Fire resistivity and toxicity studies of candidate aircraft passenger seat materials

Fire resistivity studies were conducted on a wide range of candidate nonmetallic materials being considered for the construction of improved fire resistant aircraft passenger seats. These materials were evaluated on the basis of FAA airworthiness burn and smoke generation tests, colorfastness, limiting oxygen index, and animal toxicity tests. Physical, mechanical, and aesthetic properties were also assessed. Candidate seat materials that have significantly improved thermal response to various thermal loads corresponding to reasonable fire threats as they relate to in-flight fire situations, are identified

Intermediation in Foreign Trade: When do Exporters Rely on Intermediaries?

The paper explores theoretically and empirically why trade intermediaries (TIs) are frequently used as agents for exports to some countries but not to others. We adapt a standard intra-industry trade model with variable export costs (e.g. transport) and fixed export costs (e.g. market access) to include a TI that is able to pool market access cost. From this framework explanatory factors for the TI share in a countryÕs exports are derived and subsequently tested with a new data set based on French customs information. The paper finds that: (i) higher market access costs increase the TI share, (ii) smaller export markets feature a larger TI share, (iii) the TI share is independent from variable (distance-dependent) export costs.trade intermediation, indirect exports, monopolistic competition

Intermediation in Foreign Trade: When Do Exporters Rely on Intermediaries?

The paper explores theoretically and empirically why trade intermediaries (TIs) are frequently used as agents for exports to some countries but not to others. We adapt a standard intra-industry trade model with variable export costs (e.g. transport) and fixed export costs (e.g. market access) to include a TI that is able to pool market access cost. From this framework explanatory factors for the TI share in a country's exports are derived and subsequently tested with a new data set based on French customs information. The paper finds that: (i) higher market access costs increase the TI share, (ii) smaller export markets feature a larger TI share, (iii) the TI share is independent from variable (distance-dependent) export costs.trade intermediation, indirect exports, transaction costs, monopolistic competition

National Climate Change Policy: Are the New German Energy Policy Initiatives in Conflict with WTO Law?

This paper addresses German energy policy instruments and their compatibility with WTO rules. Germany and the EU are forerunners in international climate change policy and driving forces behind the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. German energy policy includes approaches to foster electricity generation from renewable resources. Our major question is whether both the policy tools currently applied (standards, taxes and subsidies) and those under consideration (labels, green certificates and border tax adjustment) are compatible with WTO rules. Our findings are that currently neither the design nor the application of the policy instruments are in conflict with WTO rules. However, the setting of production standards for electricity supply is the crucial issue in this debate and if trade in electricity increases, so will the potential for conflict. Rejecting imports because of the way electricity was produced could lead to disputes and to a need for settlements by the WTO legal system. Moreover, when introducing tools like green certificates or border tax adjustments, it is important to find the balance between effectively fostering the reduction of global emissions and eligibility under WTO law.Energy policy; World Trade Organization; global environmental policy; processes and production methods; labels; green certificates; taxes; border tax adjustment; subsidies.

Study to develop improved fire resistant aircraft passenger seat materials, phase 1

The procurement and testing of a wide range of candidate materials is reported. Improved fire resistant nonmetallic materials were subjected to tests to evaluate their thermal characteristics, such as burn, smoke generation, heat release rate and toxicity. In addition, candidate materials were evaluated for mechanical, physical and aesthetic properties. Other properties considered included safety, comfort, durability and maintainability. The fiscal year 1977 and the projected 1980 cost data were obtained for aircraft seat materials

Long-lived refractive index changes induced by femtosecond ionization in gas-filled single-ring photonic crystal fibers

We investigate refractive index changes caused by femtosecond photoionization in a gas-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. Using spatially-resolved interferometric side-probing, we find that these changes live for tens of microseconds after the photoionization event - eight orders of magnitude longer than the pulse duration. Oscillations in the megahertz frequency range are simultaneously observed, caused by mechanical vibrations of the thin-walled capillaries surrounding the hollow core. These two non-local effects can affect the propagation of a second pulse that arrives within their lifetime, which works out to repetition rates of tens of kilohertz. Filling the fiber with an atomically lighter gas significantly reduces ionization, lessening the strength of the refractive index changes. The results will be important for understanding the dynamics of gas-based fiber systems operating at high intensities and high repetition rates, when temporally non-local interactions between successive laser pulses become relevant.Comment: 5 pages with four figures and one tabl

Berufsarmee statt Wehrpflicht: eine ökonomisch sinnvolle Lösung

Die Bundeswehr steht derzeit vor einer ihrer größten Umstrukturierungen. Vorgesehen ist eine Neugliederung der Streitkräfte in Eingreif-, Stabilisierungs- und Unterstützungsverbände. In diesem Zusammenhang stellt sich erneut die Frage nach der Beibehaltung der Wehrpflicht. Diese ist aus ökonomischer Sicht nicht sinnvoll, denn eine Berufsarmee stellt das gleiche Niveau an äußerer Sicherheit zu geringeren volkswirtschaftlichen Kosten bereit. Darüber hinaus verletzt die Wehrpflicht in ihrer derzeitigen Ausgestaltung wesentliche Prinzipien ökonomischer Gerechtigkeit. Auch unter ordnungspolitischen Gesichtspunkten ist die Abschaffung der Wehrpflicht überfällig, da sie zwei elementaren Prinzipien der Marktwirtschaft widerspricht, nämlich dem der Vertragsfreiheit und dem der Freiwilligkeit von Austauschbeziehungen. Ebenso sprechen heute die gesellschaftlichen und sicherheitspolitischen Veränderungen für eine Berufsarmee.

Study to develop improved fire resistant aircraft passenger seat materials

The Phase 3 study of the NASA 'Improved Fire Resistant Aircraft Seat Materials' involved fire tests of improved materials in multilayered combinations representative of cushion configurations. Tests were conducted to determine their thermal, smoke, and fire resistance characteristics. Additionally, a 'Design Guideline' for Fire Resistant Passenger Seats was written outlining general seat design considerations. Finally, a three-abreast 'Tourist Class' passenger seat assembly fabricated from the most advanced fire-resistant materials was delivered