Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Capital Structure on the Performance of Deposit Money Banks

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of capital structure onthe financial performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. Secondary data was obtained from the financial statements of Deposit Money Banks listed in the Nigerian Stock Exchange.Four banks were selected as samples and data from their financial statements for a period of 10 years (2006-2015). The study has employed the use of Pearson correlation coefficient and GLS regression model to analyze the effect of capital structure on the performance of some selected. The performance variables used in the study were, Return on Asset (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE) and Return on Capital Employed (ROCE). Findings from the study showed that capital structure has an effect on the financial performance of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria.Based on the results, the study recommends thatdeposit money banks in Nigeria should employ an appropriate mix of debt and equity capital and strike a balance between their choice of capital structure and its effect on their performance, as this will affect the shareholders risk returns and the cost of capital. Furthermore, the banks should increase their assets as this will help them to be more positioned for better performance and the government should improve liquidity in the Nigerian Financial Market to enable deposit money banks raise long term debt and reduce over dependency on short term debt.
Suppression of tunneling leakage current in junctionless nanowire transistors

In this paper, the characteristics of tunneling leakage current for the dual-material gate junctionless nanowire transistor (DMG-JNT) are investigated by three-dimensional numerical simulations and compared with conventional junctionless nanowire transistor (JNT). The suppression of the tunneling leakage current on the JNT by introducing an energy band step with the DMG structure is verified and presented for the first time. The effects of channel length on the DMG-JNT and the JNT are also studied. Results showed that the tunneling leakage current of the DMG-JNT is two orders smaller than that of the JNT, and further, the DMG-JNT exhibits superior scaling capability. Two key design parameters of the DMG-JNT, control gate ratio (Ra) and work function difference (δW), have been optimized and the optimal ranges of Ra and δW are pointed out.
Bioinspired adhesion systems ‐ competing with the gecko

Geckos can adhere to nearly every kind of surface, independent of its chemical properties or roughness. The adhesive force generated is high enough to support their own weight multiple times and allows the gecko to walk upside down. Their adhesion system is self‐cleaning, renewable (self healing), and can be removed from a surface without residues. It is these unique properties that have kindled steeply rising research interest over the last decade.
Alleviating Effect of Calcium on Nickel Toxicity in Rice

Urbanization and industrialization have resulted in contamination of soils with heavy metals and other pollutants. Nickel (Ni) is one of the toxic metals, which adversely affect plant growth by altering different physiological and metabolic processes. Mineral nutrients can reduce toxic effects of Ni on physiological and metabolic functions of plants, thus improving plant growth. The role of calcium (Ca) to alleviate Ni toxicity in rice was investigated. Rice plants were grown with Ni (20 and 40 mg kg−1) and Ca (80 and 160 mg kg−1) in different combinations and without Ni and Ca as a control. Nickel (40 mg kg−1) significantly decreased shoot (54%) and root dry weights (54%), chlorophyll content (57%), the photosynthetic rate (two-fold), transpiration rate (34%) and stomatal conductance (39%) compared to control. Application of Ni (40 mg kg−1) increased the Ni concentration in shoots 22-fold and in roots 11-fold compared to control. Application of Ca (160 mg kg−1) reduced the adverse effects of Ni and the studied parameters improved to the maximum values compared to control. Calcium decreased the translocation of Ni towards the shoots that was evident from a lower translocation factor (42%) for the plants supplied with Ca compared to those grown without Ca (62%). The phytotoxicity induced by Ni on different growth and physiological parameters was alleviated by Ca as indicated by the minimum values of the phytotoxicity index for Ca fed plants (0) compared to those without Ca (2.6).
Characterization of Porous Media by the Kinetics of Liquid Penetration: The Vertical Capillaries Model☆

