Search for electroweak production of charginos in final states with two tau leptons in pp collisions at root s=8 TeV

Results are presented from a search for the electroweak production of supersymmetric particles in pp collisions in final states with two T leptons. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity between 18.1 fb(-1) and 19.6 fb(-1) depending on the final state of T lepton decays, at root s = 8 TeV, collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The observed event yields in the signal regions are consistent with the expected standard model backgrounds. The results are interpreted using simplified models describing the pair production and decays of charginos or T sleptons. For models describing the pair production of the lightest chargino, exclusion regions are obtained in the plane of chargino mass vs. neutralino mass under the following assumptions: the chargino decays into third-generation sleptons, which are taken to be the lightest sleptons, and the sleptons masses lie midway between those of the chargino and the neutralino. Chargino masses below 420 GeV are excluded at a 95% confidence level in the limit of a massless neutralino, and for neutralino masses up to 100 GeV, chargino masses up to 325 GeV are excluded at 95% confidence level. Constraints are also placed on the cross section for pair production of T sleptons as a function of mass, assuming a massless neutralino.Peer reviewe

Search for associated production of a Z boson with a single top quark and for tZ flavour-changing interactions in pp collisions at root s=8 TeV

A search for the production of a single top quark in association with a Z boson is presented, both to identify the expected standard model process and to search for flavour-changing neutral current interactions. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb−1 recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at s√=8s=8 TeV. Final states with three leptons (electrons or muons) and at least one jet are investigated. An events yield compatible with tZq standard model production is observed, and the corresponding cross section is measured to be σ(pp → tZq → ℓνbℓ+ℓ−q) = 10− 7+ 8 fb with a significance of 2.4 standard deviations. No presence of flavour-changing neutral current production of tZq is observed. Exclusion limits at 95% confidence level on the branching fractions of a top quark decaying to a Z boson and an up or a charm quark are found to be ℬ(t → Zu) < 0.022% and ℬ(t → Zc) < 0.049%

The moderating effect of corporate social responsibility on the impact of COVID-19 on stock prices of selected Philippine publicly listed firms

The contemporary view of corporate social responsibility (CSR) enabled firms to use it as a strategic tool to improve financial performance and assists them in mitigating financial risks during disasters. As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that impinges on economies and stock markets continues, companies sought to engage in CSR to protect their stock prices. However, few studies have proven the ability of CSR to mitigate the negative effects of disasters, especially during COVID-19. Hence, this study aims to investigate how CSR moderates the impact of COVID-19 on the stock prices of selected Philippine publicly listed firms. A sample of 58 out of 283 firms were classified as socially and non socially responsible based on their CSRHub ratings. The two groups’ average abnormal returns and cumulative average abnormal returns were then compared. Average abnormal returns is defined as the average unexpected gains or losses generated by a group of stocks in a given time. Meanwhile, cumulative average abnormal returns is the mean of all average abnormal returns of a group of stocks throughout the event window. Using an event study, one sample t-test, and Welch’s t-test, the study found that CSR mitigates the negative impact of COVID-19 on the stock prices of the selected Philippine publicly listed firms. Furthermore, it is determined that CSR only safeguards stock prices from the negative impact of disasters, but not necessarily adds on the stock price’s value. This study also provides recommendations to investors, managers, regulatory bodies, and future researchers. Keywords: corporate social responsibility, COVID-19, abnormal returns, event stud

The Constitution: Consolidation and Cautious Advance

The year 2002 has seen plenty of constitutional developments and proposals for reform, notably a white paper on elected regional assemblies and a white paper on House of Lords reform, followed by the establishment of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to consider options on the composition of the upper house. There has also been considerable innovation in the pilots of electronic and all‐postal voting in the local elections. However, as so often since 1997, many have been disappointed with the content of reform proposals and the piecemeal approach the government has continued to take. Although this article is retrospective, much of the last year has been spent looking forwards. Freedom of Information is moving up the agenda of public bodies as the full commencement date of 2005 approaches, while the devolved institutions are looking towards their second elections