Foreign direct investment and international business cycle comovement

This paper investigates the relationship between bilateral FDI positions and cross-country business cycle correlations in the period 1982–2001. We find that countries that have comparatively intensive FDI relations also have more synchronized business cycles during 1995–2001. Before 1995, we also find a positive association between FDI linkages and output comovement, but this may partly reflect the effects of trade relations. Moreover, more intensive FDI links are also associated with a greater vulnerability to lagged output spillovers from abroad, whereas trade links are not. Policy implications of our research are (1) that there is an underlying tendency for business cycles to exhibit greater comovement in the future, and (2) that policy makers need to incorporate the FDI linkage among economies in their models and analytical framework for policy analysis. JEL Classification: E32, F21, J23, J31business cycle synchronization, Foreign Direct Investment, international linkages, spillovers

Putting the wood back into our rivers: an experiment in river rehabilitation

This paper presents an overview of a project established to assess the effectiveness of woody debris (WD) reintroduction as a river rehabilitation tool. An outline of an experiment is presented that aims to develop and assess the effectiveness of engineered log jams (ELJs) under Australian conditions, and to demonstrate the potential for using a range of ELJs to stabilise a previously de-snagged, high energy gravel-bed channel. Furthermore, the experiment will test the effectiveness of a reach based rehabilitation strategy to increase geomorphic variability and hence habitat diversity. While primarily focusing on the geomorphic and engineering aspects of the rehabilitation strategy, fish and freshwater mussel populations are also being monitored. The project is located within an 1100m reach of the Williams River, NSW. Twenty separate ELJ structures were constructed, incorporating a total of 430 logs placed without any artificial anchoring (e.g., no cabling or imported ballast). A geomorphic control reach was established 3.1 km upstream of the project reach. In the 6 months since the structures were built the study site has experienced 6 flows that have overtopped most structures, 3 of the flows were in excess of the mean annual flood, inundating 19 of the ELJs by 2 - 3 m, and one by 0.5 m. Early results indicate that with the exception of LS4 and LS5, all structures are performing as intended and that the geomorphic variability of the reach has substantially increased

Foreign direct investment and international business cycle comovement

This paper investigates the relationship between bilateral FDI positions and cross-country business cycle correlations in the period 1982–2001. We find that countries that have comparatively intensive FDI relations also have more synchronized business cycles during 1995–2001. Before 1995, we also find a positive association between FDI linkages and output comovement, but this may partly reflect the effects of trade relations. Moreover, more intensive FDI links are also associated with a greater vulnerability to lagged output spillovers from abroad, whereas trade links are not. Policy implications of our research are (1) that there is an underlying tendency for business cycles to exhibit greater comovement in the future, and (2) that policy makers need to incorporate the FDI linkage among economies in their models and analytical framework for policy analysis

Multi-point temperature measuring equipment for crop environment, with some results on horizontal homogeneity in a maize crop. 1. Field results.

The use of temperature measurements above, below and within plant stands in physiological and ecological studies is briefly reviewed and the choice of sensor and protection from radiation effects in measuring temperatures within a maize crop are discussed. The horizontal homogeneity of temperature was investigated. Measurements in 1973 and 1974 showed the greatest horizontal temperature difference at 1.8 m above ground level due to an increase in leaf area density just above the height where the crop became closed and air flow was reduced; at lower levels temperature differences increased as turbulence was reduced, and differences in soil surface conditions influenced temperature measurement. The need for a large number of measuring points in the lower parts of the canopy is emphasized. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission

Multi-point temperature measuring equipment for crop environment, with some results on horizontal homogeneity in a maize crop. 2. Equipment used.

