Stanisława; Sowada, Christoph; Groot, Wim

2014-01-01

Background: Out-of-pocket payments for health services constitute a major financial burden for patients in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. Individuals who are unable to pay use different coping strategies (e.g. borrowing money or foregoing service utilization), which can have negative consequences on their health and social welfare. This article explores patients’ inability to pay for outpatient and hospital services in six CEE countries: Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Ukraine. Methods: The analysis is based on quantitative data collected in 2010 in nationally representative surveys. Two indicators of inability to pay were considered: the need to borrow money or sell assets and foregoing service utilization. Statistical analyses were applied to investigate associations between the indicators of inability to pay and individual characteristics. Results: Patient payments are most common in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania and Lithuania and often include informal payments. Romanian and, particularly, Ukrainian patients most often face difficulties to pay for health services (with approximately 40% of Ukrainian payers borrowing money or selling assets to cover hospital payments and approximately 60% of respondents who need care foregoing services). Inability to pay mainly affects those with poor health and low incomes. Conclusion: Widespread patient payments constitute a major financial barrier to health service use in CEE. There is a need to formalize them where they are informal and to take measures to protect vulnerable population groups, especially those with limited possibilities to deal with payment difficulties. PMID:24065370

Prevalence of Dental Erosion among the Young Regular Swimmers in Kaunas, Lithuania.

PubMed

Zebrauskas, Andrius; Birskute, Ruta; Maciulskiene, Vita

2014-04-01

To determine prevalence of dental erosion among competitive swimmers in Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania. The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey, with a questionnaire and clinical examination protocols. The participants were 12 - 25 year-old swimmers regularly practicing in the swimming pools of Kaunas. Of the total of 132 participants there were 76 (12 - 17 year-old) and 56 (18 - 25 year-old) individuals; in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Participants were examined for dental erosion, using a portable dental unit equipped with fibre-optic light, compressed air and suction, and standard dental instruments for oral inspection. Lussi index was applied for recording dental erosion. The completed questionnaires focused on the common erosion risk factors were returned by all participants. Dental erosion was found in 25% of the 12 - 17 year-olds, and in 50% of 18 - 25 years-olds. Mean value of the surfaces with erosion was 6.31 (SD 4.37). All eroded surfaces were evaluated as grade 1. Swimming training duration and the participants' age correlated positively (Kendall correlation, r = 0.65, P < 0.001), meaning that older swimmers had practiced for longer period. No significant correlation between occurrence of dental erosion and the analyzed risk factors (gastroesophageal reflux disease, frequent vomiting, dry mouth, regular intake of acidic medicines, carbonated drinks) was found in both study groups. Prevalence of dental erosion of very low degree was high among the regular swimmers in Kaunas, and was significantly related to swimmers' age.

Family Social Environment and Parenting Predictors of Alcohol Use among Adolescents in Lithuania.

PubMed

Šumskas, Linas; Zaborskis, Apolinaras

2017-09-08

The role of the family as the social environment in shaping adolescent lifestyle has recently received substantial attention. This study was focused on investigating the association between familial and parenting predictors and alcohol use in school-aged children. Adolescents aged 13- and 15-year from a representative sample (N = 3715) of schools in Lithuania were surveyed during the spring of 2014. The methodology of the cross-national Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study was applied. HBSC international questionnaires were completed in the classroom anonymously for obtaining information about drinking of alcoholic beverages and family characteristics-family's affluence and structure, style of communication in the family, parenting style, parental monitoring, family time together, etc. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied for assessment of the association between familial variables and weekly alcohol use. Analysis has demonstrated that adolescents from non-intact families tended to show significantly higher risk of being weekly drinkers (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.30-2.19). The following parenting factors were associated with weekly use of alcohol: father's and mother's low monitoring, father's authoritarian-repressive and mother's permissive-neglectful parenting style. Frequent family time together and frequent electronic media communication with parents showed an inverse negative effect than was predicted. The study suggests that alcohol misuse among adolescents could be associated with a non-intact family structure as well as with complex family and parenting determinants which should be investigated more thoroughly by further studies.

Biomedical physics in continuing medical education: an analysis of learning needs.

