bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Vendor-Managed Inventory in Multi-Tier Distribution Systems
Authors: Badi Ibrahim ,   Mechanical Engineering Department, Libyan Academy, Misrata, Libya, Bouraima Mouhamed Bayane , Stević Željko , Oloketuyi Elizabeth Abosede , Makinde Opeyemi Oluyemisis ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Sichuan College of Architectural Technology, Deyang, 618000, China,   Department of Mobile Machinery and Railway Transport, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania,   Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), Off Kamiti Road, P.O Box 25305-00100, Nairobi, Kenya,   Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria
Published: July 2024

This paper addresses the concept of the vendor-managed inventory (VMI) problem, focusing on the replenishment policy and the vehicle routing problem (VRP) model. These components are integrated to tackle a three-echelon distribution issue comprising a single plant, multiple depots, and multiple retailers, with the primary objective of minimizing transportation and inventory costs within this complex distribution network. A three-phase methodology is proposed to optimize the entire supply chain, from the plant to the final retailer, and its performance is evaluated through computational experiments. This research is motivated by a real-life supply network, highlighting its practical relevance and applicability. To extend the capabilities of existing methods for solving the combined inventory and routing problem, an insertion heuristic is incorporated to enhance vehicle utilization, thereby reducing total costs. Computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of the improved algorithm, indicating that it is sufficiently robust for practical application. Significant cost savings can be achieved with the proposed approach, making it a valuable contribution to the field of supply chain optimization.
Analyzing Sedimentary Rocks to Determine Hydrodynamic Conditions of Anambra Basin, South-Eastern Nigeria.
Authors: Agbo Christian , Onyekuru Samuel , Ikoro Diugo
Published: July 2024

The Anambra Basin, situated in southeastern Nigeria, stands out as a significant sedimentary basin characterized by its intricate and multifaceted geological history. This complexity arises from a combination of marine, fluvial, and deltaic processes that have shaped the basin over geological time. Our study is dedicated to examining the sedimentary rock formations within this basin, with a particular focus on key units: the Nkporo, Mamu, Ajali, and Nsukka Formations. The primary aim is to reconstruct past hydrodynamic conditions and sediment transport mechanisms that influenced sediment deposition and distribution in the basin. Through a detailed analysis that incorporates both field observations and quantitative methods, we have estimated crucial paleohydrodynamic parameters. These include channel depth, bedform height, sediment transport modes, and flow velocities. By evaluating these parameters, we gain insights into the ancient environmental conditions and sedimentary processes that prevailed during the deposition of these formations. Our findings reveal a wide array of depositional environments within the Anambra Basin. The Nsukka Formation is associated with transitional flow conditions characterized by moderate sediment suspension. This indicates that the depositional environment experienced a balance between sediment being carried by the flow and sediment settling out of suspension. In contrast, the Ajali Formation is marked by a stable environment where sediment transport was predominantly in the form of bed load, suggesting a more consistent and less turbulent flow regime. The Mamu Formation is indicative of highly dynamic and turbulent flow conditions. This environment facilitated both bed load and suspended sediment transport, reflecting a setting with strong currents and significant sediment mobilization. Additionally, the Owelli Sandstone Formation displays transitional flow characteristics that point towards a coastal or shallow marine environment, where sediment transport and deposition were influenced by interactions between marine and continental processes. Overall, this study significantly contributes to our understanding of sedimentary processes within the Anambra Basin. By reconstructing past hydrodynamic conditions and sediment transport mechanisms, the research not only enhances our knowledge of the basin’s geological history but also provides valuable insights into the broader sedimentary dynamics at play. This comprehensive analysis offers a foundation for future research and exploration, highlighting the intricate interplay between geological processes and sedimentary environments in the Anambra Basin
How do primary school children view learning and behaviour problems and to what extent can a brief Philosophy 4 children (P4C) intervention change their feelings, behaviour or thoughts?
Authors: Fields Diana , Asbury Kathryn
Published: July 2024

