Limits on the production of scalar leptoquarks from Z (0) decays at LEP

A search has been made for pairs and for single production of scalar leptoquarks of the first and second generations using a data sample of 392000 Z0 decays from the DELPHI detector at LEP 1. No signal was found and limits on the leptoquark mass, production cross section and branching ratio were set. A mass limit at 95% confidence level of 45.5 GeV/c2 was obtained for leptoquark pair production. The search for the production of a single leptoquark probed the mass region above this limit and its results exclude first and second generation leptoquarks D0 with masses below 65 GeV/c2 and 73 GeV/c2 respectively, at 95% confidence level, assuming that the D0lq Yukawa coupling alpha(lambda) is equal to the electromagnetic one. An upper limit is also given on the coupling alpha(lambda) as a function of the leptoquark mass m(D0)

Progenitor cell heterogeneity in the adult carotid body germinal niche

Somatic stem cells confer plasticity to adult tissues, permitting their maintenance, repair and adaptation to a changing environment. Adult germinal niches supporting somatic stem cells have been thoroughly characterized throughout the organism, including in central and peripheral nervous systems. Stem cells do not reside alone within their niches, but they are rather accompanied by multiple progenitor cells that not only contribute to the progression of stem cell lineage but also regulate their behavior. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these interactions within the niche is crucial to comprehend associated pathologies and to use stem cells in cell therapy. We have described a stunning germinal niche in the adult peripheral nervous system: the carotid body. This is a chemoreceptor organ with a crucial function during physiological adaptation to hypoxia. We have shown the presence of multipotent stem cells within this niche, escorted by multiple restricted progenitor cell types that contribute to niche physiology and hence organismal adaptation to the lack of oxygen. Herein, we discuss new and existing data about the nature of all these stem and progenitor cell types present in the carotid body germinal niche, discussing their role in physiology and their clinical relevance for the treatment of diverse pathologies.Peer reviewe

A Measurement of the tau lifetime

The tau lepton lifetime is measured using four different methods with the DELPHI detector. Three measurements using one prong decays are combined, accounting for correlations, resulting in ττ=298 ±7 (stat.)±4 (syst.) fs while the decay length distribution of three prong decays gives ππ=298±13 (stat)±(syst.) fs. The combined result is ττ=298±7 fs. The ratio of the Fermi coupling constant from tau decay relative to that from muon decay is found to be 0.985±0.013, compatible with lepton universality

Measurement of the Z0 branching fraction to b quark pairs using the boosted sphericity product

From a sample of about 120 000 hadronic Z0 decays, using a technique based on a separation of the different event categories in the boosted sphericity product, the fraction of bb̄ decays has been measured to be 0.219 ± 0.014 (stat) ⋯ 0.019 (syst). Using the DELPHI determination of the hadronic Z0 width, this corresponds to a partial width Γbb- = 378 ± 42 MeV (in good agreement with the standard model prediction of ≃ 380 MeV). Combining this measurement with the determinations based on events with high pt leptons gives an estimate for the branching ratio of b into leptons at LEP of (11.2 ± 1.2)%, consistent with previous determinations.0SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

A Measurement of the mean lifetimes of charged and neutral B hadrons

The decays of B-hadrons have been reconstructed using the charged particles recorded in the DELPHI silicon microstrip detector. The sum of the charges of the secondaries determines the charge of the B-hadron parent. Some 232 114 multihadronic Z0 decays recorded during the 1991 run of LEP at centre-of-mass energies between 88.2 GeV and 94.2 GeV yield 253 B-hadron candidates with well-measured charge. From these the mean lifetimes of neutral and charged B-hadrons are found to be 1.44 ± 0.21 (stat.) ± 0.14(syst.) ps and 1.56 ± 0.19(stat.) ± 0.13(syst.) ps respectively. The ratio of their lifetimes is 1.09+0.28 -0.23(stat.) ± 0.11 (syst.). Under some assumptions on the abundance and lifetime of the Λ0 b and B0 s states, the B0 and B+ lifetimes are inferred.0SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe