bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the challenges facing small and medium-scale building contractors in Nigeria
Authors: Mbazor D. , Aigbavboa C. , Thwala W. 
Published: May 2024

In this study, the challenges associated with the operations of small and mediumscale building contractors in Nigeria were considered. Globally, the construction industry is faced with several notable challenges in terms of technological advancement, development of operational processes and mechanisms, and keeping up to date with the prevailing business trends. The main objective of this study is to examine the problems that are facing small and medium-scale building contractors in Nigeria. The study employed a questionnaire survey as a data collection instrument. A total of 317 closed-ended questionnaires were administered to small and medium-sized contractors in Akure Nigeria. However, only one hundred and seventy-two (172) returned questionnaires were found valid for analysis. The data was analyzed using the simple descriptive statistical method of percentage and weighted mean score (WMS). Findings revealed that inadequate startup capital for contractors was the major problem facing small and medium-scale building contractors in the study area given its highest mean score of 4.0697. In light of the above, the study recommends that the government being the major player in the building industry should endeavour to initiate, create, and implement policies such as grants and aids for small and medium-sized contractors to enable them to remain in business no matter the state of the economy. It is concluded that the ineffectiveness of the small and medium-sized contractors in the study area is influenced by the un-availability of startup capital, lack of political will in implementing policies that assist small and medium-sized contractors, delayed payment, high-interest rates on loan facilities, and difficulty in getting guarantors for the loan facility.
EPILEPSIA DO TIPO AUSÊNCIA: UMA REVISÃO BIBLIOGRÁFICA DOS MECANISMOS FISIOPATOLÓGICOS E ABORDAGENS TERAPÊUTICAS
Authors: Prado Martins Rosal Maria Eduarda , Vasconcelos Ribeiro Gustavo , Marilak Alves Veloso Heloisa , Oliveira Cunha Nogueira Vinícius , Lucas Costa Bastos Ruan , Mara Verçosa do Nascimento Liana , De Carvalho Carneiro Eduardo , Pinto Ibiapina Neto Aldemar , Moreira Bento Diego , Gomes Pereira Santos Marryeth 
Published: May 2024

A epilepsia do tipo ausência é uma forma específica de epilepsia generalizada, caracterizada por episódios frequentes e breves de perda de consciência, que geralmente duram alguns segundos a um minuto. Objetivo: Analisar os mecanismos fisiopatológicos e condutas terapêuticas da epilepsia do tipo ausência, fornecendo uma síntese atualizada da literatura científica. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica, utilizando artigos presentes nas seguintes bases de dados: PubMed, Scopus e SciELO Foram incluídos artigos originais e revisões sistemáticas em inglês e português publicadas entre 2014 e 2024, que abordassem sobre mecanismos fisiopatológicos e condutas terapêuticas da epilepsia do tipo ausência. Após a análise, foram selecionados 29 artigos para a confecção dessa revisão bibliográfica. Resultados e Discussão: Os mecanismos fisiopatológicos da epilepsia do tipo ausência envolvem uma interação complexa entre disfunções dos canais iônicos, desregulação neuroquímica, alterações na conectividade neuronal e fatores genéticos. A compreensão desses mecanismos é fundamental para o desenvolvimento de novas abordagens terapêuticas e para a identificação de alvos potenciais para tratamento. A terapêutica baseia-se em uma abordagem multidisciplinar, que inclui medicamentos antiepilépticos, intervenções não farmacológicas, como a dieta cetogênica e a estimulação do nervo vago. Conclusão: Uma abordagem holística e individualizada é essencial para o manejo bem-sucedido da epilepsia do tipo ausência, visando não apenas o controle das crises, mas também a melhoria da qualidade de vida e o bem-estar global do paciente.
Novel composite model: application in epidemic and actuarial science
Authors: Benchettah Moulouk Halima , Zeghdoudi Halim , Vinoth Raman 
Published: May 2024

Actuarial sciences frequently use Nakagami and Pareto distributions to model their payment data. The Nakagami distribution is frequently employed for modeling the lifespans of things that are affected by their age, and it possesses a multitude of practical applications. Alternatively, academics sometimes utilize the Pareto distribution to model payments data, especially for instances of substantial loss data or reinsurance payments. The present study presents and investigates a new composite model known as the composite Nakagami-Pareto distribution (CNPD), which integrates components from both the Nakagami and Pareto distributions. When examining composite distributions, the first distribution is usually characterized by a thin tail, whereas the next distribution has a thick tail. In the Nakagami-Pareto model, the Nakagami density is chosen as due to its characteristic of being a light-tailed distribution. Similarly, the Pareto distribution is selected as because it exhibits a heavy-tailed distribution. An investigation has been conducted to assess the practical usefulness of the composite Nakagami-Pareto model when applied to real-world data sets. This analysis has emphasized the significant components of the model. Statistical qualities such as cumulative distribution function, quantile function, mode, first moment, ad-hoc procedure and maximum likelihood estimation have been established. Furthermore, a method for estimating has been described utilizing a data sample derived from the Composite Nakagami-Pareto model. The composite exponential-Pareto and the composite lognormal-Pareto distributions' resultant densities have similar shapes, but their tails are more noticeable. Therefore, we anticipate that our model will be more suitable than the composite exponential-Pareto distribution, composite lognormal-Pareto distribution, and other traditional one (or two)-parameter distributions. The significance and practicality of this novel approach were demonstrated by analyzing simulated cases, data sets are available for the recovery periods (measured in weeks) of 75 persons from Angola who were infected with the Marburg virus, as well as for 2156 fire insurance losses in Denmark.
Pengaruh Kualitas Layanan Terhadap Kepuasan Nasabah Pada Bank BRI Cabang Sentani
Authors: Lobubun Munawir 
Published: May 2024

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh kualitas layanan terhadap kepuasan nasabah pada Bank Bri Cabang Sentani. Data dikumpulkan melalui penyebaran kuisioner kepada 96 responden. Adapun hasil Hasil perhitungan dengan aplikasi SPSS Versi 22 adalah variabel kualitas layanan berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap kepuasan nasabah, berdasarkan hasil uji t variabel kualitas layanan menghasilkan nilai signifikan 0,000 yang di mana nilai ini lebih kecil dari 0.05 dan hasil t-hitung lebih besar disbanding nilai t-tabel, artinya kualitas layanan berpengaruh secara positif dan signifikan terhadap kepuasan nasabah pada Bank BRI Cabang Sentani. Selanjutnya pengaruh variabel kualitas layanan terhadap kepuasan nasabah dapat ditunjukkan dengan besarnya nilai koefisien determinasi, artinya bahwa besarnya kualitas layanan mempengaruhi kepuasan nasabah sebesar 52.8% dan sisanya sebesar dipengaruhi oleh variabel lain yang tidak diteliti.
The Regulation of Digital Currency in China
Authors: Chen Ying , Adams Michael 
Published: May 2024

The Regulation of Digital Currency in China - Past, Present, and Future
China has been at the forefront of experimenting with digital currencies, starting from the decentralized cryptocurrencies (cryptos) in the late 2000s to the most recent state-controlled central bank digital currency (CBDC). This article reviews China’s history of digital currencies and examines its unique regulatory approach to both cryptos and CBDC. Reflecting on China’s concerns and ambitions, this article further explores the anticipated future of digital currencies in China with a particular focus on China’s regulatory developments. It concludes that e-CNY, a state-controlled CBDC, is China’s future of money, although that means China must navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
CBDCs: Innovation Transcending Public Money
Authors: Constantinescu Mihnea 
Published: May 2024

CBDCs: Innovation Transcending Public Money
This article provides a brief overview of the main characteristics of the existing two-tier public money payment architecture while emphasizing the numerous trade-offs that are necessary to achieve the second-best arrangement currently in use. Reforming this arrangement requires taking into account many of the old economic and legal constraints while considering the benefits of new available technologies. Some possible avenues for the joint development of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and cryptocurrencies and assets are outlined. Particular attention is paid to the role and function of money in a digital, data-driven economy.
SÍNTESE E ATIVIDADE FITOTÓXICA DE OZONÍDEOS SUBSTITUÍDOS DERIVADOS DE 8-OXABICICLO[3.2.1]OCT-6-EN-3-ONAS
Authors: Cusati Raphael Campos 
Published: May 2024

