Knowledge Production for Resilient Landscapes: Experiences from Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues on Water, Food, Forests, and Landscapes

Landscape-wide approaches integrating agriculture, forestry, energy, and water are considered key to address complex environmental problems and to avoid trade-offs. The objective of this paper is to analyse how knowledge production through multi-stakeholder dialogues on water, landscapes, forests, and agriculture can inform governance and the management of landscapes. Multi-stakeholder learning dialogues and platforms (MSPs) were established related to water and natural resources management, complemented by targeted reviews, to establish a shared understanding of the drivers of change and impacts on the hydrology of landscapes and ecosystem services. The MSP dialogues illustrate the need to address water as an integral part of landscape management and governance to achieve the wide range of the Sustainable Development Goals related to water and food security, climate action, life on land, as well as sustainable production and consumption, equality, and strong institutions. The co-production of knowledge through MSPs contributes to continuous learning that informs adaptive management of water flows in landscapes, above and below ground, as well as in the atmosphere. It helps to build a shared understanding of system dynamics and integrate knowledge about hydrology and water flows into policy recommendations. Co-production of knowledge also contributes to stakeholder participation at different levels, inclusiveness, and transparency, and to water stewardship.

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Understanding the Impacts of Financial Flows in the Landscape

Land ◽

10.3390/land10111261 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1261

Author(s):

Bas Louman ◽

Seth Shames ◽

Gabija Pamerneckyte ◽

Mercy Owusu Ansah ◽

Irene Koesoetjahjo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stakeholder Participation ◽

Action Plans ◽

Financial Flows ◽

Governmental Organizations ◽

Non Governmental Organizations ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Common Goals ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Multi Stakeholder ◽

Common Understanding

Donors and non-governmental organizations are showing increased interest in integrated landscape initiatives (ILIs), where landscape stakeholders work together to achieve common goals related to development, climate change and conservation. In order to support the work of ILIs, we developed a novel methodology with which stakeholders—organized in multi-stakeholder partnerships—can assess how financial flows in the landscape are impacting their common goals and to identify funding gaps. Piloting the methodology in three landscapes in Indonesia, Ghana and Vietnam, we found that there were trade-offs between ensuring broad stakeholder participation in the assessments (to capture different perspectives) and the level of technical and quantifiable detail that could be acquired. The methodology effectively contributed to a common understanding among landscape-level stakeholders and triggered discussions on methods in which financial flows can be adapted to reduce their negative impacts or increase their positive impacts. It also functioned as a basis for the development of joint action plans and to initiate collaborations with the providers of financial flows that have potential to contribute to common landscape objectives. In addition to promoting common understanding and providing a basis for the development of action plans, we conclude that implementing the methodology also helped with strengthening the landscape partnerships themselves.

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Muslim Women and the Politics of Representation

American Journal of Islam and Society ◽

10.35632/ajis.v19i4.1913 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 1-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jasmin Zine

Keyword(s):

Cultural Production ◽

Knowledge Production ◽

Muslim Women ◽

Muslim Woman ◽

Literary Traditions ◽

Feminist Literature ◽

Production Of Knowledge ◽

Feminist Writing ◽

Textual Representation ◽

Relations Of Power

This paper examines the politics of knowledge production as it relates to Muslim women in western literary traditions and contemporary feminist writing, with a view to understanding the political, ideological, and economic mediations that have historically framed these representations. The meta-narrative of the Muslim woman has shifted from the bold queens of medieval literature to colonial images of the seraglio's veiled, secluded, and oppressed women. Contemporary feminist writing and popular culture have reproduced the colonial motifs of Muslim women, and these have regained currency in the aftermath of9/1 l. Drawing upon the work of Mohja Kahf, this paper begins by mapping the evolution of the Muslim woman archetype in western literary traditions. The paper then examines how some contemporary feminist literature has reproduced in new ways the discursive tropes that have had historical currency in Muslim women's textual representation. The analysis is attentive to the ways in which the cultural production of knowledge about Muslim women has been implicated historically by the relations of power between the Muslim world and the West ...

