Top-squark pair production at the LHC: a complete analysis at next-to-leading order

We present a complete next-to-leading order study of top-squark pair production at the LHC, including QCD and EW corrections. The calculation is performed within the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model and numerical results are presented for parameter regions compatible with the observed Higgs boson. We employ the most recent parton distribution functions including QED corrections and we find NLO EW corrections to the inclusive stop-pair production cross section up to $25 - 30\%$ compared to the leading-order prediction. Besides corrections to inclusive cross sections also important kinematic distributions are investigated.Comment: 27 pages, 10 figures. Version published in JHEP. The numerical discussion in Section 3 has been extended. References have been adde

Throughfall and temporal trends of rainfall redistribution in an open tropical rainforest, south-western Amazonia (Rondônia, Brazil)

International audienceThroughfall volumes and incident rainfall were measured between 23 August and 2 December 2004 as well as from 6 January to 15 April 2005 for individual rain events of differing intensities and magnitudes in an open tropical rainforest in Rondônia, Brazil. Temporal patterns of throughfall spatial variability were examined. Estimated interception was compared to modeled interception obtained by applying the revised Gash model in order to identify sources of throughfall variability in open tropical rainforests. Gross precipitation of 97 events amounted to 1309 mm, 89±5.6% (S.E.) of which reached the forest floor as throughfall. The redistribution of water within the canopy was highly variable in time, which we attribute to the high density of babassu palms (Orbignya phalerata), their seasonal leaf growth, and their conducive morphology. We identified a 10-min rainfall intensity threshold of 30 mmh-1 above which interception was highly variable. This variability is amplified by funneling and shading effects of palms. This interaction between a rainfall variable and vegetation characteristics is relevant for understanding the hydrology of all tropical rainforests with a high palm density

Design and experimental verification of an improved magnetostrictive energy harvester

This paper summarizes and extends the modeling state of the art of magnetostrictive energy harvesters with a focus on the pick-up coil design. The harvester is a one-sided clamped galfenol unimorph loaded with two brass pieces each containing a permanent magnet to create a biased magnetic field. Measurements on different pick-up coils were conducted and compared with results from an analytic model. Resistance, mass and inductance were formulated and proved by measurements. Both the length for a constant number of turns and the number of turns for a constant coil length were also modeled and varied. The results confirm that the output voltage depends on the coil length for a constant number of turns and is higher for smaller coils. In contrast to a uniform magnetic field, the maximal output voltage is gained if the coil is placed not directly at but near the fixation. Two effects explain this behavior: Due to the permanent magnet next to the fixation, the magnetic force is higher and orientates the magnetic domains stronger. The clamping locally increases the stress and forces the magnetic domains to orientate, too. For that reason the material is stiffer and therefore the strain smaller. The tradeoff between a higher induced voltage in the coil and an increasing inductance and resistance for every additional turn are presented together with an experimental validation of the models. Based on the results guidelines are given to design an optimal coil which maximizes the output power for a given unimorph

Naturpark Pfälzerwald - Tourismus und Regionalentwicklung

Am Beispiel des Naturparks Pfälzerwald als deutscher Teil des grenzübergreifenden Biosphärenreservats Pfälzerwald-Nordvogesen wird das Spannungsfeld umrissen, in dem Großschutzgebiete mit Natur-, Landschafts- und Artenschutz einerseits und wirtschaftlicher Wertschöpfung (hier besonders durch den Tourismus) andererseits stehen. Dabei sind die Anforderungen und die Erwartungen in beiden Entwicklungsrichtungen regelmäßig hoch und die Verknüpfung zwischen Ökologie und Ökonomie im Detail nicht immer konfliktfrei. Die Vermittlung zwischen den vielschichtigen Ansprüchen und den sie vertretenden Akteuren stellt hohe Anforderungen an die Koordination und Kooperationsbereitschaft, die sich u.a. in einer mehrfach veränderten Trägerstruktur des Naturparks niederschlagen. Strategiebildung, Marken- und Destinationsmanagement, eine Überwindung der starken institutionellen Zersplitterung sowie der Ausgleich deutlicher teilräumlicher Disparitäten zählen zu den gegenwärtigen, aber auch zukünftigen Herausforderungen, wenn es darum geht, das Potenzial im Pfälzerwald in noch höherem Grade zu nutzen.The Pfälzerwald Nature Park, the German part of the cross-border biosphere reserve Pfälzerwald-Nordvogesen, is used as an example to illustrate the field of tension occupied by large-scale protected areas, with nature, landscape and species conservation on the one hand and economic value creation (tourism in particular) on the other. The requirements and expectations are generally high in both development directions and the nexus between ecology and economy is not always without conflict, especially when it comes down to detail. Negotiating between the diverse requirements and the actors connected to them demands a great deal of coordination and a willingness to cooperate, as is reflected, e.g., in the numerous modifications to the organisational structure of the nature park. Among the tasks faced are strategy formation, brand and destination management, overcoming great institutional fragmentation, and tackling spatial inequality between sub-regions. These on-going challenges must be overcome in order to further utilise the potential of the Pfälzerwald

