τ\tau-Flavour Violation at the LHC

We study the conditions required for $\chi_2 \to \chi + \tau^\pm \mu^\mp$ decays to yield observable tau flavour violation at the LHC, for cosmologically interesting values of the neutralino relic density. These condition can be achieved in the framework of a SU(5) model with a see-saw mechanism that allows a possible coexistence of a LHC signal a low prediction for radiative LFV decays.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, Prepared for the proceedings of the workshop: "LC09: $e^+ e^-$ Physics at the TeV Scale and the Dark Matter Connection", 21-24 September 2009, Perugia, Ital

Suppression of Lepton Flavour Violation from Quantum Corrections above MGUTM_{GUT}

We study the predictions for sfermion masses and Lepton Flavour Violation (LFV) for the WMAP preferred parameter space in $b-\tau$ Yukawa-unified models with massive neutrinos. A soft term structure as predicted by an Abelian flavour symmetry combined with SU(5) RGEs for scales above $M_{GUT}$, results to an efficient suppression of the off-diagonal terms in the scalar soft matrices, particularly for $m_0< 100$ GeV. Using the WMAP bounds, this implies $35\le\tan\beta \le 45$, $350\,\mathrm{GeV}\le m_{1/2}\le 1\,\mathrm{TeV}$, with the higher $\tan\beta$ values being favored. Within this framework, SU(5) unification becomes compatible with the current experimental bounds, in contrast to the conventional case where the soft terms are postulated at the GUT scale.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figs

Incidencia de la dolarización sobre la economía ecuatoriana, 2000 - 2015

The goal of this paper is to analyze the impact of the official dollarization on the evolution of the main macroeconomic indicators in Ecuador since 2000 to 2015. To do this, a comparative analysis of the functioning of the Ecuadorian economy before and after the official dollarization is carried out. It is found that this new system that imposes monetary rigidity and clear limits to discretion, has caused a remarkable macroeconomic stability, sustained growth, recovery of income, and a reduction of poverty.Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar o impacto que a dolarização oficial teve na evolução dos principais indicadores macroeconômicos no Equador no período de 2000 a 2015. Para tanto, realiza-se uma análise comparativa do funcionamento da economia equatoriana antes e depois da dolarização oficial. Nota-se que esse novo sistema, visto que impõe rigidez monetária e limites claros à discricionariedade, gerou notável estabilidade macroeconômica, crescimento contínuo, recuperação dos ingressos e diminuição da pobreza.Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar el impacto que la dolarización oficial ha tenido en la evolución de los principales indicadores macroeconómicos en Ecuador en el período 2000 - 2015. Para ello se realiza un análisis comparativo del funcionamiento de la economía ecuatoriana antes y después de la dolarización oficial. Se encuentra que este nuevo sistema, dado que impone rigidez monetaria y límites claros a la discrecionalidad, ha generado notable estabilidad macroeconómica, crecimiento sostenido, recuperación de los ingresos y disminución de la pobreza

Volcanisme, tectonique et réseau hydrographique sur le piémont andin du désert du nord du Chili

À partir d'une photographie aérienne verticale, remarquable par les anomalies qu'elle fait apparaître dans le tracé du réseau hydrographique, on peut retracer les principales étapes de l'évolution du piémont andin dans le désert du Nord du Chili pendant le Cénozoïque supérieur : 1) puissante accumulation volcano-détritique au Miocène inférieur et moyen, conséquence du soulèvement des Andes à la fin de l'Oligocène; 2) glaciplanation au Miocène supérieur; 3) incision des cours d'eau, perturbée par des mouvements tectoniques importants au Pliocène; 4) changements climatiques, caractérisés par des atténuations passagères de l'aridité, à l'origine de différentes générations de dépôts détritiques au Pliocène et au Quaternaire.From a vertical aerial photograph, noteworthy for anomalies which characterize the hydrographic network of the depicted area, are deduced the main stages of the Andean piedmont evolution in the desert of northernmost Chile during the Upper Cenozoic: 1) as a consequence of the uplift of the Andes at the end of the Oligocène, thick accumulation of continental sediments and ignimbritic lava flows during the Lower and Middle Miocene; 2) development of a planation surface of pediment type in the Late Miocene; 3) channel incision, disturbed by important tectonic movements in the Pliocene; 4) climatic changes, marked by increased precipitation, generating several generations of clastic deposits in the Pliocene and the Quaternary.Una fotografia aérea vertical, notable por las anomalias que aparecen en Ia red hidrografica, permite aclarar las principales etapas de la evolucion del pedemonte andino del Norte Grande chileno durante el Cenozoico superior: 1) potente acumulacion volecanica y detritica en el Mioceno inferior y medio, como consecuencia del solevantamiento de los Andes a fines del Oligoceno; 2) pediplanacion en el Mioceno superior; 3) encajonamiento de los cursos de agua, perturbado por importantes movimientos tectônicos en el Plioceno; 4) cambios climaticos, caracterizados por una atenuacion de la aridez, que producen varias generaciones de depositos detriticos en el Plioceno y el Cuaternario

Tailoring Organic-Organic Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) Microparticles and Fibers with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Reinforced Composites

