S. Tosi

This article reports world averages for measurements of b-hadron and c-hadron properties obtained by the Heavy Flavor Averaging Group (HFAG) using the results available at the end of 2007. For the averaging, common input parameters used in the various analyses are adjusted (rescaled) to common values, and known correlations are taken into account. The averages include branching fractions, lifetimes, neutral meson mixing parameters, CP violation parameters, and parameters of semileptonic decays.

The Claritas Fossae (CF) is an elongated system of scarps and depressions >900 km long, representing the western boundary of the Thaumasia Region to the south of the Tharsis volcanic province. Although there is general agreement on the tectonic nature of such major physiographic feature, the processes that led to its formation are still debated. This study aims to better understand the tectonic evolution of the CF by combining two methodologies: kinematic numerical modelling and structural mapping. Through kinematic numerical modelling, we reproduce the present-day long-wavelength topography (hundreds of kilometres) at CF along four across-strike topographic profiles through the activity of a crustal listric normal fault. We observe that the modelled fault reaches the base of the crust, located at 80 km of depth, without changes in its listric geometry, suggesting a rather homogeneous thick crust. The accuracy of the results is based on the calculated mean misfit between the Martian and modelled topography. In two of the four profiles, the misfit is locally relatively higher, suggesting that the normal dip-slip component alone hardly explains the entire tectonic setting. Through structural mapping, we explore the depressions and scarps that feature the entire study area. We identify four sets of lineaments with different kinematics. The angular and crosscutting relationships between the sets suggest a Riedel-type arrangement within a dextral strike-slip shear zone. Thus, we propose a tectonic evolutionary model of the CF that involves a polyphase evolution made up of a Noachian-Early Hesperian right-lateral strike-slip phase followed by a Late Hesperian-Early Amazonian transtensional reactivation characterised by a significant normal dip-slip component. Our results suggest that the tectonics on Mars were not exclusively single or long-term deformations and that multiple subsequent tectonic events may have contributed to the present-day setting.

This article reports world averages for measurements on b-hadron properties obtained by the Heavy Flavor Averaging Group (HFAG) using the available results as of at the end of 2005. In the averaging, the input parameters used in the various analyses are adjusted (rescaled) to common values, and all known correlations are taken into account. The averages include lifetimes, neutral meson mixing parameters, parameters of semileptonic decays, branching fractions of B meson decays to final states with open charm, charmonium and no charm, and measurements related to CP asymmetries.

The Euclid space telescope will survey a large dataset of cosmic voids traced by dense samples of galaxies. In this work we estimate its expected performance when exploiting angular photometric void clustering, galaxy weak lensing, and their cross-correlation. To this aim, we implemented a Fisher matrix approach tailored for voids from the Euclid photometric dataset and we present the first forecasts on cosmological parameters that include the void-lensing correlation. We examined two different probe settings, pessimistic and optimistic, both for void clustering and galaxy lensing. We carried out forecast analyses in four model cosmologies, accounting for a varying total neutrino mass, M ν , and a dynamical dark energy (DE) equation of state, w ( z ), described by the popular Chevallier-Polarski-Linder parametrization. We find that void clustering constraints on h and Ω b are competitive with galaxy lensing alone, while errors on n s decrease thanks to the orthogonality of the two probes in the 2D-projected parameter space. We also note that, as a whole, with respect to assuming the two probes as independent, the inclusion of the void-lensing cross-correlation signal improves parameter constraints by 10 − 15%, and enhances the joint void clustering and galaxy lensing figure of merit (FoM) by 10% and 25%, in the pessimistic and optimistic scenarios, respectively. Finally, when further combining with the spectroscopic galaxy clustering, assumed as an independent probe, we find that, in the most competitive case, the FoM increases by a factor of 4 with respect to the combination of weak lensing and spectroscopic galaxy clustering taken as independent probes. The forecasts presented in this work show that photometric void clustering and its cross-correlation with galaxy lensing deserve to be exploited in the data analysis of the Euclid galaxy survey and promise to improve its constraining power, especially on h , Ω b , the neutrino mass, and the DE evolution.

The result of a search at the LHC for heavy stable charged particles produced in pp collisions at $ \sqrt {s} = 7\;{\text{TeV}} $ is described. The data sample was collected with the CMS detector and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.1 pb−1. Momentum and ionization-energy-loss measurements in the inner tracker detector are used to identify tracks compatible with heavy slow-moving particles. Additionally, tracks passing muon identification requirements are also analyzed for the same signature. In each case, no candidate passes the selection, with an expected background of less than 0.1 events. A lower limit at the 95% confidence level on the mass of a stable gluino is set at 398GeV/c 2, using a conventional model of nuclear interactions that allows charged hadrons containing this particle to reach the muon detectors. A lower limit of 311 GeV/c 2 is also set for a stable gluino in a conservative scenario of complete charge suppression, where any hadron containing this particle becomes neutral before reaching the muon detectors.

Hadronic event shapes have been measured in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s)=7 TeV, with a data sample collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. The sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.2 inverse picobarns. Event-shape distributions, corrected for detector response, are compared with five models of QCD multijet production.

A measurement of the top-antitop production cross section in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV has been performed at the LHC with the CMS detector. The analysis uses a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 inverse picobarns and is based on the reconstruction of the final state with one isolated, high transverse-momentum electron or muon and three or more hadronic jets. The kinematic properties of the events are used to separate the top-antitop signal from W+jets and QCD multijet background events. The measured cross section is 173 + 39 - 32 (stat. + syst.) pb, consistent with standard model expectations.

