Restriction of Odd Degree Characters of Sn\mathfrak{S}_n

Let $n$ and $k$ be natural numbers such that $2^k < n$. We study the restriction to $\mathfrak{S}_{n-2^k}$ of odd-degree irreducible characters of the symmetric group $\mathfrak{S}_n$. This analysis completes the study begun in [Ayyer A., Prasad A., Spallone S., Sem. Lothar. Combin. 75 (2015), Art. B75g, 13 pages] and recently developed in [Isaacs I.M., Navarro G., Olsson J.B., Tiep P.H., J. Algebra 478 (2017), 271-282]

Target dependence of the annual modulation in direct dark matter searches

Due to Earth's revolution around the Sun, the expected scattering rate in direct dark matter searches is annually modulated. This modulation is expected to differ between experiments when given as a function of recoil energy $E_\text{R}$, e.g. due to the gravitational focusing effect of the Sun. A better variable to compare results among experiments employing different targets is the minimum speed $v_\text{min}$ a dark matter particle must have to impart a recoil energy $E_\text{R}$ to a target nucleus. It is widely believed that the modulation expressed as a function of $v_\text{min}$ is common to all experiments, irrespective of the dark matter distribution. We point out that the annual modulation as a function of $v_\text{min}$, and in particular the times at which the rate is maximum and minimum, could be very different depending on the detector material. This would be an indication of a scattering cross section with non-factorizable velocity and target material dependence. Observing an annual modulation with at least two different target elements would be necessary to identify this type of cross section.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Version accepted for publicatio

Update on the Halo-Independent Comparison of Direct Dark Matter Detection Data

We briefly review the halo-independent formalism, that allows to compare data from different direct dark matter detection experiments without making assumptions on the properties of the dark matter halo. We apply this method to spin-independent WIMP-nuclei interactions, for both isospin-conserving and isospin-violating couplings, updating the existing analyses with the addition of the SuperCDMS bound. We point out that this method can be applied to any type of WIMP interaction.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures. To appear in the TAUP 2013 Proceeding

On The Removal of Agricultural Price Bands in Chile: A General Equilibrium Analysis

Chile has supported its agriculture with the use of price bands on selected commodities namely wheat, vegetable oils and fats, and sugar. In this paper we consider agricultural reform and how urban unemployment, and rural-urban migration, may alter the expected welfare effects of agricultural reform. We utilize a new CGE model of the Chilean economy based on the Harris-Todaro ramework, incorporating imperfect labor mobility, and consider both price band removal and more extensive agricultural reform that eliminates all tariffs on agricultural and food commodities in Chile. Results show that if trade reforms damage the rural economy in Chile, potential gains in welfare from lower agricultural prices are offset by increased urban unemployment and lower rural wages resulting in net welfare loss from trade reform.