Complex Governance Networks: An Assessment of the Advances and Prospects

The case is made for a complex governance networks conceptualization. The contributions of the literatures on governance, networks, and complexity studies are discussed. Governance researchers challenged the traditional ways of thinking in public policy and administration and highlighted the multi-centered nature of policy and administrative processes. Governance networks researchers applied the refined network concepts and methods to our understanding of governance processes. Complexity researchers provide ontological and epistemological grounding to governance networks studies and conceptual and methodological tools to study the self-organizational, emergent, and coevolutionary processes within and among complex governance networks. It is argued that the concepts and methods of the three streams should be synthesized and that complex governance network researchers should incorporate the insights of well-established theories of policy processes, such as the institutional analysis and development framework and the advocacy coalition framework

Self-Organization in Collective Action: Elinor Ostrom’s Contributions and Complexity Theory

Elinor Ostrom’s contributions to the understanding self-organization in collective action processes are discussed from a complexity theory perspective. It is argued that complexity researchers can learn from Ostrom’s theory building process, as well her conceptualization of the conditions of self-organization in the management of common-pool resources. Her focus on self-organization helps rectify the problems with the assumption in the mainstream policy analysis that policy processes can be explained with external causes. The conceptual problems in her utility maximizing rational actor assumption and the potential for conceptual advancements in her recognition of complexity concepts are discussed. It is argued that Ostrom’s conceptual framework is sophisticated, but it lacks a dynamic understanding of the micro–macro relationships in complex governance systems, and that complexity theory offers the conceptual tools to remedy this problem

Influence of organic solvents on cutinase stability and accessibility to polyamide fibers

ABSTRACT: The stability of cutinase was measured in the presence of imethylacetamide (DMA) and benzyl alcohol (BA). These solvents are known swelling agents of polyamide fibers. We found that cutinase retains some stability (half-life of 14 h), enough for an enzymatic treatment with a solvent composition of 1.5% DMA þ 10% BA. Enzymatic treatment in the presence of these solvent compositions yields more soluble amino groups as well as more amino end groups at the fiber level. We have shown evidence that the presence of minor quantities of solvent can increase the accessibility of the enzyme towards the polyamide fiber

Cutinase: a new tool for biomodification of synthetic fibers

This paper describes two methods to monitor esterase hydrolysis at the surface of polyester fibres (PETPolyethylene terephthalate). The hydroxyl groups were determined on the fibre surface by alkaline reaction with a reactive dye (CI Reactive Black 5) and colour intensity was determined using a reflectance spectrophotometer. The terephthalic acid solution formed was also quantified after reaction with peroxide by fluorimetric determination of the resulting hydroxyterephthalic acid. Detailed descriptions of those methods are given in this paper

Message from the editors

Complexity, Governance & Networks relaunches as an open access journal with a new publisher. We discuss the changes and consequences for readers and authors

Complexity, Governance and Networks: Introduction to the Inaugural Issue

From the introduction: 1. Yet Another Journal? Why is it necessary to publish a new journal about complexity, governance, and networks? There has been an increasing interest in complexity, governance, and network studies in recent decades. A number of these studies have been published in most prestigious journals in public policy, public administration, and political science. Also a few journals that specialize in these areas were launched in recent years. So, why this journal? And why now? The publication of this journal is not only a response to the surging demand for scholarly outlets that publish articles in these areas, but also a response to the need to create a venue to bring together the insights of complexity, governance, and network scholars. Complexity, Governance & Networks will serve as an incubator for conceptual and theory development, methodological advancements in these three areas of study, empiri- cal research, and idea exchanges among them for possible future syntheses. The articles that appear in this inaugural issue of the journal demonstrate how much the thinking and methods in these three areas have advanced. The authors, who are well-known experts in their areas, assess the current state of the advancements and possible directions for future research and conceptual development

The RCK1 domain of the human BK_(Ca) channel transduces Ca^(2+) binding into structural rearrangements

