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Inconsistency in flexographic platemaking techniques was perceived to influence the print quality and consistency. The results of a factorial designed experiment created to establish which platemaking factors had a significant influence on the flexographic printing quality are reported in this paper. The objective of the experiment was not only to define the optimum platemaking technique, but also to improve the understanding of the characteristics and properties of the photopolymer printing plate and to identify the key interacting factors which have the most significant effect on print quality and consistency. Various statistical methods were employed for the design of the experiment and for the interpretation of experimental data generated. The results of the investigation have been used to fine‐tune the flexographic platemaking techniques to significantly manipulate the properties for the end‐use application to enhance printing performance and consistency of the plates.

Commercial pressure has forced improvements in the reduction of press down time. One restraining factor for the flexographic printing process has been the lack of predictability and consistency. The results of a factorial designed experiment, are reported in this paper. Investigations into the complex interactions of many variable factors that take place during the printing process were carried out. Various statistical methods were employed for the design of the experiment and for the interpretation of experimental data generated. The results of the investigation have been used to optimise the flexographic printing techniques to significantly manipulate the properties of various production components for the end‐use application to enhance the plates printing performance and consistency.

This paper extends a methodology proposed by Nissanov and Silber (2009) who decomposed the coefficient β used in convergence analysis into three components checking respectively whether there was σ-convergence, whether ‘pure mobility’ (upward or downward income mobility) was lower among the poor and what the extent of ‘residual mobility’ (the third component) was.

The present paper extends this analysis by applying it to the analysis of regional per capita income levels but also to that of within regions inequality and regional welfare levels. The empirical illustration uses Portuguese data on average earnings at the level of NUTS3.

The print fault “dot bridging” reduces the printing press efficiency. This study was designed to find the best combination of materials used in normal production which would reduce or eliminate the problems thus increasing efficiency.

Various statistical methods were used to design the experiments and to analyse the experimental results. The experiment included all of the factors which were considered to have an effect on the “dot bridging” print fault.

The most important conclusion that can be drawn from the results is that the complex interactions between factors included in the process can be characterised. The experiment proved that the problem was not random. The data gathered during the experiment had a direct correlation with the psychometric results. Various factors included in the experiment were found to have a significant influence on print density and print contrast. Contrast and density were selected for analysis as ink film thickness was thought to have an influence on the best looking print samples and the “dot bridging” print fault.

The results of the experiment were used to optimise the production process particularly the platemaking technique. Data from further experiments would help to optimise more process parameters.

Minitab computer software was used to analyse the results of the experiment thus making it easier to communicate the results to non‐scientific production staff.

This was the first time that the printer concerned had used a scientific approach to problem solving. The end result for the printer was an increase in production efficiency which saved the printer a considerable amount on money.

In this shortened version of Dr. Ashwell's paper, evidence that a genetic ‘tendency to fatness’ could exist is examined and possibilities which might account for the weight gaining potential of an individual are suggested

We investigate the convergence of Chinese real GDP per capita at regional and provincial levels, looking separately at the sub‐periods before and after major economic reforms and paying attention to the possibility of structural breaks induced by the ‘Great Leap Forward’. At the regional level we reject convergence pre‐ and post‐reform. At the provincial level we find evidence of a common regional trend for the Eastern region and again for the Central region, but not for the Western region. We conclude that, contrary to the policy objectives of the Chinese government, the regions of China have not shared a common development path.

This paper reviews one of the crucial issues in the recent growth literature concerning the hypothesis of cross country convergence of levels and growth rates of income per capita implied by the neo‐classical growth model, both in the Solow‐Swan and Rampsey‐Cass‐Koopmans versions. The alternative endogenous growth models, consistent with permanent income inequality, are considered. Convergence to a common income level versus divergence is discussed from a theoretical point of view. Then, empirical tests of the convergence property are presented. What emerges is that Barro type regressions and their findings about “conditional” convergence are questionable and cannot be used to give a definitive response on this issue.