Search for the lepton number violating decays $B^{+}\to \pi^- \mu^+ \mu^+$ and $B^{+}\to K^- \mu^+ \mu^+$
A search is performed for the lepton number violating decay $B^{+}\to h^- \mu^+ \mu^+$, where $h^-$ represents a $K^-$ or a $\pi^-$, using data from the LHCb detector corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $36pb^{-1}$. The decay is forbidden in the Standard Model but allowed in models with a Majorana neutrino. No signal is observed in either channel and limits of $B(B^{+} \to K^- \mu^+ \mu^+) < 5.4\times 10^{-8}$ and $B(B^{+} \to \pi^- \mu^+ \mu^+) < 5.8\times 10^{-8}$ are set at the 95% confidence level. These improve the previous best limits by factors of 40 and 30, respectively.

title: Measurement of the relative branching fraction of upsilon(4S) to charged and neutral B-meson pairs.
abstract: We analyze 9.7x10(6) B_B pairs recorded with the CLEO detector to determine the production ratio of charged to neutral B-meson pairs produced at the Upsilon(4S) resonance. We measure the rates for B0-->J/psiK((*)0) and B+-->J/psiK((*)+) decays and use the world-average B-meson lifetime ratio to extract the relative widths f(+-) / f(00) = gamma(Upsilon(4S)-->B+B-) / gamma(Upsilon(4S)-->B0 B-0)) = 1.04+/-0.07(stat)+/-0.04(syst). With the assumption that f(+-)+f(00) = 1, we obtain f(00) = 0.49+/-0.02(stat)+/-0.01(syst) and f(+-) = 0.51+/-0.02(stat)+/-0.01(syst). This production ratio and its uncertainty apply to all exclusive B-meson branching fractions measured at the Upsilon(4S) resonance.

title: Precision measurements of the timelike electromagnetic form factors of pion, kaon, and proton.
abstract: Using 20.7 pb(-1) of e(+)e(-) annihilation data taken at sq.rt(r) = 3.671 GeV with the CLEO-c detector, precision measurements of the electromagnetic form factors of the charged pion, charged kaon, and proton have been made for timelike momentum transfer of |Q(2)| = 13.48 GeV(2) by the reaction e(+)e(-) --> h(+)h(-). The measurements are the first ever with identified pions and kaons of |Q(2)| > 4 GeV(2), with the results F(13.48 GeV(2)) = 0.075 +/- 0.008(stat) +/- 0.005(syst) and F(K)(13.48 GeV(2)) = 0.063 +/- 0.004(stat) +/- 0.001(syst). The result for the proton, assuming G(p)(E) = G(p)(M), is G(p)(M)(13.48 GeV(2)) = 0.014 +/- 0.002(stat) +/- 0.001(syst), which is in agreement with earlier results.

title: Performance of the CLEO III LiF-TEA ring imaging Cherenkov detector in a high-energy muon beam
abstract: LiF radiators to generate Cherenkov photons which are then detected by proportional wire chambers using a mixture of CH 4 and TEA gases. The first two photon detector modules which were constructed, were taken to the Fermilab and tested in a beam dump that provided high-momentum muons. We report on results using both plane and “sawtooth”–shaped radiators. Specifically, we discuss the number of photoelectrons observed per ring and the angular resolution. The particle separation ability is shown to be sufficient for the physics of CLEO III.

title: Measurement of B(Upsilon(5S) ---> B(*)(s) anti-B(*)(s)) Using phi Mesons

title: First spatial alignment of the LHCb VELO and analysis of beam absorber collision data
abstract: A first alignment of the LHCb Vertex Locator has been obtained from beam induced tracks at the LHC. A 450 GeV/c protons were collided on a beam absorber during the LHC synchronisation tests of the anti-clockwise beam in August and September 2008. The resulting particle tracks have been reconstructed by the Vertex Locator. This was the first full reconstruction of tracks induced by the LHC beam. The quality of the data obtained is discussed. A total of 2200 tracks were reconstructed from the full data sample, and a first spatial alignment was obtained. The detector is aligned to an accuracy of Slim in the sensor plane. The results confirm that all detector modules have not been displaced from their surveyed positions by more than 10 mm.