We present a photometric follow-up of transiting exoplanets HAT-P-3b and TrES-3b, observed by using several optical and near-infrared filters, with four small-class telescopes (D = 36–152 cm) in the Northern Hemisphere. Two of the facilities present their first scientific results. New 10 HAT-P-3b light curves and new 26 TrES-3b light curves are reduced and combined by filter to improve the quality of the photometry. Combined light curves fitting is carried out independently by using two different analysis packages, allowing the corroboration of the orbital and physical parameters in the literature. Results find no differences in the relative radius with the observing filter. In particular, we report for HAT-P-3b a first estimation of the planet-to-star radius in the B band which is coherent with values found in the VRIz'JH filters. Concerning TrES-3b, we derive a value for the orbital period of P = 1.3061862 ± 0.0000001 days which shows no linear variations over nine years of photometric observations.

This article reports world averages for measurements on b-hadron properties obtained by the Heavy Flavor Averaging Group (HFAG) using the available results as of at the end of 2005. In the averaging, the input parameters used in the various analyses are adjusted (rescaled) to common values, and all known correlations are taken into account. The averages include lifetimes, neutral meson mixing parameters, parameters of semileptonic decays, branching fractions of B decays to final states with open charm, charmonium and no charm, and measurements related to CP asymmetries.

We explore the four top signal ttbar ttbar at the 7 TeV Large Hadron Collider as a probe of physics beyond the standard model. Enhancement of the corresponding cross-section with respect to the Standard Model value can probe the electroweak symmetry breaking sector or test extra dimensional models with heavy Kaluza-Klein gluons and quarks. We perform a detailed analysis including background and detector simulation in the specific case of a universal extra-dimensional model with two extra dimensions compactified using the geometry of the real projective plane. For masses around 600 GeV, a discovery is possible for an effective cross section above 210 fb (36 fb) for 1/fb (10/fb) of integrated luminosity. This implies a branching ratio in tops of the (1,1) heavy photon above 13% (5%). Furthermore, the 4-top signal from the (2,0) and (0,2) tiers can be discovered with an integrated luminosity of 3.5/fb. The results of our simulation can be easily adapted to other models since the background processes are identical. Concerning the signal, typical production mechanisms for the ttbar ttbar signal are similar even if cross-section values may vary considerably depending on the model and the spectrum of the new particles.

The BaBar experiment at PEPII relies on the instrumentation of the flux return (IFR) for both muon identification and KL detection. The active detector is composed of resistive plate chambers (RPCs) operated in streamer mode. Since the start of operation the RPCs have suffered persistent efficiency deterioration and dark current increase problems. The “autopsy” of bad BaBar RPCs revealed that in many cases uncured linseed oil droplets had formed on the inner surface of the Bakelite plates, leading to current paths from oil “stalagmites” bridging the 2 mm gap. In this paper, a possible model of this “stalagmite” formation and its effect on the dark current and efficiency of RPC chambers is presented. Laboratory test results strongly support this model. Based upon this model we are searching for solutions to eliminate the unfavorable effect of the oil stalagmites. The lab tests show that the stalagmite resistivity increases dramatically if exposed to the air, an observation that points to a possible way to remedy the damage and increase the efficiency. We have seen that flowing an oxygen gas mixture into the chamber helps to polymerize the uncured linseed oil. Consequently, the resistivity of the bridged oil stalagmites increases, as does that of the oil coating on the frame edges and spacers, significantly reducing the RPC dark currents and low-efficiency regions. We have tested this idea on two chambers removed from BaBar because of their low efficiency and high dark current. These test results are reported in the paper, and two other remediation methods also mentioned. We continue to study this problem, and try to find new treatments with permanent improvement.

The BABAR detector has operated nearly 200 Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs), constructed as part of an upgrade of the forward endcap muon detector, for the past two years.The RPCs experience widely different background and luminosity-driven singles rates (0.01-10 Hz/cm 2 ) depending on position within the endcap.Some regions have integrated over 0.3 C/cm 2 .RPC efficiency measured with cosmic rays is high and stable.The average efficiency measured with beam is also high.However, a few of the highest rate RPCs have suffered efficiency losses of 5-15%.Although constructed with improved techniques and minimal use of linseed oil, many of the RPCs, which are operated in streamer mode, have shown increased dark currents and noise rates that are correlated with the direction of the gas flow and the integrated current.Studies of the above aging effects are presented and correlated with detector operating conditions.

The BaBar experiment uses a big system based on RPC detectors to discriminate muons from pions and to identify neutral hadrons. About 2000m2 of RPC chambers have been working at SLAC since the end of 1998. We report on the performances of the RPC chambers focusing on new problems discovered in the RPC behaviour. These problems started very soon after the installation of the chambers on the detector when the high-ambient temperature triggered an increase of dark currents inside the chambers and a reduction of the efficiency. Careful analysis of the BaBar data and dedicated R&D efforts in the laboratory have helped to identify the main source of the trouble in the linseed oil varnish on the bakelite electrodes.

The muon and neutral hadron detector (instrumented flux return or IFR) in the forward endcap of the BaBar detector at SLAC was upgraded by the installation of a new generation of resistive plate chambers (RPCs) and by increasing the absorber. The chamber replacement was made necessary by the rapid aging and efficiency loss of the original BaBar RPCs. Based on our experience with those original RPCs and 24 RPCs with thinner linseed oil treatments, improvements in the design, construction, and testing of the new generation RPCs were implemented and are described in detail.