The characterization of porous media by measuring and analyzing the kinetics of vertical capillary penetration is demonstrated. The advantage of vertical over horizontal penetration experiments lies in the possibility of independently characterizing the equivalent pore radius and contact angle. Methods for analyzing the experimental data are discussed in terms of two models: a modified presentation of the well-known equation for penetration into a single vertical cylindrical capillary, and a simple new model for penetration into an assembly of vertical cylindrical capillaries with a radius distribution. It is shown that presenting the data in the form of the cube of the height of rise over time vs time is useful for deciding which model is more suitable and for elucidating the equivalent radii and contact angle. The present approach is demonstrated by discussing two experimental examples: capillary rise in filter paper and in sand. The former is well described by the single capillary model, while the latter requires the capillary assembly model. A striking common result of the analysis of the two cases is that the equivalent contact angle comes out to be very far from zero, although the intrinsic contact angle may be expected to be close to zero.
Enzymatically degradable oxidized dextran–chitosan hydrogels with an anisotropic aligned porous structure

Enzyme-degradable hydrogels with aligned pores were prepared via unidirectional freezing of a mixed solution of oxidized dextran (oxDex) and chitosan (CHI) followed by cryo-gelation. At the frozen state, imine bonds as the crosslinking points of the hydrogels were formed as a result of the reaction between the aldehyde groups on the oxDex and the amino groups on the CHI. The morphologies of the obtained hydrogels were studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Microtubular pores aligned along the freezing direction were obtained in the swollen state of the hydrogels. The pore size was adjustable ranging from 20 to 100 μm by controlling the freezing temperature in the unidirectional freezing step. Upon exposure of the hydrogels to chitosanase solution, chitosan can be hydrolyzed into short oligosaccharide fragments leading to collapse and degradation of the gel network. The degradation rate can be tuned by adjusting the gel composition and enzyme concentration.
Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zur präparativen Gewinnung einer Granafraktion aus isolierten Chloroplasten

Es wird eine präparative Methode zur Gewinnung von Grana im Sinne von HEITZ1 (= Granafraktion) und von Granavesikeln2 nach MÜHLETHALER 3 ( = Granavesikel-Fraktion) beschrieben. Dabei werden Fraktionen isolierter Chloroplasten durch eine kurzfristige Behandlung mit Digitoninlösungen fragmentiert und die anfallenden Granastapel bzw. Granavesikeln durch entsprechende Zentrifugations-Schritte im Sediment angereichert. Die elektronenmikroskopische Kontrolle der Fraktionen zeigt die Brauchbarkeit und Grenzen der Methode.
Interrogador espectral portátil para sensores de redes de Bragg

The field of optical sensors and in particular Bragg networks are becoming increasingly popular and mature inside and outside lab’s applications. A major challenge for this type of application is to integrate the sensor into the industrial application. Based on these challenges, this paper sets out to create a portable temperature and strain sensing case in application of FBG’s. As microcontroller for this system will be used RasberyPI, as microprocessor the Photon from Particle and as interrogator IMON 512. Initially, this interrogator was designed for laboratory applications in Windows systems with x64 architecture. Drives were then adapted for signal acquisition in Linux ARM architect. Thus, in this work will be established all the necessary components for the acquisition and processing of signals. Hardware and secondary components will also be assembled to achieve the proposed objectives. Finally, the possibilities of architectures execution and the potential commercial tools for each interrogation technology will be compared.
Towards the development of molecular markers for apple volatiles

Improving the flavor quality of apple varieties is an important but complex breeding goal. Flavor is among the key factors in apple fruit quality but in spite of the analytical and biochemical knowledge about volatiles little is known about the genetic and molecular basis of apple aroma. The aim of this chapter is to give an overview of the complex analytical investigations on metabolite patterns, QTL mapping, and development of a first functional marker for acetate esters (alcohol acyl-transferase, MdAAT1).
Bionic synthesis of ZnS∶Mn nanocrystals and their optical properties

