bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do sovereign credit rating events affect the foreign exchange market? Evidence from a treatment effect analysis
Authors: Balima Hippolyte , Minea Alexandru , Vinturis Cezara 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWe estimate the effect of sovereign credit rating events on the foreign exchange market. Using entropy balancing—a treatment effect methodology that properly addresses the possible self‐selection and endogeneity biases related to rating events—we find robust evidence that a positive (negative) sovereign credit rating event significantly increases (decreases) on average exchange rates, with a larger magnitude for negative events. This effect remains significant under flexible (but not under fixed) exchange rate regimes, and displays asymmetries related to the size of the rating event: in particular, only negative large (i.e., above one notch) rating events trigger a significant response of exchange rates. Lastly, we unveil important nonlinearities related to the initial value of the rating, suggesting a possible amplification mechanism: the impact of positive (negative) rating events is stronger in absolute value if ratings are initially high (low).
Lily Starch—An Underutilized and Non‐Conventional Source: Properties and Applications
Authors: Bangar Sneh Punia , Ashogbon Adeleke Omodunbi , Whiteside William Scott , Chaudhary Vandana 
Published: May 2023

AbstractLily belongs to the genus Lilium of the family Liliaceae. Starch is the main component of lily bulbs which accounts for 53–69% of their dry weight. Lily starch (LS) has B‐type X‐ray diffraction characterized by a peak at 5.6°, 17°, 22°, and 24°. The swelling and solubility of the LS are significantly higher than rice and corn starches. The gelatinization temperatures of the LS are much lower than maize but higher than wheat and potato starches. The pasting temperature, peak, breakdown, and setback viscosities of lily starches are falling within the range; 66.1–72.7 °C, 1409–3940 cP, 88–1206 cP, and 445–1952 cP, respectively. The range for initial temperature, gelatinization temperature range, and enthalpy for lily starches is also 56.5–64.0 °C, 3.8–10.3 °C, and 3.9–13.9 J g−1, respectively. This review focuses on the recent advances in the understanding of the composition, structure, and properties of lily starches. Furthermore, the limited modification associated with lily starches is also discussed. There is a bold attempt to compare the properties of lily starch with that of the commercial starches of corn and potato.
In‐Situ Production of Modified Starch and Pickering Emulsions by Planetary Ball Milling
Authors: González Luciana C. , Santagapita Patricio R. , Tolaba Marcela P. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractRice starches with different degrees of modification are obtained by high impact‐milling and evaluated as stabilizers of oil/water (O/W) Pickering emulsions. The objective is to produce in‐situ Pickering emulsions in a planetary ball mill (PBM), analyzing the effect of starch milling time (10, 40, 70 min) and starch concentration (3%, 9%, 15%, 21%, 27%) on emulsion attributes such as droplet size (D50, D[4,3]), oil retention (OR) capacity, creaming percentage (C), and stability time (ST). The traditional homogenization method using a rotor‐stator device is adopted as a reference. By homogenization in PBM, good quality emulsions (droplet size lower than 50 µm and 18 days stable period) are obtained by using 15% of rice starch milled during 40 min. In contrast, the emulsion cannot be obtained by traditional homogenization for the same process conditions. However, with 70 min of PBM and 21%–27% of starch content, a long‐term ST (60 days) is achieved by means of both homogenization methods. These optimal emulsions show a low droplet size (D50 ∼ 10 µm) and a great affinity of the milled starch toward the interface in optical microscopy images, which explains the significant contribution of starch particles aimed at controlling the droplet coalescence.
Taxonomy and nomenclature ofSphenopterisand allied fossil‐genera of Carboniferous seed‐plant fronds
Authors: Cleal Christopher J. , Thomas Barry A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMost remains of Carboniferous lyginopteridalean seed‐plant fronds used to be classified in a single fossil‐genus (Sphenopteris) based mainly on pinnule morphology. By incorporating additional characters linked to frond architecture and rachial features a more natural taxonomy has now been achieved. Eight fossil‐genera of lyginopteridalean fronds are now recognised (Sphenopteris,Calymmotheca,Eusphenopteris,Karinopteris,Mariopteris,Palmatopteris,Spathulopteris,Sphenopteridium) for which the diagnostic descriptions, nomenclatural types and stratigraphical/chronological distribution are clarified. This provides a more natural and therefore robust means of recording these fossils, which will help improve studies on past plant diversity and floristics. A by‐product of this revision is that some fossil‐species of fern fronds previously placed inSphenopteriswill need to be reclassified into fossil‐genera that are defined on reproductive structures.
Surgical stabilisation of a traumatic comminuted vertebral fracture/luxation in a Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum)
Authors: Rojas Viviana , Fitzmaurice Matilda , Po Eleonora , Freeman Paul 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWe report the case of a 1‐year‐old, male, entire Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum) presented unable to walk as a result of a traumatic comminuted vertebral fracture/luxation and successfully treated with surgical stabilisation using pins and polymethyl methacrylate. The diagnosis was based on neurological examination and computed tomography. The surgery was performed the same day of presentation and the patient recovered well after surgery, eating, urinating and defecating within the next 24 hours. In this paper, we discuss the anaesthetic and peri‐anaesthetic management as well as the postoperative medical considerations, focusing on important anatomical aspects of the species and the surgical procedure that has not been described in maras before.
Deterioration of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in a French bulldog following surgical stabilisation of atlantoaxial subluxation with concurrent atlas malformation
Authors: Perez Perez Maria C. , Renfrew Helen , Jack Malcolm , Bertram Simon 
Published: May 2023

