D→K,lνD \rightarrow K, l \nu Semileptonic Decay Scalar Form Factor and ∣Vcs∣|V_{cs}| from Lattice QCD

We present a new study of D semileptonic decays on the lattice which employs the Highly Improved Staggered Quark (HISQ) action for both the charm and the light valence quarks. We work with MILC unquenched $N_f = 2 + 1$ lattices and determine the scalar form factor $f_0(q^2)$ for $D \rightarrow K, l \nu$ semileptonic decays. The form factor is obtained from a scalar current matrix element that does not require any operator matching. We develop a new approach to carrying out chiral/continuum extrapolations of $f_0(q^2)$. The method uses the kinematic "$z$" variable instead of $q^2$ or the kaon energy $E_K$ and is applicable over the entire physical $q^2$ range. We find $f^{D \rightarrow K}_0(0) \equiv f^{D \rightarrow K}_+(0) = 0.747(19)$ in the chiral plus continuum limit and hereby improve the theory error on this quantity by a factor of $\sim$4 compared to previous lattice determinations. Combining the new theory result with recent experimental measurements of the product $f^{D \rightarrow K}_+(0) * |V_{cs}|$ from BaBar and CLEO-c leads to the most precise direct determination of the CKM matrix element $|V_{cs}|$ to date, $|V_{cs}| = 0.961(11)(24)$, where the first error comes from experiment and the second is the lattice QCD theory error. We calculate the ratio $f^{D \rightarrow K}_+(0)/f_{D_s}$ and find $2.986 \pm 0.087$ GeV$^{-1}$ and show that this agrees with experiment.Comment: 23 pages, 31 figures, 11 tables. Added a paragraph in sction VII, and updated with PDG 2010 instead of PDG 200

B and Bs semileptonic decay form factors with NRQCD/HISQ quarks

We discuss our ongoing effort to calculate form factors for several B and Bs semileptonic decays. We have recently completed the first unquenched calculation of the form factors for the rare decay B -> K ll. Extrapolated over the full kinematic range of q^2 via model-independent z expansion, these form factor results allow us to calculate several Standard Model observables. We compare with experiment (Belle, BABAR, CDF, and LHCb) where possible and make predictions elsewhere. We discuss preliminary results for Bs -> K l nu which, when combined with anticipated experimental results, will provide an alternative exclusive determination of |Vub|. We are exploring the possibility of using ratios of form factors for this decay with those for the unphysical decay Bs -> eta_s as a means of significantly reducing form factor errors. We are also studying B -> pi l nu, form factors for which are combined with experiment in the standard exclusive determination of |Vub|. Our simulations use NRQCD heavy and HISQ light valence quarks on the MILC 2+1 dynamical asqtad configurations.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, presented at the 31st International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice 2013), 29 July - 3 August 2013, Mainz, German

Bs→DsℓνB_s \to D_s \ell \nu Form Factors and the Fragmentation Fraction Ratio fs/fdf_s/f_d

We present a lattice quantum chromodynamics determination of the scalar and vector form factors for the $B_s \rightarrow D_s \ell \nu$ decay over the full physical range of momentum transfer. In conjunction with future experimental data, our results will provide a new method to extract $|V_{cb}|$, which may elucidate the current tension between exclusive and inclusive determinations of this parameter. Combining the form factor results at non-zero recoil with recent HPQCD results for the $B \rightarrow D \ell \nu$ form factors, we determine the ratios $f^{B_s \rightarrow D_s}_0(M_\pi^2) / f^{B \rightarrow D}_0(M_K^2) = 1.000(62)$ and $f^{B_s \rightarrow D_s}_0(M_\pi^2) / f^{B \rightarrow D}_0(M_\pi^2) = 1.006(62)$. These results give the fragmentation fraction ratios $f_s/f_d = 0.310(30)_{\mathrm{stat.}}(21)_{\mathrm{syst.}}(6)_{\mathrm{theor.}}(38)_{\mathrm{latt.}}$ and $f_s/f_d = 0.307(16)_{\mathrm{stat.}}(21)_{\mathrm{syst.}}(23)_{\mathrm{theor.}}(44)_{\mathrm{latt.}}$, respectively. The fragmentation fraction ratio is an important ingredient in experimental determinations of $B_s$ meson branching fractions at hadron colliders, in particular for the rare decay ${\cal B}(B_s \rightarrow \mu^+ \mu^-)$. In addition to the form factor results, we make the first prediction of the branching fraction ratio $R(D_s) = {\cal B}(B_s\to D_s\tau\nu)/{\cal B}(B_s\to D_s\ell\nu) = 0.301(6)$, where $\ell$ is an electron or muon. Current experimental measurements of the corresponding ratio for the semileptonic decays of $B$ mesons disagree with Standard Model expectations at the level of nearly four standard deviations. Future experimental measurements of $R(D_s)$ may help understand this discrepancy.Comment: 21 pages, 15 figure

