When two movements collide: Learning from labour and environmental struggles for future Just Transitions

The term ‘Just Transition’ (JT) emerged from the 1970s North American labour movement to become a campaign for a planned energy transition that includes justice and fairness for workers. There is diversity in the JT narratives and ambitions that different actors put forward regarding its aims and strategies. This article critically reviews academic and grey literature on the JT in the Global North and South Africa to examine how labour, advocacy, private sector, and governmental actors frame and formulate the JT, and how narrative patterns across actors can signal transformative justice. Highlighting the JT's origins, we fill a gap in transition literature by reintroducing the labour perspective into an analysis of affirmative and transformative justice, and propose an original theoretical framework that unites scholarship in environmental and labour studies. JT proposals are examined through an analysis of the actors, approaches, and tensions across five key themes: depth & urgency, scale & scope, identity & inclusion, material equity, and participation & power. Finally, we synthesise trends in our findings in relation to prominent JT discourses in the literature – Green Growth, Green Keynesianism, Energy Democracy, and Green Revolution – and discuss the transformative potential of JT alliances and coalitions going into the future. © 2022 The AuthorsThank you to Matthew Burke, Timmo Krüger, Eva Eichenauer, and Ludger Gailing. Alevgul H. Sorman would like to acknowledge the PARIS REINFORCE project from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 820846 and the María de Maeztu excellence accreditation MDM-2017-0714 of BC3. Thank you to Matthew Burke, Timmo Kr?ger, Eva Eichenauer, and Ludger Gailing. Alevgul H. Sorman would like to acknowledge the PARIS REINFORCE project from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 820846 and the Mar?a de Maeztu excellence accreditation MDM-2017-0714 of BC3

Ti3SiC2-Cf composites by spark plasma sintering: Processing, microstructure and thermo-mechanical properties

MAX phases, and particularly Ti3SiC2, are interesting for high temperature applications. The addition of carbon fibers can be used to reduce the density and to modify the properties of the matrix. This work presents the densification and characterization of Ti3SiC2 based composites with short carbon fibers using a fast and simple fabrication approach: dry mixing and densification by Spark Plasma Sintering. Good densification level was obtained below 1400 °C even with a high amount of fibers. The reaction of the fibers with the matrix is limited thanks to the fast processing time and depends on the amount of fibers in the composite. Bending strength at room temperature, between 437 and 120 MPa, is in the range of conventional CMCs with short fibers and according to the resistance of the matrix and the presence of residual porosity. Thermo-mechanical properties of the composites up to 1500 °C are also presented.This work has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon2020 “Research and innovation programme” under grant agreement No 685594 (C3HARME

Structure of reverse microemulsion-templated metal hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles

The droplet phase of a reverse microemulsion formed by the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium ferrocyanide was used as a matrix to synthesize nanoparticles of nickel hexacyanoferrate by adding just a solution of NiCl2 to the microemulsion media. Dynamic light scattering and small-angle neutron scattering measurements show that the reverse microemulsion droplets employed have a globular structure, with sizes that depend on water content. Transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction are used to obtain information about the structure of the synthesized nanoparticles. The results show that the size and shape of the coordination compound nanoparticles correspond with the size and shape of the droplets, suggesting that the presented system constitutes an alternative method of the synthesis of metal hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles

Uncertain pasts and risk-sensitive futures in sub-Saharan urban transformation

This chapter explores the status and the scope for transition of risk- sensitive and transformative urban development in diverse cities of sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa is important because of its large proportions of urban populations with high vulnerability and growing exposure to risks. High rates of urban growth pose increasing risks as we go into the future, yet there is also opportunity to reduce risk through integrating risk management into development. However, this opportunity space is often constrained by limited capacities to plan and manage the rapid urbanisation process, particularly in informal settlements. Limited capacities to prevent processes of risk accumulation pose threats to poverty reduction and sustainable development. In this context, there is an increasingly urgent need for squarely recognising and addressing the underlying vulnerabilities of urban populations and their root causes. Transitioning towards such sustainable urban pathways will require the strengthening of capacities and accountability of city authorities and broader governance systems, both formal and informal

