On the sensitivity matrix of the Nash bargaining solution

In this note we provide a characterization of a subclass of bargaining problems for which the Nash solution has the property of disagreement point monotonicity. While the original d-monotonicity axiom and its stronger notion, strong d-monotonicity, were introduced and discussed by Thomson (J Econ Theory, 42: 50–58, 1987), this paper introduces local strong d-monotonicity and derives a necessary and sufficient condition for the Nash solution to be locally strongly d-monotonic. This characterization is given by using the sensitivity matrix of the Nash bargaining solution w.r.t. the disagreement point d. Moverover, we present a sufficient condition for the Nash solution to be strong d-monotonic.     

Analysis of transient queues with semidefinite optimization

We derive upper bounds on the tail distribution of the transient waiting time in the GI/GI/1 queue, given a truncated sequence of the moments of the service time and that of the interarrival time. Our upper bound is given as the objective value of the optimal solution to a semidefinite program (SDP) and can be calculated numerically by solving the SDP. We also derive the upper bounds in closed form for the case when only the first two moments of the service time and those of the interarrival time are given. The upper bounds in closed form are constructed by formulating the dual problem associated with the SDP. Specifically, we obtain the objective value of a feasible solution of the dual problem in closed from, which turns out to be the upper bound that we derive. In addition, we study bounds on the maximum waiting time in the first busy period.     

A new proof for Rockafellar's characterization of maximal monotone operators

We provide a new and short proof for Rockafellar's characterization of maximal monotone operators in reflexive Banach spaces based on S. Fitzpatrick's function and a technique used by R. S. Burachik and B. F. Svaiter for proving their result on the representation of a maximal monotone operator by convex functions.

     

The neutral weak current in muonic atoms

The measurement of parity-odd observables in muonic atoms has eluded realization for ten years. Nevertheless, determination of the coupling constants which characterize the weak neutral current of muons remains an important goal. Since the muonic atom is essentially an hydrogen-like system, the precise determination of neutral current couplings and observation of higher order weak and electromagnetic corrections may be possible. Moreover, the effects of neutral currents in atomic systems are determined by a different combination of couplings than effects measured at high energy. Finally, comparison of effects in muonic and conventional atoms would confirm the university of neutral current couplings.Current proposals to measure parity-odd observables exploit the physics of nuclei and atoms as well as of muonic atoms. This report attempts a systematic presentation of the physics required to understand the proposals and the interpretation of the measurements. The three most promising measurements in thulium, neon and boron are discussed in detail.     

Simultaneous analysis of twenty-one glucocorticoids in equine plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the simultaneous separation, identification, quantification and confirmation of the presence of 21 glucocorticoids (GCC) in equine plasma by liquid chromatography coupled with triple stage quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC/TSQ-MS/MS) is described. Plasma sample augmented with the 21 GCC was extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and analyzed by positive electrospray ionization. Desoxymetasone or dichlorisone acetate was used as the internal standard (IS). Quantification was performed by IS calibration. For each drug, one major product ion was chosen and used for screening for that drug. Analyte confirmation was performed by using the three most intense product ions formed from the precursor ion and the corresponding mass ratios. The recovery of the 21 GCC when spiked into blank plasma at 5 ng/mL was 45-200% with coefficient of variation (CV) from 0.3-18%. The limit of detection (LOD) and that of quantification (LOQ) for most of the analytes were 50-100 pg/mL and 1 ng/mL, respectively, whereas that of confirmation (LOC) was 100-300 pg/mL depending on the analyte. Intra- and inter-day precisions expressed as CV for quantification of 1 and 10 ng/mL was 1.0-17%, and 0.51-19%, respectively, and the accuracy was from 84-110%. The linear concentration range for quantification was 0.1-100 ng/mL (r(2) > 0.997). Estimated measurement uncertainty was from 11-37%. This study was undertaken to develop a method for simultaneous screening, identification, quantification and confirmation of these agents in post-race equine plasma samples. The method has been successfully applied to screening of a large number of plasma samples obtained from racehorses in competition and in pharmacokinetic studies of dexamethasone in the horse and concurrent changes in endogenous GCC, hydrocortisone and cortisone. The method is simple, sensitive, selective and reliably reproducible.