In May 1998 a hundred renowned scientists from 20 different countries met at the Max-Planck-Institut fur Aeronomie to communicate their latest results and ideas in astrophysical and space plasma, as a follow-up to previous similar meetings which were held in Varenna, Abastumai, Potsdam, Toki and Guaruja. The main papers emerging from this meeting are collected in this volume. They deal with fundamental plasma phenomena, particle and radiation processes in astrophysics and space physics as the origin of magnetic activity, the basic mechanisms of particle acceleration and plasma heating common to plasma in galaxies and at the sun as well as in planetary magnetospheres. New observational results from YOHKOH, SOHO and other missions are presented. Using these, the basic physical processes leading to coronal heating and solar/stellar wind acceleration are discussed. Other topics are the microphysics of shock waves and transport phenomena in collisionless plasmas and the physics of thin plasma boundaries. The volume also treats the ionic composition of plasma and dust in the Universe and their observability in the solar system. A CD-ROM is attached which adds a valuable multimedia component, illuminating results of observations, theory and simulations. Everyone interested in astrophysical plasmas, its radiation and charged particle aspects, and advanced or even beginning students will find references to nearly all modern aspects of plasma astrophysics and space physics as well as an overview of current research results.

This topical volume has been written with the explicit aim to provide a high-level introductory book for a field where there were no elementary textbooks available. It addresses postgraduate students and young scientists investigating space plasma physics or planning to specialize in this field. Experienced researchers will find this book to be a comprehensive source of reference as well as a source of advanced topics for their courses.

In May 1998 a hundred renowned scientists from 20 different countries met at the Max-Planck-Institut fur Aeronomie to communicate their latest results and ideas in astrophysical and space plasma, as a follow-up to previous similar meetings which were held in Varenna, Abastumai, Potsdam, Toki and Guaruja. The main papers emerging from this meeting are collected in this volume. They deal with fundamental plasma phenomena, particle and radiation processes in astrophysics and space physics as the origin of magnetic activity, the basic mechanisms of particle acceleration and plasma heating common to plasma in galaxies and at the sun as well as in planetary magnetospheres. New observational results from YOHKOH, SOHO and other missions are presented. Using these, the basic physical processes leading to coronal heating and solar/stellar wind acceleration are discussed. Other topics are the microphysics of shock waves and transport phenomena in collisionless plasmas and the physics of thin plasma boundaries. The volume also treats the ionic composition of plasma and dust in the Universe and their observability in the solar system. A CD-ROM is attached which adds a valuable multimedia component, illuminating results of observations, theory and simulations. Everyone interested in astrophysical plasmas, its radiation and charged particle aspects, and advanced or even beginning students will find references to nearly all modern aspects of plasma astrophysics and space physics as well as an overview of current research results.

Joerg Buchner analysiert die aktuelle Entwicklung der in Deutschland angebotenen Bedingungswerke in der privaten Berufsunfahigkeitsversicherung, welche seit der Deregulierung des Versicherungsmarktes im Jahr 1994 einem stetigen Wandel unterworfen ist. Auch wenn der Bedingungswettbewerb zwischen den Unternehmen letztlich fur mehr Transparenz und Verbraucherfreundlichkeit gesorgt hat, ist eine Vielzahl von rechtlichen Problemen offen geblieben. Der Autor will durch seine Analyse funf Jahre nach der VVG-Reform 2008 herausfinden, welchen Einfluss das neue Versicherungsvertragsgesetz tatsachlich auf die Entwicklung genommen hat. Gleichzeitig werden weiter bestehende, ungeklarte Rechtsfragen - welche der Gesetzgeber nicht gesehen hat - aufgezeigt und konkrete Loesungsvorschlage unterbreitet.