Study of semileptonic and nonleptonic decays of the Bc−B_c^- meson

We evaluate semileptonic and two--meson nonleptonic decays of the $B_c^-$ meson in the framework of a nonrelativistic quark model. The former are done in spectator approximation using one--body current operators at the quark level. Our model reproduces the constraints of heavy quark spin symmetry obtained in the limit of infinite heavy quark mass. For the two--meson nonleptonic decays we work in factorization approximation. We compare our results to the ones obtained in different relativistic approaches.Comment: Talk given at the IVth International Conference on Quarks an Nuclear Physics, Madrid, June 5th-10th 200

Strong one-pion decay of Σc\Sigma_c, Σc∗\Sigma_c^* and Ξc∗\Xi_c^*

Working in the framework of a nonrelativistic quark model we evaluate the widths for the strong one-pion decays $\Sigma_c\to\Lambda_c \pi$, $\Sigma_c^*\to\Lambda_c \pi$ and $\Xi_c^{*}\to\Xi_c \pi$. We take advantage of the constraints imposed by heavy quark symmetry to solve the three-body problem by means of a simple variational ansatz. We use partial conservation of the axial current hypothesis to get the strong vertices from weak axial current matrix elements. Our results are in good agreement with experimental data.Comment: 3 latex pages. Contribution to the Proceedings of the Quark Confinement and the Hadron Spectrum VII Conference (QCHS7) Ponta Delgada (PT) Sept 2-7, 200

Quark model study of the semileptonic B -> pi decay

The semileptonic decay B->pi is studied starting from a simple quark model and taking into account the effect of the B* resonance. A novel, multiply subtracted, Omn\`es dispersion relation has been implemented to extend the predictions of the quark model to all physical q^2 values. We find |V_{ub}|=0.0034 +/- 0.0003(exp.)+/- 0.0007(theory), in good agreement with experiment.Comment: Three pages, two figures. To appear in the proceedings of Quark Confinament and Hadron Spectrum VII. Azores, September 200

First-principles investigation of graphene fluoride and graphane

Different stoichiometric configurations of graphane and graphene fluoride are investigated within density functional theory. Their structural and electronic properties are compared, and we indicate the similarities and differences among the various configurations. Large differences between graphane and graphene fluoride are found that are caused by the presence of charges on the fluorine atoms. A new configuration that is more stable than the boat configuration is predicted for graphene fluoride. We also perform GW calculations for the electronic band gap of both graphene derivatives. These band gaps and also the calculated Young's moduli are at variance with available experimental data. This might indicate that the experimental samples contain a large number of defects or are only partially covered with H or F.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, submitted to PR

Production of Two Pions Induced by Neutrinos

We study the threshold production of two pions induced by neutrinos in nucleon targets. The contribution of nucleon pole, pion and contact terms is calculated using a chiral Lagrangian. The contribution of the Roper resonance, neglected in earlier studies, has also been taken into account.Comment: Contribution to the proceedings of Chiral07, RCNP, Osaka, Japan. Corrected version because of problems on some pdf viewer

Semileptonic bc to cc and bb to bc baryon decays and heavy quark spin symmetry

We study the semileptonic decays of the lowest-lying be baryons to the lowest-lying cc baryons (Xi((t*))(bc) -> Xi((*))(cc) and Omega((t*))(bc) -> Omega((*))(cc)), in the limit mb, m(c) >> Lambda(QCD) and close to the zero recoil point The separate heavy quark spin symmetries make it possible to describe all these decays using a single form factor We also show how these constraints can be used to test the validity of different quark model calculations bb to bc baryon decays are also discussed

Coherent Neutrino Scattering

We present a microscopic model for coherent pion production off nuclei induced by neutrinos. This model is built upon a model for single nucleon processes that goes beyond the usual Delta dominance by including non resonant background contributions. We include nuclear medium effects: medium corrections to Delta$ properties and outgoing pion absortion via an optical potential. This results in major modifications to cross sections for low energy experiments when compared with phenomenological models like Rein-Sehgal's.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Contribution to the proceedings of 45th Winter School in Theoretical Physics 'Neutrino Interactions: from Theory to Monte Carlo Simulations', Ladek-Zdroj, Poland, Feb. 200

Ornamental plants and the production of nature(s) in the Spanish real estate boom and bust: the case of Alicante

The Spanish real estate boom and bust of the 2000s caused immense economic, social, and environmental changes across the country. Massive urbanization, however, does not necessarily entail the end of nature and natural processes, instead marking a radical transformation of environments and societies. Through a political ecology approach, we analyze how ornamental species have become a fundamental part of new natures induced by urbanization in the Spanish province of Alicante. We connect the economic and ecological characteristics of ornamental plants like the palm tree to urbanization and real estate trends in Alicante. Our evidence indicates that, in Alicante, economic recession and environmental crises (manifested in the pests affecting palm trees) have mutually reinforced one other, creating a new geography of ecological desolation in many areas.Financial support for this research was provided by the Spanish CICYT under grants [grant number CSO2009-12772-03-01], [grant number CSO2009-12772-03-03]