bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work and Emotional Labour of Special Educators in Sri Lanka: A Case Study
Authors: Kariyawasam Manushi
Published: April 2024

With the effects of the ever-changing nature of socio-cultural and political sphere that we live in, the notion of work has gained much attention in a variety of fields of studies. The different concepts and expectations of and about work have influenced the way in which one conceives of the world of work. However, the concept of work in the field of ‘education’ is rather blurred in terms of what constitutes the contents of work. Hence, identifying what is meant by work for the educators, more specifically, work for special educators, has been recognised as vital to be explored. In this context, the main purpose of this study is to explore how the work is perceived by special educators and how they perform and manage emotional labour with regard to the work they engage in. This research uses a qualitative approach by adopting the case study method as the strategy of inquiry. One of the leading special education institutions in Sri Lanka was selected as the case site of the study. Data was generated via conducting semi structured interviews with ten (10) special educators in the said organisation. Besides, non-participant observations and photographs were incorporated to generate more rich data. The findings have revealed that there are different ways in which work is being perceived by the special educators. It comprises of economic, intrinsically motivated and obligatory orientations. In broader terms, most special educators perceive work as something meaningful while some of them perceive it as an unpleasant chore. Moving further, the study has found that special educators perform emotional work and emotional labour which involve positive and negative emotions in their day-to-day roles, and it is necessary to develop particular qualities that are needed to work with students with special needs. Ultimately, by incorporating the voice of the participants, the researcher has conceptualised work, as perceived by special educators, as the spine that structures the way they live through monetary terms, as how they make contact with social reality through comforting and inspiring others with no boundaries in space or time, as the way they believe as noble, as meaningful but with a sub-domain of unpleasant and as the way they achieve personal fulfilment and satisfaction. Accordingly, the findings of the research will assist policy makers to identify and execute different strategies to reduce the complexity and tediousness of the ‘work’ perceived by special educators and to enhance their emotional wellbeing while overcoming the negative outcomes of the emotions they experience in their jobs. It also provides many managerial implications for special educational institutions in managing the challenging work and powerful emotional demands.

Keywords: Special Educators, Notion of Work, Emotional Labour
Specific Textual Analysis of the Itukama Commercial and Its Contribution to Society through the Concepts of 'Hero' and 'Nation' in relation to the Context of Sri Lanka’s Struggle against Battling COVID-19
Authors: Udugahapattuwa S.V.W. , Wijayawardhana R.M. , Jayarathna G.A.R.C. , Weerakoon H.R.D.F.G.A.
Published: April 2024

This study focusses on the Itukama commercial launched by the Itukama project under the Presidential Secretariat. The commercial was a campaign to raise funds for the Itukama COVID-19 Healthcare and the Social Security Fund. The campaign was considered a success and is still ongoing. The commercial appealed to a sense of duty and responsibility in the Nation's people by carefully narrating the building of a new hero of sorts, placing them side by side with the existing heroes. The study analyses the commercial and the elements of the campaign in order to identify the process of the creation of the/a hero(s), the necessity therein at the time, how it aided in the national agenda, and the choices of inclusion and exclusion by virtue of the use of theories of nation-building. The study uses the methodology of textual analysis thereby providing a close reading of the commercial and the campaign in relation to the said theories. Through the analysis, it was made evident that while the commercial and the campaign that followed crafted a new definition for the concept of ‘hero’ and located it within the context of the ‘nation’ it was lacking in its attempt towards inclusivity. The commercial is able to instil a feeling of family and duty however the symbols used are neutral, scratching only the surface of the concept of ‘inclusivity’.

Keywords: COVID-19, Hero, Nation, Representation, Sri Lankan Commercials, Visualisation
Influence of Geographic, Demographic and Psychological Factors towards Customer Intentions in Purchasing Organic Food in Sri Lanka
Authors: Manorathne Hiroshi
Published: April 2024

Organic food demand has seen an incremental increase in contemporary society, and it has affected different purchasing intentions of existing and potential customers. This study is concerned with assessing each influencing intentions by categorising them into three main categories to conduct a quality assessment. The organic concept is not a new concept to Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka has got a prestigious cultivating system that appreciates environmental safety and poison-free cultivation and consumption. This study was designed to explore the influence of geographic, demographic, and psychological factors on customer intentions towards purchasing organic food in Sri Lanka. Research objectives are identified to evaluate the impact of geographic, demographic, and psychological factors on customer intentions towards purchasing organic food and identify the most contributing factor/s to customer intentions to purchase organic food. Since this study was related to social and cultural phenomena, a qualitative research approach was selected with the thematic analysis method for data analysis. The researcher mainly targeted individuals who have different purchasing intentions towards organic food. Individuals in Colombo and Kandy districts were targeted by a convenience sampling technique. Data were generated by conducting semi-structured interviews and observations in Goods market - Colombo and in Kandy district specific supermarkets. The researcher conducted the research by adhering to all ethical considerations and the significance of this study is that currently there is a gap in Sri Lanka with only few research projects conducted for organic food and its purchasing intentions, demand and market. The findings of this study will redound to the benefits of students (school and higher education students), academic and non-academic parties, businesses and society will benefit from this research. The study concludes that there were no clear geographical influences that were able to explore. The demographic influences of marital status, disposable income, and occupation were investigated, and they were able to disprove the existing literature on formal education, gender, and age. As psychological influences, perceived food quality differences, environmentally friendly mindset, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, religious beliefs, other personal motives, trust in the seller and organic food certification were explored.