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Fundamental limits of electron and nuclear spin qubit lifetimes in an isolated self-assembled quantum dot

npj Quantum Information ◽

10.1038/s41534-021-00378-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

George Gillard ◽

Ian M. Griffiths ◽

Gautham Ragunathan ◽

Ata Ulhaq ◽

Callum McEwan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantum Dot ◽

Spin Relaxation ◽

Nuclear Spin ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

External Control ◽

Spin Qubits ◽

Fundamental Limits ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Wide Range ◽

Spin Qubit

AbstractCombining external control with long spin lifetime and coherence is a key challenge for solid state spin qubits. Tunnel coupling with electron Fermi reservoir provides robust charge state control in semiconductor quantum dots, but results in undesired relaxation of electron and nuclear spins through mechanisms that lack complete understanding. Here, we unravel the contributions of tunnelling-assisted and phonon-assisted spin relaxation mechanisms by systematically adjusting the tunnelling coupling in a wide range, including the limit of an isolated quantum dot. These experiments reveal fundamental limits and trade-offs of quantum dot spin dynamics: while reduced tunnelling can be used to achieve electron spin qubit lifetimes exceeding 1 s, the optical spin initialisation fidelity is reduced below 80%, limited by Auger recombination. Comprehensive understanding of electron-nuclear spin relaxation attained here provides a roadmap for design of the optimal operating conditions in quantum dot spin qubits.

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Gene Expression Space Shapes the Bioprocess Trade-Offs among Titer, Yield and Productivity

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11135859 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 5859

Author(s):

Fernando N. Santos-Navarro ◽

Yadira Boada ◽

Alejandro Vignoni ◽

Jesús Picó

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Gene Transcription ◽

Performance Metrics ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Gene Copy ◽

Substrate Uptake ◽

Promoter Strength ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Wide Range

Optimal gene expression is central for the development of both bacterial expression systems for heterologous protein production, and microbial cell factories for industrial metabolite production. Our goal is to fulfill industry-level overproduction demands optimally, as measured by the following key performance metrics: titer, productivity rate, and yield (TRY). Here we use a multiscale model incorporating the dynamics of (i) the cell population in the bioreactor, (ii) the substrate uptake and (iii) the interaction between the cell host and expression of the protein of interest. Our model predicts cell growth rate and cell mass distribution between enzymes of interest and host enzymes as a function of substrate uptake and the following main lab-accessible gene expression-related characteristics: promoter strength, gene copy number and ribosome binding site strength. We evaluated the differential roles of gene transcription and translation in shaping TRY trade-offs for a wide range of expression levels and the sensitivity of the TRY space to variations in substrate availability. Our results show that, at low expression levels, gene transcription mainly defined TRY, and gene translation had a limited effect; whereas, at high expression levels, TRY depended on the product of both, in agreement with experiments in the literature.

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Mapping Senufo: Reframing Questions, Reevaluating Sources, and Reimagining a Digital Monograph

History in Africa ◽

10.1017/hia.2021.5 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-45

Author(s):

Susan Elizabeth Gagliardi ◽

Constantine Petridis

Keyword(s):

Computational Methods ◽

Knowledge Production ◽

Knowledge Construction ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Historical Research ◽

Production Of Knowledge ◽

Digital Publication ◽

Politics Of Knowledge ◽

Research Questions

Abstract Mapping Senufo: Art, Evidence, and the Production of Knowledge – an in-progress, collaborative, born-digital publication – will offer a model for joining theories about the construction of identities and the politics of knowledge production with research and publication practice. In this article, we examine how computational methods have led us to reframe research questions, reevaluate sources, and reimagine the form of a digital monograph. We also demonstrate how our use of digital technologies, attention to iteration, and collaborative mode of working have generated fresh insights into a corpus of arts identified as Senufo, the nature of evidence for art-historical research, and digital publication. We posit that the form of a digital publication itself can bring processes of knowledge construction to the fore and unsettle expectations of a tidy, authoritative narrative.