PubMed

Rotomskis, Ricardas; Karenauskaite, Violeta; Balzekiene, Aiste

2009-01-01

To examine the learning and practice needs of medical professionals in the field of continuing education of biomedical physics in Lithuania. The study was based on a questionnaire survey of 309 medical professionals throughout Lithuania, 3 focus group discussions, and 18 interviews with medical and physics experts. The study showed that medical professionals lack knowledge of physics: only 15.1% of the respondents admitted that they had enough knowledge in biomedical physics to understand the functioning of the medical devices that they used, and 7.5% of respondents indicated that they had enough knowledge to understand and adopt medical devices of the new generation. Physics knowledge was valued more highly by medical professionals with scientific degrees. As regards continuing medical education, it was revealed that personal motivation (88.7%) and responsibility for patients (44.3%) were the most important motives for upgrading competencies, whereas workload (65.4%) and financial limits (45.3%) were the main obstacles. The most popular teaching methods were those based on practical work (78.9%), and the least popular was project work (27.8%). The study revealed that biomedical physics knowledge was needed in both specializations and practical work, and the most important factor for determining its need was professional aspirations. Medical professionals' understanding of medical devices, especially those of the new generation, is essentially functional in nature. Professional upgrading courses contain only fragmented biomedical physics content, and new courses should be developed jointly by experts in physics and medicine to meet the specialized needs of medical professionals.

Assessment of nutrition and physical activity of 6th–7th grade schoolchildren in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania

PubMed Central

Skurdenyte, Vaida; Surkiene, Gene; Stukas, Rimantas; Zagminas, Kestutis; Giedraitis, Vincentas

2015-01-01

Background Evaluation of eating habits and physical activity is very important for health interventions. Our aim in this study was to assess the characteristics of eating and physical activity of 6–7th grade schoolchildren in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania, as well as the association between dietary habits and physical activity. Methods The study was conducted within the project “Education of healthy diets and physical activity in schools”. The sample consisted of 1008 schoolchildren from 22 schools in the city of Vilnius, and was based on empirical methods, including a questionnaire poll and comparative analysis. Statistical software Stata v.12.1 (Stata corp LP) was used to analyze the data. Results Our study showed that less than half (37.1%) of study participants had physically active leisure time. Boys were significantly more physically active than girls. More than half (61.4%) of children ate breakfast every day. Girls were more likely to eat vegetables and sweets. Schoolchildren who ate vegetables and dairy products as well as those who got enough information about physical activity and spoke about it with their family members were more physically active. Conclusions The results of the study confirmed that schoolchildren were not sufficiently physically active. It was found that low physical activity is related to dietary and other factors, such as lack of information about physical activity and its benefits. PMID:28352688

Family Social Environment and Parenting Predictors of Alcohol Use among Adolescents in Lithuania

PubMed Central

Šumskas, Linas; Zaborskis, Apolinaras

2017-01-01

The role of the family as the social environment in shaping adolescent lifestyle has recently received substantial attention. This study was focused on investigating the association between familial and parenting predictors and alcohol use in school-aged children. Adolescents aged 13- and 15-year from a representative sample (N = 3715) of schools in Lithuania were surveyed during the spring of 2014. The methodology of the cross-national Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study was applied. HBSC international questionnaires were completed in the classroom anonymously for obtaining information about drinking of alcoholic beverages and family characteristics—family’s affluence and structure, style of communication in the family, parenting style, parental monitoring, family time together, etc. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied for assessment of the association between familial variables and weekly alcohol use. Analysis has demonstrated that adolescents from non-intact families tended to show significantly higher risk of being weekly drinkers (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.30–2.19). The following parenting factors were associated with weekly use of alcohol: father’s and mother’s low monitoring, father’s authoritarian-repressive and mother’s permissive-neglectful parenting style. Frequent family time together and frequent electronic media communication with parents showed an inverse negative effect than was predicted. The study suggests that alcohol misuse among adolescents could be associated with a non-intact family structure as well as with complex family and parenting determinants which should be investigated more thoroughly by further studies. PMID:28885599

Quantifying the physical demands of collision sports: does microsensor technology measure what it claims to measure?

