bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maturity Model for Assessing the Extent of Automation in Sri Lankan Warehouse Operations: A Multiple Case Study
Authors: Liyanage Harishani , Delpachitra Kavindu
Published: April 2024

Warehouses are facing substantial challenges due to the COVID-19 context. In this regard, automation in the warehouse industry has become an emerging trend in the supply chain sector. However, there is no proper model to measure the maturity level of warehouse operations. This paper aims to provide a maturity scale model to measure the automation stage in the Sri Lankan warehouse context. This research uses qualitative and quantitative approaches to assess the maturity level. A refined maturity assessment model was developed using early literature and industry expert views. The study analysed data collected from five major warehouses in Sri Lanka, and those were modelled as ad-hoc, mechanisation (semi-automated), and fully automated stages of examining the overall maturity stage of the selected warehouses. The study findings reveal that the majority of selected Sri Lankan warehouses have developed soft-based automation practices. According to the study, chosen warehouses in Sri Lanka retain the stage of 1.93 in maturity scale, which means combining traditional manual processes with some part of automation. Further selected warehouse operations belong to the mature stage of ad-hoc level in the maturity scale of automation. It may dramatically move to the mechanisation stage with the globalised market dynamics. Further, the maturity model of the study provides a practical diagnostic tool that will help warehouses assess the warehouses' automation level in the Sri Lankan context.

Keywords: Automation of Warehouse Operations, Maturity Scale, Warehouse Automation Practices
Bourdieusian Perspective to Identity Work in Strategy Work: Evidence from Sri Lanka’s Coconut Industry
Authors: De Peiris T. Nayomi S. , Kaluarachchi K.A.S.P.
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this empirical study is to discuss how the identity work of organisational actors is reflected through their strategy work in an organisational context from the Bourdieusian perspective. Further, based on a case study following the qualitative research approach, the paper also presents empirical evidence from Sri Lanka’s coconut industry on the identity work of organisational actors in their strategy work, which, in turn, contributes to shaping the organisational strategy. The participants in the study were managers representing a cross-section of the organisation. Twenty-six semi-structured interviews were used for the generation of the data for thematic analysis. NVivo12 data management software was used for the data management and the initial coding. It was found that managers are engaged in different identity work, introducing and normalising a new organisational strategy during their strategy work. Further, the behaviour and practices normalised in the selected organisation through managers' strategy work reflected their identity work in defining the other(s). The discussion was based on the theory of practice by Pierre Bourdieu. Accordingly, this research shows how the identity work of new position takers supports shaping the practices linked with a new strategy. Further, their identity work reflected through strategy work is also connected with their individual dispositions (habitus). The discussion extends further to show how individuals’ capital—mainly their cultural capital and social capital—contributes to constructing a new operational strategy in the selected organisational field. As for implications of this study, it highlighted the contribution of the position-takers in shaping the organisation's strategy while engaging in identity work for self and others. Consequently, this study illustrates how organisational actors perform different social-symbolic work (identity work and strategy work) in parallel.

Keywords: Capital, Habitus, Identity Work, Social-Symbolic Work, Strategy Work
Factors Affecting Customer Retention: A Case Study of ABC Finance PLC, Sri Lanka
Authors: Indunil W.P. Chathuranga , Udayanga Shyaman
Published: April 2024

The financial industry is one of the key players in the Sri Lankan economy, which provides a high income to the country. However, at the moment, the growth of the entire industry has stagnated due to some recent incidents such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Easter Attack-2019 as well as the imposed Loan to Value (LTV) ratio restrictions; imposed taxes; time- to- time restrictions on importing vehicles; increased vehicle prices; increased leasing lending rates; decrease in fixed deposits (FD) and savings rates; increase in mortgage registration charges; and a reduction in the world’s economic activities. Since the market is not growing, it is very important to retain the existing client base with the company to create more business opportunities in the future (cross-selling and re-purchasing). This research was conducted to investigate the factors affecting customer retention in the finance industry, with special reference to one of the top finance companies in Sri Lanka. The survey strategy that was used to collect data from the sample of 360 was comprised of a well-developed numerically rated questionnaire while SPSS 20 was used to analyse the collected data. Many secondary data sources of ABC Finance PLC were gathered to identify the problem and conduct the research accurately. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to investigate the factors affecting customer retention. In order to create a suitable model for the research, the researchers performed a thorough literature review and discovered several variables relating to the problem. Finally, the researchers selected brand image, trust, switching barriers, service quality and price perception as the five independent variables and customer retention as the dependent variable, while the conceptual model was constructed based on these. Since it was created based on the literature review, this study was conducted as deductive research. Descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, correlation and coefficient analysis as well as regression analysis were done together with other necessary analysis to test the formulated conceptual model. Findings of the research proved that a positive relationship was shown by brand image, service quality, and trust and switching barriers towards the customer retention while the price perception was excluded from the model. Finally, researchers have submitted some recommendations in relation to the research problem and proposed a new conceptual model. Further, some distinct activities have been suggested by the researchers for the ABC Finance PLC in order to rectify this issue appropriately.

