bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revealing the hidden signature of fault slip history in the morphology of degrading scarps
Authors: Holtmann Regina , Cattin Rodolphe , Simoes Martine , Steer Philippe
Published: January 2023

Active faults accommodate tectonic plate motion through different slip modes, some stable and aseismic, others characterized by the occurrence of large earthquakes after long periods of inactivity. Although the slip mode estimation is of primary importance to improve seismic hazard assessment, this parameter inferred today from geodetic observations needs to be better constrained over many seismic cycles. From an analytical formulation developed for analyzing fault scarp formation and degradation, we show that the final topographic shape generated by one earthquake rupture or by creep (i.e., continuous slip) deviates by as much as 10–20%. This result opens up the theoretical possibility of inverting the number of earthquakes and their sizes from scarp morphologies. Our approach highlights the importance of trade-offs between fault slip history and diffusive processes. An identical topographic profile can be obtained either with stable fault creep together with rapid erosion, or with a single earthquake rupture followed by slow erosion. Our findings reveal that the previously noticed variation of the diffusion coefficient with the age of the scarp may be an artifact related to the history and mechanism of fault slip. These inferences, derived from the simplest possible diffusion model, are likely to be even more pronounced in nature.
The Effect of a Supportive-Educational Intervention through Virtual Social Networks on Sleep quality of Patients with Cancer
Authors: Sarlak Elahe , Ansari Jamshid , Moradzadeh Rahmatollah , Nejat Nazi
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Sleep disturbances are very common among cancer patients, and they need more support in this regard. More access to technology has provided opportunities to use virtual teaching methods to train and support cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of supportive-educational intervention (SEI) through virtual social networks (VSNs) on the sleep quality and the severity of insomnia of cancer patients.

Methods

The study was conducted on 66 patients with cancer, intervention (n = 33) and control (n = 33) groups(CONSORT). Intervention group received supportive-educational intervention on sleep for two months through virtual social networks(VSNs). All participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and insomnia severity index(ISI) before, and after the intervention.

Results

The mean scores of sleep quality (p = .001) and insomnia severity (p = .001) in the intervention group had a statistical significant decrease. Moreover, quality, latency, duration, efficiency, disturbances of sleep, and daytime dysfunction showed significant improvement in the intervention group, every two times after the intervention (P < .05). However, the participants’ sleep quality deteriorated progressively in the control group (p = .001).

Conclusions

Supportive-Educational Intervention(SEI) through VSNs can be an effective method to improve the sleep quality and decrease insomnia severity of patients with cancer.
Trial registration number: IRCT20220528055007N1
Date of registration: 2022-08-31(retrospectively registered)
Is there more than meets the eye in PSMA imaging in prostate cancer with PET/MRI? Looking closer at uptake time, correlation with PSA and Gleason Score
Authors: Bogdanovic Borjana , Solari Esteban L. , Asiares Alberto Villagran , Marwick Sandra van , Schachoff Sylvia , Eiber Matthias , Weber Wolfgang A. , Nekolla Stephan G.
Published: January 2023

Background: In patients with increasing PSA and suspicion for prostate cancer, but previous negative biopsies, PET/MRI is used to test for tumors and target potential following biopsy. We aimed to determine different PSMA PET timing effects on signal kinetics and test its correlation with the patients’ PSA and Gleason scores (GS).
Methods: We examined 100 patients for 900s with either 68Ga-PSMA-11, 18F-PSMA-1007 or 18F-rhPSMA7 PET/MR. The scans were reconstructed in static and dynamic mode - 6 equal frames capturing “late” PSMA dynamics. For each lesion, dynamic percent injected dose per gram (%ID/g), SUV, and SUL were calculated, along with static SUV. We computed the TACs and slopes of the linear regression plots against time for all above-mentioned data and tested all computed slopes for correlation with PSA and GS.
Results: Static and dynamic reconstructions allowed unchanged lesion detection despite the difference in counts. For all tracers, the lesions found in the pelvic lymph nodes and bones revealed a mostly negative activity concentration trend (78% and 68%, respectively), while a mostly positive, often stronger trend was revealed for the lesions in the prostate and prostatic fossa following RPE (84% and 83%, respectively). For 68Ga-PSMA-11 data, the correlation between all dynamic parameters and the PSA was strong and negative (Rmin = -0.62, Rmax = - 0.73). For 18F-PSMA-1007 data, no correlation with PSA was found, while for 18F-rhPSMA7, it was consistently low positive (Rmin = 0.29, Rmax = 0.33). All tracers showed only moderate correlation against GS (Rmin = 0.41, Rmax = 0.48). All static SUVs showed weak correlation with PSA (Rmin = 0.24, Rmax = 0.36) and no correlation with GS.
Conclusion: “Late dynamic” PSMA data provided additional insight into the PSMA kinetics. While a stable moderate correlation was found between the PSMA kinetics in pelvic lesions and GS, a significantly variable correlation with the PSA values was shown depending on the radiotracer used, the highest being consistently for 68Ga-PSMA-11. We reason that with such late dynamics, the PSMA kinetics are relatively stable and imaging could even take place at earlier time points as is now in the clinical routine.
Both whole-body rotation and visual flow induce cardiovascular autonomic response in Human, but visual response is overridden by vestibular stimulation
Authors: Kuldavletova O. , Denise P. , Normand H. , Quarck G. , Etard O.
Published: January 2023

