States and the political economy of unfree labour

A growing body of academic and policy research seeks to understand and address the problem of contemporary unfree labour. In this article, we argue that this literature could be strengthened by a stronger conceptualization of, and more systematic attention towards, the role of national states. In particular, we argue that there is a need to move beyond simplistic conceptualisations of states as simple agents of regulation and criminal justice enforcement who respond to the problem of unfree labour, and to recognize the causal and multifaceted role that national states play in creating the conditions in which unfree labour can flourish. We propose a framework to understand and compare the ways in which national states shape the political economy of unfree labour. Focusing on the United States, we outline three arenas of governance in which national states have been particularly central to enabling the conditions for unfree labour: the regulation of labour mobility, labour market regulation, and business regulation. We conclude by reflecting on the comparative political economy research that will be required to understand the role of different states in shaping the conditions in which unfree labour thrives or is eliminated

The Carina Project. IV. radial velocity distribution

We present new and accurate radial velocity (RV) measurements of luminous stars of all ages (old horizontal branch, intermediate--age red clump, and young blue plume, as well as red giants of a range of ages; 20.6<V<22) in the Carina dwarf spheroidal galaxy, based on low-resolution spectra collected with the FORS2 multi-object slit spectrograph at the VLT. This data set was complemented by RV measurements based on medium and high-resolution archive spectra of brighter (V<20.6) Carina targets collected with the GIRAFFE multi-object fiber spectrograph at the VLT. The combined sample includes more than 21,340 individual spectra of ~2,000 stars covering the entire body of the galaxy. To further improve the statistics, the accurate RV measurements recently provided by Walker et al.(2007) were also added to the current data set. We ended up with a sample of ~1,370 RV measurements of candidate Carina stars that is ~75% larger than any previous Carina RV sample. The mean RV across the body of the galaxy varies from ~220 km/s at a distance of 7arcmin (~200 pc) from the center to ~223 km/s at 13arcmin, (~400 pc, 6sigma level) and flattens out to a constant value of ~221 km/s at larger distances (600 pc, 4sigma level). Moreover and even more importantly, we found that in the Carina regions where the mean RV is smaller the dispersion is also smaller, and the RV distribution is more centrally peaked (i.e. the kurtosis attains larger values). There is evidence of a secondary maximum in RV across the Carina center (|D|<200 pc). The occurrence of a secondary feature across the Carina center is also supported by the flat-topped radial distribution based on the photometric catalog.Comment: Accepted on PASP, 9 pages, 13 figures, 1 tabl

Hyper-precarious lives : Migrants, work and forced labour in the Global North

This paper unpacks the contested inter-connections between neoliberal work and welfare regimes, asylum and immigration controls, and the exploitation of migrant workers. The concept of precarity is explored as a way of understanding intensifying and insecure post-Fordist work in late capitalism. Migrants are centrally implicated in highly precarious work experiences at the bottom end of labour markets in Global North countries, including becoming trapped in forced labour. Building on existing research on the working experiences of migrants in the Global North, the main part of the article considers three questions. First, what is precarity and how does the concept relate to working lives? Second, how might we understand the causes of extreme forms of migrant labour exploitation in precarious lifeworlds? Third, how can we adequately theorize these particular experiences using the conceptual tools of forced labour, slavery, unfreedom and precarity? We use the concept of ‘hyper-precarity’ alongside notions of a ‘continuum of unfreedom’ as a way of furthering human geographical inquiry into the intersections between various terrains of social action and conceptual debate concerning migrants’ precarious working experiences

Entwicklung eines keramischen Werkstoffes zur Auskleidung thermisch hochbelasteter Brennraeume und Heissgasfuehrungen Abschlussbericht

