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This paper aims to empirically examine long memory and bi-directional information flow between estimated volatilities of highly volatile time series datasets of five cryptocurrencies. We propose the employment of Garman and Klass (GK), Parkinson’s, Rogers and Satchell (RS), and Garman and Klass-Yang and Zhang (GK-YZ), and Open-High-Low-Close (OHLC) volatility estimators to estimate cryptocurrencies’ volatilities. The study applies methods such as mutual information, transfer entropy (TE), effective transfer entropy (ETE), and Rényi transfer entropy (RTE) to quantify the information flow between estimated volatilities. Additionally, Hurst exponent computations examine the existence of long memory in log returns and OHLC volatilities based on simple R/S, corrected R/S, empirical, corrected empirical, and theoretical methods. Our results confirm the long-run dependence and non-linear behavior of all cryptocurrency’s log returns and volatilities. In our analysis, TE and ETE estimates are statistically significant for all OHLC estimates. We report the highest information flow from BTC to LTC volatility (RS). Similarly, BNB and XRP share the most prominent information flow between volatilities estimated by GK, Parkinson’s, and GK-YZ. The study presents the practicable addition of OHLC volatility estimators for quantifying the information flow and provides an additional choice to compare with other volatility estimators, such as stochastic volatility models.

The spontaneous symmetry breaking phenomena applied to Quantum Finance considers that the martingale state in the stock market corresponds to a ground (vacuum) state if we express the financial equations in the Hamiltonian form. The original analysis for this phenomena completely ignores the kinetic terms in the neighborhood of the minimal of the potential terms. This is correct in most of the cases. However, when we deal with the martingale condition, it comes out that the kinetic terms can also behave as potential terms and then reproduce a shift on the effective location of the vacuum (martingale). In this paper, we analyze the effective symmetry breaking patterns and the connected vacuum degeneracy for these special circumstances. Within the same scenario, we analyze the connection between the flow of information and the multiplicity of martingale states, providing in this way powerful tools for analyzing the dynamic of the stock markets.

Question: How lean construction can optimize the design phase to reduce the number of design changes during the construction phase? What are the prevalent causes of design changes that negatively affect the construction and how these changes can be mitigated using lean construction tools and techniques? Purpose: Design changes are considered to be one of the main causes of delay and cost overrun in the construction industry. Many design improvement methodologies have been developed with varying degrees of successes but still, the problem persists in the industry. To address the issue, this study explores the interpretation and application of lean design practices inherited from the principles of lean construction. Research Methodology: A systematic literature review is carried out in two phases: (1) to identify the causes of design changes, (2) to identify lean tools that can mitigate the detrimental effect of the design changes. Lean design practices are identified and further classified into four improvement zones as a flow of information, customer value, collaboration, integration of design with construction, and continuous improvement. The efficacy of identified lean design practices is judged by mapping them against prevalent causes of design changes in the construction. Resultantly, each lean design practice can be assessed based on its capabilities to reduce the design changes that emerged from the actions of owners, consultants, and contractor Findings: This study identified twenty-three (23) lean design practices which can be used as an effective tool to mitigate 38 actions leading to the design changes. It exposes the strengths of each identified tool in effectively managing the design phase. Limitation: This literature review study only includes peer-reviewed papers published by the IGLC, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and Science Direct and excludes the wider construction literature. Implications: The practical implication of this study is that it provides a useful body of knowledge for project teams to manage changes proactively and efficiently by using lean design practices. Moreover, theoretically, it explains the lean design practices and causes of design changes and provides a way forward to the researchers in exploring the efficacy of lean tools in optimizing the design phase.

The design, realisation and operation of buildings should be based on the principles of sustainable development, and consequently on the goal to conserve natural resources as a critical aspect of it. To this end, improving the resource efficiency in all building-related activities - from design to end-of-life - is necessary. Yet, such an effort cannot be fully successful if not based on comprehensive information. On the architects' side, there is a need for information on construction products to be fed into the assessment of building design variants. The exchange of information between product and building level is a topic dealt with in European (CEN TC 350) and International (ISO TC59 SC17) standardization. However, the demand on product information goes beyond the content of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). It is therefore necessary to discuss what are the additional needs for product information and how to provide this information to be practical for a building assessment. Finally, it is necessary to discuss how buildings should be documented along their life cycle to provide useful information for third parties. Third parties are - among others - valuation professionals, facility managers or demolition/dismantling companies. An approach to building files/building information packs will be presented, where information on the physical composition of the building and its material flows in the life cycle (material inventory) becomes an integral part. With regard to standardization, how to determine and present a recycling potential of a building will be discussed. Current research projects in Germany will inform the discussion.

The UN Millennium Development Goals call for not only greater financial commitment in international assistance programs but also innovative strategies to tackle the serious economic, health, education, and other basic human rights problems in the developing world. This paper is organized as follows: Chapter 2 is an overview of key theoretical models of development communication. Chapter 3 describes the characteristic patterns of recent empirical studies in development communication in terms of theoretical models and types of communication strategies. Chapter 4 presents some outstanding evidence of the impacts of communication on development initiatives. Chapter 5 discusses weak spots in the evidence. The concluding chapter will make suggestions for further research by drawing attention to the theoretical, methodological and empirical gaps in the existing academic research in development communication.

Self‐censorship of information, defined as an act of intentionally and voluntarily withholding information from others in the absence of formal obstacles, serves as an obstacle to the proper functioning of a democratic society, because it prevents free access to information, freedom of expression, and the flow of information. It is of key importance in societies, as it blocks information that may shed new light on various societal issues. Nevertheless, it is recognized that in certain cases self‐censorship is necessary. The present article provides a comprehensive conceptual framework for self‐censorship and examines it from various angles with empirical examples. It describes its nature and psychological foundations, the motivations that underlie it, the conditions that facilitate its practice, its societal and individual consequences, and, finally, its measurement challenges.

In this work, we analyzed the chemical reaction, CH 4 + H - ⟶ CH 4 + H - , using the concept of information channel, which consists in to quantify the amount of information that the system can transfer and receive, to carry out such measures, we used Shannon’s entropy defined in position and momentum spaces, the interpretation of the results obtained was also completed by the analysis of Fisher’s entropy in position and momentum spaces; our results, permitted to analyze with certain detail how are carried out the process of bond-forming and bond-breaking of the reaction CH 4 + H - .

All development is ultimately about change, and this requires communication interventions. Communication must be framed in an integral 'two-way' process that involves stakeholders, accounts for their perspectives, and understands their socio-political context. This two-way process constitutes a new communication approach, providing a better understanding of the development context, tailoring development initiatives during design and implementation, and contributing to more sustainable results. This paper presents the methodology used by the Development Communication Division (DevComm) fo the World Bank's External Affairs Vice-Presidency and its clients to improve development outcomes based on a Communication-based Assessment (CBA) approach.

Freedom of information (FOI) laws are a crucial step toward the solution of the accountability deficit in new democracies. Information on the topic of FOI laws and setting an agenda for future research and policymaking is presented.

Dental visits are unpleasant; sometimes, patients only seek treatment when they are in intolerable pain. Recently, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the need for remote communication when patients and dentists cannot meet in person. Gingivitis is very common and characterized by red, swollen, bleeding gums. Gingivitis heals within 10 days of professional care and with daily, thorough oral hygiene practices. If left untreated, however, its progress may lead to teeth becoming mobile or lost. Of the many medical apps currently available, none monitor gingivitis. This study aimed to present a characterization and development model of a mobile health (mHealth) app called iGAM, which focuses on periodontal health and improves the information flow between dentists and patients. A focus group discussed the potential of an app to monitor gingivitis, and 3 semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted on the use of apps for monitoring gum infections. We used a qualitative design process based on the Agile approach, which incorporated the following 5 steps: (1) user story, (2) use cases, (3) functional requirements, (4) nonfunctional requirements, and (5) Agile software development cycles. In a pilot study with 18 participants aged 18-45 years and with different levels of health literacy, participants were given a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, toothpicks, and dental floss. After installing iGAM, they were asked to photograph their gums weekly for 4 weeks. All participants in the focus group believed in the potential of a mobile app to monitor gingivitis and reduce its severity. Concerns about security and privacy issues were discussed. From the interviews, 2 themes were derived: (1) \"what's in it for me?\" and (2) the need for a take-home message. The 5 cycles of development highlighted the importance of communication between dentists, app developers, and the pilot group. Qualitative analysis of the data from the pilot study showed difficulty with: (1) the camera, which was alleviated with the provision of mouth openers, and (2) the operation of the phone, which was alleviated by changing the app to be fully automated, with a weekly reminder and an instructions document. Final interviews showed satisfaction. iGAM is the first mHealth app for monitoring gingivitis using self-photography. iGAM facilitates the information flow between dentists and patients between checkups and may be useful when face-to-face consultations are not possible (such as during the COVID-19 pandemic).