While the influence of the vestibular and extra-vestibular gravity signals on the cardiovascular system has been demonstrated, there is little evidence that visual stimuli can trigger cardiovascular responses. Furthermore, there is no evidence of interaction between visual and vestibular signals in autonomic control, as would be expected since they are highly integrated. The present study explored the cardiovascular responses to vestibular and visual stimuli in normal subjects. We hypothesized that the visual stimuli would modify the cardiovascular response to vestibular stimulation, especially when the latter is ambiguous with respect to gravity. Off-Vertical-Axis-Rotation (OVAR) was used to stimulate vestibular and extra-vestibular receptors of gravity in 48 healthy young adults while virtual reality was used for visual stimulation. Arterial pressure (AP), respiratory rate and ECG were measured. The analysis accounted for the respiratory modulation of AP and heart rate (HR). Vestibular stimulation by OVAR was shown to modulate both mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR, while the visual stimulation was significantly affecting HR modulation, but not MAP. Moreover, the specific visual effect was present only when the subjects were not in rotation. Therefore, visual stimulation is able to modulate the heart rate, but is overridden by vestibular stimulation due to real movement.
Elastic wavefield decomposition for reverse time migration in 3D TI media
Authors: Zuo Jiahui , Niu Fenglin , Zhang Lele , Liu Lu , Zhang Houzhu , Chen Ke , Shuai Da , Yang Jidong , Zhao Yang
Published: January 2023

Elastic reverse-time migration (ERTM) which utilizes the advantages of both P and S wave modes is a widespread application for imaging in 3D anisotropic media. However, crosstalks due to intrinsically coupled P- and S-wavefields may degrade the image quality. To solve this problem, this study presents an effective vector P- and S-wavefields decomposition scheme in ERTM that can improve the images of 3D Transverse Isotropy (TI) media. The proposed method consists of four steps: (1) rotate the observation coordinate system to align its vertical axis with the symmetry axis of 3D TI media; (2) derive the formulations of the 3D TI decomposition operator by applying the VTI P/S wave-mode decomposition strategy based on eigenform analysis in the new coordinate system; (3) implement vector P- and S-wavefields decomposition by constructing 3D TI Poisson’s equation, and introduce a novel and efficient method based on the first-order Taylor expansion to accelerate the computational efficiency of the decomposition; (4) apply a vector-based dot-product imaging condition to generate PP and PS images. Compared with previous studies, the algorithm of our proposed method in 3D TI media is both numerically stable and computationally efficient. The 3D TI decomposition operator generates vector P- and S-wavefields showing the correct amplitude/phase with the input ones. Several numerical examples illustrate the satisfactory performance of the proposed 3D TI decomposition operator and the effective image improvement.
Nurses lived Experiences, burdens and coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Jarrad Reem Ahmad , ALdasoqi Khadeejeh Yousef Abdul Aziz , ALnatsheh Malak Tareq Talib
Published: January 2023

This is a qualitative interpretative phenomenological study which was designed to navigate through nurses’ lived experiences, burdens and both positive and negative coping strategies while working with COVID-19 patients. The sample included 20 nurses who had worked with COVID-19 patients for more than or equal to six months in the country’s variable health sectors. The interviews were conducted between 1,October,2021 and 15,April,2022. At that time, the third COVID wave had elapsed and we were peaking on a fourth pandemic wave, so included participants had lived through a minimum of two to three peaks. Six themes had emerged which were: nurses coping with COVID-19 crisis, professional relationship burden, personal burden, environmental burden, physical symptom burden and emotional burden of the crisis. Nurses lived experiences during the pandemic were deep and intense and moderately to highly affecting their ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. Certainly such experience had opened nurses eyes on countless number of challenges that could be faced during the times of adversity which requires special attention, care and preparation on many levels. The minimal preparatory levels are personal, departmental, organizational and strategic at the level of country’s proactive health planning.
Investigation of flow control and cooling performance using comb plasma actuators
Authors: Sun Jie , Wang Jin , Xie Gongnan , Sundén Bengt
Published: January 2023

