Testing the Standard Model with CP asymmetries in flavor-specific nonleptonic decays

Motivated by recent indications that the rates of color-allowed nonleptonic channels are not in agreement with their Standard Model expectations based on QCD factorization, we investigate the potential to study CP asymmetries with these decays. In the Standard Model, these flavor-specific decays are sensitive to CP violation in B0 ðsÞ –B¯ 0 ðsÞ mixing, which is predicted with low uncertainties and can be measured precisely with semileptonic decays. Allowing beyond Standard Model (BSM) contributions to the nonleptonic decay amplitudes, we derive explicit expressions for the flavor-specific CP asymmetries in a model-independent way. We find that BSM contributions could lead to significant enhancements to the CP asymmetries. Therefore measurements of these quantities and subsequent comparison with the CP asymmetries measured with semileptonic decays have potential to identify BSM effects without relying on Standard Model predictions that might be affected by hadronic effects. In addition, we discuss the experimental prospects, and note the excellent potential for a precise determination of the CP asymmetry in B¯ s → Dþ s π− decays by the LHCb experiment

Association between maternal adiposity measures and adverse maternal outcomes of pregnancy: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Maternal obesity increases pregnancy-related risks. Women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 are considered to be at risk and should receive additional care, although approximately half will have uncomplicated pregnancies. This systematic review aimed to identify early pregnancy measures of adiposity associated with adverse maternal health outcomes. Searches included six databases, reference lists, citations, and contacting authors. Screening and quality assessment were carried out by two authors independently. Random effects meta-analysis and narrative synthesis were conducted. Seventy studies were included with a pooled sample of 89,588 women. Meta-analysis showed significantly increased odds of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with higher waist circumference (WC) categories (1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04, 1.88) and per unit increase in WC (1.31, 95% CI 1.03, 1.67). Women with GDM had higher WC than controls (mean difference [MD] 6.18 cm, 95% CI 3.92, 8.44). WC was significantly associated with hypertensive disorders, delivery-related outcomes, metabolic syndrome, and composite pregnancy outcomes. Waist to hip ratio was significantly associated with GDM, hypertensive disorders, and delivery-related outcomes. Fat mass, neck circumference, skinfolds, and visceral fat were significantly associated with adverse outcomes, although limited data were available. Our findings identify the need to explore how useful adiposity measures are at predicting risk in pregnancy, compared with BMI, to direct care to women with the greatest need