3,960 research outputs found

    Undergraduate Catalog of Studies, 2023-2024

    Get PDF

    Graduate Catalog of Studies, 2023-2024

    Get PDF

    Essays on Panel Data Prediction Models

    Get PDF
    Forward-looking analysis is valuable for policymakers as they need effective strategies to mitigate imminent risks and potential challenges. Panel data sets contain time series information over a number of cross-sectional units and are known to have superior predictive abilities in comparison to time series only models. This PhD thesis develops novel panel data methods to contribute to the advancement of short-term forecasting and nowcasting of macroeconomic and environmental variables. The two most important highlights of this thesis are the use of cross-sectional dependence in panel data forecasting and to allow for timely predictions and ‘nowcasts’.Although panel data models have been found to provide better predictions in many empirical scenarios, forecasting applications so far have not included cross-sectional dependence. On the other hand, cross-sectional dependence is well-recognised in large panels and has been explicitly modelled in previous causal studies. A substantial portion of this thesis is devoted to developing cross-sectional dependence in panel models suited to diverse empirical scenarios. The second important aspect of this work is to integrate the asynchronous release schedules of data within and across panel units into the panel models. Most of the thesis emphasises the pseudo-real-time predictions with efforts to estimate the model on the data that has been released at the time of predictions, thus trying to replicate the realistic circumstances of delayed data releases.Linear, quantile and non-linear panel models are developed to predict a range of targets both in terms of their meaning and method of measurement. Linear models include panel mixed-frequency vector-autoregression and bridge equation set-ups which predict GDP growth, inflation and CO2 emissions. Panel quantile regressions and latent variable discrete choice models predict growth-at-risk and extreme episodes of cross-border capital flows, respectively. The datasets include both international cross-country panels as well as regional subnational panels. Depending on the nature of the model and the prediction targets, different precision criteria evaluate the accuracy of the models in out-of-sample settings. The generated predictions beat respective standard benchmarks in a more timely fashion

    Osiąganie celów zrównoważonego rozwoju w warunkach racjonalnych oczekiwań poprzez osiągnięcie równowagi interesów edukacji i produkcji w zakresie przemysłu lekkiego w trudnych czasach pandemii i wojny

