bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative Characterization of Petrophysical and Mechanical Properties of Siliciclastic Reservoir Rocks within a compressional structure of the Teapot Dome Oilfield, Wyoming, USA
Authors: John Rotimi Oluwatosin , Temitope Ogunkunle Fred , Yunusa Onuh Charles , Anthony Ameloko Aduojo , Efeoghene Enaworu , Faith Ekeledo Ifeoma , Amaechi Gospel Chinwendu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Working with subsurface engineering problems in Hydrocarbon exploration as regard rock elastic and petrophysical properties necessitate accurate determination of in-situ physical properties. Several techniques have been adopted in correlating log-derived parameters with petrophysical and mechanical behavior of the rocks. However, limited field applications show there are no particular parameters and correlations that are generally acceptable due to the regional variation in geologic features (i.e., degree of mineralogy, texture, etc.). This study presents a method that assesses the disparity in petrophysical properties of oil and gas reservoir rocks in relation to their elastic/mechanical properties from 10 well-logs and 3D migrated seismic data. Two distinct facies were identified from seismic data after computing attributes. Reflection strength attribute of 2.5 and above depicts Bright spots within the central section of the field as clearly revealed by Variance and Chaos attributes. Formation properties calculated from logs were conformally gridded in consonance with the reflection patterns from the seismic data. The average Brittleness index (BI) of 0.52 corresponds to Young’s modulus (E) values of between 8 and 16 for the dense portion. This portion is the laminated, reasonably parallel, and undeformed part, flanked by the unlaminated and chaotic zones. From cross plots, the distinguished lower portion on the plot is the segment with higher sand of more than 50 %. This segment corresponds to the reservoir in this study as confirmed from the genetic algorithm neural network Acoustic impedance inversion process result. Similarly, the plot of Compressional velocity (Vp
) and Poisson’s ratio (ν), reveals the laminated sand value of not less than 0.32 of ν, and Vp
of about 4.2 km/s. The average porosity is about 16 %, average water saturation is about 16 %, and average permeability is approximately 25 md. Rock properties trends in a unique pattern and showing fluctuation that confirms the compressive nature of the structure with corresponding petrophysical properties. This trend is sustained in permeability computed and suggests a significant gravity-assisted compaction trend and fluid movement. It gives a reasonable idea of the fluid movement interplay and mechanical property variation within the sequence and across the dome. This part probably has been subjected to fair compressional deformational forces initiated from outside the survey.
HPTLC fingerprinting analysis and in vitro pharmacological activities of Hermannia geniculata roots phenols
Authors: Ariyo Adeniran Lateef , Tom Ashafa Anofi Omotayo 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Hermannia geniculata is a herb that plays an important role in the treatment of an array of diseases including diabetes, ulcer, and colitis in the South African traditional medicine. The bioactive constituent and medicinal properties in phenols of Hermannia geniculata (PoHG) roots were investigated using high pressure thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The α-amylase inhibitory potentials of PoHG was determined by reacting different concentration of the plant extract with 1% starch solution containing α-amylase. The inhibitory effect of the extract on α-glucosidase was evaluated by pre-incubating α-glucosidase with varying extract concentrations followed by the addition of ρ -nitrophenylglucopyranoside.. The reactive oxygen and free radical scavenging potentials of the extract were also analyzed. The result showed the presence of phenolic compounds in the extract with retention factor (Rf) values ranging from 0.14 to 095. The extract scavenged DPPH, ABTS+, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radicals. The extract was able to chelate metallic ions with a lower IC50 value which differs significantly (p≤0.05) from silymarin. Moreover, PoHG extract inhibited the key enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) involved in carbohydrate catabolism with IC50 values of 1.76 ±0.14 and 7.52 ±0.23 mg/mL respectively while IC50 value reported for acarbose were 7.62 ±0.12 and 4.38 ±0.25 mg/mL for glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively. The α-glucosidase exhibited non-competitive inhibition by PoHG extract while α-amylase showed uncompetitive inhibition. This study confirmed the presence of phenol in PoHG extract and also showed an appreciable antioxidant and antidiabetic activities in vitro. Therefore, PoHG extract may be of nutraceutical importance.
“Build Back Better”: Between Public Policy and Local Implementation, the Challenges in Tohoku’s Reconstruction
Authors: Cosson Camille 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Although Japan, because of its long history of natural disasters, has always been one of the most prepared country, the 2011 Great East Japanese Earthquake and tsunami caused unprecedented damages to the country. This paper introduces public policies for urban resilience from international level to national level, analysing Tohoku’s reconstruction. First, we will introduce the United Nations frameworks and guidelines for “Build Back Better” before confronting this theory with its practical application. Concluding remarks suggest that Japanese reconstruction policies provoked some challenges in the local implementation of urban resilience.
Comparison of the Vibration Response of a Rotary Dobby with Cam-Link and Cam-Slider Modulators
Authors: Yu Hongbin , Yin Honghuan , Peng Junqiang , Wang Lei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This article presents the kinematic modeling and analysis of cam profiles of two different types of modulator: a cam-link and a cam-slider modulators. Kinematic and dynamic models of the two different modulators were established based on the motion curves of the main shaft of the rotary dobby. Simulations were carried out in Simulink to analyze the vibration responses under different rotary speeds, and vibration responses of the two mechanisms were compared. The results show that the cam-link modulator vibrates smoothly at speeds of <700 rpm, and theoretically, the speed should not exceed 1,400 rpm. The cam-slider modulator vibrates smoothly at speeds of <500 rpm, and theoretically, the speed should not exceed 1,000 rpm. The cam-slider modulator is more suitable for use at low speeds, whereas the cam-link modulator is more appropriate for high speeds. When both the cam-slider and cam-link modulators operate at high speeds, vibration distortion occurs, leading to bifurcation and chaotic vibration. Further knowledge of the complex behaviors associated with detachment of the follower from the cam can support the design of more sophisticated controllers aimed at avoiding follower detachment.
