The forward-backward asymmetry in e + e − → b b at s = 57.9 GeV and the b-quark branching ratio to muons have been measured using neural networks. Unlike previous methods for measuring the b b forward-backward asymmetry where the estimated background from c -quark decays and other sources are subtracted, here events are categorized as either b b or non- b b events by neural networks based on event-by-event characteristics. The determined asymmetry is −0.429 ± 0.044 (stat) ± 0.047 (sys) and is consistent with the prediction of the standard model. The measured B B mixing parameter is 0.136 ± 0.037 (stat) ± 0.040 (sys) ± 0.002 (model) and the measured b-quark branching ratio to muons is 0.122 ± 0.006 (stat) ± 0.007 (sys).

Using 773 muons found in hadronic events from 142 pb−1 of data at a c.m. energy of 57.8 GeV, we extract the cross section and forward-backward charge asymmetry for the e+e−→bb¯ process, and the heavy quark fragmentation function parameters for the Peterson model. For the analysis of the e+e−→bb¯ process, we use a method in which the behavior of the c quark and lighter quarks is assumed, with only that of the b quark left indeterminate. The cross section and asymmetry for e+e−→bb¯ are found to be Rb = 0.57 ± 0.06(stat) ± 0.08(syst) and Ab = −0.59 ± 0.09 ± 0.09, respectively. They are consistent with the standard model predictions. For the study of the fragmentation function we use the variable 〈xE〉, the fraction of the beam energy carried by the heavy hadrons. We obtain 〈xE〉c=0.56−0.05−0.03+0.04+0.03 and 〈xE〉b=0.65−0.04−0.06+0.06+0.05, respectively. These are in good agreement with previously measured values.

With data corresponding to 142 pb −1 accumulated at s = 57.8 GeV by the AMY detector at TRISTAN we measure the cross section of the reactions e + e − → μ + μ − and e + e − → τ + τ − and the symmetry in the angular distributions. For the lowest order cross section we obtain σ μμ = 27.54 ± 0.65 ± 0.95 pb and σ ττ = 28.27 ± 0.87 ± 0.69 pb, and for the forward-backward asymmetry, A μμ = 0.303 ± 0.027 ± 0.008 and A ττ = −0.291 ± 0.040 ± 0.019. These measurements agree with the standard model. Assuming e − μ − τ univrsality we extract the vector and axial coupling constants | gν | = 0.00 ± 0.09 and | g A | = 0.476 ± 0.024. A fit of data to composite models places lower bounds (95% confidence level) on the compositeness scale of 2–4 TeV.

The product of the $\Lambda_b^0$ ($\overline{B}^0$) differential production cross-section and the branching fraction of the decay $\Lambda_b^0\rightarrow J/\psi pK^-$ ($\overline{B}^0\rightarrow J/\psi\overline{K}^*(892)^0$) is measured as a function of the beauty hadron transverse momentum, $p_{\rm T}$, and rapidity, $y$. The kinematic region of the measurements is $p_{\rm T}<20~{\rm GeV}/c$ and $2.0<y<4.5$. The measurements use a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $3~{\rm fb}^{-1}$ collected by the LHCb detector in $pp$ collisions at centre-of-mass energies $\sqrt{s}=7~{\rm TeV}$ in 2011 and $\sqrt{s}=8~{\rm TeV}$ in 2012. Based on previous LHCb results of the fragmentation fraction ratio, $f_{\Lambda_B^0}/f_d$, the branching fraction of the decay $\Lambda_b^0\rightarrow J/\psi pK^-$ is measured to be \begin{equation*} \mathcal{B}(\Lambda_b^0\rightarrow J/\psi pK^-)= (3.17\pm0.04\pm0.07\pm0.34^{+0.45}_{-0.28})\times10^{-4}, \end{equation*} where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, the third is due to the uncertainty on the branching fraction of the decay $\overline{B}^0\rightarrow J/\psi\overline{K}^*(892)^0$, and the fourth is due to the knowledge of $f_{\Lambda_b^0}/f_d$. The sum of the asymmetries in the production and decay between $\Lambda_b^0$ and $\overline{\Lambda}_b^0$ is also measured as a function of $p_{\rm T}$ and $y$. The previously published branching fraction of $\Lambda_b^0\rightarrow J/\psi p\pi^-$, relative to that of $\Lambda_b^0\rightarrow J/\psi pK^-$, is updated. The branching fractions of $\Lambda_b^0\rightarrow P_c^+(\rightarrow J/\psi p)K^-$ are determined.

