L.O.V.E. is the Answer: The Movie

The presenter will show a 60-minute, condensed version of their film, “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. Is The Answer,” followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer of the L.O.V.E. Is The Answer principles that make up the foundation of the film

Implications of the CP asymmetry in semileptonic B decay

Recent experimental searches for $A_{SL}$, the CP asymmetry in semileptonic B decay, have reached an accuracy of order one percent. Consequently, they give meaningful constraints on new physics. We find that cancellations between the Standard Model (SM) and new physics contributions to $B^0 - \bar B^0$ mixing cannot be as strong as was allowed prior to these measurements. The predictions for this asymmetry within the SM and within models of minimal flavor violation (MFV) are below the reach of present and near future measurements. Including order $m_c^2/m_b^2$ and $\Lambda_{QCD}/m_b$ corrections we obtain the SM prediction: $-1.3 \times 10^{-3} < A_{SL} < -0.5 \times 10^{-3}$. Future measurements can exclude not only the SM, but MFV as well, if the sign of the asymmetry is opposite to the SM or if it is same-sign but much enhanced. We also comment on the CP asymmetry in semileptonic $B_s$ decay, and update the range of the angle $\beta_s$ in the SM: $0.026 < \sin2\beta_s < 0.048$.Comment: 16 pages, a sign typo in eq.(11) fixed, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Implications of the Top Quark Mass Measurement for the CKM Parameters, xsx_s and CP Asymmetries

Motivated by the recent determination of the top quark mass by the CDF collaboration, \mt =174 \pm 10 ^{+13}_{-12} GeV, we review and update the constraints on the parameters of the quark flavour mixing matrix $V_{CKM}$ in the standard model. In performing our fits, we use inputs from the measurements of the following quantities: (i) \abseps, the CP-violating parameter in $K$ decays, (ii) \delmd, the mass difference due to the \bdbdbar\ mixing, (iii) the matrix elements \absvcb and \absvub, and (iv) $B$-hadron lifetimes. We find that the allowed region of the unitarity triangle is very large, mostly due to theoretical uncertainties. (This emphasizes the importance of measurements of CP-violating rate asymmetries in the $B$ system.) Nevertheless, the present data do somewhat restrict the allowed values of the coupling constant product $f_{B_d}\sqrt{\hat{B}_{B_d}}$ and the renormalization-scale invariant bag constant $\hat{B}_K$. With the updated CKM matrix we present the currently-allowed range of the ratio $\vert V_{td}/V_{ts} \vert$, as well as the standard model predictions for the \bsbsbar\ mixing parameter \xs and the quantities $\sin 2\alpha$, $\sin 2\beta$ and $\sin^2\gamma$, which characterize the CP-asymmetries in $B$-decays. The ALEPH collaboration has recently reported a significant improvement on the lower limit on the \bs-\bsb mass difference, $\Delta M_s/\Delta M_d > 11.3$ (95\% C.L.). This has interesting consequences for the CKM parameters which are also worked out. NOTE: this is a revised and updated version of our previous paper.Comment: LaTeX, 27 pages, 16 uuencoded figures (enclosed), CERN-TH.7398/94, UdeM-GPP-TH-94-0

An insight into the brand-conscious Saudi generation of ‘drifters’

The underground pastime of drifting, (which takes its name from the intentional skidding and spinning of cars down freeways and in car parks), has achieved cult-status amongst Saudi youth. So much so, that a whole sub-culture has germinated from a petri dish nourished by: creativity, collective individualism, rebellion, and surrogate cultural hybridization. Its effects can be observed in musical tastes, fashion, slang, brand choices and most notably through user generated content and message forums. The following paper offers an insight into the mindset of those involved in these activities, arguing that they represent a distinct homogenous consumer segment. Secondly, that they seek a type of achievement motivation which encourages participation and brand consumption – as part of a quest for authenticity and global acceptance. Authenticity is a complicated construct, which also includes battling Socio-Religious stereotypes, held by others. Data was collected using three types of participation observation method and in-depth interviews

The exclusive B_s -> phi mu+ mu- process in a constituent quark model

We consider the exclusive B_s -> phi mu+ mu- process in the standard model using a constituent quark loop model approach together with a simple parameterization of the quark dynamics. The model allows to compute the decay form factors and therefore can give predictions for the decay rates, the invariant mass spectra and the asymmetries. This process is suppressed in the standard model but can be enhanced if new physics beyond the standard model is present, such as flavor-violating supersymmetric models. It constitutes therefore an interesting precision test of the standard model at forthcoming experiments.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures, 5 tables, LaTeX; minor changes to the introduction, table III and figure 3. Few references adde

Two-loop matching of the dipole operators for b→sγb \to s \gamma and b→sgluonb \to s gluon

The order $\alpha_s$ corrections to the Wilson coefficients of the dipole operators ($O_7,O_8$) at the matching scale $\mu =m_W$ are a crucial ingredient for a complete next- to-leading logarithmic calculation of the branching ratio for $b \to s \gamma$. Given the phenomenological relevance and the fact that this two-loop calculation has been done so far only by one group [1], we present a detailed re-calculation using a different method. Our results are in complete agreement with those in ref. [1].Comment: 24 pages, latex, 6 figures include

The 2004 UTfit Collaboration Report on the Status of the Unitarity Triangle in the Standard Model

Using the latest determinations of several theoretical and experimental parameters, we update the Unitarity Triangle analysis in the Standard Model. The basic experimental constraints come from the measurements of |V_ub/V_cb|, Delta M_d, the lower limit on Delta M_s, epsilon_k, and the measurement of the phase of the B_d - anti B_d mixing amplitude through the time-dependent CP asymmetry in B^0 to J/psi K^0 decays. In addition, we consider the direct determination of alpha, gamma, 2 beta + gamma and cos(2 beta) from the measurements of new CP-violating quantities, recently performed at the B factories. We also discuss the opportunities offered by improving the precision of the various physical quantities entering in the determination of the Unitarity Triangle parameters. The results and the plots presented in this paper can also be found at http://www.utfit.org, where they are continuously updated with the newest experimental and theoretical results.Comment: 32 pages, 17 figures. High resolution figures and updates can be found at http://www.utfit.org v2: misprints correcte