Abstract: In modular invariant models of flavor, observables must be modular invariant. The observables discussed so far in the literature are functions of the modulus tau and its conjugate, (tau) over bar. We point out that certain combinations of observables depend only on tau , i.e. are meromorphic, and in some cases even holomorphic functions of tau. These functions, which we dub “invariants” in this Letter, are highly constrained, renormalization group invariant, and allow us to derive many of the models' features without the need for extensive parameter scans. We illustrate the robustness of these invariants in two existing models in the literature based on modular symmetries, Gamma(3) and Gamma(5). We find that, in some cases, the invariants give rise to robust relations among physical observables that are independent of tau. Furthermore, there are instances where additional symmetries exist among the invariants. These symmetries are relevant phenomenologically and may provide a dynamical way to realize symmetries of mass matrices.

Abstract: We analyze the modifications that a dense nuclear medium induces in the D-s0*(2317)(+/-) and D-s1(2460)(+/-). In the vacuum, we consider them as isoscalar D-(*K-) and (D) over bar (()*())(K) over bar S-wave bound states, which are dynamically generated from effective interactions that lead to different Weinberg compositeness scenarios. Matter effects are incorporated through the two-meson loop functions, taking into account the self energies that the D-(*()), (D) over bar (()*()), K, and (K) over bar develop when embedded in a nuclear medium. Although particle-antiparticle [D-s0,s1(()*())(2317,2460)(+) versus D-s0,s1(()*())(2317,2460)(-)] lineshapes are the same in vacuum, we find extremely different density patterns in matter. This charge-conjugation asymmetry mainly stems from the very different kaon and antikaon interaction with the nucleons of the dense medium. We show that the in-medium lineshapes found for these resonances strongly depend on their D-(*()), K/(D) over bar (()*()), K molecular content, and discuss how this novel feature can be used to better determine/constrain the inner structure of these exotic states.

Abstract: A study of prompt Xi(+)(c) production in proton-lead collisions is performed with the LHCb experiment at a centerof-mass energy per nucleon pair of 8.16 TeV in 2016 in pPb and Pbp collisions with an estimated integrated luminosity of approximately 12.5 and 17.4 nb(-1), respectively. The Xi(+)(c) roduction cross section, as well as the Xi(+)(c) to Lambda(+)(c) production cross-section ratio, are measured as a function of the transverse momentum and rapidity and compared to the latest theory predictions. The forward-backward asymmetry is also measured as a function of the Xi(+)(c) ransverse momentum. The results provide strong constraints on theoretical calculation and are a unique input for hadronization studies in different collision systems.

Abstract: Current cosmological tensions show that it is crucial to test the predictions from the canonical ACDM paradigm at different cosmic times. One very appealing test of structure formation in the Universe is the growth rate of structure in our universe f, usually parametrized via the growth index gamma, with f equivalent to Omega(m)(a)gamma and gamma similar or equal to 0.55 in the standard ACDM case. Recent studies have claimed a suppression of the growth of structure from a variety of cosmological observations, characterized by gamma > 0.55. By employing different self-consistent growth parametrizations schemes, we show here that gamma < 0.55, obtaining instead an enhanced growth of structure today. This preference reaches the 3 sigma significance using cosmic microwave background observations, supernova Ia and baryon acoustic oscillation measurements. The addition of cosmic microwave background lensing data relaxes such a preference to the 2 sigma level, since a larger lensing effect can always be compensated with a smaller structure growth, or, equivalently, with gamma > 0.55. We have also included the lensing amplitude AL as a free parameter in our data analysis, showing that the preference for AL > 1 still remains, except for some particular parametrizations when lensing observations are included. We also do not find any significant preference for an oscillatory dependence of AL, AL + Am sin l. To further reassess the effects of a nonstandard growth, we have computed by means of N-body simulations the dark matter density fields, the dark matter halo mass functions and the halo density profiles for different values of gamma. Future observations from the Square Kilometer Array, reducing by a factor of 3 the current errors on the gamma parameter, further confirm or refute with a strong statistical significance the deviation of the growth index from its standard value.

Abstract: We analyze theoretically the coupled-channel meson-baryon interaction with global flavor c<overline>cssn and c<overline>csss, where mesons are pseudoscalars or vectors, and baryons have JP = 1/2+ or 3/2+. The aim is to explore whether the nonlinear dynamics inherent in the unitarization process within coupled channels can dynamically generate double- and triple-strange pentaquark-type states (Pcss and Pcsss, respectively), for which there is no experimental evidence to date. We evaluate the s-wave scattering matrix by implementing unitarity in coupled channels, using potential kernels obtained from t-channel vector meson exchange. The required PPV and VVV vertices are obtained from Lagrangians derived through appropriate extensions of the local hidden gauge symmetry approach to the charm sector, while capitalizing on the symmetry of the spin and flavor wave function to evaluate the BBV vertex. We find four different poles in the double strange sector, some of them degenerate in spin. For the triple-strange channel, we find the meson-baryon interaction insufficient to generate a bound or resonance state through the unitary coupled-channel dynamics.