Landslides are a major threat for population and urban areas. Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) is a powerful tool for identifying landslides and monitoring their evolution over long periods and has proven to be very useful especially in urban areas, where a sufficient number of PS can be generated. In this study, we applied PS interferometry to investigate the landslide affecting Santo Stefano d’Aveto (Liguria, NW Italy) by integrating classic interferometric techniques with cross-correlation analysis of PS time-series and with geological and geotechnical field information. We used open-source software and packages to process Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images from the Copernicus Sentinel-1A satellite for both ascending and descending orbits over the period 2015–2021 and calculate both the vertical motion and the E-W horizontal displacement. By computing the cross-correlation of the PS time-series, we identified three families of PS with a similarity greater than 0.70. The cross-correlation analysis allowed subdividing the landslide in different sectors, each of which is characterized by a specific type of movement. The geological meaning of this subdivision is still a matter of discussion but it is presumably driven by the geomorphological setting of the area and by the regional tectonics.

A set of photochromic dithienylethenes bearing amino and nitro groups are synthesised and embedded at high concentrations in a polymer matrix (Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, CAB) to produce films showing a large reversible modulation of the complex refractive index in the Vis-NIR spectral range, thanks to an interesting combination of remarkable response at the molecular level and very high load capability in the chosen matrix. The photochromic derivatives are characterized in solution and in CAB films by means of electronic and vibrational spectroscopy, complemented by DFT calculations. Both the real and imaginary part of the refractive index are determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The modulation of the refractive index in the near infrared is in the range 0.02-0.04. These are very large values for such kinds of systems and they are due to a favourable combination of very large solubility of the derivatives in CAB and a high polarisability change. As for the change in transparency in the visible, contrast values larger than 103 are easily achieved. Based on such films, holograms are written and reconstructed with a very high fidelity and efficiency.

Abstract Photochromic hydrazones are attracting the attention in the field of photochromic systems especially due to their P‐type character. To understand the structural features and their correlation with the spectroscopic data, UV‐Vis, vibrational and ellipsometry spectroscopic techniques are employed with the support of density functional theory (DFT) calculations to three hydrazone derivatives based on benzoylpyridine. Interestingly, analysis of the structure shows the presence of two distinct rotamers around the pyridine ring with different energy and the well‐defined conjugation path that changes due to E to Z isomerization especially in the hydrazone −C=N−NH part of the skeleton. IR and Raman spectra are analyzed, showing a higher selectivity in the Z form; moreover, the comparison with the normal modes proves the effect of the reaction on the backbone structure. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions, especially in the case of the Raman spectrum. The molecular polarization also changes from E to Z forms as predicted by DFT calculations. Spectroscopic ellipsometry on thin films of TOPAS doped with 10 %wt of the dimethylamino hydrazone derivative is used to prove such change at the molecular level. A modulation of the refractive index is observed, and it is correlated with the concentration of the active moiety and the calculated electronic polarizabilities.

The BaBar Collaboration has operated an instrumented flux return (IFR) system covering over 2000m2 with resistive plate chambers (RPCs) for nearly 3 years. The chambers are constructed of bakelite sheets separated by 2mm. The inner surfaces are coated with linseed oil. This system provides muon and neutral hadron detection for BaBar. Installation and commissioning were completed in 1998, and operation began mid-year 1999. While initial performance of the system reached design, over time, a significant fraction of the RPCs demonstrated significant degradation, marked by increased currents and reduced efficiency. A coordinated effort of investigations have identified many of the elements responsible for the degradation. This article presents our current understanding of the aging process of the BaBar RPCs along with the action plan to combat performance degradation of the IFR system.

The BaBar Collaboration has operated a system covering over 2000 m/sup 2/ with resistive plate chambers for nearly three years. The chambers are constructed of bakelite sheets separated by 2 mm. The inner surfaces are coated with linseed oil. This system provides muon and neutral hadron detection for BaBar. Installation and commissioning were completed in 1998, and operation began mid-1999. While initial performance of the system reached design, over time, a significant fraction of the resistive plate chambers demonstrated significant degradation, marked by increased currents and reduced efficiency. A coordinated investigative effort has identified many of the elements responsible for the degradation.

The BaBar detector is currently operating nearly 200 Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs), constructed as part of an upgrade of the forward endcap muon detector in 2002. Although the average RPC efficiency remains high, numerous changes in the RPC performance (increased currents and rates) have been observed. A few of the highest rate RPCs have suffered efficiency losses of more than 15%. Several types of efficiency loss have been observed. Tests with humidified gas have shown that some of the lost efficiency is recoverable. However, efficiency losses in the highest rate regions have not yet improved with humid gases.

Time-delay cosmography can be used to infer the Hubble parameter $H_0$ by measuring the relative time delays between multiple images of gravitationally-lensed quasars. A few of such systems have already been used to measure $H_0$: their time delays were determined from the multiple images light curves obtained by regular, years long, monitoring campaigns. Such campaigns can hardly be performed by any telescope: many facilities are often over-subscribed with a large amount of observational requests to fulfill. While the ideal systems for time-delay measurements are lensed quasars whose images are well resolved by the instruments, several lensed quasars have a small angular separation between the multiple images, and would appear as a single, unresolved, image to a large number of telescopes featuring poor angular resolutions or located in not privileged geographical locations. Methods allowing to infer the time delay also from unresolved light curves would boost the potential of such telescopes and greatly increase the available statistics for $H_0$ measurements. This work presents a study of unresolved lensed quasar systems to estimate the time delay using a deep learning-based approach that exploits the capabilities of one-dimensional convolutional neural networks. Experiments on state-of-the-art simulations of unresolved light curves show the potential of the proposed method and pave the way for future applications in time-delay cosmography.

