Abstract: By solving the Muskhelishvili-Omnes integral equations, the scalar form factors of the semileptonic heavy meson decays D -> pi(l) over bar nu(l), D -> (K) over bar(l) over bar nu(l), (K) over bar -> pi(l) over bar nu(l) and (B) over bar (s) -> Kl (nu) over bar (l) are simultaneously studied. As input, we employ unitarized heavy meson-Goldstone boson chiral coupled-channel amplitudes for the energy regions not far from thresholds, while, at high energies, adequate asymptotic conditions are imposed. The scalar form factors are expressed in terms of Omn\`es matrices multiplied by vector polynomials, which contain some undetermined dispersive subtraction constants. We make use of heavy quark and chiral symmetries to constrain these constants, which are fitted to lattice QCD results both in the charm and the bottom sectors, and in this latter sector to the light-cone sum rule predictions close to q(2)=0 as well. We find a good simultaneous description of the scalar form factors for the four semileptonic decay reactions. From this combined fit, and taking advantage that scalar and vector form factors are equal at q(2)=0, we obtain |V-cd| = 0.244 +/- 0.022, |V-cs| = 0.945 +/- 0.041 and |V-ub| = (4.3 +/- 0.7)x10(-3) for the involved Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix elements. In addition, we predict the following vector form factors at q(2) = 0: |f(+)(D ->eta)(0)| = 0.01 +/- 0.05, |f(+)(Ds ->eta)(0)| = 0.50 +/- 0.08, |f(+)(Ds ->eta)(0)| = 0.73 +/- 0.03 and|f(+)((B) over bar ->eta)(0)| = 0.82 +/- 0.08, which might serve as alternatives to determine the CKM elements when experimental measurements of the corresponding differential decay rates become available. Finally, we predict the different form factors above the q(2)-regions accessible in the semileptonic decays, up to moderate energies amenable to be described using the unitarized coupled-channel chiral approach.

Abstract: We discuss the stability of tetraquark systems with two different masses. After some reminders about the stability of very asymmetric QQ (q) over bar(q) over bar tetraquarks, we demonstrate that in the all-heavy limit q -> Q, the system becomes unstable for standard color-additive models. We also analyze the consequences of symmetry breaking for Qq (Q) over bar(q) over bar configurations: we find a kind of metastability between the lowest threshold Q (Q) over bar + q (q) over bar and the highest one, Q (q) over bar + (Q) over barq, and we calculate the width of the resonance. Our results are consistent with the experimental observation of narrow hadrons lying well above their lowest decay threshold.

Abstract: The ratio of branching fractions R(D*(-)) equivalent to B(B-0 -> D*(-) iota(+)v(iota))/B(B-0 -> D*(-) mu+ v(mu)) is measured using a data sample of proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb(-1). For the first time, R(D*-) is determined using the iota-lepton decays with three charged pions in the final state. The B-0 -> D*(-) iota+ v(iota) yield is normalized to that of the B-0 -> D*(-) pi(+) pi(-) pi(+) mode, providing a measurement B-0 -> D*(-) iota+ v(iota) / B(B-0 -> D*(-) pi(+) pi(-) pi(+)) = 1.97 +/- 0.13 +/- 0.18, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The value of (B-0 -> D*(-) iota+ v(iota)) = (1.42 +/- 0.094 +/- 0.129 +/- 0.054)% is obtained, where the third uncertainty is due to the limited knowledge of the branching fraction of the normalization mode. Using the well-measured branching fraction of the B-0 -> D*(-) mu+ v(mu) decay, a value of R(D*(-)) = 0.291 +/- 0.019 +/- 0.026 +/- 0.013 is established, where the third uncertainty is due to the limited knowledge of the branching fractions of the normalization and B-0 -> D*(-) mu+ v(mu) modes. This measurement is in agreement with the standard model prediction and with previous results.

Abstract: We perform calculations for the (B) over bar (0)(s)-> J/psi pi(0)f(0)(980) and (B) over bar (0)(s)-> J/psi pi(0)a(0)(980) reactions, showing that the first is isospin-suppressed while the second is isospin-allowed. The reaction proceeds via a triangle mechanism, with (B) over bar (0)(s)-> J/psi K*(K) over bar +c.c., followed by the decay K*-> K pi and a further fusion of K (K) over bar into the f(0)(980) or a(0)(980). We show that the mechanism develops a singularity around the pi(0)f(0)(980) or pi(0)a(0)(980) invariant mass of 1420 MeV, where the pi(0)f(0) and pi(0)a(0) decay modes are magnified and also the ratio of pi(0)f(0) to pi(0)a(0) production. Using experimental information for the (B) over bar (0)(s)-> J/psi K*(K) over bar +c.c. decay, we are able to obtain absolute values for the reactions studied which fall into the experimentally accessible range. The reactions proposed and the observables evaluated, when contrasted with actual experiments, should be very valuable to obtain information on the nature of the low lying scalar mesons.

Abstract: We propose a model which unifies the Left-Right symmetry with the SU(3)L gauge group, called flipped trinification, and based on the SU(3)(C)circle times SU(3)(L)circle times SU(3)(R)circle times U(1)(x) gauge group. The model inherits the interesting features of both symmetries while elegantly explaining the origin of the matter parity, W-p = ( 1)(3(B-L)+/- 2s), and dark matter stability. We develop the details of the spontaneous symmetry breaking mechanism in the model, determining the relevant mass eigenstates, and showing how neutrino masses are easily generated via the seesaw mechanism. Moreover, we introduce viable dark matter candidates, encompassing a fermion, scalar and possibly vector fields, leading to a potentially novel dark matter phenomenology.