Evidence for a new resonance and search for the Y(4140) in γγ→ϕJ/ψ\gamma \gamma \to \phi J/\psi

The process \gamma \gamma \to \phi \jpsi is measured for \phi \jpsi masses between threshold and 5 GeV/${\it c}^2$, using a data sample of 825 fb$^{-1}$ collected with the Belle detector. A narrow peak of $8.8^{+4.2}_{-3.2}$ events, with a significance of 3.2 standard deviations including systematic uncertainty, is observed. The mass and natural width of the structure (named X(4350)) are measured to be $(4350.6^{+4.6}_{-5.1}(\rm{stat})\pm 0.7(\rm{syst})) \hbox{MeV}/{\it c}^2$ and $(13^{+18}_{-9}(\rm{stat})\pm 4(\rm{syst})) \hbox{MeV}$, respectively. The product of its two-photon decay width and branching fraction to \phi\jpsi is $(6.7^{+3.2}_{-2.4}(\rm{stat}) \pm 1.1(\rm{syst})) \hbox{eV}$ for $J^P=0^+$, or $(1.5^{+0.7}_{-0.6}(\rm{stat}) \pm 0.3(\rm{syst})) \hbox{eV}$ for $J^P=2^+$. No signal for the Y(4140)\to \phi \jpsi structure reported by the CDF Collaboration in B\to K^+ \phi \jpsi decays is observed, and limits of \Gamma_{\gamma \gamma}(Y(4140)) \BR(Y(4140)\to\phi \jpsi)<41 \hbox{eV} for $J^P=0^+$ or $<6.0 \hbox{eV}$ for $J^P=2^+$ are determined at the 90% C.L. This disfavors the scenario in which the Y(4140) is a $D_{s}^{\ast+} {D}_{s}^{\ast-}$ molecule.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, publication in Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 112004, 201

Mapping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Genetic Diversity Profiles in Tanzania and Other African Countries

The aim of this study was to assess and characterize Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) genotypic diversity in Tanzania, as well as in neighbouring East and other several African countries. We used spoligotyping to identify a total of 293 M. tuberculosis clinical isolates (one isolate per patient) collected in the Bunda, Dar es Salaam, Ngorongoro and Serengeti areas in Tanzania. The results were compared with results in the SITVIT2 international database of the Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe. Genotyping and phylogeographical analyses highlighted the predominance of the CAS, T, EAI, and LAM MTBC lineages in Tanzania. The three most frequent Spoligotype International Types (SITs) were: SIT21/CAS1-Kili (n = 76; 25.94%), SIT59/LAM11-ZWE (n = 22; 7.51%), and SIT126/EAI5 tentatively reclassified as EAI3-TZA (n = 18; 6.14%). Furthermore, three SITs were newly created in this study (SIT4056/EAI5 n = 2, SIT4057/T1 n = 1, and SIT4058/EAI5 n = 1). We noted that the East-African-Indian (EAI) lineage was more predominant in Bunda, the Manu lineage was more common among strains isolated in Ngorongoro, and the Central-Asian (CAS) lineage was more predominant in Dar es Salaam (p-value<0.0001). No statistically significant differences were noted when comparing HIV status of patients vs. major lineages (p-value = 0.103). However, when grouping lineages as Principal Genetic Groups (PGG), we noticed that PGG2/3 group (Haarlem, LAM, S, T, and X) was more associated with HIV-positive patients as compared to PGG1 group (Beijing, CAS, EAI, and Manu) (p-value = 0.03). This study provided mapping of MTBC genetic diversity in Tanzania (containing information on isolates from different cities) and neighbouring East African and other several African countries highlighting differences as regards to MTBC genotypic distribution between Tanzania and other African countries. This work also allowed underlining of spoligotyping patterns tentatively grouped within the newly designated EAI3-TZA lineage (remarkable by absence of spacers 2 and 3, and represented by SIT126) which seems to be specific to Tanzania. However, further genotyping information would be needed to confirm this specificity

Observation of Bs->Ds(*)+Ds(*)- using e+e- collisions and a determination of the Bs-Bsbar width difference \Delta\Gamma_s

