Abstract: We consider the space-time metric generated by a global monopole in an extension of general relativity (GR) of the form f(R) = R – lambda R-2. The theory is formulated in the metric-affine (or Palatini) formalism, and exact analytical solutions are obtained. For lambda < 0, one finds that the solution has the same characteristics as the Schwarzschild black hole with a monopole charge in Einstein's GR. For lambda > 0, instead, the metric is more closely related to the Reissner-Nordstrom metric with a monopole charge and, in addition, it possesses a wormhole-like structure that allows for the geodesic completeness of the spacetime. Our solution recovers the expected limits when lambda = 0 and also at the asymptotic far limit. The angular deflection of light in this space-time in the weak field regime is also calculated.

Abstract: The production of B+, B-0 and Lambda(0)(b), hadrons is studied in proton-lead collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of root(NN)-N-s T = 8.16 TeV recorded with the LHCb detector at the LHC. The measurement uses a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 12.2 +/- 0.3 nb(-1) for the case where the proton beam is projected into the LHCb detector (corresponding to measuring hadron production at positive rapidity) and 18.6 +/- 0.5 nb(-1) for the lead beam projected into the LHCb detector (corresponding to measuring hadron production at negative rapidity). Double-differential cross sections are measured and used to determine forward-backward ratios and nuclear modification factors, which directly probe nuclear effects in the production of beauty hadrons. The double-differential cross sections are measured as a function of the beauty-hadron transverse momentum and rapidity in the nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass frame. Forward-to-backward cross section ratios and nuclear modification factors indicate a significant nuclear suppression at positive rapidity. The ratio of Lambda(0)(b), over B-0 production cross sections is reported and is consistent with the corresponding measurement in pp collisions.

Abstract: The first measurement of the production rate of Xi(-)(b) baryons in pp collisions relative to that of Lambda(0 )(b)baryons is reported, using data samples collected by the LHCb experiment, and corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1, 2 and 1.6 fb(-1) at root s = 7, 8 and 13 TeV, respectively. In the kinematic region 2 < eta < 6 and p(T) < 20 GeV/c, we measure f(Xi b-)/f(Lambda b0) B(Xi(-)(b)-> J/psi Xi(-))/B(Lambda(0)(b)-> J/psi Lambda)= (10.8 +/- 0.9 +/- 0.8) x 10(-2) [root s = 7,8 TeV], f(Xi b-)/f(Lambda b0) B(Xi(-)(b)-> J/psi Xi(-))/B(Lambda(0)(b)-> J/psi Lambda) =(13.1 +/- 1.1 +/- 1.0) x 10(-2) [root s = 13 TeV], where and f(Xi b-) and f(Lambda)(b0) the fragmentation fractions of b quarks into Xi(-)(b) and Lambda(0)(b) baryons, respectively; B represents branching fractions; and the uncertainties are due to statistical and experimental systematic sources. The values of f(Xi b-)/f(Lambda b0) are obtained by invoking SU(3) symmetry in the Xi(-)(b)-> J/psi Xi(-) and Lambda(0)(b)-> J/psi Lambda decays. Production asymmetries between Xi(-)(b) and (Xi) over bar (+)(b) baryons are also reported. The mass of the Xi(-)(b) baryon is also measured relative to that of the Lambda(0)(b) baryon, from which it is found that m(Xi(-)(b)) = 5796.70 +/- 0.39 +/- 0.15 +/- 0.17 MeV/c(2), where the last uncertainty is due to the precision on the known Lambda(0)(b) mass. This result represents the most precise determination of the Xi(-)(b) mass.