Keywords: Customer Retention, Brand Image, Trust, Switching Barriers, Service Quality
Do Women Act as Effective Leaders? A Study of Female Leadership of Commercial Banks in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Chathuranga Nirmal
Published: April 2024

Women in the leadership positions of the organisations is a significant area in the contemporary field of research. The follower’s perception of female leadership is also investigated by contemporary leadership and gender studies, considering traditional gender stereotypes and different leadership theories, concepts, and models. This quantitative study is designed to investigate the impact of the leadership role of women towards the followers’ perceived leader-effectiveness of the commercial banks in the Colombo district of Sri Lanka. Further, this study is intended to find whether the followers view their female leaders as effective leaders. Role theory of leadership, Social Network Analysis (SNA), and situational theory of leadership were associated in conceptualising, and it was tested whether the followers’ leader-role expectations, leader’s social networks, and leader’s situational roles significantly impact the followers’ perceived leader-effectiveness related to the female leaders. Using the questionnaire method, data was gathered from a hundred employees who are working under the female leaders of commercial banks in the Colombo district. Regression results revealed that the followers’ leader-role expectations and leader’s situational roles significantly impact the follower’s perceived leader-effectiveness. However, in this context, female leaders’ social networks do not determine the follower’s perceived leader-effectiveness. Overall, the workers who are working in the commercial banks of the Colombo district perceive their female leaders as effective leaders.

Keywords: Commercial Banks, Effectiveness, Female Leaders, Followers, Leadership
Maintaining Health, Safety and Hygiene of Differently Abled Shop-Floor Employees in the Confectionery Industry in Sri Lanka: An Ethnographic Narrative
Authors: Jayathilaka Anuruddika
Published: April 2024

In many developed countries, the authorised unemployment rate for differently abled people of working age is at least twice that of those who do not have any disability. Thus, the need for employment opportunities for differently abled people has emerged. Of all other available industries, the confectionery industry is routine-oriented, and can cater to employing differently abled employees. Health, safety and hygiene are concerned with it, especially as it incorporates a lot of raw ingredients and sells them for direct consumption. When employing differently abled employees (especially those with Down syndrome and autism) in such industries, employers have concerns about health, safety and hygiene. Hence, it is essential to investigate how health, safety and hygiene are maintained by differently abled shop-floor employees in the confectionery industry. In this research, in a journey of ethnographic narrative, the researcher sets out to narrate the stories of the differently abled shop-floor employees in the confectionery industry, as their stories are within the context of Sri Lanka. As an organisational ethnography can reveal and explore the intricacies, challenges, tensions and choices of lives in organisations, the researcher has employed organisational ethnography as the prime methodological approach of this study. Exploring and analysing the daily lives of differently-abled shop-floor employees—while becoming a part of their work-life—paves the path to realising that employees with disabilities can work in any circumstance with discipline and continuous supervision.

Keywords: Confectionery Industry, Differently Abled, Health and Safety, Shop-Floor Employees
Feminism and Beauty: A Study on How the Conceptualisation of Beauty by the Contemporary Cosmetics Industry Influence Female Managers in Sri Lankan Corporate Sector
Authors: Tennekoon Rumali
Published: April 2024

Beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder but is it in reality? Society has been setting beauty standards for centuries, depicting what an ideal woman should be like. The cosmetics industry seems to have commercialised on these set standards, formulating their marketing strategies to tap into the weaknesses of women with regard to their physical appearance. Society and the market will leave no stone unturned to transfer the ideal through the media so much so that women’s minds are conditioned to it and the ideal becomes normal. With the rise of social media, women are able to voice concerns and spread awareness in the hopes of banishing these absurd beauty standards and finally being viewed as a woman for her capabilities and not her appearance. In such a context, this research aims to identify the conceptualisation of beauty by the contemporary cosmetics industry and its influence on female managers in Sri Lanka. This research used the qualitative approach by using a series of semi-structured interviews. Six (06) top-level and middle-level female mangers from private banks in Sri Lanka and two (02) beauticians were selected as the main data sources of the study. The fieldwork was focused on first finding the conceptualisation of beauty in the contemporary cosmetics industry as per the two beauticians, then on the marketing done by cosmetics brands and finally by the female managers. While cosmetics can only account for the external beauty of a woman, the majority of beauty lies in her internal beauty i.e., health, hygiene, elegance, poise, conduct and most importantly presenting oneself confidently, connecting all three aspects of a human: body, mind and soul. Social media is bringing changes to the way how people perceive beauty, working with both ways as good and bad. The marketing strategies of cosmetics brands are following social trends and inculcating feminist approaches to beauty. Beauty has its effects in a corporate context where impression formulation, halo effect, aesthetic labour, sexuality in the workplace and credibility are attributed to physical appearance. The ultimate conceptualisation of beauty by female managers will be instrumental in formulating cosmetics marketing strategies.

