Abstract: Determination of whether the Harrison-Zel'dovich spectrum for primordial scalar perturbations is consistent with observations is sensitive to assumptions about the reionization scenario. In light of this result, we revisit constraints on inflationary models using more general reionization scenarios. While the bounds on the tensor-to-scalar ratio are largely unmodified, when different reionization schemes are addressed, hybrid models are back into the inflationary game. In the general reionization picture, we reconstruct both the shape and amplitude of the inflaton potential. We discuss how relaxing the simple reionization restriction affects the reconstruction of the potential through the changes in the constraints on the spectral index, the tensor-to-scalar ratio and the running of the spectral index. We also find that the inclusion of other Cosmic Microwave Background data in addition to the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy probe data excludes the very flat potentials typical of models in which the inflationary evolution reaches a late-time attractor, as a consequence of the fact that the running of the spectral index is constrained to be different from zero at 99% confidence level.

Abstract: Using 347: 5 fb(-1) of data recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II electron-positron collider, 244 x 10(3) signal events for the D+ -> K- pi(+)e(+)nu(e) decay channel are analyzed. This decay mode is dominated by the (K) over bar*(892)(0) contribution. We determine the (K) over bar*(892)(0) parameters: m(K*(892)0) (895.4 +/- 0.2 +/- 0.2) MeV/c(2),Gamma(0)(K*(892)0) (46.5 +/- 0.3 +/- 0.2) MeV/c(2), and the Blatt-Weisskopf parameter r(BW) = 2.1 +/- 0.5 +/- 0.5 (GeV/c)(-1), where the first uncertainty comes from statistics and the second from systematic uncertainties. We also measure the parameters defining the corresponding hadronic form factors at q(2) = 0 (r(V) = V(0)/A(1)(0) = 1.463 +/- 0.031, r(2) = A(2)(0)/A(1)(0) = 0.801 +/- 0.020 +/- 0.020) and the value of the axial-vector pole mass parametrizing the q(2) variation of A(1) and A(2): m(A) (2.63 +/- 0.10 +/- 0.13) GeV/c(2). The S-wave fraction is equal to (5.79 +/- 0.16 +/- 0: 15)%. Other signal components correspond to fractions below 1%. Using the D+ -> K-pi(+)pi(+) channel as a normalization, we measure the D+ semileptonic branching fraction: B(D+ K-pi(+)e(+)nu(e)) (4.00 +/- 0: 03 +/- 0.04 +/- 0.09) x 10(-2), where the third uncertainty comes from external inputs. We then obtain the value of the hadronic form factor A(1) at q(2) 0: A(1)(0) 0.6200 +/- 0.0056 +/- 0.0065 +/- 0.0071. Fixing the P-wave parameters, we measure the phase of the S wave for several values of the K pi mass. These results confirm those obtained with K pi production at small momentum transfer in fixed target experiments.

Abstract: We carry out global fits to the nonuniversal Higgs Model (NUHM), applying all relevant present-day constraints. We present global probability maps for the NUHM parameters and observables (including collider signatures, direct, and indirect detection quantities), both in terms of posterior probabilities and in terms of profile likelihood maps. We identify regions of the parameter space where the neutralino dark matter in the model is either binolike, or else higgsinolike with mass close to 1 TeV and a spin-independent scattering cross section similar to 10(-9)-10(-8) pb. We trace the occurrence of the higgsinolike region to be a consequence of a mild focusing effect in the running of one of the Higgs masses, the existence of which in the NUHM we identify in our analysis. Although the usual binolike neutralino is more prominent, higgsinolike dark matter cannot be excluded, however its significance strongly depends on the prior and statistics used to assess it. We note that, despite experimental constraints often favoring different regions of parameter space to the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model, most observational consequences appear fairly similar, which will make it challenging to distinguish the two models experimentally.

Abstract: The decay width and mass of the D-s1(2536)(+) meson are measured via the decay channel D-s1(+) -> (D*+KS0) using 385 fb(-1) of data recorded with the BABAR detector in the vicinity of the Gamma(4S) resonance at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy electron-positron collider. The result for the decay width is Gamma(D-s1(+)) = 92 +/- 0.03(stat.) +/- 0.04(syst.) MeV. For the mass, a value of m(D-s1(+)) = 2535.08 +/- 0.01(stat.) +/- 0.15(syst.) MeV/c(2) is obtained. The mass difference between the D-s1(+) and the D*+ is measured to be m(D-s1(+)) – m(D*+) = 524.83 +/- 0.01(stat.) +/- 0.04(syst.) MeV/c(2), representing a significant improvement compared to the current world average. The unnatural spin-parity assignment for the D-s1(+) meson is confirmed.

Abstract: Detection of high-energy (>= 100 MeV) gamma rays by the Fermi Large Area Telescope from a nova in the symbiotic binary system V407 Cygni has opened the possibility of high-energy neutrino detection from this type of source. A thermonuclear explosion on the white dwarf surface sets off a nova shell in motion that expands and slows down in a dense surrounding medium provided by the red giant companion. Particles are accelerated in the shocks of the shell and interact with the surrounding medium to produce observed gamma rays. We show that proton-proton interaction, which is most likely responsible for producing gamma rays via neutral pion decay, produces >= 0:1 GeV neutrinos that can be detected by the current and future experiments at >= 10 GeV.