Abstract: The computation of the O(alpha(s)) QCD corrections to the cross sections for W+W-gamma and ZZ gamma production in hadronic collisions is presented. We consider the case of a real photon in the final state, but include full leptonic decays of the W and Z bosons. Numerical results for the LHC and the Tevatron are obtained through a fully flexible parton level Monte Carlo program based on the structure of the VBFNLO program, allowing an easy implementation of arbitrary cuts and distributions. We show the dependence on scale variations of the integrated cross sections and provide evidence that next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD corrections strongly modify the LO predictions for observables at the LHC both in magnitude and in shape.

Abstract: We perform a Dalitz plot analysis of about 100 000 D-s(+) decays to K+ K- pi(+) and measure the complex amplitudes of the intermediate resonances which contribute to this decay mode. We also measure the relative branching fractions of D-s(+) -> K+ K+ pi(-) and D-s(+) -> K+ K+ K-. For this analysis we use a 384 fb(-1) data sample, recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider running at center-of-mass energies near 10.58 GeV.

Abstract: We discuss the linearization of Einstein equations in the presence of a cosmological constant, by expanding the solution for the metric around a flat Minkowski space-time. We demonstrate that one can find consistent solutions to the linearized set of equations for the metric perturbations, in the Lorentz gauge, which are not spherically symmetric, but they rather exhibit a cylindrical symmetry. We find that the components of the gravitational field satisfying the appropriate Poisson equations have the property of ensuring that a scalar potential can be constructed, in which both contributions, from ordinary matter and Lambda > 0, are attractive. In addition, there is a novel tensor potential, induced by the pressure density, in which the effect of the cosmological constant is repulsive. We also linearize the Schwarzschild-de Sitter exact solution of Einstein's equations ( due to a generalization of Birkhoff's theorem) in the domain between the two horizons. We manage to transform it first to a gauge in which the 3-space metric is conformally flat and, then, make an additional coordinate transformation leading to the Lorentz gauge conditions. We compare our non-spherically symmetric solution with the linearized Schwarzschild-de Sitter metric, when the latter is transformed to the Lorentz gauge, and we find agreement. The resulting metric, however, does not acquire a proper Newtonian form in terms of the unique scalar potential that solves the corresponding Poisson equation. Nevertheless, our solution is stable, in the sense that the physical energy density is positive.

Abstract: We present a search for the decay B+ -> l(+)nu(l) (l = tau, mu, or e) in (458.9 +/- 5.1) x 10(6) B (B) over bar pairs recorded with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B-factory. We search for these B decays in a sample of B+B- events where one B- meson is reconstructed as B- -> D(0)l(-)(nu) over barX. Using the method of Feldman and Cousins, we obtain B(B+ -> tau(+)nu(tau)) = (1.7 +/- 0.8 +/- 0.2) x 10(-4), which excludes zero at 2.3 sigma. We interpret the central value in the context of the standard model and find the B meson decay constant to be f(B)(2) = (62 +/- 31) x 10(3) MeV2. We find no evidence for B+ -> e(+)nu(e) and B+ -> mu(+)nu(mu) and set upper limits at the 90% C. L. B(B+ -> e(+)nu(e)) < 0.8 x 10(-5) and B(B+ -> mu(+)nu(mu)) < 1.1 x 10(-5).

Abstract: In theories with universal extra dimensions (UED), the gamma(1) particle, first excited state of the hypercharge gauge boson, provides an excellent dark matter (DM) candidate. Here, we use a modified version of the SUPERBAYES code to perform a Bayesian analysis of the minimal UED scenario, in order to assess its detectability at accelerators and with DM experiments. We derive, in particular, the most probable range of mass and scattering cross sections off nucleons, keeping into account cosmological and electroweak precision constraints. The consequences for the detectability of the gamma(1) with direct and indirect experiments are dramatic. The spin-independent cross section probability distribution peaks at similar to 10(-11) pb, i.e. below the sensitivity of ton-scale experiments. The spin-dependent cross section drives the predicted neutrino flux from the center of the Sun below the reach of present and upcoming experiments. The only strategy that remains open appears to be direct detection with ton-scale experiments sensitive to spin-dependent cross sections. On the other hand, the LHC with 1 fb(-1) of data should be able to probe the current best-fit UED parameters.