A search for B0(s)→K0SK∗(892)0 decays is performed using pp collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb−1, collected with the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 ...TeV. The B0s→K0SK∗(892)0 decay is observed for the first time, with a significance of 7.1 standard deviations. The branching fraction is measured to beB(B0s→K0SK∗(892)0)=(10.9±2.5±1.2)×10−6,where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. No evidence is found for the decay B0→K0SK∗(892)0 and an upper limit is set on the branching fraction, B(B0→K0SK∗(892)0)<0.64 ×10−6, at 90% confidence level. All results are consistent with Standard Model predictions.
The hadronic final states observed with the ALEPH detector at LEP in e+e- annihilation are analysed using 730 pb-1 of data collected between 91 and 209 GeV in the framework of QCD. In particular ...event-shape variables and inclusive charged particle spectra are measured. The energy evolution of quantities derived from these measurements is compared to analytic QCD predictions. The mean charged particle multiplicity, the charged particle momentum spectrum and its peak position are compared to predictions of the modified-leading-logarithmic approximation. The strong coupling constant alpha_s is determined from a fit of the QCD prediction to distributions of six event-shape variables at eight centre-of-mass energies. A study of non-perturbative power law corrections is presented
The first observation of the B0s→D¯0K0S decay mode and evidence for the B0s→D¯∗0K0S decay mode are reported. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb−1 collected in pp ...collisions by LHCb at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The branching fractions are measured to beB(B0s→D¯0K¯0)B(B0s→D¯∗0K¯0)=(4.3±0.5(stat)±0.3(syst)±0.3(frag)±0.6(norm))×10−4,=(2.8±1.0(stat)±0.3(syst)±0.2(frag)±0.4(norm))×10−4,where the uncertainties are due to contributions coming from statistical precision, systematic effects, and the precision of two external inputs, the ratio fs/fd and the branching fraction of B0→D¯0K0S, which is used as a calibration channel.
A binned Dalitz plot analysis of the decays B0→DK∗0, with D→K0Sπ+π− and K0SK+K−, is performed to measure the observables x± and y±, which are related to the CKM angle γ and the hadronic parameters of ...the decays. The D decay strong phase variation over the Dalitz plot is taken from measurements performed at the CLEO-c experiment, making the analysis independent of the D decay model. With a sample of proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0fb−1, collected by the LHCb experiment, the values of the CP violation parameters are found to be x+=0.05±0.35±0.02, x−=−0.31±0.20±0.04, y+=−0.81±0.28±0.06 and y−=0.31±0.21±0.05, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. These observables correspond to values γ = (71±20)∘, rB0=0.56±0.17 and δB0=(204+21−20)∘. The parameters rB0 and δB0 are the magnitude ratio and strong phase difference between the suppressed and favoured B0 decay amplitudes, and have been measured in a region of ±50 MeV/c2 around the K∗(892)0 mass and with the magnitude of the cosine of the K∗(892)0 helicity angle larger than 0.4.
We perform a search for near-threshold Ξ0b resonances decaying to Ξ−bπ+ in a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb−1 collected by the LHCb ...experiment. We observe one resonant state, with the following properties:m(Ξ∗0b)−m(Ξ−b)−m(π+)=15.727±0.068(stat)±0.023(syst)MeV/c2,Γ(Ξ∗0b)=0.90±0.16(stat)±0.08(syst)MeV.This confirms the previous observation by the CMS collaboration. The state is consistent with the JP=3/2+ Ξ∗0b resonance expected in the quark model. This is the most precise determination of the mass and the first measurement of the natural width of this state. We have also measured the ratioσ(pp→Ξ∗0bX)B(Ξ∗0b→Ξ−bπ+)σ(pp→Ξ−bX)=0.27±0.03(stat)±0.01(syst).
A search is performed for the charmless three-body decays of the Λ0b and Ξ0b baryons to the final states Λh+h′−, where h(′)=π or K. The analysis is based on a data sample, corresponding to an ...integrated luminosity of 3fb−1 of pp collisions, collected by the LHCb experiment. The Λ0b→ΛK+π− and Λ0b→ΛK+K− decays are observed for the first time and their branching fractions and CP asymmetry parameters are measured. Evidence is seen for the Λ0b→Λπ+π− decay and limits are set on the branching fractions of Ξ0b baryon decays to the Λh+h′− final states.
