21 research outputs found
Antideuterons as a Signature of Supersymmetric Dark Matter
Once the energy spectrum of the secondary component is well understood,
measurements of the antiproton cosmic-ray flux at the Earth will be a powerful
way to indirectly probe for the existence of supersymmetric relics in the
galactic halo. Unfortunately, it is still spoilt by considerable theoretical
uncertainties. As shown in this work, searches for low-energy antideuterons
appear in the mean time as a plausible alternative, worth being explored. Above
a few GeV/n, a dozen spallation antideuterons should be collected by the future
AMS experiment on board ISSA. For energies less than about 3 GeV/n, the
antideuteron spallation component becomes negligible and may be supplanted by a
potential supersymmetric signal. If a few low-energy antideuterons are
discovered, this should be seriously taken as a clue for the existence of
massive neutralinos in the Milky Way.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figure
Measurement of Low-Energy Cosmic-Ray Antiprotons at Solar Minimum
The absolute fluxes of the cosmic-ray antiprotons at solar minimum are
measured in the energy range 0.18 to 1.4 GeV, based on 43 events unambiguously
detected in BESS '95 data. The resultant energy spectrum appears to be flat
below 1 GeV, compatible with a possible admixture of primary antiproton
component with a soft energy spectrum, while the possibility of secondary
antiprotons alone explaining the data cannot be excluded with the present
accuracy. Further improvement of statistical accuracy and extension of the
energy range are planned in future BESS flights.Comment: REVTeX, 4 pages including 4 eps figures. Submitted to PR
Firm heterogeneity and wages under different bargaining regimes : does a centralised union care for low-productivity firms?
This paper studies the relationship between wages and the degree of firm heterogeneity in a given industry under different wage setting structures. To derive testable hypotheses, we set up a theoretical model that analyses the sensitivity of wages to the variability in productivity conditions in a unionsised oligopoly framework. The model distinguishes centralised and decentralised wage determination. The theoretical results predict wages to be negatively associated with the degree of firm heterogeneity under centralised wage-setting, as unions internalise negative externalities of a wage increase for low-productivity firms. We test this prediction using a linked employeremployee panel data set from the German mining and manufacturing sector. Consistent with our hypotheses, the empirical results suggest that under industry-level bargaining workers in more heterogeneous sectors receive lower wages than workers in more homogeneous sectors. In contrast, the degree of firm heterogeneity is found to have no negative impact on wages in uncovered firms and under firm-level contracts
Opting Out, Collective Contracts and Labour Flexibility: Firm-Level Evidence for The Italian Case
This article analyses the role of deviations from higher level collective agreements
adopted in firm-level bargaining to regain higher labour mobility, net positive
employment effects and a resurgence of labour productivity. Using Italian firm level
data, after performing preliminary pooled ordinary least squares and fixed
effects estimates, we adopt a difference-in-difference approach combined with
a propensity score matching. All the estimations show that opting out clauses
notably increases both hiring and separations, but without significant variations
in terms of net employment. In addition, no significant labour productivity gains
are obtained. The only significant change concerns the increase in the share of
temporary workers