bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Strategic Orientation of Eco Reputation on Cost Saving through Reverse Logistics Drivers
Authors: Pananwalal P.A.S.P. , Galahitiyawe Nilakshi W. 
Published: April 2024

One of the major concerns that companies have is the need to support a sustainable environment. Customers’ awareness of environmentally friendly initiatives has increased over the years, driving firms to become more responsible for the environment. Reverse logistics is one of the key green strategies that emphasises supporting a sustainable environment in the field of the supply chain. Therefore, the study attempts to find out whether the strategic orientation of eco reputation has an impact on cost saving of the organisation through reverse logistics drivers. The descriptive cross-sectional survey design has been used to collect data and a self-administered questionnaire was distributed among manufacturing companies in the BOI zones in Sri Lanka. Responses were gained from a sample of 250 subjects using a structured questionnaire that was given to supply chain and operations managers in the organisations. SPSS 20.0 and AMOS version 20.0 was used to analyse the data in the study. The results depict that the strategic orientation of eco reputation has an impact on cost saving of the organisation and the mediation factor of reverse logistics drivers has a significant impact on the strategic orientation of eco reputation on cost saving of the organisation. It is recommended that the top management should increase awareness on reverse logistics drivers in order to enhance the eco reputation of the organisation and to save its cost. As a whole, this study will be useful to gain insight on the extent to which strategic orientation of eco reputation affects organisation cost saving through reverse logistics drivers in manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka.
Keywords: Green Strategies, Reverse Logistics Drivers, Strategic Orientation of Eco Reputation, Sustainable Environment
Framework to Facilitate Bid/No Bid Decision Making of the Contracting Organisations in Sri Lanka
Authors: Gamage I.S. , Perera B.A.K.S. 
Published: April 2024

The process of bidders submitting offers for the completion of construction projects is known as construction bidding. Contractors frequently acquire projects through competitive bidding, and the decision to bid or not to bid is a critical step in that process. Errors in this decision-making process will ultimately result in huge losses for contractors. Many theoretical models have been established across the world to aid in the bid/no-bid decision-making process. However, researchers have identified that those models cannot be directly applied to construction projects due to their complexity. The majority of these models are merely academic exercises that are less useful in real-life circumstances. On the other hand, Sri Lankan contractors have less exposure to these models and more commonly commit malpractice when taking bid/no-bid decisions, which can have significant impacts on the contractor. This research was carried out to address these gaps where the main research aim was to offer a hierarchical framework for facilitating bid/no-bid decision-making of Sri Lankan contractors. The research adopted a qualitative research approach, where data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Consequently, code-based content analysis was used with the aid of the QSR NVivo software to capture significant findings. The research revealed three different bid/no-bid decision-making processes that are currently used in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the drawbacks of each existing approach were compared and contrasted. Subjectivity, forces from the upper levels, and documentation errors have been identified as common drawbacks inherent in all three approaches. It is further evident that maintaining a database, contacting relevant parties to take the decision, and doing material and competitor analysis will be beneficial for contractors to enhance bid/ no-bid decision making. The most popular and least specious approach among identified approaches was used as the basis to propose the new hierarchical framework.
Keywords: Bid/No Bid Decision, Decision-Making Approaches, Hierarchical Framework
Роль самостійної роботи в підготовці психологів у закладах вищої освіти
Authors: Vovk Valentyn 
Published: April 2024

