bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can the e-Naira Foster Financial Inclusion in Nigeria? Evidence from Structural Equation Model
Authors: Akpan Usenobong , Umaru Aminu
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we evaluate the extent to which the e-Naira can bridge the financial inclusion gap in Nigeria. From a survey design of a well-structured questionnaire, we subject the field-dataset to the Structural Equation Model (SEM), which combines factor analysis with multiple regression. The choice of SEM also follows from its capacity to handle complex and difficult data that may be non-normal and incomplete. Our results indicate that access, quality and usage of eNaira could have a positive and significant influence on financial inclusion in Nigeria. In particular, we found that a unit increase in e-Naira’s access, usage and quality could, respectively, lead to a 0.18, 0.32 and 0.38 per cents increase in financial inclusion in Nigeria. The results were robust to various standard diagnostic tests. Consequently, the paper provides strong support for the need to further promote access, usage and quality of the e-Naira in Nigeria as part of the strategies for enhancing financial inclusion in the country.
Association between triglyceride-glucose index and in-hospital all-cause mortality under different glucose metabolism status among patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: 孟 旭阳 , Zhao Zinan , Song Qirui , Xu Wei , Xia Chenxi , Li Yi , Yang Chenguang , Wang Xiang , Wang Fang
Published: January 2024

Background:
The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, as a reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance, is independently associated with the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. This current study aimed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and in-hospital all-cause mortality of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with different glucose metabolic statuses.
Methods:
This study enrolled 10 964 patients with CAD in China between January 1, 2016 to December 30, 2021. All the patients were divided into groups according to tertiles of the TyG index as T1 group (TyG index < 6.84), T2 group (6.84 ≤ TyG index < 7.38), and T3 group (TyG index ≥ 7.38). Glucose metabolic status was classified as normal glucose regulation, pre-diabetes mellitus, and diabetes mellitus (DM), according to the American Diabetes Association’s standard. The primary outcome was in hospital all-cause mortality.
Results:
We observed a significant relationship between the TyG index and in-hospital all-cause mortality of patients with CAD in this study. After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, smoking, drinking, hypertension, estimated glomerular filtration rate, antiplatelet drug use, antilipidemic drug use, and antihypertensive drug use in the logistic regression model, the TyG index was still an independent risk factor for in-hospital death in patients with CAD, and the T3 group [odds ratio (OR), 2.311; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.237–4.317; P = 0.009) was correlated with a 2.311-fold risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality compared with the T1 group. In the subgroup analysis of different glucose metabolic status, the T3 group (OR, 1.541; 95% CI: 1.013–2.344; P = 0.043) were associated with a significantly higher risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality in CAD patients with DM.
Conclusions:
An increased TyG index was correlated with a higher risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality. Our study indicated that TyG as an estimation index for evaluating IR could be a valuable predictor of in-hospital death of CAD patients, especially for individuals with DM.
Applying animal derived organic fertilizers increases the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes in the soil-onion system
Authors: Luo Bin , Sun Yifan , Liu Hengrui , Cao Tao , Zhang Li , Xie Jun , Wang Jun , Li Huakang , Duan Zichen , Gao Zixuan , Wang Xiaojuan , Gu Jie , Tiedje James M.
Published: January 2024

In practical agricultural cultivation, the effects of applying organic fertilisers on the distribution and accumulation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in root vegetable tissues are unknown. For this reason, this study investigated the distribution characteristics of ARGs in onion tissues by applying different organic fertilizers by combining macro-genome sequencing and HT-qPCR, and also integrated targeted metabolomics to analyze the phenolic metabolite fractions of onion roots, with a view to revealing the effects of applying organic fertilizers of pig manure and goat manure on the distribution and bioaccumulation of ARGs in onion tissues and their causes. Fertilisation significantly increased the abundance and diversity of ARGs in the rhizosphere soil and onion, and the relative abundance of ARGs in onion was increased by 20.2-fold and 5.3-fold by pig manure organic manure and sheep manure organic manure, respectively. Roots and bulbs of onion were enriched with different kinds of ARGs, and the ARG diversity and abundance in the root system were 1.7-2.0 and 19.2–30.4 times higher than those in bulbs, respectively. Fertilisation altered the microbial community structure of potential host genera including 20 ARGs in onion tissues and further affected ARG fugacity in onion tissues by affecting root phenolic metabolites, MGEs as well as boron and copper. Finally, a combined assessment showed that pig manure organic fertiliser and sheep manure organic fertiliser increased the potential consumption risk of onion bulbs by 36.5% and 20.6%, respectively.
Practical Analysis on Failure of Construction Beam
Authors: Shreshthi Prof. R.S.
Published: January 2024