This final analysis of hadronic and leptonic cross-sections and of leptonic forward-backward asymmetries in e+e- collisions with the OPAL detector makes use of the full LEP1 data sample comprising 161 pb^-1 of integrated luminosity and 4.5 x 10^6 selected Z decays. An interpretation of the data in terms of contributions from pure Z exchange and from Z-gamma interference allows the parameters of the Z resonance to be determined in a model-independent way. Our results are in good agreement with lepton universality and consistent with the vector and axial-vector couplings predicted in the Standard Model. A fit to the complete dataset yields the fundamental Z resonance parameters: mZ = 91.1852 +- 0.0030 GeV, GZ = 2.4948 +- 0.0041 GeV, s0h = 41.501 +- 0.055 nb, Rl = 20.823 +- 0.044, and Afb0l = 0.0145 +- 0.0017. Transforming these parameters gives a measurement of the ratio between the decay width into invisible particles and the width to a single species of charged lepton, Ginv/Gl = 5.942 +- 0.027. Attributing the entire invisible width to neutrino decays and assuming the Standard Model couplings for neutrinos, this translates into a measurement of the effective number of light neutrino species, N_nu = 2.984 +- 0.013. Interpreting the data within the context of the Standard Model allows the mass of the top quark, mt = 162 +29-16 GeV, to be determined through its influence on radiative corrections. Alternatively, utilising the direct external measurement of mt as an additional constraint leads to a measurement of the strong coupling constant and the mass of the Higgs boson: alfa_s(mZ) = 0.127 +- 0.005 and mH = 390 +750-280 GeV.

A charge asymmetry has been measured in hadron jets from e + e − annihilation at energies between 52 and 61.4 geV (〈√ s 〉=57.6 GeV). The measured asymmetry is A =11.4%±2.2%±2.1% and is consistent with the prediction of the standard model of the electroweak theory. By using the differential cross section, lower limits of the compositeness scale in eeqq contact interactions have been determined to be typically a few TeV at 95% CL.

The reaction e+e−→μ+μ− has been measured at s=57.77GeV, based on 289.6±2.6 pb−1 data collected with the VENUS detector at TRISTAN. The production cross section is measured in bins of the production angle within an angular acceptance of |cosθ|<~0.75, according to a model-independent definition. The result is consistent with the prediction of the standard electroweak theory. Although a trend in measurements at lower energies that the total cross section tends to be smaller than the prediction remains, the discrepancy is not significant. The model-independent result is converted to the differential cross section in the effective-Born scheme by unfolding photon-radiation effects. This result can be extrapolated to quantities for the full solid angle as σtotEB=30.05±0.59 pb and AFBEB=−0.350±0.017, by imposing an ordinary assumption on the production-angle dependence. The converted results are used to set constraints on extensions of the standard theory. S-matrix parametrization, and possible contributions from contact interactions and heavy neutral-scalar exchanges are examined.

Using 123 multihadronic inclusive muon-production e+e− annihilation events at an average c.m. energy of 55.2 GeV, we extracted the forward-backward charge asymmetry of the e+e−→bb¯ process and the R ratio for bb¯ production. We used an analysis method in which the behavior of the c quark and lighter quarks is assumed, with only that of the b quark left indeterminate. The results, Ab=-0.72±0.28(stat)±0.13(syst) and Rb=0.57±0.16±0.10, are consistent with the standard model.

We have studied the production of charged D ∗ mesons in e + e − annihilation at an average center-of-mass energy of 58.0 GeV. Charged D ∗ mesons were identified using two independent methods; the mass-difference method and the detection of the low transverse-momentum pion. The forward-backward asymmetry of the charm quark production was measured to be A c = −0.61±0.13(stat.)±0.08(syst.). The cross section of inclusive D ∗ production was found to be σ(e + e − →D ∗ ± +X) = 24.5 ± 5.3 ( stat. )±3.0( syst. ) pb. If we assume the standard model prediction for the charm quark production, we obtain the branching ratio for the charm quark to produce a charged D ∗ meson to be Br (c→D ∗+ + X) = (22±5( stat. )±3( syst. ))% .

The cross section and forward-backward muon charge asymmetry for the e + e − → μ + μ − γ reaction were measured to be σ =2.82±0.35 pb and A =−0.34±0.10 with the VENUS detector at TRISTAN at 〈√ s 〉=59.2GeV for an integrated luminosity of 53.5 pb −1 . The measured cross section agrees with the theoretical prediction. The asymmetry result is consistent with the electroweak prediction but not with the QED prediction at the level of 2 σ .