[en] We analyze the hadronic and radiative decay modes of the recently observed D_sJ(2317) meson, in the hypothesis that it can be identified with the scalar s_l^P=((1)/(2))⁺ state of cs-bar spectrum (D_s0). The method is based on heavy quark symmetries and vector meson dominance ansatz. We find that the hadronic isospin violating mode D_s0→D_sπ⁰ is enhanced with respect to the radiative mode D_s0→D_s^*γ. The estimated width of the meson is Γ(D_s0)≅7 keV

[en] We use light-cone QCD sum rules to evaluate the strong coupling g_f0K⁺K^- which enters in several analyses concerning the scalar f₀(980) meson. The result: 6.2≤g_f0K⁺K^-≤7.8 GeV is larger than in previous determinations

[en] The correlation length of the Polyakov loops for an SU(2) Yang-Mills lattice theory is measured on lattices of different sizes up to (16)⁴. Its dependence on the coupling constant and on the volume is studied. The reliability of a finite size scaling method for large lattices is also discussed. (orig.)

[en] We review the role of the universal Isgur-Wise functions parameterizing the B meson semileptonic matrix elements to excited charm states in the infinite heavy quark mass limit. We also discuss the determination of such form factors by QCD sum rules in the framework of the Heavy Quark Effective Theory

[en] We review several aspects of the phenomenology of P-wave q-barQ mesons: mass splittings, effective strong couplings and leptonic constants. We also describe a QCD sum rule determination to order α_s of the form factor τ_1/2(y) governing the semileptonic B decays to the charm doublet with J^P = (0⁺_1/2), 1⁺_1/2))

[en] I discuss possible failures of local quark-hadron duality in the system of heavy-light quark mesons. As an example, I consider a correlator of two currents comprising heavy quark operators, and I compare the OPE expression with the result obtained by a complete insertion of hadronic states. After a smearing procedure. OPE and hadronic spectral functions agree with each other. However, the local behaviour of the two functions is different, and the difference manifests itself in a term which is absent in the OPE. (orig.)

[en] QCD sum rules are used to calculate the couplings of heavy-light quark pseudoscalar and vector mesons (D, D^* and B, B^*) with soft pions, both for finite and infinitely heavy quark mass. The couplings are also computed in the framework of a QCD relativistic potential model; in this approach the relativistic corrections due to the light quark are relevant. ((orig.))

[en] QCD sum rules calculations of the form factors governing the semileptonic decays of charmed and beauty mesons are reviewed. In particular, the predicted dependence of the various form factors on q² is discussed, and the way of how it can be obtained for the form factors of vector and axial currents. In some cases the q² dependence, computed by QCD sum rules, is different from the outcome of lattice QCD. A Tau-Charm Factory could be an efficient tool to study this aspect of the charmed meson transitions. (author). 28 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab

[en] Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, a promising modality for the treatment of malignant tumors, relies on the use of neutron beams of suitable energy and intensity. For deep-seated tumors, simulations indicate that the optimal neutron energy is in the epithermal region, and in particular between 1 and 10 keV. Therapeutic neutron beams of high spectral purity could be produced with low-energy accelerators, through a suitable neutron producing reaction. In this talk we present an overview of some recently investigated reactions for the production of intense epithermal neutron beams for BNCT, and their potential use towards the setup of an hospital-based BNCT facility

[en] The radiative decay modes of the newly discovered D_sJ*(2317) and DsJ(2460) states are important to shed light on the quark structure of these mesons. If they are studied within the framework of light cone QCD sum rules, assuming the DsJ mesons as made of a quark-anti-quark pair, one obtains that the radiative decay widths follow the present experimentally observed pattern