Polymeric-based microparticles and fibers are tailorable for a wide range of common industrial and biomedical applications, while multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are among the most useful macromolecules based on their outstanding electronic, mechanical, and optical properties at the nanoscale. If one combines these nanostructures with various polymeric precursors, their range of potential applications becomes even greater. One of the simplest and most affordable methods for fabricating micro- and nanostructures is electrospinning. Herein we demonstrate how MWCNTs may be used to produce tailor-made organic-organic poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) microparticles and fibers via electrospinning by studying their structural, vibrational, rheological, and mechanical properties' dependence on their solvent (ethanol (EtOH) or dimethylformamide (DMF)) and resulting morphology. Specifically, we find clear differences in morphologies from perfectly spherical and isolated microparticles to fibers mats, or a combination of fibers with entangled beads, with solvent type and concentration. On the basis of our findings, we propose that the mechanism governing the shape and size of the particles is a competition between the solvent's surface tension, dielectric constant, and viscoelastic properties. We show, based on both our experimental results and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, that OH functionalization of the MWCNTs is essential for achieving high PVP coverages and promoting the stability of the resulting PVP/MWCNT nanocomposite. Finally, by fabricating PVP/MWCNT fiber mats, we demonstrate that low concentrations (0.01-0.1 wt %) of MWCNTs led to a qualitative improvement (â250%) in the resulting mechanical properties, i.e., a reinforced composite. These results show how by controlling the solvent's dielectric constant, surface tension, and polymer concentration, one may produce tailor-made polymeric nanomaterials in combination with other organic/inorganic nanoparticles, i.e., silver, gold, or carbon allotropes, for next-generation applications

The motion of the 2D hydrodynamic Chaplygin sleigh in the presence of circulation

We consider the motion of a planar rigid body in a potential flow with circulation and subject to a certain nonholonomic constraint. This model is related to the design of underwater vehicles. The equations of motion admit a reduction to a 2-dimensional nonlinear system, which is integrated explicitly. We show that the reduced system comprises both asymptotic and periodic dynamics separated by a critical value of the energy, and give a complete classification of types of the motion. Then we describe the whole variety of the trajectories of the body on the plane.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figures. This article uses some introductory material from arXiv:1109.321

How much vector control is needed to achieve malaria elimination?

Roll Back Malaria's ambitious goals for global malaria reduction by 2015 represent a dilemma for National Malaria Control Programs (NMCPs) that are still far from malaria elimination. Current vector control efforts by NMCPs generally fall short of their potential, leaving many NMCPs wondering how much vector control it will take to achieve malaria elimination. We believe the answer is detailed in the relationships between the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) and four epidemiological measures of malaria in humans. To achieve adequate vector control, NMCPs must evaluate EIRs to identify problematic foci of transmission and reduce annual EIRs to less than one infectious bite per person

GRAVITY: getting to the event horizon of Sgr A*

We present the second-generation VLTI instrument GRAVITY, which currently is in the preliminary design phase. GRAVITY is specifically designed to observe highly relativistic motions of matter close to the event horizon of Sgr A*, the massive black hole at center of the Milky Way. We have identified the key design features needed to achieve this goal and present the resulting instrument concept. It includes an integrated optics, 4-telescope, dual feed beam combiner operated in a cryogenic vessel; near infrared wavefront sensing adaptive optics; fringe tracking on secondary sources within the field of view of the VLTI and a novel metrology concept. Simulations show that the planned design matches the scientific needs; in particular that 10 microarcsecond astrometry is feasible for a source with a magnitude of K=15 like Sgr A*, given the availability of suitable phase reference sources.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, to appear in the conference proceedings of SPIE Astronomical Instrumentation, 23-28 June 2008, Marseille, Franc

Decaying lava extrusion rate at El Reventador Volcano, Ecuador measured using high-resolution satellite radar

Lava extrusion at erupting volcanoes causes rapid changes in topography and morphology on the order of tens or even hundreds of metres. Satellite radar provides a method for measuring changes in topographic height over a given time period to an accuracy of metres, either by measuring the width of radar shadow cast by steep sided features, or by measuring the difference in radar phase between two sensors separated in space. We measure height changes, and hence estimate extruded lava volume flux, at El Reventador, Ecuador between 2011 and 2016, using data from the Radarsat-2 and TanDEM-X satellite missions. We find 39 new lava flows were extruded between 9 February 2012 and 24 August 2016, with a cumulative volume of 44.8M m3 dense rock equivalent and a gradually decreasing eruption rate. The average dense rock rate of lava extrusion during this time is 0.31 ± 0.02 m3s−1, which is similar to the long term average from 1972 to 2016. Apart from a volumetrically small dyke opening event between 9 March and 10 June 2012, lava extrusion at El Reventador is not accompanied by any significant magmatic ground deformation. We use a simple physics-based model to estimate that the volume of the magma reservoir under El Reventador is greater than 3 km3. Our lava extrusion data can be equally well fit by models representing a closed reservoir depressurising during the eruption with no magma recharge, or an open reservoir with a time-constant magma recharge rate of up to 0.35 ± 0.01 m3s−