BackgroundWe know very little about how young children perceive others with special educational needs in educational contexts, or about how malleable these beliefs are. AimsTo gain an understanding of whether children’s attitudes towards those who learn and behave differently we designed a Philosophy for Children (P4C) intervention and evaluated it using a randomised control trial SampleThe participants were children, from two primary schools, based in the north of England (n = 165). All children, irrespective of special educational needs and disabilities (SENDs), were invited to participate in the study. In total (n = 39) children, 24% of the sample had been diagnosed with SENDs.MethodTwo non-gendered puppet characters, Zig and Zag represented learning and behaviour differences to participants. An English version of The Chedoke-McMaster Attitudes Towards Children with Handicaps Scale (CATCH) (Armstrong et al., 2017) was used to assess older children’s attitudes (affective, behavioural and cognitive) and a measure, developed by the researchers for the youngest children, before and after intervention. ResultsAfter adjusting baseline pre-test scores for affective, behavioural and cognitive attitudes we found that the intervention had a significant positive effect on affective attitudes towards those with learning disabilities. ConclusionThe study offers preliminary evidence that a brief four-week P4C intervention can significantly alter children’s affective attitudes towards others with learning differences. These research findings also demonstrate that very young children can meaningfully share their perspectives.
Validation of the Multidimensional Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI-M) in the Chilean population
Authors: Figueroa Oriana , Polo Pablo José , Reyes Jose Antonio Muñoz , Ferrer Rodrigo , Fajardo Gabriela Paz , Torrico-Bazoberry Daniel
Published: July 2024

We used the SOI-M Multidimensional Sociosexual Orientation Inventory developed initially by Jackson and Kirkpatrick (2007) for validation in the Chilean population. This 3-dimensional instrument measures sociosexuality in terms of short-term mating orientation, long-term mating orientation and sociosexual behavior. This inventory allows us to capture the deployment of reproductive strategies in men and women simultaneously (that is, in the short and long-term). We tested the instrument's psychometric properties from a final sample of 865 subjects (247 women and 616 men) between 18 and 55 years old (M = 23.56; SD = 5.52). First, with a subsample (N=172), we performed and EFA to establish dimensionality. Then, with the remaining sample (N=693) an ESEM and CFA. We performed an ESEM for confirmatory analysis, analyzed invariance by sex and relations with other variables. We verified the existence of three factors, maintaining the 20 original items. Then, we eliminated the redundant or cross-factor loading items, thus obtaining a reduced version of 15 items and three factors. We tested and verified the convergent and divergent validity of the instrument. Also, we tested invariance by sex, establishing that the SOI-M behaves invariantly. The SOI-M is a valid and reliable instrument to measure multidimensional sociosexuality in the Chilean population.Keywords: sociosexuality, validation, psychometric properties, human mating, strategic pluralism
Cognitive impairment - goodness of fit: Case report on intricacies in diagnosis
Authors: Shrestha Priya , Chaudhary Chandan , Nepal Suraj
Published: July 2024

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by rapid onset dementia and neurological symptoms, often challenging to differentiate from other neuropsychiatric conditions such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, especially in patients with alcohol dependence. We present a case of a 61-year-old female with a history of alcohol dependence, who initially presented with hallucinatory behaviour, memory impairment, and ataxic gait. Diagnostic evaluation revealed features reflecting Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome on initial evaluation. However clinical profile, aided with MRI findings were suggestive of sCJD. The overlapping symptoms of sCJD and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome constitute a diagnostic dilemma, which gets further complicated with resource constraints for assessment. This case underscores the importance of enhancing our skills as clinicians in neurocognitive assessment to locate specific brain network dysfunction to conclude on a brain disorder, among cases presenting with neuropsychological symptoms.
Utjecaj epidemije bolesti COVID-19 na percepciju kvalitete e-usluga jedinica lokalne samouprave – primjer Grada Rijeke
Authors: Dadasović Bojan
Published: July 2024

Epidemija bolesti COVID-19 2020. godine utjecala je na rad jedinica lokalne samouprave i u Republici Hrvatskoj i u svijetu. Lokalne jedinice morale su poduzimati niz mjera u izvanrednim okolnostima kako bi i dalje mogle nesmetano pružati lokalne javne usluge. Digitalizacija usluga nametnula se kao brz i efikasan način pružanja široke palete lokalnih javnih usluga. Umjesto direktnog kontakta korisnika usluga i njihovih pružatelja, u prvi plan dolazi neposredan kontakt korisnika javnih usluga i alata moderne tehnologije. U tom smislu lokalne jedinice aktivno djeluju na razvoju mnogih e-usluga. U ovom radu nakon uvodnog dijela i dosadašnjih provedenih istraživanja na primjeru Grada Rijeke istražuje se percepcija kvalitete pruženih elektroničkih usluga prije i poslije epidemije bolesti COVID-19 na reprezentativnom uzorku od 362 ispitanika. Zaključno, očekuje se da će pozitivna percepcija pozitivno utjecati na daljnji razvoj e-usluga lokalnih jedinica.
Social Enterprise Intention of Non-STEM University Students: Experimental Evidence
Authors: D.I.J. Samaranayake  , S. Maheswaran  , A. Mithursan
Published: July 2024

