Knowledge co-production for urban equality

This working paper serves as the basis for a critical examination of the notion of knowledge co-production. The paper examines how the idea of knowledge co-production has emerged in relation to the parallel but distinct concept of service co-production and the participatory development planning tradition. It also examines the variety of processes of knowledge co-production that may take place in the context of academic research. In doing so, the working paper highlights the centrality of knowledge co-production in the Knowledge in Action for Urban Equality (KNOW) project’s research strategy, with a focus on actionable knowledge that may support transformative trajectories towards urban equality. Such an approach is based on the view that knowledge production underpins the process, ethics, and outcomes of any urban development intervention

Tuning the magnetic ground state of a novel tetranuclear Nickel(II) molecular complex by high magnetic fields

Electron spin resonance and magnetization data in magnetic fields up to 55 T of a novel multicenter paramagnetic molecular complex [L_2Ni_4(N_3)(O_2C Ada)_4](Cl O_4) are reported. In this compound, four Ni centers each having a spin S = 1 are coupled in a single molecule via bridging ligands (including a \mu_4-azide) which provide paths for magnetic exchange. Analysis of the frequency and temperature dependence of the ESR signals yields the relevant parameters of the spin Hamiltonian, in particular the single ion anisotropy gap and the g factor, which enables the calculation of the complex energy spectrum of the spin states in a magnetic field. The experimental results give compelling evidence for tuning the ground state of the molecule by magnetic field from a nonmagnetic state at small fields to a magnetic one in strong fields owing to the spin level crossing at a field of ~25 T.Comment: revised version, accepted for publication in Physical Review

Antiferromagnetic Dimers of Ni(II) in the S=1 Spin-Ladder Na_2Ni_2(C_2O_4)_3(H_2O)_2

We report the synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the S=1 2-leg spin-ladder compound Na_2Ni_2(C_2O_4)_3(H_2O)_2. The magnetic properties were examined by magnetic susceptibility and pulsed high field magnetization measurements. The magnetic excitations have been measured in high field high frequency ESR. Although the Ni(II) ions form structurally a 2-leg ladder, an isolated dimer model consistently describes the observations very well. The analysis of the temperature dependent magnetization data leads to a magnetic exchange constant of J=43 K along the rungs of the ladder and an average value of the g-factor of 2.25. From the ESR measurements, we determined the single ion anisotropy to D=11.5 K. The validity of the isolated dimer model is supported by Quantum Monte Carlo calculations, performed for several ratios of interdimer and intradimer magnetic exchange and taking into account the experimentally determined single ion anisotropy. The results can be understood in terms of the different coordination and superexchange angles of the oxalate ligands along the rungs and legs of the 2-leg spin ladder.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figure

Pressure dependence of Raman modes in double wall carbon nanotubes filled with α-Fe.

The preparation of highly anisotropic one-dimensional (1D) structures confined into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in general is a key objective in CNTs research. In this work, the capillary effect was used to fill double wall carbon nanotubes with iron. The samples are characterized by Mössbauer and Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning area electron diffraction, and magnetization. In order to investigate their structural stability and compare it with that of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), elucidating the differences induced by the inner-outer tube interaction, unpolarized Raman spectra of tangential modes of double wall carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) filled with 1D nanocrystallin α-Fe excited with 514 nm were studied at room temperature and elevated pressure. Up to 16 GPa we find a pressure coefficient for the internal tube of 4.3 cm−1 GPa−1 and for the external tube of 5.5 cm−1 GPa−1. In addition, the tangential band of the external and internal tubes broadens and decreases in amplitude. All findings lead to the conclusion that the outer tube acts as a protection shield for the inner tubes (at least up 16 GPa). Structural phase transitions were not observed in this range of pressure

What Drives Different Types of Capital Flows and their Volatilities in Developing Asia?

Understanding the determinants of capital inflows is essential to designing an effective policy framework to manage volatile capital flows and their disruptive potential. This paper aims to identify factors that explain the size and volatility of various types of capital flows to developing Asia, vis-à-vis other emerging market economies. The estimates for a panel dataset show that per capita income growth, trade openness, and change in stock market capitalization are important determinants of capital inflows to developing Asia. Trade openness increases the volatility of all types of capital inflows; while change in stock market capitalization, global liquidity growth and institutional quality lowers the volatility. A regional factor plays an important role in determining the size and volatility of capital inflows in emerging Europe and emerging Latin America, suggesting that regional economic cooperation and policy coordination may be an important element in designing a policy framework to manage capital inflows

Transformative capacity and local action for urban sustainability.