У статті проаналізовано теоретичні аспекти ролі самостійної роботи в процесі підготовки психологів. Аналіз наукових джерел дав змогу з’ясувати сутність і зміст основних понять означеної проблеми, а саме: «самостійна робота», «самоосвіта», «професійна підготовка», «самостійна творча діяльність».
У статті також з’ясовано, що поняття «самостійна робота» визначається як вид навчальної діяльності, спрямований на формування пізнавальних здібностей і інтересів майбутнього психолога, його спрямованість на безперервну самоосвіту. Самостійна робота студентів виступає важливою складовою в підготовці психолога як висококваліфікованого, конкурентоспроможного фахівця, здатного до компетентної професійно-психологічної діяльності в сучасних умовах на рівні світових стандартів.
Використовуючи авторський опитувальник щодо визначення якості організації самостійної роботи студентів, було встановлено: що є для них стимулом щодо виконання самостійної роботи, з якими труднощами вони виникаються під час її виконання, наскільки систематично на протязі семестру вони виконують завдання самостійної роботи, які методи педагогічного стимулювання виконання самостійної роботи їм найбільш до вподоби, як часто студенти звертаєтеся за допомогою до викладача щодо виконання самостійної роботи, що вони хотіли б мати з метою підвищення якості організації самостійної роботи, чи ознайомлені студенти х критеріями оцінки виконання завдань самостійної роботи та як часто вони відвідують бібліотку навчального закладу й бібліотеки міста.
Molecular Genetic and Functional Analysis of the Genes Encoding Alkane 1‑Monoozygenase Synthesis in Members of the Genus <i>Rhodococcus</i>
Authors: Bulyarevich A. A. , Gurinovich A. S. , Filonov A. E. , Titok M. A. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract—Organization and localization of the alkB genes and of alkane 1-monooxygenases they encode in members of the genus Rhodococcus was investigated. All members of a phylogenetic group were found to possess specific types of the alkB genes (alkB1-type in the operons containing rubredoxin-coding genes, rubredoxin reductase, and a regulatory protein and/or alkB2-type in the operons lacking the rubredoxin-reductase-coding gene, and supplementary, separately located determinants of the alkB3−alkB8 type). The alkB1-type genes were present in the chromosomes of bacteria of groups B1 (R. aetherivorans, R. ruber), С (R. opacus, R. jostii, R. wratislaviensis, R. koreensis), D (R. erythropolis, R. qingshengii), G (R. triatomae), and E (R. fascians). The alkB2-type genes occurred in strictly specified loci of the chromosomes of members of the phylogenetic groups А (R. hoagii/R. equi), В2 (R. coprophilus, R. pyridinivorans, R. rhodochrous), and D (R. erythropolis, R. qingshengii). The separately located alkB3−alkB5 were revealed in the chromosomes of members of the D group D (alkB5 was found only in R. qingshengii), the alkB6 genes occurred in members of the groups B1 and В2, and alkB7−alkB8 were present in members of group Е. The proteins coded by the genes alkB1 and alkB2 belonged to three phylogenetic groups. The first one comprised AlkB1-type proteins of members of groups В1 and С and the AlkB2-type proteins of members of groups D and A. The second one was represented by AlkB2-type proteins of bacteria of group В2. The third group comprised AlkB1-type proteins of members of groups G and D. Alkane 1-monooxygenases encoded by separately localized genes alkB3−alkB8 were represented by three phylogenetic lineages: AlkB3−AlkB5, AlkB6, and AlkB7 and AlkB8. In the genome of R. pyridinivorans 5Ар, the genes alkB2 and alkB6 characteristic of group В1 were revealed. This determinants were shown to be required for biosurfactant synthesis. Emulsifying activity of the mutant with impaired alkB2 gene at 28 and 42°С was 16 and 3 times lower, respectively, while the amount of trehalose-containing surfactants decreased 7 and 3 times, respectively. Independent on the cultivation temperature, the mutant with impaired alkB6 gene exhibited 1.2 times lower emulsifying activity and more than twofold lower decrease of the synthesis of trehalose-containing surfactants. These results indicated the key role of alkB2 in biosurfactant synthesis at different cultivation temperatures. The role of alkB6 increased at 42°С, probably due to its elevated transcriptional activity.
Anaerobic <i>Thermodesulfovibrio</i> and Aerobic <i>Meiothermus</i> Coexist in Deep Thermal Water
Authors: Lukina A. P. , Kadniko V. V. , Rusanov I. I. , Avakyan M. R. , Beletsky A. V. , Mardanov A. V. , Pimenov N. V. , Ravin N. V. , Karnachuk O. V. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract—Research on the microorganisms inhabiting deep aquifers is based on sampling the water released from deep wells and is seldom concerned with the physicochemical processes of the water-rock system. The issue of metabolism of aerobic prokaryotes revealed in deep habitats by molecular techniques remains unclear. Cultivation is required for direct determination of relation of prokaryotes to oxygen. In the present work, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, which were revealed in thermal radon baths of the Belokurikha resort by molecular techniques, were isolated. Profiling by the 16S rRNA gene revealed predominance of members of the Deionococcus-Thermus group belonging to the genus Meiothermus (17.6% reads) and considered strictly aerobic. Anaerobic sulfate-reducing Thermodesulfovibrio were also present in the sample. The habitat was characterized by reductive, alkaline conditions. Target-oriented cultivation revealed aerobically growing Meiothermus sp. 1165, which was closely related to Meiothermus cerbereus. An alkaliphilic anaerobic sulfate reducer Thermodesulfovibrio sp. 1176 was also isolated. The rate of sulfate reduction measured in the Belokurikha water using \({\text{Na}}_{{\text{2}}}^{{{\text{ 35}}}}{\text{S}}{{{\text{O}}}_{{\text{4}}}}\) yielded the value of 41.4 ± 1.06 µm Sred L–1 day–1, or 1.29 nmol S mL–1 day–1. Analysis of the genome of strain 1176 revealed the presence of various mechanisms responsible for its relative resistance to oxygen and oxidative stress, which included superoxide reductase, rubredoxin, a Fe-Mn family superoxide dismutase, a KatG catalase-peroxidase, and a cytochrome bd ubiquinol oxidase. The low redox potential and intense anaerobic sulfate reduction provide evidence for the generally reduced conditions in the Belokurikha deep horizons. Spatial separation of aerobes and anaerobes in the water-rock system, similar to the one occurring in the terrestrial microbial mats, may be hypothesized, as well as occurring of aerobic processes in microniches.
Effect of the Extracts from Lichens and Lichenophilic Fungi on <i>in vitro</i> Growth of Clinically Significant Microorganisms
Authors: Pankratov T. A. , Shcherbatov R. E. , Del’tsov A. A. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract—Activity of the ethanol extracts from lichens (LE), of the cultures of lichenophilic (endobiotic) fungi (LFE), and of ethanol extracts from these cultures was tested using the following test organisms: Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecium, Paenibacillus sp., and Candida parapsilosis. Selective activity of LE and LFE against yeasts and gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was revealed. The extracts from Cladonia rangiferina exhibited no activity against any of the tested cultures. The previously reported locus effect on activity of metabolites of one lichen species was confirmed. Agar block technique was used to detect selective activity of 23 out of 61 analyzed fungal strains against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and of 8 strains, against yeasts. Ethanol extracts of six cultures were shown to suppress growth of St. aureus, M. luteus, Paenibacillus sp., and E. coli. Strain NM10F28209 from the lichen Stereocaulon paschale, which exhibited inhibitory activity against Ca. parapsilosis was selected for priority development of an antifungal preparation.
Registration Peculiarities of Wind Waves Breaking From Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Korinenko A. E. , Malinovsky V. V. , Kubryakov A. A. 
Published: April 2024

