bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mediation Effect of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy in the Relation of Entrepreneurial Passion on Entrepreneurial Intention of Final Year Entrepreneurial Undergraduates in Sri Lanka
Authors: Bandara W.M.H.K. , Senanayaka S.G.M.S.D. 
Published: April 2024

Entrepreneurial intention is considered to be the most accurate predictor of entrepreneurial behaviour. Understanding entrepreneurial intent will allow researchers to explore the dynamics of the venture creation process. However, the controversial findings regarding the determinants of entrepreneurial intention have triggered this study to question what antecedents would predict undergraduate entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurial passion has been identified as a key attribute of entrepreneurs, and it will impact entrepreneurial behaviour. Entrepreneurial passion is considered an important aspect that drives entrepreneurial careers. However, it has been noted that there is a lack of empirical research on this phenomenon in the context of Sri Lanka. The major contribution of this research is to expand the knowledge examining the relationship of entrepreneurial passion on entrepreneurial intention under the mediation role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and distributed among 135 undergraduates who study the Entrepreneurship degree programmes in 5 state universities in Sri Lanka using the convenience sampling technique. Data analysis was performed using correlation analysis, regression analysis, Baron and Kenny mediator analysis method, and finally the Sobel test. The results of the study indicate the indirect effect of entrepreneurial passion on entrepreneurial intention through entrepreneurial self-efficacy being significant and positive. The results of this research provide insights for improving available research on entrepreneurial passion in the entrepreneurship field and strengthen its role as a factor to be considered and ultimately have a practical impact on educators and policymakers in Sri Lanka.
Keywords: Entrepreneurial Intention, Entrepreneurial Passion, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Undergraduates
Changing Role of the HR Department in Response to the Corona Virus
Authors: Peiris J.M.P.M. 
Published: April 2024

COVID-19 is a global health crisis that started in Wuhan, China, and promptly spread throughout the world. This epidemic has resulted in movement restrictions and the temporary shutdown of workplaces, thereby compelling businesses to use remote work. The objective of this conceptual study is to investigate, the HR department’s compelling new role in the workplace transition, in response to the COVID-19 post-pandemic situations within the Sri Lankan context. The conceptualisation was built upon, expanding the role of the HR department in the workplace. A comprehensive literature review was used as the method for this study to achieve the aforementioned study objective. Based on the literature, this study identified that previously HR departments focused on a day in life tasks, administering benefits, and driving to sustainable competitiveness. However, HR teams are now in support of their company's crisis management efforts. The study has identified the HR departments compelling new role in four areas: developing mental and physical well-being of employees, improving the efficiency of remote work, developing employee engagement through effective communication, and providing equal access to opportunities and resources. The practical implications attempt to promote the HR department’s expanding role in demonstrating a way to the positive results associated with workplace transition in the COVID-19 post-pandemic situation.
Keywords: COVID-19 Post-Pandemic, The Expanded Role, HR Department, Workplace Transition
Impact of Social Media on Business Performance of Hotel Enterprises in Northern Province, Sri Lanka
Authors: Sasitharan Paramanantham , Udayanga Shyaman 
Published: April 2024

Social Media (SM) has an extensive effect on entrepreneurial industry, while hotel sectors worldwide provide immense economic opportunities to every country and its local community. The widespread use of SM by hotels and the efficacy of SM activities, particularly the evaluation of SM features in relation to business performance, are both in short supply throughout the Northern Region. The major objective of the study is to evaluate how SM affects hotel business performance in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. An online five-point Likert scale model questionnaire was used to collect the data from a sample of 86 hotels in the Northern Province by using a convenient sampling approach. As the dimensions of visibility, edit-ability and association-related factors were chosen as independent variables. The hotel industry's business success was identified as dependent variables and financial and non-financial performances were assessed to determine the overall business performance. The collected data were examined using statistical methods, namely correlation and regression analysis, and the hypothesis were evaluated based on the results. The findings of the data analysis reveal that SM characteristics have a positive and significant impact on hotel business performance, and all four hypotheses were accepted with a significance level of 0.000. Further, the findings demonstrated that social media characteristics have a positive impact on hotel business success; it also has important implications for hotel managers who wish to concentrate their social media strategy and take use of social media's potential to improve hotel performance. Furthermore, the result may be beneficial to other businesses contemplating investment in SM.
Keywords: Business Performance, Hotel Entrepreneurship, Social Media, Social Media Characteristics
Are You a Trend Setter or a Straggler? A Study on Social Drivers and Customer Shift towards Co-Creating Value with Self-Service Technologies
Authors: Galdolage Badra Sandamali 
Published: April 2024