Keywords: Beauty, Beauty Standards, Cosmetics Industry, Cosmetics Marketing, Fairness
Conceptual Study on Potential Applications of E-Marketing Tools in Food Businesses amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wanniarachchi P.C. , Rajakaruna R.W.M.N.S.T.
Published: April 2024

In a challenging era where the COVID-19 pandemic has severely beaten the industries all over the world, many businesses were on the verge of closure due to shortage of labour, decline of revenues and weighty demand drops. As a result, many businesses were keen on finding latest technologies to secure the tie with existing customers and to prevent potential customers from abandoning their businesses. One such industry can be highlighted as the food industry which is a global network of multiple businesses, engaging in catering to the world population’s hunger. On this point, greater attention was drawn on the applications of the e-marketing concept as an effective technology to sustain global food businesses without collapsing amidst the pandemic situation. E-marketing simply refers to marketing products, services and brands with the help of internet. Many of the conventional retailers and wholesalers of the food sector in many developing countries are not fully aware about the concept of e-marketing where in many developed countries, it is one of the key means of achieving marketing targets. Based on previous literature, this conceptual paper attempts to underpin potential applications of e-marketing tools in food businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper specifically focusses on eliciting advantages of e- marketing and the challenges to be faced with its adoption with the intention of popularising the e-marketing concept in the global food businesses to combat the challenges faced by them and to sustain it in the long run amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this will identify the potential and inclination of people to launch, manage and organise business ventures with e-marketing approaches in the present as well as in the future world. Thereby this work may facilitate existing as well as potential entrepreneurs in the food sector to productively engage their businesses even under the restrictions of global pandemic contexts like COVID-19.

Keywords: E-Marketing, Food Business, Advantages, Challenges, COVID-19
How Offline Shopping Safety Practices Affect Consumer Buying Behaviour during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kasunthika R.K.
Published: April 2024

Countries all around the world are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and are taking urgent measures to stop the virus from spreading by introducing new policies. The consumer was confronted with unexpected issues as a result of the abrupt shift in shopping habits. One of the most important aspects of customer shopping behaviour around the world is safety, and today's consumers are more health conscious. The systematic review aims to uncover the elements that influence consumer safety measures. This research study aims to demonstrate how offline safety shopping practices affect consumer buying behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research study had four independent variables: safety measures, physical distance, convenience, and hygiene practices. The online questionnaire was conducted to collect data from offline shopping consumers in Sri Lanka. This research questionnaire used a five-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). The self-administered questionnaire was distributed through an online platform due to the social distance and collected data from 120 respondents using a convenience sampling method of non-probability. The research questionnaire was shared from 1st of June to 31st of July during a period when social distancing was practised in Sri Lanka. The collected data were interpreted and analysed using SPSS version 3.2.9. Reliability analysis was used to check for internal consistency between the collected data. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were used to test the hypothesis of this research study. This research study provided a deeper understanding of safety practices and changes in consumer buying behaviour within this unforeseen situation. Finally, this research study found that offline shopping safety practices have influenced consumer buying behaviour directly during this COVID pandemic situation, as well as how marketers can recognise those safety practices used in offline shopping. Consumers may find the findings valuable in making decisions during a pandemic.

Keywords: Offline Shopping, Safety Practices, Consumer Buying Behaviour
Understanding Impulse Buying Behaviour: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Dinesha P.K.C.
Published: April 2024

The consumer buying a product can be influenced not only because of the need for them but also by the sudden urge to buy them. Academic research on impulse purchases has proliferated significantly in recent decades, spanning the last sixty years. However, attention to this phenomenon has been vitally discussed in the past few years. Thereby, the paper aimed to provide a detailed account of the impulse buying behaviour by compiling the various research work literature in the field of Retailing and Consumer Behaviour which presents a broad overview of the impulse buying construct and the various behavioural aspects of it. The authors adopted a review protocol to conduct the review, finally, through the review indented gaps and further insight have been discussed.

Keywords: Impulse Buying, Systematic Review
Influential Factors on the Effectiveness of Land Title Registration Program in Sri Lanka: Professional’s Perspective
Authors: Wickramaarachchi N.C. , Namasinghe K.W.
Published: April 2024