The results of using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to study the processes of gravitational wave breaking are presented. The experiments were carried out in the coastal zone of the western Crimea (the area of Sevastopol) in the range of wind speeds from 5.5 to 9.5 m/s. The determination of the geometric dimensions of breaking and their speeds was carried out according to video recordings of sea surface obtained from the UAV. It is shown that the spatial resolution of the transformed image plays a key role in separating the active phase of breaking and residual foam. Errors occur in determining the kinematic properties of the breaking with a rough spatial resolution. The proportion of the sea surface covered with foam of breaking waves, the ratio of the maximum length of the spume to the length of the breaking wave, the distribution of the total breaking length in the intervals of movement speeds per surface unit (obtained from UAVs with a spatial resolution better than 0.5 m) are in agreement with results of other authors. Data analysis shows that the use of unmanned aerial vehicles makes it possible to study the statistical characteristics and kinematics of wind wave breaking. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the effect of spatial resolution in the video frame, which can lead to distortion or omission of measurement data at values comparable to or exceeding the breaking scale.
Study of Thermokarst Lake Size Distribution in the Eastern Part of the Russian Arctic Based on Combining Sentinel-2 and Kanopus-V Images
Authors: Muratov I. N. , Baysalyamova O. A. , Polishchuk Y. M. 
Published: April 2024

The article is devoted to the issues of remote studies of the size distribution of thermokarst lakes in the territory of the eastern part of the Russian Arctic. The studies were carried out in the Arctic territories of the Northeastern (Yakutia) and Chukotka tundras, which represent relatively homogeneous areas in terms of their natural properties, referred to here as ecoregions. Remote studies of the distribution of thermokarst lakes by area were conducted using satellite images from the Kanopus-B and Sentinel-2 (with spatial resolution of 2.1 and 20 m, respectively), obtained in the summer months of 2017–2021. The lakes were interpreted using Sentinel-2 satellite image mosaic, which provides full coverage of the study territories, Kanopus-B images at 12 test sites, and QGIS 3.22 tools. We briefly described the method of integration (combination) of data from Kanopus-B and Sentinel-2 images for plotting synthesized histograms of lakes distribution by their sizes. The technique allowed us to get histograms of lake distribution in a very wide range of their sizes from 50 to 108 m2 in the studied Arctic ecoregions. The histogram plots show a similar behavior in both ecoregions, manifesting itself in an increase in the number of lakes as their size decreases. It is shown that the main contribution to the number of lakes in the Northeastern tundra is made by much larger lakes than in the Chukchi tundra, which may indicate a significant difference in the geocryological conditions in different Arctic territories of the eastern part of the Russian Arctic. The degree of the lakeing of the territories was assessed. It was shown that the lakeing of the Northeastern tundra is 7 times higher than in the studied territories of Chukotka.
Townendite, Na<sub>8</sub>ZrSi<sub>6</sub>O<sub>18</sub>, an Indicator of Extremely High Agpaicity and Important Concentrator of Zirconium in Peralkaline Rocks of the Lovozero Pluton, Kola Peninsula
Authors: Pekov I. V. , Zolotarev A. A. , Chukanov N. V. , Yapaskurt V. O. , Turchkova A. G. 
Published: April 2024

Townendite, ideally Na8ZrSi6O18, earlier considered as an extremely rare mineral, is found in large amount in a hyperagpaitic pegmatoid aegirine-nepheline-sodalite-microcline rock with eudialyte, kazakovite, villiaumite, lomonosovite and alkali sulfides in deep levels at Mt. Kar-nasurt, Lovozero alkaline pluton, Kola peninsula, Russia. Townendite forms transparent lilac to light violet segregations up to 6 × 4 cm. Its crystal structure was studied on single-crystal XRD data, R1 = 2.29%. The mineral is trigonal, R-3m, a = 10.2910(3), c = 13.1577(4) Å, V = = 1206.77(7) Å3, and Z = 3. The simplified crystal chemical formula derived from the structure refinement is: ANa3B(Na2.7□0.3)Σ3C(Na1.8Mn0.2)Σ2MZrSi6O18. The IR spectrum shows only trace amount of OH groups. Townendite serves as a proto-phase for the formation in nature of Ca- and Mn-poor (Ca + Mn 0.5 apfu) OH-bearing lovozerite-group zirconosilicates. Two different in crystal chemical mechanism natural evolution series are found: (1) townendite ANa3BNa3CNa2MZrSi6O18 → kapustinite ANa3B(Na2–3□0–1)C□2MZrSi6O15–16(OH)2–3 → → litvinskite A(Na2–3□0–1)B(□,H2O)3C□2MZrSi6O13–14(OH)5–6; (2) townendite → zolotarevite ANa3B(H2O,□)3CNa2MZrSi6O15(OH)3 → litvinskite. The abundance of products of townendite alteration in near-surface rocks of the Lovozero complex shows that this mineral is widespread in deep levels of the pluton in “fresh” peralkaline intrusive rocks and pegmatites and is (1) a bright indicator of extremally high agpaicity and (2) an important, sporadically main concentrator of Zr and Hf in them. The major amount of townendite occurs in unaltered rocks of the fifth intrusive phase of the Lovozero pluton which are protholith rocks of the well-known porphyry-like lovozerite lujavrites.
Behavior of the Crystal Structure of Leightonite K<sub>2</sub>Ca<sub>2</sub>Cu(SO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>4</sub>⋅2H<sub>2</sub>O in the Temperature Interval from –180 to 325 °C
Authors: Demina S. V. , Shablinskii A. P. , Filatov S. K. , Biryukov Y. P. , Vergasova L. P. , Krzhizhanovskaya M. G. , Bubnova R. S. , Moskaleva S. V. 
Published: April 2024

This paper presents the results of mineralogical and crystal chemical studies of leightonite K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4·2H2O from the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia), including an investigation of its thermal behavior in a wide temperature range (–180 ≤ T ≤ 325 °C). The following methods were used: energy dispersive X-ray spectral analysis, single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, and in situ powder X-ray diffraction (at room, negative and high temperatures). The temperature range of the existence of the mineral are established, the main values of the thermal expansion tensor are calculated, and a structural interpretation of thermal expansion is given. The mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, a = = 11.734(2), b = 7.596(1), c = 10.176(1) Å, β = 124.85(1), V = 744.4(2) Å3, Z = 2. The crystal structure was refined to R = 0.065. The average empirical formula is K2.31Ca1.99Cu0.88Al0.04S3.97O16·2H2O. Leightonite is stable up to ~325 °C and above this temperature it decomposes onto high-temperature calciolangbeinite-C K2Ca2(SO4)3 (P213) and chalcocyanite CuSO4 phases. Thermal expansion coefficients are: α11 = 8.3(9), α22 = 3.6(4), α33 = –4.7(5) × 10–6 °C–1 at –180 °C и α11 = 41.6(5), α22 =36.5(5), α33 = –10.6(1) × 10–6 °C–1 at 325 °C).
Major Rock-Forming Minerals of Paralava in Mongolian Combustion Metamorphic Complexes
Authors: Glushkova V. E. , Peretyazhko I. S. , Savina E. A. , Khromova Е. А. 
Published: April 2024