There is a consensus about the strategic importance of cities and urban areas for achieving a global transformation towards sustainability. While there is mounting interest in the types of qualities that increase the capacity of urban systems to attain deep transformations, empirical evidence about the extent to which existing institutional and material systems exhibit transformative capacity is lacking. This paper thereby seeks to determine the extent to which sustainability initiatives led by local governments and their partners reflect the various components that the literature claims can influence the emergence of transformative capacity as a systemic property of urban settings. Using an evaluative framework consisting of ten components of transformative capacity and associated indicators, the specific objective is to identify patterns in these initiatives regarding the presence of individual components of transformative capacity and their interrelations with other components. The analysis of 400 sustainability initiatives reveals thin evidence of transformative capacity. When detected, evidence of transformative capacity tended to emerge in relation to wider processes of institutional- and social-learning and initiatives that linked outcomes to a city-wide vision of planning and development. However, instances of such initiatives were rare. This widespread lack of evidence for transformative capacity raises concerns that this set of attributes normalised in the literature is in fact rarely found in sustainability action on the ground

An update on the management of sporadic desmoid-type fibromatosis: A European Consensus Initiative between Sarcoma PAtients EuroNet (SPAEN) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)/Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group (STBSG)

Desmoid-type fibromatosis is a rare and locally aggressive monoclonal, fibroblastic proliferation characterized by a variable and often unpredictable clinical course. Currently, there is no established or evidence-based treatment approach available for this disease. Therefore, in 2015 the European Desmoid Working Group published a position paper giving recommendations on the treatment of this intriguing disease. Here, we present an update of this consensus approach based on professionals' AND patients' expertise following a round table meeting bringing together sarcoma experts from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group with patients and patient advocates from Sarcoma PAtients EuroNet. In this paper, we focus on new findings regarding the prognostic value of mutational analysis in desmoid-type fibromatosis patients and new systemic treatment options

Mapping synergies and trade-offs between energy and the Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—including 17 interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets—is a global plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. SDG7 calls for action to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Here we characterize synergies and trade-offs between efforts to achieve SDG7 and delivery of the 2030 Agenda as a whole. We identify 113 targets requiring actions to change energy systems, and published evidence of relationships between 143 targets (143 synergies, 65 trade-offs) and efforts to achieve SDG7. Synergies and trade-offs exist in three key domains, where decisions about SDG7 affect humanity’s ability to: realize aspirations of greater welfare and well-being; build physical and social infrastructures for sustainable development; and achieve sustainable management of the natural environment. There is an urgent need to better organize, connect and extend this evidence, to help all actors work together to achieve sustainable development. On 5 September 2015, the 193 members states of the United Nations (UN) adopted a new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda succeeds the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and features 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets, which UN member states have committed to implement by 2030. Energy was not explicitly referred to in the MDGs, and came to be referred to as the ‘missing’ MDG. During the operational period of the MDGs and negotiation of the 2030 Agenda, it was increasingly recognized that energy underpins economic and social development, without which it would not be possible to eliminate poverty. This change in status made sustainable energy provision and access one of the central themes of the 2030 Agenda, whose preamble calls for “universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy” and recognizes that “social and economic development depends of the sustainable management of our planet’s natural resources”. SDG7 is accompanied by five targets to be achieved by 2030: ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services (7.1); increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (7.2); double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency (7.3); enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology (7.a), and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology (7.b). By understanding the complex links between the SDGs and their constituent targets, researchers can better support policymakers to think systematically about interactions between the different SDGs, including how actions to achieve each goal affect each other within and between sectors. Studies to date have lacked a target-level approach or have focussed on only a few of the SDGs. Here we present a formative attempt by an interdisciplinary group of researchers to identify the full range of goals and targets in the 2030 Agenda that call for changes in energy systems, and characterize evidence of synergies or trade-offs between delivery of each of the 169 targets and efforts focussed on pursuit of SDG7 and each of its constituent targets. The purpose of this Perspective is not to provide definitive answers. Instead we aim to lay a foundation for systematic (and context-specific) exploration of the interlinkages between each of the SDG targets, in the context of decision-making about development and the transformation of energy systems

Innovation, low energy buildings and intermediaries in Europe: systematic case study review

As buildings throughout their lifecycle account for circa 40% of total energy use in Europe, reducing energy use of the building stock is a key task. This task is, however, complicated by a range of factors, including slow renewal and renovation rates of buildings, multiple non- coordinated actors, conservative building practices, and limited competence to innovate. Drawing from academic literature published during 2005-2015, this article carries out a systematic review of case studies on low energy innovations in the European residential building sector, analysing their drivers. Specific attention is paid to intermediary actors in facilitating innovation processes and creating new opportunities. The study finds that qualitative case study literature on low energy building innovation has been limited, particularly regarding the existing building stock. Environmental concerns, EU, national and local policies have been the key drivers; financial, knowledge and social sustainability and equity drivers have been of modest importance; while design, health and comfort, and market drivers have played a minor role. Intermediary organisations and individuals have been important through five processes: (1) facilitating individual building projects, (2) creating niche markets, (3) implementing new practices in social housing stock, (4) supporting new business model creation, and (5) facilitating building use post construction. The intermediaries have included both public and private actors, while local authority agents have acted as intermediaries in several cases