Abstract: An improved measurement of the decay B-s(0) -> mu(+)mu(-) and searches for the decays B-0 -> mu(+)mu(-) and B-s(0) -> mu(+)mu(-)gamma are performed at the LHCb experiment using data collected in proton-proton collisions at root s = 7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1, 2 and 6 fb(-1), respectively. The B-s(0) -> mu(+)mu(-) branching fraction and effective lifetime are measured to be B(B-s(0) -> mu(+)mu(-)) = (3.09(-0.43-0.11)(+0.46+0.15)) x 10(-9) and tau(B-s(0) -> mu(+)mu(-)) = (2.07 +/- 0.29 +/- 0.03) ps, respectively, where the uncertain-ties include both statistical and systematic contributions. No significant signal for B-0 -> mu(+)mu(-) and B-s(0) -> mu(+)mu(-) gamma decays is found and the upper limits B(B-0 -> mu(+)mu(-)) < 2.6 x 10(-10) and B(B-s(0) -> mu(+)mu(-)gamma) 2.0 x 10(-9) at 95% confidence level are determined, where the latter is limited to the range m(mu mu) > 4.9 GeV/c(2). Additionally, the ratio between the B-0 -> mu(+)mu(-) and B-s(0) -> mu(+)mu(-) branching fractions is measured to be R mu+mu- < 0.095 at 95% confidence level. The results are in agreement with the Standard Model predictions.

Abstract: We measured 135 cross sections of residual nuclei produced in fragmentation reactions of C-12, N-14, and O-13-16,O-20,O-22 projectiles impinging on a carbon target at kinetic energies of near 400A MeV, most of them for the first time, with the R B-3/LAND setup at the GSI facility in Darmstadt (Germany). The use of this state-of-the-art experimental setup in combination with the inverse kinematics technique gave the full identification in atomic and mass numbers of fragmentation residues with a high precision. The cross sections of these residues were determined with uncertainties below 20% for most of the cases. These data are compared to other previous measurements with stable isotopes and are also used to benchmark different model calculations.

Abstract: It is well known that the scotogenic model for neutrino mass generation can explain correctly the relic abundance of cold dark matter. There have been claims in the literature that an important part of the parameter space of the simplest scotogentic model can be constrained by the requirement that no Z(2)-breaking must occur in the early universe. Here we show that this requirement does not give any constraints on the underlying parameter space at least in those parts, where we can trust perturbation theory. To demonstrate this, we have taken into account the proper decoupling of heavy degrees of freedom in both the thermal potential and in the RGE evolution.

Abstract: We investigate, within the framework of quantum field theory in curved space, the correlations across the horizon of a black hole in order to highlight the particle-partner pair creation mechanism at the origin of Hawking radiation. The analysis concerns both acoustic black holes, formed by Bose-Einstein condensates, and gravitational black holes. More precisely, we have considered a typical acoustic black hole metric with two asymptotic homogeneous regions and the Schwarzschild metric as describing a gravitational black hole. By considering equal-time correlation functions, we find a striking disagreement between the two cases: the expected characteristic peak centered along the trajectories of the Hawking particles and their partners seems to appear only for the acoustic black hole and not for the gravitational Schwarzschild one. The reason for that is the existence of a quantum atmosphere displaced from the horizon as the locus of origin of Hawking radiation together, and this is the crucial aspect, with the presence of a central singularity in the gravitational case swallowing everything is trapped inside the horizon. Correlations, however, are not absent in the gravitational case; to see them, one simply has to consider correlation functions at unequal times, which indeed display the expected peak.

Abstract: Background: Stellar nucleosynthesis of elements heavier than iron is driven by neutron capture processes. Zr-92 is positioned at a strategic point along the slow nucleosynthesis path, given its proximity to the neutron magic number N = 50 and its position at the matching region between the weak and main slow processes. Purpose: In parallel with recent improved astronomical data, the extraction of accurate Maxwellian averaged cross sections (MACSs) derived from a more complete and accurate set of resonance parameters should allow for a better understanding of the stellar conditions at which nucleosynthesis takes place. Methods: Transmission and capture cross section measurements using enriched Zr-92 metallic samples were performed at the time-of flight facilities GELINA of JRC-Geel (BE) and nTOF of CERN (CH). The neutron beam passing through the samples was investigated in transmission measurements at GELINA using a Li-glass scintillator. The gamma rays emitted during the neutron capture reactions were detected by C6D6 detectors at both GELINA and nTOF. Results: Resonance parameters of individual resonances up to 81 keV were extracted from a combined resonance shape analysis of experimental transmissions and capture yields. For the majority of the resonances the parity was determined from an analysis of the transmission data obtained with different sample thicknesses. Average resonance parameters were calculated. Conclusions: Maxwellian averaged cross sections were extracted from resonances observed up to 81 keV. The MACS for kT = 30 keV is fully consistent with experimental data reported in the literature. The MACSs for kT less than or similar to 15 keV are in good agreement with those derived from the ENDF/B-VIII.0 library and recommended in the KADoNTS database. For kT higher than 30 keV differences are observed. A comparison with MACSs obtained with the cross sections recommended in the JEFF-3.3 and JENDL-4.0 libraries shows discrepancies even for kT less than or similar to 15 keV.