Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financing Decision of High-tech SMEs in Korea: A Revisitation to Pecking Order Theory

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to revisit the pecking order theory, one of the major theories in explaining financing decision of a firm in terms of high-tech SMEs. In particular, based on the theory of the financial growth cycle, which extended the theory, I aim to confirm how characteristics of a firm change the prediction of the theory. To this end, I modelled simultaneous decision-making on internal financing, external debt and external equity financing that existing studies did not reflect by suitable data and method. According to the results, only the size is relevant for the prediction of pecking order theory, but R&D expenditures and intangible assets ratio which are main characteristics of high-tech SMEs are not consistent with the prediction. As a policy suggestion, since the unique characteristics of high-tech SMEs make external equity financing preferred the most and it has a smaller decreasing marginal utility for business than other financial instruments, it is needed to foster access to external equity financing.
Posterior Border Distance: An Effective Diagnostic Measurement for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasonography

Purpose The purpose of this study was to define posterior border distance (PBD), which represents an ultrasonographic diagnosing method of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and to determine the reliability of PBD in comparison with electromyography (EMG) results. Methods Thirty-three patients (mean age: 51.8 ± 9.5 years; 27 females and six males) with CTS were included in this study. Ultrasonography (US) and EMG were performed under blinded conditions. PBD was evaluated by measuring the length of the perpendicular line between the posterior border of the median nerve and the line between the hook of the hamate and trapezoid tubercle. The cross-sectional area, anteroposterior (AP), and transverse diameter of the median nerve were measured. Control US was performed in 20 patients who were available at the first year postoperative follow-up and the results compared with preoperative US values. Correlation analyzes were performed to determine the relationship between electrodiagnostic results and ultrasonographic measurements. Results According to the results of preoperative and postoperative first-year US, there were statistically significant differences in the results of PBD (preoperative: 3.309±1.7472 mm, postoperative: 2.290±0.7867 mm p: 0.013) and AP diameter of the median nerve (preoperative: 3.012±0.7865 mm, postoperative: 2.680±0,5578 mm p: 0.017). There was no statistically significant difference in transverse diameter (preoperative: 6.585±1.9505 mm, postoperative: 6.955±2.2128 mm) and cross-sectional area (preoperative: 14.33±6.513 mm2, postoperative: 11.20±5.830 mm2) results (p>0.05). The cut-off value of PBD was ≥3.6 mm, it yielded 81.48% specificity and 83.33% sensitivity in the diagnosis of CTS. PBD was correlated with motor and sensory latency, anteromedial, and transverse diameter of the median nerve (p<0.05). There was no correlation between EMG values and the results of the cross-sectional area, transverse diameter, and AP diameter of the median nerve (p>0.05). Conclusion PBD is suggested as a reliable ultrasonographic measurement method for the diagnosis of CTS.
Dynamic Volatility Spillover Among Chinese Black Series Futures Under Structural Breaks

This paper explores the dynamic volatility spillovers among five major futures in China, including rebar, hot rolled coils, iron ore, cooking coal and coke. We employ Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) GARCH model to examine the volatility spillover effects among the markets with considering of structural breaks in variance. What’s more, in this study we use modified Iterated Cumulative Sum of Squares (ICSS) algorithm to detect the structural breaks. The empirical results show there are strong correlations across black series futures market. Especially, the relation between rebar and hot rolled coils, coke and cooking coal are more closely than other pairs. This research provides the insight to the information transmission in black series futures market which are meaningful to market participants make hedging and trading strategies.
Driving environment assessment and decision making for cooperative lane change system of autonomous vehicles

In this paper, we propose a lane change decision scheme using only commercial, automotive radar sensors with “DRiving Environment Assessment and decision Making (DREAM) index. ” First, the index associated with a risk situation is assessed by the concept of a dynamic occupancy grid zone. The predefined distance of the local area was set to conform to the international standard of a steering function. Also, the risk assessment was predictively conducted using modeling of the relative motion with a target vehicle. Second, the index associated with a cooperative driving concept of the surrounding vehicles is proposed. To estimate the relative acceleration which is not directly measured by radar, we designed a discrete‐time state estimator. We executed scenario‐based experiments with test vehicles in a high‐speed circuit to validate the decision scheme. Through the experiments, we observed that the DREAM index could make effective decisions, and the lane change maneuverings were performed successfully in real‐world tests.
The da1 mutation in wheat increases grain size under ambient and elevated CO2 but not grain yield due to trade‐off between grain size and grain number

