Abstract: The first observation of the decay B-s(0) -> (D) over bar K-0(-) pi(+) is reported. The analysis is based on a data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1) of pp collisions, collected with the LHCb detector. The branching fraction relative to that of the topologically similar decay B-0 -> (D) over bar (0)pi(+)pi(-) is measured to be B(B-0 ->(D) over bar K-0(+)pi(-))/B(B-0 ->(D) over bar (0)pi(+)pi(-)) 1.18 +/- 0.05(stat) +/- 0.12(syst). In addition, the relative branching fraction of the decay B-0 -> (D) over bar K-0(+)pi(-) is measured to be B(B-0 ->(D) over bar K-0(+)pi(-))/B(B-0 ->(D) over bar (0)pi(+)pi(-)) = 0.106 +/-(stat) +/- 0.008(syst).

Abstract: The time-dependent CP asymmetry in B-s(0) -> J/psi K+ K- decays is measured using pp collision data at root s = 7 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1: 0 fb(-1), collected with the LHCb detector. The decay-time distribution is characterized by the decay widths Gamma(L) and Gamma(H) of the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the B-s(0) – (B) over barB(s)(0) system and by a CP-violating phase s. In a sample of 27 617 B-s(0) -> J/psi K+ K- decays, where the dominant contribution comes from B-s(0) -> J/psi K+ K- decays, these parameters are measured to be phi(s) = 0. 07 +/- 0.09(stat) +/- 0. 01(syst) rad, Gamma(s) equivalent to (Gamma(L) + Gamma(L))/2 = 0.663 +/- 0.005(stat) +/- 0.006(syst) ps(-1), and 0.006(syst) ps(-1), and Delta Gamma(s) equivalent to Gamma(L) – Gamma(L) = 0.100 +/- 0.016(stat) +/- 0.003(syst) ps(-1), corresponding to the single most precise determination of phi(s), Delta Gamma(s), and Gamma(s.). The result of performing a combined analysis with B-s(0) -> J/psi pi(+) pi(-) decays gives phi(s) = 0.01 +/- 0.07(stat) +/- 0.01(syst)rad, Gamma(s) = 0.661 +/- 0.004(stat) +/- 0.006(syst) ps(-1), and Delta Gamma(s) = 0.106 +/- 0.011(stat) +/- 0.007(syst) ps(-1). All measurements are in agreement with the Standard Model predictions.

Abstract: It is shown that if, from the starting point of a universal rank-one mass matrix long favored by phenomenologists, one adds the assumption that it rotates (changes its orientation in generation space) with changing scale, one can reproduce, in terms of only six real parameters, all the 16 mass ratios and mixing parameters of quarks and leptons. Of these 16 quantities so reproduced, 10 for which data exist for direct comparison (i.e. the CKM elements including the CP-violating phase, the angles theta(12), theta(13), theta(23) in nu-oscillation, and the masses m(c), m(mu), m(e)) agree well with experiment, mostly to within experimental errors; four others (m(s), m(u), m(d), m(nu 2)), the experimental values for which can only be inferred, agree reasonably well; while two others (m(nu 1), delta(CP) for leptons), not yet measured experimentally, remain as predictions. In addition, one gets as bonuses, estimates for (i) the right-handed neutrino mass m(nu R) and (ii) the strong CP angle theta inherent in QCD. One notes in particular that the output value for sin(2) 2 theta(13) from the fit agrees very well with recent experiments. By inputting the current experimental value with its error, one obtains further from the fit two new testable constraints: (i) that theta(23) must depart from its “maximal” value: sin(2) 2 theta(23) similar to 0.935 +/- 0.021, (ii) that the CP-violating (Dirac) phase in the PMNS would be smaller than in the CKM matrix: of order only vertical bar sin delta(CP)vertical bar <= 0.31 if not vanishing altogether.

Abstract: A search for highly ionising, penetrating particles with electric charges from vertical bar q vertical bar = 2e to 6e is performed using the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Proton-proton collision data taken at root s = 7 TeV during the 2011 running period, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.4 fb(-1), are analysed. No signal candidates are observed, and 95% confidence level cross-section upper limits are interpreted as mass-exclusion lower limits for a simplified Drell-Yan production model. In this model, masses are excluded from 50 GeV up to 430, 480, 490, 470 and 420 GeV for charges 2e, 3e, 4e, 5e and 6e, respectively. (c) 2013 CERN. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: We derive the evolution equations for a system of neutrinos interacting among themselves and with a matter background, based upon the Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon hierarchy. This theoretical framework gives an (unclosed) set of first-order coupled integro-differential equations governing the evolution of the reduced density matrices. By employing the hierarchy, we first rederive the mean-field evolution equations for the neutrino one-body density matrix associated with a system of neutrinos and antineutrinos interacting with matter and with an anisotropic neutrino background. Then, we derive extended evolution equations to determine neutrino flavor conversion beyond the commonly used mean-field approximation. To this aim we include neutrino-antineutrino pairing correlations to the two-body density matrix. The inclusion of these new contributions leads to an extended evolution equation for the normal neutrino density and to an equation for the abnormal one involving the pairing mean field. We discuss the possible impact of neutrino-antineutrino correlations on neutrino flavor conversion in the astrophysical and cosmological environments, and possibly upon the supernova dynamics. Our results can be easily generalized to an arbitrary number of neutrino families.