Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Controlling the Topography and Surface Plasmon Resonance of Gold Nanoshells by a Templated Surfactant-Assisted Seed Growth Method

Gold nanoshells with varying surface topographies and tunable SPR bands were synthesized in high yields by the templated surfactant-assisted seed growth method. By changing the types and amounts of surfactants and ionic additives in the growth solution, the nanoshell topography was controlled from smooth shells to highly structured nanoshells composed of spherical nanoparticles or sharp spikes of varying aspect ratios. The SPR band of the nanoshells could be tuned over a wide range of wavelengths by varying the nanoshell topography, without significantly changing the amount of gold. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) modeling was used to predict and understand the optical properties of nanoshells composed of various subparticles, providing insight into the origins of the tunable SPR band.
Probing the Structure of Colloidal Core/Shell Quantum Dots Formed by Cation Exchange

Cation-exchange reactions have greatly expanded the types of nanoparticle compositions and structures that can be prepared. For instance, cation-exchange reactions can be utilized for preparation of core/shell quantum dots with improved (photo)stability and photoluminescence quantum yield. Understanding the structure of these nanomaterials is imperative for explaining their observed properties and for their further development. Core/shell quantum dots formed by cation exchange are particularly challenging to characterize because shell growth does not lead to an increase in overall particle size that can easily be characterized by standard transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Here, we report on the direct observation of the PbSe/CdSe core/shell structure (formed by cation exchange) using high-angle annular dark field (HAADF) imaging and energy-filtered TEM (EF-TEM). These results are further confirmed by energy-dependent X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) data that show increasing Pb/Cd signal with .
Determinants Variables for Women’s Participation in Non-Agricultural Livelihood Diversification Strategies in Ethiopia: A Logistic Regression Model Analysis

Women represent almost half of the world population; the same is true in rural Ethiopia. However, in many countries, gender-based stereotypes and discrimination deny rural women equitable access to and control over land, labor, asset and opportunities for employment and income-generating activities. Having this rationale, very little is known about the determinants of women’s participation in non-farm livelihood activities in the rural economy of Ethiopia. Hence, the general objective of this study was to examine the determinants of women’s participation in non-farm livelihood diversification strategies in Shebel Berenta Woreda, Amhara Region. Mixed research method with explanatory research design was employed for data collection and data analysis. The questionnaire survey was collected from 267 systematically selected women from randomly selected four rural kebeles in the study area. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the collected quantitative data. Binary logistic regression model was employed to identify the factors that determine women’s participation in NFA in the study area. The result of binary logistic regression model showed that women’s age, marital status, educational status, land size, credit, non-farm training, and having triple gender roles were the major determinants of women’s participation in NFA in the study area. In line with the problems identified, the local government should work on awareness creation and education, provision of support, built local infrastructure, provision of credit and training to increase their participation in non-farm livelihood diversification. Keywords: Determinants; Non-farm, livelihood diversification, Participation, Logistic DOI: 10.7176/JPID/58-04 Publication date: January 31 st 2021
“Good Governing Poverty Alleviation” through the PKH Policy - Independent Women's Groups in Poverty Reduction in Batu City (Study at Batu City Social Service)

Good Governing Poverty Alleviation is a poverty reduction program by implementing a model of Good Governance in this context in the Family Hope Program - Independent Women's Group involving actors in the state, society and private sector. Handling the poverty problem of the Batu City Government in accordance with the Good Governance model through a partnership pattern established with the private sector, KPM and Batu City Social Service is expected to be able to create independent women's groups that are able to try to develop their creativity to rise from poverty for themselves and their families . This research uses descriptive qualitative method with data collection techniques such as, observation, interviews and documentation and other data that supports this study both primary and secondary. Based on the results of the study of "Good Governing Poverty Alleviation" through PKH Policy - Independent Women's Groups in Poverty Alleviation in Batu City where there are several problem formulations namely Independent Women's Groups in Poverty Alleviation, Implementation and Dynamics of alleviation Good Governing Poverty through PKH Policy - KPM in Poverty Alleviation Women's Empowerment through Independent Women's Groups in Batu City. The results of this study, namely this policy has actually been well-integrated but in the implementation or implementation at the regional level in this case Batu City has not shown an integration model because there is something that has not been realized normative. What is intended is that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has not been regulated in this policy, there are dynamics such as the KPM human resource capacity that is still below the standard so that the policy implementation and private enthusiasm in implementing this policy very, empowering women through KPM is one of the efforts to improve the economy of KPM through a partnership scheme with entrepreneurs in Batu City.
Magnesium recovery from brines using exopolymeric substances of sulfate-reducing bacteria