The world is transitioning to a digitalised era in which the presence of humanoid robots at service encounters is expected in the future. At the moment, it is clear that many business organisations are replacing service encounters with Self-Service Technologies (SSTs). This movement causes significant social changes, which scholars have not paid enough attention to fully comprehend. In this context, this research aims to investigate the social drivers that matter in customer movement towards co-creating value via SSTs. The study also aims to identify differences among customers based on their willingness and ability to adopt SSTs. A qualitative approach was used to achieve the research objectives, with semi-structured interviews conducted with 25 SST users from various demographic backgrounds. A non-probabilistic purposeful sampling strategy was used to recruit individuals for the study, with the goal of hiring information-rich cases. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study discovered eight social drivers that matter in customer’s shift towards co-creating value with SSTs. Among the key findings, SSTs are identified as a social trend in which adoption is acceptable (a social norm) and transforms social relationships into a new direction. Using SSTs has become a socialising mechanism that provides people with social recognition. SSTs are viewed as social pressure for some people, causing them to be disadvantaged if they do not adopt. On the other hand, people receive enough social support and have enough independence to use SSTs. The study divided customers into four groups based on their willingness and ability to adopt SSTs: Trendsetters, Dreamers, Old-fashioned, and Stragglers. This study addresses theoretical gaps by expanding knowledge on social drivers and customer collaboration with SSTs. In practical terms, service providers can use this understanding to effectively promote their SSTs and provide superior customer experiences via technological interfaces.
Keywords: Social Changes, Social Drivers, Self-Service Technologies, Value Co-Creation, Customer Acceptance, Technology
Is Organisational Ambidexterity a Good Booster to Supply Chain Flexibility in the Textile and Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka?
Authors: Seimon A.T.M. , Endagamage D.M. 
Published: April 2024

The environment does not remain stable forever because change is inevitable. The frequency and speed of change however varies from industry-to-industry, business-to business. Thereby, the manner by which a firms’ supply chain adapts to these environment dynamics demand greater attention. Building on the relationship between manufacturing strategy and the environment, the purpose of this paper is to analyse the direct impact of environmental dynamism on supply chain flexibility, and the indirect impact of achieving supply chain flexibility required by the environment through organisational ambidexterity in the Sri Lankan textile and apparel industry which is an industry under increased pressure to be more flexible and the highest export revenue contributor to the economy. A positivism paradigm provided the foundation for this explanatory research. A cross-sectional survey method was used to collect the primary data from operations or supply chain managers across firms in the Sri Lankan textile and apparel industry. Eighty-seven responses were received and analysed using the SmartPLS software. As a preliminary result, this study finds that there is a significant positive impact of environmental dynamism on supply chain flexibility and this relationship is partially mediated by organisational ambidexterity. Moreover, the results reveal a significant positive impact among the variables; environmental dynamism, organisational ambidexterity and supply chain flexibility. In the practical context, managers need to be aware of environmental changes to identify areas which require investment in flexibility as it incurs both costs and risks for a firm. Further, the insights which managers gain on supply chain flexibility, from being responsive to dynamic environments is enhanced when organisational ambidexterity is practiced. Practicing organisational ambidexterity helps managers to refine existing processes to maintain competitive advantage, and achieve the optimal degree of flexibility required by the firm and its environment in being open to innovation. Owing to limitations identified, future research possibilities are extending the research to other industries, carrying out longitudinal studies, and testing other possible mediator variables.
Keywords: Supply Chain Flexibility, Environmental Dynamism, Organisational Ambidexterity
Near-Surface Air Content of CH<sub>4</sub>, СО<sub>2</sub>, СО and δ<sup>13</sup>C–СH<sub>4</sub> in Moscow According to <i>In Situ</i> Observations
Authors: Berezina E. V. , Vasileva A. V. , Moiseenko K. B. , Pankratova N. V. , Skorokhod A. I. , Belikov I. B. , Belousov V. A. , Artamonov A. Y. 
Published: April 2024