Form factor ratios for Bs→K ℓ νB_s \rightarrow K \, \ell \, \nu and Bs→Ds ℓ νB_s \rightarrow D_s \, \ell \, \nu semileptonic decays and ∣Vub/Vcb∣|V_{ub}/V_{cb}|

We present a lattice quantum chromodynamics determination of the ratio of the scalar and vector form factors for two semileptonic decays of the $B_s$ meson: $B_s \rightarrow K \ell \nu$ and $B_s \rightarrow D_s \ell \nu$. In conjunction with future experimental data, our results for these correlated form factors will provide a new method to extract $|V_{ub}/V_{cb}|$, which may elucidate the current tension between exclusive and inclusive determinations of these Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa mixing matrix parameters. In addition to the form factor results, we determine the ratio of the differential decay rates, and forward-backward and polarization asymmetries, for the two decays.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures. Version published in PRD: minor typos fixed and two figures updated. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1703.0972

B-s -\u3e D(s)l nu form factors and the fragmentation fraction ratio f(s)/f(d)

We present a lattice quantum chromodynamics determination of the scalar and vector form factors for the B-s -\u3e D(s)l. decay over the full physical range of momentum transfer. In conjunction with future experimental data, our results will provide a new method to extract vertical bar V-cb vertical bar, which may elucidate the current tension between exclusive and inclusive determinations of this parameter. Combining the form factor results at nonzero recoil with recent HPQCD results for the B -\u3e Dl(v) form factors, we determine the ratios f(0)(Bs -\u3e Ds) (M-pi(2))/f(0)(B -\u3e D) (M-K(2))=1.000(62) and f(0)(Bs -\u3e Ds) (M-pi(2))/f(0)(B -\u3e D)(M-pi(2))=1.006(62). These results give the fragmentation fraction ratios f(s)/f(d) = 0.310(30)(stat)(21)(syst)(6)(theor)(38)(latt) and f(s)/f(d) = 0.307(16)(stat)(21)(syst)(23)(theor)(44)(latt), respectively. The fragmentation fraction ratio is an important ingredient in experimental determinations of Bs meson branching fractions at hadron colliders, in particular for the rare decay B(B-s -\u3emu(+)mu(-). In addition to the form factor results, we make the first prediction of the branching fraction ratio R(D-s) = B(B-s -\u3e D-s tau nu)/B(B-s -\u3e D-s tau nu)= 0.301(6), where l is an electron or muon. Current experimental measurements of the corresponding ratio for the semileptonic decays of B mesons disagree with Standard Model expectations at the level of nearly four standard deviations. Future experimental measurements of R(D-s) may help understand this discrepancy

Three-dimensional cephalometric evaluation of maxillary growth following in utero repair of cleft lip and alveolar-like defects in the mid-gestational sheep model

Objective: To evaluate maxillary growth following in utero repair of surgically created cleft lip and alveolar (CLA)-like defects by means of three-dimensional (3D) computer tomographic (CT) cephalometric analysis in the mid-gestational sheep model. Methods: In 12 sheep fetuses a unilateral CLA-like defect was created in utero (untreated control group: 4 fetuses). Four different bone grafts were used for the alveolar defect closure. After euthanasia, CT scans of the skulls of the fetuses, 3D re-constructions, and a 3D-CT cephalometric analysis were performed. Results: The comparisons between the operated and nonoperated skull sides as well as of the maxillary asymmetry among the experimental groups revealed no statistically significant differences of the 12 variables used. Conclusions: None of the surgical approaches used for the in utero correction of CLA-like defects seem to affect significantly postsurgical maxillary growth; however, when bone graft healing takes place, a tendency for almost normal maxillary growth can be observed. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel