ρ\rho Polarization and `Model Independent' Extraction of ∣Vub∣/∣Vcd∣|V_{ub}|/|V_{cd}| from D→ρℓνD\to\rho\ell\nu and B→ρℓνB\to\rho\ell\nu

We briefly discuss the predictions of the heavy quark effective theory for the semileptonic decays of a heavy pseudoscalar to a light one, or to a light vector meson. We point out that measurement of combinations of differential helicity decay rates at Cleo-c and the $B$ factories can provide a model independent means of extracting the ratio $|V_{ub}|/|V_{cd}|$. We briefly discuss the corrections to this prediction.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX, 1 figur

B -> K1 gamma and tests of factorization for two-body non leptonic Bdecays with axial-vector mesons

The large branching ratio for B-> K1 gamma recently measured at Belle implies a large B -> K1 transition form factor and large branching ratios for non leptonic B decays involving an axial-vector meson. In this paper we present an analysis of two-body B decays with an axial-vector meson in the final state using naive factorization and the B -> K1 form factors obtained from the measured radiative decays. We find that the predicted B -> J/psi K1 branching ratio is in agreement with experiment. We also suggest that the decay rates of B -> K1 pi, B -> a1 K and B -> b1 K could be used to test the factorization ansatz.Comment: 8 pages; 7 new references included and a comment on K2(1430) in the final state adde

The Lambda_b lifetime in the light front quark model

The enhancement of the Lambda_b decay width relative to B decay one due to the difference of Fermi motion effects in Lambda_b and B is calculated in the light--front quark model with the simplifying assumption that Lambda_b consists of the heavy quark and light scalar diquark. In order to explain the large deviation from unity in the experimental result for tau(Lambda_b)/tau(B), it is necessary that diquark be light and the ratio of the squares of the Lambda_b and B wave functions at the origin be \le 1.Comment: final journal version to appear in JETP Letter

On Some rare weak decays of vector mesons

Some semileptonic weak decays of vector mesons are considered in the framework of the most popular quark models. The predicted branching ratios are unfortunately too small to make a study of these decays realistic at meson factories under construction.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX. Some typos correcte

Bounds on Heavy-to-Heavy Mesonic Form Factors

We provide upper and lower bounds on the form factors for B -> D, D^* by utilizing inclusive heavy quark effective theory sum rules. These bounds are calculated to leading order in Lambda_QCD/m_Q and alpha_s. The O(alpha_s^2 beta_0) corrections to the bounds at zero recoil are also presented. We compare our bounds with some of the form factor models used in the literature. All the models we investigated failed to fall within the bounds for the combination of form factors (omega^2 - 1)/(4 omega)|omega h_{A2}+h_{A3}|^2.Comment: 27 pages, 10 figure

Flux Tube Zero-Point Motion, Hadronic Charge Radii, and Hybrid Meson Production Cross Sections

Flux tube zero-point motion produces quark displacements transverse to the flux tube which make significant contributions to hadronic charge radii. In heavy quark systems, these contributions can be related by Bjorken's sum rule to the rates for semileptonic decay to hybrid mesons. This connection can be generalized to other leptoproduction processes, where transverse contributions to elastic form factor slopes are related to the cross sections for the production of the associated hybrid states. I identify the flux tube overlap integral responsible for these effects as the strong QCD analogue of the Sudakov form factor of perturbative QCD.Comment: 16 pages, revised to clarify some points and to improve and correct the notation for the flux tube wave function

Hadronic decays of B involving a tensor meson through a b→cb \to c transition

We re-analyze hadronic decays of B mesons to a pseudoscalar (P) and a tensor meson (T), or a vector meson (V) and a tensor meson, through a $b \to c$ transition. We discuss possible large uncertainties to branching ratios (BR's) of the relevant modes, mainly arising from uncertainties to the hadronic form factors for the $B \to T$ transition. The BR's and CP asymmetries for $B \to PT$ and VT decays are then calculated by using the form factors given in the ISGW2 model (the improved version of the original Isgur-Scora-Grinstein-Wise (ISGW) model). We find that the estimated BR's of many modes are increased by an order of magnitude, compared to the previous results calculated within the ISGW model.Comment: 22 pages, LaTex; minor clarifications included; to appear in Phys. Rev.

Semileptonic form factors - a model-independent approach

We demonstrate that the B->D(*) l nu form factors can be accurately predicted given the slope parameter rho^2 of the Isgur-Wise function. Only weak assumptions, consistent with lattice results, on the wavefunction for the light degrees of freedom are required to establish this result. We observe that the QCD and 1/m_Q corrections can be systematically represented by an effective Isgur-Wise function of shifted slope. This greatly simplifies the analysis of semileptonic B decay. We also investigate what the available semileptonic data can tell us about lattice QCD and Heavy Quark Effective Theory. A rigorous identity relating the form factor slope difference rho_D^2-rho_A1^2 to a combination of form factor intercepts is found. The identity provides a means of checking theoretically evaluated intercepts with experiment.Comment: 18 pages, Revtex, 4 postscript figures, uses epsfig.st

Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle Fuel Consumption Modeling Based on Road Load and Power Train Parameters

The EPA is developing a new generation emissions inventory model, MOVES (Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator). The first version of the model outputs fuel consumption based on available modal data. However, due to the limited heavy-duty vehicle data, MOVES rates need to be supplemented with rates determined with the Physical Emission Rate Estimator (PERE). PERE combines vehicle tractive power together with vehicle powertrain parameters specific to the class of vehicle; the vehicle weight, shape, engine type, and transmission. Analysis of in-use data for heavy-duty diesel tractortrailer vehicles, city transit diesel buses, and dynamometer non-road diesel engines has enabled a determination of diesel engine efficiency and friction and transmission shift schedules for these engines and vehicles. These model parameters and a comparison of the model results to measured fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are presented

Semi-leptonic B decays into higher charmed resonances

We apply HQET to semi-leptonic $B$ meson decays into a variety of excited charm states. Using three realistic meson models with fermionic light degrees of freedom, we examine the extent that the sum of exclusive single charmed states account for the inclusive semi-leptonic $B$ decay rate. The consistency of form factors with the Bjorken and Voloshin sum rules is also investigated.Comment: Latex, 27 pages. A few references and errors corrected, to appear in Phys. Rev.