Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Debt vs. self-financing innovation projects: An exploratory study of Spanish agri-food SMEs

Aim of study: This paper determines the preferences for debt or equity ‒ common stock and self-financing ‒ that are shown by agri-food companies to finance innovation investment strategies and identify the monitoring role that third-party funding providers can play.Area of study: A sample of 41,109 Spanish SMEs (364,020 observations). Material and methods: The information was obtained from the SABI database, using the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimator and a logistic regression like contrast methodologies.Main results: Spanish agri-food companies undertake innovation projects by financing these investments through owners’ resources, mainly from current common stock, as they are independent of these companies’ capacity to generate internal funds. This may be conditioned by the problems of severe negative self-financing presented by this sector in Spain which make it difficult to use retained earnings as a source of financing for new investments; 30% of these firms have a negative self-financing level of EUR 100,000 as the losses accumulated by economic activity are higher than the reserves provided.Research highlights: Agri-food companies prefer to use owners’ funds to finance innovation projects which allows them to maintain the concentration of power, a decision that is reinforced by the limitation to credit access due to innovation creates intangible assets that are not usually accepted as collateral by financial institutions. Meanwhile, given the particularities of these companies ‒ instability and liquidity problems due to the need for funds of operations ‒ the recourse to debt is an appropriate control mechanism to prevent overinvestment decisions.
The top performer: Towards optimized parameters for reduced graphene oxide uniformity by spin coating

Reduced graphene oxide has shown great potential for the fabrication of different electronic devices, especially biosensors and electric circuits. It allows the usage of simple deposition techniques such as drop casting or spin coating of graphene oxide solutions with a subsequent chemical, electrochemical, and/or thermal reduction to reduced graphene oxide. However, the utilized deposition strategy requires a deﬁned protocol that ensures reproducibility. A study on a range of concentrations of GO and spin coating parameters is presented, aiming at the most uniform layers consisting of only single and double sheets for the application in electronic devices. The effect of ﬁlm deposition on morphological parameters like the number of layers, overlaps, and surface coverage as well as the inﬂuence on electronic properties such as baseline stability and the transfer characteristics for the application as an electrolyte gated ﬁeld-effect transistor (EG-FET) are shown. Best ﬁlm characteristics and electronic properties are achieved by using a GO concentration of 214 µ g/mL applied via spin coating with 1800 rpm, after surface modiﬁcation with adhesive layer.
The Influence of the Digital Supply Chain on Operational Performance: A Study of the Food and Beverage Industry in Indonesia

In this rapidly developing digital era, digital transformations take place within every industry, and they have effects on the management of the supply chains. The aim of this study is to delve into the influence of the digital supply chain on the quality, productivity, and cost reduction aspects of operational performance. This study relies on quantitative methodology and data collected from the food and beverage industry of Indonesia. Data from a survey comprising a total of 209 responses were selected for investigation. PLS-SEM was used to perform the analysis. The investigation reveals that the digital supply chain has significant effects on operational performance in terms of quality, productivity, and cost reduction performance. This study contributes to the understanding of supply chain management by addressing the knowledge gap associated with the digital supply chain. In particular, it has concentrated on the hitherto unresearched effect of operational performance in the context of the Indonesian manufacturing industry.
Diffraction Grating Groove Metrology Using AFM & STM

AFM & STM metrology has been around for a long time, and especially intense since it has been awarded by the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986. Since then, many AFM & STM groove profile measurements on surface relief diffraction gratings have been presented. However, a wide review of the results of the use of AFM & STM methods for groove metrology of various surface relief gratings has not really been undertaken. The following problems are discussed in this chapter: the cantilever tip deconvolution, geometry, and radius; groove shapes and abrupt groove slopes; roughness; PSD functions; etc. Also, the author demonstrates comparisons with other widely-used metrology techniques and examples of AFM & STM data of bulk, coated, and multilayer-coated ruled, or holographic, or lithographic gratings having realistic groove profiles. These gratings were chosen because high quality efficiency data exists, in particular, for space gratings or/and X-ray gratings characterized by synchrotron radiation sources; and their groove profiles, together with random nanoroughness, were measured by AFM or STM to be included in rigorous efficiency and scattered light intensity calculus. In the present chapter, both the earlier published results and the recent, non-published yet results are described and discussed.
Fabrication of a Composite Material of High‐Chromium Cast Iron Dispersed in Low‐Carbon Steel by Hot‐Rolling Process