<p>Unravelling the tectonic styles that affected the Martian crust is crucial to better understand the evolutionary stages that a rocky planet can experience. Here, we explore the tectonic setting of a key region of Mars, namely the Claritas Fossae (CF). The CF is located in the Highlands to the south-west of the Valles Marineris and is characterized by an elongated system of scarps and troughs, fault sets, and grabens, nearly N-S trending. These morphotectonic features strongly resemble terrestrial grabens (e.g.; Thingvellir in south Iceland) and, for this reason, the CF has been interpreted as a rift-like system (Hauber & Kronberg, 2005).</p><p>In this work we apply a kinematic numerical forward modelling (HCA method; Salvini & Storti, 2004) to reproduce the geometry of the main fault(s) that likely generated the CF in order to better understand the leading tectonic mechanisms. This method allows replicating the superficial morphologies by considering the development of one or multiple faults with given geometry, throw and displacement rate and the relative movement between hanging-wall and foot-wall crustal blocks. It has been successfully used to simulate tectonically controlled morphologies on Earth such as ice buried landscape in the interiors of Antarctica (Cianfarra & Salvini, 2016), a negligible erosional environment considered as a good Martian analogue. In our model, we reproduced the morphology of the central-northern sector of the CF, characterized by an asymmetric valley with a steeper eastern slope and a gently rounded western one, along a topographical profile perpendicular to the strike of the main structure. The eastern valley slope allows locating the upper tip of the fault for the modelling in which we set the crustal thickness (i.e., the bottom of the model) to 70 km (Watters et al., 2007), considered no significant rheological vertical variation and tried different values of initial dip in the range 50°-70° and throw in the range  1000-2000 m. The preliminary results of our modelling show that the topography, including the rounded shape of the western slope, is well replicated by a crustal (listric) normal fault characterized by an initial dip of ca. 60° that gently decrease to ca. 40° and a throw of ca. 1800 m. This allows including the development of the CF in a past extensional tectonic regime of regional relevance. Further modelling on new topographical profiles to the north and to the south respect to the already modelled one will allow better highlighting the 3D shape of the main CF fault and the presence of further secondary but not negligible faults.</p><p>Hauber, E., & Kronberg, P. (2005). The large Thaumasia graben on Mars: Is it a rift?. J. Geoph. Research: Planets</p><p>Salvini, F., & Storti, F. (2004). Active-hinge-folding-related Deformation and its Role in Hydrocarbon Exploration and DevelopmentInsights from HCA Modeling.</p><p>Cianfarra, P., & Salvini, F. (2016). Origin of the adventure subglacial trench linked to Cenozoic extension in the East Antarctic Craton. Tectonophysics</p><p>Watters, T. R., McGovern, P. J., & Irwin Iii , R. P. (2007). Hemispheres apart: The crustal dichotomy on Mars. Annu . Rev. Earth Planet. Sci.</p>

Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) is one of the most powerful tools for identifying and monitoring areas exposed to surface deformations such as landslides or subsidence. In this work, we propose a new method that we named CAPS (Correlation Analysis on Persistent Scatterers), to extend the capability of PSI in recognizing and characterising areas influenced by complex ground deformations and differential motions. CAPS must be applied to both ascending and descending orbits separately and comprises three major steps: (i) calculating the cross-correlation matrix on detrended PS time-series; (ii) extracting PS pairs with similarity greater than a given threshold; (iii) grouping PS in families by sorting and classification. Thus, in both orbits, PS Families identify groups of PS with similar movements. This allows distinguishing sectors characterised by different displacements over time even in areas with similar LOS (Line of Sight) velocities. As test sites, we considered four different known geological scenarios: two representing landslide environments (Santo Stefano d’Aveto and Arzeno, both in Liguria, NW Italy) and two subsidence environments (Rome and Venice, urban and surrounding areas). This method proved to be versatile, applicable to different geological situations and at different scales of observation, for recognizing both regional and local differential deformations.

