Abstract: We construct lists of supersymmetric models with extended gauge groups at intermediate steps, all of which are inspired by SO(10) unification. We consider three different kinds of setups: (i) the model has exactly one additional intermediate scale with a left-right (LR) symmetric group; (ii) SO(10) is broken to the LR group via an intermediate Pati-Salam scale; and (iii) the LR group is broken into SU(3)(c) X SU(2)(L) X U(1)(R) X U(1)(B-L), before breaking to the standard model (SM) group. We use sets of conditions, which we call the “sliding mechanism,” which yield unification with the extended gauge group(s) allowed at arbitrary intermediate energy scales. All models thus can have new gauge bosons within the reach of the LHC, in principle. We apply additional conditions, such as perturbative unification, renormalizability and anomaly cancellation and find that, despite these requirements, for the ansatz (i) with only one additional scale still around 50 different variants exist that can have a LR symmetry below 10 TeV. For the more complicated schemes (ii) and (iii) literally thousands of possible variants exist, and for scheme (ii) we have also found variants with very low Pati-Salam scales. We also discuss possible experimental tests of the models from measurements of supersymmetry masses. Assuming mSugra boundary conditions we calculate certain combinations of soft terms, called “invariants,” for the different classes of models. Values for all the invariants can be classified into a small number of sets, which contain information about the class of models and, in principle, the scale of beyond-minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model physics, even in case the extended gauge group is broken at an energy beyond the reach of the LHC.

Abstract: The decay B-c(+) -> psi(2S)pi(+) with psi(2S) -> mu(+)mu(-) is observed with a significance of 5.2 sigma using pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1) collected by the LHCb experiment. The branching fraction of B-c(+) -> psi(2S)pi(+) decays relative to that of the B-c(+) -> J/psi pi(+) mode is measured to be B(B-c(+) -> psi(2S)pi(+))/B(B-c(+) -> J/psi pi(+)) = 0.250 +/- 0.068(stat) +/- 0.014(syst) +/- 0.006(B). The last term is the uncertainty on the ratio B(psi(2S) -> mu(+)mu(-))/B(J/psi -> mu(+)mu(-)).

Abstract: A search for the decay B-s(0) -> D*(-/+)pi(+/-) is presented using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1) of pp collisions collected by LHCb. This decay is expected to be mediated by a W-exchange diagram, with little contribution from rescattering processes, and therefore a measurement of the branching fraction will help us to understand the mechanism behind related decays such as B-s(0) -> pi(+)pi(-) and B-s(0) -> D (D) over bar. Systematic uncertainties are minimized by using B-0 -> D*(-/+)pi(+/-) as a normalization channel. We find no evidence for a signal, and set an upper limit on the branching fraction of B(B-s(0) -> D*(-/+)pi(+/-) < 6.1(7.8) x 10(-6) at 90% (95%) confidence level.

Abstract: We review and extend the model derived in Garcia-Recio et al. [Phys. Rev. D 83, 016007 (2011)] to address the dynamics of the low-lying even-parity meson resonances. This model is based on a coupled-channels spin-flavor extension of the chiralWeinberg-Tomozawa Lagrangian. This interaction is then used to study the S-wave meson-meson scattering involving members not only of the pi octet, but also of the rho nonet. In this work, we study in detail the structure of the SU(6)-symmetry-breaking contact terms that respect (or softly break) chiral symmetry. We derive the most general local (without involving derivatives) terms consistent with the chiral-symmetry-breaking pattern of QCD. After introducing sensible simplifications to reduce the large number of possible operators, we carry out a phenomenological discussion of the effects of these terms. We show how the inclusion of these pieces leads to an improvement of the description of the J(P) = 2(+) sector, without spoiling the main features of the predictions obtained in the original model in the JP = 0(+) and J(P) = 1(+) sectors. In particular, we find a significantly better description of the I-G(J(PC)) =0(+)(2(++)), 1(-)(2(++)) and the I(JP)=1/2(2(+)) sectors, which correspond to the f(2)(1270), a(2)(1320), and K-2(*)(1430) quantum numbers, respectively.

Abstract: The process e(+)e(-) -> p (p) over bar gamma is studied using 469 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected with the BABAR detector at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, at an e(+)e(-) center-of-mass energy of 10.6 GeV. From the analysis of the p (p) over bar invariant mass spectrum, the energy dependence of the cross section for e(+)e(-) -> p (p) over bar is measured from threshold to 4.5 GeV. The energy dependence of the ratio of electric and magnetic form factors, vertical bar G(E)/G(M)vertical bar, and the asymmetry in the proton angular distribution are measured for p (p) over bar masses below 3 GeV. We also measure the branching fractions for the decays J/psi -> p (p) over bar and psi(2S) -> p (p) over bar are also determined.