bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drivers of supply chain adaptability: insights into mobilizing supply chain processes. A multi-country and multi-sector empirical research
Authors: Morita Michiya , Machuca Jose A. D. , Marin-Garcia Juan A. , Alfalla-Luque Rafaela 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSupply chain (SC) adaptability (SC-Ad) implies that SC processes should change and adapt to anticipated structural and market changes. However, when these changes are related to shifts from exploitative to explorative focuses, companies face an inflexibility problem because of involved uncertainties, creating a barrier to obtaining SC-Ad. This research proposes to overcome this barrier by integrating new combinations of the product/market strategy and SC processes and securing their fit over time. To get it, this study proposes two SC-Ad drivers (related to the SC process (ASCOS) and new product development competences (PDC)), which secure the aforementioned fit by reducing its uncertainties and thus ensuring a SC-Ad that responds to emerging competitive changes. Measurement and structural models were assessed following PLS-SEM. ASCOS and PDC’ relative importance was analyzed using the importance/performance/analysis procedure. PLS, PLS-predict, and CVPAT were used to analyze model’s in-sample and out-of-sample predictive capacity. ANOVA was used to compare SC-Ad, ASCOS and PDC in different plant groups. Results suggest that ASCOS and PDC are SC-Ad’s drivers, and that the plants with highest SC-Ad values are those with the higher ASCOS and PDC’ values. This expand knowledge about SC-Ad drivers, which represents an important literature gap. In an indirect way, some new light is also added to the topic of ambidextrous management. The adequate generalizability of these results is supported by a) a wide multi-country, multi-informant, and multi-sector sample of 268 plants, b) a good out-of-sample model predictive capacity c) no heterogeneity issues.
On Singularities of the Gauss Map Components of Surfaces in $${{\mathbb {R}}}^4$$
Authors: Domitrz Wojciech , Hernández-Martínez Lucía Ivonne , Sánchez-Bringas Federico 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe Gauss map of a generic immersion of a smooth, oriented surface into $${\mathbb {R}}^4$$

R

4

is an immersion. But this map takes values on the Grassmanian of oriented 2-planes in $${\mathbb {R}}^4$$

R

4

. Since this manifold has a structure of a product of two spheres, the Gauss map has two components that take values on the sphere. We study the singularities of the components of the Gauss map and relate them to the geometric properties of the generic immersion. Moreover, we prove that the singularities are generically stable, and we connect them to the contact type of the surface and $${\mathcal {J}}$$
J
-holomorphic curves with respect to an orthogonal complex structure $${\mathcal {J}}$$
J
on $${\mathbb {R}}^4$$