<p>The Claritas Fossae (CF) is a Martian system of scarps and troughs with NNE-SSE elongation that exceeds 1000 km of length and 150 km of width. It develops mainly in Late to Middle Noachian highland units and Hesperian lava flows (Tanaka et al., 2014). It is bounded to the east by the elevated plateau of Syria Planum, Sinai Planum and Solis Planum mostly consisting in late Hesperian volcanic units; and to the west by the relatively topographically lower Daedalia Planum made of the Amazonian-Hesperian volcanic lava flows of Tharsis (Fig 1a).</p> <p><img src="" alt="" width="689" height="627" /></p> <p><em>Figure 1 a<strong>)</strong> Location of the study area. b<strong>) </strong>The study area with its subdivision in the two Sectors A and B and the location of the Western Fault (WF) and the Eastern Fault (EF). </em></p> <p>In this study, we focus on the northernmost part of the CF (Fig 1b) that can be subdivided in two different sectors (Hauber & Kronberg, 2005) on the basis of the characteristics of the main scarps and the valley floor:</p> <ul> <li>Sector A: It is characterised to the north and to the west by a topographically high area etched by numerous depressions up to tens of km long with different orientations, and to the south-east by an asymmetric valley. This valley is bounded to the west by an abrupt scarp, dipping to the east, that exceeds 200 km of length and presents up to 1000 m of elevation change. The eastern slope of the valley is represented by the northernmost part of a scarp here characterised by a maximum elevation change of 300 m and WSW dipping. These steep morphologies suggest a strong tectonic control; the faults responsible for their evolution are hereinafter referred to as the Western Fault (WF) and the Eastern Fault (EF), respectively.</li> <li>Sector B: The western slope of the asymmetric valley is gentler and with lower topographic contrast compared to Sector A lacking the topographic evidence of the WF. On the other side, the southward continuation of the EF presenting topographic changes up to 2000 m describes a steep scarp that strongly suggests its tectonic control.</li> </ul> <p>The aim of this study is to reconstruct the tectonic processes that affected this area in order to gather a better comprehension of the tectonic style(s) that Mars experienced. In this perspective, a multi-scalar approach is of outmost importance. To do so, we conducted two types of analysis:</p> <ul> <li>Structural mapping of the regionally sized faults and fault-related fractures in Sectors A and B (still ongoing);</li> <li>Forward modelling aimed at reproducing the development in depth of the EF in Sector B.</li> </ul> <p>For the structural mapping, we analyse satellite images that were processed to enhance the detectability of tectonic structures. The dataset we used, with different spatial resolution, includes: a) the topographic map of Mars from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA DEM and relative colour shade, 200 mppx); b) the Thermal Emission Imaging System dataset that shows the thermo-physical properties of the outcropping lithologies with InfraRed Day and Night acquisitions (THEMIS IRDay/Night, 100 mppx); and c) the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Context Camera mosaic (MRO-CTX, 6 mppx), used to explore the crosscutting relationships between the mapped structures. In addition, to better highlight the tectonic structures and to avoid limits and bias related to the use of a single lighting direction (Wise et al., 1985), we produced four shadowed images according to four synthetic lightening conditions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°).</p> <p>For the modelling of the EF, we consider the regional scale topography of the Martian surface as a reference layer reflecting the crustal tectonic processes. In fact, the erosional processes on Mars have very low rates, and have a negligilble effect in shaping the regional physiography (Klimczak et al., 2018). We used the HCA method (Salvini & Storti, 2004) aimed at reproducing the superficial morphologies by studying the movement of two crustal blocks separated by a fault with a given geometry. We modelled the topography derived from four topographic profiles trending perpendicular to the EF; results show that the activity of a crustal, listric normal fault replicates the topography across the CF.  This crustal  normal fault reaches the base of the crust at 80 km of depth, a value in accordance with literature (Watters et al., 2007). The dip of the fault decreases from about 60 degrees near the surface to about 20 degrees at the boundary between crust and mantle. The fault displacement varies from north to south, reaching a maximum of 2000 m.</p> <p><img src="" alt="" width="746" height="411" /></p> <p><em>Fig. 2 – Sketch of the modelled listric normal EF</em></p> <p>The preliminary results of the structural mapping show that the identified tectonic structures are not randomly distributed. The statistical analysis by frequency distribution of the mapped tectonic structures shows their clustering in four main azimuthal families: i) NNE-SSW; ii) NNW-SSE; iii) ENE-WSW; and iv) WNW-ESE. By analyzing the crosscutting relationships among the mapped structures and the relative ages of the terrains where they develop, we recognized multiple deformation events at different scale, both regional and hemispheric. Furthermore, by comparing the main trend of the found azimuthal families with the expected direction of the structures in a strike-slip regime (Li et al., 2016), we found correspondence with a right lateral strike-slip regime oriented NNW-SSE, similarly to the main scarps of the CF. The ongoing structural mapping and the spatial-azimuthal analysis of the family set will allow us to better constrain the relative chronology of deformation events and to produce a tectonic evolutionary model of the studied region.</p> <p>These preliminary results suggest that the investigated area has been interested by a long-lasting tectonic deformation history made of multiple reactivations of crustal weakness zones. The structural setting of the area is likely related to the contribution of several factors acting also at different scales. At the hemispheric scale we recognized deformations associated to the development/evolution of Tharsis Bulge and of the Tharsis Montes; at the regional scale we recognized tectonic structures related to the evolution of the CF where evidence of strike slip and extensional deformations have been recognized.</p>

In this talk, several measurements in the top-quark sector are presented, obtained from the CMS data collected in 2011 and 2012 at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The production cross section of tt̄ pairs is measured in several decay channels: lepton+jets, dilepton and fully hadronic channels, including channels with the τ lepton. Differential cross sections are measured and are provided as a function of various kinematic observables; the results are compared with precise theory calculations. Measurements of several top-quark properties are reported, including the top pair charge asymmetry, the W helicity in top decays, the measurement of the production of tt̄ pairs with W, Z, gamma, the spin correlation and the search for anomalous couplings and flavor-changing neutral currents. The results are compared with predictions from the standard model as well as new physics models. The cross sections for the electroweak production of single top quarks are measured in the t-channel and in association with W-bosons. Measurements of top-quark properties in single top quark production are also presented. The results include the W-helicity in top quark decays and the searches for the s-channel production and anomalous couplings.

