The Third wave in globalization theory

This essay examines a proposition made in the literature that there are three waves in globalization theory—the globalist, skeptical, and postskeptical or transformational waves—and argues that this division requires a new look. The essay is a critique of the third of these waves and its relationship with the second wave. Contributors to the third wave not only defend the idea of globalization from criticism by the skeptics but also try to construct a more complex and qualified theory of globalization than provided by first-wave accounts. The argument made here is that third-wave authors come to conclusions that try to defend globalization yet include qualifications that in practice reaffirm skeptical claims. This feature of the literature has been overlooked in debates and the aim of this essay is to revisit the literature and identify as well as discuss this problem. Such a presentation has political implications. Third wavers propose globalist cosmopolitan democracy when the substance of their arguments does more in practice to bolster the skeptical view of politics based on inequality and conflict, nation-states and regional blocs, and alliances of common interest or ideology rather than cosmopolitan global structures

Design and characterisation of food grade powders and inks for microstructure control using 3D printing

Additive Manufacturing techniques have been previously applied to food materials with direct consumption in mind, as opposed to creating structural ingredients as shown in this study. First, semi-crystalline cellulose was mechanically treated by ball milling to render an amorphous powder, which has been characterised. Requirements for the subsequent recrystallization of this powder with a view to structuring have been determined through the control of moisture and thermal energy. Food inks based on xanthan gum have been formulated to enable successful jetting with a FujiFilm Dimatix ink jet printer. The polymer inks were subsequently jetted onto the amorphous cellulose powder to observe powder-binder interactions. Material combinations and parameters were optimised to produce cohesive geometric structures. The results of this study are promising when looking towards using these materials in a binder jetting additive manufacturing technique using designer particles and inks to create structures for use in food products

A Prescription for Improving Drug Formulary Decision Making

Gordon Schiff and colleagues present a new tool and checklist to help formularies make decisions about drug inclusion and to guide rational drug use

Subversion as a Facet of Terrorism and Insurgency The Case for a Twenty-First Century Approach; Strategic Insights: v.8, issue 3 (August 2009)

This article appeared in Strategic Insights (August 2009), v.8 no.3For most analysts (to the extent they consider the subject at all), subversion as a threat essentially evaporated with the close of the Cold War. A notable exception is David Kilcullen, a leading counterinsurgency strategist, who recently outlined what he terms the 'five classes of threat that currently confront Europe,' namely, terrorist cells, subversive networks, extremist political movements, insurgent sympathiser networks, and crime overlapping with terrorism. In order to understand the dynamics of this complex and shifting threat, he offers a new definition of subversion, as 'the conscious, clandestine manipulation of grievances, short of armed conflict, in order to weaken states, communities and organisations.