To obtain a compatible material with good wear resistance (WR) and toughness, a composite material with high‐chromium cast iron (HCCI) dispersed in low‐carbon steel (LCS) is prepared through multilayer hot rolling. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite are investigated. The macrostructure of the composite material reveals that the HCCI layers are necked, fractured, and dispersed in LCS after hot rolling. The two materials combine well without unconnected areas and macrovoids on the interface; however, broken oxides are observed at the interface. Decarburization occurs at the LCS side near the interface and a 15−20 μm‐wide ferrite zone is formed at the LCS side. Fe, Cr, Mn, and C elements diffuse at the interface. A pearlite band is formed at the interface, and the thickness of the diffusion is about 2−4 μm. Due to the addition of ductile LCS, the impact toughness of the composite material is about 2.5 times higher than that of the as‐cast HCCI, whereas the WR of the composite material is lower than that of HCCI (about 16%). The dispersed HCCI in the composite produces a shadow effect during the sliding wear, which provides protection and support for LCS.
Environmental Features Influence Walking Speed: The Effect of Urban Greenery

The study investigated the rarely addressed topic of how visual environmental features can influence walking speed. Young adult participants were asked to walk on a route that leads through areas composed of urban parks and areas with a built environment with a large amount of greenery. Their walking speed was measured in selected sections. The participants walked with a small video camera, and their walk was recorded. The temporal information was derived from the video recordings. Subsequently, the participants evaluated the environmental features of the route by specific spatio-cognitive dimensions of environmental preference. The results show that walking speed in specific sections of the walking route systematically differed and reflected the environmental features. The walking speed was lower in sections with high natural characteristics and a high environmental preference. Noise here was perceived as less annoying than in sections with lower natural characteristics. The results are explained in terms of approach avoidance behavior. The findings are in accordance with environmental preference research that documents various benefits of walking in the natural environment.
Risk‐neutral pricing techniques and examples

Tractability and flexibility are among the two most attractive features of models in mathematical finance. For the pricing of derivative products, to avoid arbitrage opportunities, the fundamental theorem of asset pricing requires the existence of an equivalent martingale measure under which the discounted price process is a (local) martingale. In the semimartingale setting, the traditional approach of risk‐neutral valuation uses a change of measure invoking Girsanov's theorem. This approach often destroys the tractability of the process which is undesirable for quantitative finance applications. To overcome these limitations, we employ a transformation based on the concept of intertwining relationships that allows us to convert Markovian semigroups into a pricing semigroup while keeping its tractability. In order to illustrate the usefulness of this approach, we apply it to exponential Lévy, positive self‐similar, and generalized CIR processes that all fall within the class of polynomial processes introduced by Cuchiero et al. (2012). Furthermore, for the jump CIR class, relying on recent work of Patie and Savov (2019), we provide an eigenvalues expansion of the pricing semigroup and carry out some numerical experiments.
The integration of embodied learning in a language learning classroom:
 conclusions from a qualitative analysis

Embodied Learning (EL) is now an emerging teaching paradigm that takes into consideration the impact of bodily movements into the learning process. This paradigm, in combination with movement-based technologies, provides strategies and methods for delivering a more engaged and interactive lesson. Following previous empirical evidence, this study presents the results of an educational intervention, based on EL, in the context of language learning in mainstream elementary schools. The study aims to examine whether this practice would improve students’ language performance and enhance their engagement in, and motivation for, learning a language. One hundred and eighteen (N=118) elementary students and six teachers were involved in this investigation. Data were collected from video recordings of 12 intervention sessions in the classroom. The analysis of video recordings provided rich information about the engagement of the students in the classroom during the sessions. It revealed that the EL practice enabled students to actively engage in the lesson, increasing their motivation and participation. Finally, the manuscript discusses the use of such an EL approach in language learning and teaching.
Shielding Design and Dose Evaluation for HTR-PM Fuel Transport Pipelines by QAD-CGA Program

The spherical fuel elements are adopted in the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor pebble-module (HTR-PM). The fuel elements will be discharged continuously from the reactor core and transported into the fuel transport pipelines during the reactor operation, leading to spatially varying dose outside the pipeline. In this case, the dose evaluation faces two major challenges, including dynamic source terms and pipelines with varying lengths and shapes. This study tries to handle these challenges for HTR-PM through comprehensive calculations using the QAD-CGA program and to design the corresponding shielding of the pipeline. During the calculation, it is assumed that a spherical fuel element stays in different positions of the pipelines in turn, and the corresponding dose contributions were calculated. By integrating the dose contributions at different positions, the dose at the points of interest can be obtained. The total dose is further determined according to the assumed fuel elements transport speed of 5 m/s and total 6000 fuel elements transportation per day. Two types of fuel transport pipelines and two source terms were considered, i.e., the spent fuel element transport pipelines with corresponding spent fuel source term and the different burn-up fuel element transport pipelines with the average burn-up fuel source term. Doses at different points of interest were calculated with no shielding scenario and with lead shielding of different thicknesses scenario. To evaluate the shielding effect, the dose limit of the orange radiation zone of HTR-PM and the radiation damage thresholds from NCRP report No.51 were both adopted. The calculated results show that, for pipelines that transport the spent fuel, a 4 cm lead shielding will be enough. And for pipelines that transport fuel elements with different burn-up, a 5 cm lead shielding will be added. The method and results can provide valuable reference for other work of HTR-PM.
New analytical method for computing moment redistribution in RC beams under concentrated load

