Abstract: A search for the rare decay Sigma(+) -> p mu(+)mu(-) is performed using pp collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies root s = 7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb(-1). An excess of events is observed with respect to the background expectation, with a signal significance of 4.1 standard deviations. No significant structure is observed in the dimuon invariant mass distribution, in contrast with a previous result from the HyperCP experiment. The measured Sigma(+) -> p mu(+)mu(-) branching fraction is (2.2(-1.3)(+1.8)) x 10(-8), where statistical and systematic uncertainties are included, which is consistent with the standard model prediction.

Abstract: A direct search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to a pair of charm quarks is presented. Associated production of the Higgs and Z bosons, in the decay mode ZH -> l(+)l(-) cc is studied. A data set with an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb(-1) of pp collisions at root s = 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC is used. The H -> cc signature is identified using charm-tagging algorithms. The observed (expected) upper limit on sigma(pp -> ZH) x B(H -> cc) is 2.7 (3.9(-2.1)(+2.1) ) pb at the 95% confidence level for a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV, while the standard model value is 26 fb.

Abstract: A combination of the searches for pair-produced vectorlike partners of the top and bottom quarks in various decay channels (T -> Zt/Wb/Ht, B -> Zb/Wt/Hb) is performed using 36.1 fb(-1) of pp collision data at root s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The observed data are found to be in good agreement with the standard model background prediction in all individual searches. Therefore, combined 95% confidence-level upper limits are set on the production cross section for a range of vectorlike quark scenarios, significantly improving upon the reach of the individual searches. Model-independent limits are set assuming the vectorlike quarks decay to standard model particles. A singlet T is excluded for masses below 1.31 TeV and a singlet B is excluded for masses below 1.22 TeV. Assuming a weak isospin (T, B) doublet and vertical bar V-Tb vertical bar << vertical bar V-tB vertical bar, T and B masses below 1.37 TeV are excluded.

Abstract: Lifetime measurements of excited states of the light N = 52 isotones Kr-88, Se-86, and Ge-84 have been performed, using the recoil distance Doppler shift method and VAMOS and AGATA spectrometers for particle identification and gamma spectroscopy, respectively. The reduced electric quadrupole transition probabilities B(E2; 2(+)-> 0(+)) and B(E2; 4(+)-> 2(+)) were obtained for the first time for the hard-to-reach 84Ge. While the B(E2; 2(+)-> 0(+) ) values of Kr-88, Se-86 saturate the maximum quadrupole collectivity offered by the natural valence (3s, 2d, 1g(7/2), 1h(11/2)) space of an inert Ni-78 core, the value obtained for Ge-84 largely exceeds it, suggesting that shape coexistence phenomena, previously reported at N less than or similar to 49, extend beyond N = 50. The onset of collectivity at Z = 32 is understood as due to a pseudo-SU(3) organization of the proton single-particle sequence reflecting a clear manifestation of pseudospin symmetry. It is realized that the latter provides actually reliable guidance for understanding the observed proton and neutron single particle structure in the whole medium-mass region, from Ni to Sn, pointing towards the important role of the isovector-vector rho field in shell-structure evolution.

Abstract: The ratio of branching fractions R(D*(-)) equivalent to B(B-0 -> D*(-) iota(+)v(iota))/B(B-0 -> D*(-) mu+ v(mu)) is measured using a data sample of proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb(-1). For the first time, R(D*-) is determined using the iota-lepton decays with three charged pions in the final state. The B-0 -> D*(-) iota+ v(iota) yield is normalized to that of the B-0 -> D*(-) pi(+) pi(-) pi(+) mode, providing a measurement B-0 -> D*(-) iota+ v(iota) / B(B-0 -> D*(-) pi(+) pi(-) pi(+)) = 1.97 +/- 0.13 +/- 0.18, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The value of (B-0 -> D*(-) iota+ v(iota)) = (1.42 +/- 0.094 +/- 0.129 +/- 0.054)% is obtained, where the third uncertainty is due to the limited knowledge of the branching fraction of the normalization mode. Using the well-measured branching fraction of the B-0 -> D*(-) mu+ v(mu) decay, a value of R(D*(-)) = 0.291 +/- 0.019 +/- 0.026 +/- 0.013 is established, where the third uncertainty is due to the limited knowledge of the branching fractions of the normalization and B-0 -> D*(-) mu+ v(mu) modes. This measurement is in agreement with the standard model prediction and with previous results.