A description of the neutralino observables in terms of projectors

Applying Jarlskog's treatment of the CKM matrix, to the neutralino mass matrix in MSSM for real soft gaugino SUSY breaking and $\mu$-parameters, we construct explicit analytical expressions for the four projectors which acting on any neutralino state project out the mass eigenstates. Analytical expressions for the neutralino mass eigenvalues in terms of the various SUSY parameters, are also given. It is shown that these projectors and mass eigenvalues are sufficient to describe any physical observable involving neutralinos, to any order of perturbation theory. As an example, the $e^-e^+ \to \tilde \chi^0_i \tilde \chi^0_j$ cross section at tree level is given in terms of these projectors. The expected magnitude of their various matrix elements in plausible SUSY scenarios is also discussed.Comment: 14 pages, no figures. Version to appear in Phys. Rev. D. e-mail: [email protected]

Diagonalization of the neutralino mass matrix and boson-neutralino interaction

We analyze a connection between neutralino mass sign, parity and structure of the neutralino-boson interaction. Correct calculation of spin-dependent and spin-independent contributions to neutralino-nuclear scattering should consider this connection. A convenient diagonalization procedure, based on the exponetial parametrization of unitary matrix, is suggested.Comment: 21 pages, RevTex

Measurements of the SUSY Higgs self-couplings and the reconstruction of the Higgs potential

We address the issue of the reconstruction of the scalar potential of a two-Higgs doublet model having in mind that of the MSSM. We first consider the general CP conserving dim-4 effective potential. To fully reconstruct this potential, we show that even if all the Higgs masses and their couplings to the standard model particles are measured one needs not only to measure certain trilinear Higgs self-couplings but some of the quartic couplings as well. We also advocate expressing the Higgs self couplings in the mass basis. We show explicitly, that in the so-called decoupling limit, the most easily accessible Higgs self-couplings are given in terms of the Higgs mass while all other dependencies on the parameters of the general effective potential are screened. This helps also easily explain how, in the MSSM, the largest radiative corrections which affect these self couplings are reabsorbed by using the corrected Higgs mass. We also extend our analysis to higher order operators in the effective Higgs potential. While the above screening properties do not hold, we argue that these effects must be small and may not be measured considering the foreseen poor experimental precision in the extraction of the SUSY Higgs self-couplings.Comment: 25 pages, 3 figure

Dilepton mass spectra in p+p collisions at sqrt(s)= 200 GeV and the contribution from open charm

The PHENIX experiement has measured the electron-positron pair mass spectrum from 0 to 8 GeV/c^2 in p+p collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV. The contributions from light meson decays to e^+e^- pairs have been determined based on measurements of hadron production cross sections by PHENIX. They account for nearly all e^+e^- pairs in the mass region below 1 GeV/c^2. The e^+e^- pair yield remaining after subtracting these contributions is dominated by semileptonic decays of charmed hadrons correlated through flavor conservation. Using the spectral shape predicted by PYTHIA, we estimate the charm production cross section to be 544 +/- 39(stat) +/- 142(syst) +/- 200(model) \mu b, which is consistent with QCD calculations and measurements of single leptons by PHENIX.Comment: 375 authors from 57 institutions, 18 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables. Submitted to Physics Letters B. v2 fixes technical errors in matching authors to institutions. Plain text data tables for the points plotted in figures for this and previous PHENIX publications are (or will be) publicly available at http://www.phenix.bnl.gov/papers.htm

Measurements of the cross sections for e+e−→hadronse^+e^- \to {\rm hadrons} at 3.650, 3.6648, 3.773 GeV and the branching fraction for ψ(3770)→non−DDˉ\psi(3770)\to {\rm non-}D\bar D