Association of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism with body mass index, fasting glucose levels and lipid status in adolescents
Authors: Vidović V , Maksimović N , Novaković I , Damnjanović T , Jekić B , Vidović S , Majkić Singh N , Stamenković-Radak M , Nikolić D , Marisavljević D 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has an important role in energy balance. It suppresses food intake, reduces hepatic glucose production and converts white fat into brown fat in adipose tissue, leading to energy dissipation, lowered blood glucose and a lean phenotype. Studies have shown that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Val66Met within BDNF may be associated with obesity, insulin sensitivity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and dyslipidemia. The objective of the study was to investigate the association of the Val66Met polymorphism with body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose levels and lipid profile in Serbian adolescents. The study included 308 randomly selected healthy adolescents, 153 (49.68%) boys and 155 girls (50.32%), 15 years of age. Data including age, gender, height, weight, lipid profile and fasting glucose were recorded. Genotyping was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. No association of this polymorphism was found with BMI and lipid profile. However, significant association was observed between this polymorphism and fasting blood glucose (FBG). Carriers of a Val/Val genotype had significantly higher mean values of fasting glucose level compared to carriers of Val/ Met and Met/Met genotypes (p = 0.01). To confirm these results multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Body mass index and gender were taken as covariates. Carriers of the Val/Val genotype had significantly higher levels of FBG (β = -0.152, p = 0.02). A statistically significant association between BMI and glucose level was also observed (β = 0.124,p = 0.033). This polymorphism could be associated with fasting glucose level in Serbian adolescents, thus further research would be of great interest to validate these results.
Skilled Labour Shortage in the Building Construction Industry Within the Central Region
Authors: Akomah Benjamin Boahene , Ahinaquah Laud Kwamina , Mustapha Zakari 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Skilled labour shortage is the shortfall of workforce in specific trades or shortage of workforce with requisite skills. The paper seeks to identify areas where there are skilled labour shortages in the building construction industry within the Central Region. A survey research approach was employed to get the study population that consisted of project managers, site engineers, site foremen and engineers working with contactors. Questionnaires were designed based on the research specific objectives and used as the main instrument for data collection. Findings from the study revealed that the shortage of skilled manpower was from painters and decorators, electricians and tile workers. Further findings showed that skilled labour shortage was caused by socio–economic conditions, external forces, job attractiveness, job characteristics, job satisfaction, industry limitations and personal factors. Employees should be encouraged to develop their trade competences and change their attitude to work, while employers should build their manpower base through training.
Pedestrian accessibility of services as a measure of territorial cohesion at the neighbourhood level
Authors: Damurski Łukasz , Pluta Jacek , Zipser Wawrzyniec 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Territorial cohesion, despite its initial ambiguity, has been successfully implemented in national and regional policies across the EU. However, its operationalisation on the local level remains a major challenge. This paper asks whether pedestrian accessibility of services and public transport nodes can be used as a measure of territorial cohesion at the local level. The presented research was conducted in 2016–19 in five neighbourhoods in Poland representing various settlement contexts: large cities, mediumsized towns and suburban areas. It adapted particular indicators of territorial cohesion established by ESPON to the neighbourhood scale. The highest levels of territorial cohesion expressed by users’ satisfaction were achieved in a neighbourhood in a medium-sized town, whereas in geographical terms, territorial cohesion reached higher levels in large cities. Despite those differences, the proposed research method based on pedestrian accessibility offers quantifiable and comparable results on territorial cohesion on the neighbourhood level.
Spatial (in)justice and place-based strategies in innovation ecosystems: the case of the Alexander Innovation Zone in Thessaloniki
Authors: Topaloglou Lefteris 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe concept of spatial justice relates to the fair and equitable distribution in space of socially valued resources and opportunities. In other words, spatial justice is the spatial dimension of social justice, placing more emphasis on the geography of distribution. On this basis, this paper examines the innovation ecosystem of the Alexander Innovation Zone of Thessaloniki in Greece. What is attempted is to scrutinise, through the lens of spatial justice, this state's initiative to deal at the regional level with innovation. This paper investigates whether a focus on localities and decentralisation would be better able to deliver the demands of spatial justice. The hypothesis to be tested is that equity in socially valued resources and opportunities can be better achieved through place-based strategies. Based upon empirical material, within the framework of the RELOCAL project (H2020,www.relocal.eu), this contribution attempts to shed some light on the aforementioned research hypothesis.
Public Debt and Inflation: A Review of International Literature
Authors: Aimola Akingbade U. , Odhiambo Nicholas M. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Research background: Public debt arises mainly from debt-financed deficits. More and more countries are resorting to additional public indebtedness to raise additional financial resources to meet government funding needs, which are unattainable by the usual tax means. As a result, increasingly, government spending is rising faster than revenue is received, and the excess is financed mainly through domestic and external borrowings. Expensive borrowings by a government (in an environment of increasing interest rates) may be harmful to inflation and the macroeconomic stabilisation process. This trend is raising concerns among policymakers as it undermines macroeconomic stability, especially in developing economies with relatively weak and dependent monetary authorities in the formulation and implementation of monetary policies. Hence, the association between public debt and inflation is of importance in the inflationary process of an economy.