In these studies, we have investigated about two zones of beam namely as Compression and tension zone. A beam is specified with two zones as compression zone and tension zone. Compression zone arise at top part of Neutral axis and Tension zone arise at bottom part of neutral axis. Here in case of Reinforced concrete beam, steel plays a vital role to support especially in tension zone. Here we have conducted test on different specimen with different reinforcement at tension zone of concrete with different depths of beam specimen. In Case One - We have used equal reinforcement in both zones. In Case Two - Higher reinforcement in Tension zone and low reinforcement in compression zone. In Case Three – Reinforcement only in tension zone. Comparing all three cases we found that the strength achieved in case two Higher reinforcement in Tension zone and low reinforcement in compression zone. is nearly more than 90% as compare to case where We have used equal reinforcement in both zones.
Utilization of traditional bone settings and associated factors among residents of Dilla town, Gedeo zone, in southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Assefa Maritu , Kabthymer Robel Hussen , Bordie Moges Taddesse , Shaka Mohammed Feyisso , Solomon Abiy Berhanu , Nega Solomon , Dansa Amanuel , Tadesse Jarsso , Aweke Zemedu , Gedeno Kanbiro
Published: January 2024

Introduction: The traditional bone setting involves specialization in traditional medicine that passes from father to child; however, some nonfamily members receive training via apprenticeship. Despite serious health complications, the level and determinant factors have been poorly explored in Ethiopia, particularly in Dilla Town, Gedeo Zone, SNNPR, and Ethiopia.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the utilization of traditional bone settingsand associated factors in Dilla Town, 2019.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among residents of the town of Dilla with a history of sustained trauma. The data were subsequently entered into EPidata version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. Descriptive findings are reported as frequencies and percentages, and logistic regression analysis was used to assess the factors associated with the utilization of traditional bone settling. Odds ratios with their corresponding 95% confidence limits were computed, and ap value < 0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant association.
Result-The study showed that the magnitude of traditional bone-setting utilization was 39.8%. Males were 4.95 times more likely to use traditional bone settings [AOR=4.95, 95% CI=2.28-10.71]. Respondents with no formal education were [AOR=23.87, 95% CI=12.34-46.17]; those residing more than 2 km away from the health facility were [AOR=4.39, 95% CI=2.32-8.33]; those who had no bleeding from the trauma site were [AOR=12.46, 95% CI= 5.86- 26.49]; and those with a monthly income of 1001-2000 were more likely to utilize traditional bone settings.
Conclusion-A significant number of residents used traditional bone settings, and educational attainment, distance from health facilities, and open injury significantly increased the likelihood of using traditional bone settings.
Enhancement of Salt Solubility in a Solid Blend Polymer Electrolyte by Gamma Irradiation: Effects on Ion Dynamics and Relaxation Properties
Authors: Patla Subir Kumar , Ray Ruma , Kandasami Asokan , Karmakar Sanat
Published: January 2024

The blend of solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) has drawn tremendous attention due to its potential for applications in energy devices. In the present study, SPE was fabricated from a mixture of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) polymers at a 4:1 weight ratio with 0.02M KBr salt. Salt does not dissociate in this blend SPE. The poor ionic conductivity and low salt solubility in PVDF-rich blend SPE have been circumvented by irradiating a high-energy gamma irradiation dose from 0 to 150 kGy on the sample. In this study, we have systematically investigated the effect of gamma irradiation on salt aggregation and ion dynamics. Besides gamma irradiation, an ion beam (Oxygen Ion Beam O7+) was also used to irradiate and compared with the results obtained from gamma irradiation. Interestingly, dc conductivity shows oscillatory behaviour with a maximum at a 100 kGy irradiation dose. Ionic conductivity and relaxation behaviour of gamma-irradiated SPE have been investigated by impedance spectroscopy for a wide range of temperatures and frequencies. We use the equivalent circuit model to fit the Nyquist plot of different SPEs that gives the bulk resistance, constant phase element, and Warburg impedance of the SPEs. Models such as the Universal Power Law model (Almond and West model), the Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) model, Havrilliak-Nigami (HN), and Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) were employed to explore ion dynamics from ac conductivity spectra and modulus spectra. The temperature-dependent dc conductivity and relaxation time followed the Arrhenius relation obtained from the above analysis. The activation energy of conduction ions for different gamma-irradiated SPEs was obtained from the temperature-dependent dc conductivity, hopping frequency, and relaxation times (HN and KWW). The ac conductivity and modulus spectra were scaled by a universal scaling relation, which confirms the superposition of the time-temperature principle and follows the common ion conduction mechanism in the SPEs at different temperatures.
Evaluating early EEG correlates of restricted and repetitive behaviors for toddlers with or without autism
Authors: Chung Haerin , Wilkinson Carol L. , Said Alex Job , Tager-Flusberg Helen , Nelson Charles A.
Published: January 2024