AbstractA 2‐year 10‐month‐old French bulldog presented with a history of intermittent yelping episodes and low head carriage. Examination revealed cervical hyperaesthesia and grade I brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography of the cervical vertebral column demonstrated a malformation of the atlas and atlantoaxial subluxation causing spinal cord compression. Ventral atlantoaxial stabilisation was performed, aided by three‐dimensional printed, patient‐specific drill guides, bicortical bone screws and polymethylmethacrylate. Four months later, the patient re‐presented being pain free but for deterioration of upper respiratory noise, distress and exercise intolerance. Grade III brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome was evident on examination. Assessment of the post‐stabilisation computed tomography images and recent radiographs suggested that the rapid progression of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome had been caused by the stabilisation construct causing further narrowing of the nasopharynx by ventral and rostral displacement of the dorsocaudal nasopharyngeal wall. A folded flap palatoplasty was performed leading to excellent short‐ and long‐term outcome.
The European Union’s Cooperation for Peace in Colombia: Achievements, Contributions and Limits with Respect to Guaranteeing Victims’ Rights
Authors: Gómez Correal Diana , Zugadi Bengoa Ainhoa 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe chapter analyses the materializations, contributions and limitations of the European Union’s cooperation in guaranteeing the rights of the victims in Colombia. The text identifies the main programs and lines of intervention of the EU’s cooperation with Colombia since the start of the XXI century that contribute to the rights of the victims. It also analyses the transformations that the EU’s intervention has had in the midst of the application of transitional justice in the country, the peace process with the FARC-EP and the implementation of the Peace Agreement. Starting from a decolonial perspective, the chapter identifies structural limitations in the EU’s cooperation and the way that these affect the rights of victims and peacebuilding. The text concludes with some recommendations for the EU, aimed at guaranteeing the rights of victims in Colombia, transformative peacebuilding, and the structural changes that this requires.
The EU’s Peace Work in Colombia: Conclusions, Lessons Learned and Future Prospects
Authors: Pérez de Armiño Karlos 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis chapter takes up some of the transversal ideas addressed throughout the book. In the first place, it formulates some conclusions on the support given by the EU to the peace process in Colombia over two decades and, in particular, to the implementation of the Havana Peace Agreement. It considers that a hybrid model of peacebuilding has been shaped, with objectives and principles of liberal peace, but with some innovative elements that go beyond the latter, above all in three fields: the commitment to strengthening civil society, the defence of human rights and the adoption of a territorial approach. In the second place, we extract some lessons from the accumulated European experiences and activities in the country that could enrich the EU’s normative framework and repertoire of peacebuilding instruments in the world. Finally, we reflect on the growing space and the opportunities that Gustavo Petro’s election as president in August 2022 has opened for the EU to continue acting as a firm supporter of the Peace Agreement. The chapter is based on a documentary analysis and interviews conducted with several actors.
The European Union’s Contribution to the Implementation of the Ethnic Approach Within the Colombian Peace Agreement (2016–2021)
Authors: Linares Quero Alba 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe chapter examines to what extent the European Union is contributing to territorial peacebuilding through the implementation of the Peace Agreement’s ethnic approach. It is vital to support Colombia’s ethnic minorities—who are the main victims of the armed conflict and whose rights have historically been violated—in order to effectively contribute to reconciliation and positive peace. Likewise, ethnic communities have collective imaginaries and conceptions of territory that are different from those of modern society. As a result, territorial peace is in danger of replicating the liberal peace model if it does not effectively integrate these other perspectives when rebuilding governance. The conclusion of this research is that the European Union is sensitive to the situation and demands of ethnic peoples, and is supporting peace projects and initiatives with an ethnic aspect through cooperation programmes. However, in the first five years of implementation (2016–2021), it has not sufficiently supported the commitments adopted in the Peace Agreement with ethnic peoples, having underestimated the significance of the ethnic approach in its peacebuilding strategy in Colombia.
MetaCitta: Deep Meta-Learning for Spatio-Temporal Prediction Across Cities and Tasks
Authors: Sao Ashutosh , Gottschalk Simon , Tempelmeier Nicolas , Demidova Elena 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAccurate spatio-temporal prediction is essential for capturing city dynamics and planning mobility services. State-of-the-art deep spatio-temporal predictive models depend on rich and representative training data for target regions and tasks. However, the availability of such data is typically limited. Furthermore, existing predictive models fail to utilize cross-correlations across tasks and cities. In this paper, we propose MetaCitta, a novel deep meta-learning approach that addresses the critical challenges of data scarcity and model generalization. MetaCitta adopts the data from different cities and tasks in a generalizable spatio-temporal deep neural network. We propose a novel meta-learning algorithm that minimizes the discrepancy between spatio-temporal representations across tasks and cities. Our experiments with real-world data demonstrate that the proposed MetaCitta approach outperforms state-of-the-art prediction methods for zero-shot learning and pre-training plus fine-tuning. Furthermore, MetaCitta is computationally more efficient than the existing meta-learning approaches.
A New Vision of Governance for the European Less Development Regions? Sustainability and Transition Management for a Modern Approach to Policy
Authors: Provenzano Vincenzo , Seminara Maria Rosaria 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe challenge for the future of Europe and the entire planet is to direct development towards sustainability trajectories. The current period is a time of change in the direction of Ecological Transition. Managing these changes requires innovative governance models, a challenge identified by the 14 European Megatrends. Europe recognizes the need for multilevel governance that always involves a more significant number of actors. The article identifies the governance approach of Transition Management (TM) as a model that responds to the challenge of new governance models inclusive of the sustainable vision. Especially for the lagging areas, the TM could be a methodology that supports the institutional capacity, often strictly correlated to the development conditions.
A Methodology Toward a Just, Digital and Ecological Transition for Resilient and Sustainable Scenarios
Authors: Leuzzo Alessia 
Published: May 2023