PubMed

Gabbett, Tim J

2013-08-01

The physical demands of rugby league, rugby union, and American football are significantly increased through the large number of collisions players are required to perform during match play. Because of the labor-intensive nature of coding collisions from video recordings, manufacturers of wearable microsensor (e.g., global positioning system [GPS]) units have refined the technology to automatically detect collisions, with several sport scientists attempting to use these microsensors to quantify the physical demands of collision sports. However, a question remains over the validity of these microtechnology units to quantify the contact demands of collision sports. Indeed, recent evidence has shown significant differences in the number of "impacts" recorded by microtechnology units (GPSports) and the actual number of collisions coded from video. However, a separate study investigated the validity of a different microtechnology unit (minimaxX; Catapult Sports) that included GPS and triaxial accelerometers, and also a gyroscope and magnetometer, to quantify collisions. Collisions detected by the minimaxX unit were compared with video-based coding of the actual events. No significant differences were detected in the number of mild, moderate, and heavy collisions detected via the minimaxX units and those coded from video recordings of the actual event. Furthermore, a strong correlation (r = 0.96, p < 0.01) was observed between collisions recorded via the minimaxX units and those coded from video recordings of the event. These findings demonstrate that only one commercially available and wearable microtechnology unit (minimaxX) can be considered capable of offering a valid method of quantifying the contact loads that typically occur in collision sports. Until such validation research is completed, sport scientists should be circumspect of the ability of other units to perform similar functions.

"Men Are in Front at Eating Time, but Not When It Comes to Rearing the Chicken": Unpacking the Gendered Benefits and Costs of Livestock Ownership in Kenya.

PubMed

Dumas, Sarah E; Maranga, Abena; Mbullo, Patrick; Collins, Shalean; Wekesa, Pauline; Onono, Maricianah; Young, Sera L

2018-03-01

Livestock can promote resilience in low-income communities through a number of pathways. Livestock development programs seek to amplify these benefits but often fail to consider the costs to intended beneficiaries or the effect of prevailing gender norms. To explore perceptions of livestock ownership among female smallholder livestock keepers in Nyanza Region, Kenya, and unpack how the distribution of livestock benefits and investments varies by gender within households. We used multiple ethnographic techniques, including Photovoice, a photo-elicitation interview method, focus group discussions, and pile sorts, with female smallholder livestock owners (n = 18) participating in an ongoing cohort study. Transcripts were coded using a combination of a priori constructs and grounded theory. We found that livestock benefited households by providing financial security, food security, social benefits, and human time and labor savings. However, these benefits largely promoted long-term household resilience rather than immediate gains. Livestock ownership also had major costs to household time and labor, which were overwhelmingly borne by women and children. Despite this investment, women had limited livestock ownership rights, decision-making power, control over income, or access to meat. Our findings suggest that livestock ownership requires significant investments of household time and labor, which disproportionately burden women. Prevailing gender inequalities may therefore constrain the net benefit of livestock ownership for many women and their households in some contexts. Livestock development programs must assess both program benefits and costs at multiple levels to ensure that women's participation in livestock production leads to improved individual and household outcomes.

Cost Accounting as a Tool for Increasing Cost Transparency in Selective Hepatic Transarterial Chemoembolization.

PubMed

Ahmed, Osman; Patel, Mikin; Ward, Thomas; Sze, Daniel Y; Telischak, Kristen; Kothary, Nishita; Hofmann, Lawrence V

2015-12-01

To increase cost transparency and uncover potential areas for savings in patients receiving selective transarterial chemoembolization at a tertiary care academic center. The hospital cost accounting system charge master sheet for direct and total costs associated with selective transarterial chemoembolization in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 was queried for each of the four highest volume interventional radiologists at a single institution. There were 517 cases (range, 83-150 per physician) performed; direct costs incurred relating to care before, during, and after the procedure with respect to labor, supply, and equipment fees were calculated. A median of 48 activity codes were charged per selective transarterial chemoembolization from five cost centers, represented by the angiography suite, units for care before and after the procedure, pharmacy, and observation floors. The average direct cost of selective transarterial chemoembolization did not significantly differ among operators at $9,126.94, $8,768.77, $9,027.33, and $8,909.75 (P = .31). Intraprocedural costs accounted for 82.8% of total direct costs and provided the greatest degree in cost variability ($7,268.47-$7,691.27). The differences in intraprocedural expense among providers were not statistically significant (P = .09), even when separated into more specific procedure-related labor and supply costs. Cost accounting systems could effectively be interrogated as a method for calculating direct costs associated with selective transarterial chemoembolization. The greatest source of expenditure and variability in cost among providers was shown to be intraprocedural labor and supplies, although the effect did not appear to be operator dependent. Copyright © 2015 SIR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis E virus in pigs, wild boars, roe deer, red deer and moose in Lithuania.