Background: Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRB) are among the primary characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite the potential impact on later developmental outcomes, our understanding of the neural underpinnings of RRBs is limited. Alterations in EEG alpha activity have been observed in ASD and implicated in RRBs, however, developmental changes within the alpha band requires careful methodological considerations when studying its role in brain-behavior relationships during infancy and early childhood. Novel approaches now enable the parameterization of the power spectrum into periodic and aperiodic components. This study aimed to characterize the neural correlates of RRBs in infancy by (1) comparing infant resting-state measures (periodic alpha and aperiodic activity) between infants who develop ASD, elevated likelihood infants without ASD, and low likelihood infants without ASD, and (2) evaluate whether these infant EEG measures are associated with frequency of RRBs measured at 24 months.
Methods: Baseline non-task related EEG data were collected from 12-to-14-month-old infants with and without elevated likelihood of autism (N=160), and periodic alpha activity (periodic alpha power, individual peak alpha frequency and amplitude), and aperiodic activity measures (aperiodic exponent) were calculated. Parent-reported RRBs were obtained at 24 months using the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised questionnaire. Group differences in EEG measures were evaluated using ANCOVA, and multiple linear regressions were conducted to assess relationships between EEG and RRB measures.
Results: No group-level differences in infant EEG measures were observed. Marginal effects analysis of linear regressions revealed significant associations within the ASD group, such that higher periodic alpha power, lower peak alpha frequency, and lower aperiodic exponent, were associated with elevated RRBs at 24 months. No significant associations were observed for non-ASD outcome groups.
Limitations: The sample size for ASD (N=19) was modest for examining brain-behavior relations. Larger sample sizes are needed to increase statistical power.
Conclusion: For infants with later ASD diagnoses, measures of alpha and aperiodic activity measured at 1-year of age were associated with later manifestation of RRBs at 2-years. Longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate whether the early trajectory of these EEG measures and their dynamic relations in development influence manifestations of RRBs in ASD.
Effects of Plant Decomposition and Soil Respiration on CO2 in the Atmosphere via Global Temperature Changes
Authors: Nishioka Masaharu
Published: January 2024

A good correlation was found between the CO2 growth rate (ppm/year) and satellite-based global temperature, as shown in Figure 1 (see Introduction) in our recent paper. Then, the following equation was reasonably derived:
drco2/dt ≒ γ ΔT (rco2: CO2 concentration, γ: constant, ΔT: temperature change)
It was confirmed that the CO2 growth rate follows temperature changes with a time lag. This essential equation casts strong doubts that anthropogenic CO2 is the cause of global warming, although the concept of global warming due to anthropogenic CO2 has been proposed by the IPCC. Our previous papers suggested that temperature changes affect plant decomposition and soil respiration, followed by a change in CO2 generation. The higher the temperature is, the more CO2 is generated. In this paper, the effects of plant decomposition and soil respiration on CO2 in the atmosphere are further clarified for global temperature changes by reviewing related aspects and available datasets.
The results included (1) the carbon budget, (2) the comparison of exhaust gas and CO2 growth rates, (3) greenhouse gas compositions, (4) the solar energy budget, (5) changes in carbon isotopes, (6) latitude-related changes in CO2 and temperature, and (7) seasonal changes in exhaust gas compositions. Based on all these results, we concluded that changes in plant decomposition and soil respiration due to global temperatures control the global CO2 cycles. The impact of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion on global warming is extremely low.
Assessment of the efficiency of virus extraction from food matrices and the frequency of occurrence of contaminated products in the retail network
Authors: Yushina Yu. K. , Semenova A. A. , Kuznecova O. A. , Satabaeva D. M. , Zaiko E. V. , Velebit B.
Published: January 2024

Express detection of viruses, in particular, norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV), is becoming an extremely important task for food safety control. This study examines various approaches to recovery of viral particles and methods for RNA extraction from food matrices to assess mengovirus extraction efficiency. Efficiency of mengovirus extraction from raspberry was 14.26%, from oysters 7.99%, from pork liver 8.33%. Assessment of RNA extraction by various methods was carried out. The highest efficiency of mengovirus extraction from pork liver (19.37%) was observed when RNA was extracted using the eGene-up semi-automatic system. The lowest extraction efficiency (5.31%) was achieved upon manual RNA extraction. When RNA was extracted from oysters, the maximum efficiency (33.35%) was ensured by the AutoPure nucleic acid extraction station and NucliSens kit, while the minimum efficiency (9.78%) was observed when using the eGene-up system. The performed monitoring of food products showed that the highest occurrence of norovirus GII was recorded in oyster samples (9.6% of tested samples); the second place was occupied by strawberry, where occurrence of norovirus GII was 6.8%. In the raspberry samples, norovirus GII was not detected.
Bioinformatics study of selective inhibitor from Garcinia mangostana L. tackle HIV‑1 infection
Authors: Kharisma V. D. , Ansori A. N.M. , Jakhmola V. , Ullah E. , Purnobasuki H.
Published: January 2024

