Strategies of cities in globalised interurban competition: The locational policies framework

Urban Studies ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 2703-2720 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Kaufmann ◽  
Tobias Arnold

Globalised interurban competition affects cities of various sizes and cities in various locations. Cities have to find ways to position themselves in global markets by formulating locational policies. To capture this wide range of policies, this paper develops an analytical framework of locational policies that is interdisciplinary informed by theories of economic geography and political science. We compare the cities of Lucerne and Ulm to illustrate the added value of the locational policies framework. We found that these two cities feature very different locational policies agendas. By employing a neo-institutional lens, we suggest that place-specific factors enable and constrain the formulation of locational policies. We outline three possible venues to tentatively explain these different locational policies, namely the economic sector mix, the national tax system, and politics. Beyond these empirical findings, this paper shows that the locational policies framework is able to capture a wide range of policies that aim to enhance the competitiveness of a city. Thus, the locational policies framework is a tool that can be used to reveal how cities face the globalised, and increasingly knowledge-intensive, interurban competition.

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (3) ◽  
pp. 4418-4431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujatha Ramakrishnan ◽  
Aseem Paranjape

ABSTRACT We use the Separate Universe technique to calibrate the dependence of linear and quadratic halo bias b1 and b2 on the local cosmic web environment of dark matter haloes. We do this by measuring the response of halo abundances at fixed mass and cosmic web tidal anisotropy α to an infinite wavelength initial perturbation. We augment our measurements with an analytical framework developed in earlier work that exploits the near-lognormal shape of the distribution of α and results in very high precision calibrations. We present convenient fitting functions for the dependence of b1 and b2 on α over a wide range of halo mass for redshifts 0 ≤ z ≤ 1. Our calibration of b2(α) is the first demonstration to date of the dependence of non-linear bias on the local web environment. Motivated by previous results that showed that α is the primary indicator of halo assembly bias for a number of halo properties beyond halo mass, we then extend our analytical framework to accommodate the dependence of b1 and b2 on any such secondary property that has, or can be monotonically transformed to have, a Gaussian distribution. We demonstrate this technique for the specific case of halo concentration, finding good agreement with previous results. Our calibrations will be useful for a variety of halo model analyses focusing on galaxy assembly bias, as well as analytical forecasts of the potential for using α as a segregating variable in multitracer analyses.


1966 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-172
Author(s):  
RICHARD W. LINDHOLM

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1891
Author(s):  
Antonio Reina ◽  
Trung Dang-Bao ◽  
Itzel Guerrero-Ríos ◽  
Montserrat Gómez

Metal nanoparticles have been deeply studied in the last few decades due to their attractive physical and chemical properties, finding a wide range of applications in several fields. Among them, well-defined nano-structures can combine the main advantages of heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts. Especially, catalyzed multi-step processes for the production of added-value chemicals represent straightforward synthetic methodologies, including tandem and sequential reactions that avoid the purification of intermediate compounds. In particular, palladium- and copper-based nanocatalysts are often applied, becoming a current strategy in the sustainable synthesis of fine chemicals. The rational tailoring of nanosized materials involving both those immobilized on solid supports and liquid phases and their applications in organic synthesis are herein reviewed.