R

4

. Finally, we get some formulas of Gauss–Bonnet type involving the geometry of the singularities of the components with the geometry and topology of the surface.
Influence of a nanoscale coating on plucking fingers and stainless steel on attachment and detachment of Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Blaeske Victoria , Schumann-Muck Felicitas Maria , Hamedy Ahmad , Braun Peggy G. , Koethe Martin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGastroenteritis caused by Campylobacter represents the most common reported foodborne bacterial illness worldwide, followed by salmonellosis. Both diseases are often caused by the consumption of contaminated, insufficiently heated poultry meat. This can result from contamination of the meat during the slaughtering processes. Food contact surfaces like stainless steel or plucking fingers contribute significantly to cross-contamination of poultry carcasses. Modification of these surfaces could lead to a reduction of the bacterial burden, as already proven by successful application in various food industry sectors, such as packaging.In this study, nanoscale silica-coated and uncoated stainless-steel surfaces and plucking fingers were compared on a pilot scale regarding attachment and detachment of Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli.The bacteria did not adhere less to the coated plucking fingers or stainless-steel sections than to the uncoated ones. The coating also did not lead to a significant difference in detachment of Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli from the investigated surfaces compared to the uncoated ones.Our study did not reveal any differences between the coated and uncoated surfaces with regard to the investigated bacteria. In order to achieve a better adaptation of the coating to slaughterhouse conditions, future studies should focus on its further development based on the investigation of specific coating parameters.
Analysis of Power Consumption on BOP System in a Fuel Cell Electric Bus According to the Fuel Cell Load Range
Authors: Kim Yebeen , Kim Jiwoong , Min Kyoungdoug 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) in a fuel cell electric bus (FCEB) converts hydrogen's chemical energy into electrical energy. The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack and a balance of plant (BOP) system, which efficiently controls the stack. Fuel cell and battery are sensitive to operational temperature, which directly impacts performance, lifespan, and safety. Therefore, a thermal management system (TMS) is necessary to maintain an appropriate temperature by dissipating the heat generated by the fuel cell and battery. In this study, the exponential or quadratic relationships between the power consumption of the major components of an FCEB and various factors, such as temperature and flow rate influencing the operational behavior and control of the components, were analyzed based on the results of a dynamometer vehicle test. Additionally, the vehicle's energy flow was calculated under different fuel cell load conditions. When the fuel cell operated at 56.3 kW, TMS power was 6.6 times higher than at 20 kW. At full load, under 90 kW, it increased to 17.4 times higher. The rise in fuel cell load correlated with higher heat generation, resulting in a significant increase in power consumption for both the radiator fan and coolant pump.
Interest Rate Volatility and Economic Growth in Nigeria: New Insight from the Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lag (QARDL) Model
Authors: Olasehinde-Williams Godwin , Omotosho Ruth , Bekun Festus Victor 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This is a study on interest rate volatility, a crucial form of volatility which affects local and foreign investments in the real and financial sectors. Whether to prioritize interest rate stability to prevent distortions in the market mechanism or to prioritize other macroeconomic objectives while allowing interest rates to independently react to market forces is a key question for Nigeria’s apex monetary authority. Answering this question is the primary motivation for this research. This paper is an attempt to establish the effect of interest rate volatility on economic growth and further conclude on the suitability of the financial liberalization policy in Nigeria. To reach an evidence-based conclusion, the paper analyzes the relationship between interest rate volatility and economic growth in Nigeria for the period 1981–2020. The QARDL procedure was employed to establish the short-run and long-run quantile-specific impacts of interest rate volatility. As a final step, Granger causality tests are conducted to investigate the predictive powers of the variables. It is discovered from the econometric analysis that interest rate volatility adversely affects the economic performance of Nigeria in both the short run and long run. Consequently, full liberalization is not suitable for the economy. Moreover, we find that the short-run adverse growth effect of interest rate volatility is greater when the economy is already in a relatively weak state, whereas the long-run adverse growth effect is greater when the economy is already in a relatively strong position. The findings sufficiently prove that full interest rate liberalization is not Pareto efficient for Nigeria. Hence, greater supervision of the interest rate corridor system to reduce volatility in the rates and minimize chances of persistent upward or downward bias is advised. Study limitations and directions for further research are also provided.
An Innovation in Cancer Nursing Education Across Europe: A Pilot Evaluation
Authors: McInally Wendy , Taylor Vanessa , de los Rios de la Serna Celia Diez , Sulosaari Virpi , Trigoso Eugenia , Gomes Sara Margarida Rodrigues , Dias Ana Rita Cesario , Piskorjanac Silvija , Tanay Mary Anne , Hálfdánardóttir Halldóra , Dowling Maura 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) is a pan-European not for profit society involving approximately 28,000 cancer nurses from 32 countries in the region. The European College of Cancer Nursing (ECCN) exists under the umbrella of EONS and was established in 2020 with a strategic priority to develop, promote and deliver educational opportunities for nurses across Europe. ECCN introduced a pilot on-line education programme for 20 nurses in January 2023. This study evaluated participating nurses’ views and experience of learning on the pilot programme. The study adopted a mixed method approach guided by the four levels of the Kirkpatrick theoretical framework. A dominant focus on qualitative data was used with supplementary quantitative data. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) was followed. Eleven nurses completed the pre-pilot online questionnaire (response rate 65%) and seven (n = 7) completed the post-pilot questionnaire (41% response rate). Five (n = 5) nurses participated in two focus group interviews. Data analysis resulted in the development of four overarching themes: A wider world of cancer nursing; Shapeless mentorship; Impact on Practice; Learning online and what now? On commencement of online education programmes, nurses value a structured timetable and support from nursing management to maximise engagement with the learning materials.
A robust alternative to examine data dependency of fixed points of quasi-contractive operators: an efficient approach that relies on the collage theorem
Authors: Gürsoy Faik 
Published: April 2024