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Accessibility vs. Feasibility: Optimizing Function Allocation for Accommodation of Heterogeneous Populations

Journal of Mechanical Design ◽

10.1115/1.4052512 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-36

Author(s):

Benjamin Knisely ◽

Monifa Vaughn-Cooke

Keyword(s):

Optimization Model ◽

Engineering Students ◽

Product Variety ◽

Human Beings ◽

Heterogeneous Populations ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Potential System ◽

Wide Range ◽

Need To Evaluate ◽

Design Case Study

Abstract Human beings are physically and cognitively variable, leading to a wide array of potential system use cases. To design safe and effective systems for highly heterogeneous populations, engineers must cater to this variability to minimize the chance of error and system failure. This can be a challenge because of the increasing costs associated with providing additional product variety. Most guidance for navigating these trade-offs is intended for late-stage design, when significant resources have been expended, thus risking expensive redesign or exclusion of users when new human concerns become apparent. Despite the critical need to evaluate accommodation-cost trade-offs in early stages of design, there is currently a lack of structured guidance. In this work, an approach to function modeling is proposed that allows the simultaneous consideration of human and machine functionality. This modeling approach facilitates the allocation of system functions to humans and machines to be used as an accessible baseline for concept development. Further, a multi-objective optimization model was developed to allocate functions with metrics for accommodation and cost. The model was demonstrated on a design case study. 16 senior mechanical engineering students were recruited and tasked with performing the allocation task manually. The results were compared to the output of the optimization model. Results indicated that participants were unable to produce concepts with the same accommodation-cost efficiency as the optimization model. Further, the optimization model successfully produced a wide range of potential product concepts, demonstrating its utility as a decision-aid.

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Robust estimation of vertical symmetry axis models via joint migration inversion: Including multiples in anisotropic parameter estimation

Geophysics ◽

10.1190/geo2017-0856.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 84 (1) ◽

pp. C57-C74 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Abdulrahman A. Alshuhail ◽

Dirk J. Verschuur

Keyword(s):

Symmetry Axis ◽

Transverse Isotropy ◽

Half Cycle ◽

Anisotropic Parameter ◽

Data Set ◽

Trade Off ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Highly Nonlinear ◽

Wide Range ◽

Internal Multiples

Because the earth is predominately anisotropic, the anisotropy of the medium needs to be included in seismic imaging to avoid mispositioning of reflectors and unfocused images. Deriving accurate anisotropic velocities from the seismic reflection measurements is a highly nonlinear and ambiguous process. To mitigate the nonlinearity and trade-offs between parameters, we have included anisotropy in the so-called joint migration inversion (JMI) method, in which we limit ourselves to the case of transverse isotropy with a vertical symmetry axis. The JMI method is based on strictly separating the scattering effects in the data from the propagation effects. The scattering information is encoded in the reflectivity operators, whereas the phase information is encoded in the propagation operators. This strict separation enables the method to be more robust, in that it can appropriately handle a wide range of starting models, even when the differences in traveltimes are more than a half cycle away. The method also uses internal multiples in estimating reflectivities and anisotropic velocities. Including internal multiples in inversion not only reduces the crosstalk in the final image, but it can also reduce the trade-off between the anisotropic parameters because internal multiples usually have more of an imprint of the subsurface parameters compared with primaries. The inverse problem is parameterized in terms of a reflectivity, vertical velocity, horizontal velocity, and a fixed [Formula: see text] value. The method is demonstrated on several synthetic models and a marine data set from the North Sea. Our results indicate that using JMI for anisotropic inversion makes the inversion robust in terms of using highly erroneous initial models. Moreover, internal multiples can contain valuable information on the subsurface parameters, which can help to reduce the trade-off between anisotropic parameters in inversion.

