Pseudo-two-girdles c-axis fabric patterns in a quartz-feldspar mylonite (Costabona granodiorite, Canigo massif)

An example of the relationship that exist between the preferred crystaliografic orientation of quartz grains and the attitude of the mylonite foliation of quartz-feldspar mylonites is described. These rocks are the result of the inhomogeneous deformation under low-grade metamorphic conditions of a late Hercynian granodiorite, intruded into the gneisses of the slopes of the Canig massif (Eastern Pyrenees). The Costabona mylonites have a quartz c-axis fabric in pseudo-twogirdles symmetrical with respect to the mylonite foliation and perpendicular to the shearband systems which produce an extensional crenulation of the mylonite foliation

New techniques for chargino-neutralino detection at LHC

The recent LHC discovery of a Higgs-like boson at 126 GeV has important consequences for SUSY, pushing the spectrum of strong-interacting supersymmetric particles to high energies, very difficult to probe at the LHC. This gives extra motivation to study the direct production of electroweak particles, as charginos and neutralinos, which are presently very poorly constrained. The aim of this work is to improve the analysis of chargino-neutralino pair production at LHC, focusing on the kinematics of the processes. We propose a new method based on the study of the poles of a certain kinematical variable. This complements other approaches, giving new information about the spectrum and improving the signal-to-background ratio. We illustrate the method in particular SUSY models, and show that working with the LHC at 100/fb luminosity one would be able to distinguish the SUSY signal from the Standard Model background.Comment: accepted for publication in JHE

MSSM Forecast for the LHC

We perform a forecast of the MSSM with universal soft terms (CMSSM) for the LHC, based on an improved Bayesian analysis. We do not incorporate ad hoc measures of the fine-tuning to penalize unnatural possibilities: such penalization arises from the Bayesian analysis itself when the experimental value of $M_Z$ is considered. This allows to scan the whole parameter space, allowing arbitrarily large soft terms. Still the low-energy region is statistically favoured (even before including dark matter or g-2 constraints). Contrary to other studies, the results are almost unaffected by changing the upper limits taken for the soft terms. The results are also remarkable stable when using flat or logarithmic priors, a fact that arises from the larger statistical weight of the low-energy region in both cases. Then we incorporate all the important experimental constrains to the analysis, obtaining a map of the probability density of the MSSM parameter space, i.e. the forecast of the MSSM. Since not all the experimental information is equally robust, we perform separate analyses depending on the group of observables used. When only the most robust ones are used, the favoured region of the parameter space contains a significant portion outside the LHC reach. This effect gets reinforced if the Higgs mass is not close to its present experimental limit and persits when dark matter constraints are included. Only when the g-2 constraint (based on $e^+e^-$ data) is considered, the preferred region (for $\mu>0$) is well inside the LHC scope. We also perform a Bayesian comparison of the positive- and negative-$\mu$ possibilities.Comment: 42 pages: added figures and reference

Discurso de investidura como Doctora Honoris Causa de la profesora Doctora Dña. Maria Emilia Casas

Nombrada Doctora Honoris Causa el 27 de enero de 2012

Ressenyes

Martin PIGEON ; David A. MCDONALD ; Olivier HOEDEMAN ; Satoko KISHIMOTO(eds.), Remunicipalización. El retorno del agua a manos públicas. Amsterdam: Transnational Institute, 2013

Ressenyes

Obra ressenyada: Satoko KISHIMOTO; Emanuele LOBINA i Olivier PETITJEAN (eds.), Un futur per l'aigua pública: L'experiència mundial de la remunicipalització. Amsterdam, Londres, París, Ciutat del Cap i Brussel·les: Transnational Institute (TNI), Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU), Observatoire des Multinationales, Municipal Services Project (MSP) i Federació Sindical Europea dels Serveis Públics (FSESP - EPSU), 2015

The health of SUSY after the Higgs discovery and the XENON100 data

We analyze the implications for the status and prospects of supersymmetry of the Higgs discovery and the last XENON data. We focus mainly, but not only, on the CMSSM and NUHM models. Using a Bayesian approach we determine the distribution of probability in the parameter space of these scenarios. This shows that, most probably, they are now beyond the LHC reach . This negative chances increase further (at more than 95% c.l.) if one includes dark matter constraints in the analysis, in particular the last XENON100 data. However, the models would be probed completely by XENON1T. The mass of the LSP neutralino gets essentially fixed around 1 TeV. We do not incorporate ad hoc measures of the fine-tuning to penalize unnatural possibilities: such penalization arises automatically from the careful Bayesian analysis itself, and allows to scan the whole parameter space. In this way, we can explain and resolve the apparent discrepancies between the previous results in the literature. Although SUSY has become hard to detect at LHC, this does not necessarily mean that is very fine-tuned. We use Bayesian techniques to show the experimental Higgs mass is at $\sim 2\ \sigma$ off the CMSSM or NUHM expectation. This is substantial but not dramatic. Although the CMSSM or the NUHM are unlikely to show up at the LHC, they are still interesting and plausible models after the Higgs observation; and, if they are true, the chances of discovering them in future dark matter experiments are quite high

Expansion of the current methodology for the study of the short-term liquidity problems in a sector

Purpose: The aim of this work consists of defining and applying a new methodology for the calculation of short-term financial ratios that more reliably approximate the solvency of a sector. Design/methodology: We begin with a classic sector analysis and propose the creation of ratios that limit the debt repayment on an individual level and that do not imply the compensation of aggregate balances, as occurs with the current formulas of calculation. Findings: The new methodology more reliably approximates the solvency of a sector by being able to estimate with greater precision its global capacity for short-term debt repayment. Research limitations: The limitations to the proposed sector ratios are the same as the limitations of the customary individual ratios. Therefore, to offer an example, the ratios do not correct the assumption that the only source of resources to meet current liabilities is made up by available and liquid assets. In other words, no new tools are proposed to include future income from sales by the companies. Practical implications: To be able to study the solvency of the different sectors that make up the economy with more uniform criteria. Social implications: The information provided by the new ratios obtained in this work proves to be relevant information in the case of wanting to determine the degree of dependence of companies in a sector on financial institutions, or in the case of wanting to determine the degree of dependence on aid in a subsidized sector. Originality/value: The proposal of new tools that go beyond the current limitations.Peer Reviewe