ABSTRACT Computing the moments in RC structures after the yield by linear elastic analysis can lead to an inaccurate assessment of the behaviour due to the nonlinear behaviour. Therefore, it can become necessary to use more advanced methodologies to achieve a higher degree of performance optimisation of structures than those resulting from the simplified approaches adopted by existing design codes based on linear elastic analysis with redistribution of internal forces. The moment redistribution is supposed to start after occurring the cracks of concrete, but with small ratio. In this study, the moment redistribution before the yielding will be neglected, and the redistribution is focused after the yield. This paper suggests a mathematical model to investigate the moment redistribution in RC beams after yielding analytically. In the suggested mathematical model, the beam after forming the plastic hinges is converted into a virtual beam that can be analysed by structural linear analysis. The plastic hinges in the virtual beam will be represented as rotational springs having a linear rotational stiffness against the induced moment. The actual moments can be found through derived relationships in the mathematical model between it and the virtual moment. The mathematical model was verified and it gave values of moment matching experimental results. Also, a comparison for degree of moment redistribution among the suggested mathematical model and several design codes was performed. The analytical results indicate that the proposed mathematical model can be used for analysis of moment redistribution of RC beams.
Designing durable and flexible superhydrophobic coatings and its application in oil purification

Lotus-inspired superhydrophobic coatings are usually mechanically weak and lack durability, this hinders their practical applications. A suspension that can be treated on various materials in any size and shape to form a mechanically durable superhydrophobic coating is developed, which retains water repellent properties after multiple cycles of abrasion, blade scratching, tape-peeling, repeated deformation, a series of environmental tests and recycling. Based on its superhydrophobicity under oil, two highly efficient systems were developed for oil purification – stirring and inverted cone systems. Small water drops converge on the coated surface that was immersed in oil through velocity-controlled stirring, or designing an inverted cone superhydrophobic surface under oil to collect water drops spontaneously. This coating can be readily used for practical applications to make a durable superhydrophobic coating that functions either in air or oils.
“Whoever Sees You Pass By Me Like This": The shaping of identity and consumption of fans of the band Los Hermanos

The objective of this work was to characterize and describe the dimensions of the identity of fans of the Brazilian band Los Hermanos and its influence on consumption and on the extension of the self. A qualitative approach was used in a case study. First, bibliographic materials such as interviews, song lyrics, products, information from the official website, and fan posts on social media pages were analyzed. Subsequently, the relationship of the fans with the band Los Hermanos and the consumption patterns for related products and services were analyzed. Individuals aged between 25 and 45 were interviewed who, in their youth, had bonded with the band, developing and maintaining their appreciation for the band until the present day. It was found that the fans consider themselves to be romantic and reflective, and they identify with the band’s lyrics; however, they do not have an exacerbated need to show their status as a fan because, over the years, they have managed to associate themselves with their own fan status. The fact that the band has finished its activities but occasionally returns for concerts reinforces the fans’ passion through the nostalgic effect, and it invigorates the consumption of associated products and services.
An integrated approach on proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance enhancement combining flower pollination algorithm and nanofluids

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is widely popular for its inherent advantages like low operating temperature, high efﬁciency, durability, and reliability. However, modelling its characteristics is often restricted by virtue of its shortage of data and strongly coupled multivariate behaviour. At the same time, when operated within its temperature limits, PEMFC systems exhibit maximum efﬁciency; otherwise, they cause membrane dry-ness, poor ionic conductivity and less efﬁciency. Therefore, PEMFC modelling alongside thermal management is of interest in recent years. With the beneﬁts rendered by the meta-heuristics algorithm, an integrated approach is emphasised in this work for achieving twin objectives of modelling PEMFC together with thermal management. An aspiration to enhance PEMFC performance via mathematical modelling, ﬂower pollination algorithm for parameter identiﬁcation as well as thermal conductivity property computation is outlined. Simulated values are experimentally matched using copper-based nanoﬂuids. The selection of copper (Cu) is justiﬁed by its thermal conductivity property and cost. For brevity, synthesis procedure, characterisation and estimation of thermal conductivity property is expounded in methodology. Numerous experimentations on various vol% fractions combinations lying between 0.05% and 0.5% indicate that Cu nanoparticle when dispersed in base ﬂuids such as water and ethylene glycol (EG)
Droop K-Sharing Function for Energy Management of DC Microgrids