Transparent ZnS∶Mn(II) nanocrystal solution was obtained by the reaction of Na2S with a histidine-coordinated Zn2+ and Mn2+ solution with a sulfide/(Zn + Mn) ratio of 1.0 under stirring at room temperature. Nanocrystals of 8.3 nm in size were precipitated by addition of ethanol. The optical properties and structural characteristics of the nanocrystals are reported.
Configurational temperature thermostat for fluids undergoing shear flow: application to liquid chlorine

Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations play a major role in characterizing the rheological properties of fluids undergoing shear flow. However, all previous studies of flows in molecular fluids either use an ‘atomic’ thermostat which makes incorrect assumptions concerning the streaming velocity of atoms within their constituent molecules, or they employ a centre of mass kinetic (COM) thermostat which only controls the temperature of relatively few degrees of freedom (3) in complex high molecular weight compounds. In the present paper we show how recently developed configurational expressions for the thermodynamic temperature can be used to develop thermostatting mechanisms which avoid both of these problems. In this work, we propose a thermostat based on a configurational expression for the temperature and apply it to NEMD simulations of chlorine undergoing Couette flow. The results so obtained are compared with those obtained using a COM kinetic thermostat. At equilibrium the properties of systems thermostatted in the two different ways are of course equivalent. We show that the two responses only differ far from equilibrium. In particular, we show that the formation of a string phase for extremely high shear rates is an artefact of the COM thermostat. At the largest shear rates studied with the configurational thermostat, no string phase is observed.
Preparation and Characterization of Water-Soluble CdSe/CdS Core/Shell Quantum Dots

Cadmium Selenide/Cadmium Sulfide (CdSe/CdS) core/shell quantum dots (QDs) in aqueous solution were prepared by solve-separate method using CdSe as core and mercapto-acetate acid as stabilizer and surfactants. The results of experiments indicate that the size of the CdSe/CdS QDs was about 5nm estimated by FE-TEM, which is accordant with that calculated from the XRD data by the Scherer equation after emendation. The QDs belong to the cubic structure (zinc blende) by XRD analysis. The intensity of luminescence of the quantum dots was greatly improved after the surface was coated with CdS shell. With increasing the time of refluence, the intensity of photoluminescence was promoted correspondingly. The excitation wavelength was 350nm, two emission peaks were clearly observed, the first high-energy peak was at 600nm and the second one located in 700nm. The first high-energy band was attributed to electron–hole recombination after relaxation and the second energy band was to deep traps in quantum-confined systems.
Measuring elastic properties of a protein monolayer at water surface by lateral compression

A protein monolayer grown at a water surface decorated with a mild coverage of surfactants, was compressed laterally followed by decompression in a cycle. The surface tension and the thickness of the layer was monitored by using Wilhelmy plate and grazing incidence off-specular X-ray scattering techniques (GIXOS). Under in-plane isothermal compression the thickness of the layer expands. There were two different regimes of expansion- at first it occurs due the conformational changes of proteins under pressure and then buckling of layer into folded layers beyond a critical pressure. On removal of the pressure the layer returns to the original thickness and texture as observed by GIXOS and Brewster Angle Microscope (BAM). To determine elastic constants—Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio—the layer was modeled as a homogeneous and isotropic elastic body. The Young's modulus was found to be of the order of 10 MPa which we account for the elasticity of secondary structures such as α-helix and β-sheets of the protein. The conformational changes are associated with the modification of tertiary structure through the bending and twisting of secondary structures.
SURVEY OF ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS IN KALRAYAN HILLS, EASTERN GHATS, VILLUPURAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

The present survey deals with the indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants found in Kalrayan hills, Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. A maximum of 60 ethnomedicinally important plants belonging to 36 different families were collected, herborized and identified. Ethnobotanical information included the local name of the particular plant, parts utilized, medicinal uses and methods of preparation and administration. Among the various plant parts, leaves (32%) were found to be highly used for medicinal preparation. Medicines were prepared in the form of paste, powder, decoction, juice, infusion and also in crude form, with other additives like honey, curd, and urine and cow milk to get relief from different ailments like diabetes, inflammations, wounds, skin diseases, headache, indigestion, urinary infections, fever, snake bites, cough, and dental problems. This study therefore concludes that suitable requirements are needed in order to protect the traditional knowledge in a particular area with reference to medicinal plant utilization. The…
Characteristics of Polymeric Dental Restorative Composites Fabricated from Bis-GMA Derivatives Having Low Viscosity