We consider an alternative formula for time delay in gravitational lensing. Imposing a smoothness condition on the gravitationally deformed paths followed by the photons from the source to the observer, we show that our formula displays the same degrees of freedom as the standard one. In addition to this, it is shown that the standard expression for time delay is recovered when small angles are involved. These two features strongly support the claim that the formula for time delay studied in this paper is the generalization to the arbitrary angles of the standard one, which is valid at small angles. This could therefore result in a useful tool in Astrophysics and Cosmology which may be applied to investigate the discrepancy between the various estimates of the Hubble constant. As an aside, two interesting consequences of our proposal for time delay are discussed: the existence of a constraint on the gravitational potential generated by the lens and a formula for the mass of the lens in the case of central potential.

We consider an alternative formula for time delay in gravitational lensing. Imposing a smoothness condition on the gravitationally deformed paths followed by the photons from the source to the observer, we show that our formula displays the same degrees of freedom of the standard one. In addition to this, it is shown that the standard expression for time delay is recovered when small angles are involved. These two features strongly support the claim that the formula for time delay studied in this paper is the generalization to arbitrary angles of the standard one, which is valid at small angles. This could therefore result in a useful tool in view of softening the known discrepancy between the various estimates of the Hubble constant. As an aside, two interesting consequences of our proposal for time delay are discussed: the existence of a constraint on the gravitational potential generated by the lens and a formula for the mass of the lens in the case of central potential.

In this paper we describe the final status of the application software (ASW) of the instrument control unit (ICU) of NISP, the Near-Infrared Spectro-Photometer of the Euclid mission, as the version for Flight has been tested and delivered to the industry for the next integration phases. This software is based on a real-time operating system (RTEMS) and will interface with all the subunits of NISP, as well as the command and data management unit (CDMU) of the spacecraft for telecommand and housekeeping management. We will describe in particular the final tests and the main obstacles which had to be faced in order to implement an efficient and reliable interface with all the NISP subsystems.

We present the preliminary design of Cerberus, a new scientific instrument for the alt-az, 80cm OARPAF telescope in the Ligurian mountains above Genoa, Italy. Cerberus will provide three focal stations at the Nasmyth focus, allowing: imaging and photometry with standard Johnson-Cousins UBV RI+Hα+Free filters, an on-axis guiding camera, and a tip-tilt lens for image stabilization up to 10Hz; long slit spectroscopy at R 5900 thanks to a LHIRES III spectrograph provided with a 1200l/mm grism; echelle spectroscopy at R 9300 using a FLECHAS spectrograph with optical fiber.

We present technical, instrumental, and software upgrades completed and planned at astronomical observatory called "Osservatorio Astronomico Regionale Parco Antola, Fascia" (OARPAF), hosting an 80cm, alt-az Cassegrain-Nasmyth telescope. The observatory, located in the Ligurian Apennines, can currently be operated either for scientific (photometry camera) or amateur (ocular) observations, by switching the tertiary mirror between the two Nasmyth foci using a manual handle. The main scientific observational topics are related up to now to exoplanetary transits, QSOs, and gravitationally lensed quasars, and results are being recently published. A remotization and robotization strategy of the entire structure (telescope, dome, instruments, sensors and monitoring) have been set up and it is in progress. We report the current upgrades, mainly related for what concerns the "hardware" side to the robotization of the dome. On the instrumentation side, a new modular support for instruments with spectrophotometric capabilities is on a preliminary design phase, improving the telescope performances and broadening the potential science fields. In this framework, the procurement of spectrophotometric material has started. On the software side, an innovative web-based software relying on websockets and node.js can already be used to control the camera, and it will be extended to manage the other components of the instrument, of the observatory, and of the image database storage.

In this talk, several measurements in the top-quark sector are presented, obtained from the CMS data collected in 2011 and 2012 at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The production cross section of tt̄ pairs is measured in several decay channels: lepton+jets, dilepton and fully hadronic channels, including channels with the τ lepton. Differential cross sections are measured and are provided as a function of various kinematic observables; the results are compared with precise theory calculations. Measurements of several top-quark properties are reported, including the top pair charge asymmetry, the W helicity in top decays, the measurement of the production of tt̄ pairs with W, Z, gamma, the spin correlation and the search for anomalous couplings and flavor-changing neutral currents. The results are compared with predictions from the standard model as well as new physics models. The cross sections for the electroweak production of single top quarks are measured in the t-channel and in association with W-bosons. Measurements of top-quark properties in single top quark production are also presented. The results include the W-helicity in top quark decays and the searches for the s-channel production and anomalous couplings.

The most recent results on top-quark physics reported by the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are presented in this talk. The results are based on a data sample of about 36/pb of data collected during 2010 at a pp center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV.

Summary: Observation of {eta}{sub b}; Energy scan above {Upsilon}(4S); Search for {Upsilon} {r_arrow} {gamma}A{sup 0}, A{sup 0} {r_arrow} invisible; Hadronic transitions {Upsilon}(4S) {r_arrow} {Upsilon}(nS).

The sixth SuperB Workshop was convened in response to questions posed by the INFN Review Committee, evaluating the SuperB project at the request of INFN. The working groups addressed the capability of a high-luminosity flavor factory that can gather a data sample of 50 to 75 /ab in five years to elucidate New Physics phenomena unearthed at the LHC. This report summarizes the results of the Workshop.

