bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mobile banking services and financial inclusion among customers of commercial banks: Evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Saeed Musah Mohammed , Donkoh Evans 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe study is set against the backdrop of rapid technological advancements in the banking sector, specifically in the adoption of mobile banking. Over the last three decades, the banking industry in Ghana, like many others in emerging economies, has transitioned from traditional, branch‐based banking services to more automated and digital solutions. This transformation has been largely driven by increasing internet penetration, mobile phone adoption, and the need to reach underserved populations. Despite these advances, a significant proportion of the population remains financially excluded, with limited access to formal financial services. Thus, mobile banking offers an opportunity to enhance financial inclusion, particularly for marginalised communities in Ghana. The study aims to investigate the factors influencing mobile banking services and assess how they impact financial inclusion among customers of commercial banks in an emerging economy. The study through the use of a structured questionnaire gathered 65 primary data from managers and supervisors within 13 commercial banks in Ghana. The study employed a purposive sampling technique to select the 13 commercial banks whilst using convenience sampling to gather data from managers and supervisors within these banks. The results show that mobile banking transfer has a significant negative relationship with financial inclusion, but mobile account management has a significant positive relationship with financial inclusion. Furthermore, the results depict that Mobile banking payment and financial inclusion have no significant relationship. Policy development should focus on increasing financial inclusion among unbanked individuals, enabling access to banking services. Commercial banks should innovate mobile money connections and expand motivation for technical financial inclusion to provide value‐added services and improve access to financial services, ultimately promoting financial inclusion. The study shed light on the impact of mobile banking transfer, mobile banking payment, and mobile account management on financial inclusion in Ghana. The study further provides implications for commercial banks and policymakers in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Proposal for Managing Cancer‐Related Insomnia: A Systematic Literature Review of Associated Factors and a Narrative Review of Treatment
Authors: Saeki Yoshinori , Sumi Yukiyoshi , Ozaki Yukinori , Hosonaga Mari , Kenmotsu Yoshiyuki , Onoe Takuma , Yamaguchi Ken , Matsumoto Yoshihisa 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveInsomnia is common in patients with cancer. It has a multifactorial etiology that may include the disease process, adverse effects of anticancer therapies, and/or an association with other comorbidities. The purpose of this review was to identify risk factors for insomnia and suggest optimal management strategies.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature review to elucidate the risk factors for insomnia and sleep disturbances in patients with solid tumors. The effects of sleep medications in this population were also described.ResultsA total of 75 publications were evaluated, including those on breast, lung, gynecologic, brain, head and neck, gastrointestinal, prostate, thyroid, and mixed cancers. We classified the factors related to insomnia or sleep disturbance in cancer into four categories: (1) patient demographic characteristics (e.g., age, marital or socioeconomic status); (2) mental state (e.g., depression or anxiety); (3) physical state (e.g., fatigue, pain, or restless legs syndrome); and (4) anticancer treatment‐related (e.g., use of chemotherapy, opioids, or hormone therapy). Overall, literature on the pharmacologic treatment of insomnia is extremely limited, although some efficacy data for zolpidem and melatonin have been reported.ConclusionsDemographic characteristics, physical and mental distress, and anticancer treatments are all risks for insomnia in patients with cancer. The limited evidence base for pharmacologic therapy in this patient population means that healthcare professionals need to implement a comprehensive and multidisciplinary pathway from screening to management.
Research Progress on Natural Products Alleviating Liver Inflammation and Fibrosis via NF‐κB Pathway
Authors: Li Xiaoying , Li Saifei , Li Ningning 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTLiver fibrosis is a key pathological process in chronic liver diseases, regulated by various cytokines and signaling pathways. Among these, the nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) signaling pathway plays a significant role in the initiation and progression of liver fibrosis. Recently, natural products have garnered attention as potential anti‐fibrotic agents. This review highlights recent studies on how natural products, including flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, phenols, alkaloids, quinones, phenylpropanoids, steroids, and nitrogen compounds, mitigate liver fibrosis by modulating the NF‐κB signaling pathway. Specifically, it examines how these natural products influence NF‐κB activation, nuclear translocation, and downstream signaling, thereby inhibiting inflammatory responses, reducing apoptosis, and regulating hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activity, ultimately achieving therapeutic effects against liver fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which natural products regulate the NF‐κB signaling pathway can provide crucial theoretical foundations and valuable insights for the development of novel anti‐fibrotic drugs.