HIV has a host cell, T‑cell lymphocytes with CD4+ receptors. HIV drugs have the inhibitory activity on HIV‑1 protease by producing chemical bonding interactions such as hydrogen and hydrophobic. However, some cases show long-term side effects that may be harmful from the use of synthetic antiretrovirals. This requires new innovations to make drugs based on natural resources or alternative medicine for handling these cases. Natural-based drugs are claimed to reduce the side effects produced. Garcinia mangostana L. or queen of fruit is widely found in Southeast Asia. Many parts of this plant, such as fruits, are used for traditional medicine. Research with in vitro and in vivo approaches reveals that mangostin compounds from Garcinia mangostana L. can be an antiviral candidate. Garcinia mangostana L. has the main chemical compounds of garciniaxanthone, garcinone A, and mangostin. This study uses garciniaxanthone, garcinone A, and mangostin compounds to reveal the molecular mechanism of the antiviral activity in Garcinia mangostana L. through inhibition of HIV‑1 protease with a bioinformatics approach. In silico methods used in this study are druglikeness, molecular docking, interactions, visualization, and dynamic simulation. Garciniaxanthon B, garcinone B, and beta-mangostin from Garcinia mangostana L. have potential as antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV‑1 infection. The three compounds are predicted to inhibit the protease activity in HIV‑1 with a more negative binding affinity score, form ligand-protein molecular complexes with van der Waals, hydrogen, pi/alkyl/anion/ sigma bonds, form stable bonds and drug-like molecules.
Influence of different milk-clotting enzymes on the quality and shelf life of semihard cheeses
Authors: Myagkonosov D. S. , Abramov D. V. , Delitskaya I. N. , Bukcharina G. B.
Published: January 2024

The study examined semi-hard cheeses made with milk-clotting enzymes (MCEs) of animal origin (Naturen Extra with a mass fraction of chymosin 95%, “Bovine Pepsin” with a mass fraction of chymosin 10%), microbial origin (Fromase 750 XLG) and recombinant origin (Chy-max Extra and Chy-max Supreme), at an introduction dose of MCE of 1,500 to 6,000 IMCU per 100 kg of milk. In cheeses at the age of 7, 60, and 150 days, pH, the degree of proteolysis, the content of peptides with a mass of 1–5 kDa, and the compressive stress at fracture were determined. Cheeses produced with a dose of MCE of 5,000–6,000 IMCU/100 kg of milk had a substantially (p<0.05) lower pH compared to cheeses made with doses of MCEs of 1,500–3,000 IMCU/100 kg of milk. At the same time points, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the degree of proteolysis between cheeses made using diverse types of MCEs at the same dose. The exceptions were cheeses produced with Chy-max Supreme, which had a substantially (p<0.05) lower level of proteolysis. Sensory assessment of the bitter taste intensity in cheeses is proportional to the content of peptides with a molecular weight of 1–5 kDa. With an increase in the MCE dose, the content of peptides with a molecular weight of 1 to 5 kDa increases in cheese. Chy-max Supreme forms the least number of bitter peptides in cheeses (p<0.05). There are no significant differences (p<0.05) in the magnitude of the compressive stress at fracture between the cheese variants produced with the same MCE doses of diverse types at the same time points.
The ecosystem of vertical farms: A conceptual framework
Authors: Dovganeva Yu. A. , Katrashova Yu. V. , Kirillova T. V.
Published: January 2024

The article discusses the prospects of creating vertical farms as a modern eco-friendly solution to increase the productivity of the agro-industrial complex. Throughout the work, the authors justify the need to switch from the old model of food security to a new one, which is based on innovative agricultural technologies. In particular, the nature of vertical farms, their organization models, as well as their relevance for the “smart city” concept are considered. The paper discusses the ecosystem of vertical farms and the role of various stakeholders. The importance of vertical farms for digital transformation of agriculture is demonstrated.
An innovative approach to food fortification using baker’s yeast
Authors: Yuraskina T. V. , Sokolova E. N. , Fursova N. A. , Serba E. M.
Published: January 2024

