Abstract: We report the observation of the baryonic decay (B) over bar (0) -> Lambda(+)(c)(p) over barK(-)K(+) using a data sample of 471 x 10(6) B (B) over bar pairs produced in e(+)e(-) annihilations at root s = 10.58 GeV. This data sample was recorded with the BABAR detector at the PEP- II storage ring at SLAC. We find B((B) over bar (0) -> Lambda(+)(c)(p) over barK(-)K(+)) = (2.5 +/- 0.4((stat)) +/- 0.2((syst)) +/- 0.6(B(Lambda c+)) ) x 10(-5) where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the uncertainty of the Lambda(+)(c) -> (p) over barK(-)pi(+) branching fraction, respectively. The result has a significance corresponding to 5.0 standard deviations, including all uncertainties. For the resonant decay (B) over bar (0) -> Lambda(+)(c)(p) over bar phi, we determine the upper limit B((B) over bar (0) -> Lambda(+)(c)(p) over bar phi) < 1.2 x 10(-5) at 90% confidence level.

Abstract: Based on a sample of 500 million e(+)e(-) -> c (c) over bar events recorded by the BABAR detector at c. m. energies of close to 10.6 GeV, we report on a study of the decay D0 ->pi(-)e(+)nu(e). We measure the ratio of branching fractions, R-D = B(D-0 -> pi(-)e(+)nu(e))/beta(D-0 -> K-pi(+)) = 0.0713 +/- 0.0017(stat) +/- 0.0024(syst), and use the present world average for B(D-0 -> K-pi(+)) to obtain B(D-0 -> pi(-)e(+)nu e) = (2.770 +/- 0.068(stat) +/- 0.092(syst) +/- 0.037(ext)) x 10(-3) where the third error accounts for the uncertainty on the branching fraction for the reference channel. The measured dependence of the differential branching fraction on q(2), the four-momentum transfer squared between the D and the pi meson, is compared to various theoretical predictions for the hadronic form factor, f(+,D)(pi)(q(2)), and the normalization vertical bar V-cd vertical bar x f(+,D)(pi)(q(2) = 0) = 0.1374 +/- 0.0038(stat) +/- 0.0022(sys)t +/- 0.0009(ext). is extracted from a fit to data. Using the most recent LQCD prediction of f(+,D)(pi)(q(2) = 0) = 0.666 +/- 0.029, we obtain vertical bar V-cd vertical bar = 0.206 +/- 0.007(exp) +/- 0.009(LQCD). Assuming, instead, vertical bar V-cd vertical bar = vertical bar V-us vertical bar = 0.2252 +/- 0.0009, we obtain f(+,D)(pi)(q(2) = 0) = 0.610 +/- 0.020(exp) +/- 0.005(ext). The q(2) dependence of f(+,D)(pi)(q(2)) is compared to a variety of multipole parametrizations. This information is applied to B-0 -> pi(-)e(+)nu(e) decays and, combined with an earlier B-0 -> pi(-)e(+)nu(e) measurement by BABAR, is used to derive estimates of vertical bar V-ub vertical bar.

Abstract: A search is presented for the decay Upsilon(1S) -> gamma A(0), A(0) -> c (c) over barc, where A(0) is a candidate for the CP-odd Higgs boson of the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model. The search is based on data collected with the BABAR detector at the Upsilon(2S) resonance. A sample of Upsilon(1S) mesons is selected via the decay Upsilon(2S) -> pi(+)pi(-)Upsilon(1S) . The A(0) -> c (c) over bar decay is identified through the reconstruction of hadronic D-0, D+,and D-0 (2010)(+) meson decays. No significant signal is observed. The measured 90% confidence-level upper limits on the product branching fraction beta(Upsilon(1S) -> gamma A(0)) x beta(A(0) -> (c) over barc range from 7.4 x 10(-5) to 2.4 x 10(-3) for A(0) masses from 4.00 to 8.95 GeV/c(2) and 9.10 to 9.25 GeV/c(2), where the region between 8.95 and 9.10 GeV/c(2) is excluded because of background from Upsilon(2S) -> gamma chi(bJ)(1P), chi(bJ)(1P) -> gamma Upsilon(1S) decays.

Abstract: We present a search for a neutral, long-lived particle L that is produced in e(+)e(-)collisions and decays at a significant distance from the e(+)e(-) interaction point into various flavor combinations of two oppositely charged tracks. The analysis uses an e(+)e(-) data sample with a luminosity of 489.1 fb(-1) collected by the BABAR detector at the Upsilon(4S), Upsilon(3S), and Upsilon(2S) resonances and just below the Upsilon(4S). Fitting the two-track mass distribution in search of a signal peak, we do not observe a significant signal, and set 90% confidence level upper limits on the product of the L production cross section, branching fraction, and reconstruction efficiency for six possible two-body L decay modes as a function of the L mass. The efficiency is given for each final state as a function of the mass, lifetime, and transverse momentum of the candidate, allowing application of the upper limits to any production model. In addition, upper limits are provided on the branching fraction B(B -> XsL), where X-s is a strange hadronic system.

Abstract: Purpose: In order to facilitate a smooth transition for brachytherapy dose calculations from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group No. 43 (TG-43) formalism to model-based dose calculation algorithms (MBDCAs), treatment planning systems (TPSs) using a MBDCA require a set of well-defined test case plans characterized by Monte Carlo (MC) methods. This also permits direct dose comparison to TG-43 reference data. Such test case plans should be made available for use in the software commissioning process performed by clinical end users. To this end, a hypothetical, generic high-dose rate (HDR) Ir-192 source and a virtual water phantom were designed, which can be imported into a TPS. Methods: A hypothetical, generic HDR Ir-192 source was designed based on commercially available sources as well as a virtual, cubic water phantom that can be imported into any TPS in DICOM format. The dose distribution of the generic Ir-192 source when placed at the center of the cubic phantom, and away from the center under altered scatter conditions, was evaluated using two commercial MBDCAs [Oncentra (R) Brachy with advanced collapsed-cone engine (ACE) and BrachyVision AcuRos (TM)]. Dose comparisons were performed using state-of-the-art MC codes for radiation transport, including ALGEBRA, BrachyDose, GEANT4, MCNP5, MCNP6, and pENELopE2008. The methodologies adhered to recommendations in the AAPM TG-229 report on high-energy brachytherapy source dosimetry. TG-43 dosimetry parameters, an along-away dose-rate table, and primary and scatter separated (PSS) data were obtained. The virtual water phantom of (201)(3) voxels (1 mm sides) was used to evaluate the calculated dose distributions. Two test case plans involving a single position of the generic HDR Ir-192 source in this phantom were prepared: (i) source centered in the phantom and (ii) source displaced 7 cm laterally from the center. Datasets were independently produced by different investigators. MC results were then compared against dose calculated using TG-43 and MBDCA methods. Results: TG-43 and PSS datasets were generated for the generic source, the PSS data for use with the ACE algorithm. The dose-rate constant values obtained from seven MC simulations, performed independently using different codes, were in excellent agreement, yielding an average of 1.1109 +/- 0.0004 cGy/(h U) (k = 1, Type A uncertainty). MC calculated dose-rate distributions for the two plans were also found to be in excellent agreement, with differences within type A uncertainties. Differences between commercial MBDCA and MC results were test, position, and calculation parameter dependent. On average, however, these differences were within 1% for ACUROS and 2% for ACE at clinically relevant distances. Conclusions: A hypothetical, generic HDR Ir-192 source was designed and implemented in two commercially available TPSs employing different MBDCAs. Reference dose distributions for this source were benchmarked and used for the evaluation of MBDCA calculations employing a virtual, cubic water phantom in the form of a CT DICOM image series. The implementation of a generic source of identical design in all TPSs using MBDCAs is an important step toward supporting univocal commissioning procedures and direct comparisons between TPSs.