Keywords: Organic Food, Purchasing Intention, Geographical Influences, Demographical Influences, Psychological Influences
Factors Influencing Brand Evangelism: Experience from Sri Lankan Toothpaste Market
Authors: Kumarajeewa R. A. , Jayarathne P.G.S.A.
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study is to examine the antecedents of brand evangelism in the toothpaste market in Sri Lanka. Further, the study focuses on how brand heritage aids in creating brand evangelists and whether inter-generational influence contributes to a toothpaste brand. Though many studies have been conducted to measure brand evangelism, it will be the first time the concept will be used to measure brand evangelism towards a toothpaste brand, and this will be first time brand heritage and intergenerational influence are tested in Sri Lanka. The current study will be taking a mixed approach because the researchers will be studying the relationship between antecedents and brand evangelism and influence of brand heritage in a quantitative method. In addition to that, they will also be studying the intergenerational influence on toothpaste brands in a qualitative approach since it cannot be tested through a questionnaire due to its complex nature. So, it will take a convergent parallel research approach. Due to the resource and time restraints, the primary data was collected via a self-administered questionnaire to address the quantitative study and an interview was done to collect data to address the qualitative aspect of the research. These results showed that among the antecedents, only consumer brand identification and brand trust had significant influence towards brand evangelism. Furthermore, it showed that brand heritage acted as a moderator for the antecedents. Although the study helps to fill a gap in knowledge that still exists in the literature in the Sri Lankan FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) domain, limitations do exist. A limitation emerges from the representativeness of the sample. In fact, in this study, there is a prevalence of only selected districts, and therefore, this may limit the generalisability of the medium. Furthermore, only two antecedents of the framework that was developed deemed to be significant. Future research can focus on extending this model to encompass other theoretical constructs by inserting new antecedents over the variables considered in this study. Lastly, this study was conducted for the toothpaste brand, so the results of this study may not be applicable to other brands or even other markets.

Keywords: Brand Evangelism, Brand Heritage, Consumer Brand Identification, Brand Trust, Inter-generational Influence
Assessment of Brand Equity and Its Effect on Intention of Advanced Level Students to Enrol in Medicine, Agriculture and Biological Science Degree Programmes Offered by State Universities
Authors: Tennakoon T.M.G.H.B. , Kodithuwakku S.S. , Abhayarathne M.H.R. , Hemachandra S.D.S.
Published: April 2024

Brands are fundamentally about experiences and relationships, and therefore, they form the prime basis of an institution’s connection with its stakeholders. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of customer-based brand equity in service sectors, specifically in higher education institutes. However, minimal studies have assessed the brand equity of degree programmes offered by public universities in Sri Lanka. Thus, from students’ perspective, the current study aims to assess the brand equity of selected degree programmes in the biological stream (Medicine, Agriculture, and Science) offered by different public universities in Sri Lanka. The study adopted a quantitative methodology, where data were collected using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The target population was G.C.E. Advanced Level students in the biological stream living in Kandy, Badulla, Colombo, and Galle districts. A sample of 157 students was drawn using a convenient sampling technique. The data were analysed by a Friedman test, Spearman’s test, and panel order logistic regression with random effect. The findings revealed that the brand equity of the same degree programme differs when offered by different universities for all three selected degree programmes. The medicine degree programme offered by the University of Peradeniya scored the highest brand equity value among medicine degree programmes in Sri Lanka. With respect to agriculture degree programmes, the University of Peradeniya scored the highest brand equity value, while the University of Colombo scored the highest brand equity value for biological science degree programmes. Further, results indicated a significant positive (P<0.05) effect of brand awareness, perception and attitude, and brand reputation on the intention to join a degree programme for all three-degree programmes. Therefore, findings suggest that brand equity plays a significant role in degree programme selection. This study provides insights to stakeholders in higher education institutes, especially to help universities implement branding strategies to enhance the brand equity of degree programmes.