Currently, the problem of deficiency of macro- and micronutrients in the diet of the population remains relevant. One of the promising areas for solving this problem is the development of methods for the production of domestic food ingredients with the aim of creating food products fortified with microelements on their basis. The biotechnological method for production of such ingredients is considered one of the most relevant. The most widely used microorganism in the food industry is the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. The aim of the research was to study the possibility of baker’s yeast enrichment with microelements: zinc and chromium. The possibility of yeast fortification during batch fermentation on malt wort with the addition of salt solutions — sources of trace elements (zinc sulfate (ZnSO4×5H2O) and chromium (III) chloride (CrCl3×6H2O)) was confirmed. The optimal dosages of the selected trace element salts for fortification were 250 mg Zn/dm3 and 500 µg Cr/dm3. An increase in the crude protein content by 11.6±0.5% was also observed. When using this combination (250 mg Zn/dm3 + 500 µg Cr/dm3), it was possible to reach optimal results in the process of simultaneous enrichment of the object with two microelements. It makes possible to obtain a sample with a concentration of 263.4±13 mg Zn/100 g of yeast (percentage of incorporation was 58.8%) and 308.2±15 µg Cr/100 g of yeast (percentage of incorporation was 34.4%). An increase in the crude protein content by 30±1.5% was also observed. The possibility of including the produced experimental samples in food products was studied. Bread as a mass consumer product was chosen as a model. Experimental bread samples were produced with a complete replacement of yeast without enrichment with yeast fortified with zinc and chromium. Organoleptic evaluation and study of important parameters such as moisture and acidity demonstrated that the experimental samples can be used in the food industry after passing the necessary safety tests. The values of replenishing the norms of physiological needs in microelements when consuming 100 g of the experimental bread samp
First application of scintillator-based photon-counting computed tomography to rock samples: Preliminary results and prospects
Authors: Ishiguro Ayumi , Arimoto Makoto , Sato Daichi , Tomoda Takahiro , Itano Keita , Tamura Akihiro , Sugiyama Hironori , Kawae Takeshi , Fukuyama Mayuko , Kataoka Jun , Terazawa Shinsuke , Shiota Satoshi , Morishita Tomoaki
Published: January 2024

Knowledge of the three-dimensional distribution of minerals in a rock sample is of fundamental importance to deciphering a sample’s properties and history. Attenuation-contrast X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) is widely used in the geosciences to determine the three-dimensional distributions of minerals or pores, or both. Photon counting CT (PC-CT) uses a novel energy-resolved X-ray detector that allows X-rays with a continuous energy spectrum to be detected separately within arbitrary energy ranges. Here we report the first results of applying laboratory-build PC-CT combined with multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) to common minerals such as quartz and calcite. In the low-energy range, PC-CT produced higher contrast images than single-energy X-ray CT. Minerals were successfully identified from the relationships between the mean CT values for each energy window and the mean difference between pairs of energy windows. These results suggest that PC-CT can produce high-contrast images of minerals and may be able to distinguish mineral phases with different attenuation curves, even when their CT values are similar. We obtained CT images of minerals in a natural sedimentary rock sample, composed mainly of quartz and carbonate. Although the spatial resolution of the detector in this study was insufficient for the sample, the main carbonate veins were clearly visible as high carbonate-content areas in the PC-CT images. Given some prior knowledge of mineral phases from other methods, it may be possible to use PC-CT imaging to obtain further information about their chemical compositions.
Tourmaline chemical and boron isotopic constraints on the magmatic-hydrothermal transition and rare-metal mineralization in alkali granitic systems
Authors: Wu Huan-Huan , Huang He , Zhang Zhao-Chong , Yang Shui-Yuan , Gao Yong-Bao , Finch Adrian A.
Published: January 2024

The magmatic-hydrothermal transition in granite-related, rare-metal metallogenic systems has received great attention as economic rare metal (including rare earth) minerals reach saturation and trigger mineralization at this stage. However, deciphering the details of the melt-fluid evolution process and the distribution behavior of rare metals remains difficult. Here, we applied tourmaline chemistry and B isotopes to unravel processes at the magmatic-hydrothermal transition that are responsible for rare-metal partitioning in the Huoshibulake (HS) and Tamu (TM) REE-Nb-mineralized intrusions in Southern Tianshan, SW Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Three types of tourmaline are identified in the plutons: (1) disseminated tourmaline in the granite, with a brown-yellow core (HS-DB) and blue-green rim (HS-DG); (2) orbicular tourmaline, with a brown-yellow core (HS-OB and TM-OB) and blue-green rim (HS-OG and TM-OG); and (3) vein tourmaline (HS-V and TM-V). Compositionally, all these tourmalines exhibit extremely low Ca and Mg contents and are classified as schorl. The substitution processes of major-element variations are dominantly caused by (Al,☐)(Fe,Na)−1 exchange vectors. Four generations of tourmaline crystallization are established based on the petrographic, compositional, and B isotopes evolution of the tourmaline. First, the HS-DB crystals crystallized from the highly evolved residual melt, and then HS-OB and TM-OB precipitated from immiscible B-rich aqueous melts during the magmatic-hydrothermal transition. Subsequently, the blue-green overgrowths (HS-DG, HS-OG, and TM-OG) crystallized from exsolved hydrothermal fluids. Finally, the formation of HS-V and TM-V resulted from another melt pulse from a deeper magma chamber. The magmatic tourmaline exhibits a narrow range of δ11B values between –12.6 to –10.0‰, while the hydrothermal tourmaline shows significantly heavier and variable δ11B values ranging from –10.2 to –4.9‰. The fractionation of B isotopes is reproduced by Rayleigh fractionation modeling. Lower Nb and Sn contents in the orbicular tourmaline relative to those precipitated from the residual melt, along with the lack of rare-metal minerals in the orbicules, indicate that B-rich melt/fluid exsolution does not necessarily contribute to the rare-metal mineralization. In comparison, the veins contain abundant rare-metal and REE minerals in close paragenesis with fluorite, and the vein tourmaline shows high-Nb and -Sn contents. These observations suggest that saturation of fluorite triggered the precipitation of rare metals, and fluorine played a critical role in rare metal concentration and mineralization. This study highlights the potential of tourmaline to trace the magmatic-hydrothermal transition and provide insights into rare-metal mineralization in the granitic systems.
The Creative Process in 18th Century Poetics: A Prologue to Psychological Conceptualisations of the 20th Century
Authors: Bierganns Morten
Published: January 2024