AbstractUsurelu et al. (Int J Comput Math 98:1049–1068, 2021) presented stability and data dependence results for a TTP (Thakur–Thakur–Postolache) iteration algorithm associated with quasi-strictly contractive mappings and contraction mappings, respectively, but these results were subject to strong conditions on the parametric control sequences used in the TTP iteration algorithm. This article aims to expand those results conducting a thorough analysis of the convergence of TTP and S iteration algorithms and improve those results by removing the restrictions on the parametric control sequences. Additionally, a data dependence result for the TTP iteration algorithm of quasi-strictly contractive mappings is established and several collage theorems are introduced to offer new insights into the data dependence of fixed points of quasi-strictly contractive mappings and to solve related inverse problems. In order to exhibit the dependability and effectiveness of all the results discussed in this work, a multitude of numerical examples are furnished, encompassing both linear and nonlinear differential equations (DEs) and partial differential equations (PDEs). This work can be viewed as an important refinement and complement to the study by Usurelu et al. (Int J Comput Math 98:1049–1068, 2021).
NeTrainSim: a network-level simulator for modeling freight train longitudinal motion and energy consumption
Authors: Aredah Ahmed S. , Fadhloun Karim , Rakha Hesham A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAlthough train modeling research is vast, most available simulation tools are confined to city- or trip-scale analysis, primarily offering micro-level simulations of network segments. This paper addresses this void by developing the NeTrainSim simulator for heavy long-haul freight trains on a network of multiple intersecting tracks. The main objective of this simulator is to enable a comprehensive analysis of energy consumption and the associated carbon footprint for the entire train system. Four case studies were conducted to demonstrate the simulator’s performance. The first case study validates the model by comparing NeTrainSim output to empirical trajectory data. The results demonstrate that the simulated trajectory is precise enough to estimate the train energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The second application demonstrates the train-following model considering six trains following each other. The results showcase the model ability to maintain safe-following distances between successive trains. The next study highlights the simulator’s ability to resolve train conflicts for different scenarios. Finally, the suitability of the NeTrainSim for modeling realistic railroad networks is verified through the modeling of the entire US network and comparing alternative powertrains on the fleet energy consumption.
Offline volunteering during COVID-19: a survey experiment with prior and prospective blood donors
Authors: Ehmann Stefanie , Haylock Michael , Heynold Anne Kathin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOffline volunteering was faced with new challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a survey experiment with 1207 student participants, we test the impact of informing subjects about blood donation urgency (shortage information), and secondly, the effect of providing information about measures taken to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission at blood donation centers (hygiene information), on their inclination to donate during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. The results show that shortage information increases extensive-margin willingness to donate for non-donors by 15 percentage points (pp), on average, and increases the willingness to donate quickly for all respondents. Hygiene information, however, reduces prior donors’ intention to donate again by 8pp, on average, and reduces the willingness of non-donors to donate quickly.
Okun vs. Verdoorn: distinguishing between cyclical and structural effects of output on productivity
Authors: Paternesi Meloni Walter 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAccording to Kaldor and Verdoorn, the evolution of output is expected to structurally enhance labour productivity by generating economies of scale. At the same time, Okun’s law suggests a pro-cyclical association between output and productivity. These two aspects of the relationship often pose challenges in empirical studies when distinguishing between short-run (à la Okun) and long-run (à la Verdoorn) effects. In light of these complexities, our paper offers three contributions. First, we discuss the extant approaches to the estimation of long-run Verdoorn effects. Second, we investigate the presence of a short-run, Okun-like effect. Third, we propose a methodological advancement to separate the cyclical from the structural relationship between output and productivity. We employ panel cointegration-based techniques on data from a large set of OECD countries over the period 1970–2019. Our findings reveal a short-run coefficient of about 0.3 between growth rates and a long-run elasticity of about 0.5 between levels.
Reactor field reconstruction from sparse and movable sensors using Voronoi tessellation-assisted convolutional neural networks
Authors: Gong He-Lin , Li Han , Xiao Dunhui , Cheng Sibo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe aging of operational reactors leads to increased mechanical vibrations in the reactor interior. The vibration of the in-core sensors near their nominal locations is a new problem for neutronic field reconstruction. Current field-reconstruction methods fail to handle spatially moving sensors. In this study, we propose a Voronoi tessellation technique in combination with convolutional neural networks to handle this challenge. Observations from movable in-core sensors were projected onto the same global field structure using Voronoi tessellation, holding the magnitude and location information of the sensors. General convolutional neural networks were used to learn maps from observations to the global field. The proposed method reconstructed multi-physics fields (including fast flux, thermal flux, and power rate) using observations from a single field (such as thermal flux). Numerical tests based on the IAEA benchmark demonstrated the potential of the proposed method in practical engineering applications, particularly within an amplitude of 5 cm around the nominal locations, which led to average relative errors below 5% and 10% in the $$L_2$$