Paralavas of combustion metamorphic complexes in Mongolia were formed in high-temperature conditions from carbonate-terrigenous rocks of sedimentary formations due to to multistage spontaneous underground coal fires. Melilite-nepheline paralavas contain phenocrysts of Fe-rich åkermanite-alumoåkermanite, clinopyroxene of the diopside–hedenbergite series containing up to 49 mol. % of kushiorite end-member, and basic plagioclase. Enstatite-ferrosilite is the rock-forming mineral in paralavas of the plagioclase-pyroxene ± ± indialite composition. Paralavas often contain xenoliths of thermally altered sedimentary rocks. Mineral associations in remnant xenoliths of marly limestone are composed of gehlenite, minerals of the monticellite–kirschsteinite series, perovskite, Al-rich clinopyroxene, spinel, and other minerals. They were formed both at the stage of the high-temperature metamorphism of sedimentary protolite, preceding the melting of carbonate-silicate rocks, and as a result of the reactionary interaction between xenoliths and pyrogenic silicate melts of different composition.
Seasonal and Inter-Annual Variability of Water Temperature in Petrozavodsk Bay of Lake Onega
Authors: Zdorovennova G. E. , Zdorovennov R. E. , Palshin N. I. , Efremova T. V. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract—Based on year-round measurements of water temperature at an autonomous station (an anchored chain equipped with temperature sensors), the features of the temperature and ice regimes of the Petrozavodsk Bay of Onega Lake in modern climatic conditions were studied; the dates and duration of the main hydrological phenomena in the water area of the bay were specified. In the abnormally warm winter of 2019–2020, the water area of the Petrozavodsk Bay was not completely covered with ice for the first time in a long period of observations; in the area of the measurement station, ice fields were observed from late January to mid-March. The duration of ice-covered period in the next two winters was 3.5 and 5 months. Data were obtained on the timing of the onset and duration of the spring under-ice convection, a phenomenon that plays an important role in the thermal regime of the lake at the end of winter. It is shown that 2016, 2021 and 2022 spring under-ice convective mixing lasted 4–6.5 weeks, covering the entire water column by the end of ice period. Mixing of the water column after breaking the ice (spring homothermy) continued for another 3–4 weeks. In the spring of 2020, under-ice convection was not observed; spring overturn continued for two months from mid-March to mid-May. The dates of the upward transition of water temperature through 4°C in the years of measurements (5–19 May) were ahead of the long-term average by 2–3 weeks (end of May). Thermal stratification was established from 12 to 27 May and existed for 3–3.5 months. Complete mixing of the water mass of the bay took place in late August–early September, and then, until ice settling, the water column cooled in a state of homothermy. Immediately before ice formation, the water temperature dropped to very low values and did not exceed 0.1°С in the water column. The period with an average daily water temperature of the surface layer of the Petrozavodsk Bay above 10°C lasted from 121 to 144 days during the years of measurements.
Physicochemical and Sorption Characteristics of the <i>Hermetia illucens</i> Fly Pupal Cuticle
Authors: Sverguzova S. V. , Shaikhiev I. G. , Sapronova Zh. A. , Svyatchenko A. V. , Ushakova N. A. 
Published: April 2024

Physicochemical and sorption characteristics of the Black Soldier fly pupal cuticle have been studied. The qualitative and granulometric compositions of chitin material were determined, and the surface microrelief of chitin particles was studied by scanning microscopy. The sorption properties of the material were studied using the methylene blue dye. It was found that the sorption capacity of the material is 0.118 mmol/g, or about 38 mg/g. Mathematical processing of the sorption isotherm using the Langmuir, Freindlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich models showed that the process is best described by the Dubinin-Radushkevich model (R2 = 0.8031), and the sorption process has a physical nature (E = 5.534 kJ/mol).