Keywords: Customer-Based Brand Equity, Public Universities, Brand Reputation, Perception and Attitude, Brand Awareness
Benefits of Green Walls: Assessment of Energy Cost Saving
Authors: Rajamanna Chaya , Zainudeen Nisa , Nadeeshani Malka , Ramachandra Thanuja , Madushika U. G. D.
Published: April 2024

With the rapid urbanisation, most parts of the world have become a concrete jungle and yet the concrete structures are rising over the green footprint. This has an adverse effect on the natural environment as well as to habitat. Nowadays, increasing global warming, air temperature and air pollution have become critical issues in urban areas. Spreading greenery is the way to mitigate the effects of urbanisation. Since Sri Lanka is also rapidly moving towards the urbanisation, application of green features on buildings is the best option to spread green within the country. Though the whole world adopted the green wall concept, its application in the Sri Lankan context is still at a lower stage. Thus, this study aims to explore the most substantial benefit of green walls: energy cost saving to promote the green wall application in the Sri Lankan context. The comprehensive literature review identified the benefits of green walls mainly; energy-saving, mitigating the urban heat island effect, act as an insulation layer, increase building durability, enhancing aesthetic appearance, provide habitats, act as a sound barrier, and provide health benefits. Further, thermal performance and energy cost-saving which is a significant benefit of green walls were assessed through the case study. Two comparative buildings; 1. With green wall and 2. Without green wall were adopted to this study. Required data were extracted by obtaining the onsite temperature measurements. The case study findings revealed that the green façade contributes to the significant surface temperature difference reduction compared to the conventional wall which results in a saving of .7 kWh per m2 (73%) energy requirement for ventilation per month and as a result, 74% energy cost saving per month. On a positive note, this study concludes that the use of green walls is a suitable alternative to the Sri Lankan context in improving greenery with substantial potential for reducing energy costs for ventilation requirements.

Keywords: Benefits, Conventional Wall, Direct Green Facade, Energy Saving, Green Walls
Study on Factors Influencing Environmental Real Estate User Behaviour at Office Premises
Authors: Rasnayake R. M. K. S. , Kaluthanthri P C
Published: April 2024

Corporate Real Estate (CRE) managers must concentrate on the occupant behaviour to reduce the environmental impact of the buildings. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to analyse the factors effect on the real estate user behaviour at their working place, especially at office. Primary data were collected by distributing structured questionnaires among 250 office employees of Sethsiripaya Stage I Administrative complex, Sri Lanka, with a valid response rate of 213. Simple random sampling techniques were used to gather data. The partial least squares structural equation modelling was used based on the self-reported data obtained from representative sample office employees. The findings revealed that environment attitudes and mindfulness have positive and significant effect on Environmental Real Estate User Behaviour (EREUB) while perceived wealth and environmental education positively contribute to environmental attitudes. Further, it is confirmed that perceived busyness positively effect on mindfulness. The originality of this study lies in providing theoretical and empirical evidence regarding the effect of environmental attitudes and mindfulness, expressly on EREUB model, which has been empirically examined in the context of Sri Lankan employees who work in administrative office complex in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Mindfulness, Environmental Awareness, Environmental Real Estate User Behaviour
Effect of Corporate Governance on Financial Performance of Listed Insurance Firms in Sri Lanka
Authors: Udayanga G.A.I , Buddhika H.J.R.
Published: April 2024

Introduction - The mechanism through which organisations are directed and managed is known as corporate governance. The impact of corporate governance elements on the financial performance of Sri Lankan listed insurance corporations is investigated throughout the study. This study examines the relationship between corporate governance variables (board size, board composition, board meetings, and audit committee size) and controllable variables (firm age, firm size, growth, and leverage) among performance of the insurance firms. The firm performance is measured using Return of Equity (ROE) and Return on Assets (ROA). The population for this study is listed insurance firms on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE where the sample consisted of 11 insurance firms.  For the analysis various tests like descriptive analysis, multiple linear regression, Pearson correlation, and collinearity statistics have been performed using IBM SPSS (version 23) software.  Secondary sources of data used for the analysis expands from 2015 to 2019. According to this study, corporate governance impacts the financial success of insurance businesses in Sri Lanka. The 36.70% relationship between firm performance ROE and the 26.80 per cent relationship between firm performance ROAs is determined by the independent variables of corporate governance (board size, board composition, board meetings, and board audit committee size) as well as controllable variables (firm age, firm size, growth, and leverage). The study posits, through the Pearson correlation, that there is a positive relationship between board size, board composition, board meetings, firms age, firm size growth, and leverage with ROE and only the audit committee size is negatively related to the ROE. With the ROA board size, board composition, board meetings firm size, growth is positively related while audit committee size, firm age, and leverage variables have a negative relationship. This study's findings will be useful for insurance companies to manage their corporate governance elements towards the profitability. They can be critically concerned about the elements of board size, board composition, board meetings and audit committee size and controlling elements of firm age, firm size, growth, and leverage. Based on the elements top tier management can make accurate and efficient decisions on listed insurance companies.

Keywords: Corporate Governance (CG), Board Size, Board Composition, Return of Equity (ROE), Return on Assets (ROA)
Qualitative Study Exploring the Social Adjustment in Foreign Students at Universitas Islam Riau after Supportive Group Therapy
Authors: Herawati Icha , Hidayat Ahmad , Rizal Irfani
Published: April 2024

Background: 

There are 61 foreign students running undergraduate and master programs at Universitas Islam Riau. The problems that they commonly find are difficulties in following academic activities, difficulties in making new friends and adapt to other students. Based on observations made on foreign students from Pattani, Southern Thailand, they tend to be in groups and mingle with their fellow friends. In living their life as Pattani students at Universitas Islam Riau, they faced various problems. Common problems include academic pressure, financial problems, feelings of loneliness, interpersonal conflicts, difficulties facing change and problems developing personal autonomy.

