Abstract: A search for direct CP violation in the Cabibbo-suppressed decay D-s(+) -> K-K+ K+ and in the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decay D+ -> K- K+ K+ is reported. The analysis is performed with data collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.6 fb(-1). The search is conducted by comparing the D-(s)(+) and D-(s)(-) Dalitz-plot distributions through a model-independent binned technique, based on fits to the K-K+K+ invariantmass distributions, with a total of 0.97 (1.27) million D-s(+) (D+) signal candidates. The results are given as p-values for the hypothesis of CP conservation and are found to be 13.3% for the D+ -> K-K+ K+ decay and 31.6% for the D+ -> K-K+ K+ decay. No evidence for CP violation is observed in these decays.

Abstract: A measurement of CP-violating observables in B-+/-->(DK +/-)-K-& lowast; and B-+/--> D-& lowast;pi(+/-) decays is made where the photon or neutral pion from the D-& lowast;-> D gamma or D-& lowast;-> D pi(0) decay is not reconstructed. The D meson is reconstructed in the self-conjugate decay modes, D -> K-S(0)pi(+)pi(-) or D ->(KSK+K-)-K-0. The distribution of signal yields in the D decay phase space is analysed in a model-independent way. The measurement uses a data sample collected in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of approximately 9 fb(-1). The B-+/-->(DK +/-)-K-& lowast; and B-+/--> D-& lowast;pi(+/-) CP-violating observables are interpreted in terms of hadronic parameters and the CKM angle gamma, resulting in a measurement of gamma=(92(-17)(+21))degrees. The total uncertainty includes the statistical and systematic uncertainties, and the uncertainty due to external strong-phase inputs.

Abstract: The idea of a rank-one rotating mass matrix (R2M2) is reviewed detailing how it leads to ready explanations both for the fermion mass hierarchy and for the distinctive mixing patterns between up and down fermion states, which can be and have been tested against experiment and shown to be fully consistent with existing data. Further, R2M2 is seen to offer, as by-products: (i) a new solution to the strong CP problem in QCD by linking the theta-angle there to the Kobayashi-Maskawa CP-violating phase in the CKM matrix, and (ii) some novel predictions of possible anomalies in Higgs decay observable in principle at the LHC. A special effort is made to answer some questions raised.

Abstract: We perform a systematic study of generic accidental Higgs-family and CP symmetries that could occur in the two-Higgs-doublet-model potential, based on a Majorana scalar-field formalism which realizes a subgroup of GL(8, C). We derive the general conditions of convexity and stability of the scalar potential and present analytical solutions for two non-zero neutral vacuum expectation values of the Higgs doublets for a typical set of six symmetries, in terms of the gauge-invariant parameters of the theory. By means of a homotopy-group analysis, we identify the topological defects associated with the spontaneous symmetry breaking of each symmetry, as well as the massless Goldstone bosons emerging from the breaking of the continuous symmetries. We find the existence of domain walls from the breaking of Z(2), CP1 and CP2 discrete symmetries, vortices in models with broken U(1)(PQ) and CP3 symmetries and a global monopole in the SO(3)(HF)-broken model. The spatial profile of the topological defect solutions is studied in detail, as functions of the potential parameters of the two-Higgs doublet model. The application of our Majorana scalar-field formalism in studying more general scalar potentials that are not constrained by the U(1)(Y) hypercharge symmetry is discussed. In particular, the same formalism may be used to properly identify seven additional symmetries that may take place in a U(1)(Y)-invariant scalar potential.