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The effects of euroization on monetary and financial stability : empirical evidence from five countries
Get PDFThis paper explores the effects of excessive financial Euroization on monetary and financial stability by using deviation from interest rate parity (dIRP) as a proxy measure of financial and monetary stability, building on the interest rate parity puzzle theory. We focus on five Central and Eastern European (CEE) EU member countries (Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Croatia) from January 2002 to December 2019. The impact of euroization parameters on dIRP is empirically tested by employing the ARDL cointegration model and the Granger causality test. Interest rate differentials and inflation were employed as additional explanatory and control variables. Results show that loan euroization and interest rate differentials greatly impact dIRP in all countries except the Czech Republic, where deposit euroization and inflation have a more significant impact. Furthermore, the causality analysis has shown that there is also a vicious circle where dIRP causes Euroization in the short run. At the same time, greater Euroization, in turn, exacerbates dIRP in the long run. This confirms that Euroization is relevant in explaining the interest rate puzzle, impacts greater dIRP among financial markets, and strives to harmonize interest rates with the euro area to maintain financial and monetary stability. [excerpt]peer-reviewe
Artificial intelligence and art : functions and frictions in the contemporary artworld
Get PDFAs artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms industries, the world of art and cultural
management finds itself at a critical crossroads. AI-generated images, music, literature,
and curatorial tools are no longer experimental. They are now part of the mainstream
creative process. The question is no longer if AI belongs in the arts, but how we engage
with it ethically, meaningfully, and imaginatively. At its best, AI is a tool that can challenge
creative norms, democratize access to production, and reveal patterns and possibilities
that human artists might overlook. Optimistically, it is seen by some not as the end of
creativity but as a new kind of collaboration. However, the risks are real. When AI generates works trained on massive datasets without attribution or consent, questions of
authorship and ownership surface. When algorithms are used to curate or program cultural content based on popularity metrics, there is risk of narrowing the spectrum of
artistic voices rather than expanding it. If cultural institutions prioritize AI for cost-efficiency over human insight, the soul of curatorial and artistic work could be lost.
As part of my efforts to immerse myself in the field of AI and explore its relevance
to the arts and creative industries, I had the pleasure of speaking with Octavio
Kulesz, a philosopher and a widely respected expert in AI ethics. His work focuses
on cultural diversity and the creative industries in the digital age.peer-reviewe
Biomechanical and clinical outcomes of a novel hallux valgus sock : a clinical study
Get PDFHallux valgus (HAV) is a common foot condition that is characterized by the great toe’s lateral displacement and this can result in pain, biomechanical changes, and quality of life concerns. A global systematic review and meta-analysis recently reported that the general prevalence rate is about 19% and it is higher in females and individuals over the age of 60 years. The natural history and management of HAV is variable and can be managed conservatively with orthoses and physical therapy, or, in some circumstances, manage with surgical intervention. The purpose of this study assesses the efficacy of a new hallux valgus sock to reduce the symptoms associated with HAV. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effect of the sock on the hallux valgus angle, pain, and overall quality of life. The results from this study show that wearing the HAV sock decreased the hallux valgus angle, reduced peak plantar pressures, and improved muscle function while walking. This suggests that the HAV sock could be utilized as an emerging conservative alternative to surgery in individuals with HAV.peer-reviewe
Climate anxiety in early childhood : a state-of-the-art review
Get PDFAs the climate crisis intensifies, young children are increasingly exposed to psychological stress linked to environmental change, manifesting in emerging forms of anxiety, sadness, and guilt. Although climate anxiety in children is gaining international recognition as a legitimate mental health concern, little is known about how these emotions specifically develop in children under the age of eight. This paper presents the first comprehensive state-of-the-art (SotA) review of research on climate anxiety in early childhood, systematically mapping current knowledge, identifying key conceptual and methodological gaps, and proposing priorities for future inquiry. Findings reveal that empirical studies in this area remain scarce, are often adapted from adult-centered frameworks, and predominantly situated within Euro-Western contexts. The review argues for developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and interdisciplinary approaches that seriously engage with both the emotional experiences and agentic capacities of young children. By highlighting critical gaps and outlining future research directions, this review lays the foundation for a more inclusive, child-sensitive, and globally relevant research agenda on climate anxiety in early childhood.peer-reviewe
Il-mara l-oħra : il-profil letterarju ta’ nisa f’relazzjonijiet ta’ mħabba meqjusin ‘illeċiti’
No full textIl-kunċett tal-mara l-oħra jippreżenta figura
kumplessa li hija ta’ spiss mistmerra fis-soċjetà.