The large integrated luminosity collected by the BaBar detector at the SLAC PEP-II e+e− B-Factory offers an excellent opportunity for the study of hadronic B-meson decays. A selection of recent results reported by BaBar is presented: a full amplitude analysis of B decays to the vector-vector final states ϕK*, branching fraction measurements and study of decay dynamics in B decays to proton-antiproton pairs and a light hadron, and branching fraction measurements of B decays to the charmonium states ηc and hc and K or K* meson.

The high integrated luminosity collected by the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II e + e − B-Factory offers an excellent opportunity for the study of heavy-quark spectroscopy. A selection of the most recent results reported by BABAR will be presented, focussing on recently observed states with both open- and hidden-charm content.

OARPAF (Osservatorio Astronomico Regionale Parco Antola Comune di Fascia, Italy) hosts an 80cm Astelco telescope with a Gambato Dome, SBIG-STX camera, Davis weather station, and SBIG AllSky camera. We present a layer-structured python3 framework to control these devices. Layer 1 provides straightforward getter/ setter interface for “atomic” operations on devices. Layer 2 wraps the above mentioned atomic operations into “ESO-style” Templates, to perform sequences of common pointing, observation, and calibration operations called “Observation Blocks” (OBs) that are run by a sequencer. Layer 3 is a REST API based on HTTP verbs to expose methods that control Layer 1 devices and Layer 2. We also present a web interface built on top of this layer. The work is part of the frame for remoting and robotizing the observatory.

The high integrated luminosity collected by the BABAR detector at the SLAC PEP-II e + e - B-Factory offers an excellent opportunity for the study of heavy-quark spectroscopy. A selection of the most recent results reported by BABAR will be presented, focussing on recently observed states with both open- and hidden-charm content.

We present the preliminary design of Cerberus, a new scientific instrument for the alt-az, 80cm OARPAF telescope in the Ligurian mountains above Genoa, Italy. Cerberus will provide three focal stations at the Nasmyth focus, allowing: imaging and photometry with standard Johnson-Cousins UBVRI+Ha+Free filters, an on-axis guiding camera, and a tip-tilt lens for image stabilization up to 10Hz; long slit spectroscopy at R 5900 thanks to a LHIRES III spectrograph provided with a 1200l/mm grism; \'echelle spectroscopy at R 9300 using a FLECHAS spectrograph with optical fiber.

We present the preliminary design of Cerberus, a new scientific instrument for the alt-az, 80cm OARPAF telescope in the Ligurian mountains above Genoa, Italy. Cerberus will provide three focal stations at the Nasmyth focus, allowing: imaging and photometry with standard Johnson-Cousins UBVRI+Ha+Free filters, an on-axis guiding camera, and a tip-tilt lens for image stabilization up to 10Hz; long slit spectroscopy at R 5900 thanks to a LHIRES III spectrograph provided with a 1200l/mm grism; \'echelle spectroscopy at R 9300 using a FLECHAS spectrograph with optical fiber.

Abstract The article reports a selection of recent results on top-quark physics by the CMS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Results on inclusive and differential cross sections, as well as measurements of properties of the top quark, are reported.

This report presents a review of recent results for the determination of the parameter β(ϕ1) of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix through the measurement of time-dependent CP asymmetries in B-meson decays by the BaBar and Belle experiments.

The BaBar Collaboration has operated a system covering over 2000 m/sup 2/ with resistive plate chambers for nearly three years. The chambers are constructed of bakelite sheets separated by 2 mm. The inner surfaces are coated with linseed oil. This system provides muon and neutral hadron detection for BaBar. Installation and commissioning were completed in 1998, and operation began mid-year 1999. While initial performance of the system reached design, over time, a significant fraction of the RPCs demonstrated significant degradation, marked by increased currents and reduced efficiency. A coordinated effort of investigations have identified many of the elements responsible for the degradation.

The OARPAF telescope is an 80-cm-diameter optical telescope installed in the Antola Mount Regional Reserve, in Northern Italy. We present the results of the characterization of the site, as well as developments and interventions that have been implemented, with the goal of exploiting the facility for scientific and educational purposes. During the characterization of the site, an average background brightness of 22.40mAB (B filter) to 21.14mAB (I) per arcsecond squared, and a 1.5″ to 3.0″ seeing, have been measured. An estimate of the magnitude zero points for photometry is also reported. The material under commissioning includes three CCD detectors for which we provide the linearity range, gain, and dark current; a 31-orders échelle spectrograph with R ∼ 8500 to 15,000 and a dispersion of n = 1.39 × 10 − 6 px − 1λ + 1.45 × 10 − 4 nm / px, where λ is expressed in nm. The scientific and outreach potential of the facility is proven in different science cases, such as exoplanetary transits and active galactic nuclei variability. The determination of time delays of gravitationally lensed quasars, the microlensing phenomenon, and the tracking and the study of asteroids are also discussed as prospective science cases.

