Abstract: In the simplest type-I seesaw leptogenesis scenario right-handed neutrino annihilation processes are absent. However, in the presence of new interactions these processes are possible and can affect the resulting B – L asymmetry in an important way. A prominent example is provided by models with spontaneous lepton number violation, where the existence of new dynamical degrees of freedom can play a crucial role. In this context, we provide a model-independent discussion of the effects of right-handed neutrino annihilations. We show that in the weak washout regime, as long as the scattering processes remain slow compared with the Hubble expansion rate throughout the relevant temperature range, the efficiency can be largely enhanced, reaching in some cases maximal values. Moreover, the B – L asymmetry yield turns out to be independent upon initial conditions, in contrast to the “standard” case. On the other hand, when the annihilation processes are fast, the right-handed neutrino distribution tends to a thermal one down to low temperatures, implying a drastic suppression of the efficiency which in some cases can render the B – L generation mechanism inoperative.

Abstract: Production of mesons in proton-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy = 5 TeV is studied with the LHCb detector. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.6 nb(-1). The mesons of transverse momenta up to 15 GeV/c are reconstructed in the dimuon decay mode. The rapidity coverage in the centre-of-mass system is 1.5 < y < 4.0 (forward region) and -5.0 < y < -2.5 (backward region). The forward-backward production ratio and the nuclear modification factor for (1S) mesons are determined. The data are compatible with the predictions for a suppression of (1S) production with respect to proton-proton collisions in the forward region, and an enhancement in the backward region. The suppression is found to be smaller than in the case of prompt J/psi mesons.

Abstract: Decays of the form B-s(0) -> J/psi K(s)(0)h(+)h((1)-) (h((1)) = K, pi) are searched for in proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1) recorded with the LHCb detector. The first observation of the B-s(0) -> J/psi (KsK +/-)-K-0 pi(-/+) decay is reported, with significance in excess of 10 standard deviations. The B-0 -> J/psi (KsK+K-)-K-0 decay is also observed for the first time. The branching fraction of B-s(0) -> J/psi K(s)(0)h(+)h((1)-) is determined, to significantly better precision than previous measurements, using B-0 -> J/psi K(s)(0)h(+)h((1)-) as a normalisation channel. Branching fractions and upper limits of the other B-(s)(0) -> J/psi K-s(0)pi(+)pi(-) (s modes are determined relative to that of the B-0 -> J/psi K-s(0)pi(+)pi(-) decay.

Abstract: The supersymmetric contributions to the muon anomalous magnetic moment a and to the decay μ-> e gamma are given by very similar Feynman diagrams. Previous works reported correlations in specific scenarios, in particular if alpha(mu) is dominated by a single diagram. In this work we give an extensive survey of the possible correlations. We discuss examples of single-diagram domination with particularly strong correlations, and provide corresponding benchmark parameter points. We show how the correlations are weakened by significant cancellations between diagrams in large parts of the MSSM parameter space. Nevertheless, the order of magnitude of BR(mu -> e gamma) for a fixed flavor-violating parameter can often be predicted. We summarize the behavior by plotting the correlations as well as resulting bounds on the flavor-violating parameters under various assumptions on the MSSM spectrum.

Abstract: The kinematic dependences of the relative production rates, f(Lambda b)(0)/f(d), of Lambda(0)(b) baryons and B-0 mesons are measured using Lambda(0)(b) -> Lambda(+)(c)pi(-) and (B) over bar (0) -> D+pi(-) decays. The measurements use proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1 fb(-1) at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, recorded in the forward region with the LHCb experiment. The relative production rates are observed to depend on the transverse momentum, pT, and pseudorapidity, eta, of the beauty hadron, in the studied kinematic region 1.5 < pT < 40 GeV/c and 2 < eta < 5. Using a previous LHCb measurement of f(Lambda b)(0)/f(d) in semileptonic decays, the branching fraction B (Lambda(0)(b) -> Lambda(+)(c)pi(-)) = (4.30 +/- 0.03(-0.11)(+0.12)+/- 0.26 +/- 0.21) x 10(-3) is obtained, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, the third is from the previous LHCb measurement of f(Lambda b)(0)/f(d) and the fourth is due to the (B) over bar (0) -> D+pi(-) branching fraction. This is the most precise measurement of a Lambda(0)(b) branching fraction to date.