In Sri Lanka, the land registration system is presently experiencing countrywide conversion from a deed registration system to a title registration system. It is noted that the outcome of the conversion is little than expected. Many criticised slower progress and process hence, the system is not effectively moving. Studies have evaluated the determinants from the end users’ perspective, in fact, evidence of a formal study on the views of professionals in Sri Lanka is absent. Therefore, this research is focusing to analyse the professional perceptions on the factors that are influential in the effectiveness of the land title registration program in Sri Lanka. For this purpose, seven pre-determined factors that affect were used viz., awareness of program and participation, administration issues, attitudes and perception, social issues, technological, legal, and access to information. The mixed-method research approach was utilised in this research. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire developed as a google form was circulated among 60 professionals selected through purposive sampling method, who involves in land title registration program in Homagama and Moratuwa Divisional Secretariat Divisions to collect perceptions. Further, tele-interviews were conducted with 06 key professionals selected from the Bim Saviya project Head Office. Data analyses rely on the Pareto analysis, descriptive statistics, and spearman’s correlation analysis as quantitative methods and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as the qualitative approach. Results revealed that the factors of awareness of the program and participation for activities and administration factors are highly influential for the effectiveness of the Bim Saviya Program in terms of both quantitative and qualitative measures. As per the outcome of the study, it is recommended to take immediate and necessary actions to mitigate the problems regarding prior factors for the establishment of an effective land registration system in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Effectiveness, Land Administration, Land Title Registration, Property Rights, Sri Lanka
Increasing Understanding of the Islamic Religion Through Interactive Methods for Children with Special Needs
Authors: Mirrota Dita Dzata , Hasan Moch. Sya'roni , Ainiyah Qurrotul
Published: April 2024

This study aims to design and implement interactive learning methods in Islamic Religious Education (PAI) subjects, in particular, intellectual disability (tuna daksa) classes at SMA LK As Shofa Mojokerto, as well as analyze the effectiveness of these methods in improving students' understanding of PAI subject matter. The interactive methods applied include group discussions, role-playing, and demonstrations. The study employs a qualitative approach with a case study design. The research subjects are PAI teachers and students in a particular tuna daksa class at the high school. Data is collected through interviews, observations, and documentation studies. The results show that the application of interactive learning methods can improve intellectually disabled students' understanding of Islamic religious subject matter. Students have become more active and enthusiastic in PAI learning activities. They also find it easier to understand the material through direct activities and role-playing so that their religious learning outcomes improve. This study contributes to the development of innovative and contextual PAI learning methods for students with intellectual disabilities in inclusive schools.
MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF HEAT EXCHANGE IN A LOCAL HEATING ZONE USING FILM ELECTRIC HEATERS BASED ON A BIOTHERMAL ANIMAL MODEL
Authors:   South Ural State Agrarian University, Popov Vitaly M. , Epishkov Egor N. ,   South Ural State Agrarian University, Afonkina Valentina A. ,   South Ural State Agrarian University, Levinsky Vasily N. ,   South Ural State Agrarian University
Published: April 2024

The article shows the widespread use of film electric heaters today, as a generator of thermal radiation in the heating systems of young animals. As a rule, this heating system is local, that is, the system provides for maintaining comfortable temperature conditions directly in the cage or den of the animal, which contributes to the proper development of its body, especially in the early stages. In this regard, it is important to correctly calculate the parameters of such a system so that the animal is first of all comfortable, and secondly, it is effective in terms of energy costs. The article analyzes several calculation methods, such as the method of markers and cells, the method of finite differences, the run-through method, the advantages and disadvantages of these methods are given. To obtain a mathematical model, a direct run method was chosen in the format «vortex – velocity – current function – temperature», since this method is not affected by the type of boundary conditions that take into account the dependences on the biophysical characteristics of the heated animals and the configuration of the heating zone. The result of the study is the structure and block diagram of a mathematical model for calculating the temperature field, which allows taking into account the heat released by animals, which will allow more accurately calculating the temperature field in the heating zone, the only drawback of which is the inability to take into account the work of ventilation systems and drafts that organize the movement of air in the heating zone.
BIOLOGICAL EFFICIENCY OF PREPARATIONS OF «BIOSPHERE» Ltd IN PROCESSING OF SPRING WHEAT SEEDS
Authors:   Bashkir State Agrarian University, Rakhimova Gouzel M. , Davletshin Florid M. ,   Bashkir State Agrarian University, Ayupov Dayan S. ,   Bashkir State Agrarian University
Published: April 2024

The work describes the results of research conducted to determine the effect of biological preparations based on live bacterial cultures of Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas asplenii, Azotobacter chroococcum and their metabolites on the fungicidal activity and growth processes of Arkhat spring wheat plants
THE USE OF NEURAL NETWORKS IN GENOTYPING
Authors:   Bashkir State Agrarian University, Belyaeva Albina S. , Ashurov Ernst Y. ,   Bashkir State Agrarian University
Published: April 2024