We have made the first observation of Bs->Ds(*)+Ds(*)- decays using 23.6 fb-1 of data recorded by the Belle experiment running on the Upsilon(5S) resonance. The branching fractions are measured to be B(B^0_s\ra D^+_s D^-_s) = (1.0\,^{+0.4}_{-0.3}\,^{+0.3}_{-0.2})%, B(B^0_s\ra D^{*\pm}_s D^{\mp}_s) = (2.8\,^{+0.8}_{-0.7}\,\pm 0.7)%, and B(B^0_s\ra D^{*+}_s D^{*-}_s) = (3.1\,^{+1.2}_{-1.0}\,\pm 0.8)%; the sum is B(B^0_s\ra D^{(*)+}_s D^{(*)-}_s) = (6.9\,^{+1.5}_{-1.3}\,\pm 1.9)%. Assuming Bs->Ds(*)+Ds(*)- saturates decays to CP-even final states, the branching fraction determines the ratio \Delta\Gamma_s/cos(\phi), where \Delta\Gamma_s is the difference in widths between the two Bs-Bsbar mass eigenstates, and \phi is a CP-violating weak phase. Taking CP violation to be negligibly small, we obtain \Delta\Gamma_s/\Gamma_s = 0.147^{+0.036}_{-0.030}(stat.)^{+0.044}_{-0.042}(syst.), where \Gamma_s is the mean decay width.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables. v2: text added for clarification, version published in Phys. Rev. Letter

On the RIP: using Relative Impact Potential to assess the ecological impacts of invasive alien species

Invasive alien species continue to arrive in new locations with no abatement in rate, and thus greater predictive powers surrounding their ecological impacts are required. In particular, we need improved means of quantifying the ecological impacts of new invasive species under different contexts. Here, we develop a suite of metrics based upon the novel Relative Impact Potential (RIP) metric, combining the functional response (consumer per capita effect), with proxies for the numerical response (consumer population response), providing quantification of invasive species ecological impact. These metrics are comparative in relation to the eco-evolutionary baseline of trophically analogous natives, as well as other invasive species and across multiple populations. Crucially, the metrics also reveal how impacts of invasive species change under abiotic and biotic contexts. While studies focused solely on functional responses have been successful in predictive invasion ecology, RIP retains these advantages while adding vital other predictive elements, principally consumer abundance. RIP can also be combined with propagule pressure to quantify overall invasion risk. By highlighting functional response and numerical response proxies, we outline a user-friendly method for assessing the impacts of invaders of all trophic levels and taxonomic groups. We apply the metric to impact assessment in the face of climate change by taking account of both changing predator consumption rates and prey reproduction rates. We proceed to outline the application of RIP to assess biotic resistance against incoming invasive species, the effect of evolution on invasive species impacts, application to interspecific competition, changing spatio-temporal patterns of invasion, and how RIP can inform biological control. We propose that RIP provides scientists and practitioners with a user-friendly, customisable and, crucially, powerful technique to inform invasive species policy and management

Evidence for the Suppressed Decay B- -> DK-, D -> K+pi-

The suppressed decay chain B- -> DK-, D -> K+pi-, where D indicates a anti-D0 or D0 state, provides important information on the CP-violating angle phi_3. We measure the ratio R_{DK} of the decay rates to the favored mode B- -> DK-, D -> K-pi+ to be R_{DK} = [1.63^{+0.44}_{-0.41}(stat)^{+0.07}_{-0.13}(syst)] x 10^{-2}, which indicates the first evidence of the signal with a significance of 4.1sigma. We also measure the asymmetry A_{DK} between the charge-conjugate decays to be A_{DK} = -0.39^{+0.26}_{-0.28}(stat)^{+0.04}_{-0.03}(syst). The results are based on the full 772 x 10^6 B anti-B pair data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables, accepted by Physical Review Letter