    Get PDF
    The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the global consequences caused by the development of light industry for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The ecological context allows us to focus on how light industry affects climate change, resource depletion, waste generation and water pollution. It is emphasized that the impact of light industry can create significant challenges for sustainable development related to SDG 13 (Climate action), SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 15 (Life on land). The article also examines the socio-economic context, discusses how light industry leads to persistent inequality, loss of traditional skills and cultural heritage, as well as trade imbalance. In terms of social responsibility, light industries have a history of violations of working conditions and labour rights. The socio-economic impacts considered may hinder the achievement of SDGs such as SDG 5 (Gender equality), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals). The theory of rational expectations is used to predict the development of light industry and its subsequent impact on sustainable development in the post-pandemic period. The prospects of applying the theory in the training of specialists for light industry are substantiated. The impact of the consequences of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine on the decision-making processes in light industry and their alignment with the sustainable development goals, taking into account civilizational challenges, is considered. In the process of research, an econometric model has been developed to determine the desired balance of interests between education and production based on rational expectations in a sustainable development environment.  It advocates harmony between these two aspects, based on rational expectations, to promote sustainable development. This balance is crucial for achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals). The properties of the model provide a wide range of applications, allowing to estimate the impact of a variety of factors on sustainable development in light industry. The developed model can be applied to estimate the values of the dependent variable for individual countries or regions, as well as to analyse the influence of independent and control variables on changes in its value. As a planning tool, the model can be adapted to develop context-sensitive sustainability strategies in light industries. The article offers ideas and practical solutions for using the potential of light industry in the pursuit of sustainable development in conditions of rational expectations.W artykule przedstawiono kompleksową analizę globalnych konsekwencji rozwoju przemysłu lekkiego w kontekście osiągania Celów zrównoważonego rozwoju środowiskowego. Kontekst ekologiczny pozwala nam skupić się na wpływie przemysłu lekkiego na zmiany klimatyczne, wyczerpywanie się zasobów, wytwarzanie odpadów i zanieczyszczenie wody. Podkreśla się, że wpływ przemysłu lekkiego może stworzyć istotne wyzwania dla zrównoważonego rozwoju związane z SDG 13 (Działania klimatyczne), SDG 6 (Czysta woda i kanalizacja), SDG 12 (Odpowiedzialna konsumpcja i produkcja), SDG 14 (Życie pod wodą). i SDG 15 (Życie na lądzie). W artykule dokonano także analizy kontekstu społeczno-gospodarczego, omówiono, w jaki sposób przemysł lekki prowadzi do utrzymujących się nierówności, utraty tradycyjnych umiejętności i dziedzictwa kulturowego, a także nierównowagi handlowej. Jeśli chodzi o odpowiedzialność społeczną w kontekście przemysłu lekkiego, odnosi się ona do naruszeń warunków pracy i praw pracowniczych. Uwzględnione skutki społeczno-gospodarcze mogą utrudnić osiągnięcie celów zrównoważonego rozwoju, takich jak cel zrównoważonego rozwoju 5 (równość płci), cel zrównoważonego rozwoju 8 (godziwa praca i wzrost gospodarczy), cel zrównoważonego rozwoju 9 (przemysł, innowacje i infrastruktura), cel zrównoważonego rozwoju 10 (zmniejszenie nierówności), cel zrównoważonego rozwoju 11 (Zrównoważone miasta i społeczności) oraz SDG 12 (Odpowiedzialna konsumpcja i produkcja), SDG 17 (Partnerstwo dla osiągnięcia celów). Teoria racjonalnych oczekiwań służy do przewidywania rozwoju przemysłu lekkiego i jego późniejszego wpływu na zrównoważony rozwój w okresie popandemicznym. Udowodniono perspektywy zastosowania teorii w kształceniu specjalistów przemysłu lekkiego. Rozważany jest wpływ skutków pandemii i wojny na Ukrainie na procesy decyzyjne w przemyśle lekkim i ich dostosowanie do celów zrównoważonego rozwoju, z uwzględnieniem wyzwań cywilizacyjnych. Opracowano model ekonometryczny umożliwiający określenie pożądanej równowagi interesów pomiędzy edukacją a produkcją w oparciu o racjonalne oczekiwania w środowisku zrównoważonego rozwoju. Opowiada się za harmonią między tymi dwoma aspektami, opartą na racjonalnych oczekiwaniach, w celu promowania zrównoważonego rozwoju. Ta równowaga jest kluczowa dla osiągnięcia SDG 4 (Jakość edukacji), SDG 9 (Przemysł, innowacje i infrastruktura) oraz SDG 17 (Partnerstwo dla osiągnięcia celów). Właściwości modelu zapewniają szerokie spektrum zastosowań, pozwalając na ocenę wpływu różnorodnych czynników na zrównoważony rozwój przemysłu lekkiego. Opracowany model można zastosować do szacowania wartości zmiennej zależnej dla poszczególnych krajów lub regionów, a także do analizy wpływu zmiennych niezależnych i kontrolnych na zmiany jej wartości. Jako narzędzie planowania model można dostosować do opracowania kontekstowych strategii zrównoważonego rozwoju w branżach lekkich. W artykule przedstawiono pomysły i praktyczne rozwiązania wykorzystania potencjału przemysłu lekkiego w dążeniu do zrównoważonego rozwoju w warunkach racjonalnych oczekiwań