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The need to connect: on the cell biology of synapses, behaviors, and networks in science

Molecular Biology of the Cell ◽

10.1091/mbc.e16-07-0507 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 27 (21) ◽

pp. 3203-3207

Author(s):

Daniel A. Colón-Ramos

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Production ◽

Cell Biology ◽

Cellular Communication ◽

Biological Mechanisms ◽

Production Of Knowledge ◽

Love Story ◽

Scientific Networks ◽

Ramón Y Cajal

My laboratory is interested in the cell biology of the synapse. Synapses, which are points of cellular communication between neurons, were first described by Santiago Ramón y Cajal as “protoplasmic kisses that appear to constitute the final ecstasy of an epic love story.” Who would not want to work on that?! My lab examines the biological mechanisms neurons use to find and connect to each other. How are synapses formed during development, maintained during growth, and modified during learning? In this essay, I reflect about my scientific journey to the synapse, the cell biological one, but also a metaphorical synapse—my role as a point of contact between the production of knowledge and its dissemination. In particular, I discuss how the architecture of scientific networks propels knowledge production but can also exclude certain groups in science.

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Social network-based ethical analysis of COVID-19 vaccine supply policy in three Central Asian countries

10.21203/rs.3.rs-745691/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Timur Aripov ◽

Daniel Wikler ◽

Damin Asadov ◽

Zhangir Tulekov ◽

Totugul Murzabekova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ethical Issues ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Scientific Data ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Asian Countries ◽

Ethical Frameworks ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Central Asian ◽

Wide Range ◽

Central Asian Countries

Abstract Abstract Background In the pandemic time, many low- and middle-income countries are experiencing restricted access to COVID-19 vaccines. An access to imported vaccines or ways to produce them locally becomes the principal source of hope. But developing a strategy for success in obtaining and allocating vaccines is not easy task. The governments in those countries have faced difficult decision whether to accept or reject offers of vaccine diplomacy, weighing price and availability of COVID-19 vaccines against concerns over their efficacy and safety. Our aim was to analyze public opinion regarding the governmental strategies to obtain COVID-19 vaccines in three Central Asian countries, focusing particularly on possible ethical issues. Methods We searched opinions expressed either in Russian or in the respective national languages. We provided data of the debate within three countries, drawn from social media postings and other sources. The opinion data was not restricted by source and time. This allowed to collect a wide range of possible opinions that could be expressed regarding COVID-19 vaccine supply and public’s participation in vaccine trials. We recognized ethical issues and possible questions concerning different ethical frameworks. We also considered additional information or scientific data, in the process of reasoning. Results As a result, public views on their respective government policies on COVID-19 vaccine supply ranged from strongly negative to slightly positive. We extracted most important issues from public debates, for our analysis. The first issue involved trade-offs between quantity, speed, price, freedom, efficacy and safety in the vaccines. The second set of issues arouse in connection with the request to site a randomized trial in one of countries (Uzbekistan). After considering additional evidences, we weighed individual with public risks and benefits to make specific judgements concerning every issue. Conclusions We believe that our analysis would be a helpful example of solving ethical issues that can rise concerning COVID-19 vaccine supply round the world. The public view can be highly critical, helping to spot such issues. An ignoring this view can lead to major problems, which in turn, can become a serious obstacle for the vaccine coverage and epidemics’ control in the countries and regions.

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Transnational Co-production of Knowledge: The Standardisation of Typhoon Warning Codes in the Far East, 1900–1939

Minerva ◽

10.1007/s11024-021-09457-2 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Aitor Anduaga

Keyword(s):

Force Field ◽

Knowledge Production ◽

Social Order ◽

Far East ◽

Power Struggles ◽

Production Of Knowledge ◽

The Far East ◽

The Social ◽

Transnational Cooperation ◽

Far Eastern

AbstractThe why and the how of knowledge production are examined in the case of the transnational cooperation between the directors of observatories in the Far East who drew up unified typhoon-warning codes in the period 1900–1939. The why is prompted by the socioeconomic interests of the local chambers of commerce and international telegraphic companies, although this urge has the favourable wind of Far Eastern meteorologists’ ideology of voluntarist internationalism. The how entails the persistent pursuit of consensus (on ends rather than means) in international meetings where non-binding resolutions on codes and procedures are adopted. The outcome is the co-production of standardised knowledge, that is, the development of a series of processes and practices that co-produce both knowledge and ideas about the social order in a force field characterised by negotiations and power struggles.

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