Hyper-sound as a means for generating inter-strand defects in a duplex of the DNA

The formation of bubble defects of the double stranded DNA is treated according to the Lifshits theory of disordered chains. A molecule of the DNA is modelled on a harmonic lattice with nearest neighbour interaction, elastic constants being randomly distributed. The helicoidal symmetry is accommodated through a chiral field at sites of the lattice. The number of sites varies from 100 to 300, corresponding to DNA segmnets of persistence length. We find the spectra of elastic eigen-modes that mimic inter-strand excitations of the duplex. The frequency distribution shows peaks and valleys at the high-frequency end of the spectra, in accord with the general theory. External excitations may lead to a parametric resonance that can generate localized modes of the lattice. In real life pumping hyper-sound may generate a resonance similar to that studied in this paper, and thus result in excitation of inter-strand modes and possible formation of bubbles, in the duplex of the DNA.Comment: 16 pages, 13 figure

Constraints on Lorentz Invariance and CPT Violation using Optical Photometry and Polarimetry of Active Galaxies BL Lacertae and S5 B0716+714

Various quantum gravity approaches that extend beyond the standard model predict Lorentz Invariance and Charge-Parity-Time Violation at energies approaching the Planck scale. These models frequently predict a wavelength dependent speed of light, which would result in time delays between promptly emitted photons at different energies, as well as a wavelength-dependent rotation of the plane of linear polarization for photons resulting from vacuum birefringence. Here, we describe a pilot program with an automated system of small telescopes that can simultaneously conduct high cadence optical photometry and polarimetry of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in multiple passbands. We use these observations as a proof-of-principle to demonstrate how such data can be used to test various Lorentz Violation models, including special cases of the Standard Model Extension (SME). In our initial campaign with this system, the Array Photo Polarimeter, we observed two AGN sources, including BL Lacertae at redshift z = 0.069, and S5 B0716+714 at z = 0.31. We demonstrate that optical polarimetry with a broadband Luminance filter combined with simultaneous $I_c$-band observations yields SME parameter constraints that are up to ~10 and ~30 times more sensitive than with a standard $I_c$-band filter, for SME models with mass dimension d = 5 and d = 6, respectively. Using only a small system of telescopes with an effective 0.45-m aperture, we further demonstrate d = 5 constraints for individual lines of sight that are within a factor of ~1-10 in sensitivity to comparable constraints from optical polarimetry with a 3.6-m telescope. Such an approach could significantly improve existing SME constraints via a polarimetric all-sky survey of AGN with multiple 1-meter class telescopes.Comment: 25 pages, 16 figure

Search for the D_(sJ)(2632)^+ at BaBar

We have performed a search for the $D^*_{sJ}(2632)^+$ state recently reported by the SELEX Collaboration at FNAL. This preliminary analysis makes use of an integrated luminosity of 125 ${\rm fb}^{-1}$ collected by the BaBar detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy $e^+e^-$ collider. The resulting $D_s \eta$ and $D^0 K^+$ mass spectra show no evidence for the $D^*_{sJ}(2632)^+$ state. In addition, no signal is observed in the $D^{*+} K_S$ mass spectrum.Comment: Submitted to the 32nd International Conference on High-Energy Physics Added C. Chen to author lis

Improved Measurements of CP-Violating Asymmetries in B0 --> pi+pi- Decays

We present preliminary updated measurements of the CP-violating parameters $S_{\pi\pi}$ and $C_{\pi\pi}$ in $B^0\to\pi^+\pi^-$ decays. Using a sample of 227 million $\Upsilon(4S)\to B\bar{B}$ decays collected with the BaBar detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy $e^+e^-$ collider at SLAC, we observe $467\pm 33$ signal decays and measure $S_{\pi\pi}$ and $C_{\pi\pi} = -0.30\pm 0.17 ({\rm stat})\pm 0.03 ({\rm syst})$, and $C_{\pi\pi} = -0.09\pm 0.15 ({\rm stat})\pm 0.04 ({\rm syst})$.Comment: Contributed to ICHEP0

Observation of B0 Meson decays to a1(1260) pi

We present a preliminary measurement of the branching fraction of the B meson decay B0--> a1(1260)+ pi- with a1(1260)+ --> pi+ pi+ pi- . The data were recorded with the BaBar detector at the SLAC B factory PEP-II and correspond to 124 million B Bbar pairs produced in e+ e- annihilation through the Upsilon(4S) resonance. We find the branching fraction Br(B0 --> a1(1260)+ pi-) = (42.6 +- 4.2 +- 4.1) 10^-6. The fitted values of the a1(1260) parameters are M_a1 = 1.19 +- 0.02 GeV/c^2 and Gamma_a1 = 312 +- 55 MeV/c^2Comment: 14 pages,4 postscript figures, submitted to 32nd International Conference on High Energy Physics, ICHEP 04, 16 August -- 22 August, Beijing, Chin