Este livro é uma dissertação de mestrado que investiga a síntese e a atividade fitotóxica de ozonídeos substituídos derivados de 8-oxabiciclo[3.2.1]oct-6-en-3-onas. A pesquisa abrange a síntese orgânica destes compostos até a completa caracterização estrutural dos mesmos por meio de técnicas analíticas como espectroscopia no infravermelho, espectrometria de massas e espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) de 1H e 13C. Além disso, apresenta os resultados dos testes de atividade fitotóxica realizados para avaliar o potencial desses compostos como agentes biológicos, mais especificamente como herbicidas.	A pesquisa contribui para o conhecimento na área da síntese orgânica e fitoquímica, oferecendo insights importantes que podem ter aplicações práticas no desenvolvimento de agroquímicos mais eficazes e ambientalmente sustentáveis.	Destinado a pesquisadores e estudantes interessados na síntese orgânica e na avaliação da atividade biológica de compostos sintéticos, este livro representa uma contribuição significativa para o avanço científico nesse campo.
Leadership Development Interventions to Reduce Imposter Phenomenon in the STEM Fields in Minorities
Authors: Merchant Kristen 
Published: May 2024

Background: There is a significant lack of diversity in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Evidence shows that lack of representation can feed into feelings of imposter phenomenon which in turn influences leadership qualities. Objectives: An argument is made that by providing leadership development training to minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, confidence will be boosted, feelings of imposter phenomenon will be reduced, and thus these students will be retained. Approach: Theories explored to explain this challenge include the imposter phenomenon, servant leadership, and transformational leadership. Results: The goal of this article is to demonstrate the need for research into leadership development of minorities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Conclusions: A program proposal is also introduced as a suggested plan of action based on the findings.
Tedong (Buffalo): Symbol of Nobility, Humanity, and Entertaiment in Funeral Ceremony in The Indigenous Torajan, Indonesia
Authors: Dewi Resnita , Tandu Rita , Lunkenheimer Hannah G. , Nyho Melanie , Pasoloran Resli , La’biran Roni 
Published: May 2024

In the sociocultural life of Toraja people, buffalo are not ordinary animals. If some people in Indonesia make buffalo as farm animals only, then in Toraja, Indonesia, buffalo as a symbol of social status, humanity, and entertaiment. This is in line with the purpose of this research is to reveal the value of the Tedong (Buffalo) in funeral ceremony. This research is a qualitative descriptive study. Data in this study gained in funeral ceremony. Data is collected through observation techniques, records, interviews, and documentation. The results of the research indicated that tedong (buffalo) in the funeral ceremony is as a marker of a person's nobility. The nobility or social status sign is determined by how many buffalo are sacrificed, which is in line with ritual utterance in rambu solo’ that is pronounced by Tominaa. The more tedong (buffalo) the sacrificed, the higher the social status of one. Conversely, the fewer tedong (buffalos) are sacrificed, the lower the social status of one. In addition, tedong (buffalo) also marks the sense of humanity that looks through the activities of Mantaa Duku'. The value of Buffalo as entertainment seemed in the activity of Ma’ pasilaga tedong.
TPX2 upregulates MMP13 to promote the progression of lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoarthritis
Authors: Yu Jingtao , Wang Weiqi , Jiang Zenghui , Liu Huashun 
Published: May 2024

Purpose
This study seeks to identify potential clinical biomarkers for osteoarthritis (OA) using bioinformatics and investigate OA mechanisms through cellular assays.

Methods
Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) from GSE52042 (four OA samples, four control samples) were screened and analyzed with protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Overlapping genes in GSE52042 and GSE206848 (seven OA samples, and seven control samples) were identified and evaluated using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and clinical diagnostic value analysis to determine the hub gene. Finally, whether and how the hub gene impacts LPS-induced OA progression was explored by in vitro experiments, including Western blotting (WB), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), flow cytometry, etc.