L
2

and $$L_{\infty }$$

L
∞

norms, respectively.
Beamline design for multipurpose muon beams at CSNS EMuS
Authors: Hong Yang , Song Ying-Peng , Zhou Lu-Ping , Tang Jing-Yu , Zhou Zhi-Hao , Vassilopoulos Nikolaos 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA new muon beam facility, called the Experimental Muon Source (EMuS), was proposed for construction at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). The design of the complex muon beamlines for the EMuS baseline scheme, which is based on superconducting solenoids, superferric dipoles and room-temperature magnets, is presented herein. Various muon beams, including surface muons, decay muons and low energy muons, have been developed for multipurpose applications. The optics design and simulation results of the trunk beamline and branch beamlines are presented. With a proton beam power of 25 kW at a standalone target station that consists of a conical graphite target and high-field superconducting solenoids, the muon beam intensity in the trunk beamline varies from 107/s for surface muons to 1010/s for high-momentum decay muons. And at the endstations, these values vary from 105/s for surface muons to 108/s for decay muons.
Neues zum Hypophysenhinterlappen
Authors: Wolf Peter 
Published: April 2024

ZusammenfassungDiabetes insipidus ist eine seltene Erkrankung, klinisch charakterisiert durch eine Polyurie mit konsekutiver Polydipsie bei vorhandener Durstregulation. Die Diagnose stellt sich durch den Nachweis einer inadäquaten Konzentrationsfähigkeit des Harns aufgrund einer ungenügenden Produktion von Arginin-Vasopressin (AVP) aus dem Hypothalamus-Hypophysenhinterlappen beim zentralen Diabetes insipidus (nach neuer Nomenklatur: AVP-Defizienz) oder einer eingeschränkten Wirksamkeit von AVP im Bereich der Nieren beim renalen Diabetes insipidus (nach neuer Nomenklatur: AVP-Resistenz).Seit vielen Jahren dient der Durstversuch zur Differenzialdiagnose der Polyurie/Polydipsie, in dem ein deutlicher Anstieg der Harnosmolarität nach längerer Flüssigkeitskarenz eine endokrine Ursache der Polyurie/Polydipsie ausschließt.Leider ist die diagnostische Genauigkeit des Durstversuchs limitiert, da es auch bei der primären Polydipsie, der wichtigsten Differenzialdiagnose mit vermehrtem Durst und erhöhten Trinkmengen, jedoch ohne zugrundeliegende hormonelle Erkrankung, aufgrund der Polyurie zu einer eingeschränkten renalen Konzentrationsfähigkeit kommen kann. Hier bieten die direkte Stimulation der AVP-Freisetzung und die Bestimmung von Copeptin einen entscheidenden Vorteil in der Differenzialdiagnostik. Unterschiedliche Möglichkeiten der Copeptin-basierten Abklärung bei Polyurie-Polydipsie-Syndrom sollen daher in dieser Arbeit vorgestellt werden.Weiters erwähnenswert sind sehr spannende neue Studienergebnisse aus Basel zum „Glückshormon“ Oxytocin, das ebenfalls aus dem Hypophysenhinterlappen freigesetzt wird. Hier zeigen Patient:innen mit zentralem Diabetes insipidus/AVP-Defizienz nach Stimulation einen deutlich niedrigeren Anstieg als Kontrollproband:innen, was einen Einfluss auf die psychische Gesundheit und die Lebensqualität haben könnte.
Nanoindentation responses of NiCoFe medium-entropy alloys from cryogenic to elevated temperatures
Authors: Xu Qin-qin , Karimi Kamran , Naghdi Amirhossein H. , Huo Wen-yi , Wei Chong , Papanikolaou Stefanos 
Published: April 2024

