Economic Dances for Two (and Three)

This thesis contributes to the following four topics in industrial organization: i) competition in price and quality, ii) targeted competition, when competitors can vary the degree of their competition with respect to each other, iii) organizational choices in connection with product differentiation, and iv) trade secrets and research joint ventures

Selective Competition

We consider a dynamic (differential) game with three players competing against each other. Each period each player can allocate his resources so as to direct his competition towards particular rivals -- we call such competition selective. The setting can be applied to a wide variety of cases: competition between firms, competition between political parties, warfare. We show that if the players are myopic, the weaker players eventually loose the game to their strongest rival. Vice versa, if the players value their future payoffs high enough, each player concentrates more on fighting his strongest opponent. Consequently, the weaker players grow stronger, the strongest player grows weaker and eventually all the players converge and remain in the game

Evaluation of the Lidar/Radiometer Inversion Code (LIRIC) to determine microphysical properties of volcanic and desert dust

© Author(s) 2013. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 LicenseThe Lidar/Radiometer Inversion Code (LIRIC) combines the multiwavelength lidar technique with sun/sky photometry and allows us to retrieve vertical profiles of particle optical and microphysical properties separately for fine-mode and coarse-mode particles. After a brief presentation of the theoretical background, we evaluate the potential of LIRIC to retrieve the optical and microphysical properties of irregularly shaped dust particles. The method is applied to two very different aerosol scenarios: a strong Saharan dust outbreak towards central Europe and an Eyjafjallajökull volcanic dust event. LIRIC profiles of particle mass concentrations for the coarse-mode as well as for the non-spherical particle fraction are compared with results for the non-spherical particle fraction as obtained with the polarization-lidar- based POLIPHON method. Similar comparisons for fine-mode and spherical particle fractions are presented also. Acceptable agreement between the different dust mass concentration profiles is obtained. LIRIC profiles of optical properties such as particle backscatter coefficient, lidar ratio, Ångström exponent, and particle depolarization ratio are compared with direct Raman lidar observations. Systematic deviations between the LIRIC retrieval products and the Raman lidar measurements of the desert dust lidar ratio, depolarization ratio, and spectral dependencies of particle backscatter and lidar ratio point to the applied spheroidal-particle model as main source for these uncertainties in the LIRIC results.Peer reviewe

Molecular dynamics simulation of compression of single-layer graphene

The compression of a single-layer graphene sheet in the "zigzag" and "armchair" directions has been investigated using the molecular dynamics method. The distributions of the xy and yx stress components are calculated for atomic chains forming the graphene sheet. A graphene sheet stands significant compressive stresses in the "zigzag" direction and retains its integrity even at a strain of ∼0.35. At the same time, the stresses which accompany the compressive deformation of single-layer graphene in the "armchair" direction are more than an order in magnitude lower than corresponding characteristics for the "zigzag" direction. A compressive strain of ∼0.35 in the "armchair" direction fractures the graphene sheet into two parts. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

Stationary rotation of the unbalanced rotor with the liquid autobalancing device under action of external friction forces

Influence of external friction forces on rotation of the rotor with the liquid autobalancing device is considered. The liquid in the balancing chamber at stationary movement rotates together with the rotor as solids. Analytical expressions for deflection of the shaft, unbalance of the system and the necessary rotating moment from the engine providing rotation with set speed are received

Oligopolistic Competition in Price and Quality

We consider an oligopolistic market where firms compete in price and quality and where consumers are heterogeneous in knowledge: some consumers know both the prices and quality of the products offered, some know only the prices and some know neither. We show that two types of signalling equilibria are possible. Both are characterised by dispersion and Pareto-inefficiency of the price/quality offers. But, better price/quality combinations are signalled with lower prices in one type and with higher prices in the other type

Stationary rotation stability of unbalanced rotor with autobalancing device with liquid on flexible shaft

The condition of rotor rotation stability with liquid autobalancing device consisting of chamber, float and incompressible homogeneous liquid filling the space between them has been obtained. The restoring force and forces of internal and external friction take effect on the rotor. The latter depend linearly respectively on strain rate and absolute velocity of rotor connection point to the shaf

Критика плюрализма элит в современном процессе построения государства

Розгляд сучасної практики політичних процесів доводить велике значення консенсусу між політичними елітами. Подолання політичної та соціально-економічної кризи в Україні вимагає уважного вивчення західного досвіду становлення стабільної демократичної системи суспільства. Сьогодні продовжується традиція критики плюралістичного підходу до вивчення феномену політичних еліт. Найбільш значним представником критичного підходу у сучасній американській політичній думці є Христофер Леш.The study of political processes proves the importance between political elites. The overcoming of crisis in Ukraine requires study of western experience in creation of stable democratic system. Tradition of pluralism approach studying elites today. The brightest representative of the critical approach in a modern American political idea is Christopher Lasch.Рассмотрение современной практики политических процессов доказывает, что консенсус занимает значимое место в политических элитах. Преодоление политического и социально-экономического кризиса в Украине требует внимательного изучения западного опыта в становлении стабильной демократической системы государства. Сегодня продолжается традиция критики плюралистического подхода к изучению феномена политических элит. Наиболее значимым представителем критического подхода в современной политической мысли является Кристофер Лэш