Abstract: Two-Higgs-doublet models usually consider an ad-hoc Z(2) discrete symmetry to avoid flavor changing neutral currents. We consider a new class of two-Higgs-doublet models where Z(2) is enlarged to the symmetry group F(sic)Z(2), i.e., an inner semidirect product of a discrete symmetry group F and Z(2). In such a scenario, the symmetry constrains the Yukawa interactions but goes unnoticed by the scalar sector. In the most minimal scenario, Z(3)(sic)Z(2) = D-3, flavor changing neutral currents mediated by scalars are absent at tree and one-loop level, while at the same time predictions to quark and lepton mixing are obtained, namely a trivial Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix and a Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata matrix (upon introduction of three heavy right-handed neutrinos) containing maximal atmospheric mixing. Small extensions allow to fully reproduce mixing parameters, including cobimaximal mixing in the lepton sector (maximal atmospheric mixing and a maximal charge-parity violating phase).

Abstract: A four-body amplitude analysis of the B- -> D*(+)pi(-) pi(-) decay is performed, where fractions and relative phases of the various resonances contributing to the decay are measured. Several quasi-model-independent analyses are performed aimed at searching for the presence of new states and establishing the quantum numbers of previously observed charmed meson resonances. In particular the resonance parameters and quantum numbers are determined for the D-1 (2420), D-1 (2430), D-0 (2550), D-1* (2600), D-2 (2740) and D-3*(2750) states. The mixing between the D-1 (2420) and D-1 (2430) resonances is studied and the mixing parameters are measured. The dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb(-1), collected in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV with the LHCb detector.

Abstract: In two Higgs doublet models (2HDMs) shaped by some unbroken symmetry, imposing perturbativity requirements on the quartic couplings can imply that the allowed masses of all the fundamental scalars are bounded from above. This important property is analyzed in detail for the only two realistic 2HDMs with an exact symmetry, the case with Z(2) symmetry and the case with CP symmetry. It is also noticeable that one exception arises in each case: when the vacuum is assumed to respect the imposed symmetry, a decoupling regime can nevertheless appear without violating perturbativity requirements. In both models with an exact symmetry and no decoupling regime, soft symmetry breaking terms can however lead to a decoupling regime: the possibility that this regime might be unnatural, since it requires some fine-tuning, is also analyzed.

Abstract: The production fraction of the B-c(-) meson with respect to the sum of B- and (B) over bar (0) mesons is measured in both 7 and 13 TeV center-of-mass (c.m.) energy pp collisions produced by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), using the LHCb detector. The rate, approximately 3.7 per mine, does not change with energy, but shows a transverse momentum dependence. The B-c(-) – B-c(+) production asymmetry is also measured and is consistent with zero within the determined statistical and systematic uncertainties of a few percent.

Abstract: We explore whether nonstandard dark sector physics might be required to solve the existing cosmological tensions. The properties we consider in combination are (a) an interaction between the dark matter and dark energy components and (b) a dark energy equation of state w different from that of the canonical cosmological constant w = -1. In principle, these two parameters are independent. In practice, to avoid early-time, superhorizon instabilities, their allowed parameter spaces are correlated. Moreover, a clear degeneracy exists between these two parameters in the case of cosmic microwave background (CMB) data. We analyze three classes of extended interacting dark energy models in light of the 2019 Planck CMB results and Cepheid-calibrated local distance ladder H-0 measurements of Riess et al. (R19), as well as recent baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) and type Ia supernovae (SNeIa) distance data. We find that in quintessence coupled dark energy models, where w > -1, the evidence for a nonzero coupling between the two dark sectors can surpass the 5 sigma significance. Moreover, for both Planck + BAO or Planck + SNeIa, we find a preference for w > -1 at about three standard deviations. Quintessence models are, therefore, in excellent agreement with current data when an interaction is considered. On the other hand, in phantom coupled dark energy models, there is no such preference for a nonzero dark sector coupling. All the models we consider significantly raise the value of the Hubble constant, easing the H-0 tension. In the interacting scenario, the disagreement between Planck thorn BAO and R19 is considerably reduced from 4.3 sigma in the case of the Lambda cold dark matter (Lambda CDM) model to about 2.5 sigma. The addition of low-redshift BAO and SNeIa measurements leaves, therefore, some residual tension with R19 but at a level that could be justified by a statistical fluctuation. Bayesian evidence considerations mildly disfavor both the coupled quintessence and phantom models, while mildly favoring a coupled vacuum scenario, even when late-time datasets are considered. We conclude that nonminimal dark energy cosmologies, such as coupled quintessence, phantom, or vacuum models, are still an interesting route toward softening existing cosmological tensions, even when low-redshift datasets and Bayesian evidence considerations are taken into account.