Design of a Bioluminescent Assay Platform for Quantitative Measurement of Histone Acetyltransferase Enzymatic Activity
Authors: Swain Nolan D. , George Zheng Y. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractProtein acetylation and acylation are widespread post‐translational modifications (PTMs) in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Histone acetyltransferase (HATs) enzymes catalyze the addition of short‐chain acyl moieties to lysine residues on cellular proteins. Many HAT members are found to be dysregulated in human diseases, especially oncological processes. Screening potent and selective HAT inhibitors has promising application for therapeutic innovation. A biochemical assay for quantification of HAT activity utilizing luminescent output is highly desirable to improve upon limitations associated with the classic radiometric assay formats. Here we report the design of a bioluminescent technological platform for robust and sensitive quantification of HAT activity. This platform utilizes the metabolic enzyme acetyl‐CoA synthetase 1 (ACS1) for a coupled reaction with firefly luciferase to generate luminescent signal relative to the HAT‐catalyzed acetylation reaction. The biochemical assay was implemented in microtiter plate format and our results showed this assay sensitively detected catalytic activity of HAT enzyme p300, accurately measured its steady‐state kinetic parameters of histone acetylation and measured the inhibitory potency of HAT inhibitor. This platform demonstrated excellent robustness, reproducibility, and signal‐to‐background ratios, with a screening window Z’=0.79. Our new bioluminescent design provides an alternative means for HAT enzymatic activity quantitation and HAT inhibitor screening.
Investigation of Nonmetal F‐doped Co3O4 as Catalyst for N2O Catalytic Decomposition
Authors: Wu Ruifang , Wang Qian , Wang Ruirui , Lin Xiangqian , Dang Hui , Li Linmao , Hu Shize , Yang Minxia , Zheng Ke , Zhang Liangliang , Wang Yongzhao , Zhao Yongxiang 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAn effective nonmetal F‐doped Co3O4 (F‐Co3O4) catalyst was prepared using co‐precipitation method, and its catalytic performance was investigated for N2O decomposition comparing with pure Co3O4 catalyst. The catalytic activity test indicates that F‐Co3O4 catalyst exhibits better activity with 100% N2O conversion at a reaction temperature of 380 °C, which is 80 °C lower than that of pure Co3O4. The characterization results show that F is successfully doped into the lattice of Co3O4 and replaces part of O sites, which enlarges the surface area, enhances the surface basicity, and leads to higher basic sites density on the surface of Co3O4. Moreover, F doping promotes the electron donation capacity of Co2+, weakening of Co─O bond and generation of more oxygen vacancies. The synergy of the above factors results in reduction of activation energy over F‐Co3O4 catalyst, thus F‐Co3O4 catalyst exhibits better catalytic performance than pure Co3O4 for N2O decomposition, even in the existence of O2 or H2O as impurity gas. Meanwhile, F‐Co3O4 catalyst also exhibits better stability than pure Co3O4. This work will provide practical reference for constructing efficient nonmetal‐doped Co3O4 catalysts for N2O decomposition.
Unveiling the Power of Titanium Dioxide for Energy Storage and Electrochemical Technologies
Authors: Baudino Luisa , Zaccagnini Pietro , Bianco Stefano , Castellino Micaela , Lamberti Andrea , Pirri C. Fabrizio , Serrapede Mara 
Published: November 2024

AbstractTitanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2 NTs) have been widely investigated in the past 20 years due to a variety of possible applications of this material. Indeed, their high surface area and tunable morphology can easily implement key features of TiO2, such as its biocompatibility and photo‐ and electrocatalytic properties. This combination makes TiO2 NTs perfect candidates for multifunctional applications ranging from biomedical application to sensing and energy devices. Herein, we present TiO2 NTs grown by anodic oxidation on top of a titanium foil in an ethylene glycol‐based electrolyte with NH4F. The as‐grown amorphous nanotubes were then subjected to annealing in a reducing atmosphere at different temperatures while maintaining their amorphicity. The morphological, physicochemical, and electronic properties were then thoroughly evaluated to assess their use in different fields, from energy storage devices to photo‐catalytical applications.
