Abstract: To investigate the possible X(5) character of Ba-122, suggested by the ground-state band energy pattern, the lifetimes of the lowest yrast states of Ba-122 have been measured, via the recoil distance Doppler-shift method. The relevant levels have been populated by using the Cd-108(O-16,2n)Ba-122 and the Sn-112(C-13, 3n)Ba-122 reactions. The B(E2) values deduced in the present work are compared to the predictions of the X(5) model and to calculations performed in the framework of the IBA-1 and IBA-2 models.

Abstract: We report the most restrictive direct limits on masses of fourth- generation down- type quarks b0, and quarklike composite fermions (B or T5= 3), decaying promptly to tW -/+. We search for a significant excess of events with two same- charge leptons (e, mu), several hadronic jets, and missing transverse energy. An analysis of data from pp collisions with an integrated luminosity of 2: 7 fb = 1 collected with the CDF II detector at Fermilab yields no evidence for such a signal, setting mass limits mb0, mB > 338 GeV= c2 and mT5= 3 > 365 GeV= c2 at 95% confidence level.

Abstract: We present measurements of the top quark mass using m(T2), a variable related to the transverse mass in events with two missing particles. We use the template method applied to t (t) over bar dilepton events produced in p (p) over bar collisions at Fermilab's Tevatron Collider and collected by the CDF detector. From a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.4 fb(-1), we select 236 t (t) over bar candidate events. Using the m(T2) distribution, we measure the top quark mass to be M-top = 168.0(-4.0)(4.8)(stat) +/- 2.9(syst) GeV/c(2). By combining m(T2) with the reconstructed top quark mass distributions based on a neutrino weighting method, we measure M-top = 169.3 +/- 2.7(stat) +/- 3.2(syst) GeV/c(2). This is the first application of the m(T2) variable in a mass measurement at a hadron collider.

Abstract: Accurate estimates of virus mutation rates are important to understand the evolution of the viruses and to combat them. However, methods of estimation are varied and often complex. Here, we critically review over 40 original studies and establish criteria to facilitate comparative analyses. The mutation rates of 23 viruses are presented as substitutions per nucleotide per cell infection (s/n/c) and corrected for selection bias where necessary, using a new statistical method. The resulting rates range from 10(-8) to 10(-6) s/n/c for DNA viruses and from 10(-6) to 10(-4) s/n/c for RNA viruses. Similar to what has been shown previously for DNA viruses, there appears to be a negative correlation between mutation rate and genome size among RNA viruses, but this result requires further experimental testing. Contrary to some suggestions, the mutation rate of retroviruses is not lower than that of other RNA viruses. We also show that nucleotide substitutions are on average four times more common than insertions/deletions (indels). Finally, we provide estimates of the mutation rate per nucleotide per strand copying, which tends to be lower than that per cell infection because some viruses undergo several rounds of copying per cell, particularly double-stranded DNA viruses. A regularly updated virus mutation rate data set will be available at www.uv.es/rsanjuan/virmut.

Abstract: The ANTARES high-energy neutrino telescope is a three-dimensional array of about 900 photomultipliers distributed over 12 mooring lines installed in the Mediterranean Sea. Between February and November 2007 it acquired data in a 5-line configuration. The zenith angular distribution of the atmospheric muon flux and the associated depth-intensity relation are measured and compared with previous measurements and Monte Carlo expectations. An evaluation of the systematic effects due to uncertainties on environmental and detector parameters is presented.