Why this research Matters Grain size is potentially yield determining in wheat, controlled by the ubiquitin pathway and negatively regulated by ubiquitin receptor DA1. We analyzed whether increased thousand grain weight in wheat da1 mutant is translated into higher grain yield and whether additional carbon provided by elevated (e)CO2 can be better used by the da1, displaying higher grain sink strength and size. Yield‐related, biomass, grain quality traits, and grain dimensions were analyzed by two‐factorial mixed‐model analysis, regarding genotype and eCO2. da1 increased grain size but reduced spikes and grains per plant, grains per spike, and spikelets per spike, independent of eCO2 treatment, leaving total grain yield unchanged. eCO2 increased yield and grain number additively and independently of da1 but did not overcome the trade‐off between grain size and number observed for da1. eCO2 but not da1 impaired grain quality, strongly decreasing concentrations of several macroelement and microelement. In conclusion, intrinsic stimulation of grain sink strength and grain size, achieved by da1, is not benefitting total yield unless trade‐offs between grain size and numbers can be overcome. The results reveal interactions of yield components in da1‐wheat under ambient and eCO2, thereby uncovering limitations enhancing wheat yield potential.
Analysing the effect of membership and perceived trust on sport events electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) intention

ABSTRACT The main scope of this paper examines the relationship among perceived trust, membership and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) intention. A structured questionnaire based on a nonprobability purposive sample resulted in 413 responses, from which a structural equation model was developed. The results demonstrate that perceived trust significantly influences membership among a virtual group, and membership subsequently affects eWOM. From a sample drawn among international participants of a sporting event in Taiwan, results demonstrate the positive relationship and importance of perceived trust in creating a sense of membership among athletes.
Habitat Use and Activity Patterns of a Terrestrial Turtle (Rhinoclemmys rubida perixantha) in a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest

Abstract We report the results of a field study on Mexican Spotted Wood Turtles (Rhinoclemmys rubida perixantha) in a seasonally dry tropical forest of coastal Jalisco, Mexico. We used field surveys, trail spools, and radio telemetry to investigate activity patterns, estimate home range size with three different techniques, and develop a generalized linear model to identify features associated with habitats used by R. r. perixantha. We found that turtles were most frequently active at midday, with peak activity occurring from 0900 to 1500 h. During the dry season (January–mid-June), R. r. perixantha showed reduced activity (fewer movements and shorter travel distances) compared to the wet season (late June–September). Home range size did not differ among the three methods we compared, and all estimates revealed that R. r. perixantha have small home ranges, with males having larger home ranges than females. Sites used by turtles were positively associated with leaf litter and woody debris, herbaceous plants, vegetation, vine-like shrubs, and sloped terrain, and negatively associated with bare ground. Our findings can be used to strengthen future conservation efforts for R. r. perixantha, as well as other terrestrial geoemydids.
Anticancer Effect of Essential Oil of Seed of Ferula Assa-foetida on Adenocarcinoma Gastric Cell Line

Copyright © 2020 Phcog.Net. This is an openaccess article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Cite this article: Bagheri SM, Shahmammadi A. Anticancer Effect of Essential Oil of Seed of Ferula Assa-foetida on Adenocarcinoma Gastric Cell Line. Int J Clin Exp Physiol. 2020;7(3):96-9. ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-associated mortality in men and the incidence is also on the rise in the entire world. The present study was aimed to investigate the chemical composition of essential oil of the seed of Ferula assafoetida (EOSF) and anticancer activity of the oil on adenocarcinoma gastric (AGS) cell line. Methods: For evaluation of the cytotoxicity effect of EOSF, AGS cells were exposed to EOSF at different concentration and for different time durations. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay were carried out to characterize the cytotoxicity of the EOSF on AGS cells. In this study, the EOSF was obtained and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: Our MTT assay showed that EOSF has a significant cytotoxicity activity in a time and concentration dependent manner. The main constituents of EOSF were alpha-D-Xylofuranoside, methyl 2, 5-di-O-methyl(30.2%), E-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (13.13%) Z-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (11.34%). Conclusion: We conclude that the studied oil have a strong anticancer effect against AGS cell line. Based on the overall strong inhibition effects of the oil, isolation and studying of its compounds is suggested.
Microstrip Array Antenna using Series-Corporate Feed for Navigation
 System

In this paper, the proposed antenna consists of a single transmission line for 6-elements microstrip array antenna using Rogers RT5880 substrate material with a dielectric constant (er) of 2.2 and thickness of 0.787 mm for navigation applications. The array structures of unequal patches placement are proposed with corporate feed line and H-shaped configurations are employed on the substrate and used the microstrip feed line with a corporate feed network excited via 50 Ω with T-junction method to control the feed for each group. 6-elements microstrip array antenna has operated at the resonant frequency of 1.27 GHz was obtained between the frequency from 1.2663 GHz to 1.2734 GHz where the S11-parameters of the structure designed and simulation below than <-10 dB. The analysis shows the antenna gain has increased 72.6% with high directivity as compared to single elements microstrip antenna. The radiation characteristics and other array parameters are evaluated with respect to the application requirements. However, circular polarization has obtained in 6-elements array antenna as the axial ratio is successfully achieved below than -3dB. The antenna efficiency, the current distribution, VSWR, and S11-parameters of the proposed 6-elements CP microstrip array antenna have been presented and discussed in detail. The design methodology and the measurement results have been presented and discussed in this paper.
Characterization of Pituitary Protein Expression Patterns During Stages in the Reproductive Cycle of Turkey Hens