 

Aims: 

Providing Social Support To Pattani Students At Universitas Islam Riau.

Pattani Students Increase Bahasa Vocabulary           

Pattani Students Establish Friendships With Students From Riau         

Students Pattani Become More Confident Undergoing Lectures         

 

Method (s): 

The method to be used is social support therapy from Psychology students towards Pattani students. This therapy will consist of several sessions where each session has a slot that will contain activities that can provide Pattani students with social support. The therapy used is in the form of group counseling, eating together and exercising together. 

 

Results:

The social support therapy that was carried out was very beneficial for Pattani students. They feel welcome and make new friends. From the activities carried out, foreign students become more open to new social and become more confident in building a social relationship.

 

Conclusion: 

These results indicate that the problem can be solved to foreign students with appropriate care and a solution ongoing basis. One of them is needed policies from The Islamic Universities of Riau in dealing with international students.
The Palgrave Handbook of National Security, red. M. Clarke, A. Henschke, M. Sussex, T. Legrand, Palgrave Macmillan, Cham 2022, ss. 415
Authors: Mazurek Witold
Published: April 2024

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Intelligent Robust Control of Autonomous Robot: Quantum Self-Organization of Imperfect Knowledge Bases—Experiment
Authors: Reshetnikov A. G. , Ulyanov V. S. , Ulyanov S. V.
Published: April 2024

The article discusses the information technology of a robust intelligent control system design based on quantum fuzzy inference. The application of the developed design methodology is based on the quantum self-organization of fuzzy controller’s imperfect knowledge bases and leads to an increase in the robustness of intelligent control systems in unpredicted situations. The results of mathematical modeling and physical experiment are compared using the example of an autonomous robot in the form of a “cart – pole” system. Experimental confirmation of the synergetic effect existence in the robust self-organized fuzzy controller formation from a finite number of non-robust fuzzy controllers in on-line has been demonstrated. The resulting effect is based on the existence of hidden quantum information extracted from the classical states of the controller’s time-varying gain coefficients processes schedule. The derived law of quantum information thermodynamics establishes the possibility to forming a thermodynamic control force due to the extracted amount of hidden quantum information and performing additional useful work, that guarantees the achievement of the control goal based on increasing the robustness of a self-organized quantum controller. At the same time, the amount of useful work performed by the control object (at the macro level) exceeds the amount of work spent (at the micro level) by a quantum self-organized controller to extract the quantum information hidden in the responses of imperfect knowledge bases without violating the second thermodynamics information law for open quantum systems with information exchange of entangled super correlated states. A concrete example of an autonomous robot is given, demonstrating the existence of a quantum self-organization synergetic effect to imperfect knowledge bases.
An Analysis of Intra-Seasonal Variability and Predictability of Atmospheric Processes of Regional Scale in the Northern Hemisphere Mid-Latitudes
Authors: Vilfand R. M. , Kulikova I. A. , Khan V. M. , Makarova M. E.
Published: April 2024

The issues related to the intra-seasonal variability and predictability of the atmospheric processes of a regional scale in the Northern Hemisphere are considered. To identify the latter, the circulation indices characterizing the large-scale modes of the atmospheric variability are used. An assessment of the regional intra-seasonal variability of the atmospheric processes in the summer and winter seasons of 1991–2020 is given. A study of the practical predictability of the regional atmospheric processes is carried out using the global semi-Lagrangian model developed at the INM RAS jointly with the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia, as well as the reanalysis of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts on a weekly and monthly time scales. It is concluded that beyond of the first forecast week, the quality of deterministic (ensemble mean) forecasts drops sharply. In winter, the exception is the Pacific-North American oscillation region, where a useful signal is traced not only for the first prognostic week, but also for the second one. The use of the probabilistic forecasts makes it possible to increase the time interval of predictability compared to the deterministic approach from one week to a month. The biggest errors are noted in the forecasts of the circulation regimes in the west of the North Atlantic and in the west of the northern part of the Pacific, in the regions of the most significant intra-seasonal variability. The obtained results are supposed to be used in the operational practice of the intra-seasonal forecasting of the North Eurasian Climate Center (NEACC).
THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTRON IRRADIATION ON THE STABILITY OF α-Fe2O3 NANOPARTICLES TO NATURAL AGING PROCESSES
Authors: Kozlovskiy A. L. , Rusakov V. S. , Fadeev M. S.
Published: April 2024