Author(s):  
Shingo Kihira ◽  
Nadejda Tsankova ◽  
Adam Bauer ◽  
Yu Sakai ◽  
Keon Mahmoudi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Early identification of glioma molecular phenotypes can lead to understanding of patient prognosis and treatment guidance. We aimed to develop a multiparametric MRI texture analysis model using a combination of conventional and diffusion MRI to predict a wide range of biomarkers in patients with glioma. Methods In this retrospective study, patients were included if they 1) had diagnosis of gliomas with known IDH1, EGFR, MGMT, ATRX, TP53 and PTEN status from surgical pathology and 2) had preoperative MRI including FLAIR, T1c+ and diffusion for radiomic texture analysis. Statistical analysis included logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine the optimal model for predicting glioma biomarkers. A comparative analysis between ROCs (conventional only vs. conventional + diffusion) was performed. Results From a total of 111 patients included, 91 (82%) were categorized to training and 20 (18%) to test datasets. Constructed cross-validated model using a combination of texture features from conventional and diffusion MRI resulted in overall AUC/accuracy of 1/79% for IDH1, 0.99/80% for ATRX, 0.79/67% for MGMT, and 0.77/66% for EGFR. The addition of diffusion data to conventional MRI features significantly (p<0.05) increased predictive performance for IDH1, MGMT and ATRX. The overall accuracy of the final model in predicting biomarkers in the test group was 80% (IDH1), 70% (ATRX), 70% (MGMT) and 75% (EGFR). Conclusion Addition of MR diffusion to conventional MRI features provides added diagnostic value in preoperative determination of IDH1, MGMT, and ATRX in patients with glioma.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1492
Author(s):  
Francisco G. Blanco ◽  
Natalia Hernández ◽  
Virginia Rivero-Buceta ◽  
Beatriz Maestro ◽  
Jesús M. Sanz ◽  
...  

Bacterial biopolymers are naturally occurring materials comprising a wide range of molecules with diverse chemical structures that can be produced from renewable sources following the principles of the circular economy. Over the last decades, they have gained substantial interest in the biomedical field as drug nanocarriers, implantable material coatings, and tissue-regeneration scaffolds or membranes due to their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability into nonhazardous disintegration products, and their mechanical properties, which are similar to those of human tissues. The present review focuses upon three technologically advanced bacterial biopolymers, namely, bacterial cellulose (BC), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and γ-polyglutamic acid (PGA), as models of different carbon-backbone structures (polysaccharides, polyesters, and polyamides) produced by bacteria that are suitable for biomedical applications in nanoscale systems. This selection models evidence of the wide versatility of microorganisms to generate biopolymers by diverse metabolic strategies. We highlight the suitability for applied sustainable bioprocesses for the production of BC, PHA, and PGA based on renewable carbon sources and the singularity of each process driven by bacterial machinery. The inherent properties of each polymer can be fine-tuned by means of chemical and biotechnological approaches, such as metabolic engineering and peptide functionalization, to further expand their structural diversity and their applicability as nanomaterials in biomedicine.


2021 ◽  
pp. 001946622110360
Author(s):  
P. Vineeth ◽  
K. B. Nidheesh

The present study measures the role of firm-specific factors influencing the likelihood of establishing a subsidiary in tax haven countries. The panel data of Indian companies, which have business operations in foreign countries, are used for the study. The firm-level data for the period from 2007 to 2018 are analysed by using binary logistic regression model. The result shows that the intangible assets, long-term debt, number of subsidiaries and service sector dummy have significant and positive impact on tax haven operations of multinational companies, but the experience of the firm and return on equity are insignificant, and a firm’s size deters the likelihood of setting a tax haven subsidiary. The results also show that firms from high-technology manufacturing and knowledge-intensive sector have more influence on the likelihood of owning a tax haven subsidiary by Indian multinationals. JEL Codes: F21, F23, H25, H26


2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (30) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Florin Dumiter ◽  
Florin Turcas ◽  
Anca Opret

Abstract This paper presents the fundamentals of the tax system in general, the basic elements of a tax system as well as the organization of the German tax system analysis, especially throughout the tax levy and how the taxation typology functions. This theme was chosen in order to expose the principles of German taxation system. With a tumultuous and troubled history, mainly caused by the two World Wars‟ destructions, the German state is considered the „economic locomotive” and a pillar of the European Union. Germany‟s economy is mainly driven by the automotive industry, chemical industry, telecommunications, commerce and agriculture. Of particular importance is the qualitative analysis of conventions for the avoidance of double taxation concluded by Germany; and related implications on fiscal policy. The methodology used in this paper consists of presenting literature derived theories and practical analysis of the German tax system in terms of tax legislation and the evolution of double taxation conventions concluded by Germany with different countries. After the study, the conclusions on the size of the national tax system driven by the example of the German tax system were founded.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 13-25
Author(s):  
Michail Angelopoulos ◽  
Yannis Pollalis

