The Importance of Migration to Small Fragile Economies

Most small fragile states have their own unique circumstances that predispose them to social conflict or frequent economic disruptions. These disruptions end up imposing a large cost on regional neighbours and on the international community more broadly. Therefore the development community is in search of ways to reduce the risk of conflict but this search has proved elusive thus far. This paper explores the potential for migration to serve as a safety valve as well as a medium term strategy for employment creation in conflict-prone states. It draws together the analytical and empirical arguments needed to make the case for enhancing the labour mobility options for these vulnerable populations.Fragile states, export diversification, small states, migration, remittances

Migration and Development: A Framework to Identify the Links, Policies and Institutions that Matter

It is estimated that the gains to global welfare from a modest increase in migration greatly outweigh the gains to we(fare from any further trade liberalization. Yet, migration remains an ill-understood and under-researched instrument of development. In fact, only recently has the liberalization of labour markets been discussed in the same policy-oriented way as the liberalization of goods or capital markets. This address will present an analytical framework for thinking about economic migration and explore the channels through which development outcomes eventuate. It will distinguish between permanent and tempora1y migration flows and outline the policy challenges faced in both forms of movements. Both sending and receiving countries have a role to play in ensuring that migration policies are development friendly while remaining market-driven. In particular, it will highlight the market failures that plague the temporary movement of people and keep such movements at sub-optima/levels worldwide. These market failures are particularly onerous for the small fragile states of the Pacific that seek to improve the economic outcomes of their citizens through regional integration but are faced with the challenges of geography and size. Given the importance of promoting more pro-poor migration globally and in the Pacific, this keynote will outline the policy and institutional underpinnings that are needed to facilitate tempor01y programs for the poor

Clearance Analysis of 3D Printed Assemblies Using Fused Filament Extrusion

3D Printing technologies have been around for the better part of 30 years now, and researchers today have a reasonably good understanding of how the different processes work. A focus for the next era of 3D printing will likely be to gain a deeper understanding of how these processes can be used in unique applications. One such unique application that can potentially change the way conventional manufacturing works involves 3D printing of assemblies. By printing assemblies ‘in-situ’, multiple assembly steps can be by-passed, thus increasing efficiency and decreasing costs. This research specifically seeks to develop an understanding of how clearances between mating surfaces in 3D printed assembly components should be designed based on the orientations of the surfaces and the 3D printing process used. A design of experiments (DOE) approach was used to identify significant process parameters affecting the clearances obtained between mating surfaces in a 3D printed assembly. Factors such as the surface angle, CAD clearance between mating surfaces, and 3D printer layer thickness were all considered. The experiments were carried out on a MakerBot Replicator 2X machine, although the experimental methodology applies to other processes as well. The samples obtained were examined using a Hirox 7700 digital microscope to quantify differences between the CAD model design clearances and 3D printed clearances between mating surfaces in the assembly. The optimal ranges for experimental factors were thus derived. Based on results of the designed experiments, pin-hole assembly test samples were printed using the optimal range of parameter values. An unconventional method was then applied using a cylindrical pin-polygon assembly, which revealed that this method was more accurate in obtaining the desired clearances in a 3D printed moving assembly

Using Service Oriented Computing for Competitive Advantage

Research literature in strategic management indicates that firms may gain a competitive advantage in rapidly changing market environments by concentrating on their dynamic capabilities – i.e., product flexibility and agility in organizational transformation in response to rapidly changing market conditions and customer requirements. Service-oriented computing (SOC) has emerged as an architectural approach to flexibility and agility, not just in systems development but also in business process management. There is, however, a lack of critical research assessing the strategic impact of SOA on the competitiveness of organizations. The intent of this paper is to empirically examine the conduits through which serviceoriented architectures (SOAs) may exert influence on dynamic capabilities within firms. The results could potentially assist in evaluating if and how the adoption of service-oriented architecture may help achieve key dynamic capabilities, giving the enterprise a competitive edge