For effective breeding work, methods like BLUP (BLUP is the best linear unbiased predictor) and their comparison with breeding indices are increasingly being introduced. At the same time, the accuracy of information about the kinship relationships of animals increases, but at the same time the mathematical processing of such data becomes more complicated, requiring deeper analysis and comparison of large data sets, including using machine learning. Particular importance is given to the search for deep machine learning opportunities with the inclusion of information about the genotypes of the maximum number of animals of the same and different genealogical branches of the pedigree in the breeding assessment, which is in demand by both academic circles and breeding farms. This article describes and analyzes the relevance of neural networks in identifying the genetic potential of populations. In addition, proposed approaches to regulate the effect of breeding on various breeding characteristics included in the functions of the neural network.
WINTER CROPS OF KUZBASS: STATE, PROSPECTS
Authors:   Kuzbass State Agricultural Academy, Ilyin Denis P. , Nurlygayanov Razit B. ,   Bashkir State Agrarian University, Yagafarov Ruzil G. ,   Bashkir State Agrarian University, Izhmulkina Ekaterina A. ,   Kuzbass State Agricultural Academy
Published: April 2024

Winter crops are distinguished by the effective use of autumn-winter moisture and meltwater in spring. In the conditions of Western Siberia, they are insurance crops. In the Kemerovo region, winter crops are used for food, fodder and technical purposes. grain of winter rye, winter wheat and winter triticale is used for food purposes. Winter wheat is cultivated for technical processing to obtain edible vegetable oil in local oil extraction plants. The cake after seed processing is used in animal husbandry as a high-protein component in the production of compound feeds. Winter rye is a traditional food grain crop, often surpasses the yield of spring wheat. During the period 2007–2022 the crop yield varied from 15.6 c/ha to 28.1 c/ha. In arid 2012, the yield of spring grain was 9.0 c/ha, winter rye – 15.1 c/ha. The crop yield in individual farms reaches 50 centners or more per hectare. In 2022, winter rye crops decreased by 4.5 thousand hectares and amounted to 15.7 thousand hectares. Winter rye occupies one third of the acreage of the winter wedge of the region. Winter wheat in Western Siberia began to be cultivated in the early twentieth century. Cultivation of the crop on a large scale began in the last 20 years with the introduction of new hardy varieties. In 2022, winter wheat was cultivated in all municipal districts on an area of 22055 hectares. the grain yield of the crop by region ranged from 16.9 c/ha to 41.7 c/ha. Winter triticale in the region is distributed in limited quantities, although the productivity of the crop is higher than that of winter rye by 5.25 % and winter wheat by 14.7 %. Cultivation of winter wheat for seeds is about 15 years. In 2017–2021, the area of winter wheat in the region ranged from 5186 (2021) to 6140 ha (2017), seed yield from 5.0 c/ha to 20.0 c/ha. The acreage of winter crops is 7.8 %t in the structure of acreage. For a scientifically based farming system in the field, the area of winter crops must be increased to 15 % or double the level of 2022.
STUDIES OF THE ELECTRODE ROTATION FREQUENCY INFLUENCE ON THE THICKNESS OF ELECTRO SPARK COATINGS UNDER DIFFERENT PARAMETERS OF ELECTRO SPARK PROCESSING
Authors:   Bashkir State Agrarian University, Gaenetdinov Arthur A. , Sayfullin Rinat N. ,   Bashkir State Agrarian University, Suchkov Sergey V. ,   Bashkir State Agrarian University
Published: April 2024

The article presented actual problems studies of the thickness of electro spark coatings depending on the specified processing modes of the electro spark installation with a change in the frequency of rotation of the electrode. We propose to optimize the values of the parameters of the electro spark installation model SZ-8100, current frequency, current cycle pulse duration and frequency of rotation of the electrode to increase the thickness of the electro spark coating. As a result of experimental studies, the following results were obtained: the most thickness of the electro spark build up obtained at a pulse duration timp = 100 microseconds, voltage U = 60V, current frequency f = 300 Hz, at an electrode rotation frequency n = 260 min–1 and it is 1.88 mm (along the roughness vertices). In experimental studies, it was found that the current frequency parameter has a significant effect on the temperature regime of heating the surfacing electrode. Electro erosive destruction of particles by an electro spark processing, with an increase in the current frequency parameter, occurs. An increase in the pulse duration timp from 50 microseconds to 100 microseconds contributed to an increase in the thickness of the electro spark build up by 0.84 mm. It was found that in the case of an increase in the rotation frequencies of the electrode on the electrode holder, the tops of the formed electro spark grind polished, cooled faster and the thicknesses of electro spark coatings obtained with lower productivity. The smallest thicknesses of the electro spark build up formed at low values of the current frequency at f = 50 Hz, in both modes of the current duty cycle timp = 50 microseconds, timp = 100 microseconds and the formation of the thickness of the electro spark build up in the aisles varies from 0.04 mm to 0.45 mm. This study will help to choose the optimal values of the parameters of the electro spark installation, and increase the productivity of the process obtaining an effective thickness of the electro spark coating.
Period Prevalence of Antenatally Diagnosed Congenital abnormalities; Single Center Study
Authors: Al Mardawi Elham
Published: April 2024

Objective: To find out the period prevalence of congenital malformation diagnosed in security forces hospital – Riyadh –kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the study period from Jan 2012 till Dec 2014 and the possible associated risk factors. Method: This is a retrospective chart review of all pregnant ladies who were following at security forces hospital – Riyadh – in the period between Jan 2012 till Dec 2014 in whom congenital abnormalities were diagnosed by ultrasound. Results: out of 18748 scans done for 9374 patients during the study period, 283 cases of congenital abnormalities were diagnosed, which gives a period prevalence of 3.02 %. The majority -around 70% of these anomalies- involved one body system; out of them 31% were renal anomalies. Conclusion: The period prevalence of congenital abnormalities in our study group is similar to that seen in other population worldwide. Strikingly enough, consanguinity in our population appears to play a major associated risk factor.
Prospects for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Russia
Authors: Klimenko A. V. , Tereshin A. G. , Prun O. E.
Published: April 2024

The paper analyzes Russia’s ability to meet national obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There is a wide variation in estimates of anthropogenic methane emissions and CO2 emissions from forest fires, as well as an almost complete absence of projects for the utilization of methane emissions. It is shown that for Russia, the priority areas for reducing greenhouse gas emissions can be the modernization of the gas transmission system, the use of technologies for capturing and utilization of coalbed methane and landfill gas, improving forest management and combating natural fires, as well as energy-saving measures. In addition to a significant climatic effect, they contribute to the rational use of energy resources, the expansion of the fuel base of the national energy sector and the improvement of the quality of the environment.
Estimation of the Angular Position of an Aerial Vehicle Based on Measurements of the Parameters of Its Linear Motion
Authors: Korsun O. N. , Stulovsky A. V.
Published: April 2024

A method for determining the values of the attitude angles of an aerial vehicle (AV) is considered. For the proposed method, the initial data are the values of overloads in the body-fixed coordinate system and velocity projections in the Earth’s normal coordinate system. It is proposed, using the approaches of direct methods for finding the optimal control, to parametrize the pitch, roll, and yaw angles, and then find the values of the parameters based on the initial data. The resulting optimization problem can be solved using a population algorithm.
On Some Properties of Sets of Bounded Controllability for Stationary Linear Discrete Systems with Total Control Constraints
Authors: Ibragimov D. N. , Sirotin A. N.
Published: April 2024

We consider the problem of constructing reachable sets, i.e., sets of terminal states into which a system can be transferred from the origin in a fixed time, and 0-controllability sets, i.e., sets of initial states, from which a system can be transferred to the origin in a fixed time, for stationary linear discrete systems with a total control constraint. The representation of reachable and 0-controllable sets as linear transformations of superellipsoidal sets of finite and infinite dimensions is proved. A constructive method for describing the desired sets based on the apparatus of supporting half-planes is proposed, including for the limit sets of reachability and controllability. In the case of Euclidean spaces, the description is obtained explicitly. Examples are given. For a three-dimensional satellite motion control system in a near-circular orbit, reachability sets are modeled.
COMPARATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF AQUEOUS SUSPENSIONS OF MAGNETIC IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES WITH DIFFERENT PHASE COMPOSITIONS
Authors: KOVALENKO A. S. , O. A. SHILOVA O. A. , NIKOLAEV A. M. , MYAKIN S. V.
Published: April 2024

The interaction of iron oxide nanoparticles with an aqueous medium has been studied. The composition of the nanoparticles corresponds to magnetite–maghemite solid solutions with different Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios. Nanoparticles that most closely correspond to the composition of maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) have largest hydrodynamic diameters and cause a drastic decrease in the pH of the dispersion medium during the dispersion of the powders in water. Nanoparticles that have a phase composition of a solid solution corresponding to the middle of the magnetite–maghemite series are characterized by a gradual and less pronounced decrease in pH. It has been shown that dilution of aqueous suspensions obtained from preliminarily dried powders within a concentration range of 100–0.001 mg/L followed by sonication leads to a significant increase in the hydrodynamic diameter of iron oxide particles. A possible mechanism of the studied interaction of nanoparticles with the aqueous medium has been considered. This mechanism comprises the hydration of Lewis acid sites formed by iron ions and changes in the character of the dissociation of hydroxyl groups depending on the pH of a suspension. The effect of surface passivation of the studied nanopowders with oleic acid on the processes under consideration has been investigated. The results obtained make it possible to predict the aggregative stability and a number of other characteristics of the studied suspensions being diluted with water.
A Study of the Feasibility of Using Accompanying Data-Relay Satellites in the Tasks of Providing Communication with Deep-Space Spacecraft
Authors: Plokhikh A. P. , Sinitsyn A. A.
Published: April 2024

