Orthogonal U(1)'s, Proton Stability and Extra Dimensions

In models with a low quantum gravity scale, one might expect that all operators consistent with gauge symmetries are present in the low-energy effective theory. If this is the case, some mechanism must be present to adequately suppress operators that violate baryon number. Here we explore the possibility that the desired suppression is a consequence of an additional, spontaneously-broken, non-anomalous U(1) symmetry that is orthogonal to hypercharge. We show that successful models can be constructed in which the additional particle content necessary to cancel anomalies is minimal, and compatible with the constraints from precision electroweak measurements and gauge unification. If unification is sacrificed, and only the new U(1) and its associated Higgs fields live in the bulk, it is possible that the gauge field zero mode and first few Kaluza-Klein excitations lie within the kinematic reach of the Tevatron. For gauge couplings not much smaller than that of hypercharge, we show that these highly leptophobic states could evade detection at Run I, but be discovered at Run II. Our scenario presents an alternative to the `cartographic' solution to baryon number violation in which leptons and quarks are separated in an extra dimension.Comment: 16 pages LaTeX, 4 figure

Collider Signatures of the N=3 Lee-Wick Standard Model

Inspired by the Lee-Wick higher-derivative approach to quantum field theory, Grinstein, O'Connell, and Wise have illustrated the utility of introducing into the Standard Model negative-norm states that cancel quadratic divergences in loop diagrams, thus posing a potential resolution of the hierarchy problem. Subsequent work has shown that consistency with electroweak precision parameters requires many of the partner states to be too massive to be detected at the LHC. We consider the phenomenology of a yet-higher derivative theory that exhibits three poles in its bare propagators (hence N=3), whose states alternate in norm. We examine the interference effects of W boson partners on LHC scattering cross sections, and find that the N=3 LWSM already makes verifiable predictions at 10 fb^(-1) of integrated luminosity.Comment: 15 pages, 4 PDF figures. Version accepted for publication by JHE

Note on scattering in asymptotically nonlocal theories

It is possible to formulate theories with many Lee-Wick particles such that a limit exists where the low-energy theory approaches the form of a ghost-free nonlocal theory. Such asymptotically nonlocal quantum field theories have a derived regulator scale that is hierarchically smaller than the lightest Lee-Wick resonance; this has been studied previously in the case of asymptotically nonlocal scalar theories, Abelian and non-Abelian gauge theories, and linearized gravity. Here we consider the dependence on center-of-mass energy of scattering cross sections in these theories. While Lee-Wick resonances can be decoupled from the low-energy theory, scattering amplitudes nonetheless reflect the emergent nonlocality at the scale where the quadratic divergences are regulated. This implies observable consequences in theories designed to address the hierarchy problem, even when the Lee-Wick resonances are not directly accessible.Comment: 16 pages LaTeX, 4 figure

Higgsless GUT Breaking and Trinification

Boundary conditions on an extra-dimensional interval can be chosen to break bulk gauge symmetries and to reduce the rank of the gauge group. We consider this mechanism in models with gauge trinification. We determine the boundary conditions necessary to break the trinified gauge group directly down to that of the standard model. Working in an effective theory for the gauge symmetry-breaking parameters on a boundary, we examine the limit in which the GUT-breaking sector is Higgsless and show how one may obtain the low-energy particle content of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. We find that gauge unification is preserved in this scenario, and that the differential gauge coupling running is logarithmic above the scale of compactification. We compare the phenomenology of our model to that of four-dimensional trinified theories.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX, 2 eps figures (v3: discussion of mass scales clarified

Long-term labour productivity and GDP projections for the EU25 Member States : a production function framework

This paper presents the results of long run labour productivity and GDP growth rate projections (until 2050) for each of the 25 EU Member States and provides a detailed overview of the forecast methodology used. These projections were undertaken in order to provide an internationally comparable macroeconomic framework against which to assess the potential economic and fiscal effects of ageing populations. This assessment was carried out as part of the work undertaken by the EU's Economic Policy Committee, in its Ageing Working Group, to project the public expenditure implications of ageing on pensions, health care, long-term care, unemployment insurance and education.labour productivity, GDP projections, ageing populations, public expenditure, pensions, health care, long-term care, unemployment, education, Carone, Denis, Mc Morrow, Mourre, R�ger

U(2)-like Flavor Symmetries and Approximate Bimaximal Neutrino Mixing

Models involving a U(2) flavor symmetry, or any of a number of its non-Abelian discrete subgroups, can explain the observed hierarchy of charged fermion masses and CKM angles. It is known that a large neutrino mixing angle connecting second and third generation fields may arise via the seesaw mechanism in these models, without a fine tuning of parameters. Here we show that it is possible to obtain approximate bimaximal mixing in a class of models with U(2)-like Yukawa textures. We find a minimal form for Dirac and Majorana neutrino mass matrices that leads to two large mixing angles, and show that our result can quantitatively explain atmospheric neutrino oscillations while accommodating the favored, large angle MSW solution to the solar neutrino problem. We demonstrate that these textures can arise in models by presenting a number of explicit examples.Comment: 20 pages RevTex4, 2 figure

An Omnibus Nonparametric Test of Equality in Distribution for Unknown Functions

We present a novel family of nonparametric omnibus tests of the hypothesis that two unknown but estimable functions are equal in distribution when applied to the observed data structure. We developed these tests, which represent a generalization of the maximum mean discrepancy tests described in Gretton et al. [2006], using recent developments from the higher-order pathwise differentiability literature. Despite their complex derivation, the associated test statistics can be expressed rather simply as U-statistics. We study the asymptotic behavior of the proposed tests under the null hypothesis and under both fixed and local alternatives. We provide examples to which our tests can be applied and show that they perform well in a simulation study. As an important special case, our proposed tests can be used to determine whether an unknown function, such as the conditional average treatment effect, is equal to zero almost surely