AbstractNiCoFe alloy, a medium-entropy alloy, shows potential for applications in extreme environments. However, there is a theoretical barrier concerning the unclear understanding of its high-temperature dislocation motion mechanism. The load response exhibits distinct signatures relevant to thermal activation, most notably a decrease in critical force (i.e., softening) from cryogenic to elevated temperatures, e.g., from 200 to 1000 K. The onset of plasticity is characterized by the nucleation of stacking faults and prismatic loops at low temperatures, whereas the surface nucleation of Shockley partial dislocations dominates plasticity at elevated temperatures. We show that thermal effects lead to non-uniform atom pile-ups and control the rate of phase transformation with increasing indentation depth. The findings in this work extend the understanding of the mechanical response of NiCoFe alloys under indentation at different temperatures, shedding light on the underlying dislocation motion mechanisms and surface deformation characteristics. The observed transformation-induced plasticity mechanism has implications for the properties of medium-entropy alloys and their potential applications in extreme environments.
Assessing the influence of seasonal precipitation patterns on groundwater quality in the coal rich environment of Enugu, Nigeria
Authors: Nnaemeka-Okeke Rosemary Chidinma , Okeke Francis Ogochukwu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAs the impacts of climate change continue to be felt around the world, understanding the effects on groundwater quality and quantity has become an important area of investigation. As a global source of water that contributes to preserving the environment, a better understanding of the effect of precipitation seasonal pattern on these systems is crucial; though studies connected to groundwater quality in this era of environmental crisis are at infancy. This study aims to evaluate the effect of precipitation seasonal pattern on groundwater quality in a coal enriched environment of developing city of west African sub-region with particular reference to Enugu, a coal city in Nigeria. Three residential areas (Abakpa, Achara, and Independence Layout) were randomly selected from high, medium, and low neighbourhood densities in the metropolis. Within the period spanning from April 2018 to March 2019, a physiochemical analysis was conducted on twelve deep wells utilizing weighted arithmetic index method. This technique was implemented in order to facilitate the assessment of the degree of water quality by translating a number of variables to just one metric value. The results of the investigation showed that the groundwater resources in the study region are mildly acidic, presumably as a result of the presence of pyrite, which is a byproduct of coal weathering, and chloride-ion-charged rains. Additionally, noticeable distinctions in the properties of water samples were observed between the dry and rainy seasons. Specifically, just 1% of the sampled water had excellent ratings, while 58.3% were considered good, 29.1% were deemed poor, and 8.3% of samples were categorized as very poor. The study concluded that coupled with climate crisis, seasonal precipitation patterns affect groundwater resources by reducing recharge, discharge, and the overall quality of water. These results have important implications for the management of groundwater resources in the region and highlight the need for continued monitoring and assessment of water quality in the face of ongoing environmental changes.