Dynamic Interrelationships Research Articles

A novel prediction model to evaluate the dynamic interrelationship between gold and crude oil

AbstractGlobal events, such as the pandemic and European conflicts, have caused significant inflation and high volatility in gold and crude oil prices. This has garnered substantial international attention while banks, governments, and businesses are devoted to developing strategies to hedge against the potential impacts of economic uncertainties. Focused on addressing economic uncertainties, this study delves into the crucial role of the relationship between gold and crude oil in shaping global financial and economic dynamics. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis and construct a rolling SARIMAX model for predicting the rolling 12-months correlation of the Gold–WTI and Gold–Brent relationship. Monthly data on Gold spot prices, WTI futures, and Brent futures is collected from May 1983 to December 2022. Three sophisticated data analysis techniques, the Rolling Correlation method, the SARIMAX model, and the Rolling Model are integrated to develop the Rolling SARIMAX module. R-square values of this newly developed model achieved 89.8% and 88.4% for predicting the rolling correlation for Gold Spot Price-WTI Futures and Gold Spot Price-Brent Futures, respectively, while the mean absolute percentage error was 10.33% and 10.84%, respectively. The higher accuracy in correlation prediction between gold and crude oil prices can present critical insights for risk management, economic planning, strategic investment, economic cycles, and global economic outlook. This newly developed prediction model adeptly handles both linear and non-linear relationships while adapting to external variables in dynamic market scenarios. Its judicious balance between complexity and practicality positions it as a sophisticated analytical tool with real-world applicability, setting a new benchmark in financial market analysis.

Structural and morphological organization of dry valley of the Cretaceous south of the Central Chernozem Region

The peculiarities of origin, morphological and genetic varieties and structural and dynamic interrelations of dry valley landscapes of the Cretaceous south of the Central Chernozem Region are considered. Modern ideas about genesis, morphology, development and landscape structure of sukhodols are presented. Paradynamic interrelations of structural elements of basin landscape systems are emphasized. The necessity of taking into account landscape specificity of dry lands when solving the problems of nature management and optimization of landscape-ecological situation in the Cretaceous south of the Central Chernozem Region is emphasized. As an example, we analyzed the component, territorial and altitudinal organization of natural complexes of a large sukhodols of the Kuvshin dry valley located in the Podgorensky district of the Voronezh Region. The main factors of landscape differentiation are established, among which are peculiarities of morpholithogenic base, character of biostrom development, modern economic use. The problems of identification of local landscape boundaries and approaches to their solution have been noted. Based on the results of the research, 7 families and 45 species of landtypes, as well as altitudinal landscape layers and sub-layers were identified within the valley. Recommendations on changing the conservation status of the territory are given.

Adapting to an Economic Crisis: The Market System vs Hierarchical Governance

This research investigates how exchange governance and the local market system influence a firm's adaptability to an economic crisis. This paper unveils a nuanced performance disparity by leveraging a rich dataset of manufacturing firms in Spain. While vertically integrated firms exhibit superior performance during periods of stability, they confront more significant setbacks in the aftermath of economic crises. This study demonstrates that the extent of this performance divergence is contingent upon the thickness of the local market system, supporting the hypothesis that vertically integrated firms derive reduced adaptive benefits from agglomeration economies. These findings shed light on the dynamic interrelationship between a firm's vertical scope and geographical context. They underscore the significance of a holistic assessment when determining the optimal approach to exchange governance. This assessment must evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of autonomous versus coordinated adaptation across economic cycles and geographies.

Dynamic Interrelations Between Environmental Innovations, Human Capital, and Energy Security in Vietnam: New Evidence from an Extended QVAR Approach

Dynamic Interrelations Between Environmental Innovations, Human Capital, and Energy Security in Vietnam: New Evidence from an Extended QVAR Approach

The constantly expanding goal fields: Turning the discourse of goals into fields

The human being as an individual has unique ways of perceiving the dynamic interrelation between self-environments. The shift in the irreversible time interrelates with the organic notion of development. Still, change does not simply mean that we are physically changing, but it also implies that our way of seeing the changing reality-construct is constantly in change. But how do we actually see the world and what goal does the concept of goals/dreams play in all of that? In the following article the construct “goal” is redefined into a more phenomenological-based understanding in which goals are transformed into fields that inhabit our vision field and flourish in the deep spheres of imagination.