AbstractMagnesium recovery from brines was studied ex situ under sulfate-reducing conditions and in the presence of active cells and exopolymeric substances (EPS) using an innovative experimental approach. EPS was extracted and a mixed sulfate-reducing inoculum was enriched from dolomitizing coastal microbial mats. The inoculum tested positive for the presence of the Desulfovibrio brasiliensis, the organism associated with biogenic dolomitization, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Cultures were incubated within dialysis tubes, together with TEM grids that provided an imaging-ready substratum for biofilm growth and mineral precipitation. The anaerobic incubations lasted 16 d under a continually increasing bulk solution magnesium ion concentration. The following reactor configurations were incubated: (A) bacteria-only, (B) bacteria + pre-extracted EPS, (C) pre-extracted EPS-only, and (D) control. The TEM grids were recovered for analysis using spot, line transect, and areal SEM–energy-dispersiv.
Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Investigation of Gold Nanoparticle Clustering and Ligand Structure Under Antisolvent Conditions

Solution-based nanoparticle synthesis offers many benefits, primarily control over nanoparticle size, shape, and surface chemistry, as appropriate for different applications. Often, excess stabilizing ligand or surfactant is required during synthesis and remains in solution. This can be deleterious to end applications, and thus postsynthesis purification must be employed. Ethanol is a common liquid antisolvent used to purify and size-selectively fractionate hydrophobically modified metallic nanoparticles dispersed in organic solvents, particularly toluene or hexane. We have employed small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to investigate the nanoparticle ligand response to antisolvent conditions for gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in toluene-d8 and n-hexane-d14 at varying ethanol-d6 antisolvent compositions. These conditions are common in postsynthesis nanoparticle purification, fractionation, and surface deposition. The ligand lengths and ligand solvation for octadecanethiol and dodecanethiol modified GNPs were f.
Implementation of Raman Signal Feedback to Perform Controlled Crystallization of Carvedilol

This study indicates that real-time Raman spectroscopy is more than just an effective tool for monitoring drug crystallizations. The results verify that fibre-optic-coupled Raman spectroscopy can be used not only for monitoring processes but also for ensuring the production of the desired polymorphs by continuous feedback of the polymorph signal in the course of crystallization procedures. Cooling crystallization of an active pharmaceutical ingredient was performed to test the feedback method, during which the kinetically preferred and desired Form II crystal structure was produced. If, however, a thermodynamically stable undesired polymorph is present as an impurity, it will influence the characteristics of the end product. The aim of the control, based on Raman-signal feedback, was to ensure that the quality of the drugs was maintained in crystallization processes, despite such disturbing influences. The feedback control was based on the development of communication between a Raman spectroscope and a pr.
Measuring Financial Health of Selected Cooperatives in an ASEAN Province Using Altman Model

The application of the Altman model concentrated mostly on investor-owned companies. Only rare studies apply this model among cooperatives, particularly in the Philippine setting. This paper attempts to address this gap by using this model in measuring the financial health of cooperatives in a Philippine province. This study employs the document analysis method as it uses the financial information from the published annual reports covering from 2011 to 2015. This study applies a two-stage sampling technique in choosing the representative cooperatives. Findings revealed that large cooperatives fell into the gray zone that poses potential risks of business failure as contributed by low liquidity, profitability, and solvency measures even though these cooperatives have relatively more assets and high membership levels than medium and small cooperatives. Medium and small cooperatives fell into a safe zone in which getting bankrupt is very unlikely to happen. Findings also showed that the size and age of cooperatives have a significant inverse relationship with their financial health. Further analysis revealed that closed-type, small cooperatives exhibited better performance compared to medium and large, open-type cooperatives, as shown in its high scores in liquidity and solvency factors. In summary, this model can be a tool for gauging the financial health of cooperatives.
Precise Synthesis of New Exactly Defined Graft Copolymers Made up of Poly(alkyl methacrylate)s by Iterative Methodology Using Living Anionic Polymerization

An iterative methodology using living anionic polymerization with a 1,1-diphenylethylene disubstituted with trimethylsilyl (TMS) and tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBS) ethers has been developed in order to synthesize new exactly defined graft copolymers made up of poly(alkyl methacrylate)s. During each reaction sequence, the TMS and TBS ethers were transformed into α-phenyl acrylate (PA) functions one by one at the different reaction stages. The first PA function derived from the TMS ether was utilized to introduce the graft chain, while the main chain with the TMS and TBS ethers was introduced via the second PA function derived from the TBS ether. Thus, the same chain-end functionalities (both TMS and TBS ethers) were reintroduced after construction of the graft unit. In practice, the reaction sequence involving “the introduction of the graft chain” and “the introduction of the main chain with the two silyl ethers” was iterated three times, leading to the synthesis of poly(benzyl methacrylate) (PBnMA)-exact g.
Enhancement of the Cyclability of a Si Anode through Co3O4 Coating by the Sol–Gel Method