This paper proposes a novel comb plasma actuator (CPA) for active flow control. The effects of the CPA on the tip and the root are investigated to improve the film cooling effectiveness. Results show that the CPA on the root increases the size of the counter-rotating vortex pairs (CRVPs) and the agminated body force arches the coolant air away from the wall. Nevertheless, the scale of the anti-counter rotating vortex pairs (Anti-CRVPs) induced by CPA on the tip is larger than one of CRVPs, which significantly weakens the coiling effect of the mainstream on the coolant air. The maximum velocity of the near-wall fluid with CPA on the tip is 1.2 times that without a plasma actuator. Compared with plasma off, the wall-averaged film cooling effectiveness increases by 90.9%, 108.9%, 87.2%, and 38.0%, respectively, under blowing ratios of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 when using CPA on the tip. In addition, the wall-averaged cooling effectiveness increases by 58.7%, 108.9%, and 115.0% when applied voltages are 6 kV, 12 kV, and 24 kV%, respectively. The diffusing body force of CPA on the tip increases coolant air distributions along the spanwise direction. When the blowing ratio increases from 0.25 to 1.0, the spanwise film cooling effectiveness increases by 62.3%, 103.4%, 164.6%, and 150.5%, respectively, on average.
Rheology of copper-kappa-carrageenan/amberlite composite
Authors: Shah Fahad Hassan , Salman Saad
Published: January 2023

Carrageenan (car-), used in the pharmaceutical as well as food industry, is a marine sulfated polysaccharide. Car-, used in the pharmaceutical as well as food industry, is a marine sulfated polysaccharide. The carrageenan blends (CB) of kappa (κ-), iota (ι-), and lambda (λ-) of 50/50 weight by weight are multipurpose and biocompatible hydrophilic polymers. They have been subjected to the adsorption of copper (Cu2+) ions. The aim of the study was to conduct extensive rheological and mechanical studies rendering them suitable for biological purposes. The rheology was conducted at various temperatures using a frequency curve, frequency sweep, loss modulus, and storage modulus analysis. Models of rheology like Ostwald, Bingham, and Modified Bingham models were utilized. The rheological results demonstrated non-Newtonian/pseudo-plastic behavior at various temperatures. The models of rheology demonstrated good flow properties and rheological performance of these materials. These materials could be exploited for their application in pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics. Thus, our study reflects that these CB can be safely exploited in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and food industry. However, further studies should be conducted to evaluate their effectiveness in clinical studies.
Aberrant function of the salience network related to maltreatment experiences during thought–action fusion
Authors: Lee Sang Won , Kim Seungho , Kim Yun Ji , Jin Bohyun , Chang Yongmin , Lee Seung Jae
Published: January 2023

Childhood maltreatment (CM) causes early deviations in cognitive and affective processes, leading to future adaptation failures and psychopathology. Specifically, CM has been linked to cognitive distortions, and recent studies have focused on the impact of CM on the higher level of metacognitive beliefs. However, only a few studies have revealed the neural mechanisms underlying the association between altered metacognition and CM. Therefore, this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study investigated the neural correlates of thought–action fusion (TAF) tendency and CM experiences. Overall, 40 young adults (21 men) participated in this study and underwent fMRI during the TAF task as well as psychological evaluation for CM, TAF tendency, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. During the TAF task, they were asked to read negative (Neg) or neutral (Neu) statements about neutral or close people (CP). Notably, significant activations were found in regions such as the bilateral anterior insula, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), caudate, thalamus, medial prefrontal cortex, precuneus, and right amygdala in the NegCP > NeuCP contrast. Furthermore, anterior insula and dACC activities were significantly correlated with total scores of CM experiences and TAF. Exaggerated TAF tendency in CM victims was associated with increased response of the anterior insula and dACC, which are two core hubs of the salience network. Our results therefore seem to suggest insights for a better understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying metacognitive beliefs related to CM experiences.
Programmed death-ligand 1 expression and overall survival in Thai patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Chitapanarux Taned , Gumrai Pawut , Kongkarnka Sarawut , Wannasai Komson , Lertprasertsuke Nirush
Published: January 2023