AbstractClimate change-related extreme events, like droughts and heavy precipitations, are increasingly leading to water-related problems, such as flooding, water scarcity, and disease spreading. Furthermore, it appears insufficiently effective working on the adaptation to some conditions, by merely reducing their impacts on the built environment. The current scenario rather suggests the necessity to produce positive impacts. In this paper, a methodology using the Advanced Resilient Design (ARD) approach is proposed. The ARD is a Regenerative Design that works on resilient scenarios to manage water resources and pieces of information, as a starting point to tackle climate change effects such as floodings and drought. The ARD applies to circular development models, focusing on “enabling water technologies”. In the first part of the paper, some literature will be discussed, from climate change scenario and water involvement to the necessity of organizing built environment spaces as “urban districts in transition”. Also, the need to reach resilience through sustainability and the critical role of water management for innovative and inclusive transitions are discussed. Then, three paradigms are presented: liminal scale, urban water districts, and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). These paradigms are considered critical to understanding the following presentation of a methodology based on the Advanced Resilient Design. Afterward, some research on the criticality of water management in the post-Covid19 is presented as examples for a first validation of the proposed methodology. Finally, the innovative aspects of the methodology, bottlenecks, and further research from the methodology application are discussed.
Data Driven Smart Cities and Data Spaces
Authors: Battistoni Pietro 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSmart Cities are places where traditional networks and services are made more efficient through digital solutions, benefiting residents and businesses. Moving to digital solutions basically means applying a technological process that transforms various aspects of social or individual life into data that are subsequently transformed into information endowed with new forms of value, including economic value. In addition to economic value, in the digital age, access to data makes it possible to have transparent and open government, build trust, fight corruption, address inequality, and create more resilient democracies. This chapter describes how, for these purposes, data management and sharing are changing with the adoption of Data Spaces, a new approach that moves away from data integration to data coexistence.
Rural and Creativity HUB for the Vulture Regional Park: Making Community, Starting with the Construction of a Participatory LAB
Authors: Coppola Emanuela , Sica Giusy 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe Vulture Regional Park is a unique territory for its geomorphologic and vegetation characteristics but also because of its strategic position between Basilicata, Campania and Puglia which preserves the signs of different ages, territorialization and deterritorialization that have affected it over the centuries. This territory represents a great scientific challenge for our Center that has proposed an innovative technical-operational methodology based on the territorialist approach [1] and on interpretation planning [2]. This tool allows one to recognise the relationships between the nodes of the identity of places, the development of society and the modification of the behaviors of consumption of resources. Our goal is to make the Vulture Regional Park a model of study and experimentation of a Rural and Creativity Living Lab, through a “place-based and people-oriented” approach. We strongly believe that the value and potential of the territory's resources must be considered as a driver for sustainable development and quality of life in an evolving society. It is necessary to highlight the importance of a broad knowledge of the resources that must be respected and defended.
Resilient and Transition Strategies for the Post-pandemic City: A Multi-criteria Analytical Approach for the Case of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria
Authors: Bevilacqua Carmelina , Pizzimenti Pasquale 
Published: May 2023