Near-surface observations of air mixing ratios of CH4, CO2, CO, benzene, and δ13C–СH4 at the IAP-RAS site in Moscow for years 2018–2020 are analyzed to describe typical interannual, seasonal, and diurnal variations. The highest mixing ratios of CH4, CO2, and CO (above 2.2, 430, and 0.2 ppmv, respectively) are mostly observed in winter as a result of the seasonal maxima in the emissions of these gases from motor transport and energy sectors and the slow removal of the emissions from the near-surface air due to suppressed turbulent vertical mixing in the cold season. The highest impact of local and distant microbial emissions on the CН4 mixing ratios is observed in summer, as follows from the low δ13C–СH4 values from –50 to –60‰. The highest increase in the mixing ratios of all the measured species is associated with air transport from the industrial area located at the east – southeast from the site. The estimated emission ratios CH4/benzene = = 0.52–0.54 ppmv/ppbv, СH4/СО = 0.56–0.75 ppmv/ppmv, СО2/benzene = 77–93 ppmv/ppbv, СО2/СО = = 81–131 ppmv/ppmv, СО/benzene = 0.65–1.11 ppmv/ppbv show the prevailing contribution of emissions from motor transport and energy sectors to the content of trace gases in the near-surface air in Moscow and are consistent with other similar estimates published on the basis of observations in large cities.
<i>Sulfurospirillum tamanensis</i> sp. nov., a Facultative Anaerobic Alkaliphilic Bacterium from a Terrestrial Mud Volcano
Authors: Frolova A. A. , Merkel A. Yu. , Kevbrin V. V. , Kopitsyn D. S. , Slobodkin A. I. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract—An alkaliphilic, facultatively anaerobic bacterium (strain T05bT) was isolated from a terrestrial mud volcano on the Taman Peninsula, Russia. The cells of the isolate were motile spirilla 0.5 µm thick and 1.5–2.5 µm long. Strain T05bT grew at 6–42°C (optimum at 30°C), pH 8.0–11.0 (optimum at 9.0), and 0–14% NaCl (wt/vol). Lactate, formate, malate, pyruvate, H2, elemental sulfur, sulfite, thiosulfate, and sulfide were used as electron donors; nitrate, fumarate, elemental sulfur, sulfite, thiosulfate, dimethyl sulfoxide, arsenate, and oxygen could be used as electron acceptors. Nitrate was reduced to ammonium. Malate, pyruvate, and fumarate were fermented. Microaerobic growth was possible at up to 3% О2 (vol/vol). Strain T05bT did not use sulfate and Fe(III) as electron acceptors, was unable of elemental sulfur, sulfite, or thiosulfate disproportionation, and did not ferment glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactate, formate, maleate, yeast extract, or peptone. The predominant fatty acids were C16:1 ω7 (45.9%), C16:0 (25.8%), and C18:1 ω7 (20.9%). The genome of strain T05bT was 2.46 Mb in size and had the G + C DNA content of 45.5%. It contained the genes encoding the following enzymes of energy metabolism: Nap nitrate reductase periplasmic complex, Phs/Psr thiosulfate/polysulfide reductase, Sqr sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase, and Arr respiratory arsenate reductase. Ac-cording to analysis of the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence, strain T05bT exhibited 98.61% similarity to the type strain of Sulfurospirillum alkalitolerans (phylum “Campylobacterota”). Based on its phenotypic characteristics and the results of phylogenetic analysis, assignment of the isolate to a new Sulfurospirillum species, Sulfurospirillum tamanensis sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain T05bT (=DSM 112596T = VKM B-3538T).
PREDICTION OF VITAMINS AND SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACIDS SYNTHESIS PATHWAYS IN OBESE ADULTS
Authors: Shestopalov A. V. , Ganenko L. A. , Kolesnikova I. M. , Grigoryeva T. V. , Vasilyev I. Yu. , Naboka Yu. L. , Volkova N. I. , Borisenko O. V , Roumiantsev S. A. 
Published: April 2024