A nano-Si/Co3O4 core–shell nanostructured material has been successfully prepared using the sol–gel method. The reaction mechanism between Li and the nano-Si/Co3O4 core–shell nanostructured electrode was investigated by ex situ analyses. Metallic Co, Li21Si8, and amorphous Li2O phases were formed when fully lithiated, and an amorphous Si, Co3O4, and Co phases were identified after charge, indicating that the Co3O4 was partially reversible. The nano-Si/Co3O4 core–shell nanostructured electrode showed excellent cyclability, with a reversible capacity of ca. 850 mAh/g over 100 cycles.
Magnus Expansion Approach to Parametric Oscillator Systems in a Thermal Bath

Abstract We develop a Magnus formalism for periodically driven systems which provides an expansion both in the driving term and in the inverse driving frequency, applicable to isolated and dissipative systems. We derive explicit formulas for a driving term with a cosine dependence on time, up to fourth order. We apply these to the steady state of a classical parametric oscillator coupled to a thermal bath, which we solve numerically for comparison. Beyond dynamical stabilisation at second order, we find that the higher orders further renormalise the oscillator frequency, and additionally create a weakly renormalised effective temperature. The renormalised oscillator frequency is quantitatively accurate almost up to the parametric instability, as we confirm numerically. Additionally, a cut-off dependent term is generated, which indicates the break down of the hierarchy of time scales of the system, as a precursor to the instability. Finally, we apply this formalism to a parametrically driven chain, as an example for the control of the dispersion of a many-body system.
Simultaneous, Stability Indicating Method Development and Validation for Related Compounds of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol Tablets by RP-HPLC Method

A simple, precise, accurate, simultaneous and stability-indicating RPLC method developed with an effective resolution for active pharmaceutical ingredients and marketed drug products. This method effectively separate all the related substances of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol along with impurities. This method is using in the estimation assay of Ibuprofen and paracetamol in drug substance also. The method was developed using RP18 Embedded polar phase column. A mobile phase used in this method was a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1% v/v orthophosphoric acid in 55:45 v/v ratio. At 230 nm compounds will eluted and monitored. Ibuprofen and Paracetamol was subjected to the stress conditions of acid, base, oxidative, thermal and photolytic degradation. The degradation products were well resolved from main peak and its impurities, proving the stability-indicating ability of the method. The developed method was validated as per USP and International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The current method has proven good linearity and accuracy over the range of all known impurities from LOQ to 150% of the target concentration. The degree of reproducibility as results obtained by deliberate changes in the method parameter and variety of condition has proven the method is robust and rugged.
Study of Analytical Method for Organic acids in Yellow Rice Wines by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Using high performance liquid chromatography,On Shaoxing rice wine in 7 kinds of organic acid(oxalic acid,tartaric acid,malic acid,lactic acid,acetic acid,L-,citric acid,succinic acid) content were determined,And with the national standard method of determination results.The results showed: the different varieties of rice wine,kinds and contents of organic acids have distinction,Shaoxing wine lactic acid content was the highest.Compared with the national standard methods,chromatography determination result is high,this complex is related to the composition of yellow rice wine.
Pairwise Justifiable Changes in Collective Choices

Consider the following principle regarding the performance of collective choice rules. "If a rule selects alternative x in situation 1, and alternative y in situation 2, there must be an alternative z, and some member of society whose appreciation of z relative to x has increased when going from situation 1 to situation 2. " This principle requires a minimal justification for the fall of x in the consideration of society: someone must have decreased its appreciation relative to some other possible alternative. We study the consequences of imposing this requirement of pairwise justifiability on a large class of collective choice rules that includes social choice and social welfare functions as particular cases. <br><br>When preference profiles are unrestricted, it implies dictatorship, and both Arrow's and the Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorems become corollaries of our general result. On appropriately restricted domains, pairwise justifiability, along with anonymity and neutrality, characterize Condorcet consistent rules, thus providing a foundation for the choice of the alternatives that win by majority over all others in pairwise comparisons, when they exist.
Board Financial Expertise and IPO Performance: An Analysis of U.S. Public Offerings and Withdrawals