Purpose: In this paper, theoretical and empirical literature on the link between public debt and inflation has been surveyed in detail. The focus of the paper was centred on the review of literature on the link between total public debt, external public debt, domestic public debt and inflation.

Research methodology: This paper presents an extensive review of scholarly studies on the link between public debt and inflation based on their results. The paper analysed, synthesised, and critically evaluated previous studies on the relationship between public debt and inflation on both the theoretical and empirical fronts.

Results: The literature reviewed revealed the association between public debt and inflation. The surveyed literature shows that the relationship between public debt and inflation varies from country to country, with either a positive or negative relationship. However, in the majority of the literature, the link between public debt and inflation tilts towards a positive relationship. This finding is more prominent in indebted countries with higher levels of public debt and a less-developed financial market. Although there is no consensus on the positive or negative relationship between public debt and inflation, the study found that a positive relationship between public debt and inflation tends to predominate among the studies reviewed.

Novelty: The study provides an insight into the relationship between public debt and inflation based on a detailed review of literature on the subject in both developed and developing economies.
Econometric Support of a Mass Valuation Process
Authors: Doszyń Mariusz 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Research background: The issues undertaken in the paper include the specification of an econometric model in real estate mass appraisal. Advantages and disadvantages of using econometric models in real estate mass appraisal are discussed.

Purpose: The issue of aiding the valuation process with an econometric model based on the Szczecin algorithm of real estate mass appraisal is discussed in the paper. Such problems like multicollinearity, lack of coincidence and nonmonotonic influence of attributes are pointed out. Also, potential solutions to these problems are mentioned. Moreover, the paper features a discussion of cases in which econometric appraisal is not sufficient.

Research methodology: The base for constructing an econometric model is the so-called Szczecin algorithm of real estate mass appraisal. Based on the algorithm, the econometric model was created to enable determining the impact of real estate attributes and location on their value.

Results: problems related with specification, estimation and verification of the real estate mass appraisal econometric model are discussed in an empirical example.

Novelty: A non-linear model is proposed, which features explanatory variables introduced into the model, and by taking into consideration the scale of their measurement. The proposed model, by introducing dummy variables, also account for the impact of a location, which significantly improves the fit to empirical values.
Unravelling the Secrets of Inflation in the Euro Area – A Frequency Decomposition Approach
Authors: Gerdesmeier Dieter , Roffia Barbara , Reimers Hans-Eggert 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Research background: The study contributes to the field of monetary economics. In the practice of monetary policy, all central banks have a vivid interest in distinguishing between signals and noise in the data.

Purpose: The study investigates from a frequency-domain perspective the interlinkages between money, loans, inflation and real GDP for the euro area.