Gut microbiota and its metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and vitamins are involved in maintaining energy homeostasis, which is relevant in the context of obesity. The aim was to screen the predicted representation of vitamin and SCFAs biosynthesis pathways based in patients with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). The study included two groups: a control group (n = 130) and obese patients (n = 133), which was divided into subgroups with MHO (n = 38) and MUHO (n = 55). The predicted representation of metabolic pathways for the biosynthesis of vitamins and SCFAs in feces was studied using PICRUSt2. Obese patients had an increase in the representation of the synthesis of vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, B9 and vitamin K pathways, as well as a decrease in the pathways for the vitamin B12 synthesis. At the same time, the identified changes were determined by the metabolic phenotype of obesity. MHO was accompanied by an imbalance in the B1 synthesis pathways and an increased representation of vitamin K formation pathways. Whereas MUHO led to an increase in the ability of the gut microbiota to synthesize vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, B9 and K, as well as to inhibition of the B12-synthesizing pathways. In addition, patients with MUHO had an increase in the representation of the pathways for the SCFAs synthesis such as acetate, propanoate, and butanoate, which was not observed in MHO patients. In general, the change in the metabolic pathways representation of gut microbiota in obese patients is the result of the microorganism’s “selection” under the influence of specific factors, which are more pronounced in MUHO. Thus, the imbalance in the pathways for the vitamins and short-chain fatty acids biosynthesis of the gut microbiome reflects a violation of the metabolic symbiosis within the superorganism (“microbiota-macroorganism”).
SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF THE DIET OF IMPERIAL EAGLES (<i>AQUILA HELIACA</i>, ACCIPITRIDAE, ACCIPITRIFORMES) IN THE LEFT-BANK MIDDLE VOLGA REGION
Authors: Korepov M. V. , Arbuzova L. A. 
Published: April 2024

The seasonal and between-year dynamics in the diet of a pair of Imperial eagles (Aquila heliaca) were observed at a nesting site on the left bank of Volga River in the Ulyanovsk Region, European Russia. The research covered three seasons (2019–2021) using an autonomous video surveillance system. During the research period, 555 prey objects brought by eagles to the nest were identified, these representing 30 taxa of wild vertebrates and four species of domestic animals, all from four vertebrate classes. The predominant prey objects were the Russet ground squirrel (Spermophilus major) (35%), the Rock pigeon (Columba livia) (22%), and the Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) (14%). Rodents prevailed in nutrition during nest construction (April), hatching (May), and at the initial stages of feeding the chick(s) (June–July). The proportion of pigeons and corvines increased significantly in nutrition during the feeding period of grown-up chicks and fledglings (August–September). Raising two chicks compared to one chick led to an average of 1.5 times increase in food intake, mainly due to rodents.
Proximity effect in ferromagnetic structures InGaAs/GaAs/CoPt
Authors: Zaitsev S. V. 
Published: April 2024

Ferromagnetic influence of a thin (~8 nm) surface CoPt layer on the circular polarization of the InGaAs/GaAs quantum well photoluminescence is observed in structure GaAs/InGaAs/GaAs/Al2O3 (1 нм)/CoPt with narrow GaAs spacer dS = 5 nm, while electroluminescence is polarized in the whole range of dS = 5–100 nm. It is suggested that the short-range proximity effect is determined by overlap of electrons wave functions with the nearby ferromagnetic CoPt film.
Numerical investigation of multipactor discharge in coaxial switches
Authors: Dovgan A. A. , Bahteev I. Sh. , Molchanov S. Yu. , Kuzyutkin S. I. 
Published: April 2024

Findings in the research on conditions for occurrence of a multipactor discharge in coaxial switches have been presented. A model of a powerful coaxial microwave SPDT switch operating in the frequency range below 1.7 GHz has been obtained. Calculated values of the electrical parameters have been given and the possibility of manufacturing a coaxial switch for spacecraft with an operating power margin has been shown. The manufactured prototype of the microwave switch can withstand at least 400 W of RF power at a frequency of 1 GHz, which has been confirmed by the experiment.
Delopment of Composite Carbon–Silicate Materials, Their Research and Testing for the Preparation of Heterogeneous Biocatalysts for Low-Temperature Synthesis of Esters
Authors: Kovalenko G. A. , Perminova L. V. , Goidin V. V. , Zavorin A. V. , Moseenkov S. I. , Kuznetsov V. L. 
Published: April 2024