PubMed

Spancerniene, Ugne; Grigas, Juozas; Buitkuviene, Jurate; Zymantiene, Judita; Juozaitiene, Vida; Stankeviciute, Milda; Razukevicius, Dainius; Zienius, Dainius; Stankevicius, Arunas

2018-02-23

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the major causes of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. In Europe, food-borne zoonotic transmission of HEV genotype 3 has been associated with domestic pigs and wild boar. Controversial data are available on the circulation of the virus in animals that are used for human consumption, and to date, no gold standard has yet been defined for the diagnosis of HEV-associated hepatitis. To investigate the current HEV infection status in Lithuanian pigs and wild ungulates, the presence of viral RNA was analyzed by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) in randomly selected samples, and the viral RNA was subsequently genotyped. In total, 32.98 and 22.55% of the domestic pig samples were HEV-positive using RT-nPCR targeting the ORF1 and ORF2 fragments, respectively. Among ungulates, 25.94% of the wild boar samples, 22.58% of the roe deer samples, 6.67% of the red deer samples and 7.69% of the moose samples were positive for HEV RNA using primers targeting the ORF1 fragment. Using primers targeting the ORF2 fragment of the HEV genome, viral RNA was only detected in 17.03% of the wild boar samples and 12.90% of the roe deer samples. Phylogenetic analysis based on a 348-nucleotide-long region of the HEV ORF2 showed that all obtained sequences detected in Lithuanian domestic pigs and wildlife belonged to genotype 3. In this study, the sequences identified from pigs, wild boars and roe deer clustered within the 3i subtype reference sequences from the GenBank database. The sequences obtained from pig farms located in two different counties of Lithuania were of the HEV 3f subtype. The wild boar sequences clustered within subtypes 3i and 3h, clearly indicating that wild boars can harbor additional subtypes of HEV. For the first time, the ORF2 nucleotide sequences obtained from roe deer proved that HEV subtype 3i can be found in a novel host. The results of the viral prevalence and phylogenetic analyses clearly demonstrated viral infection in Lithuanian pigs and wild ungulates, thus highlighting a significant concern for zoonotic virus transmission through both the food chain and direct contact with animals. Unexpected HEV genotype 3 subtype diversity in Lithuania and neighboring countries revealed that further studies are necessary to understand the mode of HEV transmission between animals and humans in the Baltic States region.

Satisfaction with organizational aspects of health care provision among Lithuanian physicians.

PubMed

Kairys, Jonas; Zebiene, Egle; Sapoka, Virginijus; Zokas, Ignas

2008-03-01

Physician satisfaction is considered an important factor influencing quality of health care provision, patient compliance, and costs to health care systems. Dissatisfaction leads to an increase in turnover of physicians and early retirement, which has a negative impact on continuity and quality of health care. Physician dissatisfaction with certain aspects of health care provision may also help to identify potential weaknesses in satisfactory functioning of health care systems. The aim of the current research project is to study the satisfaction with different organizational aspects of health care provision in Lithuania as judged by a selection of physicians. The study was conducted in Lithuania in June 2004. Physicians in randomly selected health care centers were invited to take part in the survey, 505 primary and secondary care physicians were interviewed by external interviewers during the study period. Physicians were asked to express their satisfaction on items presented in a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 22 questions, evaluating different aspects of health care services - working conditions, workload, financial remuneration, organization of health care infrastructure and availability of laboratory services. Answers were presented by the 5 point Likert type scale, ranging from "very satisfied" (5) to "very dissatisfied" (1). Physicians who were most satisfied with their working conditions were working in private primary health care practices (91.1% satisfied or very satisfied), as compared with 54% of physicians working in state-owned primary care institutions and 49.7% in hospitals. Physicians working in cities and regional centers or towns were more satisfied with organizational aspects of health care services than physicians working in rural health care centers. Satisfaction with their financial remuneration showed that 74% of respondents stated they were "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied". While asked about potential deficiencies in their health care institutions, the most important identified by respondents in all localities was a perceived lack of financial support for these institutions. There is a significant difference in the perception of physicians in private and state health care institutions with regard to financial remuneration as well as availability of laboratory diagnostic and treatment equipment and working conditions. Based on the study findings, possibilities to increase Primary Care financing should be considered in order to improve the quality of the delivery of health care services as well as retain physicians within the health care system. Results of this study demonstrate a need of further research to quantify what could be reasonably expected from diagnostic and investigative resources to support health care in Lithuania in current economic situation.