Location of chlorogenic acid biosynthesis pathway and polyphenol oxidase genes in a new interspecific anchored linkage map of eggplant

© Gramazio et al.; licensee BioMed Central. 2014. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated

Identity issues surrounding American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and an optimised high performance liquid chromatography method to authenticate commercially available products

Traditional use of American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) for anxiety and related conditions is well documented. There is evidence of flavonoid instability in S. lateriflora and a high rate of substitution with other skullcap species or adulteration with potentially hepatotoxic germanders (Teucrium spp.). It is therefore essential for the identity, quality and safety of a commercial S. lateriflora product to be verified prior to clinical use. The objective was to review the literature relating to substitution and adulteration of S. lateriflora and to present a simple, optimised high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to verify the absence of adulterants in a commercial sample of S. lateriflora, by comparing its chromatographic profile with that of authenticated S. lateriflora. S. lateriflora reference material and a freeze-dried commercial sample were extracted with methanol and water (80:20, v/v) and compared by HPLC analysis. The commercial sample showed reproducible retention times (RTs) of the flavonoid biomarkers baicalin (RT = 14.8 min; mean ± SD = 11.71 ± 1.16 mg/g); baicalein (RT = 20.4 min; 7.67 ± 0.89 mg/g); wogonin (RT = 23.7 min; 0.65 ± 0.06 mg/g). It appeared to be free from adulteration with germander (verbascoside was not detected; RT = 9.1 min) and its phytochemical profile was consistent with that of the S. lateriflora reference material. It is crucial that commercial products are adequately identified prior to use. The reported HPLC method has shown the potential to compare non-authenticated S. lateriflora samples with authenticated voucher specimens – essential when conducting any phytochemical analysis of the herb

The Importance of Migration to Small Fragile Economies

Most small fragile states have their own unique circumstances that predispose them to social conflict or frequent economic disruptions. These disruptions end up imposing a large cost on regional neighbours and on the international community more broadly. Therefore the development community is in search of ways to reduce the risk of conflict but this search has proved elusive thus far. This paper explores the potential for migration to serve as a safety valve as well as a medium term strategy for employment creation in conflict-prone states. It draws together the analytical and empirical arguments needed to make the case for enhancing the labour mobility options for these vulnerable populations

Migration and Development: A Framework to Identify the Links, Policies and Institutions that Matter

It is estimated that the gains to global welfare from a modest increase in migration greatly outweigh the gains to we(fare from any further trade liberalization. Yet, migration remains an ill-understood and under-researched instrument of development. In fact, only recently has the liberalization of labour markets been discussed in the same policy-oriented way as the liberalization of goods or capital markets. This address will present an analytical framework for thinking about economic migration and explore the channels through which development outcomes eventuate. It will distinguish between permanent and tempora1y migration flows and outline the policy challenges faced in both forms of movements. Both sending and receiving countries have a role to play in ensuring that migration policies are development friendly while remaining market-driven. In particular, it will highlight the market failures that plague the temporary movement of people and keep such movements at sub-optima/levels worldwide. These market failures are particularly onerous for the small fragile states of the Pacific that seek to improve the economic outcomes of their citizens through regional integration but are faced with the challenges of geography and size. Given the importance of promoting more pro-poor migration globally and in the Pacific, this keynote will outline the policy and institutional underpinnings that are needed to facilitate tempor01y programs for the poor

The Importance of Migration to Small Fragile Economies

Most small fragile states have their own unique circumstances that predispose them to social conflict or frequent economic disruptions. These disruptions end up imposing a large cost on regional neighbours and on the international community more broadly. Therefore the development community is in search of ways to reduce the risk of conflict but this search has proved elusive thus far. This paper explores the potential for migration to serve as a safety valve as well as a medium term strategy for employment creation in conflict-prone states. It draws together the analytical and empirical arguments needed to make the case for enhancing the labour mobility options for these vulnerable populations