Result
Bioinformatics analysis of DEGs (142 up-regulated and 171 down-regulated) in GSE52042 identified two overlapping genes (U2AF2, TPX2) that exhibit significant clinical diagnostic value. These genes are up-regulated in OA samples from both GSE52042 and GSE206848 datasets. Notably, TPX2, which AUC = 0.873 was identified as the hub gene. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that silencing TPX2 can alleviate damage to chondrocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Furthermore, there is a protein interaction between TPX2 and MMP13 in OA. Excessive MMP13 can attenuate the effects of TPX2 knockdown on LPS-induced changes in OA protein expression, cell growth, and apoptosis.

Conclusion
In conclusion, our findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms of OA and suggested TPX2 as a potential therapeutic target. TPX2 could promote the progression of LPS-induced OA by up-regulating the expression of MMP13, which provides some implications for clinical research.
Damascene Light‐Weight Metals
Authors: Marr Tom , Freudenberger Jens , Kauffmann Alexander , Scharnweber Juliane , Oertel Carl‐Georg , Skrotzki Werner , Siegel Uwe , Kühn Uta , Eckert Jürgen , Martin Ulrich , Schultz Ludwig 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBesides widely investigated severely plastically deformed materials that are available in laboratory scale and size only, there is a high demand for semi‐finished products such as sheets and wires with similar mechanical properties. A damascene‐like technology applying swaging and bundling/swaging allows to deform TiNbAl composites up to a log. deformation strain of 8.4. Here, Al and Ti are used because of their low density, while Nb acts as diffusion barrier to prevent the formation of hardly deformable intermetallic phases. The obtained wires show an ufg microstructure with grain sizes of Ti and Al between 100 and 200 nm. In the cold‐worked condition the wires with a density of 4.0 g cm−3 reveal an ultimate tensile strength of 790 MPa.
Fabrication of Novel Membranes for Biomedical Applications via Halidation of Poly(Methacrylic Acid‐co‐Methyl Methacrylate) and Crosslinking of Complementary Groups by PEG
Authors: Negahi Shirazi Ali , Ghasemi Diba , Teimouri Mohammad Bagher , Imani Mohammad 
Published: October 2010

AbstractFabrication of novel, biocompatible and stimuli‐responsive membranes based on the crosslinking of poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐methyl methacrylate) using polyethylene glycol as a crosslinking agent is accomplished in a two‐stage procedure. Membranes are fabricated by casting and curing of the reactive precursors in different reaction compositions and durations according to a three‐level factorial design‐of‐experiments. The resulting membranes were thoroughly characterized using SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and swelling experiments. The thermal properties were improved and swelling behavior of the hydrogels assures its stimuli‐responsive nature. MTT‐assay and cytotoxicity evaluations of the fabricated membranes elucidate acceptable biocompatibility profiles.
Tuning Electrical Conductance of Serpentine Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Huang Jun , Wang Bei , Lahiri Indranil , Gupta Awnish K. , Eklund Peter C. , Choi Wonbong 
Published: October 2010

AbstractChanges in resistivity of serpentine single‐walled carbon nanotubes are presented as a function of bending radius, rb, in the range of 100–2000 nm. Resistivity (ρ) is observed to increase with curvature (1/rb), which is consistent with theoretical speculation on strain‐induced bandgap increment. Furthermore, a sharp bend (rb < 50nm) in the nanotubes results in a drastic change in the field‐effect behavior, i.e., from ambipolar to p type across the bend. Local Raman spectra show that the G‐band Raman frequencies shift along the curvature, which may be attributed to local deformation and broken cylindrical symmetry in the nanotubes. The results suggest the possibility to tune the electrical properties by bending nanotubes and to build an all‐nanotube device by modulating the structure of the same tube.
Magnetic Alloy Nanorings Loaded with Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications as Multimodal Imaging Contrast Agents
Authors: Lu Yang , Shi Ce , Hu Ming‐Jun , Xu Yun‐Jun , Yu Le , Wen Long‐Ping , Zhao Yang , Xu Wei‐Ping , Yu Shu‐Hong 
Published: October 2010