This research focuses on providing insights for a solution for collecting, storing, analyzing and visualizing data from customer energy consumption patterns. The data analysis part of our research provides the models for knowledge discovery that can be used to improve energy efficiency at both producer and consumer ends. Τhe study sets a new analytical framework for assessing the role of behavioral knowledge in energy efficiency using a wide range of Case Studies, Experiments, Research, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in combination with the most modern econometric methods and large analytical data taking into account the characteristics of the study participants (household energy customers).


BioResources ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 8577-8600
Author(s):  
William C. O. Ribeiro ◽  
Vinícius Lobosco ◽  
Patrícia F. M. Martinez

Lignin has gained momentum as a renewable material because it is the largest natural source that can provide aromatic compounds in a wide range of applications. However, its heterogeneity in terms of high polydispersity molar mass distribution and variety of functional groups has limited the direct production of added-value lignin-derivatives. Among the alternatives to obtain more homogeneous lignin cuts is solvent fractionation. However, it is not well understood how different solvents influence lignin partition, and thus it is difficult to establish a rational solvent order to perform it. Thus, the purpose of this work was to understand Eucalyptus urograndis kraft lignin partition in organic solvents through the application of three solubility parameter theories: Hildebrand, Hansen (HSP), and Functional (FSP). Through the theories studied, FSP provided the best representation of lignin partition in organic solvents. In addition, the influence of solvents’ solubility parameters on lignin solubility was investigated by multiregression analyses, which revealed that only the polar solvent parameter showed statistical relevance to describe lignin solubility. The results of this work may contribute to the effective development of technical lignins’ fractionation, allowing the production of higher-value lignin derivatives, increasing the profitability of biorefineries, and establishing a sustainable bio-based economy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
C. Echave ◽  
A. Palladus ◽  
M. Boy-Roura ◽  
M. Cacciutolo ◽  
S. Niavis ◽  
...  

Urban areas have been identified as one of the key challenges to tackle in the next decades. Most of the environmental impacts associated to urban contexts are linked to an unsustainable use of resources basically due to urban planning and society’s consumption behaviour. Currently, the paradigm of sustainable cities brought out in the past years situates urban contexts as an opportunity to reduce these impacts. There is a wide range of strategies focused on cities and their transition to a more sustainable urban model: compactness, sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, waste management and greening are some of the most relevant approaches with clear indicators and implementation plans. However, rural areas are still pending for  a precise strategy that highlights their ecological added value avoiding to be defined only as “not urban”. Rural areas should be emphasized from their productivity perspective and their key role in terms of resilience and adaptation to Climate Change. In the framework of the Interreg Med Programme, Thematic Communities are working on the capitalisation of projects from different kind of approaches of application in the Mediterranean Area. Four of these communities - Renewable Energy, Green Growth, Sustainable Tourism and Efficient Buildings - have several projects that present rural areas as one common territory of intervention. The aim of this paper is to expose the standards and goals proposed by the Interreg Med Thematic Communities for Rural Areas Revitalization as a resilience strategy in the Mediterranean Region, using a cross-cutting approach. The cross-cutting approach stresses the relation among the environment, society and economy: rural liveability, increasing RES production with sharing microgrid systems & efficient buildings, as well as green economy based on sectors such as agricultural & tourism activities. These standards and results will provide reference values to shape final policies recommendations. Consequently, the present paper is based on the joint cross-thematic effort and work from four thematic communities of the Interreg MED programme, previously mentioned. It includes some references to existing research studies, but the aim is to open the path to identify new challenges of Mediterranean rural areas and find potential solutions from a holistic approach.


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