Slow dynamic response sources, such as fuel cells, are frequently used with faster units, such as batteries and ultracapacitors. In this context, this article gathers the advantages of two energy management techniques to propose the droop k-sharing function. In droop control, energy management is easily implemented using the virtual resistances concept, eliminating the need for fast communication links between the sources. The k-sharing function improves the performance of microgrids with slower sources assigning a preestablished dynamic behavior using a low-pass filter, while the storage unit absorbs the fast transients. Additionally, the k-sharing function also enables the storage unit to share power at a steady state. Therefore, the main advantage of the proposed energy management algorithm is that the control loops of each power source are not coupled to each other, which is accomplished by designing the k-sharing function similarly to the droop technique, eliminating the need for high-speed links of communication and improving the microgrid speed response during fast changes of load. The effectiveness of the proposed function and the theoretical analysis are evaluated using a dc microgrid composed of an H-1000 fuel cell manufactured by Horizon Fuel Cells and three Zippy Compact 5000 25 C Li-Ion batteries in series connection.
Application of Facebook’s Prophet Model for Forecasting Meteorological Data

The wildfire risk index was calculated based on current meteorological information, for example, temperature, humidity, and wind speed. Thus, meteorological data forecasting could help estimate the probability of fire occurrence or spreading speed to prevent large wildfires. This study predicts meteorological data (e.g., temperature, humidity, and wind speed) using Facebook's Prophet library. We trained the Prophet model using meteorological data between 2016 and 2018 in Goseong, Gangwon-do (where the wildfire occurred in 2019) and predicted meteorological data for the first four months in 2019. We obtained that Facebook's Prophet model was effective in computing speed and predicting the overall trend. However, it could not predict sudden irregular changes satisfactorily. Considering its rapidity, these results could play an important role in future research, especially as a basic research for time-series forecasting.
A Pulsed Oxygenation in Terminal Paleoproterozoic Ocean: Evidence From the Transition Between the Chuanlinggou and Tuanshanzi Formations, North China

The mid‐Proterozoic (ca. 1.8–0.8 Ga) witnessed a period of stable carbon cycling and long stasis in eukaryotic evolution, which was commonly ascribed to the persistently low oxygen levels in the atmosphere‐ocean system. Recently, several pulsed marine oxygenations were identified from different continents, and presumed to have facilitated the short‐term diversification of eukaryotes in the early Mesoproterozoic Era. To test this hypothesis, an integrated study of iodine species [I/ (Ca + Mg)], paired carbon isotopes (δ13Ccarb and δ13Corg), and elemental abundances was conducted on the fossil‐bearing Tuanshanzi Formation (∼1.64–1.63 Ga), North China. The near‐zero I/(Ca + Mg) ratios (0.00 ± 0.01 μmol/mol) coupled with low δ13Corg (−30.2 ± 1.4‰) in the strata below the fossil‐bearing interval suggests anoxic conditions in shallow seawater. An increase of I/ (Ca + Mg) up to ∼1.54 μmol/mol coupled with a ∼2‰ negative shift in δ13Ccarb and a ∼11‰ positive excursion in δ13Corg in the fossil‐bearing interval point to an increased oxygen concentration. Above the fossil‐bearing interval, I/ (Ca + Mg) decrease to <0.5 μmol/mol, suggesting deoxygenation and a return to anoxic to suboxic conditions. Combined with relevant data from other mid‐Proterozoic sections of North China and Australia, these data likely indicate dynamic redox conditions in the shallow seawaters of this period, with multiple pulses in oxygenation in otherwise anoxic conditions. These pulsed oxygenations may have facilitated short‐term proliferation and diversification of early eukaryotes in shallow seawaters, but the overall low oxygen levels have impeded their continuous development and the rise to ecological dominance until late Neoproterozoic.
Analysis of the structural, spectroscopic, and molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) of (amino)carbonothionyl (nitro)benzamide derivatives

Abstract This study examined the structural and spectroscopic properties of ten synthesized derivatives of carbonothionylbenzamide. These nitro group based molecules are five meta- (named M) and five para- (named P) compounds. These compounds showed no significant difference in their IR spectra from each other despite the positions of their nitro-substituent. The amino substituent has a long-range effect on the atomic and bond properties associated with C = O and C = S of the carbonothionylamide moiety supported by the 13C NMR shielding, IR wavenumber, and bond strength. The meta-molecules were more thermodynamically stable than the para-molecules, though with lower band gap difference, they are of higher HOMO and LUMO energy levels. Total stability energy of the fragment interaction from the meta- to para-molecule was relatively small. The meta-derivatives have a more electron-rich center than the para-compounds with lower molecular electrostatic potential values associated with V min, V max, and V S. Therefore, the order of the electron-rich center, V min in the meta-molecules were: 2M > 5M > 4M > 1M > 3M and were found close to the C = O group of the carbonothionylamide unit of the fragment 2. The diethylnitro groups in molecules 3M or 3P have shown to be more susceptible at fragment 2 to nucleophilic attack to enhance their bidentate bonding behavior. Graphical Abstract