The Fine-Tuning Problem of the Electroweak Symmetry Breaking Mechanism in Minimal SUSY Models

We calculate the region of the MSSM parameter space (i.e. $M_{1/2}$, $m_{0}$, $\mu$, \ldots) compatible with a correct electroweak breaking and a realistic top-quark mass. To do so we have included {\em all} the one-loop corrections to the effective potential $V_{1}$ and checked their importance in order to obtain consistent results. We also consider the fine-tuning problem due to the enormous dependence of $M_{Z}$ on $h_{t}$ (the top Yukawa coupling), which is substantially reduced when the one-loop effects are taken into account. We also explore the reliability of the so-called "standard" criterion to estimate the degree of fine-tuning. As a consequence, we obtain a new set of upper bounds on the MSSM parameters or, equivalently, on the supersymmetric masses perfectly consistent with the present experimental bounds.Comment: talk given at the XVI Kazimierz Meeting on Elementary Particle Physics, Kazimierz (Poland) 24-28 May 1993, 4 pages in standard LATEX + 2 figures (not included but available upon request), CERN-TH.7024/9

Quasi-cycles in a spatial predator-prey model

We show that spatial models of simple predator-prey interactions predict that predator and prey numbers oscillate in time and space. These oscillations are not seen in the deterministic versions of the models, but are due to stochastic fluctuations about the time-independent solutions of the deterministic equations which are amplified due to the existence of a resonance. We calculate the power spectra of the fluctuations analytically and show that they agree well with results obtained from stochastic simulations. This work extends the analysis of these quasi-cycles from that previously developed for well-mixed systems to spatial systems, and shows that the ideas and methods used for non-spatial models naturally generalize to the spatial case.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figure

Geometrical approach to tumor growth

Tumor growth has a number of features in common with a physical process known as molecular beam epitaxy. Both growth processes are characterized by the constraint of growth development to the body border, and surface diffusion of cells/particles at the growing edge. However, tumor growth implies an approximate spherical symmetry that makes necessary a geometrical treatment of the growth equations. The basic model was introduced in a former article [C. Escudero, Phys. Rev. E 73, 020902(R) (2006)], and in the present work we extend our analysis and try to shed light on the possible geometrical principles that drive tumor growth. We present two-dimensional models that reproduce the experimental observations, and analyse the unexplored three-dimensional case, for which new conclusions on tumor growth are derived

SUSY Soft Breaking Terms from String Scenarios

The general SUSY soft breaking terms for a large class of phenomenologically relevant string scenarios (symmetric orbifolds) are given. They show a certain lack of universality, but not dangerous for flavor changing neutral currents. To get more quantitative results a specific SUSY breaking mechanism has to be considered, namely gaugino condensation in the hidden sector. Then, it turns out that squark and slepton masses tend to be much larger than scalar masses ($m_{\phi} > 10 M_a$), which probably is a quite general fact. Experimental bounds and the requirement of a successful electroweak breaking without fine tuning impose further restrictions on the soft breaking terms. As a consequence the gluino and chargino masses should be quite close to their present experimental limits, whereas squark and slepton masses should be much higher (> 1 TeV).Comment: (Talk presented at the SUSY-93 Conference, Boston, March 29 - April 2, 1993), 11 pages, CERN--TH.6922/9