Christian Wellmann Knihy

Granular materials are typically modeled as continuum by describing their mechanical behavior in terms of phenomenological constitutive equations. While this approach enables the solution of engineering scale problems via e. g. the Finite Element Method (FEM), it is inappropriate to model localizations where the deformation concentrates in small domains. An alternative approach is the Discrete Element Method (DEM) which models the individual grains’ motion resulting from their interactions via mechanical contact but suffers from high computational costs. Within this work a two-scale model is developed which combines the advantages of both approaches by modeling localization domains by the DEM and the remaining domains by the FEM. The two-scale model is based on a coupling scheme which enables a smooth transition of the fields between the discrete and the continuous domains and which does not disturb the force-chain microstructure within the discrete part.

" The nation states have ended to be the exclusive actors in world politics. A growing number of transnationally operating non-state actors join in as well - among them not the least local authorities. But, do these actors in low politics have an impact on high politics and in what respect? The book includes academic analyses of the transnational involvement of municipalities and of its political outcome as well as reports from practicians in the field. A special focus is on whether and how cross-border co-operation of local authorities contributes to peace and security as well as to transnational integration and region building. As regards geography, the Baltic Sea Region provides the main example to most of the articles. The 23 contributors are scholars or municipal representatives from nine countries. The editor is Deputy Director of the Schleswig-Holstein Institute for Peace Research - SCHIFF/SHIP. (Dr. Christian Wellmann ist im Arbeitsbereich Friedens- und Konfliktforschung des Instituts f?r Sozialwissenschaften der Universität Kiel tätig.) "

International relations in Europe are under transition. What will be the outcome? Enhanced integration, new fragmentation, a centre-periphery structure, or multiple overlapping regionalization? A stable renaissance or a soon fade out of the nation-state? Will conflict or cooperation prevail? In this book 22 scholars from all Baltic Sea littoral states, Norway and the United States track these questions by focussing them to the Baltic Sea Region. In the past it was structured by the characteristics of the "old" Europe in terms of security arrangements (WTO, NATO, Neutrals), economic ties (COMECON, EC, EFTA), and sociopolitical system (capitalism, socialism), while today it is faced with all the obstacles and contradictions as well as possibilities of an emerging new European architecture, still undefined, but in any case asking for reorientation in the fields of security, economy, and last not least identity. The book puts special emphasis to security aspects and disarmament (including conversion) and to Regionalism as being both, a consequence of the change in progress as well as a strategy to shape it to a desired cooperation instead of conflict.