A wavelet analysis of investing in cryptocurrencies in the Indian stock market

PurposeThis study is designed to examine the dynamic interrelationships between four cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and Cardano) and the Indian equity market. Additionally, the study seeks to investigate the potential safe haven, hedge and diversification uses of these digital currencies within the Indian equity market.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs the wavelet approach to examine the time-varying volatility of the studied assets and the lead-lag relationship between stocks and cryptocurrencies. The authors execute the entire analysis using daily data from 1st October 2017 to 30th September 2023.FindingsThe result of the study shows that financial distress due to the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have a negative effect on the Indian equities and cryptocurrency markets, escalating their price volatility. Also, the connectedness between the returns of stock and digital currency exhibits a strong positive relationship during periods of financial distress. Additionally, cryptocurrencies serve as a tool of diversification or hedging in the Indian equities markets during normal financial circumstances, but they do not serve as a diversifier or safe haven during periods of financial turmoil.Originality/valueThis study contributes to understanding the relationship between the Indian equity market and four cryptocurrencies using wavelet techniques in the time and frequency domains, considering both normal and crisis times. This can offer valuable insights into the potential of cryptocurrencies inside the Indian equities markets, mainly with respect to varying financial conditions and investment horizons.

A Dynamic Interrelationships among Clean Energy, Environmental Pollution, and Economic Growth in GCC Economies: A Panel ARDL Approach

The paper investigates the interplay between clean energy, environmental pollution reduction, and economic growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from 1980 to 2019, utilizing the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method. The study underscores the global transition towards cleaner energy sources and its implications for the region. In assessing the determinants of economic growth, the findings reveal a positive and significant short- and long-term impact of energy production, with energy consumption exhibiting a positive and significant effect solely in the long term. The absence of a confirmed relationship in the short term is notable. Causality tests demonstrate a significant link from both energy consumption types to environmental pollution, alongside causal relationships from urbanization, energy production, and consumption to economic growth. Moreover, the results include the pivotal role of energy production in driving GDP growth, caution in short-term energy consumption effects, and significant causal links between energy consumption and environmental pollution. The recommendations to incentivize sustainable energy production, engage in long-term energy consumption planning, and adopt integrated urbanization policies provide actionable insights for policymakers. These suggestions are aimed at guiding the GCC countries in balancing the pursuit of economic growth with environmental sustainability—a delicate equilibrium that necessitates careful consideration of various factors.

Unconferencing methodology as a cultural disrupter in higher education: Enabling reflections on promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equitable spaces

In applying the collective mind to challenges in higher education, there is hope for innovative solutions. HELTASA’s approach to adapting the unconference methodology during the annual learning and teaching (un)conference in 2021 demonstrated its vision to reflect on a re-imagined inclusive higher education using the questions: Sivela phi? (where do we come from?), Si phi? (where we are?), and Siya phi? (where are we going?). This paper reflects on how the unconferencing methodology was used as a cultural disrupter during the HELTASA’s (un)conference. We identify with ‘culture’ as emphasising active meaning-making instead of unchanging, static ideas by homogenous groups. ‘Culture’ is dynamic, and it changes over time. In the context of unconferencing methodology, cultural disruption refers to a deliberate effort to challenge and disrupt traditional cultural norms and values to promote greater inclusivity, diversity, creativity and problem-solving. The unconference is intended to disrupt current thinking and practices in conferences and open higher education spaces for creative, critical dialogue and innovation. Cultural disruption plays a transformative role in deconstructing established norms of knowledge, identity, and practices within higher education. The unconference seeks to challenge the prevailing power dynamics inherent in higher education and mirrored in traditional conferences by adopting a participant-driven and focused approach. The unconference supports the notion of collective thinking or collaboration, which re-frames knowledge boundaries as dynamic inter-relationships with due weight given to reflective ways of knowing (Brown, 2015). This paper uses the Reflection and Critical Thinking Model by Mugumbate, et al. (2021) as a framework to explore and understand how cultural disruptions were implemented and experienced during the planning and execution of the (un)conference itself. This paper critically reflects on the HELTASA (un)conference Call, cultural representations, presentation types, and structure of the unconference to share possible cultural disruptions. This paper's reflections delve into the effectiveness of unconferencing in higher education as a potent tool for cultural disruption in relation to power dynamics, participation, individual and collective thinking, and the imperative of amplifying diverse voices. Unconferencing, through its disruption of cultural norms and values, can promote greater innovation and creativity by enabling the incorporation of a wider range of perspectives and ideas. Additionally, unconferencing can create more inclusive and equitable spaces where traditionally marginalised voices are provided a platform to be heard and represented.

Moving beyond Beyond Budgeting: A case study of the dynamic interrelationships between budgets and forecasts

Moving beyond Beyond Budgeting: A case study of the dynamic interrelationships between budgets and forecasts

Tracking the formation potential of vivianite within the treatment train of full-scale wastewater treatment plants

Phosphorus recovery is a vital element for the circular economy. Wastewater, especially sewage sludge, shows great potential for recovering phosphate in the form of vivianite. This work focuses on studying the iron, phosphorus, and sulfur interactions at full-scale wastewater treatment plants (Viikinmäki, Finland and Seine Aval, France) with the goal of identifying unit processes with a potential for vivianite formation. Concentrations of iron(III) and iron(II), phosphorus, and sulfur were used to evaluate the reduction of iron and the formation potential of vivianite. Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to confirm the presence of vivianite in various locations on sludge lines. The results show that the vivianite formation potential increases as the molar Fe:P ratio increases, the anaerobic sludge retention time increases, and the sulfate concentration decreases. The digester is a prominent location for vivianite recovery, but not the only one. This work gives valuable insights into the dynamic interrelations of iron, phosphorus, and sulfur in full-scale conditions. These results will support the understanding of vivianite formation and pave the way for an alternative solution for vivianite recovery for example in plants that do not have an anaerobic digester.

Expanding the Scope of Institutional Logics Research

AbstractThe institutional logics perspective provides a powerful theory that emphasizes how symbolic beliefs and material practices are intertwined in relatively enduring configurations that can profoundly shape behavior across space and time. In this article, we build upon the arguments and insights of Haveman, Joseph-Goteiner, and Li, suggesting the need for a broader research agenda on the dynamics of institutional logics in China and around the world. Building on some of our recent writings, we argue for the need to go beyond the study of how logics have effects, to understand how logics themselves cohere, endure, and co-evolve in dynamic interrelationships with other logics.

Trajectories of immune-related serum proteins and quality of life in patients with pancreatic and other periampullary cancer: the CHAMP study

