Direct CP Violation In Radiative B Decays

We discuss the role of the radiative B decays $B \to X_{s/d} \gamma$ in our search for new physics focusing on the issue of direct CP violation. We discuss in some detail a SM prediction for the CP asymmetries in inclusive $b \to s/d$ transitions, namely $\mid \Delta {\cal B}(B \to X_s \gamma) + \Delta {\cal B}(B \to X_d \gamma) \mid \sim 1 \cdot 10^{-9}$. Any measured value in significant deviation of this estimate would indicate new sources of CP violation beyond the CKM phase.Comment: latex, 8 pages, 3 figure

Regional Growth and Development without Scale Effects – a Simple Model of Endogenous Formation of Regions

We present a semi-endogenous model of regional growth and development without scale effects. In this model of a small developing region the world growth rate of technical progress is given. Regional growth is driven by technological change induced by imitation. Imitation is determined by positive externalities from international trade. Regional factor endowments consist of immobile land and human capital which is perfectly mobile between regions. In order to study the endogenous formation of regions we introduce a second region and analyze a non symmetric decrease in international transaction costs. We find agglomeration in the region with better access to international markets, while the less favored region will realize a drop in income and technological capability. Two reactions can be identified. 1. For given resource endowments, the technological imitation process determines the final relative technological steady state positions. 2. Migration between the regions endogenously determines the final resource endowments of the regions. When reaching the no migration equilibrium, the relative development position, the population size and density of the region, as well as comparative advantages are endogenously determined.semi-endogenous growth, economic development, international trade, agglomeration, regional growth

The electromagnetic Nucleon to Delta transition in Chiral Effective Field Theory

We present a calculation of the three complex form factors parametrizing the nucleon to Delta transition matrix element in the framework of chiral effective field theory with explicit Delta degrees of freedom. The interplay between short and long range physics is discussed and estimates for systematic uncertainties due to higher order effect are given.Comment: Talk given at the 2nd international workshop "Shape of Hadrons", April 27-29, 2006, Athens, Greec

Market leadership through technology – Backward compatibility in the U.S. Handheld Video Game Industry

The introduction of a new product generation forces incumbents in network industries to rebuild their installed base to maintain an advantage over potential entrants. We study if backward compatibility moderates this process of rebuilding an installed base. Using a structural model of the U.S. market for handheld game consoles, we show that backward compatibility lets incumbents transfer network effects from the old generation to the new to some extent but that it also reduces supply of new software. We examine the tradeoff between technological progress and backward compatibility and find that backward compatibility matters less if there is a large technological leap between two generations. We subsequently use our results to assess the role of backward compatibility as a strategy to sustain market leadership