We have considered possible architecture options for an interplanetary communication system in which a data relay is used. The structure of a typical space communication link and the ways to improve its efficiency are analyzed. As one possibility, it is proposed to use accompanying orbital data-relay satellites providing the required data-transmission rate in the mode of formation flight together with the research spacecraft (SC). The optimization of the heliocentric leg of the flight trajectory of the Martian research SC and its accompanying data-relay satellite was carried out. The principal possibility of providing a formation flight of the data-relay satellite and research SC to improve communication with the Earth is demonstrated. Estimates were obtained for the masses of data-relay satellite and research SC with regard to the use of medium-lift launch vehicle of Soyuz type and a Fregat booster. Estimates are given for an increase in the duration of high-speed communication due to the use of a data-relay satellite in libration points L4 and L5 of the Earth–Sun system, as well as in heliocentric circular orbits with different radii.
Preparation, Crystallization, and Preliminary X-ray Diffraction Analysis of Recombinant House Dust Mite Allergen Der p 3 from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Authors: Timofeev V. I. , Abramchik Yu. A. , Zhukhlistova N. E. , Mikheeva O. O. , Shevtsov M. B. , Zayats E. A. , Lykoshin D. D. , Kostromina M. A. , Esipov R. S. , Kuranova I. P.
Published: April 2024

The high-producing strain С3029/pGro7/pERDerp3 for the house dust mite allergen Der p 3 from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, expressing the recombinant protein in Escherichia coli in the soluble form, was constructed. A procedure was developed for the purification of the recombinant allergen. Crystals of the recombinant protein Der p 3 suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis were grown by the vapor-diffusion method. The X-ray diffraction data set was collected to 2.25 Å resolution at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF, France, ID23-1 beamline) at 100 K. The crystals belong to sp. gr. С121 and contain two enzyme molecules per asymmetric unit.
Growth Conditions and the Structural and Magnetic Properties of Cu2MBO5 (M = Cr, Fe, Mn) Oxyborates with a Ludwigite Structure
Authors: Moshkina E. M , Bel'skaya N. A , Molokeev M. S , Bovina A. F , Shabanova K. A , Kokh D. , Seretkin Yu. V , Velikanov D. A , Eremin E. V , Krylov A. S. , Bezmaternykh L. N
Published: April 2024

Copper oxyborate single crystals with a ludwigite structure, Cu2MBO5 (M = Cr, Fe, Mn), containing different substitutes in the trivalent subsystem have been grown from Bi2O3–MoO3–Na2O–B2O3 fluxes. The structural properties of grown compounds have been compared in detail using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy methods. In addition, these methods have been used to determine the degree of cationic ordering in these ludwigites. The temperature and field dependences of the Cu2MBO5 (M = Cr, Fe, Mn) ludwigite magnetization are presented.
High-Frequency Susceptibility of the Ferromagnetic Resonance in Thin Films with Random One- and Two-Dimensional Inhomogeneities in the Magnetic Anisotropy
Authors: Ignatchenko V. A , Tsikalov D. S , Polukhin D. S
Published: April 2024

The effect of random one- (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) inhomogeneities of the magnetic anisotropy on the shape and width of ferromagnetic resonance line in a thin film has been studied in the standard and new self-consistent approximations. It has been shown that resonance peaks in the case of 2D inhomogeneities are much narrower than those for 1D ones. Peaks are asymmetric in both the 1D and 2D cases, but asymmetry is larger in the latter case. As the correlation wavenumber of inhomogeneities kc increases, the width of a resonance line decreases and its amplitude increases. The amplitude of the FMR peak for 2D inhomogeneities increases much faster than that for 1D inhomogeneities. At the critical dimensionless parameter kcd/π ~ 1, where d is the thickness of the film, the width of the resonance line has an inflection point and the asymmetry of this line and the shift of the ferromagnetic resonance peak are maximal. It has been shown that the new self-consistent approximation reproduces the shape of the resonance line much better than the standard self-consistent approximation.
Response of the Charge Subsystem to Phase Transitions in Double Manganites LnBaMn2O6
Authors: Mostovshchikova E. V , Sterkhov E. V , Pyzh'yanov Ya. Ya , Titova S. G
Published: April 2024

We study the structural, magnetic, and optical properties of double manganites LnBaMn2O6 with Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Nd1 – xSmx (x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75). Analysis of the temperature dependences of transmission in the near IR range has shown the difference in the responses of the charge subsystem for different types of charge/orbital ordering in the system. In PrBaMn2O6 manganite, the orbital ordering of the dx2−y2 type leads to an insulator state at low temperatures. The charge subsystem of manganites NdBaMn2O6, Nd0.75Sm0.25BaMn2O6, and Nd0.5Sm0.5BaMn2O6 is sensitive to the orbital ordering type: in the temperature interval TCO2 T TCO1, where pairwise alignment of layers with d3x2−r2/d3y2−r2 ordered orbitals is realized, the semiconductor character of charge carriers is observed, while upon a transition to the layer-by-layer alignment of orbitally ordered layers for T TCO2, charge carriers are of the metal character. In manganites Nd0.25Sm0.75BaMn2O6 and SmBaMn2O6, the absence of clearly manifested metal nature of the charge subsystem at T TCO2 is associated with the formation of the antiferromagnetic ordering of the CE type.
Analysis of Magnetization Processes in Antiferromagnetic Nanoparticles in Strong Pulse Fields (Brief Review)
Authors: Krasikov A. A , Balaev D. A
Published: April 2024