BackgroundThere is still a profound lack of efficient therapeutic strategies against pancreatic and other periampullary adenocarcinoma. Surgery is seldom possible, leaving palliative chemotherapy the only option for most patients. Chemotherapy treatment is however often accompanied by serious side-effects, and the identification of biomarkers for early prediction of disease and treatment-associated symptoms could help alleviate patient suffering. This study investigated the dynamic interrelationship between immune-related serum proteins, routine biomarkers, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) factors during chemotherapy treatment of patients enrolled in the prospective, observational study Chemotherapy, Host response And Molecular dynamics in Periampullary cancer (CHAMP).MethodsProximity extension assay was applied to analyse 92 immune-associated proteins in longitudinal serum samples from 75 patients, 18 treated with curative and 57 with palliative intent. HRQoL data were available from all patients at baseline (BL), from 41 patients at three months, and from 23 patients at six months. Information on routine laboratory parameters albumin, CA19-9, CEA and CRP were collected from medical charts.ResultsIn total nine proteins; chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 23 (CCL23), cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), cluster of differentiation 28 (CD28), decorin (DCN), galectin-1 (Gal-1), granzyme B (GZMB), granzyme H (GZMH), matrix metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were strongly correlated (Spearman’s Rho ≤ -0.6 or ≥ 0.6) with either cognitive functioning (DCN), emotional functioning (DCN, MCP-1), dyspnoea (CD28, GZMB, GZMH) or insomnia (CCL23, CD4, Gal-1, MMP7) during treatment. Associations between routine laboratory parameters (CA 19–9, CA-125, CRP, CEA and albumin) and HRQoL factors were overall weaker. None of the investigated proteins were associated with pain.ConclusionsThis is, to our knowledge, the first study exploring associations between serum biomarkers and HRQoL in patients with pancreatic or other periampullary cancer, and some findings merit further validation. The associations of DCN and MCP-1with impaired cognitive and/or emotional functioning are of particular interest, given their established link to various neurodegenerative conditions. Chemotherapy is known to cause persistent cognitive dysfunction with effects on memory and executive function, referred to as “chemo brain”. It would therefore be of great value to identify biomarkers for early detection and management of this debilitating condition.Trial registrationClinical Trial Registration: NCT03724994.

Decarbonization of construction projects: a review and interpretive structural modelling of carbon reduction drivers

Purpose Extant studies have discussed numerous carbon reduction drivers, but there is a dearth of holistic review and understanding of the dynamic interrelationships between the drivers from a system perspective. Thus, this study aims to bridge that gap. Design/methodology/approach The study conducted a review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and adopted interpretive structural modelling (ISM) to analyse and prioritise the drivers. Findings Eighteen drivers were identified and grouped into five, namely, policy instruments, bid-related, cost and risk, education and training, and reward and penalty drivers. The ISM revealed two hierarchical levels of the drivers with only higher cost of electricity/fuel on the higher level, making it the most important driver that could influence others. Practical implications The study presents an overview of decarbonisation drivers in the literature and would be of benefit to the government and stakeholders towards achieving net zero emissions in the construction industry. Originality/value The findings of the study present drivers of carbon reduction and prioritise and categorise them for tailored interventions within the construction sector. Also, it could serve as foundational knowledge for further study in the construction process decarbonisation research area.

Urban ecosystem services and climate change: a dynamic interplay

Urban ecosystems play a crucial role in providing a wide range of services to their inhabitants, and their functioning is deeply intertwined with the effects of climate change. The present review explores the dynamic interplay between urban ecosystem services and climate change, highlighting the reciprocal relationships, impacts, and adaptation strategies associated with these phenomena. The urban environment, with its built infrastructure, green spaces, and diverse human activities, offers various ecosystem services that enhance the wellbeing and resilience of urban dwellers. Urban ecosystems offer regulatory services like temperature control, air quality upkeep, and stormwater management, plus provisioning like food and water. They also provide cultural benefits, promoting recreation and community unity. However, climate change poses significant challenges to urban ecosystem services. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events can disrupt the functioning of urban ecosystems, impacting the provision of services. Heatwaves and urban heat island effects can compromise human health and energy demands, while changes in rainfall patterns can strain stormwater management systems and lead to flooding. Moreover, climate change can disrupt biodiversity and ecological processes, affecting the overall resilience and sustainability of urban ecosystems. To address these challenges, cities are adopting various adaptation strategies that recognize the interdependence between urban ecosystems and climate change. Green infrastructure interventions, such as the creation of urban parks, green roofs, and community gardens, aim to mitigate the impacts of climate change by enhancing the regulation of temperature, improving air quality, and reducing stormwater runoff. Additionally, urban planning and design approaches prioritize compact and walkable neighborhoods, promoting public transportation and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, engaging communities in the management of urban ecosystems and climate change adaptation measures is crucial for ensuring equitable distribution of ecosystem services and building social resilience. Therefore, the review article highlights a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interrelationship between urban ecosystem services and climate change and their implications. By recognizing and integrating the contributions of urban ecosystems, cities can develop sustainable and resilient strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change, ensuring the wellbeing and habitability of urban environments for present and future generations.