AbstractMulticomponent Ni7Co3 alloy–Au nanorings can be facilely synthesized at room temperature using metallic Ni7Co3 alloy nanorings as both reducing agent and sacrificial template in water. These novel alloy–Au hybrid nanorings are well biocompatible due to coating with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and gold nanoparticles. When increasing the molar ratio of alloy to gold salt from 1:1 to 5:1, the number of the gold nanoparticles loaded on the surface of alloy nanorings were found to be decreased, and their morphology was transformed from rod to particle, remaining the ring‐like assemblies. Their saturation magnetization increased due to the ring‐like assemblies, resulting in the enhancement of the signal intensity in Spin–spin relaxation time (T2) weighted magnetic resonance imaging measurement. These alloy–Au hybrid nanocomposites can perform as multimodal imaging contrast agents for cancer cell diagnosis by two‐photon fluorescent imaging and T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, their potential application for photothermal therapy was preliminarily investigated.
Syntheses and Properties of Micro/Nanostructured Crystallites with High‐Energy Surfaces
Authors: Jiang Zhi‐Yuan , Kuang Qin , Xie Zhao‐Xiong , Zheng Lan‐Sun 
Published: October 2010

AbstractRecently, special attention has been paid to the syntheses of micro/nanostructured crystallites with high‐energy crystal facets, because high‐energy crystal surfaces usually exhibit fascinating surface‐enhanced properties and have promising applications in catalysis, photoelectrical devices, and energy conversion, etc. With particular emphasis on the results obtained by the authors’ research group, this feature article gives a brief review of recent progress in the field of surface/morphology controlled syntheses, focusing on high‐energy crystal surfaces of five kinds of inorganic functional material, with the wurtzite, rocksalt, anatase, rutile, and face‐centered cubic structures, respectively. Combined with the theoretical and experimental research results as well as crystal structure models, the intrinsic causes for surface‐dependent chemical/physical properties of those materials with high‐energy surfaces are further discussed.
Highly Active Water‐Soluble and Recyclable Organocatalyst for the Asymmetric 1,4‐Conjugate Addition of Nitroalkanes to α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes
Authors: Ghosh Subrata K. , Zheng Zilong , Ni Bukuo 
Published: October 2010

AbstractA novel strategy for the catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes in aqueous media has been developed by using diarylprolinol silyl ether in combination with benzoic acid as a water‐soluble organocatalyst providing the desired adducts in good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). This catalyst can be recycled at least five times with only a slight reduction in activity and selectivity. In addition, the synthetic procedure presented is simple, practical and environmentally benign.
Graphical design and analysis of thermally coupled sidestream columns using column profile maps and temperature collocation
Authors: Beneke Daniel A. , Linninger Andreas A. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractA systematical procedure is presented to design thermally coupled sidestream units like side rectifiers and side strippers are presented in this article. The method combines the column profile map technique to assess topological characteristics of the specific configuration with temperature collocation to rigorously ensure a realizable column design, without making assumptions with regard to the phase equilibrium or product specifications. The proposed methodology offers a unique graphical insight into the challenging problem of thermally coupled column synthesis. Techniques are presented for highlighting superior designs or eliminating inferior ones, based on vapor flow rate, number of stages, and thermodynamic efficiency. Design parameters such as the feed and side‐draw trays that may require insight or experience are products of the procedure. Design solutions obtained using this methodology can be used to initialize the state of the art process flow sheeting tool, AspenPlus™, which typically leads to fast convergence to the desired product purities without further adjustments. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Modeling of two‐phase polymerization of acrylamide in aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) solution
Authors: Lü Ting , Shan Guorong 
Published: October 2010

AbstractTwo‐phase polymerization of acrylamide (AM) has been successfully carried out in aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) solution with 2,2′‐azobis[2‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl)propane] dihydrochloride (AIBI) as the initiator. A new heterogeneous kinetic model has been developed based on the partitioning of components between the two phases. It was found that polymerization proceeded in both the continuous and dispersed phases, even though the latter was the dominating polymerization locus. Besides the initiator, monomer concentration, and polymerization temperature, the PEG concentration also significantly influences the polymerization rate. With increasing concentration of PEG, gel effects in the aqueous PAM droplets were enhanced and more monomer preferred to polymerize inside the droplets, hence, the polymerization kinetics accelerated. The proposed model can successfully predict the composition of each phase and the polymerization kinetics during the aqueous two‐phase polymerization over a wide range of various reactions conditions. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011