Since Rhodes’ 4P model, the creative process has been of great interest to the psychology of creativity. Although most psychologists were not aware of it, their conceptions of the creative process on a structural level reiterated those of 18th century poetics. To demonstrate this, the paper methodologically draws on the analytical tools of historical semantics. It proposes to broaden our approach to the creative process by studying poetic views of the past and encourages practitioners to consult these aesthetic texts as inspiration for the development of creativity techniques. Above all, the paper sees itself as a contribution to understanding the history of a concept that is inscribed in our contemporary culture.
Acquisitional Creativity: Improving Impact in Deliberate Organizational Change
Authors: Schneijdenberg Lieke , Heijne Katrina
Published: January 2024

Of all major change efforts within organizations, 70% fail to achieve their objectives. For a large part, this is caused by the mismatch of the strategy and the work culture of the organization that undergoes the change (Kerber & Buono, 2005). To successfully implement change in organizations, it is key to match the plans to the needs and wishes of the people within the organization and gradually guide the steps of change towards the future goal. In the business community, the popularity of creativity has increased greatly. The use of creativity techniques can target participants’ motivation, readiness for change, and acquire insights on different perspectives within an organization. This paper discusses how these benefits can improve not only a design process, but also client acquisition activities. Purpose – This paper describes the power of using creativity techniques to improve the succession rate of planned organizational change. Design/methodology/approach – Using the research by design approach, the Discovering Desire toolkit was designed. Three iterations of the proposed design were performed. This paper presents the results of a study of how these different versions of the creative approach to a sales process were experienced by employees of a Dutch consulting firm and their clients. The concept was tested in four rounds in which the interaction was experienced by a total of 13 different participants, from both a consulting -and a non-consulting background. Originality/value – This paper will propose an approach on how creativity techniques can be used within a sales process to improve the impact of planned organizational change. Studying the iterative design process, new insights and perspectives towards balancing the playfulness and formality of a session and balancing the leading and serving role of the facilitator arose.
Co-Creation in Urban Strategy Making : Variety in Participant Recruitment and Interaction Formats for the Dresden Smart City Model Project
Authors: Noennig Jörg Rainer , Rose Filipe Mello , Stadelhofer Paul Raphael , Jannack Anja
Published: January 2024

The success of smart city initiatives relies on the active involvement of diverse stakeholders. This article addresses the practical implementation of citizen engagement in smart city development, specifically focusing on elaborating a smart city strategy. The article presents the participative and co-creative formats that have driven the elaboration of a smart city strategy for Dresden, Germany. A comprehensive set of analogue and digital participation activities with open, random and selective participant recruitment has been implemented to ensure a maximum width and outreach of participation while ensuring the requisite depth and thoroughness of knowledge and expertise. From online surveys via showcase events to hands-on participation in public tram lines, various approaches have been used that complement each other. The methodical interplay of these various measures and their systematic synthesis and integration into Dresden´s smart city strategy has model character for other cities seeking to establish future-looking urban development strategies. Actual results of the diverse formats include the streamlining of digitisation efforts among administrative departments as well as insights into and capacities for iterations in complex and changing environments, potentially generating resources and creativity for sustainable urban digitisation.
When Organizational Culture And Climate Stimulate Our Creativity And Accelerate Innovation
Authors: van der Ven Marcel A.
Published: January 2024