In the polymeric dental restorative composites, the resin matrix mainly contains 70 wt% 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxy propoxy) phenyl] propane (Bis-GMA), as a base resin and 30 wt% triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) as a diluent. Even though the viscosity of the resin matrix is rapidly decreased by adding TEGDMA, addition of TEGDMA to the Bis-GMA results in reduction in the mechanical properties and increase in the curing shrinkage of the dental composite. In order to fabricate dental composite exhibiting excellent properties by reducing TEGDMA content in the resin matrix, in this study, Bis-GMA derivatives, which do not contain hydroxyl groups, were used instead of Bis-GMA. The curing characteristics of Bis-GMA derivatives were similar with those of Bis-GMA, while the former exhibited lower viscosity and water absorption than the latter. Comparing the curing shrinkage of the dental composite containing Bis-GMA derivative with that prepared from Bis-GMA, the reduction in curing shrinkage was about 25%. Dental composites prepared from new resin matrices also exhibited low water uptake and better properties in mechanical strength.
Acid and aluminium modification of sepiolite and its application in FCC catalysis

Abstract The effects of acid and Al concentration, type of Al salt, treatment temperature and time of removal of Mg from sepiolite have been investigated, as has the use of modified sepiolite as an active fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) matrix. The samples were characterized by N2 adsorption and X-ray diffraction. Mg removal from sepiolite increased with increasing acid and Al ion concentration, treatment time and temperature. The temperature had the greatest impact on Mg removal. After acid and Al modification, 29% of the Mg was removed. When using the modified sepiolites as active matrices in FCC catalysts, the specific surface area, pore volume and mesoporous pore volume of the catalysts increased and they exhibited excellent performance in resisting the effects of heavy-metals as a result of the introduction of Mg oxide from the modified sepiolite.
Mesoporous Alumina-Supported Amines as Potential Steam-Stable Adsorbents for Capturing CO2 from Simulated Flue Gas and Ambient Air

Carbon management by a means of CO2 capture from large stationary sources such as coal-fired power plants or from ambient air is a significant global issue. In the context of steam-stripping as a regeneration process for solid CO2 adsorbents, new adsorbent materials robust enough for direct contact with low temperature steam are needed. Here, mesoporous γ-alumina-supported poly(ethyleneimine) composite materials are prepared and evaluated as effective CO2 adsorbents, using dilute CO2 streams such as simulated flue gas (10% CO2) and ultradilute streams such as simulated ambient air (400 ppm CO2). In comparison to the silica-supported amine adsorbents typically utilized for CO2 capture applications, the alumina-supported amine adsorbents give better performance in terms of both capture capacity and amine efficiency, in particular, at ambient air conditions. In addition, the alumina-supported amines are stable over short multicycle temperature swing tests and, more importantly, appear to be more robust than .
Nitrogen doped n-type amorphous carbon films obtained by pulsed laser deposition with a natural camphor source target for solar cell applications

Nitrogen doped n-type amorphous carbon (n-C:N) films are deposited by a pulsed laser deposition technique at room temperature using a camphoric carbon target with different nitrogen partial pressures (NP) in the range from 0.1 to 800 mTorr. The room temperature conductivity (σRT) is found to increase with N incorporation perhaps due to increasing density of trihedral (sp2) hybridization of electronic states, for NP increasing from 1 to 30 mTorr, as shown by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and optical data relevant to band tails. Study of the activation energy reveals that the Fermi level of the n-C:N film moves from the valence band to near the conduction band edge through the mid-gap. The current–voltage photovoltaic characteristics of n-C:N/p-Si cells under 1 sun air-mass 1.5 (AM 1.5) illumination conditions (100 mW cm−2, 25 °C) are improved up to 30 mTorr and deteriorate subsequently. The maximum open circuit voltage (Voc) and short circuit current density (Jsc) for the cells are observed to be approximately 292 mV and 9.02 mA cm−2, respectively. The highest energy conversion efficiency (η) and fill factor (FF) were found to be approximately 1.47% and 56%, respectively.
Ternary nucleation of inorganic acids, ammonia, and water

