Signatures of Quark-Gluon-Plasma formation in high energy heavy-ion collisions: A critical review

A critical review on signatures of Quark-Gluon-Plasma formation is given and the current (1998) experimental status is discussed. After giving an introduction to the properties of QCD matter in both, equilibrium- and non-equilibrium theories, we focus on observables which may yield experimental evidence for QGP formation. For each individual observable the discussion is divided into three sections: first the connection between the respective observable and QGP formation in terms of the underlying theoretical concepts is given, then the relevant experimental results are reviewed and finally the current status concerning the interpretation of both, theory and experiment, is discussed. A comprehensive summary including an outlook towards RHIC is given in the final section.Comment: Topical review, submitted to Journal of Physics G: 68 pages, including 39 figures (revised version: only minor modifications, some references added

Online Sovereignty: The Law and Economics of Tribal Electronic Commerce

In 1886, the US Supreme Court wrote that, for Indian tribes, the people of the states where they are found are often their deadliest enemies. Recently, state agencies and regulators have continued that tradition of hostility by improperly attempting to regulate electronic commerce businesses operated by tribal governments that are more properly subject to regulations established by tribal law and subject to federal oversight. Despite the fact that these online businesses operate exclusively under tribal law and make their tribal affiliation clear to customers, certain state regulators have demanded absolute compliance with state law, even when such laws are from states thousands of miles away. Not only does this over reaching by uninformed state regulators limit the products available to consumers, it also severely undercuts on-reservation economic development, imperils tribal electronic commerce, and challenges basic notions of tribal sovereignty. Businesses and consumers entering into commercial contracts rely heavily on consistency and predictability in contracting, including when the parties mutually agree to apply tribal law or utilize tribal courts to resolve disputes. Uniform interpretation and enforcement of such agreements are critical to ensuring continued investment in tribal businesses. With over one quarter of American Indians living in poverty--nearly twice the national average--it has never been more important to promote confidence in the Indian economy. When courts do not give full force and effect to contracting parties\u27 desires to resolve their private disputes using tribal courts and tribal law, this confidence is threatened. While it is unclear how this controversy will ultimately play out, one thing is certain: states are not only undermining tribal innovation and harming tribal economies but also attacking tribal sovereignty itself. Perhaps lost in the legal rancor, however, are the very real human and economic consequences of the loss of tribal revenues from e-commerce business, as well as the potential damage to tribal e-commerce as a whole. This Article presents results of empirical research into the economic impact of tribal online lending in Indian Country. The Article first frames the issue with a brief summary of the legal foundations for tribal e-commerce and tribal lending in particular. Next, the Article presents several case studies of tribes that have engaged in online lending, focusing on the direct economic impact to those tribal communities. Finally, the Article concludes with policy arguments as to why state and federal regulators should support rather than suppress tribal e-commerce, including tribal small-dollar online lending

Securing Stability and Growth in a Shock Prone Region: The Policy Challenge for Latin America

What are the reasons for and the costs of Latin America`s volatility? Because there is no consensus on these fundamental questions, there is no consensus on the appropriate policy response to macroeconomic volatility in Latin America, and other shock-prone countries. This paper provides new evidence on these contentious issues, and discusses policy implications for the region