Research methodology: The research methodology includes a combination of a time-series single-equation estimation approach with a frequency decomposition analysis.

Results: Broad monetary measures are found to add positively and significantly to euro area inflation over longer horizons and so do loan developments. Over medium-term horizons, real economic and exchange rate developments seem to exert a significant impact. Over shorter horizons, none of the variables under consideration affects inflation in a significant way. Robustness checks confirm the overall results. Monetary aggregates also seem to explain house price developments at lower frequencies. In addition, real GDP and exchange rate (possibly reflecting an income effect) exert a strong and significant impact, while stock prices show a substitution effect.

Novelty: The paper adds to the studies focusing on the driving forces of inflation and growth over various time horizons, with the conclusion that central banks should adopt medium-term orientation and always closely monitor real, monetary and exchange rate developments in conjunction.
Methods of a Multivariate Analysis of Non-Metric Data in Evaluating the Generational Perception of Social Characteristics
Authors: Stanimir Agnieszka 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Research background: The search for factors influencing the evaluation of the quality of life in terms of subjective and objective socio-economic aspects was the background of the study. The search for perfect multivariate statistical methods in the describing of the assessments made by respondents in variable groups, as well as the categories was carried out.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to recognize the natural areas of transferring subjective satisfaction with the level of social factors in the three groups describing: household, country of residence, and the EU. The determined natural relations between the factors were then compared with the established sets of those factors. The characteristics of behaviour were compared in three generations of the EU.

Research methodology: The Standard Eurobarometer, autumn 2018, provided data describing adults from the generations Y, X, and BB. In the analysis a factor analysis and correspondence analysis were used.

Results: The effect of the used methods is a multidirectional image of the evaluations made by the EU Generations Y, X and BB in the areas of an individual’s functioning: direct (the household), close (the country of residence), and further (Europe and the EU).

Novelty: The conducted analysis indicates the need to use diverse methods in order that the assumed research objectives are thoroughly realized. The article indicates the possibility of modifying the approach in using the Burt matrix in connection with concatenated contingency tables.
The Importance of the Efficiency of Mutual Life Insurers: A Comparison to Stock Life Insurers
Authors: Wise William 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Research background: Mutual companies are a major component of the life insurance industry worldwide and moreover are growing in importance. Efficiency, potentially affected by whether a life insurer company is mutual or stock, can determine how well said companies perform.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of examining the efficiency of mutual and takaful (similar to mutuals) life insurance companies.

Research methodology: This research coordinates 1) ideas regarding the size and importance of the mutual and takaful life industries worldwide, 2) theoretical aspects concerning how the efficiency of mutual/takafuls is expected to compare to that of stock insurers and 3) the outcomes of germane life insurance efficiency studies.

Results: The outcomes of life insurance efficiency studies tend to show that, in total, stock insurers are more efficient than mutuals apart from one conspicuous element. As mutuals are substantial within several of the world’s largest life markets and the global life industry their being inefficient can be exceedingly negative. The overall conclusion is that such inefficiency can lead to dire economic problems so it is imperative to investigate the efficiency of mutuals/takafuls and perhaps the one element of stocks.

Novelty: This article is the first to investigate the results of mutual/takaful life insurer efficiency studies in concert with the abovementioned theory and draws a vital conclusion regarding mutual/takaful life insurer inefficiency.
Challenges and conservation implications of Polylepis woodlands in the Andean region: Defining actions for sustainable management
Authors: Pinos Juan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Polylepis species represent one of the most important and endemic woodlands of the mid- and high-elevation regions of the Andean Cordillera. I provide a review of the current situation of Polylepis woodlands, discuss the potential effects of various conservation measures and consider the likely impact of climate change on tree phenology and tree regeneration, aiming to foster the conservation and sustainable management of these woodlands through proper environmental planning. I argue that in addition to the delineation and extension of protected areas, it is essential to incorporate actions such as forestation, forest policies, environmental education and local community participation. To be effective, conservation measures should be implemented in an international transdisciplinary research framework and in harmony with site-specific conditions. Finally, given the likely but uncertain influences of climate change on Polylepis woodlands, further research (and communication of that research) is needed to improve forest management strategies and research priorities for the Andean region.
Amaryllis belladonna L. (Amaryllidaceae, Amaryllidoideae), first record as naturalized geophyte in Tunisia and continental North Africa
Authors: El Mokni Ridha , Pasta Salvatore , Pacifico Davide 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Amaryllis belladonna L. is recorded for the first time as a naturalized non-native geophyte new to Tunisian and continental North African flora. Additional information on its current distribution and habitat, a brief morphological description, as well as some taxonomic notes, are provided.