Arenas calizas para la confección de hormigones: influencia de sus finos calizos y arcillosos a nivel de morteros

For the purpose to obtain data for a next revision of the Spanish Concrete Norm about the content of fines in sands fixed to date on 5 % without exceptions, an exhaustive research project has been undertaken. Following, the results of the influence of different contents of calcareous and clayey fines in mortar mechanical properties, are shown, first step to begin the study of this influence on concretes made with limestone aggregate, presently in execution phase. Before those experimental works, a general survey at all the limestone aggregate quarries in northern area of the peninsula corresponding to the Basque Country, was accomplished. By the results obtained it seems that it will be possible to enlarge the limit untill 12-15%, if only a limited presence of clay is assured.Con el propósito de obtener datos para una próxima revisión de la Norma Española de Hormigón en cuanto al contenido en finos en arenas, actualmente fijado sin excepción en el 5%, se ha abordado un proyecto de investigación bastante exhaustivo. Se presentan a continuación los resultados de la influencia de diferentes contenidos de finos calizos y arcillosos en las propiedades mecánicas de los morteros, paso previo al estudio de dicha influencia en hormigones confeccionados con árido calizo de machaqueo, fase actualmente en ejecución. Previamente a estos trabajos experimentales se realizó una prospección general de todas las canteras de machaqueo de caliza en el área norte de la península, correspondiente al País Vasco. Por los resultados obtenidos parece que el límite podrá elevarse hasta el 12-15%, siempre que se garantice una presencia de arcilla limitada por ensayos

Influence of the dendron chemical structure on the photophysical properties of bisfluorene-cored dendrimers

A detailed study of the photophysics of a family of bisfluorene-cored dendrimers is reported. Polarized time-resolved fluorescence, singlet-singlet exciton annihilation and fluorescence quantum yield measurements were performed and used to understand how the dendron structure affects the light-emitting properties of the materials. The exciton diffusion rate is similar in all films studied. An increase in the nonradiative deactivation rate by nearly one order of magnitude is observed in films of dendrimers with stilbenyl and carbazolyl based dendrons as compared to solutions, whereas the dendrimers with biphenyl and diphenylethylenyl dendrons showed highly efficient emission (photoluminescence quantum yields of 90%) in both solution and the solid state. The results of the materials that show fluorescence quenching can be explained by the presence of quenching sites at a concentration of just a fraction of a percent of all macromolecules. A possible explanation of this quenching is hole transfer from the emissive chromophore to the dendron in a face-to-face geometry. These results are important for the design of efficient blue emitters for optoelectronic applications. ©2008 American Institute of Physic

A new perspective of the Alboran Upwelling System reconstruction during the Marine Isotope Stage 11: A high-resolution coccolithophore record

A high-resolution study of the MIS 12/MIS 11 transition and the MIS 11 (430–376 kyr) coccolithophore assemblages at Ocean Drilling Program Site 977 was conducted to reconstruct the palaeoceanographic and climatic changes in the Alboran Sea from the variability in surface water conditions. The nannofossil record was integrated with the planktonic oxygen and carbon stable isotopes, as well as the Uk'37 Sea Surface Temperature (SST) at the studied site during the investigated interval. The coccolithophore primary productivity, reconstructed from the PPP (primary productivity proxy = absolute values of Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica + small Gephyrocapsa group) revealed pronounced fluctuations, that were strongly associated with variations in the intensity of the regional Alboran Upwelling System. The comparison of the nannoplankton record with opal phytolith content for the studied site and the already available pollen record at the nearby Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Site U1385, suggests an association of the upwelling dynamics with the variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation-like (NAO-like) phase. High PPP during positive (+) NAO-like phases is the result of intensified upwelling, owing to the complete development of the surface hydrological structures at the Alboran Sea. This scenario was identified during the MIS 12/MIS 11 transition (428-422 kyr), the late MIS 11c (405-397 kyr), and MIS11 b to MIS 11a (397-376 kyr). Two short-term minima in the PPP and SST were observed during MIS 11 b and were coeval with the North Atlantic Heinrich-type (Ht) events Ht3 (∼390 kyr) and Ht2 (∼384 kyr). Increased abundance of the subpolar Coccolithus pelagicus subsp. pelagicus and Gephyrocapsa muellerae was consistent with the inflow of cold surface waters into the Mediterranean Sea during the Ht events. Lowered PPP during negative (−) NAO-like phases is the result of moderate upwelling by the incomplete development of surface hydrological structures at the Alboran Sea. This scenario is expressed during the early MIS 11c (422-405 kyr). Overall, the results of our study provide evidence of the important role of atmospheric circulation patterns in the North Atlantic region for controlling phytoplankton primary production and oceanographic circulation dynamics in the Western Mediterranean during MIS 11