Għalkemm il-preżenza tagħha hija rikonoxxuta
fid-dinja kontemporanja, din il-figura ftit li xejn
ġiet osservata u analizzata mill-akkademiċi
Maltin. Għaldaqstant, l-għan ta’ dan l-artiklu
hu li jwessa’ l-għarfien tal-qarrej kemm dwar
il-karatteristiċi tal-mara l-oħra, kif ukoll dwar
dawk il-letteraturi, kemm lokali kif ukoll
internazzjonali, li jagħtu ħajja lil dan it-tip ta’
karattru.
L-artiklu għandu tliet taqsimiet. L-ewwel
taqsima tagħti ħarsa lejn id-definizzjoni tal-mara l-oħra u kif din tiġi ttrattata fil-letteraturi
barranin, b’enfasi partikolari fuq l-evoluzzjoni
ta’ din it-tip ta’ mara. Fit-tieni taqsima tiġi
diskussa l-mara l-oħra f ’relazzjoni mal-letteratura Maltija, filwaqt li tiġi enfasizzata
l-interpretazzjoni tagħha f ’xogħlijiet speċifiċi.
L-aħħar taqsima tiġbor il-konklużjonijiet ta’
dan l-istudju, u tipproponi prospetti għal riċerka
fil-futur.peer-reviewe
Governance beyond administrative borders : sustainable urban development in Baltic metropolitan areas
Get PDFPURPOSE: The aim of this research is to analyse whether the metropolitan areas of Tallinn,
Riga, and Vilnius implement the concept of governance and whether their development
strategies aspire to sustainable development. It examines how these capitals integrate
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their policies and governance structures to
address urban sustainability challenges.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A comparative case study approach was used,
incorporating desk research and secondary data analysis. The study examines strategic
development documents, policy reports, and governance frameworks to assess how these
metropolitan areas implement sustainability principles and inter-municipal cooperation
strategies.FINDINGS: The research identifies varying degrees of institutionalized metropolitan
governance in the Baltic capitals. Tallinn exhibits the most structured approach with
formalized regional cooperation, while Riga faces governance fragmentation. Vilnius
employs regional development councils but lacks a fully integrated metropolitan governance
model. The alignment of urban strategies with the SDGs is inconsistent across cities, with
Tallinn demonstrating the strongest commitment.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings provide insights for policymakers on improving
metropolitan governance, enhancing inter-municipal cooperation, and effectively integrating
SDGs into urban development strategies. The study highlights the need for stronger legal
frameworks for metropolitan governance, improved spatial planning integration, and
targeted sustainability policies.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The analysis of these cities is expected to contribute to a broader
understanding of how small but rapidly developing metropolitan areas align their growth
strategies with global sustainability goals and an integrated approach to development
planning.peer-reviewe
Responsive public spaces and the economics of experience : interactive architecture in the age of urban digitalization
Get PDFPURPOSE: This paper investigates how interactive architectural installations in public urban
spaces function as components of the experience economy, with a particular focus on their
economic, spatial, and symbolic roles within contemporary cities.APPROACH/METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: The study applies a comparative matrix analysis to fifteen
interactive public space projects realized between 2020 and 2025. Each case is evaluated
across eight parameters, including technological complexity, civic function, symbolic
messaging, infrastructural role, and economic activation. The research integrates
architectural theory, urban studies, and cultural economics to interpret the findings.FINDINGS: Results indicate that interactive installations are increasingly aligned with urban
soft infrastructure, offering benefits such as civic engagement, placemaking, and tourism
stimulation. Projects with stronger symbolic or ecological narratives showed higher public
memorability and branding potential. Technological sophistication correlated with
infrastructural value, while spatial integration influenced long-term civic relevance.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings support the inclusion of responsive design strategies in
urban planning and policy, particularly in contexts focused on creative economy
development, tourism, and sustainable public space innovation.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study provides one of the first systematic typologies of post-2020
interactive public installations from an economic and spatial perspective. It contributes new