AbstractEuropean cities face the challenges of planning their transition to achieve sustainable and resilient urbanization. However, operationalizing suitable urban strategies toward sustainability appears difficult, especially in the light of rising inequalities and disparities within and among EU cities and regions. Urban regeneration strategies appear to be a possible leveraging mechanism for cities’ green and digital transition in the mutated policy context for recovery after the pandemic. In this context, the paper explores how intermediate cities effectively design and implement urban development strategies toward resilience and sustainability in response to the current pressing challenges. The Metropolitan City of Reggio is examined by assessing the city’s ability to address context vulnerabilities in current urban development strategies through a multi-criteria analytical approach. Results point out priority factors that affect the case under investigation and should be prioritized in de-fining future development strategies and the potential role of urban regeneration in the city's future development strategies towards resilience sustainability.
Acid sphingomyelinase expression is associated with survival in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wilson Gregory C. , Patel Sameer H. , Wang Jiang , Xu Kui , Turner Kevin M. , Becker Katrin Anne , Carpinteiro Alexander , Szabo Ildiko , Ahmad Syed A. , Gulbins Erich 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Unfortunately, the prognosis of PDAC is rather poor, and for instance, in the USA, over 47,000 people die because of pancreatic cancer annually. Here, we demonstrate that high expression of acid sphingomyelinase in PDAC strongly correlates with long-term survival of patients, as revealed by the analysis of two independent data sources. The positive effects of acid sphingomyelinase expression on long-term survival of PDAC patients were independent of patient demographics as well as tumor grade, lymph node involvement, perineural invasion, tumor stage, lymphovascular invasion, and adjuvant therapy. We also demonstrate that genetic deficiency or pharmacological inhibition of the acid sphingomyelinase promotes tumor growth in an orthotopic mouse model of PDAC. This is mirrored by a poorer pathologic response, as defined by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) score for pancreatic cancer, to neoadjuvant therapy of patients co-treated with functional inhibitors of the acid sphingomyelinase, in particular tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, in a retrospective analysis. Our data indicate expression of the acid sphingomyelinase in PDAC as a prognostic marker for tumor progression. They further suggest that the use of functional inhibitors of the acid sphingomyelinase, at least of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with PDAC, is contra-indicated. Finally, our data also suggest a potential novel treatment of PDAC patients with recombinant acid sphingomyelinase.

Key messages

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common tumor with poor prognosis.

Expression of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) determines outcome of PDAC.

Genetic deficiency or pharmacologic inhibition of ASM promotes tumor growth in a mouse model.

Inhibition of ASM during neoadjuvant treatment for PDAC correlates with worse pathology.

ASM expression is a prognostic marker and potential target in PDAC.
Introducing shrinkage in heavy-tailed state space models to predict equity excess returns
Authors: Huber Florian , Kastner Gregor , Pfarrhofer Michael 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
We forecast excess returns of the S &P 500 index using a flexible Bayesian econometric state space model with non-Gaussian features at several levels. More precisely, we control for overparameterization via global–local shrinkage priors on the state innovation variances as well as the time-invariant part of the state space model. The shrinkage priors are complemented by heavy tailed state innovations that cater for potential large breaks in the latent states, even if the degree of shrinkage introduced is high. Moreover, we allow for leptokurtic stochastic volatility in the observation equation. The empirical findings indicate that several variants of the proposed approach outperform typical competitors frequently used in the literature, both in terms of point and density forecasts.
Real-time power theft monitoring and detection system with double connected data capture system
Authors: Zulu Celimpilo Lindani , Dzobo Oliver 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPower utilities worldwide are facing enormous challenges when it comes to the distribution of electricity. With these challenges, electricity theft is regarded as the most common challenge in the electrical distribution system. Electricity theft can be meter tampering done in consumer houses and illegal connections done using hook-ups from the distribution pole grids. These electricity theft challenges have caused power utilities to reconsider customer engagements focusing on feedback, putting loss detection systems in their distribution system networks, using artificial intelligence to schedule maintenance and other asset management activities, etc. The main focus of this paper is to design a real-time power theft monitoring and detection system that is able to detect power theft in distribution systems. This proposed system utilizes smart meters consisting of an Arduino ATMega328P microcontrollers with GSM modules (Global System for Mobile Communication) used for system communication. Cloud storage is created to store the smart meter data. Simulations of the proposed system were done using Proteus Design Suite v.8.10 SP3 software. The proposed system is practically constructed for prototype measurement results. Should power imbalances be measured by the system, the authority office will receive an SMS notification as an alert for power theft detected by a specific smart metering system. The authority office will analyse the power measurements sent to the cloud storage (MATLAB Online, ThingSpeak IoT channels display), and further action will be taken.