The influence of the modification of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles by electron irradiation on their stability to natural aging processes during a long-term (three years) storage has been studied. Nanoparticles of this type (obtained by chemical vapor deposition with subsequent thermal annealing) were chosen due to the wide range of their practical applications. The changes in the properties of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles during natural aging, depending on the irradiation dose, were investigated by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. It is found that modification by electron irradiation provides stability of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles to hydration processes and phase transformations during a long-term storage; an increase in the irradiation dose increases the resistance to structural disordering during aging, thus retaining the nanoparticle properties for a long time.
Structural Basis for Interactions between Influenza A Virus M2 Proton Channel and Adamantane-Based Antiviral Drugs
Authors: Lashkov A. A. , Garaev T. M. , Rubinsky S. V. , Samygina V. R.
Published: April 2024

Influenza A virus pandemics still remain a threat to global health. One class of antiviral drugs, namely, inhibitors of the specific viral enzyme neuraminidase, is predominantly used in the fight against these pandemics. These antivirals include zanamivir (Relenza™) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu™). The viral resistance to this class of compounds steadily increases. The M2 proton channel of influenza A virus is an alternative clinically proven target for antiviral therapy. However, many circulating virus strains bear amino acid mutations in the M2 protein, causing resistance to drugs of the adamantane series, M2 blockers, such as rimantadine and amantadine. Consequently, inhibitors targeting mutants of the M2 channel are urgently needed for public biosafety and health. This review is devoted to structural-functional interactions used in practice and mediated by the action of experimental drugs on the protein target, the transmembrane domain of the influenza virus M2 proton channel. An analysis of the experimental and model structural data available in open access is presented.
SIGN-REVERSING MAGNETOCALORIC EFFECT IN R2Fe10Al7 (R = Dy AND Ho) COMPOUNDS
Authors: Pankratov N. Yu. , Tereshina I. S. , Karpenkov A. Yu. , Nikitin S. A.
Published: April 2024

The magnetic properties of rare-earth ferrimagnetic compounds Dy2Fe10Al7 and Ho2Fe10Al7 with a Th2Zn17 crystal structure have been studied. The temperature dependences of the magnetization and magnetocaloric effect have been examined in the temperature range of 4.2‒300 K in magnetic fields of up to 70 and 18 kOe, respectively. The temperatures of magnetic compensation of the magnetization of the rareearth and iron sublattices have been determined. The magnetocaloric effect has been determined by the direct method. It has been found that the sign of the effect changes near the magnetic compensation point. This phenomenon has an application potential.
STRUCTURE AND MAIN MAGNETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MULTICOMPONENT ALLOYS
(R1-xYx)0.8Sm0.2Fe2 (R ARE RARE-EARTH METALS)
Authors: Umkhaeva Z. S. , Tereshina I. S. , Pankratov N. Yu. , Aliev I. M. , Khomenko M. R. , Karpenkov A. Yu.
Published: April 2024

The paper presents the results of the synthesis, structural studies, and investigation of the magnetic and magnetostriction properties of new multicomponent alloys based on heavy rare-earth metals (R1-xYx)0.8Sm0.2Fe2, where R = Tb, Gd, Dy, and Er, х = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1. It was found that alloys of these systems (except for the system with Tb) are single-phase and have the cubic С15 Laves structure. The lattice parameters for all systems were shown to change linearly with increasing х. The main magnetic characteristics of the alloys were determined. The following practically important phenomena were found: the magnetic compensation of the sublattice magnetization, the spin reorientation, and the sign inversion of magnetostriction constants.
Chemical Composition of Sediments and Its Changes in the Center of the Modern Hydrothermal System in the Middle Valley of the Oceanic Ridge Juan de Fuca, Hole 858B ODP
Authors: Kurnosov V. B. , Konovalov Yu. I. , Galin K. R.
Published: April 2024

The article presents the results of a study of changes in the chemical composition of Pleistocene sediments from Hole 858B, 38.6 m deep with a temperature gradient of 10‒11°C/m, drilled in the Middle Valley of the Juan de Fuca oceanic ridge (Northeast Pacific) in the “Dead Dog” hydrothermal field, in 20 m from “black smoker” with a temperature of 276°C. The content of petrogenic elements in these sediments was studied by XRD. For the first time, data on a large set of trace elements were obtained for this object using the ICP MS method. The change in the chemical composition of sediments occurred in the process of solution-rock interaction under conditions of a rapid increase in temperature downwards the section. In the Unit I, in its upper part (1.97‒10.41 m), the sediments are slightly altered at a temperature of about 17°C. In the lower part of the Unit I (12.70‒25.31 m) under conditions of average temperature (112‒197°C), the change in the content of petrogenic elements and trace elements is well pronounced. The chemical composition of the sediments of the Unit IIB and the Unit IID (25.31‒38.6 m) is most strongly changed in the temperature range from 112‒197°С to 320‒330°С. Changes in the content for most macroelements and trace elements in the sediments of Unit IIB and Unit IID are similar, with the difference that the decrease in the content of chemical elements is more pronounced in the sediments of the Unit IID. In them, the content of Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Bi, except for U, is significantly lower than in background sediments. The sediments of the the IID, as well as the sediments of the Unit IIB, contain less Ca, Na, K, P and more Mg. A lower content of chemical in these sediments can be considered as their removal from sediments under the process of solution-sediments interaction and enrichment of the solution with them, and their higher content, as its introduction into sediments from solution and, accordingly, depletion of these chemical elements in the solution. The results of studying the chemical composition of metalliferous sediments (Unit III, 0‒1.97 m) and sulfide layer IV (10.41‒12.70 m), as well as the chemical composition of unaltered background sediments from Holes 855A, C, D are presented.
Propagation of a Laser-Induced Magnetostatic Wave Packet in a Pseudo Spin Valve in the Presence of Spin Pumping
Authors: Fedyanin A. E , Khokhlov N. E , Kalashnikova A. M
Published: April 2024