Purpose – Methods and techniques help us foster creativity and accelerate innovation. But it isn’t helpful if the environment does not motivate, is not safe and does not offer support? This article shows managers how their attitude and behaviour influence the innovation climate in a team or an organization. A method with twelve clarifying perspectives enables the reader to create an innovation climate in his own team or organization that stimulates creativity and accelerates innovation. Design/methodology/approach – This article brings science to the workplace. It is a summary of the recent published book Innovatiekracht; over organisatiecultuur en hoe mensen het verschil maken. (see references). In this book, 35 years of experience in leading creative teams is enriched with the results of more than 200 scientific studies on attitude and behaviour of people in organizations. Concepts that are as unambiguous as possible have been developed that are recognizable and influenceable for a manager in practice. The key question was “what is the cause of this?”. Once that question remained unanswered, only the essence of what drives people to behave innovatively within an organization remained. Originality/value – Much has been written about the influence of culture and climate in organisations, but never so specific and measurable in relation to creativity and innovation. What makes the method especially valuable is, on the one hand, the perceptual framework that is provided with which managers can interpret situations and, on the other hand, a common language is available for communicating about something as difficult to grasp as the organizational culture.
The Creativity of Everyday Products: A Systemic Design Approach
Authors: Fiore Eleonora
Published: January 2024

Purpose – This paper presents a design approach based on holistic diagnosis and the formulation of alternative scenarios. The refrigerator serves as a case study to address some critical points and potentialities highlighted by the preliminary analysis. Design/methodology/approach – It combines various ethnographic methods (fridge studies, fridge stories, shop-along, at-home visits and interviews, food mapping and diaries studies) to the Systemic Design approach and Alternative Nows for investigating alternative scenarios. Originality/value – How can creativity in redesigning consolidated objects such as refrigerators be increased? How can we change our perspective and approach to allow us to see things in different ways? The paper shows in detail the design process that leads to four speculative scenarios, namely the distributed refrigerator, the inside/outside refrigerator, the social refrigerator, and the locked refrigerator, dealing with how the initial critical issues were addressed.
Jet substructure observables for jet quenching in quark gluon plasma: A machine learning driven analysis
Authors: Crispim Romão Miguel , Guilherme Milhano José , van Leeuwen Marco
Published: January 2024

We present a survey of a comprehensive set of jet substructure observables commonly used to study the modifications of jets resulting from interactions with the Quark Gluon Plasma in Heavy Ion Collisions. The JEWEL event generator is used to produce simulated samples of quenched and unquenched jets. Three distinct analyses using Machine Learning techniques on the jet substructure observables have been performed to identify both linear and non-linear relations between the observables, and to distinguish the Quenched and Unquenched jet samples. We find that most of the observables are highly correlated, and that their information content can be captured by a small set of observables. We also find that the correlations between observables are resilient to quenching effects and that specific pairs of observables exhaust the full sensitivity to quenching effects. The code, the datasets, and instructions on how to reproduce this work are also provided.
3D-CFD analysis of bedload transport in channel bifurcations
Authors: Kostić Tino , Ren Yuanjie , Theobald Stephan
Published: January 2024

The aim of this research was to numerically reproduce bedload transport processes in channel bifurcations and thereby evaluate the methodology and feasibility of 3D-computational fluid dynamics (CFD) bedload transport simulations. This was carried out by numerically replicating two physical model investigations of channel bifurcations: research conducted by Bulle in 1926 and a large-scale channel bifurcation investigated at the Kassel University hydraulic laboratory. The numerical results were evaluated by comparing bedload distributions in the channel areas, formations of bedload depositions and development of bedload over time. The numerical simulations of Bulle's model were conducted for different boundary conditions, numerical parameters, sediment grain sizes, flow rates, flow distributions on the two channel branches and for longer running simulations. The investigations of the Kassel University bifurcation were carried out for different sediment types, which influences the numerical parameters, as well as for different flow distributions and channel width/depth ratios. Finally, structures for deflection of bedload into the straight channel were investigated. The results showed that bedload movement can be successfully simulated with 3D-CFD models, even in complex hydraulic conditions. Based on the obtained results, important indicators and recommendations for the application of 3D-CFD bedload transport simulations were acquired.
Validation of a Scale for the Evaluation of the Dimensions of Short Break Tourist Destination
Authors: Hamann Antonieta , Hernani-Merino Martin , Tarazona Vargas Enver Gerald
Published: January 2024

The present study’s aim is to design, construct and validate an instrument that allows for the measurement of the dimensions for short break tourist destination. The instrument was comprised of 29 items that were applied to 400 university students from diverse undergraduate in Lima, Peru through a convenience sampling. The analysis of the psychometric properties of the instruments and the construction of the perception scale of the short break destinations was carried out through application of Exploratory Factor Analysis and the Graduated Response Model from Item Response Theory. The results show a valid and reliable scale to measure a short break tourist destination. Moreover, show that evaluated individuals tend to positively rate the attributes of the short break destinations they have visited and that tourist perceive the measured attributes as expected characteristic when they visit that destination. The scale proposed fills the gap to measure the dimensions that the visitor would like to find in a short break destination, to group the perception of the attributes that tourists seek in a holistic way. In so doing, the tourist will visit a place that is capable of meeting their expectations and that allows them to establish a link with the destination.
Financial mechanism of public-private partnership: features and directions of improvement
Authors: Tyurina Yulia G. , Dukhovskaya Anna A.
Published: January 2024

