Relativistic Laser-Matter Interaction and Relativistic Laboratory Astrophysics

The paper is devoted to the prospects of using the laser radiation interaction with plasmas in the laboratory relativistic astrophysics context. We discuss the dimensionless parameters characterizing the processes in the laser and astrophysical plasmas and emphasize a similarity between the laser and astrophysical plasmas in the ultrarelativistic energy limit. In particular, we address basic mechanisms of the charged particle acceleration, the collisionless shock wave and magnetic reconnection and vortex dynamics properties relevant to the problem of ultrarelativistic particle acceleration.Comment: 58 pages, 19 figure

Anwendung der Hochgeschwindigkeitsfluessigkeitsstrahlen (HGFS) in Verbindung mit schlagend arbeitenden Werkzeugen Schlussbericht

With 14 refs., 6 tabs., 29 figs.SIGLEDEGerman

Price competition in a model of arms trade

This paper presents a model of subsidized military production that examines the relationship between domestic procurement and arms exports. Weapon producers satisfy the defence procurement in their own country and compete in prices in the international market where weapons are imperfect substitutes for each other. Importers are involved in an arms race situation and do not have domestic military production. The model makes explicit the strategic interaction between governments and firms in the export market. We then analyze the effect of a change in the most significant parameters on the equilibrium. The paper suggests an explanation for the evolution of the arms market in the past few years and highlights the important role of the demand and cost structures.Arms trade, Defence economics, Product differentiation,

Latent variable modeling in congruence research:current problems and future directions

During the past decade, the use of polynomial regression has become increasingly prevalent in congruence research. One drawback of polynomial regression is that it relies on the assumption that variables are measured without error. This assumption is relaxed by structural equation modeling with latent variables. One application of structural equation modeling to congruence research is the latent congruence model (LCM). Although the LCM takes measurement error into account and allows tests of measurement equivalence, it is framed around the mean and algebraic difference of the components of congruence (e.g., the person and organization), which creates various interpretational problems. This article discusses problems with the LCM and shows how these problems are resolved by a linear structural equation model that uses the components of congruence as predictors and outcomes. Extensions of the linear model to quadratic equations used in polynomial regression analysis are discussed

International R&D Spillovers Revisited

Using newly constructed panel data from seventeen OECD countries during 1971–2000, this paper examines the effect of international R&D spillovers via intermediate goods imports on a country’s productivity. Estimation models are built on the model of Coe and Helpman (1995). They are tested and estimated using improved econometric techniques for panel cointegration test and estimation. Estimation results confirm the robust positive effect of international R&D spillovers through the channel of intermediate goods imports. This contradicts recent skepticism about the results of Coe and Helpman (1995) that has been raised with the development of panel data econometrics. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2005trade, R&D, spillovers, panel data, cointegration,