We report a preliminary measurement of the first and second moments of the hadronic mass distributions in B → X{sub c}l[nu] decays. The measurements are based on [Upsilon](4S) → B{bar B} events where the hadronic decay of one of the B mesons is fully reconstructed and a charged lepton from the decay of the other B meson is identified. The moments are presented for threshold lepton momenta ranging from 0.9 to 1.6 GeV. From the M{sub X}2 moments we determine the non-perturbative Heavy Quark Expansion (HQE) parameters, {bar {Lambda}} and [lambda]1. We combine the measured moments M{sub X}2 with earlier BABAR measurements of the semileptonic branching ratios and B lifetimes and perform a simultaneous fit to the HQE for the moments obtained for different threshold lepton momenta and the semileptonic decay width. This fit results in an improved value for the CKM matrix element.

We report a measurement of the first four moments of the hadronic mass distribution in {bar B} → X{sub c}l− {bar {nu}} decays. The measurements are based on 89 million [Upsilon](4S) → B{bar B} events where the hadronic decay of one of the B mesons is fully reconstructed and a charged lepton from the decay of the other B meson is identified. The moments are presented for minimum lepton momenta ranging from 0.9 to 1.6 GeV in the B rest frame. It is expected that such measurements will lead to improved determinations of.

This thesis presents first measurements of moments of the hadronic n_X^2 distribution measured in inclusive semileptonic decays of B mesons to final states containing a charm quark, B->Xc l nu. The variable n_X^2 is a combination of the invariant mass of the charmed meson m_X, its energy in the B-meson rest-frame E_X, and a constant \tilde{\Lambda} = 0.65 GeV, n_X^2 = m_X^2 c^4 - 2 \tilde{\Lambda} E_X + \tilde{\Lambda}^2. The moments n_X^k with k=2,4,6 are measured as proposed by theory to constrain assumptions made in the theoretical description of inclusive observables in semileptonic B-meson decays. This description uses Heavy Quark Expansion (HQE), an effective QCD combined with an Operator Product Expansion. The measurement is based on a sample of 231.6 million e+e- -> Y(4S) -> B\bar{B} events recorded with the BABAR experiment at the PEP-II e+e--storage rings at SLAC. We reconstruct the semileptonic decay by identifying a charged lepton in events tagged by a fully reconstructed hadronic decay of the second B meson. Correction procedures are derived from Monte Carlo simulations to ensure an unbiased measurement of the moments of the n_X^2 distribution. All moments are measured requiring minimum lepton momenta between 0.8 GeV/c and 1.9 GeV/c in the rest frame of the B meson. Performing a simultaneous fit to the measured moments n_X^k up to order k=6 combined with other measurements of moments of the lepton-energy spectrum in decays B->Xc l nu and moments of the photon-energy spectrum in decays B->Xs gamma, we determine the quark-mixing parameter |V_{cb}|, the bottom and charm quark masses, the semileptonic branching fraction BR(B->X l nu), and four non-perturbative heavy quark parameters. Using HQE calculations in the kinetic scheme up to order 1/m_b^3 we find |V_{cb}| = (41.65 +- 0.43 +- 0.40 +- 0.58) x 10^{-3} and m_b = (4.570 \pm 0.033 \pm 0.043)GeV/c^2, where the first uncertainty refe.

Using 180 pb−1 of data collected with the CDF II detector at the Tevatron, we measure the first two moments of the hadronic invariant mass-squared distribution in charmed semileptonic B decays. From these we determine the non-perturbative Heavy Quark Effective Theory parameters? and?1 used to relate the B meson semileptonic branching ratio to the CKM matrix element.

A preliminary determination of the first moment of the hadronic mass distributionM[sub X][sup 2] -[bar m][sub D][sup 2] in semileptonic B decays has been obtained as a function of the minimum lepton momentum, ranging from 0.9 to 1.6 GeV/c. The measurement is based on a new technique involving B[bar B] events in which one fully reconstructed B meson decays hadronically and the recoiling B decays semileptonically. The mass of the hadrons in the semileptonic decay is determined from a kinematic fit to the whole event. For different minimum lepton momenta, the mass distribution is decomposed into contributions from various charm resonant states and a non-resonant contribution, allowing for the determination of the first moment. From these moments the Heavy Quark Effective Theory (HQET) parameters[lambda][sub 1] and[bar[Lambda]] can be derived. For lepton momenta in the B rest frame above 1.5 GeV/c, we find a first moment that is compatible with existing measurements. However, if we extend the measurement to lower values of lepton momenta, the data can only be described by Operator Product Expansion calculations if we use significantly different values for[bar[Lambda]] and[lambda][sub 1] than obtained from earlier measurements based on lepton momentum spectra and the photon spectrum in b[yields] s[gamma] transitions.

The first precision measurements on CP violation in the B system are reported. Both the BELLE and the BABAR collaboration presented, among others, results for sin 2ß with much improved accuracy. Results from the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, SNO, also deserve to be mentioned. The convincing evidence of solar neutrino oscillations had been presented by SNO prior to the conference; a full presentation was given at the conference. An incredibly precise measurement of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon is reported, a fresh result from the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Apart from these distinct physics highlights, there are also the first results from the new Tevatron run and from the relativistic heavy ion collider RHIC. Theorists write of our ever better understanding of the Standard Model and of what might lie beyond. Risky as it is to highlight only a couple of exciting subjects, it is merely meantto whet the appetite for further reading.