The concept of social enterprise is an imperative facet of modern entrepreneurship that emphasizes the potential for businesses to generate profits while promoting societal well-being. However, this dual objective presents a significant challenge for entrepreneurs as it demands a strong commitment to social responsibility. Our study aimed to investigate the emerging trend of anti-social decisions made by young people in response to complex socio-economic constraints. The inquiry involved a series of classroom experiment conducted on 240 undergraduates in a hypothetical environment. The experiments presented the participants with opportunities to make prosocial or anti-social decisions regarding their occupational choices under four different socio-economic conditions and also in a structured coordination game. The results suggest that prospective employees may be more likely to make choices that benefit themselves, rather than others, when faced with difficult social and economic situations. However, those who opt to be self-employed expressed the highest prosocial motivation, indicating a strong desire to contribute to society. It is important to take these findings into account when creating educational policies and adjusting economic policies, such as tax policies. We need to encourage and educate young people in Sri Lanka to develop and express their desire to create positive social change, by promoting pro-social values and behaviors.
Evaluating the Impact of Technological Adaptation in Third-Party Logistics on Farming Household Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Supply Chain Robustness
Authors: Gopikrishna Selvananthana
Published: July 2024

Agriculture is recognized as a key determinant in the economic vitality of Sri Lanka. The prominent challenges faced by farmers include the pervasiveness of middlemen, insufficient storage infrastructure, substandard transportation between supply chain participants, and inadequate mechanization within the agricultural sector. This research primarily investigates the influence of Third-Party Logistics – including warehousing, distribution, and order fulfillment – on optimizing farmers' rewards, a process moderated by technology adaptation and mediated by supply chain robustness. The principal objective of this study is to explore and scrutinize the impact of logistics and its constituents on the optimization of compensations and additional benefits for farmers, which can be achieved by enhancing the supply chain through technological adaptation. To meet this objective, the researcher adopted a pragmatic philosophical position coupled with a deductive methodology. The research was conducted among farmers in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. A sample of 180 farming households was chosen through a stratified simple random sampling technique that encompassed all Districts within the Province. An explanatory mixed method was employed as the methodological preference for the study, supplemented by a cross-sectional approach under the time horizon. The study's findings revealed that Third-Party Logistics positively impact reward maximization, and further demonstrated the moderating and mediating effects of technology adaptation and supply chain resilience. In conclusion, the paper presents recommended strategies, which include advancements in logistical practices and the implementation of updated technological solutions within agriculture. These recommendations could be adopted by farmers to maximize the monetary and non-monetary benefits.
The Open Society as an Enemy: A critique of how free societies turned against themselves
Authors: Alexander J. McKenzie
Published: July 2024

Nearly 80 years ago, Karl Popper gave a spirited philosophical defence of the Open Society in his two-volume work, The Open Society and Its Enemies. In this book, J. McKenzie Alexander argues that a new defence is urgently needed because, in the decades since the end of the Cold War, many of the values of the Open Society have come under threat once again. Populist agendas on both the left and right threaten to undermine fundamental principles that underpin liberal democracies, so that what were previously seen as virtues of the Open Society are now, by many people, seen as vices, dangers, or threats.

The Open Society as an Enemy interrogates four interconnected aspects of the Open Society: cosmopolitanism, transparency, the free exchange of ideas, and communitarianism. Each of these is analysed in depth, drawing out the implications for contemporary social questions such as the free movement of people, the erosion of privacy, no-platforming and the increased political and social polarisation that is fuelled by social media.

In re-examining the consequences for all of us of these attacks on free societies, Alexander calls for resistance to the forces of reaction. But he also calls for the concept of the Open Society to be rehabilitated and advanced. In doing this, he argues, there is an opportunity to re-think the kind of society we want to create, and to ensure it is achievable and sustainable. This forensic defence of the core principles of the Open Society is an essential read for anyone wishing to understand some of the powerful social currents that have engulfed public debates in recent years, and what to do about them.
INVESTIGATION OF SOLVATION STRUCTURES AND DYNAMICS OF Li-ION BATTERY ELECTROLYTES AND AMIDES IN WATER: AN INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY, ELECTROCHEMICAL AND COMPUTATIONAL STUDY
Authors:   , Nachaki Ernest
Published: July 2024