Measurement of the ratio of branching fractions of Xic0 decays to Xi- pi+ and to Omega- K+

We have analyzed 116 fb^-1 of data collected by the BABAR detector for Xic0 production. In this paper we describe the observation of Xic0 production from ccbar continuum and from B decays, with the Xic0 decaying into (Xi- pi+) and (Omega- K+) modes. The ratio of the branching fractions of the Xic0 decays into these two final states measured in the ccbar continuum is: B(Xic0 -> Omega- K+) / B(Xic0 -> Xi- pi+) = 0.296 +- 0.018 (stat.) +- 0.030 (sys.). All results in this note are preliminary.Comment: 17 pages, 13 figures, contributed to ICHEP 200

Search for the Decay B0->K*+rho-

We present the preliminary result of a search for the decay of $B^0\to K^{*+}\rho^-$. The data were recorded with the $BaBar$ detector at the PEPII collider and correspond to 123 million $B\bar{B}$ pairs produced in the $e^+e^-$ annihilation through the $\Upsilon(4S)$ resonance. We obtain an upper limit on the branching fraction for this decay of ${\cal B}(B^0\to K^{*+}\rho^-) <24 \times 10^{-6}$ (90% C.L.). All results are preliminary.Comment: 15 pages, 7 postscript figues, submitted to ICHEP2004, Beijing,Chin

Measurements of Branching Fractions and CP-Violating Asymmetries in B-Meson Decays to the Charmless Two-Body States K0pi+, K0barK+, and K0K0bar

We present preliminary measurements of branching fractions and CP-violating asymmetries in decays of B mesons to two-body final states containing a K0. The results are based on a data sample of approximately 227 million Upsilon(4S) decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B Factory at SLAC. We measure BF(B+ --> K0pi+) = (26.0 +/- 1.3 +/- 1.0) x 10-6, BF(B+ --> K0barK+) = (1.45 +0.53 -0.46 +/- 0.11) x 10-6 (< 2.35 x 10-6), and BF(B0 --> K0K0bar) = (1.19 +0.40 -0.35 +/- 0.13) x 10^-6, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic, and the upper limit is at a 90% confidence level. The significance of the BF(B+ --> K0barK+) and BF(B0 --> K0K0bar) results are 3.5 sigma and 4.5 sigma, respectively, including systematic uncertainties. In addition, we obtain a measurement of the CP-violating asymmetry for the BF(B+ --> K0pi+) mode and we determine a 90% confidence-level interval for the asymmetry in the BF(B+ --> K0barK+) mode: ACP(B+ --> K0pi+) = -0.087 +/- 0.046 +/- 0.010 and ACP(B+ --> K0barK+) is in [-0.43, 0.68].Comment: 17 pages, 10 postscript figures, submitted to ICHEP200

Measurement of the Branching Fractions and CP Asymmetries of B-->D0(cp)K- Decays with the BaBar detector

We present a study of B--> D0(CP)K- decays, where D0(CP) is reconstructed in non-CP (K-pi+), CP-even (K-K+,pi-pi+) and CP-odd (KS0 pi0) eigenstates, based on a sample of about 214 million Y(4S) -> BBbar decays collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II e+e- storage ring. We measure the ratios of branching fractions R+ = [Br(B- ->D0_CP+ K-)+Br(B+ ->D0_CP+ K+)]/[Br(B- ->D0 K-)] = 0.87 +/- 0.14(stat) +/- 0.06(syst), R- = [Br(B- ->D0_CP- K-)+Br(B+ ->D0_CP- K+)]/[Br(B- ->D0 K-)] = 0.80 +/- 0.14(stat) +/- 0.08(syst), and the CP asymmetries A_CP+ = 0.40 +/- 0.15 (stat) +/- 0.08 (syst) and A_CP- = 0.21 +/- 0.17 (stat) +/- 0.07 (syst) All results are preliminary.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure contributed to ICHEP0

Measurement of CP Asymmetry in B0 --> K+K-K0(S) Decays

We present preliminary measurements of the CP asymmetry parameters and CP content in B0-->K+K-Ks decays, with phiKs events excluded. In a sample of 227M BB pairs collected by the BABAR detector at the PEPII B-Factory at SLAC, we find the CP parameters to be S = -0.42 +/- 0.17 +/- 0.04 and C = 0.10 +/- 0.14 +/- 0.06, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic. Extracting the fraction of CP -even final states from angular moments f(CP-even) = 0.89 +/- 0.08 +/- 0.06, and setting C=0, we determine sin(2beta) = 0.55 +/- 0.22 +/- 0.04 +/- 0.11, where the last error is due to uncertainty on the CP content.Comment: 16 pages; Contributed to ICHEP200