The aim of this documented research work was to develop a ceramic material based on silicon carbide, which can be used to line thermally highly stressed combustion spaces and hot gas pipes up to a temperature of 1800 K, possibly even up to 2000 K without cooling. As the material is to be used in aircraft engines, one must comply with great requirements regarding strength and reliability. By the step by stept optimisation of the sintering aids, the preparation of the spray dross and all processing parameters, above all by working in clean conditions, success was achieved in producing SIC bending samples with a mean 4 point bending strength of #sigma#=570 MPa and a Weibull parameter of m=14. Experiments to improve the oxidation resistance of SSiC have not been successful so far. The thermal resistance of SSiC in oxidising conditions is limited to 1870K-1920K. Use up to 2000K is only possible for a short time. (orig./RHM)Ziel der dokumentierten Forschungsarbeiten war es, einen keramischen Werkstoff auf der Basis von Siliziumkarbid zu entwicklen, der zur Auskleidung von thermisch hochbelasteten Brennraeumen und Heissgasfuehrungen bis zu einer Temperatur von 1800 K evtl. sogar bis 2000 K ungekuehlt eingesetzt werden kann. Da der Werkstoff in Flugtriebwerken eingesetzt werden soll, muessen hohe Anforderungen bezueglich Festigkeit und Zuverlaessigkeit erfuellt werden. Durch schrittweise Opitmierung der Sinterhilfen, der Aufbereitung des Spruehschlickers sowie saemtlicher Verarbeitungsparameter, vor allem aber durch konsequentes Arbeiten unter Reinraumbedingungen gelang es SSiC-Biegeproben mit einer mittleren 4-Pkt-Beigefestigkeit von #sigma#=570 MPa und einem Weibullparameter von m=14 herzustellen. Die Versuche zur Verbesserung der Oxidationsbestaendigkeit von SSiC zeigten bisher keinen Erfolg. Die thermische Bestaendigkeit von SSiC unter oxidierenden Bedingungen ist auf 1870 K - 1920 K begrenzt. Nur kurzzeitig ist eventuell ein Einsatz bis 2000 K moeglich. (orig./RHM)Available from TIB Hannover: D.Dt.F. AC 1000(40,43) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEBundesministerium fuer Forschung und Technologie (BMFT), Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

Cannabinoid CB1 receptor knockout mice fail to self-administer morphine but not other drugs of abuse.

The rewarding effects of morphine, cocaine, amphetamine and nicotine were evaluated in CB1 receptor knockout mice by means of an intravenous self-administration model. Experiments were carried out on drug-naive animals using a nose-poking response (NPR)-like as operandum. The results of the present study indicate that morphine did not induce intravenous self-administration in mutant CB1 receptor knockout mice, whereas it was significantly self-administered by the corresponding wild type mice. On the contrary, cocaine, amphetamine and nicotine were self-administered to the same extent by both wild type and CB1 receptor knockout mice. These data clearly indicate that the CB1 cannabinoid receptor is essential not only for the expression of cannabinoid reinforcing effects but also for the modulation of morphine rewarding effects. The specificity of such interaction is supported by the finding that contrary to morphine, cocaine, d-amphetamine and nicotine were self-administered by mice at the same extent either in presence or in absence of the CB1 receptor.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Entwicklung eines keramischen Werkstoffes zur Auskleidung thermisch hochbelasteter Brennraeume und Heissgasfuehrungen Abschlussbericht

With 11 refs., 11 tabs., 48 figs.Available from TIB Hannover: D.Dt.F. AC 1000(40,43) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Hyperschalltechnologie: Luftatmende Antriebe. Phase 1B Werkstoffe und Bauweisen fuer Antriebskomponenten (E13). Zwischenbericht 2. Halbjahr 1991

This report presents the progress of work into the project 'Hypersonic Technology - Airbreathing Engines: Materials and Structural Designs for Propulsion Components', in particular nozzle structures and by-pass ducts. In the period under report testing was focused on samples and component specimens. A complete test series involving resistance to thermal fatigue, oxidation and corrosion of CMC and CCC materials of different manufacturers was conducted. Component specimens made of fiber-reinforced copper and Ti alloys were successfully manufactured. (orig.)Im Bericht ist der Stand der Arbeiten zur Hyperschalltechnologie -Luftatmende Antriebe: Werkstoffe und Bauweisen fuer Antriebskomponenten insbesondere Duesenstrukturen und Bypass-Kanal dargestellt. Im Berichtszeitraum sind schwerpunktmaessig Proben und Bauteilpruefkoerper getestet worden. Es erfolgte die Durchfuehrung einer vollstaendigen Testreihe ueber der Thermoermuedungs-, Oxidations- und Korrosionsbestaendigkeit von CMC- und CCC-Werkstoffen verschiedener Hersteller. Bauteilproben aus faserverstaerkten Kupfer und Ti-Legierungen sind erfolgreich hergestellt worden. (orig.)SIGLEBundesministerium fuer Forschung und Technologie (BMFT), Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

Konturnahe Turbinenteile auf Basis von Nickel- und Titan-PM-Werkstoffen durch fortschrittliche Kapseltechnik und kapselfreie Formgebungsverfahren Abschlussbericht

TIB: FR 101 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Konturnahe Turbinenteile auf Basis von Nickel- und Titan-PM-Werkstoffen durch fortschrittliche Kapseltechnik und kapselfreie Formgebungsverfahren Schlussbericht

With 54 figs., 5 tabs.Available from Motoren- und Turbinen-Union G.m.b.H., Muenchen (DE). Abt. Metallische Werkstoffe / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman