Fintech and sustainability: Do they affect each other?

Current concerns about environmental issues have led to many new trends in technology and financial management. Within this context of digital transformation and sustainable finance, Fintech has emerged as an alternative to traditional financial institutions. This paper, through a literature review and case study approach, analyzes the relationship between Fintech and sustain-ability, and the different areas of collaboration between Fintech and sustainable finance, from both a theoretical and descriptive perspective, while giving specific examples of current technological platforms. Additionally, in this paper, two Fintech initiatives (Clarity AI and Pensumo) are described, as well as several proposals to improve the detection of greenwashing and other deceptive behavior by firms. The results lead to the conclusion that sustainable finance and Fintech have many aspects in common, and that Fintech can make financial businesses more sustainable overall by promoting green finance. Furthermore, this paper highlights the importance of European and global regulation, mainly from the perspective of consumer protection

Response of "Bromus diandrus" populations from Castilla-León to sulfosulfuron and glyphosate

Se ha evaluado la respuesta de un total de 87 poblaciones de “Bromus diandrus” (bromo) recogidas en muestreos al azar realizados en campos de cereal de Castilla y León y de una población recogida en el INIA, a los herbicidas glifosato y sulfosulfuron, utilizados durante años para el control de bromo en trigo. Los ensayos se han realizado en invernadero con 3 dosis: control, la dosis de herbicida recomendada en la etiqueta del producto (20 g. m.a. ha-1 para sulfosulfuron y de 800 g. m.a. ha-1 para glifosato) y la mitad de la dosis recomendada, con 5 repeticiones por dosis y 100 semillas por repetición y población. No se encontraron poblaciones resistentes a las dosis recomendadas de ambos herbicidas, pero el 55% de las poblaciones mostraron cierta resistencia a sulfosulfuron y el 14% a glifosato.The response of 87 “B. diandrus” (ripgut brome) populations collected in cereal fields of Castilla-León and of one population collected in INIA (Madrid), to the herbicides glyphosate and sulfosulfuron, used for brome control in wheat during years, has been evaluated. The bioassays were conducted under greenhouse conditions with three doses: control, the recommended label herbicide dose (20 g m.a. ha-1 for sulfosulfuron and 800 g m.a. ha-1 for glyphosate) and half dose, with 5 replications per dose and 100 seeds per replication and population. Resistant populations were not found when the herbicide label dose was applied, but 55% of the populations showed certain resistance to sulfosulfuron and 14% to glyphosate

Response of populations of "Avena sterilis" from Castilla- León to herbicides used for its control

Se ha evaluado la respuesta en invernadero de 25 poblaciones de Avena sterilis L. recogidas en Castilla y León a los herbicidas inhibidores del enzima ACCasa (Acetil Coenzima A carboxilasa) clodinafop- propargil, diclofop-metil y tralkoxidim. Se han utilizado 2 dosis (la dosis recomendada en campo y la dosis doble) además de un control no tratado, con 3 repeticiones por dosis y 25 semillas por repetición. La dosis recomendada fue de 40,8 g. m.a. ha-1 para clodinafop, 900 g. m.a. ha-1 para diclofop y de 400 g. m.a. ha-1 para tralkoxidim. Todas las poblaciones muestreadas fueron susceptibles al herbicida tralkoxidim cuando se empleaba a la dosis recomendada. A pesar de que la mayoría de las poblaciones se clasificaron como sensibles en su respuesta a los herbicidas “fop” utilizados, se detectaron poblaciones que muestran cierto grado de resistencia a ambos herbicidas, en mayor medida al diclofop-metil.The response of 25 populations of Avena sterilis L. collected in Castilla-León to the ACCase (acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase) inhibiting herbicides clodinafop-propargyl, diclofop-methyl and tralkoxydim has been evaluated in the green-house. Two herbicide doses were used(the recommended field rate and the double rate) plus a non-treated control, with 3 replications per dose and 25 seeds per replication. The field rate was 40.8 g a.i. ha-1 for clodinafop, 900 g a.i. ha-1 for diclofop and 400 g a.i. ha-1 for tralkoxydim. All sampled populations were sensitive to tralkoxydim herbicide when used at the recommended field rate. Although most of the populations were classified as sensitive in the response to the used “fop” herbicides, populations showed some degree of resistance to both herbicides but in a greater extent to diclofop-methyl

Study of optical, thermal and radio frequency properties of low emissivity coatings with frequency selective surfaces

The use of frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) defined on railcar windows with a metallic low-e coating to improve the reception of mobile communications signals is becoming ever more common. The proximity of the glass to the passenger in this scenario has introduced a new parameter to consider, aesthetics. This paper presents a complete study of the development of a FSS defined by laser ablation, considering all current requirements. The fabricated samples will be characterized in the optical and radiofrequency ranges of the spectrum. Also, by means of an electron microscope, the chemical elements of each area of the samples will be quantified, in order to study the ablation process. New samples will be made using these parameters, and its performance according to specifications verified. These data will be correlated, using digital image processing, to the aesthetic impact of the engraved FSS, as confirmation of the optimal laser configuration

Improved models of upper-level wind for several astronomical observatories

An understanding of wind speed and direction as a function of height are critical to the proper modeling of atmospheric turbulence. We have used radiosonde data from launch sites near significant astronomical observatories and created mean profiles of wind speed and direction and have also computed Richardson number profiles. Using data from the last 30 years, we extend the 1977 Greenwood wind profile to include parameters that show seasonal variations and differences in location. The added information from our models is useful for the design of adaptive optics systems and other imaging systems. Our analysis of the Richardson number suggests that persistent turbulent layers may be inferred when low values are present in our long term averaged data. Knowledge of the presence of these layers may help with planning for adaptive optics and laser communications.Comment: 21 pages, 15 Figures, 8 table

Astronomical Site Ranking Based on Tropospheric Wind Statistics

We present comprehensive and reliable statistics of high altitude wind speeds and the tropospheric flows at the location of five important astronomical observatories. Statistical analysis exclusively of high altitude winds point to La Palma as the most suitable site for adaptive optics, with a mean value of 22.13 m/s at the 200 mbar pressure level. La Silla is at the bottom of the ranking, with the largest average value 200 mbar wind speed(33.35 m/s). We have found a clear annual periodicity of high altitude winds for the five sites in study. We have also explored the connection of high to low altitude atmospheric winds as a first approach of the linear relationship between the average velocity of the turbulence and high altitude winds (Sarazin & Tokovinin 2001). We may conclude that high and low altitude winds show good linear relationships at the five selected sites. The highest correlation coefficients correspond to Paranal and San Pedro Martir, while La Palma and La Silla show similar high to low altitude wind connection. Mauna Kea shows the smallest degree of correlation, which suggests a weaker linear relationship. Our results support the idea of high altitude winds as a parameter for rank astronomical sites in terms of their suitability for adaptive optics, although we have no evidence for adopting the same linear coefficient at different sites. The final value of this linear coefficient at a particular site could drastically change the interpretation of high altitude wind speeds as a direct parameter for site characterization.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures. Accepted in MNRA

Contribution to optimization and standardization of antibacterial assays with silver nanoparticles: the culture medium and their aggregation

The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles is determined by their size and specific properties, as well as by the chemical composition of the exposure medium in which the nanoparticles are suspended. When the antibacterial tests are carried out in a culture medium, aggregation of the nanoparticles is produced, decreasing their effectiveness. This study proposes the addition of surfactants to the culture medium to prevent the aggregation of silver nanoparticles and optimizes the concentrations of these surfactants. The aggregation of silver nanoparticles was studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS) after dispersion in three liquid culture media (Mueller-Hinton (MH), Luria-Bertani (LB) and Brain Heart Infusion) in which four different surfactants (SDS, Triton X100, Tween 80 and CTAB) were added at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2%. Results showed that, the optimal culture media to prevent aggregation of silver nanoparticles were MH and LB with higher concentrations of Tween 80 and Triton X100 surfactants; being MH + 2% of Tween 80 and MH + 1% Triton X100 the best combinations obtained because the results obtained were closest to the sizes of nanoparticles in ultrapure water. In addition, it has been verified that the optimal medium + surfactant combinations chosen did not affect the viability of Escherichia coli bacteria. Nanoparticle aggregation was not observed by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) when nanoparticles were incubated for long incubations periods (24 h) in the optimal medium chosen

High-accuracy real-time monitoring of solar radiation attenuation in commercial solar towers

The main objectives of this work are twofold, the immediate objective is to provide current commercial solar towers with a system able to monitor accurately the solar radiation attenuation, the midterm objective is to acquire, with the adequate and precise measurements, the necessary knowledge about the different phenomena involved in the atmospheric attenuation in order to correlate it with meteorological and weather conditions when possible. The purpose of this paper is to describe the basic design features and operational capabilities of a new system designed by CENER and the University of Zaragoza (patent P201830758) for measuring real-time atmospheric attenuation of solar radiation at surface level. It performs a direct measurement without needing any previous assumption about atmospheric conditions. The work will be complemented with the analysis of the influence of atmospheric aerosols and meteorological conditions at surface level in atmospheric attenuation (at the lower ~300m atmospheric layer)