Papers by Gabriele Restelli
Experimental Biology, 2018
Biologically active compounds (BAC) of plants are represented by various classes of organic compo... more Biologically active compounds (BAC) of plants are represented by various classes of organic compounds and are a prospective raw material for developing therapeutic and preventive remedies. There are more than 6,000 plant species on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan that might become a source of raw materials for development and production of new domestic original phyto-pharmaceuticals. Therefore, testing of biologically active compounds extracted from Kazakhstan’s wild-growing plants is a timely and promising task. It was determined that the roots of two wild plants of Kazakhstan flora - Salvia deserta and Vexibia alopecuroides contain biologically active compounds with high a) antibacterial and antifungicidal activities estimated by the IC50 index, b) anti-inflammatory activity estimated by the ability to inhibit production of nitric oxide, c) therapeutically significant antioxidant potential with respect to the ABTS.+ radical cations. Crude extracts of biologically active compounds from the roots of S. deserta and V. alopecuroides plants that have the above mentioned activities were obtained by maceration with methylene chloride, purified into individual compounds using flash and gas chromatography. It was determined that 9 individual compounds that revealed biological activity were isolated from Vexibia alopecuroides roots’ extract, which belongs to flavonoids, and 4 compounds were isolated from Salvia deserta roots’ extract, which belongs to diterpenoids. Individual compounds isolated from Salvia deserta and Vexibia alopecuroides roots’ extract showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, Methicillin-resistant S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. albicans with an IC50 index within the range of < 0, 8 to 13.38 μg / ml. It allows to consider them as potential candidates for development of new-galenic phyto-pharmaceuticals. Key words: biologically active compounds, crude extracts, antimicrobial activity, Salvia deserta, Vexibia alopecuroides.
The World Economy
In recent years, donors have claimed to tackle the root causes of migration from low‐income count... more In recent years, donors have claimed to tackle the root causes of migration from low‐income countries using aid. While others have studied the effects of aid on regular migration, we test whether aid deters irregular migration to Italy using two innovative dependent variables: asylum applications and apprehensions at border. For asylum applications, the largest significant effect size implies we should expect one extra application for an additional $162,000 in bilateral aid. For border crossings, the only significant effect implies the marginal cost in bilateral aid is $1.8 million per deterred migrant. The conclusion that effect sizes are small is robust to different types of aid, measures of migration and various controls. We find robust evidence that irregular migration flows are significantly affected by conflict, poverty, and the pre‐existing stocks from that country. Comparing our results to the existing aid‐migration literature, we find similar effect sizes. The cost per deterred (regular) migrant is in the range $4‐7 million. Statistically significant estimates for the effect of aid on regular migration are only found for sub‐samples or specific specifications. In short, aid does not deter regular or irregular migration, so should be used for other purposes.
Development Policy Review
World Economy, 2020
In recent years, donors have claimed to tackle the root causes of migration from low‐income count... more In recent years, donors have claimed to tackle the root causes of migration from low‐income countries using aid. While others have studied the effects of aid on regular migration, we test whether aid deters irregular migration to Italy using two innovative dependent variables: asylum applications and apprehensions at border. For asylum applications, the largest significant effect size implies we should expect one extra application for an additional $162,000 in bilateral aid. For border crossings, the only significant effect implies the marginal cost in bilateral aid is $1.8 million per deterred migrant. The conclusion that effect sizes are small is robust to different types of aid, measures of migration and various controls. We find robust evidence that irregular migration flows are significantly affected by conflict, poverty, and the pre‐existing stocks from that country. Comparing our results to the existing aid‐migration literature, we find similar effect sizes. The cost per deterred (regular) migrant is in the range $4‐7 million. Statistically significant estimates for the effect of aid on regular migration are only found for sub‐samples or specific specifications. In short, aid does not deter regular or irregular migration, so should be used for other purposes.
Policy Paper, 2019
This policy paper provides a critical analysis of the use of restrictive entry and asylum regulat... more This policy paper provides a critical analysis of the use of restrictive entry and asylum regulation as a migration management tool, using Italy as a case study. It proposes that such restrictions, rather than deterring irregular migration, tend to push more people into irregularity. While the outsourcing, or "externalization" of border controls, coupled with cooperation with third countries such as Libya, may have contributed to the recent drop in sea arrivals, migration literature and evidence from the Central Mediterranean Route suggest that reducing access to legal pathways will likely have no significant effect on the number of migrants that reach Italian shores. Italy and European governments must acknowledge that this is not an effective way to combat migrant smuggling or to reduce irregular migration.
Policy Brief, 2018
As discussed in FMU Policy Brief 01/2017, with the launch of the European Agenda on Migration in ... more As discussed in FMU Policy Brief 01/2017, with the launch of the European Agenda on Migration in May 2015 and the following Valletta Summit, we have witnessed a convergence of pre-existing geopolitical interests with an expanding EU preoccupation with the so-called refugee 'crisis', and immigration in general. Development aid has been increasingly advocated as a tool to stem inflows of migrants and asylum seekers, by both addressing assumed 'root causes' and allocating resources to border control activities.
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Papers by Gabriele Restelli