    Graduate Catalog of Studies, 2023-2024

    Get PDF

    Beta-glucans to enhance adoptive therapy of anti-cancer T cells

    Get PDF

    Climate Change and Critical Agrarian Studies

    Full text link
    Climate change is perhaps the greatest threat to humanity today and plays out as a cruel engine of myriad forms of injustice, violence and destruction. The effects of climate change from human-made emissions of greenhouse gases are devastating and accelerating; yet are uncertain and uneven both in terms of geography and socio-economic impacts. Emerging from the dynamics of capitalism since the industrial revolution — as well as industrialisation under state-led socialism — the consequences of climate change are especially profound for the countryside and its inhabitants. The book interrogates the narratives and strategies that frame climate change and examines the institutionalised responses in agrarian settings, highlighting what exclusions and inclusions result. It explores how different people — in relation to class and other co-constituted axes of social difference such as gender, race, ethnicity, age and occupation — are affected by climate change, as well as the climate adaptation and mitigation responses being implemented in rural areas. The book in turn explores how climate change – and the responses to it - affect processes of social differentiation, trajectories of accumulation and in turn agrarian politics. Finally, the book examines what strategies are required to confront climate change, and the underlying political-economic dynamics that cause it, reflecting on what this means for agrarian struggles across the world. The 26 chapters in this volume explore how the relationship between capitalism and climate change plays out in the rural world and, in particular, the way agrarian struggles connect with the huge challenge of climate change. Through a huge variety of case studies alongside more conceptual chapters, the book makes the often-missing connection between climate change and critical agrarian studies. The book argues that making the connection between climate and agrarian justice is crucial

    The Pragmatic Development of a Carbon Management Framework for UK SMEs

    Get PDF
    The UK's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 is challenged by critics citing current government strategies as inadequate, marked by a lack of concrete action and aspirational guidelines. Notably, businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which constitute about half of all business emissions, are pivotal to this goal. Yet, existing policies and standards often neglect the significant role of SMEs, who face barriers such as limited knowledge and resources in implementing carbon management practices. This thesis explores the development of a novel carbon management framework specifically designed for medium-sized organisations in the UK to address these problems. The research adopts a practical approach through collaboration with an industry partner, facilitating a case study for real-world application. Adopting a mixed-methods research design grounded in pragmatism, the study commenced with a qualitative study in the form of a focus group. This exploratory phase, critical for understanding SME challenges, yielded rich data revealing key management themes in strategy, energy, and data. The framework design was supported by a materiality assessment and input from key stakeholders on three major iterations. The final framework comprises three phases: establishing a baseline carbon footprint, creating a carbon reduction plan, and strategically implementing this plan. The validation process, conducted at Knowsley Safari, successfully tested the initial two phases but faced constraints in fully assessing the third phase due to time limitations. While the research achieved its primary aim of developing a novel carbon management framework for SMEs, it encountered limitations, notably in time and the generalisability of findings due to reliance on a single case study. Future research could test the framework across diverse SME settings to establish its broader applicability and effectiveness in aiding the UK's net-zero emission goals

    Corporate social responsibility and climate change: the case of oil and gas industry of Nigeria

    Get PDF
    The thesis contributes to the literature on social accounting, accountability, and reporting by providing insights into the perspectives of multinational and indigenous oil and gas corporations in Nigeria regarding climate change, particularly the link between gas flaring and its impact on the environment and local communities. The use of interpretive research methods and the application of climate justice theory provide a unique theoretical lens to challenge existing policies and practices and engage with stakeholders holistically and transparently. The study highlights the inadequacy of current corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSER) practices in addressing climate change challenges and the need for corporations to adopt an ethics or climate justice approach in their actions and reporting, supported by policy instruments to ensure compliance. Empirical evidence shows that corporations in this industry ride on increasing demand for fossil fuels, lax regulation and monitoring of the industry, vulnerability and powerlessness of local communities to take undue advantage of the communities. However, they use some CSR programmes, remote from real solutions to gas flaring or climate change challenges, to pacify community stakeholders and sustain or improve corporate legitimacy. An intentional commitment by the corporations, including imbibing ethics or climate justice lens, and backed by strict and mandatory policy instruments is essential for addressing gas-flaring-induced climate challenges
    corecore