Characterization of Pituitary Protein Expression Patterns During Stages in the Reproductive Cycle of Turkey Hens by Amy M. Spellerberg Animal and Poultry Sciences Dr. Eric A. Wong Improvement in turkey reproductive efficiency is a very desirable goal for the turkey industry. The ability to maintain turkey hens in the egg-laying (LAY) stage and produce one additional egg per hen a year is estimated to benefit the turkey industry approximately $1.5 million dollars per year. Overall protein expression patterns generated by tissues of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal complex, namely the anterior pituitary, of the mature turkey hen have a profound impact on reproductive cycling. One of the key physiological factors produced by the anterior pituitary and shown to play a significant role in the regulation of egg laying is the hormone prolactin (Prl). The objectives for this study are to examine the overall protein expression patterns from turkey hen pituitary tissue during the nonphotostimulated (NPS), photostimulated (PS), and egg laying (LAY) stages. Attempts to isolate transcription factors that regulate the expression of Prl using an affinity chromatography technique or southwestern screening of a bacteriophage expression library were not successful. A global analysis of protein expression, using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels (2D gels), was conducted using whole cell, cytoplasmic and nuclear protein extracts from pituitary tissue collected during the NPS, PS and LAY reproductive
From finance to adventure: using ERM as a framework in adventure tourism

ABSTRACT Research question Can ERM be applied as a risk management framework within adventure tourism? Research methods The paper is supported by a single-case study into the US aerial adventure industry. Data was collected from 21 interviews of senior managers within the US aerial adventure industry. Interview participants represented public and private organisations, including state agencies, operators and builders. Findings This paper finds that even with the fragmented and dynamic state of the industry, (IERM) could provide the comprehensive and holistic approach to risk management currently lacking. Practical implications Aerial adventure parks are uniform, yet the risk management procedures are not, meaning the industry is split into separate groups. A need for Industry-wide Enterprise Risk Management (IERM) is therefore identified. This, in turn, will improve public safety levels, the long-term sustainability of the industry as well as provide it with a competitive advantage. Research contribution Adventure tourism lacks a risk management framework. This paper furthers academic discussion by proposing IERM as a risk management framework. This, in turn, furthers the academic discussion on ERM, by arguing for its utilisation at an industry level, and contributes to the discussion on the management of aerial adventure visitor attractions, an area currently under-researched.
Positive demographic effects of nest surveillance campaigns to counter illegal harvest of the Bonelli's eagle in Sicily (Italy)

Illegal trade in wildlife has been identified as one of the main challenges to wildlife conservation. In 2010, an illegal trade‐ring trafficking in birds of prey was uncovered in Sicily (southern Italy). This illegal trade targeted the three most endangered species in Italy: Bonelli's eagle Aquila fasciata, Lanner falcon Falco biarmicus and Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus, all of them long‐lived territorial raptors threatened with extinction across their European distribution. Illegal harvest primarily involved young birds and eggs taken from nests. After the discovery of these activities, surveillance camps and camera traps connected to the mobile Global System for Mobile communications network were established in nine Bonelli's eagle breeding sites in which illegal harvest was reported. Surveillance activities resulted in a sharp reduction in illegal harvest that has contributed to the recent increase in population size and number of breeding pairs of Bonelli's eagle in the island. This population represents 95% of the entire Italian population and is catalogued as Critically Endangered in this country. Importantly, our results highlight the impact of illegal harvest on the population dynamics of endangered species as demonstrated by a population viability analysis. This is particularly important in the case of insular species for which demographic recovery due to immigration from other geographic areas is unlikely. Systematic patrols by forestry police authorities, a resolute application of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species legislation via legal punishment, and the requirement of including all live captive specimens used for falconry in an obligatory DNA data bank would contribute to reducing the risk of extinction for small populations of endangered species of birds of prey.
Assessment of Intuitiveness and Comfort of Wearable Haptic Feedback Strategies for Assisting Level and Stair Walking

