B0 anti-B0 mixing beyond factorization
We present a calculation of the B°-B° mixing matrix element in the framework of QCD sum rules for three-point functions. We compute α s corrections to a three-point function at the three-loop level in QCD perturbation theory, which allows one to extract the matrix element with next-to-leading order (NLO) accuracy. This calculation is imperative for a consistent evaluation of experimentally measured mixing parameters since the coefficient functions of the effective Hamiltonian for B 0 -B 0 mixing are known at NLO. We find that radiative corrections violate factorization at NLO; this violation is under full control and amounts to 10%. The resulting value of the B parameter is found to be B B (m b ) = 1 + 0.1 P T - 0.05 n o n - P T .

title: Charm Phenomenology for CKM Parameters
abstract: We review several key aspects of charm phenomenology which are important for the general program of determination of matrix elements of the Cabbibo-Kobayashi-Maskava (CKM) matrix. We argue that charm physics plays an important role in reducing uncertainties in non-perturbative QCD parameters whose values are required for understanding of underlying quark-level processes. We also review the current status of searches for new physics in mixing and CP violation in charmed mesons both at the currently operating and proposed facilities.

title: Is B-->Xs gamma equal to b-->s gamma ? Spectator contributions to rare inclusive B decays.
abstract: In $B \to X_s \gamma $ there are perturbative $QCD$ corrections at order $\alpha_s$ not only to the single quark line process $ b \to s \gamma$ but also coming from a set of diagrams where the weak interaction vertex involves a gluon which interacts with the spectator quark in the B hadron. We discuss the impact of the full set of these diagrams. These can influence the decay rate and also the line shape of the photon spectrum as they favor a softer photon energy than does the pure spectator decay $b \to s \gamma$. A subset of these diagrams generate differences in the decay rates for charged and neutral B's , $B^+ \to X_s \gamma$ vs. $B^0 \to X_s \gamma$ which can be searched for experimentally, although our calculation indicates that the effect will be hard to observe. Bound state effects turn out to be required to give rise to spectator corrections to the decay rate at order $\alpha_s$. The resulting contribution to the total rate is rather small (of about $5 \% $ ), although the effect is somewhat larger on portions of the photon spectrum.

title: X(3872) in effective field theory
abstract: We consider the implications from the possibility that the recently observed state X(3872) is a meson‐antimeson molecule. We write an effective Lagrangian consistent with the heavy‐quark and chiral symmetries needed to describe X(3872) and study its properties.

title: Higgs sector of the left-right model with explicit CP violation
abstract: We explore the Higgs sector of the Minimal Left-Right (LR) Model based on the gauge group $SU(2{)}_{L}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2{)}_{R}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1{)}_{B\ensuremath{-}L}$ with explicit $CP$ violation in the Higgs potential. Since flavour-changing neutral current experiments and the small scale of neutrino masses both place stringent constraints on the Higgs potential, we seek to determine whether minima of the Higgs potential exist that are consistent with current experimental bounds. We focus on the case in which the right-handed symmetry-breaking scale is only moderately large, of order 15\char21{}50 TeV. Unlike the case in which the Higgs potential is $CP$-invariant, the $CP$ noninvariant case does yield viable scenarios, although these require a small amount of fine-tuning. We consider a LR model supplemented by an additional $U(1)$ horizontal symmetry, which results in a Higgs sector consistent with current experimental constraints and a realistic spectrum of neutrino masses.

title: CHARM MIXING IN THE STANDARD MODEL AND BEYOND
abstract: Quantum mechanical meson-antimeson oscillations are sensitive to heavy degrees of freedom which propagate in the underlying mixing amplitudes. Comparing observed meson mixing with predictions of the Standard Model (SM), modern experimental studies would be able to constrain models of New Physics (NP). Yet, extensive precission data from B-factories and the Tevatron collider show that the large SM mixing succesfully describes all available experimental data in Bd and Bs oscillations. The only flavor oscillation not yet observed is that of the charmed meson D, where SM mixing is very small and the NP component can stand out. This situation is an exact opposite to what happens in the B system, where B − B0 mixing measurements are used to constrain top quark couplings. Together with the one loop Standard Model effects NP effects can contribute to ∆C = 1 (decays) or ∆C = 2 (mixing) transitions. In the case of D −D0 mixing these operators generate contributions to the effective operators that change D state into D0 state, leading to the mass eigenstates |D1,2〉 = p|D〉 ± q|D〉, (1)

title: On the effective potential in higher-derivatives superfield theories
abstract: We study the one-loop quantum corrections for higher-derivative superfield theories, generalizing the approach for calculating the superfield effective potential. In particular, we calculate the effective potential for two versions of higher-derivative chiral superfield models. We point out that the equivalence of the higher-derivative theory for the chiral superfield and the one without higher derivatives but with an extended number of chiral superfields occurs only when the mass term is contained in the general Lagrangian. The presence of divergences can be taken as an indication of that equivalence.

title: Gödel-type universes and chronology protection in Hořava–Lifshitz gravity
abstract: In the attempts toward a quantum gravity theory, general relativity faces a serious difficulty since it is non-renormalizable theory. Hořava–Lifshitz gravity offers a framework to circumvent this difficulty, by sacrificing the local Lorentz invariance at ultra-high energy scales in exchange of power-counting renormalizability. The Lorentz symmetry is expected to be recovered at low and medium energy scales. If gravitation is to be described by a Hořava–Lifshitz gravity theory there are a number of issues that ought to be reexamined in its context, including the question as to whether this gravity incorporates a chronology protection, or particularly if it allows Godel-type solutions with violation of causality. We show that Hořava–Lifshitz gravity only allows hyperbolic Godel-type space-times whose essential parameters m and ω are in the chronology respecting intervals, excluding therefore any noncausal Godel-type space-times in the hyperbolic class. There emerges from our results that the famous noncausal Godel model is not allowed in Hořava–Lifshitz gravity. The question as to whether this quantum gravity theory permits hyperbolic Godel-type solutions in the chronology preserving interval of the essential parameters is also examined. We show that Hořava–Lifshitz gravity not only excludes the noncausal Godel universe, but also rules out any hyperbolic Godel-type solutions for physically well-motivated perfect-fluid matter content.

title: Horava-Lifshitz gravity and Godel Universe
abstract: We prove the consistency of the G\"{o}del metric with the Horava-Lifshitz gravity whose action involves terms with z=1, z=2 and z=3. We show that, for different relations between the parameters of the theory, this consistency is achieved for different classes of matter, in particular, for the small cosmological constant it is achieved only for the exotic matter, that is, ghosts or phantom matter.

title: Aharonov-Bohm effect on noncommutative plane: A Coherent state approach
abstract: We formulate in a systematic manner the coherent state approach and apply it to study Aharonov–Bohm effect in the field theory context. Within this approach, we verify that the scattering amplitude is ultraviolet finite. Also, we prove that introduction of a quartic self-interaction for the scalar field allows to obtain a smooth commutative limit.

title: Four-dimensional aether-like Lorentz-breaking QED revisited and problem of ambiguities
abstract: In this paper, we consider the perturbative generation of the CPT-even aether-like Lorentz-breaking term in the extended Lorentz-breaking QED within different approaches and discuss its ambiguities.