Indirect search of exotic mesons: B -> J/psi + Anything

We reconsider the discrepancy between theory and data in the momentum distribution of slow J/psi in B decays. Beside an update of the standard color singlet and color octet QCD components, we include the contribution from XY Z exotic mesons, and show that the residual discrepancy could be accommodated considering new XYZ mesons still unobserved.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, Contribution to the proceedings of "IFAE 2011 Incontri di Fisica delle Alte Energie", Perugia 27-29 April 201

Charmed Baryonium

We re-analyze the published data on the Y(4630) --> Lambda_c Lambdabar_c and the Y(4660) --> psi(2S) pi pi with a consistent Ansatz and we find that the two observations are likely to be due to the same state Y_B with M_{Y_B} = 4660.7 +- 8.7 MeV and Gamma_{Y_B} = 61 +- 23 MeV. Under this hypothesis and reanalizing also the e+e- --> J/psi pi pi gamma_ISR spectrum we extract B(Y_B --> Lambda_c Lambdabar_c) / B(Y_B --> psi(2S) pi pi) = 25 +- 7, B(Y_B --> J/psi pi pi) / B(Y_B --> psi(2S) pi pi) J/psi pi pi) / B(Y(4350) --> psi(2S) pi pi) psi(2S) sigma) / B (Y_B --> psi(2S) f_0)=2.0 +- 0.3. These conclusions strongly support the hypothesis of Y_B being the first observation of a charmed baryonium constituted by four quarks. From the analysis of the mass spectrum and the decay properties we show that Y(4350) and Y_B are respectively consistent with the ground state and first radial excitation of the L=1 state.Comment: Corrected phase space normalization in the fit

The 2^-+ assignment for the X(3872)

Very recently the BaBar collaboration has put forward a claim that the X(3872) is not a 1^++ resonance, as most of the phenomenological work on the subject was relying on, but rather a 2^-+ one. We examine the consequences of this quantum number assignment for the solution of the X(3872) puzzle. The molecular interpretation appears less likely, and the conventional charmonium interpretation should be reconsidered. There are several well-known difficulties with this interpretation, to which we add a new one: the production cross section at CDF is predicted to be much smaller than that observed. We also confirm, using a relativistic string model, the conclusion from potential models that the mass of the state is not consistent with expectations. In the tetraquark interpretation the 2^-+ assignment implies a rich spectrum of partner states, although the X(3872) may be among the few which are narrow enough to be observable.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, 4 tables; minor style corrections. Version to appear in PR

The momentum distribution of J/psi in B decays

The discrepancy between theory and data in the momentum distribution of slow J/psi in B decays has been several times addressed as a puzzle. Using the most recent results on exclusive B decays into J/psi and heavy kaons or exotic mesons and reconsidering the non-relativistic-QCD calculation of the color octet fragmentation component, we show that an improvement in the comparison between data and theory can be obtained. There is still room for a better fit to data and this may imply that new exotic mesons of the XYZ kind have yet to be discovered.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables. To appear in Physical Review

Strong Couplings of X(3872)_{J=1,2} and a New Look at J/psi Suppression in Heavy Ion Collisions

We define and compute from data the strong couplings of the X(3872) with both of the possible quantum numbers assignments J^{PC}=1^{++},2^{-+}. We use these to compute cross sections for J/psi resonance scattering into D Dbar*. As an application of the results obtained we revise the calculation of the J/psi absorption in a hot hadron gas to confront with recent RHIC observations in Au-Au collisions.Comment: 23 pages, 18 figures, 4 table

The new hadrons: Molecules or tetraquarks?

We briefly discuss some new hints about X(3872) and Y (4660), which can help to unravel the pros and cons of the molecular and tetraquark interpretations proposed in these years

Is the X(3872) Production Cross Section at Tevatron Compatible with a Hadron Molecule Interpretation?

The X(3872) is universally accepted to be an exotic hadron. In this letter we assume that the X(3872) is a D0 \bar D0* molecule, as claimed by many authors, and attempt an estimate of its prompt production cross section at Tevatron. A comparison with CDF data allows to draw some qualitative conclusions about this statement.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Abortion in America: How Legislative Overreach Is Turning Reproductive Rights Into Criminal Wrongs

This report outlines current legal statutes that criminalize abortion and the impact overturning Roe v. Wade would have on laws to prosecute and incarcerate those providing, receiving, or assisting with abortions. It details the risk that, without protections provided by Roe v. Wade, many states can and will continue to pass laws that further inflame the national crisis of overcriminalization and mass incarceration

PTX3 genetic variations affect the risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway colonization in cystic fibrosis patients

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common life-threatening autosomal recessive disorder in the Caucasian population, and the gene responsible is the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Patients with CF have repeated bacterial infection of the airways caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), which is one of the predominant pathogen, and endobronchial chronic infection represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a gene that encodes the antimicrobial protein, PTX3, which is believed to have an important role in innate immunity of lung. To address the role of PTX3 in the risk of PA lung colonization, we investigated five single nucleotide polymorphisms of PTX3 gene in 172 Caucasian CF patients who were homozygous for the F508del mutation. We observed that PTX3 haplotype frequencies were significantly different between patients with PA colonization, as compared with noncolonized patients. Moreover, a protective effect was found in association with a specific haplotype (odds ratio 0.524). Our data suggest that variations within PTX3 affect lung colonization of Pseudomonas in patients with CF