Background
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression has now been implicated in gastric cancer (GC). However, data on PD-L1 expression in GC patients receiving standard-of-care are limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the impact of clinicopathological characteristics on PD-L1 expression and its association with overall survival in Thai patients with GC.
Methods
We retrospectively collected clinical data on 268 patients with GC from Chiang Mai University Hospital between January 2018 to December 2021. PD-L1 expression was assayed by immunohistochemistry staining using the Dako 22C3 pharmDx. PD-L1 positivity was defined as the combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 1.
Results
The rate of PD-L1 positivity in Thai patients with GC was 22%. PD-L1 expression had no statistical correlation with gender, tumor location, diameter, pTNM stage, Lauren classification, or lymphatic and vascular invasion. However, PD-L1 positivity was significantly higher in patients younger than 55 than those older than 55 (32.6% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.035). In addition, PD-L1 positivity was observed more frequently in GC with metastases than without (28.6% vs. 20.8%, p = 0.694). Moreover, patients with PD-L1 positive had a significantly shorter median overall survival than those with PD-L1 negative (32.7 vs. 41.6 months, p = 0.042).
Conclusions
PD-L1 expression is evident in one-fourth of Thai patients with GC. The expression of PD-L1 in GC patients has been associated with young age, short survival, and metastases, although unrelated to the tumor stage. Therefore, testing GC tumors for PD-L1 expression is recommended to provide a therapeutic advantage in Thai patients.
Evaluation of Cardiac Effect in Acute Organophosphate Poisoning
Authors: Yüzügüllü Mehmet , Kekeç Zeynep , Yüzügüllü Didem
Published: January 2023

Aim
The aim of this study is to investigate the cardiac effects in acute organophosphate poisonings with the emergency approach.
Material and Methods
Patients over the age of 15 with cholinergic toxic syndrome symptoms who applied to the Emergency Medicine Department due to organophosphate poisoning were prospectively included in the study. The type and level of organophosphate were analyzed. Creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB isoenzyme, troponin T, pseudocholinesterase were measured. Rhythm, rate, PR distance, corrected QT interval, ST-T changes, right and left bundle branch block, right and left axis deviation were evaluated in ECG.
Results
Forty-six patients (27 female, 19 male), were included in the study. The 6th hour creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB and Troponin T values of the patients were significantly higher than values at the time of admission. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the creatine kinase values at the time of admission and the pseudocholinesterase values of the patients. A positive correlation was found between creatine kinase -MB and pseudocholinesterase values at the time of admission. Similarly, a positive correlation was found between Troponin-T and pseudocholinesterase. After taking Diazinon, Chlorpyrifos and Cypermethrin, sinus tachycardia was observed at the time of admission. After carbofuran intake, the ECG rhythm at admission was normal, and sinus tachycardia was observed at the 6th hour. It was determined that the QT interval was long at the time of admission after taking Chlorpyrifos. After diazinon and cypermethrin intake, the QT interval was evaluated as long at the 6th hour. Left bundle branch block was observed after cypermethrin intake.
Conclusion
Organophosphate compounds are one of the important causes of poisoning. The results of this study, which examines cardiac enzymes and ECG changes after organophosphate poisoning, will provide important contributions to the literature.
Innovative solid desiccant dehumidification using distributed microwaves
Authors: Ybyraiymkul Doskhan , Chen Qian , Burhan Muhammad , Akhtar Faheem Hassan , AlRowais Raid , Shahzad Muhammad Wakil , Ja M Kum , Ng Kim Choon
Published: January 2023

Dehumidification is one of the key challenges facing the air conditioning (AC) industry in the treatment of moist air. Over many decades, the dual role of heat exchangers of AC chillers for the sensible and latent cooling of space has hindered the thermal-lift reduction in the refrigeration cycle due to the requirements of water vapor removal at dew-point and heat rejection to the ambient air. These practical constraints of AC chillers have resulted in the leveling of energy efficiency of mechanical vapor compressors (MVC) for many decades. One promising approach to energy efficiency improvement is the decoupling of dehumidification from sensible processes so that innovative but separate processes can be applied. In this paper, an advanced microwave dehumidification method is investigated in the laboratory, where the microwave (2.45 GHz) energy can be irradiated onto the dipole structure of water vapor molecules, desorbing rapidly from the pores of adsorbent. Results show a significant improvement in performance for microwave dehumidification, up to 4-fold, as compared to data available in the literature.
Review of calculation of conditional power, predictive power and probability of success in clinical trials with continuous, binary and time-to-event endpoints
Authors: Kundu Madan Gopal , Samanta Sandipan , Mondal Shoubhik
Published: January 2023

Assessment of study success using conditional power (CP), the predictive power of success
(PPoS) and probability of success (PoS) is becoming increasingly common for resource optimization
and adaption of trials in clinical investigation. Determination of these measures is often
a non-trivial mathematical task. Further, the terminologies used across the literature are not
consistent, and there is no consolidated presentation on this. We have made a structured presentation
on these measures for both trial success and clinical success: first, we have summarized
the expressions of CP, PPoS and PoS in a general setting and subsequently, expressions for these
measures are obtained for continuous, binary, and time-to-event endpoints in single-arm and twoarm
trial settings. Many of these expressions are previously published; however, some of the
expressions are very new including the expressions for testing median of time-to-event endpoint
in a single-arm trial. We have also shown that 1/(no. of events) consistently underestimates the
variance of log(median) and alternative expression for variance was derived. Examples are given
along with the comparison of CP and PPoS. Expressions presented in this paper are implemented
in LongCART package in R and in R shiny app https://ppos.shinyapps.io/public/.
Mutual Funds’ Performance Sensitivity to Funds’ Attributes. Case Study: Saudi Mutual Funds
Authors: Soussou Karim , Omri Abdelwahed
Published: January 2023