The investigation of solvation structures and dynamics in lithium-ion battery electrolytes and amides in water has significant implications for both fundamental science and practical applications. Understanding the solvation dynamics of lithium electrolytes can lead to the development of safer and more efficient LIBs. The study of hydrogen bond dynamics of N-alkyl substituted amides has important implications for the development of thermos-responsive polymers used in biomedical applications. By understanding how N-alkyl substitutions affect the hydration structure and dynamics of amides, this research can inform the design of polymers with tailored properties for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and other medical applications. This research also provides fundamental insights into the molecular interactions and dynamics of liquids, contributing to the broader field of physical chemistry. The combination of experimental and computational methods offers a comprehensive understanding of the systems under study, advancing our knowledge of solvation phenomena and molecular dynamics.
DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONALIZING OF THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE DESIGN PROCESS TO CREATE INTEGRATED STEM INTERVENTIONS
Authors:   , Begat Vanessa
Published: July 2024

Globally, the demand for people prepared to enter Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers is increasing. To help fill this demand, many formal and informal STEM educational interventions have been implemented in the K-12 domain. However, due to the lack of a clearly defined framework for documenting the nature and scope of the intervention (National Research Council, 2014), the interventions vary greatly in their success, sustainability, and replicability. This research is grounded in Educational Design Research and uses the principle of Learning Experience Design (LXD) to develop a framework for thoughtfully designing and documenting a STEM intervention. This framework is then applied to the creation of a transdisciplinary Introduction to Engineering course specifically designed to improve student attitudes towards STEM, particularly engineering, as well as a professional development for teachers. The intervention and professional development are then evaluated to determine the impact on student attitudes towards STEM as well as teacher content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge.
Harmony in Collaboration: Curating Sustainability in Post-Pandemic Arts
Authors:   , Stepaniak Natalie
Published: July 2024

"In an interconnected world, collaboration in the arts is rising, challenging the traditional notion of the solitary artist. Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for advancing performing and visual arts, especially amidst declining audience attendance. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating challenges for the arts sector, recent data suggests a gradual recovery, with collaborative efforts fostering resilience. This dissertation investigates the transformative potential of interdisciplinary collaboration from the perspective of musicians and their organizations. Through three case studies—collaborations between the Rapides Symphony Orchestra and Play On Theater Company, The Next Festival for Emerging Artists, and violist-composer Leilehua Lanzilotti and her collaborative relationship with the Noguchi Museum—the research examines organizational structures, personnel involvement, and community impact. These cases explore dynamics ranging in scale, such as orchestra-theater partnerships, movement and art-music festivals, and composer-museum dialogues. As a way to further test the scope of interdisciplinarity in the arts, I collaborated with a local visual arts institution, Baton Rouge Gallery – Center for Contemporary Art, to program viola works composed within the last 10 years with works of art on exhibition in a curatorial manner. In following the model from the composer and museum collaborative projects (The Noguchi Museum and Leilehua Lanzilotti), the results were analyzed through an ethnographic lens. These diverse models collectively strive towards two overarching objectives: firstly, to catalyze lasting positive changes within communities, and secondly, to propel the realms of visual and performing arts towards a future characterized by sustainability and relevance."
ASMRtistry in Immersive Sound: Investigating the Effectiveness of Immersive Sound Technologies in Eliciting Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response
Authors:   , Nelson Scott
Published: July 2024

Despite a wide array of immersive sound technologies available to digital media creators who specialize in making audio-visual content that aims to elicit Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), only a few sound reproduction modalities are widely used: mono/stereo and binaural recording. To date, nearly all research studying ASMR, a bio-sensory phenomenon wherein people feel brain tingles triggered by calming audio-visual cues, has been content to carry out ASMR studies entirely with stereo and binaural sound reproduction methods. Therefore, it stands to reason that more understanding about how diverse immersive sound modalities like wave field synthesis, or three-dimensional spatial audio for virtual reality environments might affect the ASMR experience. Do they enhance ASMR experiences more than binaural, the widely advertized modality for the best ASMR experience? And how do they all, including binaural, compare to non-technologically mediated ASMR experiences? This dissertation sets out to open the dialog surrounding ASMR’s application within the diverse technology space of immersive audio. Through the development and testing of four new immersive sound art works for ASMR, this study evaluates the efficacy of various immersive sound modalities, including binaural audio, VR sound spatialization, distributed networks of smartphone speakers, and non-technologically mediated ASMR performance in eliciting ASMR. Participants testing the new sound art works for ASMR took a survey testing for five-point Likert scale rankings of ASMR-related descriptors in relation to experiencing each new sound art work for the first time. The findings, at the very least, suggest that immersive sound technologies can produce effective ASMR experiences, pointing a light toward a greater variety of immersive sound technologies, and providing viable avenues for ASMRtists to create new and interesting ASMR art works.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF WATER SOLUBLE FRACTION OF PROPOLIS AND ITS ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL ON BACTERIA CAUSING CONJUNCTIVITIS
Authors: Muz Ömer Ersin , Keskin Şaban , Kara Yakup , Alpay Karaoğlu Şengül , Keskin Merve
Published: July 2024

