Abstract: We study the process J/Psi -> gamma phi omega, measured by the BES experiment, where a neat peak close to the phi omega threshold is observed and is associated to a scalar meson resonance around 1800 MeV. We make the observation that a scalar resonance coupling to phi omega unavoidably couples strongly to K (K) over bar, but no trace of a peak is seen in the K (K) over bar spectrum of the J/Psi -> gamma K (K) over bar at this energy. This serves us to rule out the interpretation of the observed peak as a signal of a new resonance. After this is done, a thorough study is performed on the production of a pair of vector mesons and how its interaction leads necessarily to a peak in the J/Psi -> gamma phi omega reaction close to the phi omega threshold, due to the dynamical generation of the f(0)(1710) resonance by the vector-vector interaction. We then show that both the shape obtained for the phi omega mass distribution, as well as the strength are naturally reproduced by this mechanism. The work also explains why the phi omega peak is observed in the BES experiment and not in other reactions, like B-+/- -> K-+/-phi omega of Belle.

Abstract: Nuclear reactions where an exotic nucleus captures a neutron are critical for a wide variety of applications, from energy production and national security, to astrophysical processes, and nucleosynthesis. Neutron capture rates are well constrained near stable isotopes where experimental data are available; however, moving far from the valley of stability, uncertainties grow by orders of magnitude. This is due to the complete lack of experimental constraints, as the direct measurement of a neutron-capture reaction on a short-lived nucleus is extremely challenging. Here, we report on the first experimental extraction of a neutron capture reaction rate on Ni-69, a nucleus that is five neutrons away from the last stable isotope of Ni. The implications of this measurement on nucleosynthesis around mass 70 are discussed, and the impact of similar future measurements on the understanding of the origin of the heavy elements in the cosmos is presented.

Abstract: We investigate a consistent scenario of time-varying neutrino masses, and discuss its impact on cosmology, beta decay, and neutrino oscillation experiments. Such time-varying masses are assumed to be generated by the coupling between a sterile neutrino and an ultralight scalar field, which in turn affects the light neutrinos by mixing. We demonstrate how various cosmological bounds, such as those coming from big bang nucleosynthesis, the cosmic microwave background, as well as large scale structures, can be evaded in this model. This scenario can be further constrained using multiple terrestrial experiments. In particular, for beta-decay experiments like KATRIN, nontrivial distortions to the electron spectrum can be induced, even when time-variation is fast and it gets averaged. Furthermore, the presence of time-varying masses of sterile neutrinos will alter the interpretation of light sterile neutrino parameter space in the context of the reactor and gallium anomalies. In addition, we also study the impact of such time-varying neutrino masses on results from the BEST collaboration, which have recently strengthened the gallium anomaly. If confirmed, we find that the time-varying neutrino mass hypothesis could give a better fit to the recent BEST data.

Abstract: We study the D-s(+)-> pi(+) pi(+) pi(-) and D-s(+) -> pi(+) K+ K- decays adopting a mechanism in which the D-s(+) meson decays weakly into a pi+ and a q (q) over bar component, which hadronizes into two pseudoscalar mesons. The final state interaction between these two pseudoscalar mesons is taken into account by using the chiral unitary approach in coupled channels, which gives rise to the f(0)(980) resonance. Hence, we obtain the invariant mass distributions of the pairs pi(+) pi(-) and K+ K- after the decay of that resonance and compare our theoretical amplitudes with those available from the experimental data. Our results are in a fair agreement with the shape of these data, within large experimental uncertainty, and a f(0)(980) signal is seen in both the pi(+) pi(-) and K+ K- distributions. Predictions for the relative size of pi(+) pi(-) and K+ K- distributions are made.

Abstract: We study here the interaction of D (D) over bar* in the isospin I = 1 channel in light of recent theoretical advances that allow us to combine elements of the local hidden gauge approach with heavy quark spin symmetry. We find that the exchange of light q (q) over bar is Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka (OZI) suppressed and thus we concentrate on the exchange of heavy vectors and of two pion exchange. The latter is found to be small compared to the exchange of heavy vectors, which then determines the strength of the interaction. A barely D (D) over bar* bound state decaying into eta(c)rho and pi J/psi is found. At the same time we reanalyze the data of the BESIII experiment on e(+)e(-) -> pi(+/-)(D (D) over bar*)(-/+), from where a Z(c)(3885) state was claimed, associated to a peak in the (D (D) over bar*)(-/+) invariant mass distribution close to threshold, and we find the data compatible with a resonance with mass around 3875 MeV and width around 30 MeV. We discuss the possibility that this and the Z(c)(3900) state found at BESIII, reconfirmed at 3894 MeV at Belle, or 3885 MeV at CLEO, could all be the same state and correspond to the one that we find theoretically.