This study contributes to the academic literature on faith-based mutual funds, by offering a comparative investigation of Islamic vs. conventional funds’ performance sensitivity to changes in a list of seventeen relevant funds’ attributes, all in the context of the Saudi market. The performance measures investigated are the excess return, selectivity and timing. The study took place from 2011 to 2015, with a sample of 200 Active Saudi funds, 137 Islamic and 63 conventional. Findings indicated that fund size, management fees, expense ratio cash and price-earnings ratio were irrelevant to both Islamic and conventional fund performances. In addition, we noticed similarities in both Islamic and conventional funds’ performances sensitivities towards turnover, unsystematic risk, investment target, past performance, age and management tenure. They however react differently towards a change in the price-to-book ratio. On the other hand, fund systematic risk, cashflow-to-book ratio and faith factors are exclusively relevant to Islamic funds, while fund growth and objective only affect conventional fund performance. Finally, selectivity and timing appear to be mutually exclusive, suggesting management specialization. This work appears to be the first comparative analysis of its kind. A larger, multi-regional sample, and a longer study period will provide better insights.
Knowledge management (KM) as a viable solution to public service delivery challenges
Authors: Barbier Lance , Tengeh Robertson K.
Published: January 2023

The object of research: The study revolves around KM and service delivery. It ascertains whether KM is a plausible solution to public service delivery challenges. Although the paper is aimed at governments worldwide, it is focusing on South Africa.

Investigated problem: While the public service in South Africa has been significantly transformed since apartheid's end in 1994, the government is now under enormous pressure to deliver and save the public service from further collapse. Recent years have seen an increase in service delivery demonstrations and marches. Many believe the public service delivery mechanisms introduced to circumvent public service delivery challenges have been ineffective.

The main scientific results: Despite knowing what must be done, officials have trouble putting their plans, strategies, and policies into action. This is even though service delivery mechanisms were implemented to help them improve service delivery. In fact, only half of the respondents (50.7 %, n=33) were aware of service delivery mechanisms, though 95.4 % (n=62) concurred that KM is a viable solution to improve service delivery.

Area of practical use of the research results: Very little research has been conducted on KM as a potential solution to South Africa's service delivery problems. As a result, this research provides new insights into improving public sector service delivery using KM. Overall, the findings will benefit KM and Public Administration practitioners.
Combined analysis of acoustic emission and vibration signals in monitoring tool wear, surface quality and chip formation when turning SCM440 steel using MQL
Authors: Hoang Dung Tien , Thien Nguyen Van , Pham Thoa Thi Thieu , Nguyen Trinh Duy
Published: January 2023

With modern production, Minimum Quantity Lubricant (MQL) technology has emerged as an alternative to conventional liquid cooling. The MQLs is an environmentally friendly lubricant method with low cost while meeting the requirements of machining conditions. In this study, the experimental and analytical results show that the obtained acoustic emission (AE) and vibration signal components can effectively monitor various circumstances in the SCM440 steel turning process with MQL, such as surface quality and chip formation as cutting tool conditions. The AE signals showed a significant response to the tool wear processes. In contrast, the vibration signal showed an excellent ability to reflect the surface roughness during turning with MQL. The chip formation process through the cutting mode parameters (cutting speed, feed and depth of cut) was detected through analysis amplitude of the vibration components Ax, Ay and Az and the AE signal. Finally, Gaussian process regression and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (GPR-ANFIS) algorithms were combined to predict the surface quality and tool wear parameters of the MQL turning process. Tool condition monitoring devices assist the operator in monitoring tool wear and surface quality limits, stopping the machine in case of imminent tool breakage or lower surface quality. With the unique combination of AE and vibration analysis model and the training and testing samples established by the experimental data, the corresponding average prediction accuracy is 97.57 %. The highest prediction error is not more than 3.8 %, with a confidence percentage of 98 %. The proposed model can be used in industry to predict surface roughness and wear of the tools directly during turning
Geotechnical and thermal analysis and complex impedance spectroscopy characterization of pure Moroccan bentonite material for civil engineering applications
Authors: Essaleh Mohamed , Bouferra Rachid , Kadiri Imad , Belhouideg Soufiane , Mansori Mohammed , Bouchehma Abdeltif , Oubani Mohamed , Benjelloun Mohamed
Published: January 2023