Details regarding equipment used in obtaining field data on crop environment temp. published earlier [see FCA 30, 5292] are reported. Pt resistance mounting and error analysis, calibration of these resistances and data logger requirements and modifications are dealt with. Equipment details regarding the actual collection of accurately scanned field temp. are discussed. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission

Relationship between magnesium and lipids in patients with diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases (CVD), have become more prevalent across the world, more so in developing countries. Novel methods in the management of CVD risks in patients with diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DM2) requires constant attention and an ever-evolving approach. The role of magnesium supplementation in the management of CVD has been described, but the relationship between serum magnesium (Mg) and the lipid subsets have had conflicting results in different population groups.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed by collecting data on patients with DM2 from a specialised diabetes clinic at Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. Lipid subsets (total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL] and triglycerides [TG]), age, sex and Mg were recorded for analysis.Results: A total of 495 clinical data sheets were analysed. The majority of participants were female (73.45%) with a mean age of 56.97 years. A statistically significant, positive, linear relationship was found between Mg and TC (R = 0.11; p = 0.01) as well as Mg and LDL R = 0.14; p = 0.001), but not between Mg and HDL (R = 0.02; p = 0.66) and Mg and TG (R = 0.01; p = 0.82).Discussion: The results of this study are similar to findings by a group of researchers in China and differ when compared with studies observing Caucasian patients. It is plausible that intrinsic ethnic differences in lipid metabolism and the various ways in which magnesium requiring enzymatic processes are utilised may be responsible for the results found in the present study population versus those found in Caucasian study participants in other countries. More research is required to determine the effect of magnesium supplementation and CVD outcomes in the present study population

The Magnesium and Glucose (MAG) Study: the prevalence and effect of hypomagnesaemia on diabetes control in a regional hospital in KwaZulu-Natal

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) poses a great burden of disease  worldwide. The adverse effects of hypomagnesaemia (hypoMg2+) in patients with DM have been well described, with a higher prevalence of hypoMg2+ in patients with DM than in the general population (up to 35% vs. up to 15%). No data exist for South Africa (SA).Objectives: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypoMg2+ in a cohort of patients visiting a specialised DM clinic and to ascertain whether there is a relationship between hypoMg2+ and glycaemic control and  hypoMg2+ and renal dysfunction.Methods: Data recorded on standardised clinical sheets from patients who attended a specialised DM clinic at Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, SA, over a period of one year (July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016) were collected. Patient demographics, diabetes type, glycaemic control, serum magnesium (Mg2+) and renal function are presented for statistical analysis.Results: A total of 744 patients were enrolled. Most patients were female (527; 70.8%) and were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (DM2) (633; 85.1%) with a mean age of 52.3 (SD 15.6 years). The prevalence of  hypoMg2+ was found to be 8.44%. HypoMg2+ was associated with poor  glycaemic control (r = –0.16, p < 0.0001). A significant relationship was observed between glycaemic control and hypoMg2+ in males (r = –0.21, p = 0.0038), but not females (r = –0.011, p = 0.81). No significant relationship was evident between hypoMg2+ and renal dysfunction (r = –0.064, p = 0.11).Conclusion: HypoMg2+ in patients with DM was associated with poorer glycaemic control in the male population, potentially increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes. However, the prevalence of hypoMg2+ was not higher than in published data, but population-specific controls are required. No association could be found between hypoMg2+and renal dysfunction. The need for routine Mg2+ testing and supplementation in our population requires further assessment.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, glycaemic control, magnesium, renal  function, types 1 and

International Rent Sharing and Domestic Labor Markets: A Macroeconomic Analysis

Foreign-owned firms account for a significant part of output in many industrialized countries. However, compared to international trade linkages, relatively little is known about the role of foreign direct investment linkages and multinational firm behavior in the transmission of disturbances from one country to the next. Inspired by the micro- evidence on profit sharing within multinational corporations and within industries, we investigate whether a cross-border rent sharing phenomenom can be identified at the macro-level. The rent sharing hypothesis implies that an increase in foreign profitability should boost wages and/or employment in the domestic economy. Our empirical study provides evidence that international rent sharing might be an important aspect of global economic linkages. In four continental European countries and the UK, labour market conditions (wages and/or employment) are significantly affected by profitability conditions abroad. By contrast, the US labour market does not appear to be sensitive to changes in profitability in other countries, which could be explained by the still relatively modest role of foreign-owned capital in the US economy.foreign direct investment, international rent sharing, labour markets, international linkages, spillovers