Does military expenditure increase external debt? Evidence from Asia

This article empirically explores the effect of military spending on external debt, using a sample of ten Asian countries over the years from 1990 to 2011. The Hausman’s test suggests that the random-effects model is preferable; however, both random-effects and fixed-effects models are used in this research. The empirical results show that the effect of military spending on external debt is positive, while the effects of foreign exchange reserves and of economic growth on external debt are negative. For developing countries caught in security dilemma, military expenditure often requires an increase in external debt, which may affect economic development negatively.     

Survey and technological analysis of laser and its defense applications

The laser technology has made remarkable progress over the past couple of decades.It is being widely employed in diverse domains,such as holography,space sciences,spectroscopy,medical sciences,micro and power electronics,industrial engineering,and most distinctively,as directed energy military weapons.Owing to their active transmissions,laser systems are similar to microwave radars to some extent;however,unlike conventional radars,the laser operates at very high frequencies thus making it a potent enabler of narrow-beam and high energy aerial deployments,both in offensive and defensive roles.In modern avionics systems,laser target indicators and beam riders are the most common devices that are used to direct the Laser Guided Weapons(LGW)accurately to the ground targets.Additionally,compact size and outstanding angular resolution of laser-based systems motivate their use for drones and unmanned aerial applications.Moreover,the narrow-beam divergence of laser emissions offers a low probability of intercept,making it a suitable contender for secure transmissions and safety-critical operations.Furthermore,the developments in space sciences and laser technology have given syner-gistic potential outcomes to use laser systems in space operations.This paper comprehensively reviews laser applications and projects for strategic defense actions on the ground or in space.Additionally,a detailed analysis has been done on recent advancements of the laser technology for target indicators and range-finders.It also reviews the advancements in the field of laser communications for surveillance,its earlier state of the art,and ongoing scientific research and ad-vancements in the domain of high energy directed laser weapons that have revolutionized the evolving military battlefield.Besides offering a comprehensive taxonomy,the paper also critically analyzes some of the recent contributions in the associated domains.     

Multi-objective design optimization of composite submerged cylindrical pressure hull for minimum buoyancy and maximum buckling load capacity

This paper presents the design optimization of composite submersible cylindrical pressure hull subjected to 3 MPa hydrostatic pressure. The design optimization study is conducted for cross-ply layups [0s/90t/0u], [0s/90t/0u]s, [0s/90t]s and [90s/0t]s considering three uni-directional composites, i.e. Carbon/Epoxy, Glass/Epoxy, and Boron/Epoxy. The optimization study is performed by coupling a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) and Analytical Analysis. Minimizing the buoyancy factor and maximizing the buckling load factor are considered as the objectives of the optimization study. The objectives of the optimization are achieved under constraints on the Tsai-Wu, Tsai-Hill and Maximum Stress composite failure criteria and on buckling load factor. To verify the optimization approach, optimization of one particular layup configuration is also conducted in ANSYS with the same objectives and constraints.     

Buckling analysis of embedded graphene oxide powder-reinforced nanocomposite shells

In this study, the buckling analysis of a Graphene oxide powder reinforced (GOPR) nanocomposite shell is investigated. The effective material properties of the nanocomposite are estimated through Halpin-Tsai micromechanical scheme. Three distribution types of GOPs are considered, namely uniform, X and O. Also, a first-order shear deformation shell theory is incorporated with the principle of virtual work to derive the governing differential equations of the problem. The governing equations are solved via Galerkin's method, which is a powerful analytical method for static and dynamic problems. Comparison study is performed to verify the present formulation with those of previous data. New results for the buckling load of GOPR nanocomposite shells are presented regarding for different values of circumfer-ential wave number. Besides, the influences of weight fraction of nanofillers, length and radius to thickness ratios and elastic foundation on the critical buckling loads of GOP-reinforced nanocomposite shells are explored.     

The impact of Syrian refugees on the labor market in neighboring countries: empirical evidence from Jordan

This paper analyzes time-sensitive data on a humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. It aims to assess the impact of the steep influx of Syrian refugees into Jordan on the country’s labor market since the onset of the conflict in Syria (March 2011). As of August 2014, nearly three million registered Syrians have sought refuge in neighboring countries (Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey), according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Jordan and Lebanon are hosting the majority of them. This paper utilizes data regarding unemployment rates, employment rates, labor force participation, the number of refugees, and economic activity at the level of governorates. The vector autoregressive methodology is used to examine time series data from the most affected governorates in Jordan. The empirical results of Granger causality tests and impulse response functions show that there is no relationship between the influx of Syrian refugees and the Jordanian labor market. Our results are verified through a set of robustness checks.     

An efficient algorithm for the transshipment along a single road problem

This paper presents a specialized algorithm for the transshipment along a single road problem. The problem is a specially structured network flow problem. For larger problems, the specialized algorithm is in excess of a hundred times faster than the primal simplex method on a graph.     

Military Expenditures and Natural Resources: Evidence from Rentier States in the Middle East and North Africa

It has been argued that the discovery of a new natural resource greatly increases the risk of conflict. This research aims to study the effect of natural resources on military spending, using the data from rentier states in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries from 1987 to 2012. In considering the ‘resource curse,’ the types of natural resources matter. Our empirical results demonstrate that the ‘resource curse’ arising from the abundance of certain natural resources, particularly oil and forest resources, leads to increases in military spending. In contrast, the rent from coal and natural gas has a negative impact on military spending, while the rent from minerals has no impact on military spending, controlling for GDP growth and per capita income.     

THE PEACE DIVIDEND EFFECT OF TURKISH CONVERGENCE TO THE EU: A MULTI‐REGION DYNAMIC CGE MODEL ANALYSIS FOR GREECE AND TURKEY

This paper examines the peace dividend effect of Turkish convergence to EU membership. By employing a multi‐region dynamic CGE model, we examine the prospect for conflict resolution if Turkey becomes an EU member. The model allows us to analyse several scenarios that imply varying amounts of reduction of the military expenditure/GDP ratios. On the one hand, this change will cause a decrease in sectoral demand for military expenditures, while on the other hand, reallocation of the reduced expenditure on (i) education, (ii) tax decrease, and (iii) infrastructure, should have a huge growth impact. Our dynamic CGE simulation experiments emphasize the economic gain for all parties involved.     

Mechanical behavior and failure mechanism of polyurea nanocomposites under quasi-static and dynamic compressive loading

Polyurea is an elastomeric material that can be applied to enhance the protection ability of structures under blast and impact loading.In order to study the compressive mechanical properties of SiC/polyurea nanocomposites under quasi-static and dynamic loading,a universal testing machine and split Hop-kinson pressure bar(SHPB)apparatus were used respectively.The stress-strain curves were obtained on polyurea and its composites at strain rates of 0.001-8000 s-1.The results of the experiment suggested that increase in the strain rates led to the rise of the flow stress,compressive strength,strain rate sensitivity and strain energy.This indicates that all of the presented materials were dependent on strain rate.Moreover,these mechanical characters were enhanced by incorporating a small amount of SiC into polyurea matrix.The relation between yield stress and strain rates were established using the power law functions.Finally,in order to investigate the fracture surfaces and inside information of failed specimens,scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and micro X-ray computed tomography(micro-CT)were used respectively.Multiple voids,crazes,micro-cracks and cracking were observed in fracture surfaces.On the other hand,the cracking propagation was found in the micro-CT slice images.It is essential to understand the deformation and failure mechanisms in all the polyurea materials.