Primordial non-Gaussianity with Planck

In this thesis we developed, validated and applied to data, the most advanced statistical tools to measure NG in the high resolution CMB datasets coming from the Planck satellite First Cosmology Public Release. In particular, our efforts were conveyed to the development of the so called (Komatsu-Spergel-Wandelt) KSW estimator (Komatsu et al. 2005), the Planck breeded version of the estimator used by the WMAP team, that was selected as a front-runner estimator for NG for the Planck \ufb01rst public release. Moreover, we developed a second estimator, the Skew-Cl (Munshi and Heavens 2010). This estimator has the advantage to estimate NG in armonic space giving rise the possibility to study possible contamination that can be present in the data. In the conclusion we will describe and discuss the results we obtained, showing not only the numbers, but focusing in particular on their robustness, achieved through an intense campaign of validation made inside the Planck collaboration, that allowed us to claim the \ufb01nal constraint on in\ufb02ationary NG

Cornering the Planck AlensA_{lens} tension with future CMB data

The precise measurements of Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropy angular power spectra made by the Planck satellite show an anomalous value for the lensing amplitude, defined by the parameter $A_{lens}$, at more than $2$ standard deviations. In this paper, after discussing the current status of the anomaly, we quantify the potential of future CMB measurements in confirming/falsifying the $A_{lens}$ tension. We find that a space-based experiment as LiteBIRD could falsify the current $A_{lens}$ tension at the level of $5$ standard deviations. Similar constraints can be achieved by a Stage-III experiment assuming an external prior on the reionization optical depth of $\tau=0.055\pm0.010$ as already provided by the Planck satellite. A Stage-IV experiment could further test the $A_{lens}$ tension at the level of $10$ standard deviations. A comparison between temperature and polarization measurements made at different frequencies could further identify possible systematics responsible for $A_{lens}>1$. We show that, in the case of the CMB-S4 experiment, polarization data alone will have the potential of falsifying the current $A_{lens}$ anomaly at more than five standard deviation and to strongly bound its frequency dependence. We also evaluate the future constraints on a possible scale dependence for $A_{lens}$.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

What is the amplitude of the Gravitational Waves background expected in the Starobinsky model ?

The inflationary model proposed by Starobinski in 1979 predicts an amplitude of the spectrum of primordial gravitational waves, parametrized by the tensor to scalar ratio, of $r=0.0037$ in case of a scalar spectral index of $n_S=0.965$. This amplitude is currently used as a target value in the design of future CMB experiments with the ultimate goal of measuring it at more than five standard deviations. Here we evaluate how stable are the predictions of the Starobinski model on $r$ considering the experimental uncertainties on $n_S$ and the assumption of $\Lambda$CDM. We also consider inflationary models where the $R^2$ term in Starobinsky action is generalized to a $R^{2p}$ term with index $p$ close to unity. We found that current data place a lower limit of $r>0.0013$ at $95 \%$ C.L. for the classic Starobinski model, and predict also a running of the scalar index different from zero at more than three standard deviation in the range $dn/dlnk=-0.0006_{-0.0001}^{+0.0002}$. A level of gravitational waves of $r\sim0.001$ is therefore possible in the Starobinski scenario and it will not be clearly detectable by future CMB missions as LiteBIRD and CMB-S4. When assuming a more general $R^{2p}$ inflation we found no expected lower limit on $r$, and a running consistent with zero. We found that current data are able to place a tight constraints on the index of $R^{2p}$ models at $95\%$ C.L. i.e. $p= 0.99^{+0.02}_{-0.03}$.Comment: Corrected a typo in the potential normalizatio

Higher-Curvature Corrections and Tensor Modes

Higher-curvature corrections to the effective gravitational action may leave signatures in the spectrum of primordial tensor perturbations if the inflationary energy scale is sufficiently high. In this paper we further investigate the effects of a coupling of the Inflaton field to higher-curvature tensors in models with a minimal breaking of conformal symmetry. We show that an observable violation of the tensor consistency relation from higher-curvature tensors implies also a relatively large running of the tensor tilt, enhanced even by some order of magnitude with respect to the standard slow roll case. This may leave signatures in the tensor two-point function that we could test to recognize higher-curvature effects, above all if they are translated into a blue tilted spectrum visible by future Gravitational Wave experiments. Exploiting current cosmic microwave background and gravitational wave data we also derive constraints on the inflationary parameters, inferring that large higher-curvature corrections seem to be disfavored.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Weakly non-planar dimers

