Abstract: A simple extension of the minimal left-right symmetric supersymmetric grand unified theory model is constructed by adding two pairs of superfields. This naturally violates the partial Yukawa unification predicted by the minimal model. After including supergravity corrections, we find that this extended model naturally supports hilltop F-term hybrid inflation along its trivial inflationary path with only a very mild tuning of the initial conditions. With a convenient choice of signs of the terms in the Kahler potential, we can reconcile the inflationary scale with the supersymmetric grand unified theory scale. All the current data on the inflationary observables are readily reproduced. Inflation is followed by nonthermal leptogenesis via the decay of the right-handed neutrinos emerging from the decay of the inflaton, and any possible washout of the lepton asymmetry is avoided thanks to the violation of partial Yukawa unification. The extra superfields also assist us in reducing the reheat temperature so as to satisfy the gravitino constraint. The observed baryon asymmetry of the universe is naturally reproduced consistently with the neutrino oscillation parameters.

Abstract: A simultaneous analysis of the B thorn & RARR; K thorn e thorn e- and B0 & RARR; K & DBLBOND;0e thorn e- decays is performed to test muonelectron universality in two ranges of the square of the dilepton invariant mass, q2. The measurement uses a sample of beauty meson decays produced in proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector between 2011 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb-1. A sequence of multivariate selections and strict particle identification requirements produce a higher signal purity and a better statistical sensitivity per unit luminosity than previous LHCb lepton universality tests using the same decay modes. Residual backgrounds due to misidentified hadronic decays are studied using data and included in the fit model. Each of the four lepton universality measurements reported is either the first in the given q2 interval or supersedes previous LHCb measurements. The results are compatible with the predictions of the Standard Model.

Abstract: A study of A(b)(0) baryon decays to the DpK(-) final state is presented based on a proton-proton collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb(-1) collected with the LHCb detector. Two A(b)(0) decays are considered, A(b)(0) -> DpK(-) with D -> K-pi(+) and D -> K+pi(-), where D represents a superposition of D-0 and over bar D-0 states. The latter process is expected to be suppressed relative to the former, and is observed for the first time. The ratio of branching fractions of the two decays is measured, and the CP asymmetry of the suppressed mode, which is sensitive to the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle gamma, is also reported.

Abstract: A study of the B+ -> (KSK+)-K-0 K-pi(+) and B+ -> (KSK+K+)-K-0 pi(-) decays is performed using proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV at the LHCb experiment. The (KSK)-K-0 pi invariant mass spectra from both decay modes reveal a rich content of charmonium resonances. New precise measurements of the eta(c) and eta(c)(2S) resonance parameters are performed and branching fraction measurements are obtained for B+ decays to eta(c), J/psi, eta(c)(2S) and chi(c1) resonances. In particular, the first observation and branching fraction measurement of B+ -> chi K-c0(0)pi(+) is reported as well as first measurements of the B+ -> (KK+K-)-K-0 pi(+) and B+ -> (KK+K+)-K-0 pi(-) branching fractions. Dalitz plot analyses of eta(c) -> (KSK)-K-0 pi and eta(c)(2S) -> (KSK)-K-0 pi decays are performed. A new measurement of the amplitude and phase of the K pi S-wave as functions of the K pi mass is performed, together with measurements of the K-0*(1430), K-0*(1950) and a(0)(1700) parameters. Finally, the branching fractions of chi(c1) decays to K* resonances are also measured.

Abstract: According to heavy-meson chiral perturbation theory, the vector form factor f+(q(2)) of exclusive semileptonic decay B -> pi l nu is closely related, at least in the soft-pion region ( i.e., q(2) similar to (m(B) – m(pi))(2)), to the strong coupling g(B*B pi) or the normalized coupling (g)over-cap. Combining the precisely measured q2 spectrum of B -> pi l nu decay by the BABAR and Belle collaborations with several parametrizations of the form factor f +(q(2)), we can extract these couplings from the residue of the form factor at the B* pole, which relies on an extrapolation of the form factor from the semileptonic region to the unphysical point q(2) = m(B*)(2). Comparing the extracted values with the other experimental and theoretical estimates, we can test these various form-factor parametrizations, which differ from each other by the amount of physical information embedded in. It is found that the extracted values based on the Becirevic-Kaidalov, Ball-Zwicky and Bourrely-Caprini-Lellouch parametrizations are consistent with each other and roughly in agreement with the other theoretical and lattice estimates, while the Boyd-Grinstein-Lebed ansatz, featured by a spurious, unwanted pole at the threshold of the cut, gives a neatly larger value.