Monotone Comparative Statics: Geometric Approach

We consider the comparative statics of solutions to parameterized optimization problems. A geometric method is developed for finding a vector field that, at each point in the parameter space, indicates a direction in which monotone comparative statics obtains. Given such a vector field, we provide sufficient conditions under which the problem can be reparameterized on the parameter space (or a subset thereof) in a way that guarantees monotone comparative statics. A key feature of our method is that it does not require the feasible set to be a lattice and works in the absence of the standard quasi-supermodularity and single-crossing assumptions on the objective function. We illustrate our approach with a variety of applications. We are grateful to Kenneth Arrow, Darrell Duffie, David Luenberger, Paul Milgrom, John Quah, and Pete Veinott for helpful comments. Research in part supported by a David Morgenthaler II Faculty Scholar Award.     

Yoneda Structures from 2-toposes

A 2-categorical generalisation of the notion of elementary topos is provided, and some of the properties of the Yoneda structure (Street and Walters, J. Algebra, 50:350–379, 1978) it generates are explored. Results enabling one to exhibit objects as cocomplete in the sense definable within a Yoneda structure are presented. Examples relevant to the globular approach to higher dimensional category theory are discussed. This paper also contains some expository material on the theory of fibrations internal to a finitely complete 2-category (Street, Lecture Notes in Math., 420:104–133, 1974) and provides a self-contained development of the necessary background material on Yoneda structures.      

Study of the first-excited K π=0+ and 2+ bands in 228Th in the 226Ra(α,2n) reaction

Excited bands of ²²⁸Th were studied in the ²²⁶Ra(α,2n) reaction by gamma-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy. The first-excited K ^π=0⁺ and 2⁺ bands were identified up to I ^π= 12⁺ and 10⁺, respectively. The spin dependence of the moments of inertia is discussed. The experimental data indicate a structural change of these bands from ²²⁸Th to ²³⁰Th and ²³²Th. Received: 11 August 1997 / Revised version: 19 September 1997     

Dielektrizitätskonstanten wässriger Lösungen

Zeitschrift für Physik A Hadrons and nuclei - Mit einer Schwebungsmethode wird der Konzentrationskoeffizient der Dielektrizitätskonstante von einigen Elektrolyten und Nichtelektrolyten...     

Multidimensional liquid-chromatography for the quantitation of low concentration compounds in body fluids

Conclusions As demonstrated for the cortisol estimation in serum and urine, the principle of sample pretreatment applied in the present technique provides the almost complete concentration, the effective prepurification and the focussed transfer to liquid-chromatographic quantitation. It probably may present the technological basis for on-line estimation of all compounds that can be measured by liquid-chromatography.

---

Multidimensionale Flüssigkeits-Chromatographie zur Bestimmung von niedrigkonzentrierten Substanzen in biologischen Flüssigkeiten

     

Zur Theorie der Bessel'schen Functionen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Experimental investigation of an oscillator with discontinuous support considering different system aspects

Non-smooth characteristics are, in general, the source of difficulties for the modeling and simulation of natural systems. These characteristics are usually related to either the friction phenomenon or the discontinuous behavior as intermittent contacts. This article develops an experimental investigation concerning non-smooth systems with discontinuous support. An experimental apparatus is developed in order to analyze the nonlinear dynamics of a single-degree of freedom system with discontinuous support. The apparatus is composed by an oscillator constructed by a car, free to move over a rail, connected to an excitation system. The discontinuous support is constructed considering mass–spring systems separated by a gap to the car position. This apparatus is instrumented to obtain all the system state variables. System dynamical behavior shows a rich response, presenting dynamical jumps, bifurcations and chaos. Different configurations of the experimental set up are treated in order to evaluate the influence of the internal impact within the car and also support characteristics in the system dynamics.     

Instability of mercury in specimens of human urine for external quality assessment

An under-recovery of inorganic mercury added to urine and a wide range of results is observed in quality assessment schemes (EQAS) for trace elements. Furthermore, the under-recoveries are inconsistent suggesting features associated with the urine matrix may make the mercury unavailable for measurement. To investigate the instability of mercury in urine the following experiments were set up: (1) a sample of Hg²⁺ in water with various ‘stabilizers’ added was sent to UK external quality assessment scheme participants. (2) Urine was collected from volunteers who also completed a 3-day food diary. Hg, Ca, Mg, Se, uric acid, phosphate, creatinine, reducing substances and protein were measured. Inorganic mercury was spiked into the urine, stabilizers were added and the mercury determined following storage. The results confirmed under-recovery of mercury in association with the urine matrix. Further investigations of how urinary components affect the measurement of mercury are necessary.     

Characterization of different poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline)s via matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) coupled with CID (collision‐induced dissociation) has been used for the detailed characterization of two poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline)s as part of a continuing study of synthetic polymers by MALDI‐TOF MS/MS. These experiments provided information about the variety of fragmentation pathways for poly(oxazoline)s. It was possible to show that, in addition to the eliminations of small molecules, like ethene and hydrogen, the McLafferty rearrangement is also a possible fragmentation route. A library of fragmentation pathways for synthetic polymers was also constructed and such a library should enable the fast and automated data analysis of polymers in the future. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.