<p><span>The Martian crustal dichotomy is the main physiographic feature at planetary scale on Mars and marks the topographic and geological boundary between the northern Lowlands and the southern Highlands. It can be easily followed over the entire surface of Mars except for the Tharsis volcanic region that is presumably superimposed. Concerning the formation of the crustal dichotomy there is not a widely accepted model from the scientific community and at present three main hypotheses have been proposed: i) endogenous/geodynamic origin driven by mantle convection (Wise et al., 1979; Sleep, 1994; Wenzel et al., 2004); ii) exogenous origin, related to a giant impact (Wilhelms & Squyres, 1984; Andrews-Hanna et al., 2008; Nimmo et al., 2008) or multiple large impacts (Frey & Schultz, 1988, 1990); iii) a combination of them (Yin, 2012). None of these hypotheses can totally exclude the others and so the process or processes that led to the development of this planetary structure are still matter of debate. We aim at better understanding the Martian crustal dichotomy especially in an historical moment when the current paradigm of Mars as a tectonically dead planet is weakened by the new important seismic data from the NASA’s InSight mission (Banerdt et al., 2020; Dahmen et al., 2020;<br>Giardini et al., 2020; van Driel et al., 2021).</span></p><p><span>In order to give a contribution to this open question, here we present a study of the morphotectonic structures at regional and global scale outcropping over the surface of Mars between 60°N and 60°S. We map and analyze tectonic structures with lithospheric relevance at global and regional scale (length exceeding one order of magnitude the average crustal thickness (Neumann et al., 2004, L ≥ 450 km) using low spatial resolution satellite images from multiple datasets. This allows us to restrict the mapping only to the linear-to-curvilinear morphotectonic elements that are detectable on satellite image mosaic representing both the topography (e.g. Viking dataset and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) DEM with multiple<br>lighting conditions and spatial resolution of 200mpp) and alignments of thermo-physical properties of the outcropping lithologies (e.g. night and day thermal infrared - Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) dataset with spatial resolution of 100mpp). Image processing, including luminosity contrast stretching and convolution filtering for edge enhancement, supported the photo-geologic interpretation for the manual mapping of the<br>identified morphotectonic structures. Image processing is performed with the software Envi 5.6 and the mapping is conducted in GIS environment (software used: QGIS 3.16_Hannover). The analysis of multiple satellite dataset strengthens the reliability of the mapped structures by reducing the possible bias of the operator subjectivity.</span></p><p><span>The mapped structures are statistically analyzed with the freeware Daisy3 software (</span><span>http://host.uniroma3.it/progetti/fralab/</span><span>) in order to explore their clustering in azimuthal family sets. Following Wise et al. (1985) we refer to these azimuthal families as swarm. Each swarm is described in terms of spatial distribution, mean length of the tectonic structures, </span><span>spacing, sinuosity and self-similar clustering. These properties allow to describe the geological properties of the region where they develop (e.g. spatial variation of the elastic lithospheric thickness). In this contest, the main geological relevance is given to the swarm and not to the single structure, in fact the inclusion, omission, or distortion of few structures will not affect the geologic/tectonic/geodynamic properties and meaning of a swarm.<br></span></p><p><span>We have started our work, that is still in progress, from the Cerberus Fossae where we are mapping extensional morpho-tectonic structures with en-echelon patterns. They exceed 1000-1200 km of length and are aligned along a NW-SE trend representing a single swarm. These structures are described in literature and are generating a lot of interest in the scientific community for the possibly associated recent volcanic, tectonic and seismic activity (Berman & Hartmann, 2002; Plescia, 2003; Giardini et al., 2020; Horvath et al., 2021 ). Similar morphotectonic structures outcrop approximately at the same longitude but more to the south, at the boundary between Cimmeria and Sirenum Terrae (see also Tanaka et al., 2014). They affect the Highlands for thousands of kilometers reaching Daedalia Planum, Tharsis and Thaumasia Highlands. From the mapping these structures seem similar compared to the previous cited one in Cerberus Fossae with extensional features and en-echelon patterns that lead us to think that strike-slips movements and so the horizontal component over the surface of Mars may have played an important role in the geologic history of the planet. The azimuthal trend of this swarm varies from about W-E in Sirenum Terra to SW- NE approximately in the Daedalia Planum, roughly parallel to the alignment of Arsia, Pavonis and Ascraeus volcanos in the Tharsis rise. Along the Thaumasia Highlands, in particular, we identify three swarms with different azimuthal trends. Some authors ascribe the structures in this region to a possible rift-like system (Dohm & Tanaka, 1998 Hauber & Kronberg, 2005; Grott et al., 2007; Nahm & Schulz, 2010). We will further map and analyze these structures and swarm(s) to highlight their mutual relationships also to frame them into an evolutionary model. </span></p><p><span>If the tectonic origin of the mapped swarms will be confirmed this will be fundamental to investigate the tectonic styles (stagnant lid, fragmented lid, a contribution of both?) that affected or have been affecting Mars since the formation of the lithosphere-asthenosphere system. Furthermore, this will also allow to further constrain the role of tectonic processes on rocky or icy bodies with rigid outer shell. A better comprehension of their formation and evolution can in addition provide important clues for similar rocky exoplanets.</span></p>

We present preliminary results for the measurement of the branching fraction of the decay B{sup {+-}} {yields} {chi}{sub c0} K{sup {+-}} from a sample of 75 million B{bar B} pairs collected by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B Factory at SLAC. The {chi}{sub c0} meson is reconstructed through its two-body decays to {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -} and K{sup +}K{sup -}. We measure {Beta}(B{sup {+-}} {yields} {chi}{sub c0} K{sup {+-}}) x {Beta}({chi}{sub c0} {yields} K{sup +}K{sup -}) = 1.48 {+-} 0.44(stat) {+-} 0.17(syst) x 10{sup -6}. Using the known values for the {chi}{sub c0} decays branching fractions, we combined these results to obtain {Beta}(B{sup {+-}} {yields} {chi}{sub c0} K{sup {+-}}) = (2.4 {+-} 0.7) x 10{sup -4}.