Academic integrity determines the trust that society has in the quality of education and the results of scientific research. More broadly, it influences honesty, respect for ethical principles, and the fair behaviour of society members. Accordingly, higher education institutions should have clear, transparent and well-communicated policies to defend academic integrity among all stakeholders. Taking into account the worldwide dependence on digital technologies, online communication channels should be also used for this purpose. Using qualitative content analysis, this paper aims to investigate how academic integrity is framed by Latvian and Lithuanian state-financed universities in online public spaces in relation to the criteria of an exemplary academic integrity policy. Given the limited content of publicly available university documents, the research findings indicated a poor correspondence to the mentioned criteria.
A new directed evolution method was used to enhance the thermostability of the wild-type GH11 xylanase 2 (known as BD-11) from Hypocrea jecorina (Trichoderma reesei). Both Look-Through Mutagenesis (LTM™), which is a method for rapidly screening selected positions in the protein sequence for amino acids that introduce favorable properties, and Combinatorial Beneficial Mutagenesis (CBM™), which is a method for identifying the best ensemble of individual mutations, were employed to enhance the stability of an enzyme that has been thoroughly engineered by various means during the past 20 years. A diverse set of novel mutations was discovered, including N71D, Y73G, T95G and Y96Q. When these mutations were combined into a single construct (Hjx-81), the purified protein was active even after heating at 100°C for 20 min. This time-effective method should be generally applicable for quickly improving the physico-chemical properties of other industrial and therapeutic enzymes in only several months time.
Currently, problems related to the operation and exploitation of safe gas distribution networks are deepening in Latvia and Eastern Europe, as the number of outworn underground gas pipelines is steadily increasing. It should be noted that there is a rather wide choice of technology and materials for gas distribution pipeline reconstruction, while at the same time there is no universal method that equally meets all possible work requirements. Therefore, it is an urgent task to understand the operational algorithm, while choosing optimal reconstruction option, classifying and determining the criteria affecting the choice, and determining the scope of each reconstruction method. For this reason, it is necessary to develop a scientifically based methodology for selecting the optimal method for the reconstruction of outworn gas distribution pipelines. Therefore, there are the following tasks that need to be accomplished: to carry out a complex analysis of reconstruction methods and factors determining the choice of an optimal gas distribution pipeline reconstruction method as well as perform the analysis of current state and development of gas supply network; to develop an algorithm for selecting an optimal gas distribution pipeline reconstruction method based on a multi-criteria approach; to develop a mathematical model for the selection of an optimal reconstruction method and scientifically based complex evaluation procedures taking into account technical and economic criteria; to analyse the interaction of the polyethylene gas pipeline with the steel frame during the post-reconstruction process using U-shaped pipe; to develop recommendations for the optimisation of gas distribution network reconstruction programmes. As a result of these tasks, a scientifically justified methodology for the selection of an optimal method for the reconstruction of the gas distribution pipes has been developed.
An academic integrity policy usually specifies the university’s ethical principles and values, the forms of appropriate academic behaviour, the penalties for academic malpractice and the procedures for handling policy violations. However, the policy does not itself create academic integrity, but needs to be consistently and effectively communicated, implemented, and applied. This paper presents a case study investigating the extent to which students at Riga Technical University (Latvia) are informed about the university’s academic integrity policy. This quantitative research was performed by surveying two groups of respondents: domestic students in the first year of their bachelor’s studies and the heads of the corresponding study programmes. The results revealed a low level of students’ awareness of the university policy on academic integrity and a lack of systematic institutional approach to promoting academic integrity. The study results also indicated that students with a higher awareness of the university policy on academic integrity were less tolerant towards violations and perceived academic integrity as an essential aspect for both the academic community and student life. These findings establish a foundation for a more extensive discussion of academic integrity issues in Latvia. They can also serve as impetus for similar studies in other Latvian universities, as well as research taking an international comparative perspective.
The article investigates the influence of different ventilation strategies on annual energy consumption and thermal comfort. The method proposed for the study is the analysis of the building model realized in the energy simulation software IDA Indoor Climate and Energy (IDA-ICE) 4.7 - a tool for dynamic simulation of thermal comfort, indoor air quality and energy consumption in buildings. The especial attention is paid to application of external shadings which is not popular in cold climate. Achieved results have shown operative temperature is below 26°C.
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