Potential investors examine governance characteristics prior to an initial public offering (IPO) to assess the quality and prospects of the issuing firm. One important governance characteristic is board financial expertise, as it provides directors with the relevant knowledge for an IPO process and is valuable for the board’s monitoring duties. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether and how board financial expertise affects IPO outcomes. To do so, I employ a sample of 414 completed and 85 withdrawn IPOs that were filed from 2014–2017 at NYSE or NASDAQ. I document that the ratio of directors with financial expertise on the board is negatively associated with the level of underpricing and the probability of IPO withdrawal. The results suggest that particularly outside directors with financial expertise have a positive signaling effect and help to reduce information asymmetry around initial public offerings. Above that, using quantile regression, I find that director financial expertise is most valuable for issuances with high levels of investor uncertainty. Therefore, this study makes important contributions to the corporate governance and IPO literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of the effects of board financial expertise on IPO outcomes.
Highly efficient regio and diastereoselective synthesis of functionalized bis-spirooxindoles and their antibacterial properties

A simple, efficient, regioselective and diastereoselective method has been developed for the synthesis of diversely functionalized spirooxindole-pyrrolidines using 0.5 mol% of ceric ammonium nitrate in aqueous medium. All the new compounds are tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity. All the synthesized products have shown good antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus (Gram-positive organisms), Salmonella paratyphi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi (Gram-negative organism).
Biogenic nitrogen oxide emissions from soils – impact on NO x and ozone over West Africa during AMMA (African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Experiment): modelling study

Nitrogen oxide biogenic emissions from soils are driven by soil and environmental parameters. The relationship between these parameters and NO fluxes is highly non linear. A new algorithm, based on a neural network calculation, is used to reproduce the NO biogenic emissions linked to precipitations in the Sahel on the 6 August 2006 during the AMMA campaign. This algorithm has been coupled in the surface scheme of a coupled chemistry dynamics model (MesoNH Chemistry) to estimate the impact of the NO emissions on NOx and O3 formation in the lower troposphere for this particular episode. Four different simulations on the same domain and at the same period are compared: one with anthropogenic emissions only, one with soil NO emissions from a static inventory, at low time and space resolution, one with NO emissions from neural network, and one with NO from neural network plus lightning NOx. The influence of NOx from lightning is limited to the upper troposphere. The NO emission from soils calculated with neural network responds to changes in soil moisture giving enhanced emissions over the wetted soil, as observed by aircraft measurements after the passing of a convective system. The subsequent enhancement of NOx and ozone is limited to the lowest layers of the atmosphere in modelling, whereas measurements show higher concentrations above 1000 m. The neural network algorithm, applied in the Sahel region for one particular day of the wet season, allows an immediate response of fluxes to environmental parameters, unlike static emission inventories. Stewart et al (2008) is a companion paper to this one which looks at NOx and ozone concentrations in the boundary layer as measured on a research aircraft, examines how they vary with respect to the soil moisture, as indicated by surface temperature anomalies, and deduces NOx fluxes. In this current paper the model-derived results are compared to the observations and calculated fluxes presented by Stewart et al (2008).
Insight into the oxygen reduction reaction on the LSM|GDC interface of solid oxide fuel cells through impedance spectroscopy analysis

Doped ceria is commonly used to promote the performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with a lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) cathode, but the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity on the interface between LSM and doped ceria is not conclusive due to the complexity of the cathode and problematic analysis of the impedance spectra. Here, to elucidate the role of the LSM|GDC interface in the ORR, we constructed a simple LSM|GDC interface and analyzed the impedance data using a method based on the calculation of the distribution function of relaxation times (DRT). DRT analysis demonstrates that the ORR on the LSM|GDC interface possesses similar activation energies for oxygen dissociation and the subsequent oxygen atom reduction but involves an easier oxygen incorporation process in comparison with the LSM|YSZ interface. Addition of the GDC interlayer causes a decrease in cell performance because poor LSM|GDC interfaces lead to depressed dominant electrode processes of oxygen dissociation and the subsequent oxygen atom reduction. These results provide useful insight into the ORR on the LSM|GDC interface, favoring the design of a high-performance doped ceria-enhanced LSM cathode.
Preparation and Characterization of Cross-Linked Poly(butylene succinate) by Multifunctional Toluene Diisocyanate–Trimethylolpropane Polyurethane Prepolymer

Cross-linked poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) was prepared by the reactions of the end hydroxyl groups of PBS with toluene diisocyanate and trimethylolpropane (TDI–TMP) polyurethane prepolymer at the processing temperature. The effects of varied TDI–TMP prepolymers on properties such as mechanical properties, thermal properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and crystal morphology were investigated. The results indicated that TDI–TMP prepolymer could cross-link PBS with high efficiency. The gel fraction of the cross-linked PBS increased with the content of TDI–TMP prepolymer, and the melt flow index of PBS decreased. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that the crystallization temperature and glass transition temperature increased with the content of the TDI–TMP prepolymer, while the melting points and degree of relative crystallinity decreased. The cross-linked PBS also showed improved tensile properties, impact properties, thermal stability, and dynamic mechanical p.