332 research outputs found
How the hydrogen bond in NHF is revealed with Compton scattering
In order to probe electron wave functions involved in the bonding of NHF,
we have performed Compton scattering experiments in an oriented single crystal
and in a powder. Ab initio calculations of the Compton profiles for NHF and
NHCl are used to enlighten the nature of the bonds in the NHF crystal.
As a consequence, we are able to show significant charge transfer in the
ammonium ion which is not observable using other methods. Our study provides a
compelling proof for hydrogen bond formation in NHF.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication as a Regular Article in
Physical Review
Régime de retraite et chute de la natalité : évolution des moeurs ou arbitrage micro-économique ?
In this paper, we develop an overlapping generations model where fertility is endogenous. The utility of the parents is a function of the number of their children, and each child implies two types of fixed costs: the financial cost and the cost in terms of time. A "pay-as-you-go" pension scheme introduces an externality in that the number of children will be fewer than optimal because their favorable impact on the level of pension income is not taken into account. First, we define the competitive equilibrium dynamics and the steady state. This allows comparisons with the optimal stationary state, a notion which generalizes the golden rule. Two instruments, pensions and child benefits, are necessary to decentralize the optimal state. Next, we compare the scenario depicted by the model with historical fact. Variations in welfare allowances may explain the entire decrease in fertility rates.Endogenous fecundity ; Pay-as-you-go pension scheme ; Family allowances
The pricing behaviour of firms in the euro area : new survey evidence
This study investigates the pricing behaviour of firms in the euro area on the basis of surveys conducted by nine Eurosystem national central banks. Overall, more than 11,000 firms participated in the survey. The results are very robust across countries. Firms operate in monopolistically competitive markets, where prices are mostly set following mark-up rules and where price discrimination is a common practice. Our evidence suggests that both time- and state-dependent pricing strategies are applied by firms in the euro area: around one-third of the companies follow mainly time-dependent pricing rules while two-thirds use pricing rules with some element of state-dependence. Although the majority of firms take into account a wide range of information, including past and expected economic developments, about one-third adopts a purely backward-looking behaviour. The pattern of results lends support to the recent wave of estimations of hybrid versions of the New Keynesian Phillips Curve. Price stickiness arises both at the stage when firms review their prices and again when they actually change prices. The most relevant factors underlying price rigidity are customer relationships - as expressed in the theories about explicit and implicit contracts - and thus, are mainly found at the price changing (second) stage of the price adjustment process. Finally, we provide evidence that firms adjust prices asymmetrically in response to shocks, depending on the direction of the adjustment and the source of the shock: while cost shocks have a greater impact when prices have to be raised than when they have to be reduced, reductions in demand are more likely to induce a price change than increases in demand.price setting, nominal rigidity, real rigidity, inflation persistence, survey data.
The Pricing Behaviour of Firms in the Euro Area: New Survey Evidence
This study investigates the pricing behaviour of firms in the euro area on the basis of surveys conducted by nine Eurosystem national central banks. Overall, more than 11,000 firms participated in the survey. The results are very robust across countries. Firms operate in monopolistically competitive markets, where prices are mostly set following mark-up rules and where price discrimination is a common practice. Our evidence suggests that both time- and state-dependent pricing strategies are applied by firms in the euro area: around one-third of the companies follow mainly time-dependent pricing rules while two-thirds use pricing rules with some element of state-dependence. Although the majority of firms take into account a wide range of information, including past and expected economic developments, about one-third adopts a purely backward-looking behaviour. The pattern of results lends support to the recent wave of estimations of hybrid versions of the New Keynesian Phillips Curve. Price stickiness arises both at the stage when firms review their prices and again when they actually change prices. The most relevant factors underlying price rigidity are customer relationships – as expressed in the theories about explicit and implicit contracts – and thus, are mainly found at the price changing (second) stage of the price adjustment process. Finally, we provide evidence that firms adjust prices asymmetrically in response to shocks, depending on the direction of the adjustment and the source of the shock: while cost shocks have a greater impact when prices have to be raised than when they have to be reduced, reductions in demand are more likely to induce a price change than increases in demand.
Superconductivity of bulk CaC6
We have obtained bulk samples of the graphite intercalation compound, CaC6,
by a novel method of synthesis from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The
crystal structure has been completely determined showing that it is the only
member of the MC6, metal-graphite compounds, which has rhombohedral symmetry.
We have clearly shown the occurrence of superconductivity in the bulk sample at
11.5K, using magnetization measurements.Comment: 8 pages of text + 4 figures = 12 page
Link between laboratory and astrophysical radiative shocks
This work provides analytical solutions describing the post-shock structure
of radiative shocks growing in astrophysics and in laboratory. The equations
including a cooling function are solved for any values of the exponents , and
. This modeling is appropriate to astrophysics as the observed
radiative shocks arise in optically thin media. In contrast, in laboratory,
radiative shocks performed using high-power lasers present a radiative
precursor because the plasma is more or less optically thick. We study the
post-shock region in the laboratory case and compare with astrophysical shock
structure. In addition, we attempt to use the same equations to describe the
radiative precursor, but the cooling function is slightly modified. In future
experiments we will probe the PSR using X-ray diagnostics. These new
experimental results will allow to validate our astrophysical numerical codes
Why are Prices Sticky? Evidence from Business Survey Data
This paper offers new insights on the price setting behaviour of German retail firms using a novel dataset that
consists of a large panel of monthly business surveys from 1991-2006. The firm-level data allows matching changes
in firms' prices to several other firm-characteristics. Moreover, information on price expectations allow analyzing
the determinants of price updating. Using univariate and bivariate ordered probit specifications, empirical menu
cost models are estimated relating the probability of price adjustment and price updating, respectively, to both
time- and state- dependent variables. First, results suggest an important role for state-dependence; changes in
the macroeconomic and institutional environment as well as firm-specific factors are significantly related to the
timing of price adjustment. These findings imply that price setting models should endogenize the timing of price
adjustment in order to generate realistic predictions concerning the transmission of monetary policy. Second, an
analysis of price expectations yields similar results providing evidence in favour of state-dependent sticky plan
models. Third, intermediate input cost changes are among the most important determinants of price adjustment
suggesting that pricing models should explicitly incorporate price setting at different production stages. However, the results show that adjustment to input cost changes takes time indicating "additional stickiness" at the last stage of processing
Transverse Beam Spin Asymmetries in Forward-Angle Elastic Electron-Proton Scattering
We have measured the beam-normal single-spin asymmetry in elastic scattering
of transversely-polarized 3 GeV electrons from unpolarized protons at Q^2 =
0.15, 0.25 (GeV/c)^2. The results are inconsistent with calculations solely
using the elastic nucleon intermediate state, and generally agree with
calculations with significant inelastic hadronic intermediate state
contributions. A_n provides a direct probe of the imaginary component of the
2-gamma exchange amplitude, the complete description of which is important in
the interpretation of data from precision electron-scattering experiments.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letters; shortened
to meet PRL length limit, clarified some text after referee's comment
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