Amplified spontaneous emission and lasing properties of bisfluorene-cored dendrimers

A study of the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) properties of three bisfluorene-cored dendrimers in the solid state is reported. The results show that the dendron type has a strong impact on the photoluminescence quantum yield and affects the ASE threshold, the optical gain, and loss coefficients. Optically pumped distributed feedback lasers operating in the blue spectral region were fabricated by spin coating the dendrimer films on top of a two-dimensional corrugated fused silica substrate. A best lasing threshold of 4.5 mu J/cm(2) and a slope efficiency of 8.3% were obtained, which demonstrate the high potential of these materials for laser applications. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics

Self-Assembly of the Recombinant Capsid Protein of a Swine Norovirus into Virus-Like Particles and Evaluation of Monoclonal Antibodies Cross-Reactive with a Human Strain from Genogroup II

Noroviruses (NoVs) are responsible for the majority of gastroenteritis outbreaks in humans. Recently, NoV strains which are genetically closely related to human genogroup II (GII) NoVs have been detected in fecal specimens from swine. These findings have raised concern about the possible role of pigs as reservoirs for NoVs that could infect humans. To better understand the epidemiology of swine NoVs in both the swine and the human populations, rapid immunoassays are needed. In this study, baculovirus recombinants were generated to express the capsid gene of a swine NoV GII genotype 11 (GII.11) strain which self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs). Subsequently, the purified VLPs were used to evoke monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in mice. A panel of eight promising MAbs was obtained and evaluated for their ability to bind to heterologous VLPs, denaturated antigens, and truncated capsid proteins. The MAbs could be classified into two groups: two MAbs that recognized linear epitopes located at the amino-terminal half (shell domain) of the swine NoV GII.11 VLPs and that cross-reacted with human GII.4 NoV VLPs. The other six MAbs bound to conformational epitopes and did not cross-react with the human GII.4 VLPs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the characterization of MAbs against swine NoVs. The swine NoV VLPs and the MAbs described here may be further used for the design of diagnostic reagents that could help increase our knowledge of the prevalence of NoV infections in pigs and the possible role of pigs as reservoirs for NoVs

Extracellular Vesicles From Liver Progenitor Cells Downregulates Fibroblast Metabolic Activity and Increase the Expression of Immune-Response Related Molecules

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate cell-to-cell crosstalk whose content can induce changes in acceptor cells and their microenvironment. MLP29 cells are mouse liver progenitor cells that release EVs loaded with signaling cues that could affect cell fate. In the current work, we incubated 3T3-L1 mouse fibroblasts with MLP29-derived EVs, and then analyzed changes by proteomics and transcriptomics. Results showed a general downregulation of protein and transcript expression related to proliferative and metabolic routes dependent on TGF-beta. We also observed an increase in the ERBB2 interacting protein (ERBIN) and Cxcl2, together with an induction of ribosome biogenesis and interferon-related response molecules, suggesting the activation of immune system signaling