Spin pumping and angular momentum transfer, i.e., the emission of a spin current by a precessing magnetization and the reverse process of absorption, play an important role in coherent magnetic dynamics processes in multilayered structures. For ferromagnetic layers separated by a nonmagnetic interlayer these effects give rise to a dynamic coupling between the layers that is dissipative in nature and affects the damping of coherent magnetization precession. We have used micromagnetic simulations to analyze the influence of such a dynamic coupling on the propagation of a laser-induced surface magnetostatic wave (MSW) packet in a pseudo spin valve structure consisting of two ferromagnetic metallic layers separated by a nonmagnetic metallic interlayer. We have considered the MSW generation due to laser-induced heating, which leads to dynamic changes in magnetization and magnetic anisotropy, and added the dynamic coupling effect to the equations for our micromagnetic simulations. As a result, we have revealed that under certain conditions such a coupling leads to a decrease in the spatial damping of the wave packet that corresponds to the acoustic MSW mode forming in the structure considered.
Lifshitz Transitions and Angular Conductivity Diagrams in Metals with Complex Fermi Surfaces
Authors: Mal'tsev A. Ya
Published: April 2024

We consider the Lifshitz topological transitions and the corresponding changes in the galvano-magnetic properties of a metal from the point of view of the general classification of open electron trajectories arising on Fermi surfaces of arbitrary complexity in the presence of magnetic field. The construction of such a classification is the content of the Novikov problem and is based on the division of non-closed electron trajectories into topologically regular and chaotic trajectories. The description of stable topologically regular trajectories gives a basis for a complete classification of non-closed trajectories on arbitrary Fermi surfaces and is connected with special topological structures on these surfaces. Using this description, we describe here the distinctive features of possible changes in the picture of electron trajectories during the Lifshitz transitions, as well as changes in the conductivity behavior in the presence of a strong magnetic field. As it turns out, the use of such an approach makes it possible to describe not only the changes associated with stable electron trajectories, but also the most general changes of the conductivity diagram in strong magnetic fields.
Properties of Polymer Films Based on Cellulose Diacetate with Intercalated Zn{(NH2)2Co}2Br2
Authors: Titov M. I. , Bush A. A. , Ageeva T. A. , Davydova M. N. , Koyfman A. I. , Fomichev V. V.
Published: April 2024

The work is devoted to the fabrication and study of electret material based on cellulose diacetate polymer film with an intercalated active component, polar macromolecules Zn{(NH2)2CO}2Br2. The introduction of macromolecules into the film was carried out during its formation from solutions of various concentrations of cellulose diacetate and Zn{(NH2)2CO}2Br2 in tetrahydrofuran with ethyl alcohol under the action of a constant electric field of 2–4 kV cm–1. The temperature curves of the dielectric constant ε, the dielectric loss tangent tan δ, as well as the thermally stimulated depolarization currents j of the resulting films were determined. It was established that modification leads to the appearance of additional maxima in the ε(T), tan δ(T), and j(T) curves caused by the active component embedded in the film. Modification of a cellulose diacetate film causes an increase in the value of j and the surface charge density found from the j(T) curve by more than two orders of magnitude. The results obtained indicate the possibility of application of the method under consideration to fabricate electret films.
Land Surface Temperature and Leaf Area Index Forward and Backward Linkages for Summer Time Period in Republic of Belarus
Authors: Lysenko S. А.
Published: April 2024

On the basis of Earth remote sensing data for 2000–2020 quantitative estimates of the influence of vegetation cover degradation on the summer warming in Belarus were obtained. The average leaf area index of Belarus for this period increased by 3.3%, mainly due to forest areas the leaf index of which increased by about 8%. The growth of the leaf area index slowed down the summer warming of forest lands in the north (above 54° N) by about half and by more than a quarter in the south of Belarus. At the same time, the leaf area index of croplands decreased by about 5%, which caused their additional warming and amplified their land surface temperature daily cycle for summer time period. Statistically significant signs of bioclimatic land degradation have been found on the territory of Belarus with a total area of about 400 thousand hectares, which are enhanced by high values of positive feedback between temperature, vegetation cover and soil moisture. About of 58% of the degrading lands are agricultural lands located mainly in the southern part of the country. On these lands, summer temperature grows 2 times faster than the average for Belarus, and their leaf index decreases at a rate of about 2% per year, which indicates the insufficiency of agriculture climate mitigation in certain regions of Belarus.
Territory Suitability Assessment for Conducting Detailed Geological and Mineralogical Mapping Based on Statistical Methods of Remote Sensing Data Processing Landsat-8: A Case Study in the Southeastern Transbaikalia, Russia
Authors: Nafigin I. O. , Ishmuhametova V. T. , Ustinov S. A. , Minaev V. A. , Petrov V. A.
Published: April 2024