Combined modulus and impedance spectra are employed in the present work to explore electrical inhomogeneity and carriers’ behaviors in a pure bentonite Moroccan clay based on equivalent circuit. It has been clearly observed that the electrical properties change due to the increase of temperature from 300 °C to 700 °C. The frequency-dependent imaginary modulus M" and imaginary impedance Z" curves has only one peak at each temperature indicating the predominance of the contribution of grains to the total electrical conduction in bentonite. The positions of these peaks move to higher frequencies when the temperature increases in relation with the distribution of relaxation time. Moreover, the activation energy for the conduction process in bentonite is determined from the slope of ln(ρdc) versus of 1/T in the order of 700 meV in good agreement with that obtained from the proposed equivalent circuit. On the other hand, let’s present a geotechnical study that show that our material is a swelling clay, very plastic and could be used as a binder. The external stress dependence of the bulk density, Young’s module and maximum stress are analysed. The thermal conductivity determined following the device of Lee's disks where two copper disks of thickness of 15 mm and diameter of 30 mm were used
Combination of design of experiments and simple additive weighting methods: a new method for rapid multi-criteria decision making
Authors: Dua Tran Van
Published: January 2023

Multi-criteria decision making to choose the best option is a complicated task but a required activity in all fields. The problem will be more complicated if, after making a decision, one/several options are added to the list of options to be ranked. In this case, if only a certain multi-criteria decision making method is used, the decision-making shall be required to be started over again. This study recommends a simple solution to overcome this situation. The recommended solution is a combination between the Design Of Experiments method and a certain multi-criteria decision making method. Simple Additive Weighting method was selected in this study as one of the multi-criteria decision making methods for testing. Use the Design Of Experiments method to design an experiment matrix with the main input parameters being the criteria of options. The Simple Additive Weighting method is applied to calculate the output value of each experiment, called the score of the experiment. Develop a mathematical relation between the scores of the experiments and the criteria. This relation is used to recalculate the scores for options to be ranked. Three different cases were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the new method. The results of ranking alternatives by new method have been compared with when using other methods. Sensitivity analysis was also performed in each case. The generation of different scenarios is done using different methods to determine the weights for the criteria. The best alternative determined when using the new method is always similar to when using other methods. In addition, when using the new method, the best alternative is determined regardless of the method of determining the weights for the criteria. The obtained results have proved the accuracy of the methodology and the advantages of the recommended method. Future work is also mentioned in the last part of this article
Human resource professionals and readiness for the future of work
Authors: Adeosun Oluyemi Theophilus , Adegbite Waliu
Published: January 2023

The current shift in the world of work, moving from a conventional to a digitalized workplace, has necessitated that professionals embrace and prepare for emerging work patterns. This study evaluates the readiness of human resource (HR) professionals for future work, given the emerging trends of the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution in Nigeria. This is particularly important because the HR professionals are responsible for the entire workforce in any organization and there are concerns that if HR is left out in the current transition to the fourth industrial revolution, many business segments will witness setbacks. The study leveraged on primary data and a survey of 218 HR professionals was conducted across organisations using survey monkey. Chi-square test of independence was used to ascertain the HR professionals' readiness, vis-a-vis their current grade level, supervisory responsibilities, and personal development plans. Findings revealed that most HR professionals are generally not ready for future work in Nigeria, as indicated by a p-value above 0.05. The result further shows that the higher the grade level, the less prepared they are for future work. This paper emphasized how human resource practitioners can prepare for the emerging shift in their world of work and policy recommendations were highlighted
Electronic inventory control systems as a competitive tool for e-retailers
Authors: Mondo Sandra Ngolu , Twum-Darko Michael , Ansen Jerry , Tengeh Robertson Khan
Published: January 2023

Despite technological advances, some e-retail organisations are still struggling to improve their inventory control performance due to a limited application of such technology, a lack of relevant skills and inadequate supply chain management policies. This article explored how EICS can enhance the competitiveness of an online retailer. Adopting the qualitative paradigm, data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Consequently, data analysis entailed identifying common patterns within the responses and critically analysing them to achieve the research objectives. The findings revealed that with the implementation of EICS, the organisation could oversee inventory stock cycle transactions, perform a transparent inter-branch transfer and security control. Also, the vital competitive advantages, achieved through EICS implementation, include high customer satisfaction due to faster system services rendered than previously. Likewise, a rise in customer service efficiency and higher customer loyalty rates. In sum, this research supports the idea that EICS technology is an essential ingredient for e-retailers to thrive and compete. A major recommendation is for e-retailers to clearly define the attributes and metrics of their inventory control performance in line with inventory control objectives as the EICS competitiveness framework.
Influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy and its domains in selected secondary schools
Authors: Aloka Peter Jairo Odhiambo , Odanga Sylvester Jokim Otieno
Published: January 2023