Composite carbon–silica materials (CCSM), differing in the content of carbon and silica components, were obtained using two silicon dioxide precursors (silica sol and silane) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). At the initial stage of obtaining CCSM by method 1, impregnation of finely dispersed MWCNT powder with silica sol was used, method 2 was carried out using treatment of MWCNTs with tetraethoxysilane followed by hydrolysis and polycondensation. The content of silica (SiO2) in the composites varied from 3 to 60 wt %. After drying and appropriate heat treatment at 250–350°C, the composite materials were studied by various physicochemical methods: nitrogen porosimetry, electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and synchronous thermal analysis. Significant differences in parameters were found depending on the chemical composition of CСSM, including textural characteristics. Thus, with an increase in the SiO2 content, the specific surface area of composite materials increased (by a factor of 2), and maxima were observed on the distribution curves over pore diameters (at 20–40 nm).The composite carbon–silica materials were tested as adsorbent for the preparation of heterogeneous biocatalysts (BC) for the low-temperature synthesis of esters; the active component of these BC was lipase immobilized exclusively on the carbon surface of nanotubes. With a decrease in the content of MWCNTs in the composite materials, the enzymatic activity and operational stability of biocatalysts, measured in the reaction of esterification of heptanoic acid (C7) with butanol (C4), decreased monotonically, reaching a 2–8-fold drop in activity at the maximum content of SiO2 (58 wt %).
Ammonia Decomposition Over Cobalt-Based Silica-Supported Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Catalysts
Authors: Yakovenko R. E. , Krasnyakova T. V. , Saliev A. N. , Shilov M. A. , Volik A. V. , Savost’yanov A. P. , Mitchenko S. A. 
Published: April 2024

Decomposition of ammonia over silica-supported cobalt catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis has been studied at a pressure of 0.1 MPa, a gas hourly space velocity range of 1000–6000 h–1 and a temperature range of 400–650°C in a tubular fixed bed reactor in a flow-through mode. It was found that silica-supported cobalt catalysts for hydrocarbons synthesis via the Fischer–Tropsch protocol also exhibit high activity in ammonia decomposition. Both activity and hydrogen productivity decrease in the series: Co–Ru/SiO2 Co–Al2O3/SiO2 Ru/SiO2 Co–Al2O3/SiO2(35%)/ZSM-5(30%)/Al2O3(35%). The relatively low values of effective activation energies estimated for all catalysts indicate that the reaction can proceed with a high conversion at moderate temperatures.
Fluoborite in the Ore-Bearing Skarns of the Aktash Magnetite-Polymetallic Deposit in the Karamazar (Northhern Tajikistan)
Authors: Yatimov U. A. , Maslennikov V. V. , Rassomakhin M. A. , Hvorov P. V. , Lebedeva S. M. 
Published: April 2024

Fluoborite has been for the first time discovered in magnetite-bearing skarns at the distance of few meters from the contact between dolomite-carbonate and granodiorite of the Aktash deposit. Fluoborite, Mg3(BO3)(F,OH)3, was revealed and studied with optical and electron microscopy and determination of its chemical composition (wt %): MgO 63.29–64.56, F 18.35–21.91, B2O3 18.44–18.58, H2O 4.02–5.62, –O=F2 7.73–9.23, total 99.27–99.85. The identity of the mineral has been confirmed by X-ray phase analysis (reflections 7.702, 4.445, 3.584, 2.908, 2.417, 2.22, 2.133, 1.806, 1.763, 1.678, 1.635, 1.554, 1.534, 1.485, 1.477 Å) and Raman spectroscopy (Raman spectra with bands 952, 848, 534, 423, 345, 239 and 175 cm–1). Radial-columnar aggregates of fluoborite occurring in serpentine are partially replaced by fluorite, and some tops of its crystals are overgrown by magnetite metacrystals. These magnetite metacrystals contain poikilites of fluoroborite and fluorite.
Ecology of Brambling <i>Fringilla montifringilla</i> L. in the North of Western Siberia
Authors: Ryzhanovsky V. N. 
Published: April 2024

The features of the ecology of brambling at the northern limit of their range in the Priobskaya forest tundra are considered. The nesting density remains high, locally 50–100 pairs/km2, up to the boundary of the distribution of coastal forests and floodplain woodlands along the 67th parallel. Habitats suitable for nesting brambling are also available to the north, but birds are few in number. Biotopic conditions do not significantly limit the progress to the north. The brambling have no adaptations to Subarctic conditions. This is a medium- and north-taiga species that develops the forest tundra as it warms and thickens the woodlands.