title: Search for $B^0_s \to \mu^+ \mu^-$ and $B^0 \to \mu^+ \mu^-$ decays
abstract: A search for the rare decays B_s to mu+ mu- and B^0 to mu^+ mu^- is performed in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, with a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5 inverse femtobarns collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. In both decays, the number of events observed after all selection requirements is consistent with the expectation from background plus standard model signal predictions. The resulting upper limits on the branching fractions are Br(B_s to mu^+ mu^-) < 7.7E-9 and Br(B^0 to mu^+ mu^-) < 1.8E-9 at 95% confidence level.

title: Dynamical supersymmetry breaking in standardlike models with intersecting D6-branes
abstract: We address dynamical supersymmetry breaking within a N=1 supersymmetric Standard-like Model based on a Z_2 x Z_2 Type IIA orientifold with intersecting D6-branes. The model possesses an additional, confining gauge sector with the USp(2)_A x USp(2)_B x USp(4) gauge group, where the gaugino condensation mechanism allows for the breaking of supersymmetry and stabilizes moduli. We derive the leading contribution to the non-perturbative effective superpotential and determine numerically the minima of the supergravity potential. These minima break supersymmetry and fix two undetermined moduli, which in turn completely specify the gauge couplings at the string scale. For this specific construction the minima have a negative cosmological constant. We expect that for other supersymmetric Standard-like models with intersecting D6-branes, which also possess confining gauge sectors, the supersymmetry breaking mechanism would have qualitatively similar features.

title: New interpretation of shape coexistence in Zr-99
abstract: Levels in {sup 99}Zr populated by {beta} decay of on-line mass separated {sup 99}Y have been studied by {gamma}-ray spectroscopic methods, including {gamma}-{gamma} coincidences recorded with an array of ten Ge detectors and level-lifetime measurements. The formerly reported strongly collective character of the 53-keV transition turns out to be questionable. This implies a revision of the experimental evidence for shape coexistence in  Transition rates and {gamma}-ray branching ratios make a new level at 679 keV with t{sub 1/2}=9 ns another candidate for a deformed state.

title: Search for signatures of extra dimensions in the diphoton mass spectrum at the large hadron collider.
abstract: A search for signatures of extra spatial dimensions in the diphoton invariant-mass spectrum has been performed with the CMS detector at the LHC. No excess of events above the standard model expectation is observed using a data sample collected in proton-proton collisions at √s=7 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.2 fb(-1). In the context of the large-extra-dimensions model, lower limits are set on the effective Planck scale in the range of 2.3-3.8 TeV at the 95% confidence level. These limits are the most restrictive bounds on virtual-graviton exchange to date. The most restrictive lower limits to date are also set on the mass of the first graviton excitation in the Randall-Sundrum model in the range of 0.86-1.84 TeV, for values of the associated coupling parameter between 0.01 and 0.10.

title: Toward a Unified Model for the “Diffuse Ionized Medium” in Normal and Starburst Galaxies
abstract: The "diffuse ionized medium" (DIM) makes up a significant fraction of the mass and ionization requirements of the interstellar medium of the Milky Way and is now known to be an energetically significant component in most normal star-forming galaxies. Observations of the ionized gas in starburst galaxies have revealed the presence of gas with striking similarities to the DIM in normal galaxies: relatively low surface brightness and strong emission from low-ionization forbidden lines like [S II] λλ6716, 6731. In this paper we analyze Hα images and long-slit spectra of samples of normal and starburst galaxies to better understand the nature of this diffuse, low surface brightness gas. We find that in both samples there is a strong inverse correlation between the Hα surface brightness (ΣHα) and the [S II]/Hα line ratio at a given location in the galaxy. However, the correlation for the starbursts is offset brightward by an order of magnitude in Hα surface brightness at a given line ratio. In contrast, we find that all the galaxies (starburst and normal alike) define a universal relation between line ratio and the relative Hα surface brightness (ΣHα/Σe, where Σe is the mean Hα surface brightness within the galaxy half-light radius). We show that such a universal correlation is a natural outcome of a model in which the DIM is photoionized gas that has a characteristic thermal pressure (P) that is proportional to the mean rate of star formation per unit area in the galaxy (ΣSFR). Good quantitative agreement with the data follows if we require the constant of proportionality to be consistent with the values of P and ΣSFR in the local disk of the Milky Way. Such a scaling between P and ΣSFR may arise either because feedback from massive stars heats the ISM or because ΣSFR is determined (or limited) by the mean gas pressure.