Minimum quality levels and import tariffs

In a vertically differentiated duopoly the use of import tariffs by an importing country decreases domestic welfare if import tariffs are chosen once the firms have made their quality decisions. In this paper we propose import tariffs that are contingent on some minimum quality level (MQL) being met. A firm is taxed if it fails to meet these MQL. Import tariffs conditional on fulfilling the MQL are welfare improving over free trade. Investment in quality increases, market coverage goes up and consumer surplus increases. Firm profits decrease relative to free trade under such tariffs

Black holes from multiplets of scalar fields in 2+1- and 3+1-dimensions

We obtain classes of black hole solutions constructed from multiplets of scalar fields in 2+1 / 3+1 dimensions. The multi-component scalars don't undergo a symmetry breaking so that only the isotropic modulus is effective. The Lagrangian is supplemented by a self-interacting potential which plays significant role in obtaining the exact solutions. In 2+1 / 3+1 dimensions doublet / triplet of scalars is effective which enriches the available black hole spacetimes and creates useful Liouville weighted field theoretic models.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, final version accepted for publication in EPJ

Multidimensional Quadrilateral Lattices are Integrable

The notion of multidimensional quadrilateral lattice is introduced. It is shown that such a lattice is characterized by a system of integrable discrete nonlinear equations. Different useful formulations of the system are given. The geometric construction of the lattice is also discussed and, in particular, it is clarified the number of initial--boundary data which define the lattice uniquely.Comment: 18 pages, LaTeX, 6 Postscript figure

Supersymmetric particle mass measurement with invariant mass correlations

The kinematic end-point technique for measuring the masses of supersymmetric particles in R-Parity conserving models at hadron colliders is re-examined with a focus on exploiting additional constraints arising from correlations in invariant mass observables. The use of such correlations is shown to potentially resolve the ambiguity in the interpretation of quark+lepton end-points and enable discrimination between sequential two-body and three-body lepton-producing decays. The use of these techniques is shown to improve the SUSY particle mass measurement precision for the SPS1a benchmark model by at least 20-30% compared to the conventional end-point technique.Comment: 29 pages, 23 .eps figures, JHEP3 style; v2 adds some references and small clarifications to text; v3 adds some more clarifications to the tex

Development of a rapid LC-MS/MS Method for the determination of emerging fusarium mycotoxins enniatins and beauvericin in human biological fluids

A novel method for the simultaneous determination of enniatins A, A1, B and B1 and beauvericin, both in human urine and plasma samples, was developed and validated. The method consisted of a simple and easy pretreatment, specific for each matrix, followed by solid phase extraction (SPE) and detection by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with an electrospray ion source. The optimized SPE method was performed on graphitized carbon black cartridges after suitable dilution of the extracts, which allowed high mycotoxin absolute recoveries (76%-103%) and the removal of the major interferences from the matrix. The method was extensively evaluated for plasma and urine samples separately, providing satisfactory results in terms of linearity (R² of 0.991-0.999), process efficiency (>81%), trueness (recoveries between 85% and 120%), intra-day precision (relative standard deviation, RSD < 18%), inter-day precision (RSD < 21%) and method quantification limits (ranging between 20 ng·L(-)¹ and 40 ng·L(-)¹ in plasma and between 5 ng·L(-)¹ and 20 ng·L(-)¹ in urine). Finally, the highly sensitive validated method was applied to some urine and plasma samples from different donors

Measurement of SUSY masses via cascade decays for SPS 1a

If R-parity conserving supersymmetry exists below the TeV-scale, new particles will be produced and decay in cascades at the LHC. The lightest supersymmetric particle will escape the detectors, thereby complicating the full reconstruction of the decay chains. In this paper we expand on existing methods for determining the masses of the particles in the cascade from endpoints of kinematical distributions. We perform scans in the mSUGRA parameter space to delimit the region where this method is applicable. From the examination of theoretical distributions for a wide selection of mass scenarios it is found that caution must be exerted when equating the theoretical endpoints with the experimentally obtainable ones. We provide analytic formulae for the masses in terms of the endpoints most readily available. Complications due to the composite nature of the endpoint expressions are discussed in relation to the detailed analysis of two points on the SPS 1a line. Finally we demonstrate how a Linear Collider measurement can improve dramatically on the precision of the masses obtained

Design of pulse jet coolant delivery system for minimal quantity lubricant (IP MQL) operation

Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) machining is one of the promising solutions to the requirement for reducing cutting fluid consumption. The work here describes MQL machining in a range of lubricant consumption of 2.0-2.355ml/s, which is between 10– 100 times lesser than the consumption usually adopted in industries. MQL machining in this range is called pulse jet coolant delivery system. A specially designed system, the IP MQL, was used for concentrating small amounts of lubricant onto the cutting interface. The performance of concentrated spraying of lubricant in pulse jet coolant delivery system design was simulated and compared with that of current ‘Pulse Jet MQL’ systems. The concentrated spraying of lubricant with a specially designed system was found to be effective in increasing tool life in the pulse jet coolant delivery system range