Propolis is a bee product with a variety of biological activities. Although chemical composition of propolis differs by the location but all propolis types possesses antimicrobial activity. The usage of propolis for apitherapeutic purposes has increased recently. But its ethanol solubility limits its usage in certain areas like ophthalmology. Main objective of this study is to isolate water soluble components of propolis and determination of its antimicrobial activity against two bacteria causing conjunctivitis namely Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Haemophilus influenzae. Isolation of water soluble fraction of propolis was carried out in two steps by using pectin-propolis micro beads. Isolated water soluble fraction and crude extract was examined by thin layer chromatography and HPLC analyses. Three main spots were screened on TLC plate after isolation. These spots could be explained by the presence of different class of compounds in the isolate. HPLC analyses showed that water soluble fraction contained phenolic acids, their esters and flavonoids like p-OH benzoic acid, t-cinnamic acid, pinocembrin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester. Low antimicrobial activity was achieved against tested microorganisms for the fraction. It can be concluded that isolation of water soluble fraction of the propolis extract could be a solution for its usage in restricted areas.
Chromosomal Analysis of Pregnancy Tissue from Women with Recurrent Early Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Raouf Nazdar
Published: July 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the cytogenetical distribution of chromosomal disorders in couples after recurrent early pregnancy loss. Background: One of the most important causes of pregnancy loss found in around half of the first trimester miscarriages is fetal chromosomal abnormalities, the role of fetal chromosomal disorders needs to be better evaluated. Method: This study was conducted at two hospital and private clinics in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan from February 2017 to February 2022, and reviewed retrospectively the study included 150 patients with history of Recurrent Early Pregnancy Loss were admitted for curettage because of miscarriage in early pregnancy Patients were divided in two group. Results: The study population included a total of 150 fetal tissue specimens obtained during dilation and curettage after the diagnosis of spontaneous miscarriage. Patients were divided in two groups. Group 1 included 95patients with an abnormal embryonic karyotype in the aborted material. Group 2 comprised 55 patients with a normal embryonic karyotype in the aborted products. Patients with a normal embryonic karyotype in the aborted products were significantly younger (p=0.0147). Conclusion: Young patients suffering from repeated miscarriages have a low probability to find chromosomal disorders in the embryonic tissue. Chromosomal analysis should be offered after previous miscarriages before further diagnostic methods are performed.
Acute Tocolysis Using a Single Bolus Dose of Atosiban for Preterm Labor Management: A Prospective Study
Authors: Dewan Bhupesh
Published: July 2024

Background: Preterm labor poses a significant challenge within obstetrics, carrying the potential for diverse complications for both maternal and neonatal well-being. Extensive clinical data indicates that atosiban stands as a secure and well-tolerated therapeutic alternative, exhibiting fewer adverse effects on both the mother and fetus compared to other tocolytic treatments. This investigation aimed to assess the feasibility of achieving optimal medical care by employing a solitary atosiban bolus dose. This approach holds the promise of mitigating the necessity for hospitalization, potentially enabling outpatient management of the condition. Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of using a single bolus dose of atosiban to delay premature delivery. Material and Methods: The study included 75 patients experiencing symptoms of preterm labor. These patients were administered a single bolus dose of atosiban (6.5 mg/0.9mL). The study was conducted between August 2019 and July 2023. Results: The study successfully used a single bolus dose of atosiban to delay delivery by up to 48 hours, enabling corticosteroid prophylaxis. The participants' average gestational age was 32.1 weeks. Atosiban effectively delayed delivery in 68% of patients for an average of 13.3 days, with a range of 0-62 days. No adverse effects were reported by either mothers or fetuses during the study period. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that a single bolus dose of atosiban is an effective and safe treatment option for delaying preterm labor. This treatment provides short-term relief for an average of 13 days, with potential benefits over other tocolytics like isoxsuprine, ritodrine, and nifedipine due to fewer side effects. The intravenous bolus dose of atosiban has a quick onset and long-lasting effects, making it convenient for both patients and physicians. The approach is cost-effective and could be repeated after a few days if necessary. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of using a single bolus dose of atosiban as an outpatient treatment to manage preterm labor effectively, offering benefits in terms of safety, convenience, and cost.