Nowadays, lower-limb prostheses are reaching real-world usability especially on ground-level walking. However, some key tasks such as stair walking are still quite demanding. Providing haptic feedback about the foot placement on the steps might reduce the cognitive load of the task, compensating for increased dependency on vision and lessen the risk of falling. Experiments on intact subjects can be useful to define the feedback strategies prior to clinical trials, but effective methods to assess the efficacy of the strategies are few and usually rely on the emulation of the disability condition. The present study reports on the design and testing of a wearable haptic feedback system in a protocol involving intact subjects to assess candidate strategies to be adopted in clinical trials. The system integrated a sensorized insole wirelessly connected to a textile waist belt equipped with three vibrating motors. Three stimulation strategies for mapping the insole pressure data to vibrotactile feedback were implemented and compared in terms of intuitiveness and comfort perceived during level and stair walking. The strategies were ranked using a relative rating approach, which highlighted the differences between them and suggested guidelines for their improvement. The feedback evaluation procedure proposed could facilitate the selection and improvement of haptic feedback strategies prior to clinical testing.
Shape memory behaviour of polyacrylamide/MWCNT nanocomposite hydrogel under direct and indirect stimulation

Shape memory hydrogels are a class of smart materials with the ability of multiple shape forming. Their low stiffness is the main challenge. In this work, pure PAAm and PAAm nanocomposite shape memory hydrogels containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were prepared by in-situ radical polymerization. The presence of MWCNT guarantees an enhancement of stiffness and shape recovery of polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel system as well as its recovery speed from temporary to permanent shape of nanocomposite hydrogel under indirect heat stimulation. By examining the electrical conductivity and rheological properties, the corresponding percolation threshold was obtained at 0.2 wt% of MWCNT. The results of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed that the presence of nanoparticles completely fixed the temporary shape of the PAAm nanocomposite hydrogel and increased the shape recovery up to 96%. In direct heat stimulation, by the aid of thermographic camera it was observed that the addition of 0.2 wt% of MWCNT increased the transition temperature of the nanocomposite hydrogel compared to the neat sample. In indirect heat stimulation by applying 100 V and 300 V electrical voltage, complete shape recovery was achieved in 7 min and 2.5 min, respectively.
Identification of water-infiltration-induced electrical energy generation by ionovoltaic effect in porous CuO nanowire films

We verified the origin of water-infiltration-induced electricity generation by an ionovoltaic effect, specifically, ion–surface interaction induced potential asymmetry in porous structures. When 20 μl of water (NaCl, 0.1 M) infiltrates into a porous CuO nanowire film, electrical power of ∼0.45 V and ∼0.23 μA is produced for 40 minutes. Moreover, a method of proportionally amplifying electricity is presented, and the practicability is shown by turning on an LED with infiltration of eight seawater droplets.
Progress in
 TENG
 technology—A journey from energy harvesting to nanoenergy and nanosystem

Funding information A*STAR-NCBR, Grant/Award Number: R263-000-C91-305; HIFES Seed Funding, Grant/Award Number: R263-501-012-133; National Key Research and Development Program of China, Grant/Award Numbers: 2019YFB2004800, R-2020-S-002; RIE Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) programmatic grant, Grant/Award Number: A18A4b0055 Abstract Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) technology is a promising research field for energy harvesting and nanoenergy and nanosystem (NENS) in the aspect of mechanical, electrical, optical, acoustic, fluidic, and so on. This review systematically reports the progress of TENG technology, in terms of energy-boosting, emerging materials, self-powered sensors, NENS, and its further integration with other potential technologies. Starting from TENG mechanisms including the ways of charge generation and energy-boosting, we introduce the applications from energy harvesters to various kinds of self-powered sensors, that is, physical sensors, chemical/gas sensors. After that, further applications in NENS are discussed, such as blue energy, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), neural interfaces/implanted devices, and optical interface/wearable photonics. Moving to new research directions beyond TENG, we depict hybrid energy harvesting technologies, dielectric-elastomer-enhancement, self-healing, shape-adaptive capability, and self-sustained NENS and/or internet of things (IoT). Finally, the outlooks and conclusions about future development trends of TENG technologies are discussed toward multifunctional and intelligent systems.
Dynamic managerial capabilities in micro-enterprises: Stability, vulnerability and the role of managerial time allocation

This article analyses how dynamic capabilities are enacted in micro-enterprises and what role different parties and managerial time allocation play in this enactment. Drawing upon three in-depth case studies of micro-enterprises, we make three theoretical contributions. First, after arguing that micro-enterprises are likely to enact individual- or group-level dynamic managerial capabilities rather than organisation-level dynamic capabilities, we counter Teece’s warnings about the vulnerable nature of dynamic managerial capabilities. Second, we identify that how managers allocate their own time, is a core micro-foundation of dynamic managerial capabilities; we illustrate that failure to allocate time to capability enactment can lead to capability vulnerability. Finally, we introduce the notion of ‘self-damaging dynamic managerial capabilities’ – these being capabilities that damage established micro-foundations.