First Measurement of Inclusive B -> X_s eta Decays

We report a first measurement of inclusive B -> X_s eta decays, where X_s is a charmless state with unit strangeness. The measurement is based on a pseudo-inclusive reconstruction technique and uses a sample of 657 x 10^6 BB-bar pairs accumulated with the Belle detector at the KEKB e^+e^- collider. For M_{X_s} < 2.6 GeV/c^2, we measure a branching fraction of (26.1 +/- 3.0 (stat) +1.9 -2.1 (syst) +4.0 -7.1 (model)) x 10^-5 and a direct CP asymmetry of A_{CP} = -0.13 +/- 0.04 +0.02 -0.03. Over half of the signal occurs in the range M_{X_s} > 1.8 GeV/c^2.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, 1 table, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Measurement of D+→KS0K+D^+ \to K_S^0 K^+ and Ds+→KS0π+D^+_s \to K_S^0 \pi^+ branching ratios

We report an improved measurement of $D^+ \to K_S^0 K^+$ and $D^+_s\to K_S^0 \pi^+$ branching ratios using 605 fb$^{-1}$ of data collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy $e^+ e^-$ collider. The measured branching ratios with respect to the Cabibbo-favored modes are $\mathcal{B}(D^+ \to K_S^0 K^+)/\mathcal{B}(D^+ \to K_S^0 \pi^+)$ = 0.1899$\pm0.0011\pm$0.0022 and $\mathcal{B}(D^+_s \to K_S^0 \pi^+)/\mathcal{B}(D^+_s \to K_S^0 K^+)$ = 0.0803$\pm0.0024\pm$0.0019 where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic

Observation of Bs0→J/ψf0(980)B_s^0\to J/\psi f_0(980) and Evidence for Bs0→J/ψf0(1370)B_s^0\to J/\psi f_0(1370)

We report the first observation of $B_s^0\to J/\psi f_0(980)$ and first evidence for $B_s^0\to J/\psi f_0(1370)$, which are CP eigenstate decay modes. These results are obtained from $121.4\;\mathrm{fb}^{-1}$ of data collected at the $\Upsilon(5S)$ resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB $e^+e^-$ collider. We measure the branching fractions $\mathcal{B}(B_s^0\to J/\psi f_0(980);f_0(980)\to\pi^+\pi^-)=(1.16^{+0.31}_{-0.19}(\mathrm{stat.})^{+0.15}_{-0.17}(\mathrm{syst.})^{+0.26}_{-0.18}(N_{B_s^{(*)}\bar B_s^{(*)}})) \times 10^{-4}$ with a significance of $8.4\sigma$, and $\mathcal{B}(B_s^0\to J/\psi f_0(1370);f_0(1370)\to\pi^+\pi^-)=(0.34^{+0.11}_{-0.14}(\mathrm{stat.})^{+0.03}_{-0.02}(\mathrm{syst.})^{+0.08}_{-0.05}(N_{B_s^{(*)}\bar B_s^{(*)}})) \times 10^{-4}$ with a significance of $4.2\sigma$. The last error listed is due to uncertainty in the number of produced $B_s^{(*)}\bar B_s^{(*)}$ pairs.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables, published in PR

Evidence for direct CP violation in the decay B->D(*)K, D->KsPi+Pi- and measurement of the CKM phase phi3

We present a new measurement of the unitarity triangle angle phi3 using a Dalitz plot analysis of the KsPi+Pi- decay of the neutral D meson produced in B->D(*)K decays. The method exploits the interference between D0 and D0bar to extract the angle phi3, strong phase delta and the ratio r of suppressed and allowed amplitudes. We apply this method to a 605 fb-1 data sample collected by the Belle experiment. The analysis uses three decays: B->DK, and B->D*K with D*->DPi0 and D*->Dgamma, as well as the corresponding charge-conjugate modes. From a combined maximum likelihood fit to the three modes, we obtain phi3 = 78.4^+10.8_-11.6 +- 3.6 (syst) +- 8.9 (model) degrees. CP conservation in this process is ruled out at the confidence level (1-CL)=5x10^-4, or 3.5 standard deviations.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables. Replaced by version published in Phys. Rev.