insights into how digital architecture interfaces with urban economies and civic culture in
the context of rapid urban digitalization.peer-reviewe
The polynomial reconstruction problem for graphs having cut-vertices of degree two
Get PDFIn the polynomial reconstruction problem (PRP), the characteristic polynomial φ(G, x) of a graph G is sought from the polynomial deck PD(G) containing the characteristic polynomials of the n vertex-deleted subgraphs of G. The diagonal entries of the adjugate matrix adj(G, x) of G are the elements of PD(G). The PRP is not completely solved for graphs having vertices of degree one. In this paper, we use adj(G, x) to successfully obtain φ(G, x) from PD(G) for certain graphs having a vertex of degree one whose characteristic polynomial is not discoverable using results from current literature. Our methods require such graphs to have a vertex of degree one adjacent to a vertex of degree two, and this latter vertex would then be a cut-vertex of G. We thus extend this idea to partially solve the PRP for more general graphs that have a cut-vertex of degree two which is not necessarily adjacent to vertices of degree one, presenting an algorithm that provides φ(G, x) from PD(G) when G has such a cut-vertex.peer-reviewe
The development of a canine single-chain phage antibody library to isolate recombinant antibodies for use in translational cancer research
Get PDFThe development of canine immunotolerant monoclonal antibodies can accelerate the invention of new medicines for both canine and human diseases. We develop a methodology to clone the naive, somatically mutated variable domain repertoire from canine B cell mRNA using 5′RACE PCR. A set of degenerate primers were then designed and used to clone variable domain genes into archival “holding” plasmid libraries. These archived variable domain genes were then combinatorially ligated to produce a scFv M13 phage library. Next-generation long-read and short-read DNA sequencing methodologies were developed to annotate features of the cloned library including CDR diversity and IGHV/IGKV/IGLV subfamily distribution. A synthetic immunoglobulin G was developed from this scFv library to the canine immune checkpoint receptor PD-1. This synthetic platform can be used to clone and annotate archived antibody variable domain genes for use in perpetuity in order to develop improved preclinical models for the treatment of complex human diseases.peer-reviewe
Comparative assessment of e-commerce market development in Poland and EU countries : a multi-dimensional analysis
Get PDFPURPOSE: This paper presents a comparative assessment of the development of the ecommerce market in Poland against selected EU countries during 2017-2023. The main aim
is to analyse the growth trajectory of the Polish e-commerce sector using the Taxonomic
Measure of Development (TMD) and the Model-free Measure of Development (MMD),
which allow a comparison of multiple variables between regions.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A comprehensive analysis was conducted to identify and
analyze the key determinants affecting the development of e-commerce. These determinants
include access to digital technologies, economic factors, and the use of the Internet in
commercial activities. To construct TMD and MMD indicators, data from Eurostat and the
Statista portal were utilized. This analysis enabled the positioning of Poland against other
EU countries.FINDINGS: The findings indicate a dynamic development of the Polish e-commerce market
from 2017 to 2023, although it still lags behind the leaders in the European Union. The
application of taxonomic and model-free methods enabled a comparison of Poland's position
with that of other EU countries, thereby identifying areas requiring further support and
development.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The article provides practical recommendations for policymakers
and businesses, emphasizing pivotal factors influencing the competitiveness of Polish ecommerce within the EU single market. The identification of markets with analogous
characteristics facilitates the formulation of strategies to enhance Poland's standing in
relation to other nations.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The article introduces a novel approach to the evaluation of e-commerce
development in Poland by employing taxonomic and model-free methodologies. It provides a
comprehensive set of analytical tools and actionable recommendations. Notably, the
implementation of Ward's method facilitates the determination of the domestic market's
position in relation to a historical benchmark.peer-reviewe