Using the BES-II detector at the BEPC Collider, we measured the lowest order cross sections and the $R$ values ($R=\sigma^0_{e^+e^- \to {\rm hadrons}}/\sigma^0_{e^+e^- \to \mu^+\mu^-}$) for inclusive hadronic event production at the center-of-mass energies of 3.650 GeV, 3.6648 GeV and 3.773 GeV. The results lead to $\bar R_{uds}=2.224\pm 0.019\pm 0.089$ which is the average of these measured at 3.650 GeV and 3.6648 GeV, and $R=3.793\pm 0.037 \pm 0.190$ at $\sqrt{s}=3.773$ GeV. We determined the lowest order cross section for $\psi(3770)$ production to be $\sigma^{\rm B}_{\psi(3770)} = (9.575\pm 0.256 \pm 0.813)~{\rm nb}$ at 3.773 GeV, the branching fractions for $\psi(3770)$ decays to be $BF(\psi(3770) \to D^0\bar D^0)=(48.9 \pm 1.2 \pm 3.8)$, $BF(\psi(3770) \to D^+ D^-)=(35.0 \pm 1.1 \pm 3.3)$ and $BF(\psi(3770) \to D\bar{D})=(83.9 \pm 1.6 \pm 5.7)$, which result in the total non-$D\bar D$ branching fraction of $\psi(3770)$ decay to be $BF(\psi(3770) \to {\rm non}-D\bar D)=(16.1 \pm 1.6 \pm 5.7)$.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Measuring the effectiveness of marketing information systems: an empirically validated instrument

To design and empirically validate an instrument for measuring the effectiveness of a marketing intelligence system (MkIS). A thorough review of the literature of IS in general and MkIS in particular was the foundation for a new conceptualisation of MkIS effectiveness, which was developed into a measuring instrument for experimental application to data collected by a pre-tested postal questionnaire from 254 five-star hotels in Greece. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis show that the proposed measuring instrument meets acceptable criteria of reliability and validity. The effectiveness of MkIS is found to comprise both internal and external components, related on the one hand to the extent to which the user organization improves functional effectiveness and corporate climate and on the other to its adaptability to market conditions and its customer responsiveness. The instrument is capable of integrating these into a holistic measure. Research limitations/implications – The single-industry, single-country sample limits the scope for generalization. Future research should address this through replication in different contexts. A validated measure of the effectiveness of MkIS has important implications for both users and providers. Conceptually, it permits improved understanding of the components of effectiveness. Pragmatically, it provides an assessment of the effectiveness of existing or new systems. Until now, there has been no empirically validated instrument integrating the several dimensions of MkIS effectiveness

An empirical analysis of the retention of dissatisfied business services customers using structural equation modelling

This study extends the body of literature concerning service switching, complaint handling, dependence and commitment by investigating why dissatisfied B2B customers do not switch service providers. Specifically, it develops and tests a social exchange-based model examining how dissatisfied, but behaviourally loyal, customers act in terms of their repurchase intentions. A conceptual model, specifying a set of hypothesised relationships between dimensions of switching costs, interpersonal relationships, dimensions of complaint handling, satisfaction with complaint handling, attractiveness of alternatives, dependence, calculative commitment and repurchase intentions, was examined using AMOS 17.0 on a sample of 376 business directors/managers from responding organisations. The results show that satisfaction with complaint handling, benefit-loss costs, dependence and calculative commitment significantly increase customers’ repurchase intentions. The findings also indicate that dependence, interpersonal relationships and specific types of switching costs influence customers’ calculative commitment, and the latter influences intentions to repurchase services. The study builds on the Investment Model by including justice components, and examines the effects of different types of antecedents on calculative commitment that have previously not been examined

Modeling the Trustworthiness of a Supplier Agent in a B2B Relationship

Part 22: Risk, Governance, TrustInternational audienceIn life, trust is considered the base of all relationships, including Business-to-Business (B2B) relationships. The selection of a supplier depends not only on its reputation and the costs involved, but also on its trustworthiness and other factors. But how can the trustworthiness of a supplier be measured? What are the factors that influence the supplier’s trustworthiness, i.e., what are the relevant factors of trust in the selection of a supplier in a B2B relationship? Answers to these questions will help model the supplier agents’ behavior in the multi-agent ANTE platform. In this paper we propose to consider fifteen attributes to measure the trustworthiness of a supplier as a conceptual model of trust, coming out of a combination of several determinants gathered from the literature review. Raw data was gathered by sending a questionnaire to a set of firms from different industrial sectors. The results support part of the proposed determinants, introducing new determinants of trust that resulted from exploratory factor analysis and a new model obtained from confirmatory factor analysis. With this, two possible multi-attribute supplier agents can be modeled. This paper discusses the results and limitations of this study and proposes suggestions for future work