Concise Synthesis of Polyacyloxy Cyclic Ethers Using the p‐Toluenesulfonic Acid‐Catalyzed Cascade Esterification/Cyclization of Polyols
Authors: Yamada Takeshi , Kimura Anri , Takenouchi Saya , Sugahara Mizuki , Yoshioka Mai , Monta Yuhei , Matsuda Mike , Hatano Manabu 
Published: November 2024

AbstractA p‐toluenesulfonic acid (p‐TsOH)‐catalyzed cascade acylation–cyclization–acylation reaction of polyols with carboxylic acids has been developed, which affords polyacyloxy cyclic ethers without the need for the removal of water. The mild reaction conditions in the presence of p‐TsOH•H2O (10 mol%) permitted the use of a variety of carboxylic acids and polyols. In particular, when polyols with 1,4‐dihydroxy moieties were used, the present catalysis efficiently provided the corresponding polyacyloxy tetrahydrofuran derivatives in good‐to‐high yield without loss of optical purity. Furthermore, the concise synthesis of bicyclic isosorbide esters, which are of interest in an industrial and pharmaceutical context, was achieved using commercially available biomass‐derived d‐sorbitol and d‐mannitol via double cascade acylation–cyclization–acylation reactions.
AgxCu100−x Decorated Si Micropillars as Photocathodes for the Reduction of CO2
Authors: Chaliyawala Harsh , Bastide Stephane , Cachet‐Vivier Christine , Ilic Nikola , Bourouina Tarik , Marty Frédéric , Bah Kadiatou , Torralba Encarnacion 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis work reports the fabrication of p‐type Si micropillar (MP) substrates decorated with AgxCu100−x bimetallic nanoparticles and their application as photocathodes for CO2 photoelectrochemical reduction. Metal deposition by metal‐assisted chemical etching is chosen as the nanoparticle synthesis method, to explore for the first time its capabilities for 3D structures. It is found to be applicable, allowing a good control of the composition, with nanoparticles distributed along the entire MP, but with a coverage gradient from top to bottom. The AgxCu100−x decorated Si MPs photocathodes show enhanced light trapping compared to flat Si, with 45 % lower reflectance values in the visible and significantly higher catalytic activity, in terms of photocurrent density, overpotential and power savings (4.7 % for Ag50Cu50/Si MPs vs. 3 % for Ag50Cu50/flat‐Si). Si MPs coated with Ag50Cu50 and Ag20Cu80 provide the highest gain in potential (440 and 600 mV vs. bare Si MPs) and an increased selectivity towards high energy density products (i. e., CH4) compared to monometallic photocathodes. These are promising features for efficient light‐driven CO2 conversion. However, a significant metal loss is observed during photoelectrolysis, especially for Cu‐rich compositions. Suggestions to improve the photocathode performance in terms of metal coating homogeneity and catalyst stability are presented.
Study on Intelligent Bionic Superhydrophobic Material and its Oil‐Water Separation Mechanism
Authors: Wang Zuoliang , Qu Guangfei , Ren Yuanchuan , Chen Xiuping , Wang Jun , Lu Ping 
Published: November 2024

AbstractMarine oil spills and improper disposal of daily oil usage have posed significant threat to ecological environments and human health due to rapid industrial development. In this study, an environmentally friendly, simple process and high‐performance Fe3O4@SiO2@Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)‐based smart bionic superhydrophobic oil‐absorbing material was developed for effectively collecting and removing oil pollutants from water. By studying the effects of Fe3O4 particle size, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) concentration, and heating time on the superhydrophobicity of the materials, the directional regulation of superhydrophobicity and oil‐water separation performance of Fe3O4@SiO2@PMMA@PDMS materials was realized. The results showed that the material exhibited optimal performance when the Fe3O4 particle size combination was 20/500 nm/1 μm, the mass ratio of PDMS to Fe3O4@SiO2@PMMA was 7 : 1, and it was heated at 350°C for 1 minute. The coating achieved an apparent contact angle (APCA) of 158.7° and a rolling angle as low as 4.9°. This coating not only remained superhydrophobic after a 21 m abrasion test and 288 h immersion in acid, alkali, salt, and high‐temperature solutions, but also efficiently separated oil‐water mixtures and water‐in‐oil emulsions, and the separation efficiency for oil‐water mixtures of trichloromethane, dichloromethane and bromomethane was over 99.78 %, and that for water‐in‐oil emulsions was over 98.34 %. Furthermore, the superhydrophobic magnetic polyurethane (SFPU) sponge prepared using Fe3O4@SiO2@PMMA not only exhibited excellent oil‐absorbing capacity (11–28 g/g), but also realized precise oil absorption at multiple sites by magnetic conduction. In the actual oily wastewater test, the oil‐water separation efficiency of the sponge reached 90.58 % and the oil absorption capacity reached 17.03 g/g. This efficient oil‐water separation performance as well as oil adsorption capacity comes from the fact that the nonpolar molecules (e. g., −CH3) generated by the hydrolysis of PDMS can produce van der Waals adsorption with oil substances, while the excellent micro‐nanostructure of the coating surface greatly increases the contact area between oil droplets and the coating, which can make them adsorb or pass through quickly. This multifunctional coating and sponge had immense application potential in fields like offshore oil spill treatment, organic pollution control in water bodies.
S/Se‐Annulated Star‐Shaped Perylene Diimides (PDIs) with Large Two‐Photon Absorption (TPA) Cross‐Section in NIR‐I Region
Authors: Li Dandan , Zhao Wenrong , Li Gang , Xu Yan , Xu Liang , Tang Bo 
Published: November 2024

AbstractTwo‐photon absorption (TPA) has attracted growing attention over recent years owing to the wide range of applications in organic nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. The quantitative sensitivity of a two‐photon molecular entity is determined by its TPA cross‐section (δTPA). Perylene diimides (PDIs) are excellent n‐type organic semiconductor materials demonstrating distinguished thermal, optical, and chemical stability. Nonetheless, PDIs‐based scaffolds exhibit poor δTPA in the NIR−I region (700–900 nm) due to the lack of suitable molecular design. Here, two novel star‐shaped PDIs fluorophores, namely PDI−S and PDI−Se, were constructed by four periphery S/Se‐fused PDIs connected with bicarbazole core. PDI−S manifested excellent δTPA of 3775 GM, which are among the highest values reported for PDIs excited in the NIR−I region.
Iridium/Acid‐Dual Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular Allylic Dearomatization Reaction of Allylic Alcohol Tethered α‐ and β‐Naphthols
Authors: Shikari Amit , Chandra Pan Subhas 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe first catalytic enantioselective intramolecular allylic dearomatization of allylic alcohol tethered α‐ and β‐naphthols has been developed with iridium/acid‐dual catalysis. A wide range of polycyclic spiroketones containing vicinal tertiary and quaternary carbon stereocenters were readily prepared in good to high yields with high diastereo‐ and moderate to excellent enantioselectivities. An unusual anti‐Markovnikov Wacker oxidation has also been shown in synthetic transformations.
Chiral Differentiation of Chiral Lactides and Chiral Diketones on Native and Phenylcarbamoylated Cyclodextrin Chiral Stationary Phases
Authors: Li Xiaoxuan , Feng Xueyang , Du Xiaoxuan , Wang Yong 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTInclusion complexation, hydrogen bonds, π–π interaction, dipole–dipole interaction, and steric hindrance effect all contribute to the enantioseparation ability of cyclodextrin (CD) or CD derivatives. In this work, one native cationic CD chiral stationary phases (SHCDCSP) and four derivatized CD‐CSPs, namely, per(4‐trifluoromethyl) phenylcarbamoylated‐β‐CD CSP (SFPhCDCSP), per(4‐chloro) phenylcarbamoylated‐β‐CD CSP (SCPhCDCSP), per(4‐bromo) phenylcarbamoylated‐β‐CD CSP (SBPhCDCSP), and per(4‐methyl) phenylcarbamoylated‐β‐CD CSP (SMPhCDCSP), were prepared via thioether linkage and applied for the enantioseparation of chiral lactides and chiral diketones in both reverse phase (RP) and normal phase (NP) modes. Most of the studied chiral lactides were found to be well resolved (Rs > 1.5) under RP mode, especially Met‐Sty‐Ibn (compound 11) is observed to display highest resolutions (Rs = 5.09, Rs = 3.17) among all the analytes on the SFPhCDCSP and SMPhCDCSP. In NP mode, SFPhCDCSP showed excellent chiral recognition ability towards chiral lactides. The comparison study of CD‐CSPs reveals the structure of CSPs play a significant role on the enantioselectivities.
Protocol: Proactive resilience programmes for improving resilience and psychological adaptation in employees in high‐risk occupations: A systematic review
Authors: Filges Trine , Mølgaard Anja Bondebjerg , Smedslund Geir , Kildemoes Malene W. , Bengtsen Elizabeth 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows: What are the effects of proactive resilience programmes offered to employees in high‐risk occupations on resilience and psychological adaptation?
Anaerobic Naphthalene Biotransformation Coupled to Sulfate Reduction
Authors: Yadu Aparna , Sahariah Biju Prava , Anandkumar Jayapal 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a diverse group of hazardous and toxic pollutants widely distributed in the environment. The anaerobic degradation is a promising technique for the removal of recalcitrant aromatic hydrocarbons from waste stream. In this study, anaerobic degradation of naphthalene (NAP) was investigated by using cow dung‐enriched mixed microbial consortia with varying NAP and sulfate concentrations. The maximum removal of NAP (99.8%) and sulfate (68%) was achieved while varying the sulfate concentration from 50 to 500 mg/L in 500 mg/L NAP influent concentration. 41.9 mg/L of sulfate was generated during this study. Similarly, when NAP concentration was varied from 100 to 1000 mg/L, 84% of chemical oxygen demand (COD), 74% of sulfate, and 92% of NAP were observed at constant sulfate concentration of 250 mg/L. This result reveals that sulfate concentration had no significant effect on NAP degradation. NAP mineralization was evidenced by the formation of sulfide and production of metabolites with decreasing NAP concentration. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) confirmed the formation of metabolites like naphthol and 1,2‐dihydroxynaphthalene due to monooxygenation at C‐1 as part of the metabolic pathway. The rate of NAP, COD, and sulfate removal followed the first‐order kinetics with high regression coefficients while varying the influent NAP concentrations.
Distribution Characteristics and Impacting Factors of Drug CYP Enzymes and Transporters in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Chinese Healthy Subjects
Authors: Zhang Miao , Zhang Lei , Suo Baojun , Wei Yudong , Xu Yue , Jiang Muhan , Dong Jing , Li Xiaodong , Song Zhiqiang , Liu Dongyang 
Published: November 2024

The abundance of drug metabolic enzymes (DMEs) and transporters (DTs) in the human gastrointestinal tract significantly affects xenobiotic exposure in the circulating system, the basis of these compounds acting on humans. However, accurately predicting individual exposure in healthy subjects remains challenging due to limited data on protein levels throughout the gastrointestinal tract within the same individuals and inadequate assessment of factors influencing these levels. Therefore, we conducted a clinical study to obtain biopsy samples from 8 different gastrointestinal segments in 24 healthy Chinese volunteers. Concurrently, blood and fecal samples were collected for genotypic analysis and fecal microbiota metagenomic sequencing. Using an optimized LC–MS/MS method, we quantified the absolute protein abundance of CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, P‐gp, and BCRP from the stomach to the colon. Our results revealed significant regional differences in protein expression: CYP3A4 was the most abundant in the small intestine, whereas CYP2C9 was predominantly found in the colon. CYP2D6 was primarily located in the ileum, while other DMEs/DTs showed higher concentrations in the jejunum. Meanwhile, the enzyme abundance in the small intestine and colon and the relative ratio of transporters in different regions to the jejunum were accurately calculated, providing valuable data for refining the physiological parameters in the virtual gastrointestinal tract of Chinese healthy population in PBBMs. Additionally, BMI, IBW, sex, age, genotype, and fecal microbiota were identified as critical factors influencing the protein levels of these DMEs/DTs throughout the gastrointestinal tract, with notable regional differences. Consequently, this study provides a unique foundation for understanding xenobiotic absorption in humans.