We derive a fluid theory for spin-1/2 particles starting from an extended kinetic model based on a spin-projected density matrix formalism. The evolution equation for the spin density is found to contain a pressure-like term. We give an example where this term is important by looking at a linear mode previously found in a spin kinetic model.Comment: 4 page

We give a short review of a number of different models for treating magnetization effects in plasmas. In particular, the transition between kinetic models and fluid models is discussed. We also give examples of applications of such theories. Some future aspects are discussed.

In this paper we calculate the contribution to the ponderomotive force in a plasma from the electron spin using a recently developed model. The spin-fluid model used in the present paper contains spin-velocity correlations, in contrast to previous models used for the same purpose. Is its then found that previous terms for the spin-ponderomotive force are recovered, but also that additional terms appear. Furthermore, the results due to the spin-velocity correlations are confirmed using the spin-kinetic theory. The significance of our results is discussed.

We have derived the electrostatic dispersion relation in a magnetized plasma using a recently developed quantum kinetic model based on the Dirac equation. The model contains weakly relativistic spin effects such as Thomas precession, the polarization currents associated with the spin and the spin-orbit coupling. It turns out that for strictly electrostatic perturbations the non-relativistic spin effects vanish, and the modification of the classical dispersion relation is solely associated with the relativistic terms. Several new wave modes appear due the electron spin effects, and an example for astrophysical plasmas are given.

Previous literature on price discovery in commodity markets is mainly focused on the question of whether the spot or the futures market dominates the price discovery process. Little attention, however, has been paid to the question of how the price discovery process is affected by futures speculation. Using different measures for speculation and hedging and a new price discovery metric, the present study analyzes this relationship for various agricultural commodities. On the whole, the results suggest that speculative activity reduces the level of noise in the futures markets under analysis, while increasing their relative contribution to the price discovery process.