Homogeneous ternary nucleation rates of water, ammonia (NH3), and inorganic acids are calculated from classical nucleation theory at various combinations of temperature and ambient vapor concentrations. Mixtures with sulfuric acid (H2SO4), nitric acid (HNO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and methane sulfonic acid (CH3SO3H or MSA) are considered. The results are compared to assess the relative importance of different nucleation routes. Vapors with an acid and an alkaline (ammonia) component are shown to nucleate more readily than vapors having two acid species. Much lower concentrations of H2SO4 than HNO3 or HCl are required to reach the same nucleation rate at similar vapor concentrations of H2O and NH3. Nucleation rates in H2O–H2SO4–HNO3 and H2O–H2SO4–MSA vapors are close to the limit of H2O–H2SO4 nucleation, even at high concentrations of MSA and HNO3. The results suggest that H2O–H2SO4–NH3 nucleation is the foremost ternary nucleation route in the atmosphere.
Surface rheological properties of native and S-ovalbumin are correlated with the development of an intermolecular β-sheet network at the air-water interface

Polarization-modulated infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), ellipsometry, and shear elastic constant measurements were used to study the adsorption and the behavior of ovalbumin and S-ovalbumin at the air-water interface at different values of the subphase pH. Native and S-ovalbumin exhibited similar behaviors, with a maximum plateau value of the shear elastic constant near the isoelectric pH of the protein. However, higher surface concentration values were reached with S-ovalbumin in low net charge conditions, which suggest adsorption of aggregates or multilayer adsorption. For both proteins, the statistical analysis of PM-IRRAS spectra demonstrated that the aging of the interfacial film and the increase of the shear elastic constant were correlated with a significant increase in the relative contribution of intermolecular β-sheets in the amide I band with time. This increase was significantly faster at low pH values. At the same pH value and age of the interface, the relative contribution of intermolecular β-sheets was significantly higher for S-ovalbumin.
Experimentelle Bestimmung und numerische Simulation von Viskositäten in Schlackesystemen unter Vergasungsbedingungen

Silica melts are reflected in many different industrial and natural processes such as slags in steel production and gasification of coal, glass in the glass making industry, lava in the volcanology and in lots of other fields. Rheological properties like the viscosity of this silica melts are really important in all of these processes. A general and good working viscosity model would help all scientists and engineers, who have to simulate and optimise these processes. First, it is important to have the possibility to measure viscosities of slags. As part of this PhD thesis a new high-temperature high-pressure rotational viscosimeter is developed for measurements up to ≥1600 °C and 20 bar. Particularly in relation to the coal gasification process this two parameters are really important, because coal gasification occurs under high temperatures and high pressures. With this new viscosimeter it is possible to measure slag viscosities under realistic gasification conditions. To show that the new viscosimeter works quite good viscosity measurements of four real slags have been done. The influence of pressure and atmosphere on viscosity have been examined. The measurements are also compared with different viscosity models. The Arrheniusand Weymann-Equation have been determined and the correlation between viscosity and basicity of the slag has been evaluated. In the second part of the Phd thesis a new viscosity model is developed. The model is based on the structure inside the slag and consists in existing thermodynamic models. After a detailed literature research the model is developed for the SiO2-Al2O3-Na2O-K2O system. The quality of this new model is estimated by comparing calculated viscosity values with measurements found during the literature research. The new model is also compared with other existing models for viscosity calculation.