We present a brief review of investigations and analysis of magnetization curves M(H) for NiO and ferrihydrite antiferromagnetic nanoparticles in external fields up to 250 kOe. For correct interpretation of magnetic properties of systems of antiferromagnetic nanoparticles, it is important to take into account the segment of M(H) dependences, which corresponds to high fields (exceeding 100 kOe). We analyze the regularities in the formation of additional magnetic subsystems in antiferromagnetically ordered nanoparticles due to the influence of size effects. These additional subsystems (the ferromagnetic subsystem associated with uncompensated magnetic moment and the subsystem of surface free spins) are estimated quantitatively. It is shown that antiferromagnetic nanoparticles with a size of 5 nm acquire the properties of “nanomagnets,” which are not inferior to those for iron-oxide ferromagnetic nanoparticles of the same size.
Nonlinear Dynamics of a Heisenberg Ferromagnet on the Semiaxis
Authors: Kiselev V. V
Published: April 2024

The nonlinear dynamics of a semi-infinite isotropic ferromagnet with partial spin pinning at the sample edge, as well as in the limiting cases of full spin pinning and in its absence, is investigated based on the Landau–Lifshitz model using the inverse scattering transform. Two types of solitons are predicted. The first of them represents magnetization oscillations with discrete frequencies, which are localized near the sample surface. The second type contains moving particle-like objects with deformable cores, which are elastically reflected from the sample boundary, whereas at large distances from the boundary they are transformed into the typical solitons of an extended ferromagnet. Peculiarities in collisions of solitons with the sample boundary are analyzed for various degrees of spin pinning on the surface. A set of new conservation laws is obtained, which guarantee the fulfillment of the required boundary conditions for solitons and ensure the localization of solitons near the sample surface or their reflection from it.
Quasi-Isentropic Compression of a Nonideal Helium Plasma at a Constant Final Temperature of 21 000 K and Pressures up to 600 GPa
Authors: Mochalov M. A , Il'kaev R. I , Fortov V. E , Erunov S. V , Arinin V. A , Blikov A. O , Ogorodnikov V. A , Ryzhkov A. V , Komrakov V. A
Published: April 2024

The quasi-isentropic compressibility of a strongly nonideal helium plasma in the pressure range 250–600 GPa is experimentally studied in devices with cylindrical geometry. The temperature at the front of a cylindrical shock wave in helium (T ≈ 10 000 K) and the flight speed of the inner cascade (W ≈ 3.5 km/s), in the cavity of which the maximum compressed plasma density is achieved, are measured. Data on the compression of a nonideal helium plasma to a density ρ ≈ 3 g/cm3 at an approximately constant final temperature of 21000 K are obtained. The trajectories of the metallic shells compressing the plasma are detected using high-power pulsed X-ray sources with a boundary electron energy of up to 60 MeV. The helium plasma density is determined using the radii of the shells measured at the time of their “stop.” The compressed plasma pressure is obtained using gasdynamic calculations. Comparative theoretical calculations of the quasi-isentropic compression parameters have been carried out using the following two theoretical models: the traditional chemical plasma model (SAHA code) and an ab initio quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) approach. No anomaly of the experimental data in the pressure range of the plasma phase transition theoretically assumed in helium is detected.
Noether symmetries and some exact solutions inf(R, T2) Theory
Authors: Sharif M. , Gul M. Z
Published: April 2024

The main objective of this article is to examine some physically viable solutions through the Noether symmetry technique in f ( R, T 2) theory. In order to investigate Noether equations, symmetry generators and conserved quantities, we use a speci c model of this modi ed theory. We nd exact solutions and examine the behavior of various cosmological quantities. It is found the behavior these quantities is consistent with current observations indicating that this theory describes the cosmic accelerated expansion. We conclude that generators of Noether symmetry and conserved quantities exist in this theory.
Resonance Method for Measuring Parameters of the Spin Transport in a Spin-Valve Structure
Authors: Strelkov N. V , Vedyaev A. V
Published: April 2024

The known methods for measuring the spin transport parameters in spin-valve structures are based on the Hanle effect, viz., electron spin precession in an external magnetic field and a decrease in the magnetoresistive signal. These methods make it possible to determine the spin relaxation time in the paramagnetic layer and the relative current polarization constant. We describe an alternative method of measuring in zero external magnetic field, which is based on the resonant increase in the magnetic susceptibility of the paramagnetic layer due to the paramagnetic resonance induced by the nonequilibrium magnetization due to the spin accumulation effect. The proposed method makes it possible to determine the absolute value of spin accumulation in a paramagnet, which can be used as a parameter for numerical solution of three-dimensional diffusion equations of spin transport.