The decay B¯¯¯0s→ψ(2S)K+π− is observed using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0fb−1 collected by the LHCb experiment in pp collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 ...TeV. The branching fraction relative to the B0→ψ(2S)K+π− decay mode is measured to beB(B¯¯¯0s→ψ(2S)K+π−)B(B0→ψ(2S)K+π−)=5.38±0.36(stat)±0.22(syst)±0.31(fs/fd)%,where fs/fd indicates the uncertainty due to the ratio of probabilities for a b quark to hadronise into a B0s or B0 meson. Using an amplitude analysis, the fraction of decays proceeding via an intermediate K∗(892)0 meson is measured to be 0.645±0.049(stat)±0.049(syst) and its longitudinal polarisation fraction is 0.524±0.056(stat)±0.029(syst). The relative branching fraction for this component is determined to beB(B¯¯¯0s→ψ(2S)K∗(892)0)B(B0→ψ(2S)K∗(892)0)=5.58±0.57(stat)±0.40(syst)±0.32(fs/fd)%.In addition, the mass splitting between the B0s and B0 mesons is measured asM(B0s)−M(B0)=87.45±0.44(stat)±0.07(syst)MeV/c2.
Summary
Illegal bushmeat traffic is an important threat to biodiversity conservation of several endangered species and may contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases in humans. The ...hunting, manipulation and consumption of wildlife‐based products, especially those of primate origin, may be a threat to human health; however, few studies have investigated the role of bushmeat trade and consumption as a potential source of human infections to date. In this study, we report the screening of viral pathogens in African simian game seized by French customs at Toulouse Blagnac Airport. Epifluorescence microscopy revealed the presence of virus‐like particles in the samples, and further metagenomic sequencing of the DNA and RNA viromes confirmed the presence of sequences related to the Siphoviridae, Myoviridae and Podoviridae bacteriophage families; some of them infecting bacterial hosts that could be potentially pathogenic for humans. To increase the sensitivity of detection, twelve pan‐generic PCRs targeting several viral zoonoses were performed, but no positive signal was detected. A large‐scale inventory of bacteria, viruses and parasites is urgently needed to globally assess the risk for human health of the trade, manipulation and consumption of wildlife‐related bushmeat.
Measurements are presented of electroweak boson production using data from pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of s√=8TeV. The analysis is based on an integrated luminosity of 2.0fb−1 recorded ...with the LHCb detector. The bosons are identified in the W→μν and Z→μ+μ− decay channels. The cross-sections are measured for muons in the pseudorapidity range 2.0<η<4.5, with transverse momenta pT>20GeV/c and, in the case of the Z boson, a dimuon mass within 60<Mμ+μ−<120GeV/c2. The results areσW+→μ+νσW−→μ−ν¯σZ→μ+μ−=1093.6±2.1±7.2±10.9±12.7pb,=818.4±1.9±5.0±7.0±9.5pb,=95.0±0.3±0.7±1.1±1.1pb,where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second are systematic, the third are due to the knowledge of the LHC beam energy and the fourth are due to the luminosity determination. The evolution of the W and Z boson cross-sections with centre-of-mass energy is studied using previously reported measurements with 1.0fb−1 of data at 7TeV. Differential distributions are also presented. Results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions at next-to-next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics.
The branching fraction ratio R(D∗)≡B(B¯¯¯0→D∗+τ−ν¯τ)/B(B¯¯¯0→D∗+μ−ν¯μ) is measured using a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to 3.0\invfb of integrated luminosity recorded by the ...LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The tau lepton is identified in the decay mode τ−→μ−ν¯μντ. The semitauonic decay is sensitive to contributions from non-Standard-Model particles that preferentially couple to the third generation of fermions, in particular Higgs-like charged scalars. A multidimensional fit to kinematic distributions of the candidate B¯¯¯0 decays gives R(D∗)=0.336±0.027(stat)±0.030(syst). This result, which is the first measurement of this quantity at a hadron collider, is 2.1 standard deviations larger than the value expected from lepton universality in the Standard Model.