How hard is the euro area core? A wavelet analysis of growth cycles in Germany, France and Italy

Using recent advances in time-varying spectral methods, this research analyses the growth cycles of the core of the euro area in terms of frequency content and phasing of cycles. The methodology uses the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and also Hilbert wavelet pairs in the setting of a non-decimated discrete wavelet transform in order to analyse bivariate time series in terms of conventional frequency domain measures from spectral analysis. The findings are that coherence and phasing between the three core members of the euro area (France, Germany and Italy) have increased since the launch of the euro

Flipped Cryptons and the UHECRs

Cryptons are metastable bound states of fractionally-charged particles that arise generically in the hidden sectors of models derived from heterotic string. We study their properties and decay modes in a specific flipped SU(5) model with long-lived four-particle spin-zero bound states called {\it tetrons}. We show that the neutral tetrons are metastable, and exhibit the tenth-order non-renormalizable superpotential operators responsible for their dominant decays. By analogy with QCD, we expect charged tetrons to be somewhat heavier, and to decay relatively rapidly via lower-order interactions that we also exhibit. The expected masses and lifetimes of the neutral tetrons make them good candidates for cold dark matter (CDM), and a potential source of the ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) which have been observed, whereas the charged tetrons would have decayed in the early Universe.Comment: 8 Pages RevTex. New version with expanded introduction to flipped SU(5). Accepted for publication in PR

The Search for a Realistic String Model at LHC

We survey the low-energy supersymmetry phenomenology of a three-family Pati-Salam model constructed from intersecting D6-branes in Type IIA string theory on the T^6/(Z_2 x Z_2) orientifold which possesses many of the phenomenological properties desired in string model-building. In the model, there is no exotic matter in the low-energy spectrum, the correct mass hierarchies for quarks and leptons may be obtained, and the gauge couplings are automatically unified at the string scale. We calculate the supersymmetry breaking soft terms and the corresponding low-energy supersymmetry particle spectra for the model. We find the WMAP constrained dark matter density can be generated in this model in the stau-neutralino and chargino-neutralino coannihilation regions, with expected final states at LHC consisting of low energy leptons and O(GeV) neutrinos. Moreover, we expect final states in the supercritical string cosmology (SSC) scenario to comprise high energy leptons and O(GeV) neutrinos.Comment: 35 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in PR

Experimental forced vibration responses of test houses during the Edwards Air Force Base phase of the national sonic boom test program

Experimental vibration studies were conducted on two houses to determine some of the dynamic response characteristics, resulting from sonic boom. The primary objectives of the vibration tests were to identify the mode shapes associated with the various frequencies determined from the sonic boom response data, and to obtain some basic information about the vibration behavior of buildings in general. The results are presented of forced sinusoidal vibration studies of some components of the test structures. Included are acceleration response data on selected walls, wall surface modal patterns, and vibration induced noise measurements at various locations in the test structures

Proton Stability and Dark Matter in a Realistic String MSSM

We demonstrate the existence of an extra nonanomalous U(1) gauge symmetry in a three-generation Pati-Salam model constructed with intersecting D6-branes in Type IIA string theory on a T^6/(Z_2 \times Z_2) orientifold. This extra U(1) forbids all dimension-4, 5, and 6 operators which mediate proton decay in the MSSM. Moreover, this results in the effective promotion of baryon and lepton number to local gauge symmetries, which can potentially result in leptophobic and leptophilic $Z'$ bosons observable at the LHC. Furthermore, it is not necessary to invoke R-parity to forbid the dimension-4 operators which allow rapid proton decay. However, R-parity may arise naturally from a spontaneously broken U(1)_{B-L}. Assuming the presence of R-parity, we then study the direct detection cross-sections for neutralino dark matter, including the latest constraints from the XENON100 experiment. We find that these limits are now within required range necessary to begin testing the model.Comment: Expanded discussion of Z' boson phenomenology. Accepted for publication to Physical Review D. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1103.603

Exact 1-D Model for Coherent Synchrotron Radiation with Shielding and Bunch Compression

Coherent Synchrotron Radiation has been studied effectively using a 1-dimensional model for the charge distribution in the realm of small angle approximations and high energies. Here we use Jefimenko's form of Maxwell's equations, without such approximations, to calculate the exact wake-fields due to this effect in multiple bends and drifts. It has been shown before that the influence of a drift can propagate well into a subsequent bend. We show, for reasonable parameters, that the influence of a previous bend can also propagate well into a subsequent bend, and that this is especially important at the beginning of a bend. Shielding by conducting parallel plates is simulated using the image charge method. We extend the formalism to situations with compressing and decompressing distributions, and conclude that simpler approximations to bunch compression usually overestimates the effect. Additionally, an exact formula for the coherent power radiated by a Gaussian bunch is derived by considering the coherent synchrotron radiation spectrum, and is used to check the accuracy of wake-field calculations

Using assignment data to analyse a blended information literacy intervention: a quantitative approach

This research sought to determine whether a blended information literacy learning and teaching intervention could statistically significantly enhance undergraduates’ information discernment compared to standard face-to-face delivery. A mixture of face-to-face and online activities, including online social media learning, was used. Three interventions were designed to develop the information literacies of first-year undergraduates studying Sport and Exercise at Staffordshire University and focused on one aspect of information literacy: the ability to evaluate source material effectively. An analysis was devised where written evaluations of found information for an assessment were converted into numerical scores and then measured statistically. This helped to evaluate the efficacy of the interventions and provided data for further analysis. An insight into how the information literacy pedagogical intervention and the cognitive processes involved in enabling participants to interact critically with information is provided. The intervention which incorporated social media learning proved to be the most successful learning and teaching approach. The data indicated that undergraduate students’ information literacy can be developed. However, additional long-term data is required to establish whether this intervention would have a lasting impact

Yukawa Corrections from Four-Point Functions in Intersecting D6-Brane Models

We discuss corrections to the Yukawa matrices of the Standard Model (SM) fermions in intersecting D-brane models due to four-point interactions. Recently, an intersecting D-brane model has been found where it is possible to obtain correct masses and mixings for all quarks as well as the tau lepton. However, the masses for the first two charged leptons come close to the right values but are not quite correct. Since the electron and muon are quite light, it is likely that there are additional corrections to their masses which cannot be neglected. With this in mind, we consider contributions to the SM fermion mass matrices from four-point interactions. In an explicit model, we show that it is indeed possible to obtain the SM fermion masses and mixings which are a better match to those resulting from experimental data extrapolated at the unification scale when these corrections are included. These corrections may have broader application to other models.Comment: 24 pages, 4 figure