In recent decades, projects in the field of infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) have become increasingly interesting for both the public sector and private investors. In Russia, the option of cooperation between the state and business started developing and spreading not so long ago (in the last 15-20 years). Despite the fact that until 2019, the PPP market in Russia showed a positive trend in various parameters and actively developed, there has been a slowdown in the growth rate of the number of PPP projects since 2020 (3,440 projects in 2020 against 4,285 projects in 2019), which is due to many factors, such as: an increase in the cost of construction materials, a general increase in prices, an increase in inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduced level of effective demand, an unstable geopolitical situation, etc. At the same time, the total volume of investments in PPP projects continues to grow. Rapid urbanization, changing environmental, social and economic priorities place increasing demands on the ability of governments to attract private finance and motivate companies to develop synergistically with the state. Improving public-private partnership and scaling it up among the corporate sector in Russia is one of the key areas of government activity in order to create better conditions for connecting people and places with opportunities. The purpose of the article is to study the theoretical and practical features of public-private partnership and its financial mechanism, as well as to identify promising areas for solving problems that hinder the effective implementation of projects within the framework of public-private partnership. The subject of the study is an aggregate of economic and organizational-legal relations that contribute to the formation and implementation of the financial mechanism of public-private partnership projects. The methodological basis was the conceptual provisions of the theory of public-private partnership, scientific methods and techniques of analysis. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that the results of the study (in terms of identifying key problems that hinder the effective functioning of PPP projects and their financial mechanism) allowed us to formulate a set of recommendations for their solution.
Protection from social risks as a factor in ensuring the right to live in dignity
Authors: Ivanchina Yulia V. , Istomina Yelena A.
Published: January 2024

The quality of human life as an important part of its worthy existence is directly related to the ability to meet socially significant, including basic living needs. Modern society can be called not just a society of chance and risk, but a society of risk. In the context of the difficult economic, social, and political situation in Russia, as well as the unpredictability of the future, the protection from social risks — primarily from their negative consequences by means of the social security system — is becoming one of the priorities of social policy. It must meet the expectations of all citizens and fit into the modern communicative context. This study employs the formal legal method and system analysis, as well as elements of the method of comparative law, which aided in studying the designated issue from interdisciplinary positions, as well as in demonstrating the practical interpretation of the concept of social risk and protection from it. The debatable aspects are considered on the example of indexation of pensions for working pensioners. The solution to this issue, which is ambiguously perceived by both the population and the scientific community, has received some development in recent years, the impetus for which was the position expressed by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation in 2021. The article substantiates the opinion that the indexation of pensions for working pensioners does not fully comply with the constitutional principle of equality of rights and freedoms of all citizens. It puts them in an unequal position in terms of the purchasing power of their income, since the wages of working pensioners are guaranteed to be indexed. From the point of view of the psychological context, when making decisions and implementing them, it is necessary to pay attention to the achievement of consensus in society. Without proposing drastic measures to completely abolish the indexation of pensions for working pensioners, the authors propose the idea of a different terminological definition of this payment, which would allow building adequate communicative legal ties.
Optimization of the target planning mechanism of the fuel and energy complex enterprise
Authors: Salko Miroslava G. , Basueva Svetlana N. , Skvortsova Nadezhda K.
Published: January 2024

The dynamic change in the external economic environment of industrial enterprises requires searching for and developing methodological tools for an evidence-based target planning mechanism. This article reviews the key modern research works in this field, highlighting the constituent elements of target planning and the existing problems in their use. The methodological tools for collecting and processing information for subsequent analysis and informed planning of targeted solutions are described. A recommended matrix model for assessing the quality of incoming information for a fuel and energy complex (FEC) enterprise has been developed and presented. Using the hierarchy analysis method, the most preferred method of collecting and processing information is selected. Formal and informal methods of developing targeted solutions are characterized. The mechanism of identifying problems and setting goals at an industry enterprise is described. To explain strategic decisions when developing alternatives to targets, the authors have used various methodological tools and presented the results of selecting the most reliable methods. The target strategic solutions of the branch enterprise are defined and the priority tasks of its development are formulated. The sequence of the target planning mechanism of the FEC enterprise is given together with methodological recommendations for its implementation. Based on the brainstorming and the constructed Ishikawa diagram, the authors identify and present the key problems of an industrial enterprise. Using expert evaluation and establishing its consistency, the preferred scheme for planning and implementing target solutions of the enterprise has been selected. The results show existing causal relationships, presenting a diagram and a strategic map for one of the key target solutions of an industry enterprise. The interrelation of the target indicators with the internal processes of the enterprise is given to increase the validity of the planned decisions of the enterprise.