Large-conductance voltage- and Ca^(2+)-activated K^+ (BK_(Ca)) channels play a fundamental role in cellular function by integrating information from their voltage and Ca2+ sensors to control membrane potential and Ca^(2+) homeostasis. The molecular mechanism of Ca^(2+)-dependent regulation of BKCa channels is unknown, but likely relies on the operation of two cytosolic domains, regulator of K^+ conductance (RCK)1 and RCK2. Using solution-based investigations, we demonstrate that the purified BK_(Ca) RCK1 domain adopts an α/β fold, binds Ca^(2+), and assembles into an octameric superstructure similar to prokaryotic RCK domains. Results from steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy reveal Ca^(2+)-induced conformational changes in physiologically relevant [Ca^(2+)]. The neutralization of residues known to be involved in high-affinity Ca^(2+) sensing (D362 and D367) prevented Ca^(2+)-induced structural transitions in RCK1 but did not abolish Ca^(2+) binding. We provide evidence that the RCK1 domain is a high-affinity Ca^(2+) sensor that transduces Ca^(2+) binding into structural rearrangements, likely representing elementary steps in the Ca^(2+)-dependent activation of human BK_(Ca) channels

Business Improvement Districts in England and the (private?) governance of urban spaces

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) were introduced in England just over ten years ago, and their adoption in over 180 locations all over the country owes a great deal to their potential ability to raise private funds to invest in the development of business areas. However, much of the academic literature on BIDs has been critical of what it sees as an expansion of corporate control of urban spaces and the weakening of elected local government, often on the evidence of a long-running North American debate. On the basis of ten case studies of English BIDs, in this paper I address the evolution of those organisations as private stakeholder-led instruments for the governance and management of business areas in England. I discuss whether and to what extent English BIDs constitute private government of urban areas, and the attendant issues of accountability and spatial inequalities in the distribution of public services and investment. I conclude by examining the implications of its findings for the future of urban governance

Advanced material against human (Including Covid‐19) and plant viruses: nanoparticles as a feasible strategy

The SARS‐CoV‐2 virus outbreak revealed that these nano‐pathogens have the ability to rapidly change lives. Undoubtedly, SARS‐CoV‐2 as well as other viruses can cause important global impacts, affecting public health, as well as, socioeconomic development. But viruses are not only a public health concern, they are also a problem in agriculture. The current treatments are often ineffective, are prone to develop resistance, or cause considerable adverse side effects. The use of nanotechnology has played an important role to combat viral diseases. In this review three main aspects are in focus: first, the potential use of nanoparticles as carriers for drug delivery. Second, its use for treatments of some human viral diseases, and third, its application as antivirals in plants. With these three themes, the aim is to give to readers an overview of the progress in this promising area of biotechnology during the 2017–2020 period, and to provide a glance at how tangible is the effectiveness of nanotechnology against viruses. Future prospects are also discussed. It is hoped that this review can be a contribution to general knowledge for both specialized and non‐specialized readers, allowing a better knowledge of this interesting topic.REDES‐ANID. Grant Number: 180003 Universidad de La Frontera. Grant Number: DI20‐1003 FAPESP. Grant Numbers: 2018/08194‐2, 2018/02832‐7 CNPq. Grant Numbers: 404815/2018‐9, 313117/2019‐5 CONICYT/FAPESP. Grant Number: 2018/08194‐2 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior. Grant Numbers: 001, ANID/FONDAP/15130015 FCT. Grant Number: PTDC/CTM‐TEX/28295/2017 FEDER POCI Portugal 2020 program COMPETE. Grant Number: UID/CTM/00264/2019 FCT/MCTE

Networks or structures? : organizing cultural routes around heritage values : case studies from Poland

The most common way of managing cultural heritage recently takes form of cultural routes as they seem to offer a new model of participation in culture to their recipients; they are often a peculiar anchor point for inhabitants to let them understand their identity and form the future; they offer actual tours to enter into interaction with culture and history, to build together that creation of the heritage, which so is becoming not only a touristic product, but, first of all, the space for cultural, social and civic activity. Yet, so far, according to what we know, the research problem concerning the method of cultural route organization (points on the route) into solid structures or more of the networked nature, has not been deliberated. A question arises, what values are brought by routes and how to organize routes to be the carriers of the values important for communities, where routes are functioning. And, as a consequence, if, from the point of view of the values of local communities, organizing solid route structures or organizing more widely-spaced, network-based routes would bring effects and what those effects would be. Thus, the posed question is of course scientifically imprecise because a network is a type of structure but presents a given direction for the development of cultural route structures. Our objective here is to present a certain solidity and rigidity of structure with dynamic and smooth understanding of the network. The research presented in the article is based on 3 case studies. We have selected for this purpose the three largest cultural routes in Poland, organized to various degrees. The outcome of the research was referred also to other cultural route organization research