The work considers the suitability of using multispectral satellite remote sensing data Landsat-8 for conducting regional geological and mineralogical mapping of the territory of south-eastern Transbaikalia (Russia) in conditions of medium- low-mountain relief and continental climate. The territory was chosen as the object of study due to its diverse metallogenic specialization (Au, U, Mo, Pb-Zn, Sn, W, Ta, Nb, Li, fluorite). Diversity in composition and age of ore-bearing massifs of intrusive, volcanogenic and sedimentary rocks are also of interest. Statistical processing algorithms to increase spectral information content of satellite data Landsat-8 were used; they include: principal component analysis (PCA); minimum noise fraction (MNF) and independent component analysis (ICA). Eigenvector matrices analysed on the basis of statistical processing results and two-dimensional correlation graphs were built to compare thematic layers with geological material classes: oxide/hydroxide group minerals containing transition iron ions (Fe3+ and Fe3+/Fe2+); a group of clay minerals containing A1–OH and Fe, Mg–OH; minerals containing Fe2+ and vegetation cover. Pseudo-coloured RGB composites representing the distribution and multiplication of geological materials classes was generated and interpreted. Integration of informative thematic layers with using fuzzy logic model was carried out to construct a prospectivity map. Received map was compared with geological information, and positive conclusions about territory suitability for further remote mapping research of hydrothermally altered zones and hypergenesis products in order to localize areas promising for identifying hydrothermal-metasomatic mineralization were made.
Features of Paleogeography of the Ubsunur Basin. 2022
Authors: Prudnikova T. N.
Published: April 2024

Studies of the paleogeography of the Ubsunur basin, located on the territory of Northwestern Mongolia and southern Tuva, were based on the discovery of buried ice veins under Aeolian sediments in the lake area. Khara-Nur of the eastern mountain frame of the Basin of the Great Lakes of Western Mongolia. Along the periphery of the sand deposits on the satellite images, the outlines of fields were recognized, the natural irrigation of which, in our opinion, was due to the melting of the mentioned ice. In the river valleys of the northern border of the Ubsunur basin, in its foothill part, deposits similar to glacial ones were found, which suggested the presence of Pleistocene glaciers extending into its flat territories. Based on this, it was also assumed that, by analogy with the Khara-Nur, peculiar sand massifs located in the basin could preserve relic zones of permafrost, the melting of which contributed to the moistening of local landscapes. Such humidification zones are recognized on satellite images. There are no glacial deposits in this territory in geological legends. At this stage of research, we confirm the presence in the past of low-power glaciers on the designated area, which was caused by mountain-forming processes, the eruption of quaternary volcanoes on the territory of Tuva and Mongolia. Tectonic processes contributed to the damming of the Tes-Khem River, the main waterway flowing along the northern mountain rim of the basin, the formation of dammed lakes and their subsequent descent. The extended peculiar sand massifs located in the basin within the Agardag mountain range, previously considered as fluvioglacial deposits, are the result of the descent of the dammed lakes.
Hayfields Mapping in the Floodplain Landscapes of Southern Russia Based on Multi-Temporal Sentinel-2 Data
Authors: Vasilchenko A. A.
Published: April 2024

The paper proposes a new method for mapping hayfields in floodplain landscapes based on the use of multi-temporal spectral-zonal data of remote sensing of the Earth (ERS) of high spatial resolution (Sentinel-2) using an expert threshold of SBC (spectral brightness coefficient) in the red channel (the maximum composite of values for the vegetation period). period) for freshly cut vegetation adjusted for the values of the maximum composite for the growing season of the NDVI index (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). The regularities of changes in the values of SBC in the sloping and non-sloped territories in the RGB, NIR channels, as well as the values of the NDVI and NDWI indices were revealed. The mapping of annual sloping areas within the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain in the territory of the Volgograd region was carried out. Here, an average of 12 thousand hectares (8%) of the territory is mowed annually, while most of the area is mowed in August-September (more than 65% of the area). Most sloping areas have an area of 1 to 10 ha. At the same time, over the past 6 years, there has been a tendency to increase both the total annual mowed areas and the areas of hayfields. It was revealed that the main annually mowed areas are concentrated around infrastructure facilities: closer to consumers and transport routes.
Anomalous Geodynamics before the 2023 Earthquake in Turkey According to Radar Interferometry 2018–2023
Authors: Bondur V. G. , Chimitdorzhiev T. N. , Dmitriev A. V.
Published: April 2024