Teachers’ self-efficacy remains one of the most important constructs that determine their delivery and competence in schools. In Kenya, it has been reported, that there is low teachers’ self-efficacy, however, no analytic attention had been paid to the influence of school category. The study examined the influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy in Kenyan secondary schools. The study used Concurrent Embedded Design. The sample size comprised 327 teachers, obtained using stratified sampling technique. The Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale and an interview schedule were used to collect data. The reliability of teachers’ self-efficacy was ascertained by using Cronbach’s alpha and a reliability coefficient of 0.992 was obtained. Quantitative data was analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The results indicated that the influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy was significant, Wilk’s λ (2, 324)=0.893, p=0.000. Furthermore, the results show that the influences of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy in student engagement, F (2, 324)=11.498, p=.000, instructional strategy, F (2, 324)=8.432, p=.000, and classroom management, F (2, 324)=10.173, p=.000, were all statistically significant. The study recommends that Teachers’ Service Commission should organize mentorship programs for teachers to boost their self-efficacies.
Adaptive performance in the 4IR: the impacts of organizational learning and resilience
Authors: Adekanmbi Foluso Philip , Ukpere Wilfred Isioma
Published: January 2023

This research investigates the impacts of organizational learning and resilience on adaptive performance within the banking industry during the 4IR. This study implemented a cross-sectional survey approach, having its sample (250 employees), purposively obtained from five (5) Lagos State of Nigeria’s banks. These five (5) banks are First City Monument Bank Limited, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank Plc, and First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The current researchers encouraged voluntary participation and guaranteed respect for related ethical matters. Two hundred and forty-six (247) surveys were successfully retrieved and suitably utilized. Data recovered was cleaned and analyzed with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS vs. 28). This paper confirms that organizational learning and resilience independently and significantly increase and sustain positive adaptive performance. This investigation also found that organizational learning and resilience significantly and jointly impact adaptive performance. Hence, management within Nigeria’s banking industry should consider adopting more organizational learning programs and exercises for the varied circumstances and contests from the fourth industrial revolution. Moreover, the management and leaders within Nigeria’s banks should adopt human resource practices that cultivate the mastering of transformative activities, making the most disruptive surprises that potentially impend organization survival in the fourth industrial revolution
Comparative analysis of experimental research into the effect of lasting self-synchronization on a laboratory shaker with three and two vibration exciters
Authors:   Ural State University of Railway Transport, Evgenii Azarov
Published: January 2023

Introduction. Vibratory transport machines are widely used in the mining industry and other sectors of production. A more detailed analysis of working body oscillation parameters and vibration exciters self-synchronization is required to design vibratory transport machines with new properties. Vibratory machine dynamics was studied with a mathematical model, which made it possible to discover some interesting phenomena, for example, the effect that the authors called the effect of lasting self-synchronization. Research objective is to experimentally confi rm the discovered phenomena using a laboratory shaker and assess the degree of these phenomena resistance. Methods of research. In order to confi rm and carry out the follow-up study of the discovered phenomena, DVM-014 laboratory training facility was designed and manufactured. A set of experiments with two and three vibration exciters were carried out with the help of this facility. Results. The article presents the results of experiments on detecting the effect of lasting self-synchronization under confi gurations with two and three vibration exciters and this phenomenon resistance to the changing position of the machine’s center of mass. Changes in the machine parameters are also given when either one of the two or two of the three vibration exciters are switched off. Summary. Several conclusions have been made based on the experimental results. The most important of them in terms of technology is the following. The phenomenon of lasting selfsynchronization, if any, can be useful when there are pauses in the machine loading. It will signifi cantly reduce energy consumption by switching off one or two motors.
Improving the calculation method for rock bolting parameters of coal mine workings in influence zones of contiguous coal seams
Authors:   St. Petersburg Mining University
Published: January 2023

