The scientific debate on systemic transition from a command-style to a market economy focused in the past mainly on the cases of former soviet countries and China (e. g. Heiduk, 1997). The case of Vietnam has been given little attention before the Asian crisis shed some light on the economic performance of that country. Vietnams role as an outsider is astonishing, taken into consideration that its economic development is with an average growth rate below 9 % and an inflation rate below 10 % impressive. That underlines the notion that Vietnam has coped with the transformation process much better than other (former) socialist countries in transition (see table 1). Also, the point that Vietnam has managed to survive the Asian Crisis much better than neighbouring countries (although rapid growth slowed down as a result of the turmoil in Asia to 6-7 %), turns it into an interesting study field for development economists

Eine der wichtigsten wirtschaftspolitischen Fragen des China der neunziger Jahre ist die Beziehung zwischen Zentrale und Regionen. Ursache ist die weit verbreitete Perzeption, daß zum einen sich die fiskalische Position des Zentralstaates stetig verschlechtert habe, und daß zum anderen die regionalen Disparitäten immer mehr zunähmen. Daraus leitet sich die Forderung ab, die redistributive Funktion der Zentralregierung wieder deutlich zu stärken und somit ihren Anteil am Sozialprodukt und an den gesamten fiskalischen Einnahmen spürbar zu erhöhen. Die Erfüllung dieser Forderung schien ein wesentliches Ziel der Steuerreform von 1994 gewesen zu sein, die ohne Zweifel eine der systematischsten und umfassendsten Reformmaßnahmen während des gesamten chinesischen Transformationsprozesses seit 1978 gewesen ist

This paper deals with the possibilities of using spark emission spectrometry to determine nitrogen contents in low-alloy steels. Several spectrometers, whose installation sites include two automatic laboratories at Thyssen Krupp Stahl AG in Duisburg, were used to carry out the practical work. Once the appropriate analysis line had been selected and the excitation conditions had been optimised, calibrations were carried out and spectral intereferences and analytic performance data were determined. Finally, the analysis results obtained from the production samples during manual and automatic operation were compared using the carrier gas hot extraction method, which is the standard reference method. Single spark spectrometry forms another focus. This makes it possible to register and evaluate the intensities of every single spark transfer. It also enables information to be obtained concerning the qualitative and quantitative composition of inclusions in steel, e.g. nitrides. The decomposition behaviour of inclus ons over time was analysed by spark discharges with the help of both SEM-EDX and single spark spectrometry.

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This work deals with the preparation and characterisation of poly(n-butyl-2-cyanacrylate) nanocapsules. The mean applications of these particles are their use as drug-carriers, in order to increase the efficiency and to reduce the side effects of pharmaceuticals. By coupling size exclusion chromatography with multi angle laser light scattering a procedure for size determination of nanocapsules is developed. In this connection the analysis of the light scattering data is discussed in detail. Concerning the optimization of the capsule preparation, the influences of different parameters (components concentration, type of stirrer and sample preparation) on the size and size distribution of the nanocapsules are determined. Regarding the characterisation of the polymer cover, the wall thickness as well as the molecular weight distribution of the polymer are analysed. Further, the capsule wall is simulated by a planar polymer film. Rheologic and H-NMR investigations on this film allow to observe the kinetics of wall formation. The rheologic measurements give additional information about the viscoelastic properties and the cross linkage of the polymer.

This work deals with fiber-optic sensors for measuring pressure und temperature by using the fabry-perot-effect. The realised sensors are made of polymer thin-films with special reflection-coatings. The special kind of sensor takes part in the group of senors in reflection mode transmission mode is possible.

In the thesis the gelation of the system gelatin / water was investigated by use of rheological and optical methods. The rheological properties were taken to describe the gelation in terms of the percolation theory. In order to determine the gel point and the critical exponents a potential law found by Stauffer and de Gennes that describes the development of the storage and loss modulus was used to express normalized percolation approches. This normalized percolation ansatzes delivers a single very exact gelation time and the information which range should be taken for the evaluation. Combining the storage and the loss modulus symmetrically around the gel point novel so called combined percolation functions were formulated. From these combined functions the critical exponents could likewise be determined. The simultaneous measurements of the rheological and optical properties clearly show that close to the gel point the loss and the storage modulus as a function of time as well as a function of the optical rotation could be described in terms of the percolation theory. Furthermore an aggregation model was formulated that describes the development of the storage modulus close and far away from the gel point, respectively.

Seit einigen Jahren tauchen in China immer wieder Texte auf, die den ausländischen Einfluß auf die Volksrepublik thematisieren und die Frage stellen, wie China sich dem Ausland gegenüber strategisch verhalten sollte. Den größten Bekanntheitsgrad im Ausland konnte wegen seiner radikalen Kritik - insbesondere an den USA - das Buch China kann nein sagen gewinnen. Neben den eher reißerischen Ansätzen von Amerika- oder Auslandsfeindlichkeit werden seit Mitte der neunziger Jahre auch in der ökonomischen Literatur die internationale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit Chinas und die Rolle des ausländischen Kapitals bzw. ausländischer Produkte in der Volksrepublik thematisiert. So finden sich mit einer gewissen Regelmäßigkeit Texte, die hinterfragen, ob und inwieweit die Präsenz ausländischer Unternehmen, ausländischen Kapitals und ausländischer Waren auf dem chinesischen Markt langfristig tatsächlich nützlich für die chinesische Wirtschaftsentwicklung ist.

In der Vergangenheit sind verschiedene Adjektive und Wortschöpfungen gefunden worden, um die Besonderheit des chinesischen Reformprozesses herauszustellen: Mit Ausdrücken wie Trial-and-error-Prozeß, Gradualismus und evolutorischer Wandel wird in der Regel das schrittweise Vorgehen im Gegensatz zur osteuropäischen Transformationsvariante in den Vordergrund gestellt. Diesen transformationsorientierten Charakterisierungen liegt die Annahme zugrunde, daß die chinesische Reform früher oder später in eine Marktwirtschaft einmünden werde, die westlichen Vorstellungen zumindest ähnelt.

It is frequently contended that as for research and development (R&D), the scientific basis of innovation, Japan has been a freerider with respect to the international community. It is generally accepted, both within and outside the country, that, be that as it may, Japan as an important frontier economy can no longer rest on this position (e.g., cf. Ueda, 1996, p. 22). This paper is about one possible way out of this unsatisfactory situation, i.e. (research) alliances among companies, in order to complement their weak basis of scientific knowledge in one of the most advanced fields of scientific research and most promising fields of business interest: new biotechnology. With respect to such alliances, there is always the fear that the game is not strictly played by the rules, i.e. that one partner will cheat - or at least will try to cheat - the other. Does this apply to Japan, particularly if foreign companies are involved: are partners milked, or is there a symbiotic know-how enhancement, fruitful or all participants?