Displacement velocity fields of the block-fault structure are constructed and the main geodynamic processes in the area of the East Anatolian fault are revealed based on the results of processing of 437 radar interferograms obtained from the Sentinel-1 radar in the period from the beginning of 2018 to disastrous seismic activity in February 2023 in Turkey by Stacking InSAR method. Anomalous block displacements along this fault have been identified, which are timed to the earthquake of January 24, 2020 (M = 6.7). Zones of stress-strain state of the main blocks in the period preceding the earthquake have been established using cluster analysis of time series of velocity fields. It is shown that the epicenters of February 2023 earthquakes are located in these zones. It is concluded that it is necessary to use such a technique to assess the stress-strain state in order to predict seismic activity.
Correction Procedure for MTVZA-GYa Georeference
Authors: Sadovsky I. N. , Sazonov D. S.
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a description of an approach that makes it possible to control the quality of the MTVZA-GYa georeferencing and determine the optimal values of the corrective parameters. The analysis of the data of this instrument showed that the main contribution to the georeferencing errors are made by the angles of roll, pitch and yaw, which determine the mismatch between the instrumental coordinate system and the spacecraft coordinate system. In this regard, an iterative algorithm for detecting these angles was proposed, where the difference in measurements on the ascending and descending orbit half-passes of the MTVZA-GYa was used as the minimized function. As a result of applying this algorithm to the results of measurements of the MTVZA-GYa for 2020, the average values of the correcting roll, pitch and yaw angles of this instrument were calculated. The following values were found: (–0.84 ± 0.15)° for yaw angle, (–0.44 ± 0.14)° for roll angle and (+1.13 ± 0.05)° for the pitch angle. It was shown that the introduction of these angles into the MTVZA-GYa georeferencing procedure can significantly reduce its errors. Thus, the average discrepancy between coastlines borrowed from high-precision geographic databases and reconstructed from radiometric portraits is 4.5 km when georeferencing is performed using this correction angles.
Study of the electric field density distribution in cylindrical chamber with coaxial feed of super high frequency radiation energy
Authors: Dovgan A. A. , Bahteev I. Sh. , Molchanov S. Yu. , Martynov V. V. , Brzhozovskii B. M. , Zinina E. P.
Published: April 2024

The main design options for supplying SHF energy to the end wall of a cylindrical resonator were considered. 2 types of designs for coaxial feed of energy were selected and optimized, differing in the location of the coaxial line relative to the required direction of wave propagation. As a result of the calculations, the electric fields inside the cylindrical chamber and in the horn coaxial antennas were found, and the SWR of the systems was determined. A comparison in distribution of the electric field when metal objects were placed in the chamber was carried out. The areas of occurrence of a plasma SHF discharge on the surface of a cylindrical object were shown.
The lumped ultra-high vacuum pumps based on non-evaporable getters
Authors: Krasnov A. A. , Semenov A. M.
Published: April 2024

The lumped vacuum pumps based on the non-evaporable getters (NEG) have got wide application in accelerator vacuum systems. These pumps are one of the types using for vacuum obtaining in the synchrotron source of 4th generation SFR “SKIF”. In BINP, the NEG prototypes with pumping speed of 300, 600, 900 and 1300 L/s for hydrogen were created and investigated. The pumps construction and test results are presented here.
Thermal stability of ferroelectric films based on hafnium-zirconium dioxide on silicon
Authors: Popov V. P. , Antonov V. A. , Tikhonenko F. V. , Myakonkikh A. V. , Rudenko K. V.
Published: April 2024

The results are presented indicating an increase in thermal stability, as well as structural and electrophysical properties of obtained by plasma-stimulated atomic layer deposition (PEALD) 20 nm ferroelectric HfO2, Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 films with the inserts of Al2O3 monolayers and without them, in metal-ferroelectric-silicon mesa structures, promising for universal memory devices.
Baksan large neutrino telescope: current status
Authors: Lukanov A. D. , Voronin D. M. , Fazliakhmetov A. N. , Veretyonkin E. P. , Gangapshev A. M. , Gavrin V. N. , Ibragimova T. V. , Kazalov V. V. , Kuzminov V. V. , Lubsandorzhiev B. K. , Malyshkin Yu. M. , Nanzanov D. A. , Novikova G. Ya. , Petkov V. B. , Sidorenkov A. Yu. , Smirnov O. Yu. , Ushakov N. A. , Shikhin A. A. , Yanovich E. A.
Published: April 2024

The status of the Baksan Large Neutrino Telescope project and some selective results of the first stage of the project, namely a prototype detector with a liquid scintillator mass of 0.5 tons are described. The results of the second stage of the project, a prototype with a liquid scintillator mass of 5 tons, and the prospects for the project are discussed.
Control of optical heating of a silicon probe using near-field energy transport by localized surface plasmons
Authors: Izbasarova E. A. , Gazizov A. R. , Kharintsev S. S.
Published: April 2024

Optical heating in solids is fundamentally related to energy dissipation during absorption. Nevertheless, light absorption can be enhanced by excitation of optical resonances (plasmon, Mi, Fano, etc.). In this paper, we investigate the amplification of light absorption in nanostructured silicon by excitation of an optical near field in the gap between the tip of a silicon probe and a gold film.