Abstract: The spectrum of the negative-parity spin-1/2 Lambda baryons is studied using lattice QCD and hadronic effective theory in a unitarized coupled-channel framework. A direct comparison between the two approaches is possible by considering the hadronic effective theory in a finite volume and with hadron masses and mesonic decay constants that correspond to the situation studied on the lattice. Comparing the energy level spectrum and SU(3) flavor decompositions of the individual states, it is found that the lowest two states extracted from lattice QCD can be associated with one of the two Lambda(1405)-poles and the Lambda(1670) resonance. The quark mass dependences of these two lattice QCD levels are in good agreement with their effective theory counterparts. However, as current lattice QCD studies still rely on three-quark operators to generate the physical states, clear signals corresponding to the meson-baryon scattering states, that appear in the finite volume effective theory calculation, are not yet seen.

Abstract: The possible role of the triangle mechanism in the B- decay into D*(0)pi(-)pi(0)eta and D*(0)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) is investigated. In this process, the triangle singularity appears from the decay of B- into D*K-0(-) K*(0) followed by the decay of K-*0 into pi(-) K+ and the fusion of the K+ K-, which forms the a(0)(980) or f(0)(980), which finally decay into pi(0)eta or pi(+)pi(-), respectively. The triangle mechanism from the (K) over bar * K (K) over bar loop generates a peak around 1420 MeV in the invariant mass of pi(-) a(0) or pi(-) f(0), and it gives sizable branching fractions, Br(B- -> D*(0)pi(-) a(0); a(0) -> pi(0)eta) = (1.66 +/- 0.45) x 10(-6) and Br(B- -> D*(0)pi(-) f(0); f(0) -> pi(+)pi(-)) = (2.82 +/- 0.75) x 10(-6).

Abstract: During the second long shutdown period of the CERN accelerator complex (LS2, 2019-2021), several upgrade activities took place at the nTOF facility. The most important have been the replacement of the spallation target with a next generation nitrogen-cooled lead target. Additionally, a new experimental area, at a very short distance from the target assembly (the NEAR Station) was established. In this paper, the core commissioning actions of the new installations are described. The improvement in the nTOF infrastructure was accompanied by several detector development projects. All these upgrade actions are discussed, focusing mostly on the future perspectives of the n_TOF facility. Furthermore, some indicative current and future measurements are briefly reported.

Abstract: The Zirconium (Z = 40) isotopic chain has attracted interest for more than four decades. The abrupt lowering of the energy of the first 2(+) state and the increase in the transition strength B(E2; 2(1)(+) -> 0(1)(+) ) going from Zr-98 to Zr-100 has been the first example of “quantum phase transition” in nuclear shapes, which has few equivalents in the nuclear chart. Although a multitude of experiments have been performed to measure nuclear properties related to nuclear shapes and collectivity in the region, none of the measured lifetimes were obtained using the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift method in the gamma gamma-coincidence mode where a gate on the direct feeding transition of the state of interest allows a strict control of systematical errors. This work reports the results of lifetime measurements for the first yrast excited states in Zr98-104 carried out to extract reduced transition probabilities. The new lifetime values in gamma gamma-coincidence and gamma-single mode are compared with the results of former experiments. Recent predictions of the Interacting Boson Model with Configuration Mixing, the Symmetry Conserving Configuration Mixing model based on the Hartree-Fock- Bogoliubov approach and the Monte Carlo Shell Model are presented and compared with the experimental data.

Abstract: It was predicted qualitatively in ref. [I] that skyrmion matter at low density is stable in an inhomogeneous phase where skyrmions condensate into lumps while the remaining space is mostly empty. The aim of this paper is to proof quantitatively this prediction. In order to construct an inhomogeneous medium we distort the original FCC crystal to produce a phase of planar structures made of skyrmions. We implement mathematically these planar structures by means of the 't Hooft instanton solution using the Atiyah-Manton ansatz. The results of our calculation of the average density and energy confirm the prediction suggesting that the phase diagram of the dense skyrmion matter is a lot more complex than a simple phase transition from the skyrmion FCC crystal lattice to the half-skyrmion CC one. Our results show that skyrmion matter shares common properties with standard nuclear matter developing a skin and leading to a binding energy equation which resembles the Weiszacker mass formula.