Research objective is to improve the calculation method for rock bolting parameters in section developing entries in the coal mines located in the influence zone of high rock pressure, formed by stable interpanel pillars established in the course of contiguous coal seams development. Methods of research include an analysis of modern methodological approaches to coal mine rock bolting parameters calculation, that are contained in the relevant regulatory documents, as well as an analysis of the world’s experience of ensuring the operational condition of section developing entries in the course of contiguous coal seams development by longwall mining with interpanel pillars. Results. The necessity is shown of improving methodological approaches to rock bolting parameters determination in the influence zone of the edge parts of massif and pillars formed in the course of contiguous coal seams development. The pillar width influence on its stress-strained state is analyzed. The paper justifies the calculation formulae that are based on the width of the pillar established in the course of contiguous overlying and underlying coal seams development. Promising directions are determined for the improvement of schemes and ways of coal mine developing entries support, that make it possible to improve the speed of section developing entries advance for timely preparation of new working areas in the course of intensive coal extraction. Conclusions and scope of results. The parameters of pillar influence zones formed in the course of contiguous coal seams development are largely determined by their width. Taking into account the influence zones of increased manifestations of rock pressure caused by pillars is a prerequisite for the correct calculation of support standards for section mine workings supported by rock bolting. The recommendations for the improved calculation of section developing entry wall bolting parameters and the values of the expected shifts in the areas of increased rock pressure manifestation caused by pillars make it possible to improve the accuracy of the expected shifts prediction. They serve as a theoretical basis for successful implementation of the two-stage schemes of mine support that increase the rate of sinking in the course of intensive coal extraction. The research results can be used to confirm the developing entry bolting standards in the zones of increased rock pressure manifestations formed by the pillars established in the course of contiguous coal seams development.
The concept of quasi-brittle rock fracture as applied to extraction and processing operations
Authors:   Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Pershin Gennadii
Published: January 2023

Research objective is to substantiate the method for calculating the value of specific surface energy as the work irreversibly expended on fracture surfaces formation in the course of rock fracture in mining flow processes. Methods of research. The scheme of a uniformly expanded thin brittle plate with an embedded crack perpendicular to the load (Griffith plate) was taken as the basis for analytical calculations. The statement of the problem was based on building the energy balance of the work irreversibly expended on fracture surfaces formation through crack creation and propagation. The general solution analysis revealed that the well-known Griffith formula refers to a particular case of a perfectly brittle material fracture, when a sample in the form of a plate has specific dimensions with respect to the length of the embedded crack. Griffith theory postulates the presence of embedded structural cracks in a fractured body and does not explain the mechanism of crack creation and propagation up to the critical value. Therefore, it has not yet found practical application in analytical calculations of mining operations. Results. To extend application of the obtained design dependence of the specific surface energy for the tough fracture of rocks as well, a modified Irwin criterion has been proposed that determines the condition for the local fracture of crack-like flaws in the material’s structure. Therefore, by introducing a new constant in the form of an integrated structural-textural constant of the rock material, it has become possible to obtain the final answer to the question of what the value of specific energy consumption is in the flow processes of rock fracture by tensile cracks propagation. The theoretical novelty of the obtained regularity, along with its clear, understandable physical sense, is represented in the specific energy irreversibly spent for through tensile cracks creation by substantiated introduction of energy efficiency in the course of fracture, which substantially increases the value of the design energy consumption.
The 75th Anniversary of Professor Vladimir V. Filatov Essay on scientific and educational activity
Authors:   Ural State Mining University, Kseniia Vandysheva
Published: January 2023

The article focuses on scientific and educational activity of Vladimir V. Filatov, DSc in Geology and Mineralogy, Professor, professor of the Vladimir State University, and a specialist in exploration geophysics. The Professor’s research is devoted to the development of theory, methodology and practical application of geophysical methods for mineral prospecting and exploration, geological mapping, the study of urban geoenvironment tectonic structure and dynamic behaviour and forecasting hazardous dynamic events in urban areas. A brief biography and main results of scientific work are provided.
Methods, dynamics and structure of coal production in Russian deposits: problems and solutions
Authors:   Financial Research Institute of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, Roman S. Gubanov
Published: January 2023

Introduction. The structure of coal mining in Russian deposits is heterogeneous due to significant imbalances dictated by different geological and engineering conditions of mining in different regions of the country. Due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis associated with it, the dynamics of coal production is not stable, and in recent years there has been a decline in economic growth in companies in the coal sector of the Russian economy. Today it is important to focus on the development of new deposits, the search for safer and more reliable ways of mining. This will make it possible to optimize coal mining management mechanisms and provide solutions to the problems of increasing economic efficiency in the coal sector of the Russian Federation. Research objective is to scientifically substantiate the reasons and conditions for the formation of long-term demand for resource potential for the extraction of energy and coking coal using situational analysis. Methods of research. In order to study the problems of the coal sector development, a scenario analysis of the dynamics and structure of coal mining in Russian deposits was carried out. As a result, hypotheses about the need for complex extraction of energy and coking coal grades were confirmed. It has been scientifically proven that the introduction of open-underground geotechnology in Russian deposits serves as a way to rationalize mining operations, and increases the final effect of coal mining. Results. The characteristics of the main types of coal reserves in Russian deposits are presented. Of practical importance is the study of the dynamics of A-Property coal production in 2020–2021 in various companies. Conclusions. As a result of the conducted research, the article draws an important conclusion about the need to expand the practice of obtaining and using anthracite, despite its high level of rarity of extraction. The organization of new methods of anthracite extraction and use in the industry will improve the production of metallurgical raw materials.