PixFEL: development of an X-ray diffraction imager for future FEL applications

A readout chip for diffraction imaging applications at new generation X-ray FELs (Free Electron Lasers) has been designed in a 65 nm CMOS technology. It consists of a 32 × 32 matrix, with square pixels and a pixel pitch of 110 µm. Each cell includes a low-noise charge sensitive amplifier (CSA) with dynamic signal compression, covering an input dynamic range from 1 to 104 photons and featuring single photon resolution at small signals at energies from 1 to 10 keV. The CSA output is processed by a time-variant shaper performing gated integration and correlated double sampling. Each pixel includes also a small area, low power 10-bit time-interleaved Successive Approximation Register (SAR) ADC for in-pixel digitization of the amplitude measurement. The channel can be operated at rates up to 4.5 MHz, to be compliant with the rates foreseen for future X-ray FEL machines. The ASIC has been designed in order to be bump bonded to a slim/active edge pixel sensor, in order to build the first demonstrator for the PixFEL (advanced X-ray PIXel cameras at FELs) imager

Evidence for an excess of B -> D(*) Tau Nu decays

Based on the full BaBar data sample, we report improved measurements of the ratios R(D(*)) = B(B -> D(*) Tau Nu)/B(B -> D(*) l Nu), where l is either e or mu. These ratios are sensitive to new physics contributions in the form of a charged Higgs boson. We measure R(D) = 0.440 +- 0.058 +- 0.042 and R(D*) = 0.332 +- 0.024 +- 0.018, which exceed the Standard Model expectations by 2.0 sigma and 2.7 sigma, respectively. Taken together, our results disagree with these expectations at the 3.4 sigma level. This excess cannot be explained by a charged Higgs boson in the type II two-Higgs-doublet model. We also report the observation of the decay B -> D Tau Nu, with a significance of 6.8 sigma.Comment: Expanded section on systematics, text corrections, improved the format of Figure 2 and included the effect of the change of the Tau polarization due to the charged Higg

Search for the decay modes D^0 → e^+e^-, D^0 → μ^+μ^-, and D^0 → e^±μ∓

We present searches for the rare decay modes D^0→e^+e^-, D^0→μ^+μ^-, and D^0→e^±μ^∓ in continuum e^+e^-→cc events recorded by the BABAR detector in a data sample that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 468  fb^(-1). These decays are highly Glashow–Iliopoulos–Maiani suppressed but may be enhanced in several extensions of the standard model. Our observed event yields are consistent with the expected backgrounds. An excess is seen in the D^0→μ^+μ^- channel, although the observed yield is consistent with an upward background fluctuation at the 5% level. Using the Feldman–Cousins method, we set the following 90% confidence level intervals on the branching fractions: B(D^0→e^+e^-)<1.7×10^(-7), B(D^0→μ^+μ^-) within [0.6,8.1]×10^(-7), and B(D^0→e^±μ^∓)<3.3×10^(-7)

Bottomonium spectroscopy and radiative transitions involving the chi(bJ)(1P, 2P) states at BABAR

We use (121 +/- 1) million Upsilon(3S) and (98 +/- 1) million Upsilon(2S) mesons recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II e(+)e(-) collider at SLAC to perform a study of radiative transitions involving the chi(bJ)(1P, 2P) states in exclusive decays with mu(+)mu(-)gamma gamma final states. We reconstruct twelve channels in four cascades using two complementary methods. In the first we identify both signal photon candidates in the electromagnetic calorimeter (EMC), employ a calorimeter timing-based technique to reduce backgrounds, and determine branching-ratio products and fine mass splittings. These results include the best observational significance yet for the chi(b0)(2P) -> gamma Upsilon(2S) and chi(b0)(1P) -> gamma Upsilon(1S) transitions. In the second method, we identify one photon candidate in the EMC and one which has converted into an e(+)e(-) pair due to interaction with detector material, and we measure absolute product branching fractions. This method is particularly useful for measuring Upsilon(3S) -> gamma chi(b1,2)(1P) decays. Additionally, we provide the most up-to-date derived branching fractions, matrix elements and mass splittings for chi(b) transitions in the bottomonium system. Using a new technique, we also measure the two lowest-order spin-dependent coefficients in the nonrelativistic QCD Hamiltonian

Search for a light Higgs resonance in radiative decays of the (1S) with a charm tag