We study a model of fully-packed dimer configurations (or perfect matchings) on a bipartite periodic graph that is two-dimensional but not planar. The graph is obtained from $\mathbb Z^2$ via the addition of an extensive number of extra edges that break planarity (but not bipartiteness). We prove that, if the weight $\lambda$ of the non-planar edges is small enough, a suitably defined height function scales on large distances to the Gaussian Free Field with a $\lambda$-dependent amplitude, that coincides with the anomalous exponent of dimer-dimer correlations. Because of non-planarity, Kasteleyn's theory does not apply: the model is not integrable. Rather, we map the model to a system of interacting lattice fermions in the Luttinger universality class, which we then analyze via fermionic Renormalization Group methods.Comment: 44 pages, 9 figures. Final version accepted for publication on Probability and Mathematical Physic

The cosmological impact of future constraints on H0H_0 from gravitational-wave standard sirens

Gravitational-wave standard sirens present a novel approach for the determination of the Hubble constant. After the recent spectacular confirmation of the method thanks to GW170817 and its optical counterpart, additional standard siren measurements from future gravitational-wave sources are expected to constrain the Hubble constant to high accuracy. At the same time, improved constraints are expected from observations of cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization and from baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) surveys. We explore the role of future standard siren constraints on $H_0$ in light of expected CMB+BAO data. Considering a $10$-parameters cosmological model, in which curvature, the dark energy equation of state, and the Hubble constant are unbounded by CMB observations, we find that a combination of future CMB+BAO data will constrain the Hubble parameter to $\sim 1.5 \%$. Further extending the parameter space to a time-varying dark energy equation of state, we find that future CMB+BAO constraints on $H_0$ are relaxed to $\sim 3.0 \%$. These accuracies are within reach of future standard siren measurements from the Hanford-Livingston-Virgo and the Hanford-Livingston-Virgo-Japan-India networks of interferometers, showing the cosmological relevance of these sources. If future gravitational-wave standard siren measurements reach $1\%$ on $H_0$, as expected, they would significantly improve future CMB+BAO constraints on curvature and on the dark energy equation of state by up to a factor $\sim 3$. We also show that the inclusion of $H_0$ constraints from gravitational-wave standard sirens could result in a reduction of the dark energy figure-of-merit (i.e., the cosmological parameter volume) by up to a factor of $\sim 400$.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, included discussion on FoM, new references, in press on PR

Is the Harrison-Zel'dovich spectrum coming back? ACT preference for ns∼1n_s \sim 1 and its discordance with Planck

The Data Release 4 of the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) shows an agreement with an Harrison-Zel'dovich primordial spectrum ($n_s=1.009 \pm 0.015$), introducing a tension with a significance of $99.3\%$ CL with the results from the Planck satellite. The discrepancy on the value of the scalar spectral index is neither alleviated with the addition of large scale structure information nor with the low multipole polarization data. We discuss possible avenues to alleviate the tension relying on either neglecting polarization measurements from ACT or in extending different sectors of the theory.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Robotic total gastrectomy with intracorporeal robot-sewn anastomosis. A novel approach adopting the double-loop reconstruction method

Gastric cancer constitutes a major health problem. Robotic surgery has been progressively developed in this field. Although the feasibility of robotic procedures has been demonstrated, there are unresolved aspects being debated, including the reproducibility of intracorporeal in place of extracorporeal anastomosis. Difficulties of traditional laparoscopy have been described and there are well-known advantages of robotic systems, but few articles in literature describe a full robotic execution of the reconstructive phase while others do not give a thorough explanation how this phase was run. A new reconstructive approach, not yet described in literature, was recently adopted at our Center. Robotic total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and a socalled ‘‘double-loop’’ reconstruction method with intracorporeal robotsewn anastomosis (Parisi’s technique) was performed in all reported cases. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected and a technical note was documented. All tumors were located at the upper third of the stomach, and no conversions or intraoperative complications occurred. Histopathological analysis showed R0 resection obtained in all specimens. Hospital stay was regular in all patients and discharge was recommended starting from the 4th postoperative day. No major postoperative complications or reoperations occurred. Reconstruction of the digestive tract after total gastrectomy is one of the main areas of surgical research in the treatment of gastric cancer and in the field of minimally invasive surgery. The double-loop method is a valid simplification of the traditional technique of construction of the Roux-limb that could increase the feasibility and safety in performing a full hand-sewn intracorporeal reconstruction and it appears to fit the characteristics of the robotic system thus obtaining excellent postoperative clinical outcome