A Dynamic Model of Personal Adaptive Potential in the Conditions of Media Ecosystem

Relevance. The modern stage of information and communication technology development is attracting more and more researchers’ attention to the problem of risk causing factors that arise during the process of digitalization and mediatization. The category of adaptive potential that is used in various fields of socio-humanitarian knowledge appears to be an adequate conceptual instrument for media ecosystem risk problematization. However, in the framework of humanitarian and scientific digitalization discourse this concept is underdeveloped, and this fact determines the relevance of the theoretical construction(model) of personal adaptive potential in the conditions of media ecosystem, as well as the promising directions of its application.The purpose of the article is theoretical substantiation and construction of a dynamic model of an individual's adaptive potential to the risks of the media ecosystem.Objectives: to reveal the theoretical and methodological foundations of personal adaptive potential conceptualization in the conditions of media ecosystem; to specify the contents of adaptive potential levels; to describe adaptive potential dynamic interrelations with the corresponding parameters of the media ecosystem.Methodology. In the article sociological theories that focus on the socio-constructionist nature of modern technologies (actor-network theory, social construction of technology theory) are applied; as well as a number of basic general scientific methods (inductive and deductive methods, structural and functional approach). Special attention is paid to the methods of analogy and modeling, which made it possible to create a dynamic model of the adaptive potential of the individual in the media ecosystem and to lay the foundations for further operationalization of this category.Results. Basing on the results of the theoretical sources study, the author has constructed a dynamic model of personal adaptive potential. The article describes the value, dispositional and practical levels of adaptive potential, as well as their relationship with the corresponding parameters of the media ecosystem (institutional norms and habituses, patterns, affordances).Conclusions. The dynamic model constructed can be used as a methodological basis for theoretical and applied research. A promising direction is further operationalization and empirical verification of the model presented, as well as explication of adaptive potential structural elements.

Development of a multi-node monitoring system for analyzing plant growth and indoor environment interactions: An empirical study on a plant factory

In plant factories, multi-layered shelves are used to maximize production per unit area by densely growing plants. The large number of plants placed in a spacious area leads to complex interactions between the plants and the growing environment, resulting in a potentially non-uniform growing environment. When the environment is non-uniform, achieving consistent production based on location becomes challenging. This study aims to analyze these interactions through multi-node, multi-factor monitoring in an actual plant factory that engages in hydroponics. To achieve this, we developed a monitoring system tailored for measuring the growth environment in plant factories. Specifically, we created a monitoring device capable of real-time measurement of six key indoor environmental factors, a network system that facilitates multi-node data collection by utilizing both Zigbee and WiFi, and a dashboard for simplified management. The developed monitoring system was implemented in an 'A' plant factory and collected 44,640 data points over a month. It empirically demonstrated that indoor environmental factors vary by location within the growing space, depending on the surrounding environment and the placement and operation of environmental facilities. The temperature of the nutrient solution showed a statistically strong correlation with other indoor environmental factors. This indicates that the operation of environmental facilities in a plant factory should be comprehensively managed in real-time, with a focus on the relationship of the nutrient solution temperature to other indoor environmental factors. Such management is especially crucial when considering the dynamic interrelationships among nutrient solution temperature, other indoor conditions, and the varying demands imposed by plant growth activity. These results offer valuable guidelines for optimizing the growing environment in plant factories and will serve as an important reference for plant factory operators.

An exploration of the relationship between voices, dissociation, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Extensive research has shown voice hearing to be associated with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and dissociation. However, most studies have adopted a quantitative design, using cross-sectional data sampling methods, precluding temporal relationships between variables from being defined. Using a qualitative design, this study sought to identify potential symptom relationships by addressing the research question: what is the nature of the temporal relationship between voices, dissociation and PTSD symptoms? Seven voice hearers (aged 27 to 68 years) participated in a semi-structured interview exploring voice hearing, PTSD symptoms, and dissociation. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. One superordinate theme was identified in the data. Voices were observed to occur in dynamic interrelationship with PTSD symptoms and dissociation, and were frequently experienced before and after PTSD symptoms and dissociative episodes. Implications for theoretical understandings of voice hearing and future research are discussed.

Renewable Energy, Green Finance, Ecological Footprints and Environmental Quality: A New Insights from South Asian Countries

Within the context of South Asian nations, this study investigates how factors such as FDI, ecological footprint, green finance, utilization of renewable energy sources, and Information and Communication Technology all have a role in determining the quality of the environment. In order to investigate the dynamic interrelationships that exist among these elements, this study makes use of panel data and in order to evaluate the nature of the connection that exists between the variables that are the subject of this investigation, the research performs slope homogeneity tests as well as cross-sectional dependency tests. The research indicates that the ecological footprint, green financing, FDI, use of renewable energy, and ICT are all collectively responsible for the increase in carbon emissions and the deterioration of environmental conditions. However, the use of renewable energy sources has been shown to have an effect that is inversely proportional to the release of carbon emissions. The study utilizes a mixed order of integration (0,1) in order to derive short-run and long-run correlations among South Asian countries. The results indicate that several factors are exerting an influence on the quality of the environment. However, it is seen that the consumption of renewable energy is having an inverse impact on carbon emissions.

Dynamic information spillover between Chinese carbon and stock markets under extreme weather shocks

The present study aims to investigate the dynamic information spillover relationship between Chinese carbon and stock markets, as well as the impact of extreme weather shocks exerted on this relationship. The method adopted is the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator–vector autoregressive–Diebold-Yilmaz spillover approach so that the degree and direction of risk spillovers among markets can be assessed simultaneously. Empirical results reveal that there is a high level of extreme risk spillover among markets in comparison to return spillover. The carbon market receives return spillover from high-polluting sectors, but it will turn into a risk transmitter under extreme risk conditions. Weather shocks significantly affect extreme risk spillover among markets and may lead to spillovers from the carbon market to low-polluting sectors. The portfolio strategy constructed based on the identified information spillover relationship is shown to achieve higher average returns than strategies focusing on a single carbon or stock market sector. This paper is among the first to integrate carbon markets and 38 stock sector indices for different pollution intensities, comprehensively exploring their dynamic interrelationships under extreme weather threats. The corresponding practical and policy implications for investors and regulators are also provided along with these findings.

Ambiguities of urban détente: East German town twinning and the struggle with globalization in the 1960s

Abstract This article provides a fresh perspective on the history of East German town twinning in the early era of détente. While previous studies have analysed East German town twinning solely as an instrument of the Socialist Unity Party (Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands, SED) to establish paradiplomatic relations in Western Europe, I explore the dynamic inter-relation between global, national and local actors and the ambiguities of urban détente. I reveal the importance of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities (Deutsche Städte- und Gemeindetag, DStuG), the East German association of municipalities, which crucially shaped the East German concept of urban détente through practising trans-local exchange. The role played by the DStuG was backed by the United Towns Organization (UTO), a non-governmental organization founded in 1957 whose aim was to form a global network of cities beyond the East–West divide. In 1960, the DStuG joined the UTO as a member and consciously used its new position to expand its scope and improve its national status through actively working on the conceptualization of urban détente. However, the conflicts between the East German foreign ministry and the UTO grew bigger, resulting in the marginalization of the DStuG and town twinning in the SED’s concept of détente. These conflicts encouraged the UTO to redefine its global approach.