A search is presented for the decay (1S)→γA0, A0→cc¯, where A0 is a candidate for the CP-odd Higgs boson of the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model. The search is based on data collected with the BABAR detector at the (2S) resonance. A sample of (1S) mesons is selected via the decay (2S)→π+π-(1S). The A0→cc¯ decay is identified through the reconstruction of hadronic D0, D+, and D∗(2010)+ meson decays. No significant signal is observed. The measured 90% confidence-level upper limits on the product branching fraction B((1S)→γA0)×B(A0→cc¯) range from 7.4×10-5 to 2.4×10-3 for A0 masses from 4.00 to 8.95GeV/c2 and 9.10 to 9.25GeV/c2, where the region between 8.95 and 9.10GeV/c2 is excluded because of background from (2S)→γχbJ(1P), χbJ(1P)→γ(1S) decays

Search for the decay modes D0 -> e+e-, D0 -> mu+mu-, and D0 -> e mu

We present searches for the rare decay modes D0 to e+e-, D0 to mu+mu- and D0 to e mu in continuum e+e- to cbar c events recorded by the BABAR detector in a data sample that corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 468 f^-1. These decays are highly GIM suppressed but may be enhanced in several extensions of the Standard Model. Our observed event yields are consistent with the expected backgrounds. An excess is seen in the D0 to mu+mu- channel, although the observed yield is consistent with an upward background fluctuation at the 5% level. Using the Feldman-Cousins method, we set the following 90% confidence level intervals on the branching fractions: B(D0 to e+e-)<1.7 x 10^-7, B(D0 to mu+mu-) within [0.6, 8.1] x 10^-7, and B(D0 to e mu)<3.3 x 10^-7.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PR

Observation of a Charmed Baryon Decaying to D0p at a Mass Near 2.94 GeV/c2

A search for charmed baryons decaying to D 0 p reveals two states: the Λ c ( 2880 ) + baryon and a previously unobserved state at a mass of [ 2939.8 ± 1.3 ( stat ) ± 1.0 ( syst ) ]     MeV / c 2 and with an intrinsic width of [ 17.5 ± 5.2 ( stat ) ± 5.9 ( syst ) ]     MeV . Consistent and significant signals are observed for the K − π + and K − π + π − π + decay modes of the D 0 in 287     fb − 1 annihilation data recorded by the BABAR detector at a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV. There is no evidence in the D + p spectrum of doubly charged partners. The mass and intrinsic width of the Λ c ( 2880 ) + baryon and relative yield of the two baryons are also measured

Studio della misura dell'asimmetria di CP nel canale

Dottorato di ricerca in fisicaConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7 Rome; Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale - P.za Cavalleggeri, 1, Florence / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal

Enteric anastomosis and Tachosil®].

Anastomotic leakage is a common complication of colorectal surgery. To date, no clinical study exists showing a significant effect in reducing its frequency by sealing the anastomosis with a fibrin glue-coated collagen patch; the aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of Tachosil. Methoda. We considered patients undergoing open resective colorectal surgery. In selected cases, Tachosil patches were wrapped around the anastomotic line. The onset of anastomotic leak was either defined clinically and investigated by contrast enema and CT scan. Results. From January 2010 to February 2011, 63 patients underwent colorectal surgery at our Institute. We recorded six major surgical complications; all complicated cases were in the no-Tachosil group. A shorter mean post-operative stay of 7.2 days was observed for patients where Tachosil was applied compared to 9.3 days for patients of no-Tachosil group. These difference was mainly related to anastomotic insufficiences recorded in the no-Tachosil group. Fibrin-coated collagen glue is used in different fields of surgery to improve hemostasis and anastomotic healing. Our experience confirmed its safety with a reduced incidence of anastomotic leak. These experience is based on few, non-randomized cases and therefore cannot demonstrate a real efficacy of Tachosil in anastomotic leak prevention

Elastofibroma dorsi: three cases of personal experience

Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare, slow growing, soft tissue lesion, which occurs mainly in elderly women, tipically located in the infrascapular region. This lesion is characterized by a poorly defined solid mass of fibroelastic and fatty tissue, enlarging into intermuscular spaces. Elastofibroma may simulate an aggressive behaviour, and differential diagnosis with malignant tumors is sometimes difficult. Surgical resection is generally recommended in symptomatic lesions or in the suspicion of malignancy. We report our experience of three cases of elastofibroma, two of which typically located in the infrascapular region and one located in the supraclavear fossa, atypical site never reported so far