Assessing the Lead Market Potential of Countries for Innovation Projects

This paper presents an approach to assessing the potential of countries to increase the likelihood that locally preferred innovation designs become successful in other countries, too. The concept suggests that for many innovations lead markets exist that initiate the international diffusion of a specific design of an innovation. Once a specific innovation design has been adopted by users in the lead market chances are that it subsequently becomes adopted by users in other countries as well. Lead markets can be utilised for the development of global innovation designs. By focusing on the design of the innovation which responds to the preferences within the lead market, a company can leverage the success experienced in the lead market for global market launch. In order to follow a lead market strategy of new product development, it is necessary to assess the lead market potential of countries before an innovation is developed and tested in the market. This paper presents an indicator-based methodology that approximates the lead market attributes of countries. This assessment methodology was applied to two innovation projects at the truck division of DaimlerChrysler AG. The method produces information that is of importance for the development phase and the market launch of globally standardised innovations.Innovation, Global Diffusion, Market Entry

Thermally-activated Non-Schmid Glide of Screw Dislocations in W using Atomistically-informed Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulations

Thermally-activated \small{\nicefrac{1}{2}} screw dislocation motion is the controlling plastic mechanism at low temperatures in body-centered cubic (bcc) crystals. Motion proceeds by the nucleation and propagation of atomic-sized kink pairs susceptible of being studied using molecular dynamics (MD). However, MD's natural inability to properly sample thermally-activated processes as well as to capture $\{110\}$ screw dislocation glide calls for the development of other methods capable of overcoming these limitations. Here we develop a kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) approach to study single screw dislocation dynamics from room temperature to $0.5T_m$ and at stresses $0<\sigma<0.9\sigma_P$, where $T_m$ and $\sigma_P$ are the melting point and the Peierls stress. The method is entirely parameterized with atomistic simulations using an embedded atom potential for tungsten. To increase the physical fidelity of our simulations, we calculate the deviations from Schmid's law prescribed by the interatomic potential used and we study single dislocation kinetics using both projections. We calculate dislocation velocities as a function of stress, temperature, and dislocation line length. We find that considering non-Schmid effects has a strong influence on both the magnitude of the velocities and the trajectories followed by the dislocation. We finish by condensing all the calculated data into effective stress and temperature dependent mobilities to be used in more homogenized numerical methods

Fragmentation of electric currents in the solar corona by plasma flows

We consider a magnetic configuration consisting of an arcade structure and a detached plasmoid, resulting from a magnetic reconnection process, as is typically found in connection with solar flares. We study spontaneous current fragmentation caused by shear and vortex plasma flows. An exact analytical transformation method was applied to calculate self-consistent solutions of the nonlinear stationary MHD equations. The assumption of incompressible field-aligned flows implies that both the Alfven Mach number and the mass density are constant on field lines. We first calculated nonlinear MHS equilibria with the help of the Liouville method, emulating the scenario of a solar eruptive flare configuration with plasmoids and flare arcade. Then a Mach number profile was constructed that describes the upflow along the open magnetic field lines and implements a vortex flow inside the plasmoid. This Mach number profile was used to map the MHS equilibrium to the stationary one. We find that current fragmentation takes place at different locations within our configuration. Steep gradients of the Alfven Mach number are required, implying the strong influence of shear flows on current amplification and filamentation of the MHS current sheets. Crescent- or ring-like structures appear along the outer separatrix, butterfly structures between the upper and lower plasmoids, and strong current peaks close the lower boundary. Impressing an intrinsic small-scale structure on the upper plasmoid results in strong fragmentation of the plasmoid. Hence fragmentation of current sheets and plasmoids is an inherent property of MHD theory. Transformations from MHS into MHD steady-states deliver fine-structures needed for plasma heating and acceleration of particles and bulk plasma flows in dissipative events that are typically connected to magnetic reconnection processes in flares and coronal mass ejections.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

The Dynamics of the Russian Lifestyle During Transition: Changes in Food, Alcohol and Cigarette Consumption

This paper presents evidence on the impact of individual as well as regional characteristics on changes in fat, protein, alcohol and cigarette consumption, and on diet’s diversity between 1994 and 2004. The results from a dynamic econometric model suggest that among individual determinants such as initial levels of consumption, gender, education, household income changes, and access to a garden plot all have a significant impact on the changes in consumption behavior in Russia. Regarding the macroeconomic variables, inflation has a significant impact on changes in alcohol and cigarettes consumption, while unemployment changes significantly impact smoking behavior. Russian consumers only respond to own price changes of fat and protein, but do not respond to own prices for alcohol and cigarettes. Analysis of subsamples conditional on initial consumption behavior reveals significant heterogeneity in consumption patterns, which is important for effective policy targeting different population groups in achieving healthier lifestyle choices in Russia.food consumption; smoking; alcohol; economic transition; Russia

MHD flows at astropauses and in astrotails

The geometrical shapes and the physical properties of stellar wind -- interstellar medium interaction regions form an important stage for studying stellar winds and their embedded magnetic fields as well as cosmic ray modulation. Our goal is to provide a proper representation and classification of counter-flow configurations and counter-flow interfaces in the frame of fluid theory. In addition we calculate flows and large-scale electromagnetic fields based on which the large-scale dynamics and its role as possible background for particle acceleration, e.g. in the form of anomalous cosmic rays, can be studied. We find that for the definition of the boundaries, which are determining the astropause shape, the number and location of magnetic null points and stagnation points is essential. Multiple separatrices can exist, forming a highly complex environment for the interstellar and stellar plasma. Furthermore, the formation of extended tail structures occur naturally, and their stretched field and streamlines provide surroundings and mechanisms for the acceleration of particles by field-aligned electric fields.Comment: 10 pages, 4 Figure

Changes in Food, Alcohol and Cigarettes Consumption during Transition: Evidence from Russia

This paper examines the changes in nutritional behavior of Russian adults over the ten-year transition period, between 1994 and 2004. We present evidence on the impact of individual as well as regional characteristics on changes in fat, protein, alcohol and cigarette consumption, and on diversity of diet. The results from a dynamic empirical model suggest that among microeconomic determinants, initial levels of consumption, gender, holding a university degree, and having access to a garden plot have a significant impact on the changes in consumption behavior in Russia. Regarding the macroeconomic variables, economic growth has a significant impact on changes in fat and protein consumption and on alcohol use, while unemployment changes significantly impact protein intake, alcohol consumption and the diversity of diet.consumption, smoking, alcohol, economic transition, Russia, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,