Abstract: A data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb(-1) of proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment has been analysed to search for D-(s)(()*())+ ((D) over bar)(*)0 decays. The decays are fully or partially reconstructed, where one or two (8) missing neutral pions or photons from the decay of an excited charm meson are allowed. Upper limits for the branching fractions, normalised to B+ decays to final states with similar topologies, are obtained for sixteen B-c(+) decay modes. For the decay B-c(+) -> D-s(+)(D) over bar (0), an excess with a significance of 3.4 standard deviations is found.

Abstract: The perturbative approach to quantum field theories has made it possible to obtain incredibly accurate theoretical predictions in high-energy physics. Although various techniques have been developed to boost the efficiency of these calculations, some ingredients remain specially challenging. This is the case of multiloop scattering amplitudes that constitute a hard bottleneck to solve. In this paper, we delve into the application of a disruptive technique based on the loop-tree duality theorem, which is aimed at an efficient computation of such objects by opening the loops to nondisjoint trees. We study the multiloop topologies that first appear at four loops and assemble them in a clever and general expression, the (NMLT)-M-4 universal topology. This general expression enables to open any scattering amplitude of up to four loops, and also describes a subset of higher order configurations to all orders. These results confirm the conjecture of a factorized opening in terms of simpler known subtopologies, which also determines how the causal structure of the entire loop amplitude is characterized by the causal structure of its subtopologies. In addition, we confirm that the loop-tree duality representation of the (NMLT)-M-4 universal topology is manifestly free of noncausal thresholds, thus pointing towards a remarkably more stable numerical implementation of multiloop scattering amplitudes.

Abstract: The Pixelated Emission Detector for RadiOisotopes (PEDRO) is a hybrid imaging system designed for the measurement of single photon emission from small animal models. The proof-of-principle device consists of a Compton-camera situated behind a mechanical collimator and is intended to provide optimal detection characteristics over a broad spectral range, from 30 to 511 keV. An automated routine has been developed for the optimization of large-area slits in the outer regions of a collimator which has a central region allocated for pinholes. The optimization was tested with a GEANT4 model of the experimental prototype. The data were blurred with the expected position and energy resolution parameters and a Bayesian interaction ordering algorithm was applied. Images were reconstructed using cone back-projection. The results show that the optimization technique allows the large-area slits to both sample fully and extend the primary field of view (FoV) determined by the pinholes. The slits were found to provide truncation of the back-projected cones of response and also an increase in the success rate of the interaction ordering algorithm. These factors resulted in an increase in the contrast and signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed image estimates. Of the two configurations tested, the cylindrical geometry outperformed the square geometry, primarily because of a decrease in artifacts. This was due to isotropic modulation of the cone surfaces, that can be achieved with a circular shape. Also, the cylindrical geometry provided increased sampling of the FoV due to more optimal positioning of the slits. The use of the cylindrical collimator and application of the transmission function in the reconstruction was found to improve the resolution of the system by a factor of 20, as compared to the uncollimated Compton camera. Although this system is designed for small animal imaging, the technique can be applied to any application of single photon imaging.

Abstract: A measurement of B-s(0) -> J/psi phi decay parameters, including the CP-violating weak phase phi(s) and the decay width difference Delta Gamma(s) is reported, using 4.9 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected in 2011 by the ATLAS detector from LHC pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy root s = 7 TeV. The mean decay width Gamma(s) and the transversity amplitudes vertical bar A(0)(0)vertical bar(2) and vertical bar A(parallel to)(0)vertical bar(2) are also measured. The values reported for these parameters are: phi(s) = 0.22 +/- 0.41 (stat.) +/- 0.10 (syst.) rad Delta Gamma(s) = 0.053 +/- 0.021 (stat.) +/- 0.010 (syst.) ps(-1) Gamma(s) = 0.677 +/- 0.007 (stat.) +/- 0.004 (syst.) ps(-1) vertical bar A(0)(0)vertical bar(2) = 0.528 +/- 0.006 (stat.) +/- 0.009 (syst.) vertical bar A(parallel to)(0)vertical bar(2) = 0.220 +/- 0.008 (stat.) +/- 0.007 (syst.) where the values quoted for phi(s) and Delta Gamma(s) correspond to the solution compatible with the external measurements to which the strong phase delta(perpendicular to) is constrained and where is Delta Gamma(s) constrained to be positive. The fraction of S-wave KK or f(0) contamination through the decays B-s(0) -> J/psi K+K- (f(0)) is measured as well and is found to be consistent with zero. Results for phi(s) and Delta Gamma(s) are also presented as 68%, 90% and 95% likelihood contours, which show agreement with Standard Model expectations.

Abstract: The Large Hadron-Electron Collider (LHeC) is designed to move the field of deep inelastic scattering (DIS) to the energy and intensity frontier of particle physics. Exploiting energy-recovery technology, it collides a novel, intense electron beam with a proton or ion beam from the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The accelerator and interaction region are designed for concurrent electron-proton and proton-proton operations. This report represents an update to the LHeC's conceptual design report (CDR), published in 2012. It comprises new results on the parton structure of the proton and heavier nuclei, QCD dynamics, and electroweak and top-quark physics. It is shown how the LHeC will open a new chapter of nuclear particle physics by extending the accessible kinematic range of lepton-nucleus scattering by several orders of magnitude. Due to its enhanced luminosity and large energy and the cleanliness of the final hadronic states, the LHeC has a strong Higgs physics programme and its own discovery potential for new physics. Building on the 2012 CDR, this report contains a detailed updated design for the energy-recovery electron linac (ERL), including a new lattice, magnet and superconducting radio-frequency technology, and further components. Challenges of energy recovery are described, and the lower-energy, high-current, three-turn ERL facility, PERLE at Orsay, is presented, which uses the LHeC characteristics serving as a development facility for the design and operation of the LHeC. An updated detector design is presented corresponding to the acceptance, resolution, and calibration goals that arise from the Higgs and parton-density-function physics programmes. This paper also presents novel results for the Future Circular Collider in electron-hadron (FCC-eh) mode, which utilises the same ERL technology to further extend the reach of DIS to even higher centre-of-mass energies.