O sistema de crédito e o capital fictício em Marx

Marx's theory about money and credit has been very poorly studied. The objective of this paper is to provide an insight into the main features and implications of his concept of fictitious capital. In order to point out its relevance the paper outlines the author's basic concepts concerning credit money in the capitalist economy. It is assumed that the peculiarity of Marx's theory of money and credit is to be found in the conections of financial phenomena to the process of production of value implicit in the capital-relation.Marx's theory about money and credit has been very poorly studied. The objective of this paper is to provide an insight into the main features and implications of his concept of fictitious capital. In order to point out its relevance the paper outlines the author's basic concepts concerning credit money in the capitalist economy. It is assumed that the peculiarity of Marx's theory of money and credit is to be found in the conections of financial phenomena to the process of production of value implicit in the capital-relation

Designer rhamnolipid production

Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants featuring surface-active properties that render them suitable for a broad range of applications, e.g., in detergents, food, bioremediation, medicine/pharmacology, and crop science. These properties include their emulsification and foaming capacities and their ability to lower the surface tension. Further, aspects like biocompatibility and environmental friendliness, both features of rhamnolipids [1] are becoming increasingly important. Rhamnolipids thus constitute suitable substitutes for synthetic surfactants produced from fossil resources. Native producers of rhamnolipids are mainly pathogenic bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We previously designed and constructed a recombinant Pseudomonas putida KT2440, which synthesizes rhamnolipids by decoupling production from host-intrinsic regulations and cell growth [2]. As most biosurfactants, rhamnolipids are synthesized in mixtures. We here show our approach to alter the native mixture of surfactant molecules to produce specific new-to-nature combinations. The molecular structure (Figure 1) can on the one hand be altered in the hydrophilic moiety by changing the number of rhamnose molecules. We achieved this by using only distinct genes from the native rhamnolipid synthesis pathway. On the other hand, we were also able to change the length of the fatty acids in the hydrophobic part. This chain length is determined by the acyl-transferase (RhlA). Using rhlA genes from different organisms enables our microbial cell factory to synthesize molecules with different chain lengths [3]. The different molecular structures have further been shown to feature diverse physico-chemical properties [4]. Exploiting the natural structural diversity will thus allow for the synthesis of designer rhamnolipids tailormade for specific applications. We thus present a novel approach to use biochemical engineering to create tailormade products for a more sustainable future. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Marx and the division of the average profit into interest and profit of enterprise

The concept of the qualitative division of the average profit into profit of enterprise and interest, developed by Marx, was an important theoretical accomplishment, since it made it possible to coherently ground the conceptualization of interest as part of surplus value, once the average profit rate and its materialization in the average profit of each capital have been formed. The aim of this paper is to develop and formalize a few implications of this conceptualization. The extension and the formalization of the implications of the division of the average profit, worked out by Hilferding on the basis of Marx's indications, made it possible to reveal a new dimension of the role of the credit system in enhancing the process of accumulation. The paper shows that the simple rate of profit of enterprise looses relevance as an indicator or the profitability of the individual capitals, and suggests and attempts to ground the use of a new indicator, at the same time as it points to the relevance of a new and decisive element in the theoretical analysis of the profit rates of individual capitals.A concepção da divisão qualitativa do lucro médio em lucro do empresário e juro foi um importante feito teórico de Marx, pois permitiu fundamentar de modo coerente a conceituação do juro como parte da mais-valia, uma vez constituída a taxa média de lucro e sua materialização no lucro médio de cada capital. O objetivo deste artigo é desenvolver e formalizar algumas implicações desta conceituação, em alguns casos à primeira vista desconcertantes. A extensão e a formalização das implicações da divisão do lucro médio, elaboradas por Hilferding, com base nas indicações de Marx, permitiram revelar um novo ângulo do papel do sistema de crédito como potencializador do processo de acumulação. Demonstra-se no artigo que a taxa simples de lucro do empresário perde relevância como indicador de rentabilidade dos capitais, e propõe-se e fundamenta-se a utilização de novo indicador, ao mesmo tempo em que é apontada a relevância de um novo e decisivo fator na análise teórica das taxas de lucro dos capitais individuais