Abstract: Ratios of top-quark pair to Z-boson cross sections measured from proton-proton-collisions at the LHC centre-of-mass energies of root S = 13 TeV, 8 TeV, and 7 TeV are presented by the ATLAS Collaboration. Single ratios, at a given root S for the two processes and at different root S , for each process, as well as double ratios of the two processes at different root S , are evaluated. The ratios are constructed using previously published ATLAS measurements of the t (t) over bar and Z-boson production cross sections, corrected to a common phase space where required, and a new analysis of Z -> l(+)l(-) where l = e, μat root S = 13 TeV performed with data collected in 2015 with an integrated luminosity of 3.2 fb(-1). Correlations of systematic uncertainties are taken into account when evaluating the uncertainties in the ratios. The correlation model is also used to evaluate the combined cross section of the Z -> e (+) e (-) and the Z -> μ(+) μ(-) channels for each value. The results are compared to calculations performed at next-to-next-to-leading-order accuracy using recent sets of parton distribution functions. The data demonstrate significant power to constrain the gluon distribution function for the Bjorken-x values near 0.1 and the light-quark sea for x < 0.02.

Abstract: Results obtained by various experiments show that the D-s0(*)(2317) and D-s1(2460) mesons are very narrow states located below the DK and D*K thresholds, respectively. This is markedly in contrast with the expectations of naive quark models and heavy quark symmetry. Motivated by a recent lattice study which addresses the mass shifts of the c _ s ground states with quantum numbers J(P) = 1+ [D-s1 (2317)] and JP = 1(+) [D-s1(2460)] due to their coupling with S-wave D-(*) K thresholds, we perform a similar analysis within a nonrelativistic constituent quark model in which quark-antiquark and meson-meson degrees of freedom are incorporated. The quark model has been applied to a wide range of hadronic observables, and thus the model parameters are completely constrained. The coupling between quark- antiquark and mesonmeson Fock components is done using a P-3(0) model in which its only free parameter gamma has been elucidated, performing a global fit to the decay widths of mesons that belong to different quark sectors, from light to heavy. We observe that the coupling of the 0(+)(1(+)) meson sector to the DK (D*K) threshold is the key feature to simultaneously lower the masses of the corresponding D-s0(*)(2317) and D-s1(2460) states predicted by the naive quark model and describe the D-s1(2536) meson as the 1(+)state of the j(q)(p) =3/2(+) doublet predicted by heavy quark symmetry, reproducing its strong decay properties. Our calculation allows us to introduce the coupling with the D- wave D*K channel and the computation of the probabilities associated with the different Fock components of the physical state.

Abstract: Knowledge of the material in the ATLAS inner tracking detector is crucial in under-standing the reconstruction of charged-particle tracks, the performance of algorithms that identify jets containing b-hadrons and is also essential to reduce background in searches for exotic particles that can decay within the inner detector volume. Interactions of primary hadrons produced in pp collisions with the material in the inner detector are used to map the location and amount of this material. The hadronic interactions of primary particles may result in secondary vertices, which in this analysis are reconstructed by an inclusive vertex-finding algorithm. Data were collected using minimum-bias triggers by the ATLAS detector operating at the LHC during 2010 at centre-of-mass energy root s = 7 TeV, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 19 nb(-1). Kinematic properties of these secondary vertices are used to study the validity of the modelling of hadronic interactions in simulation. Secondary-vertex yields are compared between data and simulation over a volume of about 0.7m(3) around the interaction point, and agreement is found within overall uncertainties.

Abstract: We investigate the potential of using deep learning techniques to reject background events in searches for neutrinoless double beta decay with high pressure xenon time projection chambers capable of detailed track reconstruction. The differences in the topological signatures of background and signal events can be learned by deep neural networks via training over many thousands of events. These networks can then be used to classify further events as signal or background, providing an additional background rejection factor at an acceptable loss of efficiency. The networks trained in this study performed better than previous methods developed based on the use of the same topological signatures by a factor of 1.2 to 1.6, and there is potential for further improvement.

Abstract: The aim of this work is to provide a precise and accurate measurement of the U-238(n,gamma) reaction cross section in the energy region from 1 eV to 700 keV. This reaction is of fundamental importance for the design calculations of nuclear reactors, governing the behavior of the reactor core. In particular, fast reactors, which are experiencing a growing interest for their ability to burn radioactive waste, operate in the high energy region of the neutron spectrum. In this energy region most recent evaluations disagree due to inconsistencies in the existing measurements of up to 15%. In addition, the assessment of nuclear data uncertainty performed for innovative reactor systems shows that the uncertainty in the radiative capture cross section of U-238 should be further reduced to 1-3% in the energy region from 20 eV to 25 keV. To this purpose, addressed by the Nuclear Energy Agency as a priority nuclear data need, complementary experiments, one at the GELINA and two at the nTOF facility, were proposed and carried out within the 7th Framework Project ANDES of the European Commission. The results of one of these U-238(n, gamma) measurements performed at the nTOF CERN facility are presented in this work. The gamma-ray cascade following the radiative neutron capture has been detected exploiting a setup of two C6D6 liquid scintillators. Resonance parameters obtained from this work are on average in excellent agreement with the ones reported in evaluated libraries. In the unresolved resonance region, this work yields a cross section in agreement with evaluated libraries up to 80 keV, while for higher energies our results are significantly higher.